I would like to at this
point go to the Lord in prayer.
00:00:32.19\00:00:36.50
I know we have prayed,
00:00:36.53\00:00:38.20
but I think you may remember
00:00:38.23\00:00:40.57
that I like to go to the
Lord in prayer once again
00:00:40.60\00:00:43.14
before we present God's message.
00:00:43.17\00:00:45.61
So I'm going to kneel,
00:00:45.64\00:00:47.98
I ask you to pray for
me and pray for yourselves
00:00:48.01\00:00:50.45
and we're going to
ask the Lord to bless us.
00:00:50.48\00:00:52.41
Our loving, Heavenly Father,
00:00:57.42\00:01:00.49
we thank You for this moment
00:01:00.52\00:01:01.96
that we can come
before Your throne of grace,
00:01:01.99\00:01:05.46
and we come in Jesus name.
00:01:05.49\00:01:08.86
And, Lord, You know
each and every person here,
00:01:08.90\00:01:12.93
each and every person
00:01:12.97\00:01:14.30
that may listen to this message,
00:01:14.34\00:01:16.27
so we pray that
You will speak to them.
00:01:16.30\00:01:20.04
I place myself in Your hands
00:01:20.08\00:01:23.61
so that every word will
come from Your throne of grace.
00:01:23.65\00:01:27.72
And, Lord, we ask
00:01:27.75\00:01:29.08
for the outpouring
of Your Holy Spirit.
00:01:29.12\00:01:32.32
We pray for Your
name to be glorified
00:01:32.35\00:01:34.99
and Your children to be edified.
00:01:35.02\00:01:37.66
In Jesus Holy and
blessed name, amen.
00:01:37.69\00:01:42.33
Amen.
00:01:42.36\00:01:43.87
The Bible tells us
that Jesus came to seek
00:01:43.90\00:01:47.37
and to save that which was lost.
00:01:47.40\00:01:51.44
He came and lived among us
00:01:51.47\00:01:53.78
and He went from place to place
00:01:53.81\00:01:56.18
doing good.
00:01:56.21\00:02:00.12
As you look at history,
00:02:00.15\00:02:01.48
you find a very
interesting story
00:02:01.52\00:02:04.09
of a soldier name Scott O'Grady,
00:02:04.12\00:02:07.29
perhaps you've
heard about Scott O'Grady.
00:02:07.32\00:02:10.46
Scott O'Grady
was in the military,
00:02:10.49\00:02:14.23
and on June 2nd 1995,
00:02:14.26\00:02:18.43
in the Bosnia Serb
area, his plane was shot down.
00:02:18.47\00:02:23.84
He along with another plane
were doing a routine mission
00:02:23.87\00:02:29.74
when he was shot down.
00:02:29.78\00:02:33.38
According to the story,
00:02:33.42\00:02:35.68
the Bosnia and Herzegovina,
00:02:35.72\00:02:39.72
they had a mobile launcher
00:02:39.75\00:02:42.69
and these were trying
00:02:42.72\00:02:46.16
to shoot the US
00:02:46.19\00:02:50.13
and other places
and the NATO soldiers.
00:02:50.17\00:02:53.23
And as they were flying
00:02:53.27\00:02:54.60
with their jets
on a routine mission,
00:02:54.64\00:02:57.11
these people would
just activate their radar
00:02:57.14\00:03:00.74
at the least
moment of opportunity
00:03:00.78\00:03:04.01
for airplanes to be able
to determine where they were.
00:03:04.05\00:03:07.38
And as these
planes were passing by,
00:03:07.42\00:03:09.92
they launched the first missile
00:03:09.95\00:03:11.82
and the first missile
exploded between the two planes.
00:03:11.85\00:03:16.09
The next one
00:03:16.12\00:03:17.73
hit Scott O'Grady's
00:03:17.76\00:03:20.73
F-16 airplane.
00:03:20.76\00:03:26.33
The airplane broke into
00:03:26.37\00:03:30.07
and the
airplane in front of them
00:03:30.11\00:03:31.94
just saw a ball
of fire exploding,
00:03:31.97\00:03:36.14
never saw that
Scott O'Grady ejected
00:03:36.18\00:03:40.85
from the plane
00:03:40.88\00:03:42.22
and he thought that
Scott O'Grady was dead.
00:03:42.25\00:03:45.79
But Scott O'Grady
landed in enemy territory
00:03:45.82\00:03:50.23
and as he was in this territory,
00:03:50.26\00:03:53.56
he began a
journey to save his life,
00:03:53.60\00:03:57.83
running from place to place
00:03:57.87\00:04:00.47
and using what he
had learned to survive,
00:04:00.50\00:04:04.14
he ate leaves, he ate
bugs in order to survive only
00:04:04.17\00:04:08.94
activating his radio
just at moments when needed
00:04:08.98\00:04:13.31
because he sent a
signal for them to say,
00:04:13.35\00:04:17.95
as soon as he landed,
he said, "I am alive."
00:04:17.99\00:04:23.53
And they received this signal,
00:04:23.56\00:04:26.19
and from time to time
00:04:26.23\00:04:27.56
he would just activate his radio
00:04:27.60\00:04:29.03
just for a moment,
just to send like a beacon,
00:04:29.06\00:04:32.37
letting them know,
"I am still alive."
00:04:32.40\00:04:36.71
So for six days he
ran from place to place.
00:04:36.74\00:04:39.84
As soon as he was shot down,
the enemies tried to find him,
00:04:39.87\00:04:43.78
he covered his face with dirt,
00:04:43.81\00:04:45.61
put his face
upside down on the ground,
00:04:45.65\00:04:48.02
didn't move at all, and
they shot within a feet.
00:04:48.05\00:04:52.89
Feet of him, very
close, several times
00:04:52.92\00:04:56.22
as he was running, he was chased
00:04:56.26\00:04:59.06
and they tried to catch him
00:04:59.09\00:05:00.83
but somehow,
miraculously, he survived.
00:05:00.86\00:05:05.97
And on June 8, 1995
00:05:06.00\00:05:09.34
at 6:35 am, right at midnight,
00:05:09.37\00:05:14.21
he sent a
message and said to them,
00:05:14.24\00:05:16.78
"I am alive, I'm
going to send you
00:05:16.81\00:05:19.48
a signal of my location."
00:05:19.51\00:05:22.65
He was hoping
00:05:22.68\00:05:24.02
that they would
come to rescue him.
00:05:24.05\00:05:26.82
And at 6:35 am,
00:05:26.86\00:05:28.82
four helicopters
zeroed in on his location
00:05:28.86\00:05:32.46
and went under enemy
radar to try to rescue him.
00:05:32.49\00:05:37.83
One helicopter
landed, 20 marines ran out,
00:05:37.87\00:05:41.30
trying to secure the perimeter
for the other aircrafts
00:05:41.34\00:05:44.31
that would come and land.
00:05:44.34\00:05:46.17
And the other helicopter landed
00:05:46.21\00:05:49.28
and just as the
second helicopter landed,
00:05:49.31\00:05:51.51
20 marines started to come out
00:05:51.55\00:05:53.85
and Scott O'Grady was
coming, running with a pistol.
00:05:53.88\00:05:56.89
They identified
him, pulled him in,
00:05:56.92\00:06:00.19
he was tired and
weak from all the running
00:06:00.22\00:06:03.79
and from trying to
survive for six days.
00:06:03.83\00:06:08.60
And they took off and
they brought him home.
00:06:08.63\00:06:12.60
The rescue took under
seven minutes, a miraculous.
00:06:12.63\00:06:17.11
It's one of the
greatest survival stories
00:06:17.14\00:06:20.71
and rescues the US
military has performed.
00:06:20.74\00:06:24.45
But there is a greater
rescue and that is the rescue
00:06:24.48\00:06:27.65
that Jesus Christ came to do
for each and every one of us.
00:06:27.68\00:06:32.79
All the forces of heaven
are at work for your salvation.
00:06:32.82\00:06:38.19
Angels are
commissioned to help you
00:06:38.23\00:06:42.16
each and every single day.
00:06:42.20\00:06:45.27
And you and I are not aware
of the fights and struggles
00:06:45.30\00:06:50.11
that take place to keep you safe
00:06:50.14\00:06:52.91
because Satan and
all his evil angels
00:06:52.94\00:06:56.38
would love to destroy you
at every moment of your life,
00:06:56.41\00:07:01.82
specially, if you are a
one that is letting your light
00:07:01.85\00:07:06.12
so shine before men
00:07:06.15\00:07:07.66
that they may
see your good works
00:07:07.69\00:07:09.72
and glorify
your Heavenly Father.
00:07:09.76\00:07:13.29
And so I say to you,
00:07:13.33\00:07:15.23
you are very
special to the Lord.
00:07:15.26\00:07:18.97
Just as the military sent
00:07:19.00\00:07:20.80
all these soldiers
to rescue one man...
00:07:20.84\00:07:23.47
God in His
supreme love and His love
00:07:26.54\00:07:29.54
that we cannot
comprehend wants to save you,
00:07:29.58\00:07:34.22
and I praise the Lord for that.
00:07:34.25\00:07:36.32
I would like to
encourage you to consider
00:07:36.35\00:07:38.35
that God loves you
more than you can imagine.
00:07:38.39\00:07:41.52
And He wants more than anything
that you become His child
00:07:41.56\00:07:47.23
and follow Him all
the days of your life
00:07:47.26\00:07:50.30
and receive His protection.
00:07:50.33\00:07:53.30
I praise the Lord that
I can look back in life
00:07:53.34\00:07:57.27
and see a few moments
00:07:57.31\00:07:58.64
when I know that the
Lord saved me from death.
00:07:58.67\00:08:02.74
I remember, as a little boy,
00:08:02.78\00:08:06.61
I was in a house
in Dominican Republic
00:08:06.65\00:08:09.02
and a lady said,
00:08:09.05\00:08:10.52
"Go over there
and get so and so."
00:08:10.55\00:08:14.59
I was tiny,
00:08:14.62\00:08:15.96
I think I was
younger than Benjamin,
00:08:15.99\00:08:18.06
and I was given a mission
00:08:18.09\00:08:19.76
and I ran out to
complete this mission.
00:08:19.79\00:08:23.90
I ran out into the
street without looking
00:08:23.93\00:08:27.44
and I heard a car stop
00:08:27.47\00:08:32.01
within feet,
00:08:32.04\00:08:33.68
a foot or two of me.
00:08:33.71\00:08:36.24
My heart was beating.
00:08:36.28\00:08:38.55
I had never felt my
heart beat so hard before.
00:08:38.58\00:08:42.02
I knew that I
could have almost...
00:08:42.05\00:08:44.52
That I could have been killed.
00:08:44.55\00:08:46.35
I was scared and for a long time
00:08:46.39\00:08:48.99
that heart, little
heart kept beating.
00:08:49.02\00:08:50.99
That's one of the
times that I can look back
00:08:51.03\00:08:54.10
and see that God
miraculously saved me.
00:08:54.13\00:08:59.10
Is there anybody here
00:08:59.13\00:09:00.47
that could say God miraculously
saved me at some point?
00:09:00.50\00:09:03.61
Praise the Lord.
00:09:03.64\00:09:05.04
And those are the
ones that you know
00:09:05.07\00:09:08.11
and God is going to
tell you many more times.
00:09:08.14\00:09:11.35
When the enemy
wanted to kill you
00:09:11.38\00:09:14.45
but God stopped him,
and I praise the Lord.
00:09:14.48\00:09:16.92
God wants to bless you
as you live upon this earth,
00:09:16.95\00:09:19.85
and I want to
invite you to join me
00:09:19.89\00:09:22.36
in Deuteronomy 30:8-9.
00:09:22.39\00:09:27.53
Deuteronomy 30:8-9.
00:09:27.56\00:09:31.77
Some of you may be able
to read this on the screen
00:09:31.80\00:09:34.97
and the Bible says,
00:09:35.00\00:09:36.60
"And you will again
obey the voice of the Lord
00:09:36.64\00:09:40.11
and do all His commandments
which I command you today.
00:09:40.14\00:09:43.65
The Lord, your God
will make you abound
00:09:43.68\00:09:46.51
in all the work of your
hand, in the fruit of your body,
00:09:46.55\00:09:50.62
in the increase
of your livestock,
00:09:50.65\00:09:52.55
and in the produce
of your land for good.
00:09:52.59\00:09:55.92
For the Lord will again
rejoice over you for good
00:09:55.96\00:10:01.13
as He rejoiced
over your fathers."
00:10:01.16\00:10:04.33
The Lord takes care
of us more than we know
00:10:04.37\00:10:08.20
and, you know, He is constantly
00:10:08.24\00:10:10.01
at work to uphold us,
help us, and keep us going.
00:10:10.04\00:10:14.24
How many of you
00:10:14.28\00:10:15.61
through the night
hire some special doctors
00:10:15.64\00:10:18.88
and things to
keep your heart going?
00:10:18.91\00:10:20.92
No, the Lord
keeps your heart going,
00:10:20.95\00:10:22.92
the Lord keeps you
breathing at night.
00:10:22.95\00:10:26.25
And I've heard
through my lifetime,
00:10:26.29\00:10:27.99
"It's a good thing that
some things are automatic,
00:10:28.02\00:10:30.69
otherwise some of us
would forget to breathe
00:10:30.73\00:10:33.06
or even to keep
our hearts moving."
00:10:33.09\00:10:36.26
The Lord has made
a wonderful creation
00:10:36.30\00:10:39.90
in the human body.
00:10:39.93\00:10:41.77
I praise the Lord for the things
00:10:41.80\00:10:44.17
that I have learned
00:10:44.21\00:10:45.54
about the marvelous work
of how God keeps us alive.
00:10:45.57\00:10:50.81
Blood flowing, heart beating,
breathing that takes place,
00:10:50.85\00:10:55.42
digestion is a
miraculous process,
00:10:55.45\00:10:58.42
God takes care of us.
00:10:58.45\00:11:00.89
In Jeremiah 29:11,
00:11:00.92\00:11:06.26
we have a message from the Lord
00:11:06.29\00:11:07.93
that I believe, perhaps,
00:11:07.96\00:11:09.30
one individual
here has memorized.
00:11:09.33\00:11:12.27
And you may remember
it as I begin to read it.
00:11:12.30\00:11:15.47
Jeremiah 29:11, the Bible says,
00:11:15.50\00:11:19.21
"For I know the thoughts
that I think toward you,
00:11:19.24\00:11:22.98
says the Lord,
00:11:23.01\00:11:24.35
thoughts of
peace and not of evil,
00:11:24.38\00:11:27.28
to give you a
future and a hope."
00:11:27.32\00:11:29.95
What kind of thoughts
does the Lord have for us?
00:11:29.98\00:11:33.05
Thoughts of peace.
God wants us to be happy.
00:11:33.09\00:11:38.13
And our greatest
happiness is found in loving God
00:11:38.16\00:11:43.30
and doing His will,
loving God and doing His will
00:11:43.33\00:11:48.40
and there is as the Bible says,
00:11:48.44\00:11:51.34
"At the presence of the Lord,
00:11:51.37\00:11:53.44
there is fullness of joy."
00:11:53.48\00:11:57.35
The Bible says,
"The great peace have
00:11:57.38\00:11:59.28
they which love the Lord
00:11:59.31\00:12:01.75
and love the
law and follow Him."
00:12:01.78\00:12:05.15
One of the psalms
00:12:05.19\00:12:06.86
that I like to
read is Psalms 103.
00:12:06.89\00:12:09.66
I would like to invite you there
00:12:09.69\00:12:11.03
to read a few verses.
00:12:11.06\00:12:12.59
Psalms 103.
00:12:12.63\00:12:16.77
Psalms 103, if
you found it say amen.
00:12:16.80\00:12:20.54
Let's read beginning in verse 1,
00:12:20.57\00:12:22.70
"Bless the Lord, O my soul.
00:12:22.74\00:12:25.84
And all that is within
me, bless His holy name!
00:12:25.87\00:12:30.71
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
00:12:30.75\00:12:32.38
and forget not
all His benefits."
00:12:32.41\00:12:36.55
Praise the Lord.
00:12:36.58\00:12:37.95
"Who forgives
all your iniquities,
00:12:37.99\00:12:40.36
Who heals all your diseases,
00:12:40.39\00:12:42.92
Who redeems your
life from destruction,
00:12:42.96\00:12:46.33
Who crowns you
with loving kindness
00:12:46.36\00:12:48.20
and tender mercies,
00:12:48.23\00:12:49.60
Who satisfies your
mouth with good things
00:12:49.63\00:12:52.83
so that your youth is
renewed like the eagle's."
00:12:52.87\00:12:57.41
Praise the Lord.
00:12:57.44\00:12:59.94
Those are wonderful scriptures
that help us understand
00:12:59.97\00:13:03.78
the good things
00:13:03.81\00:13:05.15
that the Lord is
willing to do for us.
00:13:05.18\00:13:09.08
Wow!
00:13:09.12\00:13:10.45
He satisfies your
mouth with good things.
00:13:10.49\00:13:13.66
Praise the Lord.
00:13:13.69\00:13:16.66
And the Lord is
watching over us constantly.
00:13:16.69\00:13:23.00
There is a scripture that says,
"Some people trust in chariots,
00:13:23.03\00:13:26.77
some in horses but I
will trust in the Lord."
00:13:26.80\00:13:31.11
Today you could say,
00:13:31.14\00:13:32.47
"Well, some people
trust in their cars,
00:13:32.51\00:13:35.94
in their alarm systems,
00:13:35.98\00:13:38.45
maybe in their guns or
weapons they may have."
00:13:38.48\00:13:41.82
Or we could say, "I
would trust in the Lord."
00:13:41.85\00:13:47.92
I encourage you to
trust in the Lord and remember
00:13:47.96\00:13:51.73
that He loves you.
00:13:51.76\00:13:53.09
"Forget not all His benefits."
00:13:53.13\00:13:55.86
Some of our sufferings come
because we forget His benefits,
00:13:55.90\00:14:00.47
we forget
00:14:00.50\00:14:02.07
that God has
helped us in the past,
00:14:02.10\00:14:04.31
and we focus on the
problem in the moment
00:14:04.34\00:14:07.68
that we are facing it,
00:14:07.71\00:14:09.11
and forget that God carried us
00:14:09.14\00:14:11.28
through worst
things than those before.
00:14:11.31\00:14:14.75
We forget His benefits,
00:14:14.78\00:14:16.65
and it is for our good
to remember His benefits,
00:14:16.69\00:14:21.72
the goodness that
God has done for us.
00:14:21.76\00:14:24.66
It is a good practice from
time to time to stop and say,
00:14:24.69\00:14:29.13
"Let's see, what
am I thankful for?"
00:14:29.16\00:14:32.33
I said this before but
I'm going to say it again
00:14:32.37\00:14:33.70
because, perhaps,
00:14:33.74\00:14:35.07
there is someone
here that hasn't heard it.
00:14:35.10\00:14:37.67
A gentleman called 3ABN
one time out of the blue,
00:14:37.71\00:14:41.24
took me by surprise,
00:14:41.28\00:14:42.74
"What do I have
to be thankful for?"
00:14:42.78\00:14:46.18
That was an
interesting question.
00:14:46.21\00:14:47.92
All kinds of Bible
question come to 3ABN
00:14:47.95\00:14:50.02
but this one was
kind of different.
00:14:50.05\00:14:52.15
What do I have
to be thankful for?
00:14:52.19\00:14:54.32
And the Lord was kind to
me and said, I asked him,
00:14:54.36\00:14:59.03
"Are you in a prison right now?"
00:14:59.06\00:15:01.53
He said, "No."
00:15:01.56\00:15:02.90
Well, you should
be thankful for that.
00:15:02.93\00:15:04.77
"Are you in the
hospital right now?"
00:15:04.80\00:15:06.97
"No."
00:15:07.00\00:15:08.34
You should be thankful for that.
00:15:08.37\00:15:09.70
How about this? "Are
you in an insane asylum?"
00:15:09.74\00:15:14.44
He said, "No, I
guess I do have some things
00:15:14.48\00:15:17.85
to be thankful for."
00:15:17.88\00:15:20.35
We have many
things to be thankful for
00:15:20.38\00:15:23.59
and it's a good practice
to start from time to time
00:15:23.62\00:15:26.22
and look back, what do
I have to be thankful for?
00:15:26.25\00:15:28.92
You may remember
some great things
00:15:28.96\00:15:30.63
the Lord has
done for you recently
00:15:30.66\00:15:32.39
but there are things
that God does that sometimes
00:15:32.43\00:15:36.77
they are as unnoticed by us.
00:15:36.80\00:15:39.83
And when the Lord does something
00:15:39.87\00:15:41.20
that you are aware
of, thank Him for it.
00:15:41.24\00:15:46.07
And thank Him for those things
that you may not even remember
00:15:46.11\00:15:49.11
that He has done,
for the Lord has done
00:15:49.14\00:15:53.42
so many wonderful things for us.
00:15:53.45\00:15:55.95
I invite you to
continue in Psalms 103:11,
00:15:55.98\00:15:59.45
"For as the heavens
are high above the earth,
00:15:59.49\00:16:04.66
so great is His mercy
toward those who fear Him."
00:16:04.69\00:16:09.63
Wonderful, verse 12,
00:16:09.66\00:16:11.10
"As far as the
east is from the west,
00:16:11.13\00:16:14.44
so far has He removed
our transgressions from us.
00:16:14.47\00:16:18.87
As a father pities his children,
00:16:18.91\00:16:21.44
so the Lord pities
those who fear Him.
00:16:21.48\00:16:24.68
For He knows our frame, He
remembers that we are dust."
00:16:24.71\00:16:30.62
Praise the Lord.
00:16:30.65\00:16:33.49
It's marvelous to consider
the blessings of the Lord.
00:16:33.52\00:16:37.99
And as you consider
the blessings of the Lord,
00:16:38.03\00:16:40.36
you are drawing
close to the Lord
00:16:40.40\00:16:44.03
and you began to be more aware
00:16:44.07\00:16:46.74
of His presence
because we have been promised,
00:16:46.77\00:16:50.34
"I will never leave
you nor forsake you."
00:16:50.37\00:16:54.54
Praise the Lord.
00:16:54.58\00:16:57.81
I would like to
turn now to Matthew 11.
00:16:57.85\00:17:01.22
In Matthew 11,
00:17:01.25\00:17:02.58
you know, we go through
many sufferings in life,
00:17:02.62\00:17:05.69
many stresses of life,
and unfortunately, as humans,
00:17:05.72\00:17:10.66
we focus on the stress,
we focus on the problem,
00:17:10.69\00:17:13.90
we worry about
what's going to happen,
00:17:13.93\00:17:16.06
how is this going to turn out,
00:17:16.10\00:17:17.93
how am I going to
be able to do this,
00:17:17.97\00:17:19.43
how am I going
to be able do that,
00:17:19.47\00:17:21.74
how in the world will I
survive this or survive that.
00:17:21.77\00:17:25.04
And I praise the Lord
that I can look back and say,
00:17:25.07\00:17:27.84
"Wow, I worried for nothing."
00:17:27.88\00:17:31.68
Because God, in
His marvelous ways,
00:17:31.71\00:17:34.25
takes care of us.
00:17:34.28\00:17:35.82
In Matthew
11:28-30, a familiar passage,
00:17:35.85\00:17:39.79
let's consider it again with me
00:17:39.82\00:17:42.52
and ask the Lord to
reveal something new to you
00:17:42.56\00:17:44.99
as we read verse 28
and onwards, Jesus says,
00:17:45.03\00:17:48.66
"Come to Me all you who
labor and are heavy laden,
00:17:48.70\00:17:54.14
and I will give you rest.
00:17:54.17\00:17:57.91
Take My yoke upon
you and learn from Me,
00:17:57.94\00:18:01.21
for I am gentle
and lowly in heart,
00:18:01.24\00:18:05.01
and you will find
rest for your souls,
00:18:05.05\00:18:07.52
for My yoke is easy
and My burden is light."
00:18:07.55\00:18:12.39
You know, people need rest,
00:18:12.42\00:18:18.79
people need rest.
00:18:18.83\00:18:21.93
Rest from their
work, rest from worry,
00:18:21.96\00:18:26.47
rest from anxiety,
rest from depression,
00:18:26.50\00:18:30.31
rest from your own
thoughts that may torment you,
00:18:30.34\00:18:35.34
we need rest
00:18:35.38\00:18:38.61
and Jesus offers that rest.
00:18:38.65\00:18:42.08
And that's why He says,
00:18:42.12\00:18:43.45
"Come to Me, come to Me
00:18:43.49\00:18:46.19
and I will give you rest."
00:18:46.22\00:18:50.13
And that rest is
available to us all the time.
00:18:50.16\00:18:55.60
You know, there are people
00:18:55.63\00:18:58.70
that need to
know that God is love.
00:18:58.73\00:19:02.00
You may not remember all
the verses in the scripture
00:19:02.04\00:19:04.41
or verses that you
would like to remember,
00:19:04.44\00:19:06.71
but remember, God loves you.
00:19:06.74\00:19:11.31
This will carry you
through difficult times,
00:19:11.35\00:19:14.72
darkest moments, God loves me.
00:19:14.75\00:19:18.79
And whatever I am going through,
00:19:18.82\00:19:20.59
for some reason,
God has allowed this,
00:19:20.62\00:19:23.96
for some
reason, for my own good.
00:19:23.99\00:19:27.23
Now we caused
ourselves some trouble.
00:19:27.26\00:19:29.50
Is anybody here willing to admit
00:19:29.53\00:19:30.87
that you have caused
yourself some trouble?
00:19:30.90\00:19:32.73
Have you caused
yourself some trouble?
00:19:32.77\00:19:34.30
I have caused myself
some unnecessary trouble.
00:19:34.34\00:19:37.87
And I say,
00:19:37.91\00:19:39.24
"Why in the
world did I do that?"
00:19:39.27\00:19:40.98
Unnecessary trouble.
00:19:41.01\00:19:42.34
Sometimes it cost us money,
sometimes it cost us time,
00:19:42.38\00:19:46.01
sometimes it cost us pain.
00:19:46.05\00:19:51.25
And I've heard some people say,
"You are your own worst enemy."
00:19:51.29\00:19:54.79
Wow. Make friends with yourself.
00:19:57.83\00:20:00.66
Joe O'Brien has in his office,
00:20:04.77\00:20:06.33
"Destroy your enemies,
make them your friends."
00:20:06.37\00:20:09.64
That's a good...
00:20:09.67\00:20:11.01
I like that.
00:20:11.04\00:20:12.37
Destroy your enemy,
make them your friends
00:20:12.41\00:20:15.44
because when you have enemies,
00:20:15.48\00:20:19.15
it is unpleasant and
it's a burden for you.
00:20:19.18\00:20:23.99
There are some enemies
00:20:24.02\00:20:25.35
that choose to
become your enemies
00:20:25.39\00:20:26.72
and there is
nothing you can do about it.
00:20:26.76\00:20:29.72
There's nothing
you can do about it,
00:20:29.76\00:20:31.66
but stay close to the Lord
00:20:31.69\00:20:34.20
and let your light
so shine before men
00:20:34.23\00:20:37.17
even those who
you think hates you.
00:20:37.20\00:20:39.77
They may see your good works
00:20:39.80\00:20:41.14
and glorify
your Heavenly Father.
00:20:41.17\00:20:43.00
You see, only by
love is love awakened.
00:20:43.04\00:20:47.78
Doing good to
others does you good.
00:20:47.81\00:20:53.95
Doing good to others
does you good as well.
00:20:53.98\00:20:56.75
So I encourage you to do good.
00:20:56.79\00:20:58.72
I've heard some people say,
"Do random acts of kindness."
00:20:58.75\00:21:03.22
Praise the Lord.
00:21:03.26\00:21:05.06
You know, God is
willing to guide you.
00:21:05.09\00:21:07.73
God is willing to bless
you with long life and peace.
00:21:07.76\00:21:12.27
There are many things
that God is willing to do.
00:21:12.30\00:21:14.84
He is willing to deliver
you from the stress and unrest,
00:21:14.87\00:21:20.44
depression and suffering.
00:21:20.48\00:21:23.28
I would like to point
you to another scripture
00:21:23.31\00:21:25.11
that is of great blessing.
00:21:25.15\00:21:26.75
Proverbs 3.
00:21:26.78\00:21:28.98
Proverbs 3, and in Proverbs 3,
00:21:29.02\00:21:32.05
we have another
message from the Lord
00:21:32.09\00:21:34.62
that deserves our attention.
00:21:34.66\00:21:36.66
Proverbs 3 beginning in verse 1,
00:21:36.69\00:21:40.80
and so we see there a
message from the Lord for us,
00:21:40.83\00:21:43.77
if you found this, say amen.
00:21:43.80\00:21:45.13
Amen.
00:21:45.17\00:21:46.50
We read, "My son,
do not forget my law,
00:21:46.53\00:21:50.24
but let your
heart keep my commands."
00:21:50.27\00:21:53.58
Why? Why?
00:21:53.61\00:21:55.58
"For length of days
and long life and peace
00:21:55.61\00:22:00.55
they will add to you."
00:22:00.58\00:22:02.15
Wow, there's a
benefit in obeying the Lord.
00:22:02.18\00:22:06.89
Length of days, long life
and peace they will add to you.
00:22:06.92\00:22:10.19
Verse 3, "Let not
mercy and truth forsake you,
00:22:10.23\00:22:13.53
bind them around your neck,
00:22:13.56\00:22:15.23
write them on the
tablet of your heart."
00:22:15.26\00:22:18.00
Commit them to memory.
00:22:18.03\00:22:19.67
"And so find
favor and high esteem
00:22:19.70\00:22:22.04
in the sight of God and man."
00:22:22.07\00:22:24.84
Notice verse 5,
00:22:24.87\00:22:26.21
"Trust in the Lord
with all your heart,
00:22:26.24\00:22:29.84
and lean not on
your own understanding.
00:22:29.88\00:22:32.11
In all your
ways, acknowledge Him,
00:22:32.15\00:22:34.68
and He shall direct your path."
00:22:34.72\00:22:38.02
Praise the
Lord. Praise the Lord.
00:22:38.05\00:22:43.99
In the Book of Mark,
00:22:44.03\00:22:46.29
we have a story of the disciples
00:22:46.33\00:22:49.43
and you've heard this
story, you've read this story.
00:22:49.46\00:22:51.47
The disciples are in this boat.
00:22:51.50\00:22:53.50
And as this boat
is facing a storm
00:22:53.54\00:22:58.31
and they were getting wet
00:22:58.34\00:22:59.74
and the wind is
blowing and tossing them here
00:22:59.77\00:23:02.54
and tossing them there
00:23:02.58\00:23:03.91
and the boat is
filling up with water.
00:23:03.95\00:23:06.35
This is in Mark 4,
00:23:06.38\00:23:08.28
"They are afraid
they're going to die."
00:23:08.32\00:23:11.99
They're trying to
get the water out,
00:23:12.02\00:23:13.36
they're trying to
keep the boat afloat
00:23:13.39\00:23:15.96
and,
interestingly, in this story
00:23:15.99\00:23:18.56
with all the commotion
with thunder and lightning
00:23:18.59\00:23:22.66
and all the commotion
the disciples are making,
00:23:22.70\00:23:26.67
the Bible says
00:23:26.70\00:23:28.37
that Jesus was
sleeping through this thing.
00:23:28.40\00:23:32.27
Now He must
have been very tired.
00:23:32.31\00:23:34.08
I know some people
00:23:34.11\00:23:35.44
that sleep really
heavy in my family.
00:23:35.48\00:23:38.21
I'm not going to
name any of them.
00:23:41.85\00:23:46.55
But I've tried to
wake this young man up...
00:23:46.59\00:23:48.29
And it's hard.
00:23:51.53\00:23:54.36
It's amazing.
00:23:54.40\00:23:56.26
Sleeps...
00:23:56.30\00:23:57.63
I mean...
00:23:57.67\00:23:59.00
But Jesus was
sleeping in this boat
00:23:59.03\00:24:00.37
through all of this commotion.
00:24:00.40\00:24:02.70
And finally the
disciples notice Him,
00:24:02.74\00:24:05.47
perhaps, some lightning showed
00:24:05.51\00:24:07.61
where He was and they
remember, "Jesus is with us."
00:24:07.64\00:24:12.25
Maybe He can...
00:24:12.28\00:24:13.62
Maybe He can...
00:24:13.65\00:24:14.98
Maybe He can get us
out this situation."
00:24:15.02\00:24:19.12
Maybe He can.
00:24:19.15\00:24:21.22
So they say to Him,
00:24:21.26\00:24:22.59
"Jesus, don't you
care that we perish?"
00:24:22.62\00:24:24.19
Now I don't know
what was in their mind.
00:24:24.23\00:24:26.49
Did they think Jesus was
going to help get the water out?
00:24:26.53\00:24:29.90
I wonder what was in their mind.
00:24:29.93\00:24:31.57
That's a question I
would like to ask them.
00:24:31.60\00:24:33.87
"Hey, guy, by the
way, remember that day?
00:24:33.90\00:24:37.07
What were you thinking
Jesus was going to do?"
00:24:37.11\00:24:40.58
Maybe they thought
00:24:40.61\00:24:41.94
He's going to
give them encouragement
00:24:41.98\00:24:43.31
to go through this,
00:24:43.35\00:24:44.68
"Hey, let's face
this together, guys.
00:24:44.71\00:24:46.05
Here, lets...
00:24:46.08\00:24:47.42
Maybe we can do this."
00:24:47.45\00:24:48.78
But no, they had no
idea. How do I know?
00:24:48.82\00:24:51.32
The surprise at what Jesus did.
00:24:51.35\00:24:55.36
What did Jesus do?
00:24:55.39\00:24:57.59
It's amazing.
00:24:57.63\00:24:58.96
The Bible tells us that He said,
00:24:58.99\00:25:01.03
"Peace, be still."
00:25:01.06\00:25:06.40
And they were amazed
that He could command the wind
00:25:06.43\00:25:10.11
and the sea and
they would obey Him.
00:25:10.14\00:25:13.94
And if Jesus can calm
the storm they were facing,
00:25:13.98\00:25:18.61
He can calm the
storm you're facing.
00:25:18.65\00:25:22.68
And that's a fact.
00:25:22.72\00:25:25.59
Praise the Lord.
00:25:25.62\00:25:27.66
So I encourage you to trust
00:25:27.69\00:25:29.22
in the Lord with all your heart,
00:25:29.26\00:25:31.43
and lean not upon
your own understanding.
00:25:31.46\00:25:33.90
In all your ways, in
sufferings, in difficulties,
00:25:33.93\00:25:37.33
acknowledge Him and He
will direct your path."
00:25:37.37\00:25:41.24
Praise the Lord.
00:25:41.27\00:25:42.60
Another wonderful
scripture is found in Isaiah 41.
00:25:42.64\00:25:45.91
Isaiah 41.
00:25:45.94\00:25:48.31
Will you join me
please in Isaiah 41?
00:25:48.34\00:25:52.51
In Isaiah 41 we have a scripture
00:25:52.55\00:25:55.52
that I heard
somebody quote this week
00:25:55.55\00:25:58.39
and I can't remember
00:25:58.42\00:25:59.75
who it was but it's
a powerful scripture.
00:25:59.79\00:26:02.82
In Isaiah 41:10, the Bible says,
00:26:02.86\00:26:07.60
"Fear not, for I am with you.
00:26:07.63\00:26:10.70
Be not dismayed,
for I am your God.
00:26:10.73\00:26:14.67
I will strengthen
you. Yes, I will help you.
00:26:14.70\00:26:19.14
I will uphold you with
My righteous right hand."
00:26:19.17\00:26:23.95
Praise God.
00:26:23.98\00:26:25.31
He's trying to
give us a message.
00:26:25.35\00:26:27.55
If we understand
it and embrace it,
00:26:27.58\00:26:30.35
we're going to eliminate a
lot of fear from our lives.
00:26:30.39\00:26:33.99
"Be not dismayed."
00:26:37.23\00:26:39.26
In other words, "Be
encouraged, for I am your God."
00:26:39.29\00:26:44.03
And when you
remember, when you believe,
00:26:44.07\00:26:46.40
and you understand
00:26:46.43\00:26:47.77
that your God is
the almighty God,
00:26:47.80\00:26:50.54
the only true God,
00:26:50.57\00:26:52.94
then you can
face life's challenges
00:26:52.97\00:26:56.04
with less stress,
less doubt, and fear
00:26:56.08\00:27:01.45
because He will
give you strength.
00:27:01.48\00:27:04.45
In fact this verse
says, "He will uphold you."
00:27:04.49\00:27:07.29
Praise God. "He
will strengthen you."
00:27:07.32\00:27:09.69
Praise the Lord.
00:27:09.72\00:27:11.13
Perhaps you'd need
strength some time.
00:27:11.16\00:27:14.16
Perhaps your difficulties
you thought were overwhelming,
00:27:14.20\00:27:19.30
and that you could not
carry them, and it's true.
00:27:19.33\00:27:22.47
Many of the trials we bear,
we cannot carry them alone.
00:27:22.50\00:27:27.61
I have no idea
how people survive
00:27:27.64\00:27:30.41
without the Lord.
00:27:30.45\00:27:32.15
How in the world do
they go through this life
00:27:32.18\00:27:34.75
and survive without the Lord.
00:27:34.78\00:27:36.72
The Bible says,
00:27:36.75\00:27:38.09
"There's no
peace for the wicked."
00:27:38.12\00:27:40.66
How in the world they survive?
00:27:40.69\00:27:42.32
That's why a lot of people spend
00:27:42.36\00:27:44.53
a lot of money
00:27:44.56\00:27:45.89
on psychologists, psychiatrists,
00:27:45.93\00:27:47.83
take pills for
different types of things
00:27:47.86\00:27:51.03
that if they would
just give those to the Lord,
00:27:51.07\00:27:55.57
all the stress of life,
00:27:55.60\00:27:57.57
they would find rest in the Lord
00:27:57.61\00:28:01.84
and peace in the Lord.
00:28:01.88\00:28:04.18
I want to encourage
you to trust Him no matter
00:28:04.21\00:28:08.62
what is happening.
00:28:08.65\00:28:11.42
I would like to bring
to you another scripture
00:28:11.45\00:28:16.19
that is found in
00:28:16.22\00:28:17.56
1 Peter 5.
00:28:17.59\00:28:23.26
1 Peter 5.
00:28:23.30\00:28:26.07
In 1 Peter 5, we
have our scripture reading
00:28:26.10\00:28:30.51
in verse 6 and 7.
00:28:30.54\00:28:32.84
In 1 Peter 5:6-7.
00:28:35.94\00:28:39.51
If you found it, say amen.
00:28:39.55\00:28:42.25
Notice,
"Therefore, humble yourselves
00:28:42.28\00:28:45.05
under the mighty hand of God,
00:28:45.09\00:28:48.19
that He may
exalt you in due time,
00:28:48.22\00:28:51.53
casting all your care upon Him,
00:28:51.56\00:28:55.46
for He cares for you."
00:28:55.50\00:28:59.10
Praise the Lord.
00:28:59.13\00:29:00.74
He does what? He cares for you.
00:29:00.77\00:29:04.87
I believe it.
00:29:04.91\00:29:08.81
I encourage you to
believe it. He cares for you.
00:29:08.84\00:29:12.85
There is something
that Sister Ellen G. White
00:29:12.88\00:29:18.45
wrote that...
00:29:18.49\00:29:20.39
From time to time
I try to find this
00:29:20.42\00:29:22.42
because it has been
such a blessing to me.
00:29:22.46\00:29:26.63
And I said, "I
would like to share this
00:29:26.66\00:29:28.13
with the congregation."
00:29:28.16\00:29:30.07
And the Lord was
kind and it's interesting
00:29:30.10\00:29:32.67
because I have
looked for this before
00:29:32.70\00:29:34.04
and couldn't find it.
00:29:34.07\00:29:35.54
And the Lord was kind
00:29:35.57\00:29:36.91
just before coming up
this morning, I found it.
00:29:36.94\00:29:40.18
And I would like to
share this with you.
00:29:40.21\00:29:41.54
It's marvelous.
00:29:41.58\00:29:42.91
This is from a book
called Christ's Object Lessons.
00:29:42.94\00:29:45.78
If you haven't read it,
I encourage you to read it.
00:29:45.81\00:29:48.85
In Christ's
Object Lessons, page 174,
00:29:48.88\00:29:53.02
this is what we find...
00:29:53.05\00:29:56.02
"Never is one
repulsed who comes to Him
00:30:00.86\00:30:03.80
with a contrite heart.
00:30:03.83\00:30:05.60
Not one sincere prayer is lost."
00:30:05.63\00:30:09.47
Not one sincere prayer
is lost. Now notice this.
00:30:09.50\00:30:12.34
This is the part.
00:30:12.37\00:30:13.71
"Amid the anthems of
the celestial choirs,"
00:30:13.74\00:30:18.48
now imagine the scene.
00:30:18.51\00:30:19.85
You would listen...
00:30:19.88\00:30:21.22
God is listening to
the celestial choirs
00:30:21.25\00:30:22.78
and those
beautiful voices sounding,
00:30:22.82\00:30:25.49
beautiful instrument,
and He's listening to all
00:30:25.52\00:30:28.66
of this
spectacular marvelous praise.
00:30:28.69\00:30:32.69
I start again.
00:30:32.73\00:30:34.06
"Amid the anthems
of the celestial choir,
00:30:34.10\00:30:36.43
God hears the cries
00:30:36.46\00:30:39.73
of the weakest human being."
00:30:39.77\00:30:43.07
Wow!
00:30:43.10\00:30:46.04
God is listening
00:30:46.07\00:30:47.41
to the
marvelous music of heaven,
00:30:47.44\00:30:49.68
and He hears the cry of
the weakest human being.
00:30:49.71\00:30:54.22
He has compassion on us.
00:30:54.25\00:30:56.32
He sends His
angels to minister to us,
00:30:56.35\00:30:59.52
to help us look to Jesus.
00:30:59.55\00:31:02.16
You're facing this
trial, look to Jesus.
00:31:02.19\00:31:04.73
He is here.
00:31:04.76\00:31:06.09
He will strengthen
you, He will help you.
00:31:06.13\00:31:08.83
Let me read a
little bit more of this.
00:31:08.86\00:31:12.83
"We pour out our
heart's desire in our closets,
00:31:12.87\00:31:15.90
we breathe a prayer
as we walk by the way,
00:31:15.94\00:31:18.61
and our words reach the throne
of the Monarch of the universe.
00:31:18.64\00:31:23.18
They may be
inaudible to any human ear,
00:31:23.21\00:31:26.28
but they cannot
die away into silence,
00:31:26.31\00:31:29.35
nor can they be lost
00:31:29.38\00:31:30.72
through the
activities of business
00:31:30.75\00:31:32.59
that are going on.
00:31:32.62\00:31:33.96
Nothing can drown
the soul's desire.
00:31:33.99\00:31:37.53
It rises above
the din of the street,
00:31:37.56\00:31:39.89
above the
confusion of the multitude,
00:31:39.93\00:31:42.50
to the heavenly courts.
00:31:42.53\00:31:44.07
It is God to
whom we are speaking,
00:31:44.10\00:31:46.97
and our prayer is heard."
00:31:47.00\00:31:50.64
Praise God. Take courage.
00:31:50.67\00:31:54.54
God loves you.
00:31:54.58\00:31:55.91
He hears every prayer,
00:31:55.94\00:31:58.38
every thought, every
sad note in your heart.
00:31:58.41\00:32:02.48
He hears, draws near to you.
00:32:02.52\00:32:05.02
He tries to lift you up,
and try to help us understand,
00:32:05.05\00:32:09.09
"Don't look at the problem,
look to Jesus, look to Jesus."
00:32:09.12\00:32:14.10
He is your strength
00:32:14.13\00:32:17.00
in darkness, in light,
00:32:17.03\00:32:20.70
in happiness, and
sadness, Jesus is with us.
00:32:20.74\00:32:26.71
And He said, He will
never leave us nor forsake us.
00:32:26.74\00:32:30.31
And to that I praise the Lord.
00:32:30.35\00:32:34.32
We have an enemy
that is against us
00:32:34.35\00:32:37.75
and that is the
devils and Satan.
00:32:37.79\00:32:39.79
I have said before
that he wants to destroy us,
00:32:39.82\00:32:44.09
he wants to take
our peace from us,
00:32:44.13\00:32:46.29
that's why he
tries to distract us
00:32:46.33\00:32:48.30
every day from coming to Jesus,
00:32:48.33\00:32:51.80
from coming to Jesus in prayer,
00:32:51.83\00:32:53.74
from coming to Jesus
in study of His Word,
00:32:53.77\00:32:56.64
something encouraging.
00:32:56.67\00:32:58.37
He tries to draw our
attention to other things.
00:32:58.41\00:33:02.04
I thank the Lord that
00:33:02.08\00:33:04.61
I see people sharing scriptures
00:33:04.65\00:33:08.32
and stories that
draw people to the Lord
00:33:08.35\00:33:11.35
in these many
things of the social media.
00:33:11.39\00:33:13.82
Some are just
sharing funny things,
00:33:13.86\00:33:16.02
but the Lord is using people
to also share good things.
00:33:16.06\00:33:21.56
And I encourage you
to share good things
00:33:21.60\00:33:23.16
to encourage other people.
00:33:23.20\00:33:24.93
In Job 1 the Lord is
trying to teach us something.
00:33:24.97\00:33:29.07
Job 1, I would
like to invite you
00:33:29.10\00:33:30.71
to turn there to Job 1.
00:33:30.74\00:33:33.78
And we're going
to read a few verses
00:33:33.81\00:33:35.38
just to get a
glimpse of what takes place
00:33:35.41\00:33:39.11
as we face life.
00:33:39.15\00:33:41.08
Job 1:6-10. If you
found that, say amen.
00:33:41.12\00:33:46.65
Notice, "Now there was a
day when the sons of God came
00:33:46.69\00:33:50.13
to present
themselves before the Lord,
00:33:50.16\00:33:52.63
and Satan also came among them.
00:33:52.66\00:33:55.76
And the Lord said to
Satan, 'From where do you come?'
00:33:55.80\00:34:00.24
So Satan answered
the Lord and said,
00:34:00.27\00:34:01.90
'From going to
and fro on the earth,
00:34:01.94\00:34:04.51
and from walking
back and forth on it.'
00:34:04.54\00:34:07.74
Then the Lord said to Satan,
00:34:07.78\00:34:09.64
'Have you
considered My servant Job,
00:34:09.68\00:34:11.85
that there is none
like him on the earth,
00:34:11.88\00:34:14.22
a blameless and upright man,
00:34:14.25\00:34:16.48
one who fears
God and shuns evil?'
00:34:16.52\00:34:19.79
So Satan answered
the Lord and said,
00:34:19.82\00:34:21.66
'Does Job fear God for nothing?
00:34:21.69\00:34:24.43
Have You not made
a hedge around him,
00:34:24.46\00:34:27.53
around his household,
00:34:27.56\00:34:29.06
and around all that
he has on every side?
00:34:29.10\00:34:32.50
You have blessed
the work of his hands,
00:34:32.53\00:34:34.97
and his possessions
have increased in the land.'"
00:34:35.00\00:34:39.01
Praise the Lord.
00:34:39.04\00:34:40.74
The devil knew Job.
00:34:40.78\00:34:42.81
He noticed that God
blessed the work of his hands,
00:34:42.84\00:34:45.85
the work of his house.
00:34:45.88\00:34:47.38
He knew. Why?
00:34:47.42\00:34:49.02
We read before
what God promises to do.
00:34:49.05\00:34:52.09
If we obey Him,
serve Him, and follow Him,
00:34:52.12\00:34:54.82
He will bless the
work of our hands,
00:34:54.86\00:34:56.83
He will bless the
fruit of our body,
00:34:56.86\00:34:58.83
He will bless our household,
00:34:58.86\00:35:00.20
He will bless and
put food upon our tables,
00:35:00.23\00:35:02.90
that's what the Lord does.
00:35:02.93\00:35:06.13
The devil knew it, he saw it.
00:35:06.17\00:35:07.94
He was an eye witness
of God's goodness upon Job,
00:35:07.97\00:35:12.84
and He's an eye witness of
God's goodness in your life.
00:35:12.87\00:35:18.28
But notice something interesting
00:35:18.31\00:35:20.42
that the devil also said.
00:35:20.45\00:35:23.28
I point you again to
the scripture that says,
00:35:23.32\00:35:26.39
"Have you not made
a hedge around him?"
00:35:26.42\00:35:30.23
Praise the Lord.
What does that mean?
00:35:30.26\00:35:32.79
That the devil tried to get in,
the devil tried to harass Job,
00:35:32.83\00:35:38.37
and Job continued
faithful to the Lord,
00:35:38.40\00:35:41.44
didn't get distracted
by the devil's activities
00:35:41.47\00:35:44.74
and fiery darts, kept
trusting, following the Lord.
00:35:44.77\00:35:50.35
Have you not made a
hedge of protection about him?
00:35:50.38\00:35:54.58
Question.
00:35:54.62\00:35:56.28
Was there just a
hedge of protection
00:35:56.32\00:35:58.75
just around Job
that God single him out
00:35:58.79\00:36:01.96
from among the millions and say,
00:36:01.99\00:36:03.79
"I'm only going to protect Job.
00:36:03.83\00:36:05.69
No, God protects
His children today
00:36:05.73\00:36:09.10
just as He did in Job's time."
00:36:09.13\00:36:12.37
And I will say to you
if you're serving the Lord,
00:36:12.40\00:36:15.04
God has a hedge of
protection around you
00:36:15.07\00:36:20.98
and Satan cannot get through.
00:36:21.01\00:36:23.61
Praise God.
00:36:23.65\00:36:25.05
I would like to read
to you, yes, Psalms 34:7.
00:36:25.08\00:36:28.28
I will just quote it
because you may remember it.
00:36:28.32\00:36:31.05
"The angel of the
Lord encamps round
00:36:31.09\00:36:33.96
about them that fear
him, and delivers them."
00:36:33.99\00:36:39.49
The angel of the Lord encamps.
What does that mean He encamps?
00:36:39.53\00:36:44.47
That means He's
there, and He's watching,
00:36:44.50\00:36:47.57
and He has taken
residence around you,
00:36:47.60\00:36:50.87
the angel of the Lord encamps.
00:36:50.91\00:36:54.38
It doesn't say the angel
of the Lord stops by briefly.
00:36:54.41\00:36:58.71
The angel of the Lord comes
00:36:58.75\00:37:00.08
and visit you from time to time,
00:37:00.12\00:37:01.72
the angel of the Lord
encamps round about you,
00:37:01.75\00:37:06.55
puts a hedge of protection
00:37:06.59\00:37:08.66
all around you and protects you.
00:37:08.69\00:37:12.39
I tell you, unseen battles
00:37:12.43\00:37:15.33
are fought for you.
00:37:15.36\00:37:18.60
So every day be
thankful to the Lord
00:37:18.63\00:37:21.54
that when you're
going to bed you can say,
00:37:21.57\00:37:24.01
"Lord, I am going to bed
and I lay my head in peace
00:37:24.04\00:37:30.75
because You protected me today,
00:37:30.78\00:37:33.21
because the angel of the Lord,
00:37:33.25\00:37:34.58
and even as you
sleep, God watches over you.
00:37:34.62\00:37:39.15
Praise be to His name.
00:37:39.19\00:37:42.12
And now I would
like to also quote to you
00:37:42.16\00:37:45.63
from a book called
00:37:45.66\00:37:47.00
"The Great
Controversy" page 517.
00:37:47.03\00:37:50.20
There we have another window,
another curtain laid aside
00:37:50.23\00:37:55.27
about the devil's
work and God's protection.
00:37:55.30\00:37:59.87
Page 517, the
book Great Controversy,
00:37:59.91\00:38:02.21
another book if
you haven't read it,
00:38:02.24\00:38:03.91
find it, it's free.
00:38:03.95\00:38:06.88
On the internet it's free.
00:38:06.92\00:38:09.05
You can read this for yourself.
00:38:09.08\00:38:11.02
And it says, "The
power and malice of Satan
00:38:11.05\00:38:14.26
and his host might
justly alarm us were it not
00:38:14.29\00:38:19.76
that we may find shelter
00:38:19.79\00:38:21.36
and deliverance
in the superior power
00:38:21.40\00:38:24.70
of our Redeemer."
00:38:24.73\00:38:26.37
Praise God.
00:38:26.40\00:38:27.74
"We carefully secure our
houses with bolts and locks
00:38:27.77\00:38:30.81
to protect our property
and our lives from evil men,
00:38:30.84\00:38:35.04
but we seldom
think of the evil angels
00:38:35.08\00:38:37.61
who are constantly
seeking access to us,
00:38:37.65\00:38:41.08
and against whose attacks
we have, in our own strength,
00:38:41.12\00:38:44.15
no method of defense.
00:38:44.19\00:38:46.39
If permitted, they
can distract our minds,
00:38:46.42\00:38:50.56
disorder and torment our bodies,
00:38:50.59\00:38:52.86
destroy our
possessions and our lives,"
00:38:52.89\00:38:55.43
as they did with Job.
00:38:55.46\00:38:57.77
"Their only delight is in misery
00:38:57.80\00:39:00.60
and destruction.
00:39:00.64\00:39:02.24
Fearful is the
condition of those
00:39:02.27\00:39:05.74
who resist the
divine claims and yield
00:39:05.77\00:39:09.61
to Satan's
temptations," notice this part,
00:39:09.64\00:39:13.58
"until God give them up to
the control of evil spirits.
00:39:13.62\00:39:17.95
But those who follow Christ
00:39:17.99\00:39:20.09
are ever safe
under His watchcare.
00:39:20.12\00:39:23.83
Angels that excel in strength
00:39:23.86\00:39:26.33
are sent from
heaven to protect them.
00:39:26.36\00:39:29.70
Now the wicked one
cannot break through the guard
00:39:29.73\00:39:33.77
which God has
stationed about His people."
00:39:33.80\00:39:38.71
Praise God. He
cannot get through.
00:39:38.74\00:39:41.88
Praise the Lord.
He cannot get through.
00:39:41.91\00:39:45.28
Praise the Lord.
00:39:45.31\00:39:47.28
Now you did notice,
00:39:47.32\00:39:49.35
I hope that
there's a danger for people
00:39:49.38\00:39:54.22
who yield to
temptation, and it says that,
00:39:54.26\00:39:57.43
eventually, God gives them
up to the control of the devil.
00:39:57.46\00:40:01.16
This is a process
00:40:01.20\00:40:03.40
that the person
continues to yield to temptation
00:40:03.43\00:40:06.40
over and over
again, over and over again,
00:40:06.43\00:40:09.20
no one knows when God says,
00:40:09.24\00:40:13.64
"You have chosen
to follow the devil
00:40:13.68\00:40:17.45
and I leave you to His control."
00:40:17.48\00:40:22.58
No one can tell you when,
00:40:22.62\00:40:24.29
but there is a danger in going
to sin over and over again.
00:40:24.32\00:40:29.46
Our only safety
is to follow Jesus
00:40:29.49\00:40:32.56
with all of our
hearts, and then God places
00:40:32.59\00:40:36.16
an impregnable
fortress around us
00:40:36.20\00:40:41.17
that the devil cannot penetrate.
00:40:41.20\00:40:43.51
Praise be to God.
00:40:43.54\00:40:45.77
A force field if you might,
if you understand that better.
00:40:45.81\00:40:50.11
So
00:40:50.15\00:40:53.38
God stations
00:40:53.42\00:40:57.25
a guard around us
00:40:57.29\00:40:59.02
and we have His help.
00:40:59.05\00:41:01.59
God is willing to
do many things for us
00:41:01.62\00:41:03.99
that we are not even aware of.
00:41:04.03\00:41:05.53
I now turn to Galatians
6, please join me there.
00:41:05.56\00:41:08.56
Galatians 6.
00:41:08.60\00:41:10.47
In Galatians 6,
we have a message
00:41:10.50\00:41:13.90
from the Lord and a
warning from the Lord
00:41:13.94\00:41:16.97
that we need to take heed,
00:41:17.01\00:41:19.57
and that is Galatians 6:7.
00:41:19.61\00:41:21.84
If you found it, say amen. Amen.
00:41:21.88\00:41:25.21
Notice, "Do not be
deceived, God is not mocked,
00:41:25.25\00:41:29.92
whatever a man sows,
that he will also reap."
00:41:29.95\00:41:35.72
So if you turn your
life over to sin and evil,
00:41:35.76\00:41:40.16
you will reap the
results of that evil.
00:41:40.20\00:41:43.63
You understand
some of this already
00:41:43.67\00:41:46.60
even through health issues.
00:41:46.63\00:41:50.61
People eat a certain
way and they get sick.
00:41:50.64\00:41:52.71
I heard of a man that decided,
00:41:52.74\00:41:55.44
I think it was for a year to eat
00:41:55.48\00:41:57.58
at a certain
fast food restaurant,
00:41:57.61\00:42:00.12
every single day
breakfast, lunch, and dinner,
00:42:00.15\00:42:02.35
he was going to
eat there every day
00:42:02.38\00:42:04.82
and that was his goal.
00:42:04.85\00:42:06.19
One year I'm just
going to eat at this place.
00:42:06.22\00:42:08.62
I don't know how
many months he lasted
00:42:08.66\00:42:10.83
that he was getting diabetes,
he was getting heart problems
00:42:10.86\00:42:13.56
and all kinds of health problems
00:42:13.60\00:42:14.93
that he says, "I
better stop this project.
00:42:14.96\00:42:17.00
It's not working out."
00:42:17.03\00:42:20.24
So if we violate
the laws of health,
00:42:20.27\00:42:21.84
we may find
ourselves reaping bad results
00:42:21.87\00:42:26.37
and God places before us
His dietary laws to help us
00:42:26.41\00:42:32.38
and protect ourselves
from unnecessary suffering.
00:42:32.41\00:42:36.48
And so, I would encourage
you to follow the Lord.
00:42:36.52\00:42:41.76
Notice in Luke 23,
00:42:41.79\00:42:44.16
there is a
person there in Luke 23
00:42:44.19\00:42:46.70
that understood
that whatsoever you sow,
00:42:46.73\00:42:51.60
that is what you will reap.
00:42:51.63\00:42:53.03
We're just going
to read one verse.
00:42:53.07\00:42:55.10
Luke 23:41.
00:42:55.14\00:42:57.57
This is one of the two thieves
00:42:57.61\00:42:59.97
and the thief
00:43:00.01\00:43:04.08
that is talking is responding
00:43:04.11\00:43:06.28
to the reaction
of the other thief,
00:43:06.31\00:43:08.08
they're saying to Jesus,
00:43:08.12\00:43:09.85
"If you are
really the Son of God,
00:43:09.88\00:43:11.75
deliver us and
Yourself from this suffering."
00:43:11.79\00:43:14.92
And he said to Him, Luke 23:41,
00:43:14.96\00:43:17.83
"And we indeed justly,
00:43:17.86\00:43:21.23
for we receive the
due reward of our deeds,
00:43:21.26\00:43:24.53
but this Man has
done nothing wrong."
00:43:24.57\00:43:28.07
So this thief understood,
00:43:28.10\00:43:29.44
I'm on this cross
because of my bad deeds.
00:43:29.47\00:43:34.74
It's a message
of warning for us.
00:43:34.78\00:43:36.85
If we follow a course of
evil, we will reap bad results,
00:43:36.88\00:43:42.68
and God wants to
deliver us from those things.
00:43:42.72\00:43:45.72
And that's why I turn to
you in Lamentations 3:22,
00:43:45.75\00:43:50.89
Lamentations 3:22,
many scriptures worthy
00:43:50.93\00:43:55.20
for further
study and meditation.
00:43:55.23\00:43:56.97
Lamentations 3, I
hear no pages turning.
00:43:57.00\00:44:01.04
I hear maybe one or two,
00:44:01.07\00:44:02.90
maybe you have an
electronic device.
00:44:02.94\00:44:05.21
Lamentations
3:22-23, the Bible says,
00:44:05.24\00:44:09.18
"Through the Lord's
mercies we are not consumed,
00:44:09.21\00:44:13.58
because His
compassions fail not."
00:44:13.62\00:44:16.99
Praise the Lord.
00:44:17.02\00:44:18.35
"They are new every morning,
00:44:18.39\00:44:21.32
great is Your faithfulness."
00:44:21.36\00:44:24.16
Praise God.
00:44:24.19\00:44:25.53
How many have
found God to be faithful?
00:44:25.56\00:44:27.30
Would you raise your hand?
00:44:27.33\00:44:28.66
God is faithful.
00:44:28.70\00:44:30.03
What He
promises, He will fulfill.
00:44:30.07\00:44:33.50
I invite you to follow
me on to this next scripture
00:44:33.54\00:44:37.24
that is very powerful.
00:44:37.27\00:44:39.51
Actually, I will
just quote it to you.
00:44:39.54\00:44:41.24
Revelation 3:20
00:44:41.28\00:44:42.78
and it may appear on the screen.
00:44:42.81\00:44:44.41
The Bible says
in Revelation 3:20,
00:44:44.45\00:44:46.58
Jesus says, "Behold, I stand
00:44:46.61\00:44:50.29
at the door and knock.
00:44:50.32\00:44:53.46
If any man hears My
voice and opens the door,
00:44:53.49\00:44:58.16
I will come in to
him and sup with him,
00:44:58.19\00:45:01.26
and he with Me."
00:45:01.30\00:45:04.27
Praise the Lord.
00:45:04.30\00:45:05.63
This is a
message of Jesus knocking
00:45:05.67\00:45:08.64
at the door of our hearts.
00:45:08.67\00:45:10.87
And the promise is
that if we hear His voice
00:45:10.91\00:45:13.07
and open the
door, He will come in.
00:45:13.11\00:45:16.98
You see, God is a gentleman.
00:45:17.01\00:45:19.98
He's not going to force
Himself in anybody's life.
00:45:20.02\00:45:23.08
He makes
invitations, He speaks to us,
00:45:23.12\00:45:27.19
knocks at the door of our heart,
00:45:27.22\00:45:28.92
but we must respond and
serve Him and follow Him
00:45:28.96\00:45:33.43
that we may receive
more of His blessings.
00:45:33.46\00:45:36.50
And I will say to you,
00:45:36.53\00:45:37.87
God is willing to
bless you abundantly
00:45:37.90\00:45:40.07
more than you have
been blessed already.
00:45:40.10\00:45:44.01
Continue following
Him, continue serving Him,
00:45:44.04\00:45:46.57
and Jesus said, "Ask,
and you shall receive."
00:45:46.61\00:45:50.41
Continue bringing
your needs before the Lord.
00:45:50.45\00:45:53.62
Continue to bring your needs
00:45:53.65\00:45:54.98
before the Lord and
He will deliver you.
00:45:55.02\00:45:58.62
He will be your help.
00:45:58.65\00:45:59.99
Now I bring this text to you
00:46:00.02\00:46:01.42
Revelation 3:20 to encourage you
00:46:01.46\00:46:04.46
to everyday when you
open your eyes in the morning.
00:46:04.49\00:46:09.16
Respond to this call of Jesus.
00:46:09.20\00:46:11.80
Open the door of
your heart, let Him in,
00:46:11.83\00:46:15.20
make Him a part of
your life everyday,
00:46:15.24\00:46:18.64
and tell Him,
00:46:18.67\00:46:20.01
"Jesus, come in, come in,
00:46:20.04\00:46:23.35
go with me where I go,
00:46:23.38\00:46:25.75
I commit my ways on to
you and I acknowledge you.
00:46:25.78\00:46:30.62
Please direct my
path, please bless my home,
00:46:30.65\00:46:34.19
please bless my family,"
00:46:34.22\00:46:36.22
and present your
knees before the Lord,
00:46:36.26\00:46:38.16
continue in your
communion with the Lord
00:46:38.19\00:46:40.56
throughout the day.
00:46:40.60\00:46:42.10
God is willing to do
more than He has done for you.
00:46:42.13\00:46:47.50
In Ephesians, Ephesians 3...
00:46:47.54\00:46:50.17
No, chapter 1. Ephesians 1.
00:46:50.21\00:46:54.74
In Ephesians 1
00:46:54.78\00:46:56.54
we have a message from the Lord.
00:46:56.58\00:46:58.58
Ephesians 1...
00:46:58.61\00:47:00.05
Great is the
goodness of God toward us.
00:47:03.39\00:47:07.26
Ephesians 1
beginning with verse 3,
00:47:07.29\00:47:09.36
"Blessed be the God
00:47:09.39\00:47:10.73
and the Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ,
00:47:10.76\00:47:13.09
who has blessed us with
every spiritual blessing
00:47:13.13\00:47:16.63
in the heavenly
places in Christ,
00:47:16.67\00:47:19.30
just as He chose us in Him
00:47:19.33\00:47:21.94
before the
foundation of the world,"
00:47:21.97\00:47:24.01
He chose you
00:47:24.04\00:47:25.37
before the
foundation of the world,"
00:47:25.41\00:47:26.74
"that we should be
holy and without blame
00:47:26.78\00:47:29.48
before Him in love,
having predestined us
00:47:29.51\00:47:33.85
to adoption as sons by
Jesus Christ to Himself,
00:47:33.88\00:47:38.55
according to the
good pleasure of His will,
00:47:38.59\00:47:41.66
to the praise of
the glory of His grace,
00:47:41.69\00:47:44.49
by which He made us
accepted in the Beloved."
00:47:44.53\00:47:48.70
He has made us
accepted in the beloved,
00:47:48.73\00:47:51.33
He is going to
present us blameless
00:47:51.37\00:47:55.00
before the universe
00:47:55.04\00:47:57.67
through the blessing
of the blood of Christ.
00:47:57.71\00:48:00.38
I'm grateful
00:48:00.41\00:48:01.74
to Brother Tim
Parton for the song.
00:48:01.78\00:48:03.41
It goes along well
00:48:03.45\00:48:04.78
with that
scripture we just read.
00:48:04.81\00:48:08.05
We are going to ask you now
00:48:08.08\00:48:13.49
to join me here in...
00:48:13.52\00:48:16.06
I'm going to go now to Luke 12,
00:48:16.09\00:48:20.13
Luke 12:32, Luke 12:32.
00:48:20.16\00:48:26.00
In Luke 12:32
00:48:26.03\00:48:28.30
God has good news for us.
00:48:28.34\00:48:33.14
If you found
that, say amen. Amen.
00:48:33.17\00:48:35.74
It says, "Do not
fear, little flock,
00:48:35.78\00:48:38.51
for it is your
Father's good pleasure
00:48:38.55\00:48:41.62
to give you the kingdom."
00:48:41.65\00:48:44.55
God wants to
give us the kingdom.
00:48:44.59\00:48:47.89
Some people think God
is trying to keep them out,
00:48:47.92\00:48:51.69
but it is God's good
pleasure to give us the kingdom,
00:48:51.73\00:48:55.36
that's why Jesus came.
00:48:55.40\00:48:57.23
He came to seek and to
save that which was lost.
00:48:57.27\00:49:02.17
And I would like to
00:49:02.20\00:49:04.27
jump a little bit
here in this message
00:49:04.31\00:49:06.68
and go to a
scripture that is powerful.
00:49:06.71\00:49:10.95
Ezekiel 18, Ezekiel 18.
00:49:10.98\00:49:15.48
In Ezekiel 18,
00:49:15.52\00:49:16.85
we're going to
read verse 21 and 22.
00:49:16.89\00:49:19.82
Ezekiel 18:21-22.
00:49:19.85\00:49:22.49
Notice, "But if
a wicked man turns
00:49:22.52\00:49:27.20
from all his sins
which he has committed,
00:49:27.23\00:49:30.03
keeps all My statutes,
00:49:30.07\00:49:31.73
and does what is
lawful and right,
00:49:31.77\00:49:34.20
he shall surely
live, He shall not die."
00:49:34.24\00:49:38.77
Wonderful!
00:49:38.81\00:49:40.14
Verse 22 also, "None
of the transgressions
00:49:40.18\00:49:43.45
which he has committed
00:49:43.48\00:49:44.85
shall be remembered against him,
00:49:44.88\00:49:46.68
because of the righteousness
00:49:46.72\00:49:48.78
which he has
done, he shall live."
00:49:48.82\00:49:52.35
Praise the Lord.
00:49:52.39\00:49:53.86
What a marvelous
declaration from the Lord.
00:49:53.89\00:49:56.83
If we turn from our wicked ways,
00:49:56.86\00:49:59.76
none of the evil we have
done will come against us,
00:49:59.79\00:50:03.57
they will not be remembered,
and I praise the Lord for that.
00:50:03.60\00:50:07.94
We can stand before
the universe, blameless,
00:50:07.97\00:50:11.07
because of the
precious blood of Jesus Christ.
00:50:11.11\00:50:16.01
And so I tell you,
00:50:16.04\00:50:18.71
we're going to the
last two scriptures
00:50:18.75\00:50:21.52
and that is 1 John 3,
00:50:21.55\00:50:25.59
1 John 3.
00:50:25.62\00:50:29.79
In 1 John 3,
00:50:29.82\00:50:32.96
not only does God wants to...
00:50:32.99\00:50:35.33
Forgive us,
00:50:39.13\00:50:40.47
He wants to
make us His children.
00:50:40.50\00:50:42.20
1 John 3:1, Bible says,
00:50:42.24\00:50:44.67
"Behold what
manner of love the Father
00:50:44.71\00:50:50.05
has bestowed on us,
00:50:50.08\00:50:51.91
that we should be
called children of God!
00:50:51.95\00:50:55.15
Therefore the
world does not know us,
00:50:55.18\00:50:57.45
because it did not know Him.
00:50:57.49\00:51:00.12
Beloved, now we are
the children of God,
00:51:00.16\00:51:03.69
and it has not yet been revealed
00:51:03.73\00:51:05.83
what we shall be,
00:51:05.86\00:51:07.33
but we know that
when He is revealed,
00:51:07.36\00:51:10.10
we shall be like Him, for
we shall see Him as He is.
00:51:10.13\00:51:15.00
And everyone who has this
hope in Him purifies himself,
00:51:15.04\00:51:20.18
just as He is pure."
00:51:20.21\00:51:23.18
Praise the Lord.
00:51:23.21\00:51:24.55
I invite you to
consider the love of God
00:51:24.58\00:51:27.28
that He is willing to take
us from whatever corruption
00:51:27.32\00:51:32.09
and evil we have done,
00:51:32.12\00:51:33.99
what ever wicked
life we have lived,
00:51:34.02\00:51:36.69
and He's willing to
forgive all those things,
00:51:36.73\00:51:39.36
not mention them
to us, but forgive us,
00:51:39.39\00:51:43.13
put them in the past and
eliminate them completely
00:51:43.16\00:51:47.14
from the records of heaven
00:51:47.17\00:51:50.34
and make us His children
00:51:50.37\00:51:54.01
and also give us a place to live
00:51:54.04\00:51:58.01
throughout eternity.
00:51:58.05\00:51:59.95
But it says here,
00:51:59.98\00:52:01.45
"Everyone who has this
hope in Him purifies himself
00:52:01.48\00:52:05.75
as He is pure."
00:52:05.79\00:52:07.19
This is the part that
remains with us to choose
00:52:07.22\00:52:10.73
by God's grace.
00:52:10.76\00:52:14.20
To purify ourselves
through Jesus Christ,
00:52:14.23\00:52:16.30
put the evil
away and follow Jesus.
00:52:16.33\00:52:20.27
Put the evil away and understand
00:52:20.30\00:52:22.94
that He wants to
purify us and cleanse us.
00:52:22.97\00:52:26.41
Now we read in Ezekiel 18,
00:52:26.44\00:52:28.78
and somebody can carry away
00:52:28.81\00:52:30.15
the thought that is
because of your good deeds
00:52:30.18\00:52:31.95
that you can go to heaven.
00:52:31.98\00:52:33.62
That's not what
God is trying to say.
00:52:33.65\00:52:35.38
God is trying to say if
you are saved by His grace,
00:52:35.42\00:52:40.29
you should stop doing
the evil that you were doing
00:52:40.32\00:52:43.73
and live a life of
following the Lord,
00:52:43.76\00:52:47.46
loving the Lord
with all your heart,
00:52:47.50\00:52:49.20
and your neighbor as yourself.
00:52:49.23\00:52:51.53
You're not living
according to evil deeds anymore,
00:52:51.57\00:52:54.14
you're living
according to good deeds
00:52:54.17\00:52:56.57
as the Lord points you,
and the Lord directs you,
00:52:56.60\00:52:59.34
as you face
trial and temptation,
00:52:59.37\00:53:01.21
you choose to do the
good and not the evil
00:53:01.24\00:53:04.01
because it is by grace
00:53:04.05\00:53:06.18
that we are saved
and it is not ourselves,
00:53:06.21\00:53:09.18
it is the gift of God.
00:53:09.22\00:53:13.46
So we go to our last scripture
which is found in Isaiah 55.
00:53:13.49\00:53:18.86
In Isaiah 55,
00:53:18.89\00:53:22.63
we find another
benefit from the Lord.
00:53:22.66\00:53:26.60
Isaiah 55.
00:53:26.63\00:53:29.27
In Isaiah 55 we're
going to read verse 6 and 7.
00:53:29.30\00:53:32.31
A familiar scripture,
but please consider it.
00:53:32.34\00:53:35.08
"Seek the Lord
while He may be found,
00:53:35.11\00:53:39.35
call upon Him while He is near.
00:53:39.38\00:53:42.98
Let the wicked forsake his way,
00:53:43.02\00:53:45.19
and the
unrighteous man his thoughts.
00:53:45.22\00:53:48.32
And let him return to the Lord,
and He will have mercy on him,
00:53:48.36\00:53:52.53
and to our God, for He
will abundantly pardon."
00:53:52.56\00:53:58.17
We have such good news
00:53:58.20\00:54:02.30
to share with people.
00:54:02.34\00:54:05.64
Good news that
will bring great joy
00:54:05.67\00:54:07.61
and peace to people's hearts.
00:54:07.64\00:54:10.15
But we are not
sharing this enough,
00:54:10.18\00:54:12.78
so I encourage you to open
the door to the Lord to say,
00:54:12.81\00:54:16.89
"Lord, here I am, help me
00:54:16.92\00:54:20.12
reach other, others for Jesus."
00:54:20.16\00:54:24.06
There is
something that you can do,
00:54:24.09\00:54:27.03
may be small in somebody's eyes,
00:54:27.06\00:54:29.53
but it's a step to helping
00:54:29.56\00:54:31.47
someone else come to Jesus.
00:54:31.50\00:54:36.87
It may just begin with
a thank you to somebody
00:54:36.91\00:54:39.81
that you have
never said thank you to.
00:54:39.84\00:54:43.18
Bringing something to
somebody that they need,
00:54:43.21\00:54:46.41
I don't know what it may be
but I read in the scriptures
00:54:46.45\00:54:49.62
that sometimes
God just tells people,
00:54:49.65\00:54:51.82
"Go over there and do this."
00:54:51.85\00:54:53.96
They do it.
00:54:53.99\00:54:55.99
I remember the eunuch,
00:54:56.02\00:54:58.19
I don't know
what Philip was doing,
00:54:58.23\00:54:59.56
what his plan was for that day,
00:54:59.59\00:55:01.43
but the Holy Spirit said to him,
00:55:01.46\00:55:03.37
"Go, join
yourself to that eunuch."
00:55:03.40\00:55:07.34
And he did.
00:55:07.37\00:55:09.94
And he shared the
gospel with the eunuch.
00:55:09.97\00:55:14.74
And Philip was
able to rejoice that day
00:55:14.78\00:55:18.31
because he saw
someone come to Jesus.
00:55:18.35\00:55:22.15
So I encourage you to pray,
00:55:22.18\00:55:24.82
Lord, make me aware of
Your leading of something
00:55:24.85\00:55:30.69
You want me to do
00:55:30.73\00:55:32.13
to help someone else follow You.
00:55:32.16\00:55:35.83
I encourage you to pray.
00:55:35.86\00:55:37.20
There are people that are here
00:55:37.23\00:55:38.57
doing wonderful
ministry in the prisons.
00:55:38.60\00:55:40.44
I praise the Lord
00:55:40.47\00:55:41.90
for the prison
ministry of this church.
00:55:41.94\00:55:43.27
Would you say amen?
00:55:43.30\00:55:44.87
Pray for them as
they go to prison
00:55:44.91\00:55:47.64
that those people in there,
00:55:47.68\00:55:50.35
that if the Lord
delivers them from there,
00:55:50.38\00:55:55.15
they will no longer do
anything to go back in there.
00:55:55.18\00:55:59.35
But will let their light
shine to help others avoid
00:55:59.39\00:56:03.66
where they have been
and what they have done.
00:56:03.69\00:56:08.10
So please, as you open
your heart to the Lord,
00:56:08.13\00:56:12.23
give Him an
opportunity to use you
00:56:12.27\00:56:16.50
to help someone else
00:56:16.54\00:56:18.81
because it is high time
00:56:18.84\00:56:20.81
that this place is
filled with more people,
00:56:20.84\00:56:25.41
and there are people out
there that are desperate.
00:56:25.45\00:56:29.55
They don't have a future,
00:56:29.58\00:56:32.85
they don't have hope
the hope that you have.
00:56:32.89\00:56:38.16
Their life is
headed for destruction
00:56:38.19\00:56:42.46
and God wants to use you
to bring them to salvation.
00:56:42.50\00:56:47.30
Let's go to the Lord in prayer.
00:56:47.34\00:56:48.67
If it is possible for
you, I encourage you to kneel.
00:56:48.70\00:56:50.94
Our loving Heavenly Father,
00:56:58.38\00:57:01.12
We come before
You in Jesus name.
00:57:01.15\00:57:05.02
Lord, we have looked
at some of the things
00:57:05.05\00:57:07.46
You are willing to do,
00:57:07.49\00:57:09.49
some of the things You
are doing in our behalf,
00:57:09.52\00:57:14.20
protecting us from the devil
that would like to destroy us,
00:57:14.23\00:57:19.03
delivering us from things
00:57:19.07\00:57:20.50
that we have not even dreamed of
00:57:20.54\00:57:23.57
that you have delivered us from.
00:57:23.61\00:57:25.94
We thank You, Lord,
00:57:25.97\00:57:27.31
for those
wonderful deliverances.
00:57:27.34\00:57:31.41
We thank You for supplying
the needs of our homes.
00:57:31.45\00:57:34.92
We thank You
00:57:34.95\00:57:36.28
for the forgiveness of our sins.
00:57:36.32\00:57:38.72
We pray for the
cleansing that we all need.
00:57:38.75\00:57:43.16
And Lord, again, we ask
00:57:43.19\00:57:45.26
that if Your children
here are confessing sins
00:57:45.29\00:57:48.10
they have committed,
00:57:48.13\00:57:49.70
desiring to be
forgiven and cleanse,
00:57:49.73\00:57:51.90
we pray that Your promise again
00:57:51.93\00:57:53.70
will be
fulfilled and cleanse them,
00:57:53.74\00:57:56.94
purify them, and help
us that by Your grace,
00:57:56.97\00:58:02.14
we will walk again
in newness of life.
00:58:02.18\00:58:06.88
We thank You, Heavenly Father,
00:58:06.92\00:58:09.52
for the opportunity
also to be used by you.
00:58:09.55\00:58:13.32
Among us,
00:58:13.36\00:58:16.29
there are many that
could still do more.
00:58:16.32\00:58:20.63
We may not be
able to preach sermons
00:58:20.66\00:58:25.03
but we can share scripture,
00:58:25.07\00:58:27.44
we can pass out a pamphlet,
00:58:27.47\00:58:29.34
we can pray with
people, we can thank people,
00:58:29.37\00:58:32.21
we can show people kindness
that will point them to Jesus.
00:58:32.24\00:58:37.15
Help us to cooperate with You
00:58:37.18\00:58:40.02
that we may
bring others to Jesus.
00:58:40.05\00:58:43.92
And thank You for
hearing our prayers,
00:58:43.95\00:58:45.89
our concerns and our wants.
00:58:45.92\00:58:48.56
We pray that if
anyone here is in sorrow
00:58:48.59\00:58:51.79
that You will lift them up.
00:58:51.83\00:58:53.80
If anyone here is facing
depression and confusion,
00:58:53.83\00:58:57.47
that You will deliver
them and place their feet
00:58:57.50\00:59:00.57
on the rock that is Jesus.
00:59:00.60\00:59:03.91
Thank You, Heavenly Father,
00:59:03.94\00:59:05.27
once again and
help us to follow You
00:59:05.31\00:59:09.78
with all of our hearts.
00:59:09.81\00:59:11.15
In Jesus' holy and
blessed name, amen, amen.
00:59:11.18\00:59:15.95