Hello, and welcome to 3ABN Worship Hour. 00:00:29.49\00:00:33.33 The message is entitled today, God is our Refuge and Strength. 00:00:33.36\00:00:37.80 My name is John Dinzey, 00:00:37.83\00:00:39.17 and it is a blessing for me to be with you 00:00:39.20\00:00:41.60 during this hour to study God's Word together. 00:00:41.64\00:00:45.07 And recently I was asked to present a message 00:00:45.11\00:00:48.98 in the local church here 00:00:49.01\00:00:50.35 in Thompsonville, Illinois. 00:00:50.38\00:00:52.05 And I was praying and working on a message 00:00:52.08\00:00:56.72 dealing with the end time, 00:00:56.75\00:00:58.09 how to know 00:00:58.12\00:00:59.45 that Jesus Christ is coming soon 00:00:59.49\00:01:01.46 and that we're living in the last days. 00:01:01.49\00:01:03.83 And as I was preparing that week, 00:01:03.86\00:01:05.69 it seemed a thought came to my mind 00:01:05.73\00:01:09.26 that said, comfort ye, comfort ye, My people. 00:01:09.30\00:01:13.23 And thinking about that I understood that 00:01:13.27\00:01:15.60 I was supposed to present a message 00:01:15.64\00:01:17.31 on God is our refuge and strength. 00:01:17.34\00:01:20.38 So this is what we're going to be studying today, 00:01:20.41\00:01:23.45 and I want to invite you to join me in prayer, 00:01:23.48\00:01:27.12 as we ask the Lord to bless each and every one of us. 00:01:27.15\00:01:32.12 Our loving Heavenly Father, 00:01:32.15\00:01:34.26 we thank You for Your goodness and Your mercy. 00:01:34.29\00:01:37.83 We come before You in Jesus' name 00:01:37.86\00:01:40.13 to ask for Your blessing 00:01:40.16\00:01:42.46 that Your Holy Spirit may be poured out. 00:01:42.50\00:01:44.93 I step aside, Lord, and I ask You to bless me 00:01:44.97\00:01:47.70 with Your Holy Spirit, 00:01:47.74\00:01:49.07 that every word may come from Your throne of grace. 00:01:49.10\00:01:52.54 And, Lord, there are people 00:01:52.57\00:01:53.91 from different walks of life all over the world 00:01:53.94\00:01:57.18 that may listen to this message. 00:01:57.21\00:01:59.55 I ask of You to speak to them, according to their need. 00:01:59.58\00:02:03.79 And we pray that in all things, 00:02:03.82\00:02:05.62 Your name will be honored and glorified. 00:02:05.65\00:02:09.06 I ask it for these blessings 00:02:09.09\00:02:10.99 in the holy and blessed name of Jesus. 00:02:11.03\00:02:14.30 Amen. 00:02:14.33\00:02:15.66 Amen. 00:02:15.70\00:02:17.77 Jesus was preaching to the multitude. 00:02:17.80\00:02:20.67 And as He preached to the multitude, 00:02:20.70\00:02:23.20 the time came when it seemed that people were hungry. 00:02:23.24\00:02:28.04 And Jesus asked His disciples, "Do you have any food?" 00:02:28.08\00:02:32.58 They had no food and a miracle was performed that day. 00:02:32.61\00:02:35.75 There were several thousand people there, 00:02:35.78\00:02:38.42 and Jesus parted bread and fish. 00:02:38.45\00:02:42.72 And the Bible says in Matthew Chapter 14, 00:02:42.76\00:02:47.30 that 5000 men were able to eat 00:02:47.33\00:02:49.96 without counting women and children. 00:02:50.00\00:02:53.67 Soon thereafter, 00:02:53.70\00:02:55.47 Jesus told the disciples to get into the boat 00:02:55.50\00:02:58.37 and go to the other side, 00:02:58.41\00:02:59.87 and He will meet them there. 00:02:59.91\00:03:02.21 The disciples set out on the boat. 00:03:02.24\00:03:04.35 And as they went out on this boat, 00:03:04.38\00:03:07.35 something happened to them. 00:03:07.38\00:03:10.62 It seemed that a storm was against them. 00:03:10.65\00:03:16.06 And the storm was coming upon them, 00:03:16.09\00:03:19.83 and they were toiling as hard as they could, as far, 00:03:19.86\00:03:23.47 hard as they understood. 00:03:23.50\00:03:25.70 There were some fishermen there, 00:03:25.73\00:03:27.34 and they knew what to do in storms. 00:03:27.37\00:03:29.20 And these disciples were doing all they could. 00:03:29.24\00:03:32.14 And it seemed that time was just coming 00:03:32.17\00:03:35.21 and water was coming into the boat. 00:03:35.24\00:03:36.78 They were afraid. 00:03:36.81\00:03:39.31 And in Matthew Chapter 14, 00:03:39.35\00:03:42.58 beginning in verse 25, the Bible says, 00:03:42.62\00:03:44.82 "Now in the fourth watch of the night 00:03:44.85\00:03:50.83 Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 00:03:50.86\00:03:54.13 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, 00:03:54.16\00:03:57.07 they were troubled, saying, 'It is a ghost!' 00:03:57.10\00:04:00.94 And they cried out for fear. 00:04:00.97\00:04:04.47 But immediately, immediately, 00:04:04.51\00:04:06.91 Jesus spoke to them saying, 'Be of good cheer! 00:04:06.94\00:04:11.35 It is I, 00:04:11.38\00:04:12.75 do not be afraid.'" 00:04:12.78\00:04:17.49 Praise the Lord. 00:04:17.52\00:04:19.15 And now, as we look at verse 28, 00:04:19.19\00:04:23.73 the Bible says, 00:04:23.76\00:04:25.33 "And Peter answered him and said, 'Lord, 00:04:25.36\00:04:29.66 if it is You, 00:04:29.70\00:04:31.13 command me to come to You on the water.'" 00:04:31.17\00:04:35.17 And Jesus told the answer that 00:04:35.20\00:04:38.11 Peter was hoping he would hear. 00:04:38.14\00:04:41.51 "So He said, 'Come.' 00:04:41.54\00:04:44.15 And when Peter had come down out of the boat, 00:04:44.18\00:04:46.95 he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 00:04:46.98\00:04:49.82 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, 00:04:49.85\00:04:53.59 he was afraid, 00:04:53.62\00:04:55.82 and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, 00:04:55.86\00:04:58.46 'Lord, save me!' 00:04:58.49\00:05:01.33 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand 00:05:01.36\00:05:05.30 and caught him and said to him, 00:05:05.33\00:05:08.84 'O you of little faith, why did you doubt?'" 00:05:08.87\00:05:14.68 Wow, this is an amazing story 00:05:14.71\00:05:20.42 of what took place that night. 00:05:20.45\00:05:22.15 I'm sure that the other disciples 00:05:22.18\00:05:23.52 were looking on 00:05:23.55\00:05:24.89 as Peter was walking towards Jesus, 00:05:24.92\00:05:27.16 and Jesus walking on the water. 00:05:27.19\00:05:29.69 I'm sure they were probably thinking, 00:05:29.72\00:05:31.69 "Man, why didn't I ask that? 00:05:31.73\00:05:33.50 I could have been walking underwater myself." 00:05:33.53\00:05:35.73 But the Bible said that 00:05:35.76\00:05:38.13 Peter started looking at the wind, 00:05:38.17\00:05:41.17 and the wind was boisterous. 00:05:41.20\00:05:42.84 He became afraid and started to sink. 00:05:42.87\00:05:45.64 And as he began to sink, 00:05:45.67\00:05:47.01 he realized he was in great danger. 00:05:47.04\00:05:49.11 Now, please understand Peter was a fisherman. 00:05:49.14\00:05:52.38 I'm sure he was a great swimmer. 00:05:52.41\00:05:54.38 But this storm seemed to want to swallow him. 00:05:54.42\00:05:58.35 It's like the waters were his enemy, 00:05:58.39\00:06:00.26 and it's like they wanted to swallow him. 00:06:00.29\00:06:03.93 And he cried out for help. 00:06:03.96\00:06:05.69 And immediately, 00:06:05.73\00:06:07.06 Jesus stretched out His hand and saved him. 00:06:07.10\00:06:10.50 Now notice what it says in verse 32. 00:06:10.53\00:06:13.84 "And when they got into the boat, 00:06:13.87\00:06:16.40 the wind ceased." 00:06:16.44\00:06:18.54 They walked together towards the boat, 00:06:18.57\00:06:20.58 it says, "And the wind ceased. 00:06:20.61\00:06:22.64 Then those who were in the boat 00:06:22.68\00:06:25.05 came and worshiped Him saying, 00:06:25.08\00:06:27.35 'Truly, You are the Son of God.'" 00:06:27.38\00:06:32.39 Praise the Lord. 00:06:32.42\00:06:33.99 What a scene. 00:06:34.02\00:06:35.46 What a terrifying experience 00:06:35.49\00:06:37.99 these disciples were going through 00:06:38.03\00:06:40.40 as they realized their lives were in danger. 00:06:40.43\00:06:43.57 We're going to die. 00:06:43.60\00:06:45.43 And just then they saw Jesus walking on the sea, 00:06:45.47\00:06:48.84 but first they're thinking this is an enemy. 00:06:48.87\00:06:50.71 This is a ghost. 00:06:50.74\00:06:53.21 But it was Jesus 00:06:53.24\00:06:54.74 that came to give them the help they needed. 00:06:54.78\00:06:57.88 This was nighttime when it happened. 00:06:57.91\00:07:00.72 It was the fourth watch of the night, 00:07:00.75\00:07:02.22 somewhere between what we call midnight and daybreak. 00:07:02.25\00:07:06.12 This is when Jesus came up on the scene. 00:07:06.15\00:07:09.09 In the book Desire of Ages, 382, 00:07:09.12\00:07:12.69 we have this interesting message for us. 00:07:12.73\00:07:16.90 When trouble comes upon us, how often we are like Peter. 00:07:16.93\00:07:22.87 We look upon the waves. 00:07:22.90\00:07:24.51 In other words, 00:07:24.54\00:07:25.87 instead of looking at the problem, 00:07:25.91\00:07:27.38 instead of keeping our eyes fixed upon the Savior, 00:07:27.41\00:07:31.01 our footsteps slide 00:07:31.05\00:07:32.95 and the proud waters go over our souls, 00:07:32.98\00:07:36.12 that means the problems overtake us and overwhelm us. 00:07:36.15\00:07:39.12 "Jesus did not bid Peter to come to Him, 00:07:39.15\00:07:42.86 that he should perish. 00:07:42.89\00:07:44.66 He does not call us to follow Him, 00:07:44.69\00:07:47.20 and then forsake us. 00:07:47.23\00:07:49.43 Fear not, He says, for I have redeemed thee, 00:07:49.46\00:07:52.67 I have called thee by thy name, thou art mine. 00:07:52.70\00:07:57.41 When thou passest through the waters, 00:07:57.44\00:07:59.87 I will be with thee, and through the rivers, 00:07:59.91\00:08:02.24 they shall not overflow thee: 00:08:02.28\00:08:04.38 when thou walkest through the fire, 00:08:04.41\00:08:06.35 thou shalt not be burned, 00:08:06.38\00:08:08.15 neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 00:08:08.18\00:08:10.72 For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, 00:08:10.75\00:08:16.06 thy Savior," quoting from Isaiah 43:1-3. 00:08:16.09\00:08:21.43 And I just read to you from the book Desire of Ages, 00:08:21.46\00:08:23.73 page 382. 00:08:23.77\00:08:26.63 Now I want to talk to you for a moment 00:08:26.67\00:08:28.17 because the message is entitled, 00:08:28.20\00:08:31.41 God is our Refuge and Strength. 00:08:31.44\00:08:34.64 You know, it seems to me that 00:08:34.68\00:08:36.71 people are in need of knowing that God is with us. 00:08:36.75\00:08:40.82 God is our refuge and strength. 00:08:40.85\00:08:43.02 Well, we've been going through pandemics, 00:08:43.05\00:08:46.05 we've been going through difficulties. 00:08:46.09\00:08:48.42 Some people have lost their jobs. 00:08:48.46\00:08:50.66 Some people have lost loved ones. 00:08:50.69\00:08:53.33 Some people are facing other difficult situations. 00:08:53.36\00:08:56.36 They're looking upon what's happening in the world, 00:08:56.40\00:08:58.87 and there's fear. 00:08:58.90\00:09:01.14 And we need to understand that God is still God, 00:09:01.17\00:09:04.31 and that He's still on the throne, 00:09:04.34\00:09:06.07 and that He is going to be with us, 00:09:06.11\00:09:08.24 even until the end of the world. 00:09:08.28\00:09:11.88 And that's why this message is important 00:09:11.91\00:09:14.05 and I hope you are encouraged to know 00:09:14.08\00:09:16.25 that God is with us. 00:09:16.28\00:09:19.55 Psalm 46:10-11 tells us, 00:09:19.59\00:09:22.69 "Be still and know that I am God. 00:09:22.72\00:09:28.30 I will be exalted among the nations. 00:09:28.33\00:09:30.70 I will be exalted in the earth. 00:09:30.73\00:09:32.73 The Lord of hosts is with us. 00:09:32.77\00:09:36.10 The God of Jacob is our refuge." 00:09:36.14\00:09:39.57 Yes, God is our refuge and strength. 00:09:39.61\00:09:43.45 If you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:09:43.48\00:09:46.28 you should face the future. 00:09:46.31\00:09:48.18 You should face the situations that you're going through, 00:09:48.22\00:09:51.19 not looking at the situation, not looking at the problem, 00:09:51.22\00:09:54.49 the difficulty, how hard it is. 00:09:54.52\00:09:58.26 Even though it may be hard, 00:09:58.29\00:09:59.96 we must understand God is with us. 00:10:00.00\00:10:02.93 He is our refuge and strength. 00:10:02.96\00:10:06.03 And yes, maybe some of you listening, 00:10:06.07\00:10:09.40 perhaps have faced a time of sorrow. 00:10:09.44\00:10:12.24 A time when you're wondering, how could this be? 00:10:12.27\00:10:16.68 How can this be? 00:10:16.71\00:10:18.71 How could this be happening? 00:10:18.75\00:10:21.48 But know that whatever situation 00:10:21.52\00:10:23.69 you're going through, 00:10:23.72\00:10:25.22 Jesus does not leave you alone. 00:10:25.25\00:10:28.86 In Isaiah 63:9, the Bible says, 00:10:28.89\00:10:34.30 "In all their affliction he was afflicted, 00:10:34.33\00:10:37.23 and the angel of his presence saved them: 00:10:37.27\00:10:41.40 in his love and in his pity he redeemed them, 00:10:41.44\00:10:45.24 and bore them and carried them all the days of old." 00:10:45.27\00:10:50.85 Praise God. 00:10:50.88\00:10:52.31 You see, God has felt 00:10:52.35\00:10:55.38 every single pain 00:10:55.42\00:10:57.95 since the beginning. 00:10:57.99\00:10:59.32 Since Adam and Eve, He has felt every single pain. 00:10:59.35\00:11:03.16 Every suffering, every tear, He has noticed. 00:11:03.19\00:11:06.96 And He has been near His children 00:11:07.00\00:11:08.73 to comfort them. 00:11:08.76\00:11:10.10 You see, God is a God of comfort, 00:11:10.13\00:11:12.00 a God that provides refuge a God that provides strength, 00:11:12.03\00:11:16.74 a God that provides wisdom, guidance, 00:11:16.77\00:11:20.01 and He has delivered some of you listening to me 00:11:20.04\00:11:24.71 from death itself, 00:11:24.75\00:11:26.82 just like the disciples were delivered from death 00:11:26.85\00:11:29.25 in this horrible storm. 00:11:29.28\00:11:31.29 And I don't know what kind of storm 00:11:31.32\00:11:32.79 you're going through, 00:11:32.82\00:11:34.16 what kind of difficulty you are facing, 00:11:34.19\00:11:36.36 but just like Jesus went to the disciples, 00:11:36.39\00:11:40.13 He comes to your side. 00:11:40.16\00:11:42.93 And I encourage you to trust in Him, 00:11:42.96\00:11:44.90 no matter what the situation you are going through. 00:11:44.93\00:11:50.41 Throughout the Bible, 00:11:50.44\00:11:52.31 we see the message that God has for His children, 00:11:52.34\00:11:55.51 I love you, I want to take care of you, 00:11:55.54\00:11:58.41 I want to provide for you, I have a way of escape for you, 00:11:58.45\00:12:02.08 I have a plan of salvation for you, 00:12:02.12\00:12:04.42 I want to give you peace, 00:12:04.45\00:12:06.12 I want to give you strength, 00:12:06.15\00:12:08.52 I will provide for your needs. 00:12:08.56\00:12:12.43 Now notice that throughout the Bible, 00:12:12.46\00:12:13.96 God has tried to help us understand this. 00:12:14.00\00:12:16.93 In Exodus Chapter 13, we have a message 00:12:16.97\00:12:19.67 that we should consider for us today. 00:12:19.70\00:12:22.04 Beginning in verse 21, the Bible says, 00:12:22.07\00:12:24.31 "And the Lord went before them by day 00:12:24.34\00:12:27.28 in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, 00:12:27.31\00:12:30.18 and by night in a pillar of fire 00:12:30.21\00:12:32.45 to give them light, 00:12:32.48\00:12:34.35 so as to go by day and night. 00:12:34.38\00:12:37.19 He did not take away the pillar of cloud 00:12:37.22\00:12:40.56 by day or the pillar of fire by night, 00:12:40.59\00:12:43.56 from before the people." 00:12:43.59\00:12:45.63 Praise the Lord. 00:12:45.66\00:12:47.00 The people had a visible sign that God was with them. 00:12:47.03\00:12:52.43 A cloud was with them 00:12:52.47\00:12:54.94 during the day and a pillar of fire by night. 00:12:54.97\00:12:58.91 And I don't know 00:12:58.94\00:13:00.28 how God has tried to let you know, 00:13:00.31\00:13:02.54 I am there with you. 00:13:02.58\00:13:04.71 I will be with you. 00:13:04.75\00:13:06.48 I will not leave you nor forsake you. 00:13:06.51\00:13:09.35 Somehow, someway, He has let you know, 00:13:09.38\00:13:12.75 and I encourage you to hold on to those things 00:13:12.79\00:13:15.59 that the Lord provides for you. 00:13:15.62\00:13:18.06 And when you're going through trouble, 00:13:18.09\00:13:19.73 I encourage you to consider 00:13:19.76\00:13:22.20 what has God done for me in the past? 00:13:22.23\00:13:25.03 He has saved me from this, from this, 00:13:25.07\00:13:27.10 from this, from that, from this, of this. 00:13:27.14\00:13:29.07 He has provided for me, 00:13:29.10\00:13:30.74 and I am talking to people that perhaps 00:13:30.77\00:13:33.58 you have never gone through one day 00:13:33.61\00:13:36.68 without having the food that you need for that day. 00:13:36.71\00:13:40.05 God has provided 00:13:40.08\00:13:41.72 and we should be grateful and thankful. 00:13:41.75\00:13:44.89 So I encourage you, trust in the Lord. 00:13:44.92\00:13:49.69 In Psalm 34:18, 00:13:49.72\00:13:53.76 Psalm 34:18, 00:13:53.80\00:13:56.53 the Bible has a clear message for us. 00:13:56.56\00:14:01.07 And it says there in verse 18, 00:14:01.10\00:14:02.60 "The Lord is near 00:14:02.64\00:14:04.91 to those who have a broken heart, 00:14:04.94\00:14:09.58 and saves such as have a contrite spirit." 00:14:09.61\00:14:12.98 The Lord is near to those that have a broken heart. 00:14:13.01\00:14:16.38 If you have a broken heart, 00:14:16.42\00:14:17.75 understand that the Lord is near to you. 00:14:17.79\00:14:22.72 And so now I go to Psalm 42. 00:14:22.76\00:14:25.86 Let's go to Psalm 42:11. 00:14:25.89\00:14:28.66 Notice the questions that the psalmist is asking, 00:14:28.70\00:14:33.47 "Why are you cast down, O my soul? 00:14:33.50\00:14:37.07 And why are you disquieted within me? 00:14:37.11\00:14:40.98 Hope in God, 00:14:41.01\00:14:43.51 for I shall yet praise Him, 00:14:43.55\00:14:45.45 the help of my countenance and my God." 00:14:45.48\00:14:50.55 Do not give way to discouragement. 00:14:50.59\00:14:53.25 You see, God wants to help you through this difficulty 00:14:53.29\00:14:57.19 you're going through and give you strength. 00:14:57.23\00:15:00.00 The devil, on the other hand, wants to discourage you, 00:15:00.03\00:15:03.73 lead you to depression and keep you press down, 00:15:03.77\00:15:07.50 moaning, groaning and complaining 00:15:07.54\00:15:11.21 and looking at the situation, 00:15:11.24\00:15:13.07 instead of trusting in the Lord and understanding 00:15:13.11\00:15:16.38 that whatever way 00:15:16.41\00:15:18.78 God will see fit for the situation 00:15:18.81\00:15:21.42 you are facing, 00:15:21.45\00:15:22.78 God will use a way to help you 00:15:22.82\00:15:25.32 and deliver you and strengthen you, 00:15:25.35\00:15:27.59 and encourage you. 00:15:27.62\00:15:29.09 Trust in the Lord, no matter what is happening. 00:15:29.12\00:15:33.83 There's a song that as I begin reading it, 00:15:33.86\00:15:37.97 I am not going to sing it. 00:15:38.00\00:15:39.50 I'm going to just read a certain portion of it, 00:15:39.53\00:15:41.80 and you will know this song. 00:15:41.84\00:15:44.21 And it says just these words, 00:15:44.24\00:15:47.08 why should I feel discouraged? 00:15:47.11\00:15:50.55 Why should the shadows come? 00:15:50.58\00:15:52.95 Why should my heart be lonely, 00:15:52.98\00:15:55.55 and long for heaven and home 00:15:55.58\00:15:58.35 when Jesus is my portion? 00:15:58.39\00:16:00.76 My constant friend is He. 00:16:00.79\00:16:04.73 His eye is on the sparrow, 00:16:04.76\00:16:07.66 and I know He watches me. 00:16:07.70\00:16:09.76 His eye is on the sparrow, 00:16:09.80\00:16:12.57 and I know He watches me. 00:16:12.60\00:16:15.97 And this is why the chorus is important. 00:16:16.00\00:16:18.87 I think because I'm happy. 00:16:18.91\00:16:20.91 I think because I'm free, 00:16:20.94\00:16:23.48 for His eye is on the sparrow. 00:16:23.51\00:16:26.58 And I know He watches me. 00:16:26.61\00:16:30.79 Please understand that He, 00:16:30.82\00:16:33.02 just as God takes care of the animals 00:16:33.05\00:16:35.96 out in the forest, 00:16:35.99\00:16:37.63 He will take care of you. 00:16:37.66\00:16:39.63 He will not leave you to yourself to suffer 00:16:39.66\00:16:43.73 without giving you the help you need. 00:16:43.77\00:16:47.60 I am now going to Joshua Chapter 1. 00:16:47.64\00:16:52.07 And in Joshua Chapter 1, 00:16:52.11\00:16:54.04 I want to read there are a couple of verses 00:16:54.08\00:16:57.15 that it is my hope and prayer will encourage you. 00:16:57.18\00:17:02.08 In Joshua Chapter 1, 00:17:02.12\00:17:03.89 I'm reading to you from the book, 00:17:03.92\00:17:07.52 Joshua 1:8-9. 00:17:07.56\00:17:09.36 And this is what the Bible says, 00:17:09.39\00:17:10.73 "This Book of the Law 00:17:10.76\00:17:12.36 shall not depart from your mouth, 00:17:12.39\00:17:14.56 but you shall meditate in it day and night, 00:17:14.60\00:17:17.87 that you may observe to do 00:17:17.90\00:17:19.53 according to all that is written in it." 00:17:19.57\00:17:22.57 Likewise, we should be reading The Holy Scriptures, 00:17:22.60\00:17:27.04 and meditate upon it, 00:17:27.08\00:17:28.98 and know it, and look at the promises of the Lord, 00:17:29.01\00:17:33.42 that we may be encouraged. 00:17:33.45\00:17:35.25 Notice, "For then you will make your way prosperous." 00:17:35.28\00:17:39.52 Yes. 00:17:39.55\00:17:40.89 Look at the scriptures, study God's Word, 00:17:40.92\00:17:43.29 look at the promise, memorize them, 00:17:43.32\00:17:45.76 for then you will make your way prosperous, 00:17:45.79\00:17:48.10 and then you will have good success. 00:17:48.13\00:17:51.17 This is God talking to Joshua. 00:17:51.20\00:17:53.30 This is God talking to you and me. 00:17:53.34\00:17:56.94 And notice what He says in verse 9, 00:17:56.97\00:17:58.77 "Have I not commanded you? 00:17:58.81\00:18:00.94 Be strong and of good courage, do not be afraid, 00:18:00.98\00:18:06.08 nor be dismayed, 00:18:06.11\00:18:08.32 for the Lord your God 00:18:08.35\00:18:10.32 is with you wherever you go." 00:18:10.35\00:18:15.19 This is God talking to you and talking to me. 00:18:15.22\00:18:19.56 Why be discouraged? 00:18:19.59\00:18:21.80 Why be dismayed? 00:18:21.83\00:18:23.26 God is our refuge and strength. 00:18:23.30\00:18:27.04 Praise the Lord. 00:18:27.07\00:18:29.30 So what should you do 00:18:29.34\00:18:31.07 when you're facing difficulties? 00:18:31.11\00:18:33.07 It's very strange. 00:18:33.11\00:18:34.44 When I read this in the Bible many years ago, 00:18:34.48\00:18:35.94 I said, "Wait a minute. 00:18:35.98\00:18:37.31 There doesn't seem to be something right here." 00:18:37.35\00:18:40.78 But this does make sense. 00:18:40.82\00:18:43.28 As we look at the bigger picture, 00:18:43.32\00:18:46.29 James Chapter 1. 00:18:46.32\00:18:49.22 James Chapter 1, beginning in verse 2, 00:18:49.26\00:18:51.63 "My brethren, count it all joy 00:18:51.66\00:18:56.13 when you fall in various trials." 00:18:56.16\00:18:59.77 What? What do you mean? 00:18:59.80\00:19:01.77 James, why are you writing this? 00:19:01.80\00:19:03.97 "Knowing," verse 3, 00:19:04.01\00:19:05.64 "that testing of your faith produces patience. 00:19:05.67\00:19:10.81 But let patience have its perfect work, 00:19:10.85\00:19:12.91 that you may be perfect and complete, 00:19:12.95\00:19:15.05 lacking nothing." 00:19:15.08\00:19:17.82 Praise the Lord. 00:19:17.85\00:19:19.22 If He allows something to come to you, 00:19:19.25\00:19:22.52 it is for your benefit somehow, some way. 00:19:22.56\00:19:25.96 You see when we give ourselves to the Lord, 00:19:25.99\00:19:29.16 when we ask the Lord to be in our lives, 00:19:29.20\00:19:33.47 God does marvelous things for His children. 00:19:33.50\00:19:37.07 And He does not allow anything to come to you 00:19:37.11\00:19:41.11 unless it has been measured, weighed 00:19:41.14\00:19:45.38 and considered carefully, 00:19:45.41\00:19:48.88 because the Lord will not allow you 00:19:48.92\00:19:50.75 to go through anything 00:19:50.79\00:19:52.39 that will not be for your benefit. 00:19:52.42\00:19:54.22 Now please understand that sometimes 00:19:54.26\00:19:56.96 we make trouble for ourselves 00:19:56.99\00:19:59.56 and I don't know if you've made trouble for yourself. 00:19:59.59\00:20:01.70 Well, how do you make trouble for yourself? 00:20:01.73\00:20:03.97 Well, you can make trouble for yourself 00:20:04.00\00:20:06.07 by making bad decisions. 00:20:06.10\00:20:08.50 God shows you the way, 00:20:08.54\00:20:10.14 you know what's in the Bible 00:20:10.17\00:20:11.51 and you do something else. 00:20:11.54\00:20:13.91 And some of us have decided, well, I'm going to eat this, 00:20:13.94\00:20:18.25 or I'm going to smoke that, or I'm going to take this drug, 00:20:18.28\00:20:21.95 or I'm going to drink this alcohol, 00:20:21.98\00:20:24.05 knowing that it is not good for us. 00:20:24.09\00:20:27.69 And we bring trouble upon ourselves, 00:20:27.72\00:20:29.96 we bring suffering, we bring pain, 00:20:29.99\00:20:32.06 and even sickness. 00:20:32.09\00:20:34.43 So upon these things, 00:20:34.46\00:20:37.03 we have to understand that you have made a decision 00:20:37.07\00:20:40.20 to walk away from the ways of the Lord, 00:20:40.24\00:20:42.40 and the Bible says that you may be allowed to reap 00:20:42.44\00:20:48.34 from what you sowed. 00:20:48.38\00:20:50.21 So please, follow the Lord, 00:20:50.25\00:20:53.18 do His will and you will be blessed 00:20:53.21\00:20:57.25 more than you can ask or think. 00:20:57.29\00:21:00.32 Notice here in the book, 2 Corinthians. 00:21:00.36\00:21:04.19 In the book, 2 Corinthians, 00:21:04.23\00:21:06.16 we have a message that we need to consider. 00:21:06.19\00:21:09.43 2 Corinthians 7:4, 00:21:09.46\00:21:15.17 the Bible says the following, 00:21:15.20\00:21:18.34 "Great is my boldness of speech toward you, 00:21:18.37\00:21:21.88 great is my boasting on your behalf. 00:21:21.91\00:21:23.81 I am filled with comfort. 00:21:23.85\00:21:25.31 I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation." 00:21:25.35\00:21:28.95 Why is that? 00:21:28.98\00:21:30.92 Because he knew, 00:21:30.95\00:21:32.79 he understood that these things, 00:21:32.82\00:21:36.99 the Lord allow for his benefit. 00:21:37.03\00:21:39.79 So please understand that God means 00:21:39.83\00:21:44.90 things that He allows for your good. 00:21:44.93\00:21:46.74 It's interesting that in a translation 00:21:46.77\00:21:49.27 called the Moffatt translation, 00:21:49.30\00:21:51.14 it says, "I am overflowing with delight 00:21:51.17\00:21:53.54 for all the trouble 00:21:53.58\00:21:55.81 I have to bear." 00:21:55.84\00:21:57.48 Isn't that interesting? 00:21:57.51\00:21:58.85 It brings a different perspective 00:21:58.88\00:22:00.68 when we understand 00:22:00.72\00:22:02.35 that if the Lord allows something to come to us, 00:22:02.38\00:22:05.69 it is somehow for our benefit. 00:22:05.72\00:22:08.72 And yes, I know that as we're going through this, 00:22:08.76\00:22:11.69 we may experience pain, perhaps sorrow, 00:22:11.73\00:22:16.13 but the end of these things is a benefit to us 00:22:16.16\00:22:19.80 in somehow some way. 00:22:19.83\00:22:22.17 I'm reading to you from a book called Ministry of Healing, 00:22:22.20\00:22:25.64 and there we have a message 00:22:25.67\00:22:28.04 that I want to share with you on page 488. 00:22:28.08\00:22:32.21 It says, "The Father's presence encircled Christ, 00:22:32.25\00:22:36.72 and nothing befell him, 00:22:36.75\00:22:38.95 but that which infinite love permitted 00:22:38.99\00:22:42.02 for the blessing of the world." 00:22:42.06\00:22:44.49 Here was His source of comfort 00:22:44.53\00:22:47.13 and it is for us. 00:22:47.16\00:22:49.50 He who is imbued with the Spirit of Christ 00:22:49.53\00:22:53.03 abides in Christ. 00:22:53.07\00:22:54.94 Whatever comes to him comes from the Savior 00:22:54.97\00:22:58.24 who surrounds him with His presence. 00:22:58.27\00:23:01.64 Nothing can touch him, 00:23:01.68\00:23:03.45 except by the Lord's permission. 00:23:03.48\00:23:06.05 All our sufferings and sorrows, all our temptations and trials, 00:23:06.08\00:23:11.02 all our sadness and grieves, 00:23:11.05\00:23:14.02 all our persecutions and privations, in short, 00:23:14.06\00:23:18.33 all things work together for our good. 00:23:18.36\00:23:22.86 All experiences and circumstances 00:23:22.90\00:23:25.23 are God's workmen 00:23:25.27\00:23:27.10 whereby God is brought to us." 00:23:27.14\00:23:31.71 You see, when God's people face difficulties, 00:23:31.74\00:23:35.48 and they understand they're going through a trial, 00:23:35.51\00:23:38.18 what do they do? 00:23:38.21\00:23:40.02 You have the option of looking at the situation, 00:23:40.05\00:23:43.12 the difficulty, 00:23:43.15\00:23:44.49 and sinking into despair and discouragement, 00:23:44.52\00:23:47.52 or you have the option of facing it, 00:23:47.56\00:23:49.99 looking unto Jesus, knowing that He is with you. 00:23:50.03\00:23:54.20 And you will go to the Lord in prayer to help you 00:23:54.23\00:23:57.10 face that difficulty 00:23:57.13\00:23:58.73 and you are drawn closer to the Lord. 00:23:58.77\00:24:02.34 Your faith will grow, 00:24:02.37\00:24:04.71 and you at times will have a sensing 00:24:04.74\00:24:08.24 of the presence of the Lord. 00:24:08.28\00:24:11.61 Praise the Lord. 00:24:11.65\00:24:12.98 He is good to us more than we understand, 00:24:13.01\00:24:16.02 more than we can even consider. 00:24:16.05\00:24:19.55 In 2 Corinthians 4:6-9, 00:24:19.59\00:24:24.19 we have the following words. 00:24:24.23\00:24:25.56 "For it is the God who commanded light 00:24:25.59\00:24:28.83 to shine out of darkness, 00:24:28.86\00:24:30.37 who has shown in our hearts 00:24:30.40\00:24:32.57 to give the light of the knowledge 00:24:32.60\00:24:35.07 of the glory of God 00:24:35.10\00:24:36.47 in the face of Jesus Christ. 00:24:36.50\00:24:39.24 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels 00:24:39.27\00:24:42.28 that the excellence of the power 00:24:42.31\00:24:44.85 may be of God and not of us. 00:24:44.88\00:24:47.48 We are hard-pressed on every side, 00:24:47.52\00:24:50.55 yet not crushed. 00:24:50.59\00:24:52.49 We are perplexed, but not in despair, 00:24:52.52\00:24:56.89 persecuted, but not forsaken, 00:24:56.93\00:24:59.06 struck down, but not destroyed." 00:24:59.09\00:25:02.06 Why? 00:25:02.10\00:25:03.43 Because God sends His angel to help us and protect us 00:25:03.47\00:25:08.40 from the harm that devil wants to do to us. 00:25:08.44\00:25:11.37 You see, the devil would love to destroy you. 00:25:11.41\00:25:15.51 The devil would love 00:25:15.54\00:25:16.98 to just blot you out of existence, 00:25:17.01\00:25:21.18 kill you as soon as possible, but God has said, 00:25:21.22\00:25:25.49 no, no, you're not allowed to do this. 00:25:25.52\00:25:27.82 And you do not know it. 00:25:27.86\00:25:29.52 But you have no idea how many times 00:25:29.56\00:25:31.63 the devil has said, 00:25:31.66\00:25:32.99 now let me have him now, and Lord has said no. 00:25:33.03\00:25:36.46 No, you cannot do that. 00:25:36.50\00:25:38.53 Praise the Lord for that. 00:25:38.57\00:25:41.64 I'm reading to you from an article 00:25:41.67\00:25:45.44 found in a very old publication 00:25:45.47\00:25:47.88 called Youth Instructor, 00:25:47.91\00:25:49.94 December 20, 1894, 00:25:49.98\00:25:53.42 by Sister Ellen G. White. 00:25:53.45\00:25:55.52 Notice what is written here. 00:25:55.55\00:25:57.35 "It is as essential that Christ 00:25:57.39\00:25:59.92 should touch our hearts now by his Holy Spirit, 00:25:59.95\00:26:04.16 as that he should redeem our souls 00:26:04.19\00:26:07.36 by his most precious life. 00:26:07.40\00:26:10.07 To every Christian comes the word 00:26:10.10\00:26:12.33 that was addressed to Peter, 00:26:12.37\00:26:14.57 'Satan hath desired to have you, 00:26:14.60\00:26:18.01 that he may sift you as wheat.'" 00:26:18.04\00:26:20.94 But notice what Jesus said to Peter 00:26:20.98\00:26:23.14 and says to you and to me, 00:26:23.18\00:26:25.21 "But I have prayed for thee, 00:26:25.25\00:26:27.05 that thy faith fail not. 00:26:27.08\00:26:29.98 Thank God we are not left alone. 00:26:30.02\00:26:32.89 This is our safety. 00:26:32.92\00:26:34.59 Satan can never touch with eternal disaster 00:26:34.62\00:26:38.96 one whom Christ has prepared for temptation 00:26:38.99\00:26:42.80 by his previous intercession, 00:26:42.83\00:26:46.37 for grace is provided in Christ for every soul, 00:26:46.40\00:26:50.94 and a way of escape has been made, 00:26:50.97\00:26:54.04 so that no one need fall 00:26:54.08\00:26:56.95 under the power of the enemy." 00:26:56.98\00:27:00.35 Praise the Lord. 00:27:00.38\00:27:02.32 Oh, God is good. 00:27:02.35\00:27:04.15 God is more wonderful than 00:27:04.19\00:27:07.26 we can even describe, 00:27:07.29\00:27:10.63 and project or even imagine. 00:27:10.66\00:27:14.33 And God has been good to each and every one of us. 00:27:14.36\00:27:17.47 In Romans 8:28, the Bible says, 00:27:17.50\00:27:22.14 and I know some of you will know it 00:27:22.17\00:27:23.91 by memory as I begin, 00:27:23.94\00:27:25.54 "And we know that all things work together 00:27:25.57\00:27:30.68 for good to those who love God, 00:27:30.71\00:27:32.71 to those who are the called according to His purpose." 00:27:32.75\00:27:37.12 Praise the Lord. 00:27:37.15\00:27:39.02 God is marvelous. 00:27:39.05\00:27:41.22 All things work together for those who love God. 00:27:41.26\00:27:45.53 Now I am going to the book, 00:27:45.56\00:27:47.46 2 Corinthians Chapter 1, 00:27:47.50\00:27:51.67 and I am reading from verses 3 to 5. 00:27:51.70\00:27:55.70 Notice what the Bible says, 00:27:55.74\00:27:58.64 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:27:58.67\00:28:03.41 the Father of mercies, 00:28:03.45\00:28:06.18 and God of all comfort. 00:28:06.21\00:28:08.22 This is God, our Creator, He is a God of mercies, 00:28:08.25\00:28:12.75 and a God of all comfort, 00:28:12.79\00:28:14.59 who comforts us in all our tribulation, 00:28:14.62\00:28:19.13 that we may be able to comfort 00:28:19.16\00:28:22.20 those who are in any trouble. 00:28:22.23\00:28:25.90 Praise God, 00:28:25.93\00:28:27.27 with the comfort with which we ourselves 00:28:27.30\00:28:30.57 are comforted by God. 00:28:30.61\00:28:32.91 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, 00:28:32.94\00:28:36.41 so our consolation 00:28:36.44\00:28:39.01 also abounds through Christ." 00:28:39.05\00:28:42.85 Marvelous. 00:28:42.88\00:28:44.22 You see, God's angels are with His people. 00:28:44.25\00:28:50.16 God's angels are with His children, 00:28:50.19\00:28:52.86 protecting them, delivering them. 00:28:52.89\00:28:55.66 You see, like I mentioned before, 00:28:55.70\00:28:57.33 the devil would love to destroy you. 00:28:57.37\00:29:00.20 But understand that angels 00:29:00.24\00:29:02.57 even fight back the forces of evil. 00:29:02.60\00:29:06.01 They try to come against God's children. 00:29:06.04\00:29:08.01 There are battles unseen that angels fight for us, 00:29:08.04\00:29:13.45 and we don't even have a clue 00:29:13.48\00:29:16.25 that God is doing this for us. 00:29:16.28\00:29:19.22 So every day, we should be thankful 00:29:19.25\00:29:22.22 that we have life 00:29:22.26\00:29:24.26 and that we are able to live and breathe 00:29:24.29\00:29:28.56 and have our being. 00:29:28.60\00:29:29.93 Praise be to God for His goodness 00:29:29.96\00:29:32.43 to all His children. 00:29:32.47\00:29:35.04 In Isaiah 26:3-4, 00:29:35.07\00:29:38.74 the Bible has a message for you and for me. 00:29:38.77\00:29:42.61 The Bible says, 00:29:42.64\00:29:44.11 "You will keep him in perfect peace 00:29:44.15\00:29:47.65 whose mind is stayed on you, 00:29:47.68\00:29:50.99 because he trusts in you. 00:29:51.02\00:29:55.22 Trust in the Lord forever, for in Jehovah, 00:29:55.26\00:29:59.29 the Lord is everlasting strength." 00:29:59.33\00:30:03.90 Do you want everlasting strength? 00:30:03.93\00:30:06.63 Then you must trust in the Lord. 00:30:06.67\00:30:10.14 He will be with you no matter what the situation is, 00:30:10.17\00:30:15.01 no matter what difficulty you may be facing, 00:30:15.04\00:30:18.38 and that's why I say to you what is written in Psalm 34. 00:30:18.41\00:30:23.32 And I'm going to read Psalm 34, 00:30:23.35\00:30:26.29 and I'm going to begin reading 00:30:26.32\00:30:28.16 in verse 3 of Psalm 34, 00:30:28.19\00:30:33.33 and I'm going to read all the way to verse 10. 00:30:33.36\00:30:35.53 Notice Psalm 34. 00:30:35.56\00:30:36.90 This is one of my favorite psalms, 00:30:36.93\00:30:38.27 and it says the following, 00:30:38.30\00:30:40.54 "Oh, magnify the Lord with me, 00:30:40.57\00:30:44.34 and let us exalt His name together. 00:30:44.37\00:30:47.64 I sought the Lord, and He heard me, 00:30:47.68\00:30:50.28 and delivered me from all my fears. 00:30:50.31\00:30:53.35 They looked to Him and were radiant, 00:30:53.38\00:30:56.42 and their faces were not ashamed. 00:30:56.45\00:30:58.55 This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, 00:30:58.59\00:31:02.32 and saved him out of all his troubles." 00:31:02.36\00:31:05.56 Call upon the Lord to save you from your troubles. 00:31:05.59\00:31:09.00 Notice, the angel of the Lord encamps all around those 00:31:09.03\00:31:13.94 who fear Him and delivers them. 00:31:13.97\00:31:16.40 "O taste and see that the Lord is good. 00:31:16.44\00:31:20.24 Blessed is the man and woman who trust in Him, 00:31:20.28\00:31:24.45 or fear the Lord, you His saints, 00:31:24.48\00:31:27.05 there is no want to those who fear him. 00:31:27.08\00:31:30.92 Young lions do lack and suffer hunger. 00:31:30.95\00:31:34.22 But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing." 00:31:34.26\00:31:39.79 Praise God. 00:31:39.83\00:31:41.16 Praise the Lord. 00:31:41.20\00:31:42.53 I encourage you to memorize God's promises. 00:31:42.56\00:31:45.67 Look at the scriptures. 00:31:45.70\00:31:47.04 Study the scriptures daily. 00:31:47.07\00:31:48.84 And as you do this, 00:31:48.87\00:31:50.31 not only will you be encouraged, 00:31:50.34\00:31:51.67 you will be blessed and these things help us 00:31:51.71\00:31:55.54 face the difficulties of life that we face. 00:31:55.58\00:31:59.55 So now I have a question for you. 00:31:59.58\00:32:01.65 How did they do it? 00:32:01.68\00:32:05.19 How did they do it? 00:32:05.22\00:32:06.89 I'm referring to individuals, 00:32:06.92\00:32:09.49 people that face difficult times. 00:32:09.52\00:32:12.79 We read of them in the Bible. 00:32:12.83\00:32:14.56 I'm quoting to you from one of them. 00:32:14.60\00:32:16.56 Psalm 23:4, this is David, he said, 00:32:16.60\00:32:19.63 "Yo, yea, though I walk through the valley 00:32:19.67\00:32:23.97 of the shadow of death, 00:32:24.01\00:32:25.47 I will fear no evil." 00:32:25.51\00:32:28.48 Why? 00:32:28.51\00:32:29.84 "For you are with me, 00:32:29.88\00:32:31.21 Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." 00:32:31.25\00:32:33.15 How did David do this? 00:32:33.18\00:32:35.42 He walked with the Lord daily. 00:32:35.45\00:32:38.59 He walked with the Lord, he prayed, 00:32:38.62\00:32:41.46 he sang, he studied the scriptures. 00:32:41.49\00:32:45.66 Once he had up to that time, 00:32:45.69\00:32:47.63 or the ones he heard up to that time in his life, 00:32:47.66\00:32:51.17 and his faith became stronger and stronger 00:32:51.20\00:32:54.97 as he faced difficulties in life. 00:32:55.00\00:32:57.01 And that's why when the time came 00:32:57.04\00:32:59.24 that he saw difficulties so large, so big, 00:32:59.27\00:33:03.11 that he was able to say, 00:33:03.14\00:33:04.61 "Yea, though I walk through 00:33:04.65\00:33:05.98 the valley of the shadow of death, 00:33:06.01\00:33:07.35 I will fear no evil." 00:33:07.38\00:33:08.72 Why? 00:33:08.75\00:33:10.09 Because he knew, You are with me O Lord, 00:33:10.12\00:33:12.92 Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 00:33:12.95\00:33:15.02 Job 13:15. 00:33:15.06\00:33:17.13 How did he do it? 00:33:17.16\00:33:19.39 He said, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. 00:33:19.43\00:33:24.20 Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him. 00:33:24.23\00:33:27.44 Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. 00:33:27.47\00:33:30.04 Do you trust the Lord that way? 00:33:30.07\00:33:32.47 If you don't right now, 00:33:32.51\00:33:33.98 I encourage you to come close to Him 00:33:34.01\00:33:36.11 and trust Him day by day, 00:33:36.14\00:33:38.25 moment by moment. 00:33:38.28\00:33:39.65 How did they do it? 00:33:39.68\00:33:41.42 Daniel, Meshach and Abednego 00:33:41.45\00:33:45.02 answered and said to the king, 00:33:45.05\00:33:46.69 in Daniel Chapter 3, beginning in verse 16, 00:33:46.72\00:33:49.72 "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego 00:33:49.76\00:33:51.56 answered and said to the king, 'O Nebuchadnezzar, 00:33:51.59\00:33:55.46 we have no need to answer you in this matter.'" 00:33:55.50\00:33:58.27 What was going on there before King Nebuchadnezzar? 00:33:58.30\00:34:02.10 This is after the time came 00:34:02.14\00:34:04.17 because you remember Nebuchadnezzar 00:34:04.21\00:34:06.88 had a statue built huge, 00:34:06.91\00:34:09.74 pure gold. 00:34:09.78\00:34:11.11 And he said, "When the instruments play, 00:34:11.15\00:34:14.05 everybody bows down before this statue 00:34:14.08\00:34:17.35 that I have built," 00:34:17.39\00:34:18.92 because he wanted this statue to represent him. 00:34:18.95\00:34:23.32 And so the instruments were played, 00:34:23.36\00:34:25.83 and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 00:34:25.86\00:34:28.30 as you looked all around, were the only ones standing. 00:34:28.33\00:34:33.94 So they were brought before the king. 00:34:33.97\00:34:36.54 And so Nebuchadnezzar said, "Is it true 00:34:36.57\00:34:39.84 that you did not bow down before my image?" 00:34:39.87\00:34:43.98 "And so," this is what they said. 00:34:44.01\00:34:47.52 He says, "You're going to be thrown 00:34:47.55\00:34:48.88 into the fiery furnace." 00:34:48.92\00:34:52.92 Notice what happens. 00:34:52.95\00:34:54.46 And the king threatened them 00:34:54.49\00:34:55.82 that if they don't bow down, 00:34:55.86\00:34:57.19 they're going to play the instruments again, guys, 00:34:57.23\00:34:58.99 if you don't bow down you're going in there. 00:34:59.03\00:35:02.53 And he asked for the furnaces to be made ten, 00:35:02.56\00:35:07.60 seven times hotter. 00:35:07.64\00:35:10.34 Notice what happens. 00:35:10.37\00:35:12.84 "If that is the case, our God," said they, 00:35:12.87\00:35:16.61 "whom we serve is able to deliver us 00:35:16.64\00:35:19.35 from the burning fiery furnace. 00:35:19.38\00:35:22.82 And He will deliver us from your hand, O King." 00:35:22.85\00:35:26.35 Verse 18 of Daniel Chapter 3, 00:35:26.39\00:35:28.26 "But if not, let it be known to you, O King, 00:35:28.29\00:35:32.26 that we do not serve your gods, 00:35:32.29\00:35:34.93 nor will we worship the gold image, 00:35:34.96\00:35:38.23 which you have set up." 00:35:38.27\00:35:41.04 Wow! 00:35:41.07\00:35:42.40 How could these guys do that? 00:35:42.44\00:35:44.67 How could it be? 00:35:44.71\00:35:46.04 They were threatened 00:35:46.07\00:35:47.41 to be thrown into a fiery furnace. 00:35:47.44\00:35:49.74 How could they do that? 00:35:49.78\00:35:51.11 How could they stand there and say to the king, 00:35:51.15\00:35:53.11 we're not going to bow down to your image. 00:35:53.15\00:35:54.92 God deliver, will deliver us. 00:35:54.95\00:35:56.28 And if He doesn't, 00:35:56.32\00:35:57.65 we still will not bow down to your image. 00:35:57.69\00:35:59.62 Oh, it was marvelous what happened? 00:35:59.65\00:36:02.36 They threw those guys in there, 00:36:02.39\00:36:04.53 and you know the story. 00:36:04.56\00:36:06.03 They threw them in there 00:36:06.06\00:36:08.60 and as they expected them to be screaming 00:36:08.63\00:36:12.13 from the burning fiery flames, 00:36:12.17\00:36:14.17 they heard no screaming. 00:36:14.20\00:36:16.84 They heard no such thing. 00:36:16.87\00:36:20.38 And the king said, "Wait a minute, 00:36:20.41\00:36:22.18 didn't we throw three guys in there? 00:36:22.21\00:36:25.28 Why are they four?" 00:36:25.31\00:36:27.22 Why were there four? 00:36:27.25\00:36:29.22 Because Jesus was with them. 00:36:29.25\00:36:32.85 And so Nebuchadnezzar had to tell them, 00:36:32.89\00:36:34.52 "Come on out, guys. 00:36:34.56\00:36:35.89 Come on out." 00:36:35.92\00:36:38.23 And the three guys came out 00:36:38.26\00:36:39.76 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 00:36:39.79\00:36:41.83 And the Bible says 00:36:41.86\00:36:43.20 that not even their clothing smelled like smoke. 00:36:43.23\00:36:48.20 The only thing that burned were the ropes 00:36:48.24\00:36:53.31 that bound them. 00:36:53.34\00:36:54.68 Praise the Lord. 00:36:54.71\00:36:56.18 And so, this is an interesting story. 00:36:56.21\00:36:59.45 But in this fiery furnace, 00:36:59.48\00:37:02.02 which we could say could represent trouble 00:37:02.05\00:37:04.12 and tribulation and problems, 00:37:04.15\00:37:06.19 Jesus was with them. 00:37:06.22\00:37:08.12 Likewise, when you're facing 00:37:08.16\00:37:10.59 the burning fiery situations that come your way, 00:37:10.63\00:37:15.10 please understand, Jesus will be with you. 00:37:15.13\00:37:20.54 Praise the Lord. 00:37:20.57\00:37:23.34 In Psalm 46:1-3, 00:37:23.37\00:37:26.41 from which comes the title for this message, 00:37:26.44\00:37:29.98 "God is our refuge and strength, 00:37:30.01\00:37:33.65 a very present help in trouble. 00:37:33.68\00:37:38.19 Therefore we will not fear 00:37:38.22\00:37:40.36 even though the earth be removed, 00:37:40.39\00:37:43.36 and though the mountains be carried 00:37:43.39\00:37:46.06 into the midst of the sea, 00:37:46.09\00:37:48.90 though its waters roar and be troubled, 00:37:48.93\00:37:52.13 though the mountains shake with its swelling. 00:37:52.17\00:37:56.37 Selah." 00:37:56.40\00:37:58.31 God promises to be your refuge and strength. 00:37:58.34\00:38:04.21 Won't you allow Him? 00:38:04.25\00:38:05.85 Won't you allow God to be your refuge 00:38:05.88\00:38:10.35 and strength? 00:38:10.39\00:38:12.99 In the year 2017 of October 2017, 00:38:13.02\00:38:17.03 my wife and I were in Michigan, 00:38:17.06\00:38:19.79 and after getting done 00:38:19.83\00:38:21.23 presenting a message there, 00:38:21.26\00:38:26.47 our journey began. 00:38:26.50\00:38:28.44 We were going to drive for about 00:38:28.47\00:38:29.80 nine hours to Southern Illinois. 00:38:29.84\00:38:33.31 And we began this journey by car and a van 00:38:33.34\00:38:38.28 and as we were traveling, 00:38:38.31\00:38:39.78 we didn't travel maybe two or three miles. 00:38:39.81\00:38:43.08 When crossing an intersection, 00:38:43.12\00:38:45.05 we were hit by another vehicle, my wife and I. 00:38:45.09\00:38:50.59 And some people that have looked at the picture say 00:38:50.63\00:38:56.06 how did you survive that? 00:38:56.10\00:39:00.04 And I can tell you, 00:39:00.07\00:39:01.47 God was our refuge and strength. 00:39:01.50\00:39:05.44 The moment I realized we were alive. 00:39:05.47\00:39:09.44 I praise the Lord. 00:39:09.48\00:39:11.85 Now I want to back up a little bit. 00:39:11.88\00:39:13.21 My wife had 10 broken ribs, 00:39:13.25\00:39:16.62 a dislocated elbow and several scratches. 00:39:16.65\00:39:20.82 For me, my knees 00:39:20.86\00:39:24.36 were banged into one another. 00:39:24.39\00:39:27.33 It seemed like I could not walk for a short time very easily. 00:39:27.36\00:39:31.93 I was limping. 00:39:31.97\00:39:33.30 I had to use a cane for a while. 00:39:33.34\00:39:36.04 And even for a while it was just painful walking. 00:39:36.07\00:39:38.14 I had to be on a wheelchair 00:39:38.17\00:39:39.54 until strength and I recovered a little bit. 00:39:39.57\00:39:42.71 But I want to back up a little bit and tell you 00:39:42.74\00:39:44.91 what happened that night. 00:39:44.95\00:39:47.08 You see that night, I dreamed 00:39:47.12\00:39:49.85 that I was walking down a hallway 00:39:49.88\00:39:55.02 and as I was walking down this hallway in the dream, 00:39:55.06\00:39:58.69 it was so impressive to me that as I woke up, 00:39:58.73\00:40:02.73 after dreaming this, I said to myself, 00:40:02.76\00:40:05.67 well, I seemed like I was walking in the hallway, 00:40:05.70\00:40:09.47 as if it was a hospital, or if it was a funeral home. 00:40:09.50\00:40:13.68 So when I woke up, I told my wife, "Honey, 00:40:13.71\00:40:16.95 I dreamed that I was walking in a hospital 00:40:16.98\00:40:20.38 or in a funeral home." 00:40:20.42\00:40:21.75 And she said, "Oh, it was probably, 00:40:21.78\00:40:23.95 it's probably my funeral." 00:40:23.99\00:40:26.96 And I, when she said that, I was like, 00:40:26.99\00:40:29.62 that's strange that she would think that. 00:40:29.66\00:40:32.26 That same day, about two or three hours later, 00:40:32.29\00:40:35.43 we had this accident. 00:40:35.46\00:40:37.57 And so when I realized we were alive, 00:40:37.60\00:40:41.14 I said, praise the Lord. 00:40:41.17\00:40:43.67 Praise God. 00:40:43.71\00:40:45.04 Well, they had two ambulances came to get us. 00:40:45.07\00:40:50.01 In fact, the door on my wife's side, 00:40:50.05\00:40:52.71 they could not even open. 00:40:52.75\00:40:54.08 They had to use some machines to get the door open. 00:40:54.12\00:40:56.85 She could hardly move. 00:40:56.89\00:40:58.22 She could hardly breathe, 10 broken ribs. 00:40:58.25\00:41:00.66 And when I later found that it was 10 broken ribs, 00:41:00.69\00:41:03.76 I said, "Wait a minute," 00:41:03.79\00:41:05.13 I even forgot, "How many ribs do we have?" 00:41:05.16\00:41:08.10 I couldn't remember if it was 14. 00:41:08.13\00:41:10.13 And it turns out, they're about 22, 24 ribs. 00:41:10.17\00:41:13.17 But I said, "Wow, she broke almost every rib." 00:41:13.20\00:41:18.11 And it's by God's grace that we are alive today. 00:41:18.14\00:41:21.04 Now I have to tell you that 00:41:21.08\00:41:22.78 there were about two or three times 00:41:22.81\00:41:25.08 that the situation got so difficult, 00:41:25.11\00:41:27.58 because my wife had a time 00:41:27.62\00:41:29.68 when because of fluid 00:41:29.72\00:41:32.89 building up around the walls of the lungs, 00:41:32.92\00:41:35.29 made it hard for her to breathe. 00:41:35.32\00:41:37.13 Her lung couldn't fully expand 00:41:37.16\00:41:38.99 and it was painful to breathe out. 00:41:39.03\00:41:41.56 And she would cry out in pain. 00:41:41.60\00:41:44.63 And it seemed like the doctors 00:41:44.67\00:41:46.00 couldn't do anything at that moment to help her, 00:41:46.03\00:41:48.27 they give her pain medication, 00:41:48.30\00:41:50.17 they will try to help her to relax, 00:41:50.21\00:41:51.61 and it seemed like nothing could help, 00:41:51.64\00:41:53.31 we passed several hours. 00:41:53.34\00:41:55.01 And I had to ask myself, 00:41:55.04\00:41:56.98 "Is it going to be true what I dreamt in the dream? 00:41:57.01\00:41:59.08 Could it be that it was not a hospital hallway, 00:41:59.11\00:42:01.38 but a funeral home?" 00:42:01.42\00:42:03.02 And I had to put my trust in the Lord, oh, Lord, 00:42:03.05\00:42:06.32 You brought up this, You brought us this far, 00:42:06.35\00:42:08.92 it cannot be that she will pass away. 00:42:08.96\00:42:11.99 And the interesting thing is that 00:42:12.03\00:42:14.06 after I had settled this in my mind, 00:42:14.10\00:42:16.33 I don't know how many minutes have passed, 00:42:16.36\00:42:18.73 that my wife said, 00:42:18.77\00:42:20.10 "Do you think I am going to die?" 00:42:20.14\00:42:24.74 And I was able to say, with a small smile, 00:42:24.77\00:42:28.48 "No honey, you're not going to die. 00:42:28.51\00:42:31.18 God has brought us this far. 00:42:31.21\00:42:33.45 And He is going to heal you and bring you out of this." 00:42:33.48\00:42:36.55 And I praise the Lord that He delivered us. 00:42:36.58\00:42:40.09 When you go through trial, 00:42:40.12\00:42:41.96 understand that God is with you. 00:42:41.99\00:42:44.29 God is your strength. 00:42:44.33\00:42:47.10 Now I have to tell you that 00:42:47.13\00:42:49.16 we are looking at the situations in the world 00:42:49.20\00:42:51.17 and see that signs are indicating 00:42:51.20\00:42:54.10 even with the movements of the nations, 00:42:54.14\00:42:56.20 decisions they are making 00:42:56.24\00:42:58.17 is bringing us closer and closer to the things 00:42:58.21\00:43:01.91 described in the Book of Revelation 00:43:01.94\00:43:03.81 Chapter 13. 00:43:03.85\00:43:06.01 We're facing challenges and we must be prepared 00:43:06.05\00:43:08.92 for what is coming upon the earth. 00:43:08.95\00:43:10.72 You need to build your strength on the Lord, 00:43:10.75\00:43:13.99 you need to rely completely on the Lord, 00:43:14.02\00:43:17.09 because times are going to get 00:43:17.13\00:43:18.73 even more difficult. 00:43:18.76\00:43:20.26 I'm reading to you from Prophets and Kings, 00:43:20.30\00:43:22.50 page 720, which says, 00:43:22.53\00:43:24.60 "Christ has made every provision 00:43:24.63\00:43:29.24 that His church shall be a transformed body, 00:43:29.27\00:43:33.91 illuminated with the light of the world, 00:43:33.94\00:43:37.18 professing the glory of Immanuel. 00:43:37.21\00:43:41.92 It is His purpose that every Christian 00:43:41.95\00:43:45.55 shall be surrounded with a spiritual atmosphere 00:43:45.59\00:43:49.22 of light and peace." 00:43:49.26\00:43:51.53 He desires 00:43:51.56\00:43:53.16 that we shall reveal His own joy in our lives. 00:43:53.19\00:43:58.33 And so I tell you, 00:43:58.37\00:44:00.47 take this opportunity to prepare 00:44:00.50\00:44:03.44 for what is coming upon the world. 00:44:03.47\00:44:05.44 We are facing difficult times. 00:44:05.47\00:44:07.24 We need to put our eyes on Jesus 00:44:07.28\00:44:09.21 and face the situations of life looking unto Jesus. 00:44:09.24\00:44:13.11 And that's why I'm going to read to you 00:44:13.15\00:44:15.72 from Review and Herald, 00:44:15.75\00:44:17.09 December 27, 1898, 00:44:17.12\00:44:18.59 an article written by Ellen G. White. 00:44:18.62\00:44:21.89 Notice the message. 00:44:21.92\00:44:23.79 "This is the day of the Lord's preparation. 00:44:23.83\00:44:29.63 He says, 'Behold, I come as a thief. 00:44:29.66\00:44:33.07 Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, 00:44:33.10\00:44:36.60 lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.' 00:44:36.64\00:44:40.48 The great work from which the mind 00:44:40.51\00:44:43.14 should not be diverted is the consideration 00:44:43.18\00:44:47.18 of our safety in the sight of God. 00:44:47.22\00:44:50.82 The storm is coming relentless in its fury. 00:44:50.85\00:44:55.12 Are we prepared to meet it? 00:44:55.16\00:44:57.43 Are our feet on the rock of age? 00:44:57.46\00:45:00.63 Are we one with Christ, as He is one with the Father?" 00:45:00.66\00:45:05.97 Oh, I encourage you to stay close to Jesus, 00:45:06.00\00:45:09.40 understand that He is your refuge and strength, 00:45:09.44\00:45:12.51 there will be false christs and false prophets. 00:45:12.54\00:45:17.91 And some false prophets are already arising. 00:45:17.95\00:45:20.68 I have seen some of them. 00:45:20.72\00:45:22.12 I've heard them not in person, 00:45:22.15\00:45:24.39 but on YouTube and other videos, 00:45:24.42\00:45:27.09 individuals claiming to be Jesus. 00:45:27.12\00:45:30.69 And you look at them and you hear them and you say 00:45:30.73\00:45:32.93 how in the world 00:45:32.96\00:45:34.83 could you think that you are Jesus? 00:45:34.86\00:45:37.57 The Bible says that when He comes, 00:45:37.60\00:45:41.57 He shall come with great power and glory. 00:45:41.60\00:45:44.94 Every eye shall see Him. 00:45:44.97\00:45:47.44 It's not that you're going to see Him 00:45:47.48\00:45:48.81 in a video on YouTube 00:45:48.84\00:45:50.55 or, some other video somebody shared with you. 00:45:50.58\00:45:52.85 Your own eyes will see Jesus face to face. 00:45:52.88\00:45:58.22 And so I encourage you to be ready 00:45:58.25\00:46:00.12 for what is coming upon the world. 00:46:00.16\00:46:02.69 There have been some false christs. 00:46:02.72\00:46:04.73 I mentioned one of them to you. 00:46:04.76\00:46:06.09 Jose Luis Miranda claimed to be Jesus from Florida. 00:46:06.13\00:46:10.13 There was an individual several years ago, 00:46:10.17\00:46:12.93 in Waco, there are a few others. 00:46:12.97\00:46:15.00 I think there's one in Australia 00:46:15.04\00:46:16.37 currently that claims to be Jesus Christ. 00:46:16.40\00:46:19.37 But believe what the Bible says. 00:46:19.41\00:46:21.84 Matthew 24 tells us 00:46:21.88\00:46:23.24 that there will be false christs 00:46:23.28\00:46:24.65 and false prophets, 00:46:24.68\00:46:27.68 and we should read the scriptures, 00:46:27.72\00:46:29.32 become acquainted with them so that we are not deceived. 00:46:29.35\00:46:33.42 And in those difficult times that are coming, 00:46:33.46\00:46:36.12 God will continue to be our refuge and strength. 00:46:36.16\00:46:41.16 So it is time. 00:46:41.20\00:46:42.90 This is the time of preparation. 00:46:42.93\00:46:46.37 This is the time of preparation. 00:46:46.40\00:46:48.10 Understand that soon and very soon, 00:46:48.14\00:46:51.64 we're going to see difficulties. 00:46:51.67\00:46:53.81 And I want to encourage you to stay close 00:46:53.84\00:46:56.31 to the Lord at all times. 00:46:56.34\00:46:58.31 The time is coming, when we will see the things 00:46:58.35\00:47:02.75 described in the scriptures being fulfilled. 00:47:02.78\00:47:06.09 And they will see and we will understand 00:47:06.12\00:47:08.69 that we are definitely closer than we think we are. 00:47:08.72\00:47:12.53 In 2 Thessalonians 2:8-10, the Bible says, 00:47:12.56\00:47:17.80 "And when shall, 00:47:17.83\00:47:19.17 and then shall that wicked be revealed, 00:47:19.20\00:47:21.54 whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, 00:47:21.57\00:47:25.21 and shall destroy 00:47:25.24\00:47:26.57 with the brightness of His coming. 00:47:26.61\00:47:28.04 Even him whose coming is after the working of Satan 00:47:28.08\00:47:31.68 with all power and signs and lying wonders, 00:47:31.71\00:47:34.25 and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness 00:47:34.28\00:47:37.35 and then they perish 00:47:37.39\00:47:38.72 because they received not the love of the truth, 00:47:38.75\00:47:42.26 that they might be saved." 00:47:42.29\00:47:43.79 Those difficult times are coming, 00:47:43.83\00:47:45.86 and we need to have our eyes on Jesus Christ, 00:47:45.89\00:47:48.83 who is the author and finisher of our faith. 00:47:48.86\00:47:52.13 The deceptions in the earth will be such 00:47:52.17\00:47:55.34 that darkness will cover the earth 00:47:55.37\00:47:57.11 and deep darkness the people. 00:47:57.14\00:47:59.31 And we need to have our eyes on Jesus at all times. 00:47:59.34\00:48:04.88 Isaiah 60:1-2 00:48:04.91\00:48:07.35 declares a message that we need to hear, 00:48:07.38\00:48:10.89 "Arise, shine, for your light has come 00:48:10.92\00:48:14.59 and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. 00:48:14.62\00:48:18.09 For behold the darkness shall cover the earth 00:48:18.13\00:48:20.70 and deep darkness the people, 00:48:20.73\00:48:22.43 but the Lord will arise over you 00:48:22.46\00:48:24.90 and His glory will be seen upon you." 00:48:24.93\00:48:29.24 Understand that Jesus 00:48:29.27\00:48:32.14 is concerned for His children. 00:48:32.17\00:48:34.71 We should be better prepared now 00:48:34.74\00:48:37.48 than we really are. 00:48:37.51\00:48:39.71 And so this message I hope will not only encourage you 00:48:39.75\00:48:43.59 but help you to understand. 00:48:43.62\00:48:44.95 You need to prepare 00:48:44.99\00:48:46.32 for what is coming upon this world. 00:48:46.35\00:48:50.06 Jesus Christ is coming soon. 00:48:50.09\00:48:54.40 I read to you from Matthew Chapter 14, 00:48:54.43\00:48:56.80 Matthew 5:14, 00:48:56.83\00:48:58.80 "You are the light of the world. 00:48:58.83\00:49:02.27 A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden." 00:49:02.30\00:49:06.41 So as a light of the world, it is time to shine. 00:49:06.44\00:49:11.08 It is time to shine 00:49:11.11\00:49:13.25 and let Jesus be seen and heard in you. 00:49:13.28\00:49:18.72 So that's why I also read Matthew 5:16, 00:49:18.75\00:49:22.69 "Let your light so shine before men, 00:49:22.72\00:49:25.43 that they may see your good works 00:49:25.46\00:49:28.00 and glorify your Father in heaven." 00:49:28.03\00:49:31.07 So this is the way we should be living our lives. 00:49:31.10\00:49:33.97 Let your light so shine, 00:49:34.00\00:49:36.27 that they may see your good works 00:49:36.30\00:49:37.74 and glorify your Father in heaven. 00:49:37.77\00:49:41.51 Jesus Christ wants to shine through you, 00:49:41.54\00:49:45.68 that the words people hear you speak 00:49:45.71\00:49:48.05 may glorify the Lord, 00:49:48.08\00:49:49.52 that the things people see you do 00:49:49.55\00:49:52.12 may glorify the Lord, 00:49:52.15\00:49:53.89 that your thoughts may be thoughts 00:49:53.92\00:49:56.42 that draw you close to the Lord. 00:49:56.46\00:49:59.83 I'm reading from a book called 00:49:59.86\00:50:01.46 Christ's Object Lessons, page 419. 00:50:01.50\00:50:05.47 "It is the privilege of every soul 00:50:05.50\00:50:08.17 to be a living channel 00:50:08.20\00:50:10.74 through which God can communicate 00:50:10.77\00:50:13.04 to the world, 00:50:13.07\00:50:14.41 the treasures of His grace, 00:50:14.44\00:50:16.31 the unsearchable riches of Christ. 00:50:16.34\00:50:19.05 There's nothing that Christ desires so much 00:50:19.08\00:50:22.48 as agents who will represent to the world 00:50:22.52\00:50:26.02 His spirit and character. 00:50:26.05\00:50:27.99 There's nothing so much as the manifestation, 00:50:28.02\00:50:32.56 through humanity of the sake. 00:50:32.59\00:50:34.40 There's nothing that the world needs 00:50:34.43\00:50:35.83 so much as the manifestation, 00:50:35.86\00:50:37.90 through humanity of the Savior's love. 00:50:37.93\00:50:39.93 All heaven is waiting for channels 00:50:39.97\00:50:44.04 through which can be poured out the holy oil 00:50:44.07\00:50:47.21 to be a joy and blessing to human hearts." 00:50:47.24\00:50:50.55 Oh, yes. 00:50:50.58\00:50:52.35 God wants to through you shine His love 00:50:52.38\00:50:57.22 and His message of mercy to others. 00:50:57.25\00:50:59.89 And I want to encourage you to believe in the Lord. 00:50:59.92\00:51:04.56 Trust in the Lord. 00:51:04.59\00:51:05.93 There are people around you 00:51:05.96\00:51:07.76 that are also facing difficult times. 00:51:07.80\00:51:10.00 And you may be the person 00:51:10.03\00:51:12.00 that God may use to bring them comfort, 00:51:12.03\00:51:15.20 to bring them encouragement, 00:51:15.24\00:51:16.87 and to lead them to God that can be for them 00:51:16.91\00:51:20.44 a refuge and strength. 00:51:20.48\00:51:22.78 There are works of mercy that can be done for people. 00:51:26.15\00:51:30.89 Prophets and Kings, page 718 says, 00:51:30.92\00:51:34.46 "This is the work 00:51:34.49\00:51:35.82 which the prophet Isaiah describes 00:51:35.86\00:51:37.26 when he says, 00:51:37.29\00:51:38.63 'Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, 00:51:38.66\00:51:42.60 and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to my house? 00:51:42.63\00:51:46.03 When thou seest the naked, that thou cover him, 00:51:46.07\00:51:48.94 and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? 00:51:48.97\00:51:52.34 Then shall thy light break forth 00:51:52.37\00:51:54.38 as the morning, 00:51:54.41\00:51:55.74 and thy health shall spring forth speedily, 00:51:55.78\00:51:58.41 and thy righteousness shall go before thee, 00:51:58.45\00:52:00.95 the glory of Lord shall be thy rearward," 00:52:00.98\00:52:04.05 as it is written in Isaiah 58:7-8. 00:52:04.09\00:52:07.22 Thus in the night of spiritual darkness, 00:52:07.26\00:52:10.73 God's glory is to shine forth through His church 00:52:10.76\00:52:14.60 in lifting up the bowed down 00:52:14.63\00:52:16.60 and comforting those that mourn. 00:52:16.63\00:52:19.80 Yes, Jesus Christ is coming soon, 00:52:19.83\00:52:24.54 very soon. 00:52:24.57\00:52:26.34 And I am going to read to you 00:52:26.37\00:52:27.81 from a song very famous that says, 00:52:27.84\00:52:31.98 soon and very soon, 00:52:32.01\00:52:35.32 we are going to see the King. 00:52:35.35\00:52:38.09 Yes, soon and very soon, 00:52:38.12\00:52:40.66 we are going to see the King. 00:52:40.69\00:52:43.16 Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King. 00:52:43.19\00:52:46.80 Hallelujah, hallelujah, we are going to see the King. 00:52:46.83\00:52:51.47 No more crying there, we are going to see the King. 00:52:51.50\00:52:55.90 No more crying there, we are going to see the King. 00:52:55.94\00:53:01.21 No more crying there, we are going to see the King. 00:53:01.24\00:53:06.01 Hallelujah, hallelujah, we are going to see the King. 00:53:06.05\00:53:10.62 So, my friend, I encourage you to as it says 00:53:10.65\00:53:14.12 in the other song. 00:53:14.16\00:53:15.49 Also, are you weary and troubled? 00:53:18.23\00:53:21.46 Nor light in the darkness you see? 00:53:21.50\00:53:23.83 There's light for a look at the Savior 00:53:23.87\00:53:27.50 and life more abundant and free. 00:53:27.54\00:53:30.81 Turn your eyes upon Jesus, 00:53:30.84\00:53:33.71 look for in His wonderful face, 00:53:33.74\00:53:37.51 and the things of earth will grow strangely dim 00:53:37.55\00:53:41.65 in the light of His glory and grace. 00:53:41.68\00:53:45.99 I encourage you to turn your eyes toward Jesus. 00:53:46.02\00:53:49.66 And as you look toward Jesus, the things of earth, 00:53:49.69\00:53:53.16 those things that may even attract you 00:53:53.19\00:53:55.13 to separate yourself from the Lord, 00:53:55.16\00:53:58.13 will lose their interest. 00:53:58.17\00:53:59.97 They will lose their interest and value in your eyes. 00:54:00.00\00:54:03.04 Turn your eyes upon Jesus. 00:54:03.07\00:54:05.94 Now is the time to be fully given, 00:54:05.97\00:54:08.98 fully surrendered to the Lord. 00:54:09.01\00:54:11.45 And so I read to you from Matthew Chapter 28. 00:54:11.48\00:54:15.55 No, Matthew Chapter 11, I'm sorry, verses 28 to 30. 00:54:15.58\00:54:19.62 Matthew 11:28-30. 00:54:19.65\00:54:21.02 The Bible says, "Come to Me, 00:54:21.06\00:54:24.63 all you who labor and are heavy laden, 00:54:24.66\00:54:28.16 and I will give you rest." 00:54:28.20\00:54:31.23 Do you have the rest of Jesus in your heart? 00:54:31.27\00:54:35.74 Jesus is inviting you to come to Him 00:54:35.77\00:54:39.01 that you may have that rest. 00:54:39.04\00:54:41.14 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, 00:54:41.18\00:54:44.25 for I am gentle and lowly in heart, 00:54:44.28\00:54:47.12 and you will find rest for your souls. 00:54:47.15\00:54:50.62 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." 00:54:50.65\00:54:55.82 When Jesus is with you, 00:54:55.86\00:54:57.99 when you are following Him with all of your heart 00:54:58.03\00:55:01.20 and you take the yoke that He says is easy, 00:55:01.23\00:55:04.63 and when you learn to trust in Him 00:55:04.67\00:55:06.67 for in Him is everlasting strength. 00:55:06.70\00:55:09.70 You will know, you will see that His yoke is easy, 00:55:09.74\00:55:13.61 and a yoke is something that unites two to carry a burden. 00:55:13.64\00:55:17.68 Jesus will carry the burden with you. 00:55:17.71\00:55:20.98 So I encourage you, 00:55:21.02\00:55:22.65 take the yoke of Jesus and learn of Him. 00:55:22.68\00:55:25.92 If you're going through difficulties 00:55:25.95\00:55:27.76 and trouble, 00:55:27.79\00:55:29.12 turn your eyes upon Jesus. 00:55:29.16\00:55:32.19 I would like to pray with you. 00:55:32.23\00:55:33.83 And I encourage you to join me in this prayer 00:55:33.86\00:55:36.77 and ask the Lord to help you, 00:55:36.80\00:55:39.03 forgive you for your sins, 00:55:39.07\00:55:40.80 and help you face 00:55:40.84\00:55:42.20 the difficulties you're facing now. 00:55:42.24\00:55:44.61 Let's go to the Lord in prayer. 00:55:44.64\00:55:46.81 Our loving Heavenly Father, 00:55:46.84\00:55:49.31 we come before You in Jesus' name. 00:55:49.34\00:55:53.01 And all around this world, 00:55:53.05\00:55:54.58 Lord, there are people suffering. 00:55:54.62\00:55:56.75 There are people in sorrow. 00:55:56.79\00:55:58.95 There are people that are discouraged, 00:55:58.99\00:56:00.59 depressed. 00:56:00.62\00:56:01.96 There are people that do not know what to do. 00:56:01.99\00:56:04.89 People have lost jobs, people have lost loved ones, 00:56:04.93\00:56:09.46 and some are sinking into despair 00:56:09.50\00:56:12.13 as Peter was sinking in that water. 00:56:12.17\00:56:16.37 We pray, Lord, that they will say to Jesus, 00:56:16.40\00:56:19.04 Lord, save me. 00:56:19.07\00:56:21.14 And we pray that just as it was for Peter, 00:56:21.18\00:56:24.51 Jesus will stretch out His hand and save them. 00:56:24.55\00:56:28.85 And, Heavenly Father, I pray for those 00:56:28.88\00:56:30.99 also that at this moment 00:56:31.02\00:56:32.75 are taking the opportunity 00:56:32.79\00:56:34.99 to ask for forgiveness of sins. 00:56:35.02\00:56:37.73 So I ask that Your promise will be fulfilled 00:56:37.76\00:56:39.86 in 1 John 1:9, 00:56:39.89\00:56:42.06 that if we confess our sins, 00:56:42.10\00:56:43.73 You are faithful 00:56:43.77\00:56:45.10 and just to forgive us for our sins, 00:56:45.13\00:56:47.77 and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 00:56:47.80\00:56:50.21 We pray that it will be so. 00:56:50.24\00:56:51.74 We pray for cleansing, forgiveness 00:56:51.77\00:56:54.01 and the peace of Jesus to abide in their hearts. 00:56:54.04\00:56:56.61 We ask for these blessings 00:56:56.64\00:56:58.45 in the holy and blessed name of Jesus. 00:56:58.48\00:57:01.12 Amen and amen. 00:57:01.15\00:57:04.65 I hope you have made a decision to follow Jesus. 00:57:04.69\00:57:09.32 I hope you decide to turn your eyes upon Jesus 00:57:09.36\00:57:13.29 and look for in His wonderful face. 00:57:13.33\00:57:16.73 And as you do this, 00:57:16.77\00:57:18.47 the things of earth will grow strangely dim 00:57:18.50\00:57:22.17 in the light of His glory and grace. 00:57:22.20\00:57:26.41 God bless you. 00:57:26.44\00:57:27.78 We'll see you next time on 3ABN Worship Hour. 00:57:27.81\00:57:30.75