1 00:00:29,939 --> 00:00:30,539 Could be tonight. 2 00:00:30,539 --> 00:00:31,059 Amen. 3 00:00:31,699 --> 00:00:36,219 I'm glad the Bible teaches in the imminent return of Jesus Christ 4 00:00:36,219 --> 00:00:38,179 and it could be any time. 5 00:00:38,579 --> 00:00:40,899 Our two missionaries a week are kind of unique. 6 00:00:41,299 --> 00:00:47,059 Brother Levi Pittman, I've known him since he was a kid and 7 00:00:47,139 --> 00:00:50,859 his dad Jerry, and of course we support his sister and her husband 8 00:00:50,859 --> 00:00:52,259 and Vanuatu as well. 9 00:00:52,579 --> 00:00:56,979 But Brother Levi, what he does is there is, I'll call it a compound 10 00:00:58,619 --> 00:01:04,779 that missionaries there in the jungle there in Vanuatu are a part 11 00:01:04,779 --> 00:01:05,019 of. 12 00:01:05,019 --> 00:01:07,899 So there's multiple missionaries there, not just in the 13 00:01:07,899 --> 00:01:09,339 jungle but also in the city. 14 00:01:09,659 --> 00:01:11,819 In fact, that's where his sister and her husband live now. 15 00:01:12,059 --> 00:01:14,779 Their names escaping me right now that we support. 16 00:01:15,179 --> 00:01:15,819 Lydia. 17 00:01:16,619 --> 00:01:17,859 Yeah, Meads. 18 00:01:17,859 --> 00:01:18,379 Yes. 19 00:01:18,859 --> 00:01:22,939 And so anyway, so Levi, he keeps all the stuff going. 20 00:01:23,599 --> 00:01:29,519 I mean his job, his ministry is keeping motorcycles, scooters, 21 00:01:30,479 --> 00:01:34,359 mowers, anything mechanical. 22 00:01:34,359 --> 00:01:38,519 The guy can fix anything, he can tear apart anything and put it 23 00:01:38,519 --> 00:01:38,959 back together. 24 00:01:39,999 --> 00:01:42,439 He's absolutely inclined. 25 00:01:42,439 --> 00:01:46,519 And there in Vanuatu there's not a lot of, as was just said, there 26 00:01:46,519 --> 00:01:48,719 was a mechanic that took apart the brakes and couldn't put them 27 00:01:48,719 --> 00:01:51,169 back together and Levi had to put them back together. 28 00:01:51,249 --> 00:01:52,689 And so that's again what he does. 29 00:01:52,689 --> 00:01:55,449 Helping with the water situation, if you've been reading 30 00:01:55,449 --> 00:01:59,489 about that, where they have had opportunity to go into the jungle 31 00:01:59,489 --> 00:02:03,569 and help a couple of villages, actually several villages to get 32 00:02:03,569 --> 00:02:03,889 water. 33 00:02:04,449 --> 00:02:06,849 And he just has a mind for that. 34 00:02:07,249 --> 00:02:09,249 He can mechanically figure that stuff out. 35 00:02:09,969 --> 00:02:14,129 And so it's an opportunity that he has to minister to the missionaries 36 00:02:14,609 --> 00:02:17,919 and then in turn the missionaries can keep going, keep 37 00:02:17,919 --> 00:02:18,239 going. 38 00:02:18,639 --> 00:02:20,839 If you remember, if you've read some, if you remember Brother 39 00:02:20,839 --> 00:02:24,759 Mead talking about Nvanuatu, there are times in which they can't 40 00:02:24,759 --> 00:02:27,999 cross certain creeks and they can't cross certain rivers and, or 41 00:02:27,999 --> 00:02:31,239 when they do, they, you know, you've seen some of those vehicles 42 00:02:31,239 --> 00:02:35,319 where the muffler has been put up by the hood and up so they have 43 00:02:35,319 --> 00:02:36,079 to go through water. 44 00:02:36,639 --> 00:02:43,649 It's rough, rough, rough areas to reach those in the jungles. 45 00:02:43,649 --> 00:02:46,289 And so it is a unique ministry. 46 00:02:46,289 --> 00:02:49,369 And then Brother Scott as well, unique in that helping churches 47 00:02:50,169 --> 00:02:53,369 to remodel, helping churches to build. 48 00:02:53,369 --> 00:02:58,729 And right now he's helping a brand new from the ground up building 49 00:02:59,449 --> 00:02:59,809 there. 50 00:02:59,809 --> 00:03:02,769 But he also helped us in the Kona with the remodel of that building 51 00:03:02,769 --> 00:03:04,489 and does so many things. 52 00:03:04,489 --> 00:03:08,329 And we appreciate Brother Steve Scott and we appreciate Ms. 53 00:03:08,329 --> 00:03:10,199 Barbara putting up with him. 54 00:03:11,159 --> 00:03:13,319 And that's a big, big chore. 55 00:03:14,039 --> 00:03:15,399 Maybe they're listening tonight. 56 00:03:15,399 --> 00:03:16,999 Ms. Barbara, we love you. 57 00:03:18,279 --> 00:03:18,839 We do. 58 00:03:19,639 --> 00:03:19,919 Turn. 59 00:03:19,919 --> 00:03:22,519 If you wouldn't Your bibles to Psalm 88 tonight. 60 00:03:22,919 --> 00:03:27,359 We'll have a kind of devotion together tonight again we get lots 61 00:03:27,359 --> 00:03:28,999 of people out, be in prayer for them. 62 00:03:30,199 --> 00:03:36,359 Psalm 88 years ago I came across 12 lessons on knowing God. 63 00:03:37,509 --> 00:03:41,029 And I have over the years taught these lessons periodically 64 00:03:41,669 --> 00:03:42,949 in various forms. 65 00:03:43,749 --> 00:03:48,309 And just such really good material by Charles Shoemaker. 66 00:03:48,309 --> 00:03:49,349 This has been years ago. 67 00:03:49,349 --> 00:03:53,589 Literally got those lessons when I was at Norris when I was 18 68 00:03:53,669 --> 00:03:54,949 and still using them. 69 00:03:55,189 --> 00:03:58,549 There's just some material that you just, you can't set aside. 70 00:03:58,789 --> 00:03:59,669 It's that good. 71 00:04:01,109 --> 00:04:06,279 And as I approach Christmas and we approach teaching again there 72 00:04:06,279 --> 00:04:10,399 in Isaiah about the names of Jesus, the Messiah, who would come, 73 00:04:10,559 --> 00:04:14,599 who shall be called Emmanuel, you know, again, counselor, Mighty 74 00:04:14,599 --> 00:04:16,799 God, Prince of Peace, Everlasting Father. 75 00:04:17,279 --> 00:04:19,359 We're going to be covering some of those again this year. 76 00:04:19,919 --> 00:04:22,159 Reminded that we that God wants us to know him. 77 00:04:22,319 --> 00:04:24,479 And that's come up in several messages here of late. 78 00:04:24,879 --> 00:04:25,599 We've had the. 79 00:04:25,599 --> 00:04:29,129 We quoted again here lately again that Vance Haviner. 80 00:04:29,209 --> 00:04:32,329 Not Vance Haviner, Vance Havner's a good guy too. 81 00:04:32,329 --> 00:04:33,769 If you ever want to read some of his stuff. 82 00:04:34,569 --> 00:04:35,209 Very good. 83 00:04:35,209 --> 00:04:39,169 But aw Tozer, what comes into your mind when you think about God 84 00:04:39,169 --> 00:04:40,729 is the most important thing about you. 85 00:04:41,209 --> 00:04:42,089 It really is. 86 00:04:42,249 --> 00:04:48,649 And until you can get that straight, until you can put aside 87 00:04:48,809 --> 00:04:55,299 your thoughts of God that you have put in there that are not biblically 88 00:04:55,299 --> 00:04:58,179 accurate, it's going to affect your entire life. 89 00:04:58,819 --> 00:05:00,979 It's going to affect every decision you make. 90 00:05:02,179 --> 00:05:05,059 And I always use the hospital as an example because it's usually 91 00:05:05,059 --> 00:05:08,339 at the hospital we sometimes have to make life changing decisions. 92 00:05:09,059 --> 00:05:11,859 And if I'm in the hospital, I'm making decisions. 93 00:05:12,659 --> 00:05:14,739 Man, I want to be close to God. 94 00:05:15,059 --> 00:05:17,219 Man, I want to be walking with God when I make a decision. 95 00:05:17,299 --> 00:05:17,859 Amen. 96 00:05:18,099 --> 00:05:18,739 Don't you? 97 00:05:20,029 --> 00:05:25,069 Well, again, having the proper view of God, how big is your God 98 00:05:25,629 --> 00:05:28,109 will impact the decision you make. 99 00:05:28,749 --> 00:05:31,829 If your God's too small, you'll make one decision. 100 00:05:31,829 --> 00:05:34,269 If your God's big, you might make a different decision. 101 00:05:36,269 --> 00:05:37,509 I'm just telling the truth. 102 00:05:37,509 --> 00:05:38,549 I'm in the same situation. 103 00:05:38,549 --> 00:05:39,309 We all are. 104 00:05:39,789 --> 00:05:43,069 And so to have the proper view of God is very important. 105 00:05:43,709 --> 00:05:47,929 It affects your finances, it affects every relationship you have, 106 00:05:48,729 --> 00:05:49,769 your view of God. 107 00:05:50,009 --> 00:05:50,769 So it's very important. 108 00:05:50,769 --> 00:05:51,929 Look at Psalm 88. 109 00:05:52,649 --> 00:05:56,329 O Lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee. 110 00:05:56,809 --> 00:05:58,409 Let my prayer come before thee. 111 00:05:58,409 --> 00:06:00,329 Incline thine ear unto my cry. 112 00:06:00,729 --> 00:06:04,369 For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draweth nigh 113 00:06:04,369 --> 00:06:05,209 unto the grave. 114 00:06:05,609 --> 00:06:06,889 I am counted with them. 115 00:06:06,889 --> 00:06:08,249 That go down into the pit. 116 00:06:08,649 --> 00:06:10,809 I am as a man that hath no strength. 117 00:06:11,859 --> 00:06:14,019 If you want to read the rest of it, it's all pretty negative. 118 00:06:14,099 --> 00:06:15,139 Look at verse nine. 119 00:06:15,299 --> 00:06:18,099 Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction. 120 00:06:18,979 --> 00:06:21,859 Lord, I have called daily upon thee. 121 00:06:22,339 --> 00:06:25,619 I have stretched out my hands unto thee. 122 00:06:26,179 --> 00:06:26,978 Look at verse. 123 00:06:26,978 --> 00:06:27,539 Let's turn. 124 00:06:27,539 --> 00:06:28,419 Look at verse 13. 125 00:06:28,979 --> 00:06:31,459 But unto thee have I cried, O Lord. 126 00:06:31,699 --> 00:06:35,419 In the morning shall my prayer prevent thee again. 127 00:06:35,419 --> 00:06:36,659 I have cried unto the Lord. 128 00:06:36,869 --> 00:06:38,149 I've cried unto the Lord. 129 00:06:38,869 --> 00:06:41,349 I've cried, I've prayed unto the Lord. 130 00:06:42,549 --> 00:06:43,309 Let's pray. 131 00:06:43,309 --> 00:06:45,989 Heavenly Father, bless the reading of your word. 132 00:06:46,469 --> 00:06:52,149 And Lord, again help us as we think upon you and who you are and 133 00:06:52,389 --> 00:06:55,029 what you have done for us and what you will do for us. 134 00:06:55,589 --> 00:06:58,069 And God, May we continue to grow in our knowledge of you. 135 00:06:59,189 --> 00:07:02,469 And Lord, may you use that in our lives. 136 00:07:02,969 --> 00:07:03,569 Well, thank you. 137 00:07:03,569 --> 00:07:05,049 In Jesus name, amen. 138 00:07:06,729 --> 00:07:08,009 How can we know God? 139 00:07:08,329 --> 00:07:11,649 I know that's pretty simplistic, but how can we know him? 140 00:07:11,649 --> 00:07:13,969 We can't see him, so how can we know him? 141 00:07:13,969 --> 00:07:14,489 And we've. 142 00:07:14,569 --> 00:07:17,689 We've gone over this before we see him through creation. 143 00:07:18,329 --> 00:07:18,728 Right. 144 00:07:18,728 --> 00:07:21,929 Psalm 19 says that again that the. 145 00:07:22,009 --> 00:07:22,569 That the. 146 00:07:22,649 --> 00:07:25,249 That the creation is seen, the glory of God is seen. 147 00:07:25,249 --> 00:07:26,409 I'm going to turn over there. 148 00:07:26,409 --> 00:07:28,009 Since we're really close, we'll turn there. 149 00:07:28,579 --> 00:07:29,139 Psalm 19. 150 00:07:31,859 --> 00:07:32,939 The heavens declare. 151 00:07:32,939 --> 00:07:33,899 So now remember it. 152 00:07:33,899 --> 00:07:34,499 Psalm 19. 153 00:07:34,499 --> 00:07:35,339 The heavens Declare. 154 00:07:35,339 --> 00:07:38,379 The glory of God and the firmament showed his handiwork. 155 00:07:38,379 --> 00:07:41,779 Day unto day utter speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. 156 00:07:42,019 --> 00:07:44,979 There is no speech nor language where their voice is not 157 00:07:44,979 --> 00:07:45,379 heard. 158 00:07:45,459 --> 00:07:47,859 Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their 159 00:07:47,859 --> 00:07:49,139 words to the end of the world. 160 00:07:49,379 --> 00:07:53,259 In them hath he set fixed a tabernacle for the sun, which is 161 00:07:53,259 --> 00:07:57,369 as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, rejoiceth as a strong 162 00:07:57,369 --> 00:07:58,449 man to run a race. 163 00:07:58,609 --> 00:08:02,769 His goings forth is from the end of the heaven and his circuit, 164 00:08:03,089 --> 00:08:05,809 call him the circuit riding preacher under the ends of it. 165 00:08:05,809 --> 00:08:08,609 And there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. 166 00:08:08,609 --> 00:08:10,609 Heavens declare who and what God is. 167 00:08:11,809 --> 00:08:14,449 The creation declares who and what God is. 168 00:08:15,409 --> 00:08:19,409 We've mentioned many times here of late too that it's either 169 00:08:19,569 --> 00:08:24,059 you believe in eternal matter or the eternal Master. 170 00:08:25,019 --> 00:08:27,539 Takes more faith to believe in eternal matter, which is what the 171 00:08:27,539 --> 00:08:30,899 evolutionists believe, than it does to the eternal Master. 172 00:08:30,899 --> 00:08:32,219 Either believe in God or gu. 173 00:08:33,579 --> 00:08:35,259 There's not three choices, by the way. 174 00:08:35,339 --> 00:08:36,219 There's only two. 175 00:08:38,619 --> 00:08:40,619 I'm going to take a little liberty. 176 00:08:40,619 --> 00:08:44,739 Brother Denap that joined this morning, him and his wife has a wonderful 177 00:08:44,739 --> 00:08:46,059 testimony, if you haven't heard it. 178 00:08:46,789 --> 00:08:52,429 Brother Nunap was raised Catholic and then married a Baptist 179 00:08:52,429 --> 00:08:52,709 girl. 180 00:08:53,509 --> 00:08:58,109 And I'm not going to go through the entire testimony. 181 00:08:58,109 --> 00:08:59,829 I want him to give it someday. 182 00:09:00,229 --> 00:09:05,829 But a friend at work invited him to a Billy Graham crusade. 183 00:09:06,549 --> 00:09:10,389 That tells you how long ago it was too long time ago. 184 00:09:12,718 --> 00:09:16,158 And he went, and there's a lot of story behind that. 185 00:09:17,118 --> 00:09:18,638 He went to hear Billy Graham preach. 186 00:09:20,798 --> 00:09:26,558 He got saved out of Billy Graham crusade, gloriously saved 187 00:09:27,998 --> 00:09:28,318 again. 188 00:09:28,318 --> 00:09:33,358 He married a Baptist girl who believed in the Bible as it's written, 189 00:09:33,678 --> 00:09:35,358 who believed in creation. 190 00:09:35,518 --> 00:09:38,158 24 hour, 6 day creation. 191 00:09:38,699 --> 00:09:40,539 And they would argue a lot about evolution. 192 00:09:40,619 --> 00:09:44,179 You know, he believed in evolution and believed that, you 193 00:09:44,179 --> 00:09:47,819 know, creation came through a process and evolved. 194 00:09:47,899 --> 00:09:51,179 And over billions of years he just, you know, again, that's what 195 00:09:51,179 --> 00:09:54,539 most people in the world believe, right? 196 00:09:54,939 --> 00:09:58,259 It's taught in our schools, public schools, indoctrinating our 197 00:09:58,259 --> 00:10:01,499 kids with things that are theory and not fact. 198 00:10:02,219 --> 00:10:07,069 And anyway, so when he came home, or it was the next day, I don't 199 00:10:07,069 --> 00:10:12,109 remember, she just very bluntly asked him, well, you got 200 00:10:12,109 --> 00:10:12,869 saved, huh? 201 00:10:13,429 --> 00:10:14,309 Kind of like that. 202 00:10:17,269 --> 00:10:18,949 What do you believe about evolution now? 203 00:10:20,789 --> 00:10:22,069 He said, I don't believe it. 204 00:10:25,429 --> 00:10:29,669 If you believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God and you 205 00:10:29,669 --> 00:10:35,889 believe the Bible in its interpretation or it's telling us 206 00:10:35,889 --> 00:10:40,609 of who Jesus is, and you can believe that, you'll believe Genesis 207 00:10:40,609 --> 00:10:41,209 chapter one. 208 00:10:42,889 --> 00:10:43,529 Amen. 209 00:10:43,929 --> 00:10:46,049 He said, I believe God created it. 210 00:10:46,049 --> 00:10:50,969 All this was like the next day after they had argued over it for 211 00:10:51,689 --> 00:10:54,129 I don't know how long, but it's not just like a month or two. 212 00:10:54,129 --> 00:10:55,449 They've already several years. 213 00:10:58,019 --> 00:11:00,179 Isn't it amazing how God can change a heart? 214 00:11:04,339 --> 00:11:05,459 How do we know God? 215 00:11:06,019 --> 00:11:09,539 We can't see him, but we see his creation. 216 00:11:09,939 --> 00:11:12,579 The heavens declare the glory of God. 217 00:11:12,579 --> 00:11:15,299 Remember that term, Glory of God means who and what God is. 218 00:11:16,179 --> 00:11:16,899 It's found. 219 00:11:16,899 --> 00:11:20,579 The word glory is found over 500 times in the Bible. 220 00:11:20,899 --> 00:11:23,699 And the term glory of God is found, I don't know, a hundred times 221 00:11:23,699 --> 00:11:24,179 at least. 222 00:11:24,959 --> 00:11:26,039 Who and what God is? 223 00:11:26,039 --> 00:11:27,759 Heavens declare who and what God is. 224 00:11:29,119 --> 00:11:34,959 Creation just is a beacon of light saying, there is a God, there 225 00:11:34,959 --> 00:11:37,279 is a God, there is a Creator God. 226 00:11:37,439 --> 00:11:39,999 We know him through creation, we know him through His Word. 227 00:11:40,479 --> 00:11:42,079 Aren't you glad for the Word of God? 228 00:11:42,639 --> 00:11:45,439 Aren't you glad that God gave us His Word? 229 00:11:45,839 --> 00:11:49,999 Aren't you glad he gave us His Word in a way in which we can read 230 00:11:49,999 --> 00:11:50,319 it? 231 00:11:51,039 --> 00:11:53,399 What if he gave it to us and we couldn't? 232 00:11:53,399 --> 00:11:54,119 You know, Read it. 233 00:11:54,119 --> 00:11:56,559 What if it was in a language nobody knew or. 234 00:11:56,719 --> 00:11:58,079 No, no, he gave it to us. 235 00:11:59,439 --> 00:12:03,759 He gave it to us and he gave us in a language that could be understood. 236 00:12:04,399 --> 00:12:07,199 He wants us to know him or why would he gave. 237 00:12:07,679 --> 00:12:08,759 Why would he not give us. 238 00:12:08,759 --> 00:12:10,719 You know, he gave us this, gave us the Bible. 239 00:12:11,039 --> 00:12:13,519 My mind is on high caffeine right now. 240 00:12:15,359 --> 00:12:17,039 Had some of that fancy coffee a while ago. 241 00:12:17,699 --> 00:12:18,539 How do we know God? 242 00:12:18,539 --> 00:12:19,819 Well, we know him through His Word. 243 00:12:19,819 --> 00:12:21,059 We know him through His Son. 244 00:12:21,379 --> 00:12:23,539 Jesus said, if you've seen me, you've seen the Father. 245 00:12:23,939 --> 00:12:25,419 And I'm going to go ahead and make this quote. 246 00:12:25,419 --> 00:12:29,179 I love the way this was described and I don't remember if 247 00:12:29,179 --> 00:12:31,299 this is AW Tozer who described it this way. 248 00:12:31,379 --> 00:12:36,019 He says we know him by His Word, Capital W, O R D. We know him 249 00:12:36,019 --> 00:12:36,819 by His Word. 250 00:12:36,979 --> 00:12:39,539 That describes him, that describes God for us. 251 00:12:40,019 --> 00:12:42,339 The word of God describes God for us. 252 00:12:43,549 --> 00:12:48,469 His attributes, his characteristics, and it describes 253 00:12:48,469 --> 00:12:49,149 His Son. 254 00:12:49,309 --> 00:12:50,189 Listen to this. 255 00:12:52,189 --> 00:12:54,189 Which is his attributes in action. 256 00:12:56,589 --> 00:12:57,949 God's attributes. 257 00:12:58,109 --> 00:13:05,549 God, who he is, is seen, lived out by way of His Son, Jesus Christ. 258 00:13:07,069 --> 00:13:09,239 You want to know how God loves you? 259 00:13:10,119 --> 00:13:14,879 Look at Jesus Christ and how he loved Israel and loved his fellow 260 00:13:14,879 --> 00:13:16,839 man and loved mankind. 261 00:13:17,239 --> 00:13:20,879 You want to know what God would do if he was encountered as 262 00:13:20,879 --> 00:13:21,559 Zacchaeus? 263 00:13:22,199 --> 00:13:23,239 Look at Jesus. 264 00:13:23,799 --> 00:13:26,839 That is God encountering Zacchaeus. 265 00:13:27,879 --> 00:13:29,479 Zacchaeus is how you pronounce it. 266 00:13:31,559 --> 00:13:32,119 Look at. 267 00:13:32,439 --> 00:13:37,129 We look at Jesus Christ and we see the life of Jesus Christ. 268 00:13:37,449 --> 00:13:40,889 And the life of Jesus Christ is the attributes of God lived out 269 00:13:40,889 --> 00:13:41,449 for us. 270 00:13:42,889 --> 00:13:46,329 His love, his characteristics. 271 00:13:48,649 --> 00:13:49,929 What a God we serve. 272 00:13:52,649 --> 00:13:54,569 Again, the word of God given to us. 273 00:13:56,089 --> 00:13:58,489 Jesus said himself, I am the Father, are one. 274 00:13:59,289 --> 00:14:02,819 And over the years I've added a fourth one, just because I've encountered 275 00:14:02,819 --> 00:14:04,779 that many, many times. 276 00:14:04,779 --> 00:14:07,339 And that is we see him in history. 277 00:14:08,699 --> 00:14:12,059 Or we could say we see him through providence in the way he 278 00:14:12,139 --> 00:14:19,179 has interacted in history, providentially made Himself and done 279 00:14:19,179 --> 00:14:23,019 things that are unexplainable other than God did those things. 280 00:14:23,899 --> 00:14:27,059 You read about some of the events of the Revolutionary War and 281 00:14:27,059 --> 00:14:31,349 there is no explanation for many of those things unless God intervened. 282 00:14:31,829 --> 00:14:33,669 Aren't you glad for the providence of God? 283 00:14:35,589 --> 00:14:42,829 So we know God exists because of creation, His Word, His Son, and 284 00:14:42,829 --> 00:14:47,549 just by experience, 2nd Corinthians 4:4 to give the light 285 00:14:47,549 --> 00:14:51,029 of the knowledge of the glory of God in the what the face of Jesus 286 00:14:51,029 --> 00:14:51,349 Christ. 287 00:14:52,069 --> 00:14:57,409 We learn who and what God is in the face of Jesus Christ by his 288 00:14:57,409 --> 00:14:57,769 life. 289 00:14:59,129 --> 00:15:00,969 It's important again that we know God. 290 00:15:01,689 --> 00:15:03,529 It determines our eternal destiny. 291 00:15:03,529 --> 00:15:04,169 John 17. 292 00:15:04,729 --> 00:15:07,049 It defines our priorities and purpose. 293 00:15:07,529 --> 00:15:09,449 In other words, it gives us direction in life. 294 00:15:10,329 --> 00:15:10,969 Amen. 295 00:15:11,769 --> 00:15:12,969 It gives me purpose. 296 00:15:14,089 --> 00:15:15,529 I have a reason to live. 297 00:15:16,409 --> 00:15:17,449 I have purpose. 298 00:15:18,889 --> 00:15:21,129 More so than just the temporal things. 299 00:15:21,129 --> 00:15:25,699 But an eternal purpose defines our priorities. 300 00:15:25,779 --> 00:15:28,339 Knowing God helps us to know how to treat others. 301 00:15:29,219 --> 00:15:31,699 Aren't you glad you have, again the attributes of God lived 302 00:15:31,699 --> 00:15:33,419 out in the life of Jesus Christ? 303 00:15:33,419 --> 00:15:35,659 And we know how to treat others, and that is to treat others 304 00:15:35,659 --> 00:15:39,859 as we would treat ourselves, to love others as we love ourselves. 305 00:15:42,579 --> 00:15:45,699 Knowing God helps us to know how to treat others. 306 00:15:47,619 --> 00:15:50,499 It affects our responses in difficult and hardship. 307 00:15:52,019 --> 00:15:55,339 Again, what comes into mind when we think about God's the most 308 00:15:55,339 --> 00:15:56,339 important thing about us? 309 00:15:58,819 --> 00:16:00,259 We know him through worship. 310 00:16:01,859 --> 00:16:02,899 Have you ever been there? 311 00:16:05,139 --> 00:16:05,459 Right. 312 00:16:05,459 --> 00:16:07,899 I always, you know, talk about the little pricklies up and down 313 00:16:07,899 --> 00:16:11,619 your spine, but I'm not necessarily saying that that's God 314 00:16:11,619 --> 00:16:12,179 every time. 315 00:16:13,219 --> 00:16:17,419 But I am thankful that I have sat down in my personal devotional 316 00:16:17,419 --> 00:16:21,699 time and worshiping God in my personal devotional time and experience 317 00:16:23,699 --> 00:16:28,979 a closeness of fellowship that is indescribable. 318 00:16:30,339 --> 00:16:31,299 You ever been there? 319 00:16:32,739 --> 00:16:37,299 Have you ever experienced the grace of God just in an extraordinary 320 00:16:37,299 --> 00:16:38,179 way in your life? 321 00:16:38,659 --> 00:16:41,299 Maybe it was during a difficult time, a difficult season 322 00:16:41,299 --> 00:16:41,859 in your life. 323 00:16:43,789 --> 00:16:46,989 Maybe it was at youth camp or during a revival meeting. 324 00:16:48,829 --> 00:16:52,269 I'm thankful I have those times in which I can go back and 325 00:16:52,269 --> 00:16:55,309 see and see how God worked in my life. 326 00:16:56,589 --> 00:16:58,909 I know him through worship, through corporate worship. 327 00:17:00,029 --> 00:17:02,709 I think about Brother House and many times he's been here to 328 00:17:02,709 --> 00:17:06,589 preach over the years, and how his preaching has affected my life. 329 00:17:08,029 --> 00:17:08,669 Amen. 330 00:17:09,479 --> 00:17:12,919 How our revival meetings, whether it's Brother Sam Davison 331 00:17:12,919 --> 00:17:15,799 or brother McCracken who will be preaching our revival this next 332 00:17:15,799 --> 00:17:21,799 year, whomever it may be, how, again, the word of God has shaped 333 00:17:22,279 --> 00:17:26,519 and has impacted my life and your life. 334 00:17:28,439 --> 00:17:32,199 We know him through prayer and talking to him. 335 00:17:33,639 --> 00:17:36,039 Him talking to us in that still, small voice. 336 00:17:37,788 --> 00:17:39,708 Aren't you glad for the still, small voice of God? 337 00:17:40,828 --> 00:17:43,468 If you've been a Christian very long, you should have experienced 338 00:17:43,468 --> 00:17:45,068 the still, small voice of God. 339 00:17:45,388 --> 00:17:48,308 You should have experienced the Holy Spirit speaking to your 340 00:17:48,308 --> 00:17:48,588 heart. 341 00:17:48,908 --> 00:17:50,268 Again, it's not audible. 342 00:17:50,908 --> 00:17:52,188 It's not something you hear. 343 00:17:52,267 --> 00:17:55,468 It's not something you audibly hear. 344 00:17:56,028 --> 00:18:01,388 If you audibly hear the voice of God run, that's just scary. 345 00:18:01,468 --> 00:18:02,468 It's not God. 346 00:18:02,468 --> 00:18:03,548 It's something else. 347 00:18:04,909 --> 00:18:09,069 I had that question asked by a firefighter here recently. 348 00:18:10,189 --> 00:18:16,029 He was talking about how God uses events sometimes to help us 349 00:18:16,029 --> 00:18:20,189 or uses events in our life to kind of steer Us, in a way. 350 00:18:20,189 --> 00:18:21,949 And I said, truly, God does that. 351 00:18:23,389 --> 00:18:26,069 And then we kind of got off on God speaking. 352 00:18:26,069 --> 00:18:29,149 And I said, well, God doesn't verbally speak to anyone anymore 353 00:18:30,239 --> 00:18:32,439 because the Bible says in Hebrews one that God in sundry time 354 00:18:32,439 --> 00:18:35,559 and diverse manner spoke in time past unto the fathers by the 355 00:18:35,559 --> 00:18:39,279 prophets, but hath in these last days spoken to us by his son. 356 00:18:40,479 --> 00:18:42,319 This is the final revelation of God. 357 00:18:42,799 --> 00:18:43,479 What does that mean? 358 00:18:43,479 --> 00:18:44,879 It's the final word of God. 359 00:18:45,599 --> 00:18:50,039 We no longer need the special gifts of tongues and prophecies. 360 00:18:50,039 --> 00:18:52,519 And those things the Bible says they've been done away with 361 00:18:52,519 --> 00:18:54,879 because God's word is complete. 362 00:18:55,929 --> 00:18:59,049 And I told this fireman, I said, listen, if some evangelist 363 00:18:59,049 --> 00:19:02,929 on TV says, I've gotten a word from God, and let me tell you what 364 00:19:02,929 --> 00:19:03,609 God said. 365 00:19:04,009 --> 00:19:07,289 If he's saying that and he's saying that God spoke to him verbally, 366 00:19:08,169 --> 00:19:10,569 run, shut the TV off. 367 00:19:11,048 --> 00:19:13,849 The guy is out of his brain. 368 00:19:15,609 --> 00:19:19,049 He had way too much hot sauce or something. 369 00:19:21,299 --> 00:19:22,979 It says, put your hand on the radio. 370 00:19:23,459 --> 00:19:24,499 I'm just kidding. 371 00:19:25,779 --> 00:19:27,259 Do any of the evangelists do that anymore? 372 00:19:27,259 --> 00:19:28,139 Put your hand on the radio. 373 00:19:28,139 --> 00:19:29,379 No, there's no radios anymore. 374 00:19:29,379 --> 00:19:31,259 So put your hand on the TV. 375 00:19:31,259 --> 00:19:36,539 You know, send us $10, we'll send you a napkin that's been anointed 376 00:19:36,539 --> 00:19:41,619 by what people fall for, by the way. 377 00:19:43,059 --> 00:19:44,659 What a bunch of shysters. 378 00:19:46,749 --> 00:19:47,869 It's crazy, isn't it? 379 00:19:49,709 --> 00:19:50,509 No, I want to. 380 00:19:50,669 --> 00:19:52,189 I can know God through prayer. 381 00:19:52,749 --> 00:19:53,629 I can experience. 382 00:19:54,589 --> 00:19:55,949 Experience, by the way, is important. 383 00:19:56,349 --> 00:19:58,669 I can experience a still small voice of God. 384 00:20:00,989 --> 00:20:02,509 I can know him. 385 00:20:06,349 --> 00:20:09,949 I'm thankful I have experienced that still small voice. 386 00:20:11,389 --> 00:20:12,869 I serve a risen Savior. 387 00:20:13,179 --> 00:20:14,139 He's in the world today. 388 00:20:14,779 --> 00:20:18,219 I know that he is living no matter what men may say. 389 00:20:18,619 --> 00:20:19,859 I see his hand of mercy. 390 00:20:19,859 --> 00:20:21,019 I hear his voice of cheer. 391 00:20:21,339 --> 00:20:22,659 And just the time I need Him. 392 00:20:22,659 --> 00:20:23,339 He's always near. 393 00:20:23,819 --> 00:20:24,459 He lives. 394 00:20:24,459 --> 00:20:27,019 He lives Christ Jesus lives today. 395 00:20:27,339 --> 00:20:30,379 He walks with me and talks with me along this narrow way. 396 00:20:30,779 --> 00:20:31,419 He lives. 397 00:20:31,419 --> 00:20:33,019 He lives salvation too. 398 00:20:33,019 --> 00:20:33,579 In part. 399 00:20:33,979 --> 00:20:35,899 You ask me how I know he lives. 400 00:20:36,299 --> 00:20:37,659 He lives within my heart. 401 00:20:38,139 --> 00:20:41,909 I. I'm thankful that God does. 402 00:20:42,949 --> 00:20:43,309 Does. 403 00:20:43,309 --> 00:20:47,389 And sometimes as Baptists, we downplay the emotional or even sometimes 404 00:20:47,389 --> 00:20:47,989 the feelings. 405 00:20:48,309 --> 00:20:53,349 And we do so because we want to kind of contrast between us and 406 00:20:53,429 --> 00:20:54,949 others who overdo it. 407 00:20:55,749 --> 00:20:57,909 But I'm thankful for the feelings I have felt. 408 00:20:58,789 --> 00:21:03,349 I'm thankful for the emotions that I have experienced when it comes 409 00:21:03,349 --> 00:21:11,079 to worshiping God in my private time, but also in the corporate 410 00:21:11,079 --> 00:21:13,839 time publicly with my church family. 411 00:21:14,719 --> 00:21:16,879 To me, there's nothing like a good revival Meeting. 412 00:21:17,679 --> 00:21:21,399 Nothing like a good Sunday morning and some of the songs that 413 00:21:21,399 --> 00:21:22,079 are being sung. 414 00:21:22,079 --> 00:21:25,679 And, you know, the choir's on fire and the special music's on fire. 415 00:21:25,679 --> 00:21:28,199 And, you know, it's just amazing. 416 00:21:28,199 --> 00:21:32,329 You know, I love a church like ours. 417 00:21:32,969 --> 00:21:33,609 Love it. 418 00:21:36,249 --> 00:21:38,409 The last one is we know God through trials. 419 00:21:40,089 --> 00:21:41,929 And we see this in Psalm 88. 420 00:21:42,089 --> 00:21:46,089 The Psalmist speaking about trials that he experiencing. 421 00:21:46,089 --> 00:21:49,449 And he draweth nigh to the grave. 422 00:21:49,449 --> 00:21:51,209 He's crying out to God. 423 00:21:51,209 --> 00:21:52,729 He's praying to him. 424 00:21:54,089 --> 00:21:57,299 Crying, mourning and praying fervently to God. 425 00:21:57,459 --> 00:21:59,219 I'm thankful God hears his prayer. 426 00:22:01,219 --> 00:22:04,899 God reveals himself to us in trials, by the way. 427 00:22:04,899 --> 00:22:06,019 He is our salvation. 428 00:22:07,459 --> 00:22:10,259 We are to call upon him in our time of need. 429 00:22:11,939 --> 00:22:13,859 He stretches out his hand to us. 430 00:22:14,739 --> 00:22:17,619 I'm glad when Peter said, save me, he reached down his hand. 431 00:22:18,579 --> 00:22:23,429 I'm glad he reaches down his hand for me again. 432 00:22:23,429 --> 00:22:24,829 This is a sad psalm. 433 00:22:25,709 --> 00:22:27,629 The cry of a sinner in need of God. 434 00:22:29,229 --> 00:22:32,469 I remind you that Jesus said in John 15 that without me you can 435 00:22:32,469 --> 00:22:32,989 do nothing. 436 00:22:34,269 --> 00:22:35,709 We can't make it without him. 437 00:22:37,709 --> 00:22:40,669 Life's trials, the things we face. 438 00:22:40,989 --> 00:22:46,189 I'm thinking about Brother Adou in Cape Verde losing their baby 439 00:22:46,509 --> 00:22:47,469 a couple days ago. 440 00:22:48,839 --> 00:22:51,399 You know, about two weeks away from being born. 441 00:22:54,999 --> 00:22:57,159 There's some of you who've experienced that in your life. 442 00:22:58,519 --> 00:23:01,799 Some of you have experienced other things just as tragic. 443 00:23:04,439 --> 00:23:05,879 I can't make it without Him. 444 00:23:06,999 --> 00:23:07,559 Can you? 445 00:23:08,679 --> 00:23:09,279 I don't. 446 00:23:09,279 --> 00:23:10,559 I've said that I don't know how many times. 447 00:23:10,559 --> 00:23:12,839 I've said I don't know how people make it without Him. 448 00:23:14,289 --> 00:23:16,689 And that's why we got a lot of craziness going on in the world, 449 00:23:17,009 --> 00:23:18,849 because they are trying to make it without Him. 450 00:23:19,169 --> 00:23:19,849 I'm thankful. 451 00:23:19,849 --> 00:23:21,409 There's strength in trusting in God. 452 00:23:21,729 --> 00:23:24,369 There's strength in knowing that God is there. 453 00:23:24,849 --> 00:23:28,209 In fact, Job said, after he lost everything, though he slayed 454 00:23:28,209 --> 00:23:29,569 me, yet will I trust in Him? 455 00:23:30,609 --> 00:23:32,449 I know sometimes that's difficult. 456 00:23:33,409 --> 00:23:36,769 I realized that in my own life that sometimes we question God and 457 00:23:37,329 --> 00:23:40,009 we wonder why this has happened to us or that has happened 458 00:23:40,009 --> 00:23:42,059 or why God would allow these things to happen. 459 00:23:42,059 --> 00:23:47,299 And if we're not careful, we get our focus off the Lord, off of 460 00:23:47,299 --> 00:23:51,779 Jesus Christ and onto our problems, as Peter did, onto the 461 00:23:51,779 --> 00:23:53,219 storms instead of the Savior. 462 00:23:54,579 --> 00:24:00,339 And the devil loves to do that, doesn't he See trials should 463 00:24:00,339 --> 00:24:01,859 sharpen our focus on God. 464 00:24:02,259 --> 00:24:05,859 It's when we go through trials that we should lean on the Lord. 465 00:24:06,829 --> 00:24:10,109 It's through trials that we ought to again and through adversity. 466 00:24:10,269 --> 00:24:13,429 The things that we face that he becomes our teacher. 467 00:24:13,429 --> 00:24:17,669 Isaiah 30, verse 20 describes him that as we face trials, as we 468 00:24:17,669 --> 00:24:21,069 go through these things in life, that he is our teacher. 469 00:24:21,069 --> 00:24:22,749 We should see him as our teacher. 470 00:24:23,229 --> 00:24:24,829 By the way, he's the perfect teacher. 471 00:24:25,869 --> 00:24:27,149 He doesn't make mistakes. 472 00:24:29,069 --> 00:24:31,549 I remember asking the question many times, why do I need to learn 473 00:24:31,549 --> 00:24:31,949 algebra? 474 00:24:34,179 --> 00:24:35,459 I still ask that question a lot. 475 00:24:35,459 --> 00:24:38,219 But I did use it some in the wood shop. 476 00:24:38,219 --> 00:24:44,019 And you know, sometimes with fractions, I still second guess it 477 00:24:44,019 --> 00:24:47,019 sometimes, like, I understand geometry. 478 00:24:47,019 --> 00:24:47,859 I get that one. 479 00:24:49,459 --> 00:24:50,739 Anyway, I'll move on. 480 00:24:54,659 --> 00:24:58,259 But I'm thankful that we have a perfect teacher. 481 00:25:00,809 --> 00:25:02,889 I'm thankful that I had good teachers in high school. 482 00:25:04,249 --> 00:25:09,289 But I'm thankful for the Lord, the perfect teacher, glorying closer 483 00:25:09,289 --> 00:25:10,209 to God through trials. 484 00:25:10,209 --> 00:25:11,689 We see this in the life of Joseph. 485 00:25:11,929 --> 00:25:12,849 We won't turn there. 486 00:25:12,849 --> 00:25:18,769 But he went from being the precious child of his dad, the favored 487 00:25:18,769 --> 00:25:23,169 child of his dad, to the pit where his brothers threw him in there 488 00:25:23,169 --> 00:25:25,579 and sold into slavery. 489 00:25:25,579 --> 00:25:29,899 Sold to Potiphar, put in prison by Potiphar. 490 00:25:29,899 --> 00:25:33,219 So he went from the pit to Potiphar's house, to prison. 491 00:25:34,899 --> 00:25:36,259 But one day to the palace. 492 00:25:36,819 --> 00:25:41,459 13 years he spent as a slave. 493 00:25:43,299 --> 00:25:44,179 13 years. 494 00:25:45,779 --> 00:25:48,579 I'm thankful for the promises of God because that's what Joseph 495 00:25:48,579 --> 00:25:49,299 leaned upon. 496 00:25:49,849 --> 00:25:50,489 He knew. 497 00:25:51,049 --> 00:25:53,849 He knew one day that God would raise him up. 498 00:25:54,249 --> 00:26:00,409 Because he promised to one day his parents would bow to him. 499 00:26:00,409 --> 00:26:02,889 One day his older brothers would bow to him. 500 00:26:02,889 --> 00:26:04,169 God promised that would happen. 501 00:26:04,969 --> 00:26:06,569 God always keeps his promise. 502 00:26:07,049 --> 00:26:12,649 So Joseph spent 13 years there in the prison and in Potiphar's house, 503 00:26:13,049 --> 00:26:15,969 knowing that God one day would raise him up. 504 00:26:16,849 --> 00:26:21,969 And that's why he could say to his brothers, but as for you, you 505 00:26:21,969 --> 00:26:24,929 thought evil against me, but God meant it for good. 506 00:26:25,729 --> 00:26:26,809 God meant it for good. 507 00:26:26,809 --> 00:26:33,289 God used Joseph to save his brothers and their families and his 508 00:26:33,289 --> 00:26:34,049 dad's lives. 509 00:26:34,929 --> 00:26:40,739 God used his brothers who threw him into the pit to save a 510 00:26:40,739 --> 00:26:42,619 country from starvation. 511 00:26:43,259 --> 00:26:45,979 In fact, the then known world from starvation. 512 00:26:48,459 --> 00:26:50,779 God works all things together for our good. 513 00:26:50,779 --> 00:26:52,179 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart. 514 00:26:52,179 --> 00:26:55,139 Lean not unto thine own understanding in all thy ways. 515 00:26:55,139 --> 00:26:57,099 Acknowledge him, and he will direct thy path. 516 00:26:57,499 --> 00:27:00,299 God has a purpose even in trials. 517 00:27:00,939 --> 00:27:02,539 Y' all know the story of Joseph. 518 00:27:02,539 --> 00:27:06,819 We also know the story of the three Hebrew children in Daniel, 519 00:27:06,819 --> 00:27:07,419 chapter three. 520 00:27:08,629 --> 00:27:09,429 They would not bend. 521 00:27:09,429 --> 00:27:10,309 They would not bow. 522 00:27:10,309 --> 00:27:10,909 And guess what? 523 00:27:10,909 --> 00:27:11,909 They didn't burn either. 524 00:27:13,829 --> 00:27:17,829 They would not bow to Nebuchadnezzar's golden image. 525 00:27:18,229 --> 00:27:19,989 So they threw him into the fiery furnace. 526 00:27:22,469 --> 00:27:23,509 All three of them. 527 00:27:24,709 --> 00:27:27,109 The two men or the Men that threw him into the fiery furnace, 528 00:27:27,109 --> 00:27:28,869 they died from the heat. 529 00:27:29,829 --> 00:27:30,789 Imagine that. 530 00:27:31,909 --> 00:27:36,489 And then those three men are in the fire, and Nebuchadnezzar starts 531 00:27:36,489 --> 00:27:37,729 looking down there in that fire. 532 00:27:38,369 --> 00:27:41,409 This is Daniel, chapter three, verse 28 and 29. 533 00:27:42,129 --> 00:27:45,809 And Nebuchadnezzar looks down into the fire, and he said, hey, 534 00:27:45,809 --> 00:27:46,769 I'm summarizing. 535 00:27:46,929 --> 00:27:49,009 He said, hey, didn't we throw three men in there? 536 00:27:50,369 --> 00:27:52,049 How many guys did we throw down there? 537 00:27:53,569 --> 00:27:53,969 3. 538 00:27:54,289 --> 00:27:55,409 Well, now there's four. 539 00:27:55,809 --> 00:27:59,249 And the fourth one, what looks like the son of God. 540 00:28:02,149 --> 00:28:08,429 Sometimes again in the trial or in the storm that we face, it's 541 00:28:08,429 --> 00:28:12,029 God going with us through the trial, going with us through the 542 00:28:12,029 --> 00:28:12,469 storm. 543 00:28:12,949 --> 00:28:14,069 He has purpose. 544 00:28:14,789 --> 00:28:15,669 He has a reason. 545 00:28:17,029 --> 00:28:18,469 We might not always know it. 546 00:28:20,309 --> 00:28:25,509 By the way, what influence did that have on Nebuchadnezzar? 547 00:28:26,079 --> 00:28:27,839 We studied this, remember, in Daniel already. 548 00:28:28,239 --> 00:28:30,679 What influence does it have on Nebuchadnezzar? 549 00:28:30,679 --> 00:28:32,959 I think Nebuchadnezzar is going to be in heaven. 550 00:28:33,679 --> 00:28:34,119 I do. 551 00:28:34,119 --> 00:28:34,879 I believe that. 552 00:28:35,759 --> 00:28:40,399 Isn't that amazing, the testimony of Nebuchadnezzar because 553 00:28:41,999 --> 00:28:44,399 of the testimony of these three men. 554 00:28:47,439 --> 00:28:50,639 Do remember that when you're in the fire, that it's God who keeps 555 00:28:50,639 --> 00:28:51,679 his hand on the thermostat. 556 00:28:51,679 --> 00:28:53,189 I still like that one a lot. 557 00:28:54,629 --> 00:28:55,509 God is present. 558 00:28:56,149 --> 00:28:58,389 God has purpose for every trial that we face. 559 00:28:58,389 --> 00:29:01,069 And God is present in every trial that we face. 560 00:29:01,069 --> 00:29:03,429 We see that again, the life of these three Hebrew children. 561 00:29:04,629 --> 00:29:05,989 He is our shepherd. 562 00:29:06,949 --> 00:29:08,229 The Lord is my shepherd. 563 00:29:08,229 --> 00:29:09,269 I shall not want. 564 00:29:10,069 --> 00:29:12,029 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. 565 00:29:12,029 --> 00:29:14,549 He leadeth me beside the still waters. 566 00:29:16,549 --> 00:29:18,069 He restoreth my soul. 567 00:29:19,429 --> 00:29:21,389 Yea, thou walk through the valley of the shadow of death. 568 00:29:21,389 --> 00:29:24,469 I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. 569 00:29:25,349 --> 00:29:28,949 He is there, leading us, guiding us, protecting us. 570 00:29:28,949 --> 00:29:29,989 He is our shepherd. 571 00:29:29,989 --> 00:29:31,589 Up in my office, I bought. 572 00:29:32,229 --> 00:29:36,389 When I was in Israel, I bought a figurine of olive wood. 573 00:29:36,469 --> 00:29:41,389 And I bought it on purpose because it depicts a shepherd with 574 00:29:41,389 --> 00:29:44,069 a lamb on his shoulder. 575 00:29:44,729 --> 00:29:45,929 But it depicts it right. 576 00:29:46,569 --> 00:29:51,969 The Bible describes there in the parable that the shepherd picks 577 00:29:51,969 --> 00:29:57,849 up the lamb that is hurt and puts it on his shoulders, plural, 578 00:29:58,409 --> 00:29:59,369 both shoulders. 579 00:29:59,449 --> 00:30:03,249 In other words, he's got the lamb's front legs here, has the back 580 00:30:03,249 --> 00:30:08,249 legs here, and he has him on his shoulders, caring for that lamb, 581 00:30:08,329 --> 00:30:13,499 caring for that sheep, not going to drop him, not going to drop 582 00:30:13,499 --> 00:30:13,779 it. 583 00:30:15,059 --> 00:30:16,379 That's what God does for us. 584 00:30:16,379 --> 00:30:22,139 He is our shepherd, caring for us, picking us up in our time of 585 00:30:22,139 --> 00:30:22,419 need. 586 00:30:23,779 --> 00:30:27,539 And then we think about again, God not only is present, but God 587 00:30:27,539 --> 00:30:28,259 Is powerful. 588 00:30:28,259 --> 00:30:29,939 We preach on that again this morning. 589 00:30:30,339 --> 00:30:31,579 He's our refuge. 590 00:30:31,579 --> 00:30:34,659 Psalm 9, verse 9 says, Our refuge in a time of trouble. 591 00:30:35,549 --> 00:30:36,949 He's there in our time of trouble. 592 00:30:36,949 --> 00:30:39,269 He's our place to go to. 593 00:30:39,269 --> 00:30:42,029 He is our rock, our refuge. 594 00:30:47,629 --> 00:30:50,109 How many of y' all built a fort when you were a kid? 595 00:30:51,229 --> 00:30:52,669 I think everybody tried that. 596 00:30:54,429 --> 00:30:58,469 We built all sorts of things when we were kids, you know, nothing 597 00:30:58,469 --> 00:31:02,269 that was lasting, but we sure had fun playing at it. 598 00:31:03,139 --> 00:31:05,739 And we would build little forts out of wood on the farm up 599 00:31:05,739 --> 00:31:06,579 in Oklahoma. 600 00:31:06,899 --> 00:31:12,259 And we play, you know, you can't play cowboys and Indians anymore. 601 00:31:12,259 --> 00:31:16,259 But anyway, we would go around. 602 00:31:16,579 --> 00:31:18,818 Terrific guns made with sticks. 603 00:31:20,579 --> 00:31:21,539 Violent people. 604 00:31:22,339 --> 00:31:22,979 Violent. 605 00:31:24,339 --> 00:31:26,419 Just taught us all sorts of bad stuff. 606 00:31:30,189 --> 00:31:31,789 But those forts weren't very good. 607 00:31:32,109 --> 00:31:33,709 They weren't very protective. 608 00:31:35,229 --> 00:31:39,309 I'm telling you, I'm thankful I have a refuge that cannot be shaken. 609 00:31:40,189 --> 00:31:41,309 I have a refuge. 610 00:31:41,309 --> 00:31:45,549 I have a shelter that doesn't leak. 611 00:31:47,229 --> 00:31:54,909 I have a fort that no one, unless allowed, can enter. 612 00:31:56,409 --> 00:32:00,809 I'm thankful I have a God who is all powerful, who protects me 613 00:32:02,489 --> 00:32:07,609 Again, I think about Daniel in the den of lions as he was tossed 614 00:32:07,609 --> 00:32:10,649 in there, and how God shut the mouth of the lions. 615 00:32:11,929 --> 00:32:14,249 I believe, like Brother Stewart, I think he just took one 616 00:32:14,249 --> 00:32:17,489 of the lions and kind of pulled him over and just laid down 617 00:32:17,489 --> 00:32:18,969 on the lion, used it as a pillow. 618 00:32:20,979 --> 00:32:23,739 The king comes the next morning and says, hey, Daniel, you 619 00:32:23,739 --> 00:32:24,659 still alive in there? 620 00:32:24,819 --> 00:32:27,299 Is your God, you know, gives credit to God? 621 00:32:27,619 --> 00:32:28,219 Absolutely. 622 00:32:28,219 --> 00:32:29,059 He's still alive. 623 00:32:30,739 --> 00:32:34,139 Then all those men who conspired against him, just to prove 624 00:32:34,139 --> 00:32:38,419 that it was Daniel, it was a miracle that the lions were hungry. 625 00:32:38,419 --> 00:32:40,179 They threw them down in there and they ate them all. 626 00:32:40,899 --> 00:32:44,739 Bible's amazing, and it's very dramatic for boys and girls. 627 00:32:45,379 --> 00:32:46,899 All of them got eaten, Archer. 628 00:32:46,899 --> 00:32:50,109 I mean, I'm talking about those lions killed him, Archer. 629 00:32:50,429 --> 00:32:51,829 I mean, they ate him. 630 00:32:51,829 --> 00:32:53,789 All those guys and those ladies just. 631 00:32:54,029 --> 00:32:54,829 They were gone. 632 00:32:55,789 --> 00:32:58,909 But Daniel, no, because God shut his mouth. 633 00:32:59,229 --> 00:33:00,429 Shut the mouth of the lions. 634 00:33:00,589 --> 00:33:02,669 I'm thankful that God shuts the mouth of the lions. 635 00:33:03,229 --> 00:33:06,589 God protects us in our time of need. 636 00:33:07,549 --> 00:33:09,469 We obey him and he protects us. 637 00:33:10,589 --> 00:33:11,869 God prepares us. 638 00:33:12,989 --> 00:33:15,949 The psalmist says in Psalm 119, it is good for me that I have 639 00:33:15,949 --> 00:33:16,509 been afflicted. 640 00:33:16,819 --> 00:33:17,059 What? 641 00:33:18,099 --> 00:33:19,539 That I might learn. 642 00:33:19,619 --> 00:33:24,019 The statutes learn the statutes might learn of God. 643 00:33:24,819 --> 00:33:25,859 Rely on God. 644 00:33:25,859 --> 00:33:26,819 Trust in God. 645 00:33:28,099 --> 00:33:31,459 Throw away my dependence on self and depend upon him. 646 00:33:32,819 --> 00:33:37,139 Psalm 119 also says, unless thy law had been my delight, I should 647 00:33:37,139 --> 00:33:40,179 have perished in mine affliction. 648 00:33:41,059 --> 00:33:43,439 Thankful for my relationship with God. 649 00:33:43,439 --> 00:33:43,959 Aren't you. 650 00:33:45,959 --> 00:33:47,159 What a wonderful God. 651 00:33:48,519 --> 00:33:49,639 How do I know Him? 652 00:33:50,119 --> 00:33:55,079 I can't see him, but I know him through his attributes. 653 00:33:55,079 --> 00:34:00,439 I know him through my time of worship, not only alone with him, 654 00:34:00,439 --> 00:34:02,359 but also corporately with my church family. 655 00:34:02,759 --> 00:34:05,839 I know him through prayer and I know him through trials. 656 00:34:05,839 --> 00:34:09,939 I've seen what he is and how he's affected my life during some 657 00:34:09,939 --> 00:34:11,739 of the lowest points in my life. 658 00:34:12,779 --> 00:34:17,099 It's amazing how God gives us grace to help in our time of need, 659 00:34:18,539 --> 00:34:21,179 unmerited favor, even unto enablement. 660 00:34:22,299 --> 00:34:25,739 There are benefits to adversity and we need Him. 661 00:34:25,739 --> 00:34:26,499 We need to trust him. 662 00:34:26,499 --> 00:34:27,659 We need to focus on Him. 663 00:34:28,299 --> 00:34:31,339 We grow closer to him by understanding that God has a plan. 664 00:34:31,579 --> 00:34:33,339 God has a purpose in every trial. 665 00:34:33,339 --> 00:34:33,979 And God has. 666 00:34:34,219 --> 00:34:36,059 He is present, he is powerful. 667 00:34:36,919 --> 00:34:38,999 That he protects us, that he prepares us. 668 00:34:41,159 --> 00:34:41,959 God is there. 669 00:34:43,159 --> 00:34:50,759 I know it's cliche, but you can't have fruit, you can't have 670 00:34:50,759 --> 00:34:52,999 flowers, you can't have without rain. 671 00:34:53,879 --> 00:35:00,879 If it's all just sun, as it is a lot of times in Texas, then nothing 672 00:35:00,879 --> 00:35:01,319 will grow. 673 00:35:04,128 --> 00:35:04,848 Nothing will grow. 674 00:35:05,888 --> 00:35:10,728 God uses things in our life and these adversities to help us 675 00:35:10,728 --> 00:35:11,008 grow. 676 00:35:12,688 --> 00:35:14,608 But many times we don't see it that way. 677 00:35:15,488 --> 00:35:17,728 We get our eyes off of the Lord. 678 00:35:18,768 --> 00:35:20,368 We have a wrong view of God. 679 00:35:21,888 --> 00:35:27,568 We need to remind ourselves that our God is big, that God is 680 00:35:27,568 --> 00:35:28,208 in control. 681 00:35:29,289 --> 00:35:32,529 If God can shut the lion's mouth, he can surely, surely take 682 00:35:32,529 --> 00:35:33,849 care of whatever I'm going through. 683 00:35:34,729 --> 00:35:35,929 If God can. 684 00:35:37,929 --> 00:35:41,369 If three men can be tossed into the fiery furnace and not burn. 685 00:35:41,929 --> 00:35:44,969 If God can do that, what can he do for me? 686 00:35:46,249 --> 00:35:48,969 Do you believe that the God of the three Hebrew children is the 687 00:35:48,969 --> 00:35:49,849 same God we serve? 688 00:35:50,409 --> 00:35:51,049 Absolutely. 689 00:35:51,049 --> 00:35:53,329 Is the God of Daniel the same God we serve? 690 00:35:53,329 --> 00:35:54,089 Absolutely. 691 00:35:56,239 --> 00:35:57,199 The God of David. 692 00:35:58,559 --> 00:36:01,439 Our God is an awesome God. 693 00:36:02,159 --> 00:36:02,639 Amen. 694 00:36:02,639 --> 00:36:03,279 Let's all stand. 695 00:36:03,279 --> 00:36:04,639 We'll have a verse invitation tonight.