WEBVTT 00:00:00.240 --> 00:00:04.679 Hey guys and welcome back to the salt not sweetener 00:00:04.679 --> 00:00:08.599 podcast. I'm your host Danielle Townsend and 00:00:08.599 --> 00:00:12.939 today y 'all we are Continuing in on second Timothy 00:00:12.939 --> 00:00:16.620 if you didn't listen to the last episode I encourage 00:00:16.620 --> 00:00:18.800 you to go listen to that one before you listen 00:00:18.800 --> 00:00:22.579 to this one because We have started like a little 00:00:22.579 --> 00:00:26.820 bit of let's say like a mini -series like a continuance 00:00:27.870 --> 00:00:30.370 Where the Lord I really felt the Lord putting 00:00:30.370 --> 00:00:35.350 on my heart amen To read second Timothy and to 00:00:35.350 --> 00:00:38.130 break it down chapter by chapter And it's almost 00:00:38.130 --> 00:00:40.030 like a little bit of a series on this podcast 00:00:40.030 --> 00:00:42.009 now It's not going to be very long because Timothy 00:00:42.009 --> 00:00:45.429 is only four chapters. So after today's episode, 00:00:45.429 --> 00:00:49.659 we're gonna be halfway done But this isn't just 00:00:49.659 --> 00:00:51.119 for y 'all, this is for me. There are things 00:00:51.119 --> 00:00:53.280 that the Lord has been reminding me of and teaching 00:00:53.280 --> 00:00:55.399 me as I read this where I'm like, Lord, I can 00:00:55.399 --> 00:00:57.859 definitely see why you called me back to the 00:00:57.859 --> 00:01:00.439 scripture and why you called me to study it in 00:01:00.439 --> 00:01:03.119 depth. I haven't studied it in depth before. 00:01:04.280 --> 00:01:07.459 So what today's episode is gonna be is just like 00:01:07.459 --> 00:01:09.920 last time where we're reading through the chapter, 00:01:09.920 --> 00:01:12.420 stopping and breaking it down as we go through. 00:01:12.579 --> 00:01:15.500 And I pray that the Lord speaks to you today 00:01:15.500 --> 00:01:19.959 and reveals things to you today. As he has been 00:01:19.959 --> 00:01:22.040 for me now just to give y 'all a little bit of 00:01:22.040 --> 00:01:24.640 context to remind you Okay, we talked about this. 00:01:24.640 --> 00:01:26.640 We went a lot more in depth on the last episode. 00:01:26.659 --> 00:01:30.420 I gave you context of What's going on when Paul 00:01:30.420 --> 00:01:32.980 is writing this? It's very important when you 00:01:32.980 --> 00:01:34.980 are reading the Bible if anyone who's listening 00:01:34.980 --> 00:01:36.980 to stay is new to reading the Bible It's really 00:01:36.980 --> 00:01:39.079 important to get the context of what you're reading 00:01:39.079 --> 00:01:41.480 If you read a verse out of context or sometimes 00:01:41.480 --> 00:01:45.379 even reading a book, but not understanding what's 00:01:45.379 --> 00:01:49.540 going on at the time It can almost feel like 00:01:49.540 --> 00:01:51.260 contradictory or it can almost feel confusing 00:01:51.260 --> 00:01:53.040 and it's very important to remember that God 00:01:53.040 --> 00:01:56.719 will never contradict himself. Okay? So it's 00:01:56.719 --> 00:01:58.579 really important to know the context and just 00:01:58.579 --> 00:02:01.280 to give you a little bit of context for 2nd Timothy 00:02:01.280 --> 00:02:03.799 to remind y 'all what's going on. Paul is locked 00:02:03.799 --> 00:02:05.879 up in prison. This isn't the first time he's 00:02:05.879 --> 00:02:08.090 been in prison. Okay, but he's getting close 00:02:08.090 --> 00:02:10.090 to his martyrdom. He's getting close to his death 00:02:10.090 --> 00:02:13.210 He's locked up in prison and at this time it 00:02:13.210 --> 00:02:17.030 is not the popular cultural thing to be a follower 00:02:17.030 --> 00:02:20.530 of jesus And berniero has risen into power and 00:02:20.530 --> 00:02:23.629 he is actively persecuting christians If you 00:02:23.629 --> 00:02:25.550 want to talk about jesus, you want to proclaim 00:02:25.550 --> 00:02:28.430 the gospel you are not liked You are locked up. 00:02:28.430 --> 00:02:30.750 You are thrown in prison. You are persecuted. 00:02:30.750 --> 00:02:32.669 You are beat You are all of these things. You're 00:02:32.669 --> 00:02:36.500 falsely accused. You're slandered and paul Who 00:02:36.500 --> 00:02:39.099 clearly is doing it very boldly and was used 00:02:39.099 --> 00:02:44.319 by God in amazing ways is in a prison His experience 00:02:44.319 --> 00:02:46.580 suffering and while he is there a lot of people 00:02:46.580 --> 00:02:48.539 have turned their backs on him because again, 00:02:48.539 --> 00:02:51.139 it's not popular to be a Christian It's not popular 00:02:51.139 --> 00:02:53.780 to be aligned with Christians, especially bold 00:02:53.780 --> 00:02:56.240 ones that are in jail. So Paul doesn't have a 00:02:56.240 --> 00:02:59.620 lot of support Yet his faith is still rooted 00:02:59.620 --> 00:03:03.960 in Christ his his worldly circumstances Do not 00:03:03.960 --> 00:03:09.550 negate or like shift the fact that he knows that 00:03:09.550 --> 00:03:12.189 God is well pleased with what he is doing. Okay, 00:03:12.270 --> 00:03:14.930 so Paul is writing from a space of understanding 00:03:14.930 --> 00:03:17.509 that it is not the culturally acceptable thing 00:03:17.509 --> 00:03:19.590 to be a follower of Christ. It's not popular. 00:03:19.669 --> 00:03:23.069 It's actually a lot more popular to hide the 00:03:23.069 --> 00:03:25.509 fact that you're a Christian, to conceal your 00:03:25.509 --> 00:03:28.409 values. And that sounds really relatable to what 00:03:28.409 --> 00:03:30.310 we're dealing with in the world today, right? 00:03:31.229 --> 00:03:33.930 A lot of the worldly standards and what the world 00:03:33.930 --> 00:03:37.490 defines as love right now and acceptance and 00:03:37.490 --> 00:03:39.849 care and being a good person, a lot of it goes 00:03:39.849 --> 00:03:42.129 directly against the Bible. A lot of it calls 00:03:42.129 --> 00:03:45.150 for us to deny Christ and to say everyone's truth 00:03:45.150 --> 00:03:48.280 is the truth. the world really is calling us 00:03:48.280 --> 00:03:50.500 right now to make everyone just feel comfortable 00:03:50.500 --> 00:03:53.819 in their sin and accept sin and just Enable it 00:03:53.819 --> 00:03:56.259 and endorse it and if you don't align with those 00:03:56.259 --> 00:03:58.419 values, you don't align with those things. You're 00:03:58.419 --> 00:04:00.599 ostracized You're called names. You're called 00:04:00.599 --> 00:04:02.599 unloving people hate you people kill you look 00:04:02.599 --> 00:04:08.789 at Charlie Kirk What Paul was dealing with is 00:04:08.789 --> 00:04:10.750 not very different from what we are dealing with 00:04:10.750 --> 00:04:13.229 today There are Christians actively being persecuted. 00:04:13.229 --> 00:04:15.949 We don't see that a lot here in the US of like 00:04:15.949 --> 00:04:20.689 beheaded We see here in the US we see a lot of 00:04:20.689 --> 00:04:24.810 Christians that are slandered and You see people 00:04:24.810 --> 00:04:26.790 online trying to cancel them and expose them 00:04:26.790 --> 00:04:28.189 and trying to ruin their lives and things like 00:04:28.189 --> 00:04:30.449 that But what you see happening in other countries 00:04:30.449 --> 00:04:33.009 and I'm so grateful that that's not happening 00:04:33.009 --> 00:04:36.170 here where I live But there are Christians are 00:04:36.170 --> 00:04:40.490 being beheaded their Christians are being slaughtered 00:04:40.490 --> 00:04:45.089 That's a thing and I feel like that reading second 00:04:45.089 --> 00:04:47.990 timid is so relevant for us because the world 00:04:47.990 --> 00:04:50.329 that Paul is living in is no different than what 00:04:50.329 --> 00:04:55.790 we're living in now It might look different of 00:04:55.790 --> 00:04:57.529 Like the my truth the things that we're dealing 00:04:57.529 --> 00:05:01.230 with right now might be different Appearing but 00:05:01.230 --> 00:05:02.970 there's nothing new under the Sun. We know that 00:05:02.970 --> 00:05:06.290 from Ecclesiastes, right? So I want you all to 00:05:06.290 --> 00:05:09.250 keep that in mind of like what Paul is dealing 00:05:09.250 --> 00:05:12.769 with is no different From what we're dealing 00:05:12.769 --> 00:05:15.610 with the fears and the things that the devil 00:05:15.610 --> 00:05:17.750 was trying to place on people back Then is no 00:05:17.750 --> 00:05:20.509 different than now back then people were being 00:05:20.509 --> 00:05:22.290 fearful to be a Christian. They were fearful 00:05:22.290 --> 00:05:26.230 of persecution They're fearful of false accusation 00:05:26.230 --> 00:05:27.870 and slander and how people are gonna treat them 00:05:27.870 --> 00:05:29.670 back then it's the same thing We're dealing with 00:05:29.670 --> 00:05:32.790 now y 'all So just just to just to set the tone 00:05:32.790 --> 00:05:35.189 just to give you context and now we are going 00:05:35.189 --> 00:05:38.870 to start reading in second Timothy chapter 2 00:05:38.870 --> 00:05:42.370 Now y 'all I am reading from my she reads truth 00:05:42.370 --> 00:05:44.990 a study Bible if y 'all are looking for a good 00:05:44.990 --> 00:05:47.069 study Bible out there I love this study bottle. 00:05:47.269 --> 00:05:50.139 I do think they have a he reads truth one as 00:05:50.139 --> 00:05:51.959 well they do they have a he reads truth and she 00:05:51.959 --> 00:05:54.019 reads truth and i think like you know one is 00:05:54.019 --> 00:05:56.300 kind of geared a little bit more towards women 00:05:56.300 --> 00:05:58.699 and one a bit more towards men like with the 00:05:58.699 --> 00:06:02.060 design of the book um and there are devotionals 00:06:02.060 --> 00:06:04.300 in here but i can tell you right now i don't 00:06:04.300 --> 00:06:07.420 feel like i'm opening it and this is like a women's 00:06:07.420 --> 00:06:12.829 book by any means This is the Christian standard 00:06:12.829 --> 00:06:15.209 Bible as well If y 'all are wondering what version 00:06:15.209 --> 00:06:17.689 this is it is the Christian standard Bible, but 00:06:17.689 --> 00:06:20.930 I also very frequently read from the ESV That's 00:06:20.930 --> 00:06:22.949 why I used to read from on here, but I've recently 00:06:22.949 --> 00:06:26.350 really gravitated towards The CSV just because 00:06:26.350 --> 00:06:28.889 I'm always in my study Bible. This is the one 00:06:28.889 --> 00:06:32.009 I'm always in Alright y 'all let's start off 00:06:32.009 --> 00:06:38.759 here Second Timothy chapter 2 verse 1 you Therefore 00:06:38.759 --> 00:06:44.720 my son be strong in the grace That is in Christ 00:06:44.720 --> 00:06:47.540 Jesus what you have heard from me in the presence 00:06:47.540 --> 00:06:50.839 of many witnesses Commit to faithful men who 00:06:50.839 --> 00:06:54.779 have been able to teach others Also, who will 00:06:54.779 --> 00:06:56.639 be able to teach others also. We're gonna pause 00:06:56.639 --> 00:07:02.300 right here y 'all Paul is he's getting he was 00:07:02.300 --> 00:07:04.920 reminding us right out the door right from the 00:07:04.920 --> 00:07:07.709 beginning that our strength doesn't come from 00:07:07.709 --> 00:07:12.750 us. Our strength comes from God. Paul is someone 00:07:12.750 --> 00:07:16.149 who has been falsely accused, slandered, locked 00:07:16.149 --> 00:07:19.149 up again on behalf of the gospel. And the reason 00:07:19.149 --> 00:07:21.610 why he's smiling, the reason why he's still able 00:07:21.610 --> 00:07:23.509 to speak encouragement to other people, the reason 00:07:23.509 --> 00:07:25.310 why he's still able to move by faith and keep 00:07:25.310 --> 00:07:27.170 his faith is because he's getting his strength 00:07:27.170 --> 00:07:29.810 from God. And I feel like so many times we forget 00:07:29.810 --> 00:07:32.769 and we think that we need to have our own strength. 00:07:33.419 --> 00:07:35.420 And we think that's all about our own strength. 00:07:35.500 --> 00:07:37.139 And you know that saying of like, God wouldn't 00:07:37.139 --> 00:07:38.899 give you more than you can handle? That's not 00:07:38.899 --> 00:07:41.399 true. I don't know who made that up, but that's 00:07:41.399 --> 00:07:45.600 not true. God very frequently will allow us to 00:07:45.600 --> 00:07:48.060 face things that we cannot get through without 00:07:48.060 --> 00:07:53.860 Him. Jesus even said, I am divine. Jesus made 00:07:53.860 --> 00:07:58.399 it very clear. That we can do nothing apart from 00:07:58.399 --> 00:08:00.959 him. We're not supposed to be strong apart from 00:08:00.959 --> 00:08:02.879 him We're not supposed to be wise apart from 00:08:02.879 --> 00:08:05.120 him. We're not supposed to do these great amazing 00:08:05.120 --> 00:08:09.019 miraculous things apart from him Even after Jesus 00:08:09.019 --> 00:08:11.639 resurrected and went back to heaven When the 00:08:11.639 --> 00:08:13.379 disciples were going and healing people when 00:08:13.379 --> 00:08:15.500 they raised for example Tabitha from the debt 00:08:15.500 --> 00:08:17.139 It was in the name of Jesus. It was the power 00:08:17.139 --> 00:08:22.550 of Jesus. It wasn't their own power Some of us 00:08:22.550 --> 00:08:24.870 forget and we think that when we're going through 00:08:24.870 --> 00:08:26.829 persecution and when we're going through suffering 00:08:26.829 --> 00:08:29.230 that we just have to be strong on our own But 00:08:29.230 --> 00:08:31.069 my brothers and sisters, I'm reminding you today 00:08:31.069 --> 00:08:37.210 that that strength comes from God And we're not 00:08:37.210 --> 00:08:40.789 perfect when we're suffering We're not perfect 00:08:40.789 --> 00:08:44.590 emotions are high things happen you feel some 00:08:44.590 --> 00:08:49.629 type of way sometimes you slip up And you react 00:08:49.629 --> 00:08:52.519 in a way really I wish I didn't react that way 00:08:52.519 --> 00:08:58.059 remember that God's grace So it abounds it's 00:08:58.059 --> 00:09:03.299 amazing And Paul is reminding of this right out 00:09:03.299 --> 00:09:07.940 the gate that God is so graceful God is forgiving 00:09:07.940 --> 00:09:11.720 God is loving But we are to draw our strength 00:09:11.720 --> 00:09:14.399 from him and we're never gonna hit a point where 00:09:14.399 --> 00:09:17.419 God says stop coming to me for strength And I 00:09:17.419 --> 00:09:19.039 don't know about y 'all, but I faced this a lot 00:09:19.039 --> 00:09:22.019 when I first gave my life to Jesus I was coming 00:09:22.019 --> 00:09:24.120 to God consistently for things in prayer I felt 00:09:24.120 --> 00:09:25.620 like I had this thing in the back of my head 00:09:25.620 --> 00:09:27.440 of like am I annoying God? Am I coming to him 00:09:27.440 --> 00:09:31.419 too much? Because before I gave my life to Jesus 00:09:31.419 --> 00:09:33.299 y 'all I went through a set in New Age spirituality 00:09:33.299 --> 00:09:36.100 where every time like you went in New Age spirituality 00:09:36.100 --> 00:09:39.259 People went to deities like other deities like 00:09:39.259 --> 00:09:43.100 Roman deities Greek deities or different Beings 00:09:43.100 --> 00:09:45.340 and every time you want to ask them for something 00:09:46.220 --> 00:09:48.279 Which is false idol worship. I want to be very 00:09:48.279 --> 00:09:50.039 clear. I'm not condoning any of this y 'all. 00:09:50.220 --> 00:09:53.799 This is all This is not something God wants you 00:09:53.799 --> 00:09:56.080 to do. I'm just sharing with you all from a past 00:09:56.080 --> 00:09:58.659 experience before I gave my life to Jesus, okay? 00:10:00.220 --> 00:10:03.419 People would go before this idol Whoever it was 00:10:03.419 --> 00:10:04.799 they were trying to petition and you would have 00:10:04.799 --> 00:10:06.679 to offer and you would have to venerate and you'd 00:10:06.679 --> 00:10:08.720 have to do all these things Before you could 00:10:08.720 --> 00:10:12.370 ask for one thing It was it was said in New Age. 00:10:12.529 --> 00:10:14.149 They would say a lot like you aren't supposed 00:10:14.149 --> 00:10:15.970 to go to them consistently You aren't supposed 00:10:15.970 --> 00:10:18.490 to go to it was like a weird. It was like a weird 00:10:18.490 --> 00:10:23.730 thing so when I Got out of that mindset and my 00:10:23.730 --> 00:10:28.309 faith was in Jesus. Amen It was like a weird 00:10:28.309 --> 00:10:31.169 shift for me of like God wants me to come to 00:10:31.169 --> 00:10:32.710 him and all the big things and all the small 00:10:32.710 --> 00:10:35.620 things He wants me to come to him when I'm suffering 00:10:35.620 --> 00:10:37.059 with this, when I'm struggling with something. 00:10:37.399 --> 00:10:39.340 God wants me to come to him when I'm facing the 00:10:39.340 --> 00:10:41.779 consequences of my own problem, of my own choices. 00:10:41.879 --> 00:10:45.299 He still wants me to come to him. God wants me 00:10:45.299 --> 00:10:48.120 to come to him for something petty, like things 00:10:48.120 --> 00:10:51.039 I find petty of like girly stuff, where like, 00:10:51.159 --> 00:10:52.799 you know, I'm really praying for, I want to find 00:10:52.799 --> 00:10:54.840 an outfit for this specific event when I go into 00:10:54.840 --> 00:10:56.259 the store and actually pray to God about it. 00:10:56.279 --> 00:10:57.559 And there have been times when he helps me find 00:10:57.559 --> 00:11:00.100 the outfit. I'm like, he really cared about that? 00:11:00.320 --> 00:11:02.399 He really cares about my job. He really cares 00:11:02.399 --> 00:11:04.320 about like my love life. He really cares about 00:11:04.320 --> 00:11:07.779 all these things. It was a weird, weird deprogramming 00:11:07.779 --> 00:11:11.440 thing I had to do. Glory be to God, he led me 00:11:11.440 --> 00:11:13.240 through it and I saw that he is an all -loving 00:11:13.240 --> 00:11:16.779 father. And I'm sharing that personal experience 00:11:16.779 --> 00:11:19.200 and personal testimony with y 'all because there 00:11:19.200 --> 00:11:21.419 may be someone here today who feels guilty going 00:11:21.419 --> 00:11:24.820 to God. Do you feel guilty going to God and asking 00:11:24.820 --> 00:11:27.279 him for the strength? Do you feel like by now 00:11:27.279 --> 00:11:29.539 I shouldn't need to come to him every day? Because 00:11:29.539 --> 00:11:31.539 if you do, I want to lovingly tell you that is 00:11:31.539 --> 00:11:35.200 not biblical. We are going to need God every 00:11:35.200 --> 00:11:38.419 day of our lives. We go to him daily for our 00:11:38.419 --> 00:11:39.759 daily bread. There's never going to be a day 00:11:39.759 --> 00:11:41.379 where you read the Bible enough that you don't 00:11:41.379 --> 00:11:43.679 need Jesus, or you pray enough that you don't 00:11:43.679 --> 00:11:45.860 need Jesus, or you fast enough that you don't 00:11:45.860 --> 00:11:48.559 need to fast again, or that you've denied yourself 00:11:48.559 --> 00:11:50.700 enough that you never need to worry about self 00:11:50.700 --> 00:11:54.000 -denial again. We are consistently throughout 00:11:54.000 --> 00:11:55.840 life going to be facing things that require us 00:11:55.840 --> 00:12:00.409 to go back to the Father. That is a thorn. Remember 00:12:00.409 --> 00:12:03.370 Paul he had a thorn in his side and the Lord 00:12:03.370 --> 00:12:05.809 kept the thorn in his side because the Lord said 00:12:05.809 --> 00:12:08.350 this is like Paul recognized This is what kept 00:12:08.350 --> 00:12:11.450 him humble if he didn't deal with that thing. 00:12:11.450 --> 00:12:14.850 He wouldn't have a reason to go to God He would 00:12:14.850 --> 00:12:19.590 think he could do it all on his own So I'm telling 00:12:19.590 --> 00:12:23.029 y 'all today and reminding y 'all today God cares 00:12:23.029 --> 00:12:27.009 And if you have to go to him for the strength 00:12:27.009 --> 00:12:32.139 a hundred times a day He loves that he loves 00:12:32.139 --> 00:12:35.679 that you're going to him, but he what he doesn't 00:12:35.679 --> 00:12:42.000 care for is When you feel like You can do it 00:12:42.000 --> 00:12:44.980 all without him or you feel like you have to 00:12:44.980 --> 00:12:47.519 there is nothing you have to prove to God I feel 00:12:47.519 --> 00:12:49.200 like someone needs to hear that today who's listening 00:12:49.200 --> 00:12:51.419 to this you do not have to prove yourself to 00:12:51.419 --> 00:12:54.360 God He knows you he knew you when he knitted 00:12:54.360 --> 00:12:56.500 you in your mother's womb. He had a plan for 00:12:56.500 --> 00:13:04.840 you He knew you And he has plans to prosper you 00:13:04.840 --> 00:13:06.860 not to harm you that's Jeremiah I believe 29 00:13:06.860 --> 00:13:14.519 11 You do not have to prove yourself to God he 00:13:14.519 --> 00:13:16.539 already knows that you need him he literally 00:13:16.539 --> 00:13:19.940 created mankind He knows about sin. He knows 00:13:19.940 --> 00:13:22.799 about how we fall short. He knows it all You 00:13:22.799 --> 00:13:25.480 don't have to prove yourself to him. He loves 00:13:25.480 --> 00:13:31.029 you anyway Let's move on move forward to this 00:13:31.029 --> 00:13:32.909 next part They read y 'all where it says what 00:13:32.909 --> 00:13:34.929 you have heard from me in the presence of many 00:13:34.929 --> 00:13:37.509 witnesses Commit to faithful men who will be 00:13:37.509 --> 00:13:41.169 able to teach others also God is so amazing in 00:13:41.169 --> 00:13:43.529 the wisdom that he gives us right we learn through 00:13:43.529 --> 00:13:45.350 trial and error We learn through mistakes in 00:13:45.350 --> 00:13:47.789 our life. We learn through like man I messed 00:13:47.789 --> 00:13:51.070 up But then God guided me out of it and he restored 00:13:51.070 --> 00:13:52.830 me and he gave me the wisdom and now I know not 00:13:52.830 --> 00:13:54.470 to Participate in this and now I know the harm 00:13:54.470 --> 00:13:56.629 of this sin and now I know this now I know this 00:13:59.379 --> 00:14:01.879 But once you once you get that understanding 00:14:01.879 --> 00:14:03.659 once you get that wisdom y 'all we're not meant 00:14:03.659 --> 00:14:06.980 to keep it to ourselves And there's a lot of 00:14:06.980 --> 00:14:08.919 reasons why you might want to keep that to yourself. 00:14:08.940 --> 00:14:11.440 Maybe you're embarrassed Maybe your testimony 00:14:11.440 --> 00:14:13.279 of how you learn that lesson is embarrassing 00:14:13.279 --> 00:14:15.899 or you feel ashamed And I want to remind you 00:14:15.899 --> 00:14:17.919 that shame is not from God shame is from the 00:14:17.919 --> 00:14:21.000 enemy And the enemy uses shame to keep you in 00:14:21.000 --> 00:14:23.039 the sin cycle and to keep you in a cycle of lying 00:14:23.039 --> 00:14:25.919 and hiding and in the dark and afraid to come 00:14:25.919 --> 00:14:28.200 into the light. You're afraid to get too close 00:14:28.200 --> 00:14:29.659 to the light. You're afraid to get too close 00:14:29.659 --> 00:14:31.279 to God because these things might have to be 00:14:31.279 --> 00:14:33.980 exposed. That's the enemy's tactic. He loves 00:14:33.980 --> 00:14:38.559 shame. Maybe you're fearful that if you come 00:14:38.559 --> 00:14:43.379 out and say it, you'll lose things. Maybe, you 00:14:43.379 --> 00:14:45.220 know, you just want to act like it never happened 00:14:45.220 --> 00:14:46.779 and then bury it. I'm telling you right now, 00:14:46.779 --> 00:14:48.700 God didn't give you that wisdom and that knowledge 00:14:48.700 --> 00:14:53.980 to keep to yourself. We are to create disciples. 00:14:55.519 --> 00:14:58.059 We are to spread the gospel and one of the most 00:14:58.059 --> 00:15:00.179 impactful ways God does that is through sharing 00:15:00.179 --> 00:15:02.460 testimony I can tell y 'all a lot of times when 00:15:02.460 --> 00:15:05.700 I have been the most encouraged and And knew 00:15:05.700 --> 00:15:07.919 that God could move in my life was after hearing 00:15:07.919 --> 00:15:09.700 how he did it for other people and seeing how 00:15:09.700 --> 00:15:13.600 he did for other people Every one of us has a 00:15:13.600 --> 00:15:15.480 testimony of something God has done in our life. 00:15:15.500 --> 00:15:18.299 That's up to you whether or not you share it 00:15:18.299 --> 00:15:21.879 and It's it's amazing When you start doing that 00:15:21.879 --> 00:15:24.940 actively and you see you see just how much god 00:15:24.940 --> 00:15:29.779 can use it So I want to remind you today that 00:15:29.779 --> 00:15:32.240 this wisdom this knowledge that you're gaining 00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:34.620 from your walk with jesus You are meant to share 00:15:34.620 --> 00:15:41.059 it And if you don't know how ask god how? In 00:15:41.059 --> 00:15:45.890 my asking god how god led me to the podcast This 00:15:45.890 --> 00:15:48.950 podcast um I we have today y 'all salt nut sweetener 00:15:48.950 --> 00:15:51.629 isn't like my own desire or what I wanted to 00:15:51.629 --> 00:15:54.669 do I actually fought God a lot before doing this 00:15:54.669 --> 00:15:56.750 because I didn't feel qualified I never had the 00:15:56.750 --> 00:16:01.090 desire to speak like this I knew God called me 00:16:01.090 --> 00:16:03.350 to share testimony and to speak and then to share 00:16:03.350 --> 00:16:05.230 what I learned as I learned it I didn't know 00:16:05.230 --> 00:16:07.169 how I tried to on tik -tok I thought maybe just 00:16:07.169 --> 00:16:08.970 some short videos and like social media like 00:16:08.970 --> 00:16:11.429 that would be fine But God called me to a podcast 00:16:11.429 --> 00:16:14.019 that was never my goal I fought him for a while 00:16:14.019 --> 00:16:16.059 until he sat me down said no, it's it's time 00:16:16.059 --> 00:16:18.379 I need you to do it You're gonna do it and I 00:16:18.379 --> 00:16:20.259 have seen how he's used it to help other people. 00:16:20.580 --> 00:16:23.440 It's not about me It's not about it's if it helps 00:16:23.440 --> 00:16:27.159 one person and that was God's plan. That's fine 00:16:27.159 --> 00:16:32.039 with me I'm challenging y 'all today. Take it 00:16:32.039 --> 00:16:36.320 to God and ask him like God How can I help spread 00:16:36.320 --> 00:16:38.440 the wisdom? How can I help spread the knowledge? 00:16:38.500 --> 00:16:41.379 How can I pass on this information? And it might 00:16:41.379 --> 00:16:44.120 not be a big platform. It might not be social 00:16:44.120 --> 00:16:48.440 media. It might not be a podcast. It might be 00:16:48.440 --> 00:16:51.200 just you talking to your friends and family. 00:16:51.279 --> 00:16:54.220 It might just be sometimes God leads you to conversations 00:16:54.220 --> 00:16:56.360 and you plant seeds for those people. Amen. It 00:16:56.360 --> 00:16:59.779 might be in your small groups at church. It might 00:16:59.779 --> 00:17:02.480 be at work. I don't know what it is, but pray 00:17:02.480 --> 00:17:05.819 to God and see how he can start using you because 00:17:05.819 --> 00:17:07.720 I'm telling you it's transformational when you 00:17:07.720 --> 00:17:09.640 see yourself starting to be used to spread the 00:17:09.640 --> 00:17:13.099 gospel. It really is and it adds like a meaning 00:17:13.099 --> 00:17:14.819 to everything you've been through It's one thing 00:17:14.819 --> 00:17:16.759 when God says I let you go through it for a reason, 00:17:16.759 --> 00:17:18.960 but then you keep it all to yourself It's another 00:17:18.960 --> 00:17:20.960 thing when you actually start stepping into that 00:17:20.960 --> 00:17:25.660 reason, okay? Now let's go on it says share in 00:17:25.660 --> 00:17:29.319 the suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus 00:17:29.319 --> 00:17:32.359 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in 00:17:32.359 --> 00:17:35.039 the concerns of civilian life. He seeks to please 00:17:35.039 --> 00:17:39.599 the commanding officer You're not alone in your 00:17:39.599 --> 00:17:42.680 suffering You're not alone. You're suffering 00:17:42.680 --> 00:17:46.440 every person who is a faithful follower of Jesus 00:17:46.440 --> 00:17:49.900 is going to partake in his suffering You're gonna 00:17:49.900 --> 00:17:53.000 partake in people Bearing false witness against 00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:55.400 you people lying about you people slandering 00:17:55.400 --> 00:17:57.660 you people disliking you simply because you stand 00:17:57.660 --> 00:17:59.960 in the truth How many people had a problem with 00:17:59.960 --> 00:18:02.160 Jesus simply because he was just walking in the 00:18:02.160 --> 00:18:04.200 truth He was the the word made flesh. He was 00:18:04.200 --> 00:18:05.799 the way the truth of life. He is the way the 00:18:05.799 --> 00:18:09.299 truth of life But how many people hated him simply 00:18:09.299 --> 00:18:11.380 because he stood on the truth. He spoke the truth 00:18:11.380 --> 00:18:15.039 and he would not back down How many people hated 00:18:15.039 --> 00:18:17.839 him out of envy and jealousy when they saw him 00:18:17.839 --> 00:18:19.460 working miracles and people flocking towards 00:18:19.460 --> 00:18:24.299 him the Pharisees hated that How many people 00:18:24.299 --> 00:18:26.119 might be jealous of our brothers and sisters 00:18:26.119 --> 00:18:27.859 in Christ when they see God using and blessing 00:18:27.859 --> 00:18:32.779 them Whatever the suffering looks like for you 00:18:32.779 --> 00:18:37.339 You're not alone in it It might feel like you're 00:18:37.339 --> 00:18:39.160 alone the devil loves to make you feel like you're 00:18:39.160 --> 00:18:44.640 alone, but you're not alone in it And I feel 00:18:44.640 --> 00:18:46.420 I didn't plan on saying this but I feel need 00:18:46.420 --> 00:18:49.420 like I need to say this and because you're not 00:18:49.420 --> 00:18:52.660 alone in it and I say this in the most loving 00:18:52.660 --> 00:18:55.920 way Because you are special to God. Everyone 00:18:55.920 --> 00:19:00.700 is unique But yours isn't a special case to sin 00:19:00.700 --> 00:19:05.470 anyway When we and we talked about this in the 00:19:05.470 --> 00:19:07.750 last podcast episode when you go through suffering 00:19:07.750 --> 00:19:11.750 That's not the time to back down and to give 00:19:11.750 --> 00:19:15.509 into fear And maybe to turn to lying and deceiving 00:19:15.509 --> 00:19:18.150 and to the worldly methods to get out of suffering 00:19:18.150 --> 00:19:20.069 and doing all these things That's the time to 00:19:20.069 --> 00:19:26.450 be a Paul To stay obedient to God Regardless 00:19:26.450 --> 00:19:30.190 and sometimes when we get in suffering and we 00:19:30.190 --> 00:19:33.710 feel like it's unique to us We feel like well, 00:19:33.710 --> 00:19:35.890 there's a unique way out. Maybe we can send to 00:19:35.890 --> 00:19:38.109 get out of this Maybe we can start doing all 00:19:38.109 --> 00:19:39.789 these things that we know God doesn't usually 00:19:39.789 --> 00:19:43.710 condone, but he'll forgive us later and Again, 00:19:43.710 --> 00:19:46.170 I didn't plan on saying this but I feel led to 00:19:46.170 --> 00:19:48.930 say this that like you're not alone in your suffering 00:19:48.930 --> 00:19:50.690 which is a good thing if you can lean on other 00:19:50.690 --> 00:19:52.849 people and there are other people with testimonies 00:19:52.849 --> 00:19:55.990 and You can pull from their testimonies and take 00:19:55.990 --> 00:20:01.519 it to God But also you're not alone in this Other 00:20:01.519 --> 00:20:03.640 people have been able to get out of this without 00:20:03.640 --> 00:20:06.000 lying and deceiving and giving into the world 00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:08.619 So so can you your situation isn't special enough 00:20:08.619 --> 00:20:12.460 that you're an exception to God's law lovingly 00:20:12.460 --> 00:20:16.119 And to go on further I really need to hear this 00:20:16.119 --> 00:20:18.339 the other day that a civilian like a soldier 00:20:18.339 --> 00:20:22.740 doesn't get entangled in civilian life They seek 00:20:22.740 --> 00:20:27.359 to please the commanding officer When God gives 00:20:27.359 --> 00:20:30.619 us Call to obey we're not always gonna have clarity 00:20:30.619 --> 00:20:33.000 first. That was another thing I wrestled with 00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:34.779 a lot Especially when I first came to Jesus is 00:20:34.779 --> 00:20:37.740 I want clarity when God would say talk to this 00:20:37.740 --> 00:20:40.579 person Do this thing apply to this place? So 00:20:40.579 --> 00:20:43.799 this seed don't go here do go here before I would 00:20:43.799 --> 00:20:46.359 obey I would want to know why and I'd be like 00:20:46.359 --> 00:20:48.640 no God You need to tell me why and I would want 00:20:48.640 --> 00:20:50.599 all these explanations and once and there are 00:20:50.599 --> 00:20:52.380 some times when I actually felt like I got an 00:20:52.380 --> 00:20:54.279 explanation And once I did I'd be like, okay 00:20:54.279 --> 00:20:58.140 now I'm not going You called me to do this thing 00:20:58.140 --> 00:20:59.339 and there's gonna be suffering. There's gonna 00:20:59.339 --> 00:21:02.140 be hardship. No, I'm not doing it. I Look back. 00:21:02.160 --> 00:21:04.319 I'm like, yeah, that's why God doesn't tell me 00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:07.099 about some of the suffering I'm he he does there 00:21:07.099 --> 00:21:08.660 have been lots of times when God tells me way 00:21:08.660 --> 00:21:10.160 ahead of time. There's gonna be suffering with 00:21:10.160 --> 00:21:11.920 this There's gonna be pain there's gonna be this 00:21:11.920 --> 00:21:13.880 but hey, there's gonna be these amazing things 00:21:13.880 --> 00:21:16.500 and glory and gives me hope But then there's 00:21:16.500 --> 00:21:18.079 every times when he just tells me to open a door 00:21:18.079 --> 00:21:19.500 and I open the door and I don't know that there's 00:21:19.500 --> 00:21:22.359 about to be warfare or hardship Because if I 00:21:22.359 --> 00:21:26.380 did I wouldn't do it And someone needs to hear 00:21:26.380 --> 00:21:30.460 this today, that your, we have to be mindful 00:21:30.460 --> 00:21:35.059 because our desire for clarity can quickly turn 00:21:35.059 --> 00:21:39.680 into control and us feeling like we can say no 00:21:39.680 --> 00:21:44.059 to God. There's a reason why we are called to 00:21:44.059 --> 00:21:46.400 be childlike and God is the father. What does 00:21:46.400 --> 00:21:49.140 a child do? They say, yes, father. They obey. 00:21:49.839 --> 00:21:51.759 They trust that their loving, their all loving 00:21:51.759 --> 00:21:54.470 father has their best interest at heart. Isn't 00:21:54.470 --> 00:21:57.809 asking them to do something Because he wants 00:21:57.809 --> 00:21:59.809 to see them hurt or in pain or anything He's 00:21:59.809 --> 00:22:01.390 asking them to do it because he knows this is 00:22:01.390 --> 00:22:04.849 the best route or this is the best method and 00:22:04.849 --> 00:22:09.329 once I once I truly believed God loved me and 00:22:09.329 --> 00:22:11.329 Would use all things for my good and had the 00:22:11.329 --> 00:22:14.490 best intention for me And even though I understood 00:22:14.490 --> 00:22:16.970 that not everything I faced would feel good God 00:22:16.970 --> 00:22:19.710 would use it for my good And he wouldn't be allowing 00:22:19.710 --> 00:22:23.380 me to go into it if I'm walking Obeying him there 00:22:23.380 --> 00:22:25.099 are times y 'all when you're you face suffering 00:22:25.099 --> 00:22:29.000 because you are outside of his will When you 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:31.240 decide to ignore him anyway, or you decide to 00:22:31.240 --> 00:22:35.640 play life by your rules And follow your feelings 00:22:35.640 --> 00:22:37.220 and do your thing and you face suffering that 00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:40.019 God did in him for you to face and Then we also 00:22:40.019 --> 00:22:42.160 have the fact that the devil is the lowercase 00:22:42.160 --> 00:22:44.440 G God of this world causing a lot of pain and 00:22:44.440 --> 00:22:50.319 a lot of suffering And I can't tell you every 00:22:50.319 --> 00:22:53.440 reason for why horrible things happen. They happen. 00:22:53.700 --> 00:22:55.579 There's a lot of horrible things happen to me 00:22:55.579 --> 00:22:57.799 throughout my life that I was so angry at God 00:22:57.799 --> 00:22:59.940 and I couldn't understand why they would be allowed 00:22:59.940 --> 00:23:03.279 to happen. And when I finally stopped trying 00:23:03.279 --> 00:23:05.579 to understand and I started walking in gratitude 00:23:05.579 --> 00:23:08.380 for what I do, it was a lot easier to see how 00:23:08.380 --> 00:23:14.799 God used all of these things. But I encourage 00:23:14.799 --> 00:23:17.779 y 'all to really I really really study this part 00:23:17.779 --> 00:23:19.579 of scripture because I know it will be Transformational 00:23:19.579 --> 00:23:22.599 for some people especially if you have a lack 00:23:22.599 --> 00:23:26.640 of trust If you feel like you need clarity before 00:23:26.640 --> 00:23:30.500 every step if you faith doesn't require Clarity 00:23:30.500 --> 00:23:33.460 and seeing it all faith is trust and what you 00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:38.119 can't see is trusting in God Leaps of faith aren't 00:23:38.119 --> 00:23:42.549 leaps of security or leaps of surety And what 00:23:42.549 --> 00:23:49.009 soldiers do is they say, yes, sir. You look at 00:23:49.009 --> 00:23:52.329 our military here, the commanding officer gives 00:23:52.329 --> 00:23:54.529 the command, the military, it's not about your 00:23:54.529 --> 00:23:56.289 thoughts, your feelings, your wants, your desires, 00:23:56.369 --> 00:24:02.589 it's yes, sir. But the difference, and we look 00:24:02.589 --> 00:24:04.549 at that the same way with God, right? Where God 00:24:04.549 --> 00:24:06.130 gives you a command and we say, yes, Father. 00:24:08.170 --> 00:24:11.059 But the difference here, That we'll see in the 00:24:11.059 --> 00:24:13.779 military in the military. It's not all about 00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:15.660 love. It's about the end goal of whatever is 00:24:15.660 --> 00:24:19.460 best for the country, right? What's so cool with 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:23.299 God is He does think about what's gonna further 00:24:23.299 --> 00:24:25.259 the kingdom of heaven. That is the end goal. 00:24:25.259 --> 00:24:27.740 It's not this life It's heaven so it's not always 00:24:27.740 --> 00:24:29.839 about what feels good for us or what we want 00:24:29.839 --> 00:24:31.960 in the moment God is thinking about the bigger 00:24:31.960 --> 00:24:36.680 picture But he also so dearly loves every one 00:24:36.680 --> 00:24:42.400 of us individually Has a thought for every one 00:24:42.400 --> 00:24:44.700 of our lives that whatever path he guides us 00:24:44.700 --> 00:24:48.299 down He knows how he can use it for our good 00:24:48.299 --> 00:24:51.519 personally. He does take us personally into account 00:24:51.519 --> 00:24:54.440 and I just I want you all to think on that and 00:24:54.440 --> 00:24:58.259 I want you all to Reflect and go read. I want 00:24:58.259 --> 00:25:00.380 you all to read second Timothy for yourself If 00:25:00.380 --> 00:25:01.720 you don't already have your Bible out I want 00:25:01.720 --> 00:25:03.519 you to be reading through this with me as we 00:25:03.519 --> 00:25:05.579 go Because I believe the Lord is going to reveal 00:25:05.579 --> 00:25:08.410 things to you that I might not be saying right 00:25:08.410 --> 00:25:12.049 now okay because every one of us reading that's 00:25:12.049 --> 00:25:14.329 a beautiful thing i can read second timothy 10 00:25:14.329 --> 00:25:16.390 times and each time have different understandings 00:25:16.390 --> 00:25:18.430 from the scripture i'm reading i can read this 00:25:18.430 --> 00:25:20.930 chapter next week and different things will stand 00:25:20.930 --> 00:25:22.789 out to me and the lord will reveal different 00:25:22.789 --> 00:25:25.269 things to me and someone can be sitting right 00:25:25.269 --> 00:25:27.210 next to me and be reading at the same time i 00:25:27.210 --> 00:25:28.970 am and different things are going to stand out 00:25:28.970 --> 00:25:31.869 to them which is why i always encourage you all 00:25:31.869 --> 00:25:35.190 to read with me as i'm reading through this because 00:25:35.190 --> 00:25:37.609 there's something you may see that i'm not saying 00:25:38.949 --> 00:25:43.849 Okay. And we go on where it says, also, if anyone 00:25:43.849 --> 00:25:49.490 competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless 00:25:49.490 --> 00:25:52.190 he competes according to the rules. The hardworking 00:25:52.190 --> 00:25:54.390 farmer ought to be the first to get the share 00:25:54.390 --> 00:25:56.710 of the crops. Consider what I say, for the Lord 00:25:56.710 --> 00:25:58.609 will give you an understanding in everything. 00:25:59.650 --> 00:26:02.049 This is a hard truth that someone needs to hear. 00:26:02.349 --> 00:26:04.170 It doesn't matter how you play the game if you're 00:26:04.170 --> 00:26:07.970 not playing by God's rules. it's lukewarm to 00:26:07.970 --> 00:26:14.369 be praying playing 50 % 60 70 80 90 percent by 00:26:14.369 --> 00:26:18.910 God's rules and then the 10 % in the world I 00:26:18.910 --> 00:26:21.490 had a conversation with a person the other day 00:26:21.490 --> 00:26:24.269 where it seemed like they were really wrestling 00:26:24.269 --> 00:26:27.869 with at some areas there was a sin that they 00:26:27.869 --> 00:26:31.250 were wrestling with in the situation where Their 00:26:31.250 --> 00:26:34.430 sin kind of put them in that situation But the 00:26:34.430 --> 00:26:37.470 thing that happened to them was done unjustly 00:26:37.470 --> 00:26:40.329 so they were kind of wrestling with the weight 00:26:40.329 --> 00:26:43.710 of feeling the sin but also feeling like a victim 00:26:43.710 --> 00:26:48.210 or an attack that happened and You know, they 00:26:48.210 --> 00:26:50.490 were on one level saying well, I know God doesn't 00:26:50.490 --> 00:26:53.069 want me to do this and I know that it was a sin 00:26:53.069 --> 00:26:57.680 to be in this but if you asked anyone else in 00:26:57.680 --> 00:27:00.019 the world they would say what I'm doing was normal 00:27:00.019 --> 00:27:02.960 and that this other person attacking me was bad 00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:06.660 and so like actually it's not that bad and they 00:27:06.660 --> 00:27:08.779 were like wrestling with this and I actually 00:27:08.779 --> 00:27:12.859 read this piece of scripture to them because 00:27:12.859 --> 00:27:15.400 I mean I wrestled with those thoughts too of 00:27:15.960 --> 00:27:18.819 We need to remember y 'all that the devil is 00:27:18.819 --> 00:27:23.180 the lowercase G God of this world and he is influencing 00:27:23.180 --> 00:27:27.900 what the world says is admissible. Right now 00:27:27.900 --> 00:27:30.900 what the world says is fine and admissible is 00:27:30.900 --> 00:27:34.539 drinking and smoking and hookup culture and unforgiveness 00:27:34.539 --> 00:27:37.759 and pettiness and crashing out and just like 00:27:37.759 --> 00:27:40.279 getting licks back and gossiping and all these 00:27:40.279 --> 00:27:44.910 things are normalized. When you see celebrities 00:27:44.910 --> 00:27:46.569 doing all these things come out people don't 00:27:46.569 --> 00:27:49.589 care the next day like to them Oh, it's normal 00:27:49.589 --> 00:27:54.450 people do this all the time I Don't want to get 00:27:54.450 --> 00:27:59.329 too much into Like culture, but I've seen talked 00:27:59.329 --> 00:28:01.309 about a lot on the news recently. There's a very 00:28:01.309 --> 00:28:04.230 popular show I used to watch a while back that 00:28:04.230 --> 00:28:06.269 is all about claims. It's about love. That's 00:28:06.269 --> 00:28:10.380 really all about drama. They just day of like 00:28:10.380 --> 00:28:14.599 decided not to run the season when someone they 00:28:14.599 --> 00:28:17.220 already knew it was already public knowledge 00:28:17.220 --> 00:28:20.640 that this person had a history of like domestic 00:28:20.640 --> 00:28:24.140 violence situations and being a crash out and 00:28:24.140 --> 00:28:26.980 all these things and it wasn't until a video 00:28:26.980 --> 00:28:31.599 resurfaced of this person crashing out getting 00:28:31.599 --> 00:28:34.220 violent and actually hurting their own child 00:28:34.220 --> 00:28:38.180 in a crash out That some people are like, oh, 00:28:38.200 --> 00:28:43.180 okay, maybe this isn't that good But there's 00:28:43.180 --> 00:28:44.980 still a lot of people who are like it happens 00:28:44.980 --> 00:28:47.400 it happens and they're making excuses and they're 00:28:47.400 --> 00:28:51.039 defending it and I bring that up simply because 00:28:51.039 --> 00:28:53.880 those things aren't normal and if we held that 00:28:53.880 --> 00:28:56.380 to scripture we're like this isn't and this person 00:28:56.380 --> 00:28:59.700 is From at least my understanding from what I've 00:28:59.700 --> 00:29:01.880 seen the way that they seem to be doubling down 00:29:01.880 --> 00:29:05.380 on it not not repentant Not taking accountability 00:29:05.380 --> 00:29:07.180 for it. There hasn't been a transformation there, 00:29:07.180 --> 00:29:10.900 okay? So of course this isn't someone we put 00:29:10.900 --> 00:29:13.319 up on a pedestal. This isn't someone that we 00:29:13.319 --> 00:29:15.880 put in a position to influence millions of other 00:29:15.880 --> 00:29:19.619 people. This isn't someone that we bestow all 00:29:19.619 --> 00:29:28.119 of these things upon. Right? But the world has 00:29:28.119 --> 00:29:31.640 so normalized. Crashing out and actually popularized 00:29:31.640 --> 00:29:34.220 it. There's a lot of people who the past couple 00:29:34.220 --> 00:29:38.940 years I I don't get it like on reality channels 00:29:38.940 --> 00:29:41.460 have been the crash out have been the narcissistic 00:29:41.460 --> 00:29:45.059 have been the like Manipulative and that's the 00:29:45.059 --> 00:29:47.799 person that's the most popular Then that's the 00:29:47.799 --> 00:29:49.480 person that everyone says I can relate and then 00:29:49.480 --> 00:29:51.839 you realize it's because that is what most people 00:29:51.839 --> 00:29:54.740 are walking in most people are walking in a life 00:29:54.740 --> 00:29:58.200 that glorifies adultery and fornication and manipulating 00:29:58.200 --> 00:30:00.099 to get what you want and lying and deceiving 00:30:00.099 --> 00:30:02.119 and calling all these and painting all these 00:30:02.119 --> 00:30:05.619 things as confidence and that's because the devil 00:30:05.619 --> 00:30:08.259 is influencing the culture the people who are 00:30:08.259 --> 00:30:09.799 aligning themselves with that aren't aligning 00:30:09.799 --> 00:30:14.220 themselves with the word of god obviously so 00:30:14.220 --> 00:30:16.460 the things that the world says is okay and the 00:30:16.460 --> 00:30:18.240 things that the world says is admissible and 00:30:18.240 --> 00:30:20.220 the things that the world puts up on a pedestal 00:30:20.220 --> 00:30:22.480 are not the things that aligns with god's word 00:30:23.400 --> 00:30:26.059 Because y 'all remember the devil's mission at 00:30:26.059 --> 00:30:28.339 this point the devil already knows he's lost 00:30:28.339 --> 00:30:31.579 It's just a matter of time before Jesus comes 00:30:31.579 --> 00:30:33.119 back So now what the devil is just trying to 00:30:33.119 --> 00:30:35.259 do is he's trying to keep us away from God God 00:30:35.259 --> 00:30:37.880 didn't create hell for us. It was created for 00:30:37.880 --> 00:30:43.119 Satan But Satan hates God and he hates God's 00:30:43.119 --> 00:30:45.019 creation So what he's doing is he is trying to 00:30:45.019 --> 00:30:47.599 get us in separation. So we don't have eternity 00:30:47.599 --> 00:30:50.640 with the heavenly father He came to steal kill 00:30:50.640 --> 00:30:52.950 destroy and he does it through the lying and 00:30:52.950 --> 00:30:55.750 the deceiving and we see him doing it through 00:30:55.750 --> 00:30:58.289 culture where it's popular to do these things 00:30:58.289 --> 00:30:59.910 and you're seen as the good person if you do 00:30:59.910 --> 00:31:01.509 these things and if you call it out and live 00:31:01.509 --> 00:31:04.269 a different way you're actually the bad one he 00:31:04.269 --> 00:31:08.049 makes it popular to go to hell he makes it popular 00:31:08.049 --> 00:31:10.549 to walk in wickedness and he makes it look like 00:31:10.549 --> 00:31:16.470 righteousness and it's so clear here in scripture 00:31:16.730 --> 00:31:19.849 That unless you play by god, I don't whatever 00:31:19.849 --> 00:31:22.329 prize you're going after you don't get it if 00:31:22.329 --> 00:31:25.529 you're not playing by god's rules what we We 00:31:25.529 --> 00:31:28.430 need to remember and we'll be reminded of this 00:31:28.430 --> 00:31:31.789 as we read on in scripture That it's not about 00:31:31.789 --> 00:31:34.130 this life. Our rewards are in heaven. It's not 00:31:34.130 --> 00:31:37.049 about being rewarded in this life It's not about 00:31:37.049 --> 00:31:38.950 the platform. It's not about the money. It's 00:31:38.950 --> 00:31:41.690 not about the fame. It's not it's not about any 00:31:41.690 --> 00:31:45.289 of that Our treasures are stored up in heaven 00:31:46.940 --> 00:31:51.799 Will God, God, yes, he'll pour out on us throughout 00:31:51.799 --> 00:31:55.019 this life. But this life is like, as Christians, 00:31:55.160 --> 00:31:57.079 the closest actually we're gonna get to hell. 00:31:58.440 --> 00:32:00.920 Being this close to the devil and what he has 00:32:00.920 --> 00:32:07.740 going on. Our crown isn't in this life, our crown 00:32:07.740 --> 00:32:12.920 is in heaven. And if you're going through this 00:32:12.920 --> 00:32:16.470 life, playing by the world's rules, you can't 00:32:16.470 --> 00:32:21.089 expect a God crown. And you know, I pull back 00:32:21.089 --> 00:32:23.769 to, back when I was in New Age spirituality and 00:32:23.769 --> 00:32:26.170 like starting to read the Bible, I was walking 00:32:26.170 --> 00:32:27.430 through this weird thing where I was reading 00:32:27.430 --> 00:32:30.349 a lot of promises from God. And I was trying 00:32:30.349 --> 00:32:32.250 to have faith of those of, you know, like, no 00:32:32.250 --> 00:32:33.890 weapon formed against you shall prosper and all 00:32:33.890 --> 00:32:35.250 these different things. And I remember I was 00:32:35.250 --> 00:32:37.049 really wrestling with it because I was like, 00:32:37.109 --> 00:32:40.240 well, God, you say these things. But I haven't 00:32:40.240 --> 00:32:42.259 seen these things all the weapons look like they're 00:32:42.259 --> 00:32:44.720 prospering my enemies are laughing at me I'm 00:32:44.720 --> 00:32:46.839 a victim of witchcraft like I see these things 00:32:46.839 --> 00:32:50.740 happening Why why is it and the Lord have revealed 00:32:50.740 --> 00:32:53.839 me he's like but you're not obeying me Like these 00:32:53.839 --> 00:32:58.039 promises also require obedience No weapon formed 00:32:58.039 --> 00:32:59.920 against you shall prosper But you have all these 00:32:59.920 --> 00:33:02.019 open doors to sin where you're allowing the devil 00:33:02.019 --> 00:33:05.539 to come in and wreak havoc in your life You're 00:33:05.539 --> 00:33:08.059 mad that you're mad that witchcraft attacks on 00:33:08.059 --> 00:33:09.859 your life are working, but you're over here reading 00:33:09.859 --> 00:33:11.700 tarot cards But you're over here listening to 00:33:11.700 --> 00:33:13.900 psychics, but you're over here listening to people 00:33:13.900 --> 00:33:17.119 claiming to be prophets from God But I'm giving 00:33:17.119 --> 00:33:19.220 you the conviction and you feel the discernment 00:33:19.220 --> 00:33:27.079 going off that they are not from me You're mad 00:33:27.079 --> 00:33:29.160 that the truth isn't being exposed, but you're 00:33:29.160 --> 00:33:32.160 over here lying Like God had to get so real with 00:33:32.160 --> 00:33:36.000 me of like my promises require obedience and 00:33:36.000 --> 00:33:38.160 you're upset that you're only seeing half of 00:33:38.160 --> 00:33:39.880 it You feel like you're only seeing a little 00:33:39.880 --> 00:33:41.460 bit of protection You're only seeing a little 00:33:41.460 --> 00:33:43.660 bit of guidance, but you aren't doing your part. 00:33:43.660 --> 00:33:46.079 You aren't playing by the rules. I've given you 00:33:46.079 --> 00:33:48.380 I've given you these rules. I've told you to 00:33:48.380 --> 00:33:50.339 flee sin. I told you to flee temptation I told 00:33:50.339 --> 00:33:53.059 you to do all these things and you're only picking 00:33:53.059 --> 00:33:54.539 and choosing the ones you want to do and then 00:33:54.539 --> 00:33:59.319 you're getting mad at me And I had like God sat 00:33:59.319 --> 00:34:03.119 me down And it was so humbling for me of like 00:34:03.119 --> 00:34:06.720 I cannot expect I can't be mad at God What I'm 00:34:06.720 --> 00:34:09.420 not saying the fulfillment of his promises and 00:34:09.420 --> 00:34:11.000 that I don't feel like I'm seeing victory or 00:34:11.000 --> 00:34:13.980 any of these things when I'm only half in When 00:34:13.980 --> 00:34:18.780 I only have one foot in I Can't be mad that he's 00:34:18.780 --> 00:34:20.539 not restoring things in my life when I refuse 00:34:20.539 --> 00:34:23.559 to forgive people when I'm still holding on to 00:34:23.559 --> 00:34:28.429 anger I can't expect to be rooted in my identity 00:34:28.429 --> 00:34:30.369 in Christ if I'm still comparing myself to all 00:34:30.369 --> 00:34:33.110 these other people. Like I can't have it both. 00:34:33.349 --> 00:34:35.429 I can't have it both ways. I can't some days 00:34:35.429 --> 00:34:37.170 find my comfort in Christ and other days find 00:34:37.170 --> 00:34:42.489 it in the world. I have to pick. And I pray that 00:34:42.489 --> 00:34:46.110 me sharing that with y 'all helps y 'all and 00:34:46.110 --> 00:34:48.909 I'm really encouraging y 'all reflect on where 00:34:48.909 --> 00:34:53.090 you're at. Reflect on are there areas right now 00:34:53.090 --> 00:34:55.170 where you are playing by your own rules instead 00:34:55.170 --> 00:34:57.489 of God where you know God Says to walk in truth 00:34:57.489 --> 00:34:59.409 where you know God says not to gossip where you 00:34:59.409 --> 00:35:01.070 know God says not to slander and not to bear 00:35:01.070 --> 00:35:02.869 false witness But you feel like that's a shortcut 00:35:02.869 --> 00:35:05.110 You feel like that's gonna get what you want 00:35:05.110 --> 00:35:07.829 Are there areas where you are going against God's 00:35:07.829 --> 00:35:09.750 Word because you feel like it's the better or 00:35:09.750 --> 00:35:13.090 easier way and Are you getting mad that it's 00:35:13.090 --> 00:35:15.949 not working out the way you want it to? God's 00:35:15.949 --> 00:35:17.989 way is not the fastest way. Remember y 'all he 00:35:17.989 --> 00:35:20.650 took the Israelites through the wilderness He 00:35:20.650 --> 00:35:23.010 could have taken them straight to the promised 00:35:23.010 --> 00:35:24.769 land But if they went straight there, they would 00:35:24.769 --> 00:35:26.610 not have been prepared for the fights and they 00:35:26.610 --> 00:35:29.550 would have got sent right back to Egypt They 00:35:29.550 --> 00:35:31.550 either would have been put in bondage by these 00:35:31.550 --> 00:35:33.949 people that they faced when they got there or 00:35:33.949 --> 00:35:36.489 they would have gone back to the bondage in Egypt 00:35:36.489 --> 00:35:40.010 God took them through the wilderness so he could 00:35:40.010 --> 00:35:42.510 instill faith in them and break things off of 00:35:42.510 --> 00:35:45.519 them. So that way he could keep his promise to 00:35:45.519 --> 00:35:48.400 them. He took them the long way. God's way is 00:35:48.400 --> 00:35:51.420 often the long way, because the long way is the 00:35:51.420 --> 00:35:54.039 preparation way. The long way is the way that's 00:35:54.039 --> 00:35:57.380 going to be the lasting way. If Rome wasn't built 00:35:57.380 --> 00:35:59.360 in a day, if you all have heard that saying, 00:35:59.659 --> 00:36:01.880 and that's the same for God's promises, is he 00:36:01.880 --> 00:36:04.880 lays a foundation, a firm foundation, so that 00:36:04.880 --> 00:36:08.380 way when the rains come and the winds blow, you're 00:36:08.380 --> 00:36:11.000 not built on sand, you're built on a rock, and 00:36:11.000 --> 00:36:14.320 that is biblical. Okay, that is when your foundation 00:36:14.320 --> 00:36:17.159 is Christ, when your foundation is Jesus, it 00:36:17.159 --> 00:36:19.619 will not be shaken when the storms come, when 00:36:19.619 --> 00:36:23.320 the pain comes, when the suffering comes. And 00:36:23.320 --> 00:36:27.139 a lot of us are so focused on the quick way that 00:36:27.139 --> 00:36:30.179 we want to avoid God's way. And I'm encouraging 00:36:30.179 --> 00:36:33.019 y 'all today not to do that. And if you have 00:36:33.019 --> 00:36:37.579 done that, you can repent and turn to God. I'm 00:36:37.579 --> 00:36:40.539 a living example of that. Paul is an example 00:36:40.539 --> 00:36:42.500 of that. He was persecuting Christians and he 00:36:42.500 --> 00:36:45.780 was on his way to Damascus With an order saying 00:36:45.780 --> 00:36:49.079 that he could go and lock up more when God encountered 00:36:49.079 --> 00:36:51.159 him when he encountered the truth of Jesus Christ 00:36:51.159 --> 00:36:55.179 You don't have to clean yourself up before you 00:36:55.179 --> 00:36:59.019 come to Jesus You don't have to present yourself 00:36:59.019 --> 00:37:01.360 as perfect and like do it all on your own to 00:37:01.360 --> 00:37:03.519 prove yourself to God as worthy of being forgiven 00:37:03.519 --> 00:37:06.380 He will forgive you just when you ask for forgiveness 00:37:07.400 --> 00:37:09.800 Now let's move on here where it says consider 00:37:09.800 --> 00:37:12.539 what I say for the Lord will give you an understanding 00:37:12.539 --> 00:37:17.900 of everything and As someone who I used to all 00:37:17.900 --> 00:37:20.719 I cared about was wisdom and knowledge Fun fact 00:37:20.719 --> 00:37:22.300 y 'all that was actually the big reason why I 00:37:22.300 --> 00:37:24.260 got into New Age and tarot cards before I gave 00:37:24.260 --> 00:37:26.960 my life to Jesus was I saw it as a way to get 00:37:26.960 --> 00:37:30.000 ahead in life I saw as Because I was someone 00:37:30.000 --> 00:37:32.059 who sought control and I was in a lot of pain 00:37:32.059 --> 00:37:34.320 and suffering I was looking for answers and I 00:37:34.320 --> 00:37:36.719 was looking for truth and I was looking for control 00:37:36.719 --> 00:37:39.139 and I was like Oh, I can ask these cards and 00:37:39.139 --> 00:37:41.019 figure out what this person's intent is. I don't 00:37:41.019 --> 00:37:43.000 have to wait and see if they're gonna hurt me. 00:37:43.780 --> 00:37:45.400 Oh I can look at this and see what's going on, 00:37:45.400 --> 00:37:47.519 which you can't the devil is a liar He gives 00:37:47.519 --> 00:37:49.039 you half true. So I want to be so clear that 00:37:49.039 --> 00:37:51.039 the things I saw in there Like the things I got 00:37:51.039 --> 00:37:53.679 out that were not the truth of God and they weren't 00:37:53.679 --> 00:37:57.679 from God That was a sin divination is a sin witchcraft 00:37:57.679 --> 00:38:01.039 is a sin and you can't partake in that and Expect 00:38:01.039 --> 00:38:03.079 the truth of God and the blessings of God to 00:38:03.079 --> 00:38:07.460 come from that be so for real. Okay But what 00:38:07.460 --> 00:38:09.679 I desired the most was wisdom and understanding 00:38:09.679 --> 00:38:12.340 and when people would when I would hear Christians 00:38:12.340 --> 00:38:15.320 say like God told me God revealed to me I would 00:38:15.320 --> 00:38:18.000 be like y 'all are a load of crap Like I did 00:38:18.000 --> 00:38:19.940 not believe it. I was like, oh you just woke 00:38:19.940 --> 00:38:21.800 up and God just whispered this to you God just 00:38:21.800 --> 00:38:23.480 told this to you I thought no you have to take 00:38:23.480 --> 00:38:25.000 all these other steps and I thought like it was 00:38:25.000 --> 00:38:29.019 once in the blue moon and Then when I repented 00:38:29.019 --> 00:38:31.039 and gave my life to the Lord and I started just 00:38:31.039 --> 00:38:33.539 locking in I've told you all this before that 00:38:33.539 --> 00:38:36.400 for months when I when I Repented and I turned 00:38:36.400 --> 00:38:38.960 away from New Age for months It was just me and 00:38:38.960 --> 00:38:43.000 the Bible and God and like 15 hour 12 to 15 hours 00:38:43.000 --> 00:38:45.420 a day I was just reading the Bible fasting and 00:38:45.420 --> 00:38:49.170 praying And in two months the Lord was revealing 00:38:49.170 --> 00:38:51.349 to me so much. He was giving me an understanding 00:38:51.349 --> 00:38:53.829 of what I was reading. He was giving me promises. 00:38:53.909 --> 00:38:55.570 He was calling me to repentance. He's calling 00:38:55.570 --> 00:39:00.750 me to break things off. I didn't need the divination. 00:39:00.829 --> 00:39:03.590 I didn't need the horoscopes. I didn't need the 00:39:03.590 --> 00:39:06.690 false prophets. I didn't need the, and I'm doing 00:39:06.690 --> 00:39:08.889 quotation, prophetic words that aren't from God. 00:39:09.489 --> 00:39:11.829 There are ones that are y 'all but there are 00:39:11.829 --> 00:39:13.590 a lot of people out there who claim to be prophets 00:39:13.590 --> 00:39:15.230 from God Well when you take that word back to 00:39:15.230 --> 00:39:18.329 God, that's not from God It's just there to plant 00:39:18.329 --> 00:39:22.389 anger and fear and anxiety and it's works of 00:39:22.389 --> 00:39:28.210 the enemy And the Lord really showed me that 00:39:28.210 --> 00:39:31.570 anything I need to know he will make sure I know 00:39:31.570 --> 00:39:35.889 and y 'all need to hear that today, too If there's 00:39:35.889 --> 00:39:38.690 something that God means you to know you're gonna 00:39:38.690 --> 00:39:41.809 know If he needs you to apply at that job, you're 00:39:41.809 --> 00:39:44.909 going to know. If that is the person he wants 00:39:44.909 --> 00:39:49.469 you to date or marry, you're gonna know. If that 00:39:49.469 --> 00:39:51.849 is the church tree to go to, you're gonna know. 00:39:52.829 --> 00:39:55.309 If that person is dangerous and bad company, 00:39:55.369 --> 00:39:58.010 corrupts good morals, you are going to know. 00:39:58.969 --> 00:40:02.070 But the way to hear God is to consistently be 00:40:02.070 --> 00:40:06.239 in his presence. You don't talk to a friend by 00:40:06.239 --> 00:40:08.260 constantly ignoring their calls or refusing to 00:40:08.260 --> 00:40:11.420 reach out to them It's pretty obvious that the 00:40:11.420 --> 00:40:14.079 way you communicate with someone is you put yourself 00:40:14.079 --> 00:40:16.780 in a space to hear from them and to talk to them 00:40:16.780 --> 00:40:19.340 Which is why you should be consistently in God's 00:40:19.340 --> 00:40:21.300 presence before you make big decisions. Take 00:40:21.300 --> 00:40:24.360 it to God You should be praying to God daily 00:40:24.360 --> 00:40:27.760 having daily conversations with him. Okay, y 00:40:27.760 --> 00:40:33.900 'all That is how You have the understanding you're 00:40:33.900 --> 00:40:35.920 not gonna know everything and you're you're not 00:40:35.920 --> 00:40:38.780 gonna be able This is a big one. Okay, cuz there 00:40:38.780 --> 00:40:40.920 are a lot of people who want to know God's word 00:40:40.920 --> 00:40:42.579 They want to be able to quote scripture and be 00:40:42.579 --> 00:40:45.119 able to have scripture like written on their 00:40:45.119 --> 00:40:47.380 heart But then they don't read the Bible, but 00:40:47.380 --> 00:40:51.400 then they only listen to sermons. I Remember 00:40:51.400 --> 00:40:53.920 when I when I first gave my life to lawyers a 00:40:53.920 --> 00:40:55.940 couple months after when the enemy really started 00:40:55.940 --> 00:40:59.539 coming after my mind and I had to take these 00:40:59.539 --> 00:41:02.139 thoughts captive and make them obedient to the 00:41:02.139 --> 00:41:04.119 word of God. I had to make them obedient to Christ. 00:41:05.260 --> 00:41:07.960 And I remember listening to different people's 00:41:07.960 --> 00:41:10.000 testimonies that were dealing with that. And 00:41:10.000 --> 00:41:11.880 all of them said the same thing of like, I combat 00:41:11.880 --> 00:41:15.099 it with scripture. The enemy hits me with a lot 00:41:15.099 --> 00:41:19.039 of lies, but I'm able to decipher what are lies 00:41:19.039 --> 00:41:21.679 because I'm rooted in the word. And that was 00:41:21.679 --> 00:41:23.579 my big problem. I was like, I was getting hit 00:41:23.579 --> 00:41:25.099 with like a lot of lies of the enemy. And some 00:41:25.099 --> 00:41:27.530 of it I was believing. And I was like, how do 00:41:27.530 --> 00:41:29.630 I know what's from God and what isn't? And I 00:41:29.630 --> 00:41:32.210 really felt God lead me to that of like, you 00:41:32.210 --> 00:41:35.849 know, by knowing my word. And that way, when 00:41:35.849 --> 00:41:38.530 I started hearing false things, I was like, no, 00:41:38.610 --> 00:41:41.710 because this is what God's word says. But I only 00:41:41.710 --> 00:41:45.090 knew that because I consistently spent time reading 00:41:45.090 --> 00:41:47.610 the Bible. And not only that, I was praying for 00:41:47.610 --> 00:41:49.969 understanding. And if there was something I didn't 00:41:49.969 --> 00:41:51.829 understand and I prayed to the Lord and I felt 00:41:51.829 --> 00:41:54.889 him lead me to like, go look it up, go read up 00:41:54.889 --> 00:41:58.440 on it. Watch this sermon. Like I would do that. 00:41:58.440 --> 00:42:00.519 I'm saying sermons and things are supplemental 00:42:00.519 --> 00:42:02.760 y 'all but sermon should not be your Bible reading 00:42:02.760 --> 00:42:08.219 My podcast should not be your Bible reading If 00:42:08.219 --> 00:42:10.480 you're someone who struggles with being able 00:42:10.480 --> 00:42:12.559 to identify what is from the enemy and what isn't 00:42:12.559 --> 00:42:15.480 what's a lie and what isn't know God's Word If 00:42:15.480 --> 00:42:17.300 you're someone who struggles with discerning 00:42:17.300 --> 00:42:19.219 between like false teachers and false prophets 00:42:19.219 --> 00:42:22.559 know God's Word Does God's what the Bible actually 00:42:22.559 --> 00:42:26.269 tells you how to spot these people? Tells you 00:42:26.269 --> 00:42:29.570 what to look out for if you need conviction you 00:42:29.570 --> 00:42:32.309 need humbling read the Bible. I feel convicted 00:42:32.309 --> 00:42:34.210 like every day I read it. I'm like, ooh, I fall 00:42:34.210 --> 00:42:40.110 short. I fall in shorts again The Lord will give 00:42:40.110 --> 00:42:42.269 you an understanding and everything if you need 00:42:42.269 --> 00:42:44.989 to know you will know but it is important faith 00:42:44.989 --> 00:42:47.110 without works is dead y 'all it is important 00:42:47.110 --> 00:42:54.139 That you walk in obedience Pray to God talk to 00:42:54.139 --> 00:42:58.579 him have a relationship with Jesus Be receptive 00:42:58.579 --> 00:43:01.099 be listening be reading scripture if you love 00:43:01.099 --> 00:43:03.800 Jesus and you you want to know Jesus take the 00:43:03.800 --> 00:43:08.980 active steps The one who believes in him will 00:43:08.980 --> 00:43:11.880 do the works that he does okay and and and what 00:43:11.880 --> 00:43:15.380 where I go with that a lot is our Our actions 00:43:15.380 --> 00:43:19.820 speak loudly Our actions speak where our heart 00:43:19.820 --> 00:43:23.139 is at our actions will follow Where our faith 00:43:23.139 --> 00:43:26.000 is really at right if someone's faith is really 00:43:26.000 --> 00:43:28.079 in Jesus They're going to start walking like 00:43:28.079 --> 00:43:31.460 him and looking like him. You can't help it If 00:43:31.460 --> 00:43:33.599 you really desire to have a relationship with 00:43:33.599 --> 00:43:38.150 Jesus your actions are going to follow And there 00:43:38.150 --> 00:43:40.710 was something I read and dare to be true by Madison 00:43:40.710 --> 00:43:43.110 Pruitt Trout that like really struck a chord 00:43:43.110 --> 00:43:45.230 with me where she said you make time for what 00:43:45.230 --> 00:43:47.630 matters to you and for her that was talking about 00:43:47.630 --> 00:43:49.650 prayer, you know where she was saying that she 00:43:49.650 --> 00:43:51.750 knew she needed to increase her prayer life and 00:43:51.750 --> 00:43:53.530 there are a lot of other people who need to increase 00:43:53.530 --> 00:43:55.130 their prayer life that they say I'm too busy 00:43:55.130 --> 00:43:56.329 and I don't have the time and I don't know what 00:43:56.329 --> 00:43:57.769 to pray about and they make all these excuses 00:43:57.769 --> 00:43:59.769 and she just flat out said you make time for 00:43:59.769 --> 00:44:02.429 what matters to you if you know prayer is what 00:44:02.429 --> 00:44:06.650 God you know prayer is Needs to be worked on 00:44:07.019 --> 00:44:09.179 You'll make time for it and just like Mary and 00:44:09.179 --> 00:44:11.539 Martha y 'all how we see with with the story 00:44:11.539 --> 00:44:13.900 of Mary and Martha Mary chose the better thing 00:44:13.900 --> 00:44:15.780 She sat at Jesus's feet while Martha was running 00:44:15.780 --> 00:44:19.019 around busybodying And I've seen this tried and 00:44:19.019 --> 00:44:20.719 true so many times in my life if you make time 00:44:20.719 --> 00:44:22.900 for God He will make time for everything else 00:44:22.900 --> 00:44:24.440 Like when there are times when God has called 00:44:24.440 --> 00:44:26.460 me to stop my normal routine and do something 00:44:26.460 --> 00:44:29.579 instead be in the word or Go to a service or 00:44:29.579 --> 00:44:31.340 whatever it is. He's called me to do and I'm 00:44:31.340 --> 00:44:36.320 like, but God I have a million other things Guess 00:44:36.320 --> 00:44:38.960 what those millionaire things get done that day. 00:44:39.079 --> 00:44:42.920 I need to be done gets done. God makes time It's 00:44:42.920 --> 00:44:45.639 like he literally stops time or he speeds activities 00:44:45.639 --> 00:44:48.079 up I don't know how he does it but it all gets 00:44:48.079 --> 00:44:51.179 done and taken care of and I end up feeling rested 00:44:51.179 --> 00:44:55.519 Let's go on reading remember Jesus Christ risen 00:44:55.519 --> 00:44:58.909 from the dead and descended from David According 00:44:58.909 --> 00:45:02.130 to my gospel for which I suffer to the point 00:45:02.130 --> 00:45:04.489 of being bound like a criminal, but the word 00:45:04.489 --> 00:45:11.250 of God is not bound It's not wild how even though 00:45:11.250 --> 00:45:15.909 Paul is bound in prison He's bound in prison. 00:45:15.909 --> 00:45:18.610 The word of God is still traveling. He knows 00:45:18.610 --> 00:45:22.989 that even though the enemy might have him physically 00:45:22.989 --> 00:45:28.179 unable to move The testimony is being heard The 00:45:28.179 --> 00:45:30.619 gospel is still being spread because every one 00:45:30.619 --> 00:45:32.860 of these guards that has to go check on him, 00:45:32.860 --> 00:45:35.920 they have to say, why is he in prison? Oh, because 00:45:35.920 --> 00:45:38.699 he's a Christian. What's a Christian? Oh, a follower 00:45:38.699 --> 00:45:43.739 of Jesus. Even in his being locked up, the gospel 00:45:43.739 --> 00:45:49.980 is being spread. But to add on to this, as we 00:45:49.980 --> 00:45:54.309 were reading here in verse 10. In chapter 2 this 00:45:54.309 --> 00:45:56.670 is why I endure all things for the elect so that 00:45:56.670 --> 00:45:58.969 they may obtain salvation Which is in Christ 00:45:58.969 --> 00:46:04.130 Jesus with eternal glory which the elect I Know 00:46:04.130 --> 00:46:05.670 there are a lot of different discussions in church 00:46:05.670 --> 00:46:06.989 There are some people who don't believe this 00:46:06.989 --> 00:46:09.349 and there are some people who do God is all -knowing 00:46:09.349 --> 00:46:12.409 God knows when we if we are going to repent God 00:46:12.409 --> 00:46:14.409 knows if we are gonna put our faith in Jesus 00:46:14.409 --> 00:46:17.909 God knows already he knew what our life was gonna 00:46:17.909 --> 00:46:19.750 look like before he create us and there's some 00:46:19.750 --> 00:46:22.880 people who are angry at God who Are angry at 00:46:22.880 --> 00:46:24.639 the fact that God would create people knowing 00:46:24.639 --> 00:46:26.019 that they weren't gonna put their faith in him 00:46:26.019 --> 00:46:28.420 and they use that as oh So he predestined them 00:46:28.420 --> 00:46:30.539 the health they still have the active choice 00:46:30.539 --> 00:46:34.599 They still have the active choice God knows what 00:46:34.599 --> 00:46:37.760 they're going to choose They still have the active 00:46:37.760 --> 00:46:42.699 choice. Okay, but Paul is talking about the elect 00:46:42.699 --> 00:46:45.559 The people that are one day going to put their 00:46:45.559 --> 00:46:47.699 faith in Jesus. They might not be walking with 00:46:47.699 --> 00:46:50.920 him today We have elect here today That's why 00:46:50.920 --> 00:46:53.280 we go out and evangelize, that's why we go out 00:46:53.280 --> 00:46:55.480 and spread the gospel, is because we're planting 00:46:55.480 --> 00:46:57.199 seeds in hopes that someone is going to hear 00:46:57.199 --> 00:47:00.139 it and repent. We know that there are people 00:47:00.139 --> 00:47:02.260 who are one day going to convert, who are going 00:47:02.260 --> 00:47:05.119 to put their faith in Jesus. That's why we go 00:47:05.119 --> 00:47:07.880 out and spread the gospel. And Paul is saying, 00:47:08.179 --> 00:47:11.000 I suffer for these people. He knows that his 00:47:11.000 --> 00:47:13.199 suffering is going to be a testimony that gives 00:47:13.199 --> 00:47:15.079 other people courage one day that might not have 00:47:15.079 --> 00:47:16.940 put their faith in Jesus yet or that there are 00:47:16.940 --> 00:47:19.219 going to be some people who See that and want 00:47:19.219 --> 00:47:20.760 to put their faith in Jesus because they're like 00:47:20.760 --> 00:47:22.739 this man is willing to suffer all of this This 00:47:22.739 --> 00:47:25.059 must be the truth. I need to hear the gospel 00:47:26.519 --> 00:47:28.539 Paul is saying that he's like I'm going through 00:47:28.539 --> 00:47:31.239 this suffering Because I know God is going to 00:47:31.239 --> 00:47:33.460 use it for other people and to help other people 00:47:33.460 --> 00:47:35.500 and that's what we've talked about with Testimonies 00:47:35.500 --> 00:47:37.719 earlier y 'all and that's the courage that God 00:47:37.719 --> 00:47:39.440 had given me when I came out new age And I didn't 00:47:39.440 --> 00:47:41.360 want to tell anyone I was ashamed of my testimony 00:47:41.360 --> 00:47:43.400 I felt God say one day there's gonna be a lot 00:47:43.400 --> 00:47:45.179 of people turning from new age and your testimony 00:47:45.179 --> 00:47:48.900 is gonna be used to help those people They don't 00:47:48.900 --> 00:47:51.059 have their faith in Jesus right now, but one 00:47:51.059 --> 00:47:54.320 day it will be and one day you are gonna be necessary 00:47:55.440 --> 00:47:57.440 There is a testimony every single one of y 'all 00:47:57.440 --> 00:48:00.300 listening to us today that you have that God 00:48:00.300 --> 00:48:05.699 can use There is a testimony you have that can 00:48:05.699 --> 00:48:11.340 plant a seed And it might not be today it might 00:48:11.340 --> 00:48:13.699 be for someone a year from now two years from 00:48:13.699 --> 00:48:16.719 now three years from now But that doesn't make 00:48:16.719 --> 00:48:20.760 it unimportant I'm gonna go on reading this for 00:48:20.760 --> 00:48:23.820 if we died with him. We will also live with him 00:48:23.820 --> 00:48:27.409 if we endure We will also reign with him if we 00:48:27.409 --> 00:48:30.010 deny him. He will also deny us if we are faithless 00:48:30.010 --> 00:48:32.329 He remains faithful for he cannot deny himself 00:48:32.329 --> 00:48:35.429 And I feel like the scripture is touching on 00:48:35.429 --> 00:48:38.389 what we talked about earlier y 'all Of like it's 00:48:38.389 --> 00:48:42.869 not about this world. It's about in heaven Like 00:48:42.869 --> 00:48:45.230 in this lifetime our mission is to spread the 00:48:45.230 --> 00:48:46.929 gospel and to create disciples in the further 00:48:46.929 --> 00:48:49.590 the kingdom of heaven But our crowning our reward 00:48:49.590 --> 00:48:51.769 is in heaven. It's not about what we get here 00:48:51.769 --> 00:48:54.590 on earth Because if you haven't noticed what 00:48:54.590 --> 00:48:56.869 we've been talking about a lot and second Timothy 00:48:56.869 --> 00:48:58.730 is when you're walking in obedience And you're 00:48:58.730 --> 00:49:00.550 walking in your calling. There's actually a lot 00:49:00.550 --> 00:49:02.329 of pain and suffering It doesn't always look 00:49:02.329 --> 00:49:04.469 like the big fancy house in the mansion and just 00:49:04.469 --> 00:49:06.050 like everyone adores you and loves you because 00:49:06.050 --> 00:49:07.989 a servant isn't Greater than his master if they 00:49:07.989 --> 00:49:11.070 hated Jesus, they're gonna hate you, too And 00:49:11.070 --> 00:49:15.090 then amen, okay So that's why we set our mind 00:49:15.090 --> 00:49:19.829 on things above What we see here isn't a determination 00:49:19.829 --> 00:49:23.309 of how much God loves us of like The blessings 00:49:23.309 --> 00:49:29.230 we feel are poured out on us Paul was used by 00:49:29.230 --> 00:49:31.730 God in amazing ways. God loved him. God did forgive 00:49:31.730 --> 00:49:36.130 him but he went through a lot of suffering an 00:49:36.130 --> 00:49:38.230 interesting thing is that's what Ananias was 00:49:38.230 --> 00:49:41.329 told if you read if y 'all read an Acts where 00:49:41.329 --> 00:49:43.730 it's talking about his conversion and Paul is 00:49:43.730 --> 00:49:47.829 blinded and Ananias God gives him a vision to 00:49:47.829 --> 00:49:52.260 let go lay hands on Paul to heal him And God 00:49:52.260 --> 00:49:53.920 tells Ananias, Paul already has seen the vision 00:49:53.920 --> 00:49:55.360 of you. He's waiting on you. He knows you're 00:49:55.360 --> 00:49:56.719 coming. Ananias is like, are you talking about 00:49:56.719 --> 00:49:58.820 this dude that was going around persecuting people 00:49:58.820 --> 00:50:02.440 and you want him to be able to see again? And 00:50:02.440 --> 00:50:06.679 God said to him, Paul, and this is just the gist 00:50:06.679 --> 00:50:10.159 of it. God said to him, Paul is going to be suffering 00:50:10.159 --> 00:50:13.260 a lot on behalf of the gospel. He's going to 00:50:13.260 --> 00:50:17.940 get his fill on suffering. And when I read that, 00:50:18.059 --> 00:50:19.179 I kind of took that as, okay, that's a little 00:50:19.179 --> 00:50:20.659 bit of a comfort to Ann Nias, because I feel 00:50:20.659 --> 00:50:22.840 like Ann Nias was like, he's going to get off 00:50:22.840 --> 00:50:24.539 scot -free, like he's going to get off, you're 00:50:24.539 --> 00:50:26.719 just going to forgive him, and he gets away with 00:50:26.719 --> 00:50:29.679 it. God's like, no, like he's going to have to 00:50:29.679 --> 00:50:35.619 suffer a lot on behalf of what he's doing. Like, 00:50:35.619 --> 00:50:37.519 Paul's suffering that he went through is such 00:50:37.519 --> 00:50:40.119 a testimony to all of us today, right? A lot 00:50:40.119 --> 00:50:42.480 of us draw strength, like where Paul was writing 00:50:42.480 --> 00:50:44.559 his happiest letter from being locked up in prison. 00:50:44.969 --> 00:50:46.570 I can do all things through Christ who gives 00:50:46.570 --> 00:50:51.550 me strength like His suffering is such a testimony 00:50:51.550 --> 00:50:57.969 to us today and so necessary for us But God right 00:50:57.969 --> 00:51:00.789 before Paul even was healed of the blindness 00:51:00.789 --> 00:51:03.750 before he even stepped into any kind of evangelizing 00:51:03.750 --> 00:51:06.349 God already knew the suffering God already knew 00:51:06.349 --> 00:51:10.070 what he was going to face God already had a plan 00:51:12.280 --> 00:51:14.800 I want to read this back to y 'all for if we 00:51:14.800 --> 00:51:17.260 died with him, we will also live with him Remember 00:51:17.260 --> 00:51:21.380 we have eternal life in heaven even if and this 00:51:21.380 --> 00:51:22.940 isn't what's gonna happen for every Christian, 00:51:22.940 --> 00:51:28.320 but even if You are a martyr even if you die 00:51:28.320 --> 00:51:32.400 because of your faith And I think about Charlie 00:51:32.400 --> 00:51:35.059 Kirk as I say this I think about all the Christians 00:51:35.059 --> 00:51:40.920 who are being beheaded because they refuse to 00:51:40.920 --> 00:51:45.380 renounce Christ. Their life ending here, they're 00:51:45.380 --> 00:51:49.039 not dead, they're alive with Jesus. They have 00:51:49.039 --> 00:51:55.300 eternal life. If we endure, we will also reign 00:51:55.300 --> 00:52:00.460 with Him. If we deny Him, He will also deny us. 00:52:00.820 --> 00:52:03.940 Sometimes we forget that it's by our faith that 00:52:03.940 --> 00:52:05.900 we are saved. It's not by our works, so that 00:52:05.900 --> 00:52:08.380 way no one may boast. I believe that is Ephesians. 00:52:10.009 --> 00:52:12.230 It does not matter how many good things you do, 00:52:12.489 --> 00:52:14.250 how good intent you are, any of that. If your 00:52:14.250 --> 00:52:16.730 faith is not in Jesus, when you go before the 00:52:16.730 --> 00:52:18.750 Father, it's going to be, depart from me for 00:52:18.750 --> 00:52:24.230 I never knew you. The thing that keeps us out 00:52:24.230 --> 00:52:29.309 of heaven is our sin. And we all are attached 00:52:29.309 --> 00:52:32.269 to the original sin of Adam and Eve, but we each 00:52:32.269 --> 00:52:41.000 sin throughout our life. us have fallen short 00:52:41.000 --> 00:52:43.840 that that's biblical that all of us have fallen 00:52:43.840 --> 00:52:49.019 short of the grace of god lately all of us need 00:52:49.019 --> 00:52:50.900 what jesus did on the cross whether or not we 00:52:50.900 --> 00:52:52.880 want to admit it or take accountability for every 00:52:52.880 --> 00:52:55.179 single one of us needs what he did to enter heaven 00:52:55.179 --> 00:52:58.320 none of us can go before god and say our works 00:52:58.320 --> 00:53:01.260 that's certainly why jesus came because it was 00:53:01.260 --> 00:53:04.840 clear that the works like no one could keep it 00:53:04.840 --> 00:53:06.719 keep up with it the Pharisees on the outside 00:53:06.719 --> 00:53:09.030 could do it but inside they were whitewashed 00:53:09.030 --> 00:53:10.670 they were whitewashed tombs on the inside they 00:53:10.670 --> 00:53:13.610 had all this wickedness and all this hypocrisy 00:53:13.610 --> 00:53:17.590 know what if the if the pharisees Couldn't be 00:53:17.590 --> 00:53:19.090 saved by their works, baby. You're not saved 00:53:19.090 --> 00:53:23.510 by your works. I say that lovingly So when we 00:53:23.510 --> 00:53:27.269 deny christ in this life when we deny putting 00:53:27.269 --> 00:53:30.210 our faith in jesus or when we're closet christians 00:53:30.210 --> 00:53:32.889 of like yeah, i'll say privately i'll put my 00:53:32.889 --> 00:53:35.199 faith in jesus, but like When I step out of the 00:53:35.199 --> 00:53:37.239 house, I'm going to look exactly like the world. 00:53:37.500 --> 00:53:38.980 You're not going to tell the difference. Is your 00:53:38.980 --> 00:53:40.760 faith really in Jesus? The one who believes in 00:53:40.760 --> 00:53:43.519 him will do the works that he does. I ask you 00:53:43.519 --> 00:53:47.300 that like if at home in your private space, you're 00:53:47.300 --> 00:53:50.840 quietly or like call yourself a Christian, but 00:53:50.840 --> 00:53:53.059 then you refuse to stand on biblical boundaries. 00:53:53.519 --> 00:53:56.619 You refuse to tell people about Jesus. You refuse 00:53:56.619 --> 00:53:58.679 to look any differently. You refuse to change. 00:53:58.780 --> 00:54:00.820 You refuse to die to self. You refuse to do any 00:54:00.820 --> 00:54:02.380 of these things. Is your faith really in Jesus? 00:54:02.400 --> 00:54:07.230 Do you really fear God? If you're really comfortable 00:54:07.230 --> 00:54:09.369 being lukewarm and playing both sides, do you 00:54:09.369 --> 00:54:15.550 really fear God? Do you? If we deny him he will 00:54:15.550 --> 00:54:18.030 also deny us we forget that like one day we are 00:54:18.030 --> 00:54:21.769 gonna go before God and the only thing the only 00:54:21.769 --> 00:54:24.369 thing that's gonna last into heaven is Jesus 00:54:24.369 --> 00:54:26.170 stepping forward and saying this one is covered 00:54:26.170 --> 00:54:29.710 this one is mine They have their faith in me 00:54:29.710 --> 00:54:33.969 They are covered in my blood That is the only 00:54:33.969 --> 00:54:39.750 thing If we are faithless, he remains faithful 00:54:39.750 --> 00:54:42.630 for he cannot deny himself. And this is Paul 00:54:42.630 --> 00:54:45.789 reminding us about God's unchanging nature. And 00:54:45.789 --> 00:54:47.829 that's the most amazing thing with God is he 00:54:47.829 --> 00:54:52.550 will not, his word does not return empty. God 00:54:52.550 --> 00:54:54.809 keeps his promises. He is never changing. His 00:54:54.809 --> 00:54:56.789 character is never changing. There's not gonna 00:54:56.789 --> 00:54:58.929 be a day where God just decides he's no longer 00:54:58.929 --> 00:55:01.510 gonna fulfill his promises or when one day God 00:55:01.510 --> 00:55:03.869 just isn't good anymore or God doesn't honor. 00:55:04.639 --> 00:55:07.800 The people who honor him like God is never changing. 00:55:07.800 --> 00:55:10.699 So even when our faith even when we're faithless 00:55:10.699 --> 00:55:13.519 Even when we are shaking even when we are imperfect 00:55:13.519 --> 00:55:16.179 even when we fall away God doesn't God is so 00:55:16.179 --> 00:55:19.619 consistent He will never not be the loving father. 00:55:19.699 --> 00:55:21.699 He will never not be the forgiving father He 00:55:21.699 --> 00:55:24.039 will never not be the one showing grace and mercy 00:55:24.039 --> 00:55:27.079 to people who are humbling themselves and repentance 00:55:27.079 --> 00:55:31.320 That's the beautiful thing is he is so unchanging 00:55:31.320 --> 00:55:34.179 his love is unchanging it is unwavering There's 00:55:34.179 --> 00:55:36.139 never going to be a day when we wake up and God 00:55:36.139 --> 00:55:38.820 isn't who he has always been. He's the same God 00:55:38.820 --> 00:55:45.659 now and forever. Amen. It says here, remind them 00:55:45.659 --> 00:55:48.659 of these things and charge them before God not 00:55:48.659 --> 00:55:53.219 to fight about words. This is useless and leads 00:55:53.219 --> 00:55:56.199 to the ruin of those who listen. And we're about 00:55:56.199 --> 00:55:59.739 to hear Paul touch on a lot. Quicking involved 00:55:59.739 --> 00:56:04.400 in pointless arguments. Like quit arguing over 00:56:04.400 --> 00:56:08.719 the stupid petty little things Because it just 00:56:08.719 --> 00:56:11.900 leads that no one wins Have you all ever been 00:56:11.900 --> 00:56:13.599 in those conversations where it's like someone 00:56:13.599 --> 00:56:17.739 gets butthurt or offended by a wording? What 00:56:17.739 --> 00:56:21.219 do you mean by that? Yeah, I know you said it 00:56:21.219 --> 00:56:22.880 that way, but are you sure you didn't mean it 00:56:22.880 --> 00:56:26.980 this way? When you're so busy twisting and manipulating 00:56:26.980 --> 00:56:29.300 and all these things like have you ever looked 00:56:29.300 --> 00:56:31.179 back and been like man? That was such a stupid 00:56:31.179 --> 00:56:33.369 disagreement Like there wasn't really a point 00:56:33.369 --> 00:56:35.650 to it. We were just fighting the fight We were 00:56:35.650 --> 00:56:37.889 arguing over stupid and pointless things that 00:56:37.889 --> 00:56:40.150 led to a destruction of our friendship. It led 00:56:40.150 --> 00:56:43.869 to the destruction of a relationship It led to 00:56:43.869 --> 00:56:46.289 the destruction. It's crazy how many things are 00:56:46.289 --> 00:56:50.389 destroyed by pointless stupid offenses Stop getting 00:56:50.389 --> 00:56:55.369 offended by stupid pointless things We're called 00:56:55.369 --> 00:56:57.610 to take the higher road as Christians we're called 00:56:57.610 --> 00:57:00.889 to forgive and love when it makes no sense We're 00:57:00.889 --> 00:57:03.460 not called to get offended by the petty things 00:57:03.460 --> 00:57:06.739 and go tit for tat. And if you do, this is where 00:57:06.739 --> 00:57:14.039 it leads. It leads to destruction. But instead, 00:57:14.079 --> 00:57:17.340 be diligent to present yourself to God as one 00:57:17.340 --> 00:57:20.280 approved, a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed, 00:57:20.719 --> 00:57:25.440 correctly teaching the word of truth. We're gonna 00:57:25.440 --> 00:57:27.199 go we're gonna go through all this again. I want 00:57:27.199 --> 00:57:29.480 to put this all together real quick real Remind 00:57:29.480 --> 00:57:31.920 them of these things and charge them before God 00:57:31.920 --> 00:57:37.420 not to fight about words And I think sometimes 00:57:37.420 --> 00:57:39.139 as Christians we do that with Christians and 00:57:39.139 --> 00:57:41.139 other denominations, right? You get so caught 00:57:41.139 --> 00:57:44.059 up in like one or two words that really don't 00:57:44.059 --> 00:57:47.500 change The theology that don't change but we 00:57:47.500 --> 00:57:50.199 get so caught up in the meaning of one or two 00:57:50.199 --> 00:57:53.610 words That there's a base there's arguments that 00:57:53.610 --> 00:57:56.769 just go round and round with no winner The only 00:57:56.769 --> 00:58:00.690 winner is Satan because now he has division Now 00:58:00.690 --> 00:58:03.650 he has separation a house divided against itself 00:58:03.650 --> 00:58:06.690 cannot stand. How many how many Christian denominations 00:58:06.690 --> 00:58:11.090 do we have? Isn't it like 47? Of Christians who 00:58:11.090 --> 00:58:12.969 and a lot of these Christians who are ready to 00:58:12.969 --> 00:58:14.730 bash each other and call each other all kinds 00:58:14.730 --> 00:58:19.699 of names and not want to sit together and I cannot 00:58:19.699 --> 00:58:21.219 tell y 'all how many times it's crazy when I'm 00:58:21.219 --> 00:58:23.380 looking online like TikTok. For example, there's 00:58:23.380 --> 00:58:25.340 a perfect example is Leo Scaffi. He's been reading 00:58:25.340 --> 00:58:28.019 the Bible, but every time I look I saw a post 00:58:28.019 --> 00:58:29.619 the other day where he said he was going to church 00:58:29.619 --> 00:58:32.920 and I saw in the comments every day each person 00:58:32.920 --> 00:58:35.460 shouting out their denomination and then people 00:58:35.460 --> 00:58:37.300 hating on each other in the comments and not 00:58:37.300 --> 00:58:39.360 that one, go to this one, not this one. It's 00:58:39.360 --> 00:58:42.179 like we see someone coming to Jesus and we just 00:58:42.179 --> 00:58:43.940 want to applaud this person coming to Jesus and 00:58:43.940 --> 00:58:45.920 seeking truth and having the Holy Spirit lead 00:58:45.920 --> 00:58:47.840 them where the Holy Spirit wants them to go. 00:58:50.029 --> 00:58:52.289 but you see people of different denominations 00:58:52.289 --> 00:58:55.789 just tearing each other to shreds. And a lot 00:58:55.789 --> 00:58:57.610 of these denominations, like it's crazy when 00:58:57.610 --> 00:58:59.750 I look at the history of some church splits happen 00:58:59.750 --> 00:59:02.250 off of disagreement of over just a couple words, 00:59:02.750 --> 00:59:05.030 where it's not even like a theological difference, 00:59:06.309 --> 00:59:08.170 but maybe the way they walk it out, like whether 00:59:08.170 --> 00:59:10.769 or not they wear skirts or like whether or not, 00:59:10.809 --> 00:59:14.449 like it's crazy, it's crazy, it's crazy. It's 00:59:14.449 --> 00:59:18.679 crazy, y 'all. It's crazy how getting caught 00:59:18.679 --> 00:59:22.960 up in just a few words can lead to just destruction. 00:59:26.119 --> 00:59:28.340 And this is what Paul warns us about where he's 00:59:28.340 --> 00:59:30.539 like, don't get caught up in words because like 00:59:30.539 --> 00:59:36.179 literally it destroys. And it makes me wonder 00:59:36.179 --> 00:59:38.380 too how many people are probably reading those 00:59:38.380 --> 00:59:40.039 comments sections who are also wanting to go 00:59:40.039 --> 00:59:41.820 to church and who see that and they're like, 00:59:41.940 --> 00:59:44.900 man, the Christians can't even agree. Like the 00:59:44.900 --> 00:59:46.639 Christians are hating each other like I don't 00:59:46.639 --> 00:59:49.019 want to go Like how many people are turned off 00:59:49.019 --> 00:59:51.139 and I know that God will point them back, but 00:59:51.139 --> 00:59:53.639 we're ambassadors for Christ Okay, we're not 00:59:53.639 --> 00:59:55.860 meant to be we're not meant to be Christ We're 00:59:55.860 --> 00:59:57.480 not meant to be perfect like Christ, but we're 00:59:57.480 --> 00:59:59.539 representing Christ and we're supposed to be 00:59:59.539 --> 01:00:01.300 presenting ourselves as tried -and -true workers 01:00:02.069 --> 01:00:04.070 We're supposed to be trying to look like Jesus 01:00:04.070 --> 01:00:06.230 and trying to showcase the fruits of the spirit 01:00:06.230 --> 01:00:08.130 and trying to exemplify that and just plant seeds 01:00:08.130 --> 01:00:10.289 for other people but when everyone's arguing 01:00:10.289 --> 01:00:12.130 and at each other's throats and bashing each 01:00:12.130 --> 01:00:13.989 other and calling this person a cult or calling 01:00:13.989 --> 01:00:15.690 this person of this or calling this person of 01:00:15.690 --> 01:00:17.969 that and Just like trying to like tear each other 01:00:17.969 --> 01:00:22.969 down to get your your thing ahead It's just producing 01:00:22.969 --> 01:00:25.250 destruction. The devil is the only one winning 01:00:27.480 --> 01:00:29.679 And that's not to say that I don't have, I do 01:00:29.679 --> 01:00:34.199 have, there are some things I view as very big 01:00:34.199 --> 01:00:37.860 differences in my belief that may be other denominations. 01:00:40.860 --> 01:00:43.860 But tearing down and just going tit for tat, 01:00:43.980 --> 01:00:48.239 that's not the answer. There's a time and place 01:00:48.239 --> 01:00:52.619 for discussions, loving Christ -filled discussions. 01:00:54.360 --> 01:00:57.039 But tearing down that's not that's not the answer. 01:00:57.179 --> 01:01:03.420 It's not God loves us all and you'd be surprised 01:01:03.420 --> 01:01:05.719 at the people he pours the Holy Spirit out on 01:01:05.719 --> 01:01:09.460 I was reminded of that too and reading apps and 01:01:09.460 --> 01:01:13.380 where you know Peter Says yeah, that was Peter 01:01:13.380 --> 01:01:14.940 y 'all. Sorry. We're getting a little set But 01:01:14.940 --> 01:01:18.280 I I felt the need to drop this on but there was 01:01:18.280 --> 01:01:21.789 a Gentile who You know god sent an angel and 01:01:21.789 --> 01:01:24.050 said like send for peter to come and give you 01:01:24.050 --> 01:01:27.329 a message and talk to you And god sent an angel 01:01:27.329 --> 01:01:29.389 to peter telling peter don't call what I have 01:01:29.389 --> 01:01:33.409 deemed clean unclean Because like an angel was 01:01:33.409 --> 01:01:35.150 telling peter like go kill and eat and here's 01:01:35.150 --> 01:01:37.030 like no lord I can't i've never ate anything 01:01:37.030 --> 01:01:39.030 unclean and god was like don't call what I have 01:01:39.030 --> 01:01:41.849 deemed clean unclean because at that point the 01:01:41.849 --> 01:01:43.929 gentiles were all called unclean and god has 01:01:43.929 --> 01:01:47.030 decided he's going to integrate the men and Gentiles 01:01:47.030 --> 01:01:50.340 were going to be These people too you and me 01:01:50.340 --> 01:01:53.500 y 'all We thought you know weren't raised Jewish 01:01:53.500 --> 01:01:58.139 that weren't historically God Because they rejected 01:01:58.139 --> 01:02:00.579 Jesus the course has been it opened up the door 01:02:00.579 --> 01:02:05.739 for us But at that time obviously the people 01:02:05.739 --> 01:02:07.599 who are Jewish still they weren't eating they 01:02:07.599 --> 01:02:10.340 still eating with Like being around talking to 01:02:10.340 --> 01:02:12.119 they still saw the Gentiles as unclean and God 01:02:12.119 --> 01:02:15.170 was like, no, there's no more separation There 01:02:15.170 --> 01:02:17.829 I've called them clean. Don't treat them as less 01:02:17.829 --> 01:02:19.949 than don't treat them as dogs. Don't treat them 01:02:19.949 --> 01:02:23.050 as trash Don't treat them as dirty and God kind 01:02:23.050 --> 01:02:26.989 of corrected him and when Peter went to his house 01:02:26.989 --> 01:02:31.150 and everything He talked to them and you know 01:02:31.150 --> 01:02:33.570 The Holy Spirit ended up being given to the Gentiles 01:02:33.570 --> 01:02:36.349 and there are people who were shocked that the 01:02:36.349 --> 01:02:39.309 Holy Spirit was given to the Gentiles There are 01:02:39.309 --> 01:02:42.710 people who were shocked And that was where Peter 01:02:42.710 --> 01:02:45.329 was saying God truly does not discriminate God 01:02:45.329 --> 01:02:47.650 loves everybody people of all nations the ones 01:02:47.650 --> 01:02:50.510 who are obedient and walking like an uprightness 01:02:50.510 --> 01:02:55.570 Will be blessed. These are the ones Now let's 01:02:55.570 --> 01:02:58.650 continue and move along here we're getting a 01:02:58.650 --> 01:03:00.909 little we're taking up some time I'm trying to 01:03:00.909 --> 01:03:04.250 keep this not a super duper long episode y 'all 01:03:04.250 --> 01:03:11.300 that says here avoid are relevant and avoid irreverent 01:03:11.300 --> 01:03:14.820 and empty speech since those who engage in it 01:03:14.820 --> 01:03:18.500 Will produce even more godlessness and their 01:03:18.500 --> 01:03:20.539 teachings will spread like gangrene and right 01:03:20.539 --> 01:03:23.300 before this You know where God says to where 01:03:23.300 --> 01:03:25.800 Paul is saying present yourselves to God as one 01:03:25.800 --> 01:03:27.519 who's approved who doesn't need to be ashamed 01:03:27.519 --> 01:03:30.539 correctly Teaching the word of truth if you're 01:03:30.539 --> 01:03:32.960 like, okay, Danielle We've talked the past couple 01:03:32.960 --> 01:03:34.940 weeks about like not being ashamed and like standing 01:03:34.940 --> 01:03:36.639 in truth, even if you're being persecuted for 01:03:36.639 --> 01:03:38.179 it Where does it say that specifically right 01:03:38.179 --> 01:03:43.590 here? I'm smiling, right here. Even if standing 01:03:43.590 --> 01:03:47.489 in the truth leads to suffering, don't be ashamed. 01:03:47.909 --> 01:03:49.769 Stand in it. Even if you know everyone, people 01:03:49.769 --> 01:03:50.909 aren't going to want to be your friend anymore 01:03:50.909 --> 01:03:52.929 when you say, well, these are my values because 01:03:52.929 --> 01:03:56.230 I have a biblical worldview. I believe that the 01:03:56.230 --> 01:03:58.849 Bible is the living, breathing word of God. I 01:03:58.849 --> 01:04:01.730 believe that is God inspired. Y 'all, I'm one 01:04:01.730 --> 01:04:03.710 of those people. And I was talking about this 01:04:03.710 --> 01:04:06.170 on the phone last night with all my family members. 01:04:06.710 --> 01:04:08.989 Where there's nothing new under the sun and when 01:04:08.989 --> 01:04:10.710 something arises and I'm like, I'm not sure how 01:04:10.710 --> 01:04:13.750 I feel about that I go to the bible because the 01:04:13.750 --> 01:04:16.750 bible tells me how I should feel about that And 01:04:16.750 --> 01:04:18.489 if I heard someone say that like five years ago, 01:04:18.489 --> 01:04:20.710 I would look at them like they were crazy No, 01:04:20.929 --> 01:04:24.510 no, I I want to live a life pleasing to god and 01:04:24.510 --> 01:04:26.869 god has given me right here Everything I need 01:04:26.869 --> 01:04:28.730 to know which is why I want to be so rooted in 01:04:28.730 --> 01:04:31.050 the word I want the word tattooed on my heart 01:04:31.050 --> 01:04:33.710 because I have exactly how to live my life right 01:04:33.710 --> 01:04:38.519 here And if I believe that this is God, the living, 01:04:38.519 --> 01:04:41.780 breathing word of God, like if I believe that 01:04:41.780 --> 01:04:47.239 this is from God, I'm gonna live by it. And not 01:04:47.239 --> 01:04:49.440 all of my feelings at first matched up with what 01:04:49.440 --> 01:04:51.119 I read. I had to pray that God would change my 01:04:51.119 --> 01:04:54.300 heart. But now when I'm encountered with something, 01:04:55.579 --> 01:04:57.340 especially in our society today, there's always 01:04:57.340 --> 01:05:00.000 something popping up now. How does God feel about 01:05:00.000 --> 01:05:02.420 it? What does God's word say? And I open up and 01:05:02.420 --> 01:05:07.710 I see things like, I open up and I see what God 01:05:07.710 --> 01:05:11.710 intended with creation. I see what God says about 01:05:11.710 --> 01:05:14.210 love. I see what God says about sin. I see what 01:05:14.210 --> 01:05:16.269 God says and I'm able to say this is how I feel 01:05:16.269 --> 01:05:20.409 about that. And most people would say you should 01:05:20.409 --> 01:05:22.889 be ashamed for that to be your value or that 01:05:22.889 --> 01:05:24.510 belief because that doesn't align with the world. 01:05:26.369 --> 01:05:29.530 And maybe you're that person or just having that 01:05:29.530 --> 01:05:31.349 value, you're going to lose friends, you're going 01:05:31.349 --> 01:05:32.809 to lose support, you're going to lose community. 01:05:32.960 --> 01:05:36.239 be willing to lose that so if you're like danielle 01:05:36.239 --> 01:05:38.659 where does it say that like even if standing 01:05:38.659 --> 01:05:40.300 in the truth leads to suffering they need to 01:05:40.300 --> 01:05:43.079 stand the truth anywhere right here stand in 01:05:43.079 --> 01:05:47.219 the truth it goes on to say avoid irreverent 01:05:47.219 --> 01:05:49.139 and empty speech since those who engage in it 01:05:49.139 --> 01:05:51.480 will produce even more godlessness and their 01:05:51.480 --> 01:05:54.360 teaching will spread like gangrene and i have 01:05:54.360 --> 01:05:56.860 written down here right right here you go pointless 01:05:56.860 --> 01:06:01.260 unholy talk that lacks value and edification 01:06:01.599 --> 01:06:05.579 All it does, those pointless conversations that 01:06:05.579 --> 01:06:07.800 aren't pointing to Jesus, that aren't edifying 01:06:07.800 --> 01:06:11.239 people, that are instead itching the flesh, comforting 01:06:11.239 --> 01:06:13.559 the scratchy ears, maybe they're entertaining 01:06:13.559 --> 01:06:17.260 conspiracies that like do not point to Jesus, 01:06:17.800 --> 01:06:21.260 okay? All of these things, all they do is produce 01:06:21.260 --> 01:06:25.320 distance and corrupt the truth. And then this 01:06:25.320 --> 01:06:29.039 spreads and corrupts others. We see because Paul 01:06:29.039 --> 01:06:31.679 says humanus and philatius are among them They 01:06:31.679 --> 01:06:33.820 have departed from the truth saying that the 01:06:33.820 --> 01:06:35.920 resurrection has already taken place and are 01:06:35.920 --> 01:06:40.260 ruining the faith of some They originally had 01:06:40.260 --> 01:06:43.840 a right understanding of the gospel but entertaining 01:06:43.840 --> 01:06:46.340 so much pointless talk and pointless conspiracies 01:06:46.340 --> 01:06:48.659 and like pointless conversations and just gossip 01:06:48.659 --> 01:06:50.920 and all these things has led them away from the 01:06:50.920 --> 01:06:53.199 truth and Although they once knew the truth. 01:06:53.559 --> 01:06:56.380 They are now somewhat totally different They 01:06:56.380 --> 01:06:58.159 now believe that the resurrection has already 01:06:58.159 --> 01:07:01.699 happened and they're actually ruining the faith 01:07:01.699 --> 01:07:06.079 of other christians They might not even realize 01:07:06.079 --> 01:07:07.760 that they have become a false teacher with their 01:07:07.760 --> 01:07:10.500 false beliefs But if you all want to know what 01:07:10.500 --> 01:07:12.840 what does that point let why why should we stay 01:07:12.840 --> 01:07:14.739 away from that pointless? Conversation and gossip 01:07:14.739 --> 01:07:17.300 and the things that don't edify and the endless 01:07:17.300 --> 01:07:20.000 conspiracies and like only focusing on the kingdom 01:07:20.000 --> 01:07:22.400 of darkness and wickedness Why does god not want 01:07:22.400 --> 01:07:27.780 us to do that? Because it leads to this And not 01:07:27.780 --> 01:07:31.400 only is this destruction of your faith It spreads 01:07:31.400 --> 01:07:34.179 to others and that's the destruction of others 01:07:34.179 --> 01:07:36.619 and it contaminates others And remember what 01:07:36.619 --> 01:07:38.800 God said where it's in scripture that it's better 01:07:38.800 --> 01:07:41.519 a millstone be tied around your neck And you're 01:07:41.519 --> 01:07:43.579 cast into the sea than you lead other people 01:07:43.579 --> 01:07:46.099 astray. It's very you're often dead Then you 01:07:46.099 --> 01:07:49.340 are responsible for other people being led astray 01:07:53.070 --> 01:07:56.110 It says here nevertheless God's solid foundation 01:07:56.110 --> 01:08:00.630 stands firm bearing this inscription the Lord 01:08:00.630 --> 01:08:05.130 knows who are his and Let everyone who calls 01:08:05.130 --> 01:08:07.869 on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness. 01:08:08.349 --> 01:08:13.130 God knows our hearts God knows if our faith is 01:08:13.130 --> 01:08:16.069 really in him. God knows our intent for why we're 01:08:16.069 --> 01:08:19.390 doing what we're doing And there are people out 01:08:19.390 --> 01:08:21.210 there who think that they can play God. There 01:08:21.210 --> 01:08:23.010 are people out there who think, well, if I say 01:08:23.010 --> 01:08:25.229 Jesus with my mouth, but then I have all this 01:08:25.229 --> 01:08:26.550 wickedness in my heart, I'll go to heaven. God 01:08:26.550 --> 01:08:28.170 knows your heart. He knows if your faith is really 01:08:28.170 --> 01:08:35.489 in Jesus. Let everyone who calls on the name 01:08:35.489 --> 01:08:38.350 of the Lord turn away from wickedness. It's not 01:08:38.350 --> 01:08:40.270 just about calling. It's not just about saying 01:08:40.270 --> 01:08:43.590 Jesus' name, but there's a repentance that follows 01:08:43.590 --> 01:08:45.430 along with that. When your faith is in Jesus, 01:08:45.430 --> 01:08:49.119 you can't help but walk like Jesus. We see a 01:08:49.119 --> 01:08:51.779 thing with like and I and I I can't act like 01:08:51.779 --> 01:08:53.880 I know everything that's going on But all of 01:08:53.880 --> 01:08:58.000 a sudden there's a lot of celebrities Who are 01:08:58.000 --> 01:09:00.079 speaking the name of Jesus? They've noticed it's 01:09:00.079 --> 01:09:02.659 popular to speak the name of Jesus and try throwing 01:09:02.659 --> 01:09:04.539 God into things A lot of them are more saying 01:09:04.539 --> 01:09:06.300 God and keep in mind y 'all when people say God 01:09:06.300 --> 01:09:08.699 they're not all talking about Jesus There are 01:09:08.699 --> 01:09:10.119 a lot of people who are talking about God who's 01:09:10.119 --> 01:09:13.260 actually the lowercase G God For a lot of people 01:09:13.260 --> 01:09:18.050 that is their God Just because they say God just 01:09:18.050 --> 01:09:20.090 because they say the name of Jesus just because 01:09:20.090 --> 01:09:24.630 they say they're Christian You shall know them 01:09:24.630 --> 01:09:27.390 by their fruits, okay, there are a lot of celebrities 01:09:27.390 --> 01:09:31.489 right now that secret like that see saying the 01:09:31.489 --> 01:09:39.729 name of Jesus as a pleasing thing to some We 01:09:39.729 --> 01:09:41.069 shall know them by their fruits, that's all I'll 01:09:41.069 --> 01:09:42.810 say with that we shall know them by their fruits 01:09:42.810 --> 01:09:45.619 because it says here People that call on the 01:09:45.619 --> 01:09:47.579 name of Jesus will also turn away from their 01:09:47.579 --> 01:09:52.520 wickedness. There's an action that follows And 01:09:52.520 --> 01:09:54.199 I think it's very important to reiterate your 01:09:54.199 --> 01:09:56.840 works do not buy your faith, but your works are 01:09:56.840 --> 01:10:01.479 a sign of your faith If your faith is in Jesus 01:10:01.479 --> 01:10:03.560 your life will start to look different your works 01:10:03.560 --> 01:10:09.100 will start to look different And the lord knows 01:10:09.100 --> 01:10:12.239 the people who are doing it for attention for 01:10:12.239 --> 01:10:15.420 clout for money for a comfortable space because 01:10:15.420 --> 01:10:16.960 there are people who go through something like 01:10:16.960 --> 01:10:18.899 really crazy and then just claim to be Christian 01:10:18.899 --> 01:10:20.800 in hopes that people will be like forgiving of 01:10:20.800 --> 01:10:23.140 them and kind to them. There are people who who 01:10:23.140 --> 01:10:26.260 falsely claim the name of Jesus. But over time 01:10:26.260 --> 01:10:29.220 it shows. Their fruits speak. You can't fake 01:10:29.220 --> 01:10:33.619 it. You can't fake the fruit. But I think what 01:10:33.619 --> 01:10:35.619 we forget because a lot of us get really caught 01:10:35.619 --> 01:10:37.760 up on like wanting other people to see and other 01:10:37.760 --> 01:10:40.619 people know the only person like really God knows. 01:10:41.599 --> 01:10:43.539 and no one is going to be able to go before the 01:10:43.539 --> 01:10:53.100 Heavenly Father one day and fake it. The Lord 01:10:53.100 --> 01:10:58.600 knows who are His. He knows. He knows those who 01:10:58.600 --> 01:11:00.579 are one day going to put their faith in Him. 01:11:00.600 --> 01:11:03.479 He knows the elect. He knows those who are going 01:11:03.479 --> 01:11:07.960 to turn. Now in a large house, there are not 01:11:07.960 --> 01:11:10.560 only gold and silver vessels, but also those 01:11:10.560 --> 01:11:13.659 of wood and clay, some for honorable use and 01:11:13.659 --> 01:11:17.340 some for dishonorable use. So if anyone purifies 01:11:17.340 --> 01:11:19.579 himself from anything dishonorable, he will be 01:11:19.579 --> 01:11:21.720 a special instrument set apart, useful to the 01:11:21.720 --> 01:11:26.119 master, prepared for every good work. And I want 01:11:26.119 --> 01:11:28.539 to take this as a moment, and I think this is 01:11:28.539 --> 01:11:32.619 where Paul was getting at too, is we all have 01:11:32.619 --> 01:11:35.680 talents. And I talked about this in the last 01:11:35.680 --> 01:11:38.420 episode. We have talents. Right now obviously 01:11:38.420 --> 01:11:40.979 there there are gifts of the spirit like the 01:11:40.979 --> 01:11:44.199 gift of teaching The gift of evangelizing and 01:11:44.199 --> 01:11:46.699 these things but a lot of us are born with natural 01:11:46.699 --> 01:11:50.479 talents Like we might be good at singing. We 01:11:50.479 --> 01:11:52.140 might be good at musical instruments. We might 01:11:52.140 --> 01:11:54.399 be good at art We might be good at dancing. We 01:11:54.399 --> 01:11:55.960 might be good at communicating. We might be good 01:11:55.960 --> 01:12:00.319 at these things And we each have the decision 01:12:00.319 --> 01:12:03.140 of what we do with that talent. Do you use it 01:12:03.140 --> 01:12:06.739 to glorify God? Or do you use it to get yourself 01:12:06.739 --> 01:12:08.659 ahead? Do you use it for the world? Do you use 01:12:08.659 --> 01:12:13.600 it for wickedness? God created I think we forget 01:12:13.600 --> 01:12:17.739 sometimes that God created things good It's sin. 01:12:17.779 --> 01:12:23.760 It's the devil that corrupts People with the 01:12:23.760 --> 01:12:27.619 gift of singing people with the talent of singing 01:12:27.619 --> 01:12:31.140 you see some that use it to glorify God You'll 01:12:31.140 --> 01:12:34.079 see them singing in church You'll see them singing 01:12:34.079 --> 01:12:37.020 in the choir. You'll see them giving their time 01:12:37.020 --> 01:12:39.079 with their gift to God You'll see them singing 01:12:39.079 --> 01:12:42.000 worship music. You'll see them, you know working 01:12:42.000 --> 01:12:46.539 in those ways and Things are gonna plant seeds 01:12:46.539 --> 01:12:48.199 and things that are gonna give other people strength 01:12:48.199 --> 01:12:49.659 I don't know about y 'all but when I'm feeling 01:12:49.659 --> 01:12:53.159 weak one of my ways I go into worship because 01:12:53.159 --> 01:12:57.140 I I can't Be worshiping and ungrateful. I can't 01:12:57.140 --> 01:13:00.079 be worshiping and angry. I can't be worshiping 01:13:00.079 --> 01:13:03.029 and hopeless So when I feel those feelings I 01:13:03.029 --> 01:13:05.289 get into a space of worship and oftentimes I 01:13:05.289 --> 01:13:07.630 listen to worship music and it's because people 01:13:07.630 --> 01:13:10.029 chose to use their gift in a way that glorifies 01:13:10.029 --> 01:13:11.949 God that I'm able to turn on that worship music 01:13:11.949 --> 01:13:13.850 because singing is not like my gift. I'm being 01:13:13.850 --> 01:13:17.949 so real with y 'all. But then we also see people 01:13:17.949 --> 01:13:23.949 who have that same gift. Who use it for themselves. 01:13:25.069 --> 01:13:27.310 It's not about God. It's not about pointing people 01:13:27.310 --> 01:13:30.149 to the cross. It's not about how God can use 01:13:30.149 --> 01:13:35.310 it It's about how much money can make They use 01:13:35.310 --> 01:13:39.750 that gift and they lead people into lust They 01:13:39.750 --> 01:13:42.569 sing all these songs about sex and drugs and 01:13:42.569 --> 01:13:46.729 money and all these things and hookups and Cheating 01:13:46.729 --> 01:13:49.489 and adultery all this stuff and they glorify 01:13:49.489 --> 01:13:51.500 that and there are other people who sing that 01:13:51.500 --> 01:13:53.619 and come into agreement with that and think what 01:13:53.619 --> 01:13:56.319 they're doing is okay and they don't realize 01:13:56.319 --> 01:13:58.020 that even singing about that you're being used 01:13:58.020 --> 01:13:59.579 by the kingdom of darkness because that's what 01:13:59.579 --> 01:14:01.159 you're normalizing and that's what you're glorifying 01:14:01.159 --> 01:14:06.680 and that's what you're elevating. There are people 01:14:06.680 --> 01:14:10.399 who have a gift for explaining things and communicating 01:14:10.399 --> 01:14:13.220 things and when they could be being used to explain 01:14:13.220 --> 01:14:16.409 the gospel and communicate the gospel or to counsel 01:14:16.409 --> 01:14:18.090 people or to talk to people. Instead, they use 01:14:18.090 --> 01:14:20.090 it to manipulate and to twist and to deceive. 01:14:20.449 --> 01:14:24.350 They use it to sell things. They use it to be 01:14:24.350 --> 01:14:31.630 a sales pitch. They use it to sell the kingdom 01:14:31.630 --> 01:14:35.970 of darkness. God, we are born with talents, but 01:14:35.970 --> 01:14:40.119 we make the choice. Do we use this in a clean 01:14:40.119 --> 01:14:42.979 and honorable way or do we use this in a dishonorable 01:14:42.979 --> 01:14:45.199 way? And I want to be so clear that you can repent 01:14:45.199 --> 01:14:49.100 and Stop using it in a dishonorable way and use 01:14:49.100 --> 01:14:53.859 it in an honorable way. For example, y 'all One 01:14:53.859 --> 01:14:55.340 of the gifts I really feel like the Lord has 01:14:55.340 --> 01:14:58.819 given me is the ability to explain things For 01:14:58.819 --> 01:15:01.000 me, that's one now. I'm not saying I'm perfect 01:15:01.000 --> 01:15:04.409 with our amazing with it But one thing I've been 01:15:04.409 --> 01:15:06.149 told a lot over my life is you're really good 01:15:06.149 --> 01:15:08.329 at explaining how you feel or you're really good 01:15:08.329 --> 01:15:10.149 at explaining a situation where it makes sense 01:15:10.149 --> 01:15:14.170 and it's relatable and I can understand it. But 01:15:14.170 --> 01:15:16.149 unfortunately I didn't always use that for the 01:15:16.149 --> 01:15:19.350 gospel. Now God has shown me how to use it to 01:15:19.350 --> 01:15:22.350 glorify him and lead other people to him. But 01:15:22.350 --> 01:15:24.390 I used to do it in self -serving ways. When I 01:15:24.390 --> 01:15:26.789 was a new age I used it to sell tarot readings. 01:15:27.869 --> 01:15:33.239 I used it in a very dishonorable way. But when 01:15:33.239 --> 01:15:37.920 I repented and I gave my life to Jesus amen I 01:15:37.920 --> 01:15:39.720 Went through a time of just humbling myself before 01:15:39.720 --> 01:15:41.479 him and one day he started telling me that you're 01:15:41.479 --> 01:15:43.920 gonna share this testimony and you're gonna use 01:15:43.920 --> 01:15:47.319 it and This is how I want you to start using 01:15:47.319 --> 01:15:49.380 as on the podcast start talking to people about 01:15:49.380 --> 01:15:51.399 what I did for your life And it slowly turned 01:15:51.399 --> 01:15:54.020 into start explaining what you understand with 01:15:54.020 --> 01:15:58.039 scripture start breaking it down It finally turned 01:15:58.039 --> 01:16:03.310 into this series now second Timothy It is possible 01:16:03.310 --> 01:16:07.149 because it says here It says here if anyone purifies 01:16:07.149 --> 01:16:09.670 himself from anything dishonorable He will be 01:16:09.670 --> 01:16:12.189 a special instrument set apart useful to the 01:16:12.189 --> 01:16:14.850 master prepared for every work I want to speak 01:16:14.850 --> 01:16:17.529 this to y 'all today that there is restoration 01:16:17.529 --> 01:16:21.149 and renewal and repentance you can be using your 01:16:21.149 --> 01:16:26.689 talents in a bad way and Repent and start using 01:16:26.689 --> 01:16:30.380 them in an honorable way And not only will God 01:16:30.380 --> 01:16:34.819 use it, He will set you apart. And He will use 01:16:34.819 --> 01:16:37.699 you in ways that are amazing. He will use you 01:16:37.699 --> 01:16:41.039 to do incredible good works. I think we forget 01:16:41.039 --> 01:16:43.659 that people can repent. And that's why when I 01:16:43.659 --> 01:16:47.680 use examples, and how I even did today of like, 01:16:48.439 --> 01:16:50.399 people who might be calling on the name of Jesus, 01:16:51.560 --> 01:16:53.100 but don't have their faith in Him, I want to 01:16:53.100 --> 01:16:54.600 remind you all that it is possible for these 01:16:54.600 --> 01:16:56.340 people to one day have their faith in Jesus. 01:16:56.889 --> 01:16:59.350 Everyone we have the opportunity throughout our 01:16:59.350 --> 01:17:01.489 life when I was talking about the elect. We still 01:17:01.489 --> 01:17:05.149 have the opportunity throughout our life It's 01:17:05.149 --> 01:17:07.329 not like we're programmed to have no opportunity 01:17:07.329 --> 01:17:12.250 we have the opportunity we have the choice and 01:17:12.250 --> 01:17:15.390 That's why we should never condemn anyone Even 01:17:15.390 --> 01:17:17.329 when you see someone who's heavy in debauchery 01:17:17.329 --> 01:17:19.569 someone who's heavy in witchcraft someone who's 01:17:19.569 --> 01:17:22.430 heavy in fornication or any of these like any 01:17:22.430 --> 01:17:25.619 of these things And we can look at them and see 01:17:25.619 --> 01:17:29.119 that they are on the path to hell. We can see 01:17:29.119 --> 01:17:30.779 through what they're doing and where their faith 01:17:30.779 --> 01:17:33.779 is at that this is not right in the sight of 01:17:33.779 --> 01:17:37.699 God. But we can't say this person is never going 01:17:37.699 --> 01:17:39.560 to repent and this person is never going to change 01:17:39.560 --> 01:17:41.699 and God can do nothing. Because we don't know 01:17:41.699 --> 01:17:47.659 that. People used to say that about me. And God 01:17:47.659 --> 01:17:51.340 surprised a lot. God surprised me. He surprised 01:17:51.340 --> 01:17:53.720 a lot of other people for leaving the 99 to find 01:17:53.720 --> 01:17:57.779 me He found me and I want to remind you all of 01:17:57.779 --> 01:17:59.920 that that there is no one who is too far gone 01:17:59.920 --> 01:18:02.199 To come to Jesus. I was someone who used to say 01:18:02.199 --> 01:18:05.279 I would never Never be a Christian that been 01:18:05.279 --> 01:18:12.220 never And look at what God does I Want to remind 01:18:12.220 --> 01:18:15.460 you all of that that you are capable of redemption 01:18:15.460 --> 01:18:18.500 and renewal And like sometimes I think we we 01:18:18.500 --> 01:18:20.760 we think that when people repent like God will 01:18:20.760 --> 01:18:22.500 just forgive them and they'll kind of just barely 01:18:22.500 --> 01:18:24.840 get by and they have to work the rest of their 01:18:24.840 --> 01:18:27.199 life at like earning God's grace and love and 01:18:27.199 --> 01:18:30.039 mercy and this is God's reminder of no you can 01:18:30.039 --> 01:18:32.819 actually be set apart like you can be used for 01:18:32.819 --> 01:18:36.220 big things for good things like we are on an 01:18:36.220 --> 01:18:40.619 even playing field here in God's eyes not the 01:18:40.619 --> 01:18:42.859 world's but in God's and that's not saying that 01:18:42.859 --> 01:18:44.260 the world is going to forgive you all for your 01:18:44.260 --> 01:18:47.619 past It's not saying that the world's gonna forget 01:18:47.619 --> 01:18:51.140 or let it go. But in God's eyes, you're a new 01:18:51.140 --> 01:18:54.119 creation. Anyone who's in Christ is a new creation. 01:18:54.880 --> 01:18:58.760 Amen, amen. So it says here, flee, we're in verse 01:18:58.760 --> 01:19:02.359 22, flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, 01:19:02.939 --> 01:19:06.260 faith, love, and peace, along with those who 01:19:06.260 --> 01:19:12.710 call on the Lord from a pure heart. And I want 01:19:12.710 --> 01:19:14.810 this to be our encouragement today to look at 01:19:14.810 --> 01:19:17.390 the desires in your heart currently look at the 01:19:17.390 --> 01:19:19.609 things that you're passionate about and really 01:19:19.609 --> 01:19:23.430 kind of start thinking like Do these things align 01:19:23.430 --> 01:19:26.189 with the Word of God and do these things glorify 01:19:26.189 --> 01:19:30.010 God? Some of these things maybe you've been holding 01:19:30.010 --> 01:19:32.609 on to for years that they've just been your your 01:19:32.609 --> 01:19:35.630 goal for years. Are these God -given desires? 01:19:37.689 --> 01:19:40.880 Are these Godly passions are these things that 01:19:40.880 --> 01:19:42.699 bring you closer to Christ or these things that 01:19:42.699 --> 01:19:48.739 align with Scripture? Are these passions leading 01:19:48.739 --> 01:19:52.720 you to pursue righteousness, faith, love, and 01:19:52.720 --> 01:19:56.340 peace and allowing you to operate from your heart? 01:19:57.520 --> 01:20:00.380 Are they bringing other things out of you? And 01:20:00.380 --> 01:20:02.460 if they're bringing other things out of you, 01:20:02.880 --> 01:20:05.159 it might be time to evaluate and see that that 01:20:05.159 --> 01:20:08.909 might not, that might be a passion that you should 01:20:08.909 --> 01:20:16.710 be fleeing from. If it's lust, it's, you know, 01:20:16.909 --> 01:20:19.770 the sex, and you find like you're looking for 01:20:19.770 --> 01:20:21.750 all the, for example, you want all these things 01:20:21.750 --> 01:20:24.510 in a partner, but when you really stop and evaluate, 01:20:24.609 --> 01:20:26.210 you realize that a lot of these things are from 01:20:26.210 --> 01:20:28.449 like a lustful, passionate place, and a lot of 01:20:28.449 --> 01:20:30.510 these things wouldn't lead you closer to Christ. 01:20:30.810 --> 01:20:33.350 Don't come from a man who's leading you closer 01:20:33.350 --> 01:20:36.850 to Christ. Don't come from a man of God. Comes 01:20:36.850 --> 01:20:40.130 from a man of the world, you know, you know and 01:20:40.130 --> 01:20:42.369 thought my brothers in Christ not a woman of 01:20:42.369 --> 01:20:45.750 God a woman of the world, right? We're called 01:20:45.750 --> 01:20:50.609 to flee from these passions and A quick way to 01:20:50.609 --> 01:20:52.390 identify if it's a passion You should be fleeing 01:20:52.390 --> 01:20:55.829 from is does it lead you again to pursue righteousness 01:20:55.829 --> 01:20:59.310 faith love and peace does it produce the peace 01:20:59.310 --> 01:21:05.569 Does it allow you to operate from the pure heart 01:21:06.689 --> 01:21:09.250 It says here, but reject foolish, we're going 01:21:09.250 --> 01:21:13.090 back to cut out the petty arguments, but reject 01:21:13.090 --> 01:21:16.670 foolish and ignorant disputes because you know 01:21:16.670 --> 01:21:19.649 they breed quarrels. The Lord's servant must 01:21:19.649 --> 01:21:22.649 not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, 01:21:22.750 --> 01:21:25.729 able to teach, and patient, instructing his opponents 01:21:25.729 --> 01:21:27.750 with gentleness. That's what sets you apart. 01:21:27.810 --> 01:21:29.350 I've talked to you all about this a lot. We're 01:21:29.350 --> 01:21:31.550 supposed to look different than the world. Our 01:21:31.550 --> 01:21:33.890 reactions are supposed to look different from 01:21:33.890 --> 01:21:36.529 the world. You are supposed to react differently 01:21:36.529 --> 01:21:39.029 when you're put in a situation. We're not called 01:21:39.029 --> 01:21:41.829 to be crash outs. I was a crash out before I 01:21:41.829 --> 01:21:44.680 gave my life to Jesus and slowly He worked on 01:21:44.680 --> 01:21:47.100 my heart and worked on my reactions and I became 01:21:47.100 --> 01:21:50.060 less of a crash out. I became someone who could 01:21:50.060 --> 01:21:52.340 respond differently, someone who the first step 01:21:52.340 --> 01:21:54.279 God showed me is how to shut my mouth and be 01:21:54.279 --> 01:21:56.680 silent. And at first I just had to endure people 01:21:56.680 --> 01:21:58.340 saying things to me and me just not responding 01:21:58.340 --> 01:22:00.640 back because at the time I couldn't respond in 01:22:00.640 --> 01:22:03.119 a loving way and the way that wasn't condemning. 01:22:03.579 --> 01:22:05.079 So if I couldn't say anything nice, I didn't 01:22:05.079 --> 01:22:07.640 say anything at all. And that was what God took 01:22:07.640 --> 01:22:11.130 me through and that was humbling, humbling. But 01:22:11.130 --> 01:22:12.689 I just had to learn how to shut my mouth and 01:22:12.689 --> 01:22:15.489 how to just walk away and not even make the facial 01:22:15.489 --> 01:22:18.670 expressions. Some of us think that we can shut 01:22:18.670 --> 01:22:20.609 our mouth but then make all the sarcastic facial 01:22:20.609 --> 01:22:23.930 expressions and get away with it. No. No. I had 01:22:23.930 --> 01:22:26.210 to learn how to not only shut my mouth but tame 01:22:26.210 --> 01:22:28.949 my face. And even though I swill in all these 01:22:28.949 --> 01:22:30.869 different types of ways inside, the first step 01:22:30.869 --> 01:22:36.270 was not clapping back, not crashing out, not 01:22:36.270 --> 01:22:39.090 responding back. Because I understood that any 01:22:39.090 --> 01:22:40.729 kind of crash out I'm an ambassador for Christ 01:22:40.729 --> 01:22:44.329 now now that I am a Christian And if I and I 01:22:44.329 --> 01:22:46.489 want to say I live my life by the word of God 01:22:46.489 --> 01:22:48.789 I'm a follower of Jesus and especially if I want 01:22:48.789 --> 01:22:50.510 to start holding other people accountable to 01:22:50.510 --> 01:22:54.109 that I better be holding myself to it first The 01:22:54.109 --> 01:22:56.689 log in my own eye before I point out the splinter 01:22:56.689 --> 01:23:00.029 and someone else's yeah And that was my first 01:23:00.029 --> 01:23:02.810 step is shut my mouth learn how to shut my mouth 01:23:02.810 --> 01:23:06.060 and then slowly the Lord started showing me how 01:23:06.060 --> 01:23:09.399 to respond in love and it's really through steps 01:23:09.399 --> 01:23:10.979 right because I feel like we have to keep that 01:23:10.979 --> 01:23:12.840 in mind I feel like we have to remember that 01:23:12.840 --> 01:23:15.720 but like we are ambassadors for Christ and the 01:23:15.720 --> 01:23:18.319 way we respond needs to look different from the 01:23:18.319 --> 01:23:22.920 way the world responds and today I am not comforting 01:23:22.920 --> 01:23:25.539 y 'all and being a crash out I am not comforting 01:23:25.539 --> 01:23:30.720 y 'all in matching energy and getting your look 01:23:30.720 --> 01:23:32.520 back and responding. And what I mean by matching 01:23:32.520 --> 01:23:34.819 energy is that's like a very popular thing today, 01:23:34.819 --> 01:23:36.600 right? Of like, well, they treat me this way, 01:23:36.600 --> 01:23:38.039 I'm going to treat them that way. They said this 01:23:38.039 --> 01:23:39.300 to me, I'm going to say it to them back. They 01:23:39.300 --> 01:23:40.539 made me feel this way, I'm going to make them 01:23:40.539 --> 01:23:42.920 feel like that. And I'm not innocent at all. 01:23:43.300 --> 01:23:45.140 I'm not innocent in that. I was that person when 01:23:45.140 --> 01:23:46.659 I was younger that if someone hit me, I was going 01:23:46.659 --> 01:23:48.619 to hit them harder. And I just thought, well, 01:23:48.699 --> 01:23:50.060 then they won't hit me again because they know 01:23:50.060 --> 01:23:52.680 I hit really hard with my words and with my comments. 01:23:53.119 --> 01:23:55.729 But that wasn't the love of Jesus. That was the 01:23:55.729 --> 01:23:57.970 worldly way and that was the way to get a worldly 01:23:57.970 --> 01:24:00.430 win and the worldly feel good. But that wasn't 01:24:00.430 --> 01:24:02.489 pointing anyone closer to Jesus and that was 01:24:02.489 --> 01:24:07.069 producing separation between me and Jesus. As 01:24:07.069 --> 01:24:10.069 followers of Christ, we are to reject the foolish 01:24:10.069 --> 01:24:12.970 and ignorant arguments where people are just 01:24:12.970 --> 01:24:14.350 trying to gaslight you and trying to get you 01:24:14.350 --> 01:24:15.569 heated when you're looking at it and you're like 01:24:15.569 --> 01:24:19.159 there is nothing to be gained here. You're not 01:24:19.159 --> 01:24:21.000 to fight to fight. You're not to argue to argue 01:24:21.000 --> 01:24:22.500 There's a lot of us that find ourselves going 01:24:22.500 --> 01:24:25.100 into arguments and disagreements not even because 01:24:25.100 --> 01:24:27.239 like there's a win But more out of pride and 01:24:27.239 --> 01:24:29.859 out of ego of not wanting to lose and wanting 01:24:29.859 --> 01:24:31.859 to get the last word We are not called to get 01:24:31.859 --> 01:24:34.760 the last word as Christians That's not our lot. 01:24:35.060 --> 01:24:38.619 That's not our game Because it goes on here to 01:24:38.619 --> 01:24:41.260 say perhaps God will grant them repentance leading 01:24:41.260 --> 01:24:43.920 them to the knowledge of truth Then they come 01:24:43.920 --> 01:24:45.699 to their senses and will escape the trap of the 01:24:45.699 --> 01:24:47.800 devil who has taken them captive to do as well 01:24:47.960 --> 01:24:50.159 Y 'all, I cannot tell you how many times that 01:24:50.159 --> 01:24:53.520 the Lord has called me to just drop it, to drop 01:24:53.520 --> 01:24:56.079 it and trust that He will convict and trust that 01:24:56.079 --> 01:24:58.619 He will work in hearts and trust that He will 01:24:58.619 --> 01:25:00.659 lead them to repentance. And I cannot tell y 01:25:00.659 --> 01:25:02.600 'all how many times that God fulfilled that or 01:25:02.600 --> 01:25:04.600 later on the person apologized or later on the 01:25:04.600 --> 01:25:06.760 person repented or later on the person learned 01:25:06.760 --> 01:25:09.140 a lesson from it. It actually speaks a lot more 01:25:09.140 --> 01:25:12.399 volumes when you don't hurt them back. They actually 01:25:12.399 --> 01:25:15.449 have to sit with it a lot more. and i'm not saying 01:25:15.449 --> 01:25:17.050 every person there are some people who don't 01:25:17.050 --> 01:25:21.250 have that guilty conscience but there is the 01:25:21.250 --> 01:25:24.369 chance that god is actively working at their 01:25:24.369 --> 01:25:26.449 heart and knocking at their heart and you deciding 01:25:26.449 --> 01:25:31.149 to respond in love and meet in love that they 01:25:31.149 --> 01:25:36.270 are going to be left to have to evaluate the 01:25:36.270 --> 01:25:41.289 situation and god is going to pierce their heart 01:25:41.289 --> 01:25:48.670 with conviction You're not going to plant the 01:25:48.670 --> 01:25:51.789 seed and get them to give to God give their lives 01:25:51.789 --> 01:25:53.729 to Jesus and see that they're wrong and everything 01:25:53.729 --> 01:25:55.850 in the heat of the moment and the heat of coral 01:25:55.850 --> 01:25:59.529 It's in the time of reflection and we have to 01:25:59.529 --> 01:26:03.729 be so thoughtful of how we leave situations and 01:26:03.729 --> 01:26:06.210 oftentimes us not matching and us not going back 01:26:06.210 --> 01:26:09.149 and forth is What opens the door for God to be 01:26:09.149 --> 01:26:11.789 able to come in and do that now I go I did look 01:26:11.789 --> 01:26:14.909 at the time and we are kind of over time We're 01:26:14.909 --> 01:26:17.210 at like a minute. We're at like an hour and 30 01:26:17.210 --> 01:26:19.729 minutes on this podcast episode So I do feel 01:26:19.729 --> 01:26:22.189 like we need to kind of close it down right here 01:26:22.189 --> 01:26:25.770 But I want you all to tune in for next week's 01:26:25.770 --> 01:26:28.350 episode where I believe God willing we will be 01:26:28.350 --> 01:26:31.229 doing chapter 3 and I pray that this episode 01:26:31.229 --> 01:26:34.439 is encouraging to y 'all And I do ask you to 01:26:34.439 --> 01:26:36.039 hit subscribe wherever it is you're listening 01:26:36.039 --> 01:26:38.659 to this podcast. Leave a review. You can leave 01:26:38.659 --> 01:26:40.220 the little stars, especially if you're listening 01:26:40.220 --> 01:26:43.220 on like Spotify, Amazon, Apple. If you're listening 01:26:43.220 --> 01:26:46.359 on YouTube, make sure to drop a comment. Share 01:26:46.359 --> 01:26:47.859 this with someone who you think is going to be 01:26:47.859 --> 01:26:49.680 needing to hear this episode and I will see you 01:26:49.680 --> 01:26:51.340 guys next time. Bye guys.