1 00:00:14,119 --> 00:00:17,359 Welcome to the Lansdale Life Church podcast. 2 00:00:18,379 --> 00:00:24,100 If you're seeking a closer relationship with Jesus Christ, this podcast is for you. 3 00:00:24,940 --> 00:00:27,019 Thank you for joining us today. 4 00:00:34,480 --> 00:00:38,960 This battle that we see before us, you win. 5 00:00:40,380 --> 00:00:46,219 And so we're confident tonight, as we speak of your mercies that have been 6 00:00:46,219 --> 00:00:51,340 extended to the house of Israel through the years, it's the same mercy that we 7 00:00:51,340 --> 00:00:54,399 receive as we abide with you. 8 00:00:55,259 --> 00:01:00,820 And of course, when we don't obey and we go our own way, you will chastise us and 9 00:01:00,820 --> 00:01:05,159 rightfully so, with love, because you do love us so much. 10 00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:11,939 And Father, we give you tonight, we thank you for tonight, and we ask that as we 11 00:01:11,939 --> 00:01:15,060 go our way, that we will have learned something a bit more about your 12 00:01:15,060 --> 00:01:15,819 wonderful scripture. 13 00:01:16,739 --> 00:01:21,060 It's amazing how you unfold things that are new to us every day. 14 00:01:21,859 --> 00:01:23,900 And we pray these things in Jesus' name. 15 00:01:24,700 --> 00:01:26,260 And everyone said, amen. 16 00:01:27,219 --> 00:01:30,680 Now, two things of warning, thank you for moving up. 17 00:01:31,260 --> 00:01:32,480 I am now tethered. 18 00:01:33,599 --> 00:01:37,640 It used to be that we had a mobile mic, so I can't get any further than about 19 00:01:37,640 --> 00:01:41,840 the thing because the mic goes out on us. 20 00:01:42,540 --> 00:01:48,819 And then a word of caution, you may be called on as unlikely as it is that I 21 00:01:48,819 --> 00:01:53,459 do that because my right hand lady, Gayle, she's not here. 22 00:01:53,719 --> 00:01:57,879 And every time I ask a question, her hand goes up and it saves all the 23 00:01:57,879 --> 00:01:59,099 rest of you from answering. 24 00:01:59,739 --> 00:02:04,079 So since she's not here tonight, it won't be embarrassing, but when I stick 25 00:02:04,079 --> 00:02:05,799 the mic in front of you, it's your turn. 26 00:02:10,300 --> 00:02:12,120 Ken, no hope for you, buddy. 27 00:02:12,719 --> 00:02:13,780 You ought to go that way. 28 00:02:13,780 --> 00:02:16,000 All right. 29 00:02:17,439 --> 00:02:20,860 God's faithfulness extends to all generations. 30 00:02:21,659 --> 00:02:22,840 That's our declarative. 31 00:02:24,000 --> 00:02:29,599 We'll do a quick basic outline of chapter 18. 32 00:02:30,080 --> 00:02:33,759 The tabernacle is now established at Shiloh. 33 00:02:34,400 --> 00:02:42,419 The Israel's lights assemble at Shiloh and the tabernacle is now set up. 34 00:02:42,419 --> 00:02:46,020 Remember Shiloh is first where it was. 35 00:02:46,219 --> 00:02:52,060 And then as it developed in Jerusalem was brought in on the scenes and during 36 00:02:52,060 --> 00:02:56,120 David's reign and then during Solomon's reign, it was built there. 37 00:02:58,000 --> 00:03:02,439 Number two, Joshua challenges the seven remaining tribes that 38 00:03:02,439 --> 00:03:03,939 didn't take their land yet. 39 00:03:04,659 --> 00:03:05,680 They weren't obedient. 40 00:03:07,300 --> 00:03:09,319 And for what reason? 41 00:03:09,539 --> 00:03:10,060 I don't know. 42 00:03:10,699 --> 00:03:13,379 They were busy, I guess, trying to establish themselves. 43 00:03:14,039 --> 00:03:16,860 So Joshua actually rebukes them because of their delay. 44 00:03:17,159 --> 00:03:22,159 You know, come into your land, possess your land, take your land, and do 45 00:03:22,159 --> 00:03:27,000 what you must do to again, bring sovereignty to the Lord Jesus in 46 00:03:27,000 --> 00:03:28,139 your own dwelling place. 47 00:03:29,060 --> 00:03:33,240 The survey and then the division of the remaining land was made. 48 00:03:34,199 --> 00:03:36,919 The representatives are chosen to do this. 49 00:03:37,480 --> 00:03:44,520 The land is surveyed and described and lots are cast before the Lord at Shiloh. 50 00:03:45,479 --> 00:03:49,759 And then the last one, Benjamin receives its inheritance and the 51 00:03:49,759 --> 00:03:53,219 boundaries of Benjamin, like every other territory, are defined. 52 00:03:54,099 --> 00:03:54,500 Okay. 53 00:03:55,639 --> 00:03:57,960 And the cities of Benjamin are listed here. 54 00:03:58,360 --> 00:04:00,060 Jericho, Bethel, Gibeon, and Jerusalem. 55 00:04:01,419 --> 00:04:01,560 All right. 56 00:04:01,560 --> 00:04:03,240 What's interesting about this? 57 00:04:03,240 --> 00:04:08,379 The word established means that this is the first time that they had 58 00:04:08,379 --> 00:04:11,300 a permanence of where to worship. 59 00:04:11,479 --> 00:04:14,020 Remember, they were transient all their life. 60 00:04:14,919 --> 00:04:19,339 When God spoke to Moses on the mountain and he provided the 61 00:04:19,339 --> 00:04:24,259 information necessary to build the tabernacle, it was mobile for 62 00:04:24,259 --> 00:04:25,959 years and years and years. 63 00:04:26,920 --> 00:04:31,519 And now all of a sudden it is established in the Promised Land. 64 00:04:31,560 --> 00:04:32,420 So that's a first. 65 00:04:33,660 --> 00:04:41,319 The worship that went before the possession is always the way God works. 66 00:04:45,980 --> 00:04:49,360 The, I guess there's a misprint there. 67 00:04:49,800 --> 00:04:49,839 Okay. 68 00:04:50,259 --> 00:04:50,540 All right. 69 00:04:51,279 --> 00:04:54,079 The tabernacle is established before the allotment of the 70 00:04:54,079 --> 00:04:57,399 remaining tribal inheritance were divided up. 71 00:04:58,220 --> 00:05:02,339 So that worship was important because it shows that God required 72 00:05:02,339 --> 00:05:05,600 first an adoration to him before he gave the land. 73 00:05:06,199 --> 00:05:10,259 This order is significant because Israel's relationship with God was 74 00:05:10,259 --> 00:05:12,600 to take priority over all possessions. 75 00:05:13,220 --> 00:05:14,620 And that kind of works for us. 76 00:05:15,920 --> 00:05:21,319 Do we have a situation where we have the free ticket and the give 77 00:05:21,319 --> 00:05:22,939 me this and bless me, this club? 78 00:05:23,100 --> 00:05:26,120 I don't think anybody in here works in that arena. 79 00:05:27,120 --> 00:05:33,480 And so he establishes that, yes, he is benevolent, but yes, he is to be 80 00:05:33,480 --> 00:05:38,379 worshiped and adored like we do on Sundays, like you do in your personal 81 00:05:38,379 --> 00:05:42,019 worship, and so that he establishes that priority. 82 00:05:43,220 --> 00:05:46,079 And then the set up, once again, the spiritual priorities then 83 00:05:46,079 --> 00:05:49,600 should be established for us so we can see God's presence. 84 00:05:50,579 --> 00:05:54,480 And there should be, the presence should be the center around 85 00:05:54,480 --> 00:05:57,959 which all other blessings are given. 86 00:05:58,759 --> 00:06:00,079 So that's the premise. 87 00:06:01,639 --> 00:06:06,120 Then one other quick thing here, not yet possessed their inheritance. 88 00:06:07,279 --> 00:06:12,300 Have we ever taken possession of our inheritance from the Lord or have 89 00:06:12,300 --> 00:06:15,899 we missed out, but it's not too late? 90 00:06:16,319 --> 00:06:20,600 People say, well, I've, you know, I'm past the age where I can 91 00:06:20,600 --> 00:06:21,540 do anything for God. 92 00:06:22,079 --> 00:06:23,899 No, you can always do something for God. 93 00:06:23,899 --> 00:06:25,019 There's always a calling. 94 00:06:25,180 --> 00:06:26,279 There's always a position. 95 00:06:26,740 --> 00:06:30,319 There's always something to do in the kingdom of God for every one of us. 96 00:06:31,180 --> 00:06:34,379 We might, we might miss the fullness of his blessing. 97 00:06:35,180 --> 00:06:39,980 We might experience unnecessary frustration if we don't enter into that calling and 98 00:06:39,980 --> 00:06:43,660 we will miss opportunities to influence others for Christ. 99 00:06:44,459 --> 00:06:47,740 And we will miss a deeper experience of God's presence. 100 00:06:48,540 --> 00:06:49,019 Okay. 101 00:06:49,600 --> 00:06:50,639 So that's where we're at. 102 00:06:50,800 --> 00:06:52,079 So I got a question for you. 103 00:06:52,839 --> 00:06:59,060 In what ways can we actively maintain God's presence as the center of our lives? 104 00:06:59,220 --> 00:07:00,120 How do we do that? 105 00:07:00,779 --> 00:07:02,199 What does that look like? 106 00:07:02,420 --> 00:07:09,620 How do we maintain that area of presence and abiding presence with him in your 107 00:07:09,620 --> 00:07:14,579 every walk of life during the day at night in the morning? 108 00:07:15,519 --> 00:07:16,439 What's that look? 109 00:07:16,660 --> 00:07:16,959 Okay. 110 00:07:17,220 --> 00:07:18,160 You've got prayer. 111 00:07:18,259 --> 00:07:18,819 All right. 112 00:07:19,660 --> 00:07:20,279 Okay. 113 00:07:20,339 --> 00:07:20,920 The word. 114 00:07:21,479 --> 00:07:23,360 I'm just including it in everything you do. 115 00:07:23,660 --> 00:07:23,860 All right. 116 00:07:23,980 --> 00:07:25,680 You know, kids have imaginary friends. 117 00:07:25,720 --> 00:07:26,399 We have a real friend. 118 00:07:26,600 --> 00:07:26,779 Yes. 119 00:07:27,300 --> 00:07:29,259 So just hang with that friend and everything you're doing. 120 00:07:29,899 --> 00:07:30,180 Yeah. 121 00:07:30,620 --> 00:07:31,860 That's, that's why I do all day. 122 00:07:31,939 --> 00:07:33,560 Should I take this trade or should I not take this trade? 123 00:07:33,680 --> 00:07:35,519 Should I close that trade or not take close that trade? 124 00:07:36,360 --> 00:07:36,939 I just include them. 125 00:07:36,939 --> 00:07:37,439 Is he answering? 126 00:07:37,759 --> 00:07:38,740 No, I think so. 127 00:07:40,060 --> 00:07:41,660 When, when, when it's a good one. 128 00:07:41,839 --> 00:07:42,660 Yeah, right. 129 00:07:43,279 --> 00:07:43,920 Oh boy. 130 00:07:44,259 --> 00:07:45,500 Oh, the devil made me do it. 131 00:07:48,000 --> 00:07:48,920 How are you? 132 00:07:50,060 --> 00:07:51,139 Don't be sorry. 133 00:07:51,459 --> 00:07:51,819 You're good. 134 00:07:52,319 --> 00:07:53,300 That's okay. 135 00:07:54,819 --> 00:08:01,240 The interesting thing about the presence of the Lord is when you're in his presence, 136 00:08:01,399 --> 00:08:02,720 you hate to leave. 137 00:08:03,139 --> 00:08:07,360 When you, when you, when you come to the point in time in your life where you 138 00:08:07,360 --> 00:08:12,959 can press into that and find that it's something that you value so much. 139 00:08:13,680 --> 00:08:17,540 So what else do you do to maintain that presence? 140 00:08:17,540 --> 00:08:24,439 Now, like me, you know, Joni and I are in this, um, um, countryside, um, 141 00:08:25,300 --> 00:08:29,060 retirement place and, you know, we're talking all day long and she says, well, 142 00:08:29,079 --> 00:08:29,600 what did you say? 143 00:08:29,680 --> 00:08:30,939 Well, I was just talking to the Lord. 144 00:08:30,980 --> 00:08:33,700 Then I hear her singing or something and worshiping. 145 00:08:33,779 --> 00:08:36,460 And I think, you know, this is wonderful that we have just a 146 00:08:36,460 --> 00:08:37,740 communion with the Lord. 147 00:08:38,059 --> 00:08:39,759 How do you maintain that Jenny? 148 00:08:41,580 --> 00:08:47,000 Sometimes I sing praise music because God inhabits the people that praise Him. 149 00:08:47,539 --> 00:08:47,899 Yes. 150 00:08:48,120 --> 00:08:48,639 Very good. 151 00:08:49,639 --> 00:08:51,340 See, I'm glad you moved up. 152 00:08:51,460 --> 00:08:52,539 Well, I did too. 153 00:08:52,700 --> 00:08:53,720 It was a sage advice. 154 00:08:54,500 --> 00:09:01,299 Uh, I find many different things than, you know, but, um, I meditated 155 00:09:01,299 --> 00:09:05,860 just before it came over, you know, um, I don't want to get all goofy on you. 156 00:09:06,100 --> 00:09:10,519 I'm just, you know, just sitting down, breathing, being silent and being quiet. 157 00:09:11,899 --> 00:09:15,000 And, uh, going from there with God meditation, it's extremely powerful. 158 00:09:15,240 --> 00:09:16,120 Really clears the air. 159 00:09:16,879 --> 00:09:21,080 Well, so my wife came home from ceramics today and I told her, look, I said, I need 160 00:09:21,080 --> 00:09:22,580 to meditate before I go there. 161 00:09:22,820 --> 00:09:25,039 And I said, it's about 10 after three. 162 00:09:25,039 --> 00:09:26,659 And I woke up at quarter of four. 163 00:09:27,000 --> 00:09:29,120 So I meditated with my eyes closed. 164 00:09:30,179 --> 00:09:30,879 I'm guilty. 165 00:09:31,580 --> 00:09:32,200 Anyone else? 166 00:09:32,779 --> 00:09:37,519 How do we maintain God's presence in our life? 167 00:09:38,080 --> 00:09:40,659 All the things that we've talked about are true. 168 00:09:41,939 --> 00:09:47,980 It's having a, an affixiation toward what is God's interests. 169 00:09:48,720 --> 00:09:51,419 His interests may be people at some point in time. 170 00:09:52,019 --> 00:09:58,019 It may be situations that you can intervene in, but as long as we maintain 171 00:09:58,019 --> 00:10:06,600 a servant's attitude or position toward him, and we begin to groom an 172 00:10:06,600 --> 00:10:09,580 understanding of when he speaks to us. 173 00:10:09,580 --> 00:10:13,659 And it, isn't it interesting how he communicates to us and he doesn't say a 174 00:10:13,659 --> 00:10:16,799 word, you know, it's inside, he comes to us. 175 00:10:16,899 --> 00:10:22,039 I've only ever got here, her God say one word to me audibly. 176 00:10:22,920 --> 00:10:27,759 And other than that, it's that intuitive understanding that you get these 177 00:10:27,759 --> 00:10:33,399 impressions and these guidance from him to do what he asked you to do. 178 00:10:34,120 --> 00:10:34,700 All right. 179 00:10:36,439 --> 00:10:39,399 Now, let's take a look at the land itself. 180 00:10:39,679 --> 00:10:41,419 Let's do a little bit of a parenthesis here. 181 00:10:42,460 --> 00:10:47,340 So we come into the land and he's going to distribute the land. 182 00:10:47,700 --> 00:10:51,120 They should have taken their land by now, but this is what the scripture says. 183 00:10:51,820 --> 00:10:55,360 And the land was considered agriculturally rich compared to many 184 00:10:55,360 --> 00:10:57,559 surrounding regions in the East. 185 00:10:58,500 --> 00:11:06,799 And it says in Deuteronomy 8, a land of wheat, barley, vines, fig trees, 186 00:11:07,100 --> 00:11:11,440 pomegranates, this is the land that was given already there. 187 00:11:11,840 --> 00:11:16,740 Remember they had houses that they moved into when they, when they did the wars 188 00:11:16,740 --> 00:11:22,799 and they got rid of all the ites, like, um, I think you had talked about 189 00:11:22,799 --> 00:11:26,220 that on Sunday, Chris, all those ites to get rid of them. 190 00:11:26,879 --> 00:11:30,100 So they had houses, they had vineyards, and all they were to do 191 00:11:30,100 --> 00:11:31,399 is maintain those things. 192 00:11:32,220 --> 00:11:34,539 So sorry about that. 193 00:11:38,599 --> 00:11:42,519 And let's take a look at how this land was developed. 194 00:11:43,200 --> 00:11:50,139 This is the joy that is understanding in God about what he did in the land of all. 195 00:11:50,379 --> 00:11:53,220 And if you look at a map in the beginning, you can see that 196 00:11:53,220 --> 00:11:54,519 it was all arid and desert. 197 00:11:55,159 --> 00:12:00,340 But this chosen land had several agricultural advantages compared to the 198 00:12:00,340 --> 00:12:05,220 rest of the surroundings of the desert and the semi arid areas. 199 00:12:05,620 --> 00:12:10,759 Much of Israel's central and northern territory was highly productive when 200 00:12:10,759 --> 00:12:14,580 properly cultivated and with an abundance of rain. 201 00:12:14,919 --> 00:12:19,220 So remember that little tag, abundance of rain. 202 00:12:19,360 --> 00:12:20,220 We'll come back to that. 203 00:12:21,100 --> 00:12:24,080 Diverse growing regions were from north to south. 204 00:12:25,200 --> 00:12:27,379 Natural springs and water sources existed. 205 00:12:27,980 --> 00:12:33,279 High country terraces for farming, seasonal rains for crops, and 206 00:12:33,279 --> 00:12:34,700 fertile valleys for vineyards. 207 00:12:34,919 --> 00:12:36,039 So this is what they had. 208 00:12:36,379 --> 00:12:37,259 They had it all. 209 00:12:39,340 --> 00:12:46,460 Now the provision that God has given, which is an abundance in 210 00:12:46,460 --> 00:12:52,460 Deuteronomy 11, 10 and 12, it says this, it's better land than you had in 211 00:12:52,460 --> 00:12:56,899 Egypt where you had to struggle just to water your crops. 212 00:12:57,820 --> 00:13:02,080 The hills and the valleys in the promised land are watered by rain from heaven. 213 00:13:03,039 --> 00:13:03,080 Okay. 214 00:13:03,179 --> 00:13:09,019 So there, there again, God's benevolence because the Lord your God keeps his eye 215 00:13:09,019 --> 00:13:12,700 on the land and takes care of it all year long. 216 00:13:13,059 --> 00:13:15,279 So that's the promise that he had given. 217 00:13:15,819 --> 00:13:20,200 So the land was not only fertile geographically, but God shows it 218 00:13:20,200 --> 00:13:20,820 intentionally. 219 00:13:21,600 --> 00:13:24,740 And if you remember a couple of chapters back, we talked about the boundary of the 220 00:13:24,740 --> 00:13:27,220 north, the boundary of the south and the east and the west. 221 00:13:27,820 --> 00:13:29,679 So there are boundaries that he gave them. 222 00:13:29,899 --> 00:13:32,820 And then they had to divide the land up between the 12 tribes. 223 00:13:33,679 --> 00:13:36,120 So the covenant provision was all the way from Abraham. 224 00:13:36,919 --> 00:13:38,220 It was promised to them. 225 00:13:38,620 --> 00:13:40,559 The land was a gift from God to his people. 226 00:13:40,679 --> 00:13:42,460 He already knew it was the best land. 227 00:13:43,460 --> 00:13:49,799 So now we have the dependence upon God, the land's fruitfulness depended 228 00:13:49,799 --> 00:13:55,740 upon God's continual blessing of environment, but of the rain so that they 229 00:13:55,740 --> 00:13:56,820 could raise their crops. 230 00:13:57,620 --> 00:14:01,000 The land required trust in God for the provision of this rain. 231 00:14:02,080 --> 00:14:08,840 The land became a conditional, a continual lesson of faith and obedience. 232 00:14:09,440 --> 00:14:13,220 Do I have faith in the spring as a farmer to plant my crops? 233 00:14:14,000 --> 00:14:19,759 Do I have faith that it's going to rain and grow and there will be a harvest? 234 00:14:20,500 --> 00:14:25,419 Well, in the obedience of God, you extend yourself and you say, okay, he has 235 00:14:25,419 --> 00:14:28,159 given this land, he's going to bless us. 236 00:14:28,340 --> 00:14:31,399 By faith, we plant the seed and we then do the harvest. 237 00:14:31,919 --> 00:14:35,419 And that's the way that continual cycle begins to work. 238 00:14:36,139 --> 00:14:40,559 Just as the promised land then would become fruitful under God's blessing, 239 00:14:41,159 --> 00:14:45,500 a life surrendered to God can become spiritually fruitful as well. 240 00:14:46,580 --> 00:14:47,779 But what do we have to do? 241 00:14:48,580 --> 00:14:54,220 Seek his presence, follow him, abide with him, be obedient and all the 242 00:14:54,220 --> 00:14:55,700 things that we have been talking about. 243 00:14:56,580 --> 00:15:02,720 So my question then is, in what ways are we tempted to rely on our own 244 00:15:02,720 --> 00:15:05,820 resources rather than God's provision? 245 00:15:06,899 --> 00:15:09,139 This is a very leading question. 246 00:15:10,379 --> 00:15:15,200 In my life, I feel I'm capable. 247 00:15:16,039 --> 00:15:18,759 Now, if you ask Joni, maybe that's a different story. 248 00:15:18,899 --> 00:15:20,440 So you'll have to do that on your own. 249 00:15:22,059 --> 00:15:23,720 But I'm capable in several things. 250 00:15:23,779 --> 00:15:24,700 I can make decisions. 251 00:15:25,279 --> 00:15:29,399 I mean, you know, the kids always tell me, yeah, dad, you're not always 252 00:15:29,399 --> 00:15:30,679 right, but you're never in doubt. 253 00:15:31,280 --> 00:15:33,000 Meaning that, yeah, okay, let's do this. 254 00:15:33,220 --> 00:15:35,580 And, you know, it may be wrong, but I always have an opinion. 255 00:15:35,860 --> 00:15:41,480 And so I have a tendency then in my natural life to just, you know, 256 00:15:41,620 --> 00:15:47,299 make that decision and do that sometimes without God's blessing. 257 00:15:47,960 --> 00:15:51,120 I did that one time in business, bought another business out. 258 00:15:51,580 --> 00:15:53,419 And it was a catastrophe. 259 00:15:53,740 --> 00:15:57,440 I had to write off about a half a million bucks only because it just 260 00:15:57,440 --> 00:16:01,539 didn't fit in our metric of our enterprise. 261 00:16:02,980 --> 00:16:06,820 And I look back on that after I did it, and I realized that when 262 00:16:06,820 --> 00:16:10,259 this opportunity came up and it was a goldmine opportunity, all 263 00:16:10,259 --> 00:16:14,179 the equipment, all the patents and all the things that were 264 00:16:14,179 --> 00:16:18,919 there, and then I lost money, flushed money down the toilet, 265 00:16:19,019 --> 00:16:21,039 if you will, and we never got anywhere. 266 00:16:21,179 --> 00:16:23,399 And I realized then that, you know, I just really didn't even 267 00:16:23,399 --> 00:16:24,259 ask the Lord for that. 268 00:16:24,320 --> 00:16:25,879 I only assumed that it was so. 269 00:16:26,240 --> 00:16:27,200 So it was a hard lesson. 270 00:16:28,600 --> 00:16:31,259 So how does that look in your life? 271 00:16:32,440 --> 00:16:38,340 What are your downfalls, your problem areas that you don't 272 00:16:38,340 --> 00:16:39,860 rely on the Lord? 273 00:16:41,200 --> 00:16:42,159 What's that look like? 274 00:16:42,580 --> 00:16:43,659 Or are all of you obedient? 275 00:16:44,139 --> 00:16:44,740 Oh, you're good. 276 00:16:45,620 --> 00:16:46,360 True confession, right? 277 00:16:46,840 --> 00:16:46,940 Yeah. 278 00:16:47,259 --> 00:16:49,019 Well, actually, this isn't for me. 279 00:16:49,139 --> 00:16:52,980 This is for my good friend that I just found out her cancer 280 00:16:52,980 --> 00:16:55,860 has returned and it's, you know, spreading. 281 00:16:56,500 --> 00:17:01,639 I literally just found this out 10 minutes ago and I know so 282 00:17:01,639 --> 00:17:03,720 and she is a strong, faithful Christian. 283 00:17:03,980 --> 00:17:06,980 And she says, I'm refusing to believe that it's going to 284 00:17:06,980 --> 00:17:07,339 grow. 285 00:17:07,660 --> 00:17:09,980 I'm asking for a miracle. 286 00:17:10,740 --> 00:17:12,819 And she has had a lot of blessing in her life. 287 00:17:13,259 --> 00:17:19,980 So, you know, if I were her, I would be wanting all of 288 00:17:19,980 --> 00:17:21,980 the medical treatment. 289 00:17:22,299 --> 00:17:24,579 And I do believe that God created science. 290 00:17:24,579 --> 00:17:25,900 God created medicine. 291 00:17:26,140 --> 00:17:31,700 And I do believe that we are to use these resources available 292 00:17:31,700 --> 00:17:32,539 to us. 293 00:17:33,099 --> 00:17:41,700 But in addition, I want God to use her as having faith that 294 00:17:41,700 --> 00:17:46,160 she can be healed and so that she glorify God in her healing. 295 00:17:46,640 --> 00:17:48,359 Yeah, that's what I'm believing. 296 00:17:48,799 --> 00:17:50,559 We have a similar experience. 297 00:17:50,779 --> 00:17:53,440 There are now seven people that we pray for on a daily 298 00:17:53,440 --> 00:17:54,599 basis that have cancer. 299 00:17:55,019 --> 00:17:56,900 It's just amazing the number of people. 300 00:17:57,359 --> 00:18:02,559 And there are all varieties of things from young, unmarried 301 00:18:02,559 --> 00:18:05,660 men, 22, 23, all the way up to retired people. 302 00:18:06,319 --> 00:18:07,319 It just, you know, it's amazing. 303 00:18:07,519 --> 00:18:07,920 What's her name? 304 00:18:08,240 --> 00:18:09,180 Her name is Elaine. 305 00:18:09,539 --> 00:18:09,900 All right. 306 00:18:09,920 --> 00:18:14,799 She's 63 and started with cancer of the kidney that she 307 00:18:16,200 --> 00:18:17,460 overcame years ago. 308 00:18:18,779 --> 00:18:22,059 Well, Lord, we just ask now, even in your name, Lord, that 309 00:18:22,059 --> 00:18:27,839 Elaine would receive an insurance from you that there 310 00:18:27,839 --> 00:18:33,539 is a policy with debt paid on it and bodies healed because 311 00:18:33,539 --> 00:18:35,019 of what you did on Calvary. 312 00:18:36,099 --> 00:18:37,380 So we thank you for this. 313 00:18:37,640 --> 00:18:40,599 We thank you for this testimony in the name of Jesus. 314 00:18:40,859 --> 00:18:41,019 Amen. 315 00:18:42,299 --> 00:18:42,900 Anything else? 316 00:18:43,539 --> 00:18:44,099 Anyone else? 317 00:18:46,119 --> 00:18:47,000 Oh, okay. 318 00:18:52,059 --> 00:18:54,400 Well, yeah, I made a lot of mistakes in my life. 319 00:18:54,559 --> 00:18:57,079 So now I'm in the right place with God. 320 00:18:57,740 --> 00:19:04,700 So quite simply, I think any distraction that takes me 321 00:19:04,700 --> 00:19:10,079 away from him, even for a moment, from my heart, my 322 00:19:10,079 --> 00:19:15,200 mind, my thoughts, I mean, it doesn't sound like a big 323 00:19:15,200 --> 00:19:19,180 deal, but, you know, I told you I was meditating 324 00:19:19,180 --> 00:19:22,619 earlier in my being the period of quietness. 325 00:19:22,740 --> 00:19:27,440 I started thinking about a candy bar, but, you know, 326 00:19:27,700 --> 00:19:31,279 steady, any kind of distraction when it's mortal or 327 00:19:31,279 --> 00:19:33,839 venial, you know, sin wise. 328 00:19:34,599 --> 00:19:35,019 That's it. 329 00:19:35,980 --> 00:19:39,480 Amazing how our mind works against what our spirit 330 00:19:39,480 --> 00:19:41,380 desires, isn't it? 331 00:19:41,460 --> 00:19:42,559 A continual war. 332 00:19:44,000 --> 00:19:44,440 All right. 333 00:19:45,859 --> 00:19:46,779 No other inputs. 334 00:19:46,940 --> 00:19:47,259 Okay. 335 00:19:47,380 --> 00:19:48,660 Let's ask another question. 336 00:19:49,180 --> 00:19:50,980 Let's put it another way. 337 00:19:54,519 --> 00:20:00,960 Our need for immediate answers sometimes creates the 338 00:20:00,960 --> 00:20:05,480 fear of not being accepted and maybe our ego, one of 339 00:20:05,480 --> 00:20:08,640 those three immediate answers, fear of not being 340 00:20:08,640 --> 00:20:10,079 accepted or the ego. 341 00:20:10,440 --> 00:20:12,880 So that may be some of the issues that we deal 342 00:20:12,880 --> 00:20:13,200 with. 343 00:20:13,779 --> 00:20:14,180 All right. 344 00:20:14,200 --> 00:20:16,259 Let's take a look at this faithfulness as it 345 00:20:16,820 --> 00:20:17,980 extends to us. 346 00:20:18,500 --> 00:20:22,220 God's faithfulness now or his fruitfulness refers to 347 00:20:22,220 --> 00:20:27,019 his ability to bring us to some productive point in 348 00:20:27,019 --> 00:20:27,660 our life. 349 00:20:28,619 --> 00:20:31,420 Not that we receive, though we will, but that we 350 00:20:31,420 --> 00:20:34,059 are productive for his kingdom life. 351 00:20:35,039 --> 00:20:36,799 In other words, he does give us eternal life. 352 00:20:37,559 --> 00:20:39,420 He gives us an opportunity to grow. 353 00:20:40,059 --> 00:20:42,799 Like we said, read scripture, we get challenged. 354 00:20:43,420 --> 00:20:44,819 There is an abundance of blessing. 355 00:20:45,019 --> 00:20:46,900 How many can say that there has been an abundance 356 00:20:46,900 --> 00:20:48,839 of blessing in your life because of this? 357 00:20:49,420 --> 00:20:49,599 Yeah. 358 00:20:49,720 --> 00:20:52,359 I mean, everybody, there is blessing. 359 00:20:52,900 --> 00:20:55,019 There is multiplication of belief. 360 00:20:55,500 --> 00:20:58,480 We had a prayer meeting this morning and my 361 00:20:58,480 --> 00:21:01,119 wife, she was just talking to in the general 362 00:21:01,119 --> 00:21:05,619 context of our requests about how the Lord has 363 00:21:05,619 --> 00:21:07,740 met every need that she's ever had. 364 00:21:08,400 --> 00:21:11,259 And, you know, from my standpoint, that's a step 365 00:21:11,259 --> 00:21:13,980 of faith only because she is disabled, but she 366 00:21:13,980 --> 00:21:17,579 claims that and I thank the Lord for that. 367 00:21:18,039 --> 00:21:20,039 And so there's a multiplication of what we 368 00:21:20,039 --> 00:21:21,640 see in the beginning of our Christian 369 00:21:21,640 --> 00:21:23,319 experience, how it grows. 370 00:21:23,579 --> 00:21:25,720 And I mean, sometimes it's just very overwhelming 371 00:21:25,720 --> 00:21:27,180 how he cares for us. 372 00:21:27,720 --> 00:21:30,200 And then, of course, there is spiritual increase 373 00:21:30,200 --> 00:21:30,859 in us. 374 00:21:32,920 --> 00:21:34,220 How many have stopped growing? 375 00:21:36,560 --> 00:21:37,759 All right. 376 00:21:37,819 --> 00:21:38,279 Good admission. 377 00:21:38,940 --> 00:21:39,980 You always grow. 378 00:21:40,279 --> 00:21:43,180 If once you plateau and you stop, things 379 00:21:43,180 --> 00:21:47,960 continue on and you're left wanting and lacking. 380 00:21:48,619 --> 00:21:51,460 So always remember, there is a challenge and 381 00:21:51,460 --> 00:21:53,839 encouragement to continue to grow in the Lord. 382 00:21:54,700 --> 00:21:57,359 Faithfulness then originates with God because 383 00:21:57,359 --> 00:21:59,759 he's the creator and the source of all of 384 00:21:59,759 --> 00:22:00,220 our life. 385 00:22:01,079 --> 00:22:02,039 So we have that. 386 00:22:03,319 --> 00:22:07,799 The faithfulness is connected to his 387 00:22:07,799 --> 00:22:08,400 obedience. 388 00:22:08,720 --> 00:22:09,960 We touched on that. 389 00:22:10,619 --> 00:22:11,460 We're not obedient. 390 00:22:13,160 --> 00:22:16,539 He waits and if we're resistant and 391 00:22:16,539 --> 00:22:18,859 rebellious, sometimes he has to come and 392 00:22:18,859 --> 00:22:22,519 chastise us like he did the Israelites when 393 00:22:22,519 --> 00:22:24,539 they were rebellious and not obedient. 394 00:22:26,099 --> 00:22:28,880 And then following God produces what? 395 00:22:29,019 --> 00:22:31,740 The fruit of the spirit, the love, the joy, 396 00:22:31,880 --> 00:22:33,640 the peace, the patience, the kindness, the 397 00:22:33,640 --> 00:22:35,900 goodness, the faithfulness, the gentleness 398 00:22:35,900 --> 00:22:38,099 and the self-control, all these things. 399 00:22:38,980 --> 00:22:42,619 And then faithfulness in our lives demonstrates 400 00:22:42,619 --> 00:22:44,779 the faithfulness of God to others. 401 00:22:46,160 --> 00:22:47,920 I mean, have you ever had people come up to 402 00:22:47,920 --> 00:22:49,420 you say, well, what makes you tick? 403 00:22:49,599 --> 00:22:53,460 Why are you, and I'll give my own personal 404 00:22:53,460 --> 00:22:57,440 things, people just said today, someone 405 00:22:57,440 --> 00:22:59,660 said today, that Joni was out and about. 406 00:23:00,720 --> 00:23:02,660 And say, well, why are you always content? 407 00:23:03,700 --> 00:23:05,640 And, you know, it was evident that this 408 00:23:05,640 --> 00:23:07,440 person wouldn't be content in Joni's 409 00:23:07,440 --> 00:23:08,039 situation. 410 00:23:08,500 --> 00:23:10,779 Here she has, you know, a non-curable 411 00:23:10,779 --> 00:23:12,220 disease in the natural. 412 00:23:12,359 --> 00:23:13,220 She is in a wheelchair. 413 00:23:13,420 --> 00:23:14,240 She is disabled. 414 00:23:14,920 --> 00:23:16,460 But, you know, why are you so content? 415 00:23:16,660 --> 00:23:18,880 And that's the Lord shining through her 416 00:23:19,400 --> 00:23:21,059 and giving testimony to her. 417 00:23:21,700 --> 00:23:25,480 I kid her a lot in the sense that I 418 00:23:25,480 --> 00:23:28,059 tell her that when the Lord heals you, 419 00:23:28,180 --> 00:23:29,940 you won't have much of a testimony 420 00:23:29,940 --> 00:23:31,779 compared to the testimony that you have 421 00:23:31,779 --> 00:23:32,359 now. 422 00:23:32,839 --> 00:23:34,519 And that's not the case, but it's just 423 00:23:34,519 --> 00:23:36,740 the idea that people say that of her. 424 00:23:37,440 --> 00:23:38,940 So faithfulness produces 425 00:23:38,940 --> 00:23:41,940 multiplication and he turns scarcity 426 00:23:41,940 --> 00:23:44,720 into abundance and weakness into 427 00:23:44,720 --> 00:23:45,220 strength. 428 00:23:45,579 --> 00:23:47,440 It's amazing how that works in God. 429 00:23:48,519 --> 00:23:50,640 Okay, let's look at the bigger picture 430 00:23:50,640 --> 00:23:54,880 now about the land that God wants 431 00:23:54,880 --> 00:23:56,940 to provide for the Israelites. 432 00:23:57,599 --> 00:24:00,460 And he wants above all else, fellowship. 433 00:24:01,019 --> 00:24:03,640 That's the primary reason that he did 434 00:24:03,640 --> 00:24:04,380 what he did. 435 00:24:04,460 --> 00:24:06,200 He wants fellowship with his creation. 436 00:24:06,200 --> 00:24:09,279 The land was chosen by God, not by man. 437 00:24:09,400 --> 00:24:11,960 We said that only God establishes the 438 00:24:11,960 --> 00:24:13,779 inheritance and God determines the 439 00:24:13,779 --> 00:24:14,259 boundaries. 440 00:24:14,420 --> 00:24:17,000 We touched on that in Deuteronomy 32. 441 00:24:17,000 --> 00:24:19,500 It says when the Most High gave the 442 00:24:19,500 --> 00:24:21,680 nations their inheritance, he set the 443 00:24:21,680 --> 00:24:22,920 boundaries of the people. 444 00:24:23,220 --> 00:24:24,579 So he already established that. 445 00:24:25,539 --> 00:24:26,819 There was again, a detailed 446 00:24:26,819 --> 00:24:28,660 description in Numbers 34. 447 00:24:28,680 --> 00:24:30,859 It gives a clear description of the 448 00:24:30,859 --> 00:24:33,160 land's boundaries so that God's desire 449 00:24:33,160 --> 00:24:37,240 for Israel would be given even before 450 00:24:37,240 --> 00:24:38,000 they got there. 451 00:24:38,319 --> 00:24:39,579 And here are the boundaries that we 452 00:24:39,579 --> 00:24:41,599 had referred to prior to this. 453 00:24:41,680 --> 00:24:42,799 I won't go through them. 454 00:24:43,920 --> 00:24:45,359 The Promised Land became a place 455 00:24:45,359 --> 00:24:47,740 where what God's people could now 456 00:24:47,740 --> 00:24:49,339 live near his presence. 457 00:24:49,799 --> 00:24:50,759 He chose it. 458 00:24:50,960 --> 00:24:52,900 He was going to dwell there and they 459 00:24:52,900 --> 00:24:55,099 were around him and they could 460 00:24:55,099 --> 00:24:56,339 experience his presence. 461 00:24:56,880 --> 00:24:58,680 They could worship him again to 462 00:24:58,680 --> 00:25:00,460 Shiloh, remember Old Covenant 463 00:25:00,460 --> 00:25:02,779 Testament in the sense that we 464 00:25:02,779 --> 00:25:06,619 have to go to a local place to 465 00:25:06,619 --> 00:25:09,440 worship and again to walk in 466 00:25:09,440 --> 00:25:10,440 covenant with him. 467 00:25:10,619 --> 00:25:11,599 That was the goal. 468 00:25:12,119 --> 00:25:15,720 So the question is, are we viewing 469 00:25:15,720 --> 00:25:19,059 our home, Jenny, your new home, 470 00:25:19,920 --> 00:25:23,720 the workplace, the church and the 471 00:25:23,720 --> 00:25:26,480 community as places assigned by God 472 00:25:26,480 --> 00:25:27,660 or is this just random? 473 00:25:29,839 --> 00:25:30,900 So you think about that. 474 00:25:30,900 --> 00:25:33,579 You know, there's always a, oh, 475 00:25:33,660 --> 00:25:34,900 what if this or what if that? 476 00:25:35,019 --> 00:25:36,779 I wish this, I wish that, not so. 477 00:25:37,259 --> 00:25:38,579 There's an assignment that he has 478 00:25:38,579 --> 00:25:39,660 for each one of us. 479 00:25:40,279 --> 00:25:41,940 How can we better honor God in 480 00:25:41,940 --> 00:25:44,220 the place where he has planted us? 481 00:25:44,920 --> 00:25:45,940 What's that look like? 482 00:25:46,019 --> 00:25:47,200 Are we always disgruntled? 483 00:25:47,859 --> 00:25:48,859 Are we dissatisfied? 484 00:25:49,619 --> 00:25:51,319 Are we going to make that place 485 00:25:51,319 --> 00:25:53,920 that God has put us in relevant 486 00:25:53,920 --> 00:25:56,519 to our life, our testimony so 487 00:25:56,519 --> 00:25:58,599 that others can receive God and 488 00:25:58,599 --> 00:26:00,200 grow? That's a big question. 489 00:26:00,200 --> 00:26:02,059 So let's take a look at a little 490 00:26:02,059 --> 00:26:04,559 bit. Here is the Promised Land 491 00:26:04,559 --> 00:26:06,079 that we had before Christ. 492 00:26:06,299 --> 00:26:07,640 This is how it looked for us. 493 00:26:08,240 --> 00:26:09,660 We were in a spiritual wilderness. 494 00:26:10,339 --> 00:26:11,799 We could all say amen to that. 495 00:26:12,259 --> 00:26:13,839 Just as Israel wandered in the 496 00:26:13,839 --> 00:26:15,920 wilderness, we're apart from 497 00:26:15,920 --> 00:26:18,480 Christ and are described as 498 00:26:18,480 --> 00:26:21,859 spiritually lost, separated from 499 00:26:21,859 --> 00:26:25,799 God without lasting peace. 500 00:26:26,560 --> 00:26:27,759 Amen on that. 501 00:26:28,839 --> 00:26:29,819 Enslaved to sin. 502 00:26:30,200 --> 00:26:32,180 Without a secure, eternal 503 00:26:32,180 --> 00:26:32,940 inheritance. 504 00:26:34,759 --> 00:26:36,700 What else? In Ephesians 2, it 505 00:26:36,700 --> 00:26:39,480 says, Remember, at that time you 506 00:26:39,480 --> 00:26:40,900 were separate from God and 507 00:26:40,900 --> 00:26:42,420 without hope and without God. 508 00:26:42,900 --> 00:26:44,519 Now we may have thought we had 509 00:26:44,519 --> 00:26:46,480 hope. We may thought we were 510 00:26:46,480 --> 00:26:48,259 successful. We thought we had 511 00:26:48,259 --> 00:26:50,680 all these things, but we are 512 00:26:50,680 --> 00:26:52,519 enslaved to that which again 513 00:26:52,519 --> 00:26:53,640 controls us. 514 00:26:54,559 --> 00:26:55,579 We lived in a different 515 00:26:55,579 --> 00:26:57,119 kingdom, the kingdom of 516 00:26:57,119 --> 00:26:57,579 darkness. 517 00:26:58,500 --> 00:27:00,500 Our land was what is spiritual 518 00:27:00,500 --> 00:27:02,460 darkness, uncertainty and 519 00:27:02,460 --> 00:27:03,559 without an anchor. 520 00:27:04,980 --> 00:27:06,039 And I thought I can give 521 00:27:06,039 --> 00:27:07,619 testimony to that in my teenage 522 00:27:07,619 --> 00:27:08,859 years when I kind of drifted 523 00:27:08,859 --> 00:27:09,680 away from the Lord. 524 00:27:10,079 --> 00:27:11,599 I was here and there and 525 00:27:11,599 --> 00:27:12,680 whatever. There was no anchor 526 00:27:12,680 --> 00:27:13,920 in my life. 527 00:27:14,779 --> 00:27:17,480 Colossians 1.13. 528 00:27:17,960 --> 00:27:20,519 He has rescued us from 529 00:27:20,519 --> 00:27:22,000 darkness. So that's what we 530 00:27:22,000 --> 00:27:25,039 are. We lived in sin and 531 00:27:25,039 --> 00:27:26,640 self dependence. 532 00:27:27,559 --> 00:27:29,920 Again, the barren landscape 533 00:27:29,920 --> 00:27:31,059 of self rule. 534 00:27:31,539 --> 00:27:32,960 We talked about that some 535 00:27:32,960 --> 00:27:34,619 longer time ago, the striving 536 00:27:34,619 --> 00:27:37,200 that we had and that God was 537 00:27:37,200 --> 00:27:38,880 not present in our lives. 538 00:27:40,079 --> 00:27:41,500 Now, what do we have over 539 00:27:41,500 --> 00:27:43,839 here? Our first place now is 540 00:27:43,839 --> 00:27:44,420 in Christ. 541 00:27:44,940 --> 00:27:45,900 That's who he is. 542 00:27:45,980 --> 00:27:46,920 That's who we serve. 543 00:27:47,380 --> 00:27:49,440 For believers now, our 544 00:27:49,440 --> 00:27:51,980 primary identity is not tied 545 00:27:51,980 --> 00:27:53,019 to a piece of land. 546 00:27:53,019 --> 00:27:54,940 It's tied to the person, 547 00:27:55,119 --> 00:27:55,980 Jesus Christ. 548 00:27:56,599 --> 00:27:57,680 That's the anchor that we 549 00:27:57,680 --> 00:27:59,339 have. The New Testament 550 00:27:59,339 --> 00:28:01,059 repeatedly speaks of 551 00:28:01,059 --> 00:28:02,740 believers being in Christ. 552 00:28:03,039 --> 00:28:04,519 Our spiritual identity is 553 00:28:04,519 --> 00:28:07,460 first found in him and we 554 00:28:07,460 --> 00:28:09,119 are citizens of God's 555 00:28:09,119 --> 00:28:09,420 kingdom. 556 00:28:10,559 --> 00:28:12,640 Israel had a physical land. 557 00:28:12,940 --> 00:28:13,960 Believers are given a 558 00:28:13,960 --> 00:28:15,740 greater inheritance and we 559 00:28:15,740 --> 00:28:17,140 abide in the kingdom of 560 00:28:17,140 --> 00:28:17,500 God. 561 00:28:18,859 --> 00:28:20,400 Our citizenship is in heaven 562 00:28:20,400 --> 00:28:21,900 and Philippians 3 talks 563 00:28:21,900 --> 00:28:24,359 about and we live in earthly 564 00:28:24,359 --> 00:28:26,079 nations, but our ultimate 565 00:28:26,079 --> 00:28:28,539 alliance is to God and his 566 00:28:28,539 --> 00:28:28,900 kingdom. 567 00:28:30,039 --> 00:28:31,259 So God still appoints our 568 00:28:31,259 --> 00:28:33,000 place. He appears, he 569 00:28:33,000 --> 00:28:34,380 appoints where we are to 570 00:28:34,380 --> 00:28:35,299 live and serve. 571 00:28:35,559 --> 00:28:37,839 Acts 1726, he determined 572 00:28:37,839 --> 00:28:39,880 the time set from the set 573 00:28:39,880 --> 00:28:41,700 for them and the exact 574 00:28:41,700 --> 00:28:43,099 places where they should 575 00:28:43,099 --> 00:28:43,559 live. 576 00:28:45,620 --> 00:28:48,059 And then our home, church, 577 00:28:49,160 --> 00:28:50,819 workplace, community, the 578 00:28:50,819 --> 00:28:52,059 sphere of influence that 579 00:28:52,059 --> 00:28:53,640 we have is the place that 580 00:28:53,640 --> 00:28:54,720 we are asked to work. 581 00:28:56,500 --> 00:28:57,680 Well, I can do better over 582 00:28:57,680 --> 00:28:58,500 there if only. 583 00:28:58,799 --> 00:29:00,079 No, this is what you have 584 00:29:00,079 --> 00:29:01,480 here. This is where you're 585 00:29:01,480 --> 00:29:02,220 this is what you're given 586 00:29:02,220 --> 00:29:02,539 here. 587 00:29:03,559 --> 00:29:05,240 So I'm going to just go 588 00:29:05,240 --> 00:29:06,319 through these things and 589 00:29:06,319 --> 00:29:07,380 think about this. 590 00:29:07,880 --> 00:29:09,319 I did these two pages this 591 00:29:09,319 --> 00:29:10,680 afternoon, just very quick 592 00:29:10,680 --> 00:29:12,180 of the blessings that God 593 00:29:12,180 --> 00:29:13,920 had given the Israelites. 594 00:29:14,059 --> 00:29:15,539 Oh my gosh, it was just 595 00:29:15,539 --> 00:29:16,059 amazing. 596 00:29:16,940 --> 00:29:19,019 Deliverance from Egypt, the 597 00:29:19,140 --> 00:29:21,180 men plagues, the Passover 598 00:29:21,180 --> 00:29:22,839 protection, parting of the 599 00:29:22,839 --> 00:29:24,559 Red Sea, destruction of 600 00:29:24,559 --> 00:29:25,920 Pharaoh's army, the 601 00:29:25,920 --> 00:29:26,619 provision in the 602 00:29:26,619 --> 00:29:27,900 wilderness, bitter water 603 00:29:27,900 --> 00:29:29,720 made sweet, manna from 604 00:29:29,720 --> 00:29:31,039 heaven, quail for food, 605 00:29:31,339 --> 00:29:32,319 water from the rock. 606 00:29:33,799 --> 00:29:35,019 Clothes and sandals didn't 607 00:29:35,019 --> 00:29:35,559 wear out. 608 00:29:36,180 --> 00:29:38,119 Guidance and protection, a 609 00:29:38,119 --> 00:29:39,539 pillar of cloud by day, a 610 00:29:39,539 --> 00:29:40,720 pillar of fire by night, 611 00:29:40,980 --> 00:29:42,119 God's presence in the 612 00:29:42,119 --> 00:29:44,059 tabernacle, victory over 613 00:29:44,059 --> 00:29:46,519 the limilec while Moses 614 00:29:46,519 --> 00:29:47,980 held up his hands. 615 00:29:50,020 --> 00:29:51,359 And the protection from 616 00:29:51,359 --> 00:29:54,099 numerous enemies during the 617 00:29:54,099 --> 00:29:56,039 wilderness journey, entering 618 00:29:56,039 --> 00:29:57,339 the promised land, crossing 619 00:29:57,339 --> 00:29:58,799 Jordan, walls of Jericho, 620 00:30:01,500 --> 00:30:02,579 hailstones destroying 621 00:30:02,579 --> 00:30:04,059 Israel's enemies, the sun 622 00:30:04,059 --> 00:30:04,920 standing still. 623 00:30:05,200 --> 00:30:06,019 Think about all these 624 00:30:06,019 --> 00:30:07,900 things that God provided 625 00:30:07,900 --> 00:30:11,319 ongoing covenant blessing, 626 00:30:11,960 --> 00:30:13,200 the land flying with milk 627 00:30:13,200 --> 00:30:15,119 and honey, extraordinary 628 00:30:15,819 --> 00:30:17,259 harvest and provision, 629 00:30:17,859 --> 00:30:19,319 repeated deliverance through 630 00:30:19,319 --> 00:30:21,200 judges such as Gideon and 631 00:30:21,200 --> 00:30:24,700 Deborah and Samson and the 632 00:30:24,700 --> 00:30:25,859 preservation of Israel 633 00:30:25,859 --> 00:30:28,099 despite repeated threats of 634 00:30:28,099 --> 00:30:28,660 destruction. 635 00:30:29,539 --> 00:30:30,640 So now that's all that he 636 00:30:30,640 --> 00:30:31,000 did. 637 00:30:32,240 --> 00:30:34,099 Let's just take a look at 638 00:30:34,099 --> 00:30:37,359 what he did in response to 639 00:30:37,359 --> 00:30:37,799 rebuke. 640 00:30:38,799 --> 00:30:40,099 This is the other side of 641 00:30:40,099 --> 00:30:40,420 it. 642 00:30:40,880 --> 00:30:42,680 I'm Mount Sinai and the 643 00:30:42,680 --> 00:30:43,960 wilderness, the death of 644 00:30:43,960 --> 00:30:46,859 about 33,000 people to go 645 00:30:46,859 --> 00:30:48,880 about the golden calf, the 646 00:30:48,880 --> 00:30:51,680 fire from the Lord to barren 647 00:30:52,340 --> 00:30:53,420 and the plague after 648 00:30:53,420 --> 00:30:55,200 complaining about food 649 00:30:55,900 --> 00:30:57,299 rebellion against God's 650 00:30:57,299 --> 00:30:57,799 leadership. 651 00:30:58,279 --> 00:31:00,140 Miriam rebelled the 652 00:31:00,140 --> 00:31:02,079 wilderness generation was 653 00:31:02,079 --> 00:31:03,220 condemned to die. 654 00:31:03,880 --> 00:31:04,900 The earth opened up and 655 00:31:04,900 --> 00:31:06,319 swallowed Cora and her 656 00:31:06,319 --> 00:31:06,980 descendants. 657 00:31:07,500 --> 00:31:10,599 Fire consumed 250 rebels and 658 00:31:10,599 --> 00:31:13,460 the plague killed 14,700 in 659 00:31:13,460 --> 00:31:15,220 immorality and idolatry. 660 00:31:15,220 --> 00:31:17,059 Twenty four thousand died 661 00:31:17,059 --> 00:31:18,759 because of bell worship. 662 00:31:19,160 --> 00:31:21,279 Fiery serpents sent among 663 00:31:21,279 --> 00:31:21,839 the people. 664 00:31:22,619 --> 00:31:23,619 And during the conquest, 665 00:31:24,099 --> 00:31:25,859 again, they can and his 666 00:31:25,859 --> 00:31:28,519 family judged for taking 667 00:31:28,519 --> 00:31:29,740 forbidden spoils. 668 00:31:30,240 --> 00:31:32,200 Israel defeated at AI because 669 00:31:32,200 --> 00:31:33,160 of hidden sin. 670 00:31:33,880 --> 00:31:34,779 And then during the period 671 00:31:34,779 --> 00:31:36,579 of the kings, there was some 672 00:31:36,579 --> 00:31:36,960 drought. 673 00:31:37,160 --> 00:31:37,900 There was defeat. 674 00:31:38,200 --> 00:31:39,099 There was the northern 675 00:31:39,099 --> 00:31:40,680 kingdom separation from the 676 00:31:40,680 --> 00:31:41,420 southern kingdom. 677 00:31:41,839 --> 00:31:43,759 And it goes on and on. 678 00:31:43,759 --> 00:31:45,200 So think about the 679 00:31:45,200 --> 00:31:46,759 interaction of God. 680 00:31:47,339 --> 00:31:48,599 Now, if we were to list the 681 00:31:48,599 --> 00:31:51,079 things in our life, how God 682 00:31:51,079 --> 00:31:54,000 dwelt with us and then dealt 683 00:31:54,000 --> 00:31:55,680 with us, they would 684 00:31:55,680 --> 00:31:58,339 enumerate a very positive 685 00:31:58,339 --> 00:31:59,140 experience. 686 00:32:00,019 --> 00:32:01,279 And on the other side of 687 00:32:01,279 --> 00:32:02,599 life, I don't like to think 688 00:32:02,599 --> 00:32:03,160 about this. 689 00:32:03,460 --> 00:32:04,519 What has he done to 690 00:32:04,519 --> 00:32:06,180 chastise us to help us 691 00:32:06,180 --> 00:32:08,380 understand what his kingdom 692 00:32:08,380 --> 00:32:09,119 is about? 693 00:32:09,339 --> 00:32:10,940 Sometimes it's a positive 694 00:32:10,940 --> 00:32:13,099 stick and sometimes it is a 695 00:32:13,099 --> 00:32:14,559 negative stick to be able 696 00:32:14,559 --> 00:32:16,079 to understand what God's 697 00:32:16,079 --> 00:32:17,460 doing in our lives. 698 00:32:18,500 --> 00:32:20,339 All right, so let's look at 699 00:32:20,339 --> 00:32:21,180 the statement now. 700 00:32:21,380 --> 00:32:22,720 Grow where you're planted. 701 00:32:23,079 --> 00:32:24,000 What's that mean? 702 00:32:24,740 --> 00:32:25,599 Simply means this. 703 00:32:26,099 --> 00:32:27,700 Are we unhappy with our 704 00:32:27,700 --> 00:32:28,160 assignment? 705 00:32:28,819 --> 00:32:29,799 What is our assignment? 706 00:32:30,579 --> 00:32:31,500 It's where we live. 707 00:32:32,220 --> 00:32:33,660 The fear, sphere of 708 00:32:33,660 --> 00:32:34,819 influence that we have. 709 00:32:35,259 --> 00:32:36,859 Are we saying, if only I 710 00:32:36,859 --> 00:32:38,099 had a different job, if 711 00:32:38,099 --> 00:32:39,720 only I lived somewhere else, 712 00:32:40,160 --> 00:32:41,940 if only my circumstances were 713 00:32:41,940 --> 00:32:44,220 different, that's not 714 00:32:44,220 --> 00:32:46,859 yielding and being 715 00:32:46,859 --> 00:32:49,000 obeyed, being obedient to 716 00:32:49,000 --> 00:32:49,359 the Lord. 717 00:32:50,819 --> 00:32:53,059 John 15 5, I am the vine, 718 00:32:53,200 --> 00:32:53,940 you are the branches. 719 00:32:54,700 --> 00:32:56,460 Whoever abides in me bears 720 00:32:56,460 --> 00:32:57,220 much fruit. 721 00:32:58,180 --> 00:32:59,240 So are we continually 722 00:32:59,240 --> 00:33:01,180 wanting to change locations? 723 00:33:01,319 --> 00:33:02,160 And Jenny, I don't mean 724 00:33:02,160 --> 00:33:03,160 this by an apartment. 725 00:33:06,560 --> 00:33:08,079 Experience a wondering 726 00:33:08,079 --> 00:33:08,720 spirit. 727 00:33:09,299 --> 00:33:10,160 There was a friend of 728 00:33:10,160 --> 00:33:11,400 ours, long standing. 729 00:33:11,400 --> 00:33:13,019 She was used to the Lord and 730 00:33:13,019 --> 00:33:14,380 she fell away from the Lord 731 00:33:14,380 --> 00:33:15,759 and she has a wondering 732 00:33:15,759 --> 00:33:16,160 spirit. 733 00:33:16,339 --> 00:33:18,220 She's meandering here and 734 00:33:18,220 --> 00:33:19,279 meandering there. 735 00:33:20,279 --> 00:33:21,940 And she spent all her money 736 00:33:21,940 --> 00:33:23,279 traveling, doesn't have a 737 00:33:23,279 --> 00:33:24,160 dime to her name. 738 00:33:25,640 --> 00:33:26,480 I just, you know, I just, 739 00:33:26,480 --> 00:33:27,660 I just feel for her. 740 00:33:27,819 --> 00:33:28,740 She just lost her husband 741 00:33:28,740 --> 00:33:29,519 last year. 742 00:33:30,160 --> 00:33:31,700 It's a very tragic to see 743 00:33:31,700 --> 00:33:32,579 these things, but she had 744 00:33:32,579 --> 00:33:33,720 just a wondering spirit. 745 00:33:33,839 --> 00:33:34,660 She just couldn't settle 746 00:33:34,660 --> 00:33:35,220 down. 747 00:33:36,400 --> 00:33:38,039 Being drawn by better 748 00:33:38,039 --> 00:33:38,799 circumstances. 749 00:33:39,859 --> 00:33:40,420 Oh, I've got this 750 00:33:40,420 --> 00:33:41,500 wonderful job. 751 00:33:41,599 --> 00:33:42,640 Three states over. 752 00:33:43,140 --> 00:33:44,440 We shared that last time. 753 00:33:44,660 --> 00:33:46,259 I got a very good offer. 754 00:33:46,559 --> 00:33:48,259 Denied it because of the 755 00:33:48,259 --> 00:33:49,900 kingdom of God being in my 756 00:33:49,900 --> 00:33:50,839 sphere of influence. 757 00:33:50,920 --> 00:33:53,160 And where I serve, I didn't 758 00:33:53,160 --> 00:33:54,539 take that job, but better 759 00:33:54,539 --> 00:33:55,259 circumstances. 760 00:33:56,840 --> 00:33:58,519 Trust in God's placement. 761 00:33:58,900 --> 00:34:00,660 Bear fruit where we are. 762 00:34:01,299 --> 00:34:03,140 Let God develop our roots. 763 00:34:03,359 --> 00:34:05,000 Just as a tree needs time 764 00:34:05,000 --> 00:34:06,160 to establish roots. 765 00:34:06,619 --> 00:34:08,199 God uses different seasons, 766 00:34:08,199 --> 00:34:11,179 work, relationships, ministry 767 00:34:11,179 --> 00:34:12,599 opportunities to develop 768 00:34:12,599 --> 00:34:13,519 our character. 769 00:34:14,460 --> 00:34:15,579 And again, these deep roots 770 00:34:15,579 --> 00:34:18,000 often form before they're 771 00:34:18,000 --> 00:34:18,980 even visible. 772 00:34:20,280 --> 00:34:21,579 Fruitfulness comes from 773 00:34:21,579 --> 00:34:23,099 remaining connected to 774 00:34:23,099 --> 00:34:24,440 Christ in a body of 775 00:34:24,440 --> 00:34:24,860 believers. 776 00:34:25,400 --> 00:34:26,239 That's for sure. 777 00:34:28,440 --> 00:34:29,199 All right, question. 778 00:34:30,440 --> 00:34:32,519 What opportunities for 779 00:34:32,519 --> 00:34:34,039 growth and fruitfulness 780 00:34:34,639 --> 00:34:36,980 exist in my current season? 781 00:34:37,920 --> 00:34:39,119 Where can you see? 782 00:34:39,260 --> 00:34:40,699 Are you satisfied that you 783 00:34:40,699 --> 00:34:41,920 understand that God has 784 00:34:41,920 --> 00:34:43,219 put you where you are? 785 00:34:44,400 --> 00:34:45,739 And so what does that look 786 00:34:45,739 --> 00:34:47,179 like when we have these 787 00:34:47,179 --> 00:34:49,480 areas of fruitfulness in 788 00:34:49,480 --> 00:34:50,619 these in this current 789 00:34:50,619 --> 00:34:51,880 situation that we're in? 790 00:34:52,519 --> 00:34:53,559 Do you see that there is 791 00:34:53,559 --> 00:34:54,139 opportunity? 792 00:34:55,679 --> 00:34:57,119 Do you see that God wants 793 00:34:57,119 --> 00:34:58,460 to use you where you're at? 794 00:34:59,800 --> 00:35:00,679 You know, and just on 795 00:35:00,679 --> 00:35:02,139 behalf of even your case, 796 00:35:02,260 --> 00:35:03,159 I mean, moving, that's a 797 00:35:03,159 --> 00:35:04,500 good opportunity, an old 798 00:35:04,500 --> 00:35:05,900 new set of friends, right? 799 00:35:05,900 --> 00:35:07,619 Yeah, you can make that's 800 00:35:07,619 --> 00:35:07,900 good. 801 00:35:07,900 --> 00:35:08,760 That's wonderful. 802 00:35:11,320 --> 00:35:12,679 Everybody was silent. 803 00:35:13,119 --> 00:35:15,739 Oh my, just normal way of 804 00:35:15,739 --> 00:35:15,980 life. 805 00:35:16,079 --> 00:35:16,679 Here we are. 806 00:35:17,340 --> 00:35:18,519 No new friends, no new 807 00:35:18,519 --> 00:35:19,239 experiences. 808 00:35:20,519 --> 00:35:22,000 God's challenging us. 809 00:35:22,139 --> 00:35:23,179 No, he's not challenging 810 00:35:23,179 --> 00:35:23,679 us. 811 00:35:25,039 --> 00:35:26,079 Oh, John, don't ask these 812 00:35:26,079 --> 00:35:26,659 questions. 813 00:35:28,940 --> 00:35:29,400 Ah, no. 814 00:35:31,179 --> 00:35:31,739 Anybody. 815 00:35:32,619 --> 00:35:34,059 Everybody's quiet tonight. 816 00:35:34,820 --> 00:35:35,699 Oh my gosh. 817 00:35:36,619 --> 00:35:37,239 All right. 818 00:35:37,800 --> 00:35:37,840 Okay. 819 00:35:42,420 --> 00:35:44,860 Michelle, you're in luck. 820 00:35:47,260 --> 00:35:48,380 For me, I'm getting married 821 00:35:48,380 --> 00:35:50,719 next month and Kevin has 822 00:35:50,719 --> 00:35:53,139 two girls, so, um, being 823 00:35:53,139 --> 00:35:54,440 able to minister to them 824 00:35:54,440 --> 00:35:55,320 and live with them. 825 00:35:55,579 --> 00:35:57,599 And yeah, so congratulations. 826 00:35:57,960 --> 00:35:58,760 I didn't know that. 827 00:35:58,900 --> 00:35:59,639 Oh, all right. 828 00:36:00,239 --> 00:36:00,900 All right. 829 00:36:01,179 --> 00:36:02,699 Kevin, you're a fortunate 830 00:36:02,699 --> 00:36:03,159 man. 831 00:36:04,000 --> 00:36:04,659 Treat her well. 832 00:36:04,659 --> 00:36:05,880 All right. 833 00:36:06,619 --> 00:36:07,460 How old are your children? 834 00:36:08,519 --> 00:36:09,659 He has 20 girls. 835 00:36:10,079 --> 00:36:11,679 Oh, okay. 836 00:36:12,039 --> 00:36:13,119 Well, you're right in the 837 00:36:13,119 --> 00:36:15,420 midst of teenage years, 838 00:36:15,599 --> 00:36:16,000 right? 839 00:36:17,159 --> 00:36:18,099 God bless you. 840 00:36:21,940 --> 00:36:23,739 I'm newly married, second 841 00:36:23,739 --> 00:36:25,199 marriage, and I'm living 842 00:36:25,199 --> 00:36:26,320 with my husband and his 843 00:36:26,320 --> 00:36:28,559 kids and his kids are 844 00:36:28,559 --> 00:36:30,360 adults, 22 and 18. 845 00:36:31,000 --> 00:36:32,960 And, um, I've been here 846 00:36:32,960 --> 00:36:33,340 a year. 847 00:36:33,360 --> 00:36:34,300 I moved from Connecticut, 848 00:36:34,300 --> 00:36:37,400 last spring and, you know, 849 00:36:37,480 --> 00:36:38,320 they loved me as the 850 00:36:38,320 --> 00:36:38,739 girlfriend. 851 00:36:39,099 --> 00:36:39,900 I was long distance. 852 00:36:40,260 --> 00:36:41,940 I would leave, come back 853 00:36:41,940 --> 00:36:43,500 for a few days, leave again. 854 00:36:44,099 --> 00:36:46,860 And I noticed that so, so 855 00:36:46,860 --> 00:36:47,840 I thought that I was going 856 00:36:47,840 --> 00:36:48,500 to move in and we were 857 00:36:48,500 --> 00:36:49,360 going to just become 858 00:36:49,360 --> 00:36:50,079 fast friends. 859 00:36:50,900 --> 00:36:51,719 Oh, okay. 860 00:36:51,960 --> 00:36:53,000 No way. 861 00:36:53,599 --> 00:36:54,739 And, you know, my husband 862 00:36:54,739 --> 00:36:56,920 had to say, you got to 863 00:36:56,920 --> 00:36:57,519 give it time. 864 00:36:57,760 --> 00:36:58,539 You got to give it time. 865 00:36:58,820 --> 00:37:00,880 So, um, I've been praying 866 00:37:00,880 --> 00:37:02,980 a lot to God to lead me 867 00:37:02,980 --> 00:37:04,900 and guide me and to be 868 00:37:04,900 --> 00:37:06,500 respectful of their space. 869 00:37:07,639 --> 00:37:10,380 Um, and it's been really 870 00:37:10,380 --> 00:37:12,739 hard because I have been 871 00:37:12,739 --> 00:37:13,980 wanting to develop a 872 00:37:13,980 --> 00:37:15,619 closeness and they're not 873 00:37:15,619 --> 00:37:15,900 ready. 874 00:37:16,920 --> 00:37:18,920 So, um, fortunately now 875 00:37:18,920 --> 00:37:19,780 there is peace. 876 00:37:20,739 --> 00:37:22,340 Um, but what helped me 877 00:37:22,340 --> 00:37:23,840 cause Satan was all in 878 00:37:23,840 --> 00:37:26,139 my mind and just wrecking 879 00:37:26,139 --> 00:37:26,420 havoc. 880 00:37:26,980 --> 00:37:28,920 I started memorizing 881 00:37:28,920 --> 00:37:30,699 scripture and I would fall 882 00:37:30,699 --> 00:37:32,639 asleep at night saying 883 00:37:32,639 --> 00:37:33,800 some new verses that I 884 00:37:33,800 --> 00:37:34,300 had remembered. 885 00:37:34,840 --> 00:37:36,440 And when I woke up in the 886 00:37:36,440 --> 00:37:37,820 middle of the night, instead 887 00:37:37,820 --> 00:37:40,880 of thinking negatively, I 888 00:37:40,880 --> 00:37:42,840 would sometimes all I 889 00:37:42,840 --> 00:37:44,300 could say was Jesus and I 890 00:37:44,300 --> 00:37:45,099 would just say, Jesus, 891 00:37:45,219 --> 00:37:45,599 Jesus. 892 00:37:45,920 --> 00:37:47,619 And, um, I have become 893 00:37:47,619 --> 00:37:49,139 much closer with the Lord 894 00:37:49,679 --> 00:37:50,860 during this season. 895 00:37:51,260 --> 00:37:52,199 So I just wanted to 896 00:37:52,199 --> 00:37:53,280 encourage you and 897 00:37:53,280 --> 00:37:54,599 congratulations on your 898 00:37:54,599 --> 00:37:55,460 upcoming wedding. 899 00:37:55,800 --> 00:37:56,980 So we'll call her the 900 00:37:56,980 --> 00:37:57,860 outsider, right? 901 00:37:59,659 --> 00:38:00,440 But when you come into 902 00:38:00,440 --> 00:38:01,239 a family, you're really 903 00:38:01,239 --> 00:38:02,960 the outsider per se. 904 00:38:03,659 --> 00:38:05,519 And we ask God to redeem 905 00:38:05,519 --> 00:38:06,079 that time. 906 00:38:06,400 --> 00:38:06,480 Yes. 907 00:38:07,260 --> 00:38:07,820 You're an addition. 908 00:38:08,239 --> 00:38:08,360 Yeah. 909 00:38:10,599 --> 00:38:10,900 All right. 910 00:38:14,680 --> 00:38:15,960 Very good. 911 00:38:16,539 --> 00:38:16,940 Very good. 912 00:38:17,119 --> 00:38:17,599 Thank you for that 913 00:38:17,599 --> 00:38:18,559 exhortation. 914 00:38:24,579 --> 00:38:25,440 All right. 915 00:38:25,579 --> 00:38:28,079 The next question is how 916 00:38:28,079 --> 00:38:29,679 can I better serve God's 917 00:38:29,679 --> 00:38:30,860 purposes where he has 918 00:38:30,860 --> 00:38:31,500 planned at me. 919 00:38:32,300 --> 00:38:32,420 Okay. 920 00:38:32,739 --> 00:38:35,860 We are we, I mean, I'll 921 00:38:35,860 --> 00:38:36,519 speak for myself. 922 00:38:36,579 --> 00:38:37,760 We are involved in quite a 923 00:38:37,760 --> 00:38:39,920 few things at, um, our 924 00:38:39,920 --> 00:38:41,699 retirement community, but 925 00:38:41,699 --> 00:38:43,199 recently I've just asked 926 00:38:43,199 --> 00:38:44,119 the Lord, you know, what 927 00:38:44,119 --> 00:38:45,420 is it that, that I 928 00:38:45,420 --> 00:38:46,000 should be doing? 929 00:38:46,099 --> 00:38:47,380 Is there anything else 930 00:38:47,380 --> 00:38:49,360 that, um, you would like 931 00:38:49,360 --> 00:38:52,420 me to do and, um, what 932 00:38:52,420 --> 00:38:53,500 might that look like? 933 00:38:53,880 --> 00:38:55,900 And, uh, it's very 934 00:38:55,900 --> 00:38:59,260 easy when you have your 935 00:38:59,260 --> 00:39:01,079 cleaning taken care of, 936 00:39:01,519 --> 00:39:04,579 they wash the windows, they 937 00:39:04,579 --> 00:39:07,139 prepare meals, the toilet 938 00:39:07,139 --> 00:39:08,500 backs up, you call and 939 00:39:08,500 --> 00:39:09,539 they're right over there. 940 00:39:10,260 --> 00:39:11,079 You know, and it's just, 941 00:39:11,219 --> 00:39:11,940 it's comfortable. 942 00:39:13,079 --> 00:39:14,559 We like living there, but 943 00:39:14,559 --> 00:39:15,320 I asked the Lord, I said, 944 00:39:15,420 --> 00:39:16,219 you know, what is, what's 945 00:39:16,219 --> 00:39:16,820 that look like? 946 00:39:16,920 --> 00:39:17,840 What's, what's new around 947 00:39:17,840 --> 00:39:18,619 the corner here? 948 00:39:18,880 --> 00:39:20,699 So I'm challenging myself 949 00:39:20,699 --> 00:39:21,920 and I hope that you 950 00:39:21,920 --> 00:39:23,500 would too, because we can 951 00:39:23,500 --> 00:39:25,000 get very comfortable even 952 00:39:25,000 --> 00:39:26,420 in the ministry set that 953 00:39:26,420 --> 00:39:28,239 we have, whatever that 954 00:39:28,239 --> 00:39:30,099 may be, maybe one thing, 955 00:39:30,239 --> 00:39:31,320 it may be several person, 956 00:39:31,440 --> 00:39:33,260 it may be interceding for 957 00:39:33,260 --> 00:39:34,820 your friend and all that 958 00:39:34,820 --> 00:39:35,719 goes along with that. 959 00:39:35,920 --> 00:39:36,980 But yet Lord, is there 960 00:39:36,980 --> 00:39:37,920 anything else you want 961 00:39:37,920 --> 00:39:38,440 me to do? 962 00:39:38,880 --> 00:39:40,139 And yet on the other side 963 00:39:40,139 --> 00:39:41,199 of that, we don't want 964 00:39:41,199 --> 00:39:43,460 to be so busy that we 965 00:39:43,460 --> 00:39:45,679 only touch the things that 966 00:39:45,679 --> 00:39:49,079 we minister to casually. 967 00:39:49,659 --> 00:39:51,300 It's a responsibility when 968 00:39:51,300 --> 00:39:53,159 God gives us a calling so 969 00:39:53,159 --> 00:39:54,400 that we're faithful in 970 00:39:54,400 --> 00:39:55,619 that, so that we can do 971 00:39:55,619 --> 00:39:56,320 what he wants. 972 00:39:56,960 --> 00:39:57,960 But I, you know, in, in 973 00:39:57,960 --> 00:39:58,900 each one of your lives, 974 00:39:59,099 --> 00:40:00,099 you know, ask the Lord, is 975 00:40:00,099 --> 00:40:01,340 there anything else that 976 00:40:01,340 --> 00:40:03,360 you would like me or want 977 00:40:03,360 --> 00:40:04,159 me to do? 978 00:40:04,860 --> 00:40:06,659 And then let that still 979 00:40:06,659 --> 00:40:07,739 small voice when you're 980 00:40:07,739 --> 00:40:09,000 in, on the inside, 981 00:40:09,380 --> 00:40:10,139 speak to you. 982 00:40:10,599 --> 00:40:10,800 Yes. 983 00:40:11,820 --> 00:40:12,780 Yeah, I was just going to 984 00:40:12,780 --> 00:40:14,079 say, you know, this 985 00:40:14,780 --> 00:40:15,820 opportunity for growth 986 00:40:15,820 --> 00:40:17,480 and fruitfulness in my 987 00:40:17,480 --> 00:40:18,659 life, you know, for so 988 00:40:18,659 --> 00:40:19,940 much of my Christian walk, 989 00:40:20,780 --> 00:40:21,559 even though I've known 990 00:40:21,559 --> 00:40:24,460 in my head that I am 991 00:40:24,460 --> 00:40:26,820 loved and valued by Jesus, 992 00:40:26,820 --> 00:40:29,639 I still, somewhere along 993 00:40:29,639 --> 00:40:31,400 the line, developed this 994 00:40:31,400 --> 00:40:33,719 mentality that my value 995 00:40:33,719 --> 00:40:35,059 was in what I could 996 00:40:35,059 --> 00:40:35,980 produce for him. 997 00:40:36,199 --> 00:40:37,519 I lived that a while. 998 00:40:37,699 --> 00:40:38,079 Yeah. 999 00:40:40,179 --> 00:40:41,039 And so, um, 1000 00:40:41,159 --> 00:40:42,099 I don't mean that for you. 1001 00:40:42,280 --> 00:40:43,840 Yeah, well, it is for me too. 1002 00:40:44,420 --> 00:40:46,119 So, um, but it's, um, 1003 00:40:46,420 --> 00:40:48,579 been a season where the 1004 00:40:48,579 --> 00:40:52,059 Lord has told me to 1005 00:40:52,860 --> 00:40:53,960 figure out what it means 1006 00:40:53,960 --> 00:40:54,800 to just abide. 1007 00:40:55,079 --> 00:40:56,079 Yeah, that's good. 1008 00:40:56,079 --> 00:41:00,039 And, um, so really trying 1009 00:41:00,039 --> 00:41:02,019 to hear what fruitfulness 1010 00:41:02,019 --> 00:41:02,840 is going to look like, 1011 00:41:02,940 --> 00:41:03,699 because I just left 1012 00:41:03,699 --> 00:41:04,940 one of my jobs and I, 1013 00:41:05,039 --> 00:41:06,099 so I have more time. 1014 00:41:06,300 --> 00:41:07,719 I'm hoping that God makes 1015 00:41:07,719 --> 00:41:09,239 me fruitful in a lot of areas. 1016 00:41:09,780 --> 00:41:11,440 But I have to be really 1017 00:41:11,440 --> 00:41:15,199 careful not to just produce 1018 00:41:15,199 --> 00:41:16,820 for production sake. 1019 00:41:17,539 --> 00:41:17,960 that's a monkey. 1020 00:41:18,260 --> 00:41:19,460 I've fought for years. 1021 00:41:20,940 --> 00:41:22,380 Yeah, because you think, 1022 00:41:22,460 --> 00:41:23,860 OK, now I know I'm not 1023 00:41:23,860 --> 00:41:24,760 productive enough. 1024 00:41:25,019 --> 00:41:25,800 So therefore I'll do 1025 00:41:25,800 --> 00:41:26,579 something more. 1026 00:41:27,360 --> 00:41:28,139 Yeah, I mean, I just, 1027 00:41:28,380 --> 00:41:29,480 I can identify with that. 1028 00:41:30,380 --> 00:41:31,679 The Lord give you peace, 1029 00:41:32,400 --> 00:41:33,960 peace, peace, peace. 1030 00:41:34,800 --> 00:41:35,760 Yeah, that's good. 1031 00:41:36,440 --> 00:41:37,440 Thank you for sharing that. 1032 00:41:37,579 --> 00:41:38,480 Anyone else? 1033 00:41:39,659 --> 00:41:40,239 Any thoughts? 1034 00:41:41,719 --> 00:41:42,820 All right. OK. 1035 00:41:47,019 --> 00:41:47,539 So. 1036 00:41:49,340 --> 00:41:51,659 The again, the connecting 1037 00:41:51,659 --> 00:41:52,880 the sphere of influence 1038 00:41:52,880 --> 00:41:54,179 to where we are placed. 1039 00:41:54,179 --> 00:41:57,059 Again, the this fear 1040 00:41:57,059 --> 00:41:57,980 that we're talking about 1041 00:41:57,980 --> 00:41:59,739 is defined as people, places, 1042 00:42:01,079 --> 00:42:01,820 relationships, opportunities 1043 00:42:01,820 --> 00:42:04,500 that God has entrusted us with 1044 00:42:05,099 --> 00:42:06,940 and that we can influence 1045 00:42:06,940 --> 00:42:08,320 others for his purposes. 1046 00:42:10,300 --> 00:42:12,019 And I'll take off 1047 00:42:12,019 --> 00:42:12,920 what you said. 1048 00:42:13,159 --> 00:42:14,559 Sometimes you get into 1049 00:42:14,559 --> 00:42:15,559 needing to do 1050 00:42:16,099 --> 00:42:17,960 and in doing you want to 1051 00:42:17,960 --> 00:42:19,539 become the friend of. 1052 00:42:19,960 --> 00:42:21,000 I don't know whether that ever 1053 00:42:21,000 --> 00:42:22,659 got you triggered or not. 1054 00:42:23,280 --> 00:42:25,139 But sometimes it's not 1055 00:42:25,139 --> 00:42:26,619 the friendship, although 1056 00:42:26,619 --> 00:42:28,400 that's a way in which to win them. 1057 00:42:28,699 --> 00:42:29,840 But that's not first. 1058 00:42:30,059 --> 00:42:31,719 The first purpose is for God 1059 00:42:31,719 --> 00:42:33,039 to work through you, 1060 00:42:33,139 --> 00:42:34,380 whatever that may look like, 1061 00:42:34,800 --> 00:42:36,719 and then be then befriend 1062 00:42:36,719 --> 00:42:38,179 them secondarily 1063 00:42:38,179 --> 00:42:39,300 because there is a 1064 00:42:39,300 --> 00:42:40,860 there is a purpose and all that. 1065 00:42:40,960 --> 00:42:41,840 It's just not friendship. 1066 00:42:42,800 --> 00:42:44,579 So additionally, our sphere 1067 00:42:44,579 --> 00:42:46,679 of influence becomes specific 1068 00:42:46,679 --> 00:42:49,079 in areas and the community 1069 00:42:49,079 --> 00:42:50,500 where we are positioned 1070 00:42:51,099 --> 00:42:52,960 and so that we can represent him 1071 00:42:52,960 --> 00:42:54,739 what whatever that may look like. 1072 00:42:55,260 --> 00:42:56,440 All right, our family, 1073 00:42:56,639 --> 00:42:58,239 if for nothing else, our family 1074 00:42:58,239 --> 00:43:00,340 and as your family grows, 1075 00:43:01,019 --> 00:43:02,519 do your daughters know the Lord? 1076 00:43:04,199 --> 00:43:06,340 All right, OK, that's that's that's good. 1077 00:43:06,599 --> 00:43:08,019 That's that's one box 1078 00:43:08,019 --> 00:43:09,000 checked off there. 1079 00:43:09,179 --> 00:43:09,599 That's great. 1080 00:43:10,659 --> 00:43:12,280 Our family, again, the spouse, 1081 00:43:12,400 --> 00:43:13,679 the children, the grandparents 1082 00:43:13,679 --> 00:43:16,059 and again, an extended family. 1083 00:43:16,860 --> 00:43:17,659 Our neighborhood. 1084 00:43:18,539 --> 00:43:20,480 I can remember there was a time 1085 00:43:20,480 --> 00:43:22,199 that where we lived 1086 00:43:22,859 --> 00:43:24,139 in the beginning of our marriage, 1087 00:43:24,139 --> 00:43:26,320 it was a more condensed community. 1088 00:43:27,400 --> 00:43:28,460 And my wife, every time 1089 00:43:28,460 --> 00:43:29,400 somebody moved in 1090 00:43:29,400 --> 00:43:30,699 and whether it was in the block 1091 00:43:30,699 --> 00:43:32,820 that we lived or three blocks up or whatever, 1092 00:43:33,099 --> 00:43:34,360 she used to bake cookies 1093 00:43:34,360 --> 00:43:36,280 or a pie or something and go over 1094 00:43:36,280 --> 00:43:38,000 and we used to introduce ourselves. 1095 00:43:38,260 --> 00:43:40,380 And, you know, that kind of 1096 00:43:40,380 --> 00:43:41,539 doesn't happen anymore. 1097 00:43:42,219 --> 00:43:44,380 And we have to push ourselves 1098 00:43:44,380 --> 00:43:46,619 to be open and to have friendships 1099 00:43:46,619 --> 00:43:47,500 with one another 1100 00:43:47,500 --> 00:43:49,179 so that we can win them for the Lord. 1101 00:43:50,119 --> 00:43:51,940 And you might ask, who are my neighbors? 1102 00:43:52,619 --> 00:43:53,739 How can I demonstrate 1103 00:43:53,739 --> 00:43:54,860 God's love to them 1104 00:43:55,420 --> 00:43:56,679 by a dozen cookies? 1105 00:43:57,179 --> 00:43:59,639 OK, our church encouragement 1106 00:43:59,639 --> 00:44:00,659 for one another, 1107 00:44:00,840 --> 00:44:01,780 serving one another, 1108 00:44:02,139 --> 00:44:03,260 discipling one another, 1109 00:44:04,199 --> 00:44:05,659 praying for God for God 1110 00:44:05,659 --> 00:44:07,119 to work together 1111 00:44:07,819 --> 00:44:09,199 so that we can have outreach. 1112 00:44:09,599 --> 00:44:11,739 Our worship, volunteer activities, 1113 00:44:12,099 --> 00:44:13,059 our workplace, rather, 1114 00:44:13,500 --> 00:44:14,139 there are coworkers, 1115 00:44:15,139 --> 00:44:16,579 customers, associates. 1116 00:44:17,659 --> 00:44:19,420 And then God placed the Israelites 1117 00:44:19,420 --> 00:44:21,179 in a strategic location 1118 00:44:21,179 --> 00:44:22,920 where the surrounding nations 1119 00:44:22,920 --> 00:44:25,380 could see what his blessing, 1120 00:44:26,119 --> 00:44:28,519 his laws being worked out. 1121 00:44:28,659 --> 00:44:31,820 Remember, other than the Israelites, 1122 00:44:32,659 --> 00:44:34,980 there was an they were nomadic people. 1123 00:44:35,480 --> 00:44:36,800 They were always warring. 1124 00:44:36,960 --> 00:44:38,139 They were taking other cities, 1125 00:44:38,139 --> 00:44:40,239 doing things, trying to Trump one another. 1126 00:44:40,800 --> 00:44:41,539 And now he comes 1127 00:44:41,539 --> 00:44:43,440 and brings an abiding sense 1128 00:44:43,440 --> 00:44:45,239 of his presence in these people. 1129 00:44:45,760 --> 00:44:46,780 And they are to show forth 1130 00:44:46,780 --> 00:44:48,139 his laws and character 1131 00:44:48,720 --> 00:44:50,599 and his faithfulness in action. 1132 00:44:51,320 --> 00:44:52,579 And that should be the way 1133 00:44:52,579 --> 00:44:56,019 that we live example. 1134 00:44:56,619 --> 00:44:57,460 Well, how is it 1135 00:44:57,460 --> 00:44:58,719 that you have this faith? 1136 00:44:58,980 --> 00:45:00,500 How is it that you're different? 1137 00:45:01,099 --> 00:45:02,400 And so often you get asked 1138 00:45:02,400 --> 00:45:04,500 these things without even a word. 1139 00:45:05,159 --> 00:45:06,400 So God's dwelling place 1140 00:45:06,400 --> 00:45:07,179 among his people 1141 00:45:07,179 --> 00:45:08,500 was the highest blessing. 1142 00:45:09,719 --> 00:45:11,219 So the blessing was that 1143 00:45:11,219 --> 00:45:12,440 the creator of heaven 1144 00:45:12,440 --> 00:45:13,820 and earth chose to dwell 1145 00:45:13,820 --> 00:45:14,980 among his people. 1146 00:45:15,440 --> 00:45:16,539 That's so wonderful. 1147 00:45:18,260 --> 00:45:18,900 Ultimately, the greatest 1148 00:45:18,900 --> 00:45:20,019 treasure in the land 1149 00:45:20,019 --> 00:45:21,400 was not the agriculture, 1150 00:45:21,659 --> 00:45:22,659 the military security. 1151 00:45:22,900 --> 00:45:24,400 It was the God's presence. 1152 00:45:24,719 --> 00:45:25,579 He was there. 1153 00:45:25,900 --> 00:45:27,059 They were to come to Shiloh 1154 00:45:27,059 --> 00:45:28,099 and worship him 1155 00:45:28,639 --> 00:45:29,900 throughout Israel's history. 1156 00:45:30,059 --> 00:45:32,880 God reminded his people 1157 00:45:32,880 --> 00:45:35,139 that his presence was more important 1158 00:45:35,139 --> 00:45:36,400 than the prosperity. 1159 00:45:37,280 --> 00:45:38,460 And I don't think we have 1160 00:45:38,460 --> 00:45:39,380 that problem amongst 1161 00:45:39,380 --> 00:45:40,539 the people in this room. 1162 00:45:40,539 --> 00:45:41,860 But that's typically 1163 00:45:41,860 --> 00:45:43,139 a lot of what you get. 1164 00:45:43,559 --> 00:45:45,219 I know I face that 1165 00:45:46,099 --> 00:45:47,559 with one of my grandsons. 1166 00:45:48,239 --> 00:45:49,219 I asked him, I said, well, 1167 00:45:49,380 --> 00:45:51,199 I said, AJ or JP. 1168 00:45:51,820 --> 00:45:52,679 I said, what do you want to do? 1169 00:45:52,739 --> 00:45:53,280 He said, I want to be 1170 00:45:53,280 --> 00:45:54,760 an entrepreneur, make a lot of money. 1171 00:45:54,940 --> 00:45:55,719 I thought, oh, boy. 1172 00:45:56,500 --> 00:45:57,179 You know, and that's that 1173 00:45:57,179 --> 00:45:58,219 we talked about college 1174 00:45:58,219 --> 00:45:59,380 and I don't want to go to college. 1175 00:45:59,539 --> 00:46:00,260 I want to do this. 1176 00:46:00,500 --> 00:46:01,900 And, you know, right now 1177 00:46:01,900 --> 00:46:03,820 he's washing garbage cans 1178 00:46:03,820 --> 00:46:06,159 and make he makes ten dollars. 1179 00:46:07,840 --> 00:46:09,460 A garbage can that the truck 1180 00:46:09,460 --> 00:46:10,599 comes along, picks him up. 1181 00:46:10,599 --> 00:46:12,500 He goes and puts his sprayer 1182 00:46:12,500 --> 00:46:13,639 on the back, sprays him, 1183 00:46:13,900 --> 00:46:15,579 washes him out, cleans him up, 1184 00:46:15,599 --> 00:46:16,679 uses the people's hose. 1185 00:46:17,139 --> 00:46:17,500 He makes ten. 1186 00:46:17,579 --> 00:46:19,260 He made a couple of hundred 1187 00:46:19,260 --> 00:46:20,500 dollars in the last couple of weeks. 1188 00:46:21,159 --> 00:46:23,940 He buys and sells electric bikes. 1189 00:46:24,880 --> 00:46:25,900 And he's, you know, he's a widget. 1190 00:46:26,139 --> 00:46:27,500 So OK, Lord, this is 1191 00:46:27,500 --> 00:46:28,780 a matter of prayer now. 1192 00:46:28,900 --> 00:46:30,260 Not that he has to go to college, 1193 00:46:30,559 --> 00:46:31,360 but it's the idea 1194 00:46:31,360 --> 00:46:32,400 that where he wants to go, 1195 00:46:32,460 --> 00:46:33,340 he's kind of like, you know, 1196 00:46:33,539 --> 00:46:35,239 all around, I can do this and that. 1197 00:46:35,980 --> 00:46:37,920 Typical young male. OK. 1198 00:46:39,900 --> 00:46:45,719 And the idea of experiencing 1199 00:46:46,599 --> 00:46:48,719 his presence is what we're about 1200 00:46:48,719 --> 00:46:50,019 throughout Israel's history. 1201 00:46:50,699 --> 00:46:51,780 God reminded his people 1202 00:46:51,780 --> 00:46:52,519 that his presence 1203 00:46:52,519 --> 00:46:54,559 was more important than prosperity. 1204 00:46:54,980 --> 00:46:56,860 So Moses once said this. 1205 00:46:57,599 --> 00:47:00,139 If thy presence go not with me. 1206 00:47:00,840 --> 00:47:02,539 Carry us not up hence, 1207 00:47:02,699 --> 00:47:03,780 meaning to that place, 1208 00:47:03,780 --> 00:47:05,000 which is the promised land. 1209 00:47:05,219 --> 00:47:07,039 We experience this truth 1210 00:47:07,559 --> 00:47:08,940 in an even greater way 1211 00:47:08,940 --> 00:47:10,019 through Jesus Christ 1212 00:47:10,019 --> 00:47:12,119 and the indwelling Holy Spirit. 1213 00:47:12,119 --> 00:47:14,139 God no longer dwells 1214 00:47:14,139 --> 00:47:16,059 in a physical tabernacle 1215 00:47:16,059 --> 00:47:18,340 or temple made by human hands. 1216 00:47:18,340 --> 00:47:20,300 He dwells within his people. 1217 00:47:20,840 --> 00:47:22,079 Our greatest blessing, then, 1218 00:47:22,139 --> 00:47:23,900 is not what God gives us, 1219 00:47:23,900 --> 00:47:26,719 but what God is doing 1220 00:47:26,719 --> 00:47:28,440 through us and with us. 1221 00:47:29,000 --> 00:47:29,780 So what does it mean 1222 00:47:29,780 --> 00:47:30,800 to live in an awareness 1223 00:47:30,800 --> 00:47:31,820 of God's presence? 1224 00:47:33,320 --> 00:47:36,079 We kind of beat this to death, 1225 00:47:36,079 --> 00:47:37,340 but I want to make a point. 1226 00:47:38,739 --> 00:47:39,920 Awareness of God's presence. 1227 00:47:40,860 --> 00:47:42,440 How long does it take you 1228 00:47:42,440 --> 00:47:44,280 to realize that God's presence 1229 00:47:44,280 --> 00:47:45,699 is with you or he wants 1230 00:47:45,699 --> 00:47:46,739 something from you? 1231 00:47:47,079 --> 00:47:47,840 Is it immediate? 1232 00:47:48,119 --> 00:47:48,920 Is it a day? 1233 00:47:49,079 --> 00:47:49,840 Is it an hour? 1234 00:47:50,239 --> 00:47:51,159 Are you so busy 1235 00:47:51,159 --> 00:47:52,639 that you forgot about God? 1236 00:47:52,880 --> 00:47:54,179 And again, you don't have to show 1237 00:47:54,179 --> 00:47:55,300 a confession of hands, 1238 00:47:55,300 --> 00:47:56,260 but it's the idea 1239 00:47:56,260 --> 00:47:58,300 that as you get tuned 1240 00:47:58,300 --> 00:47:59,420 to his presence, 1241 00:47:59,420 --> 00:48:01,099 you begin quickly 1242 00:48:01,099 --> 00:48:03,159 to understand what he's saying. 1243 00:48:03,699 --> 00:48:05,239 And that is an art form. 1244 00:48:05,239 --> 00:48:07,179 That is that is learned. 1245 00:48:07,860 --> 00:48:09,760 It doesn't come automatically. 1246 00:48:10,360 --> 00:48:11,139 What does he say? 1247 00:48:11,659 --> 00:48:12,940 If you seek me, 1248 00:48:13,800 --> 00:48:15,420 I will be found. 1249 00:48:16,380 --> 00:48:17,880 You have to seek him. 1250 00:48:18,480 --> 00:48:19,500 You have to believe 1251 00:48:19,500 --> 00:48:21,000 that as you spend time 1252 00:48:21,000 --> 00:48:23,460 with him at his feet, 1253 00:48:24,199 --> 00:48:24,900 worship prayer, 1254 00:48:25,059 --> 00:48:26,679 the things that we've talked about, 1255 00:48:27,179 --> 00:48:30,219 God will bring himself to you. 1256 00:48:30,679 --> 00:48:31,719 Remember Moses. 1257 00:48:32,700 --> 00:48:35,039 Moses turned away 1258 00:48:35,039 --> 00:48:36,840 and looked at the burning bush. 1259 00:48:38,059 --> 00:48:39,360 So there was God 1260 00:48:40,320 --> 00:48:41,199 and he was waiting. 1261 00:48:41,539 --> 00:48:42,420 The bush was burning 1262 00:48:42,420 --> 00:48:43,880 and Moses could have easily 1263 00:48:43,880 --> 00:48:45,440 just walked on by, 1264 00:48:45,440 --> 00:48:46,400 but he turned 1265 00:48:47,039 --> 00:48:48,159 and he saw the bush. 1266 00:48:49,079 --> 00:48:50,199 So first of all, 1267 00:48:50,219 --> 00:48:51,440 we have to understand 1268 00:48:52,159 --> 00:48:53,940 that God is waiting for us 1269 00:48:54,519 --> 00:48:56,460 and whatever you characterize that, 1270 00:48:56,539 --> 00:48:57,920 whatever you call that, 1271 00:48:58,639 --> 00:48:59,780 you begin to create 1272 00:48:59,780 --> 00:49:00,539 an atmosphere 1273 00:49:00,539 --> 00:49:02,460 where he can speak to you. 1274 00:49:02,460 --> 00:49:04,900 And as you cultivate that 1275 00:49:05,539 --> 00:49:07,300 and keep that maintained, 1276 00:49:07,960 --> 00:49:09,440 that voice will become 1277 00:49:09,440 --> 00:49:10,699 extremely directive. 1278 00:49:11,500 --> 00:49:12,719 It may be challenging. 1279 00:49:12,960 --> 00:49:15,119 It will take you to new heights 1280 00:49:15,119 --> 00:49:17,179 and depths that you wouldn't even believe. 1281 00:49:17,719 --> 00:49:18,940 Well, I can't do that, Lord, 1282 00:49:19,059 --> 00:49:20,400 but you can do all things 1283 00:49:20,400 --> 00:49:22,139 through Christ, which strengthens you, 1284 00:49:23,320 --> 00:49:24,099 which strengthens us. 1285 00:49:25,000 --> 00:49:26,760 So consequently, keep that in mind 1286 00:49:26,760 --> 00:49:27,820 when you think about, 1287 00:49:28,380 --> 00:49:29,320 well, where am I? 1288 00:49:29,659 --> 00:49:30,579 What's my mission? 1289 00:49:30,579 --> 00:49:32,599 What's my sphere of influence? 1290 00:49:33,099 --> 00:49:34,420 What else should I be doing? 1291 00:49:34,739 --> 00:49:36,340 And I don't mean that we are all busy 1292 00:49:36,340 --> 00:49:37,900 because I know, Debbie, with you, 1293 00:49:38,059 --> 00:49:39,579 you want to, okay, 1294 00:49:40,000 --> 00:49:42,460 calm down and get steady before the Lord 1295 00:49:42,460 --> 00:49:44,019 and there's a season of time for that. 1296 00:49:44,199 --> 00:49:44,900 And that's wonderful. 1297 00:49:46,119 --> 00:49:47,900 And then lastly, it's this. 1298 00:49:51,300 --> 00:49:53,280 The land was a stage 1299 00:49:53,280 --> 00:49:55,699 upon which God was to reveal his character. 1300 00:49:56,619 --> 00:49:57,619 As we speak 1301 00:49:58,460 --> 00:50:02,199 and believe for revival and spiritual, 1302 00:50:06,099 --> 00:50:07,179 that's awakening, 1303 00:50:07,659 --> 00:50:10,280 our prayers should not be simple 1304 00:50:12,539 --> 00:50:13,719 for God's provision 1305 00:50:14,859 --> 00:50:16,639 and protection and prosperity. 1306 00:50:16,920 --> 00:50:18,320 It should be an anticipation 1307 00:50:18,900 --> 00:50:19,820 for what he wants. 1308 00:50:20,500 --> 00:50:24,059 Our deepest desire should be for his presence. 1309 00:50:24,579 --> 00:50:26,340 First, and out of that, 1310 00:50:26,639 --> 00:50:27,780 then comes service. 1311 00:50:29,320 --> 00:50:31,219 And then as we weigh these things, 1312 00:50:31,340 --> 00:50:32,440 you can see in the scale, 1313 00:50:33,079 --> 00:50:35,760 God's presence is transformational, 1314 00:50:36,400 --> 00:50:38,679 it's fruitful, it's peaceable, 1315 00:50:38,820 --> 00:50:39,699 and it's life-giving. 1316 00:50:40,500 --> 00:50:41,800 And on the other side of that, 1317 00:50:41,840 --> 00:50:43,960 we are meant to show what? 1318 00:50:44,119 --> 00:50:45,400 The justice, righteousness, 1319 00:50:46,000 --> 00:50:48,440 friendship, and compassion to all people. 1320 00:50:49,260 --> 00:50:51,340 So we look at 1321 00:50:52,340 --> 00:50:55,800 the final aspects of the land being divided. 1322 00:50:56,360 --> 00:50:59,900 We understand now that their land is given. 1323 00:51:00,480 --> 00:51:02,400 It's for these people to settle down 1324 00:51:02,400 --> 00:51:03,599 and be fruitful 1325 00:51:03,599 --> 00:51:05,860 so that the kingdom of God 1326 00:51:05,860 --> 00:51:07,820 can be expressed through them. 1327 00:51:08,260 --> 00:51:10,619 The only problem is all that failed 1328 00:51:10,619 --> 00:51:12,719 and Christ then had to come 1329 00:51:12,719 --> 00:51:14,320 and give the ultimate sacrifice. 1330 00:51:15,079 --> 00:51:17,900 It's disappointing as we go through these chapters 1331 00:51:17,900 --> 00:51:19,039 to think of all, 1332 00:51:19,780 --> 00:51:20,960 and I'll put it in the vernacular, 1333 00:51:20,960 --> 00:51:23,360 blood, sweat, and tears that God went through 1334 00:51:23,360 --> 00:51:26,599 to create this nation 1335 00:51:27,700 --> 00:51:30,559 only for the nation to rebel and fall all apart. 1336 00:51:30,760 --> 00:51:33,579 They say, okay, I have to do this in another way. 1337 00:51:34,000 --> 00:51:35,739 And that was obviously God's plan. 1338 00:51:35,880 --> 00:51:37,159 He knew the end from the beginning. 1339 00:51:37,380 --> 00:51:39,900 But it's the idea that the nation building 1340 00:51:39,900 --> 00:51:42,719 that we talked about in months back 1341 00:51:42,719 --> 00:51:43,820 going through Exodus, 1342 00:51:44,420 --> 00:51:48,619 how he created a nation out of tribes 1343 00:51:48,619 --> 00:51:49,719 that were warring, 1344 00:51:49,719 --> 00:51:51,619 how he brought his law, 1345 00:51:51,800 --> 00:51:53,199 how he made a civilization, 1346 00:51:53,880 --> 00:51:55,800 how he created structure, 1347 00:51:56,400 --> 00:51:58,059 how he created law 1348 00:51:59,040 --> 00:52:00,539 to give these people a foundation 1349 00:52:00,539 --> 00:52:03,260 so that they could be truly a witness for him. 1350 00:52:03,780 --> 00:52:06,119 And yet it was all given up 1351 00:52:06,119 --> 00:52:08,099 because of their rebelliousness. 1352 00:52:08,579 --> 00:52:09,900 So Lord, we thank you 1353 00:52:10,560 --> 00:52:13,340 that we are not found on the other side 1354 00:52:15,619 --> 00:52:16,639 of life 1355 00:52:17,240 --> 00:52:19,260 where we are by ourselves, 1356 00:52:20,119 --> 00:52:25,840 where we are the last and only truth dwelling within us. 1357 00:52:26,239 --> 00:52:30,260 And it's our ego and our power 1358 00:52:30,900 --> 00:52:32,820 to be somebody that we wanna be. 1359 00:52:32,960 --> 00:52:34,659 We are simply your servants, Lord. 1360 00:52:35,519 --> 00:52:37,639 So we ask as we go away tonight 1361 00:52:37,639 --> 00:52:39,039 that we'll ponder the fact 1362 00:52:39,039 --> 00:52:40,360 that what we should be doing 1363 00:52:40,360 --> 00:52:42,500 and how do we express you 1364 00:52:42,500 --> 00:52:44,000 in the areas that we live. 1365 00:52:44,840 --> 00:52:46,619 We know we don't have to move away 1366 00:52:46,619 --> 00:52:49,519 to get you to give us attention, Lord. 1367 00:52:49,940 --> 00:52:50,940 You're right here. 1368 00:52:51,579 --> 00:52:52,820 And so we yield to you 1369 00:52:52,820 --> 00:52:54,340 in our present circumstances 1370 00:52:55,219 --> 00:52:56,760 how to move through us. 1371 00:52:57,440 --> 00:52:58,800 We thank you for the blessing 1372 00:52:59,400 --> 00:53:01,400 that we heard tonight of this marriage. 1373 00:53:01,579 --> 00:53:02,619 We thank you for that. 1374 00:53:03,159 --> 00:53:05,059 We thank you that you'll bless these girls 1375 00:53:05,059 --> 00:53:06,340 with a mom. 1376 00:53:06,940 --> 00:53:08,119 And Father, we just ask 1377 00:53:08,119 --> 00:53:10,260 that you give her grace to walk through this 1378 00:53:10,260 --> 00:53:11,619 in the name of Jesus. 1379 00:53:11,619 --> 00:53:13,940 And we thank you for the healing of this lady. 1380 00:53:14,420 --> 00:53:17,079 So we give this to you tonight 1381 00:53:17,079 --> 00:53:18,059 in the name of Jesus. 1382 00:53:18,539 --> 00:53:20,000 Everybody said amen. 1383 00:53:20,559 --> 00:53:20,860 Amen. 1384 00:53:24,780 --> 00:53:26,320 Thanks for joining us 1385 00:53:26,320 --> 00:53:27,679 at Lansdale Life Church 1386 00:53:27,679 --> 00:53:28,840 as we praise God 1387 00:53:28,840 --> 00:53:30,219 and discuss his word. 1388 00:53:30,880 --> 00:53:32,139 Don't forget to join us 1389 00:53:32,139 --> 00:53:33,960 for worship live Sunday mornings 1390 00:53:33,960 --> 00:53:36,380 at 10 a.m. Eastern on YouTube. 1391 00:53:37,000 --> 00:53:37,840 Be blessed 1392 00:53:37,840 --> 00:53:39,440 and have a great day.