WEBVTT NOTE Podcast: Acts 29 Vancouver Episode: 2 Peter 1: Promises Publishing Date: 2025-01-05T05:04:44-08:00 Podcast URL: https://acts29.ca Episode URL: https://acts29.ca/2-peter-1-promises/ 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:25.520 Okay, so I want to start with 2 Peter 1. Maybe we'll go over it over the next few weeks and 00:00:25.520 --> 00:00:37.360 do it as a series. 2 Peter 1. 2 Peter 1. Today we do verse 3 and 4. If you want a title for 00:00:37.360 --> 00:00:59.800 it, call it promises. So let me read it. 2 Peter 1, 3 and 4. 2 Peter 1, 3 and 4. By His 00:00:59.800 --> 00:01:08.120 divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received 00:01:08.120 --> 00:01:15.240 all of this by coming to know Him. I'm reading from the NLT. By His divine power, God has given 00:01:15.240 --> 00:01:21.560 us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all this by coming to know Him, 00:01:22.440 --> 00:01:27.800 the One who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence. And because of 00:01:27.800 --> 00:01:35.320 His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises. These are promises that 00:01:35.320 --> 00:01:43.480 enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires. 00:01:43.480 --> 00:01:51.400 Let's check another version. Let's go to NIV. His divine power has given us everything we need for 00:01:51.400 --> 00:01:57.080 a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. 00:01:57.800 --> 00:02:02.840 Through these, He has given us His very great and precious promises so that through them, 00:02:02.840 --> 00:02:07.160 you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by 00:02:07.160 --> 00:02:13.880 evildoers. One last one, message. Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been 00:02:13.880 --> 00:02:18.840 miraculously given to us by getting to know personally and intimately the One who invited 00:02:18.840 --> 00:02:25.160 us to God, the best invitation we ever received. We were also given absolutely terrific promises to 00:02:25.160 --> 00:02:30.440 pass on to you, your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turn your back on a 00:02:30.440 --> 00:02:40.360 world corrupted by lust. So, 2 Peter 1, 3 invites us to a realm 00:02:41.240 --> 00:02:42.760 it invites us to a realm 00:02:46.280 --> 00:02:53.000 that is full of assurances and promises. 00:02:55.320 --> 00:03:04.360 So, we don't live, we as believers don't necessarily live in this realm of assurances and promises. 00:03:04.360 --> 00:03:09.000 We don't live like that. We live perhaps in some doubt, some fear, some worry, 00:03:09.560 --> 00:03:16.040 some seeking God, but we don't realize that the realm that we live in is a realm of assurances 00:03:16.040 --> 00:03:25.000 and promises. We don't compute that, that Christianity, kingdom life is a life that is a realm 00:03:25.560 --> 00:03:32.600 of assurances and promises. Even in the darkest, deepest times of Israel's journey through the 00:03:32.600 --> 00:03:39.480 desert, one thing that always stood out was assurances. When they are squabbling and fighting 00:03:39.480 --> 00:03:44.920 at Marah, assurance. What's the assurance? Here is a branch of a tree that I'm going to cut out, 00:03:44.920 --> 00:03:49.880 I'm going to throw it into the water and the water shall turn sweet, bitter water is turning sweet. 00:03:49.880 --> 00:03:55.480 There's always promises and assurances. That's what we live in. So, before we go on, I want you 00:03:55.480 --> 00:04:03.720 to think of a promise in your life. And if we can't think of a promise in our lives, 00:04:03.720 --> 00:04:08.600 then we need to wonder why we haven't begun to enter and live in that realm. 00:04:09.320 --> 00:04:15.160 But is there a promise in your life? Are there promises? If you say no, open scriptures. 00:04:15.160 --> 00:04:21.800 Scriptures are full of promises. Scriptures are full of promises. There's never an end to promise. 00:04:22.200 --> 00:04:26.920 But think of a promise, because that will make, perhaps make this a little more practical. 00:04:30.120 --> 00:04:35.400 So how shall we define promise? Or what do these promises do? Here's what these promises do. 00:04:35.960 --> 00:04:44.920 Promises, why is God giving us promises? He gives us promises so that one, we can share or partake 00:04:45.240 --> 00:04:53.560 or partake in his, in his divine nature. 00:04:56.760 --> 00:04:59.480 One, we can share in his divine nature. Two, 00:05:02.040 --> 00:05:07.400 two, so that we have everything we need 00:05:10.600 --> 00:05:11.800 to live a life 00:05:15.880 --> 00:05:16.840 that pleases God. 00:05:20.600 --> 00:05:26.120 And three, based on the scripture we just read, three, we can escape 00:05:27.880 --> 00:05:31.640 the corruption or the pollution of the world. 00:05:34.920 --> 00:05:39.240 Guys, here's the crazy thing. In writing this and putting it up on the board, 00:05:39.240 --> 00:05:41.560 this alone, this in itself is a promise. 00:05:44.680 --> 00:05:49.880 Scriptures are replete with this. Scriptures are full of promises, of assurances. 00:05:50.840 --> 00:05:57.640 But we don't live out of this matrix. Here itself are three guarantees that, listen, 00:05:57.640 --> 00:06:03.320 here's the promise I'm giving you. Here's what God is saying, here is a promise I'm giving you, 00:06:03.320 --> 00:06:08.440 that I'm giving you a lot of magnificent promises. He's promising promises. 00:06:09.720 --> 00:06:15.560 And why? So that you can share in my divine nature, so that you can be like me. It's through 00:06:15.560 --> 00:06:21.240 promises that we get to participate or partake or share or become like him, where Christ says, 00:06:21.960 --> 00:06:29.080 this is who you will become because I am in you. The next one is, through these promises, 00:06:29.080 --> 00:06:35.240 I'll give you everything you need to live a life that pleases me. Everything. Not a spiritual life, 00:06:35.240 --> 00:06:39.880 because he does not divide life in a spiritual, physical, mental, emotional... Now, 00:06:41.320 --> 00:06:47.720 he's talking about the entire person. When you die, you're not going to go heaven in your spirit. 00:06:47.720 --> 00:06:53.880 It's body, soul, spirit. He doesn't clinically divide you. So he's saying, I provided promises 00:06:54.440 --> 00:07:01.000 in the word that will be enough to live a life that pleases me. And the third thing he says is, 00:07:01.000 --> 00:07:06.360 I'm giving you promises so that you can escape the way the world thinks. Because it's the way the 00:07:06.360 --> 00:07:13.640 world thinks that corrupts our minds. That in itself is a promise. And so let's think of a few... 00:07:15.160 --> 00:07:19.320 So what would you include under promises? Here are some of the things that can be included under 00:07:19.320 --> 00:07:26.200 promises. Promises. We start with scripture. Scripture is full of promises. Someone's even 00:07:26.200 --> 00:07:33.080 counted them. I don't remember. The nature of God revealed to you, where because he's love, 00:07:33.080 --> 00:07:37.320 you know that there won't be a moment in your life when you will not be loved. Think of that. 00:07:37.880 --> 00:07:43.320 The nature of God in itself is a promise. Because I am loved, there will not be a moment. It doesn't 00:07:43.320 --> 00:07:49.240 matter how deep in sin I am, how I may flee into the darkness. It doesn't matter what I do. There 00:07:49.240 --> 00:07:52.680 will not be a day because of the nature of God where I am not fully loved. 00:07:56.280 --> 00:08:00.760 There will not be a day when I'm not present before the father. Why? Because I'm in Christ 00:08:00.760 --> 00:08:05.320 and Christ is before the father. There will not be a day when the blood of Jesus Christ will not 00:08:05.320 --> 00:08:11.800 cleanse me. It's forever. From the very nature of God, which is where scriptures come from. By the 00:08:11.800 --> 00:08:18.440 way, the nature of God is where scriptures come from. What are scriptures? Scriptures are the 00:08:18.440 --> 00:08:24.200 description of the nature of God. Scriptures are the description of the thinking of God. 00:08:26.200 --> 00:08:31.000 And therefore, if you want to interpret scriptures accurately, you have to know his nature. 00:08:34.440 --> 00:08:41.560 Just think of that for a second. If you don't have a grasp of the nature of God, and it's very easy. 00:08:41.560 --> 00:08:48.120 You don't need to go to Bible school for this. What is the nature of God? Very simple. He is a 00:08:48.120 --> 00:08:49.080 is a 00:08:52.600 --> 00:09:01.560 father. The nature of God dominantly, preeminently is that of a father. 00:09:04.040 --> 00:09:10.840 It is critical that we read scriptures as things being written to us from the heart of a father. 00:09:10.840 --> 00:09:14.040 You read it any other way, we will misinterpret it. 00:09:14.200 --> 00:09:22.120 And so, promises, scripture, nature of God, prophetic, 00:09:26.120 --> 00:09:29.880 personal assurances that God gives directly to you. 00:09:32.200 --> 00:09:41.320 From the word, by the Spirit, and through the bride. Three things that always agree. 00:09:41.880 --> 00:09:45.240 Three things that always agree. The word, Spirit, and the bride. 00:09:47.960 --> 00:09:52.120 The word and the Spirit, really. But we need to understand that he's coming back for the bride. 00:09:55.160 --> 00:10:01.480 This encompasses all of this thing called promise. When God says something, 00:10:03.400 --> 00:10:08.920 here's a question. When God promises you something, when God promises you something, 00:10:12.200 --> 00:10:15.400 when God promises you something, do you take 00:10:19.240 --> 00:10:20.120 God for granted? 00:10:26.440 --> 00:10:30.120 When God promises you something, do you take God for granted? 00:10:35.560 --> 00:10:41.160 Religion will convince you that no, no, no, no, no, don't take God for granted. That's a wrong thing. 00:10:41.560 --> 00:10:48.360 Hey, anybody ever said that about your dad or mom? Hey, listen, your dad, be careful, Joey. 00:10:48.360 --> 00:10:59.080 Don't take him for granted. Now, when God promises you something, do you take him for granted? 00:11:03.240 --> 00:11:07.880 My answer is, not always. I got my doubts and suspicions about him. 00:11:11.320 --> 00:11:27.560 When God promises you something, when God promises you something, when God promises you something, 00:11:29.560 --> 00:11:33.640 so much easier if we have abbreviations for everything. When God promises you something, 00:11:33.800 --> 00:11:45.880 he is creating a space for me to step into his intentional plans prepared 00:11:46.200 --> 00:11:56.120 prepared before the foundations of the earth. Hey, this is a new way of doing notes, man. I kind of like it. 00:11:56.120 --> 00:12:02.360 Soon there will be letters all over the place. I just hope I remember. 00:12:04.360 --> 00:12:10.360 When God promises something, do you take God for granted? 00:12:12.360 --> 00:12:16.360 When God promises you something, do you take God for granted? 00:12:16.600 --> 00:12:22.600 Soon there will be letters all over the place. I just hope I remember. 00:12:24.600 --> 00:12:32.600 When God promises something, WGPS, which is a common thing that we use on Instagram and all those fancy other things. 00:12:34.600 --> 00:12:40.600 The first time someone sent me LOL, I thought it meant lots of love and it was from someone in the church who was a female and I didn't know what to do. 00:12:40.840 --> 00:12:48.840 I just panicked. I thought, why is she saying this? She's not in this church anymore, so don't even try guessing. 00:12:50.840 --> 00:13:02.840 WGPS, when God promises something, he is creating a space for me to step into his intentional plan prepared before the foundations of the earth. 00:13:03.080 --> 00:13:09.080 I mean, every time God promises me something, he's saying, hey, Jacob, I've created a space here. 00:13:09.080 --> 00:13:13.080 I thought of this space before you were born. I think you're the right person to step into this. 00:13:13.080 --> 00:13:19.080 I'm promising it to you. He's creating a space for me. That's how we need to see promises. 00:13:23.080 --> 00:13:31.080 All promises are that way. His promise to Israel, his promise to Jacob, his promise to Noah, his promise to David, his promise to Paul. 00:13:31.320 --> 00:13:39.320 It doesn't matter who he takes. He creates a space for them to step into and then he announces it. 00:13:39.320 --> 00:13:45.320 What is a promise? A promise is the announcement of God's intent or God's heart. 00:13:47.320 --> 00:13:49.320 I want you to take these words. 00:13:50.320 --> 00:13:55.320 Imagine God saying to you, I love promises. 00:13:55.560 --> 00:14:11.560 I put all my heart into each promise. 00:14:11.800 --> 00:14:29.800 I am deeply committed to what I say to you. 00:14:30.040 --> 00:14:42.040 My passion yearns for you to receive it. 00:14:52.040 --> 00:14:58.040 Just imagine that. Think of some of the promises that haven't come to pass, that you recently received. 00:14:58.280 --> 00:15:00.280 Then think of this. 00:15:02.280 --> 00:15:04.280 God is saying, I love promises. 00:15:04.280 --> 00:15:08.280 It's my means of assurance. It's my announcement of intent. 00:15:08.280 --> 00:15:12.280 It's the way I put my heart into words. 00:15:12.280 --> 00:15:14.280 I've done it in Scripture again and again. 00:15:14.280 --> 00:15:16.280 I also do it prophetically. 00:15:16.280 --> 00:15:18.280 I do it through the Word. 00:15:18.280 --> 00:15:22.280 I do it through speaking to you in the middle of the night. 00:15:22.280 --> 00:15:24.280 So, I love promises. 00:15:24.280 --> 00:15:26.280 I put all my heart into each one. 00:15:26.520 --> 00:15:34.520 Be it in the Scriptures, be it prophetically, be it through you reading the Word, be it through assurances given to you. 00:15:34.520 --> 00:15:36.520 I put all my heart into each one. 00:15:36.520 --> 00:15:38.520 I'm deeply committed to what I say to you. 00:15:38.520 --> 00:15:40.520 Crazy, eh? 00:15:40.520 --> 00:15:42.520 I'm deeply committed to what I say to you. 00:15:44.520 --> 00:15:48.520 And the last one, my passion yearns for you to receive it. 00:15:48.520 --> 00:15:50.520 His passion. 00:15:50.520 --> 00:15:52.520 It's unstoppable passion. 00:15:52.520 --> 00:15:54.520 My passion yearns for you to receive it. 00:15:54.760 --> 00:15:56.760 This is how he thinks. 00:16:00.760 --> 00:16:04.760 A promise always reveals his presence, eh? 00:16:04.760 --> 00:16:08.760 A promise always reveals his presence. 00:16:08.760 --> 00:16:12.760 Whenever he gives a promise, he gives it. 00:16:12.760 --> 00:16:14.760 He gives it. 00:16:14.760 --> 00:16:16.760 He gives it. 00:16:16.760 --> 00:16:18.760 He gives it. 00:16:18.760 --> 00:16:20.760 He gives it. 00:16:20.760 --> 00:16:22.760 He gives it. 00:16:23.000 --> 00:16:27.000 Whenever he gives a promise, he does it with presence. 00:16:27.000 --> 00:16:29.000 So, you go to Genesis 15. 00:16:29.000 --> 00:16:35.000 He says to Abraham, I am your exceeding great reward and shield. 00:16:35.000 --> 00:16:37.000 And then what does he do? 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:39.000 He turns up. 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:41.000 You go to Gideon. 00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:47.000 Gideon's parents are there and he speaks to them and then he turns up. 00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:49.000 To Samson's parents, he turns up. 00:16:49.000 --> 00:16:51.000 To Mary and Joseph, he turns up. 00:16:51.240 --> 00:16:55.240 To Saul, who becomes Spall later, he turns up. 00:16:55.240 --> 00:16:57.240 To David, he turns up. 00:16:57.240 --> 00:17:01.240 This is a God who loves backing promise with presence. 00:17:03.240 --> 00:17:07.240 One of the other displays is on Mount Sinai. 00:17:07.240 --> 00:17:09.240 He's giving a nation its constitution. 00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:11.240 What does he do? 00:17:11.240 --> 00:17:13.240 Turn up. 00:17:13.240 --> 00:17:15.240 Turn up in power. 00:17:15.240 --> 00:17:17.240 Turn up in presence. 00:17:17.240 --> 00:17:19.240 Turn up in fire. 00:17:19.480 --> 00:17:21.480 With every promise, look for presence. 00:17:21.480 --> 00:17:23.480 With every promise, look for presence. 00:17:25.480 --> 00:17:29.480 Whenever you receive something that is from God, be it a word that resonates with you, 00:17:29.480 --> 00:17:33.480 be it a scripture that leaps out at you from the Bible, be it an assurance, 00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:40.480 as soon as you receive a promise, start chasing the negative thoughts, 00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:43.480 the things that people say, start chasing away because God is going to come. 00:17:43.480 --> 00:17:47.480 Genesis 15 is your format for it. 00:17:47.720 --> 00:17:51.720 As soon as Abraham hears that you are my exceeding great reward and shield, 00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:54.720 vultures are coming because he's divided a sacrifice that's there, 00:17:54.720 --> 00:17:57.720 and the birds of prey are coming and he's chasing them away, 00:17:57.720 --> 00:18:01.720 and then a sudden darkness comes, and a torch comes, and God is there. 00:18:01.720 --> 00:18:03.720 And Abraham is never the same again. 00:18:07.720 --> 00:18:09.720 There's something to this, guys. 00:18:09.720 --> 00:18:15.720 What a way to start the year with 2 Peter 1 and starting with the promises of God. 00:18:15.960 --> 00:18:19.960 Remember, there's something in the Bible called the principle of first mention. 00:18:19.960 --> 00:18:22.960 When something is first mentioned, take it seriously, 00:18:22.960 --> 00:18:25.960 because the first time it's mentioned, it's mentioned in clarity, 00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:29.960 in originality, without any mixture. 00:18:29.960 --> 00:18:32.960 And I would like to say to you today that most of the things 00:18:32.960 --> 00:18:37.960 that will unfold during the service, you need to think of like that. 00:18:39.960 --> 00:18:43.960 I need to think of like that, because I'm not planning as we're going. 00:18:45.960 --> 00:18:48.960 Blessed people we are, man. 00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:51.960 Amen! Don't shout so loud. Don't shout so loud. 00:18:55.960 --> 00:18:59.960 That is overwhelming. Principle of first mention, eh? 00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:06.960 A promise reveals its presence, and once it reveals its presence, 00:19:06.960 --> 00:19:10.960 you must engage or encourage. 00:19:11.200 --> 00:19:16.200 Conversations and awareness. 00:19:18.200 --> 00:19:23.200 Only a people who want things run with a promise. 00:19:24.200 --> 00:19:27.200 Everyone else runs with the one who gives the promise. 00:19:31.200 --> 00:19:34.200 At the end of the day, what happened to the faith movement? 00:19:34.200 --> 00:19:37.200 That the faith movement is not a religion, 00:19:37.440 --> 00:19:40.440 at the end of the day, what happened to the faith movement 00:19:40.440 --> 00:19:43.440 that was trashed for years? 00:19:43.440 --> 00:19:45.440 What was its main fault? 00:19:45.440 --> 00:19:48.440 It was grab it, blab it, name it, claim it. 00:19:48.440 --> 00:19:51.440 It was, I got a promise, now I got to stand on it, run with it. 00:19:51.440 --> 00:19:54.440 Nobody engaged the one who gave the promise. 00:19:54.440 --> 00:19:57.440 There were no conversations. There was no awareness. 00:19:57.440 --> 00:20:00.440 The intent is, if I give you a promise, 00:20:00.440 --> 00:20:04.440 wouldn't you come to me and start talking about, so how does it work? 00:20:04.680 --> 00:20:09.680 How did this happen? Why me? Why did you pick me? 00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:14.680 And now that you picked me, how am I supposed to open this? 00:20:14.680 --> 00:20:17.680 And when I open it, how do I activate it? 00:20:18.680 --> 00:20:20.680 That begins the conversation. 00:20:20.680 --> 00:20:23.680 And in the conversation, you get richer. 00:20:23.680 --> 00:20:28.680 Because with every promise, God increases his relationship with you. 00:20:28.920 --> 00:20:33.920 With every promise, God elevates his relationship with you. 00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:40.920 With every promise, God elevates his relationship with you. 00:20:47.920 --> 00:20:50.920 Any questions before we go on? 00:20:51.920 --> 00:20:52.920 Any questions? 00:20:52.920 --> 00:20:56.920 And if your question is what about the fact that we've been waiting, 00:20:57.160 --> 00:20:59.160 we'll deal with that in the end. 00:20:59.160 --> 00:21:02.160 Any questions on what has been said? 00:21:06.160 --> 00:21:12.160 Most of the time, our struggle with faith, 00:21:15.160 --> 00:21:18.160 with regard to promises, 00:21:18.400 --> 00:21:23.400 is rooted in our inability 00:21:33.400 --> 00:21:38.400 to trust and rest. 00:21:40.400 --> 00:21:43.400 Guys, if this is trust, 00:21:43.640 --> 00:21:46.640 this is faith. 00:21:49.640 --> 00:21:52.640 Faith is a part of this massive thing called trust. 00:21:52.640 --> 00:21:56.640 We trust a person, we trust his nature. 00:21:56.640 --> 00:22:00.640 And then we put faith in the words he speaks, 00:22:00.640 --> 00:22:03.640 because we trust his nature. 00:22:07.640 --> 00:22:10.640 That's why you need faith as small as a muscle. 00:22:10.880 --> 00:22:13.880 That's why you need faith as small as a mustard seed, 00:22:13.880 --> 00:22:16.880 because your trust is the size of an acorn tree. 00:22:19.880 --> 00:22:22.880 If I trust Vivek, 00:22:22.880 --> 00:22:27.880 then anything he says is easy to have faith in. 00:22:27.880 --> 00:22:30.880 But if I don't trust Vivek's nature, 00:22:30.880 --> 00:22:33.880 then everything he says has to be backed up 00:22:33.880 --> 00:22:38.880 by confirmations, promises, signs, repeatedly. 00:22:39.120 --> 00:22:42.120 But if I trust his nature, 00:22:42.120 --> 00:22:45.120 I can exert faith. 00:22:48.120 --> 00:22:50.120 Now, where do you find his nature? 00:22:50.120 --> 00:22:52.120 Again, in the word. 00:22:52.120 --> 00:22:54.120 What is his predominant nature? 00:22:54.120 --> 00:22:56.120 That of a father. 00:22:56.120 --> 00:22:58.120 Any questions? 00:23:01.120 --> 00:23:03.120 Any questions? 00:23:03.360 --> 00:23:05.360 So our intent should be, 00:23:05.360 --> 00:23:07.360 can I trust his nature more and more? 00:23:07.360 --> 00:23:09.360 Can I trust his nature? 00:23:09.360 --> 00:23:14.360 And look for the areas where there are weaknesses in your trust. 00:23:15.360 --> 00:23:20.360 Look for the areas that you find it difficult to trust him in. 00:23:20.360 --> 00:23:21.360 Work on those. 00:23:21.360 --> 00:23:24.360 Otherwise, we'll have people who have tremendous trust 00:23:24.360 --> 00:23:27.360 in some areas of his nature, and none in the other. 00:23:27.360 --> 00:23:30.360 My hope is that by the time we traverse the earth, 00:23:30.600 --> 00:23:31.600 in our life here, 00:23:31.600 --> 00:23:34.600 that we have begun to trust 00:23:34.600 --> 00:23:37.600 the many-splendored nature of God. 00:23:39.600 --> 00:23:42.600 And know that you can only trust him 00:23:42.600 --> 00:23:44.600 in your present circumstances. 00:23:44.600 --> 00:23:47.600 Your circumstances, my circumstances, 00:23:47.600 --> 00:23:52.600 are where trust and faith grow and are exerted. 00:23:52.600 --> 00:23:56.600 So I'm not saying, thank God for all the miserable circumstances 00:23:56.600 --> 00:23:57.600 you're in, 00:23:57.840 --> 00:24:02.840 but thank God that you now have an actual arena 00:24:02.840 --> 00:24:04.840 to work this out in. 00:24:08.840 --> 00:24:10.840 And for every circumstance you are in, 00:24:10.840 --> 00:24:13.840 know that he knew it before you were born, 00:24:13.840 --> 00:24:16.840 and that he has assurances, promises, 00:24:16.840 --> 00:24:21.840 and a passion for you to receive what he had planned for you, 00:24:21.840 --> 00:24:23.840 regardless of how you got there. 00:24:24.080 --> 00:24:26.080 You know how people end up in the wilderness? 00:24:26.080 --> 00:24:27.080 Strange. 00:24:29.080 --> 00:24:31.080 Sometimes God leads them into the wilderness. 00:24:31.080 --> 00:24:32.080 Jesus. 00:24:32.080 --> 00:24:35.080 Sometimes you sin and are left in the wilderness. 00:24:35.080 --> 00:24:36.080 Israel. 00:24:36.080 --> 00:24:38.080 Sometimes you are sent into the wilderness, 00:24:38.080 --> 00:24:40.080 but you're marked so that nobody touches you. 00:24:40.080 --> 00:24:41.080 Cain. 00:24:41.080 --> 00:24:44.080 Sometimes you go into the wilderness like Paul did 00:24:44.080 --> 00:24:46.080 so that you receive a revelation of God. 00:24:46.080 --> 00:24:49.080 Sometimes you run into the wilderness like Jesus did. 00:24:49.080 --> 00:24:50.080 Jesus did. 00:24:50.080 --> 00:24:51.080 Jesus did. 00:24:51.080 --> 00:24:52.080 Jesus did. 00:24:52.320 --> 00:24:55.320 Sometimes you run into the wilderness like Elijah 00:24:55.320 --> 00:24:57.320 because you're tired of living with people. 00:24:59.320 --> 00:25:01.320 Doesn't matter how you get into the wilderness, 00:25:01.320 --> 00:25:03.320 guess what happens there? 00:25:03.320 --> 00:25:06.320 In every wilderness experience in the Bible, 00:25:06.320 --> 00:25:11.320 the one person who appears larger than life is God. 00:25:11.320 --> 00:25:13.320 Because his intent is, 00:25:13.320 --> 00:25:18.320 hey, this is exactly where my promises work the best. 00:25:18.560 --> 00:25:23.560 Israel lived and breathed promises. 00:25:23.560 --> 00:25:24.560 And they kept forgetting. 00:25:24.560 --> 00:25:26.560 But doesn't matter how many times they forgot, 00:25:26.560 --> 00:25:28.560 they lived and breathed promises. 00:25:28.560 --> 00:25:32.560 I'm not trying to make your circumstances rosy. 00:25:32.560 --> 00:25:33.560 They're very thorny. 00:25:33.560 --> 00:25:35.560 But in that middle of those circumstances, 00:25:35.560 --> 00:25:38.560 there's this amazing rose called the promise of God. 00:25:42.560 --> 00:25:46.560 You can only try trust and faith in my present situation. 00:25:46.800 --> 00:25:47.800 Any questions? 00:25:47.800 --> 00:25:51.800 So be it parenting, be it finances, 00:25:51.800 --> 00:25:55.800 be it relationships, be it sickness. 00:25:55.800 --> 00:25:57.800 Doesn't matter, man. 00:25:57.800 --> 00:26:00.800 That's exactly where this kicks in. 00:26:02.800 --> 00:26:03.800 Any questions? 00:26:11.800 --> 00:26:12.800 No? 00:26:13.040 --> 00:26:14.040 Cool. 00:26:20.040 --> 00:26:22.040 God gives you promises, 00:26:27.040 --> 00:26:28.040 but he may 00:26:33.040 --> 00:26:36.040 not describe 00:26:39.040 --> 00:26:42.040 the provision of the Bible. 00:26:43.040 --> 00:26:52.040 He may not give you much on how he will provide for the promise to be met. 00:26:52.040 --> 00:26:54.040 So let's talk about provision. 00:26:54.040 --> 00:26:56.040 Provision is, where's the source of God? 00:26:56.040 --> 00:26:57.040 There's a promise, 00:26:57.040 --> 00:27:00.040 but how do I get to the source from which this promise can come? 00:27:00.040 --> 00:27:01.040 Where's the wisdom of God? 00:27:01.040 --> 00:27:02.040 There's a promise, 00:27:02.040 --> 00:27:04.040 but how am I going to do this? 00:27:04.040 --> 00:27:06.040 Where's the platform of God? 00:27:06.040 --> 00:27:07.040 You said this, 00:27:07.040 --> 00:27:09.040 but I don't have a platform or a position to launch from. 00:27:09.040 --> 00:27:11.040 Where's the opening of God? 00:27:11.040 --> 00:27:12.040 You promised something, 00:27:12.280 --> 00:27:13.280 but I don't see any opening. 00:27:13.280 --> 00:27:15.280 I see a huge wall. 00:27:15.280 --> 00:27:17.280 Where's the favour of God? 00:27:17.280 --> 00:27:18.280 Nobody knows me, 00:27:18.280 --> 00:27:19.280 people despise me. 00:27:19.280 --> 00:27:20.280 I ain't going to get anything. 00:27:20.280 --> 00:27:21.280 Where's the favour of God? 00:27:21.280 --> 00:27:23.280 Where's the people of God? 00:27:23.280 --> 00:27:24.280 The thing that you've asked me to do. 00:27:24.280 --> 00:27:26.280 It's impossible without people. 00:27:26.280 --> 00:27:27.280 Where's the money of God? 00:27:27.280 --> 00:27:28.280 You want me to do this, 00:27:28.280 --> 00:27:30.280 but I got no money to do it. 00:27:30.280 --> 00:27:31.280 Where's the means of God? 00:27:31.280 --> 00:27:33.280 I got no means to do it. 00:27:35.280 --> 00:27:36.280 Familiar, eh? 00:27:42.280 --> 00:27:45.280 And so these things then begin to play havoc with us 00:27:45.280 --> 00:27:49.280 because one of the things that happens often to us 00:27:49.280 --> 00:27:52.280 is that your provision 00:27:55.280 --> 00:28:00.280 will always be contested. 00:28:03.280 --> 00:28:06.280 Your provision will always be contested. 00:28:06.280 --> 00:28:08.280 Who's going to be the one to do it? 00:28:08.280 --> 00:28:10.280 Who's going to be the one to do it? 00:28:10.520 --> 00:28:12.520 Your provision will always be contested, 00:28:12.520 --> 00:28:15.520 which is why 00:28:15.520 --> 00:28:19.520 God gives promises. 00:28:23.520 --> 00:28:25.520 Your provision will always be contested, 00:28:25.520 --> 00:28:27.520 as in don't have what it takes. 00:28:27.520 --> 00:28:28.520 Exactly. 00:28:28.520 --> 00:28:30.520 That's why God gives you a promise. 00:28:32.520 --> 00:28:33.520 Endure. 00:28:33.520 --> 00:28:34.520 Stick with it. 00:28:34.520 --> 00:28:37.520 It's coming. 00:28:37.520 --> 00:28:38.520 You know, when we read books, 00:28:38.760 --> 00:28:40.760 when we read testimonies, 00:28:40.760 --> 00:28:41.760 we hear it and we feel, 00:28:41.760 --> 00:28:44.760 ah shucks, I wish it had happened to me. 00:28:44.760 --> 00:28:47.760 What you don't know is the back story. 00:28:47.760 --> 00:28:49.760 What you don't know is the scars on the back. 00:28:49.760 --> 00:28:52.760 What you don't know is the sackcloth and the eye ashes. 00:28:52.760 --> 00:28:56.760 What you don't know is the story that has transpired before. 00:28:56.760 --> 00:28:59.760 And then, something amazing happens. 00:29:02.760 --> 00:29:05.760 But in the process, we get to please God. 00:29:08.760 --> 00:29:11.760 So, your provision will be contested, 00:29:11.760 --> 00:29:14.760 which is why you have to have a promise. 00:29:14.760 --> 00:29:16.760 One of the things I always look for 00:29:16.760 --> 00:29:18.760 in a difficult situation, 00:29:18.760 --> 00:29:19.760 be it created by me, 00:29:19.760 --> 00:29:21.760 or be it created by somebody else, 00:29:21.760 --> 00:29:23.760 or be it because of the fallenness of the world, 00:29:23.760 --> 00:29:24.760 or be it a trial, 00:29:24.760 --> 00:29:25.760 be it persecution, 00:29:25.760 --> 00:29:27.760 be it a satanic attack, 00:29:27.760 --> 00:29:29.760 it doesn't matter which direction it's coming from. 00:29:29.760 --> 00:29:31.760 The one thing I must look for 00:29:31.760 --> 00:29:33.760 and that I must receive from God 00:29:33.760 --> 00:29:35.760 is in this, oh God, 00:29:35.760 --> 00:29:37.760 what are you saying? 00:29:38.000 --> 00:29:40.000 What's your perspective? 00:29:40.000 --> 00:29:41.000 What's your promise? 00:29:41.000 --> 00:29:43.000 What do I hold on to 00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:45.000 while I wait for the provision to come? 00:29:45.000 --> 00:29:47.000 Or for the opening to happen? 00:29:47.000 --> 00:29:49.000 Or for the platform to be built? 00:29:49.000 --> 00:29:51.000 Or for the source to be identified? 00:29:51.000 --> 00:29:54.000 Or for the means or the money to do what is required? 00:29:54.000 --> 00:29:55.000 Or for the favor 00:29:55.000 --> 00:29:58.000 so that Mordecai ends up being the second in command 00:29:58.000 --> 00:30:01.000 in a Babylonian kingdom? 00:30:01.240 --> 00:30:04.240 Any questions? 00:30:07.240 --> 00:30:11.240 Never settle for anything less. 00:30:11.240 --> 00:30:14.240 Do not live below the standard of the kingdom 00:30:14.240 --> 00:30:16.240 set for you by Jesus. 00:30:21.240 --> 00:30:23.240 Standard of the kingdom. 00:30:25.240 --> 00:30:27.240 Standard of the kingdom. 00:30:27.240 --> 00:30:29.240 Standard of the kingdom. 00:30:29.480 --> 00:30:31.480 Any questions? 00:30:34.480 --> 00:30:36.480 Promises can get adjusted 00:30:36.480 --> 00:30:40.480 because I took long. 00:30:40.480 --> 00:30:42.480 Promises can get adjusted 00:30:42.480 --> 00:30:45.480 because I've reached a point 00:30:45.480 --> 00:30:47.480 of stubbornness and disobedience 00:30:47.480 --> 00:30:50.480 where now things have to be tinkered with. 00:30:50.480 --> 00:30:52.480 But otherwise, 00:30:52.480 --> 00:30:54.480 I mean, look at the way 00:30:54.480 --> 00:30:56.480 that the kingdom is being built 00:30:56.480 --> 00:30:58.480 and the way that the kingdom is being built 00:30:58.720 --> 00:31:01.720 I mean, look at a guy who 00:31:01.720 --> 00:31:03.720 had to wait 25 years 00:31:03.720 --> 00:31:06.720 from when he was told he would have a child 00:31:06.720 --> 00:31:08.720 to when he had Isaac. 00:31:08.720 --> 00:31:10.720 Look at the mistakes he made. 00:31:10.720 --> 00:31:12.720 Look at the ishmaels 00:31:12.720 --> 00:31:14.720 that were created along the way. 00:31:14.720 --> 00:31:17.720 And yet, look at how God speaks of him, 00:31:17.720 --> 00:31:19.720 how God was faithful 00:31:19.720 --> 00:31:21.720 and how God brought to pass 00:31:21.720 --> 00:31:23.720 the promise that he had spoken. 00:31:23.720 --> 00:31:25.720 It takes a lot 00:31:25.720 --> 00:31:27.720 to tease off 00:31:27.960 --> 00:31:29.960 this God. 00:31:29.960 --> 00:31:31.960 He ain't no 00:31:31.960 --> 00:31:33.960 touch-me-not kind of God 00:31:33.960 --> 00:31:35.960 that, oh, you sin, 00:31:35.960 --> 00:31:37.960 that's it. No, he doesn't do that. 00:31:40.960 --> 00:31:42.960 He's a strong God, man. 00:31:44.960 --> 00:31:45.960 I mean, go back to those words. 00:31:45.960 --> 00:31:47.960 I have a passion for you. 00:31:47.960 --> 00:31:49.960 I have a passion that yearns 00:31:49.960 --> 00:31:50.960 for you to receive 00:31:50.960 --> 00:31:51.960 the things I have said 00:31:51.960 --> 00:31:53.960 because I love making promises to you. 00:31:57.960 --> 00:31:59.960 It takes a lot to lose a promise. 00:32:03.960 --> 00:32:05.960 And even when you lose it, 00:32:05.960 --> 00:32:06.960 he doesn't trash you, 00:32:06.960 --> 00:32:08.960 he then reshapes it. 00:32:08.960 --> 00:32:09.960 He takes the clay, 00:32:09.960 --> 00:32:10.960 puts it back on the potter's wheel, 00:32:10.960 --> 00:32:12.960 tries to create something else 00:32:12.960 --> 00:32:13.960 that is beautiful out of it, 00:32:13.960 --> 00:32:15.960 just like he did with Esau. 00:32:15.960 --> 00:32:17.960 Esau sold a promise 00:32:17.960 --> 00:32:19.960 for very little. 00:32:19.960 --> 00:32:20.960 He knew. 00:32:20.960 --> 00:32:21.960 He knew the enormity 00:32:21.960 --> 00:32:23.960 of the promise that awaited him. 00:32:23.960 --> 00:32:24.960 And for, 00:32:24.960 --> 00:32:25.960 for the promise 00:32:26.200 --> 00:32:28.200 to satisfy physical hunger, 00:32:28.200 --> 00:32:29.200 he sells it. 00:32:29.200 --> 00:32:30.200 And yet, 00:32:30.200 --> 00:32:31.200 God doesn't abandon him. 00:32:31.200 --> 00:32:32.200 All that happens is 00:32:32.200 --> 00:32:34.200 the promises go to Jacob. 00:32:34.200 --> 00:32:35.200 God doesn't abandon him. 00:32:35.200 --> 00:32:37.200 Esau prospers, man. 00:32:40.200 --> 00:32:42.200 And when Israel is going through 00:32:42.200 --> 00:32:43.200 the wilderness 00:32:43.200 --> 00:32:44.200 to take the promised land, 00:32:44.200 --> 00:32:45.200 God tells Israel, 00:32:45.200 --> 00:32:48.200 you will not touch Esau's land. 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:49.200 You will not touch it. 00:32:49.200 --> 00:32:50.200 Because his protection 00:32:50.200 --> 00:32:53.200 was still upon the sons of Isaiah. 00:32:53.200 --> 00:32:54.200 And he says, 00:32:54.440 --> 00:32:55.440 Isaiah. 00:32:59.440 --> 00:33:00.440 Any questions? 00:33:01.440 --> 00:33:02.440 Yep. 00:33:16.440 --> 00:33:17.440 Yeah. 00:33:17.440 --> 00:33:19.440 So, when a promise is given, 00:33:19.440 --> 00:33:20.440 my statement was, 00:33:20.440 --> 00:33:21.440 in every situation, 00:33:21.440 --> 00:33:23.440 look for its perspective. 00:33:23.680 --> 00:33:24.680 And look for what 00:33:24.680 --> 00:33:25.680 he wants to give you. 00:33:25.680 --> 00:33:27.680 In every circumstance, 00:33:27.680 --> 00:33:29.680 look for his perspective. 00:33:29.680 --> 00:33:30.680 What do you want me to do, Father? 00:33:30.680 --> 00:33:33.680 Even in interpersonal interactions. 00:33:33.680 --> 00:33:35.680 Father, this is what George is saying. 00:33:35.680 --> 00:33:37.680 What is your perspective? 00:33:37.680 --> 00:33:38.680 Oh, by the way, 00:33:38.680 --> 00:33:39.680 please can we find 00:33:39.680 --> 00:33:41.680 George a job quickly? 00:33:41.680 --> 00:33:43.680 Like, he's got so much time 00:33:43.680 --> 00:33:44.680 on his hands, 00:33:44.680 --> 00:33:45.680 he's asking the men 00:33:45.680 --> 00:33:46.680 to dress up. 00:33:46.680 --> 00:33:48.680 Next week it'll be in a suit. 00:33:51.680 --> 00:33:52.680 Yeah. 00:33:53.680 --> 00:33:56.680 You're enjoying your time, right? 00:33:56.680 --> 00:33:57.680 Absolutely. 00:33:57.680 --> 00:34:00.680 I can see it on your face. 00:34:00.680 --> 00:34:01.680 Yeah. 00:34:04.680 --> 00:34:05.680 Yeah. 00:34:05.680 --> 00:34:07.680 So, even in interpersonal reactions, 00:34:07.680 --> 00:34:08.680 my thing should be, 00:34:08.680 --> 00:34:09.680 okay, Father, 00:34:09.680 --> 00:34:10.680 what's your perspective 00:34:10.680 --> 00:34:11.680 on what George is saying? 00:34:11.680 --> 00:34:13.680 And in this situation now, 00:34:13.680 --> 00:34:14.680 what's the promise? 00:34:15.680 --> 00:34:16.680 And once I have the promise, 00:34:16.680 --> 00:34:20.680 then you take the action 00:34:20.680 --> 00:34:22.680 that God is asking you to take. 00:34:22.920 --> 00:34:23.920 Because we are supposed 00:34:23.920 --> 00:34:25.920 to work out of trust and rest. 00:34:27.920 --> 00:34:28.920 Sometimes all you can do 00:34:28.920 --> 00:34:31.920 is throw a dart at a city 00:34:31.920 --> 00:34:32.920 on the map, 00:34:32.920 --> 00:34:33.920 because God told you 00:34:33.920 --> 00:34:34.920 to throw a dart there. 00:34:34.920 --> 00:34:35.920 That's it. 00:34:38.920 --> 00:34:40.920 Mongolia is a classic example. 00:34:40.920 --> 00:34:42.920 Threw a dart, bought a flag, 00:34:42.920 --> 00:34:43.920 prayed for Mongolia 00:34:43.920 --> 00:34:44.920 for seven years, 00:34:44.920 --> 00:34:45.920 and then God said, 00:34:45.920 --> 00:34:46.920 go to Mongolia. 00:34:46.920 --> 00:34:49.920 But go there without asking 00:34:49.920 --> 00:34:50.920 for any help, 00:34:51.160 --> 00:34:52.160 go into a hotel, 00:34:52.160 --> 00:34:54.160 and I will do what I need to do. 00:34:59.160 --> 00:35:00.160 That's how provision comes. 00:35:01.160 --> 00:35:03.160 Hey, this is not abnormal living. 00:35:03.160 --> 00:35:05.160 This is normal kingdom living. 00:35:06.160 --> 00:35:07.160 The other thing 00:35:07.160 --> 00:35:08.160 is abnormal living. 00:35:11.160 --> 00:35:13.160 Sometimes what we need to do 00:35:13.160 --> 00:35:16.160 is just replace our heads 00:35:16.160 --> 00:35:18.160 with one of Nick's bok choy. 00:35:21.160 --> 00:35:22.160 The less we think, 00:35:22.160 --> 00:35:23.160 the more kingdom 00:35:23.160 --> 00:35:24.160 we become sometimes. 00:35:27.160 --> 00:35:28.160 Is a bok choy 00:35:28.160 --> 00:35:29.160 a big thing or a small thing? 00:35:31.160 --> 00:35:32.160 I don't know. 00:35:32.160 --> 00:35:33.160 I always find it 00:35:33.160 --> 00:35:34.160 in all foods you gave. 00:35:35.160 --> 00:35:36.160 Which begs the question, 00:35:36.160 --> 00:35:38.160 you gave me really good food 00:35:38.160 --> 00:35:39.160 yesterday, 00:35:39.160 --> 00:35:40.160 but why the tomatoes? 00:35:44.160 --> 00:35:45.160 Oh, okay. 00:35:45.160 --> 00:35:47.160 I didn't know what to do with it, 00:35:47.160 --> 00:35:48.160 so I gave it to Davand. 00:35:51.160 --> 00:35:52.160 So guys, 00:35:57.160 --> 00:35:59.160 stop thinking like the world does. 00:35:59.160 --> 00:36:00.160 One of the things 00:36:00.160 --> 00:36:01.160 promises does it, 00:36:01.160 --> 00:36:02.160 it helps us escape 00:36:02.160 --> 00:36:03.160 the corruption of the world. 00:36:03.160 --> 00:36:04.160 One of the ways 00:36:04.160 --> 00:36:05.160 the world corrupts us 00:36:05.160 --> 00:36:06.160 is by asking us 00:36:06.160 --> 00:36:07.160 to think like the world does. 00:36:09.160 --> 00:36:10.160 That's one of the greatest forms 00:36:10.160 --> 00:36:12.160 of corruption of the world. 00:36:12.160 --> 00:36:13.160 Kingdom thinking 00:36:13.160 --> 00:36:14.160 that is damaged 00:36:14.160 --> 00:36:15.160 because we think like the world. 00:36:15.400 --> 00:36:16.400 Provision 00:36:18.400 --> 00:36:21.400 is often 00:36:21.400 --> 00:36:22.400 a consequence 00:36:26.400 --> 00:36:27.400 of a promise 00:36:28.400 --> 00:36:29.400 believed. 00:36:31.400 --> 00:36:32.400 Provision is 00:36:33.400 --> 00:36:34.400 a consequence 00:36:36.400 --> 00:36:37.400 of a promise 00:36:39.400 --> 00:36:40.400 believed. 00:36:42.400 --> 00:36:43.400 Provision is 00:36:43.640 --> 00:36:44.640 often 00:36:45.640 --> 00:36:46.640 a consequence 00:36:46.640 --> 00:36:47.640 of a promise believed. 00:36:48.640 --> 00:36:49.640 Sometimes 00:36:50.640 --> 00:36:51.640 it is because 00:36:51.640 --> 00:36:52.640 you believe so strongly 00:36:52.640 --> 00:36:53.640 about something 00:36:53.640 --> 00:36:54.640 that God has said to you 00:36:54.640 --> 00:36:55.640 and you please Him 00:36:55.640 --> 00:36:56.640 so ridiculously 00:36:57.640 --> 00:36:58.640 that it is natural 00:36:58.640 --> 00:36:59.640 for provision to flow 00:37:00.640 --> 00:37:01.640 towards the fulfillment 00:37:02.640 --> 00:37:03.640 of what God has intended 00:37:04.640 --> 00:37:05.640 before the foundations 00:37:05.640 --> 00:37:06.640 of the earth. 00:37:06.640 --> 00:37:07.640 You know, 00:37:07.640 --> 00:37:08.640 often when we stand in faith 00:37:08.640 --> 00:37:09.640 and something comes 00:37:09.640 --> 00:37:10.640 we say, 00:37:10.640 --> 00:37:11.640 and I stood in faith 00:37:11.640 --> 00:37:12.640 and praise God 00:37:12.880 --> 00:37:13.880 that part is true 00:37:13.880 --> 00:37:14.880 but think of it the other way. 00:37:15.880 --> 00:37:16.880 Every time God says something 00:37:16.880 --> 00:37:17.880 and you know it is God 00:37:17.880 --> 00:37:18.880 either from scriptures 00:37:18.880 --> 00:37:19.880 or through the prophetic 00:37:19.880 --> 00:37:20.880 or through something 00:37:20.880 --> 00:37:21.880 God has spoken to you 00:37:21.880 --> 00:37:22.880 in your heart 00:37:22.880 --> 00:37:23.880 and you decide 00:37:23.880 --> 00:37:24.880 I actually trust you 00:37:24.880 --> 00:37:25.880 God with regard to this 00:37:25.880 --> 00:37:27.880 and I will exert the faith 00:37:27.880 --> 00:37:28.880 that I need 00:37:28.880 --> 00:37:29.880 because I trust your nature. 00:37:29.880 --> 00:37:30.880 As you do that 00:37:30.880 --> 00:37:31.880 provisions begin to flow 00:37:31.880 --> 00:37:32.880 towards you. 00:37:32.880 --> 00:37:33.880 Why? 00:37:33.880 --> 00:37:34.880 Because God is pleased 00:37:34.880 --> 00:37:35.880 and He says 00:37:35.880 --> 00:37:37.400 but this is what I intended 00:37:37.400 --> 00:37:38.400 for Jacob before 00:37:38.400 --> 00:37:39.400 the foundations of the earth. 00:37:39.400 --> 00:37:41.400 I have reserved things for him 00:37:42.160 --> 00:37:43.160 that will now be supplied. 00:37:44.160 --> 00:37:45.160 It's the most natural thing 00:37:45.160 --> 00:37:46.160 for God to do. 00:37:50.160 --> 00:37:51.160 You young men and women 00:37:51.160 --> 00:37:52.160 that have come here 00:37:52.160 --> 00:37:53.160 to study 00:37:53.160 --> 00:37:54.160 begin to think like this. 00:37:55.160 --> 00:37:56.160 Circumstances 00:37:56.160 --> 00:37:57.160 can rot your head. 00:37:58.160 --> 00:37:59.160 Can absolutely 00:37:59.160 --> 00:38:00.160 rot your head. 00:38:01.160 --> 00:38:02.160 Fill it with maggots. 00:38:07.160 --> 00:38:08.160 Somehow 00:38:08.160 --> 00:38:10.160 the ability to remove 00:38:10.160 --> 00:38:11.160 the way we think 00:38:11.920 --> 00:38:12.920 from the pressures 00:38:12.920 --> 00:38:13.920 that begin to shape 00:38:13.920 --> 00:38:15.920 mold the clay of our brain 00:38:15.920 --> 00:38:16.920 to begin to think like the world 00:38:16.920 --> 00:38:18.920 it's the most dangerous thing man. 00:38:18.920 --> 00:38:19.920 Escape it. 00:38:20.920 --> 00:38:21.920 And this is a good church 00:38:21.920 --> 00:38:22.920 to escape it in 00:38:22.920 --> 00:38:23.920 because there are people 00:38:23.920 --> 00:38:24.920 that will help you 00:38:24.920 --> 00:38:27.920 when your muscles begin to lag. 00:38:29.920 --> 00:38:30.920 Faith is not absent here. 00:38:32.920 --> 00:38:33.920 Presence is not absent here. 00:38:34.920 --> 00:38:36.920 Council is not absent here. 00:38:37.920 --> 00:38:38.920 The spirit of God 00:38:38.920 --> 00:38:39.920 is not absent here. 00:38:40.680 --> 00:38:42.680 Exampling is not absent here. 00:38:43.680 --> 00:38:45.680 Help is not absent here. 00:38:47.680 --> 00:38:49.680 Financial help has been given. 00:38:49.680 --> 00:38:51.680 Companion help has been given. 00:38:51.680 --> 00:38:53.680 Comfort help has been given. 00:38:53.680 --> 00:38:55.680 And it will keep being given. 00:38:59.680 --> 00:39:00.680 Next time someone comes 00:39:00.680 --> 00:39:01.680 and says I want to leave the church 00:39:01.680 --> 00:39:04.680 I'll give you a gift 00:39:04.680 --> 00:39:05.680 to go. 00:39:07.680 --> 00:39:08.680 Because it's the foolishest thing 00:39:08.680 --> 00:39:09.680 when you open the gift 00:39:10.440 --> 00:39:11.440 you'll see a sign saying 00:39:11.440 --> 00:39:12.440 don't be foolish. 00:39:17.440 --> 00:39:18.440 Really it's a good thing 00:39:18.440 --> 00:39:19.440 we have going here. 00:39:21.440 --> 00:39:24.440 And our boast is in the Lord 00:39:25.440 --> 00:39:27.440 because no man can do this. 00:39:27.440 --> 00:39:29.440 This bastard definitely cannot. 00:39:31.440 --> 00:39:32.440 But my God as a people 00:39:32.440 --> 00:39:34.440 we can and we have 00:39:34.440 --> 00:39:36.440 and we keep going. 00:39:36.440 --> 00:39:37.440 Strength to strength 00:39:37.440 --> 00:39:38.440 glory to glory 00:39:39.200 --> 00:39:40.200 faith to faith. 00:39:50.200 --> 00:39:51.200 Guys his promise 00:39:51.200 --> 00:39:52.200 is a weapon in your hand. 00:39:53.200 --> 00:39:54.200 I've been practicing this. 00:39:54.200 --> 00:39:56.200 His promise is a weapon 00:39:56.200 --> 00:39:57.200 in your hand 00:39:57.200 --> 00:39:58.200 and I'll tell you why 00:39:58.200 --> 00:40:00.200 it's a weapon in your hand. 00:40:00.200 --> 00:40:01.200 Because one of the things 00:40:01.200 --> 00:40:02.200 that happens very often 00:40:03.200 --> 00:40:04.200 is circumstances 00:40:04.200 --> 00:40:05.200 try to negate the promise. 00:40:06.200 --> 00:40:07.200 Circumstances don't 00:40:07.960 --> 00:40:10.960 negate the promise. 00:40:11.960 --> 00:40:12.960 Circumstances don't negate 00:40:12.960 --> 00:40:13.960 the promise. 00:40:14.960 --> 00:40:15.960 Use the promise 00:40:19.960 --> 00:40:21.960 to reshape or negate 00:40:21.960 --> 00:40:22.960 circumstances. 00:40:26.960 --> 00:40:27.960 We'll talk about how. 00:40:35.960 --> 00:40:36.960 The other thing you do 00:40:37.720 --> 00:40:38.720 one of the ways you do it 00:40:38.720 --> 00:40:40.720 is by rejoicing in the promise. 00:40:40.720 --> 00:40:43.720 Rejoicing in the promise. 00:40:43.720 --> 00:40:45.720 Rejoicing in the promise. 00:40:45.720 --> 00:40:47.720 Rejoicing in the promise. 00:40:48.720 --> 00:40:49.720 Avoid figuring out 00:40:49.720 --> 00:40:51.720 how and when. 00:40:51.720 --> 00:40:53.720 Avoid figuring out 00:40:54.720 --> 00:40:55.720 how and when. 00:40:59.720 --> 00:41:01.720 You'll drive yourself crazy. 00:41:01.720 --> 00:41:03.720 Avoid figuring out how and when. 00:41:04.480 --> 00:41:07.480 Romans 4, 17-21. 00:41:08.480 --> 00:41:09.480 He began to rejoice 00:41:09.480 --> 00:41:10.480 in the promise. 00:41:10.480 --> 00:41:11.480 What's the promise? 00:41:11.480 --> 00:41:12.480 Guy is 99. 00:41:12.480 --> 00:41:13.480 What's the promise? 00:41:13.480 --> 00:41:14.480 You're going to have a son. 00:41:15.480 --> 00:41:16.480 He begins to rejoice in it. 00:41:17.480 --> 00:41:18.480 How do you rejoice 00:41:18.480 --> 00:41:19.480 in a promise? 00:41:19.480 --> 00:41:20.480 We'll talk about it. 00:41:20.480 --> 00:41:21.480 That's how we'll conclude. 00:41:21.480 --> 00:41:22.480 We'll talk about it. 00:41:22.480 --> 00:41:23.480 How do you rejoice 00:41:23.480 --> 00:41:24.480 in a promise? 00:41:24.480 --> 00:41:25.480 But as you begin to rejoice 00:41:25.480 --> 00:41:26.480 in your promise 00:41:26.480 --> 00:41:27.480 an odd thing happens. 00:41:27.480 --> 00:41:28.480 You know, rejoicing 00:41:28.480 --> 00:41:29.480 in any situation 00:41:29.480 --> 00:41:30.480 creates a thermal current 00:41:30.480 --> 00:41:31.480 that you can enter 00:41:31.480 --> 00:41:32.480 and you can begin to climb 00:41:32.480 --> 00:41:33.480 and you can zoom out. 00:41:34.240 --> 00:41:36.240 Every time you rejoice. 00:41:36.240 --> 00:41:37.240 Every time you rejoice. 00:41:37.240 --> 00:41:38.240 It doesn't matter what it is. 00:41:38.240 --> 00:41:39.240 You take any circumstance 00:41:39.240 --> 00:41:41.240 and you start rejoicing. 00:41:41.240 --> 00:41:42.240 What does rejoicing look like? 00:41:42.240 --> 00:41:43.240 Rejoicing begins 00:41:44.240 --> 00:41:46.240 with your confession 00:41:46.240 --> 00:41:49.240 of who God is. 00:41:50.240 --> 00:41:51.240 That's how rejoicing begins. 00:41:51.240 --> 00:41:52.240 Rejoicing is not 00:41:52.240 --> 00:41:53.240 at the circumstance. 00:41:53.240 --> 00:41:54.240 Rejoicing is that 00:41:54.240 --> 00:41:55.240 in the fire 00:41:55.240 --> 00:41:56.240 there is a fourth man 00:41:56.240 --> 00:41:58.240 and his name is Jesus Christ. 00:41:58.240 --> 00:41:59.240 I see you, O God. 00:41:59.240 --> 00:42:00.240 You're with me here. 00:42:00.240 --> 00:42:01.240 I feel abandoned 00:42:01.240 --> 00:42:02.240 but I know you're here. 00:42:03.000 --> 00:42:04.000 I know you're a father. 00:42:04.000 --> 00:42:05.000 I know you're fair. 00:42:05.000 --> 00:42:06.000 I know you yearn 00:42:06.000 --> 00:42:08.000 to bring to pass in my life 00:42:08.000 --> 00:42:09.000 the things you have promised 00:42:09.000 --> 00:42:11.000 for 35 to 37 years. 00:42:11.000 --> 00:42:13.000 I know you only as faithful. 00:42:13.000 --> 00:42:15.000 I know you only as able. 00:42:15.000 --> 00:42:17.000 I know you only as God. 00:42:17.000 --> 00:42:19.000 I know you only as father. 00:42:19.000 --> 00:42:20.000 I know your voice. 00:42:20.000 --> 00:42:21.000 I'm your sheep. 00:42:21.000 --> 00:42:22.000 You're my friend. 00:42:22.000 --> 00:42:23.000 You are here. 00:42:23.000 --> 00:42:25.000 Now see what happens. 00:42:25.000 --> 00:42:26.000 You begin to create 00:42:26.000 --> 00:42:27.000 a thermal current 00:42:27.000 --> 00:42:28.000 and you begin to soar 00:42:28.000 --> 00:42:29.000 and you zoom out 00:42:29.000 --> 00:42:30.000 and you look at your Italy 00:42:30.000 --> 00:42:31.000 and you look at your Italy 00:42:31.760 --> 00:42:32.760 and you look at your Italy 00:42:32.760 --> 00:42:33.760 piddly problem. 00:42:33.760 --> 00:42:34.760 Italy is the thing 00:42:34.760 --> 00:42:35.760 you eat in India. 00:42:35.760 --> 00:42:36.760 Piddly is something else 00:42:36.760 --> 00:42:37.760 and you zoom out 00:42:37.760 --> 00:42:39.760 and you look at the thing 00:42:39.760 --> 00:42:41.760 and you think to yourself 00:42:41.760 --> 00:42:42.760 ah shucks 00:42:42.760 --> 00:42:45.760 you are Alpha 00:42:45.760 --> 00:42:48.760 and Omega 00:42:48.760 --> 00:42:50.760 we worship you. 00:42:50.760 --> 00:42:54.760 O God, you are worthy 00:42:54.760 --> 00:42:56.760 to be praised. 00:42:56.760 --> 00:42:59.760 That's how rejoicing starts. 00:43:00.520 --> 00:43:02.520 Once rejoicing starts like that 00:43:02.520 --> 00:43:04.520 then you move from your feelings 00:43:04.520 --> 00:43:06.520 to the truth using words 00:43:06.520 --> 00:43:07.520 and some of those words 00:43:07.520 --> 00:43:08.520 are the very promises 00:43:08.520 --> 00:43:10.520 that God has said. 00:43:12.520 --> 00:43:13.520 This is true at 99 00:43:13.520 --> 00:43:15.520 this is true at 9. 00:43:19.520 --> 00:43:21.520 Any questions? 00:43:25.520 --> 00:43:27.520 It's true at 19 00:43:28.280 --> 00:43:30.280 Italy piddly? 00:43:30.280 --> 00:43:32.280 No. 00:43:34.280 --> 00:43:35.280 Yeah. 00:43:35.280 --> 00:43:36.280 Once you begin to rejoice 00:43:36.280 --> 00:43:37.280 you move from the way 00:43:37.280 --> 00:43:38.280 you are feeling 00:43:38.280 --> 00:43:41.280 to the truth using words 00:43:41.280 --> 00:43:43.280 and the words you use 00:43:43.280 --> 00:43:45.280 are words of promise 00:43:45.280 --> 00:43:46.280 that God has spoken 00:43:46.280 --> 00:43:48.280 and he who is holy 00:43:48.280 --> 00:43:49.280 and is true 00:43:49.280 --> 00:43:50.280 is faithful 00:43:50.280 --> 00:43:51.280 and loves 00:43:51.280 --> 00:43:52.280 and yearns 00:43:52.280 --> 00:43:53.280 to bring to pass 00:43:53.280 --> 00:43:54.280 the things he has spoken. 00:43:54.280 --> 00:43:55.280 30-35 years ago 00:43:55.280 --> 00:43:56.280 which is like a fraction 00:43:57.040 --> 00:43:58.040 before God 00:43:58.040 --> 00:44:01.040 they begin to wrap around you. 00:44:01.040 --> 00:44:04.040 Some of you need to go back 00:44:04.040 --> 00:44:07.040 to when you heard those promises. 00:44:07.040 --> 00:44:09.040 Some of you need to go back 00:44:09.040 --> 00:44:10.040 to the place 00:44:10.040 --> 00:44:11.040 where you saw 00:44:11.040 --> 00:44:13.040 the axe head disappear 00:44:13.040 --> 00:44:14.040 and you need to go 00:44:14.040 --> 00:44:19.040 and take the stick of the axe 00:44:19.040 --> 00:44:21.040 that is this teaching today 00:44:21.040 --> 00:44:22.040 and throw it there 00:44:22.040 --> 00:44:23.040 and the axe head will float up 00:44:23.040 --> 00:44:24.040 and if you don't do it 00:44:24.040 --> 00:44:25.040 you'll have to wait 00:44:25.040 --> 00:44:26.040 for another second 00:44:26.800 --> 00:44:27.800 and then you'll have to 00:44:27.800 --> 00:44:28.800 wait for another sermon. 00:44:30.800 --> 00:44:32.800 Some of you need to do it tonight 00:44:32.800 --> 00:44:33.800 saying, oh God 00:44:33.800 --> 00:44:34.800 I remember when I came 00:44:34.800 --> 00:44:35.800 Jeevan was here 00:44:35.800 --> 00:44:36.800 I remember when I came 00:44:36.800 --> 00:44:37.800 this guy was here 00:44:37.800 --> 00:44:38.800 I remember when I came 00:44:38.800 --> 00:44:39.800 this was spoken over me 00:44:39.800 --> 00:44:40.800 I remember when I came 00:44:40.800 --> 00:44:41.800 come on now! 00:44:41.800 --> 00:44:44.800 Awaken those promises! 00:44:50.800 --> 00:44:51.800 Awaken those promises. 00:44:51.800 --> 00:44:52.800 They were spoken over you 00:44:52.800 --> 00:44:53.800 by men and women 00:44:53.800 --> 00:44:54.800 of no repute 00:44:55.560 --> 00:44:56.560 My God, when you heard them 00:44:56.560 --> 00:44:59.560 you knew it was God. 00:44:59.560 --> 00:45:02.560 It was spoken by a grandfather 00:45:02.560 --> 00:45:03.560 it was spoken by a pastor 00:45:03.560 --> 00:45:04.560 or a priest 00:45:04.560 --> 00:45:06.560 who was in Pentecostal 00:45:06.560 --> 00:45:07.560 but you knew 00:45:07.560 --> 00:45:08.560 that when they spoke 00:45:08.560 --> 00:45:11.560 it was God. 00:45:11.560 --> 00:45:12.560 Call to remembrance 00:45:12.560 --> 00:45:14.560 the things of God 00:45:14.560 --> 00:45:15.560 at this present time 00:45:15.560 --> 00:45:16.560 because you are at the beginning 00:45:16.560 --> 00:45:17.560 of the year 00:45:17.560 --> 00:45:20.560 and God yearns 00:45:20.560 --> 00:45:21.560 to bring to pass 00:45:21.560 --> 00:45:22.560 what He purposed through you 00:45:22.560 --> 00:45:24.560 before you were born 00:45:25.320 --> 00:45:29.320 Do not look at your age 00:45:29.320 --> 00:45:32.320 Do not look at your bank account 00:45:32.320 --> 00:45:35.320 Do not look at your diseases 00:45:35.320 --> 00:45:38.320 Do not look at your expired passport 00:45:38.320 --> 00:45:41.320 Do not look at your job 00:45:41.320 --> 00:45:43.320 Do not look at your marriage 00:45:43.320 --> 00:45:46.320 or your singlehood 00:45:46.320 --> 00:45:48.320 Do not look at your degrees 00:45:48.320 --> 00:45:51.320 or the lack of it 00:45:51.320 --> 00:45:54.320 Do not look at your job 00:45:55.080 --> 00:46:05.080 So, what happens as we wait? 00:46:05.080 --> 00:46:08.080 What happens as we wait? 00:46:08.080 --> 00:46:11.080 Promises are God's currency 00:46:11.080 --> 00:46:16.080 Promises are God's currency 00:46:16.080 --> 00:46:21.080 That's one of the ways 00:46:21.080 --> 00:46:24.080 He makes things happen 00:46:24.840 --> 00:46:27.840 He opens things 00:46:27.840 --> 00:46:29.840 both in relationship 00:46:29.840 --> 00:46:31.840 and in what He wants to do 00:46:31.840 --> 00:46:33.840 Remember, He is supremely happy 00:46:33.840 --> 00:46:35.840 to give you what He said 00:46:35.840 --> 00:46:36.840 He loves the idea 00:46:36.840 --> 00:46:37.840 of being responsible 00:46:37.840 --> 00:46:39.840 to His children 00:46:39.840 --> 00:46:41.840 Promises are not wages 00:46:41.840 --> 00:46:42.840 Promises are gifts 00:46:42.840 --> 00:46:44.840 Promises are not wages 00:46:44.840 --> 00:46:45.840 Promises are gifts 00:46:45.840 --> 00:46:46.840 God is supremely happy 00:46:46.840 --> 00:46:48.840 to give to me what He said 00:46:48.840 --> 00:46:50.840 He'll do everything in His power 00:46:50.840 --> 00:46:51.840 to help me become 00:46:51.840 --> 00:46:52.840 what I need to become 00:46:52.840 --> 00:46:54.840 He can give me what I need to have 00:46:54.840 --> 00:46:56.840 for His sake 00:46:56.840 --> 00:46:57.840 He is supremely happy 00:46:57.840 --> 00:46:59.840 to give it to me 00:46:59.840 --> 00:47:00.840 He loves the idea 00:47:00.840 --> 00:47:01.840 of being responsible 00:47:01.840 --> 00:47:02.840 for what He said 00:47:02.840 --> 00:47:03.840 to His children 00:47:03.840 --> 00:47:04.840 He loves the idea 00:47:04.840 --> 00:47:05.840 of being responsible 00:47:05.840 --> 00:47:06.840 to what He said 00:47:06.840 --> 00:47:08.840 for His children 00:47:08.840 --> 00:47:12.840 So, when things aren't happening 00:47:12.840 --> 00:47:13.840 why haven't promises 00:47:13.840 --> 00:47:14.840 come to pass yet? 00:47:14.840 --> 00:47:16.840 Why the widening gap 00:47:16.840 --> 00:47:18.840 between the promise received 00:47:18.840 --> 00:47:20.840 and how it's not been fulfilled? 00:47:20.840 --> 00:47:24.840 Father, my heart is no longer aligned with You 00:47:24.840 --> 00:47:26.840 Oh God, I no longer engage my heart 00:47:26.840 --> 00:47:27.840 with Your promises 00:47:27.840 --> 00:47:28.840 because it's been so long 00:47:28.840 --> 00:47:30.840 that I've given up on it 00:47:30.840 --> 00:47:33.840 Well then, here are some simple steps 00:47:33.840 --> 00:47:34.840 to get back 00:47:34.840 --> 00:47:35.840 One 00:47:37.840 --> 00:47:45.840 Hear the unchanging commitment 00:47:45.840 --> 00:47:48.840 Hear the unchanging commitment 00:47:48.840 --> 00:47:49.840 of God 00:47:50.840 --> 00:47:53.840 in His promise 00:47:53.840 --> 00:47:54.840 Hear it again 00:47:58.840 --> 00:48:00.840 Every time He promises something 00:48:00.840 --> 00:48:05.840 He is making a claim 00:48:07.840 --> 00:48:08.840 here on earth 00:48:10.840 --> 00:48:11.840 through my life 00:48:11.840 --> 00:48:12.840 And if He is doing that 00:48:12.840 --> 00:48:18.840 you must stake your claim 00:48:21.840 --> 00:48:24.840 on His resources 00:48:24.840 --> 00:48:25.840 and by resources 00:48:25.840 --> 00:48:26.840 I just don't mean only money 00:48:26.840 --> 00:48:29.840 wisdom, people, favour 00:48:29.840 --> 00:48:31.840 Hear the unchanging commitment 00:48:31.840 --> 00:48:33.840 of God in His promise 00:48:33.840 --> 00:48:35.840 How can we hear the unchanging commitment 00:48:35.840 --> 00:48:36.840 of God in His promise? 00:48:36.840 --> 00:48:38.840 How can we hear the unchanging commitment 00:48:38.840 --> 00:48:39.840 of God in His promise? 00:48:39.840 --> 00:48:41.840 How can we hear the unchanging commitment 00:48:41.840 --> 00:48:42.840 of God in His promise? 00:48:42.840 --> 00:48:44.840 Write it down or record it 00:48:44.840 --> 00:48:45.840 How will you hear it 00:48:45.840 --> 00:48:47.840 if you haven't recorded it? 00:48:47.840 --> 00:48:48.840 How will you hear it 00:48:48.840 --> 00:48:49.840 if you haven't written it down? 00:48:53.840 --> 00:48:55.840 But Jacob, I've heard so much 00:48:55.840 --> 00:48:56.840 in the last many years 00:48:56.840 --> 00:48:58.840 What is common to everything you have heard? 00:48:58.840 --> 00:49:00.840 What do you keep hearing again and again 00:49:00.840 --> 00:49:01.840 and again and again about you? 00:49:01.840 --> 00:49:03.840 Doesn't matter whether it's your cat 00:49:03.840 --> 00:49:04.840 or whether it's a person who speaks 00:49:04.840 --> 00:49:06.840 You keep hearing the same thing 00:49:06.840 --> 00:49:07.840 Write it down 00:49:09.840 --> 00:49:13.840 See God's unchanging commitment 00:49:13.840 --> 00:49:16.840 Hear His unchanging commitment 00:49:16.840 --> 00:49:18.840 That Jacob, it's always been this way 00:49:18.840 --> 00:49:20.840 Jacob, guys, you may think 00:49:20.840 --> 00:49:22.840 you've lived 35, 40, 60, 70 years 00:49:22.840 --> 00:49:24.840 But for God it's nothing 00:49:24.840 --> 00:49:26.840 It's like yesterday 00:49:26.840 --> 00:49:29.840 So, hear the unchanging commitment 00:49:29.840 --> 00:49:30.840 of God in His promise 00:49:30.840 --> 00:49:32.840 He is making a claim 00:49:32.840 --> 00:49:33.840 here on earth through you 00:49:33.840 --> 00:49:35.840 Remember, you may think 00:49:35.840 --> 00:49:38.840 Oh, I need money so I can live a godly life 00:49:38.840 --> 00:49:40.840 No, yes you do 00:49:40.840 --> 00:49:42.840 But He is giving you your resources 00:49:42.840 --> 00:49:43.840 giving you wisdom, giving you a job 00:49:43.840 --> 00:49:45.840 giving you an opening, giving you a platform 00:49:45.840 --> 00:49:48.840 Because He has things to accomplish here on earth 00:49:48.840 --> 00:49:50.840 That's His reason 00:49:53.840 --> 00:49:54.840 That's His reason 00:49:54.840 --> 00:49:56.840 And then besides that He says 00:49:56.840 --> 00:50:00.840 Oh, don't worry, the Father takes care of shelter, food, clothes anyways 00:50:00.840 --> 00:50:02.840 And remember, I said this last week 00:50:02.840 --> 00:50:04.840 He gives us not according to our needs 00:50:04.840 --> 00:50:06.840 He gives us according to His riches in Christ 00:50:06.840 --> 00:50:08.840 He does not give us according to our needs 00:50:08.840 --> 00:50:11.840 He gives us according to His riches in Christ 00:50:17.840 --> 00:50:23.840 We, for us, God is at most mid-sized 00:50:23.840 --> 00:50:25.840 If you're really full of faith 00:50:25.840 --> 00:50:27.840 He goes, we supersize Him 00:50:27.840 --> 00:50:30.840 And so now He's like a medium-fries 00:50:30.840 --> 00:50:33.840 But at the end of the day 00:50:33.840 --> 00:50:34.840 At the end of the day 00:50:34.840 --> 00:50:37.840 He owns all the potatoes in the world 00:50:38.840 --> 00:50:40.840 And so when He gives 00:50:40.840 --> 00:50:44.840 He gives out of all the potatoes in the world 00:50:44.840 --> 00:50:48.840 while we are looking for the bit 00:50:51.840 --> 00:50:52.840 So we have to remember 00:50:52.840 --> 00:50:55.840 that He gives according to His riches in Christ 00:50:55.840 --> 00:50:56.840 Think of this guys 00:50:56.840 --> 00:50:58.840 Just look around you 00:50:58.840 --> 00:51:00.840 As you look at the people around you 00:51:00.840 --> 00:51:03.840 Don't you realize that these have been given to us 00:51:03.840 --> 00:51:05.840 according to the riches of Christ? 00:51:06.840 --> 00:51:07.840 That there's a Wayne there 00:51:07.840 --> 00:51:08.840 There's a May there 00:51:08.840 --> 00:51:09.840 There's a Pawan there 00:51:09.840 --> 00:51:10.840 There's an Iris there 00:51:10.840 --> 00:51:11.840 There's an Emily there 00:51:11.840 --> 00:51:12.840 There's a Tooney there 00:51:12.840 --> 00:51:13.840 There's a hip there 00:51:13.840 --> 00:51:16.840 How you think these are not riches? 00:51:16.840 --> 00:51:18.840 These are the treasures of darkness 00:51:18.840 --> 00:51:21.840 that God pulled out into His kingdom 00:51:21.840 --> 00:51:24.840 Sometimes I need to look around and realize 00:51:24.840 --> 00:51:25.840 that oh my God 00:51:25.840 --> 00:51:27.840 According not to my needs 00:51:27.840 --> 00:51:28.840 but according to His riches 00:51:28.840 --> 00:51:31.840 You know what my needs were when I planted Acts 29 00:51:31.840 --> 00:51:35.840 The church that initially sponsored Acts 29 said 00:51:35.840 --> 00:51:36.840 Can you give us a business plan? 00:51:36.840 --> 00:51:38.840 I gave them a business plan 00:51:38.840 --> 00:51:39.840 It was splendid 00:51:39.840 --> 00:51:42.840 In the first six months we were 80 people 00:51:42.840 --> 00:51:46.840 By the end of 18 months we were 250 people 00:51:46.840 --> 00:51:50.840 I'm still waiting for 80 to happen after 17 years 00:51:50.840 --> 00:51:55.840 But that was according to my needs 00:51:55.840 --> 00:51:58.840 But this is according to the riches of Christ 00:51:58.840 --> 00:52:00.840 Is there anybody here? 00:52:00.840 --> 00:52:02.840 Honestly, I ask myself this question right now 00:52:02.840 --> 00:52:03.840 and I've asked this before 00:52:03.840 --> 00:52:06.840 Is there anybody here that you would think 00:52:06.840 --> 00:52:10.840 should not be here, is not necessary here, we can do without? 00:52:11.840 --> 00:52:12.840 This is a crazy thing 00:52:12.840 --> 00:52:13.840 Not one of you 00:52:18.840 --> 00:52:20.840 That's how this works according to His riches 00:52:25.840 --> 00:52:28.840 So first, hear the untrained commitment 00:52:28.840 --> 00:52:29.840 Hear Him saying 00:52:29.840 --> 00:52:32.840 Hey listen Jacob, this is my dream for you 00:52:32.840 --> 00:52:34.840 And these are the promises I'm going to give you 00:52:34.840 --> 00:52:36.840 So that my dream through you may be done 00:52:36.840 --> 00:52:39.840 Second thing, this is very important 00:52:40.840 --> 00:52:42.840 Use your voice 00:52:42.840 --> 00:52:44.840 Use your voice to agree with Him 00:52:44.840 --> 00:52:47.840 Use your voice to agree with Him 00:52:49.840 --> 00:52:51.840 So, listen to Him 00:52:51.840 --> 00:52:53.840 Use your voice to agree with Him 00:52:55.840 --> 00:52:57.840 Use your voice to agree with Him 00:52:58.840 --> 00:53:00.840 Use your voice to agree with Him 00:53:01.840 --> 00:53:04.840 There is power in agreement 00:53:06.840 --> 00:53:08.840 Let me put it this way 00:53:08.840 --> 00:53:18.840 Only when you use your VC 00:53:21.840 --> 00:53:23.840 Yeah? 00:53:24.840 --> 00:53:26.840 Vocal cords 00:53:33.840 --> 00:53:37.840 It is critical that we use our voice to agree with Him 00:53:40.840 --> 00:53:44.840 If you don't use your voice to agree with God and His promises 00:53:44.840 --> 00:53:48.840 Know that it is almost impossible to agree with Him 00:53:48.840 --> 00:53:52.840 There is power in agreement only when you use your vocal cords 00:53:55.840 --> 00:53:56.840 This is what God has said 00:53:56.840 --> 00:53:57.840 And I begin to say it 00:53:57.840 --> 00:53:58.840 You take anybody 00:53:58.840 --> 00:54:00.840 Take any of the books in the Bible 00:54:01.840 --> 00:54:03.840 It doesn't matter whether it's Esther saying 00:54:03.840 --> 00:54:04.840 Mordecai saying to Esther 00:54:04.840 --> 00:54:06.840 Perhaps for a time such as this 00:54:08.840 --> 00:54:10.840 It doesn't matter whether it's Saul saying 00:54:10.840 --> 00:54:13.840 King Felix and therefore Jesus said to me 00:54:13.840 --> 00:54:14.840 That I will go to Rome 00:54:14.840 --> 00:54:16.840 And I want to say to you that I'll be going to Rome 00:54:16.840 --> 00:54:18.840 Abraham saying loudly 00:54:18.840 --> 00:54:21.840 Sarah from now on I will call you Sarah 00:54:21.840 --> 00:54:23.840 And you must call me Abraham 00:54:23.840 --> 00:54:26.840 Because in the speaking there is agreement 00:54:28.840 --> 00:54:30.840 Every place you see it 00:54:37.840 --> 00:54:42.840 And as you begin to agree you then have the courage to speak it publicly 00:54:42.840 --> 00:54:43.840 Speak it openly 00:54:43.840 --> 00:54:45.840 Nehemiah, Ezra, David 00:54:45.840 --> 00:54:47.840 What? These guys spoke quietly? 00:54:47.840 --> 00:54:49.840 Gideon, Daniel 00:54:49.840 --> 00:54:51.840 Openly 00:54:55.840 --> 00:54:57.840 Use your voice to agree with Him 00:54:58.840 --> 00:55:02.840 There is power in agreement when you use your vocal cords 00:55:02.840 --> 00:55:07.840 Because your voice or your confession 00:55:10.840 --> 00:55:12.840 Aligns your heart 00:55:16.840 --> 00:55:24.840 Aligns your heart with the truths God spoke 00:55:26.840 --> 00:55:29.840 Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks 00:55:29.840 --> 00:55:31.840 Well then, reverse it 00:55:31.840 --> 00:55:33.840 I will agree with you, O God 00:55:33.840 --> 00:55:39.840 And my voice or my confession will align my heart to what you have said 00:55:39.840 --> 00:55:41.840 Even though my mind is struggling with me 00:55:41.840 --> 00:55:45.840 I have the ability to use words 00:55:47.840 --> 00:55:49.840 This is critical 00:55:49.840 --> 00:55:53.840 It is such an essential part of seeing promises come to pass 00:55:53.840 --> 00:55:55.840 Any questions on this? 00:56:00.840 --> 00:56:03.840 Maybe doing teaching first is good 00:56:03.840 --> 00:56:05.840 Nobody has questions 00:56:05.840 --> 00:56:07.840 I think after worship you get so tired 00:56:07.840 --> 00:56:09.840 It's like, let's ask a question 00:56:12.840 --> 00:56:14.840 Who has a... 00:56:14.840 --> 00:56:16.840 Yes, there are exceptions 00:56:16.840 --> 00:56:18.840 Go ahead 00:56:32.840 --> 00:56:35.840 Yeah, obedience, disobedience 00:56:35.840 --> 00:56:37.840 But both of them... 00:56:37.840 --> 00:56:39.840 One said no but did it 00:56:39.840 --> 00:56:41.840 The other one said yes and didn't do it 00:56:41.840 --> 00:56:45.840 But our confession is giving voice to our heart 00:56:45.840 --> 00:56:48.840 And our obedience to the promise of God 00:56:48.840 --> 00:56:50.840 So we are the good son 00:56:52.840 --> 00:56:54.840 This is a critical part of it 00:56:56.840 --> 00:56:58.840 Gideon 00:56:58.840 --> 00:57:04.840 So, I know you probably alter the experience of people saying 00:57:04.840 --> 00:57:06.840 This is what I believe by saying things 00:57:06.840 --> 00:57:08.840 But then it has an impact 00:57:08.840 --> 00:57:10.840 Are we going to hear it from our heart? 00:57:10.840 --> 00:57:12.840 Or are we talking to what God is saying? 00:57:12.840 --> 00:57:14.840 But it has an impact 00:57:14.840 --> 00:57:17.840 The critical thing seems to be what is God saying 00:57:17.840 --> 00:57:19.840 And not how much he is 00:57:19.840 --> 00:57:23.840 So, I'm guessing that one way to do that is by 00:57:23.840 --> 00:57:25.840 Adding yourself up on the body 00:57:25.840 --> 00:57:27.840 So that you have something to do 00:57:27.840 --> 00:57:30.840 What do you really do if I say something? 00:57:30.840 --> 00:57:32.840 I don't want to be stepping out and something 00:57:33.840 --> 00:57:36.840 Yeah, so when it's the nature of God it's easy 00:57:36.840 --> 00:57:38.840 We can see it in the Bible 00:57:38.840 --> 00:57:40.840 When it's the scriptures it's easy 00:57:40.840 --> 00:57:43.840 We can see the scriptures in the Bible like for healing 00:57:43.840 --> 00:57:45.840 It doesn't matter how long I wait 00:57:45.840 --> 00:57:47.840 I know Jesus is a healer 00:57:47.840 --> 00:57:49.840 There's no two ways to it 00:57:49.840 --> 00:57:52.840 But when it comes to things that I have heard 00:57:52.840 --> 00:57:55.840 Personally or sometimes even prophetic words from others 00:57:55.840 --> 00:57:57.840 And they haven't come to pass 00:57:57.840 --> 00:58:00.840 Yeah, then sometimes either I'm wrong 00:58:00.840 --> 00:58:04.840 Or I'll have to go and ask God, how come? Why? 00:58:04.840 --> 00:58:08.840 Yes, and one of the safeguards is to 00:58:08.840 --> 00:58:11.840 Surround yourself with people that you can verify things with 00:58:11.840 --> 00:58:13.840 So that when you go ask them 00:58:13.840 --> 00:58:15.840 They can help you with it 00:58:15.840 --> 00:58:16.840 Either shoot holes in it 00:58:16.840 --> 00:58:18.840 Or sometimes not shoot holes and endorse it 00:58:18.840 --> 00:58:20.840 Yeah, or give you caution 00:58:20.840 --> 00:58:23.840 So yes, yeah 00:58:27.840 --> 00:58:29.840 Any other questions? 00:58:30.840 --> 00:58:32.840 Okay, third one 00:58:39.840 --> 00:58:42.840 Oh, by the way, when you're in a situation 00:58:42.840 --> 00:58:52.840 Are your words usually problem related? 00:58:53.840 --> 00:58:55.840 Or is your language 00:58:55.840 --> 00:58:58.840 Connected to what God is saying? 00:59:05.840 --> 00:59:08.840 When you're in a situation that's really difficult 00:59:08.840 --> 00:59:10.840 Is my 00:59:10.840 --> 00:59:13.840 Are my words usually problem related? 00:59:13.840 --> 00:59:17.840 Or is my language connected to what God is saying? 00:59:17.840 --> 00:59:19.840 Which is my problem 00:59:19.840 --> 00:59:24.840 Problem related or is my language connected to what God is saying? 00:59:24.840 --> 00:59:27.840 Which is it more? 00:59:29.840 --> 00:59:31.840 Just a question 00:59:35.840 --> 00:59:37.840 Last 00:59:37.840 --> 00:59:40.840 Third one, third point is 00:59:41.840 --> 00:59:43.840 Declare 00:59:45.840 --> 00:59:47.840 Your 00:59:47.840 --> 00:59:49.840 Partnership 00:59:51.840 --> 00:59:53.840 With God 00:59:55.840 --> 00:59:58.840 By crafting 00:59:59.840 --> 01:00:01.840 What he has said 01:00:04.840 --> 01:00:06.840 In your words 01:00:10.840 --> 01:00:15.840 And substantiating it sometimes with scripture 01:00:17.840 --> 01:00:28.840 So now that you've begun voicing what God has been saying 01:00:28.840 --> 01:00:29.840 Now that you've done it 01:00:29.840 --> 01:00:31.840 Now begin to craft 01:00:31.840 --> 01:00:33.840 What God is saying about you 01:00:33.840 --> 01:00:35.840 Craft it 01:00:35.840 --> 01:00:37.840 This is who God says I am 01:00:37.840 --> 01:00:39.840 I'm going to craft it 01:00:39.840 --> 01:00:41.840 Why? So that 01:00:41.840 --> 01:00:44.840 Every so often I can go look at it 01:00:44.840 --> 01:00:46.840 You do it at work, eh 01:00:46.840 --> 01:00:48.840 Before you go to a new job 01:00:48.840 --> 01:00:50.840 You quickly go over the job description 01:00:50.840 --> 01:00:52.840 You go over what has been said 01:00:52.840 --> 01:00:54.840 You check your parking spot 01:00:54.840 --> 01:00:57.840 Because your parking spot is now closer to the CEO 01:00:57.840 --> 01:01:00.840 You press the right button as you go up the elevator 01:01:00.840 --> 01:01:02.840 Because you're almost three floors from the top 01:01:02.840 --> 01:01:04.840 Everything changes but you 01:01:04.840 --> 01:01:06.840 But you craft it 01:01:08.840 --> 01:01:10.840 So I don't want to ask this 01:01:10.840 --> 01:01:11.840 But if I ask this 01:01:11.840 --> 01:01:13.840 There wouldn't be too many hands who have said 01:01:13.840 --> 01:01:17.840 I have crafted what God has said to me over the last couple of years 01:01:24.840 --> 01:01:25.840 Crafted 01:01:25.840 --> 01:01:27.840 Why? Because you need to read it 01:01:27.840 --> 01:01:28.840 How often? 01:01:28.840 --> 01:01:30.840 Initially every third day or every second day 01:01:30.840 --> 01:01:32.840 Then every week 01:01:34.840 --> 01:01:35.840 Why? 01:01:35.840 --> 01:01:40.840 Because the one person who doesn't believe what God has said is you 01:01:41.840 --> 01:01:43.840 The hardest 01:01:43.840 --> 01:01:45.840 I mean 01:01:45.840 --> 01:01:47.840 I can believe 01:01:47.840 --> 01:01:49.840 You can believe things for me 01:01:49.840 --> 01:01:51.840 My parents can believe things for me 01:01:51.840 --> 01:01:53.840 Derek can believe things for me 01:01:53.840 --> 01:01:55.840 But do I believe it? 01:01:55.840 --> 01:01:57.840 I am the hardest one to convince 01:01:57.840 --> 01:01:59.840 Because I really know me 01:01:59.840 --> 01:02:02.840 I know my flaws, my defects, my faults 01:02:02.840 --> 01:02:04.840 My sins, my failures, my fears 01:02:04.840 --> 01:02:06.840 My lack of courage 01:02:06.840 --> 01:02:07.840 I know it all 01:02:07.840 --> 01:02:08.840 And when God says things 01:02:08.840 --> 01:02:10.840 It is so hard for me to believe it 01:02:10.840 --> 01:02:12.840 You may believe it for me 01:02:12.840 --> 01:02:14.840 But it is so hard for me to believe it 01:02:17.840 --> 01:02:21.840 Therefore I need to craft it and I need to read it on a regular basis 01:02:21.840 --> 01:02:23.840 And as you do 01:02:23.840 --> 01:02:25.840 And as you do 01:02:26.840 --> 01:02:28.840 It asserts 01:02:29.840 --> 01:02:31.840 Your passion 01:02:34.840 --> 01:02:36.840 It recalibrates 01:02:38.840 --> 01:02:40.840 Your thinking 01:02:42.840 --> 01:02:44.840 To his 01:02:46.840 --> 01:02:48.840 You feel 01:02:48.840 --> 01:02:50.840 The smile 01:02:50.840 --> 01:02:52.840 And joy 01:02:52.840 --> 01:02:54.840 Of God 01:02:54.840 --> 01:02:56.840 As you 01:02:56.840 --> 01:02:58.840 Agree 01:02:58.840 --> 01:03:00.840 With him 01:03:00.840 --> 01:03:02.840 Any questions guys? 01:03:12.840 --> 01:03:14.840 Yeah 01:03:14.840 --> 01:03:16.840 Once you 01:03:16.840 --> 01:03:18.840 Once you write it down and you read it often 01:03:18.840 --> 01:03:20.840 As you do it 01:03:20.840 --> 01:03:22.840 It asserts your passion 01:03:22.840 --> 01:03:24.840 As in when you're driving 01:03:24.840 --> 01:03:26.840 When you're in situations 01:03:26.840 --> 01:03:28.840 When you're in a situation 01:03:28.840 --> 01:03:30.840 When you're driving 01:03:30.840 --> 01:03:32.840 When you're in situations 01:03:32.840 --> 01:03:34.840 When you're in hostile conditions 01:03:34.840 --> 01:03:36.840 It asserts your passion 01:03:36.840 --> 01:03:38.840 Your passion comes up 01:03:38.840 --> 01:03:40.840 Saying yeah 01:03:40.840 --> 01:03:42.840 This is how I used to react last year 01:03:42.840 --> 01:03:44.840 But I know who I am 01:03:44.840 --> 01:03:46.840 And I know what I'm waiting for 01:03:46.840 --> 01:03:48.840 And I'm going to be passionate about it 01:03:48.840 --> 01:03:50.840 In a way I've never been before 01:03:50.840 --> 01:03:52.840 It recalibrates your thinking 01:03:52.840 --> 01:03:54.840 As in it adjusts your thinking 01:03:54.840 --> 01:03:56.840 So your thinking begins to match 01:03:56.840 --> 01:03:58.840 And the moment thinking changes 01:03:58.840 --> 01:04:00.840 Everything changes 01:04:00.840 --> 01:04:02.840 At the end of the day that's all you need 01:04:02.840 --> 01:04:04.840 The moment thinking changes 01:04:04.840 --> 01:04:06.840 Everything changes 01:04:08.840 --> 01:04:10.840 And then 01:04:10.840 --> 01:04:12.840 Finally, Bria 01:04:14.840 --> 01:04:16.840 Finally 01:04:16.840 --> 01:04:18.840 You begin to feel 01:04:18.840 --> 01:04:20.840 The smile and the joy of God 01:04:20.840 --> 01:04:22.840 You just begin to know it 01:04:22.840 --> 01:04:24.840 There's a warmth to God 01:04:24.840 --> 01:04:26.840 You begin to know 01:04:26.840 --> 01:04:28.840 Because you are agreeing with him 01:04:28.840 --> 01:04:30.840 Any questions?