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Series Code: BOLS
Program Code: BOLS000018S
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00:10 Sermon #S010 - (Don't Give God A Deadline - Part 2)
00:20 Welcome to the Breath of Life Television Ministries broadcast! 00:23 In today's episode, we will pick up from Part Two of the message entitled: 00:28 “Don't Give God a Deadline” by Pastor Debleaire Snell. 00:33 Let's take a timeless view of trusting God through His Word. 00:39 Pastor Snell: Now again, I believe in recruiting an army of prayer warriors 00:43 but I have come to this conclusion that there are certain prayers that have to come from your lips 00:50 and they have to arise out of your heart. Am I preaching to anybody today? 00:55 Remember the story when Hezekiah got sick and was about to die. When the prophet Isaiah came, 01:02 he didn't ask Isaiah to pray for him. The Bible says that he turned his face to the wall 01:08 and he began to ask God for an extension of his life. 01:12 Do you remember when Hannah was barren and had no kids? 01:16 She prayed so hard at the temple that the prophet Eli thought she was drunk and out of her mind. 01:23 Do you remember when Daniel found out that the decree had been signed, he didn't call Shadrach, Meshach, 01:30 and Abednego? He went up to the open window and prayed towards Jerusalem like he always had done. 01:38 Are you all hearing me today? 01:39 [Congregation: Amen] 01:41 And my point is that nobody could pray for Hezekiah's illness like Hezekiah. 01:46 There is no one that could pray for Hannah's barren womb like Hannah. 01:50 There is nobody that could pray for Daniel's deliverance like Daniel. 01:54 And there is nobody that can pray for the urgencies of life like you can. 02:00 Am I telling the truth? That nobody can pray for your children like you can pray for your children. 02:06 There is nobody that can pray for your health like you can. 02:10 There is nobody that can pray for your job like you can. 02:14 Why? Because they're not feeling the burden in the same way you feel the burden. When you pray, 02:20 it has a different weight. When you pray, it has a different urgency. 02:24 When you pray out of the mists of the despair of your own soul, 02:28 it hits the heart of God with a greater weight because nobody can pray for you like you can. 02:37 Are you all hearing what I'm saying? 02:39 And I guess what I need somebody to know is that even when you ain't got nobody to advocate with you, 02:44 you've got a standing with God that allows you to go before God even if you've got to go all by yourself. 02:51 [Congregation: Applause] 02:55 And see what I want to say is stop outsourcing your spiritual connection with Jesus. 03:02 And see, there's somebody and I want to say this with as much compassion as I can. 03:08 That's somebody who's saying, "Well, Pastor, you don't know what I'm going through. 03:12 You don't know how hard it is right now. I just don't have the strength to pray." 03:16 The devil is a liar. Guess what you may not have the mind to pray but guess what? 03:22 You do have the strength to pray. What do you mean? If you can tell your best friend, 03:27 if you can tell your homey, if you can tell the pastor, that means you got enough strength to tell it to Jesus. 03:36 [Congregation: Applause] 03:37 The one who is able to turn the situation upside down. 03:42 Are you all hearing what I'm saying today, saints? 03:44 In fact, put this quote up on the screen. I want you to look and see. What Ellen White says here, 03:49 Prophets and Kings 270. Put this up real quick. 03:52 I need you to know that one thing the enemy wants to do is keep you from calling on the name of the Lord. 04:00 In fact, she says this, that Satan trembles at the sound of prayer. 04:06 [Congregation: Amen] 04:08 Are you sure to lose your mouth right there? So, this is how to know we are not praying. 04:11 Oh, God. Satan trembles at the sound of prayer. Like when he hears you say, "Our Father", 04:23 he starts getting PTSD. 04:26 [Congregation: Applause] 04:28 Because he knows that if you just start praying, God is going to start moving 04:35 and his power is going to be broken. She says our great adversary is constantly seeking to keep the troubled 04:44 soul away from God and appeal to Heaven by the humblest Saint is more dreaded 04:53 by Satan than the decrees of cabinets and the mandates of Kings. 04:59 In other words, I need you to know that even in your weakest moments, Satan is afraid when you pray. 05:07 That's why when you're weak, he wants to keep you away from the throne 05:12 because if you just get down on your face and say, "Our Father", 05:17 is there anybody that believes that prayer still changes things? That prayer opens doors that no man can shut. 05:28 That prayer still raises the afflicted. That prayer still reconciles the broken. 05:35 That prayer still revives the church. That God does exceedingly and abundantly above all you can ask or think. 05:44 When we come together and pray. Are you hearing me today, saints? 05:57 The third thing this teaches us, beloved, is that sometimes when you pray, 06:02 you got to learn how to pray without a deadline. 06:08 And I want to just say this to somebody who is in a waiting posture today. 06:14 Is anybody waiting on God today? Let me say to that anxious, scheming, irritable, 06:25 quick-to-go-to-plan-B person, God's word to you today is, be still and see the salvation of the Lord. 06:39 It's crazy. The word says that this woman makes her case to the judge on several occasions. 06:46 But the word says that he would not do it for a while. Now, remember considering the fact that she is a widow, 06:54 that she is seeking justice from the judge, are you all with me today, saints? 06:58 What Jesus is communicating again is the idea of hopelessness. Somebody say, hopelessness. 07:11 But you know, there is a reason that she keeps appealing to the judge. 07:21 There is a reason that she keeps coming over and over again. 07:26 There is a science as to why she keeps making the same appeal. 07:32 You see the reason she keeps coming is not to be annoying. The reason she keeps coming is 07:40 because he's the only one that can do it. 07:43 [Congregation: Chattering] 07:47 Stay with me, church. Because remember she is seeking. 07:53 The Bible says justice against a neighbor that has wronged her. In other words, 08:00 it stands to reason that she's already tried to get the neighbor to change his mind 08:08 but the neighbor has refused. But notice that the neighbor refuses, but guess what? 08:15 The judge just delays. You all didn't get it. See, the neighbor says, "No." The judge just says, "Not yet." 08:26 In other words, the reason she keeps appealing to the judge is she's got to go to somebody that has more 08:36 authority than the neighbor. In other words, she can't call her other neighbors 08:44 because the other neighbors don't have more authority. She is going to be right back before the judge. 08:50 She can't call her relatives because her relatives don't have more authority. If she calls the relative, 08:56 she's going to be right back before the judge. If she calls her friends, 08:59 the friends don't have more authority, she's going to wind up right back before the judge. 09:03 So she's made it up in her mind that if they can't really help me and I'm going to be right back 09:10 before the judge anyhow, why am I going to fool around with those who have no authority? 09:15 I'm just going to go to the one that's able to turn the situation upside down. 09:23 So, saints, what makes more sense? To go to those who have no authority for help 09:32 or to sit consistently before the one that has the power to turn your situation upside-down? 09:41 Are you all hearing me today, saints? 09:44 See, in other words, a part of persevering in prayer is coming to the realization, number 1, 09:50 that I can't do it. You're all not with me yet. It's the realization that "I can't do it." 09:59 But the reason I stay before the throne is I've got clarity about the fact that they can't do it either. 10:10 Okay. See, the problem with some of us is we see God as one of several options. 10:20 So when God doesn't do it when we want to, then guess what? We go to options B, C, and D. 10:27 But how many of us have lived long enough to see all of your efforts come to nothing? 10:32 See, all your friends disappoint you. You will see all your loved ones prioritize something else. 10:38 You are going to see your ride or die right away. And see, sometimes in the development of faith, 10:44 you've got to be disappointed by people 10:46 because it is the disappointments of man that helped you understand the faithfulness of God 10:52 and it is only their inconsistency that allows us to celebrate God's faithfulness. 11:02 As he watched this, Dr. Johnson, the reason you got to stay before God is this. 11:06 You got to come to the place, "Oh, help us, Lord." Where you realize that if God can't do it, 11:14 it just can't be done. The reason I ain't going to my cousins, the reason I ain't going to Pooki and them, 11:23 the reason I ain't calling La Shad, is because if God can't heal it, it just can't be healed. 11:29 If God can't grow it, then it just can't be grown. 11:32 If God can't bless it, then it just can't be blessed. If God can't revive it, then it cannot be revived. 11:40 If God can't restore it, then it can't be restored. Oh, what peace we often forfeit. 11:46 Oh, what needless pains we bear. Oh, because we do not carry everything to God in prayer. 11:58 So instead of going to plan B, C, and D, you want to just stay 12:03 before the one that's able to do something about it. 12:08 I was sharing this earlier this week, I had a situation, ma'am, with my kids. 12:13 I remember one day we're getting ready to go somewhere. They were outside riding their bikes in the driveway 12:19 and so something happened, Dr. Williams. Where they all kind of crash into each other on the bikes. 12:24 And so they all come inside bleeding and bruised and cut. 12:28 And so my wife was upstairs in the shower getting dressed. 12:31 Now, you need to know, Louis, this thing was so disrespectful. 12:38 When they come into the house, I see them bruised up and scratched up so I say, "Can I help you all?" 12:46 They were like, "No, Daddy. We'll wait on Mommy." And so what happens is they go upstairs. 12:54 Now, I know Gianna is going to be taking a long time. And so I hear them calling to my wife in the shower 13:01 and she says, "Why don't you go and see your daddy?" And they say to her, "Well, Mommy, it's okay. 13:07 We'll wait for you." 13:10 And it's crazy, friends of mine, because I yelled to them upstairs. 13:14 I said, "Hey you all, do you all want me to look at it?" It's so disrespectful. 13:18 They're like, "No, Daddy. It's okay. We'll wait for Mommy." 13:21 Now, I need you to know that she takes another 40 minutes to get dressed. 13:27 But they would rather sit there bruised and bleeding and bloody and wait on the one that can fix it. 13:38 Then they'll go to a plan B. 13:41 See, they made it up in their minds that daddy's going to patch us up but only mama can heal. 13:49 Instead of going to him, we just go wait for the one that's going to make the situation better 13:57 because if we go to daddy, we are going to wind up back with her in the end. 14:02 And what I'm saying is that when you go to plan B and plan C and plan D, 14:09 you're going to wind up back before God, and instead of going to the alternate routes, 14:14 just stay before God who is able to fix it? Stay before the God who is able to bring it to pass. 14:24 Are you all hear me today, saints? 14:30 Now, there's another reason. See, perseveres, you all stay with me, church? 14:35 Is that this lady understands that delay and denial are not the same things. 14:45 See what Jesus does is he uses some legal truths to teach a spiritual truth. 14:53 You know when I used to read this, Malcolm, I thought she was appealing a verdict in an attempt to get it 15:01 overturned. I thought that the judge had made a decision that she was just simply trying to get him to reverse. 15:12 But no. The Bible simply says that he would not do it for a while. 15:19 When some scholars suggest that what the judge does is, he issues a continuance. 15:27 He issues a stay. In other words, what he keeps doing is giving new trial dates in an attempt of hoping to 15:37 weary the old lady out. In other words, some suggest that maybe this unjust judge has taken a bribe from the 15:45 neighbor. And so what he's attempting to do is put off the date again, and again 15:52 and again until the girl just gives up and decides to stop coming. 15:57 But guess what? This thing blows up in his face. So he moves it from February to April 16:03 and guess what? She's still there in April. He moves it from April to December, 16:07 and she's still there in December. He moves it from one year to the next. 16:11 She is still there next year. He moves it to the next year. She shows up to make the case next year. 16:16 And the reason he's trying to wear her out is that the one time she doesn't show up, 16:25 what it does is it decides the case. 16:28 Simply because she gives up on her appeal. And what I'm saying is, sometimes we decide the case 16:36 because we give up on the appeal because it doesn't happen when we want things to happen. 16:44 Are you all hearing me today, saints? 16:46 And see the problem with us is that we have this instant gratification approach to spirituality. 16:55 See, a part of the American dream is it messes us up. 17:00 Because what we do is we celebrate those who get everything early. The Mark Zuckerbergs. 17:05 But how many of us understand that your latter day is going to be greater than your former day. 17:17 Do I have any folk that knows your best years? 17:21 Oh, God. See, it's a lie that your 4 years of college should be the best years of your life. 17:29 You mean, God lets you plateau at 22 years old? 17:33 But how many of us know that your best season ought to be your current season? 17:38 Oh, where the church at today? And see, what I'm trying to get somebody to understand is that just 17:45 because it hasn't happened yet, that doesn't mean it won't happen. See to every statement of unbelief, 17:59 you consistently declare you are to put the word "yet" at the end. 18:05 In other words, instead of just complaining and saying, "I haven't been healed." 18:09 Is there anybody that just believes "I haven't been healed yet." 18:13 Instead of saying, "I haven't found a man", just say, "I haven't found the right one yet." 18:18 Instead of saying, "The church ain't moving", just say, "It's not moving yet." 18:23 Instead of saying, "It hasn't happened", just say, "It hasn't happened yet." 18:29 In other words, friends our mine, sometimes you just got to learn how to wait your turn. 18:38 As I said, a couple of weeks ago, I remember, one time I was on a plane, Dr. Williams, 18:43 and when you get on those little tiny planes, 18:48 what happens is sometimes the space in the overhead compartment can go really quick. 18:55 And so man, I had a bag and I needed to get where I was going so I did not want to have to check my bag under 19:01 the plane. 19:03 So what happened is, I'm in main cabin number one, so when I see them boarding first class 19:08 and just got priority, listen, I played myself so hard. I tried to go ahead and board with first class. 19:16 So that I could get access to the overhead compartment. 19:20 But how many of us know that when they scan your ticket, it tells them what zone you're supposed to board in. 19:29 And so what happens is when they scanned my ticket as I'm coming in with the first-class folk, 19:34 it makes an alarming noise and they say, "Sir, you're not supposed to board with first class. 19:39 You're supposed to board with main cabin number one. 19:42 And so I have to take the walk of shame in front of everybody, past first-class, and comfort plus 19:50 and I got to sit with the common folk in main cabin one. 19:54 Now, I need you to understand that even though I didn't get to board first, I didn't leave the airport. 20:03 Because I didn't get to get in early, I don't leave the terminal. Why? Because I still got a ticket. 20:11 And because I've got a ticket, it guarantees me a spot on the plane. It just means I've got to wait my turn. 20:19 And what I'm saying to somebody today, is that just because it didn't happen when you want it to happen, 20:26 don't leave the terminal. Because how many of us know that in Christ you got to take it in his word that 20:32 guarantees you access? You can still board. You simply got to wait your turn. 20:39 Are you hearing me today, saints? 20:43 So I'm looking at this thing and I'm tripping, right? Because I'm like, man, 20:47 this lady keeps coming to the judge over and over and over again. 20:54 Now, I need you to know that takes faith in and of itself. "What do you mean pastor?" 21:02 Because, if this man is so cruel and harsh, if he's that exacting, 21:11 for her to keep showing up like this is wasting the court's time. 21:17 If she just keeps showing up without an appointment, what means that she can be held in contempt of court. 21:25 So her ability to keep coming must mean that she has legal standing to keep coming before the judge. 21:37 In other words, she must have, as the young folks say, some receipts on her neighbor. 21:43 She must have some receipts that guarantee her right to have an appointment with the judge. 21:51 "How do you know that Pastor? Why?" Because even if the judge does not want to give her justice, 21:59 the only thing he can do is delay it. He can't deny it. Are you all hear me today, saints? 22:06 See, the reason some of us not getting it, we read the King James version that says get vengeance. 22:15 But that's not what she's asking for. 22:17 She's asking for justice which means that she must have some documentation. 22:24 Something that is written. That if the judge ignores it, it causes him to be in violation of his oath 22:33 and causes him to destroy the sanctity of his courtroom. So all he can do is delay it. 22:40 But guess what, he can't deny it. Why? 22:43 Because she's got something that is written that the judge is unable to ignore. 22:50 And is there anybody that knows that when you stand on the promises of God, 22:55 the promises of God are your receipts? That the judge can't ignore. 23:01 Because if he ignores his word, then he violates the oath that he made in his kingdom. 23:08 And because he is a God that cannot lie, when you bring your receipts to the courthouse, 23:15 guess what? He's got to honor what he said in his Holy word. 23:19 So there is somebody that's dealing with some financial lack today. You better hold on to your receipts and say, 23:27 "Lord, you said that you should supply all my needs according to your riches and glory." 23:34 There is somebody that's got a sickness that saying, "Lord, you say it, 23:39 the prayer's faith will save the sick and that the Lord is going to raise them up." 23:44 There is somebody who's mad that he's taking too long, "Lord, you said that you will come quickly 23:52 and your reward is with you." 23:55 There is somebody who's saying my enemies are too great. 23:58 But you want to say, "Lord, you said no weapon formed against me will be able to prosper 24:05 and every tongue that rises in judgment, God is going to condemn. 24:09 There is somebody who is dealing with lack on the job but the Bible has said, 24:15 I was young and now I'm old and I've never seen the righteous forsaken or his seed begging after bread. 24:24 Is there anybody that wants to cling to the receipt and say, "Lord, I'm going to hold you to your word." 24:30 You're going to be like the old lady, you're just going to keep appealing. 24:34 You're going to keep showing up. You're going to be like Jacob where you just say, Lord. 24:39 I'm not going to let you go until you bless me. Are you hearing the word today, saints? 24:50 [Congregation: Yeah.] 24:52 But see, I don't want you to misunderstand the purpose of the parable. So this is what I need you to get. 25:00 So, sometimes in a parable, God reveals His character through comparison. 25:09 Sometimes, He reveals His character through contrast. You see the point, friends, 25:16 is not that God is like the unjust judge. What he is saying, 25:26 Steven, is that if those who are against you can be compelled to do something for you, what will I, 25:37 the God, who is on your side, do for those who cry out to me day and night? 25:45 In other words, he's saying I need you to understand the roles that your faith is not making me do something 25:52 that I don't already want to do. See, how many of us know that God is not a stingy God that has his fist 25:59 clenched and you've got to use your faith to pry the hand of God open? 26:04 I need you to know his hand is already open. His ear is already inclined. 26:11 And the point is that if evil men can be persuaded to do something for you, 26:22 won't I avenge my children that cry out to me day and night if they will just learn how to wait on me 26:36 and trust in me and stop giving me deadlines. 26:44 Are you all hear what I'm saying? See, I need you to understand. The only similarity between God 26:54 and the judge is that he just hadn't done it yet. 27:02 But I need you to understand that you got to get to a place where you stop creating this threshold of faith. 27:13 That says if it doesn't happen by such a time, then I'm going to do plan B, plan C, plan D. 27:24 But you got to make it up in your mind to where you realize that God is not just one of several options. 27:31 Is there anybody who understands like the Psalmist, that we got to learn how to look to the hills? 27:37 From which cometh our help and realize that our only help comes from the Lord. 27:47 We had to learn how to abide in him and be still in him. 27:50 And I need you to know that the thing that you are seeking, the thing that you're praying for, 27:54 the unrealistic thing, it's not a matter of if. 27:58 It's just a matter of when and we've got to get to a place where we stop giving God a deadline 28:04 and we learn how to wait on him. How many of us believe the word of God today? Wait on him 28:10 and he shall encourage your heart. 28:12 (Breath of Life Theme Music) 28:37 [End] |
Revised 2022-06-01