Participants: John Bradshaw
Series Code: IIW
Program Code: IIW001304
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00:01 [Music]
00:06 It has stood the test of time. 00:11 God's book. 00:14 The Bible. 00:16 Still relevant in today's complex world. 00:22 It is written sharing hope around the globe. 00:36 Thanks for joining me today. 00:37 I4m John Bradshaw and this is It Is Written. 00:41 You know, every four years the whole world forgets 00:44 momentarily about its quarrels and problems 00:47 and focuses for two weeks on something that seems to be 00:50 a fascination for just about everybody--- 00:52 the Olympic Games. 00:53 You can't get away from it. 00:55 Around the world warnings were given to people about 00:58 the problems of coming in to work in the morning tired 01:00 and the effect that this might have on their health. 01:03 But of course record numbers of people watched the games 01:06 in spite of the warnings of the health professionals. 01:09 Before the London Olympics in 2012 there were reports 01:11 about some of the issues that were plaguing 01:14 the games: there were structures --buildings--that may not be 01:16 ready on time; it was thought there might not 01:19 be enough security people to make sure the organization 01:22 ran smoothly throughout the actual games. 01:24 Once the games started all those concerns 01:26 were forgotten. 01:27 The minds of people were turned to their nation's 01:29 competitors and the question of whether or not they would 01:31 win medals - with gold being metal of the preferred kind. 01:36 One country that entered the London Olympic Games 01:38 with stellar expectations was Australia. 01:42 Over the years the Aussies have always punched well above 01:44 their weight in the Olympic Games and at London 01:47 they were expecting to do the same thing - especially 01:50 in the swimming pool. 01:50 [Triumphant Music under] They had assembled a strong 01:52 team of swimmers, many of whom had been successful at 01:55 the Beijing Olympics four years earlier, as well as at 01:58 the world championships. 02:00 So when the Australian swimmers took to the pool 02:02 there was an expectation in Australia that they'd do 02:04 well and to bring back a significant number of medals 02:07 back to Australia. 02:08 And one of their mostly highly favored swimmers was 02:10 a man named James Magnussen. 02:13 Now James Magnusson was the reigning world champion in 02:15 the 100 meters freestyle -- that4s one of swimming's 02:18 glamour events. 02:19 At the 2011 world championships in Shanghai, 02:22 China, Magnussen became the first Australian to win 02:25 the gold medal in that event. 02:27 He was a national hero in Australia. 02:29 Aussies nicknamed him "the missile". 02:32 Understandably he placed great expectations on 02:35 himself. 02:36 In fact, he said he thought he would win in London. 02:38 He was now the best in the world and he had swum the 02:40 fastest time in history over 100 meters for any swimmer 02:44 wearing a conventional swimsuit. 02:46 Now, that4s in contrast to those high tech swimsuits 02:49 that were worn a few years ago but then banned from 02:51 competition. 02:52 No one was able to match James Magnussen in his 02:55 favored event. 02:56 So when the London Olympics arrived James Magnussen was 02:59 expected to win gold for Australia. 03:02 Before the men's 100 meters was the men's 4 x 100m relay 03:06 and Australia was expected to dominate that race as 03:08 well. 03:09 They won their heat comfortably and all 03:12 the country thought that they would win the final 03:14 in a canter. 03:15 Magnusson swam first in the final and went out hard. 03:18 In his second lap Australia waited for the missile 03:20 to fire, but it didn't happen. 03:22 When Magnussen finished his leg of the relay Australia 03:25 was placed third --and they ended winning bronze. 03:29 In many countries Third in the world would be cause 03:31 for celebration. 03:32 But for Australia there was real disappointment. 03:35 Magnussen himself was dejected. 03:37 The weight of a nation was on him. 03:39 He felt like he had let his country down. 03:41 At the post race interview he couldn't find words to 03:43 speak and he faded into the background. 03:46 There was no real explanation. 03:48 The game plan simply hadn't worked. 03:50 Now the whole of Australia began to worry about how 03:53 James would do in the 100 metre race itself. 03:56 After some soul searching and time with his coach 03:58 Magnussen lined up in the 100 meter heat. 04:01 He swam well and came second. 04:03 He won his semi-final quite convincingly. 04:05 It seemed like the missile was back. 04:08 The whole of Australia was there with him, it seemed. 04:10 In his home town of Port Macquarie - a beautiful 04:12 seaside city on the coast of New South Wales -- almost 04:16 the whole town got up in the early hours of the morning 04:18 to watch the final. 04:19 There was a big screen in the town centre. 04:22 Many people went down there to watch. 04:23 [Sports Music] The big screen event started 04:25 at 4:30 am. 04:26 James' race would start at 5:15. 04:29 All sorts of of people from Port Macquarie showed up to 04:33 watch their home town hero. 04:36 The result of the final is now in the history books. 04:38 James Magnussen competed. 04:40 He swam incredibly well. 04:42 When the race ended many Australians thought their 04:44 man had carried the day. 04:45 But the cruel truth for Australia was that James 04:48 Magnussen had been beaten by Nathan Adrian from 04:51 Bremerton, Washington by the smallest measurable margin 04:54 in swimming: 1 100th of a second. 04:58 This much. 05:00 Magnussen was gracious in defeat, but the smiles were 05:03 forced and everyone in Australia was feeling what 05:06 he felt. 05:07 The disappointment of being so near and yet so far. 05:12 And then Australia began the post mortem. 05:15 For the first time since Montreal 1976 Australia 05:20 hadn't won an individual swimming medal. 05:22 Instead, they had "only" won a single gold (in a relay), 05:26 six silvers and three bronze. 05:29 Only five countries won more swimming medals than 05:32 Australia. 05:33 Yet one Olympic champion swimmer from Australia said 05:35 that the swimmers didn't try hard enough. 05:37 Coaches were blamed for not adequately preparing 05:39 the athletes, and the coaches themselves said that they 05:42 didn't have enough resources which were being diverted to 05:45 other programs... 05:46 and on it went. 05:47 Now contrast that with another Australian Olympian. 05:52 Jessica fox raced in the final of the K1 canoe 05:55 slalom. 05:57 She wasn't expected to do very well but Jessica made 05:59 the final. 06:00 Now her mother had won a bronze in the same event 06:03 at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. 06:05 After her final run Jessica found herself with the fastest 06:08 time of all of the competitors and she held on to that 06:10 top spot until until a French paddler 06:13 paddled her final run. 06:15 Jessica was ultimately beaten by just six tenths 06:18 of a second. 06:19 The Eighteen years old and a silver medalist. 06:21 So how did Jessica react? 06:25 She was ecstatic and when being interviewed she said 06:29 that she was still 'in the clouds'. 06:31 What a contrast between Jessica and James Magnusson. 06:35 They both competed. 06:36 They both came second. 06:38 Neither of them won. 06:39 They both walked away with a silver medal. 06:42 They both felt very differently about it. 06:44 But let4s shift this just a little bit. 06:46 What is it do you think that God most wants from our 06:49 lives? 06:50 Is God sitting on the edge of His throne during 06:53 the Olympics - waiting to see who will win gold? 06:55 Is he cheering competitors on? 06:58 The truth is God wants every one of us to win something 07:01 golden - but His sights are set on far more than simply 07:05 a gold medal. 07:06 I'll have more in just a moment. 07:11 In Matthew 4:4 the word of God says, "It is written, 07:14 'Man shall not live bread alone but by every word 07:18 that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" Every Word is a one 07:21 minute Bible-based daily devotional presented 07:24 by pastor John Bradshaw and designed especially for busy 07:27 people like you. 07:29 Look for Every Word on selected networks or watch 07:32 it on-line everyday on our website, itiswritten.com. 07:35 Receive a daily spiritual boost. 07:38 Watch Every Word. 07:39 You'll be glad you did. 07:41 Here's a sample. 07:52 I get asked every now and then about this. 07:54 We're saved by grace through faith. 07:56 Right. 07:57 But then Revelation 22:12 says, "And, behold, I come 08:00 quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man 08:03 according as his work shall be." 08:06 It sounds to some people as though this is saying we're 08:08 not saved by God's grace, but by our works. 08:10 Now lets look at this carefully. 08:12 John writes that we are JUDGED by our works, 08:14 not SAVED by our works. 08:16 The point is that our works - how we live our lives - 08:19 demonstrates or gives evidence regarding 08:21 the reality of our profession. 08:24 Anyone at all can claim to be a follower of Jesus, 08:27 but it isn't what you say that really matters. 08:30 It's how you live. 08:31 That's where the evidence really is. 08:33 In the judgment, it isn't just a profession 08:35 God is looking for, he's looking for 08:37 the real thing. 08:39 I'm John Bradshaw for It Is Written. 08:41 Let's live today by Every Word. 08:47 Planning for your financial future is a vital aspect 08:49 of Christian stewardship. 08:51 For this reason, It Is Written is pleased to offer free 08:53 planned giving and estate services. 08:56 For information on how we can help you, please call 08:58 1.800.992.2219. 09:02 To receive additional material on the advantages 09:05 of life-income plans, such as a charitable gift 09:07 annuity which can provide you with tax benefits 09:10 and income for life, call today or visit our special 09:13 website www.hislegacy.com. 09:18 You can also write to It Is Written, Planned Giving 09:21 and Trust Services, Box O, Thousand Oaks, 09:24 California 91359. 09:26 Our Toll-Free number again, 1.800.992.2219 and our web 09:32 address www.hislegacy.com. 09:41 This is It Is Written. 09:42 Thanks for joining me today. 09:43 You know in the book of Mark chapter 10 and verse 45, 09:47 the Bible says this, "For the Son of man also has not 09:51 come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as 09:55 redemption for many". 09:57 When I look closely at the words of Jesus I find 10:00 it hard to think that Jesus is going crazy over 10:02 the Olympics, that he is setting his clock so that he does 10:05 not miss any of the events. 10:07 That Jesus entered into the sorrow that James Magnusson 10:10 experienced at his loss. 10:11 I don't think that Jesus is going to be spending 10:14 his days planning for that great Olympics in the sky when he 10:17 will assemble the greatest athletes ever to fight for 10:19 the title of swimmer of the galaxy. 10:22 I don't think it's going to happen that way. 10:23 I don't think that when Jesus is taking his people 10:25 into his kingdom he will be lining them up according to 10:28 the amount of Olympic gold medals they have won. 10:30 Or even by our professions so that the brightest 10:32 scholars all line up first. 10:35 No - God will be lining us up according to our 10:37 characters. 10:38 Now am I saying that God is not interested in what you 10:40 or I are doing or what athletes are doing? 10:43 Oh, no I don't mean that. 10:44 In fact the apostle Paul speaks at some length about 10:48 the athletes of his day. 10:50 The beginning of organized games began with Alexander 10:52 the Great after he had conquered the world. 10:55 He had organized games for Greece and for his soldiers. 10:58 Sports were introduced into Palestine and a gymnasium 11:00 was erected in Jerusalem. 11:01 During the time of the apostle Paul the games were well 11:04 established and by then everyone had heard of the Greek 11:07 Olympic Games. 11:08 The Gentiles loved the games but they were repugnant to 11:12 the pious Jews because they were of a demoralizing 11:15 character. 11:16 And there was good reason for the Jews to be put off. 11:20 Those who took part in the contests competed naked. 11:24 The Olympic games were held every four years in Olympia 11:26 in honor of the god Zeus. 11:29 They had a variety of games including leaping, 11:31 and racing, and quoits, spear throwing, and wrestling. 11:34 They had chariot racing, boxing, running in armor. 11:38 Now you just didn't turn up on the day and compete. 11:40 The competitors usually went on a special diet 11:42 and preparation, they stayed under supervision at one 11:45 place, they exercised their bodies regularly and when 11:48 they competed, they had to obey all the rules. 11:51 Very much like today. 11:52 Paul was aware of this when he wrote to the Corinthians. 11:55 He wrote to the Corinthians and said these words, 11:59 "And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate 12:01 in all things. 12:02 Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; 12:04 but we an incorruptible" (That's I Corinthians 9:25). 12:10 And to his young friend Timothy he wrote 12:12 these words, he said, "And if a man also strive for 12:17 masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive 12:21 lawfully" (II Timothy 2:5). 12:24 When an athletic event was completed, a herald 12:27 proclaimed aloud the name of the victor and the city from 12:30 which he came. 12:31 He was presented with a palm branch by the judges, 12:34 and the prizes were given out on the last day of the games. 12:36 There was only one winner per event, crowned with an 12:39 olive wreath made of wild-olive leaves from 12:42 a sacred tree near the temple of Zeus at Olympia. 12:45 This was a matter of honor for the competitors. 12:48 But nevertheless Paul says that their reward was 12:50 something that they strove after even though there was 12:54 only one reward per event. 12:57 But then Paul contrasts the reward that the athlete 13:00 received with the reward that the Christian receives. 13:03 He said these words, "so run to win! 13:08 They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we 13:11 do it for an eternal prize. 13:14 (1 Cor 9 24-25). 13:16 So we are called on to "run to win". 13:21 Peter had the same thought in mind when he wrote this 13:24 in 1 Peter 5:4, the Bible says this, "you will receive 13:31 the crown of glory that does not fade away" 13:35 (1 Peter 5:4). 13:36 James Magnusson was clearly disappointed when he lost 13:38 and yet he was only reaching for something that WOULD 13:40 fade away. 13:41 According to he Bible it's a whole lot better to be 13:43 a nobody and yet be striving for the crown that God will 13:46 give to those that love Him. 13:48 God wants to give us something that we can have 13:50 for all eternity -- not simply a prize we have 13:52 for just a short time before the memory of it becomes 13:55 consigned to the history books. 13:57 Do you remember the name Johnny Weissmuller? 13:59 Johnny Weissmuller won two gold medals for swimming 14:02 during the 1920s. 14:03 You might remember that he went on to become 14:06 the "Tarzan" of his era. 14:07 But I can't think of any other Olympian from that time. 14:11 They have faded from the mind of mankind and now 14:13 the only memory of them is held online or in the library. 14:16 And even it I read about them I doubt if I would have 14:19 heard of any of them. 14:20 Paul said "They do it to obtain a corruptible crown; 14:24 but we an incorruptible" (1 Corinthians 9:25). 14:27 This will be placed on our heads by Jesus' own hand. 14:31 What a day that will be! 14:32 For each of God's children there'll be a crown of 14:34 victory. 14:35 Each of us will receive the victor's palm 14:37 and the shining harp. 14:39 Then we will live with God for all eternity. 14:42 In a moment - the apostle Paul compares himself to an 14:45 Olympic athlete. 14:47 I'll be right back. 14:50 [Music] 15:06 Time For today's bible question and thanks for submitting 15:09 bible questions to us here at It Is Written 15:11 How can a person really believe the Bible 15:14 is true? 15:16 It was written years ago, it has been copied so many 15:19 times, it was written by a lot of different people 15:21 and those people wrote different parts of the Bible 15:23 at different times. 15:25 Help me believe the Bible is believable. 15:28 Great question. 15:30 Thank you. 15:31 I'll do my best. 15:32 You know what's funny? 15:34 There are historical books that not many people 15:37 question when it comes to authenticity. 15:40 An historian named Tacitus wrote The Annals 15:44 of Imperial Rome. 15:46 Few people question its accuracy or its veracity, 15:48 even though what is available today comes from 15:50 a copy and doesn't NEARLY date back to the original. 15:55 Now I'm not knocking Tacitus and the Annals 15:58 of Imperial Rome. 15:59 I'm just pointing out that there's a bit of a double 16:01 standard when it comes to considering the accuracy 16:04 of the Bible. 16:05 Now there are several reasons you can trust 16:07 the Bible. 16:08 I'll name just a few. 16:09 Historically it stands up. 16:11 Luke, who wrote Luke and the Book of Acts, is a very 16:13 accurate historian, and the historical details found 16:17 in what he wrote stand the test of thorough scrutiny. 16:21 Archaeology has validated the Bible again and again. 16:25 On numerous occasions it has been said that portions 16:27 of the Bible couldn't be trusted because they 16:29 couldn't be validated by the archaeological record. 16:33 But again and again archaeologists have found 16:36 records of cities or other evidences that show 16:41 the Bible record was accurate after all. 16:44 It's happened many, many times. 16:47 Then there are the manuscripts. 16:48 There are hundreds of old manuscripts or portions 16:51 of manuscripts that show us that what has come down 16:54 to us today is consistent with what was written hundreds 16:57 and hundreds of years ago. 16:59 The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in the late 1940s 17:02 and early 1950s are compelling evidence that the Bible 17:06 is legitimate. 17:08 They date back as far as before the time of Christ, 17:10 and they show us that the Bible we read today 17:13 is fundamentally the same as what was written 17:17 way back then. 17:18 Now the 'differences' that exist in manuscripts 17:20 are generally so small that they're just irrelevant. 17:23 You don't find a manuscript where Jesus says He is not 17:26 the Son of God, or where the Christ is teaching something 17:29 bizarre. 17:31 And consider prophecy. 17:32 Many prophecies of the Bible that have been fulfilled 17:36 and this demonstrates, I think, conclusively that the Bible 17:38 can be trusted. 17:39 When you've got predictions made that name a king before 17:43 he is born or that name an certain invader or conquerer 17:47 before he is born and then these things come to pass... 17:51 When you have got all those prophecies about Jesus 17:53 coming to the world, one saying He would be 17:56 crucified, another saying not a bone would be broken, 17:58 another saying He would be born in Bethlehem, another 18:01 saying He would die in dishonor, another saying He would 18:03 be rejected by the ones He came to save, and on and on... 18:07 You've got a real problem if you want to argue against 18:10 the inspiration of the Bible. 18:12 What are you going to do with all that evidence? 18:16 But you know what? 18:17 At the end of the day we accept the Bible by faith. 18:21 The Bible's critics do raise fair questions at times - 18:23 sometimes questions that aren't easy to answer, 18:26 especially to everyone's satisfaction. 18:29 But there is enough clear - what I would call - 18:32 "evidence" for us to know the Bible really is the word 18:35 of God. 18:36 You can accept it by faith. 18:38 Not blind faith, but reasonable, studied faith. 18:42 There are many, many good reasons to trust the Bible. 18:45 So many that I'm not sure how somebody can really 18:49 be confident in rejecting the Bible. 18:52 If there's a question you'd like answered, please send 18:54 it to me at itiswritten.com. 18:56 I'll do my very best to get your Bible question 18:59 answered. 19:00 [Music] 19:09 Eyes for India is giving sight to the blind and you 19:13 can be a part of this amazing work that God is doing. 19:16 Fifteen million blind people live in India, more than any 19:19 other country in the world. 19:21 And many of the blind in India could see again, 19:24 if only they could have simple cataract surgery. 19:27 It Is Written is making that happen. 19:30 Would you support Eyes for India? 19:33 For just $75 you'll be giving the gift of sight 19:37 to someone who desperately wants to see. 19:40 Here's all you need to do. 19:41 Call 1.800.253.3000. 19:44 That's 1.800.253.3000 to donate an support 19:50 Eyes for India. 19:52 Or, you can write to: It Is Written, Box O, 19:55 Thousand Oaks, California, 91359. 19:59 You'll also find Eyes for India on-line 20:02 at itiswritten.com. 20:04 Every $75 you give gives someone the precious gift 20:08 of sight. 20:09 Eyes for India, doing the work of Jesus in opening 20:12 the eyes of the blind. 20:14 And opening hearts to the love of God. 20:17 Call 1.800.253.3000 or write to Box O, Thousand Oaks, 20:23 California, 91359 or visit itiswritten.com. 20:31 Thanks for joining me today on It Is Written 20:33 The Apostle Paul compared himself to an Olympic racer 20:36 when he wrote these words: I press toward the mark for 20:39 the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" 20:43 (Philippians 3:14). 20:45 And he says in 2 Timothy 4:7: 20:47 "I have finished my course". 20:49 kThe writer to the Hebrews sees the Christian's race 20:52 as being run with endurance before a great crowd 20:55 of spectators. 20:56 We read this in Hebrews 12:1. 21:00 "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great 21:03 a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and 21:07 the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run 21:10 with endurance the race that is set before us" And that 21:15 advice belongs to us today. 21:17 Paul refers to this when he talks about wrestling, 21:20 a modern day sport for sure. 21:22 The contest with Satan he likens to a wrestling match. 21:26 In those wrestling bounds in the ancient olympic games, 21:29 the winner was the wrestler who succeeded in first 21:31 throwing down, and then holding down his opponent 21:34 with his hand upon his neck. 21:35 When Paul wrote to the Romans: "Strive together 21:38 with me in your prayers" (Romans 15:30), he was 21:41 wanting them to put the same energy into their prayers as 21:44 a wrestler would put into his efforts to win his 21:47 contest. 21:48 In writing to the Corinthians Paul also refers to boxing. 21:51 Here is what he says, he writes: "Thus I fight: not 21:57 as one who beats the air. 21:59 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection" (I 22:02 Corinthians 9:26-27). 22:03 He is thinking of keeping his body under control lest 22:08 if he fails to do so he be disqualified as an effective 22:11 Christian worker. 22:13 And what applies to Paul in that situation certainly 22:16 applies to us. 22:17 As we can see the Apostle Paul was fond of making use 22:20 of popular sporting events to illustrate truth. 22:22 To the Philippians he spoke of "striving together for 22:26 the faith of the gospel" (Philippians 1:27). 22:29 The words "striving together" actually mean 22:32 "acting as athletes in concert." 22:35 In the language of modern athletics, he was thinking 22:36 of the importance of what we call "team spirit" in the 22:39 church. 22:41 When Jude urged his readers to "earnestly contend for 22:44 the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" 22:46 (you read that in Jude 3), he was using another 22:49 athletic word. 22:50 One of the chief forms of amusement among the Romans 22:53 -- the early Christian era -- was to condemn criminals, 22:56 and especially Christians, to fight with lions, bears, 22:58 elephants, or tigers in the amphitheatres of the empire 23:01 before huge crowds of spectators. 23:05 The crowds would urge on the beast by throwing darts or 23:07 by shouting in sort of a maddening spirit. 23:11 Then they'd watch the poor victim be torn to pieces by 23:14 the animal. 23:15 Paul referred to this practice when he said, 23:18 "If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts 23:21 at Ephesus" (I Corinthians 15:32). 23:25 So what is God's counsel us to do today? 23:27 Most of us will never have to prepare for an Olympic 23:29 games. 23:30 But we do have a far greater prize to reach for. 23:33 Not a medal that will eventually be forgotten 23:35 about but a life that we will live for all of 23:38 eternity with Jesus. 23:40 That is a wonderful thing to strive for. 23:42 We can explore the universe with Jesus as our guide. 23:45 There are some simple things that Jesus advises us to do. 23:47 In the book of Joshua (24:15) Joshua said 'choose 23:52 you this day whom you will serve... 23:55 but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord". 24:00 What good advice. 24:01 You can wake up each morning and put the day into God's 24:04 hand. 24:05 The first thing we can do every day is to reach out to 24:09 God and say "Lord I dedicate this day to you, please use 24:12 me in your service that I might serve you and give 24:14 honour to you during this day. 24:17 In Luke 13:24 Jesus tells us to "strive to enter through 24:22 the narrow gate" Like an athlete that is striving for 24:26 a gold medal, God wants us to strive. 24:29 In the days of Paul there was only one winner. 24:32 Everyone else was a loser. 24:33 With God we can all winners. 24:35 He doesn't line us up according to what we have 24:38 won or achieved in this life. 24:40 If that were the case only the fortunate, or well off, 24:42 or well educated would reach his kingdom. 24:45 God looks upon us according to our characters - and the 24:48 good news is that He will give us His righteousness 24:51 and live His life in us. 24:53 You can't be a loser - and you'll always be a winner - 24:58 when you choose Jesus as your own. 25:03 Today I want to offer you this special, free book on 25:06 the subject of God's promises, including some of 25:08 the very promises God makes to use to reassure us that 25:12 he is there for us even when we fall. 25:15 You will find it very encouraging. 25:17 It is called God's promises. 25:17 Dozens of promises from the Word of God with 25:20 encouragement for you to know God and grow in his 25:23 grace. 25:24 This is going to help you in your daily walk with Jesus. 25:26 Just call or write and I will send you God's 25:30 promises. 25:31 There is no cost or obligation. 25:33 It is absolutely free. 25:35 Just all this number: 1.800.253.3000 and ask for 25:38 God's Promises. 25:39 You can call 24 hours a day. 25:41 If the lines are busy, please just keep on trying. 25:44 You can also request your free copy of God's promises 25:48 by writing to It Is Written, Box O, Thousand Oaks, 25:51 California 91359 and we will mail a copy to your address 25:56 in North America. 25:58 Please note, this free book is limited to the supply on 26:01 hand. 26:02 For immediate access, you can download a free, 26:05 electronic version of this book, God's Promises, from 26:08 our website itiswritten.com. 26:09 It Is Written is a faith-based ministry made 26:12 possible by viewers like you. 26:15 I want to say Thank you to you for your support of It 26:17 Is Written. 26:18 To support the world-wide outreach of It Is Written, 26:20 to make it possible for people to continue receiving 26:22 this broadcast, your tax deductible gift may be sent 26:25 to the same address or you can give on-line at It Is 26:28 Written.com. 26:30 Thank you for your continued support. 26:32 Our toll-free number is 1.800.253.3000 and our web 26:35 address is itiswritten.com. 26:41 Let's pray together. 26:43 Our Father in heaven, we thank you today for the 26:46 certainty that we can win through Jesus and salvation 26:50 never has to be for us a loss or even a matter of 26:53 coming in second. 26:54 I thank you that you encourage us to strive, that 26:56 is, to strive to yield, to strive to surrender, to put 27:00 the important things first, and to press towards 27:05 the mark. 27:05 Bless us this day because soon we know Jesus is coming 27:08 back. 27:10 On that wonderful day we will receive as Paul said, 27:12 not a gold metal, but a golden crown, a crown of gold 27:17 that will never fade away. 27:20 I ask that that day will come soon. 27:23 In Jesus' name, amen. 27:48 Thanks for joining me today. 27:50 I look forward to seeing you next time. 27:52 Until then, remember it Is Written: man shall not 27:55 live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds 27:58 from the mouth of God. |
Revised 2015-02-06