Participants:
Series Code: IIW
Program Code: IIW018161S
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00:19 >>John Bradshaw: This is It Is Written. I'm John Bradshaw.
00:21 Thanks for joining me. 00:23 We're going to go together to Camp Hope, 00:26 a unique camp with a lifesaving difference. 00:29 It was established in 2010 for the families 00:32 of 33 Chilean miners who were rescued 00:35 after a near disastrous mining accident. 00:39 There's a lot we can learn from the harrowing experience 00:41 that almost resulted in tragedy, 00:44 and the incredible rescue that saved their lives. 00:48 Thursday, August the 5th, 2010 00:50 was not a happy day for many people. 00:54 Life took an unexpected turn for many wives, 00:58 mothers, children, grandchildren, 01:01 uncles, cousins, nephews, friends, 01:03 neighbors as they learned, from news reports, 01:08 that their loved ones were trapped 2,300 feet, 01:11 that's 701 meters, below ground. 01:15 That's basically the distance from the ground to the top 01:17 of the Empire State Building, twice. 01:22 Can you imagine being trapped that far, below ground? 01:27 The day began for the miners 01:28 as any other typical work day would, 01:30 expecting to see each other again for supper 01:32 that night as usual, 01:34 but supper time came and went and feelings of desperation 01:38 and fear and uncertainty 01:40 and the desire to stay close took over their minds. 01:43 They gathered in the Atacama Desert and set up tents 01:48 and began the long wait for whatever might eventuate. 01:52 On the outskirts of the San Jose Mine 01:55 over two-and-a-half thousand people gathered 01:59 in what was called Camp Hope. 02:02 It was an improvised community established by relatives. 02:06 There were over 200 national and international 02:08 media reporters there, 02:09 as well as rescue teams and doctors 02:11 and psychologists and teachers and volunteers, 02:14 spiritual leaders and visitors from other parts of Chile 02:17 who came together to wait for the miners, 02:21 to give encouragement to the families, 02:24 and to share a message of hope. 02:26 Every evening at six o'clock relatives gathered to receive 02:30 daily reports on the physical and psychological 02:33 condition of their loved ones. 02:35 Schools were set up so the children could attend class. 02:38 And families gathered together to pray for a miracle. 02:44 Despite the intense heat during the day 02:45 and the extreme cold during the night, 02:48 they waited, at Camp Hope. 02:52 For 17 days the earth remained silent 02:55 and with each failed rescue attempt, despair increased. 03:01 Time after time rescuers dug holes in the ground 03:03 looking for signs of life. 03:05 But the drills repeatedly missed the right spot. 03:10 Rescuers didn't have an updated map indicating where 03:12 the miners might be, sheltering underground. 03:15 It wasn't known for certain if they'd even managed 03:17 to make it to those potentially safe zones. 03:22 And then there was some pretty obvious issues. 03:26 If the miners weren't found soon, 03:30 if they were still alive, 03:32 they'd die of thirst, or hunger, or from another collapse, 03:37 or from a lack of oxygen. 03:40 Anything could happen. 03:42 Meanwhile, the families couldn't do anything except, wait. 03:51 Maybe right now you find yourself in the same situation. 03:54 Maybe you've had to pitch your tent at your own Camp Hope 03:57 waiting for the outcome of your situation. 03:59 Maybe you're like those relatives, 04:01 you're watching helplessly as a child has fallen prey to drugs. 04:06 Maybe you have a spouse who's addicted to alcohol. 04:10 Maybe you have a daughter who's a victim of domestic violence. 04:14 Maybe you have a sick father or mother 04:16 and you don't have the means to pay for their treatment. 04:19 Maybe a loved one has departed from God. 04:21 You're watching now that person slowly destroying himself 04:25 or herself and you feel trapped, not knowing what to do. 04:31 As time goes by you become desperate. 04:34 You may have got on your knees for many years even, 04:38 begging God to perform a miracle, a rescue. 04:43 Maybe now you're about to lose hope. 04:46 Has the silence of God made you think 04:48 that God's not listening to you? 04:51 Well listen. 04:52 God has a promise for you. 04:54 It's found in the Book of Psalms, 04:55 Psalm 27 and verse 14. 04:59 “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, 05:03 and He shall strengthen your heart. 05:06 Wait, I say, on the Lord.” 05:10 Don't grow weary, wait on the Lord. 05:14 Wait on the Lord and the miracle will come. 05:19 After 17 seemingly endless days, on August 22, 2010, 05:25 the first miracle finally arrived. 05:29 One of the drills being used for the rescue miraculously deviated 05:32 toward the refuge where the miners were holed up. 05:35 The drill was christened "La Milagrosa," 05:38 the miraculous one. 05:40 Another name that was given to it, 05:41 it's one that I like the most, is "the Hand of God." 05:45 As soon as the drill reached the refuge, 05:48 the rescuers felt two blows on the drill. 05:50 That was the, the trapped miners down there banging on the drill. 05:55 They realized that meant there could be life underground. 05:58 It took some time to bring the drill back up, 06:01 but when they pulled it out of the ground, 06:03 on the tip, connected to the drill, 06:05 was a handwritten message from one of the miners. 06:08 It said, “We are fine in the shelter, the 33.” 06:14 You know, experts said that if that drill 06:15 had taken just one more day to reach those trapped miners, 06:18 some of them would likely have been dead. 06:21 The conditions in which they were found 06:23 were totally unstable. 06:25 They didn't have much light. 06:27 They had little food. 06:30 The cans of tuna they shared were almost gone. 06:34 There wasn't enough oxygen. 06:36 Fungus had begun to cling to some of the miners 06:39 because of the humidity where they were. 06:41 Others were sick to their stomachs 06:42 because of the water they drank. 06:45 But the Hand of God reached them just in time. 06:48 So again, listen. 06:50 Don't grow weary, wait on the Lord, 06:53 the miracle will come. 06:54 You know, one reason I want to share this story with you 06:56 is because it's inspiring. 06:58 Because if you apply it in your own life, 07:00 it'll give you courage in times of despair. 07:03 Even if you feel that your situation is lost, 07:06 if you think yours is an unsolvable case, 07:10 the miraculous hand of God can reach the deepest place to work 07:14 out a rescue for you or for your loved one. 07:17 Hold on to the promises of God, 07:19 and the promises of God will sustain you. 07:23 And as your problem is solved, God will fill you with peace. 07:27 Isaiah 26 and verse 3, 07:30 “You will keep him in perfect peace, 07:33 whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” 07:39 I'll have more, in just a moment. 07:41 ♪[Music]♪ 07:50 >>John: We live in a world where there is very little peace 07:53 and too many of us are experiencing lives 07:55 without peace, 07:56 if not you, then surely somebody you know. 07:58 How to experience God's peace in your life? 08:01 Receive today's free offer, "Peace on Earth," 08:04 and answer that question. 08:05 Just call 800-253-3000 08:08 or visit us online at iiwoffer.com. 08:12 Receive "Peace on Earth." 08:14 Call us, 800-253-3000 08:17 or visit us at iiwoffer.com. 08:21 >>Girl: My mom woke up at 11:45 and she smelled smoke. 08:26 >>Man: About maybe 1:30 in the morning the, uh, 08:30 my wife got a phone call and I could hear the voice 08:33 on the other end of the line and she was basically, 08:36 uh, screaming, there's a fire, it's massive, 08:39 it's headed your way, 08:40 you need to get out and get out now. 08:42 >>Woman: After I hear fire, I hear in the background, 08:46 the fire is just four blocks away 08:47 from your house and I panicked. 08:49 We started praying, our prayers didn't last long. 08:53 They were desperate, they were, they were rushed, 08:56 there was a need, it was urgent. 08:58 It was very, very urgent. 08:59 I said, please, save my children. 09:02 ♪[ethereal music]♪ 09:05 >>John: Where was God when the fires burned? 09:07 Where was God as people suffered? 09:09 Where was God while people were dying? 09:11 Where was God in the midst of the devastation? 09:14 ♪[Music and sound of fire crackling]♪ 09:21 Thanks for joining me today on It Is Written. 09:24 Camp Hope was the name given to the tent community 09:27 set up for the relatives of the 33 Chilean miners 09:31 who were trapped underground, 2,300 feet underground, 09:35 in a copper and gold mine 09:36 after a collapse in the mine in August of 2010. 09:41 Volunteers and the media also gathered at Camp Hope. 09:45 After receiving a note that proved that the 33 miners 09:47 were alive in a shelter deep below the surface of the earth, 09:52 rescuers designed a plan to bring the men 09:54 up to the surface one by one. 09:58 In the meantime, a pastor, Carlos Parra, 10:00 who pastored the Seventh-day Adventist congregation, 10:03 understood that the men needed spiritual support 10:05 and so he searched for 33 Bibles small enough to fit 10:09 into a probe and he had them delivered to the men, 10:13 highlighting special promises for the miners to read. 10:16 Now, this is what we can do. 10:17 This is exactly what you and I can do. 10:20 In moments of discouragement and darkness, 10:23 we can go to the Bible. 10:26 And in the Bible we find hope and assurance. 10:28 The first promise Pastor Parra assigned them to read 10:31 was Psalm 103, verse 4, 10:34 “Who redeems your life from destruction, 10:37 who crowns you with lovingkindness 10:40 and tender mercies.” 10:41 And so every day Pastor Carlos Parra would share promises 10:45 for the trapped miners to read from the Holy Book. 10:49 They'd be sent down 2,300 feet underground 10:52 in that special probe. 10:54 Many people, many religious groups, 10:56 came together to help these families and Pastor Parra 10:59 became a virtual chaplain to the miners underground 11:02 and to the families above. 11:05 Six men were chosen to descend into the heart of the earth 11:10 and help the miners out back to the surface. 11:14 Imagine volunteering for that job. 11:16 It was a huge risk. 11:19 Not only did the six men risk their lives, 11:22 they did it of their own free will 11:25 and out of love for their fellow man. 11:28 No one forced them to descend to the depths of the earth. 11:31 It was duty that called them to be more than spectators. 11:35 And sometimes duty also calls us to do a, 11:39 a little more than to pray for those who suffer around us. 11:44 Sometimes we have to go in search of the lost sheep. 11:47 Sometimes you have to participate 11:49 in the rescue of those who need it most. 11:51 Just as Jesus came to our rescue, 11:54 as is written in John 15 and verse 13, 11:56 “Greater love has no one than this, 11:59 than to lay down one's life for his friends.” 12:03 So I ask you, 12:05 what are you willing to do for your lost child? 12:08 What are you willing to sacrifice 12:11 for your sick father or mother? 12:14 Maybe you need to spend more time with your family. 12:17 Maybe it's necessary to seek counseling 12:19 to save your marriage. 12:22 It might be required for you to stay up all night 12:24 to take care of your sick family member. 12:26 You may have to cook some extra food 12:27 to help out your neighbor who lost his or her job. 12:31 Maybe that you should ask for help on behalf of the person 12:34 who can't speak out because she's afraid. 12:37 There are many ways in which you can get involved in bringing 12:40 relief to someone who's going through a difficult moment. 12:44 And Jesus will say this when He returns, 12:47 “I was hungry and you gave Me food; 12:50 I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; 12:53 I was a stranger and you took Me in. 12:57 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; 13:01 I was in prison and you came to Me. 13:04 Then the righteousness will answer Him, saying, 13:06 ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, 13:10 or thirsty and give You drink? 13:12 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, 13:15 or naked and clothe You? 13:17 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, 13:19 and come to You?' 13:21 And the King will answer and say to them, 13:24 ‘Assuredly I say to you, 13:27 inasmuch as you did it to one of the least 13:30 of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'” 13:35 Remember something, an act of kindness 13:39 is much more valuable in the vast majority of cases 13:44 than the most eloquent or powerful sermon. 13:47 And you and I have been called to be the hands 13:49 and the feet of Jesus, 13:50 bringing love and encouragement to people who need it most. 13:53 And make sure you don't miss the opportunities brought to you 13:56 by God to present to others the love of Jesus. 14:02 Days turned into weeks, the weeks turned into months, 14:06 69 days and the men were still trapped underground. 14:13 Around the world, people had their eyes glued to TV screens 14:16 following the progress of the rescue. 14:18 Ultimately, millions of people witnessed what could be called 14:22 the most incredible mining rescue in history. 14:27 One by one the miners came out of the ground. 14:29 First, Florencio Avalos, second, Mario Sepulveda who brought 14:34 stones from underground in a bag 14:36 and began to distribute them as souvenirs. 14:39 Third, Juan Andres Llanez, 14:42 fourth, Carlos Mamani, 14:44 until the hours of the day passed until the last man, 14:47 Luis Urzua, was received. 14:51 As each miner emerged, tears of joy flowed, 14:54 shouts of celebration were heard. 14:56 The first reaction of, of several of the miners 14:58 as they reached the surface was to kneel down and thank God 15:02 for a new opportunity of life 15:04 and for reuniting them with their families. 15:07 Can you imagine how Heaven celebrates when a person 15:11 surrenders his or her life to Jesus. 15:15 It says this, I want to read it to you, 15:16 in the gospel of Luke 15 and verse 7: 15:21 “I say to you that likewise there will be more joy 15:24 in heaven over one sinner who repents 15:28 than over ninety-nine just persons 15:30 who need no repentance.” 15:32 When a person surrenders to Jesus, Heaven rejoices. 15:36 Heaven says, it was worth Jesus leaving Heaven 15:40 to go to the earth for you. 15:42 Now the cost of rescuing those miners was huge. 15:46 Twenty-two million dollars. 15:48 But your rescue costs Heaven much more. 15:51 First Peter 1:18 gives us a total value: 15:55 “Knowing that you are not redeemed 15:56 with corruptible things, like silver or gold... 15:59 but with the precious blood of Christ, 16:02 as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” 16:06 Heaven gave up its most precious treasure for your salvation. 16:09 Heaven emptied itself for you. 16:11 It gave up everything for that loved one who suffers. 16:15 It gave up everything for that prodigal son who left the home. 16:19 And if God gave all that and more, 16:21 won't He care for you; His most valued possession? 16:27 How could God forget about you? 16:30 How could He stop listening to your prayer? 16:34 Don't be discouraged. 16:36 Wait on the Lord. 16:38 Trust in Him. 16:40 Keep praying. 16:42 I'll be back in just a moment. 16:44 ♪[Music]♪ 16:53 We live in a world where there is very little peace and 16:56 too many of us are experiencing lives without peace. 16:58 If not you, then surely somebody you know. 17:01 How to experience God's peace in your life, 17:04 receive today's free offer, 17:06 "Peace on Earth" 17:07 and answer that question. 17:08 Just call 800-253-3000 17:11 or visit us online at iiwoffer.com. 17:15 Receive "Peace on Earth" 17:17 call us, 800-253-3000 17:20 or visit us at iiwoffer.com. 17:23 Thank you for remembering that It Is Written exists 17:26 because of the kindness of people just like you. 17:28 To support this international, life-changing ministry, 17:32 please call us now at 800-253-3000. 17:36 You can send your tax deductible gift 17:37 to the address on your screen or you can visit us online at 17:41 itiswritten.com. 17:43 Thank you for your prayers and for your financial support. 17:46 Our number again is 800-253-3000 17:50 or you can visit us online at itiswritten.com. 17:54 Thanks for joining me on It Is Written. 17:56 Have you ever wondered where Jesus is now, 17:59 what Jesus is doing? 18:01 Have you ever wondered what Jesus is doing 18:03 while people struggle with pain and misfortune 18:05 and sickness and death? 18:08 Well, listen to this. 18:10 As soon as our first parents were kidnapped 18:12 and deceived by the father of lies, 18:15 humanity was buried in a hole much deeper 18:17 than the one in which the 33 miners find themselves. 18:21 We lost our home, we lost our health, 18:22 we lost our happiness. 18:24 We lost our eternal life. 18:26 We lost our immortality 18:28 by listening to the lies of the devil. 18:31 He said that we wouldn't die if we disobeyed God. 18:35 But as soon as we were condemned, 18:37 the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit 18:41 established Camp Hope, 18:44 the heavenly sanctuary, from where the greatest rescue 18:48 of all time is in operation seeking to save 18:51 every person who's lived on this planet. 18:54 So, whoever believes in Him should not perish, 18:57 but have everlasting life. 18:59 Jesus is now in the heavenly sanctuary 19:02 and when you and I, from the bottom of the abyss of despair 19:04 and anguish cry for help, 19:06 He's there to comfort us, 19:08 to give us hope and help at all times. 19:11 When in desperation we cry out for a miracle, 19:14 He pours out all of the resources of Heaven 19:16 so that we can endure as we wait for our final rescue. 19:21 That's why our safety is in Jesus and what He can do 19:24 and is doing from up there to finalize the rescue. 19:29 It's what the Scriptures say. 19:31 There's an entire book in the Bible that talks about it. 19:34 I want to read to you from the fourth chapter 19:36 of the Book of Hebrews starting in verse 15. 19:40 “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot 19:43 sympathize with our weaknesses, 19:45 but was in all points tempted as we are, 19:48 yet without sin. 19:51 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, 19:55 that we may obtain mercy and find grace 19:58 to help in time of need.” 20:01 God's not unaware of our needs. 20:04 God's in Camp Hope seeking for ways to help us daily, 20:08 moment by moment, providing encouragement and assurance, 20:13 and the promise that things are going to end okay. 20:16 Just a little more. Just a little more. 20:19 And soon this time of pain and death and separation 20:22 and anguish will be over forever. 20:26 God saw that we were in trouble. 20:28 He knew there's no human solution available to any of us. 20:32 In the same way that a specialist was sent 20:34 to the 33 men to help them into the rescue capsule, 20:37 Jesus encapsulated Himself; He became like one of us. 20:41 He left His glory. 20:43 He descended to the depths of darkness in this lonely planet 20:45 to show us the way back to eternal life, 20:48 to our heavenly home. 20:51 This operation didn't cost a million dollars 20:53 or $10 million or $22 million. 20:56 A much higher price was paid so that you and I 21:00 could live forever and not die. 21:04 Now think of this, now think of this, 21:10 what if, I'm going to suggest something to you, 21:13 what if one of the miners after that complicated, 21:20 expensive rescue operation decided to stay down there 21:25 701 meters, 2,300 feet, 21:29 two Empire State Buildings high or low, under the ground? 21:34 What would the world think 21:36 if somebody made a decision like that? 21:37 I think the world would think he had lost his mind. 21:41 We would know that there was something 21:44 awfully wrong with that man. 21:48 But sadly, tragically, that's what many people are doing today 21:53 with the rescue Jesus offers them. 21:56 They've become too acquainted with the darkness. 21:58 They say, the darkness is good enough for me. 22:01 They prefer to be buried in the abyss of sin, 22:04 while there awaits a better world. 22:08 When the last miner was rescued in that cold, 22:11 long night in the desert, people all around the world rejoiced. 22:16 Millions. 22:17 In fact, it was said one billion people watched, 22:20 many of them celebrating 22:21 in front of the TV or computer screen. 22:24 It was over. 22:27 The operation came to an end and Camp Hope was finally closed. 22:30 Those 33 men? 22:32 They returned to their homes. 22:35 In the same way, 22:36 when the gospel reaches every person in the world, 22:38 everyone's had the opportunity to accept 22:40 or reject the salvation offered by Jesus, 22:45 the largest and costliest rescue operation 22:48 in the universe will be over, 22:49 and Jesus will forever close Camp Hope, and will 22:55 come to earth with billions of angels to take us home. 23:00 We'll live with Him forever. 23:02 That's your destiny and mine. 23:05 Don't allow the devil to continue stealing 23:07 more than he's already taken. 23:09 Maybe he's stolen your health. 23:11 Maybe he's taken your happiness. 23:13 Maybe he has your loved ones. 23:16 We've lost everything by listening to his voice. 23:20 But we'll gain everything by listening to the voice of Jesus, 23:26 Who will restore everything back to us. 23:30 I want to ask you, where are you now? 23:35 Do you feel trapped by problems that seem to have no solution? 23:39 Or are you a concerned family member 23:42 waiting for the miraculous rescue of a loved one? 23:45 Are you the one who needs to be rescued? 23:48 Maybe you need to lend someone a hand right now, 23:51 or maybe you need someone to lend you a hand. 23:54 Perhaps you've ignored God's voice in the past and now you 23:57 find yourself trapped in a pit with no way out. 23:59 You realize that you need God's powerful hand. 24:03 It's you I'm addressing. 24:05 Look up to the only place and the only One who can rescue you. 24:08 There's no other. 24:10 There's no other way out. 24:12 If you think there's no solution to your problem, 24:14 think of the empty tomb, 24:16 because if God was able to overcome death, 24:19 He can also overcome the daily problems in your life. 24:23 Today is a decisive day. 24:25 Today is the day of rescue. 24:27 Today is the day of your salvation. 24:30 You can take a step of faith now. 24:33 Ask yourself if you want to continue in a pit 24:36 or if you'll enter the capsule that will take you 24:38 from the depths to a new life with Jesus. 24:43 Are going to allow Christ to rescue you. 24:45 Are you willing to accept the sacrifice 24:47 made by Jesus on the cross? 24:51 I don't want to be alarmist, 24:52 but this could be your last chance. 24:54 Don't overlook it. 24:56 If at this moment you're willing to say, 24:58 "Yes, I want to be rescued," then open up your heart to God. 25:03 If right now you recognize the seriousness of your situation, 25:06 that God's not the center of your life, 25:09 let's change that now, shall we? 25:11 It just takes a decision. 25:13 Oh, you say, "I'm not good enough." 25:15 No, that's true. 25:15 There's no one who's good enough, 25:17 only God. 25:18 You say, "I'm not deserving." 25:20 Well, well, of course you are not. 25:21 There's no one who deserves salvation. 25:24 Jesus didn't die for people who deserve to be saved. 25:28 He died for people who are in a desperate situation 25:30 and just couldn't save themselves. 25:33 You say, "God wouldn't forgive me." 25:35 Oh, come on. 25:36 You're forgetting all the case stories 25:39 all the way through the Bible, 25:41 of sinful people that God forgave. 25:45 Jesus came to seek and to save those who were lost. 25:49 Christ died for our sins. 25:53 So what are you going to do? 25:55 Stay because you choose to, 25:58 2,300 feet below the surface of the earth, 26:03 and refuse to come out? 26:05 Friend, Jesus died for you so you could live forever. 26:08 Jesus died for you so that before eternity 26:11 you can have hope in this life, 26:12 you can live with dignity and confidence. 26:16 You can live knowing that you are a child of God. 26:19 If you'd like to be a child of God, 26:21 I'm going to pray for you in just a moment, 26:22 but right now if you can open your heart up to God 26:25 and say "Yes, that's what I want," 26:30 and you can live with hope in this world and then, 26:32 beyond this world, in the world to come. 26:37 Our Father in Heaven, we're thankful 26:39 that You set up Camp Hope in Heaven 26:42 so that from there You could launch 26:44 the most incredible rescue mission 26:46 in the history of the cosmos. 26:47 And Lord today we want to be rescued. 26:50 I pray for each one now, 26:53 someone living without confidence, 26:54 someone living in desperation, 26:56 someone filled with anxiety, 26:58 someone far from You, 27:00 but now we say, "we want to come home." 27:03 We admit we can't turn our own lives around. 27:05 We say, "God, 27:06 You must turn our lives around because that's what You do." 27:09 So, Lord would You do that right now? 27:12 Well, let me change that. 27:14 Lord, thank You for doing that and we believe You've done so. 27:21 So now, friend, claim new life in Jesus. 27:23 Invite Him into your heart. 27:25 Believe that He comes in. 27:26 Believe that He forgives your sins 27:28 because you confess them to Him. 27:30 Believe that everlasting life is yours 27:32 and now we live in connection with God. 27:35 Father, we thank You for the hope that we have. 27:37 We thank You that You are the greatest rescuer of all 27:40 and we pray in Jesus' name, 27:43 Amen. 27:45 Thank you so much for joining me. 27:46 I'm looking forward to seeing you again next time. 27:48 Until then, remember, 27:50 "It is written, 27:51 'Man shall not live by bread alone, 27:53 but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" 27:58 ♪[Theme music]♪ |
Revised 2020-06-23