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Series Code: IIW
Program Code: IIW024279S
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00:17 ♪[music ends]♪♪
00:19 >>John Bradshaw: This is "It Is Written." 00:21 I'm John Bradshaw. Thanks for joining me. 00:24 When something truly devastating happens, 00:27 a person's life can be profoundly affected. 00:30 [indistinct shouting] 00:31 When a province in the Middle East was invaded, 00:35 a teenager was captured, his family killed, 00:38 and his home destroyed. 00:40 You can imagine the impact that would have 00:42 on a young man's life. 00:43 But the nightmare continued. 00:45 Forcibly taken from his homeland, 00:47 he was pressed into slavery in a foreign country, 00:50 robbed of his dignity, 00:52 immersed in paganism, 00:53 and educated to advance the interests 00:56 of the country responsible for destroying his own. 01:00 Think about how you might react in a situation like that. 01:02 You might, you might plot and scheme. 01:05 You might attempt to escape. 01:07 But not this young man. 01:09 He remained committed to his beliefs, 01:11 steadfast in his allegiance to his God, 01:13 and he did the very best he could in his new environment. 01:18 There's a lot of trauma in the world today. 01:20 In 2022, according to a Gallup poll, 01:23 almost one in four adults in the United States 01:26 visited a mental health professional. 01:29 There are around 700,000 divorces a year 01:32 in the United States, 01:33 1.2 million violent crimes, [siren wails] 01:35 1.4 million emergency room visits owing to assault, 01:40 almost 25,000 homicides, 01:42 and more than 3,000 burglaries a day. 01:46 That's a lot of people going through a lot of stuff, 01:49 people dealing with a lot of trauma, 01:51 people going through life dealing with 01:53 a lot of hurt and a lot of pain. 01:55 ♪[reflective music]♪ 01:56 And as a result of traumatic experiences, 01:58 people can be tempted to believe that God has abandoned them, 02:03 that heaven's promises are not real, 02:06 that life is hardly worth living. 02:09 But, of course, that's not true. 02:11 What we're about to see is that tragedy need not be the end. 02:15 It need not be the breaking, 02:17 but it can be the making of a person. 02:20 We're going to see that God can bring good 02:22 out of even devastating experiences. 02:25 [whoosh] ♪[music swells]♪ 02:28 [tinkling sound of wind-blown sand] 02:30 [whoosh, distant bell rings] 02:35 [wind blowing, sand swishing] 02:38 We're beginning a series of studies on the book of Daniel, 02:41 a book that came out of crisis and defeat. 02:44 It was written by a Jewish man 02:46 at a time when all Israel was at its lowest point. 02:50 The 10 northern tribes had been dispersed, 02:52 conquered by Assyria and assimilated 02:55 into the surrounding nations. 02:57 And then, as God promised, Judah was captured and taken 03:01 into captivity for what would turn out to be 70 years. 03:05 Daniel rose up in the midst of all of that, refusing to allow 03:09 his own devastating personal experience to derail him. 03:13 Instead, he leaned in towards God, 03:17 and God used him in such a powerful way, 03:19 that more than 2,500 years later, 03:22 people all over the world are being encouraged and blessed 03:25 and guided by his life and ministry. 03:28 His story is recorded in the Bible and speaks to us today 03:31 in this world of conflict and uncertainty. 03:35 Here's what the Bible says as it recounts this story: 03:38 "In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah 03:41 "came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, 03:45 "and besieged it. 03:46 "And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, 03:49 "with part of the vessels of the house of God: 03:53 "which he carried into the land of Shinar 03:54 "to the house of his god; 03:56 and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god." 04:00 Some scholars claim that the book of Daniel was not written 04:03 by Daniel but by someone later, maybe hundreds of years later. 04:08 But that simply can't be possible. 04:10 Much of the book is written in the first person. 04:13 It was obviously written by someone 04:14 very familiar with Babylon in the 6th century B.C. 04:18 Nobody writing after that time 04:20 would have had the insight of Daniel, 04:22 a man who lived in the midst of it all. 04:25 And most importantly of all, 04:27 Jesus stated that Daniel wrote the book of Daniel. 04:32 He said, 04:33 "Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' 04:36 "spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing 04:41 in the holy place (whoever reads, let him understand)." 04:43 This is the beauty of being able to read the text 04:45 for yourself. 04:47 The default reaction, I think, is to respect scholars 04:49 and researchers and academics, 04:51 but some scholars and researchers and academics-- 04:55 not all, I don't mean all-- some deny the virgin birth. 04:59 They deny the Creation account, deny the miracles of Jesus, 05:03 deny that there was a global flood in Noah's day. 05:06 You might be surprised 05:07 that there are numerous Bible scholars who are not Christian. 05:11 So don't be surprised when someone with a PhD 05:14 doubts the plainest statements in the Bible. 05:18 Just don't you make that same mistake. 05:21 Judah was conquered by Babylon in 605 B.C., 05:24 and that defeat suggests that Judah's God had been bested 05:27 by the gods of Babylon. 05:29 But, of course, God was not defeated, 05:31 and nor will He be, for that matter. 05:33 It might seem that down through the years 05:35 heaven has taken some tough shots. 05:37 In many places the church is shrinking. 05:39 Fewer people than ever in North America identify as Christian. 05:42 The same is likely true for the entire Western world. 05:46 God is openly mocked in the media. 05:48 More and more people believe the totally implausible idea 05:52 that everything you see came from...nothing, 05:56 that long ago, nothing at all exploded, 05:59 and so everything from the Himalayas to the Sahara Desert 06:03 to the prairies of North America all resulted from an explosion 06:07 that occurred when nothing exploded. [ringing of explosion] 06:11 It seems that God has been losing ground. 06:14 But what we know is that God is going to be okay. 06:17 We know how the story ends. 06:18 It ends gloriously, with God being seen to be God. 06:23 Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, 06:25 had big plans for Daniel. But so did God. 06:29 Nebuchadnezzar was looking for 06:30 "children in whom was no blemish, but well favored, 06:34 "and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, 06:37 "and understanding science, and such as had [the] ability 06:40 "in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might 06:43 teach the learning of the tongue of the Chaldeans." 06:46 Daniel was destined to become a Babylonian. 06:50 In an attempt to have him take on a new identity, 06:53 even his name was changed to honor a Babylonian god. 06:57 And the intent was that he would spend his life 06:59 advancing the kingdom of Babylon. 07:02 But while Nebuchadnezzar had big plans for Daniel, 07:05 God had bigger plans, and Daniel was to learn 07:08 that sometimes when God has big plans for you, 07:12 those plans come disguised as challenges. 07:16 It wasn't long and Daniel found himself 07:19 in an impossible situation: 07:22 "And the king appointed for them a daily provision 07:24 "of the king's delicacies and of the wine which he drank, 07:28 "and three years of training for them, so that at the end 07:31 of that time they might serve before the king." 07:35 While he was earning a degree at the university of Babylon, 07:38 Daniel was being asked to compromise his faith 07:41 and eat the cafeteria food, as it were. 07:45 But Daniel and his friends simply couldn't do that. 07:50 The Babylonians ate unclean food, and they would not. 07:54 Some of that food was likely offered to idols. 07:57 The animals on the menu hadn't been killed in the manner 07:59 God said animals for food should be killed. 08:02 And it would have been luxurious food, unhealthy food. 08:06 It was just plain bad for them. 08:09 And Daniel understood 600 years before Paul put pen to paper 08:14 that his body was "the temple of the Holy Spirit." 08:18 He knew that if he wanted to excel physically, emotionally, 08:21 academically, and spiritually, 08:23 what he put in his body mattered. 08:26 Because he understood his body was not his own 08:29 but belonged to God, 08:31 Daniel was committed to looking after his health, 08:33 and he didn't want to do anything that would harm him 08:36 or hinder his development. 08:38 The wine he was served would have been intoxicating, 08:41 and there was no way Daniel and his friends 08:43 were going to drink alcohol-- 08:45 even if their lives depended on it. 08:48 In around 600 B.C., 08:50 Daniel was following advanced medical ideas. 08:54 Many people today, 2,600 years later, 08:57 don't have any understanding of principles of temperance, 09:01 and they think they're fine 09:02 eating and drinking just whatever they want. 09:05 And when the doctor comes with bad news, 09:07 it's an overwhelming surprise, 09:09 as though it never occurred to them 09:10 that it might be a good idea to be careful 09:13 about what you put in your body. 09:15 Recently, a host of news outlets reported 09:17 that half of U.S. cancer deaths are avoidable, 09:21 that alcohol is a driver in several different types 09:24 of cancer, that lifestyle factors are causing 09:28 a huge amount of cancer in the United States 09:30 and certainly throughout the world. 09:32 Daniel knew what the American Cancer Society 09:35 is telling us today. 09:37 What you put into your body matters. 09:40 In the New Testament, Paul wrote to the Corinthians 09:44 and said, "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, 09:47 or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." 09:51 Daniel would honor God in everything, even his diet. 09:57 For a lot of people, that's going too far, but is it really? 10:01 After what Jesus did on the cross? 10:04 Every Christian you know has heard that Jesus said 10:07 we are to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind. 10:10 Here's an example of someone doing that: 10:13 Putting God first, not compromising, 10:16 not taking shortcuts in faith, 10:19 not pretending it doesn't matter if you don't give God all. 10:23 Daniel showed it matters. 10:25 His full-on commitment to God was recognized, 10:28 as God then blessed Daniel and used him 10:31 in a way He has never used another human being. 10:36 ♪[upbeat music swells and ends]♪♪ 10:45 >>John: It's one of the most intriguing passages 10:48 in all of the Bible. 10:50 Jesus is asked a simple question by some of his closest friends, 10:54 and the answer He gives points them to the signs of His return. 11:00 John me for "Great Chapters of the Bible: 11:03 Matthew [Chapter] 24." 11:05 It was Jesus Himself who told us to watch for earthquakes 11:08 and pestilences and famines and wars and rumors of wars. 11:13 He said, as we see them, we could know that 11:16 His return "is near, even at the doors." 11:19 He did not give us the day or the hour of His return, 11:22 but Jesus encouraged us in Matthew, chapter 24 11:26 again and again to be ready for His coming. 11:30 Join me for "Great Chapters of the Bible: Matthew [Chapter] 24" 11:34 and hear from Jesus about the necessity of being ready 11:37 for His return. 11:39 "Great Chapters of the Bible: Matthew 24," 11:42 brought to you by It Is Written TV. 11:45 >>John: Thank you for remembering that It Is Written 11:47 exists because of the kindness of people just like you. 11:51 To support this international life-changing ministry, 11:53 please call us now at 800-253-3000. 11:58 You can send your tax-deductible gift 12:00 to the address on your screen, 12:01 or you can visit us online at itiswritten.com. 12:05 Thank you for your prayers and your financial support. 12:07 Our number again is 800-253-3000, 12:11 or you can visit us online at itiswritten.com. 12:16 >>John Bradshaw: It can be challenging to honor God 12:19 when all of the people around you are not doing so. 12:23 But when you're the lone star of faith 12:25 in a galaxy of unbelief, that's an opportunity. 12:28 It's an opportunity to shine, 12:30 an opportunity to let people see what God can do in a life. 12:35 It's an opportunity to show the world what faith looks like. 12:39 Don't be afraid to live your faith, 12:42 even if it means being the one who's different. 12:45 Let people see the difference God can make in a life. 12:48 It might be that when everyone at work 12:50 is drinking at the Christmas party and you choose not to, 12:53 that someone will draw strength from your example. 12:55 When everyone's laughing at the dirty joke and you choose 12:58 not to engage, someone will notice, and it'll matter. 13:02 The Holy Spirit will speak to them. 13:04 Like Daniel, your situation won't only be for you, 13:08 but for the others who will notice and be drawn to Jesus. 13:12 And like Daniel, your trial might simply be God's way 13:17 to lead you to something greater for Him than you can imagine. 13:21 Daniel was a captive. 13:23 Nobody would want to be in his situation. 13:26 But even in that daunting situation, 13:28 God was preparing Daniel to be one of 13:30 the most significant characters in all of biblical history. 13:35 The book of Revelation builds on the book of Daniel. 13:38 It's not a stretch to say that if there was no book of Daniel, 13:41 there'd be no Revelation as we know it today. 13:44 God could see the big picture. 13:47 Daniel was going to go through some hardships, 13:50 but he went to Babylon as a missionary. 13:53 God had huge plans. 13:55 He chose Daniel to be the one who would go to Babylon 13:59 and not lose his way and represent God 14:03 and let the light of heaven shine. 14:05 Daniel's bold stand that day could have cost him his life-- 14:10 and the life of the man with responsibility 14:11 over Daniel and his friends. 14:13 He said, "I fear my lord the king, 14:15 "who has appointed your food and drink. 14:18 "For why should he see your faces looking worse 14:21 "than the young men who are your age? 14:24 Then you would endanger my head before the king." 14:28 But Daniel said, "Please test your servants for ten days, 14:32 "and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. 14:37 "Then let our appearance be examined before you, 14:40 "and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion 14:42 "of the king's delicacies; and as you see fit, 14:46 so deal with your servants." 14:48 "So he consented with them in this matter, 14:51 and tested them ten days." 14:54 "Put us to the test, just give us 10 days." 14:59 And Daniel's confidence in God was vindicated. 15:03 We can learn from that. 15:04 You can stand for God in those tough moments. 15:08 If you have a big God, 15:09 there's no need for you to wilt or backtrack. 15:13 We'll never know what Peter lost by denying Jesus. 15:16 How different might his story have been if he'd said, 15:19 "Yes, I do know Him. He's a close friend. 15:22 I'm one of His disciples." 15:24 When 400 prophets lied to King Ahab and told him 15:26 what he wanted to hear, a lone faithful prophet named Micaiah 15:31 told the king the truth. 15:33 If he'd wilted under pressure, 15:36 God would have been robbed of glory. 15:38 God's ways bring results. 15:41 "And at the end of ten days their features appeared 15:43 "better and fatter in flesh than all the young men 15:46 who ate the portion of the king's delicacies." 15:50 Daniel stood on God's principles, and he excelled. 15:53 If you want an edge, go God's way. 15:57 You want an edge in the boardroom? 15:59 In the courtroom? In the trading room? 16:01 In the lunch room? In the weight room? 16:03 Follow God's path. Even in the bedroom. 16:07 For years, research has shown that married couples 16:11 have a more satisfying physical relationship than those 16:14 who are in a relationship without being married. 16:17 You thought playing the field was where the fun was? 16:19 No, that's where you got rejection, confusion, 16:22 frustration, and medication. 16:25 God's way is proven to be the best way. 16:30 And it's interesting that Daniel was thousands of years 16:32 ahead of his time. 16:34 He knew God had an optimal diet. 16:37 Diet fads come and go today. 16:39 Keto--eat tons of fat. 16:41 Tons of fat is bad for your heart. 16:44 The carnivore diet--that's better known as the "I hope 16:47 you have a good cardiologist on speed dial" diet. 16:51 It excludes everything that Daniel ate. 16:55 Instead of a fad, you could look at the Daniel diet: 17:01 fruits, nuts, grains, and vegetables-- 17:04 the diet God gave Adam and Eve. 17:07 But wait, what did Daniel do for protein? 17:10 Well, he got it from...fruits, nuts, grains, and vegetables. 17:15 You know, no one seems to worry 17:17 about elephants not getting enough protein. 17:20 And they don't eat meat. 17:21 You never did see a weak elephant or a weak hippopotamus 17:25 or a weak rhino. 17:26 Rhinos somehow manage to get plenty of protein. 17:30 And if you eat how Daniel ate, you'll get plenty, too. 17:34 If you want something that works, follow Daniel's example. 17:38 Now, of course, there's one in a million or one in 10,000 17:41 who can't do that for medical reasons. 17:43 So, if you're the medical exception, don't do it. 17:47 But that's the exception, not the rule. 17:51 Even when it seems you're far from God, you're not. 17:56 ♪[upbeat music swells and ends]♪♪ 18:05 ♪[reflective music]♪ 18:07 >>John: The Bible is filled with stories of people 18:10 who took a leap of faith. 18:12 Gideon was asked by God to lead an army of just 300 18:17 against an innumerable foe, and he did, and he was triumphant. 18:22 Noah was asked by God to build an ark, 18:25 a boat, so he and his family could ride out a storm 18:28 in a world where rain had never before fallen. 18:31 And he did, and he and his family and the world was saved. 18:37 Life can be like that. 18:39 Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith. 18:44 ♪[dramatic music]♪ 18:45 After you've received all the necessary instructions, 18:48 after the equipment has been checked, 18:51 you take a leap of faith. 18:54 Grow your faith in God and in His Word. 18:58 Don't miss "The Leap of Faith," 19:01 brought to you by It Is Written TV. 19:03 ♪[music ends]♪♪ 19:06 >>John: Daniel and his friends were in captivity, 19:08 hundreds of miles from home, and God gave them knowledge 19:12 and skill in all learning and wisdom. 19:16 And here's something interesting about the story of Daniel. 19:19 As far as we know, Daniel never gained his freedom, 19:23 and he died in that foreign heathen land. 19:26 We don't read about Daniel's riches or prosperity. 19:29 We read about attempts on his life. 19:31 We read about envy. We don't read about fame. 19:34 We read about a man whose life wasn't lived 19:37 for his own self-aggrandizement. 19:39 His life was lived for God's honor. 19:43 Can you live your life like that? 19:45 What if God said, "I don't want you playing professional sport; 19:49 I want you serving me instead"? 19:51 Or, "My plan isn't that you earn millions of dollars; 19:55 my plan is that you become a missionary or a gospel worker." 20:00 Would that be okay with you? 20:02 He, He might not say that. 20:04 But what if He did? 20:05 "You would honor me more not by working as an actor, 20:08 but by doing something faith oriented." 20:10 In fact, that very thing happened to a young man I know. 20:13 He appeared in several movies. 20:14 He was primed to hit the really big time-- 20:17 and walked away from it all to pursue a career in ministry. 20:21 He followed God's call. 20:24 Are you okay with your life being lived for God's honor? 20:29 No one ever chose God's path and ended up worse off. 20:33 Now, the devil will tell you you'll be worse off. 20:36 That's how we got into this mess. 20:38 Eve said, "We're not allowed to eat that fruit." 20:41 The devil said, "Go ahead, you'll be better off. 20:43 You'll be as gods." 20:44 And that got hold of Eve. 20:46 Wanting something that sounded more grand 20:48 than God's plan for her, 20:50 she found out that selfishness is not liberating, 20:53 but it's slavery to sin. 20:57 You don't lose when you surrender your life to Jesus. 20:59 And we see that in the book of Daniel. 21:01 We'll look at much more of the rest of the book later. 21:04 In Daniel 1, a captive, 21:06 plucked from his homeland, his manhood stolen, 21:10 forced to dwell in the midst of raw paganism, 21:13 he stood up for God while he was still a teenager 21:16 and saw God work miracles. 21:19 He risked insulting the most powerful monarch on the planet, 21:24 but God blessed him. 21:25 He was streets ahead of the other young men in Babylon, 21:28 miles ahead of those who ate the king's fancy food. 21:33 Look how this concluded: 21:34 "Now at the end of the days that the king had said 21:36 "he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs 21:39 "brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 21:42 "And the king communed with them; 21:44 "and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, 21:48 "Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. 21:54 "And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that 21:56 "the [lord] enquired of them, he found them ten times better 22:02 "than all the magicians and astrologers 22:04 that were in all his realm." 22:06 Ten times better. 22:10 And this was just the setup for Daniel, 22:13 the preparation, the test. 22:16 If he passed this test, what might the future hold? 22:21 In Daniel 2, faithful Daniel interpreted the dream 22:23 of King Nebuchadnezzar. 22:25 Daniel's three friends, encouraged by the way 22:27 God had blessed them, went into a fiery furnace in chapter 3 22:31 rather than compromise their faith. 22:34 And they survived. 22:35 In Daniel, chapter 4, Daniel interprets another dream 22:38 for the king, and the king is converted. 22:41 The mightiest monarch on the planet was converted 22:44 through Daniel's ministry. 22:46 In Daniel 5, the writing is on the wall, 22:49 and Daniel interpreted that mysterious script. 22:53 In Daniel 6, King Darius is tricked into writing a law 22:57 that leaves Daniel trapped. 22:59 He honors God just like he always has 23:02 and ends up in a den of lions. 23:04 But God protects Daniel, and he miraculously survives 23:07 his night with the hungry big cats. 23:10 Go further. Daniel 7, where once again Daniel is given a view 23:14 of the rise and fall of nations 23:16 and events that will happen in the end of time. 23:18 He is given an outline of the rise of the man of sin 23:21 and the great conflict of earth's last days. 23:24 The rest of the book of Daniel 23:26 fills out that picture even more. 23:29 And where did it begin? 23:30 With a teenager abducted from his homeland 23:34 and taken as a slave into a godless foreign country. 23:38 And because Daniel chose to be faithful to God 23:40 in the first great test that came to him, 23:43 God blessed him again and again and again. 23:49 ♪[reflective music]♪ 23:50 The book of Daniel is a remarkable book. 23:53 It contains what's been called the master key 23:56 to Bible prophecy. 23:57 And we'll look at that in the next program in the series. 24:01 It reveals a God who knows the future. 24:03 In fact, this one chapter of the Bible has enough in it 24:06 to challenge any atheist, to shake up any agnostic, 24:09 and to strengthen the faith of any Christian. 24:12 In Daniel, chapter 1, four young men taken from their homes, 24:16 robbed of their future, deprived of their independence, 24:19 and they trusted in God. 24:21 That trust set Daniel up to be 24:23 one of the most significant of all Bible writers and therefore 24:28 one of the most influential men in all of history. 24:33 Where are you struggling to be faithful to God right now? 24:37 What can you surrender to God? 24:40 Is there a challenge in your life at this moment 24:42 that's shaking your faith or shaking your resolve? 24:46 It doesn't have to. 24:47 If you'll dare to be a Daniel, 24:49 if you'll ask God to fill you with His Spirit, 24:52 if you'll trust God to be God and to do for you 24:55 what you can't do for yourself, 24:57 you'll see heaven move in ways you've never witnessed before. 25:04 There's something I really want you to have. 25:07 It's a resource I've written 25:09 dealing with the very subjects we are studying 25:12 in this series of programs on the life of Daniel. 25:16 It's absolutely free. I hope you'll get it right now. 25:20 The stories in the book of Daniel are prophetic in nature, 25:23 revealing key events that will take place in the world 25:26 in earth's last days. 25:28 "The Stories of Daniel" speak to issues 25:31 that are now unfolding before our eyes. 25:34 To get today's free offer, "The Stories of Daniel," 25:37 call 800-253-3000. 25:39 That's 800-253-3000. 25:43 You can request "The Stories of Daniel" online at iiwoffer.com, 25:47 iiwoffer.com. 25:49 You can write to the address on your screen 25:51 or text "freedaniel" to 71392. 25:55 Text "freedaniel" to 71392. 25:59 "The Stories of Daniel," 26:00 faith-building stories 26:01 given by God to prepare you 26:03 for the major events of earth's last days. 26:06 "The Stories of Daniel," 26:07 call 800-253-3000, 26:10 go to iiwoffer.com, 26:12 or text "freedaniel" to 71392. 26:15 Grow your faith as you prepare for the return of Jesus. 26:21 Let's pray together now. 26:23 Our Father in heaven, we thank You for the example of Daniel, 26:26 this young man who stood for You, 26:27 who was bold and brave and decided, 26:31 this young man who surrendered, 26:33 giving us an example of what people planning 26:36 to successfully navigate earth's last days must do. 26:42 And I'm wondering about your heart, friend, right now. 26:44 Where are you with Jesus? 26:45 Is it time to make a stand, a commitment, a surrender, 26:49 a recommitment? 26:50 Is God calling to you? I believe He is. 26:53 Are you resisting that call? 26:55 Only you know. 26:56 Would you say in your heart right now, "God, take my heart; 27:00 make my life Your own; prepare me for now and for eternity"? 27:07 Dear Father, You've seen decisions made, 27:10 and if someone has hesitated, paused, 27:13 decided not to move forward in faith right now, 27:16 I pray You'd go after that person, speak to that heart, 27:20 give that person opportunity after opportunity while 27:23 there is still time to be truly Yours and ready for eternity. 27:28 We thank You for Jesus, 27:30 through whom we have the gift of salvation. 27:33 We thank You for the cross, where Jesus bore our sins. 27:38 We receive from You now His righteousness. 27:42 And we thank You for the promise of everlasting life, 27:45 in Jesus' name. Amen. 27:48 Thank you so much for joining me. 27:50 I'm looking forward to seeing you again next time. 27:52 Until then, remember: 27:53 "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, 27:57 but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" 28:02 ♪[dramatic, triumphant theme music]♪ 28:27 ♪[music ends]♪♪ |
Revised 2024-10-06