Participants:
Series Code: TDY
Program Code: TDY017096A
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00:01 I want to spend my life
00:07 Mending broken people 00:12 I want to spend my life 00:18 Removing pain 00:23 Lord, let my words 00:29 Heal a heart that hurts 00:34 I want to spend my life 00:40 Mending broken people 00:45 I want to spend my life 00:51 Mending broken people 01:06 Hello, and welcome to 3ABN Today. 01:08 My name is John Lomacang, 01:09 but you might know 01:10 that if you've tuned in before. 01:12 If you have not, keep your dial or set this network to be 01:15 one of the ones that you watch continuously 01:17 because we do believe that God has ordained 01:20 and anointed this network. 01:21 So thank you for taking the day to tune in. 01:23 Now that you have done that, 01:25 don't turn away we have a wonderful program 01:26 for you today. 01:28 Good friend of the 3ABN family and my personal friend, 01:30 Stephanie Dawn is here today. 01:32 Good to have you here, Stephanie. 01:33 Good to be here. Good to be back. 01:34 I know. 01:36 I tell you we have, we have a history together. 01:37 We do. We do. 01:38 And it's good to have you here today 01:40 to be able to talk about 01:41 how the Lord has worked in our lives 01:43 and yours in the past. 01:44 And how He's gonna work in your life 01:45 and continues to do so in the future. 01:47 Yes, absolutely. And music is a big part of it. 01:48 It is. It really is. 01:49 And so for those of you, 01:51 if you're watching the program and listening to the program, 01:52 just we're gonna spend some time today. 01:54 We're gonna hear some music. 01:55 Stephanie is gonna sing about four songs. 01:58 We're gonna walk through her life, 01:59 also the testimony of how God has led her life. 02:01 And we just thank you for your prayers 02:04 and your financial support 02:05 that makes this network go and grow, 02:08 getting ready for the coming of Jesus. 02:10 Now, Stephanie, I'm gonna just dive right in. 02:13 First of all, good to have you here. 02:15 Yeah, it's good to be here again. 02:16 I've been here quite a few times 02:18 and it's really good to be back again. 02:20 Yeah, almost 20 years. 02:21 Yeah, that was 1991, 02:22 was the first time that I was here. 02:25 So yeah... 02:26 And whenever we sing together or whenever you're around, 02:29 we always to say 02:31 "Praise the Lord for the ministry of Stephanie." 02:34 Well, tell us a little bit about you, 02:36 because you're gonna sing some songs today. 02:37 But I just kind of want people 02:39 that are looking for the first time and saying, 02:40 "Well, who is Stephanie Dawn?" 02:42 Kind of give us an overview of who you are, what you do 02:44 and, you know, a little bit about your life. 02:46 Well, I have been totally blind since birth. 02:49 I have other challenges as well. 02:51 But I have come to realize that God has taught me 02:57 the most valuable lessons 02:58 through my most difficult trials. 03:01 And, for which I am actually thankful. 03:05 And He's bringing me to the place 03:07 where I can actually thank Him for those trials. 03:10 And so that is part of what formed 03:12 our music ministry, "Dawn of Hope Ministry" 03:15 and we use music as the vehicle for the testimony 03:19 that God has given me and we travel around 03:22 the United States presenting musical programs 03:26 that include songs 03:27 and spoken testimony at churches 03:29 and camp meetings 03:31 and whatever venues that God brings into our path. 03:35 And from the time... 03:36 I mean, when you think about being born blind, 03:39 but there's a... 03:40 I would use this term in a broad... 03:41 Since there's an inner vision that God has given to you 03:44 to connect with Him, 03:46 to communicate the message of hope 03:48 because every time I've heard you sing... 03:50 I mean we've been together with family reunions, 03:52 remember Voice of Prophecy. 03:53 Oh, yes. Yes, good memories for me. 03:55 Did number of those together. 03:58 We used to call that the hoedown, 03:59 everybody get together. 04:01 And it was a... Yeah. 04:02 But whenever we practiced, 04:03 you know, sometimes people didn't see 04:05 the highlights of those programs, 04:07 because when we practice we really let our hair downs. 04:09 We do. 04:10 And for me I've felt like 04:12 it was a glimpse of what heaven would be like. 04:14 Just the joyous Adventist family 04:16 that we all were. 04:18 And so there and then you sung with 3ABN a number of times. 04:20 Yes. 04:21 And we've had a chance 04:23 to sing together on couple of occasions. 04:24 We have. We have. We have. 04:27 Now, tell me what music means to you? 04:29 Well, I think music can often express 04:34 what spoken words can't. 04:35 And I think it can awaken emotions 04:39 that are inside of you and just really 04:42 articulate feelings and thoughts 04:46 and spiritual concepts in its own unique way. 04:51 That maybe some people may understand 04:53 more clearly than even the spoken word at times. 04:57 And so, I'm gonna use a term here 05:00 that leads us into this first song 05:02 that I want our audience to hear. 05:04 The song called "From the Rising of the Sun." 05:07 It's an ironic title because when sun rises, 05:10 it continues to increase in light. 05:12 Tell us about that song? 05:14 Well, that song is based on Psalms 113:3, 4. 05:20 And what that song says to me is that praising God 05:24 is not just a time of prayer when we praise Him. 05:29 Praising Him is the way 05:31 we live our lives from the rising of the sun 05:35 to its setting. 05:36 The name of the Lord is to be praised. 05:39 It is a continual way of thinking 05:42 and the way of speaking to God and feeling 05:45 throughout the entire day is continually living 05:48 in that atmosphere of praise to God. 05:50 Wow. Wow. 05:52 Well, thank you for that explanation 05:53 because it's true 05:54 that when we wake up in the morning 05:56 what we do during the day. 05:57 As Romans 12:2 says, you know, often refers to, 06:01 "This is your spiritual act of worship." 06:03 But, that's in fact what happens 06:05 when we dedicate our lives to the Lord. 06:07 The moment we wake up to the time we go to bed, 06:10 it's continual worship. 06:11 Is that correct? Yeah, absolutely. 06:12 And I would actually even go deeper than this. 06:15 You know, it says in Psalm 1 that, 06:17 you know, 06:19 "His delight is in the law of the Lord, 06:20 and in His law doth he meditate day and night." 06:25 And I'm certain that David was not saying 06:28 that we force ourselves to stay awake all night. 06:31 But what really hit me from that statement 06:34 is that when we are so close to God 06:36 even in our sleep, 06:37 even in our dreams we can meditate upon His law. 06:41 Wonderful. 06:43 And we have a song entitled Psalm 1 06:44 which comes later in the program. 06:45 Yes. Yes. 06:47 Well, thank you that, you've introduced 06:48 "From the Rising of the Sun," sit back and be blessed. 07:04 From the rising of the sun 07:08 Until its setting 07:13 The name of the Lord 07:17 Is to be praised 07:21 From the rising of the sun 07:24 Until its setting 07:29 The name of the Lord 07:33 Is to be praised 07:42 The Lord is high above 07:46 All nations 07:50 His glory is above the heavens 07:57 And from the rising of the sun 08:02 Until its setting 08:07 The name of the Lord 08:10 Is to be praised 08:43 Oh, Lord 08:44 You're high 08:46 Of all nations 08:51 Your glory is above the heavens 08:57 And from the rising of the sun 09:03 Until its setting 09:07 The name of the Lord 09:11 Is to be praised 09:16 And since that glorious morning 09:20 When the stone was rolled away 09:26 Because You live We'll rise 09:29 To give our offering each day 09:35 From the rising of the sun 09:40 Until its setting 09:44 The name of the Lord 09:48 Is to be praised 09:52 From the rising of the sun 09:56 Until its setting 10:01 The name of the Lord 10:04 Is to be praised 10:09 The name of the Lord 10:13 Your name, oh, Lord 10:17 The name of the Lord 10:21 Is to be praised 10:43 Thank you so much, Stephanie, for that song 10:45 "From the Rising of the Sun." 10:47 I'm glad that we talked about it ahead of time 10:49 because now those 10:50 who heard the song can now know. 10:53 If it's morning where they are, 10:55 they can say today 10:56 "I want to live my life for the glory of the Lord." 10:58 Yes. 10:59 But then I like what you said a moment ago. 11:00 You said, 11:02 "It's not just what happens while you're awake, 11:04 but if the Lord is in your mind, 11:05 you meditate on Him not only during the day 11:07 but during the night." 11:08 Yes. Yes. 11:10 And how does that... 11:11 How does that factor into your life? 11:13 Well, you know, 11:14 it's interesting you asked that question 11:15 because the thought of this memory 11:17 just popped into my mind. 11:18 I remember one day 11:20 I was in bed and it was morning. 11:23 I was... 11:24 I was sleeping but I mean, 11:27 I had enough consciousness to realize 11:30 that I was sleeping and I was in bed 11:32 and I actually was praying. 11:35 You know, I was actually 11:36 just pouring my heart out to God 11:38 about receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit 11:41 even as I was sleeping in bed. 11:43 It was just one of the most beautiful spiritual experiences 11:47 I've ever had, was praying in my sleep. 11:51 Wow. Praying in your sleep. 11:52 Yeah. 11:54 You know, that's a thought that I have to let savor, 11:57 you know, let's just simmer 11:58 and get in there because that's true. 12:00 The busyness of the day 12:01 often carries us into our dreams. 12:03 Yes, it does. 12:04 And if you're thinking about the Lord during the day, 12:06 it's not difficult that His mind... 12:09 What's the text? 12:11 He will keep us in perfect peace... 12:12 "Perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, 12:13 because he trusts in thee." 12:15 Yes. 12:16 So if our mind is stayed on Him, 12:18 that's during the day and during the evening. 12:19 Yes. Yep, absolutely. 12:21 Also the gentleman 12:22 that played the piano, Dann Thornton. 12:26 Tell us about Dann? He is my stepfather. 12:29 We have a very close relationship. 12:30 We have worked together for almost 26 years. 12:34 I'm very blessed to have him in my life. 12:36 And he has such a gift of music. 12:39 Oh, he does, he does. 12:41 God has given him an incredible gift. 12:43 Whenever I hear Dann at the piano, 12:45 I could say he's not just playing a song, 12:46 he's communicating. 12:48 Oh, he is. 12:49 And that's the thing, the two of us just click 12:52 when we're, when we're performing together, 12:54 we really do. 12:55 And Dann and Caren 12:57 are part of your ministry significantly. 12:58 Yeah, Caren is my mother and we are very close 13:01 and the ministry encompasses all of us equally. 13:04 It's a family, a family thing. 13:07 And how long have you been in ministry? 13:08 Well, we started fulltime in 2000. 13:12 We were traveling before that. 13:14 But it was in 2000 that we got a motorhome 13:17 and went on the road fulltime. 13:20 And that has been a journey. It has. 13:22 But you've also not only been in the United States, 13:25 you've been around the world? 13:26 Yeah, we have been to the Philippines, 13:28 we have been to Mexico, 13:30 we have been to New Finland and Nova Scotia, Canada, 13:34 for their camp meetings as well. 13:36 Okay. 13:37 And wherever you go I know 13:39 that the ministry has been wonderful. 13:40 We had a chance with Dann playing to do 13:42 that song "Wonderful, Merciful Savior." 13:44 Oh, yes, yes. We did at ASI. 13:47 It was... 13:48 I loved it. It was good memories. 13:50 And that was a recent ASI 13:52 but then we did it a number of years ago. 13:53 Yeah, at 3ABN we did record it, we did. 13:56 And that has been such a blessing, people have... 13:58 As I have traveled, 14:00 which is kind of a dream of ours. 14:01 We keep talking about doing an album together. 14:02 Yes, we do, we do. 14:04 That's what we're praying about as God will open the door 14:05 for that. 14:07 Ministry. 14:08 Talk about ministry for a moment 14:09 because when you wake up in the morning, 14:11 I know that Dann and Caren work diligently too, 14:13 because you have schedules in different places you go 14:15 but just talk about ministry. 14:17 What is ministry? 14:18 Well, ministry to me is just really... 14:23 Well, ministering to the needs of others and the pain that, 14:27 that takes place in their lives. 14:29 And that is the reason 14:31 why I am thankful for my trials. 14:33 I read something to the affect, 14:35 something Ellen White said that. 14:37 I don't remember exactly, I will paraphrase it. 14:40 "That God allows us to go through trials 14:43 so that we can empathize with the sufferings of others." 14:47 And for that reason specifically 14:49 I'm thankful for what I've been through 14:51 because God can use it in ministry, 14:54 not only through the music but through the words 14:57 He gives me to say, 14:59 to minister to others 15:01 who need to be ministered to 15:03 through the experiences He has given me. 15:06 And so that's a day by day journey. 15:08 It is. It really is. 15:09 So you don't... 15:10 You may know where your schedule is headed, 15:12 but you may not know what's headed your way. 15:14 Exactly. Exactly. 15:16 And so I love that and this song 15:18 "Day by Day" in which, with each passing moment. 15:20 It's a song that's familiar to us, 15:22 but just tell us why you chose this one? 15:23 Well, it really is my testimony 15:26 and I think it's probably the testimony of, 15:28 the perhaps all of God's people 15:30 because our spiritual journey is day by day. 15:35 Every moment of every day as we die to self, 15:38 as God gives us endurance 15:41 to go through the things that come into our lives 15:45 because God never promises an easy smooth journey. 15:49 But He does promise strength 15:51 through that journey day by day. 15:53 May this song be a blessing to you 15:55 "Day by day, and with each passing moment." 16:17 Day by day 16:21 And with each passing moment 16:27 Strength I find to meet 16:31 My trials here 16:36 Trusting in my Father's 16:41 Wise bestowment 16:45 I've no cause for worry 16:49 Or for fear 16:54 He, whose heart is kind 16:58 Beyond all measure 17:02 Gives unto each day 17:06 What He deems best 17:10 Lovingly its part of pain 17:16 And pleasure 17:19 Mingling toil 17:22 With peace and rest 17:29 Every day the Lord Himself 17:34 Is near me 17:37 With a special mercy 17:41 For each hour 17:45 All my cares He fain would bear 17:50 And cheer me 17:53 He whose name is Counselor 17:58 And Power 18:02 The protection of His child 18:07 And treasure 18:09 Is a charge 18:12 That on Himself He laid 18:18 As your days 18:20 Your strength shall be in measure 18:26 This the pledge to me 18:31 He made 18:48 Help me then 18:51 In every tribulation 18:56 So to trust Thy promises 19:00 O Lord 19:03 That I lose not faith's 19:07 Sweet consolation 19:11 Offered me within 19:14 Thy holy Word 19:18 Help me, Lord 19:21 When toil and trouble meeting 19:25 E'er to take 19:28 As from a father's hand 19:33 One by one, the days 19:38 the moments fleeting 19:43 Till I reach 19:47 The Promised Land 20:01 That's how we live our lives day by day 20:03 and also moment by moment, 20:05 which makes the difference as to where we are growing 20:08 and how we're going for the Lord. 20:09 Thank you, Stephanie, for that song. 20:11 You're very welcome. Thank you. 20:12 You know, I recognized the gift 20:14 that God has given to you through music 20:16 and Dann, praise the Lord. 20:18 He is not an overpowering musician 20:20 but one that supports the message 20:22 that's been communicated in the song. 20:23 Oh, yes, absolutely. 20:25 But you're not just... 20:26 You're not just a singer, 20:27 you're not just a minister of music 20:29 but you have a message and today 20:30 you're gonna talk about a very important message 20:32 in light of the last days. 20:34 Yes. Talk about that? 20:35 Well, it started when our pastor asked me 20:40 to present a program relating 20:44 to 1844. 20:47 And so I started studying in the Great Controversy 20:51 and the word of God. 20:52 And around the same time we were on concert tour 20:55 and we had the privilege of visiting 20:57 the William Miller farm. 20:59 Okay. 21:00 And, so, God just really led me 21:04 in my study causing me to connect 21:07 the dots in my mind 21:09 that I had not connected before. 21:10 And what I find striking is how history 21:16 has repeated itself from the beginning of time. 21:19 As Solomon said, 21:20 "There is nothing new under the sun." 21:22 And if it's happened before, it's going to happen again. 21:25 And if you go all the way back to the Old Testament 21:31 and the Israelites coming into the Land of Canaan, 21:35 they aligned with themselves with other nations, 21:38 they conformed to the practices of those other nations. 21:42 And as a result, 21:44 they started living the same lifestyle. 21:46 They were worshiping idols. 21:48 And the end result of this, 21:50 is that they persecuted the prophets 21:54 who came to stand up for truth and reprove sin. 21:57 You fast forward to the New Testament. 22:00 And once again you have an Israelite people 22:03 who are very worldly minded, 22:05 their focus is on national greatness, 22:07 they want to be at the top, 22:09 which is a very worldly way of thinking. 22:12 And as a result 22:13 of this worldly way of thinking, 22:16 when Jesus came to present the perfect gospel 22:20 which includes not only reproving of sin 22:23 but victory over sin, 22:24 the hope of the victory over sin 22:26 that He provides us, 22:27 the hope of being set free from the sins and pain 22:32 that enslave us. 22:33 And then when the disciples 22:35 came preaching the same message, 22:36 the worldly mindedness among the Jewish people led 22:41 to them persecuting, Jesus and His apostles. 22:44 Fast forward to the years leading up to the Dark Ages 22:49 and this process began 22:51 when the church began to confirm 22:54 to the practices of the world 22:57 as a means of bringing in the heathen. 23:00 And as worldliness took over, 23:02 it ultimately led to the Dark Ages 23:04 and the persecution of God's people. 23:08 And then you fast forward to the years leading to 1844. 23:13 And once again you have the United States filled 23:17 with very worldly minded churches. 23:20 So when William Miller and his associates 23:22 began preaching the message of 1844, 23:26 they were persecuted to the point 23:28 where incredibly they were not even allowed 23:31 to speak of the Second Coming in church social gatherings. 23:36 I mean we're talking about Christian churches refusing 23:39 to permit their people 23:41 from speaking of Christ Second Coming. 23:45 Of anyone who should have been the most joyous, 23:47 it should have been those people. 23:50 And what that tells me is, 23:52 what happened in all of those experiences 23:54 as the end time approaches is going to happen again. 23:59 And if we do not lay all worldly interests aside, 24:03 if we do not disconnect ourselves 24:07 from the worldly things that separate us from God, 24:11 we will be on the side of those who persecute God's people. 24:17 There are only two options. 24:18 We will either be working with God's people 24:21 or against God's people. 24:23 So you have this system today that is called "Christianity" 24:27 but it's really a system that's fallen. 24:29 Yes. Yes. 24:30 And Revelation talks about that as the fall of Babylon. 24:32 Absolutely. 24:34 And that's what God really brought home to me too 24:38 was the three angels' messages. 24:40 Because the first angel's message, 24:43 Ellen White says in the Great Controversy 24:46 that this message was designed 24:49 to call God's people to disconnect 24:53 from the corruption of the world. 24:56 And you see this when it says, 24:59 "Fear God and give glory to Him, 25:01 for the hour of His judgment has come and worship Him." 25:06 Worship Him means to put Him first in our lives, 25:12 above anything else. 25:14 And in order for us to worship Him, 25:17 to put Him first, 25:18 worldly interest must be laid aside. 25:21 And if we are not abiding 25:24 by the message of the first angel, 25:26 there is no way 25:28 we are going to be able to transition 25:30 to the second message, 25:31 which proclaims that Babylon has fallen. 25:35 The reason I say this is 25:36 because if we have not separated ourselves 25:39 from the practices of the world, 25:42 we are not going to be able to spiritually distinguish 25:46 between what comes from Babylon and what does not. 25:50 That's a very good point you made. 25:52 So today what we're seeing 25:54 then is a merging of worldly principles 25:56 and practices that are affecting the church? 25:59 And it leads to spiritual deception 26:01 and the ultimate persecution of God's people. 26:03 Wow. 26:05 And then we come to the third angel's message 26:06 that warns us about the mark of the beast. 26:09 So you noticed a progression here. 26:11 If we do not heed 26:13 the instructions in the first message... 26:15 We will not be able to comprehend the second, 26:18 which will lead us to worshiping 26:21 the beast as expressed in the third. 26:25 And, you know, when people talk about the mark of the beast, 26:28 Babylon has fallen, has fallen. 26:30 I heard one of our very famous speakers Kenneth Cox. 26:34 Yes. Pastor Kenneth Cox said this. 26:36 He says, 26:37 "The reason why it's Babylon has fallen, has fallen." 26:40 Very amazing concept. He said, first it's fallen. 26:42 It's already fallen in the eyes of God. 26:44 But soon it will be fallen in the eyes of men. 26:47 Yes. Fallen, fallen. 26:48 And so much today is termed worship, 26:51 but in fact God is not a part of it. 26:53 Yeah. You know. 26:54 So you have this message of the... 26:56 When you don't worship God, 26:58 then you eventually end up worshiping 26:59 the beast in his image. 27:01 Yeah. There are only two options. 27:02 There's no middle ground. 27:03 And now people think of the mark of the beast 27:05 as a horrible message, 27:07 but tell me why it's part of God's glorious love? 27:09 Oh, it is. 27:10 Ellen White says that the third angel's message 27:14 is "Righteousness by Faith in Verity." 27:18 And God brought me to this realization as well. 27:21 If you look in the third angel's message 27:23 and God talks about the mark of the beast 27:26 and the people who receive his mark have, 27:29 you know, the mark on their hand 27:31 and on their forehead. 27:32 But then you contrast this with Isaiah 41:10. 27:36 And God says, 27:37 "Fear not, for I am with you, Be not dismayed, 27:40 for I am your God. 27:42 I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, 27:45 Yes, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." 27:49 The word "my" is so crucial here 27:52 because God holds up His people with His righteousness. 27:57 The people who received the mark of the beast 27:59 have it on their hands. 28:02 So we have a contrast between righteousness by faith, 28:07 receiving forgiveness and sanctification 28:10 through the righteousness of Christ versus 28:14 righteousness by works. 28:17 So those who receive the mark 28:19 of the beast are embracing a system 28:22 that teaches righteousness by works. 28:24 Wow. 28:26 So you see... 28:28 You know, you see the hope 28:30 that we can find in the three angels' messages 28:34 and the same is true with 1844 when God began 28:38 the process of the cleansing of the sanctuary. 28:42 The only way our sins can be cleansed 28:44 from the sanctuary, 28:45 is if they are cleansed from our hearts. 28:48 And that can only take place 28:50 through receiving the mind of Christ into our lives, 28:54 through the baptism of the Holy Spirit. 28:57 And we can through God's power gain victory over sin 29:01 and that is the message of hope 29:04 that the world is dying to hear. 29:07 They don't want to be enslaved. 29:09 People who are on drugs don't want to be on drugs. 29:12 They want to hear that through the power of God 29:15 they can gain victory. 29:17 And that is why the three angels' messages 29:20 and the message of God's judgment 29:22 is full of hope. 29:23 Wow. 29:25 You know, Stephanie, 29:26 you're not just a singer and a teacher, 29:28 but we have to have you come and do a sermon 29:30 because that is deep, 29:32 that's the part that I had never heard 29:34 the comparison maybe for my righteous right arm. 29:38 Yes. Compared to their hand. 29:40 It's on, God is holding us by His hand. 29:43 But those who worship the beast in his image 29:45 receive a mark on their hand, God's hand is not in it. 29:49 And if you want to even extend that, 29:51 when God talks about His people binding, 29:54 you know, His laws on their hands. 29:57 What that means is that they are living out God's law 30:00 through their actions. 30:02 And how does this take place? 30:04 By being held up by God's righteous right hand, 30:07 by receiving the righteousness of Christ 30:10 that imparts forgiveness for sin and victory over sin. 30:15 Which in fact summarizes God's glorious love. 30:17 Oh, it does. The complete gospel. 30:19 Wow. 30:20 I want you to sit back and listen as Stephanie 30:22 has laid the foundation beautifully for the first, 30:26 second and third angel's message 30:28 being a reflection of God's glorious love. 30:51 In my darkness 30:54 Jesus found me 30:59 Touched my eyes 31:02 And made me see 31:08 Broke sin's chains 31:11 That long had bound me 31:16 Gave me life 31:19 And liberty 31:25 Oh, glorious love of Christ 31:28 My Lord divine 31:32 Who gave Himself to save 31:36 A soul like mine 31:40 Through all my days 31:43 And then in heaven above 31:49 My song will silence never 31:53 I'll worship Him forever 31:57 And praise Him 31:59 For His glorious love 32:10 Oh 32:12 Amazing truth to ponder 32:18 He whom 32:20 Angel hosts attend 32:27 Lord of Heaven, God's Son 32:31 What wonder 32:34 He became 32:37 The sinner's friend 32:42 Oh, glorious love of Christ 32:45 My Lord divine 32:49 Who gave Himself to save 32:53 A soul like mine 32:57 Through all my days 32:59 And then in heaven above 33:05 My song will silence never 33:09 I'll worship Him forever 33:13 And praise Him 33:15 For His glorious 33:18 Love 33:23 And praise Him 33:25 For His glorious 33:29 Love 33:42 When you think about the three angels' messages, 33:44 those of you who just heard the song, 33:45 what a beautiful song and thank you, Stephanie, 33:47 for communicating that message so clearly. 33:50 Praise God. 33:51 And not just a message in song, 33:53 but the foundation that was laid. 33:55 Because when people think about the first, 33:56 second and third angel's messages, 33:59 they don't often think about it, 34:00 the worship of the beast, the fall of Babylon, 34:03 they don't think about it as God's love. 34:04 Yeah. 34:05 Why should we think about it as God's love? 34:07 Well, it is all about God's mercy 34:10 because that is what the judgment is all about. 34:14 It is about Jesus interceding for His people. 34:20 And, you know, if we are 34:22 through God's power abiding in Him, 34:28 then we do not need to fear the judgment, 34:31 we can have boldness in the Day of Judgment 34:33 because our defensive attorney Jesus Christ is also our judge. 34:40 And our judge 34:41 has already served our sentence. 34:44 So if we heed those three angels' messages, 34:48 we have no fear of the judgment. 34:51 The judgment portrays the gospel so beautifully 34:55 because God's people, 34:58 they obey because they are saved, 35:01 not in order to be saved. 35:03 And so those who do not accept Christ 35:06 will be held accountable for their sins in the judgment 35:11 not because their bad deeds outweighed their good deeds, 35:16 but because their lives show 35:19 that they have not been transformed 35:21 by God's grace, 35:22 that they have not accepted God's grace. 35:25 For as Paul says, 35:26 "Sin shall not have dominion over you, 35:29 for you are not under law, but under grace." 35:32 Obedience to God's commandments through His power reveals 35:37 that we are under grace. 35:38 Wow. 35:39 And so when we are under grace... 35:41 I want to reiterate what you just said. 35:43 We won't... We're don't... 35:44 We're not rejected because our bad deeds outweigh 35:47 our good deeds, 35:48 but we have not accepted God's grace. 35:50 And I want to emphasize that repentance, confession, 35:56 excuse me, repentance, confession, conviction of sin, 36:00 faith, obedience, surrender, 36:03 all of those things are gifts 36:06 from God imparted to us by the Holy Spirit. 36:09 We cannot do it in our own strength, 36:12 but through God's power we can. 36:14 So then that leads to God calling His people, 36:17 talk about that? 36:18 It does. 36:20 I was reading in Habakkuk 2:1-4. 36:25 And the first verse says, 36:27 "I will stand upon my watch, I will set me upon the tower, 36:32 I will wait to see what the Lord will say unto me 36:35 that I may know what to answer Him 36:37 when I am reproved." 36:40 When I read that verse, 36:41 you know, and I want to quickly say here. 36:43 When you study the Bible, the more you study it 36:46 and have that foundation in your mind. 36:48 When you read a verse 36:50 and God wants to expound upon that verse, 36:53 He will place another verse you have read 36:56 into your mind to help you understand. 36:58 So when I read that verse in Habakkuk about God's, 37:02 about Habakkuk setting himself up, 37:04 you know, standing upon his watch. 37:07 God placed in my mind the verse from Ezekiel, 37:10 in which God says to Ezekiel, 37:12 "Son of man I have made you a watchman." 37:17 Now, so in other words, 37:19 in order for Habakkuk to hear the message 37:23 that God was waiting to give him, 37:25 he first had to choose to stand upon his watch. 37:29 He had to choose to be the watchman. 37:33 We can pray and plead with God for the Holy Spirit, 37:37 but if we are not willing to be the watchman, 37:39 if we are not willing to give whatever message 37:43 God wants us to give regardless of the consequences. 37:47 If we are not willing to present 37:49 the complete truth of the three angels' messages, 37:54 we will not receive 37:57 the answer of receiving the Holy Spirit 37:59 if we are not willing to be that watchman. 38:01 And that is where that song, that, that Psalm 1 comes in 38:05 because it talks about where you stand. 38:07 Yes. 38:08 It's about... 38:10 As we talked about earlier, 38:11 meditating upon God's law day and night through His power, 38:15 keeping His commandments and being ready 38:18 through the power 38:19 of the Holy Spirit for the end time when it comes. 38:22 Wow. 38:23 This song Psalm 1 is a song that takes us to the question 38:26 "Where will you stand?" 38:28 And it shows the contrast between the faith and the trust 38:31 that the godly have and the faith and trust 38:34 that the ungodly will not possess. 38:36 Yes. Sit back and be ministered too. 38:56 How blessed, how happy is the man 39:00 Who will not walk in the way 39:05 Of the ungodly 39:08 How blessed how happy is the man 39:12 Who will not stand 39:16 In the path of the sinful 39:20 How blessed how happy is the man 39:24 Who will not sit 39:28 In the seat of the scornful 39:32 And it's not hard to understand 39:38 Why God would bless that man 39:44 He delights in the law of the Lord 39:50 He delights in the law of the Lord Night 39:56 and day, day and night 40:01 He meditates on all that's right 40:07 And He desires nothing more 40:14 His delight is in the law 40:17 Of the Lord 40:30 How blessed, how happy are the ones 40:34 Who have their hope 40:38 In a living Redeemer 40:42 How blessed how happy are the ones 40:46 Who will one day 40:49 See the face of their Savior 40:53 But how distressed shall be the ones 40:57 Who turn away 41:01 From the love of the Father 41:06 Unless they come to understand 41:13 God's kingdom is at hand 41:20 And they delight 41:23 In the law of the Lord 41:26 They delight in the law 41:30 Of the Lord Night and day, day and night 41:36 They meditate on all that's right 41:43 And they desire nothing more 41:49 Their delight is in the law of the Lord 41:55 Oh, to be like a tree by the rivers of water 42:02 Bearing its fruit in season 42:06 Should my leaf never wither 42:09 Should I flourish and prosper 42:12 There's a reason 42:17 I delight in the law of the Lord 42:23 I delight in the law of the Lord 42:28 Night and day, day and night 42:33 I meditate on all that's right 42:40 And I desire nothing more 42:47 My delight is in the law 42:50 Oh, our delight is in Your Law 42:57 We delight in the law of the Lord 43:03 We delight in the law of the Lord 43:08 Night and day, day and night 43:13 We meditate on all that's right 43:19 And we desire nothing more 43:25 Our delight is in the law of the Lord 43:32 And we desire 43:36 Nothing more 43:40 Our delight is in the law 43:45 Of the Lord 44:03 Now you might be asking the question 44:05 that's going through our mind, how could we get these songs? 44:07 And, Stephanie, tell us 44:09 how we can get some of these songs. 44:10 Now, you haven't recorded these yet? 44:11 Not yet. 44:13 And we are still... 44:15 We want to get our music up 44:17 through iTunes, Amazon, etcetera. 44:20 It has not taken place yet, but that is the plan. 44:23 Okay. 44:24 But for anyone who has any questions 44:25 about music or anything else. 44:28 If they want to get in touch with me for any reason, 44:31 they can find me on Facebook as Stephanie Dawn 44:33 or they can find our Facebook page, 44:36 Dawn of Hope Ministry. 44:39 And also DawnOfHopeMinistry.com 44:42 is an existing website that talks about 44:44 the ministry of Stephanie and Dann Thornton 44:50 and some of the needs. 44:51 And we're gonna talk about those needs 44:52 because you are fulltime on the road. 44:54 We are. We are. And what does that mean? 44:57 It means that most of the time our home 44:59 is on the road. 45:01 In other words, wherever you pull up? 45:03 Exactly. That's home. 45:04 As I was telling Pastor John. 45:10 We feel like Abraham sometimes. When God says go, you go. 45:13 And sometimes He takes us on a surprising turn 45:16 at the last minute. 45:18 That's not a surprise to God but it can be a surprise to us. 45:21 You never know where He's going to lead, 45:23 but we have seen His providence leading us repeatedly 45:28 even when we were unsure 45:31 of what was going to happen next. 45:33 He always provided 45:35 and we always discovered a purpose 45:36 and the way His hand has led us. 45:39 And which takes me to a particular need 45:41 that you both have 45:42 or that when you and Dann and Caren 45:45 are on the road, whatever you're driving 45:47 in is really home until you pull up. 45:49 Like to see 45:50 your address changes day by day. 45:51 Yes. 45:53 But this great need that you have 45:54 and because home for us is, we pull... 45:57 We come home and we're home, 45:58 but wherever you pull up is home. 46:00 And there's a great need for a motorhome. 46:04 Let's talk about that? Yes. 46:06 We have used motorhomes in the past 46:08 but we have done so much traveling that it just, 46:11 it just wears them out. 46:14 And what we are really in need of, 46:16 desperately in need of is, is a diesel motorhome, 46:19 which is a lot more durable than a gas one. 46:23 We've had gas ones in the past but we really prefer a diesel 46:27 because it's so much easier to be in a motorhome 46:31 where you can cook your own food, 46:33 where you are not forced to either rely 46:36 on a hotel or someone's home, 46:39 where you have a lot more space when you travel. 46:43 It just provides for a lot more flexibility. 46:46 When your home is on the road, 46:48 we need to actually have a home on the road. 46:52 So, yes, a diesel motorhome 46:54 is truly our greatest ministry need. 46:58 You know, what I like about that 46:59 and the Lord says, make your... 47:01 "Let your needs be made known. 47:03 Let your requests be made known." 47:05 And I think that as we, 47:06 as you're watching or listening to the program, 47:07 you may be in your car driving 47:09 or you may be at home or wherever, 47:10 sitting in front of a television set 47:12 or on your 3ABN app, 47:14 which is something that is a possibility nowadays. 47:17 But this is something I'd like to make an appeal 47:18 because I know that Dawn, and Dann, 47:20 and Caren are involved in fulltime ministry, 47:23 now going fulltime for almost 20 years. 47:25 Yes. Yes. 47:26 And when you think about going from place to place, 47:29 the expense of hotels and... 47:32 But if they had a motorhome, a diesel one preferably. 47:35 There's somebody watching the program that might say, 47:37 "That's not a big issue, 47:39 that's not a challenge when it comes to God." 47:40 You know, Stephanie, 47:41 you've heard the phrase and pastors uses 47:43 before they said, "All the... 47:45 "We've got all the money in the world that we need" 47:48 but it's just in someone else's pocket. 47:50 Exactly. 47:51 It's God the one who owns it all. 47:53 Anyway as He says, 47:54 "You know, the cattle on a thousand hills is mine." 47:56 If I weren't hungry, I wouldn't tell you basically. 47:59 You know, everything is mine. 48:01 And I just want to emphasize quickly 48:03 that, that, there... 48:05 Regarding the motorhome 48:06 or any other needs that we have, 48:08 there is an option for donating 48:09 on our website DawnOfHopeMinistry.com. 48:13 And also Dawn of Hope Ministry is a 501c3 non-profit. 48:17 So any gift that you give will be tax deductible 48:20 and we'll be happy to send you 48:23 a tax deductible receipt for your gift. 48:25 And there also you will go 48:27 to that website DawnOfHopeMinistry.com. 48:29 And there's a project tab 48:31 which also talks about some of the needs. 48:34 It says, "Replace motorhome." 48:35 You will see the tab there and you can tap on that 48:38 and make the donation. 48:39 And as Stephanie said, it's 501c3, tax deductible. 48:44 But let me just appeal to you what Stephanie... 48:47 And I've discovered a new facet about you today. 48:50 I don't know you were a preacher. 48:53 I mean, you really had that in your heart. 48:55 Your connection with God is not just music, 48:57 there are great singers 48:58 but there are very few ministers. 49:00 And you are... 49:01 I want to say praise God, you are a minister. 49:03 Yes. Yes. And thank you for that. 49:04 All through the grace of God, truly. 49:08 As we segue from the motorhome, 49:10 we're thinking about doing a future project together, 49:12 also talk about that? 49:14 Yes, we've talked extensively 49:16 about recording an album together. 49:18 We've already... 49:19 We've been coming up with ideas for songs 49:21 and I just ask the viewers for prayer concerning 49:25 that as we coordinate our schedules far enough 49:29 into the future that we can put this together, 49:32 that it will be a blessing to many people. 49:34 And just to get an idea of some of the ministry 49:36 that Lord as allowed us, you can go to YouTube, 49:40 we have a couple of songs there. 49:41 I think a couple of, two or three songs, 49:43 one that has become a favorite among many of those 49:45 who have tuned in. 49:47 And I go back and listen to it once in a while, 49:49 so I may be among the counter there. 49:51 It's over 580,000 views and that's a humbling thought 49:55 but the message of it, "Wonderful Merciful Savior." 49:58 As we're winding the program, Dawn, 49:59 talk about how you have discovered the beauty 50:02 that God is a wonderful merciful Savior 50:05 in the ministry that you've been involved in? 50:07 Well, as I have said, 50:08 I have discovered God's incredible character 50:11 through my most difficult times. 50:15 I remember a time when I was very, very ill. 50:18 And there was one day 50:20 when I was just so emotionally tired. 50:22 I felt I didn't care anymore. 50:25 And for the first time in my life, 50:27 I felt tempted to give up on God entirely. 50:31 And I said, 50:32 "Lord, I don't want to make the decision I'm about to make, 50:36 but You're going to have to hold me up." 50:39 And literally within seconds after 50:42 that prayer left my lips, 50:44 God flooded my mind with the scriptures 50:47 I needed at that moment, 50:49 to remind me that He was holding on to me 50:53 and would not let me go. 50:54 And through... 50:55 During one of the darkest periods of my life, 50:58 I saw a facet of God's character 51:01 that I had not experienced before, 51:03 His ability and willingness to hold on to me 51:08 when I was not able to hold on to Him. 51:11 And very briefly, another experience I had. 51:14 I went for a long time resisting 51:17 the thought of conviction of sin. 51:19 To me it was a scary thing. 51:22 And God was very patient with me for a long time. 51:25 We serve an incredibly patient God 51:27 and He did not push the issue initially, 51:30 but eventually He allowed me 51:32 to enter into a very dark place in my life 51:35 where I was forced to come face to face 51:39 with the condition I was in spiritually. 51:42 I was listening to Christian radio 51:45 where someone was giving his testimony, 51:48 where he had accepted Christ and he felt this peace and joy, 51:52 he didn't want to do the bad things he did anymore. 51:54 And I couldn't understand 51:56 why I wasn't having that experience. 51:58 So in desperation I cried out to God, 52:01 and in that moment I finally told Him 52:04 that I would be willing even to be convicted of sin, 52:07 even if, just so 52:09 that He would reveal Himself to me. 52:11 Even if it meant being convicted of sin, 52:13 I needed Him to be real in my life. 52:15 And God did answer that prayer. 52:18 I wasn't prepared for it at first. 52:20 But He did so by showing me an issue in my life 52:24 that should not be there and it was painful to face. 52:27 But I will tell you that, 52:29 that was the beginning of a journey 52:30 that led me to the place now 52:32 where I have seen the beauty in repentance. 52:35 How beautiful it is to let God shine His light 52:39 into your heart and reveal to you things 52:41 that should not be there 52:43 and then give you the gift of repentance where you weep, 52:46 not because you're beating yourself up 52:49 but because He has given you godly sorrow 52:51 for the way you have hurt Him and others. 52:54 And there is something very healing 52:56 in that experience. 52:57 It's a beautiful experience as God not only forgives you 53:01 but cleanses you of those things. 53:03 Before that experience, I saw God is my friend 53:07 and now because of that experience, 53:09 not only do I see Him as my friend 53:12 but I see Him as my father. 53:14 Amen. Wow. Thank you, Stephanie. 53:15 That's a wonderful segue. 53:18 I praise the Lord for that testimony. 53:20 But I want to give people an opportunity to invite you, 53:23 and Dann, and Caren to come and minister at their church 53:26 or wherever that venue may be. 53:27 And the information 53:28 that you need is going to be given and after 53:30 that we have a newsbreak 53:32 and we'll come back for a few closing thoughts. 53:37 Stephanie Dawn is happy 53:38 to accept invitations to minister through her music. 53:41 If you would like to invite her 53:43 to sing at your church or event, 53:45 you may reach her at area code 218-340-1000. 53:50 That's 218-340-1000. 53:53 You may also email her manager, 53:55 Dann Thornton at dann.thornton@gmail.com. 54:00 That's dann.thornton@gmail.com. 54:04 Or write to Dawn of Hope Ministry, 54:07 11344 Hillcrest Drive, 54:10 in Conroe, Texas 77303. |
Revised 2021-05-17