Participants:
Series Code: TDY
Program Code: TDY190076A
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00:01 I wanna spend my life
00:07 Mending broken people 00:12 I wanna spend my life 00:19 Removing pain 00:24 Lord, let my words 00:30 Heal a heart that hurts 00:34 I wanna spend my life 00:40 Mending broken people 00:46 I wanna spend my life 00:51 Mending broken people. 01:09 Hello, and welcome to 3ABN Today. 01:11 We're so glad you've tuned in. 01:13 And boy, we've got something exciting to talk about today. 01:16 It's a Prayer Conference that everyone is invited to. 01:19 Amen. 01:21 And it's gonna be exciting. 01:22 But we just wanna take this opportunity 01:24 to thank you so much for your prayers, 01:27 and your love, and your financial support 01:30 of 3ABN, the Mending Broken People Network. 01:33 Amen. I'm Shelly Quinn. 01:34 I'm JD Quinn. 01:35 And without further ado, let's go ahead and introduce... 01:39 'Cause I have a scripture I want to read to you. 01:41 But I don't wanna keep this a secret 01:43 who is with us this long. 01:44 Our special guests today, we have two pastors with us. 01:48 First we have Pastor Gary Burns. 01:51 And, Gary, I'm gonna have to read your title. 01:52 You are the Lake Union communication Director 01:55 Prayer Ministries and Native Ministry, right? 01:58 That's right. 01:59 You wear a lot of hats like we do around here. 02:03 - We're glad you're here. - Good to be here. 02:05 You're coming back to this, you've been here before... 02:08 Long time ago. 02:09 Okay, well, it's changed a bit, has it not? 02:11 It has. Yeah. 02:13 And then we have Pastor Leon Bryant. 02:15 Thank you. 02:16 And this is your first visit, Pastor. 02:18 First time. Yes. 02:19 We're very glad you're here, Leon. 02:20 You are the Lake Region Conference pastor 02:24 and Adult Ministry leader, right? 02:27 Correct. 02:29 Adult Ministry is prayer, 02:30 and also national Services Organization, 02:33 Sabbath School and Personal Ministries, 02:35 and then also pastor of a loving church 02:38 on the south side of Chicago. 02:40 - So... - Wonderful! 02:41 And he's looking for something else 02:42 to do as well. 02:44 I tell you. 02:45 You know, somebody we're getting to the age now 02:48 where people are always asking JD and I, 02:51 "When you all gonna retire?" 02:54 I don't see it in the Bible. 02:56 Not in there. There you go. 02:57 Right. It isn't in the Bible. 02:58 So He does say that 03:00 He will keep us fruitful and bearing good fruit, 03:04 even into our old age, keep us verdant, 03:07 and they're gonna have to kick me out of here. 03:09 Good. Good. 03:11 All right, since we know what your topic is going to be, 03:14 let me read a scripture. 03:16 And this is one of my favorite scriptures 03:19 because when I really began to meditate on this, 03:23 God changed my life in understanding this. 03:26 And this is Luke 11:9-13. 03:30 This is Jesus speaking and He said, 03:32 "I say to you, ask and it will be given." 03:36 And in the Greek that is a linear verb, 03:41 it means keep on asking. 03:44 And then He says, "Seek and you will find." 03:47 Its' seeking, keep on seeking. 03:50 "Knock and the door will be open to you." 03:53 And then listen what He says, 03:55 "For everyone who asks receives, 03:59 he who seeks finds, 04:00 to Him who knocks it will be opened." 04:04 Now, He says, 04:06 "If a son asks for bread from any father among you, 04:11 who will give him a stone? 04:13 Or if he asks for a fish, 04:17 will I give him a serpent instead? 04:19 Or if he asks for an egg, 04:21 will he offer him a scorpion?" 04:23 Boy, I'll tell you the juxtaposition of this. 04:25 You know, you could see, 04:27 Jesus is saying, when you're asking, 04:30 when a child ask his father for something, 04:33 the father is gonna give him 04:34 something good that he's asking for. 04:36 But now He shows us 04:39 what we need to keep on asking for. 04:42 He says, "If you being evil, 04:45 know how to give good gifts to your children. 04:48 How much more will your heavenly Father 04:52 give the Holy Spirit to those who ask 04:57 and keep on asking him?" 04:59 Because we're leaky vessels, right? 05:03 And we've got to ask every day 05:06 to be filled with the Holy Spirit. 05:09 It's a moment by moment dependence upon God. 05:13 Well, before we get into this wonderful announcement, 05:17 these gentlemen are to make, we have a song. 05:21 Yes, we do. 05:23 "I am Bound for the Promised Land" 05:26 by Alessandra Sorace. 05:29 Oh, you did really well. 05:31 And Alessandra is from Argentina. 05:34 She is. 05:35 But you'll notice that's an Italian last name 05:38 because there's a lot of Italians 05:40 that settled in Argentina. 05:42 But she's a beautiful girl and a beautiful singer 05:45 with a beautiful spirit. 06:05 On Jordan's stormy banks I stand 06:10 And cast a wishful eye 06:15 To Canaan's fair and happy land 06:20 Where my possessions lie 06:26 I am bound for the Promised Land 06:36 Oh who will come and go with me 06:41 I am bound for the Promised Land 06:52 O'er all those wide extended plains 06:57 Shines one eternal day 07:01 There Christ the Son forever reigns 07:06 And scatters night away 07:18 When I shall reach that happy place 07:24 And be forever blessed 07:29 When I shall see my Father's face 07:34 And in His kingdom rest 07:45 I am bound for the Promised Land 07:55 Oh who will come and go with me 08:00 I am bound for the Promised Land 08:05 I am bound for the Promised 08:20 Wow! 08:21 She's got a set of lungs on her. 08:23 Oh, that was beautiful. 08:24 And we thank you, Alessandra. 08:27 Well, if you're joining us just a moment late, 08:29 we have two pastors with us today. 08:31 We have pastor Gary Burns with the Lake Union, 08:35 and you're the communications- director there. 08:37 And Pastor Leon Bryant, 08:39 and you are with the Lake Region Conference. 08:43 So glad you're here. Good to be here. 08:45 Before we get into your special announcement, 08:48 you've got exciting news. 08:50 We'd like to let our viewers get to know you. 08:53 We wanna get to know you a little bit better. 08:55 So, Gary, tell us a little of your growing up history 09:01 and when did your relationship with the Lord become real. 09:06 Well, I have a very rich heritage. 09:11 My mother was 1 of 10 children, 09:15 immigrants from Ireland 09:19 and Austria to North Dakota. 09:22 Boy. 09:23 And my grandparents met there 09:29 and started their family. 09:33 But they didn't start the family 09:36 until my grandfather stumbled into a tent meeting. 09:41 Okay, now, let me ask you this question. 09:42 Your grandmother 09:44 being from an Irish Austrian family... 09:48 Austrian family. 09:49 Were they... 09:51 Catholic. Irish Catholic? Okay. 09:53 No, Austrian Catholic. 09:54 Oh, Austria. She was from Austria. 09:56 Austria. Who is from Ireland? 09:57 My grandfather was from Ireland. 09:59 Oh, okay. 10:00 Your grandfather was. 10:02 So was his family also Catholic? 10:03 Yes. Okay. 10:04 So we got two Catholic individuals. 10:07 But somebody pitched a tent 10:10 out there on the prairie in North Dakota. 10:13 And they were curious. 10:15 And so they went in and learned about 10:19 the truth of the scripture. 10:21 Amen. 10:22 And so they gave their hearts to the Lord. 10:27 And he became sober, never touched it again. 10:31 All be... 10:33 And... 10:34 So they became Adventist Christians? 10:35 They became Adventist Christians, 10:37 out there on the prairie in North Dakota. 10:39 And God healed him like that, 10:42 cut him free from the court of the wicked. 10:44 Wow! Wonderful! 10:46 So now how many children did your grandparents have? 10:50 They had 10. 10:51 They had 10 as well. 10:52 - Okay. - Yeah. 10:54 And I had the privilege of growing up 10:58 near my grandparents as a child. 11:03 And I remember, 11:06 I walk into their house during anytime of the day. 11:11 And if they're in there, 11:13 I wouldn't be surprised to see my grandfather, 11:16 sitting in his chair by the front window 11:19 with his Bible in his lap. 11:21 Praise God. 11:22 And he looked down into his Bible, 11:24 and then he gaze out the window, 11:27 process, what he was reading. 11:30 Amen. 11:31 And I go by their bedroom, 11:34 and I've seen my grandmother kneeling 11:37 by her bedside in the middle of the day, 11:40 praying for her 10 children and the 26 grandchildren. 11:45 How precious! Yeah. 11:46 Yes. 11:47 So you grew up with this heritage, 11:52 when did it become real for you? 11:58 There was an incredible movement 12:03 that happened, across America, 12:05 and it didn't start in the Adventist Church, 12:07 it started down in Kentucky. 12:10 But there was a Great awakening 12:16 and hit the Andrews University campus. 12:20 And I lived in Dayton, Ohio, Kettering. 12:25 And so we had some friends that were up there. 12:30 And they told us what was happening. 12:33 And it was an incredible movement of God 12:36 on the campus of Andrews University. 12:38 Praise the Lord. 12:39 And that following year, 12:42 my wife and I were at Columbia Union College. 12:47 And we went out nearly every weekend 12:53 with Lorenzo Grant and Ed Peterson in a bus 12:57 to different churches all over the Columbia Union 13:01 and we would do the Sabbath service 13:03 for these little churches. 13:05 And so God just seemed move me 13:08 right into doing ministerial work 13:12 as a student in Academy and in college. 13:16 Amen. 13:18 Now your wife, was she raised an Adventist? 13:22 Sort of. 13:23 Okay. 13:26 They didn't start out that way. 13:28 Yeah. 13:29 But again, 13:30 her mom got acquainted with a dear friend 13:35 down in Madison, Tennessee, who invited her to church. 13:39 And so she basically grew up in the church. 13:42 Yeah. Yeah. 13:44 That's wonderful. 13:45 Now, Leon, tell us about your formative years. 13:50 Sure, Yeah. 13:51 Shelley and JD, good to be here with you. 13:53 - Thank you. - We're glad. 13:55 Blessed to be able to just to recount 13:57 as Gary has grew up Adventist, but mother and father, 14:02 mother was from North Carolina, 14:04 my father was from North Carolina. 14:06 Father was in the Navy. 14:07 He was one of the first black submariners, 14:09 or one of the black submariners out of Groton, Connecticut, 14:12 the submarine capital of the world. 14:14 And my mother moved up there, had a Pentecostal background, 14:18 but then lady came, knocked on her door and, 14:21 and said, "I got something I want to share with you." 14:22 And so she headed with her. 14:24 And so was blessed to be able to, 14:28 after she got baptized, 14:30 and became a part of the Adventist Church 14:34 with 11 brothers and sisters attended church 14:38 and was involved in the loving church, 14:39 a caring church, there in Connecticut. 14:41 You had 11 brothers and sisters? 14:43 Yes, yeah. 14:44 Oh, you guys come from some big families. 14:46 Bless to be able to have that. 14:49 And so church school and involved with church, 14:55 and involved with different things 14:57 as far as church is concerned, 14:58 and so that's my history. 15:00 But I guess and I'm gonna just jump ahead 15:03 to my personal relationship. 15:08 The year that the General Conference 15:10 or the Conference recounted the 1888 Conference, 15:14 I think it was 1988. 15:16 And just was sitting in part of the room 15:18 and read the commemorative magazine from, 15:21 I think it was the ministry magazine. 15:23 And that's when it hit me 15:24 that it was Christ, my righteousness, 15:26 it's not just the righteousness for the general church, 15:29 but it was Christ, my righteousness. 15:31 And, so I had been on that journey. 15:33 I probably was, 15:35 like the brother of the prodigal son 15:37 in the church, 15:38 but really not having a personal relationship. 15:39 And now... 15:41 So it's transactional rather than relational? 15:43 Yes, yes, yes. 15:44 And so, in that process, continued to understand Christ, 15:47 our righteousness and continued now to be able 15:50 to experience the baptism of the Holy Spirit 15:53 and the importance of that within my life. 15:55 And then the relationship that we have 15:57 as far as discipleship and encouraging others 15:58 to be a part of Christ's ministry as well, 16:01 so all those things are a process for me 16:04 at this particular point. 16:06 And a process for everyone. 16:07 You know what I heard and I think is kind of... 16:10 We forgot exactly how to do this, is that, 16:13 there is much fruit produced 16:16 that we may not even know about it. 16:17 People knocking on doors, wanting to share Jesus, 16:21 and inviting them for a Bible study. 16:23 Ain't the wonderful, yeah. Yeah. 16:25 And someday that precious lady that knocked on the door 16:27 talking to your mother, 16:29 walking on the streets ago 16:30 and what a reunion that will be. 16:32 Ain't that one wonderful? Yeah. 16:33 Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. 16:35 So you know, that's just a challenge to all of us. 16:36 It's a challenge to me, 16:38 because it may come more easier for some people than others. 16:41 But yet, 16:42 let us not ever forget that it is fruitful. 16:46 And there's so many more ways to contact individuals, 16:48 family members, friends, 16:50 through internet or social media 16:54 or just being able to reach out and say, 16:55 "Have you met Jesus? 16:57 Do you know Jesus 16:58 and understand that He's your Savior 17:01 in this world today?" 17:02 But you know as you said, it is, I mean, 17:04 we know we are justified by faith, 17:07 but we are also sanctified by faith. 17:09 And justification is that something that happens, 17:13 it's an act of God, 17:15 but sanctification is a work of God in us. 17:19 And I know that 17:21 recently we were doing a family worship. 17:24 And I made the comment, 17:27 this is, we had done the kids camp. 17:31 And boy, was it busy, 17:32 we're getting ready for that. 17:34 And I remember one night 17:38 as I was leaving the office, 17:40 I was praying and I thought, 17:41 "Lord, I pray in the morning 17:43 to surrender to be filled with the Holy Spirit." 17:46 And it was like, "Lord, I was so busy, 17:48 was I really surrendered today." 17:50 So on this program, I made this comment. 17:53 I asked those on the family worship with me. 17:56 I said, "Do you think you can be surrendered 17:58 and not know you're surrender?" 18:00 Wow. 18:01 You know what the Lord told me that night? 18:03 It was really interesting. 18:05 He impressed this thought upon my mind. 18:07 There are two levels of surrender. 18:09 Yes, I'm always surrendered 18:12 as far as the general direction. 18:15 I'm following the Lord. 18:17 Jesus is my Savior. 18:21 And He's my Lord. 18:23 But then the Lord showed me, 18:25 it's that moment by moment surrender too. 18:28 You can be generally surrendered, 18:31 but, you know, there are things 18:32 that can happen through the day. 18:34 I pray for the in filling of the Holy Spirit. 18:37 There's things that happen through the day 18:38 that we can begin to depend on flesh, 18:41 instead of depending on Jesus. 18:43 Correct. 18:44 So what we want to do is 18:49 moment by moment, you know, that's... 18:51 And I always say, if you want to check your spiritual pulse, 18:55 see how much time you're spending in the word 18:58 and in prayer. 18:59 So tell us about your announcement? 19:03 Well, we're gonna have a Prayer Conference 19:05 coming up here in Indianapolis, 19:08 in preparation for the General Conference session 19:12 And the General Conference session 19:13 will be when, in August? 19:16 No, it's July, June-July. 19:19 June 25 to July 4th, 2020. 19:24 Yes. 19:25 It's coming back to Indianapolis, Indiana. 19:28 We'll be there during that timeframe. 19:30 And so that's the dates 19:31 and the location is Lucas Oil Stadium, 19:34 and the convention center there in Indianapolis. 19:37 So let's explain to our viewers 19:40 that we're talking about the General Conference 19:43 of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. 19:45 So this is a time, 19:47 there'll probably be 150,000 plus people there. 19:51 It's a time when people from around the world, 19:54 delegates come in. 19:56 It's held every five years. 19:58 And this is a time 20:00 when there's elections for various church offices. 20:05 But it's a wonderful time 20:07 to get to meet your brothers and sisters 20:09 from around the world. 20:10 The other aspect for this General Conference 20:13 and this is through the Indiana Conference 20:15 and the Lake Region conference. 20:17 And the Union is really... Lake Union. 20:19 Lake Union is really wanting to not just come in 20:22 and have a conference or General Conference but to... 20:24 For ourselves. 20:25 For ourselves, but really be involved and engaged 20:28 with the community, 20:30 seeing what we can do as far as sharing the message 20:33 and impacting individuals lives. 20:36 Lake Region Conference has 20:37 an initiative called Impact Indiana. 20:39 And the Indiana Conference 20:41 has an initiative called Ignite Indiana. 20:44 And having... 20:45 There's just to be so many different things. 20:47 Young people are gonna be coming in, 20:48 doing community service work, 20:50 and being involved with the community 20:52 during the timeframe, 20:53 both before, during and after the General Conference. 20:56 And then also being embedded within local churches 21:00 and local communities doing different things 21:02 with as far as food deserts are concerned, 21:04 food trucks being out 21:06 and being involved with people... 21:07 Then there will be another pathway 21:08 to health issue before that. 21:10 Excellent. Right. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. 21:11 Our pathways to health will take place 21:13 at Lucas Oil Stadium. 21:14 And a wonderful thing, Brother Joel Simpson, 21:17 who was the, 21:18 one of the former council members 21:21 was able to help with the Mayor of the City of Indianapolis 21:24 to get the Lucas Oil Stadium at a reduced rate. 21:26 And our best pathways to health is coming in 21:28 and providing health ministry there in the Indianapolis, 21:33 free of charge. 21:34 So many volunteers are needed, and so many people can come in. 21:37 That's gonna be in April, April... 21:39 I think it's 6th to 11th of April 21:43 and being involved with that. 21:44 So, yes. 21:46 It's an amazing ministry. 21:47 So there's a lot going on for 2020. 21:50 And what you all are doing now 21:52 is you've scheduled something special for March 21:56 in preparation prior to all of these events. 21:59 So tell us about your Prayer Conference. 22:01 Well, we thought it would be a good idea to pray. 22:03 Amen. Amen. 22:05 And not so much direct, what's gonna happen, 22:11 but to listen to what God wants to share with us, 22:16 to be open to His spirit, to spend time in His Word, 22:22 to come together as a holy convocation, 22:25 to listen to what God wants to teach us 22:28 so that we're prepared for the conference coming up. 22:31 Absolutely. 22:32 And so that God can do more through that conference 22:34 and He would if we had not prayed. 22:36 Amen. 22:37 So it's real submission. 22:40 One of my favorite verses in scripture goes like this. 22:46 "Show me Your ways, O, Lord, teach me Your paths. 22:51 Lead me in Your truth and teach me 22:56 because You are the God of my salvation. 22:58 My hope is in You all day long. 23:01 Not in myself, 23:03 not even can I say in my church, 23:06 but in the God of my church. 23:08 Amen. Yeah. 23:09 That's Psalm 143:10, I think. 23:11 Yeah. Yeah. 23:12 I love that scripture. 23:14 This is something that... 23:16 You said something that, oh, I wished you would listen. 23:20 Listen to what he said in the word, 23:23 the key word was listen. 23:25 I think it was totally life changing for me 23:29 when God taught me to pray, 23:32 pressing into His presence, 23:35 but He taught me to stop and listen. 23:41 You know, you're in the word, 23:44 God speaks to us through His word. 23:46 So I always make the word part of my prayer time. 23:49 But sometimes we're so busy. 23:53 And I have found that, that still small voice, 23:56 1 Kings 19:12, you rarely hear it, 24:00 if you rush in and rush out. 24:03 But if you spend time in God's presence, 24:06 you're often impressed with things. 24:08 And that listening, you know, when He says, 24:11 "Be still and know I'm God!" 24:14 You know that, that's what we want. 24:17 And that's exciting that you're doing this. 24:20 So I assume then they listen... 24:22 I mean, you're listening for God's direction, 24:25 but I'm sure you're going to be praying, 24:28 Luke 11:9-13, 24:32 asking God to pour out His Holy Spirit 24:34 and all who call upon His name. 24:37 You know, when you were saying that reminds me 24:38 of 1 Peter 3:12. 24:40 1 Peter 3:12. 24:42 "The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous. 24:45 Those that are upright and standing right with God 24:48 and His ears are attentive to their prayers." 24:53 And that's exactly what you're doing. 24:56 The Lord is impressed upon your heart 24:58 to get together. 24:59 Empty me up me Lord, fill me with You. 25:01 We're here to get our marching orders. 25:04 Right. Right. 25:05 And I believe that every true and sincere prayer 25:09 is birthed first in the heart of God 25:12 that He puts into us. 25:15 I agree 100%. 25:17 You know, there's times that... 25:19 It takes our cooperation though, 25:20 that's this rub. 25:23 I will agree 100%. 25:25 We wanted to put up. 25:27 You brought a beautiful quote from "Manuscript Releases," 25:33 volume 4, page 24. 25:36 So let's put this on the screen, 25:38 and I'll just read that. 25:41 Ellen White wrote, 25:42 "Could there be a convocation of all the churches on earth, 25:47 the object of their united cry 25:51 should be for the Holy Spirit." 25:54 Oh, we need to pray for the Holy Spirit. 25:57 Then she says, "When we have that..." 26:01 When we get together 26:02 and we're praying for the God's Spirit... 26:05 "Christ our sufficiency is ever present. 26:11 We shall have every want supplied. 26:15 We shall have the mind of Christ." 26:19 So what a great promise. Great promise. 26:20 Oh, we need the mind of Christ. 26:23 So tell us how this conference is going to work? 26:26 Well, you have speakers, you have seminars. 26:29 What are you doing with your... 26:30 Yes and yes. 26:32 And yes. 26:37 I wanna get back to this listening. 26:40 Yes, okay. 26:43 My grandfather, 26:44 I used to see him sitting by the front window 26:48 in his chair with his Bible in his hand 26:50 and he'd be looking at the Bible for a bit, 26:53 and then he'd gaze out the window 26:56 while he was processing with God, 26:58 listening to what God wanting to teach him. 27:01 And that's really 27:04 my mantra in prayer 27:08 and what I would like to see happen 27:10 as we gather together in Indianapolis, 27:15 in this conference 27:16 where we will be seated around tables, 27:21 and sharing with one another, praying, 27:24 listening to each other, having a united cry. 27:29 And the diversity that's gonna be in that room 27:31 is gonna be incredible. 27:34 All kinds of people from all kinds of places, 27:36 and backgrounds, and experiences, 27:39 and we will be able to shoulder to shoulder, 27:43 learn from each other and be challenged by each other 27:46 and grow together, 27:47 and then unite our voices in a prayer 27:50 that God puts in our hearts to pray to Him. 27:53 Amen. Amen. 27:55 So it's not just for, just bringing in. 27:57 It's not just for those in the Lake Union Conference 28:00 or the Lake Region Conference, Indiana Conference, 28:01 it's for anyone that is willing to come. 28:04 You all come. 28:05 And that's what I was wondering. 28:07 And the other thing within, 28:08 Gary and I were talking last night 28:11 is that we may not have all the answers 28:14 about how it's supposed to look at this particular point, 28:17 but that we're open to hearing what the Holy Spirit is saying 28:20 through so many other individuals, 28:22 allowing them to be able to go on the website OurUnitedCry.org 28:26 and just be a part of the planning 28:28 and the atmosphere that will take place. 28:31 And so we're looking for that. 28:32 We're looking for individuals to say, 28:34 "This is what I think this should happen. 28:35 This is what I think should be a part of that." 28:37 So... 28:38 So your website, we wanna put that up. 28:40 We have a lower third for that. 28:41 The website is OurUnitedCry.org. 28:47 So O-U-R, OurUnitedCry.org. 28:52 And we invite you to... 28:55 But don't just go and say, 28:57 "This is what I think we should do pray." 28:59 And let Lord lead you and see what He says 29:02 because that's something that... 29:04 You know, I believe that God wants to increase 29:07 the measure of our expectancy. 29:09 We seem to put God in a box so often 29:12 and we have limited expectations. 29:15 And I think sometimes as we're praying, 29:17 God will say, 29:18 "Hey, you're praying too little." 29:21 I mean, let me expand your expectancy. 29:25 And that's what... That's... 29:27 I don't know how many of your viewers 29:29 have participated in a prayer conference before? 29:32 Maybe they never have. 29:35 Leon and I have been involved 29:37 in a number of prayer conferences 29:39 over our lifetime. 29:41 And we have been surprised at every single one, 29:45 that God has done something we did not expect. 29:47 Amen. 29:49 And that's the beauty of His people 29:52 gathering together with one heart and one mind 29:55 in a United Cry for God to do something for us. 29:58 And He has always been faithful. 30:03 JD and Shelley, the other aspect 30:05 and the exciting thing for me is that, 30:07 it's not just at that march, 30:09 6th and 7th timeframe. 30:12 In our coming together we realized 30:13 that there needs to be some preparation 30:15 of our heart and our mind, 30:16 so that when we're praying 30:17 that we're in that atmosphere of prayer. 30:21 And so we're looking after the 10 days of prayer 30:24 that takes place from January 8th through 18th 30:28 with the worldwide church and then having a 40 day period 30:31 leading up to that prayer conference. 30:34 We're focusing in on the Holy Spirit, 30:36 focusing in on our United Cry, focusing on the text 30:39 which you just read, ask, seek, knock. 30:42 Focusing on the importunity that the Lord wants with... 30:44 And the Lord is... 30:47 If we're willing to give our children good gifts, 30:49 then the Lord is willing to give us 30:50 the gift of the Holy Spirit. 30:52 How much more the Lord wants to be able to do that? 30:53 Daniel's prayer in Daniel Chapter 9, 30:56 having that 40-day period, 30:57 leading up to that timeframe for churches. 31:01 And again, it's not just for the Lake Union, 31:04 it's not just for Lake Region or Indiana, 31:06 it's really not for just the Adventist Church. 31:08 Those individual who know Pastor James Black 31:10 who was at the North American Division has said, 31:11 "Let's open this up to so many other people 31:14 to able be to come and pray with us because... 31:16 So all your viewers are invited. 31:18 Yes, yes, yes. 31:19 Wonderful! 31:20 It reminds me of James 4:2-3. 31:24 James 4:2-3, "You do not have because you do not ask God." 31:28 Excellent. Excellent. 31:30 Then it goes on to say, 31:31 "Or you do I ask and yet fail to receive 31:37 because you asked with the wrong purpose 31:39 and the evil selfish motives." 31:41 What I hear is that, 31:44 you're wanting to get people who are on fire 31:50 together in the same room 31:53 and to create an atmosphere that Lord, 31:57 please assist us. 31:59 We're looking for Your direction. 32:01 And so consequently I know that the Lord hears our prayers 32:05 and I know the Lord will be present. 32:07 And in that situation, 32:09 now it becomes a godly request 32:13 instead of a selfish request. 32:14 Excellent. Excellent. 32:16 It's receiving. 32:17 Amen. 32:18 We know that God already has a plan. 32:20 Yes. 32:22 The question is, are we part of that plan? 32:23 Yes. 32:25 Are we cooperating in that plan? 32:27 Are we listening to Him to know how we should respond? 32:31 Amen. 32:32 You know, when you said that I was thinking so often, 32:36 people pray and present their plan to God 32:40 and ask for His blessing on their plan, 32:42 rather than seeking His face 32:45 and this is what you... 32:47 this conference is going to be one. 32:49 You know, David said, 32:51 "O Lord, when you said seek my face." 32:54 He said, "Your face I'm seeking." 32:56 And so this is one of learning 32:59 to get before God 33:01 and open your heart and your mind 33:04 to let the Lord pour into you. 33:06 And we do that individually. 33:09 But when we come together, 33:13 all of us, every kind of us, 33:18 come together, we learn from each other, 33:21 we're challenged by each other, 33:24 we discover some things about ourselves, 33:26 we discover some things about others. 33:30 God has a way of surprising us 33:33 at every prayer conference I've been to. 33:34 How about you, Leon? 33:36 Yeah, yeah, yeah. 33:37 Surprising us with something 33:39 that we could not have initiated, 33:42 no matter how much we planned. 33:43 Just as an example of that. 33:45 In our initial planning of this, 33:49 two things happened. 33:50 One is that, that quote that you read, 33:53 Shelley, was something that resonated with us. 33:56 Elder Carmelo Mercado, 33:58 who is the Vice President for Multicultural Ministries 34:01 at the Lake Union, is our Chairperson. 34:04 But he brought that to us. 34:06 We prayed over that. 34:07 And it was that Our United Cry that stuck out. 34:11 But the other thing was, 34:12 there was a pastor there and he said, 34:13 "Do you notice that 34:15 there's an important point within that?" 34:17 And he pointed the point of the period. 34:19 Our United Cry for the Holy Spirit. 34:22 'Cause we can pray for so many different things 34:24 but the Holy Spirit wants to come 34:25 and bring everything else within its train. 34:28 And if we'll do that, 34:29 if we'll spend the time in doing 34:30 that both before during and after 34:32 and the Lord will bless us. 34:33 Another lady talked about how her church was 34:37 and we wanted to build this in, 34:39 where the Lord got up a long time before day 34:41 where her church was getting up 34:43 like a 4 o'clock in the morning, 34:44 and they were going out, 34:45 and they were praying, 34:47 and they were asking and seeking. 34:48 And so we wanted to build that 34:50 into this prayer conference as well. 34:51 But we'll be up early in the morning 34:52 on that Sabbath morning, on that Saturday morning, 34:54 just as Jesus did praying. 34:56 The beautiful thing that I've come to learn 34:58 and realize is that, 35:00 Jesus Himself daily sought 35:02 for a fresh, out point, 35:05 a fresh indwelling of the Holy Spirit. 35:07 And if He is our template, if He's our example, 35:09 how much more do I need that? 35:11 Absolutely. 35:12 I remember I think it was either 5 years ago 35:17 at General Conference or 10 years ago 35:19 at General Conference, 35:21 but they had initiative that, 35:23 every hour somebody will be praying around the world. 35:29 Now that's the unity that we're looking for. 35:32 Because then we're talking about to having a United Cry. 35:37 If we can all be on the same page, 35:38 if you've got a room, two rooms, 35:40 five rooms of people 35:42 that's coming to this conference, 35:46 and everyone ends up with an agreement... 35:53 I think that that just shows God our hearts. 35:55 Yes. Yeah. 35:57 It's an up room... 35:58 And what you're describing to me is an up room experience. 36:02 You know, when you're talking about that United Cry... 36:05 You know, Paul says that when we are united to the Lord, 36:10 we're one with Him in spirit, 36:12 or if we're all one with Him in spirit, 36:14 we should be one with one another. 36:17 And that was Jesus' prayer in the garden. 36:20 He said, "Lord, make them one as we're one." 36:22 So that's what you're describing to me 36:27 is an opportunity to get together 36:30 and being prayerful before coming together. 36:34 And, as you said, when you unite and surrender, 36:40 God does surprising things. 36:41 Yeah. Yeah, He does. 36:43 I love it. 36:44 You know, in this paragraph, it uses the word, 36:48 Christ our sufficiency, Christ our everything. 36:53 Truly Christ that owns the cattle on a thousand hills, 36:57 you know, our everything. 36:59 He hears those pleas. 37:00 Yeah, yeah. 37:02 And He's willing to do that. Amen. 37:03 Work with God that we serve is willing to do for us. 37:06 And you both mentioned about the 10 days 37:09 or the upper room experience 37:13 that it wasn't just where they came together 37:15 for my understanding, and just sat, and just pray. 37:19 But they, it's heart searching, that scriptures. 37:21 They realized that they were things, 37:23 could be a fly on the wall, 37:25 looking at Peter and looking at James 37:28 and John and Sons of Thunders thinking about 37:31 what they had talked about with Christ 37:33 and how they had issues with one another 37:36 and concerns with one another. 37:38 And the Lord was able to strip them of all that. 37:40 He searched their hearts and they were able to realize 37:42 that we can be united, we can come on one accord, 37:46 and then the Holy Spirit fell. 37:48 I'm looking for that to take place again, 37:50 that to happen again. 37:51 Where, as we come together, 37:53 most from the 40 days standpoint, 37:54 and then from the timeframe of being in that room 37:58 or in the rooms together, 38:00 being able to just allow 38:01 for the Holy Spirit to fall afresh on this thing. 38:02 Amen. Amen. 38:04 And don't you sense 38:05 that the enemy is working overtime 38:09 to try to divide us. 38:12 And try to have us misunderstanding 38:14 with each other. 38:16 Like never before. 38:18 And so this is giving... 38:21 Can I say this, 38:23 giving God an opportunity to do something 38:26 for us if we all come together? 38:28 Amen. 38:30 And we all are pledged to receive 38:31 whatever it is He wants to give us. 38:33 Amen. 38:34 Yeah, I shouldn't say this, but I will. 38:38 I'm not known for zipping my lip 38:39 when I should sometimes. 38:43 I was speaking somewhere 38:44 and there was another speaker there 38:47 who is very... 38:50 I mean he called himself a liberal, very, very. 38:53 And so he came to hear me speak 38:55 and he said, "You surprised me." 38:57 He said, "Everything you talked about was grace." 38:59 And so he said, 39:01 "I thought you were a conservative." 39:03 And I said, "You know, I think we do a disservice when..." 39:07 I mean, it is all about grace. 39:10 It is all about Jesus. 39:12 But these labels that we give of liberal and conservative, 39:18 and, you know, I think, 39:20 Christ was the most well balanced person 39:23 whoever walked the face of the earth. 39:25 And I think that... 39:27 And he took the most unbalanced group of men. 39:30 Amen! That's right. 39:31 And brought them together. 39:33 And that's what... 39:34 He can do that for us. 39:36 Yeah. Amen. 39:37 So it's something that, 39:40 I hope I always try to give a balanced message, 39:44 but we need this. 39:47 We need something to begin to bring us together 39:50 and particularly before we have another General Conference, 39:55 we need to have open hearts. 39:57 Sure. Sure. 39:59 There are several other things going on and gonna take place. 40:01 You mentioned our pathways to health. 40:04 Opportunity for us to have the compassion of Christ, 40:07 I was down in Fort Worth, Texas, 40:09 your home state, JD. 40:11 And I was there 40:12 when our pathways to health was down there last year. 40:15 And just to see the people 40:16 lined around the center where they had that, 40:20 to be blessed and to get the health, 40:22 to be able to receive the treatments down there. 40:24 The free medical service. 40:26 Yes, yes. 40:27 To be able to see that in Indianapolis, 40:29 some will be just a proper thing. 40:30 But then also, Leon is going to be 40:33 doing some things with his caravan 40:35 leading up to the General Conference. 40:37 It Is Written, with, Elder Bradshaw 40:38 is gonna be involved with that. 40:40 So praying about those things, 40:41 Dr. Carlton Byrd with Breath of Life, 40:43 and then Ted Wilson is gonna come in to Indianapolis 40:45 and hold a meeting just before the General Conference. 40:48 The ministers will get together in a called conference, 40:50 and then the General Conference will take place. 40:52 So it's not just that prayer conference, 40:55 we wanna pray about it. 40:57 But then it's all those different things 40:58 that will be taking place and being involved 41:00 that the Lord will bless us with. 41:01 And we're gonna pray for those things. 41:03 And I was just getting ready to say on your website, 41:06 which is OurUnitedCry.org, 41:11 where you have a list of all of these events 41:14 that are coming up that we can be praying for? 41:16 There will be links, I'm sure there will be links. 41:18 To those different things that will take place. 41:20 I know pathways to health 41:21 has a link where those that wanna volunteer. 41:23 And you don't have to be a medical person to volunteer. 41:26 Individuals that just wanna have a compassionate heart, 41:28 just wanna be able to, 41:30 to help somebody go through and pray with individuals, 41:35 the links will be to those, links will be to... 41:37 "It Is Written", links will be to Breath of Life, 41:38 links will be to the Outreach Meeting, 41:42 that's when Mark Finley is gonna be a part of that 41:44 and be involved in that respect as well. 41:46 So just a lot of us, for us to be a part of. 41:49 But I think the first thing and Gary has said it 41:52 and he was the one that made sure 41:54 that we realized for this prayer conference, 41:55 that we didn't wanna just come and have speakers 41:58 and they are gonna be there, 42:00 Ted type talks gonna take place. 42:03 But the other aspect of this isn't just pray. 42:07 Our United Cry-just pray. 42:11 And I think that's what where we wanna be a part of 42:12 and be involved with. 42:14 Amen. And time... 42:15 So if they are not able to make it, 42:19 they certainly can make a decision 42:22 in their hearts that they will be praying 42:24 off campus or off conference. 42:26 Are you going to stream this by any chance? 42:28 We are making plans to do that. 42:30 Wonderful. Wonderful. 42:32 Now tell us again this is March 6th and 7th. 42:37 And where is the location? 42:39 The location is, and it's on the website. 42:41 It's in Plainfield, Illinois, and Plainfield, Indiana. 42:45 It's in Plainfield, Indiana. 42:46 It's like a suburb of Indianapolis, Indianapolis. 42:51 Let me say that again. 42:53 It's in Plainfield, Indiana, which is a suburb. 42:56 It's on the west side of Indianapolis. 42:59 There's I think Embassy Suites, I think that's the location. 43:02 And we've got their conference center 43:04 that they have just built. 43:05 That there's a whole hotel complex, 43:07 right around there, 43:09 because it's right near the airport, 43:11 and so there are plenty accommodations. 43:13 Right. Right. Wonderful. 43:14 March 6th and 7th, 2020. 43:17 And just opening this up, 43:19 and thank you so much for allowing us 43:20 to be able to come in 43:22 and be able to share this information. 43:24 This is wonderful. 43:25 Well, we want to encourage all of you at home, 43:29 to be praying for the Prayer Conference. 43:32 Yes. 43:33 I mean, you know, everything that we do 43:35 should be bathed in prayer. 43:37 In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, is that correct? 43:40 Where He said, 43:42 "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing." 43:46 And, you know, what was life changing for me? 43:50 I go through... 43:52 You know, somebody says, 43:53 "Well, you always say its life changing." 43:54 It is! Every time God's chose me something new. 43:57 But there... I feel like... 44:01 I've been an Adventist Christian since 2002. 44:06 The Lord has blessed me by giving me the opportunity 44:09 to speak for Him around the world. 44:12 But there's times that, 44:15 there's things you're so familiar with. 44:17 I remember just... 44:18 It's only been about a year ago, 44:20 but I was reading Philippians 2:5-8, 44:24 where Paul says, 44:25 "Let this mind being you that was in Christ Jesus." 44:29 Well, we know that. 44:31 You know, I pray for the mind of Christ. 44:32 I thank the Lord for the mind of Christ. 44:35 I have even claimed that promise. 44:37 But as I was going on, you know, He said, 44:40 "Who Jesus being God didn't consider it robbery 44:45 to be considered equal with God because He was." 44:48 But he said, 44:49 "He humbled Himself to become a man 44:52 and then became obedient to death on a cross." 44:54 Well, what hit me more than anything I think, 44:58 is I realized, you may disagree. 45:01 But in my opinion, Christ greater sacrifice, 45:06 even greater than dying on the cross 45:09 was the humiliation of taking on our flesh. 45:12 Because He went back to heaven with our flesh, 45:14 He's still Son of God, Son of man. 45:18 And you know, Hebrews 7:22, 45:21 He is able to save to the uttermost 45:23 because He is that faithful high priest. 45:25 He's interceding for us always. 45:27 But God showed me 45:30 that if the mind of Christ is that humility 45:36 of total dependence upon Him. 45:40 Because Jesus said, 45:42 "I only do what the Father shows Me to do. 45:44 I only say what the Father tells Me to say." 45:48 So here God, 45:52 the Great I Am, became a man, 45:56 He became the covenant Son of God 46:00 and was totally dependent. 46:01 Laid aside His powers, 46:03 was totally dependent as you and I are 46:06 on the Holy Spirit, 46:08 on the Father. 46:09 And that's humility is to be totally dependent. 46:12 Sure. 46:14 The beautiful thing what you just said, 46:17 and what I'm trying to learn is 46:20 what Paul says in Galatians 2:20." 46:22 I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live, 46:25 but not I, 46:26 but Christ lives in me." 46:28 And Christ has said the same thing in John 46:30 that I'm gonna send the spirit, 46:32 I'm gonna pray to Father, 46:33 He's gonna send the comforter, it is gonna dwell within you. 46:36 So the indwelling of the spirit is where we want to be at 46:40 and be able to experience, be able to understand, 46:43 and be able to just thank the Lord 46:45 for and that's what we see for on a daily basis. 46:49 That is not us, it's not me being seen, 46:51 it's not my face being seen, 46:52 but its Christ and Christ alone being seen, 46:55 being known, being heard. 46:56 Amen. 46:58 Let me bring up this in John 16: 23-24. 47:02 And as I saw, I was glancing at the scripture. 47:06 There are people that want to be more involved, 47:10 but they just don't... 47:11 They might be sitting on the fence. 47:14 And this scripture will give the Lord 47:19 permission in their life. 47:20 Do I need to get off the fence 47:22 and go be part of this initiative here? 47:25 Read the scripture please. 47:27 "Whatever you ask the Father in my name, 47:31 He will give you. 47:33 Until now, you have not asked anything in My name." 47:37 Then He says, "Ask, and you will receive, 47:42 that your joy may be full." 47:45 Wow. Wow. 47:47 So there's people that, that are looking for more. 47:51 Here they're gonna be in a Christ centered group, 47:54 likeminded brothers and sisters in Christ, 47:57 looking to Him for direction. 48:00 How much better they get than that? 48:02 So if you are sitting on the fence, claim. 48:06 John 16:23-24 48:09 and let the Holy Spirit impress upon your heart. 48:12 What is your responsibility? 48:14 I'll open that door for you. 48:15 Amen. 48:17 We can come just as we are... 48:18 Just as we are. 48:20 You know, just as we are. 48:21 We can thank the Lord that... 48:22 He knows who we are, what we need, 48:25 and will allow for us to come. 48:27 And then He'll supply those needs 48:28 according to His, which is glory 48:30 and so we're blessed in that regard. 48:31 We're almost blessed. Amen. 48:33 And being in Indianapolis, 48:35 that's right in the center part of the United States 48:37 and so it's kind of equal distance 48:39 and it's a great city you know. 48:41 And so I'm familiar with that particular area right there. 48:45 And there's just... 48:47 It's all inclusive right there, you know. 48:49 It's good! 48:50 Well, we're excited to see what the Lord is going to do. 48:52 What we want you to do, right these dates down, 48:55 March 6th-7th, 2020. 48:59 And this prayer conference 49:00 will be just in a suburb of Indianapolis. 49:04 We are going to, before we end, we'll put up the address roll. 49:10 I had a little senior moment there. 49:12 We'll put up the address roll, 49:14 so you can know how to contact them by phone. 49:17 But also, you can go to... 49:20 We're gonna read this quote one more time, 49:23 because this is where the title of the event is, 49:26 Our United Cry, 49:29 and their website is OurUnitedCry.org. 49:34 They got that from this quote, 49:37 this comes from "Manuscript Releases." 49:40 And she writes, 49:42 "Could there be a complication of all the churches on earth, 49:46 the object of the united cry should be for the Holy Spirit. 49:52 When we have that..." 49:53 When we have Him, and He's the only way, 49:56 Christ lives in our heart by faith 49:59 through the power of the Holy Spirit, 50:01 is what Paul says in Ephesians 3:16-20. 50:04 But she says, "When we have that, 50:07 Christ our sufficiency is ever present. 50:11 We shall have every want supplied. 50:15 We shall have the mind of Christ." 50:19 And oh, how we need a mind of Christ? 50:22 So we hope... 50:24 That's worth crying for. 50:25 Absolutely! Yes, it is. 50:27 Yeah. Yeah. 50:29 But you know, I think there's two things to... 50:32 I think, right here, 50:35 this is the mind of Christ written out. 50:37 Every Word was inspired by the Holy Spirit. 50:40 But you know what, you can't understand, 50:44 these are spiritual words, they're spiritually discerned. 50:46 So without the Holy Spirit, you can't understand this. 50:50 I mean, I know people who have theology degrees, 50:53 who have no relationship with the Lord, 50:56 they're not filled with the Holy Spirit. 50:59 And I don't care how many years they've studied, 51:02 they've got some strange beliefs 51:05 because they can't interpret it properly. 51:07 Well, what we want to do now is put up the address rolls, 51:11 so you'll know how to get in touch 51:13 with these gentlemen. 51:15 And we want to encourage you 51:16 to mark your calendar and attend, 51:18 no matter where you live. 51:23 If you feel impressed to join 51:24 and support the Prayer Conference 51:26 organized by the Lake Union Conference, 51:28 you can visit their website at www.LakeUnion.org, 51:34 or call them at (269) 473-8200. 51:39 That's (269) 473-8200. 51:44 You may also write to them at 51:46 Lake Union conference, 8450 M139, 51:51 Berrien Springs, Michigan 49103. 51:54 That's 8450 M139, 51:58 Berrien Springs, Michigan 49103. |
Revised 2019-11-26