Robert Jeffress - Choosing Purpose Over Aimlessness

February 28, 2026 | 27:29

Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Choosing Purpose Over Aimlessness | February 28, 2026
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  • ♪ music ♪
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  • From the pulpit of the first baptist church
  • 00:01:07.423 --> 00:01:09.592
  • Of dallas, texas,
  • 00:01:09.592 --> 00:01:11.094
  • This is "pathway to victory" with dr. robert jeffress.
  • 00:01:11.094 --> 00:01:14.931
  • Hi, i am robert jeffress,
  • 00:01:15.498 --> 00:01:16.799
  • And welcome again to "pathway to victory."
  • 00:01:16.799 --> 00:01:19.135
  • At some point in life,
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  • All of us eventually comes to the question,
  • 00:01:20.670 --> 00:01:23.439
  • "why am i here?"
  • 00:01:23.439 --> 00:01:25.175
  • Some decide that life is all about having fun,
  • 00:01:25.175 --> 00:01:28.278
  • Others make it their goal to accumulate things
  • 00:01:28.278 --> 00:01:31.147
  • Or to chase after fame or power.
  • 00:01:31.147 --> 00:01:33.616
  • And while there's nothing inherently wrong
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  • With these pursuits,
  • 00:01:35.518 --> 00:01:36.986
  • They're very shortsighted when compared to eternity.
  • 00:01:36.986 --> 00:01:40.690
  • You and i were created for a much bigger reason.
  • 00:01:40.690 --> 00:01:44.260
  • My message is titled,
  • 00:01:44.260 --> 00:01:45.595
  • "choosing purpose over aimlessness"
  • 00:01:45.595 --> 00:01:48.364
  • On today's edition of "pathway to victory."
  • 00:01:48.364 --> 00:01:51.868
  • ♪ music ♪
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  • ♪ all creatures of our god and king ♪
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  • ♪ lift up your voice and with us sing ♪
  • 00:02:04.013 --> 00:02:09.319
  • ♪ alleluia ♪
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  • ♪ thou rushing winds that art so strong ♪
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  • ♪ ye clouds that sail in heaven along ♪
  • 00:02:21.864 --> 00:02:26.936
  • ♪ o praise him ♪
  • 00:02:26.936 --> 00:02:30.139
  • ♪ alleluia ♪
  • 00:02:30.139 --> 00:02:36.212
  • ♪ thou burning sun with golden beam ♪
  • 00:02:36.212 --> 00:02:42.385
  • ♪ thou silver moon with softer gleam ♪
  • 00:02:42.385 --> 00:02:47.624
  • ♪ o praise him ♪
  • 00:02:47.624 --> 00:02:50.994
  • ♪ alleluia ♪
  • 00:02:50.994 --> 00:02:54.530
  • ♪ thou rising morn, in praise rejoice ♪
  • 00:02:54.530 --> 00:03:00.036
  • ♪ ye lights of evening, find a voice ♪
  • 00:03:00.036 --> 00:03:05.575
  • ♪ o praise him ♪
  • 00:03:05.575 --> 00:03:11.481
  • ♪ alleluia ♪
  • 00:03:08.578 --> 00:03:42.412
  • ♪ praise god from whom all blessings flow ♪
  • 00:03:43.379 --> 00:03:49.185
  • ♪ praise him, all creatures here below ♪
  • 00:03:49.185 --> 00:03:54.223
  • ♪ o praise him ♪
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  • ♪ alleluia ♪
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  • ♪ amen ♪
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  • (applause)
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  • Life doesn't always go the way we plan.
  • 00:04:32.595 --> 00:04:35.231
  • But here's the good news.
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  • We get to choose how we respond.
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  • In "choose your attitudes, change your life,"
  • 00:04:38.835 --> 00:04:40.970
  • Dr. robert jeffress shares 11 biblical attitude choices
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  • That can transform your health,
  • 00:04:44.707 --> 00:04:46.242
  • Your relationships, and even your eternity.
  • 00:04:46.242 --> 00:04:49.178
  • You may not be able to control what happens to you,
  • 00:04:49.178 --> 00:04:51.814
  • But you can learn
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  • How to make your circumstances strengthen you,
  • 00:04:53.116 --> 00:04:54.784
  • Rather than destroy you.
  • 00:04:54.784 --> 00:04:56.719
  • Request "choose your attitudes, change your life"
  • 00:04:56.719 --> 00:04:59.021
  • When you give a generous gift to "pathway to victory."
  • 00:04:59.021 --> 00:05:01.991
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:05:01.991 --> 00:05:09.332
  • Thomas chalmers once said,
  • 00:05:09.332 --> 00:05:11.834
  • "the grand essentials for happiness
  • 00:05:11.834 --> 00:05:15.938
  • Are something to love,
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  • Something to do,
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  • And something to hope for."
  • 00:05:20.276 --> 00:05:23.513
  • What chalmers is talking about
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  • Is the importance of having a purpose in life.
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  • Purpose is the foundation upon which we build our actions,
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  • Our affections, our aspirations.
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  • Having a purpose is like having an engine
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  • That drives our life.
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  • A purpose is like a beacon in the darkness
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  • That gives our lives direction in times of uncertainty.
  • 00:05:47.770 --> 00:05:53.042
  • And yet, as important as it is to have a purpose,
  • 00:05:53.976 --> 00:05:57.346
  • Studies have shown that less than 3% of americans
  • 00:05:57.346 --> 00:06:01.951
  • Have a clearly-defined purpose in life
  • 00:06:01.951 --> 00:06:05.655
  • Or the goals and objectives to meet that purpose.
  • 00:06:05.655 --> 00:06:09.692
  • In our series, "choose your attitudes, change your life,"
  • 00:06:09.692 --> 00:06:15.064
  • We're talking about 11 biblical attitude choices
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  • That are essential for living the life
  • 00:06:19.135 --> 00:06:21.037
  • God wants us to experience.
  • 00:06:21.037 --> 00:06:23.306
  • And i could certainly make an argument
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  • About why each one of these choices
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  • Is the most important one.
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  • But if i were going to say which attitude choice
  • 00:06:30.046 --> 00:06:32.949
  • Is the most essential,
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  • Certainly the one we're talking about today
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  • Would be close to, if not at the top, of the list.
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  • And that is the choice of how we go through life.
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  • How do we spend the limited time
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  • God has given us here on earth?
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  • We can do so aimlessly
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  • And just simply reacting to whatever comes our way each day,
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  • Or we can choose to live our life with purpose.
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  • And today, we're going to talk about the importance
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  • Of choosing purpose over aimlessness in life.
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  • Without a clearly-defined purpose for living,
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  • We are doomed to live lives that thoreau talked about,
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  • Lives of quiet desperation.
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  • If you think that's an overstatement,
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  • Consider this very real experience
  • 00:07:23.466 --> 00:07:25.835
  • That the late charles colson talks about in his book,
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  • "kingdoms in conflict."
  • 00:07:29.472 --> 00:07:31.941
  • In that book, colson recounts the story,
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  • The true story of a group of jewish prisoners
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  • In a nazi concentration camp
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  • Who suddenly found that the factory they had been working in
  • 00:07:40.349 --> 00:07:43.986
  • Had been bombed out by allied aircraft.
  • 00:07:43.986 --> 00:07:48.090
  • Colson writes, "the next morning,
  • 00:07:48.090 --> 00:07:50.526
  • Several hundred inmates were herded to one end
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  • Of the charred remains of the factory.
  • 00:07:53.462 --> 00:07:56.933
  • Expecting orders to begin rebuilding,
  • 00:07:56.933 --> 00:07:59.902
  • They were startled when the nazi officer
  • 00:07:59.902 --> 00:08:02.572
  • Commanded them to shovel sand into the carts
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  • And drag it to the other end of the plant.
  • 00:08:05.808 --> 00:08:08.844
  • The next day, the process was repeated in reverse.
  • 00:08:08.844 --> 00:08:13.516
  • They were ordered to move that huge pile of sand back
  • 00:08:13.516 --> 00:08:16.986
  • To the other end of the compound.
  • 00:08:16.986 --> 00:08:19.589
  • 'a mistake had been made,' the prisoners thought.
  • 00:08:19.589 --> 00:08:22.692
  • 'stupid swine.'
  • 00:08:22.692 --> 00:08:24.627
  • But day after day, they hauled the same pile of sand
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  • From one end of the camp to the other.
  • 00:08:28.230 --> 00:08:31.901
  • And then it began to happen.
  • 00:08:32.501 --> 00:08:34.804
  • One old man began crying uncontrollably.
  • 00:08:34.804 --> 00:08:37.840
  • The guards hauled him away.
  • 00:08:37.840 --> 00:08:40.142
  • Another prisoner screamed until he was beaten into silence.
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  • Then, a young man,
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  • Who had survived three years in that concentration camp,
  • 00:08:46.282 --> 00:08:49.251
  • Darted away from the group.
  • 00:08:49.251 --> 00:08:51.187
  • The guard shouted for him to stop
  • 00:08:51.187 --> 00:08:52.955
  • As he ran toward the electrified fence.
  • 00:08:52.955 --> 00:08:56.158
  • The other prisoners cried out, but it was too late.
  • 00:08:56.158 --> 00:08:59.795
  • There was a blinding flash
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  • And a terrible sizzling noise,
  • 00:09:01.397 --> 00:09:03.866
  • A smoke puffed from his smoldering flesh.
  • 00:09:03.866 --> 00:09:07.536
  • In the days that followed,
  • 00:09:07.536 --> 00:09:08.938
  • Dozens of prisoners went mad and ran from their work,
  • 00:09:08.938 --> 00:09:13.542
  • Only to be shot by the guards or electrocuted by the fence.
  • 00:09:13.542 --> 00:09:18.014
  • The commandant smugly remarked that, soon,
  • 00:09:18.014 --> 00:09:21.617
  • There would be no more need to use the crematoria."
  • 00:09:21.617 --> 00:09:26.956
  • "the gruesome lesson is plain," colson writes.
  • 00:09:27.857 --> 00:09:30.192
  • "men will clinging the life with dogged resolve
  • 00:09:30.192 --> 00:09:34.130
  • While working meaningfully,
  • 00:09:34.130 --> 00:09:36.666
  • Even if that work supports their hated captors.
  • 00:09:36.666 --> 00:09:40.836
  • But purposeless labor soon snaps the mind."
  • 00:09:40.836 --> 00:09:46.475
  • What is true in that nazi concentration camp
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  • Is true in your life as well.
  • 00:09:51.447 --> 00:09:53.883
  • Purposeless labor soon snaps the mind and the spirit.
  • 00:09:53.883 --> 00:09:59.588
  • Today, we're going to talk about how to discover
  • 00:10:00.589 --> 00:10:04.660
  • Your god-given purpose in life.
  • 00:10:04.660 --> 00:10:08.764
  • Now, when we talk about your purpose,
  • 00:10:08.764 --> 00:10:11.534
  • It's important to clarify the difference between a purpose,
  • 00:10:11.534 --> 00:10:15.638
  • Objectives, and goals in your life.
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  • Let's look, first of all, at purpose.
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  • A purpose statement simply answers the question,
  • 00:10:22.078 --> 00:10:26.082
  • "why do i exist?"
  • 00:10:26.082 --> 00:10:28.918
  • It doesn't have to be a long treatise.
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  • It can be a simple statement
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  • About your unique purpose in life.
  • 00:10:33.556 --> 00:10:36.659
  • Why did god create you?
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  • Why are you occupying real estate on planet earth?
  • 00:10:38.461 --> 00:10:42.698
  • You know, organizations have purpose statements, hopefully.
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  • Many businesses have a purpose statement.
  • 00:10:47.403 --> 00:10:50.106
  • You know, the general motors corporation
  • 00:10:50.106 --> 00:10:52.208
  • Might say that their purpose,
  • 00:10:52.208 --> 00:10:54.477
  • Their reason for existing is to generate a healthy profit
  • 00:10:54.477 --> 00:10:59.715
  • By manufacturing the finest automobiles in the world.
  • 00:11:00.816 --> 00:11:03.886
  • And that statement gives that company direction.
  • 00:11:03.886 --> 00:11:07.423
  • You know, suppose a vice president comes into the ceo
  • 00:11:07.423 --> 00:11:10.059
  • And says, "you know, i had an idea.
  • 00:11:10.059 --> 00:11:12.027
  • I think there's a lot of money
  • 00:11:12.027 --> 00:11:13.529
  • To be made in pharmaceuticals."
  • 00:11:13.529 --> 00:11:16.198
  • And the ceo, if he's worth his weight, in salt, would say,
  • 00:11:16.198 --> 00:11:19.802
  • "well, that's a great idea,
  • 00:11:19.802 --> 00:11:21.270
  • But that's not the purpose of our company.
  • 00:11:21.270 --> 00:11:23.773
  • Our company exists to make money
  • 00:11:23.773 --> 00:11:26.375
  • By manufacturing fine automobiles."
  • 00:11:26.375 --> 00:11:30.279
  • Not only do businesses have purpose,
  • 00:11:30.279 --> 00:11:32.414
  • Hopefully, a church has a clearly-defined purpose.
  • 00:11:32.414 --> 00:11:36.185
  • You know, in our church,
  • 00:11:36.185 --> 00:11:37.753
  • We understand and believe the great commission jesus gave,
  • 00:11:37.753 --> 00:11:40.990
  • To go into all the world and make disciples,
  • 00:11:40.990 --> 00:11:44.293
  • Baptizing them
  • 00:11:44.293 --> 00:11:45.728
  • In the name of the father, son, and holy spirit,
  • 00:11:45.728 --> 00:11:48.330
  • Teaching them to observe whatsoever things
  • 00:11:48.330 --> 00:11:51.100
  • I have commanded you.
  • 00:11:51.100 --> 00:11:52.468
  • And from that great commission,
  • 00:11:52.468 --> 00:11:54.236
  • First baptist dallas has developed a mission statement.
  • 00:11:54.236 --> 00:11:57.106
  • Our purpose is to transform the world with god's word,
  • 00:11:57.106 --> 00:12:02.378
  • One life at a time.
  • 00:12:02.845 --> 00:12:05.181
  • And that means everything we do as a church
  • 00:12:05.181 --> 00:12:08.284
  • Is directed toward either winning people to christ,
  • 00:12:08.284 --> 00:12:11.587
  • Baptizing them
  • 00:12:11.587 --> 00:12:12.988
  • In the name of the father, son, and holy spirit,
  • 00:12:12.988 --> 00:12:14.690
  • Or once they become christians,
  • 00:12:14.690 --> 00:12:17.493
  • Developing them into disciples,
  • 00:12:17.493 --> 00:12:19.728
  • Teaching them to observe all things christ has commanded us.
  • 00:12:19.728 --> 00:12:25.067
  • And anything that doesn't contribute
  • 00:12:25.868 --> 00:12:27.002
  • To either evangelism or discipleship
  • 00:12:27.002 --> 00:12:29.638
  • May be a nice thing to do.
  • 00:12:29.638 --> 00:12:31.307
  • It may be a good thing to do,
  • 00:12:31.307 --> 00:12:32.942
  • But it's not what we're called to do.
  • 00:12:32.942 --> 00:12:34.743
  • You know, somebody might say,
  • 00:12:34.743 --> 00:12:36.145
  • "you know, i think it would be helpful to our people
  • 00:12:36.145 --> 00:12:39.081
  • If we held a seminar on real estate investing
  • 00:12:39.081 --> 00:12:42.084
  • For our people."
  • 00:12:42.084 --> 00:12:43.319
  • Well, that may be a nice thing to do,
  • 00:12:43.319 --> 00:12:45.387
  • But that's not our purpose.
  • 00:12:45.387 --> 00:12:46.989
  • A purpose statement gives us, as a church, direction.
  • 00:12:46.989 --> 00:12:50.593
  • And what's true about organizations, businesses,
  • 00:12:50.593 --> 00:12:54.196
  • And churches is true about individuals as well.
  • 00:12:54.196 --> 00:12:57.800
  • We need to have a clearly-defined purpose statement.
  • 00:12:57.800 --> 00:13:01.704
  • And there are two keys, the bible says,
  • 00:13:01.704 --> 00:13:04.540
  • To discovering your unique purpose.
  • 00:13:04.540 --> 00:13:07.943
  • The answer to the question, "why do you exist?"
  • 00:13:07.943 --> 00:13:12.014
  • And those two keys are both found in philippians 2:13.
  • 00:13:12.014 --> 00:13:16.852
  • I like the way j.b. phillips paraphrases this verse.
  • 00:13:17.887 --> 00:13:21.657
  • For it is god, who is at work within you,
  • 00:13:21.657 --> 00:13:26.128
  • Giving you the will
  • 00:13:26.128 --> 00:13:28.330
  • And the power to achieve his purpose.
  • 00:13:28.330 --> 00:13:33.602
  • God has given you, first of all, a will, a desire,
  • 00:13:34.637 --> 00:13:38.841
  • A passion, if you will, to accomplish your purpose.
  • 00:13:39.842 --> 00:13:43.045
  • And so the first key to discovering that unique purpose
  • 00:13:43.045 --> 00:13:45.981
  • Is to identify your passion.
  • 00:13:45.981 --> 00:13:49.885
  • What is it that you see
  • 00:13:49.885 --> 00:13:51.787
  • That causes you concern in the world today?
  • 00:13:51.787 --> 00:13:55.591
  • One way god reveals his purpose for your life
  • 00:13:55.591 --> 00:13:59.528
  • Is by the unique passion,
  • 00:13:59.528 --> 00:14:01.530
  • The desire he has given you.
  • 00:14:01.530 --> 00:14:03.899
  • But there's a second key in that verse,
  • 00:14:03.899 --> 00:14:06.201
  • And that is he gives you both the will and the power.
  • 00:14:06.201 --> 00:14:09.672
  • That is the ability,
  • 00:14:09.672 --> 00:14:11.040
  • The giftedness to achieve your unique purpose.
  • 00:14:11.040 --> 00:14:15.010
  • If god has called you to do something,
  • 00:14:15.010 --> 00:14:17.212
  • He's not only going to give you a passion for it,
  • 00:14:17.212 --> 00:14:19.548
  • He's going to give you a special gift
  • 00:14:19.548 --> 00:14:21.617
  • In order to fulfill that passion.
  • 00:14:21.617 --> 00:14:23.953
  • And that's why the second key in discovering your purpose
  • 00:14:23.953 --> 00:14:26.889
  • Is identifying your gifts and your abilities.
  • 00:14:26.889 --> 00:14:30.125
  • It is god giving you the will
  • 00:14:30.125 --> 00:14:31.560
  • And the power to achieve his purpose.
  • 00:14:31.560 --> 00:14:34.096
  • Many years ago, back in 1984,
  • 00:14:34.730 --> 00:14:38.267
  • I remember sitting in the coffee shop
  • 00:14:38.267 --> 00:14:40.235
  • At the houston intercontinental airport,
  • 00:14:40.235 --> 00:14:42.638
  • Had my yellow legal tablet out.
  • 00:14:42.638 --> 00:14:44.406
  • I had a few hours to wait for a flight,
  • 00:14:44.406 --> 00:14:46.875
  • And i really asked god to give me discernment
  • 00:14:46.875 --> 00:14:49.545
  • In writing down a clear purpose statement
  • 00:14:49.545 --> 00:14:52.781
  • That would guide the rest of my life.
  • 00:14:52.781 --> 00:14:55.184
  • And i wrote this simple statement,
  • 00:14:55.184 --> 00:14:56.719
  • "my purpose is to be an effective communicator
  • 00:14:56.719 --> 00:15:01.357
  • Of god's word."
  • 00:15:01.357 --> 00:15:03.225
  • I remember the words of my old seminary professor
  • 00:15:03.225 --> 00:15:05.728
  • Who used to say, "men, it is a sin to bore people
  • 00:15:05.728 --> 00:15:10.666
  • With the word of god."
  • 00:15:10.666 --> 00:15:12.067
  • (congregation laughing)
  • 00:15:12.067 --> 00:15:13.902
  • I hear an, "amen," on that somewhere.
  • 00:15:13.902 --> 00:15:16.105
  • Don't hurt my feelings, but that is true.
  • 00:15:16.972 --> 00:15:19.541
  • And so i wanted to devote my life
  • 00:15:19.541 --> 00:15:21.443
  • To clearly communicating god's word.
  • 00:15:21.443 --> 00:15:23.846
  • Now, suppose i had that passion,
  • 00:15:23.846 --> 00:15:25.714
  • But i had no communication skill whatsoever.
  • 00:15:25.714 --> 00:15:28.751
  • Every time i stood up, i stuttered and stammered.
  • 00:15:28.751 --> 00:15:31.587
  • Or when i sat down to try to ride,
  • 00:15:31.587 --> 00:15:33.255
  • I couldn't write a cohesive sentence that made sense.
  • 00:15:33.255 --> 00:15:37.893
  • That's probably not my calling
  • 00:15:37.893 --> 00:15:40.529
  • If i don't have the gifts to go along with that.
  • 00:15:40.529 --> 00:15:43.132
  • And i know some of you, bible students,
  • 00:15:43.132 --> 00:15:45.267
  • You're already objecting.
  • 00:15:45.267 --> 00:15:46.769
  • You say, "oh, wait a minute, pastor, what about moses?
  • 00:15:46.769 --> 00:15:50.172
  • He stuttered, he stammered,
  • 00:15:50.172 --> 00:15:52.241
  • But god used him supernaturally."
  • 00:15:52.241 --> 00:15:55.144
  • Well, that's true,
  • 00:15:55.144 --> 00:15:55.978
  • But moses' major calling
  • 00:15:55.978 --> 00:15:58.447
  • Was not to be a communicator of god's word.
  • 00:15:58.447 --> 00:16:01.083
  • It was to be a leader of god's people.
  • 00:16:01.083 --> 00:16:03.819
  • And moses had tremendous leadership abilities
  • 00:16:03.819 --> 00:16:07.022
  • From the very beginning
  • 00:16:07.022 --> 00:16:08.323
  • As a child growing up in pharaoh's palace
  • 00:16:08.323 --> 00:16:10.626
  • That were exhibited throughout the rest of his life.
  • 00:16:10.626 --> 00:16:13.562
  • If god has called you to do something,
  • 00:16:13.562 --> 00:16:15.564
  • He will give you the gifts to do that.
  • 00:16:15.564 --> 00:16:18.033
  • Now, remember, we all have a general purpose in life.
  • 00:16:18.033 --> 00:16:20.436
  • Jesus said that in john 4:34.
  • 00:16:20.436 --> 00:16:22.938
  • Jesus said, "my food, that is my purpose,
  • 00:16:22.938 --> 00:16:26.008
  • Is to do the will of him who sent me
  • 00:16:26.008 --> 00:16:28.844
  • And to accomplish his work."
  • 00:16:28.844 --> 00:16:31.180
  • That ought to be the purpose statement of every christian.
  • 00:16:31.180 --> 00:16:33.816
  • But jesus also understood he had a unique purpose
  • 00:16:33.816 --> 00:16:36.718
  • In coming to earth that nobody else could fulfill.
  • 00:16:36.718 --> 00:16:39.855
  • In matthew 20:28, he said,
  • 00:16:39.855 --> 00:16:41.857
  • "just as the son of man did not come to be served,
  • 00:16:41.857 --> 00:16:45.961
  • But to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."
  • 00:16:45.961 --> 00:16:51.300
  • Once we define our god-given purpose in life,
  • 00:16:52.234 --> 00:16:56.505
  • It's important to connect every part of our life
  • 00:16:56.505 --> 00:17:00.476
  • To that overarching purpose statement.
  • 00:17:00.476 --> 00:17:03.345
  • And that's where objectives come in.
  • 00:17:03.345 --> 00:17:06.415
  • A definition of an objective
  • 00:17:06.415 --> 00:17:08.117
  • Is an objective is a simple statement,
  • 00:17:08.117 --> 00:17:10.719
  • Expressing desires for specific areas of our life.
  • 00:17:10.719 --> 00:17:15.057
  • No matter what your purpose is,
  • 00:17:15.057 --> 00:17:16.592
  • You've got to be able to connect that
  • 00:17:16.592 --> 00:17:18.460
  • To every part of your life,
  • 00:17:18.460 --> 00:17:19.962
  • Your spiritual life, your family relationships, your work,
  • 00:17:19.962 --> 00:17:23.532
  • Every part of your life,
  • 00:17:23.532 --> 00:17:25.400
  • And objectives are the way to do that.
  • 00:17:25.400 --> 00:17:28.237
  • Let me show you how to develop the objectives
  • 00:17:28.237 --> 00:17:30.739
  • For the seven major areas of your life.
  • 00:17:30.739 --> 00:17:33.308
  • I've put on your outline a grid
  • 00:17:33.308 --> 00:17:35.844
  • Showing the seven major life areas:
  • 00:17:35.844 --> 00:17:38.247
  • Spiritual, physical, that is your health,
  • 00:17:38.247 --> 00:17:41.350
  • Family, vocational, personal growth,
  • 00:17:41.350 --> 00:17:44.720
  • Social, financial.
  • 00:17:44.720 --> 00:17:47.122
  • What i want to ask you to do, perhaps not right now,
  • 00:17:47.122 --> 00:17:49.658
  • But sometime as you work through this material,
  • 00:17:49.658 --> 00:17:52.561
  • Give yourself a grade on a scale of 1 to 10
  • 00:17:52.561 --> 00:17:55.264
  • About how you think you're doing in each of these areas.
  • 00:17:55.264 --> 00:17:58.066
  • How are you doing in your spiritual relationship with god?
  • 00:17:58.066 --> 00:18:01.503
  • How's your health doing?
  • 00:18:01.503 --> 00:18:02.738
  • How are you doing with your finances?
  • 00:18:02.738 --> 00:18:04.806
  • How are you doing in every area of life?
  • 00:18:04.806 --> 00:18:08.110
  • Now,
  • 00:18:08.110 --> 00:18:09.711
  • 1 would be the least,
  • 00:18:09.711 --> 00:18:11.113
  • 10 would be you're knocking it out of the park.
  • 00:18:11.113 --> 00:18:13.549
  • You know, in some of those areas,
  • 00:18:13.549 --> 00:18:14.816
  • You may feel like you're doing great.
  • 00:18:14.816 --> 00:18:16.251
  • You'd give yourself a 7, 8, 9, 10.
  • 00:18:16.251 --> 00:18:19.021
  • If that's true in those areas, your objective would be,
  • 00:18:20.088 --> 00:18:22.791
  • "i want to keep doing whatever it is
  • 00:18:22.791 --> 00:18:24.927
  • That's giving you success in that area."
  • 00:18:24.927 --> 00:18:27.629
  • However, if it's less than a 7,
  • 00:18:27.629 --> 00:18:29.531
  • It might help you formulate some things
  • 00:18:29.531 --> 00:18:31.600
  • Of what you would like to do in those areas to improve.
  • 00:18:31.600 --> 00:18:36.038
  • Remember, a purpose statement completes the sentence,
  • 00:18:36.038 --> 00:18:38.941
  • "my reason for living is to..."
  • 00:18:38.941 --> 00:18:41.877
  • But an objective statement completes the sentence,
  • 00:18:41.877 --> 00:18:44.980
  • "i want to..."
  • 00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:46.248
  • Or, "i want to continue doing whatever
  • 00:18:46.248 --> 00:18:49.084
  • For each of these areas."
  • 00:18:49.084 --> 00:18:50.385
  • Let me show you how that works.
  • 00:18:50.385 --> 00:18:51.753
  • Let's just say you happen to be
  • 00:18:51.753 --> 00:18:53.121
  • That christian business person, a man or a woman,
  • 00:18:53.121 --> 00:18:55.557
  • And you really want to show other people
  • 00:18:55.557 --> 00:18:59.461
  • How the bible has principles that will help you in business.
  • 00:18:59.461 --> 00:19:02.898
  • You want to integrate your business
  • 00:19:02.898 --> 00:19:04.766
  • With your christian faith.
  • 00:19:04.766 --> 00:19:07.402
  • So, how would that affect all these areas of your life?
  • 00:19:07.402 --> 00:19:10.272
  • What about your spiritual life?
  • 00:19:10.272 --> 00:19:12.274
  • Well, wouldn't you agree with me?
  • 00:19:12.274 --> 00:19:13.875
  • If you are going to operate your business
  • 00:19:13.875 --> 00:19:15.811
  • By biblical principles,
  • 00:19:15.811 --> 00:19:17.145
  • You have to know what those principles are.
  • 00:19:17.145 --> 00:19:18.680
  • And so maybe you say, "i want to know the bible better.
  • 00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:22.251
  • That's a goal i have, i want to know the bible better."
  • 00:19:22.251 --> 00:19:26.321
  • You see your objectives all ought to tie
  • 00:19:26.321 --> 00:19:29.324
  • Into the purpose that god has given you.
  • 00:19:29.324 --> 00:19:32.861
  • You identify what your purpose is, discover your purpose,
  • 00:19:32.861 --> 00:19:37.699
  • Your reason for living, why god created you.
  • 00:19:37.699 --> 00:19:41.136
  • Then, you develop objectives
  • 00:19:41.136 --> 00:19:45.107
  • That will help you meet that overall purpose statement.
  • 00:19:45.107 --> 00:19:48.277
  • And that leads to the third word, goals.
  • 00:19:48.277 --> 00:19:51.413
  • Formulating specific goals.
  • 00:19:51.413 --> 00:19:54.516
  • Goals are the vehicles
  • 00:19:54.516 --> 00:19:56.618
  • By which we transform our objectives
  • 00:19:56.618 --> 00:20:00.289
  • Into reality.
  • 00:20:00.289 --> 00:20:02.424
  • Now, this is where a lot of people get mixed up,
  • 00:20:02.424 --> 00:20:04.960
  • And quite frankly,
  • 00:20:04.960 --> 00:20:06.328
  • It's the reason so many people live aimless lives.
  • 00:20:06.328 --> 00:20:09.364
  • They don't have clearly-defined goals.
  • 00:20:09.364 --> 00:20:12.501
  • Let me give you a definition of a goal.
  • 00:20:12.501 --> 00:20:14.236
  • A goal is a desired accomplishment
  • 00:20:14.236 --> 00:20:17.472
  • That is easily measured by time and performance.
  • 00:20:17.472 --> 00:20:22.744
  • It's a desired accomplishment
  • 00:20:23.378 --> 00:20:24.680
  • That can be measured by time and performance.
  • 00:20:24.680 --> 00:20:26.615
  • For example here, i say,
  • 00:20:26.615 --> 00:20:28.383
  • "well, i want to know the bible better."
  • 00:20:28.383 --> 00:20:31.053
  • Is that a goal?
  • 00:20:31.053 --> 00:20:32.788
  • No.
  • 00:20:32.788 --> 00:20:34.156
  • That's an objective, but it's not a goal.
  • 00:20:34.156 --> 00:20:36.525
  • I mean, just to say, "i want to know my bible better."
  • 00:20:36.525 --> 00:20:38.593
  • Well, how will you know when you know it better?
  • 00:20:38.593 --> 00:20:40.896
  • No, a goal would be specific.
  • 00:20:40.896 --> 00:20:43.498
  • "i want to read one chapter of the bible every day
  • 00:20:43.498 --> 00:20:48.403
  • Beginning today."
  • 00:20:48.403 --> 00:20:50.772
  • The accomplishment is clear,
  • 00:20:50.772 --> 00:20:52.374
  • A chapter of the bible every day.
  • 00:20:52.374 --> 00:20:54.743
  • And there's a time attached to it,
  • 00:20:54.743 --> 00:20:56.712
  • A start time or a finish time, starting today.
  • 00:20:56.712 --> 00:21:01.616
  • Or maybe you would say, "you know, i want to be thinner."
  • 00:21:01.616 --> 00:21:06.488
  • We all had that goal, most of us.
  • 00:21:06.488 --> 00:21:09.224
  • Is that a goal?
  • 00:21:09.224 --> 00:21:10.492
  • No, that's an objective, "i want to be thinner."
  • 00:21:10.492 --> 00:21:13.028
  • A goal would be a specific accomplishment.
  • 00:21:13.028 --> 00:21:15.163
  • "i want to lose five pounds."
  • 00:21:15.163 --> 00:21:16.932
  • That's the accomplishment.
  • 00:21:16.932 --> 00:21:18.433
  • And i want to attach a date to it, by april the 30th.
  • 00:21:18.433 --> 00:21:22.504
  • Anytime you're formulating a goal,
  • 00:21:22.504 --> 00:21:24.673
  • Remember, a goal answers the question:
  • 00:21:24.673 --> 00:21:27.776
  • What do i want to happen?
  • 00:21:27.776 --> 00:21:29.277
  • That's the accomplishment.
  • 00:21:29.277 --> 00:21:30.979
  • Secondly, how will i know it happened?
  • 00:21:30.979 --> 00:21:32.948
  • What's the measurement?
  • 00:21:32.948 --> 00:21:34.316
  • And when do i want this to happen?
  • 00:21:34.316 --> 00:21:36.284
  • The starting date or the completion date.
  • 00:21:36.284 --> 00:21:39.688
  • There is no more effective way
  • 00:21:39.688 --> 00:21:42.224
  • To be a disciple of jesus christ
  • 00:21:42.224 --> 00:21:44.760
  • Than by discovering his unique purpose for your life
  • 00:21:44.760 --> 00:21:48.530
  • And living out that purpose.
  • 00:21:48.530 --> 00:21:51.099
  • That is why god left us here
  • 00:21:51.099 --> 00:21:53.568
  • To fulfill his unique purpose for us.
  • 00:21:53.568 --> 00:21:57.672
  • I love the way ephesians 5:15-17
  • 00:21:57.672 --> 00:22:01.843
  • Reads again in the j.b. phillips paraphrase.
  • 00:22:01.843 --> 00:22:04.880
  • Let me read this to you from the phillips paraphrase.
  • 00:22:04.880 --> 00:22:07.916
  • Paul writes, "live life, then,
  • 00:22:07.916 --> 00:22:11.219
  • With a due sense of responsibility.
  • 00:22:11.219 --> 00:22:14.456
  • Not as men who don't know the meaning and purpose of life,
  • 00:22:14.456 --> 00:22:18.593
  • But as those who do.
  • 00:22:18.593 --> 00:22:20.662
  • Make the best use of your time,
  • 00:22:20.662 --> 00:22:22.898
  • Despite all the evils of these days.
  • 00:22:22.898 --> 00:22:26.301
  • Don't be vague,
  • 00:22:26.301 --> 00:22:28.270
  • But grasp firmly what you know to be the will of the lord."
  • 00:22:28.270 --> 00:22:33.608
  • What paul is talking about is know your purpose.
  • 00:22:34.609 --> 00:22:38.847
  • In his book, "the deeper life," daniel henderson writes,
  • 00:22:38.847 --> 00:22:43.452
  • "i've heard it said many times.
  • 00:22:43.452 --> 00:22:46.154
  • You're not really ready to live
  • 00:22:46.154 --> 00:22:49.057
  • Until you know what you want written on your tombstone."
  • 00:22:49.057 --> 00:22:53.295
  • If you were to die today,
  • 00:22:53.862 --> 00:22:56.164
  • Would those who know you the best be able to say,
  • 00:22:56.164 --> 00:23:00.035
  • "this is why you lived."
  • 00:23:00.035 --> 00:23:03.505
  • That's a profound question.
  • 00:23:04.105 --> 00:23:06.074
  • Would those who know you the very best, at your funeral,
  • 00:23:06.074 --> 00:23:09.411
  • Be able to stand up and say,
  • 00:23:09.411 --> 00:23:10.712
  • "this is the purpose for which you lived."
  • 00:23:10.712 --> 00:23:13.982
  • Is it clear to you why you're here?
  • 00:23:13.982 --> 00:23:16.685
  • When this life comes to an end,
  • 00:23:16.685 --> 00:23:18.954
  • Will you look back and conclude that you have lived well
  • 00:23:18.954 --> 00:23:23.291
  • And significantly?
  • 00:23:23.291 --> 00:23:24.593
  • Now, get this.
  • 00:23:24.593 --> 00:23:26.328
  • The great tragedy in life is not death.
  • 00:23:26.328 --> 00:23:30.332
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:23:30.332 --> 00:23:32.033
  • The great tragedy in life
  • 00:23:32.033 --> 00:23:34.369
  • Is life without purpose.
  • 00:23:34.369 --> 00:23:37.472
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:23:37.472 --> 00:23:42.310
  • God has gifted you with special talents and abilities,
  • 00:23:43.378 --> 00:23:46.948
  • And all of them culminate in the central purpose
  • 00:23:46.948 --> 00:23:50.085
  • Of accomplishing his plan.
  • 00:23:50.085 --> 00:23:52.120
  • My prayer is that today's message
  • 00:23:52.120 --> 00:23:53.922
  • Will help you determine your unique role
  • 00:23:53.922 --> 00:23:56.458
  • In fulfilling god's will.
  • 00:23:56.458 --> 00:23:58.727
  • Well, i'm pleased to report
  • 00:23:58.727 --> 00:24:00.161
  • That our television and radio programs,
  • 00:24:00.161 --> 00:24:02.531
  • Combined with our presence on the internet,
  • 00:24:02.531 --> 00:24:05.000
  • Are reaching more people than we ever dreamed possible.
  • 00:24:05.000 --> 00:24:08.503
  • And we're asking god to allow us to expand
  • 00:24:08.503 --> 00:24:11.506
  • For his glory in the coming year.
  • 00:24:11.506 --> 00:24:13.842
  • None of us needs convincing
  • 00:24:13.842 --> 00:24:15.310
  • That our nation is deeply divided and confused.
  • 00:24:15.310 --> 00:24:18.547
  • And through our ministry, together,
  • 00:24:18.547 --> 00:24:21.216
  • We are shining light in the dark places of our country
  • 00:24:21.216 --> 00:24:24.519
  • And bringing god's message of hope and unity
  • 00:24:24.519 --> 00:24:26.922
  • To people who are craving for the truth.
  • 00:24:26.922 --> 00:24:29.858
  • Thank you so much for your continued support
  • 00:24:29.858 --> 00:24:32.427
  • Of "pathway to victory."
  • 00:24:32.427 --> 00:24:34.296
  • And stay right there,
  • 00:24:34.296 --> 00:24:35.597
  • I'll be back with more "pathway to victory"
  • 00:24:35.597 --> 00:24:37.866
  • In just a moment.
  • 00:24:37.866 --> 00:24:39.734
  • When unexpected challenges hit,
  • 00:24:39.734 --> 00:24:41.970
  • It's easy to feel defeated and robbed of joy.
  • 00:24:41.970 --> 00:24:45.006
  • But while we can't always choose our circumstances,
  • 00:24:45.006 --> 00:24:47.809
  • We can always choose how we respond to them.
  • 00:24:47.809 --> 00:24:50.712
  • In "choose your attitudes, change your life,"
  • 00:24:50.712 --> 00:24:53.181
  • Dr. robert jeffress shares 11 proven attitude choices
  • 00:24:53.181 --> 00:24:56.585
  • That will help you experience the abundant life
  • 00:24:56.585 --> 00:24:59.020
  • God desires for you.
  • 00:24:59.020 --> 00:25:00.622
  • The bible tells us that as a person thinks within himself,
  • 00:25:00.622 --> 00:25:04.426
  • So is he.
  • 00:25:04.426 --> 00:25:05.727
  • Our attitudes impact everything:
  • 00:25:05.727 --> 00:25:07.929
  • Our health, our relationships, our work,
  • 00:25:07.929 --> 00:25:10.365
  • And even our eternity.
  • 00:25:10.365 --> 00:25:12.334
  • In my book, "choose your attitudes, change your life,"
  • 00:25:12.334 --> 00:25:15.437
  • I walk you through 11 essential choices,
  • 00:25:15.437 --> 00:25:18.640
  • Like purpose over aimlessness,
  • 00:25:18.640 --> 00:25:20.809
  • Perseverance over defeat, and faith over worry.
  • 00:25:20.809 --> 00:25:24.980
  • These biblical principles have transformed countless lives
  • 00:25:24.980 --> 00:25:28.550
  • And they can transform yours as well.
  • 00:25:28.550 --> 00:25:31.086
  • Request your copy
  • 00:25:31.086 --> 00:25:32.420
  • Of "choose your attitudes, change your life"
  • 00:25:32.420 --> 00:25:34.422
  • When you give a generous gift
  • 00:25:34.422 --> 00:25:35.724
  • To support "pathway to victory."
  • 00:25:35.724 --> 00:25:37.759
  • And when your ministry gift is $75 or more,
  • 00:25:37.759 --> 00:25:40.929
  • We'll also send you the companion study guide,
  • 00:25:40.929 --> 00:25:43.531
  • Along with the complete teaching series on cd and dvd.
  • 00:25:43.531 --> 00:25:47.369
  • Our attitude determines our destiny.
  • 00:25:47.369 --> 00:25:50.338
  • Attitudes profoundly impact our life, our death,
  • 00:25:50.338 --> 00:25:55.276
  • And our eternal destiny.
  • 00:25:55.276 --> 00:25:57.212
  • Thank you for your generous support
  • 00:25:57.212 --> 00:25:58.947
  • Of "pathway to victory."
  • 00:25:58.947 --> 00:26:00.448
  • Your partnership helps us bring practical,
  • 00:26:00.448 --> 00:26:02.784
  • Life-changing biblical truth into homes across the nation
  • 00:26:02.784 --> 00:26:06.421
  • And around the world.
  • 00:26:06.421 --> 00:26:07.756
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:26:07.756 --> 00:26:10.625
  • Discovering god's unique purpose for your life
  • 00:26:10.625 --> 00:26:13.461
  • Sounds like a daunting task, i know.
  • 00:26:13.461 --> 00:26:16.197
  • But if you follow these three very specific
  • 00:26:16.197 --> 00:26:18.900
  • And practical steps,
  • 00:26:18.900 --> 00:26:20.502
  • I'm confident they will steer you in the right direction.
  • 00:26:20.502 --> 00:26:24.305
  • Well, every single one of us
  • 00:26:24.305 --> 00:26:25.974
  • Is in the middle of an invisible war.
  • 00:26:25.974 --> 00:26:28.877
  • Satan and his demons are doing overtime
  • 00:26:28.877 --> 00:26:31.813
  • To destroy everything important to you.
  • 00:26:31.813 --> 00:26:34.649
  • But god has equipped us with powerful weapons
  • 00:26:34.649 --> 00:26:37.352
  • To defeat the enemies' schemes.
  • 00:26:37.352 --> 00:26:39.521
  • So stay tuned for a preview of my newly updated series,
  • 00:26:39.521 --> 00:26:43.291
  • "the divine defense,"
  • 00:26:43.291 --> 00:26:44.726
  • Coming up next time on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:26:44.726 --> 00:26:47.729
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:26:47.729 --> 00:26:49.064
  • Your mind is the devil's playground.
  • 00:26:49.064 --> 00:26:54.502
  • More accurately,
  • 00:26:54.869 --> 00:26:56.471
  • Your mind is the devil's battlefield,
  • 00:26:56.471 --> 00:27:00.375
  • On which he is warring against everything important to you.
  • 00:27:00.375 --> 00:27:05.680
  • It is a battle that seeks to destroy your faith,
  • 00:27:06.648 --> 00:27:09.851
  • Your family, and your future.
  • 00:27:09.851 --> 00:27:12.420
  • Set your dvr and join us next time for the message,
  • 00:27:12.420 --> 00:27:15.557
  • "when satan comes knocking,"
  • 00:27:15.557 --> 00:27:17.726
  • Part of the new series, "the divine defense,"
  • 00:27:17.726 --> 00:27:20.361
  • Here on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:27:20.361 --> 00:27:20.361