1. TBN
  2. Programs
  3. Allen Jackson Ministries
  4. Episodes
  5. Allen Jackson - How To Flourish In The Midst Of Confusion (Part 2)
Allen Jackson Ministries

Allen Jackson - How To Flourish In The Midst Of Confusion (Part 2)

July 28, 2025 | 28:35

Allen Jackson - How To Flourish In The Midst Of Confusion (Part 2)
Pastor Allen Jackson's mission is to help people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
#WordofGod #Future #Comfort #Grace #Blessing #Mercy #Worship #Fear #Righteousness

Closed captions

Show Timecode
Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - How To Flourish In The Midst Of Confusion (Part 2) | July 28, 2025
  • ...
  • 00:00:00.633 --> 00:00:01.316
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:00:01.784 --> 00:00:06.522
  • Allen jackson: hey, i know you know, but we're living
  • 00:00:06.655 --> 00:00:07.956
  • In a chaotic world.
  • 00:00:08.090 --> 00:00:08.424
  • Things are changing globally.
  • 00:00:09.291 --> 00:00:10.926
  • There's wars, there's threats of war, a lot of stuff happening.
  • 00:00:10.926 --> 00:00:15.264
  • But i want to make a suggestion: don't focus on the negative.
  • 00:00:15.264 --> 00:00:18.233
  • Don't get caught up in the uncertainty.
  • 00:00:18.233 --> 00:00:20.836
  • That'll bring fear and anxiety and worry.
  • 00:00:20.836 --> 00:00:23.672
  • It's not helpful.
  • 00:00:23.672 --> 00:00:25.040
  • Let's determine to focus our attention on the lord.
  • 00:00:25.040 --> 00:00:28.210
  • We've created a tool that i believe will make a difference.
  • 00:00:28.210 --> 00:00:30.479
  • It's called, "awaken us."
  • 00:00:30.479 --> 00:00:32.114
  • It's a 30-day plan.
  • 00:00:32.114 --> 00:00:33.916
  • Each day is directed at a different topic that's a part of
  • 00:00:33.916 --> 00:00:36.819
  • Our current world.
  • 00:00:36.819 --> 00:00:38.320
  • It gives us a verse of scripture, a little devotional
  • 00:00:38.320 --> 00:00:40.556
  • Around that topic, and then a prayer for that specific thing.
  • 00:00:40.556 --> 00:00:44.159
  • The idea is we're gonna give the holy spirit an invitation to
  • 00:00:44.159 --> 00:00:47.463
  • Awaken us to a new place of faith.
  • 00:00:47.463 --> 00:00:50.732
  • You know, we need an awakening in the midst of the people of
  • 00:00:50.732 --> 00:00:53.569
  • God, and we wanna say, "well, i am awake."
  • 00:00:53.569 --> 00:00:55.571
  • Well, i get that but, you know, i was awakened yesterday, but
  • 00:00:55.571 --> 00:00:58.807
  • This morning i was awakened again, and my prayer is tomorrow
  • 00:00:58.807 --> 00:01:01.343
  • I'll be awakened yet again.
  • 00:01:01.343 --> 00:01:03.545
  • We need a daily awakening by the spirit of god to find his best
  • 00:01:03.545 --> 00:01:07.616
  • For us in this season, and i believe this book will help you.
  • 00:01:07.616 --> 00:01:11.320
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:01:12.654 --> 00:01:18.560
  • Allen: if your marker is secular, if your priorities are
  • 00:01:18.560 --> 00:01:21.630
  • Defined without a respect or a reverence for god, you have
  • 00:01:21.630 --> 00:01:25.167
  • Leaned your ladder against the wrong wall.
  • 00:01:25.167 --> 00:01:28.070
  • "well, pastor, i'm in church on a saturday night.
  • 00:01:28.070 --> 00:01:29.905
  • What do you want?
  • 00:01:29.905 --> 00:01:32.608
  • I mean, could you get off my back?
  • 00:01:32.608 --> 00:01:33.942
  • We send our kids to camp.
  • 00:01:33.942 --> 00:01:35.310
  • We are free and we came to church."
  • 00:01:35.310 --> 00:01:37.913
  • [congregation laughing]
  • 00:01:37.913 --> 00:01:43.385
  • I'm not collecting additional commitments.
  • 00:01:43.385 --> 00:01:46.421
  • It really starts in our heart and our attitude towards the
  • 00:01:46.421 --> 00:01:49.057
  • Word of god.
  • 00:01:49.057 --> 00:01:52.261
  • Proverbs 16 says: "pride goes before destruction."
  • 00:01:52.261 --> 00:01:56.665
  • That's the real warning here.
  • 00:01:56.665 --> 00:01:58.033
  • To be wise in your own eyes, to give place to pride, is to light
  • 00:01:58.033 --> 00:02:03.705
  • The fuse on destruction in your future.
  • 00:02:03.705 --> 00:02:07.309
  • "a haughty spirit before a fall."
  • 00:02:07.309 --> 00:02:10.212
  • And what the bible tells us, it isn't just self-destruction.
  • 00:02:10.212 --> 00:02:14.449
  • You know, we can lack a reverence for god or a respect
  • 00:02:14.449 --> 00:02:17.319
  • For god and we can engage in self-destructive behaviors and
  • 00:02:17.319 --> 00:02:20.856
  • Self-destructive decisions, but it isn't just ourselves that
  • 00:02:20.856 --> 00:02:23.659
  • Are involved.
  • 00:02:23.659 --> 00:02:24.993
  • It brings destructions to families, it brings destructions
  • 00:02:24.993 --> 00:02:27.396
  • To businesses, it brings destruction to churches, it can
  • 00:02:27.396 --> 00:02:31.033
  • Bring destruction to nations.
  • 00:02:31.033 --> 00:02:34.703
  • The fear of the lord is the beginning of wisdom.
  • 00:02:34.703 --> 00:02:40.075
  • I've discovered something, and i don't think it's just unique to
  • 00:02:40.075 --> 00:02:43.212
  • Me, but it is certainly a part of my portfolio.
  • 00:02:43.212 --> 00:02:47.382
  • It is much easier to identify pride in others than ourselves.
  • 00:02:47.382 --> 00:02:52.621
  • And maybe you know somebody that's just full of themself.
  • 00:02:52.621 --> 00:02:54.790
  • Don't raise your hand.
  • 00:02:54.790 --> 00:02:56.825
  • And for god's sake, don't look right or left, okay?
  • 00:02:56.825 --> 00:03:01.730
  • I built a list of some symptoms of pride.
  • 00:03:01.730 --> 00:03:03.498
  • I didn't put them in your notes.
  • 00:03:03.498 --> 00:03:06.168
  • You have to do this the old-fashioned way.
  • 00:03:06.168 --> 00:03:09.504
  • Or if you prefer symptoms, maybe the diminished fear of the lord,
  • 00:03:09.504 --> 00:03:11.974
  • And i just pulled it right out of those verses we've read
  • 00:03:11.974 --> 00:03:13.875
  • Together already.
  • 00:03:13.875 --> 00:03:15.444
  • The first would be a--that you work for self-sufficiency, so
  • 00:03:15.444 --> 00:03:21.183
  • You can be independent.
  • 00:03:21.183 --> 00:03:23.352
  • You want to self-insure.
  • 00:03:23.352 --> 00:03:28.523
  • It's the rich fool.
  • 00:03:28.523 --> 00:03:30.726
  • "i want to get as much as i can so i got my future covered.
  • 00:03:30.726 --> 00:03:36.164
  • And then i'm gonna give god my leftovers, my leftover time, my
  • 00:03:36.164 --> 00:03:39.301
  • Leftover resources, my leftover energy.
  • 00:03:39.301 --> 00:03:41.403
  • I mean, i'm gonna give all i've got to be independent."
  • 00:03:41.403 --> 00:03:45.707
  • It's one-dimensional, you're not thinking about eternity.
  • 00:03:45.707 --> 00:03:50.646
  • There's a second symptom, you build a future on unstable soil.
  • 00:03:50.646 --> 00:03:57.419
  • Maybe in plainer language that's disobedience to the truth that
  • 00:03:57.419 --> 00:04:00.589
  • You know, but it's fueled, it's driven,
  • 00:04:00.589 --> 00:04:03.992
  • By a perceived opportunity.
  • 00:04:03.992 --> 00:04:05.627
  • "yeah, i may be cheating around the edges a little bit.
  • 00:04:05.627 --> 00:04:08.030
  • I may be shading the truth just a perspective, but there's an
  • 00:04:08.030 --> 00:04:12.834
  • Opportunity, and if i can close this deal--"
  • 00:04:12.834 --> 00:04:18.640
  • In jesus's language, it's easier to build on sand than on rock.
  • 00:04:18.640 --> 00:04:25.247
  • "it's a foolish builder," he said.
  • 00:04:25.247 --> 00:04:27.816
  • A third symptom is we be dismissive of others's opinions.
  • 00:04:27.816 --> 00:04:32.220
  • We're really not very willing to listen.
  • 00:04:32.220 --> 00:04:35.357
  • The bible described that as a haughty spirit.
  • 00:04:35.357 --> 00:04:38.393
  • You're the smartest person in the most rooms where you sit.
  • 00:04:38.393 --> 00:04:45.534
  • Number four is a failure to implement the truth that
  • 00:04:45.534 --> 00:04:48.937
  • You know.
  • 00:04:48.937 --> 00:04:50.505
  • You have knowledge, you know quite a bit about god and you're
  • 00:04:50.505 --> 00:04:52.741
  • Familiar with the bible, but your application--maybe you get
  • 00:04:52.741 --> 00:04:57.312
  • Affiliated with church and you're engaged in
  • 00:04:57.312 --> 00:04:59.247
  • Religious activity.
  • 00:04:59.247 --> 00:05:00.615
  • The new testament, you don't have to go to the old testament,
  • 00:05:00.615 --> 00:05:02.284
  • The new testament, the bible is filled with those case studies.
  • 00:05:02.284 --> 00:05:06.154
  • People fully immersed, fully engaged in religious language,
  • 00:05:06.154 --> 00:05:09.157
  • Religious words, religious holidays, but their hearts are
  • 00:05:09.157 --> 00:05:12.327
  • Far from god.
  • 00:05:12.327 --> 00:05:14.996
  • Jesus said that's a foolish way to build your life.
  • 00:05:14.996 --> 00:05:20.068
  • Number five, we're talking about symptoms of a diminished fear
  • 00:05:20.068 --> 00:05:23.071
  • Of god.
  • 00:05:23.071 --> 00:05:24.673
  • Number five would be, you have a high tolerance for evil
  • 00:05:24.673 --> 00:05:28.210
  • And ungodliness.
  • 00:05:28.210 --> 00:05:32.647
  • That's your assignment, you're a missionary.
  • 00:05:32.647 --> 00:05:36.585
  • You use your discretionary time.
  • 00:05:36.585 --> 00:05:39.121
  • The people close to you, you're very comfortable
  • 00:05:39.121 --> 00:05:42.190
  • With ungodliness.
  • 00:05:42.190 --> 00:05:43.725
  • "well, it's my family, what do you expect me to do?"
  • 00:05:43.725 --> 00:05:48.296
  • Proverbs 8:13, we've already read it.
  • 00:05:48.296 --> 00:05:50.732
  • Number six, the blessings in your life, the blessings of god,
  • 00:05:50.732 --> 00:05:54.069
  • The grace and the mercy of god expressed to you, are perceived
  • 00:05:54.069 --> 00:05:57.139
  • As personal accomplishments.
  • 00:05:57.139 --> 00:05:58.707
  • "i worked hard, i've been diligent.
  • 00:05:58.707 --> 00:06:01.410
  • I got up early and i stayed up late.
  • 00:06:01.410 --> 00:06:05.247
  • I had a plan and i worked my plan.
  • 00:06:05.247 --> 00:06:08.517
  • Look what i've done."
  • 00:06:08.517 --> 00:06:12.187
  • Jesus talked about that in that story of a rich fool.
  • 00:06:12.187 --> 00:06:16.057
  • I had--i have a friend.
  • 00:06:16.057 --> 00:06:18.593
  • He grew up in the middle east in another culture.
  • 00:06:18.593 --> 00:06:22.664
  • You know, he said to me--he'd immigrated to the states, this
  • 00:06:22.664 --> 00:06:24.699
  • Was some years ago, and he said, "you know, in america you work
  • 00:06:24.699 --> 00:06:27.335
  • To have opportunities to recreate, to vacation, to do
  • 00:06:27.335 --> 00:06:30.439
  • Whatever your hobbies are."
  • 00:06:30.439 --> 00:06:32.140
  • He said, "the world i came from, we work to survive."
  • 00:06:32.140 --> 00:06:37.846
  • And i think for our affluence and the blessings that we have,
  • 00:06:37.846 --> 00:06:40.615
  • And we have more than any place i know on the planet, i think
  • 00:06:40.615 --> 00:06:44.486
  • They could only be understood as 'cause--having come from the
  • 00:06:44.486 --> 00:06:46.655
  • Hand of god.
  • 00:06:46.655 --> 00:06:48.089
  • But somehow we've done what god warned his people about in the
  • 00:06:48.089 --> 00:06:50.792
  • Books we're reading right now, if you're doing the bible
  • 00:06:50.792 --> 00:06:52.594
  • Reading with us.
  • 00:06:52.594 --> 00:06:53.929
  • He said, "when you occupy the land that i'm going to give you,
  • 00:06:53.929 --> 00:06:56.965
  • And you live in cities that you didn't build and you have
  • 00:06:56.965 --> 00:06:59.134
  • Vineyards that you didn't plant," he said, "you will begin
  • 00:06:59.134 --> 00:07:01.937
  • To imagine that you've made yourself successful."
  • 00:07:01.937 --> 00:07:05.941
  • And i think we've done that.
  • 00:07:05.941 --> 00:07:07.943
  • So we're more focused on what we're entitled to, what we have
  • 00:07:07.943 --> 00:07:10.078
  • A right to, what we deserve, as something that should be
  • 00:07:10.078 --> 00:07:14.049
  • Readjusted, and i should have a better opportunity.
  • 00:07:14.049 --> 00:07:19.287
  • We imagine that somehow we've made ourselves successful.
  • 00:07:19.287 --> 00:07:23.425
  • And finally, the seventh symptom i would submit to you is that
  • 00:07:23.425 --> 00:07:26.795
  • We've become comfortable with ungodliness.
  • 00:07:26.795 --> 00:07:30.098
  • We're okay with it.
  • 00:07:30.098 --> 00:07:32.100
  • We live in the midst of it, and it doesn't grieve us.
  • 00:07:32.100 --> 00:07:35.203
  • We just prefer not to notice.
  • 00:07:35.203 --> 00:07:36.571
  • We don't talk about it.
  • 00:07:36.571 --> 00:07:38.139
  • We say things like, "i don't watch the news," "oh, i don't
  • 00:07:38.139 --> 00:07:40.842
  • Think about that."
  • 00:07:40.842 --> 00:07:44.613
  • We've become so comfortable, we think if we close our eyes, hear
  • 00:07:44.613 --> 00:07:47.382
  • No evil, see no evil, and do no evil, that somehow we're removed
  • 00:07:47.382 --> 00:07:50.352
  • From evil.
  • 00:07:50.352 --> 00:07:54.155
  • The bible warns us about that.
  • 00:07:54.155 --> 00:07:56.491
  • I mean, we read it in psalm 36.
  • 00:07:56.491 --> 00:07:58.994
  • We got fancy language for it.
  • 00:07:58.994 --> 00:08:01.530
  • I hear it frequently.
  • 00:08:01.530 --> 00:08:02.898
  • Somebody said it to me recently.
  • 00:08:02.898 --> 00:08:04.232
  • They said, well, they were in a christian context, in a
  • 00:08:04.232 --> 00:08:07.235
  • Christian setting, a christian organization, and the--there
  • 00:08:07.235 --> 00:08:10.205
  • Was ungodliness that was being presented, and the answer came
  • 00:08:10.205 --> 00:08:13.074
  • Back, "well, we want--we wanna be good at conflict resolution."
  • 00:08:13.074 --> 00:08:18.847
  • We're not particularly focused on discipline and
  • 00:08:18.847 --> 00:08:20.882
  • Behavior change.
  • 00:08:20.882 --> 00:08:24.519
  • Oh yeah, we know that's kind of, like, outside our portfolio, but
  • 00:08:24.519 --> 00:08:27.856
  • What we want to be world class at is how to navigate that and
  • 00:08:27.856 --> 00:08:31.059
  • Negotiate that without having to say anything's wrong or
  • 00:08:31.059 --> 00:08:34.696
  • Anything's awkward or anything shouldn't happen.
  • 00:08:34.696 --> 00:08:38.867
  • Because after all, we live in a fallen world and a broken world,
  • 00:08:38.867 --> 00:08:41.570
  • And we don't wanna be that person."
  • 00:08:41.570 --> 00:08:45.807
  • Oh, you mean like our lord, the one they nailed to a cross.
  • 00:08:45.807 --> 00:08:51.580
  • And the momentum for nailing him to a cross came from the most
  • 00:08:51.580 --> 00:08:54.683
  • Religious people amongst him because his presence and his
  • 00:08:54.683 --> 00:08:58.320
  • Language convicted them that they had very little real
  • 00:08:58.320 --> 00:09:01.723
  • Respect for god, that they'd perverted the rules and made it
  • 00:09:01.723 --> 00:09:06.061
  • About opportunity.
  • 00:09:06.061 --> 00:09:08.396
  • That they perverted the fundamentals of things like
  • 00:09:08.396 --> 00:09:10.565
  • The sabbath.
  • 00:09:10.565 --> 00:09:11.900
  • They would work if there was economic opportunity in it, but
  • 00:09:11.900 --> 00:09:14.235
  • They wouldn't work if it was about worship.
  • 00:09:14.235 --> 00:09:18.773
  • The symptoms of a diminished fear of the lord.
  • 00:09:18.773 --> 00:09:22.310
  • My list isn't inclusive.
  • 00:09:22.310 --> 00:09:23.678
  • It didn't come down the mountain cut in stone.
  • 00:09:23.678 --> 00:09:25.013
  • You can make your own, but to the degree that any of that
  • 00:09:25.013 --> 00:09:27.983
  • Resonates, there's a conversation to be had with
  • 00:09:27.983 --> 00:09:30.085
  • The lord: lord, i wanna learn to honor you.
  • 00:09:30.085 --> 00:09:33.188
  • I want to learn to respect you.
  • 00:09:33.188 --> 00:09:35.256
  • And the goal for that is really simple.
  • 00:09:35.256 --> 00:09:36.958
  • We're taught that we can have treasure in heaven.
  • 00:09:36.958 --> 00:09:40.795
  • Well, why would you care?
  • 00:09:40.795 --> 00:09:42.130
  • Why--wouldn't you rather have treasure now?
  • 00:09:42.130 --> 00:09:44.499
  • You can get a third house, upgrade your car, have
  • 00:09:44.499 --> 00:09:48.937
  • Generational wealth and change the family tree.
  • 00:09:48.937 --> 00:09:51.006
  • Wouldn't you rather have treasure now?
  • 00:09:51.006 --> 00:09:52.440
  • Well, that's not wicked or evil.
  • 00:09:52.440 --> 00:09:54.142
  • It's a--god can bless us with that.
  • 00:09:54.142 --> 00:09:56.544
  • I'm not opposed to that, but treasure in heaven, jesus said,
  • 00:09:56.544 --> 00:10:00.148
  • Can never be diminished.
  • 00:10:00.148 --> 00:10:03.518
  • It has a payout, a reward, forever.
  • 00:10:03.518 --> 00:10:09.991
  • That's a different kind of investment.
  • 00:10:09.991 --> 00:10:13.228
  • Doesn't depend on the fed chair.
  • 00:10:13.228 --> 00:10:15.830
  • You should pray for him.
  • 00:10:15.830 --> 00:10:19.467
  • We're given some how-to insights.
  • 00:10:19.467 --> 00:10:21.269
  • Jesus in matthew 6, this is part of the sermon on the mount, so
  • 00:10:21.269 --> 00:10:24.572
  • It's right in there with all the beatitudes.
  • 00:10:24.572 --> 00:10:28.677
  • He said, "don't store up for yourselves treasures on earth."
  • 00:10:28.677 --> 00:10:32.614
  • These are jesus's words, folks.
  • 00:10:32.614 --> 00:10:34.082
  • That's very straightforward.
  • 00:10:34.082 --> 00:10:35.417
  • He said, "do not."
  • 00:10:35.417 --> 00:10:37.318
  • Now, i don't think it's a condemnation of wealth or
  • 00:10:37.318 --> 00:10:40.021
  • Accumulation, but i believe it's a discussion about priority.
  • 00:10:40.021 --> 00:10:45.293
  • "don't store up for yourself treasures on earth, because
  • 00:10:45.293 --> 00:10:47.862
  • Moth and rust will destroy it,
  • 00:10:47.862 --> 00:10:49.230
  • And thieves can break in and steal it."
  • 00:10:49.230 --> 00:10:50.565
  • He said you can't keep it.
  • 00:10:50.565 --> 00:10:54.436
  • "but store up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where moth
  • 00:10:54.436 --> 00:10:57.205
  • And rust, don't destroy, and where thieves
  • 00:10:57.205 --> 00:10:58.606
  • Don't break in and steal.
  • 00:10:58.606 --> 00:10:59.974
  • For where your treasure is, there your heart will be."
  • 00:10:59.974 --> 00:11:03.545
  • Remember, the fear of the lord, the reverence of god, the
  • 00:11:03.545 --> 00:11:06.147
  • Respect for god, it's fundamentally about a
  • 00:11:06.147 --> 00:11:08.683
  • Heart condition.
  • 00:11:08.683 --> 00:11:11.519
  • And he said, "wherever your heart is, that's how you're
  • 00:11:11.519 --> 00:11:13.421
  • Gonna understand treasure.
  • 00:11:13.421 --> 00:11:15.457
  • That's where you're--that's what'll keep you awake at night.
  • 00:11:15.457 --> 00:11:18.860
  • That's what the real--the effort of your life will
  • 00:11:18.860 --> 00:11:21.229
  • Be directed.
  • 00:11:21.229 --> 00:11:24.232
  • Then he talks about the eye being the lamp, and if your eyes
  • 00:11:24.232 --> 00:11:26.434
  • Aren't good, your whole body will be full of light--
  • 00:11:26.434 --> 00:11:28.236
  • If they're good.
  • 00:11:28.236 --> 00:11:29.571
  • If they're bad, it'll be full of darkness.
  • 00:11:29.571 --> 00:11:31.873
  • Verse 24: "no one can serve two masters.
  • 00:11:31.873 --> 00:11:34.075
  • Either we'll hate the one and love the other, or we'll be
  • 00:11:34.075 --> 00:11:35.877
  • Devoted to the one and despise the other."
  • 00:11:35.877 --> 00:11:39.981
  • Verse 25: "don't worry about your life, what you'll eat or
  • 00:11:39.981 --> 00:11:43.017
  • Drink; or about your body, what you'll wear.
  • 00:11:43.017 --> 00:11:45.520
  • Isn't life more important than food, and the body more
  • 00:11:45.520 --> 00:11:47.822
  • Important than clothes?"
  • 00:11:47.822 --> 00:11:49.724
  • I don't understand it to be like an either/or comparison.
  • 00:11:49.724 --> 00:11:54.262
  • Well, either you love money or you love god.
  • 00:11:54.262 --> 00:11:59.067
  • I don't really understand it.
  • 00:11:59.067 --> 00:12:00.401
  • I don't believe jesus is implying, when he said that life
  • 00:12:00.401 --> 00:12:02.804
  • Is more important than food and the body more important
  • 00:12:02.804 --> 00:12:04.806
  • Than clothes,
  • 00:12:04.806 --> 00:12:06.174
  • I don't think he's saying you're more godly if you're naked.
  • 00:12:06.174 --> 00:12:10.979
  • Well, i mean, sometimes we go to some rather absurd--i do
  • 00:12:10.979 --> 00:12:16.117
  • Believe that passage is an invitation to a priority scale
  • 00:12:16.117 --> 00:12:20.155
  • Which begins with treasure in heaven.
  • 00:12:20.155 --> 00:12:26.761
  • And here's the awkward reality: we're not hardwired that way.
  • 00:12:26.761 --> 00:12:29.964
  • That's not baked into us.
  • 00:12:29.964 --> 00:12:31.933
  • This is the stuff of growing up in the lord.
  • 00:12:31.933 --> 00:12:34.869
  • This is the stuff of maturing, far more than being able to
  • 00:12:34.869 --> 00:12:37.539
  • Spell nebuchadnezzar.
  • 00:12:37.539 --> 00:12:41.009
  • The people that jesus talked to so much in the gospels, they
  • 00:12:41.009 --> 00:12:44.012
  • Were way up on the rules and experts in the law, but their
  • 00:12:44.012 --> 00:12:47.081
  • Hearts were far from god.
  • 00:12:47.081 --> 00:12:48.550
  • Jesus's commentary, not mine.
  • 00:12:48.550 --> 00:12:51.653
  • And we have the 21st century version of that.
  • 00:12:51.653 --> 00:12:55.223
  • We have all the things we say we can do and all the ways we're
  • 00:12:55.223 --> 00:12:58.026
  • Engaged, and all the ways we have a story of faith, but the
  • 00:12:58.026 --> 00:13:02.263
  • Question really--and it's a personal question.
  • 00:13:02.263 --> 00:13:04.165
  • I'm not the evaluator.
  • 00:13:04.165 --> 00:13:05.633
  • How's your heart with the lord, the respect, the reverence
  • 00:13:05.633 --> 00:13:08.269
  • For god?
  • 00:13:08.269 --> 00:13:09.604
  • Is he the priority?
  • 00:13:09.604 --> 00:13:11.773
  • And to what extent is he a greater priority now than he was
  • 00:13:11.773 --> 00:13:15.243
  • 12 months ago?
  • 00:13:15.243 --> 00:13:20.081
  • It's an exciting adventure.
  • 00:13:20.081 --> 00:13:22.483
  • Cc by aberdeen captioning 1-800-688-6621 www.aberdeen.io
  • 00:13:22.550 --> 00:13:28.523
  • Allen: hey, we have a tool that i think will help you overcome
  • 00:13:28.590 --> 00:13:30.792
  • Some of the chaos in the world and stay focused on the good
  • 00:13:30.792 --> 00:13:34.028
  • Things that god is doing.
  • 00:13:34.028 --> 00:13:35.563
  • It's called, "awaken us."
  • 00:13:35.563 --> 00:13:36.965
  • It's a 30-day plan.
  • 00:13:36.965 --> 00:13:39.000
  • Each day's got a scripture, a little devotional, a prayer that
  • 00:13:39.000 --> 00:13:42.170
  • Goes with a specific topic to awaken us to god's promise and
  • 00:13:42.170 --> 00:13:46.507
  • Provision in this season.
  • 00:13:46.507 --> 00:13:49.110
  • God's moving in the earth.
  • 00:13:49.110 --> 00:13:50.445
  • I want to move with him.
  • 00:13:50.445 --> 00:13:51.813
  • And i believe this tool will help you be prepared to
  • 00:13:51.813 --> 00:13:54.382
  • Capitalize on god's invitations in your life.
  • 00:13:54.382 --> 00:13:58.052
  • Female announcer: "awaken us" delivers 30 days of prayer,
  • 00:13:58.052 --> 00:14:00.655
  • Scripture, and insight from pastor allen on relevant topics.
  • 00:14:00.655 --> 00:14:04.726
  • Each day is designed to sharpen your focus as you ask god to
  • 00:14:04.726 --> 00:14:08.096
  • Show you his heart and his truth in a new way.
  • 00:14:08.096 --> 00:14:11.366
  • With the holy spirit's help, this book will awaken you to the
  • 00:14:11.366 --> 00:14:14.836
  • Impact your life has on the world and those around you.
  • 00:14:14.836 --> 00:14:18.039
  • Start your journey today by requesting "awaken us" when you
  • 00:14:18.039 --> 00:14:21.075
  • Donate any amount at allenjackson.com or
  • 00:14:21.075 --> 00:14:24.145
  • By calling...
  • 00:14:24.145 --> 00:14:28.116
  • Allen: look at revelation 3, similar passage.
  • 00:14:29.450 --> 00:14:32.353
  • It's one of the churches in revelation.
  • 00:14:32.353 --> 00:14:33.721
  • It's written to a church and they made the book.
  • 00:14:33.721 --> 00:14:36.658
  • I mean, the book of revelation starts with a message to seven
  • 00:14:36.658 --> 00:14:38.660
  • Churches, and this is one of them, the church of laodicea.
  • 00:14:38.660 --> 00:14:41.596
  • This is their self-awareness.
  • 00:14:41.596 --> 00:14:44.565
  • Remember, without the fear of god, you say in your own eyes,
  • 00:14:44.565 --> 00:14:47.435
  • Remember all those verses about how your own eyes?
  • 00:14:47.435 --> 00:14:50.405
  • This is what they say about them: "you say, 'i am rich; and
  • 00:14:50.405 --> 00:14:52.674
  • I have acquired wealth and i don't need a thing,' but you
  • 00:14:52.674 --> 00:14:55.143
  • Don't realize that you're wretched, pitiful, poor, blind,
  • 00:14:55.143 --> 00:14:57.679
  • And naked."
  • 00:14:57.679 --> 00:15:00.081
  • Now, with the little bible study that we've done,
  • 00:15:00.081 --> 00:15:02.383
  • What does that describe?
  • 00:15:02.383 --> 00:15:03.751
  • What was absent in the laodicean church?
  • 00:15:03.751 --> 00:15:07.622
  • The fear of god.
  • 00:15:07.622 --> 00:15:09.724
  • Little respect for god, little reverence for god,
  • 00:15:09.724 --> 00:15:12.427
  • Little awe for god.
  • 00:15:12.427 --> 00:15:13.761
  • They're a church, they made the book.
  • 00:15:13.761 --> 00:15:16.631
  • And jesus cared enough about them to send them a
  • 00:15:16.631 --> 00:15:18.800
  • Corrective rebuke.
  • 00:15:18.800 --> 00:15:21.536
  • He's--there's still an angel assigned to them, but he said,
  • 00:15:21.536 --> 00:15:23.805
  • "if you don't change, they'll be moved."
  • 00:15:23.805 --> 00:15:29.344
  • And then he gives them--he said in verse 18, "i counsel you to
  • 00:15:29.344 --> 00:15:33.014
  • Buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich."
  • 00:15:33.014 --> 00:15:39.854
  • Rich with what? rich in heaven.
  • 00:15:39.854 --> 00:15:42.657
  • "white clothes to wear."
  • 00:15:42.657 --> 00:15:44.959
  • Stop worrying about your wardrobe and start being worried
  • 00:15:44.959 --> 00:15:48.663
  • About your spiritual wardrobe, "so you can cover your shameful
  • 00:15:48.663 --> 00:15:54.002
  • Nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes.
  • 00:15:54.002 --> 00:15:57.772
  • You don't even see."
  • 00:15:57.772 --> 00:16:01.075
  • I'm intrigued that verse 18 begins with "i counsel you to
  • 00:16:01.075 --> 00:16:05.113
  • Buy from me."
  • 00:16:05.113 --> 00:16:07.982
  • We're very grace-oriented, and i'm not opposed to grace.
  • 00:16:07.982 --> 00:16:10.451
  • If you look up grace in the spiritual dictionary, you'll
  • 00:16:10.451 --> 00:16:12.353
  • Probably find my picture.
  • 00:16:12.353 --> 00:16:15.056
  • Grace is unearned, undeserved, unmerited.
  • 00:16:15.056 --> 00:16:18.559
  • It's very popular in many places to say very loudly that, you
  • 00:16:18.559 --> 00:16:22.497
  • Know, there's nothing you can do that will put you beyond the
  • 00:16:22.497 --> 00:16:24.565
  • Grace of god.
  • 00:16:24.565 --> 00:16:28.202
  • There is some truth in that, but it's deceptive,
  • 00:16:28.202 --> 00:16:32.306
  • Because god's grace is not infinite.
  • 00:16:32.306 --> 00:16:35.777
  • If god's grace was infinite, we wouldn't have needed the cross.
  • 00:16:35.777 --> 00:16:40.014
  • God would have just said, "oh, it's okay.
  • 00:16:40.014 --> 00:16:42.850
  • Group hug, come on, hug it out."
  • 00:16:42.850 --> 00:16:47.422
  • The fact that jesus was asked to come to the earth and bear our
  • 00:16:47.422 --> 00:16:50.391
  • Sins suggests that god's grace is not infinite.
  • 00:16:50.391 --> 00:16:54.929
  • And so the counsel that's given to this particular church is, "i
  • 00:16:54.929 --> 00:16:58.132
  • Counsel you to buy from me."
  • 00:16:58.132 --> 00:17:01.469
  • It suggests a transaction, not a financial transaction but
  • 00:17:01.469 --> 00:17:04.839
  • An exchange.
  • 00:17:04.839 --> 00:17:06.174
  • What he's inviting them towards is not just a gift, it requires
  • 00:17:06.174 --> 00:17:10.511
  • A response from them.
  • 00:17:10.511 --> 00:17:11.879
  • Now, we don't earn our way to heaven, but we do have to
  • 00:17:11.879 --> 00:17:15.450
  • Cooperate with the spirit of god if we are to grow up in
  • 00:17:15.450 --> 00:17:19.153
  • The lord.
  • 00:17:19.153 --> 00:17:23.091
  • And we haven't really thought that was significant because
  • 00:17:23.091 --> 00:17:25.193
  • We've been told if you get your ticket punched, nothing else
  • 00:17:25.193 --> 00:17:27.228
  • Then really matters.
  • 00:17:27.228 --> 00:17:29.230
  • You're golden, you got a golden ticket.
  • 00:17:29.230 --> 00:17:33.668
  • But the message of scripture, the message to the church, is
  • 00:17:33.668 --> 00:17:37.772
  • You don't want the end of the age to open up and you be
  • 00:17:37.772 --> 00:17:41.109
  • Blind, naked.
  • 00:17:41.109 --> 00:17:47.815
  • See, this particular church has a complete misperception, a
  • 00:17:47.815 --> 00:17:50.485
  • Total lack of awareness.
  • 00:17:50.485 --> 00:17:52.220
  • In reality, they're wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.
  • 00:17:52.220 --> 00:17:55.389
  • But the good news, and you need to hear this, the good news is
  • 00:17:55.389 --> 00:17:58.426
  • They can become rich.
  • 00:17:58.426 --> 00:18:01.162
  • You can be so unaware, you're naked and don't know it.
  • 00:18:01.162 --> 00:18:05.967
  • You can be so unaware, you're blind and don't--how messed up
  • 00:18:05.967 --> 00:18:09.637
  • Do you have to be to be blind and not know it?
  • 00:18:09.637 --> 00:18:14.342
  • And he said you can be rich, and you can see, and you can wear
  • 00:18:14.342 --> 00:18:18.713
  • Fine clothes.
  • 00:18:18.713 --> 00:18:20.781
  • What's the beginning of wisdom?
  • 00:18:20.781 --> 00:18:24.819
  • The fear of the lord.
  • 00:18:24.819 --> 00:18:26.554
  • A respect for god, a reverence for god.
  • 00:18:26.554 --> 00:18:28.623
  • "god, i'm so sorry.
  • 00:18:28.623 --> 00:18:30.124
  • I've been driving this train, i didn't care what you thought.
  • 00:18:30.124 --> 00:18:33.161
  • I cared if i got caught, but i didn't care what you thought."
  • 00:18:33.161 --> 00:18:37.899
  • We're told some things about our heavenly treasures.
  • 00:18:37.899 --> 00:18:40.101
  • Psalm 119: "the fear of the lord is pure, it endures forever."
  • 00:18:40.101 --> 00:18:44.172
  • See, the fear of the lord has a value forever.
  • 00:18:44.172 --> 00:18:48.009
  • Forever, young, old.
  • 00:18:48.009 --> 00:18:51.479
  • "the ordinances of the lord are sure and altogether righteous.
  • 00:18:51.479 --> 00:18:53.981
  • They're more precious than gold, they're--than much pure gold;
  • 00:18:53.981 --> 00:18:57.151
  • They're sweeter than honey, than the honeycomb.
  • 00:18:57.151 --> 00:18:59.420
  • By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is a
  • 00:18:59.420 --> 00:19:02.190
  • Great reward."
  • 00:19:02.190 --> 00:19:07.528
  • Proverbs 8: "choose my instruction instead of silver,
  • 00:19:07.528 --> 00:19:09.964
  • Rather--knowledge rather than choice gold."
  • 00:19:09.964 --> 00:19:13.301
  • We'd rather be disciplined by the lord, have revelation of
  • 00:19:13.301 --> 00:19:16.671
  • God, insight into the character of god and how we should react
  • 00:19:16.671 --> 00:19:20.374
  • To him than any opportunity this world offers us.
  • 00:19:20.374 --> 00:19:24.879
  • How often are we willing to compromise because we think
  • 00:19:24.879 --> 00:19:26.981
  • Something will bring us pleasure, status, an invitation,
  • 00:19:26.981 --> 00:19:32.486
  • Acceptance, applause, approval?
  • 00:19:32.486 --> 00:19:36.123
  • It is rampant amongst us, not the pagans.
  • 00:19:36.123 --> 00:19:40.995
  • We're reluctant, we ignore the truth, we hide the truth, we
  • 00:19:40.995 --> 00:19:44.432
  • Deny the truth because it's awkward sometimes.
  • 00:19:44.432 --> 00:19:50.471
  • Attach value to living out god's precepts.
  • 00:19:50.471 --> 00:19:53.608
  • Choose to be instructed by the lord.
  • 00:19:53.608 --> 00:19:56.043
  • Don't reject it.
  • 00:19:56.043 --> 00:20:00.214
  • Matthew 5, this is jesus again.
  • 00:20:00.214 --> 00:20:02.650
  • He said, "you're blessed when people insult you, persecute you
  • 00:20:02.650 --> 00:20:05.186
  • And falsely say all kinds of evil against you.
  • 00:20:05.186 --> 00:20:08.122
  • Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven."
  • 00:20:08.122 --> 00:20:12.760
  • Most of us will deny almost everything we know about the
  • 00:20:12.760 --> 00:20:15.363
  • Lord if we--if it'll keep us under the radar.
  • 00:20:15.363 --> 00:20:20.835
  • Again, i'm not asking you to be belligerent or angry or
  • 00:20:20.835 --> 00:20:23.504
  • Vindictive or mean-spirited or condemning.
  • 00:20:23.504 --> 00:20:26.207
  • I'm simply asking you to give expression to your reverence,
  • 00:20:26.207 --> 00:20:29.310
  • Your respect, your awe for god.
  • 00:20:29.310 --> 00:20:33.481
  • And he said, listen, if you do that, there are times people are
  • 00:20:33.481 --> 00:20:35.616
  • Gonna say some awful things about you, you'll be reviled,
  • 00:20:35.616 --> 00:20:38.219
  • You'll be hated.
  • 00:20:38.219 --> 00:20:40.354
  • That hurts, it's not fun, it's unpleasant, we would rather
  • 00:20:40.354 --> 00:20:43.324
  • Avoid it, but he says when that happens, rejoice because you've
  • 00:20:43.324 --> 00:20:46.460
  • Got a great reward.
  • 00:20:46.460 --> 00:20:49.163
  • It's better than winning the lottery.
  • 00:20:49.163 --> 00:20:50.698
  • [congregation applauding]
  • 00:20:50.698 --> 00:20:55.403
  • We're called to be truth builders, obedient,
  • 00:20:57.605 --> 00:21:01.909
  • Practitioners of the faith that we have.
  • 00:21:01.909 --> 00:21:05.613
  • Jesus gives us a very stern reminder in matthew 7.
  • 00:21:05.613 --> 00:21:08.849
  • He says, "not everyone who says to me, 'lord, lord,' will enter
  • 00:21:08.849 --> 00:21:12.386
  • The kingdom of heaven, but only he who does
  • 00:21:12.386 --> 00:21:17.158
  • The will of my father."
  • 00:21:17.158 --> 00:21:19.527
  • Remember what jesus said about wise and foolish builders?
  • 00:21:19.527 --> 00:21:21.529
  • Who was the wise builder?
  • 00:21:21.529 --> 00:21:24.265
  • The one who when he hears the word and does it, he said that
  • 00:21:24.265 --> 00:21:28.235
  • Is the wise person.
  • 00:21:28.235 --> 00:21:29.837
  • The one who hears the word and doesn't do it, he said, oh,
  • 00:21:29.837 --> 00:21:31.972
  • That's foolish.
  • 00:21:31.972 --> 00:21:34.275
  • We've made the full circle.
  • 00:21:34.275 --> 00:21:35.609
  • He says, "not everyone who says to me, 'lord, lord,'" not
  • 00:21:35.609 --> 00:21:37.611
  • Everybody who knows the vocabulary and the words to the
  • 00:21:37.611 --> 00:21:40.781
  • Choruses will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who
  • 00:21:40.781 --> 00:21:44.251
  • Has the wisdom, enough respect for god, enough reverence for
  • 00:21:44.251 --> 00:21:49.557
  • God to do his will.
  • 00:21:49.557 --> 00:21:52.393
  • "many will say to me," verse 22, "on that day, 'lord, didn't we
  • 00:21:52.393 --> 00:21:55.529
  • Prophesy in your name, in your name we drove out demons and we
  • 00:21:55.529 --> 00:21:58.933
  • Performed miracles?'
  • 00:21:58.933 --> 00:22:00.267
  • And i'll tell them, 'i don't know you.'"
  • 00:22:00.267 --> 00:22:05.406
  • "but i've got good credentials."
  • 00:22:05.406 --> 00:22:09.944
  • "i don't know you.
  • 00:22:09.944 --> 00:22:13.214
  • You never really respected me.
  • 00:22:13.214 --> 00:22:16.884
  • You didn't really hold me in esteem."
  • 00:22:16.884 --> 00:22:19.954
  • See, what i love about this is it's not dependent upon our iq.
  • 00:22:19.954 --> 00:22:23.557
  • We don't have to know greek or hebrew.
  • 00:22:23.557 --> 00:22:26.127
  • We don't have to be particularly accomplished or talented.
  • 00:22:26.127 --> 00:22:28.829
  • We don't have to be celebrated.
  • 00:22:28.829 --> 00:22:30.164
  • We don't have to be an influencer.
  • 00:22:30.164 --> 00:22:31.832
  • Every one of us in the circumstances of our life right
  • 00:22:31.832 --> 00:22:34.502
  • Now in this moment can say, "god, i wanna know you better.
  • 00:22:34.502 --> 00:22:39.006
  • I wanna cooperate as fully as i know how.
  • 00:22:39.006 --> 00:22:41.575
  • Holy spirit, help me.
  • 00:22:41.575 --> 00:22:44.845
  • If there are any of those places where any of those symptoms are
  • 00:22:44.845 --> 00:22:47.181
  • Growing in me, holy spirit, help me to see them.
  • 00:22:47.181 --> 00:22:49.417
  • I would like to change."
  • 00:22:49.417 --> 00:22:51.986
  • I'm not suggesting it's easy or it'll even happen overnight.
  • 00:22:51.986 --> 00:22:55.456
  • How many of you have decided sometime since january you'd
  • 00:22:55.456 --> 00:22:57.825
  • Like to lose 2 or 3 pounds?
  • 00:22:57.825 --> 00:23:00.895
  • Nobody raised their hand, a whole church full of liars.
  • 00:23:00.895 --> 00:23:02.963
  • [congregation laughing]
  • 00:23:02.963 --> 00:23:08.669
  • We all have.
  • 00:23:08.669 --> 00:23:10.805
  • Because the cleaner shrunk your clothes or--but we didn't care
  • 00:23:10.805 --> 00:23:16.544
  • Enough about it to skip dessert.
  • 00:23:16.544 --> 00:23:18.112
  • I mean, you know.
  • 00:23:18.112 --> 00:23:20.314
  • I wanted, like, a cream i could rub on my forehead when i went
  • 00:23:20.314 --> 00:23:23.184
  • To sleep at night and i'd wake up buff.
  • 00:23:23.184 --> 00:23:30.357
  • Most of us would like to be more godly.
  • 00:23:30.357 --> 00:23:33.461
  • We'd like, you know, to have a dream in the night and wake up
  • 00:23:33.461 --> 00:23:36.597
  • In the morning, holy.
  • 00:23:36.597 --> 00:23:42.203
  • My life experience means that i have to choose that.
  • 00:23:42.203 --> 00:23:45.806
  • In the same way with our food, i have to make a decision every
  • 00:23:45.806 --> 00:23:48.175
  • Time i pick up a fork.
  • 00:23:48.175 --> 00:23:51.078
  • And with god, i have to make a decision with every
  • 00:23:51.078 --> 00:23:54.048
  • Interaction, with every conversation, with every day.
  • 00:23:54.048 --> 00:23:58.152
  • Some days i do better than others.
  • 00:23:58.152 --> 00:24:01.655
  • And hopefully, i'm learning to grieve when i don't do as well
  • 00:24:01.655 --> 00:24:04.225
  • And say, "god, i'm sorry.
  • 00:24:04.225 --> 00:24:05.593
  • Would you help me tomorrow?"
  • 00:24:05.593 --> 00:24:07.895
  • The fear of the lord is the beginning of wisdom.
  • 00:24:07.895 --> 00:24:10.664
  • Folks, our problems are not going to get better with
  • 00:24:10.664 --> 00:24:12.600
  • An election.
  • 00:24:12.600 --> 00:24:15.269
  • Our schools will get better, our children will have a better
  • 00:24:15.269 --> 00:24:18.572
  • Future, if the fear of god flourishes in the midst of the
  • 00:24:18.572 --> 00:24:22.576
  • People of god.
  • 00:24:22.576 --> 00:24:24.011
  • [congregation applauding]
  • 00:24:24.011 --> 00:24:30.351
  • I've got a prayer i wanna invite you to.
  • 00:24:30.351 --> 00:24:31.986
  • It's not on your notes, i ran out of space.
  • 00:24:31.986 --> 00:24:34.889
  • I thought the scripture was more important
  • 00:24:34.889 --> 00:24:36.257
  • Than the prayer in this instance.
  • 00:24:36.257 --> 00:24:37.591
  • We'll post it someplace.
  • 00:24:37.591 --> 00:24:39.627
  • We'll make it difficult to find.
  • 00:24:39.627 --> 00:24:43.297
  • If you'll stand with me, you can repeat it with me.
  • 00:24:43.297 --> 00:24:44.899
  • We're gonna do it a line at a time, it's really
  • 00:24:44.899 --> 00:24:46.534
  • A proclamation.
  • 00:24:46.534 --> 00:24:47.868
  • In james chapter 1 and verse 5, you can check me later, james
  • 00:24:47.868 --> 00:24:51.305
  • Said, "if any man lacks wisdom, he can ask of god and he'll give
  • 00:24:51.305 --> 00:24:54.074
  • It to you, generously without criticism.
  • 00:24:54.074 --> 00:24:57.778
  • But if you ask, ask in faith, nothing wavering because if you
  • 00:24:57.778 --> 00:25:01.949
  • Waver, you're like a wave of the sea driven by the wind, and you
  • 00:25:01.949 --> 00:25:05.686
  • Should--you shouldn't think that you'll receive anything
  • 00:25:05.686 --> 00:25:07.721
  • From the lord."
  • 00:25:07.721 --> 00:25:09.256
  • So if you recognize that we lack the wisdom to truly have the
  • 00:25:09.256 --> 00:25:12.426
  • Fear of god, we can ask god for that wisdom.
  • 00:25:12.426 --> 00:25:15.629
  • So that's my prayer, just repeat it after me: "heavenly father, i
  • 00:25:15.629 --> 00:25:19.800
  • Ask for your wisdom in my life.
  • 00:25:19.800 --> 00:25:23.637
  • I repent of being 'wise in my own eyes.'
  • 00:25:23.637 --> 00:25:29.310
  • I choose to submit to your authority and to your direction.
  • 00:25:29.310 --> 00:25:36.951
  • I will no longer be tolerant of ungodliness and evil.
  • 00:25:36.951 --> 00:25:44.358
  • Holy spirit help me to understand the fear of the lord.
  • 00:25:44.358 --> 00:25:50.931
  • Almighty god has blessed my life, and i will honor him.
  • 00:25:50.931 --> 00:25:58.505
  • In jesus's name, amen."
  • 00:25:58.505 --> 00:26:01.842
  • Hallelujah.
  • 00:26:01.842 --> 00:26:03.544
  • Go forth and be wise.
  • 00:26:03.544 --> 00:26:05.045
  • [congregation applauding]
  • 00:26:05.045 --> 00:26:08.749
  • Allen: you know, no matter what source of news you turn to, it's
  • 00:26:12.987 --> 00:26:16.790
  • Hard some days not to be overwhelmed with despair, the
  • 00:26:16.790 --> 00:26:20.761
  • Deception, the conflict in the earth, the suffering that's
  • 00:26:20.761 --> 00:26:24.064
  • Taking place in so many places, the struggling church in our
  • 00:26:24.064 --> 00:26:27.835
  • Own nation.
  • 00:26:27.835 --> 00:26:29.169
  • But there are reasons for hope.
  • 00:26:29.169 --> 00:26:30.638
  • God is moving in the most remarkable ways, but we need to
  • 00:26:30.638 --> 00:26:34.408
  • Have a plan, a method, even a tool to help us keep our
  • 00:26:34.408 --> 00:26:38.045
  • Thoughts and our hearts focused on god.
  • 00:26:38.045 --> 00:26:40.347
  • Well, i have a suggestion.
  • 00:26:40.347 --> 00:26:41.715
  • It's a little booklet we put together, it's called,
  • 00:26:41.715 --> 00:26:43.050
  • "awaken us."
  • 00:26:43.050 --> 00:26:44.418
  • It's a 30-day plan.
  • 00:26:44.418 --> 00:26:45.753
  • It's built by topic, each day, with a scripture, a little
  • 00:26:45.753 --> 00:26:48.422
  • Devotional, and a prayer, topically directed to help focus
  • 00:26:48.422 --> 00:26:52.359
  • Our thoughts and an awakening to god's invitations to us around
  • 00:26:52.359 --> 00:26:56.630
  • That specific theme.
  • 00:26:56.630 --> 00:26:58.165
  • We're awakened every day for the challenges of that day.
  • 00:26:58.165 --> 00:27:00.768
  • Well, let's ask the spirit of god to awaken us consistently to
  • 00:27:00.768 --> 00:27:04.805
  • What he would have us doing in this most unique season.
  • 00:27:04.805 --> 00:27:08.375
  • God is moving, i wanna move with him, and i believe you do, too,
  • 00:27:08.375 --> 00:27:11.578
  • And i believe, "awaken us" will be a help.
  • 00:27:11.578 --> 00:27:14.181
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:15.149 --> 00:27:29.997