Creflo Dollar - Self-Effort Vs. Redeemed Effort

June 19, 2026 | 27:29

Join the dynamic leadership and teaching of Dr. Creflo and Taffi Dollar.

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Creflo Dollar | Creflo Dollar - Self-Effort Vs. Redeemed Effort | June 19, 2026
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  • Creflo dollar: you don't know why i'm singing so loud
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  • This morning.
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  • You don't know why my hands won't come down.
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  • You don't know why i spend time out in the woods by myself.
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  • You think i'm trying to make something happen that's
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  • Already happened.
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  • No, i'm trying to just stay in line with what's already
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  • Finished, and it is intentional.
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  • It is intentional.
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  • It is deliberate.
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  • My effort is redeemed.
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  • Creflo: you have your bibles, go with me to the book of galatians
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  • Chapter 3, i'm gonna start off by reading the nlt and the
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  • Mirror translation, and what i'd like to do this morning is to
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  • Deal with some of those critical areas of our grace life that we
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  • Need to have a clear understanding about.
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  • And one of them is this issue of self-effort versus no effort, is
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  • That true?
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  • Self-effort versus permitted effort, is that true?
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  • Are we saying that now that you're living the grace life
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  • That it requires no effort?
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  • Well, we're gonna dig into that today, and we're gonna see
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  • Exactly what needs to take place because certainly there are a
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  • Lot of things that you are doing.
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  • Certainly, there is some effort that is involved in your grace
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  • Life, but i need you to understand it so you can explain
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  • It to people, so they will have a great understanding that we're
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  • Not saying no effort.
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  • So, so when does self-effort stop?
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  • When does self-effort begin and what do you call the effort that
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  • Continues on in the new covenant because in the new covenant,
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  • There is effort that takes place, but it's not the same
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  • Effort that you see in the old covenant.
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  • Galatians chapter 3, verses 3 in the nlt, he says this, "how
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  • Foolish can you be?
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  • After starting your new lives in the spirit, why are you now
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  • Trying to become perfect by your own human effort?"
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  • You started it off in the spirit, and there was nothing
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  • You brought to the table.
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  • How is it that you've gotten to the point now where you are now
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  • Yielding to your own human effort after beginning this
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  • Whole thing in the spirit?
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  • The mirror translation, he says this.
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  • He says, "can you see how stupid it would be to start in the
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  • Spirit (believing in the success of the cross)
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  • And then for some crazy reason to switch modes back to
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  • Do-it-yourself again, diy.
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  • As if your own works could add anything to what god has already
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  • Done in christ."
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  • So we're gonna talk this morning about self-effort versus
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  • Redeemed effort, self-effort versus redeemed effort.
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  • Now, let me establish the foundation for this conversation
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  • This morning or this teaching.
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  • Let's look at the old covenant, the covenant of the law, the
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  • Old agreement.
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  • Under the old covenant, self-effort was the means to try
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  • To become righteous.
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  • Before christ, before what he did, self-effort was the means
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  • Of trying to become righteous.
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  • That's why he says that righteousness is, you know, but
  • 00:04:52.994 --> 00:04:57.099
  • A filthy rag because it was never going to reach the place
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  • Where it was going to, where it needed to be.
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  • He says that the law said do this.
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  • The law said do this and live.
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  • The law said if you do this, you'll live.
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  • So the law and the old covenant was a
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  • Performance-based agreement.
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  • And under that old covenant, you had to do good to get
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  • Good, okay.
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  • Under that old covenant, it was about performance.
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  • It was about your performance under that old covenant.
  • 00:05:23.792 --> 00:05:27.529
  • Now, blessings under the old covenant were conditional, and
  • 00:05:27.529 --> 00:05:33.769
  • They were conditional and based on your performance.
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  • You know, if you did this, you get blessed.
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  • If you didn't do this, you get cursed.
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  • Everything was based on how you would do, okay.
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  • It was all about working for god's approval under the
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  • Old covenant.
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  • You had to work for his approval.
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  • You had to work for his forgiveness.
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  • You had to work for his favor.
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  • And that's why, let me tell you what happens when you strive to
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  • Do that.
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  • That's why it produced sin consciousness.
  • 00:06:04.933 --> 00:06:09.237
  • Doing that under the old covenant, it produced
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  • Sin consciousness.
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  • It produced condemnation.
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  • Sin consciousness comes as a result of that way of living.
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  • Condemnation comes as a result of that.
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  • And you know what else comes as a result of it?
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  • Burnout, that's what happened to me.
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  • Burnout comes as a result of that.
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  • Paul called it the ministry of death.
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  • In fact, i'll show you this.
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  • I mean, what i just described to you, paul said it was the
  • 00:06:36.031 --> 00:06:37.833
  • Ministry of death.
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  • 2 corinthians chapter 3 and verse 7 in the nlt, he calls it
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  • The ministry of death.
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  • I mean that whole chapter was something, but he says, "the old
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  • Way," paul is talking here, "the old way, with laws etched
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  • In stone."
  • 00:06:52.848 --> 00:06:54.716
  • He said it "led to death, though it began with such glory that
  • 00:06:54.716 --> 00:06:59.788
  • The people of israel could not bear to look at moses' face."
  • 00:06:59.788 --> 00:07:04.459
  • And then he says, "for his face shone with the glory of god,
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  • Even though the brightness was already fading away."
  • 00:07:08.864 --> 00:07:14.669
  • So he says, yeah, that one time it was good.
  • 00:07:14.669 --> 00:07:17.138
  • His face was shone with brightness, but the glory was
  • 00:07:17.138 --> 00:07:20.642
  • Fading away.
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  • The time was getting ready to move.
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  • There was a change getting ready to show up.
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  • Self-effort under the law of works failed to access the glory
  • 00:07:27.115 --> 00:07:35.624
  • That adam had lost on behalf of mankind.
  • 00:07:35.624 --> 00:07:39.027
  • It failed to do that.
  • 00:07:39.027 --> 00:07:42.163
  • Now, let's establish some things under the new covenant.
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  • Under the new covenant, everything changes.
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  • Now follow me very carefully because there's going to be a
  • 00:07:50.205 --> 00:07:53.074
  • Little twist that takes place here.
  • 00:07:53.074 --> 00:07:59.481
  • Under the new covenant, everything changes.
  • 00:07:59.481 --> 00:08:03.118
  • We're not working for righteousness.
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  • Jesus is our righteousness.
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  • We're righteous because of him.
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  • It's his righteousness, all right.
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  • We're not working for righteousness.
  • 00:08:13.562 --> 00:08:16.498
  • We're working from righteousness.
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  • And there's a difference.
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  • We're not working for it.
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  • We have it because of jesus and now we're working from
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  • Righteousness, all right?
  • 00:08:26.408 --> 00:08:29.844
  • So jesus did the heavy lifting, in other words.
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  • His finished work means your righteousness, your acceptance,
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  • And your favor are already yours.
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  • Your righteousness, your acceptance, the favor is already
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  • Yours because of what jesus has done.
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  • Because of jesus, it's already yours.
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  • I don't have to work for righteousness.
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  • Jesus did it all.
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  • He did the heavy lifting.
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  • I receive it.
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  • I embrace it.
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  • I am the righteousness of god.
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  • I am accepted.
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  • It's not based on something i do.
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  • That was the old testament.
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  • Under this new one, i receive it.
  • 00:09:11.286 --> 00:09:13.221
  • Jesus did it all.
  • 00:09:13.221 --> 00:09:14.589
  • I receive it all, all right?
  • 00:09:14.589 --> 00:09:19.728
  • So it's not based on what you do, but it's based on what
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  • He's done.
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  • Not what you do, but what he's done.
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  • Now you'll see why i'm getting ready to teach this because some
  • 00:09:32.407 --> 00:09:36.111
  • People might hear it as, well, since it's already done, then i
  • 00:09:36.111 --> 00:09:41.616
  • Ain't got nothing to do, and that's not what i said.
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  • Listen carefully.
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  • Look at hebrews chapter 10 and verse 14.
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  • Let's look at it in the king james and the message.
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  • Hebrews 10:14, the king james and the message.
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  • It's done.
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  • So any self-effort to do what's done is gonna be a problem,
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  • All right?
  • 00:10:11.112 --> 00:10:12.447
  • It's already done.
  • 00:10:12.447 --> 00:10:14.082
  • I got to convince you it's done.
  • 00:10:14.082 --> 00:10:15.483
  • I mean so you can, it's almost like you're seated right now.
  • 00:10:15.483 --> 00:10:19.988
  • And then i come and say sit down.
  • 00:10:19.988 --> 00:10:24.159
  • Well, that's what we're doing in our relationship.
  • 00:10:24.159 --> 00:10:26.628
  • You're seated.
  • 00:10:26.628 --> 00:10:30.165
  • All right, hebrews chapter 10:14, "for by one offering he
  • 00:10:30.165 --> 00:10:35.670
  • Hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified."
  • 00:10:35.670 --> 00:10:40.108
  • It is done.
  • 00:10:40.108 --> 00:10:42.210
  • He's not in the process of doing that.
  • 00:10:42.210 --> 00:10:44.112
  • He's not going to do it one day.
  • 00:10:44.112 --> 00:10:46.081
  • It's finished.
  • 00:10:46.081 --> 00:10:47.415
  • It's done.
  • 00:10:47.415 --> 00:10:48.783
  • It's completed.
  • 00:10:48.783 --> 00:10:50.118
  • It can't be undone.
  • 00:10:50.118 --> 00:10:51.553
  • And now look at this in the message, "imperfect people,
  • 00:10:51.553 --> 00:11:01.463
  • Imperfect people.
  • 00:11:01.463 --> 00:11:04.165
  • By that single offering, he did everything that needed to be
  • 00:11:04.165 --> 00:11:09.237
  • Done for everyone who takes part in the purifying process.
  • 00:11:09.237 --> 00:11:14.442
  • The holy spirit confirms this: the new plan i'm making with
  • 00:11:14.442 --> 00:11:20.115
  • Israel isn't going to be written on paper, isn't going to be
  • 00:11:20.115 --> 00:11:23.718
  • Chiseled in stone; this time 'i'm writing out the plan in
  • 00:11:23.718 --> 00:11:29.357
  • Them carving it on the lining of their hearts.'"
  • 00:11:29.357 --> 00:11:32.894
  • I love that, "carving it on the lining of their hearts."
  • 00:11:32.894 --> 00:11:39.200
  • Now here's the twist.
  • 00:11:39.200 --> 00:11:42.237
  • Effort isn't eliminated in the new covenant.
  • 00:11:42.237 --> 00:11:48.209
  • Effort isn't eliminated in the grace of life.
  • 00:11:48.209 --> 00:11:54.983
  • So what happened to effort?
  • 00:11:54.983 --> 00:11:57.085
  • It got redeemed.
  • 00:11:57.085 --> 00:12:00.655
  • Effort isn't eliminated; it is redeemed.
  • 00:12:00.655 --> 00:12:03.858
  • What do you mean?
  • 00:12:03.858 --> 00:12:05.960
  • The effort of trying to earn something that's already been
  • 00:12:05.960 --> 00:12:10.498
  • Done is gone.
  • 00:12:10.498 --> 00:12:13.902
  • The effort of trying to earn something that's already been
  • 00:12:13.902 --> 00:12:17.305
  • Earned, and it's done, it's gone, but the effort of
  • 00:12:17.305 --> 00:12:23.211
  • Intimacy, the effort of relationship, and the effort of
  • 00:12:23.211 --> 00:12:30.185
  • Your expression, see, none of that is performance.
  • 00:12:30.185 --> 00:12:36.291
  • That's all about participation.
  • 00:12:36.291 --> 00:12:39.394
  • Let me see if i can break it down for you a little bit more.
  • 00:12:39.394 --> 00:12:43.164
  • Self-effort today is a guy trying to use his effort to
  • 00:12:43.164 --> 00:12:51.239
  • Become righteous.
  • 00:12:51.239 --> 00:12:53.308
  • That's over with.
  • 00:12:53.308 --> 00:12:54.943
  • Jesus did that.
  • 00:12:54.943 --> 00:12:56.411
  • You're righteous.
  • 00:12:56.411 --> 00:12:58.146
  • So effort involving the finished work, trying to finish what's
  • 00:12:58.146 --> 00:13:03.952
  • Finished is done.
  • 00:13:03.952 --> 00:13:06.788
  • It's over with.
  • 00:13:06.788 --> 00:13:08.489
  • And if you don't accept what's already been finished, but now
  • 00:13:08.489 --> 00:13:12.160
  • You got a plan on how you're going to get it done, that's the
  • 00:13:12.160 --> 00:13:15.230
  • Self-effort we're saying that's over with.
  • 00:13:15.230 --> 00:13:17.832
  • That's done, why?
  • 00:13:17.832 --> 00:13:19.367
  • Because jesus has already finished that.
  • 00:13:19.367 --> 00:13:21.936
  • You're trying to use your effort to perfect what's already
  • 00:13:21.936 --> 00:13:25.106
  • Perfect, all right?
  • 00:13:25.106 --> 00:13:29.210
  • Now, your effort has been redeemed.
  • 00:13:29.210 --> 00:13:33.414
  • Your effort has been deliberate from trying to do something or
  • 00:13:33.414 --> 00:13:41.256
  • Finish something that's already finished to redeemed effort in
  • 00:13:41.256 --> 00:13:46.861
  • The area of intimacy.
  • 00:13:46.861 --> 00:13:49.163
  • Redeemed effort in the area of you're developing your
  • 00:13:49.163 --> 00:13:53.735
  • Relationship with jesus.
  • 00:13:53.735 --> 00:13:55.436
  • Redeemed effort, your effort is not being redeemed in your
  • 00:13:55.436 --> 00:14:01.075
  • Expression where god is concerned.
  • 00:14:01.075 --> 00:14:02.944
  • So, for example, god is not going to make you do stuff to
  • 00:14:02.944 --> 00:14:12.787
  • Increase your intimacy with him.
  • 00:14:12.787 --> 00:14:16.758
  • You're going to have to be intentional with your effort to
  • 00:14:16.758 --> 00:14:23.798
  • Increase your intimacy with him.
  • 00:14:23.798 --> 00:14:28.069
  • God is not gonna make you do anything to develop a
  • 00:14:28.069 --> 00:14:33.241
  • Relationship with him.
  • 00:14:33.241 --> 00:14:35.476
  • You have to be intentional with your redeemed effort in
  • 00:14:35.476 --> 00:14:40.315
  • Developing a relationship with him.
  • 00:14:40.315 --> 00:14:42.684
  • And god is not gonna come to church and make you get involved
  • 00:14:42.684 --> 00:14:47.522
  • In your expression towards him.
  • 00:14:47.522 --> 00:14:50.925
  • That's gonna require redeemed effort in order to do that.
  • 00:14:50.925 --> 00:14:55.463
  • And so what we're simply talking about is, you know, god's not
  • 00:14:55.463 --> 00:15:01.002
  • Gonna make you pray.
  • 00:15:01.002 --> 00:15:02.370
  • That's gonna require your effort.
  • 00:15:02.370 --> 00:15:05.974
  • God's not going to make you spend time with him and want to
  • 00:15:05.974 --> 00:15:10.511
  • Spend time with him and enjoy spending time with him.
  • 00:15:10.511 --> 00:15:14.082
  • That's your redeemed effort.
  • 00:15:14.082 --> 00:15:15.416
  • You have to be intentional and that requires effort.
  • 00:15:15.416 --> 00:15:18.419
  • Your relationship?
  • 00:15:18.419 --> 00:15:19.887
  • Your relationship, god you know, well, i'm just going to sit here
  • 00:15:19.887 --> 00:15:23.124
  • Because i'm under grace 'cause, you know, i ain't gonna do no
  • 00:15:23.124 --> 00:15:25.360
  • Self-effort, and so god gonna make me develop a relationship.
  • 00:15:25.360 --> 00:15:28.129
  • No, your redeemed effort is required in developing
  • 00:15:28.129 --> 00:15:33.668
  • That relationship.
  • 00:15:33.668 --> 00:15:35.036
  • The redeemed effort is effort that is used to participate in
  • 00:15:35.036 --> 00:15:40.475
  • The finished work of jesus christ.
  • 00:15:40.475 --> 00:15:43.277
  • You are now living your life and your effort, your effort is
  • 00:15:43.277 --> 00:15:48.149
  • Involved participating with what's already been finished.
  • 00:15:48.149 --> 00:15:52.320
  • Righteousness is finished, but i'm gonna increase my intimacy.
  • 00:15:52.320 --> 00:15:56.190
  • Glory to god!
  • 00:15:56.190 --> 00:15:57.525
  • Deliverance is finished, but i'm gonna increase my relationship.
  • 00:15:57.525 --> 00:16:02.130
  • That's effort that's been redeemed.
  • 00:16:02.130 --> 00:16:05.633
  • Now, that's important because you know how christians do
  • 00:16:05.633 --> 00:16:08.569
  • Instead of making the adjustment, we go all the way to
  • 00:16:08.569 --> 00:16:11.139
  • The right.
  • 00:16:11.139 --> 00:16:12.907
  • And then we expect, well, you know, well, i ain't got to
  • 00:16:12.907 --> 00:16:16.644
  • Do nothing.
  • 00:16:16.644 --> 00:16:18.012
  • Well, if you're not intentional about meditating on the word and
  • 00:16:18.012 --> 00:16:21.916
  • Spending time with god and sitting in his presence and, you
  • 00:16:21.916 --> 00:16:26.854
  • Know, expressing your love for him bodily and with your voice,
  • 00:16:26.854 --> 00:16:32.727
  • He's certainly not gonna do it.
  • 00:16:32.727 --> 00:16:36.497
  • So effort is still required.
  • 00:16:36.497 --> 00:16:39.567
  • It's just no longer required when it comes to the finished
  • 00:16:39.567 --> 00:16:46.574
  • Works of jesus christ.
  • 00:16:46.574 --> 00:16:48.676
  • You understand what i'm saying?
  • 00:16:48.676 --> 00:16:50.545
  • Now let me put that together before i get into
  • 00:16:50.545 --> 00:16:54.649
  • The scriptures.
  • 00:16:54.649 --> 00:16:55.983
  • I can't really go into the scriptures until i make sure you
  • 00:16:55.983 --> 00:16:59.654
  • Got a hold of this.
  • 00:16:59.654 --> 00:17:00.988
  • And hearing this for the first time, i got to say it from as
  • 00:17:00.988 --> 00:17:02.857
  • Many different perspectives as i possibly can.
  • 00:17:02.857 --> 00:17:05.093
  • So, self-effort, let's define it.
  • 00:17:05.093 --> 00:17:08.729
  • It's performing.
  • 00:17:08.729 --> 00:17:10.431
  • I heard david use a word last night i said i was gonna use
  • 00:17:10.431 --> 00:17:14.168
  • Today, it's grinding.
  • 00:17:14.168 --> 00:17:17.405
  • People are really getting into the grind.
  • 00:17:17.405 --> 00:17:20.441
  • I'm on the grind, and they got these inspirational about i'm on
  • 00:17:20.441 --> 00:17:22.910
  • The grind, and i'm looking like, bro, you ain't on no grind.
  • 00:17:22.910 --> 00:17:25.279
  • Look at you.
  • 00:17:25.279 --> 00:17:27.815
  • You know the guy that puts his face in the ice bucket.
  • 00:17:27.815 --> 00:17:29.884
  • I'm gonna do one.
  • 00:17:29.884 --> 00:17:31.252
  • I'm gonna put my face in the ice bucket, and i'm gonna use
  • 00:17:31.252 --> 00:17:33.688
  • Mountain dew water, and i'm gonna put my face in the bucket
  • 00:17:33.688 --> 00:17:36.491
  • Just like that, and i'm gonna come up and then i'm gonna go
  • 00:17:36.491 --> 00:17:38.893
  • Right to bed and say, "it didn't work."
  • 00:17:38.893 --> 00:17:43.231
  • Everybody's into the grind.
  • 00:17:43.231 --> 00:17:44.866
  • Please understand something about self-effort.
  • 00:17:44.866 --> 00:17:47.735
  • It's performing, it's grinding, or it's working to get or
  • 00:17:47.735 --> 00:17:53.341
  • Deserve or to earn something.
  • 00:17:53.341 --> 00:17:57.178
  • Self-effort, it's striving or working to finish what's
  • 00:17:57.178 --> 00:18:01.482
  • Finished, to perfect what's already perfect, to do what's
  • 00:18:01.482 --> 00:18:07.588
  • Already done.
  • 00:18:07.588 --> 00:18:09.390
  • Well, what's already finished?
  • 00:18:09.390 --> 00:18:10.725
  • What's already done?
  • 00:18:10.725 --> 00:18:12.093
  • My righteousness is finished.
  • 00:18:12.093 --> 00:18:13.427
  • It is done.
  • 00:18:13.427 --> 00:18:14.795
  • My deliverance is done.
  • 00:18:14.795 --> 00:18:16.130
  • My holiness is done.
  • 00:18:16.130 --> 00:18:18.032
  • My perfection is done in my life.
  • 00:18:18.032 --> 00:18:21.903
  • My healing is done.
  • 00:18:21.903 --> 00:18:23.471
  • My prosperity is done.
  • 00:18:23.471 --> 00:18:25.806
  • You look at the finished works of jesus.
  • 00:18:25.806 --> 00:18:28.276
  • Self-effort is you trying to perfect the finished works
  • 00:18:28.276 --> 00:18:32.246
  • Of jesus.
  • 00:18:32.246 --> 00:18:34.782
  • All right, now what is redeemed effort?
  • 00:18:34.782 --> 00:18:36.417
  • How would i define that?
  • 00:18:36.417 --> 00:18:38.419
  • It's a response to what you already have.
  • 00:18:38.419 --> 00:18:42.723
  • The redeemed effort is you're responding to what you
  • 00:18:42.723 --> 00:18:45.293
  • Already have.
  • 00:18:45.293 --> 00:18:46.627
  • You're responding to what is already done.
  • 00:18:46.627 --> 00:18:49.430
  • You're responding to what's already finished.
  • 00:18:49.430 --> 00:18:52.266
  • So if prosperity is the finished works of jesus, giving is my
  • 00:18:52.266 --> 00:18:56.003
  • Response to it.
  • 00:18:56.003 --> 00:18:58.105
  • If i'm the righteousness of god and i've already been made
  • 00:18:58.105 --> 00:19:01.709
  • Righteous, then, as i meditate on my identity and say that's
  • 00:19:01.709 --> 00:19:06.280
  • Not me anymore, and i'm conscious about how i treat
  • 00:19:06.280 --> 00:19:10.551
  • People, all these things are intentional.
  • 00:19:10.551 --> 00:19:13.487
  • I do that.
  • 00:19:13.487 --> 00:19:14.822
  • That's my redeemed effort because i'm responding to
  • 00:19:14.822 --> 00:19:18.326
  • My righteousness.
  • 00:19:18.326 --> 00:19:20.328
  • I'm already righteous.
  • 00:19:20.328 --> 00:19:22.129
  • The effort to remain in alignment, that's the key word,
  • 00:19:22.129 --> 00:19:25.433
  • Write it.
  • 00:19:25.433 --> 00:19:26.801
  • Alignment because i think christian life under grace is
  • 00:19:26.801 --> 00:19:30.037
  • All about alignment.
  • 00:19:30.037 --> 00:19:32.440
  • The effort to remain in alignment, that's what i'm
  • 00:19:32.440 --> 00:19:35.243
  • Talking about.
  • 00:19:35.243 --> 00:19:36.577
  • That's the redeemed effort.
  • 00:19:36.577 --> 00:19:37.945
  • The redeemed effort is, you know, jesus has finished
  • 00:19:37.945 --> 00:19:40.514
  • The work.
  • 00:19:40.514 --> 00:19:41.882
  • I want to remain in alignment with the finished works.
  • 00:19:41.882 --> 00:19:44.852
  • So it's the effort.
  • 00:19:44.852 --> 00:19:46.187
  • What can you do to stay in alignment with what's finished?
  • 00:19:46.187 --> 00:19:49.557
  • What can you do to stay in alignment with righteousness, to
  • 00:19:49.557 --> 00:19:52.326
  • Stand in alignment with everything that he's finished
  • 00:19:52.326 --> 00:19:55.596
  • For you?
  • 00:19:55.596 --> 00:19:56.964
  • What do you do?
  • 00:19:56.964 --> 00:19:58.299
  • And what you do is intentional.
  • 00:19:58.299 --> 00:19:59.934
  • I'm staying in alignment with the finished works of jesus
  • 00:19:59.934 --> 00:20:04.305
  • Christ or i'm staying in union with what already has been
  • 00:20:04.305 --> 00:20:08.909
  • Finished and what's already been done by jesus christ.
  • 00:20:08.909 --> 00:20:12.580
  • I'm in union with this.
  • 00:20:12.580 --> 00:20:14.715
  • And so think about that now.
  • 00:20:14.715 --> 00:20:16.150
  • It's like the bible says labor to rest.
  • 00:20:16.150 --> 00:20:19.553
  • Well, labor to rest in what?
  • 00:20:19.553 --> 00:20:22.323
  • Well, labor to rest in the finish.
  • 00:20:22.323 --> 00:20:25.126
  • I'm not laboring to get the finish; i'm laboring to rest in
  • 00:20:25.126 --> 00:20:29.463
  • The finish, all right?
  • 00:20:29.463 --> 00:20:31.032
  • So righteousness is finished.
  • 00:20:31.032 --> 00:20:34.502
  • Healing is a finished work, all right, but now i'm going to
  • 00:20:34.502 --> 00:20:37.305
  • Labor to rest in healing.
  • 00:20:37.305 --> 00:20:40.441
  • What does that look like?
  • 00:20:40.441 --> 00:20:41.842
  • Meditating in the scriptures intentionally, going in prayer
  • 00:20:41.842 --> 00:20:45.313
  • And thanking god that i'm already healed intentionally,
  • 00:20:45.313 --> 00:20:48.249
  • Make my confessions intentionally, take care of
  • 00:20:48.249 --> 00:20:51.419
  • Myself intentionally.
  • 00:20:51.419 --> 00:20:52.887
  • So what am i doing?
  • 00:20:52.887 --> 00:20:54.255
  • Am i doing that to be healed?
  • 00:20:54.255 --> 00:20:55.589
  • No, i'm already healed.
  • 00:20:55.589 --> 00:20:57.291
  • That is my redeemed effort to rest in what i'm already in.
  • 00:20:57.291 --> 00:21:05.066
  • I got to keep talking 'cause some of you still like you want
  • 00:21:05.066 --> 00:21:08.002
  • To, you want to control the finish.
  • 00:21:08.002 --> 00:21:12.373
  • And you can't control the finish 'cause it's finished.
  • 00:21:12.373 --> 00:21:17.578
  • You can't control the finish.
  • 00:21:17.578 --> 00:21:18.913
  • It's already done.
  • 00:21:18.913 --> 00:21:20.548
  • I tell you to sit down, and you're already seated.
  • 00:21:20.548 --> 00:21:23.250
  • You're grown.
  • 00:21:23.250 --> 00:21:24.585
  • I can't control-- you're already sitting down.
  • 00:21:24.585 --> 00:21:27.722
  • What am i gonna do to control what's already taking place?
  • 00:21:27.722 --> 00:21:32.593
  • This is the redeemed effort that i'm speaking of this morning.
  • 00:21:32.593 --> 00:21:36.997
  • Self-effort is all about performing to try to finish or
  • 00:21:36.997 --> 00:21:40.568
  • Earn what's already done.
  • 00:21:40.568 --> 00:21:43.270
  • Redeemed effort is all about participation in what is
  • 00:21:43.270 --> 00:21:48.743
  • Already done.
  • 00:21:48.743 --> 00:21:50.111
  • It is about responding to what is already done.
  • 00:21:50.111 --> 00:21:53.714
  • The effort of trying to earn is gone, but the effort of
  • 00:21:53.714 --> 00:21:57.651
  • Intimacy, relationship, and expression remains awaiting
  • 00:21:57.651 --> 00:22:01.655
  • Your intentionality.
  • 00:22:01.655 --> 00:22:03.124
  • You got to be deliberate, and you got to do this consciously.
  • 00:22:03.124 --> 00:22:06.761
  • I am deliberate about the time that i spend with the lord.
  • 00:22:06.761 --> 00:22:09.864
  • I am deliberate when i want to sing and worship god, sang.
  • 00:22:09.864 --> 00:22:14.101
  • I'm deliberate about all the things i want to do responding
  • 00:22:14.101 --> 00:22:17.938
  • To what's been--
  • 00:22:17.938 --> 00:22:19.306
  • I'm deliberate when i get up in the morning and walk and say,
  • 00:22:19.306 --> 00:22:22.810
  • "father, i thank you that i'm healed and i thank you that i'm
  • 00:22:22.810 --> 00:22:25.146
  • Delivered and, oh, i just praise you lord for what jesus has
  • 00:22:25.146 --> 00:22:28.516
  • Already done."
  • 00:22:28.516 --> 00:22:29.850
  • And then i'm deliberate about sitting in his presence, "glory
  • 00:22:29.850 --> 00:22:32.920
  • To god.
  • 00:22:32.920 --> 00:22:34.288
  • I sense your presence, lord."
  • 00:22:34.288 --> 00:22:35.623
  • I'm deliberate about allowing my emotions to enjoy this presence
  • 00:22:35.623 --> 00:22:39.860
  • Of the lord that is seated on me.
  • 00:22:39.860 --> 00:22:41.562
  • I'm deliberate when i come to church, that i want to clap my
  • 00:22:41.562 --> 00:22:44.331
  • Hands, and lift my hands up, and sometimes dance.
  • 00:22:44.331 --> 00:22:47.468
  • That's me.
  • 00:22:47.468 --> 00:22:48.803
  • You don't know what i need to do to stay in alignment.
  • 00:22:48.803 --> 00:22:51.238
  • You don't know the storm that tried to knock my dish offline,
  • 00:22:51.238 --> 00:22:55.209
  • And i am up here in my redeemed effort trying to get myself back
  • 00:22:55.209 --> 00:22:59.847
  • In alignment.
  • 00:22:59.847 --> 00:23:01.215
  • You don't know the stuff that's been through my head.
  • 00:23:01.215 --> 00:23:02.616
  • You don't know the stuff that i've had to put up with because
  • 00:23:02.616 --> 00:23:05.486
  • I got to make sure that the best version of myself keeps
  • 00:23:05.486 --> 00:23:08.889
  • Showing up.
  • 00:23:08.889 --> 00:23:10.224
  • So you don't know why i'm singing so loud this morning.
  • 00:23:10.224 --> 00:23:12.460
  • You don't know why my hands won't come down.
  • 00:23:12.460 --> 00:23:15.095
  • You don't know why i spend time out in the woods by myself.
  • 00:23:15.095 --> 00:23:19.834
  • You think i'm trying to make something happen that's
  • 00:23:19.834 --> 00:23:22.603
  • Already happened.
  • 00:23:22.603 --> 00:23:23.971
  • No, i'm trying to just stay in line with what's already
  • 00:23:23.971 --> 00:23:26.674
  • Finished, and it is intentional.
  • 00:23:26.674 --> 00:23:29.109
  • It is intentional.
  • 00:23:29.109 --> 00:23:30.478
  • It is deliberate.
  • 00:23:30.478 --> 00:23:32.046
  • Male announcer: are you always striving to get god's approval?
  • 00:23:36.250 --> 00:23:38.819
  • In "self-effort versus redeemed effort," creflo dollar reveals
  • 00:23:38.819 --> 00:23:42.990
  • How jesus's finished work has freed believers from the
  • 00:23:42.990 --> 00:23:46.393
  • Exhausting cycle of performance.
  • 00:23:46.393 --> 00:23:48.629
  • This powerful three-message series will help you stop
  • 00:23:48.629 --> 00:23:51.665
  • Working for righteousness and start living from it.
  • 00:23:51.665 --> 00:23:54.568
  • Creflo: any effort on your part to try to achieve the finished
  • 00:23:54.568 --> 00:23:58.172
  • Works of jesus is self-effort.
  • 00:23:58.172 --> 00:24:00.441
  • Effort still exists.
  • 00:24:00.441 --> 00:24:02.409
  • It exists in participation.
  • 00:24:02.409 --> 00:24:04.912
  • Jesus is not gonna come down and make you pray.
  • 00:24:04.912 --> 00:24:07.381
  • Jesus is not gonna come down and make you get an intimate
  • 00:24:07.381 --> 00:24:10.651
  • Relationship with god.
  • 00:24:10.651 --> 00:24:11.986
  • Jesus is not gonna come down and make you worship him.
  • 00:24:11.986 --> 00:24:15.089
  • That requires effort.
  • 00:24:15.089 --> 00:24:16.957
  • Your effort has been redeemed.
  • 00:24:16.957 --> 00:24:19.593
  • Male announcer: simply call 844-30-grace, scan the qr code,
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  • It's available for a love gift of $20 us or more.
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  • Announcer: hey, grace gang, are you ready to make a
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  • Global impact?
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  • Message of god's love and grace from college park to communities
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  • All around the world.
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  • Who want to be a part of our ministry here, and we can see
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  • The miracle from the lord every day, provided all daily needs.
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  • Let's change the world together.
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  • Female announcer: look no further for encouragement to
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  • Walk in the grace of god.
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  • The creflo dollar ministries tv app provides rewarding content
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  • Creflo: we want to be sure we are living according to what god
  • 00:26:06.934 --> 00:26:09.370
  • Has taught us about giving, and we understand that giving and
  • 00:26:09.370 --> 00:26:12.806
  • Receiving is a spiritual law.
  • 00:26:12.806 --> 00:26:15.376
  • It's a reflex of god's love.
  • 00:26:15.376 --> 00:26:17.511
  • And i'm so glad that taffi and i began to understand how to walk
  • 00:26:17.511 --> 00:26:20.948
  • In this principle.
  • 00:26:20.948 --> 00:26:22.316
  • But we give not out of necessity.
  • 00:26:22.316 --> 00:26:24.151
  • We give out of a cheerful heart.
  • 00:26:24.151 --> 00:26:25.486
  • We give because we're grateful and we're thankful to what god
  • 00:26:25.486 --> 00:26:27.888
  • Has done.
  • 00:26:27.888 --> 00:26:29.256
  • You know, i want you to pray about becoming a giver into
  • 00:26:29.256 --> 00:26:32.826
  • Creflo dollar ministries today.
  • 00:26:32.826 --> 00:26:34.828
  • And if this ministry has blessed you in any way, consider sowing
  • 00:26:34.828 --> 00:26:39.033
  • A seed of any amount, and we will greatly appreciate it.
  • 00:26:39.033 --> 00:26:42.803
  • Thank you in advance for your support, and god bless you.
  • 00:26:42.803 --> 00:26:46.473
  • Male announcer: your financial donations into this ministry
  • 00:26:46.473 --> 00:26:48.976
  • Work all over the world to change countless lives.
  • 00:26:48.976 --> 00:26:52.379
  • If you'd like to support our efforts to save the lost, you
  • 00:26:52.379 --> 00:26:55.482
  • May call in or visit
  • 00:26:55.482 --> 00:26:57.551
  • Creflodollarministries.org today.
  • 00:26:57.551 --> 00:26:59.420
  • God bless you.
  • 00:26:59.420 --> 00:27:00.788
  • Male announcer: because of you, creflo dollar ministries is
  • 00:27:02.423 --> 00:27:05.259
  • Providing a new understanding of grace and empowering change in
  • 00:27:05.259 --> 00:27:09.163
  • The lives of millions of people every day.
  • 00:27:09.163 --> 00:27:11.565
  • Thank you, partners and friends.
  • 00:27:11.565 --> 00:27:13.567
  • Your love and financial support makes it possible to bring this
  • 00:27:13.567 --> 00:27:17.104
  • Message into millions of homes all across the globe.
  • 00:27:17.104 --> 00:27:21.442
  • The preceding program was brought to you in part by the
  • 00:27:21.442 --> 00:27:23.944
  • Partners and friends of creflo dollar ministries.
  • 00:27:23.944 --> 00:27:29.999