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Dr. Robert Jeffress

Dr. Robert Jeffress - Mirror, Mirror On The Wall (Part 2)

August 12, 2025 | S25 E384 | 29:0

Dr. Robert Jeffress - Mirror, Mirror On The Wall (Part 2)
Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.
#inActive #WordofGod #Cross #Blessing #Wisdom #Forgiveness #Abide #Law #Meditation #Miracles #TrustGod

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Dr. Robert Jeffress - Mirror, Mirror On The Wall (Part 2) | August 12, 2025
  • ...
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Male announcer: from the pulpit of the first baptist church of
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  • Dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory"
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  • With dr. robert jeffress.
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  • Dr. robert jeffress: hi, i'm robert jeffress and welcome
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  • Again to "pathway to victory."
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  • Have you ever met someone who can quote scripture effortlessly
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  • And knows every bible story by heart yet their heart seems
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  • Completely unchanged by all that head knowledge?
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  • We can spend years studying god's word without ever allowing
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  • It to change how we actually live.
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  • Today, we'll examine the difference between merely
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  • Hearing god's word and putting it into practice.
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  • My message is titled, "mirror, mirror on the wall" on today's
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  • Edition of "pathway to victory."
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • ♪ when i survey the wondrous cross, ♪
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  • On which the prince
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  • Of glory died,
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  • My richest gain
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  • I count but loss,
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  • And pour contempt
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  • On all my pride,
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • ♪ were the whole realm ♪
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  • ♪ of nature mine, ♪
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  • ♪ that were an offering ♪
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  • ♪ far too small, ♪
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  • ♪ love so amazing ♪
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  • ♪ so divine, ♪
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  • ♪ demands my soul, ♪
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  • ♪ my life, ♪
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  • ♪ my all ♪
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  • ♪ my soul, ♪
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  • ♪ my life, my all. ♪
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  • [congregation applauding]
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  • Announcer: where there's genuine faith,
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  • There will always be visible fruit.
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  • In his brand new book, "how to know if you're really saved,"
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  • Dr. robert jeffress helps you take stock of the evidence of
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  • Your faith—the spiritual fruit in your daily life.
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  • This outstanding verse by verse walk through the book of james
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  • Will help you cultivate the spiritual fruit that reflects
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  • Genuine faith.
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  • Request "how to know if you're really saved" when you give a
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  • Generous gift to support the ministry of "pathway
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  • To victory."
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Jeffress: we cultivate the kind of heart that receives
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  • The word of god.
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  • And that's why it's very important that we have a heart
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  • That is open to the word of god.
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  • In psalm 119, verse 18, remember what the psalmist said?
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  • "open my eyes, that i may behold wonderful things out of your
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  • Law, that i may," what?
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  • Know your word?
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  • No, defend your word?
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  • No, "open my eyes that i may see so that i may live and obey your
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  • Word," verse 17.
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  • The best thing you can do to keep your heart ready to receive
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  • The word of god is to make sure you're obeying what you already
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  • Know to be true.
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  • The most dangerous thing you can do to your spiritual heart is to
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  • Engage in selective obedience to god.
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  • When we selectively obey god, when we obey god when it's easy,
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  • Then we develop a resistance to hearing god's voice speak
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  • Through his word.
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  • Again, selective obedience is one of the most dangerous things
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  • You can do for the well-being of your spiritual heart.
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  • We need to accept god's word.
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  • That means being receptive to it.
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  • I think of paul's words about the thessalonians.
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  • In 1 thessalonians 2:13, he said, "for this reason we also
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  • Constantly thank god that when you receive the word of god
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  • Which you heard from us, you accepted it for what it
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  • Really is."
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  • Not the mere words of man, but the word of god which works in
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  • Your heart who believe.
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  • We need to accept the word of god.
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  • Secondly, we need to act on the word of god.
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  • Look at verse 22.
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  • Once we've accepted god's word, once we've welcomed it into our
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  • Hearts to do its work, we need to act on the word of god.
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  • Look at verse 22, "but prove yourselves doers of the word,
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  • And not merely hearers who delude themselves."
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  • I want you to listen to this very carefully.
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  • It's worth the price of the sermon.
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  • Best quote i've come across in years.
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  • Comes from the late bible teacher, warren wiersbe.
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  • He said, "many people have the mistaken idea that hearing a
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  • Good sermon or bible study is what makes them grow and gets
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  • God's blessings.
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  • It is not the hearing but the doing that brings the blessing.
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  • Too many christians mark their bibles, but their bibles never
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  • Mark them.
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  • If you think you are spiritual because you have heard the word
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  • Of god, then you are only kidding yourselves."
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  • Isn't that what james says?
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  • If you think hearing the word of god is enough, you are deluding
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  • Yourself, is what the scripture says.
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  • You are deceiving yourself.
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  • Don't be deceived.
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  • Do you know satan really doesn't care that much whether you come
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  • To the worship services of first baptist church dallas?
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  • He doesn't care that much if you come.
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  • What causes him to shake in his boots is the possibility that
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  • You might apply on monday something you heard on sunday.
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  • That's what threatens the gates of hell.
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  • No, don't be just hearers of the word, be doers of the word.
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  • In fact, he gives this illustration.
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  • Look at verse 23, "if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a
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  • Doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror;
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  • For once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has
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  • Immediately forgotten what kind of person he was."
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  • Now, some people say, "well, the mistake here is that the person
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  • Only looks briefly into the mirror.
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  • He doesn't study it and contemplate it.
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  • Maybe that's what he's saying.
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  • Somebody doesn't look intently at the word of god."
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  • No, this greek word for look means to gaze at, to
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  • Study carefully.
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  • The problem is not that the person doesn't know his face
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  • Is dirty.
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  • The problem is, even though he realizes his face is dirty, he
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  • Gets distracted and ends up doing nothing about it.
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  • He walks away without cleaning his face.
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  • So is a person who studies god's word, knows what's wrong, but
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  • Never acts upon it.
  • 00:09:06.235 --> 00:09:08.371
  • The most dangerous interval in your spiritual life is that
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  • Period of time between realizing what god wants you to do, and
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  • Actually doing what god wants you to do.
  • 00:09:19.582 --> 00:09:22.685
  • The longer that interval between realizing and doing, the longer
  • 00:09:22.685 --> 00:09:28.391
  • That interval, the greater foothold satan can gain in
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  • Your life.
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  • "be doers of the word and not hearers only."
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  • How do we do that?
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  • We accept the word of god, we act on the word of god.
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  • Thirdly, we abide in the word of god.
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  • Abide in the word of god.
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  • Look at verse 25, "but one who looks intently at the perfect
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  • Law,"--god's word is a mirror that reveals who we are.
  • 00:09:56.886 --> 00:10:01.924
  • "one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty,
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  • Abides by it, not having become forgetful, but an effectual
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  • Doer, this man will be blessed in what he does."
  • 00:10:11.767 --> 00:10:16.105
  • You know, somebody training for a marathon who only runs a
  • 00:10:16.105 --> 00:10:19.709
  • Couple of miles every fourth day isn't gonna be ready for
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  • The marathon.
  • 00:10:24.747 --> 00:10:26.148
  • Somebody who wants to be proficient at playing a musical
  • 00:10:26.148 --> 00:10:28.984
  • Instrument who rehearses and practices 15 minutes every other
  • 00:10:28.984 --> 00:10:33.322
  • Wednesday, isn't going to master the instrument.
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  • It takes practice over and over again.
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  • To abide in the word of god doesn't mean to just accept and
  • 00:10:40.262 --> 00:10:43.933
  • Act on god's word occasionally, when it's convenient, when you
  • 00:10:43.933 --> 00:10:47.503
  • Get under enough conviction.
  • 00:10:47.503 --> 00:10:49.205
  • It means it's the rule of life to do the word of god.
  • 00:10:49.205 --> 00:10:54.243
  • Psalm 1 says, "a person who does that is like a tree planted by
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  • Water that bears fruit," not just occasionally, but "every
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  • Season, without fail."
  • 00:11:03.719 --> 00:11:07.890
  • How do you do that?
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  • The last eight or nine minutes that we have today, i wanna give
  • 00:11:09.859 --> 00:11:14.263
  • You five very practical ways that you can abide in god's word
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  • To receive the blessings of god.
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  • First of all, abiding begins with listening to god's word.
  • 00:11:22.571 --> 00:11:27.843
  • Romans 10:17 says, "faith comes by hearing, and hearing the word
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  • Of god."
  • 00:11:33.015 --> 00:11:34.483
  • Do you realize it wasn't that many years ago that if you
  • 00:11:34.483 --> 00:11:38.387
  • Wanted to hear god's word proclaimed, you had to come to
  • 00:11:38.387 --> 00:11:41.323
  • Church at 11a.m.
  • 00:11:41.323 --> 00:11:42.992
  • Every sunday, and you might get one message from god's word
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  • A week?
  • 00:11:47.096 --> 00:11:48.430
  • That's the way it was and if you miss that sunday, you got no
  • 00:11:48.430 --> 00:11:51.367
  • Message from god's word.
  • 00:11:51.367 --> 00:11:53.269
  • It's just in recent years that we've had the advent of
  • 00:11:53.269 --> 00:11:56.238
  • Christian radio and christian podcasts that allow us to listen
  • 00:11:56.238 --> 00:12:00.843
  • To god's word 24/7.
  • 00:12:00.843 --> 00:12:03.412
  • I think that's a gift from god.
  • 00:12:03.412 --> 00:12:06.015
  • I think god knew that this world was gonna become so sin-filled
  • 00:12:06.015 --> 00:12:10.319
  • And dirty that we needed not just once a week, we needed a
  • 00:12:10.319 --> 00:12:14.824
  • Once a day intake through the ear gate of the word of god to
  • 00:12:14.824 --> 00:12:21.230
  • Keep us spiritually clean.
  • 00:12:21.230 --> 00:12:23.833
  • And i'm so glad we have a church that has a vision
  • 00:12:23.833 --> 00:12:26.535
  • For broadcasting.
  • 00:12:26.535 --> 00:12:28.404
  • Broadly casting god's word not just to win people to faith in
  • 00:12:28.404 --> 00:12:32.708
  • Christ, but to help saved people know how to live and deal with
  • 00:12:32.708 --> 00:12:37.513
  • The challenge of living in this sin and corrupted world.
  • 00:12:37.513 --> 00:12:41.917
  • You know our "pathway to victory" ministry is such a
  • 00:12:41.917 --> 00:12:45.154
  • Great important ministry, not only for winning people to
  • 00:12:45.154 --> 00:12:48.357
  • Christ, but helping christians to live.
  • 00:12:48.357 --> 00:12:50.426
  • And we get letters like this every week.
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  • I've got one this week.
  • 00:12:52.561 --> 00:12:54.163
  • I read it on the air.
  • 00:12:54.163 --> 00:12:55.931
  • It said, "pastor, i've listened to your program on my commute to
  • 00:12:55.931 --> 00:13:00.369
  • Work every morning."
  • 00:13:00.369 --> 00:13:02.471
  • He said, "it is uncanny how many times what you preached about
  • 00:13:02.471 --> 00:13:08.444
  • Was preparing me for dealing with the problems i was gonna
  • 00:13:08.444 --> 00:13:11.847
  • Face that day.
  • 00:13:11.847 --> 00:13:14.049
  • I didn't know, you didn't know, but god knew and he had me
  • 00:13:14.049 --> 00:13:17.486
  • Listen for just this message."
  • 00:13:17.486 --> 00:13:20.356
  • We hear that over and over again.
  • 00:13:20.356 --> 00:13:22.992
  • There's a value in listening to god's word regularly.
  • 00:13:22.992 --> 00:13:26.495
  • Let me encourage you, if you're spending time in the car for any
  • 00:13:26.495 --> 00:13:30.199
  • Serious amount of time, don't listen to talk radio.
  • 00:13:30.199 --> 00:13:34.403
  • It's only gonna make you angrier than you already are.
  • 00:13:34.403 --> 00:13:38.407
  • Don't listen to that.
  • 00:13:38.407 --> 00:13:40.142
  • Listen to the word of god.
  • 00:13:40.142 --> 00:13:41.577
  • Only the word of god is able to change your life.
  • 00:13:41.577 --> 00:13:44.647
  • Only the word of god can truly encourage you, and we all
  • 00:13:44.647 --> 00:13:48.050
  • Need encouragement.
  • 00:13:48.050 --> 00:13:49.418
  • Have a regular program for listening to the word of god.
  • 00:13:49.418 --> 00:13:53.889
  • Secondly, to abide in god's word goes beyond listening.
  • 00:13:53.889 --> 00:13:57.860
  • It means to read the word of god.
  • 00:13:57.860 --> 00:14:00.362
  • Psalm 119, verse 18, "open my," what?
  • 00:14:00.362 --> 00:14:03.666
  • "my eyes that i might behold wonderful things from your law."
  • 00:14:03.666 --> 00:14:10.139
  • Every christian needs three things when it comes to reading
  • 00:14:10.139 --> 00:14:13.342
  • The word of god.
  • 00:14:13.342 --> 00:14:15.144
  • We need a place that we do it, a regular place.
  • 00:14:15.144 --> 00:14:19.915
  • We need a period of time that we do it.
  • 00:14:19.915 --> 00:14:22.718
  • And by the way, if you're not a morning person, that's okay.
  • 00:14:22.718 --> 00:14:26.722
  • Don't read god's word when you're half asleep, that doesn't
  • 00:14:26.722 --> 00:14:29.692
  • Do anything.
  • 00:14:29.692 --> 00:14:31.060
  • Find a time of day that works for you.
  • 00:14:31.060 --> 00:14:32.962
  • Maybe over lunch or before you go to bed at night.
  • 00:14:32.962 --> 00:14:35.931
  • A place, a period, and then of course, a bible.
  • 00:14:35.931 --> 00:14:39.001
  • People ask me all the time, "what's the right translation
  • 00:14:39.001 --> 00:14:42.538
  • To read?"
  • 00:14:42.538 --> 00:14:43.906
  • Answer, any one that speaks to you.
  • 00:14:43.906 --> 00:14:47.276
  • There's really no major differences between the
  • 00:14:47.276 --> 00:14:49.912
  • Major translations.
  • 00:14:49.912 --> 00:14:51.480
  • Whether it's the new american standard, the new international
  • 00:14:51.480 --> 00:14:54.283
  • Version, the king james version.
  • 00:14:54.283 --> 00:14:57.619
  • If you're new to reading god's word and it doesn't quite
  • 00:14:57.619 --> 00:15:01.223
  • Communicate to you, get a paraphrase like the
  • 00:15:01.223 --> 00:15:04.393
  • Living bible.
  • 00:15:04.393 --> 00:15:05.728
  • You know, billy graham used to say he read a chapter of the
  • 00:15:05.728 --> 00:15:08.564
  • Living bible every day of his life.
  • 00:15:08.564 --> 00:15:11.900
  • And i tell people if it's good enough for billy graham, it's
  • 00:15:11.900 --> 00:15:14.703
  • Good enough for us.
  • 00:15:14.703 --> 00:15:16.405
  • Just read some translation that speaks to you and make it a
  • 00:15:16.405 --> 00:15:20.843
  • Regular part of your life.
  • 00:15:20.843 --> 00:15:23.278
  • Thirdly, we need to study god's word.
  • 00:15:23.278 --> 00:15:26.648
  • It's not enough just to listen, to even read, we need to study
  • 00:15:26.648 --> 00:15:31.053
  • God's word.
  • 00:15:31.053 --> 00:15:32.388
  • You know what the difference is between an explorer and
  • 00:15:32.388 --> 00:15:36.458
  • A tourist.
  • 00:15:36.458 --> 00:15:38.260
  • A tourist is the guy who pulls up to the grand canyon, looks at
  • 00:15:38.260 --> 00:15:41.697
  • It for five minutes, and says, "that's nice," and off he goes
  • 00:15:41.697 --> 00:15:45.868
  • To the next highlight.
  • 00:15:45.868 --> 00:15:47.669
  • An explorer is somebody who studies carefully what
  • 00:15:47.669 --> 00:15:51.807
  • He's seeing.
  • 00:15:51.807 --> 00:15:53.542
  • Sometimes as you're reading the bible, you don't feel like you
  • 00:15:53.542 --> 00:15:56.545
  • Have to rush through to read the bible in a year.
  • 00:15:56.545 --> 00:15:59.882
  • I say, "why read it in just one year when it took 1600 years
  • 00:15:59.882 --> 00:16:03.685
  • To write?"
  • 00:16:03.685 --> 00:16:05.020
  • If it takes you 2 years, read two chapters a day or one
  • 00:16:05.020 --> 00:16:08.223
  • Chapter a day.
  • 00:16:08.223 --> 00:16:09.591
  • It's not a question of how many times you've been through
  • 00:16:09.591 --> 00:16:11.827
  • The bible.
  • 00:16:11.827 --> 00:16:13.195
  • The question is, how many times has the bible been through you?
  • 00:16:13.195 --> 00:16:17.066
  • Study god's word.
  • 00:16:17.066 --> 00:16:18.667
  • When you're reading a passage, if there's a word that you need
  • 00:16:18.667 --> 00:16:22.504
  • To find out what it means, write it down.
  • 00:16:22.504 --> 00:16:24.973
  • If there's a passage that raises questions, write it down.
  • 00:16:24.973 --> 00:16:29.278
  • And then go back and study it.
  • 00:16:29.278 --> 00:16:31.580
  • Let me tell you two ways to get started in studying god's word
  • 00:16:31.580 --> 00:16:36.251
  • Beyond going to a sunday school class that will help you
  • 00:16:36.251 --> 00:16:39.221
  • Understand god's word.
  • 00:16:39.221 --> 00:16:40.556
  • Man, we've got the most gifted teachers, seminary professors in
  • 00:16:40.556 --> 00:16:44.626
  • Our church.
  • 00:16:44.626 --> 00:16:45.994
  • And they can help you understand god's word, but when you're
  • 00:16:45.994 --> 00:16:49.098
  • Reading the bible, use a study bible.
  • 00:16:49.098 --> 00:16:52.868
  • Study bibles have notes for many problematic passages that you
  • 00:16:52.868 --> 00:16:57.739
  • May have questions about.
  • 00:16:57.739 --> 00:16:59.341
  • I used the ryrie study bible that was written by our former
  • 00:16:59.341 --> 00:17:04.446
  • Late member, dr. charles ryrie.
  • 00:17:04.446 --> 00:17:06.682
  • There are other great study bibles.
  • 00:17:06.682 --> 00:17:08.484
  • Use that and then have a commentary available.
  • 00:17:08.484 --> 00:17:11.753
  • If you're just getting started in bible study, i'd suggest the
  • 00:17:11.753 --> 00:17:16.258
  • Bible knowledge commentary put out by david c. cook publishers.
  • 00:17:16.258 --> 00:17:21.730
  • It's two volumes, the old testament and the new testament.
  • 00:17:21.730 --> 00:17:25.033
  • It was written by professors from dallas seminary.
  • 00:17:25.033 --> 00:17:28.337
  • And it's arranged by books of the bible.
  • 00:17:28.337 --> 00:17:30.806
  • It's a great tool to use in looking up a passage you might
  • 00:17:30.806 --> 00:17:34.576
  • Not understand.
  • 00:17:34.576 --> 00:17:36.345
  • Studying god's word.
  • 00:17:36.345 --> 00:17:38.814
  • Fourthly, meditate on god's word.
  • 00:17:38.814 --> 00:17:41.550
  • Now, here's where we're getting to the meat of the issue.
  • 00:17:41.550 --> 00:17:44.987
  • We're to meditate on god's word.
  • 00:17:44.987 --> 00:17:47.990
  • You know, psalm 1 says, "how blessed--how happy are those who
  • 00:17:47.990 --> 00:17:52.961
  • Do not take evil men's advice, who do not hang around with
  • 00:17:52.961 --> 00:17:57.733
  • Sinners scoffing at the things of god, but they delight in
  • 00:17:57.733 --> 00:18:02.271
  • Doing what god wants them to do.
  • 00:18:02.271 --> 00:18:04.806
  • And day and night are meditating on god's word, thinking of ways
  • 00:18:04.806 --> 00:18:10.746
  • To follow him more closely."
  • 00:18:10.746 --> 00:18:13.315
  • To meditate on scripture doesn't mean to put yourself in a
  • 00:18:13.315 --> 00:18:16.985
  • Hypnotic trance.
  • 00:18:16.985 --> 00:18:19.087
  • "god's word, god's word speak to me."
  • 00:18:19.087 --> 00:18:23.892
  • That's not what meditate means.
  • 00:18:23.892 --> 00:18:25.928
  • The word meditate means to mutter to yourself, to talk
  • 00:18:25.928 --> 00:18:30.732
  • To yourself.
  • 00:18:30.732 --> 00:18:32.100
  • It's a picture of somebody who is so engrossed in the word of
  • 00:18:32.100 --> 00:18:35.404
  • God, he keeps turning it over and over in his mind thinking,
  • 00:18:35.404 --> 00:18:40.642
  • "how does this apply to me?
  • 00:18:40.642 --> 00:18:43.312
  • What do i need to do differently in my life as a result of this
  • 00:18:43.312 --> 00:18:47.616
  • Truth i've read?"
  • 00:18:47.616 --> 00:18:49.651
  • Ladies and gentlemen, your reading of the bible is not
  • 00:18:49.651 --> 00:18:53.522
  • Complete until you've asked yourself the question, "what am
  • 00:18:53.522 --> 00:18:56.992
  • I going to do differently tomorrow because of the truth
  • 00:18:56.992 --> 00:19:01.029
  • I've read today?"
  • 00:19:01.029 --> 00:19:02.598
  • And let me say to you bible teachers out there, we've got
  • 00:19:02.598 --> 00:19:05.834
  • Great bible teachers, but your teaching isn't complete if
  • 00:19:05.834 --> 00:19:09.972
  • You've only told people what the passage says and what it means.
  • 00:19:09.972 --> 00:19:15.210
  • You need to take that final step, "what does it mean to
  • 00:19:15.210 --> 00:19:18.981
  • My students?"
  • 00:19:18.981 --> 00:19:20.349
  • Give them practical applications from the word of god.
  • 00:19:20.349 --> 00:19:24.953
  • The person who does that—who meditates on god's word day and
  • 00:19:24.953 --> 00:19:29.024
  • Night, is the person blessed by god.
  • 00:19:29.024 --> 00:19:32.327
  • And then finally and ultimately, to abide in god's word means to
  • 00:19:32.327 --> 00:19:37.799
  • Obey god's word.
  • 00:19:37.799 --> 00:19:40.068
  • 1 john 2:17 says, "the world is passing away, and also its
  • 00:19:40.068 --> 00:19:45.607
  • Lusts; but the one who does the will of god lives forever."
  • 00:19:45.607 --> 00:19:52.147
  • The one who does the will of god lives forever.
  • 00:19:52.147 --> 00:19:57.219
  • Dr. george w. truett, who was pastor of our church for 50
  • 00:19:57.219 --> 00:20:01.223
  • Years, defined success this way.
  • 00:20:01.223 --> 00:20:05.027
  • He said, "success is knowing god's word and doing it."
  • 00:20:05.027 --> 00:20:12.768
  • Is there a command you need to obey?
  • 00:20:12.768 --> 00:20:16.371
  • Do it.
  • 00:20:16.371 --> 00:20:17.906
  • Is there a gift you need to give?
  • 00:20:17.906 --> 00:20:20.709
  • Do it.
  • 00:20:20.709 --> 00:20:22.277
  • Is there someone you need to forgive?
  • 00:20:22.277 --> 00:20:25.480
  • Do it.
  • 00:20:25.480 --> 00:20:26.882
  • Is there a relationship that needs to be reconciled?
  • 00:20:26.882 --> 00:20:30.786
  • Do it.
  • 00:20:30.786 --> 00:20:32.154
  • No act of obedience, no matter how small it is--no act of
  • 00:20:32.154 --> 00:20:38.226
  • Obedience is inconsequential to god.
  • 00:20:38.226 --> 00:20:42.331
  • Whether it's saying no to a temptation or saying yes to some
  • 00:20:42.331 --> 00:20:47.302
  • Everyday mundane responsibility, god sees, and god rewards
  • 00:20:47.302 --> 00:20:53.709
  • Your obedience.
  • 00:20:53.709 --> 00:20:57.245
  • I came across something that really spoke to me.
  • 00:20:57.245 --> 00:21:01.283
  • Author philip yancey illustrates the importance of doing even the
  • 00:21:01.283 --> 00:21:06.822
  • Small things that are part of god's will to have big results
  • 00:21:06.822 --> 00:21:11.493
  • In your life.
  • 00:21:11.493 --> 00:21:12.828
  • He was talking about a documentary he saw on tv about
  • 00:21:12.828 --> 00:21:16.665
  • Some of the survivors of world war ii.
  • 00:21:16.665 --> 00:21:20.135
  • He wrote, "the soldiers in that documentary recalled how they
  • 00:21:20.135 --> 00:21:24.773
  • Spent a particular day.
  • 00:21:24.773 --> 00:21:26.842
  • One sat in a foxhole all day.
  • 00:21:26.842 --> 00:21:30.112
  • Once or twice, a german tank drove by and he shot at it.
  • 00:21:30.112 --> 00:21:34.483
  • Others played cards and frittered away the time.
  • 00:21:34.483 --> 00:21:38.253
  • A few got involved in furious firefights, but mostly, the day
  • 00:21:38.253 --> 00:21:43.992
  • Passed like any other day for an infantryman on the front lines.
  • 00:21:43.992 --> 00:21:49.431
  • Later, these soldiers learned they had just participated in
  • 00:21:49.431 --> 00:21:54.002
  • One of the largest, most decisive battles of world war
  • 00:21:54.002 --> 00:21:58.039
  • Ii, the battle of the bulge.
  • 00:21:58.039 --> 00:22:01.109
  • It didn't feel decisive to any of them at the time because none
  • 00:22:01.109 --> 00:22:05.547
  • Had the big picture of what was happening elsewhere."
  • 00:22:05.547 --> 00:22:09.918
  • Now get this, great victories are won when ordinary people
  • 00:22:09.918 --> 00:22:16.358
  • Execute their assigned tasks.
  • 00:22:16.358 --> 00:22:19.161
  • And a faithful person does not debate each day whether he or
  • 00:22:19.161 --> 00:22:23.698
  • She is in the mood to follow the sergeant's orders or show up at
  • 00:22:23.698 --> 00:22:28.437
  • A boring job.
  • 00:22:28.437 --> 00:22:30.405
  • We exercise faith by responding to the task at hand, for we have
  • 00:22:30.405 --> 00:22:36.945
  • Control only over our actions in the present moment.
  • 00:22:36.945 --> 00:22:43.118
  • That's what james has in mind when he says, "be doers of the
  • 00:22:43.118 --> 00:22:48.657
  • Word and not hearers only."
  • 00:22:48.657 --> 00:22:51.660
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:22:52.928 --> 00:22:57.199
  • Jeffress: today's message from james is pretty convicting,
  • 00:22:57.265 --> 00:22:59.835
  • Isn't it?
  • 00:22:59.835 --> 00:23:01.203
  • Scripture says, "we're only deceiving ourselves if we hear
  • 00:23:01.203 --> 00:23:04.239
  • God's word, but don't obey it."
  • 00:23:04.239 --> 00:23:07.075
  • And that can be a hard truth to swallow.
  • 00:23:07.075 --> 00:23:09.678
  • At "pathway to victory," we don't shy away from the
  • 00:23:09.678 --> 00:23:12.447
  • Challenging parts of god's word.
  • 00:23:12.447 --> 00:23:14.783
  • We believe in proclaiming the whole counsel of scripture even
  • 00:23:14.783 --> 00:23:18.787
  • When it makes us uncomfortable.
  • 00:23:18.787 --> 00:23:20.722
  • And your faithful support enables us to deliver this kind
  • 00:23:20.722 --> 00:23:24.192
  • Of uncompromising biblical teaching every single day.
  • 00:23:24.192 --> 00:23:28.964
  • Thank you for standing with us as we boldly defend the
  • 00:23:28.964 --> 00:23:31.833
  • Unchanging truth of scripture in an age of compromise.
  • 00:23:31.833 --> 00:23:35.971
  • Your generosity ensures that pathway to victory remains a
  • 00:23:35.971 --> 00:23:40.609
  • Trusted source of bold, biblical teaching for you and
  • 00:23:40.609 --> 00:23:43.945
  • Your family.
  • 00:23:43.945 --> 00:23:45.313
  • Together we are piercing the darkness with the light of
  • 00:23:45.313 --> 00:23:49.017
  • God's word.
  • 00:23:49.017 --> 00:23:50.352
  • Now please stay right there, i'll be back with more "pathway
  • 00:23:50.352 --> 00:23:53.455
  • To victory" in just a moment.
  • 00:23:53.455 --> 00:23:56.091
  • Announcer: every believer wants to see clear evidence of their
  • 00:23:57.559 --> 00:24:00.462
  • Spiritual growth and discover the fruit that god is producing
  • 00:24:00.462 --> 00:24:03.999
  • In their lives.
  • 00:24:03.999 --> 00:24:05.333
  • Dr. robert jeffress shows you exactly how to recognize that
  • 00:24:05.333 --> 00:24:08.904
  • Fruit in his brand new book, "how to know if you're
  • 00:24:08.904 --> 00:24:11.806
  • Really saved."
  • 00:24:11.806 --> 00:24:13.174
  • Jeffress: the book of james teaches us that the christian
  • 00:24:13.174 --> 00:24:15.443
  • Life is about more than just knowing god's word, it's about
  • 00:24:15.443 --> 00:24:19.614
  • Living it out.
  • 00:24:19.614 --> 00:24:20.982
  • In my new book, "how to know if you're really saved," i'll walk
  • 00:24:20.982 --> 00:24:23.952
  • You through what it truly means to be a doer of the word,
  • 00:24:23.952 --> 00:24:27.689
  • Showing you how to respond to trials, control your speech,
  • 00:24:27.689 --> 00:24:31.493
  • Endure hardships, resist temptation, and so much more.
  • 00:24:31.493 --> 00:24:36.531
  • Announcer: this outstanding, 232-page book will help you
  • 00:24:36.531 --> 00:24:39.501
  • Examine the evidence of your faith and see the spiritual
  • 00:24:39.501 --> 00:24:42.871
  • Fruit that should be growing in your daily life.
  • 00:24:42.871 --> 00:24:45.907
  • Request your copy of, "how to know if you're really saved"
  • 00:24:45.907 --> 00:24:48.977
  • When you give a generous gift to support the ministry of "pathway
  • 00:24:48.977 --> 00:24:52.180
  • To victory" or when you become a pathway partner.
  • 00:24:52.180 --> 00:24:55.383
  • With your ministry gift of $75 or more, we'll send you not just
  • 00:24:55.383 --> 00:24:59.521
  • The book but also the personal and group study guide and the
  • 00:24:59.521 --> 00:25:03.191
  • Complete message series on both cd and dvd.
  • 00:25:03.191 --> 00:25:06.595
  • Jeffress: if you are truly saved, there's gonna be evidence
  • 00:25:06.595 --> 00:25:09.998
  • Of it.
  • 00:25:09.998 --> 00:25:11.333
  • There are some tests that you need to apply to your life.
  • 00:25:11.333 --> 00:25:14.603
  • Announcer: thank you for your generous support of "pathway
  • 00:25:14.603 --> 00:25:16.871
  • To victory."
  • 00:25:16.871 --> 00:25:18.206
  • Your partnership helps us bring bold biblical and practical
  • 00:25:18.206 --> 00:25:21.476
  • Teaching into homes across the nation and around the world.
  • 00:25:21.476 --> 00:25:25.914
  • Jeffress: real faith doesn't just listen to god's word, it
  • 00:25:27.215 --> 00:25:30.652
  • Acts upon it.
  • 00:25:30.652 --> 00:25:32.220
  • We can't afford to be spiritual tourists who merely gaze at
  • 00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:35.857
  • Scripture without letting it transform our lives.
  • 00:25:35.857 --> 00:25:39.861
  • Well, next time we'll examine another test of
  • 00:25:39.861 --> 00:25:42.297
  • Authentic christianity.
  • 00:25:42.297 --> 00:25:44.265
  • How do we treat those who are less fortunate?
  • 00:25:44.265 --> 00:25:47.502
  • James warns us that playing favorites in a church exposes a
  • 00:25:47.502 --> 00:25:51.740
  • Serious problem with our faith.
  • 00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:54.376
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next in our
  • 00:25:54.376 --> 00:25:57.012
  • Series, "how to know if you're really saved."
  • 00:25:57.012 --> 00:26:01.449
  • Jeffress: what's not right is to honor somebody and mistreat
  • 00:26:01.516 --> 00:26:06.354
  • Another person at the same time.
  • 00:26:06.354 --> 00:26:08.923
  • You should never favor anybody in the church when it results in
  • 00:26:08.923 --> 00:26:14.095
  • Disfavoring somebody else.
  • 00:26:14.095 --> 00:26:16.331
  • That's what was going on in this service.
  • 00:26:16.331 --> 00:26:19.901
  • Announcer: set your dvr and join
  • 00:26:19.968 --> 00:26:21.436
  • Us next time for the message,
  • 00:26:21.436 --> 00:26:23.004
  • "when mr. goldfinger
  • 00:26:23.004 --> 00:26:24.372
  • Comes to church"
  • 00:26:24.372 --> 00:26:25.707
  • Here on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:26:25.707 --> 00:26:29.077
  • Announcer: step away from your daily routine and immerse
  • 00:26:30.745 --> 00:26:33.281
  • Yourself in god's masterpiece on the "pathway to victory" cruise
  • 00:26:33.281 --> 00:26:37.052
  • To alaska, june 13 through 20, 2026.
  • 00:26:37.052 --> 00:26:40.622
  • Jeffress: imagine starting each day immersed in god's word, then
  • 00:26:40.622 --> 00:26:44.359
  • Stepping out to witness god's grandeur from the majestic
  • 00:26:44.359 --> 00:26:47.729
  • Glaciers to soaring eagles.
  • 00:26:47.729 --> 00:26:50.198
  • These moments in god's creation will deepen your faith in
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  • Powerful ways.
  • 00:26:53.868 --> 00:26:55.370
  • Announcer: experience five-star dining, luxurious staterooms,
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  • And exceptional service while visiting iconic ports like
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  • Juneau, ketchikan, and skagway.
  • 00:27:01.509 --> 00:27:03.912
  • Jeffress: we'll explore god's word together against the
  • 00:27:03.912 --> 00:27:06.481
  • Backdrop of his most impressive handiwork.
  • 00:27:06.481 --> 00:27:09.918
  • I promise, you'll return home with memories that will last a
  • 00:27:09.918 --> 00:27:13.121
  • Lifetime and a heart renewed by god's presence.
  • 00:27:13.121 --> 00:27:17.192
  • Announcer: to book your spot on the 2026 "pathway to victory"
  • 00:27:17.258 --> 00:27:20.328
  • Cruise to alaska, call...
  • 00:27:20.328 --> 00:27:25.166
  • Or go to ptv.org.
  • 00:27:25.166 --> 00:27:28.203