Robert Jeffress - Choosing Intimacy With God Over Isolation (Part 2)

February 3, 2026 | 27:29

In this final episode of "Pathway to Victory," Dr. Robert Jeffress focuses on the crucial choice between intimacy with God and isolation, drawing on biblical teachings from the life of Solomon. With practical principles for building and nurturing a deep relationship with God, Jeffress emphasizes the importance of prioritizing spiritual fulfillment over worldly distractions. Through personal anecdotes, biblical examples, and insightful reflections, viewers are encouraged to evaluate their own hearts, remove barriers to intimacy, and invest in a lasting connection with the divine. The episode culminates in a compelling call to choose God above all else, offering hope and transformation to all who tune in.

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Choosing Intimacy With God Over Isolation (Part 2) | February 3, 2026
  • ...
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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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  • For the last several weeks we've been talking about biblical
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  • Attitude choices that have the power to transform your life.
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  • In this final program of the teaching series, i'm going to
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  • Address the most important choice you'll ever make and the
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  • Most important relationship you'll ever have.
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  • My message is titled "choosing intimacy with god over
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  • Isolation" on today's edition of "pathway to victory."
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  • ♪ this is jesus ♪
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  • ♪ laid in a manger ♪
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  • ♪ infant savior ♪
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  • ♪ god with us ♪
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  • ♪ sought by shepherds ♪
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  • ♪ sought by angels ♪
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  • ♪ word incarnate ♪
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  • ♪ holy son ♪
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  • ♪ holy hope, the promise given ♪
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  • ♪ he has come to make a way ♪
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  • ♪ wrapped in wonder ♪
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  • ♪ he is worshipped ♪
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  • ♪ this is jesus ♪
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  • ♪ born to save ♪
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  • ♪ this is jesus ♪
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  • ♪ healer and teacher ♪
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  • ♪ reaching out to ♪
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  • ♪ those in need ♪
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  • ♪ hope and mercy ♪
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  • ♪ to the broken ♪
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  • ♪ love and comfort ♪
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  • ♪ to the weak ♪
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  • ♪ there is truth ♪
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  • ♪ and there is power ♪
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  • ♪ in his words a way of life ♪
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  • ♪ in a whisper ♪
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  • ♪ there is rising ♪
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  • ♪ this is jesus ♪
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  • ♪ he is christ ♪
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  • ♪ this is jesus ♪
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  • ♪ savior redeemer ♪
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  • ♪ perfect offering on a cross ♪
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  • ♪ all our sins are placed upon him ♪
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  • ♪ oh, the greatness of his love ♪
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  • ♪ willingly he bears our sorrow ♪
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  • ♪ calvary's debt will be undone ♪
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  • ♪ to the desperate ♪
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  • ♪ lost without him ♪
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  • ♪ this is jesus crucified ♪
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • ♪ this is jesus ♪
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  • ♪ risen in victory ♪
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  • ♪ night has ended ♪
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  • ♪ glory come ♪
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  • ♪ shout the news of ♪
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  • ♪ resurrection ♪
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  • ♪ death is conquered ♪
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  • ♪ light has won ♪
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  • ♪ and today the song of heaven ♪
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  • ♪ will be led by glory ♪
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  • ♪ hallelujah, hallelujah ♪
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  • ♪ this is jesus ♪
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  • ♪ king of kings ♪
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  • ♪ king of kings ♪
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  • ♪ king of kings ♪
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  • ♪ this is jesus ♪♪
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  • [congregation applauding]
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  • Announcer: we all want to live a life of meaning and
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  • Significance, but we often dream too small.
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  • Jeffress: my friends david green, founder and ceo of hobby
  • 00:05:03.259 --> 00:05:06.729
  • Lobby, and bill high, ceo of legacy stone, have written a
  • 00:05:06.729 --> 00:05:11.334
  • Brand-new book called "the legacy life."
  • 00:05:11.334 --> 00:05:14.036
  • Jeffress: you've said it in this book several times, "legacy is
  • 00:05:14.036 --> 00:05:18.074
  • Not what you leave behind, it's what you set in motion for
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  • The future."
  • 00:05:21.577 --> 00:05:22.945
  • Jeffress: this book will challenge you to point your life
  • 00:05:22.945 --> 00:05:25.148
  • Heavenward and set in motion a legacy of eternal significance.
  • 00:05:25.148 --> 00:05:30.253
  • David green: bill, i've found out it's much easier to run a
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  • Business, but having a family, a wife, children that serve the
  • 00:05:32.822 --> 00:05:36.359
  • Lord, is much, much more difficult.
  • 00:05:36.359 --> 00:05:38.194
  • And that's who we are.
  • 00:05:38.194 --> 00:05:39.529
  • We're not about hobby lobby, we're about mission, vision, and
  • 00:05:39.529 --> 00:05:42.265
  • Values, and it's all based on god's word, and that's what
  • 00:05:42.265 --> 00:05:44.867
  • We're excited about.
  • 00:05:44.867 --> 00:05:46.202
  • Bill high: no matter what stage of life you're in, "the legacy
  • 00:05:46.202 --> 00:05:48.771
  • Life" will help you understand how to apply god's word and set
  • 00:05:48.771 --> 00:05:53.376
  • In motion a great legacy.
  • 00:05:53.376 --> 00:05:56.078
  • Announcer: request "the legacy life" when you give a generous
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  • Gift to "pathway to victory" or when you become a
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  • Pathway partner.
  • 00:06:01.250 --> 00:06:02.585
  • You'll also receive the powerful book by dr. jeffress, "choose
  • 00:06:02.585 --> 00:06:05.588
  • Your attitudes, change your life."
  • 00:06:05.588 --> 00:06:07.790
  • And when your ministry gift is $100 or more, we'll also send
  • 00:06:07.790 --> 00:06:11.561
  • You the "choose your attitudes, change your life" personal and
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  • Group study guide, plus the complete teaching series on cd
  • 00:06:14.997 --> 00:06:18.701
  • And dvd and a set of attitude booster cards for
  • 00:06:18.701 --> 00:06:22.305
  • Your encouragement.
  • 00:06:22.305 --> 00:06:23.706
  • Thank you for supporting "pathway to victory."
  • 00:06:23.706 --> 00:06:27.743
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:06:29.412 --> 00:06:39.355
  • Jeffress: what solomon is saying is the most important choice we
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  • Can make is to build our life around god.
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  • He is the only one capable of giving us the right perspective
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  • Of life and eternity.
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  • How do you do that?
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  • How do you choose intimacy with god over isolation from god?
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  • As we close out today, let me just share with you four
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  • Practical principles for making god first in your life.
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  • First of all, realize that true fulfillment is impossible apart
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  • From god.
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  • You have to come to the understanding that true
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  • Fulfillment is really impossible apart from god.
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  • You know, nothing will block intimacy more than
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  • Divided affections.
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  • If i'm trying to build an intimate relationship with my
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  • Wife, amy, and yet i'm carrying on with some other woman at the
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  • Same time, is that gonna affect my intimacy with my wife in
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  • Any way?
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  • Of course it is.
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  • The truth is, there's no such thing as divided affections,
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  • Divided loyalties.
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  • We build our life around one thing, not many things.
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  • And jesus said that in matthew 6:24.
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  • He said, "nobody can serve two masters."
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  • You just can't do it.
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  • You may think you can, but you can't.
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  • "for you will either hate the one and love the other, or he
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  • Will hold on to the one and despise the other.
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  • You cannot serve god and money."
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  • And the fact is, if you are under the illusion that a
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  • Certain position, a certain amount of possessions, a certain
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  • Amount of prestige or pleasure, that those things will really
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  • Provide the fulfillment you need in life, you can't be intimate
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  • With god and serving him at the same time.
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  • You're gonna build your life around whatever you think is
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  • Gonna satisfy your deepest needs, and that means if you
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  • Wanna have intimacy with god, you've got to come to the place
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  • Where you realize you can't be fulfilled any other way.
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  • You know, i had the funniest thing happen not long ago.
  • 00:08:45.848 --> 00:08:47.950
  • I came across in my files a piece of paper, yellow piece of
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  • Paper from a tablet, something i'd written down 35 years ago.
  • 00:08:53.122 --> 00:08:57.627
  • It was a list of my four major goals for that particular year.
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  • And i looked back and you know what struck me about it was i'd
  • 00:09:02.898 --> 00:09:07.036
  • Marked off each of those goals.
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  • I'd accomplished them that year.
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  • But did that keep me from setting any more goals?
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  • Of course not.
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  • I mean, year after year after year, i had more and more goals.
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  • Here's what struck me.
  • 00:09:20.883 --> 00:09:22.218
  • If those goals i thought were so important had been enough to
  • 00:09:22.218 --> 00:09:25.321
  • Fulfill me, i wouldn't have set any more goals.
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  • But it wasn't enough.
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  • It's never enough.
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  • I believe solomon had reached the same conclusion.
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  • He had built the most powerful nation in the world at
  • 00:09:37.033 --> 00:09:40.036
  • That time.
  • 00:09:40.036 --> 00:09:41.370
  • He became the wealthiest man of his day, and yet he realized he
  • 00:09:41.370 --> 00:09:45.274
  • Wasn't fulfilled.
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  • It is only when we come to the point that we realize
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  • Fulfillment is impossible apart from god, that we will begin to
  • 00:09:49.812 --> 00:09:54.216
  • Build our affections around god.
  • 00:09:54.216 --> 00:09:57.219
  • Secondly, to gain intimacy with god, honestly evaluate your
  • 00:09:57.219 --> 00:10:02.091
  • Relationship with god.
  • 00:10:02.091 --> 00:10:04.160
  • Do an honest x-ray of the condition of your heart.
  • 00:10:04.160 --> 00:10:08.431
  • What right now is the center of your affections?
  • 00:10:08.431 --> 00:10:11.467
  • What are you building your life around?
  • 00:10:11.467 --> 00:10:15.137
  • The temporary or the eternal?
  • 00:10:15.137 --> 00:10:18.174
  • You know, a good way to really evaluate your heart is to ask
  • 00:10:18.174 --> 00:10:21.477
  • Yourself the question, how would you respond if suddenly you lost
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  • All of your material possessions, you lost your most
  • 00:10:26.782 --> 00:10:32.755
  • Important relationships, you lost your health, you lost
  • 00:10:32.755 --> 00:10:38.828
  • Your children?
  • 00:10:38.828 --> 00:10:40.162
  • Would your life completely spin out of control?
  • 00:10:40.162 --> 00:10:44.467
  • Did you know there was a person who actually experienced all of
  • 00:10:44.467 --> 00:10:47.303
  • That in a very short amount of time?
  • 00:10:47.303 --> 00:10:50.072
  • His name was job, and we find his story in the old testament.
  • 00:10:50.072 --> 00:10:54.810
  • Obviously, job was heartbroken after he lost his kids in a
  • 00:10:54.810 --> 00:10:59.181
  • Freak windstorm, after all of his possessions were taken from
  • 00:10:59.181 --> 00:11:03.018
  • Him, after he began to lose his health, but it didn't undo
  • 00:11:03.018 --> 00:11:06.922
  • His life.
  • 00:11:06.922 --> 00:11:08.290
  • In job 1, verses 20 to 22, it says that "job arose.
  • 00:11:08.290 --> 00:11:13.529
  • He tore his robe and he shaved his head, and he fell to the
  • 00:11:13.529 --> 00:11:16.799
  • Ground and worshiped, and he said, 'naked i came from my
  • 00:11:16.799 --> 00:11:20.236
  • Mother's womb.
  • 00:11:20.236 --> 00:11:21.570
  • And naked i shall return there.
  • 00:11:21.570 --> 00:11:23.706
  • The lord gave and the lord has taken away.
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  • Blessed be the name of the lord.'
  • 00:11:27.710 --> 00:11:31.514
  • Through all this, job did not sin, nor did he blame god."
  • 00:11:31.514 --> 00:11:38.521
  • Job's life was built around something more than what could
  • 00:11:38.521 --> 00:11:41.991
  • Be taken away from him.
  • 00:11:41.991 --> 00:11:44.026
  • Is yours?
  • 00:11:44.026 --> 00:11:46.462
  • You know, what a contrast to solomon.
  • 00:11:46.462 --> 00:11:49.465
  • When we get to the 12th chapter of ecclesiastes, we come to see
  • 00:11:49.465 --> 00:11:53.803
  • An old man whose life is beginning to unravel.
  • 00:11:53.803 --> 00:11:57.439
  • His health is breaking down.
  • 00:11:57.439 --> 00:11:59.742
  • Not only that, his power in the kingdom had been diminished.
  • 00:11:59.742 --> 00:12:02.878
  • His wealth had been passed on to another.
  • 00:12:02.878 --> 00:12:04.814
  • Even his wisdom was being called into question.
  • 00:12:04.814 --> 00:12:09.051
  • And he comes to the end of his life, and he said, "don't make
  • 00:12:09.051 --> 00:12:12.454
  • The same mistake i did.
  • 00:12:12.454 --> 00:12:14.390
  • Remember god.
  • 00:12:14.390 --> 00:12:16.158
  • Remember your creator in the days of your youth."
  • 00:12:16.158 --> 00:12:22.832
  • Have you ever been on a road in an unfamiliar place, and you
  • 00:12:22.832 --> 00:12:29.672
  • Make a wrong turn and not soon afterwards you realize you made
  • 00:12:29.672 --> 00:12:32.975
  • A wrong turn, and you've got that decision point.
  • 00:12:32.975 --> 00:12:36.679
  • Am i gonna admit my mistake, turn around and go the
  • 00:12:36.679 --> 00:12:39.081
  • Opposite direction?
  • 00:12:39.081 --> 00:12:41.150
  • And there's something inside of you that doesn't want to do
  • 00:12:41.150 --> 00:12:43.552
  • That, because after all, you've gone a little ways in this new
  • 00:12:43.552 --> 00:12:47.289
  • Direction, and you'd have to retrace your steps, and it would
  • 00:12:47.289 --> 00:12:50.860
  • Take longer to get back on the right road.
  • 00:12:50.860 --> 00:12:53.329
  • I mean, it's really idiocy when you think about it, but it makes
  • 00:12:53.329 --> 00:12:56.498
  • Sense at the time, so you keep going further in the wrong
  • 00:12:56.498 --> 00:12:59.235
  • Direction, hoping that magically somehow it's gonna become the
  • 00:12:59.235 --> 00:13:02.638
  • Right direction, and the further and further you go, the harder
  • 00:13:02.638 --> 00:13:05.574
  • And harder it is to turn around and admit you've made a mistake.
  • 00:13:05.574 --> 00:13:09.011
  • I see some ladies punching their husbands right now.
  • 00:13:09.011 --> 00:13:13.249
  • We're all like that.
  • 00:13:13.249 --> 00:13:16.185
  • The further you go in the wrong direction, the harder it is to
  • 00:13:16.185 --> 00:13:18.787
  • Turn around.
  • 00:13:18.787 --> 00:13:20.322
  • But you know, that's what the word "repent" means.
  • 00:13:20.322 --> 00:13:22.591
  • Literally, it means to turn around.
  • 00:13:22.591 --> 00:13:24.793
  • To be headed in the wrong direction, to acknowledge it,
  • 00:13:24.793 --> 00:13:27.696
  • And start going in the right direction.
  • 00:13:27.696 --> 00:13:30.766
  • There's some of you that are ready to do that, i think,
  • 00:13:30.766 --> 00:13:33.535
  • You're ready to admit what i've been chasing after, it hasn't
  • 00:13:33.535 --> 00:13:37.539
  • Done it for me.
  • 00:13:37.539 --> 00:13:38.874
  • It hasn't been providing the fulfillment i've been
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  • Looking for.
  • 00:13:41.110 --> 00:13:42.478
  • I'm ready to admit i've been going the wrong direction and go
  • 00:13:42.478 --> 00:13:45.714
  • The right direction.
  • 00:13:45.714 --> 00:13:47.783
  • Unfortunately, that didn't happen to solomon.
  • 00:13:47.783 --> 00:13:51.253
  • He waited until it was too late.
  • 00:13:51.253 --> 00:13:53.789
  • 1 kings 11:4 says, "for it came about when solomon was old, that
  • 00:13:53.789 --> 00:13:58.360
  • His wives turned his heart away after other gods; and his heart
  • 00:13:58.360 --> 00:14:02.431
  • Was not wholly devoted to the lord his god, as the heart of
  • 00:14:02.431 --> 00:14:06.502
  • David, his father, had been."
  • 00:14:06.502 --> 00:14:09.805
  • Remember your creator before it is too late.
  • 00:14:09.805 --> 00:14:14.276
  • Number three, how do you build intimacy with god?
  • 00:14:14.276 --> 00:14:17.279
  • Remove any barriers in your life to intimacy with god.
  • 00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:22.284
  • You know what the biggest barrier is between us and god
  • 00:14:22.284 --> 00:14:27.656
  • That keeps us from having a relationship with him?
  • 00:14:27.656 --> 00:14:30.192
  • The biggest barrier, it's a little word, three-letter word,
  • 00:14:30.192 --> 00:14:33.429
  • S-i-n, sin.
  • 00:14:33.429 --> 00:14:39.368
  • In isaiah 59:2, the prophet said, "but your iniquities, your
  • 00:14:39.368 --> 00:14:44.039
  • Sins, have made a separation between you and your god.
  • 00:14:44.039 --> 00:14:48.143
  • And your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does
  • 00:14:48.143 --> 00:14:51.613
  • Not hear."
  • 00:14:51.613 --> 00:14:53.415
  • He was talking to god's own people, the israelites.
  • 00:14:53.415 --> 00:14:56.251
  • Now let me be clear about this.
  • 00:14:56.251 --> 00:14:57.586
  • When we are born into this world, we are born separated
  • 00:14:57.586 --> 00:15:00.889
  • From god.
  • 00:15:00.889 --> 00:15:02.224
  • The wall is already there.
  • 00:15:02.224 --> 00:15:04.159
  • It's a wall that is caused by the sin we inherited from adam.
  • 00:15:04.159 --> 00:15:08.263
  • We are separated from god.
  • 00:15:08.263 --> 00:15:10.933
  • You say, "well, how do you remove that wall?"
  • 00:15:10.933 --> 00:15:12.768
  • You can't remove it.
  • 00:15:12.768 --> 00:15:14.136
  • I can't remove it.
  • 00:15:14.136 --> 00:15:15.471
  • But that's why christ came to pay for our sins.
  • 00:15:15.471 --> 00:15:18.707
  • He's the one who removed that wall and made access to
  • 00:15:18.707 --> 00:15:22.544
  • God possible.
  • 00:15:22.544 --> 00:15:24.246
  • And when you trust in christ for the forgiveness of your sins,
  • 00:15:24.246 --> 00:15:27.649
  • God takes a sledgehammer to that wall.
  • 00:15:27.649 --> 00:15:29.985
  • He knocks it down.
  • 00:15:29.985 --> 00:15:31.387
  • He welcomes us into his presence.
  • 00:15:31.387 --> 00:15:34.189
  • But after we become a christian, we can try to erect that wall
  • 00:15:34.189 --> 00:15:38.861
  • Ourselves, brick by brick by brick.
  • 00:15:38.861 --> 00:15:42.865
  • And when we erect our own wall, sin after sin after sin, it's
  • 00:15:42.865 --> 00:15:48.337
  • Not that god changes his attitude toward us, but we
  • 00:15:48.337 --> 00:15:52.207
  • Change our attitude toward god.
  • 00:15:52.207 --> 00:15:54.576
  • We grow distant from god, the more sins we pile on, and we
  • 00:15:54.576 --> 00:15:58.547
  • Build and build and build that wall till we can no longer see
  • 00:15:58.547 --> 00:16:01.550
  • Our creator.
  • 00:16:01.550 --> 00:16:03.786
  • You know, the biggest brick that blocks our view of god?
  • 00:16:03.786 --> 00:16:09.058
  • It's not adultery or murder or theft.
  • 00:16:09.058 --> 00:16:12.161
  • I mean, those are all certainly sins.
  • 00:16:12.161 --> 00:16:15.864
  • But the one brick that blocks our view of god more than any
  • 00:16:15.864 --> 00:16:19.068
  • Other is idolatry.
  • 00:16:19.068 --> 00:16:22.838
  • And some of you think, "phew, he named the one thing i'm not
  • 00:16:22.838 --> 00:16:25.107
  • Guilty of."
  • 00:16:25.107 --> 00:16:27.509
  • Well, you might want to think again.
  • 00:16:27.509 --> 00:16:29.978
  • You know, idolatry is not just bowing down before a wooden
  • 00:16:29.978 --> 00:16:32.848
  • Statue in africa somewhere.
  • 00:16:32.848 --> 00:16:36.018
  • Idolatry is loving anyone or anything more than you love god.
  • 00:16:36.018 --> 00:16:41.890
  • That's what it is to have an idol.
  • 00:16:41.890 --> 00:16:44.493
  • To be obsessed with, to think about, to love anything or
  • 00:16:44.493 --> 00:16:48.030
  • Anyone more than we love god.
  • 00:16:48.030 --> 00:16:51.100
  • And if we're going to have intimacy with god, we've got to
  • 00:16:51.100 --> 00:16:55.037
  • Be willing to let go of those idols in our life.
  • 00:16:55.037 --> 00:16:59.475
  • I'll never forget a number of years ago, i had lunch in
  • 00:16:59.475 --> 00:17:02.044
  • Another city with a well-known christian leader.
  • 00:17:02.044 --> 00:17:04.847
  • You would know his name immediately.
  • 00:17:04.847 --> 00:17:06.915
  • He's taught millions the word of god, and after we finished with
  • 00:17:06.915 --> 00:17:10.085
  • Lunch, we were walking outside.
  • 00:17:10.085 --> 00:17:12.888
  • Next to his office door was his automobile.
  • 00:17:12.888 --> 00:17:16.859
  • It was a 1968 oldsmobile.
  • 00:17:16.859 --> 00:17:21.029
  • And i was kind of shocked by the car, actually.
  • 00:17:21.029 --> 00:17:23.932
  • I said, "well, that's an interesting car."
  • 00:17:23.932 --> 00:17:25.567
  • I mean, it was like a tank.
  • 00:17:25.567 --> 00:17:28.504
  • And i said, "tell me about your car.
  • 00:17:28.504 --> 00:17:30.939
  • There's got to be a story behind that."
  • 00:17:30.939 --> 00:17:32.541
  • He said, "yes."
  • 00:17:32.541 --> 00:17:33.909
  • He said, "you know, there are some great things about
  • 00:17:33.909 --> 00:17:35.544
  • This car.
  • 00:17:35.544 --> 00:17:36.912
  • First of all, i never have to worry about being hit by anybody
  • 00:17:36.912 --> 00:17:38.714
  • On the freeway.
  • 00:17:38.714 --> 00:17:40.082
  • Everybody steers clear of me."
  • 00:17:40.082 --> 00:17:41.850
  • And he said, "also, nobody wants to steal my car.
  • 00:17:41.850 --> 00:17:44.820
  • I never have to worry about anybody stealing the car.
  • 00:17:44.820 --> 00:17:47.222
  • I can leave it unlocked and i-- nobody takes it."
  • 00:17:47.222 --> 00:17:50.993
  • He lived a very frugal lifestyle, even though he was a
  • 00:17:50.993 --> 00:17:54.930
  • Major christian leader.
  • 00:17:54.930 --> 00:17:56.431
  • And so i asked him about that.
  • 00:17:56.431 --> 00:17:57.799
  • I said, "what led you to live the way you do?"
  • 00:17:57.799 --> 00:18:01.837
  • He said, "well, it all happened when i was 10 years of age."
  • 00:18:01.837 --> 00:18:05.707
  • He said, "i had a paper route.
  • 00:18:05.707 --> 00:18:07.676
  • I used to get up at the crack of dawn before school and go out
  • 00:18:07.676 --> 00:18:10.379
  • And throw my papers, and i started earning money, and i'd
  • 00:18:10.379 --> 00:18:13.749
  • Go down to the bank every week and deposit my money in my
  • 00:18:13.749 --> 00:18:17.019
  • Little savings account and it started to grow and grow and
  • 00:18:17.019 --> 00:18:21.323
  • Grow and grow.
  • 00:18:21.323 --> 00:18:23.225
  • And before long, that bank book became my obsession.
  • 00:18:23.225 --> 00:18:27.062
  • All i could think about was how much money i had and how proud i
  • 00:18:27.062 --> 00:18:30.966
  • Was of it.
  • 00:18:30.966 --> 00:18:32.634
  • And i realized it was a hindrance in my relationship
  • 00:18:32.634 --> 00:18:35.404
  • With god.
  • 00:18:35.404 --> 00:18:37.005
  • So one day i took that bank book down to the bank and i withdrew
  • 00:18:37.005 --> 00:18:40.776
  • Every dollar i had.
  • 00:18:40.776 --> 00:18:43.412
  • And i went out and bought bibles for all of my classmates.
  • 00:18:43.412 --> 00:18:48.584
  • And since that time, i've never had a problem with materialism
  • 00:18:48.584 --> 00:18:52.621
  • Or money.
  • 00:18:52.621 --> 00:18:53.956
  • By letting go of it, i broke its hold over me."
  • 00:18:53.956 --> 00:18:59.361
  • You know, if we're gonna have intimacy with god, we've gotta
  • 00:18:59.361 --> 00:19:02.331
  • Be willing to let go of whatever idol it is that is blocking our
  • 00:19:02.331 --> 00:19:08.537
  • Relationship with god.
  • 00:19:08.537 --> 00:19:12.140
  • Finally, how do we have a right relationship with god?
  • 00:19:12.140 --> 00:19:17.346
  • To continue to nurture our relationship with god.
  • 00:19:17.346 --> 00:19:20.382
  • If we're gonna have intimacy with god, we've got to continue
  • 00:19:20.382 --> 00:19:24.453
  • To nurture our relationship with god.
  • 00:19:24.453 --> 00:19:28.423
  • Here's a formula that's absolutely guaranteed to destroy
  • 00:19:28.423 --> 00:19:32.227
  • Any relationship you have.
  • 00:19:32.227 --> 00:19:34.930
  • Don't ever talk to the other person, don't ever listen to the
  • 00:19:34.930 --> 00:19:38.834
  • Other person, and don't ever spend any time with the
  • 00:19:38.834 --> 00:19:42.437
  • Other person.
  • 00:19:42.437 --> 00:19:44.239
  • That will destroy any relationship.
  • 00:19:44.239 --> 00:19:48.577
  • Now, you may think, "well, i've got a great relationship with my
  • 00:19:48.577 --> 00:19:51.947
  • Wife or with my children or with my lifelong friend."
  • 00:19:51.947 --> 00:19:57.619
  • You may think you have a great relationship.
  • 00:19:57.619 --> 00:19:59.988
  • You may have a great relationship, but quit talking
  • 00:19:59.988 --> 00:20:02.691
  • To them, listening to them, or spending time with them, and
  • 00:20:02.691 --> 00:20:06.328
  • That relationship will shrivel up overnight.
  • 00:20:06.328 --> 00:20:09.798
  • It's the same in our relationship with god.
  • 00:20:09.798 --> 00:20:12.067
  • You know how to destroy intimacy with god?
  • 00:20:12.067 --> 00:20:15.437
  • Don't ever talk to him, don't ever listen to him, don't ever
  • 00:20:15.437 --> 00:20:21.143
  • Spend any time with him.
  • 00:20:21.143 --> 00:20:23.779
  • We have to nurture our relationship with god if we're
  • 00:20:23.779 --> 00:20:27.349
  • Gonna be intimate with him.
  • 00:20:27.349 --> 00:20:29.318
  • You know, even jesus, the son of god, understood that.
  • 00:20:29.318 --> 00:20:33.955
  • You've heard me many times quote mark 1:35.
  • 00:20:33.955 --> 00:20:36.725
  • To me, it's one of the most amazing verses about the life
  • 00:20:36.725 --> 00:20:39.594
  • Of jesus.
  • 00:20:39.594 --> 00:20:41.296
  • The day after the busiest recorded day in his entire
  • 00:20:41.296 --> 00:20:45.133
  • Ministry, when he'd ministered until late until the evening,
  • 00:20:45.133 --> 00:20:48.270
  • The bible says, "on the next morning, in the early morning,
  • 00:20:48.270 --> 00:20:51.139
  • While it was still dark, he got up, he arose, and he went out
  • 00:20:51.139 --> 00:20:54.943
  • And departed to a lonely place, and was praying there."
  • 00:20:54.943 --> 00:20:59.848
  • Think about it.
  • 00:20:59.848 --> 00:21:01.650
  • If spending time with the heavenly father was essential
  • 00:21:01.650 --> 00:21:05.420
  • For the perfect son of god, how much more essential is it for
  • 00:21:05.420 --> 00:21:10.726
  • You and for me if we're gonna have a relationship with god?
  • 00:21:10.726 --> 00:21:17.432
  • How do you spend time with god?
  • 00:21:17.432 --> 00:21:19.735
  • You know the answers.
  • 00:21:19.735 --> 00:21:21.870
  • We talk with god through prayer, tell him what's on our heart.
  • 00:21:21.870 --> 00:21:25.240
  • We listen to god through reading his word.
  • 00:21:25.240 --> 00:21:28.543
  • We spend time alone with him as often as we can.
  • 00:21:28.543 --> 00:21:33.048
  • You know, i found in my own life, one of the best ways to
  • 00:21:33.048 --> 00:21:36.318
  • Develop intimacy with god is by keeping a journal, not a diary,
  • 00:21:36.318 --> 00:21:40.422
  • But a journal, not every day, but just writing down things
  • 00:21:40.422 --> 00:21:44.559
  • That god is teaching me that i'm learning from him and keeping a
  • 00:21:44.559 --> 00:21:48.830
  • List of prayer requests and the answers that do or don't come.
  • 00:21:48.830 --> 00:21:54.002
  • As i reflect back over those journals, it is such a
  • 00:21:54.002 --> 00:21:57.472
  • Refreshment to me to see that god really does exist and he's
  • 00:21:57.472 --> 00:22:00.876
  • At work in my life.
  • 00:22:00.876 --> 00:22:03.779
  • In a lot of ways, ecclesiastes was solomon's spiritual journal.
  • 00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:09.718
  • And he left it so all of us could read it and learn from
  • 00:22:09.718 --> 00:22:13.221
  • His mistakes.
  • 00:22:13.221 --> 00:22:15.690
  • Solomon said, "don't be like me.
  • 00:22:15.690 --> 00:22:18.593
  • Remember god, make him first in your life before it's too late."
  • 00:22:18.593 --> 00:22:23.865
  • You know, one of my favorite fables is about the dog that was
  • 00:22:23.865 --> 00:22:27.002
  • Carrying the bone in its mouth, and as it went over a bridge, it
  • 00:22:27.002 --> 00:22:30.839
  • Happened to look down into the pool of water beneath the
  • 00:22:30.839 --> 00:22:34.409
  • Bridge, and the dog immediately saw the reflection of the bone
  • 00:22:34.409 --> 00:22:38.580
  • It was carrying in its mouth.
  • 00:22:38.580 --> 00:22:41.149
  • The dog actually dropped the real bone, and it dove into the
  • 00:22:41.149 --> 00:22:44.920
  • Water in pursuit of the reflection and ended up
  • 00:22:44.920 --> 00:22:49.291
  • Going hungry.
  • 00:22:49.291 --> 00:22:51.059
  • That's really solomon's story.
  • 00:22:51.059 --> 00:22:53.795
  • He gave up his relationship with god that had started out
  • 00:22:53.795 --> 00:22:56.965
  • So strong.
  • 00:22:56.965 --> 00:22:58.467
  • He gave it out because he was distracted by the reflections,
  • 00:22:58.467 --> 00:23:02.971
  • By the gifts of god rather than the giver of the gifts,
  • 00:23:02.971 --> 00:23:06.007
  • God himself.
  • 00:23:06.007 --> 00:23:07.943
  • And he ended up dying spiritually hungry.
  • 00:23:07.943 --> 00:23:12.247
  • Don't make that same mistake, solomon says.
  • 00:23:12.247 --> 00:23:15.617
  • Choose intimacy with god.
  • 00:23:15.617 --> 00:23:18.687
  • Make it a priority in your life, instead of isolation from god.
  • 00:23:18.687 --> 00:23:23.992
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:23:24.559 --> 00:23:28.663
  • Jeffress: i'm pleased that you chose to join me for this study
  • 00:23:30.332 --> 00:23:33.201
  • In god's word today.
  • 00:23:33.201 --> 00:23:34.970
  • It's good evidence that you're serious about cultivating
  • 00:23:34.970 --> 00:23:38.240
  • Intimacy with god.
  • 00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:40.141
  • And as we wrap up this teaching series, it's the perfect time
  • 00:23:40.141 --> 00:23:43.178
  • For me to affirm the value of your partnership with "pathway
  • 00:23:43.178 --> 00:23:46.815
  • To victory."
  • 00:23:46.815 --> 00:23:48.183
  • Over the last several weeks we've been receiving wonderful
  • 00:23:48.183 --> 00:23:50.886
  • Feedback from viewers who are choosing new attitudes that are
  • 00:23:50.886 --> 00:23:54.656
  • Guaranteed to change their lives.
  • 00:23:54.656 --> 00:23:57.225
  • People like abraham in california who wrote, "in the
  • 00:23:57.225 --> 00:24:00.829
  • Midst of a lot of issues and struggles with my marriage and
  • 00:24:00.829 --> 00:24:04.165
  • Children, i found your ministry.
  • 00:24:04.165 --> 00:24:06.868
  • It's amazing how god puts things right in your path, right when
  • 00:24:06.868 --> 00:24:11.039
  • You need it."
  • 00:24:11.039 --> 00:24:12.407
  • Abraham, this is the reason we provide "pathway to victory."
  • 00:24:12.407 --> 00:24:15.911
  • And to those of you who support this ministry, you're helping
  • 00:24:15.911 --> 00:24:19.114
  • Abraham and countless others choose attitudes that will
  • 00:24:19.114 --> 00:24:22.951
  • Change their lives.
  • 00:24:22.951 --> 00:24:25.053
  • Now, stay right there.
  • 00:24:25.053 --> 00:24:26.388
  • I'll be back with more "pathway to victory" in just a moment.
  • 00:24:26.388 --> 00:24:31.026
  • Announcer: each day millions of lost people are searching for
  • 00:24:31.026 --> 00:24:33.929
  • Hope and truth.
  • 00:24:33.929 --> 00:24:35.297
  • Through "pathway to victory," god's word is reaching into
  • 00:24:35.297 --> 00:24:38.266
  • Homes across america and around the world, but there are still
  • 00:24:38.266 --> 00:24:41.870
  • So many who haven't heard the saving message of jesus christ.
  • 00:24:41.870 --> 00:24:45.407
  • You can help change that by becoming a "pathway partner."
  • 00:24:45.407 --> 00:24:48.743
  • You'll join a dedicated team of broadcast missionaries who are
  • 00:24:48.743 --> 00:24:51.880
  • Sharing the gospel through television and radio.
  • 00:24:51.880 --> 00:24:54.616
  • Your monthly support will help reach people worldwide with the
  • 00:24:54.616 --> 00:24:58.219
  • Life-changing power of the cross.
  • 00:24:58.219 --> 00:25:02.958
  • Jeffress: i'm so glad you joined us for this final message in the
  • 00:25:02.958 --> 00:25:05.994
  • Teaching series called, "choose your attitudes, change
  • 00:25:05.994 --> 00:25:09.397
  • Your life."
  • 00:25:09.397 --> 00:25:10.732
  • At "pathway to victory," we're praying that god will use these
  • 00:25:10.732 --> 00:25:13.635
  • 11 principles to radically transform your relationship with
  • 00:25:13.635 --> 00:25:17.872
  • Him and those you love.
  • 00:25:17.872 --> 00:25:20.175
  • Well, there's no shortage of financial analysts who will tell
  • 00:25:20.175 --> 00:25:23.845
  • You how to invest your money on wall street, but none of these
  • 00:25:23.845 --> 00:25:27.282
  • Advisors will tell you how to invest for eternity.
  • 00:25:27.282 --> 00:25:31.019
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next on
  • 00:25:31.019 --> 00:25:33.989
  • "pathway to victory."
  • 00:25:33.989 --> 00:25:36.691
  • Jeffress: you know, jesus's words can be best summarized by
  • 00:25:36.691 --> 00:25:39.628
  • This sentence, "you can't take it with you, but you can send it
  • 00:25:39.628 --> 00:25:44.933
  • On ahead of you."
  • 00:25:44.933 --> 00:25:47.369
  • Randy alcorn in his book, "the treasure principle," summarized
  • 00:25:47.369 --> 00:25:50.271
  • It this way.
  • 00:25:50.271 --> 00:25:51.640
  • He said, "everything we invest here on earth will one day be
  • 00:25:51.640 --> 00:25:56.211
  • Lost, but anything we invest in heaven will never be lost."
  • 00:25:56.211 --> 00:26:02.751
  • That is the treasure principle.
  • 00:26:02.751 --> 00:26:06.187
  • Announcer: set your dvr and join us next time for the message,
  • 00:26:06.187 --> 00:26:09.424
  • "investing for maximum returns," here on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:26:09.424 --> 00:26:13.428
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:26:13.428 --> 00:26:17.298
  • Announcer: experience a journey that will refresh your spirit
  • 00:26:17.298 --> 00:26:20.268
  • And renew your faith on the "pathway to victory" cruise to
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  • Alaska, june 13 through 20, 2026.
  • 00:26:23.605 --> 00:26:27.075
  • Jeffress: sail aboard holland america's luxurious "koningsdam"
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  • Through british columbia's beautiful inside passage.
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  • From the pristine waters of glacier bay to the charming
  • 00:26:34.115 --> 00:26:37.585
  • Frontier towns of juneau, ketchikan, and skagway, you'll
  • 00:26:37.585 --> 00:26:41.823
  • Witness god's handiwork on full display.
  • 00:26:41.823 --> 00:26:45.160
  • Announcer: imagine standing on deck surrounded by towering
  • 00:26:45.160 --> 00:26:47.896
  • Glaciers and snowcapped mountains while enjoying
  • 00:26:47.896 --> 00:26:50.532
  • Powerful bible teaching from dr. jeffress.
  • 00:26:50.532 --> 00:26:53.301
  • Then enjoy spirit-lifting worship led by michael o'brien
  • 00:26:53.301 --> 00:26:57.105
  • And share plenty of laughter with dennis swanberg, america's
  • 00:26:57.105 --> 00:27:00.341
  • Minister of encouragement.
  • 00:27:00.341 --> 00:27:01.943
  • Jeffress: this is more than just a vacation.
  • 00:27:01.943 --> 00:27:04.045
  • It's a sacred pause to reconnect with the lord.
  • 00:27:04.045 --> 00:27:07.515
  • Announcer: to reserve your cabin on the 2026 "pathway to victory"
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  • Cruise to alaska, call...
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  • Or visit ptv.org.
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