Robert Jeffress - Discovering God's Will (Part 2)

September 9, 2025 | 29:0

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

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Discovering God's Will (Part 2) | September 9, 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" with
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  • Dr. robert jeffress.
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  • Dr. robert jeffress: hi, i'm robert jeffress.
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  • And welcome again to "pathway to victory."
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  • God spoke to moses through a burning bush.
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  • Mary received direction through an angel.
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  • God even used a talkie to talk to a stubborn prophet, but most
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  • Of us have never seen such a clear sign from god.
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  • So, how can you and i discern god's will?
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  • Today, i'll share how we can better hear god's voice in every
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  • Decision we make.
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  • My message is titled "discovering god's will" on
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  • Today's edition of "pathway to victory."
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • ♪ i am the righteous one ♪
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  • ♪ and i am the lamb ♪
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  • ♪ i am a ram in the bush for abraham ♪
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  • ♪ i am the ultimate sacrifice for sin ♪
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  • ♪ i am your redeemer ♪
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  • ♪ the beginning and the end ♪
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  • ♪ oh yeah, i am ♪
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  • ♪ yes, i am ♪
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  • ♪ oh yes, i am ♪
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  • ♪ i am jehovah, and i am the king ♪
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  • ♪ i am messiah, david's offspring ♪
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  • ♪ i am your high priest, and i am the christ ♪
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  • ♪ i am the resurrection, and i am the life ♪
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  • ♪ i am ♪
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  • ♪ i am ♪
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  • ♪ i am the bread, and i am the wine ♪
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  • ♪ i am your future ♪
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  • ♪ so leave your past behind ♪
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  • ♪ i am the one in the midst of two or three ♪
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  • ♪ i am your tabernacle, i am your jubilee ♪
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  • ♪ i am, jesus said ♪
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  • ♪ i am ♪
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  • ♪ i am the bread, i am the wine ♪
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  • ♪ i am your future, so leave your past behind ♪
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  • ♪ i am the one in the midst of two or three ♪
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  • ♪ i am your tabernacle, i am your jubilee ♪
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  • ♪ i am, jesus said ♪
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  • ♪ i am ♪
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  • ♪ i am hope, i am peace, i am joy, i am rest ♪
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  • ♪ i am your comfort, and relief from your stress ♪
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  • ♪ i am strength, i am faith, i am love, i am power ♪
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  • ♪ i am your freedom, this very hour ♪
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  • ♪ i am hope, i am peace, i am joy, i am rest ♪
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  • ♪ i am your comfort, and relief from your stress ♪
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  • ♪ i am strength, i am faith, i am love, i am power ♪
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  • ♪ i am your freedom, this very hour ♪
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  • ♪ i am, i am ♪
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  • ♪ i am ♪♪
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  • Male: hallelujah. hallelujah.
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  • [congregation applauding]
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  • Male announcer: how do you know which path god wants you to take
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  • In how to make wise decisions.
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  • Trusted author and bible teacher dr. robert jeffress cuts through
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  • The confusion with time tested biblical wisdom.
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  • Whether you're facing career changes, relationship questions,
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  • Or ministry decisions, this practical guide reveals how god
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  • Speaks to his children today.
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  • Don't let uncertainty paralyze you.
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  • Request your copy of "how to make wise decisions" when you
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  • Give a generous gift to support the ministry of "pathway
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  • To victory."
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Jeffress: they say, "well, god's perfect will is what he wishes
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  • Really would happen, but god's permissive will is what actually
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  • Happens when god can't pull off his perfect will."
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  • Now, do you believe in a god like that?
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  • Do you ever believe in a god who has to settle for second best?
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  • A god who is so impotent, he can't get his purpose achieved?
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  • The fact is, god has one will, one plan that was formulated
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  • Before the foundation of the world.
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  • And by the way, god's plan was big enough that it encompassed
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  • The fall of satan from heaven, it included the fall of adam and
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  • Eve in the garden, it included israel's disobedience in
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  • The wilderness.
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  • It even included the torture and crucifixion of god's own son.
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  • God has a plan by which he's governing everything that
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  • Happens in the universe.
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  • And notice what paul says, for the most part, it's a mystery,
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  • It's hidden, it's hidden.
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  • You can't know it.
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  • I would say in this broad category of god's providential
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  • Plan would be such questions as the origin of evil or the
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  • Reasons for suffering or predestination and election.
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  • All of those things we can sit around and theorize about and
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  • Argue about and fight about, the truth is none of us will
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  • Understand it because it's a mystery.
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  • It's in the mind of god.
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  • "the secret things belong to the lord," the scripture says.
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  • That's god's providential plan.
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  • But on the other end of the spectrum is god's
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  • Preceptive plan.
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  • Number two, his preceptive plan, and that's the part of god's
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  • Will that can be clearly understood by everyone from the
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  • Precepts, the teachings that are found in scripture.
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  • Do you realize that most of what we need to know about god's will
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  • Has already been revealed in the scripture?
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  • Even many of the specific things we want to know about are
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  • Already revealed in scripture.
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  • For example, in 1 thessalonians chapter 4, paul says, "for this
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  • Is the will of god."
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  • Somebody walking around saying to--in thessalonica, "oh god,
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  • Show me your will.
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  • I wanna know your will."
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  • Paul said, "okay, thessalonians, here is the will of god for your
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  • Life, your sanctification, that is that you abstain from
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  • Sexual immorality."
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  • It's very clear.
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  • God wants you to abstain from premarital sex, extramarital
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  • Sex, homosexual sex, pornography, that's god's will
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  • For you to abstain completely from those things.
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  • It's right there in scripture.
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  • Or maybe somebody comes to you and it may be a business
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  • Partner, it may be a son or daughter who says, "mom, dad,
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  • Friend, i'm trying to get on my feet financially.
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  • I've just gone through crown financial program and i'm ready
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  • To get on my feet financially, but i need some help.
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  • I need some money and the bank says they won't loan me any
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  • Money unless you co-sign this loan for me."
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  • Do you need to pray about that?
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  • You don't have to pray about that because god already has
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  • Said what his will is about anybody co-signing a note.
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  • In proverbs 17:18, it says, "a man lacking in sense pledges and
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  • Becomes surety in the presence of his neighbor."
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  • Don't co-sign a loan for somebody.
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  • If you wanna give them the money, fine, don't co-sign
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  • A note for them.
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  • As a pastor, i have people all the time coming and saying, "oh,
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  • Pastor, i'm so excited.
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  • God has done such a great work in my life.
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  • I've been praying for a mate and god has brought that perfect
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  • Guy, that perfect girl into my life.
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  • Would you please pray for our coming marriage?"
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  • I said, "i'll be happy to, but tell me, when did that person
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  • Come to know christ as his savior?"
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  • They kind of about, "well, they're not quite there yet, but
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  • I just know if we got married or we started dating, i just know i
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  • Could have a great influence on them."
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  • I always say the same thing.
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  • I said, "i'm not gonna pray for you."
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  • "you're not gonna pray for me?
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  • You're a pastor, aren't you paid to do that?"
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  • "no, i'm not gonna pray for your relationship because i know it's
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  • Not god's will for you to get married."
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  • "well, how do you know that?"
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  • Because the bible already says it in 2 corinthians 6:14, "do
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  • Not be bound together with unbelievers.
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  • For what partnership has righteousness and lawlessness,
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  • Or what fellowship has light with darkness?"
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  • I don't care how much you pray about it, i don't care how much
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  • You feel the lord's leading, it is never god's will for you to
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  • Marry an unbeliever.
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  • He's already revealed that in scripture.
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  • God's preceptive will is that part of god's will that has
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  • Clearly been defined in scripture.
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  • But the third use of the term god's will is the term that most
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  • People use it, the way most people use it, and that's in
  • 00:09:17.480 --> 00:09:20.282
  • Reference to god's personal plan for my life.
  • 00:09:20.282 --> 00:09:24.320
  • When we talk about knowing or discovering god's will, most of
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  • The time, we're talking about god's personal plan for my life.
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  • Of course, i guess we ought to answer the question, "does such
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  • A plan exist?"
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  • Does god have a blueprint that governs every part of your life,
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  • Even the smallest details of your life?
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  • Some years ago, gary friesen, a professor at dallas theological
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  • Seminary, wrote a book entitled "decision making and the will
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  • Of god."
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  • And there are many helpful things in that book, but gary
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  • Friesen argued that yes, god has a providential will, a secret
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  • Will that governs everything.
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  • He has a preceptive or what friesen calls a moral will.
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  • But friesen postulates that there is no individual blueprint
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  • For your life.
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  • He uses logic.
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  • He said, "do we really think god cares what color socks we put on
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  • This morning or what color dress we choose or whether we order
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  • Chicken or beef for lunch?
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  • I mean, what--do we really think god has a plan that governs all
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  • Of those things?"
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  • He says, "god, there no blueprint that we need to learn
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  • To make wise decisions."
  • 00:10:30.953 --> 00:10:33.422
  • A few years ago, a publisher asked me to write a book with
  • 00:10:33.422 --> 00:10:36.492
  • Gary friesen, which he would present his view of god's will,
  • 00:10:36.492 --> 00:10:39.562
  • I would present mine, and we would interact with one another.
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  • I thought it'd be an interesting project, but i had to decline.
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  • I didn't have the time to do it.
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  • I figured it wasn't god's will, so i declined that project.
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  • But had i done it, this is what i would have said.
  • 00:10:50.506 --> 00:10:53.609
  • I would have said, "of course, god has a blueprint that governs
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  • Every part of our life."
  • 00:10:57.580 --> 00:11:00.282
  • How do i know that?
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  • Turn over to psalm 139 for just a moment.
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  • Psalm 139, verses 13 and 14, "for thou didst form my inward
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  • Parts, thou didst weave me in my mother's womb.
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  • I will give thanks to thee, for i am fearfully and
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  • Wonderfully made.
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  • Wonderful are thy works, and my soul knows it very well."
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  • Psalmist said, when you were yet unborn, you were in your
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  • Mother's womb, god wove you to be the person you're gonna be.
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  • Every detail of your life, the color of your hair, of your
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  • Eyes, your emotional makeup, everything about you was
  • 00:11:35.584 --> 00:11:39.855
  • According to god's plan.
  • 00:11:39.855 --> 00:11:42.057
  • And that means there is only one father, one mother who could
  • 00:11:42.057 --> 00:11:45.261
  • Have come together to produce you.
  • 00:11:45.261 --> 00:11:47.263
  • By the way, even if you're an atheist, you have to
  • 00:11:47.263 --> 00:11:49.098
  • Acknowledge that.
  • 00:11:49.098 --> 00:11:50.466
  • There is only one male and one female that could have come
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  • Together genetically to give you the unique dna code that
  • 00:11:53.569 --> 00:11:57.173
  • You have.
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  • Everybody in agreement with that?
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  • I mean, that's science.
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  • It's only one man, one woman at a specific time that could have
  • 00:12:01.510 --> 00:12:04.680
  • Come together to produce your unique dna code.
  • 00:12:04.680 --> 00:12:08.250
  • Now think about this.
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  • Think about all of the details god had to orchestrate to get
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  • Your father and mother together at just the right time.
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  • He had to make sure they were born in the right generation.
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  • He had to make sure that they came into contact with
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  • One another.
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  • He had to preside over 10,000 details to bring your father and
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  • Mother together to fall in love, to come together at just the
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  • Right time to produce you.
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  • And you're trying to tell me god doesn't have a blueprint?
  • 00:12:36.545 --> 00:12:39.849
  • Now sure, we don't pray about what color socks to put on or
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  • What to have for lunch, but the fact that we don't pray about
  • 00:12:42.484 --> 00:12:45.688
  • Every detail of our life doesn't mean god hasn't planned every
  • 00:12:45.688 --> 00:12:49.692
  • Detail of our life.
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  • Yes, god has a blueprint, a plan for our life, and that ought to
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  • Give us great assurance.
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  • Secondly, god communicates his will to us in a variety of ways.
  • 00:12:58.200 --> 00:13:02.872
  • Now, i'm gonna call this section of the message preview of coming
  • 00:13:02.872 --> 00:13:05.674
  • Attractions, because we're gonna look just quickly at about six
  • 00:13:05.674 --> 00:13:09.645
  • Or seven of the ways god speaks to us, and then over the next
  • 00:13:09.645 --> 00:13:12.715
  • Few weeks, we're gonna look in depth at each of these ways.
  • 00:13:12.715 --> 00:13:15.718
  • First of all, and primarily, god communicates to us through his
  • 00:13:15.718 --> 00:13:19.655
  • Written word, through his written word.
  • 00:13:19.655 --> 00:13:22.491
  • I think it's very significant that when god wanted to reveal
  • 00:13:22.491 --> 00:13:26.095
  • His plan for israel, the laws by which they would live, when god
  • 00:13:26.095 --> 00:13:30.432
  • Chose to reveal the ten commandments to moses, he didn't
  • 00:13:30.432 --> 00:13:33.903
  • Appear to moses in a dream or in a vision, but instead, he wrote
  • 00:13:33.903 --> 00:13:38.240
  • Down those commandments on the two stone tablets.
  • 00:13:38.240 --> 00:13:41.076
  • It was his written word that guided the people of israel.
  • 00:13:41.076 --> 00:13:44.713
  • In exodus 31:18, moses said, "and when god had finished
  • 00:13:44.713 --> 00:13:50.219
  • Speaking with him upon mount sinai, he gave moses the two
  • 00:13:50.219 --> 00:13:54.189
  • Tablets of testimony, tablets of stone written by the finger
  • 00:13:54.189 --> 00:13:59.028
  • Of god."
  • 00:13:59.028 --> 00:14:00.696
  • Ladies and gentlemen, don't ever fall into the trap of thinking
  • 00:14:00.696 --> 00:14:03.365
  • That the bible is a secondary means of discovering god's will.
  • 00:14:03.365 --> 00:14:07.770
  • It is a primary means of discerning his direction for
  • 00:14:07.770 --> 00:14:11.307
  • Our life.
  • 00:14:11.307 --> 00:14:12.675
  • Secondly, god communicates through prayer.
  • 00:14:12.675 --> 00:14:15.210
  • He communicates through prayer.
  • 00:14:15.210 --> 00:14:16.545
  • James said, if you lack wisdom, talk to god about it.
  • 00:14:16.545 --> 00:14:19.315
  • Ask him, and he will give that wisdom to you.
  • 00:14:19.315 --> 00:14:23.285
  • We see a great illustration of that in acts chapter 1.
  • 00:14:23.285 --> 00:14:27.589
  • Remember after the defection and the death of judas, the apostles
  • 00:14:27.589 --> 00:14:31.593
  • Had to find a replacement for judas.
  • 00:14:31.593 --> 00:14:34.196
  • So, what happened?
  • 00:14:34.196 --> 00:14:35.531
  • Well, they came together.
  • 00:14:35.531 --> 00:14:36.899
  • The search committee reported back with two possibilities to
  • 00:14:36.899 --> 00:14:40.336
  • Replace judas.
  • 00:14:40.336 --> 00:14:41.704
  • And the apostles had to decide, okay, which one of these is
  • 00:14:41.704 --> 00:14:44.506
  • Going to be god's will to be the next apostle.
  • 00:14:44.506 --> 00:14:46.976
  • How did they determine god's will?
  • 00:14:46.976 --> 00:14:48.344
  • Look at acts 1, verses 24 and 25, "and they prayed and said,
  • 00:14:48.344 --> 00:14:53.716
  • "thou lord, who knows the hearts of all men, show which one of
  • 00:14:53.716 --> 00:14:58.120
  • These thou has chosen to occupy this ministry and apostleship
  • 00:14:58.120 --> 00:15:02.891
  • From which judas has turned aside."
  • 00:15:02.891 --> 00:15:06.061
  • The first thing they did was to pray.
  • 00:15:06.061 --> 00:15:09.031
  • Now, after they finished praying, they had to get up off
  • 00:15:09.031 --> 00:15:12.267
  • Their knees and they had to make a decision.
  • 00:15:12.267 --> 00:15:14.503
  • But before they rolled the dice, they prayed.
  • 00:15:14.503 --> 00:15:18.107
  • It's the same thing for us.
  • 00:15:18.107 --> 00:15:19.475
  • There are many things we can do to determine god's will, there
  • 00:15:19.475 --> 00:15:22.911
  • Are many things we should do after we have prayed, but there
  • 00:15:22.911 --> 00:15:26.548
  • Is nothing more important we can do until we have prayed.
  • 00:15:26.548 --> 00:15:31.020
  • That's what the apostles did.
  • 00:15:31.020 --> 00:15:32.488
  • They engaged in prayer.
  • 00:15:32.488 --> 00:15:34.223
  • Third, sometimes god reveals his will to us through
  • 00:15:34.223 --> 00:15:37.126
  • Special revelation.
  • 00:15:37.126 --> 00:15:39.261
  • Now, makes some people nervous for me to talk about special
  • 00:15:39.261 --> 00:15:43.065
  • Revelation, dreams, and visions and supernatural signs, but as
  • 00:15:43.065 --> 00:15:48.237
  • We look through scripture, it would be wrong to say god has
  • 00:15:48.237 --> 00:15:50.472
  • Never done that.
  • 00:15:50.472 --> 00:15:51.807
  • He certainly has done it in the past.
  • 00:15:51.807 --> 00:15:53.175
  • Acts chapter 26, verses 16 and 18, god appeared to paul on the
  • 00:15:53.175 --> 00:15:58.280
  • Road to damascus and said, "but arise, and stand on your feet;
  • 00:15:58.280 --> 00:16:02.051
  • For this purpose i have appeared to you, to appoint you as
  • 00:16:02.051 --> 00:16:04.620
  • A minister.
  • 00:16:04.620 --> 00:16:06.021
  • And a witness to deliver you from the jewish people and from
  • 00:16:06.021 --> 00:16:09.191
  • The gentiles."
  • 00:16:09.191 --> 00:16:10.526
  • God said, "my plan for you is to be a witness to the gentiles."
  • 00:16:10.526 --> 00:16:14.229
  • He revealed it supernaturally to paul.
  • 00:16:14.229 --> 00:16:16.732
  • Again, it would be wrong to say god can never use those means in
  • 00:16:16.732 --> 00:16:20.702
  • Order to speak to us.
  • 00:16:20.702 --> 00:16:22.704
  • Number four, wise counselors is one way that god speaks to us.
  • 00:16:22.704 --> 00:16:27.709
  • Proverbs 15:22 says, "without consultation, plans are
  • 00:16:27.709 --> 00:16:31.947
  • Frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed."
  • 00:16:31.947 --> 00:16:36.585
  • Number five, sometimes god speaks through circumstances.
  • 00:16:36.585 --> 00:16:40.089
  • Now we're gonna talk about the use and misuse of that phrase
  • 00:16:40.089 --> 00:16:43.192
  • Open doors and closed doors.
  • 00:16:43.192 --> 00:16:44.993
  • God opened this door.
  • 00:16:44.993 --> 00:16:46.328
  • He closed that door.
  • 00:16:46.328 --> 00:16:47.696
  • That's misused in christian circles today.
  • 00:16:47.696 --> 00:16:50.299
  • But god can use circumstances to tell us to proceed or to stop.
  • 00:16:50.299 --> 00:16:54.503
  • I think about paul's journey to syria.
  • 00:16:54.503 --> 00:16:57.206
  • He was planning to go to syria until he discovered there was
  • 00:16:57.206 --> 00:17:00.776
  • A plot to kill him.
  • 00:17:00.776 --> 00:17:02.144
  • Listen to acts chapter 20, verse 3, "and when a plot formed
  • 00:17:02.144 --> 00:17:05.647
  • Against paul by the jews as he was about to set sail for syria,
  • 00:17:05.647 --> 00:17:09.852
  • He determined to return through macedonia."
  • 00:17:09.852 --> 00:17:13.789
  • Paul was planning to go to syria.
  • 00:17:13.789 --> 00:17:15.924
  • He was sure that was god's will, but when he heard some people
  • 00:17:15.924 --> 00:17:19.228
  • Wanted to kill him, he thought maybe this isn't god's will for
  • 00:17:19.228 --> 00:17:22.397
  • My life.
  • 00:17:22.397 --> 00:17:23.999
  • See, that's wisdom that's looking at circumstances.
  • 00:17:23.999 --> 00:17:27.369
  • Sometimes, god uses circumstances to direct us.
  • 00:17:27.369 --> 00:17:30.639
  • And finally, god sometimes directs us through our
  • 00:17:30.639 --> 00:17:34.476
  • Own desires.
  • 00:17:34.476 --> 00:17:36.211
  • I think this is perhaps the most overlooked way god gives
  • 00:17:36.211 --> 00:17:39.515
  • Direction, but also one of the most basic ways.
  • 00:17:39.515 --> 00:17:42.951
  • God many times will direct us through the desires that he
  • 00:17:42.951 --> 00:17:46.155
  • Places in our heart.
  • 00:17:46.155 --> 00:17:48.590
  • Philippians 2:13, in the philips paraphrase says, "for it is god
  • 00:17:48.590 --> 00:17:53.929
  • Who is at work within you, giving you both the power and
  • 00:17:53.929 --> 00:17:58.167
  • The desire to accomplish his purpose."
  • 00:17:58.167 --> 00:18:01.937
  • You realize god actually places certain desires in your heart in
  • 00:18:01.937 --> 00:18:07.042
  • Order to follow his purpose?
  • 00:18:07.042 --> 00:18:09.845
  • You know that burning desire you had to start your own business,
  • 00:18:09.845 --> 00:18:14.249
  • The preference you have for brunettes over blondes, your
  • 00:18:14.249 --> 00:18:18.487
  • Fear of speaking in public and enjoying small groups, do you
  • 00:18:18.487 --> 00:18:21.490
  • Realize all of those things could actually be desires that
  • 00:18:21.490 --> 00:18:25.060
  • God has placed in your heart to lead you in the way that he
  • 00:18:25.060 --> 00:18:28.297
  • Wants you to go?
  • 00:18:28.297 --> 00:18:30.032
  • How do i know if the desires i have are really god's desires or
  • 00:18:30.032 --> 00:18:33.902
  • If they're satan's deceptions in my life?
  • 00:18:33.902 --> 00:18:35.771
  • There's a way to know that.
  • 00:18:35.771 --> 00:18:37.472
  • What i'm trying to say to you today is it's a mistake to think
  • 00:18:37.472 --> 00:18:40.676
  • That god only speaks in one way.
  • 00:18:40.676 --> 00:18:42.811
  • The truth is, he speaks in a variety of ways.
  • 00:18:42.811 --> 00:18:45.347
  • C.s. lewis once wrote,
  • 00:18:45.347 --> 00:18:46.715
  • "i don't doubt that the holy spirit guides your
  • 00:18:46.715 --> 00:18:49.151
  • Decisions from within when you make them with the intention of
  • 00:18:49.151 --> 00:18:52.154
  • Pleasing god.
  • 00:18:52.154 --> 00:18:53.655
  • The error would be to think that he speaks only within, whereas
  • 00:18:53.655 --> 00:18:58.227
  • In reality, he speaks through scripture, through the church,
  • 00:18:58.227 --> 00:19:02.297
  • Through friends, and books," which leads to a final thought,
  • 00:19:02.297 --> 00:19:06.969
  • And that is, god reveals only what we need to know.
  • 00:19:06.969 --> 00:19:12.641
  • God reveals to us only what we need to know.
  • 00:19:12.641 --> 00:19:16.778
  • I remember a few years ago, our church hired a consultant.
  • 00:19:16.778 --> 00:19:20.148
  • And at breakfast one morning, he said, "robert, do you know what
  • 00:19:20.148 --> 00:19:23.552
  • The most important question any leader can answer?"
  • 00:19:23.552 --> 00:19:26.788
  • I said, "what's that?"
  • 00:19:26.788 --> 00:19:29.224
  • He said, "it's the question of next.
  • 00:19:29.224 --> 00:19:32.828
  • What's the next thing i need to do?"
  • 00:19:32.828 --> 00:19:37.032
  • He went on to say, "sometimes, people get bogged down trying to
  • 00:19:37.032 --> 00:19:40.535
  • Determine what they're gonna do in a year, five years, or ten
  • 00:19:40.535 --> 00:19:43.605
  • Years without knowing what that next step is they need to take."
  • 00:19:43.605 --> 00:19:48.510
  • And i think that truth applies to all of us.
  • 00:19:48.510 --> 00:19:51.713
  • Have you noticed that god rarely unravels the whole blueprint of
  • 00:19:51.713 --> 00:19:55.951
  • Our lives ahead of time?
  • 00:19:55.951 --> 00:19:59.087
  • Why is it god doesn't allow us to see what's gonna happen 20,
  • 00:19:59.087 --> 00:20:01.823
  • 30, and 40 years from now?
  • 00:20:01.823 --> 00:20:04.059
  • Perhaps he knows if we knew, we would be paralyzed with fear.
  • 00:20:04.059 --> 00:20:09.364
  • Matthew 6:34, jesus said, "each day has enough trouble of
  • 00:20:09.364 --> 00:20:13.001
  • Its own."
  • 00:20:13.001 --> 00:20:14.336
  • Can i hear an amen on that?
  • 00:20:14.336 --> 00:20:16.938
  • God knows that.
  • 00:20:16.938 --> 00:20:18.707
  • But i think perhaps another reason god doesn't tell us the
  • 00:20:18.707 --> 00:20:21.376
  • Whole plan ahead of time or give us a way of discovering it is he
  • 00:20:21.376 --> 00:20:25.614
  • Knows that if we knew the whole plan, we wouldn't be nearly as
  • 00:20:25.614 --> 00:20:29.584
  • Dependent upon him.
  • 00:20:29.584 --> 00:20:32.054
  • Think about driving in a thick fog.
  • 00:20:32.054 --> 00:20:35.857
  • If you're in a thick fog, rarely will you travel at 80 miles
  • 00:20:35.857 --> 00:20:39.027
  • An hour.
  • 00:20:39.027 --> 00:20:40.429
  • Instead, you kind of inch along because you can only see
  • 00:20:40.429 --> 00:20:43.332
  • A little bit ahead of you.
  • 00:20:43.332 --> 00:20:45.500
  • On the other hand, when it's a bright sunlit day, you tend to
  • 00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:48.503
  • Put the pedal to the metal, don't you?
  • 00:20:48.503 --> 00:20:50.439
  • You don't think about your speed very much.
  • 00:20:50.439 --> 00:20:52.240
  • It's the same way in our relationship with god.
  • 00:20:52.240 --> 00:20:54.142
  • When we can only see the next step we're going to take, it
  • 00:20:54.142 --> 00:20:57.245
  • Makes us more dependent upon god.
  • 00:20:57.245 --> 00:20:59.548
  • It forces us to develop our relationship with god.
  • 00:20:59.548 --> 00:21:04.486
  • In psalm 119:105, the psalmist said, "thy word is a lamp to my
  • 00:21:04.486 --> 00:21:11.360
  • Feet, it is a light to my path."
  • 00:21:11.360 --> 00:21:16.164
  • Have you ever been out in the woods on a moonless night trying
  • 00:21:16.164 --> 00:21:19.167
  • To make your way along?
  • 00:21:19.167 --> 00:21:20.535
  • It's difficult to see, there's no illumination from above, but
  • 00:21:20.535 --> 00:21:23.405
  • Hopefully you'll have a flashlight or a lantern that
  • 00:21:23.405 --> 00:21:26.475
  • Governs your steps.
  • 00:21:26.475 --> 00:21:28.543
  • That flashlight or that lantern isn't powerful enough to
  • 00:21:28.543 --> 00:21:31.446
  • Illuminate the next two or three miles, but it does give you just
  • 00:21:31.446 --> 00:21:35.617
  • Enough light to take that next step and that next step and that
  • 00:21:35.617 --> 00:21:40.288
  • Next step.
  • 00:21:40.288 --> 00:21:42.124
  • That's what the psalmist said god's word is like.
  • 00:21:42.124 --> 00:21:45.360
  • God's word, his voice, doesn't illuminate the rest of
  • 00:21:45.360 --> 00:21:49.297
  • Your life.
  • 00:21:49.297 --> 00:21:50.632
  • It doesn't tell you the whole plan, but it gives you just the
  • 00:21:50.632 --> 00:21:53.635
  • Light you need to take that next step and that next step and that
  • 00:21:53.635 --> 00:21:58.874
  • Next step.
  • 00:21:58.874 --> 00:22:01.743
  • Let me offer this disclaimer at the beginning of this series.
  • 00:22:01.743 --> 00:22:05.347
  • If you're expecting this series to help you determine what
  • 00:22:05.347 --> 00:22:09.217
  • You're to do the rest of your life, the next 15 or 20 or 30
  • 00:22:09.217 --> 00:22:13.622
  • Years, you'd probably be better off investing in some high
  • 00:22:13.622 --> 00:22:17.058
  • Quality tea leaves than coming to this series, okay?
  • 00:22:17.058 --> 00:22:20.896
  • I can't tell you what god's will for your life is gonna be 20, 30
  • 00:22:20.896 --> 00:22:24.633
  • Or 40 years from now.
  • 00:22:24.633 --> 00:22:27.035
  • However, if you desperately sincerely want to know what
  • 00:22:27.035 --> 00:22:30.939
  • God's next step is, for your business, for your family, for
  • 00:22:30.939 --> 00:22:36.378
  • Any area of your life, i think you're gonna find these
  • 00:22:36.378 --> 00:22:39.347
  • Principles very, very helpful.
  • 00:22:39.347 --> 00:22:42.284
  • Jesus said in john 10:27, "my sheep hear my voice.
  • 00:22:42.284 --> 00:22:48.256
  • I know them, and they follow me."
  • 00:22:48.256 --> 00:22:51.960
  • Never forget you have a god who is vitally concerned with every
  • 00:22:51.960 --> 00:22:56.865
  • Step that you take.
  • 00:22:56.865 --> 00:22:58.967
  • He is a god who promises to give you the guidance that you need
  • 00:22:58.967 --> 00:23:04.239
  • And he is a god who can be heard by those who truly belong
  • 00:23:04.239 --> 00:23:08.376
  • To him.
  • 00:23:08.376 --> 00:23:09.778
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:23:09.778 --> 00:23:14.883
  • Jeffress: over the next few weeks, we'll drill down into
  • 00:23:14.883 --> 00:23:17.452
  • This relevant topic and discover what the bible teaches about
  • 00:23:17.452 --> 00:23:21.456
  • Discerning god's will.
  • 00:23:21.456 --> 00:23:23.291
  • So, please make plans to join us.
  • 00:23:23.291 --> 00:23:25.827
  • Now, in closing, i want to share a note from mary who was in
  • 00:23:25.827 --> 00:23:28.964
  • A tough spiritual battle.
  • 00:23:28.964 --> 00:23:30.932
  • She wrote, "pastor jeffress, satan dangled his temptations in
  • 00:23:30.932 --> 00:23:34.936
  • Front of me, and i took them hook, line, and sinker.
  • 00:23:34.936 --> 00:23:38.773
  • And just like a fish on a hook, i felt helpless, like i couldn't
  • 00:23:38.773 --> 00:23:42.944
  • Get free.
  • 00:23:42.944 --> 00:23:44.279
  • But your teaching changed my way of thinking.
  • 00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:47.282
  • Thank you for helping me get free!"
  • 00:23:47.282 --> 00:23:50.218
  • Well, isn't that a great testimony?
  • 00:23:50.218 --> 00:23:52.254
  • Thanks for sharing your story, mary.
  • 00:23:52.254 --> 00:23:54.523
  • And to our viewers who support "pathway to victory," thank you
  • 00:23:54.523 --> 00:23:58.159
  • For your faithful continued support.
  • 00:23:58.159 --> 00:24:00.795
  • You're the ones who make it possible for mary and many
  • 00:24:00.795 --> 00:24:03.965
  • Others to hear this message of freedom and hope, but stay
  • 00:24:03.965 --> 00:24:07.836
  • Right there.
  • 00:24:07.836 --> 00:24:09.170
  • I'll be back with more "pathway to victory" in just a moment.
  • 00:24:09.170 --> 00:24:14.209
  • Male announcer: life's most important crossroads often
  • 00:24:14.209 --> 00:24:16.611
  • Arrive without warning.
  • 00:24:16.611 --> 00:24:18.413
  • When the stakes are high and the path forward isn't clear, how
  • 00:24:18.413 --> 00:24:21.883
  • Can you be confident you're following god's will?
  • 00:24:21.883 --> 00:24:24.586
  • In "how to make wise decisions," trusted author and bible teacher
  • 00:24:24.586 --> 00:24:28.823
  • Dr. robert jeffress offers you practical advice on how you can
  • 00:24:28.823 --> 00:24:32.627
  • Know with certainty the will of god in any situation.
  • 00:24:32.627 --> 00:24:36.264
  • Jeffress: one of the most frequently asked questions i
  • 00:24:36.264 --> 00:24:39.067
  • Receive as a pastor is, "how can i know god's will for my life?"
  • 00:24:39.067 --> 00:24:43.905
  • Too many believers are paralyzed by fear of making the wrong
  • 00:24:43.905 --> 00:24:47.576
  • Choice, but god hasn't left us guessing.
  • 00:24:47.576 --> 00:24:50.612
  • In my book, i reveal the biblical principles for
  • 00:24:50.612 --> 00:24:53.748
  • Recognizing god's voice and discerning god's will.
  • 00:24:53.748 --> 00:24:57.719
  • Male announcer: request your copy of "how to make wise
  • 00:24:57.719 --> 00:24:59.788
  • Decisions" when you give a generous gift to "pathway to
  • 00:24:59.788 --> 00:25:02.624
  • Victory" or when you become a pathway partner.
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  • And with your ministry gift of $75 or more, we'll also include
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  • The complete "how to make wise decisions" teaching series on
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  • Both cd and dvd.
  • 00:25:13.535 --> 00:25:15.470
  • Jeffress: when god speaks to us, he does so more than just to
  • 00:25:15.470 --> 00:25:18.106
  • Give us courage and comfort to face our present situation.
  • 00:25:18.106 --> 00:25:22.077
  • He actually promises guidance, direction to those who trust
  • 00:25:22.077 --> 00:25:26.581
  • In him.
  • 00:25:26.581 --> 00:25:27.949
  • Thank you for partnering with us to share god's life transforming
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  • Word with a world in need.
  • 00:25:31.252 --> 00:25:33.254
  • Your generosity will empower "pathway to victory" to speak
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  • Bold biblical truth into your life and the lives of millions
  • 00:25:36.591 --> 00:25:40.528
  • Across the country and around the world.
  • 00:25:40.528 --> 00:25:43.565
  • Jeffress: maybe you're watching "pathway to victory" right now
  • 00:25:45.200 --> 00:25:47.902
  • And you're longing to hear god's voice.
  • 00:25:47.902 --> 00:25:50.705
  • You desperately wanna know his will for your life.
  • 00:25:50.705 --> 00:25:53.942
  • Decisions hang in the balance and you'd love for god to
  • 00:25:53.942 --> 00:25:57.445
  • Intervene right now and give you an audible plan.
  • 00:25:57.445 --> 00:26:01.650
  • Where jesus said, "my sheep hear my voice, and i know them and
  • 00:26:01.650 --> 00:26:06.154
  • They follow me."
  • 00:26:06.154 --> 00:26:07.522
  • And next time, we'll discover the power of god's word to
  • 00:26:07.522 --> 00:26:11.226
  • Influence our choices and inform our decisions.
  • 00:26:11.226 --> 00:26:14.696
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next in our
  • 00:26:14.696 --> 00:26:17.499
  • Series "how to make wise decisions."
  • 00:26:17.499 --> 00:26:21.503
  • Jeffress: the fact is, although everything we need to know about
  • 00:26:21.503 --> 00:26:24.773
  • God's will isn't found in the bible, much of it has already
  • 00:26:24.773 --> 00:26:28.677
  • Been revealed to us.
  • 00:26:28.677 --> 00:26:30.679
  • And today, as we continue our series on discovering the will
  • 00:26:30.679 --> 00:26:33.448
  • Of god for our lives, we're going to discuss the
  • 00:26:33.448 --> 00:26:36.251
  • Relationship between the bible and knowing god's will for
  • 00:26:36.251 --> 00:26:40.689
  • Your life.
  • 00:26:40.689 --> 00:26:42.057
  • Male announcer: set your dvr and join us next time for the
  • 00:26:42.057 --> 00:26:44.025
  • Message, "the bible tells me so" here on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:26:44.025 --> 00:26:49.898
  • Male announcer: take a journey through alaska's awe inspiring
  • 00:26:51.199 --> 00:26:53.802
  • Wilderness on the 2026 "pathway to victory" cruise to alaska.
  • 00:26:53.802 --> 00:26:57.872
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:26:57.872 --> 00:27:07.916
  • Announcer: make plans to set sail for an unforgettable week
  • 00:27:09.150 --> 00:27:11.920
  • Of adventure, june 13 through 20, 2026.
  • 00:27:11.920 --> 00:27:15.490
  • Call ...
  • 00:27:15.490 --> 00:27:18.560
  • Or visit ptv.org.
  • 00:27:18.560 --> 00:27:18.560