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Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - Survival Tip #1: Don't Panic

May 11, 2026 | 27:29

Robert Jeffress - Survival Tip #1: Don't Panic
Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.
#Victory #Courage #Fear #EmotionalHealth #Foundation #Miracles #Environment #WalkwithGod #RobertJeffress

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Survival Tip #1: Don't Panic | May 11, 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" with dr.
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  • 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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  • When faced with danger, people respond in one of three ways:
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  • Fight, flight, or freeze and panic.
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  • And while the first two may have their place, panic is never an
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  • Option for a christian.
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  • As believers, we face very real attacks from a hostile culture,
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  • From our own sinful nature, and from an adversary who's
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  • Determined to take us down.
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  • So how do we stand our ground?
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  • That's our focus today with survival tip number one, don't
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  • Panic, on today's edition of "pathway to victory."
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  • Female: behold the lamb of god who takes away the sin of
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  • The world.
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • ♪ behold the lamb ♪
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  • ♪ upon the cross ♪
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  • ♪ who takes away the sins of all. ♪
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  • ♪ behold the lamb, ♪
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  • ♪ his dying plea. ♪
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  • ♪ behold the grace of calvary. ♪
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  • ♪ that rugged cross soon to be ♪
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  • ♪ the emblem of a risen king. ♪
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  • ♪ behold the king. ♪
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  • ♪ light of the world. ♪
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  • ♪ the lamb that was slain. ♪
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  • ♪ lion who rose mighty to save. ♪
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  • ♪ the fullness of god, ♪
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  • ♪ it won't be kept in a grave. ♪
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  • ♪ darkness, your hour is over. ♪
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  • ♪ no enemy can hold you down ♪
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  • ♪ 'cause there's nobody in the grave now. ♪
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  • ♪ one head gets to wear that crown ♪
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  • ♪ 'cause there's nobody in the grave now. ♪
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  • ♪ no enemy can hold you down ♪
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  • ♪ 'cause there's nobody in the grave now. ♪
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  • ♪ one head gets to wear that crown ♪
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  • ♪ 'cause there's nobody in the grave now. ♪
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  • ♪ nobody in the grave now. ♪
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  • ♪ he is alive. ♪
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  • ♪ jesus is alive. ♪♪
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  • Male announcer: each day, millions of lost people are
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  • Searching for hope and truth.
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  • Through "pathway to victory," god's word is reaching into
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  • Homes across america and around the world, but there are still
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  • So many who haven't heard the saving message of jesus christ.
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  • You can help change that by becoming a pathway partner.
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  • You'll join a dedicated team of broadcast missionaries who are
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  • Sharing the gospel through television and radio.
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  • Your monthly support will help reach people worldwide with the
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  • Life-changing power of the cross.
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  • Jeffress: the flight from columbus, ohio to los angeles,
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  • California was routine.
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  • Aboard usair flight 1493, david koch sat shoeless in the
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  • First-class compartment's seat 2a.
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  • On their final approach, koch watched the sun sink below
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  • The horizon.
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  • Moments later, he felt the familiar jolt and heard the
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  • Screech of the tires as the 737 jet carrying 83 passengers and 6
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  • Crew members touched down on lax's runway 24 left.
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  • Then koch says he heard a sudden, sickening crunch.
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  • Sparks hurtled past his window, followed by the bright flash of
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  • A fireball.
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  • Screams filled the aircraft as the flight attendant shouted,
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  • "stay down!"
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  • As the plane skidded along the runway, koch unbuckled his
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  • Seatbelt to prepare for a quick exit.
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  • The plane came to a violent stop and another explosion rocked the
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  • Cabin, throwing koch forward into the front row first-class
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  • Seats and then into the bulkhead.
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  • Trying to stay calm under the smoke, koch crawled toward the
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  • Back of the plane.
  • 00:05:07.697 --> 00:05:09.499
  • In a panic, other passengers trampled him.
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  • "i encountered a fighting, frenzied mob jamming the aisle,"
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  • He later said.
  • 00:05:16.939 --> 00:05:18.508
  • "escape was probably impossible because i was last in line to
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  • Get out the rear exit.
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  • I concluded that i was probably going to die.
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  • At that point, i stood up and choking heavily on the smoke
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  • Walked back toward the first-class section.
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  • I was not panicked, nor was i terrified," koch remembered.
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  • "i was resigned, and i knew with absolute certainty that i was
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  • Going to die."
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  • Then it came to him.
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  • If smoke was coming in from the front of the plane, then there
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  • Had to be an opening that might offer a way of escape.
  • 00:05:52.341 --> 00:05:56.279
  • He worked his way toward the cockpit, but seeing flames lick
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  • The passenger door, he realized that was an impossible route.
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  • On the verge of passing out, he guessed he maybe had 10 or 15
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  • Seconds before he would fall unconscious, he turned to the
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  • Opposite wall and saw a crack in the fuselage.
  • 00:06:11.994 --> 00:06:16.232
  • He wedged his fingers into it and pulled.
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  • It was the galley door, and it opened to the outside.
  • 00:06:19.268 --> 00:06:23.539
  • He thrust his head through and gulped a few breaths of air.
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  • "a tremendous sense of strength came over me and a wave of
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  • Adrenaline shot through my body," he said.
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  • Koch looked down and saw a fire burning under the airplane.
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  • To clear the flames, he jumped away from the wreckage and hit
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  • The asphalt 10 feet below.
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  • Other survivors were scattered about.
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  • Some sobbed, some were silent, and some stared in disbelief at
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  • The burning aircraft.
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  • "i consider it a miracle that i escaped," koch said, "and that i
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  • Came through the ordeal as well as i did."
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  • Today we're beginning a new series i've titled "courageous:
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  • Ten strategies for thriving in a hostile world."
  • 00:07:09.919 --> 00:07:14.223
  • Survival experts tell us that there are ten strategies that
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  • Are essential for our survival whenever we find ourselves in a
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  • Threatening situation like an earthquake, an avalanche, or in
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  • This case a burning aircraft.
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  • In the same way, as christians, we're living in a
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  • Threatening environment.
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  • This is just as real as the ones i've mentioned.
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  • We have an adversary, the devil, who is intent on destroying
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  • Everything important to us.
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  • We have a culture that is increasingly hostile to the
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  • Things of god.
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  • And if that were not enough, we all carry around us that fallen
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  • Nature, the residuals of it anyway, that are opposed to
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  • Everything god wants for our life.
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  • How can we ever hope to survive that kind of environment?
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  • I want you to notice in this first chapter of 1 peter, he
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  • Gives us three commands to keep us from panicking.
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  • First of all, he says be disciplined in your thinking.
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  • I remember not long ago talking to one of our members.
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  • He said, "pastor, i'm having the hardest time sleeping at night.
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  • I'm just so anxious.
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  • I can't settle down and go to sleep."
  • 00:08:24.894 --> 00:08:27.964
  • So i asked him a little bit about his routine.
  • 00:08:27.964 --> 00:08:29.966
  • I said, "well, tell me what you do before you go to bed.
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  • From the time you get home and eat dinner till you go to bed,
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  • What do you do?"
  • 00:08:34.470 --> 00:08:35.838
  • Well, it turned out he watched about 3 hours of cable news
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  • Every night on television.
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  • No wonder he was anxious and panicked.
  • 00:08:40.943 --> 00:08:43.079
  • And so i pointed out this verse to him and i said, "you know,
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  • Instead of watching cable news, you know, why not fill your mind
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  • With god's word?
  • 00:08:49.819 --> 00:08:51.153
  • Why not listen to messages that will help center your thinking?"
  • 00:08:51.153 --> 00:08:54.690
  • And so he did that.
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  • A couple of weeks later, i said, "how are things going?"
  • 00:08:56.459 --> 00:08:58.728
  • He said, "pastor, it's been the most miraculous thing.
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  • I've been listening to your sermons from 'pathway to
  • 00:09:01.497 --> 00:09:03.799
  • Victory' and after 5 minutes i'm out like a light."
  • 00:09:03.799 --> 00:09:12.108
  • That's the power of the word of god.
  • 00:09:12.108 --> 00:09:16.779
  • But, you know, thinking on god's word just doesn't keep us from
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  • Fear, but it can keep us from any of the distractions that
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  • Keep us from remembering why we are here.
  • 00:09:24.820 --> 00:09:28.357
  • And there are all kind of distractions, aren't there, in
  • 00:09:28.357 --> 00:09:30.359
  • Life that keep us from remembering god's purpose.
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  • You know, one of the things i remember so well, when i was 5
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  • Years old, my dad took me to the state fair of texas, and we went
  • 00:09:35.598 --> 00:09:39.835
  • To the midway.
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  • I didn't wanna see the exhibits, i wanted to go to the midway.
  • 00:09:41.203 --> 00:09:43.239
  • And so we got to the midway.
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  • We're right on the edge there, and he said, "now, robert, i'm
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  • Gonna go to the restroom.
  • 00:09:46.642 --> 00:09:48.244
  • I'm gonna plant you right here.
  • 00:09:48.244 --> 00:09:49.679
  • You stand right here outside the bathroom and don't move,
  • 00:09:49.679 --> 00:09:53.049
  • Whatever you do."
  • 00:09:53.049 --> 00:09:54.884
  • So i stood there for about 30 seconds and then i got
  • 00:09:54.884 --> 00:09:59.021
  • Distracted by all of the sounds of the midway and the bright
  • 00:09:59.021 --> 00:10:02.658
  • Lights and i wandered away and not long after that i found
  • 00:10:02.658 --> 00:10:06.929
  • Myself lost.
  • 00:10:06.929 --> 00:10:08.264
  • I was in a panic, and fortunately a policeman found me
  • 00:10:08.264 --> 00:10:13.369
  • And he picked me up and he put me on the back of his
  • 00:10:13.369 --> 00:10:16.105
  • Three-wheeled motorcycle.
  • 00:10:16.105 --> 00:10:17.973
  • I was facing out.
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  • He was faced the other direction.
  • 00:10:19.975 --> 00:10:21.610
  • We were weaving through that crowd on the midway when i saw
  • 00:10:21.610 --> 00:10:25.414
  • My father in the distance looking for me.
  • 00:10:25.414 --> 00:10:28.451
  • He saw me, locked eyes on me, and he started running and
  • 00:10:28.451 --> 00:10:31.687
  • Chasing that motorcycle and swept me off the back of it.
  • 00:10:31.687 --> 00:10:35.691
  • The policeman never knew, i think, whatever happened to me.
  • 00:10:35.691 --> 00:10:37.960
  • He probably thought i'd been raptured.
  • 00:10:37.960 --> 00:10:40.096
  • Well, the point was i wasn't trying to disobey my dad, but i
  • 00:10:40.096 --> 00:10:44.533
  • Just got distracted by other things.
  • 00:10:44.533 --> 00:10:47.002
  • That's the same way with us as christians.
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  • That's why we need to be careful, be diligent in what we
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  • Think about.
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  • Be diligent in your thinking, he says.
  • 00:10:53.909 --> 00:10:56.045
  • Not only that, he says to keep from panicking, to keep calm and
  • 00:10:56.045 --> 00:11:00.516
  • Carry on be obedient in your conduct.
  • 00:11:00.516 --> 00:11:03.319
  • Look at verse 14.
  • 00:11:03.319 --> 00:11:04.653
  • "as obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts
  • 00:11:04.653 --> 00:11:09.425
  • Which were yours in ignorance, but like the holy one who called
  • 00:11:09.425 --> 00:11:13.195
  • You, be holy yourselves in all of your behavior; because it is
  • 00:11:13.195 --> 00:11:18.334
  • Written, 'you shall be holy, for i am holy.'"
  • 00:11:18.334 --> 00:11:23.873
  • That word holy literally means to be separate.
  • 00:11:23.873 --> 00:11:28.444
  • God says if you wanna live successfully in this threatening
  • 00:11:28.444 --> 00:11:32.481
  • World be separate in your conduct.
  • 00:11:32.481 --> 00:11:35.951
  • Now, he's not saying separate yourself from other people.
  • 00:11:35.951 --> 00:11:40.856
  • God doesn't call on us to separate ourself from
  • 00:11:40.856 --> 00:11:44.093
  • Other people.
  • 00:11:44.093 --> 00:11:45.461
  • He is saying make sure you live in a way that is different from
  • 00:11:45.461 --> 00:11:48.664
  • Those around you.
  • 00:11:48.664 --> 00:11:50.299
  • Most of you know that amy and i started dating when we were in
  • 00:11:50.299 --> 00:11:55.404
  • The 9th grade.
  • 00:11:55.404 --> 00:11:56.739
  • We were best friends.
  • 00:11:56.739 --> 00:11:58.140
  • We started dating, dated all through high school; and we were
  • 00:11:58.140 --> 00:12:01.377
  • Hardly ever apart.
  • 00:12:01.377 --> 00:12:03.145
  • The first time we were ever apart for any significant amount
  • 00:12:03.145 --> 00:12:06.615
  • Of time was when we went off to college.
  • 00:12:06.615 --> 00:12:10.553
  • She went to that pagan university of texas in austin.
  • 00:12:10.553 --> 00:12:13.789
  • I went to the semi-pagan baylor university in waco.
  • 00:12:13.789 --> 00:12:18.561
  • But we were separated for a period of time.
  • 00:12:18.561 --> 00:12:20.362
  • In fact, we were gonna be separated for 2 whole weeks
  • 00:12:20.362 --> 00:12:24.233
  • Until i saw her, and i--you know, the first few days i just
  • 00:12:24.233 --> 00:12:26.802
  • Moped around the campus there, but i figured, you know, "i've
  • 00:12:26.802 --> 00:12:30.673
  • Gotta do something here."
  • 00:12:30.673 --> 00:12:32.041
  • So i started going to classes and i started studying, and i
  • 00:12:32.041 --> 00:12:37.513
  • Took some exams those first couple of weeks.
  • 00:12:37.513 --> 00:12:40.482
  • I was existing on one level, but at the back of my mind what kept
  • 00:12:40.482 --> 00:12:44.987
  • Me going that whole time was, "in 2 weeks i'm gonna see amy.
  • 00:12:44.987 --> 00:12:49.391
  • In 2 weeks i'm gonna see amy."
  • 00:12:49.391 --> 00:12:51.961
  • And the thought of that future reunion is what gave me hope for
  • 00:12:51.961 --> 00:12:55.497
  • The present.
  • 00:12:55.497 --> 00:12:56.866
  • It's the same way for those of us who are christians.
  • 00:12:56.866 --> 00:12:59.435
  • The bible says, yes, we have responsibilities here on earth
  • 00:12:59.435 --> 00:13:02.705
  • That we're to be diligent in performing, but at the same time
  • 00:13:02.705 --> 00:13:07.076
  • Our minds are to be fixated on that fact that jesus is coming
  • 00:13:07.076 --> 00:13:11.180
  • Back for us one day, and because of that we're to be obedient in
  • 00:13:11.180 --> 00:13:15.584
  • Our conduct.
  • 00:13:15.584 --> 00:13:17.319
  • How do you keep from panicking in a hostile world?
  • 00:13:17.319 --> 00:13:20.155
  • Be disciplined in your thinking.
  • 00:13:20.155 --> 00:13:21.624
  • Be obedient in your conduct.
  • 00:13:21.624 --> 00:13:23.125
  • Thirdly, be reliant on god's grace.
  • 00:13:23.125 --> 00:13:27.997
  • Be reliant on god's grace.
  • 00:13:27.997 --> 00:13:30.065
  • C. s. lewis has one of the best descriptions of this world.
  • 00:13:30.065 --> 00:13:33.936
  • He said enemy-occupied territory.
  • 00:13:33.936 --> 00:13:38.641
  • That's what this world is.
  • 00:13:38.641 --> 00:13:41.510
  • How can we survive, much less thrive, in
  • 00:13:41.510 --> 00:13:44.747
  • Enemy-occupied territory?
  • 00:13:44.747 --> 00:13:47.416
  • Look at what peter says in 1 peter 5:12.
  • 00:13:47.416 --> 00:13:50.686
  • "this is the true grace of god.
  • 00:13:50.686 --> 00:13:53.322
  • Stand firm in it!"
  • 00:13:53.322 --> 00:13:55.791
  • Stand firm in the grace of god.
  • 00:13:55.791 --> 00:13:58.594
  • Now, what in the world does that mean?
  • 00:13:58.594 --> 00:14:00.629
  • You know, whenever we think of grace, we think of god's
  • 00:14:00.629 --> 00:14:04.733
  • Undeserved favor that resulted in our salvation; and that's
  • 00:14:04.733 --> 00:14:08.237
  • Certainly one aspect of grace, god's undeserved favor.
  • 00:14:08.237 --> 00:14:13.108
  • Somebody said it's god's undeserved burst of generosity.
  • 00:14:13.108 --> 00:14:17.346
  • The bible says for no other reason than the great love with
  • 00:14:17.346 --> 00:14:20.516
  • Which god loved you, he sent christ to die for you and me.
  • 00:14:20.516 --> 00:14:24.153
  • It's nothing we deserved.
  • 00:14:24.153 --> 00:14:25.854
  • It's his grace, his undeserved favor.
  • 00:14:25.854 --> 00:14:28.958
  • Ephesians 2:8-9, "for by," what?
  • 00:14:28.958 --> 00:14:31.961
  • "grace you have been saved through faith.
  • 00:14:31.961 --> 00:14:35.264
  • That not of yourselves, it is a gift of god; not of works, lest
  • 00:14:35.264 --> 00:14:38.834
  • Any man should boast."
  • 00:14:38.834 --> 00:14:40.602
  • But grace also refers to, in the bible, god's supernatural help,
  • 00:14:40.602 --> 00:14:46.208
  • God's supernatural help that stiffens our spiritual spines
  • 00:14:46.208 --> 00:14:50.245
  • With courage.
  • 00:14:50.245 --> 00:14:51.580
  • That's why we don't need to fear.
  • 00:14:51.580 --> 00:14:54.516
  • God has promised us his grace.
  • 00:14:54.516 --> 00:14:57.453
  • You know, i look in the bible and find one man who was
  • 00:14:57.453 --> 00:15:00.155
  • Certainly a profile of the kind of courage we're talking about.
  • 00:15:00.155 --> 00:15:04.927
  • His name was joshua.
  • 00:15:04.927 --> 00:15:07.763
  • Joshua was somebody who faced a daunting task, but he refused to
  • 00:15:07.763 --> 00:15:12.701
  • Panic in that situation.
  • 00:15:12.701 --> 00:15:14.803
  • Turn over in your bibles to the old testament to joshua chapter
  • 00:15:14.803 --> 00:15:18.574
  • 1 for just a few moments.
  • 00:15:18.574 --> 00:15:20.109
  • You remember joshua.
  • 00:15:20.109 --> 00:15:21.710
  • He was the protégé of the great leader moses.
  • 00:15:21.710 --> 00:15:27.016
  • How did joshua keep from panicking in that impossible
  • 00:15:27.016 --> 00:15:31.520
  • Task he had been given to do?
  • 00:15:31.520 --> 00:15:33.756
  • I want you to notice that god gave joshua two limitless
  • 00:15:33.756 --> 00:15:38.627
  • Resources, the same limitless resources he gives to you and me
  • 00:15:38.627 --> 00:15:43.866
  • To face impossible situations.
  • 00:15:43.866 --> 00:15:46.502
  • First of all, he gave joshua courage from god's promises,
  • 00:15:46.502 --> 00:15:51.006
  • Courage from god's promises.
  • 00:15:51.006 --> 00:15:52.941
  • In this passage, joshua 1, i want you to notice the three
  • 00:15:52.941 --> 00:15:56.745
  • Promises that god gave to joshua.
  • 00:15:56.745 --> 00:15:59.748
  • First of all, god promised that the israelites would enter
  • 00:15:59.748 --> 00:16:04.119
  • The land.
  • 00:16:04.119 --> 00:16:05.487
  • Look at verses 3 and 4: "every place on which the sole of your
  • 00:16:05.487 --> 00:16:08.857
  • Feet treads, i have given it to you just as i spoke to moses.
  • 00:16:08.857 --> 00:16:13.362
  • From the wilderness and this lebanon, even as far as the
  • 00:16:13.362 --> 00:16:17.132
  • Great river, the river euphrates, and all the land of
  • 00:16:17.132 --> 00:16:19.535
  • The hittites, and as far as the great sea," that is the
  • 00:16:19.535 --> 00:16:22.104
  • Mediterranean, "toward the setting of the sun, this will be
  • 00:16:22.104 --> 00:16:25.707
  • Your territory."
  • 00:16:25.707 --> 00:16:28.077
  • Never forget this land that is being battled over right now in
  • 00:16:28.077 --> 00:16:32.481
  • The middle east, god gave that land to israel.
  • 00:16:32.481 --> 00:16:38.053
  • God gave that land to israel.
  • 00:16:38.053 --> 00:16:40.689
  • Secondly, god promised that the israelites would be victorious
  • 00:16:40.689 --> 00:16:44.159
  • Over their enemies.
  • 00:16:44.159 --> 00:16:45.527
  • Look at verse 5: "no man will be able to stand before you all the
  • 00:16:45.527 --> 00:16:49.364
  • Days of your life.
  • 00:16:49.364 --> 00:16:50.732
  • Just as i have been with moses, i will be with you; i will not
  • 00:16:50.732 --> 00:16:55.370
  • Fail you, nor will i forsake you."
  • 00:16:55.370 --> 00:16:58.807
  • The good news is 1 john 5:4 promises, "for whatever is born
  • 00:16:58.807 --> 00:17:02.744
  • Of god overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has
  • 00:17:02.744 --> 00:17:07.049
  • Overcome the world: our faith."
  • 00:17:07.049 --> 00:17:10.152
  • The bible has given us a promise; that just like the
  • 00:17:10.152 --> 00:17:12.921
  • Israelites would be victorious over their enemies, we can be
  • 00:17:12.921 --> 00:17:16.291
  • Victorious over sin in our life.
  • 00:17:16.291 --> 00:17:18.160
  • Romans 6:7 says we have been freed from sin and therefore we
  • 00:17:18.160 --> 00:17:22.931
  • Should act like it.
  • 00:17:22.931 --> 00:17:24.533
  • As paul said in romans 8:31, if god is for us, who can be
  • 00:17:24.533 --> 00:17:29.238
  • Against us?
  • 00:17:29.238 --> 00:17:30.606
  • Thirdly, god promised the israelites that they would
  • 00:17:30.606 --> 00:17:32.975
  • Divide the land as an inheritance.
  • 00:17:32.975 --> 00:17:35.077
  • Verse 6, god said to joshua, "be strong and courageous, for you
  • 00:17:35.077 --> 00:17:39.348
  • Shall give these people possession of the land which i
  • 00:17:39.348 --> 00:17:42.417
  • Swore to their fathers to give them."
  • 00:17:42.417 --> 00:17:46.054
  • Now look, god gave the israelites a piece of
  • 00:17:46.054 --> 00:17:49.024
  • Real estate.
  • 00:17:49.024 --> 00:17:50.359
  • He said, "it's gonna belong to you forever."
  • 00:17:50.359 --> 00:17:52.794
  • But god has given you, he's given me something even more
  • 00:17:52.794 --> 00:17:55.531
  • Valuable than a plot of land.
  • 00:17:55.531 --> 00:17:57.799
  • Joshua promised his people when he was about to die in joshua
  • 00:17:57.799 --> 00:18:01.570
  • 23:14, "not one word of all the good words the lord your god has
  • 00:18:01.570 --> 00:18:07.276
  • Spoken to you has failed; all have been fulfilled for you, not
  • 00:18:07.276 --> 00:18:11.947
  • One of them has failed."
  • 00:18:11.947 --> 00:18:14.716
  • Joshua received courage from god's promises.
  • 00:18:14.716 --> 00:18:17.719
  • But there's a second limitless resource he gives us all, and
  • 00:18:17.719 --> 00:18:20.956
  • That is courage from god's presence.
  • 00:18:20.956 --> 00:18:23.425
  • Look at verse 9: "the lord your god is with you wherever
  • 00:18:23.425 --> 00:18:29.498
  • You go."
  • 00:18:29.498 --> 00:18:31.300
  • Now, folks, think about that.
  • 00:18:31.300 --> 00:18:33.101
  • God has promised no matter what situation you're facing in your
  • 00:18:33.101 --> 00:18:36.738
  • Work, in your family, any other venue of life, god says, "i am
  • 00:18:36.738 --> 00:18:43.445
  • With you wherever you go."
  • 00:18:43.445 --> 00:18:45.314
  • Jesus promised that in matthew 28:20.
  • 00:18:45.314 --> 00:18:47.449
  • He said, "and lo, i am with you always, always, even unto the
  • 00:18:47.449 --> 00:18:54.823
  • End of the age."
  • 00:18:54.823 --> 00:18:58.193
  • I want you to notice something here in joshua chapter 1, verses
  • 00:18:58.193 --> 00:19:02.664
  • 6 through 9--again, i didn't really see this until this week.
  • 00:19:02.664 --> 00:19:07.402
  • I want you to notice how he repeats a certain phrase
  • 00:19:07.402 --> 00:19:10.205
  • Three times.
  • 00:19:10.205 --> 00:19:11.573
  • Verse 6, "be strong and courageous, for you shall give
  • 00:19:11.573 --> 00:19:16.712
  • This people possession of the land."
  • 00:19:16.712 --> 00:19:18.847
  • Verse 7, "only be strong and very courageous: be careful to
  • 00:19:18.847 --> 00:19:24.386
  • Do all according to the law which moses my servant
  • 00:19:24.386 --> 00:19:28.390
  • Commanded you."
  • 00:19:28.390 --> 00:19:29.758
  • And then verse 9, "have i not commanded you?
  • 00:19:29.758 --> 00:19:31.793
  • Be strong and courageous!"
  • 00:19:31.793 --> 00:19:34.496
  • See, three times he says be strong and courageous.
  • 00:19:34.496 --> 00:19:38.233
  • You know, to give in to your fear is to assume that you are
  • 00:19:38.233 --> 00:19:43.472
  • Powerless, and you and i are powerless apart from god.
  • 00:19:43.472 --> 00:19:51.013
  • But in christ--when we have a god who has limitless promises
  • 00:19:51.013 --> 00:19:56.151
  • And a limitless presence, he can do all things.
  • 00:19:56.151 --> 00:20:00.355
  • We are not alone if we are in christ, and christ is capable of
  • 00:20:00.355 --> 00:20:06.028
  • Doing everything.
  • 00:20:06.028 --> 00:20:07.396
  • I love the words of peter kreeft, who said, "god has more
  • 00:20:07.396 --> 00:20:11.266
  • Power in one breath of his spirit than all the winds of
  • 00:20:11.266 --> 00:20:15.103
  • War, all the nuclear bombs, all the energy of all the suns and
  • 00:20:15.103 --> 00:20:19.241
  • All the galaxies, all the fury of hell itself."
  • 00:20:19.241 --> 00:20:23.145
  • How many of you believe in a god like that, a god who can
  • 00:20:23.145 --> 00:20:27.215
  • Do anything?
  • 00:20:27.215 --> 00:20:29.017
  • He can do anything.
  • 00:20:29.017 --> 00:20:31.119
  • Therefore, as he said to joshua, why should you tremble or
  • 00:20:31.119 --> 00:20:35.524
  • Be dismayed?
  • 00:20:35.524 --> 00:20:39.027
  • This week i was reading mark batterson's book "all in," and
  • 00:20:39.027 --> 00:20:44.399
  • In that book he tells a story about a group of missionaries a
  • 00:20:44.399 --> 00:20:49.037
  • Century ago who were known as one-way missionaries.
  • 00:20:49.037 --> 00:20:55.043
  • And the reason they were called one-way missionaries is because
  • 00:20:55.043 --> 00:20:58.947
  • When god called them to an assignment they didn't buy a
  • 00:20:58.947 --> 00:21:02.517
  • Round-trip ticket, they bought a one-way ticket, fully planning
  • 00:21:02.517 --> 00:21:08.156
  • To die wherever god called them.
  • 00:21:08.156 --> 00:21:11.293
  • But that wasn't all.
  • 00:21:11.293 --> 00:21:12.728
  • In addition to buying a one-way ticket, instead of packing their
  • 00:21:12.728 --> 00:21:16.531
  • Suitcases, they would pack their coffins with all of their
  • 00:21:16.531 --> 00:21:22.137
  • Earthly goods and bring their coffins with them so that they
  • 00:21:22.137 --> 00:21:26.775
  • Would be buried wherever they died in service to the lord.
  • 00:21:26.775 --> 00:21:31.012
  • One of those one-way missionaries was
  • 00:21:31.012 --> 00:21:32.981
  • A.w. milne.
  • 00:21:32.981 --> 00:21:35.384
  • He felt the call of god to set sail for the new hebrides
  • 00:21:35.384 --> 00:21:39.554
  • Islands in the south pacific.
  • 00:21:39.554 --> 00:21:42.924
  • He went there fully knowing that every missionary who had gone
  • 00:21:42.924 --> 00:21:46.528
  • Before him had been martyred by the tribesmen, and yet he wasn't
  • 00:21:46.528 --> 00:21:51.767
  • Fearful of death.
  • 00:21:51.767 --> 00:21:54.102
  • He went boldly, knowing that he was answering god's call.
  • 00:21:54.102 --> 00:21:57.939
  • Why?
  • 00:21:57.939 --> 00:21:59.307
  • He was willing to die because he had died to himself first.
  • 00:21:59.307 --> 00:22:03.478
  • A.w. milne ministered in the new hebrides for 35 years.
  • 00:22:03.478 --> 00:22:10.252
  • When he died, the tribesmen buried him in the coffin he had
  • 00:22:10.252 --> 00:22:15.257
  • Brought; and they erected a tombstone, and this was the
  • 00:22:15.257 --> 00:22:19.261
  • Epitaph the tribesmen put on his tombstone: "when he came, there
  • 00:22:19.261 --> 00:22:25.834
  • Was no light.
  • 00:22:25.834 --> 00:22:27.936
  • When he died, there was no darkness.
  • 00:22:27.936 --> 00:22:32.641
  • When he came, there was no light.
  • 00:22:32.641 --> 00:22:36.111
  • When he died, there was no darkness."
  • 00:22:36.111 --> 00:22:40.115
  • What is it that gave a.w.
  • 00:22:40.115 --> 00:22:41.917
  • Milne the courage to face and live in that kind of situation?
  • 00:22:41.917 --> 00:22:46.988
  • He relied on god's promises.
  • 00:22:46.988 --> 00:22:49.591
  • Jesus said, "do not fear the things you're about to suffer.
  • 00:22:49.591 --> 00:22:52.527
  • Be faithful until death and i will give you the crown
  • 00:22:52.527 --> 00:22:56.164
  • Of life."
  • 00:22:56.164 --> 00:22:57.732
  • And secondly, he relied on god's presence.
  • 00:22:57.732 --> 00:23:02.204
  • He believed the promise of jesus, who said in hebrews 13:5,
  • 00:23:02.204 --> 00:23:05.874
  • "i will never leave you, and i will never forsake you."
  • 00:23:05.874 --> 00:23:12.948
  • That's why paul could say with confidence god has not given us
  • 00:23:12.948 --> 00:23:16.952
  • The spirit of fear but of power, of love, and of a sound mind.
  • 00:23:16.952 --> 00:23:24.993
  • Don't panic.
  • 00:23:24.993 --> 00:23:28.163
  • Jeffress: two simple words: don't panic.
  • 00:23:32.067 --> 00:23:35.637
  • So easy to say but often so difficult to live out.
  • 00:23:35.637 --> 00:23:39.541
  • Now, in closing today, let me share an encouraging word from
  • 00:23:39.541 --> 00:23:42.744
  • Gregory in arizona.
  • 00:23:42.744 --> 00:23:44.579
  • He wrote, "in recent years, i chose to run away from god.
  • 00:23:44.579 --> 00:23:48.650
  • My niece pointed me to your bible teaching, and i was
  • 00:23:48.650 --> 00:23:52.487
  • Completely convicted about the state of my relationship
  • 00:23:52.487 --> 00:23:55.457
  • With god.
  • 00:23:55.457 --> 00:23:56.791
  • He has reached out and touched me and set my feet on a path
  • 00:23:56.791 --> 00:24:00.629
  • Back home to him."
  • 00:24:00.629 --> 00:24:02.664
  • Well, we rejoice with you, gregory.
  • 00:24:02.664 --> 00:24:04.900
  • And to those of you who give to pathway to victory, thank you
  • 00:24:04.900 --> 00:24:07.903
  • For helping us touch lives all around the world.
  • 00:24:07.903 --> 00:24:11.072
  • Now, stay right there.
  • 00:24:11.072 --> 00:24:12.440
  • I'll be back with more "pathway to victory" in just a moment.
  • 00:24:12.440 --> 00:24:16.578
  • Jeffress: christians today are living in hostile territory.
  • 00:24:16.645 --> 00:24:20.181
  • The attacks are real, the opposition is fierce, and the
  • 00:24:20.181 --> 00:24:23.685
  • Stakes couldn't be higher.
  • 00:24:23.685 --> 00:24:25.787
  • That's why i wrote "courageous" to give you the biblical tools
  • 00:24:25.787 --> 00:24:29.491
  • You need not just to survive but to stand strong and thrive.
  • 00:24:29.491 --> 00:24:34.195
  • Announcer: in "courageous," you'll find ten biblical
  • 00:24:34.195 --> 00:24:36.698
  • Survival strategies drawn straight from scripture that
  • 00:24:36.698 --> 00:24:39.701
  • Will give you fresh fire and real hope no matter what
  • 00:24:39.701 --> 00:24:42.837
  • You're facing.
  • 00:24:42.837 --> 00:24:44.205
  • Jeffress: survivors have two things in common: a different
  • 00:24:44.205 --> 00:24:47.042
  • Response to trouble and a different perspective on life.
  • 00:24:47.042 --> 00:24:51.046
  • In "courageous," i'll give you ten biblical strategies to
  • 00:24:51.046 --> 00:24:54.649
  • Develop both and come out stronger on the other side.
  • 00:24:54.649 --> 00:24:58.587
  • Announcer: request your copy of "courageous" when you give a
  • 00:24:58.587 --> 00:25:00.989
  • Generous ministry gift to "pathway to victory" or when you
  • 00:25:00.989 --> 00:25:04.426
  • Become a pathway partner.
  • 00:25:04.426 --> 00:25:06.061
  • And when your ministry gift is $75 or more, we'll send you the
  • 00:25:06.061 --> 00:25:10.365
  • Courageous leadership kit containing the "courageous"
  • 00:25:10.365 --> 00:25:13.268
  • Book, the personal and group study guide book, ten
  • 00:25:13.268 --> 00:25:16.471
  • "courageous" encouragement cards, plus the complete
  • 00:25:16.471 --> 00:25:19.341
  • Teaching series on cd and dvd.
  • 00:25:19.341 --> 00:25:21.977
  • Jeffress: as christians, we're living in a
  • 00:25:21.977 --> 00:25:24.212
  • Threatening environment.
  • 00:25:24.212 --> 00:25:26.114
  • We have an adversary, the devil, who is intent on destroying
  • 00:25:26.114 --> 00:25:30.018
  • Everything important to us.
  • 00:25:30.018 --> 00:25:31.953
  • Announcer: thank you for partnering with "pathway
  • 00:25:31.953 --> 00:25:33.788
  • To victory."
  • 00:25:33.788 --> 00:25:35.123
  • Your generosity funds the proclamation of god's word
  • 00:25:35.123 --> 00:25:37.859
  • Across television, radio, and online, bringing bold biblical
  • 00:25:37.859 --> 00:25:41.830
  • Hope right here at home and around the world.
  • 00:25:41.830 --> 00:25:45.033
  • Jeffress: when we rely on god's promises and presence, we can
  • 00:25:47.569 --> 00:25:50.672
  • Face any threatening situation with courage, but courage alone
  • 00:25:50.672 --> 00:25:56.277
  • Isn't enough.
  • 00:25:56.277 --> 00:25:57.612
  • We also need to know what we're up against.
  • 00:25:57.612 --> 00:25:59.981
  • That's why survival tip number two is so critical.
  • 00:25:59.981 --> 00:26:03.752
  • Every first responder will tell you the moment you lose track of
  • 00:26:03.752 --> 00:26:07.422
  • Your surroundings you're in serious danger.
  • 00:26:07.422 --> 00:26:10.825
  • Next time we'll learn how to gain situational awareness.
  • 00:26:10.825 --> 00:26:15.130
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next in our
  • 00:26:15.130 --> 00:26:18.133
  • Series "courageous."
  • 00:26:18.133 --> 00:26:19.501
  • Jeffress: how aware are you of the testing situations you find
  • 00:26:20.735 --> 00:26:25.774
  • Yourself in?
  • 00:26:25.774 --> 00:26:27.108
  • How aware are you of what is really happening around you?
  • 00:26:27.108 --> 00:26:30.412
  • You say, "well, pastor, that's a stupid question.
  • 00:26:30.412 --> 00:26:32.781
  • I know what's happening around me."
  • 00:26:32.781 --> 00:26:35.316
  • Do you?
  • 00:26:35.316 --> 00:26:36.685
  • Do you really understand the situation you're in?
  • 00:26:36.685 --> 00:26:40.855
  • Announcer: set your dvr and join us next time for survival tip
  • 00:26:40.855 --> 00:26:43.892
  • Number two, gain situational awareness, here on "pathway
  • 00:26:43.892 --> 00:26:47.862
  • To victory."
  • 00:26:47.862 --> 00:26:50.932
  • Announcer: the apostle paul sailed these waters, walked
  • 00:26:50.932 --> 00:26:53.768
  • These streets and the church was never the same.
  • 00:26:53.768 --> 00:26:56.838
  • Jeffress: i'm inviting you to follow in paul's footsteps on
  • 00:26:56.838 --> 00:26:59.841
  • The pathway to victory "journeys of paul" cruise through the
  • 00:26:59.841 --> 00:27:03.011
  • Stunning greek islands, into ancient ephesus, and many other
  • 00:27:03.011 --> 00:27:06.881
  • Destinations as well.
  • 00:27:06.881 --> 00:27:08.550
  • This is purposeful travel at its finest.
  • 00:27:08.550 --> 00:27:11.853
  • Announcer: set sail may 14, 2027.
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