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Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - Triumph Over Troubles

August 6, 2025 | S25 E374 | 29:0

Robert Jeffress - Triumph Over Troubles
Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.
#inActive #Overcoming #Challenges #Trials-HardTimes #WalkwithGod #Journey #Joy #Testing #Endurance #God'sWill #Prayer #Faith #Doubt #Believe

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Triumph Over Troubles | August 6, 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, and welcome
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  • Again to "pathway to victory."
  • 00:00:16.706 --> 00:00:18.741
  • When life throws you a curveball, how do you respond?
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  • Do you shake your fist at god or do you draw closer to him?
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  • The truth is trials are inevitable part of life even for
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  • Christians, but how we respond to those trials reveals
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  • Something profound about our faith.
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  • Today we're continuing a brand new study from the book of james
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  • Called "how to know if you're really saved."
  • 00:00:40.864 --> 00:00:44.334
  • James gives us several tests to examine whether our faith is
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  • Genuine, and the first one might surprise you.
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  • My message is titled "triumph over troubles" on today's
  • 00:00:51.274 --> 00:00:55.378
  • Edition of "pathway to victory."
  • 00:00:55.378 --> 00:01:00.150
  • ♪ there is a day coming. ♪
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  • ♪ when the old will pass away. ♪
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  • ♪ and every wrong would be made right. ♪
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  • ♪ no darkness, no night. ♪
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  • ♪ the son will light the way. ♪
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  • ♪ there is a king coming. ♪
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  • ♪ the one who conquered death and grave. ♪
  • 00:01:36.486 --> 00:01:43.326
  • ♪ no more pain and no more sorrow. ♪
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  • ♪ this hope for tomorrow is our hope for today. ♪
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  • ♪ he who was. ♪
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  • ♪ he who is. ♪
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  • ♪ he who was. ♪
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  • ♪ he who is. ♪
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  • ♪ he who is to come is christ the son of man. ♪
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  • ♪ he's riding on the clouds ♪
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  • ♪ with a crown upon his head, ♪
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  • ♪ and every eye will see him ♪
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  • ♪ with the nail scars in his hands. ♪
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  • ♪ hallelujah. ♪
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  • ♪ we sing hallelujah. ♪
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  • ♪ he who is to come is christ the son of man. ♪
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  • ♪ he's riding on the clouds ♪
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  • ♪ with a crown upon his head, ♪
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  • ♪ and every eye will see him ♪
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  • ♪ with the nail scars in his hands. ♪
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  • ♪ hallelujah. ♪
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  • ♪ sing hallelujah. ♪
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  • ♪ hallelujah. ♪
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  • ♪ hallelujah. ♪♪
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  • [congregation cheering]
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  • Male announcer: where there's genuine faith, there will always
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  • Be visible fruit.
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  • In his brand new book "how to know if you're really saved,"
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  • Dr. robert jeffress helps you take stock of the evidence of
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  • Your faith, the spiritual fruit in your daily life.
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  • This outstanding verse by verse walk through the book of james
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  • Will help you cultivate the spiritual fruit that reflects
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  • Genuine faith.
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  • Request "how to know if you're really saved" when you give a
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  • Generous gift to support the ministry of pathway to victory.
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Jeffress: jocko willink is a former navy seal who's written
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  • A lot of books about leadership.
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  • Recently, i stumbled across a youtube video jocko did
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  • Describing his attitude toward life when life doesn't go
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  • His way.
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  • Have you ever had that happen?
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  • Things don't quite go like you want them to.
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  • His philosophy could be summarized in one word: good.
  • 00:04:28.991 --> 00:04:34.030
  • Jocko said: "when things are going bad, there's going to be
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  • Some good that's going to come from it.
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  • Didn't get promoted? good.
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  • More time to get better.
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  • Got beat? good.
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  • You learned.
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  • Unexpected problems? good.
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  • You have the opportunity to figure out a solution.
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  • When things are going bad, don't get all bummed out, don't get
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  • Startled and don't get frustrated.
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  • Get up, dust off, reload, recalibrate, re-engage, and go
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  • Out on the attack."
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  • Do you know if james, the half brother of jesus, who wrote the
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  • Letter we're studying, if he had stumbled across jocko on
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  • Youtube, he would have said, "good, that's right, i agree
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  • Completely," and that's the theme of the first section of
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  • James we're going to look at today in our series "how to know
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  • If you're really saved."
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  • If you have your bibles, turn to james chapter 1, as we
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  • Discover today, "triumphing over troubles," how to triumph over
  • 00:05:31.087 --> 00:05:36.726
  • Your troubles.
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  • James addresses how we respond to trials beginning in verse 2.
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  • He begins by sharing two truths about trials.
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  • Look at verse 2 of chapter 1: "consider it all joy, my
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  • Brethren, when you encounter various trials."
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  • Will you write this down and remember it forever?
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  • Trials are certain.
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  • James doesn't say, consider it joy if you should experience a
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  • Trial in life.
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  • Or should you experience a trial in life, but when, they are an
  • 00:06:10.126 --> 00:06:14.597
  • Absolute certainty.
  • 00:06:14.597 --> 00:06:17.066
  • You know, one of the greatest myths about christianity is when
  • 00:06:17.066 --> 00:06:20.670
  • You become a christian, you get an automatic exemption
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  • From problems.
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  • Nothing could be further from the truth.
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  • Being a christian is not a get out of problems free card.
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  • In fact, being a christian guarantees that you're gonna
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  • Face problems in life.
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  • Secondly, trials are diverse.
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  • And then we'll look again at verse 2: "consider it all joy,
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  • My brethren, when you encounter various trials."
  • 00:06:45.962 --> 00:06:50.533
  • That word "encounter" is an interesting word.
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  • It's only used one other time in the greek new
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  • Testament, peripipto.
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  • It was used in the story of the good samaritan.
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  • Remember the man was walking from jerusalem to jericho, and
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  • He was ambushed by a group of thieves.
  • 00:07:05.348 --> 00:07:09.819
  • You know, one thing about trials is they are very impolite.
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  • They don't wait their turn to come into your life.
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  • They don't allow you to deal with one problem before they
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  • Come and attack you with another problem.
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  • Have you noticed how problems seem to come in multiples all at
  • 00:07:22.064 --> 00:07:26.369
  • The same time?
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  • Job experienced that as we'll see in just a moment.
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  • "count it all joy when you encounter various trials."
  • 00:07:31.874 --> 00:07:36.479
  • And that leads to the value of trials.
  • 00:07:36.479 --> 00:07:40.283
  • How can we consider it all joy?
  • 00:07:40.283 --> 00:07:43.352
  • Now let me be clear what james is not saying he's not saying
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  • When you're on the dallas north tollway and a tire blows out to
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  • Say, isn't this wonderful?
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  • Or he's not telling you when the diagnosis comes back as terminal
  • 00:07:55.364 --> 00:08:00.036
  • From the doctor: "oh, i'm so excited about this.
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  • I can't wait to see what god's going to do."
  • 00:08:02.972 --> 00:08:06.309
  • James isn't a masochist.
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  • He's not a stoic, but that word "consider" it's an
  • 00:08:08.811 --> 00:08:12.582
  • Interesting word.
  • 00:08:12.582 --> 00:08:13.950
  • It means to lead.
  • 00:08:13.950 --> 00:08:16.919
  • He's saying your leading thought, your final thought
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  • Needs to be one of joy.
  • 00:08:21.724 --> 00:08:24.060
  • God has his eye on the clock and his hand on the thermostat.
  • 00:08:24.060 --> 00:08:28.864
  • He knows how long and how much, that's what he's talking about.
  • 00:08:28.864 --> 00:08:33.803
  • We can have joy, that subtle assurance that god is at work.
  • 00:08:33.803 --> 00:08:37.873
  • Why "knowing that the testing of your faith produces," what?
  • 00:08:37.873 --> 00:08:42.311
  • "endurance, and let endurance have its perfect results so that
  • 00:08:42.311 --> 00:08:46.549
  • You may be perfect, complete, lacking in nothing."
  • 00:08:46.549 --> 00:08:50.219
  • Testing has as its end result endurance.
  • 00:08:50.219 --> 00:08:53.723
  • Now let's look thirdly at the reason for trials.
  • 00:08:53.723 --> 00:08:56.559
  • We've talked about two truths about trials.
  • 00:08:56.559 --> 00:08:59.295
  • They are certain and diverse.
  • 00:08:59.295 --> 00:09:01.297
  • We talked about the value of trials that strengthens us,
  • 00:09:01.297 --> 00:09:05.067
  • Gives us endurance.
  • 00:09:05.067 --> 00:09:07.136
  • What about the reason for trials?
  • 00:09:07.136 --> 00:09:09.005
  • Even though intellectually we know that the trial may be
  • 00:09:09.005 --> 00:09:13.376
  • Working for some future great purpose, we still can't help but
  • 00:09:13.376 --> 00:09:17.413
  • Ask the question why?
  • 00:09:17.413 --> 00:09:20.349
  • Why is this happening?
  • 00:09:20.349 --> 00:09:22.685
  • Why is this happening to me?
  • 00:09:22.685 --> 00:09:24.553
  • Why is this happening to me right now?
  • 00:09:24.553 --> 00:09:27.556
  • Look at verse 5, james says, "but if any of you lacks wisdom
  • 00:09:27.556 --> 00:09:33.162
  • Let him ask of god, who gives to all generously and without
  • 00:09:33.162 --> 00:09:37.333
  • Reproach, and it will be given to him."
  • 00:09:37.333 --> 00:09:40.936
  • People say, why is he talking about wisdom here?
  • 00:09:40.936 --> 00:09:43.239
  • No, wisdom in light of the trials, it's a wisdom tied to
  • 00:09:43.239 --> 00:09:46.709
  • Your trials.
  • 00:09:46.709 --> 00:09:48.077
  • If you want wisdom, the ability to see your life from god's
  • 00:09:48.077 --> 00:09:52.448
  • Point of view, ask god to give you a wisdom.
  • 00:09:52.448 --> 00:09:56.118
  • I think he is saying that there are some general answers that we
  • 00:09:56.118 --> 00:10:00.823
  • Ought to seek when we are going through a time of suffering.
  • 00:10:00.823 --> 00:10:06.662
  • These are three questions you ought to ask yourself for god's
  • 00:10:06.662 --> 00:10:10.499
  • Wisdom on when you're going through any trial.
  • 00:10:10.499 --> 00:10:13.369
  • Number one, am i responsible in any way for this trial?
  • 00:10:13.369 --> 00:10:18.708
  • Now, i'm not saying everything you and i go through is a result
  • 00:10:18.708 --> 00:10:22.078
  • Of sin, but sometimes it is.
  • 00:10:22.078 --> 00:10:25.514
  • And we ought to at least ask god the question, is this happening
  • 00:10:25.514 --> 00:10:29.251
  • Because of anything in my life that is displeasing to you?
  • 00:10:29.251 --> 00:10:33.189
  • If so, we can claim the promise of 1 john 1:9: "if we confess
  • 00:10:33.189 --> 00:10:37.893
  • Our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins
  • 00:10:37.893 --> 00:10:42.431
  • And to cleanse us from unrighteousness."
  • 00:10:42.431 --> 00:10:45.468
  • Second question, when you're going through a trial, is there
  • 00:10:45.468 --> 00:10:49.638
  • Anyone who's experienced a similar problem that i could
  • 00:10:49.638 --> 00:10:53.142
  • Talk with?
  • 00:10:53.142 --> 00:10:54.810
  • You know, if you've been abandoned by your mate, if
  • 00:10:54.810 --> 00:10:57.847
  • You've lost a child or a grandchild, if you've
  • 00:10:57.847 --> 00:11:01.283
  • Experienced bankruptcy, you're not the first christian who's
  • 00:11:01.283 --> 00:11:03.986
  • Gone through that.
  • 00:11:03.986 --> 00:11:05.321
  • And that's one reason we are together in a church so that we
  • 00:11:05.321 --> 00:11:09.759
  • Can encourage one another and strengthen one another.
  • 00:11:09.759 --> 00:11:13.162
  • And by the way, one reason god gives you certain problems is so
  • 00:11:13.162 --> 00:11:18.033
  • That you can experience his strength and share that strength
  • 00:11:18.033 --> 00:11:21.771
  • With other christians in the future who are going through a
  • 00:11:21.771 --> 00:11:24.974
  • Similar problem.
  • 00:11:24.974 --> 00:11:26.308
  • That's what paul means when he says in 2 corinthians 1, verses
  • 00:11:26.308 --> 00:11:30.012
  • 3 and 4: "blessed be the god and father of our lord jesus christ,
  • 00:11:30.012 --> 00:11:35.217
  • The father of mercy, and the god of all comfort, who comforts
  • 00:11:35.217 --> 00:11:39.855
  • Us," literally that word "comfort" means strengthen, "who
  • 00:11:39.855 --> 00:11:43.859
  • Strengthens us in all of our affliction so that we will be
  • 00:11:43.859 --> 00:11:48.097
  • Able to strengthen those who are in any affliction with the same
  • 00:11:48.097 --> 00:11:53.068
  • Strength with which we have been strengthened by god."
  • 00:11:53.068 --> 00:11:57.039
  • One reason god may be allowing you to go through this problem
  • 00:11:57.039 --> 00:12:01.010
  • Is so that you'll have a future ministry with those who are
  • 00:12:01.010 --> 00:12:04.313
  • Experiencing the same thing.
  • 00:12:04.313 --> 00:12:06.582
  • A third question, is there any positive benefit that might come
  • 00:12:06.582 --> 00:12:12.121
  • From this tragedy?
  • 00:12:12.121 --> 00:12:13.889
  • I think there's everything right with asking god to reveal to you
  • 00:12:13.889 --> 00:12:18.160
  • Any benefit that could come from this tragedy.
  • 00:12:18.160 --> 00:12:22.097
  • I think when we're going through a trial, we can ask the
  • 00:12:22.097 --> 00:12:25.234
  • Question, "lord, what might you be doing in my life?
  • 00:12:25.234 --> 00:12:28.470
  • Can i see any positive benefit?"
  • 00:12:28.470 --> 00:12:31.740
  • Sometimes, not all the time, sometimes god gives us an
  • 00:12:31.740 --> 00:12:35.344
  • Advanced preview of what he's doing in our life as a result of
  • 00:12:35.344 --> 00:12:39.481
  • This trial.
  • 00:12:39.481 --> 00:12:41.116
  • But regardless of whether he gives us that information or
  • 00:12:41.116 --> 00:12:44.153
  • Not, we can always claim the promise of romans 8:28 god
  • 00:12:44.153 --> 00:12:49.225
  • Causes "all things to work together for good to those who
  • 00:12:49.225 --> 00:12:54.430
  • Love him and are called according to his purpose."
  • 00:12:54.430 --> 00:12:58.901
  • Now in verses 6 to 8, james offers a word of warning about
  • 00:12:58.901 --> 00:13:03.172
  • When we pray for wisdom or pray for anything, when we pray, we
  • 00:13:03.172 --> 00:13:07.443
  • "must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts
  • 00:13:07.443 --> 00:13:12.248
  • Is like the wind of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
  • 00:13:12.248 --> 00:13:16.252
  • That man ought not to expect that he will have anything from
  • 00:13:16.252 --> 00:13:19.755
  • The lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all of
  • 00:13:19.755 --> 00:13:23.826
  • His ways."
  • 00:13:23.826 --> 00:13:25.494
  • Whenever we pray, we need to pray in faith.
  • 00:13:25.494 --> 00:13:28.631
  • Now faith, remember, is not the assurance that god is going to
  • 00:13:28.631 --> 00:13:33.035
  • Do what we want him to do.
  • 00:13:33.035 --> 00:13:35.404
  • We don't know if god's gonna do what we want or not.
  • 00:13:35.404 --> 00:13:38.874
  • To say you have to conjure up this positive emotion that
  • 00:13:38.874 --> 00:13:42.144
  • "god's gonna do it.
  • 00:13:42.144 --> 00:13:43.512
  • God's gonna do it," that's presumption, that's not faith.
  • 00:13:43.512 --> 00:13:47.650
  • No, faith means the confidence that god is going to do what he
  • 00:13:47.650 --> 00:13:52.721
  • Has promised to do.
  • 00:13:52.721 --> 00:13:54.790
  • That's true faith.
  • 00:13:54.790 --> 00:13:56.592
  • It is boldly asking god for what is in our hearts, but quietly
  • 00:13:56.592 --> 00:14:01.096
  • Resting in god's will, "not my will but your will be done."
  • 00:14:01.096 --> 00:14:07.469
  • William barclay says every christian is a walking
  • 00:14:07.469 --> 00:14:10.506
  • Civil war.
  • 00:14:10.506 --> 00:14:12.207
  • Battling constantly, trusting god and distrusting god.
  • 00:14:12.207 --> 00:14:17.513
  • Constantly battling, resting in god's will and wrestling with
  • 00:14:17.513 --> 00:14:22.551
  • God's will.
  • 00:14:22.551 --> 00:14:24.219
  • If we're going to have god answer our prayer for wisdom or
  • 00:14:24.219 --> 00:14:27.623
  • Anything in life, we have to pray in faith, quietly resting
  • 00:14:27.623 --> 00:14:32.594
  • In god's plan for our life; otherwise, we're the
  • 00:14:32.594 --> 00:14:36.298
  • "double-minded person, unstable in all our ways."
  • 00:14:36.298 --> 00:14:40.002
  • When i read that, i think about elijah whom james is gonna talk
  • 00:14:40.002 --> 00:14:43.372
  • About in chapter 5, but remember elijah on mount carmel, he said
  • 00:14:43.372 --> 00:14:47.710
  • To the jews who were
  • 00:14:47.710 --> 00:14:50.112
  • Starting to engage in baal worship, he said, "how
  • 00:14:50.112 --> 00:14:53.582
  • Long, how long are you going to hesitate between two opinions?"
  • 00:14:53.582 --> 00:15:00.322
  • That word "hesitate" between two opinions is a word picture in
  • 00:15:00.322 --> 00:15:03.826
  • Hebrew of a bird that's walking on the branch of a tree and
  • 00:15:03.826 --> 00:15:08.063
  • Comes to a fork in that branch and has to decide which way it's
  • 00:15:08.063 --> 00:15:11.500
  • Gonna go.
  • 00:15:11.500 --> 00:15:13.168
  • He said to the jews, how long are you gonna hesitate between
  • 00:15:13.168 --> 00:15:16.171
  • Two opinions?
  • 00:15:16.171 --> 00:15:17.706
  • If baal is really god, go ahead and serve him with all of
  • 00:15:17.706 --> 00:15:21.610
  • Your heart.
  • 00:15:21.610 --> 00:15:23.212
  • If yahweh is god, serve him with all of your heart, but don't try
  • 00:15:23.212 --> 00:15:28.217
  • To serve both.
  • 00:15:28.217 --> 00:15:29.585
  • Don't be double-minded.
  • 00:15:29.585 --> 00:15:32.254
  • We have to come to a conclusion in our life, ladies
  • 00:15:32.254 --> 00:15:34.623
  • And gentlemen.
  • 00:15:34.623 --> 00:15:35.991
  • Do we want god's will?
  • 00:15:35.991 --> 00:15:37.559
  • Do we really trust it?
  • 00:15:37.559 --> 00:15:38.894
  • Do we really believe god knows what's best?
  • 00:15:38.894 --> 00:15:41.363
  • Do we want god's will or our will?
  • 00:15:41.363 --> 00:15:45.034
  • Quit hesitating between two opinions.
  • 00:15:45.034 --> 00:15:48.904
  • We've seen the value of trials.
  • 00:15:48.904 --> 00:15:53.075
  • We've seen james talking about the wisdom of trials.
  • 00:15:53.075 --> 00:15:56.678
  • He gives one final word for the last topic in verses 9 to 11.
  • 00:15:56.678 --> 00:16:01.817
  • And they seem out of place, these verses.
  • 00:16:01.817 --> 00:16:04.453
  • Listen to this: "but the brother of humble circumstances is the
  • 00:16:04.453 --> 00:16:08.257
  • Glory in his high position, and the rich man is the glory in his
  • 00:16:08.257 --> 00:16:12.327
  • Humiliation, because like flowering grass he will
  • 00:16:12.327 --> 00:16:15.831
  • Pass away.
  • 00:16:15.831 --> 00:16:17.166
  • For the sun rises with the scorching wind and withers the
  • 00:16:17.166 --> 00:16:20.469
  • Grass; and its flowers fall off and the beauty of its appearance
  • 00:16:20.469 --> 00:16:24.173
  • Is destroyed; so too the rich man is in the midst of his
  • 00:16:24.173 --> 00:16:29.645
  • Pursuits and will fade away."
  • 00:16:29.645 --> 00:16:33.048
  • Why all this talk about the rich and the poor?
  • 00:16:33.048 --> 00:16:35.751
  • James is gonna talk about our attitude toward money later in
  • 00:16:35.751 --> 00:16:38.454
  • The letter, but here's what he's saying.
  • 00:16:38.454 --> 00:16:41.390
  • Contrary to what the jews thought, being rich did not mean
  • 00:16:41.390 --> 00:16:45.527
  • You were favored by god.
  • 00:16:45.527 --> 00:16:47.563
  • Being poor didn't mean you were being judged by god, but that's
  • 00:16:47.563 --> 00:16:50.599
  • What the jews believed.
  • 00:16:50.599 --> 00:16:52.434
  • They believed if you had money, it was a sign of god's blessing.
  • 00:16:52.434 --> 00:16:55.871
  • If you didn't have money, it was a sign of god's curse.
  • 00:16:55.871 --> 00:16:58.774
  • James is saying don't fall for that.
  • 00:16:58.774 --> 00:17:02.444
  • It doesn't matter whether you're rich or poor, your financial
  • 00:17:02.444 --> 00:17:05.314
  • Status is not a sign of god's favor or disfavor because it
  • 00:17:05.314 --> 00:17:10.686
  • Could change your financial status at any moment.
  • 00:17:10.686 --> 00:17:14.323
  • Peter lowe is a motivational speaker, and he one time asked
  • 00:17:14.323 --> 00:17:17.559
  • His audience, he said, "if i could guarantee you that in 30
  • 00:17:17.559 --> 00:17:21.597
  • Days you would be a millionaire, how many of you would sign up
  • 00:17:21.597 --> 00:17:24.633
  • For that deal?"
  • 00:17:24.633 --> 00:17:26.001
  • Everybody raised their hand.
  • 00:17:26.001 --> 00:17:27.369
  • He said, "now, suppose i told you in 30 days i can make you a
  • 00:17:27.369 --> 00:17:30.272
  • Millionaire, but you'll only be a millionaire for a day.
  • 00:17:30.272 --> 00:17:34.176
  • After that, you'll be bankrupt for the rest of your life.
  • 00:17:34.176 --> 00:17:36.979
  • How many of you would do it then?"
  • 00:17:36.979 --> 00:17:39.047
  • Nobody raised their hand.
  • 00:17:39.047 --> 00:17:41.450
  • James is simply saying here, our financial status, whether it's
  • 00:17:41.450 --> 00:17:44.987
  • Rich or poor, is temporary.
  • 00:17:44.987 --> 00:17:47.656
  • The day is coming that all that matters is what we have with god
  • 00:17:47.656 --> 00:17:51.894
  • In our relationship with him.
  • 00:17:51.894 --> 00:17:55.597
  • Finally, james talks about after talking about the value of
  • 00:17:55.597 --> 00:17:59.401
  • Trials, the reason for trials, he talks about the reward
  • 00:17:59.401 --> 00:18:03.338
  • For trials.
  • 00:18:03.338 --> 00:18:04.706
  • "blessed," verse 12, "blessed is a man who perseveres under
  • 00:18:04.706 --> 00:18:10.546
  • Trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the
  • 00:18:10.546 --> 00:18:14.750
  • Crown of life which the lord has promised to those who love him."
  • 00:18:14.750 --> 00:18:19.888
  • "blessed," makarios, same word that you see in the sermon on
  • 00:18:19.888 --> 00:18:24.393
  • The mount that james's older brother jesus gave.
  • 00:18:24.393 --> 00:18:28.263
  • Happy, more accurately, joyful, is the person who perseveres
  • 00:18:28.263 --> 00:18:33.769
  • Under the trial, why?
  • 00:18:33.769 --> 00:18:35.804
  • Because "once he's been approved," there's that word
  • 00:18:35.804 --> 00:18:38.006
  • Again, dokimos, approved, tested, "he will receive the
  • 00:18:38.006 --> 00:18:41.910
  • Crown of life."
  • 00:18:41.910 --> 00:18:43.645
  • In other words, there are two reasons we can rejoice
  • 00:18:43.645 --> 00:18:46.548
  • In trials.
  • 00:18:46.548 --> 00:18:47.883
  • One is a present reason.
  • 00:18:47.883 --> 00:18:49.251
  • The benefit it is to us right now: it's making us stronger,
  • 00:18:49.251 --> 00:18:52.254
  • Able to stand in the midst of the storm, but there's a future
  • 00:18:52.254 --> 00:18:55.557
  • Reason too.
  • 00:18:55.557 --> 00:18:56.892
  • There is a reward: a crown of life.
  • 00:18:56.892 --> 00:19:00.062
  • That crown is the stephanos, the victor's crown.
  • 00:19:00.062 --> 00:19:03.465
  • It refers to one of our rewards in heaven.
  • 00:19:03.465 --> 00:19:07.102
  • Did you know there are seven different crowns mentioned in
  • 00:19:07.102 --> 00:19:10.572
  • The bible?
  • 00:19:10.572 --> 00:19:12.174
  • Now, whether these crowns are literal crowns or they're
  • 00:19:12.174 --> 00:19:15.777
  • Symbolic of some kind of reward?
  • 00:19:15.777 --> 00:19:18.780
  • I don't know for sure.
  • 00:19:18.780 --> 00:19:20.148
  • I think they're actually both.
  • 00:19:20.148 --> 00:19:21.483
  • I think they're literal crowns, but they're also symbolizing
  • 00:19:21.483 --> 00:19:25.754
  • Something that will last for all eternity, a special privilege
  • 00:19:25.754 --> 00:19:29.524
  • In heaven.
  • 00:19:29.524 --> 00:19:30.859
  • But the bible says one day we're all going to stand before the
  • 00:19:30.859 --> 00:19:33.695
  • Judgment seat of christ, that each one of us may be rewarded
  • 00:19:33.695 --> 00:19:37.699
  • For what we've done in the body in this life, whether it be good
  • 00:19:37.699 --> 00:19:41.370
  • Or worthless, and one of those rewards is for refusing to
  • 00:19:41.370 --> 00:19:46.775
  • Abandon our faith when we experience a trial, not
  • 00:19:46.775 --> 00:19:50.979
  • Just martyrdom.
  • 00:19:50.979 --> 00:19:52.514
  • But any kind of trial in life.
  • 00:19:52.514 --> 00:19:54.883
  • When we say, "i am not going to allow this to drive me away from
  • 00:19:54.883 --> 00:19:59.087
  • God, i'm going to allow it to drive me closer to god," there
  • 00:19:59.087 --> 00:20:02.791
  • Is a future reward for those who endure.
  • 00:20:02.791 --> 00:20:07.729
  • You know, it's been well said if you will tell me ahead of time
  • 00:20:07.729 --> 00:20:13.769
  • That the road is difficult, then every bump and jolt along the
  • 00:20:13.769 --> 00:20:18.674
  • Way will remind me i'm headed in the right direction.
  • 00:20:18.674 --> 00:20:24.413
  • James says the road of this life is difficult.
  • 00:20:24.413 --> 00:20:28.684
  • There are a lot of bumps and jolts, but when you go through
  • 00:20:28.684 --> 00:20:33.388
  • Those bumps and jolts, it means you're headed in the
  • 00:20:33.388 --> 00:20:36.325
  • Right direction.
  • 00:20:36.325 --> 00:20:38.193
  • But those bumps and jolts in and of themselves can be a benefit
  • 00:20:38.193 --> 00:20:41.963
  • To you right now.
  • 00:20:41.963 --> 00:20:43.899
  • It may result those trials in a strengthening of your faith for
  • 00:20:43.899 --> 00:20:48.704
  • The future.
  • 00:20:48.704 --> 00:20:50.272
  • It may be as an encouragement to other christians that's why
  • 00:20:50.272 --> 00:20:53.742
  • God's allowing you to experience this.
  • 00:20:53.742 --> 00:20:56.511
  • It may be as a witness to unbelievers, but never forget
  • 00:20:56.511 --> 00:21:01.283
  • God is working through this trial.
  • 00:21:01.283 --> 00:21:03.285
  • He's got his eye on the clock, his hand on the thermostat.
  • 00:21:03.285 --> 00:21:08.256
  • And remember this above all, that god is not some distant
  • 00:21:08.256 --> 00:21:12.594
  • Deity who has no idea of what we're experiencing, but he took
  • 00:21:12.594 --> 00:21:17.432
  • On human form in the person of jesus christ, and there is
  • 00:21:17.432 --> 00:21:21.036
  • Nothing you're experiencing right now that jesus didn't
  • 00:21:21.036 --> 00:21:24.973
  • Experience as well.
  • 00:21:24.973 --> 00:21:26.875
  • And that's why hebrews chapter 4 says, "for we don't have a high
  • 00:21:26.875 --> 00:21:30.746
  • Priest," jesus, "who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses,
  • 00:21:30.746 --> 00:21:36.017
  • Instead he was tested in all points as we are, and yet
  • 00:21:36.017 --> 00:21:40.622
  • Without sin.
  • 00:21:40.622 --> 00:21:42.357
  • Let us therefore come with confidence to the throne of
  • 00:21:42.357 --> 00:21:46.361
  • Grace, that we might receive mercy and find grace to help in
  • 00:21:46.361 --> 00:21:51.900
  • Our time of need."
  • 00:21:51.900 --> 00:21:54.603
  • That's how to experience triumph over troubles.
  • 00:21:54.603 --> 00:21:58.106
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:21:58.940 --> 00:22:02.444
  • Jeffress: james reminds us that trials don't come with an
  • 00:22:03.612 --> 00:22:06.448
  • Exemption card for christians.
  • 00:22:06.448 --> 00:22:09.117
  • In fact, trials are guaranteed.
  • 00:22:09.117 --> 00:22:12.387
  • But when we allow those trials to drive us toward god rather
  • 00:22:12.387 --> 00:22:16.558
  • Than away from him, we develop spiritual endurance that
  • 00:22:16.558 --> 00:22:20.629
  • Prepares us for whatever lies ahead.
  • 00:22:20.629 --> 00:22:23.265
  • For example, i received a powerful testimony from wes in
  • 00:22:23.265 --> 00:22:27.369
  • Texas who wrote: i woke up one morning to learn i was about to
  • 00:22:27.369 --> 00:22:31.406
  • Endure an unwanted divorce.
  • 00:22:31.406 --> 00:22:34.142
  • That day i stumbled on the "pathway to victory" on
  • 00:22:34.142 --> 00:22:36.945
  • The radio.
  • 00:22:36.945 --> 00:22:38.313
  • That experience was clearly part of god's perfect plan for
  • 00:22:38.313 --> 00:22:41.750
  • My life.
  • 00:22:41.750 --> 00:22:43.118
  • What happened in my life over the five years that followed was
  • 00:22:43.118 --> 00:22:46.688
  • Amazing, and dr. jeffress was the vessel god used to
  • 00:22:46.688 --> 00:22:50.492
  • Orchestrate it.
  • 00:22:50.492 --> 00:22:51.893
  • When i was divorced, i felt everything in my life was taken
  • 00:22:51.893 --> 00:22:55.530
  • Away in the blink of an eye, but god has restored it.
  • 00:22:55.530 --> 00:22:59.267
  • He has blessed me so much i can't even physically receive
  • 00:22:59.267 --> 00:23:03.071
  • It all."
  • 00:23:03.071 --> 00:23:04.439
  • Wes, your story perfectly illustrates what james teaches
  • 00:23:04.439 --> 00:23:08.944
  • That god uses our trials to strengthen us and friends's
  • 00:23:08.944 --> 00:23:13.181
  • Testimonies like this are only possible because of your
  • 00:23:13.181 --> 00:23:16.885
  • Faithful support of "pathway to victory."
  • 00:23:16.885 --> 00:23:20.255
  • Thank you for helping us reach people in their darkest moments
  • 00:23:20.255 --> 00:23:23.725
  • With the light of god's word.
  • 00:23:23.725 --> 00:23:25.594
  • And stay right there.
  • 00:23:25.594 --> 00:23:26.962
  • I'll be back with more "pathway to victory" in just a moment.
  • 00:23:26.962 --> 00:23:31.233
  • Male announcer: every believer wants to see clear evidence of
  • 00:23:32.868 --> 00:23:35.470
  • Their spiritual growth and discover the fruit that god is
  • 00:23:35.470 --> 00:23:38.740
  • Producing in their lives.
  • 00:23:38.740 --> 00:23:40.642
  • Dr. robert jeffress shows you exactly how to recognize that
  • 00:23:40.642 --> 00:23:44.212
  • Fruit in his brand new book "how to know if you're really saved."
  • 00:23:44.212 --> 00:23:48.350
  • Jeffress: the book of james teaches us that the christian
  • 00:23:48.350 --> 00:23:50.752
  • Life is about more than just knowing god's word, it's about
  • 00:23:50.752 --> 00:23:54.923
  • Living it out.
  • 00:23:54.923 --> 00:23:56.258
  • In my new book "how to know if you're really saved," i'll walk
  • 00:23:56.258 --> 00:23:59.227
  • You through what it truly means to be a doer of the word,
  • 00:23:59.227 --> 00:24:03.031
  • Showing you how to respond to trials, control your speech,
  • 00:24:03.031 --> 00:24:06.801
  • Endure hardships, resist temptation, and so much more.
  • 00:24:06.801 --> 00:24:11.806
  • Male announcer: this outstanding 232-page book will help you
  • 00:24:11.806 --> 00:24:14.809
  • Examine the evidence of your faith and see the spiritual
  • 00:24:14.809 --> 00:24:18.179
  • Fruit that should be growing in your daily life.
  • 00:24:18.179 --> 00:24:21.216
  • Request your copy of "how to know if you're really saved"
  • 00:24:21.216 --> 00:24:24.286
  • When you give a generous gift to support the ministry of pathway
  • 00:24:24.286 --> 00:24:27.489
  • To victory or when you become a pathway partner with your
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  • Ministry gift of $75 or more, we'll send you not just the book
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  • But also the personal and group study guide and the complete
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  • Message series on both cd and dvd.
  • 00:24:38.733 --> 00:24:41.903
  • Jeffress: if you are truly saved, there's gonna be evidence
  • 00:24:41.903 --> 00:24:45.307
  • Of it.
  • 00:24:45.307 --> 00:24:46.641
  • There's some tests that you need to apply to your life.
  • 00:24:46.641 --> 00:24:49.911
  • Male announcer: thank you for your generous support of pathway
  • 00:24:49.911 --> 00:24:52.180
  • To victory.
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  • Your partnership helps us bring bold, biblical, and practical
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  • Teaching into homes across the nation and around the world.
  • 00:24:56.785 --> 00:25:00.722
  • Jeffress: when trials ambush us unexpectedly, we have a choice.
  • 00:25:02.524 --> 00:25:06.995
  • We can become bitter or we can become better.
  • 00:25:06.995 --> 00:25:10.832
  • James reminds us that god uses every difficult situation to
  • 00:25:10.832 --> 00:25:15.370
  • Strengthen our spiritual muscles and develop endurance for the
  • 00:25:15.370 --> 00:25:19.274
  • Battles ahead.
  • 00:25:19.274 --> 00:25:20.976
  • Well, trials aren't the only test of genuine faith.
  • 00:25:20.976 --> 00:25:24.145
  • Next time we'll discover how our response to temptation reveals
  • 00:25:24.145 --> 00:25:28.650
  • The authenticity of our salvation.
  • 00:25:28.650 --> 00:25:32.020
  • What's the difference between a trial and a temptation?
  • 00:25:32.020 --> 00:25:35.824
  • And how can we experience victory when satan dangles his
  • 00:25:35.824 --> 00:25:39.461
  • Bait in front of us?
  • 00:25:39.461 --> 00:25:41.363
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next in our
  • 00:25:41.363 --> 00:25:43.898
  • Series, "how to know if you're really saved."
  • 00:25:43.898 --> 00:25:48.703
  • Jeffress: when we're confronted with temptation, we take
  • 00:25:48.703 --> 00:25:51.306
  • A passive attitude.
  • 00:25:51.306 --> 00:25:52.907
  • We excuse disobedience by saying, remember the old
  • 00:25:52.907 --> 00:25:56.177
  • Comedian flip wilson, "the devil made me do it."
  • 00:25:56.177 --> 00:26:00.649
  • We refuse to take responsibility for sin.
  • 00:26:00.649 --> 00:26:03.718
  • We think we're victims, but james, the half brother of
  • 00:26:03.718 --> 00:26:07.722
  • Jesus, offers a different perspective on temptation
  • 00:26:07.722 --> 00:26:11.926
  • And sin.
  • 00:26:11.926 --> 00:26:13.428
  • Male announcer: set your dvr and join us
  • 00:26:13.428 --> 00:26:14.763
  • Next time for the message
  • 00:26:14.763 --> 00:26:16.231
  • "how to handle temptation"
  • 00:26:16.231 --> 00:26:18.133
  • Here on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:26:18.133 --> 00:26:21.569
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  • Stepping out to witness god's grandeur from the majestic
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  • Glaciers to soaring eagles.
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  • These moments in god's creation will deepen your faith in
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  • A lifetime and a heart renewed by god's presence.
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  • Victory cruise to alaska, call...
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  • Or go to ptv.org.
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