Robert Jeffress - The Truth That Transforms | Part 2

December 31, 2024 | S

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 - The Truth That Transforms | Part 2 | December 31, 2024
  • Thank you so much for joining us
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  • On today's edition of "pathway to victory."
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  • Before we begin today's program,
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  • I wanted to say a word about the recent election.
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  • In 1 timothy 2, paul said we should pray
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  • That government would basically protect us
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  • And then leave us alone to practice our faith.
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  • And i think the election has ensured that's going to happen
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  • For the next four years.
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  • I've known president trump for almost 10 years
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  • And i know religious freedom is a very real priority
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  • With him, but we need to remember
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  • That it is not government's responsibility
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  • To share the gospel of jesus christ.
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  • That's our responsibility
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  • And one we need to take advantage of
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  • While there's still time.
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  • The only way we're going to change america is
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  • By changing the hearts of americans,
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  • And that's only possible through the power of jesus christ.
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  • So thank you for supporting "pathway to victory" generously
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  • In this important time, but limited time,
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  • Of religious liberty,
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  • So together we can pierce the darkness
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  • With the light of god's word.
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  • (music)
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  • [announcer] from the pulpit
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  • Of the first baptist church of dallas, texas,
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  • This is "pathway to victory" with dr. robert jeffress.
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  • Hi, i am robert jeffress
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  • And welcome again to "pathway to victory."
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  • Hebrews 4:12 says, "the word of god is living and active
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  • And sharper than any two-edged sword
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  • And piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit
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  • Of both joints and marrow
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  • And able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
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  • Yet many christians treat the bible
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  • Like a collection of stories.
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  • We read it, we admire it, we even teach it to others,
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  • But we never fully allow it to penetrate
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  • And renovate our hearts.
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  • So today i want to show you the true purpose
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  • And power of god's word.
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  • My message is titled "the truth that transforms"
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  • On today's edition of "pathway to victory."
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  • (music)
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  • ♪ your voice, o lord, is power ♪
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  • ♪ the god of glory thunders ♪
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  • ♪ the sound of mighty waters ♪
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  • ♪ echoes deep within my soul ♪
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  • ♪ holy, you are holy ♪
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  • ♪ all the glory to your name ♪
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  • ♪ jesus, you are mighty ♪
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  • ♪ strength and glory to your name ♪
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  • ♪ holy, you are holy ♪
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  • ♪ all the glory to your name ♪
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  • ♪ jesus, you are mighty ♪
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  • ♪ strength and glory to your name ♪
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  • ♪ holy, you are holy ♪
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  • ♪ all the glory to your name ♪
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  • ♪ jesus, you are mighty ♪
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  • ♪ strength and glory to your name ♪
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  • ♪ glory to your name ♪
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  • ♪ holy is your name ♪
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  • ♪ your name ♪
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  • (congregation applauds)
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  • [announcer] the celebration
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  • Of jesus' birth each christmas marks the moment
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  • When god's radiant hope entered our world,
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  • And jesus calls us to share this light with others.
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  • You can help pierce the darkness
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  • With the light of god's word
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  • Through the "pathway to victory"
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  • Light the darkness matching challenge.
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  • Since 1996, "pathway to victory" has been boldly sharing
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  • The gospel of jesus christ
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  • And your gift, doubled in impact, will be used
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  • To proclaim god's truth here in america
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  • And around the world.
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  • (music)
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  • How many people use their only day off
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  • To get up and gather around
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  • And talk about and discuss the writings of plato?
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  • And even if some happen to do it this morning,
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  • Do you think they'd do it the next sunday morning
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  • And the next sunday morning and the next sunday morning?
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  • And yet today there are millions of people
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  • All around the world who got up and went to a church,
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  • Many of them in third world countries
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  • At the risk of their own lives,
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  • And they sat down to listen to the word of god.
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  • Why is it?
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  • Because the word of god is alive.
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  • It is alive and that's what makes it different
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  • From any other book that is written.
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  • Jesus said in john 6:63,
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  • "for the words i have spoken to you are life."
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  • Not only is the word of god living,
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  • The writer says it is also active.
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  • That word active means it is full of energy.
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  • I remember when our girls were little,
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  • We went several times actually to the san diego zoo,
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  • And i remember one of our visits to the zoo,
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  • I looked over and saw these two giant turtles
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  • And they were absolutely motionless.
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  • Now their eyes blinked occasionally, but they didn't move.
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  • They were motionless,
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  • Just about as motionless as i am in the evening
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  • When i come home and plop down in my chair
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  • In front of the television set
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  • And amy comes over occasionally to check my pulse
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  • To be sure i'm alive.
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  • I'm alive, but i'm not very active.
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  • But that's not true about the word of god.
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  • The word of god is both living and it is active.
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  • I like the way somebody said it.
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  • "the bible is alive.
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  • It is always doing something
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  • To anyone who reads it or hears it."
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  • It is alive, it is active.
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  • And third, it is sharp.
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  • In fact, it is so sharp,
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  • It is sharper than any two-edged roman sword.
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  • Now, this morning when i got up,
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  • I had a gillette razor and i shaved my face.
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  • My gillette razor actually has
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  • About three or four blades on one side.
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  • That's a one-sided razor.
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  • But the roman two-edged sword was
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  • One clean, mean killing machine.
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  • It was sharp on both edges.
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  • And so when a roman soldier would slice
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  • Through somebody in one direction,
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  • He would then go in the opposite direction
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  • And finish the job.
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  • That is the power of the word of god
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  • To penetrate the wrong thinking that leads to wrong actions
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  • And causes us to miss god's rest.
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  • I think about martin luther,
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  • A monk in the roman catholic church.
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  • And as much as he tried, he was training to be a priest,
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  • He could find no rest,
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  • No satisfaction from guilt in roman catholicism.
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  • There was no way to know how you had ever done enough,
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  • How you had ever done enough penance,
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  • How many times you had confessed,
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  • How much money you had given
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  • To know that you were right with god.
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  • And he was bound up with guilt
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  • To the point of absolute and utter despair.
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  • But martin luther started reading the book of romans
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  • And he read it over and over and over again.
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  • And he centered in on those two themed verses
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  • From the book of romans, romans 1:16 and 17.
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  • "for i am not ashamed of the gospel of christ,
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  • For it is the power of god unto salvation
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  • To everyone who believes,
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  • To the jew first and then also to the greek.
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  • For in it, the gospel, the righteousness of god is displayed
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  • From faith to faith,
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  • For as the scriptures say, the just shall live by faith."
  • 00:09:43.773 --> 00:09:48.878
  • And martin luther in his testimony says
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  • Four words kept coming back to him from those verses,
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  • The righteousness of god, the righteousness of god,
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  • The righteousness of god.
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  • That's what martin luther craved, a right standing from god.
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  • And it heading one day, what god was saying,
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  • That righteousness, that right standing comes
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  • On the basis of faith, not works.
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  • And that simple word of god, those simple four verses,
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  • Freed martin luther from guilt
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  • And allowed him to accept christ as his savior.
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  • And it was those four words that inspired
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  • And sparked the entire protestant reformation.
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  • That is the power of the word of god.
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  • It frees us to experience god's rest.
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  • I experienced that in my own life one time.
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  • When i think about the power of god's word to penetrate
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  • And to free us to experience his rest,
  • 00:10:45.501 --> 00:10:47.803
  • I always think about a monday night in october of 1985.
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  • Amy and i had just gone to pastor our first church,
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  • The first baptist church in eastland, texas.
  • 00:10:58.114 --> 00:11:01.317
  • And not long after we came to the church,
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  • I was invited to deliver the annual associational meeting
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  • For our little baptist association
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  • And it was being held at the first baptist church
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  • In breckenridge, texas.
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  • We got there early, i preached the afternoon session,
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  • And then i was to deliver the keynote message that night.
  • 00:11:18.100 --> 00:11:21.771
  • And as amy and i were seated in the pew,
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  • Waiting for the service to begin,
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  • An usher came down the aisle and tapped me on the shoulder
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  • And he said, "dr. jeffress, there is an emergency phone call
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  • For you in the pastor's office
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  • And you really need to take it."
  • 00:11:36.485 --> 00:11:38.621
  • And i couldn't imagine who it was calling
  • 00:11:38.621 --> 00:11:41.557
  • And cracking me down like that.
  • 00:11:41.557 --> 00:11:43.926
  • And so i went back to take the phone call
  • 00:11:43.926 --> 00:11:46.829
  • And on the other end of the line was my brother-in-law
  • 00:11:46.829 --> 00:11:50.432
  • And he said, "robert, they just some exploratory surgery
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  • On your mom today.
  • 00:11:54.670 --> 00:11:56.572
  • And we're here at the hospital
  • 00:11:56.572 --> 00:11:58.707
  • And the doctor found inoperable cancer
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  • That had metastasized everywhere.
  • 00:12:02.711 --> 00:12:05.414
  • They're not able to do anything for her
  • 00:12:05.414 --> 00:12:07.616
  • And they've given her four months to live
  • 00:12:07.616 --> 00:12:10.019
  • And you probably ought to come back if you can."
  • 00:12:10.019 --> 00:12:13.088
  • I couldn't believe what i was hearing.
  • 00:12:14.156 --> 00:12:16.325
  • And i remember going back into that sanctuary
  • 00:12:16.325 --> 00:12:19.028
  • And preaching the message that evening.
  • 00:12:19.028 --> 00:12:20.963
  • I can't tell you to this day what i preached that night,
  • 00:12:20.963 --> 00:12:24.533
  • But as soon as we finished,
  • 00:12:24.533 --> 00:12:26.335
  • Amy and i hurriedly left the church, got in our cars,
  • 00:12:26.335 --> 00:12:29.939
  • And started driving back to dallas.
  • 00:12:29.939 --> 00:12:33.142
  • And i will never forget driving
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  • Through those dark back roads of west texas,
  • 00:12:35.144 --> 00:12:38.547
  • Headed to dallas, overcome with grief
  • 00:12:38.547 --> 00:12:42.351
  • And questions about what was going to be in the future
  • 00:12:42.351 --> 00:12:45.688
  • And why the lord would allow such a thing to happen.
  • 00:12:45.688 --> 00:12:49.725
  • And i turned on the radio
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  • And it happened to be set on kcbi.
  • 00:12:51.927 --> 00:12:54.163
  • And i'll never forget the voice i heard.
  • 00:12:55.764 --> 00:12:59.735
  • It was a familiar voice.
  • 00:12:59.735 --> 00:13:01.637
  • It was chuck swindoll and he was reading romans 11:33.
  • 00:13:01.637 --> 00:13:06.041
  • "oh, the depths of the riches both of the wisdom
  • 00:13:07.276 --> 00:13:11.046
  • And the knowledge of god.
  • 00:13:11.046 --> 00:13:13.015
  • How unsearchable are his judgements,
  • 00:13:13.015 --> 00:13:16.185
  • How unfathomable are his ways."
  • 00:13:16.185 --> 00:13:20.089
  • And i don't know how many people were listening
  • 00:13:20.089 --> 00:13:22.124
  • To the broadcast that monday night,
  • 00:13:22.124 --> 00:13:24.360
  • But god knew that is exactly what i needed
  • 00:13:24.360 --> 00:13:28.197
  • To hear that night, because those verses reminded me
  • 00:13:28.197 --> 00:13:31.967
  • That god has a plan that is beyond our comprehension.
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  • He has a plan that he is working out
  • 00:13:38.107 --> 00:13:39.675
  • Even though in the darkness we can't see what that plan is.
  • 00:13:39.675 --> 00:13:43.279
  • And we can trust him.
  • 00:13:43.279 --> 00:13:46.916
  • It was god's word that freed me that night
  • 00:13:46.916 --> 00:13:50.719
  • To experience god's rest.
  • 00:13:50.719 --> 00:13:53.489
  • And that's the power of god in your life as well.
  • 00:13:53.489 --> 00:13:57.593
  • For the word of god is alive, it is active,
  • 00:13:57.593 --> 00:14:00.996
  • It is sharper than any two-edged swords.
  • 00:14:00.996 --> 00:14:05.134
  • But i want you to notice god's word is not only a sword
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  • That frees us to experience god's rest,
  • 00:14:08.971 --> 00:14:12.741
  • It is also a scalpel, a surgeon's scalpel
  • 00:14:12.741 --> 00:14:17.212
  • That cuts us so we can experience god's healing in our life.
  • 00:14:17.212 --> 00:14:21.717
  • He talks about the conviction of god's word
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  • In verses 12 and 13.
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  • Look at it with me, the last part of verse 12.
  • 00:14:26.121 --> 00:14:28.557
  • "and piercing as far as the division of the soul and spirit,
  • 00:14:28.557 --> 00:14:33.662
  • Of both joints and marrow,
  • 00:14:34.396 --> 00:14:35.965
  • And able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
  • 00:14:35.965 --> 00:14:38.701
  • And there is no creature hidden from god's sight,
  • 00:14:38.701 --> 00:14:42.338
  • But all things are open and laid bare
  • 00:14:42.338 --> 00:14:45.441
  • To the eyes of him with whom we have to do."
  • 00:14:45.441 --> 00:14:50.145
  • I was just reading this last night late.
  • 00:14:50.145 --> 00:14:52.614
  • It's interesting how the writer goes
  • 00:14:52.614 --> 00:14:54.616
  • From talking about god's word to talking about god himself.
  • 00:14:54.616 --> 00:14:59.254
  • You know why?
  • 00:14:59.254 --> 00:15:00.422
  • There's no difference between the two.
  • 00:15:00.422 --> 00:15:02.091
  • God's word and god are inseparable.
  • 00:15:02.091 --> 00:15:06.795
  • You can't hide from god's word
  • 00:15:06.795 --> 00:15:08.664
  • Because you can't hide from god.
  • 00:15:08.664 --> 00:15:11.600
  • Even though we try to.
  • 00:15:11.600 --> 00:15:13.669
  • Out of guilt, many people try to hide from god.
  • 00:15:13.669 --> 00:15:16.472
  • They quit going to church,
  • 00:15:16.472 --> 00:15:17.639
  • Thinking maybe i won't have to face god
  • 00:15:17.639 --> 00:15:20.209
  • If i'm not in his house.
  • 00:15:20.209 --> 00:15:22.244
  • Adam and eve thought that.
  • 00:15:22.244 --> 00:15:23.879
  • After they sinned, they went and hid themselves.
  • 00:15:23.879 --> 00:15:26.415
  • But guess what?
  • 00:15:26.415 --> 00:15:27.316
  • God knew where they were.
  • 00:15:27.316 --> 00:15:28.817
  • He came and found them and confronted them with their sin.
  • 00:15:28.817 --> 00:15:31.820
  • That's what the word of god does.
  • 00:15:31.820 --> 00:15:33.789
  • It refuses to allow us to hide from the judgment we deserve.
  • 00:15:33.789 --> 00:15:38.427
  • Somebody has said, "the bible is alive, it speaks to me.
  • 00:15:38.427 --> 00:15:42.531
  • It has feet, it runs after me.
  • 00:15:42.531 --> 00:15:45.334
  • It has hands, it lays hold of me."
  • 00:15:45.334 --> 00:15:49.304
  • God's word is like that surgeon scalpel that cuts us,
  • 00:15:49.304 --> 00:15:54.410
  • Pierces us in order to heal us.
  • 00:15:55.177 --> 00:15:58.914
  • What does that have to do with us today?
  • 00:16:00.015 --> 00:16:03.218
  • Let me just share with you in closing two principles
  • 00:16:03.218 --> 00:16:06.188
  • That i hope will change your attitude
  • 00:16:06.188 --> 00:16:08.357
  • Toward god's word today.
  • 00:16:08.357 --> 00:16:10.559
  • Number one, view god's word as medicine and not poison.
  • 00:16:10.559 --> 00:16:15.664
  • I want you to imagine, and this is so basic,
  • 00:16:18.700 --> 00:16:21.437
  • But i want you to imagine that you're suffering
  • 00:16:21.437 --> 00:16:23.672
  • From a fever of 103 degrees,
  • 00:16:23.672 --> 00:16:27.009
  • You've got a sore throat that won't stop,
  • 00:16:27.009 --> 00:16:30.345
  • And finally you're so miserable,
  • 00:16:30.345 --> 00:16:31.947
  • You go to the doctor for some relief.
  • 00:16:31.947 --> 00:16:34.216
  • He said, "oh, i've got just the thing you need.
  • 00:16:34.216 --> 00:16:37.319
  • I've got these purple pills here,
  • 00:16:37.319 --> 00:16:39.855
  • And if you'll take one of these purple pills every day,
  • 00:16:39.855 --> 00:16:42.491
  • You will feel better."
  • 00:16:42.491 --> 00:16:44.226
  • And so you take one of those purple pills
  • 00:16:44.226 --> 00:16:46.428
  • And almost instantly you begin to feel better.
  • 00:16:46.428 --> 00:16:49.665
  • The next morning, you get up
  • 00:16:49.665 --> 00:16:51.400
  • And you forget to take your purple pill.
  • 00:16:51.400 --> 00:16:53.435
  • It's not a part of your regular routine.
  • 00:16:53.435 --> 00:16:55.838
  • That's understandable.
  • 00:16:55.838 --> 00:16:57.239
  • As the day progresses,
  • 00:16:57.239 --> 00:16:58.507
  • You begin to feel worse and worse and worse.
  • 00:16:58.507 --> 00:17:00.609
  • The fever, the sore throat returns.
  • 00:17:00.609 --> 00:17:03.045
  • The next morning, you get up
  • 00:17:03.045 --> 00:17:04.379
  • And you know you need that purple pill,
  • 00:17:04.379 --> 00:17:05.981
  • But you're running late to work or school
  • 00:17:05.981 --> 00:17:08.150
  • And you can't be late.
  • 00:17:08.150 --> 00:17:09.618
  • And so you can't take time to drink a glass of water
  • 00:17:09.618 --> 00:17:12.020
  • And take the pill.
  • 00:17:12.020 --> 00:17:13.522
  • And so again, the fever and the sore throat rages on.
  • 00:17:13.522 --> 00:17:17.759
  • How many days would you go
  • 00:17:17.759 --> 00:17:19.828
  • Until you decided this is a priority for me
  • 00:17:19.828 --> 00:17:22.564
  • To take this purple pill?
  • 00:17:22.564 --> 00:17:24.633
  • Now i know that is a simple analogy,
  • 00:17:24.633 --> 00:17:26.568
  • But it's the same way with god's word.
  • 00:17:26.568 --> 00:17:29.438
  • God gave us his word to bring healing into our life,
  • 00:17:29.438 --> 00:17:34.143
  • To remove the discomfort from our life
  • 00:17:34.143 --> 00:17:36.411
  • That comes from disobeying him.
  • 00:17:36.411 --> 00:17:38.981
  • And yet, you know, many of us have the same attitude
  • 00:17:38.981 --> 00:17:42.284
  • Toward the bible that we do toward broccoli.
  • 00:17:42.284 --> 00:17:44.920
  • I know it's good for me, but makes me gag.
  • 00:17:44.920 --> 00:17:49.158
  • And we continue to suffer the results
  • 00:17:49.158 --> 00:17:51.593
  • Of not having that regular intake from the word of god.
  • 00:17:51.593 --> 00:17:55.864
  • Could i give you a real practical solution
  • 00:17:55.864 --> 00:17:58.700
  • (clears throat) if you've gotten away
  • 00:17:58.700 --> 00:17:59.968
  • From reading the bible?
  • 00:17:59.968 --> 00:18:01.637
  • And that's so easy.
  • 00:18:01.637 --> 00:18:02.905
  • We all struggle to make time to read god's word.
  • 00:18:02.905 --> 00:18:06.542
  • I used to have a practice when i read the bible
  • 00:18:07.776 --> 00:18:10.479
  • Of reading the bible from my only bible,
  • 00:18:10.479 --> 00:18:13.382
  • The one that i preach from,
  • 00:18:13.382 --> 00:18:14.616
  • The one i've had for 35 plus years.
  • 00:18:14.616 --> 00:18:18.453
  • But here's what i found.
  • 00:18:18.453 --> 00:18:20.355
  • When i would read these passages,
  • 00:18:20.355 --> 00:18:22.357
  • I'd have so many words underlined already.
  • 00:18:22.357 --> 00:18:25.794
  • I'd read it so often, the words almost came by rote to me.
  • 00:18:25.794 --> 00:18:30.065
  • I'd look at the notes i had made in my margins.
  • 00:18:30.065 --> 00:18:33.502
  • I'd begin thinking
  • 00:18:33.502 --> 00:18:34.836
  • About people i had shared these verses with,
  • 00:18:34.836 --> 00:18:37.506
  • Sermons i had preached in the past, sermons i had...
  • 00:18:37.506 --> 00:18:40.909
  • And then i started taking a stroll down memories lane
  • 00:18:40.909 --> 00:18:43.478
  • Instead of allowing the bible to speak to me.
  • 00:18:43.478 --> 00:18:46.848
  • And what i've started doing is once every year,
  • 00:18:46.848 --> 00:18:50.219
  • I get a fresh copy of god's word,
  • 00:18:50.219 --> 00:18:53.589
  • A fresh translation or a paraphrase
  • 00:18:53.589 --> 00:18:56.892
  • So that i can sit down without any markings,
  • 00:18:56.892 --> 00:18:59.561
  • Without any familiarity, and let the bible speak anew to me.
  • 00:18:59.561 --> 00:19:04.199
  • And i'd suggest you do the same thing.
  • 00:19:04.199 --> 00:19:06.134
  • If you use the new american standard bible,
  • 00:19:06.134 --> 00:19:08.737
  • Why not get a copy of the new living bible paraphrase?
  • 00:19:08.737 --> 00:19:12.674
  • Now, i know some people say, "oh, a paraphrase,
  • 00:19:12.674 --> 00:19:15.210
  • That's not good to study with."
  • 00:19:15.210 --> 00:19:16.478
  • No, may not be something you want to study with,
  • 00:19:16.478 --> 00:19:19.114
  • But there's something great about reading the bible
  • 00:19:19.114 --> 00:19:21.650
  • In today's language.
  • 00:19:21.650 --> 00:19:23.785
  • Remember, billy graham, up until the day he died,
  • 00:19:23.785 --> 00:19:26.888
  • Read from the living bible every day.
  • 00:19:26.888 --> 00:19:28.857
  • If it's good enough for billy graham,
  • 00:19:28.857 --> 00:19:30.559
  • You know, it's probably good enough for the rest of us.
  • 00:19:30.559 --> 00:19:32.794
  • But maybe you use the new international bible
  • 00:19:32.794 --> 00:19:36.398
  • And you want to switch to the new american standard.
  • 00:19:36.398 --> 00:19:39.134
  • The point is, there ought to be a time every day
  • 00:19:39.134 --> 00:19:43.071
  • When you read the bible.
  • 00:19:43.071 --> 00:19:44.740
  • You don't analyze it, you don't study the greek word,
  • 00:19:44.740 --> 00:19:47.776
  • You just allow it to speak to you
  • 00:19:47.776 --> 00:19:50.512
  • So that you can hear the voice of god.
  • 00:19:50.512 --> 00:19:53.482
  • Treat the bible like medicine and not poison.
  • 00:19:53.482 --> 00:19:57.252
  • The second important principle, i think,
  • 00:19:57.252 --> 00:19:59.054
  • From this passage is this.
  • 00:19:59.054 --> 00:20:01.156
  • Allow god's word to perform its work.
  • 00:20:01.156 --> 00:20:06.028
  • Allow god's word to perform its work in you.
  • 00:20:06.028 --> 00:20:10.265
  • Yes, the bible is like medicine,
  • 00:20:10.265 --> 00:20:12.401
  • But it's also like the surgeon's scalpel.
  • 00:20:12.401 --> 00:20:16.038
  • It is able to cut into the deepest part of our lives
  • 00:20:16.038 --> 00:20:18.940
  • And lay our real motivations open, not only before god,
  • 00:20:18.940 --> 00:20:23.779
  • But before our own hearts as well.
  • 00:20:23.779 --> 00:20:26.682
  • You know, god's motivation in cutting you
  • 00:20:26.682 --> 00:20:29.017
  • With his word is not to bring hurt into your life,
  • 00:20:29.017 --> 00:20:32.154
  • But to bring healing.
  • 00:20:32.154 --> 00:20:33.588
  • But sometimes the hurt has to precede the healing.
  • 00:20:33.588 --> 00:20:37.292
  • I remember a few years ago,
  • 00:20:37.292 --> 00:20:39.394
  • (clears throat) i went to the doctor
  • 00:20:39.394 --> 00:20:40.696
  • And he found this little growth and he said,
  • 00:20:40.696 --> 00:20:41.997
  • "robert, we ought to really probably get rid
  • 00:20:41.997 --> 00:20:44.466
  • Of this growth.
  • 00:20:44.466 --> 00:20:45.901
  • It's not malignant, but it could become malignant,
  • 00:20:45.901 --> 00:20:48.470
  • So we're going to cut it off."
  • 00:20:48.470 --> 00:20:51.440
  • Imagine if i said to him, "what?
  • 00:20:51.440 --> 00:20:54.109
  • You want to cut me?
  • 00:20:54.109 --> 00:20:56.178
  • You want to open me?
  • 00:20:56.178 --> 00:20:57.813
  • What kind of doctor are you?
  • 00:20:57.813 --> 00:20:59.381
  • Don't you remember the hippocratic oath?
  • 00:20:59.381 --> 00:21:01.049
  • You're not to do harm to anybody."
  • 00:21:01.049 --> 00:21:03.785
  • No.
  • 00:21:03.785 --> 00:21:05.087
  • The reason the doctor wants to open me up
  • 00:21:05.087 --> 00:21:07.089
  • And cut that growth out is not because he hates me.
  • 00:21:07.089 --> 00:21:10.225
  • He wants to bring healing to me.
  • 00:21:10.225 --> 00:21:12.194
  • And it's the same way with god.
  • 00:21:12.194 --> 00:21:14.930
  • You know, in fact,
  • 00:21:14.930 --> 00:21:16.365
  • God uses that exact analogy in deuteronomy 32:39.
  • 00:21:16.365 --> 00:21:20.435
  • God says, "i am the one who has wounded,
  • 00:21:20.435 --> 00:21:24.406
  • But it is i who heals."
  • 00:21:24.406 --> 00:21:27.175
  • God cuts us, he wounds us not because he's a divine sadist,
  • 00:21:27.175 --> 00:21:32.280
  • But because he wants to bring healing into our lives.
  • 00:21:33.548 --> 00:21:36.852
  • One of my favorite quotes is from alan redpath who says,
  • 00:21:38.220 --> 00:21:42.557
  • "it is a tremendous moment in a christian's life
  • 00:21:42.557 --> 00:21:46.995
  • When he can honestly look up into the face of god
  • 00:21:46.995 --> 00:21:50.465
  • And say, 'yes, lord, you are right and i am wrong.
  • 00:21:50.465 --> 00:21:55.470
  • Yes, lord, i got what i deserved in that situation.
  • 00:21:56.805 --> 00:21:59.908
  • You are right, i am wrong.'
  • 00:21:59.908 --> 00:22:02.944
  • That is the thing for which god has been working for
  • 00:22:02.944 --> 00:22:05.781
  • In your life and in mine from the moment of our conversion."
  • 00:22:05.781 --> 00:22:10.786
  • People occasionally ask me,
  • 00:22:13.355 --> 00:22:14.589
  • "pastor, what is the unpardonable sin?"
  • 00:22:14.589 --> 00:22:18.527
  • By the way, you know there is one, don't you?
  • 00:22:18.527 --> 00:22:21.430
  • The unpardonable sin is the one you refuse
  • 00:22:21.430 --> 00:22:25.901
  • To ask god's forgiveness for.
  • 00:22:25.901 --> 00:22:28.003
  • God convicts us.
  • 00:22:29.504 --> 00:22:31.306
  • He cuts us open so that he can bring healing into our lives.
  • 00:22:31.306 --> 00:22:36.311
  • There's some of you right now, as christians,
  • 00:22:37.512 --> 00:22:40.415
  • God has been working on you, working on you,
  • 00:22:40.415 --> 00:22:43.819
  • But every time he tries to slice you open,
  • 00:22:43.819 --> 00:22:46.721
  • You climb off the operating table.
  • 00:22:46.721 --> 00:22:49.090
  • Not today, lord, not today.
  • 00:22:49.090 --> 00:22:52.227
  • The most important time in your life is
  • 00:22:52.227 --> 00:22:53.862
  • When you come to that point as a christian and say,
  • 00:22:53.862 --> 00:22:56.998
  • "god, you're right, i'm wrong.
  • 00:22:56.998 --> 00:23:00.602
  • Do your work in my life so that i can experience your rest."
  • 00:23:01.970 --> 00:23:06.508
  • Of all people, it was president woodrow wilson who said,
  • 00:23:08.877 --> 00:23:13.215
  • "when you have read the bible,
  • 00:23:13.215 --> 00:23:15.717
  • You will know it's the word of god
  • 00:23:15.717 --> 00:23:18.887
  • Because you have found it to be the key to your own heart,
  • 00:23:18.887 --> 00:23:22.657
  • Your own happiness, and your own duty."
  • 00:23:22.657 --> 00:23:26.795
  • (music)
  • 00:23:26.795 --> 00:23:29.798
  • When we allow god's word to penetrate our heart,
  • 00:23:31.733 --> 00:23:34.836
  • He brings healing to our spirit.
  • 00:23:34.836 --> 00:23:37.672
  • Well, it's new year's eve
  • 00:23:37.672 --> 00:23:39.374
  • And we're coming up on the final hours
  • 00:23:39.374 --> 00:23:41.843
  • Of the "pathway to victory"
  • 00:23:41.843 --> 00:23:43.545
  • Light the darkness matching challenge.
  • 00:23:43.545 --> 00:23:45.914
  • All month long, we've been working toward the goal
  • 00:23:45.914 --> 00:23:48.383
  • Of raising $1.5 million, which will be matched
  • 00:23:48.383 --> 00:23:52.354
  • And therefore doubled in its impact.
  • 00:23:52.354 --> 00:23:55.190
  • These funds will be deployed in the new year
  • 00:23:55.190 --> 00:23:57.926
  • To reach more and more people
  • 00:23:57.926 --> 00:23:59.327
  • With the life changing gospel of jesus christ.
  • 00:23:59.327 --> 00:24:02.831
  • It'll help us bring "pathway to victory"
  • 00:24:02.831 --> 00:24:04.966
  • Into communities and cities where darkness prevails
  • 00:24:04.966 --> 00:24:08.703
  • And where people are searching for the light of god's truth.
  • 00:24:08.703 --> 00:24:12.674
  • So please, before time runs out at midnight tonight,
  • 00:24:12.674 --> 00:24:16.478
  • Be sure to take advantage of this opportunity
  • 00:24:16.478 --> 00:24:19.381
  • To double the impact of your year end gift.
  • 00:24:19.381 --> 00:24:23.218
  • Thanks so much for standing with "pathway to victory"
  • 00:24:23.218 --> 00:24:26.254
  • As we enter a brand new year together.
  • 00:24:26.254 --> 00:24:28.990
  • We couldn't provide this ministry without friends like you.
  • 00:24:28.990 --> 00:24:32.827
  • Now, stay right there.
  • 00:24:32.827 --> 00:24:34.129
  • I'll be back with more "pathway to victory"
  • 00:24:34.129 --> 00:24:36.665
  • In just a moment.
  • 00:24:36.665 --> 00:24:37.966
  • [announcer] the one thing god wants more
  • 00:24:39.534 --> 00:24:41.102
  • Than anything else in this world is time with you.
  • 00:24:41.102 --> 00:24:44.739
  • Make god your priority by spending quality time in his word
  • 00:24:44.739 --> 00:24:48.310
  • With the brand new 2025
  • 00:24:48.310 --> 00:24:50.111
  • "pathway to victory daily devotional."
  • 00:24:50.111 --> 00:24:52.280
  • This year's devotional has
  • 00:24:52.280 --> 00:24:53.582
  • A beautiful navy blue leather cover
  • 00:24:53.582 --> 00:24:55.383
  • With inlaid brown and gold foil accents.
  • 00:24:55.383 --> 00:24:57.752
  • And now with larger print, the 260 practical insights
  • 00:24:57.752 --> 00:25:01.156
  • From dr. robert jeffress are easier to read.
  • 00:25:01.156 --> 00:25:03.758
  • This stunning 532 page devotional makes
  • 00:25:03.758 --> 00:25:06.661
  • An ideal christmas gift for loved ones
  • 00:25:06.661 --> 00:25:08.597
  • Who want to grow in their faith too.
  • 00:25:08.597 --> 00:25:10.632
  • Of all the ways god could have revealed himself to us,
  • 00:25:10.632 --> 00:25:14.035
  • He chose to do it through the written word,
  • 00:25:14.035 --> 00:25:17.038
  • And that's why it's so important for you and for me
  • 00:25:17.038 --> 00:25:19.374
  • To set aside regular time to read the word of god.
  • 00:25:19.374 --> 00:25:24.045
  • [announcer] every season carries an uplifting theme.
  • 00:25:24.045 --> 00:25:26.915
  • Begin the new year by exploring god's will for your life.
  • 00:25:26.915 --> 00:25:30.318
  • In spring and summer,
  • 00:25:31.286 --> 00:25:32.787
  • Grow stronger in christ with insights from colossians.
  • 00:25:32.787 --> 00:25:35.690
  • And in the fall and winter, embrace the father who loves you
  • 00:25:35.690 --> 00:25:38.860
  • With inspirational readings
  • 00:25:38.860 --> 00:25:40.362
  • Based on the parable of the prodigal son.
  • 00:25:40.362 --> 00:25:42.631
  • When the day-to-day problems of life feel overwhelming,
  • 00:25:43.965 --> 00:25:46.434
  • Take a moment to anchor yourself in the calming truth
  • 00:25:46.434 --> 00:25:49.137
  • Of god's word with the brand new 2025
  • 00:25:49.137 --> 00:25:51.773
  • "pathway to victory daily devotional."
  • 00:25:51.773 --> 00:25:54.576
  • Your gift of support not only provides you
  • 00:25:54.576 --> 00:25:56.778
  • With this life giving resource,
  • 00:25:56.778 --> 00:25:58.546
  • It empowers us to spread the hope filled message
  • 00:25:58.546 --> 00:26:01.182
  • Of jesus christ as well.
  • 00:26:01.182 --> 00:26:03.118
  • Thank you for supporting the ministry
  • 00:26:03.118 --> 00:26:05.086
  • Of "pathway to victory."
  • 00:26:05.086 --> 00:26:06.855
  • God gave us his word to bring healing to our life,
  • 00:26:10.025 --> 00:26:13.662
  • To remove the pain that comes from disobeying him.
  • 00:26:13.662 --> 00:26:17.365
  • And yet many of us never make time in our daily schedule
  • 00:26:17.365 --> 00:26:21.136
  • To read and meditate on the word of god.
  • 00:26:21.136 --> 00:26:24.506
  • If nothing else, i hope today's message has convinced you
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  • That god's word is powerful,
  • 00:26:28.243 --> 00:26:30.845
  • And by reading god's word,
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  • We can unleash its power in our lives.
  • 00:26:32.547 --> 00:26:36.117
  • Well, aside from jesus,
  • 00:26:36.117 --> 00:26:37.552
  • No man or woman has ever lived a perfect life,
  • 00:26:37.552 --> 00:26:40.822
  • But because of god's grace,
  • 00:26:40.822 --> 00:26:42.724
  • Our failures don't have to be final.
  • 00:26:42.724 --> 00:26:46.061
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up
  • 00:26:46.061 --> 00:26:48.263
  • In our new series, "second chance, second act."
  • 00:26:48.263 --> 00:26:52.567
  • Let me give you the bad news first.
  • 00:26:53.535 --> 00:26:56.071
  • You can't rewrite history.
  • 00:26:56.071 --> 00:26:57.872
  • Life has no rewind button on it.
  • 00:26:58.740 --> 00:27:00.842
  • Have you discovered that?
  • 00:27:00.842 --> 00:27:02.677
  • That's the bad news, but here's the good news.
  • 00:27:02.677 --> 00:27:05.680
  • God has the ability to take your worst mistakes
  • 00:27:05.680 --> 00:27:10.785
  • And turn them into stepping stones
  • 00:27:11.720 --> 00:27:12.721
  • For even greater success in life.
  • 00:27:12.721 --> 00:27:15.690
  • [announcer] set your dvr and join us next time
  • 00:27:16.825 --> 00:27:18.960
  • For the message, "the curtain doesn't come down
  • 00:27:18.960 --> 00:27:21.596
  • When you mess up," here on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:27:21.596 --> 00:27:21.596