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.
- 00:07:45.388 --> 00:07:50.493
- 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.
- 00:10:10.766 --> 00:10:14.170
- 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.
- 00:10:20.142 --> 00:10:22.778
- 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.
- 00:10:38.194 --> 00:10:41.163
- When i think about the power of god's word to penetrate
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- And to free us to experience his rest,
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- 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
- 00:11:03.185 --> 00:11:07.456
- For our little baptist association
- 00:11:07.456 --> 00:11:09.859
- And it was being held at the first baptist church
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- In breckenridge, texas.
- 00:11:12.795 --> 00:11:14.897
- 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,
- 00:11:21.771 --> 00:11:24.206
- Waiting for the service to begin,
- 00:11:24.206 --> 00:11:26.208
- An usher came down the aisle and tapped me on the shoulder
- 00:11:27.610 --> 00:11:30.546
- 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
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- 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
- 00:11:50.432 --> 00:11:54.670
- 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
- 00:11:58.707 --> 00:12:02.711
- 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
- 00:12:33.142 --> 00:12:35.144
- 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
- 00:12:49.725 --> 00:12:51.927
- 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.
- 00:13:31.967 --> 00:13:37.072
- 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
- 00:14:05.134 --> 00:14:08.971
- 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
- 00:14:21.717 --> 00:14:24.586
- In verses 12 and 13.
- 00:14:24.586 --> 00:14:26.121
- 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
- 00:26:24.506 --> 00:26:28.243
- That god's word is powerful,
- 00:26:28.243 --> 00:26:30.845
- And by reading god's word,
- 00:26:30.845 --> 00:26:32.547
- 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