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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie - How To Deal With Trails and Temptation

July 7, 2025 | 27:40

Greg Laurie - How To Deal With Trails and Temptation
Join Pastor Greg Laurie for a time of encouragement, worship, and Bible study.
#Harvest #Trials-HardTimes #Temptation #Overcoming #Pastors #Encouragement #WalkwithGod #RelationshipwithGod

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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie | Greg Laurie - How To Deal With Trails and Temptation | July 7, 2025
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  • Greg laurie: okay, question: where does temptation come from?
  • 00:00:04.011 --> 00:00:08.815
  • Our default answer would probably be, "well, the devil."
  • 00:00:08.915 --> 00:00:11.518
  • There's truth to that, but it's not all of it.
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  • It comes from us, too.
  • 00:00:14.855 --> 00:00:15.222
  • We play a key role in our own temptation.
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  • ♪ this is the day, ♪
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  • ♪ the day when life begins. ♪
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  • ♪ this is the day, ♪
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  • ♪ the day when life begins. ♪♪
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  • Greg: maybe i'm talking to somebody going through a fiery
  • 00:00:41.581 --> 00:00:44.051
  • Trial right now.
  • 00:00:44.051 --> 00:00:45.952
  • Seemingly out of nowhere, the bottom just dropped out, and
  • 00:00:46.019 --> 00:00:50.757
  • You're facing problem after problem, and you don't know why
  • 00:00:50.757 --> 00:00:54.294
  • This is happening to you.
  • 00:00:54.294 --> 00:00:56.263
  • You're saying, "what's wrong with me?
  • 00:00:56.329 --> 00:00:58.565
  • What have i done to deserve this?"
  • 00:00:58.632 --> 00:01:00.467
  • Let me have you look at it a little differently.
  • 00:01:00.467 --> 00:01:03.470
  • Instead of asking, "what's wrong with me," maybe you should ask,
  • 00:01:03.470 --> 00:01:07.007
  • "what's right with me?"
  • 00:01:07.007 --> 00:01:08.942
  • Because the reason you're being attacked is because you are a
  • 00:01:09.009 --> 00:01:13.814
  • Threat to satan and his kingdom, and the devil wants to stop you.
  • 00:01:13.814 --> 00:01:19.319
  • So god's allowing these trials in your life for a purpose.
  • 00:01:19.319 --> 00:01:22.823
  • It's been said, christians are a lot like teabags; you don't know
  • 00:01:22.823 --> 00:01:26.359
  • What they're made of until you put them in hot water.
  • 00:01:26.359 --> 00:01:29.062
  • Maybe you're in the hot water of temptation right now.
  • 00:01:30.330 --> 00:01:33.767
  • Are you going through a big trial?
  • 00:01:33.767 --> 00:01:35.368
  • But someone else would say, "well, i'm not going through
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  • Any trials.
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  • I haven't had any hardships, and i can't remember the last time i
  • 00:01:39.539 --> 00:01:42.509
  • Was tempted."
  • 00:01:42.509 --> 00:01:43.877
  • Oh, you just admitted you're basically worthless.
  • 00:01:43.877 --> 00:01:46.446
  • Ever hear the expression, 'you don't need to kick a
  • 00:01:47.747 --> 00:01:50.117
  • Dead horse?'
  • 00:01:50.117 --> 00:01:51.485
  • See, the devil doesn't need to waste his time with an
  • 00:01:51.485 --> 00:01:54.621
  • Immobilized, compromised christian.
  • 00:01:54.621 --> 00:01:57.524
  • Instead, he's gonna focus his energies and his attacks on
  • 00:01:57.591 --> 00:02:01.428
  • Those who are a threat to the kingdom.
  • 00:02:01.428 --> 00:02:03.463
  • But here's the good news.
  • 00:02:03.463 --> 00:02:04.798
  • Jesus said, the gates of hell will not prevail against us.
  • 00:02:04.798 --> 00:02:09.402
  • Have you ever wondered what that means?
  • 00:02:09.469 --> 00:02:11.571
  • See, think of it this way.
  • 00:02:11.638 --> 00:02:13.006
  • Have you ever seen one of those movies where an army is storming
  • 00:02:13.006 --> 00:02:16.376
  • A castle, and they close the gate, and, as the army gets
  • 00:02:16.376 --> 00:02:19.546
  • Closer, they pour boiling oil over the side, right?
  • 00:02:19.546 --> 00:02:23.283
  • But then, what does the army do?
  • 00:02:23.350 --> 00:02:24.918
  • They pull out their battering ram, and they push it through
  • 00:02:24.918 --> 00:02:28.188
  • The gate, and finally the gate breaks, and they go inside.
  • 00:02:28.188 --> 00:02:31.791
  • So, when jesus says, "the gates of hell will not prevail against
  • 00:02:31.791 --> 00:02:34.895
  • You," we're the invading army.
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  • We've got the battering ram of the gospel, and we're breaking
  • 00:02:37.164 --> 00:02:40.901
  • Through the gates, and we're going to break through those
  • 00:02:40.901 --> 00:02:43.403
  • Gates, and those gates will not prevail against us because we're
  • 00:02:43.403 --> 00:02:47.240
  • On the winning side with the message of jesus christ.
  • 00:02:47.240 --> 00:02:50.143
  • That's what that means.
  • 00:02:50.143 --> 00:02:52.879
  • But, if you choose to live that way, you will be opposed.
  • 00:02:52.879 --> 00:02:57.784
  • But that's good news; that's confirmation you're on the
  • 00:02:57.784 --> 00:03:00.754
  • Right track.
  • 00:03:00.754 --> 00:03:02.088
  • All right, so back to the book of james.
  • 00:03:02.088 --> 00:03:03.423
  • This was written to the jewish people who had been scattered;
  • 00:03:03.423 --> 00:03:07.561
  • The 12 tribes of israel were flung far and wide.
  • 00:03:07.627 --> 00:03:11.364
  • They were no longer ruling their own nation as they had in the
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  • Past with kings like david and solomon.
  • 00:03:14.234 --> 00:03:17.470
  • Now they're under the rule of the occupying force of rome and
  • 00:03:17.470 --> 00:03:21.775
  • Caesar, and it's a hard time for them, and they're suffering.
  • 00:03:21.775 --> 00:03:26.012
  • And maybe i'm talking to someone that's suffering right now.
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  • If so, this book is for you.
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  • The book of james was written by the half-brother of
  • 00:03:31.184 --> 00:03:34.888
  • Jesus, james.
  • 00:03:34.888 --> 00:03:36.256
  • Now let me explain half-brother.
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  • The mother of james was mary; the father of james was joseph,
  • 00:03:38.992 --> 00:03:44.497
  • But his half-brother, if you will, was jesus because the
  • 00:03:44.497 --> 00:03:47.801
  • Mother of jesus was mary, but the father of jesus was god the
  • 00:03:47.801 --> 00:03:52.172
  • Father, and he, his son was supernaturally conceived in the
  • 00:03:52.172 --> 00:03:56.142
  • Womb of mary.
  • 00:03:56.142 --> 00:03:57.777
  • Mary was not sinless.
  • 00:03:57.777 --> 00:04:00.313
  • Jesus was not born of what is sometimes called
  • 00:04:00.313 --> 00:04:02.849
  • Immaculate conception.
  • 00:04:02.849 --> 00:04:04.818
  • Mary was a sinner like everyone else, yet she was hand-picked by
  • 00:04:04.884 --> 00:04:09.723
  • God to have this great privilege of being the mother of
  • 00:04:09.723 --> 00:04:13.560
  • The messiah.
  • 00:04:13.560 --> 00:04:14.894
  • But joseph was a stepfather and clearly an earthly father figure
  • 00:04:14.894 --> 00:04:19.432
  • For jesus, and i think he was a great dad.
  • 00:04:19.432 --> 00:04:22.302
  • And we talk a lot about mary and her life, but we shouldn't
  • 00:04:22.369 --> 00:04:25.972
  • Forget joseph because, of all the men god could have chosen,
  • 00:04:25.972 --> 00:04:29.909
  • He said, "i want that man to be the father figure to my son."
  • 00:04:29.909 --> 00:04:34.514
  • And so jesus had siblings because sometimes we hear it
  • 00:04:34.581 --> 00:04:37.617
  • Said jesus had no brothers and sisters.
  • 00:04:37.617 --> 00:04:39.919
  • No, he had brothers and sisters, and james was one of
  • 00:04:39.919 --> 00:04:43.323
  • Those brothers.
  • 00:04:43.323 --> 00:04:45.125
  • But you would think they all believed in him.
  • 00:04:45.125 --> 00:04:47.260
  • I mean, who was a better kid than jesus?
  • 00:04:47.260 --> 00:04:50.730
  • He always did all of his chores, no rebellion, no back talk.
  • 00:04:50.797 --> 00:04:56.369
  • He was the perfect young man, the perfect teenager, the
  • 00:04:56.369 --> 00:05:00.674
  • Perfect young adult.
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  • He was the greatest example of all time.
  • 00:05:02.942 --> 00:05:05.178
  • Yet we read that his own family did not believe in him.
  • 00:05:05.178 --> 00:05:09.482
  • In fact, they came to take him home on one occasion because
  • 00:05:09.482 --> 00:05:12.619
  • They had, they thought he was crazy.
  • 00:05:12.619 --> 00:05:14.754
  • And so that brings me to my first point, if you're
  • 00:05:14.821 --> 00:05:16.990
  • Taking notes.
  • 00:05:16.990 --> 00:05:18.358
  • Even living a perfect christian life will not convince
  • 00:05:18.358 --> 00:05:21.227
  • Some people.
  • 00:05:21.227 --> 00:05:23.396
  • Even living a perfect christian life will not convince
  • 00:05:23.463 --> 00:05:27.167
  • Some people.
  • 00:05:27.167 --> 00:05:28.535
  • Who lived a more perfect life than christ himself?
  • 00:05:28.535 --> 00:05:31.171
  • He never lied, he never stole, he never lost his temper.
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  • He never even sinned inwardly.
  • 00:05:35.342 --> 00:05:38.078
  • Do you think mary ever lectured the other siblings and said,
  • 00:05:38.144 --> 00:05:41.648
  • "kids, why can't you be more like your big brother jesus?
  • 00:05:41.648 --> 00:05:44.584
  • He's such a great example.
  • 00:05:45.418 --> 00:05:46.753
  • In fact, joseph was out in the shop, and he made these little
  • 00:05:46.753 --> 00:05:48.988
  • Wooden bracelets, wwjd.
  • 00:05:48.988 --> 00:05:51.858
  • Wear these.
  • 00:05:51.858 --> 00:05:53.993
  • Ask yourself the question, 'what would jesus do?'"
  • 00:05:53.993 --> 00:05:57.397
  • Well, i don't think that ever happened, but he was a
  • 00:05:57.464 --> 00:06:00.233
  • Perfect example.
  • 00:06:00.233 --> 00:06:02.068
  • But yet, they did not believe.
  • 00:06:02.135 --> 00:06:03.636
  • In fact, matthew 13 says he went to his own hometown
  • 00:06:03.636 --> 00:06:06.539
  • Of nazareth where he was raised, he performed miracles.
  • 00:06:06.539 --> 00:06:10.343
  • Their reaction was, "hey, isn't this the carpenter's son?
  • 00:06:10.343 --> 00:06:14.280
  • Isn't his mother's name mary and his brothers
  • 00:06:14.280 --> 00:06:16.583
  • James, joseph, simon, and judas?"
  • 00:06:16.583 --> 00:06:19.786
  • And they took offense at him, and christ said,
  • 00:06:19.786 --> 00:06:22.155
  • "'a prophet is not without honor except in his own country,'
  • 00:06:22.155 --> 00:06:26.459
  • And he did not do many miracles there," the bible says,
  • 00:06:26.459 --> 00:06:29.763
  • "because of their unbelief."
  • 00:06:29.763 --> 00:06:31.765
  • Listen, the hardest people to reach
  • 00:06:31.765 --> 00:06:33.700
  • Are the ones closest to you.
  • 00:06:33.700 --> 00:06:35.935
  • Hardest people to reach, kids, are your parents.
  • 00:06:35.935 --> 00:06:39.038
  • Hardest people to reach, parents, are your kids.
  • 00:06:39.038 --> 00:06:41.975
  • The hardest people to reach are your siblings or your friends
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  • That go all the way back to your school days, and you'll tell
  • 00:06:45.912 --> 00:06:49.082
  • Them how christ has changed your life, and they'll be suspicious.
  • 00:06:49.082 --> 00:06:52.252
  • Don't give up on them.
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  • Keep praying for them.
  • 00:06:54.020 --> 00:06:55.989
  • But it just shows even jesus really didn't have his own
  • 00:06:55.989 --> 00:06:59.659
  • Family believe in him until he was crucified and resurrected.
  • 00:06:59.659 --> 00:07:04.330
  • James chapter 1, verse 1,
  • 00:07:04.330 --> 00:07:06.599
  • "james, a bondservant of god and of the lord jesus christ, to
  • 00:07:06.599 --> 00:07:12.005
  • The twelve tribes that are scattered abroad: greetings, my
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  • Brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
  • 00:07:15.375 --> 00:07:18.878
  • Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
  • 00:07:18.878 --> 00:07:22.582
  • But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be
  • 00:07:22.582 --> 00:07:25.819
  • Perfect and complete, lacking nothing."
  • 00:07:25.819 --> 00:07:29.155
  • Okay, point number one, even living a perfect
  • 00:07:29.222 --> 00:07:31.991
  • Christian life will not convince some people.
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  • Point number two.
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  • Make a choice to rejoice when you go through times of trial.
  • 00:07:36.296 --> 00:07:42.936
  • Look at verse 2, "my brethren, count it all joy when you fall
  • 00:07:43.002 --> 00:07:46.940
  • Into various trials," or another translation puts it this way,
  • 00:07:46.940 --> 00:07:50.844
  • "count it pure, unmixed, complete, and total joy."
  • 00:07:50.844 --> 00:07:56.983
  • What kind of weird thing is that to say to a suffering person?
  • 00:07:56.983 --> 00:08:01.688
  • Here's what he isn't saying.
  • 00:08:01.688 --> 00:08:03.690
  • He's not saying enjoy it when you suffer.
  • 00:08:03.690 --> 00:08:06.960
  • I don't think any of us enjoy suffering.
  • 00:08:06.960 --> 00:08:09.996
  • He's not saying that the trials themselves are joy because they
  • 00:08:09.996 --> 00:08:13.600
  • Are not; in fact, hebrews 12:11 says, "no discipline seems
  • 00:08:13.600 --> 00:08:17.670
  • Pleasant at the time, but painful."
  • 00:08:17.670 --> 00:08:20.440
  • What james is saying is consider it pure joy, or, as i said, make
  • 00:08:20.440 --> 00:08:25.778
  • A choice to rejoice.
  • 00:08:25.778 --> 00:08:28.114
  • You see, it's a matter of will, not emotions.
  • 00:08:28.181 --> 00:08:31.384
  • The more we rejoice in our testings, the more we realize
  • 00:08:31.384 --> 00:08:35.955
  • They're not liabilities but privileges, ultimately helpful,
  • 00:08:35.955 --> 00:08:40.760
  • Not harmful, no matter how severe they may appear.
  • 00:08:40.760 --> 00:08:45.565
  • There are times in life that we go through hardship, but we make
  • 00:08:45.632 --> 00:08:49.002
  • A choice to rejoice.
  • 00:08:49.002 --> 00:08:50.336
  • Take jesus as the ultimate example.
  • 00:08:50.336 --> 00:08:52.972
  • It says in hebrews 12, "for the joy that was set before him, he
  • 00:08:52.972 --> 00:08:56.676
  • Endured the cross, despising the shame, and now has set down at
  • 00:08:56.676 --> 00:09:00.780
  • The right hand of god."
  • 00:09:00.780 --> 00:09:02.148
  • Wait, what joy?
  • 00:09:02.148 --> 00:09:03.483
  • Jesus had been scourged 39 times.
  • 00:09:03.483 --> 00:09:06.920
  • Jesus had his beard ripped from his face.
  • 00:09:06.920 --> 00:09:09.789
  • He had been struck repeatedly with fists.
  • 00:09:09.789 --> 00:09:13.126
  • He had a crown of thorns pressed down on his head.
  • 00:09:13.192 --> 00:09:16.296
  • He had lost a tremendous amount of blood.
  • 00:09:16.296 --> 00:09:18.731
  • And he's carrying this massive cross.
  • 00:09:18.731 --> 00:09:21.267
  • And yet the joy set before him.
  • 00:09:21.267 --> 00:09:24.671
  • What joy?
  • 00:09:24.671 --> 00:09:26.406
  • That joy was you.
  • 00:09:26.406 --> 00:09:28.474
  • That joy was me.
  • 00:09:29.108 --> 00:09:31.177
  • That joy was us because he knew what the cross would accomplish.
  • 00:09:31.177 --> 00:09:35.515
  • Jesus did not come to this earth to be a good example.
  • 00:09:35.515 --> 00:09:39.419
  • He came to be a suffering savior, to die in our place on
  • 00:09:39.485 --> 00:09:44.324
  • The cross and to bear our sins, and then to rise again from
  • 00:09:44.324 --> 00:09:48.728
  • The dead.
  • 00:09:48.728 --> 00:09:50.063
  • But the joy set before him, you see?
  • 00:09:50.063 --> 00:09:52.498
  • Point number three.
  • 00:09:52.498 --> 00:09:54.367
  • Trials happen to make us stronger in every way.
  • 00:09:54.367 --> 00:09:57.904
  • Verse 3, "knowing that the testing of your faith
  • 00:09:57.904 --> 00:10:00.940
  • Produces patience.
  • 00:10:00.940 --> 00:10:02.942
  • But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be
  • 00:10:02.942 --> 00:10:06.079
  • Perfect and complete, lacking nothing."
  • 00:10:06.079 --> 00:10:08.247
  • Okay, so, the word patience is probably not the best
  • 00:10:08.247 --> 00:10:11.718
  • Translation, and i'm using the new king james version here.
  • 00:10:11.718 --> 00:10:15.054
  • It comes from a greek word that translates out to toughness,
  • 00:10:15.121 --> 00:10:19.359
  • Fortitude, endurance, or staying power.
  • 00:10:19.359 --> 00:10:24.464
  • So it's implying something different than simple patience.
  • 00:10:24.530 --> 00:10:27.767
  • A modern translation of james, verses 3 and 4, say, "let
  • 00:10:27.767 --> 00:10:32.672
  • It grow.
  • 00:10:32.672 --> 00:10:34.007
  • Don't try to squirm out of your problems; for when your patience
  • 00:10:34.007 --> 00:10:37.076
  • Is in full blown--" in full bloom, rather--"you're ready
  • 00:10:37.076 --> 00:10:40.480
  • For anything, strong in character, full and complete."
  • 00:10:40.480 --> 00:10:44.217
  • It's like going to the gym and working out.
  • 00:10:44.217 --> 00:10:47.286
  • How many of you go to a gym or a health club, raise your hand?
  • 00:10:47.353 --> 00:10:50.390
  • Okay, a few more of you might think about it, just saying.
  • 00:10:50.390 --> 00:10:57.930
  • How many of you that go to the gym like to go to the gym?
  • 00:10:57.930 --> 00:11:00.867
  • You enjoy it; you love the release of endorphins.
  • 00:11:00.867 --> 00:11:03.603
  • Okay, you--i hope you're not on steroids, sir, i don't know.
  • 00:11:03.603 --> 00:11:09.108
  • Okay, you are; no more coffee for this man over here.
  • 00:11:09.108 --> 00:11:15.348
  • So, hey, i admire anybody that enjoys working out.
  • 00:11:15.348 --> 00:11:19.285
  • I go to the gym; i don't like it; my favorite time is when
  • 00:11:19.285 --> 00:11:23.289
  • It's done.
  • 00:11:23.289 --> 00:11:24.624
  • But here's the funny thing.
  • 00:11:24.624 --> 00:11:25.992
  • I'll make up every excuse as to why i don't wanna go, even when
  • 00:11:25.992 --> 00:11:29.162
  • I'm there, "i don't wanna do this."
  • 00:11:29.162 --> 00:11:30.763
  • But then, once i'm done, i'm glad i did it.
  • 00:11:30.763 --> 00:11:33.966
  • Not because i enjoyed it, but it actually energizes me when i
  • 00:11:34.033 --> 00:11:39.906
  • Complete it.
  • 00:11:39.906 --> 00:11:41.274
  • You see, that's what trials are like.
  • 00:11:41.274 --> 00:11:43.076
  • A lot of people find themselves feeling tired and lethargic.
  • 00:11:43.076 --> 00:11:46.679
  • They say, "well, i'm just getting old."
  • 00:11:46.746 --> 00:11:48.915
  • That, that's maybe true; but you might be out of shape.
  • 00:11:48.981 --> 00:11:52.485
  • Well, you're in a shape; you're in the shape of a pear; that's
  • 00:11:52.552 --> 00:11:55.588
  • Not a good shape.
  • 00:11:55.588 --> 00:11:57.890
  • People even call you the lord's pear, and you don't like it.
  • 00:11:57.890 --> 00:12:03.663
  • So you can't fight age, you can't stop age, but you can do
  • 00:12:03.663 --> 00:12:10.403
  • The best you can with your body and stay strong and get
  • 00:12:10.403 --> 00:12:14.307
  • Stronger physically.
  • 00:12:14.307 --> 00:12:15.875
  • The same can be true spiritually as well.
  • 00:12:15.875 --> 00:12:19.078
  • You might say, "well, i don't feel any spiritual energy.
  • 00:12:19.145 --> 00:12:22.482
  • I feel tired and drained, but i'm still reading my bible.
  • 00:12:22.482 --> 00:12:27.220
  • I'm praying. i'm going to church.
  • 00:12:27.220 --> 00:12:28.554
  • I'm even in a harvest small group.
  • 00:12:28.554 --> 00:12:30.223
  • And i feel this lethargy."
  • 00:12:30.223 --> 00:12:32.692
  • Well, here's my advice to you.
  • 00:12:32.692 --> 00:12:35.461
  • Get off your fat--lazy boy recliner.
  • 00:12:35.461 --> 00:12:39.232
  • What did you think i was gonna say?
  • 00:12:39.232 --> 00:12:42.101
  • Wow, where are your heads at today?
  • 00:12:42.101 --> 00:12:45.438
  • No, get off your lazy boy recliner and do something.
  • 00:12:45.438 --> 00:12:49.809
  • You see, the spiritual life is taking in, but it's also
  • 00:12:49.809 --> 00:12:53.412
  • Giving out.
  • 00:12:53.412 --> 00:12:54.781
  • And, if i only take in, and i don't give out, i am gonna reach
  • 00:12:54.781 --> 00:12:58.017
  • A state of spiritual lethargy.
  • 00:12:58.017 --> 00:13:01.487
  • The bible says, "give and it shall be given unto you, pressed
  • 00:13:01.554 --> 00:13:04.323
  • Down, shaken together, running over.
  • 00:13:04.323 --> 00:13:06.392
  • With the same measure you give, it shall be given back to you."
  • 00:13:06.392 --> 00:13:10.997
  • So trials, trials are like god's gym, where we're broken down in
  • 00:13:10.997 --> 00:13:15.568
  • Order to be built up, where we take our faith from the realm of
  • 00:13:15.568 --> 00:13:20.072
  • Theory to reality so we can start living out our faith in
  • 00:13:20.072 --> 00:13:23.709
  • The real world.
  • 00:13:23.709 --> 00:13:25.111
  • You'll always have trials in this life.
  • 00:13:25.111 --> 00:13:28.514
  • They won't stop until you get to heaven.
  • 00:13:28.581 --> 00:13:32.151
  • But, god will be with you through every single one.
  • 00:13:32.218 --> 00:13:36.055
  • Verse 2 says, "count it all joy when you go through these
  • 00:13:36.055 --> 00:13:39.425
  • Various trials," it's not 'if,' it's 'when;' you're going to go
  • 00:13:39.425 --> 00:13:44.297
  • Through them.
  • 00:13:44.297 --> 00:13:45.698
  • Greg: you know, the bible tells us to not give the devil
  • 00:13:48.501 --> 00:13:51.270
  • A foothold.
  • 00:13:51.270 --> 00:13:52.638
  • What does that mean?
  • 00:13:52.638 --> 00:13:53.973
  • It's sort of the idea of, don't let something happen in your
  • 00:13:53.973 --> 00:13:57.243
  • Life that gives the devil an advantage over you.
  • 00:13:57.243 --> 00:14:00.646
  • Here's what ephesians chapter 4, verse 25 says, "stop
  • 00:14:00.646 --> 00:14:04.984
  • Telling lies.
  • 00:14:04.984 --> 00:14:06.319
  • Let us tell our neighbor the truth, for we're all parts of
  • 00:14:06.319 --> 00:14:08.621
  • The same body.
  • 00:14:08.621 --> 00:14:09.989
  • Don't sin by letting anger control you.
  • 00:14:09.989 --> 00:14:12.491
  • Don't let the sun go down while you're still angry, for anger
  • 00:14:12.491 --> 00:14:15.828
  • Gives a foothold to the devil."
  • 00:14:15.828 --> 00:14:18.564
  • Anger, bitterness, resentment; these things give a foothold to
  • 00:14:18.631 --> 00:14:24.503
  • The devil.
  • 00:14:24.503 --> 00:14:25.872
  • You say, "but, greg, someone hurt me.
  • 00:14:25.872 --> 00:14:27.206
  • I have a right to be angry."
  • 00:14:27.206 --> 00:14:28.574
  • Well, listen, if you allow anger or resentment to control you, it
  • 00:14:28.574 --> 00:14:32.912
  • Can give the enemy a foothold in your life, and then that
  • 00:14:32.912 --> 00:14:36.482
  • Separates you from the lord.
  • 00:14:36.482 --> 00:14:38.317
  • So don't give a place for the devil.
  • 00:14:38.317 --> 00:14:41.153
  • He'll knock on the door of your mind with temptations.
  • 00:14:41.153 --> 00:14:44.290
  • "oh, why don't you do this?
  • 00:14:44.290 --> 00:14:45.625
  • Why don't you do that?"
  • 00:14:45.625 --> 00:14:46.993
  • Don't listen to him.
  • 00:14:46.993 --> 00:14:48.327
  • Listen to this.
  • 00:14:48.327 --> 00:14:49.695
  • It's not the bait that constitutes sin; it's the bite.
  • 00:14:49.695 --> 00:14:54.233
  • By that i mean, it's not a sin when the devil comes with a
  • 00:14:54.233 --> 00:14:57.870
  • Temptation or something to allure you.
  • 00:14:57.870 --> 00:15:00.640
  • The problem is when you open the door and invite him in for
  • 00:15:00.640 --> 00:15:03.676
  • Tea, right?
  • 00:15:03.676 --> 00:15:05.044
  • So don't give the devil a foothold.
  • 00:15:05.044 --> 00:15:06.946
  • What does the bible say?
  • 00:15:06.946 --> 00:15:08.314
  • It says, "resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
  • 00:15:08.314 --> 00:15:13.152
  • ♪ for god so loved the world that he gave us ♪
  • 00:15:13.219 --> 00:15:18.024
  • ♪ his one and only son to save us ♪
  • 00:15:18.024 --> 00:15:22.828
  • ♪ whoever believes in him will live forever ♪
  • 00:15:22.828 --> 00:15:32.471
  • ♪ the power of hell, forever defeated ♪
  • 00:15:32.471 --> 00:15:37.243
  • ♪ now in his will i'm walking in freedom ♪♪
  • 00:15:37.243 --> 00:15:42.848
  • Greg: point number four.
  • 00:15:46.385 --> 00:15:47.720
  • It is through trials that we learn great wisdom.
  • 00:15:47.720 --> 00:15:50.923
  • So they not only make us stronger spiritually, but,
  • 00:15:50.990 --> 00:15:54.126
  • Through trials, we learn things that we would not have
  • 00:15:54.126 --> 00:15:56.696
  • Otherwise learned.
  • 00:15:56.696 --> 00:15:58.064
  • Look at verse 5, "if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of
  • 00:15:58.064 --> 00:16:01.133
  • God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it
  • 00:16:01.133 --> 00:16:04.870
  • Will be given to him.
  • 00:16:04.870 --> 00:16:06.205
  • But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts
  • 00:16:06.205 --> 00:16:08.975
  • Is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
  • 00:16:08.975 --> 00:16:12.178
  • Let not that man suppose he will receive anything from the lord;
  • 00:16:12.178 --> 00:16:16.415
  • He's a double-minded man, unstable in all of his ways."
  • 00:16:16.415 --> 00:16:20.252
  • You know, we live in a time where we can get information
  • 00:16:20.319 --> 00:16:23.756
  • On demand.
  • 00:16:23.756 --> 00:16:25.091
  • All you have to do is say, "hey, siri, what's the
  • 00:16:25.091 --> 00:16:27.626
  • Temperature today?"
  • 00:16:27.626 --> 00:16:29.261
  • "hey, google, what about this?"
  • 00:16:29.261 --> 00:16:31.530
  • "hey, alexa--" you ask her a question, and you talk to this
  • 00:16:31.530 --> 00:16:35.334
  • Artificial intelligence, and, in many ways, we have knowledge
  • 00:16:35.334 --> 00:16:40.006
  • That's a mile wide, but an inch deep.
  • 00:16:40.006 --> 00:16:42.942
  • We have knowledge without wisdom.
  • 00:16:43.009 --> 00:16:45.077
  • Through knowledge, we've learned how to travel faster than sound.
  • 00:16:45.077 --> 00:16:48.948
  • But we show our lack of wisdom by going faster in the
  • 00:16:49.015 --> 00:16:52.351
  • Wrong direction.
  • 00:16:52.351 --> 00:16:53.919
  • See, what we need is wisdom.
  • 00:16:53.986 --> 00:16:55.354
  • Knowledge is good; we want knowledge.
  • 00:16:55.354 --> 00:16:56.722
  • We need biblical knowledge; we need other kinds of knowledge.
  • 00:16:56.722 --> 00:16:59.859
  • But we need wisdom.
  • 00:16:59.925 --> 00:17:01.727
  • And the bible says, "if any man lack wisdom, let him ask
  • 00:17:01.794 --> 00:17:04.864
  • Of god."
  • 00:17:04.864 --> 00:17:06.198
  • You know, give it generously, but, when you ask, don't doubt.
  • 00:17:06.198 --> 00:17:09.468
  • So this is one of those prayers that, when you pray it, you know
  • 00:17:09.535 --> 00:17:13.072
  • God will answer it.
  • 00:17:13.072 --> 00:17:14.774
  • It's praying for the will of god.
  • 00:17:14.840 --> 00:17:16.542
  • A lot of times, when we sit down to have a meeting or we make
  • 00:17:16.542 --> 00:17:20.246
  • Some plans for the future, we'll pray, "lord, give us wisdom.
  • 00:17:20.246 --> 00:17:23.949
  • You've told us in your word, if any man lacks wisdom, let him
  • 00:17:24.016 --> 00:17:26.952
  • Ask of you, and you'll give it generously.
  • 00:17:26.952 --> 00:17:29.021
  • Lord, we need that wisdom right now."
  • 00:17:29.021 --> 00:17:31.090
  • That's a good prayer to pray.
  • 00:17:31.090 --> 00:17:33.759
  • We need to know his will, especially on the biggest
  • 00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:36.762
  • Decisions of life, one being who you're gonna marry, or maybe god
  • 00:17:36.762 --> 00:17:41.834
  • Won't have you get married.
  • 00:17:41.834 --> 00:17:43.269
  • But you need wisdom to know.
  • 00:17:43.269 --> 00:17:45.337
  • You wanna make the right decision there.
  • 00:17:45.404 --> 00:17:47.907
  • What career path you may choose, what ministry opportunities you
  • 00:17:47.973 --> 00:17:53.212
  • May respond to.
  • 00:17:53.212 --> 00:17:54.547
  • You need this wisdom, and, when you pray, believe you will
  • 00:17:54.547 --> 00:17:57.917
  • Receive it.
  • 00:17:57.917 --> 00:17:59.285
  • Point number five.
  • 00:17:59.285 --> 00:18:00.619
  • God will enable us to endure and get through times of temptation.
  • 00:18:00.619 --> 00:18:04.590
  • God will enable us to endure and get through times of temptation.
  • 00:18:04.657 --> 00:18:11.497
  • James 1, verse 12, "blessed is he who endures temptation; for
  • 00:18:11.497 --> 00:18:15.968
  • When he has been approved, he'll receive the crown of life which
  • 00:18:15.968 --> 00:18:18.771
  • The lord has promised to those who love him.
  • 00:18:18.771 --> 00:18:20.940
  • But let no one say when he is tempted, 'i'm tempted by god;'
  • 00:18:20.940 --> 00:18:24.009
  • For god cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he himself
  • 00:18:24.009 --> 00:18:27.480
  • Tempt anyone."
  • 00:18:27.480 --> 00:18:28.848
  • Look at this part; don't miss these final verses.
  • 00:18:28.848 --> 00:18:31.117
  • "each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires
  • 00:18:31.117 --> 00:18:35.454
  • And is enticed.
  • 00:18:35.454 --> 00:18:36.789
  • And then, when desire has conceived, he gives birth to
  • 00:18:36.789 --> 00:18:39.258
  • Sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death."
  • 00:18:39.258 --> 00:18:44.363
  • Okay, question: where does temptation come from?
  • 00:18:44.430 --> 00:18:49.235
  • Our default answer would probably be, "well, the devil."
  • 00:18:49.301 --> 00:18:52.004
  • There's truth to that, but it's not all of it.
  • 00:18:52.004 --> 00:18:54.373
  • It comes from us, too.
  • 00:18:55.207 --> 00:18:56.575
  • We play a key role in our own temptation.
  • 00:18:56.575 --> 00:19:00.212
  • Where there's no desire on our part, there's no temptation.
  • 00:19:00.279 --> 00:19:04.750
  • In fact, in these verses, we have the five steps
  • 00:19:04.817 --> 00:19:10.923
  • To temptation.
  • 00:19:10.990 --> 00:19:12.358
  • Number one, the temptation itself; verse 14, "everyone is
  • 00:19:12.358 --> 00:19:16.295
  • Tempted when they're drawn away by their own desires," which by
  • 00:19:16.295 --> 00:19:20.199
  • The way are common to man.
  • 00:19:20.199 --> 00:19:22.301
  • So, whatever you're being tempted to do, you're not the
  • 00:19:23.502 --> 00:19:26.005
  • Only one because sometimes we may think, "oh, man, how could
  • 00:19:26.005 --> 00:19:30.109
  • That thought have come into my mind?
  • 00:19:30.109 --> 00:19:31.944
  • What is wrong with me?"
  • 00:19:31.944 --> 00:19:33.546
  • Doesn't mean anything's wrong with you.
  • 00:19:33.546 --> 00:19:35.247
  • Listen, it's not a sin to be tempted.
  • 00:19:35.247 --> 00:19:38.184
  • The sin of temptation is not the bait; it's the bite.
  • 00:19:38.250 --> 00:19:42.121
  • If you don't take the bait, you haven't sinned; you have to bite
  • 00:19:42.188 --> 00:19:47.293
  • At it.
  • 00:19:47.293 --> 00:19:48.627
  • So, just because a thought comes to your mind doesn't mean
  • 00:19:48.627 --> 00:19:51.664
  • You're evil.
  • 00:19:51.730 --> 00:19:53.098
  • It just means you're being tempted by evil.
  • 00:19:53.098 --> 00:19:56.635
  • The bible calls it, king james, "the fiery darts of the
  • 00:19:56.702 --> 00:20:00.439
  • Wicked one."
  • 00:20:00.439 --> 00:20:01.941
  • Years ago, when i was a young preacher, i think i was maybe 18
  • 00:20:02.007 --> 00:20:04.977
  • Or 19 when i gave one of my first sermons, was at a
  • 00:20:04.977 --> 00:20:07.780
  • Christian camp.
  • 00:20:07.780 --> 00:20:09.114
  • Chuck smith was there.
  • 00:20:09.114 --> 00:20:10.449
  • I wanted to impress everyone.
  • 00:20:10.449 --> 00:20:12.351
  • And so i was speaking on ephesians 6 about
  • 00:20:12.418 --> 00:20:15.187
  • Spiritual warfare.
  • 00:20:15.187 --> 00:20:16.655
  • And, instead of talking about the fiery darts of the wicked
  • 00:20:16.655 --> 00:20:20.159
  • One, i instead said the diary farts of the wicked one.
  • 00:20:20.159 --> 00:20:25.197
  • It's kind of an embarrassing moment, but, they're not diary
  • 00:20:25.197 --> 00:20:30.569
  • Farts, so it--really, a better translation would be flaming
  • 00:20:30.569 --> 00:20:34.440
  • Arrows, okay, flaming arrows.
  • 00:20:34.440 --> 00:20:36.709
  • So, you know, maybe you're worshiping the lord, and your
  • 00:20:36.709 --> 00:20:39.745
  • Thoughts are on heavenly things, and, all of a sudden--
  • 00:20:39.745 --> 00:20:42.314
  • Phth phth phth--that's the sound of an arrow.
  • 00:20:42.314 --> 00:20:45.551
  • That sound like an arrow?
  • 00:20:45.551 --> 00:20:47.152
  • There it is.
  • 00:20:47.152 --> 00:20:48.520
  • Okay, all of a sudden, weird, bizarre thought,
  • 00:20:48.520 --> 00:20:50.456
  • Horrible thought.
  • 00:20:50.456 --> 00:20:51.824
  • Oh, and the devil says, "how could you think that in church?"
  • 00:20:51.824 --> 00:20:55.527
  • Well, these are temptations.
  • 00:20:55.594 --> 00:20:57.563
  • You just say, "i reject that.
  • 00:20:57.563 --> 00:20:59.064
  • That is not from god."
  • 00:20:59.064 --> 00:21:00.399
  • Okay, so, the temptation itself, we're all going to be tempted.
  • 00:21:00.399 --> 00:21:03.969
  • Number two.
  • 00:21:03.969 --> 00:21:05.304
  • But maybe you're interested in it.
  • 00:21:05.304 --> 00:21:06.839
  • So everyone is drawn away by their own desire.
  • 00:21:06.839 --> 00:21:10.476
  • See, "there's, i could have been," "i won't do it, but show
  • 00:21:10.476 --> 00:21:14.880
  • Me what you're offering," you know.
  • 00:21:14.880 --> 00:21:17.883
  • It's like that test drive.
  • 00:21:17.883 --> 00:21:19.218
  • You're looking at that car.
  • 00:21:19.218 --> 00:21:20.586
  • "let's take it out for a spin."
  • 00:21:20.586 --> 00:21:21.920
  • Oh, "no."
  • 00:21:21.920 --> 00:21:23.289
  • They go, "come on now."
  • 00:21:23.289 --> 00:21:24.623
  • Why are they doing that?
  • 00:21:24.623 --> 00:21:25.991
  • Because you will be locked in a car with a person that will try
  • 00:21:25.991 --> 00:21:28.927
  • To close that deal and make that sale.
  • 00:21:28.927 --> 00:21:32.631
  • Or the free sample.
  • 00:21:32.698 --> 00:21:34.533
  • You know, i was in a farmer's market yesterday walking along,
  • 00:21:34.600 --> 00:21:37.736
  • And they were offering free samples, and some guy said, "i
  • 00:21:37.736 --> 00:21:40.572
  • Have free sample," and it's soup.
  • 00:21:40.572 --> 00:21:42.074
  • I'm like, "i don't want soup."
  • 00:21:42.074 --> 00:21:44.176
  • What, who even wants to eat soup?
  • 00:21:44.243 --> 00:21:47.279
  • How can anyone make a meal from soup?
  • 00:21:47.346 --> 00:21:50.349
  • Soup to me is like salad.
  • 00:21:50.416 --> 00:21:52.051
  • It's what i eat to warm up for real food, right?
  • 00:21:52.051 --> 00:21:54.953
  • "try this."
  • 00:21:55.020 --> 00:21:56.355
  • "nah, it's okay."
  • 00:21:56.355 --> 00:21:57.723
  • "no, try it."
  • 00:21:57.723 --> 00:21:59.058
  • "okay, whatever."
  • 00:21:59.058 --> 00:22:00.426
  • I take a little sip of his tiny little cup.
  • 00:22:00.426 --> 00:22:01.760
  • "i'll have it now.
  • 00:22:01.760 --> 00:22:03.128
  • How much is it?"
  • 00:22:03.128 --> 00:22:04.463
  • It was great soup.
  • 00:22:04.463 --> 00:22:05.831
  • It was really hearty with turkey in it and all kinds of things.
  • 00:22:05.831 --> 00:22:08.167
  • So i bought this bag of frozen soup.
  • 00:22:08.167 --> 00:22:10.736
  • Cathe's buying vegetables.
  • 00:22:10.803 --> 00:22:12.805
  • Look what i bought.
  • 00:22:12.805 --> 00:22:14.139
  • It's like, "why?"
  • 00:22:14.139 --> 00:22:15.507
  • "i don't know.
  • 00:22:15.507 --> 00:22:16.842
  • It was good."
  • 00:22:16.842 --> 00:22:18.210
  • It started with a free sample.
  • 00:22:18.210 --> 00:22:19.545
  • So the devil says, "okay, okay, i know you would never do this
  • 00:22:19.545 --> 00:22:22.214
  • Because you're such a godly person.
  • 00:22:22.214 --> 00:22:24.817
  • But just take this thought for a spin.
  • 00:22:24.883 --> 00:22:28.854
  • Just take a little nibble; it'll be fun.
  • 00:22:28.921 --> 00:22:31.323
  • You would never act on it."
  • 00:22:31.323 --> 00:22:32.658
  • But that's the whole strategy of temptation.
  • 00:22:32.658 --> 00:22:35.561
  • It starts in the realm of your mind.
  • 00:22:35.561 --> 00:22:38.163
  • Now you're almost hooked.
  • 00:22:38.163 --> 00:22:39.898
  • Verse 14 of james 1, "you're drawn away by your own desires."
  • 00:22:39.965 --> 00:22:43.802
  • There's still a way out.
  • 00:22:43.802 --> 00:22:45.437
  • But you're thinking, you're processing, you're considering,
  • 00:22:45.437 --> 00:22:49.041
  • And the hook is now set, and you bite.
  • 00:22:49.041 --> 00:22:51.243
  • Verse 15, "when desire is conceived, it gives birth
  • 00:22:51.243 --> 00:22:54.079
  • To sin."
  • 00:22:54.079 --> 00:22:55.414
  • And so you've acted on the evil thought, and there's maybe the
  • 00:22:55.414 --> 00:22:59.385
  • Momentary pleasure that can come from certain sins.
  • 00:22:59.385 --> 00:23:04.289
  • But then immediately, if your conscience is working, guilt
  • 00:23:04.356 --> 00:23:07.493
  • Kicks in, regret, remorse, that spiritual deadness.
  • 00:23:07.493 --> 00:23:14.199
  • Thank god you can say, "lord, i'm sorry, i repent," and he'll
  • 00:23:14.199 --> 00:23:18.036
  • Forgive you.
  • 00:23:18.036 --> 00:23:19.371
  • But you know the effects of sin that can happen in your life.
  • 00:23:19.371 --> 00:23:22.608
  • And then the effects of sin, number five, kick in; verse 15,
  • 00:23:22.608 --> 00:23:26.512
  • "sin, when it's full-grown, brings forth death."
  • 00:23:26.512 --> 00:23:30.082
  • The bible says, "the soul that sins shall surely die."
  • 00:23:30.149 --> 00:23:33.886
  • It also says, "the wages of sin are death."
  • 00:23:33.952 --> 00:23:37.055
  • You're now separated from god.
  • 00:23:37.055 --> 00:23:39.024
  • So now i wanna blame someone.
  • 00:23:39.024 --> 00:23:40.592
  • This is not my fault.
  • 00:23:40.592 --> 00:23:42.127
  • The devil made me do it.
  • 00:23:42.694 --> 00:23:44.029
  • No, he didn't.
  • 00:23:44.029 --> 00:23:45.397
  • Devil can't make you do anything.
  • 00:23:45.397 --> 00:23:46.732
  • He can tempt you.
  • 00:23:46.732 --> 00:23:48.100
  • You have to cooperate.
  • 00:23:48.100 --> 00:23:49.501
  • "well, this other person, they, it's their fault; they
  • 00:23:49.501 --> 00:23:52.704
  • Tempted me."
  • 00:23:52.704 --> 00:23:54.039
  • Well, maybe they did, but you're still responsible for your
  • 00:23:54.039 --> 00:23:57.142
  • Own actions.
  • 00:23:57.142 --> 00:23:58.677
  • That's what adam did; he blamed eve.
  • 00:23:58.744 --> 00:24:01.246
  • And eve played a role in it, but, ultimately, it was adam's
  • 00:24:01.313 --> 00:24:04.283
  • Decision to eat of that forbidden fruit.
  • 00:24:04.283 --> 00:24:06.885
  • Okay, here's another thought.
  • 00:24:06.885 --> 00:24:08.220
  • We're almost done here.
  • 00:24:08.220 --> 00:24:09.588
  • When does temptation generally come?
  • 00:24:09.588 --> 00:24:11.623
  • This might surprise you.
  • 00:24:11.623 --> 00:24:13.358
  • When does it generally come?
  • 00:24:13.358 --> 00:24:15.294
  • After times of great blessing.
  • 00:24:16.161 --> 00:24:19.398
  • Remember jesus was baptized by his cousin john the baptist.
  • 00:24:19.465 --> 00:24:25.504
  • And then you remember that the father spoke from heaven and
  • 00:24:25.571 --> 00:24:29.174
  • Said, "this is my beloved son in whom i am well pleased."
  • 00:24:29.174 --> 00:24:33.078
  • And the spirit of god came upon jesus in the form of a dove.
  • 00:24:33.078 --> 00:24:36.949
  • What a moment, what a blessing.
  • 00:24:36.949 --> 00:24:39.751
  • And what do we read then?
  • 00:24:39.751 --> 00:24:41.119
  • Immediately after that, jesus went into the wilderness to be
  • 00:24:41.119 --> 00:24:44.289
  • Tested and tempted by the devil.
  • 00:24:44.289 --> 00:24:47.259
  • After the dove came the devil; after the blessing came
  • 00:24:47.259 --> 00:24:52.498
  • The temptation.
  • 00:24:52.498 --> 00:24:53.966
  • So it might happen after church.
  • 00:24:53.966 --> 00:24:55.501
  • Oh, i love that.
  • 00:24:55.501 --> 00:24:56.869
  • Great time of worship, so so sermon.
  • 00:24:56.869 --> 00:24:59.271
  • But, still, you're in your car; someone cuts you off, "you
  • 00:24:59.271 --> 00:25:04.209
  • Stinking oof!"
  • 00:25:04.209 --> 00:25:06.478
  • You start fighting with your wife in front of your kids.
  • 00:25:06.545 --> 00:25:09.615
  • Something else happens.
  • 00:25:09.615 --> 00:25:10.949
  • Wait, what's going on?
  • 00:25:10.949 --> 00:25:12.317
  • Yeah, well, attacks often come after times of blessing.
  • 00:25:12.317 --> 00:25:15.020
  • So brace yourself for that.
  • 00:25:15.020 --> 00:25:17.055
  • Be aware of that, and that's what's going to happen in life.
  • 00:25:17.055 --> 00:25:23.295
  • But god always has a way out for us, and every temptation can
  • 00:25:23.295 --> 00:25:27.599
  • Be resisted.
  • 00:25:27.599 --> 00:25:28.967
  • And listen to this; i love that verse, "blessed is the man that
  • 00:25:28.967 --> 00:25:32.237
  • Endures temptation; for when he has been tried, he'll receive
  • 00:25:32.237 --> 00:25:35.507
  • The crown of life."
  • 00:25:35.507 --> 00:25:36.875
  • Greg: there are so many things to be worried about right now,
  • 00:25:40.712 --> 00:25:43.115
  • Aren't there?
  • 00:25:43.115 --> 00:25:44.449
  • The worrying about terrorism, worry about your personal
  • 00:25:44.449 --> 00:25:47.152
  • Safety, violent crime, the economy, the list goes on.
  • 00:25:47.152 --> 00:25:51.056
  • Here's what the bible says, "don't worry about anything.
  • 00:25:51.056 --> 00:25:54.726
  • Pray about everything."
  • 00:25:54.726 --> 00:25:57.195
  • Turn your panic into prayer.
  • 00:25:57.262 --> 00:26:00.065
  • Jesus said, "come unto me, all of you that are laboring and are
  • 00:26:00.132 --> 00:26:03.435
  • Heavy laden.
  • 00:26:03.435 --> 00:26:04.770
  • I will give you rest."
  • 00:26:04.770 --> 00:26:06.138
  • Give your burdens, give your problems over to god, and let
  • 00:26:06.138 --> 00:26:10.475
  • Him give you his peace in your heart.
  • 00:26:10.475 --> 00:26:14.646
  • Let me send to you, at no charge, what i call a new
  • 00:26:14.713 --> 00:26:18.183
  • Believer's bible to help you grow in a relationship with god
  • 00:26:18.183 --> 00:26:23.555
  • And learn how to turn your panic into prayer and your worry
  • 00:26:23.555 --> 00:26:27.693
  • Into worship.
  • 00:26:27.693 --> 00:26:29.962
  • Greg: you know, the bible says: "a good person
  • 00:26:30.028 --> 00:26:33.031
  • Leaves an inheritance for their children's children."
  • 00:26:33.031 --> 00:26:36.969
  • God encourages all of us as christians to manage
  • 00:26:36.969 --> 00:26:40.639
  • Our money well so we can be a blessing to our families
  • 00:26:40.639 --> 00:26:44.443
  • And to others.
  • 00:26:44.443 --> 00:26:45.777
  • Harvest has a special gift for you today, an opportunity
  • 00:26:45.777 --> 00:26:49.514
  • To set up a will or a living trust completely free of charge.
  • 00:26:49.514 --> 00:26:54.920
  • Here's how you can learn more.
  • 00:26:54.920 --> 00:26:56.989
  • Greg: i'm excited to announce that here at harvest
  • 00:26:57.055 --> 00:26:59.391
  • We partnered with our friends at freewill.
  • 00:26:59.391 --> 00:27:02.894
  • Freewill is an easy to use estate planning tool
  • 00:27:02.894 --> 00:27:05.697
  • That allows you to make planned gifts to organizations
  • 00:27:05.697 --> 00:27:08.900
  • Of your choice.
  • 00:27:08.900 --> 00:27:10.369
  • It's a creative opportunity to support the work we're doing
  • 00:27:10.369 --> 00:27:13.605
  • Here at harvest ministries.
  • 00:27:13.605 --> 00:27:15.307
  • So as you make your plans, i hope you'll consider
  • 00:27:15.307 --> 00:27:18.176
  • Investing in this ministry so we can continue
  • 00:27:18.176 --> 00:27:21.213
  • To preach the gospel and teach the word of god
  • 00:27:21.213 --> 00:27:23.849
  • For years to come.
  • 00:27:23.849 --> 00:27:25.183
  • You can learn more at freewill.com/harvest.
  • 00:27:25.183 --> 00:27:25.183