David Jeremiah - Fully Engaged With Life

January 31, 2026 | 57:29

Our days on this earth often seem short and uncertain, but God has given us this time to enjoy and serve Him and become fully engaged with life.

#Dedication/Devotion #Commitment #Joy #Rejoice #WalkwithGod #Lifestyle #Choices #Youth #Thankfulness #Death #DavidJeremiah

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Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah | David Jeremiah - Fully Engaged With Life | January 31, 2026

...
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Male announcer: passionate, courageous,
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Bold, resolute.
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All around us, people live fully engaged.
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We witness in real time as athletes push the boundaries
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Of their physical ability,
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Entrepreneurs drive industry forward,
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And creatives explore the potentials
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Of art and performance.
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Ours is a life best lived fully engaged.
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But what if we did the same with our faith?
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What if we took our faith
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To more than we thought it could be?
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If we, as believers, lived fully engaged?
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Be undeniably dedicated, utterly committed.
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Even you might be surprised by who you can be
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Through the power of god.
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You are unlimited when you are fully engaged.
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♪♪♪
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Announcer: and now here is your host, dr. david jeremiah.
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Dr. david jeremiah: given the condition of today's world,
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We could make a good case for locking the door,
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Drawing the blinds, and just waiting for jesus to come back.
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Because you see, life seems more unpredictable every day,
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And it is.
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In fact, king solomon said this.
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He said, "life is uncertain, it is short, it is mysterious."
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And perhaps he also would have said, "get used to it."
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Solomon's sentiment is that we shouldn't let the world stop us
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From living entirely committed to god.
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Instead of living behind locked doors,
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Jesus calls us to engage with life,
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To represent him boldly until he returns.
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We're going to explore solomon's words
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In today's message, entitled, "fully engaged with life."
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We'll discover the bible's reasons for living a passionate,
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Engaged, committed life, with no fear
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Except the fear of the lord.
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So join me today on this very special edition
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Of turning point.
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♪ so when i fight ♪
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♪ i'll fight on my knees ♪
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♪ with my hands lifted high ♪
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♪ o god the battle belongs to you ♪
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♪ and every fear i lay at your feet ♪
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♪ i'll sing through the night ♪
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♪ o god the battle belongs to you ♪
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♪♪♪
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♪ and if you are for me ♪
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♪ who can be against me? ♪
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♪ for jesus, there's nothing impossible for you ♪
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♪ when all i see are the ashes ♪
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♪ you see the beauty ♪
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♪ when all i see is a cross ♪
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♪ god, you see the empty tomb ♪
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♪ so when i fight ♪
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♪ i'll fight on my knees ♪
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♪ with my hands lifted high ♪
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♪ o god the battle belongs to you ♪
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♪ and every fear i lay at your feet ♪
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♪ i'll sing through the night ♪
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♪ o god the battle belongs to you ♪
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♪♪♪
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♪ almighty fortress ♪
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♪ you go before us ♪
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♪ nothing can stand against ♪
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♪ the power of our god ♪
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♪ you shine in the shadow ♪
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♪ you win every battle ♪
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♪ nothing can stand against ♪
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♪ the power of our god ♪
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♪ almighty fortress ♪
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♪ you go before us ♪
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♪ nothing can stand against ♪
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♪ the power of our god ♪
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♪ you shine in the shadow ♪
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♪ you win every battle ♪
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♪ nothing can stand against ♪
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♪ the power of our god ♪
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♪ almighty fortress ♪
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♪ you go before us ♪
00:04:52.165 --> 00:04:55.368
♪ nothing can stand against ♪
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♪ the power of our god ♪
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♪ you shine in the shadow ♪
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♪ you win every battle ♪
00:05:02.975 --> 00:05:06.379
♪ nothing can stand against ♪
00:05:06.379 --> 00:05:08.581
♪ the power of our god ♪
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♪ so when i fight ♪
00:05:14.754 --> 00:05:16.622
♪ i'll fight on my knees ♪
00:05:16.622 --> 00:05:19.292
♪ with my hands lifted high ♪
00:05:19.292 --> 00:05:21.994
♪ o god the battle belongs to you ♪
00:05:21.994 --> 00:05:26.032
♪ and every fear ♪
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♪ i lay at your feet ♪
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♪ i'll sing through the night ♪
00:05:30.870 --> 00:05:33.439
♪ o god the battle belongs to you ♪
00:05:33.439 --> 00:05:37.076
♪ so when i fight ♪
00:05:37.076 --> 00:05:39.011
♪ i'll fight on my knees ♪
00:05:39.011 --> 00:05:41.748
♪ with my hands lifted high ♪
00:05:41.748 --> 00:05:44.417
♪ o god the battle belongs to you ♪
00:05:44.417 --> 00:05:48.321
♪ and every fear ♪
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♪ i lay at your feet ♪
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♪ i'll sing through the night ♪
00:05:53.292 --> 00:05:55.728
♪ o god the battle belongs to you ♪♪
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♪♪♪
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[congregation applauding]
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Announcer: what if five minutes could change your whole day?
00:06:15.615 --> 00:06:18.618
What if in that time god's word could speak
00:06:18.618 --> 00:06:20.586
Directly to your heart,
00:06:20.586 --> 00:06:22.355
Transforming your walk with jesus and your entire year?
00:06:22.355 --> 00:06:26.426
Introducing "a closer walk with jesus,"
00:06:26.426 --> 00:06:29.061
Dr. david jeremiah's brand new 365-day devotional
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That will deepen your time with your savior.
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This devotional is a beautiful, convenient,
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Powerful way to discover daily insights from god's word
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That will challenge and inspire you,
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Breathing new life into your daily appointment
00:06:42.542 --> 00:06:44.243
With god.
00:06:44.243 --> 00:06:45.645
Each day's short reading brings you a focused thought,
00:06:45.645 --> 00:06:48.114
Life-giving scripture, and practical wisdom
00:06:48.114 --> 00:06:50.216
From dr. jeremiah to strengthen your walk with christ.
00:06:50.216 --> 00:06:53.553
With its gorgeous silver-embossed cover,
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Gilded pages, and illustrated interior,
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You'll treasure this leather devotional
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By your side all year long.
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It's the perfect companion to read alongside your bible
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At home, or to take with you wherever your day may lead,
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Whenever you need to connect with the lord.
00:07:07.467 --> 00:07:09.669
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Of any amount in support of this program.
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00:07:29.288 --> 00:07:31.791
Closer than a brother.
00:07:31.791 --> 00:07:33.192
Don't let a day pass in the new year
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Without drawing closer to him.
00:07:34.961 --> 00:07:37.163
Request "a closer walk with jesus" from turning point today.
00:07:37.163 --> 00:07:40.166
♪♪♪
00:07:42.368 --> 00:07:58.784
♪ my longing for love wouldn't go away ♪
00:07:52.378 --> 00:08:05.091
♪ i was desperate, searching, broken by pain ♪
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♪ looking for answers, but nothing seemed right ♪
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♪ where was my answer? ♪
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♪ what was my life? ♪
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♪ blinded by sin, i was lost, couldn't see ♪
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♪ until i turned my eyes to calvary ♪
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♪ oh, the cross where jesus died ♪
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♪ he shed his blood ♪
00:08:51.771 --> 00:08:53.973
♪ gave his life for you and i ♪
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♪ my sin erased, no longer lost ♪
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♪ my debt was paid, i am saved ♪
00:09:06.953 --> 00:09:12.825
♪ oh, the cross ♪
00:09:12.825 --> 00:09:19.732
♪ day after day as i live my life ♪
00:09:22.034 --> 00:09:28.307
♪ i find heartache, and trouble, and battles to fight ♪
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♪ when fear tries to grip me, and i feel alone ♪
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♪ jesus is with me ♪
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♪ and i'm not on my own ♪
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♪ now i can say in my heart i believe ♪
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♪ that my life has been changed because of calvary ♪
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♪ oh, the cross where jesus died ♪
00:10:08.481 --> 00:10:15.221
♪ he shed his blood ♪
00:10:15.221 --> 00:10:17.456
♪ gave his life for you and i ♪
00:10:17.456 --> 00:10:23.095
♪ my sins erased ♪
00:10:23.095 --> 00:10:26.699
♪ no longer lost ♪
00:10:26.699 --> 00:10:30.670
♪ my debt was paid ♪
00:10:30.670 --> 00:10:32.672
♪ i am saved ♪
00:10:32.672 --> 00:10:35.775
♪ oh, i am saved ♪
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♪ oh, the cross ♪
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♪ where jesus died ♪
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♪ oh he gave his life, for you and i ♪
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♪ my sins erased ♪
00:10:53.459 --> 00:10:58.597
♪ no longer lost ♪
00:10:58.597 --> 00:11:04.437
♪ my debt was paid ♪
00:11:04.437 --> 00:11:06.706
♪ i am saved ♪
00:11:06.706 --> 00:11:12.945
♪ oh, the cross ♪♪
00:11:12.945 --> 00:11:22.488
[congregation applauding]
00:11:22.488 --> 00:11:27.593
Taranda greene: hallelujah, he is worthy of our praise, amen.
00:11:27.593 --> 00:11:30.529
Stand to your feet as we continue to worship
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Because of the cross, because of the empty tomb.
00:11:32.932 --> 00:11:36.135
We know that our savior is alive,
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And that's what this song says.
00:11:38.537 --> 00:11:40.706
Join us in worship as we sing "because he lives
00:11:40.706 --> 00:11:44.677
I can face tomorrow."
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♪ god sent his son ♪
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♪ they called him jesus ♪
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♪ he came to love ♪
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♪ heal and forgive ♪
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♪ he lived and died ♪
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♪ to buy my pardon ♪
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♪ an empty grave is there ♪
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♪ to prove my savior lives ♪
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Taranda greene: oh, come on, sing it out!
00:12:24.116 --> 00:12:25.918
♪ because he lives ♪
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♪ i can face tomorrow ♪
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♪ because he lives ♪
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♪ all fear is gone ♪
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♪ because i know ♪
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♪ he holds the future ♪
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♪ and life is worth the living ♪
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♪ just because he lives ♪
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♪♪♪
00:13:03.823 --> 00:13:09.495
♪ and then one day ♪
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♪ i'll cross that river ♪
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♪ i'll fight life's final ♪
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♪ war with pain ♪
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♪ and then as death ♪
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♪ gives way to victory ♪
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♪ i'll see the lights of glory ♪
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♪ and i'll know he lives ♪
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♪ because he lives ♪
00:13:47.466 --> 00:13:52.071
♪ i can face tomorrow ♪
00:13:52.071 --> 00:13:56.876
♪ because he lives ♪
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♪ all fear is gone ♪
00:14:01.614 --> 00:14:06.418
♪ because i know ♪
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♪ he holds the future ♪
00:14:11.590 --> 00:14:16.428
♪ and life is worth the living ♪
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♪ just because he lives ♪
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Taranda greene: come on, let's sing, "because he lives."
00:14:23.969 --> 00:14:26.071
♪ because he lives ♪
00:14:26.071 --> 00:14:30.609
♪ i can face tomorrow ♪
00:14:30.609 --> 00:14:35.481
♪ because he lives ♪
00:14:35.481 --> 00:14:40.319
♪ all fear is gone ♪
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♪ all my fear is gone ♪
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♪ because i know ♪
00:14:44.723 --> 00:14:50.029
♪ he holds the future ♪
00:14:50.029 --> 00:14:54.700
♪ and life is worth the living ♪
00:14:54.700 --> 00:14:58.504
♪ just because he lives ♪
00:14:58.504 --> 00:15:04.176
♪ and life is worth the living ♪
00:15:04.176 --> 00:15:08.380
♪ just because he lives ♪
00:15:08.380 --> 00:15:13.786
♪♪♪
00:15:13.786 --> 00:15:20.392
[congregation applauding]
00:15:20.392 --> 00:15:24.897
Announcer: dr. david jeremiah is delivering the unchanging
00:15:24.897 --> 00:15:27.132
Word of god every month to more than half a million homes,
00:15:27.132 --> 00:15:30.135
Through turning points magazine and devotional.
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And strengthen your walk with the lord.
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Of on-demand teaching from dr. david jeremiah.
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Taranda greene: our savior lives, aren't you thankful?
00:16:21.620 --> 00:16:24.556
Today, god, we worship you.
00:16:24.556 --> 00:16:26.158
We bless your name, jesus.
00:16:26.158 --> 00:16:28.861
We're so thankful for you, jesus.
00:16:28.861 --> 00:16:31.263
♪ how great the chasm that lay between us ♪
00:16:33.599 --> 00:16:40.439
♪ how high the mountain i could not climb ♪
00:16:40.439 --> 00:16:47.146
♪ in desperation i turned to heaven ♪
00:16:47.146 --> 00:16:53.919
♪ and spoke your name into the night ♪
00:16:53.919 --> 00:17:00.692
♪ then through the darkness your loving-kindness ♪
00:17:00.692 --> 00:17:07.366
♪ tore through the shadows of my soul ♪
00:17:07.366 --> 00:17:14.139
♪ the work is finished, the end is written ♪
00:17:14.139 --> 00:17:21.346
♪ jesus christ, my living hope ♪
00:17:21.346 --> 00:17:31.423
♪ who could imagine so great a mercy? ♪
00:17:31.490 --> 00:17:37.763
♪ what heart could fathom such boundless grace? ♪
00:17:37.763 --> 00:17:44.703
♪ the god of ages stepped down from glory ♪
00:17:44.703 --> 00:17:51.276
♪ to wear my sin and bear my shame ♪
00:17:51.276 --> 00:17:58.117
♪ the cross has spoken, i am forgiven ♪
00:17:58.117 --> 00:18:04.823
♪ the king of kings calls me his own ♪
00:18:04.823 --> 00:18:11.497
♪ beautiful savior, i'm yours forever ♪
00:18:11.497 --> 00:18:18.737
♪ jesus christ, my living hope ♪
00:18:18.737 --> 00:18:25.677
♪ hallelujah, praise the one who set me free ♪
00:18:25.677 --> 00:18:32.384
♪ hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me ♪
00:18:32.384 --> 00:18:38.824
♪ you have broken every chain ♪
00:18:38.824 --> 00:18:42.060
♪ there's salvation in your name ♪
00:18:42.060 --> 00:18:45.797
♪ jesus christ, my living hope ♪
00:18:45.797 --> 00:18:53.705
♪ hallelujah, praise the one who set me free ♪
00:18:53.705 --> 00:18:59.278
♪ hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me ♪
00:18:59.278 --> 00:19:05.984
♪ you have broken every chain ♪
00:19:05.984 --> 00:19:09.421
♪ there's salvation in your name ♪
00:19:09.421 --> 00:19:12.691
♪ jesus christ, my living hope ♪
00:19:12.691 --> 00:19:20.799
♪ then came the morning that sealed the promise ♪
00:19:22.668 --> 00:19:29.608
♪ your buried body began to breathe ♪
00:19:29.608 --> 00:19:36.148
♪ out of the silence, the roaring lion ♪
00:19:36.148 --> 00:19:42.921
♪ declared the grave has no claim on me ♪
00:19:42.921 --> 00:19:49.595
♪ then came the morning that sealed the promise ♪
00:19:49.595 --> 00:19:56.335
♪ your buried body began to breathe ♪
00:19:56.335 --> 00:20:03.108
♪ out of the silence, the roaring lion ♪
00:20:03.108 --> 00:20:09.881
♪ declared the grave has no claim on me ♪
00:20:09.881 --> 00:20:17.089
♪ jesus, yours is the victory ♪
00:20:17.089 --> 00:20:22.094
♪ yours is the victory, jesus ♪
00:20:22.094 --> 00:20:25.697
♪ we sing hallelujah! ♪
00:20:25.697 --> 00:20:27.699
♪ hallelujah, praise the one who set me free ♪
00:20:27.699 --> 00:20:33.972
♪ hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me ♪
00:20:33.972 --> 00:20:40.612
♪ you have broken every chain ♪
00:20:40.612 --> 00:20:43.915
♪ there's salvation in your name ♪
00:20:43.915 --> 00:20:47.619
♪ jesus christ, my living hope ♪
00:20:47.619 --> 00:20:54.426
♪ hallelujah, praise the one who set me free ♪
00:20:54.426 --> 00:21:00.966
♪ hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me ♪
00:21:00.966 --> 00:21:07.673
♪ you have broken every chain ♪
00:21:07.673 --> 00:21:11.076
♪ there's salvation in your name ♪
00:21:11.076 --> 00:21:14.546
♪ jesus christ, my living hope ♪
00:21:14.546 --> 00:21:20.052
♪ yes, he is ♪
00:21:20.052 --> 00:21:21.787
♪ jesus christ, my living hope ♪
00:21:21.787 --> 00:21:26.091
♪ you're my living hope ♪
00:21:26.091 --> 00:21:28.193
♪ god, you are my living hope ♪♪
00:21:28.193 --> 00:21:38.170
[congregation applauding]
00:21:38.236 --> 00:21:43.308
Announcer: what if five minutes could change your whole day?
00:21:45.811 --> 00:21:48.814
What if in that time god's word could speak directly
00:21:48.814 --> 00:21:51.350
To your heart,
00:21:51.350 --> 00:21:52.784
Transforming your walk with jesus and your entire year?
00:21:52.784 --> 00:21:56.521
Introducing "a closer walk with jesus,"
00:21:56.521 --> 00:21:59.257
Dr. david jeremiah's brand-new 365-day devotional
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That will deepen your time with your savior.
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This devotional is a beautiful, convenient,
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Powerful way to discover daily insights
00:22:07.132 --> 00:22:09.434
From god's word that will challenge
00:22:09.434 --> 00:22:11.470
And inspire you, breathing new life
00:22:11.470 --> 00:22:13.405
Into your daily appointment with god.
00:22:13.405 --> 00:22:15.640
Each day's short reading brings you a focused thought,
00:22:15.640 --> 00:22:18.243
Life-giving scripture, and practical wisdom
00:22:18.243 --> 00:22:20.379
From dr. jeremiah to strengthen your walk with christ.
00:22:20.379 --> 00:22:23.682
With its gorgeous silver-embossed cover,
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Gilded pages, and illustrated interior,
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Closer than a brother.
00:22:54.212 --> 00:22:55.647
Don't let a day pass in the new year
00:22:55.647 --> 00:22:57.449
Without drawing closer to him.
00:22:57.449 --> 00:22:59.718
Request "a closer walk with jesus"
00:22:59.718 --> 00:23:01.787
From turning point today.
00:23:01.787 --> 00:23:03.488
♪♪♪
00:23:06.825 --> 00:23:15.400
Dr. jeremiah: during world war ii,
00:23:15.400 --> 00:23:17.402
The prisoners of a concentration camp
00:23:17.402 --> 00:23:20.172
In eastern europe started an uprising
00:23:20.172 --> 00:23:23.408
Against their captors, the nazis.
00:23:23.408 --> 00:23:27.412
And of the 700 prisoners who took part in this uprising,
00:23:27.412 --> 00:23:30.982
300 of them made it to the edge of the nearby forest.
00:23:30.982 --> 00:23:35.120
Of those, less than 100 are known to have survived.
00:23:35.120 --> 00:23:39.591
And three teenage boys were among those
00:23:39.591 --> 00:23:42.394
Who were able to get out of the concentration camp
00:23:42.394 --> 00:23:45.864
And hide in the dense woods.
00:23:45.864 --> 00:23:49.367
They hid and slept during the day, traveled at night,
00:23:49.367 --> 00:23:52.537
Fueled by the hope of survival.
00:23:52.537 --> 00:23:56.174
After four nights of wandering, the boys came to a clearing
00:23:56.174 --> 00:23:59.511
And saw the silhouette of buildings against the sky,
00:23:59.511 --> 00:24:02.647
And as they approached joyfully,
00:24:02.647 --> 00:24:04.683
They discovered that the buildings
00:24:04.683 --> 00:24:06.485
Were the buildings of the concentration camp
00:24:06.485 --> 00:24:08.587
They had escaped from.
00:24:08.587 --> 00:24:11.056
They had spent four days and four nights traveling
00:24:11.056 --> 00:24:14.559
In a circle, and they were right back where they had started.
00:24:14.559 --> 00:24:21.032
Well, one of the three boys ultimately survived
00:24:21.032 --> 00:24:23.134
To tell his story to the world.
00:24:23.134 --> 00:24:24.669
The picture of them wandering in a circle is a picture
00:24:24.669 --> 00:24:28.707
That illustrates solomon in the book of ecclesiastes.
00:24:28.707 --> 00:24:34.679
He begins the book by saying that all is vanity,
00:24:34.679 --> 00:24:39.818
And he ends the book by saying the same thing.
00:24:39.818 --> 00:24:44.289
Ecclesiastes is one of the old testament wisdom books.
00:24:44.289 --> 00:24:48.326
It's been said that the psalms teach us how to worship,
00:24:48.326 --> 00:24:51.329
Proverbs teaches us how to behave,
00:24:51.329 --> 00:24:54.165
Song of solomon teaches us how to love,
00:24:54.165 --> 00:24:57.102
And ecclesiastes teaches us how to live.
00:24:57.102 --> 00:25:01.439
In many respects, this book to which we have opened today
00:25:01.439 --> 00:25:04.609
Is solomon's book of regrets.
00:25:04.609 --> 00:25:08.413
He looks back on his life from the perspective of old age
00:25:08.413 --> 00:25:11.583
And he regrets that he had turned away from god
00:25:11.583 --> 00:25:15.387
In the latter years of his life,
00:25:15.387 --> 00:25:17.622
And tried to do his best to live as if god were not a reality.
00:25:17.622 --> 00:25:24.529
In that way, he ended up living like those boys did
00:25:24.529 --> 00:25:28.867
When they were thinking they were escaping.
00:25:28.867 --> 00:25:31.636
He wandered through life and ended up back where he began,
00:25:31.636 --> 00:25:36.074
Frustrated and meaningless,
00:25:36.074 --> 00:25:37.776
Because he realized that life without god
00:25:37.776 --> 00:25:41.046
Is "vanity, and striving after the wind."
00:25:41.046 --> 00:25:45.550
Obviously i can't tell you everything that's in the book
00:25:45.550 --> 00:25:47.586
Of ecclesiastes in one sermon, but i'm gonna skip
00:25:47.586 --> 00:25:50.555
To the last chapters.
00:25:50.555 --> 00:25:52.357
That's what my wife does when she reads a book,
00:25:52.357 --> 00:25:54.392
So i guess i can do that too.
00:25:54.392 --> 00:25:57.629
So chapters 11 and 12 of ecclesiastes,
00:25:57.629 --> 00:26:01.633
Solomon reaches what he says
00:26:01.633 --> 00:26:03.535
Is the conclusion of the whole matter.
00:26:03.535 --> 00:26:06.638
In other words, he's been on this journey,
00:26:06.638 --> 00:26:09.240
He's been on this round trip starting with god,
00:26:09.240 --> 00:26:12.010
Going away from god, coming back to god,
00:26:12.010 --> 00:26:15.447
Trying to figure out if there is life without god.
00:26:15.447 --> 00:26:17.182
And he gets to the end of it all, and in chapters 11 and 12,
00:26:17.182 --> 00:26:21.453
He files his final report.
00:26:21.453 --> 00:26:23.588
And in doing so, he gives us four principles of life,
00:26:23.588 --> 00:26:27.525
Which i think are just incredibly appropriate
00:26:27.525 --> 00:26:31.096
For where all of us are right now in life and in our culture.
00:26:31.096 --> 00:26:37.235
Solomon reaches what he calls in his book,
00:26:37.235 --> 00:26:40.005
He uses these actual words,
00:26:40.005 --> 00:26:41.773
"here is the conclusion of the whole matter."
00:26:41.773 --> 00:26:45.243
And he tells us four things,
00:26:45.243 --> 00:26:47.379
And i just want you to remember these four things.
00:26:47.379 --> 00:26:49.848
They've helped me, and hopefully they will help you.
00:26:49.848 --> 00:26:53.118
The first thing he says is that a fully engaged life
00:26:53.118 --> 00:26:55.720
Is uncertain, so embrace it.
00:26:55.720 --> 00:27:00.859
In the first six verses of ecclesiastes 11,
00:27:00.859 --> 00:27:04.929
Solomon says four times that life is uncertain.
00:27:04.929 --> 00:27:09.167
How many of you think life is uncertain right now?
00:27:09.167 --> 00:27:11.803
Well, listen to these words from ecclesiastes 11, verse 2.
00:27:11.803 --> 00:27:16.374
"you do not know what evil will be on the earth."
00:27:16.374 --> 00:27:19.911
Verse 5, "you do not know what is the way of the wind."
00:27:19.911 --> 00:27:24.115
Verse 5 again, "you do not know the works of god
00:27:24.115 --> 00:27:26.685
Who makes everything."
00:27:26.685 --> 00:27:28.453
And verse 6, "you do not know which will prosper."
00:27:28.453 --> 00:27:33.324
Solomon says that when we go through a period of time
00:27:33.324 --> 00:27:35.493
When life itself and the world itself is uncertain,
00:27:35.493 --> 00:27:39.698
The temptation is for us to be paralyzed.
00:27:39.698 --> 00:27:43.134
In other words, "everything's so uncertain,
00:27:43.134 --> 00:27:45.303
So i'm not gonna do anything."
00:27:45.303 --> 00:27:47.706
Uncertainty breeds paralysis, unless we have heard from god.
00:27:47.706 --> 00:27:53.044
And he encourages us, in this paragraph
00:27:53.044 --> 00:27:55.780
Where he sets the foundation of uncertainty,
00:27:55.780 --> 00:27:58.583
To do some things, like for instance,
00:27:58.583 --> 00:28:00.752
He tells us to be diversified in our investments.
00:28:00.752 --> 00:28:04.656
Now, that seems strange to say that it came from the bible,
00:28:04.656 --> 00:28:08.593
But let me prove it to you if i can.
00:28:08.593 --> 00:28:11.463
Solomon was one of the richest men in history,
00:28:11.463 --> 00:28:13.732
And his legendary wisdom encompassed money management.
00:28:13.732 --> 00:28:18.069
In fact, i think some of the greatest principles
00:28:18.069 --> 00:28:20.772
On managing your money are found in the proverbs
00:28:20.772 --> 00:28:24.275
And in ecclesiastes.
00:28:24.275 --> 00:28:26.311
And to this day, some of the best financial advice
00:28:26.311 --> 00:28:29.114
That's out there is in the book of proverbs.
00:28:29.114 --> 00:28:33.284
So here in this passage in ecclesiastes,
00:28:33.284 --> 00:28:35.987
We see the advancement of the widely-lauded strategy
00:28:35.987 --> 00:28:40.725
Of financial diversification.
00:28:40.725 --> 00:28:43.661
In verse 1 of ecclesiastes 11, solomon says,
00:28:43.661 --> 00:28:46.564
"cast your bread upon the waters,
00:28:46.564 --> 00:28:50.235
And you will find it after many days."
00:28:50.235 --> 00:28:53.772
Now, this is one of the most often-quoted verses
00:28:53.772 --> 00:28:56.341
In this whole book, but what in the world does it mean?
00:28:56.341 --> 00:29:00.645
In solomon's day, merchants would load their ships
00:29:00.645 --> 00:29:03.982
With grain and other goods, and they would send them out
00:29:03.982 --> 00:29:07.886
To trade with other nations.
00:29:07.886 --> 00:29:11.156
They hoped the ships would return with more goods
00:29:11.156 --> 00:29:14.692
And more value than when they had departed.
00:29:14.692 --> 00:29:17.862
That was "casting their bread upon the waters."
00:29:17.862 --> 00:29:22.433
Notice the plural "waters," indicating the wisdom
00:29:22.433 --> 00:29:26.704
Of not sending all your grain in one ship or in one direction.
00:29:26.704 --> 00:29:30.575
Rather, diversify your investments
00:29:30.575 --> 00:29:33.178
So that if one ship isn't successful, others might be.
00:29:33.178 --> 00:29:38.216
In fact, he goes so far as to recommend
00:29:38.216 --> 00:29:41.352
That we diversify using seven or eight different places.
00:29:41.352 --> 00:29:46.324
In verse 2, he says, "give a serving to seven,
00:29:46.324 --> 00:29:49.994
And also to eight,
00:29:49.994 --> 00:29:51.763
For you do not know what evil will be on the earth."
00:29:51.763 --> 00:29:55.934
That's god's counsel regarding our financial investments.
00:29:55.934 --> 00:29:59.637
Spread them out, because life is uncertain.
00:29:59.637 --> 00:30:04.209
Embrace the uncertainty, use strategy to deal with it.
00:30:04.209 --> 00:30:09.614
Then he says, number two, be diligent in your involvement.
00:30:09.614 --> 00:30:14.319
"if the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves
00:30:14.319 --> 00:30:17.455
Upon the earth; and if a tree falls to the south or the north,
00:30:17.455 --> 00:30:21.826
In the place where the tree falls, there it shall lie.
00:30:21.826 --> 00:30:26.231
He who observes the wind will not sow,
00:30:26.231 --> 00:30:28.766
And he who regards the clouds will not reap.
00:30:28.766 --> 00:30:32.303
As you do not know what is the way of the wind,
00:30:32.303 --> 00:30:35.707
Or how the bones grow in the womb of her
00:30:35.707 --> 00:30:38.776
Who is with child, so you do not know
00:30:38.776 --> 00:30:41.446
The works of god who makes everything."
00:30:41.446 --> 00:30:45.016
Now, what solomon is saying, we don't know which way
00:30:45.016 --> 00:30:46.718
The wind's gonna blow,
00:30:46.718 --> 00:30:48.052
We don't know where the rain's gonna fall,
00:30:48.052 --> 00:30:50.221
We don't know if it's gonna be sunny or cloudy.
00:30:50.221 --> 00:30:51.923
We don't know, if a tree falls, where it's gonna fall,
00:30:51.923 --> 00:30:53.892
Which direction it's gonna fall.
00:30:53.892 --> 00:30:55.493
We don't understand how a child grows in its mother's womb.
00:30:55.493 --> 00:30:58.730
All these are uncertainties about life,
00:30:58.730 --> 00:31:01.199
But we cannot let these uncertainties cripple us
00:31:01.199 --> 00:31:04.435
Or put us in a state of paralysis.
00:31:04.435 --> 00:31:07.171
Verse 6, "in the morning sow your seed, and in the evening,
00:31:07.171 --> 00:31:12.543
Don't withhold your hand; for you do not know
00:31:12.543 --> 00:31:14.846
Which will prosper, either this or that,
00:31:14.846 --> 00:31:17.081
Or whether both alike will be good."
00:31:17.081 --> 00:31:19.984
The phrase, "do not withhold your hand," is the key.
00:31:19.984 --> 00:31:23.621
Solomon is saying, "let the result,
00:31:23.621 --> 00:31:26.057
Be it successful or failure,
00:31:26.057 --> 00:31:28.593
Rest in the hands of god, but do not just sit there
00:31:28.593 --> 00:31:32.397
Waiting for better times.
00:31:32.397 --> 00:31:34.198
Do something now, right where you are."
00:31:34.198 --> 00:31:39.537
More than 200 years ago,
00:31:39.537 --> 00:31:41.372
The connecticut house of representatives
00:31:41.372 --> 00:31:43.074
Was in session on a bright, sunny springtime day.
00:31:43.074 --> 00:31:47.845
Suddenly, the sky grew dark and ominous, and the representatives
00:31:47.845 --> 00:31:53.051
Grew alarmed as they looked out the windows in puzzlement.
00:31:53.051 --> 00:31:57.255
Of course, this was an age when they did not have the science
00:31:57.255 --> 00:31:59.791
To foretell a solar eclipse, but that's what was happening.
00:31:59.791 --> 00:32:05.363
No one could have expected or understood
00:32:05.363 --> 00:32:07.966
The blanket of darkness that all at once covered the earth.
00:32:07.966 --> 00:32:12.904
So there was a clamor among all of the representatives.
00:32:12.904 --> 00:32:15.640
"adjourn, let us hurry from this house to get to our houses
00:32:15.640 --> 00:32:19.077
And in order."
00:32:19.077 --> 00:32:21.846
Some legislators thought the second coming of christ
00:32:21.846 --> 00:32:24.248
Had come.
00:32:24.248 --> 00:32:26.584
But the speaker of the house, a devout believer, rose to speak.
00:32:26.584 --> 00:32:32.323
He gently acknowledged that the house was upset by the darkness
00:32:32.323 --> 00:32:36.027
And that some were afraid.
00:32:36.027 --> 00:32:38.696
"but the day of the lord is either approaching
00:32:38.696 --> 00:32:40.832
Or it is not," he said.
00:32:40.832 --> 00:32:42.600
"if it is not, there's no cause for adjournment.
00:32:42.600 --> 00:32:46.104
And if the lord is returning, i, for one,
00:32:46.104 --> 00:32:49.240
Choose to be found doing my duty.
00:32:49.240 --> 00:32:52.110
So bring some candles in here and let's get back to work."
00:32:52.110 --> 00:32:57.515
In these days of uncertainty, we can ask for no better course.
00:32:57.515 --> 00:33:03.321
As the darkness falls, the light is certain to overcome it.
00:33:03.321 --> 00:33:07.458
So the first thing that you take away
00:33:07.458 --> 00:33:08.993
From this last two concluding chapters of solomon's wisdom is,
00:33:08.993 --> 00:33:14.265
Listen to me now, a fully engaged life
00:33:14.265 --> 00:33:17.101
Is uncertain, so embrace the uncertainty
00:33:17.101 --> 00:33:21.939
And do the work that god has called you to do.
00:33:21.939 --> 00:33:25.309
Number two, a fully engaged life is short, so enjoy it.
00:33:25.309 --> 00:33:30.081
Now, i must tell you that when i studied ecclesiastes,
00:33:30.081 --> 00:33:33.151
I loved the study.
00:33:33.151 --> 00:33:34.552
It's an incredible book.
00:33:34.552 --> 00:33:35.953
Somebody said it's an old testament gospel tract
00:33:35.953 --> 00:33:37.889
That shows you what life is like
00:33:37.889 --> 00:33:39.223
If god isn't in it and then helps you to understand
00:33:39.223 --> 00:33:41.526
How you can find god.
00:33:41.526 --> 00:33:43.961
But one of the most amazing things about this book
00:33:43.961 --> 00:33:46.030
Is the fact that on 11 occasions,
00:33:46.030 --> 00:33:48.399
Solomon makes the statement
00:33:48.399 --> 00:33:50.334
That as people on this earth, we were created to enjoy life.
00:33:50.334 --> 00:33:56.374
Say that with me.
00:33:56.374 --> 00:33:57.775
"we were created to enjoy life."
00:33:57.775 --> 00:34:01.045
Now, that comes as quite a surprise to some christians
00:34:01.045 --> 00:34:03.614
You and i know, who think that life is just, you know,
00:34:03.614 --> 00:34:08.386
Being sad all the way until the end and then you die.
00:34:08.386 --> 00:34:12.723
And being around them is pretty devastating.
00:34:12.723 --> 00:34:15.760
There's no cause for that, because the bible says
00:34:15.760 --> 00:34:17.628
God created us to enjoy life, to enjoy the world
00:34:17.628 --> 00:34:21.466
In which we live.
00:34:21.466 --> 00:34:23.334
For instance, if you look down through these verses,
00:34:23.334 --> 00:34:25.970
You will discover all of these principles of enjoying life.
00:34:25.970 --> 00:34:29.040
First of all, in verses 7 and 8, we are told to experience
00:34:29.040 --> 00:34:32.610
Every day totally.
00:34:32.610 --> 00:34:35.079
He says, "truly the light is sweet,
00:34:35.079 --> 00:34:37.215
And it is pleasant for the eyes to behold the sun;
00:34:37.215 --> 00:34:41.119
But if a man lives many years and rejoices in them all,
00:34:41.119 --> 00:34:44.055
Yet let him remember the days of darkness,
00:34:44.055 --> 00:34:46.190
For they will be many.
00:34:46.190 --> 00:34:47.625
All that is coming is vanity."
00:34:47.625 --> 00:34:50.328
What solomon is saying is we don't know how long
00:34:50.328 --> 00:34:51.963
We have to live, so we should enjoy every day
00:34:51.963 --> 00:34:54.765
With everything that we have.
00:34:54.765 --> 00:34:57.368
Here is the message and its paraphrase of these verses.
00:34:57.368 --> 00:35:01.572
"oh, how sweet the light of day, and how wonderful
00:35:01.572 --> 00:35:04.675
To live in the sunshine!
00:35:04.675 --> 00:35:06.911
Even if you live a long time, don't take a single day
00:35:06.911 --> 00:35:09.213
For granted.
00:35:09.213 --> 00:35:10.781
Take delight in each light-filled hour,
00:35:10.781 --> 00:35:13.217
Remembering that there will be many dark days,
00:35:13.217 --> 00:35:15.253
And that most of what comes your way is smoke."
00:35:15.253 --> 00:35:18.723
Solomon is saying, god wants you to enjoy every day.
00:35:18.723 --> 00:35:23.761
How wonderful it is to enjoy every day.
00:35:23.761 --> 00:35:28.833
When i came back from cancer several years ago,
00:35:28.833 --> 00:35:31.002
My oncologist told me,
00:35:31.002 --> 00:35:32.637
"when you go back to san diego, dr. jeremiah,
00:35:32.637 --> 00:35:35.206
The sun's gonna be brighter, the sea's gonna be bluer,
00:35:35.206 --> 00:35:39.343
The grass is gonna be greener than it's ever been
00:35:39.343 --> 00:35:41.679
In your whole life."
00:35:41.679 --> 00:35:43.381
I did not understand what he meant until i came home,
00:35:43.381 --> 00:35:46.784
And i realized how easy it is for us
00:35:46.784 --> 00:35:48.486
To take for granted the beauty that god has created around us
00:35:48.486 --> 00:35:51.589
And the joy of waking up every day
00:35:51.589 --> 00:35:54.392
To this beautiful world in which we live.
00:35:54.392 --> 00:35:57.628
Keith leclair was one of america's--yeah,
00:35:57.628 --> 00:36:00.398
You can clap for that.
00:36:00.398 --> 00:36:01.999
[congregation applauding]
00:36:01.999 --> 00:36:04.035
Dr. jeremiah: keith leclair was one of america's youngest
00:36:04.035 --> 00:36:06.103
And brightest baseball stars.
00:36:06.103 --> 00:36:08.839
When he was 25, he left playing and began coaching.
00:36:08.839 --> 00:36:13.544
He took several colleges to championships,
00:36:13.544 --> 00:36:17.081
And then suddenly his career came to a dramatic stop.
00:36:17.081 --> 00:36:23.588
He was diagnosed with als, which we know as lou gehrig's disease.
00:36:23.588 --> 00:36:29.026
And he wrote this little report.
00:36:29.026 --> 00:36:31.996
"not long ago, baseball absorbed my life 365 days a year,"
00:36:31.996 --> 00:36:36.934
He said.
00:36:36.934 --> 00:36:38.569
"i gave the profession of coaching everything i had,
00:36:38.569 --> 00:36:41.672
Until after the 2002 season when a doctor said, 'i am sorry,
00:36:41.672 --> 00:36:46.944
But you have als and there is nothing i can do
00:36:46.944 --> 00:36:50.181
To help you.'
00:36:50.181 --> 00:36:51.949
All of a sudden, baseball seemed not to matter
00:36:51.949 --> 00:36:55.019
A whole lot to me anymore.
00:36:55.019 --> 00:36:57.421
My thoughts were focused on god and on my family."
00:36:57.421 --> 00:37:02.260
When you realize you do not have a lot of time to enjoy life,
00:37:02.260 --> 00:37:09.066
You figure out how to enjoy life.
00:37:09.066 --> 00:37:11.369
And solomon is saying, don't wait until then!
00:37:11.369 --> 00:37:15.239
You know, get up every day and look out in the world in which
00:37:15.239 --> 00:37:17.708
You live and say, "thank you, lord, for this new day.
00:37:17.708 --> 00:37:20.845
Thank you for light.
00:37:20.845 --> 00:37:22.680
Thank you for air to breathe."
00:37:22.680 --> 00:37:25.349
Experience every day totally.
00:37:25.349 --> 00:37:29.920
When you live in uncertainty, that's how you live.
00:37:29.920 --> 00:37:33.024
Every day is a gift, and you enjoy it.
00:37:33.024 --> 00:37:36.260
Then he goes on to say in verses 9 and 10,
00:37:36.260 --> 00:37:39.163
"enjoy your youth thoroughly."
00:37:39.163 --> 00:37:42.433
One of the major themes of solomon's book
00:37:42.433 --> 00:37:44.502
Is that we are to enjoy life.
00:37:44.502 --> 00:37:47.672
In verse 24 of chapter 2, he says,
00:37:47.672 --> 00:37:49.407
"nothing is better for a man
00:37:49.407 --> 00:37:51.676
Than that he should eat and drink,
00:37:51.676 --> 00:37:53.344
And that his soul should enjoy good."
00:37:53.344 --> 00:37:56.647
In verse 26 of chapter 2,
00:37:56.647 --> 00:37:58.382
"for god gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man."
00:37:58.382 --> 00:38:02.386
Chapter 8, verse 15, "i commended enjoyment."
00:38:02.386 --> 00:38:06.123
In chapter 9, verse 9, "live joyfully with the wife
00:38:06.123 --> 00:38:09.560
Whom you love."
00:38:09.560 --> 00:38:12.129
Now, here we are in chapter 11, and he speaks specifically
00:38:12.129 --> 00:38:15.266
To young people.
00:38:15.266 --> 00:38:18.469
"rejoice, o young men, in your youth, and let your heart cheer
00:38:18.469 --> 00:38:22.773
You in the days of your youth; walk in the ways of your heart,
00:38:22.773 --> 00:38:28.012
In the sight of your eyes; know that for all these,
00:38:28.012 --> 00:38:30.181
God will bring you into judgment.
00:38:30.181 --> 00:38:31.916
Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, put away evil from
00:38:31.916 --> 00:38:34.785
Your flesh, for childhood and youth are vanity."
00:38:34.785 --> 00:38:37.555
Here's what solomon is saying: enjoy life to its fullest,
00:38:37.555 --> 00:38:41.392
Just make sure you don't do things
00:38:41.392 --> 00:38:43.260
That will get you in trouble with god.
00:38:43.260 --> 00:38:46.964
But a lot of times people say, "well, if you do that,
00:38:46.964 --> 00:38:48.799
It'll get you in trouble with god,"
00:38:48.799 --> 00:38:50.334
And they make themselves god.
00:38:50.334 --> 00:38:51.902
There's a lot of things young people do
00:38:51.902 --> 00:38:53.237
That they get in trouble for
00:38:53.237 --> 00:38:54.572
That they probably shouldn't get in trouble for.
00:38:54.572 --> 00:38:56.841
But there is a governor on this whole thing, and it's the
00:38:56.841 --> 00:38:59.009
Judgment of god, that someday you'll stand before him.
00:38:59.009 --> 00:39:01.278
So isn't it a wonderful thing to say to your kids,
00:39:01.278 --> 00:39:03.514
"do whatever you want to do except anything
00:39:03.514 --> 00:39:05.383
That you think will make god upset with you?"
00:39:05.383 --> 00:39:08.853
Don't do that, but enjoy your life.
00:39:08.853 --> 00:39:13.224
Solomon says that youth is a time to be treasured,
00:39:13.224 --> 00:39:18.095
And this is a message not just for kids,
00:39:18.095 --> 00:39:20.364
But for parents as well.
00:39:20.364 --> 00:39:22.967
Some of you parents, you need to help your kids know
00:39:22.967 --> 00:39:25.803
That it's all right for them to have a good time.
00:39:25.803 --> 00:39:29.106
Let them enjoy the freedom and opportunities of youth.
00:39:29.106 --> 00:39:32.643
Here's one of the reasons: it never comes back.
00:39:32.643 --> 00:39:36.881
Can i get a witness?
00:39:36.881 --> 00:39:39.884
And solomon says to kids, "enjoy your youth.
00:39:39.884 --> 00:39:43.921
Remember, there is a boundary.
00:39:43.921 --> 00:39:47.324
Don't do something that violates what you know
00:39:47.324 --> 00:39:50.027
God wants you to do, but there's so much available
00:39:50.027 --> 00:39:53.097
In between those boundaries."
00:39:53.097 --> 00:39:55.065
And i'd like to give you some illustrations
00:39:55.065 --> 00:39:56.967
About how i've had fun with my kids and grandkids,
00:39:56.967 --> 00:39:59.737
But i don't want you to be ashamed of your pastor,
00:39:59.737 --> 00:40:02.273
So i won't do that.
00:40:02.273 --> 00:40:05.976
And then in verses 1 and 2 of chapter 12, it says,
00:40:05.976 --> 00:40:08.879
"express your faith thoughtfully.
00:40:08.879 --> 00:40:11.582
Remember now your creator in the days of your youth,
00:40:11.582 --> 00:40:14.318
Before the difficult days come,
00:40:14.318 --> 00:40:16.187
And the years draw near when you say,
00:40:16.187 --> 00:40:17.822
'i have no pleasure in them.'"
00:40:17.822 --> 00:40:19.723
Twice in the last chapter, solomon admonishes his readers
00:40:19.723 --> 00:40:23.027
To remember their creator in the days of their youth,
00:40:23.027 --> 00:40:28.032
And he wants us to know that while
00:40:28.032 --> 00:40:30.000
We're having fun growing up, we need to include
00:40:30.000 --> 00:40:33.904
In that package a relationship with god
00:40:33.904 --> 00:40:37.241
That we're serious about.
00:40:37.241 --> 00:40:39.310
All of the great revival movements
00:40:39.310 --> 00:40:40.945
In our country included young people.
00:40:40.945 --> 00:40:43.747
In fact, they were manufactured by kids.
00:40:43.747 --> 00:40:46.484
And kids can love god in ways that we don't know,
00:40:46.484 --> 00:40:49.153
And they have incredible faith.
00:40:49.153 --> 00:40:51.155
Someone once told me that a little child stands
00:40:51.155 --> 00:40:53.724
At the bottom of an escalator,
00:40:53.724 --> 00:40:55.593
And in the wonder of it all, pictures how that works.
00:40:55.593 --> 00:41:01.565
And from that time on, he believes anything is possible.
00:41:01.565 --> 00:41:05.202
And young people will trust god for stuff
00:41:05.202 --> 00:41:07.071
You and i would struggle with.
00:41:07.071 --> 00:41:09.640
One of the reasons is, just to be honest and pragmatic
00:41:09.640 --> 00:41:12.576
About it, if they screw up, they have a chance to work it,
00:41:12.576 --> 00:41:15.412
Do it over.
00:41:15.412 --> 00:41:16.780
The older you get, the less chance you have to do that.
00:41:16.780 --> 00:41:19.450
The older you get, you realize, "if i don't make this decision
00:41:19.450 --> 00:41:21.485
Right, i'm gonna be impacted by it forever."
00:41:21.485 --> 00:41:23.654
But kids make decisions, and they realize
00:41:23.654 --> 00:41:26.357
They're in a learning process,
00:41:26.357 --> 00:41:27.791
And they grow, and they become mature
00:41:27.791 --> 00:41:30.194
Through that process.
00:41:30.194 --> 00:41:31.962
So experience every day, totally enjoy your youth thoroughly,
00:41:31.962 --> 00:41:35.966
And express your faith thoughtfully.
00:41:35.966 --> 00:41:39.036
And then here's the last one, and this one,
00:41:39.036 --> 00:41:41.038
You kind of ought to sit up,
00:41:41.038 --> 00:41:42.573
And this is like taking your medicine, all right?
00:41:42.573 --> 00:41:46.243
Embrace your aging thankfully.
00:41:46.243 --> 00:41:50.381
For those of us who are no longer young,
00:41:50.381 --> 00:41:52.850
Solomon says we're to embrace our age thankfully,
00:41:52.850 --> 00:41:57.421
And he paints a picture of the signs of growing old,
00:41:57.421 --> 00:42:01.425
Which are motivation for living every day you can
00:42:01.425 --> 00:42:04.495
To its fullest.
00:42:04.495 --> 00:42:06.163
Here he gives us one of the most memorable passages in the bible
00:42:06.163 --> 00:42:10.501
About the reality of our mortality.
00:42:10.501 --> 00:42:13.337
And i'm gonna read these verses, and i'm gonna tell you
00:42:13.337 --> 00:42:15.472
What they mean,
00:42:15.472 --> 00:42:16.907
And i haven't made this stuff up.
00:42:16.907 --> 00:42:18.242
This is in the bible.
00:42:18.242 --> 00:42:20.077
Verse 3, ecclesiastes 12.
00:42:20.077 --> 00:42:22.513
"in the day when the keepers of the house tremble,
00:42:22.513 --> 00:42:25.516
And the strong men bow down;
00:42:25.516 --> 00:42:27.484
When the grinders cease because they are few,
00:42:27.484 --> 00:42:30.120
And those that look through the windows grow dim."
00:42:30.120 --> 00:42:33.490
The keepers of the house are your arms and your hands
00:42:33.490 --> 00:42:36.427
That tremble in old age.
00:42:36.427 --> 00:42:39.430
The strong men are your legs, knees, and shoulders
00:42:39.430 --> 00:42:42.299
That bow down and cause you to walk with a stoop.
00:42:42.299 --> 00:42:45.903
The grinders are few, means you lose your teeth.
00:42:45.903 --> 00:42:51.642
And the windows grow dim, means your eyesight begins to fail.
00:42:51.642 --> 00:42:57.848
I'm not making this up.
00:42:57.848 --> 00:43:00.417
Verse 4, "when the doors are shut in the streets,
00:43:00.417 --> 00:43:04.121
And the sound of grinding is low;
00:43:04.121 --> 00:43:06.256
When one rises up at the sound of a bird,
00:43:06.256 --> 00:43:08.225
And all the daughters of music are brought low."
00:43:08.225 --> 00:43:10.894
The doors are shut refers to the loss of your hearing.
00:43:10.894 --> 00:43:14.765
The grinders again refer to teeth.
00:43:14.765 --> 00:43:17.401
If you rise up at the sound of a bird,
00:43:17.401 --> 00:43:19.103
It means you get up at 4 o'clock in the morning
00:43:19.103 --> 00:43:22.106
With the birds, like many old people do.
00:43:22.106 --> 00:43:25.609
When my mom and dad were staying with us
00:43:25.609 --> 00:43:27.578
Before they went to heaven, i would get up--i get up early.
00:43:27.578 --> 00:43:31.448
I'm an early riser.
00:43:31.448 --> 00:43:33.050
I'd come down at 5:30 ready to go to work
00:43:33.050 --> 00:43:35.052
And my dad had been at the kitchen table since 4 a.m.
00:43:35.052 --> 00:43:38.389
And he had nothing to do, but he just gets up early.
00:43:38.389 --> 00:43:42.059
I don't know why you would do that if you don't have to.
00:43:42.059 --> 00:43:44.361
Maybe i'll find out when i get old, but i don't know.
00:43:44.361 --> 00:43:50.367
Then in verse 5 it says, "they are afraid of height,
00:43:50.367 --> 00:43:54.204
And of terrors in the way; when the almond tree blossoms,
00:43:54.204 --> 00:43:57.541
The grasshopper is a burden, and desire fails.
00:43:57.541 --> 00:44:00.778
For a man goes to his eternal home,
00:44:00.778 --> 00:44:02.913
And the mourners go about the streets."
00:44:02.913 --> 00:44:05.315
To be afraid of height just means what it says.
00:44:05.315 --> 00:44:07.418
When you get older, you don't like being in a place up high.
00:44:07.418 --> 00:44:10.621
And the almond tree blossoms, that's what happens
00:44:10.621 --> 00:44:13.457
To your hair.
00:44:13.457 --> 00:44:16.226
And before you laugh at me, i got some leaves on my tree.
00:44:16.226 --> 00:44:19.697
Some of you don't.
00:44:19.697 --> 00:44:23.434
I'm not gonna look at you.
00:44:23.434 --> 00:44:26.704
I got some leaves on this almond tree.
00:44:26.704 --> 00:44:29.006
[laughs]
00:44:29.006 --> 00:44:31.542
The description of aging in the book of ecclesiastes reminds me
00:44:31.542 --> 00:44:35.979
Of the couple in florida i read about who wanted to get married.
00:44:35.979 --> 00:44:40.417
Jacob was 92 and rebecca was 89.
00:44:40.417 --> 00:44:45.189
As they discussed their wedding, they passed a drugstore,
00:44:45.189 --> 00:44:47.791
And jacob suggested they go in.
00:44:47.791 --> 00:44:50.761
Addressing the man behind the counter, jacob said,
00:44:50.761 --> 00:44:52.863
"we're getting married.
00:44:52.863 --> 00:44:54.565
Do you sell heart medication?"
00:44:54.565 --> 00:44:56.433
"yes, of course we do," said the pharmacist.
00:44:56.433 --> 00:44:58.302
"how about medicine for circulation?"
00:44:58.302 --> 00:45:00.037
"all kinds."
00:45:00.037 --> 00:45:01.505
"medicine for rheumatism and scoliosis?"
00:45:01.505 --> 00:45:03.440
"yes."
00:45:03.440 --> 00:45:04.775
"medicine for memory problems, arthritis, jaundice?"
00:45:04.775 --> 00:45:07.144
"absolutely, a large variety, whatever the doctor orders."
00:45:07.144 --> 00:45:11.582
"what about vitamins, sleeping pills, and geritol?"
00:45:11.582 --> 00:45:14.451
"absolutely, and wheelchairs and walkers,
00:45:14.451 --> 00:45:17.821
All speeds and all sizes."
00:45:17.821 --> 00:45:20.290
"great," said jacob, "'we'd like to use this store
00:45:20.290 --> 00:45:22.593
As our bridal registry."
00:45:22.593 --> 00:45:24.728
[congregation laughs]
00:45:24.728 --> 00:45:33.837
Dr. jeremiah: ecclesiastes 12 says,
00:45:37.474 --> 00:45:39.376
"then the dust returns to the earth as it was,
00:45:39.376 --> 00:45:42.446
And the spirit returns to god who gave it."
00:45:42.446 --> 00:45:45.916
What a great old testament doctrinal passage.
00:45:45.916 --> 00:45:49.987
What happens when a person dies?
00:45:49.987 --> 00:45:52.356
Listen, we return to the dust and our spirit returns to god,
00:45:52.356 --> 00:45:57.928
Who gave it to us in the first place.
00:45:57.928 --> 00:46:00.531
That's what death is.
00:46:00.531 --> 00:46:02.299
Tucked here in this old testament book
00:46:02.299 --> 00:46:03.801
Is one of the great definitions of what happens
00:46:03.801 --> 00:46:06.069
When a person dies.
00:46:06.069 --> 00:46:08.305
Their body goes back to dust, they're buried in the grave,
00:46:08.305 --> 00:46:11.108
And their spirit goes to god, waiting for the day
00:46:11.108 --> 00:46:14.411
Of resurrection and redemption.
00:46:14.411 --> 00:46:17.614
Number three in our list of things to take away
00:46:17.614 --> 00:46:20.150
From solomon's wisdom is, number one,
00:46:20.150 --> 00:46:22.786
A fully engaged life is uncertain, so embrace it.
00:46:22.786 --> 00:46:26.423
A fully engaged life is short, so enjoy it.
00:46:26.423 --> 00:46:29.927
And number three, a fully engaged life is mysterious,
00:46:29.927 --> 00:46:32.763
So examine it.
00:46:32.763 --> 00:46:35.199
Solomon tells us that wisdom comes through instruction
00:46:35.199 --> 00:46:38.902
And insight and inspiration.
00:46:38.902 --> 00:46:41.471
In verse 9, he tells us that "the preacher," solomon,
00:46:41.471 --> 00:46:46.076
"was wise and taught the people knowledge;
00:46:46.076 --> 00:46:49.413
Yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs."
00:46:49.413 --> 00:46:55.552
You know, the bible tells us that the proverbs
00:46:55.552 --> 00:46:57.754
Are good for us to read because they bring wisdom.
00:46:57.754 --> 00:47:01.592
Solomon wrote many proverbs.
00:47:01.592 --> 00:47:04.027
Not all of them are in the bible,
00:47:04.027 --> 00:47:05.929
But the ones god wanted in the bible are in the bible,
00:47:05.929 --> 00:47:08.899
And they're built into 31 chapters.
00:47:08.899 --> 00:47:12.035
So many businesspeople that i know have told me
00:47:12.035 --> 00:47:14.838
That they read the proverbs every month.
00:47:14.838 --> 00:47:17.507
One chapter of proverbs every day.
00:47:17.507 --> 00:47:20.244
We actually had a little devotional that we created,
00:47:20.244 --> 00:47:22.446
A little leather-covered devotional that enabled you
00:47:22.446 --> 00:47:25.315
To do that, to read five psalms a day
00:47:25.315 --> 00:47:28.151
And one chapter of proverbs a day,
00:47:28.151 --> 00:47:29.953
And you can do that all in one month.
00:47:29.953 --> 00:47:32.990
And they've told me that more than the business books they
00:47:32.990 --> 00:47:35.492
Read and the motivational books they read and the strategy books
00:47:35.492 --> 00:47:38.929
They read, they found the bible has filled them with wisdom
00:47:38.929 --> 00:47:43.133
And knowledge to help them with their task.
00:47:43.133 --> 00:47:47.738
If you go to the book of proverbs,
00:47:47.738 --> 00:47:49.206
This is how it opens.
00:47:49.206 --> 00:47:51.108
"the purpose of these proverbs is to teach people wisdom
00:47:51.108 --> 00:47:55.012
And discipline, and help them understand wise sayings."
00:47:55.012 --> 00:48:00.684
If you've never read the book of proverbs,
00:48:00.684 --> 00:48:03.253
Especially if you're a business person,
00:48:03.253 --> 00:48:05.923
I recommend that you make that
00:48:05.923 --> 00:48:07.891
Part of your daily routine.
00:48:07.891 --> 00:48:10.460
Wisdom comes through instruction and insight.
00:48:10.460 --> 00:48:13.497
"the preacher sought to find acceptable words,
00:48:13.497 --> 00:48:16.900
And what was written, upright--words of truth."
00:48:16.900 --> 00:48:20.737
In other words, solomon sought to speak words of wisdom that
00:48:20.737 --> 00:48:23.473
Were winsome and easy to grasp and ready to be understood.
00:48:23.473 --> 00:48:29.713
And then he said, wisdom comes through inspiration,
00:48:29.713 --> 00:48:32.282
Verses 11 and 12.
00:48:32.282 --> 00:48:34.151
"the words of the wise are like goads,
00:48:34.151 --> 00:48:37.421
And the words of scholars
00:48:37.421 --> 00:48:38.755
Are like well-driven nails, given by one shepherd."
00:48:38.755 --> 00:48:44.294
Carefully understand that phrase.
00:48:44.294 --> 00:48:47.464
He said the words of the bible are like goads.
00:48:47.464 --> 00:48:51.335
Do you know what a goad is?
00:48:51.335 --> 00:48:52.936
It's a long stick with a pointed end on it that shepherds use
00:48:52.936 --> 00:48:57.274
To get their sheep to go in the right direction or their cattle
00:48:57.274 --> 00:49:00.310
To move in the right place and keep them together.
00:49:00.310 --> 00:49:02.746
If they started to go the wrong way, they would goad them.
00:49:02.746 --> 00:49:05.382
Often used for oxen and donkeys.
00:49:05.382 --> 00:49:09.753
The bible sometimes goads us.
00:49:09.753 --> 00:49:13.123
Have you ever been goaded by the bible?
00:49:13.123 --> 00:49:16.159
You're doing stuff and you're going someplace
00:49:16.159 --> 00:49:18.061
And you're trying to figure out what to do,
00:49:18.061 --> 00:49:19.396
And all of a sudden you read this passage
00:49:19.396 --> 00:49:21.198
In the bible and it's like god's been reading your mail.
00:49:21.198 --> 00:49:25.635
And it goads you and it pushes you and sometimes it stings,
00:49:25.635 --> 00:49:29.606
And you say, "what's going on here?"
00:49:29.606 --> 00:49:32.709
And then you look back on it and you're so thankful
00:49:32.709 --> 00:49:35.712
That you were in the book that day,
00:49:35.712 --> 00:49:37.447
That you were reading the scripture that day,
00:49:37.447 --> 00:49:39.216
Because god helped you know what to do.
00:49:39.216 --> 00:49:41.551
He goaded you in the right direction.
00:49:41.551 --> 00:49:43.820
And then solomon says, sometimes when you read
00:49:43.820 --> 00:49:45.722
The bible, it's like nails driven through a board.
00:49:45.722 --> 00:49:50.861
The picture is nails that are driven through a board
00:49:50.861 --> 00:49:52.896
And clinched on the other side.
00:49:52.896 --> 00:49:55.866
When you read the bible, you discover the things you
00:49:55.866 --> 00:49:58.201
Really believe in, the things that are really important
00:49:58.201 --> 00:50:00.070
To you, and it's like driving a nail in the board.
00:50:00.070 --> 00:50:03.140
And no matter how life tries, it can never pull that nail out
00:50:03.140 --> 00:50:06.810
Because it's a well-driven nail, because of the scripture.
00:50:06.810 --> 00:50:11.748
After all these years of studying it and writing about it
00:50:11.748 --> 00:50:14.351
And teaching it, there is no book like this book.
00:50:14.351 --> 00:50:20.023
For the follower of christ, it is without equal.
00:50:20.023 --> 00:50:26.897
So solomon says that the fully engaged life is uncertain,
00:50:26.897 --> 00:50:32.536
We should embrace it.
00:50:32.536 --> 00:50:34.738
It's short, we should enjoy it.
00:50:34.738 --> 00:50:38.241
It's mysterious, we should examine it.
00:50:38.241 --> 00:50:40.577
And then finally, the fully engaged life is obedience,
00:50:40.577 --> 00:50:45.148
And we should express it.
00:50:45.148 --> 00:50:47.451
"let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter;
00:50:47.451 --> 00:50:51.121
Fear god, keep his commandments, for this is man's all."
00:50:51.121 --> 00:50:58.728
You want to distill how to have a great life
00:50:58.728 --> 00:51:00.831
Down into one sentence?
00:51:00.831 --> 00:51:02.399
There it is.
00:51:02.399 --> 00:51:03.733
Fear god and do what he tells you to do,
00:51:03.733 --> 00:51:08.238
And you will have a life filled with joy
00:51:08.238 --> 00:51:11.842
And happiness and meaning.
00:51:11.842 --> 00:51:13.977
There is no way to beat that formula.
00:51:13.977 --> 00:51:17.214
I don't care where you go or who you hear.
00:51:17.214 --> 00:51:20.417
The best way to enjoy life is to fear god
00:51:20.417 --> 00:51:23.420
And keep his commandments.
00:51:23.420 --> 00:51:24.788
That's not the ten commandments, that's the sayings of the lord,
00:51:24.788 --> 00:51:28.391
The bible.
00:51:28.391 --> 00:51:30.060
And it doesn't mean you have to be afraid of god,
00:51:30.060 --> 00:51:32.596
Although there should be a sense of fear in fearing god.
00:51:32.596 --> 00:51:37.200
But the term actually means to hold god in absolute awe,
00:51:37.200 --> 00:51:41.838
To hold him with utter respect, in majesty, to lift him up.
00:51:41.838 --> 00:51:46.776
Never take his name in vain.
00:51:46.776 --> 00:51:48.879
Never do anything that would sully the reputation of god.
00:51:48.879 --> 00:51:52.015
Believe that god is all in all, and the most important thing
00:51:52.015 --> 00:51:55.352
You know about the world is that god is,
00:51:55.352 --> 00:51:58.855
And you fear him, and you respect him.
00:51:58.855 --> 00:52:01.291
Ladies and gentlemen, the fear of god
00:52:01.291 --> 00:52:02.893
Is being lost in our culture today.
00:52:02.893 --> 00:52:05.896
God is being kicked to the curb, shoved to the perimeter,
00:52:05.896 --> 00:52:09.866
Omitted from everything.
00:52:09.866 --> 00:52:11.568
But we who know him, we who are believers,
00:52:11.568 --> 00:52:13.637
We who are followers of christ,
00:52:13.637 --> 00:52:15.338
We want the privilege of a life that's meaningful,
00:52:15.338 --> 00:52:18.975
And it starts with having the right attitude
00:52:18.975 --> 00:52:20.877
Toward your maker, and to fear god.
00:52:20.877 --> 00:52:24.347
And then the bible says, "keep his commandments."
00:52:24.347 --> 00:52:27.250
Do what he says.
00:52:27.250 --> 00:52:29.085
And, you know, that sounds like, oh, man,
00:52:29.085 --> 00:52:31.321
That sounds like such drudgery.
00:52:31.321 --> 00:52:32.923
No, most of what god says, he's telling you to do things
00:52:32.923 --> 00:52:35.525
That you will enjoy and will help you enjoy life,
00:52:35.525 --> 00:52:38.094
As we have been discussing.
00:52:38.094 --> 00:52:40.197
God will tell you to stay off some of the streets
00:52:40.197 --> 00:52:42.699
That you want to go on,
00:52:42.699 --> 00:52:44.167
And when you get to where you're going,
00:52:44.167 --> 00:52:45.735
You're gonna be so glad when you look back
00:52:45.735 --> 00:52:47.070
Over your shoulder that you didn't take that avenue,
00:52:47.070 --> 00:52:49.539
Because you would have gotten in trouble.
00:52:49.539 --> 00:52:52.042
The bible says that the word of god
00:52:52.042 --> 00:52:54.311
Is filled with instruction for the believer.
00:52:54.311 --> 00:52:58.515
It is how you get through life with meaning.
00:52:58.515 --> 00:53:03.853
Back in 1866, d.l. moody,
00:53:03.853 --> 00:53:07.290
The great evangelist of that generation,
00:53:07.290 --> 00:53:09.659
Was conducting a series of meetings in massachusetts.
00:53:09.659 --> 00:53:14.231
And with him was a musician by the name of daniel b. towner.
00:53:14.231 --> 00:53:18.468
Daniel towner was the head of the music department
00:53:18.468 --> 00:53:20.570
Of the moody bible institute in chicago.
00:53:20.570 --> 00:53:25.008
And while they were having these meetings,
00:53:25.008 --> 00:53:27.010
A young man gave a testimony and included these remarks.
00:53:27.010 --> 00:53:31.915
He said, "i am not quite sure, but i'm going to trust,
00:53:31.915 --> 00:53:37.320
And i'm going to obey."
00:53:37.320 --> 00:53:40.790
Mr. towner wrote those words down on the back of an envelope.
00:53:40.790 --> 00:53:44.127
He was so touched by that phrase.
00:53:44.127 --> 00:53:46.696
And he sent them to a friend of his,
00:53:46.696 --> 00:53:48.665
And between the two of them, a beloved hymn was written.
00:53:48.665 --> 00:53:53.837
I remember singing this growing up, and most of you do too,
00:53:53.837 --> 00:53:57.607
"trust and obey."
00:53:57.607 --> 00:54:00.543
Here are the words to that song.
00:54:00.543 --> 00:54:02.746
"when we walk with the lord in the light of his word,
00:54:02.746 --> 00:54:06.216
What a glory he sheds on our way.
00:54:06.216 --> 00:54:09.085
While we do his good will, he abides with us still,
00:54:09.085 --> 00:54:13.189
And with all who will trust and obey."
00:54:13.189 --> 00:54:16.526
Here's the chorus.
00:54:16.526 --> 00:54:17.961
"trust and obey, for there's no other way, to be happy in jesus
00:54:17.961 --> 00:54:24.834
But to trust and obey.
00:54:24.834 --> 00:54:28.071
Solomon says he wants us to be happy in our faith,
00:54:28.071 --> 00:54:31.875
Happy in jesus.
00:54:31.875 --> 00:54:33.343
And when he gets down to the end of it, after all of these
00:54:33.343 --> 00:54:35.345
Principles, he distills it all into this principle.
00:54:35.345 --> 00:54:38.448
"fear god and keep his commandments."
00:54:38.448 --> 00:54:41.685
"trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in jesus."
00:54:41.685 --> 00:54:48.291
Announcer: dr. jeremiah will return to close today's program
00:54:51.194 --> 00:54:54.731
Right after this.
00:54:54.731 --> 00:54:56.366
Announcer: thank you for watching turning point.
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Announcer: and now, with one last word for today's program,
00:55:46.182 --> 00:55:49.052
Here is dr. jeremiah.
00:55:49.052 --> 00:55:51.354
Dr. jeremiah: solomon was a realist, wasn't he?
00:55:51.421 --> 00:55:54.057
He concluded that in light of life's uncertainties,
00:55:54.057 --> 00:55:57.227
Our confidence should be placed in god and his promises.
00:55:57.227 --> 00:56:02.465
Solomon recognized that there is one certainty
00:56:02.465 --> 00:56:05.368
We know about life.
00:56:05.368 --> 00:56:07.437
It will end one day, and we need to be prepared for that day.
00:56:07.437 --> 00:56:13.510
To help you become equipped for life's uncertainties
00:56:13.510 --> 00:56:16.346
And offer hope for the future, please allow me
00:56:16.346 --> 00:56:20.016
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00:56:26.689 --> 00:56:30.460
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00:56:30.460 --> 00:56:34.531
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00:56:34.531 --> 00:56:39.436
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Of charge if you will contact us here at turning point today.
00:56:42.205 --> 00:56:46.543
Announcer: next time on turning point.
00:56:50.280 --> 00:56:52.682
Dr. jeremiah: david came before the giant and he said
00:56:52.749 --> 00:56:55.084
To the giant, "you come to me in your own strength,
00:56:55.084 --> 00:56:58.221
But i come to you in the name of the lord god of israel."
00:56:58.221 --> 00:57:02.692
We can't face our giants, sheila, in our own strength.
00:57:02.692 --> 00:57:05.962
That's the world's way.
00:57:05.962 --> 00:57:07.764
When we face our giants in the name of the lord,
00:57:07.764 --> 00:57:11.367
In the power of his might,
00:57:11.367 --> 00:57:13.536
We can have the same victory that david had.
00:57:13.536 --> 00:57:16.539
Announcer: join dr. jeremiah next time with a special
00:57:16.606 --> 00:57:18.708
Interview hosted by sheila walsh,
00:57:18.708 --> 00:57:21.010
"slaying the giants in your life,"
00:57:21.010 --> 00:57:24.080
Here on turning point.
00:57:24.080 --> 00:57:28.117

David Jeremiah - Fully Engaged With Life

January 31, 2026 | 57:29

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