David Jeremiah - The Inward Journey

January 3, 2026 | 58:20

Dr. David Jeremiah delivers a powerful message on "The Inward Journey," challenging listeners to embark on a spiritual path of self-reflection and growth in the new year. He discusses the distractions of frenzy and familiarity that can hinder spiritual growth, and highlights the importance of disciplines such as solitude and Bible study. Drawing from biblical verses and personal anecdotes, Dr. Jeremiah emphasizes the transformative power of God's Word and the need for a strong spiritual foundation to weather life's storms. Through engaging anecdotes and profound insights, he inspires listeners to strengthen their faith and deepen their relationship with God.

#WordofGod #Challenges #BloodofJesus #Apostles #Addiction #Bible #Truth #Disciples #Prayer #DavidJeremiah

Closed captions

Show Timecode

Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah | David Jeremiah - The Inward Journey | January 3, 2026

...
00:00:00.633 --> 00:00:01.374
[footsteps]
00:00:03.276 --> 00:00:08.114
♪♪♪
00:00:08.248 --> 00:00:10.784
Dr. david jeremiah: with the noise of the holidays
00:00:10.917 --> 00:00:12.685
Behind us, we look ahead to a new year
00:00:12.786 --> 00:00:13.453
And a new day.
00:00:16.056 --> 00:00:19.125
As you step out into this new year,
00:00:19.125 --> 00:00:21.795
Where will your path take you?
00:00:21.795 --> 00:00:27.434
Whether you realize it or not,
00:00:27.434 --> 00:00:29.069
You are a part of god's unfolding story.
00:00:29.069 --> 00:00:35.275
Are you prepared for wherever
00:00:35.275 --> 00:00:37.043
That journey takes you?
00:00:37.043 --> 00:00:39.112
♪♪♪
00:00:39.179 --> 00:00:45.118
Dr. jeremiah: hello, i'm david jeremiah,
00:00:45.118 --> 00:00:47.053
And welcome to "turning point."
00:00:47.053 --> 00:00:49.189
If the events of recent years have taught us anything,
00:00:49.189 --> 00:00:52.192
It's that we cannot control what happens
00:00:52.192 --> 00:00:53.927
In the world around us.
00:00:53.927 --> 00:00:56.129
So today i would like to challenge you
00:00:56.129 --> 00:00:58.031
To leave behind the worries that are present in our world today,
00:00:58.031 --> 00:01:02.001
And instead to look inward and examine what we can do
00:01:02.001 --> 00:01:06.139
To control ourselves.
00:01:06.139 --> 00:01:09.375
You know, it's hard to imagine the new year
00:01:09.375 --> 00:01:10.910
Being any more unpredictable than
00:01:10.910 --> 00:01:12.378
What we've recently experienced.
00:01:12.378 --> 00:01:14.781
But we must be ready.
00:01:14.781 --> 00:01:16.449
And to do that, we need to prepare ourselves
00:01:16.449 --> 00:01:19.085
For the unknown by taking an internal review.
00:01:19.085 --> 00:01:23.923
That's why we've entitled today's message,
00:01:23.923 --> 00:01:26.092
"the inward journey."
00:01:26.092 --> 00:01:27.994
First, we'll identify the distractions
00:01:27.994 --> 00:01:30.096
To our inner life that can,
00:01:30.096 --> 00:01:32.198
Well, lead to devastating external consequences
00:01:32.198 --> 00:01:35.101
When they go unaddressed.
00:01:35.101 --> 00:01:37.137
And then, we'll establish some disciplines
00:01:37.137 --> 00:01:39.672
For the inner life to assist us as we begin moving forward
00:01:39.672 --> 00:01:43.877
With a fresh outlook for the new year.
00:01:43.877 --> 00:01:47.380
So please join me on today's edition
00:01:47.380 --> 00:01:49.983
Of "turning point."
00:01:49.983 --> 00:01:51.417
♪ all my life ♪
00:01:53.820 --> 00:01:55.221
♪ you have been faithful ♪
00:01:55.221 --> 00:02:00.727
♪ and all my life ♪
00:02:00.727 --> 00:02:02.228
♪ you have been so, so good ♪
00:02:02.228 --> 00:02:07.767
♪ with every breath that i am able ♪
00:02:07.767 --> 00:02:12.939
♪ oh, i will sing of the goodness of god ♪
00:02:12.939 --> 00:02:18.878
♪ oh, all my life ♪
00:02:18.878 --> 00:02:22.115
♪ all my life ♪
00:02:22.115 --> 00:02:23.750
♪ you have been faithful ♪
00:02:23.750 --> 00:02:26.186
♪ oh yes, lord, all my life ♪
00:02:26.186 --> 00:02:29.088
♪ all my life ♪
00:02:29.088 --> 00:02:30.690
♪ you have been so, so good ♪
00:02:30.690 --> 00:02:36.062
♪ with every breath that i am able ♪
00:02:36.062 --> 00:02:41.367
♪ i will sing of the goodness ♪
00:02:41.367 --> 00:02:45.805
♪ oh, i will sing ♪
00:02:45.805 --> 00:02:48.441
♪ i will sing of the goodness of god ♪
00:02:48.441 --> 00:03:04.257
Michael sanchez: amen, hey, welcome to shadow mountain.
00:03:06.192 --> 00:03:08.761
Let's sing this great hymn together,
00:03:08.761 --> 00:03:10.463
"nothing but the blood of jesus."
00:03:10.463 --> 00:03:12.565
Let's praise him, come on.
00:03:12.565 --> 00:03:15.034
♪ what can wash away my sin ♪
00:03:15.034 --> 00:03:19.305
♪ nothing but the blood of jesus. ♪
00:03:19.305 --> 00:03:23.576
♪ what can make me whole again. ♪
00:03:23.576 --> 00:03:28.047
♪ nothing but the blood of jesus. ♪
00:03:28.047 --> 00:03:32.452
♪ o precious is the flow. ♪
00:03:32.452 --> 00:03:36.789
♪ that makes me white as snow. ♪
00:03:36.789 --> 00:03:41.227
♪ no other fount i know. ♪
00:03:41.227 --> 00:03:45.732
♪ nothing but the blood of jesus. ♪
00:03:45.732 --> 00:03:54.874
♪ for my pardon this i see. ♪
00:03:54.874 --> 00:03:58.878
♪ nothing but the blood of jesus. ♪
00:03:58.878 --> 00:04:03.383
♪ for my cleansing this my plea. ♪
00:04:03.383 --> 00:04:07.654
♪ nothing but the blood of jesus. ♪
00:04:07.654 --> 00:04:12.091
♪ o precious is the flow. ♪
00:04:12.091 --> 00:04:16.429
♪ that makes me white as snow. ♪
00:04:16.429 --> 00:04:20.833
♪ no other fount i know. ♪
00:04:20.833 --> 00:04:25.238
♪ nothing but the blood of jesus. ♪
00:04:25.238 --> 00:04:29.942
♪ this is all my hope and peace. ♪
00:04:29.942 --> 00:04:34.047
♪ nothing but the blood of jesus. ♪
00:04:34.047 --> 00:04:38.551
♪ this is all my righteousness. ♪
00:04:38.551 --> 00:04:42.889
♪ nothing but the blood of jesus. ♪
00:04:42.889 --> 00:04:47.327
♪ o precious is the flow. ♪
00:04:47.327 --> 00:04:51.731
♪ that makes me white as snow. ♪
00:04:51.731 --> 00:04:56.102
♪ no other fount i know. ♪
00:04:56.102 --> 00:05:00.573
♪ nothing but the blood of jesus. ♪
00:05:00.573 --> 00:05:05.211
♪ o precious is the flow. ♪
00:05:05.211 --> 00:05:09.349
♪ that makes me white as snow. ♪
00:05:09.349 --> 00:05:13.753
♪ no other fount i know. ♪
00:05:13.753 --> 00:05:18.157
♪ nothing but the blood of jesus. ♪
00:05:18.157 --> 00:05:34.574
[congregation applauding]
00:05:34.640 --> 00:05:38.911
Male announcer: what if five minutes
00:05:41.481 --> 00:05:42.815
Could change your whole day?
00:05:42.815 --> 00:05:44.484
What if in that time, god's word could speak
00:05:44.484 --> 00:05:46.552
Directly to your heart,
00:05:46.552 --> 00:05:48.154
Transforming your walk with jesus
00:05:48.154 --> 00:05:50.056
And your entire year?
00:05:50.056 --> 00:05:52.325
Introducing "a closer walk with jesus,"
00:05:52.325 --> 00:05:54.961
Dr. david jeremiah's brand-new 365-day devotional
00:05:54.961 --> 00:05:58.531
That will deepen your time with your savior.
00:05:58.531 --> 00:06:00.767
This devotional is a beautiful, convenient,
00:06:00.767 --> 00:06:02.769
Powerful way to discover daily insights
00:06:02.769 --> 00:06:05.238
From god's word that will challenge
00:06:05.238 --> 00:06:07.006
And inspire you, breathing new life
00:06:07.006 --> 00:06:08.975
Into your daily appointment with god.
00:06:08.975 --> 00:06:11.511
Each day's short reading brings you a focused thought,
00:06:11.511 --> 00:06:13.980
Life-giving scripture,
00:06:13.980 --> 00:06:15.481
And practical wisdom from dr. jeremiah
00:06:15.481 --> 00:06:17.383
To strengthen your walk with christ.
00:06:17.383 --> 00:06:19.519
With its gorgeous silver embossed cover,
00:06:19.519 --> 00:06:21.654
Gilded pages, and illustrated interior,
00:06:21.654 --> 00:06:24.157
You'll treasure this leather devotional by your side
00:06:24.157 --> 00:06:26.359
All year long.
00:06:26.359 --> 00:06:27.827
It's the perfect companion to read alongside your bible
00:06:27.827 --> 00:06:29.996
At home or to take with you wherever your day may lead,
00:06:29.996 --> 00:06:33.266
Whenever you need to connect with the lord.
00:06:33.266 --> 00:06:35.501
"a closer walk with jesus" is yours when you
00:06:35.501 --> 00:06:37.236
Give a gift of any amount in support of this program.
00:06:37.236 --> 00:06:40.072
It also makes the perfect gift for friends, family,
00:06:40.072 --> 00:06:42.742
Your bible study group, or new believers
00:06:42.742 --> 00:06:44.777
At your church, allowing you to grow closer to jesus
00:06:44.777 --> 00:06:47.780
Not just personally, but with others.
00:06:47.780 --> 00:06:50.583
Request 4 copies to share with loved ones
00:06:50.583 --> 00:06:52.618
When you give $120 or more.
00:06:52.618 --> 00:06:55.188
Make jesus your ever-present companion,
00:06:55.188 --> 00:06:57.657
Closer than a brother.
00:06:57.657 --> 00:06:59.091
Don't let a day pass in the new year
00:06:59.091 --> 00:07:00.760
Without drawing closer to him.
00:07:00.760 --> 00:07:03.029
Request "a closer walk with jesus"
00:07:03.029 --> 00:07:05.097
From "turning point" today.
00:07:05.097 --> 00:07:06.466
♪♪♪
00:07:07.934 --> 00:07:16.943
♪ wandering into the night ♪
00:07:16.943 --> 00:07:20.880
♪ wanting a place to hide ♪
00:07:20.880 --> 00:07:23.616
♪ this weary soul ♪
00:07:23.616 --> 00:07:27.386
♪ this bag of bones ♪
00:07:27.386 --> 00:07:32.391
♪ i tried with all my might ♪
00:07:32.391 --> 00:07:36.229
♪ but i just can't win the fight ♪
00:07:36.229 --> 00:07:38.798
♪ i'm slowly drifting ♪
00:07:38.798 --> 00:07:42.969
♪ a vagabond ♪
00:07:42.969 --> 00:07:47.907
♪ and just when i ran out of road ♪
00:07:47.907 --> 00:07:51.777
♪ i met a man i didn't know ♪
00:07:51.777 --> 00:07:55.615
♪ and he told me that i was not alone ♪
00:07:55.615 --> 00:08:03.523
♪ he picked me up ♪
00:08:03.523 --> 00:08:05.358
♪ he turned me around ♪
00:08:05.358 --> 00:08:07.293
♪ he placed my feet on solid ground ♪
00:08:07.293 --> 00:08:10.429
♪ i thank the master ♪
00:08:10.429 --> 00:08:12.365
♪ i thank the savior ♪
00:08:12.365 --> 00:08:14.800
♪ because he healed my heart ♪
00:08:14.800 --> 00:08:16.969
♪ he changed my name ♪
00:08:16.969 --> 00:08:19.071
♪ forever free, i'm not the same ♪
00:08:19.071 --> 00:08:22.141
♪ i thank the master ♪
00:08:22.141 --> 00:08:24.043
♪ i thank the savior ♪
00:08:24.043 --> 00:08:26.112
♪ i thank god ♪
00:08:26.112 --> 00:08:28.281
Michael: amen, let's thank god, c'mon.
00:08:28.281 --> 00:08:29.715
♪♪♪
00:08:29.715 --> 00:08:34.787
♪ i cannot deny what i'm seeing ♪
00:08:34.787 --> 00:08:38.724
♪ got no choice but to believe ♪
00:08:38.724 --> 00:08:41.594
♪ my doubts are burning ♪
00:08:41.594 --> 00:08:45.131
♪ like ashes in the wind ♪
00:08:45.131 --> 00:08:50.570
♪ so long to my old friends ♪
00:08:50.570 --> 00:08:54.440
♪ burden and bitterness ♪
00:08:54.440 --> 00:08:56.809
♪ you can just keep it moving ♪
00:08:56.809 --> 00:09:00.646
♪ no, you're not welcome here ♪
00:09:00.646 --> 00:09:05.985
♪ from now till i walk streets of gold ♪
00:09:05.985 --> 00:09:09.922
♪ i'll sing of how you saved my soul ♪
00:09:09.922 --> 00:09:13.859
♪ this wayward son has found his way back home ♪
00:09:13.859 --> 00:09:21.634
♪ he picked me up ♪
00:09:21.634 --> 00:09:23.603
♪ he turned me around ♪
00:09:23.603 --> 00:09:25.404
♪ he placed my feet on solid ground ♪
00:09:25.404 --> 00:09:28.507
♪ i thank the master ♪
00:09:28.507 --> 00:09:30.509
♪ i thank the savior ♪
00:09:30.509 --> 00:09:32.612
♪ oh, because he healed my heart ♪
00:09:32.612 --> 00:09:35.147
♪ you changed my name ♪
00:09:35.147 --> 00:09:37.149
♪ forever free, i'm not the same ♪
00:09:37.149 --> 00:09:40.286
♪ i thank the master ♪
00:09:40.286 --> 00:09:42.154
♪ i thank the savior ♪
00:09:42.154 --> 00:09:44.323
♪ i thank god ♪
00:09:44.323 --> 00:09:46.058
♪♪♪
00:09:46.058 --> 00:09:52.131
[congregation applauding]
00:09:52.131 --> 00:09:55.368
♪♪♪
00:09:55.368 --> 00:10:10.049
♪ i was a wretch ♪
00:10:05.378 --> 00:10:13.319
♪ i remember who i was ♪
00:10:13.319 --> 00:10:17.223
♪ i was lost, i was blind ♪
00:10:17.223 --> 00:10:20.926
♪ i was running out of time ♪
00:10:20.926 --> 00:10:25.131
♪ sin separated ♪
00:10:25.131 --> 00:10:28.934
♪ the breach was far too wide ♪
00:10:28.934 --> 00:10:32.571
♪ but from the far side of the chasm ♪
00:10:32.571 --> 00:10:36.676
♪ you held me in your sight ♪
00:10:36.676 --> 00:10:40.513
♪ so you made a way ♪
00:10:40.513 --> 00:10:44.583
♪ across the great divide ♪
00:10:44.583 --> 00:10:47.787
♪ left behind heaven's throne ♪
00:10:47.787 --> 00:10:52.058
♪ to build it here inside ♪
00:10:52.058 --> 00:10:56.162
♪ and there at the cross ♪
00:10:56.162 --> 00:10:59.632
♪ you paid the debt i owed ♪
00:10:59.632 --> 00:11:03.436
♪ broke my chains, freed my soul ♪
00:11:03.436 --> 00:11:07.473
♪ for the first time i had hope ♪
00:11:07.473 --> 00:11:11.677
♪ thank you jesus ♪
00:11:11.677 --> 00:11:14.547
♪ for the blood applied ♪
00:11:14.547 --> 00:11:19.418
♪ thank you jesus ♪
00:11:19.418 --> 00:11:22.288
♪ it has washed me white ♪
00:11:22.288 --> 00:11:27.226
♪ thank you jesus ♪
00:11:27.226 --> 00:11:30.062
♪ you have saved my life ♪
00:11:30.062 --> 00:11:35.034
♪ brought me from the darkness ♪
00:11:35.034 --> 00:11:37.903
♪ into glorious light ♪
00:11:37.903 --> 00:11:42.541
♪♪♪
00:11:42.541 --> 00:11:48.414
♪ you took my place ♪
00:11:48.414 --> 00:11:51.951
♪ laid inside my tomb of sin ♪
00:11:51.951 --> 00:11:55.788
♪ you were buried for three days ♪
00:11:55.788 --> 00:11:59.358
♪ but then you walked right out again ♪
00:11:59.358 --> 00:12:03.362
♪ and now death has no sting ♪
00:12:03.362 --> 00:12:07.533
♪ and life has no end ♪
00:12:07.533 --> 00:12:11.470
♪ for i have been transformed ♪
00:12:11.470 --> 00:12:15.074
♪ by the blood of the lamb ♪
00:12:15.074 --> 00:12:19.779
♪ oh, thank you ♪
00:12:19.779 --> 00:12:21.480
♪ thank you jesus ♪
00:12:21.480 --> 00:12:24.116
♪ for the blood applied ♪
00:12:24.116 --> 00:12:28.387
♪ thank you ♪
00:12:28.387 --> 00:12:29.722
♪ thank you jesus ♪
00:12:29.722 --> 00:12:31.824
♪ it has washed me white ♪
00:12:31.824 --> 00:12:36.662
♪ thank you jesus ♪
00:12:36.662 --> 00:12:39.598
♪ you have saved my life ♪
00:12:39.598 --> 00:12:44.603
♪ brought me from the darkness ♪
00:12:44.603 --> 00:12:47.506
♪ into glorious light ♪
00:12:47.506 --> 00:12:53.445
♪♪♪
00:12:53.445 --> 00:12:58.551
♪ there is nothing stronger ♪
00:12:58.551 --> 00:13:01.387
♪ than the wonder-working power of ♪
00:13:01.387 --> 00:13:05.457
♪ the blood ♪
00:13:05.457 --> 00:13:13.465
♪ that calls us sons and daughters ♪
00:13:09.395 --> 00:13:17.136
♪ we are ransomed by our father through ♪
00:13:17.136 --> 00:13:20.806
♪ the blood ♪
00:13:20.806 --> 00:13:29.014
♪ there is nothing stronger ♪
00:13:24.577 --> 00:13:32.484
♪ than the wonder-working power of ♪
00:13:32.484 --> 00:13:36.188
♪ the blood ♪
00:13:36.188 --> 00:13:44.396
♪ that calls us sons and daughters ♪
00:13:40.092 --> 00:13:48.100
♪ we are ransomed by our father through ♪
00:13:48.100 --> 00:13:51.871
♪ the blood ♪
00:13:51.871 --> 00:13:58.544
♪ oh thank you ♪
00:13:55.641 --> 00:14:00.212
♪ thank you jesus ♪
00:14:00.212 --> 00:14:02.915
♪ for the blood applied ♪
00:14:02.915 --> 00:14:07.219
♪ thank you ♪
00:14:07.219 --> 00:14:08.554
♪ thank you jesus ♪
00:14:08.554 --> 00:14:10.689
♪ it has washed me white ♪
00:14:10.689 --> 00:14:15.494
♪ thank you jesus ♪
00:14:15.494 --> 00:14:18.397
♪ you have saved my life ♪
00:14:18.397 --> 00:14:25.204
♪ brought me from the darkness ♪
00:14:25.204 --> 00:14:28.040
♪ oh yes, you've brought me from the darkness ♪
00:14:28.040 --> 00:14:31.543
♪ brought me from the darkness ♪
00:14:31.543 --> 00:14:36.081
♪ into glorious light ♪♪
00:14:33.512 --> 00:14:43.889
[congregation applauding]
00:14:43.889 --> 00:14:48.928
Announcer: what if five minutes could change
00:14:51.964 --> 00:14:53.365
Your whole day?
00:14:53.365 --> 00:14:54.967
What if in that time god's word could speak
00:14:54.967 --> 00:14:56.936
Directly to your heart,
00:14:56.936 --> 00:14:58.704
Transforming your walk with jesus and your entire year?
00:14:58.704 --> 00:15:02.708
Introducing "a closer walk with jesus,"
00:15:02.708 --> 00:15:05.444
Dr. david jeremiah's brand-new 365-day devotional
00:15:05.444 --> 00:15:08.981
That will deepen your time with your savior.
00:15:08.981 --> 00:15:11.250
This devotional is a beautiful, convenient,
00:15:11.250 --> 00:15:13.252
Powerful way to discover daily insights
00:15:13.252 --> 00:15:15.654
From god's word that will challenge
00:15:15.654 --> 00:15:17.556
And inspire you, breathing new life
00:15:17.556 --> 00:15:19.658
Into your daily appointment with god.
00:15:19.658 --> 00:15:21.794
Each day's short reading brings you a focused thought,
00:15:21.794 --> 00:15:24.396
Life-giving scripture, and practical wisdom
00:15:24.396 --> 00:15:26.532
From dr. jeremiah to strengthen your walk
00:15:26.532 --> 00:15:28.567
With christ.
00:15:28.567 --> 00:15:29.902
With its gorgeous silver embossed cover,
00:15:29.902 --> 00:15:32.071
Gilded pages, and illustrated interior,
00:15:32.071 --> 00:15:34.707
You'll treasure this leather devotional
00:15:34.707 --> 00:15:36.342
By your side all year long.
00:15:36.342 --> 00:15:38.210
It's the perfect companion to read alongside your bible
00:15:38.210 --> 00:15:40.479
At home or to take with you wherever your day may lead,
00:15:40.479 --> 00:15:43.716
Whenever you need to connect with the lord.
00:15:43.716 --> 00:15:45.985
A closer walk with jesus is yours when you give a gift
00:15:45.985 --> 00:15:48.287
Of any amount in support of this program.
00:15:48.287 --> 00:15:50.522
It also makes the perfect gift for friends, family,
00:15:50.522 --> 00:15:53.225
Your bible study group, or new believers
00:15:53.225 --> 00:15:55.160
At your church,
00:15:55.160 --> 00:15:56.628
Allowing you to grow closer to jesus not just personally,
00:15:56.628 --> 00:15:59.198
But with others.
00:15:59.198 --> 00:16:00.966
Request 4 copies to share with loved ones
00:16:00.966 --> 00:16:03.068
When you give $120 or more.
00:16:03.068 --> 00:16:05.637
Make jesus your ever-present companion,
00:16:05.637 --> 00:16:08.073
Closer than a brother.
00:16:08.073 --> 00:16:09.575
Don't let a day pass in the new year
00:16:09.575 --> 00:16:11.276
Without drawing closer to him.
00:16:11.276 --> 00:16:13.479
Request "a closer walk with jesus,"
00:16:13.479 --> 00:16:15.481
From "turning point" today.
00:16:15.481 --> 00:16:17.016
Announcer: thank you for watching "turning point."
00:16:19.184 --> 00:16:20.953
Now here is dr. jeremiah with his message,
00:16:20.953 --> 00:16:23.689
"the inward journey."
00:16:23.689 --> 00:16:25.124
Dr. jeremiah: in late may of 2010,
00:16:27.826 --> 00:16:31.263
When the tropical storm agatha had finally finished its course,
00:16:31.263 --> 00:16:36.568
A 330-foot deep sinkhole opened up
00:16:36.568 --> 00:16:40.773
In downtown guatemala city.
00:16:40.773 --> 00:16:44.643
Now, like all sinkholes, this one caused the ground
00:16:44.643 --> 00:16:47.813
To collapse, and in this case,
00:16:47.813 --> 00:16:50.949
It sucked the land into the hole,
00:16:50.949 --> 00:16:53.452
Including electricity poles, a three-story factory building,
00:16:53.452 --> 00:16:58.157
And one security guard, all sucked into this sinkhole.
00:16:58.157 --> 00:17:03.729
Now, in case you're not up on what a sinkhole is,
00:17:03.729 --> 00:17:05.297
Let me tell you.
00:17:05.297 --> 00:17:06.632
A sinkhole is created when the ground underneath
00:17:06.632 --> 00:17:08.967
The surface is rich in easily dissolved rock type,
00:17:08.967 --> 00:17:13.939
And if enough water seeps into that area,
00:17:13.939 --> 00:17:17.376
These formations collapse and they create a large crater
00:17:17.376 --> 00:17:21.647
Known as a sinkhole.
00:17:21.647 --> 00:17:23.315
Let me ask you a question.
00:17:23.315 --> 00:17:24.750
How many of you have ever seen a sinkhole of any kind?
00:17:24.750 --> 00:17:27.119
Quite a few of us.
00:17:27.119 --> 00:17:29.354
Land that looks stable and strong on the surface
00:17:29.354 --> 00:17:32.524
Suddenly collapses, often producing havoc for anyone
00:17:32.524 --> 00:17:36.695
Who lives near the sinkhole.
00:17:36.695 --> 00:17:40.599
Unfortunately, our interior lives
00:17:40.599 --> 00:17:44.236
Can sometimes resemble the danger zone of a sinkhole.
00:17:44.236 --> 00:17:50.275
When we're too busy to spend time with god
00:17:50.275 --> 00:17:52.478
Or when we refuse to deal with past hurts
00:17:52.478 --> 00:17:55.881
Or habitual sin or secret addictions
00:17:55.881 --> 00:17:59.751
Or character flaws, we set ourselves up
00:17:59.751 --> 00:18:02.888
For a collapse.
00:18:02.888 --> 00:18:04.456
And the surface of our life may look stable and secure,
00:18:04.456 --> 00:18:07.893
But underneath the exterior,
00:18:07.893 --> 00:18:09.661
We're actually sitting on a fragile base,
00:18:09.661 --> 00:18:12.698
And the storms of life,
00:18:12.698 --> 00:18:14.633
Or even just the normal process of living,
00:18:14.633 --> 00:18:17.970
Can suddenly expose our hidden vulnerabilities,
00:18:17.970 --> 00:18:22.341
And it causes something that kind of looks like
00:18:22.341 --> 00:18:24.843
A spiritual sinkhole.
00:18:24.843 --> 00:18:27.913
I want to ask you to think about a journey that is not quantified
00:18:27.913 --> 00:18:30.782
By charts or graphs.
00:18:30.782 --> 00:18:35.020
I want you to anticipate a year that is not validated
00:18:35.020 --> 00:18:37.823
By how many or how much.
00:18:37.823 --> 00:18:40.559
I want to ask you to think with me for these moments
00:18:40.559 --> 00:18:44.196
About a journey inward.
00:18:44.196 --> 00:18:46.832
When i speak of an inward journey,
00:18:46.832 --> 00:18:49.434
Maybe i can give you an illustration of that
00:18:49.434 --> 00:18:51.303
From a rather strange passage, but a passage
00:18:51.303 --> 00:18:54.540
That really illustrates the truth.
00:18:54.540 --> 00:18:57.009
Romans 2:28-29, paul's writing to the romans, and he says this:
00:18:57.009 --> 00:19:03.081
"for he is not a jew who is one outwardly,
00:19:03.081 --> 00:19:07.886
Nor is circumcision that which is outward
00:19:07.886 --> 00:19:10.489
In the flesh;
00:19:10.489 --> 00:19:12.257
But he is a jew who is one inwardly;
00:19:12.257 --> 00:19:16.328
And circumcision is that of the heart,
00:19:16.328 --> 00:19:20.199
In the spirit, not in the letter."
00:19:20.199 --> 00:19:23.101
The apostle paul was reminding his readers
00:19:23.101 --> 00:19:26.371
That outwardness is not authentic
00:19:26.371 --> 00:19:29.474
Unless it is the reflection of the inwardness
00:19:29.474 --> 00:19:33.111
Of one's life.
00:19:33.111 --> 00:19:35.013
It's not the flesh, but the heart.
00:19:35.013 --> 00:19:37.015
It's not the letter, it's the spirit.
00:19:37.015 --> 00:19:39.885
And the inner life describes the heart behind the habits.
00:19:39.885 --> 00:19:44.489
It describes the belief behind the behavior.
00:19:44.489 --> 00:19:48.694
It describes the desire behind the duty.
00:19:48.694 --> 00:19:55.801
And lest you think this is a negative thing
00:19:55.801 --> 00:19:57.970
We're going to discuss,
00:19:57.970 --> 00:19:59.304
Let me remind you that we should be greatly encouraged
00:19:59.304 --> 00:20:03.875
That god does not want us to live as hypocrites.
00:20:03.875 --> 00:20:09.648
No, god wants us to live transformed all the way down
00:20:09.648 --> 00:20:13.452
To who we are.
00:20:13.452 --> 00:20:15.487
He wants us to live from the inside out.
00:20:15.487 --> 00:20:19.091
He doesn't want us to go around posturing all the time,
00:20:19.091 --> 00:20:21.927
Trying to cover up what we really know is true.
00:20:21.927 --> 00:20:24.296
Now, nobody does that perfectly, not in this world,
00:20:24.296 --> 00:20:27.633
Because we're all flawed and we're all sinners.
00:20:27.633 --> 00:20:31.503
We still have the old nature.
00:20:31.503 --> 00:20:34.139
But as we think about the beginning of this new year
00:20:34.139 --> 00:20:36.642
And the opportunities it presents,
00:20:36.642 --> 00:20:39.111
I want to talk with you about the distractions
00:20:39.111 --> 00:20:42.347
And the disciplines of an inward life.
00:20:42.347 --> 00:20:47.052
Merriam-webster says: a distraction is something
00:20:47.052 --> 00:20:49.688
That draws or directs your attention
00:20:49.688 --> 00:20:53.225
To a different object or in a different direction
00:20:53.225 --> 00:20:57.029
At the same time you're supposed to be
00:20:57.029 --> 00:20:58.497
Concentrating on something else.
00:20:58.497 --> 00:21:01.199
And there are two distractions i want to talk to you about
00:21:01.199 --> 00:21:04.202
That can get in our way of growing in christ.
00:21:04.202 --> 00:21:07.539
The first one is the distraction,
00:21:07.539 --> 00:21:09.241
I'm gonna call it frenzy.
00:21:09.241 --> 00:21:11.677
The distraction of frenzy, of busyness.
00:21:11.677 --> 00:21:15.280
Did you know that busyness can be an addictive drug?
00:21:15.280 --> 00:21:18.650
You say, "what do you mean?"
00:21:18.650 --> 00:21:20.052
That's why they call them workaholics.
00:21:20.052 --> 00:21:22.587
According to james houston, busyness, for many people,
00:21:22.587 --> 00:21:27.125
Acts to repress our inner fears and personal anxieties.
00:21:27.125 --> 00:21:32.164
We get busy because we can't deal with what's really true in
00:21:32.164 --> 00:21:35.200
Our own life, so we cover it all up by just getting so busy,
00:21:35.200 --> 00:21:38.837
We just go from one thing to the next,
00:21:38.837 --> 00:21:40.806
And we don't have to think about what's really important.
00:21:40.806 --> 00:21:43.675
In a "new york times" article called, "the busy trap,"
00:21:43.675 --> 00:21:47.179
Tim kreider describes the frenzy of many americans.
00:21:47.179 --> 00:21:51.583
This may sound like somebody you know
00:21:51.583 --> 00:21:53.518
And it may remind you of yourself.
00:21:53.518 --> 00:21:56.388
He said, "if you live in america in the 21st century,
00:21:56.388 --> 00:21:59.191
You've probably had to listen to a lot of people
00:21:59.191 --> 00:22:01.159
Tell you how busy they are.
00:22:01.159 --> 00:22:05.030
It becomes the default response when you say to somebody,
00:22:05.030 --> 00:22:07.699
'how are you doing?'
00:22:07.699 --> 00:22:09.434
And they'll respond, 'busy, so busy, crazy busy.'
00:22:09.434 --> 00:22:14.840
It is pretty obviously a boast disguised as a complaint.
00:22:14.840 --> 00:22:20.746
And the stock response when people say that to us
00:22:20.746 --> 00:22:23.682
Is a kind of congratulations.
00:22:23.682 --> 00:22:25.650
We say, 'well, that's a good problem to have,'
00:22:25.650 --> 00:22:28.120
Or 'better than the opposite.'
00:22:28.120 --> 00:22:31.056
Notice, it usually isn't people pulling back-to-back shifts in
00:22:31.056 --> 00:22:34.459
The icu or commuting by bus to three minimum-wage jobs
00:22:34.459 --> 00:22:39.030
Who tell you how busy they are.
00:22:39.030 --> 00:22:42.200
No, what those people are is not busy but tired, exhausted,
00:22:42.200 --> 00:22:46.905
Dead tired, dead on their feet.
00:22:46.905 --> 00:22:50.208
It's almost always people whose lamented busyness
00:22:50.208 --> 00:22:54.112
Is purely self-imposed: work and obligations
00:22:54.112 --> 00:22:58.183
They've taken on voluntarily,
00:22:58.183 --> 00:23:00.385
Classes and activities they've encouraged
00:23:00.385 --> 00:23:02.487
Their kids to participate in.
00:23:02.487 --> 00:23:04.856
They're busy because of their own ambition or drive
00:23:04.856 --> 00:23:08.927
Or anxiety, because they're addicted to busyness and dread
00:23:08.927 --> 00:23:12.964
What they might have to face if they weren't so busy."
00:23:12.964 --> 00:23:18.804
And so, when we will not provide a place for the direction
00:23:18.804 --> 00:23:21.673
Of the indwelling christ, all that is left
00:23:21.673 --> 00:23:24.509
Is the frenzied agenda of a hassled discipleship.
00:23:24.509 --> 00:23:29.347
That's the first distraction.
00:23:29.347 --> 00:23:31.283
The second distraction is what i'm gonna call familiarity.
00:23:31.283 --> 00:23:35.620
We become like the people
00:23:35.620 --> 00:23:37.088
That paul wrote to timothy about.
00:23:37.088 --> 00:23:38.757
You know what he said about these people?
00:23:38.757 --> 00:23:40.091
He said, "they have a form of godliness,
00:23:40.091 --> 00:23:42.627
But they don't have any power."
00:23:42.627 --> 00:23:45.597
On two occasions in the book of revelation,
00:23:45.597 --> 00:23:48.200
John wrote to some churches.
00:23:48.200 --> 00:23:50.235
Listen to how he described these churches.
00:23:50.235 --> 00:23:52.771
This is the church of sardis.
00:23:52.771 --> 00:23:54.506
He said, "these things says he who has the seven spirits of god
00:23:54.506 --> 00:23:57.609
And the seven stars: 'i know your works,
00:23:57.609 --> 00:24:00.946
That you have a name that you are alive, but you're dead.'"
00:24:00.946 --> 00:24:06.284
And to the church of laodicea, he said this:
00:24:06.284 --> 00:24:08.720
"you say, 'i am rich, have become wealthy,
00:24:08.720 --> 00:24:11.022
And have need of nothing'-- and do not know
00:24:11.022 --> 00:24:12.791
That you are wretched, miserable,
00:24:12.791 --> 00:24:15.527
Poor, blind, and naked--'"
00:24:15.527 --> 00:24:19.531
We can become so familiar with the outward tokens
00:24:19.531 --> 00:24:22.868
Of our faith that they no longer draw us inward toward god.
00:24:22.868 --> 00:24:28.073
Many of us are like samson, who did not know that his strength
00:24:28.073 --> 00:24:30.976
Was gone until he needed it, and then it wasn't there.
00:24:30.976 --> 00:24:34.312
You remember his story?
00:24:34.312 --> 00:24:35.947
He had his hair cut off by delilah,
00:24:35.947 --> 00:24:38.583
And that was the source of his strength, and he didn't know it.
00:24:38.583 --> 00:24:41.152
When he woke up, the bible says he got up as he had done before,
00:24:41.152 --> 00:24:45.156
And he was weak.
00:24:45.156 --> 00:24:48.960
There was no strength.
00:24:48.960 --> 00:24:51.496
In the 19th century, there was a philosopher
00:24:51.496 --> 00:24:55.500
That i had to read when i was in seminary.
00:24:55.500 --> 00:24:58.236
His name was soren kierkegaard, a danish philosopher.
00:24:58.236 --> 00:25:04.042
And all the way back then, he was very disturbed
00:25:04.042 --> 00:25:07.779
By the church situation of his time.
00:25:07.779 --> 00:25:10.649
He was a pastor in the city of copenhagen,
00:25:10.649 --> 00:25:13.184
And everywhere he saw christians, but he said,
00:25:13.184 --> 00:25:16.154
"they were 'christians,' quote, 'in quotation.'"
00:25:16.154 --> 00:25:19.491
He saw, "professed christians who were completely secure
00:25:19.491 --> 00:25:22.994
And self-satisfied, for they had the bible.
00:25:22.994 --> 00:25:27.465
Many of them carried the bible in their pockets,
00:25:27.465 --> 00:25:31.036
And they had the word of god."
00:25:31.036 --> 00:25:33.838
But kierkegaard asked himself,
00:25:33.838 --> 00:25:36.207
"is this really the religion set forth in the bible?"
00:25:36.207 --> 00:25:40.845
And his answer was that such a religion
00:25:40.845 --> 00:25:43.181
Was an impudent indecency.
00:25:43.181 --> 00:25:46.051
Now, he was a very plain-spoken philosopher.
00:25:46.051 --> 00:25:50.255
And what i'm about to read you,
00:25:50.255 --> 00:25:52.357
I don't think i would ever have the courage to say.
00:25:52.357 --> 00:25:55.026
He said it.
00:25:55.026 --> 00:25:57.295
Just remember, this is kierkegaard, not jeremiah.
00:25:57.295 --> 00:26:02.200
He said, "a young girl of 16 summers,
00:26:02.200 --> 00:26:05.937
It's her confirmation day.
00:26:05.937 --> 00:26:08.640
Among the many tasteful and beautiful gifts,
00:26:08.640 --> 00:26:10.976
She also receives the new testament
00:26:10.976 --> 00:26:13.311
In a very pretty binding.
00:26:13.311 --> 00:26:16.047
Now, that is what one may call real christianity.
00:26:16.047 --> 00:26:20.719
To tell the truth, no one expects,
00:26:20.719 --> 00:26:22.787
And probably rightly so, that she,
00:26:22.787 --> 00:26:25.757
Any more than anyone else, will read that new testament
00:26:25.757 --> 00:26:29.127
Or at any rate not as originally intended,
00:26:29.127 --> 00:26:32.764
The book given her as a potential consolation in life.
00:26:32.764 --> 00:26:36.835
'here, should you need it, you will find consolation.'
00:26:36.835 --> 00:26:39.771
Of course, it is assumed that she will never read it any more
00:26:39.771 --> 00:26:42.507
Than any other young girls, but if she does,
00:26:42.507 --> 00:26:45.410
It will not be read as originally intended.
00:26:45.410 --> 00:26:49.147
Yet," said kierkegaard, "that is supposed to be christianity.
00:26:49.147 --> 00:26:53.752
You have a bible, you go to church,
00:26:53.752 --> 00:26:57.288
You do the christian things.
00:26:57.288 --> 00:27:00.825
I would be tempted to make christianity
00:27:00.825 --> 00:27:02.894
Another proposition," said kierkegaard.
00:27:02.894 --> 00:27:05.997
"let us gather together every single copy
00:27:05.997 --> 00:27:08.199
Of the new testament.
00:27:08.199 --> 00:27:09.701
Let us cart the whole collection out to an open place
00:27:09.701 --> 00:27:12.437
Or up to a mountaintop, and then while all of us kneel down,
00:27:12.437 --> 00:27:15.840
Let someone speak to god and say, 'take back this book.
00:27:15.840 --> 00:27:19.911
We humans don't know what to do with it.'"
00:27:19.911 --> 00:27:24.382
And i swallowed hard when i read that.
00:27:24.382 --> 00:27:26.284
Who would ever think of something like that?
00:27:26.284 --> 00:27:29.721
But what he was saying was,
00:27:29.721 --> 00:27:32.157
It's possible to get so familiar with the christian stuff,
00:27:32.157 --> 00:27:36.261
You know, there's even a language,
00:27:36.261 --> 00:27:37.896
Did you know it, called christianese?
00:27:37.896 --> 00:27:41.032
You become a christian,
00:27:41.032 --> 00:27:42.467
When you first become a christian,
00:27:42.467 --> 00:27:43.935
You talk like a normal person.
00:27:43.935 --> 00:27:45.904
Then after you're a christian for a while,
00:27:45.904 --> 00:27:47.439
You get a whole new vocabulary,
00:27:47.439 --> 00:27:49.107
And you walk around, everybody's so impressed
00:27:49.107 --> 00:27:51.209
With your thees and thous and all that stuff.
00:27:51.209 --> 00:27:55.447
But if we're not careful, we become familiar with it,
00:27:55.447 --> 00:27:59.451
And it doesn't really make any difference in our life.
00:27:59.451 --> 00:28:03.455
And we just go about the business,
00:28:03.455 --> 00:28:05.023
And church becomes a part of our culture,
00:28:05.023 --> 00:28:07.826
And being a christian is what we write down
00:28:07.826 --> 00:28:10.261
On the questionnaire, and that's what it is.
00:28:10.261 --> 00:28:15.033
But kierkegaard is right about one thing.
00:28:15.033 --> 00:28:17.569
That is not the religion of the bible.
00:28:17.569 --> 00:28:22.807
So these distractions that we deal with,
00:28:22.807 --> 00:28:25.844
How do we deal with them?
00:28:25.844 --> 00:28:28.446
In this section of my message, i want to talk
00:28:28.446 --> 00:28:30.715
About the disciplines that will defeat the distractions.
00:28:30.715 --> 00:28:35.186
And i want to tell you something.
00:28:35.186 --> 00:28:36.788
There's no rocket science here, and this is not something
00:28:36.788 --> 00:28:39.858
You probably haven't heard before,
00:28:39.858 --> 00:28:41.659
But at the beginning of this new year,
00:28:41.659 --> 00:28:43.561
This is what i believe god wants to lay on our hearts.
00:28:43.561 --> 00:28:46.531
So before i go there, i want to remind you
00:28:46.531 --> 00:28:49.601
Of the importance of discipline in the christian life.
00:28:49.601 --> 00:28:54.239
I know that's not a favorite word of many.
00:28:54.239 --> 00:28:57.942
I struggle with discipline myself.
00:28:57.942 --> 00:28:59.711
All of us do.
00:28:59.711 --> 00:29:01.179
If we don't, we're not being honest.
00:29:01.179 --> 00:29:03.348
But no one really succeeds without discipline.
00:29:03.348 --> 00:29:06.351
We need it.
00:29:06.351 --> 00:29:07.685
We need to develop it.
00:29:07.685 --> 00:29:09.020
We need god to help us become more disciplined
00:29:09.020 --> 00:29:11.589
About the things that really matter.
00:29:11.589 --> 00:29:14.526
Harry s. truman, one of my favorite presidents,
00:29:14.526 --> 00:29:18.196
A quaint guy, said, "in reading the lives of great men,
00:29:18.196 --> 00:29:22.767
I found that the first victory they all won
00:29:22.767 --> 00:29:26.237
Was the victory over themselves.
00:29:26.237 --> 00:29:30.475
Self-discipline with all of them came first."
00:29:30.475 --> 00:29:34.746
And i love what jackson brown wrote.
00:29:34.746 --> 00:29:36.915
He said, "talent without discipline is like an octopus
00:29:36.915 --> 00:29:40.819
On roller skates."
00:29:40.819 --> 00:29:43.521
There's plenty of movement, but you never know
00:29:43.521 --> 00:29:45.290
If it's gonna be forward, backwards, or sideways."
00:29:45.290 --> 00:29:50.361
The word of god tells us that discipline
00:29:50.361 --> 00:29:53.665
Is a part of our life.
00:29:53.665 --> 00:29:55.967
Paul wrote to young timothy, and he said,
00:29:55.967 --> 00:29:58.736
"timothy, bodily exercise profits a little,
00:29:58.736 --> 00:30:03.241
But godliness is profitable for all things,
00:30:03.241 --> 00:30:06.311
Having promise of the life that now is
00:30:06.311 --> 00:30:08.179
And that is to come."
00:30:08.179 --> 00:30:10.682
And at the beginning he says,
00:30:10.682 --> 00:30:12.884
"exercise yourself toward godliness."
00:30:12.884 --> 00:30:16.821
What does that mean?
00:30:16.821 --> 00:30:18.156
I've always loved that verse because the word "exercise"
00:30:18.156 --> 00:30:20.191
In that verse comes from a greek word,
00:30:20.191 --> 00:30:23.061
And here's the greek word,
00:30:23.061 --> 00:30:24.495
I'm gonna pronounce it, "gymnazo."
00:30:24.495 --> 00:30:26.965
It's the word from which we get the word "gymnasium."
00:30:26.965 --> 00:30:29.934
And what paul is saying to timothy is,
00:30:29.934 --> 00:30:31.603
Just like you need to go to the gym
00:30:31.603 --> 00:30:33.204
And stay in shape physically, you need to go
00:30:33.204 --> 00:30:35.773
To the spiritual gym and stay in shape spiritually.
00:30:35.773 --> 00:30:40.211
Just like there are exercises that help you
00:30:40.211 --> 00:30:43.147
To become stronger physically, there are exercises
00:30:43.147 --> 00:30:46.618
That cause you to become stronger spiritually.
00:30:46.618 --> 00:30:50.822
And he says this: "bodily exercise profits little."
00:30:50.822 --> 00:30:55.193
I know some people that have taken that little phrase
00:30:55.193 --> 00:30:57.629
As their life verse.
00:30:57.629 --> 00:31:00.298
Bodily exercise profits little.
00:31:00.298 --> 00:31:03.234
When they're tempted to get up in the morning and take a walk,
00:31:03.234 --> 00:31:06.437
Their life verse comes into play.
00:31:06.437 --> 00:31:08.473
Bodily exercise profits little.
00:31:08.473 --> 00:31:12.543
But paul only uses that as an illustration.
00:31:12.543 --> 00:31:16.514
He says, "bodily exercise profits little,
00:31:16.514 --> 00:31:19.851
But spiritual exercise is profitable in all things."
00:31:19.851 --> 00:31:25.023
And then he goes on to say that bodily exercise
00:31:25.023 --> 00:31:27.358
Is temporal.
00:31:27.358 --> 00:31:28.793
Our bodies wear out.
00:31:28.793 --> 00:31:30.762
But the bible says while bodily exercise is temporal,
00:31:30.762 --> 00:31:34.565
Spiritual exercise profits us now and throughout eternity.
00:31:34.565 --> 00:31:40.338
So he's making the case that while you make a priority
00:31:40.338 --> 00:31:43.975
Of physical exercise, don't forget spiritual exercise.
00:31:43.975 --> 00:31:47.545
And in reality, if you look at it biblically,
00:31:47.545 --> 00:31:51.482
Spiritual exercise is way more important
00:31:51.482 --> 00:31:53.618
Because it has a longer shelf life, right?
00:31:53.618 --> 00:31:57.655
So what discipline do we begin with if we're living lives
00:31:57.655 --> 00:32:01.392
Out-of-control frenzy?
00:32:01.392 --> 00:32:03.828
Where do we go?
00:32:03.828 --> 00:32:05.496
Well, the discipline of solitude is one that we might suggest.
00:32:05.496 --> 00:32:10.335
And i want to give you a verse that's so important,
00:32:10.335 --> 00:32:12.603
I'm going to read it to you
00:32:12.603 --> 00:32:14.205
In four different translations or paraphrases.
00:32:14.205 --> 00:32:17.442
Here is the verse, psalm 46:10:
00:32:17.442 --> 00:32:21.045
"be still, and know that i am god."
00:32:21.045 --> 00:32:27.285
Listen to the other translations of this verse.
00:32:27.285 --> 00:32:29.454
I love this.
00:32:29.454 --> 00:32:31.289
Psalm 46:10 in the living bible:
00:32:31.289 --> 00:32:34.659
"stand silent! know i am god!"
00:32:34.659 --> 00:32:40.064
Here is the amplified bible:
00:32:40.064 --> 00:32:43.501
"be still and know (recognize, and understand)
00:32:43.501 --> 00:32:49.140
That i am god."
00:32:49.140 --> 00:32:51.909
And my favorite is the message: "step out of the traffic!
00:32:51.909 --> 00:32:56.414
Take a long, loving look at me, your high god,
00:32:56.414 --> 00:32:59.017
Above politics, above everything."
00:32:59.017 --> 00:33:04.022
"be still and know that i am god."
00:33:04.022 --> 00:33:06.958
Now, what's the problem with those verses for all of us?
00:33:06.958 --> 00:33:09.894
We're never still.
00:33:09.894 --> 00:33:12.163
We get up in the morning and it's a rat race
00:33:12.163 --> 00:33:13.965
All the way through the whole day.
00:33:13.965 --> 00:33:15.900
We put our tired heads on the pillow at night
00:33:15.900 --> 00:33:18.136
Only to get up the next day and start over.
00:33:18.136 --> 00:33:21.506
We don't have any solitude in our lives.
00:33:21.506 --> 00:33:26.444
And it's not just about being quiet,
00:33:26.444 --> 00:33:28.880
Although people who aren't even christians
00:33:28.880 --> 00:33:31.082
Have discovered the power of that,
00:33:31.082 --> 00:33:33.051
And we'll see that in a moment.
00:33:33.051 --> 00:33:35.319
Solitude in itself is not what will help you
00:33:35.319 --> 00:33:39.524
Out of your frenzy.
00:33:39.524 --> 00:33:41.926
But what happens when you are still before god,
00:33:41.926 --> 00:33:44.762
You listen for his inner voice in your heart.
00:33:44.762 --> 00:33:48.266
The next thing you know, you're talking to god
00:33:48.266 --> 00:33:50.501
And you're praying,
00:33:50.501 --> 00:33:52.270
Because when you're still before god,
00:33:52.270 --> 00:33:54.539
The discipline of solitude joins hands
00:33:54.539 --> 00:33:57.708
With the discipline of prayer.
00:33:57.708 --> 00:33:59.844
And isaiah says that when we pray,
00:33:59.844 --> 00:34:02.613
God will keep us in perfect peace
00:34:02.613 --> 00:34:04.782
Because our mind is stayed on him.
00:34:04.782 --> 00:34:07.418
When you get into fellowship with god through his son,
00:34:07.418 --> 00:34:09.987
Jesus christ, something happens in your heart.
00:34:09.987 --> 00:34:14.459
If you rush into every day without any time
00:34:14.459 --> 00:34:17.462
Whatsoever for god, god won't abandon you,
00:34:17.462 --> 00:34:20.865
But you will not be aware of his presence,
00:34:20.865 --> 00:34:23.167
And that's the problem.
00:34:23.167 --> 00:34:25.937
Oswald chambers puts it in all perspective when he says,
00:34:25.937 --> 00:34:29.540
"remember, no one ever has the time to pray.
00:34:29.540 --> 00:34:34.846
We have to take time from other things that are valuable
00:34:34.846 --> 00:34:38.116
In order to understand how necessary prayer is.
00:34:38.116 --> 00:34:42.753
The things that act like thorns and stings in our personal lives
00:34:42.753 --> 00:34:46.624
Will go away instantly when we pray.
00:34:46.624 --> 00:34:50.128
We won't feel the smart anymore
00:34:50.128 --> 00:34:51.796
Because now we will have god's viewpoint on life
00:34:51.796 --> 00:34:54.899
And god's viewpoint on people."
00:34:54.899 --> 00:34:58.603
Do you know something that i have discovered?
00:34:58.603 --> 00:35:00.505
You probably have discovered it too.
00:35:00.505 --> 00:35:02.907
I would be disingenuous and certainly dishonest
00:35:02.907 --> 00:35:06.978
If i told you that every day of my whole life
00:35:06.978 --> 00:35:09.580
I have started with prayer because that isn't true.
00:35:09.580 --> 00:35:13.451
What i've noticed in starting a day with prayer
00:35:13.451 --> 00:35:17.955
And sometimes journaling and spending time with god
00:35:17.955 --> 00:35:21.025
Is a lot of the things that are all collected
00:35:21.025 --> 00:35:23.828
In the back of your mind that you need to get done that day,
00:35:23.828 --> 00:35:26.664
You wonder how you're ever going to get done,
00:35:26.664 --> 00:35:29.133
All of a sudden things that you can't even explain
00:35:29.133 --> 00:35:32.503
Happen that care for the cares of your day.
00:35:32.503 --> 00:35:35.740
God has a wonderful way when we put him first
00:35:35.740 --> 00:35:38.643
And take time for him, of helping us get through the day.
00:35:38.643 --> 00:35:42.013
Sometimes without our even knowing it,
00:35:42.013 --> 00:35:44.348
He reorganizes everything in our day.
00:35:44.348 --> 00:35:48.352
I didn't know how in the world i was ever gonna talk
00:35:48.352 --> 00:35:50.855
To this person, and i went to the gas station
00:35:50.855 --> 00:35:53.724
And they were pumping gas next to my car.
00:35:53.724 --> 00:35:57.061
Have you ever had that happen?
00:35:57.061 --> 00:35:59.063
Somebody say, "oh, that's just a coincidence."
00:35:59.063 --> 00:36:01.566
You know what i've discovered?
00:36:01.566 --> 00:36:03.100
The more i pray, the more coincidence
00:36:03.100 --> 00:36:04.835
That happen to me, amen?
00:36:04.835 --> 00:36:08.272
So be still and know that i am god.
00:36:08.272 --> 00:36:13.010
You've heard me quote him often
00:36:13.010 --> 00:36:14.378
Because i greatly respect mark batterson.
00:36:14.378 --> 00:36:17.114
He's an incredible writer.
00:36:17.114 --> 00:36:19.483
And in one of his books, he was talking
00:36:19.483 --> 00:36:21.352
About the importance of solitude,
00:36:21.352 --> 00:36:23.054
And he cobbled together the solitude strategies
00:36:23.054 --> 00:36:26.824
Of some very famous people.
00:36:26.824 --> 00:36:29.026
I thought i'd tell you some of these.
00:36:29.026 --> 00:36:31.529
In 1956, environmentalist sigurd olson built a small cabin
00:36:31.529 --> 00:36:37.034
On the banks of a lake in northern minnesota.
00:36:37.034 --> 00:36:40.638
The naming of lake homes is customary in the land
00:36:40.638 --> 00:36:43.507
Of 10,000 lakes, and most of the names are rather predictable.
00:36:43.507 --> 00:36:47.612
But olson was a little more intentional.
00:36:47.612 --> 00:36:51.716
His objective in building the cabin,
00:36:51.716 --> 00:36:54.185
And he wasn't a christian as far as i know,
00:36:54.185 --> 00:36:56.053
But his objective in building the cabin was to,
00:36:56.053 --> 00:36:58.823
Quote, "hear all that was worth listening for."
00:36:58.823 --> 00:37:04.195
So he called his cabin, "the listening point,"
00:37:04.195 --> 00:37:07.798
And he would just go there and be quiet and listen.
00:37:07.798 --> 00:37:12.770
Susanna wesley raised 17 children
00:37:12.770 --> 00:37:16.807
In a very small cabin, so solitude was hard to come by.
00:37:16.807 --> 00:37:22.847
Her whispering spot was a rocking chair in the middle
00:37:22.847 --> 00:37:25.683
Of the room, and she would throw a blanket over herself.
00:37:25.683 --> 00:37:30.187
It turned into her tent of meeting god.
00:37:30.187 --> 00:37:34.025
Perhaps that's what inspired her son, john,
00:37:34.025 --> 00:37:36.927
To kneel next to his bed
00:37:36.927 --> 00:37:38.362
And give his life to ministry and become the john wesley
00:37:38.362 --> 00:37:42.033
About whom we have all read.
00:37:42.033 --> 00:37:45.303
Thomas edison, probably not a believer.
00:37:45.303 --> 00:37:49.907
He had a thinking chair.
00:37:49.907 --> 00:37:53.177
Alexander graham bell had a dreaming place.
00:37:53.177 --> 00:37:57.548
Overlooking the grand river, henry david thoreau
00:37:57.548 --> 00:38:00.384
Skipped stones on walden pond.
00:38:00.384 --> 00:38:05.056
Then there was ludwig van beethoven.
00:38:05.056 --> 00:38:07.825
He sat at his desk until early afternoon
00:38:07.825 --> 00:38:10.961
And then took a stroll to reinvigorate his mind.
00:38:10.961 --> 00:38:13.798
He carried a pencil and a few sheets of music paper
00:38:13.798 --> 00:38:16.400
In his pocket to record anything
00:38:16.400 --> 00:38:18.769
That might occur to him musically,
00:38:18.769 --> 00:38:21.072
And he would write it down.
00:38:21.072 --> 00:38:23.607
Your whispering spot, your listening spot,
00:38:23.607 --> 00:38:26.844
Will be as unique as you are, but you need to find a time
00:38:26.844 --> 00:38:31.315
And a place to escape the frenzy of the world
00:38:31.315 --> 00:38:35.553
So that you can be still and know who god is.
00:38:35.553 --> 00:38:39.557
Why do you think most people get up early to do this?
00:38:39.557 --> 00:38:42.493
It's the only time they have control over.
00:38:42.493 --> 00:38:45.629
And so they get up early when no one can mess with them
00:38:45.629 --> 00:38:48.632
And take time for the lord.
00:38:48.632 --> 00:38:52.069
The discipline for frenzy is solitude and prayer.
00:38:52.069 --> 00:38:55.106
Now, the discipline for familiarity is bible study.
00:38:55.106 --> 00:38:59.543
And i know you're going to say,
00:38:59.543 --> 00:39:00.911
"well, dr. jeremiah, we expect you to say that.
00:39:00.911 --> 00:39:02.380
That's what we pay you to say."
00:39:02.380 --> 00:39:06.417
Listen carefully.
00:39:06.417 --> 00:39:07.918
The journey inward is not possible without the bible.
00:39:07.918 --> 00:39:12.556
The bible itself is not the answer.
00:39:12.556 --> 00:39:15.893
It is our use of the bible that makes the difference.
00:39:15.893 --> 00:39:19.463
We have to allow the bible's truth to wash over our minds
00:39:19.463 --> 00:39:23.701
And thoughts and fill the emptiness in our hearts.
00:39:23.701 --> 00:39:28.005
Paul told the romans that the only way they could recover
00:39:28.005 --> 00:39:31.142
From the pull of the world upon them
00:39:31.142 --> 00:39:33.644
Was through the renewing of their mind.
00:39:33.644 --> 00:39:37.148
He said, "don't be conformed to the world,
00:39:37.148 --> 00:39:38.983
But be transformed by the renewing of the mind
00:39:38.983 --> 00:39:42.219
So that you can determine what's right."
00:39:42.219 --> 00:39:44.588
What does it mean, "the renewing of your mind"?
00:39:44.588 --> 00:39:47.725
I liken it to a spiritual transfusion.
00:39:47.725 --> 00:39:52.396
You don't get rid of worldly, negative, sinful thoughts
00:39:52.396 --> 00:39:57.601
By making up your mind to get rid of them.
00:39:57.601 --> 00:40:00.171
You get rid of them by replacing them.
00:40:00.171 --> 00:40:03.040
You force truth into your mind, and that forces
00:40:03.040 --> 00:40:05.910
All of the junk out.
00:40:05.910 --> 00:40:08.479
There's a great statement about that in the bible,
00:40:08.479 --> 00:40:10.881
And i want to finish my message with that in just a moment.
00:40:10.881 --> 00:40:14.618
We live in a world that is more and more negative,
00:40:14.618 --> 00:40:20.191
Where good information of any kind is becoming rare.
00:40:20.191 --> 00:40:26.931
I don't know how many stations you have
00:40:26.931 --> 00:40:29.867
In your television system.
00:40:29.867 --> 00:40:32.269
You would think that on a given night,
00:40:32.269 --> 00:40:35.506
You could find something somewhere
00:40:35.506 --> 00:40:38.843
That was worth watching.
00:40:38.843 --> 00:40:40.811
But there are many nights when you just want to sit down
00:40:40.811 --> 00:40:43.447
And relax and watch something wholesome,
00:40:43.447 --> 00:40:46.917
When you go through the whole channel thing
00:40:46.917 --> 00:40:48.819
And there's not one thing worth watching.
00:40:48.819 --> 00:40:52.289
Can i get a witness?
00:40:52.289 --> 00:40:54.725
So, you've got to figure out something else.
00:40:54.725 --> 00:40:59.463
If you're going to get positive input,
00:40:59.463 --> 00:41:01.365
There's only one place i can promise you
00:41:01.365 --> 00:41:03.033
You can get it, and it's in the word of god.
00:41:03.033 --> 00:41:05.269
And paul said, "you renew your mind by the word of god."
00:41:05.269 --> 00:41:09.807
How many of you know
00:41:09.807 --> 00:41:11.141
That sometimes there's a little verse,
00:41:11.141 --> 00:41:12.543
And i don't mean this in any other way
00:41:12.543 --> 00:41:15.012
Than it's just pregnant.
00:41:15.012 --> 00:41:17.848
1 thessalonians 2:13 is a pregnant verse.
00:41:17.848 --> 00:41:21.452
It's a verse that's just begging to be born in your life
00:41:21.452 --> 00:41:24.822
And in mine, and it's just chuck full.
00:41:24.822 --> 00:41:27.424
So i'm gonna give you a little outline of 1 thessalonians 2:13,
00:41:27.424 --> 00:41:31.495
And this is what the bible says we should do
00:41:31.495 --> 00:41:33.697
With the word of god.
00:41:33.697 --> 00:41:35.032
Let me read the verse: "for this reason we also thank god
00:41:35.032 --> 00:41:38.869
Without ceasing,
00:41:38.869 --> 00:41:40.371
Because when you received the word of god
00:41:40.371 --> 00:41:42.406
Which you heard from us, you welcomed it
00:41:42.406 --> 00:41:45.175
Not as the word of men, but as it is in truth,
00:41:45.175 --> 00:41:48.946
The word of god,
00:41:48.946 --> 00:41:50.414
Which also effectively works in you who believe."
00:41:50.414 --> 00:41:54.952
Here's what we are challenged to do with the bible,
00:41:54.952 --> 00:41:57.755
According to 1 thessalonians 2:13:
00:41:57.755 --> 00:42:00.357
We're to accept it.
00:42:00.357 --> 00:42:02.326
"you received the word of god which you heard from us."
00:42:02.326 --> 00:42:06.997
We hear the word of god today through preaching and reading
00:42:06.997 --> 00:42:09.800
And watching and personal testimony, and we listen to it.
00:42:09.800 --> 00:42:13.504
But how many of you know the hearing of the word of god is
00:42:13.504 --> 00:42:16.473
Becoming more and more rare?
00:42:16.473 --> 00:42:19.276
Even in many churches, the word of god is given just a lick
00:42:19.276 --> 00:42:23.414
And a promise.
00:42:23.414 --> 00:42:25.249
It's incidentally involved in the service.
00:42:25.249 --> 00:42:29.153
But our church services ought to be all about the word of god.
00:42:29.153 --> 00:42:32.523
Amos the prophet said, "'behold, the days are coming,'
00:42:32.523 --> 00:42:36.226
Says the lord god,
00:42:36.226 --> 00:42:37.861
'that i will send a famine on the land,
00:42:37.861 --> 00:42:40.397
Not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water,
00:42:40.397 --> 00:42:44.301
But of hearing the words of the lord.'"
00:42:44.301 --> 00:42:47.004
Amos said, "there's coming a day when there'll be a famine
00:42:47.004 --> 00:42:49.940
Of the hearing of the words of the lord."
00:42:49.940 --> 00:42:52.209
We have discovered that people want the word of god.
00:42:52.209 --> 00:42:55.779
We cannot give them something inferior
00:42:55.779 --> 00:42:59.049
That will ever satisfy them.
00:42:59.049 --> 00:43:01.719
Over the years that i've been doing this now
00:43:01.719 --> 00:43:03.721
For almost 50 years, i have been just doing the same thing.
00:43:03.721 --> 00:43:07.291
I've avoided all the cul-de-sacs, all the detours,
00:43:07.291 --> 00:43:10.427
All the, "let's try this, let's try that."
00:43:10.427 --> 00:43:13.631
No, there's only one thing you can do.
00:43:13.631 --> 00:43:15.699
The word of god comes with a promise
00:43:15.699 --> 00:43:18.202
That it will never return unto god
00:43:18.202 --> 00:43:20.771
Without accomplishing his purpose.
00:43:20.771 --> 00:43:22.773
We need to accept the word of god.
00:43:22.773 --> 00:43:25.676
Here's the second thing.
00:43:25.676 --> 00:43:27.478
We need to anticipate the word of god.
00:43:27.478 --> 00:43:30.514
He says, "you welcomed the word of god."
00:43:30.514 --> 00:43:33.550
That has the idea of getting excited
00:43:33.550 --> 00:43:36.353
That it's going to happen.
00:43:36.353 --> 00:43:37.688
You didn't just listen to it.
00:43:37.688 --> 00:43:39.023
You were anxious to hear it.
00:43:39.023 --> 00:43:40.357
You wanted the word of god in your life.
00:43:40.357 --> 00:43:42.459
The two words used in this verse
00:43:42.459 --> 00:43:44.194
Are quite different.
00:43:44.194 --> 00:43:45.829
The first one means to hear with your ears,
00:43:45.829 --> 00:43:47.564
But the second one means to hear with your heart.
00:43:47.564 --> 00:43:50.668
When you came to the word of god,
00:43:50.668 --> 00:43:52.002
You had an anticipation that god
00:43:52.002 --> 00:43:53.404
Was gonna say something to you from this book
00:43:53.404 --> 00:43:56.173
That was gonna mean something to you in your life.
00:43:56.173 --> 00:43:58.709
Do you come to the scripture like that?
00:43:58.709 --> 00:44:00.411
Do you come to church like that?
00:44:00.411 --> 00:44:02.246
Do you pray as you come to church,
00:44:02.246 --> 00:44:03.714
"lord, help pastor jeremiah to say something today
00:44:03.714 --> 00:44:07.051
That will help me understand the situation i'm in,
00:44:07.051 --> 00:44:09.420
Direct me to a scripture that--" and you know, god does that.
00:44:09.420 --> 00:44:12.790
He does it in a way that's just amazing.
00:44:12.790 --> 00:44:15.492
I can preach on something that has nothing to do
00:44:15.492 --> 00:44:18.262
With what's going on in your life,
00:44:18.262 --> 00:44:20.064
But incidentally, i will say something,
00:44:20.064 --> 00:44:21.965
And god will use that to help you
00:44:21.965 --> 00:44:24.301
Get through your situation.
00:44:24.301 --> 00:44:26.270
How do i know that?
00:44:26.270 --> 00:44:27.604
I read letters about that every single week.
00:44:27.604 --> 00:44:30.240
And i think to myself, "when did i say that?"
00:44:30.240 --> 00:44:35.145
You accept the word of god, you anticipate the word of god,
00:44:35.145 --> 00:44:37.581
You appreciate the word of god.
00:44:37.581 --> 00:44:40.084
"not as the word of men, but as it is in truth,
00:44:40.084 --> 00:44:42.953
The word of god."
00:44:42.953 --> 00:44:44.688
Paul was rejoicing that these thessalonian believers,
00:44:44.688 --> 00:44:47.925
When they read the word of god,
00:44:47.925 --> 00:44:50.427
They didn't read it like it was a book written by men.
00:44:50.427 --> 00:44:53.230
They read it as a book coming from god.
00:44:53.230 --> 00:44:56.300
This book is not human.
00:44:56.300 --> 00:44:59.236
This book is supernatural.
00:44:59.236 --> 00:45:01.705
This book is god's book.
00:45:01.705 --> 00:45:04.374
And when you read it, it's not going to have the same impact
00:45:04.374 --> 00:45:07.044
On you as if you're reading a novel.
00:45:07.044 --> 00:45:09.646
This book will come to you in a way that is just amazing.
00:45:09.646 --> 00:45:14.384
We should never approach the bible
00:45:14.384 --> 00:45:16.286
As we approach other books that we read.
00:45:16.286 --> 00:45:18.856
The bible is different in origin and in character
00:45:18.856 --> 00:45:21.759
And in content and in cost.
00:45:21.759 --> 00:45:24.094
The bible is the word of god.
00:45:24.094 --> 00:45:25.829
It is inspired by the spirit of god.
00:45:25.829 --> 00:45:28.799
It was written by men who were controlled by the spirit of god.
00:45:28.799 --> 00:45:33.871
People think, "well, when the bible is inspired,
00:45:33.871 --> 00:45:36.406
That just means the guys
00:45:36.406 --> 00:45:37.841
Who wrote it had an inspiration."
00:45:37.841 --> 00:45:39.376
No, the word "inspire" means to breathe into.
00:45:39.376 --> 00:45:45.082
And 2 peter 1:21 says it this way:
00:45:45.082 --> 00:45:48.452
"prophecy never came by the will of man,
00:45:48.452 --> 00:45:51.555
But holy men of god spoke as they were moved
00:45:51.555 --> 00:45:56.026
By the holy spirit."
00:45:56.026 --> 00:45:57.761
So the bible is a book that was written from god,
00:45:57.761 --> 00:46:01.365
But he wrote the book through the personalities
00:46:01.365 --> 00:46:04.001
Of the writers so that while it was still
00:46:04.001 --> 00:46:06.170
The word of god, the personalities
00:46:06.170 --> 00:46:08.272
Of the 40-some writers is clear in their writing.
00:46:08.272 --> 00:46:12.843
It's an amazing, incredible book.
00:46:12.843 --> 00:46:15.979
One of my great teachers in seminary
00:46:15.979 --> 00:46:17.748
Was a guy named charles ryrie.
00:46:17.748 --> 00:46:20.317
He wrote some tremendous books along with his study bible.
00:46:20.317 --> 00:46:23.754
And here's what he wrote about the bible.
00:46:23.754 --> 00:46:26.123
This is instructive.
00:46:26.123 --> 00:46:27.891
He said, "not many years ago, all you had to say
00:46:27.891 --> 00:46:30.327
To affirm your belief in the inspiration of the bible
00:46:30.327 --> 00:46:33.096
Was that you believed the bible was the word of god.
00:46:33.096 --> 00:46:36.233
That was it.
00:46:36.233 --> 00:46:38.035
But as people have sliced and diced and criticized and hacked
00:46:38.035 --> 00:46:41.205
The bible to bits or tried to, it became necessary
00:46:41.205 --> 00:46:45.008
To add that you believe the bible was inspired.
00:46:45.008 --> 00:46:48.011
It's the inspired word of god.
00:46:48.011 --> 00:46:49.980
Later, you had to include verbally inspired,
00:46:49.980 --> 00:46:52.983
Which means every word is inspired.
00:46:52.983 --> 00:46:55.152
And then to mean the same thing, you had to say, plenary.
00:46:55.152 --> 00:46:58.355
Plenarily inspired means that it's inspired from genesis
00:46:58.355 --> 00:47:01.191
All the way through to revelation.
00:47:01.191 --> 00:47:03.827
Today, you have to say, i believe the bible
00:47:03.827 --> 00:47:06.763
Is plenarily verbally inspired,
00:47:06.763 --> 00:47:09.099
And it's the infallible word of god.
00:47:09.099 --> 00:47:11.401
That's what i believe.
00:47:11.401 --> 00:47:12.870
That's what we believe.
00:47:12.870 --> 00:47:14.204
But now you've got to do it, because so many people have
00:47:14.204 --> 00:47:16.106
Tried to undermine god's word that you have to be really clear
00:47:16.106 --> 00:47:19.610
About what you mean.
00:47:19.610 --> 00:47:21.111
I believe the bible is the inspired, infallible,
00:47:21.111 --> 00:47:25.716
Authoritative word of god."
00:47:25.716 --> 00:47:28.552
That's what we teach and preach.
00:47:28.552 --> 00:47:30.387
That's what we believe.
00:47:30.387 --> 00:47:31.955
So you accept the word of god.
00:47:31.955 --> 00:47:33.290
You anticipate it.
00:47:33.290 --> 00:47:34.625
You appreciate it.
00:47:34.625 --> 00:47:35.959
And then in the same verse, here's an incredible little
00:47:35.959 --> 00:47:38.195
Phrase, you apply the word of god, most important of all,
00:47:38.195 --> 00:47:42.132
"which also effectively works in you who believe."
00:47:42.132 --> 00:47:46.837
Do you see that in the text?
00:47:46.837 --> 00:47:48.338
He says you accept the word of god
00:47:48.338 --> 00:47:50.173
Because it is working in you.
00:47:50.173 --> 00:47:53.076
It's energetically working in your life.
00:47:53.076 --> 00:47:55.512
Let me ask you this question:
00:47:55.512 --> 00:47:57.047
Is god's word energetically working in your life?
00:47:57.047 --> 00:48:00.384
Is it making a difference?
00:48:00.384 --> 00:48:02.586
When paul says that god has an effective work
00:48:02.586 --> 00:48:05.422
In the hearts of those who believe,
00:48:05.422 --> 00:48:06.823
He is saying that when anyone, anytime,
00:48:06.823 --> 00:48:09.559
Anywhere believes the message of the bible,
00:48:09.559 --> 00:48:12.596
Something will happen in his life.
00:48:12.596 --> 00:48:15.866
This is a dynamic book.
00:48:15.866 --> 00:48:19.102
Hebrews says: "the word of god is living and powerful,
00:48:19.102 --> 00:48:22.439
Sharper than any two-edged sword."
00:48:22.439 --> 00:48:25.542
Theologian robert webber said, "some time ago i was biking
00:48:25.542 --> 00:48:29.579
In michigan, and i met another biker
00:48:29.579 --> 00:48:32.282
Who, like myself, was a professor of theology.
00:48:32.282 --> 00:48:36.019
In the course of our conversation by the side
00:48:36.019 --> 00:48:37.988
Of the road, he said something i will never forget.
00:48:37.988 --> 00:48:40.791
He said, 'bob, all i really want in life is for the word of god
00:48:40.791 --> 00:48:44.861
To take up residence inside of me
00:48:44.861 --> 00:48:47.130
And form me into christ-likeness.'"
00:48:47.130 --> 00:48:51.201
Webber said, "i think that statement hit me hard
00:48:51.201 --> 00:48:53.203
Because my seminary training in the bible
00:48:53.203 --> 00:48:55.472
Was never that personal.
00:48:55.472 --> 00:48:57.574
We were always asking, what does it say?
00:48:57.574 --> 00:48:59.876
And seldom, if ever, made the step into
00:48:59.876 --> 00:49:02.679
A deep personal application:
00:49:02.679 --> 00:49:05.115
How can that truth take up residence in me?"
00:49:05.115 --> 00:49:09.553
That's so critical, men and women.
00:49:09.553 --> 00:49:11.855
The bible needs to be energetically working in us.
00:49:11.855 --> 00:49:16.059
That's what will make the changes in our life
00:49:16.059 --> 00:49:18.128
That we're seeking.
00:49:18.128 --> 00:49:19.596
That's what will make us different people.
00:49:19.596 --> 00:49:21.431
And i know that some of you say, "well, dr. jeremiah,
00:49:21.431 --> 00:49:23.533
I've been reading the bible all my life,
00:49:23.533 --> 00:49:26.269
And where's the change?"
00:49:26.269 --> 00:49:28.138
J.c. ryle said, "do not think you're getting no good
00:49:28.138 --> 00:49:31.408
From the bible merely because you do not see
00:49:31.408 --> 00:49:34.411
That good day by day.
00:49:34.411 --> 00:49:37.214
The greatest effects are by no means those
00:49:37.214 --> 00:49:39.416
Which make the most noise and are most easily observed.
00:49:39.416 --> 00:49:43.920
The greatest effect of the bible is the often silent, quiet,
00:49:43.920 --> 00:49:48.125
And hard to detect at the time thing
00:49:48.125 --> 00:49:50.761
That is producing in your life.
00:49:50.761 --> 00:49:53.096
Think of the influence of the moon upon the earth
00:49:53.096 --> 00:49:55.932
And of the air upon the human lungs.
00:49:55.932 --> 00:49:58.301
Remember how silently the dew falls
00:49:58.301 --> 00:50:00.904
And how imperceptibly the grass grows.
00:50:00.904 --> 00:50:03.640
There may be far more going on in your life
00:50:03.640 --> 00:50:06.209
Because you read the bible than you are taking note of."
00:50:06.209 --> 00:50:10.514
Let me tell you something.
00:50:10.514 --> 00:50:12.115
You cannot read the bible and study the bible
00:50:12.115 --> 00:50:14.051
As we've described from 1 thessalonians 2:13
00:50:14.051 --> 00:50:17.287
And not have it change your life
00:50:17.287 --> 00:50:20.290
Over a period of time, little by little,
00:50:20.290 --> 00:50:23.226
The renewing of your mind and the renewing of your heart.
00:50:23.226 --> 00:50:27.264
Let me close with a story.
00:50:27.264 --> 00:50:30.100
The island of manhattan consists almost entirely of bare granite,
00:50:30.100 --> 00:50:35.372
A very hard and strong type of rock.
00:50:35.372 --> 00:50:39.976
To carry the weight of a 75- or 100-story skyscraper,
00:50:39.976 --> 00:50:45.015
Builders use foundation anchors called piles.
00:50:45.015 --> 00:50:49.286
Piles are concrete or steel columns hammered into the ground
00:50:49.286 --> 00:50:54.191
Until they penetrate the solid rock of the foundation.
00:50:54.191 --> 00:50:58.361
For especially tall buildings, listen to this,
00:50:58.361 --> 00:51:00.931
Some piles are driven 25 stories below ground.
00:51:00.931 --> 00:51:06.736
The heavy weight of the skyscraper
00:51:06.736 --> 00:51:08.638
Is then distributed through each of the piles.
00:51:08.638 --> 00:51:11.842
And together, they support the structure's enormous weight.
00:51:11.842 --> 00:51:15.445
If foundation piles are drilled and driven in poorly,
00:51:15.445 --> 00:51:20.150
Cracks will eventually appear in the structure.
00:51:20.150 --> 00:51:23.286
Entire buildings could lean, and then they have to be torn down
00:51:23.286 --> 00:51:27.691
Or lifted completely so the piles can be reset.
00:51:27.691 --> 00:51:31.795
In the same way, men and women, in our lives it's true.
00:51:31.795 --> 00:51:35.699
If we don't have a strong foundation, we're going
00:51:35.699 --> 00:51:39.402
To be in trouble,
00:51:39.402 --> 00:51:41.371
And especially at a time like this.
00:51:41.371 --> 00:51:44.341
What i've been talking to you about today is mirrored
00:51:44.341 --> 00:51:46.343
In the new testament by the words of jesus.
00:51:46.343 --> 00:51:48.912
Listen to these words: "therefore whoever hears
00:51:48.912 --> 00:51:52.516
These sayings of mine, and does them,
00:51:52.516 --> 00:51:55.418
I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:
00:51:55.418 --> 00:51:59.589
And the rain descended, and the floods came,
00:51:59.589 --> 00:52:01.591
And the winds blew that beat on the house;
00:52:01.591 --> 00:52:03.627
And it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
00:52:03.627 --> 00:52:07.397
But everyone who hears these sayings of mine,
00:52:07.397 --> 00:52:09.366
And does not do them,
00:52:09.366 --> 00:52:11.434
Will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:
00:52:11.434 --> 00:52:15.238
And the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell.
00:52:15.238 --> 00:52:18.842
And great was its fall."
00:52:18.842 --> 00:52:21.144
I want to tell you two things about this story
00:52:21.144 --> 00:52:22.646
That you may never have heard before
00:52:22.646 --> 00:52:24.214
Because i never thought of them quite this way.
00:52:24.214 --> 00:52:26.983
First of all, the blessing or the curse of your response to
00:52:26.983 --> 00:52:31.121
The word of god is not whether you heard the words or not.
00:52:31.121 --> 00:52:34.691
Notice what it says.
00:52:34.691 --> 00:52:37.127
"whoever hears these sayings of mine and does them."
00:52:37.127 --> 00:52:41.631
So the issue isn't whether or not you heard the word of god.
00:52:41.631 --> 00:52:44.267
The issue is whether or not you do the word of god.
00:52:44.267 --> 00:52:47.070
If you hear it and you don't do it,
00:52:47.070 --> 00:52:49.272
That doesn't make any difference.
00:52:49.272 --> 00:52:50.707
Now, i want you to imagine with me that the two houses
00:52:50.707 --> 00:52:53.243
In jesus's parable are on the same street.
00:52:53.243 --> 00:52:57.347
They're actually next to each other.
00:52:57.347 --> 00:53:00.250
They're built by the same builder,
00:53:00.250 --> 00:53:02.285
And you can see the similarity of the houses.
00:53:02.285 --> 00:53:05.222
And you don't know there's anything different
00:53:05.222 --> 00:53:07.557
About these houses, because they look the same.
00:53:07.557 --> 00:53:10.660
They're almost mirrors of each other.
00:53:10.660 --> 00:53:13.897
And then one day, the bible says the storm came,
00:53:13.897 --> 00:53:18.235
And the rain came down, and the floods came down,
00:53:18.235 --> 00:53:21.104
And the house that was built here on the rock
00:53:21.104 --> 00:53:23.573
Is standing strong, but the house
00:53:23.573 --> 00:53:25.675
That was built on the sand crumbles, and great is its fall.
00:53:25.675 --> 00:53:30.947
Here's what i want you to remember.
00:53:30.947 --> 00:53:34.117
Whether or not you build your foundation strong,
00:53:34.117 --> 00:53:38.088
Is your choice.
00:53:38.088 --> 00:53:40.156
And you may be able to go through life,
00:53:40.156 --> 00:53:41.925
And nobody will know whether you're doing that or not.
00:53:41.925 --> 00:53:43.860
But one day, and maybe it's happened already,
00:53:43.860 --> 00:53:46.496
The storm will come.
00:53:46.496 --> 00:53:50.133
And the storm will not make you what you are.
00:53:50.133 --> 00:53:54.371
The storm will reveal what you are.
00:53:54.371 --> 00:53:58.141
The storm is very non-discerning of who we are
00:53:58.141 --> 00:54:03.780
Or what we've done.
00:54:03.780 --> 00:54:05.348
The storm hits everybody the same,
00:54:05.348 --> 00:54:07.217
And the difference is whether or not
00:54:07.217 --> 00:54:10.220
You've built a strong foundation.
00:54:10.220 --> 00:54:13.456
So as we go into this new year, as lovingly as i can,
00:54:13.456 --> 00:54:19.996
Without making this a guilt trip,
00:54:19.996 --> 00:54:22.265
Because it's not, i just want to encourage you
00:54:22.265 --> 00:54:25.535
As to how you can make this year the best year
00:54:25.535 --> 00:54:28.605
You ever had.
00:54:28.605 --> 00:54:30.340
No matter what goes on in life, frenzy can grab hold of us
00:54:30.340 --> 00:54:34.377
If we don't find a place to be still
00:54:34.377 --> 00:54:36.680
And know that god is there.
00:54:36.680 --> 00:54:39.582
And familiarity, we're all victims of that.
00:54:39.582 --> 00:54:43.553
The way we overcome that is get a fresh word from god
00:54:43.553 --> 00:54:46.289
Every day and know that god is-- he's not static.
00:54:46.289 --> 00:54:51.661
He's dynamic.
00:54:51.661 --> 00:54:54.064
And you can be dynamic if you let the word of god
00:54:54.064 --> 00:54:56.499
Fill your life.
00:54:56.499 --> 00:54:58.768
Announcer: dr. jeremiah will return to close today's program
00:54:58.835 --> 00:55:01.604
Right after this.
00:55:01.604 --> 00:55:03.306
Announcer: allow god's word to speak directly to your heart,
00:55:05.942 --> 00:55:08.645
Deepening your time with the savior in the coming year,
00:55:08.645 --> 00:55:10.780
With "a closer walk with jesus," dr. david jeremiah's brand-new
00:55:10.780 --> 00:55:14.884
365-day leather devotional for 2026.
00:55:14.884 --> 00:55:18.221
Each day's short reading brings you a focused thought,
00:55:18.221 --> 00:55:20.857
Life-giving scripture, and practical wisdom
00:55:20.857 --> 00:55:22.892
From dr. jeremiah to strengthen your connection with christ,
00:55:22.892 --> 00:55:26.162
Yours for a gift of any amount.
00:55:26.162 --> 00:55:28.064
Or request 4 copies for $120 or more, perfect for gift giving.
00:55:28.064 --> 00:55:32.802
Breathe new life and inspiration
00:55:32.802 --> 00:55:34.604
Into your daily appointment with god.
00:55:34.604 --> 00:55:36.639
Request "a closer walk with jesus"
00:55:36.639 --> 00:55:38.675
From "turning point" today.
00:55:38.675 --> 00:55:40.377
Announcer: and now, with one last word for today's program,
00:55:42.645 --> 00:55:45.482
Here is dr. jeremiah.
00:55:45.482 --> 00:55:48.017
Dr. jeremiah: people are often looking for various methods
00:55:48.084 --> 00:55:50.487
To find peace and security within,
00:55:50.487 --> 00:55:53.089
Especially when there's chaos occurring all around them.
00:55:53.089 --> 00:55:56.893
There's one prerequisite for cultivating the inner strength
00:55:56.893 --> 00:55:59.629
And peace we need for our journey of life,
00:55:59.629 --> 00:56:02.699
And it is found in jesus christ.
00:56:02.699 --> 00:56:05.568
The steadfast and unwavering peace of god
00:56:05.568 --> 00:56:08.772
Cannot be found externally.
00:56:08.772 --> 00:56:10.473
It begins with a spiritual birth through jesus christ.
00:56:10.473 --> 00:56:15.879
My prayer is that you have placed your trust in christ as
00:56:15.879 --> 00:56:20.150
Your unshakable foundation for your life and for eternity.
00:56:20.150 --> 00:56:25.221
To help you begin and continue in your faith life,
00:56:25.221 --> 00:56:28.091
I would love to send you two free gifts.
00:56:28.091 --> 00:56:30.794
One is a booklet called, "your greatest turning point,"
00:56:30.794 --> 00:56:33.663
And the other is our monthly devotional magazine called,
00:56:33.663 --> 00:56:37.367
"turning points."
00:56:37.367 --> 00:56:39.068
These two resources have helped many people in their walk
00:56:39.068 --> 00:56:42.038
Of faith, and i know they'll be meaningful to you as well.
00:56:42.038 --> 00:56:46.676
So we'll gladly send these gifts to you, free of charge,
00:56:46.676 --> 00:56:50.246
If you will contact us here at "turning point" today.
00:56:50.246 --> 00:56:53.550
Announcer: next time on "turning point."
00:56:55.652 --> 00:56:58.021
Dr. jeremiah: how are you supposed to love god?
00:56:58.021 --> 00:57:00.123
Love him with all your heart, love him with all your soul,
00:57:00.123 --> 00:57:04.127
Love him with all your strength, and love him with all your mind.
00:57:04.127 --> 00:57:07.564
If you're a student here tonight,
00:57:07.564 --> 00:57:09.032
When you study hard and work hard
00:57:09.032 --> 00:57:11.100
To determine the truth from the word of god
00:57:11.100 --> 00:57:13.603
And from life, when you dedicate your mind to the lord,
00:57:13.603 --> 00:57:16.406
That's a form of worship of god.
00:57:16.406 --> 00:57:19.876
Announcer: join us next time for dr. jeremiah's message,
00:57:19.943 --> 00:57:22.846
"fully engaged," here on "turning point."
00:57:22.846 --> 00:57:22.846

David Jeremiah - The Inward Journey

January 3, 2026 | 58:20

Closed captions

Share