WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.919 And good morning, everyone. 00:00:04.259 --> 00:00:08.140 This week, we're continuing on our topic of spiritual disciplines. 00:00:08.480 --> 00:00:10.359 ! So last week, we talked about fasting. 00:00:10.859 --> 00:00:12.839 ! Today, we're going over scripture. 00:00:13.640 --> 00:00:16.620 And we're going over these spiritual disciplines as a church 00:00:16.620 --> 00:00:20.120 because we don't want to just be believers of Christ. 00:00:20.199 --> 00:00:21.179 We want to be followers. 00:00:21.539 --> 00:00:23.039 We want to be disciples of Christ. 00:00:23.120 --> 00:00:27.400 And if we want to be disciples, we need to be also disciplined. 00:00:28.239 --> 00:00:30.000 So what do you think of when you think of discipline? 00:00:30.299 --> 00:00:33.600 I think back of when I was in high school, middle school. 00:00:33.820 --> 00:00:37.759 I was part of a program called the Royal Canadian Air Cadets in Canada. 00:00:38.460 --> 00:00:41.159 So this was in Canada run by the military, 00:00:41.460 --> 00:00:43.459 trying to recruit kids to join the Air Force. 00:00:43.459 --> 00:00:47.140 So think of maybe like a baby version of the military, 00:00:47.459 --> 00:00:49.340 trying to instill discipline. 00:00:50.140 --> 00:00:55.159 So one summer, I went to a training camp at the Air Force base. 00:00:55.299 --> 00:00:57.340 And they put us up in these barracks. 00:00:57.399 --> 00:00:58.719 Think a row. 00:00:59.219 --> 00:01:04.819 So a giant hall, long hall, with literally 100 guys sleeping in the same room, 00:01:05.019 --> 00:01:05.819 rows of bunk beds. 00:01:07.079 --> 00:01:08.519 And they were trying to teach us discipline. 00:01:08.700 --> 00:01:12.560 So every day when we woke up, we had to make our beds. 00:01:12.840 --> 00:01:14.239 And it had to be pristine. 00:01:14.400 --> 00:01:18.019 Not a single wrinkle, not a single crease, nothing on it. 00:01:19.039 --> 00:01:21.480 And we would have to stand at attention for inspection, 00:01:21.780 --> 00:01:24.060 where the officer would pace down the hall. 00:01:24.879 --> 00:01:26.840 And then every now and then, you'd hear something like, 00:01:26.900 --> 00:01:32.200 Corporal Anderson, tell me where, could you make a wild guess of where I found this piece of hair? 00:01:34.460 --> 00:01:36.820 So that was how they tried to teach us discipline. 00:01:37.679 --> 00:01:41.859 I was commanded to make my bed, and it was just the chore that I got yelled at to do. 00:01:42.799 --> 00:01:46.599 So naturally, after two weeks, I went home, and I just never made my bed again. 00:01:46.939 --> 00:01:48.479 I don't care about making my bed. 00:01:48.479 --> 00:01:49.099 I don't like it. 00:01:49.099 --> 00:01:54.819 And my lovely wife, Jojo, one perk of being married is 15 years later, she makes my bed for me every morning. 00:01:55.359 --> 00:01:56.819 So shout out to her. 00:01:59.319 --> 00:02:05.599 Is that how we look at spiritual disciplines of fasting and now reading scripture? 00:02:05.859 --> 00:02:10.979 That it's a chore that you're yelled at to do, you're commanded to do, but there's no joy in it. 00:02:10.979 --> 00:02:13.159 Like, I knew, I felt that way before. 00:02:13.280 --> 00:02:24.019 I know that as a good Christian, you're meant to read scripture, but I don't maybe even know if I believe what I read or if I do, why does this relate to me? 00:02:24.020 --> 00:02:27.120 Maybe some of you feel that way. 00:02:28.600 --> 00:02:36.060 Now, as we look at Psalm 1 today, we see that the spiritual disciplines aren't just meant to be a chore, but a delight. 00:02:36.439 --> 00:02:38.860 It's not just discipline, but a desire that we have. 00:02:40.500 --> 00:02:42.439 The disciplines are for our joy. 00:02:43.560 --> 00:02:48.140 When we read scriptures, Psalm 1 says we're blessed, happy, filled with joy. 00:02:48.280 --> 00:02:52.820 Is joy part of your vocabulary in talking about the spiritual disciplines? 00:02:52.819 --> 00:02:55.299 That's what the Psalm says in various translations. 00:02:55.479 --> 00:03:05.699 It says, blessed is the man or happy is the one or all the joys of those whose delight is in the law of the Lord and on his law, he meditates day and night. 00:03:05.819 --> 00:03:08.639 Oh, the joys of loving God's word. 00:03:10.199 --> 00:03:16.579 And as we go through this Psalm, I want us to feel that there is joy in God's word, that yes, I am blessed, happy, fulfilled, complete. 00:03:16.579 --> 00:03:21.319 If I live in God's word rather than sin, we'll break it down into three points. 00:03:21.319 --> 00:03:27.680 Blessed are those who adore God's word, who abide in God's word, and blessed are those who act on God's word. 00:03:28.719 --> 00:03:32.739 Now, since we're discussing scripture today, it's only fitting that we stand for God's word. 00:03:34.120 --> 00:03:43.459 So please stand out of reverence for God's word, but not just that, out of joy, because as we worshiped, we stood with our hands up, praising God. 00:03:43.539 --> 00:03:46.359 And we can do so also in reading from God's word. 00:03:46.360 --> 00:03:47.380 So Psalm 1. 00:03:48.880 --> 00:03:55.740 Blessed is the man who walks not in counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers. 00:03:55.980 --> 00:04:00.720 But his delight is on the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 00:04:01.460 --> 00:04:07.640 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in season, and its leaf does not wither. 00:04:08.180 --> 00:04:10.320 In all that he does, he prospers. 00:04:10.319 --> 00:04:13.759 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. 00:04:14.359 --> 00:04:18.360 Therefore, the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 00:04:19.139 --> 00:04:23.779 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. 00:04:24.300 --> 00:04:25.339 This is the word of the Lord. 00:04:25.719 --> 00:04:26.519 Please take a seat. 00:04:31.519 --> 00:04:34.500 First, blessed are those who adore God's word. 00:04:34.839 --> 00:04:36.300 We see that in the first two verses. 00:04:36.300 --> 00:04:41.139 It says, blessed is the man who stays away from sin, who walks on the counsel of the wicked. 00:04:41.340 --> 00:04:43.100 We'll get back to that in a second. 00:04:43.220 --> 00:04:48.000 But instead, verse 2, his delight instead is in the law of the Lord. 00:04:48.520 --> 00:04:52.080 In other words, blessed are those who adore, who love God's word. 00:04:52.740 --> 00:04:54.000 Now, what does it mean to be blessed? 00:04:55.100 --> 00:04:58.120 It simply means to be happy, joyful, flourishing. 00:04:58.280 --> 00:05:02.540 We can see that when we compare other translations that say happy or joyful. 00:05:04.019 --> 00:05:05.600 In other words, just life's good. 00:05:05.600 --> 00:05:11.920 Blessed, and it says here that blessed is the man here, but there's no reason to think that this applies only to men. 00:05:12.300 --> 00:05:13.040 So, ladies, don't worry. 00:05:13.100 --> 00:05:14.120 This applies to you also. 00:05:15.720 --> 00:05:18.879 Verse 2 also says that his delight is in the law of the Lord. 00:05:19.360 --> 00:05:20.879 It says literally law of the Lord. 00:05:20.939 --> 00:05:23.740 So, why do we say God's word scripture here today? 00:05:24.540 --> 00:05:30.200 The word law there is the Hebrew word Torah, which sometimes can mean the first five books of the Bible. 00:05:30.199 --> 00:05:36.899 But it can also more broadly in the Psalms mean generally God's word, his instruction, his verbal instruction. 00:05:37.839 --> 00:05:40.899 So, God's word, which we now have in the form of the Bible. 00:05:41.639 --> 00:05:44.459 So, blessed are those who love God's word. 00:05:44.459 --> 00:05:47.439 How do we love God's word, though? 00:05:48.159 --> 00:05:49.519 Do you have a love for God's word? 00:05:50.439 --> 00:05:53.680 It first comes from a love for God himself. 00:05:54.319 --> 00:05:57.659 We see this, for example, in Psalm 119, verse 10. 00:05:57.740 --> 00:05:58.000 It says, 00:05:58.000 --> 00:06:06.540 Or verse 12. 00:06:06.540 --> 00:06:07.959 Blessed are you, O Lord. 00:06:08.540 --> 00:06:09.300 Blessed are you. 00:06:09.779 --> 00:06:12.240 Therefore, teach me your statutes. 00:06:12.360 --> 00:06:13.360 Teach me your word. 00:06:14.420 --> 00:06:14.540 Right? 00:06:15.480 --> 00:06:21.759 Or also, we see that if Jojo wrote me a love letter, my wife wrote me a birthday card, I would want to read that. 00:06:21.839 --> 00:06:24.759 Not because I love the card, but because I love her. 00:06:24.759 --> 00:06:28.759 So, this love for God's word comes from a love for God himself. 00:06:30.159 --> 00:06:32.819 Now, looking back to verse 1, there's another factor at play. 00:06:34.480 --> 00:06:37.680 Sin is contrasted with this love for God's word. 00:06:37.980 --> 00:06:39.279 God's word doesn't mix with sin. 00:06:39.639 --> 00:06:42.620 They're incompatible, kind of like trying to mix oil with water. 00:06:43.360 --> 00:06:45.339 You can't love God's word and love sin. 00:06:46.620 --> 00:06:46.959 It says, 00:06:46.959 --> 00:06:53.339 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, who stands in the ways of sinners, and sits in the seat of scoffers. 00:06:53.339 --> 00:06:57.379 But instead, blessed is the man who renounces sin. 00:06:58.859 --> 00:07:01.359 So, blessed is the man who loves God's word. 00:07:01.459 --> 00:07:03.139 These are two different directions you can take. 00:07:03.639 --> 00:07:06.479 It's kind of like taking a train to Kennedy Town versus Chaiwan. 00:07:06.719 --> 00:07:09.019 You can't be in both places at once. 00:07:10.359 --> 00:07:11.099 And why is that? 00:07:11.179 --> 00:07:12.699 Because God's word addresses sin. 00:07:13.120 --> 00:07:13.659 Jesus says, 00:07:13.859 --> 00:07:15.859 If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 00:07:15.860 --> 00:07:24.040 But there's another aspect to it, which is sin prevents us from understanding and loving God's word also. 00:07:25.340 --> 00:07:28.319 Sin blinds us from tasting the beauty of God's word. 00:07:29.759 --> 00:07:32.980 When we read God's word, we need both our head and our hearts. 00:07:33.080 --> 00:07:37.360 We need to understand in the head, but also have that drop into our hearts. 00:07:37.360 --> 00:07:41.920 And I've heard some of you say that I don't know how to read God's word. 00:07:42.340 --> 00:07:43.620 It's confusing sometimes. 00:07:43.720 --> 00:07:44.680 I don't understand it. 00:07:45.560 --> 00:07:47.680 And yes, there's technique to learn. 00:07:48.439 --> 00:07:51.660 There is a science and art to interpreting scripture. 00:07:51.860 --> 00:07:54.259 We need to apply our heads and know how to do that. 00:07:55.620 --> 00:07:57.980 But also, it could be a matter of the heart. 00:07:59.100 --> 00:08:03.480 I was talking to a friend another day, and he said that he was trying to read through the Bible in a year. 00:08:03.480 --> 00:08:08.120 And he's been reading Genesis and Exodus, but then recently hit a roadblock. 00:08:09.100 --> 00:08:09.840 And I asked him, what's up? 00:08:09.920 --> 00:08:11.420 Did you not understand it? 00:08:11.480 --> 00:08:12.500 Did it not make sense? 00:08:12.900 --> 00:08:14.160 And he said, no, I get it. 00:08:14.340 --> 00:08:14.920 I understand. 00:08:15.759 --> 00:08:19.040 But the problem is that I didn't really like it. 00:08:19.060 --> 00:08:20.900 I wasn't comfortable with what I was reading. 00:08:21.520 --> 00:08:23.800 It made me feel uncomfortable, so then I just stopped. 00:08:24.960 --> 00:08:31.280 And I know this brother, he's generally, he wants to wrestle with the word and get to know it and submit to it. 00:08:31.279 --> 00:08:37.360 But I wonder if some of us feel that way, but give up and stop reading. 00:08:38.539 --> 00:08:43.939 That we know what God's word says in our heads, but we don't agree with it in our hearts. 00:08:44.740 --> 00:08:47.860 I know what God's word says about money, about sex, about power. 00:08:48.299 --> 00:08:49.579 I know what it says. 00:08:49.639 --> 00:08:55.000 I hear you, God, on the cost of discipleship, but I don't really like what I'm reading. 00:08:55.000 --> 00:08:57.019 So I'll just, I'll just stay away from this book. 00:08:57.700 --> 00:09:04.259 Is there anything you're holding onto anything in your heart that's preventing you from loving the word of God? 00:09:04.419 --> 00:09:06.759 Is there anything we need to confess and turn away from? 00:09:08.559 --> 00:09:12.340 See, the journey to loving scripture begins first with loving God. 00:09:13.059 --> 00:09:19.759 And Bible says, we sang about it today, that we need the blood of Jesus and the work of the spirit. 00:09:19.759 --> 00:09:25.600 God's word says that we were all dead in our sins, six feet under and with hearts of stone. 00:09:26.519 --> 00:09:29.539 And so God sent his son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins. 00:09:29.779 --> 00:09:34.039 And he raised Jesus up to life and we have new life in him also. 00:09:35.120 --> 00:09:37.799 The Holy Spirit, he reached into our hearts. 00:09:37.899 --> 00:09:44.360 He grabbed our hearts of stone and squeezed it, gripped it and caused it to be and be alive and living and active, a heart of flesh. 00:09:44.939 --> 00:09:46.939 Such that we can love God and his word. 00:09:47.519 --> 00:09:48.480 We need that heart. 00:09:48.480 --> 00:09:51.420 We need that transformation from God. 00:09:52.980 --> 00:09:58.800 And I know some of you are thinking, I believe in Jesus, but so often I don't feel like reading scripture. 00:09:58.940 --> 00:10:00.440 I don't, I don't have that desire. 00:10:00.560 --> 00:10:01.960 I want to, but I don't have it. 00:10:02.539 --> 00:10:03.320 Don't be discouraged. 00:10:03.440 --> 00:10:04.860 We're all on a journey here. 00:10:05.300 --> 00:10:06.620 We're all at different places. 00:10:07.820 --> 00:10:10.200 Don't be discouraged, but know that God calls you higher. 00:10:10.300 --> 00:10:11.980 He wants you to abide in his word. 00:10:12.060 --> 00:10:16.100 He wants you to love it and be in it, to have a blessed and abundant life. 00:10:16.100 --> 00:10:17.360 He promises us that. 00:10:17.360 --> 00:10:25.560 So to cultivate that thirst for scripture, if you're struggling to have that desire for the word, to know what that looks like. 00:10:26.300 --> 00:10:34.180 If you think back to a time when you first heard the gospel, when you first heard the word of God, or sometime when you heard it in a sermon, you're like, whoa. 00:10:34.179 --> 00:10:36.439 God is good. 00:10:37.179 --> 00:10:39.059 Is there a time like that for you? 00:10:39.659 --> 00:10:40.879 That's, that's a taste. 00:10:40.879 --> 00:10:46.539 That, that, that is when you heard the word of God and it fell into your heart. 00:10:46.779 --> 00:10:48.340 Remember what that tastes like. 00:10:48.519 --> 00:10:49.379 Remember that feeling. 00:10:49.379 --> 00:10:58.740 And know that God promises you that when you look into his word, that this, that same emotion you felt, that's available for you today. 00:11:00.039 --> 00:11:04.860 That you can, you can have that if you open up God's word and read it for yourself today. 00:11:04.860 --> 00:11:11.940 Also pray, pray to love God more, pray to love his word more. 00:11:11.940 --> 00:11:21.820 So personally for me, every, every time I, pretty much every time I open up scripture, I, I pray for God to show himself to me in it. 00:11:22.420 --> 00:11:28.420 I, I confess in faith what it says in Psalm 19, that the word of God is the law of the Lord is perfect. 00:11:28.580 --> 00:11:30.600 It is sweeter than honey, more precious than gold. 00:11:30.820 --> 00:11:33.620 I take that by faith and ask God, help my unbelief. 00:11:33.700 --> 00:11:35.540 Help me to feel that today. 00:11:35.980 --> 00:11:41.879 And also I pray from Psalm 119, 18, that open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things from your law. 00:11:41.879 --> 00:11:45.220 Help me to see you, not just in my head, but in my heart, that you are good. 00:11:45.500 --> 00:11:46.300 Show me your glory. 00:11:48.020 --> 00:11:50.840 Pray to savor the joy of God's word and keep praying. 00:11:50.840 --> 00:11:54.519 Even if you don't notice any change immediately, keep praying. 00:11:55.080 --> 00:12:01.200 I remember some, some days in my, in my first year of university, I, I didn't even know if I believed God's word. 00:12:01.280 --> 00:12:05.660 I, I read it for years, but I didn't know if it was relevant. 00:12:05.800 --> 00:12:11.560 I didn't, I didn't even know if I really believed what God said about how he created the world, the flood. 00:12:11.700 --> 00:12:13.920 And I had, but I prayed to God regularly. 00:12:13.920 --> 00:12:19.820 I prayed, God, if you're there, I didn't even know if I fully believe, but if you were there, help me to see you in the Bible. 00:12:19.820 --> 00:12:23.200 And he answered and he still answers me today. 00:12:23.200 --> 00:12:25.980 Every time, every day when I read and open up his word. 00:12:26.420 --> 00:12:32.620 And I know he'll answer you too, because he promises, if you seek me, you'll find me asking to be given to you. 00:12:33.460 --> 00:12:35.200 Pray to encounter God through his word. 00:12:35.200 --> 00:12:45.220 There's also a bit of a flywheel effect because the more we read God's word, the more we get to know him, the more we love him, the more we'll want to get to know him more as we read God's word. 00:12:45.580 --> 00:12:47.259 Which brings me to my second point. 00:12:48.360 --> 00:12:49.940 Blessed are those who adore God's word. 00:12:50.020 --> 00:12:54.840 And also blessed are those who abide in God's word, who live in God's word and soak in God's word. 00:12:55.640 --> 00:12:56.620 Let's read verse two. 00:12:56.620 --> 00:13:04.519 Blessed is the man whose delight is on the law of the Lord and on his law, he meditates day and night. 00:13:05.299 --> 00:13:08.460 The one who loves God's word also abides in it. 00:13:08.840 --> 00:13:10.740 They meditate on it day and night. 00:13:11.860 --> 00:13:13.799 Now we talked about fasting last week. 00:13:14.139 --> 00:13:16.480 In fasting, we're refraining from food. 00:13:16.480 --> 00:13:25.460 We give up certain foods, not for the sake of depriving ourselves, but we empty ourselves in order to fill ourselves up with something else. 00:13:26.379 --> 00:13:28.700 It's different from meditation for Christianity. 00:13:28.860 --> 00:13:36.340 It's different from in Eastern religions where maybe in Buddhism or when you're doing yoga, you empty yourselves and try to think of nothing and desire nothing. 00:13:36.740 --> 00:13:38.980 Goals to detach and rid yourself of desires. 00:13:40.440 --> 00:13:43.960 That's not what we do when we fast or meditate on scripture. 00:13:43.960 --> 00:13:50.639 The goal is not to be empty with no desire, but instead is to fill ourselves with a passionate desire, a passionate love for God. 00:13:51.820 --> 00:14:04.120 Meditating on God's word means to think constantly over his word, repeating it over in our heads, maybe even repeating it out loud and having it fill our minds and fill our hearts, but being constantly soaking in it. 00:14:05.680 --> 00:14:13.800 If reading is like eating food, then perhaps meditating on God's word is like chewing it so that you could break it down and savor and taste it. 00:14:14.740 --> 00:14:15.700 Before swallowing. 00:14:17.580 --> 00:14:22.300 Also, verse three says that this is the result of someone who's meditating on God's word. 00:14:22.680 --> 00:14:29.080 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither. 00:14:29.600 --> 00:14:31.700 In all that he does, he prospers. 00:14:31.700 --> 00:14:34.379 This is a picture of what it means to be blessed. 00:14:34.500 --> 00:14:40.240 Imagine someone takes, say, an apple seed and plants it in the ground by the river of God's word. 00:14:40.980 --> 00:14:45.400 Now, the seed, it starts out small, but it starts to grow. 00:14:45.700 --> 00:14:46.860 It takes time for it to grow. 00:14:47.100 --> 00:14:48.240 Root, shoot into the ground. 00:14:48.600 --> 00:14:49.560 Root it in God's word. 00:14:49.900 --> 00:14:52.360 And the tree is thirsty to drink from God's word. 00:14:52.360 --> 00:14:53.740 And it takes time. 00:14:53.820 --> 00:14:59.759 But over time, this tree, starting from something small, grows tall, stately, majestic. 00:15:00.620 --> 00:15:04.120 And when it is grown, there can be an earthquake. 00:15:04.360 --> 00:15:05.159 There can be a typhoon. 00:15:05.240 --> 00:15:10.800 But that tree isn't going anywhere because the roots sink deep into the word of God. 00:15:11.279 --> 00:15:12.460 There may be tough times. 00:15:12.539 --> 00:15:14.379 He might get laid off, go through a breakup. 00:15:14.379 --> 00:15:17.159 Someone, family member gets sick. 00:15:17.840 --> 00:15:21.620 But the tree stands firm, steady, and unshakable. 00:15:21.799 --> 00:15:22.639 Rain or shine. 00:15:24.200 --> 00:15:25.399 Good times, bad times. 00:15:26.399 --> 00:15:29.039 Leaves stay green and do not wither. 00:15:29.840 --> 00:15:33.299 Because he's constantly abiding in God's word and drinking from that. 00:15:33.919 --> 00:15:36.120 And that's where the tree finds hope. 00:15:36.639 --> 00:15:41.600 And in season, when fall comes around, the apples are fully grown. 00:15:41.600 --> 00:15:45.720 And they fall to the ground and bear fruit 30-fold, 60-fold, 100-fold. 00:15:46.279 --> 00:15:48.580 In all that he does, he prospers. 00:15:49.779 --> 00:15:51.080 So do you want to be like that? 00:15:52.420 --> 00:15:53.600 Well, a tree doesn't grow overnight. 00:15:53.800 --> 00:15:58.500 It grows day by day, month by month, year over year, decade over decade, 00:15:58.680 --> 00:16:02.980 from meditating, being rooted in God's word, drinking in, soaking in it. 00:16:05.879 --> 00:16:09.340 It takes practice and habit, discipline. 00:16:09.340 --> 00:16:12.440 So is that something we want? 00:16:12.580 --> 00:16:14.200 Do we want to instill these disciplines? 00:16:15.399 --> 00:16:22.399 Or instead, will our roots be shallow and the branches dry and rotting when times of trouble come? 00:16:23.940 --> 00:16:25.540 Do you know someone who's like that? 00:16:25.620 --> 00:16:30.399 Who's rooted in God's word, abides in it, and has a life described by the psalm? 00:16:30.399 --> 00:16:33.799 We need to abide in God's word. 00:16:35.559 --> 00:16:40.379 And we can do so by, we can abide in God's word by developing a discipline of reading God's word. 00:16:40.899 --> 00:16:50.100 And I hope we can all agree that this discipline is more than just reading the notification in our Bible app when it pops up every day. 00:16:50.100 --> 00:16:55.800 Or seeing people post about the Bible on Instagram. 00:16:57.340 --> 00:17:01.879 And some of you also have a habit of reading daily devotionals, which talk about God's word. 00:17:02.019 --> 00:17:02.500 That's good. 00:17:02.779 --> 00:17:05.880 But on top of reading only what others say about the Bible, 00:17:05.880 --> 00:17:10.299 I would like all of us to be able to develop the muscle of reading it for ourselves, 00:17:10.299 --> 00:17:14.039 to see what God is speaking to us directly for ourselves. 00:17:14.039 --> 00:17:18.879 And you also might not get the urge to suddenly overnight read scripture. 00:17:18.980 --> 00:17:19.460 That's okay. 00:17:19.599 --> 00:17:21.220 It takes time to develop and grow. 00:17:21.420 --> 00:17:24.019 It happens little by little, maybe too slow for the eye to see. 00:17:24.480 --> 00:17:25.619 The tree doesn't grow overnight. 00:17:25.920 --> 00:17:27.940 But commit to reading just a bit every day. 00:17:28.200 --> 00:17:31.500 And see if that doesn't prove to be a fruitful habit later on. 00:17:32.960 --> 00:17:37.359 On top of reading, I also encourage us to memorize God's word. 00:17:37.940 --> 00:17:41.000 Memorizing is a good way to meditate on scripture. 00:17:41.000 --> 00:17:44.759 Because when you memorize, in order for a verse to stick, 00:17:45.259 --> 00:17:50.339 you have to repeat it tens, maybe hundreds times for it to stay in your mind. 00:17:50.759 --> 00:17:54.579 The process of memorizing naturally forces you to meditate on scripture. 00:17:55.799 --> 00:17:59.279 Now, famous pastor John Piper said this, and I personally agree that 00:17:59.279 --> 00:18:02.200 I've never met a weak Christian who memorizes scripture. 00:18:02.680 --> 00:18:06.200 I've never met a person who's devoted to memorizing scripture, 00:18:06.599 --> 00:18:09.920 who doesn't have the strength to fight the fight for joy. 00:18:09.920 --> 00:18:11.840 Okay, memorize the Bible. 00:18:12.900 --> 00:18:17.580 So we're fighting a spiritual battle, and we need to put on the whole armor of God. 00:18:18.039 --> 00:18:21.700 The word of God, Ephesians 6 says, is our sword. 00:18:22.660 --> 00:18:26.560 Now, John Piper also said that we have only one offensive weapon, 00:18:26.640 --> 00:18:28.360 the sword of the spirit, the word of God. 00:18:28.840 --> 00:18:32.300 But what many Christians fail to realize is that we can't draw the sword 00:18:32.300 --> 00:18:33.519 from someone else's scabbard. 00:18:34.019 --> 00:18:35.880 If we don't wear it, we can't wield it. 00:18:35.880 --> 00:18:40.800 If the word of God does not abide in us, we will reach for it in vain when the enemy strikes. 00:18:41.360 --> 00:18:45.600 But if we do wear it, if it lives in us, what mighty warriors we can be. 00:18:46.860 --> 00:18:51.980 And I don't know how I would have the strength to fight as a Christian without a sword, 00:18:52.080 --> 00:18:55.940 because there's so many things the world's trying to teach me and convince me of. 00:18:56.660 --> 00:18:59.920 I don't know how I could walk into battle without a weapon. 00:18:59.920 --> 00:19:05.120 So I urge you all, let us pick up our weapons and memorize God's word. 00:19:06.500 --> 00:19:09.320 So that when Satan says, how can you face God? 00:19:09.380 --> 00:19:09.940 You're unworthy. 00:19:10.820 --> 00:19:13.740 We know that God's word says, God showed his love for us, 00:19:13.759 --> 00:19:15.740 and that while we are still sinners, Christ died for us. 00:19:15.980 --> 00:19:19.300 Or when Satan says, how can a loving God let that happen to you? 00:19:19.500 --> 00:19:24.220 God's word says, this light momentary affliction is preparing for us 00:19:24.220 --> 00:19:26.700 an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. 00:19:26.700 --> 00:19:29.600 And when Satan says, just, you're missing out. 00:19:29.759 --> 00:19:32.100 Just make money, sit back and relax, enjoy your life. 00:19:32.340 --> 00:19:35.600 God's word says, in his presence, there's fullness of joy. 00:19:35.700 --> 00:19:37.920 At his right hands are pleasures forevermore. 00:19:38.500 --> 00:19:42.299 The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field that man found and hid. 00:19:42.600 --> 00:19:45.140 And in his joy, he sells all he has and buys that field. 00:19:46.319 --> 00:19:47.700 Or when Satan says, you can do it. 00:19:47.720 --> 00:19:48.440 Or you know what? 00:19:48.680 --> 00:19:49.460 You can't do it. 00:19:50.240 --> 00:19:54.519 God's word says, we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this passing power 00:19:54.519 --> 00:19:56.420 belongs to God and not to us. 00:19:56.420 --> 00:19:58.580 Or when Satan says, you've sinned again, you're guilty. 00:19:58.840 --> 00:19:59.940 How can you face God? 00:20:00.440 --> 00:20:03.539 God's word says, who shall bring any charge against God's elect? 00:20:03.840 --> 00:20:05.080 It is God who justifies. 00:20:05.420 --> 00:20:06.160 Who is to condemn? 00:20:06.779 --> 00:20:08.160 Christ Jesus is the one who died. 00:20:08.259 --> 00:20:09.200 More than that, who was raised. 00:20:09.440 --> 00:20:10.640 Who is at the right hand of God? 00:20:10.740 --> 00:20:12.519 Who indeed is interceding for us? 00:20:13.259 --> 00:20:14.980 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? 00:20:15.420 --> 00:20:21.100 Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:22.019 No. 00:20:22.219 --> 00:20:24.959 And all these things were more than conquerors through him who loved us. 00:20:25.439 --> 00:20:28.659 But I'm sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, 00:20:28.959 --> 00:20:33.159 nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation 00:20:33.159 --> 00:20:36.659 will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord. 00:20:38.099 --> 00:20:39.319 Satan, what do you have to say? 00:20:39.980 --> 00:20:40.759 Case closed. 00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:41.759 Fully acquitted. 00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:47.579 There is no way I could fight the fight of faith without the word of God. 00:20:48.799 --> 00:20:50.420 Church, pick up your sword. 00:20:51.039 --> 00:20:54.960 Because when we read scripture, and love scripture, and memorize the scripture, 00:20:55.339 --> 00:21:00.539 we can wield the sword of the spirit and say, be gone, Satan, for it is written. 00:21:02.400 --> 00:21:06.680 Blessed is the man who meditates on God's word day and night. 00:21:06.680 --> 00:21:12.039 Someone also said, we need both daggers and long swords. 00:21:12.539 --> 00:21:15.660 So both short verses and long passages. 00:21:15.880 --> 00:21:18.039 We can wield both of those. 00:21:19.180 --> 00:21:20.779 We can memorize short daggers, punchy verses. 00:21:20.960 --> 00:21:24.160 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:21:24.860 --> 00:21:29.120 Or we can pick up long swords, long passages. 00:21:29.119 --> 00:21:34.479 For example, eight years ago, I memorized the book of Ephesians. 00:21:35.139 --> 00:21:38.859 Over the span of a month, it took a lot of work, five verses a day. 00:21:39.939 --> 00:21:47.879 But since then, every day for five years, for eight years, I've carried this book with me. 00:21:48.739 --> 00:21:50.879 And I've been able to meditate on it day and night. 00:21:51.759 --> 00:21:52.399 Repeating it. 00:21:53.339 --> 00:21:54.859 Letting it shape how I think. 00:21:54.979 --> 00:21:55.719 Shape my worldview. 00:21:55.859 --> 00:21:56.679 How I see the world. 00:21:56.819 --> 00:21:58.759 And it's imprinted so deep in my mind. 00:21:58.759 --> 00:22:00.460 The goal is not just to have it in your head. 00:22:01.099 --> 00:22:04.920 But to have it imprinted so deep in your head that it sinks into your heart. 00:22:06.039 --> 00:22:07.879 That I exist for the glory of God. 00:22:08.359 --> 00:22:10.480 That everything is created for him. 00:22:10.879 --> 00:22:14.259 So that he can show the riches of his grace in Christ. 00:22:16.039 --> 00:22:18.200 My life is for the glory of God. 00:22:18.420 --> 00:22:19.400 That changes you. 00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:21.339 That changes how you live your life. 00:22:21.420 --> 00:22:23.259 That changes whether you love sin. 00:22:23.640 --> 00:22:24.839 Or you're living for him. 00:22:24.839 --> 00:22:29.019 Have you considered memorizing a passage in the Bible? 00:22:29.819 --> 00:22:33.559 Does it sound crazy to memorize a whole chapter or even a book? 00:22:33.559 --> 00:22:36.700 We can start small. 00:22:37.119 --> 00:22:41.339 So I encourage you to don't just go ahead and aim to memorize a whole book. 00:22:41.619 --> 00:22:45.059 If you haven't memorized scripture before, start from a verse, a few verses. 00:22:45.819 --> 00:22:49.960 But I also encourage you to try it. 00:22:50.919 --> 00:22:52.339 I started memorizing. 00:22:52.419 --> 00:22:55.759 The first passage I started memorizing was Ephesians 2, 1 to 10. 00:22:56.039 --> 00:22:57.720 That's a good one that goes through the whole gospel. 00:22:57.720 --> 00:23:03.059 So, yeah, if you haven't considered trying it before, think about it. 00:23:04.319 --> 00:23:09.819 Now, as I say this, I also admit that I personally haven't had a good discipline of memorizing scripture in a while. 00:23:09.920 --> 00:23:12.019 I memorized, I used to memorize scripture a lot. 00:23:12.259 --> 00:23:15.539 But I was convicted to try it again while preparing for this. 00:23:16.000 --> 00:23:22.559 So for this Lent, while fasting, I'm personally also going to try to memorize the book of Philippians this Lent. 00:23:23.019 --> 00:23:25.079 So consider doing that with me. 00:23:25.079 --> 00:23:31.079 Consider memorizing some scripture so that together we can abide in God's word. 00:23:33.179 --> 00:23:35.879 And I also want us to think, what are we meditating on? 00:23:36.099 --> 00:23:37.980 What are we thinking about day and night? 00:23:38.279 --> 00:23:41.000 Because know it or not, we're all meditating on something. 00:23:41.379 --> 00:23:46.079 The world around us, our culture is bombarding us with things to think about and meditate on. 00:23:46.859 --> 00:23:49.339 Just follow your heart and be authentic to who you are. 00:23:49.339 --> 00:23:55.359 Or you're only worth as much as your salary or the grades that you get. 00:23:56.699 --> 00:23:59.740 Or how dumb do you have to be to believe in this medieval book still? 00:24:01.740 --> 00:24:03.759 Think of the last TV show you've watched. 00:24:03.980 --> 00:24:05.259 What values does that promote? 00:24:05.319 --> 00:24:06.039 Or song lyrics. 00:24:06.279 --> 00:24:08.019 We definitely meditate on lyrics, right? 00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:13.279 You just hear one catchy line and it'll just play through your head all day. 00:24:13.980 --> 00:24:17.619 All you got to do is just meet me at the apatapata. 00:24:19.059 --> 00:24:20.039 But why? 00:24:20.119 --> 00:24:20.740 Why, Rosé? 00:24:20.960 --> 00:24:22.019 Meet you there for what? 00:24:22.079 --> 00:24:22.920 To play board games? 00:24:23.720 --> 00:24:26.920 What is it that we're thinking about all day? 00:24:29.460 --> 00:24:31.220 We become what we behold. 00:24:31.480 --> 00:24:33.859 We morph into what we meditate on. 00:24:34.179 --> 00:24:35.719 That's why we need the word of God. 00:24:35.859 --> 00:24:44.399 So that rather than what the world is putting in front of our faces, we can stare at the face of Jesus and become like him to be transformed like him. 00:24:45.139 --> 00:24:54.799 Imagine if in your daily life, scripture randomly popped up in your head that as you were walking down the street going to work, you'd think blessed is the man whose delight is in the law of the Lord. 00:24:54.879 --> 00:24:58.399 That that's what filled your mind instead of maybe baby shark popping up in your head. 00:24:58.699 --> 00:25:00.259 How would that transform you? 00:25:00.259 --> 00:25:04.160 Well, that's what happens when you memorize scripture. 00:25:05.660 --> 00:25:07.660 Blessed are those who adore God's word. 00:25:08.220 --> 00:25:09.900 Blessed are those who abide in God's word. 00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:13.720 And lastly, blessed are those who act on God's word. 00:25:14.799 --> 00:25:19.859 So you won't just do to hear and memorize and wield God's word without taking action. 00:25:20.420 --> 00:25:22.519 His word calls us to take action. 00:25:22.900 --> 00:25:27.640 As it says in James, be doers of the word and not hearers only deceiving yourselves. 00:25:27.640 --> 00:25:29.840 Let's read on from verse four. 00:25:30.460 --> 00:25:33.800 It says that the wicked are not sober like chaff that the wind drives away. 00:25:34.460 --> 00:25:38.000 Therefore, the wicked will not stand in the judgment nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 00:25:38.800 --> 00:25:42.280 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. 00:25:44.200 --> 00:25:49.500 We saw in verse three that those who adore and abide in God's word are like this big majestic tree. 00:25:49.500 --> 00:25:55.059 This full and blessed life is found by those who meditate, memorize God's word. 00:25:55.359 --> 00:26:00.759 In verse four, there's a contrasting image that the chaff, the wicked are like chaff in the wind. 00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:01.880 So what is chaff? 00:26:01.960 --> 00:26:04.240 We're not farmers, so we're maybe not familiar with it. 00:26:04.299 --> 00:26:05.240 It's a farming analogy. 00:26:05.839 --> 00:26:06.819 Chaff is the waste. 00:26:07.660 --> 00:26:10.900 When you harvest grain, it's the protective casing around it that goes to waste. 00:26:11.440 --> 00:26:15.519 It harvest grain, crush it, throw it into the wind, and the grain would remain because it's heavier, 00:26:15.519 --> 00:26:18.160 but the wind would drive away the lighter chaff. 00:26:20.139 --> 00:26:23.500 So maybe in modern terms, have you ever bought an ice cream bar from 7-Eleven? 00:26:23.639 --> 00:26:28.359 You rip open the wrapper, go to the garbage can, you're standing right next to it, you try to put it in, 00:26:28.579 --> 00:26:32.319 and all of a sudden, this gust of wind blows, catches it, or it just catches the air. 00:26:32.779 --> 00:26:36.680 And then, that's, that's, yeah, has that happened to you? 00:26:36.799 --> 00:26:37.779 I don't know why I'm bringing this up. 00:26:39.779 --> 00:26:42.480 But the Bible says the wicked are like that. 00:26:42.480 --> 00:26:45.240 A waste that's, that's, that's blown away by the wind. 00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:52.859 Contrast this, this tree, this permanent, strong, majestic tree with, with garbage fluttering in the wind. 00:26:55.180 --> 00:26:56.460 That's what God's word says. 00:26:57.379 --> 00:27:00.759 Now, why do we say, why do I say blessed are those who act on God's word? 00:27:01.420 --> 00:27:07.019 If you look at the Psalm, Psalm 1, again, you'll notice that there's no command to follow. 00:27:07.720 --> 00:27:08.839 There's no command here. 00:27:08.900 --> 00:27:10.859 There's no imperative to act on. 00:27:11.259 --> 00:27:12.759 There's no rule to follow here. 00:27:12.759 --> 00:27:17.400 This Psalm doesn't tell you what to do, at least not explicitly. 00:27:18.279 --> 00:27:19.559 Sometimes the Bible has commands. 00:27:19.640 --> 00:27:22.220 It says, you know, thou shall not steal, thou shall not murder. 00:27:22.900 --> 00:27:26.539 But sometimes God chooses instead to appeal to our hearts. 00:27:26.539 --> 00:27:28.779 Not merely commands, but this passionate plea. 00:27:29.099 --> 00:27:31.019 Hey, this is what happens to you when you're righteous. 00:27:31.180 --> 00:27:32.639 This is the blessed life you can have. 00:27:33.200 --> 00:27:35.399 But this also is the consequence of sin. 00:27:35.700 --> 00:27:37.079 This is what happens to the wicked. 00:27:37.839 --> 00:27:40.039 Blessed are those who come to me and find rest for my soul. 00:27:40.039 --> 00:27:42.920 But also, this is the judgment for the wicked. 00:27:43.659 --> 00:27:46.159 The question then is, what are we going to do? 00:27:47.000 --> 00:27:52.440 When we read and believe God's word, we can't keep living like how we used to live. 00:27:52.960 --> 00:27:55.379 The consequences of sin are too dire. 00:27:55.700 --> 00:27:59.180 And the reward of seeking God is too great to pass up. 00:27:59.180 --> 00:28:01.519 There's no command in this Psalm. 00:28:02.519 --> 00:28:06.660 But don't you want to take action and take hold of this blessed life? 00:28:08.340 --> 00:28:12.680 See, God's word is radical truth that demands a radical response. 00:28:12.820 --> 00:28:16.440 Because if Jesus died for me, then I have to turn from my sins. 00:28:16.580 --> 00:28:20.420 If Jesus rose from the dead, then he really is a God worth following. 00:28:20.420 --> 00:28:25.740 If God wrote this book, then I want to turn over every page, every chapter, every verse, 00:28:25.860 --> 00:28:28.620 to get to know every word of this love letter that he wrote me. 00:28:29.320 --> 00:28:30.920 And that's why we discipline ourselves. 00:28:31.380 --> 00:28:32.800 That's why we read scripture. 00:28:32.800 --> 00:28:37.660 Because I want to take hold of this promise and taste and see that the Lord really is good 00:28:37.660 --> 00:28:40.300 and have this blessed and full life that he promises. 00:28:40.980 --> 00:28:45.980 So I will discipline myself to adore, to abide, and to act on God's word. 00:28:45.980 --> 00:28:52.680 So practically speaking, if we did want to dive into God's word, what does that look like? 00:28:53.819 --> 00:28:55.960 First, we can pray, right? 00:28:56.259 --> 00:29:03.200 Pray for greater love for the word and pray that when you read today, before you read, 00:29:03.579 --> 00:29:08.079 pray that as you open scripture, pray in faith that God's word really is good 00:29:08.079 --> 00:29:14.380 and ask him to open your eyes so that you can see the glory of God through the word today. 00:29:14.380 --> 00:29:14.420 Pray. 00:29:16.480 --> 00:29:16.740 Pray. 00:29:17.820 --> 00:29:19.840 We also talked about memorizing the word. 00:29:20.820 --> 00:29:22.140 And I have a challenge for you all. 00:29:22.220 --> 00:29:26.020 Whether it's a short verse or a long passage, try memorizing something. 00:29:26.500 --> 00:29:29.140 Try memorizing God's word this Lent. 00:29:29.520 --> 00:29:33.180 If you're in life group, consider discussing with each other. 00:29:34.240 --> 00:29:35.940 Have you ever memorized scripture? 00:29:36.820 --> 00:29:38.780 Is there a passage that you can memorize together? 00:29:39.840 --> 00:29:40.680 Let's push each other. 00:29:40.820 --> 00:29:43.540 Encourage each other to be meditating on God's word. 00:29:44.380 --> 00:29:50.240 And lastly, practically, I want to focus on the discipline of reading scripture. 00:29:53.200 --> 00:29:53.720 Simple. 00:29:53.880 --> 00:29:54.460 Read the Bible. 00:29:54.600 --> 00:29:56.960 Get into the habit of reading the word. 00:29:57.420 --> 00:29:59.380 Build the habit of reading regularly. 00:30:00.440 --> 00:30:05.240 And specifically, aim to build a habit of reading daily. 00:30:05.240 --> 00:30:08.019 So I don't say daily as a command. 00:30:08.160 --> 00:30:12.059 There's nowhere in the Bible saying that you have to read the Bible daily. 00:30:13.099 --> 00:30:14.920 But if anything, the standard is higher. 00:30:15.259 --> 00:30:20.519 The psalm is calling us to meditate on God's word day and night constantly, to be constantly stoking in his word. 00:30:21.339 --> 00:30:23.740 I say, build a daily habit out of wisdom. 00:30:25.039 --> 00:30:25.480 Why is that? 00:30:25.519 --> 00:30:26.140 Think of Snapchat. 00:30:26.299 --> 00:30:27.380 How do you build habits? 00:30:27.440 --> 00:30:28.000 Think of Snapchat. 00:30:28.000 --> 00:30:32.960 I think one reason why it got very popular is because there's streaks. 00:30:33.759 --> 00:30:34.660 There's a streak. 00:30:34.859 --> 00:30:36.759 You have to send something every day. 00:30:36.759 --> 00:30:40.519 And that quickly builds a habit, this mindset. 00:30:40.660 --> 00:30:41.960 I have to do this every day. 00:30:42.559 --> 00:30:43.220 This builds a habit. 00:30:44.299 --> 00:30:44.420 Right? 00:30:44.460 --> 00:30:46.539 So if I look on your phone, I see a 200-day streak. 00:30:46.619 --> 00:30:47.700 I know you can read the Bible. 00:30:49.980 --> 00:30:50.879 You have it in you. 00:30:51.720 --> 00:30:51.819 Right? 00:30:51.819 --> 00:31:00.559 Also secular author James Clear, he says in his book, Atomic Habits, that success is the product of daily habits, not once in a lifetime transformations. 00:31:01.939 --> 00:31:07.079 He also writes that good habits make time your ally, but bad habits make time your enemy. 00:31:07.359 --> 00:31:09.639 In other words, a tree doesn't grow overnight. 00:31:11.019 --> 00:31:11.740 It takes years. 00:31:12.039 --> 00:31:16.559 You see the rings in the tree year after year that build as the tree grows. 00:31:17.460 --> 00:31:20.939 Commit to reading scripture daily and over months and years. 00:31:20.940 --> 00:31:23.960 See if you don't grow in your love for God. 00:31:24.920 --> 00:31:32.500 See if you develop a habit of reading scripture, whether you will not love him more and grow to want to read his word more. 00:31:33.180 --> 00:31:35.960 See if you don't become like a tree planted by streams of water. 00:31:37.320 --> 00:31:38.340 Aim to read daily. 00:31:39.259 --> 00:31:41.500 Not a command, but I can't stress that enough. 00:31:41.680 --> 00:31:45.120 And even if it's a few verses, just build the habit of it. 00:31:45.440 --> 00:31:46.840 It's okay to start small. 00:31:46.839 --> 00:31:53.079 So why don't we use this period of Lent while we're fasting to also build up the habit of reading scripture? 00:31:53.079 --> 00:32:03.699 And if you're new to reading the word of God, I also recommend that you read through a book rather than jumping around to different verses at a time. 00:32:03.699 --> 00:32:10.299 Because that is how you develop the muscle of reading scripture for yourselves and understanding for yourselves. 00:32:10.879 --> 00:32:13.240 Being able to know what God is speaking to you. 00:32:14.619 --> 00:32:18.919 Instead of just only getting God's word through devotionals or through sermons. 00:32:18.920 --> 00:32:25.320 If you're new to reading scripture, I recommend reading through one of the gospels first. 00:32:25.920 --> 00:32:27.759 So Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. 00:32:28.420 --> 00:32:30.500 These books talk about the life of Jesus. 00:32:30.779 --> 00:32:34.300 All scripture is pointing to Jesus and these talk about Jesus directly. 00:32:34.940 --> 00:32:37.560 My life group at the moment is going through the book of John together. 00:32:37.720 --> 00:32:40.980 We're reading maybe half a chapter a day. 00:32:41.220 --> 00:32:43.400 So pick a book and read through it bit by bit. 00:32:43.400 --> 00:32:48.600 And if you look at your Bibles, there's these section headings in bold normally. 00:32:48.960 --> 00:32:50.700 Those are good ways to divide it up. 00:32:50.780 --> 00:32:54.240 So one goal you could have is just to aim to read one section a day. 00:32:54.920 --> 00:32:56.500 Or if you want to read more, be my guest. 00:32:56.620 --> 00:32:58.060 You could read the whole book in one sitting. 00:32:58.680 --> 00:32:59.940 But if not, break it up. 00:33:00.440 --> 00:33:01.500 Break it up into sections. 00:33:01.720 --> 00:33:02.220 Start small. 00:33:02.360 --> 00:33:03.780 Just aim to read something every day. 00:33:04.880 --> 00:33:07.380 And this is not a rule, but we want to stay disciplined. 00:33:07.500 --> 00:33:10.100 Just develop, flex the muscle of reading scripture. 00:33:10.099 --> 00:33:14.179 Even if you don't understand, but believing, hey, this is what God's promise is. 00:33:14.279 --> 00:33:14.959 And I want it. 00:33:15.039 --> 00:33:19.579 So I will pray and discipline myself to try to see what God will speak to me. 00:33:21.839 --> 00:33:26.159 Personally, for the past eight years, I've used plans that take me to the whole Bible once a year. 00:33:27.079 --> 00:33:29.179 That comes up to about three, four chapters a day. 00:33:30.219 --> 00:33:33.459 Now, I don't think you need to read through the whole Bible every year. 00:33:33.460 --> 00:33:39.480 But I think every Christian should aim to read through the Bible somewhat regularly. 00:33:39.960 --> 00:33:48.140 Because if we say that this book is the word of God, we believe every word that it says, we should try to get to know it. 00:33:48.740 --> 00:33:53.480 Or if my wife wrote me a birthday card, I'd at least read it once before shelving it away. 00:33:53.480 --> 00:33:53.519 Okay. 00:33:56.759 --> 00:33:59.259 So consider reading the Bible. 00:33:59.420 --> 00:34:02.180 Maybe over a year, over two years, over three years. 00:34:03.420 --> 00:34:05.700 Just try to get started on it. 00:34:07.019 --> 00:34:09.740 And as you read, meditate over what you're reading. 00:34:11.420 --> 00:34:15.699 If reading is eating, then meditating is chewing, breaking it down, savoring what we eat. 00:34:15.699 --> 00:34:23.879 So my top tip to do that as we're reading is to try to summarize what you're reading into one sentence. 00:34:24.759 --> 00:34:27.460 Try to summarize what you're reading into one sentence. 00:34:27.739 --> 00:34:31.579 Because sometimes when I read early in the morning, it's 7 a.m. 00:34:31.939 --> 00:34:33.919 I'll just read through the same line five times. 00:34:33.960 --> 00:34:37.239 Or I'll get through the whole passage, skim through it, and I wouldn't be able to tell you what it said. 00:34:37.559 --> 00:34:44.980 So to keep my mind sharp, I find it to be a good habit to try to, as I'm reading, distill down what I'm reading into one sentence. 00:34:45.699 --> 00:34:53.039 And then the other benefit of that is that after you summarize it, after you got the essence of the passage out, now you have something to meditate on. 00:34:53.599 --> 00:34:57.079 Now you have something to keep in your head all day as you're going through your day. 00:34:58.599 --> 00:35:03.460 Because I can't keep a whole chapter in my head, but I can maybe hold on to one thing that the Word of God is saying to me. 00:35:03.980 --> 00:35:08.299 So personally, as I read, I will have my Bible here and a highlighter. 00:35:08.739 --> 00:35:10.779 And I just highlight verses as I go along. 00:35:11.799 --> 00:35:14.339 And I know James, he's a really big fan of paper Bibles. 00:35:14.519 --> 00:35:15.599 I was a software engineer. 00:35:15.699 --> 00:35:16.819 I studied computer science. 00:35:17.139 --> 00:35:21.480 When I study scripture, I also pull out, I have Bible software that I use. 00:35:21.519 --> 00:35:22.500 I can tell you all about that. 00:35:23.559 --> 00:35:30.759 But personally, when I read the Bible devotionally, I still take out my Bible and a highlighter. 00:35:31.259 --> 00:35:32.159 I have a notebook here. 00:35:32.159 --> 00:35:37.319 And I will copy into my notebook key verses that stand out. 00:35:37.379 --> 00:35:44.920 Because I find that writing, the process of physically writing, slows me down and allows me to chew on what I'm reading a bit more. 00:35:45.319 --> 00:35:49.019 To not just skim over it like I'd be reading on a phone, scrolling through a news article. 00:35:49.019 --> 00:35:52.239 But to slow down and think over each word as I'm writing. 00:35:52.239 --> 00:35:54.000 So that's what I do. 00:35:54.500 --> 00:35:59.619 I'll copy down key verses into my Bible, into my notebook that summarize the passage. 00:36:00.019 --> 00:36:03.919 For example, in this passage in Psalm 1, I might copy down, 00:36:03.920 --> 00:36:09.099 Blessed is the man whose delight is on the law of the Lord and on his law he meditates day and night. 00:36:09.099 --> 00:36:13.239 So these verses here, that sums up the passage very well. 00:36:13.279 --> 00:36:17.079 But sometimes there's other passages that don't, where there's no one verse that does. 00:36:17.639 --> 00:36:24.880 So I like to just think it over and come up with a one sentence phrase, one sentence summary that captures the main idea. 00:36:24.880 --> 00:36:31.239 For example, here we could say, Blessed are those who love God's word and who live in it rather than in sin. 00:36:31.679 --> 00:36:36.460 And then I'll just carry out that verse that I wrote in my notebook or that sentence I wrote down in my notebook. 00:36:36.659 --> 00:36:38.639 And think over it as I'm sitting there in my desk. 00:36:38.639 --> 00:36:43.920 I'll just open up my notebook, read through what I wrote down and think about it. 00:36:44.679 --> 00:36:45.879 What does this mean to me? 00:36:45.960 --> 00:36:47.599 What does it mean to love God's word? 00:36:47.719 --> 00:36:49.579 Why is someone who does that blessed? 00:36:50.059 --> 00:36:51.679 How is sin and God's words opposed? 00:36:51.960 --> 00:36:53.779 How do I love God's word and meditate on it? 00:36:53.779 --> 00:36:54.879 What does this mean for me? 00:36:55.059 --> 00:36:59.000 How do I need to change my life to be more rooted in God's word? 00:37:00.139 --> 00:37:02.119 And then it gives me things to pray about. 00:37:04.079 --> 00:37:06.420 If you struggle with how to pray or you get distracted, 00:37:06.420 --> 00:37:09.900 scripture gives you ammo to pray through. 00:37:10.820 --> 00:37:17.159 Everything that you read from scripture, the insights, we can pray about it and pray for it to apply in our lives. 00:37:17.159 --> 00:37:23.480 And so I see all these, these three things, prayer, meditating on scripture, reading scripture, it all fits together. 00:37:24.019 --> 00:37:24.379 Right? 00:37:24.420 --> 00:37:27.899 The more we read and meditate on scripture, the more ammo we have to pray with. 00:37:28.259 --> 00:37:31.519 And the more we pray, the more we love scripture and want to read it more. 00:37:31.519 --> 00:37:36.880 And we just, we just grow in our spiritual disciplines and we grow to love God's more. 00:37:37.480 --> 00:37:40.099 That's what we want to do as disciples of Christ. 00:37:40.239 --> 00:37:45.480 We want to not just believe in him, but love him and follow him with everything we have. 00:37:46.219 --> 00:37:48.059 So church, let us be disciplined. 00:37:48.059 --> 00:37:52.779 Let's be intentional this Lent to build habits of reading the word. 00:37:53.860 --> 00:38:03.139 Let's change, to build habits that will bear fruit over years, decades, as we sit and steep and be rooted in God's word. 00:38:03.940 --> 00:38:11.400 We don't, we're not disciplined because we're commanded to, only because we're commanded to, but because we want desire. 00:38:11.400 --> 00:38:21.480 We want desire that leads to delight, not discipline for discipline's sake, but so that we can have what God's word promises to have this joy and blessed in life. 00:38:22.380 --> 00:38:25.680 To love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. 00:38:26.820 --> 00:38:28.079 Is that what we want church? 00:38:28.200 --> 00:38:29.260 Do we want to love God? 00:38:30.039 --> 00:38:31.280 Let's read the word. 00:38:31.380 --> 00:38:33.700 Let's abide in it, meditate on it, act on it. 00:38:34.920 --> 00:38:35.519 Let's pray. 00:38:41.400 --> 00:38:50.920 Lord, we take hold of what you say by faith, that blessed are those whose delight is on the law of the Lord and on his law, he meditates day and night. 00:38:52.059 --> 00:38:54.200 Lord, we pray that you'd make that true for us. 00:38:54.320 --> 00:38:55.840 Give us this desire for your word. 00:38:57.079 --> 00:38:59.539 Help us to see you as we open our Bibles. 00:38:59.680 --> 00:39:02.460 We trust that your law is perfect. 00:39:03.200 --> 00:39:05.780 Your words are sweeter than honey, more precious than gold. 00:39:06.480 --> 00:39:08.840 Help us to believe that and to act on it. 00:39:08.840 --> 00:39:14.360 And as we read your words, that you would open our eyes, that we may behold wondrous things out of your law. 00:39:15.600 --> 00:39:20.860 Help us to be transformed to be like you as we behold the glory of the Lord. 00:39:21.160 --> 00:39:23.539 Help us to be transformed into the same image. 00:39:25.000 --> 00:39:30.840 God, we want to be a church that is devoted to your word, devoted to the apostles' teachings. 00:39:31.780 --> 00:39:35.620 Help us to discipline ourselves out of joy. 00:39:35.619 --> 00:39:39.859 Give us joy in knowing you and knowing your word. 00:39:40.739 --> 00:39:42.139 We pray all this in Jesus' name. 00:39:42.500 --> 00:39:42.699 Amen. 00:39:42.699 --> 00:40:00.359 Lord God, we commit to clinging on every word that you say. 00:40:01.759 --> 00:40:04.219 We live in a time that is confusing. 00:40:05.279 --> 00:40:06.099 It's dividing. 00:40:07.619 --> 00:40:08.399 It's hurting. 00:40:08.399 --> 00:40:08.460 It's hurting. 00:40:08.460 --> 00:40:08.519 Amen. 00:40:08.519 --> 00:40:08.519 00:40:08.519 --> 00:40:08.519 00:40:08.519 --> 00:40:08.519 00:40:08.519 --> 00:40:08.519 00:40:12.699 --> 00:40:16.879 But your word brings life. 00:40:18.099 --> 00:40:19.379 Your word brings light. 00:40:26.679 --> 00:40:27.559 So we seek. 00:40:27.699 --> 00:40:31.719 We seek to walk daily in your word, in your presence. 00:40:33.779 --> 00:40:39.239 And to cling on to the promises that you've made to us in the word. 00:40:39.239 --> 00:40:39.319 Amen. 00:40:39.319 --> 00:40:39.319 00:40:39.319 --> 00:40:39.319 00:40:39.319 --> 00:40:39.319 00:40:42.699 --> 00:40:43.699 Amen. 00:40:46.159 --> 00:40:46.859 Thank you, Lord. 00:40:47.199 --> 00:40:48.699 Thank you that we get to do this together. 00:40:50.980 --> 00:40:55.639 Thank you that your spirit is present, revealing to us the mysteries of God. 00:41:01.579 --> 00:41:02.279 Thank you, Lord. 00:41:02.279 --> 00:41:02.359 Amen. 00:41:06.099 --> 00:41:10.039 Holy Spirit, stir up in our hearts a passion for your name, a passion for your word. 00:41:10.679 --> 00:41:10.679 00:41:10.679 --> 00:41:10.679 00:41:10.679 --> 00:41:10.679 00:41:10.679 --> 00:41:10.679 00:41:10.679 --> 00:41:10.679 00:41:10.679 --> 00:41:10.679 00:41:10.679 --> 00:41:10.679 00:41:10.679 --> 00:41:10.679 00:41:10.679 --> 00:41:10.679 00:41:10.679 --> 00:41:10.679 00:41:10.679 --> 00:41:12.679 Amen. 00:41:12.679 --> 00:41:14.619 We may not want to, but we want to want to. 00:41:15.739 --> 00:41:17.619 We may not love you, but we want to love you. 00:41:20.460 --> 00:41:21.500 We want to love you more. 00:41:26.839 --> 00:41:30.500 And we are fully trusting you, and by your grace we will. 00:41:33.940 --> 00:41:35.000 By your grace we are. 00:41:36.399 --> 00:41:36.919 Thank you. 00:41:38.379 --> 00:41:39.460 In your name we pray. 00:41:41.059 --> 00:41:41.379 Amen. 00:41:41.379 --> 00:41:41.480 Amen. 00:41:41.480 --> 00:41:41.519 Amen. 00:41:41.519 --> 00:41:41.519 00:41:41.519 --> 00:41:41.519 00:41:41.519 --> 00:41:41.519 00:41:41.519 --> 00:41:41.519 00:41:41.519 --> 00:41:41.519 00:41:41.519 --> 00:41:41.519 00:41:41.519 --> 00:41:41.519 00:41:41.519 --> 00:41:41.519 00:41:41.519 --> 00:41:41.519 00:41:41.519 --> 00:41:41.519 00:41:41.519 --> 00:41:41.519 00:41:42.679 --> 00:41:43.579 Please take a seat. 00:41:51.079 --> 00:41:52.799 Thank you, Gabe, for leading us in that. 00:41:52.899 --> 00:41:59.199 I was particularly excited, actually, to have Gabe share that with us, because the six, seven 00:41:59.199 --> 00:42:00.379 years that I've gotten to know him. 00:42:00.759 --> 00:42:06.259 Actually, there's one commitment that I'll have to all of us here, is that we seek to speak 00:42:06.260 --> 00:42:07.260 from a place of authority. 00:42:07.260 --> 00:42:12.760 In the sense that, hey, we're not asking you to do anything that we don't do ourselves. 00:42:13.840 --> 00:42:19.140 That we're actually ones pushing us forward, leading the way in doing this, because we know that it's empty if we don't. 00:42:19.680 --> 00:42:24.780 And actually Gabe is someone who I've just respected over the years, and just his thirst and his hunger for the word. 00:42:24.780 --> 00:42:27.760 And I pray that this is the same for you. 00:42:28.340 --> 00:42:31.080 Last week I said that we can't expect what we don't teach. 00:42:31.360 --> 00:42:33.760 And what we're hoping to do is make disciples here of all of us. 00:42:33.760 --> 00:42:38.540 And in order to do that, to be disciples, there must be an element of discipline. 00:42:39.440 --> 00:42:40.880 Whether we really like it or not. 00:42:41.280 --> 00:42:46.880 Actually, even young people, students will recognize this, that there's a need to have discipline when it comes to even studying, right? 00:42:46.900 --> 00:42:47.440 You have to. 00:42:47.780 --> 00:42:52.420 When you want to study in something, when you want to get better in something, you have to have that discipline. 00:42:53.180 --> 00:42:54.300 And so why don't we have it with God? 00:42:54.340 --> 00:42:56.840 Why don't we have it when we are pursuing God? 00:42:56.840 --> 00:42:57.579 That's so important. 00:42:57.960 --> 00:42:59.780 But the goal isn't just to be disciplined. 00:42:59.880 --> 00:43:03.400 Because actually, I would say, maybe as a culture, we're pretty good at that. 00:43:03.720 --> 00:43:05.900 Or at least just regimenting and just following rules. 00:43:05.980 --> 00:43:06.720 We're okay with that. 00:43:07.039 --> 00:43:09.860 But the goal is, how can we move from discipline to then desire? 00:43:09.980 --> 00:43:10.940 Just going, God, you know what? 00:43:11.880 --> 00:43:14.420 I didn't want this before, but now I kind of do. 00:43:15.600 --> 00:43:19.059 And you go from that discipline to desire, and you're like, okay, I think I'm getting there. 00:43:19.480 --> 00:43:21.280 And as Gabe says, how do you get there? 00:43:21.320 --> 00:43:21.660 You pray. 00:43:22.120 --> 00:43:25.180 God, I don't feel like, Leviticus is rough. 00:43:25.220 --> 00:43:25.700 It's hard. 00:43:25.699 --> 00:43:27.559 But God, there's something here. 00:43:28.519 --> 00:43:29.419 Help me want this. 00:43:29.939 --> 00:43:30.919 Help me want you. 00:43:31.639 --> 00:43:32.500 That's the main thing. 00:43:32.879 --> 00:43:35.139 And then we move from discipline to then desire. 00:43:35.319 --> 00:43:36.599 And the goal is then delight. 00:43:36.719 --> 00:43:38.819 And how many of us here want to delight in the Lord? 00:43:38.859 --> 00:43:41.119 Want to feel the joy that comes from being in his presence? 00:43:41.199 --> 00:43:45.659 Being able to live a life that is just colorful in the way we see things because of him. 00:43:45.939 --> 00:43:50.119 We only can do that if we go through the first two of discipline and desire. 00:43:50.119 --> 00:43:56.380 If we go through those two, the prayer, the hope, the promise is that we'll end up with delight. 00:43:57.019 --> 00:44:00.779 And when we delight in the Lord of the Lord, that's when he'll grant us the desires of our hearts. 00:44:00.839 --> 00:44:02.779 That's when we will live the life that he's called us to. 00:44:02.900 --> 00:44:04.299 So join us on this journey. 00:44:04.300 --> 00:44:06.640 We are a week and a little bit into Lent now. 00:44:07.140 --> 00:44:09.200 And so last week was about fasting. 00:44:10.320 --> 00:44:14.480 Fasting, actually the art of denial is probably the hardest discipline of all. 00:44:14.780 --> 00:44:17.320 It's saying, I want this, but I want God more. 00:44:18.460 --> 00:44:20.280 And I was reflecting with someone the other day. 00:44:20.280 --> 00:44:22.900 I've been fasting and praying for certain brothers. 00:44:23.280 --> 00:44:26.860 And I'm like, there is no better reminder than to pray for my brothers when I'm hungry. 00:44:27.280 --> 00:44:29.380 Like, honestly, now it's time to pray. 00:44:29.460 --> 00:44:31.019 When you're full, you just don't feel it. 00:44:31.180 --> 00:44:33.680 So I encourage you, you're not too late. 00:44:33.720 --> 00:44:34.940 Well, you are too late, but it doesn't matter. 00:44:35.960 --> 00:44:40.360 If you want to start, if you should start, and I'm saying, please, I'm urging you, do start. 00:44:40.940 --> 00:44:42.420 Think about something, how you can fast. 00:44:42.640 --> 00:44:44.900 And don't just say, oh, yeah, maybe, maybe I'll do it. 00:44:45.240 --> 00:44:46.500 Maybe I'll cut out McDonald's today. 00:44:46.700 --> 00:44:48.400 Just be even more intentional than that. 00:44:48.400 --> 00:44:50.420 Being saying, actually, this is what I'm doing it for. 00:44:50.619 --> 00:44:51.940 This is what I'm cutting out. 00:44:52.320 --> 00:44:54.460 Because this is a part of my life that I don't want to be. 00:44:54.660 --> 00:44:55.740 So I'm giving it up to God. 00:44:55.820 --> 00:44:58.619 So be intentional and be clear about what that is to fast. 00:44:58.840 --> 00:45:00.680 And then as Gabe says, fill it with the word. 00:45:01.000 --> 00:45:02.860 I have a dear friend here who I won't name. 00:45:02.920 --> 00:45:06.639 He said he's also going to fast from using words that are not appropriate. 00:45:06.960 --> 00:45:07.740 And he said, that's hard. 00:45:07.800 --> 00:45:11.260 And day two, he was like, I'm struggling with not using curse words. 00:45:11.720 --> 00:45:12.680 And I was like, fill it up. 00:45:12.800 --> 00:45:14.260 Fill your mouth with scripture. 00:45:14.960 --> 00:45:17.579 Find one phrase that you just repeat over and over again. 00:45:17.579 --> 00:45:21.000 And keep saying that F word of faith. 00:45:21.299 --> 00:45:21.699 Faith. 00:45:22.000 --> 00:45:24.279 It is all about faith. 00:45:25.079 --> 00:45:26.319 Just keep saying it. 00:45:26.840 --> 00:45:32.799 So fast in a way that really, really just helps you draw close to him. 00:45:33.159 --> 00:45:34.779 And so I'm really grateful, really grateful. 00:45:35.179 --> 00:45:36.440 He's given us a lot of tips. 00:45:36.980 --> 00:45:38.759 And he has the authority to do this because he's gone through it. 00:45:38.760 --> 00:45:41.580 And I would say, please follow them. 00:45:41.980 --> 00:45:42.580 Please use them. 00:45:42.680 --> 00:45:43.180 Any of them. 00:45:43.380 --> 00:45:43.900 Even one. 00:45:44.660 --> 00:45:45.680 But it is all about the heart. 00:45:46.080 --> 00:45:48.200 Because there's only so much you can do. 00:45:49.020 --> 00:45:51.460 I went to visit Florence's dad this week. 00:45:51.600 --> 00:45:55.900 Those of you who don't know, Florence and her dad are in the field of dentistry. 00:45:55.900 --> 00:45:58.440 So there's not many people that make me cry. 00:45:58.720 --> 00:45:59.720 But he is one of them. 00:46:00.579 --> 00:46:01.700 And every time I go. 00:46:02.260 --> 00:46:05.960 And the first thing he said to me was, I haven't seen you for a while. 00:46:06.720 --> 00:46:07.900 It's been two years. 00:46:08.240 --> 00:46:09.660 And I was like, yes, I know. 00:46:10.099 --> 00:46:13.180 And then he makes me cry because he sticks that sharp metal thing into my mouth. 00:46:13.179 --> 00:46:17.539 And I was like, there's a sermon analogy here somewhere. 00:46:18.639 --> 00:46:23.879 I think there are those of us who simply show up to a dentist once in a while. 00:46:24.039 --> 00:46:25.339 But we don't brush our teeth. 00:46:25.559 --> 00:46:26.319 And we don't floss. 00:46:26.980 --> 00:46:29.739 And then we wonder why actually our teeth are not clean. 00:46:29.859 --> 00:46:31.219 And that we've got gum disease. 00:46:31.339 --> 00:46:32.419 And we've got all these problems. 00:46:33.119 --> 00:46:36.139 Reading scripture, the disciplines is that. 00:46:36.379 --> 00:46:40.899 You come on a Sunday morning, two weeks out of four, to get some feeding. 00:46:40.899 --> 00:46:42.239 And we open up the words together. 00:46:42.239 --> 00:46:43.219 And that is good. 00:46:43.919 --> 00:46:46.659 But I'll tell you, that's not where the real meat is. 00:46:46.739 --> 00:46:48.259 That's not where the good stuff is. 00:46:48.339 --> 00:46:51.099 The good stuff is when you do it day to day. 00:46:51.699 --> 00:46:53.899 Have that discipline that turns into desire. 00:46:54.759 --> 00:46:56.799 And the Lord promises it will turn into delight. 00:46:57.500 --> 00:47:00.339 And so the last thing I'll say is, the reason why we're all here, 00:47:00.399 --> 00:47:02.619 because why don't we all just go home and read the Bible ourselves, 00:47:02.779 --> 00:47:04.039 is because we do it together. 00:47:04.419 --> 00:47:06.059 There's something about the public reading of scripture, 00:47:06.179 --> 00:47:08.799 the public opening of the word, that is actually really important. 00:47:08.799 --> 00:47:11.919 So if you are in a life group, commit to doing the reading plans that I know they gave. 00:47:11.920 --> 00:47:13.480 And many of the life groups are doing. 00:47:14.240 --> 00:47:15.840 But if you're just like, okay, I need to read the word, 00:47:15.920 --> 00:47:20.480 but I don't really know how, find one person and say, this week I'm going to do this. 00:47:20.539 --> 00:47:21.840 Can you ask me about it next week? 00:47:22.300 --> 00:47:23.940 It's as simple as that. 00:47:23.940 --> 00:47:28.099 Next week, we're going to do another spiritual discipline. 00:47:28.220 --> 00:47:32.980 I won't tell you what it is yet because I haven't quite decided, but we will go through it. 00:47:33.000 --> 00:47:36.059 And there are other ones that are going to be really close to my heart, 00:47:36.260 --> 00:47:38.559 solitude and worship and the Sabbath. 00:47:38.760 --> 00:47:44.019 And so I encourage you, if we're going to be disciples, keep thinking about this. 00:47:44.220 --> 00:47:48.780 How can I become more disciplined so I can have more desire, so I can have more delight? 00:47:48.780 --> 00:47:52.440 Can I finish with just a final word of prayer and then we'll let everyone go for lunch? 00:47:52.480 --> 00:47:55.540 And remember, remember to pray for our football team today, okay? 00:47:55.740 --> 00:47:57.120 It's coming home, it's coming home. 00:47:57.200 --> 00:47:57.540 Let's pray. 00:47:58.800 --> 00:48:04.180 Father, we hang on every word of yours because we love you. 00:48:04.420 --> 00:48:11.000 And we ask that you would fill us, would fill us with hunger and thirst for you. 00:48:11.000 --> 00:48:14.340 Lord, we want whatever Gabe is drinking. 00:48:15.380 --> 00:48:18.480 We want that same passion for your word. 00:48:21.940 --> 00:48:27.579 Remember in Acts where they were just devoted to the apostles' teaching, which is your word. 00:48:28.860 --> 00:48:30.019 So we humble ourselves. 00:48:32.079 --> 00:48:38.619 And we ask that you would instill in us this hunger this week to fast, to pray, to read your word. 00:48:38.619 --> 00:48:43.440 Lord, we meditate on it day and night, allow it to permeate into the very depths of our souls. 00:48:47.619 --> 00:48:48.219 Thank you, Lord. 00:48:48.699 --> 00:48:49.460 Thank you for this time. 00:48:49.579 --> 00:48:50.339 Thank you for this family. 00:48:51.920 --> 00:48:53.179 Thank you most of all for you. 00:48:54.839 --> 00:48:59.359 We seek to put you front and center in everything that we do. 00:49:01.000 --> 00:49:02.000 In your name we pray. 00:49:02.960 --> 00:49:03.259 Amen.