WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.219 Good morning, everyone. 00:00:07.560 --> 00:00:12.859 As we come to the end of the Christmas season with the New Year right around the corner, 00:00:13.599 --> 00:00:20.640 I felt it would be appropriate to talk this morning about faith, doubt, and diligence 00:00:20.640 --> 00:00:21.620 in the coming year. 00:00:21.620 --> 00:00:32.600 We hear so often of heroes of the Christian faith who possessed incredible and unshakable 00:00:32.600 --> 00:00:33.340 faith. 00:00:34.400 --> 00:00:40.280 Missionaries and apostles who leave everything behind and walk solely by faith. 00:00:41.320 --> 00:00:46.740 Martyrs who pay the ultimate price and give up their lives with a faith that doesn't waver 00:00:46.740 --> 00:00:53.140 in the face of vulgar, humiliating pain, suffering, and death. 00:00:55.060 --> 00:01:05.620 Faith is a beautiful and glorious virtue, but its counterpart, doubt, can fill us with the 00:01:05.620 --> 00:01:10.280 same scope and depth of emotion in the opposite direction. 00:01:10.280 --> 00:01:17.659 Whereas a powerful, trusting faith can give the world purpose, meaning, and fill you with 00:01:17.659 --> 00:01:24.640 a spirit of rejoicing in all things, a powerful doubt shakes the rickety floor beneath your 00:01:24.640 --> 00:01:31.200 feet, threatening to throw you from a secure place into an infinite, dark, and foreboding 00:01:31.200 --> 00:01:31.640 death. 00:01:32.700 --> 00:01:34.040 It can be terrifying. 00:01:34.040 --> 00:01:44.380 And yet, doubt, in so many Christian circles, is seen simply as something you experience before 00:01:44.380 --> 00:01:45.340 you're saved. 00:01:46.080 --> 00:01:51.100 It's something that happens perhaps while you're in the process of coming to Christ, but once 00:01:51.100 --> 00:01:53.980 you're saved, it doesn't come up anymore. 00:01:54.800 --> 00:01:58.640 After all, once saved, always saved. 00:01:58.640 --> 00:02:05.480 There's a perception that a good Christian simply doesn't struggle with things like doubt. 00:02:06.879 --> 00:02:10.620 But that can be a very harmful perception, indeed. 00:02:12.039 --> 00:02:15.400 It can make you feel like you're the only one who struggles with doubt. 00:02:16.039 --> 00:02:19.219 That there's something wrong with you, and it's something to be ashamed of. 00:02:19.620 --> 00:02:22.319 Or worse, something to be frightened of. 00:02:22.319 --> 00:02:30.280 So perhaps you try your best to ignore it, or bury it, or hide it. 00:02:31.219 --> 00:02:37.439 But such methods never do anything to actually solve doubt. 00:02:38.799 --> 00:02:43.120 That doubt is a flaming barbed arrow shot from the evil one. 00:02:43.840 --> 00:02:48.879 It sticks in you, and it digs deep, and it hurts to wrestle with it, and you can't seem 00:02:48.879 --> 00:02:49.599 to pull it out. 00:02:49.599 --> 00:02:54.359 Covering it up, ignoring it, hiding it. 00:02:54.599 --> 00:03:02.000 It makes sense at the time, but it's such an irrational and animalistic response. 00:03:02.780 --> 00:03:06.819 How often do terrible wounds get better from being ignored? 00:03:08.299 --> 00:03:18.439 For me, personally, I've witnessed and experienced things in my life that absolutely defy any rational 00:03:18.439 --> 00:03:19.079 explanation. 00:03:19.919 --> 00:03:25.900 I've been given mountains of evidence, and sometimes feel God so close in my life. 00:03:26.319 --> 00:03:31.639 Yet, I think I've struggled more with doubt than any Christian that I've ever met. 00:03:33.699 --> 00:03:37.860 I don't know if that's actually true, but it certainly feels that way sometimes. 00:03:39.319 --> 00:03:41.280 Sometimes it almost even seems seasonal. 00:03:41.280 --> 00:03:43.860 Doubt in the power of God. 00:03:44.580 --> 00:03:46.259 Doubt in the sacrifice of our Savior. 00:03:47.099 --> 00:03:49.199 Doubt in the inerrancy of Scripture. 00:03:50.400 --> 00:03:52.060 Doubt if we've ever been saved at all. 00:03:52.060 --> 00:03:53.060 Doubt in the law. 00:03:54.000 --> 00:03:57.759 It's not something that I want to admit, but I think it's important for us to do so. 00:03:59.099 --> 00:04:02.140 Because there's times I've felt there must be something wrong with me. 00:04:02.920 --> 00:04:06.580 Because other Christians seem to believe just so effortlessly. 00:04:07.979 --> 00:04:11.180 But I think a lot more of us struggle with doubt than we're willing to admit. 00:04:11.180 --> 00:04:21.360 Of course, some people truly do have an ironclad faith in which they rest assured in Christ and never struggle with doubt in their walk. 00:04:22.060 --> 00:04:25.379 And that is a wonderful, amazing gift. 00:04:25.939 --> 00:04:34.899 Christ even draws special attention to those who believe with that strength and purity and trust and humility of a child that they will inherit the kingdom of heaven. 00:04:34.899 --> 00:04:39.739 But that isn't something that everyone possesses. 00:04:40.939 --> 00:04:45.319 And so often doubt is associated with detractors of God. 00:04:46.699 --> 00:04:51.899 However, people who are opposed to God aren't the only ones who doubt Him. 00:04:52.819 --> 00:05:02.379 Because when we go to the Bible and we look through Scripture, it is filled with individuals who are called by God directly. 00:05:02.379 --> 00:05:08.339 Only to be filled with doubt and fear. 00:05:09.920 --> 00:05:20.279 Peter, apostle of Jesus Christ, the rock of the early church, was walking on water with Jesus Christ. 00:05:20.719 --> 00:05:23.540 Physically, standing right in front of him. 00:05:24.079 --> 00:05:27.759 And we read that Peter's fear led him to doubt. 00:05:28.360 --> 00:05:29.420 And he started to sin. 00:05:29.420 --> 00:05:33.800 In Judges 6, we read the account of Gideon. 00:05:34.199 --> 00:05:36.100 The angel of the Lord appears to Gideon. 00:05:36.180 --> 00:05:42.040 And the angel of the Lord is often used to refer to the pre-incarnate Christ in the Old Testament. 00:05:43.420 --> 00:05:46.360 Gideon only has six lines in Judges 6. 00:05:46.879 --> 00:05:49.100 And it's nothing but doubt. 00:05:50.240 --> 00:05:51.100 Gideon first says, 00:05:51.100 --> 00:06:12.379 When told he's going to be an instrument of salvation, Gideon says, 00:06:12.379 --> 00:06:14.379 Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? 00:06:14.920 --> 00:06:19.339 Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house. 00:06:20.759 --> 00:06:21.439 Followed by, 00:06:21.560 --> 00:06:27.560 If I have now found favor in your eyes, then show me a sign that it is you who speak with me. 00:06:28.060 --> 00:06:33.540 Please do not depart from here until I come to you and bring out my present and set it before you. 00:06:33.540 --> 00:06:36.580 And when he sees physical proof, Gideon says, 00:06:36.680 --> 00:06:41.439 Alas, O Lord God, for now I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face. 00:06:42.120 --> 00:06:49.180 And then upon receiving instruction from God, we read Gideon took ten of his servants and did as the Lord told him. 00:06:49.680 --> 00:06:56.840 But because he was too afraid of his family and the men of his town, he did it by night. 00:06:56.839 --> 00:07:03.359 Then, still within the same chapter, Gideon says to God, 00:07:03.699 --> 00:07:06.639 If you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said, 00:07:07.060 --> 00:07:10.679 Behold, I am laying a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. 00:07:11.239 --> 00:07:15.579 If there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, 00:07:16.000 --> 00:07:20.299 then I shall know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said. 00:07:20.879 --> 00:07:23.899 And when that was done, Gideon said to God, 00:07:23.899 --> 00:07:25.899 Let not your anger burn against me. 00:07:25.899 --> 00:07:27.959 Let me speak just once more. 00:07:28.519 --> 00:07:31.799 Please let me test just once more with the fleece. 00:07:32.239 --> 00:07:35.620 Please let it be dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground. 00:07:36.199 --> 00:07:36.939 Let there be dew. 00:07:39.839 --> 00:07:45.099 God called Gideon a man of valor and said he found favor in him. 00:07:46.019 --> 00:07:50.979 Yet every single response of Gideon's is riddled with doubt. 00:07:50.980 --> 00:07:59.740 Often, when we struggle with doubt, we wish that we could receive signs the way Gideon or Peter did. 00:08:00.600 --> 00:08:05.100 We want clear signs and obvious proof that doesn't require any faith. 00:08:06.200 --> 00:08:11.259 We tell ourselves that if we could just receive some small, minor little sign, 00:08:11.259 --> 00:08:18.759 not even necessarily a miracle, a small sign like maybe a bird coming through a window and landing on a sill at just the right moment, 00:08:19.199 --> 00:08:20.120 that's all it would take. 00:08:23.879 --> 00:08:25.339 But we're lying to ourselves. 00:08:25.339 --> 00:08:32.179 This might sound like an excuse, but even if we could put God to such tests, 00:08:32.299 --> 00:08:37.199 I don't think any amount of testing would ever satisfy us. 00:08:38.579 --> 00:08:42.299 Gideon met an angel and struggled with doubt the same day. 00:08:43.019 --> 00:08:48.939 Peter was looking directly at Christ and actively experiencing a miracle, and he doubted. 00:08:48.940 --> 00:08:56.240 Thomas, who was a disciple of Christ, who likely performed miracles given to the disciples to do, like casting out demons, 00:08:56.900 --> 00:09:02.700 but when the other disciples came to Thomas and told him Jesus rose from the dead, he doubted. 00:09:03.700 --> 00:09:10.340 Unless I physically touch not just him in his wounds, I don't believe you. 00:09:11.480 --> 00:09:14.560 Moses, the great patriarch, said, I can't go to Pharaoh. 00:09:15.160 --> 00:09:16.700 I can't do that. 00:09:16.700 --> 00:09:22.379 And of course, Jonah, when called upon by God, sprinted in the opposite direction. 00:09:24.660 --> 00:09:32.400 So, okay, if heroes of the Old Testament and disciples of Jesus doubted, 00:09:33.100 --> 00:09:36.360 maybe the problem then is that we're human. 00:09:37.940 --> 00:09:43.560 Angels have God readily available and right in front of their face, constantly. 00:09:43.559 --> 00:09:48.559 But all that does is shifts the goalposts. 00:09:50.559 --> 00:09:51.859 Look at Satan. 00:09:52.879 --> 00:09:56.299 How much more proof could an entity possibly need? 00:09:57.279 --> 00:10:02.319 Yet he not only rebelled against God, but even in his defeat, he still leads a constant struggle. 00:10:03.000 --> 00:10:05.299 Not only against God, but against God's creation. 00:10:06.299 --> 00:10:07.459 And it isn't just Satan. 00:10:07.460 --> 00:10:12.300 We read multiple times in Scripture that Satan wasn't cast out alone. 00:10:12.920 --> 00:10:14.519 There were other angels that went with him. 00:10:15.280 --> 00:10:19.240 Of course, once they were cast out, we don't really refer to them as angels anymore. 00:10:19.379 --> 00:10:20.540 We refer to them as demons. 00:10:21.700 --> 00:10:27.759 And we don't think of demons as once being angels in heaven or servants of God. 00:10:27.759 --> 00:10:34.840 One of my favorite depictions of Satan is a painting of a beautiful angel sitting down. 00:10:35.019 --> 00:10:40.620 And he's holding his own hand and is just brimming with anger. 00:10:41.080 --> 00:10:47.559 And it's a wonderful contrast to God touching Adam's finger in Michelangelo's famous Sistine Chapel painting. 00:10:47.559 --> 00:10:51.939 So, what then is the point? 00:10:53.839 --> 00:10:58.919 If doubt isn't based on physiology as humans, and it isn't based on the amount of evidence we've received, 00:10:59.559 --> 00:11:02.339 what then causes us to doubt? 00:11:05.619 --> 00:11:06.519 It's emotion. 00:11:07.519 --> 00:11:08.479 It's desire. 00:11:09.599 --> 00:11:12.779 Satan has more evidence than any human could ever have. 00:11:12.779 --> 00:11:16.919 But Satan wants to be in charge. 00:11:17.539 --> 00:11:18.679 So, the evidence doesn't matter. 00:11:20.480 --> 00:11:25.639 When the waves and the wind roared around Peter, Jesus was right in front of him. 00:11:26.319 --> 00:11:27.259 But he was afraid. 00:11:28.179 --> 00:11:30.240 So, the evidence didn't matter. 00:11:32.039 --> 00:11:34.899 Gideon, chosen for being a man of valor to save Israel, 00:11:35.419 --> 00:11:39.959 had just confirmed and tested that the God of Israel was on his side. 00:11:39.960 --> 00:11:44.220 But when Gideon was afraid of the admonition of his own family, 00:11:44.620 --> 00:11:46.740 the evidence didn't matter. 00:11:48.940 --> 00:11:53.180 I have a bit of a lengthy quote here from C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity 00:11:53.180 --> 00:11:55.740 that I think explains this perfectly. 00:11:55.740 --> 00:12:00.820 For example, 00:12:01.399 --> 00:12:05.120 my reason is perfectly convinced by good evidence 00:12:05.120 --> 00:12:08.019 that anesthetics do not smother me 00:12:08.019 --> 00:12:13.039 and that properly trained surgeons do not start operating until I am unconscious. 00:12:14.120 --> 00:12:17.779 But that does not alter the fact that when they have me down on the table 00:12:17.779 --> 00:12:20.700 and clap their horrible mask over my face, 00:12:21.399 --> 00:12:24.399 a mere childish panic begins inside me. 00:12:24.399 --> 00:12:26.799 I start thinking I am going to choke 00:12:26.799 --> 00:12:29.240 and I am afraid they will start cutting me up 00:12:29.240 --> 00:12:30.539 before I am properly under. 00:12:31.360 --> 00:12:32.199 In other words, 00:12:32.620 --> 00:12:35.139 I lose my faith in anesthetics. 00:12:36.100 --> 00:12:39.199 It is not reason that is taking away my faith. 00:12:39.199 --> 00:12:40.439 On the contrary, 00:12:40.919 --> 00:12:42.939 my faith is based on reason. 00:12:43.579 --> 00:12:44.620 It is my imagination 00:12:44.620 --> 00:12:46.039 and emotions. 00:12:46.959 --> 00:12:48.539 The battle is between 00:12:48.539 --> 00:12:50.779 faith and reason on one side 00:12:50.779 --> 00:12:53.039 and emotion and imagination 00:12:53.039 --> 00:12:53.919 on the other. 00:12:55.120 --> 00:12:56.679 Lewis then goes on to say, 00:12:57.319 --> 00:12:59.019 I am not asking anyone 00:12:59.019 --> 00:13:00.360 to accept Christianity 00:13:00.360 --> 00:13:02.799 if his best reasoning tells him 00:13:02.799 --> 00:13:04.500 that the weight of the evidence 00:13:04.500 --> 00:13:05.519 is against it. 00:13:06.159 --> 00:13:07.319 That is not the point 00:13:07.319 --> 00:13:08.740 at which faith comes in. 00:13:09.699 --> 00:13:11.659 But supposing a man's reason 00:13:11.659 --> 00:13:13.759 once decides that the weight of the evidence 00:13:13.759 --> 00:13:14.480 is for it, 00:13:14.480 --> 00:13:17.159 I can tell that man 00:13:17.159 --> 00:13:19.039 what is going to happen to him 00:13:19.039 --> 00:13:21.000 within the next few weeks. 00:13:21.800 --> 00:13:22.920 There will come a moment 00:13:22.920 --> 00:13:24.320 when there is bad news 00:13:24.320 --> 00:13:25.519 or he is in trouble 00:13:25.519 --> 00:13:27.560 or is living life 00:13:27.560 --> 00:13:28.840 among a lot of people 00:13:28.840 --> 00:13:30.200 who do not believe it 00:13:30.200 --> 00:13:31.720 and all at once 00:13:31.720 --> 00:13:34.000 his emotions will rise up 00:13:34.000 --> 00:13:36.159 and carry out a sort of blitz 00:13:36.159 --> 00:13:37.240 on his belief. 00:13:37.240 --> 00:13:39.560 Or else there will come a moment 00:13:39.560 --> 00:13:40.460 when he wants a woman 00:13:40.460 --> 00:13:42.120 or wants to tell a lie 00:13:42.120 --> 00:13:43.980 or feels very pleased 00:13:43.980 --> 00:13:44.580 with himself 00:13:44.580 --> 00:13:45.740 or sees a chance 00:13:45.740 --> 00:13:46.799 of making a little money 00:13:46.799 --> 00:13:47.659 in some way 00:13:47.659 --> 00:13:49.060 that is not perfectly fair. 00:13:50.039 --> 00:13:51.680 Some moment, in fact. 00:13:52.560 --> 00:13:53.000 Hmm. 00:13:54.440 --> 00:13:55.240 At which it would be 00:13:55.240 --> 00:13:56.100 very convenient 00:13:56.100 --> 00:13:57.980 if Christianity were not true. 00:13:58.899 --> 00:13:59.659 And once again, 00:13:59.759 --> 00:14:01.000 he wishes and desires 00:14:01.000 --> 00:14:02.720 will carry out a blitz. 00:14:02.720 --> 00:14:04.800 I am not talking 00:14:04.800 --> 00:14:05.420 of moments 00:14:05.420 --> 00:14:06.620 at which any new 00:14:06.620 --> 00:14:07.920 real reasons 00:14:07.920 --> 00:14:09.700 against Christianity turn up. 00:14:10.399 --> 00:14:11.840 Those have to be faced 00:14:11.840 --> 00:14:13.320 and that is a different matter. 00:14:14.240 --> 00:14:15.620 I am talking about moments 00:14:15.620 --> 00:14:16.779 where a mere mood 00:14:16.779 --> 00:14:18.120 rises up against it. 00:14:19.279 --> 00:14:20.000 Now faith, 00:14:20.620 --> 00:14:21.279 in the sense 00:14:21.279 --> 00:14:22.320 in which I am using 00:14:22.320 --> 00:14:23.120 the word here, 00:14:23.519 --> 00:14:24.480 is the art 00:14:24.480 --> 00:14:25.940 of holding on to things 00:14:25.940 --> 00:14:26.740 that your reason 00:14:26.740 --> 00:14:27.840 has once accepted 00:14:27.840 --> 00:14:29.180 in spite 00:14:29.180 --> 00:14:30.800 of your changing moods. 00:14:31.420 --> 00:14:32.620 For moods will change. 00:14:33.279 --> 00:14:33.860 Whatever view 00:14:33.860 --> 00:14:34.940 your reason takes, 00:14:35.259 --> 00:14:36.720 I know that by experience. 00:14:37.899 --> 00:14:39.100 Now that I am a Christian, 00:14:39.560 --> 00:14:40.960 I do have moods 00:14:40.960 --> 00:14:42.040 in which the whole thing 00:14:42.040 --> 00:14:43.860 looks very improbable. 00:14:44.700 --> 00:14:45.899 But when I was an atheist, 00:14:46.480 --> 00:14:47.279 I had moods 00:14:47.279 --> 00:14:48.120 in which Christianity 00:14:48.120 --> 00:14:49.740 looked terribly probable. 00:14:50.800 --> 00:14:51.660 This rebellion 00:14:51.660 --> 00:14:52.600 of your moods 00:14:52.600 --> 00:14:53.860 against your real self 00:14:53.860 --> 00:14:55.500 is going to come anyway. 00:14:56.420 --> 00:14:57.460 That is why faith 00:14:57.460 --> 00:14:59.600 is such a necessary virtue. 00:15:00.779 --> 00:15:02.500 Unless you teach your moods, 00:15:02.500 --> 00:15:03.559 where they get off, 00:15:03.559 --> 00:15:05.399 you can never be 00:15:05.399 --> 00:15:06.580 either a sound Christian 00:15:06.580 --> 00:15:07.960 or even a sound atheist, 00:15:08.320 --> 00:15:09.620 but just a creature 00:15:09.620 --> 00:15:11.000 dithering to and fro, 00:15:11.500 --> 00:15:12.419 with its beliefs 00:15:12.419 --> 00:15:13.240 really dependent 00:15:13.240 --> 00:15:14.059 on the weather 00:15:14.059 --> 00:15:15.039 and the state 00:15:15.039 --> 00:15:15.799 of its digestion. 00:15:17.480 --> 00:15:18.080 Consequentially, 00:15:18.639 --> 00:15:19.500 one must train 00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:20.440 the habit of faith. 00:15:21.139 --> 00:15:22.179 The first step 00:15:22.179 --> 00:15:23.360 is to recognize 00:15:23.360 --> 00:15:24.019 the fact that 00:15:24.019 --> 00:15:24.980 your moods change. 00:15:25.840 --> 00:15:26.440 The next 00:15:26.440 --> 00:15:27.500 is to make sure 00:15:27.500 --> 00:15:28.519 that if you have 00:15:28.519 --> 00:15:29.659 once accepted Christianity, 00:15:29.659 --> 00:15:30.799 then some 00:15:30.799 --> 00:15:32.039 of its main doctrines 00:15:32.039 --> 00:15:33.579 shall deliberately 00:15:33.579 --> 00:15:34.360 be held 00:15:34.360 --> 00:15:35.480 before your mind 00:15:35.480 --> 00:15:36.279 for some time 00:15:36.279 --> 00:15:37.519 every day. 00:15:38.279 --> 00:15:39.079 This is why 00:15:39.079 --> 00:15:39.899 daily prayers 00:15:39.899 --> 00:15:40.819 and religious reading 00:15:40.819 --> 00:15:41.539 and churchgoing 00:15:41.539 --> 00:15:42.719 are necessary parts 00:15:42.719 --> 00:15:43.639 of the Christian life. 00:15:44.299 --> 00:15:45.339 We have to be 00:15:45.339 --> 00:15:46.439 continually reminded 00:15:46.439 --> 00:15:47.319 of what we believe. 00:15:48.319 --> 00:15:49.339 Neither this belief 00:15:49.339 --> 00:15:50.579 nor any other 00:15:50.579 --> 00:15:51.759 will automatically 00:15:51.759 --> 00:15:52.959 remain alive 00:15:52.959 --> 00:15:53.679 in our mind. 00:15:54.159 --> 00:15:56.179 It must be fed. 00:15:56.179 --> 00:15:57.639 And as a matter 00:15:57.639 --> 00:15:58.139 of fact, 00:15:58.399 --> 00:15:59.279 if you examined 00:15:59.279 --> 00:16:00.039 a hundred people 00:16:00.039 --> 00:16:00.620 who had lost 00:16:00.620 --> 00:16:01.039 their faith 00:16:01.039 --> 00:16:01.659 in Christianity, 00:16:02.139 --> 00:16:02.819 I wonder 00:16:02.819 --> 00:16:04.079 how many of them 00:16:04.079 --> 00:16:04.919 would turn out 00:16:04.919 --> 00:16:05.919 to have been reasoned 00:16:05.919 --> 00:16:06.259 out of it 00:16:06.259 --> 00:16:07.219 by honest argument. 00:16:08.239 --> 00:16:09.459 Do not most people 00:16:09.459 --> 00:16:11.639 simply drift away? 00:16:14.239 --> 00:16:15.479 So that ultimately 00:16:15.479 --> 00:16:16.779 brings us 00:16:16.779 --> 00:16:17.639 to the point 00:16:17.639 --> 00:16:19.019 of today's message. 00:16:20.319 --> 00:16:21.959 What do we do 00:16:21.959 --> 00:16:23.319 when we fall 00:16:23.319 --> 00:16:24.179 into doubt? 00:16:24.179 --> 00:16:26.199 Thankfully, 00:16:26.879 --> 00:16:27.399 the answer 00:16:27.399 --> 00:16:29.019 is quite simple. 00:16:29.939 --> 00:16:31.459 But simple 00:16:31.459 --> 00:16:32.659 and easy 00:16:32.659 --> 00:16:33.479 aren't always 00:16:33.479 --> 00:16:34.159 the same thing. 00:16:35.159 --> 00:16:36.819 If you find yourself 00:16:36.819 --> 00:16:38.219 racked 00:16:38.219 --> 00:16:39.299 with doubt, 00:16:40.419 --> 00:16:42.019 then you need 00:16:42.019 --> 00:16:42.979 to pray. 00:16:44.359 --> 00:16:45.120 You need 00:16:45.120 --> 00:16:46.019 to read Scripture. 00:16:46.639 --> 00:16:47.419 You need to wrestle 00:16:47.419 --> 00:16:48.359 with that doubt 00:16:48.359 --> 00:16:49.899 and cross-examine it. 00:16:50.519 --> 00:16:51.620 Is that doubt 00:16:51.620 --> 00:16:53.000 truly genuine? 00:16:53.000 --> 00:16:54.860 or is it just 00:16:54.860 --> 00:16:55.179 that there's 00:16:55.179 --> 00:16:56.259 something in your life 00:16:56.259 --> 00:16:57.120 that you want 00:16:57.120 --> 00:16:58.460 that Christianity 00:16:58.460 --> 00:16:59.779 is stopping you 00:16:59.779 --> 00:17:00.279 from having? 00:17:03.080 --> 00:17:04.240 Is there an emotion 00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:04.799 that threatens 00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:05.799 to consume you 00:17:05.799 --> 00:17:07.400 like despair 00:17:07.400 --> 00:17:08.500 or depression 00:17:08.500 --> 00:17:09.500 and in that moment 00:17:09.500 --> 00:17:11.079 seems so comforting 00:17:11.079 --> 00:17:11.980 and alluring 00:17:11.980 --> 00:17:12.920 to sink into? 00:17:14.680 --> 00:17:15.240 Now, 00:17:15.500 --> 00:17:15.779 Scripture 00:17:15.779 --> 00:17:16.380 and prayer 00:17:16.380 --> 00:17:16.920 are probably 00:17:16.920 --> 00:17:18.019 the last thing 00:17:18.019 --> 00:17:18.799 anyone's going 00:17:18.799 --> 00:17:19.500 to want 00:17:19.500 --> 00:17:20.279 when they're 00:17:20.279 --> 00:17:20.500 dead. 00:17:20.500 --> 00:17:20.819 But, 00:17:22.259 --> 00:17:24.119 that's simply 00:17:24.119 --> 00:17:24.779 when they need 00:17:24.779 --> 00:17:25.700 it the most. 00:17:26.900 --> 00:17:28.180 If you physically 00:17:28.180 --> 00:17:30.160 feel weak 00:17:30.160 --> 00:17:32.400 and tired 00:17:32.400 --> 00:17:33.460 and unwell 00:17:33.460 --> 00:17:34.839 all of the time, 00:17:35.059 --> 00:17:35.700 you know 00:17:35.700 --> 00:17:36.519 that what you 00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:37.400 need to do 00:17:37.400 --> 00:17:38.559 is to start 00:17:38.559 --> 00:17:39.700 eating healthy 00:17:39.700 --> 00:17:40.779 and start getting 00:17:40.779 --> 00:17:41.400 regular 00:17:41.400 --> 00:17:42.500 physical exercise. 00:17:42.500 --> 00:17:43.099 exercise. 00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:44.779 But, 00:17:44.880 --> 00:17:45.599 I am sure 00:17:45.599 --> 00:17:46.720 we've all 00:17:46.720 --> 00:17:47.619 experienced that, 00:17:47.940 --> 00:17:48.500 haven't we? 00:17:48.980 --> 00:17:49.779 When you drag 00:17:49.779 --> 00:17:50.579 yourself back 00:17:50.579 --> 00:17:51.259 into a physically 00:17:51.259 --> 00:17:52.240 healthy routine 00:17:52.240 --> 00:17:53.819 from a long absence? 00:17:55.079 --> 00:17:55.880 Getting on the 00:17:55.880 --> 00:17:56.500 treadmill for the 00:17:56.500 --> 00:17:57.500 first time in months 00:17:57.500 --> 00:17:59.680 is just agony. 00:18:00.680 --> 00:18:01.539 Our emotions 00:18:01.539 --> 00:18:02.400 start blitzing us 00:18:02.400 --> 00:18:02.539 with, 00:18:02.799 --> 00:18:03.500 why are you doing 00:18:03.500 --> 00:18:03.799 this? 00:18:03.859 --> 00:18:04.920 This is foolishness. 00:18:05.160 --> 00:18:05.779 We're not running 00:18:05.779 --> 00:18:06.539 away from anyone. 00:18:06.539 --> 00:18:07.460 You just need 00:18:07.460 --> 00:18:08.119 to lie down 00:18:08.119 --> 00:18:08.559 and have some 00:18:08.559 --> 00:18:08.899 snacks. 00:18:10.799 --> 00:18:11.519 Why then 00:18:11.519 --> 00:18:11.879 should it be 00:18:11.879 --> 00:18:12.440 any different 00:18:12.440 --> 00:18:13.740 when we crack 00:18:13.740 --> 00:18:14.399 open a Bible 00:18:14.399 --> 00:18:15.480 in the midst 00:18:15.480 --> 00:18:16.279 of doubt? 00:18:17.200 --> 00:18:18.099 Your emotions 00:18:18.099 --> 00:18:18.619 will start 00:18:18.619 --> 00:18:19.139 flailing 00:18:19.139 --> 00:18:20.359 just the same 00:18:20.359 --> 00:18:21.299 way with all 00:18:21.299 --> 00:18:21.920 the usual 00:18:21.920 --> 00:18:22.480 attacks 00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:23.519 screaming at you. 00:18:24.920 --> 00:18:25.680 It's harder 00:18:25.680 --> 00:18:26.420 since faith 00:18:26.420 --> 00:18:26.960 seems to be 00:18:26.960 --> 00:18:27.299 in the realm 00:18:27.299 --> 00:18:27.799 of the mind 00:18:27.799 --> 00:18:29.079 so it feels 00:18:29.079 --> 00:18:29.460 that those 00:18:29.460 --> 00:18:30.139 emotions have 00:18:30.139 --> 00:18:30.819 more weight 00:18:30.819 --> 00:18:31.680 than they should. 00:18:32.559 --> 00:18:33.339 If anything, 00:18:33.539 --> 00:18:34.159 the gym is 00:18:34.159 --> 00:18:35.720 ten times easier 00:18:35.720 --> 00:18:36.339 since you can 00:18:36.339 --> 00:18:36.920 just turn on 00:18:36.920 --> 00:18:37.299 music, 00:18:37.480 --> 00:18:38.259 try and turn 00:18:38.259 --> 00:18:38.860 off your brain 00:18:38.860 --> 00:18:39.600 and do the 00:18:39.600 --> 00:18:40.100 exercises 00:18:40.100 --> 00:18:41.680 and try not 00:18:41.680 --> 00:18:42.059 to think. 00:18:43.279 --> 00:18:43.799 Scripture, 00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:44.240 however, 00:18:44.839 --> 00:18:45.380 actively 00:18:45.380 --> 00:18:46.680 encourages 00:18:46.680 --> 00:18:48.000 thinking 00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:49.299 and dwelling 00:18:49.299 --> 00:18:50.319 on difficult 00:18:50.319 --> 00:18:50.960 concepts. 00:18:51.980 --> 00:18:52.579 It's mental 00:18:52.579 --> 00:18:53.200 instead of 00:18:53.200 --> 00:18:53.500 physical, 00:18:53.680 --> 00:18:54.100 which is 00:18:54.100 --> 00:18:54.920 exactly where 00:18:54.920 --> 00:18:55.500 the attacks 00:18:55.500 --> 00:18:56.039 seem to be 00:18:56.039 --> 00:18:56.559 coming from. 00:18:57.620 --> 00:18:58.200 To make 00:18:58.200 --> 00:18:58.940 matters worse, 00:18:59.620 --> 00:19:00.259 hiding doubt 00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:01.579 seems much 00:19:01.579 --> 00:19:02.779 easier than 00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:03.440 hiding physical 00:19:03.440 --> 00:19:03.759 weakness. 00:19:03.759 --> 00:19:03.940 weakness. 00:19:05.500 --> 00:19:06.200 You can 00:19:06.200 --> 00:19:06.680 disguise 00:19:06.680 --> 00:19:07.180 doubt for 00:19:07.180 --> 00:19:07.819 years, 00:19:08.400 --> 00:19:09.400 but a 00:19:09.400 --> 00:19:10.299 growing waistline 00:19:10.299 --> 00:19:11.839 less so. 00:19:13.039 --> 00:19:13.579 But the 00:19:13.579 --> 00:19:14.359 horrible truth 00:19:14.359 --> 00:19:15.740 is that 00:19:15.740 --> 00:19:16.119 that's a 00:19:16.119 --> 00:19:16.420 lie. 00:19:17.599 --> 00:19:18.160 When you're 00:19:18.160 --> 00:19:18.720 struggling with 00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:19.059 doubt, 00:19:19.640 --> 00:19:21.099 people notice. 00:19:22.039 --> 00:19:22.740 When your 00:19:22.740 --> 00:19:23.460 relationship with 00:19:23.460 --> 00:19:24.119 God feels 00:19:24.119 --> 00:19:24.779 thin and you 00:19:24.779 --> 00:19:25.879 despair of 00:19:25.879 --> 00:19:26.500 what once 00:19:26.500 --> 00:19:26.900 gave you 00:19:26.900 --> 00:19:27.660 such strength 00:19:27.660 --> 00:19:28.519 and hope, 00:19:29.339 --> 00:19:30.660 people notice. 00:19:30.660 --> 00:19:32.200 it's not as 00:19:32.200 --> 00:19:33.340 hidden as 00:19:33.340 --> 00:19:33.640 you might 00:19:33.640 --> 00:19:34.000 think. 00:19:35.600 --> 00:19:36.640 I've had 00:19:36.640 --> 00:19:37.060 atheist 00:19:37.060 --> 00:19:38.140 friends in 00:19:38.140 --> 00:19:39.160 my youth 00:19:39.160 --> 00:19:40.360 have a 00:19:40.360 --> 00:19:40.920 borderline 00:19:40.920 --> 00:19:41.500 intervention 00:19:41.500 --> 00:19:42.019 with me 00:19:42.019 --> 00:19:42.779 when I 00:19:42.779 --> 00:19:43.180 was in 00:19:43.180 --> 00:19:43.540 my teenage 00:19:43.540 --> 00:19:44.040 years and 00:19:44.040 --> 00:19:44.380 struggling 00:19:44.380 --> 00:19:45.340 with doubt. 00:19:45.600 --> 00:19:46.340 We were 00:19:46.340 --> 00:19:47.040 driving someplace 00:19:47.040 --> 00:19:47.300 and they 00:19:47.300 --> 00:19:47.779 both turned 00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:48.200 around and 00:19:48.200 --> 00:19:48.380 said, 00:19:48.500 --> 00:19:48.620 Matt, 00:19:48.660 --> 00:19:48.940 we notice 00:19:48.940 --> 00:19:49.180 you don't 00:19:49.180 --> 00:19:49.580 pray as 00:19:49.580 --> 00:19:49.900 much as 00:19:49.900 --> 00:19:50.200 you used 00:19:50.200 --> 00:19:50.400 to. 00:19:51.320 --> 00:19:52.279 We also 00:19:52.279 --> 00:19:52.759 notice that 00:19:52.759 --> 00:19:54.259 your cousin 00:19:54.259 --> 00:19:54.800 more is 00:19:54.800 --> 00:19:55.940 is everything 00:19:55.940 --> 00:19:56.380 all right? 00:19:56.820 --> 00:19:57.220 Are you doing 00:19:57.220 --> 00:19:57.440 okay? 00:19:57.440 --> 00:19:59.860 I thought 00:19:59.860 --> 00:20:00.100 I had 00:20:00.100 --> 00:20:00.480 hidden it 00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:01.400 perfectly fine, 00:20:01.539 --> 00:20:03.500 but even 00:20:03.500 --> 00:20:04.120 people outside 00:20:04.120 --> 00:20:04.539 the Christian 00:20:04.539 --> 00:20:05.039 sphere can 00:20:05.039 --> 00:20:05.480 pick up on 00:20:05.480 --> 00:20:05.740 it, how 00:20:05.740 --> 00:20:06.180 much more 00:20:06.180 --> 00:20:06.700 so than 00:20:06.700 --> 00:20:07.160 our brothers 00:20:07.160 --> 00:20:07.680 and sisters 00:20:07.680 --> 00:20:08.200 in Christ. 00:20:10.279 --> 00:20:11.080 It can be 00:20:11.080 --> 00:20:12.080 frightening to 00:20:12.080 --> 00:20:12.940 wrestle with 00:20:12.940 --> 00:20:14.360 doubt or to 00:20:14.360 --> 00:20:14.940 talk about it 00:20:14.940 --> 00:20:15.299 with someone 00:20:15.299 --> 00:20:16.400 you trust because 00:20:16.400 --> 00:20:16.880 it can feel 00:20:16.880 --> 00:20:17.400 that speaking 00:20:17.400 --> 00:20:18.019 it out loud 00:20:18.019 --> 00:20:19.539 manifests it 00:20:19.539 --> 00:20:20.580 and makes 00:20:20.580 --> 00:20:21.019 that doubt 00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:21.860 somehow real. 00:20:23.019 --> 00:20:23.680 It's much 00:20:23.680 --> 00:20:24.120 easier to 00:20:24.120 --> 00:20:24.700 bury your head 00:20:24.700 --> 00:20:25.160 in the sand 00:20:25.160 --> 00:20:25.600 and pretend 00:20:25.600 --> 00:20:26.140 you're not 00:20:26.140 --> 00:20:27.019 afflicted by it. 00:20:28.059 --> 00:20:28.960 But we all 00:20:28.960 --> 00:20:29.860 know how 00:20:29.860 --> 00:20:30.660 hiding a flaw 00:20:30.660 --> 00:20:31.320 works out. 00:20:32.100 --> 00:20:32.820 Whether it's 00:20:32.820 --> 00:20:33.320 a flaw in 00:20:33.320 --> 00:20:33.840 the foundation 00:20:33.840 --> 00:20:34.440 of a building 00:20:34.440 --> 00:20:34.799 that you 00:20:34.799 --> 00:20:35.460 tried painting 00:20:35.460 --> 00:20:36.820 over or 00:20:36.820 --> 00:20:37.600 a burning 00:20:37.600 --> 00:20:38.600 arrow that's 00:20:38.600 --> 00:20:39.539 deep and 00:20:39.539 --> 00:20:40.100 dug within 00:20:40.100 --> 00:20:40.600 your flesh 00:20:40.600 --> 00:20:40.920 from the 00:20:40.920 --> 00:20:41.380 evil one, 00:20:42.500 --> 00:20:45.160 covering it 00:20:45.160 --> 00:20:46.660 up never, 00:20:47.059 --> 00:20:48.920 ever solves 00:20:48.920 --> 00:20:49.400 the problem. 00:20:50.960 --> 00:20:51.740 Sometimes it 00:20:51.740 --> 00:20:52.180 helps to have 00:20:52.180 --> 00:20:52.620 someone to 00:20:52.620 --> 00:20:53.160 talk about it 00:20:53.160 --> 00:20:53.539 with, but 00:20:53.539 --> 00:20:54.720 ultimately it's 00:20:54.720 --> 00:20:55.380 your own 00:20:55.380 --> 00:20:56.820 unique relationship 00:20:56.819 --> 00:20:57.639 between God 00:20:57.639 --> 00:20:58.679 and you. 00:21:00.079 --> 00:21:00.619 Christianity 00:21:00.619 --> 00:21:01.960 doesn't have 00:21:01.960 --> 00:21:02.939 a distant 00:21:02.939 --> 00:21:03.919 and unknowable 00:21:03.919 --> 00:21:05.299 God, a 00:21:05.299 --> 00:21:06.059 shrouded entity 00:21:06.059 --> 00:21:06.859 spoken to 00:21:06.859 --> 00:21:07.579 only by a 00:21:07.579 --> 00:21:08.539 sacred priesthood. 00:21:10.079 --> 00:21:10.379 No. 00:21:11.079 --> 00:21:13.099 Jesus is 00:21:13.099 --> 00:21:14.659 our personal 00:21:14.659 --> 00:21:15.720 Savior. 00:21:17.019 --> 00:21:17.619 And we have 00:21:17.619 --> 00:21:18.259 to call on 00:21:18.259 --> 00:21:19.299 him, speak 00:21:19.299 --> 00:21:20.500 to him, pray 00:21:20.500 --> 00:21:20.899 to him. 00:21:20.900 --> 00:21:21.000 him. 00:21:21.640 --> 00:21:22.519 We have to 00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:23.440 rely on him 00:21:23.440 --> 00:21:24.360 and trust 00:21:24.360 --> 00:21:25.060 him, even 00:21:25.060 --> 00:21:25.620 if we can't 00:21:25.620 --> 00:21:26.960 see him or 00:21:26.960 --> 00:21:27.440 touch his 00:21:27.440 --> 00:21:27.759 side. 00:21:28.880 --> 00:21:29.640 And if you 00:21:29.640 --> 00:21:30.300 want proof, 00:21:31.040 --> 00:21:34.000 that proof 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:35.259 does exist. 00:21:36.800 --> 00:21:37.600 We're told 00:21:37.600 --> 00:21:38.060 not to put 00:21:38.060 --> 00:21:38.519 God to the 00:21:38.519 --> 00:21:39.200 test like the 00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:39.840 Israelites did 00:21:39.840 --> 00:21:40.920 at Massa or 00:21:40.920 --> 00:21:41.400 how Satan 00:21:41.400 --> 00:21:42.180 tempted Christ 00:21:42.180 --> 00:21:42.720 in the desert. 00:21:45.400 --> 00:21:45.920 Sorry. 00:21:45.920 --> 00:21:46.900 But what if 00:21:46.900 --> 00:21:47.539 I told you 00:21:47.539 --> 00:21:48.480 that God 00:21:48.480 --> 00:21:49.840 invites us 00:21:49.840 --> 00:21:50.580 to test 00:21:50.580 --> 00:21:50.779 him? 00:21:51.940 --> 00:21:52.480 When the 00:21:52.480 --> 00:21:53.220 Israelites, the 00:21:53.220 --> 00:21:53.880 Pharisees, or 00:21:53.880 --> 00:21:54.600 Satan himself 00:21:54.600 --> 00:21:55.140 are testing 00:21:55.140 --> 00:21:56.420 God, they're 00:21:56.420 --> 00:21:57.160 complaining, 00:21:57.700 --> 00:21:58.920 they're mistrusting, 00:21:59.360 --> 00:22:00.259 they're probing 00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:01.279 for weaknesses, 00:22:01.279 --> 00:22:02.320 and we're told 00:22:02.320 --> 00:22:03.279 that's wrong. 00:22:04.539 --> 00:22:05.279 But there's a 00:22:05.279 --> 00:22:06.039 kind of test 00:22:06.039 --> 00:22:06.580 that we're 00:22:06.580 --> 00:22:08.120 encouraged to 00:22:08.120 --> 00:22:08.720 partake in. 00:22:09.300 --> 00:22:10.080 And it's a 00:22:10.080 --> 00:22:11.200 test to taste 00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:12.039 and see 00:22:12.039 --> 00:22:13.300 that God 00:22:13.300 --> 00:22:14.340 is good. 00:22:14.339 --> 00:22:16.099 less of a 00:22:16.099 --> 00:22:17.319 test, perhaps, 00:22:17.720 --> 00:22:18.339 and more 00:22:18.339 --> 00:22:18.720 of an 00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:19.299 invitation. 00:22:20.559 --> 00:22:21.379 In Psalm 00:22:21.379 --> 00:22:22.619 34, we 00:22:22.619 --> 00:22:23.119 read in 00:22:23.119 --> 00:22:23.919 verses 8-10, 00:22:24.019 --> 00:22:24.619 O taste 00:22:24.619 --> 00:22:25.339 and see 00:22:25.339 --> 00:22:25.639 that the 00:22:25.639 --> 00:22:26.039 Lord is 00:22:26.039 --> 00:22:26.359 good. 00:22:27.039 --> 00:22:27.799 Blessed is 00:22:27.799 --> 00:22:28.179 the man 00:22:28.179 --> 00:22:28.599 who takes 00:22:28.599 --> 00:22:29.179 refuge in 00:22:29.179 --> 00:22:29.379 him. 00:22:30.059 --> 00:22:30.740 O fear 00:22:30.740 --> 00:22:31.220 the Lord, 00:22:31.339 --> 00:22:31.879 you saints, 00:22:32.339 --> 00:22:32.819 for those 00:22:32.819 --> 00:22:33.299 who fear 00:22:33.299 --> 00:22:34.199 him have 00:22:34.199 --> 00:22:35.099 no lack. 00:22:35.699 --> 00:22:36.199 The young 00:22:36.199 --> 00:22:37.599 lion suffers 00:22:37.599 --> 00:22:38.419 hunger and 00:22:38.419 --> 00:22:39.639 want, but 00:22:39.639 --> 00:22:40.220 those who 00:22:40.220 --> 00:22:40.699 seek the 00:22:40.699 --> 00:22:41.959 Lord lack 00:22:41.959 --> 00:22:42.740 no good 00:22:42.740 --> 00:22:43.159 thing. 00:22:43.160 --> 00:22:44.120 And then 00:22:44.120 --> 00:22:44.900 Isaiah 55, 00:22:45.440 --> 00:22:46.200 we read in 00:22:46.200 --> 00:22:47.200 verses 1-3, 00:22:47.820 --> 00:22:48.320 Come, 00:22:48.820 --> 00:22:49.680 everyone who 00:22:49.680 --> 00:22:50.420 thirsts, 00:22:50.540 --> 00:22:51.060 come to the 00:22:51.060 --> 00:22:51.380 waters, 00:22:52.040 --> 00:22:52.660 and he who 00:22:52.660 --> 00:22:53.440 has no money, 00:22:53.920 --> 00:22:54.740 come, buy 00:22:54.740 --> 00:22:55.279 and eat, 00:22:55.820 --> 00:22:56.460 come, buy 00:22:56.460 --> 00:22:57.320 wine and 00:22:57.320 --> 00:22:58.060 milk, without 00:22:58.060 --> 00:22:58.900 money and 00:22:58.900 --> 00:22:59.720 without price. 00:23:00.580 --> 00:23:01.160 Why do you 00:23:01.160 --> 00:23:01.820 spend your 00:23:01.820 --> 00:23:03.140 money on that 00:23:03.140 --> 00:23:03.700 which is not 00:23:03.700 --> 00:23:04.779 bread, and 00:23:04.779 --> 00:23:05.660 your labor for 00:23:05.660 --> 00:23:06.240 that which does 00:23:06.240 --> 00:23:07.000 not satisfy? 00:23:08.160 --> 00:23:08.720 Listen 00:23:08.720 --> 00:23:10.160 diligently to me, 00:23:10.340 --> 00:23:11.080 and eat what 00:23:11.080 --> 00:23:12.200 is good, and 00:23:12.200 --> 00:23:13.180 delight yourself 00:23:13.180 --> 00:23:14.319 in rich food. 00:23:14.980 --> 00:23:15.759 Incline your 00:23:15.759 --> 00:23:16.680 ear and 00:23:16.680 --> 00:23:17.299 come to me, 00:23:18.039 --> 00:23:19.220 hear that 00:23:19.220 --> 00:23:19.980 your soul 00:23:19.980 --> 00:23:20.940 may live, 00:23:21.980 --> 00:23:22.740 and I will 00:23:22.740 --> 00:23:23.380 make with you 00:23:23.380 --> 00:23:24.420 an everlasting 00:23:24.420 --> 00:23:25.940 covenant, my 00:23:25.940 --> 00:23:27.259 steadfast and 00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:28.400 sure love 00:23:28.400 --> 00:23:29.420 for David. 00:23:32.360 --> 00:23:33.140 God 00:23:33.140 --> 00:23:34.220 won't 00:23:34.220 --> 00:23:34.740 submit 00:23:34.740 --> 00:23:36.279 himself to 00:23:36.279 --> 00:23:36.960 our 00:23:36.960 --> 00:23:37.420 whims. 00:23:37.420 --> 00:23:38.420 God 00:23:38.420 --> 00:23:39.300 will 00:23:39.300 --> 00:23:39.420 be 00:23:39.420 --> 00:23:40.140 subject to 00:23:40.140 --> 00:23:40.420 being 00:23:40.420 --> 00:23:41.360 confined and 00:23:41.360 --> 00:23:41.840 placed under 00:23:41.840 --> 00:23:42.500 a microscope 00:23:42.500 --> 00:23:43.000 and have 00:23:43.000 --> 00:23:43.580 experiments 00:23:43.580 --> 00:23:44.340 conducted on 00:23:44.340 --> 00:23:44.800 him if 00:23:44.800 --> 00:23:45.880 such a thing 00:23:45.880 --> 00:23:46.279 were even 00:23:46.279 --> 00:23:47.180 possible for 00:23:47.180 --> 00:23:48.180 an entity so 00:23:48.180 --> 00:23:48.980 beyond our 00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:50.320 understanding as 00:23:50.320 --> 00:23:51.060 mortal creatures. 00:23:51.059 --> 00:23:53.059 God 00:23:53.059 --> 00:23:53.440 although we 00:23:53.440 --> 00:23:54.379 see times in 00:23:54.379 --> 00:23:55.179 scripture, like 00:23:55.179 --> 00:23:55.879 with Peter, 00:23:56.099 --> 00:23:56.759 Thomas, and 00:23:56.759 --> 00:23:58.079 Gideon, where 00:23:58.079 --> 00:23:59.119 God directly 00:23:59.119 --> 00:24:00.019 answers doubters 00:24:00.019 --> 00:24:00.720 with physical 00:24:00.720 --> 00:24:02.639 evidence, that 00:24:02.639 --> 00:24:04.319 isn't the way he 00:24:04.319 --> 00:24:05.399 answers for us, or 00:24:05.399 --> 00:24:06.700 at least it is 00:24:06.700 --> 00:24:07.179 very, very 00:24:07.179 --> 00:24:07.539 rarely. 00:24:09.399 --> 00:24:10.419 And why? 00:24:11.819 --> 00:24:12.839 Why has God 00:24:12.839 --> 00:24:14.359 chosen that to 00:24:14.359 --> 00:24:14.940 be the way that 00:24:14.940 --> 00:24:15.619 this universe 00:24:15.619 --> 00:24:16.119 works? 00:24:16.759 --> 00:24:17.519 Why is that the 00:24:17.519 --> 00:24:18.419 way he set our 00:24:18.419 --> 00:24:19.519 relationship with 00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:19.980 him to be? 00:24:19.980 --> 00:24:24.279 I don't 00:24:24.279 --> 00:24:24.500 know. 00:24:25.099 --> 00:24:26.420 I suspect 00:24:26.420 --> 00:24:27.200 that it has 00:24:27.200 --> 00:24:27.779 something to 00:24:27.779 --> 00:24:28.360 do with the 00:24:28.360 --> 00:24:28.799 fact that we've 00:24:28.799 --> 00:24:29.240 been given 00:24:29.240 --> 00:24:30.259 rational minds 00:24:30.259 --> 00:24:31.039 and we're 00:24:31.039 --> 00:24:31.819 expected to 00:24:31.819 --> 00:24:32.360 use them. 00:24:33.880 --> 00:24:34.720 But I know 00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:35.259 that Jesus 00:24:35.259 --> 00:24:36.240 is the 00:24:36.240 --> 00:24:37.460 truth, the 00:24:37.460 --> 00:24:38.599 way, and 00:24:38.599 --> 00:24:38.980 the life. 00:24:40.259 --> 00:24:40.839 And it is 00:24:40.839 --> 00:24:41.440 only through 00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:42.120 him that we 00:24:42.120 --> 00:24:42.700 come to the 00:24:42.700 --> 00:24:42.960 Father. 00:24:44.380 --> 00:24:45.160 And I know 00:24:45.160 --> 00:24:45.759 that faith 00:24:45.759 --> 00:24:47.039 changes every 00:24:47.039 --> 00:24:47.940 single aspect 00:24:47.940 --> 00:24:48.960 of your life. 00:24:49.980 --> 00:24:51.440 internally, you 00:24:51.440 --> 00:24:52.039 know there's a 00:24:52.039 --> 00:24:52.400 plan. 00:24:53.200 --> 00:24:53.680 You might not 00:24:53.680 --> 00:24:54.259 always know what 00:24:54.259 --> 00:24:55.039 the plan is, but 00:24:55.039 --> 00:24:55.720 the chaos that 00:24:55.720 --> 00:24:56.599 exists around you 00:24:56.599 --> 00:24:58.099 is not empty 00:24:58.099 --> 00:24:59.059 and random. 00:25:00.200 --> 00:25:01.140 It often feels 00:25:01.140 --> 00:25:01.620 that way, 00:25:01.740 --> 00:25:02.360 particularly when 00:25:02.360 --> 00:25:03.019 it comes to 00:25:03.019 --> 00:25:04.420 seemingly senseless 00:25:04.420 --> 00:25:05.839 tragedy and 00:25:05.839 --> 00:25:06.440 disease. 00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:08.660 But know that 00:25:08.660 --> 00:25:09.759 God is in 00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:11.640 control of all 00:25:11.640 --> 00:25:12.660 things. 00:25:12.660 --> 00:25:12.720 things. 00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:15.640 And we 00:25:15.640 --> 00:25:16.779 believe that not 00:25:16.779 --> 00:25:18.180 only is God in 00:25:18.180 --> 00:25:18.980 control of all 00:25:18.980 --> 00:25:20.600 things, but that 00:25:20.600 --> 00:25:21.820 he works all 00:25:21.820 --> 00:25:23.320 things for the 00:25:23.320 --> 00:25:24.900 good of those 00:25:24.900 --> 00:25:25.540 who believe. 00:25:27.120 --> 00:25:28.720 And that's a 00:25:28.720 --> 00:25:29.500 difficult passage 00:25:29.500 --> 00:25:30.300 to understand. 00:25:32.620 --> 00:25:33.820 But when we put 00:25:33.820 --> 00:25:34.620 it into practice, 00:25:34.900 --> 00:25:36.920 it changes your 00:25:36.920 --> 00:25:37.880 entire perspective. 00:25:37.880 --> 00:25:39.520 you have to 00:25:39.520 --> 00:25:40.220 let go of your 00:25:40.220 --> 00:25:41.760 pride and trust 00:25:41.760 --> 00:25:42.440 in something 00:25:42.440 --> 00:25:43.140 greater than 00:25:43.140 --> 00:25:43.600 yourself. 00:25:44.860 --> 00:25:46.060 Humans have a 00:25:46.060 --> 00:25:47.380 tendency to 00:25:47.380 --> 00:25:48.360 only see what 00:25:48.360 --> 00:25:48.920 we're looking 00:25:48.920 --> 00:25:49.340 for. 00:25:49.980 --> 00:25:50.800 If you need a 00:25:50.800 --> 00:25:51.320 hammer, then 00:25:51.320 --> 00:25:51.920 your eyes 00:25:51.920 --> 00:25:52.620 scanning the 00:25:52.620 --> 00:25:53.960 room, you're 00:25:53.960 --> 00:25:55.560 scanning for any 00:25:55.560 --> 00:25:56.320 object that can 00:25:56.320 --> 00:25:57.760 be used as a 00:25:57.760 --> 00:25:57.980 hammer. 00:25:58.940 --> 00:25:59.600 If you have a 00:25:59.600 --> 00:26:00.320 political group 00:26:00.320 --> 00:26:01.400 that you despise, 00:26:02.200 --> 00:26:03.040 then people will 00:26:03.040 --> 00:26:04.280 look online every 00:26:04.280 --> 00:26:04.980 single day, 00:26:05.740 --> 00:26:07.560 searching to be 00:26:07.559 --> 00:26:09.799 outraged, to 00:26:09.799 --> 00:26:10.619 find new sources 00:26:10.619 --> 00:26:11.079 for their 00:26:11.079 --> 00:26:11.799 self-righteous 00:26:11.799 --> 00:26:12.519 indignation. 00:26:14.240 --> 00:26:15.139 Satan and 00:26:15.139 --> 00:26:15.779 detractors of 00:26:15.779 --> 00:26:16.960 Christ look 00:26:16.960 --> 00:26:18.419 eagerly at 00:26:18.419 --> 00:26:19.579 Christians for 00:26:19.579 --> 00:26:21.139 weaknesses, flaws, 00:26:21.539 --> 00:26:22.299 and hypocrisy. 00:26:23.379 --> 00:26:25.480 We see what we 00:26:25.480 --> 00:26:26.799 want to see. 00:26:28.700 --> 00:26:30.639 Test them that 00:26:30.639 --> 00:26:32.059 God is good. 00:26:33.079 --> 00:26:33.679 I'm not saying 00:26:33.679 --> 00:26:34.599 blind yourself in 00:26:34.599 --> 00:26:34.899 ignorance. 00:26:35.099 --> 00:26:35.599 I'm saying you 00:26:35.599 --> 00:26:36.599 stop blinding 00:26:36.599 --> 00:26:37.079 yourself. 00:26:37.559 --> 00:26:38.339 To blessing. 00:26:39.460 --> 00:26:40.519 Look instead 00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:41.779 towards Christ 00:26:41.779 --> 00:26:42.879 and you will 00:26:42.879 --> 00:26:43.799 see him. 00:26:45.059 --> 00:26:46.059 Look towards 00:26:46.059 --> 00:26:46.859 Jesus and 00:26:46.859 --> 00:26:48.079 trust him when 00:26:48.079 --> 00:26:48.679 he says, 00:26:49.079 --> 00:26:49.779 Come to me, 00:26:50.179 --> 00:26:51.039 all you who 00:26:51.039 --> 00:26:52.039 are weary and 00:26:52.039 --> 00:26:53.200 burdened, and I 00:26:53.200 --> 00:26:53.759 will give you 00:26:53.759 --> 00:26:54.220 rest. 00:26:54.879 --> 00:26:56.079 Take my yoke upon 00:26:56.079 --> 00:26:57.240 you and learn 00:26:57.240 --> 00:26:58.539 from me, for I 00:26:58.539 --> 00:26:59.539 am gentle and 00:26:59.539 --> 00:27:00.319 humble in heart, 00:27:00.779 --> 00:27:01.579 and you will find 00:27:01.579 --> 00:27:02.299 rest for your 00:27:02.299 --> 00:27:03.579 souls, for my 00:27:03.579 --> 00:27:05.019 yoke is easy and 00:27:05.019 --> 00:27:06.159 my burden light. 00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:08.060 God, the weight 00:27:08.060 --> 00:27:10.120 of life can be 00:27:10.120 --> 00:27:10.820 crushing. 00:27:11.820 --> 00:27:12.279 But as the 00:27:12.279 --> 00:27:13.320 famous hymn says, 00:27:13.820 --> 00:27:14.580 if we turn our 00:27:14.580 --> 00:27:15.660 eyes upon Jesus, 00:27:16.140 --> 00:27:16.980 the things of 00:27:16.980 --> 00:27:17.740 earth will grow 00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:18.660 strangely dim. 00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:20.060 Look full in that 00:27:20.060 --> 00:27:21.300 wonderful face in 00:27:21.300 --> 00:27:22.580 the light of glory 00:27:22.580 --> 00:27:23.800 and grace. 00:27:26.000 --> 00:27:28.100 Taste and see 00:27:28.100 --> 00:27:29.300 that the Lord is 00:27:29.300 --> 00:27:29.560 good. 00:27:30.620 --> 00:27:31.800 When we walk in 00:27:31.800 --> 00:27:33.320 faith, it makes 00:27:33.319 --> 00:27:34.139 us more optimistic. 00:27:35.480 --> 00:27:36.159 We aren't 00:27:36.159 --> 00:27:36.919 looking at the 00:27:36.919 --> 00:27:37.839 blazing furnace 00:27:37.839 --> 00:27:39.000 around us, but 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:39.799 instead at the 00:27:39.799 --> 00:27:40.939 gold that is 00:27:40.939 --> 00:27:41.519 going to be 00:27:41.519 --> 00:27:42.519 produced by the 00:27:42.519 --> 00:27:43.339 refiner's fire. 00:27:44.339 --> 00:27:45.460 We need to know 00:27:45.460 --> 00:27:46.000 that we aren't 00:27:46.000 --> 00:27:46.980 perfect and there 00:27:46.980 --> 00:27:48.960 is dross in all 00:27:48.960 --> 00:27:50.359 of us that needs 00:27:50.359 --> 00:27:51.179 to be consumed. 00:27:52.619 --> 00:27:53.659 James 1 reads, 00:27:53.779 --> 00:27:55.019 Count it all joy, 00:27:55.119 --> 00:27:56.200 my brothers, when 00:27:56.200 --> 00:27:57.299 you meet trials of 00:27:57.299 --> 00:27:59.139 various kinds, for 00:27:59.139 --> 00:28:00.099 you know that the 00:28:00.099 --> 00:28:00.879 testing of your 00:28:00.879 --> 00:28:02.079 faith produces 00:28:02.079 --> 00:28:03.879 steadfastness, and 00:28:03.879 --> 00:28:04.919 let steadfastness 00:28:04.919 --> 00:28:05.699 have its full 00:28:05.699 --> 00:28:07.000 effect, that you 00:28:07.000 --> 00:28:08.419 may be perfect and 00:28:08.419 --> 00:28:10.779 complete, lacking in 00:28:10.779 --> 00:28:11.119 nothing. 00:28:12.059 --> 00:28:12.740 If any of you 00:28:12.740 --> 00:28:14.179 lacks wisdom, let 00:28:14.179 --> 00:28:15.500 him ask God, who 00:28:15.500 --> 00:28:16.659 gives generously to 00:28:16.659 --> 00:28:17.339 all without a 00:28:17.339 --> 00:28:19.319 reproach, and it 00:28:19.319 --> 00:28:19.980 will be given to 00:28:19.980 --> 00:28:20.220 him. 00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:24.439 But let him ask in 00:28:24.439 --> 00:28:26.220 faith, with no 00:28:26.220 --> 00:28:27.519 doubting, for the 00:28:27.519 --> 00:28:28.399 one who doubts is 00:28:28.399 --> 00:28:29.379 like a wave of the 00:28:29.379 --> 00:28:30.759 sea that is driven 00:28:30.759 --> 00:28:31.659 and tossed by the 00:28:31.660 --> 00:28:32.980 wind, for that 00:28:32.980 --> 00:28:33.820 person must not 00:28:33.820 --> 00:28:34.600 suppose he will 00:28:34.600 --> 00:28:35.220 receive anything 00:28:35.220 --> 00:28:36.460 from the Lord, for 00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:37.980 he is double-minded 00:28:37.980 --> 00:28:40.600 of mind, unstable in 00:28:40.600 --> 00:28:41.400 all his ways. 00:28:43.160 --> 00:28:44.380 Sometimes there are 00:28:44.380 --> 00:28:45.860 impurities in your 00:28:45.860 --> 00:28:47.160 life that need to be 00:28:47.160 --> 00:28:49.480 consumed, and that 00:28:49.480 --> 00:28:50.340 consumption will be 00:28:50.340 --> 00:28:52.759 painful, and we 00:28:52.759 --> 00:28:53.960 aren't static 00:28:53.960 --> 00:28:54.680 creatures. 00:28:55.320 --> 00:28:57.000 We make mistakes, 00:28:57.400 --> 00:28:58.600 often the same 00:28:58.600 --> 00:29:00.240 mistakes, over and 00:29:00.240 --> 00:29:01.259 over and over 00:29:01.259 --> 00:29:04.019 again, just like the 00:29:04.019 --> 00:29:04.480 Israelites. 00:29:05.920 --> 00:29:07.019 Sometimes it seems 00:29:07.019 --> 00:29:09.480 that we're just 00:29:09.480 --> 00:29:10.579 building the dross 00:29:10.579 --> 00:29:11.259 back up. 00:29:12.240 --> 00:29:14.660 But doesn't that 00:29:14.660 --> 00:29:17.440 just track with 00:29:17.440 --> 00:29:19.559 every other 00:29:19.559 --> 00:29:20.680 discipline in our 00:29:20.680 --> 00:29:20.940 life? 00:29:22.099 --> 00:29:23.120 If you're caught in 00:29:23.120 --> 00:29:23.859 a riptide, you're 00:29:23.859 --> 00:29:24.920 either making progress 00:29:24.920 --> 00:29:26.480 towards the shore, or 00:29:26.480 --> 00:29:27.339 you're being dragged 00:29:27.339 --> 00:29:28.039 further out. 00:29:28.039 --> 00:29:30.599 there's no middle 00:29:30.599 --> 00:29:31.000 ground. 00:29:31.779 --> 00:29:32.759 If you're maintaining 00:29:32.759 --> 00:29:33.819 a garden, how 00:29:33.819 --> 00:29:34.920 quickly can one 00:29:34.920 --> 00:29:36.259 season of neglect 00:29:36.259 --> 00:29:37.339 allow it to be 00:29:37.339 --> 00:29:39.159 overgrown by weeds 00:29:39.159 --> 00:29:40.099 that choke out 00:29:40.099 --> 00:29:40.879 flowers and 00:29:40.879 --> 00:29:41.240 vegetables? 00:29:42.359 --> 00:29:43.480 If you're training 00:29:43.480 --> 00:29:44.700 physically, how 00:29:44.700 --> 00:29:45.460 much does even 00:29:45.460 --> 00:29:47.460 one month of not 00:29:47.460 --> 00:29:49.200 doing cardio make 00:29:49.200 --> 00:29:50.000 you feel like you've 00:29:50.000 --> 00:29:51.180 lost all the 00:29:51.180 --> 00:29:52.240 stamina you built 00:29:52.240 --> 00:29:52.460 on? 00:29:52.460 --> 00:29:54.860 So when you feel 00:29:54.860 --> 00:29:55.360 the weight of 00:29:55.360 --> 00:29:56.920 doubt, do not 00:29:56.920 --> 00:29:58.720 let Satan tempt 00:29:58.720 --> 00:29:59.680 you to despair. 00:30:01.120 --> 00:30:02.180 Remind yourself 00:30:02.180 --> 00:30:03.120 that your faith 00:30:03.120 --> 00:30:04.600 is based on 00:30:04.600 --> 00:30:06.700 reason, not 00:30:06.700 --> 00:30:07.360 emotion. 00:30:08.240 --> 00:30:09.640 Turn instead 00:30:09.640 --> 00:30:10.940 to Christ. 00:30:12.620 --> 00:30:13.700 Pray and 00:30:13.700 --> 00:30:14.600 seek your 00:30:14.600 --> 00:30:14.980 Savior 00:30:14.980 --> 00:30:16.319 earnestly. 00:30:16.319 --> 00:30:19.039 Get back in 00:30:19.039 --> 00:30:19.819 that spiritual 00:30:19.819 --> 00:30:20.859 garden, or 00:30:20.859 --> 00:30:21.939 gym, or 00:30:21.939 --> 00:30:22.939 whichever metaphor 00:30:22.939 --> 00:30:24.399 you prefer, and 00:30:24.399 --> 00:30:25.899 get back at 00:30:25.899 --> 00:30:26.079 it. 00:30:27.019 --> 00:30:28.139 It's easier to 00:30:28.139 --> 00:30:29.059 see the result in 00:30:29.059 --> 00:30:29.939 the garden or in 00:30:29.939 --> 00:30:30.720 the gym after a 00:30:30.720 --> 00:30:31.279 couple of months 00:30:31.279 --> 00:30:33.639 of hard work, but 00:30:33.639 --> 00:30:35.139 those results exist 00:30:35.139 --> 00:30:36.019 for your prayer 00:30:36.019 --> 00:30:37.259 life as well. 00:30:38.779 --> 00:30:39.519 Studies have 00:30:39.519 --> 00:30:40.659 shown that even 00:30:40.659 --> 00:30:41.819 just 11 minutes of 00:30:41.819 --> 00:30:42.619 prayer a day over 00:30:42.619 --> 00:30:43.319 the course of 8 00:30:43.319 --> 00:30:45.179 weeks makes such 00:30:45.180 --> 00:30:46.140 a noticeable 00:30:46.140 --> 00:30:47.299 impact on your 00:30:47.299 --> 00:30:48.539 brain that the 00:30:48.539 --> 00:30:49.480 shape is actually 00:30:49.480 --> 00:30:50.480 changed, and they 00:30:50.480 --> 00:30:51.320 can see it during 00:30:51.320 --> 00:30:52.279 an MRI scan. 00:30:53.759 --> 00:30:54.539 According to 00:30:54.539 --> 00:30:55.400 scientific studies, 00:30:55.840 --> 00:30:56.440 regular prayer 00:30:56.440 --> 00:30:57.640 increases the 00:30:57.640 --> 00:30:58.240 size of the 00:30:58.240 --> 00:30:59.420 prefrontal cortex 00:30:59.420 --> 00:31:00.580 and posterior 00:31:00.580 --> 00:31:01.820 cingulate cortex, 00:31:02.100 --> 00:31:02.980 which is the 00:31:02.980 --> 00:31:03.900 mid-front and 00:31:03.900 --> 00:31:05.460 back portions of 00:31:05.460 --> 00:31:05.820 the brain. 00:31:07.039 --> 00:31:07.980 It turns out that 00:31:07.980 --> 00:31:08.740 those areas of the 00:31:08.740 --> 00:31:09.620 brain are responsible 00:31:09.620 --> 00:31:11.160 for self-reflection 00:31:11.160 --> 00:31:12.420 and for controlling 00:31:12.420 --> 00:31:12.900 emotion. 00:31:14.019 --> 00:31:15.080 And we have a 00:31:15.079 --> 00:31:15.740 additional studies 00:31:15.740 --> 00:31:16.639 that show, clear 00:31:16.639 --> 00:31:17.699 as day, that 00:31:17.699 --> 00:31:18.399 prayer and 00:31:18.399 --> 00:31:19.220 meditation are 00:31:19.220 --> 00:31:20.199 highly effective 00:31:20.199 --> 00:31:21.439 in lowering our 00:31:21.439 --> 00:31:22.859 reactivity to 00:31:22.859 --> 00:31:24.019 traumatic and 00:31:24.019 --> 00:31:24.759 negative events. 00:31:26.500 --> 00:31:27.679 Because prayer 00:31:27.679 --> 00:31:29.679 focuses our 00:31:29.679 --> 00:31:30.639 thoughts outside 00:31:30.639 --> 00:31:31.279 of ourselves. 00:31:32.159 --> 00:31:33.299 And just as when 00:31:33.299 --> 00:31:34.240 a physical disaster 00:31:34.240 --> 00:31:35.339 strikes, and you'll 00:31:35.339 --> 00:31:36.220 be glad you're 00:31:36.220 --> 00:31:37.519 physically in good 00:31:37.519 --> 00:31:38.419 shape, or that 00:31:38.419 --> 00:31:39.139 your garden is 00:31:39.139 --> 00:31:39.720 yielding a good 00:31:39.720 --> 00:31:41.419 crop, so too 00:31:41.419 --> 00:31:42.579 does your prayer 00:31:42.579 --> 00:31:44.119 life serve as a 00:31:44.119 --> 00:31:45.419 bastion against 00:31:45.419 --> 00:31:46.679 the darkness of 00:31:46.679 --> 00:31:47.220 this world. 00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:49.019 Because during 00:31:49.019 --> 00:31:50.000 stress and 00:31:50.000 --> 00:31:51.000 trauma, our 00:31:51.000 --> 00:31:51.819 limbic system 00:31:51.819 --> 00:31:53.419 becomes hyperactivated, 00:31:53.699 --> 00:31:55.179 which forces us 00:31:55.179 --> 00:31:56.419 to freeze and 00:31:56.419 --> 00:31:57.199 throws us into a 00:31:57.199 --> 00:31:58.000 high-octane 00:31:58.000 --> 00:31:59.299 fight-or-flight 00:31:59.299 --> 00:31:59.639 mode. 00:32:00.319 --> 00:32:01.659 It shuts down 00:32:01.659 --> 00:32:02.220 our executive 00:32:02.220 --> 00:32:03.399 functioning and 00:32:03.399 --> 00:32:04.119 prevents us from 00:32:04.119 --> 00:32:04.879 thinking clearly, 00:32:05.299 --> 00:32:06.139 which is why we 00:32:06.139 --> 00:32:07.279 make poor decisions, 00:32:07.539 --> 00:32:08.379 or act in 00:32:08.379 --> 00:32:09.179 self-destructive 00:32:09.179 --> 00:32:10.559 ways, when we're 00:32:10.559 --> 00:32:11.579 afraid or 00:32:11.579 --> 00:32:12.220 stressed out. 00:32:13.119 --> 00:32:14.220 The part of the 00:32:14.220 --> 00:32:15.740 brain that's able 00:32:15.740 --> 00:32:16.759 to override that, 00:32:16.899 --> 00:32:18.359 however, and 00:32:18.359 --> 00:32:19.940 regain control and 00:32:19.940 --> 00:32:20.679 rein in that 00:32:20.679 --> 00:32:22.259 chaos, is the 00:32:22.259 --> 00:32:24.039 part that grows in 00:32:24.039 --> 00:32:25.220 response to 00:32:25.220 --> 00:32:26.700 regular prayer. 00:32:28.200 --> 00:32:30.299 But you need to 00:32:30.299 --> 00:32:31.179 train it. 00:32:31.980 --> 00:32:32.819 Just like a 00:32:32.819 --> 00:32:34.019 firefighter needs to 00:32:34.019 --> 00:32:34.919 daily hit the 00:32:34.919 --> 00:32:35.980 weight bench so 00:32:35.980 --> 00:32:36.619 that he has the 00:32:36.619 --> 00:32:37.859 strength to lift a 00:32:37.859 --> 00:32:39.079 burning beam off 00:32:39.079 --> 00:32:40.220 of someone when 00:32:40.220 --> 00:32:41.199 the need arises, 00:32:42.059 --> 00:32:42.980 you need to hit 00:32:42.980 --> 00:32:44.139 your knees in 00:32:44.139 --> 00:32:45.559 prayer diligently 00:32:45.559 --> 00:32:47.039 and daily. 00:32:47.819 --> 00:32:49.240 It makes a 00:32:49.240 --> 00:32:50.679 real physical 00:32:50.679 --> 00:32:51.619 change. 00:32:53.059 --> 00:32:53.899 And when 00:32:53.899 --> 00:32:54.419 trauma and 00:32:54.419 --> 00:32:55.099 trial come, 00:32:56.039 --> 00:32:56.439 and you 00:32:56.439 --> 00:32:57.059 withstand it 00:32:57.059 --> 00:32:57.559 better than the 00:32:57.559 --> 00:32:58.359 unbelievers around 00:32:58.359 --> 00:32:59.879 you, that is 00:32:59.879 --> 00:33:00.379 when you'll have 00:33:00.379 --> 00:33:01.099 the opportunity, 00:33:01.619 --> 00:33:02.579 as Peter speaks 00:33:02.579 --> 00:33:03.480 in 1 Peter 3 00:33:03.480 --> 00:33:05.619 15, always be 00:33:05.619 --> 00:33:06.819 prepared to give 00:33:06.819 --> 00:33:07.759 an answer to 00:33:07.759 --> 00:33:08.519 everyone who 00:33:08.519 --> 00:33:10.000 asks you for 00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:11.379 the reason for 00:33:11.379 --> 00:33:12.539 the hope that 00:33:12.539 --> 00:33:13.059 you have. 00:33:14.019 --> 00:33:14.859 But do this 00:33:14.859 --> 00:33:16.079 with gentleness 00:33:16.079 --> 00:33:17.400 and respect. 00:33:18.839 --> 00:33:20.879 Let's come 00:33:20.879 --> 00:33:21.480 together now in 00:33:21.480 --> 00:33:21.700 prayer. 00:33:24.319 --> 00:33:27.000 God, help us 00:33:27.000 --> 00:33:28.200 to be confident 00:33:28.200 --> 00:33:29.519 in you in the 00:33:29.519 --> 00:33:30.059 coming week. 00:33:31.059 --> 00:33:32.019 Help us to 00:33:32.019 --> 00:33:32.779 taste and see 00:33:32.779 --> 00:33:33.299 that you are 00:33:33.299 --> 00:33:34.400 good throughout 00:33:34.400 --> 00:33:35.079 this new year, 00:33:35.220 --> 00:33:35.379 Lord. 00:33:35.380 --> 00:33:36.780 though the 00:33:36.780 --> 00:33:37.320 world around 00:33:37.320 --> 00:33:37.840 us rages 00:33:37.840 --> 00:33:38.540 like a storm 00:33:38.540 --> 00:33:39.620 with shouts 00:33:39.620 --> 00:33:40.480 of war and 00:33:40.480 --> 00:33:41.240 famine and 00:33:41.240 --> 00:33:41.560 plague. 00:33:42.600 --> 00:33:43.480 Help us to 00:33:43.480 --> 00:33:45.500 be diligent 00:33:45.500 --> 00:33:47.560 in coming to 00:33:47.560 --> 00:33:48.660 you daily, 00:33:49.300 --> 00:33:50.300 that we might 00:33:50.300 --> 00:33:50.820 be filled with 00:33:50.820 --> 00:33:52.420 peace, knowing 00:33:52.420 --> 00:33:53.220 that we are not 00:33:53.220 --> 00:33:53.920 of this world, 00:33:54.500 --> 00:33:55.460 that we are 00:33:55.460 --> 00:33:56.140 your children, 00:33:56.980 --> 00:33:57.580 and that your 00:33:57.580 --> 00:33:58.680 love surrounds 00:33:58.680 --> 00:33:59.760 us and guides 00:33:59.760 --> 00:34:00.120 us. 00:34:01.240 --> 00:34:02.100 Help us to 00:34:02.100 --> 00:34:02.820 freely give to 00:34:02.820 --> 00:34:03.540 others the love 00:34:03.539 --> 00:34:04.180 and forgiveness 00:34:04.180 --> 00:34:05.119 and compassion 00:34:05.119 --> 00:34:06.159 that you have 00:34:06.159 --> 00:34:06.720 freely given 00:34:06.720 --> 00:34:08.039 us, and 00:34:08.039 --> 00:34:08.480 build in us 00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:08.980 the kind of 00:34:08.980 --> 00:34:10.719 faith that will 00:34:10.719 --> 00:34:11.400 throw the devil's 00:34:11.400 --> 00:34:11.960 mountains into 00:34:11.960 --> 00:34:12.380 the sea. 00:34:13.119 --> 00:34:13.920 In Jesus' name 00:34:13.920 --> 00:34:14.320 we pray. 00:34:15.039 --> 00:34:15.320 Amen. 00:34:15.320 --> 00:34:15.440 Amen. 00:34:15.440 --> 00:34:15.739 Amen. 00:34:16.800 --> 00:34:17.639 Amen. 00:34:17.639 --> 00:34:18.820 Amen. 00:34:18.820 --> 00:34:19.559 Amen. 00:34:19.559 --> 00:34:20.719 Amen. 00:34:21.980 --> 00:34:22.579 Amen. 00:34:22.940 --> 00:34:23.659 Amen. 00:34:25.779 --> 00:34:25.920 Amen. 00:34:26.320 --> 00:34:26.400 Amen. 00:34:26.400 --> 00:34:28.420 Amen. 00:34:28.420 --> 00:34:30.259 Amen. 00:34:30.259 --> 00:34:30.820 Amen. 00:34:30.820 --> 00:34:31.559 Amen. 00:34:31.579 --> 00:34:31.800 Amen. 00:34:31.800 --> 00:34:32.759 Amen. 00:34:32.759 --> 00:34:33.519 Amen.