WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:15.359
 Good morning. Let's just bow our heads in prayer for a moment. Heavenly Father, we thank you for your word.

00:00:17.019 --> 00:00:22.080
! We thank you for this series looking at Christian character.

00:00:22.080 --> 00:00:29.980
! We pray that you would pour out your spirit upon us, that our characters would be moulded and

00:00:29.980 --> 00:00:38.060
 shaped, that we might become more like you. In your precious name. Amen.

00:00:40.700 --> 00:00:48.820
 Well, this morning, as you're all aware by now, we're continuing with our series on Christian

00:00:48.820 --> 00:00:57.320
 character. We've looked at living holy lives, showing compassion, resisting temptation,

00:00:57.320 --> 00:01:07.319
 and last week, being humble. Today, we're thinking about being called to persevere. I wonder what

00:01:07.319 --> 00:01:15.799
 comes to your minds when we think about the word persevere. The dictionary describes its meaning as

00:01:15.799 --> 00:01:24.759
 to continue in a course of action, even in the face of difficulty, or with little or no indication of

00:01:24.759 --> 00:01:33.560
 success. I wonder if some of you are persevering with something at the moment, or perhaps you can

00:01:33.560 --> 00:01:41.239
 remember a time in the past when you had to persevere. We all, at some time in our life,

00:01:41.239 --> 00:01:48.799
 we'll be called to persevere if we want to grow in our relationship with Jesus and become more like him.

00:01:49.799 --> 00:01:53.179
 In James chapter 1 verse 12, it says,

00:01:53.319 --> 00:02:01.019
 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, because having stood the test, that person will receive the

00:02:01.019 --> 00:02:06.319
 crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

00:02:06.319 --> 00:02:14.479
 I don't know about you, but I find it quite easy to persevere when life is comfortable, and quite easy.

00:02:15.280 --> 00:02:23.180
 But it's when life is difficult that persevering becomes difficult. It's the very nature of the thing.

00:02:23.799 --> 00:02:31.479
 And as James says, it becomes a test of our faith. Are we going to keep going, or are we going to give up?

00:02:31.479 --> 00:02:37.659
 James also tells us in chapter 1 verses 2 to 4,

00:02:37.819 --> 00:02:46.259
 Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith

00:02:46.259 --> 00:02:55.199
 produces perseverance. James encourages us to allow perseverance to finish its work in us,

00:02:55.199 --> 00:02:59.280
 to achieve spiritual maturity and completeness.

00:02:59.280 --> 00:03:06.180
 I'm sure we all of us here this morning would say we want to achieve spiritual maturity,

00:03:06.180 --> 00:03:09.539
 but we don't really want to persevere.

00:03:10.159 --> 00:03:13.560
 We want life to be comfortable and easy.

00:03:13.900 --> 00:03:16.560
 We don't really want to struggle, do we?

00:03:18.120 --> 00:03:21.659
 When the title of this week's sermon was given to me,

00:03:21.939 --> 00:03:25.539
 I was praying and thinking about the word persevere,

00:03:25.539 --> 00:03:31.019
 and I was reminded of a particular time in my life when I had to persevere,

00:03:31.159 --> 00:03:33.699
 which I would like to share with you,

00:03:33.959 --> 00:03:38.060
 in the hope that it will encourage you in your relationship with Jesus,

00:03:38.780 --> 00:03:42.599
 and times in your life when you have to persevere.

00:03:43.919 --> 00:03:46.859
 I was in my 20s when I came to faith,

00:03:46.860 --> 00:03:53.040
 and I immersed myself in the life of the Anglican Church where I came to faith.

00:03:53.040 --> 00:03:58.980
 I worked during the week as a full-time personal assistant to a sales director,

00:03:59.320 --> 00:04:04.180
 which I loved doing, and I loved all aspects of church life.

00:04:04.380 --> 00:04:09.200
 I even became the Deanery Synod representative for a period of time,

00:04:09.540 --> 00:04:11.140
 which was something else.

00:04:11.139 --> 00:04:15.959
 I was very enthusiastic about my newfound faith,

00:04:16.079 --> 00:04:17.919
 wanted to share it with everyone,

00:04:18.360 --> 00:04:22.519
 and wanted to grow in my faith, or so I thought.

00:04:23.419 --> 00:04:25.779
 After approximately five years,

00:04:26.079 --> 00:04:29.560
 one evening when I was helping with the church youth group,

00:04:30.099 --> 00:04:35.399
 somebody came to speak from the Christian organization called Oasis Trust

00:04:35.399 --> 00:04:37.879
 about their work in India.

00:04:38.479 --> 00:04:40.360
 I was completely gripped.

00:04:40.360 --> 00:04:45.240
 The man mentioned the verse in James 2, verse 17,

00:04:45.480 --> 00:04:46.060
 which says,

00:04:46.560 --> 00:04:49.000
 Faith without action is dead.

00:04:49.720 --> 00:04:51.020
 At the end of the evening,

00:04:51.220 --> 00:04:53.259
 I wanted to put my faith into action

00:04:53.259 --> 00:04:57.020
 and go to India and work with Oasis Trust.

00:04:58.120 --> 00:05:00.939
 They had a six-month project,

00:05:01.420 --> 00:05:03.720
 working in a team in Bombay,

00:05:03.900 --> 00:05:05.460
 it's now of course called Mumbai,

00:05:06.080 --> 00:05:07.379
 and in Bangalore.

00:05:07.379 --> 00:05:09.379
 I talked to my vicar,

00:05:09.800 --> 00:05:10.540
 my parents,

00:05:10.680 --> 00:05:12.019
 and applied to the project,

00:05:12.180 --> 00:05:16.240
 and I was accepted to go to Mumbai in October 1994.

00:05:17.300 --> 00:05:18.319
 I was thrilled,

00:05:18.680 --> 00:05:20.100
 and couldn't wait to go

00:05:20.100 --> 00:05:22.500
 and put my faith into action.

00:05:23.459 --> 00:05:26.079
 Everything was great at first.

00:05:26.300 --> 00:05:28.339
 We arrived in Mumbai one afternoon.

00:05:28.839 --> 00:05:32.219
 The airport was like something I'd never experienced.

00:05:32.220 --> 00:05:33.720
 So many people.

00:05:34.220 --> 00:05:36.660
 This was crowded on a new level.

00:05:37.700 --> 00:05:39.000
 When we left the airport,

00:05:39.200 --> 00:05:40.700
 it was another new experience.

00:05:40.860 --> 00:05:41.600
 The roads,

00:05:42.040 --> 00:05:42.760
 the sounds,

00:05:43.000 --> 00:05:43.580
 the sights,

00:05:43.740 --> 00:05:44.340
 the smells,

00:05:45.100 --> 00:05:47.200
 were all overloading our senses.

00:05:47.620 --> 00:05:49.900
 It was like being in a different world.

00:05:49.899 --> 00:05:52.259
 There were 12 of us,

00:05:52.319 --> 00:05:53.479
 six in Mumbai

00:05:53.479 --> 00:05:55.659
 and six in Bangalore

00:05:55.659 --> 00:05:58.319
 with two leaders overseeing us

00:05:58.319 --> 00:06:00.239
 who were such lovely, godly,

00:06:00.779 --> 00:06:03.359
 caring people with a strong faith.

00:06:04.259 --> 00:06:06.219
 There were three of us in my team,

00:06:06.399 --> 00:06:08.000
 Simone from New Zealand,

00:06:08.779 --> 00:06:09.959
 Mariana from Holland,

00:06:10.439 --> 00:06:11.739
 and myself,

00:06:12.060 --> 00:06:13.919
 who was to be the team leader.

00:06:14.920 --> 00:06:16.840
 We arrived at our church

00:06:16.840 --> 00:06:18.060
 in the north of Mumbai,

00:06:18.500 --> 00:06:21.040
 and we met Pastor Shindi and his wife,

00:06:21.220 --> 00:06:23.740
 who we were going to be living and working with.

00:06:24.319 --> 00:06:25.939
 They told us that, sadly,

00:06:26.140 --> 00:06:27.819
 the accommodation we were to have

00:06:27.819 --> 00:06:29.560
 was no longer available,

00:06:30.120 --> 00:06:31.080
 so temporarily,

00:06:31.780 --> 00:06:34.020
 we were to stay in a small room

00:06:34.020 --> 00:06:36.879
 on the ground floor of the church building.

00:06:37.100 --> 00:06:40.220
 Our three beds just about fitted in,

00:06:40.520 --> 00:06:42.660
 but we did have an en-suite shower.

00:06:42.660 --> 00:06:43.580
 That is to say,

00:06:43.640 --> 00:06:45.160
 a tap that was high up

00:06:45.160 --> 00:06:46.740
 and a large bucket.

00:06:48.020 --> 00:06:49.360
 It was challenging,

00:06:49.740 --> 00:06:50.500
 but manageable,

00:06:50.680 --> 00:06:52.420
 and we soon settled in.

00:06:52.939 --> 00:06:54.220
 Little did we know

00:06:54.220 --> 00:06:56.180
 we would end up staying in that room

00:06:56.180 --> 00:06:57.760
 for the whole six months

00:06:57.760 --> 00:06:59.520
 as the other accommodation

00:06:59.520 --> 00:07:01.640
 never materialized.

00:07:02.220 --> 00:07:03.480
 We spent our days

00:07:03.480 --> 00:07:04.700
 planning our involvement

00:07:04.700 --> 00:07:06.120
 in the church services,

00:07:06.800 --> 00:07:07.720
 planning our time

00:07:07.720 --> 00:07:09.820
 with children's and youth work,

00:07:09.820 --> 00:07:11.500
 and visiting people

00:07:11.500 --> 00:07:12.500
 with the pastor.

00:07:13.379 --> 00:07:15.079
 We met a lot of people

00:07:15.079 --> 00:07:17.579
 who had very little materially,

00:07:18.060 --> 00:07:20.740
 but who had such a lot spiritually.

00:07:21.220 --> 00:07:23.300
 It was a very humbling time.

00:07:23.980 --> 00:07:25.720
 Our little room that we shared

00:07:25.720 --> 00:07:28.000
 soon became quite sufficient.

00:07:29.399 --> 00:07:30.379
 Once a week,

00:07:30.459 --> 00:07:31.939
 we met the rest of the team

00:07:31.939 --> 00:07:33.680
 and spent the day together,

00:07:33.899 --> 00:07:35.319
 sharing our experiences,

00:07:35.699 --> 00:07:36.079
 praying,

00:07:36.639 --> 00:07:37.560
 worshipping together,

00:07:37.560 --> 00:07:40.319
 and generally encouraging each other.

00:07:40.740 --> 00:07:42.500
 And we followed a Bible series

00:07:42.500 --> 00:07:43.560
 on faith.

00:07:44.879 --> 00:07:46.600
 I woke up one morning

00:07:46.600 --> 00:07:48.199
 after a couple of weeks

00:07:48.199 --> 00:07:51.100
 and felt completely overwhelmed.

00:07:51.579 --> 00:07:53.100
 It was baking hot.

00:07:53.519 --> 00:07:55.040
 I was sleeping badly.

00:07:55.899 --> 00:07:58.040
 Some of Simone's behavior

00:07:58.040 --> 00:07:59.060
 was inappropriate.

00:07:59.459 --> 00:08:00.439
 She was flirting

00:08:00.439 --> 00:08:03.579
 with some of the young Indian lads.

00:08:03.579 --> 00:08:05.779
 Marianne was missing

00:08:05.779 --> 00:08:07.300
 all things Dutch

00:08:07.300 --> 00:08:09.359
 and became incredibly grumpy.

00:08:10.240 --> 00:08:12.319
 And according to the pastor's wife,

00:08:12.359 --> 00:08:13.379
 who I shared with,

00:08:13.539 --> 00:08:15.180
 well, it was my problem

00:08:15.180 --> 00:08:17.079
 as I was the team leader,

00:08:17.519 --> 00:08:20.339
 and I had to sort them out soon.

00:08:20.579 --> 00:08:23.099
 I decided to go home.

00:08:23.100 --> 00:08:29.100
 It was all too much.

00:08:29.320 --> 00:08:30.920
 I have to be very honest

00:08:30.920 --> 00:08:33.639
 and say I wasn't actually homesick.

00:08:34.019 --> 00:08:36.180
 I just felt I couldn't cope

00:08:36.180 --> 00:08:37.259
 with the challenges

00:08:37.259 --> 00:08:40.159
 I was confronted with in Mumbai.

00:08:40.700 --> 00:08:42.240
 I wanted to go back

00:08:42.240 --> 00:08:44.540
 to my familiar, comfortable job

00:08:44.540 --> 00:08:47.379
 and the home that I left in England.

00:08:47.879 --> 00:08:50.139
 I rang the project leader,

00:08:50.440 --> 00:08:51.560
 Andy Matheson,

00:08:51.559 --> 00:08:53.979
 and arranged to visit him.

00:08:54.599 --> 00:08:55.919
 He and his wife,

00:08:56.079 --> 00:08:58.319
 a lovely, faith-filled, godly people

00:08:58.319 --> 00:09:01.459
 who I'm still in touch with to this day.

00:09:01.939 --> 00:09:04.599
 I was sure they would agree to my request

00:09:04.599 --> 00:09:07.119
 and we would sort a flight home.

00:09:08.719 --> 00:09:10.199
 I went to their home.

00:09:10.399 --> 00:09:12.239
 It was as though I saw them yesterday

00:09:12.239 --> 00:09:13.899
 as I recount this.

00:09:14.839 --> 00:09:16.839
 And I put my request to them.

00:09:17.500 --> 00:09:19.699
 Their response and advice

00:09:19.700 --> 00:09:21.960
 and care of me that day

00:09:21.960 --> 00:09:23.540
 has stayed with me

00:09:23.540 --> 00:09:25.460
 for the 33 years since

00:09:25.460 --> 00:09:28.300
 and influenced my ministry

00:09:28.300 --> 00:09:30.140
 in so many ways.

00:09:30.140 --> 00:09:32.180
 I've had similar conversations

00:09:32.180 --> 00:09:33.480
 with many people

00:09:33.480 --> 00:09:35.840
 throughout my Christian life.

00:09:36.580 --> 00:09:38.340
 They completely understood

00:09:38.340 --> 00:09:40.080
 me being overwhelmed.

00:09:40.720 --> 00:09:41.780
 But in a nutshell,

00:09:42.440 --> 00:09:43.800
 they said the best place

00:09:43.800 --> 00:09:44.900
 for me to be

00:09:44.900 --> 00:09:45.980
 was the place

00:09:45.980 --> 00:09:48.440
 that God wanted me to be.

00:09:48.440 --> 00:09:50.640
 and that wherever he was,

00:09:50.980 --> 00:09:51.980
 he would equip

00:09:51.980 --> 00:09:53.660
 and help me to cope.

00:09:54.100 --> 00:09:56.520
 And I needed to put my faith

00:09:56.520 --> 00:09:57.760
 and trust in him.

00:09:58.200 --> 00:10:00.000
 I realised at that moment

00:10:00.000 --> 00:10:02.100
 my faith was quite weak.

00:10:03.620 --> 00:10:05.120
 Andy and Joan prayed

00:10:05.120 --> 00:10:07.639
 and as soon as they started praying,

00:10:07.820 --> 00:10:09.600
 I knew deep in my heart

00:10:09.600 --> 00:10:12.720
 that God wanted me to stay in Mumbai.

00:10:13.720 --> 00:10:16.000
 I had to put my trust in him

00:10:16.000 --> 00:10:18.179
 and give him all my struggles

00:10:18.179 --> 00:10:20.639
 and allow him to help me.

00:10:20.980 --> 00:10:22.659
 It was a test of faith.

00:10:22.659 --> 00:10:25.560
 He was calling me to persevere.

00:10:27.460 --> 00:10:28.700
 After they prayed,

00:10:28.879 --> 00:10:30.299
 Andy and Joan asked me

00:10:30.299 --> 00:10:32.220
 what I thought God was saying.

00:10:32.220 --> 00:10:34.080
 And I said I believed

00:10:34.080 --> 00:10:36.580
 God wanted me to stay in Mumbai.

00:10:37.379 --> 00:10:38.700
 They said the same.

00:10:38.840 --> 00:10:40.100
 Of course they knew

00:10:40.100 --> 00:10:41.180
 without praying.

00:10:41.420 --> 00:10:43.139
 They were just so wonderfully God,

00:10:43.680 --> 00:10:46.240
 so spirit-filled

00:10:46.240 --> 00:10:47.820
 and God led

00:10:47.820 --> 00:10:49.560
 in the way they handled it.

00:10:49.980 --> 00:10:50.740
 And they said

00:10:50.740 --> 00:10:52.060
 they would help me stay

00:10:52.060 --> 00:10:53.399
 and support me.

00:10:53.519 --> 00:10:54.680
 And they really did.

00:10:54.679 --> 00:10:56.399
 I left them

00:10:56.399 --> 00:10:58.779
 to return to my small room

00:10:58.779 --> 00:11:00.919
 and all the challenges.

00:11:01.239 --> 00:11:02.019
 I was encouraged

00:11:02.019 --> 00:11:03.179
 by their response

00:11:03.179 --> 00:11:04.019
 and support

00:11:04.019 --> 00:11:05.759
 but still felt

00:11:05.759 --> 00:11:07.559
 completely overwhelmed

00:11:07.559 --> 00:11:09.419
 and over-challenged.

00:11:10.099 --> 00:11:11.719
 I wanted to put my faith

00:11:11.719 --> 00:11:12.219
 in action

00:11:12.219 --> 00:11:13.859
 but it was quite clear

00:11:13.859 --> 00:11:15.219
 that God wanted

00:11:15.219 --> 00:11:16.979
 to strengthen my faith.

00:11:17.819 --> 00:11:18.959
 Of course our faith

00:11:18.959 --> 00:11:19.620
 is strengthened

00:11:19.620 --> 00:11:21.779
 when we fully rely on Jesus.

00:11:22.719 --> 00:11:24.279
 Corrie Ten Boom said

00:11:24.279 --> 00:11:25.600
 you can never learn

00:11:25.600 --> 00:11:27.860
 that Christ is all you need

00:11:27.860 --> 00:11:30.779
 until Christ is all you have.

00:11:32.139 --> 00:11:34.299
 I took it day by day.

00:11:34.679 --> 00:11:36.220
 Some days I took it

00:11:36.220 --> 00:11:37.539
 hour by hour

00:11:37.539 --> 00:11:39.720
 putting my trust in God

00:11:39.720 --> 00:11:41.139
 knowing I was where

00:11:41.139 --> 00:11:42.120
 he wanted me

00:11:42.120 --> 00:11:44.319
 and asking him to help me

00:11:44.319 --> 00:11:46.659
 with each and every task.

00:11:47.419 --> 00:11:48.279
 The feelings

00:11:48.279 --> 00:11:49.799
 and desire to leave

00:11:49.799 --> 00:11:50.539
 and go home

00:11:50.539 --> 00:11:51.740
 were very strong

00:11:51.740 --> 00:11:52.960
 and the enemy

00:11:52.960 --> 00:11:54.779
 was having a field day.

00:11:56.379 --> 00:11:57.399
 Not least

00:11:57.399 --> 00:11:58.740
 when Simone

00:11:58.740 --> 00:12:00.539
 started a relationship

00:12:00.539 --> 00:12:01.460
 with the dear

00:12:01.460 --> 00:12:03.159
 pastor's son.

00:12:03.840 --> 00:12:05.560
 That was a real challenge.

00:12:05.700 --> 00:12:06.759
 The pastor's wife

00:12:06.759 --> 00:12:08.299
 really had it in for me

00:12:08.299 --> 00:12:08.700
 then

00:12:08.700 --> 00:12:09.740
 because anything

00:12:09.740 --> 00:12:11.080
 that my team did

00:12:11.080 --> 00:12:12.899
 I was responsible for.

00:12:13.919 --> 00:12:15.440
 A few days after

00:12:15.440 --> 00:12:16.940
 I met with Andy and Joan

00:12:16.940 --> 00:12:18.419
 I received a letter.

00:12:18.960 --> 00:12:20.740
 Nothing unusual about that.

00:12:20.740 --> 00:12:22.060
 We're in the time

00:12:22.060 --> 00:12:24.240
 when there weren't emails

00:12:24.240 --> 00:12:25.100
 of course.

00:12:25.600 --> 00:12:27.120
 But this particular letter

00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:28.060
 was quite different.

00:12:28.279 --> 00:12:29.440
 I didn't recognise

00:12:29.440 --> 00:12:30.320
 the handwriting.

00:12:31.120 --> 00:12:32.100
 I opened it

00:12:32.100 --> 00:12:33.220
 and it was from a woman

00:12:33.220 --> 00:12:34.720
 called Nancy Gowdy

00:12:34.720 --> 00:12:36.019
 who I had met

00:12:36.019 --> 00:12:36.799
 through a friend

00:12:36.799 --> 00:12:38.419
 just before I left

00:12:38.419 --> 00:12:39.180
 from Mumbai.

00:12:39.860 --> 00:12:41.519
 I was at the friend's house

00:12:41.519 --> 00:12:42.600
 and Nancy

00:12:42.600 --> 00:12:43.759
 came round.

00:12:44.360 --> 00:12:45.419
 I told her about

00:12:45.419 --> 00:12:46.620
 my forthcoming trip

00:12:46.620 --> 00:12:47.320
 to India

00:12:47.320 --> 00:12:48.740
 and she asked

00:12:48.740 --> 00:12:49.820
 to pray for me

00:12:49.820 --> 00:12:51.039
 and she did.

00:12:51.480 --> 00:12:52.240
 And she prayed

00:12:52.240 --> 00:12:53.960
 in a very discerning way.

00:12:54.159 --> 00:12:55.299
 It was very powerful

00:12:55.299 --> 00:12:56.720
 and it was though

00:12:56.720 --> 00:12:57.899
 we had known each other

00:12:57.899 --> 00:12:58.779
 for years.

00:12:59.879 --> 00:13:00.899
 In her letter

00:13:00.899 --> 00:13:01.500
 she said

00:13:01.500 --> 00:13:02.419
 she had continued

00:13:02.419 --> 00:13:03.480
 to pray for me

00:13:03.480 --> 00:13:04.200
 and God

00:13:04.200 --> 00:13:04.960
 had told her

00:13:04.960 --> 00:13:06.039
 to write to me

00:13:06.039 --> 00:13:07.480
 and encourage me

00:13:07.480 --> 00:13:09.120
 because I was struggling.

00:13:10.060 --> 00:13:11.580
 I couldn't believe it

00:13:11.580 --> 00:13:13.080
 that firstly

00:13:13.080 --> 00:13:14.520
 God would be bothered

00:13:14.520 --> 00:13:16.440
 to prompt Nancy

00:13:16.440 --> 00:13:17.720
 to write to me

00:13:17.720 --> 00:13:19.139
 and secondly

00:13:19.139 --> 00:13:20.660
 for Nancy's commitment

00:13:20.660 --> 00:13:22.540
 in doing just that.

00:13:24.820 --> 00:13:26.320
 What she told me

00:13:26.320 --> 00:13:26.879
 in the letter

00:13:26.879 --> 00:13:28.400
 has really stayed

00:13:28.400 --> 00:13:29.820
 with me since as well.

00:13:30.020 --> 00:13:30.620
 She said that

00:13:30.620 --> 00:13:31.740
 whatever problems

00:13:31.740 --> 00:13:32.860
 I had

00:13:32.860 --> 00:13:34.660
 and however large

00:13:34.660 --> 00:13:35.340
 they were

00:13:35.340 --> 00:13:36.900
 God was bigger

00:13:36.900 --> 00:13:39.060
 and that in my mind

00:13:39.059 --> 00:13:40.479
 I had to get

00:13:40.479 --> 00:13:41.639
 a big picture

00:13:41.639 --> 00:13:42.359
 of God

00:13:42.359 --> 00:13:43.319
 and give him

00:13:43.319 --> 00:13:44.500
 each of the problems

00:13:44.500 --> 00:13:45.759
 I was facing.

00:13:47.259 --> 00:13:48.319
 It was just

00:13:48.319 --> 00:13:49.059
 what I needed

00:13:49.059 --> 00:13:49.659
 to hear

00:13:49.659 --> 00:13:50.819
 and it really

00:13:50.819 --> 00:13:51.639
 encouraged me

00:13:51.639 --> 00:13:52.279
 to remember

00:13:52.279 --> 00:13:53.299
 God's bigness

00:13:53.299 --> 00:13:55.319
 and focus on him

00:13:55.319 --> 00:13:57.459
 and not my circumstances.

00:13:58.379 --> 00:14:00.019
 She also encouraged me

00:14:00.019 --> 00:14:01.199
 to get with God

00:14:01.199 --> 00:14:02.239
 on my own

00:14:02.239 --> 00:14:02.939
 praise

00:14:02.939 --> 00:14:04.319
 and worship him

00:14:04.319 --> 00:14:05.979
 and read my Bible.

00:14:07.319 --> 00:14:08.599
 Our reading today

00:14:08.600 --> 00:14:10.899
 was from Timothy

00:14:10.899 --> 00:14:12.399
 and is of course

00:14:12.399 --> 00:14:13.779
 part of Paul's letter

00:14:13.779 --> 00:14:15.220
 that he wrote

00:14:15.220 --> 00:14:16.000
 to Timothy

00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:17.639
 to encourage him

00:14:17.639 --> 00:14:18.899
 in his ministry.

00:14:19.620 --> 00:14:21.019
 Never underestimate

00:14:21.019 --> 00:14:21.980
 the power

00:14:21.980 --> 00:14:22.980
 of encouragement

00:14:22.980 --> 00:14:25.060
 and being obedient

00:14:25.060 --> 00:14:27.000
 to encourage those

00:14:27.000 --> 00:14:27.639
 that God

00:14:27.639 --> 00:14:29.460
 puts on our hearts.

00:14:30.100 --> 00:14:31.240
 Just as Nancy

00:14:31.240 --> 00:14:32.100
 was obedient

00:14:32.100 --> 00:14:33.560
 in writing to me

00:14:33.560 --> 00:14:34.460
 her letter

00:14:34.460 --> 00:14:35.340
 encouraged me

00:14:35.340 --> 00:14:36.279
 to persevere

00:14:36.279 --> 00:14:37.180
 and again

00:14:37.180 --> 00:14:38.460
 trusting God

00:14:38.460 --> 00:14:39.980
 and not my feelings.

00:14:41.240 --> 00:14:42.220
 So from then on

00:14:42.220 --> 00:14:43.379
 I spent more time

00:14:43.379 --> 00:14:44.060
 with God

00:14:44.060 --> 00:14:45.440
 to get a big picture

00:14:45.440 --> 00:14:46.019
 of him

00:14:46.019 --> 00:14:47.100
 in my mind.

00:14:47.519 --> 00:14:48.379
 I looked to him

00:14:48.379 --> 00:14:49.120
 more and more

00:14:49.120 --> 00:14:50.040
 and ignored

00:14:50.040 --> 00:14:51.040
 my feelings

00:14:51.040 --> 00:14:51.700
 of wanting

00:14:51.700 --> 00:14:52.660
 to go home.

00:14:53.759 --> 00:14:55.259
 I shared my faith

00:14:55.259 --> 00:14:56.540
 with the Indian people

00:14:56.540 --> 00:14:58.000
 we were ministering to

00:14:58.000 --> 00:14:59.280
 and this helped

00:14:59.280 --> 00:15:00.139
 to increase

00:15:00.139 --> 00:15:00.920
 my faith

00:15:00.920 --> 00:15:01.900
 as we saw

00:15:01.900 --> 00:15:03.280
 prayers answered

00:15:03.280 --> 00:15:03.960
 wonderfully

00:15:03.960 --> 00:15:05.519
 on a daily basis.

00:15:05.519 --> 00:15:07.799
 I also asked

00:15:07.799 --> 00:15:08.699
 God each day

00:15:08.699 --> 00:15:09.480
 to fill me

00:15:09.480 --> 00:15:10.600
 with his Holy Spirit

00:15:10.600 --> 00:15:11.279
 aware

00:15:11.279 --> 00:15:12.399
 that we are

00:15:12.399 --> 00:15:13.059
 like buckets

00:15:13.059 --> 00:15:14.059
 with holes in

00:15:14.059 --> 00:15:15.519
 as we go about

00:15:15.519 --> 00:15:16.460
 each day

00:15:16.460 --> 00:15:17.579
 his Holy Spirit

00:15:17.579 --> 00:15:19.120
 leaks out of us

00:15:19.120 --> 00:15:20.340
 so we need

00:15:20.340 --> 00:15:21.379
 to be refilled

00:15:21.379 --> 00:15:22.679
 and I learned

00:15:22.679 --> 00:15:23.500
 God has

00:15:23.500 --> 00:15:24.860
 an endless supply.

00:15:26.740 --> 00:15:28.139
 I also read

00:15:28.139 --> 00:15:28.960
 God's promises

00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:30.539
 in the Bible

00:15:30.539 --> 00:15:31.740
 which increased

00:15:31.740 --> 00:15:32.600
 my faith.

00:15:32.600 --> 00:15:34.040
 I have chosen

00:15:34.040 --> 00:15:34.879
 four verses

00:15:34.879 --> 00:15:35.740
 that I believe

00:15:35.740 --> 00:15:36.580
 God wants me

00:15:36.580 --> 00:15:37.100
 to share

00:15:37.100 --> 00:15:37.879
 with you today.

00:15:38.019 --> 00:15:38.899
 I'm going to read

00:15:38.899 --> 00:15:39.220
 them

00:15:39.220 --> 00:15:40.519
 and I'd encourage

00:15:40.519 --> 00:15:41.440
 you to really

00:15:41.440 --> 00:15:42.120
 listen to them.

00:15:42.220 --> 00:15:42.800
 You might want

00:15:42.800 --> 00:15:44.000
 to close your eyes

00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:45.200
 because I believe

00:15:45.200 --> 00:15:46.300
 there are people

00:15:46.300 --> 00:15:47.139
 here this morning

00:15:47.139 --> 00:15:48.259
 who God

00:15:48.259 --> 00:15:49.120
 specifically

00:15:49.120 --> 00:15:50.500
 wants to hear

00:15:50.500 --> 00:15:51.659
 these verses.

00:15:54.580 --> 00:15:55.220
 Joshua

00:15:55.220 --> 00:15:56.700
 chapter 1

00:15:56.700 --> 00:15:57.740
 verse 9

00:15:57.740 --> 00:16:16.419
 Isaiah 43

00:16:16.419 --> 00:16:17.500
 verse 2

00:16:17.500 --> 00:16:39.600
 Acts chapter 1

00:16:39.600 --> 00:16:40.720
 verse 8

00:16:40.720 --> 00:17:03.700
 Isaiah 55

00:17:03.700 --> 00:17:05.220
 verse 8

00:17:05.220 --> 00:17:08.420
 for my thoughts

00:17:08.420 --> 00:17:09.559
 are not your

00:17:09.559 --> 00:17:10.279
 thoughts

00:17:10.279 --> 00:17:11.940
 neither are

00:17:11.940 --> 00:17:12.880
 your ways

00:17:12.880 --> 00:17:14.160
 my ways

00:17:14.160 --> 00:17:15.420
 declares the

00:17:15.420 --> 00:17:15.900
 Lord.

00:17:20.079 --> 00:17:21.299
 The Bible

00:17:21.299 --> 00:17:22.279
 is full

00:17:22.279 --> 00:17:23.079
 of promises

00:17:23.079 --> 00:17:24.339
 and I really

00:17:24.339 --> 00:17:25.600
 would encourage

00:17:25.600 --> 00:17:26.559
 you to make

00:17:26.559 --> 00:17:27.039
 the time

00:17:27.039 --> 00:17:27.940
 to read them

00:17:27.940 --> 00:17:28.920
 and commit

00:17:28.920 --> 00:17:29.539
 them to your

00:17:29.539 --> 00:17:30.039
 mind

00:17:30.039 --> 00:17:30.640
 and your

00:17:30.640 --> 00:17:31.420
 heart.

00:17:32.620 --> 00:17:33.600
 I don't

00:17:33.600 --> 00:17:34.240
 think it's a

00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:34.680
 decision

00:17:34.680 --> 00:17:35.359
 in you

00:17:35.359 --> 00:17:36.200
 deciding to

00:17:36.200 --> 00:17:36.720
 do that

00:17:36.720 --> 00:17:37.079
 if you

00:17:37.079 --> 00:17:37.620
 went home

00:17:37.620 --> 00:17:38.000
 today

00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:39.460
 and started

00:17:39.460 --> 00:17:40.539
 reading God's

00:17:40.539 --> 00:17:40.980
 promises

00:17:40.980 --> 00:17:42.279
 it's probably

00:17:42.279 --> 00:17:43.160
 the best thing

00:17:43.160 --> 00:17:44.000
 that you can

00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:44.579
 do in your

00:17:44.579 --> 00:17:45.200
 relationship

00:17:45.200 --> 00:17:46.000
 with Jesus.

00:17:46.339 --> 00:17:46.700
 You won't

00:17:46.700 --> 00:17:47.319
 regret it.

00:17:47.420 --> 00:17:47.880
 If you want

00:17:47.880 --> 00:17:48.460
 to argue

00:17:48.460 --> 00:17:48.900
 with me

00:17:48.900 --> 00:17:49.559
 about that

00:17:49.559 --> 00:17:50.440
 please do

00:17:50.440 --> 00:17:51.140
 see me

00:17:51.140 --> 00:17:52.099
 after the

00:17:52.099 --> 00:17:52.519
 service.

00:17:52.779 --> 00:17:53.319
 I'm happy

00:17:53.319 --> 00:17:54.599
 to discuss

00:17:54.599 --> 00:17:55.299
 it further.

00:17:57.480 --> 00:17:58.039
 Gradually

00:17:58.039 --> 00:17:58.920
 the desire

00:17:58.920 --> 00:17:59.500
 to leave

00:17:59.500 --> 00:18:00.000
 India

00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:00.759
 decreased

00:18:00.759 --> 00:18:01.539
 and I can

00:18:01.539 --> 00:18:01.940
 remember

00:18:01.940 --> 00:18:02.819
 waking up

00:18:02.819 --> 00:18:03.579
 one morning

00:18:03.579 --> 00:18:04.180
 again it

00:18:04.180 --> 00:18:04.640
 I can

00:18:04.640 --> 00:18:05.340
 picture it

00:18:05.340 --> 00:18:06.100
 so well

00:18:06.100 --> 00:18:06.880
 and I

00:18:06.880 --> 00:18:07.620
 felt a

00:18:07.620 --> 00:18:08.440
 new person.

00:18:08.820 --> 00:18:09.740
 The anxiety

00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:10.860
 and stress

00:18:10.860 --> 00:18:11.299
 of being

00:18:11.299 --> 00:18:11.900
 overwhelmed

00:18:11.900 --> 00:18:12.860
 had disappeared

00:18:12.860 --> 00:18:14.180
 the desire

00:18:14.180 --> 00:18:14.900
 to leave

00:18:14.900 --> 00:18:15.620
 had gone

00:18:15.620 --> 00:18:16.759
 and Simone

00:18:16.759 --> 00:18:18.140
 had ended

00:18:18.140 --> 00:18:19.259
 her relationship

00:18:19.259 --> 00:18:19.860
 with the

00:18:19.860 --> 00:18:21.000
 pastor's son

00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:22.500
 and was all

00:18:22.500 --> 00:18:23.440
 out for Jesus.

00:18:23.799 --> 00:18:24.420
 What an answer

00:18:24.420 --> 00:18:24.920
 to prayer

00:18:24.920 --> 00:18:25.620
 that was.

00:18:26.380 --> 00:18:27.259
 I had a

00:18:27.259 --> 00:18:28.240
 fresh peace

00:18:28.240 --> 00:18:28.960
 and joy

00:18:28.960 --> 00:18:29.940
 like I had

00:18:29.940 --> 00:18:31.380
 never known

00:18:31.380 --> 00:18:32.280
 and God's

00:18:32.280 --> 00:18:32.860
 presence

00:18:32.860 --> 00:18:34.320
 was just

00:18:34.320 --> 00:18:35.280
 so tangible.

00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:36.680
 I wanted

00:18:36.680 --> 00:18:37.280
 to praise

00:18:37.280 --> 00:18:38.100
 and worship

00:18:38.100 --> 00:18:38.700
 God out

00:18:38.700 --> 00:18:39.080
 loud.

00:18:39.300 --> 00:18:40.060
 I didn't

00:18:40.060 --> 00:18:40.880
 because I

00:18:40.880 --> 00:18:41.520
 was sensitive

00:18:41.520 --> 00:18:42.460
 to my team

00:18:42.460 --> 00:18:43.040
 and I knew

00:18:43.040 --> 00:18:43.880
 singing was

00:18:43.880 --> 00:18:45.120
 not my

00:18:45.120 --> 00:18:46.080
 top gift.

00:18:47.220 --> 00:18:48.320
 I felt

00:18:48.320 --> 00:18:49.200
 so full

00:18:49.200 --> 00:18:49.540
 of the

00:18:49.540 --> 00:18:49.900
 spirit

00:18:49.900 --> 00:18:50.740
 and so

00:18:50.740 --> 00:18:51.320
 thankful

00:18:51.320 --> 00:18:51.900
 to God

00:18:51.900 --> 00:18:52.360
 for his

00:18:52.360 --> 00:18:53.260
 faithfulness

00:18:53.260 --> 00:18:54.040
 and love

00:18:54.040 --> 00:18:54.880
 and I

00:18:54.880 --> 00:18:55.360
 was so

00:18:55.360 --> 00:18:56.060
 pleased

00:18:56.060 --> 00:18:56.460
 that he

00:18:56.460 --> 00:18:57.120
 helped me

00:18:57.119 --> 00:18:58.139
 to persevere

00:18:58.139 --> 00:18:58.939
 and to

00:18:58.939 --> 00:18:59.519
 stay.

00:19:00.099 --> 00:19:00.959
 I didn't

00:19:00.959 --> 00:19:01.519
 know

00:19:01.519 --> 00:19:02.159
 at that

00:19:02.159 --> 00:19:02.739
 time

00:19:02.739 --> 00:19:04.039
 but 33

00:19:04.039 --> 00:19:05.239
 years later

00:19:05.239 --> 00:19:06.159
 I can see

00:19:06.159 --> 00:19:06.639
 that God

00:19:06.639 --> 00:19:06.979
 did a

00:19:06.979 --> 00:19:08.099
 powerful work

00:19:08.099 --> 00:19:08.500
 in me

00:19:08.500 --> 00:19:09.259
 in India

00:19:09.259 --> 00:19:10.099
 and in

00:19:10.099 --> 00:19:10.739
 helping me

00:19:10.739 --> 00:19:11.519
 to stay.

00:19:12.079 --> 00:19:12.439
 There were

00:19:12.439 --> 00:19:13.659
 many times

00:19:13.659 --> 00:19:14.599
 in my life

00:19:14.599 --> 00:19:15.279
 afterwards

00:19:15.279 --> 00:19:16.419
 in going

00:19:16.419 --> 00:19:17.039
 to Bible

00:19:17.039 --> 00:19:17.699
 college

00:19:17.699 --> 00:19:19.059
 being ordained

00:19:19.059 --> 00:19:19.879
 in the Church

00:19:19.879 --> 00:19:20.500
 of England

00:19:20.500 --> 00:19:21.939
 having a

00:19:21.939 --> 00:19:22.619
 curacy

00:19:22.619 --> 00:19:23.779
 in Gloucester

00:19:23.779 --> 00:19:25.119
 and my job

00:19:25.119 --> 00:19:25.799
 as a team

00:19:25.799 --> 00:19:26.219
 vicar

00:19:26.220 --> 00:19:27.539
 that I

00:19:27.539 --> 00:19:28.420
 know

00:19:28.420 --> 00:19:28.799
 God

00:19:28.799 --> 00:19:29.380
 called me

00:19:29.380 --> 00:19:29.940
 to all

00:19:29.940 --> 00:19:30.380
 of those

00:19:30.380 --> 00:19:30.920
 things

00:19:30.920 --> 00:19:31.819
 but sometimes

00:19:31.819 --> 00:19:32.680
 I wanted

00:19:32.680 --> 00:19:33.559
 to leave

00:19:33.559 --> 00:19:34.519
 but being

00:19:34.519 --> 00:19:34.980
 obedient

00:19:34.980 --> 00:19:35.779
 to him

00:19:35.779 --> 00:19:37.039
 and persevering

00:19:37.039 --> 00:19:37.600
 in what he

00:19:37.600 --> 00:19:38.180
 called me

00:19:38.180 --> 00:19:38.860
 to do

00:19:38.860 --> 00:19:39.880
 always

00:19:39.880 --> 00:19:40.460
 won the

00:19:40.460 --> 00:19:40.920
 day.

00:19:41.839 --> 00:19:42.640
 That time

00:19:42.640 --> 00:19:43.140
 in Mumbai

00:19:43.140 --> 00:19:44.059
 laid the

00:19:44.059 --> 00:19:44.700
 foundation

00:19:44.700 --> 00:19:45.640
 for me

00:19:45.640 --> 00:19:46.100
 to put

00:19:46.100 --> 00:19:46.559
 God's

00:19:46.559 --> 00:19:46.900
 will

00:19:46.900 --> 00:19:47.420
 above

00:19:47.420 --> 00:19:47.740
 my

00:19:47.740 --> 00:19:48.339
 feelings.

00:19:49.240 --> 00:19:49.980
 I would

00:19:49.980 --> 00:19:50.559
 always

00:19:50.559 --> 00:19:51.180
 encourage

00:19:51.180 --> 00:19:51.640
 you

00:19:51.640 --> 00:19:52.480
 to do

00:19:52.480 --> 00:19:53.180
 the same.

00:19:53.940 --> 00:19:54.120
 Be

00:19:54.120 --> 00:19:54.640
 obedient

00:19:54.640 --> 00:19:55.420
 to God's

00:19:55.420 --> 00:19:55.880
 call

00:19:55.880 --> 00:19:56.700
 give him

00:19:56.700 --> 00:19:57.440
 your best

00:19:57.440 --> 00:19:58.400
 and he

00:19:58.400 --> 00:19:58.780
 will do

00:19:58.780 --> 00:19:59.540
 the rest.

00:20:00.800 --> 00:20:01.700
 Just before

00:20:01.700 --> 00:20:02.280
 the end

00:20:02.280 --> 00:20:02.980
 of my

00:20:02.980 --> 00:20:03.640
 time in

00:20:03.640 --> 00:20:03.980
 India

00:20:03.980 --> 00:20:04.440
 the six

00:20:04.440 --> 00:20:04.820
 months

00:20:04.820 --> 00:20:05.560
 Andy

00:20:05.560 --> 00:20:06.380
 Matheson

00:20:06.380 --> 00:20:07.100
 asked to

00:20:07.100 --> 00:20:07.460
 meet

00:20:07.460 --> 00:20:08.580
 with me

00:20:08.580 --> 00:20:09.760
 and again

00:20:09.760 --> 00:20:10.360
 I remember

00:20:10.360 --> 00:20:10.900
 the meeting

00:20:10.900 --> 00:20:11.400
 as if it

00:20:11.400 --> 00:20:11.840
 happened

00:20:11.840 --> 00:20:12.780
 yesterday.

00:20:13.260 --> 00:20:13.680
 It was a

00:20:13.680 --> 00:20:14.640
 divine meeting.

00:20:15.300 --> 00:20:16.040
 He basically

00:20:16.040 --> 00:20:16.800
 asked me

00:20:16.800 --> 00:20:17.520
 to come back

00:20:17.520 --> 00:20:18.280
 to India

00:20:18.280 --> 00:20:19.280
 to be the

00:20:19.280 --> 00:20:19.720
 secretary

00:20:19.720 --> 00:20:20.440
 to the

00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:20.920
 director

00:20:20.920 --> 00:20:21.920
 of Oasis

00:20:21.920 --> 00:20:22.480
 India

00:20:22.480 --> 00:20:23.180
 in

00:20:23.180 --> 00:20:24.079
 Bangalore.

00:20:24.420 --> 00:20:24.740
 I was

00:20:24.740 --> 00:20:25.240
 thrilled

00:20:25.240 --> 00:20:26.120
 to be

00:20:26.120 --> 00:20:26.680
 asked

00:20:26.680 --> 00:20:27.400
 after all

00:20:27.400 --> 00:20:27.740
 that had

00:20:27.740 --> 00:20:28.200
 happened.

00:20:29.160 --> 00:20:30.019
 We both

00:20:30.019 --> 00:20:30.660
 and my

00:20:30.660 --> 00:20:31.279
 church

00:20:31.279 --> 00:20:31.740
 family

00:20:31.740 --> 00:20:32.200
 back in

00:20:32.200 --> 00:20:32.539
 England

00:20:32.539 --> 00:20:33.299
 agreed

00:20:33.299 --> 00:20:34.259
 that God

00:20:34.259 --> 00:20:34.860
 was calling

00:20:34.860 --> 00:20:35.240
 me to

00:20:35.240 --> 00:20:35.920
 do this

00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:36.920
 and so

00:20:36.920 --> 00:20:37.279
 when the

00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:37.860
 six months

00:20:37.860 --> 00:20:38.680
 was completed

00:20:38.680 --> 00:20:39.980
 I returned

00:20:39.980 --> 00:20:40.500
 home

00:20:40.500 --> 00:20:41.460
 and raised

00:20:41.460 --> 00:20:41.860
 money

00:20:41.860 --> 00:20:42.920
 to return

00:20:42.920 --> 00:20:43.620
 to India

00:20:43.620 --> 00:20:44.339
 for 12

00:20:44.339 --> 00:20:44.920
 months.

00:20:44.920 --> 00:20:47.100
 I was

00:20:47.100 --> 00:20:47.980
 and am

00:20:47.980 --> 00:20:48.380
 to this

00:20:48.380 --> 00:20:48.680
 day

00:20:48.680 --> 00:20:49.560
 so thankful

00:20:49.560 --> 00:20:50.200
 to God

00:20:50.200 --> 00:20:50.800
 for calling

00:20:50.800 --> 00:20:51.259
 me to

00:20:51.259 --> 00:20:51.680
 India

00:20:51.680 --> 00:20:52.440
 and for

00:20:52.440 --> 00:20:53.080
 helping me

00:20:53.080 --> 00:20:53.620
 to stay

00:20:53.620 --> 00:20:54.019
 there.

00:20:54.680 --> 00:20:54.960
 I'm

00:20:54.960 --> 00:20:55.420
 thankful

00:20:55.420 --> 00:20:56.300
 to Andy

00:20:56.300 --> 00:20:57.100
 and Joan

00:20:57.100 --> 00:20:57.539
 for their

00:20:57.539 --> 00:20:58.600
 wise counsel

00:20:58.600 --> 00:20:59.480
 and support

00:20:59.480 --> 00:20:59.940
 of me

00:20:59.940 --> 00:21:01.100
 and thankful

00:21:01.100 --> 00:21:01.840
 to Nancy

00:21:01.840 --> 00:21:02.580
 for her

00:21:02.580 --> 00:21:03.060
 wonderful

00:21:03.060 --> 00:21:03.779
 encouraging

00:21:03.779 --> 00:21:04.279
 letter.

00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:05.519
 They all

00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:06.100
 helped me

00:21:06.100 --> 00:21:06.580
 to get

00:21:06.580 --> 00:21:07.080
 with God

00:21:07.080 --> 00:21:07.480
 on my

00:21:07.480 --> 00:21:07.960
 own

00:21:07.960 --> 00:21:09.000
 and build

00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:09.860
 my personal

00:21:09.860 --> 00:21:10.580
 relationship

00:21:10.580 --> 00:21:11.240
 with him

00:21:11.240 --> 00:21:12.300
 which in

00:21:12.300 --> 00:21:12.700
 turn

00:21:12.700 --> 00:21:13.480
 helped me

00:21:13.480 --> 00:21:14.740
 to persevere

00:21:14.740 --> 00:21:15.460
 in staying.

00:21:16.019 --> 00:21:16.680
 It strengthened

00:21:16.680 --> 00:21:17.460
 my faith

00:21:17.460 --> 00:21:18.099
 enormously

00:21:18.099 --> 00:21:19.799
 and enabled

00:21:19.799 --> 00:21:20.759
 me to be

00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:21.579
 obedient to

00:21:21.579 --> 00:21:21.880
 him.

00:21:23.819 --> 00:21:24.819
 I want

00:21:24.819 --> 00:21:25.319
 to close

00:21:25.319 --> 00:21:25.720
 with some

00:21:25.720 --> 00:21:26.539
 questions for

00:21:26.539 --> 00:21:27.000
 you to

00:21:27.000 --> 00:21:27.539
 consider

00:21:27.539 --> 00:21:28.660
 to perhaps

00:21:28.660 --> 00:21:29.680
 pray through

00:21:29.680 --> 00:21:31.480
 and reflect

00:21:31.480 --> 00:21:31.920
 on.

00:21:33.039 --> 00:21:33.759
 Firstly

00:21:33.759 --> 00:21:34.599
 where in

00:21:34.599 --> 00:21:35.359
 your life

00:21:35.359 --> 00:21:36.019
 is God

00:21:36.019 --> 00:21:36.740
 calling you

00:21:36.740 --> 00:21:37.700
 to persevere?

00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:39.660
 Now

00:21:39.660 --> 00:21:40.140
 is the

00:21:40.140 --> 00:21:40.680
 time to

00:21:40.680 --> 00:21:41.259
 spend more

00:21:41.259 --> 00:21:41.859
 time with

00:21:41.859 --> 00:21:42.299
 God

00:21:42.299 --> 00:21:43.500
 asking him

00:21:43.500 --> 00:21:44.000
 to fill

00:21:44.000 --> 00:21:44.359
 you with

00:21:44.359 --> 00:21:45.000
 his spirit

00:21:45.000 --> 00:21:45.819
 to strengthen

00:21:45.819 --> 00:21:46.659
 and equip

00:21:46.659 --> 00:21:47.459
 you to

00:21:47.459 --> 00:21:48.159
 persevere?

00:21:49.419 --> 00:21:49.899
 Do you

00:21:49.899 --> 00:21:50.339
 need to

00:21:50.339 --> 00:21:50.799
 read your

00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:51.619
 Bible more

00:21:51.619 --> 00:21:52.259
 to be

00:21:52.259 --> 00:21:53.259
 reminded of

00:21:53.259 --> 00:21:53.679
 God's

00:21:53.679 --> 00:21:54.500
 faithfulness

00:21:54.500 --> 00:21:55.299
 and promises?

00:21:56.759 --> 00:21:57.459
 If so

00:21:57.459 --> 00:21:58.139
 when are you

00:21:58.139 --> 00:21:58.639
 going to

00:21:58.639 --> 00:21:59.099
 make the

00:21:59.099 --> 00:21:59.959
 time to

00:21:59.959 --> 00:22:00.619
 do that?

00:22:02.699 --> 00:22:03.419
 Secondly

00:22:03.419 --> 00:22:04.119
 is there

00:22:04.119 --> 00:22:04.839
 someone you

00:22:04.839 --> 00:22:05.759
 know who

00:22:05.759 --> 00:22:06.539
 is struggling

00:22:06.539 --> 00:22:08.019
 with perseverance

00:22:08.019 --> 00:22:08.979
 at the moment

00:22:08.979 --> 00:22:10.099
 who you can

00:22:10.099 --> 00:22:10.899
 encourage with

00:22:10.900 --> 00:22:11.460
 a letter

00:22:11.460 --> 00:22:13.300
 with a text

00:22:13.300 --> 00:22:14.660
 a phone

00:22:14.660 --> 00:22:15.220
 call

00:22:15.220 --> 00:22:16.380
 an email

00:22:16.380 --> 00:22:17.700
 or even

00:22:17.700 --> 00:22:18.540
 a visit?

00:22:20.759 --> 00:22:21.680
 Who is

00:22:21.680 --> 00:22:22.560
 God calling

00:22:22.560 --> 00:22:23.200
 you to

00:22:23.200 --> 00:22:24.120
 encourage to

00:22:24.120 --> 00:22:25.080
 persevere at

00:22:25.080 --> 00:22:25.780
 this time?

00:22:26.200 --> 00:22:27.200
 Just as Paul

00:22:27.200 --> 00:22:28.380
 encouraged Timothy

00:22:28.380 --> 00:22:29.780
 with his letter

00:22:29.780 --> 00:22:30.960
 and Nancy

00:22:30.960 --> 00:22:32.180
 encouraged me

00:22:32.180 --> 00:22:33.019
 with hers.

00:22:33.019 --> 00:22:35.559
 let's just

00:22:35.559 --> 00:22:35.900
 have a

00:22:35.900 --> 00:22:36.420
 moment's

00:22:36.420 --> 00:22:37.079
 quiet as

00:22:37.079 --> 00:22:37.579
 we think

00:22:37.579 --> 00:22:38.160
 about these

00:22:38.160 --> 00:22:38.799
 questions

00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:39.339
 and

00:22:39.339 --> 00:22:39.839
 everything

00:22:39.839 --> 00:22:40.299
 else

00:22:40.299 --> 00:22:41.139
 that I've

00:22:41.139 --> 00:22:41.460
 shared

00:22:41.460 --> 00:22:42.079
 this morning

00:22:42.079 --> 00:22:43.039
 and then

00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:43.379
 I will

00:22:43.379 --> 00:22:44.319
 close in

00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:44.740
 prayer.

00:22:44.740 --> 00:22:45.059
 I will

00:22:45.059 --> 00:23:00.519
 Heavenly Father, when life gets tough and you call us to persevere,

00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:04.200
 help us to remember that we are not alone.

00:23:05.019 --> 00:23:08.919
 You are with us and your love surrounds us.

00:23:08.920 --> 00:23:17.400
 May we also remember that your Holy Spirit strengthens and upholds us

00:23:17.400 --> 00:23:20.259
 and your promises will never fail.

00:23:22.039 --> 00:23:30.039
 Help us to be obedient to your call on our lives and allow you to strengthen our faith.

00:23:30.039 --> 00:23:39.099
 Please help us to be an encouragement to others who are struggling to persevere.

00:23:40.440 --> 00:23:46.220
 May we encourage them to put their faith in you and be obedient to you.

00:23:47.559 --> 00:23:55.619
 We ask all these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.