WEBVTT

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 Turn with me, if you will, to Philippians.

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 I'll be looking at Philippians chapter 4, verses 4 through 9.

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 If you're in a prayer meeting,

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 you'll notice that I used the same message about six weeks ago in prayer meeting.

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 But as Fred asked me and I was preparing for this week,

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 I just kept coming back to feeling that I needed to share this message.

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 I think it's a very powerful and important message in our day and time.

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 And a lot of the challenges and things that we face in our Christian walk.

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 And so I really felt strongly about sharing this again.

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 Also, Jamie, who normally is in prayer meeting,

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 he does anything he can to get out of hearing me preach.

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 So he scheduled surgery or something that week.

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 And I felt like this is just for Jamie today.

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 You know, Jesus tells us in many places throughout Scripture things

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 that we often read in our Christian walk

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 and we think how difficult and how hard they are for us to really apply

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 and to fully obey and, you know, apply into our daily walk with the Lord.

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 And in Matthew 6, Jesus tells us not to worry.

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 He tells us several circumstances that we shouldn't worry about.

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 But bottom line, we shouldn't worry about anything.

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 And this is one of those things that I find difficult in my own life.

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 And most individuals probably find difficult to go through life

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 and simply not worry about anything.

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 Now, there's plenty of things to worry about.

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 But as we become parents,

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 doesn't that add to our list of things to worry about?

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 And as we become grandparents, which I did this year in February,

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 I now have an eight-month-old grandson, had three daughters, love them all.

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 But now I've got a grandson.

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 It's not that I worry more about him than I worried about my children,

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 but it adds to the things that we worry about, doesn't it?

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 You know, we have so many things that we can worry about.

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 And Charles Mayo of the Mayo Clinic said this,

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 worry affects the circulation, the heart, the glands, the whole nervous system,

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 and profoundly affects our health.

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 Basically, we bring about our own detriment of our own health and our well-being by worrying.

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 And, you know, the fact is a lot of things we worry about never happen anyway.

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 They just, we worry about, I think 90% of the things we worry about never occur or never happen.

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 But there's no wonder Jesus tells us not to worry,

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 and the Bible instructs us not to worry,

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 because it really is a detriment to our well-being and our health.

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 So how do we walk through life?

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 How do we go through the journey of our Christian walk with the Lord

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 and stay true and faithful to the Word of God?

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 How do we allow the peace of God to rule and reign in our hearts and our minds?

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 Well, good news.

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 Philippians gives us the answer to that,

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 and that's why I want us to look today at Philippians chapter 4,

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 and I want us to look at verses 4 through 9.

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 It says,

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 Rejoice in the Lord always.

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 I will say it again.

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 Rejoice.

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 Let your gentleness be evident to all.

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 The Lord is near.

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 Do not be anxious about anything,

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 but in everything,

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 by prayer and petition,

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 with thanksgiving,

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 present your requests to God.

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 And the peace of God,

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 which transcends all understanding,

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 will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

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 Finally, brothers,

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 whatever is true,

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 whatever is noble,

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 whatever is right,

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 whatever is pure,

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 whatever is lovely,

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 whatever is admirable,

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 if anything is excellent or praiseworthy,

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 think about such things.

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 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me

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 or seen in me,

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 put into practice,

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 and the God of peace will be with you.

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 Let's go to the Lord in prayer.

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 Father,

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 Father,

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 Father,

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 we come to you today.

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 We open your word,

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 and we read these words that you have given to us.

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 And I pray that your Holy Spirit would speak to each of our hearts.

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 I do not know all the things that cause each of us to worry

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 or to fear

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 or to be anxious about.

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 But I pray,

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 Lord,

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 that through your word,

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 you show us

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 how we can give these things to you

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 and trust you with them

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 and that we can allow the peace of God

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 to rule

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 and to reign in our hearts.

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 And it's in your holy name,

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 I pray.

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 Amen.

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 You know,

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 how do we maintain the peace of God within us

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 and not allow the circumstances of life to overwhelm us

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 or cause us to go through life worrisome

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 or to be overwhelmed with things?

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 Well,

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 the first thing Paul says here

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 is to rejoice in the Lord.

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 And this is one of those things

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 that I rarely,

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 if ever see Paul say,

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 I'm going to say it again.

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 I want you to really get this.

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 I want you to hear it.

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 Rejoice in the Lord always.

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 I'll say it again.

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 Rejoice.

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 Why does he say it that way?

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 Why does he say,

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 I'll say it again?

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 Because of how important it is.

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 But let me ask you,

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 what do we have to rejoice in?

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 As believers in Christ,

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 what do we have to rejoice in?

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 And how does it impact our demeanor

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 or our outlook upon life?

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 Well,

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 let's think about it for a moment.

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 As believers or children of God,

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 we have been set free from the penalty of sin

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 and we have been set free from the punishment of sin.

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 And we have a relationship with Jesus Christ

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 who promises,

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 I will never leave you nor forsake you.

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 And then when we start really thinking about who we are in Christ,

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 it doesn't matter what else is going on around us.

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 It's who we are in Christ

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 and who Christ is that causes us to rejoice.

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 Years ago,

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 I had a gentleman,

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 he had a,

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 it was kind of like a calendar thing that he made,

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 but it had different,

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 the different names of God

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 and what they meant.

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 And I thought,

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 I started using those in my daily prayer life

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 of thinking each day or each week,

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 one of those aspects of God

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 and who he is.

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 You know,

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 sometimes we get focused upon

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 what has God done for me lately,

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 but rather we should really start thinking about

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 who God is.

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 And when we really focus on who God is

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 and that we have a relationship with him,

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 that we're a child of God,

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 that causes us to rejoice

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 no matter what else is going on around us

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 because nothing can take away

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 your relationship with Jesus Christ.

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 Nothing can take away

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 that you're a child of God,

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 you've been set free from the penalty of sin,

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 you've been set free from the punishment of sin,

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 and he promises that he will always be with us

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 and never leave us nor forsake us.

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 Is that something to get excited about?

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 Amen?

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 Is that something to rejoice about?

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 Now when we think about that

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 and we rejoice,

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 how does that change your outlook on life?

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 How does that change the circumstances around you

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 and how you see them?

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 When we stay focused on who God is

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 and what he has done for us

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 and who we are in Christ

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 and we can rejoice,

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 it makes all those other trivial things in our life

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 slide to the background

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 and it gives us an uplifted, encouraging spirit

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 and it also helps the peace of God

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 rule and reign in our hearts.

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 When we start thinking about all the things

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 that are going on in the world,

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 we think about all the political things

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 and the division in our nation

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 and it can worry us to death.

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 But when we take our eyes off of that

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 and we spend time,

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 rejoice in the Lord always.

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 Rejoice!

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 And stay focused on who God is,

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 what he has done for us,

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 and who we are in Christ.

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 It changes the whole perspective on life.

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 And we can stop worrying

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 about the things that are going on in life

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 and think about how God is a sovereign God

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 and he is in control.

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 Now, a few years ago,

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 Jim and I were in Peru

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 and normally we stay in what's the IMB guest house.

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 Many of you have stayed there.

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 But that year the guest house was full

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 and so we weren't going to be able to stay there.

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 But they had an apartment,

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 the International Mission Board had an apartment

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 where some of the missionaries had gone home

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 and they told us we could stay there

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 which was actually much nicer than the guest house

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 and we enjoyed it.

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 But while I was there,

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 I noticed in the hallway

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 there was a bulletin board.

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 And I don't know if the parents,

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 homeschooling their kids,

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 because they were full,

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 whoever was there was full-time missionaries

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 and whether they gave them the assignment

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 to write out who you are in Christ

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 and all the things Scripture tells us

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 about who we are and how we relate to Christ.

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 And I was really impressed.

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 It was handwritten.

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 So I wasn't going to sit there and recopy it,

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 you know, modern day thinking.

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 I just took a picture of it with my cell phone.

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 But then I came back and I typed it up.

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 And it may not be something you can see,

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 but it took three PowerPoint slides

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 and a full page of all the Scriptures

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 that tells us I'm accepted in Christ,

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 I'm secured in Christ,

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 and I'm significant in Christ.

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 I've got sheets up at the front on both sides

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 that I would encourage you to consider picking up

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 and looking at these.

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 And even maybe take one a day

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 and read it, meditate on it,

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 include it in your prayer life,

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 thank God for it,

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 and really focus on who we are in Christ.

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 Because when we focus on that,

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 that causes us to stand before God

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 and rejoice and worship Him and celebrate Him

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 and helps us to understand how valuable we are

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 because God said we're valuable.

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 Now those of you who still have children at home

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 or you have grandchildren,

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 I would especially encourage you to pick this up

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 and pass it on to them

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 because I've noticed as I've raised my children

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 that the world tries to tear them down.

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 It tries to belittle them and put them down

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 and, you know, just squash any self-confidence

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 or any self-image that they have.

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 And with my girls,

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 I try to encourage them to know who they are in Christ,

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 not who some other kid says they are

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 or what the world tries to do in them,

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 but their value comes in who God says they are

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 and the value that God has placed upon them.

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 But that's true for us adults too.

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 You know, we need to have a self-image of ourselves

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 in who God says we are

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 and the value and the worth that He has placed upon us.

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 So I encourage you to pick those up,

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 copy that before you leave.

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 Now, after Paul tells us to rejoice in the Lord always,

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 he then goes on to give us a two-step process

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 of not allowing worry to overwhelm us

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 or to allow the peace of God to rule and reign in our heart.

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 But before I give you those two steps,

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 I want to mention,

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 Paul is writing to Christians.

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 He's assuming that his individuals that are reading this

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 are born-again believers in Christ.

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 Because if you do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ,

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 you're not going to find that peace in your heart and your mind.

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 No matter where you look,

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 you may find glimpses or you may have moments of contentment.

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 But overall, throughout your life,

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 you're not going to have that peace that goes beyond understanding.

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 And one of the things that really worries me today

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 is I get out and I meet individuals,

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 you know, even church-going people.

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 I realize that there's a belief system

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 that has somehow invaded our society

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 that if people are a good person,

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 if they attend church even casually,

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 or maybe their names are on the row,

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 or sometimes they've even been baptized,

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 they believe that they are a child of God.

00:13:25.100 --> 00:13:28.120
 But that's not the teaching of the Word of God, is it?

00:13:28.879 --> 00:13:30.339
 You know, the Word of God teaches

00:13:30.339 --> 00:13:32.819
 that we've surrendered our lives to Him

00:13:32.819 --> 00:13:37.719
 and we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

00:13:37.860 --> 00:13:39.299
 Just because we attend church

00:13:39.299 --> 00:13:41.919
 or just because we're a good person

00:13:41.919 --> 00:13:45.899
 doesn't mean we're a born-again believer in Christ.

00:13:45.899 --> 00:13:50.039
 And so today, if you do not have a personal relationship

00:13:50.039 --> 00:13:51.139
 with Jesus Christ,

00:13:51.799 --> 00:13:54.319
 I would encourage you to think about that

00:13:54.319 --> 00:13:56.039
 and speak to me either after the service

00:13:56.039 --> 00:13:58.959
 or sometime come back and speak to Pastor Fred

00:13:58.959 --> 00:14:01.059
 when he's back from vacation

00:14:01.059 --> 00:14:04.819
 or to someone, a spiritual leader that you know

00:14:04.819 --> 00:14:06.899
 that could speak to you about that.

00:14:06.959 --> 00:14:09.059
 Because I really do think

00:14:09.059 --> 00:14:11.600
 that there are a lot of people in society today

00:14:11.600 --> 00:14:14.840
 that really are going to be shocked

00:14:14.840 --> 00:14:16.060
 when they enter into eternity

00:14:16.060 --> 00:14:18.360
 because they think they were a good person

00:14:18.360 --> 00:14:20.519
 and they did good deeds.

00:14:21.100 --> 00:14:23.159
 And they maybe even attended church some,

00:14:23.480 --> 00:14:26.019
 but they did not have a personal relationship

00:14:26.019 --> 00:14:27.340
 with Jesus Christ.

00:14:27.980 --> 00:14:30.659
 And it's going to be too late for them

00:14:30.659 --> 00:14:31.680
 when they find that out.

00:14:31.800 --> 00:14:33.159
 And so I would encourage you

00:14:33.159 --> 00:14:35.379
 to really contemplate in your own heart,

00:14:35.460 --> 00:14:36.259
 in your own life,

00:14:37.019 --> 00:14:39.420
 what are you trusting in for your salvation?

00:14:39.419 --> 00:14:42.179
 Is it a relationship with Jesus Christ

00:14:42.179 --> 00:14:44.779
 or the fact that you just come and come to church?

00:14:45.979 --> 00:14:48.819
 But Paul is writing the Philippians.

00:14:49.639 --> 00:14:52.679
 And the Philippians had every reason

00:14:52.679 --> 00:14:55.139
 to be discouraged, to be anxious,

00:14:55.699 --> 00:14:56.819
 or to be worrisome.

00:14:57.279 --> 00:14:59.899
 You know, they were suffering severe persecution

00:14:59.899 --> 00:15:03.120
 because of their faith in Christ.

00:15:03.620 --> 00:15:06.659
 They were facing disunity and disturbances

00:15:06.659 --> 00:15:08.159
 within the church.

00:15:08.159 --> 00:15:11.579
 They had false leaders who had followed up Paul

00:15:11.579 --> 00:15:12.740
 and come into the church

00:15:12.740 --> 00:15:16.179
 and was trying to tear down the gospel message.

00:15:16.779 --> 00:15:17.860
 And some were struggling

00:15:17.860 --> 00:15:20.620
 with the very necessities of life.

00:15:21.299 --> 00:15:23.439
 You know, they were facing and struggling

00:15:23.439 --> 00:15:24.779
 with about everything

00:15:24.779 --> 00:15:27.079
 that we possibly could imagine

00:15:27.079 --> 00:15:28.459
 that they were up against.

00:15:28.819 --> 00:15:30.539
 But Paul wanted them to know

00:15:30.539 --> 00:15:33.319
 that despite those circumstances

00:15:33.319 --> 00:15:35.199
 and despite those difficulties

00:15:35.200 --> 00:15:36.340
 and hardships,

00:15:36.340 --> 00:15:38.540
 that they could have the peace of God

00:15:38.540 --> 00:15:39.720
 in their hearts

00:15:39.720 --> 00:15:41.020
 and in their minds.

00:15:41.160 --> 00:15:44.259
 That no matter what's going on around us,

00:15:45.540 --> 00:15:48.340
 when we have that relationship with Christ,

00:15:49.340 --> 00:15:51.560
 we can have peace of heart

00:15:51.560 --> 00:15:52.879
 and peace of mind

00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:55.040
 and we can sleep well at night

00:15:55.040 --> 00:15:56.800
 and we can go through our days

00:15:56.800 --> 00:15:57.820
 without worrying.

00:15:57.820 --> 00:15:59.320
 And let me share with you

00:15:59.320 --> 00:16:00.500
 this two-step process

00:16:00.500 --> 00:16:01.820
 that Paul gives us here.

00:16:02.560 --> 00:16:04.120
 The first, he says,

00:16:04.180 --> 00:16:05.879
 is to tell God what you need.

00:16:06.379 --> 00:16:08.060
 Go to God in prayer

00:16:08.060 --> 00:16:10.780
 and tell God what you need.

00:16:10.900 --> 00:16:13.080
 Now, another trend that I've seen

00:16:13.080 --> 00:16:16.480
 in a lot of individuals' prayer lives today

00:16:16.480 --> 00:16:19.020
 is that we treat God like Santa Claus.

00:16:19.019 --> 00:16:21.059
 And we go to God and say,

00:16:21.360 --> 00:16:21.939
 give me this,

00:16:22.059 --> 00:16:22.819
 do this for me,

00:16:22.899 --> 00:16:23.500
 give me that.

00:16:23.779 --> 00:16:25.279
 And it's a lot of want

00:16:25.279 --> 00:16:27.819
 more than needs.

00:16:28.019 --> 00:16:29.259
 And that's not what Paul

00:16:29.259 --> 00:16:30.779
 is really talking about here.

00:16:31.059 --> 00:16:32.159
 He's talking about

00:16:32.159 --> 00:16:33.960
 present to God your needs.

00:16:34.059 --> 00:16:35.019
 Not only physical,

00:16:35.500 --> 00:16:36.460
 but spiritual

00:16:36.460 --> 00:16:37.980
 and other needs

00:16:37.980 --> 00:16:38.919
 that you may have

00:16:38.919 --> 00:16:40.439
 in your life.

00:16:40.860 --> 00:16:41.899
 But go to God

00:16:41.899 --> 00:16:43.120
 and share those things

00:16:43.120 --> 00:16:44.600
 that you need

00:16:44.600 --> 00:16:45.819
 in your life.

00:16:45.899 --> 00:16:46.639
 There may be things

00:16:46.639 --> 00:16:47.699
 that you're struggling with

00:16:47.700 --> 00:16:49.000
 mentally or emotionally.

00:16:49.240 --> 00:16:50.480
 There may be physical things

00:16:50.480 --> 00:16:51.600
 that you have need.

00:16:51.700 --> 00:16:52.960
 But learn to take those

00:16:52.960 --> 00:16:54.060
 to God

00:16:54.060 --> 00:16:57.420
 and present them to you.

00:16:57.720 --> 00:16:58.940
 Now, have you ever noticed

00:16:58.940 --> 00:17:00.040
 that you've done that?

00:17:00.480 --> 00:17:01.520
 You've taken the time

00:17:01.520 --> 00:17:02.460
 and you've gone to God

00:17:02.460 --> 00:17:02.920
 and you share

00:17:02.920 --> 00:17:04.140
 and then you start worrying

00:17:04.140 --> 00:17:05.140
 even more

00:17:05.140 --> 00:17:07.720
 than what you were beforehand.

00:17:08.200 --> 00:17:09.180
 And you wonder,

00:17:09.400 --> 00:17:10.400
 why did I even pray

00:17:10.400 --> 00:17:11.259
 to begin with?

00:17:11.299 --> 00:17:12.100
 Because all it did

00:17:12.100 --> 00:17:13.799
 is make me think more

00:17:13.799 --> 00:17:15.259
 about my problems

00:17:15.259 --> 00:17:15.940
 than before.

00:17:15.940 --> 00:17:17.820
 I found myself doing that.

00:17:18.320 --> 00:17:19.460
 And it's made me wonder,

00:17:19.799 --> 00:17:20.299
 should I have even

00:17:20.299 --> 00:17:21.920
 spent the time in prayer?

00:17:22.299 --> 00:17:23.480
 But then I realized

00:17:23.480 --> 00:17:24.440
 what I was doing.

00:17:24.860 --> 00:17:27.220
 I was not going to God

00:17:27.220 --> 00:17:29.480
 and giving those concerns to Him.

00:17:29.559 --> 00:17:30.580
 I was just telling Him

00:17:30.580 --> 00:17:31.059
 about them.

00:17:31.580 --> 00:17:32.440
 And then I was trying

00:17:32.440 --> 00:17:33.539
 to hold on to them

00:17:33.539 --> 00:17:34.820
 and keep them for myself

00:17:34.820 --> 00:17:36.320
 and then try to handle them.

00:17:36.380 --> 00:17:38.320
 And I just worry even more

00:17:38.320 --> 00:17:39.440
 because it becomes

00:17:39.440 --> 00:17:40.259
 more apparent

00:17:40.259 --> 00:17:41.580
 that I can't handle

00:17:41.580 --> 00:17:42.980
 these things on my own.

00:17:42.980 --> 00:17:44.740
 but I'm trying my best

00:17:44.740 --> 00:17:46.140
 and it just makes me worry.

00:17:46.839 --> 00:17:48.860
 But when we really go to God

00:17:48.860 --> 00:17:51.000
 and we give these things to Him,

00:17:51.059 --> 00:17:52.799
 it's like 1 Peter 5, 7.

00:17:53.339 --> 00:17:54.140
 Peter tells us

00:17:54.140 --> 00:17:56.059
 to cast all your burdens

00:17:56.059 --> 00:17:57.200
 upon the Lord

00:17:57.200 --> 00:17:59.400
 because He cares for you.

00:17:59.640 --> 00:18:00.480
 Now what do we do

00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:02.140
 when we cast something?

00:18:04.259 --> 00:18:05.759
 You do it like you've got those,

00:18:05.880 --> 00:18:06.500
 you've seen people

00:18:06.500 --> 00:18:07.559
 have something on a string

00:18:07.559 --> 00:18:08.819
 and they throw it out

00:18:08.819 --> 00:18:10.079
 but then it comes right back.

00:18:10.079 --> 00:18:12.079
 Or when you cast something,

00:18:12.199 --> 00:18:14.799
 do you turn loose of it?

00:18:16.799 --> 00:18:17.319
 It says,

00:18:17.879 --> 00:18:19.059
 cast all your burdens

00:18:19.059 --> 00:18:20.399
 upon the Lord

00:18:20.399 --> 00:18:22.480
 for He cares for you.

00:18:22.839 --> 00:18:24.019
 So the principle

00:18:24.019 --> 00:18:24.759
 or the truth

00:18:24.759 --> 00:18:26.379
 in Philippians here

00:18:26.379 --> 00:18:27.859
 is when we go to God

00:18:27.859 --> 00:18:29.639
 and we give Him

00:18:29.639 --> 00:18:31.319
 our worries

00:18:31.319 --> 00:18:32.720
 and our concerns

00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:33.839
 and our burdens,

00:18:34.439 --> 00:18:37.000
 we turn loose of them

00:18:37.000 --> 00:18:39.740
 and we give them to Him

00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:40.779
 and then here's

00:18:40.779 --> 00:18:41.640
 the real key.

00:18:43.420 --> 00:18:44.559
 This is the key.

00:18:45.599 --> 00:18:47.839
 We trust God.

00:18:49.319 --> 00:18:51.099
 We trust God

00:18:51.099 --> 00:18:52.980
 to take care of those things

00:18:52.980 --> 00:18:54.579
 in His way

00:18:54.579 --> 00:18:56.880
 even when it may not be our way,

00:18:57.640 --> 00:18:59.000
 even when we don't like

00:18:59.000 --> 00:19:00.279
 the way He does it.

00:19:00.859 --> 00:19:02.380
 It may bring pain

00:19:02.380 --> 00:19:03.400
 into our lives.

00:19:03.400 --> 00:19:05.460
 It may bring discomfort

00:19:05.460 --> 00:19:06.900
 into our lives.

00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:07.680
 It may bring

00:19:07.680 --> 00:19:09.620
 even more struggles

00:19:09.620 --> 00:19:10.620
 in our lives.

00:19:11.040 --> 00:19:12.500
 But we know God

00:19:12.500 --> 00:19:14.440
 is a God of love

00:19:14.440 --> 00:19:16.019
 who cares for His children.

00:19:17.100 --> 00:19:18.380
 He cares for us.

00:19:18.800 --> 00:19:21.240
 He has a perfect plan

00:19:21.240 --> 00:19:23.060
 and will for our lives

00:19:23.060 --> 00:19:24.860
 and He is sovereign

00:19:24.860 --> 00:19:27.040
 and He can handle

00:19:27.040 --> 00:19:28.100
 and take care

00:19:28.100 --> 00:19:29.160
 of the things

00:19:29.160 --> 00:19:29.980
 that go on

00:19:29.980 --> 00:19:30.980
 in our lives.

00:19:30.980 --> 00:19:33.079
 And so the real key

00:19:33.079 --> 00:19:35.420
 is do we trust God?

00:19:37.620 --> 00:19:39.759
 Do we really trust Him

00:19:39.759 --> 00:19:41.299
 with our lives

00:19:41.299 --> 00:19:42.779
 and our circumstances

00:19:42.779 --> 00:19:44.960
 even when it's not

00:19:44.960 --> 00:19:47.220
 the same will or plan

00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:48.720
 as what we want?

00:19:49.519 --> 00:19:49.860
 You see,

00:19:49.940 --> 00:19:51.019
 sometimes we pray

00:19:51.019 --> 00:19:52.079
 and we're like,

00:19:52.339 --> 00:19:53.000
 I don't even know

00:19:53.000 --> 00:19:54.220
 if I want to ask God this

00:19:54.220 --> 00:19:55.799
 because I want it my way

00:19:55.799 --> 00:19:57.680
 and I don't think God

00:19:57.680 --> 00:19:58.380
 will want it the way

00:19:58.380 --> 00:19:59.120
 I want it

00:19:59.119 --> 00:20:01.019
 and I want it my way.

00:20:02.019 --> 00:20:03.479
 But we've got to learn

00:20:03.479 --> 00:20:05.879
 to trust God

00:20:05.879 --> 00:20:07.219
 and His will

00:20:07.219 --> 00:20:09.019
 for our lives.

00:20:10.019 --> 00:20:11.479
 Do you really trust Him today?

00:20:13.079 --> 00:20:14.399
 Do you really know

00:20:14.399 --> 00:20:15.500
 He cares for you?

00:20:15.839 --> 00:20:16.899
 He loves you?

00:20:18.639 --> 00:20:19.919
 He can handle

00:20:19.919 --> 00:20:20.799
 your problems.

00:20:20.799 --> 00:20:22.519
 He can handle

00:20:22.519 --> 00:20:23.299
 your worries

00:20:23.299 --> 00:20:23.799
 and your concerns.

00:20:24.919 --> 00:20:25.659
 He can handle

00:20:25.659 --> 00:20:26.259
 the things

00:20:26.259 --> 00:20:27.399
 that are going on

00:20:27.399 --> 00:20:28.979
 on the world scene.

00:20:29.119 --> 00:20:31.819
 He can handle

00:20:31.819 --> 00:20:32.779
 global warming

00:20:32.779 --> 00:20:34.799
 or the political division

00:20:34.799 --> 00:20:36.259
 in our land.

00:20:37.079 --> 00:20:38.619
 Can we give those

00:20:38.619 --> 00:20:39.199
 to Him,

00:20:40.779 --> 00:20:42.099
 turn loose of them

00:20:42.099 --> 00:20:44.979
 and trust Him?

00:20:45.979 --> 00:20:47.599
 Because when we do,

00:20:49.299 --> 00:20:50.059
 guess what?

00:20:50.059 --> 00:20:53.619
 What does the Word of God say?

00:20:54.579 --> 00:20:56.019
 Not what Jeff says.

00:20:56.019 --> 00:20:58.460
 This isn't a feel-good

00:20:58.460 --> 00:20:59.940
 motivational speech today.

00:21:00.940 --> 00:21:03.960
 What does God's Word tell us?

00:21:05.160 --> 00:21:06.440
 The peace of God

00:21:06.440 --> 00:21:08.400
 which is beyond

00:21:08.400 --> 00:21:10.240
 human understanding

00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:13.240
 will rule and reign

00:21:13.240 --> 00:21:14.440
 in our hearts

00:21:14.440 --> 00:21:15.259
 and our minds.

00:21:15.359 --> 00:21:15.940
 Now imagine,

00:21:16.359 --> 00:21:17.359
 have you met people

00:21:17.359 --> 00:21:18.440
 that go through life

00:21:18.440 --> 00:21:19.480
 and you could just

00:21:19.480 --> 00:21:20.259
 look at them

00:21:20.259 --> 00:21:20.920
 and tell

00:21:20.920 --> 00:21:22.339
 they don't have a worry

00:21:22.339 --> 00:21:23.200
 in the world.

00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:24.539
 They're confident,

00:21:25.539 --> 00:21:26.860
 they're just optimistic,

00:21:27.240 --> 00:21:28.319
 upbeat, positive.

00:21:29.039 --> 00:21:30.019
 You've met people

00:21:30.019 --> 00:21:30.640
 like that

00:21:30.640 --> 00:21:32.380
 and you wonder,

00:21:33.059 --> 00:21:34.819
 what do they not know

00:21:34.819 --> 00:21:35.880
 that I know?

00:21:36.440 --> 00:21:37.460
 Or what makes them

00:21:37.460 --> 00:21:38.539
 so confident?

00:21:39.019 --> 00:21:39.740
 What makes them

00:21:39.740 --> 00:21:41.340
 have so much peace?

00:21:42.620 --> 00:21:43.740
 They don't know

00:21:43.740 --> 00:21:44.620
 what's going on

00:21:44.620 --> 00:21:45.460
 with the United States

00:21:45.460 --> 00:21:45.920
 and Russia.

00:21:46.259 --> 00:21:46.880
 They don't know

00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:47.559
 what's going on

00:21:47.559 --> 00:21:48.059
 with China.

00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:48.420
 I mean,

00:21:48.460 --> 00:21:49.100
 did they not know

00:21:49.100 --> 00:21:49.559
 what's going on

00:21:49.559 --> 00:21:50.299
 with global warming?

00:21:50.299 --> 00:21:50.619
 I mean,

00:21:50.720 --> 00:21:52.039
 we could run around

00:21:52.039 --> 00:21:53.019
 and be frantic

00:21:53.019 --> 00:21:53.899
 about the things

00:21:53.899 --> 00:21:54.659
 that are going on

00:21:54.659 --> 00:21:55.319
 in our world

00:21:55.319 --> 00:21:57.059
 but when people see

00:21:57.059 --> 00:21:58.619
 you have peace

00:21:58.619 --> 00:22:00.919
 in your heart

00:22:00.919 --> 00:22:01.899
 and in your mind,

00:22:02.180 --> 00:22:03.139
 a peace that is

00:22:03.139 --> 00:22:05.279
 beyond human reason,

00:22:06.720 --> 00:22:08.740
 they're going to want

00:22:08.740 --> 00:22:09.159
 to know

00:22:09.159 --> 00:22:11.200
 how you have that peace.

00:22:11.299 --> 00:22:12.000
 This week I had

00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:12.859
 a lady call me.

00:22:13.720 --> 00:22:14.480
 She's not a member

00:22:14.480 --> 00:22:15.159
 of this church,

00:22:15.240 --> 00:22:16.200
 doesn't attend here

00:22:16.200 --> 00:22:17.619
 but I've met her

00:22:17.619 --> 00:22:18.319
 through a community

00:22:18.319 --> 00:22:19.059
 Bible study

00:22:19.059 --> 00:22:21.119
 she just wanted

00:22:21.119 --> 00:22:21.960
 me to pray for her

00:22:21.960 --> 00:22:22.659
 because she was

00:22:22.659 --> 00:22:23.319
 just diagnosed

00:22:23.319 --> 00:22:24.299
 with stomach cancer.

00:22:25.159 --> 00:22:25.919
 She said it's

00:22:25.919 --> 00:22:26.859
 stomach cancer

00:22:26.859 --> 00:22:27.740
 that has no cure

00:22:27.740 --> 00:22:28.259
 for it.

00:22:28.919 --> 00:22:29.500
 But she wanted

00:22:29.500 --> 00:22:30.299
 me to pray for her

00:22:30.299 --> 00:22:31.099
 but bottom line

00:22:31.099 --> 00:22:31.779
 she wanted

00:22:31.779 --> 00:22:33.839
 her cancer

00:22:33.839 --> 00:22:34.960
 and her life

00:22:34.960 --> 00:22:35.899
 to bring glory

00:22:35.899 --> 00:22:36.839
 to the Lord.

00:22:37.000 --> 00:22:37.460
 She wanted

00:22:37.460 --> 00:22:38.519
 this experience

00:22:38.519 --> 00:22:39.740
 to be a witness

00:22:39.740 --> 00:22:41.480
 to God

00:22:41.480 --> 00:22:42.099
 and she was

00:22:42.099 --> 00:22:43.519
 trusting

00:22:43.519 --> 00:22:44.740
 the Lord

00:22:44.740 --> 00:22:46.480
 in this situation

00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:47.419
 no matter

00:22:47.420 --> 00:22:48.519
 what else

00:22:48.519 --> 00:22:49.340
 happened.

00:22:50.440 --> 00:22:50.600
 You know

00:22:50.600 --> 00:22:51.519
 when we trust

00:22:51.519 --> 00:22:52.019
 God

00:22:52.019 --> 00:22:53.600
 when we really

00:22:53.600 --> 00:22:54.440
 really grow

00:22:54.440 --> 00:22:55.340
 to trust

00:22:55.340 --> 00:22:55.960
 God

00:22:55.960 --> 00:22:57.220
 and I'm not

00:22:57.220 --> 00:22:58.240
 saying by the way

00:22:58.240 --> 00:22:59.519
 that I'm there yet.

00:23:00.160 --> 00:23:01.420
 I'm not saying

00:23:01.420 --> 00:23:02.259
 I never worry

00:23:02.259 --> 00:23:03.700
 I'm still growing

00:23:03.700 --> 00:23:05.140
 like the rest

00:23:05.140 --> 00:23:05.640
 of us

00:23:05.640 --> 00:23:07.420
 but when we

00:23:07.420 --> 00:23:08.220
 get to that point

00:23:08.220 --> 00:23:09.220
 where we're growing

00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:10.320
 and we learn

00:23:10.320 --> 00:23:11.400
 to trust God

00:23:11.400 --> 00:23:11.960
 more

00:23:11.960 --> 00:23:13.080
 and more

00:23:13.080 --> 00:23:14.180
 and more

00:23:14.180 --> 00:23:15.039
 that even

00:23:15.039 --> 00:23:15.680
 in times

00:23:15.680 --> 00:23:16.380
 when our world

00:23:16.380 --> 00:23:16.960
 is crumbling

00:23:16.960 --> 00:23:17.860
 around us

00:23:17.860 --> 00:23:19.160
 even in those

00:23:19.160 --> 00:23:19.580
 moments

00:23:19.580 --> 00:23:20.299
 when the doctor

00:23:20.299 --> 00:23:20.840
 has given us

00:23:20.840 --> 00:23:21.640
 bad news

00:23:21.640 --> 00:23:22.740
 or we've

00:23:22.740 --> 00:23:23.820
 been laid off

00:23:23.820 --> 00:23:24.740
 from our job

00:23:24.740 --> 00:23:27.400
 or marriage

00:23:27.400 --> 00:23:28.220
 is not going

00:23:28.220 --> 00:23:28.640
 well

00:23:28.640 --> 00:23:31.720
 we can trust

00:23:31.720 --> 00:23:32.279
 that God

00:23:32.279 --> 00:23:33.000
 has a will

00:23:33.000 --> 00:23:33.740
 and a plan

00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:34.740
 for our lives

00:23:34.740 --> 00:23:35.980
 and we can trust

00:23:35.980 --> 00:23:36.860
 that He's working

00:23:36.860 --> 00:23:38.400
 to bring about

00:23:38.400 --> 00:23:39.320
 His will.

00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:40.320
 He may be

00:23:40.320 --> 00:23:40.820
 molding

00:23:40.820 --> 00:23:41.980
 and shaping us

00:23:41.980 --> 00:23:43.539
 for future service.

00:23:43.539 --> 00:23:44.619
 He may be

00:23:44.619 --> 00:23:45.879
 removing things

00:23:45.879 --> 00:23:47.159
 out of our lives

00:23:47.159 --> 00:23:48.299
 that we need

00:23:48.299 --> 00:23:48.759
 removed

00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:49.299
 so that we

00:23:49.299 --> 00:23:50.039
 look more

00:23:50.039 --> 00:23:50.980
 like Christ

00:23:50.980 --> 00:23:52.500
 and He's

00:23:52.500 --> 00:23:53.339
 preparing us

00:23:53.339 --> 00:23:54.339
 for the things

00:23:54.339 --> 00:23:54.980
 that He has

00:23:54.980 --> 00:23:56.220
 in our lives

00:23:56.220 --> 00:23:57.500
 but when we

00:23:57.500 --> 00:23:58.379
 trust Him

00:23:58.379 --> 00:23:59.039
 then that's

00:23:59.039 --> 00:23:59.799
 when the peace

00:23:59.799 --> 00:24:00.460
 of God

00:24:00.460 --> 00:24:01.480
 will rule

00:24:01.480 --> 00:24:02.079
 and reign

00:24:02.079 --> 00:24:02.579
 in our hearts

00:24:02.579 --> 00:24:03.180
 and then the next

00:24:03.180 --> 00:24:04.000
 thing He says

00:24:04.000 --> 00:24:05.619
 is to thank Him

00:24:05.619 --> 00:24:07.480
 He says

00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:09.519
 with thanksgiving

00:24:09.519 --> 00:24:10.359
 you know

00:24:10.359 --> 00:24:11.099
 when we lift

00:24:11.099 --> 00:24:11.639
 our burdens

00:24:11.639 --> 00:24:12.500
 or cast our

00:24:12.500 --> 00:24:12.859
 burdens

00:24:12.859 --> 00:24:14.299
 upon Christ

00:24:14.299 --> 00:24:15.359
 and we give

00:24:15.359 --> 00:24:15.939
 it to Him

00:24:15.939 --> 00:24:16.599
 then we can

00:24:16.599 --> 00:24:17.439
 thank Him

00:24:17.439 --> 00:24:18.559
 for it

00:24:18.559 --> 00:24:19.740
 because we know

00:24:19.740 --> 00:24:20.359
 that He's going

00:24:20.359 --> 00:24:20.979
 to be working

00:24:20.979 --> 00:24:21.740
 to bring about

00:24:21.740 --> 00:24:22.359
 His will

00:24:22.359 --> 00:24:23.899
 and James 1.6

00:24:23.899 --> 00:24:24.479
 tells us

00:24:24.479 --> 00:24:25.399
 that if we pray

00:24:25.399 --> 00:24:26.719
 but doubt

00:24:26.719 --> 00:24:27.439
 then we shouldn't

00:24:27.439 --> 00:24:28.359
 expect anything

00:24:28.359 --> 00:24:29.219
 from the Lord

00:24:29.219 --> 00:24:30.319
 and so when we

00:24:30.319 --> 00:24:31.000
 give it to the Lord

00:24:31.000 --> 00:24:31.519
 and we really

00:24:31.519 --> 00:24:32.099
 have a thankful

00:24:32.099 --> 00:24:32.559
 spirit

00:24:32.559 --> 00:24:33.519
 we're showing

00:24:33.519 --> 00:24:33.939
 evidence

00:24:33.939 --> 00:24:34.359
 that we're

00:24:34.359 --> 00:24:35.199
 trusting God

00:24:35.199 --> 00:24:36.000
 that He's going

00:24:36.000 --> 00:24:37.039
 to answer

00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:37.919
 our prayers

00:24:37.919 --> 00:24:39.219
 in a manner

00:24:39.219 --> 00:24:40.719
 that He wills

00:24:40.719 --> 00:24:41.699
 not necessarily

00:24:41.699 --> 00:24:42.439
 ours

00:24:42.440 --> 00:24:43.539
 so when we

00:24:43.539 --> 00:24:44.000
 pray

00:24:44.000 --> 00:24:45.240
 you know

00:24:45.240 --> 00:24:45.920
 we need to

00:24:45.920 --> 00:24:46.640
 follow that up

00:24:46.640 --> 00:24:47.140
 with thanking

00:24:47.140 --> 00:24:48.140
 God in advance

00:24:48.140 --> 00:24:49.380
 thank you Lord

00:24:49.380 --> 00:24:50.220
 in advance

00:24:50.220 --> 00:24:51.220
 for I know

00:24:51.220 --> 00:24:51.960
 that you're going

00:24:51.960 --> 00:24:53.059
 to hear me

00:24:53.059 --> 00:24:55.000
 and you're going

00:24:55.000 --> 00:24:55.880
 to respond

00:24:55.880 --> 00:24:56.480
 years ago

00:24:56.480 --> 00:24:57.940
 I was struggling

00:24:57.940 --> 00:24:59.920
 because I knew

00:24:59.920 --> 00:25:01.100
 someone with cancer

00:25:01.100 --> 00:25:02.900
 and I had never

00:25:02.900 --> 00:25:03.860
 seen God heal

00:25:03.860 --> 00:25:04.960
 anyone miraculously

00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:05.700
 with cancer

00:25:05.700 --> 00:25:06.160
 before

00:25:06.160 --> 00:25:07.160
 you know

00:25:07.160 --> 00:25:08.100
 terminal cancer

00:25:08.099 --> 00:25:09.679
 and so I

00:25:09.679 --> 00:25:10.399
 asked a gentleman

00:25:10.399 --> 00:25:12.199
 how do I

00:25:12.199 --> 00:25:13.179
 really pray

00:25:13.179 --> 00:25:14.299
 and trust

00:25:14.299 --> 00:25:15.719
 that God

00:25:15.719 --> 00:25:16.619
 is going

00:25:16.619 --> 00:25:17.419
 to answer

00:25:17.419 --> 00:25:17.980
 you know

00:25:17.980 --> 00:25:18.299
 I wanted

00:25:18.299 --> 00:25:19.219
 to have faith

00:25:19.219 --> 00:25:20.379
 but I wanted

00:25:20.379 --> 00:25:20.799
 to believe

00:25:20.799 --> 00:25:21.279
 that God

00:25:21.279 --> 00:25:21.939
 would answer

00:25:21.939 --> 00:25:22.500
 in the manner

00:25:22.500 --> 00:25:23.159
 in which I was

00:25:23.159 --> 00:25:23.679
 praying

00:25:23.679 --> 00:25:25.119
 and he told me

00:25:25.119 --> 00:25:25.980
 your faith

00:25:25.980 --> 00:25:26.699
 isn't in that

00:25:26.699 --> 00:25:27.559
 God will do

00:25:27.559 --> 00:25:28.639
 what you ask

00:25:28.639 --> 00:25:29.740
 your faith

00:25:29.740 --> 00:25:30.819
 is in God

00:25:30.819 --> 00:25:32.879
 your faith

00:25:32.879 --> 00:25:33.939
 is that God

00:25:33.939 --> 00:25:35.460
 is in control

00:25:35.460 --> 00:25:36.899
 and that

00:25:36.899 --> 00:25:38.200
 he is a

00:25:38.200 --> 00:25:39.159
 sovereign God

00:25:39.159 --> 00:25:39.980
 and will bring

00:25:39.980 --> 00:25:41.319
 about his purposes

00:25:41.319 --> 00:25:42.519
 and his will

00:25:42.519 --> 00:25:43.919
 and as Christians

00:25:43.919 --> 00:25:45.559
 even if we have

00:25:45.559 --> 00:25:46.619
 a terminal illness

00:25:46.619 --> 00:25:47.919
 and we're facing

00:25:47.919 --> 00:25:48.460
 death

00:25:48.460 --> 00:25:49.839
 we know we can

00:25:49.839 --> 00:25:50.859
 trust God

00:25:50.859 --> 00:25:52.359
 we can trust

00:25:52.359 --> 00:25:52.759
 him

00:25:52.759 --> 00:25:54.019
 knowing that

00:25:54.019 --> 00:25:55.399
 if our life

00:25:55.399 --> 00:25:56.279
 does end

00:25:56.279 --> 00:25:57.099
 we will spend

00:25:57.099 --> 00:25:57.799
 eternity

00:25:57.799 --> 00:25:58.859
 in heaven

00:25:58.859 --> 00:25:59.500
 with him

00:25:59.500 --> 00:26:00.339
 and our goal

00:26:00.339 --> 00:26:01.119
 is that

00:26:01.119 --> 00:26:02.399
 our life

00:26:02.399 --> 00:26:03.139
 and our death

00:26:03.139 --> 00:26:03.639
 would bring

00:26:03.639 --> 00:26:04.619
 glory and honor

00:26:04.619 --> 00:26:05.319
 to him

00:26:05.319 --> 00:26:06.480
 and that people

00:26:06.480 --> 00:26:07.459
 would see God

00:26:07.459 --> 00:26:08.179
 in us

00:26:08.179 --> 00:26:09.079
 in whatever

00:26:09.079 --> 00:26:10.059
 God allows

00:26:10.059 --> 00:26:11.679
 into our lives

00:26:11.679 --> 00:26:13.099
 now look with me

00:26:13.099 --> 00:26:14.099
 quickly at verse

00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.959
 8 and 9

00:26:14.959 --> 00:26:17.779
 finally brothers

00:26:17.779 --> 00:26:18.679
 whatever is true

00:26:18.679 --> 00:26:19.740
 whatever is noble

00:26:19.740 --> 00:26:21.159
 whatever is right

00:26:21.159 --> 00:26:22.159
 whatever is pure

00:26:22.159 --> 00:26:23.559
 whatever is lovely

00:26:23.559 --> 00:26:25.179
 whatever is admirable

00:26:25.179 --> 00:26:26.859
 if anything is excellent

00:26:26.859 --> 00:26:28.019
 or praise worthy

00:26:28.019 --> 00:26:29.939
 think about

00:26:29.940 --> 00:26:31.580
 such things

00:26:31.580 --> 00:26:32.680
 whatever you have

00:26:32.680 --> 00:26:33.660
 learned or received

00:26:33.660 --> 00:26:34.759
 or heard from me

00:26:34.759 --> 00:26:36.200
 or seen in me

00:26:36.200 --> 00:26:37.779
 put into practice

00:26:37.779 --> 00:26:39.320
 and the God

00:26:39.320 --> 00:26:40.160
 of peace

00:26:40.160 --> 00:26:41.880
 the God

00:26:41.880 --> 00:26:42.580
 of peace

00:26:42.580 --> 00:26:44.019
 will be

00:26:44.019 --> 00:26:44.940
 with you

00:26:44.940 --> 00:26:46.440
 next to trusting

00:26:46.440 --> 00:26:47.600
 God's plans

00:26:47.600 --> 00:26:48.620
 for our lives

00:26:48.620 --> 00:26:50.299
 learning to keep

00:26:50.299 --> 00:26:50.799
 our mind

00:26:50.799 --> 00:26:51.779
 focused upon

00:26:51.779 --> 00:26:52.840
 that which is holy

00:26:52.840 --> 00:26:54.759
 that which is pure

00:26:54.759 --> 00:26:56.539
 that which is true

00:26:56.539 --> 00:26:58.240
 and worthy of praise

00:26:58.240 --> 00:26:59.079
 may be one of the

00:26:59.079 --> 00:26:59.920
 hardest things

00:26:59.920 --> 00:27:01.420
 that we learn

00:27:01.420 --> 00:27:01.920
 to do

00:27:01.920 --> 00:27:02.899
 we live in a world

00:27:02.899 --> 00:27:05.440
 where negative news

00:27:05.440 --> 00:27:06.099
 sells

00:27:06.099 --> 00:27:07.259
 doesn't it

00:27:07.259 --> 00:27:09.019
 bad news

00:27:09.019 --> 00:27:09.599
 sells

00:27:09.599 --> 00:27:11.839
 and so it's really hard

00:27:11.839 --> 00:27:12.819
 because everywhere

00:27:12.819 --> 00:27:13.879
 around us

00:27:13.879 --> 00:27:15.000
 we're getting all

00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:15.799
 this negative

00:27:15.799 --> 00:27:16.940
 news

00:27:16.940 --> 00:27:18.099
 negative messages

00:27:18.099 --> 00:27:19.420
 negative stories

00:27:19.420 --> 00:27:20.259
 you know

00:27:20.259 --> 00:27:21.319
 all this negative

00:27:21.319 --> 00:27:22.460
 all the time

00:27:22.460 --> 00:27:23.160
 and it's hard

00:27:23.160 --> 00:27:23.539
 for us

00:27:23.539 --> 00:27:23.920
 to keep

00:27:23.920 --> 00:27:24.519
 our minds

00:27:24.519 --> 00:27:25.019
 focused

00:27:25.019 --> 00:27:25.980
 on that

00:27:25.980 --> 00:27:26.779
 which is pure

00:27:26.779 --> 00:27:28.340
 that which is holy

00:27:28.340 --> 00:27:29.519
 that which is good

00:27:29.519 --> 00:27:30.440
 that which is

00:27:30.440 --> 00:27:31.039
 admirable

00:27:31.039 --> 00:27:32.420
 and so how do we

00:27:32.420 --> 00:27:32.900
 do that

00:27:32.900 --> 00:27:34.480
 well I've had

00:27:34.480 --> 00:27:36.380
 to turn the TV

00:27:36.380 --> 00:27:37.299
 off in the mornings

00:27:37.299 --> 00:27:37.980
 and not watch

00:27:37.980 --> 00:27:38.799
 the morning news

00:27:38.799 --> 00:27:39.860
 because

00:27:39.860 --> 00:27:41.539
 the morning news

00:27:41.539 --> 00:27:42.460
 is filled with

00:27:42.460 --> 00:27:43.960
 everything negative

00:27:43.960 --> 00:27:45.000
 and bad

00:27:45.000 --> 00:27:45.700
 you can find

00:27:45.700 --> 00:27:46.460
 I used to love

00:27:46.460 --> 00:27:47.360
 getting up in the morning

00:27:47.360 --> 00:27:48.819
 and after my prayer

00:27:48.819 --> 00:27:49.539
 and Bible study

00:27:49.539 --> 00:27:51.279
 I'd like to eat breakfast

00:27:51.279 --> 00:27:52.480
 and watch

00:27:52.480 --> 00:27:53.879
 a few minutes

00:27:53.879 --> 00:27:54.339
 of the news

00:27:54.339 --> 00:27:55.599
 I'm a headlines guy

00:27:55.599 --> 00:27:56.920
 I don't read long stories

00:27:56.920 --> 00:27:58.099
 I read headlines

00:27:58.099 --> 00:27:58.480
 bam

00:27:58.480 --> 00:27:59.579
 and I'd watch

00:27:59.579 --> 00:28:00.559
 headline news

00:28:00.559 --> 00:28:01.859
 or I'd watch

00:28:01.859 --> 00:28:02.859
 a few minutes

00:28:02.859 --> 00:28:03.720
 of one of the local

00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:04.480
 news channels

00:28:04.480 --> 00:28:05.440
 and be on my way

00:28:05.440 --> 00:28:06.299
 but I found

00:28:06.299 --> 00:28:07.019
 I have to quit

00:28:07.019 --> 00:28:07.639
 doing that

00:28:07.639 --> 00:28:09.799
 because everything

00:28:09.799 --> 00:28:10.659
 on there

00:28:10.659 --> 00:28:12.019
 is negative

00:28:12.019 --> 00:28:12.879
 everything

00:28:12.879 --> 00:28:13.519
 especially

00:28:13.519 --> 00:28:14.779
 the CNN

00:28:14.779 --> 00:28:15.980
 and Fox News

00:28:15.980 --> 00:28:16.799
 both of them

00:28:16.799 --> 00:28:17.960
 are always focused

00:28:17.960 --> 00:28:18.980
 on what's

00:28:18.980 --> 00:28:19.579
 wrong

00:28:19.579 --> 00:28:20.599
 or what's

00:28:20.599 --> 00:28:21.000
 you know

00:28:21.000 --> 00:28:21.660
 not right

00:28:21.660 --> 00:28:22.039
 about

00:28:22.039 --> 00:28:23.640
 this group

00:28:23.640 --> 00:28:24.420
 or that group

00:28:24.420 --> 00:28:25.220
 or our nation

00:28:25.220 --> 00:28:25.819
 or something

00:28:25.819 --> 00:28:26.240
 and so

00:28:26.240 --> 00:28:27.259
 I decided

00:28:27.259 --> 00:28:28.259
 I don't need

00:28:28.259 --> 00:28:29.339
 that in my life

00:28:29.339 --> 00:28:29.900
 anymore

00:28:29.900 --> 00:28:31.559
 I may still

00:28:31.559 --> 00:28:32.940
 read some headlines

00:28:32.940 --> 00:28:33.839
 but

00:28:33.839 --> 00:28:35.440
 occasionally

00:28:35.440 --> 00:28:36.480
 watch a little bit

00:28:36.480 --> 00:28:37.059
 of the news

00:28:37.059 --> 00:28:37.759
 just so I know

00:28:37.759 --> 00:28:38.539
 what's going on

00:28:38.539 --> 00:28:39.000
 in the world

00:28:39.000 --> 00:28:40.180
 but I don't

00:28:40.180 --> 00:28:41.339
 spend much time

00:28:41.339 --> 00:28:42.099
 with it at all

00:28:42.099 --> 00:28:43.779
 and focus more

00:28:43.779 --> 00:28:44.860
 on spending time

00:28:44.860 --> 00:28:45.539
 with God

00:28:45.539 --> 00:28:46.099
 in the morning

00:28:46.099 --> 00:28:47.120
 spend time

00:28:47.120 --> 00:28:48.220
 in the word of God

00:28:48.220 --> 00:28:49.380
 I also like

00:28:49.380 --> 00:28:49.880
 to listen

00:28:49.880 --> 00:28:50.559
 to music

00:28:50.559 --> 00:28:51.880
 in the mornings

00:28:51.880 --> 00:28:52.940
 and play

00:28:52.940 --> 00:28:53.759
 messages

00:28:53.759 --> 00:28:54.440
 that are getting

00:28:54.440 --> 00:28:55.140
 in my head

00:28:55.140 --> 00:28:55.799
 and starting

00:28:55.799 --> 00:28:56.860
 my day off

00:28:56.860 --> 00:28:58.220
 focused on

00:28:58.220 --> 00:28:58.839
 God

00:28:58.839 --> 00:29:00.079
 focused upon

00:29:00.079 --> 00:29:01.120
 who he is

00:29:01.120 --> 00:29:01.860
 focused upon

00:29:01.860 --> 00:29:02.660
 his word

00:29:02.660 --> 00:29:03.740
 his promises

00:29:03.740 --> 00:29:04.860
 and his truths

00:29:04.860 --> 00:29:06.160
 and get my day

00:29:06.160 --> 00:29:07.539
 started right

00:29:07.539 --> 00:29:08.680
 and then throughout

00:29:08.680 --> 00:29:09.259
 the day

00:29:09.259 --> 00:29:10.259
 we need to make

00:29:10.259 --> 00:29:11.200
 sure we're feeding

00:29:11.200 --> 00:29:12.120
 our mind

00:29:12.120 --> 00:29:13.319
 with positive things

00:29:13.319 --> 00:29:13.960
 so how do we do

00:29:13.960 --> 00:29:14.259
 that?

00:29:14.259 --> 00:29:15.480
 for me

00:29:15.480 --> 00:29:16.819
 it's music

00:29:16.819 --> 00:29:17.720
 you know

00:29:17.720 --> 00:29:18.440
 I like to listen

00:29:18.440 --> 00:29:19.359
 to Christian music

00:29:19.359 --> 00:29:20.859
 for those of you

00:29:20.859 --> 00:29:22.299
 who are irritated

00:29:22.299 --> 00:29:23.339
 at people playing

00:29:23.339 --> 00:29:24.099
 Christmas music

00:29:24.099 --> 00:29:24.819
 I've already started

00:29:24.819 --> 00:29:25.920
 playing Christmas music

00:29:25.920 --> 00:29:27.119
 I want those

00:29:27.119 --> 00:29:28.539
 positive messages

00:29:28.539 --> 00:29:30.180
 in my mind

00:29:30.180 --> 00:29:31.480
 positive thoughts

00:29:31.480 --> 00:29:32.779
 in my head

00:29:32.779 --> 00:29:34.279
 and keep me going

00:29:34.279 --> 00:29:35.180
 throughout the day

00:29:35.180 --> 00:29:36.359
 for you it may be

00:29:36.359 --> 00:29:37.180
 something different

00:29:37.180 --> 00:29:38.579
 for you it may be

00:29:38.579 --> 00:29:39.640
 taking a walk

00:29:39.640 --> 00:29:40.680
 in nature

00:29:40.680 --> 00:29:41.680
 it may be

00:29:41.680 --> 00:29:42.980
 memorizing scripture

00:29:42.980 --> 00:29:45.339
 and reciting

00:29:45.339 --> 00:29:45.880
 scripture

00:29:45.880 --> 00:29:46.900
 throughout the day

00:29:46.900 --> 00:29:47.680
 it may be

00:29:47.680 --> 00:29:48.420
 something different

00:29:48.420 --> 00:29:48.860
 for you

00:29:48.860 --> 00:29:49.980
 but we need to find

00:29:49.980 --> 00:29:51.519
 what is it going to

00:29:51.519 --> 00:29:52.799
 take to get us

00:29:52.799 --> 00:29:54.319
 to cut the negative

00:29:54.319 --> 00:29:56.579
 demoralizing

00:29:56.579 --> 00:29:57.799
 depressing messages

00:29:57.799 --> 00:29:58.839
 out of our mind

00:29:58.839 --> 00:30:00.440
 and feed our mind

00:30:00.440 --> 00:30:01.640
 with that which is holy

00:30:01.640 --> 00:30:02.740
 that which is true

00:30:02.740 --> 00:30:04.299
 that which is pure

00:30:04.299 --> 00:30:05.420
 and that which is

00:30:05.420 --> 00:30:06.380
 good

00:30:06.380 --> 00:30:08.000
 and when you find

00:30:08.000 --> 00:30:09.000
 yourself drifting

00:30:09.000 --> 00:30:10.380
 into worry

00:30:10.380 --> 00:30:12.160
 or negativity

00:30:12.160 --> 00:30:14.140
 and getting away

00:30:14.140 --> 00:30:14.940
 from focused

00:30:14.940 --> 00:30:15.640
 on God

00:30:15.640 --> 00:30:16.500
 just stop

00:30:16.500 --> 00:30:17.140
 you know

00:30:17.140 --> 00:30:17.840
 most of us

00:30:17.840 --> 00:30:18.840
 have spent a lifetime

00:30:18.840 --> 00:30:20.360
 probably having

00:30:20.360 --> 00:30:21.660
 the wrong thought

00:30:21.660 --> 00:30:22.340
 processes

00:30:22.340 --> 00:30:23.820
 and it takes time

00:30:23.820 --> 00:30:25.040
 years

00:30:25.040 --> 00:30:25.660
 maybe the rest

00:30:25.660 --> 00:30:26.220
 of our lives

00:30:26.220 --> 00:30:27.740
 to try to reprogram

00:30:27.740 --> 00:30:29.180
 how we think

00:30:29.180 --> 00:30:30.560
 and so

00:30:30.560 --> 00:30:31.340
 when we find

00:30:31.340 --> 00:30:31.980
 ourselves

00:30:31.980 --> 00:30:33.300
 thinking wrong

00:30:33.300 --> 00:30:34.180
 stop

00:30:34.180 --> 00:30:35.880
 make a conscious

00:30:35.880 --> 00:30:36.440
 decision

00:30:36.440 --> 00:30:37.140
 that I'm not

00:30:37.140 --> 00:30:37.740
 going to think

00:30:37.740 --> 00:30:38.360
 like that

00:30:38.360 --> 00:30:39.519
 and get back

00:30:39.519 --> 00:30:39.980
 to the Lord

00:30:39.980 --> 00:30:40.599
 baby stop

00:30:40.599 --> 00:30:41.180
 and pray

00:30:41.180 --> 00:30:42.579
 and ask God

00:30:42.579 --> 00:30:43.480
 to help us

00:30:43.480 --> 00:30:44.920
 to stop worrying

00:30:44.920 --> 00:30:45.779
 about all these

00:30:45.779 --> 00:30:46.140
 things

00:30:46.140 --> 00:30:46.839
 or stop being

00:30:46.839 --> 00:30:47.819
 anxious about

00:30:47.819 --> 00:30:48.880
 all the stuff

00:30:48.880 --> 00:30:49.700
 that's going on

00:30:49.700 --> 00:30:50.539
 or stop just

00:30:50.539 --> 00:30:51.420
 having negative

00:30:51.420 --> 00:30:52.779
 thought processes

00:30:52.779 --> 00:30:55.460
 and refocus

00:30:55.460 --> 00:30:56.099
 upon the Lord

00:30:56.099 --> 00:30:56.559
 that's where

00:30:56.559 --> 00:30:57.799
 scripture memorization

00:30:57.799 --> 00:30:58.900
 is really handy

00:30:58.900 --> 00:30:59.960
 because we can

00:30:59.960 --> 00:31:00.779
 quote a scripture

00:31:00.779 --> 00:31:02.380
 we can remind

00:31:02.380 --> 00:31:03.400
 ourselves of things

00:31:03.400 --> 00:31:04.660
 that God's word

00:31:04.660 --> 00:31:06.059
 says contrary

00:31:06.059 --> 00:31:07.420
 to the words

00:31:07.420 --> 00:31:08.220
 of the world

00:31:08.220 --> 00:31:09.560
 and get ourselves

00:31:09.560 --> 00:31:10.480
 focused back

00:31:10.480 --> 00:31:10.980
 on the Lord

00:31:10.980 --> 00:31:12.380
 or for me again

00:31:12.380 --> 00:31:13.620
 it's Christian music

00:31:13.620 --> 00:31:15.960
 because it refocused

00:31:15.960 --> 00:31:16.740
 my mind

00:31:16.740 --> 00:31:17.480
 and my attention

00:31:17.480 --> 00:31:18.420
 upon the Lord

00:31:18.420 --> 00:31:19.700
 and we focus

00:31:19.700 --> 00:31:21.420
 upon who God

00:31:21.420 --> 00:31:22.140
 is

00:31:22.140 --> 00:31:25.039
 what he's done

00:31:25.039 --> 00:31:26.340
 what he's capable

00:31:26.340 --> 00:31:26.920
 of doing

00:31:26.920 --> 00:31:28.420
 rather than to focus

00:31:28.420 --> 00:31:29.100
 upon the things

00:31:29.100 --> 00:31:30.000
 we're worried about

00:31:30.000 --> 00:31:32.480
 you know years ago

00:31:32.480 --> 00:31:33.480
 my last church

00:31:33.480 --> 00:31:34.580
 my secretary

00:31:34.580 --> 00:31:35.560
 had a little thing

00:31:35.560 --> 00:31:36.420
 little picture

00:31:36.420 --> 00:31:38.000
 it was a cartoon

00:31:38.000 --> 00:31:38.900
 but it said

00:31:38.900 --> 00:31:39.680
 instead of telling

00:31:39.680 --> 00:31:40.480
 God how big

00:31:40.480 --> 00:31:41.300
 your storm is

00:31:41.300 --> 00:31:41.660
 why don't you

00:31:41.660 --> 00:31:42.539
 tell the storm

00:31:42.539 --> 00:31:43.519
 how big your God

00:31:43.519 --> 00:31:43.860
 is

00:31:43.860 --> 00:31:45.340
 and we have to

00:31:45.340 --> 00:31:46.860
 focus and rechange

00:31:46.860 --> 00:31:48.000
 the way we think

00:31:48.000 --> 00:31:49.340
 to stay focused

00:31:49.340 --> 00:31:50.279
 upon God

00:31:50.279 --> 00:31:52.240
 and when

00:31:52.240 --> 00:31:54.140
 we do these things

00:31:54.140 --> 00:31:55.560
 when we

00:31:55.560 --> 00:31:57.259
 really trust God

00:31:57.259 --> 00:31:58.880
 we go to God

00:31:58.880 --> 00:31:59.440
 when we find

00:31:59.440 --> 00:32:00.340
 ourselves worrying

00:32:00.340 --> 00:32:01.259
 go to God

00:32:01.259 --> 00:32:02.759
 pray about everything

00:32:02.759 --> 00:32:03.680
 instead of worrying

00:32:03.680 --> 00:32:05.480
 pray about it

00:32:05.480 --> 00:32:06.940
 give it to God

00:32:06.940 --> 00:32:08.299
 trust God

00:32:08.299 --> 00:32:09.740
 and thank him

00:32:09.740 --> 00:32:11.039
 in advance

00:32:11.039 --> 00:32:12.140
 for what he's

00:32:12.140 --> 00:32:12.900
 going to do

00:32:12.900 --> 00:32:14.360
 and the word of God

00:32:14.360 --> 00:32:15.059
 not Jeff

00:32:15.059 --> 00:32:17.079
 the word of God

00:32:17.079 --> 00:32:17.920
 tells us what

00:32:17.920 --> 00:32:20.799
 the peace of God

00:32:20.799 --> 00:32:21.700
 which is beyond

00:32:21.700 --> 00:32:23.099
 human understanding

00:32:23.099 --> 00:32:24.539
 will rule

00:32:24.539 --> 00:32:25.920
 and reign

00:32:25.920 --> 00:32:27.360
 in our hearts

00:32:27.360 --> 00:32:28.579
 and our minds

00:32:28.579 --> 00:32:29.319
 let's go to the Lord

00:32:29.319 --> 00:32:29.779
 in prayer

00:32:29.779 --> 00:32:32.599
 Father we thank you

00:32:32.599 --> 00:32:33.960
 we praise you

00:32:33.960 --> 00:32:34.680
 for your word

00:32:34.680 --> 00:32:35.480
 and your truth

00:32:35.480 --> 00:32:36.319
 and your message

00:32:36.319 --> 00:32:37.980
 we thank you

00:32:37.980 --> 00:32:38.980
 for it today Lord

00:32:38.980 --> 00:32:40.319
 and we ask

00:32:40.319 --> 00:32:41.259
 that you forgive us

00:32:41.259 --> 00:32:42.019
 where we've spent

00:32:42.019 --> 00:32:42.839
 time worrying

00:32:42.839 --> 00:32:44.579
 where we spend

00:32:44.579 --> 00:32:45.440
 time doubting

00:32:45.440 --> 00:32:47.160
 and I pray Lord

00:32:47.160 --> 00:32:48.279
 that you help us

00:32:48.279 --> 00:32:49.480
 to continue

00:32:49.480 --> 00:32:50.119
 to grow

00:32:50.119 --> 00:32:50.839
 in our ability

00:32:50.839 --> 00:32:51.819
 to trust you

00:32:51.819 --> 00:32:53.740
 to believe in you

00:32:53.740 --> 00:32:55.619
 and to give

00:32:55.619 --> 00:32:56.519
 our burdens

00:32:56.519 --> 00:32:57.319
 and our concerns

00:32:57.319 --> 00:32:58.159
 to you

00:32:58.159 --> 00:32:59.759
 and trust you

00:32:59.759 --> 00:33:00.359
 that you're going

00:33:00.359 --> 00:33:01.519
 to work in them

00:33:01.519 --> 00:33:02.579
 to accomplish

00:33:02.579 --> 00:33:03.399
 your purpose

00:33:03.399 --> 00:33:04.299
 and your will

00:33:04.299 --> 00:33:05.460
 and we thank you

00:33:05.460 --> 00:33:06.919
 for that in Jesus name

00:33:06.919 --> 00:33:07.500
 amen

00:33:07.500 --> 00:33:09.480
 I'm going to ask

00:33:09.480 --> 00:33:10.639
 the musicians

00:33:10.639 --> 00:33:11.679
 I guess William

00:33:11.679 --> 00:33:13.240
 to play quietly

00:33:13.240 --> 00:33:14.579
 and you continue

00:33:14.579 --> 00:33:15.200
 to pray

00:33:15.200 --> 00:33:16.359
 and if I can pray

00:33:16.359 --> 00:33:17.259
 with you this morning

00:33:17.259 --> 00:33:18.240
 I'd be glad

00:33:18.240 --> 00:33:18.879
 to do so

00:33:18.880 --> 00:33:48.860
 and if I can pray