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The Truth Of The Matter Is - Episode:172 Bible Study Reflection Solo or W/Friends- Solo-The Verse That Changed My Life Forever!
25 Plays2 months ago
Bible study reflection solo or with friends is an inspirational segment for Johnathan as a result of getting together for bible study with friends Erik and Jennifer and still having more to say. Thus far, the segment is about unpacking different passages of scripture read in bible study and feeling the need to explore it even more deeply. On Today’s episode Johnathan reveals what bible verse changed his life forever. The suggestion that Johnathan makes in the beginning about grabbing a notepad is something you should consider because there are a lot of biblical references. Get ready to learn something that could be beneficial for you in the long run!
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Transcript
Introduction to the Podcast
00:00:00
Speaker
This is the Truth for the Matters podcast. Welcome back to another edition of Bible Study Reflections, solo or with friends. This is episode 172.
Inspiration and Process Behind the Segment
00:00:12
Speaker
I'm your host, Jonathan, and for those who are unfamiliar with this segment, let me give you a quick background story to it. It was inspired by a Bible study that I had with two of my friends once a week.
00:00:25
Speaker
Basically we would choose a book and a Bible to unpack together, choose two or three chapters, read them individually and see what we could unpack by ourselves. Then we will come together, fellowship with one another and learn about what we believe God has revealed to us individually. Remember scripture says anytime two still be full of information and yet still curious about a lot of things.
Inviting Listeners to Join the Bible Study
00:01:02
Speaker
So I decided to create this segment called Bible study reflections solo with friends. And the goal is ultimately to grow and fellowship with others. If you are open to fellowshiping with me on the next Bible study reflection episode, reach out to me on
00:01:28
Speaker
T-M-I-S. Again, the truth of T-M-I-S and I hope that we can fellowship with one another. You can also reach out to me on our Facebook group called I'm a Believer. Again, it's called I'm a Believer and finally there's also email.
A Life-Changing Bible Verse
00:03:28
Speaker
as we go to your word today but bless us and leave us refreshed and satisfied and if you believe that
00:03:46
Speaker
Please say this with confidence, with boldness, and joy, being unapologetic, as we say in Jesus' name we pray. Amen and amen. So this segment, Bible Study Reflections Solo with Friends, I truly enjoy so much.
00:04:10
Speaker
Right, it's about reflecting over a passage of scripture that I've read during a Bible study with friends, family, members, possibly, even my own personal Bible study that I do it myself and of course with the Lord. Today I'm flying solo. And because of that, I plan to use this opportunity to share with you all fully about the verse.
00:04:38
Speaker
the verse that changed my life. I even sometimes call it the verse. The verse that changed my life for the better. What's so special about the verse you might be asking is, why is it so special? Why is it so unique to me? This verse I can say sincerely changed my life.
00:05:09
Speaker
This verse, I can say, opened up my understanding. It showed me how there are levels to revelation that God provides and gives. I believe without a doubt that Jesus Christ revealed himself to me through this verse. And lastly, I believe God showed me some amazing things and many different instances after I've gotten this revelation from him. Moving forward as I begin to unpack this verse, I want to suggest that taking notes could be helpful. I don't plan to fly right through this. Instead, I want to take my time because
00:06:01
Speaker
this verse requires total focus to really understand the roadmap that i'm about to leave behind so that you can clearly understand why this verse changed my life so you can process my train of thought clearly and precisely of course through a biblical lens and finally my hope here today is that you'll be blessed leaving with a different outlook on the word of God, but most importantly, on the passage of scripture that I'm gonna share with you. With that being said, let's get started. So the passage with the verse that changed my life is found in the book of Proverbs.
00:06:59
Speaker
We're looking at chapter 9 verse 10. And specifically, I'm going to look at this in the NLT. Okay. Again, it's going to be Proverbs chapter 9 verse 10 NLT.
00:07:17
Speaker
another thing i want to clear up on this is that i've mentioned some of these passages of scripture before in this podcast so don't be alarmed instead i want you to recognize the connection that is being made from the scriptures and i hope that you can appreciate the harmony that it presents okay Alright, amen.
Understanding 'Fear of the Lord'
00:07:41
Speaker
So, Proverbs chapter 9 verse 10 in the NLT reads, The fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. Again, Proverbs 9,
00:08:00
Speaker
Verse 10 reads, the fear of the lord is the foundation of wisdom knowledge of the hony one results and good judgment i read it a third time fear the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.
00:08:26
Speaker
So this verse is actually expressed in two sentences. So let's unpack the first sentence here. I'm gonna do a lot of referencing, but also pointing out some things to consider because that's just my way of unpacking the word of God. So I hope you can follow along with me. So the first sentence reads, the fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. The fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.
00:09:00
Speaker
So we first need to address the word fear. And the word fear can be understood in two ways. Either fear means to be afraid of someone or something, especially the imp implications and how it can lead to dangerous, painful, or threatening situations. Again, the word fear means to be afraid of someone or something, which essentially means the imp implications could be dangerous, painful, or threatening. Or fear means to have reverence
00:09:46
Speaker
again fear means to have reverence which is a deep respect for someone or something and that's something in this context it's got again fear means to have reverence which is a deep respect for someone one
00:10:18
Speaker
or something. And of course, in this context, it is God. It is God.
00:10:32
Speaker
Now, when I read the verse, I understand the need for both meanings of fear. I truly do.
00:10:43
Speaker
When I read this verse, I understand the need for both meanings of fear, at least from my vantage point. It's not one or the other as if it's a choice or one or the other as if one is better than the other. No, the meaning of the verse can lead to any anyone receiving the meaning of fear in both scenarios. And I'm going to explain why.
00:11:11
Speaker
Of course, because I've majored in philosophy, and philosophy is my forte. The outlook that I have and the outlook that I try to present to you all is not just one that's sincere, but also one that desires comprehension and a perspective outlook that is healthy, considerate, but also thoughtful.
The Reality of Hell
00:11:35
Speaker
The passage that I've used in the past to explain how the fear of the Lord is necessary is actually found in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 10 verse 28. So let's take a look at that. Again it's Matthew chapter 10 verse 28 and we're going to read this in the King James Version which we did go over in the Gospel of Matthew series but here's a quick reminder.
00:12:02
Speaker
The passage reads, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather be afraid of the one who can destroy the body, soul, and hell. I read it one more time. Do not be afraid of those who killed the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body and hell.
00:12:31
Speaker
And I believe that if you are going to be afraid of someone, I believe that someone should be him. Who's the him in this text? That would be God. I believe Jesus was saying your fear should not be with men or women.
00:12:52
Speaker
but with God because you're losing more than just your life here on earth. Understand that without acceptance of Jesus Christ, you are losing the promise and the possibility of your everlasting life with God, which means ultimately your soul is in jeopardy.
00:13:17
Speaker
I believe this is why Jesus came, right? He came not only to provide us a way out, but also to save our souls.
00:13:33
Speaker
Obviously he came for many different reasons and there are many different explanations that we could dive into, but I think the most significant one. is that he came to save our souls. He came to connect us back with his father. This is why the text says fear him who has the ability to do what destroy both soul and body in hell.
00:14:05
Speaker
Men and women on this earth cannot do both. only God has that ability. Now don't get me wrong, right? Men and women here on earth can make your life very difficult, right? From a historical perspective, people have died in miserable deaths in so many different ways, whether it's through torture, whether it's through overdose and medication,
00:14:38
Speaker
right? Whether it's in your sleep, whether it's drowning, you name it. So many different possibilities that people have died. Some of those ideas are either massively planned out or some of them were based on silent kills.
00:15:02
Speaker
Which is why for some strange reason people like to attribute that this type of pain, right? Suffering, right? This type of pain, like suffering to hell is somewhat the same as if people have been to hell before, right? As if people know what it actually feels to be in hell and survive, right?
00:15:41
Speaker
There are some people who believe that hell isn't an actual place but rather they think that hell is only a state of mind.
00:15:57
Speaker
So I want to be clear right? Some For some strange reason, people like to attribute that suffering and pain is a resemblance of hell as if they've been there before, right? As if they actually know how it feels. But the truth of the matter is, there are some people who believe that hell isn't an actual place, but rather it's just a state of mind.
00:16:26
Speaker
These are ideas that have been thrown out there, right? They've been thrown out there for consumption for you and I. And I'm here to suggest that those ideas are misguided, right? I'm not going to tell you how much you should believe. I'm going to tell you based upon a biblical narrative that That idea that hell is not a place and that it's a state of mind is misguided. I believe hell is a real place. And my suggestion it for you is to read the word of God and and reading the word of God, I believe you will pick up right away that it's a real place.
00:17:22
Speaker
Right? Just read the story of Lazarus and tell me by reading that story if it's a parable because it's not.
00:17:37
Speaker
Let's continue. What I hear constantly from people is that there they are God-fearing.
00:17:49
Speaker
and that they want a God-fearing woman, that they want a God-fearing man, right? They say that I'm God-fearing. They say that I'm God-fearing. They say that I want a God-fearing woman. I want a God-fearing man. What does it mean to be God-fearing? It's the first question that comes to mind.
00:18:14
Speaker
To be God-fearing, are you afraid of repercussions that you might have to face? due to disobedience? Is God fearing all about reverence towards God because of who he is, not because of what he's done? I want to take a look at both those things. I believe there's a healthy need for the fear of God.
00:18:42
Speaker
Again, I believe there is a healthy need for the fear of God.
God's Authority and Divine Counsel
00:18:47
Speaker
And the reason why I have concluded with that is that for starters, is that the fear of God, at least and a in a reality that's legitimate is that there's a hierarchy. The reason why I've included that there is a healthy need for the fear of God is because there's a hierarchy. There's an establishment of a supreme being and authority. And guess what? He has a divine counsel.
00:19:40
Speaker
I have chosen to believe in him, pray to him. I have acknowledged him as the truth. And as a result, I have placed my faith in him. Very simple for me and right to the point.
00:19:58
Speaker
Now I want us to take a look at a passage of scripture because I believe this passage of scripture is really ultimately gonna set the foundation for a few things that I want to dive into so that you can help me actually break down why this passage is so profound to me and what the imp implications are if you truly read it with the right intention.
00:20:26
Speaker
Okay, let's go to Romans chapter two, verses one to 11. No specific translation here. I'll just use the basic NIV. It says you therefore have no excuse. You pass judgment on someone else for at whatever point you judge others, you are condemning yourself because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a new human being passing judgment on them, and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance, and patience, not realizing that God's kindness
00:21:23
Speaker
is intended to lead you to repentance. But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing a wrath against yourselves for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. God will repay each person according to what they have done.
The Fear of God and Salvation
00:21:44
Speaker
To those who by persistence are doing good, seek glory, honor, and immortality, he will give eternal life.
00:21:53
Speaker
But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and dis distress for every human being who does evil. First to the Jew, then to the Gentile. But glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does good. First for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.
00:22:22
Speaker
So I just want to reread verse five, before it says, but because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you will store the wrath against yourselves for the day of God's wrath when it's righteous judgment will be revealed. You know, my takeaway from this verse is very similar to Matthew chapter 10 verse 28. There's a warning here from Paul, which is why I believe You should be very afraid if you read a warning such as this and not adhere to it, but have chosen to ignore it. If we reread verses eight through nine, it says, but for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.
00:23:16
Speaker
There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil. First for the Jew, then for the Gentile. So hear me out with what I'm about to say. I can't say I'm God fearing and yet I'm stubborn and refuse to repent. I can't say I'm God fearing and don't believe his judgment is righteous.
00:23:46
Speaker
And of course that's a lack of reverence to God. I can't say I'm God fearing and I reject his truth, which is the truth, right? I can't say that I'm God fearing and then I continue to live life any kind of way I want and they neglect what God has called me out of and called me to. I can't say I'm God fearing and love my sin more than I love him.
00:24:16
Speaker
I can't say that I'm God-fearing and I don't want a war against my sin. I can't say I'm God-fearing and I don't want to read His word and get to know Him intimately. To be God-fearing is to prioritize God above all other things and that requires obeying Him no matter what. To be God-fearing is to actually die to your own desires and allow Him to give you new ones. Who is the Him God? You want God to give you new desires. To be God-fearing is to live for Christ.
00:24:58
Speaker
So when I read Romans chapter two, one to 11, I understand how that passage matters because based on scripture, what we know for certain is that in first Thessalonians five, nine, right? Chapter five verse nine, it says, for God did not appoint, other translations say call, for God did not appoint or call us to suffer wrath, but to receive salvation through our Lord, Jesus Christ.
00:25:28
Speaker
So what we know with certainty is that the wrath that comes onto people is based upon their choice not to adhere to the truth. Not to adhere to the truth is to pay no mind. And since we know that what God has shown us and what he's telling us is true,
00:25:55
Speaker
is really about us moving in the purpose that he has called us to. That's really what it comes down to. Another thing is a healthy fear of God is going to lead me to be a person who prepares, right? A healthy fear of God leads me to work harder. A healthy fear of God leads me to take initiative. The truth of the matter is A healthy fear of God will lead me not to take anything for granted. Why is that? Because it's all about executing with the intent to do better. Understand the perspective I'm coming from.
00:26:46
Speaker
If I change the way I look at fear and ask myself, what have I done with a healthy fear of God? I'm sure and in a reflection time, I will see how it has led me to be better. Essentially what I'm saying is when you think about a person who over prepares, when you think about a person who takes the initiative is that ideally they don't want anything to go wrong.
00:27:17
Speaker
So what do they do? They over-prepare. They do the most that they can do because they are so obsessed with making sure everything goes well. And when you do that, you leave no room for mistakes because you're almost was trying to perfect things.
00:27:35
Speaker
And I believe that if you are lackadaisial and you are doing things last minute,
00:27:48
Speaker
and you don't necessarily take anything too serious but you're nonchalant then the likelihood of things falling apart and crumbling is very real and very legitimate and I believe that God rewards those who initially have a desire to do things for him One of those things is we talk about praising God. And I understand how some people might get caught up in the idea of praising God, just meaning in the atmosphere and experience of worship and music. But we praise God in all the things that we do. Whether I'm talking about the Passes of Chorizo that says, whatever you do, do it to the glory of God. Whether I'm talking about the Passes and Colossians, where it speaks about if you are working,
00:28:45
Speaker
You're not just working for male humans, but you're working for God.
Work and Relationships Reflecting Godly Fear
00:28:49
Speaker
Whatever you do, your work is in reflection of God who you serve. It just so happens to be that you're doing it within the channel of an organization or someone one who is a hierarchy that you report to. So let's dig even deeper here, right?
00:29:12
Speaker
The Gospel of John chapter 13 verses 34 to 35 says, a new command I give you, love one another as I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another. How about this passage? Gospel Mark chapter 12 verses 30 to 31 says, love the Lord your God with all your heart and before your soul, and before your mind, and before your strength. The second is this, love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these. Now, these two passages of scripture are straightforward and very popular to most believers that come to the faith.
00:30:08
Speaker
And if we honestly and truly respect one another and love one another just as God commanded us, then guess what? That should reflect a healthy fear of God because it's all about understanding that if we are treating our brothers and sisters wrong, it's unacceptable to God. Right? A healthy fear of God will convict us to change our behavior instantly.
00:30:38
Speaker
What won't be tolerated is ignoring what God told us to do. Just because punishment may not be instant, doesn't mean that God didn't notice it and isn't going to respond and address it. You will be a fool to think that God's timing won't eventually show up at a time where it's extremely inconvenient for you.
00:31:06
Speaker
Right? Having a healthy fear of God won't jeopardize your relationships, especially with another believer. The goal I believe will be to strive to have a healthy fear of God together, respecting and honoring one another's boundaries, right? Learning to appreciate one another's boundaries, knowing that these boundaries are meant to protect each of us and all parties that are involved.
00:31:35
Speaker
A healthy fear of God will cause us to think before we speak and act with everything that we do that involves others.
00:31:47
Speaker
Just imagine if all people really understood this principle and made every effort to practice it, how different things would be.
00:31:57
Speaker
The fear of the Lord is what we need. The fear of the Lord is what will lead us to understand how is the foundation of wisdom. Now, why is having a healthy fear of the Lord, the foundation of wisdom? Well, for starters, wisdom truly is not just a state of mind. It's actually a person. Let me say that one more time.
00:32:26
Speaker
Wisdom is truly not just a state of mind. It's also a person. So when a verse says that the fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom, you need to ask yourselves, what is leading you to that wisdom? Which is a person. Again, what is leading you or nudging you or pointing you to wisdom who I believe accurately is a person, right? The fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom because once you have fear for God, you have reverence for God. And once you have reverence for God, you have respect for God. Once you have a healthy fear for the Lord, you would know that God is not someone to be played with because you know
00:33:16
Speaker
and believe what God is capable of, right? We know that he can do it exceedingly, abundantly, beyond what we ever ask, think, or imagine. We know that he's a God that's full of first and second and third and fourth and fifth chances. We know that he's a God that if you ask anything according to his will, he will do. We know that he is a God who is active, a God who is forever present, right? A God who is loving and caring, right? We know that God is capable. And for that reason, this is why you should obey Him. This is why you should submit to Him. This is why you should trust Him and believe in Him and place your faith in Him. If you believe God to be who He says He is,
00:34:14
Speaker
then you will have to accept everything that he's ever said and concluded, right? You would have to believe that everything he has said is not just truth, but it's factual. That would mean if we're if we're looking at some passage of scripture, for an example, on the book of Numbers, chapter 23, verse 19,
00:34:35
Speaker
You have to believe this statement, that God is not a man, that he should not lie, nor a son of man, that he should repent. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not make it good and fulfill it?
00:34:56
Speaker
You should believe statements as well as 1 Corinthians chapter 14 verse 33, which says, for God is not a God of confusion, but peace. ye should be You should believe what Hebrews 13 8 says, that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
00:35:18
Speaker
You should believe passages like 1 John chapter 5 verse 10 through 12 where it says, whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made them out to be alive because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his son. This is the testimony. God has given us eternal life and this life is in his son. Whoever has a son has life. Whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
00:35:47
Speaker
How about 1 John chapter 5 verse 20? We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true. And we are in Him who is true by being in His Son, Jesus Christ. He is a true God in eternal life. Right? You should believe what was said in the passage that I read earlier in Romans chapter 2 verses 1 through 11.
00:36:12
Speaker
How about Deuteronomy 616, which is a classic, of course, and it's something that you won't do as readers, won't do as followers of Christ. And that is you won't put the Lord your God to the test. Understanding that the people who are trying God, the people who think they can argue and make a case to God, the people who are operating ignorantly, they've lost their minds.
00:36:42
Speaker
Having a healthy fear for God sets the stage for rules of engagement. That is what makes it foundational. Let me say that again. Having a healthy fear for God sets the stage for our rules of engagement with Him. That is what makes it foundational.
00:37:06
Speaker
What is required in most relationships? Respect. With no respect, it's hard to believe that most relationships have a chance of lasting long, even having a chance. Here's a thought. You know, when Jesus was being nailed to the cross, he said something that was so profound and I understood its meaning in the context, but I also understood his words, understood his words.
00:37:32
Speaker
and how it has become applicable in most instances when you are dealing with others, especially those who are from different backgrounds way of life, but ends up in the same space I'm in. The truth of the matter is an ignorant person, which simply means a person who does not know
00:37:58
Speaker
is a real thing. Again, the truth of the matter is an ignorant person, which simply means a person who does not know, is a real thing in this world. Ignorant person is not made aware of matters and therefore they are misinformed and are caught up in situations and predicaments
00:38:20
Speaker
where they don't have answers. Why do I bring this up? Because these types of people are all around us. They are consistently uninformed,
00:38:34
Speaker
and yet they have the power to make decisions. This is why, when I thought about it, this is what pastors have brought me to. Gospel Luke chapter 23 verse 34, it says, Father, forgive them.
00:38:51
Speaker
for they know not what they do. Again, Father forgive them for they know not what they do. Ignorance is not an acceptable plead in the court of law. And it's definitely not a justified reason why something is okay either. So when you encounter people who are ignorant, be mindful that the words they spew, that the thoughts that they have, that the conclusions they draw to should not be taken seriously. In fact,
00:39:20
Speaker
Jesus was torn to shred. He was torn to shred, right? Jesus was torn to shred by people who got a joy out of torturing him, right? There are plenty of people in this world today who get a laugh out of rejecting Jesus Christ and calling God a bully, right? It's the ignorance that keeps people blinded. It's the ignorance that keep people in the dark.
00:39:51
Speaker
I don't believe it was a mistake when Jesus told the disciples about forgiveness and to forgive 77 times over. Why don't I think it's a mistake? It's because people need to be forgiven, especially when they're operating in ignorance.
00:40:13
Speaker
So let's read the second sentence in the verse, and we're revisiting Proverbs chapter nine verse 10. It says, knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.
Wisdom Personified as Jesus
00:40:28
Speaker
So where did I get the idea that wisdom is a person? Simply the chapter before, nine, that will be eight.
00:40:37
Speaker
So I went to Proverbs chapter 8 verse 12 and it reads, I wisdom dwelled together with prudence, I possess knowledge and discretion. I comma wisdom dwelled together with prudence, I possess knowledge and discretion. Who's I in this passage? That would be Jesus Christ. Now I encourage you to read from verses 12 and Proverbs 8, all the way to 36. We don't have the time here, but I think it would be apropos for you to do so. So Jesus, who is wisdom himself, provides insight and that insight is full of grace, mercy, truth, righteousness, prudence, guidance,
00:41:33
Speaker
comforting, information that Jesus provides is fulfilling, satisfying, mind-boggling, encouragement.
00:41:46
Speaker
So when I read the second sentence of Proverbs chapter 9 verse 10 where it says, knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment, who's the Holy One? That would be Jesus Christ. So my focus, since I lay eyes on this passage, it on this verse,
00:42:05
Speaker
has been rooted in studying the life, the person, the deity of Jesus Christ, right? He's part of the Trinity, right? God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, God the Son of Jesus Christ. The reason why this passage, or if you wanna be more specific, this verse changed my life is because I've been studying the life in person.
00:42:34
Speaker
and deity of Jesus Christ I poured into the relationship ever since I came across this passage now of course my answers have evolved due to my prior knowledge of biblical verses that opened up my perspective about the verse but I've poured into my relationship with God ever since I've been reading my Bible and the Word of God has drawn me near to the plans and purposes that God has for my life. Right? It has instructed me and it has also guided me to all truth. And that's Jesus Christ. All things that are true lead to him. Right? When it says enter enter through the narrow gate, because the wide road leads to destruction, but the narrow, very few find, that's Jesus Christ.
00:43:31
Speaker
all things that are true lead to Him. And it's not what you know at the end of the day, it's who you know. So when Jesus says, I am the way, the truth and the life, no one can come to the Father and accept through me, talking about the gospel of John chapter 40 verse six, I believe it. Wholeheartedly, I believe it.
00:43:55
Speaker
You know, when I think about how all things that are true lead to Him,
00:44:01
Speaker
Right? And I talk about it's not what you know, it's who you know. The person who saves is Jesus Christ. The person who forgives sins is Jesus Christ. The person who has eternal life is Jesus Christ.
Conclusion and Prayer
00:44:22
Speaker
The first province 910 changed my life for the better.
00:44:27
Speaker
Not only that, it'll open up my understanding and it showed me that there are levels to reading God's Word. And this is just the beginning of what God has showed me and that I've shared with you. Of course, I have other favorite verses, but there's no other verse that touches my heart and mine the way this one does.
00:44:53
Speaker
I hope what I have shared with you today can and will be a blessing and make a difference to you. Continue to study the Word of God, continue to make time for God, continue to prioritize God, because when God is in your life, things are so much better. When God is in your life,
00:45:15
Speaker
There's joy, not happiness. Happiness is something temporary. Joy is something that happens within. And on that note, here's a short prayer to close us out. Oh God, in the name of Jesus, Lord, you are one of a kind. You're the one true God, the one who is, was, and is still to come. Thank you, Father, so much.
00:45:41
Speaker
for opening up the door and the possibilities, not for us only to be intimate, but also for you to use me as your instrument for righteousness. Lord, thank you because I love you and I ask that you bless all my listeners. I ask that you bless all newcomers. Lord, I thank you for meeting me where I was, revealing yourself to me.
00:46:11
Speaker
I thank you for comforting me and caring for me and shielding me and protecting me. Well, I thank you for doing that to everyone else, whether they have acknowledged you yet or on a break of acknowledging you. Lord, I hope that they come to realize that life with you is so much better. I hope that they come to acknowledge that you are the one true God. I hope they come to realize that their eyes are open just as mine is. And on that note, Lord, I give you all the glory, the honor, and the praise because you're not just Alpha and Omega. You're the beginning in me and the end. You're the creator of all things. And with that being said, you deserve honor, glory, reverence, and you deserve to be lifted up.
00:47:13
Speaker
And I say this, Lord, in Jesus name we pray. Amen and amen.