WEBVTT 00:00:00.720 --> 00:00:02.128 Hope you all are doing good. 00:00:02.128 --> 00:00:04.792 We're closing out the year. 00:00:04.896 --> 00:00:05.600 We're getting soon. 00:00:05.600 --> 00:00:06.920 Today is the 29th, 00:00:06.936 --> 00:00:09.920 so in a couple days we're going to be in 2025. 00:00:09.920 --> 00:00:11.260 That's pretty crazy. 00:00:12.400 --> 00:00:12.832 You know, 00:00:12.832 --> 00:00:14.288 I was only born in 83, 00:00:14.288 --> 00:00:20.220 so. But don't brag. 00:00:20.720 --> 00:00:21.648 I don't know, 00:00:21.648 --> 00:00:22.552 I think it's cool. 00:00:22.552 --> 00:00:23.608 Like, you know, 00:00:23.664 --> 00:00:27.024 I just think about some of the stories that I've heard from Mr. 00:00:27.024 --> 00:00:30.984 Harold about his mom growing up around here and seeing things change. 00:00:30.568 --> 00:00:31.712 And, you know, 00:00:31.736 --> 00:00:34.024 it can be unsettling sometimes to see things change, 00:00:34.024 --> 00:00:34.896 but it can be cool, 00:00:34.896 --> 00:00:35.496 too. You know, 00:00:35.496 --> 00:00:36.824 you can tell the old stories about. 00:00:36.824 --> 00:00:38.664 I remember when I was a kid and, 00:00:38.664 --> 00:00:39.096 you know, 00:00:39.096 --> 00:00:40.024 and then you get to see, 00:00:40.024 --> 00:00:41.528 like, all these cool things. 00:00:41.528 --> 00:00:43.640 Depends on how you look at it. 00:00:43.640 --> 00:00:44.576 But anyway, 00:00:44.688 --> 00:00:46.668 this morning we're going to be. 00:00:46.232 --> 00:00:51.616 The subject or the heading for this morning is New Year's resolutions 00:00:51.808 --> 00:00:53.340 with a question mark. 00:00:54.040 --> 00:00:55.360 So how many people, 00:00:55.384 --> 00:00:56.288 just quick show of hands. 00:00:56.288 --> 00:00:58.592 How many people have made a New Year's resolution? 00:00:58.592 --> 00:00:59.460 No shame. 00:00:59.800 --> 00:01:00.944 Yeah, a couple. 00:01:01.072 --> 00:01:01.732 All right, 00:01:01.752 --> 00:01:02.328 so that. 00:01:02.328 --> 00:01:03.872 So we're getting maybe, 00:01:03.936 --> 00:01:05.720 maybe a couple more that didn't raise their hand. 00:01:05.720 --> 00:01:06.400 That's okay. 00:01:06.480 --> 00:01:11.216 God knows I'm just kidding. 00:01:11.248 --> 00:01:12.300 Let's pray first. 00:01:12.600 --> 00:01:13.740 How about that? 00:01:16.280 --> 00:01:16.864 Lord God, 00:01:16.864 --> 00:01:18.328 we thank you for this morning. 00:01:18.328 --> 00:01:21.072 God, we thank you for your goodness as we just sang. 00:01:21.072 --> 00:01:23.154 God, you're good. 00:01:23.242 --> 00:01:24.714 You're good all the time. 00:01:24.714 --> 00:01:25.522 And God, 00:01:25.586 --> 00:01:28.270 sometimes we don't understand what's going on, 00:01:28.890 --> 00:01:29.830 but, God, 00:01:30.730 --> 00:01:31.794 your promises are true, 00:01:31.794 --> 00:01:33.774 that you're good no matter what. 00:01:33.690 --> 00:01:34.402 And so, 00:01:34.426 --> 00:01:36.690 God, I just pray that in these next moments, 00:01:36.690 --> 00:01:42.850 as we're kind of diving into your word and thinking on the thought of New 00:01:42.890 --> 00:01:46.818 Year's resolutions and all the things, 00:01:46.874 --> 00:01:49.904 all the possibilities that a new year can bring, 00:01:50.082 --> 00:01:54.092 God, that you will speak into it and that we can be obedient and we just 00:01:54.092 --> 00:01:54.892 trust you and we love you. 00:01:54.892 --> 00:01:55.436 In Jesus name, 00:01:55.436 --> 00:01:57.828 amen. All right, 00:01:57.884 --> 00:01:59.080 New Year's resolutions, 00:01:59.900 --> 00:02:01.040 question mark. 00:02:04.460 --> 00:02:07.636 I'm going to read a quick statistic from the Googleator. 00:02:07.636 --> 00:02:16.196 If you Trust that about 6 in 10 adults who made at least one resolution 00:02:16.308 --> 00:02:19.110 feel, 59% say they have kept them all so far. 00:02:19.110 --> 00:02:20.650 This was in 2024. 00:02:22.070 --> 00:02:25.040 While 28% of them say they kept some of them, 00:02:25.046 --> 00:02:28.050 another 13% said they have kept none. 00:02:29.350 --> 00:02:33.246 So admittedly, 00:02:33.358 --> 00:02:34.966 I don't know if I've. 00:02:34.734 --> 00:02:36.814 I guess I made some New Year's resolutions. 00:02:36.814 --> 00:02:39.910 I went to a church one time years and years ago, 00:02:39.910 --> 00:02:41.054 and it was. 00:02:41.222 --> 00:02:43.934 Their challenge was not necessarily a resolution, 00:02:44.062 --> 00:02:45.730 but like a one word, 00:02:46.070 --> 00:02:46.630 you know, 00:02:46.630 --> 00:02:48.582 so, like One word could be faith or, 00:02:48.582 --> 00:02:48.950 you know, 00:02:48.950 --> 00:02:49.710 whatever. Like, 00:02:49.830 --> 00:02:50.702 instead of picking, 00:02:50.702 --> 00:02:51.478 like a thing, 00:02:51.478 --> 00:02:52.702 you pick a word, 00:02:52.702 --> 00:02:54.352 which I thought was cool. 00:02:55.510 --> 00:02:56.174 But anyways, 00:02:56.222 --> 00:02:56.552 let's. 00:02:56.478 --> 00:02:57.734 I want to talk about first. 00:02:57.734 --> 00:02:59.918 I want to talk about why. 00:03:00.054 --> 00:03:00.966 Why do we make them. 00:03:00.966 --> 00:03:02.946 Why do we make a resolution? 00:03:03.510 --> 00:03:04.006 You know, 00:03:04.006 --> 00:03:05.986 it can be different for everybody. 00:03:06.094 --> 00:03:08.222 Some people might make them out of pressure. 00:03:08.222 --> 00:03:11.366 One of the statistics was that a good majority of people make a New 00:03:11.366 --> 00:03:12.870 Year's resolution out of pressure. 00:03:12.870 --> 00:03:17.184 Like they're pressured to fit into a mold or a picture of something that 00:03:17.184 --> 00:03:19.060 society says they should be. 00:03:19.760 --> 00:03:20.256 You know, 00:03:20.256 --> 00:03:21.120 that their friend group, 00:03:21.120 --> 00:03:21.600 peer group, 00:03:21.600 --> 00:03:25.120 whatever says that they should be or look or do or, 00:03:25.120 --> 00:03:25.440 you know, 00:03:25.440 --> 00:03:27.160 whatever. You know, 00:03:27.200 --> 00:03:28.896 some of them may be of good intention. 00:03:28.664 --> 00:03:28.992 You know, 00:03:28.992 --> 00:03:31.312 you might have something going on in your life that you know you need to 00:03:31.312 --> 00:03:32.302 get rid of. 00:03:32.720 --> 00:03:34.740 And so your resolution might be, 00:03:35.120 --> 00:03:35.680 you know, 00:03:35.680 --> 00:03:36.960 doing something out of. 00:03:36.960 --> 00:03:37.816 Out of good intent, 00:03:37.816 --> 00:03:38.400 out of your heart, 00:03:38.400 --> 00:03:39.140 you know. 00:03:41.310 --> 00:03:45.502 So the challenge that we're going to go into is first off trying to 00:03:45.502 --> 00:03:50.694 identify why we make them and then trying to recognize or realize. 00:03:50.742 --> 00:03:54.130 Are we making this resolution for the right reason? 00:03:54.430 --> 00:03:57.310 Right. Are we making it for the right reason? 00:03:57.310 --> 00:04:00.246 So let's read a verse. 00:04:00.358 --> 00:04:01.684 Matthew 6, 00:04:01.847 --> 00:04:03.398 31, 34. 00:04:03.534 --> 00:04:05.702 This is a very famous passage. 00:04:05.766 --> 00:04:08.406 It talks about the birds and the lilies, 00:04:08.740 --> 00:04:10.380 and, you know, 00:04:10.420 --> 00:04:13.548 talks about how God provides for them. 00:04:13.604 --> 00:04:13.876 You know, 00:04:13.876 --> 00:04:15.260 the birds neither, 00:04:15.340 --> 00:04:15.716 you know, 00:04:15.716 --> 00:04:16.988 collect or toil or whatever, 00:04:16.988 --> 00:04:19.148 and they're provided for the flowers, 00:04:19.244 --> 00:04:20.172 they don't do anything, 00:04:20.172 --> 00:04:21.708 but they're clothed better than Solomon. 00:04:21.708 --> 00:04:22.740 All those kinds of things. 00:04:22.500 --> 00:04:24.052 Right? God provides for all of them. 00:04:24.052 --> 00:04:26.068 So we're going to pick up in 31, 00:04:26.068 --> 00:04:26.804 where it says, 00:04:26.804 --> 00:04:28.380 therefore do not be anxious, 00:04:28.380 --> 00:04:29.884 saying, what shall we eat? 00:04:29.884 --> 00:04:30.812 What shall we drink? 00:04:30.812 --> 00:04:32.276 Or what shall we wear? 00:04:32.044 --> 00:04:33.700 For the Gentiles seek after these things, 00:04:33.700 --> 00:04:36.348 and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 00:04:36.348 --> 00:04:38.838 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, 00:04:38.838 --> 00:04:40.622 and all these things will be added unto you. 00:04:40.622 --> 00:04:42.422 Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, 00:04:42.422 --> 00:04:45.174 for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. 00:04:45.302 --> 00:04:48.170 Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. 00:04:48.590 --> 00:04:52.446 How many people spend their nights not being able to go to sleep because 00:04:52.446 --> 00:04:55.270 they're worried about tomorrow or just all day? 00:04:55.310 --> 00:04:58.886 Like how many people waste their whole day worrying about tomorrow. 00:04:58.886 --> 00:05:00.398 You don't get anything done. 00:05:00.398 --> 00:05:01.334 You're just. 00:05:01.502 --> 00:05:05.690 You're so anxious and you're so worried about what could happen tomorrow 00:05:06.000 --> 00:05:08.232 that your whole day is washed. 00:05:08.376 --> 00:05:09.224 I've been there. 00:05:09.040 --> 00:05:09.600 I've done that, 00:05:09.600 --> 00:05:11.752 right? Or maybe it's not even tomorrow. 00:05:11.752 --> 00:05:13.968 Maybe you're worried about something that is going to happen. 00:05:13.968 --> 00:05:14.900 Next week. 00:05:15.200 --> 00:05:15.940 Right. 00:05:17.840 --> 00:05:22.056 And so I think the same thing can apply to a New Year's resolution, 00:05:22.056 --> 00:05:22.656 right? Like, 00:05:22.656 --> 00:05:24.980 we're not even in 2025 yet, 00:05:25.520 --> 00:05:27.780 and some of us, 00:05:28.320 --> 00:05:28.880 you know, 00:05:28.880 --> 00:05:32.580 have in our minds of what we want 2025 to look like. 00:05:35.400 --> 00:05:38.304 And so are you anxious about that? 00:05:38.392 --> 00:05:42.420 Like, does that give you an unsettling feeling, 00:05:43.960 --> 00:05:45.280 the challenge in this, 00:05:45.304 --> 00:05:46.088 in this question, 00:05:46.088 --> 00:05:47.738 why do we make them? 00:05:47.960 --> 00:05:53.460 Is, are we worried about this because we're not trusting in God, 00:05:54.200 --> 00:05:57.900 Right. Are we trusting in the God who provides for everything, 00:05:58.210 --> 00:05:59.394 who takes care of us, 00:05:59.394 --> 00:06:00.442 clothes us, 00:06:00.626 --> 00:06:02.034 takes care of all of our needs, 00:06:02.034 --> 00:06:03.130 emotionally, physically, 00:06:03.210 --> 00:06:03.898 everything? Right. 00:06:03.954 --> 00:06:05.604 Not everything that we want. 00:06:05.682 --> 00:06:07.034 Right. It's not like. 00:06:07.122 --> 00:06:10.842 And we're going to go into some verses that can be very misinterpreted 00:06:10.842 --> 00:06:11.730 and, you know, 00:06:11.730 --> 00:06:14.074 borderline go into the prosperity gospel. 00:06:14.202 --> 00:06:17.210 But, you know, 00:06:17.250 --> 00:06:21.350 are we making these resolutions for the right reason? 00:06:23.740 --> 00:06:26.164 And can it be made simple? 00:06:26.292 --> 00:06:28.980 The second part of this whole thing? 00:06:29.020 --> 00:06:31.820 Can it be made simple if I'm going to worry, 00:06:31.820 --> 00:06:36.556 if I'm going to worry myself with what and who I want to be in 2025? 00:06:36.556 --> 00:06:37.404 And I can think, 00:06:37.404 --> 00:06:39.724 I can make a list of all these things that I want to do better. 00:06:39.724 --> 00:06:42.140 Like, I want to be in better shape, 00:06:42.140 --> 00:06:43.800 I want to eat healthier, 00:06:44.140 --> 00:06:45.764 I want to be a better dad, 00:06:45.764 --> 00:06:47.740 I want to be a better husband, 00:06:47.740 --> 00:06:49.276 I want to be a better pastor. 00:06:49.092 --> 00:06:50.444 Like, all these kinds of things. 00:06:50.444 --> 00:06:54.292 I can make a huge long list of the person that I would like to be and the 00:06:54.292 --> 00:06:57.262 things that I would like to improve on for 2025. 00:06:57.460 --> 00:07:00.876 And I could worry myself to death with that list. 00:07:01.028 --> 00:07:03.636 Right? We can make a list and then look at this long list, 00:07:03.636 --> 00:07:06.116 and you got a whole page of things that, 00:07:06.116 --> 00:07:09.416 you know that you need to change in your life. 00:07:10.420 --> 00:07:11.364 And you can just, 00:07:11.364 --> 00:07:11.780 you can, 00:07:11.780 --> 00:07:12.580 you can almost get, 00:07:12.580 --> 00:07:13.292 like, frozen. 00:07:13.356 --> 00:07:13.956 And then like, 00:07:13.956 --> 00:07:15.348 man, this is too much. 00:07:15.348 --> 00:07:16.998 This is way too much. 00:07:17.092 --> 00:07:18.080 I remember, 00:07:20.510 --> 00:07:22.326 I remember when I was a kid, 00:07:22.326 --> 00:07:23.846 well, in my 20s, 00:07:24.038 --> 00:07:25.894 I'm still a kid to a lot of you guys. 00:07:25.894 --> 00:07:27.478 But Ms. 00:07:27.534 --> 00:07:28.750 Jennifer just told me this morning, 00:07:28.750 --> 00:07:29.006 she said, 00:07:29.006 --> 00:07:31.646 I'm so glad that you finally grew up. 00:07:32.030 --> 00:07:35.158 So I'm glad I'm at least getting there. 00:07:35.214 --> 00:07:36.758 Maybe, I think, 00:07:36.894 --> 00:07:38.326 what was 2016? 00:07:38.478 --> 00:07:40.057 So if I'm 41, 00:07:40.274 --> 00:07:41.782 2016 was. 00:07:41.886 --> 00:07:42.546 What's that? 00:07:42.446 --> 00:07:43.862 Almost nine years ago. 00:07:44.046 --> 00:07:45.686 So that would have made me, 00:07:45.686 --> 00:07:46.352 doing the math, 00:07:46.352 --> 00:07:49.040 39. Is that right? 00:07:49.160 --> 00:07:50.998 No, 29, 00:07:51.122 --> 00:07:52.300 29, 30. 00:07:52.840 --> 00:07:53.504 Yeah. 00:07:53.632 --> 00:07:54.896 See, my math is terrible. 00:07:54.896 --> 00:07:55.886 I don't know. 00:07:58.920 --> 00:08:02.440 It was about nine years ago or so when we moved back. 00:08:02.440 --> 00:08:03.152 You know, 00:08:03.256 --> 00:08:06.368 we lived in Panama for a Long time. 00:08:06.504 --> 00:08:07.888 And, you know, 00:08:08.024 --> 00:08:09.864 life was a lot more simple out there. 00:08:09.864 --> 00:08:12.174 Like, I lived in this little house. 00:08:12.880 --> 00:08:14.460 Backyard was our jungle. 00:08:14.880 --> 00:08:16.472 Rarely ever drove anywhere. 00:08:16.536 --> 00:08:17.288 If I did drive, 00:08:17.288 --> 00:08:19.760 it was just once a week to keep the car running. 00:08:19.760 --> 00:08:22.696 And so it was, 00:08:22.848 --> 00:08:23.296 you know, 00:08:23.296 --> 00:08:28.312 coming back here and everything's moving every day and everybody's in a 00:08:28.336 --> 00:08:29.986 hurry to get something done. 00:08:31.280 --> 00:08:32.180 You know, 00:08:33.040 --> 00:08:34.576 I guess I matured a little bit, 00:08:34.576 --> 00:08:40.046 maybe. Maybe started fitting the mold of the American image or whatever 00:08:40.078 --> 00:08:41.068 that looks like. 00:08:41.046 --> 00:08:44.346 But that can be part of my point as well. 00:08:45.270 --> 00:08:46.250 You know, 00:08:47.110 --> 00:08:50.926 it can be made simple if we. 00:08:51.078 --> 00:08:56.490 If we identify why we're doing things and then maybe shift that focus. 00:08:57.110 --> 00:08:57.774 So if. 00:08:57.862 --> 00:09:03.886 If we recognize why we're doing it and it's not because we're following 00:09:03.958 --> 00:09:05.278 and trusting in God, 00:09:05.830 --> 00:09:11.886 then I would be challenged to say that you're making it for the wrong 00:09:11.918 --> 00:09:12.490 reason. 00:09:13.590 --> 00:09:17.246 So let's read Matthew 22:36 through 40. 00:09:17.318 --> 00:09:19.902 So this isn't necessarily in context with the New Year's resolution, 00:09:19.902 --> 00:09:21.670 but I think it's very applicable here. 00:09:21.670 --> 00:09:22.990 And we read it. 00:09:24.310 --> 00:09:25.206 I think we read it. 00:09:25.206 --> 00:09:28.486 I think Bobby read it to us maybe a couple weeks ago. 00:09:28.310 --> 00:09:29.170 But anyways, 00:09:29.990 --> 00:09:38.074 so Jesus was challenged by a Pharisee or a teacher of the law on what the 00:09:38.082 --> 00:09:38.946 greatest commandment was. 00:09:38.946 --> 00:09:40.690 They were always trying to trip Jesus up, 00:09:40.690 --> 00:09:43.002 right? And so he asked him, 00:09:43.026 --> 00:09:43.346 he said, 00:09:43.346 --> 00:09:44.946 teacher, what's the greatest commandment of the law? 00:09:44.946 --> 00:09:45.898 Verse 36. 00:09:46.034 --> 00:09:47.910 And Jesus said to him, 00:09:48.450 --> 00:09:50.274 love the Lord your God with all your heart, 00:09:50.274 --> 00:09:50.922 all your soul, 00:09:50.922 --> 00:09:52.466 and with all your mind. 00:09:52.226 --> 00:09:54.122 This is the greatest and most important command. 00:09:54.122 --> 00:09:54.770 The second is, 00:09:54.770 --> 00:09:55.430 like it, 00:09:55.506 --> 00:09:57.282 love your neighbor as yourself. 00:09:57.466 --> 00:10:01.096 All the law and the prophets depend on these two commands. 00:10:01.370 --> 00:10:03.042 So, you know, 00:10:03.066 --> 00:10:03.994 obviously we got the 10. 00:10:03.994 --> 00:10:05.346 The 10 commandments. 00:10:05.538 --> 00:10:07.010 And then there's. 00:10:07.170 --> 00:10:12.354 It says all the law and the prophets depend on these two commands. 00:10:12.402 --> 00:10:15.610 And the Jewish law had a bunch of other laws on top of that, 00:10:15.610 --> 00:10:17.306 right? It was all laws that God gave them. 00:10:17.306 --> 00:10:18.250 It wasn't like, 00:10:18.250 --> 00:10:18.602 you know, 00:10:18.602 --> 00:10:19.466 I've heard some people say, 00:10:19.466 --> 00:10:21.866 well, man made up all those other laws the Jews did. 00:10:21.706 --> 00:10:22.090 But, like, 00:10:22.090 --> 00:10:23.058 no, God actually declared. 00:10:23.058 --> 00:10:25.368 If you read through Deuteronomy and Leviticus, 00:10:25.402 --> 00:10:27.042 like God actually ordained and, 00:10:27.042 --> 00:10:31.870 like, commanded all those additional laws to set them apart. 00:10:32.290 --> 00:10:33.410 It was for their good. 00:10:33.410 --> 00:10:33.810 And even, 00:10:33.810 --> 00:10:36.762 like, you can think about all the dietary restrictions. 00:10:36.762 --> 00:10:40.450 It's crazy how science now is proving that that diet that they were on is 00:10:40.450 --> 00:10:42.100 like a crazy good diet. 00:10:42.042 --> 00:10:44.618 Like, it would probably be really expensive to be on that diet, 00:10:44.618 --> 00:10:45.826 and I couldn't afford it. 00:10:45.826 --> 00:10:48.106 But it's crazy. 00:10:48.138 --> 00:10:49.194 Like, I've Heard of guys, 00:10:49.194 --> 00:10:50.160 people getting hit, 00:10:50.160 --> 00:10:52.806 healed from Crohn's disease and all kinds of stuff just from going on 00:10:52.806 --> 00:10:54.610 that Levitical diet. 00:10:55.110 --> 00:10:56.382 It's kind of gnarly, 00:10:56.382 --> 00:10:57.410 but anyways, 00:10:58.790 --> 00:11:00.702 so love the Lord your God, 00:11:00.702 --> 00:11:02.302 and love your neighbor as yourself. 00:11:02.302 --> 00:11:03.494 So if you do those two things, 00:11:03.494 --> 00:11:06.734 making it simple and focusing on those two things, 00:11:06.822 --> 00:11:07.366 because, like, 00:11:07.366 --> 00:11:08.998 again, we can make a list, 00:11:08.998 --> 00:11:09.328 right? 00:11:09.350 --> 00:11:11.990 We make a list in our minds all the time. 00:11:11.990 --> 00:11:16.454 And I'm sure that some of the Jews got burdened by all that whole list, 00:11:16.454 --> 00:11:16.886 right? Like, 00:11:16.886 --> 00:11:17.582 can you imagine, 00:11:17.582 --> 00:11:18.070 like, having. 00:11:18.070 --> 00:11:18.406 I mean, 00:11:18.406 --> 00:11:19.062 we can look through it. 00:11:19.062 --> 00:11:19.846 We've got it. 00:11:19.670 --> 00:11:21.254 Like, we can look through all of that. 00:11:21.254 --> 00:11:23.682 All that law that they had to go through. 00:11:23.682 --> 00:11:24.818 Dude, I'd be like, 00:11:24.818 --> 00:11:25.874 there is no way. 00:11:25.874 --> 00:11:28.114 Like, I can't do half of them, 00:11:28.114 --> 00:11:29.434 so why even try, 00:11:29.810 --> 00:11:34.234 right? But Jesus made it super simple. 00:11:34.282 --> 00:11:34.690 He said, 00:11:34.690 --> 00:11:35.350 there's just. 00:11:35.378 --> 00:11:37.090 There's two that you need to follow, 00:11:37.090 --> 00:11:38.514 and if you do those two, 00:11:38.514 --> 00:11:39.474 you're going to do the rest. 00:11:39.474 --> 00:11:41.162 Automatically, organically, 00:11:41.226 --> 00:11:42.850 you're going to do the rest, 00:11:42.850 --> 00:11:46.190 right? And so in making New Year's resolutions, 00:11:48.300 --> 00:11:55.572 if we can shift our focus on bettering ourselves and shifting it to what 00:11:55.596 --> 00:11:57.576 is God's will in our lives, 00:11:58.220 --> 00:11:59.100 what would that do? 00:11:59.100 --> 00:12:01.280 Like, what would that difference be, 00:12:01.740 --> 00:12:02.436 Right? 00:12:02.588 --> 00:12:04.716 What would that difference be in your life? 00:12:04.716 --> 00:12:10.000 I can remember again when I was a lot younger and, 00:12:10.380 --> 00:12:11.360 you know, 00:12:11.740 --> 00:12:12.880 from the outside, 00:12:13.510 --> 00:12:14.006 you know, 00:12:14.006 --> 00:12:15.998 my life maybe didn't look like a train wreck, 00:12:15.998 --> 00:12:18.230 but inside it was a train wreck. 00:12:18.230 --> 00:12:18.662 You know, 00:12:18.662 --> 00:12:22.382 I can remember the things that I worried myself with, 00:12:22.486 --> 00:12:27.106 the things that I invested my time and my money and my energy in. 00:12:27.350 --> 00:12:27.846 You know, 00:12:27.846 --> 00:12:33.230 I can remember the person that I was and being completely lost, 00:12:33.350 --> 00:12:37.970 like, having no clue what in the heck was going on day to day. 00:12:38.470 --> 00:12:43.940 And we're going to read a verse here in a minute that it just got made 00:12:43.980 --> 00:12:44.644 super simple. 00:12:44.692 --> 00:12:46.012 One day I decided. 00:12:46.020 --> 00:12:46.716 I woke up, 00:12:46.716 --> 00:12:47.860 I went for a surf, 00:12:47.860 --> 00:12:51.708 and I came home and I was actually staying with some friends. 00:12:51.708 --> 00:12:56.676 And after surfing and in the shower, 00:12:56.868 --> 00:12:58.820 I decided to follow the Lord. 00:12:58.820 --> 00:13:02.332 I prayed the best I knew how to pray at the time. 00:13:02.332 --> 00:13:02.876 And I said, 00:13:02.876 --> 00:13:05.276 God, I don't know what it looks like to follow you. 00:13:05.004 --> 00:13:05.994 I don't know, 00:13:06.076 --> 00:13:06.516 you know, 00:13:06.516 --> 00:13:07.960 who Jesus really is, 00:13:08.820 --> 00:13:14.396 but I know that I'm terrible at leading my own life. 00:13:14.468 --> 00:13:15.620 So whatever it looks like, 00:13:15.620 --> 00:13:17.116 God, I'm following you. 00:13:17.268 --> 00:13:18.700 Right? That was it. 00:13:18.820 --> 00:13:20.140 That was the prayer. 00:13:22.980 --> 00:13:26.820 And that was the day that I say that I gave my life to the Lord. 00:13:26.820 --> 00:13:29.484 And I can tell you that after that, 00:13:29.652 --> 00:13:31.468 my life became like, 00:13:31.524 --> 00:13:33.174 everything became so Much more. 00:13:33.212 --> 00:13:35.054 More simple and so much more clear. 00:13:35.054 --> 00:13:36.830 And it wasn't just like that, 00:13:36.830 --> 00:13:37.558 but like. 00:13:37.694 --> 00:13:39.542 So let's go on to, 00:13:39.726 --> 00:13:40.126 you know, 00:13:40.126 --> 00:13:41.966 where will your focus be in the new year? 00:13:41.806 --> 00:13:42.918 And it's just one quick verse, 00:13:42.918 --> 00:13:44.160 and it's in Psalm 37. 00:13:44.160 --> 00:13:46.726 4. And if you haven't read Psalm 37, 00:13:46.878 --> 00:13:47.326 you know, 00:13:47.326 --> 00:13:48.110 write it down, 00:13:48.110 --> 00:13:49.566 it's not going to be up here, 00:13:49.566 --> 00:13:50.278 but read, 00:13:50.334 --> 00:13:51.350 read Psalm 37, 00:13:51.390 --> 00:13:52.262 it's good. 00:13:52.446 --> 00:13:53.558 But Psalm 37. 00:13:53.614 --> 00:13:55.486 Four, it's a pretty popular verse. 00:13:55.302 --> 00:13:55.710 It says, 00:13:55.710 --> 00:14:00.000 take delight in the Lord and he will give you your heart's desires. 00:14:00.110 --> 00:14:03.342 So that can be that verse that I was talking about that can be 00:14:03.342 --> 00:14:04.310 misconstrued. Like, 00:14:04.350 --> 00:14:05.718 I'll give you your heart's desires. 00:14:05.718 --> 00:14:06.270 Like God said, 00:14:06.270 --> 00:14:06.750 follow me, 00:14:06.750 --> 00:14:07.566 trust me with your heart, 00:14:07.566 --> 00:14:09.606 and I'll give you your heart's desires. 00:14:09.606 --> 00:14:10.422 Like, awesome. 00:14:10.486 --> 00:14:16.646 I want a brand new boat that would be super cool or, 00:14:16.718 --> 00:14:17.342 you know, 00:14:17.342 --> 00:14:19.370 10 more surfboards or whatever. 00:14:21.710 --> 00:14:29.568 The interesting thing there is that if we believe that God is the one who 00:14:29.624 --> 00:14:31.488 gives us the desires, 00:14:31.664 --> 00:14:35.088 not that we're the one that create our own desires, 00:14:35.184 --> 00:14:37.480 and then God gives us whatever desire that is, 00:14:37.480 --> 00:14:38.456 because then that could say, 00:14:38.456 --> 00:14:40.160 like, you know, 00:14:40.280 --> 00:14:43.408 we can have some mixed up or some pretty messed up desires, 00:14:43.408 --> 00:14:44.432 y'all. Like, 00:14:44.616 --> 00:14:47.880 if I'm honest with myself and look back on my life and even, 00:14:47.880 --> 00:14:48.360 you know, 00:14:48.360 --> 00:14:50.448 even recently and like, 00:14:50.504 --> 00:14:53.624 some of the things that I think that I want for myself that are super 00:14:53.624 --> 00:14:54.680 selfish and I really, 00:14:54.680 --> 00:14:57.064 like, really become honest with myself, 00:14:57.112 --> 00:14:59.264 like, some of them can be very, 00:14:59.264 --> 00:15:02.728 very, very selfish and not within God's will, 00:15:02.784 --> 00:15:05.536 right? And I can want it and I can try to justify it and be like, 00:15:05.536 --> 00:15:09.208 God, I really want this because I can do all this good for you and blah, 00:15:09.208 --> 00:15:09.672 blah, blah, 00:15:09.672 --> 00:15:10.584 blah. And, 00:15:10.752 --> 00:15:11.360 you know, 00:15:11.360 --> 00:15:15.300 whatever this verse is actually talking about, 00:15:15.680 --> 00:15:17.016 take delight in the Lord. 00:15:17.016 --> 00:15:18.820 Like, take delight in his. 00:15:19.360 --> 00:15:20.264 You know, 00:15:20.432 --> 00:15:21.112 David said, 00:15:21.136 --> 00:15:22.232 I take delight in, 00:15:22.232 --> 00:15:22.978 in your commands. 00:15:22.978 --> 00:15:24.322 I take delight in your discipline. 00:15:24.322 --> 00:15:26.346 I take delight in all these things. 00:15:26.346 --> 00:15:28.290 And because realizing it, 00:15:28.330 --> 00:15:29.898 that it's for our good, 00:15:29.898 --> 00:15:33.890 that it's chipping away all the rough edges to turn us into a perfection, 00:15:33.890 --> 00:15:36.338 which is the image of Jesus, 00:15:36.514 --> 00:15:38.618 if we look at it in that way, 00:15:38.618 --> 00:15:41.298 it simplifies it and it makes it way easier. 00:15:41.298 --> 00:15:43.042 And it makes it way easier to be obedient, 00:15:43.042 --> 00:15:43.372 too. 00:15:43.290 --> 00:15:46.010 Because if you just trust that it's for your good, 00:15:46.010 --> 00:15:47.714 even if it feels difficult, 00:15:47.762 --> 00:15:48.106 be like, 00:15:48.106 --> 00:15:48.410 all right, 00:15:48.410 --> 00:15:49.218 this is going to be tough, 00:15:49.218 --> 00:15:52.900 but I know it's for my good and I'm going to do it. 00:15:52.900 --> 00:15:55.772 Take delight in the Lord and He will give you your heart's desires. 00:15:55.772 --> 00:16:02.492 What that means is an example of what it looked like in my life is I 00:16:02.516 --> 00:16:05.460 can't listen to some of the same music I used to listen to. 00:16:05.460 --> 00:16:06.980 I can't watch some of this. 00:16:06.980 --> 00:16:08.960 I used to love horror movies. 00:16:08.860 --> 00:16:09.748 I loved them, 00:16:09.748 --> 00:16:10.940 like when I was a kid, 00:16:10.940 --> 00:16:12.260 in my early 20s, 00:16:12.396 --> 00:16:13.628 I loved horror movies. 00:16:13.628 --> 00:16:15.278 Like, it was the best. 00:16:16.270 --> 00:16:19.734 And it's not because I decided to start following a bunch of rules. 00:16:19.734 --> 00:16:21.410 It's because I started to. 00:16:21.790 --> 00:16:23.440 I decided to follow Jesus. 00:16:23.382 --> 00:16:27.970 I decided to allow his heart to transform my heart. 00:16:28.430 --> 00:16:29.854 And he changed my heart. 00:16:29.854 --> 00:16:32.170 He gave me new heart's desires. 00:16:32.590 --> 00:16:34.318 And I was honest with it, 00:16:34.318 --> 00:16:37.230 right? And a lot of times we can fight it and be like, 00:16:37.230 --> 00:16:41.390 I remember there was a couple things that I didn't want to let go of. 00:16:41.150 --> 00:16:41.646 And, you know, 00:16:41.646 --> 00:16:42.766 it's like in my mind, 00:16:42.766 --> 00:16:47.090 I made a list of the things that I knew God wanted to change in my life. 00:16:47.090 --> 00:16:47.970 And you know, 00:16:47.970 --> 00:16:48.930 that number one thing, 00:16:48.930 --> 00:16:49.346 I was like, 00:16:49.346 --> 00:16:50.306 I really like this thing, 00:16:50.306 --> 00:16:50.802 God. I was like, 00:16:50.802 --> 00:16:51.499 let's work on 2, 00:16:51.499 --> 00:16:53.578 3, and 4 and we'll be good. 00:16:53.714 --> 00:16:55.474 And I can just hold on to number one, 00:16:55.474 --> 00:16:57.546 because I'm not hurting anyone. 00:16:57.658 --> 00:16:58.258 It's not, 00:16:58.258 --> 00:16:58.546 you know, 00:16:58.546 --> 00:16:59.282 I'm not hurt. 00:16:59.162 --> 00:17:00.812 I can still serve you. 00:17:00.882 --> 00:17:01.810 I'm, you know, 00:17:01.810 --> 00:17:04.106 whatever. And then it's just constantly, 00:17:04.138 --> 00:17:05.330 God keeps bringing that up, 00:17:05.330 --> 00:17:05.882 like, dude, 00:17:05.882 --> 00:17:07.250 you got to get rid of that. 00:17:07.250 --> 00:17:07.906 And you're like, 00:17:07.906 --> 00:17:09.170 but I really like it. 00:17:09.170 --> 00:17:11.480 It's my favorite thing in the world, 00:17:11.570 --> 00:17:12.130 you know, 00:17:12.130 --> 00:17:12.830 whatever. 00:17:15.340 --> 00:17:19.732 But getting honest with yourself and allowing God to change that desire, 00:17:19.796 --> 00:17:20.828 and he really can, 00:17:20.828 --> 00:17:24.636 like, I can honestly say that I don't have the desire anymore to do, 00:17:24.636 --> 00:17:25.164 you know, 00:17:25.164 --> 00:17:28.580 the things that used to give me pleasure when I was younger. 00:17:28.580 --> 00:17:30.116 That doesn't mean that I'm not tempted. 00:17:30.116 --> 00:17:33.740 Sometimes I think tempted and wanting to do them is totally different 00:17:33.740 --> 00:17:35.812 because Jesus was tempted by the devil, 00:17:35.812 --> 00:17:37.572 right? You know, 00:17:37.596 --> 00:17:40.236 the Bible says that Jesus was without sin. 00:17:40.276 --> 00:17:43.276 And so if temptation is equated to sin, 00:17:43.388 --> 00:17:44.940 then Jesus wasn't sinless, 00:17:45.020 --> 00:17:45.692 right? 00:17:45.876 --> 00:17:51.156 So we can all still be tempted to do things and to veer off a course, 00:17:51.780 --> 00:17:53.308 but that doesn't mean that we're sin. 00:17:53.308 --> 00:17:56.844 We're equipped with tools to resist the devil, 00:17:56.972 --> 00:17:59.004 right? Scott talked about that briefly. 00:17:59.132 --> 00:18:00.732 I was halfway paying attention. 00:18:00.732 --> 00:18:04.156 But he talked about being able to resist the devil. 00:18:04.188 --> 00:18:05.838 In the presence of God, 00:18:06.750 --> 00:18:09.014 the devil cannot operate. 00:18:09.062 --> 00:18:09.862 It's impossible. 00:18:09.926 --> 00:18:11.130 Cannot operate. 00:18:12.430 --> 00:18:15.502 And so where will your focus be this new year? 00:18:15.502 --> 00:18:20.126 Is your focus this year going to be on yourself or is it going to be on 00:18:20.126 --> 00:18:23.494 God, that's the challenge. 00:18:23.622 --> 00:18:25.290 It's just plain and simple. 00:18:25.870 --> 00:18:27.918 What does that look like for you, 00:18:27.918 --> 00:18:28.694 moving forward? 00:18:28.782 --> 00:18:31.422 Well, it can look like two different things. 00:18:31.970 --> 00:18:32.634 You know, 00:18:32.722 --> 00:18:35.970 if you're here this morning and you got drugged by your spouse or 00:18:35.970 --> 00:18:38.506 whoever, or you just wandered in here, 00:18:38.578 --> 00:18:39.626 that's totally fine. 00:18:39.738 --> 00:18:41.388 We're glad that you're here. 00:18:41.810 --> 00:18:43.714 If you have no clue what I'm talking about, 00:18:43.714 --> 00:18:48.058 you haven't allowed God into your heart and accepted Jesus as your Lord 00:18:48.074 --> 00:18:48.990 and Savior. 00:18:50.530 --> 00:18:55.546 That first step is shifting your focus away from you. 00:18:55.698 --> 00:18:57.194 And that simple prayer, 00:18:57.242 --> 00:18:58.538 like I'm telling y'all, 00:18:58.538 --> 00:19:00.712 it's. It can sound crazy, 00:19:00.856 --> 00:19:03.560 but once I wholeheartedly desired, 00:19:03.640 --> 00:19:06.176 even though I didn't understand what it looked like and what my life 00:19:06.176 --> 00:19:07.200 would look like in the future. 00:19:07.200 --> 00:19:08.560 But once I decided and I said, 00:19:08.560 --> 00:19:09.640 God, I prayed. 00:19:09.720 --> 00:19:10.380 Simple prayer, 00:19:10.392 --> 00:19:12.944 God, show me what it looks like to follow you. 00:19:12.944 --> 00:19:14.432 Show me who you are. 00:19:14.432 --> 00:19:17.056 And I was obedient every step of the way. 00:19:17.056 --> 00:19:18.216 Like, man, 00:19:18.288 --> 00:19:19.224 it was crazy. 00:19:19.224 --> 00:19:21.204 In just a short six months, 00:19:21.760 --> 00:19:25.814 my life was radically changed to where my sister's boyfriend was like, 00:19:25.992 --> 00:19:27.274 dude, what happened to you? 00:19:27.106 --> 00:19:27.426 I'm like, 00:19:27.426 --> 00:19:28.416 I don't know. 00:19:28.770 --> 00:19:31.080 I don't know what to tell you. 00:19:31.090 --> 00:19:32.266 I didn't do anything. 00:19:32.266 --> 00:19:33.586 God did it all, 00:19:33.666 --> 00:19:35.670 right? God did it all. 00:19:37.890 --> 00:19:38.866 So it can look like that. 00:19:38.866 --> 00:19:42.050 It can be shifting that focus from yourself and shifting your focus to 00:19:42.050 --> 00:19:46.190 God. And for the believer, 00:19:48.610 --> 00:19:52.752 it can look like taking bold steps of faith, 00:19:52.946 --> 00:19:54.280 being obedient, 00:19:54.620 --> 00:19:56.120 founded in truth, 00:19:56.460 --> 00:19:59.600 obedience, founded in truth is a very important thing, 00:20:00.940 --> 00:20:01.600 because, again, 00:20:01.644 --> 00:20:02.156 like I said, 00:20:02.156 --> 00:20:07.440 we can make a list of things that sound good and can be good for us. 00:20:08.460 --> 00:20:13.560 I remember one time I had this great idea for an invention, 00:20:13.980 --> 00:20:18.180 and it was a construction tool. 00:20:18.300 --> 00:20:20.610 I actually put some thought into it. 00:20:21.660 --> 00:20:23.860 It was a pneumatic nail puller. 00:20:24.020 --> 00:20:26.220 I thought it was a good idea. 00:20:26.220 --> 00:20:27.668 I was also under the influence. 00:20:27.668 --> 00:20:28.600 But anyways, 00:20:30.380 --> 00:20:32.292 I spent that whole day as a kid. 00:20:32.292 --> 00:20:35.172 Anybody that's ever worked in construction spent the whole day as a kid 00:20:35.172 --> 00:20:36.822 pulling nails all day long. 00:20:36.700 --> 00:20:37.292 And then at the end, 00:20:37.292 --> 00:20:37.676 it was like, 00:20:37.676 --> 00:20:39.292 man, there's got to be a better way to do this. 00:20:39.292 --> 00:20:40.900 And so I came up with this idea. 00:20:40.900 --> 00:20:41.652 It was awesome. 00:20:41.652 --> 00:20:43.260 I submitted it to the, 00:20:43.260 --> 00:20:45.644 like, the patent office and all that kind of stuff, 00:20:45.644 --> 00:20:47.322 and I ended up getting scammed. 00:20:47.322 --> 00:20:48.470 Long story short, 00:20:49.170 --> 00:20:50.270 but anyways, 00:20:51.330 --> 00:20:53.762 I remember I was still a believer at that time, 00:20:53.762 --> 00:20:55.658 and it was very early in my faith, 00:20:55.658 --> 00:20:57.026 but I remember praying to God. 00:20:56.858 --> 00:20:57.346 I was like, 00:20:57.346 --> 00:21:00.074 God, I really want to get this patented. 00:21:00.122 --> 00:21:02.882 I want it to be successful because I want to make a bunch of money 00:21:02.882 --> 00:21:10.442 because I want to give it to whatever I believe that God didn't allow me 00:21:10.466 --> 00:21:14.424 to be rich because he knows I'm in numbskull and I'll blow it on a bunch 00:21:14.424 --> 00:21:17.136 of stuff that I don't need to be blowing it on, 00:21:17.136 --> 00:21:19.864 right? It's not because I didn't have good intentions, 00:21:19.864 --> 00:21:20.640 but he just, 00:21:20.640 --> 00:21:21.984 he knows who I am, 00:21:21.984 --> 00:21:24.896 right? And so I think a lot of times we don't get the things that we 00:21:24.896 --> 00:21:28.856 think we want because God knows us better than we know ourselves. 00:21:30.560 --> 00:21:33.240 Point being obedience, 00:21:33.320 --> 00:21:34.620 founded in truth. 00:21:35.600 --> 00:21:40.616 So seeking God's will and taking steps of faith, 00:21:40.648 --> 00:21:42.780 obedient truth. 00:21:43.120 --> 00:21:45.888 I spoke with somebody this week and they were talking about, 00:21:45.888 --> 00:21:46.176 you know, 00:21:46.176 --> 00:21:52.168 they've lived their life knowing something that they should do but have, 00:21:52.224 --> 00:21:55.896 but have had fear of going on a long term missions trip. 00:21:55.896 --> 00:21:56.640 Done plenty of, 00:21:56.640 --> 00:21:58.888 like, done plenty of local missions. 00:21:58.984 --> 00:22:00.488 Like I helped them with the food pantry, 00:22:00.488 --> 00:22:02.224 I helped with all these kinds of things. 00:22:02.224 --> 00:22:05.000 But then realizing that I didn't, 00:22:05.080 --> 00:22:06.592 I kind of did what I, 00:22:06.592 --> 00:22:08.248 what God was calling me to do, 00:22:08.248 --> 00:22:09.262 but not really, 00:22:09.366 --> 00:22:09.696 right? 00:22:09.734 --> 00:22:12.478 Like, I just stayed in my own comfort zone. 00:22:12.478 --> 00:22:14.494 I think that happens a lot sometimes. 00:22:14.494 --> 00:22:17.182 But taking those bold steps of faith, 00:22:17.246 --> 00:22:18.542 those bold steps of faith, 00:22:18.542 --> 00:22:20.950 if you know that God's calling you to do something, 00:22:20.950 --> 00:22:23.894 you got to do it 100% how he wants it, 00:22:23.894 --> 00:22:28.766 right? When the Israelites were charging Jericho, 00:22:28.958 --> 00:22:30.030 terrible battle plan. 00:22:30.070 --> 00:22:31.590 Like, if you look at it from like a, 00:22:31.590 --> 00:22:33.960 from like a general like war standpoint, 00:22:34.150 --> 00:22:35.396 terrible battle plan. 00:22:35.468 --> 00:22:37.284 Like, can you imagine, 00:22:37.332 --> 00:22:40.556 like some of the dudes that maybe their faith was lacking and they were 00:22:40.556 --> 00:22:41.212 just like. 00:22:41.212 --> 00:22:42.240 And you know, 00:22:43.500 --> 00:22:45.196 they show up and they're like, 00:22:45.196 --> 00:22:45.436 all right, 00:22:45.436 --> 00:22:46.426 here's the plan. 00:22:47.260 --> 00:22:50.444 We're not going to do anything except walk around the town. 00:22:50.444 --> 00:22:51.236 That's it. 00:22:51.388 --> 00:22:52.076 And they're like, 00:22:52.076 --> 00:22:52.452 what? 00:22:52.556 --> 00:22:53.588 Like, what about our swords? 00:22:53.588 --> 00:22:55.276 Like, do we need to sharpen them? 00:22:55.276 --> 00:22:56.084 Like all this kind of stuff. 00:22:56.084 --> 00:22:56.396 I'm like, 00:22:56.396 --> 00:22:57.564 no, we're going to walk around it. 00:22:57.564 --> 00:22:58.764 On the first day, 00:22:58.764 --> 00:22:59.196 they said, 00:22:59.196 --> 00:23:00.300 okay, well on the second day, 00:23:00.300 --> 00:23:01.884 guess what we're going to do? 00:23:01.596 --> 00:23:03.284 We're going to walk around it again, 00:23:03.284 --> 00:23:03.908 like, what? 00:23:03.908 --> 00:23:04.804 When are we going to attack? 00:23:04.804 --> 00:23:05.156 They're like, 00:23:05.156 --> 00:23:05.636 don't worry about it. 00:23:05.636 --> 00:23:06.660 On the third day, 00:23:06.660 --> 00:23:08.436 we're going to walk around it again, 00:23:08.436 --> 00:23:09.228 right? Like, 00:23:09.284 --> 00:23:10.364 terrible battle plan, 00:23:10.452 --> 00:23:11.200 awful. 00:23:12.420 --> 00:23:13.844 But look what God did with it, 00:23:13.844 --> 00:23:16.300 right? They were obedient to the T. 00:23:16.420 --> 00:23:20.124 And then there's moments in the Old Testament where again, 00:23:20.212 --> 00:23:21.228 where people like, 00:23:21.284 --> 00:23:24.060 they did 90% of what God wanted them to, 00:23:24.100 --> 00:23:26.080 but then that extra 10% they didn't. 00:23:26.156 --> 00:23:29.960 And God held back the blessing that was for them. 00:23:30.640 --> 00:23:33.824 So think about all the blessings that are meant for us that God really, 00:23:33.824 --> 00:23:35.440 really wants to get us. 00:23:34.880 --> 00:23:36.220 Like, maybe, 00:23:36.880 --> 00:23:39.864 maybe God would allow me to be rich. 00:23:39.912 --> 00:23:40.656 I don't know. 00:23:40.656 --> 00:23:45.224 But maybe it's being held back from my disobedience. 00:23:45.272 --> 00:23:47.696 And I'm not saying I desire to be rich and all that, 00:23:47.696 --> 00:23:49.904 but it's just an example of what I'm talking about. 00:23:49.904 --> 00:23:54.168 Like, I feel like sometimes we can have these, 00:23:54.224 --> 00:23:56.676 these deep longing desires for things that, 00:23:56.768 --> 00:24:00.728 that we feel like is a promise or a blessing to us. 00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:06.044 But maybe there's some things that we need to change and be 100% obedient 00:24:06.092 --> 00:24:07.920 instead of 90% obedient. 00:24:09.380 --> 00:24:10.660 If you understand what I'm saying. 00:24:10.660 --> 00:24:12.748 Again, I'm not preaching prosperity gospel. 00:24:12.844 --> 00:24:14.604 And if you go 100% all of a sudden, 00:24:14.604 --> 00:24:18.180 you're going to have a sweet Grady White and you're going to have a house 00:24:18.180 --> 00:24:20.076 on little Kinston on the waterway. 00:24:20.076 --> 00:24:23.188 And you can just go out and go out on your boat and whatever, 00:24:23.188 --> 00:24:25.190 go on trips to wherever the heck you want, 00:24:25.190 --> 00:24:26.250 whenever you want. 00:24:27.830 --> 00:24:35.838 But what I am saying is that with these New Year's resolutions, 00:24:35.934 --> 00:24:36.950 with this whole thing, 00:24:36.950 --> 00:24:37.846 this mindset of, 00:24:37.846 --> 00:24:39.086 okay, in 2025, 00:24:39.158 --> 00:24:41.138 who do I want to be? 00:24:42.470 --> 00:24:44.142 We got to decide to follow God. 00:24:44.142 --> 00:24:44.970 That's it, 00:24:45.270 --> 00:24:46.530 plain and simple. 00:24:47.030 --> 00:24:49.988 And if we decide to follow God, 00:24:50.134 --> 00:24:52.072 he's going to give us our heart's desires. 00:24:52.072 --> 00:24:56.304 He's going to give us the desire to make those changes in us. 00:24:55.840 --> 00:24:57.432 And not only the desire, 00:24:57.432 --> 00:24:58.422 but the strength. 00:24:59.440 --> 00:25:01.352 There's so many good promises of God, 00:25:01.352 --> 00:25:03.064 how in our weakness, 00:25:03.112 --> 00:25:04.432 he gives us strength. 00:25:04.800 --> 00:25:05.752 Just read your Bible. 00:25:05.752 --> 00:25:09.382 You can look at all of the people in the Bible. 00:25:09.840 --> 00:25:13.500 They messed up big time and they didn't have the strength. 00:25:15.120 --> 00:25:17.070 And he can do it for you. 00:25:17.070 --> 00:25:18.158 He did it for me. 00:25:18.158 --> 00:25:19.310 He still does it for me. 00:25:19.310 --> 00:25:20.990 And he can do it for you. 00:25:20.990 --> 00:25:24.894 And it doesn't matter how old you are and how long you've been following 00:25:24.894 --> 00:25:25.610 God. 00:25:26.590 --> 00:25:29.958 He wants us to be more than just a seat warmer. 00:25:29.958 --> 00:25:31.158 If you're still breathing, 00:25:31.158 --> 00:25:32.530 you're still sitting here. 00:25:32.990 --> 00:25:34.850 He wants to use you. 00:25:35.310 --> 00:25:36.430 He wants to use you. 00:25:36.430 --> 00:25:41.478 You're not here just to sit around and come hang out on Sundays. 00:25:41.494 --> 00:25:42.484 Which is awesome. 00:25:42.502 --> 00:25:42.926 You know, 00:25:42.926 --> 00:25:45.238 it's cool to come hang out on Sundays. 00:25:45.238 --> 00:25:50.210 But what kind of person does God want you to be Monday through Saturday? 00:25:51.950 --> 00:25:53.070 That's the challenge here. 00:25:53.070 --> 00:25:55.158 The New Year's resolution is being people of God, 00:25:55.158 --> 00:25:55.718 loving God, 00:25:55.718 --> 00:25:56.378 living Jesus, 00:25:56.422 --> 00:25:57.410 walking together. 00:25:57.870 --> 00:25:59.734 Those are the gatherings priorities. 00:25:59.782 --> 00:26:02.070 And I think they're a good Solid, 00:26:02.070 --> 00:26:04.730 biblical, truth based priorities. 00:26:06.830 --> 00:26:07.798 So that's the challenge, 00:26:07.798 --> 00:26:10.556 y'all. It can look different for everybody, 00:26:10.588 --> 00:26:11.660 I understand that. 00:26:11.780 --> 00:26:17.612 But it's only going to make a difference if you actually be truthful with 00:26:17.636 --> 00:26:20.160 yourself and have some self reflection. 00:26:22.180 --> 00:26:29.420 Let's pray and then the band will come up and share another song with us. 00:26:29.540 --> 00:26:31.760 If you would like to pray, 00:26:33.140 --> 00:26:35.316 you can come down here and pray with me. 00:26:35.316 --> 00:26:37.296 I'll pray about whatever you want. 00:26:37.920 --> 00:26:42.340 And if you don't know Jesus and you want somebody to introduce you, 00:26:43.280 --> 00:26:45.472 I know plenty of people that would love to do that. 00:26:45.472 --> 00:26:48.060 So let's pray. 00:26:53.280 --> 00:26:53.928 Lord God, 00:26:53.928 --> 00:26:57.228 again we give you thanks for all that you are. 00:26:57.600 --> 00:27:05.106 God, I give you thanks that you desire to give me what my heart desires. 00:27:05.218 --> 00:27:10.098 God, that you don't want to leave me in a state of my own self 00:27:10.098 --> 00:27:14.130 destruction. Even though I think I know what's best for me, 00:27:14.170 --> 00:27:17.470 God, a lot of times it gets me in trouble. 00:27:18.010 --> 00:27:18.514 So God, 00:27:18.514 --> 00:27:19.866 just help me to trust in you. 00:27:19.674 --> 00:27:24.186 Help us to trust in you that your ways are better than my ways and that 00:27:24.186 --> 00:27:24.850 they're good. 00:27:24.970 --> 00:27:26.290 God, that they're good. 00:27:26.730 --> 00:27:28.002 They may not always be easy, 00:27:28.002 --> 00:27:29.298 God, but they're good. 00:27:29.298 --> 00:27:30.116 And God, 00:27:30.148 --> 00:27:34.860 I thank you that you promised to never leave us or forsake us and that 00:27:34.860 --> 00:27:37.012 your love covers a multitude of sins. 00:27:37.012 --> 00:27:41.356 God, there's nothing that we can't do in our lives that can separate us 00:27:41.356 --> 00:27:42.228 from you. 00:27:42.364 --> 00:27:47.732 When we decide to surrender to you and allow Jesus to be our Lord and 00:27:47.756 --> 00:27:48.308 Savior. God, 00:27:48.308 --> 00:27:50.960 there's nothing that can separate us from you. 00:27:52.140 --> 00:27:53.156 And so God, 00:27:53.268 --> 00:27:56.204 again we just trust you and we love you. 00:27:56.204 --> 00:27:56.940 In Jesus name, 00:27:56.940 --> 00:27:57.140 amen.