52 Weeks in the Word [TGC Podcast Ep. 399]

I could tell you what to do I could do I could tell you what to do I could do seminars on what to do and it is very seminars on what to do and it is very seminars on what to do and it is very important the doing is important the doing is important the doing is important but I was convicted that it's important but I was convicted that it's important but I was convicted that it's not what you need most and it's not what not what you need most and it's not what not what you need most and it's not what I need I need I need most we know that faith without action most we know that faith without action most we know that faith without action fa faith without works is dead but where fa faith without works is dead but where fa faith without works is dead but where does that actions spring from faith does that actions spring from faith does that actions spring from faith believing knowing in your heart and mind believing knowing in your heart and mind believing knowing in your heart and mind that that that Jesus is real and worth giving every bit Jesus is real and worth giving every bit Jesus is real and worth giving every bit of yourself of yourself of yourself too jip Packer warns that if we pursue too jip Packer warns that if we pursue too jip Packer warns that if we pursue theological knowledge for its own theological knowledge for its own theological knowledge for its own sake it is bound to go bad on us it will sake it is bound to go bad on us it will sake it is bound to go bad on us it will make us proud and make us proud and make us proud and conceited so we want to gain knowledge conceited so we want to gain knowledge conceited so we want to gain knowledge we must gain knowledge we want to know we must gain knowledge we want to know we must gain knowledge we want to know all the all the all the techniques but our techniques but our techniques but our motivation isn't just to know God for motivation isn't just to know God for motivation isn't just to know God for the sake of knowledge our desire is to the sake of knowledge our desire is to the sake of knowledge our desire is to love God with all our hearts mind soul love God with all our hearts mind soul love God with all our hearts mind soul and and and strength our love will lead to strength our love will lead to strength our love will lead to delighting in him and his word but we delighting in him and his word but we delighting in him and his word but we need God for that need God for that need God for that right so as I was thinking about my talk right so as I was thinking about my talk right so as I was thinking about my talk today I thought what what is the benefit of

I thought what what is the benefit of daily reading well it reminds us of who daily reading well it reminds us of who daily reading well it reminds us of who God God God is the problem that keeps us from that is the problem that keeps us from that is the problem that keeps us from that is is is believing believing who God is taking believing believing who God is taking believing believing who God is taking God at his word and God at his word and God at his word and living accordingly that is Faith that's living accordingly that is Faith that's living accordingly that is Faith that's what we need we what we need we what we need we struggle with delighting in God God and struggle with delighting in God God and struggle with delighting in God God and His word because of the cares of this His word because of the cares of this His word because of the cares of this world maybe circumstances I was speaking world maybe circumstances I was speaking world maybe circumstances I was speaking with a dear friend earlier today who was with a dear friend earlier today who was with a dear friend earlier today who was talking about someone she knows who has talking about someone she knows who has talking about someone she knows who has struggle after struggle after struggle struggle after struggle after struggle struggle after struggle after struggle after struggle and she was like why but I really do believe that part of why but I really do believe that part of our our our neglect the our temptation to neglect neglect the our temptation to neglect neglect the our temptation to neglect this gift of God's grace this daily re this gift of God's grace this daily re this gift of God's grace this daily re Ing and and enjoying God and our amazing Ing and and enjoying God and our amazing Ing and and enjoying God and our amazing relationship is relationship is relationship is unbelief so the for the rest of our time unbelief so the for the rest of our time unbelief so the for the rest of our time I want to help you believe that Jesus is I want to help you believe that Jesus is I want to help you believe that Jesus is who he says he is and I it will fuel who he says he is and I it will fuel who he says he is and I it will fuel your Bible your Bible your Bible reading that is what will keep you with reading that is what will keep you with reading that is what will keep you with him and keep you running to him and help him and keep you running to him and help him and keep you running to him and help you Delight in you Delight in you Delight in him but I can't do it only the Holy

him but I can't do it only the Holy him but I can't do it only the Holy Spirit Spirit Spirit can yes I cannot transform your can yes I cannot transform your can yes I cannot transform your heart when my son was and if you've heart when my son was and if you've heart when my son was and if you've heard me talk you've probably heard this heard me talk you've probably heard this heard me talk you've probably heard this before it's real it's true and I'm going before it's real it's true and I'm going before it's real it's true and I'm going to say what I'm about to tell you at my to say what I'm about to tell you at my to say what I'm about to tell you at my son's wedding but anyways when he Lord son's wedding but anyways when he Lord son's wedding but anyways when he Lord willing when he was four he's very willing when he was four he's very willing when he was four he's very inquisitive and thoughtful when he was inquisitive and thoughtful when he was inquisitive and thoughtful when he was four he he we were riding in the car and four he he we were riding in the car and four he he we were riding in the car and I don't remember what we were doing but I don't remember what we were doing but I don't remember what we were doing but we were driving and he said I was we were driving and he said I was we were driving and he said I was talking about the Lord to him and he talking about the Lord to him and he talking about the Lord to him and he said to me I don't believe you and I said to me I don't believe you and I said to me I don't believe you and I said you don't believe me and he he he said you don't believe me and he he he said you don't believe me and he he he said I don't I don't believe you Where's said I don't I don't believe you Where's said I don't I don't believe you Where's God and I was like well Lord can you God and I was like well Lord can you God and I was like well Lord can you show up in a bir I don't know how I show up in a bir I don't know how I show up in a bir I don't know how I didn't know what to say I mean he's four didn't know what to say I mean he's four didn't know what to say I mean he's four and I'm like and I'm like and I'm like I don't know what to say and so I was I don't know what to say and so I was I don't know what to say and so I was thinking and I was thinking and I was thinking and I was thinking and I was thinking and I was thinking and I was like um and then he starts saying well like um and then he starts saying well like um and then he starts saying well there's Spider-Man and there's Superman there's Spider-Man and there's Superman there's Spider-Man and there's Superman he's talking about his figurines so he's he's talking about his figurines so he's he's talking about his figurines so he's like Where's God you're talking about like Where's God you're talking about like Where's God you're talking about this God where is he and you know and this God where is he and you know and this God where is he and you know and then I said to him I said you know buddy then I said to him I said you know buddy then I said to him I said you know buddy I I I cannot make you believe but he is real cannot make you believe but he is real cannot make you believe but he is real and one day I hope he uh reveals himself and one day I hope he uh reveals himself and one day I hope he uh reveals himself to you and to your heart and and that's to you and to your heart and and that's to you and to your heart and and that's all I all I all I have and he said okay and I said have and he said okay and I said have and he said okay and I said okay but one of the things the a gift

okay but one of the things the a gift okay but one of the things the a gift that God did for me at that time is I that God did for me at that time is I that God did for me at that time is I realized I can't save my realized I can't save my realized I can't save my son I can't I can preach the gospel son I can't I can preach the gospel son I can't I can preach the gospel though and I'm I've done it for 18 though and I'm I've done it for 18 though and I'm I've done it for 18 years and I'm G to do it and I'm going years and I'm G to do it and I'm going years and I'm G to do it and I'm going to share and I'm going to share and and to share and I'm going to share and and to share and I'm going to share and and and Only God Can Transform hearts and and Only God Can Transform hearts and and Only God Can Transform hearts and give faith give faith give faith and as I've been praying for you and I'm and as I've been praying for you and I'm and as I've been praying for you and I'm about to pray that is what I've been about to pray that is what I've been about to pray that is what I've been praying for Lord give us Faith so that praying for Lord give us Faith so that praying for Lord give us Faith so that we might Delight in you and your word we might Delight in you and your word we might Delight in you and your word help us lead us to you so that we might help us lead us to you so that we might help us lead us to you so that we might know know know you in deeper ways in sweet ways so that you in deeper ways in sweet ways so that you in deeper ways in sweet ways so that we might love you so I'm going to pray we might love you so I'm going to pray we might love you so I'm going to pray for us and I'm going to pray for Faith for us and I'm going to pray for Faith for us and I'm going to pray for Faith as we talk through the rest of our talk as we talk through the rest of our talk as we talk through the rest of our talk Lord you are good and awesome and holy Lord you are good and awesome and holy Lord you are good and awesome and holy and just you are set apart you are also and just you are set apart you are also and just you are set apart you are also our father and you invite us to a throne our father and you invite us to a throne our father and you invite us to a throne of grace in our time of need and right of grace in our time of need and right of grace in our time of need and right now we all need now we all need now we all need you Lord I pray that you will give us you Lord I pray that you will give us you Lord I pray that you will give us Faith to believe that you are who you Faith to believe that you are who you Faith to believe that you are who you say you are which will help Delight our say you are which will help Delight our say you are which will help Delight our hearts to and and transform our hearts hearts to and and transform our hearts hearts to and and transform our hearts and help us to love you and help us to love you and help us to love you more God we want to know you more more more God we want to know you more more more God we want to know you more more that's why we're in a talk about that's why we're in a talk about that's why we're in a talk about spending time with you so Lord I pray spending time with you so Lord I pray spending time with you so Lord I pray that you will help us to be motivated to that you will help us to be motivated to that you will help us to be motivated to run to you God to Know You Lord and to

run to you God to Know You Lord and to run to you God to Know You Lord and to love you but it's only by your power and love you but it's only by your power and love you but it's only by your power and your grace and we ask you for it your grace and we ask you for it your grace and we ask you for it amen I think there's no better way to amen I think there's no better way to amen I think there's no better way to remind us of who Jesus is and why we remind us of who Jesus is and why we remind us of who Jesus is and why we should want to run to him than the I am should want to run to him than the I am should want to run to him than the I am statements that we have been studying statements that we have been studying statements that we have been studying and learning about this week at and learning about this week at and learning about this week at tgcw I I really love that this is the tgcw I I really love that this is the tgcw I I really love that this is the theme and as I was thinking about it I theme and as I was thinking about it I theme and as I was thinking about it I wanted to walk through and and wanted to walk through and and wanted to walk through and and everything that you've probably you've everything that you've probably you've everything that you've probably you've probably heard most of them not all of probably heard most of them not all of probably heard most of them not all of them yet walk through them and because them yet walk through them and because them yet walk through them and because it reminds our it reminds our it reminds our hearts and helps us to remember who God hearts and helps us to remember who God hearts and helps us to remember who God is because it's his claims it's the is because it's his claims it's the is because it's his claims it's the claims Jesus has made about himself and claims Jesus has made about himself and claims Jesus has made about himself and so here's something strange that I'm not so here's something strange that I'm not so here's something strange that I'm not going to do I'm not going to start out going to do I'm not going to start out going to do I'm not going to start out with Bible reading I know in a Bible with Bible reading I know in a Bible with Bible reading I know in a Bible reading reading reading talk I'm going to give you if you're so talk I'm going to give you if you're so talk I'm going to give you if you're so if you're a notetaker I'm going to give if you're a notetaker I'm going to give if you're a notetaker I'm going to give you an I am statement a truth that God you an I am statement a truth that God you an I am statement a truth that God says about himself and then the lie that says about himself and then the lie that says about himself and then the lie that we often believe that keeps us from we often believe that keeps us from we often believe that keeps us from running to him that's what we are going running to him that's what we are going running to him that's what we are going to think through so we're going to think to think through so we're going to think to think through so we're going to think of the truth truth this is what Jesus of the truth truth this is what Jesus of the truth truth this is what Jesus proclaims about himself and then this is proclaims about himself and then this is proclaims about himself and then this is the lie that we believe that keeps us the lie that we believe that keeps us the lie that we believe that keeps us from running to him in his word we if from running to him in his word we if from running to him in his word we if we're going to run to him we've got to we're going to run to him we've got to we're going to run to him we've got to believe he says he is who he says he is

believe he says he is who he says he is believe he says he is who he says he is so starting with John so starting with John so starting with John 6:35 Jesus says and this is the truth I 6:35 Jesus says and this is the truth I 6:35 Jesus says and this is the truth I am the bread of life whoever comes to me am the bread of life whoever comes to me am the bread of life whoever comes to me shall not hunger and whoever Believes In shall not hunger and whoever Believes In shall not hunger and whoever Believes In Me shall never thirst the hearers would Me shall never thirst the hearers would Me shall never thirst the hearers would have seen the miracle of bread and water have seen the miracle of bread and water have seen the miracle of bread and water turning into wine and multiplying but turning into wine and multiplying but turning into wine and multiplying but Jesus isn't of course talking about Jesus isn't of course talking about Jesus isn't of course talking about physical hunger Jesus claims that he is physical hunger Jesus claims that he is physical hunger Jesus claims that he is all all all satisfying he is all satisfying in him satisfying he is all satisfying in him satisfying he is all satisfying in him are Pleasures forever more you cannot be are Pleasures forever more you cannot be are Pleasures forever more you cannot be satisfied without Jesus nothing will satisfied without Jesus nothing will satisfied without Jesus nothing will truly satisfy you nothing nothing Jesus Jesus Jesus is all is all is all satisfying but why don't we run to satisfying but why don't we run to satisfying but why don't we run to him we don't remain in him because we him we don't remain in him because we him we don't remain in him because we think that a think that a think that a relationship a person will solve our relationship a person will solve our relationship a person will solve our deepest longings so we run to other deepest longings so we run to other deepest longings so we run to other things or we believe a possession things or we believe a possession things or we believe a possession will we believe the lie that someone or will we believe the lie that someone or will we believe the lie that someone or something will satisfy us so what do we something will satisfy us so what do we something will satisfy us so what do we neglect we neglect running to God in his neglect we neglect running to God in his neglect we neglect running to God in his word we neglect running to God in

prayer and if we believe that something prayer and if we believe that something or someone else will satisfy us why run or someone else will satisfy us why run or someone else will satisfy us why run to God to God to God God graciously never allows us to be God graciously never allows us to be God graciously never allows us to be completely satisfied in those completely satisfied in those completely satisfied in those things he is the only thing that will things he is the only thing that will things he is the only thing that will satisfy us do we believe that ask satisfy us do we believe that ask satisfy us do we believe that ask yourself what do you run yourself what do you run yourself what do you run to when in in times to when in in times to when in in times of of of Sorrow what do you run Sorrow what do you run Sorrow what do you run to in your daily to in your daily to in your daily walk do you get up and we're all guilty walk do you get up and we're all guilty walk do you get up and we're all guilty and do you pick up your phone first and do you pick up your phone first and do you pick up your phone first thing this is not thing this is not thing this is not to like smash you with guilt we're all to like smash you with guilt we're all to like smash you with guilt we're all guilty what is it that's keeping you guilty what is it that's keeping you guilty what is it that's keeping you from enjoying the from enjoying the from enjoying the Lord is he in your Lord is he in your Lord is he in your actions truly the one you believe is all actions truly the one you believe is all actions truly the one you believe is all satisfying satisfying satisfying you can ask yourself that when my kids you can ask yourself that when my kids you can ask yourself that when my kids were younger they're now older but when were younger they're now older but when were younger they're now older but when they were younger we would get very they were younger we would get very they were younger we would get very excited about giving them excited about giving them excited about giving them gifts and so we would buy the gift we gifts and so we would buy the gift we gifts and so we would buy the gift we would put the gift together my husband would put the gift together my husband would put the gift together my husband and I would go shopping together for and I would go shopping together for and I would go shopping together for this gift we were so this gift we were so this gift we were so excited and then on Christmas we wrap it

excited and then on Christmas we wrap it excited and then on Christmas we wrap it get you know we're like Yay they're get you know we're like Yay they're get you know we're like Yay they're going to open the gift and what you all going to open the gift and what you all going to open the gift and what you all know what what would they play with the know what what would they play with the know what what would they play with the Box we've just spent money we were like Box we've just spent money we were like Box we've just spent money we were like we should have just gone to the back of we should have just gone to the back of we should have just gone to the back of Walmart put together a box they would Walmart put together a box they would Walmart put together a box they would play with the box and so here we are play with the box and so here we are play with the box and so here we are we've got this beautiful we've got this beautiful we've got this beautiful gift and they take it out sit it aside gift and they take it out sit it aside gift and they take it out sit it aside and play with the Box in so many ways we and play with the Box in so many ways we and play with the Box in so many ways we are are are similar we have the Ultimate similar we have the Ultimate similar we have the Ultimate gift and we're like you know what I gift and we're like you know what I gift and we're like you know what I think I want to watch Netflix and that's think I want to watch Netflix and that's think I want to watch Netflix and that's okay you can watch okay you can watch okay you can watch Netflix but Jesus is all satisfying if Netflix but Jesus is all satisfying if Netflix but Jesus is all satisfying if we want to Delight in him we may ask we want to Delight in him we may ask we want to Delight in him we may ask ourselves do we believe that do you ourselves do we believe that do you ourselves do we believe that do you believe that he's the bread of life he's believe that he's the bread of life he's believe that he's the bread of life he's the alls satisfying God that you should the alls satisfying God that you should the alls satisfying God that you should run run run to or what is it that's keeping you from to or what is it that's keeping you from to or what is it that's keeping you from him he claims to be the bread of life and he claims to be the bread of life and all satisfying the second claim that all satisfying the second claim that all satisfying the second claim that Jesus makes about himself is that he is Jesus makes about himself is that he is Jesus makes about himself is that he is the light of the world John the light of the world John the light of the world John 8:12 I am the light of the world whoever 8:12 I am the light of the world whoever 8:12 I am the light of the world whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but follows me will not walk in darkness but follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of will have the light of will have the light of Life Jesus tells them he fulfills Old

Life Jesus tells them he fulfills Old Life Jesus tells them he fulfills Old Testament promises of the coming light Testament promises of the coming light Testament promises of the coming light Isaiah 9:2 the people who walked in Isaiah 9:2 the people who walked in Isaiah 9:2 the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light those darkness have seen a great light those darkness have seen a great light those who dwelt in the land of deep Darkness who dwelt in the land of deep Darkness who dwelt in the land of deep Darkness on them has light shined and later in on them has light shined and later in on them has light shined and later in the chapter and we know this we we the chapter and we know this we we the chapter and we know this we we reserve it for Christmas but it's so reserve it for Christmas but it's so reserve it for Christmas but it's so delightful Isaiah 9 we have the delightful Isaiah 9 we have the delightful Isaiah 9 we have the wonderful verses for to us a child is wonderful verses for to us a child is wonderful verses for to us a child is born to us a son is given and the born to us a son is given and the born to us a son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulders government shall be upon his shoulders government shall be upon his shoulders and his name shall be called one and his name shall be called one and his name shall be called one wonderful counselor Mighty God wonderful counselor Mighty God wonderful counselor Mighty God Everlasting father Prince of Peace the Everlasting father Prince of Peace the Everlasting father Prince of Peace the light has come and if we follow him we light has come and if we follow him we light has come and if we follow him we will also walk in the light we will have will also walk in the light we will have will also walk in the light we will have the light of life we will not walk in the light of life we will not walk in the light of life we will not walk in darkness so what is the lie that we darkness so what is the lie that we darkness so what is the lie that we believe we all could say yes we believe believe we all could say yes we believe believe we all could say yes we believe that walking in the light is good and that walking in the light is good and that walking in the light is good and that Jesus is the light and we should that Jesus is the light and we should that Jesus is the light and we should walk with walk with walk with him the light I that we believe and that him the light I that we believe and that him the light I that we believe and that is very is very is very subtle and that our culture right now is subtle and that our culture right now is subtle and that our culture right now is preaching is that those who walk in preaching is that those who walk in preaching is that those who walk in darkness are free it can look like they free it can look like they are having all the fun Jesus says remain are having all the fun Jesus says remain are having all the fun Jesus says remain in me but we can think it is a drag they in me but we can think it is a drag they in me but we can think it is a drag they seem carefree and and I have had some seem carefree and and I have had some seem carefree and and I have had some very very dear

very very dear very very dear friends um leave lead the faith walk friends um leave lead the faith walk friends um leave lead the faith walk away from the away from the away from the faith faith faith and a some of the reason is and a some of the reason is and a some of the reason is sin others sin others sin others is questioning but not running to the is questioning but not running to the is questioning but not running to the scriptures for the answer I'm going to scriptures for the answer I'm going to scriptures for the answer I'm going to tell you right now question question all tell you right now question question all tell you right now question question all you want God is Not Afraid of questions you want God is Not Afraid of questions you want God is Not Afraid of questions but where you seek the but where you seek the but where you seek the answers matters answers matters answers matters if we want to delight in God and enjoy if we want to delight in God and enjoy if we want to delight in God and enjoy God we must ask him to reveal himself God we must ask him to reveal himself God we must ask him to reveal himself through the word especially in a well through the word especially in a well through the word especially in a well all the time but right now we're in a all the time but right now we're in a all the time but right now we're in a culture where culture where culture where where where where deconstruction is deconstruction is deconstruction is is all it's rampant and I'm telling you is all it's rampant and I'm telling you is all it's rampant and I'm telling you now you can ask those now you can ask those now you can ask those questions go to God God's word for the questions go to God God's word for the questions go to God God's word for the answers seek his face ask him for truth answers seek his face ask him for truth answers seek his face ask him for truth ask him to reveal your himself to ask him to reveal your himself to ask him to reveal your himself to you we need God to follow God so if the you we need God to follow God so if the you we need God to follow God so if the LIE looks like LIE looks like LIE looks like freedom God is saying no if you want freedom God is saying no if you want freedom God is saying no if you want true Freedom Walk In The Light walk with true Freedom Walk In The Light walk with true Freedom Walk In The Light walk with me don't believe that lie Delight in me

me don't believe that lie Delight in me me don't believe that lie Delight in me how do you Delight in Me by knowing me how do you Delight in Me by knowing me how do you Delight in Me by knowing me through my word and through prayer and a through my word and through prayer and a through my word and through prayer and a lot of people equate this with lot of people equate this with lot of people equate this with legalism legalism is anytime we're legalism legalism is anytime we're legalism legalism is anytime we're trying to earn God's trying to earn God's trying to earn God's favor obedience isn't favor obedience isn't favor obedience isn't legalism if you are trying to walk with legalism if you are trying to walk with legalism if you are trying to walk with God and know him God and know him God and know him that is not legalism that is a means of that is not legalism that is a means of that is not legalism that is a means of God's kindness and Grace in your life so God's kindness and Grace in your life so God's kindness and Grace in your life so if that's a struggle and and that's you if that's a struggle and and that's you if that's a struggle and and that's you think oh if I do daily Bible reading think oh if I do daily Bible reading think oh if I do daily Bible reading then it's just legalistic and it's then it's just legalistic and it's then it's just legalistic and it's something that I I'm checking off something that I I'm checking off something that I I'm checking off of then ask God to transform your heart of then ask God to transform your heart of then ask God to transform your heart so that you approach him knowing that so that you approach him knowing that so that you approach him knowing that you already have his favor you're just you already have his favor you're just you already have his favor you're just getting to know him you're you're go getting to know him you're you're go getting to know him you're you're go getting to know the god that you will getting to know the god that you will getting to know the god that you will know for know for know for eternity ask God to give you the right eternity ask God to give you the right eternity ask God to give you the right motivations to approach his word so that motivations to approach his word so that motivations to approach his word so that it's not drudgery so that you can walk it's not drudgery so that you can walk it's not drudgery so that you can walk with him and walk in the light both the Proverbs and the Psalms light both the Proverbs and the Psalms remind us not to Envy The Wicked and remind us not to Envy The Wicked and remind us not to Envy The Wicked and those who are in the dark the darkness those who are in the dark the darkness those who are in the dark the darkness looks appealing but Jesus's light life looks appealing but Jesus's light life looks appealing but Jesus's light life and light gives real life and

and light gives real life and and light gives real life and freedom ask him to help you you don't freedom ask him to help you you don't freedom ask him to help you you don't have to muster up energy you can tell have to muster up energy you can tell have to muster up energy you can tell them I'm confused Lord I'm struggling them I'm confused Lord I'm struggling them I'm confused Lord I'm struggling with this help me to cling to you reveal with this help me to cling to you reveal with this help me to cling to you reveal yourself to yourself to yourself to me he will do it I believe it he is me he will do it I believe it he is me he will do it I believe it he is faithful he will surely do faithful he will surely do faithful he will surely do it the third third claim that we want to it the third third claim that we want to it the third third claim that we want to remind our hearts and Minds so that we remind our hearts and Minds so that we remind our hearts and Minds so that we might delight in might delight in might delight in God is that he is the Good Shepherd John God is that he is the Good Shepherd John God is that he is the Good Shepherd John 10:11 he says I am the Good Shepherd the 10:11 he says I am the Good Shepherd the 10:11 he says I am the Good Shepherd the Good Shepherd lays down his life Good Shepherd lays down his life Good Shepherd lays down his life for the for the for the Sheep if we want to stay the Sheep if we want to stay the Sheep if we want to stay the course and enjoy God we need a good course and enjoy God we need a good course and enjoy God we need a good shepherd shepherd shepherd I know for some people and and we will I know for some people and and we will I know for some people and and we will talk about this we have had some bad talk about this we have had some bad talk about this we have had some bad Shepherds yes and it's Shepherds yes and it's Shepherds yes and it's hard but we have a good shepherd Jesus hard but we have a good shepherd Jesus hard but we have a good shepherd Jesus is claiming to be the Messiah that is claiming to be the Messiah that is claiming to be the Messiah that scriptures foretold the Good Shepherd scriptures foretold the Good Shepherd scriptures foretold the Good Shepherd laid down his life God had an eternal laid down his life God had an eternal laid down his life God had an eternal plan and he sacrificed his son plan and he sacrificed his son plan and he sacrificed his son for the sin of the for the sin of the for the sin of the world Jesus didn't die for friends for

world Jesus didn't die for friends for world Jesus didn't die for friends for people who loved him or for The Godly people who loved him or for The Godly people who loved him or for The Godly instead he willingly died for wretched instead he willingly died for wretched instead he willingly died for wretched Sinners Like Me and like you for while Sinners Like Me and like you for while Sinners Like Me and like you for while we were still weak at the right time we were still weak at the right time we were still weak at the right time Christ died for the ungodly for one will Christ died for the ungodly for one will Christ died for the ungodly for one will scarcely die for a righteous person scarcely die for a righteous person scarcely die for a righteous person though perhaps for a good person one though perhaps for a good person one though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die but God shows us would dare even to die but God shows us would dare even to die but God shows us his his his love in that while we were still sinners love in that while we were still sinners love in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us so in view of this Christ died for us so in view of this Christ died for us so in view of this great sacrifice in view of Jesus laying great sacrifice in view of Jesus laying great sacrifice in view of Jesus laying down his life if God is willing to do down his life if God is willing to do down his life if God is willing to do this why would we ever doubt anything this why would we ever doubt anything this why would we ever doubt anything else about else about else about him you and I have to fight to believe him you and I have to fight to believe him you and I have to fight to believe this we can say I believe help my this we can say I believe help my this we can say I believe help my unbelief reminding our hearts of this unbelief reminding our hearts of this unbelief reminding our hearts of this truth will help us delight in God I need truth will help us delight in God I need truth will help us delight in God I need the reminder of a Good the reminder of a Good the reminder of a Good Shepherd Psalm 103 forget not his Shepherd Psalm 103 forget not his Shepherd Psalm 103 forget not his benefits who redeems your life from the benefits who redeems your life from the benefits who redeems your life from the pit who will guide you help you how do we who will guide you help you how do we remember we preach the gospel to remember we preach the gospel to remember we preach the gospel to ourselves and we read our ourselves and we read our ourselves and we read our Bibles we have to ask God for help we Bibles we have to ask God for help we Bibles we have to ask God for help we can't do it on our own the Good Shepherd can't do it on our own the Good Shepherd can't do it on our own the Good Shepherd protects guides and keeps us while we

protects guides and keeps us while we protects guides and keeps us while we are under his care he came to give us are under his care he came to give us are under his care he came to give us life God has invested in us he laid down life God has invested in us he laid down life God has invested in us he laid down his life for us so what is the lie that his life for us so what is the lie that his life for us so what is the lie that we we we believe we believe that Jesus is like us believe we believe that Jesus is like us believe we believe that Jesus is like us I started by saying we've had some hard I started by saying we've had some hard I started by saying we've had some hard Shepherds some of us and what I mean by Shepherds some of us and what I mean by Shepherds some of us and what I mean by that is maybe maybe there's a pastor that is maybe maybe there's a pastor that is maybe maybe there's a pastor who's failed you or a speaker who's who's failed you or a speaker who's who's failed you or a speaker who's failed you or and we can wonder if God failed you or and we can wonder if God failed you or and we can wonder if God is like that we can believe is is he really that we can believe is is he really faithful we can ask is he is he really faithful we can ask is he is he really faithful we can ask is he is he really good and good and good and pure does he really work all things pure does he really work all things pure does he really work all things together for the good of those who love together for the good of those who love together for the good of those who love him is he who he says he is but in order for us to speak this truth but in order for us to speak this truth to our hearts that God is the Good to our hearts that God is the Good to our hearts that God is the Good Shepherd we need to be in his word we Shepherd we need to be in his word we Shepherd we need to be in his word we need to see his need to see his need to see his faithfulness to generation upon faithfulness to generation upon faithfulness to generation upon generation I have had four generation I have had four generation I have had four miscarriages and after my second one I miscarriages and after my second one I miscarriages and after my second one I was very discouraged very was very discouraged very was very discouraged very respondent and I remember I was foggy I respondent and I remember I was foggy I respondent and I remember I was foggy I couldn't I couldn't read the Bible I couldn't I couldn't read the Bible I couldn't I couldn't read the Bible I couldn't I was just sad I couldn't do

couldn't I was just sad I couldn't do couldn't I was just sad I couldn't do much of anything I remember one day I much of anything I remember one day I much of anything I remember one day I was in bed just laying down and the Lord was in bed just laying down and the Lord was in bed just laying down and the Lord in his kindness started to recall in his kindness started to recall in his kindness started to recall scripture verses to me I wasn't reading scripture verses to me I wasn't reading scripture verses to me I wasn't reading the Bible I was laying there the Bible I was laying there the Bible I was laying there anguishing and he reminded me that he anguishing and he reminded me that he anguishing and he reminded me that he draws near to the Brokenhearted draws near to the Brokenhearted draws near to the Brokenhearted he reminded me that he would not crush he reminded me that he would not crush he reminded me that he would not crush me that he will never leave nor forsake me that he will never leave nor forsake me that he will never leave nor forsake me that he will hold me up by his me that he will hold me up by his me that he will hold me up by his righteous right hand I wasn't reading righteous right hand I wasn't reading righteous right hand I wasn't reading but what happened was oh probably about but what happened was oh probably about but what happened was oh probably about 5 years 5 years 5 years earlier I had been soaking in the word I earlier I had been soaking in the word I earlier I had been soaking in the word I had been reading and reading and reading had been reading and reading and reading had been reading and reading and reading and reading God's word and at that and reading God's word and at that and reading God's word and at that moment when I needed that truth but I moment when I needed that truth but I moment when I needed that truth but I could not get the energy to read could not get the energy to read could not get the energy to read it he reminded me of who he is his it he reminded me of who he is his it he reminded me of who he is his character don't wait for the suffering character don't wait for the suffering character don't wait for the suffering to to to happen get in his word now God is so happen get in his word now God is so happen get in his word now God is so good and so good and so good and so faithful he will remind your heart and faithful he will remind your heart and faithful he will remind your heart and mind of his character and his mind of his character and his mind of his character and his faithfulness and you will see it faithfulness and you will see it faithfulness and you will see it throughout the throughout the throughout the scriptures again this isn't not about scriptures again this isn't not about scriptures again this isn't not about Duty it's not about oh I'm going to do Duty it's not about oh I'm going to do Duty it's not about oh I'm going to do this it did lead to

Delight the Lord I was I was amazed by Delight the Lord I was I was amazed by God's kindness I could forget not his benefits kindness I could forget not his benefits I reminded my heart of who he was in a I reminded my heart of who he was in a I reminded my heart of who he was in a time when I needed him when I needed time when I needed him when I needed time when I needed him when I needed that that that reminder that is reminder that is reminder that is the what happens that transformation the what happens that transformation the what happens that transformation work of the spirit but also of the work of the spirit but also of the work of the spirit but also of the gospel and so remind your hearts of who gospel and so remind your hearts of who gospel and so remind your hearts of who he is number he is number he is number five he says to us that he is the way five he says to us that he is the way five he says to us that he is the way the truth and the the truth and the the truth and the life John 14:6 before this Jesus tells life John 14:6 before this Jesus tells life John 14:6 before this Jesus tells us that he is the resurrection in the us that he is the resurrection in the us that he is the resurrection in the life but here in John 14:6 we grow to life but here in John 14:6 we grow to life but here in John 14:6 we grow to understand a f foundational Truth for understand a f foundational Truth for understand a f foundational Truth for delighting in Jesus this is a delighting in Jesus this is a delighting in Jesus this is a foundational Truth for delighting in foundational Truth for delighting in foundational Truth for delighting in Jesus if you want to Delight in Jesus I Jesus if you want to Delight in Jesus I Jesus if you want to Delight in Jesus I just say read read read and reread just say read read read and reread just say read read read and reread this this truth that he is the way the this this truth that he is the way the this this truth that he is the way the truth and the life Jesus is his father's truth and the life Jesus is his father's truth and the life Jesus is his father's delight and joy Michael Reeves wrote an delight and joy Michael Reeves wrote an delight and joy Michael Reeves wrote an excellent book called rejoicing in excellent book called rejoicing in excellent book called rejoicing in Christ and this is these are his words Christ and this is these are his words Christ and this is these are his words he says Jesus Christ God's perfect son he says Jesus Christ God's perfect son he says Jesus Christ God's perfect son is the Beloved of the Father the song of is the Beloved of the Father the song of is the Beloved of the Father the song of the Angels the logic of creation the the Angels the logic of creation the the Angels the logic of creation the great mystery of godliness the great mystery of godliness the great mystery of godliness the bottomless spring of Life comfort and bottomless spring of Life comfort and bottomless spring of Life comfort and joy we were made to find our joy we were made to find our joy we were made to find our satisfaction our hearts rest in him yes

satisfaction our hearts rest in him yes satisfaction our hearts rest in him yes he is the spring of Life Jesus is the he is the spring of Life Jesus is the he is the spring of Life Jesus is the Cornerstone Reeves continues the center Cornerstone Reeves continues the center Cornerstone Reeves continues the center the Cornerstone the jewel in the crown the Cornerstone the jewel in the crown the Cornerstone the jewel in the crown of Christianity is not an idea a system of Christianity is not an idea a system of Christianity is not an idea a system or a thing it is not even the gospel as or a thing it is not even the gospel as or a thing it is not even the gospel as such it is Jesus Christ he is not a mere such it is Jesus Christ he is not a mere such it is Jesus Christ he is not a mere topic a subject we can pick out from a topic a subject we can pick out from a topic a subject we can pick out from a menu of options without him our gospel menu of options without him our gospel menu of options without him our gospel or system however coherent gracefield or or system however coherent gracefield or or system however coherent gracefield or Bible based simply is not Bible based simply is not Bible based simply is not Christian if you want God and you want Christian if you want God and you want Christian if you want God and you want to delight in to delight in to delight in God I can again I can tell you all the God I can again I can tell you all the God I can again I can tell you all the tips I can tell you what to do but what you really need is Jesus the but what you really need is Jesus the only way to the father is through the only way to the father is through the only way to the father is through the son and we need to remind our hearts of son and we need to remind our hearts of son and we need to remind our hearts of this good good news over and over and this good good news over and over and this good good news over and over and over again we can't IDE abide in a over again we can't IDE abide in a over again we can't IDE abide in a relationship we don't relationship we don't relationship we don't have we need to ask the Lord for help have we need to ask the Lord for help have we need to ask the Lord for help that we might remind our hearts of this that we might remind our hearts of this that we might remind our hearts of this truth he is the image of the invisible truth he is the image of the invisible truth he is the image of the invisible God the firstborn of all creation God the firstborn of all creation God the firstborn of all creation we need this we need this we need this reminder oh if I could be captured by reminder oh if I could be captured by reminder oh if I could be captured by Jesus I would run to his word Jesus I would run to his word Jesus I would run to his word daily if I could remind my heart and my daily if I could remind my heart and my daily if I could remind my heart and my soul of who God is I would want to know

soul of who God is I would want to know soul of who God is I would want to know him it's about him not about what we him it's about him not about what we him it's about him not about what we do when we can be en enamored with him do when we can be en enamored with him do when we can be en enamored with him it will lead to all sorts of doing right it will lead to all sorts of doing right it will lead to all sorts of doing right but we need him we want to love him let but we need him we want to love him let but we need him we want to love him let that be the the that be the the that be the the lead the author and perfector of our lead the author and perfector of our lead the author and perfector of our faith so what is the faith so what is the faith so what is the LIE the LIE is that we believe we don't LIE the LIE is that we believe we don't LIE the LIE is that we believe we don't need him in other words that we can save ourselves that we ourselves that we don't we we we don't really need him don't we we we don't really need him don't we we we don't really need him another lie is that we believe we've another lie is that we believe we've another lie is that we believe we've done too much so we don't approach done too much so we don't approach done too much so we don't approach him maybe you're in this room and you him maybe you're in this room and you him maybe you're in this room and you want to be inspired to read daily and want to be inspired to read daily and want to be inspired to read daily and you want to be inspired to delight in you want to be inspired to delight in you want to be inspired to delight in God and His word but you have blown God and His word but you have blown God and His word but you have blown it you've sinned or you think you have it you've sinned or you think you have it you've sinned or you think you have and and you think and and you think and and you think ah can I really open God's ah can I really open God's ah can I really open God's word word word yes Jesus says that we go before a yes Jesus says that we go before a yes Jesus says that we go before a throne of grace if we confess our sin throne of grace if we confess our sin throne of grace if we confess our sin he's faithful and just to forgive us to he's faithful and just to forgive us to he's faithful and just to forgive us to purify us that is the God we run purify us that is the God we run purify us that is the God we run after the after the after the gospel covers gospel covers gospel covers that he forgives that he forgives that he forgives completely as far as as far as the East

completely as far as as far as the East completely as far as as far as the East is from the West so is your is from the West so is your is from the West so is your sin a lot of people don't read their sin a lot of people don't read their sin a lot of people don't read their Bibles at it because they're intimidated Bibles at it because they're intimidated Bibles at it because they're intimidated they think they've done too much or it's they think they've done too much or it's they think they've done too much or it's too hard or name name it and it's a too hard or name name it and it's a too hard or name name it and it's a lie and it keeps us from lie and it keeps us from lie and it keeps us from him and we have the freedom to run to him and we have the freedom to run to him and we have the freedom to run to the Lord and tell him he already knows the Lord and tell him he already knows the Lord and tell him he already knows he already knows so you don't have to he already knows so you don't have to he already knows so you don't have to hide or hide or hide or pretend you can go to his throne of pretend you can go to his throne of pretend you can go to his throne of grace Grace and the final one and I'm going to Grace and the final one and I'm going to spend most of my time Landing the plane spend most of my time Landing the plane spend most of my time Landing the plane on this on this on this one it's John one it's John one it's John 155 I encourage you all to go through 155 I encourage you all to go through 155 I encourage you all to go through the Book of John all of it read through the Book of John all of it read through the Book of John all of it read through the Book of John and be encouraged in the Book of John and be encouraged in the Book of John and be encouraged in your faith about who Jesus your faith about who Jesus your faith about who Jesus is I am the vine you are the branches is I am the vine you are the branches is I am the vine you are the branches whoever abides in me and I in him he it whoever abides in me and I in him he it whoever abides in me and I in him he it is that bears much fruit for apart from is that bears much fruit for apart from is that bears much fruit for apart from me you can do nothing so Jesus is it's me you can do nothing so Jesus is it's me you can do nothing so Jesus is it's is we know this one right I am the vine is we know this one right I am the vine is we know this one right I am the vine we love this we love this we love this one I am the vine the text we have it one I am the vine the text we have it one I am the vine the text we have it isn't isolated we know that it's a part isn't isolated we know that it's a part isn't isolated we know that it's a part of this I am statements his Farewell of this I am statements his Farewell of this I am statements his Farewell discourse he's preparing the way for his

discourse he's preparing the way for his discourse he's preparing the way for his departure here Jesus tells us that he is departure here Jesus tells us that he is departure here Jesus tells us that he is the true vine and the father is the vine the true vine and the father is the vine the true vine and the father is the vine dresser God has the power to prune and dresser God has the power to prune and dresser God has the power to prune and to to to pluck they determine what bears fruit pluck they determine what bears fruit pluck they determine what bears fruit and what does not first century heers and what does not first century heers and what does not first century heers would have recognized the allegory and would have recognized the allegory and would have recognized the allegory and imagery as it was used often in the Old imagery as it was used often in the Old imagery as it was used often in the Old Testament I am the vine dresser is it's Testament I am the vine dresser is it's Testament I am the vine dresser is it's significant as it refers to Isaiah's significant as it refers to Isaiah's significant as it refers to Isaiah's Vineyard Vineyard Vineyard song Isaiah 5 1-7 Isaiah diagnosed the song Isaiah 5 1-7 Isaiah diagnosed the song Isaiah 5 1-7 Isaiah diagnosed the health of Israel it had produced bad health of Israel it had produced bad health of Israel it had produced bad fruit or as it is written wild fruit or as it is written wild fruit or as it is written wild grapes I don't know about you but I grapes I don't know about you but I grapes I don't know about you but I don't want to be called a Wild Grape and don't want to be called a Wild Grape and don't want to be called a Wild Grape and God provided for them he gave them God provided for them he gave them God provided for them he gave them everything that they needed but they everything that they needed but they everything that they needed but they were fruitless fruitless here in John 15 we see that if we abide here in John 15 we see that if we abide here in John 15 we see that if we abide or remain and stay in him we will or remain and stay in him we will or remain and stay in him we will produce good fruit we will be fruitful produce good fruit we will be fruitful produce good fruit we will be fruitful as the vine dresser ends to his garden as the vine dresser ends to his garden as the vine dresser ends to his garden plucking and pulling Jesus is the true plucking and pulling Jesus is the true plucking and pulling Jesus is the true sure and Lasting Vine Jesus cannot fail sure and Lasting Vine Jesus cannot fail sure and Lasting Vine Jesus cannot fail he is the Fulfillment of the promise if he is the Fulfillment of the promise if he is the Fulfillment of the promise if you were to sum up what I'm trying to you were to sum up what I'm trying to you were to sum up what I'm trying to capture for you guys is that Jesus is capture for you guys is that Jesus is capture for you guys is that Jesus is better that Jesus is the way that we

better that Jesus is the way that we better that Jesus is the way that we want to focus on him to abide means that want to focus on him to abide means that want to focus on him to abide means that we're daily walking with him trusting we're daily walking with him trusting we're daily walking with him trusting him praying to him obeying him and him praying to him obeying him and him praying to him obeying him and resting in him Jesus the bread of life resting in him Jesus the bread of life resting in him Jesus the bread of life the light of the world the Good Shepherd the light of the world the Good Shepherd the light of the world the Good Shepherd the way the truth the life he lived for the way the truth the life he lived for the way the truth the life he lived for us he died for us he's interceding for us he died for us he's interceding for us he died for us he's interceding for us now branches cannot survive on their now branches cannot survive on their own and by God's grace we don't have to own and by God's grace we don't have to own and by God's grace we don't have to we never have to try to survive on our we never have to try to survive on our we never have to try to survive on our own we can be fully dependent on the own we can be fully dependent on the own we can be fully dependent on the vine just as I cannot and we cannot save vine just as I cannot and we cannot save vine just as I cannot and we cannot save ourselves we cannot grow without Jesus ourselves we cannot grow without Jesus ourselves we cannot grow without Jesus apart from him we will wither away apart apart from him we will wither away apart apart from him we will wither away apart from Jesus our branches will produce bad from Jesus our branches will produce bad from Jesus our branches will produce bad fruit and Jesus explains the branches fruit and Jesus explains the branches fruit and Jesus explains the branches that do not bear fruit are taken away that do not bear fruit are taken away that do not bear fruit are taken away but the branches that bear fruit are but the branches that bear fruit are but the branches that bear fruit are pruned to Bear more fruit I am not going pruned to Bear more fruit I am not going pruned to Bear more fruit I am not going to get into pruning but it I will say to get into pruning but it I will say to get into pruning but it I will say that it's not that it's not that it's not punishment it brings more punishment it brings more punishment it brings more life it doesn't feel life it doesn't feel life it doesn't feel good but it brings more life so what is good but it brings more life so what is good but it brings more life so what is it what does it look like not to it what does it look like not to it what does it look like not to abide I am one what I would call a plant

abide I am one what I would call a plant abide I am one what I would call a plant killer I don't wear that badge proudly killer I don't wear that badge proudly killer I don't wear that badge proudly but it's just the truth I am a plant but it's just the truth I am a plant but it's just the truth I am a plant killer killer killer and I I have all the in Good Intentions and I I have all the in Good Intentions and I I have all the in Good Intentions in the world I I will buy a plant or in the world I I will buy a plant or in the world I I will buy a plant or usually I don't actually someone gives usually I don't actually someone gives usually I don't actually someone gives me a me a me a plant and I will think to myself I'm plant and I will think to myself I'm plant and I will think to myself I'm going to care for this plant I'm going going to care for this plant I'm going going to care for this plant I'm going to do it this time to do it this time to do it this time and so the first day I water that plant and so the first day I water that plant and so the first day I water that plant I'm I'm attentive to that plant I'm I'm I'm attentive to that plant I'm I'm I'm attentive to that plant I'm looking at it I'm thinking I'm going to looking at it I'm thinking I'm going to looking at it I'm thinking I'm going to keep you keep you keep you alive but then the busyness of life and alive but then the busyness of life and alive but then the busyness of life and the fact that I don't care and all other other things happens care and all other other things happens and the plant just slowly starts to kind and the plant just slowly starts to kind and the plant just slowly starts to kind of Bend what's happening it's it's of Bend what's happening it's it's of Bend what's happening it's it's withering it's like bending down and withering it's like bending down and withering it's like bending down and then all of a sudden it's like there then all of a sudden it's like there then all of a sudden it's like there goes the goes the goes the leaf and it's dead I have killed another leaf and it's dead I have killed another leaf and it's dead I have killed another plant this doesn't happen overnight does plant this doesn't happen overnight does plant this doesn't happen overnight does it most plants unless roses roses even it most plants unless roses roses even it most plants unless roses roses even last a little longer but most plants last a little longer but most plants last a little longer but most plants it's neglect it's one neglect after it's neglect it's one neglect after it's neglect it's one neglect after another and then all of a sudden you're another and then all of a sudden you're another and then all of a sudden you're not watering it you're not feeding it it not watering it you're not feeding it it not watering it you're not feeding it it dies dies dies in so many ways I love this imagery that

in so many ways I love this imagery that in so many ways I love this imagery that Jesus used because in so many ways this Jesus used because in so many ways this Jesus used because in so many ways this is what happens to us when we're not is what happens to us when we're not is what happens to us when we're not connected to the connected to the connected to the Vine I think this is what Jesus is Vine I think this is what Jesus is Vine I think this is what Jesus is explaining in John 15 4-6 he explains explaining in John 15 4-6 he explains explaining in John 15 4-6 he explains that by not abiding in him we are like that by not abiding in him we are like that by not abiding in him we are like my pitiful my pitiful my pitiful plants we will soon fall off the vine plants we will soon fall off the vine plants we will soon fall off the vine fine and it doesn't happen overnight it's one neglect after another overnight it's one neglect after another like like like ah I don't think I need him for this or ah I don't think I need him for this or ah I don't think I need him for this or I'm not going to read or I'm not going I'm not going to read or I'm not going I'm not going to read or I'm not going to go to church or one neglect after to go to church or one neglect after to go to church or one neglect after another now I think where we see it a another now I think where we see it a another now I think where we see it a lot is in our Bible lot is in our Bible lot is in our Bible reading LifeWay did some kind of survey reading LifeWay did some kind of survey reading LifeWay did some kind of survey where 78% % of people who American where 78% % of people who American where 78% % of people who American Christians own Christians own Christians own Bibles but they don't read them so 78% Bibles but they don't read them so 78% Bibles but they don't read them so 78% is a lot of people who have Bibles in is a lot of people who have Bibles in is a lot of people who have Bibles in their homes and I may have gotten the their homes and I may have gotten the their homes and I may have gotten the statistics a little wrong but if you statistics a little wrong but if you statistics a little wrong but if you want to remain in the want to remain in the want to remain in the Lord you you need him he says apart from Lord you you need him he says apart from Lord you you need him he says apart from me you can do nothing well where are you me you can do nothing well where are you me you can do nothing well where are you going to learn about the Lord and as you going to learn about the Lord and as you going to learn about the Lord and as you if if you read through that chapter you if if you read through that chapter you if if you read through that chapter you see very quickly that

see very quickly that see very quickly that remaining not remaining is withering and remaining not remaining is withering and remaining not remaining is withering and dying remaining is about obedience well dying remaining is about obedience well dying remaining is about obedience well where are you going to learn what does where are you going to learn what does where are you going to learn what does the Lord say through his word that is I the Lord say through his word that is I the Lord say through his word that is I mean he gives life so it is not again a mean he gives life so it is not again a mean he gives life so it is not again a burden or drudgery or you're not like oh burden or drudgery or you're not like oh burden or drudgery or you're not like oh you should be reading your Bible and I'm you should be reading your Bible and I'm you should be reading your Bible and I'm like no you want like no you want like no you want life I want to give you life God wants life I want to give you life God wants life I want to give you life God wants to give you life where are you going to to give you life where are you going to to give you life where are you going to receive receive receive it you want joy God wants to give you it you want joy God wants to give you it you want joy God wants to give you Joy where are you going to learn about Joy where are you going to learn about Joy where are you going to learn about it do you want Jesus do you want to know it do you want Jesus do you want to know it do you want Jesus do you want to know God do you need help in Remembering who God do you need help in Remembering who God do you need help in Remembering who he he he is go to his is go to his is go to his word go to his word remaining in him part of the application remaining in him part of the application of it is Bible reading there's more of it is Bible reading there's more of it is Bible reading there's more there's obedience there's lots of things there's obedience there's lots of things there's obedience there's lots of things but part of it is in taking the word John word John 15:10 is really when we get a full 15:10 is really when we get a full 15:10 is really when we get a full picture of what it means to abide in picture of what it means to abide in picture of what it means to abide in Jesus he says if you keep my Jesus he says if you keep my Jesus he says if you keep my Commandments you will abide in my love Commandments you will abide in my love Commandments you will abide in my love just as I have kept my father just as I have kept my father just as I have kept my father Commandments and abide in his love so to Commandments and abide in his love so to Commandments and abide in his love so to abide in abide in abide in Jesus means to keep his Commandments and Jesus means to keep his Commandments and Jesus means to keep his Commandments and to keep his Commandments means to love

to keep his Commandments means to love to keep his Commandments means to love God with all our hearts our God with all our hearts our God with all our hearts our minds our souls right we need help and minds our souls right we need help and minds our souls right we need help and he says apart from me you can't even he says apart from me you can't even he says apart from me you can't even read your Bible apart yeah apart from me read your Bible apart yeah apart from me read your Bible apart yeah apart from me you can do nothing so what do we do we you can do nothing so what do we do we you can do nothing so what do we do we say Lord I'm having trouble I'm having say Lord I'm having trouble I'm having say Lord I'm having trouble I'm having trouble understanding ing I'm having trouble understanding ing I'm having trouble understanding ing I'm having trouble being motivated I'm having trouble being motivated I'm having trouble being motivated I'm having trouble not feeling guilty I'm having trouble not feeling guilty I'm having trouble not feeling guilty I'm having trouble what is what is hindering you trouble what is what is hindering you trouble what is what is hindering you and keeping you from enjoying God and and keeping you from enjoying God and and keeping you from enjoying God and delighting in him through his word you delighting in him through his word you delighting in him through his word you know what it is I will tell you what know what it is I will tell you what know what it is I will tell you what often keeps me I love God's word and I often keeps me I love God's word and I often keeps me I love God's word and I do read do read do read daily but there are times when I daily but there are times when I daily but there are times when I struggle and most of the struggle is struggle and most of the struggle is struggle and most of the struggle is distraction I get up and I'm already distraction I get up and I'm already distraction I get up and I'm already thinking of my to-do list anyone else thinking of my to-do list anyone else thinking of my to-do list anyone else just me okay you're like a few few of just me okay you're like a few few of just me okay you're like a few few of you it and so I have it is a you it and so I have it is a you it and so I have it is a fight it is a fight and I have to remind fight it is a fight and I have to remind fight it is a fight and I have to remind myself you can't do your to-do list myself you can't do your to-do list myself you can't do your to-do list without the Lord you can't do it in your without the Lord you can't do it in your without the Lord you can't do it in your own strength own strength own strength trilia stop trying you need God he will trilia stop trying you need God he will trilia stop trying you need God he will also give you Grace he will give you also give you Grace he will give you also give you Grace he will give you peace he will give you Joy he will peace he will give you Joy he will peace he will give you Joy he will remind you that none of it actually remind you that none of it actually remind you that none of it actually matters and so I need him in order to

matters and so I need him in order to matters and so I need him in order to remind my heart of these things things so one way that we display our love for so one way that we display our love for so one way that we display our love for God is through our our trust our prayer God is through our our trust our prayer God is through our our trust our prayer and our devotion to him we abide through and our devotion to him we abide through and our devotion to him we abide through a relationship with him we pursue him in a relationship with him we pursue him in a relationship with him we pursue him in love we pray and we ask him for love we pray and we ask him for love we pray and we ask him for help and here's the good news we love help and here's the good news we love help and here's the good news we love Jesus because he first loved us we Jesus because he first loved us we Jesus because he first loved us we didn't choose him he chose us to walk didn't choose him he chose us to walk didn't choose him he chose us to walk out our faith in obedience to him apart out our faith in obedience to him apart out our faith in obedience to him apart from Christ we can from Christ we can from Christ we can do nothing but with Christ we can do all things and it isn't until the very things and it isn't until the very end we see in John 1511 Jesus tells us end we see in John 1511 Jesus tells us end we see in John 1511 Jesus tells us these things I have spoken to you that these things I have spoken to you that these things I have spoken to you that my my my joy may be in you and clearly I skipped joy may be in you and clearly I skipped joy may be in you and clearly I skipped a lot of things but the good news is I a lot of things but the good news is I a lot of things but the good news is I think you're going to get to hear this think you're going to get to hear this think you're going to get to hear this soon but Jesus tells us soon but Jesus tells us soon but Jesus tells us that these things I have spoken to you that these things I have spoken to you that these things I have spoken to you that my joy may be in you and that your that my joy may be in you and that your that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be joy may be joy may be full following Jesus being close to him full following Jesus being close to him full following Jesus being close to him knowing him loving him is not drudgery

knowing him loving him is not drudgery knowing him loving him is not drudgery there is joy in knowing that we have a there is joy in knowing that we have a there is joy in knowing that we have a savior that we have freedom from sin and savior that we have freedom from sin and savior that we have freedom from sin and that we have a relationship with the that we have a relationship with the that we have a relationship with the almighty God someone had to have told almighty God someone had to have told almighty God someone had to have told you and they learned it from his word so what is the application as I word so what is the application as I started I actually started with the started I actually started with the started I actually started with the application I told you a bunch of things application I told you a bunch of things application I told you a bunch of things that you could do to daily walk in his that you could do to daily walk in his that you could do to daily walk in his word and that is how I want to leave word and that is how I want to leave word and that is how I want to leave you I do want you to do those things but you I do want you to do those things but you I do want you to do those things but I don't want you to be motivated to do I don't want you to be motivated to do I don't want you to be motivated to do those things out of guilt those things out of guilt those things out of guilt I don't want you to be motivated because I don't want you to be motivated because I don't want you to be motivated because it's something you can check off of a it's something you can check off of a it's something you can check off of a list I want you to be motivated because list I want you to be motivated because list I want you to be motivated because of God that you love God that you want of God that you love God that you want of God that you love God that you want to know God that he has poured out his to know God that he has poured out his to know God that he has poured out his grace on you and that be your grace on you and that be your grace on you and that be your motivation that God is worth motivation that God is worth motivation that God is worth it so do get up early if you can and get it so do get up early if you can and get it so do get up early if you can and get in his word start your day with the Lord in his word start your day with the Lord in his word start your day with the Lord if you if you if you cannot find a time to read throughout cannot find a time to read throughout cannot find a time to read throughout the the the day I have often I I am an early bird day I have often I I am an early bird day I have often I I am an early bird I'm like a 5 am so I love to get up I'm like a 5 am so I love to get up I'm like a 5 am so I love to get up early I early I early I know but sometimes I just walk during

know but sometimes I just walk during know but sometimes I just walk during lunch and I listen to the lunch and I listen to the lunch and I listen to the word there's not a word there's not a word there's not a rule so you can walk and listen to soak rule so you can walk and listen to soak rule so you can walk and listen to soak yourself with the truth of who God is yourself with the truth of who God is yourself with the truth of who God is because we need are anyone else a leaky because we need are anyone else a leaky because we need are anyone else a leaky vessel and need vessel and need vessel and need reminding I need reminding every day of reminding I need reminding every day of reminding I need reminding every day of who God's is and so get who God's is and so get who God's is and so get creative if you are a busy mom and creative if you are a busy mom and creative if you are a busy mom and you're like not GNA happen thank you you're like not GNA happen thank you you're like not GNA happen thank you trillia teach your kids the word do it trillia teach your kids the word do it trillia teach your kids the word do it with with with them teach it to them share write a them teach it to them share write a them teach it to them share write a little verse share it with them make it little verse share it with them make it little verse share it with them make it communal it doesn't have to be my quiet communal it doesn't have to be my quiet communal it doesn't have to be my quiet time speaking of communal get in time speaking of communal get in time speaking of communal get in community with other people I have heard community with other people I have heard community with other people I have heard so many people who are using my resource so many people who are using my resource so many people who are using my resource 52 weeks in the word in 52 weeks in the word in 52 weeks in the word in community which is awesome so they're community which is awesome so they're community which is awesome so they're all reading the Bible together and then all reading the Bible together and then all reading the Bible together and then they're getting or with alone and then they're getting or with alone and then they're getting or with alone and then they get together to talk about what they get together to talk about what they get together to talk about what they're reading what a wonderful they're reading what a wonderful they're reading what a wonderful motivator and it's a fun thing moms and motivator and it's a fun thing moms and motivator and it's a fun thing moms and daughters texting each other telling daughters texting each other telling daughters texting each other telling telling each other what they're reading telling each other what they're reading telling each other what they're reading it has been such a joy to see the Lord it has been such a joy to see the Lord it has been such a joy to see the Lord move in people's hearts and I believe move in people's hearts and I believe move in people's hearts and I believe it's because he is awesome and his word it's because he is awesome and his word it's because he is awesome and his word is is is powerful get

powerful get powerful get creative if you can't read the Bible creative if you can't read the Bible creative if you can't read the Bible every single day for whatever every single day for whatever every single day for whatever reason that's reason that's reason that's okay ask ask yourself when when can I okay ask ask yourself when when can I okay ask ask yourself when when can I read the Bible make it a read the Bible make it a read the Bible make it a priority not priority not priority not because it's something to check off but because it's something to check off but because it's something to check off but because we need the Lord do you need because we need the Lord do you need because we need the Lord do you need him all right so then run to him and he him all right so then run to him and he him all right so then run to him and he in his kindness gave us the in his kindness gave us the in his kindness gave us the scriptures I last thing I saw a scriptures I last thing I saw a scriptures I last thing I saw a video of a group of people and I don't video of a group of people and I don't video of a group of people and I don't remember who they were were or where remember who they were were or where remember who they were were or where they they they were who had their the Bible um were who had their the Bible um were who had their the Bible um translated into their native tongue for translated into their native tongue for translated into their native tongue for the first time and they were the first time and they were the first time and they were weeping I know it makes me cry thinking weeping I know it makes me cry thinking weeping I know it makes me cry thinking about it because it's about it because it's about it because it's precious and it's precious because God precious and it's precious because God precious and it's precious because God is precious so run to him who loves you is precious so run to him who loves you is precious so run to him who loves you let's pray before I I'm losing let's pray before I I'm losing let's pray before I I'm losing it Lord you are awesome and holy and it Lord you are awesome and holy and it Lord you are awesome and holy and just and you're also our father and just and you're also our father and just and you're also our father and thank you Lord for um that we this gift thank you Lord for um that we this gift thank you Lord for um that we this gift thank you for the gift of who you are thank you for the gift of who you are thank you for the gift of who you are and the gift of your word and thank you and the gift of your word and thank you and the gift of your word and thank you for all of those people who are for all of those people who are for all of those people who are translating your word no idea why this translating your word no idea why this translating your word no idea why this has touched me so much Lord but thank

has touched me so much Lord but thank has touched me so much Lord but thank you God I pray that we would long for you God I pray that we would long for you God I pray that we would long for you like all of those people long for you like all of those people long for you like all of those people long for you and only you can do that as we've heard only heard only you can help us to love you apart from you can help us to love you apart from you can help us to love you apart from you we can't do that so God we pray Lord you we can't do that so God we pray Lord you we can't do that so God we pray Lord that for those people who have maybe that for those people who have maybe that for those people who have maybe they're they're they're teetering and they're struggling with teetering and they're struggling with teetering and they're struggling with doubts God would you reveal yourself to doubts God would you reveal yourself to doubts God would you reveal yourself to them right them right them right now maybe there's someone who is now maybe there's someone who is now maybe there's someone who is suffering and they're asking why Lord suffering and they're asking why Lord suffering and they're asking why Lord why God would you draw near to them why God would you draw near to them why God would you draw near to them right right right now maybe there's someone who feels like now maybe there's someone who feels like now maybe there's someone who feels like they've done too much to run to you Lord they've done too much to run to you Lord they've done too much to run to you Lord would you cover them with your grace would you cover them with your grace would you cover them with your grace right now Lord do what only you can do right now Lord do what only you can do right now Lord do what only you can do reveal yourself to us and help us to reveal yourself to us and help us to reveal yourself to us and help us to draw near to you Lord and thank you that draw near to you Lord and thank you that draw near to you Lord and thank you that you draw near to us we love you we you draw near to us we love you we you draw near to us we love you we worship you and it's in your name we worship you and it's in your name we worship you and it's in your name we pray amen pray amen pray amen if this content has helped you consider if this content has helped you consider if this content has helped you consider donating today to help ensure that donating today to help ensure that donating today to help ensure that others have trusted timely gospel others have trusted timely gospel others have trusted timely gospel centered resources whether it's a centered resources whether it's a centered resources whether it's a one-time donation or becoming a monthly one-time donation or becoming a monthly one-time donation or becoming a monthly partner your generosity helps generate partner your generosity helps generate partner your generosity helps generate gospel centered resources to strengthen gospel centered resources to strengthen gospel centered resources to strengthen the faith of future Generations donate the faith of future Generations donate the faith of future Generations donate today at tgc.org or click the link below