[0:00] It is a blessing to be here. Good to be back. Good to be back home. We had a good time.
[0:15] But it's nothing like just being here at home. So it's a privilege. I too want to welcome all our visitors that are here this morning.
[0:25] Thank you for coming and God bless you. I'd like to speak today on the topic of convictions.
[0:39] The title of the message is Developing Biblical Convictions. I've been thinking about this for a while and among other things.
[0:51] But we'll just see what the Lord brings to us here today. It's important to note that I said biblical convictions.
[1:03] Not just something that man has come up with or thought up or whatever. But rather biblical based on the word of God.
[1:13] And, you know, to develop something sometimes takes time. I think this is a subject that takes a lifetime to continue on in.
[1:29] And to sometimes our convictions change slightly or they are added to or whatever. But as we grow, life is a journey. This walk with the Lord is a journey.
[1:43] And there's about three points I'd like to look at overall in the message here. About four different passages of scriptures that I'd like for you to turn to then.
[1:57] But the first one is a commitment to scripture. A commitment that God calls his people to turn or to commit to scripture.
[2:10] To believing that the Bible is true and that it's from God. The second one is to build our convictions on the Bible.
[2:23] And the third one is to act and to live out practically those convictions. And if you would turn your Bibles to 2 Timothy.
[2:38] We want to start there. That's the first scripture to turn to. 2 Timothy chapter 3. I'm just going to start out with that I believe.
[2:54] And then we'll make some comments on it. In chapter 3 and verse 1. Familiar scriptures that Paul is writing to Timothy.
[3:10] It says, This know also that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves. Covetous.
[3:21] Boasters. Proud. Blasphemers. Disobedient to parents. Unthankful and unholy.
[3:34] Without natural affection. Truce breakers. False accusers. We heard about that a little bit ago. Incontinent.
[3:46] Fierce. Despisers of those that are good. Verse 4. Traitors. Heedy. High-minded. Lovers of pleasures.
[3:58] More than lovers of God. These people. They have a form of godliness, he says. But denying the power thereof. Then he says, From such turn away.
[4:12] Turn away. Let's go down to verse 14. Same chapter. And here Paul says to Timothy, he says, But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and has been assured of, Or been convinced of, Knowing of whom thou hast learned them.
[4:33] And that from a child thou hast learned, thou hast known the holy scriptures, Which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Jesus Christ.
[4:46] All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
[4:57] That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Do we believe this morning, like Paul said, that all scripture is given by God?
[5:13] By the inspiration of God. Not some scripture, not just the ones we like, but all scripture. The whole book. You know, many Christians today, professing Christians, have a problem with this.
[5:33] Some believe that perhaps most of the Bible was inspired by God. But they really have a hard time accepting that word all.
[5:46] All scripture. Where are we at with this? We must be committed to the Bible. What does this mean?
[5:58] It doesn't mean to just read it more. I'm not talking about a commitment to just read the Bible more, although that's included. But rather that we have a settled conviction that it's the word of God.
[6:14] That it is inspired by God. It's the word of God. And that in this word we find the thoughts and the mind of Christ. What God thinks.
[6:29] And what he says. Vodhi Bachman teaches his students. Some of these things.
[6:39] And I haven't listened to all of it. But I've been looking at some of the things he's been saying. I don't know him very well. But I know Tony likes to listen to him. So I started too.
[6:50] And I've been inspired by some of his teachings. His writings. And I'm going to share a few of them. And he's an apologetic.
[7:05] Or an apologist for the word of God. And for many different things. But I always get inspired by some of those guys that teach. And really dig deep. And one of his statements on the Bible is.
[7:19] It's a reliable collection of historical documents. And many of the events in this book were written by eyewitnesses.
[7:34] Men that were there. And that wrote accordingly. It was written by over 40 authors.
[7:46] From three different continents. From all walks of life. We know that there were some that were.
[7:58] One at least was a tax collector. Matthew. Luke was a doctor. Paul was a tent maker. Peter was a fisherman.
[8:09] Peter was a fisherman. And others. David was a shepherd. And a king. All walks of life. You can never name them all.
[8:21] But there are 66 volumes. Or books. Which cover hundreds of subjects. Over a time period.
[8:33] Of about 1500 years. This is a reliable book. This is a reliable book. Just based on those facts. And here's the thing.
[8:46] There's not a single contradiction in the book. Now some people argue that. That's a stretch. Oh we can find some contradictions.
[8:58] But. Either you haven't read it all. If you think that. Or you haven't understood it. It does not contradict itself.
[9:10] It does not contradict itself. This fact alone. Makes it completely different. Than any other source. Or any other book. This book is very different than other books.
[9:21] This would have been an impossibility. Except for one fact.
[9:33] And this is something I just. That came to me this morning. There is really. Only one author. That's why it doesn't contradict itself.
[9:44] And we want to look at that. This morning a little bit more. A little bit deeper. The Holy Spirit. Yes. God used men. Yes.
[9:55] There were over 40 of them. But there's only one author. Let's turn to 2nd Peter now. And see what Peter says about this book.
[10:08] This word. 2nd Peter chapter 1. Let's start in verse 15.
[10:25] Moreover I will endeavor. That ye may be able. After my decease. To have these things. Always in remembrance. For we have not followed.
[10:37] Cunningly. Devised fables. When we made known unto you. The power. And coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. But were eyewitnesses.
[10:48] Of his majesty. He is saying that. We are not following some fable. This is not a joke. This is not. Something that we are just imagining. We were eyewitnesses.
[11:01] Of his majesty. For he received from God. The father. Honor and glory. When there came such a voice.
[11:12] To him from the excellent glory. This is my beloved son. In whom I am well pleased. We know that. That had also. Happened at.
[11:24] When Jesus was baptized. But also when he went to heaven. There was something similar to that. When God said. This is my son. Hear ye him.
[11:36] And this voice came from heaven. We heard. Let me start over. And this voice which came from heaven. We heard. When we were with him.
[11:47] In the holy mount. We have also. A more sure word of prophecy. Where unto you do well. That you take heed. As unto the light. That shineth in a dark place.
[11:59] Until the day dawn. And the day star. Arise in your hearts. Knowing this first. That no prophecy. Of the scripture. Is of any private.
[12:11] Interpretation. You could say. Any personal. Interpretation. For the prophecy. Came not in old time. By the will of man. But how?
[12:24] What does it say next? But holy men of God. Spake. As they were moved. By the Holy Ghost. God is the author. Of this book.
[12:34] Peter mentions in this. Passage. That he was. An eye. Witness. He is saying.
[12:45] Listen. I was there. I know. For a fact. That was a qualification. To be one of the twelve. Was to be an eye.
[12:56] Witness. I do believe. Or to have been. One of the things. That people argue about.
[13:07] With that. Is well. There weren't twelve anymore. There was only eleven. Because Judas. Went and hanged himself. What's the answer. To that anybody? Anybody know.
[13:20] What happened. After Judas. I think we do. They replaced him. If you keep reading. That's just an example. Of. That argument.
[13:31] Is well. You haven't read it all. Matthias. Replaced. Judas. And what was the qualification? He had to be an eyewitness. He had to have been there.
[13:42] Somebody that was there. To be numbered. One of the twelve. That number was very important. To be one of the twelve. Now Luke. In his gospel.
[13:52] He was not an eyewitness. But he was a historian. And he collected. Information. From. The eyewitness. Or from them.
[14:05] In Luke. Chapter one. Verse one. It says. For as much. You don't have to turn there. But. For as much. As many. Have taken in hand. To set forth. In order. A declaration.
[14:16] Of those things. Which are most surely believed. Among us. Even as they delivered them. Unto us. From the beginning. Were eyewitnesses.
[14:27] And ministers. Of the word. In other words. The information. He received. For the gospel. That he wrote. He collected. From other eyewitnesses.
[14:37] Men that were there. And women. What does God think. About. His word. Earlier this week.
[14:49] I was talking to. One of my daughters. And she was saying. How that. Some friends. Were trying to make the claim. About.
[15:01] The bible. Not being enough. The word of God. Not being sufficient. For us today. In other words. We need. Deeper revelation. And so on. And whatever.
[15:11] And it all sounds. Very spiritual. But. I told her. There's a verse. Somewhere in the bible. I couldn't find. I found it this morning. But. In Psalm 138.
[15:24] Verse 2. It says. I will worship. Toward the holy. Thy holy temple. And praise thy name. For thy loving kindness. And for thy truth.
[15:34] For thou has magnified. Thy word. Above. Thy name. Now I don't know. That I understand. That in depth. What all that means.
[15:47] But God. Has magnified. His word. Above his name. That's what God thinks. About the word. Yes.
[15:58] People think. That it's not enough. But oh. They don't understand. Our number one conviction. I believe. This morning.
[16:09] Is that. We believe. That the bible is true. And it's the word of God. Let that be settled. In our hearts. Jesus said.
[16:21] That. Blessed are those. That hunger. And thirst. After righteousness. For they shall be filled. What a promise. Is that our heart. This morning.
[16:31] That we hunger. And thirst. Think of David. In Psalm 119. Somebody should maybe. Just stand up. And read that chapter. It would take a while.
[16:44] Because we know. It's the longest chapter. In the bible. Right. But 119. I challenge you to read it. I challenge you to memorize it. I challenged my children.
[16:55] About that. A while ago. A year or two ago. And so far. None of them have accomplished it. But. It's only 176 verses.
[17:05] But. It's. It's. About the word of God. David's love. For the word of God. He said. Thy word.
[17:16] Have I hid in my heart. That I might not sin against thee. And on thy precepts. He meditates on them. He loves them. And. He loves the law of God. And. On and on.
[17:30] Let's talk about convictions. Convictions. Many times. When people. You hear people talk about convictions. And. Well. It's my conviction. And. So on.
[17:40] But there's a difference. Between a conviction. And a preference. Sometimes. It's not really anything. From the bible. It's not really anything. That. The lord. Necessarily.
[17:51] Showed you. It just might be a preference. There's a difference. We need to discern those. A true conviction. Will always come.
[18:01] From God. And will be backed. By his word. But you know. On the other side of that. Many today. Look at biblical conviction. As just a religious.
[18:13] Bunch of restrictions. And. You know. You're just being strict. You just. You just. Relate it to man-made rules.
[18:24] And so on. And some people. Claim freedom. When there's really. No freedom at all. You know. A friend of mine.
[18:36] Uses this term. He says. He's an evangelist. That some of you would know. But he says. Freedom without boundaries.
[18:48] Is bondage. Think about that. A little bit. Freedom. Without. Boundaries. There's still bondage.
[19:02] If there is freedom. Listen. This book. Has a lot of boundaries for us. There's times that. There's certain things. Well. We just read a few.
[19:13] You know. One of them said that. What was that? To avoid those. And it says. It gives us instruction.
[19:24] And how to live by. Those are. Boundaries. Where God's people. Should walk in. And if. If we want to throw away. All boundaries. Of everything. Then. In fact.
[19:34] You can't be a Christian. If you want. Zero boundaries. In your life. And I'm talking about. The things of God. In the Bible. Then you can't be a Christian.
[19:50] Thy word. Have I hid in my heart. That I might not sin. Against thee. You know. Those people. That we read about. There in Timothy. In the last days.
[20:00] All those. They. They don't want to follow. The boundaries of God. That's called. The old nature. The old Adam. And we'll talk about him. In a little bit.
[20:13] But let me repeat. Freedom. Freedom. Without boundaries. Is still bondage. It's bondage. To the old nature. The old man. He hasn't been crucified.
[20:28] What about. When we face. Pressure. You know. There's so much. Pressure. And I want to talk. To our young people. A little bit. This morning. I'm talking to you.
[20:38] All the time. But. But specifically. I think the younger generation. Faces more pressure. In these areas. Probably. Than us older ones do.
[20:51] But there's so much. Pressure. From friends. Family. The world. The cool crowd.
[21:05] What will they say. If I take a stand. On the word of God. They'll think. I'm some. Fanatic. Or something. Right. Well.
[21:17] It's so much. Easier. To just go. With the flow. Isn't it. So much. Easier. What will they think. They might think. I'm in bondage. Or something. But you know.
[21:30] You can. You can be. Totally free. If you're in Christ. You are free. In fact. Paul said. He was a slave. To the Lord.
[21:40] Jesus Christ. He wasn't ashamed. Of the gospel. Thank you. Amen. A dedicated. Servant of God. Will always strive.
[21:51] To live. By the book. By the Bible. This is something. We need to settle. In our hearts. It's easy. To talk about. It's easy.
[22:02] To say it. To each other. But it's a little harder. To live it. That's what I find. It's a little harder. To live it. Can you all hear me okay?
[22:13] The volume up. You know. Okay. Okay. We need to make up our mind.
[22:25] Are we willing to develop and walk with purpose? Develop these convictions and walk with purpose? And live out our convictions that come from the word of God?
[22:36] Or not? Are we willing? Or are we not willing? Is the question to us this morning. I want to look at some of the things.
[22:52] About convictions. Just mention some things. And there's many, many. I can never cover them all. But. Do we know what we believe?
[23:03] This is the question that God is asking us. And we will answer this by how we live. Do you know what you believe in? We will answer it by how we live.
[23:16] Not by what we say. What kind of relationships are you going to have?
[23:32] What are your convictions about the friends you have? What kind of friends do we want?
[23:58] Do we want the ones that build us up? Encourage us? Inspire us in our journey with the Lord? Or the ones that we'll take away from and divide and all of that?
[24:16] Convictions. We're talking about developing biblical convictions. What are our entertainment convictions?
[24:34] What movies will I watch? If I watch any. Those are just questions. What music will I listen to? What places do I go?
[24:47] When I'm developing biblical convictions for my life? We must learn to allow our convictions to develop and to rule our lives.
[25:04] We must learn to say no. If we haven't already. That's one of the hardest words to say. Isn't it sometimes? No.
[25:15] Others may, but I can't. Sometimes we have to say no. If you can't say no, you can't be a Christian.
[25:29] If we say yes to the old man, then that's who you will serve. Now this is more for the fathers.
[25:41] What kind of games or entertainment will we allow our children to have? This world is evil. We must recognize that.
[25:53] We're in an evil fallen world. And we're here. We're not of the world, but we're in the world, right? And we're here. And this is the place, remember, when Satan was cast out of heaven and all his angels, his demons, they're here, unfortunately.
[26:17] And the devil, our enemy, wants to deceive us. But I believe that there are many demonic things in our world today that want to entertain us.
[26:28] They might look innocent. They might look okay, especially the things that are designed and developed for our children to be entertained.
[26:41] But it is necessary that we know that us parents know what's in those things and what's going on.
[26:51] You know, the world knows. You know, the world knows. The world knows, and many speak out about this, about the damage that big tech is having on our children.
[27:04] The influences of big tech and games and so on. And I've heard them speak about it, and I think, wow, they should come to our church and teach us.
[27:15] I don't know if they go to church or not, but they see that what's happening with our children, and they're alarmed by it. But church, we need to wake up.
[27:27] We need to be alert. Not everything designed for our children that looks innocent and pure is free from demonic influences. And I'm not giving any specifics.
[27:38] I haven't studied into it much. But I do believe this. I do believe that that is the enemy's way to get into our homes. And so, the approach that I like to take on those things is, when in question, play it safe.
[27:57] When something's questionable, you know, safer to just say no. What about when changing now, when somebody offers us something, something that could be addictive, alcohol or whatever, those types of things.
[28:15] What is your conviction? What do you say? What do you do? Is the Bible more important to you than that friendship?
[28:25] Jesus said, I came not to bring peace, but a sword. And oftentimes, truth will divide or separate a relationship.
[28:43] Is our first commitment to be a Christ follower, or will we choose the easy route and go with the flow? God is asking us to commit, to develop convictions based on His Word.
[29:00] What about convictions in our finances? What about the things we buy? What about helping the poor, having a burden to support missions?
[29:14] I was thinking about what Joe read this morning, and I thought, wow, maybe that next thing I'd like to buy is maybe I ought to just skip that and buy a mat for a church in India to worship on.
[29:33] We sit in comfortable chairs and take it for granted. If they're not quite comfortable enough, we complain about it. You know, and they're just trying to get off the dirt to sit on a rubber mat.
[29:48] What about those things? What are our convictions about finances? Is it to the glory of God are we submitted and surrendered to Christ?
[30:01] The Bible has a lot to say about these things, by the way. We say we're Christians. Are we living like them? Now, here's another one for younger people.
[30:16] What about a marriage partner that I will seek? Maybe you're not seeking. That's okay if God hasn't called you that way yet.
[30:29] But if you're going to in the future, what kind of marriage partner will you look for? This is a big one in our day. You know, in our day, it's just kind of like so often it's like, well, whoever happened to have a crush on you.
[30:44] But the Word of God will build conviction in you if you allow it. And it will give you direction for that. It's a big deal. The Bible has a lot to say about that.
[30:58] It talks about being unequally yoked with unbelievers and so on. And what about a godly partner? How about somebody that has the same values you do?
[31:11] And somebody that will encourage and enhance those convictions that you have? How about somebody that will encourage and enhance those convictions that you have?
[31:24] Here's a tough one. What are your convictions about obeying the laws of the land? Hmm. That one gets really close to us, doesn't it?
[31:36] I was thinking about that this morning and I thought, wow, I need to hear this again. You know, some of the laws that don't make sense. Doesn't really hurt my relationship with Christ if I obey it.
[31:49] Doesn't really go against Scripture if I obey it. But I don't like it. You see what I'm saying? Romans. Read Romans.
[32:00] What is it? Romans 14? 13? Romans 13? Read that. There's instruction. It's in the book. And remember, we all agreed it was God's Word.
[32:14] Those are some challenging things. But you know, like I said in the beginning, developing convictions is a process.
[32:26] It's something that, you know, don't feel condemned if you all of a sudden feel like, oh, I was speeding this morning and, you know, that's the law of the land.
[32:37] Right? But allow God to develop that in us, that conviction. That's my heart, is that we have an open heart to the Word of God.
[32:50] All right, so, I have a few more. How will we raise our sons and our daughters?
[33:01] Will we discipline them and nurture them the Bible way or the worldly way? I think you know what I'm talking about.
[33:14] There's a Bible way. If we don't know that way, we need to read the Bible. But it gives very clear instruction. the first Adam is either ruling or the last Adam is.
[33:35] Freedom from religion. Many have, they want to be free from religion. Many of us come from very strong religious backgrounds that we needed to be free from.
[33:47] But, but a lot of those same people that come out from those, they never mention biblical convictions. And then, if that happens, then we walk into the worst bondage there is.
[34:04] It's called the bondage of self. A self-life. The bondage of allowing the old Adam, the old nature to rule instead of submission to Christ and His Word.
[34:21] Now, in 2 Timothy, oh, I did, I did read that, I believe. 2 Timothy, yes. Chapter 3. But it talks about being lovers of their own selves, covetous boasters.
[34:40] Yes, we read that. Let me just look here.
[34:50] Let me just look here. Yes, we did read that. I had it in here twice in my notes. But lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.
[35:04] And that is the old Adam, the old nature that needs to be dealt with. Will we deal with Him? You know, Paul says that we were crucified with Christ.
[35:17] Crucified, put to death. The only way that the last Adam, Jesus Christ, can live is if the old has been dealt with and done away with.
[35:31] In 1 Corinthians 15, there are some verses about this that Paul wrote. You can turn there if you want. It's 1 Corinthians 15, verse 45.
[35:53] Paul is talking to the Corinthians about the resurrection, I believe. But in verse 45, it says, and so it is written, the first man, Adam, was made a living soul.
[36:06] The last Adam was made a quickening spirit. talking of Jesus. How be it that was not first which is spiritual, but that which was natural.
[36:23] And afterward, that which is spiritual. The last Adam is the new nature that we have in Christ Jesus. Verse 47, the first man is of the earth.
[36:36] Earthy. The second man is of the Lord of heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy.
[36:49] And as is heavenly, the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have born the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
[37:02] Yes, so we were born with that first nature, but Paul is saying we are now to bear the image of Jesus, the second nature.
[37:16] You know, we cannot truly live or live out biblical convictions without dealing with that first Adam. He has to die so that the last Adam, Jesus Christ, can rule.
[37:31] God gave us his word so that we can know his mind and his will. but he wants to go deeper than that. You know, it's not just about, and I want to be clear about this, it's not just about the pages in our Bibles.
[37:51] That's how it was in the Old Testament. It was the letter. The law came by Moses. It was written on stone. But, God's desire for his church, his people, is to not have this on paper and in a book called the Bible.
[38:10] But he wants to write his laws in our minds and into our hearts. That's what I mean by developing conviction. Into our hearts and into our minds.
[38:26] And there's a verse for that. If you would turn to Hebrews yet as our last passage of Scripture. Hebrews chapter 10. I need to read this verse more.
[38:49] It's on the wall behind me in my office. But, I sometimes get so used to it that I don't actually look at it. But in Hebrews 10 verse 16, it says, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord.
[39:06] I will put my laws into their hearts and in their minds will I write them. The heart of God is to write them into our hearts where no man can take them away and we dare not go against them because God put them there.
[39:31] Right? There's a difference between me telling you some truth that you should consider. But when God puts that conviction, that deep thing that only God can put into our hearts, no person can take that away.
[39:50] Verse 17, And their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. Hallelujah. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
[40:03] Having therefore, brethren, boldness to come into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us through the veil, that is to say, his flesh, and having a high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
[40:33] Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering, for he is faithful that promised. Are you wavering this morning? Do we sometimes waver a little bit?
[40:47] The Hebrew writer is saying, we don't need to. We can have full confidence, full assurance. For he is faithful that promised.
[40:58] And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another and so much more as you see the day approaching.
[41:14] I just love those promises. I love that this thing of personal conviction, biblical conviction, is simply God dealing with our hearts.
[41:29] That's really how simple it is. He's just writing his laws, his thoughts, his mind into our mind and into our hearts. That is not a small thing.
[41:43] It's a place that God wants us to walk as his people. And how our relationship, there are people that want to claim a relationship with God and avoid all that.
[41:58] But true freedom, real freedom, is simply to be willing and able by the grace of God to do the will of God and to walk in freedom.
[42:10] That's freedom. Anything that I, the first Adam, wants to do is bondage. But true freedom is to do it God's way and through the Holy Spirit working in us.
[42:27] if we want a close relationship with Jesus, then let's allow him to develop these convictions in our hearts and see what happens with that relationship.
[42:43] It will only grow deeper. And the opposite is also true. You want to drift away from God? Just ignore the book. That's what will happen.
[42:56] are our hearts committed to the word of God, to his word.
[43:08] You know, these convictions, we have many testimonies of the past in times of persecution that these convictions, the law of God written in the hearts of men and women have gotten them killed.
[43:24] they were willing to die for that conviction because of what they believe. The first part of the message, they believe that this is the word of God.
[43:38] How deep are our convictions? I've heard it said already about men that I know that while he doesn't have any convictions, I'd want to be careful with that to say he doesn't have any.
[43:59] Maybe just not as many as you do or whatever, but I hope everybody has some convictions. convictions. But if they are from God and we are doing it because we love him, Jesus said if you love me obey my commandments.
[44:21] See that's why I said that, what was that saying? Freedom without boundaries is bondage.
[44:33] But true freedom is to be able to obey Christ. to be able and willing to obey Christ. I don't know where you find yourself at, but I know for me that to me this was a reminder for myself.
[44:55] How committed am I? Am I just committed when things are smooth and easy? There's a gospel track called the smooth cross that Joel has.
[45:08] the smooth cross, the easy way. Am I committed no matter how hard it gets? I trust we are and that that's our heart.
[45:22] So especially young people, I want to encourage you to allow God to develop deep convictions, to write his law upon your heart. God's love. We'll need that in the days coming, won't we?
[45:34] We'll need that, church. Let's pray. Father, we just come to you this morning. Lord Jesus, we thank you this morning for your word. And we acknowledge that it is indeed your word, that you are the author, and that it's all true, and it's been given to us.
[45:55] Lord, what a treasure that we can learn. Where would we be without the word of God? So Lord, we just thank you for it. Thank you for that.
[46:06] Thank you for all the promises in it, for revealing yourself to us through your word, that we can know you personally as our Savior, as our Lord, and that your word tells us that when we confess our sins even, that you are faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
[46:31] Lord, today we thank you for your word. May it be settled in our hearts, because it is forever settled in heaven. Thank you, Lord.
[46:43] Thank you for blessing us. Lord, I just thank you for this body. Thank you that we can be together in agreement about your word.
[46:53] And I just pray, Lord, that if there's areas in our lives that you want to deal with or shine your light upon, Lord, I just pray that you would do that. Through your Holy Spirit, Lord, reveal what it is that I need to change, that I need to look at differently than I have in the past.
[47:15] Lord, we thank you for your grace. Your mercies are new every day. Just bless us this day. In Jesus' name I pray, amen. Thank you all for being here and listening.