WEBVTT 00:00:09.699 --> 00:00:13.300 Hello and welcome to the Kalamazoo Church of Christ podcast. 00:00:13.519 --> 00:00:14.820 Thank you so much for listening. 00:00:15.279 --> 00:00:16.160 We're Startup Church. 00:00:16.280 --> 00:00:23.460 We just planted in September, 2020 and at the Kalamazoo church, we believe that Christianity is done best when it is done together. 00:00:23.539 --> 00:00:32.299 And so if you live in the Kalamazoo area, we would love to connect, be it coming to a Sunday service, one of our small groups, or even just grabbing coffee with a member to learn more. 00:00:32.500 --> 00:00:36.439 You can visit kalamazoo.church in order to do that. 00:00:36.859 --> 00:00:40.420 We pray that you are inspired by what you hear today. 00:00:51.880 --> 00:00:54.619 So I just want to address this out of the gate. 00:00:54.740 --> 00:01:01.020 If anyone is concerned about my wife's ability to dress me, my belt is pretty floppy right now. 00:01:02.200 --> 00:01:03.939 It has nothing to do with that. 00:01:03.939 --> 00:01:12.299 I just, I'm finally back to my pre-wedding weight and I don't have a belt or pants to fit that. 00:01:12.500 --> 00:01:14.299 So we're figuring that out. 00:01:14.400 --> 00:01:20.239 I just really found out kind of today with putting this belt on that I'm all the way back. 00:01:20.900 --> 00:01:21.000 Right. 00:01:21.439 --> 00:01:22.579 So amen. 00:01:23.480 --> 00:01:28.859 Jaron told me two years before I got married that I would gain 30 pounds upon getting married and I gained 35. 00:01:28.859 --> 00:01:30.219 So amen. 00:01:38.519 --> 00:01:41.560 You know, I like to exceed expectations. 00:01:42.659 --> 00:01:46.060 Today we will be continuing our thread series. 00:01:46.260 --> 00:01:58.540 We've been in this teaching series that has a podcast and daily devotionals that kind of weave all together and lead all the way up into Sunday. 00:01:58.920 --> 00:02:01.879 We are on this journey for multiple years. 00:02:02.200 --> 00:02:04.579 It's possible that it could be all the way up to three years. 00:02:04.980 --> 00:02:08.460 We started all the way back at the beginning of Genesis with creation. 00:02:08.919 --> 00:02:12.719 Now we've kind of meandered our way up to the life of Abraham. 00:02:13.919 --> 00:02:33.520 One thing that I will tell all of you within my personal experience with this thread with reading the podcast and doing the daily devotions, one thing that has really enhanced my experience is going into the Bible and reading the full chapters surrounding kind of what we're digging into in a deep sense. 00:02:34.039 --> 00:02:37.599 And I really, if you haven't done that yet, I really encourage you to do that. 00:02:38.099 --> 00:02:42.840 The life of Abraham is in Genesis chapters 12 through 25. 00:02:43.240 --> 00:02:49.939 And so you can really enhance your experience by going in and digging in deeper if you haven't done that. 00:02:49.939 --> 00:02:56.580 This past week, we were learning about something called the Suzerain Vassal Treaty in the podcast. 00:02:57.379 --> 00:03:06.860 It is a portion of three kind of periods, three big happenings in the covenant between Abraham and God. 00:03:07.139 --> 00:03:10.599 It was a part of the covenant that I was really unfamiliar with. 00:03:10.699 --> 00:03:14.800 I'm sure you all may have been unfamiliar with that as well. 00:03:14.800 --> 00:03:22.460 The covenant of circumcision is the one that usually stands out mostly because of, yeah, naturally so. 00:03:22.800 --> 00:03:30.780 It's going to stand out amongst those three interactions because of the way that it is. 00:03:31.099 --> 00:03:38.419 But this one, in my mind, after reading it and digging into it, I feel like this is the most important part of the whole covenant. 00:03:38.419 --> 00:03:44.539 This part where God is doing something with Abraham, is taking on this treaty. 00:03:45.800 --> 00:03:53.620 And it's a treaty that Abraham very likely would have seen or possibly even done in his own life coming up into this point. 00:03:53.659 --> 00:03:59.080 He knows how it's going to happen, the methods of it, and they're walking through it. 00:03:59.120 --> 00:04:10.259 And then all of a sudden at the end, when they both have to put up kind of their lives as collateral, essentially for this covenant, Abraham doesn't have to go through. 00:04:10.479 --> 00:04:23.699 God takes on all of the collateral and shows us a lot in this interaction, as well as our interactions between God and Abraham through chapters 12 and 25 through the life of Abraham. 00:04:24.259 --> 00:04:27.459 God shows us that he's going to meet us where we're at. 00:04:27.910 --> 00:04:30.180 God shows us that he is loyal. 00:04:30.180 --> 00:04:34.319 God shows us that he wants a covenant relationship with us. 00:04:34.839 --> 00:04:38.180 That's a really cool thing to think about on any day. 00:04:38.620 --> 00:04:43.360 And I really want us to think about that as we start off today, digging in deeper into the scripture. 00:04:43.500 --> 00:04:49.639 The God who made the universe wants a covenant relationship with each and every one of us. 00:04:49.980 --> 00:04:55.579 And he is loyal to make that happen and to help it to grow. 00:04:55.579 --> 00:04:59.040 And he is always going to uphold his end of the bargain. 00:05:02.959 --> 00:05:21.060 So as we kind of go back, last week, Jaron taught us about in the life of Abraham, how Abraham everywhere that he pitched his tent along the way as he was traveling, he built an altar to worship. 00:05:22.019 --> 00:05:24.839 And so I wanted to pose the question to you. 00:05:25.139 --> 00:05:29.959 How did it go for you this week, worshiping God everywhere that you go? 00:05:31.810 --> 00:05:35.129 For me, it was a little bit up and down. 00:05:35.610 --> 00:05:39.430 This worshiping God everywhere I go thing is not the easiest for me. 00:05:39.490 --> 00:05:44.509 I really like to have my times with God be extended periods of time. 00:05:45.589 --> 00:05:46.550 I really do. 00:05:46.610 --> 00:05:56.750 I do enjoy multiple extended times of the day, but I have a hard time bringing God with me as I go, especially at work. 00:05:57.050 --> 00:06:02.290 I really wanted to strive to do that this week. 00:06:02.730 --> 00:06:06.149 And I had one victory this week in bringing God with me to work. 00:06:06.230 --> 00:06:13.610 There were some guys that were working very unsafely and I prayed out loud for their safety. 00:06:14.149 --> 00:06:27.149 My crew chief yelled at me for doing that, but I was able to bring God with in that situation and I am pleased to say that they did not die, which they absolutely could have with what they were doing. 00:06:28.050 --> 00:06:35.050 I'm very encouraged constantly about my wife, how my wife brings God with her, with us in her prayer life. 00:06:35.250 --> 00:06:36.209 It's really cool. 00:06:36.589 --> 00:06:39.290 We can be walking or driving down the road. 00:06:39.370 --> 00:06:43.189 Somebody's driving their bicycle down the road without a helmet on and she prays for them. 00:06:43.629 --> 00:06:50.009 Somebody, somebody may cut us off on the road and she's going to pray for that person to get where they have to go safely. 00:06:50.009 --> 00:06:54.149 And just constant random occurrences like that along the way as we go. 00:06:54.250 --> 00:06:55.089 And it's super encouraging. 00:06:55.689 --> 00:07:02.850 And she truly is a great example of a prayer life that is constantly bringing God with. 00:07:03.209 --> 00:07:05.230 And I really appreciate Maya for that. 00:07:07.810 --> 00:07:14.269 Last week, Jaron highlighted through scripture three of the four altars that Abraham built. 00:07:15.589 --> 00:07:21.009 And today we will eventually zoom in on the fourth and final altar that he built. 00:07:21.009 --> 00:07:24.810 But first, let's talk about seeing God. 00:07:28.860 --> 00:07:34.040 Finding ways to see our invisible God is essential for a faithful life. 00:07:42.600 --> 00:07:47.699 You can observe a lot by watching, but you don't always see what you see. 00:07:50.189 --> 00:07:53.910 Does anyone have any idea where these quotes could come from? 00:07:55.569 --> 00:07:57.230 I was hopeful for Paul or Gary. 00:08:00.910 --> 00:08:03.089 But it's Yogi Berra. 00:08:05.370 --> 00:08:08.029 These are what you call Yogi-isms. 00:08:11.930 --> 00:08:14.730 Yogi Berra is a famous baseball player. 00:08:15.129 --> 00:08:17.170 He's one of the great Yankees of the past. 00:08:18.069 --> 00:08:37.850 Way back when in the 40s and 50s, I believe, he became a manager as well, but he was mostly known for his great personality and these crazy sayings that don't make sense, really, but they do, the longer that you think about them. 00:08:40.250 --> 00:08:44.889 And as you all know, I'm an avid documentary watcher. 00:08:48.149 --> 00:09:02.629 I love documentaries because of the way in which you can take something that you have an idea or you know about, and it gives you a different lens or a deeper lens, and then you can gain understanding about what you're watching. 00:09:04.330 --> 00:09:10.070 And I watched this documentary this week, this past week about Yogi Berra. 00:09:10.450 --> 00:09:16.250 And I tell you what, I really had an under appreciation for how great of a baseball player he truly is. 00:09:16.590 --> 00:09:19.350 His personality is larger than life. 00:09:19.490 --> 00:09:22.429 Personality is what people remember. 00:09:23.129 --> 00:09:28.610 But in my opinion, now after watching this documentary, he is one of the greatest baseball players of all time. 00:09:28.789 --> 00:09:30.409 And I had no idea. 00:09:31.110 --> 00:09:37.929 And it's pretty cool to be able to watch something, see something with a different lens and gain understanding. 00:09:38.029 --> 00:09:40.570 We're going to do that today with some scripture. 00:09:40.950 --> 00:09:49.809 We're going to take some scripture that we all know, and we're going to turn it a little bit and look at it with a little bit different lens in hopes that we can gain some understanding. 00:09:49.809 --> 00:10:05.870 When we read the Bible, we are reading a translation of Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek, depending on what section we're reading from. 00:10:06.769 --> 00:10:15.950 And whenever you translate these languages, you're going to miss ideas, rhymes, alliteration, or wordplay that might be going on. 00:10:17.090 --> 00:10:26.409 Seeing is a major idea and theme in Abraham's life, and in our lives as well, if we are paying attention and living lives of faith. 00:10:29.539 --> 00:10:37.580 Today we're going to look at a theme in the Hebrew translations that we can actually see pretty clear, even in English, if we're paying attention. 00:10:39.019 --> 00:10:42.440 Up here I have a little fun, fun little scripture blitz for you all. 00:10:44.120 --> 00:10:49.940 These are passages that are rephrased to highlight the use of the word seeing in Hebrew. 00:10:52.820 --> 00:10:59.559 In Genesis 12.1, the land I will show you can be rephrased, land I will let you see. 00:11:00.360 --> 00:11:09.120 In Genesis 12.7, he will build an altar to the Lord who appeared to him, can be rephrased, the Lord who was seen. 00:11:09.960 --> 00:11:15.039 In Genesis 13, 14 to 15, it says, look around all that you see. 00:11:15.750 --> 00:11:21.820 In Genesis 15.5, he took him outside and said, gaze into the sky and count the stars. 00:11:23.450 --> 00:11:32.019 In Genesis 15.17, the covenant is cut in the dark, pitch black, where nothing could be seen but the fire pot. 00:11:33.259 --> 00:11:38.759 Next week we're going to be learning about the life of Sarah and Hagar, and Hagar calls God the God who sees me. 00:11:39.480 --> 00:11:54.559 In Genesis 17.1 and 18.1, the Lord appeared to Abram, or Abraham, could be rephrased, the Lord was seen by Abraham, and in Genesis 18.2, he looked up and saw three men. 00:11:59.440 --> 00:12:07.440 As we move forward with this, one question I would like to dig in on is, can seeing things God's way make us righteous? 00:12:12.370 --> 00:12:14.610 Have you ever thought about what it takes to be righteous? 00:12:16.049 --> 00:12:17.389 It's pretty tough, right? 00:12:18.269 --> 00:12:19.549 It's actually impossible. 00:12:20.690 --> 00:12:22.669 The Bible tells us that it's impossible. 00:12:23.250 --> 00:12:24.909 No one is righteous, not one. 00:12:25.649 --> 00:12:35.250 And we see that Psalm 14, Psalm 53, Romans 3, and we can see it throughout the Bible as well, as we pull apart the different characters that aren't Jesus. 00:12:37.230 --> 00:12:43.070 If you're a Christian, I hope you're trying hard to be righteous, but even with great effort, we fall short. 00:12:46.879 --> 00:12:51.919 Let's take a look and see what happens when Abraham sees things God's way. 00:12:54.220 --> 00:12:57.299 Turn over to Genesis 15.1-6 for me. 00:13:11.240 --> 00:13:16.860 Genesis 15.1 says, After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision. 00:13:17.740 --> 00:13:22.259 Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield, your very great reward. 00:13:23.059 --> 00:13:32.139 But Abram said, Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless, and the one who will inherit my estate is Eleazar of Damascus? 00:13:32.700 --> 00:13:38.799 And Abram said, You have given me no children, so a servant in my household will be my heir. 00:13:39.440 --> 00:13:48.460 Then the word of the Lord came to him, This man will not be your heir, but a son whose your own flesh and blood will be your heir. 00:13:49.360 --> 00:13:55.340 He took him outside and said, Look up at the sky and count the stars, if indeed you can count them. 00:13:55.340 --> 00:13:59.200 Then he said to him, So shall your offspring be. 00:14:00.480 --> 00:14:05.500 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness. 00:14:09.320 --> 00:14:16.379 One thing that I feel that is important to note here is that Abram was in a state of doubting. 00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:22.080 He was doubtful about God, what God was saying, and he brought it to God. 00:14:22.620 --> 00:14:24.100 He gave it up to him. 00:14:24.159 --> 00:14:25.940 He complained to God. 00:14:25.940 --> 00:14:38.039 I do feel that it's important in our walk of faith with God to do this, to bring our vents to God, to bring our questioning to God. 00:14:38.200 --> 00:14:39.860 He wants us to do this. 00:14:40.940 --> 00:14:42.059 Do you vent to God? 00:14:43.259 --> 00:14:45.259 Do you bring your questions to God? 00:14:49.360 --> 00:14:54.879 God wants us to bring these questions to him so he can help us see things his way. 00:15:01.070 --> 00:15:05.149 After Abraham questions God, he takes him outside to see the stars. 00:15:06.070 --> 00:15:12.509 He promises Abraham, who doesn't even have one child, that his descendants will be like the stars in the sky. 00:15:13.190 --> 00:15:14.629 And this is cool what happens next. 00:15:15.629 --> 00:15:20.129 Abraham believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness. 00:15:21.570 --> 00:15:24.309 We can't be perfectly righteous in our actions. 00:15:25.409 --> 00:15:26.830 Not even Abraham was perfect. 00:15:28.309 --> 00:15:32.230 But here we are given an unlikely path to righteousness. 00:15:33.190 --> 00:15:38.129 When we see things God's way, he credits it to us as righteousness. 00:15:39.809 --> 00:15:43.429 Now, believe it or not, I don't always see things God's way. 00:15:45.309 --> 00:15:55.330 And one example of this was that I didn't always believe in the importance of being together constantly with God's family. 00:15:56.029 --> 00:16:02.190 I felt that I was going to be okay as long as I had my extended periods of time with God, which I had a lot of them. 00:16:02.190 --> 00:16:07.970 I came to church on Sunday and came on Wednesday whenever it worked for me. 00:16:08.190 --> 00:16:10.129 And then I was good from there. 00:16:11.210 --> 00:16:16.870 I was missing out on so much blessing from God in this. 00:16:19.210 --> 00:16:24.549 I kept seeing Hebrews 10, 24, and 25 throughout my life. 00:16:24.730 --> 00:16:44.149 It was intense how often I was seeing it, where God calls us to spur one another on towards love and good deeds and not give up meeting with one another, as well as continuously saw the end of Acts 2, where the disciples were together constantly and God blessed it. 00:16:45.429 --> 00:16:49.350 I eventually made the decision to see things God's way. 00:16:50.750 --> 00:16:54.730 And let me tell you, it has been way better to see things His way. 00:16:55.850 --> 00:17:01.549 There have been so many blessings that have come from me making this decision. 00:17:01.789 --> 00:17:08.630 To see things God's way and make being with the family, with God's family, a constant in my life. 00:17:09.289 --> 00:17:10.730 It has helped me to fight my sin. 00:17:11.730 --> 00:17:15.809 It has helped me to grow in my faith by seeing others' faith. 00:17:16.990 --> 00:17:22.309 It has helped me to have so many great meals and laughs and spiritual conversations. 00:17:22.848 --> 00:17:32.309 The amount of memories that I have made for God have been incredible and are things that are foundational in my faith going forward when I'm struggling now. 00:17:32.390 --> 00:17:40.329 I can look back to those moments, those memories, those things that have happened when I was with the family of believers in between times. 00:17:40.910 --> 00:17:41.410 Right? 00:17:41.470 --> 00:17:48.089 There's only so many memories that can be made at church on a Sunday or a Wednesday. 00:17:48.849 --> 00:17:53.509 The real stuff happens is when we're doing it on a daily basis. 00:17:53.690 --> 00:18:03.890 And I feel very blessed that God was patient with me and He helped me to see things His way so that I could change. 00:18:06.420 --> 00:18:11.380 Is there some righteousness that you are missing out on because you are not seeing eye to eye with God? 00:18:13.549 --> 00:18:24.109 What if you decided tonight, underneath the stars, to go outside and call out to God and ask Him to help you to see it His way? 00:18:29.819 --> 00:18:35.480 Now let's take a look and zoom in on that final altar that Abraham built. 00:18:36.400 --> 00:18:40.099 Please turn to Genesis 22, 1-14. 00:18:58.660 --> 00:19:03.019 Genesis 22, 1 says, Sometime later God tested Abraham. 00:19:03.839 --> 00:19:07.819 He said to him, Abraham, here I am, he replied. 00:19:08.380 --> 00:19:16.099 Then God said, Take your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the region of Moriah. 00:19:16.880 --> 00:19:21.960 Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you. 00:19:22.740 --> 00:19:26.759 Early the next morning, Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. 00:19:27.440 --> 00:19:30.740 He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. 00:19:31.240 --> 00:19:37.220 When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. 00:19:38.259 --> 00:19:43.200 On the third day, Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 00:19:43.779 --> 00:19:49.799 He said to his servants, Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. 00:19:49.799 --> 00:19:54.099 We will worship and then we will come back to you. 00:19:55.240 --> 00:19:59.519 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac. 00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:05.299 And he had himself carried the fire and the knife. 00:20:07.700 --> 00:20:15.420 As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father, Father, yes, my son. 00:20:16.119 --> 00:20:20.539 Abraham replied, The fire and wood are here, Isaac said. 00:20:20.539 --> 00:20:23.180 But where is the lamb for the burnt offering? 00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:31.400 Abraham answered, God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son. 00:20:31.759 --> 00:20:33.380 And the two of them went on together. 00:20:34.740 --> 00:20:41.539 When they reached the place God had told them about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. 00:20:42.059 --> 00:20:47.380 He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. 00:20:47.380 --> 00:20:50.839 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 00:20:51.380 --> 00:20:53.940 But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven. 00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:57.640 Abraham, Abraham, here I am, he replied. 00:20:58.160 --> 00:21:00.240 Do not lay a hand on the boy, he said. 00:21:00.640 --> 00:21:01.920 Do not do anything to him. 00:21:02.339 --> 00:21:09.859 Now I know that you fear God because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son. 00:21:11.039 --> 00:21:15.940 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. 00:21:15.940 --> 00:21:21.500 He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 00:21:22.299 --> 00:21:26.119 So Abraham called that place the Lord will provide. 00:21:26.700 --> 00:21:31.180 And to this day, it is said on the mountain of the Lord, it will be provided. 00:21:41.430 --> 00:21:42.430 There's a lot here. 00:21:43.430 --> 00:21:44.869 It's really deep. 00:21:45.549 --> 00:21:51.329 And I'm sure that you have seen multiple ways in which you can look at this scripture in depth. 00:21:51.329 --> 00:21:57.509 Today we're going to turn this gem ever so slightly and see something a little bit different. 00:21:58.150 --> 00:21:59.589 See something a little bit different. 00:22:00.849 --> 00:22:09.930 In verse two, where it talks about go up to Moriah, this mountain in Moriah. 00:22:11.269 --> 00:22:14.170 Moriah means seeing in Hebrew. 00:22:17.680 --> 00:22:23.180 Now for this final altar, Isaac himself, the son of the promise is holding the wood. 00:22:23.180 --> 00:22:26.579 Can you imagine being Abraham in this moment? 00:22:27.660 --> 00:22:30.839 What would you be going through inside of your head? 00:22:33.470 --> 00:22:39.950 But he says in verse five, we will worship and then we will come back to you. 00:22:40.890 --> 00:22:50.230 It shows that maybe, just maybe, Abraham was seeing something more already outside of this situation. 00:22:52.180 --> 00:22:55.420 And then hearing Isaac's question about the sacrifice. 00:22:55.700 --> 00:22:57.240 Father, where is the lamb? 00:22:58.299 --> 00:23:02.400 Like Isaac is starting to figure out, I think, a little bit what's going on here. 00:23:02.440 --> 00:23:03.960 Like, what are we doing here? 00:23:06.039 --> 00:23:07.960 It's pretty shocking to read. 00:23:09.359 --> 00:23:12.920 And Abraham just says God himself will provide. 00:23:15.680 --> 00:23:20.920 God does provide the ram in verse 13, a substitutionary sacrifice. 00:23:21.819 --> 00:23:25.599 And Abraham calls the place, the Lord will provide. 00:23:26.059 --> 00:23:28.700 Saying on the mountain of the Lord, it will be provided. 00:23:33.299 --> 00:23:38.039 As we break this down even a little bit further now, turn the gem one more time. 00:23:39.019 --> 00:23:43.299 In English, we have another way of saying someone will provide. 00:23:44.160 --> 00:23:46.539 We say they will see it through. 00:23:48.180 --> 00:23:58.140 This worship proclamation of Abraham could be translated, Abraham called the name of that place, God sees it through. 00:23:58.680 --> 00:24:03.940 As it is said today on God's mountain, God sees it through. 00:24:07.130 --> 00:24:07.970 Sorry about that. 00:24:11.990 --> 00:24:13.089 God will see it through. 00:24:14.049 --> 00:24:18.369 He's willing to enter into covenants with us that he won't ever break. 00:24:20.880 --> 00:24:22.160 God will see it through. 00:24:22.380 --> 00:24:23.359 God will provide. 00:24:25.990 --> 00:24:30.089 This mountain shows us how God sees it through all the way to the cross. 00:24:32.470 --> 00:24:36.210 This is the same mountain that Solomon built the temple on. 00:24:36.869 --> 00:24:39.970 That many Jews worship and sacrifice at. 00:24:41.450 --> 00:24:49.670 It was also the same mountain and the site of this, where Jesus was crucified. 00:24:52.660 --> 00:24:54.059 God has seen it through. 00:24:55.579 --> 00:24:59.460 Whatever you have going on in your life right now, that is tough. 00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:02.920 That you don't feel like you're seeing out the other side. 00:25:02.920 --> 00:25:05.720 Just know that God will see it through. 00:25:11.519 --> 00:25:14.440 I have a challenge for everyone going forward this week. 00:25:16.569 --> 00:25:24.170 My challenge to you is to ask God if there is anything that you aren't seeing eye to eye with him on. 00:25:25.490 --> 00:25:28.690 And pray for his help in seeing it his way. 00:25:31.779 --> 00:25:32.400 Let's pray. 00:25:37.240 --> 00:25:41.579 Father in heaven, God, you are the mighty God. 00:25:41.680 --> 00:25:42.839 You are the holy God. 00:25:43.079 --> 00:25:45.480 You are so powerful and awesome. 00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:53.339 You created the universe, God, and yet you want a relationship with each and every one of us. 00:25:53.460 --> 00:25:55.920 God, you are gentle and you are near. 00:25:56.880 --> 00:26:03.579 God, we are so grateful that you want to have a covenant relationship with each and every one of us. 00:26:03.660 --> 00:26:07.380 God, we are so grateful that you are the God that sees it through. 00:26:08.259 --> 00:26:12.140 God, you meet us where we are at and you bring us to where you want us. 00:26:12.240 --> 00:26:14.619 God, you want to have a dialogue with us. 00:26:14.619 --> 00:26:17.480 You want us to bring our troubles to you. 00:26:17.619 --> 00:26:19.700 You want us to bring our questions to you. 00:26:20.160 --> 00:26:23.980 God, help us this week to bring our questions to you. 00:26:24.039 --> 00:26:25.400 God, to vent to you more. 00:26:25.599 --> 00:26:30.660 God, help us this week to see what we aren't seeing your way. 00:26:31.259 --> 00:26:36.599 God, and help us to change our hearts and our minds to see it your way. 00:26:37.380 --> 00:26:39.000 God, we love you so much. 00:26:39.059 --> 00:26:40.920 And we pray all this in Jesus name. 00:26:41.740 --> 00:26:43.160 Friends, you are dismissed. 00:26:43.619 --> 00:26:44.599 Go pick up your children.