We're in. Come on, we got a little chuckle this morning where are wherever you are across the world. May God bless you and strengthen you. This is #Christian straight talk straight out the barrel of truth. We love you and we bless you this morning. But we want to remind you saying very clearly that this is the day that the Lord has made. We shall rejoice and be glad he is your God. He is your King. We got Simon with us today, as we just chat as we speak very openly. And we believe that the Holy Spirit is fueling these podcasts. So wherever you are today, never give up. Have you got the courage to keep on going? Because that's what we're looking at this morning. My God bless you. In the mighty name of Jesus. Amen. Simon, we're in.
Simon Pinchbeck:It's great to be back. Right. We are back, Ben. We're back on the mics. And yeah, we're going to talk about the courage it's it's another one in the series of courage. But this is today we're gonna talk about courage to keep going. Keep going. Because life's tough my in it. Oh, tough. Life is tough. You know?
Reverend Ben Cooper:It's never been so tough. I just, it's like, you're right. It feels like the Gates of Hell are wide open. But, but is that Jesus in charge? Do you feel like that? We are being pressed on every side like never before will be
Simon Pinchbeck:pressed on every side. But you're right, you know. And you think it look at the world you look at society, we're going to hell in a handcart as Yeah, you know, that's the phrase that many people would use, and many people will see moral degradation that has never, ever been seen before. We see the standards that drop through the floor. But you're right back because God is still on the front. He still in charge, and there's still parent the name of Jesus to break every chain heal every hurt.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Don't make me smile. That's true. That's true, isn't it? And what really makes me smile really gives me encouragement and gives me an accelerator in my faith is that everything that is happening around the world, to the very millisecond of time, it has been and it has been prophesied in the Word of God. So there is nothing outside of God's plan. It has to happen for what for the scriptures to be fulfilled. But as believers have we got the courage to keep going in times of trepidation in times of persecution, the church is praying for revival. There ain't no revival coming.
Simon Pinchbeck:That's true, you know? That God's taken the restrictor away right? Yeah, you know, because the world is gone so far from him that he's just removed any restrictions whatsoever and he's he's seeing exactly what's going on and yeah, the world has gone completely forever forever away from him and life is tough for everyone out there we know it's tough. Yeah, you know,
Reverend Ben Cooper:Haven't you just struggling through lockdown Christmas approaching
Simon Pinchbeck:I don't know if you're in the UK but there's a program in the UK called I'm A Celebrity Get Me The ratings are so down this year. Why? Because people just had enough. Yeah, you're what you're gonna struggle in a few bits and pieces, a few blogs but listen, I'm struggling every single day. Yeah,
Reverend Ben Cooper:my business is collapsing. My family is broken the children are struggling at school you right but Christmas is on the door free four weeks away. We got no money. How can we get present? Yeah, what is the future
Simon Pinchbeck:Whats going on? You know, I've done a bit of boxing Ben and I've been arcing it quite hard and I've been hit very hard, you know. But But nothing will hit you as hard as life, fully know you know,
Reverend Ben Cooper:life is that is the biggest shaper isn't it of a character. So we can't allow the outside punches. To affect us. We've got to learn how to protect ourselves from the punch of the enemy. We've got to be on our guard not not as in fists up because the battle belongs to the Lord but it's being able to step into the arena and have the strength and the courage to keep on going when the fist of life is just beating against the door
Simon Pinchbeck:bashing you because there's rejection Ben dishonesty unfairness no justice did were discouraged. But in our marriage yet all the time. And as you said with the kids,
Reverend Ben Cooper:dad, i want this. mum i want this
Simon Pinchbeck:friends loneliness, illness. You know, some days it takes courage just to get out of bed in the morning. We that's where we're at
Reverend Ben Cooper:complete agreement. And the fear level is high with what's happening across the globe at this moment about this new variant and all the all the strings and all the wording that's coming out of that fear is driving so much. So as a believer, there are punches coming To us, and we've got to learn to be able to defend ourselves, not in a way that we rise up, and we come against that, but what we do is that we stand strong a word, we hold our position, but we got to have the courage to take what the enemy is doing, because what he is doing is trying to wear us down with the punches of life.
Simon Pinchbeck:That's true. And I think, you know, if you're out there and you listen to what we're saying, I think you you you'll understand what we're saying and we know because we're going through it ourselves, you know, and sometimes you get up and you think wow, I can't do one more day I've got
Reverend Ben Cooper:to work all day and I'm just what's the purpose I've got no energy I've got no the rhythm of my life seem to be all out i before the lockdown everything but you'd get on the train you do this but even even then, I believe we was taking punches that we shouldn't have taken because we were we are herded, we are in a in a time in in in in the UK where Pharaoh is hurting people into slavery into do this to do that we are not free as a nation. So what happens is, is that we've been punched every day you got to get up at six o'clock you got to pay the mortgage, you got to do this you got to do that. So there's a punch every day just beaten beaten against and that gentle punch everyday wears you down that guides you time when just that that gentle press becomes so heavy, it flips you over the edge
Simon Pinchbeck:and you could snap and you could say I've got to get out I've got a leak got to get out of this marriage I've got to get out I'm leaving this job leaving the kids I can't I can't do any more but if you're a follower of Jesus if you're a follower of Jesus You're a born again Yeah. Spirit full believer. That's not who we are been. No, it's not who we are or what we do we don't give out we don't throw in a towel. Yeah, we don't walk away it's not should not be in our DNA. But the enemy comes as you know.
Reverend Ben Cooper:So the enemy is not going to come at us the world is not going to come at us with a feather duster is it is the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. So that his pain look at job or without. When you look at Job's life the what? He took fries and life out maybe I try honestly to keep out of the book of Job.
Simon Pinchbeck:Yeah, yeah, I read it once a year, but I really I love every single
Reverend Ben Cooper:word. And he said oh, that he slayed me. I will still praise Him. That is a man. It was so faithful. So into god when everything in his life was taken. Gone. Anyway, Mr. ourselves. Yeah. That is real life, isn't it? It's it's
Simon Pinchbeck:whoever comes to the front door.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah. Oh, that it has gone. Oh, that I'm slayed. Oh, that he stripped me back. I will still praise Him. So when the enemy has when the enemy has got the gloves on, and I have taken the biggest punch I could ever take. I say Thank You, Jesus. Bless the puncher.
Simon Pinchbeck:If wow, I mean that's a big one isn't it you got to you know, bless the people. Bless your boss at work, bless you, it makes you, your spouse, if you if you are in problems there or friends if you're in there or people that have ripped you off or ever you've got to forgive them and bless them and but give thanks to the Lord in that time. Because what it says if you've got the courage to keep going Listen to this, Ben if you've got the courage to keep going, and we are when in the will of God, then we will be blessed. Exactly. Listen to this. Look, listen to James 112. He says this, he says, he says Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial for once he has been approved he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those loving.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Exactly now that I know there's lots of churches out that will read it like this bless you. There's a one that perseveres under revival
Simon Pinchbeck:trial and the trial
Reverend Ben Cooper:trial. Now, the church is under trial, individuals are under trial. We are in a position where there is a punch continuing to press out of government offices, out of establishments out of areas of life and what I find out I'm just gonna just just come off off the ski slope a minute, what we go in, but I feel this is very relevant. There are lots of people Simon that I am mixing with at the moment that do not realize that God is speaking to them. I'm talking about outside the framework of church. They don't realize that God is speaking to them. I can see very clearly for what they are asking in the conversation and the flow of the conversation. So this applies to so many people there are people at this moment God is working and shaping and they don't realize what's happening as it God God is awakening their body to what God is doing. So when we look at this we go right okay, that that's Christians, but also, it's those that God is working with as well. There are many undertrial that may listen to this and think, you know what, they're Christians I'm not but just when we say I am a believer, it all that literally means I'm getting a clearer understanding from is that my earth so suddenly realizes there is a holy God, because God had already worked in us before we said, Yes, Jesus in our frailty of humanity, our human being so when it says under trial, there are many people under trial, but under grace don't realize that they are saved but they don't realize the trials that they're going through are the same as Sol Sol. Why do you persecute me God use salt experiences? He was under trial. He was under test in many yet. This is a massive text that you've just blown into the pod room. Yeah, it is under trial, but
Simon Pinchbeck:it is but here's the thing. We can't be under trial and give up. But if we're under trial and persevere on the trial, look what he says. For once he has been approved he received the crown of life which the Lord as promised at those that loving Yeah. So it's gives us the courage to keep going because now insurance, we're not. Listen, listen, look, if if you're struggling, if you're in a marriage, that's abusive, you are managing either physically or mentally Yeah, we're not saying stay in there. That's not what we're saying. We're saying stay in the will of God. Yes. Because we don't want anyone to get hurt, or, or mentally abused that no, there's there's a there's a time but we're saying not just life is a trial at times in
Reverend Ben Cooper:every every heartbeat, and be a heartbeat.
Simon Pinchbeck:Look. So go to the Scriptures, the scriptures are great, this this that one James 112, powerful, if you go into Hebrews like as a couple, it is Hebrews 1035 36 God, therefore do not cast away your competence, which has great reward for you have need of insurance so that after you have done the will of God, you may be saved the promise, and then it goes on the site, for yet a little while, and he was coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith. But if anyone draws back, my soul has no pleasure in him. Amen. But we are not those who draw back. We keep on coming back to petition, but those who believe in the saving of the soul, so and then obviously, he believes 12 One and Two is a powerful one in when we're talking about perseverance, because it says this. Therefore we also therefore we also since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, that's all off yet. Yeah. Let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us and let us run with insurance the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith for the joy that as was set before him he endured across insurance despising the shame and has sat down at a right handed a father so listen it we have the ultimate in who had the courage to keep on going and what did he receive he received the seat at a right handed a father because he went through the ultimate sacrifice the absolute ultimate thing. So we've got Jesus in our corner Ben who'd been who's been fraud and this spring for any February 5, anything you you're going through, he's been through 10 times as bad.
Reverend Ben Cooper:So what we need to so what I need to do as a believer then is, is realize that I'm going to put it like this a bit raw, like Christ is the punch bag, he absorbs the punch. He is protected me so I'm in Christ. So he is the deflector he is might he is the barrier. So the more I get into Jesus, and I keep my eyes on him, I suddenly realize is that the punches of life do not even penetrate my defense, because he is my rock and my salvation. He is my fortress. He is my God in whom I trust. So he is the one that absorbs the punches. Yeah, but if I'm outside of him, Yes, I can do this. I'm gonna get beaten. I'm gonna. I'm gonna. I'm gonna have bruises.
Simon Pinchbeck:You've put it off You put it right then when it's like been under an umbrella. Imagine that and, and the rain is absolutely pouring down, but their umbrella is big enough to keep you some big gulf and it's big enough to keep you dry.
Reverend Ben Cooper:He's wrapped up his chapters, what we got to realize is that God has wrapped us he, he is on the outside, he is on the inside. He is He is our north, east, our he is your defense, Psalm 91, he is your Rock of Ages, he is your God, He is your King, and you have been completely wrapped up in Christ. Now, yes, I can feel the effects of the punches the world because of my mind. So my mind has to be renewed, I have to be completely surrendered to Him. So what happens is as as he wraps me, and he wrapped me and he saved me before I even decided to stay Yes, Jesus. So it's not my lips that have decided it is the King of kings. So he has completely wrapped himself around you, wherever you are. Now, fear is just in the mind. It hasn't got you. You know, depression hasn't got you. The enemy is punching, but God is is absorbing everything, you are a daughter, and you are a son of the living God. And you can do all things through Christ Jesus, but you've got to persevere.
Simon Pinchbeck:You've got to get going and and exactly what you said. Because if you step out from underneath the umbrella you're going to get so going to get where you got to stay under the umbrella got a stone that I've got to stay in the will of God.
Reverend Ben Cooper:And so often I have to stay in the arena. Or if you put it in what we've been talking about the boxing arena, I've got to get in the arena. But God is going to protect me from from the punch of life, the punch of depression, the punch of rejection, the punch of relational ship issues the punch from the line manager the punch from the government at the moment if you are a Christian and you are really in the Word of God, you will fill these these punches that are coming out policies you know, you can you can feel the way you can you can love it the way the psalmist puts it so beautifully. He said, I was pushed back and I was about to fall. But he saved me. I was pushed back and I was about to fall. But he saved me.
Simon Pinchbeck:It's totally if you're in the will of God that we have the the word tells look if we look at Romans been 5325 that, you know this is Paul and this and we're gonna talk about him in a second but Paul he was the one that kept going he just kept going didn't need nothing nothing he got bashed and bad but he just kept going he says this in Romans five three. He says I'm not only that, but we are we are we also glory in tribulations and trials and tribulations. Yeah, knowing that the tribulation produces perseverance come on load and perseverance, character and character hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out on our in our hearts by the Holy Spirit was given to us. Man be saying, you know, come on. Yeah, I've listened. And you might say, well, you know, where am I where you know, this blessing this what look or what I say to you, if you're going on with your family, that's a blessing. If you're going on with work, that's a blessing if you're cheerful and everything you do is a blessing if you're cheerful in your witness in truth, the Americans have got a great word for this phrase for this. They say keep on keeping on. Yes, yes. Right. Anything. Yeah, yeah, we keep on keepin on, you know, the Americans know what it's about to get stuck in. If you're listening to this, and anything that we've said this morning is hitting a nerve with you, then I encourage you not to quit until Jesus closes that door. I can't quit Simon, you can't quit until Jesus closes the door. It's not what he says in Isaiah 2222 it it says an hour. Put the hand that David on him where he says that any door that he opens will not show any door closes will now open. And and that's used again by John in Revelation and Revelation 372. So if Jesus is open that door for you, my friend
Reverend Ben Cooper:he has, there's a door opener. But what what I find interesting in this conversation today is that I'm going to revert back to what I said earlier that there are many people that are not searching for God but are experiencing the things of God because He is calling them and their time is now and God is stirring hearts, you know that we are living in really powerful times. And the word that we keep coming up with this morning is endure, endure, there are people going to be landing on this podcast that are not, I will say saved in their what? What we understand as in saved in the church context, but God has already saved them. But there are people going to land on these conversations that we are having. And there are going to be trigger points and not even looking for church. They're not even. But God has got them so that they are going through trials at this moment, and they're finding it difficult to endure. But God is shaping them through that. But they don't realize that they are being shaped by God. They just think that they're just depressed, there's something happening, and they can't work out what it is.
Simon Pinchbeck:But look what he says in that what we just that scripture that we just read. And we just said, through perseverance, character. Yeah. And the thing is, so I get I get a totally what you're saying. And so, so if you're there are people I believe, if you're just listening to this this morning, and you're in, you know, maybe not a churchgoer, and maybe they're wondering what it's all about, and you've gotten through some tough times, then the Lord is shaping you for what's called for you further down the line. That's, that's that's the truth. Yeah. And the sad thing is, Ben, do you know what the sad thing is, man, the sad thing is, many people quit just before that door opens or like, they get their blessing. All this reconciliation in a marriage all is reconciliation, or friendship, or there's, the Lord wants to bless them in some sort of way. They, they give up, they quit.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Because they feel alone. And they, they feel that it's not gonna happen so that their faith is his teacher, and he ain't gonna wrap any anger. God is not with me. God is not real, this isn't going to happen. But the word in Germans is a lonely experience. Endurance brings what it brings a wilderness moment. It brings a lonely time, it becomes a press that you've never had before. It can almost take you into Psalm 23. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil because you are with me. We want to emphasize to you this morning, brother, sister, man, a woman in faith or out of faith, carry on because you are being shaped
Simon Pinchbeck:you're being shaped and and the thing is, then you only lose if you quit, is actually you only lose if you quit and never give so get back in your lane. And remember that I'll Songun is a phrase in it. You know. When the going gets tough, the tough get go. And so when the going gets tough, Jesus is in your corner. And if you turn when you get your fruit, whether or not you are believe you're a believer, you know he's there for you.
Reverend Ben Cooper:We're in a season, we're in a time in humanity where there's more people under counseling. There's more people on pharmaceuticals trying to sort their noggin out strong and stop there thinking and no brainer. There are more people turning to alcohol, there are more people turning to recreational drugs, because of lockdown because of isolation. But what the enemy meant for harm, God will turn for good. And God is shaping people, even in the darkest moments of life God is. So there is an endurance. There is a there is a race, a race of the race of life of just pressing on pushing and going in. We're talking to believers and non believers because, you know, just because someone's lips move. God does not move. Just because someone's lips have moved, he has already moved before the very beginning of time. So that person at this moment that may capture this podcast is not saved yet, in through their vocabulary. I invite you in Jesus He's already in he's already shaping. So there's insurance before. Can I use the word Christianity? I'm just going to use that as a way to present this bar. We don't realize that her whole life is about insurance because your god sorry, shapes us. At the very beginning of our lives. He uses every area of our life for His glory. So he is with us. It's not when I become say 31 years old, I decided to follow Jesus that old Jesus said that I'm going to go and visit Ben today because his lips have moved. He has. He says before the very beginning of time I know you. I saved you in the book of Romans chapter eight, verse five while you are still sinning, God displayed or sorry, God demonstrated His love for us. So he's already working in someone's life. If this this is mind blowing this inward endurance and courage to keep going on applies to someone out there, whoever wherever
Simon Pinchbeck:totally because you're in the plan, you're in a you're in the plan. And
Reverend Ben Cooper:and sometimes people don't realize they're in his plan.
Simon Pinchbeck:You know, if if I look at my life, you know, before all the stuff I went through as a, as a police officer of stuff I went through was in the criminal world that all shaped me for exactly. You know, even even speaking in court even Yeah, and all that sort of thing give me preparation for stuff and but and I don't know what. But I think back in our day, you know, when we were growing up I know it's tough now, but when we were growing up, we just got on with things just got on my thing we just got we just, you just put your foot down and get on with it.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah, my dad slapped me on the back of the ears get on with it.
Simon Pinchbeck:Yeah, you didn't. You didn't blame anybody it was it was
Reverend Ben Cooper:when a blame culture when a culture where it's, it's blame, blame, blame, you know,
Simon Pinchbeck:but if you if we look, if you look at a beautiful, sovereign Word of God in the Bible, there's another guy in there that never gave up. And you you said in this morning, you know, the apostle Paul wrote, written most of the books of the New Testament, He never gave up. Reviews, he tells us a whole list of things. He went from pen
Reverend Ben Cooper:to paper. Isn't it interesting that the greatest write up I believe that he's the greatest writer on Earth? That his writings came out of painting? urines totally. He wasn't sitting at a desk at the pastor's desk and thinking I'm gonna write to they watch our write about what was
Simon Pinchbeck:it? What did he write the most of the book of Philippians when he was imprisoned in prison? Yeah, he was in prison.
Reverend Ben Cooper:He was imprisoned, and even even in prison. So even if you take John for a second on the island of Patmos, God gave him revelational knowledge. When these characters these men of God, these these ones, God used them in their trials, but they had to endure
Simon Pinchbeck:they were taken to a low point in their life and tested to see if they, I think to see if they still got the love of the Lord, because quite easily, you know, the similar stuff that came Paul's way he could have quite easily gone you know what,
Reverend Ben Cooper:I'm gonna get me out of it. And Dec.
Simon Pinchbeck:Oh, I didn't know what I mean. Easy life. I couldn't go back to making a few ticks and making a few quid and
Reverend Ben Cooper:you're making Nike my stipend I'm gone. You're you're cutting my traveling expenses. I'm gone. You're Excuse me. I'm out of here.
Simon Pinchbeck:Yeah. Oh, nice. Retirement at 50. I've had enough of Sunday morning. All I know we can go in
Reverend Ben Cooper:let's look at what he went through the ship wrecked. Beaten, spat upon. Hungry,
Simon Pinchbeck:whipped
Reverend Ben Cooper:whipped with with a rod. They hit me nine times. Plus, they strung me up. They chucked me in prison. Did I get Wi Fi in prison? Did I did I ever no did I get a blanket? No, I was chucked in a pit with human stuff in it. I was chucked in a pit. I was I didn't Did I have breakfast? No. Did I have lunch? Did I know did I get a haircut in prison? Did I did no prison in the Bible? is nothing like we all know.
Simon Pinchbeck:No, that's in the majority of the Western world. It's nothing. It's nothing like so when he writes this. But what? Ben So when Paul writes this, I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me is not putting himself as that as a little gods and saying I can no he's saying I'm under a decade. I'm absolutely out. I'm exhausted. And I can't do this in my own strength. That's why I need You, Jesus. To pick me up and pull me pull me through it.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Imagine having the whole town after you imagine having no food. Imagine thinking I'm shipwrecked. I'm not quite sure. I think I'm on Malta.
Simon Pinchbeck:That ship right when he he convinced the people go on and then he said not no one will drown or die and no one did deny it but they got wrecked. And they all ended up here.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Really, really interesting that when you look at Paul, as such a beautiful writer, the way he presents the Word of God. And that is so beautifully presented because the Holy Spirit enabled him to do that, but the Holy Spirit and the Father, the Son, the Holy Ghost. The deity was with Paul when he was in the darkest dungeon of his life when he was when he was beaten when he was bleeding when he was crying. His greatest God uses the dark his hardest things to shine that light.
Simon Pinchbeck:Yeah. And event in our own lives. Yeah, you You know, I think we have got the strength or the courage in our own strength to do this or not. You know, there are even small things like, you know, there are times when I know I've got to be getting into the Word and doing some research doing some putting something together, listen to God. But that TV looks nice and fancy. Flick the flower, put the old to the old lever. Easy. Say, Yeah,
Reverend Ben Cooper:I see tomorrow, Jesus. Coffee, and yeah, I love you, Jesus. Thank you for the hate.
Simon Pinchbeck:Yeah, that's just a little thing. But we can't do stuff in our How do we do it? We have to do it for your encouragement of the word and start, I would encourage people to start each day you do you know what? I look on the phone and there's a Bible verse for the day. And I just click on it. It's the first thing I do. And it's amazing. That emanates out of that verse. Yeah. Is equivalent bang. Yeah, it's right where you need it.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Bang, yes, there
Simon Pinchbeck:you you know, yeah, I will never leave you or forsake you will have the universe come on, come on
Reverend Ben Cooper:the arrow of God's word. It God's word has been put to flight. And where does it hit, it hits the heart, not to kill but to enable, to strengthen God's word. You know, God's word has been put to fly, you know, you are a child of the living God, you have the courage to keep going, he loves you unconditionally. You are a child of the living God. And we're just speaking straight out of the barrel of truth. But there are a few things that hit me this morning. And the word is insurance. Jesus and eyes and focus on right, you're going on you're bang on keep my eyes on Jesus. I keep enduring. He is the author. I got a press, no matter even, you know, even through lockdown when when lockdown was there. And I've mentioned this before, it was so difficult to preach to a lens and thinking, what is the purpose of this? What is the purpose? The church is empty. There's no one here but me. There's no one you know, but I don't usually just may just make just, I'm just so lonely. But that but insurance, you have to keep going. Don't worry about what the outside environment looks like. Because you can't see what really is happening. So being faithful in little as topless.
Simon Pinchbeck:You're exactly right. You know, I was asked to speak to a church the other week and it was a small community is one man and his dog yet yeah, yeah. And he wasn't didn't turn up that morning. But the little picture word of
Reverend Ben Cooper:his dog was born and crossed over from Catholicism, you can
Simon Pinchbeck:you just crack on? Don't you just have to say whatever the Lord gives you to say because it's going to it's somebody who's going to go into it. You know, I love when Paul says, Be strong in the Lord and the power is mine. And it can't be stronger Lord is not in our own strength. We we can't, we can't do it. Ben, you know? And Paul says also he's great. And he Paul, he says I in Romans 828 is strengthen a word you know, he says he said all things come together.
Reverend Ben Cooper:All things work together for the good of those that love Him.
Simon Pinchbeck:So all things all things. So the rubbish you're going through
Reverend Ben Cooper:there's a purpose or purpose. There's the joy is a purpose. There's there's a season there's a season as a season as a saint season where the the storm of life is ferocious, but there's that's a season there's a time and season in life when life is like a millpond it's calm, there's a season of brightness. There's a season of autumn where, where where the weather system of life is changing and you feel the change seasons God uses the season to draw the character that he wants us to be you know, and I really believe that I've got to mention this about the potter's house, the potter's wheel. You are on the potter's wheel when you are being shaped. This is your season. This is your moment of growth, not you, but him in you that God is accelerating you. We're encouraging you to keep going.
Simon Pinchbeck:Yeah, Ben, you're exactly right. Listen, if you've got an open heart for the Lord Yeah, he's gonna use you if you you've we've said it many times if you get it not my will, but Your will be done for you. And sometimes, you know, when we see things happen to us or our family, it's a real there's a temptation to give God bit of grief. Really? Yeah. Do you know? But listen to this, but you know, God never said, understand me. He said trust me didn't even Yeah, he said, trust me, stainless will don't quit, be encouraged. Psalm 32 eight says, I will teach you my ways, or the Proverbs three, five and six says, Trust in the Lord with all your mind. And it goes on to say, because I will direct your path. Yeah.
Reverend Ben Cooper:And wow come on load and he says do not lean on your own understand Understand it. If I lean on my logic, if I lean in my skill set, I will get so far. But I am limited because I limit me. But I can do all things through him that strengthens me
Simon Pinchbeck:that we know, listen, if you're searching out there, there are churches out there that will tell you that Christian life is easy. And it's and it's an easy way. It's all about love and hours and love. But God never says it's easy. Because it was easy. We we would we wouldn't have the character now to get through and be used by the Lord. You know, this easy grace, this compromise gospel.
Reverend Ben Cooper:There's so much out there is there been in the establishment and in in that area of the church, you got to be really, really careful of James chapter one, verses four through two, six, let me Can I just read this, let perseverance finish its work. So that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any one of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault. Unbelievable. The church finds fault with me all day long. But a fight he doesn't find fault with any of it because he knows you because he sent his Son to die on a cross. And by the blood of the lamb we are saved and it says and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not down. Isn't that interesting? He says just believe just believe. Just believe. Don't doubt but just believe.
Simon Pinchbeck:And Jesus said that all the way through just believe just believe. Just believe.
Reverend Ben Cooper:So whoever's out there today is all of us are being asked and been presented this to us. Just believe in me. Just believe in me. Don't try and understand me because I don't understand the writer that we're talking about right so powerfully and says it's a mystery, this gospel. This Christ this God is a mystery. Okay, so what happens if he's a mystery, God will reveal because that's what the writer says. It's a mystery. But as it is a mystery as I write this, now he is revealing his word. So the power of revelation or knowledge is above earthly knowledge is above earthly wisdom is above the greatest theologian electro that you sat under for years at college, you know, God will will accelerate you in your faith in that there is so many ways that we have to clearly understand is that God, Christ is saying, just believe
Simon Pinchbeck:just just believe been the, you know, the prayer for many people is if when they're going through tough times a prayer for many people is, Lord, take this away from me. But the prayer I believe that that should be said is, father give me the strength to get strengthened, strengthened me to get through this because, you know, there's an old cliche saying that God will take the places you never want to go to lead us to places you never want to leave unless that's the truth. So fruit, a fruit of trials through the Tribulation strengthened me, Lord, give me your grace and favor to get through this. And I'll come out stronger and I'll come up my faithful be bolder and more for surance it's a test it's a trial, give me the insurance to get through it. And you know, you said it early. We said earlier, stay in the will of God stay in, stay in. I meet so many men and they say to me, Simon, I got a church blah, blah, blah, but my life's a train wreck. So what time you given a god are calm. I'm fine.
Reverend Ben Cooper:I'm at the gym at six o'clock in the morning. And then I'll have a shower and I've got to get to work. I've got a commute. I've got to pay the bills out. I got time for Jesus. So
Simon Pinchbeck:your life is a train wreck and it will be a track make. Unless you you listen to Matthew 633 and seek first the Kingdom. Yeah. And then the God says everything else will fall into place. You just said it in so seek first the kingdom and his righteousness and everything else will fall into place.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Amen is all about Jesus. He is the center he is. He is everything he is El Shaddai he is Jehovah Jireh Jehovah Nissi Jehovah shalom, he is your peace. He is your strength. He is your guide and he is your rock. And he is your father in heaven.
Simon Pinchbeck:Jesus never gave up and did he ever never gave up and we can. We can be saved. And every time and when we're going through stuff, what have we got been? We've got the vision of the cross, we've got the courage and the cross. And if you feel that you're not important enough, or for, for God to get behind you to give you the strength, look at across, across because cross, Jesus died for you. Yeah, Jesus died on that cross, he went through that and enjoy that stuff for you. Every single one of us,
Reverend Ben Cooper:even before we was born, the redemption plan was in place, even before we came into being his son was sent for us free now as we're driven in long before we came even into existence. Everything was now to the cross of Calvary. He loves you unconditionally. I believe we believe as we sit face to face across these mics this morning, we believe that you will make it not because of your strong not because of your physicality, but because we know that the God of Israel is with you. And you can't lose. It's impossible. So those
Simon Pinchbeck:are impossible to lose. You got. You've got everything on your
Reverend Ben Cooper:side. You have everything.
Simon Pinchbeck:Let just look at Isaiah 44 He says, you know, fear not I've read danger. I've called you by name. You are mine. He says, He said goes on to say when you pass through the waters, I will be with you. Through the river stay we're not overflow you when you walk for the fire you shall not be burned nor the flame scoresheet for I am the Lord your God. I am the logic, his promises are there for you, my friend. See, when you quit, you quit on God. When you quit, for you to go on, is for Christ to go on in you. But for you to quit. Yeah. Is is for you to quit on yourself.
Reverend Ben Cooper:That's it. Because God, God cannot fail.
Simon Pinchbeck:And what will happen is, if you quit in the trial of the task or the insurance Yeah, got my find someone else to get
Reverend Ben Cooper:through that. It's as simple as this. God is hope. God is love. So in one Corinthians chapter 13, it says, Love never fails. Love keeps no records of wrongs, it does not delight in evil, but rejoices the truth, always hopes always perseveres. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth always endures always trust, then it finishes off and says, Love never fails. God is love. And you are not a failure. But what happens is your mind and our thinking, puts the brakes on and says, I can't, it's impossible. But God has already taken you to a victorious place God God is with you. And I'm just, I'm stuck Simon on this, on this area of those that are not recognize in the physical person, that God is with them. I just feel that there is a transaction at this moment I can see like multitude, just not realizing that there is a heavenly father. And he is he has already saved them. He is drawing them in. They're already in but I just see this timeline. This moment where someone's body their physical being just suddenly realizes God is real. So this is this is purposely for those in faith, an
Simon Pinchbeck:outlet of faith. Yeah. The stuff
Reverend Ben Cooper:you're encouraged to go
Simon Pinchbeck:and I think is been you know, the stuff that you're enduring and hurting at it hurts God to be honest with you, but it's shaping you so to into His likeness. You're gonna grow because if you endure Juric with with with a good heart, yeah, not groaning moaning, complaining loudly Israelites dead in the four years No buddy, but praising in times of tough times and and getting fruit with a good heart, then, you know, the, the crown of life is yours. The crown of life hits spins, it says in Scripture. And listen, when's the last time God didn't turn out when you called out for him? It turns out then
Reverend Ben Cooper:he turns up with the answer, it turns up is all is already it's already in. He's already gone before he's already. He's already there. It's already given. It's already done. But I've just got a press.
Simon Pinchbeck:And we're saying yeah, yeah. And we're saying this morning event. Are you being tempted To quit in whatever you're doing or you're being tempted to quit. unless Jesus closes that door, my friends hangin, be strong with Christ have the courage to keep going have the courage to choose to keep going to keep on keepin on.
Reverend Ben Cooper:That's right, Simon, you're right. And I believe that you just led me a god has led me by you into this text, Psalm 119 13. As we come to a close, I believe this is for leaders. I was pushed back and about to fall. You feel like the church and ministry is pushing you back. And you feel that you're losing everything. And the pandemic has caused all sorts of issues in ministry in life. You're not pushed back and you are not about to fall. Because this is what it says, I was pushed back. And I was about to fall, but the Lord helped me. Surrender. If you are a church leader, we just we just leave it at that for the for the ease of the word in. God has got you. Don't look at your ministry. Don't look at what you're trying to do. God has got you in this, this posture in this position because he wants to reshape you. He wants to reshape you right now in your life. And you've got to endure, have you got the courage. Lay the ministry down, lay your way down, lay the spreadsheet down, lay down the flowchart, lay everything down. And just hold on to Jesus. You can because he already has. Don't go in your own strength. Don't go in your own ability. Don't go in your own skill set. Hold on tight. God is with you, brother or sister, whoever you are, and wherever you are. Never give up Simon has brought to the table today. The courage to keep going and keep going. Insurance
Simon Pinchbeck:insurance. Ben with the right attitude. Yes. It's not a pity pie. No, it's it's the right attitude as you beautifully put it there as you framed up that word from Psalm 119. Yeah. beautifully put it just to keep going. But with a joyful heart, and, and everything because remember, remember my friends, Romans 828 all things. God uses all things to come together for good.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Amen. Come on. Let's listen to that word again. All things work together for the good of those who love Him. He loves you. He's working on you. You've been with myself, Reverend Ben Cooper and Simon pinch back today. Speaking straight out of the barrel of truth speaking directly out in the Word of God, we believe and we just trust in His Word because He is the great I AM.#Christian Straight Talk. Have a great day wherever you are. Please share all these podcasts out. And we will catch you very very soon in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen. And God bless. Amen.