WEBVTT 00:00:00.100 --> 00:00:02.325 Father's Day to all of our fathers this morning. 00:00:02.325 --> 00:00:14.534 As I mentioned last week, I'm taking a break from our sermon series in the book of Acts of the Apostles for the rest of this summer because I want to preach on how to be happy from the Bible. 00:00:14.534 --> 00:00:19.283 And if you'd like a sermon outlined and get one, our answer is to be happy to give you one now. 00:00:19.283 --> 00:00:22.166 Just raise your hand and they will help you out. 00:00:22.166 --> 00:00:43.512 You know, as a father myself, I'm really trying hard to be healthier, because if you're healthy you're happy. 00:00:45.640 --> 00:00:51.033 I read an article by a nutritionist who said that eating right doesn't have to be that complicated. 00:00:51.033 --> 00:00:53.402 They're very helpful. 00:00:53.402 --> 00:00:58.213 Nutritionists say there's a simple way to tell if you're eating right Colors. 00:00:58.213 --> 00:01:04.051 Fill your plate with bright colors greens, reds, yellows. 00:01:04.051 --> 00:01:08.171 In fact, I plan to start that right after this service. 00:01:08.171 --> 00:01:16.829 Here are my M&Ms to prove it I got greens and reds and yellows. 00:01:16.829 --> 00:01:20.063 You know what I never knew? 00:01:20.063 --> 00:01:22.109 Eating right could be so easy. 00:01:22.109 --> 00:01:26.486 And eating right does make me happy, amazing. 00:01:26.486 --> 00:01:30.581 Well, that's one kind of happiness. 00:01:31.724 --> 00:01:34.551 But God has another kind of happiness that we introduced last time. 00:01:34.551 --> 00:01:36.481 It's called a heavenly happiness. 00:01:36.481 --> 00:01:52.462 The Bible describes heaven as something we will absolutely, more than anything else, enjoy and find the most fantastic, awesome experience that we can imagine. 00:01:52.462 --> 00:01:53.265 Heavenly happiness. 00:01:53.265 --> 00:01:56.572 In the Bible is called blessedness. 00:01:56.572 --> 00:02:02.221 You're going to be hearing a lot of that through the rest of the summer. 00:02:02.221 --> 00:02:08.506 While it's only a little taste of heaven now, it is extremely satisfying. 00:02:08.506 --> 00:02:14.449 What are these tastes of heavenly happiness found in the Bible, as I introduced last week? 00:02:14.449 --> 00:02:17.812 They're found in passages we tend to skim over quickly. 00:02:17.812 --> 00:02:24.637 They begin something like this Blessed is the man, blessed is the one, blessed is everyone. 00:02:24.637 --> 00:02:28.242 And on and on and on Phrases like that. 00:02:28.242 --> 00:02:41.259 What follows in those verses are God's instructions, actually invitations, to experience a little taste of heavenly happiness right now, before you get to him. 00:02:42.062 --> 00:02:54.649 Since this is Father's Day, I want to help all our fathers to be happy, okay, so we're going to focus on Psalm 127, specifically directed to fathers. 00:02:54.649 --> 00:02:59.344 Let me read the passage and then we'll talk about it for a minute. 00:02:59.344 --> 00:03:06.516 But it's addressed to fathers, but the principles here apply to anyone who wants to enjoy God's blessing. 00:03:06.516 --> 00:03:16.655 If you'll listen, I have three main points in Psalm 127, the characteristics of Psalm 127, the message of Psalm 127, and the application of Psalm 127. 00:03:16.655 --> 00:03:27.756 What you need to know is Psalm 127 and Psalm 128 are meant to be taken together, focusing on experiencing God's blessing in our families. 00:03:27.756 --> 00:03:33.389 But I believe the primary focus of these two psalms is on fathers. 00:03:33.389 --> 00:03:38.186 You could pick this up from the last verse of Psalm 127. 00:03:38.186 --> 00:03:41.193 And let me read that passage right now. 00:03:41.193 --> 00:03:51.604 That passage right now Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain. 00:03:51.623 --> 00:03:52.064 Who build it? 00:03:52.064 --> 00:03:54.128 Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain. 00:03:54.128 --> 00:04:06.182 It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful or anxious labors, for he gives his beloved even in his sleep, or anxious labors, for he gives his beloved even in his sleep. 00:04:06.182 --> 00:04:07.945 Behold, children are a gift of the Lord. 00:04:07.945 --> 00:04:12.234 The fruit of the womb is a reward, like arrows in the hand of a warrior. 00:04:12.234 --> 00:04:15.382 So are the children of one's youth. 00:04:15.382 --> 00:04:18.951 How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. 00:04:18.951 --> 00:04:23.610 They will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate. 00:04:23.610 --> 00:04:36.168 And if you look at Psalm 128, verse 3, your wife shall be like a fruitful vine within your house, your children like olive plants around your table. 00:04:36.168 --> 00:04:46.189 Again addressing fathers, these psalms are all about how fathers, or really anyone, can experience God's blessing in their family. 00:04:46.600 --> 00:04:52.533 But first I've got to give you a little background of Psalm 127 to really understand what the message is. 00:04:52.533 --> 00:05:00.391 Many of the psalms were written by King David, but Psalm 127 was written by King Solomon. 00:05:00.391 --> 00:05:05.208 We only have two psalms in the psalms that he wrote. 00:05:05.208 --> 00:05:07.853 The other one is Psalm 72. 00:05:07.853 --> 00:05:17.620 And Solomon also wrote the book of Ecclesiastes, which focuses on the futility of life without God. 00:05:17.620 --> 00:05:30.726 So it's not surprising to see in this psalm how Solomon begins with the same word that he uses in Ecclesiastes, the word vain. 00:05:30.726 --> 00:05:37.586 It's vain, your building's vain, empty, feudal. 00:05:37.586 --> 00:05:39.658 Ecclesiastes 1.1,. 00:05:39.658 --> 00:05:43.069 He starts out vanity of vanities, he says all is vanity. 00:05:45.062 --> 00:05:48.723 The second characteristic you need to know about Psalm 127 was it is a psalm. 00:05:48.723 --> 00:05:50.387 We call it a psalm of ascent. 00:05:50.387 --> 00:05:55.665 In fact, that's what it says in the superscription Psalm of ascent by Solomon. 00:05:55.665 --> 00:05:58.571 What were these psalms of ascent? 00:05:58.571 --> 00:06:18.728 Well, in Israel, in the ancient times, three times a year, men from all over the land of Israel were required to go make a pilgrimage to the temple in Jerusalem to worship at the three feasts Passover, feast of Weeks, feast of Tabernacles the Psalms of Ascent. 00:06:18.728 --> 00:06:25.992 These were songs sung by the pilgrims as they went up to Jerusalem from all over Israel. 00:06:25.992 --> 00:06:33.687 They're called Psalms of Ascent because Jerusalem was located on Mount Moriah, 3,000 feet above sea level. 00:06:33.687 --> 00:06:35.947 You had to go up to get there. 00:06:35.947 --> 00:06:42.108 Ascend Psalms of Ascent, pilgrimage to Jerusalem to worship. 00:06:43.821 --> 00:06:50.064 The third characteristic we need to know about Psalm 127 is that, if you didn't hear it already, it's full of metaphors. 00:06:50.064 --> 00:07:03.860 Something is like this We've got building houses, we've got eating bread anxiously, we've got shooting arrows, we've got full quivers, quivers. 00:07:03.860 --> 00:07:10.108 The metaphors represent spiritual truths in a father's life found in this psalm. 00:07:10.108 --> 00:07:12.963 We'll unpack it. 00:07:12.963 --> 00:07:27.404 We may not be building a house, but we are building something in life and whatever that is, if the Lord isn't involved, it's vain. 00:07:27.404 --> 00:07:36.547 Men aren't stuffing themselves with bread, as the psalm metaphor says, while they work, in verse 2. 00:07:36.547 --> 00:07:40.990 But they are worried about providing for their families. 00:07:40.990 --> 00:07:50.250 You know, children are not arrows, actually literally arrows to be shot out of a bow verse 3. 00:07:50.250 --> 00:08:07.391 Well, sometimes we may want to shoot them, but you know, children are people who are under our influence, who will have an impact on society when they leave us, when they go. 00:08:11.141 --> 00:08:18.463 The fourth characteristic we need to know about Psalm 27 is the last verse really is the climax of the psalm and its message. 00:08:18.463 --> 00:08:27.776 Men, fathers, who truly understand the truths of this psalm will enjoy a taste of heaven right now. 00:08:27.776 --> 00:08:29.185 Blessed is the man. 00:08:29.185 --> 00:08:31.819 They will be blessed. 00:08:31.819 --> 00:08:34.509 That brings us to the message of Psalm 127. 00:08:34.509 --> 00:08:37.565 What do fathers need to understand from this psalm? 00:08:37.565 --> 00:08:38.327 To be blessed. 00:08:38.327 --> 00:08:52.912 If indeed fathers are in view in this psalm, then this psalm is an exhortation to fathers not to miss the Lord's blessing as they're involved in their family. 00:08:54.240 --> 00:09:02.750 Psalm 127, solomon is challenging us with a question what kind of life are you trying to build? 00:09:02.750 --> 00:09:08.046 A meaningful one or a futile one? 00:09:08.046 --> 00:09:22.043 If we want a meaningful one, then we're going to have to pay attention to the message of this psalm so we're not just struggling in futility, going nowhere. 00:09:22.043 --> 00:09:27.514 With God's intention for blessing, we'll go nowhere. 00:09:27.514 --> 00:09:41.774 The main message of Psalm 127 is this it is absolutely futile and empty and vain to leave God out of your life and your family Absolutely futile. 00:09:41.774 --> 00:09:45.659 Family Absolutely futile. 00:09:45.659 --> 00:09:55.044 Here is a description of the Lord's blessing, though from those who heed the message, because, deep down, the Lord's blessing, I believe, is what we all really want. 00:09:58.501 --> 00:10:01.125 Here's a description of the blessing from the psalm in verse 1. 00:10:01.125 --> 00:10:10.331 The Lord will provide for us If we heed the message of this psalm. 00:10:10.331 --> 00:10:12.402 The Lord will provide for us. 00:10:12.402 --> 00:10:15.169 He will build the house. 00:10:15.169 --> 00:10:21.583 Without the Lord, your labor's in vain. 00:10:21.583 --> 00:10:28.287 The second thing, the second part of the blessing, is the Lord will protect us, psalm 127.1. 00:10:28.287 --> 00:10:31.570 He will be the watchman over our home. 00:10:31.570 --> 00:10:38.049 And third, the Lord will preserve. 00:10:38.049 --> 00:10:45.207 This is, I think, where the psalm is headed, actually, and gives us insight into the climax as well. 00:10:45.207 --> 00:10:50.565 He'll provide for us, let him build the house. 00:10:50.565 --> 00:10:53.222 He'll protect us, let him watch over us. 00:10:53.222 --> 00:10:58.428 Third, he will preserve a father's good name. 00:10:58.428 --> 00:11:05.986 He will Our children, says in verse 5, will not be ashamed of us. 00:11:05.986 --> 00:11:15.995 In fact, they will be greatly respected because of how we made the Lord the center of our family. 00:11:18.041 --> 00:11:23.253 I'd like to illustrate that last one, because I've had personal experience with it. 00:11:23.253 --> 00:11:33.442 One because I've had personal experience with it. 00:11:33.442 --> 00:11:36.129 When I was a teenager, the first job I applied for was at a local grocery store in our town. 00:11:36.129 --> 00:11:39.381 I filled out an application and the owner met with me and interviewed me. 00:11:39.381 --> 00:11:42.547 He saw my last name, lennon. 00:11:42.547 --> 00:11:44.230 He looked at me. 00:11:44.230 --> 00:11:47.075 He said are you Wayne Lennon's son? 00:11:47.075 --> 00:11:48.884 I said yes, I am. 00:11:48.884 --> 00:11:55.302 He said I've known your father for years and you know what. 00:11:55.302 --> 00:11:56.427 That's good enough for me. 00:11:56.427 --> 00:12:03.371 He hired me on the basis of my father's good name. 00:12:03.371 --> 00:12:05.904 Wow, that hit it. 00:12:05.904 --> 00:12:07.831 That had a huge impact on me. 00:12:07.831 --> 00:12:22.764 His life impacted me for the benefit, the blessing that was given to me and other ways he did that as well. 00:12:22.764 --> 00:12:23.486 I could go on. 00:12:23.486 --> 00:12:26.874 But this guy hired me on the basis of his good name. 00:12:26.874 --> 00:12:31.409 And look, I was not ashamed to be called his son. 00:12:31.409 --> 00:12:32.812 I was not. 00:12:32.812 --> 00:12:34.304 I was proud of it. 00:12:34.304 --> 00:12:38.504 That's my heart. 00:12:38.504 --> 00:12:47.191 I also want my kids not to be ashamed but to be blessed because of my good name. 00:12:51.000 --> 00:12:56.232 This psalm says that it is the Lord who gives us our children. 00:12:56.232 --> 00:13:01.429 Children are gifts from the Lord. 00:13:01.429 --> 00:13:09.086 They are not gifts to the state, but gifts to their mothers and fathers from God Lord. 00:13:09.086 --> 00:13:11.034 They are not gifts to the state, but gifts to their mothers and fathers from God himself. 00:13:11.034 --> 00:13:19.706 If the Lord has blessed you with children, you need to know the blessings you've been given from this psalm. 00:13:19.706 --> 00:13:26.434 First, god has given you a heritage and a legacy to leave behind. 00:13:26.434 --> 00:13:27.136 Verse 3,. 00:13:27.136 --> 00:13:32.368 Children, you see, are how you make and leave your mark in the world. 00:13:32.368 --> 00:13:37.326 Children are how you leave your life well done. 00:13:37.326 --> 00:13:42.799 They are how you make the world a better place after you're not here. 00:13:42.799 --> 00:13:51.104 The heritage Children are also a gift to enjoy. 00:13:51.104 --> 00:13:56.596 He gives us this blessing Children, you know. 00:13:58.461 --> 00:14:01.857 Some of you, I know don't have children, but those of you who do won't be. 00:14:01.857 --> 00:14:04.143 Children are as they're growing up. 00:14:04.143 --> 00:14:05.345 They're full of surprises. 00:14:05.345 --> 00:14:09.177 They provide so much joy. 00:14:09.177 --> 00:14:18.730 I don't know how Linda and I laughed ourselves through those kids' childhood. 00:14:18.730 --> 00:14:19.591 I'm not kidding. 00:14:19.591 --> 00:14:24.384 She kept a record when the kids would say or do something. 00:14:24.384 --> 00:14:25.707 We were just cracking up. 00:14:25.707 --> 00:14:27.639 We've got a book. 00:14:27.639 --> 00:14:31.081 Oh, do I recommend you do that? 00:14:31.081 --> 00:14:33.780 Told our kids to do that. 00:14:33.780 --> 00:14:38.186 You're going to want to remember the joy they brought you. 00:14:40.155 --> 00:14:41.017 I'll give you an example. 00:14:41.017 --> 00:14:56.009 When our son Ryan was five, he was outside making mud pies with his sisters and Linda told the kids now do not come into the house with muddy hands. 00:14:56.009 --> 00:15:13.481 But Ryan came into the house with his muddy hands, into the kitchen sink, and Linda said go back outside, wipe your hands in the grass and come back in and then stay out of the mud. 00:15:13.481 --> 00:15:19.105 Ryan replied, but myself. 00:15:19.105 --> 00:15:20.267 Stay out of the mud. 00:15:20.267 --> 00:15:24.038 Ryan replied, but myself wasn't in the mud, only my hands were disobeying you. 00:15:24.038 --> 00:15:29.056 Let me tell you, that was when he was five. 00:15:29.056 --> 00:15:31.243 Can you imagine his arguments when he's 12? 00:15:31.243 --> 00:15:38.366 Ouch, our children provided so many hours of joy and laughter in our house. 00:15:38.366 --> 00:15:40.783 They're a gift from God to enjoy. 00:15:42.336 --> 00:15:48.585 Third, god has given fathers and mothers but fathers here divine responsibility to keep. 00:15:48.585 --> 00:15:53.645 Verse 4, like arrows. 00:15:53.645 --> 00:15:56.543 See, here's the analogy, the metaphor of arrows. 00:15:56.543 --> 00:16:13.880 You're going to take that arrow, you must form it straight and file them sharp, and, like arrows, the direction you point them, that's where they're going to go. 00:16:13.880 --> 00:16:18.565 So point them where you want them to go. 00:16:21.154 --> 00:16:24.004 By the way, what does God want from a parenting? 00:16:24.004 --> 00:16:41.239 Well, I don't have time to do a full Bible study on that, but there's one place that God brought to mind in Malachi, chapter 2, the book of Malachi, last book of the Old Testament, where God kind of makes it clear Malachi 2.15,. 00:16:41.239 --> 00:16:46.815 Has not the one God made you, you belong to him in body and spirit. 00:16:46.815 --> 00:16:49.264 And what does the one God seek? 00:16:49.264 --> 00:16:58.708 Godly offspring, that's how he wants us to shape and shoot them. 00:16:58.708 --> 00:17:00.033 Godly offspring that's how he wants us to shape and shoot them. 00:17:00.033 --> 00:17:00.154 Godly. 00:17:00.154 --> 00:17:13.523 God wants us to train up our children to be godly reflections of his image and his image, hopefully, is your image, christ's image, being made in us. 00:17:13.523 --> 00:17:14.838 Ephesians 6.4,. 00:17:15.500 --> 00:17:19.104 Apostle Paul says Fathers, don't provoke your children to anger. 00:17:19.104 --> 00:17:22.404 Bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. 00:17:22.404 --> 00:17:27.204 Now, I know some of us here are not parents. 00:17:27.204 --> 00:17:34.026 What does God want from us in our interaction with children? 00:17:34.026 --> 00:17:37.903 Are they a nuisance to be tolerated? 00:17:37.903 --> 00:17:45.028 Well, let's listen and watch what Jesus said in his example in Mark, chapter 10, 13 to 16. 00:17:46.512 --> 00:17:53.042 People were bringing their children to Jesus so that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them hey, get those kids out of here. 00:17:53.042 --> 00:17:54.164 We're important people. 00:17:54.164 --> 00:18:08.401 But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them permit the children to come to me, don't hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 00:18:08.401 --> 00:18:22.123 You know what, truly, I say to you whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child meaning innocent, vulnerable, humble is not going to enter it at all. 00:18:22.123 --> 00:18:30.683 And he took them in his arms and began blessing them, laying his hands on them, so, like Jesus, shooing them away. 00:18:30.683 --> 00:18:38.816 By the way, keep this in mind for Kids Club and like kids you know, like Jesus, embrace them, be trusting like them. 00:18:38.816 --> 00:18:46.426 So how do we apply Psalm 127? 00:18:46.426 --> 00:18:52.036 And, like I said, god has chosen not to bless some couples with children. 00:18:52.036 --> 00:19:01.509 And if you are single or without children, these same blessings apply to you for anyone who heeds the message. 00:19:05.214 --> 00:19:08.450 The message boils down to four applications. 00:19:08.450 --> 00:19:14.960 First, to find meaning instead of futility and heavenly happiness. 00:19:14.960 --> 00:19:17.527 In this life we must acknowledge our need for the Lord. 00:19:17.527 --> 00:19:32.342 You can be busy building your house, striving to bring bread, put a bread on the table, but till you realize you need the Lord. 00:19:32.342 --> 00:19:40.318 Sometimes life is frustrating and futile to us just because God wants to lead us to him. 00:19:40.318 --> 00:19:50.778 And if we want our life to count for something, it begins with an admission that we need the Lord in our life. 00:19:50.778 --> 00:19:54.364 Otherwise our labor is in vain. 00:19:55.045 --> 00:19:58.971 The psalm's challenge, see, is whether we recognize it or not. 00:19:58.971 --> 00:20:01.134 We need the Lord. 00:20:01.134 --> 00:20:11.967 If you look at the psalm 1 and 2, without the Lord, our life becomes a futile effort. 00:20:11.967 --> 00:20:15.644 That's why, by the way, god sent Jesus. 00:20:15.644 --> 00:20:22.059 Without Jesus we can't enter the kingdom of God, we can't enter heaven. 00:20:22.079 --> 00:20:24.243 The ultimate happiness, blessedness. 00:20:24.243 --> 00:20:30.642 Jesus said it himself John 14, 6, I am the way, the truth and the life. 00:20:30.642 --> 00:20:34.208 No one comes to the Father but through me. 00:20:34.208 --> 00:20:38.015 No one comes to the Father but through me. 00:20:38.015 --> 00:20:44.521 So until we understand our need for him, we're living in futility and meaninglessness. 00:20:44.521 --> 00:20:45.763 Ultimately. 00:20:45.763 --> 00:20:55.943 So we begin to discover heavenly happiness first and foremost by opening our hearts and believing in Jesus as our Savior. 00:20:55.943 --> 00:20:56.665 We need him. 00:20:56.665 --> 00:21:01.404 He promised to give eternal life to everyone who believes in him. 00:21:01.404 --> 00:21:06.905 Second, to find meaning and heavenly happiness, the Lord must be. 00:21:06.905 --> 00:21:10.041 We don't acknowledge our need. 00:21:10.041 --> 00:21:14.527 The Lord must be first and central in everything we do. 00:21:14.527 --> 00:21:18.805 Just let that psalm burn into your brain. 00:21:18.805 --> 00:21:23.865 Unless the Lord, whatever you're doing, it doesn't matter. 00:21:23.865 --> 00:21:26.371 These are metaphors. 00:21:26.371 --> 00:21:31.561 Unless the Lord, it's futile. 00:21:32.463 --> 00:21:38.423 Without considering the Lord, working hard, worrying about things we need or want, is going to be futile. 00:21:38.423 --> 00:21:39.799 We must put the Lord first. 00:21:39.799 --> 00:21:40.502 How do we do that? 00:21:40.502 --> 00:21:49.429 Well, ask yourself what is the greatest priority when you begin to make a decision in life. 00:21:49.429 --> 00:21:59.189 If you're not seeking the Lord first, other priorities just drown him, will drown him out. 00:21:59.189 --> 00:22:07.784 It could be sinful pleasures, greed being popular, striving for Other priorities become front and center. 00:22:07.784 --> 00:22:18.238 If you're seeking the Lord first, jesus told us we don't have to worry about the other priorities. 00:22:18.238 --> 00:22:22.651 Matthew 6, 31 to 33,. 00:22:22.651 --> 00:22:24.741 Jesus said to the disciples don't worry then. 00:22:24.741 --> 00:22:26.077 What are we going to eat? 00:22:26.077 --> 00:22:26.922 What are we going to drink? 00:22:26.922 --> 00:22:29.324 What do we wear for clothing For the Gentiles? 00:22:29.324 --> 00:22:31.061 Eagerly seek all these things. 00:22:31.061 --> 00:22:44.063 Your Heavenly Father knows you need them, but seek first His kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you from his gracious good hand. 00:22:44.063 --> 00:22:53.384 If he's building the house, what does putting the Lord first look like? 00:22:53.384 --> 00:23:09.788 Well, it's realized literally in every choice we make In our family, in our work, in our church, in our social life. 00:23:09.788 --> 00:23:22.307 Putting the Lord first is considering what he said about, whatever environment I'm in and what he wants us to do, obeying him in the process. 00:23:23.776 --> 00:23:34.020 Third thing, by way of application in verse 2, when the circumstances in our life are most threatening, causing anxiety that's what verse 2 is saying. 00:23:34.020 --> 00:23:37.994 Causing anxiety, that's what verse 2 is saying. 00:23:37.994 --> 00:23:42.616 Then what we need to do, our relationship and trust in the Lord must go deeper. 00:23:42.616 --> 00:23:57.239 That's a trigger when you are realizing, man, I'm vulnerable here, I'm rising up early, going to bed late, I'm eating the bread of anxious labors. 00:23:57.239 --> 00:24:09.148 Trigger I need to now go deeper in my relationship with the Lord, spending time with Him in prayer and the Word Go deep. 00:24:09.148 --> 00:24:15.906 Let that motivate you and let Him show you that he's taking care of you. 00:24:15.906 --> 00:24:19.199 Let that motivate you and let Him show you that he's taking care of you. 00:24:19.199 --> 00:24:22.545 Fourth, verse 3, application to find meaning in heavenly happiness is like. 00:24:22.545 --> 00:24:44.701 We must begin to recognize and I think this is extremely important, verse 3, we must begin to recognize the many ways God has already blessed us and be thankful and praise Him for that, acknowledge him, our children. 00:24:45.454 --> 00:24:46.539 I talk to a lot of people. 00:24:46.539 --> 00:25:12.785 You know life sometimes just consumes us with troubles and worries and anxieties and meeting the next challenge, and I could spend an hour on the biblical exhortation to give thanks in all things. 00:25:12.785 --> 00:25:16.403 I will bless the Lord at all times. 00:25:16.403 --> 00:25:18.336 There's two scriptures, right, I mean it's. 00:25:18.336 --> 00:25:22.067 Forget not all his blessings. 00:25:22.067 --> 00:25:25.181 Come back to that. 00:25:25.181 --> 00:25:29.318 Look at how God has already blessed you so many ways. 00:25:29.318 --> 00:25:36.856 It'll turn your heart to where it needs to be Focused on him and his care over you. 00:25:37.458 --> 00:25:45.691 As your Heavenly Father, king Solomon, reminds us that only God can give us the happiness in life we seek truly. 00:25:45.691 --> 00:25:51.799 Ecclesiastes 2, 24, 25,. 00:25:51.799 --> 00:25:53.282 Solomon says you know what? 00:25:53.282 --> 00:25:56.935 There's nothing better for a man than to eat and drink. 00:25:56.935 --> 00:25:59.019 Tell his soul that his labor is good. 00:25:59.019 --> 00:26:02.544 This also I've seen. 00:26:02.544 --> 00:26:03.744 It's from the hand of God. 00:26:03.744 --> 00:26:06.588 We recognize our purpose. 00:26:06.588 --> 00:26:07.770 We have meaning. 00:26:07.770 --> 00:26:18.888 It's from the hand of God, for who can eat, who can have enjoyment or happiness apart from him? 00:26:18.888 --> 00:26:21.461 Answer, nobody. 00:26:21.461 --> 00:26:27.023 Life doesn't get any better than with him. 00:26:28.394 --> 00:26:31.517 Psalm 1611, david says you know what? 00:26:31.517 --> 00:26:33.763 In your presence there's fullness of joy. 00:26:33.763 --> 00:26:37.065 I love it when I sense your presence with me. 00:26:37.065 --> 00:26:41.365 That's blessedness. 00:26:41.365 --> 00:26:46.546 In your right hand are pleasures forevermore. 00:26:47.548 --> 00:27:01.922 The most important way we can begin to put the Lord first is the choice to believe in Jesus as God's Son, our Savior, whom he sent to atone for our sins and give us an abundant life. 00:27:01.922 --> 00:27:03.183 That's what he promised. 00:27:03.183 --> 00:27:08.237 I trust that you'll do that if you haven't, but let's close in prayer. 00:27:08.237 --> 00:27:18.017 Father, I thank you today that you want us to share in your joy in this life. 00:27:18.017 --> 00:27:27.136 You sent Jesus as a demonstration of your love for us, who died for our sins, and removed the one thing that hinders our joy with you our sin. 00:27:27.136 --> 00:27:35.625 Thank you that you raised Jesus from the dead so that we could have his life in us and with all who call upon him. 00:27:35.625 --> 00:27:37.770 Help us to find in Jesus our all in all. 00:27:37.770 --> 00:27:40.518 And, lord, I again pray for all our fathers here today. 00:27:40.518 --> 00:27:46.843 May they experience your blessing as they live their lives, as we live our lives for you. 00:27:46.843 --> 00:27:49.159 I pray in Jesus' name, amen.