WEBVTT 00:00:01.760 --> 00:00:02.959 It's really, really good to see you. 00:00:03.040 --> 00:00:04.959 Let me add my word of greeting to Montega earlier. 00:00:05.040 --> 00:00:06.080 My name is Chris Cuba. 00:00:06.240 --> 00:00:08.000 I'm the lead pastor here at United City. 00:00:08.080 --> 00:00:23.519 Hey, before we get going, I just want to take an opportunity to one, just make a comment, but then also just mainly pray uh in light of what we saw took place uh on a national level last night, uh of course, with the United States entering into the conflict with uh Iran. 00:00:23.839 --> 00:00:26.879 And uh we know that this certainly brings a lot of angst. 00:00:27.120 --> 00:00:36.079 There's no question about it, as there's just a lot of unknown uh in terms of what this is gonna mean for both us here, but also just what this means uh from a worldwide standpoint. 00:00:36.159 --> 00:00:42.640 Uh I posted something on my social media today that's just kind of interesting just to think about Iran being a player in the end times. 00:00:42.719 --> 00:00:45.119 It definitely is going to be a player in the end times. 00:00:45.200 --> 00:00:47.119 I would encourage you to go and check that out. 00:00:47.280 --> 00:00:59.039 But I do know this this also means that uh friends of ours, maybe even family members of ours uh from the military standpoint are perhaps are gonna be deployed and sent to different places and perhaps put in harm's way. 00:00:59.119 --> 00:01:01.119 And we just want to pray for protection. 00:01:01.280 --> 00:01:03.359 We want to pray for protection on our troops. 00:01:03.439 --> 00:01:06.879 Uh, we want to pray that God's favor would be upon them in every way. 00:01:07.040 --> 00:01:09.760 Uh, we also want to pray for the the nation of Iran. 00:01:10.000 --> 00:01:17.680 Uh you may not realize this, but out of the top 20 fastest growing places of Christianity, Iran makes the list. 00:01:17.840 --> 00:01:25.760 Now, what's interesting about that is that it's not a big number because, of course, the persecution that is taking place towards believers, it also is one of the top persecuted countries. 00:01:26.000 --> 00:01:36.959 But what we've seen is that so often, whenever you have situations like this, it is the believers in Jesus who've largely been underground who begin to shine the brightest light. 00:01:37.200 --> 00:01:39.280 And so we want to pray for those believers. 00:01:39.439 --> 00:01:51.760 We want to pray that God would allow them to be able to be uh of help, both physically, relationally, and emotionally, but God also would allow them to bring spiritual light to a very, very dark place. 00:01:52.159 --> 00:01:57.680 We also want to pray for wisdom for President Trump, for our country, as they make decisions. 00:01:57.920 --> 00:02:02.000 Decisions that are gonna greatly impact us in every single way. 00:02:02.159 --> 00:02:07.439 And so, therefore, God tells us that we are to pray for our leaders, and we need to pray for them especially in these days. 00:02:07.599 --> 00:02:13.599 Daniel chapter 2 says this blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. 00:02:13.919 --> 00:02:16.240 He changes times and season. 00:02:16.400 --> 00:02:18.800 He removes kings and sets up kings. 00:02:18.960 --> 00:02:23.759 He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. 00:02:24.080 --> 00:02:25.919 What we need is wisdom. 00:02:26.159 --> 00:02:30.960 What we need is for God's favor and for God's control to be over this entire situation. 00:02:31.199 --> 00:02:32.960 We also know the Bible is very, very clear. 00:02:33.120 --> 00:02:38.000 Psalm 122, verse 6 tells us that we are to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. 00:02:38.240 --> 00:02:46.240 We know that this little patch of land there in the Middle East has profound impact in how this whole world is gonna end. 00:02:46.400 --> 00:02:49.039 And so, therefore, we want to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. 00:02:49.120 --> 00:02:50.719 We want to pray for the people of Israel. 00:02:50.879 --> 00:02:55.439 God's word is very clear that those who bless Israel will be blessed. 00:02:55.680 --> 00:03:02.879 We are grateful for the decisions that our country has made to be allies with Israel, not just for political reasons and all of those things. 00:03:03.039 --> 00:03:05.120 We believe biblically this is what we should do. 00:03:05.360 --> 00:03:09.280 That being said, we also know that we must pray for the peace of Jerusalem. 00:03:09.439 --> 00:03:15.520 And right now, that of course, in light of everything that is going on, is certainly something that needs our attention and needs our focus. 00:03:15.680 --> 00:03:19.120 So if you would, if you're physically able to, would you just start our service? 00:03:19.199 --> 00:03:23.840 We're just gonna go to our knees, and I just want to pray to the Lord before we begin our message today. 00:03:24.000 --> 00:03:26.879 If you're physically able to, please join me in doing so. 00:03:34.080 --> 00:03:44.479 Father, we come before you in a time now of great uncertainty and great unknown as to what is to come, not only on a national level, but really on an international level. 00:03:44.719 --> 00:03:51.840 And we pray that you would help us to lean into the reality that you are sovereign and that you are good. 00:03:52.319 --> 00:03:57.599 Father, we pray that you would be with the people of Israel, the Jewish people. 00:03:57.759 --> 00:03:59.520 Father, we pray your blessing upon them. 00:03:59.599 --> 00:04:00.800 We pray your protection. 00:04:00.960 --> 00:04:09.360 We pray, God, that there would be peace in a land, Lord, that has experienced an intense conflict, not only in the last week, but really all of their existence. 00:04:09.599 --> 00:04:14.800 Father, we pray that you would be with President Trump and the leadership of our country. 00:04:15.039 --> 00:04:16.160 Give them wisdom. 00:04:16.399 --> 00:04:19.759 Let them make wise decisions that pursue righteousness. 00:04:20.000 --> 00:04:23.519 Father, I pray that your agenda would be the first thing on their minds. 00:04:23.680 --> 00:04:29.120 I pray, God, that they would seek you and that they would find you when they seek you with all of their heart. 00:04:29.360 --> 00:04:32.240 Father, I pray that you would help protect us. 00:04:32.480 --> 00:04:35.360 You would protect our family members, you would protect our troops. 00:04:35.600 --> 00:04:40.079 Father, we're so grateful to be uh protected by the military that we have. 00:04:40.240 --> 00:04:45.439 We're so thankful for so many in this room who represent or are related to people who are serving our country. 00:04:45.519 --> 00:04:47.519 And so, God, we pray your favor upon them. 00:04:47.680 --> 00:04:50.319 We pray your blessing and your protection and your safety. 00:04:50.560 --> 00:04:58.959 God, we pray that you would use them not only to uh be so effective militarily, but God, you would also use them and let them be strong in their faith. 00:04:59.199 --> 00:05:01.199 Pray, God, that your presence would be near to them. 00:05:01.439 --> 00:05:03.199 Father, we pray for the nation of Iran. 00:05:03.759 --> 00:05:13.120 God, we pray that you would allow this very tough, difficult place to have the light of the gospel shine brighter than ever before. 00:05:13.439 --> 00:05:17.839 Out of the ashes of what was taking place yesterday and what potentially could be in the future. 00:05:18.079 --> 00:05:21.199 Lord, may the cross of Jesus rise up. 00:05:21.439 --> 00:05:28.240 Lord, may the believers that have been underground be able to be used, Lord, to be able to speak truth and faith and love. 00:05:28.480 --> 00:05:36.639 And I pray, God, that they would be encouraged by the support and the prayers of believers all over this world as they are in the midst of that dark place. 00:05:36.879 --> 00:05:38.720 Father, we pray you'd bless our time together. 00:05:38.879 --> 00:05:46.639 We thank you, and we recognize the freedoms that we freely have to worship openly you today, and may we do so in spirit and in truth. 00:05:46.720 --> 00:05:48.560 It's in the name of Jesus that I pray. 00:05:48.800 --> 00:05:49.439 Amen. 00:05:50.319 --> 00:05:50.959 Amen. 00:05:52.800 --> 00:05:54.480 Thank you for doing that. 00:05:54.800 --> 00:05:59.600 If you would grab your Bibles and open them up with me to Isaiah chapter 41. 00:05:59.839 --> 00:06:01.199 Isaiah chapter 41. 00:06:01.279 --> 00:06:03.279 It's where we're gonna be today. 00:06:03.519 --> 00:06:21.600 Um we've been in a series for the last four weeks called Highlight Real, and we've been looking at the most highlighted, the most shared, the most engaged verses on the UVersion Bible app, which has 14 million users every single day. 00:06:21.839 --> 00:06:31.759 Uh this Bible app has taken the top verses that have been engaged and shared and brought them down to the top 10 list in the year 2024. 00:06:31.920 --> 00:06:40.079 Of all 31,000 verses in the Bible, it has found the top 10 that are the most engaged and shared verses. 00:06:40.240 --> 00:06:42.879 We've chosen five of them to preach to you. 00:06:42.959 --> 00:06:48.639 I'm gonna encourage you to go ahead and grab your cards that you had, wave it at me if you got your cards that you walked in here with today. 00:06:48.720 --> 00:06:52.879 Uh hopefully you've been a part of the series already so far, and you've been memorizing these verses. 00:06:53.040 --> 00:06:55.360 If you want, you can take a picture of that QR code. 00:06:55.439 --> 00:06:59.920 It's got all of the previous verse cards as well, or a digital version of this. 00:07:00.000 --> 00:07:07.519 But we're encouraging you not just to hear this verse preached on, but that you would also commit this verse to memory. 00:07:07.680 --> 00:07:11.920 I say this every week, and I think I mean it every week, but I really mean it this week. 00:07:12.000 --> 00:07:13.759 This is my favorite verse, all right? 00:07:14.000 --> 00:07:15.279 Like this one is. 00:07:15.680 --> 00:07:21.279 I mean, next week's pretty good too, but like this one is a really, really good verse. 00:07:21.600 --> 00:07:32.720 And it's a verse that if I had to guess, if it doesn't affect you right where you are this morning, it's gonna affect you at some point, and you're gonna be thankful that you've got this verse in your heart. 00:07:32.879 --> 00:07:33.920 Here's what we're gonna do. 00:07:34.240 --> 00:07:41.439 I'm gonna teach you the way that I memorize verses is I say the reference first, I say the verse, and then I say the reference at the end again. 00:07:41.600 --> 00:07:44.720 So let's go ahead and take your cards out, it'll be up on the screens as well. 00:07:44.879 --> 00:07:45.839 You can do that with me. 00:07:45.920 --> 00:07:46.800 Let's do it together. 00:07:47.040 --> 00:07:49.519 Isaiah 41, verse 10. 00:07:49.759 --> 00:07:52.480 Fear not, for I am with you. 00:07:52.720 --> 00:07:55.680 Be not dismayed, for I am your God. 00:07:56.079 --> 00:08:02.879 I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 00:08:03.519 --> 00:08:06.240 Isaiah 41, verse 10. 00:08:06.560 --> 00:08:15.360 Why of all the verses would this verse make the list for the top ten verses on the UVersion Bible app? 00:08:15.439 --> 00:08:25.360 I think we can all agree that of all things in life, there's one thing that is certain, and that is life has uncertainty. 00:08:25.759 --> 00:08:31.680 Raise your hand if you are here today and you've had one of those moments where life just punches you in the face. 00:08:31.839 --> 00:08:33.759 Raise your hand if you've ever had that experience. 00:08:34.000 --> 00:08:36.799 Almost everybody in the room is raising their hand. 00:08:37.279 --> 00:08:39.759 It's that phone call that you get at 2 a.m. 00:08:39.919 --> 00:08:45.519 from your mom, and moms don't call you at 2 a.m., which means something's really, really bad. 00:08:45.840 --> 00:08:52.799 It's that time whenever your boss brings you into the office and uncharacteristically they say, Hey, would you please get the door behind you? 00:08:54.240 --> 00:08:57.759 It's that time when the doctor calls you and says, Hey, we found something. 00:08:57.919 --> 00:08:59.200 You need to come in tomorrow. 00:08:59.279 --> 00:09:03.440 We've moved some things around, you're gonna be here first thing in the morning. 00:09:04.159 --> 00:09:09.440 It's that situation when your teenager walks in and says, Mom and dad, we need to talk. 00:09:10.320 --> 00:09:13.759 It's that time when your spouse says, Hey, this isn't working. 00:09:14.000 --> 00:09:15.600 I want a divorce. 00:09:16.080 --> 00:09:21.840 It's when your company sends out a notice that says they are restructuring, which you know what that means. 00:09:22.960 --> 00:09:27.039 In those moments, our minds start going into overdrive. 00:09:27.600 --> 00:09:40.559 We start playing the what-if game, or maybe you get online and you Google stuff and you start going down that rabbit trail, and what you ultimately discover is you find the worst conclusion possible and it never ends well. 00:09:41.840 --> 00:09:48.000 It's in those moments when all of a sudden everything that you thought you knew you realize you don't know. 00:09:48.879 --> 00:09:57.519 When everything that you thought was stable ground quickly becomes like quicksand, and everything is moving and everything is shifting. 00:09:57.919 --> 00:10:00.080 It's a disorienting feeling. 00:10:00.480 --> 00:10:04.559 Everything you thought was true is no longer true. 00:10:04.960 --> 00:10:07.039 I thought my job was secure. 00:10:07.279 --> 00:10:09.679 I thought my kids were making good choices. 00:10:09.919 --> 00:10:12.000 I thought that I had more time. 00:10:13.039 --> 00:10:15.200 Here's what I want you to understand today. 00:10:15.440 --> 00:10:20.320 In fact, the whole message is what I'm about to tell you, the rest is just kind of commentary on it. 00:10:21.360 --> 00:10:26.639 When you don't know, press into what you do know. 00:10:28.639 --> 00:10:34.159 When you don't know, press into what you do know. 00:10:35.440 --> 00:10:40.000 I've shared this advice as a pastor in countless circumstances. 00:10:40.720 --> 00:10:45.039 I've had the horror of having walk up to a family who had just lost their child. 00:10:45.519 --> 00:10:51.039 There's nothing that you could possibly ever take, no class, no book that you could read that prepares you for that moment. 00:10:52.480 --> 00:10:57.840 I've walked up to spouses who suddenly have become widows or widowers. 00:10:58.240 --> 00:11:07.759 And I wish there was some magic phrase, or there was some something that I could just throw out there and say that takes away all their grief and all of their pain, but there's not. 00:11:09.519 --> 00:11:21.440 So in those moments, when I've been with guys who've just found out that the company that they decided to give their life to decided that they were no longer needed, is this phrase that I go back to. 00:11:22.000 --> 00:11:26.399 When you don't know, press into what you do know. 00:11:27.360 --> 00:11:29.120 Isaiah chapter 41, verse 10. 00:11:29.200 --> 00:11:29.759 Let's read it again. 00:11:29.840 --> 00:11:30.720 I'm gonna read it to you. 00:11:30.799 --> 00:11:32.480 You don't have to read it out loud with me. 00:11:33.279 --> 00:11:35.279 If you're not, for I am with you. 00:11:36.399 --> 00:11:39.039 Be not dismayed, for I am your God. 00:11:40.080 --> 00:11:48.720 I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 00:11:50.000 --> 00:11:54.320 This is an interesting verse because it starts off with two commands. 00:11:54.559 --> 00:11:56.240 The first command is do not fear. 00:11:56.320 --> 00:12:02.399 We talked about this a lot last week, and how there's so many verses in all of the Bible that tells us not to fear. 00:12:02.559 --> 00:12:04.399 And so we're told, don't be afraid. 00:12:04.559 --> 00:12:13.120 In fact, many of the verses that we've looked at in this series deal with the idea of fear, which must mean there's a lot of people afraid, even though we're told not to be afraid. 00:12:13.759 --> 00:12:16.159 It then says, Do not be dismayed. 00:12:16.320 --> 00:12:19.440 It could be like this, translated, do not be overwhelmed. 00:12:19.840 --> 00:12:23.279 It sounds so easy, but man, is it hard? 00:12:24.480 --> 00:12:34.879 But what I want you to know is this God never gives us commands that he doesn't equip us to be able to obey, which is encouraging. 00:12:35.440 --> 00:12:39.919 Because I hear this, and there's times when things rattle me, and you know what I am? 00:12:40.080 --> 00:12:41.919 I'm fearful and I'm dismayed. 00:12:42.879 --> 00:12:45.519 And I'm told here that I'm not supposed to be. 00:12:45.679 --> 00:12:57.200 Well, it's one thing just to say this command, but this command can be obeyed because it's rooted and it's grounded in five reasons that we find in this verse. 00:12:57.600 --> 00:13:10.240 These are really five promises about who God is that allow us to respond to these situations without being fearful and without being dismayed. 00:13:10.559 --> 00:13:22.000 What I want you to see is this whenever you press in to what you don't know, here's what it leads to fear, anxiety, uncertainty, dismay. 00:13:22.799 --> 00:13:26.639 When you press in to what you do know, you know what it leads to? 00:13:27.279 --> 00:13:31.440 Peace, joy, and strength. 00:13:32.480 --> 00:13:38.639 I don't know the specifics of your situation that you're either dealing with, you just got out of, or that you're about to deal with. 00:13:39.279 --> 00:13:40.799 But I do know this. 00:13:42.080 --> 00:13:49.519 When you don't know, I want to give you five things that you do know that have never changed and will never change. 00:13:50.080 --> 00:13:55.840 These are take it to the bank, seal it on your heart, get the tattoo, it is not changing. 00:13:56.879 --> 00:14:03.679 Like these five truths will always be real in your life. 00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:13.039 And so when you may not know how this is gonna work, or how this is gonna work, or what's gonna happen over here, or what's gonna happen in Iran, or what's gonna happen on the national level, you can know this. 00:14:13.200 --> 00:14:14.639 These things are true. 00:14:15.039 --> 00:14:19.519 First one is this God is with me. 00:14:21.120 --> 00:14:22.799 I want you to say that with me. 00:14:23.120 --> 00:14:25.679 God is with me. 00:14:26.639 --> 00:14:35.919 When you're in the midst of one of those situations that kind of rattle you, the situations that feel crazy and disorienting, you know what's an easy thought for you to think? 00:14:36.399 --> 00:14:39.279 I am all alone. 00:14:40.240 --> 00:14:49.919 When I have a decision to make, what I typically do is I I typically call people who've also made that decision in the past, or I consult with them and find out some wise counsel and see what they think. 00:14:50.000 --> 00:14:52.399 I get all the information that is necessary. 00:14:52.559 --> 00:14:58.480 I use all of those things to be able to pull together to make the wise best leadership decision in that moment. 00:14:58.559 --> 00:15:01.120 But what do you do when you got nobody to call? 00:15:01.600 --> 00:15:03.840 What do you do when there is no experts? 00:15:04.399 --> 00:15:09.039 What do you do when the situation that you're dealing with doesn't have somebody you know that's dealt with it? 00:15:09.120 --> 00:15:10.320 You're the very first one. 00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:15.679 In those moments, it can very easily feel like you are all alone. 00:15:16.960 --> 00:15:23.039 When you're there at your house and your loved one is no longer there, you know what it feels like? 00:15:23.600 --> 00:15:25.279 You are all alone. 00:15:25.440 --> 00:15:33.679 One of the greatest promises in all of Scripture is this you are not alone. 00:15:35.840 --> 00:15:38.399 God is with you. 00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:45.440 When we were little, we lived in the Dallas area, and so we would love to go to the State Fair of Texas. 00:15:45.519 --> 00:15:46.799 Any of you been to the State Fair of Texas? 00:15:46.879 --> 00:15:47.360 Raise your hand. 00:15:47.519 --> 00:15:48.480 Okay, gotcha, gotcha. 00:15:48.559 --> 00:15:52.639 Basically, the State Fair of Texas is like the Houston Livestock Show in Rodeo, but not as good. 00:15:52.720 --> 00:15:53.039 All right? 00:15:53.120 --> 00:15:54.879 That's basically what it is, okay? 00:15:55.120 --> 00:15:57.360 It's cool, but it's not as good as the rodeo, all right? 00:15:57.440 --> 00:15:59.279 But but picture, you've got the state fair of Texas. 00:15:59.360 --> 00:16:11.039 It's really cool, something we knew at the time, and so my kids were little, we go there, and we kind of just love the big techs, and you get to get a chance to go take a picture of big techs, and you get to have the carnival games and the rides, you get to do some of the livestock type stuff, right? 00:16:11.200 --> 00:16:15.679 You also get the smell of just corny uh or Fletcher corny dogs, right? 00:16:15.759 --> 00:16:25.200 And and it's just it's just you can smell fried Oreos and fried butter and fried cookie dough and whatever random combination of fried stuff that they put together. 00:16:25.279 --> 00:16:29.440 Uh, the people watching is fascinating, you know, whenever you go to the state fair. 00:16:29.519 --> 00:16:30.559 I mean, it's just that we loved it. 00:16:30.639 --> 00:16:33.519 We we really went every year, we really loved it going there. 00:16:33.600 --> 00:16:34.639 It was a great, great time. 00:16:34.799 --> 00:16:49.919 But I remember whenever my kids were little, particularly when you kind of go into this main area and you're kind of walking down the mall, they would kind of call it, and it would be the the Fletcher's corny dog places on the on the over here on the left, big text is on the right, and it kind of congregates here and it gets really, really crowded. 00:16:50.080 --> 00:16:57.039 And so I remember whenever my kids were little, whenever we would head into this section here, what I would do is I would lean my hand down and I'd say, grab my hand. 00:16:57.279 --> 00:17:02.240 Now, I didn't say for them to do that because I couldn't, uh I didn't know where they were. 00:17:02.320 --> 00:17:19.119 I could see their little heads bobbing, I could see them kind of going through, but I knew when we were going through the crowd that in the midst of all of the crowd, what was gonna happen was that it's gonna feel very, very squished, it's gonna feel very, very chaotic, and they're gonna be in a situation to where it's possible that they may not be able to see me. 00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:26.960 And so therefore, I wanted my hand to be holding their hand so they knew that I knew where they were and they can know where I was. 00:17:27.119 --> 00:17:28.400 I want you to hear me, folks. 00:17:28.559 --> 00:17:43.359 In the midst of life's chaos and the uncertainty and all of the craziness that may come in the midst of your situation, God sticks out his hand, not because he doesn't know where you are, but because he knows that you're at times gonna forget where he is. 00:17:47.759 --> 00:17:57.920 So he's got his hand there, available, ready for you to not only grab it, but to hold on to it and to be comforted with this idea. 00:17:58.559 --> 00:18:01.759 You are not alone. 00:18:02.799 --> 00:18:06.160 You may not be able to see anything, you may not be able to know it, but you can feel it. 00:18:06.240 --> 00:18:07.279 You're not alone. 00:18:07.599 --> 00:18:10.400 God is with you. 00:18:10.640 --> 00:18:13.920 Deuteronomy 31, verse 6, so be strong and courageous. 00:18:14.079 --> 00:18:19.039 Do not be do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. 00:18:19.200 --> 00:18:21.839 He will not leave you or forsake you. 00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:24.400 Matthew 28, verse 19 and 20. 00:18:24.559 --> 00:18:34.559 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. 00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:38.799 And behold, I am with you always to the end of the age. 00:18:38.960 --> 00:18:40.640 Hebrews 13, verse 5. 00:18:40.799 --> 00:18:47.680 Keep your life free from love of money and be content with what you have, for he has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you. 00:18:47.839 --> 00:18:52.720 I can take you over and over again in the Bible and show you the promise of God's presence. 00:18:52.799 --> 00:18:59.440 And while it may not always have alleviated fear and anxiety, it did allow people to walk in faith. 00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:18.160 Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Gideon, David, Mary, and Joseph, the disciples, just the name of you, all were given unique assignments and difficult tasks, and each one heard these words I will be with you. 00:19:19.279 --> 00:19:26.400 Psalm 23, verse 4 says, Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. 00:19:27.599 --> 00:19:30.799 Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:35.279 This raises the question what kind of God are we talking about here? 00:19:35.920 --> 00:19:37.119 Is he distant? 00:19:37.599 --> 00:19:38.960 Is he unreliable? 00:19:39.599 --> 00:19:41.039 This brings us to the second truth. 00:19:41.200 --> 00:19:45.599 Whenever you don't know, you can lean on what you do know. 00:19:45.759 --> 00:19:50.400 The second thing is this God is my God. 00:19:51.200 --> 00:19:52.480 Say that with me. 00:19:52.799 --> 00:19:55.359 God is my God. 00:19:55.839 --> 00:19:57.920 My youngest son is really into basketball. 00:19:58.079 --> 00:19:59.920 We'll be watching the NBA Finals tonight. 00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:06.480 And um because of that, it naturally leads to just us watching a lot of commentary about basketball as well. 00:20:06.720 --> 00:20:18.000 And so it just seems as though they're trying to fill airtime and trying to fill discussion boards and all the different things related to basketball because I don't understand why they keep having, I don't think it's a conversation. 00:20:18.160 --> 00:20:22.720 It's really more of a declaration, but they keep having this conversation about who the goat is. 00:20:22.960 --> 00:20:26.319 And it feels silly because there's only one answer. 00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:28.640 Like, I don't understand what we're talking about here. 00:20:28.799 --> 00:20:31.279 People like, oh yeah, it's LeBron or it's Kobe. 00:20:31.440 --> 00:20:34.400 You obviously have never watched Michael Jordan. 00:20:34.640 --> 00:20:35.920 He is the answer. 00:20:36.160 --> 00:20:38.079 There is no other answer. 00:20:39.359 --> 00:20:41.039 Oh, it's just a generational thing. 00:20:41.200 --> 00:20:42.640 Well, then you weren't old enough to know. 00:20:42.799 --> 00:20:44.240 If you watched it, you would know. 00:20:44.319 --> 00:20:45.519 There is no other answer. 00:20:45.680 --> 00:20:46.160 All right? 00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:47.839 He's the greatest of all time. 00:20:48.000 --> 00:20:59.839 Michael Jordan had this ability to put not only fear in his opponents to where even if they're up 30 points in the middle of the third quarter, they do not feel secure about the game. 00:21:00.160 --> 00:21:09.119 And the same way, teammates of his have been on record and said that even though they're down 30 in the third quarter, they're not worried. 00:21:09.279 --> 00:21:11.039 They got Jordan on the team. 00:21:11.359 --> 00:21:12.240 Michael's here. 00:21:12.480 --> 00:21:13.599 Like, we don't have to worry about it. 00:21:13.680 --> 00:21:14.559 Like, it's gonna be fine. 00:21:14.640 --> 00:21:17.200 I don't know how, but Michael's gonna figure it out. 00:21:17.519 --> 00:21:20.799 Michael was once quoted as saying this to his teammates. 00:21:20.960 --> 00:21:21.920 He said these words. 00:21:22.079 --> 00:21:27.039 He said, Trust in me, climb on my back and let me carry you. 00:21:27.359 --> 00:21:29.680 I will take care of the rest. 00:21:30.319 --> 00:21:35.279 And the reason why he was the goat is because most of the time he did. 00:21:36.079 --> 00:21:37.039 But guess what? 00:21:37.279 --> 00:21:39.839 Father Time eventually caught up to even Michael Jordan. 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:42.160 He retired multiple times, okay. 00:21:45.759 --> 00:21:48.319 And Michael Jordan could talk about what he used to do. 00:21:48.799 --> 00:21:51.039 He can't talk anymore about that today. 00:21:52.559 --> 00:21:59.759 Folks, do you realize whenever life is chaotic and crazy and rattling and all the various things, God doesn't age out. 00:22:03.119 --> 00:22:04.559 He doesn't have an off today. 00:22:06.160 --> 00:22:07.680 He's not taking a break. 00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:12.000 His invitation is jump on my back. 00:22:15.680 --> 00:22:16.960 It's gonna be okay. 00:22:17.200 --> 00:22:19.200 How's this whole thing gonna work out in the Middle East? 00:22:19.440 --> 00:22:21.119 How's this whole thing gonna work out on the national scale? 00:22:21.359 --> 00:22:22.559 Are we about to enter World War III? 00:22:22.720 --> 00:22:23.759 I don't know. 00:22:24.960 --> 00:22:26.000 Possibly. 00:22:27.200 --> 00:22:30.960 But what we as believers are supposed to do is not fear or be dismayed. 00:22:31.759 --> 00:22:34.480 And that's not because of the confidence we have in the circumstances. 00:22:34.559 --> 00:22:38.079 There's a lot of reason to be fearful and dismayed in light of the circumstances. 00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:45.119 So instead, when we don't know, what we do need to do is lean on what we do know, and what we do know is this God is my God. 00:22:45.200 --> 00:22:47.039 I can claim him on my team. 00:22:48.640 --> 00:22:51.599 And you can't say that like somehow you're a big deal. 00:22:52.160 --> 00:22:55.759 But instead, you can claim that realizing that, hey, guess what? 00:22:56.079 --> 00:23:01.759 Because he's your teammate, I'll let it play out. 00:23:02.400 --> 00:23:08.240 Isaiah chapter 41, the context, the first few verses actually are talking about other gods. 00:23:08.400 --> 00:23:12.559 And it's comparing the one true God, Yahweh, to these other gods. 00:23:12.640 --> 00:23:20.960 And it's basically suggesting that these other gods, when they were needed the most, at the time when it's a clutch moment and they needed to come through, they failed. 00:23:21.119 --> 00:23:22.720 They didn't come through. 00:23:22.960 --> 00:23:26.960 And it's comparing to the God that you get to claim. 00:23:27.279 --> 00:23:30.400 And this is a God, look at what it says beginning in verse 8. 00:23:30.720 --> 00:23:46.160 It says, But you, Israel, my servant Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend, you whom I took from the ends of the earth and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off. 00:23:46.480 --> 00:23:52.160 Here's what this says is that you have been maybe following after other gods and they have not come through. 00:23:52.319 --> 00:23:57.599 Or maybe you've been putting something in the place of God and you've realized it will not last. 00:23:57.839 --> 00:24:04.480 But my God, the creator of the universe, all other gods, the Bible says, will bow down to this God at the end. 00:24:04.559 --> 00:24:12.960 So when you're at the place of disorientation, you're at the place of confusion, you're at the place of despair, just remember who is on your team. 00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:22.400 Now, if God is with me and He's truly my God, what does this mean for when I'm going through hard times? 00:24:23.039 --> 00:24:32.319 The third truth that you can lean on when you don't know, this is what you can realize that you do know, and it's this God will strengthen me. 00:24:33.599 --> 00:24:34.799 Say that with me. 00:24:35.119 --> 00:24:37.279 God will strengthen me. 00:24:39.599 --> 00:24:44.000 I find this refreshing because it's honest. 00:24:45.119 --> 00:24:51.759 Full disclosure, when I'm in one of those moments dealing with trials, dealing with loss, dealing with pain, what I want is God to fix it. 00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:59.200 I want to name it and claim it theology where I just basically say, hey, in Jesus' name, I want this to happen, and it does. 00:24:59.839 --> 00:25:03.920 I want this trial and the pain and the struggle to go away. 00:25:04.079 --> 00:25:08.400 But my experience with the Lord is that is not how he often works. 00:25:09.200 --> 00:25:20.559 Instead, what God typically does is help build grit, help build endurance, help establishing strength by not improving the situation, rather by allowing it to continue. 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:24.000 This is the principle of weight training. 00:25:24.160 --> 00:25:26.559 If you've ever been to the gym, you know exactly what I'm talking about. 00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:30.079 You've got that bench press, the weight feels heavier than it did last week. 00:25:30.240 --> 00:25:36.960 You begin to strain, you begin to struggle, you begin to wonder if you're gonna be able to push it up, and you begin to think that I'm about to fail. 00:25:37.119 --> 00:25:55.359 And what you realize, though, is that what's happening is that you're actually getting stronger in that moment because the microfibers in your muscles are actually breaking down and being torn apart, and your brain is telling it that, hey, we need to make sure that we're prepared for this next time, and so it grows back stronger than it was before. 00:25:55.440 --> 00:26:02.240 And so what you see is that the actual struggle isn't the problem, the struggle is the process. 00:26:04.160 --> 00:26:07.039 And here's the thing about having a good spotter. 00:26:07.680 --> 00:26:18.079 When you're doing bench press, a spotter is somebody who stands over you and they're ready to grab the bar in case you're about to fail, so that the bar doesn't crush you. 00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:21.119 But a good spotter isn't gonna grab it too soon. 00:26:21.279 --> 00:26:33.119 A good spotter is gonna stand there making sure it doesn't crush you and guiding and encouraging you the whole way while you realize how much stronger you have become because of the weight that you have lifted. 00:26:33.839 --> 00:26:37.440 Folks, what I want you to see is this God is your spotter. 00:26:38.960 --> 00:26:44.400 And he's making sure that it's not gonna crush you, but he's also not gonna do it all for you. 00:26:45.920 --> 00:26:56.799 Instead, he's going to allow you to be strengthened, and the only way you can be strengthened is to endure, it's to persevere, it's to walk through it. 00:26:57.519 --> 00:27:00.079 I want you to think about the strongest person that you know. 00:27:00.160 --> 00:27:05.759 I'm not talking about physically, I'm talking about the strongest person that you know who's been through stuff. 00:27:07.200 --> 00:27:20.720 When you think about the strongest person that you know, most likely it's not somebody whose whole entire life has been filled with basically everything being perfect and everything being good and everything being wonderful, and they've had no trials and no troubles and no struggles at all. 00:27:21.119 --> 00:27:28.960 Whenever you think about the strongest person you know, you instead are gonna think about that person who's been through hell and back, yet they persevered. 00:27:29.759 --> 00:27:34.240 They've been through challenge after challenge, yet they came out on the other side. 00:27:34.400 --> 00:27:37.519 What does this look like here in real life in Northeast Houston? 00:27:37.599 --> 00:27:42.720 It's the single mom working two jobs who still find strength to do homework at 10 p.m. 00:27:44.640 --> 00:27:51.680 It's the family dealing with a cancer diagnosis who still find ways to encourage others in the chemo waiting room. 00:27:51.759 --> 00:27:53.440 It's Lisa Derveloy. 00:27:56.960 --> 00:28:04.160 It's the teenager who chooses not to retaliate when everyone at school is talking about them on social media. 00:28:05.759 --> 00:28:08.480 It's a family who's going through financial crisis. 00:28:08.960 --> 00:28:12.160 But even in their need, they find ways to be generous. 00:28:13.039 --> 00:28:18.559 2 Corinthians chapter 12, verse 9 says this, but he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you. 00:28:19.440 --> 00:28:23.279 For my power is made perfect in weakness. 00:28:24.400 --> 00:28:31.519 Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 00:28:32.319 --> 00:28:33.920 God will strengthen you. 00:28:34.640 --> 00:28:41.279 Number four, fourth thing you can lean on, you know no matter what changes, and what you don't know, this you can say, you know. 00:28:41.839 --> 00:28:43.279 God will help me. 00:28:44.160 --> 00:28:45.039 God will help me. 00:28:45.119 --> 00:28:46.079 Would you say that with me? 00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:48.000 God will help me. 00:28:48.319 --> 00:28:50.480 I drove out to Youth Camp this past week. 00:28:50.799 --> 00:28:52.319 I did what I always do. 00:28:52.559 --> 00:28:54.480 I put the destination into my Ways app. 00:28:54.640 --> 00:29:04.160 I was not only given a map, I was given turn-by-turn directions that if I wanted to would call out when I needed to go straight and when I needed to turn and for how long. 00:29:04.640 --> 00:29:11.920 I want you to know that during those times when things feel disorienting and confusing, God will help you. 00:29:12.799 --> 00:29:14.559 This is why you need to be in his word. 00:29:15.039 --> 00:29:16.559 This is why you need to be in a group. 00:29:16.720 --> 00:29:18.880 It may seem unclear, but God provides a path. 00:29:19.039 --> 00:29:25.279 Proverbs 3, verse 5 and 6 says, Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 00:29:25.519 --> 00:29:29.920 In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 00:29:30.079 --> 00:29:34.799 Psalm 32, verse 8, I will instruct you and teach you in the way that you should go. 00:29:34.960 --> 00:29:37.440 I will counsel you with my eye upon you. 00:29:37.599 --> 00:29:46.480 Isaiah 30, verse 21, and your ears shall hear a word behind you saying, This is the way you walk in it, when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. 00:29:46.720 --> 00:29:48.880 Sometimes God will tell you go. 00:29:49.119 --> 00:29:53.200 Sometimes God will tell you no, and sometimes God will tell you wait. 00:29:55.039 --> 00:29:58.240 But when you don't know, you just want resolution. 00:29:58.640 --> 00:30:00.480 And what God gives you is help. 00:30:01.440 --> 00:30:06.000 He will, he is, and he does help you. 00:30:06.559 --> 00:30:11.839 Sometimes you don't see it, but God is always moving. 00:30:13.200 --> 00:30:16.480 Picture this scene, Charlotte, North Carolina, 1934. 00:30:17.440 --> 00:30:24.880 Mordecai Ham was an evangelist, and he was packing up from a tent revival that he was very disappointed in. 00:30:25.119 --> 00:30:27.039 He felt like the attendance wasn't very good. 00:30:27.200 --> 00:30:29.200 He felt like the response was really poor. 00:30:29.440 --> 00:30:33.039 He only had one teenager respond that day. 00:30:33.680 --> 00:30:40.000 The story goes is that Mordecai Ham goes home and he begins to open up his journal and he writes in the journal, disappointing day. 00:30:40.240 --> 00:30:42.160 Not sure how long I can do this. 00:30:42.640 --> 00:30:45.519 Only one teenager made a decision. 00:30:46.240 --> 00:30:48.079 We'll try again tomorrow. 00:30:49.039 --> 00:30:56.240 That one teenager was a lanky 16-year-old from North Carolina named Billy Graham. 00:30:59.440 --> 00:31:03.920 Billy Graham became one of the most famous, incredible evangelists of all time. 00:31:04.640 --> 00:31:10.400 Billy Graham is somebody who literally preached to thousands upon thousands upon thousands of people. 00:31:11.039 --> 00:31:14.720 Billy Graham is someone who saw so many conversions. 00:31:15.279 --> 00:31:17.359 Presidents sought his counsel. 00:31:17.599 --> 00:31:25.119 He preached the gospel to over 215 million people across 185 countries. 00:31:31.599 --> 00:31:35.200 And in his small perspective, God wasn't doing anything. 00:31:35.920 --> 00:31:49.279 But from an eternal perspective, what we began to see is that God was not only doing something, but God was helping him by furthering his ministry far beyond anything he could ever possibly have imagined. 00:31:50.400 --> 00:31:55.440 I don't know what your situation is, and it may feel like God has not helping. 00:31:55.920 --> 00:31:59.359 And I would simply tell you this: even when you don't see it, he's working. 00:32:00.319 --> 00:32:02.799 Even when you don't feel it, he's working. 00:32:03.440 --> 00:32:04.240 Never stop. 00:32:05.119 --> 00:32:06.400 Never stop working. 00:32:07.680 --> 00:32:09.440 Final thing I want you to see. 00:32:09.839 --> 00:32:12.000 God will uphold me. 00:32:13.519 --> 00:32:14.720 You say that with me? 00:32:15.039 --> 00:32:17.279 God will uphold me. 00:32:18.480 --> 00:32:20.880 This image here is one of holding hands. 00:32:21.119 --> 00:32:28.880 Literally, you're being held up and held on by his hand, and because you're being upheld by the righteous right hand, it'll lead you to no fear. 00:32:29.039 --> 00:32:31.680 Look at Isaiah 41, beginning in verse 10. 00:32:31.839 --> 00:32:33.599 Fear not, for I am with you. 00:32:33.759 --> 00:32:35.759 Be not dismayed, for I am your God. 00:32:35.920 --> 00:32:40.880 I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 00:32:41.119 --> 00:32:45.440 Behold, all who are incensed against you shall be put to shame and confounded. 00:32:45.599 --> 00:32:48.880 Those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish. 00:32:49.039 --> 00:32:52.559 You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them. 00:32:52.720 --> 00:32:55.599 Those who war against you shall be as nothing at all. 00:32:55.839 --> 00:32:59.039 For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand. 00:32:59.200 --> 00:33:04.240 It is I who say to you, Fear not, I am the one who helps you. 00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:13.039 When you feel like you're falling apart, God holds you together. 00:33:14.000 --> 00:33:16.720 When you want to quit, God keeps you in the game. 00:33:17.359 --> 00:33:20.799 When your faith feels weak, God's faithfulness remains strong. 00:33:21.039 --> 00:33:24.160 He upholds you with his righteous right hand. 00:33:26.240 --> 00:33:30.000