WEBVTT 00:00:05.599 --> 00:00:07.360 Hey, I'm Pastor Steve Hole. 00:00:07.679 --> 00:00:11.759 I want to empower you today to walk in your true identity as a worshiper and warrior. 00:00:11.919 --> 00:00:15.839 Today, embrace the power of God's Word and the Holy Spirit. 00:00:16.000 --> 00:00:19.120 Welcome to the Born for War podcast. 00:00:24.480 --> 00:00:33.200 So let me just share a few thoughts on where we are as a nation right now, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. 00:00:33.439 --> 00:00:37.520 People are more fearful today than ever since World War II. 00:00:37.840 --> 00:00:39.759 Time magazine, Vogue, and U.S. 00:00:39.840 --> 00:00:46.799 News and World Report have found that more people are anxious and fearful than we've been in over 100 years. 00:00:47.039 --> 00:00:50.159 People are looking for answers in all the wrong places. 00:00:50.560 --> 00:00:56.159 Big Pharma controls the narrative with more commercials than any other one category on TV. 00:00:56.240 --> 00:01:07.760 If you watched the college playoffs that were happening, if you guys watch football or if you watch a program on TV, every other commercial practically is big pharma. 00:01:08.319 --> 00:01:16.079 Quick fix remedies for our fears and sickness, avoid the power of our immune system and strengthening our immune system. 00:01:16.319 --> 00:01:20.560 Over 90% of our chronic illness is at the cellular level. 00:01:20.799 --> 00:01:23.680 In most cases, we don't need more drugs. 00:01:23.920 --> 00:01:27.920 We need a stronger spiritual and physical immune system. 00:01:28.319 --> 00:01:33.040 The rapid increase in depression is at an all-time high in America. 00:01:33.200 --> 00:01:45.920 The National Institute of Health, NIH, has found that over 21 million Americans struggle with some form of depression, with youth between the ages of 18 and 25 being the most frequent victims. 00:01:46.000 --> 00:02:03.040 And that's really sad when you consider the fact that 18 to 25 year olds should be the most visionary, the most entrepreneurial, and the most positive about life, and yet that is the all-time high and the main category for depression in America. 00:02:03.359 --> 00:02:12.479 People of all ages are suffering from panic, agoraphobia, and social and separation anxiety disorders at an unprecedented level. 00:02:12.639 --> 00:02:15.759 The mental health and counseling systems are overloaded. 00:02:15.919 --> 00:02:27.840 We're seeing unprecedented heart attacks, dementia, myocarditis, and deaths due to unhealthy diets, stress, fear, and a deluge of vaccines, even among our children. 00:02:28.159 --> 00:02:33.360 Suicide in all age groups has exponentially increased over the past few years. 00:02:33.680 --> 00:02:43.439 Time magazine records that suicide is the highest it's been since World War II, and the suicide among veterans is twice as high as the general population. 00:02:43.599 --> 00:02:55.680 And we realize with the latest information we have on the death of this man who took the Tesla into the Trump Tower there in Vegas, that probably it was PTSD. 00:02:55.759 --> 00:02:58.479 That's what they believe is on two tours of duty with special forces. 00:02:58.639 --> 00:03:07.759 So this is a big issue, big issue about how we're handling physical, mental, emotional, spiritual challenges in our life. 00:03:07.919 --> 00:03:30.319 And so, though I have given aspects of this message before, back in February of 2024, I felt like I needed to hit it again and talk again about some of the aspects of health in our lives, because it's my conviction, and I'm I'm just, I mean, we have about eight pastors here, and we, and it's our conviction. 00:03:30.639 --> 00:03:37.759 Why not, if we're going to do this thing called church, why not be the healthiest church in the city? 00:03:38.000 --> 00:03:40.719 Why not be the healthiest church in the state? 00:03:40.960 --> 00:03:46.000 And if I could so brashly say, why not be the healthiest church in America? 00:03:46.159 --> 00:03:48.879 Mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. 00:03:49.120 --> 00:03:54.879 We tend with church life to categorize the church as spiritual stuff. 00:03:55.039 --> 00:03:57.280 That's what you do, spiritual stuff. 00:03:57.520 --> 00:04:07.360 But if you really study the emotional outcomes of our lives and what makes us healthy, we realize that there's concentric circles that's all involved in health. 00:04:07.599 --> 00:04:09.840 You don't just focus on spiritual. 00:04:10.000 --> 00:04:11.759 You don't just focus on mental. 00:04:11.919 --> 00:04:13.840 You don't just focus on physical. 00:04:14.000 --> 00:04:18.800 That God has made you a complete person with interconnected parts. 00:04:19.040 --> 00:04:32.000 And so you could be a person who spends time with the Lord three hours a day fasting, praying, calling out to God, but if you've got severe back pain, it's going to affect your spiritual life, right? 00:04:32.959 --> 00:04:45.519 If you're someone who's in great shape and fantastic shape, and you work out three hours a day, but you never pray, you don't spend time with the Lord, and you got lousy relationships, I can tell you you're gonna be an unhealthy person. 00:04:45.680 --> 00:04:48.319 You may look good, but you're gonna be unhealthy. 00:04:48.480 --> 00:04:50.399 So all this is interconnected, gang. 00:04:50.560 --> 00:04:51.040 All of this. 00:04:51.120 --> 00:04:53.680 So I felt like that we should talk about that today. 00:04:53.839 --> 00:04:55.920 And I believe that if Dr. 00:04:56.079 --> 00:05:06.000 Jesus were here and he was giving us his prescription for fear, anxiety, and uh panic, he might give us what we find in Matthew 6. 00:05:06.079 --> 00:05:08.639 So would you turn in your Bibles to Matthew 6? 00:05:08.879 --> 00:05:16.560 In Matthew 6, Jesus paints a picture of the 21st century person, especially in America. 00:05:16.800 --> 00:05:24.079 He paints a picture of the 21st century Christian who has just as many struggles as people outside the church. 00:05:24.319 --> 00:05:33.920 Hopefully, we are fascinated enough with the Lord Jesus Christ that we're seeing a difference in our lives because we have a relationship with God. 00:05:34.800 --> 00:05:39.680 But the reality is that Jesus is painting a picture that is for all time. 00:05:39.920 --> 00:05:42.879 People have always struggled with panic. 00:05:43.199 --> 00:05:44.959 People have always struggled with depression. 00:05:45.120 --> 00:06:03.439 It just seems like that with the rise of the modern culture and modern technology and the 24-hour news information world that we live in, anxieties have only gotten higher and higher. 00:06:03.600 --> 00:06:05.600 So let's start at verse 25. 00:06:05.920 --> 00:06:10.879 Jesus paints the picture that I think all of us can identify in some way, shape, or form. 00:06:11.120 --> 00:06:13.360 Therefore, I say to you, do not worry. 00:06:13.519 --> 00:06:15.040 Underline worry. 00:06:15.360 --> 00:06:19.519 That's anxiety, stress, depression, panic. 00:06:19.920 --> 00:06:22.800 Raise your hand if you've ever had a panic attack. 00:06:23.279 --> 00:06:24.879 It's the worst, right? 00:06:25.439 --> 00:06:26.800 It's so scary. 00:06:27.040 --> 00:06:36.319 And some of you right now have panic attacks and you have depression and you have agoraphobia or you have separation disorders and things like that that are happening in your life. 00:06:36.560 --> 00:06:41.279 And somehow Jesus is tapping into this and he's saying, Don't go there. 00:06:41.519 --> 00:06:44.000 Yeah, well, I try not to go there, but I go there, Steve. 00:06:44.079 --> 00:06:44.639 I understand. 00:06:44.800 --> 00:06:47.680 That's why we're going to get to Jesus' prescription. 00:06:48.000 --> 00:06:55.279 Therefore, I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. 00:06:55.519 --> 00:06:59.600 Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 00:06:59.839 --> 00:07:06.560 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap, nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly father feeds them. 00:07:07.040 --> 00:07:09.519 Are you not of more value than they? 00:07:09.920 --> 00:07:19.519 Which of you, by worrying, again, anxiety, stress, depression, and panic, can add one cubit to his stature? 00:07:20.560 --> 00:07:30.319 So I, as I've shared before, I had chronic acne between the ages of like 16 to 21, really bad, and and it was related to anxiety. 00:07:30.399 --> 00:07:36.240 It was related to stress, it was related to the competitive spirit that was within me. 00:07:36.480 --> 00:07:44.000 And all of that coming together was probably a big part of the acne struggle that I had. 00:07:44.240 --> 00:07:50.639 And with all that worry, at 16, I was about 5'5. 00:07:51.279 --> 00:07:54.079 I think at 17 I was 5'6 and a half. 00:07:54.319 --> 00:08:00.319 And then at 21, after worrying for four or five years, I had not grown an inch. 00:08:03.199 --> 00:08:09.439 So Jesus says, how can you you can worry all you want, it's not going to have one qubit to your stature. 00:08:11.600 --> 00:08:13.759 But then he gives us a prescription. 00:08:14.000 --> 00:08:15.920 He gives us a prescription here. 00:08:16.160 --> 00:08:17.759 Look at verse 31. 00:08:18.160 --> 00:08:20.160 Therefore, do not worry. 00:08:20.399 --> 00:08:21.519 First point, do not worry. 00:08:21.759 --> 00:08:22.800 That's fine, Jesus. 00:08:23.040 --> 00:08:25.120 Fine for you to say, you're God. 00:08:26.879 --> 00:08:29.680 What shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or what shall we wear? 00:08:29.839 --> 00:08:30.720 Verse 32. 00:08:30.959 --> 00:08:33.440 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. 00:08:33.600 --> 00:08:34.559 That's us. 00:08:34.879 --> 00:08:37.279 For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 00:08:37.360 --> 00:08:38.159 So here's what he's saying. 00:08:38.240 --> 00:08:42.799 He's going to say, don't worry, because, first point is, I know that you need those. 00:08:43.120 --> 00:08:44.399 I created you. 00:08:44.639 --> 00:08:46.879 I know what you need physically. 00:08:47.200 --> 00:08:50.000 I know what will make you happy emotionally. 00:08:50.240 --> 00:08:53.120 I know it'll give you joy spiritually. 00:08:53.919 --> 00:09:02.639 I know what will make you have less headaches and walk in greater physical health because I created your physical body. 00:09:02.879 --> 00:09:05.519 But he doesn't say just do not worry. 00:09:05.919 --> 00:09:13.120 Jesus says, I think what he's saying here is, let's replace all this anxiety with something you need to do. 00:09:13.440 --> 00:09:21.120 You need to do something that's going to add up to a better life than a life of worry. 00:09:21.679 --> 00:09:23.120 So verse 33. 00:09:23.679 --> 00:09:27.440 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. 00:09:27.679 --> 00:09:32.559 Underline that, store it, check it, put an asterisk by it. 00:09:32.799 --> 00:09:46.559 Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things you worry about, all these things you're concerned about, all these things that you stress out about shall be added unto you. 00:09:46.720 --> 00:09:50.000 In other words, I know the solution to your finances. 00:09:50.159 --> 00:09:52.320 I know the solution to your job situation. 00:09:52.480 --> 00:09:54.320 I know the solution to your marriage. 00:09:54.480 --> 00:09:56.399 I know the solution to you personally. 00:09:56.559 --> 00:09:58.480 I know the solution to your cancer. 00:09:59.200 --> 00:10:00.159 Seek me. 00:10:01.120 --> 00:10:09.360 Seek me, and I'll add answers and solutions and power into your life and all these other areas. 00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:11.919 But you have to do that. 00:10:12.480 --> 00:10:20.000 I am stymied in how much and how well I can work in your life based on what you're seeking. 00:10:20.240 --> 00:10:30.480 If you're seeking self-aggradizement, if you're seeking your own ego, if you're seeking your own success at the cost of all those around you, fine, do that. 00:10:30.559 --> 00:10:34.399 You're just going to be anxious all the time and you're going to be depressed. 00:10:35.039 --> 00:10:44.799 Or will you take your minds off the horizontal and start spending more time on the vertical, and then I'll take care of the horizontal. 00:10:45.039 --> 00:10:51.440 I'll take care of all this stuff that you're worried about and frustrated about, but you have to seek the kingdom first. 00:10:52.080 --> 00:10:54.399 So, men and women, that's your choice. 00:10:54.639 --> 00:11:01.039 And if you're at the road where we believe in a kingdom of God revolution, that's our vision, you know what that is? 00:11:01.279 --> 00:11:11.279 That means that men and women and young people, just like yourself, nothing special about any of us in this room except that we love Jesus, and that's pretty special. 00:11:11.519 --> 00:11:16.720 But I'm talking about probably on the talent level, I don't know if maybe we have some geniuses in here. 00:11:16.799 --> 00:11:20.720 I feel like there's a lot of them because they are amazing what they do around here. 00:11:20.879 --> 00:11:36.879 But the reality is it's normal people, natural people who have a supernatural, supranormal God flowing through them that elevates their capacity in every area of their life because it's the Holy Spirit working through them. 00:11:37.600 --> 00:11:39.200 That's the supernatural life. 00:11:39.279 --> 00:11:43.039 A kingdom of God revolution is when we bring the kingdom of God into our job. 00:11:43.200 --> 00:11:44.960 We bring the kingdom of God into our health. 00:11:45.120 --> 00:11:46.799 We bring the kingdom of God into our marriage. 00:11:46.960 --> 00:11:49.600 We bring the kingdom of God into our neighborhood. 00:11:49.840 --> 00:11:58.240 And if hundreds of thousands, yea, even millions, did that in our nation, we would have a national revival. 00:11:58.559 --> 00:12:01.679 We would have a national move of God. 00:12:02.159 --> 00:12:09.519 Canadian psychologist and New York Times bestselling author Jordan Peterson, who's not a Christian, at least he would say he's not a Christian. 00:12:09.679 --> 00:12:10.879 He surely comes close. 00:12:10.960 --> 00:12:12.960 He's right on the edge on some things. 00:12:13.279 --> 00:12:22.799 But he said this: seeking first the kingdom of God is the most profound and noble statement ever made to man. 00:12:23.120 --> 00:12:39.200 As a clinical psychologist and a Jungian psychologist, he recognized with all my studies, all the books that I've written, all the books that I've read, all the studies that I've done, his PhD, this is the most noble statement ever given to humankind. 00:12:39.440 --> 00:12:44.320 Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and then everything flows out of that. 00:12:45.679 --> 00:12:50.639 And if you ever want to see his message on that, just look it up. 00:12:50.879 --> 00:12:52.639 Kingdom of God, Jordan Peterson. 00:12:52.720 --> 00:12:53.360 It's really good. 00:12:53.519 --> 00:12:58.799 Because what he says is that there's something about nobility. 00:13:00.399 --> 00:13:02.799 Think of it in a kingdom mindset. 00:13:03.759 --> 00:13:05.919 That you are a king. 00:13:06.559 --> 00:13:08.159 You are a queen. 00:13:08.720 --> 00:13:10.639 You are an ambassador. 00:13:11.600 --> 00:13:30.960 You are a priest of the Most High God, so that when you seek the throne first, when you seek the king first, he then has this capacity to pour into you capacities that you don't normally have that he's going to provide you supernaturally. 00:13:31.519 --> 00:13:33.679 I mean, to me that makes so much sense. 00:13:34.000 --> 00:13:35.200 Does that make sense to you? 00:13:35.679 --> 00:13:37.679 Doesn't it make sense that there's a king? 00:13:38.320 --> 00:13:47.840 The king of all kings and the lord of all lords who's just looking for normal people who will seek him, make themselves available to him. 00:13:48.159 --> 00:13:49.679 He already knows what we need. 00:13:50.000 --> 00:14:03.120 And he's just saying, if you'll just line up, if you'll just line up your wishes and your desires and your passions with me, I'll pour into you everything that you were looking for this way. 00:14:04.159 --> 00:14:06.799 So that's why our theme is breakthrough courage. 00:14:07.519 --> 00:14:09.440 Because that takes breakthrough courage. 00:14:09.759 --> 00:14:12.879 It takes courage to seek the kingdom first. 00:14:14.000 --> 00:14:17.919 And so today I want to talk about. 00:14:22.960 --> 00:14:38.559 Some steps of some things that I think are important for you to institute into your life that can bring mental toughness, that can bring emotional resiliency and spiritual power, and relational connectivity. 00:14:38.799 --> 00:14:40.240 And I've quoted it many times. 00:14:40.320 --> 00:14:42.000 I don't actually have it in my notes today. 00:14:42.159 --> 00:14:48.799 The the um the Mai study in Japan that looked at the Japanese. 00:14:49.360 --> 00:14:52.080 Japan has so much pollution, you guys. 00:14:52.399 --> 00:14:54.480 Japan is so crowded. 00:14:54.799 --> 00:15:01.120 I mean, back in the day when I was living there, Tokyo was the second most congested city in the world. 00:15:01.279 --> 00:15:03.519 Mexico City was number one, but number two. 00:15:03.600 --> 00:15:09.519 Now Bangladesh is the most congested country, but the most, I was in the most congested city in the world. 00:15:10.480 --> 00:15:14.320 And the salaryman, they call him the salary man uh in Japan. 00:15:14.399 --> 00:15:18.080 That's that would be a businessman in Japan, works like 16 hours a day. 00:15:18.159 --> 00:15:19.360 That's average for them. 00:15:19.519 --> 00:15:21.279 And a lot of times they don't even take a day off. 00:15:21.360 --> 00:15:23.279 So that's the Japanese system. 00:15:24.000 --> 00:15:27.440 And yet they're the healthiest nation in the world. 00:15:29.519 --> 00:15:30.960 What is going on? 00:15:31.279 --> 00:15:34.720 Well, when they did the research, they found they call it the Amaya effect. 00:15:35.120 --> 00:15:38.879 It's the idea that they're connected relationally to each other. 00:15:39.600 --> 00:15:42.480 The power of relationship. 00:15:43.200 --> 00:15:45.120 That's why the church is here. 00:15:45.840 --> 00:15:47.600 That's why the road is here. 00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:49.919 We want you to connect with each other. 00:15:50.000 --> 00:15:51.600 We want you to be in a community group. 00:15:51.679 --> 00:15:53.120 We want you to know each other. 00:15:53.360 --> 00:15:55.759 We want you to come to wholehearted women. 00:15:56.000 --> 00:16:00.480 You're not gonna know women, you're not gonna know other women by coming to Sunday morning. 00:16:00.559 --> 00:16:04.639 You might sometimes occasionally I say, you guys gather in groups and pray. 00:16:05.200 --> 00:16:06.480 Maybe you'll meet someone that way. 00:16:06.559 --> 00:16:07.279 That's great. 00:16:07.519 --> 00:16:14.000 But you're not gonna really know people and begin to start having some blood-stained allies in your life except by coming to wholehearted women. 00:16:14.320 --> 00:16:17.039 Wednesday a week for the morning session. 00:16:17.120 --> 00:16:18.159 It's gonna be great. 00:16:18.720 --> 00:16:22.639 Well, if you build a new way of thinking, then you'll build new habits. 00:16:23.039 --> 00:16:25.840 New habits build new character. 00:16:26.080 --> 00:16:28.559 Building a new character will build a new destiny. 00:16:28.639 --> 00:16:45.360 And the reason I say it that way is because it's my experience with working, coaching, all the stuff that I do as a pastor and a leader, that until your thinking progresses into new habits, it doesn't really change anything. 00:16:45.519 --> 00:16:47.679 Now, I'm not, here's what I want you to understand what I'm saying. 00:16:47.840 --> 00:16:50.960 I'm not saying that the habit changes your character. 00:16:51.279 --> 00:16:55.279 I'm saying that the motivation for the habit is changing your character. 00:16:55.519 --> 00:16:57.519 So it's still internal. 00:16:58.240 --> 00:17:07.200 But you can talk to the cows come home about how you want to be in better shape or how you want to have a spiritual relationship with God or you need more friends. 00:17:07.279 --> 00:17:18.240 But if you don't do something, if you don't make some changes, if you don't walk out those desires in your life, usually six months or six years later, you're still the same as it was before. 00:17:18.400 --> 00:17:20.079 So I'm challenging you. 00:17:20.400 --> 00:17:24.799 The first Sunday of January, make some changes. 00:17:25.519 --> 00:17:30.480 And so I'm going to give you a system that I think works and works in a powerful way. 00:17:31.519 --> 00:17:35.759 We had 500 go through wholehard 45 last year. 00:17:35.839 --> 00:17:38.319 I'd love to see a thousand this year. 00:17:38.559 --> 00:17:43.519 So here's the question: What does it mean to seek first the kingdom? 00:17:43.599 --> 00:17:46.880 I mean, that sounds great, but what what do you mean by that, Steve? 00:17:47.039 --> 00:17:48.480 What does God mean by that? 00:17:48.640 --> 00:17:49.920 Well, here's what I believe he means. 00:17:50.000 --> 00:17:54.000 I believe the answer is found in Matthew 22 and Mark 12. 00:17:54.160 --> 00:17:55.440 Matthew 22 and Mark 12. 00:17:55.519 --> 00:17:58.319 You don't need to turn there because I'm going to put up Mark 12. 00:17:58.400 --> 00:18:03.599 This is a definition, in my opinion, of seeking the kingdom of God. 00:18:03.839 --> 00:18:06.319 You shall love the Lord your God with all of your heart. 00:18:06.480 --> 00:18:07.440 That's your spirit. 00:18:07.599 --> 00:18:09.039 Loving God with your spirit. 00:18:09.279 --> 00:18:18.480 Spirit, capital S, Holy Spirit to spirit, small S, your spirit, spirit to spirit, connecting with God with all of your soul. 00:18:18.960 --> 00:18:20.640 That's your emotions. 00:18:21.279 --> 00:18:22.880 Emotions are important. 00:18:24.559 --> 00:18:28.000 Sometimes in worship, there's some emotion going on in here. 00:18:28.160 --> 00:18:32.799 Some people shout, some people clap, some people weep. 00:18:32.960 --> 00:18:36.799 Some people come to the front and they lay down prostrate before the Lord. 00:18:37.039 --> 00:18:38.079 That's a good thing. 00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:39.440 All that's good. 00:18:39.839 --> 00:18:46.960 That emotion, God gave you emotion to express your love for someone and to express your love for God. 00:18:47.279 --> 00:18:49.039 Love the Lord your God with all of your heart. 00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:54.640 That's your spirit, with all your soul, that's emotional, with all your mind, mentally. 00:18:55.039 --> 00:18:59.680 So I love, I've been really binging out on a guy named Wes Huff. 00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:07.359 And Wes Huff is kind of a new and upcoming young guy in the arena of archaeology and manuscripts as far as how we got our Bible. 00:19:07.440 --> 00:19:09.440 And just a super fascinating guy. 00:19:09.519 --> 00:19:11.519 He went on Joe Rogan last week. 00:19:11.759 --> 00:19:21.200 We haven't seen that hasn't been dropped yet, but that should be a fascinating interview with Joe Rogan about the authenticity of Christ and the authenticity of the Bible. 00:19:21.359 --> 00:19:22.960 It's really, really gonna be good. 00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:25.440 But love God with your mind. 00:19:25.680 --> 00:19:28.960 In other words, go deep into intellectual stuff. 00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:29.759 Think about stuff. 00:19:29.920 --> 00:19:30.880 Think about things. 00:19:31.119 --> 00:19:35.839 Read stuff on theology, read stuff on leadership, read stuff on health. 00:19:36.559 --> 00:19:38.240 Be a truth seeker. 00:19:38.400 --> 00:19:40.079 That's actually one of the points in my book. 00:19:40.160 --> 00:19:45.119 Is that truth seekers are people who have no fear? 00:19:45.680 --> 00:19:47.039 Listen to what I just said. 00:19:47.359 --> 00:19:50.240 Truth seekers have no fear. 00:19:50.880 --> 00:19:56.640 Can you imagine someone who's challenging you on something you know is incorrect? 00:19:56.799 --> 00:19:57.839 How much confidence? 00:19:58.000 --> 00:19:59.119 I'm not talking about cockiness. 00:19:59.200 --> 00:20:04.319 I'm not talking about cocky, I'm about a confidence, inner confidence that you know what you're doing. 00:20:04.640 --> 00:20:13.680 The people that are the most defensive politically and spiritually, the people who are most defensive about stuff usually don't know their stuff. 00:20:14.000 --> 00:20:20.480 People who walk with confidence are people who don't have to be defensive, but they can be defending. 00:20:21.119 --> 00:20:28.960 So we can defend our perspective without being defensive about it because we have an inner confidence that that's true and that's right. 00:20:29.119 --> 00:20:30.960 And maybe everybody's against you. 00:20:31.279 --> 00:20:33.200 I remember during COVID. 00:20:33.359 --> 00:20:36.480 I mean, we drank the Kool-Aid for about four weeks. 00:20:37.359 --> 00:20:38.640 But we did our research. 00:20:38.799 --> 00:20:41.440 We had a whole team of people do the research. 00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:44.880 And we came up with a different protocol. 00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:47.200 So we said, we're having church again. 00:20:47.279 --> 00:20:49.759 And you can social distance if you want, fine. 00:20:49.920 --> 00:20:51.359 You can wear a mask, fine. 00:20:51.440 --> 00:20:52.559 Don't have to wear a mask. 00:20:52.720 --> 00:20:54.960 I don't care because I know the stats. 00:20:55.200 --> 00:20:56.960 I know what's gonna make you healthy. 00:20:57.119 --> 00:20:58.880 You need to be taking zinc every day. 00:20:59.039 --> 00:21:06.000 We've got ivermectin over here, and you need to take a walk in the sun 30 minutes a day, and you do need to have relationships. 00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:08.880 And now all the stats are coming out, that's true. 00:21:09.839 --> 00:21:18.319 So when the news people called me, and when some other pastors called me and called me some names, I didn't care. 00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:22.880 I knew that there was an agenda behind that whole thing. 00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:28.240 And so God wants you to love him with your mind and with your strength, he says. 00:21:28.319 --> 00:21:29.279 So physically. 00:21:29.440 --> 00:21:30.960 This is the first commandment. 00:21:31.119 --> 00:21:35.200 And the second is like it you shall love your neighbor as yourself. 00:21:35.920 --> 00:21:37.599 Folks, that's relationships. 00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:42.240 That's the importance of being relationally connected with other people. 00:21:42.400 --> 00:21:48.000 You're not meant to be a maverick, you're not meant to be isolated. 00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:49.759 We need each other. 00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:51.359 And then I love what he says. 00:21:51.519 --> 00:21:54.240 Jesus says, there's no other commandment greater than these. 00:21:54.400 --> 00:21:58.799 So if Jesus were up here and he was at his desk and he was Dr. 00:21:58.960 --> 00:21:59.680 Jesus Christ. 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:03.519 And you are coming in, and he's writing a prescription, that's what he gives you. 00:22:04.000 --> 00:22:04.960 I think that's what he said. 00:22:05.119 --> 00:22:06.400 Well, look, you anxious? 00:22:06.880 --> 00:22:08.240 You having some panic? 00:22:08.640 --> 00:22:10.079 You're having some depression? 00:22:10.319 --> 00:22:11.759 You're having some struggles? 00:22:12.079 --> 00:22:13.119 Here's the answer. 00:22:13.359 --> 00:22:20.000 Love God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. 00:22:20.160 --> 00:22:24.160 And look what I'll do through you to set you free. 00:22:24.559 --> 00:22:27.359 So I want to talk about whole hard 45 challenge. 00:22:27.599 --> 00:22:29.200 Whole hard 45 challenge. 00:22:29.440 --> 00:22:31.119 So I did this in February last year. 00:22:31.200 --> 00:22:33.279 So if you've already done it, how many did it last year? 00:22:33.680 --> 00:22:34.480 Ooh, a lot of you. 00:22:34.559 --> 00:22:35.039 Okay, great. 00:22:35.200 --> 00:22:36.799 So I'm hoping all of you will do it. 00:22:36.880 --> 00:22:38.319 And you'll say, Well, I can't do that. 00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:40.079 I can't do that for 45 days. 00:22:40.240 --> 00:22:41.759 That's too hard and all that. 00:22:41.920 --> 00:22:44.799 I say, try it, because here's the thing. 00:22:44.960 --> 00:22:59.119 Even if you don't finish the 45 days or you, it's too hard for you, maybe something in it will catch your fancy, catch your heart, and you'll be totally excited about it, and it'll change at least one area of your life. 00:22:59.519 --> 00:23:00.880 So here's four benefits. 00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:01.759 Four benefits. 00:23:01.920 --> 00:23:02.640 Write these down. 00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:03.920 Write these down. 00:23:05.279 --> 00:23:07.920 Four benefits for wholehard 45. 00:23:08.079 --> 00:23:16.480 Number one, it incorporates all the key points of Jesus' greatest command for healthy living, what we just read in Mark 12. 00:23:16.720 --> 00:23:25.200 Incorporates all the key points of Jesus' greatest command for healthy living, spiritually, emotionally, mentally, relationally, and physical. 00:23:25.519 --> 00:23:26.960 It's all right here. 00:23:27.279 --> 00:23:32.559 Number two, this is not just about you, but it's about learning to love others. 00:23:32.799 --> 00:23:35.039 It's about learning to love others. 00:23:35.200 --> 00:23:45.039 So one of the things that's in the 10 daily routines is you say something encouraging to someone or you do something encouraging for someone. 00:23:45.200 --> 00:23:53.200 I come in on Sunday morning, I take care of it really quick on Tuesday mornings and Sunday mornings because I come in through the kitchen, that's where all the action is. 00:23:53.440 --> 00:24:05.039 Where all the action is on Sunday morning before you guys show up is that team in there fixing the food and laying it all out, and they're all talking, and I just thank them for what they're doing, and I just love that. 00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:08.000 And then on Tuesday morning, guys have been up since 2 a.m. 00:24:08.400 --> 00:24:19.920 They've smoked meats for the last 24 hours and they're laying it all out, and they're usually in there having a prayer time, a devotional time before all the guys and the deluge of 400-plus guys comes to our church. 00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:20.799 It's fantastic. 00:24:20.960 --> 00:24:22.640 So it's encouraging each other. 00:24:23.440 --> 00:24:26.640 It's not letting yourself stay lonely. 00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:32.240 Number three, it requires the development of bloodstained allies in our life. 00:24:32.559 --> 00:24:34.000 We need blood-stained allies. 00:24:34.079 --> 00:24:37.680 And those are not just relationships that we have, but even closer. 00:24:37.759 --> 00:24:41.279 It's that inner circle of people that love you. 00:24:41.759 --> 00:24:43.200 They know your stuff. 00:24:44.160 --> 00:24:45.599 You know you got stuff. 00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:48.160 You know you guys got stuff. 00:24:49.359 --> 00:24:51.359 And some people are stuffed up. 00:24:53.440 --> 00:24:54.799 But you got stuff. 00:24:55.200 --> 00:24:56.319 I got stuff. 00:24:56.799 --> 00:24:58.240 My wife knows it all. 00:24:59.119 --> 00:25:02.480 So a blessed thing to highlight someone who knows your stuff, they still love you. 00:25:03.200 --> 00:25:05.599 They still accept you, they're still there for you. 00:25:05.920 --> 00:25:09.440 Because your stuff is, in most cases, the same stuff they have. 00:25:09.599 --> 00:25:10.720 The stuff's the same. 00:25:11.680 --> 00:25:12.799 I struggle with this. 00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:14.559 Oh, really? 00:25:15.279 --> 00:25:18.400 I remember I struggled with that 25 years ago. 00:25:18.640 --> 00:25:23.279 If anybody gives you that kind of stuff, that's not a blessed ain't ally. 00:25:23.839 --> 00:25:30.240 Because I know how alive my flesh is just as much as you do, if you're honest, and so we need each other. 00:25:30.559 --> 00:25:38.000 And then fourthly, the benefit of whole heart 45 is to build new habits, which builds a new character and builds a new destiny. 00:25:39.039 --> 00:25:41.200 So I I think destiny is important. 00:25:41.359 --> 00:25:43.839 I think where you're going with your life's important. 00:25:44.400 --> 00:25:48.480 And I think that your destiny is tied up with your focus. 00:25:48.960 --> 00:25:53.920 And your focus then becomes your habits, and your habits do become your character in your life. 00:25:54.480 --> 00:25:58.799 Now they say it takes 21 to 30 days to develop a new habit. 00:25:59.359 --> 00:26:06.960 So if you guys are going to the gym now, which I know many of you have signed up and you're gonna go, and in about two weeks you'll you won't be doing anymore. 00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:13.680 So maybe in two weeks after you've ended what you wanted to do, you should join Wholeheart 45 and do it my way, because I know it works. 00:26:14.000 --> 00:26:16.960 No, but some say 21 days and some say 30 days. 00:26:17.119 --> 00:26:20.160 I'm gonna say 45 because I'm doubling it. 00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:24.000 I'm doubling your possibility that, because that's the goal. 00:26:24.160 --> 00:26:26.720 The goal is not to complete and get the decal. 00:26:26.880 --> 00:26:28.400 I completed, which is what we got. 00:26:28.559 --> 00:26:30.079 Really cool, it's really cool looking. 00:26:30.319 --> 00:26:31.039 A little decal. 00:26:31.359 --> 00:26:34.240 Okay, you can put on your car, put on your coffee cup, whatever. 00:26:34.319 --> 00:26:36.720 I completed a whole hard 45 challenge. 00:26:37.119 --> 00:26:37.839 That's not the goal. 00:26:38.000 --> 00:26:39.599 The goal is to change your life. 00:26:40.079 --> 00:26:44.799 Change the trajectory of our lives in all these different areas. 00:26:45.039 --> 00:26:48.000 So your destiny is defined by your focus. 00:26:48.319 --> 00:26:50.880 You learn a new focus, you create a new destiny. 00:26:51.440 --> 00:26:52.319 So, what are they? 00:26:52.400 --> 00:26:53.680 What am I talking about? 00:26:53.920 --> 00:26:58.960 The ten daily challenges, the ten daily challenges of whole hard 45. 00:26:59.200 --> 00:27:00.079 You guys ready? 00:27:00.799 --> 00:27:01.920 It's really easy. 00:27:02.720 --> 00:27:08.720 I put in hard to encourage the guys to make it seem like it's hard, but it's actually really, really easy. 00:27:09.519 --> 00:27:10.640 I'm lying. 00:27:11.119 --> 00:27:12.160 It's really hard. 00:27:12.319 --> 00:27:13.440 It's hard to do. 00:27:13.680 --> 00:27:17.039 And um, and so for some of you, you can't do this. 00:27:17.200 --> 00:27:19.839 It could be a physical problem, it could be emotional, whatever. 00:27:19.920 --> 00:27:20.319 I don't know. 00:27:20.480 --> 00:27:25.359 So this is for those who want to do it, and bear with me because I know it works. 00:27:25.440 --> 00:27:31.119 And I know it it works because this is what pretty much what I do, and I believe in it. 00:27:31.279 --> 00:27:32.640 Number one, PB and J. 00:27:33.200 --> 00:27:33.920 PB and J. 00:27:34.160 --> 00:27:37.759 And it doesn't mean you get up in the morning and you have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. 00:27:38.160 --> 00:27:39.920 It means prayer, Bible, and journal. 00:27:40.079 --> 00:27:45.279 And we've got these journals here that have just come out that Jay Inman put together. 00:27:45.359 --> 00:27:46.480 I think we have a few left. 00:27:46.720 --> 00:27:50.160 We sold probably a lot after the first service, but this is a journal. 00:27:50.319 --> 00:27:52.799 You might have a journal of your own. 00:27:53.039 --> 00:27:56.720 Um man, the journal industry has exploded. 00:27:56.880 --> 00:28:07.359 I mean, when you go online, you can get fishermen's journals, you can get hunter journals, you can get lady journals, you can get little girl journals. 00:28:07.519 --> 00:28:13.839 So the journals are out there, put in journals, and you'll Amazon will give you about 5,000, you know, to choose from. 00:28:14.160 --> 00:28:19.839 So if you want a little pink one that's got little flowers coming up the side and everything for a woman, get that. 00:28:20.240 --> 00:28:25.119 If you need like that weathered leather look, you know, that's what they have for men. 00:28:25.599 --> 00:28:27.519 Because we're leather. 00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:28.799 Whatever. 00:28:29.039 --> 00:28:38.400 But anyway, to get up at first thing in the morning and spend time with the Lord, to maybe do three chapters in Old Testament and three chapters in the New Testament. 00:28:38.640 --> 00:28:45.839 So do the first three chapters of Genesis, do the first three chapters of Matthew, and then just continue for 45 days. 00:28:45.920 --> 00:28:47.039 But start with that. 00:28:47.359 --> 00:28:50.319 Start with the word, open it up, have your journal. 00:28:50.640 --> 00:28:55.839 If God's speaking to you as you write stuff, underline it, and then write it in your journal, and then pray about it. 00:28:56.160 --> 00:28:56.640 Pray about it. 00:28:56.720 --> 00:29:01.839 What you're doing is you're you're getting a mindset, it's a focus on the kingdom. 00:29:02.720 --> 00:29:15.440 Because what we want to do is we want to wake up in the morning and first thing we think about is our job and our responsibilities, or the argument you had with your spouse last night, or whatever it is, or turn on Fox News or whatever you do. 00:29:15.920 --> 00:29:17.440 I'm saying stop that. 00:29:18.319 --> 00:29:20.960 Start the day spiritually with the Lord. 00:29:21.519 --> 00:29:23.759 Now that's not what I do, just so you know. 00:29:24.319 --> 00:29:27.759 I start with a workout, which I'll get to that in a second, and then I go to this other. 00:29:28.079 --> 00:29:33.200 But PB and J, I put it front and center because this is more important than anything else. 00:29:33.359 --> 00:29:37.920