WEBVTT 00:00:01.360 --> 00:00:04.719 Welcome to this week's message from the church at Chelsea Westover. 00:00:04.879 --> 00:00:10.800 Our core values are vibrant worship, intimate fellowship, fulfilling service, and clear biblical truth. 00:00:10.960 --> 00:00:13.359 We pray that this message changes your life. 00:00:13.519 --> 00:00:17.839 Let's tune in to today's message and see what God has in store for you. 00:00:19.120 --> 00:00:20.480 Thank you very much. 00:00:23.039 --> 00:00:26.559 This life is full of hustle. 00:00:28.079 --> 00:00:30.239 One problem after another. 00:00:32.479 --> 00:00:38.000 This world has never been settled, been fair. 00:00:39.759 --> 00:00:48.479 So if you don't know where to go, whom to call, you die quickly. 00:00:48.880 --> 00:00:50.320 You hang yourself. 00:00:50.719 --> 00:00:52.320 You commit suicide. 00:00:55.039 --> 00:00:58.719 Friends, I want to encourage you today. 00:01:00.240 --> 00:01:08.879 I have a couple of messages I was preparing to preach, but as I continue to do that, I heard a voice in my spirit. 00:01:09.120 --> 00:01:11.760 Somebody needs encouragement. 00:01:12.879 --> 00:01:17.120 You can be smiling, driving a fancy car. 00:01:18.239 --> 00:01:20.159 But we all have issues. 00:01:21.439 --> 00:01:25.280 We go through things sometimes we don't share with anybody. 00:01:27.680 --> 00:01:32.560 I want to tell you today, Jesus knows it all. 00:01:33.359 --> 00:01:36.560 He cares for you, He loves you. 00:01:38.799 --> 00:01:48.799 He can do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we imagine or ask according to the power that works within us. 00:01:50.879 --> 00:01:53.439 Don't put God in a box. 00:01:54.719 --> 00:01:59.599 Sometimes we Baptists put God in a box. 00:02:01.680 --> 00:02:02.560 Sometimes. 00:02:06.480 --> 00:02:13.439 Four months ago, somebody called me and he said, Are you Bishop Nalema? 00:02:13.680 --> 00:02:14.479 I said, Yes. 00:02:14.800 --> 00:02:16.719 He said, I'm a witch doctor. 00:02:18.639 --> 00:02:25.680 I was hired by people to bewitch you and make sure I kill you. 00:02:27.439 --> 00:02:32.240 I've been doing that for the whole year, 12 months. 00:02:32.560 --> 00:02:44.560 That every time I try to throw these arrows on you, using my demons and witchcraft and all that, it's getting worse and worse. 00:02:44.639 --> 00:02:46.080 I'm getting sick. 00:02:46.479 --> 00:02:48.400 Everything is messed up. 00:02:48.719 --> 00:02:51.520 My medicines are getting rotten. 00:02:52.080 --> 00:02:56.879 So I have to find your number somewhere to apologize. 00:02:58.719 --> 00:03:00.319 Because there's no way. 00:03:03.280 --> 00:03:08.719 In America, when we talk about demons or witchcraft, it's like a myth. 00:03:09.759 --> 00:03:10.960 Just like stories. 00:03:11.199 --> 00:03:12.400 It is in the Bible. 00:03:15.199 --> 00:03:27.360 If you go to Africa and you have the same thought that is not real, just a myth, maybe it's not a good place for you. 00:03:29.120 --> 00:03:32.240 Otherwise, you cannot die the next day. 00:03:32.879 --> 00:03:35.199 Because they will try to kill you. 00:03:37.039 --> 00:03:38.000 It is real. 00:03:41.120 --> 00:03:47.599 Believe God beyond doubt, He is able to protect you and keep you safe. 00:03:47.840 --> 00:03:56.159 I told you last time I was here that I was attacked by bandits, by thieves with three guns. 00:03:56.400 --> 00:04:00.479 They came, they broke into our house and said, We have come to kill you. 00:04:01.039 --> 00:04:07.840 And they tried to shoot at me three times, aiming at my head, and they kept missing. 00:04:10.240 --> 00:04:12.639 You cannot miss a big head like this. 00:04:14.960 --> 00:04:17.600 It must be God working. 00:04:21.279 --> 00:04:26.560 Whenever I talk about the power of God, it's not just a story. 00:04:27.839 --> 00:04:28.879 I am sure. 00:04:30.480 --> 00:04:31.600 I've seen it. 00:04:32.240 --> 00:04:48.879 I witness with my own eyes how God can work, how God can break fetters, how God can break all stumbling blocks, how God can change lives, how God can heal and set people free from all kinds of oppression. 00:04:50.000 --> 00:04:53.360 And this is the God I'm talking about today. 00:04:55.519 --> 00:04:58.560 From the book of Acts, chapter four. 00:05:03.360 --> 00:05:05.199 Acts four. 00:05:18.240 --> 00:05:33.519 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. 00:05:34.560 --> 00:05:42.319 And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 00:05:45.920 --> 00:05:52.000 When you dwell with Jesus long enough, you will think like Jesus. 00:05:52.319 --> 00:05:53.920 You will talk like Jesus. 00:05:54.240 --> 00:05:59.120 You will be bold enough to stand and speak the truth in love. 00:06:00.319 --> 00:06:01.680 Verse 18. 00:06:02.800 --> 00:06:16.160 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 00:06:16.639 --> 00:06:30.000 But Peter and John Arson answered them, whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge. 00:06:30.319 --> 00:06:37.839 For we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard. 00:06:40.480 --> 00:06:49.199 When you are a witness, you are confident of something, you are sure of something. 00:06:51.439 --> 00:06:55.920 You are rest assured beyond doubt that this is true. 00:06:57.199 --> 00:06:58.800 Speak like it is. 00:07:00.079 --> 00:07:02.240 Don't beat around the bush. 00:07:02.639 --> 00:07:04.160 Just speak like it is. 00:07:11.759 --> 00:07:13.920 We are tired with your stories. 00:07:14.319 --> 00:07:17.360 We don't want to hear about Jesus. 00:07:18.000 --> 00:07:19.279 Yeah, it's boring. 00:07:19.439 --> 00:07:20.720 We don't need that. 00:07:21.040 --> 00:07:22.000 Stop it. 00:07:22.879 --> 00:07:26.240 Peter said, we cannot. 00:07:26.879 --> 00:07:28.319 We have no choice. 00:07:28.480 --> 00:07:31.759 There's no way we can stop. 00:07:34.079 --> 00:07:35.600 We must speak. 00:07:36.480 --> 00:07:37.920 We must preach. 00:07:38.560 --> 00:07:40.399 We must tell everybody. 00:07:40.639 --> 00:07:42.720 We must make Jesus famous. 00:07:44.079 --> 00:07:44.720 Yes. 00:07:45.120 --> 00:07:47.920 He must be famous more than Coca-Cola. 00:07:50.639 --> 00:07:52.160 Tell everybody. 00:07:52.560 --> 00:08:05.600 Children and adults, educated and unlearned people, small, young, and all kinds of let everybody know that Jesus is the Lord. 00:08:08.639 --> 00:08:26.560 In chapter 5, verse 27, and when they had brought them, they set them before the council, and the high priest questioned them, saying, We strictly charge you not to teach in this name. 00:08:26.800 --> 00:08:32.799 Yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teachings. 00:08:33.759 --> 00:08:37.840 And you intend to bring this man's blood upon us. 00:08:38.559 --> 00:08:45.759 But Peter and the apostles answered, We must obey God rather than man. 00:08:46.879 --> 00:08:55.360 Then God our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed and hanging him on a tree. 00:08:55.679 --> 00:09:07.120 God exhorting him at his right hand as leader and as savior to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sin. 00:09:08.639 --> 00:09:12.879 And we are witnesses to these things. 00:09:13.279 --> 00:09:20.799 And so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him. 00:09:23.360 --> 00:09:29.279 My subject today, I just cannot quit. 00:09:36.320 --> 00:09:37.840 I just cannot stop. 00:09:38.080 --> 00:09:38.960 I can't. 00:09:39.279 --> 00:09:40.559 I have no choice. 00:09:40.799 --> 00:09:42.240 I have to continue. 00:09:42.399 --> 00:09:43.679 I have to preach. 00:09:43.919 --> 00:09:45.679 I have to tell the truth. 00:09:45.919 --> 00:09:46.960 I have to sing. 00:09:47.120 --> 00:09:54.080 This is my melody to everybody, to all creatures that Jesus is Lord. 00:09:55.120 --> 00:09:58.559 These people are trying to stop Peter and John. 00:10:00.559 --> 00:10:17.200 Many things can stop you from trusting in Jesus, coming to church, quitting your job, your career, family issues, ministry, life, and other things. 00:10:17.759 --> 00:10:21.039 There are a number of reasons why people quit. 00:10:21.840 --> 00:10:22.879 Good reasons. 00:10:23.200 --> 00:10:23.840 Yes. 00:10:25.120 --> 00:10:27.200 Unexpected results. 00:10:28.000 --> 00:10:30.159 Unfair treatments from people. 00:10:30.639 --> 00:10:35.279 Sometimes the people that you have helped the most will mistreat you. 00:10:35.919 --> 00:10:36.960 It happens. 00:10:39.759 --> 00:10:44.159 Sometimes just because we cannot endure anymore is too difficult. 00:10:44.320 --> 00:10:45.919 It's too hard for us. 00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:49.840 Too difficult to handle. 00:10:50.559 --> 00:10:56.480 Somebody will try to find a shortcut because I'm just tired. 00:10:56.799 --> 00:10:58.399 Some people commit suicide. 00:10:58.559 --> 00:10:59.919 Some use drugs. 00:11:01.440 --> 00:11:02.879 Some start drinking. 00:11:03.039 --> 00:11:07.360 Not because they want to do that, they have just given up. 00:11:09.200 --> 00:11:10.159 Quitting. 00:11:13.120 --> 00:11:18.000 Uncomfortable with the situations that we are going through. 00:11:18.320 --> 00:11:21.759 Sometimes because people oppose us from what we are doing. 00:11:22.000 --> 00:11:23.679 Too many hindrances. 00:11:24.240 --> 00:11:25.840 Lack of what we need. 00:11:26.240 --> 00:11:29.120 Sometimes people do not appreciate what we do. 00:11:29.440 --> 00:11:31.600 So I'm gonna give up. 00:11:33.279 --> 00:11:34.559 I'm gonna quit. 00:11:34.799 --> 00:11:36.000 I'm gonna stop. 00:11:36.960 --> 00:11:40.000 Yes, you may have good reasons to do that. 00:11:43.360 --> 00:11:49.200 But as I told you before, this life is full of challenges. 00:11:50.320 --> 00:11:52.639 Life has never been easy. 00:11:53.120 --> 00:11:55.039 Ministry has never been easy. 00:11:55.919 --> 00:11:59.279 Family responsibilities have never been easy. 00:11:59.759 --> 00:12:03.279 Education for students have never been easy. 00:12:03.360 --> 00:12:05.200 There is no easy task. 00:12:07.600 --> 00:12:11.120 Winners never quit, and quitters never win. 00:12:13.600 --> 00:12:15.279 Read the Bible. 00:12:15.919 --> 00:12:28.799 You learn a lot of things and realize that since the beginning, nothing has been easy. 00:12:29.120 --> 00:12:33.679 And people who chose to quit lost their destinies. 00:12:36.559 --> 00:12:38.559 You are here for a purpose. 00:12:39.519 --> 00:12:41.519 God created you for a reason. 00:12:42.320 --> 00:12:43.919 You are not here in vain. 00:12:44.960 --> 00:12:48.639 You may be an orphan or you don't know where your mother is. 00:12:48.799 --> 00:12:49.759 Don't worry about that. 00:12:49.840 --> 00:12:55.840 Since you are existing and you are here and you are hearing this message today, there is a destiny for you. 00:12:56.399 --> 00:12:58.320 And God has a plan for you. 00:12:58.960 --> 00:13:01.440 Never quit, never give up. 00:13:01.679 --> 00:13:02.480 Press on. 00:13:02.720 --> 00:13:06.399 Continue because God is with you. 00:13:09.360 --> 00:13:14.720 We have many reasons why we cannot quit. 00:13:14.879 --> 00:13:16.320 Why I cannot quit. 00:13:16.559 --> 00:13:17.519 I have reasons. 00:13:17.679 --> 00:13:18.720 You have reasons. 00:13:18.960 --> 00:13:23.279 The Bible tells us that we have a reason not to quit. 00:13:23.519 --> 00:13:28.320 I'm gonna mention to you just a few reasons why we cannot quit. 00:13:28.960 --> 00:13:30.559 Why we cannot stop? 00:13:30.960 --> 00:13:38.720 Why we will continue enduring and preaching and loving people and serving people and loving God. 00:13:38.960 --> 00:13:39.600 Why? 00:13:40.240 --> 00:13:42.960 Number one, we are not alone. 00:13:45.120 --> 00:13:48.879 Jesus promised that he will never leave us nor forsake us. 00:13:49.120 --> 00:13:50.080 He is with us. 00:13:50.240 --> 00:13:54.879 He said, I will be with you even to the end of the age. 00:13:56.320 --> 00:13:58.799 He promised to be with us. 00:13:59.120 --> 00:14:01.919 In Psalm 23, verse 4. 00:14:02.399 --> 00:14:04.240 He is our good shepherd. 00:14:04.480 --> 00:14:09.840 Even when we go through the valley of shadow of death, he said, I will be with you. 00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:13.840 We will not feel evil because he is with us. 00:14:14.399 --> 00:14:23.919 Yes, there are times when we go through dark times, difficult situations, shadow, valley of death. 00:14:24.159 --> 00:14:29.039 You smell death, even there, Jesus is with you. 00:14:29.519 --> 00:14:34.720 So when you know that Jesus is with you, why should you quit? 00:14:36.879 --> 00:14:38.480 Jesus is with you. 00:14:39.360 --> 00:14:43.600 Even when you don't feel it, we don't go by feeling. 00:14:44.480 --> 00:14:46.240 No, we go by faith. 00:14:46.639 --> 00:14:47.840 Just trust in him. 00:14:48.240 --> 00:14:50.159 Believe that he is with you. 00:14:50.639 --> 00:14:54.000 He said, I will never leave you nor forsake you. 00:14:54.320 --> 00:14:58.799 Day and night, journal through December, Monday through Sunday. 00:14:58.960 --> 00:14:59.600 He is with you. 00:14:59.759 --> 00:15:00.559 24-7. 00:15:01.120 --> 00:15:02.399 He is with you. 00:15:02.960 --> 00:15:06.000 When you sleep at night, he is with you. 00:15:06.480 --> 00:15:10.320 He will never leave you, nor forsake you. 00:15:10.559 --> 00:15:15.440 Since he promised and his promises, an amen. 00:15:16.080 --> 00:15:17.360 He never lies. 00:15:17.600 --> 00:15:19.600 What he said is true. 00:15:19.919 --> 00:15:26.159 Yes, trust in him and do not lean on your own understanding in all your ways. 00:15:26.399 --> 00:15:29.840 Acknowledge him and he will direct your path. 00:15:30.480 --> 00:15:31.840 Rely on him totally. 00:15:32.000 --> 00:15:34.399 Believe in him, he is with you. 00:15:35.120 --> 00:15:41.519 Even when you don't hear his voice, you don't feel like he is with you, he is there with you. 00:15:42.879 --> 00:15:44.559 Read the Bible. 00:15:45.279 --> 00:15:49.919 The stories of Daniel, Sherk, Messian, Abednego, and other people in the Bible. 00:15:50.080 --> 00:15:53.200 The way God protects their lives. 00:15:55.360 --> 00:16:00.159 Number two, quitting has never been our option. 00:16:03.360 --> 00:16:06.159 Quitting has never helped anybody. 00:16:06.559 --> 00:16:08.960 You cannot solve the problem by quitting. 00:16:09.200 --> 00:16:17.600 Quitting your family, quitting your church, quitting your faith, quitting your studies, quitting your job, quitting, quitting, quitting. 00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:21.039 If God is opening another door, that's fine. 00:16:23.120 --> 00:16:24.320 But quitting. 00:16:24.559 --> 00:16:30.960 Before I came here, I think that's what the reason why my visa was not processed the first week. 00:16:31.200 --> 00:16:34.879 Because right before I left, one pastor visited me. 00:16:34.960 --> 00:16:38.799 He said, Bishop, I need some guidance. 00:16:40.799 --> 00:16:41.840 He was a pastor. 00:16:41.919 --> 00:16:45.840 He decided to quit the ministry because life was very difficult. 00:16:46.480 --> 00:16:48.960 His wife left him 10 years ago. 00:16:49.120 --> 00:16:51.519 He's lonely, frustrated, confused. 00:16:51.679 --> 00:16:53.600 And he thought everybody hates him. 00:16:53.840 --> 00:16:56.159 It's like God is not alive anymore. 00:16:56.240 --> 00:16:58.080 He doesn't hear God's voice anymore. 00:16:58.159 --> 00:16:59.519 It's like I'm alone here. 00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:01.120 I say, hey, listen. 00:17:01.679 --> 00:17:02.879 God is with you. 00:17:03.039 --> 00:17:04.880 You can start again. 00:17:05.839 --> 00:17:07.279 He started crying. 00:17:09.359 --> 00:17:10.880 He said, I'm energized. 00:17:10.960 --> 00:17:12.079 I'm refreshed. 00:17:12.240 --> 00:17:13.359 I am changed. 00:17:13.759 --> 00:17:16.319 I have received my spiritual sight now. 00:17:17.359 --> 00:17:19.680 I lost almost everything. 00:17:19.839 --> 00:17:26.480 So I'm gonna begin the ministry again because now I know Jesus loves me, and so do you. 00:17:26.640 --> 00:17:30.559 I didn't know that other pastors and church leaders love me. 00:17:30.720 --> 00:17:33.200 I told him I've been praying for you for years. 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:35.279 And this is the time. 00:17:35.519 --> 00:17:38.960 Shake your dust, get up, start moving. 00:17:39.279 --> 00:17:40.880 Jesus is alive. 00:17:41.119 --> 00:17:42.319 Do not quit. 00:17:43.599 --> 00:17:46.640 God has invested a lot within you. 00:17:47.599 --> 00:17:49.599 Quitting is not an option. 00:17:51.680 --> 00:17:54.960 Among all the options, eliminate quitting. 00:17:56.240 --> 00:17:57.039 Take it out. 00:17:59.519 --> 00:18:02.000 You don't solve the problem by quitting. 00:18:03.279 --> 00:18:03.599 No. 00:18:04.240 --> 00:18:06.880 I'm gonna quit attending this church. 00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:08.640 I'm gonna go somewhere, okay? 00:18:09.599 --> 00:18:12.559 Hey, what did you know? 00:18:12.799 --> 00:18:16.160 In that other church, you find more problems than here. 00:18:17.279 --> 00:18:24.000 I'm gonna move from uh Alabama to maybe Kentucky. 00:18:27.440 --> 00:18:33.839 I'm not saying changing environment is bad, but I'm just saying why you are doing what you're doing. 00:18:34.079 --> 00:18:35.680 Do you have a reason? 00:18:36.160 --> 00:18:50.640 Or just because you don't enjoy what you're doing, or you don't see that people love you, or something like that, or because the answer has been delayed. 00:18:51.119 --> 00:19:01.759 You prayed to God, you prayed for one year, don't see the answer, then I'm quitting, I'm start drinking, and I just be like everybody else. 00:19:02.079 --> 00:19:04.480 No, you are not everybody else. 00:19:06.079 --> 00:19:18.480 You are peculiar people, chosen generation, holy one, yes, you are peculiar people, you are very special. 00:19:20.319 --> 00:19:26.559 There's nobody on this earth who is like you, you just didn't know that. 00:19:26.880 --> 00:19:36.240 Over seven billion people, you are very special, and God has a special assignment just for you. 00:19:38.000 --> 00:19:47.039 You are running in your own lane, you have your own uh examinations, tests. 00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:56.000 You don't try to be like somebody else, no, because you will never be somebody else, just be your best self. 00:19:56.559 --> 00:20:05.359 Because if you try to copy the answers of your friend, he or she is different. 00:20:07.119 --> 00:20:20.319 So if you copy the answer, you get it wrong, different assignments, different destinies, different responsibilities. 00:20:20.559 --> 00:20:28.799 Sometimes when I think about senior adults, sixty years and above, do we have those people in here? 00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:31.440 These are heroes. 00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:46.720 Yes, if you talk to them, they have gone through a lot, a lot, a lot of experience, a lot of hardships, challenges, hardships. 00:20:47.440 --> 00:20:53.119 Now you find a twenty-five years old boy or a lady quitting. 00:20:53.519 --> 00:20:57.279 Life is too you are just twenty-five years old. 00:20:58.720 --> 00:21:01.039 You have not seen anything yet. 00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:03.359 You are quitting now. 00:21:06.880 --> 00:21:07.519 Hello? 00:21:08.400 --> 00:21:10.400 Am I talking to somebody? 00:21:11.039 --> 00:21:12.079 Are you there? 00:21:14.160 --> 00:21:15.599 Just thirty years old. 00:21:15.759 --> 00:21:17.680 Ah, this is too much for me. 00:21:18.799 --> 00:21:22.559 Hey, this faith is not for whiners. 00:21:25.119 --> 00:21:30.799 No, not for wheels, no, no, no, no, no, no. 00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:38.079 We must grow up, hallelujah. 00:21:38.880 --> 00:21:40.480 So don't quit. 00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:48.799 Israel's quitted, and they died in the wilderness, except their children. 00:21:50.720 --> 00:21:52.960 Eve quitted. 00:21:53.680 --> 00:21:57.839 That's what we are suffering, going through even today. 00:21:58.319 --> 00:21:59.519 God said, Hey. 00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:02.720 You eat all these fruits except this one. 00:22:02.960 --> 00:22:05.440 She acquitted from God's instructions. 00:22:05.759 --> 00:22:07.839 She followed what was forbidden. 00:22:08.720 --> 00:22:10.319 You know the results. 00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:12.319 Job's wife. 00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:15.359 This is too much for me. 00:22:15.599 --> 00:22:17.200 We have lost everything. 00:22:17.599 --> 00:22:18.559 Now you are sick. 00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:20.160 Cross God and die. 00:22:20.319 --> 00:22:21.599 Is that a solution? 00:22:21.839 --> 00:22:22.160 No. 00:22:23.359 --> 00:22:29.119 Job said, you are speak like one of the, like one of the fools. 00:22:29.279 --> 00:22:32.960 This is a wise way to say you are foolish. 00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:39.359 The way Job responded to his wife. 00:22:39.440 --> 00:22:43.680 He said, You speak like one of the fools in the city. 00:22:49.039 --> 00:22:52.160 Sarah gave up waiting. 00:22:52.400 --> 00:22:53.519 I'm too old. 00:22:53.680 --> 00:22:56.880 Hey Abraham, I have plan B. 00:22:58.079 --> 00:22:59.839 Here we have Hager. 00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:02.640 I need a child. 00:23:03.599 --> 00:23:08.319 Hey, hey, if you like shortcuts, you'll be cut short. 00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:14.000 No shortcuts. 00:23:16.559 --> 00:23:20.000 If you like shortcuts, you'll be cut short. 00:23:22.559 --> 00:23:25.759 So Sarah tried to get a shortcut. 00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:37.200 Those are the Arabs now we struggle with ISIS, terrorists, and all that because of Sarah's choice. 00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:38.480 She quit. 00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:47.039 So when you quit, you never know how many people will suffer loss because of your bad decision. 00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:52.880 If you quit your faith, you will affect a lot of people. 00:23:53.119 --> 00:23:57.440 Your children, your grandchildren, your communities. 00:24:00.480 --> 00:24:02.319 I've gone through a lot myself. 00:24:02.559 --> 00:24:07.200 One time I said, I think I never stopped pastoring a church. 00:24:07.359 --> 00:24:08.799 I was just thinking. 00:24:15.440 --> 00:24:16.160 Rejoice. 00:24:16.319 --> 00:24:19.119 I called you into this glorious ministry. 00:24:20.880 --> 00:24:26.640 In spite of all that you are going through, I wanted to continue serving me. 00:24:26.880 --> 00:24:28.000 Never quit. 00:24:28.799 --> 00:24:30.000 I woke up. 00:24:30.160 --> 00:24:32.640 I knew that was God speaking to me. 00:24:33.759 --> 00:24:38.319 Hey, friends, I just cannot quit. 00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:40.640 I cannot quit. 00:24:40.799 --> 00:24:41.920 I have no choice. 00:24:42.160 --> 00:24:44.640 I have to continue to the end. 00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:55.519 Number three, we were called to finish the race and not end it halfway. 00:24:56.559 --> 00:24:58.319 You cannot quit your race. 00:24:58.480 --> 00:24:59.599 Keep running. 00:24:59.839 --> 00:25:01.039 Keep moving. 00:25:03.359 --> 00:25:09.920 Martin Luther King said long time ago, if we cannot fly, let's run. 00:25:11.359 --> 00:25:14.720 If we cannot run, let us walk fast. 00:25:15.519 --> 00:25:17.759 If we cannot walk, then crawl. 00:25:17.920 --> 00:25:21.039 Just make sure you're doing something, making a move. 00:25:21.440 --> 00:25:23.200 I like that kind of a statement. 00:25:23.440 --> 00:25:24.640 Do something. 00:25:24.960 --> 00:25:29.599 Don't just sit here and say, I've given up, I've decided to quit. 00:25:31.680 --> 00:25:32.960 I'm just tired. 00:25:33.599 --> 00:25:34.559 So what? 00:25:38.640 --> 00:25:41.519 We were called to finish the race. 00:25:42.960 --> 00:25:48.240 The Lord declared the end before the beginning already for you. 00:25:48.480 --> 00:25:49.920 Isaiah 46:10. 00:25:52.079 --> 00:25:57.680 Jesus started a good work in you and he will finish it. 00:25:58.720 --> 00:26:00.480 Philippians 1 6. 00:26:00.640 --> 00:26:09.279 And I'm sure of this that who began a good work in you will bring it to completion. 00:26:11.200 --> 00:26:14.559 Even to the day of Christ Jesus. 00:26:15.200 --> 00:26:17.440 He will bring it to completion. 00:26:18.400 --> 00:26:20.960 He started a good work in you. 00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:23.920 Yes, you will go through some things. 00:26:24.480 --> 00:26:25.519 It's okay. 00:26:25.839 --> 00:26:27.440 He is with you with you. 00:26:27.680 --> 00:26:28.880 It's part of life. 00:26:30.079 --> 00:26:32.799 I told you this life has never been easy. 00:26:33.599 --> 00:26:40.000 What you are going through is just nothing compared to what other people are going through. 00:26:40.720 --> 00:26:45.279 In Islamic countries, people are getting killed because of this faith. 00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:49.440 They are being beheaded because of the faith. 00:26:50.000 --> 00:26:58.880 I remember one time I was locked up in prison because of witnessing in a place in Islamic community, and they say it's prohibited here. 00:26:59.440 --> 00:27:00.640 I just cannot help it. 00:27:00.799 --> 00:27:02.079 I have to preach. 00:27:04.960 --> 00:27:06.559 Put me in jail. 00:27:08.079 --> 00:27:10.319 I found prisoners inside. 00:27:10.720 --> 00:27:12.160 I said preaching to them. 00:27:12.640 --> 00:27:15.359 They say, we we thought we were going to stop him. 00:27:15.519 --> 00:27:17.839 He's preaching in prison again. 00:27:18.240 --> 00:27:19.519 Let him go. 00:27:38.000 --> 00:27:39.839 This nation needs you. 00:27:40.960 --> 00:27:42.880 I know many people are frustrated now. 00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:45.599 You have an election coming up in two weeks. 00:27:46.160 --> 00:27:53.039 And you don't know what to choose because it's like God knows. 00:27:53.519 --> 00:27:54.720 He is in control. 00:27:56.559 --> 00:27:57.599 He knows it all. 00:27:59.119 --> 00:28:02.000 Don't quit upon you, don't quit on your country. 00:28:02.079 --> 00:28:03.599 Keep praying for America. 00:28:04.160 --> 00:28:07.039 And somebody across the ocean is praying for you. 00:28:07.119 --> 00:28:08.400 We are praying for you. 00:28:08.640 --> 00:28:10.079 You are not alone. 00:28:11.359 --> 00:28:13.279 God is in control. 00:28:13.920 --> 00:28:15.839 Never quit, never give up. 00:28:16.960 --> 00:28:17.920 Never complain. 00:28:18.000 --> 00:28:20.640 Some people just keep hey. 00:28:20.960 --> 00:28:24.000 Grumblers have never solved a single problem. 00:28:25.039 --> 00:28:29.119 Do something about your nation, about your family, about your church. 00:28:29.440 --> 00:28:30.160 Pray. 00:28:30.400 --> 00:28:34.799 Just keep loving your country and your people and your family and your church. 00:28:34.880 --> 00:28:35.839 You pray for it. 00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:36.720 Never quit. 00:28:36.880 --> 00:28:39.039 Don't give up until you die. 00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:40.640 Keep pressing on. 00:28:45.440 --> 00:28:50.079 We were called to finish the race. 00:28:53.519 --> 00:28:59.119 Paul says in 2 Timothy 4 6, I have fought a good fight. 00:28:59.359 --> 00:29:00.960 I have finished the race. 00:29:01.119 --> 00:29:03.039 I have kept the faith. 00:29:03.599 --> 00:29:06.160 And this was six months before he died. 00:29:07.119 --> 00:29:08.960 He kept pressing on. 00:29:09.279 --> 00:29:15.839 Sometimes I think about his challenges in the ministry, the things that he went through, Apostle Paul. 00:29:16.000 --> 00:29:17.359 It challenges me. 00:29:17.599 --> 00:29:25.279 When I go through something and I compare myself with what God uh Paul went through, mine is nothing. 00:29:26.000 --> 00:29:26.640 It's nothing. 00:29:28.000 --> 00:29:29.599 Yes, it's nothing. 00:29:31.119 --> 00:29:34.079 Almost get killed several times. 00:29:34.640 --> 00:29:41.440 The first time he got born again, even his fellow Christians in Damask say no. 00:29:42.160 --> 00:29:43.119 He is a killer. 00:29:43.359 --> 00:29:46.000 We cannot accept fellow Christians. 00:29:46.319 --> 00:29:48.000 They wanted to kill him. 00:29:48.640 --> 00:29:51.200 Then he's taken back to Jerusalem. 00:29:51.440 --> 00:29:52.240 Same thing. 00:29:52.480 --> 00:29:56.799 His family members helped him to escape to Tarsus. 00:29:59.599 --> 00:30:05.279 Now Barnabas, after several years, brings him back to Antioch. 00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:07.680 They do the ministry there. 00:30:07.920 --> 00:30:11.839 Then they start their first missionary journey, chapter 13, Acts. 00:30:12.400 --> 00:30:26.240 They start five churches in the province of Galasha, Perge, Antioch in Bisria, and Lystra, Delben, Iconian, and Perge. 00:30:26.640 --> 00:30:28.720 Five churches, Galatian church. 00:30:29.039 --> 00:30:33.440 After that, they go to Jerusalem, so the problem at church. 00:30:33.599 --> 00:30:35.359 Then they start another missionary journey. 00:30:35.519 --> 00:30:43.519 God said, Hey, instead of going to the province of Anjamina, you go to Macedonia. 00:30:44.160 --> 00:30:46.880 In Macedonia, he is in Philippi. 00:30:48.079 --> 00:30:50.079