God On His Throne Forever

Good afternoon to everyone. So nice to see everyone here. It's always so enjoyable to come back to this Houston church. And as Gary Smith mentioned, having my daughter here, my two granddaughters, it's always enjoyable when living over in Southern California. Don't get over here very often. So when they schedule one of the Council of Elders meetings in Big Sandy, it's a little over three hour drive. So it's not bad at all, and I'm able to afterwards come back and do what's my favorite hobby, which is spoiling the grandkids, right? Doesn't get much better than that. Sometimes the relationship that a grandfather has with their grandchild is about as close as the projection of how God the Father just loves to rain down His gifts on people. And He is a God of lights, and the kids just know they're going to be having unconditional love while they're there. And then the parents can do all the disciplining and all the hard stuff later. So that's a big blessing to have that role. And so glad to be here and hopefully get to see one of these Texas rodeos as well. So I'm looking forward maybe to tomorrow visiting the rodeo. As far as the Council of Elders meetings, they're very positive. I guess the most important news is that every three years the president comes up for a reconformation or not. And so Victor Kubik was reconfirmed for another three-year term. So that means he's basically been there for six years.

And the fruits are such that we have seen growth, experience, development, stability, certainly a dynamic individual. I remember I was invited to the Phoenix congregation about probably some eight years ago. And the pastors there, they're pretty much outdoorsmen. So they said, well, we're going to take you to a little hike through the Phoenix Mountains there. And so, of course, I just brought my tennis shoes along and I'm thinking, oh yeah, just a nice hike. That's a six-mile hike through rough territory. And Victor Kubik was with me. And I was just thinking, he's never going to make it. He's going to huff and puff and finally he's going to wear himself out.

And boy, he finished that. And I was impressed with the energy level that he has had. And he continues to do so much, as you well know, and very fine rider and also visiting international areas as well as taking care of the home office. So we're very thankful that God has shown by the fruits this is the person that can continue to be in that role.

Also, the TV studio now, which is the new building we have for it, it has really transformed the messages. Because before, it was basically a 10 by 20-foot room on the top of the second floor. Very hard. Probably had maybe four or five chairs you could squeeze in so you could have an audience. And it was very small. It was all makeshift. But now we have a real TV studio. You can fit 50 people in the audience.

And you can just see the energy that now is brought to every message. And also, this is kind of an unintended consequence, is that we actually have Beyond Today subscribers that are invited from the area. So they come to experience what one of those Beyond Today programs is like. And so we had like five or six the last time. And it changes also the presentation. Because when you have new people, it's different than talking to church members where you're getting the message across.

But of course, this is going on WGN throughout the United States and also through the Internet and all of this. And so all of a sudden, the messages have just been ramped up. So you're going to see more powerful, more incisive, and more to the audience.

Speaking to the audience and not just giving them a message. So I think God is working things out this way. I know we're not the only ones, but we're very thankful that God has touched the hearts of so many people. For us to have been able to build this new TV and media studio. Also, we have the statistics, 390 ministers around the world, close to 300 congregations that are being served. And I serve also not only the Garden Grove congregation, but Latin America. We're very happy that there we have fine ministers and congregations.

There are five fee sites that we serve in the area as well. Mark Sappington helps us with Monterey and Mexico City. So we're very appreciative that you are able to lend him to us on occasion, on the Sabbath. To help us out in Latin America. So we just have so much to be thankful. I know that's repetitive, but we do have to be very grateful to God. Just mention about world news, what's going on.

As you know, in the council meetings, Dr. Ward started by just saying how serious the world conditions are. We see a deterioration. It reminds me so much that Christ said there in Luke 17, 26-28, he compared two different times in the past to what it would be like in the end time. He said, as in the days of Noah, that's when the world was just filled with violence. It's more a doggy dog type of system. Violence filled the earth, and people became just unruly, not able to have proper respect. And he also says in that same section of scripture that as in the days of Lot, so it will be in the day of the coming of the Son of Man.

And so the times of Lot, they weren't characterized so much by a lot of violence, but just a lot of immorality. The immorality has just been going downhill. And so these are the two conditions that Christ said, look for those two signs when you want to know when the time is near.

That's what we're seeing today. And I guess since 2015, the Supreme Court ruling that basically just opened up whatever kind of marriage you want to do, that's fine. And that was a moment when it's like the dike broke. Because now you have all of these different groups claiming their own rights, and you should respect the person but not the sin behind what is going on.

And I just saw in the news this past week where for the Oscars, there was a man that dressed up to his waist in a tuxedo, and from his waist down, he had a woman's dress. So this is kind of a hermaphrodite, which is a person that has the two sexes. So now that's a group that's going to say, I want my rights too. And so how many more of these groups are we going to see come out of the woodwork? It's very concerning. And God has intervened. He knows what is going on. And we have to do our part. So with that, I'd like to go into now the main message for today, which is positive at the same time, sobering.

But here's one principle that I learned very early in my days of conversion. When I went over to Big Sandy, Texas as an Ambassador College student, 1971. And I remember I came as a 17-year-old, well, it was 18, 18-year-old student. I came by myself, didn't have my family accompany me. So I basically left everything behind and went to college against my parents' desires, because I wanted to learn how to live the Bible, apply those principles more than anything else.

And so I remember in those early days that the church was going through a difficult time. And one of my colleagues at the college said, don't worry, there's one thing that we can be sure of. God is on His throne. No one can remove Him from there. No matter how difficult things are, God will always be there on His throne, Jesus Christ at His right hand.

And I can add today, His Kingdom is going to be established on this earth, and there's nothing anyone can do about those things. And so no matter how difficult times are, God will always be on His throne.

A God of love, a God who's all-powerful, and that we don't ever have to worry that God's going to somehow be dethroned, removed from His position. Then we should, really should be concerned. But that is a truth that has given me so much comfort, and I hope it will to you too. Nothing is going to change that fact about God and Jesus Christ. They're in charge, and that Kingdom is going to be established. Kingdom and I basically have these different characteristics of God's Kingdom. When we say, Thy Kingdom come, I always remember these characteristics. First, that that Kingdom brings me hope. No matter how difficult times are, we know that Kingdom is coming. We're going to be part of that one day, God willing, and all the troubles, all the difficulties are just going to be removed. It also is our main goal. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God above all things. So it's not just a hope, but it's a goal to be able to, in our lives, be able to reach that. That inspires faith from us. That goal is something that gives us faith. The trust that God's going to help us, and that we're going to do our part to walk that way. Not only is it giving us faith, but it also gives us meaning to our lives. A lot of people today, they're seeking a meaning in their lives. They try to see if, well, will money get me meaning in life? And they'll find out soon enough that, well, now I have all of these material things, but I still am empty inside. Well, we have meaning, because we know God's Kingdom is the reason why God created us. This is not the best of worlds. This is not God's system, but that Kingdom is. So it gives me meaning to life. I know why I am alive, why I wake up every morning, and I'm looking forward to being part of that Kingdom. It also gives us satisfaction, because one day, all the things that have been wrong in the world, that have been abused, and all the wrong and crooked things are going to be straightened out. So God is the ultimate judge. He will see through things. And so it's not just in this life. People can get away with a lot in this life. They're not going to get away with it before God on His throne. So it gives satisfaction to all the slights, all the sufferings, all the unrighteousness that is going on.

So that gives satisfaction. It also gives us motivation. We really want to make the most of the day to please God, because we're looking forward to that Kingdom. You might not be able to please man very much, but you can please Him. Also, it gives us that energy to persevere, persevere to the end, not give up. This is the greatest goal. This is the greatest reward any human being can ever have. And God is offering it to us. Let no man take your crown, because God is offering a crown. But if we forsake Him, if we turn our backs on Him, someone else will be called to take that position of rulership. So again, that gives us the motivation and the perseverance. Also, God's Kingdom is a Kingdom of love. I want to experience that love of Jesus Christ when He comes. He's going to be able to truly guide this world that it should have always been. It's also a Kingdom of joy. So I'm looking forward to that joy.

If we think the Feast of Tabernacles is great, boy, that's nothing in comparison to the joy that there's going to be one day. And also, it's going to be a Kingdom of righteousness, of justice. So things are going to be done God's way, not man's way. So again, these are encouraging things that we know God's going to do it. Whether we're there or not is the question. But nobody can remove God from His throne. Nobody can hinder Him from carrying out His will and establishing that Kingdom here. It's just a matter of time. And so, let's go into these points a bit more in depth. Number one, God is omnipotent, which means all-powerful. He reigns supreme. Now, since He gave man the possibility of sinning because He gave him free will, that's why we have evil in the world. Because God gave us free will. Once He created that faculty or that power of free will, He knew sin was a choice that people could do. And so that's why we do have it, but that can't prevent His Kingdom from coming. The entire Psalm 27 is very dear to me as I was, again, growing up in the church there in Big Sandy. Psalm 27, I'd just like to read it to you because, again, it shows that trust in God, He's going to take care of us. Psalm 27, starting in verse 1, it says, The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid? If we put God first, God's going to take care of things. We're going to be in good hands, but that's walking in faith. It says, When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies enfosed, they stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear. Though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident.

One thing I have desired of the Lord, that I will seek, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple. So again, we have this goal, being part of His kingdom, getting to know God better, that relationship. That's what He wants from us. He says, For in the time of trouble, He shall hide me in His pavilion. In the secret place of His tabernacle, He shall hide me. He shall set me high upon a rock. And now, my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me. Therefore, I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle. I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord. Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice, have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When You said, Seek my face, my heart said to You, Your face, Lord, I will seek. Do not hide Your face from me. Do not turn Your servant away in anger. You have been my help. Do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me. Teach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me into smooth paths because of my enemies. And so, here we see the trust in God walking in Him. Sometimes, your father and mother might not want you to go this way. But God says, I will be a father to you. I will guide you if you put me first. And so, many of us here had to make that decision and follow God. Father and mother didn't want me to keep the Sabbath day. They didn't want me to follow this way. But I was convicted. I knew this was something that God wanted from me. And so, I chose to keep His ways. I've never regretted it in all my life. So, in order to put God first, it means we have to seek Him, learn more about Him. Notice in Jeremiah 9, verse 23. This is a choice a person makes in their lives. Jeremiah 9, verse 23. Thus says the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom. Let not the mighty man glory in his might. Nor let the rich man glory in his riches. These are three things that are highly sought in this society. To have all these PhDs and all this knowledge. But he says, well, it doesn't matter how much knowledge you have. Or the mighty man, how strong and powerful, athletic you can be. God says that's not what impresses God. Nor does God have or is impressed with how much a person has earned. This is what God is truly impressed about. He says, But let him who glories, glory in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, exercising loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight, says the Lord. And so a person dedicates themselves to learning about who is God. How can we grow closer to him?

Faith first comes from believing that God exists. And today there are more proofs about God's existence than any other time in history. Just looking at the DNA code, the more they study it, the more they realize this is one of the most exquisitely designed systems in all of creation. The DNA code is actually a language. It's a digital language made of four different letters, just like a programmer. And each of these are based on what they call codons, which are each word has three letters to it. And so you are able to develop sentences and instructions that the DNA instructs the cell how to create proteins, also how to regulate itself. And anybody that sees that realizes this is a product of intelligent design. And if there is intelligent design, there has to be an intelligent designer behind it.

And so no scientist has been able to explain through evolution how the DNA code came to be.

Three billion of these digital letters that are bigger than 70 volumes of Encyclopedia Botanicus and all of this is exquisitely programmed with grammar and with function. And so that to me is one of the greatest proofs of God's existence because every cell has one and it's a computer program that has been installed inside the cells. So we learn about God's existence. But then, once you believe and you've proven that God exists, then you have to learn His qualities, His attributes. That takes more time. That takes a lifetime, truly, of learning. Well, if God says He is good, what does that mean? It means that He is not going to do evil things. Now, He will allow things for our own good sometimes, but He is a loving Father. Jesus Christ mentioned that if we give good gifts to our children, having our human nature being selfish, how much more is God going to give us which doesn't have that human nature? And He's not selfish at all. And so you learn about God's goodness. You learn about God's plan of salvation and how He is working things out for all human beings to have a fair chance one day to enter the kingdom of God. We're not teaching the people because they're out there in the central parts of Africa that have never known the name of Christ, that they're all going to be sentenced to hellfire for eternity. That's not true. That's not biblical. Those people are going to have an opportunity that they did not have in this life. And also babies and also all kinds of people that perish children before they're able to decide. They're going to have an opportunity because Christ died for them. Now, Job was one that got to know God. At first he thought he knew Him. He was obedient. He followed God.

But he also felt, in a sense, there was a bit of self-righteousness in Job. And he felt that all of these blessings were there because, boy, he was so great and so good. And God wanted to teach him a lesson about Job. I don't want that self-righteousness. I don't want you to be exalting yourself and thinking that you deserve everything because nobody actually does deserve God's goodness. We all fail. We all sin. We all come short of the glory of God. And so Job had a lesson to learn. Notice in Job 31 verse 35, here he was one of the wealthiest men and then he lost it all.

And so in Job 31 verse 35, Job says, Oh, that I had one to hear me.

Here is my mark. Oh, that the Almighty would answer me. That my prosecutor had written a book.

Surely I would carry it on my shoulder and bind it on me like a crown. I would declare to him the number of my steps like a prince I would approach him. If my land cries out against me and its furrows weep together, if I have eaten its fruit without money or caused its owners to lose their lives, then let thistles grow instead of wheat and weeds instead of barley. These are the words that Job said. And then the following verse in chapter 32, so these three men ceased answering Job because he was righteous in his own eyes. Then the wrath of Elihu, the son of Barish-el, the b'zite of the family of Ram, was aroused against Job. His wrath was aroused because he justified himself rather than God. So there are times when we get ourselves a bit into trouble. Maybe it's our attitude. Maybe we've either started feeling our oats too much and feeling we're great or we deserve all this. And then God says, well, I'm going to have to, as a loving father, have to correct you. And this is what he did with Job. So in Job 42 comes God's answer. In Job 42, in verse 1, I'd like to read this in the Good News Bible, verses 1 through 6. It says, then Job answered the Lord, I know, Lord, that you are all-powerful, that you can do everything you want. You ask how I dare question your wisdom when I am so very ignorant. I talked about things I did not understand, about marvels too great for me to know. You told me to listen while you spoke and to try to answer your questions. In the past, I knew only what others had told me, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. So I am ashamed of all I have said and repent in dust and ashes. And so he came around. He realized he'd gotten too big for his own britches, as they say, and now he had been humbled. But he accepted it. He accepted the lesson. And then God blessed him. And guess what? That was no longer a self-righteous joke. That was a person that truly put himself in the right place. So getting to know God sometimes has to come down to realizing our God is too small. We don't think God can do enough. And we sometimes diminish him to the point where we don't think he can act powerful. He is all powerful. That's what Job learned. And nothing limits God. Now we have to do things according to his will, not our will.

We understand that. But trusting in God that he has our best interests in mind.

And we also have to learn in life, we all are carrying out a role that has been given to us.

We were born in a certain place. We inherited certain traits.

But in this present evil age, we're limited. How much of those traits can be developed?

We recognize one psychologist said we basically have about 120 different gifts and talents.

Of which we're lucky if we only develop three or four of them in this life.

We have so much more potential in the future. We need to remember, although we are limited in what we can do, God is on his throne.

Nothing can remove him. And in his kingdom, we will be able to realize and accomplish so many more traits and develop our gifts like no way we did in this life.

Notice in Galatians chapter 1 verses 3 through 5.

It says, "'Grace to you and peace from God and the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever.'" We live in this present evil age. We're going to be limited to our roles. But God wants us to give him our best, to please him in the role that we are carrying out. It's no good to say, well, I'd like to have this person's life and personality and everything, an opportunity. No, we have our own, but we can do a lot with that before God.

Remember, we're going to be rewarded not according to what someone else did, but what we could do under their circumstances.

God called many slaves in the church in the first century. He could have called many accomplished people, and yet in the church, many were slaves.

And yet God called them. They'd show up on Sabbath, had to go back to their homes.

They were property of the owner, the most limited people in that Roman Empire. And yet God used them, and some were used very powerfully. Notice in Ephesians 6, verses 5-8, it says, bondservants. And that's, in some translations, called slaves. Be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling in sincerity of heart, as to Christ as if they were serving Christ. Not with eye service, as men-pleasers, but as bond servants of Christ doing the will of God from the heart, with good will doing service as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. So what is he saying? He says, look, you can't change your circumstances, but you can change your attitude toward your circumstances. Now, you're being called to God's kingdom, and you can serve your masters. And just like if they were Christ, be good and obedient, serving, having that attitude, don't be complaining. And we can say the same thing in our jobs. Are we just always complaining because somebody treats us badly or whatever? Or are we saying, look, Christ is expecting us to work for him and to do the things with the right attitude?

Because those slaves, they developed a lot of godly character under those difficult circumstances, under duress, and that's something God was calling him to do.

So even if the reward today is not great, ruling under Christ one day, whether you were a slave or not, that's all going to be forgotten. You're going to be rewarded according to what you did in your life that had a godly character, godly characteristics, how you treated others, how you went through trials and maintained the faith. So we have the greatest blessings, but under circumstances, doesn't matter. Man, woman, if we're healthy or unhealthy or whatever it is, God has a role for each one of us. And that's an individual reward in his kingdom that he will give. Can you imagine being able to teach the nations and show them God's way one day? What privilege that is going to be?

Notice in Daniel chapter 12, book of Daniel chapter 12.

Really enjoy reading the description once a person's in God's kingdom, and he's received the reward it says here, verse 3, says, Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever, just the brightness of them, those who turn people, educate, teach people in this way of righteousness will be like the stars shining in heaven.

That's the reward that God is looking forward to giving all of us.

There's a third point.

If we are going through sufferings and difficulties now, remember God is not only omnipotent, he's not only the king on his throne, along with Jesus Christ at his right hand, but he is our loving Father, and Jesus Christ is our loving elder brother.

That's why we begin praying our Father. That's a relationship God wants us to have with him.

Charles Barkley, sorry, it's the commentator, Barkley, who wrote the commentary in the New Testament talks about this story back in the old Roman days. He says, a Roman emperor was marching in all his glory in a great victory parade. Perhaps you've read about that when they'd all, after the conquest, they'd bring all the booty and bring all the slaves, and the emperor was coming back in this triumphant great parade. The streets were lined with cheering crowds as they rode by where the empress and her young son were sitting in review. This was his wife, the empress, and his little young son. Suddenly, that boy sprang from his seat, wormed his way through the crowd, scampering between all the startled legionnaire soldiers to meet his father's chariot. He'd seen his father way out in a distance. One soldier finally caught up to him and said, boy, you can't do that. Don't you know that's the emperor in that chariot? Holding him back, the little boy laughed. He may be your emperor, but he's my daddy. And of course, they let him go.

This is the attitude. That is our daddy up in heaven. We have that relationship. He isn't some aloof god out there, uncaring, doesn't realize how much we're going through.

That's our daddy. We have that relationship. We can have that confidence.

As another theologian, this was William Barkley, by the way I went to. The other one is William Carl. He said, the Jews had different words for God, like Elohim and Adonai. But the name of God was actually unpronounceable for fear they might be accused of blaspheming. Yet Jesus starts his prayer with this tender, warm salutation to the supreme being by simply saying, Father.

Greek and Romans would never have done that with their gods. They would never have dared to call Zeus' father or something like that. The Aramaic for father is Abba. In the Arabic, it's Yaba.

And the only possible English translation is Daddy. Daddy, Jesus says to God, Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me. Daddy, forgive them for they know not what they do. So that's the way we should feel. He's my daddy. Christ is my loving elder brother. Who's my great protector?

We know trials have purposes behind them. We'd like to avoid them. We'd like for them to be over right away. But the Bible tells us that not all trials are negative. Notice in Romans, chapter 5, verses 1 through 5, reading from the New Living Translation. It says, Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand. And we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials. For we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment, for we know how dearly God loves us because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love. I remember Dennis Luker, the previous president, we had a wonderful leader and wonderful person, so loving. In the Garden Grove Church, he pastored there for five or six years. And they said it was just a turnaround. When he came, the joy, the love, the people experience, it still felt in that congregation up to this day. And I remember one time he mentioned that some of the toughest trials he went through, just as tough as they could get. But he said, although they were difficult and trying at the time, as they look back, they say it was that period of time after we endured and we overcame. That's when we grew spiritually the most. He says every time, that's where they grew spiritually the most. And so, you don't go through tough trials. That doesn't toughen our spiritual character either. As they say there, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. And that happens in sports, it happens in life. It just shows what kind of endurance we're going to have.

So, remember that we are going through trials and difficulties. We have a role to carry out in this life. And God is not the one who has set the barrier. Many times, we are the ones. Isaiah 59, verse 1 says that it has been our sins that have placed a barrier, where He is able to come in in time, because we have to do our part, remove those barriers. So then He, as a loving Father, can come back and do all the blessings and give us the blessings that He wants.

So, there are three things to remember about God when we go through trials. First, He is on His throne, and so is Christ. Both love us all the time, will not abandon us, and that His Kingdom is coming. Every day, you look forward, know that Kingdom is coming, and it's going to be a reality.

Secondly, He knows about our situation more than we will ever know. He says that He knows things before we ask them. Notice in Matthew 6, verse 7. Matthew 6, verse 7.

It says, And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore, do not be like them, for your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. He cares that much. He says He has the very hairs on our heads counted. No matter how much a mother loves their children, no one is going to count every one of those hairs. And yet, God could tell you how many hairs are on each one of us. It's getting easier to count all the time, right? For some of the older ones. But He knows up to that detail. And also, the third point, God sees where our lives are heading.

No matter how deep and far we can go down, He will be there to help us get up and get going again.

In 1 Peter 5, verses 6-11, it says, Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon him. For he cares for you. Those are the key words. He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant, because you are adversary. The devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him steadfastly in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To him be the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. So Peter was here exalting God, knowing that these are typical trials that we go through.

But he says we can resist. We can be steadfast in the faith. We don't have to give up or give in.

So, before we end, here are three steps that we can take. Practical applications.

You can call them action steps, if you would like. First of all, when praying, remember, no matter what happens, God is still on his throne. Christ is on his right side. And nothing or no one can ever remove them from being in charge and looking to his kingdom. So, if God allows things, one day he will explain that to us. And why he allowed it.

And believe me, he's got good reasons. Although we don't understand them, he is all-knowing, he's all-powerful, and he's carrying out a purpose down here below.

Secondly, we all have a role to carry out in this life. We're born in a certain place, inherited some traits, but in this present evil age, we are limited in what we can do.

Yet, we need to remember, God is on his throne and nothing can remove him.

So, let's see what we can do to please him. God said that even someone that gave a cup of water to one of those that were preaching the gospel, or going out, he says that person will not be without a reward. That's how careful God is of doing things. He knows exactly what's going on. It's hard to trust in God for all that goes on in our lives. Abraham is a typical example. The three great trials that Abraham had to go through until God exalted him. Abraham was going to carry out a very important mission, and so he had to be tested more than just about any human being. The first great test was when he took him out of his comfortable life there in Ur of the Chaldeans and said, go to a place. He didn't know where he was going. He had to give it all up. He had to say, well, God, can't you work with me here in this nice, comfortable place? I'll serve you.

I'll obey you. Why do I have to give up all of this and go to somewhere else? But you know, he just picked up his things and left because he believed that God knew better than he what he needed to do. And so here he goes over a thousand miles, journey through all these hazardous places until he gets there to Canaan. And then, no, he's saying, okay, God, I'm here.

We're all the great blessings and all of this. And God says, well, you have to wait. And guess what, Abraham? You're not going to inherit this land. It's going to be your descendants that are going to do so. But you're going to inherit something even greater in that coming kingdom.

And Abraham believed in God, and it says he was given to as faith, as something that God saw. This man really believes it, and he's going to put his action where his words are. The second great trial, of course, was with his son. And that he didn't have children. Here he was, something like a he was a hundred years old. Sarah was 90 when he received the promises, and he had to wait 25 more years before he could have a child. And that looked like it was just never going to happen. And it's no, he sorry, he was 75 when and then he got to be a hundred when finally Isaac. So it was 25 years that he had to wait for that. And in the great test, where he had to sacrifice his child, Isaac, and having to go up the mountain and actually have the knife descending on him. And how God held him up. He said, now I know you really trust me a hundred percent.

Besides that test, when he arrived in Canaan, he also had to trust God for his protection.

And all the time he was there in Canaan, he never inherited the land and just had to live in tents and trust in God that things were going to work out. So he's given us a tremendous example.

Of what faith is about. So we all have roles to carry out. And God just says, do your best. I just want to see a bit of increase. I want to see those fruits of God's Spirit a bit grow in your lives.

That's all he expects of us. And lastly, although suffering is going on, God is not only omnipotent, he's not only the king on his throne, but he is our loving father, our daddy. He's very touching when you have that endearing quality that you can approach God and you can talk with him about everything. It's very nice here when they had the prayer, opening prayer. And of course, I got my little four-year-old daughter, KK there, granddaughter.

And I thought, well, she'll be with her mother with a prayer. And you know what she did? She wrapped her arm around my leg. And I'm thinking, boy, a loving granddaughter like that.

And she says, yes, he's my granddaddy. I love him. I know he loves me. And it doesn't get much better than that. So remember to pray, our Father and thy kingdom come.

What a great privilege that is for all of us as we approach the coming Passover. Just remember, who we have on our side in the world has the B team. We have the A team. We have God, the Father, and Jesus Christ. And never forget that.