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[1103.64 --> 1104.04] And here we go. |
[1104.54 --> 1105.94] Fixing our eyes on Jesus. |
[1109.40 --> 1110.96] What do you do when you have a huge problem? |
[1110.96 --> 1114.98] Do you focus on the problem or do you focus on Jesus? |
[1116.00 --> 1117.90] And I'm not saying, again, that we don't do our part. |
[1118.22 --> 1118.86] I'm not saying that. |
[1119.06 --> 1120.24] But there's a focus here. |
[1120.88 --> 1127.10] And the more you focus on your mountains, your pain, your fear, your addiction, your relational struggle, whatever it is, |
[1127.30 --> 1130.72] the more you give it power and the bigger it gets. |
[1132.12 --> 1133.50] I was thinking about this a little bit. |
[1133.52 --> 1134.60] I was thinking about Daniel. |
[1135.80 --> 1136.20] Right? |
[1136.28 --> 1137.54] Daniel in the lion's den. |
[1137.70 --> 1137.86] Right? |
[1137.92 --> 1139.14] Famous Old Testament story. |
[1139.14 --> 1142.26] Daniel won't bow down to Nebuchadnezzar. |
[1142.34 --> 1143.94] He gets tossed into the lion's den. |
[1144.32 --> 1146.40] They figure overnight the lions will eat him up. |
[1148.86 --> 1153.26] And then it talks about how he slept amongst the lions and then was removed alive in the morning. |
[1154.24 --> 1157.68] If you were tossed into a pit of lions, would you focus on the lions? |
[1157.68 --> 1162.10] Yeah, I think I would. |
[1163.06 --> 1163.32] Right? |
[1163.42 --> 1165.16] It would certainly draw your attention. |
[1167.48 --> 1172.06] And yet somehow Daniel didn't let that mountain, those lions, become his focus. |
[1172.42 --> 1174.42] Instead, he had faith in God. |
[1174.42 --> 1179.54] And when he saw God, God was bigger than the mountain. |
[1181.08 --> 1184.50] Then I trust God more than I fear my mountain. |
[1185.06 --> 1189.50] Then I wait for God to act according to his will, his perfect will. |
[1189.82 --> 1195.78] But I do tell God about my mountain because I know he cares and I know he's bigger than those mountains. |
[1195.78 --> 1201.38] And like we see in Hebrews, keep your eyes on Jesus. |
[1203.14 --> 1205.64] Don't let the mountains become your main focus. |
[1206.94 --> 1210.56] Know that God is in it all even when I don't understand it. |
[1210.76 --> 1214.34] He's in it all even when I don't like what's going on. |
[1214.34 --> 1222.98] So people of God, watch where your focus is. |
[1224.34 --> 1225.60] And then pray. |
[1226.22 --> 1228.38] Pray boldly knowing God is able. |
[1228.84 --> 1230.64] And he wants what's best for you. |
[1230.98 --> 1234.16] And God wants you to trust him with all those mountains that you face. |
[1234.48 --> 1236.04] All those things that seem in the way. |
[1236.46 --> 1237.28] Pray faithfully. |
[1237.42 --> 1238.32] Pray believingly. |
[1238.62 --> 1239.48] And look at your heart. |
[1239.66 --> 1240.40] Look at your focus. |
[1240.56 --> 1241.24] Look at your motives. |
[1241.24 --> 1244.62] And don't let sin or doubt keep you from focusing on Jesus. |
[1245.06 --> 1245.80] Trust him. |
[1247.08 --> 1252.82] Because he's the one who has and will deal with all your mountains. |
[1253.96 --> 1254.70] Let's pray. |
[1258.16 --> 1268.80] Dear Lord, we come before you and we thank you for being a God who's so much bigger than any problems we face. |
[1268.80 --> 1274.28] Lord, we sometimes don't understand always what's going on. |
[1274.56 --> 1276.48] And we trust that you do. |
[1277.44 --> 1280.72] And we need to learn to trust that no matter what's going on, you're in it somehow. |
[1280.92 --> 1284.12] And we can cry out to you with anything. |
[1284.54 --> 1286.94] With all the mountains and all the problems and all the struggles. |
[1287.28 --> 1288.36] And know that you hear us. |
[1290.12 --> 1293.70] And know that you are going to bring about restoration somehow. |
[1293.70 --> 1300.10] Lord, may we trust you more than anything else. |
[1300.92 --> 1303.56] May we focus on you more than anything else. |
[1304.76 --> 1308.64] Lord, I just pray that you will give us that kind of focus. |
[1309.16 --> 1310.26] And that kind of strength. |
[1310.70 --> 1315.36] And then we will trust that the mountains we face will be cast into the sea. |
[1315.36 --> 1316.34] Amen. |
• Introduction to the profession of faith ceremony for Cassie, Kyla, and Maya |
• Explanation of the church's practice of baptizing children born into believing families as babies |
• Emphasis on every generation being called to disciple and teach the next generation the way of Christ |
• The three students publicly declaring their commitment to Jesus Christ and His church |
• Invitation for the students to share their testimonies of faith |
• Four questions asked to the students regarding their commitment to Christ and His church |
• Congregation's affirmation and promise to love, pray for, and encourage the new members |
• Cassie Hoidema's upbringing in a Christian household where her parents taught her about God, but she went through a period of living in their faith rather than developing her own |
• Her realization that she wanted a relationship with God for the wrong reasons, such as keeping up with friends, and not prioritizing her faith until around 10th grade |
• The sailing trip that helped shift her mindset and led to her making an effort to grow her relationship with God |
• Her journey of reflection and understanding that her "God moment" didn't have to be a time of heartache but could be a time of great joy |
• Maya Van Rink's testimony about growing up in a Christian home with Christ-centered parents, feeling lucky as a kid but not truly knowing why she was doing Christian practices |
• Her struggles during the pandemic and high school, including feeling unmotivated to practice her faith and instead focusing on activities like coloring |
• How she learned the importance of community and interactions through her experiences and began to figure out what her faith really is in grade 10 |
• Reflection on God and faith growth through devotions, prayer, and Bible reading |
• Development of personal relationship with Jesus |
• Importance of church attendance and sermons in understanding Christian values |
• Impact of youth small group on growing faith and learning to live as a Christian |
• Role of parents in shaping faith and providing a foundation for spiritual growth |
• Embracing individual faith journey and expressing talents through music |
• Gratitude for gifts from God, including heart, empathy, and ability to serve others |
• Acknowledging parental influence and commitment to living out faith in daily life |
• Graduation and transitioning to the next step in life |
• The importance of faith and trust in God during times of transition |
• Scripture verses from Isaiah 41 and Jeremiah 29 |
• Gratitude for community and support |
• Encouragement to continue growing in faith and serving as a light to others |
• Introduction of a song titled "Worship You" written by Kyla |
• Explanation of how the song was inspired and came to her |
• Reading of the song's lyrics, with emphasis on worshiping God as holy and constant presence |
• Acknowledgment from Ken Volkanant that Kyla sang at his church 15 years ago when she was in a children's group |
• Reflection by Ken on the importance of investing time in children and how it can impact their lives later on |
• Conclusion with a message for fathers to appreciate their Heavenly Father as well as their earthly fathers |
• Discussing the nature of God as a loving Heavenly Father |
• The importance of boldness and humility in prayer, based on Matthew 7:11 |
• Asking for what one needs vs. receiving something worse |
• Prayer for various groups, including those gathered at Synod and in the community |
• Seeking God's presence, wisdom, and healing in daily life |
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