Good morning and welcome to our first service on Sunday morning. We have two services, the first of which is our weekly Bible prophecy update. And second service is actually our sermon, a verse by verse study through God's Word. And we are currently going through the amazing book of Hebrews. And our text today is going to be chapter 11 verses four through six. And we're going to look at what pleases God. But in so doing, we're also going to answer the question of what happens when we actually do please God. That's going to be live streamed at 11 15 a.m. Hawaii time. We'd encourage you to join with us at that time. Also, for those of you that are on YouTube or Facebook, we would really encourage you to go directly to JDFarag.org for the uncensored, uninterrupted entirety of the update today. So you can do that at this time if you wish. All right, let's get to it. Boy, you're going to have to bear with me today. I want to talk with you about what God is doing, but I also want to hear from you about what God is doing. I'll explain more on that at the end. But for now, I sense that after spending some time seeking the Lord, this was the direction that He would have me to go. Namely, that of how it is that everything that's happening in the world today is meant for evil, but God is meaning it for good. This is Genesis 50, my favorite verse in all the Bible, along with all my other favorite verses in all the Bible. But this one in particularly, for today anyway. Joseph is speaking to his brothers. It's recorded for us there in Genesis 50 20. And he says to his brothers, But as for you, you meant evil against Me. But God, oh, I love those two words. I love those two words. Did I tell you I love those two words? Do you know why I love those two words? And so do you, I'm sure. Because those two words change everything. But God meant it for good in order to bring it about, as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now, it's important to understand everything that had happened to and against Joseph leading up to this time when he says this to his brothers. It in a way explains how it is and why it is that Joseph was able to endure all the evil against him for what would end up being some 17 years, not months, years. It all started in Genesis 37 with what God showed him in two dreams, which he was actually rebuked for by his own father, Jacob. And you have to understand in that culture to have your father rebuke you was, I mean, it's not like today. Let's just say it that way. Then after his dreams about his brothers, came his betrayal by his brothers, who left him in a pit to die. And then they planned their lie to their father Jacob. However, the opportunity presents itself for them to sell him into slavery, which ultimately leads to Joseph ending up in Egypt. He's then put in charge of Potiphar's house, only to have his boss's wife constantly, some believe even daily, seducing him and tempting him sexually, but to no avail. On one particular day, She sends all the servants away, so she's alone with him, then tries to seduce him, but he runs away from her. After leaving his coat, she uses that against him and falsely accuses him of attempted rape. which lands him in a prison dungeon. I say it that way because the prison was a dungeon that you were sent to, to die. While there he meets two men, affectionately referred to as the baker and the butler, both of whom have dreams. Hmm, what a coincidence. just so happens that Joseph can interpret the dreams. And he does. However, he is then left and forgotten after interpreting their dreams. And two more years go by. And then wouldn't you know it, somebody else has some dreams, two dreams to be exact. Who had the dreams? Oh, Pharaoh. Wow, what a coincidence. I happen to know a guy that can interpret those dreams. Pharaoh, go get him. So they do. He's remembered for interpreting dreams in prison. And Pharaoh sends for him to interpret his dreams, which Joseph does. And then when Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams about a coming seven year famine, seven. Did I say seven? You notice how careful I am now when I use my hands, because you know it is a custom in my country. We talk with our hands, you know. So I'm But I've got to be careful because they've actually got videos, don't search them up, of me, you know, apparently making hand signs of the devil. Did you know that? Yeah. So I'm very careful now. So one time I did the Shaka. This is a Shaka. It's not, anyway, I digress. I'm sorry. Seven years of famine. And after he interprets these dreams, Pharaoh makes him the most powerful man in Egypt. Everything is going perfectly according to God's prophetic plan, exactly as God said it would when some 17 years prior he gave those dreams to Joseph And for 17 years he's preparing for Joseph, that which he is preparing for Joseph. And here it is. After storing up during the seven years of plenty, the seven year famine hits. And it's so bad that his dad, sends his sons, Joseph's brothers, to Egypt to get some grain. You know how this all went down, right? Now, interesting, as far as Jacob is concerned, Joseph has long been dead. I would suggest that he still grieves for Joseph, thinking he has lost his son. and he has no idea what awaits him. Despite thinking, even saying, and it's recorded for us in the narrative, everything is against me. Have you had weeks like those? Where everything is against you. Well, after a series of events, going back and forth. They travel back to Egypt and his brothers appear before Joseph, still not knowing that he's their brother. Until finally, I mean, he cannot hold it in anymore. He tries to excuse himself. He goes into another room and he's just wailing and crying so loud and they heard him. And finally he just comes out and reveals to them, I'm Joseph. And it's kind of interesting because their first response, and I could see why it would be this way. They were terrified, because you have to understand that all Joseph would have had to do at that point was just, I mean, he wouldn't even have to snap his fingers. He could just, you know, raise his eyebrows, you know, like we do here. And it was off with their heads. And they knew it, by the way. But that's not what he does. And the reason that's not what he does is because Joseph knows what every single one of us here today and watching online need to know. And that is that, yes, you meant this for evil, but God is working behind the scenes, choreographing the steps, orchestrating all the circumstances. And as only He can, He is working it for good. Fast forward to today. Everything that's happening now is meant for evil. And when I say evil, I mean evil. I was sharing on Thursday night, we're in Isaiah, and I was sharing about how I've been specifically praying as of late. And my prayer has been this, Lord, please restrain the evil and sustain the righteous. This is second Thessalonians chapter two, where we're told that as long as the restrainer restrains, and that's what's happening right now, by the way. Think about that. Just let that sink in for a moment. Evil is being restrained right now because the restrainer is not yet out of the way. And look at the evil. Can you imagine when the restrainer is taken out of the way and the church is removed in the rapture? Oh, I can't even wrap my mind around that. Evil unchecked at that point. But that's not yet. As it is right now, the restrainer is restraining the evil. And in concert with restraining the evil, he is sustaining the righteous. I'll take both by the way. In restraining the evil, that which was meant for evil, God is even now working it for good. I'll take it further and say that he's also working it for salvation. We will not know this side of the rapture, how many people are being saved as we speak because of this evil. It is bringing people to Jesus Christ by the multitudes that would not have otherwise come, had it not been for that which was meant for evil. God is saving people alive, the salvation of many people this day. And He's also bringing people back to Jesus. Those who strayed. I was thinking about David, the sweet psalmist of Israel. Can't wait to meet that man. He writes very openly, very honestly, very candidly, how it is that were it not for God afflicting him, he would have went astray. And he's actually in the Psalms thanking God for afflicting him. Thank You Lord for the affliction, because had You not afflicted me, I would have went astray. I realized that Romans 8 28 is a very well known verse. We all know it, we sing it, we memorize it, we quote it, we share it. But there's one word in this promise in God's Word that I would like to draw your attention to, and it's the word know. Know. We know that God works all things together for the good. Not, we sure hope, we really wish. No, we know. How do you know? Because God can, God is able, and God will take the bad and make good. No matter how bad it is, it cannot change how good God always is. that difficulty, that affliction, that trial, that tribulation will not and cannot have the final word in your life. It can't. God will have the final word. Can you imagine Joseph for 17 years as all of this is happening? I mean, just when you think, hey man, maybe there's light at the end of this tunnel, as we say, and it's not a freight train this time. He lands a good job with a good boss and he's got this wife. And then all of a sudden he finds himself in a dungeon where he's left to rot. He's familiar with this place. When we were going through Genesis, this is many years ago now, I'll never forget the detail in the narrative when they threw him into that pit. Joseph wailed. He wept aloud and was screaming, why are you doing this to me? Can you imagine just all of the times where Joseph could have been so easily prone to doubt in the dark, when God showed him in the light, when God showed him in those dreams that He was going to exalt him to this place. I mean, 17 years is a long time. Let's just put it into perspective. We've been in this crisis, I'm going to just call it that, for over 17 months. We're not talking months, we're talking years. So how is it then that Joseph was able to remain steadfast? and not give in to despair and doubt. Because he knew, he knew. If you were to ask him, how do you know? He would answer, I know because God told me. That's why I know. And God promised me. That's why I know. And God can't break a promise. That's why I know. because God's given me His Word. That's why I know. And God can't go back on His Word. That's why I know. Any more questions? Nope, that's good. That answers my question. Thank you very much. Now we have a problem here, because Joseph knew that God would do it. what he didn't know was how God was going to do it. He also didn't know when God was going to do it, or the way God was going to do it. But by faith he knew that God was going to do it. And isn't that a problem for us? Maybe I'll just speak for myself, but I kind of want to know when. And like right now would be good God. Now would be a really good time, God, because it's kind of coming down to the wire, God. And we've got to like let Him know like He doesn't know. It's kind of like, oh wow, I didn't know. When was this? God will do it. and He'll do it in His way, and in His time, and for His glory. And it's not a matter of if He will do it, it's when He will do it. And when, not if, He does, and He will. He does it in such a way that we could have never imagined Him doing it. I know this is a shocker. There's a reason for this, right? And the reason is because God's ways are not our ways. I know, shocking, right? That God's ways aren't our ways. His thoughts not our thoughts. Could you imagine if they were? Could you imagine if the way God thinks was the way you think? What do you think? Not good. God's thoughts, God's ways, infinitely higher beyond our understanding. Who knows the mind of the Lord? The reason I wanted to start out this way is because of the many parallels to our day with all that's happening in the world today. chiefly that of our being on the cusp of the seven year tribulation slash famine. By the way, there's some typology here. I'll never pass up an opportunity to point out typology in Scripture. The seven year famine, a type of the seven year tribulation. Joseph, a type of Jesus Christ. And here's where it gets good. Joseph takes a Gentile bride pre famine. That's us. Joseph saves his brethren Israel in the midst of the seven year famine. That's the type. just like Jesus saved Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the seven, seven times hotter fiery furnace. I like that number seven, the number of completion. And it's the completion of the weeks of Daniel's prophecy, that 70th week that remains. There's a... Okay, why not? You've got the pre-tribulation rapture throughout the Old Testament. I'm going to give you just three. Okay? You've got pre-flood, pre-famine and pre-furnace. It's got kind of got a ring to it, doesn't it? By the way, pre-flood, when we're in Hebrews today, the writer of Hebrews commences with the hall of faith. He's going to talk first about Abel, but then he's going to talk about Enoch. Remember Enoch? Well, you probably don't remember because he walked with God and then was no more. For God took him, raptured him, pre-flood. A picture, a type of the church Noah and his family, a type of Israel. They go into the flood, into the tribulation and are saved in the midst of and out of that flood, tribulation. There's a very interesting detail in that account. Again, when we were in Genesis, they were shut up in the ark for seven, seven days. prior to the rain falling. Oh, that's chicken skin, isn't it? Enoch pre-flood, Joseph's Gentile bride pre-famine, Daniel pre-furnace, exalted to a high position before the seven times hotter fiery furnace. Now this is exactly where we're at right now, right now. We are, I mean, I haven't used this one for a while, so I'm going to use it. A gnat's eyebrow away. And yes, gnats have eyebrows. We are on the cusp of the beginning of the seven year tribulation. the rapture of the Church of Jesus Christ must happen prior. So if we're that close to the seven year tribulation and the rapture is before, how close are we? We're so close. Well, it's because of this that God is doing all this. and God is driving people to Himself to be saved. And that's what I want to expound on. But in order to do that, let's end the live stream at this time. Kind of sprung that on you, didn't I? Sorry. You guys are great back there. Okay, before we jump into this, there is a matter I need to respond to concerning the mask that I mentioned last week. Oh my goodness, I was inundated with emails. JD, where can I get that mask? Well, here it is right here. We've included a link to this cloud mask pictured here. It's an Amazon link. I'm sure there are others, but this is the mask that I use that I can actually breathe through. and I'd have an asthma attack when I do. It's mesh and it, and here's the litmus test, by the way, when it comes to masks. If you, when you breathe in, suck in the mask, that means you can't breathe. I'm not going to get into the whole mask thing. Anyway, the link is there. If you're interested, that's the mask. Please know that there's nothing in this for us. And by the way, this is probably as good of a time as any to say that nothing we do comes at a cost. Everything is, I mean, we don't have anything for sale, none of that. We don't. And by the way, for those of you online, we don't even receive an offering. Nothing wrong with that. But Just when we started the church, I just really sensed that the Lord would just not have us to do that. And for all these years, we've never done that. And my, how God has provided abundantly. And that's because you guys are cheerful givers, cheerful givers. Okay, this brings me to the matter at hand. Would you agree that the intensity and the severity of the evil that is now upon us is to ultimately eliminate us? By that I mean, It has now come to the point where one's ability to function in daily life is predicated upon one's vaccination status. Now, for those of us here in Hawaii, starting tomorrow, did you know this? You cannot go into a restaurant and eat at that restaurant, in that restaurant, or work out in that gym, unless you have proof of vaccination or negative testing. By the way, the negative testing, that's going away. I don't have any problem with the gyms because I don't work out. Could you tell? But the restaurants, oh, it's like oh. No, take out for you, you not vaccinated. Where are your papers? I'm sorry, that wasn't in my notes. It was in my heart though, obviously. No, but seriously. You know, I was going back through my archives this last week, and back in January, I did an update, actually two updates, and I kind of formatted it in question and answer type, you know, formats. The most often asked questions concerning the vaccine, because it had just been you know, released and people were starting to get it. And so one of the questions, and this is January of this year, so nine months ago. Okay. And one of the questions was, do you think they will mandate the vaccines? I'm reading my notes. I'm going, how did I answer it? Well, I said, yes, absolutely they will. What I didn't know was how soon they would. I have to confess that I did not really believe that it would happen this quickly. And then to make matters even worse, there is a censoring of and covering up of what's really happening. since it was released. And now that it's been mandated, that's a whole new level. What I'm seeing is probably what you're seeing, and that is confusion. And we know who the author of confusion is. And in addition to confusion, The reports that we do hear about of all that's happening around the world create much in the way of fear. I see it and say it this way, the confusion is what fuels the fear. One need look no further than to the reports of burning churches in Canada. building concentration camps in Australia, and worse yet unthinkable evil taking place in Afghanistan, just to mention a few. And then you have the utter evil and chaos here in the US, which actually is the evil plan that's meant for evil, by virtue of the evil, bringing the Antichrist's order out of chaos. This last week, I spent more time than I usually do going through numerous reports, only to find that my heart and my mind just began to be filled with fear. I'm reading about churches being burned to the ground in Canada. The brothers and sisters in Christ, they're going underground in Canada. I see the video of these concentration camps being built in Australia. And I already know the CDC has camps being built and already allocated here in America. And then my heart can't take it when I hear about what's happening to our brothers and sisters in Christ in Afghanistan. And I just became filled with fear. And the Holy Spirit just stopped me and reminded me that if faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God, then wouldn't it stand to reason that so too would fear come by hearing and hearing the world? So man, I just, I went into the Word and I'm just like, yes Lord. Yes, this is evil. I know, but yes Lord. No, you've got to do it. And I mean, it was virtually instant, the change in my heart, because God's not given us a spirit of fear. All of a sudden that fear was replaced by the power of the Holy Spirit, and the love of the Holy Spirit. And the disciplined mind, by the way, that some translations render it, love, power, and a sound mind. In the original, it carries with it the idea of a disciplined mind. Think of it like this. You know how we discipline our Children? We need to discipline our mind. I'm not going to let you get away with that. Sit down, mind. We need to time out, mind, because you've got to take every thought captive into the obedience of Christ. Uh uh. And isn't the enemy really good when it comes to this? Oh, he's been met with smashing success. I love that word smashing. Got to work it into these updates whenever I can. Smashing success. Because see, he'll take us as far down the fear road as we'll let him. And here's what that kind of sounds like and looks like. What if What if? And then you're like, oh no, I know. What if? And then you fill in the blanks. Next thing you know, you are paralyzed in fear and the enemy's got you right where he wants you. No, you discipline your mind. You say, you know, in the Psalm, speaking of David, I'm thinking of Psalm 42 and 43. Many believe actually one song, but that's just one of several where David, it's not self talk. That's different. This is talking to self. He's talking to himself. I know they have clinical terms for people who do this, but in the sanctified sense, he's like, saying to himself, talking to himself, saying, self, soul, oh my soul, why be so discouraged? Why be in such despair? For you will again have reason to praise the Lord. Boy, it's kind of like, you know, you need to have a talk with yourself. Sit down boy. I need to talk with you. What are you doing? What are you thinking? So it just hit me that, yeah, no wonder I'm so afraid. I'm hearing the world. Turn off the news. No, I'm serious actually. Oh, listen to you pastor. That's the pot calling the kettle black. Preach to thyself. Okay, I did. And I did. By the way, I will not, and I say this with all due respect, and I don't mean to come off. I hope this, I hope you hear my heart when I say this. I do not listen to the local news because it is all a lie. And I know that firsthand, because the numbers are showing you on the screen. And again, I mean this with all due respect. I know we have brothers and sisters that work in those areas, but the numbers are showing on the screen are deceptive. Those are not the real numbers. I have factual numbers. So I turned it off, opened up my ears to hear what the Spirit was saying. You know, it doesn't take much, you know. Faith comes in and fear goes out. And then as I began to seek the Lord concerning this, I sensed from the Lord that we all need to hear what God is doing, because we're not hearing it anywhere else. And let me specify and say that not only do we need to hear what God is doing, but we need to hear what God is doing despite all that the world is doing. Because you see, The meaning it for good is proportionate to the meaning it for evil. Let me say the same thing in a different way. The good that God did and is even now doing is proportionate to the evil. I mean, the darker the dark, the lighter the light. And so God is doing miraculous things, and we need to hear about it. And this is why we want to hear from you, specifically as it relates to what God is doing in your life. What's God doing with that employment situation? What's God doing in your family, in your home, in your marriage, despite all of this? We want to hear from you. We simply put, want you to share with us what you are experiencing. And more importantly, your but God story about what God is doing. Now, for those who are still in the midst of this difficulty and uncertainty and don't yet have your but God chapter written. We still very much want to hear from you. We will certainly pray for you. And here's how we're going to do it. We're going to have you go to JDFarag.org. scroll to the bottom of the page and select contact as pictured here. It will take you to this screen and you can simply provide us with your name, email address, and the message you want to send to us. By the way, this is probably, I'm glad, thank you Lord for reminding me. For those of you that have requested exemptions, if you send in the request using the contact page, we will not get it. the exemption request has to be filled out on the exemption page. If you're having problems getting the exemption letter, then we also have a support center. And also we just last week, man, we've got amazing people. We also added the translations ministry in different languages. That is now on the website as well. But we have a complete support center for all of that. So any problems you're having with that, you can go to the support center and we will respond in a timely manner. But this contact page is just for you to send us your story. We want to know how you're doing. We want to know what you're doing and more importantly, what God is doing. Now, if you want to remain anonymous because I'm going to share them starting this week, Lord willing. And I know already that I'm going to be inundated, because the last time I did this, we got over 2000. I think it's going to be more than that this time. And I read through every single one of those. Of course, That was a very long week, but I'm planning on that again this week. And this does rise to the level where, I mean, this is the priority. So much so that I'm going to have my assistant pastor, Pastor Mac, teach for me on Thursday night, because that'll give me the better part of two days and two nights to go through all of them. But I will read them and then I will share them. And again, if you want to remain anonymous, then please note that. But we did this a few months ago and I have to say that it was, it was so edifying. It was so encouraging because so many people responded with how God was just so gracious and merciful. Many people who had actually gotten the jab and God was just so gracious, so merciful to them. We've had many people tell us that their exemption letters were accepted. Some people have had to put up a little bit of a fight. They put them through the ringer. That's why we have the documentation and the links at the Voice for Truth website that has all the documentation on fetal aborted tissue in the research of these vaccines. So we just want to hear from you and have you share with us what God is doing and what is happening. Because we're getting all kinds of information. And being here in Hawaii, wouldn't you agree that we're insulated and isolated? And just knowing about what's happening on the mainland, for example, and other parts of the world. I would really like to hear from somebody in the Middle East. I know we have online members in the Middle East. Australia right now is, I mean, it's unbelievable. And I know we have a lot of online members in Australia and other parts of the world. Well, we want to hear from you. Canada, we want to hear from you. Now, the hope in doing this is that it will be a much needed encouragement to those who are really struggling and hurting right now. When you hear the testimonies of the faithfulness and the goodness of God, the many stories about. Here's an example, and this is an anonymous one, but someone who is sick, not from the jab, but the doctor won't see them because they haven't taken the jab. That's happening right now, by the way. If you haven't taken the jab, you won't be able to go in and see your doctor. And miraculously. I mean, are we surprised? God just healed them. Just healed them. Oh man, I need to hear that. Don't you? Stories like, another one, just an example, a sampling of all the for lack of a better way of saying it, unsolicited testimonies that we receive throughout the week, of which there are many. Here's a sampling of one that we get very often. Went in, submitted my religious exemption. They gave me a hard time. They denied it. But God, my boss, my supervisor, doesn't even know the Lord, took me in their office and sat down and started asking me questions. They know I'm a Christian. Why are you so adamant about not taking this? Well, because of this. You know what their response is? I did not know that. Tell me more. Oh, so glad you asked. That is what they call an opportunity to share Jesus. And many are doing just that. And so they're asking them these questions and then they're telling them, okay, you don't have to get the jab. I need to find out more about this. Is there any information you can send me on this? Is there information I can send you on this? One last thing on that and then we'll bring it in for a landing. How do you know that that employer, that supervisor isn't going to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ for such a time as this, because of this. And God has put you in that position. I think about Mordecai to Esther. How do you know that God didn't raise you up for such a time as this? You know, there's another part to that. We don't like to talk about it much because it's kind of chilling. Because Mordecai says to Esther, if you don't do this, deliverance will come from another. Okay, I didn't need to hear that. It's kind of like if you blow it, I got three more people waiting in line, because I'm going to get them saved. What a privilege it is that we get to be the vessel to do it. Okay, lastly, And this is really the whole purpose of everything that we do, particularly with the prophecy updates. But with this, the whole purpose in doing this. Because what happens is people are sending the video links of this to their supervisors and employers. And would you believe they're getting saved? Who knew? God knew. I mean, it's kind of like, what must I do to be saved? Oh, the ABC's of salvation. Listen, for three years now almost, you should have it, you should be able to recite it in your sleep. It's so simple. I'm sorry I'm yelling. I don't mean to yell. It is again the custom in my country. But the purpose in doing this is to get Jesus to people and people to Jesus as fast as we possibly can. I'm telling you, and I'm going to continue to tell you, as long as God gives me breath, we are so close. The time is now. There's no more time. You'll forgive my borrowing a sports metaphor, but this is not overtime. This is sudden death. You know what sudden death is, right? The first one to score, game over. That's how close we are. We're in sudden death. And that's why we do these updates. That's why we share the gospel and end with the gospel. and the explanation of salvation by way of the ABCs of salvation. What is the gospel? Well, the word gospel means good news. Your debt's been paid. You're free to go. Good news. That's the word gospel. What debt? What's been paid? Oh, the death penalty has been paid. It has? Yeah, that is good news. Who did it? Oh, His name is Jesus. He came He was crucified. He died for you, paying in full for all of your sins. He was buried and He rose again on the third day. And it even gets better. Gooder news. He's coming back one day. That's the Gospel. That's the good news of salvation found in the person of Jesus Christ. What are the ABCs? Just a simple childlike explanation of salvation. The gospel is very simple. It's as simple as ABC. It's actually as simple as B, because all you need to do is believe. There's no hoops to jump through. The A points you to the B and the C is a result of the B. It's central on just believe. What's the A? Acknowledge, admit that you've sinned, that you need the Savior. Romans 3 10 says there is no one righteous, not even one. Translated, you might be a good person, but you'll never be good enough. Romans 3 23 explains why. It's because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. This carries with it the idea of missing the mark. In fact, that's what the word sin means. It's an archery term. So the archer would shoot the arrow, and if he missed the bullseye, they would say, you sinned. You missed the mark. You fell short. We've all fallen short of God's bullseye of perfect righteousness. All of us have sinned. and fallen short. Now Romans 6 23, what are we going to do about it? Well, we've got to go to court. This is no ordinary court. This is the courtroom of eternity with the judge of the universe. And you now have to enter a plea. How do you plea? Guilty as charged. Judge says, okay, let's enter the sentencing phase What's the sentence? The death sentence. That's bad news. I know. But in walks a man, no ordinary man, the God man, fully God, fully man, Jesus the Christ. And He says to the judge of the universe in that courtroom of eternity, hold everything. I will die for them. I will go to my death in their stead. And the judge looks at you, and first you have to accept his payment for your penalty. And he says to you, what do you want to do? I'll take it. Where do I sign? Well, then good news, you're free to go. That's what the word gospel means. Romans 6 23 says the wages of sin is death. It's the death penalty. But here's the good news. The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Bear with me. I know I point this out and emphasize this. It seems like on a weekly basis, but it's so important to understand. And it has to do with the gift of God. What's a gift? I know this is deeply profound. It's a gift. You don't pay for it. If you pay for it, it's not a gift. It's a purchase. But if you're given a gift, somebody had to purchase it. He did. Jesus purchased you. in His blood shed in your stead. He purchased your eternal life and He offers it as a gift to you. What do you do with a gift? You receive it. You don't return it. Re-gift it. That's a new thing too, but can't do it with this one. Paid in full. It's the gift of God. That's the A. Here's the B. This is so central. Believe, believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord. Romans 10, 9 and 10 says, if you believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you will be saved. I love that. It's not tentative. It's not, well, the jury's still out. No, the verdict's in. It's not you might be saved, you could be saved, you should be saved, sure hope you're saved. No, you will be saved. It's a done deal. And then lastly, the C, call. upon the name of the Lord. Or as Romans 10, 9 and 10 also says, if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. And lastly, Romans 10, 13, it says, all who call upon the name of the Lord, and here's that word again, will be saved. I implore you today, if you're here in this church and you've never called upon the name of the Lord, believing in your heart, watching online, maybe that's why you're still watching online, It's no accident. It's no coincidence. It's God's providence. He's brought you to this video because today is the day of salvation. Do not delay or put off the most important decision of your life for eternal life. Can I close with a testimony we received from an online member It's another billboard one. In fact, the header on the email in a large font font said, spoiler alert, this is a billboard email. I love that. Anyway, they've probably been listening to me way too long. So she says and writes from the Netherlands, I am a sister in Christ and online member. And together with Kenneth, a brother in Christ, we want to share with you this amazing news, truly a testimony God is at work in the Netherlands. A brother in Christ, Kenneth, makes EWE tube, YouTube videos about Jesus' soon return and what's happening in the world. He also watches you, and so do I. So I got in touch with him because I wanted to send him some cards that I printed, thanks to yet another brother in Christ on the forum, speaking of the JDFarag.org forum, which by the way, It's not on the upper tab anymore on this site. It's under resources. You can still get to the forum. We love the billboard news all across the world. So naturally we started talking about billboards in the Netherlands. Billboards in the Netherlands are mostly digital and huge. I know God's got a sense of humor. because he uses a ministry in Hawaii where you don't have billboards, to have billboards all over the world. God's got a sense of humor. I just love it. Anyway, I digress. The longest and busiest highways of the Netherlands, connecting north, south, west and east, all have billboards of even 13 meters by 10 meters. We got all those huge billboards. We even got a bargain, an extra highway for a couple of days. The highway connects the large cities in the west to the south where my parents live. By the way, she goes on in her email to say that the billboard company, not Christians, gave them a discount and wanted to help them get this message out. That's what I mean by we want to hear, yeah, we want to hear those stories. We want to hear those stories. You don't have to be billboard stories. In fact, I want to give the Holy Spirit elbow room here. I don't want to be too specific, but just what's God doing? Because in the Netherlands, this is what God's doing. My dad is Muslim. He's becoming more and more anti-Islam, but still unsaved. Although my mom and I always talk about Jesus, the plandemic and the rapture. He will also see it when he drives to work. In total, all highways combined reach, get this, more than 3 million people within two weeks time. On the billboard it says, now this is in Dutch, the end has begun. We'll, praise the Lord. The end has begun. Will you be left behind? I mean, I've saved that, got my attention. It's not even in English. And then down below it has the website that says Jesus is coming soon. On this website, the unsaved can go directly to the ABC's videos and other material. It's clear that God is using billboards to reach the unsaved. That is for sure. It brings tears to my eyes to see it all unfolding. My husband drives past one of the highways every day who is still unsaved. He doesn't know I made that design. Again, God's got a great sense of humor, right? He has probably seen it already. He knows I am a firm believer and in the rapture. And I've told him many times that Jesus is coming soon. So let's pray for long traffic jams on those highways. Maranatha Jamila, forum online member, and Kenneth from the Netherlands. Ah, I love that. I love it. Praise the Lord. Why don't you stand? Yeah, praise the Lord. the worship team come up. I'll close in song and I'll close. No, I'm not going to close in song. That would be horrible. I want you to come back next week. They'll close in song. I'll close in prayer. So if you would please join with me. Father in heaven. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You, Jesus. Lord, we know, we know by faith, that You will, that You are able, no matter how bad it is or how bad it might still get pre-rapture. Lord, we know that You will see us through as only You can. Lord, I pray for anyone who's really discouraged and downcast. given over to despair. Would You, Lord, just remind them, yes, this is meant for evil, but I am bringing good. You'll see. You'll see. Lord, thank You. And lastly, Maranatha, come quickly, Lord Jesus. In Jesus' name, Amen.