Faith that Endures | Francis Chan & Joni Eareckson Tada

All >> ((music playing)) ((music playing)) >> right. Well, Johnny, before we even get into ((music playing)) any type of interview, I just want to thank you so much as my sister just for the life that you've lived. Um, I'm just more and more, you know, the older we get and the closer ((music playing)) we get to the end, there's there's there's just so much to be grateful for.

And I I also think there's very few people in my life who have ministered to me the way that you have by your example, by your love, the the way I just know, okay, she understands, she gets it. She understands >> the love of Christ. And so I'm just honestly eternally grateful for you. >> I think about you all the time.

Whenever there are struggles, difficulties, I I picture you, your your face, your joy, your worship. I do. [laughter] >> I love Jesus, Francis. I do. >> I know. I know you. >> And you made you made me famous in your book, Crazy Love. [laughter] >> Everybody tells me you're in Francis's book.

Well, you should be in every one of my books and every video. But I, you know, I wrote this book about >> being loved by God. >> Oh, I loved it. I read it. Just was the best. >> Oh, good, good, good. I mean, it's just something that God's taught me.

It It feels like so late in life. I wish I'd understood some of these things 30 years ago, 40 years ago. But by the grace of God, I'm getting it now. I'm enjoying him more than ever. >> Me too. >> Believing in his love. >> Yes. >> And well, there was a chapter on perseverance.

Like because it can be this thing where, oh, I know that he loves me, but then I can forget tomorrow or the enemy gets in my head. And >> we've seen so many of our friends fall away from God. People in ministry that >> either change their their stance on the word of God or >> they just lose it. they don't they don't make it to the end and I'm looking around go where do all my friends go you you know and and so when we had a chapter on perseverance I go I don't want to share I if I could have one chapter where someone else shares I would love Johnny to share her story share her life cuz I believe you know like like Romans 1:11 where Paul says I I I long to see you that I might impart heart something spiritual to you.

You know, >> you have already this morning [laughter] >> just being with you. >> Good. >> You know, you were talking about perseverance and I was thinking of that verse in Matthew 24:13 >> where Jesus says, "He who endures to the end will be saved." >> Amen. >> I that [sighs and gasps] the end could be 5 years, 10 years, who knows? >> But God help me endure. >> Amen.

Amen. >> And all of us, right? >> Yeah. And I believe you've imparted so much to me and that's where I feel like gosh I have so many friends that I want them to understand your story, understand what God's done for you, but really just to meet you because there is something you impart.

It's not just information that that's the thing that I I see in Romans because Paul wrote this whole letter 16 chapters of rich beautiful theology but he goes but I can't wait till I'm with you >> because that's when I'm going to impart something spiritual and I believe in your soul just by your joy and love for Jesus there's an impartation >> I pray so >> yes >> I don't want my suffering to be wasted And it encourages me that, you know, you or others might be lifted up by my example, but I tell you what, it's a >> I have to fight for my joy. >> And you know, you you had a a chapter in your book, spiritual antipathy, >> and that that is so like our faith. >> It it fritters away.

It falls away. It it becomes unscrewed. you know, a bolt falls here and a nut and before you know it, the whole the whole thing has kind of fallen apart. And so that's why almost every night when Ken >> puts me to bed, which involves a lymphatic sleeve and an external ventilator and a mask over my mouth and pillows behind me and he my catheter has to be coiled after nebulizing.

Okay. It puts up the guard's rail to my hospital bed. Are you okay? And and in between all this stuff that's on me, I say, "Pray that my faith not fail." >> Oh, God. >> You know, because it's hard. >> I mean, like I said, it's a fight, but it's a good fight. >> Yes. >> But it's hard.

And >> maybe that's something I don't know, >> in our culture of comfort, >> we we forget as Christians. It it'so life is supposed to be difficult because it's a broken world >> and we have to fight. >> That's right. >> But the Holy Spirit once once we partner with him, he is such a willing God. >> Yeah. >> You know, just give him an inch.

He takes >> 10,000 miles >> and fills us with his joy and his enablement and grace. >> Amen. Now, I I think some of the people watching this don't know your story, [clears throat] >> so I hate to make it go all the way back to the beginning. [laughter] >> I'm I'm coming up on almost 60 years of being in this wheelchair.

I was a young teenager in the 60s and reckless know-it-all 17-year-old and I took a ridiculously stupid dive into shallow water and immediately my head crunch sand, snapped head back, [snorts] smashed my spinal cord and I am in an instant floating face down in the water of a quadriplegic.

And I don't I don't know how to describe it, but I was able to hold my breath and in the in those under underwater acoustics, I could hear my sister at a distance, but I knew that she had had her back turned to me >> and and a crab bit her toe.

She quickly turned around in the water to scream to me to watch out for crabs. But that's when she saw I was in danger, floating face down. What are the odds of a little crab being right where he needs to be at just the instant somebody else needs to be rescued?

And so God from his sovereign goodness from the very beginning, >> my sister pulled me up out of the water. They rushed me to the hospital. And after about seven, eight, ten months, my occupational therapist uh had me in therapy and she knew I was an artist >> and I'd been practicing a bit with my pencil in my mouth and she said, "Draw something. >> Draw what's in your heart." >> And so right behind your shoulder is what I drew. >> Wow. >> And my thought was, "Oh, God, how could you allow this to happen?

What am I going to do? like I can't do this. >> And that was 60 years ago. And um honestly, Francis, every morning I can't do it. >> I have to confess I'm that weak. >> And I say, Jesus, I can't do quadriplegia today, but I can do all things through you as you strengthen me.

M >> Praise God for the disability, for the paralysis, for the quadriplegia, >> for the fact that hands don't work and feet don't walk because it's what keeps me needing Jesus >> so badly and so happily. And he is he is more than abundant to help me smile.

I borrow his smile every morning and he gives it. It's amazing. It's just amazing. He's so good. Amazing [laughter] what he's done through you. I mean, praise God. No, there are people listening that >> they're hearing your story and yet they find themselves dealing with I just want to give up. >> Yeah. >> And they know it's a much lesser thing that what they're having to deal with. >> Now, what would you say to those people? >> To Christians? >> Yeah.

To Christians who just feel like, I don't know if I can take this anymore. because I I'm seeing people take their lives like never before. It just seems like it's becoming more and more common. They just they don't understand the suffering. Things get so difficult and they just feel like >> maybe if I just end it'll be better. >> Like what would you say to someone like that? >> Well, first I would say I understand. >> Yes. >> Cuz I wanted to give up. >> I remember that.

But from the very beginning I think all of us as believers need to understand that if we want to know Christ and certainly that's why we become Christians. We we we want to know Christ. We want to know [clears throat] him. >> Okay. So then Philippians 3:es 8 and 10 tell us how to know him >> because Paul says I want to know Christ >> and the power of his resurrection.

Yeah. Bring it on. and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, >> becoming like him in his death. >> And [gasps] we look at that those couple of verses and you know, we read them so we just gloss over them. We skate over them. We we think of them as theory or some sort of academic statement that's really cool to put on as your screen savior on your on your computer or a plaque on your wall.

We forget that if we want to know Christ, he will >> he will invite us >> into the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings. >> And and I I I think that too many times when we're young in Christ, we we are either not told or we forget that it's going to be hard. >> You're going to have to make tough choices every day.

But the Holy Spirit is right there every morning like he is with me, ready to partner with you in your own sanctification, in your own becoming set apart for his glory. >> And uh we forget that. >> Yeah. >> So we we want to know Christ, >> but we forget that if we do really want to know him, um it'll it'll mean suffering.

It'll mean some very hard times. And I think people aren't prepared for that. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So maybe that's partly the reason there's a there's a falling away. >> Yeah. I was going to ask like >> because we've both seen people fall away and and then we've seen a few persevere like what what do you what do you see like the commonalities of those who persevere >> versus maybe those who just fall away and don't uh they just give up. >> The commonality. >> Yeah. like what is there are there certain things you've seen people do that >> uh okay >> gosh >> I mean I mean yeah I I'd love to hear your thoughts on that >> well the commonality is both groups know let's say a verse like Philippians 3:es 8 to10 they both know that >> yeah I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection you know fellowship in his suffering become like his death we we all know that >> but one group uh looks at it very acade academically.

One group uh >> memorizes it and plasters it on a poster on their wall. >> The other group >> digs down deep and gets ready to partner with the Holy Spirit every single morning in their own sanctification, which means getting rid of doubts, pushing away fears, and saying, "Holy Spirit, I cannot do this, but you can.

You're the spirit of Jesus, so help me." you know, I mean, we we we give up too easy. >> Yeah, >> we give up too easy. And like I said, it's it's a fight. Um Paul ran a race and he finished it. But it's a race and and midstream you're going to be needing a second win.

Well, at that point, don't give up. Just take a deep breath of the Holy Spirit's empowerment >> and and and start, this is my advice, start building a repository of God's word in your heart. >> Uh last night, Francis was really hot. My husband and I, um my helper couldn't show up.

She was sick. My other helper uh couldn't come and we were left, okay, we got to got to do all this oxygen. uh urinary tract, uh irrigating, leg bags, cleaning urological equipment, nebulizing, chest percussion therapy, lymphatic sleeve. I mean, I it was a mess. And and Ken, he's he's 79 and uh and it was hard and he kept having to sit down and >> and and I I I just felt like such a burden.

M >> and I said in that instant as soon as I started that's a satanic lie Jesus I a child of God my citizenship is in heaven my name is written in the lamb's book of life you promise to give me strength in my weakness uh you are my everpresent help in this trouble uh you will never leave me nor forsake me there's a plan there's a purpose >> you got to do that constantly but you can't do it unless you have a repository of scripture >> from which to draw. >> You know, God's word, his promises that'll that'll that'll see you through. >> Wow. >> It's a It's a It's a It's a good fight, though, isn't it? >> Yes, it is.

It is. I But there's there's really no choice. No. >> Like in my mind, I just go, I don't think I could ever walk away from him. I don't see I know the temptations there, but >> in my heart I go, I just don't know where I'd go or what I would do.

It's every day would be so empty. >> Thank you, Jesus. Oh, yeah. I I I sing my way through suffering half the time. >> Um because he makes me so happy. >> I think the deeper you dig down into that that verse, Philippians 3:8-10. The d deeper you dig down into your suffering, the richer the more I don't know buoyant and the more delectable >> is his is is his person is his his life >> you enjoy him and it's it's it's crazy to think that his love >> is that big you mentioned Romans 5 somewhere in one of the videos where um >> you know suffering produces perseverance >> and I'm still persevering >> perseverance produces hope and oh, I've got a lively hope of heaven.

Woo! Can't wait. >> And hope uh hope produces this incredible release of the outpouring of God's love into our hearts >> and then out to others. I think that's half our joy in them. That's my joy is not keeping it to myself, but telling the next quadriplegic, >> let let me give you an idea of what Jesus can do in your life. >> Yeah.

I love that. >> You know, Peter talks about the joy inexpressable. Yeah. >> And and full of glory. >> Um I don't know. Sometimes I get uh not discouraged, but almost like I'm not seeing this joy inexpressable in so many that call themselves believers. And and sometimes I don't know how to get them there because I'm like, >> "No, it's it's don't you get alone with God and just go, >> whoa, I am so full."

And they're like, "No, no." like what what would you what would you say because that is something I've always seen in you >> is somehow there is this joy of the Lord and it's consistent it perseveres it endures like what would you say to the person that >> they know they're not known as a joyful person and and they just they they just >> they almost feel like they that's for someone else. >> What would you say to that person?

Well, uh, you mentioned first Peter 18, uh, the joy inexpressable. Well, right before that, like two or three verses before that, it's all about trials. It's all about persecution. It's all about tough times. And then he then celebrates the joy that he knows can be theirs and and and to those who are scattered abroad and being persecuted.

So the reality is if you're discouraged, >> welcome to the club. It's not all that unusual. But then before you let that discouragement begin to corrode your faith and eat away at your joy, you you you turn to Jesus. You look upon Jesus. Uh Hebrews 12:3. um you consider him who who faced such opposition from sinful men so that you will not become weary or faint-hearted >> and discouragement I think is a byproduct of weariness and faint-heartedness and you look to Jesus I mean look what he did on the cross for us contemplate on that think about it meditate on it you mentioned meditate many times in beloved I mean right there on the cross It was like the Mount Everest of mercy, God's mercy.

He was never more like God than at the cross. It was the epitome of who he is and how beautiful he is and his [clears throat] gracefulness and his love toward us. So, as Hebrews 12:3 says, we consider him. We look to him. Consider means [clears throat] >> chew on this, you know, meditate on this and ask the Holy Spirit.

This is what I do all the time because there's so much to Jesus that can be known. I ask the Holy Spirit today, peel back a few more layers >> on what the Lord Jesus did on the cross for me. Just just peel those layers back. I want to see more.

I want to know more >> because Francis, there's the source of the joy. >> The the the joy is in Christ. It's the joy of the Lord. And that's why we can rejoice in the Lord. I rejoice because of that. Because in the Lord, what he's done. Oh Jesus, you're so good.

And then I get so excited about partnering with the Holy Spirit. Okay, let's get going. >> Get me out of this discouragement. Get me out of this slump and move me forward. Please, because I I leak a lot because of my >> quadriplegia. I I can leak my joy and I just am always wanting more.

M >> I want him to fill me up quicker than I'm leaking out. >> Well, I did write some questions I'm making. I feel like you've answered just about all of them. >> Oh. >> Um >> what else can we talk about then? [laughter] >> Well, I I do want to talk about this quote.

You said to find Jesus in your hell is ecstasy beyond compare. And I wouldn't trade it for any amount of walking in this world. Can you just unpack that? >> I remember the first time I felt that Ken was bringing me home from the chemo clinic. It was my second battle with the stage three cancer and my lungs were hurting and my head was pounding and I was stomach was sick and I was paralyzed.

I just felt awful and but yet there was the Lord Jesus and I felt as though he was standing by me. The Lord stood by me through that. So, as we're going down the freeway back home, um we're talking about how sufferings like little splashovers of hell, >> giving us a tiny little taste of the >> real hell from which we've been redeemed because of Jesus.

So, we pulled up in the driveway and Ken turned off the turned off the ignition and we sat there for many long moments. Okay. So that splashover of hell, well then what's a splashover of heaven? >> Is it those easy breezy bright moments where everything's fun and fine, no problems, all is good? >> I think a splash of heaven is finding Jesus in your health. >> Because if we want to get to really know him, he will invite us into that inner sanctum of sharing in his suffering.

I remember one night, Francis, I was I was in such pain in bed and I did not have heart to wake Ken up another time to help adjust my pillows or turn my hip or lift my shoulder. I just laid there and it was the middle of the night, 2:00 a.m.

I can't I can't cry out anyway through the ventilator. And so I I imagine that uh that I was entering this furnace, this hot fiery furnace of the kind that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego entered and and I just said, "Pay, you're not going to win here." The Bible promises in 2 Corinthians chapter 4 verse uh chapter 2 Corinthians chapter 4 verse 8 that although I am hardpressed on all sides, I'm not crushed. you cannot and you will not crush me. >> And so I started to slowly enter that that that fiery furnace and quoting scriptures and promises and and not knowing what to expect.

And I honestly in the middle of the night 2:30 a.m. I I I felt Jesus right there with me. It was as though I was in the middle of that furnace with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And there is Jesus. And I don't know how to describe it other than to say I guess I took uh I looked head on into the stern countenance of my suffering and I entered into it unafraid into the very darkest recesses of it.

And in the middle of that darkness, suddenly there's a light because Jesus has been there before me. And he's transfigured that place of terror into a house of life and of prayer and the very gates of heaven. >> And it was just exactly how I felt. Thank God Jesus, you're so beautiful.

Thank you. The pain did not go away. >> It did not go away. But for some reason, he gave me miraculously this increased ability to endure it >> and to abide in him in the midst of it. And that to me, that was as big a miracle as being jumping out of this wheelchair. >> And I lingered with him until [clears throat] morning.

And it was the sweetest night. >> So sweet. >> But I'm so grateful I had that wellspring of truth, Bible truth. >> Wow. on which to draw >> is just wonderful. >> So amazing. >> So >> um >> let's talk about the enemy for a short period of time >> like how how has he tried to impact you?

I think discouragement >> discouragement >> discouragement when my pain becomes such that like that night um >> and when a helper who was so critical >> so they're so they're so needed >> in my life not just for me but for >> you know all the families we serve at Johnny and friends and >> and when one doesn't show up and I'm sitting there and >> okay it's it's pretty hard I re I remember one time I came out of the hospital.

This was just two years ago. And uh you can see how I've got shoulder good shoulder muscles on this arm. Well, this arm's I've lost it. I something happened in the hospital that I just can't I can get it up, but >> I can't feed myself like I used to. >> I mean, for 58 years, I've been able to feed myself with this right arm. >> And uh now I can't.

And that was a that was really discouraging for about >> seven hours. >> And then I said, "God, you got to do this with discouragement. Lord God, I believe you. I'm not going to believe my feelings. I'm going to trust in you. You tell me in Psalm 57.

There's a plan. You'll not abandon the works of your can. There is a Romans 8:28 plan here. What is it?" And I got the idea, why not ask a neighbor to come and feed me dinner >> and then I have a chance to let her serve and I can bless her hands. >> She feels good.

I feel >> I feel blessed. And so >> that was a wonderful this this arm that's now broken. God taught me a wonderful lesson about service and uh how to you know >> but that's more important having her feed me is more important having her see evidence of Christ in my life >> that's more important than having the ability to feed myself.

And I will say like >> I remember feeding you one time >> and >> it is it's like this joy of like this honor like >> wow I get to feed John [laughter] I so it's like these memorable events for us. >> So it's zero burden in the in that case and and it's a a memorable lifechanging yeah event.

You know, we were talking about finding joy earlier and I would ask some of our friends who are watching. We run retreats for families dealing with disability. >> Um 68 last year across the United States and more this year. And we need volunteers to come and help feed those children, hold their cafeteria trays, hold their Bibles uh during worship time, and just push them around the campus, have fun with them.

We need volunteers to serve like you did. And the [clears throat] joy that you get when you when you get your focus off yourself and put it on others. >> Yeah. >> It's crazy. >> You just have to think of, okay, this is Jesus. >> Yes. >> Whatever I do for the least of these.

Like, >> would I feed Jesus? Yes. I would be thrilled if just like I was thrilled to feed you. It's just it's it's one and the same. >> Like when he was on the cross and he said, "I thirst." What one of us wouldn't have rushed back to Jerusalem, gotten an ice cold lemonade or something or got a hose, a bucket of water?

What one of us wouldn't have moved heaven and earth to >> to quench his thirst? I mean, we would have been right there at it. >> Yeah. >> So, we can do that now. We could still give him that drink today by serving others, the least of the brethren that he says in Matthew 25.

So how would you say you know like the example of people feeding you helping you like how has the body of Christ helped you through discouragement? >> Well let me just say something about the body of Christ. You know, in churches, we uh we want so much to construct community, >> small groups, um Bible studies, college career groups.

We we we we really want people to get into the word and >> and sometimes it can feel a little a little uh organized. I don't know how to say it. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Just a little organized >> and we're longing for community. >> Why is Why don't I feel community in this small group? >> Well, community occurs organically >> around weakness. >> And that's why in 1 Corinthians 12, I think it says the the weaker members are indispensable.

Why? because their need moves the hearts of people and they help in some degree, great or small, they help meet that need. And when they meet that need, they experience that joy that you were talking about. And that joy is what helps form organically this sense of community >> and uh community always grows organically around weakness.

M >> So if we want God's power to be released in our churches, then reach out to those who are marginalized. Bring them on in. Jesus says in Luke 14, uh go out and find the disabled, the lame, the blind, the poor. Bring them in because it's those people in their weaknesses >> around whom the rest of the congregation can Oh, I can help meet that need.

Oh, I can run errands for you if you have to take your child to to physical therapy. Oh, I I'll be happy to do shopping. Oh, let me learn your child's routine so you and your husband can get a break. I love to do that and and before you know it, there's community and it always happens naturally, organically.

And I love that. Nothing forced about it. So, >> I mean, you wrote about heaven, uh your anticipation of heaven. >> How does it uh I don't know. I just feel like when people hear the word heaven, believers, >> it's like a theoretical, theological, >> but it's not it doesn't fill them with this hope and this joy and true emotional anticipation. >> Yeah. >> Like how I don't know how do you help people make that switch? >> I don't know.

It's really the bottom line, isn't it? >> Yeah. for all that we are and all that we do. >> And when we think of this brief wisp of smoke that we are, this hardly a blip on the eternal screen. We're so our lives are so short on this earth.

And yet everything we do down here on earth >> has a direct bearing on our capacity for joy and worship and service in heaven. I'm not talking about salvation, >> but I'm talking about >> living out your life through service. M >> it's emptying yourself in order to lift somebody else up. >> And every time we do that here on earth, we're increasing our eternal capacity for joy and worship and service.

So I look at every little drastic obedience down here on earth >> as an opportunity to expand my eternal estate. >> And so I don't I don't want to diminish that. >> I don't want to jeopardize that. I I don't want to minimize it. I I'm going to do everything I can to increase it because it will ultimately mean more glory to the Lord Jesus Christ in which I can have a small share and that is huge.

So maybe people maybe Christians we don't think about heaven because we just think that this parade of life is going to go on forever but it won't. >> There will be an end. There will be an accounting. >> There will be a um judgment seat of rewards. Yes. won't be judged for our sins, but for what we did.

You know, I when I think of heaven, I always think of that song, bringing in the sheav, bringing in the sheav, we shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheav. That's from uh Psalm, I think it's 126, >> where we will sew in tears >> but reap with joy.

Mhm. >> And I've I've swn in tears and I can't wait to reap with joy and have all these precious people with disabilities around the world that we reach for Johnny and friends to come to Christ. >> That's one way I look at heaven. And oh, what a glory to just >> meet Jesus and say, "Thank you, Jesus.

You were the one whose grace sustained me all those years." And did you hear that everybody? Here's the one who sustained me all those years and on earth when I was in my wheelchair. He helped me smile. Thank you Jesus. >> Thank you. And um sometimes >> Francis and forgive me for going on about this, but >> sometimes I think of having like like okay this is how I picture it.

This is how I picture my arrival. I don't I don't know if it's it won't happen like this, but it's how I picture it. I feel like this whole life, >> most of my life has been a marathon, a very difficult, painful marathon. >> And I'm chugging and I'm moving forward.

I'm keeping the faith. I'm running the race with perseverance. I I'm fighting the good fight. I am almost near the finish line. Bang, I'm at the finish line. I drop on my hands and knees to celestial >> celestial sand on the shore. I I'm he made it. I made it.

Oh, thank you, Jesus. And then I'll collapse on my back on the sand, eyes shut, arms spread, >> and I'll just be basking. >> And then suddenly I I'll feel a shadow over my face, and I'll I'll look open my eyes, and it's Jesus. and and he'll pick me up and he'll hold me and pat pat pat me real hard on the back and say, "There there, sweetheart.

It's over. >> It's over. You're home now. Everything's okay." >> And I will just fall to his feet and not even brush off the sand. I'll just kiss those feet. Thank you, Jesus, for walking the path with me. You know, God with us. He journeyed with me, Emanuel, all the way.

And then we'll have a big party. You want to dance with me, Francis? >> Yes, I will dance with you. >> Dance with me, Francis. That'll [laughter] be such fun. I can't wait. >> Oh gosh. Thank you so much. >> Isn't Jesus wonderful? >> He is. He is. >> Could you just pray for people that are watching this? >> Just whatever is on your heart.

I mean, just I believe so much that we can come before his throne. >> Yes. >> Of grace and that something real happens if we sincerely come before his throne right now. >> Yes. Yes. Yes. >> Would you just pray? >> I will because I bet there's some who are watching who may be Christians, but their love is cold. >> Yes. >> Or there's some who don't know Jesus and they're wondering what it's all about. >> Well, I tell you, sin kills.

M >> doubts, fears, worries, >> lusts, anger, hate, all of it kills. Sin kills, ((music playing)) but and hell is real, that's for sure. >> But oh, God is so merciful >> and his kingdom can change us and Jesus is the way. So, let's pray. Oh Lord Jesus, I believe that uh right now you're you're whispering into the heart of those who are watching, who are struggling, who are wondering, who still have questions.

Help them to see. Help us to see. Open the eyes of our heart that we might see the glorious riches that you ((music playing)) have in store for us here on earth. and that glorious eternity, that wonderful story that's about to begin, the real story of our lives. >> Yes. >> God, help us to see that.

Help us to see the cross, ((music playing)) Jesus. To see what you did there, God. That it it it it provides everything. Not only grace to save, but grace to sustain and shape our lives. And so, Father, I pray for my friend watching now that you will give them um saving faith. >> Yes. >> Saving faith.

All it means is just putting your sins at the foot of the cross, reaching up and and grabbing the hand of Jesus. >> Yes. >> And moving forward into your life by faith. >> Give them saving ((music playing)) faith and a spirit of repentance. >> Yes. >> To turn from the old way. >> Yes. and turn to the new, the fresh, the life, the hope, the joy, the peace, the patience, everything that that brings such joy and love. >> So I pray for our friend that they'll rise to a new level of confidence in you and trust in your word.

And then father tomorrow morning if uh people are struggling I pray that when they open their eyes they will confess I can't do this but Jesus I can do all things even this day through you as you strengthen me. >> And then I pray that they'll get up dressed have breakfast tighten their tie put on their jeans whatever walk out into the world and find somebody else to tell this message to somebody else to serve whose needs are ((music playing)) greater than their own.

Yes, >> we pray that Lord Jesus in your precious name, the matchless name, the the preeminent, the the glorious name of Jesus Christ. >> Amen. >> Amen. >> Amen. >> Amen. >> Oh, Francis, what a glorious time. You got to hug me. [laughter] >> Hug me. Hug me. Hug me.

Hug me. Oh, real pat on the back. Real hard. Oh, that's it. Good. Nice and hard. Oh, I love that. [clears throat] Oh, I love it. I >> love you, Johnny. >> I love you, too.