WEBVTT 1 00:00:05.160 --> 00:00:09.759 Welcome Just Handaway Tagalog Sermon podcast, your daily doseph inspiring 2 00:00:09.800 --> 00:00:13.599 from heartfelt tagalog sermons from different characters and speakers all 3 00:00:13.640 --> 00:00:14.519 over the Philippines. 4 00:00:14.800 --> 00:00:17.320 We hope that this podcast finds you in good shape. 5 00:00:17.640 --> 00:00:26.199 And now here's your message. You're listening to a message 6 00:00:26.199 --> 00:00:30.280 from Victory. Discover how we can grow in deeper trust 7 00:00:30.359 --> 00:00:38.920 than God. In week two of our Christmas series heart So, 8 00:00:39.000 --> 00:00:40.200 Let's look at the Store. 9 00:00:40.240 --> 00:00:43.560 In Look chapter one, beginning in verse twenty six to 10 00:00:43.640 --> 00:00:46.880 thirty eight, it says, in the sixth month, the angel 11 00:00:46.920 --> 00:00:49.600 Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee 12 00:00:49.759 --> 00:00:53.960 named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose 13 00:00:54.000 --> 00:00:57.159 name was Joseph of the House of David. And the 14 00:00:57.240 --> 00:01:01.439 virgin's name was Mary. And it came to her and said, greetings, 15 00:01:01.439 --> 00:01:03.600 O favored one, the Lord is with you. 16 00:01:04.519 --> 00:01:06.480 But she was greatly troubled. 17 00:01:06.040 --> 00:01:08.239 At the saying, and tried to discern what sort of 18 00:01:08.319 --> 00:01:11.480 greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, 19 00:01:11.519 --> 00:01:14.840 do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor 20 00:01:15.560 --> 00:01:20.840 with God. Everyone say favor, and behold, you will conceive 21 00:01:20.920 --> 00:01:23.159 in your womb and bear a son, and you shall 22 00:01:23.200 --> 00:01:26.799 call his name Jesus. He will be great and will 23 00:01:26.799 --> 00:01:29.560 be called the Son of the Most High. And the 24 00:01:29.640 --> 00:01:32.120 Lord God will give to him the throne of his 25 00:01:32.159 --> 00:01:34.840 father David. And he will reign over the house of 26 00:01:34.920 --> 00:01:39.319 Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end. 27 00:01:39.920 --> 00:01:42.519 And Mary said to the Angel, how will this be 28 00:01:42.719 --> 00:01:46.200 since I am a virgin? And the Angel answered her, 29 00:01:46.239 --> 00:01:48.680 the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power 30 00:01:48.719 --> 00:01:53.040 of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the child 31 00:01:53.079 --> 00:01:56.519 to be born will be called Holy, the Son of God. 32 00:01:57.239 --> 00:02:00.879 And behold your relative Elizabeth in her old age. Her 33 00:02:00.959 --> 00:02:04.239 cousin has also conceived a son. And this is the 34 00:02:04.319 --> 00:02:08.719 sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing 35 00:02:08.840 --> 00:02:13.199 will be impossible with God. I mean, have your encourage 36 00:02:13.319 --> 00:02:19.360 with that word. Nothing is impossible with God. And Mary said, behold, 37 00:02:19.400 --> 00:02:20.840 I am the servant of the Lord. 38 00:02:20.960 --> 00:02:22.840 Let it be to me according to your word. 39 00:02:23.479 --> 00:02:27.280 And the Angel departed from her. Can you bow your 40 00:02:27.280 --> 00:02:29.560 heads with me and close your eyes? Lord, We thank 41 00:02:29.599 --> 00:02:32.840 you for your word today. And I pray Lord for 42 00:02:33.360 --> 00:02:36.199 some of us here who've been in church for quite 43 00:02:36.280 --> 00:02:39.520 some time. Lord, maybe if we've heard this story before, 44 00:02:40.000 --> 00:02:41.960 but I pray Lord that your word will come to 45 00:02:42.039 --> 00:02:43.039 us in a fresh way. 46 00:02:43.520 --> 00:02:45.039 I pray that you will show us. 47 00:02:44.960 --> 00:02:48.080 Something in your word that will speak into our situation today. 48 00:02:48.719 --> 00:02:52.240 I pray, like Mary, Lord, whatever interruption, whatever is it 49 00:02:52.319 --> 00:02:54.400 that you're doing in our life, I pray we will 50 00:02:54.439 --> 00:02:57.159 be able to recognize it, and I pray we will 51 00:02:57.199 --> 00:02:59.919 be able to embrace it. Lord Lord, I pray this 52 00:03:00.039 --> 00:03:03.759 will not only prepare us for Christmas, but will prepare 53 00:03:03.879 --> 00:03:05.319 us for the rest of our lives. 54 00:03:05.319 --> 00:03:08.039 And Jesus name me pray amen. 55 00:03:09.000 --> 00:03:13.080 Okay, just to show hands, how many planners do we 56 00:03:13.159 --> 00:03:14.680 have in this room today? Ry? 57 00:03:16.080 --> 00:03:24.919 You like to plan controlling? I made your OC How 58 00:03:24.960 --> 00:03:25.520 many have you here? 59 00:03:25.639 --> 00:03:28.800 You're more of the spontaneous type of person. 60 00:03:30.080 --> 00:03:32.120 You just let it flow. 61 00:03:32.240 --> 00:03:35.080 You just you know, in a film every day papass 62 00:03:35.360 --> 00:03:40.000 today or not only go bar today? Or not spontaneous? 63 00:03:41.240 --> 00:03:44.960 You don't like to plan. I think I mentioned it before, 64 00:03:45.000 --> 00:03:47.800 but I'm the kind of person who likes to plan. 65 00:03:47.879 --> 00:03:52.840 I like planning my week before it actually happens. Normally, 66 00:03:52.919 --> 00:03:57.639 I would sit down on a Sunday try to really 67 00:03:58.360 --> 00:04:00.280 have a preview of what's going to happen in the 68 00:04:00.319 --> 00:04:03.159 next seven days and try to plan what will happen 69 00:04:03.199 --> 00:04:06.800 in the morning, lunch and dinner and evening and all 70 00:04:06.840 --> 00:04:06.960 of that. 71 00:04:07.080 --> 00:04:10.159 I like to plan, but I'm not really a good planner. 72 00:04:10.879 --> 00:04:17.199 I just like to plan. Now. God is a planner, but. 73 00:04:17.360 --> 00:04:22.160 Can appear very spontaneous. At the same time, he likes 74 00:04:22.160 --> 00:04:27.079 surprises and likes to change our plans from time to time. 75 00:04:27.360 --> 00:04:29.879 He's a planner, but at the same time, he appears 76 00:04:29.920 --> 00:04:34.800 to be very spontaneous, full of surprises. You know, my 77 00:04:34.879 --> 00:04:40.000 wife likes surprises in a surprise Qusha, as long as 78 00:04:40.040 --> 00:04:45.439 I consult her before I do it, because okay, Bahaman 79 00:04:45.480 --> 00:04:48.759 and tas. So if I will surprise her with flowers 80 00:04:48.879 --> 00:04:53.199 or gifts or a place, it's a surprise. 81 00:04:53.240 --> 00:04:59.000 Get the next week roses or kids because. 82 00:04:59.040 --> 00:05:03.240 I tried surprising her before the Indian Agustohan society and 83 00:05:03.240 --> 00:05:08.639 your effort no king awe pataloi. So you know, would 84 00:05:08.720 --> 00:05:12.120 it be nice if okay, sometimes God will surprise us, 85 00:05:12.199 --> 00:05:15.519 But wouldn't it be nice if God will consult us 86 00:05:16.800 --> 00:05:21.079 before he will surprise us so we can prepare. I 87 00:05:21.079 --> 00:05:25.800 hope that's the case, but that's not what normally happens. 88 00:05:25.839 --> 00:05:28.199 So we're going to look at the story of Mary 89 00:05:29.480 --> 00:05:31.800 and see what God's message is for us as we 90 00:05:31.879 --> 00:05:37.439 prepare for Christmas. Because although there's no angel that will 91 00:05:37.480 --> 00:05:41.639 appear in your house and tell you that you'll be 92 00:05:41.800 --> 00:05:46.839 pregnant with God's son, you know, if you're a teenager 93 00:05:46.959 --> 00:05:49.879 or a single person, don't try it at home. 94 00:05:50.639 --> 00:05:52.439 Although there won't. 95 00:05:52.199 --> 00:05:54.360 Be an angel appearing to you this Christmas and telling 96 00:05:54.399 --> 00:05:58.160 you that there may be surprises that God or life 97 00:05:58.279 --> 00:06:01.920 might bring into your life. Your idea of a perfect 98 00:06:02.040 --> 00:06:06.759 Christmas may not happen the way you planned it to be, 99 00:06:08.000 --> 00:06:13.480 or life or next year or three five years from now. 100 00:06:14.639 --> 00:06:17.879 So I believe the message that the angel gave to 101 00:06:17.959 --> 00:06:22.480 Mary is a message for us today as well. And 102 00:06:22.600 --> 00:06:24.600 there are three things I want to highlight from the 103 00:06:24.680 --> 00:06:25.639 story of Mary. 104 00:06:26.360 --> 00:06:30.839 First one I want to highlight is God's favor, God's favor. 105 00:06:31.360 --> 00:06:34.839 In verse twenty eight, it's as greetings, O favored one. 106 00:06:35.800 --> 00:06:36.839 The Lord is with you. 107 00:06:37.000 --> 00:06:40.199 And then the angel repeated that in verse thirty he 108 00:06:40.199 --> 00:06:42.439 is said, do not be afraid, Mary, for you have 109 00:06:42.600 --> 00:06:44.600 found favor. 110 00:06:44.639 --> 00:06:47.160 Twice the word favor showed up. 111 00:06:47.560 --> 00:06:50.560 How many of you heard you want God's favor over 112 00:06:50.639 --> 00:06:51.160 your life. 113 00:06:51.879 --> 00:06:56.079 You want the favor of God. Now why Mary? And 114 00:06:56.120 --> 00:06:57.120 who is Mary anyway. 115 00:06:58.199 --> 00:07:01.199 First of all, the Bible may to us that she's 116 00:07:01.279 --> 00:07:06.240 from Nazareth. Now, when I saw that, I was reminded 117 00:07:06.240 --> 00:07:09.959 of John chapter one, verse forty six. This is when 118 00:07:10.920 --> 00:07:16.160 Philip was trying to invite Nathaniel to Jesus so that 119 00:07:16.439 --> 00:07:18.120 he can introduce them together. 120 00:07:18.439 --> 00:07:20.439 And here's what he said. 121 00:07:21.160 --> 00:07:26.439 Nathaniel said to him, can anything good come out of Nazareth? 122 00:07:26.560 --> 00:07:29.160 And Philip said to him, come and see. 123 00:07:29.199 --> 00:07:33.160 So there's this assumption, and there's this reputation that if 124 00:07:33.160 --> 00:07:39.319 you're from Nazareth, you're not. There's nothing special about you. 125 00:07:41.600 --> 00:07:45.560 That's not a tourist destination. There's nothing special about Nazareth. 126 00:07:46.199 --> 00:07:50.279 It's not famous, it's not rich. It does a bad reputation. 127 00:07:51.199 --> 00:07:57.560 Nobody is really excited to be there. And maybe that's 128 00:07:57.600 --> 00:08:02.519 describing your Maybe that that's describing your family, at least 129 00:08:02.519 --> 00:08:07.680 in your vantage point. Maybe that's describing your province or 130 00:08:07.720 --> 00:08:13.839 your school, or your past. There's nothing good that you 131 00:08:13.920 --> 00:08:19.160 can see in your situation. Now, not only that she 132 00:08:19.519 --> 00:08:23.279 was a virgin, she's young. Some theologians are saying she's 133 00:08:23.639 --> 00:08:27.879 between fourteen to sixteen years old. And again, during their time, 134 00:08:28.000 --> 00:08:30.319 their maturity. 135 00:08:29.800 --> 00:08:30.839 Starts very early. 136 00:08:31.639 --> 00:08:34.120 Men will be employed in the military by the age 137 00:08:34.159 --> 00:08:39.279 of twelve and above, so it's common in their culture. 138 00:08:39.360 --> 00:08:43.000 So she's a virgins, is young and about to get married. 139 00:08:43.039 --> 00:08:47.399 And I'm sure I think that she's not the only virgin, 140 00:08:48.360 --> 00:08:51.519 and she's not the only one planning a wedding at 141 00:08:51.559 --> 00:08:57.200 the time. So there's really nothing special about her situation. 142 00:08:57.399 --> 00:09:02.799 And there's only one explaining why she was chosen and 143 00:09:02.840 --> 00:09:07.240 what made her the prime candidate for God's favor. And 144 00:09:07.559 --> 00:09:11.960 here's one word explanation why she was chosen, and that 145 00:09:12.120 --> 00:09:14.080 is the word favor. 146 00:09:15.679 --> 00:09:22.720 Everyone say favor. Well, not a favor, favor, favor. 147 00:09:23.399 --> 00:09:30.399 She don't deserve it, she's not qualified. She simply found favor. 148 00:09:31.960 --> 00:09:35.440 And I think that's an important distinction to make, especially 149 00:09:36.000 --> 00:09:40.360 in a nation like ours, that Mary is not the 150 00:09:40.399 --> 00:09:45.080 source of favor. She's a recipient of God's favor. So 151 00:09:45.200 --> 00:09:47.840 we don't go to Mary and say, Mary, bless me 152 00:09:47.919 --> 00:09:48.679 and give me favor. 153 00:09:48.799 --> 00:09:51.600 No, she's not the source of favor. God is the 154 00:09:51.639 --> 00:09:52.399 source of favor. 155 00:09:53.080 --> 00:09:58.320 She's only a recipient of God's She's not qualified, she's 156 00:09:58.440 --> 00:10:03.480 not deserved of it. There's only one explanation why of 157 00:10:03.559 --> 00:10:07.039 all the young people during the time why all. 158 00:10:06.919 --> 00:10:09.960 Of the virgin at that time? Why her? And that's 159 00:10:10.039 --> 00:10:12.639 because of the favor of God. And you know why. 160 00:10:13.279 --> 00:10:16.799 What's the only explanation why you and I are here today? 161 00:10:17.600 --> 00:10:22.039 There's only one explanation why God saved you and me, 162 00:10:22.639 --> 00:10:26.039 and that is the favor of God. There's only one 163 00:10:26.120 --> 00:10:30.840 reason why you're here today. There's only one explanation why 164 00:10:30.919 --> 00:10:34.919 you're enjoying all the blessings you're enjoying today, why you 165 00:10:35.000 --> 00:10:37.600 have what you have today, and why you're able to 166 00:10:37.639 --> 00:10:39.879 do what you're able to do today, and that is 167 00:10:39.960 --> 00:10:46.840 the favor of God. If you are enjoying the ridiculous 168 00:10:47.039 --> 00:10:50.759 blessing of God today because of the favor of God, 169 00:10:50.840 --> 00:10:52.399 give him a shout. 170 00:10:52.320 --> 00:10:55.919 Of praise today. If you are enjoying the favor. 171 00:10:55.559 --> 00:11:04.480 Of God today, the only explanation for your calling, the 172 00:11:04.559 --> 00:11:11.039 only explanation for why your plans are succeeding, the only 173 00:11:11.440 --> 00:11:16.200 reason why, the only explanation is the favor of God. 174 00:11:16.519 --> 00:11:18.399 Can you please tell to the person say that next, 175 00:11:18.480 --> 00:11:20.919 you tell that person, I have the favor of God. 176 00:11:21.480 --> 00:11:25.720 The other word for favor is the word grace, and 177 00:11:25.799 --> 00:11:28.919 we all know that grace is the unmerited favor of God. 178 00:11:30.240 --> 00:11:33.600 You have it not because you deserve it. You have 179 00:11:33.639 --> 00:11:36.879 it not because you're good. You have it because God 180 00:11:37.039 --> 00:11:41.960 is good and God is gracious. But here's one important 181 00:11:42.000 --> 00:11:43.679 thing we need to understand about the. 182 00:11:43.559 --> 00:11:44.639 Favor of God. 183 00:11:46.120 --> 00:11:48.600 God's favor is not just about the blessings and the 184 00:11:48.639 --> 00:11:53.080 positive moments that we have. It's not just about the healing, 185 00:11:53.200 --> 00:11:58.080 the financial breakthroughs, the promotion, the reconciliation in the family. 186 00:11:58.559 --> 00:12:02.360 Sometimes when we talk about God's favor, we equate it with. 187 00:12:02.399 --> 00:12:04.240 The answered prayers and that's it. 188 00:12:05.000 --> 00:12:07.679 But God's favor is not just about the blessings and 189 00:12:07.759 --> 00:12:11.879 the positive moments in our lives. Because when the Angel 190 00:12:12.039 --> 00:12:16.519 told Mary that she found favor with God, her life 191 00:12:16.559 --> 00:12:21.960 did not become easier or more comfortable. In fact, when 192 00:12:22.039 --> 00:12:27.559 Mary received God's favor, it made her life complicated. Sien 193 00:12:28.799 --> 00:12:40.120 finally meron aroun spatial someone liba. Now God interrupted her life, 194 00:12:40.480 --> 00:12:44.519 made her life complicated. Can you imagine have mean and Mary, 195 00:12:44.759 --> 00:12:48.919 you found favor with God? Oh telega favor that was 196 00:12:48.960 --> 00:12:54.279 no in announcing you favor. Huh, Just imagining what's going 197 00:12:54.320 --> 00:12:56.879 on in the mind of Mary at that time. 198 00:12:57.080 --> 00:13:00.159 How will I explain this to Joseph. 199 00:13:01.159 --> 00:13:07.320 Joseph, good news. I'm pregnant and you're not the father. 200 00:13:11.679 --> 00:13:13.759 How will you explain? 201 00:13:15.159 --> 00:13:18.080 God? It's hard? 202 00:13:18.440 --> 00:13:20.840 What will happen to her dream wedding? Maybe this is 203 00:13:20.879 --> 00:13:24.679 something that she prayed for, something that she believed for. 204 00:13:25.399 --> 00:13:31.120 How will she parents the son of God? I'm giging 205 00:13:31.200 --> 00:13:41.039 mom and Jesus, but Jesus male bag and comuna. I 206 00:13:41.120 --> 00:13:45.039 repent of all my sins. Lord, But it's that what 207 00:13:45.080 --> 00:13:49.919 will the community, the people around them, the relatives. She 208 00:13:50.039 --> 00:13:53.240 can be put to death because during their time, if 209 00:13:53.279 --> 00:13:56.720 you're guilty of murder, you can be murder adultery, you 210 00:13:56.759 --> 00:14:02.480 can be stone to death. So God's is not really 211 00:14:02.519 --> 00:14:07.440 about what happens to us. It's about God being with 212 00:14:07.679 --> 00:14:12.360 us and God giving us what we need to accomplish 213 00:14:12.399 --> 00:14:15.559 His good, pleasing and perfect will for our lives. 214 00:14:16.279 --> 00:14:19.279 That's why when the angel showed up, he said, you 215 00:14:19.440 --> 00:14:21.320 are favored. The Lord is with you. 216 00:14:21.559 --> 00:14:24.440 So the favor of God is more than just what 217 00:14:24.840 --> 00:14:29.879 happens to us. When you say your favored, you receive 218 00:14:30.039 --> 00:14:33.200 favor from God. It means the Lord is with you 219 00:14:33.799 --> 00:14:36.960 and you have everything you need in this season of 220 00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:40.080 your life to honor God and accomplish his purpose for 221 00:14:40.159 --> 00:14:46.919 your life. God's favor is not really primarily for our convenience. 222 00:14:47.279 --> 00:14:50.960 It's for His glory and for his purpose. So that's 223 00:14:51.000 --> 00:14:54.159 the favor of God. That's why you may not have 224 00:14:54.240 --> 00:14:58.840 the money you need yet to pay all your bills. 225 00:14:59.240 --> 00:15:04.159 The doctor's report may not be favorable. There may be 226 00:15:04.200 --> 00:15:08.000 a situation at home, in your marriage or with your children. 227 00:15:08.799 --> 00:15:12.879 Your love life may may be like Cole, it's still zero. 228 00:15:13.840 --> 00:15:18.759 But if you have the favor of God, you can celebrate, 229 00:15:19.519 --> 00:15:23.720 You can rejoice, and you can be enthusiastic about the 230 00:15:23.759 --> 00:15:24.960 future because you know. 231 00:15:25.000 --> 00:15:28.600 God is with you and you have what you need for. 232 00:15:28.720 --> 00:15:31.559 The season of your life, so you can honor God 233 00:15:31.600 --> 00:15:32.879 and accomplish his purpose. 234 00:15:33.360 --> 00:15:35.679 How many of you are grateful for the favor of God. 235 00:15:37.399 --> 00:15:39.919 I mean we can rejoice not only when we have 236 00:15:40.000 --> 00:15:43.039 the answer to our prayers, but even if you don't 237 00:15:43.120 --> 00:15:46.639 yet have the answer to your prayers, you can celebrate today. 238 00:15:47.240 --> 00:15:49.879 How many of you know you can celebrate this Christmas? 239 00:15:50.759 --> 00:15:54.159 How many of you know you can worship God this Christmas? 240 00:15:54.840 --> 00:15:57.159 How many of you know you can look forward to 241 00:15:57.200 --> 00:16:01.159 the future with faith and expectation because the Lord is 242 00:16:01.200 --> 00:16:02.600 with you. 243 00:16:02.600 --> 00:16:03.200 You have the. 244 00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:07.480 Favor of God. I like Psalm verse thirty, verse five 245 00:16:08.000 --> 00:16:11.639 four is anger is but for a moment, and this 246 00:16:11.840 --> 00:16:17.559 favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, 247 00:16:18.120 --> 00:16:24.039 but joy comes with the morning. There's joy in the 248 00:16:24.080 --> 00:16:28.639 presence of God, not only in good times, but during 249 00:16:28.799 --> 00:16:31.799 bad times. There is joy in the presence of God. 250 00:16:32.759 --> 00:16:36.039 There is peace in the presence of God. There is 251 00:16:36.120 --> 00:16:39.519 fulfillment in the presence of God. How many of you 252 00:16:39.639 --> 00:16:42.799 know God is speaking to you this today, and that's 253 00:16:42.799 --> 00:16:46.000 a message for you. Second thing that I'd like to 254 00:16:46.080 --> 00:16:50.879 highlight is God's plan Again, sometimes things won't happen. 255 00:16:51.320 --> 00:16:53.000 The way you planned it to be. 256 00:16:53.639 --> 00:16:59.720 You know, some people are frustrated because their Christmas is 257 00:16:59.799 --> 00:17:02.720 not their idea of a perfect Christmas. 258 00:17:03.679 --> 00:17:05.079 Idea of perfect Christmas. 259 00:17:05.079 --> 00:17:07.640 I have this phone, I have this vacation, I have 260 00:17:07.759 --> 00:17:12.359 this bonus, I have this chatter. And when that don't happen, 261 00:17:12.440 --> 00:17:16.240 then our Christmas is ruined. But sometimes things won't happen 262 00:17:16.319 --> 00:17:17.359 the way we plan. 263 00:17:17.240 --> 00:17:17.559 It to be. 264 00:17:18.400 --> 00:17:23.640 Our idea of perfect Christmas will remain just an idea. 265 00:17:24.440 --> 00:17:29.920 Means and I expectations reality. You're familiar with that. Right 266 00:17:30.519 --> 00:17:33.599 one time, I think it was twenty thirteen, My wife 267 00:17:33.680 --> 00:17:36.839 saw this picture of a family with Christmas lights around them, 268 00:17:37.480 --> 00:17:40.400 and before what we used to do is that we 269 00:17:40.440 --> 00:17:44.039 would produce Christmas card, print that and give that to 270 00:17:44.079 --> 00:17:49.759 our friends. That's our Christmas gift budgeted. So no, wife 271 00:17:50.400 --> 00:17:53.400 all cut simply land very easy. 272 00:17:54.079 --> 00:17:56.960 That was okay. So we tried more than one hour. 273 00:17:58.079 --> 00:18:03.240 We're sweating, we're irritated, and we're still not able to 274 00:18:03.359 --> 00:18:06.480 get the same shot that. 275 00:18:08.519 --> 00:18:13.920 Christmas line thirty minutes man, you're lighting was one. 276 00:18:14.039 --> 00:18:19.759 Are not frustrations, we're not able to catch and sometimes 277 00:18:19.799 --> 00:18:24.559 we have this we imagine something, but it's different in 278 00:18:24.599 --> 00:18:27.960 real life and the code that. 279 00:18:28.680 --> 00:18:29.599 We showed earlier. 280 00:18:30.400 --> 00:18:35.680 Don't let your plans make you miss God's purpose. You 281 00:18:35.720 --> 00:18:39.319 know the thing about Mary, I mean imagine it's frustrating 282 00:18:39.440 --> 00:18:42.799 when you try to capture the right moment picture. But 283 00:18:42.880 --> 00:18:45.519 can you imagine with the situation of Mary, it's not 284 00:18:45.640 --> 00:18:51.160 just a Pinterest picture. You're talking about her wedding, You're 285 00:18:51.200 --> 00:18:57.759 talking about her future. Imagine how frustrating that was. No, 286 00:18:58.039 --> 00:19:01.960 can we're preparing for the wedding, I mean months before 287 00:19:02.680 --> 00:19:07.799 my wife was already busy preparing for everything, booking the cater, 288 00:19:08.400 --> 00:19:11.440 the video, all of that she's busy negotiating. 289 00:19:11.720 --> 00:19:22.319 I'm just busy computing Mcano and the important in land. 290 00:19:22.880 --> 00:19:24.400 So I'm just imagining. 291 00:19:24.720 --> 00:19:30.680 I mean Marzuzumba negligiate, I mean send down and send 292 00:19:30.720 --> 00:19:35.400 him invitations and now interrupted. Can you imagine the frustration 293 00:19:35.920 --> 00:19:39.279 you told everyone your plan. Now it's not going to happen. 294 00:19:39.880 --> 00:19:42.279 But the good thing about her is that she embraced 295 00:19:42.559 --> 00:19:47.720 God's purpose for her life. Don't let your plans make 296 00:19:47.759 --> 00:19:53.319 you miss God's purpose. Sometimes sobrang dedicated, dial devoted, dyesa plan, 297 00:19:53.359 --> 00:19:56.680 and Atena Pusy, God intervened, No, We're not willing to 298 00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:59.240 let go of our plan, Lord, and in the process 299 00:19:59.240 --> 00:20:01.640 we miss God's per You know, when we look at 300 00:20:01.640 --> 00:20:05.680 Mary's life, we see God's sovereignty and omniscience. You know, 301 00:20:06.119 --> 00:20:08.920 he knows everything and he has the right to make 302 00:20:08.960 --> 00:20:11.960 decisions because he is aware of what was about to 303 00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:15.920 happen that we are totally ignorant about. How many of 304 00:20:15.920 --> 00:20:19.200 you believe God is all knowing And sometimes there are 305 00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:22.720 things we don't see. There are things that we complained 306 00:20:22.759 --> 00:20:26.799 about before, but now looking back years after, we look 307 00:20:26.839 --> 00:20:29.720 back and we praise God for it. It wasn't my 308 00:20:29.920 --> 00:20:32.400 plan to go to you Belt. I was in Losenna, 309 00:20:32.519 --> 00:20:35.880 serving as a youth pastor for five years when God 310 00:20:36.759 --> 00:20:40.440 changed the plan and I was asked to go to Manila. 311 00:20:40.440 --> 00:20:43.880 I've never been to Manila. First time to live here 312 00:20:43.920 --> 00:20:46.680 and stay here. I was twenty four years old, so 313 00:20:47.240 --> 00:20:50.400 everything was new to me, and of all the places 314 00:20:50.440 --> 00:20:52.359 when I was asked, would you be willing to go 315 00:20:52.400 --> 00:20:57.440 to Manila, transfer there and work with us there? First 316 00:20:57.440 --> 00:21:00.519 option because because can I go to Victory Q because 317 00:21:00.559 --> 00:21:02.480 I know some many pastors there. 318 00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:04.799 We already have relationship. 319 00:21:04.359 --> 00:21:06.680 And I think it will be best for me. But 320 00:21:06.759 --> 00:21:09.799 they said no, we're thinking actually of bringing you to Recto. 321 00:21:10.400 --> 00:21:12.839 It's from the province young reputation. 322 00:21:13.400 --> 00:21:16.119 Baha the rally uh. 323 00:21:17.640 --> 00:21:24.160 Snatcher, So pugno man put them on you bill. But 324 00:21:24.240 --> 00:21:27.119 you know they transferred me there. I stayed there for 325 00:21:27.200 --> 00:21:31.319 ten years, and looking back, I'm so grateful to God. 326 00:21:31.799 --> 00:21:35.000 It was not my plan, but some of the best 327 00:21:35.079 --> 00:21:39.240 years of my life. It happened in New Bell. Looking back, Lord, 328 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:43.799 boutin Alan you interrupted my life. Booting Alan, you changed 329 00:21:43.839 --> 00:21:46.200 my plan because my plan was just to go to 330 00:21:46.319 --> 00:21:49.400 the other town thirty minutes from the Enna planted church 331 00:21:49.519 --> 00:21:53.039 there and live a simple life, grow all there, plant 332 00:21:53.079 --> 00:21:53.680 a church. 333 00:21:53.759 --> 00:21:55.000 Kasan dan langyan. 334 00:21:55.400 --> 00:22:00.920 I will serve God faithfully bahamable effect have been learning Dumu. 335 00:22:01.640 --> 00:22:04.640 So God took me out of that small town, brought 336 00:22:04.720 --> 00:22:07.400 me a new belt. And because of that, I mean, 337 00:22:07.519 --> 00:22:10.440 God opened you so many doors. That's the reason why 338 00:22:10.680 --> 00:22:13.240 I was invited in Japan. I was invited in Dubai 339 00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:16.480 not because really because of me, but simply because I'm 340 00:22:16.519 --> 00:22:19.759 the youth pastor of the biggest campus ministry we have in. 341 00:22:19.839 --> 00:22:21.799 The Philippines, Victory Philippines. 342 00:22:22.480 --> 00:22:26.279 So Ahlandela expert Alagaho, can we invite you to speak 343 00:22:26.319 --> 00:22:31.240 to our church story. When I traveled to these places 344 00:22:32.200 --> 00:22:43.680 sadik gabundu make Japan Pala speak mangapubin shandula Uae never 345 00:22:43.799 --> 00:22:49.359 realized that. But it all happened when God changed the plan. 346 00:22:49.920 --> 00:22:52.519 And I praise God because these are things I never 347 00:22:52.720 --> 00:22:57.000 seen before. These are things that I've never planned. I 348 00:22:57.200 --> 00:22:59.720 complained about it before first year in you. 349 00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:01.200 It was hard. 350 00:23:02.480 --> 00:23:04.319 Because I don't know how to remute. I always write 351 00:23:04.319 --> 00:23:07.440 a taxi. First time, to cook my own food, wash 352 00:23:07.519 --> 00:23:08.720 my own clothes, paying my. 353 00:23:09.240 --> 00:23:10.799 Bills, all of these things. 354 00:23:11.960 --> 00:23:16.200 First year I experienced to go for fasting for three 355 00:23:16.319 --> 00:23:20.960 days because I ran out of money a spiritual and the. 356 00:23:21.000 --> 00:23:24.519 Fasting I brew in and budget. It was hard. 357 00:23:24.559 --> 00:23:28.839 At first I complained, Lord complained, anodito. But now again, 358 00:23:28.880 --> 00:23:31.680 looking back, Lord, thank you you brought me a new belt. 359 00:23:31.920 --> 00:23:39.000 How many of you know? God is wise? God is wise, I. 360 00:23:39.079 --> 00:23:42.279 Say fifty five, verse nine for us. The heavens are 361 00:23:42.400 --> 00:23:46.039 higher than the earth. So are my ways higher than 362 00:23:46.119 --> 00:23:46.839 your ways. 363 00:23:46.640 --> 00:23:49.440 And my thoughts than your thoughts. 364 00:23:50.400 --> 00:23:54.319 Again, your story is part of a bigger story. God 365 00:23:54.440 --> 00:23:57.599 is not just thinking about the wedding. God wants to 366 00:23:57.720 --> 00:24:00.680 use Mary to be part of God, God's plan of 367 00:24:00.799 --> 00:24:04.720 salvation for all of humanity. And I want you to 368 00:24:04.839 --> 00:24:09.200 know that Christmas is also a reminder for us that 369 00:24:09.400 --> 00:24:14.359 your life is part of God's plan of salvation. God 370 00:24:14.480 --> 00:24:17.799 wants your family to be saved. God wants the people 371 00:24:17.880 --> 00:24:20.720 in your workplace and your campus and your community to 372 00:24:20.799 --> 00:24:21.200 be saved. 373 00:24:21.440 --> 00:24:25.279 And guess whom God will use. Tell the person sait 374 00:24:25.319 --> 00:24:28.240 it next to you. You You're part of a bigger story. 375 00:24:28.240 --> 00:24:31.400 I want to end with this last one and the 376 00:24:31.480 --> 00:24:37.880 word God's promise, God's promise. I like Mary's response and 377 00:24:38.039 --> 00:24:42.079 verse thirty eight, and Mary said behold, I am the 378 00:24:42.279 --> 00:24:46.119 servant of the Lord. Let it be to me according 379 00:24:46.200 --> 00:24:54.759 to your word. Mary said, yes, mis crupnil is Cruplanglord, 380 00:24:56.319 --> 00:24:59.039 if this is your will, I'm trusting that you know 381 00:24:59.160 --> 00:25:02.400 better than me. And if this is your promise, I'm 382 00:25:02.440 --> 00:25:06.279 willing to embrace it. Mary said yes, because she knew 383 00:25:07.119 --> 00:25:08.839 God can be trusted. 384 00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:11.440 God is not only good in. 385 00:25:11.519 --> 00:25:15.160 Giving promises, He's equally good and fulfilling them. Be it 386 00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:19.119 onto me according to your word. If this is your plan, 387 00:25:19.279 --> 00:25:20.599 if this is your promise, I know. 388 00:25:20.680 --> 00:25:25.240 You can pull it off. Unlike us, sometimes we give promises. 389 00:25:25.400 --> 00:25:28.519 How many of you have broken some of your promises? 390 00:25:29.440 --> 00:25:33.759 My promise, God, if I experienced that from time to 391 00:25:33.880 --> 00:25:36.240 time with my kids, I will make a promise. 392 00:25:36.279 --> 00:25:42.599 Swimming time tomorrow, taps tomorrow, mull you know, swiming and swiming. 393 00:25:45.839 --> 00:25:46.680 Tell you so. 394 00:25:47.240 --> 00:25:52.039 My intention is good, but I have limitations. I have 395 00:25:52.160 --> 00:25:55.119 good intention, but I have limitations. So even though I 396 00:25:55.160 --> 00:25:58.039 want to fulfill the promise, sometimes I can't. 397 00:25:58.759 --> 00:26:00.680 But how many of you are great? For God is 398 00:26:00.759 --> 00:26:03.839 not like us. When God makes a promise, he is 399 00:26:03.920 --> 00:26:06.799 able to do it because God is not only willing. 400 00:26:06.960 --> 00:26:09.720 God is able. Amen, I mean have you believe God 401 00:26:09.839 --> 00:26:12.720