In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of finding balance in various areas of life. He emphasizes the need to plan ahead while also leaving room for God to guide and bring something special. The speaker also highlights the balance between zeal and wisdom, reckless faith and discernment. He mentions the balance between crisis experiences and spiritual growth, emphasizing the importance of both emotional recommitment to God and steady spiritual development. The sermon concludes by emphasizing the need for balance in other areas of life, such as organization, family dynamics, and church ministry.

For this final period together, I would like to speak on the subject of spiritual balance. What it is to really find spiritual balance in our Christian life. Spiritual balance is not a slow sort of position of compromise. It is the sharpest position. Like a Concorde plane that because of balance can perform the most incredible feats in aeronautics. So the spiritually balanced person can accomplish far more for God. Because he is not being constantly led into one secondary thing or controversial thing after another. I think that in Operation Mobilization, maybe about 20 years ago, we could have become an extremist group. Think what happened to the children of God. That was a Christian Missionary Alliance pastor, David Burke. Many of them were very committed young people. They had a lot of enthusiasm. They were out in the streets. But slowly they became more and more extreme. And it's just unbelievable what has happened to that group. And we noticed they were going in this direction many years before it actually happened. That immorality was invading the movement. Now their women perform the sex act even with total strangers in order to bring them to the love of God. Supposedly the love of God. And this is not a rumor or some secret teaching. They openly teach this and openly practice this all over the world. And many have left the movement because of that. And a lot, even more sick people have now joined the movement. And that is only one of many extremist groups. And it's amazing how even seemingly intelligent good people can get into extremist sections in the area of religion. And in England we have many still in the exclusive brethren. That has brought open scandal in the televisions and the newspaper against Christianity. Because many people say, ah well it's all this. Everybody's this way. They believe of course they're the only ones. Everybody else is wrong. And they will even refuse to eat with their own wife at the table if she's not in the same church and has been baptized in the same organization. Many homes have been split by that movement. And then just a few years ago, the leader of the Taylorite exclusive brethren, committed immorality, blasphemed God and then died. Many came out of that movement at that time. This is a movement that actually had Watchmen Knee in their grip for several years. And some of the extreme things in Watchmen Knee actually came from the exclusive brethren and a man named Mr. Taylor. And when he began to fellowship with other Christians, they excommunicated him and sent a letter around the entire world excommunicating Watchmen Knee. Well I don't want to move or speak more in that direction. But I think we're aware of how subtle Satan is. We're told in John to try the spirits to see if they are from God. We're told to walk in the truth. And this pleases God. That we walk in the truth. And this is the will of God. That we have a balance of truth. And here are just some areas where we need to seek for balance. And this will be so important to keep us from extremism or exclusivism. That's something I would very much like to emphasize. The danger of exclusivism and super-spirituality. That is the method Satan uses on some of the most dedicated people. He brings in this subtle super-spirituality or exclusivism. There is a new group. Just arrived in Europe a few years ago. Founded by Witness Lee of California who used to work with Watchmen Knee. And this group is called Local Church. And they are especially growing in Germany. It seems that the Germans, some of them are attracted to this as they are the total final church. And of course they come into a town, like say when they come to Amsterdam and they will be coming soon. And they have a lot of good teachers. About 80% good teachers. But you see you don't need much poison in a glass of water to kill them. But you know, you only have a little bit of poison in a glass of water to kill someone. And it is the remaining 20% who die. They are the only, And I tend to think they may not go down so well here in the Netherlands. This is my prayer. They do, of course, seem to suck in some very, very nasty people. oriental types. And they often fly people to their great love festivals in California. And when they're trying to proselytize them, they really roll out the red carpet. And many come back convinced this is truly the most loving fellowship. Many people are unhappy in this. They don't find the love and the light. And that makes them ripe for the false cults or the extremist groups. And this is one of the reasons that I so strongly believe that we must understand this subject of spiritual balance. Tozer said the greatest gift needed in the church today is discernment. I would say that you may have many other gifts functioning in your church, but if you don't have discernment, no matter what, you're going to have sooner or later one big mess. Here are some of the specific areas. Number one, the balance between crisis experiences, moments of emotional recommitment to God, and on the other side, spiritual growth. In Acts 4.31, where they prayed, the place was shaken, they were filled with the Holy Spirit, they went forth and spoke the word of God. There are legitimate times of special blessing. Look at Acts 20.32, where it says, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all them who are sanctified. And then in the book of Peter, 2 Peter 3.18, but grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. So both principles are in the word of God. I have seen many people become too subjective, always, what's the next experience? The next blessing, or the next revelation. And I've seen them just led into confusion. And on the other hand, some people are so conservative. Anything special? They're always afraid of emotion. Tozer said in one of his books, that for most churches, to be worried about too much enthusiasm for Christ, was like sending a squadron of policemen to a cemetery in fear that there would be a demonstration at midnight by the residents. In other words, that is not the great problem in most churches. There needs to be a little more emotion. There needs to be at times a little bit of crisis, perhaps a few tears, repentance, and being filled with God's love. Billy Graham says, call it whatever you want, but get it. Reality, spiritual power. And yet, whatever you get in a crisis, time of prayer, it will have to be followed by a process, or it will become, as I already said, an abscess. Whatever you get in a crisis, time of prayer, if it is not followed by a process, it will become a hopeless failure. The second area, is the balance between submission and freedom. We have some very, very big things happening in England right now. Especially in the movement known as the charismatic movement. And in OM, we have people from all these different movements. If they are in any way biblical, we welcome them. But this movement has just split down the middle again. Partly with some teaching that came from the states. Personally, I, over the years, I must confess, have become a little hesitant about everything that crosses the Atlantic. Just forgive me for that. That's why I never hold it against people who are in the Atlantic. Or people who are skeptical about me, because that's the direction I came. My father went over, and I have come back, and I'm staying back here. We need a lot of wisdom. This teaching that has split so many churches, is an over-emphasis on submission. And the leader is a very powerful person. And the sheep must find their shepherd, and they must obey their shepherd in all things. Now, with this incident in Guyana, many people are rethinking some of these ideas. I am praying that that incident will be used to bring people out of extremism and out of cults. Now, the reason this is so difficult, is because the Word of God does teach submission to leadership. Look at 1 Thessalonians chapter 5. Read verses 12 through 13. And compare that with Hebrews chapter 13, verse 17. We read there, 1 Thessalonians chapter 5, verse 12. So, as Christians, we need to learn submission to our leaders. At the same time, there are many instructions for leaders. Like not lording over the sheep, but being an example to the sheep. That is the kind of leadership. I cannot force people in OM to do what I think is right. I cannot tell them who they can marry and who they cannot marry. Watchman Nee, in his extreme book on submission, says if your leader tells you to plant the tree upside down, then you plant the tree upside down. Not on leadership, on submission. And a lot of crazy things have taken place. People get extreme on the subject of submission. Because God's Word teaches that we are free. We have to get to know the will of God. It also teaches we should be submitting one to another. There is a sense in which I, as a leader, must submit to other leaders, and I must be, in some degree, submissive to the followers. I can learn from them. And I may make a mistake in giving some kind of instructions, and I must be willing to sit down and to discuss and to pray over and to see what God's will is, not my will. I can make a mistake in certain things that I have claimed, that I have said, and then I must be willing to talk about it with someone and to think about it and to pray about it. This is an area where many, many people have been destroyed and now have even turned away from Christ. This is an area where many, many people have been destroyed and now have even turned away from Christ. They gave everything to a particular group, even their own will, and then they were crushed. They were walked on. And then they left. I know one group alone, one church that went this way. Eighty people have left the church. I know one group alone, one church that went this way. Eighty people have left the church. I have a few terrible letters from people who describe how they have been manipulated by their leaders and how they have been completely separated. Now that's another difficult area. Some have never come on OM because they thought it was all discipline. They thought, you know, you're just like joining the army. You know, you had to eat certain food. And you get up at a certain time in the morning. And they get this often very wrong impression of what OM is. And God has shown us something of balance. There needs to be discipline and organization, but there needs to be liberty and freedom. We do try to get everybody to do a little bit of physical exercise. But ultimately on most teams, it's eventually left up to the person. If they're not going to get up early, somebody may knock on the door. If they want, they can say, thank you very much, roll over and go back to sleep. So we try to keep a strong message, a strong challenge. But we believe that true spirituality will only develop when there is freedom, and that must include freedom to fail. Now, we do have a few special programs. We have a program on the ship called Intensive Training. And for five months, you give up your freedom and submit to a very hard, rigorous program. Where you don't have any more choice about exercise. And nights of prayer. And about 20 other areas. Only a small group of 12 people on a volunteer basis are allowed into that program. These are usually people who are desperate about getting some discipline in their life. They've had plenty of liberty, they've had all liberty. And they want to learn some discipline. The same thing is true when we speak about organization, organizing things, and freedom of the spirit. Let the Lord guide us as we go along. We need to find the balance. The same balance can also be found in the following area. You have to organize things, but at the same time you have to be guided by the Holy Spirit. There must be a balance. Some groups, when they have a conference, they plan it a year in advance. They use computers. And everything is outlined right down to the last organized. Every speaker, every singer, every minute. If the Apostle Paul suddenly comes in, there would be no room for him. Because everything is already organized. We have done our best to find the balance. Yes, let's plan ahead. Let's get some definite programs. Let's get some materials printed. But let's leave some open time, so God can guide and bring maybe something special at that time. But let's leave some space at the same time for something special that God could do. The next area is the balance between soul and wisdom. Or to put it in other terms, reckless faith compared with discernment. Daring faith, great steps of faith. Someone else put it, the difference between faith and common sense. How do you find the balance in these areas? Some people talk about the ship, even some of my own people. Oh, it's a miracle ship. It's an answer to prayer. Yes, that's true. But there's also 24 engineers. And some of them have a lot upstairs. And they didn't get it from the book of Revelation. And they've got to use their minds. And when they go down to the engine room, if they see a broken piece of equipment, they don't lay hands on the equipment. They lay hands on the repairing machine. It's an area where great balance is needed. And I believe without this balance, OM would have gone into a crazy, a crazy movement. Because young people, they're ready to do anything. They're filled with zeal. That God can do anything. Now when you say that, that sounds nice. But if you start just living that way, God can do anything. I was stuck in an airport in Calcutta. And I couldn't get to Nepal. And I met this funny little extremist lady in the airport. I don't know if you've ever met these types. Very spiritual. You know, everything... Oh, the Lord is here! She said, dear brother. I'm sure the Lord wants you in Nepal. And we know what he did with Enoch. And with Elijah. And with Elijah. And he can take you, whoo, to Nepal. He can take you to Nepal in the same way. Excuse me, I gotta go to the toilet. I didn't feel very comfortable in that situation. Forgive me for my lack of faith. But I felt perhaps the Lord was not leading me to Nepal. And I took the plane to Indonesia, where I was going. We've had some amazing experiences in operation. We've had some amazing experiences in operation. We've had these groups who believed that when the fuel was empty, God would fill the gas tank in a wonderful way. That's nothing for God. God can fill the gas tank. He can miraculously supply it. But you see, God doesn't generally work that way. He can. But he doesn't. And if he did, there would be even more crazy people. God doesn't just break the laws of the universe, just helter-skelter, every time someone prays some silly little prayer. God's greater burden is not to break the laws of gravity, but to break the hearts of his people, that they become humble and loving, and they get their priorities right about God. At the same time, God doesn't. He did supply the ship. He supplies money to buy fuel. Because God's method is to use his people. And it is a miracle. When last Sunday we were in prayer and fasting on Lagos, for financial needs, and within two days, we had one of the largest gifts in the last year or two, for the ministry of the ship. Now, as we receive that money, we have to use wisdom in spending it carefully. In getting the right spare parts. In repairing our lifeboats. We need two new lifeboats. So what should we say? Oh, God, take care of it. This lifeboat has a hole in it. But we will pray. When it goes into the water. God will miraculously fulfill the hole and the boat will float. But you see, in a shipping company that won't work. Right now we are passing our special survey. Very strict inspection. So what if the man comes? Oh, Captain Porter, you're having a hole in your lifeboat. And we say, Captain Porter, there's a hole in your lifeboat. And the captain says to the inspector. Don't worry. If the boat goes in the water. God will hold the boat up. You can imagine the face of the inspector. God, God will hold the boat up. And we will lose our documentation. And we will not be allowed to sail. I'm glad God did not give us these ships in the beginning of our work. He had much more to teach us. About using our heads. And about his word. And about spiritual balance. Yet we don't want to make a mistake. Of getting too much on that one side. We want to know how to trust God for the impossible. Especially in changing people's lives. That's the greatest area where we want to exercise really wild great faith. In seeing people change. That's the greatest area where we want to exercise Then we have to find balance between the intellectual and the emotional. Now in England we have these two types of Christians. We have some who are very emotional. Some of their meetings are very emotional. And they don't understand much theology. Sometimes they're suspicious of theologians. They want a blessing. They're the loathing and praising types. Is that how you say it? They're the type of people who want to praise God. We need people in the church who have some emotional reality. But we also need people of intellectual capacity. We need the John Stotts. We need the Dr. Schaffers. We need the Montgomery's. What an influence Dr. Schaffer has had on many of God's people. I spent a long time with him on the phone just about three weeks ago. He is very very ill with cancer at this time. And is being treated in the Mayo Clinic in the United States. And he's been able to finish his second series of films. And if the Lord takes him we know that his ministry through books and films will go on for many years. We need the powers. We need those who perhaps have a greater emotional capacity for God. But we also need those who have an intellectual capacity and most people should have some of both so that they can be balanced. We need people who experience emotional reality. We also need people who can be sensible. And in most people it is so necessary that a person needs both qualities in his life. Then there is another area where balance is necessary. There is between working the work of the church and worship. Again you get both extremes. And often balance is not found in the middle it's found when both extremes come together. We now have some groups they don't believe in evangelism. I'm not talking about the liberals. I'm talking about Bible believing people. They feel they should not evangelize. They feel this would be rushing ahead of God. That's very strange. God has told us to go but we've said no we're going to stay. And they are very quick to judge others as being activists. Or they may use some other terminology. Like oh this is all youthful zeal or soulish activity. God is teaching us just to become a nice fellowship and to praise and to just worship. And off balance they go. It's a great mistake. We see throughout the New Testament the emphasis on work. The emphasis on evangelism. And worship real worship should lead to more evangelism. Now those who are very activist they can learn something from those who know more about waiting upon God. We need both. And there's a lot to learn from each other. And then the balance between the work and the family. How many of you are married? Quite a few. You're going to have this interesting struggle. Especially if you're in the work of God. There's always so much to do. So many people to speak to. So many places to go to. It is easy for the Christian to neglect his family and his children. And that is the reason some of these children grow up to become little reprobates and little atheists. Now I'm not saying that's always the case. And I don't point my finger I don't point my finger at a man of God because one or two of his children have gone temporarily astray. That also is extremism. See the emphasis on work and the family is very important. See the emphasis in Ephesians 5 on the family. And in 1 Corinthians 4, 7 and 16 we can't read all these verses. But I know you see these things in God's Word. But I know you see these things in God's Word. This is what we believe. God is first. The family second. The work is third. Me, God, family, O.M. God, family, ship. Not God, ship, family. Not God, ship, family. And if we keep that priority it will make a big difference in our family and in our children. And during these days I've had less time with some of you because I've been spending some time with my own wife. And sometimes she has been very much left out of my practical life because of other people always wanting, wanting, wanting. And this Dutch weekend has turned out to be a very special and wonderful time for my wife and I before we go back with the three kids tomorrow. I made some real mistakes in this area. And I don't think other women would have even stayed with me and gone through what my wife had to go through. Many, many years. I was six months a year on the road away from home. Now maybe God in His mercy because tens of thousands of people are praying for me He kept us from disaster. But I don't believe that is the normal way that a family should function and hardly any O.M. family functions that way. Of course, just being with your family is not enough. I learned that. It's not just the amount of time. It's the quality of that time. Is there communication? Is there freedom? Is it a healthy, balanced home? And that's another whole area, another whole message on spiritual balance is balance in the home. Not too rigid and strict and yet not too just liberty and do everything you want. But balanced in the area of discipline of children. And on we could go. In almost every basic area of life there is a need for balance. There is a need to find the opposing truth that will bring this truth into balance. In our work we have to find the balance between church planting and basic evangelism. We need both. Some people may say giving out literature, just preaching, in-depth work, church work. But we have found that a lot of this evangelism has brought the birth of churches. Or it has brought revival to churches. As these young people who were trained in OM went back to a church and later helped bring a training and renewal program into that church. Compare Acts 8.25 Let's just look at that together. Acts 8.25 Acts 8.25 Preaching the gospel in many villages. And notice Acts 8.4 Went everywhere preaching the word. But in other verses we find Paul revisiting the churches in much exhortation and staying in one place for quite a few months. I'm sure you know that if you've ever studied the book of Acts. That's an area of balance. And then the balance between prosperity and poverty. Some in the United States are teaching now that if you're walking with God he will always prosper you financially. This is the way to be as materialistic as you want and have a nice free conscience because you say, God gave us all this. He's just blessing me. I didn't really want this big new car but the Lord gave it to me. This is the way to be as materialistic as you want and have a nice free conscience because you say, God gave us all this. I didn't really want this big new car but the Lord gave it to me. Others, of course, believe this is coming from the devil. And they feel that to be a dedicated Christian you should be living on the barest essentials and not be caught up with all this. In 2 Corinthians 6.10 it says we are poor yet making many rich. Today, I believe it's the opposite. We are rich making many poor. At the same time I believe to find the balance we have to acknowledge God does prosper some people financially. It's not a theology. It's what God is doing in His purposes in an individual life. He prospers some. 2,000 years of church history show that God more often allows His people to remain somewhat poor but to know the riches of His grace. And this causes me to warn people not to take a personal experience and turn it into a theological doctrine. God is working in different ways in different people. You probably heard the story of this lady. And she was in a very big meeting. And she felt the Lord. And so she leaped in the air. And as she came down she sensed the Lord. And this was her leap experience. And she realized this was so precious to her in her quiet time. This was so wonderful. I knew her husband was a little concerned. So then she began to teach the leap experience. And she was preaching to some believers. She found in her concordance the word leap. And she began to develop the theology of the leap. And at the end of her message she would say, if you want the blessing you must leap. And so the people got up all leaping. Now, if we do this on the doulas, our head goes right through the deck. It's a perfect example. Whether the story is true, I don't know. But I think it is. But it's a perfect example of a personal experience. It may have been a valid experience that works in special ways. But then turning that into a doctrine, into a theology which would lead people astray. I often get a blessing in the bathtub. I like just sitting in the hot water. And I often listen to tapes. In fact, I recently had Brother Andrew in the bathtub. No, no, I mean, I was listening to his tape when I was in the bathtub. Yet, you know, in my meetings I would want to put bathtubs around the meeting so when you came you could get a blessing. Now, it's good that you are able to laugh. Because if you want to survive the present evangelical scene you have got to have a sense of humor. And it's my experience that the over-serious types, everything in life is so serious, they get caught into extremes. And often, really, it's not doctrinal, it's an emotional problem that they have. So, in closing, I bring together this morning's message and this afternoon's message. We need that total commitment. And yet, there must be the spiritual balance. Let me mention just one other area. The balance between fellowship and worship. I said I was going to speak about fellowship, I almost forgot. But I feel that fellowship is such a vital part of our Christian life. Really learning to walk in the light. Now, there are different kinds of fellowship. We are not going to have in-depth sharing times and opening our hearts, you know, with everybody we meet. But we need something. At least one. That we can really share our deeper struggles with. Now, I don't know much about the Dutch, how it is here in the Netherlands. But in some countries, this is very much in opposition to the natural cultural. For example, in Finland, I've had many Finnish people tell me, this idea of sharing your problems, of being open about your struggles is just almost unheard of in a normal Finnish cultural setup. In Germany, when I preached about fellowship and sharing, and shared some of my own problems, even in a public meeting, people dropped. And yet many have come to me. Actually, Germany is the most responsive OM country in Europe, together with Britain. And our work in that country has just grown beyond expectations. Many Germans appreciate this message about fellowship, honesty. Let's take off the mask. Let's be real. Let's talk about the real problems and learn the way of fellowship. And many have come into a new, free, liberated walk in the Lord Jesus Christ. And it's an area, of course, where you have to find a balance. There are times when it's better to keep your mouth shut. And we don't believe it's wise to get up in a public meeting and tell all the details about some sin that you have just gotten into. And there are times when we just can't fellowship anymore. We must just stop speaking to one another and just worship the Lord. And that has to be kept in balance. And then there is the importance of friendship. I've found many times I never get friendship with a person until they're in trouble. At least in a sort of in-depth situation. There are many other general friendships in which we may not know a person very well. And yet we know that if we did get in trouble, that person would be there ready to help. And this leads us to pray for one another, to write letters to one another, and to learn what it is to really share as the Body of Christ. So O.M. is still preaching total commitment. Lordship of Christ. Let's reach the world give ourselves to the work and to the Lord. But there must be the balance. The whole counsel of God. This truth being balanced by that truth. Other factors are there. Understanding history. How God has worked in the past. Some people criticize all the denominations. So they can build up their own little group. And soon, I've seen this in 24 years, theirs is already a denomination. And now they're making the same mistakes and the same sins of the denominations they condemned 20 years ago. I feel it is better to see how God has worked in different groups. In different ways. And many of the denominations today within the denomination there are many many dead churches. There are other live churches. And we try to judge each church individually. And fellowship with God's people that way. And not have a critical spirit. Especially when we don't know all the facts. I may be convinced about a particular way of worship. I may not agree with something in another group. But I need to respect them. I need to maintain humility. God may want to teach me through some of them. Tozer says it's good to have a little reverent skepticism. A little healthy unbelief about some of the things people may say. But then he warns us that we must not become cynical. That's one of my dangers. I have seen so much. So much nonsense. The danger of becoming cynical. The man with too many answers. And not enough humility. And not a spirit of thanksgiving. He says thanksgiving is a great cure for cynicism. And wherever there may be even a mess in the church. As you look more you may discover God is working. God is breaking in. And I'm sure that's true of your life. You may feel weak. Maybe discouraged. Maybe not much of a disciple. But I'm sure you're here this weekend. Because God is breaking in. And God is working. And he will continue that work in you that he has begun. And I believe that. And if at any time I can be of any help write to me. Send me your photo. Say pray for me. Another sinner. I need balance. Pray for my wife. She needs a survival kit. Because she's married to me. Let's pray. Let's just have a few moments of silent prayer. May God just search our hearts in these moments. I wonder if there are some that sense a need for a new step of faith in your Christian life. To simply believe that God is going to do a new thing in your life. Over the coming months and years. Maybe not instantly. But you know there needs to be a new beginning in your life. If you're in that category just pray this prayer. Or your own prayer. Say Lord I present my body as a living sacrifice. Wholly acceptable to you. Lord take my life. Use me. Here or overseas. Whatever the cost I will be your disciple. Fill me with your love and your Holy Spirit. Keep me from extremes and off balance living. That I may be a man a woman after your own heart. Will you pray that prayer? Perhaps there is some it would be helpful for you to make an outward commitment this afternoon. Often Jesus when he was dealing with someone he asked them to do something that seemingly was foolish. One man was asked to put mud on his eyes. But I'm going to ask you if you want to take a new step forward of faith in your Christian life. You're really serious. You don't care what people say. You want God. You want to know him in love and power. Even though this can only be the beginning or the new beginning. You want that. I'd like to pray for you. Specifically. As you just stand up and acknowledge your need. Say Lord take my life. Between you and the Lord but I've found that when I've done this and I don't always do this not many people have been greatly helped. As we take one step God takes ten. To meet us. To fill us. To change our life. You pray that prayer. And you sense this is what God wants. Just stand up. And I can pray for you. God bless you. And you. God bless you. God bless you. And you. God bless each one. I don't have the words to express what I'd like to say. Believe God is ministering personally to you. In his providence he's brought us together here. Me from Bombay and you from many parts of Holland. And this may be the most important moment. We have heard so much teaching. Will you say yes? To the Lord. God bless you. For some it will take courage and strength to remain seated. We're all different. Let's all be thanking Jesus. Anyone else. Praise the Lord. This will mean different things in different people. It's not a stereotype one special thing that I'm talking about. God is working. And it's a step of faith. You believe that God is going to make some big changes in the days to come. You want that rest of faith. That power. And yet from this teaching you know that a big part will be yours tomorrow. Tonight can just be the beginning. Anyone else. God bless you. God bless you. Praise the Lord. There's special problems they're not too great for God. They're not too great for God. Praise the Lord. Lord you see each person standing before you. You know our hearts. You know our needs. We're all different. But you love each one of us. And you hear our hearts crying out to you. We want to be more mature. We want to be disciples. We want to do your will. Whether it's here or overseas. We present our lives to you. Take us God. Fill us with your Holy Spirit. And use us for your glory. We're just so weak. We feel so inadequate. But your grace is sufficient. And we stand upon your word. In Jesus name we ask. Let us all stand. Let us all stand. Let us just sing His name is wonderful. As we just worship the Lord and thank the Lord. Jesus. His name. Jesus. His name is wonderful. Jesus. Can we just be seated for a moment? I just have one other request. Those of you who have stood up to make this step of faith I would like you to give me a nice sized piece of paper your name, address and just one or two prayer requests or thoughts about what you believe God is doing in your own heart. So that I can pray at least once for you. And to read that. And then perhaps if I can do it to send you a piece of helpful literature. If you read English please put on there I read English. Tons of English literature but not much Dutch literature. But I do have things in Dutch as well. I believe it's an important commitment that you have made. I had to make a number of such commitments in my life. They're not necessarily big emotional events. But it's an act of the will. They're like a bottle prize. Our life is His. And I'd like to hear especially from those of you if you don't give it in today you can send it to me. On a ride in Dutch he'll be happy to put it in. Thank you so much for coming through the ice and difficult roads. And I certainly hope I see some of you again.