In this sermon, the speaker reflects on a moment when they were in a restaurant filled with expensive and beautiful things. They noticed that in order to enter the restaurant, the wealthy had to push through all these luxurious items. However, the speaker's attention was drawn to a small sign that promised the power to see in the darkest circumstances. They emphasize that neglecting the power of the Holy Spirit is a dangerous sign of backsliding. The speaker warns against seeking joy and fulfillment in anything other than a relationship with God and His Word, as it will ultimately leave one empty and sorrowful. The sermon references Proverbs 4:13 to emphasize the importance of staying connected to God's Word.

Can we just have a moment of prayer, please? Can we bow before God, Father in mercy, and all of us come protect us from the devil, Satan, his demonic forces. Protect us, and by thy risen, resurrected power, rebuke him away, that there may be nothing of Satan here, and his influences to divert us, our attention, and our hearts. Take the hardest heart, speak to that hardest heart in a way that will astonish them, those who are not expecting anything from God or wanting anything from God. Break their hearts. Visit us as only God the Holy Ghost can. Wash me deeply in the blood of Christ, that I may be a vessel of meat for the master's use, because of the grace of God given to everyone who at his best is unprofitable, and so I need the blood. Come cleanse, wash in mercy and grace, and fill, anoint, unctionize by thy Holy Spirit, and come and honor thy word, and speak to every single heart here of the age of understanding. In Jesus the Christ's name, amen. The Bible, the Bible refers to itself as the word of God. The Bible refers to itself as the word of God. In Hebrews 6, verse 5, and in 2 Timothy 3, 16, we read that all scripture, all scripture is given by inspiration of God. All scripture is given by inspiration of God for instruction, for instruction. In righteousness, for instruction in righteousness. Verse 17, that the man of God may be complete, that the man of God may be complete and thoroughly equipped, thoroughly equipped. Now, today I want us to carefully consider 16 facets, 16 facets of this book. Which is the sacred word of God. The first thing, the first thing we must realize is that it is the source of our salvation. It is the source of our salvation. James tells us in chapter 1, verse 21, to receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. Being born again, born again by the word of God. 1 Peter 1, 23, and in 2 Timothy 3, 15, Paul refers to the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith. Ephesians 2, verse 8, but faith cometh by the word of God. Romans 10, verse 17. And so firstly, firstly, we see that it is the source of our salvation. But secondly, the keeping of it, the keeping of it is the evidence that I am truly saved. The keeping of it is the evidence that I am truly saved. Be ye doers of the word, not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James warned in chapter 1, verse 22, hereby we do know that we know him. If we keep his commandments, he that saith I know him and keepeth not his commandments is a liar. A liar. And the truth is not in him. 1 John 2, verse 3 declares in 1 Peter 2, verse 23, says being born again, not of corruptible seed, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible by the word of God. Now the seed is the word of God, Jesus said in Luke 8, verse 11. But in the next verse, he gave a fearful warning. Then cometh the devil and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. Oh soul, whatever the devil does, whoever the devil uses, be careful what you do when you hear or read the word of God. Whatever the devil does, whoever the devil uses, be careful what you do when you hear or read the word of God, for we are warned that it will one day judge us. In John 12, verse 18, Christ declared, he that rejecteth me and receiveth not my word hath one that judgeth him. The word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him. In the last day, who so despiseth the word shall be destroyed, Proverbs 13, verse 13 says. And so firstly, we see that it is the source of our salvation. But secondly, the keeping of it, the keeping of it is the evidence that we have been truly saved. And thirdly, the rejecting of it. The rejecting of it will result in us to one day be judged by it. Christ said, but if and when I am truly saved, if and when I am truly saved, it immediately becomes my source of spiritual growth. 1 Peter 2, verse 20, 1 Peter 2, verse 2 says, as newborn babes, as newborn babes desire the sincere milk of the word, that he may grow thereby, that he may grow thereby, beloved. This book, this book is the source of our salvation. And the keeping of it is the evidence that I am truly saved. But the rejecting of it will result in us to one day be judged by it. But if and when I am truly saved, it immediately becomes my source of spiritual growth. And fifthly, it is our source of daily renewal. It is our source of daily renewal. In 2 Corinthians 4, verse 16, we read that the inward man, the inward man is renewed day by day, morning by morning. He wakeneth my ear to hear Isaiah 50, verse 4, to be strengthened with might by his spirit in the inner man. Ephesians 3, verse 16 tells us, the inward man is renewed day by day. It is our source of daily renewal, beloved. It is our source of daily renewal. And ultimately, ultimately, it becomes our source of survival. It becomes our source of survival. Man doth not live. Literally, man cannot live by bread alone, that's by eating food only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live. Deuteronomy 8, verse 3, I have esteemed the word of his mouth more than my necessary food. I have esteemed the word of his mouth more than my necessary food. Job 23, verse 12, it ultimately is our source of survival. Now, the seventh vital facet we must consider, the seventh vital facet we must realize is that it is given life and revelation by the Holy Spirit. It is given life and revelation by the Holy Spirit at salvation. At salvation, the Holy Spirit of God possesses me. At salvation, the Holy Spirit of God possesses me. Ye are the temple of God, and the Spirit of God dwelleth in you, 1 Corinthians 3, verse 16. Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you, 1 Corinthians 6, verse 19. Christ in you, Christ in you is the hope of glory. There's no hope of eternal life. You have no hope of going to heaven without Christ. Christ in you is the hope of glory, Colossians 1, verse 27. But if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his, Romans 8, verse 9. And from the moment of our salvation, from the moment of our salvation, the Word of God is given revelation and life by the Holy Spirit who now dwells in us. From the moment of our salvation, the Word of God is given revelation, life by the Holy Spirit who now dwells in us. But, but the natural man, that's the unsaved, unregenerate man, receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him. They're meaningless. Neither can he know them. He can't understand them because they are spiritually discerned, 1 Corinthians 2, verse 14 tells us. For the letter killeth. The letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life, 2 Corinthians 3, verse 6 declares. In Luke, in Luke chapter 24, Christ appeared to of his sorrowing disciples on the Emmaus road. And verse 27 says, beginning at Moses and the prophets, virtually the entire Old Testament, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. Then suddenly, verse 31, he vanished. He vanished out of their sight. Verse 32, and they said one to another, did not, did not our hearts burn within us? While he talked with us, by the way, while he opened to us the scriptures, while he opened to us the scriptures, and Christ promised his disciples and us that the Holy Spirit, when he is come, would do the same. John 14, verse 26 says, he shall teach you all things. But without the Holy Spirit, this book is dead. Without the Holy Spirit, this book is dead. 2 Corinthians 3, verse 6, the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life. The psalmist prayed, open thou mine eyes, literally in the Hebrew, give revelation that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law, Psalm 119, verse 18. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scripture, Luke 24, verse 45 recorded. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened, Ephesians 1, verse 8, that our God may lighten our eyes, that is literally open, arise. Ezra 7, verse 8, now those disciples had cried, did not our hearts burn within us? While, while he opened to us the scriptures, and our hearts will burn within us also, beloved, as the Holy Spirit of God opens the word of God to us daily, our hearts will burn. But how tragic, how tragic it would be if a Christian sits before an open Bible, and like a blind man, sees nothing. How tragic it would be if a Christian sits before an open Bible, and like a blind man, sees nothing that will give him a burning heart daily. Oh, Christian, beware, for the neglect of this book, the neglect of this book is the first evidence that I am in the tragic process of backsliding. The neglect of this book is the first evidence that I am in the tragic process of backsliding. The first indication you have backslidden, the first indication that you have backslidden is if you lose appetite, if you lose appetite for the scriptures. The first indication that you have backslidden is if you lose appetite for the scriptures, but instead your appetite increases more and more for things, legitimate things, technology, anything that diverts you. Sir, it doesn't have to be depraved sin, it's as depraved as depraved sin, because sin will come as a result of neglecting this book. Your appetite, oh, instead of appetite for the scriptures, your appetite now increases more and more for things that are not related to God or his word, and buries this book and the love of it. But these things will leave you empty spiritually, and you will experience that even in laughter the heart will be sorrowful. Proverbs 4 verse 13 warns us, even in laughter you'll pretend you're enjoying what you're doing, but your heart is sorrowful. You can't be saved and fulfilled and know any of God's joy in anything if you divert from this book to the degree that you bury it for other things to find joy in them. No, even in laughter, that's a terrible lie. You're trying to lie, convince yourself, even in laughter you will experience that even in laughter the heart is sorrowful. Proverbs 4 verse 13 warns. Who is he speaking of here? The next verse tells us, sadly, the backslider. Nowhere in the Bible is there a verse that relates to someone who laughs while he's sorrowing. What a condition to find yourself and you're saved. The backslider in heart. Beloved, the word of God. The word of God is the source of our salvation and the keeping of it. The keeping of it is the evidence that I am truly saved, but the rejecting of it will result in us to one day be judged by it. But once I am truly saved, it immediately becomes my source of spiritual growth. Once I am truly saved, it immediately becomes my source of spiritual growth and our source of daily renewal. It ultimately becomes our source of survival. It is given life and revelation by the Holy Spirit, who now dwells in us. But the neglect of it, the neglect of it is the first evidence that I am in the dangerous and tragic process of backsliding. It may shock you. I hope I do. It is a thousand times more difficult to find vital reality in your relationship with Christ if you backslide than it is for a drunk or a pervert to come to find reality with God at salvation. Don't go that way. For even in laughter daily in everything you do, your heart will be broken. You so deprive yourself of that which is true joy. And there's no true joy outside of it, sir. You think sin can do it or all these other things. No! The neglect of it is the first evidence that I am in the dangerous and tragic process of backsliding. It is also our moral compass. It is our moral compass. In John 17, verse 15, Jesus prayed, Father, I pray not that thou should take them out of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. Christ prayed for that. He wouldn't pray for something that's not possible. That would be blasphemy to say. And sacrilege, oh, I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. Verse 17, sanctify them, that is, keep them from the evil through thy truth. Thy word is truth. Beloved, this, this is our moral compass. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way. How can I stay clean, daddy? There's so much filth everywhere I turn. Oh, boy, soak yourself in the Bible and with all your heart seek grace to fulfill it. And the devil can't touch you, boy. He can tempt you, but he won't touch you. If you don't know, you don't want to see what the devil can do, boy. If you don't, if you don't do what I say, wherewithal, how can I stay clean? Let a young man cleanse his way, stay clean from this filthy world by taking heed thereto according to thy word. Psalm 119 verse 9, thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee. It is our moral compass. Sin will keep me from the Bible, but the Bible will keep me from sin. That little statement, a professor who lectures Oxford, other great universities, his writings, he stood with me and he opened the Bible as he heard my heart. And he said, listen, my boy, the only words I've ever dared to write within the covers of this sacred book to add to it are these. He opened up when I was a younger Christian, and there he had written these words. Sin will keep me from the Bible, but the Bible will keep me from sin. Here he was, professor, degrees out the door, revered across the world of theological, evangelical fundamentals. No, that's all he could find himself capable of adding within the covers, the simplicity of it. Sin will keep me from the Bible, the Bible will keep me from sin. It is our moral compass. And it also, it is also the means by which the Holy Spirit cleanses us from all wrong influences we face in this sinful world daily. It is also the means by which the Holy Spirit cleanses us from all wrong influences we face in this sinful world daily. Ephesians 5, verse 25, we read in Ephesians 5, 25, that Christ loved the church and gave himself for it that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. It is the means by which the Holy Spirit cleanses us from all wrong influences we face daily. Beloved, the blood cleanses us from sin, but we are cleansed from the world's wrong and warped influences and defiling influences with the washing of the water by the word daily, daily. It also fortifies and keeps my mind from vain, worthless thoughts. It fortifies as nothing else, nothing you can do, nothing you can look at that Christianity puts out. It also fortifies and keeps my mind from vain, worthless thoughts and from thoughts of evil. I hate vain thoughts, Psalm 119, verse 130. I hate wrong, worthless, wasteful thoughts, but I love thy law. A very godly young man in South Africa, Jan Haram Labaskagni. Young, but like a Timothy. No man can despise that boy's youth. He's an example of it. He said to me a little while ago, a few months ago, Sir, the Bible, the Bible gets our minds off things that don't matter. The Bible gets our minds off things that don't matter onto God's values, God's priorities, God's values. I hate vain thoughts, wrong, worthless thoughts, but I love thy law. The thought of foolishness is sin. Proverbs 24, verse 9. For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23, verse 7. Bringing every thought into captivity, you can, or God wouldn't tell us to. He can't mock us. You can bring thoughts of evil into captivity before they become evil thoughts. You don't have to confess there's not one person in the world, no matter how godly they are, that doesn't have thoughts of evil because of memory. Memory is not sin. The devil can't accuse you. What he puts in front of you, it isn't your desire to have seen those things as you walk down the street or as you go in the shop to buy something. God knows that and the devil has no right because memory is not sin. Things in the past that he throws up, those thoughts, whatever he puts, tries to put in, that's not sin. Thoughts of evil, you don't even have to confess. But before they become evil thoughts, when you meditate, when you let them go on and become evil thoughts, you have to bring into captivity. God asks it of us. God cannot ask anything of us that he will not give us the grace to do fully. In every circumstance of life, he will give you, but do you want that grace? Do you ask God for the grace that you can fulfill the commandment here? Because the thoughts relate that you meditate, that you allow will become sin. What you think, you become. You do what you allow in your mind long enough. That's dangerous. Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10 verse 5. It is the Bible that fortifies and keeps my mind from vain thoughts, worthless thoughts, and from thoughts of evil as nothing else can fortify. Neglect this, you'll find those thoughts are impossible to get out of your head, and you'll become that. You'll do that, boy. You do what God says, and you can, or he wouldn't mock us and say that we should do it. He will give you the grace, and you will stay pure. It also becomes our source of safe navigation. Safe navigation. Order my steps in your word. Psalm 119 verse 133. Literally direct my steps by means of your word. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, a light unto my path. Psalm 119 verse 105. It is our source of safe navigation. Jesus, Savior, pilot me over life's tempestuous sea. Unknown waves before me roll. Hiding rocks, treacherous shore, trout, and compass come from thee. Jesus, Savior, pilot me. It is our source of safe navigation. It is our source of safe navigation. It gives you the power to see in the dark. I remember walking in a very exclusive restaurant in South Africa that missionaries and preachers wouldn't go in, unless very wealthy people were taking them to some incredible meal. But these people were very clever. This restaurant of chandeliers, and you can't believe it. I mean, you just feel out of place. This isn't where I belong, but thank you for one moment, Lord. So, there you are. But to get into this restaurant, they have a place about this big, but you've got to walk through the most beautiful things, expensive things that you can buy for the house, the most perfect things. Oh, my, I've looked at them, and I thought, well, Lord, I don't covet a thing. I'm content with what I have. But I see the rich digging out and roll to get through to have a cup of tea or a breakfast, English breakfast. There they are. So, I was looking at all these things, you know, and, oh, look at all these people buying these exclusive things imported from everywhere in the world in this amazing restaurant that caters for the wealthy. So, they have wealthy things to sell. Then suddenly, I saw a sign on the board, a little plaque, a little board. This will give you the power to see in the dark. In the darkest circumstance you will ever face, you will see where you're going. Sure, I walked over there. I thought, this must be the Bible. What is it? It's a hat, some ridiculous cap that boys wear that makes them look like... I won't say. Anyway, on this cap is attached two LED lights, you know, and I don't know where the batteries are, but there you are. This will give you the power to walk in the darkest circumstance to see where you're going. I thought, whoa, you don't know what you're talking about. The Bible does that. The Bible does that. By his light, I walked through darkness. Job 29, verse 3, by his light, I walked through darkness and the instructions it contains are the men of my counsel. The instructions, the commandments, the promises it contains are the men of my counsel. Without counsel, purposes are disappointed. You can make grave error, the Bible says. But in the multitude of counselors, they are established. You're safe. Proverbs 15, verse 22, in the multitude of counselors, there's safety. Proverbs 11, verse 14, thy testimonies, that's God's instructions, are my counselors. Psalm 119, verse 24, the Hebrews literally, they are the men of my counsel. I don't go to human men for guidance. The men of my counsel, literally in the Hebrew, thy testimonies, thy instructions contained in thy holy book are my counselors. Moffat translates it, they are my advisors. They give me the advice I need. Most Christians, most Christians are forever running to man for counsel, guidance, instruction, for the smallest thing. But beloved, there's greater safety in the instructions of God's word if you're saved. The men of my counsel are the commandments, the promises, the warnings, the instructions contained and strewn throughout this holy book. And when many of them give me the same counsel, I embrace them as God's leading. I don't believe God would mock me in my desire to know his heart, his direction for my life. For in the multitude of counselors, my counselors, there's safety. The instructions it contains are the men of my counsel. Psalm 119, verse 24. And this sacred book, this sacred book contains the prayers, the prayers that I need to pray to survive when my heart is crushed, wounded, overwhelmed, and I become weary and am no longer able to pray. In faith, that has happened to me, that has happened to me many times, sir. The sacred book contains the prayers that I need to pray to survive when my heart is crushed, wounded, overwhelmed, and I become weary and am no longer able to pray in faith. Martin Luther testified of how during the Reformation, all hell rose up against him. In a way, none of us in this building will comprehend how Satan and all the demonic forces through everyone he had control of came against this man. He became so weary, he said, and fearful that there were many times he couldn't pray. Luther said that he couldn't pray, he was numb. And then, it was then that God led him to pray the Psalms aloud. And he found that through this discipline, he swiftly sensed that he had entered into the presence of God in a way he had never known in any time of prayer before. And he experienced that his faith was being renewed as he prayed these God-given prayers. You see, the Psalms, they're all 90 percent, they start of all the errors, all the wrong, the injustices, the cruelties of this world, and through men you wouldn't expect it. All the fears. And then they turn to God and commit them to God, and then they start praising in faith. And you cannot believe the faith, the agony first, yes, it comes from your heart. I'm scared of the word sovereignty because it's abused by many people theologically. But if I have to think of sovereignty, I think of how God is in control of your life if you're walking with him, if you're seeking him. And I see again and again when I'm about to be, just give up and almost die, want to die. Oh, he has me reading, not jumping around for lucky packets, you know, verses. You could make grave mistakes when you face crisis and you suddenly want God to give you guidance. No. But if you are disciplined, if it's your life, if nothing diverts you, you'll be stunned to see how in the circumstances you face, those words you know are not just a chance, just when you're reading, just your daily, they're like God just takes you, puts you down and talks to you. You know, if I was thrown into heaven right now, I would be no more aware and aware of the fact that God is speaking to me and telling me just what to do. The sovereignty of God is seen in your life when you're rightly related to him and you are right and all hell comes against you and you become weary, which happens. And you find where you're reading, where you're reading is something of a sovereign hand of God in your life, and so stay in his will. Oh, it contains the prayers I need to pray to survive. When my heart is crushed, wounded, overwhelmed, I become weary and I'm no longer able to pray in faith. Not only the Psalms, but Luther eventually found prayers through the Bible. It caused him to know this was given for him, not just historically. Some record historically of things recorded, David's prayers, it was for me. Nothing is in this book historically. Of course it's history, but don't tell me two-thirds of the Bible was written in history for us to know about. No, they were written for you and me. Warnings, admonitions, to give us courage, to know the heart of God. You would be in poverty without the Old Testament, poverty. Oh, but wait now, wait now. It also tests our faith. It also tests our faith. The promises contained in this sacred book test our faith. We read in Psalm 105, verse 17, that Joseph was sold, was cruelly sold by his brothers for a servant. That is, he was sold into slavery. Verse 18, whose feet they hurt with fetters that change, and he was laid in iron. Literally, his soul entered into the iron, the Hebrew says. His soul, his soul suffered. His soul entered into the iron. He suffered so much in the furnace of affliction. Isaiah 40, in verse 10, says, Until the time that his word came, that is, came to pass. Until the time that his word came, the word of the Lord tried him, tested him, tested his faith. Until the time that his word came to pass, the promises God had given him, the word, those promises God had given him, tried him, tested his faith. It tests our faith, beloved. But if my faith is ever put to the test, if my faith is ever put to the test, it installs hope, comfort, courage within me to endure through God's compassionate and precious promises which are strewn across the sacred pages for my survival. If my faith is ever put to the test, it installs hope, comfort, courage within me to endure through God's compassionate and precious promises which are strewn across its sacred pages. Beloved, Job had no Bible. Job had no Bible. You see, the book of Job was written before any other book that was divinely inspired as God spoke through man to record that he had his word and his heart. Before Moses, Job wrote, it's the oldest known book of every single writing that was eventually canonized and put not through men's wisdom or reason. You dare not doubt this is God. Don't doubt that God is not great enough to make sure this book, for the billions that he died for, to know truth and not one word, error. Sir, don't ever doubt this. This is God's book. This is divinely inspired and it wouldn't be in this book if it wasn't protected by a God who created a universe with one word. Don't tell me he couldn't protect the putting together of the one thing that tells mankind the truth of what life is for and what he expects and what judgment comes if you do not embrace it and walk with him. Now, Job had no Bible. There was no, oh, there were writings passed on, I believe, from early ways of recording. Don't think they only started writing past Cain and Abel. There was a way of recording. Things were passed on and there was so much but there was no recorded word as God gave revelation to Moses of the creation and Genesis and the account of everything that why he chose the people. Now, Job had no Bible. That's staggering. And he cried, my days are spent without hope. My days are spent without hope. Job 7, verse 6. But we, beloved, we cry, although my soul melteth for heaviness. Psalm 119, verse 81. Although my soul melteth for heaviness and fainteth for thy salvation, I hope in thy word. David was greatly distressed, we read in 1 Samuel 30, verse 6. David was greatly distressed, but we read, David encouraged himself in the Lord. In the multitude of my thoughts within me, my thy comforts, thy comforts delight my soul, he cried. In Psalm 94, verse 19. This is my comfort. In my affliction, thy word. Psalm 119, verse 49. He sent forth his healing word. Psalm 107, verse 20 tells us, not to them, to us. The words here, he had billions in mind, not the man, not the nation. He sent forth his healing word with me in mind, not just those people I read that he said these words. Psalm 107, verse 20. But unless, unless thy law had been my delight, I should then have perished in my affliction. Psalm 119, verse 92. Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in my affliction, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Romans 15, verse 4. That we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope, Paul wrote. Hebrews 11, 33 tells us of men and women who through faith obtained promises and out of weakness were made strong. I want to repeat that. Hebrews 11, 33 speaks and tells us of men and women who through faith obtained promises and out of weakness were made strong. Now the Bible has many other facets, vital facets, that I will preach on at some point. But today we have considered 16 of its vital facets. Firstly, it is the source of our salvation. Secondly, the keeping of it. The keeping of it is the evidence that I am truly saved. But thirdly, the rejecting of it will result in us to one day be judged by it. Fourthly, once I am truly saved, it becomes my source of spiritual growth. And fifthly, our source of daily renewal. Sixthly, it ultimately becomes our source of survival. Seventh, it is given life and revelation by the Holy Spirit who now dwells in us. Eighthly, the neglect of it. The neglect of it is the first evidence that I am in the dangerous and tragic process of backsliding. Nine, it is our moral compass. Ten, it is the means. It is the means by which the Holy Spirit cleanses us from all wrong, warped, evil influences we face in the sinful world daily. Eleven, it also fortifies as nothing else you will find in life. Don't look at a thousand Christian films and neglect this book, brother, you'll be in defeat. Nothing can replace this to walk with God. It also fortifies and keeps my mind as nothing else from vain worthless thoughts and from thoughts of evil. Twelfth, it also becomes our source of safe navigation. Thirteen, the instructions it contains are the men, the men of my counsel. Fourteen, it contains the prayers that I need to pray to survive when my heart is crushed, wounded, overwhelmed, and I become weary and am no longer able to pray in faith. Fifteen, it also tests our faith. Our faith is tested by it. Sixteen, but while my faith is being put to the test, it, it, it installs hope, comfort, and courage to endure, to endure through God's precious promises that are strewn throughout its sacred pages for my survival. Seek ye out of the book of the Lord, we read Isaiah 34 verse 16. I rejoice at thy word as one that findeth great spoil, great treasure. Psalm 119, verse 162. You go in the old days, you know, and you find a cave, and there's gold and jewels and sparkling diamonds, and oh, let me tell you something, you find more joy in rejoicing the riches, the wealth of this book. You, you're actually in poverty with what joy that could give you. Most millionaires end up with suicide attempts, in case you think that's going to make you happy. I rejoice at thy word as one that findeth great spoil, great treasure. Psalm 119, verse 162. Blessed is the man that delighteth greatly in his commandments. Psalm 112, verse 1. Concerning the works of men by the word, I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. Psalm 17, verse 4. Concerning the works of men by thy word, I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. Yes, I'll stop thee with all these lovely, I wish I had no time restrictions in my life. I was in Denver last year, and I stayed in a very lovely home, beautiful home, for a night before they took me to the airport to fly further on the tour. And on the clock on this bedroom for guests, this lovely home in Denver, there was one thing in the wall that just drew me and made me look and think, who is he? Who is he that will devote himself to walk with me, to remain close to me? One way you can do that, that word devote, costs. You put off something and say, I'll try, rubbish. What you don't dedicate yourself to as God speaks, you're never going to do. And what you don't dedicate yourself as God speaks to you concerning your life in a radical way, if you don't do immediately, you're not going to do, full stop, I guarantee. That's why we have such things as appeals, to make you make a choice, choose you. Now, if you haven't fulfilled what God says here, that this book is your source of survival, that you soak yourself with the greatest discipline of your life daily, if nothing Satan or man will do will divert you, until you know the Holy Ghost says, now you will walk with me through the day this time. When you open the door, you don't leave God behind if you had a proper quiet time, you open the door because now you will walk with God through the day. And you know when the Holy Ghost tells you, now you'll be able to walk with me, there's something of a safety and a peace floods the heart of a man that that book has never ever diverted from or neglected. There's no other way. A Christian has one danger in life, if he neglects the Bible. There's only two types of Christians in the world. Well, don't doubt this, Spurgeon had to have 10 points, you know, homiletically, but I guarantee you even Spurgeon, those 10 can be brought down to two things. There's only two types of Christians, one of which you are, there's no such a thing as a third in between. Those who put this book first in life daily, when there's a choice, who soak themselves in the word of God, and those who don't. They're so different, you wouldn't believe they're from the same planet, let alone the same religion. Which are you? Those who soak themselves in the word, walk with God, and stagger the powers of hell every step they take, even though they're not conscious of how God's using them. And they're safe. The others, no one knows you're safe. If they do, they're pretty shocked if that's all shall face and amounts to what you look. You're one of the two, and if you need to ask God for forgiveness, because every sin you've asked forgiveness for is the result of a greater sin, the neglect of this book, you wouldn't have done that, young man. That thing wouldn't be in your life, crippling you, taking the wind out of you, making you call and say, fear. No, you're safe, no. The greater sin that you need to confess to God and ask for forgiveness for is this, the neglect of this book is the neglect of God. I'm not asking you to worship this book. I'm asking you to worship the God that gave this book in order to worship him, in order to walk with him, in order to love and know him, and be in his presence, and be in you daily, to survive, no matter what the devil puts against you. No darkest moment you will ever face in life, God is doing his greatest work. We wouldn't be allowing it, if you say it. And rightly, this union. But your survival, in those darkest moments, the devil orchestrates, sent by the devil to destroy us, allowed by God to make us. He wouldn't be allowing it, to make us more like Christ, to equip us greatly. It's this book. This is the survival. This is the men of my country, to know where to go. This is the lamp unto my feet, to know what steps to take, the light to my path. In darkness, this is my light. No matter how dark it becomes, in every aspect, even if I can't pray, the Lord Satan hurls at me, and God's allowing it. I pray more effectively through this book than, no matter what testing of my faith comes. It gives me hope, really. Now I want to ask you, who is he that will devote himself? It's a calculated, costly decision, because it'll cost you everything, though you're saved if you're not real. I guarantee you, you're a disaster, you're a disgrace in Christianity, beginning in the home, and I defy any one of you to stand up and tell me it isn't so. But if you put God first, this book makes you bury everything else that's not vital, no matter what it is, until you know, you're fed on it, that you can walk with God, and you have God's peace. I'm going to ask every one of you that need desperately to ask God for forgiveness, because this is the greatest sin, and the neglect of it was the reason of these other sins that you were shamed of. So you need to ask God for forgiveness for the greatest sins, which is the reason, the cleansing, forgiveness, that as grace you are as a Christian, as a result. To devote your life, what's left of it, you only have one life, and it's gone before it started. When you think it's starting, it's ending. Don't waste it on rubbish. Walk with God, serve God, let the devil tremble as you leave that home, because of this, you're not neglected. How many of us need to say, forgive me God, and God I devote my life, what's left to remain close to my heart, to walk with you, and the only way I can is this, as I've heard from the pages of this book, not for man's reasons. I'm going to ask you, those of you that desperately need to ask God for forgiveness for the neglect of this book, and the result of it, the failures in your life, where you're saved, beginning in the home, and to devote yourself today, totally, to remain close to God, because of not just some act of faith now, but a vow in your heart and soul to the dear Lord, your whole being, asking God for grace and what's left of life, that you won't ever neglect this book again, if you just give me that grace, God, where I can choose, I'll choose it, that I can take what's left of life and walk with God, who is he that will devote himself to such? Do you stand, those of you that can, that desperately need to ask God forgiveness, that desperately need to ask God for grace, and that you devote your what's left of life, to never neglect this book by the grace of God again, where you have a choice of things that are not meaningful. Everyone, oh my, be careful when you pray to God, that it's not for someone else, but every one of you say this from your heart, God won't turn away, he's going to help you, in a way that will stagger you, because of a decisive dedication, a moment, a total dedication to God.