Empowering Vs. Enabling (Part 1)- Ministering to Abortion Minded Women

WEBVTT100:00:00.560 --> 00:00:05.799I Am Yours, I am yours, I am yours. Send Me,200:00:06.160 --> 00:00:10.390Lord, I am. You're welcometo the Gospel Center pro life podcast.300:00:10.509 --> 00:00:13.710These next two episodes are going tobe a two part series on dealing with400:00:13.750 --> 00:00:19.390abortion minded women and empowering versus enabling. Is An important subject in Christian ministry,500:00:19.429 --> 00:00:31.820so stay tuned. I felt showpassish, touch your heart. Use600:00:33.539 --> 00:00:38.770Welcome to the Gospel Center per lifepodcast. We're going to talk about empowering700:00:38.890 --> 00:00:45.250versus enabling when ministering too abortion mindedwomen. We hope this will be a800:00:45.530 --> 00:00:48.250two part that we won't stretch itout too long, because we think it900:00:48.329 --> 00:00:51.479will be pretty long if we doit in one part. So we're going1000:00:51.479 --> 00:00:55.079to try to cut it up intotwo parts and and really deal with,1100:00:55.560 --> 00:00:58.359you know, the spiritual side ofthis and then the practical side to it,1200:00:58.439 --> 00:01:00.240and we'll touch on those two aswe get through the whole thing.1300:01:00.399 --> 00:01:03.549But I think the first part willbe more dealing with the spiritual, scriptural1400:01:03.549 --> 00:01:07.629side of it and then the practicalside will be in the second part.1500:01:08.230 --> 00:01:12.829And this is Yo really speaking alot from experience, from the experience we've1600:01:12.870 --> 00:01:18.659had a sidewalk counselors and minister intoabortion minded women and how we've fallen into1700:01:18.700 --> 00:01:23.140the trap of enabling rather than empoweringand we've learned some things. Yeah,1800:01:23.260 --> 00:01:27.260and you know, through mistakes.A lot of times that's how sometimes doing1900:01:27.340 --> 00:01:30.939it right, sometimes right, sometimesnot doing it so so right. But2000:01:32.019 --> 00:01:36.810the Lord is very gracious in theway that he teaches us and then redeems2100:01:36.930 --> 00:01:41.290things where we make mistakes. Butwith any within any ministry. Now this2200:01:41.450 --> 00:01:46.129particularly focused on prolife ministry, youknow, pregnancy center ministry. It maybe2300:01:46.170 --> 00:01:49.959even maternity home ministries, course,sidewalk counseling ministries, but really in any2400:01:51.040 --> 00:01:53.439ministry that you're involved in. Imean people will tell you within homeless ministries,2500:01:53.480 --> 00:01:57.519within you know, dealing with domesticabuse situation, whatever ministry that you're2600:01:57.519 --> 00:02:01.150in, whatever you know, organization, nonprofit sort of thing that you're in,2700:02:01.230 --> 00:02:07.550when you're dealing with people, there'sgoing to be this empowering versus enabling.2800:02:07.590 --> 00:02:12.750I mean we all want to empowerpeople to be what God wants them2900:02:12.830 --> 00:02:15.699to be, what God has calledthem to be, but we all can3000:02:15.780 --> 00:02:20.860fall in to the trap of enablingand we'll see that biblically that there's some3100:02:20.939 --> 00:02:23.979people in the Bible who have falleninto that trap or who you know are3200:02:24.020 --> 00:02:28.060the ones that set the trap?I guess you could say in the name3300:02:28.139 --> 00:02:30.090and love, in the name oflove, and you know that is you3400:02:30.169 --> 00:02:34.289know, that's what we're called todo. We're called to love right.3500:02:34.689 --> 00:02:38.969As a matter of fact, Jesussaid by this they will know that you're3600:02:38.969 --> 00:02:42.490my disciples for the love that youhave for each other. Right, Bible3700:02:42.569 --> 00:02:46.719tells us, and First John,that God is love. Like the very3800:02:46.879 --> 00:02:50.800nature of God is defined with love. Now, of course, later on3900:02:50.879 --> 00:02:53.759the Hebrews, or before that,and Hebrews that says God is a consuming4000:02:53.879 --> 00:02:57.759fire, but but he's also love. That's like, you know. And4100:02:57.840 --> 00:03:00.590so as Christians we the love ofGod, the Bible says, has been4200:03:00.629 --> 00:03:04.030shed abroad in our hearts. Sowe want to love people, but but4300:03:04.150 --> 00:03:09.349often times or sometimes we fall intothe trap of is really just kind of4400:03:09.469 --> 00:03:14.979this emotional love rather than actually lovingpeople. So let's dive into this thing.4500:03:15.580 --> 00:03:17.699You've got an article that you wroteand we hope to be able to4600:03:17.780 --> 00:03:22.139link this article, if we getit out on the sidewalks for life site4700:03:22.259 --> 00:03:24.460in time, to be able toput it with this podcast. It's one4800:03:24.500 --> 00:03:30.090of the parts of this podcast whereyou're talking about compassion verslain eight versus enabling,4900:03:30.210 --> 00:03:34.569or empowering versus enabling. So jumpinto that article. You wrote this5000:03:34.650 --> 00:03:38.129article. This is from some experiencethat you've heard. Yeah, and not5100:03:38.250 --> 00:03:43.159just one experience. We've all experiencedthis. Yeah, and anyway. So5200:03:43.199 --> 00:03:45.560we want to empower you, wantto help you, guys. That's why5300:03:45.599 --> 00:03:47.560we're going to Vicki's are written thisarticle and put it out and that's what5400:03:47.680 --> 00:03:51.080we're talking about in the podcast.So yea been yeah, so I thought5500:03:51.080 --> 00:03:53.800I would be good to start witha case study. Okay, I'm not5600:03:53.800 --> 00:03:57.270going to name any names, I'mnot going to give specifics that will allow5700:03:57.349 --> 00:04:00.069anyone to identify this woman, butthis is a an actual person that that5800:04:01.550 --> 00:04:05.229I have worked with, yeah,and and others have worked with, and5900:04:05.389 --> 00:04:10.819so I'll just give you a kindof an overview of this woman. She6000:04:12.060 --> 00:04:16.379she came to us and chose life, yeah, and was in pretty desperate6100:04:16.500 --> 00:04:25.610circumstances in every area, and sowe gave her really resources that assisted her6200:04:25.649 --> 00:04:30.529in every area. Like we wegave the mentorship program through Love Life Charlotte.6300:04:30.529 --> 00:04:32.170So we gave her mentor that wasgoing to guide and help and be6400:04:32.290 --> 00:04:38.879a friend. We we gave hera baby shower. They gave the first6500:04:38.920 --> 00:04:43.800full two years of equipment and closethat that baby would need. We helped6600:04:43.839 --> 00:04:50.160her pay outstanding bills through actually anothersister ministry. We got her involved in6700:04:50.240 --> 00:04:57.269a program that gave parenting help andchild care in a wonderful residential program,6800:04:57.389 --> 00:05:02.670so she didn't have to worry aboutanything. Yeah, we helped her secure6900:05:02.670 --> 00:05:08.180a safe apartment. We helped withgas cards, grocery cards, phone bills,7000:05:08.899 --> 00:05:14.420discipleship and spiritual counseling. And shehad a good job. She had7100:05:14.459 --> 00:05:17.899gotten that herself, although we didhelp her clean up her resume. Yeah,7200:05:18.579 --> 00:05:23.009so really, there isn't a wholelot more you could do for someone.7300:05:23.290 --> 00:05:29.370We had truly kind of given hera chance at a brand new start.7400:05:29.529 --> 00:05:33.649She recommitted, or maybe for thefirst time, committed her life to7500:05:33.730 --> 00:05:41.240the Lord. It seemed to befirm and sincere, and so she was,7600:05:42.279 --> 00:05:45.480you know, kind of our posterchild and she was on the path7700:05:45.680 --> 00:05:49.470to this great new beginning. Right. And then, after a few months,7800:05:50.389 --> 00:05:57.470the old patterns began to re emerge, the same terrible choices, the7900:05:57.750 --> 00:06:01.670same sinful lifestyle. Yeah, thathad kind of put her in this mess8000:06:01.829 --> 00:06:10.300in the first place and our worldcrumbled again. She cried, she repented,8100:06:10.660 --> 00:06:15.740she came to us and requested additionalhelp and and we did help.8200:06:15.980 --> 00:06:19.209Again. We, I think,not only are we called to be loving8300:06:19.329 --> 00:06:26.370and to give, but sacrificial givingis is a definitely a biblical concept,8400:06:26.850 --> 00:06:31.879and so so we we gave againand again. She she said all the8500:06:31.920 --> 00:06:41.079right things, she initially did allthe right behaviors that indicated that there was8600:06:41.439 --> 00:06:49.110change, and and then her actionskind of showed that this was not the8700:06:49.269 --> 00:06:54.509case. She began to fall backagain the same pattern of you know,8800:06:54.589 --> 00:06:57.110it's kind of the pattern in theBible, isn't it? We love the8900:06:57.230 --> 00:07:02.459issuelites and turning to God and cryingout in their despair and then God helps9000:07:02.500 --> 00:07:05.860them and then they had them backto they turn right back to the same9100:07:05.980 --> 00:07:09.379stuff and then they cry out toGod in their despair, and that's what9200:07:09.459 --> 00:07:14.779we were seeing. Yeah, andand it wasn't just our ministry but another9300:07:14.899 --> 00:07:18.730ministry that had been involved with herthat said this is what they had faced9400:07:18.810 --> 00:07:24.769as well. Yeah, so that'skind of what what actually sparked the idea9500:07:24.970 --> 00:07:31.759of this article and this podcast was. When do you know it happens,9600:07:31.800 --> 00:07:35.160it happens a lot, where whereyou have helped someone, you have truly,9700:07:36.040 --> 00:07:42.439you thought, empowered them on agood path, a path towards God9800:07:42.560 --> 00:07:48.189and self independence and and following theLord and making good choices, and then9900:07:48.230 --> 00:07:53.709you find out, well, youdidn't, you kind of enabled them into10000:07:53.829 --> 00:07:57.189dependence, that the goal was alwaysyou know that kind of old adage.10100:07:57.310 --> 00:08:00.819It's better to teach someone to fishthan to give them a fish, right,10200:08:00.980 --> 00:08:03.980teach them to get fishing themselves,and that's that's what we want to10300:08:05.060 --> 00:08:09.259do, right. We want toto teach these women how to be good10400:08:09.300 --> 00:08:11.220mothers and all these things. Wouldget plug into programs that teach them that10500:08:11.300 --> 00:08:15.569stuff rather than just giving them somebaby stuff and give them some money,10600:08:15.610 --> 00:08:18.009right, or pay their bills orwhatever. We want to know all those10700:08:18.129 --> 00:08:22.329things. If we do those things, the end desires always that they could10800:08:22.329 --> 00:08:26.730be solid on their feet. Sothat's always the the desire, right,10900:08:26.199 --> 00:08:31.480but that desires not always fulfilled.Yeah, for sure. And sometimes,11000:08:31.600 --> 00:08:33.840you know, again, we can, we can fall into the chap and11100:08:33.919 --> 00:08:37.559we you know, that's a hardline to try to figure out. Sometimes,11200:08:37.080 --> 00:08:43.350am I enabling or am I empowering? You know, just from personal11300:08:43.389 --> 00:08:48.750experience, completely unrelated to this,because I've got some uncles that the don't11400:08:48.789 --> 00:08:54.350do so well, right, they'venot done so well their whole lives and,11500:08:54.990 --> 00:08:58.019you know, gotten money off ofparents and got money off of their11600:08:58.139 --> 00:09:00.940you know, my grandparents and stufflike that. To uncle's, one on11700:09:01.019 --> 00:09:03.940each side that, you know,have been as I look at they've been11800:09:03.980 --> 00:09:09.740empowered. The other drug addicts andjust problems and problems and problems. Well,11900:09:09.779 --> 00:09:11.889they've been enabled. They've been enabled. Sorry that they didn't say I've12000:09:11.929 --> 00:09:15.450not been empowered. Right, yeah, you've been enabled, and it's like,12100:09:15.769 --> 00:09:20.529you know, I even had upperthings that I've been asked to do12200:09:20.730 --> 00:09:22.809to help them where I'm like,I don't want to enable and I'm just12300:09:24.009 --> 00:09:26.799not going to. Yeah, butit is hard, especially, you know,12400:09:26.840 --> 00:09:30.000if it's a family member, butit's basically also if it's a woman12500:09:30.159 --> 00:09:33.720with children. You know, she'sgot other children, often times that's right,12600:09:33.840 --> 00:09:37.960and baby in her womb. Yeah, and it's like wow, how12700:09:37.039 --> 00:09:41.750in the world do I do Ibalance this without being an enabler but an12800:09:41.789 --> 00:09:46.629empower you know, a lot oftimes guilt can drive us and that's one12900:09:46.629 --> 00:09:48.350of the things that we tell ourside wall counselors. We're training them,13000:09:48.830 --> 00:09:52.860is it? No matter what youdo, it cannot be driven by guilt.13100:09:52.980 --> 00:09:56.860It has to be driven by God, by the use of God and13200:09:56.899 --> 00:09:58.899by his truth and his word.Right, right. Yeah, and and13300:10:00.179 --> 00:10:03.179you know, a lot of Idon't know a lot, but some of13400:10:03.220 --> 00:10:07.690the moms we work with our activeaddicts, yeah, or alcoholics or something.13500:10:07.769 --> 00:10:11.769Yeah, that is addictive and andthat's you know, and that that's13600:10:11.809 --> 00:10:20.850a whole, a whole different layerof discernment between how do you help empower13700:10:20.049 --> 00:10:26.879them versus enable them to just continuein a destructive life style. So so13800:10:26.840 --> 00:10:31.960the first thing to really think aboutis, well, what does the Bible13900:10:31.159 --> 00:10:37.470say about how we're to treat others? Because the Bible is clear. You,14000:10:37.909 --> 00:10:41.110love is supreme. I mean it, it I I don't know if14100:10:41.110 --> 00:10:45.309I want to use the word supremebecause there are other truth is is certainly14200:10:45.350 --> 00:10:48.350up there with love, but loveis certain. We are to treat each14300:10:48.389 --> 00:10:54.820other with love and and by ourour love the world will know us and14400:10:54.179 --> 00:11:00.820they will know that where the followersof Jesus. So so I have a14500:11:00.860 --> 00:11:05.850few verses. Okay, and andso the the first one is Hebrews.14600:11:05.929 --> 00:11:11.009One thousand three, UND sixteen.Okay, and do not neglect doing good14700:11:11.049 --> 00:11:16.970and sharing, for with such sacrificesGod is pleased. So we're did do14800:11:18.090 --> 00:11:20.440good. Yeah, we're to share, and it's sacrificial. Yeah, absolutely,14900:11:20.759 --> 00:11:26.279okay. First John Seventeen. Butif anyone sees the world's goods and15000:11:26.279 --> 00:11:31.559see says brother, I'm sorry,has the world's goods and sees his brother15100:11:31.720 --> 00:11:37.029in need, yet closes his heartagainst him, how does God's love abide15200:11:37.070 --> 00:11:39.990in him? Yeah, so wecertainly don't want to be guilty of closing15300:11:39.029 --> 00:11:43.830our now our hearts. No,and and some brother our love, our15400:11:43.950 --> 00:11:50.100love, God's love abides when weopen our heart that person who'say need,15500:11:50.179 --> 00:11:54.940especially if we have the resources wehave. The world's goods, it says15600:11:54.340 --> 00:11:58.779Luke, Fifteen, twenty, hearose and came to his father. This15700:11:58.860 --> 00:12:03.610is the prodigal son. Yeah,and this is the son who had wasted15800:12:03.769 --> 00:12:07.809his father's fortune. And what doeshis father do? Does he kick him15900:12:07.809 --> 00:12:11.889out and and say no, youscoundrel, get away. He says he16000:12:13.090 --> 00:12:16.639felt compassion and ran and embraced himand kissed him and then welcome to him,16100:12:16.679 --> 00:12:20.639right back into his home and caringfor his needs and even killed the16200:12:20.720 --> 00:12:28.120fatted calf. Killed The fatted calf. Yeah, proverbs one thousand nine hundred16300:12:28.159 --> 00:12:31.669and seventeen. Whoever is generous tothe poor lends to the Lord, and16400:12:33.230 --> 00:12:37.149he will repay him for his deed. Yeah. Yeah, another scripture that16500:12:37.230 --> 00:12:39.269comes to mind, which I seeyou have it down there, and it's16600:12:39.629 --> 00:12:45.659the scripture that really is the Iguess it's sort of like our mission statement,16700:12:46.139 --> 00:12:48.500Philosophy upon which our whole ministry isreally basic. Right. So well,16800:12:48.539 --> 00:12:52.179kinds of the cities for life.Yeah, is the parable of the16900:12:52.299 --> 00:12:54.899Good Samaritan. Yeah, and weknow you as are listening, you probably17000:12:54.940 --> 00:13:00.009know the story. Right. Aman was going from Jerusalem to Jericho and17100:13:00.210 --> 00:13:03.289he fell among these, which meansthieves overtook him, beat him and left17200:13:03.330 --> 00:13:07.690him naked and half dead in theditch. And in the course we know17300:13:07.889 --> 00:13:11.009the Good Samaritan. This is whatyou know the Samaritan's purse and all these17400:13:11.049 --> 00:13:16.080other ministries we use that because weunderstand the Samaritan didn't pass by on the17500:13:16.159 --> 00:13:18.039other side. He saw the man'sneed and he met the man's need.17600:13:18.679 --> 00:13:22.519And so you know, it's biblicalto meet People's needs, right, it's17700:13:22.559 --> 00:13:28.110it's man dated by the scripture.Yeah, and they're ongoing needs. Yeah,17800:13:28.590 --> 00:13:31.789in that in that parable, becausehe pays, he pays some the17900:13:31.950 --> 00:13:35.269inkeeper money and says this is forfuture needs and if there's more when I18000:13:35.389 --> 00:13:39.789returned. So he's we're talking aboutongoing needs, which I think is very18100:13:41.190 --> 00:13:43.100much the heart of cities for life. Yeah, absolutely, and you of18200:13:43.179 --> 00:13:48.460course, that scripture and that storythat Jesus gave that parable was spurred on18300:13:48.620 --> 00:13:52.620by someone asking, well, whois my neighbor? Because Jesus is saying18400:13:52.659 --> 00:13:54.299they were to love God and we'reto love our neighbor. So the context18500:13:54.340 --> 00:13:58.809of that scripture is loving our neighborand are in the context of really what18600:13:58.889 --> 00:14:03.409we're talking about is empowering people andand helping people to get into a better18700:14:03.450 --> 00:14:07.929place, has to deal with lovingour neighbor. Now, as people who18800:14:07.970 --> 00:14:11.279believe that unborn children are individuals madein God's image, that are people as18900:14:11.360 --> 00:14:16.120well, we understand that baby isour neighbor to but we also see the19000:14:16.240 --> 00:14:18.519mother as our neighbor. She's likeyou know, we say, as far19100:14:18.559 --> 00:14:20.960as we're concerned, they are twopeople in the ditch. The ditch is19200:14:22.000 --> 00:14:24.549the abortion censer and the two peopleare the mom and the baby. Want19300:14:24.590 --> 00:14:26.870to try to get them both outof that ditch, get their wounds cleaned19400:14:26.909 --> 00:14:30.070off and get them in and end, which is, you know, what19500:14:30.149 --> 00:14:33.230other ministries can meet their needs,right. And so you know, the19600:14:33.350 --> 00:14:37.149motivation is one of loving our neighboras ourselves. Yeah, but that motivation19700:14:37.350 --> 00:14:41.700can be can be twisted sometimes,it can be manipulated, it can.19800:14:41.059 --> 00:14:48.100Yeah. Yeah, so there's alwaysthat tension. I know I feel it19900:14:48.419 --> 00:14:52.139and I imagine everyone does in inany kind of pro life ministry, that20000:14:52.299 --> 00:15:00.129tension between what is loving and whatis harming them and allowing them to continue20100:15:00.169 --> 00:15:05.009on a destructive path. Because ifthey're at that abortion center, there's destruction.20200:15:05.090 --> 00:15:09.240Yeah, there is a destructive probablyseries of choices and life that they20300:15:09.279 --> 00:15:13.399have made that has led them there. So, you know, well,20400:15:13.559 --> 00:15:16.600maybe we could should look at well, what is love? What is love?20500:15:16.679 --> 00:15:20.440And one of the most famous passages, course, about love is passive.20600:15:20.519 --> 00:15:24.830That's right. First Corinthians Thirteen,chapter thirteen. Yeah, yeah,20700:15:24.230 --> 00:15:28.789do you have that there? How, Dude? Okay, and so you20800:15:28.909 --> 00:15:33.350know, if you've been to awedding thanks robe, when I wasn't even20900:15:33.389 --> 00:15:35.019a Christian yet. Okay, orwas I? Maybe I was. I21000:15:35.100 --> 00:15:39.379was a new Christian and they toldme that they wanted me to do a21100:15:39.419 --> 00:15:41.820reading, pick any scripture. Iwas a brand new Christian, and so21200:15:41.899 --> 00:15:43.779I'm reading through the bye, butI said, here's a great one for21300:15:45.059 --> 00:15:48.299wedding. I had no idea that, like, everybody uses this in a21400:15:48.379 --> 00:15:52.570way. Yeah, good idea that. He did great picking out the scripture.21500:15:52.970 --> 00:15:54.210All right, web is a powerfulscripture. It is, and you21600:15:54.250 --> 00:15:58.610know, I like to refer toit as the love ver or the love21700:15:58.690 --> 00:16:03.490chapter. Yes, conthians chapter thirteen. Will Start in verse for First Corinthians21800:16:03.570 --> 00:16:07.759Thirteen, for love suffers long andis kind. Love Does Not Envy,21900:16:07.919 --> 00:16:12.360love does not parade itself, isnot puffed up, does not behave rudely.22000:16:12.799 --> 00:16:17.919Wow, I need help with that. Sometimes does not seek its own22100:16:18.240 --> 00:16:21.029and so that's part of that.Giving sacrificially, that's part of that.22200:16:21.309 --> 00:16:25.389You know, that motivation to empowerother people. Yeah, is not provoked,22300:16:26.389 --> 00:16:29.909thinks no evil, does not rejoicein iniquity, but rejoices in the22400:16:29.990 --> 00:16:33.580truth. And this is love.Again, bears all things, believes all22500:16:33.620 --> 00:16:37.500things, hopes all things, enduresall things. And then the first part22600:16:37.539 --> 00:16:41.820of verse aid I'll read. Lovenever fails. Yeah, and so we22700:16:41.860 --> 00:16:48.370should be motivated by love and anythingthat we do motivated by love for God,22800:16:48.490 --> 00:16:51.570and that's an important point. Ithink that we can't miss here,22900:16:52.129 --> 00:16:55.970is that our motivation of love mustbe, you know, Jesus said it,23000:16:56.009 --> 00:17:00.480Love God. So these two commandsare great though. The Greatest Commands23100:17:00.639 --> 00:17:03.640Love God and love your neighbor.And I think understanding that the love for23200:17:03.720 --> 00:17:07.799God supposed to come first so thatwe can properly love our neighbor, because23300:17:07.799 --> 00:17:11.680you really can't love your neighbor properly, in a god honoring way, in23400:17:11.759 --> 00:17:17.349a Godly way, unless you loveGod first. Right, but out of23500:17:17.390 --> 00:17:21.910that love for God naturally flows.It's almost like Jesus is saying, you23600:17:22.029 --> 00:17:23.549know what, if you love God, you're going to love your neighbor,23700:17:23.630 --> 00:17:26.069and if you don't love your neighbor, you proven that you don't love God.23800:17:26.150 --> 00:17:30.180So these two things are tied together, right. But in this your23900:17:30.259 --> 00:17:36.819passage, as it talks about loveand in love suffers long. Love is24000:17:36.819 --> 00:17:41.819kind lood, love does not envy, love doesn't seek its own. We24100:17:41.980 --> 00:17:47.730have to be careful because you pointout, as you as we were talking24200:17:47.769 --> 00:17:53.890through this podcast, that love inverse ex just not rejoice in iniquity,24300:17:55.130 --> 00:17:59.359right, sin, and it doesnot and just in rejoices in in the24400:17:59.440 --> 00:18:03.039Truth and truth. And so,you know, that speaks to this whole24500:18:03.079 --> 00:18:06.720idea again of loving God first.Yeah, that we want truth, we24600:18:06.799 --> 00:18:10.200want to seek the truth. Themotivation is not just a good feeling,24700:18:10.240 --> 00:18:14.789and that's one of the things,maybe jumping ahead a little bit of what24800:18:14.869 --> 00:18:17.630we want to talk about the firstor in the second part. But but24900:18:18.190 --> 00:18:21.430you know, a lot of timesour love and the the acts of love25000:18:21.549 --> 00:18:29.579that we do or really motivated byself and really motivated by making ourselves feel25100:18:29.660 --> 00:18:33.740better and not in what is inthe best interest of that object of our25200:18:33.859 --> 00:18:36.619love. Yeah, person that we'reloving. Yeah, so I think one25300:18:36.660 --> 00:18:38.500of the things that I'll encourage youguys that are listening, whether you minister25400:18:38.579 --> 00:18:42.569in a pregnancy centers, I whilecounseling or eternity home or whatever ministry,25500:18:42.650 --> 00:18:47.369Soup Kitchen, whatever ministry is,that we need to check our motives.25600:18:47.730 --> 00:18:51.089We need to check why are wedoing this thing that we do and are25700:18:51.130 --> 00:18:56.599we motivated by guilt? We motivatedby making ourselves selves feel more validated as25800:18:56.640 --> 00:18:59.079Christians? You know, I feelmore like a Christian when I do this.25900:18:59.240 --> 00:19:00.000You know some of the some ofthe things. You know, just26000:19:00.119 --> 00:19:06.319a practical example, and I cantell you anybody who is ever ministered to26100:19:06.400 --> 00:19:10.750homeless people, anybody who runs ahomeless ministry, whether it be, you26200:19:10.869 --> 00:19:14.230know, a homeless shelter or soupkitchen or whatever, will tell you one26300:19:14.269 --> 00:19:18.710of the worst things you can dofrom a homeless person is give them a26400:19:18.829 --> 00:19:22.630dollar, five dollars change that youhave in your car when they're on the26500:19:22.670 --> 00:19:26.579street corner asking for money. Youknow that's that's one of the worst things26600:19:26.619 --> 00:19:29.740that you can do for that person. Now, of course, because you26700:19:29.819 --> 00:19:32.779know, we have this warm fuzzyfeeling when we give somebody money. It26800:19:32.940 --> 00:19:34.819makes us feel better and you know, I've heard people literally say that why26900:19:34.859 --> 00:19:37.609I give him money. It justmade me feel good to do that and27000:19:37.730 --> 00:19:41.730listen. It might make you feelwarm and fuzzy inside, but you have27100:19:41.809 --> 00:19:45.970to ask yourself, is this aboutme? Like if I really I'll say27200:19:47.009 --> 00:19:49.529this a lot of Christian ministry inthis country, especially, I don't know27300:19:49.529 --> 00:19:55.200about other countries, been in thiscountry, is motivated by US feeling better,27400:19:55.400 --> 00:20:00.000feeling more Christian, feeling more validatedas Christians or warm fuzzy feelings inside,27500:20:00.000 --> 00:20:02.720and it's not really motivated by lovefor God and love from people.27600:20:03.079 --> 00:20:04.559You know, if you truly loveyour neighbor, that person standing on the27700:20:04.599 --> 00:20:08.029treat street corner asking for money,the best thing you can do, and27800:20:08.109 --> 00:20:11.470this is again, this is whatpeople that own those those ministries are actually27900:20:11.509 --> 00:20:15.950reach homeless people on a regular basis, but a lot of energy and pour28000:20:15.990 --> 00:20:18.509their lives into the saying, willtell you, is that the worst thing28100:20:18.509 --> 00:20:19.549you can do is give the money. The best thing you do can do28200:20:19.670 --> 00:20:23.420is point them toward a homeless shelter, because if you give the money,28300:20:23.579 --> 00:20:27.660you're keeping them out on the street. You're actually empowering them to stay out28400:20:27.660 --> 00:20:32.380on the street rather than empowering themto overcome the homelessness. Because you know,28500:20:32.539 --> 00:20:36.210and I'm off track a little bitand talking about homeless people, but28600:20:36.289 --> 00:20:37.930not so much if you kind ofsee that the look at the concept,28700:20:38.009 --> 00:20:42.250look at the constatoring versus, isthat there are ministries that have put a28800:20:42.329 --> 00:20:47.690lot of energy into programs and thingsthat have been proven to get people out28900:20:47.690 --> 00:20:49.359of homelessness, to get people outof me. A lot of times it's29000:20:49.359 --> 00:20:53.680drug addiction, mental health issues andstuff like that that keep people homeless.29100:20:53.720 --> 00:20:59.200Yeah, these ministries have put alot of effort. People have again given29200:20:59.240 --> 00:21:03.119their lives to put effort energy intoprograms that will actually get people out of29300:21:03.160 --> 00:21:06.670that stuff rather than allowing them tostay in it. But you if you're29400:21:06.670 --> 00:21:10.269giving a money on the street corner, you're empowering them to stay in.29500:21:10.509 --> 00:21:14.150You're actually enabling them, yeah,which is not helpful. Yeah, and29600:21:14.309 --> 00:21:17.069in the same way, when we'redealing with an abortion minded woman, we29700:21:17.190 --> 00:21:19.460have to be careful that the programsand the things that we come up with29800:21:19.819 --> 00:21:23.740and, you know, the moneythat we give or whatever, is actually29900:21:23.740 --> 00:21:29.380empowering them rather than enabling them.Right, and it's a hard right.30000:21:29.660 --> 00:21:33.930It's a hard balance to strike.But again, the motivation has to be30100:21:33.089 --> 00:21:37.809one of love, but it hasto be one of true Biblical love,30200:21:37.569 --> 00:21:41.170that does it just concern itself withhow it makes me feel, but actually30300:21:41.329 --> 00:21:45.769is it going to honor God andis it going to actually empower that person30400:21:47.009 --> 00:21:51.640for to do righteousness? Today,in this first Corinthians description of love,30500:21:51.880 --> 00:21:59.119is it going to result in rejoicingin righteousness rather than in sin? And30600:21:59.960 --> 00:22:04.789and I think there's always the dangerthat these women will remain. They are30700:22:06.069 --> 00:22:12.789often in an am moral relationship withwith someone and and and by US helping30800:22:12.950 --> 00:22:18.180sometimes we allow them to remain inthat relationship with so that's that's rejoicing in30900:22:18.339 --> 00:22:26.180an unrighteousness in a sense. Andand so that the truth is that God's31000:22:26.180 --> 00:22:30.849Word is clear about sexual purity andtrue love will point them in that direction.31100:22:30.970 --> 00:22:34.210Or Yeah, it's not love.Yeah, and it's in nurse of31200:22:34.289 --> 00:22:37.849course. You know, as aministry ourselves, we've always said our motivation31300:22:37.970 --> 00:22:42.170and everything that we do, everythingthat we do seasoned with the Gospel.31400:22:42.170 --> 00:22:45.400So whether we do a baby showeror whether we do, you know,31500:22:45.559 --> 00:22:49.599counseling, oneonone sort of thing,anything that we do, mentoring, anything31600:22:49.680 --> 00:22:52.480like that, it has to beseasoned with the Gospel. Now does it31700:22:52.599 --> 00:22:56.759mean again that we're we've talked aboutthis in the past podcast. We're not31800:22:56.799 --> 00:23:00.829shoving the Gospel Down People's throats,right, but we are letting them understand31900:23:00.950 --> 00:23:03.950that our goal is that you cometo know the Lord. It's not just32000:23:03.109 --> 00:23:07.269that we meet your practical needs,we give you some baby stuff and we32100:23:07.589 --> 00:23:11.509become friends with you. But andwe certainly do want to bless them and32200:23:11.549 --> 00:23:15.619there's not some impure motivation here,but we understand the most pressing need is32300:23:15.740 --> 00:23:19.940that they know the Lord, becausewe aren't always going to be there cities32400:23:19.940 --> 00:23:22.660for life. It always going tobe there to help them in every situation.32500:23:23.059 --> 00:23:26.019You know, other ministries aren't goingto be there, but the Lord32600:23:26.140 --> 00:23:29.769will, and they need to understandthat he's the one that they ought to32700:23:29.890 --> 00:23:33.210cling to so that they can canbe empowered to be the mothers and the32800:23:33.250 --> 00:23:37.410father's that they're called to be.That's right. The ultimate and power were32900:23:37.809 --> 00:23:40.970yeah, it's absolutely is God.Yeah, and of course we don't say33000:23:40.970 --> 00:23:44.000that it's just some Tri cliche statement. You know, you need Jesus,33100:23:44.119 --> 00:23:45.400you know right, because some peoplecan make it that. No, we33200:23:45.640 --> 00:23:49.160really believe, because we've experienced ourselves, that's right, that the power of33300:23:49.279 --> 00:23:53.839the God pospile will change your heart. And if your hearts change and you're33400:23:55.079 --> 00:23:59.470the focus of your life is changed, then you'll find empowerment in the things33500:23:59.549 --> 00:24:02.230that God has provided for you.You know, you'll find I mean,33600:24:02.470 --> 00:24:07.589we've seen women who've been in verydire situations and they surrendered their lives to33700:24:07.670 --> 00:24:11.819the Lord and that situation has changed. Now we've seen situations like the one33800:24:11.859 --> 00:24:14.740we're talking about, where things didn'tgo so well. It seemed that she33900:24:14.980 --> 00:24:17.380committed herself to the Lord, butshe really didn't. Yeah, but we've34000:24:17.420 --> 00:24:22.900seen God just do some very amazingthings. In the immediate circumstances really didn't34100:24:22.980 --> 00:24:26.009change. The heart changed. Andthen, because the heart, the heart34200:24:26.049 --> 00:24:30.930change of this mom, her circumstancesbegan to change because she began to cling34300:24:32.049 --> 00:24:36.930to the Lord rather than clinging tosin, a sinful relationship and things that34400:24:37.089 --> 00:24:38.720just sucked the life out of her. And she began to cling to the34500:24:38.799 --> 00:24:41.799Lord, one who puts life intoher, and make choices. Then the34600:24:41.880 --> 00:24:47.880choices proceed from that heart and thechoices then were more godly, wiser discerning34700:24:48.039 --> 00:24:52.190choices. So so, yeah,so, and you know, we did34800:24:52.230 --> 00:24:56.549a podcast with one of those MOMS. Yeah, really, her life turned34900:24:56.589 --> 00:25:00.430around. She made choices for Godand for for the life of that baby35000:25:00.549 --> 00:25:06.589and and all of her choices beganto line up with that in her mind,35100:25:06.789 --> 00:25:10.500that I'm going to honor the Lord. So the Bible does have examples,35200:25:10.579 --> 00:25:14.779though, which I think our helpus to understand what what is an35300:25:14.819 --> 00:25:18.660enabler look like? Okay, andso the first one is I don't know35400:25:18.660 --> 00:25:22.089if you want to read it,but it's from GNESIS twenty seven versus five35500:25:22.250 --> 00:25:26.450to thirteen, and that's the storyof Rebecca. Okay, when? When?35600:25:26.609 --> 00:25:30.009Yeah, when she's well, justuse being Isaac. You can kind35700:25:30.009 --> 00:25:33.569of general rundown of this. You'vegot the scripture right there. I don't35800:25:33.569 --> 00:25:36.119know we need to read the wholepassage, but just kind of give an35900:25:36.160 --> 00:25:37.720idea of where you're coming from because, you know, as we were talking36000:25:37.759 --> 00:25:42.079through this podcast beforehand, some scripturesdid come to mind. This one did36100:25:42.160 --> 00:25:45.559not, in but this one's great. Actually, the way that you sort36200:25:45.599 --> 00:25:48.559of laid it out to me islike wow, yeah, yeah, it's36300:25:48.599 --> 00:25:56.349a clastic example of enabler. Andso so Rebecca overhears her husband, Isaac,36400:25:56.750 --> 00:26:00.269talking to one of her two boys, the the younger of the yeah36500:26:00.349 --> 00:26:03.829boys. He's sort of the setin the stage for this. Before you36600:26:03.869 --> 00:26:06.420get into this is you're thinking aboutthe story. Those who are listening.36700:26:06.700 --> 00:26:11.059You know, before this time period, Jacob was a was was not a36800:26:11.619 --> 00:26:15.859very good guy anyway. He wasa manipulator. Right before member he manipulated36900:26:15.940 --> 00:26:18.569Esau for the birthright, for abull of soup and he took advantage of37000:26:18.609 --> 00:26:22.250him. So just sort of springword off of that jump back into this.37100:26:22.289 --> 00:26:27.210Sorry, yeah, okay. So, yeah, and so he learned37200:26:27.250 --> 00:26:32.609from a Master Enabler, apparently,if he and he was enabler and a37300:26:32.609 --> 00:26:37.880enabler himself. But anyway, so, so, so Rebecca's talking to Isaac,37400:26:37.000 --> 00:26:41.799her husband, and says and andIsaac. She overhears Isaac Telling Esaw,37500:26:41.920 --> 00:26:48.150go go get one of the wonderfulanimals that you hunt and and bring37600:26:48.269 --> 00:26:51.950it back and make a savory,delicious meal and I'm going to give you37700:26:52.029 --> 00:26:57.230your blessing. And Rebecca's conniving andthinking. Well, but I want,37800:26:57.269 --> 00:27:04.500against selfish as opposed to a trueact of love, I want my younger37900:27:04.660 --> 00:27:10.059son, Jacob, yeah, toget the blessing. And so and so38000:27:10.299 --> 00:27:15.460she tells, she tells Jacob,this is what I overheard your father say.38100:27:15.890 --> 00:27:18.450Now you go go hunt and getan animal and we're going to we're38200:27:18.490 --> 00:27:22.769gonna actually trick your father, inso many words, we're going to trick38300:27:22.849 --> 00:27:26.730your father into giving you the blessinginstead. Yeah, and so, so38400:27:26.849 --> 00:27:30.200Jacob apparently catches, I don't know, he haunts, he gets an animal38500:27:30.279 --> 00:27:34.079and and Rebecca takes the hide ofthat animal, the fur of the Animal,38600:27:34.200 --> 00:27:38.480puts it on Jacob's arms so hewill be Harry like his brother Esau.38700:27:38.680 --> 00:27:41.279Isaac, by the way, isnearly blind, or I think is38800:27:41.440 --> 00:27:48.309blind at this point, so hecan't see his son's and and Jacob goes38900:27:48.430 --> 00:27:56.309to his father's bedside long before Esauhas returned and with Rebecca's prompting tricks,39000:27:56.390 --> 00:28:02.660his dad and his dad gives himthe blessing that belongs to Esau. Yeah,39100:28:02.779 --> 00:28:06.460and so, seemingly, Rebecca,she's trying to help her son.39200:28:06.700 --> 00:28:10.980I mean this is this is herfavorite son, right and you know there's39300:28:11.019 --> 00:28:15.849some things that you know, hadbeen prophesied over Jacob, and so she39400:28:15.970 --> 00:28:18.529wants to help this thing along.And of course, you know, Jacob39500:28:18.569 --> 00:28:22.049it already gotten the birth right,at least the commitment, from Esau with39600:28:22.210 --> 00:28:26.970for the bull of suit couple chapspreviously. But she wanted to solidify this39700:28:26.089 --> 00:28:30.119thing. She wanted to him whatshe thought would empower him to get the39800:28:30.200 --> 00:28:36.319blessing. Really, she's became inan enabler of manipulation and sin. I39900:28:36.400 --> 00:28:40.319mean, they lied, they that'sbreaking a commandment. He lead. She40000:28:40.480 --> 00:28:45.430told him basically lie to your father. You know, that's not honoring your40100:28:45.670 --> 00:28:48.470parents, which is one commandment,and it's and it's lying. Yeah,40200:28:48.630 --> 00:28:52.990yeah, absolutely inkslor. You know, if you read on and Jacob Story,40300:28:53.150 --> 00:28:57.700he gets it back tenfold later on, does he does? It leads40400:28:57.740 --> 00:29:03.819to it least to then a life, I think. Ultimately, yes,40500:29:03.940 --> 00:29:07.460I wants to kill him. Heknows that. And Rebecca sends him away40600:29:07.460 --> 00:29:11.890and I believe that's the last timeshe sees her son. Yeah, so40700:29:11.170 --> 00:29:17.009the enablement which she thought was goingto help her son leads to a permanent40800:29:17.049 --> 00:29:19.890estrangement. Yeah, loss of herson in a sense. She never sees40900:29:19.930 --> 00:29:25.000him again. And then there's justthe friction between East Sound Jacob and his41000:29:25.119 --> 00:29:27.240fears, yours whole life until,you know, in the end, I41100:29:27.359 --> 00:29:33.000think that it that is resolved andactually taking care of miraculous through the through41200:29:33.079 --> 00:29:38.829God's mercy. But the sins ofthe parents then are transmitted onto the children41300:29:38.869 --> 00:29:45.309and we see that in in inJacobs continual yeah, so this is you41400:29:45.390 --> 00:29:51.630know, maybe I think the strugglethat we have as ministers of the Gospel41500:29:51.710 --> 00:29:55.779and those who want to reach thesethese women and these families, is more41600:29:55.900 --> 00:30:00.900subtle than this. You know,this is sort of blatant enabling sinful behavior,41700:30:00.619 --> 00:30:03.579and the things, again, thatwe deal with are more subtle.41800:30:03.220 --> 00:30:07.809But sometimes it takes extreme examples tohelp us to identify the subtleties in our41900:30:07.930 --> 00:30:11.410lives. So just, you know, meditate on this, guys. Now42000:30:11.450 --> 00:30:14.210one scripture that came to mind forme as you'd mentioned the subject and you've42100:30:14.210 --> 00:30:15.970got it written down right there.But some John Chapter six. Yeah,42200:30:17.369 --> 00:30:21.250this is Jesus being so wise andso awesome. Just love Jesus. I42300:30:21.289 --> 00:30:25.319would not call Jesus and enabler atall at all. But but this does42400:30:25.440 --> 00:30:30.279make the point about what about enablementversus versus? What is a true act42500:30:30.359 --> 00:30:33.079of love? Yeah, makes thatpoint really well. Yeah, he makes42600:30:33.119 --> 00:30:37.150that point very well and he actuallyconfronts the those who want to be enabled42700:30:37.190 --> 00:30:41.589by him. This is in JohnChapter six. I'll set the states for42800:30:41.710 --> 00:30:45.269this. I don't read the Scripturesentirely, but John Chapter six, Jesus,42900:30:45.509 --> 00:30:48.910there's five thousand people, or soI think it's five that this is43000:30:48.950 --> 00:30:53.220the five thousand men that are following. And you know, he ultimately feeds43100:30:53.299 --> 00:30:56.140the five thousands his disciples. Youknow, do you having bread? You43200:30:56.180 --> 00:31:00.059get enough bread to feed these andanyway, so he knows the miracle he's43300:31:00.059 --> 00:31:04.650going to perform. He multiply,multiplies bread and fish and the people are43400:31:04.730 --> 00:31:11.369fed. And then Jesus, ultimatelyhe's it says actually that they he knew43500:31:11.369 --> 00:31:15.970that they would seek to make himking, and so he slipped away on43600:31:15.089 --> 00:31:18.640to the mountain and and he didn'twant to be made king by them.43700:31:18.680 --> 00:31:23.240Jesus is king, he's the kingkings and ultimately he's the King of all43800:31:23.359 --> 00:31:30.240the world anyway. But they followhim. Ultimately he goes across the the43900:31:30.599 --> 00:31:34.230sea and and they follow him andhe tells him this. He says most44000:31:34.230 --> 00:31:37.589assuredly. I say to you,you seek me not because you saw the44100:31:37.630 --> 00:31:41.509signs, but because you ate ofthe loaves and we're filled. And he44200:31:41.549 --> 00:31:45.829says, do not Labor for foodwhich perishes, but for the food which44300:31:45.829 --> 00:31:48.819endures to eternal life, which theson of Man will give you, because44400:31:48.859 --> 00:31:52.099the father has set his seal onhim. And so they want you there.44500:31:52.339 --> 00:31:56.740This is Jesus, I guess,temptation to enable people that there come44600:31:56.779 --> 00:31:59.900after me. It's nothing for himto multiply some more bread and fish and44700:32:00.059 --> 00:32:02.730feed them. And so here's thisdynamic that we need to keep in our44800:32:02.769 --> 00:32:07.970minds is that when we give someonesomething practical, because he's saying, you44900:32:07.089 --> 00:32:10.009got this bread, and he gaveit to him freely, gave him the45000:32:10.049 --> 00:32:14.970bread and the fish, but themotivation was that they would labor, not45100:32:15.089 --> 00:32:17.079for that bread, but for thebread that's that leads to eternal life,45200:32:17.400 --> 00:32:21.400for the truth of God's word,and that's, you know, that's his45300:32:21.519 --> 00:32:25.359motivation. He cuts off their theirtheir willingness to sort of suck him dryt45400:32:25.440 --> 00:32:29.839be like parasites and just seek himfor the bread. Hey, hey,45500:32:29.920 --> 00:32:32.069Jesus, we can stick you inour pocket and we can have any time45600:32:32.190 --> 00:32:35.670we want. We can pull youout and you'll you'll perform a miracle.45700:32:35.750 --> 00:32:38.309You give us some bread's fish.The miracle that he performed in the in45800:32:38.509 --> 00:32:44.150multiplication of bread and fish was designedto show them who he was, that45900:32:44.230 --> 00:32:46.980he is the Messiah, the onewho's come to give them true bread.46000:32:47.180 --> 00:32:52.180Yeah, and not just to feedtheir bellies. Yeah, and so he46100:32:52.299 --> 00:32:54.700cuts that thing off real quick,yeah, and tells them this, you46200:32:54.819 --> 00:32:58.849need a labor for that bread thatcomes down from heaven, the truth.46300:32:58.890 --> 00:33:02.930Yeah. So there's some really goodprinciples in that, in that passage,46400:33:02.970 --> 00:33:06.890and I think it was when hefed the four thousand. I'm not sure46500:33:06.890 --> 00:33:08.930if it's in this when he feedsthe five thousand, but the verse actually46600:33:09.049 --> 00:33:15.759says he had compassion, yeah,on them. And and so the first46700:33:15.039 --> 00:33:20.599you know thing is I think anyonein a pro life ministry is motivated by46800:33:20.839 --> 00:33:27.230compassion. Yeah, that's a goodmotivation. Compassion for others and and show46900:33:27.309 --> 00:33:30.589them God, yeah, but toshow them compassion. And that's not there's47000:33:30.630 --> 00:33:34.470nothing wrong with that. and Jesusis showing that. He does that,47100:33:34.670 --> 00:33:38.710he has compassion on them, hefeeds them, but he knows when to47200:33:38.829 --> 00:33:43.700stop, unlike us, right heknows the point at which, okay,47300:33:43.940 --> 00:33:47.940it will quickly shift from an actof compassion and meeting needs that they could47400:33:47.980 --> 00:33:51.500not meet. And that was anotherprinciple that we'll talk about more in our47500:33:51.579 --> 00:33:55.049second half. But this they couldnot meet the need of feeding themselves.47600:33:55.210 --> 00:33:59.609They were in a remote place,there was no food, there was five47700:33:59.690 --> 00:34:04.890thousand of them. So they couldnot meet the need and and Jesus met47800:34:04.970 --> 00:34:09.159the need that they could not meetin compassion. But then new. Now47900:34:09.199 --> 00:34:15.280I'm going to take this act ofcompassion and point you to the act of48000:34:15.599 --> 00:34:19.840all the the goal of all compassion, which is to show you me,48100:34:20.199 --> 00:34:22.000yeah, me, I like reallyam, yeah, and who I can48200:34:22.079 --> 00:34:29.670be to you. So, so, he he, that he then through48300:34:29.829 --> 00:34:32.750in in that in that scripture.I think that kind of is a perfect48400:34:32.869 --> 00:34:38.179place to just kind of pause andsay that that's a good overview. Yeah,48500:34:38.659 --> 00:34:44.860scripturally, of we I think we'reall in agreement. We are called48600:34:45.300 --> 00:34:49.940to give and we're called to givesacrificially. But Jesus now is beginning to48700:34:50.179 --> 00:34:53.570tell us in that passage. Yes, you are, but there's a point48800:34:53.610 --> 00:35:00.210at which you need to discern whenyou're crossing the line and the act of48900:35:00.329 --> 00:35:06.610compassion is no longer drawing people tome but to you. Yeah, and49000:35:06.769 --> 00:35:12.159that that is one of the mostimportant points in this podcast, in this49100:35:12.320 --> 00:35:15.039two part podcast, is they wereto draw people to the Lord, not49200:35:15.239 --> 00:35:19.400to us. You know, alot of times, you know in Christian49300:35:19.400 --> 00:35:22.150Ministry, you know we have toraise money and all that other stuff,49400:35:22.190 --> 00:35:25.190and so we want these good,awesome stories about how wonderful we are because49500:35:25.190 --> 00:35:28.789we've helped this person to help thatperson, and we need to share their49600:35:28.829 --> 00:35:30.989stories, no doubt about it,right. But if the focus is on49700:35:31.150 --> 00:35:36.059US and drawing people to us,we make them, you know, beholding49800:35:36.139 --> 00:35:39.820to us as far as or atleast you know we're one of their enablers,49900:35:39.900 --> 00:35:45.340where we're the thing that they cometo whenever they need then we're missing50000:35:45.420 --> 00:35:47.539the point, yere right. Theyneed to learn to come to the Lord.50100:35:47.579 --> 00:35:50.530They need to learn. You know, one of the things that we50200:35:50.650 --> 00:35:53.849try to do is plug people intochurches so that out of the church will50300:35:53.889 --> 00:35:57.409flow the help in the resources,not out of some, you know,50400:35:58.210 --> 00:36:00.650nonprofits, some peered church ministry,bout of the church, but even within50500:36:00.730 --> 00:36:06.360the church. People and pastors aregood at this, discerning what's empowering versus50600:36:06.719 --> 00:36:08.199enabling. So, you know,I think with that, you know,50700:36:08.280 --> 00:36:12.800will end this first part of weappreciate those who've listened to this first part.50800:36:13.119 --> 00:36:15.840Stay tuned for the second part becauseI think this will be important.50900:36:15.840 --> 00:36:20.429In this next part will be notjust scriptural. Will have some scripture,51000:36:20.429 --> 00:36:22.389of course there, but it willbe some practical points, yeah, kind51100:36:22.429 --> 00:36:27.909of the how to get out tohow to how to empower rather than enable.51200:36:28.070 --> 00:36:38.940So stay tuned. Give me ourlove for love, give me our51300:36:39.260 --> 00:36:52.289love for gratitude. I know itwill cost me my love. Nothing's too51400:36:52.570 --> 00:36:53.769precious. And some you