Announcer: NEXT,
DISCOVERING AND ENJOYING
WHAT GOD CAN DO THROUGH YOU
WITH AUTHOR
SUSIE LARSON.
>> AND ONE THING
AFTER ANOTHER,
IT'S LIKE THE ENEMY WANTS
TO PUT DOTS OUT THERE
HOPING YOU'LL CONNECT DOTS,
DRAW A WRONG CONCLUSION
SO YOU'RE STRANGLED
BY YOUR FEAR.
I'VE FOUND
IN MY OWN LIFE
AND IN THE LIVES
OF WOMEN I'VE TALKED TO,
THESE ARE THE PREVAILING
THINGS THAT KEEP WOMEN BACK
FROM REALLY LIVING
A KINGDOM CALL
WHERE HIS KINGDOM COMES
AND HIS WILL IS DONE
IN AND THROUGH YOU.
Announcer:
YOUR BEAUTIFUL PURPOSE
-- NEXT ON LIFE TODAY!
♪
James: THANK ALL OF YOU!
YOU REALLY ARE
A GREAT AUDIENCE.
AND YOU'RE A GREAT AUDIENCE,
WHEREVER YOU HAPPEN
TO BE WATCHING, AT HOME OR
WHEREVER YOU HAPPEN TO BE...
TRAVELING.
MANY TIMES PEOPLE TELL ME
THEY'RE IN A MOTEL OR HOTEL
AND THERE WE ARE AND SO
THEY TUNE IN AND LISTEN.
THANK YOU FOR
WATCHING LIFE TODAY.
I'M JAMES ROBISON.
BETTY AND I ARE THRILLED
TO HAVE A GUEST
THAT'S WRITTEN A VERY
INTERESTING BOOK TITLED,
YOUR BEAUTIFUL PURPOSE:
DISCOVERING AND ENJOYING
WHAT GOD CAN DO THROUGH YOU.
NOW SUSIE WAS ACTUALLY
HERE WITH US YEARS AGO
WHEN SHE WAS OVERCOMING
THE INCREDIBLY DESTRUCTIVE
IMPACT OF LYME'S DISEASE,
AND REALLY, THE AFTERMATH
OF THAT CONTINUES ON WHERE
THERE ARE STILL SOME BATTLES,
AND THAT'S WHERE
YOU'RE BITTEN BY A TICK.
IT'S VERY DAMAGING.
BUT WOMEN DO HAVE SOME
CONFLICTS AND THINGS GOING ON
THAT TEAR AT THEM AND I THINK
THAT SUSIE LARSON DEALS
WITH IT ABOUT AS EFFECTIVELY
AS ANYONE I KNOW.
WOULD YOU WELCOME SUSIE
TO LIFE TODAY?
SUSIE, GOOD TO SEE YOU.
GLAD YOU'RE HERE.
I KIND OF HAVE AN IDEA
HOW YOU BREAK THIS THING OUT.
I WANT YOU TO TELL OUR VIEWERS
BECAUSE I THINK
IT IS REALLY CLEAR.
Susie: WELL, I'LL START
WITH I WAS THE POSTER CHILD
OF INSECURITY, OF SELF DOUBT,
OF FEAR OF MAN.
AND JUST QUICKLY,
WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL
I WAS PINNED DOWN
BY TEENAGE BOYS,
YOU CAN IMAGINE
WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THAT.
A YEAR LATER I WAS JUMPED
BY A DIFFERENT GROUP OF BOYS
AND BEAT UP TERRIBLY.
SO I GREW UP, EVEN THOUGH
I HAD A GREAT FAMILY,
BELIEVING MY VOICE
DIDN'T MATTER,
I WAS SAFE NOWHERE.
BUT AS A CONFERENCE SPEAKER
TRAVELING AROUND
I FIND THAT REALLY
MY STRUGGLES WERE NOT UNIQUE.
WOMEN, WE DEAL WITH
INSECURITY, WE'RE PETTY,
WE'RE GOSSIPY --
James: EVEN IF
THEY'RE NOT BEAT UP OR
THEY'RE NOT RAPED OR MOLESTED
THEY HAVE THE ASSAULT.
Susie: ABSOLUTELY.
THE ENEMY'S TACTICS
ARE THE SAME.
HE USES WHATEVER WEAKNESS
OR VULNERABILITY HE CAN
TO LIE TO US.
THE FIRE IN MY BONES RIGHT NOW
AFTER TAKING BACK THE LAND
THAT THE ENEMY STOLE FROM ME,
AND SEEING WHAT GOD DOES
WITH SOMEONE WHO IS JUST
AUDACIOUS ENOUGH TO SAY,
"GOD, DO AN IMPOSSIBLE THING
THROUGH ME."
I'M LOOKING AT
AN AUDACIOUS COUPLE;
SO YOU'RE THE POSTER CHILDREN
FOR AUDACITY.
BUT MY HEARTBEAT REALLY IS
TO MOTIVATE, CHALLENGE,
AND INSPIRE WOMEN
TO BE AND DO EVERYTHING
GOD INTENDED THEM TO BE.
I CAMP ON,
I LIVE BY EPHESIANS 3:20,
AND "IT IS GOD IS ABLE TO DO
ABUNDANTLY ABOVE AND BEYOND
ALL YOU COULD EVER DARE
TO ASK OR THINK."
BUT THE CLINCHER WE NEVER
HEAR MUCH ABOUT THE REST
OF THAT VERSE IS: ACCORDING
TO HIS WORK WITHIN YOU.
SO OFTENTIMES YOU SEE WOMEN
EITHER GETTING AHEAD OF GOD
IN SELF AMBITION, "I WANT TO
MAKE A NAME FOR MYSELF; I WANT
TO DO THIS GREAT THING,"
BUT THERE IS A LOT
OF SELF-STUFF INVOLVED,
OR WOMEN HIDING
IN SELF-PRESERVATION.
AND I'VE REALLY FOUND
IN MY OWN LIFE AND THE LIVES
OF WOMEN I'VE TALK TO,
THESE ARE THE PREVAILING
THINGS THAT KEEP WOMEN BACK
FROM REALLY LIVING
A KINGDOM CALL
WHERE HIS KINGDOM COMES
AND HIS WILL IS DONE
IN AND THROUGH YOU.
THE BOOK IS ABOUT
DEALING WITH ALL
THE SELF-STUFF THIS COMES UP
AS WE DARE TO DREAM WITH GOD
AND BE EVERYTHING
HE INTENDED US TO BE.
James: REPEAT THOSE TWO AGAIN.
THERE WERE TWO OF THEM
THAT YOU REALLY HIGHLIGHTED.
HIT THEM BOTH AGAIN.
Susie: SELF-AMBITION
AND SELF-PRESERVATION.
James: WOULD THE AMBITION
BE LIKE PROMOTION?
Susie: A SELFISH AMBITION
WHERE YOU'RE REALLY
BUILDING YOUR KINGDOM UNDER
THE GUISE OF CHRISTIANITY.
I THINK GOD DOES PUT
SINCERE DESIRES IN OUR HEART
AND WE'RE ALL WIRED DIFFERENT
BUT SOME WILL HAVE THE DRIVE
TO MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN
ON THEIR OWN.
BUT I SUBMIT TO YOU,
WHATEVER PERSONALITY TYPE
THAT YOU HAVE, HOWEVER
YOU'RE WIRED, GOD PUTS
A DESIRE IN YOUR HEART BUT
AS YOU START TO WALK IT OUT,
THE PROCESS OF DELAYS,
THE PROCESS OF BEING BETRAYED
AND REJECTED AND
STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY,
ALL THESE THINGS THAT HAPPEN
IN YOUR LIFE THAT SEEM
INCONSEQUENTIAL, I BELIEVE
ARE TRAINING GROUNDS.
WILLIAM MCDONALD CALLS IT
"TRAINING TIME
FOR REIGNING TIME."
THESE ARE PLACES WHERE WE
CAN SORT THROUGH
THOSE SELF THINGS.
SO WHATEVER'S IN US
WILL COME UP.
WE LIKE TO PUSH IT DOWN AND
GO, "I COULD DO THIS DREAM
OR THIS CALL IF I DIDN'T HAVE
TO DEAL WITH THIS THING."
BUT THIS THING IS
THE TRAINING PLACE TO GET
YOU READY TO DO THE CALL.
I REALLY JUST HAVE FOUND
GOD WANTS TO EXTRACT FROM YOU
THE VERY THINGS THE ENEMY
WOULD USE AGAINST YOU
IF THAT THING STAYED INTACT
AND YOU WENT YOUR OWN WAY.
SO HE'S A PROTECTIVE
LOVING FATHER.
HE KNOWS WHAT'S IN US
MORE THAN WE DO.
IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO HAVE SKILL
OR GIFT, YOU HAVE TO HAVE
THE CHARACTER
TO STAND IN THAT PLACE.
BECAUSE IT IS NOT ENOUGH
TO GET THERE, GOD WANTS YOU
TO STAND THERE, HE WANTS YOU
TO BE ABLE TO FIGHT THERE,
HE WANTS YOU
TO BE ABLE TO WIN THERE
SO YOU CAN GO ON FROM THERE.
AND I THINK TOO OFTEN
WE CELEBRATE SKILL
AND ABILITY AND GIFTINGS
AND WE DON'T SPEND ENOUGH TIME
ON THE CHARACTER PROCESS.
BUT GOD IS VERY PROTECTIVE OF
US SO IF WE TRUST HIS TIMING,
HE IS GOING TO GET AT
SOME STUFF IN US,
THE SELF-PRESERVATION THAT
KEEPS US LAGGING BEHIND
WHEN HE SAYS, "RUN! GO!"
AND THE SELF-AMBITION
KEEPS US RUNNING AHEAD
WHEN HE'S LIKE, "NO,
THIS IS A SEASON TO WAIT.
WAIT ON ME."
Betty: OR AS WOMEN, WE DON'T
FEEL SIGNIFICANT AT ALL.
WE DON'T KNOW THAT
WE WERE BEAUTIFULLY
AND WONDERFULLY MADE BY GOD.
AND THAT ALL HE HAS PUT IN US,
HE WANTS TO LET IT SHINE
AND BLOOM AND BLOSSOM
AND TO AFFECT THE LIVES
OF OTHER PEOPLE POSITIVELY.
Susie: THAT'S SUCH
AN EXCELLENT POINT AND
IT IS ABSOLUTELY TRUE THAT
IT'S EASIER FOR US TO BELIEVE
WE'RE COMPLETELY INSIGNIFICANT
AND THAT GOD DOESN'T WANT TO
DO SOMETHING GREAT THROUGH US.
AND WHAT GREAT IS, IT'S JUST
DIFFERENT FOR ALL OF US.
BUT I OFTEN TELL WOMEN,
"YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE
PERFECT THIGHS
TO MOVE MOUNTAINS."
WE CELEBRATE
ALL THE WRONG THINGS;
DON'T WE? -- THE EXTERNALS?
BUT SOME OF MY GREATEST
FAITH HEROES PROBABLY
WEREN'T MUCH TO LOOK AT
BY THE WORLD'S STANDARDS.
YOU'VE GOT HARRIET TUBMAN,
CATHERINE BOOTH,
CORRIE TEN BOOM, THESE ARE
GIANT WOMEN IN THE FAITH
BECAUSE THEY KNEW GREATER
WAS HE THAT IS IN THEM.
AND SO FOR US TO ACCESS THAT
KINGDOM DYNAMIC IN OUR LIVES
WHERE WE GO, "LORD,
HAVE YOUR WAY IN ME SO THAT
YOUR KINGDOM WILL COME
AND YOUR WILL WILL BE DONE."
THE REASON I'M SO PASSIONATE
IS BECAUSE YOU'RE BORN
FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS.
YOU'RE LIVING AND BREATHING
THIS HOUR FOR A PURPOSE
AND THE WORLD IS DESPERATE
FOR THE KINGDOM INFLUENCE
THAT YOU'RE ASSIGNED TO.
I READ A QUOTE ONCE
AND I DON'T REMEMBER
WHO SAID IT BUT HE SAID,
"A THOUSAND PEOPLE
ARE WAITING ON THE OTHER SIDE
OF YOUR OBEDIENCE."
THINK ABOUT THAT.
SO IF THE ENEMY CAN GET YOU
TO BUY INTO THE LIE THAT
YOU REALLY DON'T MATTER;
EVERYBODY ELSE DOES
BUT YOU DON'T.
OR REALLY, IT'S ALL UP TO YOU.
SO IF IT'S TO BE,
YOU GO MAKE IT HAPPEN.
IF YOU BUY INTO THE LIE,
YOU MISS THE BEST PARTS
OF WHAT GOD WANTS TO DO
IN AND THROUGH YOU.
AND THE THING IS,
WE HAVE TO SEE HOW DEEPLY,
DEEPLY LOVED WE ARE BY GOD
FOR US TO EVER WALK OUT
THE PURPOSES OF GOD.
James: AND I BELIEVE THAT.
BY GOD, BECAUSE I DON'T THINK
EVEN A MAN -- EVEN THE
BEST MAN CAN MAKE YOU
FEEL THAT AS FULLY
AS A WOMAN WANTS TO FEEL IT.
Susie: ABSOLUTELY!
I'LL TELL YOU THE CLINCHER
FOR ME WAS WHEN I WAS IN
THE MIDDLE OF THAT WILDERNESS
SEASON OF LYME DISEASE,
BABY'S IN THE HOSPITAL,
MEDICAL DEBT,
BUT I WAS RELENTLESS
IN MY PURSUIT OF GOD.
BUT IT TRULY FELT LIKE
HE HAD LOST MY ADDRESS.
I THOUGHT, HE'S NOT TALKING
TO ME, AND IT WAS JUST
A DRY AND WEARY LAND.
THE LORD BROKE HIS SILENCE
WITH ME ONE MORNING
BECAUSE I WAS LIKE,
"LORD, WHERE IS THE VICTORY?
I SPEND ALL KINDS OF TIME;
I'M MEMORIZING SCRIPTURE,
I'M JOURNALING;
BUT I GET UP FROM THIS PLACE,
I STILL CARE WAY TOO MUCH
WHAT PEOPLE THINK OF ME.
I DON'T THINK
I'M ENOUGH OF ANYTHING.
AND YET YOUR PROMISES SAY
YOU WANT TO DO THIS
ABOVE AND BEYOND THING.
BUT ALL I CAN FEEL
IS SELF AWARENESS.
ALL I CARE ABOUT IS WHAT
PEOPLE ARE THINKING ABOUT ME.
WHERE'S THE VICTORY?"
WHAT THE LORD SPOKE TO ME IN
THAT MOMENT ROCKED MY WORLD.
HE SAID,
"I GET THAT YOU LOVE ME.
BUT YOU DON'T SEEM TO GET
THAT I LOVE YOU.
UNTIL I TELL YOU DIFFERENTLY,
EVERY TIME YOU WANT TO SAY,
'I LOVE YOU LORD,'"
HE SAID TO MY HEART,
"SAY, 'YOU LOVE ME LORD.'
TURN IT AROUND."
SO EVERY TIME I WOULD GO
TO SAY, "I LOVE YOU, LORD."
I'D HEAR HIM SAY,
"TURN IT AROUND.
SAY, 'YOU LOVE ME!' "
I'D YELL AT MY KIDS AND
THEN I'D FEEL BAD ABOUT IT.
AND HE'D SAY, "SAY IT NOW."
"YOU LOVE ME LORD."
I'D DO SOMETHING GREAT,
HE WOULD SAY, "SAY IT NOW."
AND IT WAS LIKE
OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
THE BIBLE SAYS
FAITH COMES FROM HEARING;
HEARING THE WORD OF GOD.
WHEN I FIRST STARTED TO
SPEAK THAT OUT I COULD TELL
IT DIDN'T FEEL TRUE BECAUSE
IT FELT LIKE AN ABSOLUTE LIE
COMING OUT OF MY MOUTH.
BUT THE MORE MY EARS HEARD
MY MOUTH SAY, "YOU LOVE ME.
I'M THE OBJECT
OF YOUR AFFECTION.
YOU LOVE ME.
YOU'RE NOT SURPRISED
BY ANY OF MY WEAKNESSES,"
SOMETHING HEALED MY SOUL
THAT NOTHING EVER EVER COULD.
EPHESIANS ONE SAYS: TO KNOW
THIS LOVE IS TO BE FILLED
WITH THE FULLNESS OF GOD.
IF WE SPEND THE REST OF OUR
LIFE GOING, "GOD, INCREASE MY
CAPACITY TO KNOW THIS LOVE."
THEN TO ME THE FAITH WALK
BECOMES A GET TO,
NOT A NOT TO OR A SHOULD DO.
BUT IF YOU DON'T KNOW
THE LOVE, YOU OUGHT TO PRAY.
YOU SHOULD, YOU OUGHT TO;
BUT WHEN YOU KNOW THIS LOVE,
YOU GET TO CAMP
IN HIS PRESENCE,
YOU GET TO READ HIS WORD.
YOU GET TO REACH OUT TO PEOPLE
THAT YOU'LL NEVER MEET
AND DRILL A WELL FOR THEM.
SO TO ME,
WALKING THIS WHOLE JOURNEY
OUT OF OUR PURPOSE IS TO LIVE
IN RESPONSE TO THAT LOVE.
YOU BOIL IT DOWN, IT'S THAT.
YOU LIVE IN RESPONSE
TO HIS LOVE.
YOU DO THE NEXT THING
HE TELLS YOU TO DO.
THEN I'LL PUSH IT A LITTLE
FURTHER AND SAY I DARE YOU
THEN TO ASK HIM TO DO
THE IMPOSSIBLE THROUGH YOU.
BECAUSE IF EVERYBODY WAS AS
AUDACIOUS AS LIKE YOU PEOPLE
ARE, IMAGINE WHAT WOULD
HAPPEN IN THIS WORLD!
HE'S NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS.
HE IS A RESPECTER OF FAITH.
SO I DO FEEL THE URGENCY
OF THE HOUR.
AND I'M LIKE, "IF WE CAN
GET THIS, IF WE CAN DARE
TO TAKE HIM AT HIS WORD,
WHAT COULD HAPPEN
IN OUR WORLD TODAY?"
James: I KNOW THAT WHEN I FAIL
AND I DO, SOME OF YOU MAY
BE SURPRISED, "YOU FAIL?"
YES, QUITE FREQUENTLY.
THE AMAZING THING IS THAT
NOT EVER DO I FEEL LIKE GOD
IS DISAPPOINTED IN ME.
DOES HE KNOW IT? YES.
DOES HE UNDERSTAND WHY? YES.
DOES HE KNOW
IT WAS FOOLISHNESS? YES.
DOES HE KNOW
IT WAS REBELLION? YES.
DOES HE KNOW
IT WAS STUPID? YES.
BUT HE ABSOLUTELY
POURS THE LOVE ON.
IT'S LIKE IF YOU'LL JUST
GIVE ME THE OPPORTUNITY,
I'VE GOT THE GRACE,
THE GIFTING, THE ENABLING
TO ENABLE YOU.
AND JUST KNOW
I'M NOT DOWN ON YOU.
I'M NOT PUTTING YOU DOWN.
YOU DUG THAT DITCH,
YOU GOT IN IT.
I'M HERE TO GET YOU OUT OF IT.
AND THAT REALLY NEEDS
TO BE THE MESSAGE
THAT WE'RE COMMUNICATING
AS BELIEVERS,
THAT WE WANT TO OFFER THAT
LOVE SO PEOPLE CAN SEE IT.
BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES WE CAN
TALK ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT
AND THE SPIRIT OF GOD,
YOU LIKE SOME SPIRIT
WITH SOME FLESH ON IT,
THAT WE CAN SEE A LITTLE BIT,
SEE WHAT GOD'S LIKE.
I THINK THAT'S
WHAT WE MUST DO.
Susie: THAT IS SOMETHING THAT
BURDENS MY HEART AS WELL IS
WE ARE IN PROCESS.
I MARVEL THAT HE'LL USE ME
ON A TUESDAY KNOWING I'M GOING
TO BLOW IT ON A WEDNESDAY
BUT HE STILL DOES.
HE LETS US, LIKE WE'RE
A TODDLER CARRYING
THIS PRECIOUS HEIRLOOM.
WE CARRY THIS TREASURE
IN THESE EARTHEN VESSELS.
SO I MARVEL THAT GOD
IS WITH US IN PROCESS
BUT WE'RE NOT OKAY WITH
EACH OTHER BEING IN PROCESS.
GRAHAM COOKE ONCE SAID,
"GOD IS NOT DISILLUSIONED
WITH YOU.
HE NEVER HAD ANY ILLUSIONS
ABOUT YOU IN THE FIRST PLACE."
[Laughter]
I LOVE THAT!
TO REALLY EMBRACE THE GRACE.
MY BOYS ARE IN THEIR 20S NOW
BUT WHEN THEY WOULD MESS UP,
WE WOULD GET ON THEIR LEVEL
AND WE WOULD SAY,
"YOU ARE TOO IMPORTANT TO BE
MAKING DECISIONS LIKE THIS."
AND EVEN UNDER DISCIPLINE,
THEY'D STAND UP
A LITTLE STRAIGHTER BECAUSE
WE WANTED TO CALL THEM UP.
GOD'S VOICE IS ALWAYS ONE
TO CALL US UP BECAUSE
WE'VE GOT BETTER THINGS TO DO.
I LOVE THAT ABOUT HIM.
ONE OTHER THING I WANT
TO BRING UP THOUGH TOO
THAT COMES UP.
WHEN YOU DO FINALLY DARE
TO BELIEVE GOD
AND I'D BE CURIOUS
IF YOU'VE DEALT WITH THIS,
EVERYBODY I ASKED HAS,
BUT WHEN YOU START
TO DARE TO BELIEVE HIM
FOR THE IMPOSSIBLE,
THERE'S GOING TO BE
SOME GIANTS IN YOUR LAND:
THE GIANTS OF FEAR,
THE GIANTS OF THE NAYSAYERS,
WHATEVER IT IS,
THERE WILL BE OPPOSITION
BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT GOING TO
TAKE LAND UNOPPOSED. RIGHT?
AND FOR ME, AS THINGS STARTED
TO OPEN UP FOR ME IN THAT WAY
AND I STARTED TO SEE FRUIT
AND DOORS OPEN
AND GOD IS DOING THINGS,
THIS FEAR THING CAME UP IN ME
THAT WAS SO STRONG THAT IT
WAS ALMOST STRANGLING TO ME.
AND VERY RECENTLY, GOD
DELIVERED ME IN A WAY THAT
WAS ABSOLUTELY MIRACULOUS.
I'VE GOT TO SHARE WITH YOU,
IF YOU DON'T MIND THIS STORY.
A GIRLFRIEND WAS SAYING,
"I CAN'T BELIEVE ALL THE STUFF
THAT IS GOING ON.
GOD IS JUST BLESSING YOU
ON EVERY SIDE."
SHE'S POKING AT ME.
"BUT YOU DON'T SEEM EXCITED."
AND SHE IS PINCHING MY ARMS
'COME ON! GET EXCITED!"
I SAID, "I'M SO AFRAID.
I'M EXCITED BUT I'M AFRAID."
SHE GOES,
"WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF?"
IT WAS SUCH A HIDDEN FEAR;
I SAID, "FEAR OF EXPOSURE."
AND SHE GOES, "EXPOSURE?"
SHE'S LIKE, "YOU'RE THE
CLEANEST LIVER I KNOW.
WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF?"
AND TO SEE THAT WEIRD LOOK
FROM A FRIEND WAS LIKE
A GIFT FROM HEAVEN BECAUSE
I THOUGHT I'M NOT LIVING
A DUPLICIT LIFE;
I'M NOT SAYING ONE THING
AND BEING ANOTHER.
SO I HAD TO BRING THAT BACK
TO THE LORD.
I'M LIKE,
"WHAT AM I SO AFRAID OF?"
GOD STARTED
TO UNEARTH SOMETHING.
ONE MORNING
I'M PUTTING MY MAKEUP ON
GETTING READY TO FLY OUT
AND I'VE GOT TO TELL YOU,
THE FEAR OF EXPOSURE, AS HE
STARTED TO UNEARTH THIS...
I'LL JUST EXPLAIN IT TO YOU.
WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL,
I WAS ONE OF SEVEN KIDS
AND I WENT WITH MY MOM
TO THE GROCERY STORE.
WE WERE JUST YOUR
BASIC MIDDLE CLASS FAMILY
TRYING TO MAKE IT.
WE WERE PUTTING THE GROCERIES
ON THE CONVEYER BELT,
AND MY DAD WAS
THE MAYOR OF THE LOCAL CITY
SO PEOPLE KNEW OF US,
BUT WE WERE STILL
CHECK TO CHECK.
WE GET ALL THE FOOD
ON THE CONVEYER BELT
AND THE CASHIER SAYS,
"MRS. ERICSON, WE CAN'T
TAKE YOUR CHECK TODAY.
YOUR LAST ONE BOUNCED."
AND MY MOM WAS SO MORTIFIED.
WE GET OUT INTO THE CAR.
I COULDN'T BREATHE.
I'M LOOKING AT HER AND SHE
GRABBED THE STEERING WHEEL
AND CRIED HER EYES OUT.
AND MY WHOLE BODY ACHED.
AND THIS FEAR OF EXPOSURE
IN PUBLIC HUMILIATION
ENTERED MY SOUL.
I DIDN'T REALIZE IT.
JUMP AHEAD; I'M A YOUNG MOM
WITH LYME DISEASE,
$27,000 OF MEDICAL DEBT.
WE'RE SITTING IN
A PACKED WAITING ROOM,
AND I'M WAITING FOR ONE
OF MY BOYS TO BE SEEN;
TONS OF PEOPLE
IN THIS DOCTOR'S WAITING ROOM.
THE RECEPTIONIST,
"MRS. LARSON?"
I'M LIKE, "THAT'S ME."
SHE GOES,
"WE CAN'T SEE YOU TODAY.
WE NEED A LITTLE MORE THAN
$5 A MONTH ON YOUR ACCOUNT."
EVERYBODY LOOKS AT ME AND
I WAS PUBLICLY MORTIFIED.
YOU JUMP AHEAD.
MY VERY FIRST SPEAKING EVENT.
I HEARD THE CASSETTE TAPE
AFTER AND I GOT ONE
DETAIL WRONG BECAUSE I HAD
SOME MEMORY ISSUES
WITH THE LYME DISEASE
SO IT'S SHORT TERM,
AND I WAS MORTIFIED
THAT I SAID SEVEN INSTEAD
OF FIVE OR WHATEVER.
AND THAT ENEMY WAS LIKE,
"YOU WILL CERTAINLY
DISHONOR HIM.
AT THE RIGHT TIME I'M
GOING TO HUMILIATE YOU."
AND ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER,
IT'S LIKE THE ENEMY WANTS
TO PUT DOTS OUT THERE
HOPING YOU'LL CONNECT DOTS,
DRAW A WRONG CONCLUSION SO
YOU'RE STRANGLED BY YOUR FEAR.
SO HERE I AM,
JUMP AHEAD TO JUST ABOUT
A YEAR AND A HALF AGO,
AND I HAD MOMENTS WHERE
ADVANCEMENT WOULD HAPPEN
AND I'D BE SO SCARED
OUT OF MY MIND
THAT I'M ONE STEP AWAY,
ONE WRONG MOVE AWAY
FROM DISHONORING GOD
AND HUMILIATING MYSELF.
I CAN'T EVEN EXPLAIN TO YOU
BECAUSE I NEVER EVEN DARED
SAY IT OUT LOUD.
SO I'M SITTING IN THIS SINK
PUTTING ON MY MAKEUP,
THAT'S WHAT WE GIRLS DO;
I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW.
I'M DOING MY MASCARA.
AND I ACTUALLY HADN'T DEALT
WITH THE FEAR IN ABOUT
A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND
IT WAS LIKE THE LORD HIMSELF
LEANED INTO MY EAR AND HE
SAID, "I EXPOSE THE WICKED.
I DEFEND, PROTECT,
AND VINDICATE THE RIGHTEOUS.
NOT BECAUSE THEY'RE PERFECT
BUT BECAUSE THEY'RE MINE."
AND I LITERALLY GASPED. WHAT?
HE SAID IT SO LOUD IN MY EAR,
"I EXPOSE THE WICKED.
I DEFEND, PROTECT,
AND VINDICATE THE RIGHTEOUS.
NOT BECAUSE THEY'RE PERFECT
BUT BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE
AND YOU ARE MINE."
AND I SOBBED MY EYES OUT.
I TRIED TO REAPPLY MY MAKEUP
THREE TIMES AND I JUST
KEPT SOBBING IT OFF.
I MEAN I WAS GUTTURAL SOBBING
BECAUSE IT WAS LIKE HE TOOK
A STONE OUT OF MY SOIL THAT
WAS KILLING CERTAIN THINGS
IN MY LIFE.
I WANT TO SAY THE NEXT MORNING
I'M CRYING, JOURNALING,
GOING, "OH, LORD,
THE TRUTH HAS SET ME FREE."
I COULD HAVE TOLD YOU THAT
UP HERE,
BUT IT WENT RIGHT HERE.
I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT.
AND WITHOUT A HINT
OF CONDEMNATION HE SAID,
"DO YOU REMEMBER THE TIME..."
AND HE REMINDED ME OF A TIME
FROM YEARS AGO,
AND IN A CONVERSATION
I EXPOSED ANOTHER
WITHOUT SAYING HER NAME.
SHE WAS SOMEBODY WHO SEEMED
PHARISAICAL TO ME AND
CONSTANTLY SEEMED TO BLOCK
THINGS THAT WERE IMPORTANT.
AND WITHOUT SAYING HER NAME
SOMEBODY WAS LIKE, "WHY IS
THIS STUFF NOT HAPPENING?"
AND I ASKED ANOTHER QUESTION,
WHICH COMPLETELY
POINTED TO HER.
AND THE LORD TOOK ME
OUT TO THE WOOD SHED LIKE
FOR THREE DAYS AFTER THAT.
THIS WAS SEVERAL YEARS AGO.
I ALMOST COULDN'T MOVE
I WAS UNDER
THE HEAVY HAND OF THE LORD.
HERE I AM, JUMP AHEAD NOW.
THE LORD'S LIKE, "DO YOU
REMEMBER WHEN THAT HAPPENED?"
AND I SAID, "YES."
AND HE SAID, "DO YOU SEE HOW
CLOSELY LINKED YOUR SINS ARE
TO YOUR FEARS?
DO YOU SEE
WHY I NEED TO DELIVER YOU
FROM THESE FEARS?
YOU SIN OUT OF THE PLACES
OF YOUR WOUNDEDNESS.
YOU SIN OUT OF THE PLACES
OF YOUR INSECURITY."
THE NEXT MORNING,
I'M JOURNALING AGAIN.
AND THE LORD SAID, "WHAT
DO YOU PRAY EVERY DAY FOR
THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIM?"
AND WITHOUT THINKING ABOUT IT,
I SAID, "EXPOSE THE PLANS
OF THE WICKED, ESTABLISH
THE PLANS OF THE RIGHTEOUS."
AND I HAVE THIS WHOLE PRAYER
I DO FOR FRIENDS THAT WORK
WITH TRAFFICKING ISSUES.
AND THERE WAS THE WORD AGAIN,
I DIDN'T EVEN REALIZE IT.
THE LORD SPOKE TO MY
HEART AGAIN AND HE SAID,
"DO YOU SEE HOW CLOSELY
LINKED YOUR THREAT TO HIM IS
WITH HIS THREAT TO YOU?
DO YOU SEE WHY WE NEED
TO DEAL WITH THESE FEARS
AND INSECURITIES?
BECAUSE I'M CALLING YOU OUT
AND YOU'VE GOT TO BE WHOLE
AND YOU'VE GOT TO KNOW
THAT YOU'RE ARMED WITH ME."
WHEN I START TO THINK ABOUT,
I DON'T HAVE TO BE PERFECT,
I HAVE TO BE FULL OF FAITH.
AND WHOEVER TOUCHES ME,
TOUCHES THE APPLE OF HIS EYE.
SO WE ARE GOING TO GO OUT
AT TIMES WITHOUT FEELING
LIKE WE HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS,
WITHOUT FEELING LIKE
WE'RE READY.
WE'RE GOING TO GET IT WRONG
EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE.
HE'S NOT LOOKING
FOR PERFECTION.
HE'S LOOKING FOR FAITH,
HE'S GOT OUR BACK.
AND WHEN WE TRUST HIM, WE'RE
GOING TO SEE GREAT THINGS
HAPPEN AND WE'RE GOING
TO SEE OUR GIANTS GO DOWN.
BUT I THINK IT IS SO IMPORTANT
BECAUSE IF WE GET
INTO STRIVING,
WE FORGET THAT HE'S GOD.
James: DO YOU APPRECIATE
WHAT SUSIE SHARED?
DO YOU LOVE HER TESTIMONY?
[Applause]
THE BOOK,
YOUR BEAUTIFUL PURPOSE.
YOU HELP US PROVIDE WATER,
WE'LL BE GLAD
TO SEND YOU THE BOOK.
AND IT'S IN THE BOOKSTORES.
YOU CAN FIND SUSIE
IF THEY WANT TO KNOW HOW
TO KNOW WHERE YOU'RE GOING
HOW WOULD THEY...?
Susie: SUSIELARSON.COM.
James: SUSIE,
WE'RE DOING SOMETHING
THAT OUR VIEWERS LOVE,
WE'RE GIVING LIFE.
WE CALL THE PROGRAM LIFE TODAY
AND WE GIVE LIFE TODAY
EVERY DAY AND YOU HAVE
A CHANCE TO DO IT
IN A VERY DIRECT WAY.
I WANT YOU TO WATCH THIS
VERY CLOSELY.
I WANT YOU TO KNOW THIS.
YOU ARE THE ANSWER TO THE
CONCERN THAT IS EXPRESSED.
YOU ARE; NOT ANOTHER PERSON,
YOU CAN'T HAND THIS OFF
TO SOMEONE ELSE,
YOU'RE THE ANSWER.
WATCH CLOSELY.
>> WELCOME TO
BLACK WATER.
IT'S A FAIR
DESCRIPTION.
IT'S ACTUALLY THE NAME
OF THIS VILLAGE.
AND IT'S A HARD ONE
TO SHAKE
BECAUSE THE TOLL
THIS BLACK WATER HAS
TAKEN ON ITS PEOPLE
IS NOT EASILY
FORGOTTEN.
>> FERNANDO,
A BROKEN MAN.
HE WATCHED HELPLESSLY
AS HIS WIFE,
15-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER,
AND 7-YEAR-OLD SON ALL SUCCUMB
TO THE DEADLY EFFECTS
OF THEIR CONTAMINATED WATER.
>> NOW AFTER THE DEATH
OF HIS BROTHER,
HE'S TURNED HIS
ATTENTION TO THE CARE
OF HIS SURVIVING NIECE, BEATRICE.
BUT UNLESS
THEIR WATER SUPPLY CHANGES...
Jeanne: GOD,
GIVE HIM HOPE.
GIVE HIM HOPE
IN HIS HEART, LORD.
IT'S JUST SO SAD.
IT'S SAD FOR US TO HEAR AND
IT'S SAD FOR HIM TO RELIVE.
BUT I ASK YOU TO BLESS HIM
FOR SHARING IT WITH US
SO THAT WE CAN HELP
SO MANY PEOPLE.
I KNOW THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT
TO BRING OUT OF THIS;
IN JESUS' NAME.
James: YOU KNOW
WHEN YOU SEE A FATHER,
AN UNCLE EXPRESS THE KIND
OF CONCERN THERE, BETTY,
YOU SEE THOSE CHILDREN
GOING AND CARRYING THAT WATER
AND ACTUALLY CARRYING BACK
WHAT THEY THINK IS HOPE
AND LIFE AND IT IS
A SLOW FORM OF DEATH.
IT JUST BREAKS MY HEART
WHEN I KNOW WE CAN CORRECT IT.
I'M PRAYING GOD WILL LET US
IN MY LIFETIME BEGIN
AND BE ABLE TO SHARE WATER
WITH PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD
THAT DON'T HAVE IT.
WE FOUND 500 AREAS LIKE THAT,
THAT AREA THERE WHERE WE KNOW
WE CAN GIVE THEM CLEAN WATER
IF WE JUST HAVE THE HELP
TO DO IT, THE RESOURCES.
WE NEED TO PAY FOR THE WELLS;
WE NEED TO PAY
TO GET THE WATER TO THEM.
Betty: JAMES, I CAN JUST
IMAGINE ONE OF THESE CHILDREN,
THEY COME TO YOU
AND THEY SAY, "I'M THIRSTY.
I NEED WATER. I'M THIRSTY."
DO YOU DENY THEM THAT WATER
FROM THE ONLY SOURCE
THAT THEY HAVE WHICH YOU KNOW
IS DISEASED WATER?
OF COURSE NOT!
THEY HAVE TO HAVE WATER.
WHAT WE'RE SAYING IS
LET'S GIVE THEM A CHOICE
BETWEEN CLEAN WATER,
BY DRILLING THE WELLS.
THEY HAVE A CHOICE BECAUSE,
JAMES, THIS IS A SOLUTION
TO A LOT OF THEIR PROBLEMS,
LIFE AND DEATH SITUATIONS.
James: WELL, IT REALLY
DOES CHANGE EVERYTHING
IN THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.
AND I'VE BEEN SAYING
TO OUR VIEWERS AND I REALLY
WANT YOU TO CATCH THIS VISION.
IF WE WILL GIVE PEOPLE WATER
FOR LIFE
THEY'RE GOING TO BE OPEN
TO HEAR ABOUT THE WATER
OF LIFE,
WHICH IS RELATIONSHIP
WITH GOD THROUGH CHRIST
WHO IS THE WATER OF LIFE.
IF YOU WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW
ABOUT THE LOVE OF GOD,
AND KNOW THAT
HE REALLY LOVES THEM,
A DEMONSTRATION OF THAT LOVE
PRIOR TO THE DISCUSSION
OR DECLARATION OF THAT LOVE
IS WHAT OPENS THEIR EARS
AND THEIR HEARTS.
WOULD YOU HELP US
DRILL 500 WELLS
IN PLACES JUST LIKE THAT?
WE HAVE TARGETED THAT AREA.
I CAN ALREADY TELL YOU,
BETTY AND I ARE GOING TO
GIVE A WELL FOR THAT AREA.
NOW I THINK THERE ARE AREAS
RIGHT THERE AROUND THEM WHERE
THEY'RE GOING TO NEED SEVERAL
BECAUSE IT IS A PRETTY
BIG POPULATION CENTER.
THE WELLS COST $4800.
WE ASKED GOD TO LET US
DO THAT YEARS AGO,
TO GIVE A WELL EVERY TIME
THE CALL COMES.
GOD ANSWERED THAT PRAYER.
IT WAS A SPECIFIC PRAYER,
YOU PRAY IT.
BUT YOU HAVE
TO START SOMEWHERE.
AND YOU CAN START OFF
IN TIMES BY SAYING, "I CAN'T
DO A WHOLE WELL RIGHT NOW
BUT I COULD GIVE $1200
AND PRAY THREE OTHER PEOPLE
GIVE $1200 AND THEN
WE'VE GOT A WELL."
OR "I COULD GIVE $2400
AND PRAY IT'S DOUBLED
BY SOMEBODY ELSE
WHO GIVES THE OTHER."
$4800 IS THE COST OF THE WELL.
DO WHAT YOU CAN.
MAKE IT A GOAL.
BY YEARS END SAY,
"I'M GOING TO TRUST GOD,
AS CHILDREN DO,
I'M GOING AFTER A WELL."
BUT THEN REMEMBER THIS
BECAUSE THIS IS WHERE MOST
OF THE RESOURCES COME FROM.
PEOPLE SAY, "ALL RIGHT,
I'M GOING TO DO
WHAT I CAN RIGHT NOW."
AND THAT'S KEY --
TO DO WHAT YOU CAN RIGHT NOW.
$48 -- TEN PEOPLE --
HIS FAMILY, TEN PEOPLE,
WATER THE REST OF THEIR LIFE;
$144 -- 30 PEOPLE
WATER THE REST OF THEIR LIFE.
WOULD YOU DIAL THE NUMBER,
TAKE YOUR BANKCARD. PLEASE?
GET UP AND GO GET THE CARD.
YOU USE IT FOR MANY THINGS
THAT ARE NOT REALLY IMPORTANT.
THIS IS LIFE-GIVING,
LIFESAVING.
GET THE CARD, MAKE THE GIFT
GOD PUTS ON YOUR HEART.
USE THAT CARD LIKE A CHECK.
YOU WRITE A CHECK,
MAKE IT TO LIFE BUT CALL US
AND TELL US YOU'RE MAILING IT.
YOU CAN GO ONLINE
LIFETODAY.ORG.
WE HAVE SOME VERY SPECIAL
GIFTS TO SEND YOU TO BLESS YOU
IN YOUR DEVOTION LIFE,
IN WORSHIP AND PRAISE,
WITH THE HYMNS THAT ARE
INSTRUMENTAL PRESENTATIONS OF
THE HYMNS YOU LOVE AS WELL AS
THE BOOK THAT HAS THE HISTORY
OF HOW THOSE HYMNS
WERE INSPIRED AND WRITTEN.
THEN WE HAVE THE ANNIVERSARY
BRONZE, THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY
OF MINISTRY AND YES,
OUR MARRIAGE TOO.
WE'RE ASKING YOU TO MAKE THE
GIFT GOD PUTS ON YOUR HEART.
WE WANT TO BLESS YOU
WITH GIFTS.
AS YOU GIVE THE GREATEST GIFT,
YOU'RE GIVING PEOPLE
A CHANCE AT LIFE.
Announcer: EVERY DAY
MILLIONS OF CHILDREN
ARE FORCED TO MAKE
A DREADFUL CHOICE,
DRINK FILTHY POLLUTED WATER FILLED WITH DEADLY DISEASE
OR DIE
FROM THIRST.
NO CHILD SHOULD EVER BE
FACED WITH THIS DECISION.
THE GOOD NEWS IS
THERE IS A SOLUTION!
MISSION: WATER FOR LIFE
IS ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING
AND VIABLE
DEMONSTRATIONS
OF GOD'S LOVE IN
THE WORLD TODAY.
SUFFERING
CAN END
BECAUSE CLEAN WATER
CHANGES EVERYTHING!
WITH YOUR GIFT TODAY,
WE CAN ESTABLISH AND DRILL
500 NEW WATER WELLS
FOR REMOTE VILLAGES
IN OVER 12 DIFFERENT NATIONS.
YOUR GIFT
OF $24
WILL HELP PROVIDE CLEAN
WATER FOR FIVE PEOPLE.
A GIFT OF $48 WILL HELP
PROVIDE FOR TEN PEOPLE.
$72 WILL IMPACT
15 PEOPLE.
AND $144 WILL HELP PROVIDE
FRESH CLEAN DISEASE-FREE WATER
FOR 30 PEOPLE
FOR A LIFETIME!
WITH YOUR GIFT
BE SURE TO REQUEST
BETH MOORE'S
BLESSED MORNINGS
& RESTFUL NIGHTS,
A BEAUTIFUL NEW
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
TO BEGIN AND END YOUR DAY
IN GOD'S PRESENCE.
WITH YOUR GIFT
OF $100 OR MORE,
YOU MAY REQUEST
MORNING AND EVENING:
I WILL PRAISE YOU,
A TWO CD COLLECTION
OF 20 INSTRUMENTAL HYMNS
AND THE COMPANION BOOK
THAT SHARES THE STORIES
BEHIND EACH HYMN.
ALSO, PLEASE PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER A GIFT OF $1200
TO HELP PROVIDE WATER
FOR 250 PEOPLE
OR A GIFT OF $4800 TO HELP SPONSOR A COMPLETE WELL!
AND BE SURE TO REQUEST
THE LIMITED EDITION
50th ANNIVERSARY
BRONZE SCULPTURE,
LIVING WATER
BY ARTIST
ROBERT SUMMERS.
PLEASE CALL, WRITE, OR MAKE
YOUR SECURE GIFT ONLINE TODAY!
James: WE'RE GOING
TO BE SENDING YOU
THE BEAUTIFUL DEVOTION BOOK,
BLESSED MORNINGS
& RESTFUL NIGHTS.
I LOVE THAT TITLE!
DEVOTIONS TO BEGIN
AND END YOUR DAY
IN GOD'S PRESENCE
WITH BETH MOORE.
THEN YOUR BEAUTIFUL PURPOSE,
IF YOU'D LIKE TO HAVE IT,
SUSIE LARSON HAS WRITTEN THIS.
I THINK IT WOULD BE
VERY MEANINGFUL TO YOU.
SOME OF YOU HEARD WHAT SHE
SHARED TODAY AND YOU SAY,
"I'D LIKE TO KNOW MORE
OF HER SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS
AND INSPIRATION."
YOU HELP US PROVIDE WATER,
WE'LL BE GLAD TO SEND YOU
THE BOOK ALSO.
I WANT TO REMIND YOU,
IF YOU'LL GO ON LIFETODAY.ORG
AND YOU CLICK RIGHT WHERE
WE'RE SHOWING YOU THERE
ON THE SCREEN TO CLICK,
WE WANT TO HELP YOU WITH WHAT
WE CALL "ESTATE PLANNING."
YOU SAY, "WHAT IS THAT?"
SAVE MONEY FOR YOUR FAMILY
FOR YOUR FUTURE
BUT ALSO DO SOMETHING
WITH ALL GOD HAS
BLESSED YOU WITH FOR ETERNITY.
GIVE US AN OPPORTUNITY
TO BE A BLESSING TO YOU
AND YOUR LOVED ONES.
WOULD YOU JOIN BETTY AND ME
AGAIN IN SAYING THANKS TO
SUSIE FOR BLESSING US TODAY?
SUSIE, THANK SUSIE, THANK YOU!
THANK YOU FOR THE BOOK,
YOUR BEAUTIFUL PURPOSE.
THANK YOU FOR EXPRESSING IT
SO BEAUTIFULLY.
YOU'RE A GREAT COMMUNICATOR.
WE BLESS GOD FOR YOU.
THANK ALL OF YOU FOR GIVING US
THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE.
AND THERE AGAIN,
IF YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW
TO GET A HOLD OF SUSIE,
GO ON LIFE TODAY AND WE'LL
TELL YOU HOW YOU CAN FIND HER
AND PERHAPS GO WHERE SHE IS
OR INVITE HER TO YOUR AREA.
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
>> I THINK FOR ALL OF MY LIFE
I FELT I HAD TO MEASURE UP
TO THIS ONE OR TO THAT ONE
OR TO THAT ONE.
Announcer:
NEXT WEEK ON LIFE TODAY!