Ever feel held back by your own weakness? Mark Jobe has a major truth you need to hear today on bold steps.

Ever feel held back by your own weakness? Mark Jobe has a major truth you need to hear today on bold steps.

If you feel incapable, weak, not able. That's exactly who you are and who I am. We cannot do it. Apart from the grace and power of the living Jesus in us. So embrace your weakness. Celebrate it. Because when you're weak, then he's made strong.

If you feel incapable, weak, not able. That's exactly who you are and who I am. We cannot do it. Apart from the grace and power of the living Jesus in us. So embrace your weakness. Celebrate it. Because when you're weak, then he's made strong.

Welcome to Bold Steps with Mark Jobe, senior pastor of New Life Community Church and president of Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. I'm Wayne Shepherd. Today we're continuing a powerful message titled How to Be Strong When You Feel Weak. Mark takes us deep into Jesus 40 day fast in the wilderness, and shows us how God often uses our moments of greatest weakness to demonstrate his greatest power. Through a fascinating look at Jesus encounter with the tempter, we'll discover how God's purpose often calls us to embrace rather than escape difficult seasons. If you'd like to share this challenging message with others, you'll find it at bird-stamps.org. But right now, here's Mark Jobe with today's bold steps.

Welcome to Bold Steps with Mark Jobe, senior pastor of New Life Community Church and president of Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. I'm Wayne Shepherd. Today we're continuing a powerful message titled How to Be Strong When You Feel Weak. Mark takes us deep into Jesus 40 day fast in the wilderness, and shows us how God often uses our moments of greatest weakness to demonstrate his greatest power. Through a fascinating look at Jesus encounter with the tempter, we'll discover how God's purpose often calls us to embrace rather than escape difficult seasons. If you'd like to share this challenging message with others, you'll find it at bird-stamps.org. But right now, here's Mark Jobe with today's bold steps.

40 days of fasting is a long time. Our church has been in the habit of doing fasting and prayer for quite a few years. But in 1995, we decided Bill bright was encouraging a lot of people around the nation to fast and pray for 40 days. And so our church decided that we would challenge as many people as possible to do a 40 day fast. And so there was about maybe 40 people in the church that did a pretty heavy fast of just water and juices for 40 days. And I tell you what, weird things happen in a 40 day of fasting. I mean, I had one lady that told me that she literally was biting her pillow open because she was dreaming about hamburgers, woke up in the middle of the night dreaming about hamburgers, chewing on her pillow. And I remember about halfway through that fast, thinking to myself, I'm never going to make it. This is like crazy. Feeling more and more weak, you become sensitized to the smells of food around you. And, um. But there's a weakness. There's a there's a weakness about your body. There's a I don't you're sensitive to cold. You're you're just feeling extremely, extremely tired. A long percentage of the time. And it is brutal. Jesus was at that time when God was calling him to his greatest testing, when he was the weakest. He was also the strongest. And I know I want you to notice what Jesus says. He says it all three times, by the way, and I love it. He says it is written. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. It is written. It is written. Three times it is written. Why was Jesus saying it's written? Because Jesus was quoting the authoritative, inspired, infallible, inerrant Word of God. He was quoting Scripture to the enemy. In other words, he was saying, I know this is what you say, but I go back to the truth. What I love about this place is that no matter what degree you get, you're going to get a get a lot of Bible and theology. Why? Because we want you to know it is written. I want you to notice what Jesus did not say. He did not say, I feel like today. He did not say. My friends tell me. He did not say. Culture says. He did not say. Well, you know, intuitively, I think Jesus went back to the truth. It is written. Why? Because. Can I tell you something? The ultimate definition of immaturity is when you live your life by. I feel if you live your life by, I feel not by what is. It is written. Then I'm going to tell you you are a roller coaster. You think that God is close one day, and you feel like you're on your way to hell the next day. One day you feel like the presence of God is there. One another day you think maybe God. Maybe. I never knew God in the beginning. Because if you live your life by what you feel, then one day you're going to feel it, and the next day you're not going to going to feel it. Jesus said it is written. One of the greatest definitions of maturity is beginning to live our life by what is declared over us. Over us, not what we feel. Can I tell you something? Listen to me. This is real important. Some of you today feel like you're under condemnation. It was hard for you to worship God today because you know the sinfulness of your heart. You know what you watch yesterday? You know what happened over break. Listen. And you feel a condemnation about your soul. Can I tell you what the Bible says? There is no condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus. No condemnation. Now, your sin may affect your relationship with God, but there is no condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus because you are positioned in righteousness before the father. Not, I feel. Can I tell you something else? You say, well, I don't, I don't know. I came to chapel today. I don't feel the presence of God. I don't know, I don't feel. Listen, the Bible says he will never leave you nor forsake you. forsake you. The Bible says that you are sealed with the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption. So it doesn't matter how you feel. Sometimes you need to tell your feelings. It is written what you think in your mind. How you feel at the moment is not where you stand. It is written, is where you stand. And that's why mature people, they study the word, they read the word. They meditate on the word. They memorize the word. They're into the word. They don't just read it as a some textbook, but they get it into their spirit and their soul. Jesus didn't have a manuscript in front of him when he was being tempted, but he was so into the word, it was so saturating his being that immediately it came right out of his mouth. When the devil lied to him, he immediately quoted what scripture said about that lie. It is written. I try to remind the students every single semester. And so maybe I sound like a broken record, but can I tell you just because you are in Old Testament? Thank God for Old Testament survey. Just because you're in New Testament. Thank God for New Testament survey. Just because. Don't you have to read through the Bible and read like the whole thing in a year? Is that right? Is that still true? I was at another school where someone had to do it, and he had his headphones on and I said, oh, are you listening to music while you sleep? He said, no, I have to listen to the whole Bible. And so he technically he was listening to the whole Bible while he slept. But that's another thing. And sometimes don't say, I gave you an idea. That's not. That doesn't count. No. But sometimes we go to the we go through the through the Bible? Kind of like that. We're listening, but we're really not listening. He was laying there with his eyes closed, and I know he wasn't listening because he was starting to snore while those headphones were on and he was listening. But sometimes that's the way we are with the Bible. But I want to just challenge you. If you don't learn anything else at Moody Bible Institute, would you learn to get into the word every day, read a chapter, look at the Bible, say, God, what are you saying to me and what do I need to do about it? I ask two questions. When I read the word, I say, what are you saying? Because I want to actually understand what God is saying. But I also ask myself, and what is there anything I need to do about what I'm hearing you say? God.

40 days of fasting is a long time. Our church has been in the habit of doing fasting and prayer for quite a few years. But in 1995, we decided Bill bright was encouraging a lot of people around the nation to fast and pray for 40 days. And so our church decided that we would challenge as many people as possible to do a 40 day fast. And so there was about maybe 40 people in the church that did a pretty heavy fast of just water and juices for 40 days. And I tell you what, weird things happen in a 40 day of fasting. I mean, I had one lady that told me that she literally was biting her pillow open because she was dreaming about hamburgers, woke up in the middle of the night dreaming about hamburgers, chewing on her pillow. And I remember about halfway through that fast, thinking to myself, I'm never going to make it. This is like crazy. Feeling more and more weak, you become sensitized to the smells of food around you. And, um. But there's a weakness. There's a there's a weakness about your body. There's a I don't you're sensitive to cold. You're you're just feeling extremely, extremely tired. A long percentage of the time. And it is brutal. Jesus was at that time when God was calling him to his greatest testing, when he was the weakest. He was also the strongest. And I know I want you to notice what Jesus says. He says it all three times, by the way, and I love it. He says it is written. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. It is written. It is written. Three times it is written. Why was Jesus saying it's written? Because Jesus was quoting the authoritative, inspired, infallible, inerrant Word of God. He was quoting Scripture to the enemy. In other words, he was saying, I know this is what you say, but I go back to the truth. What I love about this place is that no matter what degree you get, you're going to get a get a lot of Bible and theology. Why? Because we want you to know it is written. I want you to notice what Jesus did not say. He did not say, I feel like today. He did not say. My friends tell me. He did not say. Culture says. He did not say. Well, you know, intuitively, I think Jesus went back to the truth. It is written. Why? Because. Can I tell you something? The ultimate definition of immaturity is when you live your life by. I feel if you live your life by, I feel not by what is. It is written. Then I'm going to tell you you are a roller coaster. You think that God is close one day, and you feel like you're on your way to hell the next day. One day you feel like the presence of God is there. One another day you think maybe God. Maybe. I never knew God in the beginning. Because if you live your life by what you feel, then one day you're going to feel it, and the next day you're not going to going to feel it. Jesus said it is written. One of the greatest definitions of maturity is beginning to live our life by what is declared over us. Over us, not what we feel. Can I tell you something? Listen to me. This is real important. Some of you today feel like you're under condemnation. It was hard for you to worship God today because you know the sinfulness of your heart. You know what you watch yesterday? You know what happened over break. Listen. And you feel a condemnation about your soul. Can I tell you what the Bible says? There is no condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus. No condemnation. Now, your sin may affect your relationship with God, but there is no condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus because you are positioned in righteousness before the father. Not, I feel. Can I tell you something else? You say, well, I don't, I don't know. I came to chapel today. I don't feel the presence of God. I don't know, I don't feel. Listen, the Bible says he will never leave you nor forsake you. forsake you. The Bible says that you are sealed with the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption. So it doesn't matter how you feel. Sometimes you need to tell your feelings. It is written what you think in your mind. How you feel at the moment is not where you stand. It is written, is where you stand. And that's why mature people, they study the word, they read the word. They meditate on the word. They memorize the word. They're into the word. They don't just read it as a some textbook, but they get it into their spirit and their soul. Jesus didn't have a manuscript in front of him when he was being tempted, but he was so into the word, it was so saturating his being that immediately it came right out of his mouth. When the devil lied to him, he immediately quoted what scripture said about that lie. It is written. I try to remind the students every single semester. And so maybe I sound like a broken record, but can I tell you just because you are in Old Testament? Thank God for Old Testament survey. Just because you're in New Testament. Thank God for New Testament survey. Just because. Don't you have to read through the Bible and read like the whole thing in a year? Is that right? Is that still true? I was at another school where someone had to do it, and he had his headphones on and I said, oh, are you listening to music while you sleep? He said, no, I have to listen to the whole Bible. And so he technically he was listening to the whole Bible while he slept. But that's another thing. And sometimes don't say, I gave you an idea. That's not. That doesn't count. No. But sometimes we go to the we go through the through the Bible? Kind of like that. We're listening, but we're really not listening. He was laying there with his eyes closed, and I know he wasn't listening because he was starting to snore while those headphones were on and he was listening. But sometimes that's the way we are with the Bible. But I want to just challenge you. If you don't learn anything else at Moody Bible Institute, would you learn to get into the word every day, read a chapter, look at the Bible, say, God, what are you saying to me and what do I need to do about it? I ask two questions. When I read the word, I say, what are you saying? Because I want to actually understand what God is saying. But I also ask myself, and what is there anything I need to do about what I'm hearing you say? God.

You're listening to the Bible teaching of Mark Jobe on bold steps. We'll continue in a moment. Let me remind you that each of these daily lessons can be found on our website, Bold Steps. You can also hear us on most of the major podcast apps by searching for bold steps with doctor Mark Jobe. Just remember to click subscribe while you're there and leave us a comment in a five star review to help others find the program. And for even more content on the go, you'll want to download the Bold Steps app. Watch and listen to an entire sermon series right from your phone, and discover even more teaching videos centered on biblical truths right at your fingertips. Just go to the App Store on your phone or mobile device and download the Bold Steps app today. Now let's return to Matthew chapter four for this message. Mark is explaining how to be strong when you feel weak.

You're listening to the Bible teaching of Mark Jobe on bold steps. We'll continue in a moment. Let me remind you that each of these daily lessons can be found on our website, Bold Steps. You can also hear us on most of the major podcast apps by searching for bold steps with doctor Mark Jobe. Just remember to click subscribe while you're there and leave us a comment in a five star review to help others find the program. And for even more content on the go, you'll want to download the Bold Steps app. Watch and listen to an entire sermon series right from your phone, and discover even more teaching videos centered on biblical truths right at your fingertips. Just go to the App Store on your phone or mobile device and download the Bold Steps app today. Now let's return to Matthew chapter four for this message. Mark is explaining how to be strong when you feel weak.

So number one, Jesus. What Jesus did is he told us, eat the word, eat it. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. Eat the word. Number two. Second temptation that he had is fought with simply these words Trust God. Look what it says in verse five. Then the devil took him to a holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple. That's Jerusalem, the holy city. And he said, if you are the Son of God, if you really are, maybe you're not. And maybe the circumstances don't show it. And maybe you need to prove that you are. When God has declared something over you, you don't have to prove it. You just have to step into it. Let me say that again. When God has spoken something over you, you don't have to prove it. You just need to step into it and rest in it. If you are the Son of God, then throw yourself down, for it is written. Satan's smart now he's using it as written against Jesus. He will command his angels concerning you. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. He's quoting Psalms 91, which is a great psalm of protection. God is our refuge. God is our strength. He watches over us. But listen, what he was not saying is be foolish and throw yourself in front of a truck saying, God's going to protect me or that is self-destructive. He's not saying, throw yourself from a building if you're really saved, God's going to save you. If you're not, you're going to die. No, that is absolute foolishness. It's testing God. And Jesus said to him, again, it is written, you shall not put the Lord your God to the test. In other words, I'm just going to trust what God says over me. I don't have to prove it. I don't have to try to test God. And by the way, Jesus is quoting from Deuteronomy chapter six verse 16, which is in reference to Exodus chapter 17, verse seven. When the people of God tested Moses and God at the waters of Massa because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the Lord, saying, is the Lord among us or not? Do you remember what the Israelites did in the desert? If they didn't get water when they wanted it, they would say, God, are you really here? Are you really? I'd rather be in Egypt. If they didn't get food like they wanted to, they'd say, God, are you really here? Are you really among us? It's the ultimate insult to question what God has already declared over you. It's a form of manipulation. If you're in a marriage or dating relationship and you keep going to the other person saying, well, if you really love me, you know that jewelry I saw, if you really love me, you'd give it to me. If I don't have it. I don't know if you really love me. If you really love me. If you really care about me. Ultimate form of manipulation. Jesus said, you shall not put the put the Lord your God to test. If God says he's with you, then he's with you. If God says he's protecting you, then he's protecting you. It is written. And then lastly, number three. I'm running out of time here. The third temptation. Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, by the way, the devil seems like a travel agent here. He's taking him to Jerusalem. He's taking him to a high mountain. And he said to them, all these I will give you if you fall down and worship me. So eat the word. Trust God. Lastly, listen to this. This is really important. Take authority. I want you to see what Jesus says in verse ten. Jesus said to him, I love this. Be gone, Satan. Be gone Out of here. Notice this that in this temptation, what the enemy does is the enemy tries to give him what he was sent to get, but through a means that God did not intend. Sometimes you have a legitimate call upon your life that you try to fulfill an illegitimate way. Sometimes you have legitimate needs in your life that you try to fulfill in a way that's illegitimate to God. In God's economy, the means, the way you go about this, the the, the end doesn't justify the means. The means are important as the end. Are you with me here? This is important. In other words, God said, yeah, I want I want you to usher in a kingdom. This is the kingdom of God. But the way that I have for you is called the cross. What the enemy said is, look at the kingdoms of kingdoms of the world. And, you know, some people, some theologians argue around this, some Dominion theology would say that Adam, God gave dominion to Adam and Eve. And then because they fell to the serpent, that dominion was handed over to the devil. And so the devil exercises dominion over the world. I'm not sure it's that simple as that. But first John chapter five, verse 19 says this we know we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. If someone ever asked you, why is there so much evil in the world? If God is the author of it all, why is there so much hatred and bigotry and injustice if we represent God well? In the beginning there wasn't. And you know the story Adam and Eve, he put him in a perfect environment. They were innocent of the heart. They walked with God without any kind of kind of separation. God walk with him like he walked with you and I. But he also gave them the power of free will. And after they chose to disobey God because they were beguiled by the serpent, then something drastically changed in our universe and in our world, the fall of man brought in the depravity of man, and then also gave dominion and power and authority to other principalities and powers that are listed in Scripture as well. Satan is called the prince of the power of this world. And so what you live in right now, what you and I live in right now, is not a reflection. It's not a pure reflection of the creation of our creator and of our God. It's a broken down, devastated, sin filled expression that doesn't fully reflect the holiness and glory of God. Now God is bringing about a redemption plan, and that's what we are. We're part of the church. We're part of the kingdom of God. We're ushering in Everyone that is born again becomes a part of the Kingdom of God. And there are kingdoms in conflict right now. But ultimately, God will usher in his kingdom justly forever and ever. But until then, we live in a broken world. Let me wrap it up with this. I love the fact that Jesus says to Satan, be gone. He takes authority and he said, it is written. Can I tell you something? Um, you have authority as well. There is a spiritual battle that you're going to be fighting every day of your life. The authority that you have does not come from the strength in your being. It comes from the weakness of your soul that submits itself to a greater authority than yours. James chapter four says, submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Your authority doesn't come in your strength. Your authority comes in your weakness. And when you know you're weak, you submit yourself to the authority, the Most High God. And in humility, you bow before him and acknowledge that you can't in your own power. And it is the power and the authority of Jesus manifest in you that causes the enemy to be afraid of not you, but what is in you the authority of the Most High God. The power of the resurrected Jesus. Thank you. So what I want you to know as you start your semester and there will be battles and there will be temptations, and some of you are feeling it already, and some of you will feel it in an intense way. I want you to know that in your weakness. That in your weakness. You can be made strong. That in your debility it should drive you to the feet of Jesus in humble brokenness and say, Lord, I can't. But you can. It may be exactly where you need to be if you feel like you can't do this semester. Welcome. Probably a good thing if you feel like you can't overcome temptation. Probably a good thing if you feel like you can't really live the life that God has called you to in the power of the flesh. You're exactly right. Because you can't. If you feel incapable, weak, not able, you are exactly right. Because that's exactly who you are and who I am. We cannot do it. Apart from the grace and power of the living Jesus in us. So embrace your weakness. Celebrate it. Because when you're weak, then he's made strong.

So number one, Jesus. What Jesus did is he told us, eat the word, eat it. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. Eat the word. Number two. Second temptation that he had is fought with simply these words Trust God. Look what it says in verse five. Then the devil took him to a holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple. That's Jerusalem, the holy city. And he said, if you are the Son of God, if you really are, maybe you're not. And maybe the circumstances don't show it. And maybe you need to prove that you are. When God has declared something over you, you don't have to prove it. You just have to step into it. Let me say that again. When God has spoken something over you, you don't have to prove it. You just need to step into it and rest in it. If you are the Son of God, then throw yourself down, for it is written. Satan's smart now he's using it as written against Jesus. He will command his angels concerning you. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. He's quoting Psalms 91, which is a great psalm of protection. God is our refuge. God is our strength. He watches over us. But listen, what he was not saying is be foolish and throw yourself in front of a truck saying, God's going to protect me or that is self-destructive. He's not saying, throw yourself from a building if you're really saved, God's going to save you. If you're not, you're going to die. No, that is absolute foolishness. It's testing God. And Jesus said to him, again, it is written, you shall not put the Lord your God to the test. In other words, I'm just going to trust what God says over me. I don't have to prove it. I don't have to try to test God. And by the way, Jesus is quoting from Deuteronomy chapter six verse 16, which is in reference to Exodus chapter 17, verse seven. When the people of God tested Moses and God at the waters of Massa because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the Lord, saying, is the Lord among us or not? Do you remember what the Israelites did in the desert? If they didn't get water when they wanted it, they would say, God, are you really here? Are you really? I'd rather be in Egypt. If they didn't get food like they wanted to, they'd say, God, are you really here? Are you really among us? It's the ultimate insult to question what God has already declared over you. It's a form of manipulation. If you're in a marriage or dating relationship and you keep going to the other person saying, well, if you really love me, you know that jewelry I saw, if you really love me, you'd give it to me. If I don't have it. I don't know if you really love me. If you really love me. If you really care about me. Ultimate form of manipulation. Jesus said, you shall not put the put the Lord your God to test. If God says he's with you, then he's with you. If God says he's protecting you, then he's protecting you. It is written. And then lastly, number three. I'm running out of time here. The third temptation. Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, by the way, the devil seems like a travel agent here. He's taking him to Jerusalem. He's taking him to a high mountain. And he said to them, all these I will give you if you fall down and worship me. So eat the word. Trust God. Lastly, listen to this. This is really important. Take authority. I want you to see what Jesus says in verse ten. Jesus said to him, I love this. Be gone, Satan. Be gone Out of here. Notice this that in this temptation, what the enemy does is the enemy tries to give him what he was sent to get, but through a means that God did not intend. Sometimes you have a legitimate call upon your life that you try to fulfill an illegitimate way. Sometimes you have legitimate needs in your life that you try to fulfill in a way that's illegitimate to God. In God's economy, the means, the way you go about this, the the, the end doesn't justify the means. The means are important as the end. Are you with me here? This is important. In other words, God said, yeah, I want I want you to usher in a kingdom. This is the kingdom of God. But the way that I have for you is called the cross. What the enemy said is, look at the kingdoms of kingdoms of the world. And, you know, some people, some theologians argue around this, some Dominion theology would say that Adam, God gave dominion to Adam and Eve. And then because they fell to the serpent, that dominion was handed over to the devil. And so the devil exercises dominion over the world. I'm not sure it's that simple as that. But first John chapter five, verse 19 says this we know we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. If someone ever asked you, why is there so much evil in the world? If God is the author of it all, why is there so much hatred and bigotry and injustice if we represent God well? In the beginning there wasn't. And you know the story Adam and Eve, he put him in a perfect environment. They were innocent of the heart. They walked with God without any kind of kind of separation. God walk with him like he walked with you and I. But he also gave them the power of free will. And after they chose to disobey God because they were beguiled by the serpent, then something drastically changed in our universe and in our world, the fall of man brought in the depravity of man, and then also gave dominion and power and authority to other principalities and powers that are listed in Scripture as well. Satan is called the prince of the power of this world. And so what you live in right now, what you and I live in right now, is not a reflection. It's not a pure reflection of the creation of our creator and of our God. It's a broken down, devastated, sin filled expression that doesn't fully reflect the holiness and glory of God. Now God is bringing about a redemption plan, and that's what we are. We're part of the church. We're part of the kingdom of God. We're ushering in Everyone that is born again becomes a part of the Kingdom of God. And there are kingdoms in conflict right now. But ultimately, God will usher in his kingdom justly forever and ever. But until then, we live in a broken world. Let me wrap it up with this. I love the fact that Jesus says to Satan, be gone. He takes authority and he said, it is written. Can I tell you something? Um, you have authority as well. There is a spiritual battle that you're going to be fighting every day of your life. The authority that you have does not come from the strength in your being. It comes from the weakness of your soul that submits itself to a greater authority than yours. James chapter four says, submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Your authority doesn't come in your strength. Your authority comes in your weakness. And when you know you're weak, you submit yourself to the authority, the Most High God. And in humility, you bow before him and acknowledge that you can't in your own power. And it is the power and the authority of Jesus manifest in you that causes the enemy to be afraid of not you, but what is in you the authority of the Most High God. The power of the resurrected Jesus. Thank you. So what I want you to know as you start your semester and there will be battles and there will be temptations, and some of you are feeling it already, and some of you will feel it in an intense way. I want you to know that in your weakness. That in your weakness. You can be made strong. That in your debility it should drive you to the feet of Jesus in humble brokenness and say, Lord, I can't. But you can. It may be exactly where you need to be if you feel like you can't do this semester. Welcome. Probably a good thing if you feel like you can't overcome temptation. Probably a good thing if you feel like you can't really live the life that God has called you to in the power of the flesh. You're exactly right. Because you can't. If you feel incapable, weak, not able, you are exactly right. Because that's exactly who you are and who I am. We cannot do it. Apart from the grace and power of the living Jesus in us. So embrace your weakness. Celebrate it. Because when you're weak, then he's made strong.

A bold Steps message from Mark Jobe given to the students at Moody Bible Institute. But obviously God intends it for us all. Such an important truth for all of us to realize. Mark, no matter what we're going through.

A bold Steps message from Mark Jobe given to the students at Moody Bible Institute. But obviously God intends it for us all. Such an important truth for all of us to realize. Mark, no matter what we're going through.

Yeah. And there's so.

Yeah. And there's so.

Many people weighing, especially in this season, that are going through times of anxiety, fear, isolation, loneliness. We just got a letter from a grandmother praying for her grandson and let me read it. She says, please pray for my 13 year old grandson who was recently saved and baptized. He suffers from panic attacks and anxiety. He's seen a Christian counselor at his church. She's helping him praise the Lord. His panic starts because he can't feel God and thinks God left him. He reads his Bible every day. He is so smart, but so fragile. Please pray for his parents too. Extremely hard for everyone right now. Praise to the Lord. His mom is back in church, but not his dad. Please pray for him too. Thank you for your ministry and I thank God for Moody Radio. I want to say first of all that thank you for praying for your grandson. I believe there's power in praying parents and praying grandparents. In fact, I think that's a hidden weapon of grandparents that really intercede for their grandchildren. So thank you for doing that. I also want to say that there's a lot of young men and young women in that age group that are suffering with anxiety and panic attacks and fear like never before, but I want to pray specifically for your grandson. It sounds like he's got a heart for God, but I don't want these fears to derail him. So I we join with you. Father. I pray for this young man. Man of God in the making. God, you've put a desire in his heart for you. I pray against the lies that attack him. I pray for the. The way that the enemy smuggles lies into his mind. That make him feel that you're far away. I pray God that you would defeat those with the truth and with the power of your presence. God, I pray in Jesus name that you would strengthen him in his times of weakness. I pray God that you would ground him in the truth. I thank you, Lord Jesus, that his mother's back in church, and I pray that you would strengthen her. And I pray for His father that he also would be driven back to you. I pray, Lord Jesus, together with this grandmother, that this will be a breakthrough season for the entire family. And I ask this in Jesus name.

Many people weighing, especially in this season, that are going through times of anxiety, fear, isolation, loneliness. We just got a letter from a grandmother praying for her grandson and let me read it. She says, please pray for my 13 year old grandson who was recently saved and baptized. He suffers from panic attacks and anxiety. He's seen a Christian counselor at his church. She's helping him praise the Lord. His panic starts because he can't feel God and thinks God left him. He reads his Bible every day. He is so smart, but so fragile. Please pray for his parents too. Extremely hard for everyone right now. Praise to the Lord. His mom is back in church, but not his dad. Please pray for him too. Thank you for your ministry and I thank God for Moody Radio. I want to say first of all that thank you for praying for your grandson. I believe there's power in praying parents and praying grandparents. In fact, I think that's a hidden weapon of grandparents that really intercede for their grandchildren. So thank you for doing that. I also want to say that there's a lot of young men and young women in that age group that are suffering with anxiety and panic attacks and fear like never before, but I want to pray specifically for your grandson. It sounds like he's got a heart for God, but I don't want these fears to derail him. So I we join with you. Father. I pray for this young man. Man of God in the making. God, you've put a desire in his heart for you. I pray against the lies that attack him. I pray for the. The way that the enemy smuggles lies into his mind. That make him feel that you're far away. I pray God that you would defeat those with the truth and with the power of your presence. God, I pray in Jesus name that you would strengthen him in his times of weakness. I pray God that you would ground him in the truth. I thank you, Lord Jesus, that his mother's back in church, and I pray that you would strengthen her. And I pray for His father that he also would be driven back to you. I pray, Lord Jesus, together with this grandmother, that this will be a breakthrough season for the entire family. And I ask this in Jesus name.

Amen. Amen. Thank you Mark. Tomorrow we'll continue on this theme of weakness, and you'll show us how really it can be a gift. That's the message coming up tomorrow and you won't want to miss it. But in case you can't join us, or if you missed an earlier lesson from this week, just be sure to catch up online at Bold Steps. There, you can also learn more about Moody Bible Institute, where we've just begun the spring semester of 2025. Moody is passionate about helping students fulfill their calling at home and beyond the classroom. All of our programs offer highly flexible options, so whether you're looking to attend online, on campus, or somewhere in between, be sure to consider Moody for your educational needs. To learn more, visit Moody Edu. And today, we're excited to offer you a best selling book that goes along with the message you heard from Mark about handling weakness. It's titled Winning the War in Your Mind, written by Craig Rochelle. Through relatable stories and examples, Craig exposes some of the biggest lies that lead to toxic thinking. Things like I'm not good enough or there's something wrong with me. Far from being humble, these kinds of lies can unravel us and actually push us further away from God. Thankfully, this special book will equip you to replace those lies with God's empowering, life giving truth by aligning your mind with God's way of thinking. You'll experience greater joy and confidence and spiritual vitality in every area of your life. And that's why we want to get you a copy of Winning the War in Your Mind. We'll send it to you today when you make a donation of any amount to Bold Steps. Just go online to Bold steps.org or give us a call at 800 356 6639. That's 800 D.L. Moody. You can also send your financial gift in the mail by writing to us at Bold steps. 820 North LaSalle Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 60,006 ten. That's 820 North LaSalle, Chicago, Illinois 60,006 ten. And here at the start of this exciting year, we also encourage you to consider signing up to become a bold partner. A bold partner is someone who gives a monthly gift of any amount, helping us reach more reach more listeners with a passionate Bible teaching from Mark that you've come to know and appreciate. Right now is a crucial time for our ministry as we set plans for the rest of the year. So don't wait. Sign up today at bird-stamps.org. Plus, when you commit to giving a financial gift of $30 or more each month, we'll send you a link for 50% off any book, any CD, DVD, or Bible study in the entire Moody Publishers catalog. Again, just go to Bold steps.org or call us at 800 356 6639. I'm Wayne Sheppard. We'll see you tomorrow for the start of Mark's lesson titled The Unanswered Prayer and the Gift of Weakness. That's coming up Wednesday on Bold Steps with Mark Jobe. Bold steps is a production of Moody Radio, a ministry of Moody Bible Institute.

Amen. Amen. Thank you Mark. Tomorrow we'll continue on this theme of weakness, and you'll show us how really it can be a gift. That's the message coming up tomorrow and you won't want to miss it. But in case you can't join us, or if you missed an earlier lesson from this week, just be sure to catch up online at Bold Steps. There, you can also learn more about Moody Bible Institute, where we've just begun the spring semester of 2025. Moody is passionate about helping students fulfill their calling at home and beyond the classroom. All of our programs offer highly flexible options, so whether you're looking to attend online, on campus, or somewhere in between, be sure to consider Moody for your educational needs. To learn more, visit Moody Edu. And today, we're excited to offer you a best selling book that goes along with the message you heard from Mark about handling weakness. It's titled Winning the War in Your Mind, written by Craig Rochelle. Through relatable stories and examples, Craig exposes some of the biggest lies that lead to toxic thinking. Things like I'm not good enough or there's something wrong with me. Far from being humble, these kinds of lies can unravel us and actually push us further away from God. Thankfully, this special book will equip you to replace those lies with God's empowering, life giving truth by aligning your mind with God's way of thinking. You'll experience greater joy and confidence and spiritual vitality in every area of your life. And that's why we want to get you a copy of Winning the War in Your Mind. We'll send it to you today when you make a donation of any amount to Bold Steps. Just go online to Bold steps.org or give us a call at 800 356 6639. That's 800 D.L. Moody. You can also send your financial gift in the mail by writing to us at Bold steps. 820 North LaSalle Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 60,006 ten. That's 820 North LaSalle, Chicago, Illinois 60,006 ten. And here at the start of this exciting year, we also encourage you to consider signing up to become a bold partner. A bold partner is someone who gives a monthly gift of any amount, helping us reach more reach more listeners with a passionate Bible teaching from Mark that you've come to know and appreciate. Right now is a crucial time for our ministry as we set plans for the rest of the year. So don't wait. Sign up today at bird-stamps.org. Plus, when you commit to giving a financial gift of $30 or more each month, we'll send you a link for 50% off any book, any CD, DVD, or Bible study in the entire Moody Publishers catalog. Again, just go to Bold steps.org or call us at 800 356 6639. I'm Wayne Sheppard. We'll see you tomorrow for the start of Mark's lesson titled The Unanswered Prayer and the Gift of Weakness. That's coming up Wednesday on Bold Steps with Mark Jobe. Bold steps is a production of Moody Radio, a ministry of Moody Bible Institute.