The Other Side Of Bitterness // Al Otro Lado De La Amargura

we're talking about the journey of life, the journey of faith, and we're talking about our walk with God. And last week, we talked about the pauses in the journey. Today, I want to talk to you about the losses in the journey. Because sometimes it feels like life takes us through the wrong route. Sometimes it seems like we are in the worst possible path. And we're experiencing so much pain and so much loss. And we ask the question, "What good can come out of this situation?" And today we'll look at the story in scripture. Of a woman who lost so much. Who went through so much pain. But yet she was able to see God's goodness. The story is a life of someone named Naomi. And we find her story in the Book of Ruth. And the Book of Ruth is a very short book. In fact, there's only four chapters. And you meet Naomi before Ruth. And also the last time Ruth is mentioned. Ruth is mentioned. We're left with Naomi. So this is really a story of God restoring her life. So let's pick up the story in Ruth chapter 1. There was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem and Judah together with his wife and two sons went to live for a while in the country of Moab. And the man's name was a limalek and his wife's name was Naomi. And the names of his two sons were Malone and Killion. Now, Limalek, Naomi's husband died and she was left with her two sons. They married Mole by women. And this was against their Jewish custom.

It was against their law. But Naomi is a single mother. And she really doesn't like them. But she has to be okay with her son's choices. So one was named Orpa, the other named Ruth. After they had lived there for about ten years, both Malone and Killion also died. And Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband. The story is really a story of God restoring Naomi's life. Naomi was born with her family in this city called Bethlehem. Naomi was born with her family in this city called Bethlehem. And Bethlehem literally means the house of bread. It had a reputation of plenty and prosperity. But then there's a day that the famine comes to the land. So the house of bread runs out of bread. See, this is like going to Chick-fil-A. And you order a chicken sandwich. And they say, oh, sorry, we have no chicken. What do you mean you have no chicken? This is Chick-fil-A. Like, if you told me that we have no salads. Okay, that's fine. I don't even want your salads. I'm going to be hurting a little bit, but I'm going to be all right. But don't tell me you call yourself Chick-fil-A and have no chicken. The house of bread has no bread. They ran out of bread, they ran out of prosperity. So what do you do when this appointment comes your way? What do you do when the unexpected happens to your life? Sometimes we just leave the problem. So they just run away from the land? It leads us to the beginning of their journey.

Number one, an unexpected route. But this unexpected route came with unexpected loss. So now her two sons need to grow up. And they need to carry on some responsibility. And they get married. And now they're leading the family. Now they're taking care of mom. In this ancient Jewish culture, women could not possess land. They could not possess power or wealth. So the success of the family was really dependent on the husband or the son. But at least I have my two boys. Until she didn't. Because verse five says Naomi was left without her two sons and husband. No one to take care of her. No one to provide for her. This is loss on so many levels. Not only relationally, but socially, financially, she lost so much. She's grieving. What's grief? Write this down. Grief is deep sorrow in response to loss. The grief is not an emotion of weakness. It's not an emotion of inadequacy. It's a human emotion. It's part of the process when we lose something. When we lose someone. It's when you lose someone you love. It's when you bury someone you love. But it's not just when you lose a person. You grieve whenever you lose of anything of value.

When you lose a dream. And you realize that dream is not going to come to pass. It's when you lose a career. It's when you lose a relationship. And yeah, it doesn't hurt the same way. But it's still loss. And when you lose something. When there's loss there's grief. When there's loss there's pain. And pain doesn't always make you cry. The response to pain isn't always tears. Sometimes it's anger. Sometimes you get cold. Sometimes you become distant. This is what we need to realize. The God intends grief to be part of our path but not part of our personality. It's part of our path. A path of recovery. But it cannot be part of our personality. Queen Elizabeth said this. Grief is the price you pay for loving. (speaks in foreign language) There was deep love. (speaks in foreign language) So this is the issue. (speaks in foreign language) When grief is left unmanaged, it will give birth to despair. (speaks in foreign language) (speaks in foreign language)

Grief is when you feel. (speaks in foreign language) And when you experience loss. (speaks in foreign language) Despair is a loss of hope. (speaks in foreign language) See, I don't know what you lost. (speaks in foreign language) But whatever you lost. (speaks in foreign language) Don't lose hope. (speaks in foreign language) You see, grief says I lost my job. (speaks in foreign language) Despair says I'm never getting another one. (speaks in foreign language) Grief says I lost the relationship. (speaks in foreign language) Despair says I'm never going to be happy. (speaks in foreign language) Grief says I lost a friendship. (speaks in foreign language) But despair says I can't trust anyone. (speaks in foreign language) When grief is left unmanaged. (speaks in foreign language) It's the hell of this controlado. It will always give birth to despair. (speaks in foreign language) And for Naomi.

(speaks in foreign language) She lost so much. (speaks in foreign language) Her husband. (speaks in foreign language) Her son. (speaks in foreign language) Her financial status. (speaks in foreign language) No one to take care of her. (speaks in foreign language) She is left alone. (speaks in foreign language) She lost so much. (speaks in foreign language) She lost all hope. (speaks in foreign language) Grief is not part of the process of her life. (speaks in foreign language) And it's now part of her journey. (speaks in foreign language) But then one day in Moab. (speaks in foreign language) She gets the news. (speaks in foreign language) That Bethlehem has been restored. (speaks in foreign language) And this sparked so much joy in her. (speaks in foreign language) So she decides to move back to Bethlehem.

(speaks in foreign language) After losing so much. (speaks in foreign language) Number two. (speaks in foreign language) She sees a glimpse of hope. (speaks in foreign language) Maybe I don't have to walk in despair. (speaks in foreign language) Maybe I can walk in hope. (speaks in foreign language) Because the experience of your past. (speaks in foreign language) Doesn't have to dictate the experience of your future. (speaks in foreign language) And she gets hope. (speaks in foreign language) Because she hears that Bethlehem has been restored. (speaks in foreign language) Oh, why? (speaks in foreign language) Well, we have to understand what Naomi means. (speaks in foreign language) Naomi literally means beauty, pleasant, and sweetness. (speaks in foreign language) If Bethlehem. (speaks in foreign language) If the house of bread can get its bread back. (speaks in foreign language) Then maybe I can get my beauty back.

(speaks in foreign language) If God could restore that city. (speaks in foreign language) Then maybe God could restore me. (speaks in foreign language) Then maybe I can get my joy back. (speaks in foreign language) Then maybe I can get my sweetness back. (speaks in foreign language) She gets his joy. (speaks in foreign language) Because she hears the good news. (speaks in foreign language) But then she realizes. (speaks in foreign language) That she has her two daughter-in-laws with her. (speaks in foreign language) And it's not in their best interests for them to go with her. (speaks in foreign language) Because they lost their husbands. (speaks in foreign language) But they also don't have family back in Bethlehem. (speaks in foreign language) And they also have no income. (speaks in foreign language) They could start over. (speaks in foreign language) So this is what happens. (speaks in foreign language)

Naomi said, "Return home, my daughters. "Why would you come with me?" (speaks in foreign language) (speaks in foreign language) Am I going to have any more sons who could become your husbands? (speaks in foreign language) (speaks in foreign language) Return home, my daughters. I am to all to marry again. (speaks in foreign language) (speaks in foreign language) Even if I thought there was still hope for me. (speaks in foreign language) But there is it. (speaks in foreign language) (speaks in foreign language) I can't get married again. (speaks in foreign language) But you guys. (speaks in foreign language) You could start over. Go back home. [SPEAKING SPANISH] You don't need to come with me. [SPEAKING SPANISH] And at this, they wept out loud. [SPEAKING SPANISH] They cried. [SPEAKING SPANISH]

Then Orpa kissed her mother-in-law goodbye. [SPEAKING SPANISH] But Ruth clung to her. [SPEAKING SPANISH] She leads us to the next point. [SPEAKING SPANISH] Number three. [SPEAKING SPANISH] A purposeful release. [SPEAKING SPANISH] She released them to go on their way. [SPEAKING SPANISH] Orpa left, but Ruth stayed. [SPEAKING SPANISH] And I think the temptation we all face at times. [SPEAKING SPANISH] Is that we focus on the people that left us. [SPEAKING SPANISH] We focus on the people that walked out on us. [SPEAKING SPANISH] We focus on the family members that left our lives. [SPEAKING SPANISH] Let me say it this way. [SPEAKING SPANISH] We focus on what left and not what's left. [SPEAKING SPANISH] But the truth is-- [SPEAKING SPANISH] That God will always use what's left to bless your life. [SPEAKING SPANISH]

God will always use what's left to take you to your purpose. [SPEAKING SPANISH] Because not everyone who's with you here will take you there. [SPEAKING SPANISH] Not everyone who's with you in this season. [SPEAKING SPANISH] We'll make it with you to the next season. [SPEAKING SPANISH] Because some characters don't make it to the end of the movie. [SPEAKING SPANISH] And I know you want to get mad. [SPEAKING SPANISH] And I know you wish there would have stayed. [SPEAKING SPANISH] And I know it brought so much pain upon your life. [SPEAKING SPANISH] And I know you want to get angry. [SPEAKING SPANISH] But you know what I realized? [SPEAKING SPANISH] You can't stay angry with your hands open. [SPEAKING SPANISH] Because when you're angry-- [SPEAKING SPANISH] You want to make a fist. [SPEAKING SPANISH] You want to close your hands. [SPEAKING SPANISH] What would happen if you just open your hands? [SPEAKING SPANISH]

And you release it. [SPEAKING SPANISH] This chapter may have been bitter. [SPEAKING SPANISH] I just see the Margot. But the next chapter is going to be better. [SPEAKING SPANISH] See Naomi, she opened her hands. [SPEAKING SPANISH] She said, I have nothing else to give you. [SPEAKING SPANISH] And you don't really know who's with you? [SPEAKING SPANISH] Until you have nothing else to give them. [SPEAKING SPANISH] When she said, I have nothing else to give you. [SPEAKING SPANISH] Orpa left. [SPEAKING SPANISH] But Naomi, Naomi didn't get mad. [SPEAKING SPANISH] She didn't cuss her out. [SPEAKING SPANISH] She didn't give her the finger. [SPEAKING SPANISH] She didn't get angry. [SPEAKING SPANISH] She wished her well. [SPEAKING SPANISH] You bless and you release.

[SPEAKING SPANISH] Open your hands. [SPEAKING SPANISH] See Orpa left. [SPEAKING SPANISH] But Ruth stayed. [SPEAKING SPANISH] Ruth clung to her. [SPEAKING SPANISH] Ruth said, I'm not going anywhere. [SPEAKING SPANISH] She didn't have to do that. [SPEAKING SPANISH] But she decided to stay. [SPEAKING SPANISH] And this would be the beginning. [SPEAKING SPANISH] Of God using the life of Ruth. [SPEAKING SPANISH] To restore the life of Naomi. [SPEAKING SPANISH] And Ruth tells Naomi. [SPEAKING SPANISH] Wherever you go, I go. [SPEAKING SPANISH] Wherever you stay, I stay. [SPEAKING SPANISH] Your people will become my people. [SPEAKING SPANISH] And your God will become my God.

[SPEAKING SPANISH] Which leads us to the next part. [SPEAKING SPANISH] Number four. [SPEAKING SPANISH] The return home. [SPEAKING SPANISH] So they make their way back to Bethlehem. [SPEAKING SPANISH] Back home. [SPEAKING SPANISH] I wonder if God is calling you home tonight. [SPEAKING SPANISH] [SPEAKING SPANISH] I wonder if God is calling you back home. [SPEAKING SPANISH] And when they arrived home. [SPEAKING SPANISH] When they arrived to Bethlehem. [SPEAKING SPANISH] The women of Bethlehem. [SPEAKING SPANISH] They look in Naomi. [SPEAKING SPANISH] And they're shocked to see her. [SPEAKING SPANISH] Is this Naomi? [SPEAKING SPANISH] It doesn't really look like her. [SPEAKING SPANISH]

(speaking in foreign language) And it's so painful. (speaking in foreign language) The response (speaking in foreign language) (speaking in foreign language) And I believe it's so painful. (speaking in foreign language) And I believe so many people live in this next verse. (speaking in foreign language) She said, "Don't call me Naomi," she told them. (speaking in foreign language) Call me Mara because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. (speaking in foreign language) And Mara literally means bitterness. (speaking in foreign language) Don't call me beautiful. (speaking in foreign language) Call me bitterness. (speaking in foreign language) Don't call me sweet. (speaking in foreign language) Because my life has been so sour. (speaking in foreign language) Don't call me pleasant. (speaking in foreign language) Because there's nothing pleasant about my life. (speaking in foreign language) She's identifying herself with the worst chapter of her life. (speaking in foreign language)

Don't you see it? She's still grieving. (speaking in foreign language) And her pain is causing her. (speaking in foreign language) To adopt a new name. (speaking in foreign language) Based on the seasons she walked through. (speaking in foreign language) Let me say it this way. (speaking in foreign language) Don't give yourself a lifetime label because of a temporary season. (speaking in foreign language) Don't give yourself a label. (speaking in foreign language) Based on the temporary season. (speaking in foreign language) Because I've realized. (speaking in foreign language) Usually we want to give a title to the story of our life. (speaking in foreign language) Based on the worst chapter in our lives. (speaking in foreign language) You see authors when they come up with a title of a book. (speaking in foreign language) They usually come up with the title. (speaking in foreign language) After they know what the story will be about.

(speaking in foreign language) After the characters have been developed. (speaking in foreign language) After the conflict has been resolved. (speaking in foreign language) Then the author takes a step back. (speaking in foreign language) And looks at it from the beginning to the end. (speaking in foreign language) And gives a title to the story. (speaking in foreign language) That sums up the whole story. (speaking in foreign language) But the issue of what we do in our lives. (speaking in foreign language) Is that based on the chapter we're in right now. (speaking in foreign language) Based on the worst chapter of our lives. (speaking in foreign language) We want to come up with a title for the whole story. (speaking in foreign language) The problem is you're in chapter 10. (speaking in foreign language) And there's 80 chapters in your life. (speaking in foreign language) And you never know what's gonna happen next. (speaking in foreign language) She said, "Don't call me beautiful." (speaking in foreign language) Call me bitter.

(speaking in foreign language) Call me Mara. (speaking in foreign language) And then she says, (speaking in foreign language) I went away full but the Lord brought me back empty. (speaking in foreign language) She thinks that God is punishing her life. (speaking in foreign language) When it's been God who has been on the mission to restore her life. (speaking in foreign language) She says, "Don't call me beauty." (speaking in foreign language) Don't call me sweetness. (speaking in foreign language) Don't call me pleasant. (speaking in foreign language) Call me Mara. (speaking in foreign language) But I love God. (speaking in foreign language) Because God rejects her name change application. (speaking in foreign language) You want me to call you Mara? (speaking in foreign language) I'm not gonna call you Mara. (speaking in foreign language) Because literally the next verse. (speaking in foreign language)

(speaking in foreign language) (speaking in foreign language) I won't call you what you want me to call you. (speaking in foreign language) I know you feel bitter. (speaking in foreign language) But I still see beauty. (speaking in foreign language) I know you've tasted bitterness. (speaking in foreign language) But you're about to taste goodness. (speaking in foreign language) I'm not gonna call you what you want me to call you. (speaking in foreign language) (speaking in foreign language) I'm so glad we serve a God. (speaking in foreign language) That in the moments we want our pain to define me. (speaking in foreign language) That we want our bitterness to become our label. (speaking in foreign language) - [SPEAKING HINDI] - Let me say it this way. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - There's a difference on how you feel and who you are. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - And who you are is not grounded on how you feel. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - And who you are is not grounded in how you perform. - [SPEAKING HINDI]

- And I know you want your name to be the worst chapter of your life. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - But I'm so glad we serve a God. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - That he doesn't let us change our name. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - Based on the worst season of our life. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - The worst chapter of our life. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - In the pain we have experienced. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - In the loss that we have had. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - In the season that we have said, call me Mara. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - Because I've tasted bitterness. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - And we want the bitterness to become the title of our lives. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - I'm so glad. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - That God refuses. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - To call me what I want to call myself. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - Because there's a difference in how you feel. - [SPEAKING HINDI]

- And who you really are. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - You are who God says you are. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - Naomi, I know you feel bitter. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - But I'm still calling you beautiful. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - I'm gonna still call you pleasant. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - I'm gonna still call you sweetness. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - So Naomi tells Ruth. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - We're hungry. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - Go to a field and go collect some crops. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - Go find some grain for us to eat. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - And in this culture. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - It was the law. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - That whenever someone planted crops in a field. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - And the owner of the land. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - You were not supposed to harvest the entire field. - [SPEAKING HINDI]

- You were only supposed to harvest the whole field except the edges. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - You left the edges. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - For who? - [SPEAKING HINDI] - For the widows. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - For the poor and for the strangers. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - People like Naomi and Ruth. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - Even though the whole field was yours. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - It wasn't all for you. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - It's a good principle to understand the Christian. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - Because not everything you have should be for you. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - Because everything that God has given you. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - And so it could be a resource. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - To bless others. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - You have been blessed so you can be a blessing. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - [SPEAKING HINDI]

- It's when you serve others. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - And you give up some of your time. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - And you invest in others. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - And you're generous with others. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - And you give and you tie. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - You have been blessed so you can be a blessing. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - And you never know whose life will be changed on the other side of your generosity. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - So Naomi tells Ruth, go get some grain. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - And she goes to this field. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - And the owner of the field. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - His name is Boaz. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - And Boaz, he's a good looking man. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - He's a wealthy man. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - He's a man of character. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - He's a man of God.

- [SPEAKING HINDI] - And he sees Ruth. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - And he likes what he sees. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - A different sermon for a different series. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - But they end up getting married. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - And they have a child. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - And we fast forward to the end of the story. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - And when Ruth has the child. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - The women of the town. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - They could not believe it was Naomi. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - The ones who said, "Is this Naomi?" - [SPEAKING HINDI] - Look at what they said in this moment. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - Praise be to the Lord who on this day has not left you without a guardian redeemer. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - [SPEAKING HINDI] - I want you to catch this. - [SPEAKING HINDI] - Because chapter one.

[SPEAKING SPANISH] Without her husband, without her son. [SPEAKING SPANISH] No one to provide. [SPEAKING SPANISH] She's left alone. [SPEAKING SPANISH] But now they're saying. [SPEAKING SPANISH] Raise be to God. [SPEAKING SPANISH] That he has not left you without a family. [SPEAKING SPANISH] Familia. The thing you lost. [SPEAKING SPANISH] God has restored. [SPEAKING SPANISH] Not replaced. [SPEAKING SPANISH] Because you lost it. [SPEAKING SPANISH] But God has restored something different. [SPEAKING SPANISH] You thought you were alone, Naomi. [SPEAKING SPANISH] You thought I was punishing you, Naomi. [SPEAKING SPANISH] But I was working behind the scenes. [SPEAKING SPANISH]

Because I wanted you to have a family again. [SPEAKING SPANISH] Look where they continue saying. [SPEAKING SPANISH] And this child will renew your strength, renew your life. [SPEAKING SPANISH] And sustain you in your old age. [SPEAKING SPANISH] He will sustain you in your old age. [SPEAKING SPANISH] The son. [SPEAKING SPANISH] His new life for you. [SPEAKING SPANISH] For your daughter-in-law, Ruth, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth. [SPEAKING SPANISH] Ruth? Ruth. She is better to you. [SPEAKING SPANISH] Than seven sons. [SPEAKING SPANISH] Because she has been faithful to your life. [SPEAKING SPANISH] And now you have been included into this family. [SPEAKING SPANISH] Which leads us to the final part of this story.

[SPEAKING SPANISH] Number five. [SPEAKING SPANISH] The review of God's goodness. [SPEAKING SPANISH] Because God was always working. [SPEAKING SPANISH] And even though you tasted bitterness-- [SPEAKING SPANISH] You're now going to experience his goodness. [SPEAKING SPANISH] I know that chapter was bitter. [SPEAKING SPANISH] But trust God, that he'll make it better. [SPEAKING SPANISH] Trust God, that he'll meet you at the end of your story. [SPEAKING SPANISH] Trust God, that he was in the middle of your pain. [SPEAKING SPANISH] That he was in the middle of your loss. [SPEAKING SPANISH] He was in the middle of grieving. [SPEAKING SPANISH] And he's also at the end. [SPEAKING SPANISH] And look at this verse. [SPEAKING SPANISH] Then they only took the child in her arms and cared for him. [SPEAKING SPANISH] Can you imagine that moment?

[SPEAKING SPANISH] As she took the child in her arms. [SPEAKING SPANISH] Because the last child she held. [SPEAKING SPANISH] Was probably her son. [SPEAKING SPANISH] The one she lost. [SPEAKING SPANISH] That was bitter. [SPEAKING SPANISH] I've tasted bitter. [SPEAKING SPANISH] But I'm tasting something sweet now. [SPEAKING SPANISH] I'm tasting something good now. [SPEAKING SPANISH] I'm seeing the goodness of God before my eyes. [SPEAKING SPANISH] In front of the me. Can you imagine that moment that she held that child? [SPEAKING SPANISH] And look at what happens next. [SPEAKING SPANISH] And the woman living there said, [SPEAKING SPANISH] [SPEAKING SPANISH] Wait, it's not her son? [SPEAKING SPANISH] It's Ruth's son. [SPEAKING SPANISH]

No, no, not for them. [SPEAKING SPANISH] [SPEAKING SPANISH] [SPEAKING SPANISH] Because what she lost God has restored. [SPEAKING SPANISH] She has a family. [SPEAKING SPANISH] And she has a son. [SPEAKING SPANISH] And they named him Obed. [SPEAKING SPANISH] And he was the father of Jesse. [SPEAKING SPANISH] Jesse was the father of David. [SPEAKING SPANISH] David. David. That sounds familiar. [SPEAKING SPANISH] Oh, it's King David. [SPEAKING SPANISH] From the Old Testament. [SPEAKING SPANISH] The King of Israel. [SPEAKING SPANISH] Naomi. [SPEAKING SPANISH] If you only saw the end. [SPEAKING SPANISH]

that they've never seen, that they've never seen. He'll become king of Israel. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] And one day-- [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] He will sit down. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] And he will write in the book of songs. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] That weepy man door for the night. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] But joy comes in the morning. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] Joy comes in the morning. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] The weepy. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] The brokenness. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] The bitterness. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] The pain. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] It will last for a night. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] It will last for a season. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] But then-- [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] I don't know who this is for.

[NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] But I see the sun coming in. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] And I see joy coming through. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] We be made in door for the night. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] Oh, but joy comes in the morning. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] And it would be David. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] That would one day write. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] Taste and see. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] That the Lord-- [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] He's good. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] He's sweet. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] I know in your life. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] You've tasted pain. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] And I don't know the pain that you have tasted. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] And I'll probably will never know and experience the pain that you have tasted. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

I don't know what you've tasted. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] I don't know what unexpected route you have walked through. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] But I know we serve a good God. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] And I believe that we can taste His goodness today. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] If you only saw the ends. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] 17 generations later. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] Throughout that same lineage. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] Another baby was born. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] And this mother. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

Took the baby in her arms. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] And laid him in the manger. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] And she named him Jesus. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] Emmanuel. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] God with us. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] If you only saw the end. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] I know you've tasted bitterness. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] But if you only saw the end. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] You would see. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] That Jesus always shows up. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] I know you've tasted pain. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] But I want you to trust. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] That Jesus always makes an appearance.

[NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] And that he's yours. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] And he will restore. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] But you lost. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] You will restore. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] Your heart. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] There where you are. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] Close your eyes and power your head. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] I don't know what you've experienced in your life. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] I don't know what you walked through. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] I don't know if maybe you feel like you're here right now. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] And you're identifying yourself with the worst chapter of your life. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

[NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] Your identity is connected to your failure. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] It's connected to your loss. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] And you said, call me Mara. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] Because my life has been better. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] And I want you to hear the voice of God today. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] I know you've tasted bitterness. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] But I'm going to call you beautiful. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] I'm going to call you pleasant. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] I'm going to give you a good name. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] Daughter. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] Son. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] Accepted. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

Forgive it. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] You are not your worst chapter of your life. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] And if you have experienced a horrible chapter-- [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] I pray that the breath of God could come into your lungs. - So you can see a glimpse of hope. (speaking in foreign language) - And so you can have the power to release. (speaking in foreign language) - So you can come back home to the Lord. (speaking in foreign language) - And so you can see His goodness. (speaking in foreign language) - Taste and see that the Lord is good. (speaking in foreign language) - And if you're here right now. (speaking in foreign language) - And if you're far from God. (speaking in foreign language) - And you wanna change that right now. (speaking in foreign language) - Just place your hand over your heart. (speaking in foreign language) - God is inviting you on the journey. (speaking in foreign language) - And He's gonna be with you every step of the way. (speaking in foreign language) - Just pray your hearts.

(speaking in foreign language) - Lord Jesus. (speaking in foreign language) - I give you my life. (speaking in foreign language) - I give you my past and my pain. (speaking in foreign language) - And I receive your love and forgiveness. (speaking in foreign language) - From this day forward. (speaking in foreign language) - I choose to follow you. (speaking in foreign language) - Does it mean I will be perfect? (speaking in foreign language) - But it just means I'm gonna choose to follow you. (speaking in foreign language) - And your name would pray. (speaking in foreign language) - Thank you so much for watching the message. (speaking in foreign language) Subscribe to this channel so you won't miss a video and share it with a friend. (speaking in foreign language) - Also we want to encourage you to partner with us through your giving. (speaking in foreign language) - We can take this message further and faster and make a difference in the lives of so many people. (speaking in foreign language)

- You can give using the link below or by visiting our website at myvisionchurch.org (speaking in foreign language) (speaking in foreign language) at myvisionchurch.org. - We love you so much and we're looking forward to seeing you back here next time. (speaking in foreign language) (upbeat music)