Dr. Robert Duckworth discusses finding meaning and purpose on Encouragement Live
>> Don Hawkins: Do you sometimes feel like life is a treadmill and somehow it doesn't seem m to have meaning anymore or purpose? Dr. Robert Duckworth of Dallas Theological Seminary joins us to talk about this important topic tonight on Encouragement Live.
>> Steve: Welcome to Encouragement Live, providing biblically based encouragement and insight on a wide range of practical life issues. Now, here's your host, Don Hawkins, author, of Master Discipleship Today.
>> Don Hawkins: Thank you, Steve, and friend. It's so good to have you with us. As live from studios located in First Christian Church of Wylie, Texas, Encouragement Communications presents Encouragement Live. Our mission is to provide biblically based encouragement and insight on a wide range of topics. And finding meaning and purpose in life is about as important a topic as you can get.
Dr. Robert Duckworth is director of counseling services at Dallas Theological Seminary
Dr. Robert Duckworth is with me in the studio tonight again. Dr. Robert Duckworth is the director of counseling services at Dallas Theological Seminary. He enjoys launching new counselors into the profession, teaches in the school of counseling, and has a variety of other things in his ministry repertoire. Robert, great to have you back on the show.
>> Md Perkins: Is wonderful to be back. I was so excited to get the call from you about doing this a second time.
>> Don Hawkins: It's, it's a joy to have you back, and we will certainly do that again. And I so appreciate your ministry. You got a lot of things going on. You, have many years of clinical experience. You specialize in teaching practicum and internship, and you've taught multicultural courses and courses related to integrating theology and psychology. And tonight, I've labeled this show Purpose in this Life, Preparation from the Next. Does that sound like a good title?
>> Md Perkins: You couldn't have, couldn't have been named better. I should have named my sermon a couple weeks ago that, that same thing.
>> Don Hawkins: Well, you told me about preaching on that. And by the way, tonight, friend, if you are needing some encouragement, you feel stuck in a rut. Life is like, being there and you haven't been able to break through. Robert and I would love to talk with you about it. We are welcoming your phone calls at 855-586-5433. That's 85 86, life.
Robert Duckworth went into a Texas prison to share a life changing message
Now, Robert, this week before we, did this broadcast, you mentioned that you were very excited about sharing something, and I'm excited about hearing the details about it. I think it involved a message in a very unusual place.
>> Md Perkins: Absolutely. So, just a couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege and opportunity to re. Really reignite my work with prison ministry.
>> Don Hawkins: Okay.
>> Md Perkins: And in going into a prison down in Navasota, Texas, and I was really wrestling with What I was going to preach about. Now, I knew I had tons of sermons, that I've prepared before that I could utilize in a prison context or anywhere that would give some hope to these gentlemen. But I just really wanted to hone in on something that would be life changing for some of these guys. And my assumption, Don, was that I was going to be going to a maximum security prison. I wasn't certain of which unit it was because we were going to go down, spend the night, go into the dormitories, meet with them, and then do a church service.
>> Don Hawkins: Right.
>> Md Perkins: Well, in doing that, I realized when I got there it was only one or two gates that I went through. And I was like, this is a.
>> Don Hawkins: Minimum security prison, not a maximum. So you were not in Huntsville?
>> Md Perkins: No, not in Huntsville, exactly. Because I'm used to going to the ones there was a minimum security prison. So I assumed I may meet someone that maybe will never get a chance to go home again. And I was like, what could I say to them that could be life transforming for them even in the scenario and the situation that they're in?
>> Don Hawkins: And they would definitely feel like they were stuck in a rut.
>> Md Perkins: Correct, Exactly. Because you're literally there. Well, what I did find is when I went to that unit there in Navasoto, Texas, this was a unit that was minimum security. I believe it was medium or minimum, I'm not really certain. But it was not Max.
>> Don Hawkins: Right.
>> Steve: And.
>> Md Perkins: And many of the guys that were there were older and many of them had been there for a long, long time. Maybe as long as I'd been around. I don't know, just from the conversations I had with them.
>> Don Hawkins: Well, we're going to pick up on that story when we come back from this break. We're, going to learn about a life changing message that God gave our brother, Dr. Robert Duckworth. And our toll free number, if you'd like to call us. 855-586-54333.
>> Steve: We're over 100 years old.
>> Don Hawkins: Dallas Theological Seminary President, Dr. Mark Yarborough on the seminary's motto, Teach truth, love. Well, that is what we do.
>> Speaker D: That's our slogan that we use.
>> Steve: Obviously it's preach the word for all of us.
>> Don Hawkins: We are called to teach truth and live it out. To learn more about how Dallas Theological Seminary can equip you for biblically based Christian service, visit DTS Edu. That's DTS Edu.
>> Speaker D: I was so high and I was so drunk that I couldn't walk. I couldn't even stand up. I collapsed in my garage and then I awoke m two days later in the hospital I heard about Teen Challenge. I came here and this place has shown me that it truly does care. That's when everything changed.
>> Toni King: At Adult and Teen Challenge we provide hope and healing for a new drug free future. And you can find the center nearest you at 855-and-addition or teenchallengeusa.org Freedom from addiction starts here.
Robert Duckworth uses First Corinthians 6 as inspiration for sermon about afterlife
>> Don Hawkins: We're back on Encouragement Live. Dr. Robert Duckworth of Dallas Theological Seminary DTS EDU is the place for you to check out, where you can get training about how to be biblically grounded, get that good foundation in the Word so that you can develop your gifts and use those. Robert, you graduated from Dallas Seminary, correct?
>> Md Perkins: I certainly did, back in 2011.
>> Don Hawkins: 2011, okay. I was going to say 1911, but not a chance, brother. You're younger than me and I'm thankful that you are now. You were telling us this story. You were in Navasota, Texas, you were in a medium or possibly even a, minimum, minimum security prison. And you were about to preach. And what, what happened next?
>> Md Perkins: Well, I knew I had this passage that I wanted to speak on that had inspired me about five years ago. from First Corinthians, chapter six, First Corinthians, chapter six, verses one through six. I was very familiar with the passage. We'll talk a little bit about that in a moment. But where it talks about just kind of what's going to happen in the afterlife. And I thought that would be very important to these guys in prison. And so I told them the title of my message that day was your story matters to God.
>> Don Hawkins: Wow.
>> Md Perkins: And I shared that message in the prison that day. And right before I did that Don, that particular passage with its theological implications, eschatological implications, I even started to self doubt right there at the podium getting.
>> Don Hawkins: Ready to preach and say, is this the right thing?
>> Md Perkins: Is this the right. Am I talking over these guys heads? I just don't want to. I could just go to John 3:16, talk about Nicodemus, give my testimony. Sure, it'll be great. And I'm sitting there and thinking, lord, I don't know. And all of a sudden one of our guys, one of our volunteers with Mount Hebron Baptist Church went up and one of the things, I'll kind of fast forward to the whole thing on First Corinthians 6, where Paul talks about how we will judge, the world, judge angels. And in that particular passage I've used that as inspiration to talk about our life and our work in the afterlife and how our world that we live in now is merely a dress rehearsal, Don, for a grand stage play.
>> Don Hawkins: You know, Robert, when you first told me that you wanted to talk about First Corinthians 6, I thought it's going to be a very practical thing about don't sue your brother in Christ, because that's what Paul talks about. But he uses that to sort of pull the curtain back on what we're going to be doing for all eternity. Now, to be honest about it, many of us have the idea that we'll spend eternity in heaven flapping wings that we, I'm not sure we'll have sitting on a cloud, playing a harp, or something similar to that. But, this passage really pulls back that curtain, does it not?
>> Md Perkins: It certainly does.
>> Don Hawkins: Yeah.
>> Md Perkins: Because that word, where he talks about verse two, Paul says, judging angels. Yeah, you will you, judging the world first. And then he says, judging angels really deals with governing or ruling and having stewardship and responsibility over things that God has charged us with.
>> Don Hawkins: Think about that, friend. If you've trusted Christ as your Savior, you may spend eternity in a management position among the created angelic beings. We'll be back with more right after this. Crossflix. A complete multimedia platform at your fingertips, featuring faith based shows for the entire family, plus an amazing library of interactive online Bible courses such as Revealing the Secrets of the Hebrew Bible.
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60% of Christians will die with no will; only 10% have estate plans
>> Don Hawkins: 60% of Christians will die with no will. Only 10% have up to date estate plans, virtually guaranteeing that probate courts will sort out their affairs. What does being a wise steward of God's resources sources mean? The Bible has a lot to say on the subject. Sat 7 offers a biblical estate planning seminar or webinar that takes the mystery out of wills, trusts and estate planning. To learn more, visit sat7usa.org Plan the.
>> Jane: People of the Middle east and North Africa are familiar with hardship and struggle.
>> Don Hawkins: But Sat7 gives the hope of God's word to the hurting and broken. SAT7's new president, John Cernelia. Our vision is to see a growing.
>> Jane: Church in the Middle east and North Africa confident in Christian faith and witness, serving the community and contributing to the.
>> Md Perkins: Good of society and culture.
>> Don Hawkins: To learn more or support this ministry, visit set7usa.org Toni King on her book the Maze of Medicare.
>> Toni King: I looked up on the Internet, how many books have biblical in regards to Medicare, and there was zero. And then God brought you into my life and you helped me write the Maze of Medicare because we took Medicare and put Scripture with it because people are stressed, they don't know what to do, where to turn.
Robert Duckworth says everything that he does now matters to God later
>> Don Hawkins: You can order the Maze of medicare@, tonysays.com that's t o n I tonysays.com tonight on encouragement Live, we're hearing a fascinating story from Dr. Robert Duckworth about an experience preaching on First Corinthians chapter six, a passage that we usually think of that deals with, don't sue your brother, don't take your brother to law. But Robert, you are telling us that this is a passage where we learned that our story matters to God.
>> Md Perkins: It certainly does. And that was life transforming for me. Back in 2020, somewhere during the lockdowns or, quarantines, and I was working from home, so my day was done about 2 o' clock by then I could see all of my clients, see them online or do paperwork or whatever I had to do. So I'm having an in depth conversation with my best friend Randall, who led me to Christ, in fact, and encouraged me to come to Dallas Seminary. And Randall and I got into this discussion about end times content and we landed on this First Corinthians chapter six passage. Something, to the fact that Randall said, robert, don't you realize we're going to judge angels? I was like, what are you talking about, Randall? And then I started thinking about that passage in First Corinthians 6, and I just glossed over it and jumped down to the bottom of six where it talks about sexual immorality. I can talk about all that.
>> Don Hawkins: Well, sure, yeah, we're familiar with that. That's a no. No. Yeah. Right.
>> Md Perkins: So we're talking about this, subject and this one. It hit me like a ton of Bricks back in 2020, Don, that everything that I do now matters to God, it's mattering later in an eternal state, whatever that case may be. Some say it's widely held that it's possibly the millennial kingdom. I don't know exactly, but I do know that everything that we do now is going to have some impact on what we're doing later. I think that's why, Jesus says to us that, you know, if we've been faithful over a few things, yes, God will make us rulers over many. That doesn't mean we're going to be kings and queens and all of that. But I think we'll have some responsibility based on how we've handled, right, what.
>> Don Hawkins: We'Ve done here and what a motivation for us to handle things here. And that means if we feel like that we're in a rut, or maybe somebody feels, well, I'm imprisoned in a bad marriage, or I'm imprisoned in a lousy job, or I'm imprisoned with a, you know, just any kind of a situation like that, that there really is no way out of that. But if I look at it in a different way, if I get God's perspective on that, that he is training me so that I may be capable of judging or administering a team of angels at some point in the future, what a difference that makes a major difference.
>> Md Perkins: And knowing that I'm, I'm sort of getting in those reps now to get me prepared and working it out and practic for what's later, that encourages me. When the job gets tough, when the clients may be difficult to work with, or the clients don't seem to be changing, when the students don't seem to be getting concepts and theories in the class.
>> Don Hawkins: You mean Dallas Seminary students sometimes have trouble getting the concepts in the class.
>> Md Perkins: Don? I went to Dallas Seminary. If it didn't happen, if it didn't happen before, 2006 to 2011, it happened then.
>> Don Hawkins: I was going to say it was happening back in the 70s too. Yeah, yeah. I mean, you know, we struggle to communicate these truths and do our very best and, and yet sometimes it's really tough. And we sometimes at the end of the day say, lord, is that all there is? Is there? Am I really getting anything done? You know, Robert, I was thinking about, football teams, the Dallas Cowboys, people around here, big Cowboys fans, and they've just had their OTAs, their practices, and then they will have their summer workouts coming up soon. And all of that is in preparation for when they take the field against the Pittsburgh, Steelers or the Philadelphia Eagles, the Washington Commanders or used to be the Redskins or one of those teams like that. And if they don't do the work now, they will not succeed then.
>> Md Perkins: And that's, that's what encourages me with, with a lot of students that I work with. I mean, using that in my therapy, in my career counseling, using it, in the classroom, that the things that you're doing right now in your counselor training, these things are going to really matter. But again, you don't know who you're counseling now. You could be counseling the next DL Moody. You don't know who you're seeing and how that will impact the kingdom, even on this side of things, where. But even later. And it just keeps me going.
>> Don Hawkins: You know, I thought about the Sunday school teacher in Boston, Massachusetts, who had a man named, Dwight L. Moody in his Sunday school class.
>> Md Perkins: That's right.
>> Don Hawkins: And he had no idea the profound impact that he would have on the Christian world, for Christ. Just teaching that group of, boys in. In Sunday school.
>> Md Perkins: Was that Kimball or something? I think that was his name.
>> Don Hawkins: I think was his name.
>> Md Perkins: Yeah, Kimball. And that story sticks with me. I never know who I'm counseling those kids when I was working in the juvenile system. You never know who that could be. And I'm not all. And I no longer look at, oh, he could be the next congressman. He could be the next NFL player. No, no, no, no. He might be used as a saint one day. M. To judge angels and lead and direct, because we know that those angels are going to be minister. They already minister to us, and they're going to minister to us. But we may be leading a group of people, people, a group of individuals one day in a cataclysmic time in our glorified state. I don't know. I don't have all the answers. I just know that when I go to Dallas Seminary every day.
>> Don Hawkins: Yeah.
>> Md Perkins: What I'm doing that day is going to matter in eternity.
>> Don Hawkins: And that, friend, is such an important thing. Maybe what you're doing right now, you may not realize how it matters for eternity. Maybe you'd like to talk to Robert and me, and we'd like to pray with you and encourage you in what you're doing. You. You know, I think of Galatians 6, 10. It says, Let us not grow weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap a harvest if we don't give up. Talk about that verse.
>> Md Perkins: The same author. The same author. I look for that consistency in there.
>> Don Hawkins: His message again.
>> Md Perkins: He's speaking. Paul is not speaking to the next 15 or 20 years for his audiences. Paul is talking about this, the eternal aspects of what we will be doing. The long game. I tell people that all the time. We can read so much into these scriptures. I think that's where our brothers and sisters that get caught up in prosperity say, well, this. This means you're going to grab this thing and get it now. No, these passages like that in Galatians are speaking to a future time. That's when you may reap a harvest. You may reap a harvest for God in ministry, but that doesn't mean, mean you're going to be financially well off for the next six or seven generations. It might be that you're planting seeds now for something that's going to be so great in eternity and fulfilling God's plan.
Dallas Theological Seminary offers free online courses to help with ministry
>> Don Hawkins: So what about it friend? Are you maybe a little discouraged right now about the way your ministry is going? Maybe it's a Sunday school class you're teaching, maybe a home Bible study, maybe a small group in a larger church. And, and, and maybe people have not been as interested as you feel like they should be. maybe like Dr. Robert Duckworth, you're involved as a Christian counselor and you're finding your Christian counselees are not following your Christian counsel very well. You're, you're leading them, but they're, they're just not getting it for some reason or the people you're teaching are not getting it. we'd love to talk with you, to pray with you, to encourage you and I suspect that others hearing your question, your comment might be encouraged as well. Our toll free number is 855-586-5433. That's 855-586-LIFE. And by the way, if you'd like to learn more about Dallas Theological Seminary and Robert, there are a number of courses that Dallas has that are really not, don't cost people anything to take. That's one of the new, Mark Garborough and others at the seminary put together, these courses that can help equip people, talk a little bit about what's available there.
>> Md Perkins: We do have, free online courses with dds Edu. Just go on our website and take a look at those. And that's a way in which we're able to give to those who may not ever get the opportunity that you and I had Don, to go to seminary and really get access to some of this, Bible content. There are even some, integration counseling courses on there. I think Dr. Gary Barnes has taught one on there. And there's a number of those in there that can really give you some insights that can help with your Sunday schools, your discipleship work. And Dallas Seminary has used that as a tool to give back to those that may not have the opportunity to access that education just as we were.
>> Don Hawkins: You know, there was not that kind of equipping back, in the, the day when I was a student. Even when you were a student, they were still developing those tools but now with the Internet and with the apps and all of those kinds of things, you can access that training, hone your spiritual gift. And, you know, I think about Paul's words at the end of Colossians 4. He was talking to a man named Archibus and he said, pay attention to your ministry. Take heed to your ministry ministry. And, you know, I think about that and I think about whatever the ministry a person has, it may be something that you consider very small. Maybe you're about to work in vacation Bible school. This is the season when churches carry that out. And maybe you're thinking, well, I'm just helping kids glue something on a piece of paper. Yeah, but you may be having an impact for eternity. And again, God is using this to equip you so that you will be able to have that amazing impact on, on angels, angelic beings in the future.
Dr. Robert Duckworth: God is using all of us
unpack that word, judge for us. You know, again, we think about judging. We think about somebody in a black robe, say, you know, but talk about what, what that is involved.
>> Md Perkins: Well, that that term really means to govern or rule, having some level of stewardship and responsibility. I love the practical term you used earlier, Don. Managerial responsibilities. And I think that's what God will have us doing. It may be three people, it may be three angels, I don't know. But I know that that passage is saying that we have some contributions to make alongside with God, co leading, co ruling with him. Not equal to God, but He's using us and he's going to use that. So I think the things that we're doing now, it could be your family of origin, can play into that. The career path that you've chosen, the work you've done in church, whether it's working with vbs or you're a senior pastor of some major metropolitan, church. God is using all of us. Donna, I look at it like this. If we had to do an illustration, it's almost like God, and this will probably show up in a book I'm working on now. It's almost like God has one of these big blue recycling cans in heaven and he's throwing everything that we've done in there, but when he recycles it, it's going to come out and give him glory.
>> Don Hawkins: Yeah. You know, that picture of recycling is great because often things that would otherwise be disposed of as garbage, are dumped in there. And yet when they put that through the process, it turns into something that is extremely useful. And I believe God's wanting to do that in each of our lives. Dr. Robert Duckworth is with me tonight on the program. You can learn more about Dallas Theological Seminary, the free courses, or come to the seminary to train for vocational ministry. Check out dts, edu and we'll be right back.
Free webinar with his faithful stewards will discuss wills and trusts
>> Steve: There are only two ways your affairs will be settled after you pass away your way or the government's way. For anyone without a will or trust in place, the government will settle it through probate. So we must all ask ourselves, do I want the government to decide how my minor children get their inheritance and where my assets go and then charge my heirs probate and court fees to make that happen, or do I want to protect my family from probate and steward the resources that God has entrusted to me by determining how the assets that I leave behind will be used? Find out what you need to know and do to protect your heirs at a free webinar with his faithful stewards. This free webinar will discuss wills and trusts and help you understand it all. Go to hisfaithfulstewards.com and find the link for webinars. There's a place there under webinars where you can sign up. That's hisfaithful stewards.com and the link to webinars his faithful stewards.com when you need.
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>> Speaker D: And I was so drunk that I couldn't walk. I couldn't even stand up. I collapsed in my garage and then I awoke two days later in the hospital. I heard about Teen Challenge. I came here and this place has shown me that it truly does care. That's when everything changed.
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Don Hawkins: Robert Duckworth shares remarkable observation from 1 Corinthians 6
>> Steve: Welcome back to Encouragement Live. Our toll free number is 855586 LIFE. Here again is your host, Don Hawkins, author of master discipleship today.
>> Don Hawkins: Dr. Robert Duckworth is with me tonight telling about a remarkable observation from 1 Corinthians 6. A passage, Robert, that I've preached on before, and you probably preached on about don't take your brother to law. In fact, if I were to summarize 1 Corinthians 6, it would be sue your brother. And then the last part of the passage, don't have sex with your sister.
>> Md Perkins: You're too much.
>> Don Hawkins: Exactly. and in between, he says, we will judge angels. And is that part of why you came to Dallas Theological Seminary, to help be involved in training men and women there?
>> Md Perkins: That's the very reason I came, Don, when the opportunity to come, to Dallas Seminary to be the director of counseling services. I was reluctant, not because of Dallas Seminary, but because of the fact that I was just enjoying what I was doing in the probation system as a clinical director. And I had seen that as a part of this First Corinthians responsibility, that what I'm doing now with juveniles, juvenile offenders, and assisting them and their families, putting things back together, putting them on the right track, helping them to avoid the very prison that I went, I go into in prison ministry, I'm fulfilling purpose. And then the Holy Spirit hit me with this, that now you'll have the opportunity to offer encouragement, offer solace, peace through the, through the work of counseling and teaching other counselors. And now you're going to multiply this work and going out into the world. So you will still be fulfilling your purpose as per 1st Corinthians 6. It's just in a different capacity.
Dallas Seminary is producing more Christian counselors than anyone else
>> Don Hawkins: How great is the need, Robert, for biblically trained, the kind of training you do at Dallas Seminary? Biblically trained Christian counselors, how big is that need today?
>> Md Perkins: The need is great. One of my buddies that's, on our licensing board has said we cannot graduate counselors. He told one of our classes that I brought him into one of our addictions courses. He said, we cannot graduate you all fast enough based on the mental health needs that are out there. And we know that. And Dallas Seminary is producing probably more counselors, out there than anyone. We are well represented in the licensed professional counselor realm out there and working. And we need more that have that biblical foundation, that theological insight to go out there and meet the public. That doesn't mean we're doing small group in therapy, but to have that foundation. The need is so great. And God continues to open up the doors for our program to grow for our thmers that are taking the courses. And when they're talking, taking those courses, they're, they're finding ways to incorporate pastoral counseling into their work. So there is no shortage of need. I think it's, it's right in line with the, the harvest is plenty. The laborers doing biblical and theological counseling are few.
>> Don Hawkins: Yeah. And Jesus underscored that in Matthew 9 and said, Pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into the harvest field. And then in the next chapter, he said, okay, you guys, go, go, go. We may be talking to someone tonight. You have questions about the kind of training available for pastoral work, for Christian counseling work for any of those areas. At Dallas Theological Seminary, Dr. Robert Duckworth is your person to answer those questions. And it won't cost you anything but a quarter if you're at a pay phone or 50 cents, whatever a pay phone is. And if you're on a cell phone, you, you probably have enough minutes you could call right in 855-586-5433 is the toll free number.
You suggested you were writing a book on this subject
And Robert, you alluded to something while ago that I'd like to pick up on. You suggested you were writing a book on this subject. Want to hear about the book?
>> Md Perkins: So a few weeks ago, as I was preparing for the message to preach, I think my wife and I were flying back from the Bay Area, in our youngest, and we were coming back. And I said, you know What? This whole First Corinthians 6 thing keeps coming up. I think I'm going to preach it next weekend when I go to the prison. I need to write a book about this. And I just went home. This is, we're talking about two weeks ago, Don. I went home and I sat down, I made up a plan, and I said, you know what? I'll just sit down when I get to work tomorrow and I'm gonna write out a few chapters, what will be some potential chapters.
>> Don Hawkins: Put the outline together.
>> Md Perkins: Put the outline together. And I started putting it together. I'm trying to find a way in which I can. And I haven't fleshed this thing out completely, but my major theoretical orientation that I lean into as a counselor is narrative theory, narrative therapy. And that talks about your themes, the, patterns in your life, how everything in your life matters to maybe some of the things that you're experiencing now, or how you'll be able to overcome those and to integrate that with scripture, which is all about story Ah, God's redemptive story through the person of Jesus Christ. I'm finding ways to try to incorporate that in and talk about the different aspects of my life and where I worked in ministry. Even some of the content I've talked about here tonight will probably go into that book. So I'm still fleshing it out. This is new for me. I haven't written a book before, but now I'm on the hook because I said it on the radio.
>> Don Hawkins: You know, one of the things that I love to do is to encourage people who could write a book. I've encouraged my wife. She's had four books published, by the way. She's a DTS grad as well. and, we're having her book Shiloh. We just got her very first book. We, got 25 copies shipped to us today, and they're shipping the rest of the first batch, off the. Hot, off the press next week. And, she has three books of Old Testament fiction that she's written. the Heart of Zion, series is the name of the series, and Moody Publishing has those now in their online series. So the bottom line is, you know, this is. This is an area where you touch people and leave a legacy. When you write a book, have you come up with a working title yet?
>> Md Perkins: I have not. I. I'm trying to do it like, I do my sermons.
>> Don Hawkins: I write the sermon, then do the title last.
>> Md Perkins: I don't want anything to drive.
>> Don Hawkins: Just like Haddon Robinson and some of those guys. Yeah. John Reed. They influenced us. Do the message first, then do the title. But I think this is going to be a great book.
Developing your gift seems to me to be part of preparing for the future
You know, a couple of thoughts came to my mind. one of them is how this ties in with spiritual gifts, with gifting. maybe talk a little bit about how to find, how to develop your gift. Because just discovering your gift is not enough. Developing your gift seems to me to be part of how God's preparing us for the age to come.
>> Md Perkins: Yeah. And. And that's one of the key areas when I talk about this with my students, when they're trying to plan, you know, why am I in this profession? Why am I doing this, what I'm doing? And spiritual giftedness falls right in there. There's tons of spiritual giftedness, assessments that you should do. and again, you need to go beyond that. You need to put yourself in a position where you can start exercising those gifts. And that's one of the things I did. I knew that there was a Gift in me to teach. So I took every opportunity to teach, Whether it was vacation Bible school. Let me do the end of the lesson. Whether it was a Sunday school that no one wanted to take. you find and manufacture those opportunities to do that. When I was an early counselor, we went out there and grabbed whatever venues we could go to that would. Do you have people. Do you have warm bodies that need to talk to someone? Take the opportunities that are put before you, no matter how small they look. A small opportunity led to my job in the probation system.
>> Don Hawkins: I cut my teeth teaching junior boys in a Sunday school class that met in the basement of a house in Birmingham, Alabama.
>> Md Perkins: It's just take those opportunities, and so many people snub their nose at those opportunities. find those. You never know what can come out of that. And just using that giftedness and I think knowing that spiritual gift, you can't. You can end up doing with that spiritual gift what the wicked slave did, the wicked servant did. He buried it. Don't bury the talent. No, take that thing.
>> Don Hawkins: Let it multiply.
>> Md Perkins: Let it multiply. And that's what I have just devoted myself to since really, I would say discovering this passage because don m. I glossed over this. I don't remember this from Acts of Napoleon Epistle.
>> Don Hawkins: No. But, boy, it's a great insight.
Robert: Dennis is listening in Missouri tonight
Well, let's go to the phones. Dennis is listening in Missouri tonight. Hello? Dennis? Dennis, thanks for calling.
>> Caroline: Hello, sir. How are you?
>> Don Hawkins: Just fine. Good to hear from you. Go ahead.
>> Caroline: well, this may take a few minutes. I'm on parole. I was in prison. I got sent to prison, and I had a long sentence, but the Lord opened the door and I got out 10 years early.
>> Md Perkins: Amen, Dennis.
>> Caroline: And I know it was the Lord doing it because my pastor. Well, what was. My pastor told one of the guys who used to call me. I used to go and talk with him. He said, joe, dinner. She won't do all of his time. Which I didn't. Well, now that I've been out about three years, I live alone. I'm in my 70s. I'm legally blind. But the problem. The difficulty for me is I can't go to church because I'm not allowed to. But I'm just trying to figure out what to do with my life at this point in time. I can't drive. I can't go to church. I do read my Bible. I pray. But, yeah, I just. I don't want to do it myself.
>> Don Hawkins: Well, Dennis, I am so glad you called. You're exactly the person we wanted to talk with tonight. And, and again, having, spent some time behind bars, you, know exactly the kind of situation, and we have about a minute and a half before the break. Robert. But, you know, one thing occurs to me is a prayer warning. I think about the opportunity to, to just carry that on. What are your thoughts, Robert, in terms of what Dennis could do?
>> Md Perkins: Dennis, we don't know who's going to listen to this broadcast. And thank you so much for calling in and sharing your testimony. Your very testimony tonight may be a seed that's planted for some young man, some young woman that is, is incarcerated right now that does not see the their purpose. Just you saying that your desire to want to be in fellowship and be in the assembly can encourage someone. And so our prayer for you is that, that you will just continue to read the scriptures, listen for what God would have you to do. And it may be like a prayer warrior or something where you're able to do some things over a phone call to encourage some young man that is headed down the wrong road and you can prevent that. And that young man may be the next whomever to do great things for God. And God is going to let you know, Dennis, that your story matters to him.
>> Don Hawkins: And that's true. And, who knows what God may have for you in eternity. Dennis, I want you to stay on the line. We're going to take, then we're going to come back, and Robert's going to lead us in prayer for you that God will let you know exactly what you need to be doing. Our number is 855-586-5433. We'll be back.
Let Encouragement Live take up valuable space in your driveway
>> Toni King: Do you have an extra car taking up valuable space in your driveway? Let Encouragement live. Take it off your hands. It's easy, free, and best of all, tax deductible. Get your driveway back and keep Encouragement Live rolling so more people can bridge the gap between their faith and everyday life. Mention Encouragement Live when you call 855-500-RIDE. That's 855-500-RIDE.
>> Don Hawkins: Or encouragementlive.org what do Chuck Swindoll, David Jeremiah and Erwin Lutzer have in common? They all train to preach God's Word at Dallas Theological Seminary. And you can train at DTS too. If you've been called to preach or teach God's word, find a degree or course that's right for you on one of our campuses or online@dts.edu Dallas Theological Seminary, where they teach truth and love. Well, visit dts. Edu.
The older people grow, the more important it is that they have savings
>> Jane: the Older people grow, the more important it is that they have savings that are not at risk in the stock market.
>> Don Hawkins: Here's an important warning from roxanne endermule of hisfaithful stewards.com I've seen many people.
>> Jane: In their 50s that have all their savings still in a 401k or some other market based account that is fully at risk of loss.
>> Don Hawkins: Roxanne and her team offer practical financial counsel to people from all age groups.
>> Jane: It could be that they need to start saving for the future in retirement, or maybe they've already done those things and they just need to be good managers of what God's given them and get their money to where it can grow well but won't be at risk of loss in the stock market. Or maybe they need to get a will or a trust in place to protect their family from the cost and stresses of probate.
>> Don Hawkins: You can schedule a free and confidential time to talk with Roxanne at her website, his faithful stewards.com just follow the links on the website to set a good time to talk or you may call the office to set a time. That's his faithful stewards.com and momentarily we'll go back to our caller Dennis, who is phoned in from Missouri. And my guest Dr. Robert Duckworth is going to pray for him.
President Trump says US military forces dropped three bombs on Iranian nuclear facilities
But our program is live and I've just been handed a note that President Trump announced Saturday evening that US Military forces have dropped three bombs on three Iranian nuclear facilities, ending a week long deliberation period over joining Israel's campaign against Tehran and thrusting the United States into the escalating Middle east conflict. These are the words of President Trump. We have completed our very successful attack on the three nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordo, Natanz and Estefan. All the planes are now outside the Iranian airspace. This was the word from President Trump on Truth Social. And I would say that in light of this, Robert, we need to certainly be praying for our country tonight as well as for the Israelis and for Christians living in, the country of Iran. And next weekend I will have, the man who heads up the Ministry of Sat7, who is John Cernel, has just taken over that ministry and we'll be talking about the Christian community in Iran. So there are believers there that'll be affected by this as well.
>> Md Perkins: And we need to really be in prayer, just in prayer in general.
>> Don Hawkins: Right.
Robert Duckworth: Prayer for Dennis who lost his sight in prison
Well, we want to first of all pray for Den and Dennis. Are you still with us?
>> Caroline: Yeah. I'd like to say something if you don't mind.
>> Don Hawkins: Yes, go ahead.
>> Caroline: Eight years ago, I rededicated my life to the Lord. I, I believed I was headed to prison, but I got down. Where I went to church at the altar one night when nobody was around, and rededicated my life to the Lord. When I went to prison, I got a. I got a Bible, and I read that Bible every day, and I'm still reading it every day. And I made a commitment to the Lord to say, lord, I want to go out better than when I started this walk.
>> Don Hawkins: Amen.
>> Caroline: And I, do want to be a better example. It's just I live alone, I don't get visitors, and I'm legally blind.
>> Don Hawkins: I can't drive.
>> Caroline: So I'm kind of. When I said, lord, I want to do something to win souls to the kingdom. so thank you for your prayer program.
>> Don Hawkins: Well, sharing your testimony tonight, Dennis, you do not know who you may be talking to that needs to trust Christ. And if some of you listening to Dennis, hearing his testimony, you have a question about what it means to be a. A believer, a Christian trusting in Jesus Christ. We want to encourage you to call us. Our number is 855-586-5433. Robert Duckworth, would you. You lead us in prayer for Dennis. And let's ask God to open a door for him, in some way to be able to have a ministry there, including the ministry of intercessory prayer, and especially praying for this ministry as well, Dennis.
>> Md Perkins: And, I. Before I go into prayer, I just want to say this, that you have blessed Don and I tonight.
>> Don Hawkins: Amen.
>> Md Perkins: This is exactly what we want it to occur, is that we reach someone. And so we're going to pray for you. I don't have the answers as to how God is going to use you, but I know the God that does have the answers.
>> Don Hawkins: And he finds amazing ways to use us when we think he won't. Yeah.
>> Md Perkins: And don't discredit the fact that your call tonight may already be him using you. So let's go to the Lord in prayer. Gracious Lord, we just thank you, you for being the great I am. We thank you for being so sovereign, Lord, just being wonderful to us. And, Lord, we just come right now interceding for our brother Dennis. Lord. He has had a difficult way to go, Lord, Being incarcerated, losing his sight. But, Lord, you can still use Dennis. Lord, I don't have the answers, but I know that the Holy Spirit, you will pray on our behalf. Pray on Dennis. Dennis behalf for A way in which he can be used in the name of Jesus, if not already on this call this evening. So, Lord, just touch Dennis, give him what he needs, grow him, help him to know that everything in his story matters to you and that somehow, Lord, intercessory prayer. We don't even want to name what it is because, Lord, you know better than we do.
>> Don Hawkins: Amen.
>> Md Perkins: As to what Dennis can do and use him tremendously. We'd love to hear from him later if he writes in or talks to us later and lets us know what has happened. But, Lord, we trust and believe that you can use our friend Dennis tonight.
>> Don Hawkins: Yes.
>> Md Perkins: Because he has something to offer to the kingdom. In Jesus name, we do pray. Amen.
>> Don Hawkins: Amen. Amen. Dennis, we will be praying. I'm so thankful that you were able to dial in tonight. you keep listening and keep praying for those that call in on this program. Okay? God bless you.
>> Caroline: Okay, thank you.
>> Md Perkins: Thank you.
>> Don Hawkins: Bye bye. 855-5. 86-5-433.
Don and Doc ask for prayer for President Trump over Middle East situation
Before we go to our next caller, Robert, I think we should take just a moment and pray both for our country, our president, the people involved in this, situation that we've just heard about, the airstrike to take out those three major nuclear facilities and to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Would you lead us in prayer for those things?
>> Md Perkins: Yes, gracious Father, we also come right now and just again, you're the same sovereign, wonderful, loving God that we just came to a moment ago to pray for our dear brother Dennis. And Lord, we come now praying for more of a global concern. There's so many things going on in our world today. So much uncertainty, so much, so many challenges, so much conflict, so much division. And Lord, I pray in the absolute name of Jesus, Lord, over these, over this, situation in the Middle east, Lord, so many things are going on, decisions that have to be made. There are still going to be subsequent decisions that have to be made. We pray for our country, we pray for our leaders, we pray for, our citizens who have family members that are in here. It's so many family members. So many people are touched by this through military, folks that are doing missions work in these countries, Lord, the Christians that are being persecuted in different countries all over. And, Lord, we just know that there is. Just as we multiply in our work for you, the enemy is trying to multiply work throughout the globe. And so, Lord, we pray against those things. And we ask in the name of Jesus for your sovereign will to be done and that lives will be changed. And that even the events of today will turn hearts to the person and the work of Jesus Christ. Lord, we want to see that change for you. In Jesus name we do pray.
>> Don Hawkins: Amen. 8 5, 5, 5. 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 3. And if you just joined us, the word is, that President. President Trump has ordered a strike and taken out three nuclear sites, the major nuclear sites in Iran. And that, the planes have all cleared Iranian airspace. Let's go back to the phones. Cornelius is on the line. Cornelius, from Louisiana. And I believe you have a military background, as I recall, my brother.
>> Caroline: Hey there, Don. and Doc. Yeah, I was a military police officer. I trained at Fort McClellan, Alabama.
>> Don Hawkins: Aniston. Yes.
>> Md Perkins: Oh, yeah.
>> Caroline: I gotta tell you one quick story. And, boy, pray for the peace of Jerusalem and America and Mr. Dennis there. Boy, that's a great story. Yes, but I was in when Reagan was just turning in, and, he said if they didn't release them hostages, we were going to war. Boy, I was so scared. I was a military police officer assigned to Louisiana. I wasn't a regular, but they said everybody was going to. Regulars, the reserves, the National Guard. We were all going to war to Iran. That was in the 79 and 80s. So I'm 64 years old now, so that tells you the time frame. But, it's been a long time in coming. But anyway, gentlemen, how are you?
>> Don Hawkins: Go ahead.
>> Caroline: I used to be a prison guard, too. And I've been an inmate, too. But it was the Bible that kept me going when I was a prison guard, and then when I was a prisoner, too, for almost a year. And, I tell you, it's something about reading the Bible and getting a perspective on that. And I'm so glad Dennis reads the Bible. I hope and pray he can get somebody to get him to church, get him some fellowship somewhere around there in Missouri. But, a lot of times, Don and Doc, we forget about our inmates and stuff, and we need to give them a second chance. And, I'm so glad for this program. Like I said, I hope some inmates are listening. I hope they're reading their Bible. I read Psalm 91, Matthew 6, the prayer, the Lord's Prayer. And then I also read today, the 21st, I read the, Proverbs.
>> Don Hawkins: Proverb a day. Yes, Proverb a day.
Don Hawkins: Cornelius is working on a book about Fear not
>> Caroline: That's the three things I start my day out with. And, you know, Don, you said you've been wanting to write a book about them. 365. Fear not. We can Use that right now, Don.
>> Don Hawkins: Yeah. Well, let me tell you, Cornelius, my good friend Don say Paul, who's on the board of my ministry, is actually working on that book as we speak. I talked to him last week, and he told me he is already pulling, pulling that book together. He's dealing with all those passages on Fear not and that deal with fear in scripture. And remember, that was the very first emotion back in the Garden of Eden. Robert, I know you remember this. When God said to Adam and Eve, where are you? They had. And taking the forbidden fruit. Adam said, we hid because we were afraid. We were not clothed. And so there was that first negative emotion. Cornelius, I want to pray for you, and God will encourage you. And we also want to pray for Sophie, who called in, works with, disabled people. And thank the Lord for that. Heavenly Father, thank you for these individuals, for Cornelius, who called us tonight, who also wanted to share his encouragement with, Dennis, who called in from Missouri and who, has served our country as well. Thank you for that service, Lord. I do pray, as Robert has prayed earlier, for our president, for the, premier in, Israel. And I pray for, especially for Christians in all of those countries, including in Iran. Lord, for your hand of protection. I pray that somehow out of all of this, the gospel might have, have free course and that your name would be glorified. Lord, bless Cornelius. Strengthen, encourage him and be with Sophie. Lord, thank you for her work with disabled people. May she be greatly blessed. I pray. Thank you and praise you for the fact that you love us and encourage us and you're preparing us in this life so that we might fulfill that greater responsibility in the life to come. In Jesus name name. Amen.
>> Md Perkins: Amen.
>> Don Hawkins: Thank you, Cornelius. God bless you. God bless America. And Robert, it's been a joy to have you on the broadcast tonight. We will have you back and talk more about this. This is a great topic. once again, if you want to learn more about Dallas Theological Seminary, let me encourage you check out their website, dts Edu. Maybe God's calling you to be a pastor, a missionary, a Christian counselor. Roberts underscored that need. Go to that website, DTS.edu. and thank you for joining us tonight. We appreciate this so much. We encourage you to pray for our country, for our president, our military people, people in Israel, people in Iran as well, and for all of us at Encouragement Live. I'm Don Hawkins. Good night from Encouragement Live.
