¶ Building a Solid Foundation in Faith
Hello and hello , and welcome back God's Diamonds in the Rough . I was getting ready to say learn the living truth , y'all . I was getting ready to do it again . That's okay , I'm glad they're one and the same . To God be the glory . I'm Catherine . I'm Michael . And , if you didn't know it , we are always grateful to be here .
This is like oh man , we've been doing this for quite a while and we're excited about , uh , the direction that the lord is taking us in . Honey , how are you ?
well rested , and happy and excited , and all these different things is hitting it one time , because it's all glorious when it comes to God .
Hallelujah , yeah , amen . I'm great . I'm always excited to be here and being able to be a light for the kingdom , and so today , everybody , we have a guest with us , amen . His name is David Libby and he is a child of God , a man of God after the heart of God , and so we are just excited to have him here with us . But y'all know what we got to do .
Before we do anything , let us pray . We'll be sent back into the place where it came , for your god's people needs his word . Jesus christ , holy maxim , amen , thank you , amen , amen , amen , amen , hallelujah , all right , y'all , y'all ready to to meet David , because we are sure enough ready to introduce him to everyone .
David , would you please say hello to everybody , all of our diamonds .
Hello , hello to all of the diamonds in the rock . I'm very glad to be here . Thank you , catherine and Michael , for the opportunity .
And thanks for that prayer , michael . That was wonderful . Amen , amen To God , be the glory . Uh , so , um , today , so today , you guys , we are , um , talking with David and just in casual conversation , as the Lord brought us together , um , he was , he's from the area of Maine and , uh , he is . He said something that just kind of really intrigued me .
I don't know about you , michael , but he said where he is . It's a lot of , uh , darkness , a lot of witchcraft and things of that sort . And , um , god has him there to build and , um , one of the things that drew him to me was the fact that he is on a solid foundation .
And so , david , tell us a little bit about who you are , and then we want to begin to speak to the fact of where you are , where God has placed you and what God has called you to do . Can you first tell us about who you are and transition into that ?
Sure , yeah , I'm happy to . Yeah , thank you . My name is David Libby . I'm a logger actually , who cuts timber for a living , cuts and sells timber for a living up here in central Maine , a very rural area . I'm also a board of service with the Lord Jesus and I'm working on starting a small church in a very spiritually dark area .
We've got a small ministry started where we have been granted beautiful opportunities by the Lord to shine the light of the gospel in a very dark place . We hold regular events and they're well attended . Well attended by a lot of unbelievers , a lot of New Agers Wiccans who actually practice a lot of witchcraft and that sort of thing .
So it's a pretty dark area but we're thrilled to be used by God to minister here . Amen , amen . So , in regard to Solid Foundation , what would you say the Solid Foundation is ? How did you see it ? In regard to apologetics , how it's related to where you are and what you're doing ? Okay , yeah , that's a good question and a pretty big question actually .
I love philosophy . I'll start there . A lot of people don't , but I do , and the reason that I do is because it all drives me right to the throne of God , even the philosophy of unbelievers , a lot of the atheist philosophy and that sort of thing , and the way that it does . That is by default it shows the inadequacy of all the alternatives .
Ever since the Renaissance period and Enlightenment , humanist philosophy has been really kind of an abysmal . Failure , I would argue . So in order to have a solid foundation for philosophy , for the branch of philosophy called epistemology , a really fancy sounding word , but simply it's the branch of philosophy that deals with knowledge .
In order to have a solid foundation , we need to have a transcendent God . We can't escape what I would call a trap of subjectivity . Without a transcendent God , for example , in the realm of morality , who says it's wrong to steal , for example ? It becomes a matter of opinion .
If there's no higher power , no transcendent God who has the right to tell us what to do . Well , the same thing applies in the realm of rationality .
So a solid foundation , I would argue , would have to be , it can't be anything else other than the presupposition that there is a God who has revealed himself to us , who meets certain preconditions and has to be the God of the Bible . No other God concept will fill the bill , that's right .
So there's a solid foundation , there is a God , and the God is the God of the Bible and he has revealed himself to us .
Amen , I thought you were going to say something else . That's why I paused for a minute . But , mike , do you have a thought ?
I can say more if you want to hold on , let's give it one second yeah , I was just sitting here and this is how you know it's definitely God because I was just sitting here thinking as you were speaking and you know we had already talking before you know , we started going on recording or , briefly , you know where you , where you live at , and I had no idea
what you did outside of ministry . But the one thing that popped in my mind is this guy is like Noah . And you know Noah , he listened to God , he built the bow , the ark , and he built it out of wood , and I had no idea that she was a logger .
And the first thing that popped my mind is this guy is like Noah in the Bible , the back in the day Noah of bringing things together because God told him to do it . Nobody really stood by his side , but he continued to do it . Nobody really stood by his side , but he continued to do it .
And that let me know that you had the spirit of Noah and all I can tell you , encourage you to do , is continue to do what God tell you to do . There's going to be people that's going to come at you and you know , look at you sideways and say you shouldn't be doing this and doing that .
But you know , god taught you , God told you to do it , do it .
Wow , yeah , that's right . Yeah , amen , amen , amen , amen . I um yeah we .
We've experienced some of that too . You know , there are always naysayers who come along and tell you you can't accomplish what God has assigned to you , and that sort of thing . So you're exactly right , michael . We need to listen to the Holy Spirit , listen to God and ignore the people who , would you know , try to burn us off the course .
We know that Satan's always busy , isn't he always busy ?
Absolutely yeah , yes , so to get where you were , or where you are and on this mission to save souls and , you know , bring forth the light of Jesus . Um , how did you get there ? Chronic , chronic illness Is that , is that what brought you into that place of trusting God ?
Um , well , I was a servant of the Lord before chronic illness but I guess , to give a little background history , I think what you're referring to is the struggles my family and I have gone through for a decade and a half . They're actually doing a little better now . I have published a book that actually tells our story .
I've published a book that actually tells our story . It tells our story of very , very difficult battles with chronic illness for a decade and a half or so , excuse me and it seeks to answer some of the difficult questions that are prompted by a life of suffering . But back to your question .
I was a servant of the Lord before God sent these hardships , before God ordained these hardships , and so was my wife . But God used these to draw us much closer to Him . So we see in Scripture a number of things related to suffering . We see that God has told us this world will have suffering in it .
We know that suffering is the result of God's curse on this world because of sin , because of human rebellion against him . We know that suffering will come to an end . There is a time when there will be no more , but we also know that God uses it for his glory and for our good , and that has been our experience Romans 8 , 28, .
All things work together for the good of those who love him or call according to his purposes . So I guess , to answer your question , catherine , the many years of very difficult struggles with suffering and chronic illness that we went through have been used by God , in fact , to draw us closer to him , to refine us .
We talked about the refining process of sanctification , kind of like being in a refiner's fire until the silver has had all the drops removed from it , that sort of thing . That has been our experience for sure .
So do you care to expand ? What kind of um , chronic illnesses ? But , and I asked you that , um , just because a lot of people are experiencing things and they think that , okay , you know , I'm the only one and they , they think that , you know , I'll never be used by god because of this , that and the other .
Well , I got this thing going on and I'm not responding to it , right , and they think that they're doomed , doomed to hell , and that's the lie of the enemy . And so what kinds of illnesses have your family experienced , so that somebody else will know , just because this has happened to me , I'm not defeated yeah , yeah , very good .
Yeah , thank you . Um
¶ The Power of Faith in Suffering
. The illness started with , um , a strange disease called lyme disease perhaps you've heard of it one illness , um , and then there were a lot of complications that kind of came out from that . A lot of it resulted from a genetic mutation that my wife and both girls had that caused the body to not be able to dump toxins .
So toxins were toxic opioids and that sort of thing . It all started with Lyme disease and the symptoms were basically just feeling sick all the time , like bad flu all the time , and on top of that , severe joint pain , severe pain throughout their bodies . My wife tried to feel like there were shards of broken glass all throughout her body oh my gosh .
And then inability to walk , yeah , inability to walk at times , totally bedridden for weeks at a time , severe seizures , bad psychotic episodes . So it was really pretty bad at times .
So , yeah , I would encourage your listeners , like you just said , I would encourage them that , like you just said , I would encourage them that God can use you , even if you're in the pit of despair , even if you're in the grip of suffering . In fact , god's not going to use people more .
God's Word tells us that when I am weak , then I am strong when I'm weak , then his strength is made manifest and , as far as you mentioned , people feel like they're doomed to hell . Boy , I would encourage all you listeners never to think that way . We're never outside of the weeks of God's grace .
We can always turn to him and find the forgiveness that's found in him . Only , people should never feel like their case is hopeless .
And when you're in darkness , that's what happens you feel hopeless . Michael , you got a thought .
No , I was just listening , because you know when people tell you and this is speaking to people about , you know , with illnesses , when people tell you that you can't be used because you have this and that , and that is a lie for the pitch of hell .
Because for me , at the age of , I think , 28 , I was diagnosed with IBS , which is Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Crohn's disease , and with Crohn's it was like your intestinal or rectal knot and Irritable Bowel Syndrome is trying to push the bowels out , the waist out , and it gets blocked . It's like a blockage .
And I'm going to tell you something To this day .
I have not taken a single medicine for about 11 years and I'm going to tell you you can be used by God , even in your illnesses and sickness , because when you go through things like that , that gives you the moment and the time to sit down and listen to God .
In the time to sit down and listen to God Because we can get into these , we can get into our mindset of we always going , going , going , going , going , going .
But how can we completely listen to God if we can't be still long enough to listen and sometimes we have to go , and sometimes we have to go through those things in life that allows God to really completely use us to his glory ? Yeah , definitely .
Yeah , absolutely , that was very well said . Thank you , my wife would attest to that . Yeah , my wife was really bedridden for long periods of time and those were times when she really could talk to God , could pray and also listen , as you were saying .
I guess we can see it not as a detriment to ministry but a help to ministry sometimes Takes away the distractions and puts us in bed where we can really commune with Him and listen to Him . That was very well said , michael , thank you .
I believe that sufferings and pains and all of those things , they become accelerants for us to strengthen our relationship with the Holy Spirit . And you know , just to encourage every diamond that is listening , there's always purpose in pain , whether that's physically , spiritually , emotionally .
There's purpose in it cannot allow darkness and the things of this world to um to uh , spread the lie , because that type of lie , those type of lies , are like cancer and eventually they they steal all of your joy and all of your hope and all of that .
So you know , for you to be here , it's definitely god , because if you're going through some kind of suffering and you feel hopeless , this is um , the lord saying to you wake up . Oh , sleeper , it's time to wake up and come out out of the pit . Um , that pit doesn't belong to you , darkness doesn't belong to you .
Pain and suffering and all it , it doesn't belong to you , but it , like david has already said , it's for his glory , amen . So how can we get this book right ?
and I'm not a computer-y kind of person , but people tell me it's really really easy to find if they just do a search on amazon . Um , for the title of the book , which which is called A Different World , different World , again A Different World .
Okay , the subtitle is God's Sovereignty in the Face of Something and my name is David Libby .
So you do an Amazon search for the title of the book A Different World and my name as the author , david Libby .
They say it's really easy to find , it comes up immediately . So for now that's where author of Data , libby , they say it's really easy to find , it comes up immediately . So for now that's where it's available . So what ? Thank you very much so what is A Different World ? What is that ?
like that name , is interesting this title is interesting attached to yeah , a Different World it is interesting , yeah , so yeah , I'll explain that it's interesting . Attached to a different world , it is interesting , yeah , so yeah , I'd love to explain that when a person has suffered a lot for a long time , you kind of end up seeing the whole world differently .
We see the world . We know the world is kind of a dark place because God's word tells us so . If we're not immersed in suffering for a long while , it's hard to wrap our brains around us as a dark world .
There's a lot of pleasant things in this world , but when we're immersed in this darkness for long enough , it's almost like we enter a whole different world . It's almost like we enter a whole different world . And so the title was inspired by another man who we knew very well , who was a really extreme long-term sufferer of a different kind of chronic illness .
He really suffered and suffered and suffered for years . We were talking one time and he said you know , dave , we actually live in a different world for most people . So that was kind of the inspiration of the title . And then the first chapter tells that story and the chapter kind of explains that concept of a different world .
Okay , Anyway yeah , Good Question , Catherine . That's the name of the book .
That's interesting , Interesting . Got any thoughts ?
any questions , no questions . No questions I'm just intrigued , intrigued . That title got me um , that title just got my mind . Yes , yes so rolling .
So , um , I have one more question before we get ready to wrap up .
So , with all of the suffering and the chronic suffering that you've written about what you've experienced and where you are placed geographically , would you say that , because of the pain and the suffering and everything , this is why people are drawn to the Ouija boards and all of that where you are , or witchcraft and whatnot ?
Well , that's a good question , Good question . You're asking some very good questions , catherine . I said maybe one reason why they are . I think there are a lot of hurting people who are looking for answers in all the wrong places . I think another reason is that the darker color promises a lot .
The who .
The people who get wrapped up in the darker color Years ago . People who get wrapped up in the darker colorallan Years ago , people who get wrapped up in the Dark Macallan , the Ouija boards , the witchcraft . They actually experience . They actually have experiences that are very real and powerful sometimes , so they Get drawn to it .
For that reason it promises a lot . What happens is they end up discovering that it delivers nothing . It promises a lot , but it delivers nothing . What it delivers is absolute bondage to the satanic system . Satan's a liar , satan's the father of lies .
People get sucked into the Ouija boards and the witchcraft and all that Luciferianism and all that dark stuff , because there are a lot of promises associated with it , promises of power and influence . And then they get sucked into it and they realize that they're actually enslaved yeah . Very sad , very dark .
Right , you know , there's very real power in the Lord as well , isn't there ? Absolutely , that's right . That's right . You better talk about it , I know that's right . So , um , we are , um , we are in the last few seconds and I want everybody to give a takeaway .
David , we're going to get you to really give , ultimately , your message and what it is that God has given you for every diamond that is listening . So , michael , you want to start ?
I would definitely say you know , don't give up so quickly on the things that you're facing in life , because if you give up , how can God completely use you ? And I'll use that scripture . That's in Romans 8 and 28 . Everything works according to God's plan . Those who love him are according to the purpose .
We got to realize that sometimes our purpose is to hurt , to bring strength to somebody else . So never give up on yourself , never quit , never throw the towel on him , never throw your hands up , because the moment you throw your hands up , you're giving the enemy power .
Amen , that's right If you throw your hands up , throw them up to him , not to the world , that's right , if you throw your hands up , don't walk to him , not to the world , that's my takeaway Right .
Amen , amen , amen . My takeaway is simply you know there is , I think , in the midst of conversations , purpose and pain . That in the midst of conversation , it's purpose and pain that it's never so dark that Christ the light , that he can't come in . Because the reality is that when we're suffering , we're going through things . It's real for us .
Nobody can ever dismiss anybody's suffering , any . You know what I mean . But , um , we have a hope and the hope is jesus . Um , but at the end of the day , it's all on you . You know nobody can force you to serve him , but he's in reality . He's always there , waiting for you to tap into him .
And knowing that he again allowed , he's allowing the suffering to happen in your life on purpose , just because because you get saved , doesn't mean the suffering stops . It doesn't mean that you know everything just With a snap of a finger Comes into place the way you want it . That's a lie and that's not the truth .
The reality is that you know , just like Jesus suffered , we're going to suffer Things in this life , but at the end of the day , we keep our peace , we keep our joy , we keep , we keep the things that the world does not value . Yeah , so yeah , be encouraged with that . David , what's your final word and what God is saying to you ?
Well , first of all , my final word is a very hearty amen to what both of you said . That was very good . Amen . Yeah , thank you both very much . I would say that , really kind of the same things that you both just said . I would reiterate that , as you said , catherine , god hasn't promised us freedom from suffering in this life .
He's promised us the opposite , that we'll be suffering , but he's promised us a couple of things in that Like you said , michael , we'll work together for the good of those who are all according to his purposes , those who love him he is a sovereign God and also that he will be with us . Through them , he will give us the strength to endure .
You know , we lean on Him . He's our strength , not our own strength , that's right . So , like you said , michael , don't give up hope . You're going to lift up your hands . You're going to throw them up . You're going to point to God . Don't throw up , like you said , in exasperation and defeat . That's right . Exasperation and defeat . Continue serving the Lord .
The Lord actually said take up your cross and follow me . There's going to be suffering , but the payoff at the end is immeasurably grand .
Thank you both very much Amen . So what is your word ? Matter of fact , can you just pray us out ? Have our conversation today .
I'd be delighted to All right , absolutely . Thanks for the privilege , absolutely . Dear Father in Heaven , what a great privilege it is to serve you , a just and holy God , but also a gracious and merciful God , a God who loves his people , a God who is sovereign , who works all things together according to the counsel of your will .
Thank you , for when you call through a reconciled relationship with you , you also bring it to a covenant family . Thank you for that . Thank you that there are fellow servants way down in Virginia and Catherine and Michael and all over the world , who are seeking to really , truly serve you and seeking to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in all that we do .
Praise your name . We love you . Increase our love for you Increase our love for each other . In Jesus' name . Our Lord Jesus amen Amen .
Amen . Thank you so much , David , for being with us . We appreciate you coming on .
Thank you for the opportunity . I love you guys both and fight the good fight Alright , alright , y'all .
Y'all know what time it is Remember until next time .
You are a diamond in the rock .
Amen . We will see y'all next week . Amen , amen .