1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:03,160 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 2 00:00:03,200 --> 00:00:05,920 Speaker 1: our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. 3 00:00:06,120 --> 00:00:08,440 Speaker 2: If you enjoy today's message, why don't you be a 4 00:00:08,440 --> 00:00:10,039 Speaker 2: blessing and share it with a friend. 5 00:00:10,320 --> 00:00:13,040 Speaker 1: We appreciate you and pray for God's very best in 6 00:00:13,080 --> 00:00:16,400 Speaker 1: your life. Well, God bless you. It's always a joy 7 00:00:16,520 --> 00:00:18,720 Speaker 1: to come into your homes, and if you're ever in 8 00:00:18,800 --> 00:00:21,200 Speaker 1: our area, please stop by and be a part of 9 00:00:21,239 --> 00:00:23,759 Speaker 1: one of our services. I promise you we'll make you 10 00:00:23,800 --> 00:00:26,320 Speaker 1: feel right at home. But thanks so much for tuning 11 00:00:26,360 --> 00:00:29,280 Speaker 1: in and thank you again for coming out today. I 12 00:00:29,440 --> 00:00:32,479 Speaker 1: like to start with something funny. I heard about this pastor. 13 00:00:32,960 --> 00:00:35,680 Speaker 1: He was in the lobby after service greeting people, and 14 00:00:36,159 --> 00:00:38,120 Speaker 1: he saw this man that he hadn't seen in a 15 00:00:38,159 --> 00:00:41,440 Speaker 1: long long time, pulled him over to the side and said, sir, 16 00:00:41,760 --> 00:00:45,080 Speaker 1: you need to join the Army of the Lord. Man said, 17 00:00:45,080 --> 00:00:47,000 Speaker 1: what are you talking about. I'm in the Army of 18 00:00:47,040 --> 00:00:49,840 Speaker 1: the Lord. Pastor said, well, how come I only see 19 00:00:49,880 --> 00:00:53,519 Speaker 1: you on Christmas and Easter. He whispered back, I'm in 20 00:00:53,560 --> 00:00:58,040 Speaker 1: the Secret Service. Hold your Bible up, say it like 21 00:00:58,080 --> 00:01:00,840 Speaker 1: you mean it. This is my Bible. I am what 22 00:01:00,920 --> 00:01:03,360 Speaker 1: it says. I am I have what it says I have. 23 00:01:03,960 --> 00:01:06,400 Speaker 1: I can do what it says I can do. Today 24 00:01:06,520 --> 00:01:09,720 Speaker 1: I will be taught the word of God. I boldly confess. 25 00:01:10,120 --> 00:01:13,479 Speaker 1: My mind is alert, my heart is receptive. I will 26 00:01:13,480 --> 00:01:17,280 Speaker 1: never be the same. In Jesus's name, God bless you. 27 00:01:19,160 --> 00:01:22,000 Speaker 1: I want to talk to you today about blessed by 28 00:01:22,000 --> 00:01:25,560 Speaker 1: your enemies. We all know that God can bless us. 29 00:01:25,959 --> 00:01:29,040 Speaker 1: He can show us favor, promote us, heal us, but 30 00:01:29,080 --> 00:01:32,600 Speaker 1: we don't always realize God can use our enemies to 31 00:01:32,640 --> 00:01:36,360 Speaker 1: bless us. And what you may think is a disappointment, 32 00:01:36,880 --> 00:01:40,240 Speaker 1: a person that walked away, friend that betrayed you, a 33 00:01:40,280 --> 00:01:43,040 Speaker 1: coworker that's trying to make you look bad. You may 34 00:01:43,080 --> 00:01:47,320 Speaker 1: not like that, but you couldn't reach your destiny without them. 35 00:01:47,840 --> 00:01:50,400 Speaker 1: It's all a part of God's plan to get you 36 00:01:50,560 --> 00:01:54,120 Speaker 1: to where You're supposed to be. David would only be 37 00:01:54,280 --> 00:01:57,440 Speaker 1: known as a shepherd boy if it wasn't for Goliath. 38 00:01:58,320 --> 00:02:03,480 Speaker 1: Goliath was strategically placed in David's path, not to defeat him, 39 00:02:04,000 --> 00:02:08,200 Speaker 1: but to promote him. Without Goliath, David would have never 40 00:02:08,280 --> 00:02:12,639 Speaker 1: taken the throne. Don't complain about your enemies. It may 41 00:02:12,680 --> 00:02:15,680 Speaker 1: look like a setback, but really it's a set up 42 00:02:16,040 --> 00:02:19,160 Speaker 1: for God to get you to your throne. After all, 43 00:02:19,280 --> 00:02:22,919 Speaker 1: God could have used King Saul to promote David. Saul 44 00:02:22,960 --> 00:02:26,080 Speaker 1: had the authority, he could have moved on Saul's heart, 45 00:02:26,120 --> 00:02:29,520 Speaker 1: told him promote that young man. But God chose to 46 00:02:29,560 --> 00:02:33,520 Speaker 1: bless David, not through his friends, but through his enemies. 47 00:02:34,240 --> 00:02:36,520 Speaker 1: And that's why we don't have to play up to people. 48 00:02:37,040 --> 00:02:39,960 Speaker 1: Try to convince them to like us. Hopefully they'll give 49 00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:42,839 Speaker 1: me a good break. No, God doesn't have to use 50 00:02:42,880 --> 00:02:46,880 Speaker 1: your friends. He can use your enemies, your critics, the 51 00:02:46,919 --> 00:02:49,120 Speaker 1: ones that are trying to push you down. He can 52 00:02:49,240 --> 00:02:53,760 Speaker 1: use them to push you up. And it's interesting, when 53 00:02:53,840 --> 00:02:58,480 Speaker 1: David defeated Goliath, you never hear any more about Goliath. 54 00:02:59,320 --> 00:03:04,440 Speaker 1: Goliath was created for David's purpose. Part of his destiny 55 00:03:04,760 --> 00:03:08,560 Speaker 1: was to establish who David was. And just as God 56 00:03:08,639 --> 00:03:12,680 Speaker 1: has divine connections lined up for you, people to encourage you, 57 00:03:13,000 --> 00:03:16,600 Speaker 1: push you forward, He's also lined up people that will 58 00:03:16,600 --> 00:03:19,600 Speaker 1: try to stop you, discourage you, try to make it 59 00:03:19,639 --> 00:03:24,320 Speaker 1: look bad. There are Golias ordained to come across your path, 60 00:03:25,000 --> 00:03:28,960 Speaker 1: and if you don't understand this principle, you'll get discouraged. God, 61 00:03:29,040 --> 00:03:33,040 Speaker 1: why is this happening to me. That opposition wasn't meant 62 00:03:33,080 --> 00:03:37,119 Speaker 1: to stop you, It was meant to establish you. When 63 00:03:37,160 --> 00:03:40,600 Speaker 1: you overcome it, you will not only step into a 64 00:03:40,640 --> 00:03:44,280 Speaker 1: new level of your destiny, but everyone around you will 65 00:03:44,320 --> 00:03:48,480 Speaker 1: see the favor of God is on your life. In 66 00:03:48,520 --> 00:03:51,320 Speaker 1: two thousand and two, we received word that the Houston 67 00:03:51,400 --> 00:03:54,720 Speaker 1: Rockets basketball team was moving out of this building and 68 00:03:55,240 --> 00:03:58,320 Speaker 1: the city was thinking about selling it. We needed a 69 00:03:58,400 --> 00:04:02,400 Speaker 1: larger auditorium. When I heard that something came alive on 70 00:04:02,440 --> 00:04:05,320 Speaker 1: the inside, I knew it was supposed to be ours. 71 00:04:06,160 --> 00:04:08,160 Speaker 1: And the word got out in the city that we 72 00:04:08,160 --> 00:04:10,920 Speaker 1: were interested in it. And there was all kinds of 73 00:04:10,960 --> 00:04:14,400 Speaker 1: debate as to what should happen to this building. And 74 00:04:14,400 --> 00:04:17,480 Speaker 1: a friend of mine was at a business lunching sitting 75 00:04:17,480 --> 00:04:21,800 Speaker 1: with some high powered executives. One of these executives, a 76 00:04:21,920 --> 00:04:26,039 Speaker 1: very influential man, found out that my friend attends Lakewood. 77 00:04:26,720 --> 00:04:30,320 Speaker 1: He started talking about the Compact Center and about how 78 00:04:30,360 --> 00:04:33,719 Speaker 1: against us he was, about what a terrible thing this 79 00:04:33,800 --> 00:04:36,320 Speaker 1: would be for the city now, how no church should 80 00:04:36,360 --> 00:04:39,680 Speaker 1: ever have this building. On and on. Some other people 81 00:04:39,720 --> 00:04:43,320 Speaker 1: at the table joined in kind of laughing, making fun, 82 00:04:43,560 --> 00:04:46,240 Speaker 1: talked about how Lakewood didn't have a chance in the 83 00:04:46,279 --> 00:04:50,159 Speaker 1: world to get it. Finally, this executive looked at my 84 00:04:50,279 --> 00:04:54,719 Speaker 1: friend and said, very sarcastically, it will be a cold 85 00:04:54,800 --> 00:04:59,240 Speaker 1: day in hell before Lakewood ever gets that building. My 86 00:04:59,320 --> 00:05:03,520 Speaker 1: friend called me afterward and told me about the conversation, said, 87 00:05:03,520 --> 00:05:06,240 Speaker 1: thanks a lot for the good news. Appreciate that encouragement. 88 00:05:07,520 --> 00:05:13,359 Speaker 1: But the truth is that conversation was ordained by the Creator. 89 00:05:14,040 --> 00:05:17,919 Speaker 1: He was one of those golias God had strategically placed 90 00:05:17,960 --> 00:05:20,880 Speaker 1: in our path. And when I heard about how against 91 00:05:20,960 --> 00:05:25,119 Speaker 1: us he was, I was already determined. But something rose 92 00:05:25,200 --> 00:05:28,920 Speaker 1: up in me. I had a holy determination. I had 93 00:05:28,960 --> 00:05:33,000 Speaker 1: a new fire, a new result. And every time things 94 00:05:33,040 --> 00:05:35,560 Speaker 1: got tough, looked like it wasn't going to work out, 95 00:05:36,000 --> 00:05:38,760 Speaker 1: I would be tempted to get discouraged. I could hear 96 00:05:38,839 --> 00:05:42,359 Speaker 1: that phrase a cold day in hell. I'd get my 97 00:05:42,480 --> 00:05:47,400 Speaker 1: passion right back. Wouldn't take me five seconds. Sometimes God 98 00:05:47,440 --> 00:05:50,000 Speaker 1: will put an enemy in your life to keep you 99 00:05:50,080 --> 00:05:56,080 Speaker 1: stirred up. He'll allow critics, doubters, discouragers, even some haters. 100 00:05:56,640 --> 00:05:58,800 Speaker 1: So when you feel tired and think you want to 101 00:05:58,839 --> 00:06:02,200 Speaker 1: give up, you'll keep pressing forward, shaking it off. Not 102 00:06:02,400 --> 00:06:05,280 Speaker 1: because you feel like it, but because you don't want 103 00:06:05,320 --> 00:06:08,600 Speaker 1: to give your enemies the joy of shooting you defeated, 104 00:06:09,040 --> 00:06:12,440 Speaker 1: not out us fight, not out of pride. It's a 105 00:06:12,480 --> 00:06:16,960 Speaker 1: holy determination. God uses the negative to keep us stirred up. 106 00:06:17,760 --> 00:06:21,080 Speaker 1: And that business leader that was so against us, he 107 00:06:21,120 --> 00:06:25,000 Speaker 1: doesn't realize it, but God used him more than he 108 00:06:25,120 --> 00:06:28,440 Speaker 1: used my friends. He was one of the most instrumental 109 00:06:28,480 --> 00:06:31,520 Speaker 1: people in us getting this building. And the funny thing 110 00:06:31,640 --> 00:06:35,200 Speaker 1: is he wasn't for us, he was against us. God 111 00:06:35,320 --> 00:06:38,320 Speaker 1: used our enemies to bless us. If I ever see 112 00:06:38,360 --> 00:06:42,239 Speaker 1: that man, I need to buy him dinner McDonald's. Probably 113 00:06:44,680 --> 00:06:47,080 Speaker 1: some of my enemies. I feel like I need to 114 00:06:47,120 --> 00:06:50,120 Speaker 1: write them a check. If they hadn't have been against me, 115 00:06:50,360 --> 00:06:53,200 Speaker 1: I wouldn't have prayed so hard, they hadn't have made 116 00:06:53,279 --> 00:06:55,920 Speaker 1: fun I would have given up sooner. If they hadn't 117 00:06:55,960 --> 00:06:57,839 Speaker 1: have told me I couldn't do it, didn't have what 118 00:06:57,920 --> 00:07:01,560 Speaker 1: it takes, it might have been complace settled where I was. 119 00:07:01,920 --> 00:07:06,599 Speaker 1: It was their opposition that pushed me forward many times. 120 00:07:06,720 --> 00:07:10,240 Speaker 1: God will use your enemies to catapult you to success 121 00:07:10,600 --> 00:07:15,560 Speaker 1: more than your friends, David said. God prepares a table 122 00:07:15,640 --> 00:07:19,440 Speaker 1: before me in the presence of my enemies. Notice when 123 00:07:19,520 --> 00:07:22,600 Speaker 1: God brings you through the opposition. He's not going to 124 00:07:22,640 --> 00:07:25,040 Speaker 1: do it in private. He's going to do it where 125 00:07:25,080 --> 00:07:29,000 Speaker 1: all of those enemies can see it. This building is 126 00:07:29,080 --> 00:07:33,360 Speaker 1: located on the second busiest freeway in the nation. You 127 00:07:33,440 --> 00:07:36,680 Speaker 1: can't drive in this city very long without seeing what 128 00:07:36,760 --> 00:07:39,800 Speaker 1: God has done. And that man that was against us, 129 00:07:39,960 --> 00:07:44,040 Speaker 1: I can only imagine every time he passes by, something 130 00:07:44,080 --> 00:07:47,080 Speaker 1: whispers in his ear. It must be a cold day 131 00:07:47,120 --> 00:07:53,679 Speaker 1: in hell, because there they are. Maybe today you're facing 132 00:07:53,760 --> 00:07:56,480 Speaker 1: some kind of enemy, not just a person, an enemy 133 00:07:56,520 --> 00:07:59,600 Speaker 1: in your health, in your finances, in a relationship, doesn't 134 00:07:59,640 --> 00:08:02,320 Speaker 1: look like it's ever going to work out. Have this 135 00:08:02,400 --> 00:08:06,960 Speaker 1: new perspective. Right now, God is preparing the table. The 136 00:08:07,040 --> 00:08:10,280 Speaker 1: angels are taking the food out of the oven. Gabriel's 137 00:08:10,360 --> 00:08:14,240 Speaker 1: putting his finishing touches on that meal. Any moment, you're 138 00:08:14,280 --> 00:08:17,560 Speaker 1: gonna hear the dinner bell ringing. God's going to say, 139 00:08:17,760 --> 00:08:20,880 Speaker 1: it's your time. Here's the table, here's the meal I 140 00:08:21,000 --> 00:08:23,600 Speaker 1: prepare for you. It's not gonna be a little fast 141 00:08:23,640 --> 00:08:27,720 Speaker 1: food meal hidden over in the corner. Nobody notices. No, 142 00:08:27,880 --> 00:08:30,960 Speaker 1: God is preparing a table like he did for David, 143 00:08:31,480 --> 00:08:34,040 Speaker 1: like he did for us, to where not just all 144 00:08:34,120 --> 00:08:37,840 Speaker 1: of your friends see it. But even those enemies, the doubters, 145 00:08:38,200 --> 00:08:40,720 Speaker 1: the discouragers, the ones that said you couldn't do it, 146 00:08:40,840 --> 00:08:44,440 Speaker 1: They're going to see you blessed, promoted, vindicated, live in 147 00:08:44,480 --> 00:08:49,600 Speaker 1: your dreams in a place of honor, in influence. In 148 00:08:49,640 --> 00:08:53,720 Speaker 1: one sense, God used Judas more than he used the 149 00:08:53,800 --> 00:08:59,440 Speaker 1: other disciples. Judas was ordained to betray Jesus. That was 150 00:08:59,520 --> 00:09:02,280 Speaker 1: his purpose to try to stop him. And it wasn't 151 00:09:02,320 --> 00:09:05,679 Speaker 1: just his idea, it was the plan of God. At 152 00:09:05,720 --> 00:09:08,960 Speaker 1: the time, it seemed like a bad break. But if 153 00:09:09,000 --> 00:09:12,920 Speaker 1: he had not betrayed Jesus, there wouldn't have been a crucifixion. 154 00:09:13,679 --> 00:09:17,680 Speaker 1: Without the cross, there wouldn't have been a resurrection. Without 155 00:09:17,679 --> 00:09:22,320 Speaker 1: the resurrection, we wouldn't have redemption, no salvation. And we 156 00:09:22,400 --> 00:09:26,439 Speaker 1: celebrate Mary, the mother of Jesus, giving birth in the manger. 157 00:09:27,120 --> 00:09:32,480 Speaker 1: We celebrate John baptizing Jesus the dove coming down from heaven. 158 00:09:33,360 --> 00:09:37,120 Speaker 1: But the men who betrayed Jesus, the one who sold 159 00:09:37,200 --> 00:09:41,280 Speaker 1: him for thirty pieces of silver, was just as critical 160 00:09:41,400 --> 00:09:45,000 Speaker 1: a part of his destiny, if not more so, than 161 00:09:45,040 --> 00:09:49,280 Speaker 1: the others. What am I saying, don't complain about the 162 00:09:49,320 --> 00:09:53,440 Speaker 1: person that betrayed you. If they walked away. They didn't 163 00:09:53,480 --> 00:09:56,920 Speaker 1: set you back. They set you up for the fullness 164 00:09:56,960 --> 00:10:01,400 Speaker 1: of your destiny. If they lied about you, tried to 165 00:10:01,440 --> 00:10:04,679 Speaker 1: push you down, overlooked you, it may not have been fair. 166 00:10:05,320 --> 00:10:08,360 Speaker 1: But if God allowed it, he knows how to use 167 00:10:08,400 --> 00:10:12,559 Speaker 1: it for your good. What if Jesus would have gotten upset? 168 00:10:12,760 --> 00:10:15,520 Speaker 1: Said God, I'm your son, How could you let this 169 00:10:15,640 --> 00:10:19,120 Speaker 1: man betray me? He's one of my disciples. Now Jesus 170 00:10:19,240 --> 00:10:22,480 Speaker 1: knew that Judas was going to betray him, but he 171 00:10:22,520 --> 00:10:25,160 Speaker 1: didn't try to stop him. He didn't try to talk 172 00:10:25,240 --> 00:10:28,280 Speaker 1: him out of it. He knew that betrayal was a 173 00:10:28,320 --> 00:10:32,880 Speaker 1: part of his divine destiny. And too often we fight 174 00:10:33,360 --> 00:10:37,000 Speaker 1: against everything that doesn't go our way. Get upset, bitter God, 175 00:10:37,000 --> 00:10:40,640 Speaker 1: why is this happening? The longer I live, the more 176 00:10:40,720 --> 00:10:46,200 Speaker 1: I realize nothing happens by accident, even the opposition. If 177 00:10:46,240 --> 00:10:48,640 Speaker 1: you'll keep the right attitude, God will use it to 178 00:10:48,720 --> 00:10:52,080 Speaker 1: your advantage. I was talking to a well known minister 179 00:10:52,240 --> 00:10:55,200 Speaker 1: one time. For over fifty years, he had gone around 180 00:10:55,240 --> 00:10:59,640 Speaker 1: the world doing so much good. Most people were very appreciative, 181 00:11:00,320 --> 00:11:05,000 Speaker 1: but in his hometown, the local newspaper was never for him. 182 00:11:05,559 --> 00:11:08,520 Speaker 1: They were always finding fault he could do one hundred 183 00:11:08,559 --> 00:11:11,760 Speaker 1: things right, they wouldn't report that. They'd find the one 184 00:11:11,800 --> 00:11:14,319 Speaker 1: thing they didn't like make a big deal out of it. 185 00:11:14,559 --> 00:11:18,840 Speaker 1: This went on year after year. He had an interesting perspective. 186 00:11:19,360 --> 00:11:22,880 Speaker 1: He said, if it hadn't been for that newspaper, I 187 00:11:22,920 --> 00:11:26,640 Speaker 1: would have never accomplished so much. Thought, what do you mean? 188 00:11:27,360 --> 00:11:31,120 Speaker 1: He said, that newspaper not only kept me on my knees, 189 00:11:31,440 --> 00:11:34,559 Speaker 1: but it gave me the fuel to keep pressing forward, 190 00:11:34,720 --> 00:11:37,840 Speaker 1: to prove to them that they were wrong. He went 191 00:11:37,880 --> 00:11:41,319 Speaker 1: on to build a beautiful university in that city, tens 192 00:11:41,360 --> 00:11:44,679 Speaker 1: of thousands of young people have attended, and toward the 193 00:11:44,800 --> 00:11:47,680 Speaker 1: end of his life, when he was just about done, 194 00:11:47,720 --> 00:11:50,520 Speaker 1: all of a sudden, the newspaper had a change of heart. 195 00:11:50,920 --> 00:11:55,040 Speaker 1: They wrote this big front page article celebrating everything that 196 00:11:55,080 --> 00:11:59,480 Speaker 1: he had done. It was almost like God waited on purpose. 197 00:12:00,360 --> 00:12:04,439 Speaker 1: God knew that enemy. Even though my friend didn't like it, 198 00:12:04,440 --> 00:12:07,720 Speaker 1: it was making him better. It was keeping him stirred up, 199 00:12:08,080 --> 00:12:11,800 Speaker 1: made him more determined, more Brazilion. Some of the things 200 00:12:11,840 --> 00:12:15,040 Speaker 1: that we don't like we're asking God to get rid of. 201 00:12:15,720 --> 00:12:18,880 Speaker 1: If he removed them right now, we wouldn't reach our 202 00:12:18,960 --> 00:12:24,560 Speaker 1: highest potential. That opposition is making you stronger. Those people 203 00:12:24,600 --> 00:12:29,400 Speaker 1: trying to stop you, the betrayal, the disappointment that cannot 204 00:12:29,559 --> 00:12:33,640 Speaker 1: keep you from your destiny. God has the final say, 205 00:12:34,200 --> 00:12:37,360 Speaker 1: and if he hasn't removed it yet, that means he's 206 00:12:37,400 --> 00:12:40,960 Speaker 1: going to use it for your good. He strategically places 207 00:12:41,080 --> 00:12:46,720 Speaker 1: the Goliath, the judases the opposition. Without Goliath, you can't 208 00:12:46,720 --> 00:12:50,720 Speaker 1: take your throne Without Judas, you won't reach your highest potential. 209 00:12:51,240 --> 00:12:54,960 Speaker 1: Without the naysayers, you wouldn't become all you were created 210 00:12:55,000 --> 00:12:58,199 Speaker 1: to be. In the Book of Luke, there's a familiar story. 211 00:12:58,920 --> 00:13:03,120 Speaker 1: Four men married this paralyzed man to see Jesus. When 212 00:13:03,160 --> 00:13:05,760 Speaker 1: they arrived at the house, was two crowded that had 213 00:13:05,760 --> 00:13:07,800 Speaker 1: to take him up on the roof let him down 214 00:13:07,800 --> 00:13:11,040 Speaker 1: through the ceiling. At one point, Jesus said to the 215 00:13:11,080 --> 00:13:15,840 Speaker 1: paralyzed man, your sins have been forgiven. Some of the 216 00:13:15,880 --> 00:13:21,120 Speaker 1: religious leaders were offended. They begin to murmur under their breast, saying, 217 00:13:21,520 --> 00:13:24,800 Speaker 1: who does he think he is? This guy can't forgive sins. 218 00:13:25,000 --> 00:13:29,880 Speaker 1: Only God can do that. The scripture says Jesus heard 219 00:13:30,240 --> 00:13:34,280 Speaker 1: their murmuring. They were trying to do it quietly under 220 00:13:34,280 --> 00:13:38,600 Speaker 1: his breath, but Jesus heard what they were saying. He 221 00:13:38,640 --> 00:13:42,080 Speaker 1: said to the men, which is easier for me to say, 222 00:13:42,120 --> 00:13:45,080 Speaker 1: your sins are forgiven, or for me to say, rise, 223 00:13:45,360 --> 00:13:48,400 Speaker 1: take up your bed and walk to prove to them 224 00:13:48,559 --> 00:13:50,800 Speaker 1: that he was the son of God, He told the 225 00:13:50,840 --> 00:13:55,400 Speaker 1: man stand up. The man stood up perfectly healthy. I'm 226 00:13:55,440 --> 00:13:58,280 Speaker 1: sure those naysayers when they saw him standing there, they 227 00:13:58,320 --> 00:14:02,120 Speaker 1: nearly passed out. Here's my point. If they had not 228 00:14:02,200 --> 00:14:08,520 Speaker 1: been murmuring, complaining, criticizing, this man may not have been healed. 229 00:14:09,440 --> 00:14:12,160 Speaker 1: Jesus could have just forgiven his sins and moved on. 230 00:14:13,040 --> 00:14:17,360 Speaker 1: But because of their murmuring, Jesus healed the man. So 231 00:14:17,960 --> 00:14:20,720 Speaker 1: when people are talking about you, trying to make you 232 00:14:20,800 --> 00:14:24,640 Speaker 1: look bad, trying to push you down, don't worry. God 233 00:14:24,680 --> 00:14:28,400 Speaker 1: hears them. They are putting you in position for God 234 00:14:28,440 --> 00:14:31,360 Speaker 1: to bless you in a greater way. You don't have 235 00:14:31,440 --> 00:14:35,680 Speaker 1: to straighten them out. Don't fight battles that don't matter. 236 00:14:36,120 --> 00:14:39,800 Speaker 1: Stay in peace, and like this man, God will use 237 00:14:39,800 --> 00:14:43,440 Speaker 1: your enemies to bless you. Some of the favor that 238 00:14:43,480 --> 00:14:46,120 Speaker 1: you're seeing, some of the good breaks you've had. It 239 00:14:46,160 --> 00:14:49,560 Speaker 1: didn't happen because of you. It happened because of those 240 00:14:49,600 --> 00:14:52,600 Speaker 1: people that tried to stop you. They put you in 241 00:14:52,720 --> 00:14:57,080 Speaker 1: position for promotion. Now, I always thank God for my friends, 242 00:14:57,320 --> 00:15:00,600 Speaker 1: but I've learned to thank God for my enemies as well. 243 00:15:01,040 --> 00:15:04,200 Speaker 1: Without the murmuring that man may not have been healed 244 00:15:04,840 --> 00:15:09,600 Speaker 1: without Goliath, David would have never taken his throne without Judas, 245 00:15:09,800 --> 00:15:13,560 Speaker 1: Jesus wouldn't have resurrected it from the grave. You need 246 00:15:13,560 --> 00:15:18,200 Speaker 1: to see every enemy, so to speak, every disappointment, every betrayal, 247 00:15:18,560 --> 00:15:21,720 Speaker 1: in this new light. It's not sent to defeat you. 248 00:15:22,120 --> 00:15:25,600 Speaker 1: It's sent to increase you. A friend of mine told 249 00:15:25,600 --> 00:15:28,000 Speaker 1: me out in the lobby a few years back how 250 00:15:28,160 --> 00:15:31,000 Speaker 1: his business had gone down to nothing. He didn't think 251 00:15:31,040 --> 00:15:34,440 Speaker 1: he could survive. To make matters worse, one of his 252 00:15:34,560 --> 00:15:38,520 Speaker 1: main competitors talked about him on the radio in a 253 00:15:38,640 --> 00:15:43,720 Speaker 1: very unfavorable light. They were extremely critical of him, talked 254 00:15:43,720 --> 00:15:46,200 Speaker 1: about how he wasn't up to part, that's why his 255 00:15:46,280 --> 00:15:49,600 Speaker 1: business was going down. It looked like that would be 256 00:15:49,640 --> 00:15:53,120 Speaker 1: the final blow to put him under, But just the 257 00:15:53,160 --> 00:15:57,800 Speaker 1: opposite happened. When they mentioned him, It drew new attention 258 00:15:57,960 --> 00:16:02,240 Speaker 1: to his business. New client started calling out of the blue. 259 00:16:02,360 --> 00:16:05,760 Speaker 1: The business grew and grew today it's stronger than ever. 260 00:16:06,200 --> 00:16:10,240 Speaker 1: In fact, he surpassed that competitor that tried to talk 261 00:16:10,320 --> 00:16:13,760 Speaker 1: him down. What am I saying? God can use your 262 00:16:13,800 --> 00:16:17,760 Speaker 1: critics to promote you. God has all kinds of ways 263 00:16:17,840 --> 00:16:20,080 Speaker 1: to get you to where you're supposed to be. He 264 00:16:20,280 --> 00:16:23,200 Speaker 1: knows how to take what was meant for your harm 265 00:16:23,600 --> 00:16:27,280 Speaker 1: and turn it around and use it to your advantage. 266 00:16:27,360 --> 00:16:31,880 Speaker 1: In the early nineteen hundreds, farmers in Alabama were facing 267 00:16:31,920 --> 00:16:36,080 Speaker 1: a major challenge. A tiny insect called the bull weavil 268 00:16:36,400 --> 00:16:41,040 Speaker 1: had migrated from South America was now quickly destroying their crops. 269 00:16:41,560 --> 00:16:45,080 Speaker 1: They tried everything they could to stop it. They exterminated 270 00:16:45,200 --> 00:16:49,960 Speaker 1: using all kinds of chemicals, even came up with special formulas, 271 00:16:50,000 --> 00:16:53,440 Speaker 1: still to no avail. Eventually, all they could do is 272 00:16:53,480 --> 00:16:58,000 Speaker 1: sit back and watch their livelihood be eaten away. One day, 273 00:16:58,000 --> 00:17:01,240 Speaker 1: a farmer had an idea. He said to his farmer buddies, 274 00:17:01,480 --> 00:17:05,359 Speaker 1: instead of planning our normal cotton crops, why don't we 275 00:17:05,440 --> 00:17:08,639 Speaker 1: try peanuts. They looked at him like he had lost 276 00:17:08,680 --> 00:17:12,000 Speaker 1: his mind. Peanuts. We can't make a living off of peanuts. 277 00:17:12,880 --> 00:17:16,359 Speaker 1: Over time, he talked them into it. They discovered that 278 00:17:16,440 --> 00:17:20,760 Speaker 1: the bowl weevil didn't like the taste of peanuts. Their 279 00:17:20,840 --> 00:17:24,640 Speaker 1: crops took off like nothing they had ever seen. They 280 00:17:24,720 --> 00:17:27,719 Speaker 1: made more money in a few months off of peanuts 281 00:17:28,200 --> 00:17:31,600 Speaker 1: than they normally made the whole year off of cotton crops. 282 00:17:32,160 --> 00:17:35,320 Speaker 1: In fact, when the bowl weevils finally left, they never 283 00:17:35,359 --> 00:17:39,080 Speaker 1: did go back to cotton. They stuck with peanuts. Friends, 284 00:17:39,119 --> 00:17:43,159 Speaker 1: God works in mysterious ways. You may be dealing with 285 00:17:43,200 --> 00:17:47,439 Speaker 1: some bowl weavils right now. My encouragement, stay in faith. 286 00:17:47,720 --> 00:17:54,080 Speaker 1: Peanuts are coming. What you think is a setback is 287 00:17:54,160 --> 00:17:58,640 Speaker 1: really God setting you up to do something new. Don't 288 00:17:58,680 --> 00:18:01,600 Speaker 1: complain about the co worker that did you wrong, what 289 00:18:01,760 --> 00:18:04,600 Speaker 1: didn't work out. You know what that was a bowl weavil, 290 00:18:05,200 --> 00:18:08,160 Speaker 1: something that looks like it was meant to destroy you, 291 00:18:08,560 --> 00:18:11,120 Speaker 1: but in fact God's going to use it to take 292 00:18:11,160 --> 00:18:14,680 Speaker 1: you to the next level. That person at work, it's 293 00:18:14,800 --> 00:18:17,320 Speaker 1: always trying to push you down, always trying to make 294 00:18:17,359 --> 00:18:20,280 Speaker 1: you look bad. When you see them this week, have 295 00:18:20,400 --> 00:18:23,840 Speaker 1: a new attitude. You're just a bowl weavil. You're trying 296 00:18:23,880 --> 00:18:26,719 Speaker 1: to stop me. But I know a secret. God's going 297 00:18:26,760 --> 00:18:30,320 Speaker 1: to use you to push me forward. See the scripture 298 00:18:30,400 --> 00:18:35,520 Speaker 1: says God will make your enemies your footstool. That means 299 00:18:35,600 --> 00:18:40,200 Speaker 1: anything that comes against you, the persecution, the betrayal, the disappointment. 300 00:18:40,560 --> 00:18:44,000 Speaker 1: If you'll stay in faith, instead of being a stumbling 301 00:18:44,040 --> 00:18:47,199 Speaker 1: block to take you down, God will use it as 302 00:18:47,240 --> 00:18:51,199 Speaker 1: a stepping stone to take you higher. When I was 303 00:18:51,240 --> 00:18:55,320 Speaker 1: ten years old, I was playing Little league baseball. I 304 00:18:55,400 --> 00:18:59,880 Speaker 1: was very small growing up. In fact, people called me Peanut. 305 00:19:00,240 --> 00:19:03,359 Speaker 1: I was always the smallest one on the team. I 306 00:19:03,400 --> 00:19:06,480 Speaker 1: was in the middle of this important game. The stands 307 00:19:06,480 --> 00:19:10,040 Speaker 1: were full, everybody was watching. I stepped out to the 308 00:19:10,080 --> 00:19:14,440 Speaker 1: plate to bat. When the opposing coach saw how small 309 00:19:14,480 --> 00:19:18,200 Speaker 1: I was. He came out of the dugout and started 310 00:19:18,320 --> 00:19:22,280 Speaker 1: hollering to his players in the outfield, come in closer, 311 00:19:22,720 --> 00:19:26,320 Speaker 1: Come in closer. He was waving both of his arms, 312 00:19:26,880 --> 00:19:29,960 Speaker 1: making this big scene. He might as well have said, 313 00:19:30,040 --> 00:19:32,679 Speaker 1: this kid is a loser. Look how little he is. 314 00:19:33,119 --> 00:19:35,480 Speaker 1: He can't hit, he's not up to part. And all 315 00:19:35,560 --> 00:19:39,360 Speaker 1: the stands were watching. I was standing there so embarrassed. 316 00:19:39,400 --> 00:19:43,360 Speaker 1: I felt like hiding. The outfielders came in right behind 317 00:19:43,480 --> 00:19:47,920 Speaker 1: the infield. Nobody was in the outfield. All I could 318 00:19:47,920 --> 00:19:49,880 Speaker 1: think of is that coach must have seen my brother 319 00:19:49,920 --> 00:19:56,440 Speaker 1: Paul play before. But when I saw that, something came 320 00:19:56,640 --> 00:20:01,440 Speaker 1: all over me. I thought he doesn't know who I am. 321 00:20:02,200 --> 00:20:06,200 Speaker 1: He didn't breathe life into me. He doesn't determine my destiny. 322 00:20:06,400 --> 00:20:08,919 Speaker 1: I am a child of the most time God. I 323 00:20:08,960 --> 00:20:14,520 Speaker 1: can do all things through Christ. The pitcher threw the ball. 324 00:20:15,200 --> 00:20:17,479 Speaker 1: I may have been small, but I swung like I 325 00:20:17,560 --> 00:20:20,240 Speaker 1: was ten feet tall. I gave it everything I had, 326 00:20:20,280 --> 00:20:24,040 Speaker 1: and God helped me to connect perfectly with that. Ball 327 00:20:24,240 --> 00:20:27,800 Speaker 1: went well over their heads, took two bounces, hit the 328 00:20:27,840 --> 00:20:30,800 Speaker 1: back fence. Nobody was in the outfield. I had an 329 00:20:30,840 --> 00:20:33,359 Speaker 1: inside the park home run. Here's what I want you 330 00:20:33,440 --> 00:20:37,080 Speaker 1: to see. The next time I got up to bat, 331 00:20:37,320 --> 00:20:41,280 Speaker 1: the coach came out with the same fanfare, the same enthusiasm, 332 00:20:41,600 --> 00:20:45,440 Speaker 1: but this time he shouted back up, back up, back 333 00:20:45,520 --> 00:20:49,720 Speaker 1: up in the same way. The enemy will come against 334 00:20:49,800 --> 00:20:52,880 Speaker 1: you in your thoughts. He'll tell you things like you'll 335 00:20:52,920 --> 00:20:56,480 Speaker 1: never get well, you'll never break the addiction, you can't 336 00:20:56,520 --> 00:20:59,800 Speaker 1: accomplish your dreams. You're too small, you don't have what it. 337 00:21:01,040 --> 00:21:04,000 Speaker 1: You can either believe those lies and let him talk 338 00:21:04,080 --> 00:21:07,200 Speaker 1: you into mediocrity, or you can do like I did 339 00:21:07,280 --> 00:21:09,560 Speaker 1: as a ten year old boy and say no, I 340 00:21:09,560 --> 00:21:12,600 Speaker 1: don't think so. You don't set the limits for my life. 341 00:21:13,000 --> 00:21:16,119 Speaker 1: You don't determine my destiny. You didn't give me breath. 342 00:21:16,520 --> 00:21:19,199 Speaker 1: I may look small, but I know I'm full of 343 00:21:19,359 --> 00:21:23,960 Speaker 1: resurrection power, the same spirit raise Christ from the dead, 344 00:21:24,040 --> 00:21:27,560 Speaker 1: Liz on the inside of us. When you rise up 345 00:21:27,640 --> 00:21:31,560 Speaker 1: in faith like that, those enemies won't defeat you. Those 346 00:21:31,680 --> 00:21:34,960 Speaker 1: enemies will promote you. You do that a few times, 347 00:21:35,200 --> 00:21:39,320 Speaker 1: He'll tell his forces. Back up, back up, They're more 348 00:21:39,400 --> 00:21:42,159 Speaker 1: powerful than they look. Don't mess with them. They go 349 00:21:42,240 --> 00:21:45,960 Speaker 1: to Lakewood. They know they're highly favored. They know they're victories, 350 00:21:46,040 --> 00:21:52,520 Speaker 1: not victim The scripture says, don't be intimidated by your enemies. 351 00:21:53,440 --> 00:21:58,080 Speaker 1: Don't be intimidated by what somebody said. Don't be intimidated 352 00:21:58,119 --> 00:22:02,600 Speaker 1: by a negative medical report. You and God are a majority. 353 00:22:03,440 --> 00:22:06,159 Speaker 1: When Jesus came out of the grave, he took the 354 00:22:06,280 --> 00:22:10,520 Speaker 1: keys of death in hell. He said, all power has 355 00:22:10,560 --> 00:22:14,040 Speaker 1: been given unto me in heaven and in earth. Now 356 00:22:14,280 --> 00:22:18,040 Speaker 1: I'm giving you that power. You are not weak, you 357 00:22:18,080 --> 00:22:21,640 Speaker 1: are not lacking, You are full of can do power. 358 00:22:22,160 --> 00:22:25,920 Speaker 1: The greatest force in the universe is on your side. 359 00:22:26,640 --> 00:22:31,040 Speaker 1: When the Israelites were in slavery, Phedroh got upset and 360 00:22:31,080 --> 00:22:34,080 Speaker 1: decided to make it harder on them. He told their 361 00:22:34,119 --> 00:22:38,400 Speaker 1: supervisors to take away their materials, but to force them 362 00:22:38,440 --> 00:22:41,440 Speaker 1: to make the same amount of bricks each day. They 363 00:22:41,440 --> 00:22:44,520 Speaker 1: took away their straw and sand. Now they had to 364 00:22:44,560 --> 00:22:47,639 Speaker 1: go find their supplies on their own, work twice as hard. 365 00:22:47,920 --> 00:22:52,680 Speaker 1: It's very unfair, but something interesting happened. The scripture says, 366 00:22:53,119 --> 00:22:58,720 Speaker 1: the more Pharaoh afflicted them, the more the Israelites multiplied. 367 00:23:00,400 --> 00:23:03,840 Speaker 1: Thought he was stopping them, but in fact he was 368 00:23:03,880 --> 00:23:08,600 Speaker 1: increasing them. And sometimes when God wants to promote you, 369 00:23:09,200 --> 00:23:11,960 Speaker 1: he doesn't send you a good break, He sends you 370 00:23:12,000 --> 00:23:15,800 Speaker 1: an enemy. He calls a fay road a supervisor to 371 00:23:15,840 --> 00:23:19,680 Speaker 1: turn up the heat, make things more difficult. But don't worry. 372 00:23:20,000 --> 00:23:23,240 Speaker 1: The more the opposition, the more you're going to increase. 373 00:23:24,280 --> 00:23:28,520 Speaker 1: The truth is we grow in the difficult times. That's 374 00:23:28,560 --> 00:23:33,639 Speaker 1: when our character is developed. That's when we discover talent, confidence, 375 00:23:33,720 --> 00:23:37,120 Speaker 1: courage that we didn't even know we had. And Farah, 376 00:23:37,200 --> 00:23:40,080 Speaker 1: when he took away those supplies, he was trying to 377 00:23:40,119 --> 00:23:44,800 Speaker 1: restrict the people, trying to squeeze them, put them under pressure. 378 00:23:45,520 --> 00:23:48,040 Speaker 1: Have you ever been washing your car at home and 379 00:23:48,080 --> 00:23:50,800 Speaker 1: you have your water hose. You turn the valve on 380 00:23:50,920 --> 00:23:53,600 Speaker 1: and the water comes out maybe three or four feet, 381 00:23:54,200 --> 00:23:56,399 Speaker 1: but when you really want to spray your car off, 382 00:23:57,119 --> 00:23:59,879 Speaker 1: you need it to go further. If you're like me, 383 00:24:00,160 --> 00:24:02,199 Speaker 1: you don't have a nozzle on the end. Then you 384 00:24:02,240 --> 00:24:05,239 Speaker 1: put your thumb on the end of the hose and 385 00:24:05,280 --> 00:24:08,760 Speaker 1: you restrict the water. You would think when you restrict 386 00:24:08,800 --> 00:24:12,520 Speaker 1: it it would come out less, but it's just the opposite. 387 00:24:13,000 --> 00:24:16,960 Speaker 1: When you restrict that water, because it's under more pressure, 388 00:24:17,280 --> 00:24:20,760 Speaker 1: it shoots out fifteen or twenty feet. It goes many 389 00:24:20,880 --> 00:24:24,639 Speaker 1: times further than when it had no pressure. In the 390 00:24:24,680 --> 00:24:28,720 Speaker 1: same way, when the enemy puts you under pressure, he 391 00:24:28,840 --> 00:24:32,240 Speaker 1: thinks that's going to stop you. What he doesn't realize 392 00:24:32,440 --> 00:24:34,560 Speaker 1: is all that's going to do is cause you to 393 00:24:34,600 --> 00:24:39,800 Speaker 1: shoot out further. When you feel restricted, when you face opposition, 394 00:24:41,080 --> 00:24:44,840 Speaker 1: don't be discouraged. Get ready to shoot out, Get ready 395 00:24:44,880 --> 00:24:48,720 Speaker 1: for new levels, get ready for promotion. That pressure is 396 00:24:48,760 --> 00:24:51,320 Speaker 1: not going to stop you. It's going to increase you. 397 00:24:52,440 --> 00:24:55,960 Speaker 1: When Jesus was about to be crucified, he stopped by 398 00:24:56,000 --> 00:25:00,520 Speaker 1: the garden of Gasimine literally translated that means means the 399 00:25:00,640 --> 00:25:05,240 Speaker 1: place of pressing. It was an olive garden. The only 400 00:25:05,280 --> 00:25:07,440 Speaker 1: way you can get the oil out of the olive 401 00:25:07,840 --> 00:25:11,400 Speaker 1: is to press it without the pressing, you'll never get 402 00:25:11,400 --> 00:25:15,840 Speaker 1: the valuable oil. If you're never under pressure, you never 403 00:25:15,880 --> 00:25:19,920 Speaker 1: have to stretch your faith, endure, persevere, Then you'll never 404 00:25:20,119 --> 00:25:24,840 Speaker 1: discover the valuable treasures that God put on the inside. 405 00:25:25,040 --> 00:25:29,399 Speaker 1: On Friday, they nailed Jesus to the cross, incredible pressure. 406 00:25:30,200 --> 00:25:32,800 Speaker 1: On Saturday, he went down to the grave and fought 407 00:25:32,880 --> 00:25:37,199 Speaker 1: the forces of darkness, restricted, But on Sunday morning he 408 00:25:37,320 --> 00:25:41,040 Speaker 1: came shooting up out of that grave. Death couldn't hold 409 00:25:41,119 --> 00:25:47,080 Speaker 1: him down. One message of the resurrection. God will use 410 00:25:47,119 --> 00:25:51,720 Speaker 1: your enemies to bless you. Maybe today you feel restricted, 411 00:25:52,359 --> 00:25:57,200 Speaker 1: under pressure, like you're being squeezed. It's Friday, don't worry. 412 00:25:57,560 --> 00:26:01,359 Speaker 1: Sunday is coming. You're about to shoot out. When you 413 00:26:01,520 --> 00:26:06,160 Speaker 1: see where God takes you, the favor, the promotion, the blessing, 414 00:26:06,600 --> 00:26:09,160 Speaker 1: You're going to look back and say, like the Psalmist, 415 00:26:09,520 --> 00:26:13,200 Speaker 1: it was good that I was afflicted. See if David 416 00:26:13,240 --> 00:26:16,479 Speaker 1: were here, he was tell you it was good that 417 00:26:16,520 --> 00:26:20,720 Speaker 1: Golias showed up. Jesus would say it was good that 418 00:26:20,840 --> 00:26:24,240 Speaker 1: Judas betrayed me. I can tell you it was good 419 00:26:24,359 --> 00:26:28,400 Speaker 1: that executive was against us. It may have been uncomfortable 420 00:26:28,440 --> 00:26:31,919 Speaker 1: at the time, but one day you'll say this enemy 421 00:26:31,920 --> 00:26:36,280 Speaker 1: didn't defeat me. This enemy promoted me. Now, stay in faith. 422 00:26:36,600 --> 00:26:40,440 Speaker 1: God has your back. He wouldn't have allowed the pressure 423 00:26:40,840 --> 00:26:43,920 Speaker 1: unless he's going to work for your good. May feel 424 00:26:43,960 --> 00:26:48,359 Speaker 1: like Friday right now, but I believe and declare Sunday 425 00:26:48,520 --> 00:26:54,280 Speaker 1: is coming. You're about to shoot out stronger, healthier, promoted, vindicated, 426 00:26:54,560 --> 00:26:58,800 Speaker 1: the fullness of your destiny in Jesus's name. If you 427 00:26:58,880 --> 00:27:03,679 Speaker 1: receive it, can just amen today. We never like to 428 00:27:03,720 --> 00:27:07,440 Speaker 1: close our broadcast without giving you an opportunity to make 429 00:27:07,520 --> 00:27:10,439 Speaker 1: Jesus the lord of your life. Would you pray with me? 430 00:27:11,040 --> 00:27:16,480 Speaker 1: Just say, Lord Jesus, I'll repent of my sins. Come 431 00:27:16,520 --> 00:27:21,960 Speaker 1: into my heart. I make you my Lord and savior. Friends, 432 00:27:22,000 --> 00:27:24,480 Speaker 1: if you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 433 00:27:24,520 --> 00:27:27,920 Speaker 1: born again. Get in a good Bible based church. Keep 434 00:27:27,960 --> 00:27:30,800 Speaker 1: God first place. He's going to take you places that 435 00:27:30,840 --> 00:27:31,760 Speaker 1: you've never dreamed. 436 00:27:33,440 --> 00:27:35,640 Speaker 3: It's easy to let the day get away from us 437 00:27:35,720 --> 00:27:38,680 Speaker 3: before the day even starts. The first few minutes of 438 00:27:38,720 --> 00:27:41,960 Speaker 3: your morning are more powerful than you might think. Life 439 00:27:42,000 --> 00:27:44,960 Speaker 3: moves really fast sometimes, and it can be easy to 440 00:27:45,000 --> 00:27:48,320 Speaker 3: begin each day by zeroing in on your problems. But 441 00:27:48,400 --> 00:27:49,280 Speaker 3: here's the truth. 442 00:27:50,080 --> 00:27:52,520 Speaker 1: How you start the day can determine what kind of 443 00:27:52,600 --> 00:27:54,680 Speaker 1: day is going to be. I'd love to send you 444 00:27:54,800 --> 00:27:58,480 Speaker 1: my devotional three minute Mornings Start your Day the Blessed Way. 445 00:27:58,680 --> 00:28:01,199 Speaker 2: Three minutes doesn't seem like a lot of time, but 446 00:28:01,240 --> 00:28:03,680 Speaker 2: when you put God first place and get your mind 447 00:28:03,720 --> 00:28:05,680 Speaker 2: going in the right direction is set in. 448 00:28:05,760 --> 00:28:08,960 Speaker 1: The tone for a blessed, productive day. Is filled with 449 00:28:09,040 --> 00:28:11,919 Speaker 1: inspiration and encouragement to help you begin each day with 450 00:28:12,000 --> 00:28:15,679 Speaker 1: a fresh attitude, grateful that you're alive. It's amazing what 451 00:28:15,800 --> 00:28:19,040 Speaker 1: happens when you take three minutes and speak blessings over 452 00:28:19,080 --> 00:28:22,879 Speaker 1: your life and declaring God's favor. Three minute Mornings is our. 453 00:28:22,760 --> 00:28:25,720 Speaker 3: Gift to you as our way of saying thank you 454 00:28:25,880 --> 00:28:28,520 Speaker 3: for your gift of any amount. This month, we would 455 00:28:28,560 --> 00:28:31,159 Speaker 3: like to send you a copy of Joel's new devotional 456 00:28:31,400 --> 00:28:35,640 Speaker 3: three Minute Mornings Start your Day in faith. This powerful 457 00:28:35,680 --> 00:28:39,239 Speaker 3: book will open the pathways to experience God's presence and 458 00:28:39,320 --> 00:28:44,160 Speaker 3: peace in your life, and there you will find renewed energy, assurance, 459 00:28:44,360 --> 00:28:47,840 Speaker 3: and wisdom to face your day. The Bible promises that 460 00:28:47,960 --> 00:28:51,120 Speaker 3: God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him, 461 00:28:51,480 --> 00:28:54,760 Speaker 3: So as you pause for only three minutes and take 462 00:28:54,800 --> 00:28:57,800 Speaker 3: in his wonderful promises. In this book, you will be 463 00:28:57,840 --> 00:29:01,680 Speaker 3: positioning yourself to receive all the amazing things that God 464 00:29:01,760 --> 00:29:05,000 Speaker 3: has in store for you. Please request your copy today 465 00:29:05,200 --> 00:29:09,720 Speaker 3: and watch anxiety turn to divine answers, weakness to strength, 466 00:29:10,080 --> 00:29:16,360 Speaker 3: problems to renewed possibilities, frustrations to God's favor. Yes, only 467 00:29:16,440 --> 00:29:19,240 Speaker 3: three minutes will transform your entire day. 468 00:29:20,000 --> 00:29:22,160 Speaker 1: From the time I was a little boy, my parents 469 00:29:22,160 --> 00:29:25,040 Speaker 1: taught me the value of starting the day off in faith. 470 00:29:25,360 --> 00:29:28,680 Speaker 1: Three Minute Mornings will help you do just that. Victoria 471 00:29:28,680 --> 00:29:31,640 Speaker 1: and I pray for you every day for God's very best. 472 00:29:32,160 --> 00:29:34,560 Speaker 1: We want to thank you for your prayer and support. 473 00:29:34,760 --> 00:29:38,320 Speaker 1: You're impacting people all over the world. A special thank 474 00:29:38,360 --> 00:29:41,440 Speaker 1: you to our Champion of Hope partners for your monthly support. 475 00:29:41,840 --> 00:29:44,800 Speaker 1: If you're not a partner, I hope you'll consider becoming one. 476 00:29:45,280 --> 00:29:48,600 Speaker 1: Remember you can watch the services online every Sunday morning, 477 00:29:48,960 --> 00:29:53,240 Speaker 1: download our daily podcast, listen on Serious Exam, watch our 478 00:29:53,240 --> 00:29:57,240 Speaker 1: YouTube channel and the Joel Osting Network streaming on television 479 00:29:57,280 --> 00:30:00,000 Speaker 1: twenty four hours a day. Until we see you again, 480 00:30:00,560 --> 00:30:02,440 Speaker 1: Make the Lord bless you and keep you. 481 00:30:03,200 --> 00:30:06,200 Speaker 3: Be sure to request your copy of Three Minute Mornings. 482 00:30:06,360 --> 00:30:10,120 Speaker 3: Start your day in faith visit jolostein dot com or 483 00:30:10,200 --> 00:30:14,040 Speaker 3: call eight eight eight five six seven Joel for an 484 00:30:14,040 --> 00:30:17,600 Speaker 3: additional donation. This month, we are also offering the Faith 485 00:30:17,640 --> 00:30:21,480 Speaker 3: and Freedom Bundle. You'll receive an additional devotional filled with 486 00:30:21,680 --> 00:30:25,240 Speaker 3: daily wisdom to guide you in living with favor, focus 487 00:30:25,440 --> 00:30:29,440 Speaker 3: and freedom. Also available, our Morning Power and Peace Collection 488 00:30:29,800 --> 00:30:34,760 Speaker 3: includes Power, Provision and Peace, beautifully bound and timeless elegance. 489 00:30:35,120 --> 00:30:39,440 Speaker 3: This dynamic New Testament, the Passion Translation helps you walk 490 00:30:39,520 --> 00:30:43,760 Speaker 3: in God's best. You can request these inspiring resources by 491 00:30:43,800 --> 00:30:47,440 Speaker 3: calling eight eight eight five six seven Joel or logging 492 00:30:47,440 --> 00:30:51,880 Speaker 3: on to jolostein dot com today. Call or click any time, 493 00:30:52,120 --> 00:30:56,640 Speaker 3: twenty four hours a day, be inspired every morning. Request 494 00:30:56,680 --> 00:31:02,240 Speaker 3: your copies today