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 --> 00:00:06,360 Speaker 1: our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. If you 3 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:09,040 Speaker 1: enjoy today's message, why don't you be a blessing and 4 00:00:09,080 --> 00:00:11,760 Speaker 1: share it with a friend. We appreciate you and pray 5 00:00:11,800 --> 00:00:15,000 Speaker 1: for God's very best in your life. Will God bless you? 6 00:00:15,240 --> 00:00:18,239 Speaker 1: It's always our joy to come into your homes. We 7 00:00:18,320 --> 00:00:21,000 Speaker 1: love you, We know God has great things in store 8 00:00:21,040 --> 00:00:23,040 Speaker 1: for each one of you. And if you're ever in 9 00:00:23,079 --> 00:00:25,439 Speaker 1: our area, I hope you'll stop by and be a 10 00:00:25,480 --> 00:00:27,760 Speaker 1: part of one of our services. We give you a 11 00:00:27,760 --> 00:00:30,760 Speaker 1: personal invitation. I promise you will make you feel right 12 00:00:30,800 --> 00:00:33,640 Speaker 1: at home. But thanks for tuning in today. I like 13 00:00:33,680 --> 00:00:35,920 Speaker 1: to get started with something funny each week. Now. I 14 00:00:35,920 --> 00:00:38,919 Speaker 1: heard about this kindergarten teacher. She wanted to teach her 15 00:00:38,920 --> 00:00:43,000 Speaker 1: students about self esteem. She said to her class, everyone 16 00:00:43,120 --> 00:00:46,280 Speaker 1: who thinks you are dumb, please stand up. She didn't 17 00:00:46,280 --> 00:00:48,479 Speaker 1: think anybody would stand, and she'd make the point how 18 00:00:48,520 --> 00:00:51,640 Speaker 1: no one was dumb. But about that time little Johnny 19 00:00:51,640 --> 00:00:55,240 Speaker 1: stood up. She didn't quite know what to do. She said, now, Johnny, 20 00:00:55,280 --> 00:00:58,160 Speaker 1: do you really think that you're dumb? He said no, ma'am. 21 00:00:58,400 --> 00:01:00,840 Speaker 1: I just hate to see you standing there by yourself. 22 00:01:00,960 --> 00:01:05,240 Speaker 1: All right, hold up your bible. Say it like you 23 00:01:05,360 --> 00:01:08,600 Speaker 1: mean it. This is my Bible. I am what it 24 00:01:08,640 --> 00:01:11,280 Speaker 1: says I am. I have what it says I have. 25 00:01:11,920 --> 00:01:14,720 Speaker 1: I can do what it says I can do. Today 26 00:01:14,760 --> 00:01:18,400 Speaker 1: I will be taught the word of God. I boldly confess. 27 00:01:18,959 --> 00:01:22,839 Speaker 1: My mind is alert, my heart is receptive. I will 28 00:01:22,880 --> 00:01:27,000 Speaker 1: never be the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. 29 00:01:27,880 --> 00:01:30,800 Speaker 1: I want to talk to you about making every day 30 00:01:30,920 --> 00:01:35,160 Speaker 1: a masterpiece. We have to realize each day is a 31 00:01:35,200 --> 00:01:38,759 Speaker 1: gift from God. Once we live this day, we can 32 00:01:38,760 --> 00:01:41,800 Speaker 1: never get it back. We shouldn't live it in a hurry, 33 00:01:42,480 --> 00:01:46,600 Speaker 1: rushing around, stressed out, taking things for granted. If we're 34 00:01:46,640 --> 00:01:49,440 Speaker 1: not careful, we'll look up and the day has gone 35 00:01:49,480 --> 00:01:52,240 Speaker 1: by in a blur. We can't say we enjoyed it. 36 00:01:52,720 --> 00:01:54,840 Speaker 1: We can't say we lived it to the full. It 37 00:01:55,000 --> 00:01:58,600 Speaker 1: just blew by. We have to slow down and learn 38 00:01:58,640 --> 00:02:02,040 Speaker 1: to appreciate what God has given us. When you get 39 00:02:02,080 --> 00:02:05,320 Speaker 1: up in the morning, don't just start out ninety to nothing. 40 00:02:05,880 --> 00:02:09,360 Speaker 1: Listen to the birds singing. Pause a few minutes to 41 00:02:09,440 --> 00:02:12,680 Speaker 1: watch the sun coming over the horizon. When you hear 42 00:02:12,720 --> 00:02:15,760 Speaker 1: the little footsteps of your children coming down the stairs. 43 00:02:16,040 --> 00:02:19,160 Speaker 1: Take that in. Let it bring a smile to your face. 44 00:02:19,760 --> 00:02:22,720 Speaker 1: We can't get so busy and so preoccupied in our 45 00:02:22,760 --> 00:02:26,799 Speaker 1: minds that we're missing out on these special moments. It's 46 00:02:26,840 --> 00:02:30,760 Speaker 1: the little things that make every day a masterpiece. So 47 00:02:30,840 --> 00:02:34,639 Speaker 1: many people today don't live in the present moment. They 48 00:02:34,680 --> 00:02:38,079 Speaker 1: either live in the past or they live in the future. 49 00:02:38,600 --> 00:02:41,960 Speaker 1: They're so focused on their regrets, what didn't work out, 50 00:02:42,080 --> 00:02:45,480 Speaker 1: and who hurt them, they don't really appreciate the gift 51 00:02:45,600 --> 00:02:49,000 Speaker 1: of today. We have to let each day be a 52 00:02:49,040 --> 00:02:52,400 Speaker 1: new beginning. You may have had disappointments in your past. 53 00:02:52,440 --> 00:02:55,000 Speaker 1: Life may not have treated you fair. But the good 54 00:02:55,040 --> 00:02:59,800 Speaker 1: news is yesterday ended last night. This is a new day, 55 00:03:00,160 --> 00:03:03,240 Speaker 1: and God has new things in store for you. But 56 00:03:03,320 --> 00:03:07,560 Speaker 1: if our mind is in yesterday, we will never enjoy 57 00:03:07,760 --> 00:03:11,840 Speaker 1: this day like we should. Even with our accomplishments. You 58 00:03:11,919 --> 00:03:14,799 Speaker 1: may have had some great things happened last week or 59 00:03:14,880 --> 00:03:18,160 Speaker 1: last year. You had some major victories, and that's great, 60 00:03:18,320 --> 00:03:22,320 Speaker 1: we celebrate with you. But even then it's important to 61 00:03:22,320 --> 00:03:25,760 Speaker 1: not stay focused on our past victories. We have to 62 00:03:25,800 --> 00:03:29,280 Speaker 1: get our mind off of yesterday and learn to live 63 00:03:29,320 --> 00:03:32,040 Speaker 1: in the present moment. If we're going to enjoy the 64 00:03:32,040 --> 00:03:36,280 Speaker 1: gift of today. I heard this famous basketball coach after 65 00:03:36,320 --> 00:03:39,040 Speaker 1: his team just won an important victory. They were in 66 00:03:39,080 --> 00:03:41,120 Speaker 1: the playoffs, and they had to play a couple of 67 00:03:41,200 --> 00:03:44,080 Speaker 1: days later, and they were all celebrating the wind. It's 68 00:03:44,120 --> 00:03:46,960 Speaker 1: around four in the afternoon. He told his team, I'm 69 00:03:47,000 --> 00:03:49,360 Speaker 1: so proud of you. I want you to really enjoy 70 00:03:49,520 --> 00:03:52,200 Speaker 1: this victory. I want you to take in every moment 71 00:03:52,880 --> 00:03:55,760 Speaker 1: until ten o'clock tonight. After that, I don't want to 72 00:03:55,760 --> 00:03:59,120 Speaker 1: hear another word about it. He knew if their mind 73 00:03:59,320 --> 00:04:03,119 Speaker 1: was in yesterday, even when it's a good thing, it's 74 00:04:03,160 --> 00:04:05,760 Speaker 1: going to steal the new victories God has in store. 75 00:04:06,240 --> 00:04:11,240 Speaker 1: Live in this moment, says in Ecclesiastes. Give yourself to 76 00:04:11,320 --> 00:04:15,320 Speaker 1: what you're doing. That means don't live in yesterday and 77 00:04:15,400 --> 00:04:19,240 Speaker 1: don't live in tomorrow. Focus on right now. I know 78 00:04:19,279 --> 00:04:21,919 Speaker 1: sometimes I can get up in the morning, brush my teeth, 79 00:04:22,040 --> 00:04:25,120 Speaker 1: take a shower, get dressed, and I can't remember one 80 00:04:25,120 --> 00:04:28,479 Speaker 1: thing that I've just done because my mind is somewhere else. 81 00:04:29,000 --> 00:04:32,160 Speaker 1: My mind is in the future. Victoria can come in. 82 00:04:32,640 --> 00:04:36,279 Speaker 1: My children come by, I might acknowledge them, but my 83 00:04:36,440 --> 00:04:39,880 Speaker 1: focus is not there. I'm living four hours ahead, thinking 84 00:04:39,920 --> 00:04:42,320 Speaker 1: about what I've got to do. And of course it's 85 00:04:42,320 --> 00:04:45,080 Speaker 1: good to plans, good to have goals, But if you're 86 00:04:45,120 --> 00:04:47,560 Speaker 1: going to get the most out of each day, you 87 00:04:47,680 --> 00:04:50,039 Speaker 1: have to stay in the now. You have to be 88 00:04:50,200 --> 00:04:53,800 Speaker 1: where you are. That's one thing about little children. They 89 00:04:53,920 --> 00:04:57,679 Speaker 1: live in the present. When they have a disappointment, most 90 00:04:57,680 --> 00:05:00,200 Speaker 1: of the time, they get over it in five minutes. 91 00:05:00,720 --> 00:05:03,760 Speaker 1: They don't hold grudges, they don't worry about the future. 92 00:05:03,920 --> 00:05:07,560 Speaker 1: They're just happy. Life is good. I believe we'd enjoy 93 00:05:07,600 --> 00:05:10,200 Speaker 1: our lives a lot more if we do the same thing. 94 00:05:10,880 --> 00:05:13,360 Speaker 1: But too often, if we're not in the past, we're 95 00:05:13,400 --> 00:05:17,000 Speaker 1: in the future. It may not be planning but worrying, 96 00:05:17,520 --> 00:05:21,159 Speaker 1: trying to figure everything out. But as long as we worry, 97 00:05:21,480 --> 00:05:25,760 Speaker 1: it steals the joy for today. Worry does not accomplish 98 00:05:25,800 --> 00:05:30,000 Speaker 1: anything positive. If you let your mind go constantly thinking 99 00:05:30,000 --> 00:05:32,240 Speaker 1: about how it's going to turn out. What if this 100 00:05:32,360 --> 00:05:35,400 Speaker 1: problem doesn't work out, what if this pain is something serious? 101 00:05:35,760 --> 00:05:39,360 Speaker 1: That's doing two things. It's stealing the joy for right now, 102 00:05:40,000 --> 00:05:42,599 Speaker 1: and it's not allowing God to work in your life. 103 00:05:43,240 --> 00:05:47,560 Speaker 1: God works where there's faith. Faith is simply trusting. In 104 00:05:47,600 --> 00:05:50,119 Speaker 1: other words, God, I may not see how it's gonna 105 00:05:50,160 --> 00:05:53,200 Speaker 1: work out. But I know you're in control. I know 106 00:05:53,279 --> 00:05:55,960 Speaker 1: you've got me in the palm of your hand. So 107 00:05:56,040 --> 00:05:58,320 Speaker 1: instead of worrying, I'm gonna turn it over to you 108 00:05:58,720 --> 00:06:01,040 Speaker 1: and believe that it's gonna all work out for my good. 109 00:06:01,760 --> 00:06:05,160 Speaker 1: Most of the things we worry about never come to pass. 110 00:06:05,920 --> 00:06:08,279 Speaker 1: I wish I could have back all the days and 111 00:06:08,400 --> 00:06:12,360 Speaker 1: even weeks I spent worrying and wondering. I've learned now 112 00:06:12,600 --> 00:06:15,240 Speaker 1: God is in control. Do your best, and just turn 113 00:06:15,279 --> 00:06:18,239 Speaker 1: it over to him. In fact, the scripture says, don't 114 00:06:18,279 --> 00:06:22,520 Speaker 1: worry about tomorrow. It'll take care of itself. I like 115 00:06:22,600 --> 00:06:25,719 Speaker 1: what Mark Twain said. I've been through some terrible things 116 00:06:25,720 --> 00:06:29,800 Speaker 1: in my life, some of which actually happened. Now, how 117 00:06:29,839 --> 00:06:33,640 Speaker 1: many times have we wasted valuable days or weeks wondering 118 00:06:33,680 --> 00:06:36,960 Speaker 1: about something that never came about? Our attitude should be 119 00:06:37,440 --> 00:06:40,960 Speaker 1: This day is a gift. I'm not gonna worry about tomorrow. 120 00:06:41,000 --> 00:06:43,880 Speaker 1: It may not come. I'm not gonna focus on yesterday 121 00:06:43,920 --> 00:06:46,720 Speaker 1: that ended last night. This is a new day, and 122 00:06:46,760 --> 00:06:48,640 Speaker 1: I'm gonna make the most of it. I'm gonna stay 123 00:06:48,640 --> 00:06:51,880 Speaker 1: in the present. There's power in staying in the moment. 124 00:06:52,640 --> 00:06:55,520 Speaker 1: We are not supposed to rush through part of our 125 00:06:55,600 --> 00:06:58,240 Speaker 1: day to try to get to the next part. Let 126 00:06:58,279 --> 00:07:00,480 Speaker 1: me hurry and cook dinner so I can go relax. 127 00:07:01,000 --> 00:07:02,880 Speaker 1: Let me hurry and put these children to bed so 128 00:07:02,920 --> 00:07:06,400 Speaker 1: I can go watch television. Now, we're supposed to enjoy 129 00:07:06,720 --> 00:07:09,360 Speaker 1: every part of our day. And I know too many 130 00:07:09,440 --> 00:07:12,640 Speaker 1: people that live for five o'clock, rush through the day 131 00:07:12,920 --> 00:07:15,040 Speaker 1: so they can get finished with their work and get home. 132 00:07:15,680 --> 00:07:20,280 Speaker 1: We're supposed to enjoy our work, enjoy cooking dinner, enjoy 133 00:07:20,520 --> 00:07:24,360 Speaker 1: raising your children. It's all in how we've trained ourselves. 134 00:07:24,960 --> 00:07:28,160 Speaker 1: We have these mindsets. These are the things I enjoy. 135 00:07:28,400 --> 00:07:31,400 Speaker 1: These are the things I dread. I dread paying my bills. 136 00:07:31,640 --> 00:07:33,600 Speaker 1: I dread going to the grocery, so I dread driving 137 00:07:33,640 --> 00:07:36,520 Speaker 1: in the traffic. If you will see those things in 138 00:07:36,600 --> 00:07:39,840 Speaker 1: a new light, you can begin to enjoy them. I 139 00:07:39,920 --> 00:07:43,000 Speaker 1: know I used to kind of dread Thursdays. That's when 140 00:07:43,000 --> 00:07:46,800 Speaker 1: I would prepare my sermons. I think, oh, man, Thursday's here, 141 00:07:46,800 --> 00:07:48,520 Speaker 1: I gotta come up with a new message, and it's 142 00:07:48,560 --> 00:07:50,760 Speaker 1: going to be hard. I got to where I was 143 00:07:50,800 --> 00:07:54,240 Speaker 1: already planning to not enjoy it. One day it dawned 144 00:07:54,280 --> 00:07:57,320 Speaker 1: on me, I am not supposed to rush through Thursday 145 00:07:57,400 --> 00:08:00,680 Speaker 1: to try to get to Friday. And I changed approach. 146 00:08:01,160 --> 00:08:05,120 Speaker 1: I started reminding myself, this day is a gift. I'm 147 00:08:05,120 --> 00:08:07,920 Speaker 1: not always going to be here, so whatever I do today, 148 00:08:08,080 --> 00:08:11,080 Speaker 1: I'm gonna enjoy it. It's a decision we have to 149 00:08:11,120 --> 00:08:14,840 Speaker 1: make to enjoy every part of our life, not just 150 00:08:14,880 --> 00:08:18,240 Speaker 1: the vacations, not just when it's exciting, not just when 151 00:08:18,240 --> 00:08:21,120 Speaker 1: we don't have any problems. No, I'm gonna enjoy the 152 00:08:21,200 --> 00:08:24,320 Speaker 1: drive to work today. I'm going to enjoy getting my 153 00:08:24,400 --> 00:08:27,680 Speaker 1: children dressed for school. I'm going to enjoy mowing the lawn. 154 00:08:28,160 --> 00:08:31,760 Speaker 1: It's all in our attitude. You can complain about it, thinking, man, 155 00:08:31,800 --> 00:08:34,200 Speaker 1: I don't want to mow this lawn, it's so hot outside. 156 00:08:34,240 --> 00:08:36,280 Speaker 1: That's all I ever do is work. Or you can 157 00:08:36,320 --> 00:08:39,000 Speaker 1: turn it around and say, Father, thank you that I'm alive, 158 00:08:39,480 --> 00:08:41,920 Speaker 1: thinking that I'm healthy, think you that my legs work, 159 00:08:41,920 --> 00:08:44,920 Speaker 1: thinking that I'm strong, thank you for the gift of today. 160 00:08:46,080 --> 00:08:51,160 Speaker 1: It totally changes your perspective. Don't see it as something 161 00:08:51,200 --> 00:08:54,120 Speaker 1: you have to do, see it as something you get 162 00:08:54,160 --> 00:08:57,320 Speaker 1: to do. After all, this day is a gift. We're 163 00:08:57,360 --> 00:09:00,520 Speaker 1: not going to be here forever. We have an amount 164 00:09:00,559 --> 00:09:03,640 Speaker 1: of allotted days and then our time's up. You can 165 00:09:03,679 --> 00:09:06,400 Speaker 1: complain for the next twenty years about having to go 166 00:09:06,440 --> 00:09:08,800 Speaker 1: to work, or you can turn it around and say, Father, 167 00:09:09,080 --> 00:09:11,880 Speaker 1: thank you for this job, thank you for this opportunity, 168 00:09:12,080 --> 00:09:14,680 Speaker 1: thank you for my gifts and talents. It's all in 169 00:09:14,720 --> 00:09:18,600 Speaker 1: our approach. I know a man that complained year after 170 00:09:18,720 --> 00:09:22,080 Speaker 1: year about driving in the traffic. It took him an 171 00:09:22,160 --> 00:09:25,120 Speaker 1: hour one way to get to work each day, and 172 00:09:25,200 --> 00:09:28,760 Speaker 1: he would get so stressed and so frustrated. But one 173 00:09:28,840 --> 00:09:32,439 Speaker 1: day he had an accident and almost lost his life. 174 00:09:32,720 --> 00:09:35,600 Speaker 1: He was in the hospital several months, and it's amazing 175 00:09:35,760 --> 00:09:39,040 Speaker 1: how that changed his attitude. He said. Now, Joel, I 176 00:09:39,240 --> 00:09:43,160 Speaker 1: treasure every moment sitting in the traffic. I wave at 177 00:09:43,240 --> 00:09:49,600 Speaker 1: total strangers, smile at everyone, practically blow them kisses. What happened, 178 00:09:50,240 --> 00:09:54,360 Speaker 1: he realized, every day, indeed, is a gift from God. 179 00:09:55,080 --> 00:09:57,800 Speaker 1: We have no guaranteed that we're going to be here tomorrow. 180 00:09:58,000 --> 00:10:01,959 Speaker 1: I hope we are. But life is fragile, it says 181 00:10:01,960 --> 00:10:05,640 Speaker 1: in James. We're like a vapor. We're here one moment 182 00:10:05,920 --> 00:10:09,600 Speaker 1: and then we're gone. We should live every day like 183 00:10:09,679 --> 00:10:13,480 Speaker 1: it could be our last. Don't put off enjoying your life. 184 00:10:14,040 --> 00:10:16,640 Speaker 1: The sad thing is if you don't enjoy it today, 185 00:10:17,240 --> 00:10:20,000 Speaker 1: you may not be here tomorrow to enjoy it. And 186 00:10:20,040 --> 00:10:22,439 Speaker 1: I know too many people that are going to enjoy 187 00:10:22,520 --> 00:10:25,920 Speaker 1: their life someday, when they get out of college, when 188 00:10:26,000 --> 00:10:28,640 Speaker 1: they get married, when they pay their house off, when 189 00:10:28,679 --> 00:10:32,480 Speaker 1: they retire. No, make a decision that you're going to 190 00:10:32,600 --> 00:10:36,280 Speaker 1: enjoy your life right where you are. Make this day 191 00:10:36,400 --> 00:10:40,200 Speaker 1: a masterpiece. Find the good in every situation. It's like 192 00:10:40,280 --> 00:10:43,160 Speaker 1: that lady heard about. She asked her husband, Honey, what 193 00:10:43,320 --> 00:10:45,600 Speaker 1: is it about me that you love the most? Is 194 00:10:45,640 --> 00:10:50,840 Speaker 1: it my natural beauty, my incredible figure, or my vivacious personality? 195 00:10:51,160 --> 00:10:53,160 Speaker 1: He said, what I love about you the most is 196 00:10:53,200 --> 00:11:01,360 Speaker 1: your unlimited imagination. Find something to be grateful for. I 197 00:11:01,400 --> 00:11:04,640 Speaker 1: talked to a man last week. He had a sister 198 00:11:04,920 --> 00:11:09,679 Speaker 1: that was mentally challenged. She couldn't talk, or walk, or 199 00:11:09,720 --> 00:11:13,480 Speaker 1: feed herself. She needed constant care. Growing up. He and 200 00:11:13,559 --> 00:11:16,400 Speaker 1: his other family members helped take care of her, and 201 00:11:16,440 --> 00:11:20,760 Speaker 1: he told how she had certain cries that they could understand. 202 00:11:21,360 --> 00:11:24,320 Speaker 1: That's how she communicated with them. There was a cry 203 00:11:24,640 --> 00:11:27,160 Speaker 1: when she was hungry, a cry for when she wanted 204 00:11:27,160 --> 00:11:29,480 Speaker 1: to get out of bed, cry for when she wanted 205 00:11:29,480 --> 00:11:31,959 Speaker 1: to go back to sleep, but he said the most 206 00:11:32,160 --> 00:11:35,880 Speaker 1: difficult cry was the cry for when she had an itch. 207 00:11:36,640 --> 00:11:39,480 Speaker 1: You see, she couldn't tell them where that itch was, 208 00:11:40,280 --> 00:11:42,840 Speaker 1: so when they heard that particular cry, that had to 209 00:11:42,840 --> 00:11:45,920 Speaker 1: go all over her body, scratching and scratching trying to 210 00:11:45,960 --> 00:11:49,640 Speaker 1: alleviate that itch. And he said that taught me to 211 00:11:49,679 --> 00:11:52,920 Speaker 1: appreciate the simple things in life that so many of 212 00:11:53,000 --> 00:11:55,440 Speaker 1: us take for granted. Just being able to scratch your 213 00:11:55,440 --> 00:11:58,400 Speaker 1: own itch no big deal. But really it is a 214 00:11:58,400 --> 00:12:01,200 Speaker 1: big deal. It's a big deal that we tell our 215 00:12:01,320 --> 00:12:03,760 Speaker 1: arms to work and they work. It's a big deal 216 00:12:03,800 --> 00:12:06,120 Speaker 1: that we open our eyes and we see without even 217 00:12:06,120 --> 00:12:09,600 Speaker 1: thinking about it. The next time you're tempted to get 218 00:12:09,679 --> 00:12:12,720 Speaker 1: up in the morning and think about your problems and 219 00:12:12,760 --> 00:12:14,319 Speaker 1: how you don't want to go to work, and how 220 00:12:14,360 --> 00:12:16,840 Speaker 1: life's not been fair to you, why don't you turn 221 00:12:16,840 --> 00:12:19,480 Speaker 1: it around and thank God that you're able to scratch 222 00:12:19,520 --> 00:12:23,120 Speaker 1: your own edge. Why don't you thank God that when 223 00:12:23,120 --> 00:12:26,720 Speaker 1: you got up you didn't have any problem breathing today. 224 00:12:27,160 --> 00:12:29,480 Speaker 1: Why don't you look out the window and appreciate the 225 00:12:29,520 --> 00:12:34,760 Speaker 1: simple things, the birds singing, the sun rising, the flowers, 226 00:12:34,760 --> 00:12:38,600 Speaker 1: bloomy discipline, yourself to find something to be grateful for, 227 00:12:39,200 --> 00:12:42,480 Speaker 1: instead of getting stressed out when you hear your child say, Mom, 228 00:12:42,559 --> 00:12:45,560 Speaker 1: I can't find my tennis shoes. Under your breath, thank 229 00:12:45,600 --> 00:12:48,320 Speaker 1: your Father for my children, Thank you for those gifts 230 00:12:48,320 --> 00:12:51,439 Speaker 1: in my life. Driving down the freeway and instead of 231 00:12:51,480 --> 00:12:54,120 Speaker 1: focusing on the traffic, why don't you look out at 232 00:12:54,120 --> 00:12:57,760 Speaker 1: the beauty of God's creation. Look at the trees, the sky, 233 00:12:58,240 --> 00:13:00,560 Speaker 1: the mountains. If you're in Houston, you gotta do it 234 00:13:00,600 --> 00:13:04,920 Speaker 1: by faith. Think about the fact that you have a car, 235 00:13:05,400 --> 00:13:09,040 Speaker 1: you're able to drive, You're going to work, slow down 236 00:13:09,200 --> 00:13:12,720 Speaker 1: and enjoy what God's put in your LIFs. Our attitude 237 00:13:12,720 --> 00:13:16,440 Speaker 1: should be. I recognize this day is a gift. The 238 00:13:16,520 --> 00:13:19,840 Speaker 1: fact that I'm alive and breathing is not an ordinary thing. 239 00:13:20,160 --> 00:13:23,360 Speaker 1: The creator of the universe has allowed me to be here. 240 00:13:23,720 --> 00:13:28,520 Speaker 1: And I'm not gonna live this day negative, offended, angry, upset. 241 00:13:29,080 --> 00:13:31,240 Speaker 1: I'm gonna live it like it could be my last. 242 00:13:31,520 --> 00:13:33,680 Speaker 1: I'm gonna go out and be my best. I'm gonna 243 00:13:33,760 --> 00:13:36,600 Speaker 1: enjoy the people around me. I'm gonna see the good 244 00:13:36,720 --> 00:13:40,560 Speaker 1: in every situation. I read about this man. It was 245 00:13:40,600 --> 00:13:44,000 Speaker 1: diagnosed with the terminal illness. The doctors gave him a 246 00:13:44,080 --> 00:13:47,920 Speaker 1: year to live, and this totally changed his priorities. He 247 00:13:47,960 --> 00:13:50,680 Speaker 1: hadn't seen some of his family in years. He took 248 00:13:50,720 --> 00:13:53,520 Speaker 1: time off and went and visited them. He started getting 249 00:13:53,559 --> 00:13:55,800 Speaker 1: up in the morning and going out and looking at 250 00:13:55,800 --> 00:13:59,320 Speaker 1: the sunrise. In the evening, He'd take long walks with 251 00:13:59,440 --> 00:14:02,600 Speaker 1: his wife. He began getting home from work earlier to 252 00:14:02,640 --> 00:14:06,320 Speaker 1: spend more time with his children. He didn't get upset 253 00:14:06,360 --> 00:14:09,520 Speaker 1: as easily. Things didn't bother him like they used to. 254 00:14:10,280 --> 00:14:13,440 Speaker 1: He lived one day at a time, not regretting the 255 00:14:13,520 --> 00:14:16,360 Speaker 1: past and not dreading the future. He lived in the 256 00:14:16,400 --> 00:14:20,800 Speaker 1: present moment, appreciating each day. Six months later, he went 257 00:14:20,880 --> 00:14:24,400 Speaker 1: back for a checkup, and the doctors were pleasantly surprised. 258 00:14:24,840 --> 00:14:28,440 Speaker 1: They told him he had been misdiagnosed. He didn't have 259 00:14:28,520 --> 00:14:31,600 Speaker 1: a terminal illness. After all, he had some kind of 260 00:14:31,640 --> 00:14:34,640 Speaker 1: infection that was easily treatable. He was going to be 261 00:14:34,720 --> 00:14:39,640 Speaker 1: just fine. He said later that misdiagnosis was the best 262 00:14:39,640 --> 00:14:43,080 Speaker 1: thing that ever happened to him. It made him appreciate 263 00:14:43,240 --> 00:14:47,840 Speaker 1: what he had. It changed his perspective. Too often, we 264 00:14:47,920 --> 00:14:51,120 Speaker 1: don't realize what we have until it's almost taken away. 265 00:14:51,720 --> 00:14:55,440 Speaker 1: We don't realize what a gift each day is until 266 00:14:55,480 --> 00:14:57,920 Speaker 1: we come face to face with the fact that we 267 00:14:58,000 --> 00:15:02,720 Speaker 1: may not have many more of them left. That misdiagnosis 268 00:15:03,120 --> 00:15:05,440 Speaker 1: was a wake up call. A lot of times we 269 00:15:05,480 --> 00:15:08,120 Speaker 1: think we're invincible and we're going to be here forever, 270 00:15:08,360 --> 00:15:12,320 Speaker 1: but that's just not true. Life is fleeting. Don't take 271 00:15:12,400 --> 00:15:16,520 Speaker 1: things for granted. Make the most of this day. I 272 00:15:16,560 --> 00:15:19,080 Speaker 1: heard a song by a country artists. It was called 273 00:15:19,640 --> 00:15:23,840 Speaker 1: Live like You were Dying. What a powerful thought. I 274 00:15:23,880 --> 00:15:26,440 Speaker 1: wonder what kind of changes we would make if we 275 00:15:26,480 --> 00:15:29,480 Speaker 1: knew we only had a year to live. No doubt 276 00:15:29,560 --> 00:15:33,880 Speaker 1: we would be more loving, more kind, more generous, more compassionate. 277 00:15:34,320 --> 00:15:37,760 Speaker 1: We probably wouldn't get upset as easily. We would take 278 00:15:37,880 --> 00:15:41,240 Speaker 1: time for what's really important, our family, our friends, our 279 00:15:41,280 --> 00:15:44,200 Speaker 1: loved ones. We would go on that special date that 280 00:15:44,240 --> 00:15:47,400 Speaker 1: we promised our little daughter. We wouldn't be too busy 281 00:15:47,480 --> 00:15:50,960 Speaker 1: to be at our little boys little league games. We 282 00:15:51,000 --> 00:15:54,200 Speaker 1: would take five minutes and write that heartfelt letter that 283 00:15:54,240 --> 00:15:57,680 Speaker 1: we've been meaning to. Why don't we make these changes today? 284 00:15:58,440 --> 00:16:01,600 Speaker 1: The Psalm is set in Psalm nine, verse twelve, teach 285 00:16:01,720 --> 00:16:05,200 Speaker 1: me to number my days. He was saying, God, I 286 00:16:05,280 --> 00:16:08,640 Speaker 1: recognize I'm not gonna be here forever. Help me to 287 00:16:08,680 --> 00:16:15,480 Speaker 1: not waste a day of my life complaining, discouraged, worrying, regretting. 288 00:16:16,120 --> 00:16:19,760 Speaker 1: God teach me to number my days. See, life has 289 00:16:19,800 --> 00:16:22,440 Speaker 1: a way of pushing us down. It's easy to get 290 00:16:22,480 --> 00:16:23,800 Speaker 1: up in the morning think I don't want to go 291 00:16:23,840 --> 00:16:27,200 Speaker 1: to work, I can't stand the traffic, and my spouse 292 00:16:27,240 --> 00:16:30,520 Speaker 1: aggravates me. And how come I haven't gotten any good breaks. No, 293 00:16:30,680 --> 00:16:33,440 Speaker 1: life's too short to live it that way. We need 294 00:16:33,480 --> 00:16:36,080 Speaker 1: to say with the psalmists. God teach me to number 295 00:16:36,120 --> 00:16:39,200 Speaker 1: my days. Help me to really recognize this day is 296 00:16:39,240 --> 00:16:42,920 Speaker 1: a gift. I have no guarantee of tomorrow. Help me 297 00:16:43,000 --> 00:16:47,240 Speaker 1: to live like I was dying every day. You should 298 00:16:47,760 --> 00:16:49,960 Speaker 1: tell the people in your life how much you love 299 00:16:50,040 --> 00:16:53,680 Speaker 1: them every day. Hug your children, look them in the eyes, 300 00:16:53,720 --> 00:16:56,320 Speaker 1: and tell them how glad you are to have them 301 00:16:56,360 --> 00:16:59,040 Speaker 1: in your life. Don't ever rush out of the house 302 00:16:59,080 --> 00:17:03,280 Speaker 1: without in your spouse goodbye. Tell that man that woman 303 00:17:03,560 --> 00:17:06,240 Speaker 1: how much they mean to you. Oh you say, Joel. 304 00:17:06,320 --> 00:17:08,640 Speaker 1: My wife knows how much I love her. I told 305 00:17:08,680 --> 00:17:11,800 Speaker 1: her when we got married twenty five years ago. Now 306 00:17:11,920 --> 00:17:14,359 Speaker 1: she needs to hear it again and again and again. 307 00:17:14,600 --> 00:17:17,080 Speaker 1: If you don't tell her I love you, somebody else 308 00:17:17,119 --> 00:17:20,040 Speaker 1: probably will. It's like this guy I heard about. He 309 00:17:20,080 --> 00:17:23,119 Speaker 1: hadn't kissed his wife in fifty years, but he shot 310 00:17:23,119 --> 00:17:28,080 Speaker 1: another man because he did. Don't take the people in 311 00:17:28,160 --> 00:17:31,760 Speaker 1: your life for granted. Let's learn to give flowers while 312 00:17:31,800 --> 00:17:35,560 Speaker 1: people are still living. Give compliments while they can still 313 00:17:35,600 --> 00:17:38,359 Speaker 1: hear you. It's interesting when we go to a funeral, 314 00:17:38,400 --> 00:17:41,840 Speaker 1: we see all the beautiful flowers, people say all kinds 315 00:17:41,880 --> 00:17:44,800 Speaker 1: of good things about that person, and that's great, that's 316 00:17:45,080 --> 00:17:48,400 Speaker 1: kind and respectful. But do me a big favor. Give 317 00:17:48,480 --> 00:17:51,159 Speaker 1: me my flowers while I'm still here. When I get 318 00:17:51,200 --> 00:17:54,359 Speaker 1: to heaven, I'm probably not going to enjoy them. And 319 00:17:54,480 --> 00:17:57,800 Speaker 1: another thing, if you have something good to say about me, 320 00:17:58,160 --> 00:18:00,040 Speaker 1: don't wait till I'm gone. I want to hear he 321 00:18:00,160 --> 00:18:04,399 Speaker 1: at now. Your family, your friends are the exact same way. 322 00:18:05,000 --> 00:18:09,040 Speaker 1: They want your love now, they want those compliments. Now, 323 00:18:09,359 --> 00:18:12,280 Speaker 1: take time for the people in your life. It's easy 324 00:18:12,320 --> 00:18:14,640 Speaker 1: to get so busy and so caught up in our 325 00:18:14,680 --> 00:18:18,240 Speaker 1: hectic society that we get our priorities out of order. 326 00:18:18,880 --> 00:18:21,120 Speaker 1: We have to realize we're not always going to be here, 327 00:18:21,160 --> 00:18:24,640 Speaker 1: and sometimes we let the smallest things come between us. 328 00:18:25,080 --> 00:18:27,959 Speaker 1: We get offended and upset, and now we're not talking 329 00:18:28,000 --> 00:18:33,320 Speaker 1: to each other. What we're really doing is wasting valuable days. Well, Joel, 330 00:18:33,359 --> 00:18:36,240 Speaker 1: my husband, he just aggravates me. He gets on my nerve. 331 00:18:36,880 --> 00:18:40,080 Speaker 1: Or she knows just the right buttons to push. Why 332 00:18:40,080 --> 00:18:43,000 Speaker 1: don't you be the bigger person and turn those buttons off. 333 00:18:43,520 --> 00:18:46,680 Speaker 1: Don't let petty things come between you. I know too 334 00:18:46,720 --> 00:18:50,000 Speaker 1: many people. They want to speak to their parents. They're 335 00:18:50,040 --> 00:18:52,639 Speaker 1: at odds with another family member. They got this big 336 00:18:52,680 --> 00:18:55,159 Speaker 1: feud going on. They're not going to give in. It 337 00:18:55,280 --> 00:18:59,280 Speaker 1: was their fault they started it. Maybe that's true, But 338 00:18:59,320 --> 00:19:01,480 Speaker 1: why don't you swa all of your pride and make 339 00:19:01,600 --> 00:19:05,280 Speaker 1: things right? After all, you don't know how long you're 340 00:19:05,320 --> 00:19:08,119 Speaker 1: going to be here. Do you know how many people 341 00:19:08,200 --> 00:19:11,240 Speaker 1: live in regrets? I hear it all the time. If 342 00:19:11,280 --> 00:19:13,840 Speaker 1: I only had one more chance, if I could only 343 00:19:13,840 --> 00:19:16,360 Speaker 1: tell them how much they really meant to me, don't 344 00:19:16,440 --> 00:19:19,439 Speaker 1: let that be you. I heard about this daughter she 345 00:19:19,560 --> 00:19:22,399 Speaker 1: got at odds with her father. It had to do 346 00:19:22,560 --> 00:19:25,359 Speaker 1: over the young men she was dating. The father didn't 347 00:19:25,359 --> 00:19:27,919 Speaker 1: think it was the best, and this young lady just 348 00:19:28,000 --> 00:19:31,000 Speaker 1: gave the dad the cold shouldern. For several years, she 349 00:19:31,000 --> 00:19:34,040 Speaker 1: wouldn't have anything to do with him. The dad tried 350 00:19:34,080 --> 00:19:36,320 Speaker 1: to reach out and be loving and kind, but this 351 00:19:36,440 --> 00:19:38,840 Speaker 1: young lady was just set in her ways. She was 352 00:19:38,880 --> 00:19:41,960 Speaker 1: bitter and angry over it, and she just totally ignored him. 353 00:19:42,520 --> 00:19:44,840 Speaker 1: One day she got a call that her father had 354 00:19:44,840 --> 00:19:47,440 Speaker 1: a heart attack and was on the way to the hospital. 355 00:19:47,880 --> 00:19:51,560 Speaker 1: Man that changed everything. All the barriers came down. She 356 00:19:51,720 --> 00:19:54,280 Speaker 1: rushed up there as fast as she could. And this 357 00:19:54,400 --> 00:19:57,399 Speaker 1: dad was a young man, he was in his early fifties. 358 00:19:57,720 --> 00:20:00,560 Speaker 1: They're in the emergency room. He asked for a piece 359 00:20:00,600 --> 00:20:03,360 Speaker 1: of paper and a pen, and between when they were 360 00:20:03,359 --> 00:20:05,199 Speaker 1: working on him, he was able to write a note. 361 00:20:05,680 --> 00:20:08,760 Speaker 1: Two hours later, before the young lady could get there, 362 00:20:09,160 --> 00:20:11,360 Speaker 1: he went to be with the Lord. He died, and 363 00:20:11,440 --> 00:20:13,560 Speaker 1: when she came in, the doctors had to give her 364 00:20:13,600 --> 00:20:16,880 Speaker 1: the bad news. And of course she was devastated. It's 365 00:20:16,880 --> 00:20:19,000 Speaker 1: hard enough to lose a loved one, but she was 366 00:20:19,080 --> 00:20:21,720 Speaker 1: just overcome with guilt. She thought, how am I going 367 00:20:21,800 --> 00:20:24,159 Speaker 1: to be able to live with myself knowing that I 368 00:20:24,240 --> 00:20:27,640 Speaker 1: never made peace with my father. The nurse came in 369 00:20:27,680 --> 00:20:30,639 Speaker 1: and said, this note was in your dad's hand. It 370 00:20:30,720 --> 00:20:33,120 Speaker 1: was addressed to her. She opened it up, it said, 371 00:20:33,119 --> 00:20:36,360 Speaker 1: dear so and so, I love you, I forgive you, 372 00:20:36,720 --> 00:20:40,320 Speaker 1: Please forgive me. Today she carries that note with her 373 00:20:40,520 --> 00:20:43,920 Speaker 1: everywhere she goes. Let me ask you, are you at 374 00:20:43,960 --> 00:20:47,199 Speaker 1: odds with someone? How are you going to feel if 375 00:20:47,240 --> 00:20:50,920 Speaker 1: they're taken away without you being able to make things right. 376 00:20:51,520 --> 00:20:54,000 Speaker 1: We may not have a chance like this, young lady. 377 00:20:54,600 --> 00:20:57,919 Speaker 1: Don't let things keep you apart. You may not be 378 00:20:57,960 --> 00:21:01,040 Speaker 1: able to be best friends, but certainly you can be 379 00:21:01,080 --> 00:21:04,440 Speaker 1: at peace with each other. You can be kind and respectful. 380 00:21:04,720 --> 00:21:07,760 Speaker 1: And it may be hard, it may be unfair, but 381 00:21:07,920 --> 00:21:10,560 Speaker 1: sometimes we have to be the bigger person just for 382 00:21:10,600 --> 00:21:13,400 Speaker 1: the sake of peace. I don't want you to live 383 00:21:13,440 --> 00:21:15,840 Speaker 1: with the regrets. I don't want you to have to 384 00:21:15,880 --> 00:21:19,040 Speaker 1: carry around that heavy load of guilt. We have to 385 00:21:19,160 --> 00:21:22,119 Speaker 1: number our days. I know when my father went to 386 00:21:22,160 --> 00:21:24,919 Speaker 1: be with the Lord. One thing that made it easier 387 00:21:25,520 --> 00:21:28,399 Speaker 1: was I knew how much my dad loved me, and 388 00:21:28,480 --> 00:21:31,399 Speaker 1: he knew how much I loved him. We were at peace. 389 00:21:31,840 --> 00:21:35,040 Speaker 1: We gave flowers while we were still living. Daddy was 390 00:21:35,040 --> 00:21:37,960 Speaker 1: on dialysis toward the end of his life. He called 391 00:21:38,000 --> 00:21:41,440 Speaker 1: me early one morning, around four o'clock, and he told 392 00:21:41,480 --> 00:21:42,959 Speaker 1: me he couldn't sleep well, and he asked me if 393 00:21:42,960 --> 00:21:44,960 Speaker 1: i'd take him up to the clinic so he could 394 00:21:45,000 --> 00:21:47,920 Speaker 1: have dialysis. And so I swung by and took him 395 00:21:47,920 --> 00:21:50,560 Speaker 1: to the clinic. And normally, after he gets hooked up, 396 00:21:50,600 --> 00:21:52,959 Speaker 1: I would come back home, take a shower, and get 397 00:21:53,040 --> 00:21:54,800 Speaker 1: ready for the day because he'd be there for three 398 00:21:54,880 --> 00:21:57,600 Speaker 1: or four hours. But this day I felt like I 399 00:21:57,600 --> 00:22:00,240 Speaker 1: should stay there with him, just something down in here, 400 00:22:00,640 --> 00:22:03,040 Speaker 1: And so I ran to the little grocery store and 401 00:22:03,280 --> 00:22:06,440 Speaker 1: got some breakfast for us, came back and sat with him, 402 00:22:06,480 --> 00:22:09,679 Speaker 1: and hour after hour we ate and laughed and just 403 00:22:09,840 --> 00:22:12,600 Speaker 1: enjoyed each other's company. And as I was taking him 404 00:22:12,640 --> 00:22:15,560 Speaker 1: home later that morning, just as I was about to 405 00:22:15,640 --> 00:22:18,480 Speaker 1: lead his house, he called me back in the kitchen 406 00:22:18,800 --> 00:22:21,400 Speaker 1: and he gave me a big hug. He said, Joe, 407 00:22:21,520 --> 00:22:25,119 Speaker 1: You're the best son a father could ever hope to have. Now, 408 00:22:25,119 --> 00:22:28,800 Speaker 1: I left that day feeling satisfied, just felt right down 409 00:22:28,840 --> 00:22:32,000 Speaker 1: in here. Those were the last words I would ever 410 00:22:32,040 --> 00:22:34,359 Speaker 1: hear my father speak to me. He went to be 411 00:22:34,480 --> 00:22:38,400 Speaker 1: with the Lord later that evening, and although it was difficult, 412 00:22:38,840 --> 00:22:42,800 Speaker 1: I just felt an incredible peace on the inside. I 413 00:22:42,840 --> 00:22:47,080 Speaker 1: had no regrets, nothing I wished I'd said nothing I 414 00:22:47,160 --> 00:22:50,440 Speaker 1: wished i'd done. I hope you can say the same 415 00:22:50,520 --> 00:22:53,960 Speaker 1: thing about the people in your life if one of 416 00:22:54,000 --> 00:22:57,080 Speaker 1: them were taken away. Do they know how much you 417 00:22:57,119 --> 00:23:01,080 Speaker 1: appreciate them? Have you called them lately? Have you gone 418 00:23:01,119 --> 00:23:04,720 Speaker 1: out of your way to express your love? Some of 419 00:23:04,760 --> 00:23:08,240 Speaker 1: you are at odds with people. That's taking a huge risk. 420 00:23:08,640 --> 00:23:10,800 Speaker 1: You don't know how long they're going to be here 421 00:23:10,960 --> 00:23:13,439 Speaker 1: or how long you're going to be here. It's a 422 00:23:13,480 --> 00:23:16,520 Speaker 1: heavy load to carry around, that gill. Why don't you 423 00:23:16,920 --> 00:23:19,480 Speaker 1: make things right? Why don't you live this day like 424 00:23:19,520 --> 00:23:22,240 Speaker 1: it could be your last? And when we have these 425 00:23:22,280 --> 00:23:26,040 Speaker 1: opportunities to be offended, to get upset, to live stressed out, 426 00:23:26,520 --> 00:23:30,080 Speaker 1: we need to ask ourselves in the big picture, is 427 00:23:30,119 --> 00:23:33,320 Speaker 1: it really worth it a year from now? Is it 428 00:23:33,400 --> 00:23:36,720 Speaker 1: even gonna matter that somebody was a little rude to me, 429 00:23:37,240 --> 00:23:39,119 Speaker 1: or that I got delayed in traffic, or that I 430 00:23:39,160 --> 00:23:42,400 Speaker 1: can't find my car keys. In the big scope of things, 431 00:23:42,800 --> 00:23:46,040 Speaker 1: that's not worth losing our joy over. Keep it in 432 00:23:46,119 --> 00:23:49,919 Speaker 1: the right perspective. Each day is a gift. When we 433 00:23:49,960 --> 00:23:53,280 Speaker 1: allow ourselves to be offended and we go around upset, 434 00:23:53,920 --> 00:23:58,119 Speaker 1: we are wasting our emotional energy. We only have a 435 00:23:58,160 --> 00:24:01,359 Speaker 1: certain amount for each day. It takes a lot of 436 00:24:01,520 --> 00:24:04,480 Speaker 1: energy to hold a grudge, takes a lot of energy 437 00:24:04,520 --> 00:24:08,119 Speaker 1: to live negative and bitter. You spend just fifteen minutes 438 00:24:08,160 --> 00:24:11,679 Speaker 1: in the morning being angry and upset, and that's emotional 439 00:24:11,840 --> 00:24:14,520 Speaker 1: energy you won't have later on in the day for 440 00:24:14,600 --> 00:24:18,919 Speaker 1: your family and friends. It's not an unlimited supply, and 441 00:24:18,960 --> 00:24:22,760 Speaker 1: it's sad, but some people go year after year being offended, 442 00:24:23,359 --> 00:24:27,200 Speaker 1: getting upset, holding a grudge. They don't realize that's taking 443 00:24:27,240 --> 00:24:30,919 Speaker 1: something out of them. That emotional energy they're using to 444 00:24:30,920 --> 00:24:34,879 Speaker 1: be bitter is the same emotional energy they need to 445 00:24:34,920 --> 00:24:38,040 Speaker 1: be happy, to be loving, to be kind. It's not 446 00:24:38,240 --> 00:24:40,680 Speaker 1: enough for both. When you say, Joel, they were wrong, 447 00:24:40,800 --> 00:24:43,800 Speaker 1: they hurt me. That may be true, but you need 448 00:24:43,840 --> 00:24:47,040 Speaker 1: to forgive, not just for their sake, do it for 449 00:24:47,080 --> 00:24:50,960 Speaker 1: your sakes so it doesn't keep you from living your 450 00:24:51,000 --> 00:24:54,679 Speaker 1: life to the full. It is impossible to get the 451 00:24:54,680 --> 00:24:58,879 Speaker 1: most out of each day if we're holding grudges, being 452 00:24:59,000 --> 00:25:03,280 Speaker 1: easily offended, allowing ourselves to get upset. That's just not 453 00:25:03,440 --> 00:25:05,639 Speaker 1: worth it in the big picture. Keep it in the 454 00:25:05,720 --> 00:25:09,600 Speaker 1: right perspective. I heard about this college student. She wrote 455 00:25:09,600 --> 00:25:12,560 Speaker 1: her parents a letter, said, dear Mom, and dad. There 456 00:25:12,640 --> 00:25:15,560 Speaker 1: was a riot at the school and from the smoke 457 00:25:15,680 --> 00:25:20,280 Speaker 1: I inhaled. I developed a serious lung disease. At the hospital, 458 00:25:20,560 --> 00:25:23,200 Speaker 1: I met a parking attendant and we fell in love. 459 00:25:23,640 --> 00:25:26,720 Speaker 1: Our baby is on its way after he gets off 460 00:25:26,760 --> 00:25:29,880 Speaker 1: of probation a month from now. I'm planning to drop 461 00:25:29,960 --> 00:25:32,280 Speaker 1: out of college and we're going to move to Alaska 462 00:25:32,320 --> 00:25:35,800 Speaker 1: and live together. Signs your loving daughter. At the bottom, 463 00:25:35,800 --> 00:25:38,200 Speaker 1: there was a ps it said none of this happened, 464 00:25:38,440 --> 00:25:42,960 Speaker 1: but I did fail chemistry, and she wanted to make 465 00:25:43,000 --> 00:25:47,760 Speaker 1: sure her parents saw that in the right perspective, that's 466 00:25:47,800 --> 00:25:50,360 Speaker 1: the way we need to be. We get stuck in traffic, 467 00:25:50,600 --> 00:25:54,280 Speaker 1: No big deal. I'm alive, I'm healthy. That's a small thing. 468 00:25:54,920 --> 00:25:58,160 Speaker 1: We go through a disappointment, didn't get the promotion we wanted. Yes, 469 00:25:58,200 --> 00:26:01,119 Speaker 1: that's true, but I've got beautiful che I've got a 470 00:26:01,160 --> 00:26:03,240 Speaker 1: family to love. I've got a roof over my head. 471 00:26:03,400 --> 00:26:06,600 Speaker 1: I'm not going to let that sour my life. Too often, 472 00:26:06,680 --> 00:26:09,680 Speaker 1: we let things that don't matter keep us from enjoying 473 00:26:09,680 --> 00:26:12,480 Speaker 1: the day. Think about it like this. If you knew 474 00:26:12,640 --> 00:26:15,280 Speaker 1: you only had a month to live, how upset would 475 00:26:15,280 --> 00:26:18,280 Speaker 1: you get when you got stuck in traffic. Would you 476 00:26:18,359 --> 00:26:21,160 Speaker 1: really argue with your spouse if you knew you weren't 477 00:26:21,160 --> 00:26:23,200 Speaker 1: going to be here a month from now, would you 478 00:26:23,280 --> 00:26:26,040 Speaker 1: be stressed because you didn't get everything done at the office. 479 00:26:26,200 --> 00:26:30,200 Speaker 1: Probably not. Keep it in the right perspective. Friends, life 480 00:26:30,480 --> 00:26:34,480 Speaker 1: is very fragile. Every day is a gift. Slow down 481 00:26:34,600 --> 00:26:38,240 Speaker 1: and appreciate what God has given you. Be thankful for 482 00:26:38,320 --> 00:26:41,600 Speaker 1: even the simple things. Being able to scratch our own edge. 483 00:26:41,760 --> 00:26:45,160 Speaker 1: Don't take that for granted. Every day. Hug your children, 484 00:26:45,600 --> 00:26:48,960 Speaker 1: take time for the people you love. Don't live in yesterday, 485 00:26:49,000 --> 00:26:53,320 Speaker 1: don't live in tomorrow. Enjoy this moment. If you'll live 486 00:26:53,359 --> 00:26:56,040 Speaker 1: each day like it could be your last, you won't 487 00:26:56,040 --> 00:27:00,240 Speaker 1: have any ordinary days. Every day will be special. Go 488 00:27:00,280 --> 00:27:03,520 Speaker 1: to sleep at night, you will have no regrets. You'll 489 00:27:03,560 --> 00:27:06,080 Speaker 1: lie down in peace knowing that you made that day 490 00:27:06,359 --> 00:27:09,600 Speaker 1: a masterpiece. Do you receive it? I believe you do. 491 00:27:11,560 --> 00:27:14,440 Speaker 1: We never like to call its our broadcast without giving 492 00:27:14,440 --> 00:27:17,440 Speaker 1: you an opportunity to make Jesus the lord of your life. 493 00:27:17,640 --> 00:27:21,760 Speaker 1: Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus, I 494 00:27:21,920 --> 00:27:26,480 Speaker 1: repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I make 495 00:27:26,560 --> 00:27:29,879 Speaker 1: you my lord and savior. Friends, if you've prayed that 496 00:27:30,000 --> 00:27:32,760 Speaker 1: simple prayer. We believe you got born again, Get in 497 00:27:32,840 --> 00:27:36,080 Speaker 1: a good Bible based church. Keep God first place. He's 498 00:27:36,080 --> 00:27:38,359 Speaker 1: going to take your places that you've never dreamed of. 499 00:27:39,240 --> 00:27:42,080 Speaker 1: When we face challenges, it's easy to feel like God 500 00:27:42,119 --> 00:27:45,240 Speaker 1: has forgotten about us. We don't see anything happening, and 501 00:27:45,520 --> 00:27:48,159 Speaker 1: thought's tell us it's not going to work out. But 502 00:27:48,200 --> 00:27:50,720 Speaker 1: God is not called the Great I was or the 503 00:27:50,720 --> 00:27:53,600 Speaker 1: Great I will be. He's called the Great I Am. 504 00:27:54,320 --> 00:27:57,640 Speaker 1: In my new book, he Is I Am, you'll discover 505 00:27:57,760 --> 00:28:00,280 Speaker 1: that God is with you in every area of your lie. 506 00:28:01,040 --> 00:28:03,840 Speaker 1: I Am is always in the present, not at a 507 00:28:03,920 --> 00:28:07,080 Speaker 1: later time. God is working in your life right now. 508 00:28:07,800 --> 00:28:11,000 Speaker 1: I Am means I am your healer. I am your provider. 509 00:28:11,280 --> 00:28:14,760 Speaker 1: I am your waymaker. Whether you're facing a challenge or 510 00:28:14,960 --> 00:28:18,280 Speaker 1: pursuing your dreams, stay in faith. The Great I Am 511 00:28:18,560 --> 00:28:19,600 Speaker 1: is right there with you. 512 00:28:20,640 --> 00:28:23,000 Speaker 2: As our way of saying thank you for your gift 513 00:28:23,040 --> 00:28:25,480 Speaker 2: of any amount this month, we would like to send 514 00:28:25,520 --> 00:28:28,920 Speaker 2: you a copy of Joel's book, he Is I Am. 515 00:28:29,320 --> 00:28:32,600 Speaker 2: God is for you here and now. Are you in 516 00:28:32,640 --> 00:28:36,760 Speaker 2: need of protection or provision today? Jesus assures us, I 517 00:28:36,840 --> 00:28:40,520 Speaker 2: Am the Good Shepherd. Does the path ahead seem uncertain? 518 00:28:40,760 --> 00:28:44,760 Speaker 2: Or dark. Jesus declares, I Am the Light of the world. 519 00:28:45,360 --> 00:28:48,360 Speaker 2: Do you feel like your career, calling or marriage just 520 00:28:48,400 --> 00:28:53,360 Speaker 2: beyond hope? Jesus promises, I Am the Resurrection and the Life. 521 00:28:53,920 --> 00:28:57,600 Speaker 2: With every I Am statement, you'll discover more about who 522 00:28:57,680 --> 00:29:00,320 Speaker 2: God is and what He has made available for you. 523 00:29:00,760 --> 00:29:05,160 Speaker 2: Not someday, but today. Request your copy today and watch 524 00:29:05,200 --> 00:29:09,320 Speaker 2: God's promise come alive. No matter what you face, He 525 00:29:09,440 --> 00:29:12,800 Speaker 2: is here and now for you. Be sure to request 526 00:29:12,840 --> 00:29:15,760 Speaker 2: your copy of He Is I Am. God is for 527 00:29:15,880 --> 00:29:20,240 Speaker 2: you here and now today. Visit Joeloastin dot com or 528 00:29:20,320 --> 00:29:22,520 Speaker 2: call eight eight eight five six seven. 529 00:29:22,800 --> 00:29:27,080 Speaker 1: Joel, You're never alone. The Great I Am is behind 530 00:29:27,120 --> 00:29:31,720 Speaker 1: the scenes, making ways, opening doors, turning things in your favor. 531 00:29:32,400 --> 00:29:33,960 Speaker 1: Victoria and I want you to know we love you. 532 00:29:34,280 --> 00:29:37,280 Speaker 1: We pray for you every day. Thanks for your prayer 533 00:29:37,320 --> 00:29:40,800 Speaker 1: and support of the ministry. Your generosity is making a 534 00:29:40,800 --> 00:29:44,680 Speaker 1: difference in people's lives around the world. Special thank you 535 00:29:44,760 --> 00:29:47,840 Speaker 1: to our Champion of Hope partners for your monthly support. 536 00:29:48,280 --> 00:29:51,240 Speaker 1: If you're not a partner, I hope you'll consider becoming one. 537 00:29:51,560 --> 00:29:55,120 Speaker 1: Remember you can watch the services online every Sunday morning, 538 00:29:55,680 --> 00:29:59,840 Speaker 1: download our daily podcast, listen on serious XM watch our 539 00:29:59,840 --> 00:30:03,560 Speaker 1: youth YouTube channel and the new Joel Ostein network streaming 540 00:30:03,600 --> 00:30:06,560 Speaker 1: on television twenty four hours a day and until we 541 00:30:06,600 --> 00:30:09,080 Speaker 1: see you next time. May the Lord bless you and 542 00:30:09,200 --> 00:30:09,720 Speaker 1: keep you. 543 00:30:10,440 --> 00:30:13,440 Speaker 2: Be sure to request your copy of he Is I Am. 544 00:30:13,800 --> 00:30:17,760 Speaker 2: God is for you here and now today. Visit joelostein 545 00:30:17,880 --> 00:30:21,160 Speaker 2: dot com or call eight eight eight five six seven 546 00:30:21,440 --> 00:30:25,200 Speaker 2: Joel for an additional donation. This month we are offering 547 00:30:25,280 --> 00:30:29,480 Speaker 2: the IM Collection. It includes a beautiful two piece scripture 548 00:30:29,480 --> 00:30:33,880 Speaker 2: walart plus the he Is IM book bundle. The stretched 549 00:30:33,920 --> 00:30:38,920 Speaker 2: canvas elegantly features IM and scripture reference John fourteen six. 550 00:30:39,440 --> 00:30:42,840 Speaker 2: You can request these unique resources by calling eight eight 551 00:30:42,840 --> 00:30:46,720 Speaker 2: eight five six seven Joel. For logging on to joelostein 552 00:30:46,800 --> 00:30:50,840 Speaker 2: dot com today, call or click anytime, twenty four hours 553 00:30:50,880 --> 00:30:54,720 Speaker 2: a day. Yes, be reminded that the power of IM 554 00:30:55,040 --> 00:30:56,960 Speaker 2: is for you each and every day. 555 00:31:00,080 --> 00:31:00,240 Speaker 1: Yeah,