1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:03,360 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joeln Victoria. Thanks for listening to our 2 00:00:03,400 --> 00:00:06,680 Speaker 1: podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. If you enjoy 3 00:00:06,720 --> 00:00:09,320 Speaker 1: today's message, why don't you be a blessing and share 4 00:00:09,320 --> 00:00:11,880 Speaker 1: it with a friend. We appreciate you and pray for 5 00:00:11,920 --> 00:00:15,000 Speaker 1: God's very best in your line. Well, God bless you 6 00:00:15,680 --> 00:00:18,520 Speaker 1: always a joy to come into your homes. We love 7 00:00:18,560 --> 00:00:21,160 Speaker 1: you and if you're ever in our area, please stop 8 00:00:21,239 --> 00:00:23,280 Speaker 1: by and be a part of one of our services. 9 00:00:23,440 --> 00:00:25,720 Speaker 1: I promise you we'll make you feel right at home. 10 00:00:26,040 --> 00:00:28,280 Speaker 1: But thanks so much for tuning in and thank you 11 00:00:28,320 --> 00:00:30,800 Speaker 1: again for coming out today. I'd like to start with 12 00:00:30,880 --> 00:00:33,840 Speaker 1: something funny each week, and this is just a joke, 13 00:00:34,000 --> 00:00:38,320 Speaker 1: Please don't be offended. And I heard about this blonde lady. 14 00:00:39,800 --> 00:00:42,880 Speaker 1: That's what gets me into trouble. But this blonde lady 15 00:00:42,960 --> 00:00:45,960 Speaker 1: was feeding down the freeway when she was pulled over 16 00:00:46,040 --> 00:00:49,920 Speaker 1: by a female police officer who also happened to be blonde. 17 00:00:50,280 --> 00:00:52,879 Speaker 1: The officer asked to see her driver's license, and the 18 00:00:52,960 --> 00:00:55,400 Speaker 1: lady doug and doug through her purse, getting more and 19 00:00:55,480 --> 00:00:58,520 Speaker 1: more agitated, finally said to the officer, what does it 20 00:00:58,560 --> 00:01:01,520 Speaker 1: look like? The officer, It's just a little square that's 21 00:01:01,560 --> 00:01:04,200 Speaker 1: got your picture on it. The lady found a mirror 22 00:01:04,200 --> 00:01:07,200 Speaker 1: in her person, saw herself in it. Toda handed it 23 00:01:07,240 --> 00:01:09,840 Speaker 1: to the officer. The officer looked at the mirror and 24 00:01:09,840 --> 00:01:12,360 Speaker 1: saw herself and handed it back and said, you can go. 25 00:01:12,560 --> 00:01:16,480 Speaker 1: I didn't realize you were a police officer. Hold up 26 00:01:16,520 --> 00:01:21,400 Speaker 1: your Bible. I'm gonna need a ride home today. Say 27 00:01:21,440 --> 00:01:24,080 Speaker 1: it like you mean it. This is my Bible. I 28 00:01:24,120 --> 00:01:26,280 Speaker 1: am what it says I am. I have what it 29 00:01:26,280 --> 00:01:28,560 Speaker 1: says I have. I can do what it says I 30 00:01:28,600 --> 00:01:31,479 Speaker 1: can do. Today I will be taught the word of God. 31 00:01:31,880 --> 00:01:35,920 Speaker 1: I boldly confess. My mind is alert, my heart is receptive. 32 00:01:36,280 --> 00:01:39,679 Speaker 1: I will never be the same. In Jesus' name, God 33 00:01:39,720 --> 00:01:43,080 Speaker 1: bless you. I want to talk to you today about 34 00:01:43,400 --> 00:01:48,120 Speaker 1: It's only a test. We all face situations that are uncomfortable. 35 00:01:48,560 --> 00:01:51,639 Speaker 1: We're not getting our way, We're dealing with the person 36 00:01:51,680 --> 00:01:54,520 Speaker 1: that's hard to get along with. We get caught by 37 00:01:54,520 --> 00:01:58,520 Speaker 1: the train driving to work, missed the morning appointment. As 38 00:01:58,600 --> 00:02:03,200 Speaker 1: much as we don't like it, God allows uncomfortable situations 39 00:02:03,840 --> 00:02:07,240 Speaker 1: when we're put under pressure. It shows what we're made of. 40 00:02:08,240 --> 00:02:12,240 Speaker 1: These tests bring delight impurities in our character that we 41 00:02:12,320 --> 00:02:15,720 Speaker 1: need to deal with. Peter said to Jesus, I'll never 42 00:02:15,800 --> 00:02:18,600 Speaker 1: deny you. I'm your best friend. I'll be loyal to 43 00:02:18,639 --> 00:02:23,080 Speaker 1: the very end. Peter's heart was right, he had good intentions, 44 00:02:23,600 --> 00:02:25,880 Speaker 1: but when he was put under pressure, it was a 45 00:02:25,880 --> 00:02:29,640 Speaker 1: different story. He denied three times that he knew Christ. 46 00:02:30,320 --> 00:02:33,720 Speaker 1: And it's not that God just wants us to be uncomfortable. 47 00:02:34,240 --> 00:02:39,360 Speaker 1: These tests are beneficial. They show us weaknesses in our character, 48 00:02:40,200 --> 00:02:43,480 Speaker 1: like Peter, areas that are keeping us from being our best. 49 00:02:44,200 --> 00:02:48,519 Speaker 1: And if we'll be willing to make adjustments, improvements, let 50 00:02:48,560 --> 00:02:52,200 Speaker 1: God refine us, then we'll pass the test. That's when 51 00:02:52,240 --> 00:02:56,360 Speaker 1: promotion comes. The scripture says in first Peter, don't be 52 00:02:56,480 --> 00:03:01,040 Speaker 1: amazed at the fiery ordeal that is taking place to 53 00:03:01,080 --> 00:03:05,480 Speaker 1: test your quality. Notice the purpose of the trial is 54 00:03:05,520 --> 00:03:10,480 Speaker 1: to test your character. Every traffic jam, every person that 55 00:03:10,520 --> 00:03:15,160 Speaker 1: irritates you, every time you're tempted to worry, to be critical, 56 00:03:15,320 --> 00:03:18,560 Speaker 1: to be jealous, to get discouraged. Those are not just 57 00:03:18,720 --> 00:03:23,440 Speaker 1: random trials. That is God testing your quality. It's an 58 00:03:23,440 --> 00:03:27,600 Speaker 1: opportunity for you to grow. In the difficult times. We 59 00:03:27,680 --> 00:03:31,120 Speaker 1: show God what we're made of. Many people get stuck 60 00:03:31,160 --> 00:03:34,320 Speaker 1: at the same level because they're not dealing with what 61 00:03:34,400 --> 00:03:37,600 Speaker 1: God brings to light. The next time you get caught 62 00:03:37,640 --> 00:03:41,200 Speaker 1: in traffic, instead of fighting against it being all upset, 63 00:03:41,560 --> 00:03:44,880 Speaker 1: try a different approach. Say, I realize this is only 64 00:03:44,920 --> 00:03:47,800 Speaker 1: a test. This is an opportunity for me to come 65 00:03:47,880 --> 00:03:50,040 Speaker 1: up higher. I'm going to keep my peace and just 66 00:03:50,200 --> 00:03:53,640 Speaker 1: go with the flow. That's passing the test. When you 67 00:03:53,720 --> 00:03:57,720 Speaker 1: go through a disappointment, something unfair happens. Instead of being 68 00:03:57,760 --> 00:04:01,920 Speaker 1: discouraged living in self pity, no, I realize this is 69 00:04:01,960 --> 00:04:04,920 Speaker 1: only a test. I'm going to keep my joy. God's 70 00:04:04,920 --> 00:04:07,560 Speaker 1: still on the throne. He's got something amazing in my 71 00:04:07,680 --> 00:04:11,920 Speaker 1: future that's passing the test. That's how God refines us. 72 00:04:12,680 --> 00:04:16,200 Speaker 1: But so often we try to pray away what God 73 00:04:16,240 --> 00:04:19,200 Speaker 1: wants to use. God. I shouldn't have to put up 74 00:04:19,240 --> 00:04:22,280 Speaker 1: with this grouchy boss. He's getting on my nerves. He 75 00:04:22,320 --> 00:04:26,359 Speaker 1: irritates me. So have you ever thought God may have 76 00:04:26,480 --> 00:04:28,839 Speaker 1: you there on purpose to do a work in you, 77 00:04:29,560 --> 00:04:32,800 Speaker 1: to test your quality. You may not like it, but 78 00:04:32,920 --> 00:04:36,240 Speaker 1: that boss is an opportunity for you to grow. That 79 00:04:36,360 --> 00:04:39,760 Speaker 1: boss is like sandpaper that can rub the rough edges 80 00:04:39,800 --> 00:04:43,239 Speaker 1: off of you. God uses the people in our life, 81 00:04:43,680 --> 00:04:47,719 Speaker 1: our spouse, our children, our friends to show us areas 82 00:04:47,839 --> 00:04:50,960 Speaker 1: we need to improve in. We pray, God, you got 83 00:04:51,000 --> 00:04:53,719 Speaker 1: to change these children. They're about to drive me crazy. 84 00:04:54,000 --> 00:04:57,479 Speaker 1: Now the key is to look inside and say, God, 85 00:04:57,600 --> 00:05:01,120 Speaker 1: how can I change? Can I learn to be more patient, 86 00:05:01,640 --> 00:05:06,159 Speaker 1: more understanding, more forgiving? Don't ever ask God to change 87 00:05:06,160 --> 00:05:10,960 Speaker 1: somebody else without first asking God to change you. Well, Joel, 88 00:05:11,040 --> 00:05:13,760 Speaker 1: my spouse knows how to push just the right buttons. 89 00:05:14,040 --> 00:05:18,000 Speaker 1: He aggravates me. She gets me so upset. That may 90 00:05:18,040 --> 00:05:21,760 Speaker 1: be true, But it's only a test. If you'll start 91 00:05:22,040 --> 00:05:27,880 Speaker 1: ruling over your emotions, exercising self control. Before long, those 92 00:05:27,880 --> 00:05:31,240 Speaker 1: buttons won't work anymore. They can push all they want. 93 00:05:31,440 --> 00:05:35,719 Speaker 1: It doesn't affect you. They didn't change, but you changed. You. 94 00:05:35,839 --> 00:05:40,520 Speaker 1: Let God refine you. What happened. Your quality came up higher. 95 00:05:41,400 --> 00:05:44,599 Speaker 1: Every time you overlook an offense, you're passing the test. 96 00:05:45,360 --> 00:05:48,520 Speaker 1: Every time you bite your tongue when you feel like arguing, 97 00:05:48,720 --> 00:05:52,400 Speaker 1: you're passing the test. When you let someone else be right, 98 00:05:52,760 --> 00:05:55,920 Speaker 1: even though you know they're wrong, that's passing the test. 99 00:05:56,760 --> 00:05:59,920 Speaker 1: When you do that, that's allowing God to make you 100 00:06:00,440 --> 00:06:02,599 Speaker 1: and mold you into who he wants you to be. 101 00:06:03,520 --> 00:06:07,200 Speaker 1: Now I've learned God is more interested in changing me 102 00:06:07,800 --> 00:06:12,000 Speaker 1: than he is in changing my circumstances. And yes, God 103 00:06:12,040 --> 00:06:16,120 Speaker 1: will change the circumstances. God will change other people. But 104 00:06:16,200 --> 00:06:19,520 Speaker 1: you have to look inside and say, where can I 105 00:06:19,640 --> 00:06:23,120 Speaker 1: come up higher? I know people they're dealing with the 106 00:06:23,240 --> 00:06:27,760 Speaker 1: same issues year after year, arguing with their spouse over 107 00:06:27,800 --> 00:06:31,479 Speaker 1: the same petty things, getting upset every time they don't 108 00:06:31,520 --> 00:06:34,799 Speaker 1: get their way, stressed out every time they get caught 109 00:06:34,800 --> 00:06:38,000 Speaker 1: in traffic. They wonder, God, when are you going to 110 00:06:38,080 --> 00:06:41,039 Speaker 1: change this? When are you going to make it better? Now? 111 00:06:41,080 --> 00:06:43,640 Speaker 1: God is not going to remove it. He wants to 112 00:06:43,680 --> 00:06:46,919 Speaker 1: do a work in you. You've got to stay pliable. 113 00:06:47,320 --> 00:06:51,559 Speaker 1: You've got to be willing to make adjustments. Sometimes you'll 114 00:06:51,600 --> 00:06:55,920 Speaker 1: even have to sow a radical seed of obedience. That 115 00:06:56,040 --> 00:06:58,479 Speaker 1: means you've got to do the right thing when it's 116 00:06:58,520 --> 00:07:02,280 Speaker 1: hard to be kind to someone when they're being rude 117 00:07:02,279 --> 00:07:05,320 Speaker 1: to you. It's hard to be happy for them when 118 00:07:05,360 --> 00:07:08,479 Speaker 1: they got the promotion you wanted. It's hard to stay 119 00:07:08,480 --> 00:07:12,000 Speaker 1: in peace when the traffic's slowing down and your plane 120 00:07:12,080 --> 00:07:15,560 Speaker 1: leaves in thirty minutes. But when you sow a radical 121 00:07:15,680 --> 00:07:19,040 Speaker 1: seed of obedience, you do the right thing when it's hard. 122 00:07:19,560 --> 00:07:23,560 Speaker 1: You will reap a radical harvest, and anytime we're going 123 00:07:23,600 --> 00:07:26,480 Speaker 1: to go up higher, part of our flesh has to 124 00:07:26,520 --> 00:07:30,520 Speaker 1: go down lower. We'll never see our character fully developed 125 00:07:30,640 --> 00:07:33,480 Speaker 1: if we're getting our way all the time. The next 126 00:07:33,480 --> 00:07:37,520 Speaker 1: time you find yourself in a situation that's uncomfortable you 127 00:07:37,560 --> 00:07:40,480 Speaker 1: don't like it, instead of fighting against it, have the 128 00:07:40,520 --> 00:07:43,880 Speaker 1: attitude I must need this or I wouldn't be here. 129 00:07:44,160 --> 00:07:47,520 Speaker 1: See it as an opportunity to come up higher. Maybe 130 00:07:47,560 --> 00:07:50,280 Speaker 1: all of your friends are getting married, you're still single, 131 00:07:50,560 --> 00:07:54,600 Speaker 1: you haven't met anyone. That's a test. Have the attitude. 132 00:07:54,840 --> 00:07:58,080 Speaker 1: No big deal. I'm not going to live discouraged. I 133 00:07:58,120 --> 00:08:00,760 Speaker 1: know God is working behind the scene and at the 134 00:08:00,840 --> 00:08:03,560 Speaker 1: right time, he'll bring the perfect person into my life. 135 00:08:03,800 --> 00:08:06,920 Speaker 1: Pass that test. Maybe you're standing with a group of 136 00:08:06,960 --> 00:08:10,760 Speaker 1: friends and they start to talk bad about someone, start 137 00:08:10,800 --> 00:08:14,720 Speaker 1: to gossip. Understand it's not a coincidence that you're there. 138 00:08:15,280 --> 00:08:18,360 Speaker 1: You are there so you can show God your quality. 139 00:08:18,920 --> 00:08:21,280 Speaker 1: You can prove to him you're going to take the 140 00:08:21,360 --> 00:08:24,760 Speaker 1: high road and not say something that could damage their reputation. 141 00:08:25,920 --> 00:08:28,880 Speaker 1: Maybe the person they're talking about has done you wrong. 142 00:08:29,680 --> 00:08:33,520 Speaker 1: You know, some juicy information could really make them look bad. 143 00:08:34,320 --> 00:08:37,000 Speaker 1: In your minds, you can justify it. You can think 144 00:08:37,040 --> 00:08:40,719 Speaker 1: of a thousand reasons why it would be okay. Now 145 00:08:40,760 --> 00:08:44,439 Speaker 1: you've got to recognize that is a test. That's an 146 00:08:44,440 --> 00:08:47,600 Speaker 1: opportunity for you to come up higher. If you will 147 00:08:47,600 --> 00:08:51,560 Speaker 1: bite your tongue cover the offense, then you pass the test. 148 00:08:51,960 --> 00:08:55,959 Speaker 1: That's what puts you in position for promotion. But if 149 00:08:56,000 --> 00:08:59,200 Speaker 1: you give in talk bad about them, fail the test. 150 00:08:59,600 --> 00:09:03,160 Speaker 1: The good news is God doesn't write us off. He'll 151 00:09:03,200 --> 00:09:06,480 Speaker 1: give you another opportunity. You'll get to take the test again. 152 00:09:07,440 --> 00:09:11,120 Speaker 1: When you pass that test, not once, but again and again. 153 00:09:11,800 --> 00:09:15,800 Speaker 1: Every time you do, it'll get easier. That's God refining you. 154 00:09:16,480 --> 00:09:20,840 Speaker 1: What happened. Your quality came up higher. Now some of 155 00:09:20,880 --> 00:09:23,480 Speaker 1: you are going to be tested before you get home today. 156 00:09:24,559 --> 00:09:27,240 Speaker 1: Driving out of the parking lot, the police officer is 157 00:09:27,240 --> 00:09:29,640 Speaker 1: going to let four hundred cars go in front of you. 158 00:09:31,280 --> 00:09:33,920 Speaker 1: Will you keep a good attitude and remember this is 159 00:09:33,960 --> 00:09:36,800 Speaker 1: only a test, or will you think I don't care 160 00:09:36,840 --> 00:09:40,600 Speaker 1: what that young minister says, I'm honking my horn. You 161 00:09:40,720 --> 00:09:42,880 Speaker 1: get home and you want to watch the ball game. 162 00:09:43,160 --> 00:09:46,640 Speaker 1: You've been looking forward to it. The doorbell rings. It's 163 00:09:46,679 --> 00:09:50,040 Speaker 1: the new family in the neighborhood. They stop by to 164 00:09:50,080 --> 00:09:53,440 Speaker 1: spend some time getting to know you. That's a test. 165 00:09:54,000 --> 00:09:56,080 Speaker 1: Are you going to be friendly and invite them in? 166 00:09:56,600 --> 00:09:58,360 Speaker 1: Are you going to tell them we don't live here, 167 00:09:58,400 --> 00:10:03,280 Speaker 1: we're just cleaning the carpets. Pass that test. Most of 168 00:10:03,320 --> 00:10:06,480 Speaker 1: the time we are tested in the area of our 169 00:10:06,520 --> 00:10:11,160 Speaker 1: greatest weakness. If you struggle with jealousy, don't be surprised 170 00:10:11,200 --> 00:10:14,360 Speaker 1: if you see every person that has more than you. 171 00:10:14,360 --> 00:10:18,040 Speaker 1: Your coworker that makes half of your income will drive 172 00:10:18,080 --> 00:10:20,960 Speaker 1: in in a brand new car. Your cousin will call 173 00:10:21,000 --> 00:10:23,679 Speaker 1: and tell how they just won the lottery. You're going 174 00:10:23,720 --> 00:10:26,640 Speaker 1: to take your family to Galveston for a few days 175 00:10:27,120 --> 00:10:29,960 Speaker 1: just to get away. You're excited till your friend tells 176 00:10:29,960 --> 00:10:32,160 Speaker 1: how she's going to Paris for a couple of weeks 177 00:10:32,320 --> 00:10:36,000 Speaker 1: with her whole family. God will put you right in 178 00:10:36,120 --> 00:10:39,120 Speaker 1: the middle of the fire, so to speak, to see 179 00:10:39,120 --> 00:10:42,640 Speaker 1: what you're made of, to test your quality. Are you 180 00:10:42,720 --> 00:10:46,360 Speaker 1: going to keep a good attitude, be happy for them? 181 00:10:46,559 --> 00:10:48,240 Speaker 1: Or are you going to think, God, it's not fair. 182 00:10:48,840 --> 00:10:52,160 Speaker 1: I work harder than they do, come to church every Sunday. 183 00:10:52,480 --> 00:10:55,360 Speaker 1: Why don't I get any of these good breaks? That 184 00:10:55,520 --> 00:10:59,400 Speaker 1: pressure is bringing delight impurities that we need to deal with. 185 00:11:00,320 --> 00:11:05,120 Speaker 1: It's not a coincidence. The uncomfortable situations we find ourselves in. 186 00:11:05,520 --> 00:11:08,680 Speaker 1: God puts us there on purpose so we can see 187 00:11:08,720 --> 00:11:12,280 Speaker 1: the problem and hopefully deal with it. Now, pay attention 188 00:11:12,400 --> 00:11:16,320 Speaker 1: to the areas where you're being tested in my life. 189 00:11:16,480 --> 00:11:19,480 Speaker 1: I never liked waiting, but it seemed like the more 190 00:11:19,520 --> 00:11:22,880 Speaker 1: impatient I was, the more I had to wait. Wouldn't 191 00:11:22,920 --> 00:11:25,760 Speaker 1: have a choice. At the grocery store. If I was 192 00:11:25,800 --> 00:11:28,880 Speaker 1: in a hurry, Inevitably I would get in the line 193 00:11:28,920 --> 00:11:32,559 Speaker 1: with the slowest cashier. First day on the job, man 194 00:11:32,600 --> 00:11:34,520 Speaker 1: in front of me would have twenty three items with 195 00:11:34,520 --> 00:11:38,760 Speaker 1: no price on it. Get so frustrated. Seemed like the 196 00:11:38,760 --> 00:11:41,920 Speaker 1: more impatient I was, the longer it would take Victoria 197 00:11:41,960 --> 00:11:45,160 Speaker 1: to get dressed. If we were running late to church, 198 00:11:45,440 --> 00:11:48,480 Speaker 1: Little Alexandra wouldn't be able to find her shoes, the 199 00:11:48,520 --> 00:11:51,640 Speaker 1: iron wouldn't work, Jonathan would spill something on his shirt, 200 00:11:51,679 --> 00:11:54,040 Speaker 1: on and on. I never saw that as a test. 201 00:11:54,400 --> 00:11:56,959 Speaker 1: I saw that as the enemy trying to delay me. 202 00:11:58,080 --> 00:12:01,720 Speaker 1: So I'd try to pray it away. Resist God. I 203 00:12:01,760 --> 00:12:04,160 Speaker 1: need to get there on time. I'm the pastor of 204 00:12:04,200 --> 00:12:09,679 Speaker 1: the church God, and it's a big church, God, liquid church. God. 205 00:12:09,760 --> 00:12:12,600 Speaker 1: All these things are coming against me. God, you got 206 00:12:12,600 --> 00:12:14,840 Speaker 1: to help me out. The more I prayed, the slower 207 00:12:14,880 --> 00:12:18,720 Speaker 1: things went. One day I realized what I'm telling you, 208 00:12:19,240 --> 00:12:23,119 Speaker 1: That wasn't the enemy attacking me. That was God attacking 209 00:12:23,160 --> 00:12:27,319 Speaker 1: my problem of being impatient. You can rebuke until your 210 00:12:27,320 --> 00:12:31,920 Speaker 1: rebukeer wears out. You can pray, bind loose thingshout not 211 00:12:32,040 --> 00:12:35,480 Speaker 1: going to do any good. God's interested in changing you. 212 00:12:36,160 --> 00:12:38,840 Speaker 1: He's not going to leave you alone. That test is 213 00:12:38,880 --> 00:12:42,240 Speaker 1: going to come again and again. The sooner you deal 214 00:12:42,280 --> 00:12:45,040 Speaker 1: with it, the sooner you make adjustments, the better off 215 00:12:45,080 --> 00:12:48,600 Speaker 1: you will be. Years ago, I was driving to church. 216 00:12:48,800 --> 00:12:51,439 Speaker 1: It was a Tuesday morning, had a very important meeting 217 00:12:51,480 --> 00:12:55,000 Speaker 1: to attend. Back then, the drive was thirty minutes. I 218 00:12:55,040 --> 00:12:57,280 Speaker 1: was running a little late, but I knew if I 219 00:12:57,280 --> 00:12:59,720 Speaker 1: didn't hit any traffic, I could still make it on time. 220 00:13:00,240 --> 00:13:02,440 Speaker 1: So I prayed that God would give me favor. On 221 00:13:02,480 --> 00:13:05,560 Speaker 1: the freeway, quoted the scripture of God's going before me 222 00:13:05,640 --> 00:13:09,360 Speaker 1: making crooked places straight. I rebuked every slow driver out 223 00:13:09,360 --> 00:13:14,280 Speaker 1: of my path. Just the opposite happened. It was almost comical. 224 00:13:14,720 --> 00:13:18,160 Speaker 1: There's a light leaving my neighborhood that in three years 225 00:13:18,280 --> 00:13:21,560 Speaker 1: I have never seen it red. It's always green, but 226 00:13:21,679 --> 00:13:24,040 Speaker 1: that day. When I got to it, it turned red. 227 00:13:24,559 --> 00:13:26,720 Speaker 1: I could not believe it. I just knew that was 228 00:13:26,720 --> 00:13:30,280 Speaker 1: the enemy. Got on the freeway and took off, praying 229 00:13:30,360 --> 00:13:33,040 Speaker 1: for discernment that God would show me which hell the 230 00:13:33,080 --> 00:13:37,000 Speaker 1: police officer would be sitting over. I was doing fine, 231 00:13:37,120 --> 00:13:39,840 Speaker 1: still had time to make it. Then the traffic started 232 00:13:39,840 --> 00:13:43,120 Speaker 1: to slow down. I started to pray even harder. God, 233 00:13:43,240 --> 00:13:46,079 Speaker 1: you parted the Red Sea from Moses, you can part 234 00:13:46,120 --> 00:13:49,480 Speaker 1: these cars from me. I prayer. It didn't work. My 235 00:13:49,640 --> 00:13:53,480 Speaker 1: lane got slower slower. Finally it came to a complete stop. 236 00:13:53,800 --> 00:13:56,719 Speaker 1: I was so frustrated. The lane next to me was 237 00:13:56,760 --> 00:13:59,520 Speaker 1: still moving ten or fifteen miles an hour. And put 238 00:13:59,559 --> 00:14:04,040 Speaker 1: my blink, but nobody would let me over. I smiled, 239 00:14:04,280 --> 00:14:07,040 Speaker 1: I waved, I blew kisses, I held up money. None 240 00:14:07,080 --> 00:14:10,199 Speaker 1: of that work. Thought, these are the meanest people I've 241 00:14:10,200 --> 00:14:15,000 Speaker 1: ever seen. After the longest time, this little old lady 242 00:14:15,120 --> 00:14:17,880 Speaker 1: slowed down. Let me in that lane, I thought, thank 243 00:14:17,880 --> 00:14:21,000 Speaker 1: you Jesus. The moment I got in that lane, it 244 00:14:21,160 --> 00:14:25,520 Speaker 1: stopped and my old lane started going. I realize now 245 00:14:26,080 --> 00:14:30,400 Speaker 1: that wasn't a coincidence. That was God allowing me to 246 00:14:30,440 --> 00:14:34,160 Speaker 1: be in an uncomfortable situation. So I could grow. It 247 00:14:34,200 --> 00:14:37,560 Speaker 1: didn't happen overnight, but little by little I let God 248 00:14:37,600 --> 00:14:41,240 Speaker 1: refine me. Now doesn't bother me anymore. I've learned to 249 00:14:41,280 --> 00:14:44,640 Speaker 1: just be patient, go with the flow. Maybe some of 250 00:14:44,680 --> 00:14:47,280 Speaker 1: you are doing what I did. You're trying to pray 251 00:14:47,320 --> 00:14:50,560 Speaker 1: away the very thing that God wants you to deal with. 252 00:14:51,480 --> 00:14:55,680 Speaker 1: The situation may not change, but when you change, it's 253 00:14:55,720 --> 00:14:58,720 Speaker 1: not going to bother you anymore. I'd love to tell 254 00:14:58,760 --> 00:15:01,280 Speaker 1: you that if you let God God refine you, you 255 00:15:01,400 --> 00:15:05,320 Speaker 1: deal with these impurities, then all these things that annoy you, 256 00:15:05,440 --> 00:15:09,040 Speaker 1: that irritates you, that they'll go away. But that's not reality. 257 00:15:09,600 --> 00:15:12,280 Speaker 1: I still get stuck in traffic, still get in the 258 00:15:12,280 --> 00:15:15,520 Speaker 1: longest line at the grocery store. Our flights are still delayed. 259 00:15:16,080 --> 00:15:19,120 Speaker 1: Now it doesn't stress me. I don't get upset. I 260 00:15:19,160 --> 00:15:24,280 Speaker 1: stay in peace. Why my quality has improved because I 261 00:15:24,360 --> 00:15:27,640 Speaker 1: work with God and let him make me and mold me. 262 00:15:28,320 --> 00:15:31,760 Speaker 1: Those tests have actually made me better. And the next 263 00:15:31,760 --> 00:15:35,280 Speaker 1: time you're tempted to be impatient, remind yourself this is 264 00:15:35,400 --> 00:15:38,720 Speaker 1: only a test. I'm gonna stay in peace. I know 265 00:15:39,080 --> 00:15:42,440 Speaker 1: God has directed my steps. When you're tempted to get 266 00:15:42,480 --> 00:15:47,880 Speaker 1: your feelings hurt, somebody says something insensitive, Remind yourself, this 267 00:15:48,040 --> 00:15:51,080 Speaker 1: is only a test. I'm not gonna get better. I 268 00:15:51,120 --> 00:15:54,720 Speaker 1: know God is fighting my battles. You go through that disappointment, 269 00:15:54,960 --> 00:15:57,640 Speaker 1: This is only a test. I know what's meant from 270 00:15:57,640 --> 00:16:00,960 Speaker 1: my harm. God's gonna use to my advantage. See it 271 00:16:01,040 --> 00:16:05,800 Speaker 1: as a test. Show God what quality you are. Sometimes 272 00:16:05,800 --> 00:16:08,640 Speaker 1: God will allow us to be in a situation where 273 00:16:08,680 --> 00:16:13,160 Speaker 1: we're not getting any thanks, any kind of appreciation. At 274 00:16:13,160 --> 00:16:16,080 Speaker 1: the office, you're doing all the work but not getting 275 00:16:16,120 --> 00:16:19,520 Speaker 1: any credit. In the nursery or at the hospital you've 276 00:16:19,560 --> 00:16:22,880 Speaker 1: been volunteering for two years, not one person has ever 277 00:16:22,920 --> 00:16:26,160 Speaker 1: said thank you. It's almost like people have gone out 278 00:16:26,200 --> 00:16:30,520 Speaker 1: of their way to not express appreciation, to not compliment you. 279 00:16:31,400 --> 00:16:35,040 Speaker 1: That is not a coincidence. That is a test. God 280 00:16:35,080 --> 00:16:37,560 Speaker 1: is wanting to teach us to trust Him in a 281 00:16:37,600 --> 00:16:41,920 Speaker 1: greater way and to not rely on other people's approval. 282 00:16:42,600 --> 00:16:46,400 Speaker 1: Don't get discouraged, keep a good attitude, knowing that God 283 00:16:46,640 --> 00:16:49,920 Speaker 1: is using that to work something in you. He's growing 284 00:16:49,960 --> 00:16:54,040 Speaker 1: you up, getting you prepared for greater things. When I 285 00:16:54,040 --> 00:16:57,320 Speaker 1: first started ministering back in nineteen ninety nine, I was 286 00:16:57,440 --> 00:17:01,680 Speaker 1: very insecure, never done this before, and I relied so 287 00:17:01,880 --> 00:17:07,040 Speaker 1: heavily on people's compliments after the service. If enough people 288 00:17:07,080 --> 00:17:09,359 Speaker 1: didn't tell me that was good and they enjoyed it, 289 00:17:09,640 --> 00:17:12,439 Speaker 1: I'd get discouraged and wonder if I was even called 290 00:17:12,480 --> 00:17:15,239 Speaker 1: to do this. In the first year or so, I 291 00:17:15,280 --> 00:17:19,359 Speaker 1: had all kinds of compliments, I'd go home Sunday afternoon 292 00:17:19,440 --> 00:17:22,280 Speaker 1: all fired up, ready for the next week. A year 293 00:17:22,359 --> 00:17:24,520 Speaker 1: or two into it got to the place where I 294 00:17:24,640 --> 00:17:28,800 Speaker 1: wasn't getting the appreciation like I had before. I remember 295 00:17:28,840 --> 00:17:32,560 Speaker 1: one Sunday in particular, I spoke the best message that 296 00:17:32,640 --> 00:17:36,400 Speaker 1: I possibly could. Afterwards, I was just waiting for everybody 297 00:17:36,440 --> 00:17:39,280 Speaker 1: to tell me how much they enjoyed it. But do 298 00:17:39,359 --> 00:17:43,239 Speaker 1: you know, not one person said anything about it, not 299 00:17:43,320 --> 00:17:47,320 Speaker 1: even Victoria, and she always would compliment me what am 300 00:17:47,320 --> 00:17:51,800 Speaker 1: I saying? Sometimes God will cause people in your life 301 00:17:52,160 --> 00:17:55,240 Speaker 1: to not give you something so that you can grow up. 302 00:17:56,040 --> 00:17:59,639 Speaker 1: I mean, Victoria's personality is very encouraging For her to 303 00:17:59,680 --> 00:18:02,880 Speaker 1: not say something, it had to be God, especially since 304 00:18:02,920 --> 00:18:07,200 Speaker 1: my message was so good. But one day I realized 305 00:18:07,400 --> 00:18:11,239 Speaker 1: that was a test. That was God teaching me to 306 00:18:11,320 --> 00:18:14,879 Speaker 1: not rely on what everybody thinks, and not to just 307 00:18:15,000 --> 00:18:18,199 Speaker 1: live to please people, but instead to be my best, 308 00:18:18,560 --> 00:18:21,720 Speaker 1: knowing that he is pleased with me. I have a 309 00:18:21,760 --> 00:18:24,959 Speaker 1: minister friend he struggled in the same area. He just 310 00:18:25,760 --> 00:18:27,840 Speaker 1: lived by how many compliments he could get and how 311 00:18:27,880 --> 00:18:31,360 Speaker 1: many people liked his message. And one Sunday after the service, 312 00:18:31,520 --> 00:18:34,320 Speaker 1: he asked the man that sold his CDs in the back, 313 00:18:34,800 --> 00:18:38,280 Speaker 1: did anybody buy a CD from this morning's message? And 314 00:18:38,480 --> 00:18:40,800 Speaker 1: he's hoping to get a good report and be encouraged. 315 00:18:41,160 --> 00:18:44,080 Speaker 1: The man said no, pastor nobody bought a CD of 316 00:18:44,119 --> 00:18:47,680 Speaker 1: today's message, but one lady did return one from last week. 317 00:18:49,520 --> 00:18:54,200 Speaker 1: We have to realize those are testing times. If your 318 00:18:54,280 --> 00:18:57,520 Speaker 1: spouse is not giving you compliments like they used to, 319 00:18:58,160 --> 00:19:01,480 Speaker 1: that's a test. If you're doing the work and not 320 00:19:01,520 --> 00:19:05,440 Speaker 1: getting the credit, it's a test. If people are overlooking 321 00:19:05,480 --> 00:19:09,040 Speaker 1: you take it all in stride and pass that test. 322 00:19:09,480 --> 00:19:12,800 Speaker 1: That's God growing you up. It's easy to get a 323 00:19:12,880 --> 00:19:16,560 Speaker 1: chip on our shoulder and think nobody appreciates me. See 324 00:19:16,560 --> 00:19:19,240 Speaker 1: if I do anything for you. Now keep the good 325 00:19:19,320 --> 00:19:22,120 Speaker 1: attitude and say, God, I'm going to be my best 326 00:19:22,160 --> 00:19:25,800 Speaker 1: each day under you. If people don't give me credit, 327 00:19:25,960 --> 00:19:28,320 Speaker 1: if they don't recognize that, that's all right. I know 328 00:19:28,680 --> 00:19:32,359 Speaker 1: You'll give me everything that I need. See, God wants 329 00:19:32,400 --> 00:19:37,160 Speaker 1: us to get our approval, our worth, our value from Him. 330 00:19:37,760 --> 00:19:41,920 Speaker 1: That way, we're not dependent on other people. People will 331 00:19:42,000 --> 00:19:46,000 Speaker 1: let you down, People will be too busy, people won't 332 00:19:46,040 --> 00:19:49,240 Speaker 1: always be there when you need them. Really, no one 333 00:19:49,320 --> 00:19:52,760 Speaker 1: person can keep you cheered up, keep you feeling good 334 00:19:52,760 --> 00:19:57,440 Speaker 1: about yourself. Only God can. When we start off like babies, 335 00:19:57,760 --> 00:20:00,960 Speaker 1: where we need somebody to take care of us, somebody 336 00:20:01,040 --> 00:20:04,040 Speaker 1: to encourage us when we're down, to make sure we 337 00:20:04,080 --> 00:20:10,120 Speaker 1: feel loved, appreciated, valued, approved. That's all important. We need 338 00:20:10,160 --> 00:20:13,439 Speaker 1: that for a season. But there will come a point 339 00:20:13,560 --> 00:20:17,159 Speaker 1: where God will say it's time to grow up. I 340 00:20:17,240 --> 00:20:20,159 Speaker 1: want you to depend not on people, but on me, 341 00:20:21,280 --> 00:20:25,320 Speaker 1: and God will remove that crutch, so to speak, that 342 00:20:25,359 --> 00:20:28,600 Speaker 1: person that's always keeping your cheered up, that friend that 343 00:20:28,760 --> 00:20:31,360 Speaker 1: calls you all the time to compliment you and tell 344 00:20:31,400 --> 00:20:34,840 Speaker 1: you how great you are. He will remove, maybe not 345 00:20:34,960 --> 00:20:40,000 Speaker 1: the person, but the encouragement, the compliments, the approval. Don't 346 00:20:40,000 --> 00:20:43,280 Speaker 1: get mad at them. It's a test. God is saying, 347 00:20:43,720 --> 00:20:46,919 Speaker 1: I want you to look to me. I'm everything you need. 348 00:20:47,280 --> 00:20:51,160 Speaker 1: I'm your encouragement, I'm your approval, I'm your validation. I'm 349 00:20:51,200 --> 00:20:55,840 Speaker 1: your friend. I love you, I'm for you. I will 350 00:20:55,880 --> 00:20:59,840 Speaker 1: never let you down. If God didn't remove the crutch, 351 00:21:00,160 --> 00:21:03,440 Speaker 1: we would never grow up and become all He's created 352 00:21:03,520 --> 00:21:07,440 Speaker 1: us to be. Our son, Jonathan is seventeen years old now. 353 00:21:07,840 --> 00:21:10,000 Speaker 1: When he was a little boy, I used to cut 354 00:21:10,080 --> 00:21:12,879 Speaker 1: his food up for him, make sure that he'd brush 355 00:21:12,920 --> 00:21:16,560 Speaker 1: his teeth every day before he'd go to first grade. 356 00:21:16,600 --> 00:21:18,720 Speaker 1: He'd come into my room and say, Daddy, fix my 357 00:21:18,840 --> 00:21:21,840 Speaker 1: hair like you fix yours. I'd get that gel and 358 00:21:21,920 --> 00:21:26,320 Speaker 1: pull it back just right. We told him morning, noon 359 00:21:26,400 --> 00:21:29,480 Speaker 1: and night how much we loved him, how proud we 360 00:21:29,480 --> 00:21:31,520 Speaker 1: were of him, how he was going to do great 361 00:21:31,520 --> 00:21:34,679 Speaker 1: things in life, and that's important. We should do that 362 00:21:34,800 --> 00:21:38,440 Speaker 1: as parents. But now that he's seventeen, I don't cut 363 00:21:38,440 --> 00:21:41,159 Speaker 1: his food up for him anymore. He won't let me 364 00:21:41,280 --> 00:21:44,960 Speaker 1: touch his hair. He doesn't have to hear every ten 365 00:21:45,040 --> 00:21:48,159 Speaker 1: minutes how much we love him, how much we're proud 366 00:21:48,160 --> 00:21:50,920 Speaker 1: of him. For him to still feel good about himself, 367 00:21:51,160 --> 00:21:54,879 Speaker 1: he's growing up. It's the same way with our heavenly Father. 368 00:21:55,560 --> 00:21:59,040 Speaker 1: We start off like little babies. God will make sure 369 00:21:59,119 --> 00:22:02,880 Speaker 1: somebody's there to encourage us, somebody to tell us how 370 00:22:03,240 --> 00:22:07,320 Speaker 1: loved and valuable and needed we are. There's a season 371 00:22:07,560 --> 00:22:11,440 Speaker 1: where it seems like everything falls into place. Your prayers 372 00:22:11,480 --> 00:22:14,960 Speaker 1: are getting answered left and right. A friend calls it 373 00:22:15,160 --> 00:22:18,320 Speaker 1: just the right time, gives you a word in due season. 374 00:22:18,720 --> 00:22:20,960 Speaker 1: You're hope in the Bible and read just what you 375 00:22:21,080 --> 00:22:24,160 Speaker 1: need to hear. You know God is real. You've seed 376 00:22:24,200 --> 00:22:28,400 Speaker 1: his hand again and again, and that's great for a season. 377 00:22:29,080 --> 00:22:33,080 Speaker 1: But the truth is it won't last forever. God won't 378 00:22:33,119 --> 00:22:36,720 Speaker 1: let us stay babies. There'll be a point where God 379 00:22:36,800 --> 00:22:41,240 Speaker 1: removes the pampering. If he didn't, it would hinder our growth. 380 00:22:42,080 --> 00:22:44,680 Speaker 1: I could still be cutting Jonathan's food up for him, 381 00:22:44,960 --> 00:22:47,920 Speaker 1: but that would be doing him a disservice. And if 382 00:22:47,960 --> 00:22:51,600 Speaker 1: you're not getting what you used to the approval from 383 00:22:51,640 --> 00:22:55,280 Speaker 1: another person, your prayers don't get answered the first day 384 00:22:55,400 --> 00:22:58,720 Speaker 1: like they did before. This may sound strange, but take 385 00:22:58,800 --> 00:23:03,040 Speaker 1: that as a compliment. God is growing you up, He's 386 00:23:03,119 --> 00:23:06,679 Speaker 1: maturing you, getting you ready for the amazing future He 387 00:23:06,800 --> 00:23:11,040 Speaker 1: has in store. This scripture talks about how as long 388 00:23:11,200 --> 00:23:15,160 Speaker 1: as we remain a child will never receive our inheritance, 389 00:23:15,560 --> 00:23:19,920 Speaker 1: we'll never reach our full potential. But as you grow up, 390 00:23:20,359 --> 00:23:23,520 Speaker 1: as you let God make you and mold you, then 391 00:23:23,560 --> 00:23:26,720 Speaker 1: those seeds of greatness God's placed on the inside. They're 392 00:23:26,720 --> 00:23:29,800 Speaker 1: going to take root and start to flourish. It's funny 393 00:23:29,840 --> 00:23:32,080 Speaker 1: how when we first start off, how many times have 394 00:23:32,200 --> 00:23:35,639 Speaker 1: we opened our Bible just randomly closed our eyes and 395 00:23:35,680 --> 00:23:38,560 Speaker 1: pointed to a scripture and there's something just what we 396 00:23:38,640 --> 00:23:41,800 Speaker 1: needed to hear, just spoke to us. You go a 397 00:23:41,840 --> 00:23:44,359 Speaker 1: few years and start to grow up and open that 398 00:23:44,440 --> 00:23:48,320 Speaker 1: Bible randomly point and it says repent, you brew the vipers. 399 00:23:49,920 --> 00:23:53,520 Speaker 1: That's when you know you're growing up. Now pass the test. 400 00:23:54,280 --> 00:23:59,320 Speaker 1: Learn to encourage yourself. Stay faithful even though your prayers 401 00:23:59,359 --> 00:24:02,840 Speaker 1: aren't being an answered on your timetable. Don't rely on 402 00:24:03,000 --> 00:24:07,160 Speaker 1: other people for their approval, their validation. Get up every 403 00:24:07,160 --> 00:24:10,159 Speaker 1: morning and say, Father, I want to thank you that 404 00:24:10,200 --> 00:24:13,800 Speaker 1: you approve me. You made me in your image, you 405 00:24:13,920 --> 00:24:17,840 Speaker 1: breathed your life into me. You said I'm a masterpiece, 406 00:24:18,200 --> 00:24:22,160 Speaker 1: I'm valuable, I'm approved, So God, I don't need other 407 00:24:22,200 --> 00:24:26,280 Speaker 1: people's approval. I have your approval. The more we grow, 408 00:24:26,440 --> 00:24:30,879 Speaker 1: the more we mature, the less and less dependent we 409 00:24:31,040 --> 00:24:34,520 Speaker 1: become on what other people think, or on what other 410 00:24:34,560 --> 00:24:37,320 Speaker 1: people do or don't give us. We get it from 411 00:24:37,320 --> 00:24:40,679 Speaker 1: our heavenly Father, and some of you today, are frustrated 412 00:24:40,720 --> 00:24:43,879 Speaker 1: because a prayer is not being answered. Another person is 413 00:24:43,920 --> 00:24:47,200 Speaker 1: not giving you the approval they used to. You kind 414 00:24:47,200 --> 00:24:50,160 Speaker 1: of feel like that God has forgotten all about you. 415 00:24:50,760 --> 00:24:54,520 Speaker 1: But it's just the opposite. God is closely watching you. 416 00:24:55,400 --> 00:24:59,080 Speaker 1: This is a test of your quality. God wants to 417 00:24:59,119 --> 00:25:02,119 Speaker 1: see what you you're made of. This is not the 418 00:25:02,200 --> 00:25:05,080 Speaker 1: time to get discouraged. It's not the time to think, 419 00:25:05,119 --> 00:25:08,800 Speaker 1: what's the use It's never gonna change. I'm stuck here. No, 420 00:25:08,960 --> 00:25:12,679 Speaker 1: it's only a test. This is the time, more than ever, 421 00:25:12,920 --> 00:25:16,320 Speaker 1: to dig your heels in and sow a radical seed 422 00:25:16,440 --> 00:25:20,159 Speaker 1: of obedience. Do the right thing in spite of what 423 00:25:20,320 --> 00:25:23,840 Speaker 1: somebody is not giving you. Keep praying even though it 424 00:25:23,880 --> 00:25:27,920 Speaker 1: feels like God went on vacation. Keep believing, even though 425 00:25:27,960 --> 00:25:30,600 Speaker 1: your mind is telling you it's never going to change. 426 00:25:30,720 --> 00:25:33,760 Speaker 1: If you'll do that, you'll pass that test. You will 427 00:25:33,760 --> 00:25:37,120 Speaker 1: see that radical harvest. That's what it says in James. 428 00:25:37,359 --> 00:25:41,520 Speaker 1: When we pass the test, you will receive a victor's 429 00:25:41,600 --> 00:25:45,400 Speaker 1: crown of life. Friends, there is a crown of victory 430 00:25:45,600 --> 00:25:49,480 Speaker 1: waiting for you. The test you are in is not permanent. 431 00:25:50,000 --> 00:25:54,000 Speaker 1: It's only for a season. You keep moving forward, don't 432 00:25:54,000 --> 00:25:57,840 Speaker 1: fight against everything that's hard. Let God make you and 433 00:25:58,000 --> 00:26:02,480 Speaker 1: mold you. Work with God. Be willing to make adjustments, 434 00:26:02,840 --> 00:26:07,320 Speaker 1: make improvements. God's always giving us opportunities to come up higher. 435 00:26:08,119 --> 00:26:11,040 Speaker 1: As you grow, as you mature, God is going to 436 00:26:11,080 --> 00:26:14,040 Speaker 1: release the inheritance that he has laid up for you. 437 00:26:14,640 --> 00:26:18,520 Speaker 1: It's like nothing you've seen before. God's going to release 438 00:26:18,640 --> 00:26:21,840 Speaker 1: favor in a greater way. You're going to come into 439 00:26:21,880 --> 00:26:26,400 Speaker 1: supernatural opportunities. Problems that have dogged you for years are 440 00:26:26,400 --> 00:26:29,679 Speaker 1: going to suddenly turn around. Loved Ones that wouldn't have 441 00:26:29,720 --> 00:26:31,920 Speaker 1: anything to do with the Lord are going to suddenly 442 00:26:31,960 --> 00:26:35,120 Speaker 1: come back home. Dreams you've been praying about are going 443 00:26:35,160 --> 00:26:38,639 Speaker 1: to suddenly come to pass Because you pass the test. 444 00:26:39,000 --> 00:26:42,280 Speaker 1: God promises a crown of victory is waiting for you. 445 00:26:42,560 --> 00:26:46,320 Speaker 1: That means victory in your health, victory in your finances, 446 00:26:46,640 --> 00:26:51,280 Speaker 1: victory in your career, victory in relationships. I believe and 447 00:26:51,359 --> 00:26:56,080 Speaker 1: declare victory is in your future in Jesus' name, if 448 00:26:56,080 --> 00:27:00,439 Speaker 1: you receive it today, can you say amen? Or we 449 00:27:00,520 --> 00:27:03,239 Speaker 1: never like to close our broadcast without giving you an 450 00:27:03,240 --> 00:27:06,320 Speaker 1: opportunity to make Jesus the Lord of your life. Would 451 00:27:06,359 --> 00:27:10,960 Speaker 1: you pray with me? Just say Lord, Jesus, I repent 452 00:27:11,000 --> 00:27:15,600 Speaker 1: of my sins. Come into my heart. I make you 453 00:27:15,680 --> 00:27:20,000 Speaker 1: my Lord and savior. Friends, if you prayed that simple prayer, 454 00:27:20,080 --> 00:27:22,640 Speaker 1: we believe you got born again. Get in a good 455 00:27:22,640 --> 00:27:25,879 Speaker 1: Bible based church. Keep God first place. He's going to 456 00:27:25,880 --> 00:27:27,800 Speaker 1: take your places that you've never dreamed of. 457 00:27:28,720 --> 00:27:33,960 Speaker 2: Life throws so much at us disappointments, failures, challenges. We 458 00:27:34,040 --> 00:27:36,679 Speaker 2: can feel so out of touch that we no longer 459 00:27:36,800 --> 00:27:37,919 Speaker 2: recognize ourselves. 460 00:27:38,720 --> 00:27:41,200 Speaker 1: Life has a way of changing us. At one time 461 00:27:41,280 --> 00:27:44,600 Speaker 1: we were outgoing and excited about our dreams. But when 462 00:27:44,680 --> 00:27:47,720 Speaker 1: we go through disappointments and people do us wrong, it's 463 00:27:47,800 --> 00:27:51,280 Speaker 1: easy to lose that positive, passionate person that we used 464 00:27:51,280 --> 00:27:54,919 Speaker 1: to be. In my new book, Rediscovering the Forgotten You, 465 00:27:55,440 --> 00:27:57,480 Speaker 1: I'll help you get back to who you really are, 466 00:27:57,800 --> 00:28:01,720 Speaker 1: the joyful you, the confident you, talented you. It's not 467 00:28:01,840 --> 00:28:04,840 Speaker 1: too late. You haven't been through too much. You may 468 00:28:04,840 --> 00:28:07,840 Speaker 1: have lost part of yourself, but you can find yourself. 469 00:28:08,240 --> 00:28:11,119 Speaker 1: God is in the business of restoring what was lost, 470 00:28:11,440 --> 00:28:14,679 Speaker 1: healing what was broken. You haven't seen the best version 471 00:28:14,840 --> 00:28:17,320 Speaker 1: of you yet, it's still in front of you. 472 00:28:17,920 --> 00:28:20,200 Speaker 2: As our way of saying thank you for your gift 473 00:28:20,240 --> 00:28:22,480 Speaker 2: of any amount we would like to send you a 474 00:28:22,560 --> 00:28:26,520 Speaker 2: copy of Joel's brand new book, Rediscovering the Forgotten. You 475 00:28:27,200 --> 00:28:30,879 Speaker 2: take back your passion, reignite your dreams, and embrace the 476 00:28:30,960 --> 00:28:34,920 Speaker 2: life you were created to live. This book shares uplifting 477 00:28:34,920 --> 00:28:39,480 Speaker 2: scripture and personal stories that will help you release bitterness, silence, 478 00:28:39,560 --> 00:28:43,280 Speaker 2: self defeating thoughts, and embrace by faith the vision of 479 00:28:43,320 --> 00:28:46,960 Speaker 2: the life God designed for you. Life's challenges might have 480 00:28:47,040 --> 00:28:51,360 Speaker 2: distorted the true you, but now you can reclaim, revitalize, 481 00:28:51,400 --> 00:28:54,520 Speaker 2: and restore the version of yourself that you once knew 482 00:28:54,880 --> 00:28:57,240 Speaker 2: or the version that you know God has made you 483 00:28:57,280 --> 00:29:01,560 Speaker 2: to be filled with hopes and dreams, optimism, and confidence. 484 00:29:01,880 --> 00:29:05,200 Speaker 2: Request your copy today and discover the best version of 485 00:29:05,240 --> 00:29:05,920 Speaker 2: you yet. 486 00:29:06,600 --> 00:29:10,000 Speaker 1: God is about to breathe new life, new passion, new 487 00:29:10,080 --> 00:29:13,840 Speaker 1: dreams into your heart. What he started, He's going to finish. 488 00:29:14,040 --> 00:29:16,600 Speaker 1: Thanks so much for being with us today. Victoria and 489 00:29:16,680 --> 00:29:19,160 Speaker 1: I are praying for you and your family for God's 490 00:29:19,280 --> 00:29:22,920 Speaker 1: very best. Thank you so much for your prayer and support. 491 00:29:23,240 --> 00:29:26,880 Speaker 1: Your generosity helps people all over the world. The special 492 00:29:26,960 --> 00:29:29,800 Speaker 1: thank you to our Champion of Hope partners for all 493 00:29:29,840 --> 00:29:32,440 Speaker 1: you do to make the ministry possible. If you're not 494 00:29:32,480 --> 00:29:35,640 Speaker 1: a partner, I hope you'll consider becoming one. Until we 495 00:29:35,680 --> 00:29:38,560 Speaker 1: meet again. May the Lord bless you and keep you. 496 00:29:39,600 --> 00:29:43,040 Speaker 2: Be sure to request your copy of Rediscovering the Forgotten You, 497 00:29:43,520 --> 00:29:47,400 Speaker 2: available this month by simply visiting us at Joelostein dot 498 00:29:47,440 --> 00:29:50,880 Speaker 2: com or call eight eight eight five six seven Joel. 499 00:29:51,320 --> 00:29:54,840 Speaker 2: You can also receive the God's Got You Rediscovery duo. 500 00:29:55,320 --> 00:29:59,520 Speaker 2: You'll receive Rediscovering the Forgotten You and God's Got You 501 00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:04,160 Speaker 2: Promises for Overcoming Fear. It's the perfect combination to help 502 00:30:04,200 --> 00:30:08,240 Speaker 2: you rekindle your purpose while standing firm in God's promises. 503 00:30:08,520 --> 00:30:11,800 Speaker 2: In addition to these two inspiration books, you can also 504 00:30:11,920 --> 00:30:16,040 Speaker 2: receive the beautifully crafted CSB Thin Line Study Bible in 505 00:30:16,160 --> 00:30:20,080 Speaker 2: camel Swedes, soft leather touch, an elegant Bible that offers 506 00:30:20,080 --> 00:30:24,520 Speaker 2: a rich, immersive study experience and brings God's Word beautifully 507 00:30:24,520 --> 00:30:28,719 Speaker 2: into your everyday life. This collection is more than encouragement. 508 00:30:29,040 --> 00:30:32,960 Speaker 2: It is a foundation for lasting renewal, rooted in God's Word, 509 00:30:33,280 --> 00:30:37,400 Speaker 2: strengthened by faith, and anchored in His promises. You can 510 00:30:37,400 --> 00:30:41,560 Speaker 2: request these inspiring resources by calling eight eight eight five 511 00:30:41,680 --> 00:30:45,640 Speaker 2: six seven Joel or logging on to Joelostein dot com 512 00:30:45,680 --> 00:30:55,760 Speaker 2: today