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Make sure you subscribe to get new messages 36 00:01:41,400 --> 00:01:44,440 Speaker 5: every week. We appreciate your support. It helps keep the 37 00:01:44,480 --> 00:01:45,280 Speaker 5: ministry going. 38 00:01:45,720 --> 00:02:09,359 Speaker 4: Enjoy the message. 39 00:01:58,280 --> 00:01:59,160 Speaker 6: About bless you. 40 00:02:00,080 --> 00:02:02,440 Speaker 5: He's a joy to come into your homes and if 41 00:02:02,440 --> 00:02:05,000 Speaker 5: you're ever in our area, please stop by and be 42 00:02:05,040 --> 00:02:06,440 Speaker 5: a part of one of our services. 43 00:02:06,600 --> 00:02:08,920 Speaker 6: I promise you we'll make you feel right at home. 44 00:02:09,280 --> 00:02:11,520 Speaker 5: Thanks so much for tuning in, and thank you again 45 00:02:11,639 --> 00:02:14,280 Speaker 5: for coming out today. I'd like to start with something 46 00:02:14,360 --> 00:02:17,280 Speaker 5: funny and this was sent to me from an attorney. 47 00:02:17,919 --> 00:02:21,040 Speaker 5: I heard about these two men, the pope and a lawyer. 48 00:02:21,760 --> 00:02:24,520 Speaker 5: They died on the same day. Saint Peter met them 49 00:02:24,520 --> 00:02:27,200 Speaker 5: at the pearly gates said, follow me, men, I'll take 50 00:02:27,240 --> 00:02:28,200 Speaker 5: you to your homes. 51 00:02:28,720 --> 00:02:30,240 Speaker 6: Peter first dropped. 52 00:02:29,880 --> 00:02:33,520 Speaker 5: The pope off at this small wood frame house, just 53 00:02:33,639 --> 00:02:37,120 Speaker 5: one bed and one desk. He then took the lawyer 54 00:02:37,200 --> 00:02:40,679 Speaker 5: to this magnificent house. It was huge, had a big 55 00:02:40,720 --> 00:02:42,880 Speaker 5: swimming pool, a beautiful view out back. 56 00:02:43,520 --> 00:02:45,079 Speaker 6: The lawyer was overwhelmed. 57 00:02:45,440 --> 00:02:48,280 Speaker 5: He said, Saint Peter, what did I do to manage 58 00:02:48,320 --> 00:02:51,639 Speaker 5: to get this magnificent place when the Pope only got 59 00:02:51,680 --> 00:02:55,600 Speaker 5: that small place. Peter said, we have dozens of popes. 60 00:02:55,840 --> 00:03:00,800 Speaker 5: You're the first lawyer. Hold up your bible. This is 61 00:03:00,840 --> 00:03:03,760 Speaker 5: my Bible. I am what it says I am. I 62 00:03:03,800 --> 00:03:06,120 Speaker 5: have what it says I have. I can do what 63 00:03:06,200 --> 00:03:08,800 Speaker 5: it says I can do. Today I will be taught 64 00:03:08,840 --> 00:03:12,720 Speaker 5: the word of God. I boldly confess. My mind is alert, 65 00:03:13,080 --> 00:03:15,840 Speaker 5: my heart is receptive. I will never be the same. 66 00:03:16,200 --> 00:03:20,799 Speaker 5: In Jesus' name, God bless you. I want to talk 67 00:03:20,800 --> 00:03:24,840 Speaker 5: to you today about finishing grace. It doesn't take a 68 00:03:24,880 --> 00:03:29,040 Speaker 5: lot of effort to start things. Start a diet, start school, 69 00:03:29,520 --> 00:03:34,320 Speaker 5: start a family. Starting is easy. Finishing is what can 70 00:03:34,360 --> 00:03:38,200 Speaker 5: be difficult. Any young lady can have a baby, but 71 00:03:38,320 --> 00:03:40,640 Speaker 5: it takes a mother to really raise that child. 72 00:03:41,600 --> 00:03:42,840 Speaker 6: Any two people. 73 00:03:42,640 --> 00:03:45,680 Speaker 5: Can get married, but it takes commitment to stick with 74 00:03:45,760 --> 00:03:49,160 Speaker 5: it for the long haul. Anyone can have a dream, 75 00:03:49,280 --> 00:03:53,200 Speaker 5: but it takes determination, perseverance, a made up mind to 76 00:03:53,240 --> 00:03:54,320 Speaker 5: see it come to pass. 77 00:03:55,040 --> 00:03:59,040 Speaker 6: The question is not will you start, but will you finish? 78 00:03:59,440 --> 00:03:59,960 Speaker 6: Will you finish? 79 00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:02,760 Speaker 5: Wish the diet, will you finish school? Will you finish 80 00:04:02,880 --> 00:04:07,040 Speaker 5: raising your children? Too many people start off good. They 81 00:04:07,040 --> 00:04:11,240 Speaker 5: have big dreams, they're excited about their future, but along 82 00:04:11,280 --> 00:04:12,040 Speaker 5: the way they. 83 00:04:11,920 --> 00:04:12,960 Speaker 6: Have some setbacks. 84 00:04:13,320 --> 00:04:16,240 Speaker 5: It's taken longer than they thought, somebody didn't do what 85 00:04:16,279 --> 00:04:19,560 Speaker 5: they said, and over time they get discouraged. Thank well, 86 00:04:19,600 --> 00:04:22,400 Speaker 5: what's the use It's never going to work out. But 87 00:04:22,480 --> 00:04:26,440 Speaker 5: God is called the author and the finisher of our faith. 88 00:04:27,160 --> 00:04:30,560 Speaker 5: He's not only giving you the grace to start, He's 89 00:04:30,640 --> 00:04:31,280 Speaker 5: given you the. 90 00:04:31,279 --> 00:04:32,600 Speaker 6: Grace to finish. 91 00:04:33,200 --> 00:04:36,360 Speaker 5: When you're tempted to get discouraged, give up on a dream, 92 00:04:36,680 --> 00:04:39,080 Speaker 5: give up on a relationship, give up on a project, 93 00:04:39,680 --> 00:04:42,960 Speaker 5: you have to remind yourself I was not created to 94 00:04:43,040 --> 00:04:46,479 Speaker 5: give up. I was not created to quit. I was 95 00:04:46,600 --> 00:04:50,640 Speaker 5: created to finish. You got to shake off the discouragement, 96 00:04:51,200 --> 00:04:53,920 Speaker 5: shake off the self pity, shake off. 97 00:04:53,680 --> 00:04:57,200 Speaker 6: What somebody said. If you will keep moving. 98 00:04:57,000 --> 00:05:00,960 Speaker 5: Forward in faith, honoring God, you will come into a 99 00:05:01,080 --> 00:05:05,560 Speaker 5: strength that you didn't have before. A force pushing you forward. 100 00:05:05,800 --> 00:05:10,160 Speaker 5: That's finishing grace. That's God breathing in your direction. 101 00:05:10,320 --> 00:05:12,919 Speaker 6: Helping you to become who he created you to be. 102 00:05:14,200 --> 00:05:17,679 Speaker 5: Disgrace is available, but you have to tap into it. 103 00:05:17,680 --> 00:05:19,800 Speaker 5: It's not going to do us any good if we 104 00:05:19,880 --> 00:05:23,880 Speaker 5: sit around in self pity thinking about how difficult it is, 105 00:05:24,200 --> 00:05:28,039 Speaker 5: what didn't work out well. Joel my college professor, he's 106 00:05:28,080 --> 00:05:31,159 Speaker 5: so hard, I'll never pass his course. No, you have 107 00:05:31,279 --> 00:05:35,520 Speaker 5: the grace to finish. Quit talking defeat and start talking victory. 108 00:05:36,000 --> 00:05:38,880 Speaker 5: I can do all things through Christ. I am full 109 00:05:38,880 --> 00:05:43,600 Speaker 5: of wisdom, talent, creativity. I will pass this course. When 110 00:05:43,640 --> 00:05:47,200 Speaker 5: you do that, finishing grace will help you do what 111 00:05:47,360 --> 00:05:50,599 Speaker 5: you could not do on your own, even in simple things. 112 00:05:51,120 --> 00:05:54,360 Speaker 5: You start cleaning your house. Five minutes later, I don't 113 00:05:54,360 --> 00:05:56,919 Speaker 5: feel like doing this. I am so tired. This is 114 00:05:56,960 --> 00:05:57,480 Speaker 5: so boring. 115 00:05:57,600 --> 00:06:00,200 Speaker 6: No, turn it around. I am strong in the Lord, 116 00:06:00,360 --> 00:06:02,839 Speaker 6: I am full of energy. I'm healthy. This is no 117 00:06:03,000 --> 00:06:03,560 Speaker 6: match for me. 118 00:06:04,560 --> 00:06:08,240 Speaker 5: If you'll tap into this finishing grace, you'll vacuum your 119 00:06:08,279 --> 00:06:14,560 Speaker 5: house like you're on a mission from God, vacuuming up dirt, coins, socks, children, 120 00:06:14,640 --> 00:06:17,920 Speaker 5: anything that gets in your way. Maybe you're tempted to 121 00:06:17,960 --> 00:06:20,640 Speaker 5: give up on a dream. Things haven't turned out the 122 00:06:20,680 --> 00:06:24,040 Speaker 5: way you planned. Was going fine at first, but then 123 00:06:24,080 --> 00:06:26,279 Speaker 5: you had some obstacles and you think, hey man, it 124 00:06:26,360 --> 00:06:29,839 Speaker 5: just wasn't meant to be. Here's what I've learned. The 125 00:06:30,080 --> 00:06:33,760 Speaker 5: enemy doesn't try to stop you from starting. He's seen 126 00:06:33,839 --> 00:06:37,039 Speaker 5: a lot of people start. That doesn't bother him. But 127 00:06:37,120 --> 00:06:40,839 Speaker 5: when you have a made up mind, you keep pushing forward, 128 00:06:41,240 --> 00:06:45,040 Speaker 5: doing the right thing, taking new ground. When he sees 129 00:06:45,080 --> 00:06:48,920 Speaker 5: you getting closer, he'll work overtime to try to keep 130 00:06:48,920 --> 00:06:53,440 Speaker 5: you from finishing. When you have setbacks, disappointments, people come 131 00:06:53,480 --> 00:06:57,320 Speaker 5: against you, a negative medical report, don't get discouraged. That's 132 00:06:57,320 --> 00:07:01,760 Speaker 5: a sign that you're moving toward finish line. He was 133 00:07:01,800 --> 00:07:04,560 Speaker 5: fine when you got started, He was fine when you 134 00:07:04,600 --> 00:07:07,920 Speaker 5: were way back, no big deal. But when you begin 135 00:07:08,040 --> 00:07:11,360 Speaker 5: to make progress, that got his attention. That's when he 136 00:07:11,400 --> 00:07:14,160 Speaker 5: threw some obstacles, some challenges. 137 00:07:14,200 --> 00:07:15,920 Speaker 6: Where you confused him. 138 00:07:16,320 --> 00:07:18,520 Speaker 5: Is he thought you would give up after the first 139 00:07:18,520 --> 00:07:22,160 Speaker 5: few difficulties. He thought you would get discouraged when that 140 00:07:22,200 --> 00:07:25,520 Speaker 5: friend turned on you, when you lost that client, when 141 00:07:25,520 --> 00:07:29,160 Speaker 5: your child got in trouble. But instead you kept moving forward, 142 00:07:29,680 --> 00:07:32,800 Speaker 5: thanking God that he's in control, thanking him that he's 143 00:07:32,800 --> 00:07:36,480 Speaker 5: fighting your battles, thanking him that no weapon formed against. 144 00:07:36,240 --> 00:07:37,040 Speaker 6: You will prosper. 145 00:07:37,320 --> 00:07:41,800 Speaker 5: What were you doing tapping into finishing grace when you 146 00:07:41,840 --> 00:07:45,480 Speaker 5: should have gotten weaker. You got stronger when you should 147 00:07:45,480 --> 00:07:47,880 Speaker 5: have been depressed. You had a smile on your face 148 00:07:48,280 --> 00:07:49,680 Speaker 5: when you should have been complaining. 149 00:07:49,960 --> 00:07:51,440 Speaker 6: You had a song of praise. 150 00:07:52,120 --> 00:07:54,800 Speaker 5: Instead of talking about how big the problem was, you 151 00:07:54,840 --> 00:07:56,640 Speaker 5: were always talking about how big. 152 00:07:56,440 --> 00:07:57,040 Speaker 6: Your God is. 153 00:07:57,480 --> 00:07:59,760 Speaker 5: And when you should have gone under, God calls you 154 00:07:59,800 --> 00:08:02,440 Speaker 5: to go. When you didn't see a way, He made 155 00:08:02,440 --> 00:08:02,760 Speaker 5: a way. 156 00:08:03,520 --> 00:08:04,840 Speaker 6: When people came against you. 157 00:08:05,040 --> 00:08:07,680 Speaker 5: He fought your battles and you came out better than 158 00:08:07,720 --> 00:08:10,960 Speaker 5: you were before. Now you may be up against challenges 159 00:08:11,040 --> 00:08:13,120 Speaker 5: right now, it's because. 160 00:08:12,840 --> 00:08:15,520 Speaker 6: You're moving forward. You're making progress. 161 00:08:15,760 --> 00:08:19,880 Speaker 5: Keep reminding yourself He's the author and the finisher of 162 00:08:19,920 --> 00:08:20,400 Speaker 5: your faith. 163 00:08:20,920 --> 00:08:22,520 Speaker 6: God helped you to get started. 164 00:08:22,680 --> 00:08:26,280 Speaker 5: That's great, But something more important, He's going to help 165 00:08:26,320 --> 00:08:28,680 Speaker 5: you to finish He didn't bring you this far to 166 00:08:28,800 --> 00:08:33,120 Speaker 5: leave you, says in Philippians, God began a good work 167 00:08:33,160 --> 00:08:36,480 Speaker 5: in you, and he will continue to perform it until 168 00:08:36,480 --> 00:08:40,120 Speaker 5: it's complete. One translation says, he will bring you to 169 00:08:40,240 --> 00:08:44,840 Speaker 5: a flourishing finish, not a defeated finish. Well you barely 170 00:08:44,880 --> 00:08:47,360 Speaker 5: make it, beat up, broke. No, you are coming to 171 00:08:47,480 --> 00:08:52,560 Speaker 5: a flourishing finish, a finish more rewarding than you ever imagine. 172 00:08:52,600 --> 00:08:54,560 Speaker 5: This is what happened to a man in the scripture 173 00:08:54,679 --> 00:08:58,520 Speaker 5: named Joseph. As a teenager, God gave him a dream 174 00:08:58,760 --> 00:09:02,920 Speaker 5: that one day he would a nation. His father, Jacob, 175 00:09:03,080 --> 00:09:07,160 Speaker 5: loved him very much. Everything started off great for Joseph 176 00:09:07,360 --> 00:09:11,000 Speaker 5: had a big dream, a supportive family. Life was good. 177 00:09:11,800 --> 00:09:16,160 Speaker 5: But along the way things started to go wrong. His brothers, 178 00:09:16,760 --> 00:09:20,040 Speaker 5: who loved him very much. At one time this was 179 00:09:20,080 --> 00:09:23,960 Speaker 5: their little brother Joseph. They were always taken up for him, 180 00:09:24,440 --> 00:09:26,200 Speaker 5: making sure nobody harmed him. 181 00:09:26,520 --> 00:09:30,199 Speaker 6: But these same brothers turned on him. They were jealous. 182 00:09:30,480 --> 00:09:34,400 Speaker 5: They threw Joseph into a pit, left him there to die. 183 00:09:34,520 --> 00:09:39,000 Speaker 5: They eventually changed their mind and sold him into slavery 184 00:09:39,160 --> 00:09:43,000 Speaker 5: to a man named Potterfard. And here Joseph hadn't really 185 00:09:43,040 --> 00:09:46,559 Speaker 5: done anything wrong. Yet his whole world had been turned 186 00:09:46,640 --> 00:09:51,080 Speaker 5: upside down. Looked like his dream was done, betrayed by 187 00:09:51,160 --> 00:09:55,080 Speaker 5: his family, a slave in a foreign country. If that 188 00:09:55,240 --> 00:09:59,040 Speaker 5: wasn't bad enough, they put him in prison for thirteen. 189 00:09:58,600 --> 00:10:00,520 Speaker 6: Years for something that he didn't do. 190 00:10:01,559 --> 00:10:06,480 Speaker 5: Surely, Joseph was depressed, angry, bitter, upset. Nothing had turned 191 00:10:06,520 --> 00:10:11,480 Speaker 5: out right. No, Joseph understood this principle. He knew he 192 00:10:11,600 --> 00:10:15,120 Speaker 5: had the grace not only to start, but to finish 193 00:10:15,280 --> 00:10:18,360 Speaker 5: what God put in his heart. He knew the enemy 194 00:10:18,520 --> 00:10:22,720 Speaker 5: wouldn't be fighting him if he wasn't heading toward his destiny. 195 00:10:23,120 --> 00:10:26,200 Speaker 6: So he stayed in faith. He kept doing the right 196 00:10:26,280 --> 00:10:27,920 Speaker 6: thing when the wrong thing was. 197 00:10:27,880 --> 00:10:32,960 Speaker 5: Happening, not working under people, but working under God. One day, 198 00:10:33,240 --> 00:10:36,640 Speaker 5: the Pharaoh, the leader of the nation, had a dream 199 00:10:36,720 --> 00:10:41,120 Speaker 5: that he didn't understand. Joseph was able to interpret the dream. 200 00:10:41,440 --> 00:10:44,480 Speaker 5: If Pharaoh was so impressed with Joseph, he brought him 201 00:10:44,480 --> 00:10:46,680 Speaker 5: out of prison and put him in charge of the 202 00:10:46,720 --> 00:10:47,320 Speaker 5: whole nation. 203 00:10:48,040 --> 00:10:49,840 Speaker 6: Joseph's dream came to pass. 204 00:10:50,920 --> 00:10:54,880 Speaker 5: God has put something on you that will override people 205 00:10:54,920 --> 00:11:00,280 Speaker 5: being against you. It will override bad breaks injustice, the 206 00:11:00,360 --> 00:11:02,280 Speaker 5: grace not to just start. 207 00:11:02,480 --> 00:11:06,240 Speaker 6: You have something even more powerful the grace to finish. 208 00:11:06,679 --> 00:11:10,840 Speaker 5: When you have an attitude like Joseph, you cannot stay defeated. 209 00:11:11,600 --> 00:11:13,960 Speaker 5: Life may push you down, but God will push you 210 00:11:14,040 --> 00:11:17,120 Speaker 5: back up. People may do you wrong, but God will 211 00:11:17,120 --> 00:11:21,800 Speaker 5: be your vindicator. Situations may look impossible, but God can 212 00:11:21,920 --> 00:11:26,439 Speaker 5: do the impossible. When you have finishing grace, all the 213 00:11:26,480 --> 00:11:28,440 Speaker 5: forces of darkness cannot stop you. 214 00:11:29,120 --> 00:11:30,000 Speaker 6: Sure you may have. 215 00:11:29,960 --> 00:11:35,920 Speaker 5: Some setbacks, bad breaks injustice, but don't worry. It's only temporary. 216 00:11:35,960 --> 00:11:38,960 Speaker 5: It's just a detour on the way to your destiny. 217 00:11:39,520 --> 00:11:43,760 Speaker 5: That's a sign that you are moving toward your finished line. 218 00:11:44,080 --> 00:11:45,240 Speaker 6: See, the enemy. 219 00:11:45,000 --> 00:11:48,520 Speaker 5: Doesn't fight people that are going the wrong way, people 220 00:11:48,520 --> 00:11:51,880 Speaker 5: that are off course, discourage, distracted, bit or angry. 221 00:11:52,000 --> 00:11:52,960 Speaker 6: That's where he wants you. 222 00:11:53,679 --> 00:11:57,319 Speaker 5: He comes against people that are headed toward the fullness 223 00:11:57,320 --> 00:12:00,600 Speaker 5: of their destinies, people that are taking new ground, people 224 00:12:00,720 --> 00:12:04,640 Speaker 5: like you, that are coming into a flourishing finish. Our 225 00:12:04,679 --> 00:12:07,880 Speaker 5: attitude should be I have a made up mind. I'm 226 00:12:07,920 --> 00:12:11,120 Speaker 5: going to keep moving forward in spite of the bad break, 227 00:12:11,720 --> 00:12:14,880 Speaker 5: in spite of the loss, in spite of the negative report, 228 00:12:15,480 --> 00:12:18,840 Speaker 5: in spite of the critics. My destiny is too great, 229 00:12:19,160 --> 00:12:24,440 Speaker 5: my assignment too important to get discouraged, distracted, bitter. I'm 230 00:12:24,480 --> 00:12:28,040 Speaker 5: not going to become half, not three fours, not ninety percent. 231 00:12:28,200 --> 00:12:30,880 Speaker 5: I'm going to become all God's created me to be. 232 00:12:32,400 --> 00:12:36,679 Speaker 5: When you're tempted to get discouraged and settle, it's because 233 00:12:37,120 --> 00:12:41,080 Speaker 5: you're close to your breakthrough. You're close to seeing the 234 00:12:41,120 --> 00:12:44,840 Speaker 5: problem turn around. You're close to meeting the right person. 235 00:12:45,520 --> 00:12:48,520 Speaker 5: Pharaoh is about to call you, so to speak, the 236 00:12:48,559 --> 00:12:51,400 Speaker 5: good break is on the way, the healing is on 237 00:12:51,440 --> 00:12:54,920 Speaker 5: the way, the contract is on the way. Now you've 238 00:12:54,920 --> 00:12:59,199 Speaker 5: got to tap in to this finishing grace. Friends, You've 239 00:12:59,240 --> 00:13:02,760 Speaker 5: come too far to stop now. You believe too long, 240 00:13:03,200 --> 00:13:06,200 Speaker 5: You've worked too hard, You've invested too much. 241 00:13:06,800 --> 00:13:08,040 Speaker 6: It may be difficult. 242 00:13:08,720 --> 00:13:11,520 Speaker 5: Negative voices may be telling you, hey, it's never going 243 00:13:11,600 --> 00:13:13,360 Speaker 5: to work out, forget it. 244 00:13:13,679 --> 00:13:14,600 Speaker 6: Just settle where you. 245 00:13:14,600 --> 00:13:18,120 Speaker 5: Are, or don't believe those lives. You are close to 246 00:13:18,200 --> 00:13:21,800 Speaker 5: your destiny. When the going gets tough, you have to 247 00:13:21,880 --> 00:13:24,920 Speaker 5: dig your heels in and say, I am in it 248 00:13:25,120 --> 00:13:28,120 Speaker 5: to win it. I am not moved by this opposition. 249 00:13:29,000 --> 00:13:31,480 Speaker 5: I am not moved by what I see, by what 250 00:13:31,559 --> 00:13:34,600 Speaker 5: I feel. I'm moved by what I know, and I 251 00:13:34,679 --> 00:13:37,599 Speaker 5: know this. I have the grace to finish. 252 00:13:37,840 --> 00:13:38,440 Speaker 6: I know this. 253 00:13:38,640 --> 00:13:41,040 Speaker 5: God began a good work in me, and He's going 254 00:13:41,040 --> 00:13:43,960 Speaker 5: to complete it. So I'm going to keep honoring God. 255 00:13:44,400 --> 00:13:46,960 Speaker 5: I'm going to keep being good to people. I'm going 256 00:13:47,000 --> 00:13:51,080 Speaker 5: to keep on being my best. Every day you do that, 257 00:13:51,840 --> 00:13:54,840 Speaker 5: you are passing the test. You are one day closer 258 00:13:55,200 --> 00:13:58,800 Speaker 5: to coming in to your finish line. The scripture says 259 00:13:58,800 --> 00:14:03,280 Speaker 5: here in Deuteronomy, as your days are, so shall. 260 00:14:03,040 --> 00:14:03,840 Speaker 6: Your strength be. 261 00:14:04,800 --> 00:14:09,240 Speaker 5: This means your strength will always be equivalent to what 262 00:14:09,320 --> 00:14:12,840 Speaker 5: you need. If you were to get a negative medical report, 263 00:14:13,160 --> 00:14:15,280 Speaker 5: you're going to have the strength to deal with it. 264 00:14:15,840 --> 00:14:17,120 Speaker 5: You're not gonna fall apart. 265 00:14:17,200 --> 00:14:17,320 Speaker 7: Now. 266 00:14:17,400 --> 00:14:20,520 Speaker 5: I can't believe this is happening. No, your strength will 267 00:14:20,560 --> 00:14:24,680 Speaker 5: always match what you're up against. I remember when my 268 00:14:24,720 --> 00:14:27,920 Speaker 5: father went to be with the Lord. My first thought was, 269 00:14:28,360 --> 00:14:30,800 Speaker 5: how am I going to deal with this? My dad 270 00:14:30,800 --> 00:14:33,480 Speaker 5: and I were very close, we had traveled the world together, 271 00:14:33,560 --> 00:14:36,880 Speaker 5: and all of a sudden he was gone. But what 272 00:14:36,960 --> 00:14:40,520 Speaker 5: I thought would be very devastating, knock the wind out 273 00:14:40,560 --> 00:14:43,440 Speaker 5: of me, it wasn't anything like I'd imagined. 274 00:14:44,120 --> 00:14:46,200 Speaker 6: I felt a peace like I never. 275 00:14:46,080 --> 00:14:51,040 Speaker 5: Felt a strength or resolve, a determination. I should have 276 00:14:51,080 --> 00:14:55,520 Speaker 5: been upset, anxious, but that whole time I was at peace. 277 00:14:55,920 --> 00:14:59,200 Speaker 6: Deep down, I felt a rest. Sure in my mind. 278 00:14:59,240 --> 00:15:02,720 Speaker 5: There were thoughts of worry, anxiety, discouragement, but in my 279 00:15:02,960 --> 00:15:07,080 Speaker 5: spirit I could hear God whispering, Joel, I'm in control. 280 00:15:07,680 --> 00:15:09,560 Speaker 6: It's all going to work out. I've got you in 281 00:15:09,640 --> 00:15:10,880 Speaker 6: the palm of my hand. 282 00:15:11,280 --> 00:15:15,880 Speaker 5: That was finishing grace, pushing me forward, propelling me into 283 00:15:15,920 --> 00:15:20,880 Speaker 5: my destiny. The psalmist said, God is a very present 284 00:15:21,080 --> 00:15:25,240 Speaker 5: help in times of need, in the difficulties of life. 285 00:15:25,480 --> 00:15:27,920 Speaker 6: If you will get quiet, turn off. 286 00:15:27,800 --> 00:15:32,320 Speaker 5: The negative voices, you will feel a peace that passes understanding. 287 00:15:32,760 --> 00:15:36,320 Speaker 5: You should be falling apart, but there's grace for every season. 288 00:15:37,200 --> 00:15:40,720 Speaker 5: Victoria and I were in Colorado earlier this year, driving 289 00:15:40,760 --> 00:15:45,280 Speaker 5: through the mountains. We rented an SUV, a large vehicle 290 00:15:45,360 --> 00:15:48,560 Speaker 5: with an eight cylinder engine. As long as we were 291 00:15:48,600 --> 00:15:51,480 Speaker 5: on the flat roads, the engine was as quiet as 292 00:15:51,520 --> 00:15:54,600 Speaker 5: can be. But as we started going up the steep, 293 00:15:55,080 --> 00:15:59,080 Speaker 5: winding mountain roads, just when you thought the vehicle couldn't 294 00:15:59,080 --> 00:16:01,600 Speaker 5: make it, when it looked like it was going to stop, 295 00:16:01,960 --> 00:16:05,640 Speaker 5: you could hear those extra two cylinders kick in. You 296 00:16:05,680 --> 00:16:08,480 Speaker 5: could actually feel the car almost like it lifted up 297 00:16:08,640 --> 00:16:10,280 Speaker 5: and took off with a new power. 298 00:16:11,080 --> 00:16:11,800 Speaker 6: Here's my point. 299 00:16:12,520 --> 00:16:16,400 Speaker 5: Those two extra cylinders were there all the time. The 300 00:16:16,480 --> 00:16:18,840 Speaker 5: extra power was always available. 301 00:16:19,320 --> 00:16:22,000 Speaker 6: It just showed up when we needed it. It was 302 00:16:22,080 --> 00:16:23,600 Speaker 6: strength in reserve. 303 00:16:24,760 --> 00:16:28,440 Speaker 5: Sometimes in life we think, how am I going to 304 00:16:28,440 --> 00:16:31,000 Speaker 5: make it up that steep hill? I've gotten this far, 305 00:16:31,040 --> 00:16:33,600 Speaker 5: but how am I going to deal with this illness? 306 00:16:34,000 --> 00:16:36,680 Speaker 5: How am I going to raise this difficult child? I 307 00:16:36,720 --> 00:16:38,440 Speaker 5: went through a loss, Joe, I don't think I can 308 00:16:38,480 --> 00:16:38,880 Speaker 5: go on. 309 00:16:39,400 --> 00:16:39,440 Speaker 4: No. 310 00:16:39,600 --> 00:16:43,440 Speaker 5: God has some strength in reserve for you. When you 311 00:16:43,520 --> 00:16:45,960 Speaker 5: hit a tough time, don't worry. There are two more 312 00:16:46,040 --> 00:16:49,840 Speaker 5: cylinders about to kick in a strength you haven't tapped into. 313 00:16:50,280 --> 00:16:50,840 Speaker 6: You're going to. 314 00:16:50,760 --> 00:16:54,400 Speaker 5: Feel a force pushing you forward, taking you where you 315 00:16:54,440 --> 00:16:56,120 Speaker 5: could not go on your own. 316 00:16:56,320 --> 00:16:57,880 Speaker 6: That's finishing grace. 317 00:16:59,040 --> 00:17:02,680 Speaker 5: And I've learned the closer you get to your destiny, 318 00:17:03,240 --> 00:17:06,879 Speaker 5: the tougher the battles become. The higher you go up 319 00:17:06,920 --> 00:17:10,520 Speaker 5: the mountain, the more God promotes you, the steeper the 320 00:17:10,600 --> 00:17:11,080 Speaker 5: hill is. 321 00:17:11,720 --> 00:17:12,639 Speaker 6: The critics will. 322 00:17:12,480 --> 00:17:15,320 Speaker 5: Come out of the woodwork. People may not celebrate you. 323 00:17:15,800 --> 00:17:19,720 Speaker 5: Unexpected challenges, a health issue, a business slows down, you 324 00:17:19,800 --> 00:17:21,240 Speaker 5: lose a loved one. 325 00:17:21,359 --> 00:17:23,200 Speaker 6: It's easy to think, man, I. 326 00:17:23,160 --> 00:17:25,840 Speaker 5: Was doing so good if I just wouldn't have had 327 00:17:25,880 --> 00:17:28,560 Speaker 5: this bad break. Now I've got this steep hill to 328 00:17:28,640 --> 00:17:32,880 Speaker 5: go up. That challenge is a sign that you are 329 00:17:32,920 --> 00:17:36,720 Speaker 5: close to your destiny. The same God that gave you 330 00:17:36,760 --> 00:17:40,280 Speaker 5: the grace to start is the same God that's going. 331 00:17:40,200 --> 00:17:41,240 Speaker 6: To help you finish. 332 00:17:41,840 --> 00:17:46,000 Speaker 5: He knows exactly where your path is leading. Nothing you're 333 00:17:46,040 --> 00:17:49,280 Speaker 5: facing is a surprise to him. He knows every hill, 334 00:17:49,880 --> 00:17:52,080 Speaker 5: every disappointment, every setback. 335 00:17:52,800 --> 00:17:56,040 Speaker 6: He said that his grace is sufficient. 336 00:17:56,760 --> 00:17:59,640 Speaker 5: You will never come to a hill where you don't 337 00:17:59,640 --> 00:18:02,720 Speaker 5: have this strength to climb it. Now, you may face 338 00:18:02,760 --> 00:18:05,240 Speaker 5: some challenges like I did when my dad went to 339 00:18:05,280 --> 00:18:07,560 Speaker 5: be with the Lord. Well you think, man, I don't 340 00:18:07,560 --> 00:18:08,640 Speaker 5: know how I'm going to. 341 00:18:08,560 --> 00:18:09,199 Speaker 6: Make it up this. 342 00:18:09,800 --> 00:18:13,480 Speaker 5: The reason you think that way is you haven't needed 343 00:18:13,600 --> 00:18:17,080 Speaker 5: those two extra cylinders yet. You have not felt the 344 00:18:17,160 --> 00:18:21,640 Speaker 5: full force of finishing grace. When it kicks in, it's 345 00:18:21,680 --> 00:18:25,240 Speaker 5: going to propel you forward. You're going to climb mountains 346 00:18:25,359 --> 00:18:28,159 Speaker 5: that you thought were way too steep. You're going to 347 00:18:28,240 --> 00:18:32,760 Speaker 5: overcome obstacles that looked insurmountable, accomplished dreams that you thought 348 00:18:32,760 --> 00:18:33,680 Speaker 5: were impossible. 349 00:18:34,440 --> 00:18:35,400 Speaker 6: How could you do this? 350 00:18:36,200 --> 00:18:41,639 Speaker 5: Finishing grace You tapped into strength in reserve this is 351 00:18:41,640 --> 00:18:43,800 Speaker 5: what the apostle Paul did in the scripture. 352 00:18:44,240 --> 00:18:45,080 Speaker 6: He faced some. 353 00:18:45,040 --> 00:18:49,520 Speaker 5: Huge hills, didn't look like he could fulfill his destiny. 354 00:18:49,600 --> 00:18:52,760 Speaker 5: He was doing the right thing, sharing the good news, 355 00:18:52,960 --> 00:18:56,679 Speaker 5: helping other people. When he was arrested and put in prison. 356 00:18:57,600 --> 00:19:01,040 Speaker 5: The closer he got to his destiny, the more obstacles 357 00:19:01,080 --> 00:19:05,720 Speaker 5: he faced. He was alone in a dungeon on death row. 358 00:19:06,520 --> 00:19:09,879 Speaker 5: It looked like God had forgotten about him. But Paul 359 00:19:10,000 --> 00:19:14,800 Speaker 5: wasn't defeated, depressed, feeling sorry for himself. Even though he 360 00:19:14,880 --> 00:19:18,280 Speaker 5: was in chains. They couldn't stop what God wanted him 361 00:19:18,320 --> 00:19:21,800 Speaker 5: to do. And since Paul couldn't go out and speak publicly, 362 00:19:22,040 --> 00:19:24,360 Speaker 5: he thought, no problem, I'll start writing. 363 00:19:25,080 --> 00:19:26,639 Speaker 6: He wrote book after book. 364 00:19:26,840 --> 00:19:29,480 Speaker 5: Here's a letter to the Ephesians, Here's a letter to 365 00:19:29,520 --> 00:19:33,399 Speaker 5: the Colossians, to the Romans, to the Corinthians. He wrote 366 00:19:33,720 --> 00:19:37,600 Speaker 5: over half of the New Testament, much of it from. 367 00:19:37,359 --> 00:19:38,920 Speaker 6: A prison cell. 368 00:19:39,040 --> 00:19:41,760 Speaker 5: They thought they were stopping him, but they were doing 369 00:19:41,880 --> 00:19:46,640 Speaker 5: just the opposite, causing his voice to become amplified. Here 370 00:19:46,680 --> 00:19:50,560 Speaker 5: we are, some two thousand years later, still feeling Paul's influence. 371 00:19:50,840 --> 00:19:53,800 Speaker 6: What they meant for harm, God use for good. 372 00:19:54,760 --> 00:19:58,360 Speaker 5: People may try to stop you but finishing grace will 373 00:19:58,400 --> 00:20:01,000 Speaker 5: get you to where you're supposed to be. They may 374 00:20:01,000 --> 00:20:04,080 Speaker 5: push you down, but finishing grace will lift you back up. 375 00:20:04,840 --> 00:20:08,080 Speaker 5: They may try to discredit, be little, leave you out. 376 00:20:08,280 --> 00:20:09,120 Speaker 6: Don't get upset. 377 00:20:09,800 --> 00:20:12,399 Speaker 5: They are a part of the plan to get you 378 00:20:12,520 --> 00:20:16,920 Speaker 5: to your destiny. God will use them to propel you forward. 379 00:20:17,400 --> 00:20:20,680 Speaker 5: As long as you stay in faith and keep honoring God, 380 00:20:21,080 --> 00:20:23,280 Speaker 5: you will accomplish your assignment. 381 00:20:23,600 --> 00:20:26,760 Speaker 6: He is the author and the finisher of your faith. 382 00:20:27,680 --> 00:20:31,560 Speaker 5: Now quit focusing on who's against you, on how steep 383 00:20:31,600 --> 00:20:35,080 Speaker 5: the hill is, on how impossible it looks. God has 384 00:20:35,160 --> 00:20:39,840 Speaker 5: the final say. He brought Joseph out of prison. Paul 385 00:20:39,960 --> 00:20:44,640 Speaker 5: stayed in prison, but they both fulfilled their destinies. If 386 00:20:44,680 --> 00:20:48,199 Speaker 5: God doesn't turn it around the way you thought, he 387 00:20:48,280 --> 00:20:51,000 Speaker 5: may do like Paul and cause you to have great 388 00:20:51,080 --> 00:20:54,680 Speaker 5: influence right in the midst of your enemies, in the 389 00:20:54,680 --> 00:20:58,440 Speaker 5: midst of those difficulties, you can shine, be a bright light, 390 00:20:59,000 --> 00:21:02,200 Speaker 5: have God's favor. The bottom line is this, No person 391 00:21:02,480 --> 00:21:05,680 Speaker 5: can stand against our God. No bad break can keep 392 00:21:05,720 --> 00:21:09,480 Speaker 5: you from your destiny. God has given you finishing grace. 393 00:21:09,960 --> 00:21:12,359 Speaker 5: He's going to get you to where you're supposed to be. 394 00:21:13,320 --> 00:21:15,880 Speaker 5: When Paul came to the end of his life. He said, 395 00:21:16,320 --> 00:21:20,960 Speaker 5: I have finished my course. One place says I finished 396 00:21:21,119 --> 00:21:27,159 Speaker 5: my course with joy. Notice he didn't finish defeated, depressed, sour. 397 00:21:27,600 --> 00:21:30,880 Speaker 5: He finished with a smile on his face. He finished 398 00:21:30,920 --> 00:21:33,720 Speaker 5: with a spring in his step. He finished with a 399 00:21:33,840 --> 00:21:36,920 Speaker 5: song in his heart. That's what it means to have 400 00:21:36,960 --> 00:21:39,200 Speaker 5: a flourishing finish. 401 00:21:39,240 --> 00:21:40,960 Speaker 6: We all have things come against us. 402 00:21:41,440 --> 00:21:44,439 Speaker 5: It's easy to lose our passion and drag through life, 403 00:21:44,720 --> 00:21:49,240 Speaker 5: discourage negative, bitter, but there is no victory if you 404 00:21:49,320 --> 00:21:52,479 Speaker 5: finish your course that way. You have to make up 405 00:21:52,480 --> 00:21:55,520 Speaker 5: your mind. I'm not only going to finish my course, 406 00:21:55,800 --> 00:21:59,679 Speaker 5: I'm going to finish it with joy, with a good attitude, 407 00:22:00,160 --> 00:22:03,720 Speaker 5: not complaining, but with a song of praise. Not thinking 408 00:22:03,720 --> 00:22:06,119 Speaker 5: about what I don't have, but thanking God for what 409 00:22:06,200 --> 00:22:09,119 Speaker 5: I do have, looking at what's wrong in my life, 410 00:22:09,240 --> 00:22:12,200 Speaker 5: but thanking God for what's right in my life. When 411 00:22:12,240 --> 00:22:16,120 Speaker 5: you tap into finishing grace, you want dragged through the day. 412 00:22:16,440 --> 00:22:18,000 Speaker 6: You'll enjoy the day. 413 00:22:18,480 --> 00:22:21,760 Speaker 5: Thousands of years ago, in Greece, there was a famous 414 00:22:21,840 --> 00:22:26,000 Speaker 5: race called the Torch Race. All of the runners got 415 00:22:26,040 --> 00:22:28,760 Speaker 5: a torch at the start of the race. They would 416 00:22:28,840 --> 00:22:32,080 Speaker 5: light the fire. Those runners would take off running with 417 00:22:32,160 --> 00:22:35,440 Speaker 5: their torch lit. The only way you could win the 418 00:22:35,560 --> 00:22:39,119 Speaker 5: race was to cross the finish line with your torch 419 00:22:39,320 --> 00:22:43,320 Speaker 5: still lit. Even if you finish first, if your fire 420 00:22:43,400 --> 00:22:47,320 Speaker 5: went out, you were disqualified. So the whole time they 421 00:22:47,359 --> 00:22:51,680 Speaker 5: were running, on the forefront of their mind was protecting 422 00:22:51,760 --> 00:22:55,800 Speaker 5: their fire, keeping it from wind or rain or anything 423 00:22:55,840 --> 00:22:58,880 Speaker 5: that might put it out. They were constantly checking their 424 00:22:58,920 --> 00:23:02,640 Speaker 5: torch to make sure that it was still lit. It's 425 00:23:02,680 --> 00:23:06,040 Speaker 5: the same principle in the race of life. If you're 426 00:23:06,040 --> 00:23:09,199 Speaker 5: going to finish your course with joy, you've got to 427 00:23:09,240 --> 00:23:12,760 Speaker 5: guard your fire. You can't let your flame go out. 428 00:23:13,520 --> 00:23:17,280 Speaker 5: Too many people have lost their passion. They're still running, 429 00:23:17,560 --> 00:23:21,280 Speaker 5: but their torch is no longer lit. At one time 430 00:23:21,320 --> 00:23:24,960 Speaker 5: they were passionate about their dreams. They had some setbacks. 431 00:23:25,440 --> 00:23:26,280 Speaker 6: Now they're running. 432 00:23:26,359 --> 00:23:29,440 Speaker 5: That's good, but they let their fire go out. They 433 00:23:29,480 --> 00:23:33,760 Speaker 5: lost their zeal. If that's you, I've come to relight 434 00:23:33,880 --> 00:23:37,240 Speaker 5: your fire. God is not done with you. You have 435 00:23:37,320 --> 00:23:40,200 Speaker 5: not seen your best days. You've got to shake off 436 00:23:40,240 --> 00:23:43,280 Speaker 5: the blaws, shake off the discouragement. 437 00:23:43,920 --> 00:23:44,720 Speaker 6: There is a. 438 00:23:44,600 --> 00:23:47,880 Speaker 5: Flame that is still alive on the inside of you. 439 00:23:48,560 --> 00:23:51,400 Speaker 5: The scripture talks about how we have to fan the flame, 440 00:23:51,760 --> 00:23:55,040 Speaker 5: stir up the gifts. It's not enough to just finish. 441 00:23:55,200 --> 00:23:58,439 Speaker 5: You've got to finish your course with your fire still burning. 442 00:23:59,400 --> 00:24:02,600 Speaker 5: For as long as I can remember, my father struggled 443 00:24:02,600 --> 00:24:05,600 Speaker 5: with high blood pressure toward the end of his life. 444 00:24:05,640 --> 00:24:06,679 Speaker 6: He didn't feel well. 445 00:24:07,200 --> 00:24:10,880 Speaker 5: The medicines made him dizzy, his kidneys quit working properly, 446 00:24:10,960 --> 00:24:14,000 Speaker 5: and he had to go on dialysis. We used to 447 00:24:14,040 --> 00:24:16,520 Speaker 5: travel overseas a couple of times a year, and he 448 00:24:16,600 --> 00:24:19,920 Speaker 5: really looked forward to it, but when his health went downhill, 449 00:24:20,200 --> 00:24:22,720 Speaker 5: he had to stay at home and take dialysis three 450 00:24:22,760 --> 00:24:25,800 Speaker 5: times a week. He never wanted to live if he 451 00:24:25,840 --> 00:24:29,080 Speaker 5: couldn't preach, and even though he didn't feel well, he 452 00:24:29,200 --> 00:24:32,520 Speaker 5: never missed a Sunday. Victoria used to go pick him 453 00:24:32,600 --> 00:24:34,600 Speaker 5: up and bring him to church a little bit late. 454 00:24:35,200 --> 00:24:37,919 Speaker 5: Sometimes he'd call and said, Joel, I'm not sure your 455 00:24:37,960 --> 00:24:40,879 Speaker 5: dad can minister today. Doesn't seem like he feels well. 456 00:24:41,440 --> 00:24:43,920 Speaker 5: I would run down from the TV department during the service. 457 00:24:44,000 --> 00:24:45,879 Speaker 5: When he arrived, Daddy, you're sure you're up to this? 458 00:24:46,080 --> 00:24:48,000 Speaker 5: He'd smile and say, yeah, Joel, I'm ready to go. 459 00:24:48,840 --> 00:24:51,359 Speaker 5: When he walked out on the platform, nobody knew he 460 00:24:51,440 --> 00:24:53,800 Speaker 5: wasn't up to par. He still had a spring in 461 00:24:53,880 --> 00:24:57,439 Speaker 5: his step, a smile on his face. He could have 462 00:24:57,480 --> 00:25:01,280 Speaker 5: been at home negative, complaining, God, I've served you all 463 00:25:01,359 --> 00:25:03,479 Speaker 5: these years. Look what it comes down to. I can 464 00:25:03,560 --> 00:25:07,919 Speaker 5: hardly even minister No. He kept his fire burning. He 465 00:25:08,040 --> 00:25:11,600 Speaker 5: guarded that flame. He was determined to not just finish 466 00:25:11,600 --> 00:25:16,280 Speaker 5: his course, but to finish it with joy. Seventy seven 467 00:25:16,359 --> 00:25:19,920 Speaker 5: years old. One night he wasn't feeling well. He asked 468 00:25:19,920 --> 00:25:22,320 Speaker 5: my brother in law, Gary to come over and visit 469 00:25:22,359 --> 00:25:25,719 Speaker 5: with him. They were talking about two o'clock in the morning, 470 00:25:26,400 --> 00:25:29,760 Speaker 5: and Gary asked him what he thought about the difficulties 471 00:25:29,800 --> 00:25:33,400 Speaker 5: he was having. My father said, Gary, I don't understand 472 00:25:33,440 --> 00:25:37,560 Speaker 5: it all, but I know this, his mercy endures forever. 473 00:25:38,560 --> 00:25:42,400 Speaker 5: Those were the last words my father ever spoke. Right 474 00:25:42,440 --> 00:25:45,000 Speaker 5: then he breathed his final breath. 475 00:25:44,840 --> 00:25:46,080 Speaker 6: And went to be with the Lord. 476 00:25:46,840 --> 00:25:50,000 Speaker 5: But think about those last words. He wasn't complaining. He 477 00:25:50,080 --> 00:25:54,040 Speaker 5: was bragging on God's goodness, not magnifying his problems, but 478 00:25:54,160 --> 00:25:55,240 Speaker 5: magnifying his God. 479 00:25:56,200 --> 00:25:59,359 Speaker 6: He crossed the finish line with his fire still burning, 480 00:26:00,160 --> 00:26:01,560 Speaker 6: with his torch still lit. 481 00:26:02,400 --> 00:26:05,919 Speaker 5: The scripture talks about how the saints of old died 482 00:26:06,160 --> 00:26:09,400 Speaker 5: in faith the truth is one day, of course, we're 483 00:26:09,400 --> 00:26:11,879 Speaker 5: all going to die. You have to make a decision. 484 00:26:12,400 --> 00:26:15,000 Speaker 5: Are you going to die in faith or are you 485 00:26:15,119 --> 00:26:19,320 Speaker 5: going to die negative? Bitter, complaining, I can't believe this happened. No, 486 00:26:19,480 --> 00:26:21,920 Speaker 5: make up your mind that you're going to die full 487 00:26:21,960 --> 00:26:25,480 Speaker 5: of joy, with your fire still burning, with your torch 488 00:26:25,520 --> 00:26:29,960 Speaker 5: still lift. Nineteen sixty eight, the Olympic Games were held 489 00:26:30,000 --> 00:26:34,440 Speaker 5: in Mexico City. During the marathon, a young runner from 490 00:26:34,480 --> 00:26:39,240 Speaker 5: Tanzania fell and broke his leg. He was bloodied and bruised, 491 00:26:39,480 --> 00:26:43,600 Speaker 5: but somehow managed to get up and continue running. Long 492 00:26:43,760 --> 00:26:47,639 Speaker 5: after everyone else had finished. He entered the stadium for 493 00:26:47,720 --> 00:26:51,760 Speaker 5: his final lap. Over one hundred thousand people were there earlier, 494 00:26:52,280 --> 00:26:55,120 Speaker 5: but now an hour or two later, only a few 495 00:26:55,200 --> 00:27:00,200 Speaker 5: thousand people remained. The main lights were off, television cameras gone, 496 00:27:00,480 --> 00:27:04,000 Speaker 5: the event was officially over. As he struggled into the 497 00:27:04,040 --> 00:27:08,440 Speaker 5: stadium headed toward that final lap. When the few thousand 498 00:27:08,480 --> 00:27:11,840 Speaker 5: people saw him, they stood up and begin to cheer 499 00:27:11,920 --> 00:27:15,520 Speaker 5: him on. They cheered louder and louder as if he 500 00:27:15,640 --> 00:27:19,439 Speaker 5: was in first place. Drawing strength from the crowd, he 501 00:27:19,520 --> 00:27:22,280 Speaker 5: began to smile and wave as if he was going 502 00:27:22,320 --> 00:27:25,359 Speaker 5: to win the gold medal. It was a moving moment, 503 00:27:25,600 --> 00:27:29,840 Speaker 5: later seen around the world. A reporter asked him afterwards, 504 00:27:30,440 --> 00:27:32,879 Speaker 5: why didn't you drop out of the race when you 505 00:27:32,960 --> 00:27:33,720 Speaker 5: broke your leg. 506 00:27:34,359 --> 00:27:35,879 Speaker 6: Nobody would have faulted. 507 00:27:35,520 --> 00:27:35,959 Speaker 4: You for it. 508 00:27:36,720 --> 00:27:40,600 Speaker 5: The young man from Tanzania said, my country didn't send 509 00:27:40,600 --> 00:27:42,920 Speaker 5: me seven thousand miles to start the. 510 00:27:42,960 --> 00:27:44,600 Speaker 6: Race, but to finish it. 511 00:27:45,800 --> 00:27:50,000 Speaker 5: In the same way, God didn't breathe his life into you, 512 00:27:50,840 --> 00:27:53,960 Speaker 5: crown you with favor, put seeds of greatness on the 513 00:27:54,040 --> 00:27:57,560 Speaker 5: inside to start the race, but he sent you to 514 00:27:57,640 --> 00:28:00,879 Speaker 5: finish it. The scripture talks about how the race is 515 00:28:00,920 --> 00:28:04,320 Speaker 5: not for the swift, nor for the strong, but for those. 516 00:28:04,119 --> 00:28:05,840 Speaker 6: Who endure till the end. 517 00:28:06,640 --> 00:28:09,159 Speaker 5: You don't have to finish first. You're not competing with 518 00:28:09,240 --> 00:28:13,439 Speaker 5: anybody else. Just finish your course, keep your fire burning. 519 00:28:13,720 --> 00:28:17,120 Speaker 5: You weren't created to give up, to quit. We can 520 00:28:17,160 --> 00:28:19,760 Speaker 5: all find a reason to drop out of the race. 521 00:28:19,840 --> 00:28:22,199 Speaker 5: We can all find some kind of excuse. But you 522 00:28:22,280 --> 00:28:24,560 Speaker 5: have to dig your heels in and say I am 523 00:28:24,600 --> 00:28:28,200 Speaker 5: determined to finish my course. If you will tap into 524 00:28:28,240 --> 00:28:31,560 Speaker 5: this finishing grace, those two extra cylinders. 525 00:28:31,119 --> 00:28:32,879 Speaker 6: Will kick in when you need it. You'll have a 526 00:28:32,920 --> 00:28:34,120 Speaker 6: strength that you didn't have. 527 00:28:34,440 --> 00:28:37,560 Speaker 5: Now I believe and declare, like the apostle Paul, you 528 00:28:37,600 --> 00:28:40,959 Speaker 5: will finish your course with joy. You will complete your 529 00:28:41,000 --> 00:28:45,960 Speaker 5: assignment and become everything God created you to be in Jesus' name. 530 00:28:46,560 --> 00:28:48,720 Speaker 6: If you receive it, can you say them in today? 531 00:28:49,640 --> 00:28:52,400 Speaker 5: Well, we never like to close our broadcast without giving 532 00:28:52,440 --> 00:28:53,680 Speaker 5: you an opportunity to. 533 00:28:53,680 --> 00:28:55,480 Speaker 6: Make Jesus the lord of your life. 534 00:28:55,920 --> 00:29:00,360 Speaker 5: Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus, I 535 00:29:00,520 --> 00:29:05,120 Speaker 5: repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I make 536 00:29:05,200 --> 00:29:08,880 Speaker 5: you my Lord and savior. Friends, if you prayed that 537 00:29:08,960 --> 00:29:11,440 Speaker 5: simple prayer, we believe you got born again. 538 00:29:11,840 --> 00:29:15,040 Speaker 6: Get in a good Bible based church. Keep God first place. 539 00:29:15,400 --> 00:29:17,920 Speaker 6: He's going to take your places that you've never dreamed. 540 00:29:19,400 --> 00:29:22,800 Speaker 8: Thank you for listening to the Joelus Deine podcast. Help 541 00:29:22,880 --> 00:29:25,640 Speaker 8: us continue to share the message of hope with those 542 00:29:25,720 --> 00:29:29,640 Speaker 8: all over the world. Visit jolostin dot com slash give 543 00:29:29,720 --> 00:29:31,400 Speaker 8: Hope to give a gift today. 544 00:29:32,680 --> 00:29:35,560 Speaker 5: Thanks so much for listening to today's message. I hope 545 00:29:35,600 --> 00:29:38,960 Speaker 5: you'll subscribe so you can receive the latest podcast to 546 00:29:39,080 --> 00:29:39,440 Speaker 5: keep you. 547 00:29:39,480 --> 00:29:42,560 Speaker 6: Inspired all through the week. We're praying for you. I 548 00:29:42,600 --> 00:29:45,440 Speaker 6: know God's best is still ahead. 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