1 00:00:00,520 --> 00:00:02,800 Speaker 1: It's so great to have you with us today. We 2 00:00:02,880 --> 00:00:05,120 Speaker 1: love you, guys. We're praying you're going to have a 3 00:00:05,200 --> 00:00:08,760 Speaker 1: beautiful month of March, and just speaking blessings in favor 4 00:00:08,800 --> 00:00:09,520 Speaker 1: of each one of you. 5 00:00:09,840 --> 00:00:14,000 Speaker 2: This time of year is just new beginnings, new spring seasons, 6 00:00:14,040 --> 00:00:16,240 Speaker 2: and so we are believing that this will be a 7 00:00:16,360 --> 00:00:20,400 Speaker 2: newness of joy in your heart. So no today we're 8 00:00:20,440 --> 00:00:22,079 Speaker 2: praying for you and we love you. 9 00:00:23,600 --> 00:00:26,160 Speaker 1: God bless you. It's great to be with you today, 10 00:00:26,239 --> 00:00:28,880 Speaker 1: and I hope you'll stay connected with us during the 11 00:00:28,920 --> 00:00:32,720 Speaker 1: week through our daily podcast, our YouTube channel, social media, 12 00:00:33,120 --> 00:00:35,800 Speaker 1: and you can come visit us in person. We'd love 13 00:00:35,840 --> 00:00:38,000 Speaker 1: to have you be a part of one of our services. 14 00:00:38,560 --> 00:00:41,120 Speaker 1: I'd like to start with something funny, and I heard 15 00:00:41,120 --> 00:00:44,520 Speaker 1: about this church one Sunday morning. Everything was going great 16 00:00:45,080 --> 00:00:48,400 Speaker 1: until a bolt of lightning hit the sanctuary. When the 17 00:00:48,440 --> 00:00:52,600 Speaker 1: smoke cleared, Satan himself was standing behind the podium. People 18 00:00:52,680 --> 00:00:55,400 Speaker 1: panicked and took off running as fast as they could. 19 00:00:55,840 --> 00:00:58,880 Speaker 1: Everyone that is, except one lady. She sat on the 20 00:00:58,920 --> 00:01:02,280 Speaker 1: front row is calm as can be. Satan was appalled. 21 00:01:02,600 --> 00:01:05,119 Speaker 1: He said, lady, do you know who I am? She said, 22 00:01:05,120 --> 00:01:07,840 Speaker 1: I sure do. He said, why aren't you afraid of me, 23 00:01:08,360 --> 00:01:10,920 Speaker 1: She said, not in the least spent. He said, why not? 24 00:01:11,520 --> 00:01:13,600 Speaker 1: She said, why should I be. I've been married to 25 00:01:13,640 --> 00:01:15,120 Speaker 1: your brother for thirty years. 26 00:01:16,520 --> 00:01:19,400 Speaker 3: Hey, like you mean it. This is my Bible. I 27 00:01:19,440 --> 00:01:21,880 Speaker 3: am what it says I am. I have what it 28 00:01:21,920 --> 00:01:24,399 Speaker 3: says I have. I can do what it says I 29 00:01:24,440 --> 00:01:27,600 Speaker 3: can do. Today I will be taught the word of God. 30 00:01:28,080 --> 00:01:32,559 Speaker 3: I boldly confess. My mind is alert, my heart is receptive. 31 00:01:32,920 --> 00:01:36,679 Speaker 3: I will never be the same. In Jesus's name, God 32 00:01:36,760 --> 00:01:37,320 Speaker 3: bless you. 33 00:01:38,720 --> 00:01:41,520 Speaker 1: I want to talk to you today about you've been chosen. 34 00:01:42,640 --> 00:01:45,319 Speaker 1: I grew up playing basketball, and from the time I 35 00:01:45,360 --> 00:01:47,840 Speaker 1: was a little boy, I loved the game. When I 36 00:01:47,880 --> 00:01:50,840 Speaker 1: was twelve years old, we went to my grandparents' house 37 00:01:50,920 --> 00:01:53,480 Speaker 1: to spend the day. In I took my ball and 38 00:01:53,520 --> 00:01:56,600 Speaker 1: walked to the park about three blocks away. In there 39 00:01:56,640 --> 00:02:00,320 Speaker 1: were all these guys playing. They were in their late teams, 40 00:02:00,600 --> 00:02:04,840 Speaker 1: much bigger, stronger and better. It's very competitive, and I 41 00:02:04,880 --> 00:02:07,040 Speaker 1: was over at shooting on a goal, making sure to 42 00:02:07,080 --> 00:02:09,799 Speaker 1: stay out of the way. When the game was over, 43 00:02:10,240 --> 00:02:13,680 Speaker 1: the two best players started to pick new teams. There's 44 00:02:13,680 --> 00:02:17,600 Speaker 1: about fifteen people waiting, and this one captain looked around 45 00:02:17,600 --> 00:02:20,280 Speaker 1: at all of his friends. He knew everyone, all these 46 00:02:20,320 --> 00:02:23,560 Speaker 1: great players. Then he looked over at me and said, 47 00:02:23,720 --> 00:02:26,960 Speaker 1: I choose that guy. I nearly passed out. He was 48 00:02:27,000 --> 00:02:31,079 Speaker 1: a foot taller than me, a different nationality, twenty times better. 49 00:02:31,840 --> 00:02:35,160 Speaker 1: Yet he bypassed all the people he was supposed to pick, 50 00:02:35,639 --> 00:02:39,239 Speaker 1: and he chose a stranger. His friend said, are you kidding? 51 00:02:39,480 --> 00:02:42,920 Speaker 1: He's too small. One said yes, Plus he's white. That 52 00:02:43,080 --> 00:02:47,600 Speaker 1: means he can't jump. Another said, he's not one of us. 53 00:02:47,639 --> 00:02:51,360 Speaker 1: You don't even know him. I never expected to be chosen. 54 00:02:51,880 --> 00:02:54,800 Speaker 1: I didn't deserve it. I couldn't perform at their level. 55 00:02:55,200 --> 00:02:58,240 Speaker 1: I didn't come from their background. But for some reason, 56 00:02:58,520 --> 00:03:01,480 Speaker 1: he picked me. I'll never forget how that made me 57 00:03:01,520 --> 00:03:06,720 Speaker 1: feel valuable, approved confident, all because I had been chosen. 58 00:03:07,639 --> 00:03:11,240 Speaker 1: That's what God did for us. We were all strangers. 59 00:03:11,680 --> 00:03:15,680 Speaker 1: We couldn't measure up, we didn't deserve his love, his mercy, 60 00:03:15,840 --> 00:03:20,200 Speaker 1: his goodness. But the scripture says, while we were yet strangers, 61 00:03:20,720 --> 00:03:24,320 Speaker 1: while we were far off, God brought us near through 62 00:03:24,360 --> 00:03:27,800 Speaker 1: the blood of Christ. Jesus said in John, you didn't 63 00:03:27,880 --> 00:03:32,840 Speaker 1: choose me, I chose you. God hand picked you. You 64 00:03:32,919 --> 00:03:34,960 Speaker 1: may feel like I did at the Park. You don't 65 00:03:34,960 --> 00:03:38,040 Speaker 1: fit in, you weren't raised in this, you come from 66 00:03:38,080 --> 00:03:42,200 Speaker 1: a different background. None of that stops God. He still 67 00:03:42,280 --> 00:03:45,960 Speaker 1: chooses you. Thoughts will tell you you made too many mistakes, 68 00:03:46,400 --> 00:03:49,840 Speaker 1: you're too small, you're not qualified, you don't come from 69 00:03:49,920 --> 00:03:53,880 Speaker 1: a background of faith. God says, that's okay, You're exactly 70 00:03:54,040 --> 00:03:58,160 Speaker 1: who I'm looking for. I choose strangers. I choose people 71 00:03:58,400 --> 00:04:02,440 Speaker 1: that don't look like you'd expect, people that don't perform perfectly, 72 00:04:02,800 --> 00:04:07,600 Speaker 1: people with flaws and weaknesses. That doesn't disqualify you, it's 73 00:04:07,720 --> 00:04:11,960 Speaker 1: just the opposite. You're who God chooses. He sees what's 74 00:04:12,000 --> 00:04:16,599 Speaker 1: in you. He knows your potential. He told Jeremiah, before 75 00:04:16,640 --> 00:04:19,800 Speaker 1: you were formed in your mother's womb, I knew you 76 00:04:20,120 --> 00:04:23,680 Speaker 1: and approved you. I've called you to speak to nations 77 00:04:24,640 --> 00:04:28,039 Speaker 1: before you were born. God not only chose you, but 78 00:04:28,120 --> 00:04:31,520 Speaker 1: he put a calling on your life. He put greatness 79 00:04:31,560 --> 00:04:35,400 Speaker 1: in you. He's destined you to leave your mark. The 80 00:04:35,560 --> 00:04:38,040 Speaker 1: enemy will work over time to try to make you 81 00:04:38,120 --> 00:04:42,120 Speaker 1: feel left out, like you don't matter. You're not smart enough, 82 00:04:42,520 --> 00:04:46,120 Speaker 1: you don't fit in, you're too different. Don't believe those lies. 83 00:04:46,520 --> 00:04:52,400 Speaker 1: God specializes in choosing strangers. He chooses people that society 84 00:04:52,480 --> 00:04:57,159 Speaker 1: wouldn't expect. He chose a shepherd boy named David to 85 00:04:57,240 --> 00:05:01,080 Speaker 1: become the King of Israel. David didn't come from royalty. 86 00:05:01,640 --> 00:05:05,200 Speaker 1: They were poor, His family had no influence. When he 87 00:05:05,240 --> 00:05:08,080 Speaker 1: showed up at the palace, they would have thought, who 88 00:05:08,120 --> 00:05:12,680 Speaker 1: is this stranger, He's not qualified. God chose Moses to 89 00:05:12,800 --> 00:05:16,279 Speaker 1: lead the Israelites out of slavery. Moses had made a 90 00:05:16,320 --> 00:05:19,520 Speaker 1: mistake and took a man's life. He had to spend 91 00:05:19,560 --> 00:05:22,760 Speaker 1: forty years in hiding in the desert. He had a 92 00:05:22,800 --> 00:05:26,839 Speaker 1: problem with his speech. He stuttered. God could have found 93 00:05:26,839 --> 00:05:31,400 Speaker 1: someone with less baggage, more eloquent, but he chose a stranger. 94 00:05:32,720 --> 00:05:36,560 Speaker 1: Jesus was traveling to Galileen. He told his disciples, I 95 00:05:36,640 --> 00:05:40,440 Speaker 1: must go through Samaria. That wasn't the normal route, that 96 00:05:40,600 --> 00:05:44,040 Speaker 1: was the long way. He was at a well waiting 97 00:05:44,480 --> 00:05:47,520 Speaker 1: when a woman came to get water. He asked her 98 00:05:47,560 --> 00:05:50,800 Speaker 1: for something to drink. She said, sir, you're a Jew. 99 00:05:51,200 --> 00:05:54,480 Speaker 1: I'm a Samaritan. You know we don't get along. Why 100 00:05:54,520 --> 00:05:57,960 Speaker 1: are you talking to me? Jesus said, if you knew 101 00:05:57,960 --> 00:06:00,520 Speaker 1: who I am, you would ask and I would give 102 00:06:00,560 --> 00:06:04,200 Speaker 1: you living water. Jesus began to tell her all about 103 00:06:04,200 --> 00:06:07,480 Speaker 1: her life, how she had had five husbands, how she 104 00:06:07,560 --> 00:06:10,599 Speaker 1: was living with a six man. No doubt, she was 105 00:06:10,640 --> 00:06:13,120 Speaker 1: the talk of the town. People looked down on her, 106 00:06:13,560 --> 00:06:16,799 Speaker 1: made fun there's that lady. Who's she with this week? 107 00:06:17,600 --> 00:06:20,680 Speaker 1: She was so amazed that Jesus knew everything about her. 108 00:06:21,160 --> 00:06:24,120 Speaker 1: She said, we know one day the Messiah will come. 109 00:06:24,800 --> 00:06:28,760 Speaker 1: Jesus said to her, I am the Messiah. The first 110 00:06:28,760 --> 00:06:32,599 Speaker 1: person Jesus ever told he was the Messiah. Wasn't the 111 00:06:32,640 --> 00:06:36,760 Speaker 1: head rabbi, wasn't the chief priest, wasn't the mayor. It 112 00:06:36,920 --> 00:06:41,440 Speaker 1: was this woman, a stranger, someone that society had written 113 00:06:41,480 --> 00:06:45,480 Speaker 1: off too many mistakes, not worthy. She doesn't fit in. 114 00:06:46,120 --> 00:06:49,680 Speaker 1: God doesn't choose the way we choose. He never writes 115 00:06:49,680 --> 00:06:52,880 Speaker 1: you off. He never gives up on you. His calling 116 00:06:52,960 --> 00:06:57,239 Speaker 1: on your life is irrevocable. That means he doesn't change 117 00:06:57,240 --> 00:07:01,520 Speaker 1: his mind. When Jesus chose his discifls, he didn't go 118 00:07:01,560 --> 00:07:04,560 Speaker 1: to the synagogue to find the best candidates with the 119 00:07:04,600 --> 00:07:07,800 Speaker 1: best credentials. He didn't run an ad on zip recruiter 120 00:07:08,080 --> 00:07:12,120 Speaker 1: to get the most qualified. He chose Peter, a fisherman. 121 00:07:12,880 --> 00:07:15,520 Speaker 1: He didn't have any kind of background of faith. He 122 00:07:15,680 --> 00:07:18,840 Speaker 1: never been to the Temple. He was hot tempered, cursed 123 00:07:18,840 --> 00:07:23,560 Speaker 1: people out. He chose Matthew, a tax collector. They were 124 00:07:23,600 --> 00:07:27,240 Speaker 1: known for being dishonest. What if Jesus would have hired 125 00:07:27,240 --> 00:07:30,840 Speaker 1: a consulting firm to review his choices, he would have 126 00:07:30,840 --> 00:07:33,920 Speaker 1: come back something like this. We've run a test on 127 00:07:34,000 --> 00:07:37,280 Speaker 1: all the men you've submitted. We're sorry, but none of 128 00:07:37,320 --> 00:07:41,880 Speaker 1: them are qualified for a management position. Peter is emotionally 129 00:07:41,960 --> 00:07:45,600 Speaker 1: unstable and given to fits of range. Thomas has a 130 00:07:45,640 --> 00:07:50,720 Speaker 1: doubting spirit that underminds morale. Matthew has integrity issues, has 131 00:07:50,760 --> 00:07:55,800 Speaker 1: been blacklisted by the Jerusalem Better Business Bureau. Here's what 132 00:07:55,840 --> 00:08:00,520 Speaker 1: I'm saying, why are you disqualifying yourself? You have too 133 00:08:00,520 --> 00:08:03,680 Speaker 1: many flaws. You don't fit in, you don't come from 134 00:08:03,680 --> 00:08:07,600 Speaker 1: the right background. You've made too many wrong choices. God 135 00:08:07,680 --> 00:08:10,920 Speaker 1: knew every mistake you would make. He knew what you 136 00:08:10,960 --> 00:08:14,600 Speaker 1: would struggle with, He knew the environment you'd be raised in, 137 00:08:14,960 --> 00:08:19,360 Speaker 1: and he still chooses you. Think about this. Jesus knew 138 00:08:19,680 --> 00:08:23,520 Speaker 1: that Peter would deny him before he chose him. He 139 00:08:23,600 --> 00:08:27,200 Speaker 1: knew Peter had some dysfunction, that he struggled with his temper, 140 00:08:27,600 --> 00:08:30,160 Speaker 1: that he'd tell you what he thought. He knew Peter 141 00:08:30,240 --> 00:08:33,600 Speaker 1: didn't look like a quote religious person, that he didn't 142 00:08:33,640 --> 00:08:37,080 Speaker 1: fit in that mold, that he was a rough, strong fisherman. 143 00:08:38,000 --> 00:08:41,920 Speaker 1: Jesus took that all into account, and he still chose him. 144 00:08:42,360 --> 00:08:46,840 Speaker 1: It's because God loves to choose strangers, people that don't 145 00:08:46,880 --> 00:08:49,960 Speaker 1: seem like they fit, people that weren't raised in faith, 146 00:08:50,280 --> 00:08:53,520 Speaker 1: people that have shortcomings, that are rough around the edges. 147 00:08:54,480 --> 00:08:58,439 Speaker 1: You wouldn't be hearing this if you weren't chosen. Don't 148 00:08:58,440 --> 00:09:01,680 Speaker 1: go your whole life think you don't measure up, you 149 00:09:01,720 --> 00:09:05,040 Speaker 1: don't perform good enough, you're not talented enough, you don't 150 00:09:05,040 --> 00:09:08,920 Speaker 1: fit in, when in fact, you've been handpicked by the 151 00:09:08,960 --> 00:09:13,200 Speaker 1: creator of the universe, the God who knew you before 152 00:09:13,240 --> 00:09:17,240 Speaker 1: you were formed in your mother's womb, not only chose you, 153 00:09:17,880 --> 00:09:22,280 Speaker 1: but he's approved you. He calls you a masterpiece, one 154 00:09:22,320 --> 00:09:26,720 Speaker 1: of a kind, fearfully and wonderfully made. Now people may 155 00:09:26,760 --> 00:09:30,040 Speaker 1: disapprove you, They may look down on you, tell you 156 00:09:30,080 --> 00:09:32,559 Speaker 1: what you're not, try to make you feel less than 157 00:09:33,200 --> 00:09:35,560 Speaker 1: Let that go in one ear and out the other. 158 00:09:35,880 --> 00:09:39,360 Speaker 1: You don't need their approval. You have Almighty God's approval. 159 00:09:40,240 --> 00:09:43,600 Speaker 1: Every morning we should start the day, Father, thank you 160 00:09:44,120 --> 00:09:48,400 Speaker 1: that I've been chosen, that your handpicked me. What you're 161 00:09:48,440 --> 00:09:52,920 Speaker 1: saying is I am worthy, I am valuable, I am needed, 162 00:09:53,360 --> 00:09:56,480 Speaker 1: I am loved, I am full of purpose. I have 163 00:09:56,640 --> 00:10:00,640 Speaker 1: seeds of greatness. I will leave my mark. When you 164 00:10:00,720 --> 00:10:03,880 Speaker 1: know you're chosen, you hold your head up high. You 165 00:10:04,000 --> 00:10:07,199 Speaker 1: live with confidence, not because of who you are, but 166 00:10:07,240 --> 00:10:10,959 Speaker 1: because of who you are. And yes, God could have 167 00:10:11,000 --> 00:10:15,920 Speaker 1: picked someone more talented, from a more influential family, with 168 00:10:16,040 --> 00:10:20,760 Speaker 1: less weakness, less baggage, but on purpose, he chose you. 169 00:10:21,520 --> 00:10:25,760 Speaker 1: It's because you're a perfect fit. You have exactly what 170 00:10:25,840 --> 00:10:30,440 Speaker 1: you need to fulfill your assignment. Once you've been through, 171 00:10:30,880 --> 00:10:35,400 Speaker 1: that didn't stop you, That prepared you, That setback didn't 172 00:10:35,400 --> 00:10:39,200 Speaker 1: disqualify you. It was necessary to get you ready for 173 00:10:39,280 --> 00:10:43,640 Speaker 1: where God is taking you. Quit beating yourself up thinking 174 00:10:43,679 --> 00:10:46,960 Speaker 1: you missed your chance. You've been through too much. If 175 00:10:47,000 --> 00:10:50,840 Speaker 1: I'd have performed better, not made these mistakes. God took 176 00:10:50,920 --> 00:10:54,840 Speaker 1: all that into account, and he still chose you. He 177 00:10:54,880 --> 00:11:00,800 Speaker 1: doesn't disqualify you, don't disqualify yourself. Young man picked me 178 00:11:00,880 --> 00:11:03,760 Speaker 1: to be on his team, even though I was half 179 00:11:03,800 --> 00:11:07,480 Speaker 1: his size and not nearly as skilled as those other players. 180 00:11:08,120 --> 00:11:11,760 Speaker 1: I'm either naive or a little bit crazy, but that 181 00:11:11,880 --> 00:11:16,040 Speaker 1: spirit of Lebron James came on me. I thought, if 182 00:11:16,080 --> 00:11:18,960 Speaker 1: you think I can play, if you have that much 183 00:11:19,000 --> 00:11:22,120 Speaker 1: confidence in me, then I must be better than I thought. 184 00:11:22,800 --> 00:11:24,960 Speaker 1: I took that as a sign that it was my 185 00:11:25,040 --> 00:11:28,559 Speaker 1: time to shine. That he wouldn't have chosen me if 186 00:11:28,559 --> 00:11:32,400 Speaker 1: he thought I was going to fail. Now, when opportunities 187 00:11:32,440 --> 00:11:36,079 Speaker 1: come across your path that seemed too big, too much, 188 00:11:36,520 --> 00:11:40,360 Speaker 1: don't shrink back. I can't take the management position. I'm 189 00:11:40,360 --> 00:11:43,480 Speaker 1: not that qualified. I'll never get in that college. I'm 190 00:11:43,480 --> 00:11:46,319 Speaker 1: not that smart. I could never date that person. They're 191 00:11:46,360 --> 00:11:49,679 Speaker 1: so out of my league. Have a new perspective. God 192 00:11:49,760 --> 00:11:53,080 Speaker 1: has so much confidence in you, he wouldn't have put 193 00:11:53,120 --> 00:11:56,559 Speaker 1: you there if you're going to fall apart, be overwhelmed. 194 00:11:56,880 --> 00:12:00,320 Speaker 1: The fact that he chose you means he's already equip you, 195 00:12:00,840 --> 00:12:04,920 Speaker 1: empowered you, and anointed you. This is your time to shine. 196 00:12:05,600 --> 00:12:09,240 Speaker 1: Step into your greatness. You've been raised up for such 197 00:12:09,240 --> 00:12:12,120 Speaker 1: a time as this, and yes it may be over 198 00:12:12,160 --> 00:12:15,439 Speaker 1: your head, but it's not over God's head. You and 199 00:12:15,520 --> 00:12:19,200 Speaker 1: God are a majority. As you take a step of faith, 200 00:12:19,520 --> 00:12:24,720 Speaker 1: you'll discover courage, strength, ability like you've never seen. Imagine 201 00:12:24,760 --> 00:12:27,839 Speaker 1: how David felt when he was chosen to face Goliath 202 00:12:27,960 --> 00:12:30,400 Speaker 1: that didn't make sense. He could have thought, this is 203 00:12:30,480 --> 00:12:33,080 Speaker 1: not God choosing me, this is the devil trying to 204 00:12:33,080 --> 00:12:36,480 Speaker 1: get be killed. I mean, Goliath was twice his size, 205 00:12:36,880 --> 00:12:41,480 Speaker 1: He had more training, more armor, more experience. But God 206 00:12:41,559 --> 00:12:45,839 Speaker 1: doesn't call you without equipping you. What you have may 207 00:12:45,920 --> 00:12:49,800 Speaker 1: seem small in comparison to what you're up against. Just 208 00:12:49,840 --> 00:12:53,680 Speaker 1: a slingshot, a few stones, but when God breathes on 209 00:12:53,800 --> 00:12:58,679 Speaker 1: it, it'll bring down giants. God's favor on your slingshot is 210 00:12:58,720 --> 00:13:02,800 Speaker 1: more powerful than army coming against you. And don't talk 211 00:13:02,840 --> 00:13:06,080 Speaker 1: to yourself out of your dreams. Talk yourself into your dreams. 212 00:13:06,679 --> 00:13:10,080 Speaker 1: This giant may look big, but I know I've been chosen. 213 00:13:10,640 --> 00:13:13,520 Speaker 1: God wouldn't have allowed it if I wasn't well able. 214 00:13:13,880 --> 00:13:17,600 Speaker 1: I can do all things through Christ. When Jesus was 215 00:13:17,640 --> 00:13:21,040 Speaker 1: on his way to be crucified, the soldiers forced him 216 00:13:21,080 --> 00:13:24,560 Speaker 1: to carry his own cross. He had been beaten, mocked, 217 00:13:24,600 --> 00:13:28,400 Speaker 1: and ridiculed. His body was weak, his mind was tired. 218 00:13:28,679 --> 00:13:32,760 Speaker 1: He was suffering from exhaustion. As he was carrying the cross, 219 00:13:32,840 --> 00:13:37,000 Speaker 1: he fell down, couldn't take it anymore. The scripture says 220 00:13:37,280 --> 00:13:40,559 Speaker 1: there was a man coming in town from another country, 221 00:13:40,960 --> 00:13:45,480 Speaker 1: Simon of Serene. The soldiers had him carried jesus cross. 222 00:13:46,240 --> 00:13:49,640 Speaker 1: It's significant that it tells us Simon was from Serene. 223 00:13:50,280 --> 00:13:54,600 Speaker 1: Serene was a city in North Africa. He wasn't from Jerusalem. 224 00:13:54,920 --> 00:13:59,120 Speaker 1: He was a foreigner, a stranger, no doubt. He didn't 225 00:13:59,120 --> 00:14:02,760 Speaker 1: know who Jesus was. He's just traveling through and suddenly 226 00:14:03,120 --> 00:14:06,960 Speaker 1: found himself carrying the cross. He didn't know he would 227 00:14:07,000 --> 00:14:10,440 Speaker 1: be a part of history. Simon never dreamed we'd be 228 00:14:10,480 --> 00:14:14,000 Speaker 1: talking about him today. God could have had one of 229 00:14:14,040 --> 00:14:17,560 Speaker 1: the disciples close by to carry the cross, after all, 230 00:14:17,920 --> 00:14:20,880 Speaker 1: this was such a historic moment. He could have had 231 00:14:21,160 --> 00:14:25,080 Speaker 1: blind Bartimaeus, who Jesus healed, be there, one of the 232 00:14:25,160 --> 00:14:30,040 Speaker 1: lepers that were cleansed. But of all the people Jesus impacted, 233 00:14:30,240 --> 00:14:34,800 Speaker 1: all the ones he taught, fed, encouraged, healed, the one 234 00:14:34,840 --> 00:14:38,400 Speaker 1: who would be with him in his final critical moments 235 00:14:38,880 --> 00:14:43,160 Speaker 1: was a stranger. Simon didn't look like Jesus. He was 236 00:14:43,200 --> 00:14:47,240 Speaker 1: a different nationality. He didn't worship in the temples like Jesus. 237 00:14:47,680 --> 00:14:51,360 Speaker 1: He wasn't Jewish, he was from another faith. But God 238 00:14:51,480 --> 00:14:56,960 Speaker 1: on purpose chooses strangers, people that seem unlikely people that 239 00:14:57,040 --> 00:15:01,480 Speaker 1: don't look like they belong. Sometimes we fight being chosen. 240 00:15:02,240 --> 00:15:05,160 Speaker 1: Simon could have said to the soldiers, no, not me, 241 00:15:05,320 --> 00:15:08,800 Speaker 1: find someone else. I don't know this man. I'm not 242 00:15:08,840 --> 00:15:12,080 Speaker 1: a religious person. I don't come from a family of faith. 243 00:15:12,240 --> 00:15:15,520 Speaker 1: Can't you see I'm a different nationality. None of that 244 00:15:15,640 --> 00:15:19,840 Speaker 1: matters to God. He knew Simon was a stranger. He 245 00:15:19,920 --> 00:15:22,800 Speaker 1: knew there was no history with Jesus. He knew his 246 00:15:22,920 --> 00:15:27,920 Speaker 1: family was from a different background. He knew voices would whisper, Simon, 247 00:15:28,080 --> 00:15:31,840 Speaker 1: you can't do this, this doesn't make sense. Don't get involved, 248 00:15:31,960 --> 00:15:35,280 Speaker 1: tell them that you're busy. All these thoughts trying to 249 00:15:35,320 --> 00:15:38,080 Speaker 1: talk him out of it, but deep down he could 250 00:15:38,120 --> 00:15:42,680 Speaker 1: hear this voice whispering, You've been chosen. This is your moment. 251 00:15:43,080 --> 00:15:45,440 Speaker 1: I know you're a stranger. I know this is not 252 00:15:45,520 --> 00:15:49,720 Speaker 1: the environment you're used to, but I'm calling you. Simon 253 00:15:49,760 --> 00:15:52,720 Speaker 1: could have made excuses, He could have tried to turn away, 254 00:15:53,400 --> 00:15:57,080 Speaker 1: but he accepted the calling. He stepped into purpose and 255 00:15:57,160 --> 00:16:02,000 Speaker 1: destiny greater than he ever dreamed. Maybe today, like Simon, 256 00:16:02,440 --> 00:16:06,640 Speaker 1: you're fighting being chosen. You know God's calling is on you, 257 00:16:07,080 --> 00:16:10,400 Speaker 1: but you're a stranger. You weren't raised in this. You 258 00:16:10,440 --> 00:16:14,280 Speaker 1: don't look like you're fit, you have weaknesses, You've made mistakes. 259 00:16:14,560 --> 00:16:18,440 Speaker 1: The truth is we were all strangers. We may look 260 00:16:18,520 --> 00:16:21,520 Speaker 1: like we have it all together, but we've all fallen short. 261 00:16:22,320 --> 00:16:24,800 Speaker 1: This is the beauty of our God. While we were 262 00:16:24,880 --> 00:16:29,040 Speaker 1: yet strangers, while we were far off, God, in his 263 00:16:29,160 --> 00:16:33,520 Speaker 1: great mercy, chose us. He didn't choose you based on 264 00:16:33,560 --> 00:16:38,120 Speaker 1: your performance. He chose you based on his love. Simon 265 00:16:38,160 --> 00:16:41,960 Speaker 1: didn't know Jesus, he didn't have any history with him. 266 00:16:42,120 --> 00:16:45,360 Speaker 1: But God had a divine purpose for his life, something 267 00:16:45,400 --> 00:16:49,000 Speaker 1: bigger than he ever dreamed. Who knows where God will 268 00:16:49,000 --> 00:16:53,120 Speaker 1: take you if you'll simply answer the call. Sometimes we 269 00:16:53,200 --> 00:16:56,280 Speaker 1: think to carry the cross, to accept that we've been chosen, 270 00:16:56,880 --> 00:16:59,440 Speaker 1: we'll have to give up so much and just live 271 00:16:59,480 --> 00:17:03,400 Speaker 1: a lame, boring life. The truth is you'll gain so 272 00:17:03,520 --> 00:17:07,080 Speaker 1: much more. God's dream for your life is so much bigger, 273 00:17:07,440 --> 00:17:11,600 Speaker 1: so much more rewarding, more fulfilling. Yes, you will give 274 00:17:11,680 --> 00:17:18,560 Speaker 1: up some things, fear, insecurity, addictions, depression, compromise. He's chosen you. 275 00:17:19,000 --> 00:17:23,560 Speaker 1: My question is will you choose him. Don't go through 276 00:17:23,600 --> 00:17:28,600 Speaker 1: life handpicked by the Creator, with seeds of greatness, redeemed 277 00:17:28,640 --> 00:17:32,200 Speaker 1: and forgiven, but never step up to who you were 278 00:17:32,240 --> 00:17:36,320 Speaker 1: created to be. Let today be the day you say God, 279 00:17:36,480 --> 00:17:40,600 Speaker 1: I believe I'm chosen. I believe I'm worthy, I believe 280 00:17:40,640 --> 00:17:44,159 Speaker 1: I'm valuable. I may be a stranger, this may be 281 00:17:44,280 --> 00:17:47,280 Speaker 1: new to me, but I'm coming into the family. I'm 282 00:17:47,280 --> 00:17:49,639 Speaker 1: going to live my life as a son, as a 283 00:17:49,760 --> 00:17:54,640 Speaker 1: daughter of the most High God. There was this very 284 00:17:54,760 --> 00:17:58,880 Speaker 1: wealthy lady that had passed and as far as they knew, 285 00:17:58,920 --> 00:18:01,439 Speaker 1: she had never left a will. She had this huge 286 00:18:01,520 --> 00:18:05,159 Speaker 1: house filled with all kinds of furniture and expensive antiques. 287 00:18:05,640 --> 00:18:09,760 Speaker 1: She had beautiful jewelry, huge art collection, paintings from all 288 00:18:09,760 --> 00:18:13,760 Speaker 1: over the world, millions of dollars of worth. A company 289 00:18:13,840 --> 00:18:17,560 Speaker 1: came in to auction everything. Often a couple hundred people 290 00:18:17,560 --> 00:18:21,280 Speaker 1: were there. They started the auction in the foyer with 291 00:18:21,400 --> 00:18:25,240 Speaker 1: a picture of this lady's son. It was a portrait 292 00:18:25,320 --> 00:18:29,000 Speaker 1: hanging on the wall. It was nice, but nobody wanted that. 293 00:18:29,520 --> 00:18:32,439 Speaker 1: They were waiting for all the other items. After a 294 00:18:32,480 --> 00:18:37,560 Speaker 1: couple of moments of silence, the lady's housekeeper bid twenty dollars. 295 00:18:38,040 --> 00:18:41,119 Speaker 1: She'd help raise the boy and loved him dearly. The 296 00:18:41,160 --> 00:18:45,479 Speaker 1: auctioneer looked around one more time. Finally said, going, going, gone. 297 00:18:46,280 --> 00:18:50,200 Speaker 1: The housekeeper took the painting down. On the back there 298 00:18:50,240 --> 00:18:53,919 Speaker 1: was a handwritten note signed by the lady. It said, 299 00:18:54,160 --> 00:18:58,879 Speaker 1: whoever chooses the sun gets it all. The auction was 300 00:18:58,920 --> 00:19:03,320 Speaker 1: suddenly over. Now the housekeeper owned it all. It's the 301 00:19:03,359 --> 00:19:06,520 Speaker 1: same way today. When you choose the suns, when you 302 00:19:06,640 --> 00:19:10,320 Speaker 1: choose the risen Savior, when you choose Jesus, you get 303 00:19:10,359 --> 00:19:16,280 Speaker 1: it all. Abundant life, eternal life, joy Pea Street, Victory. 304 00:19:17,240 --> 00:19:19,960 Speaker 1: My father was raised in a family that didn't know 305 00:19:20,000 --> 00:19:23,280 Speaker 1: anything about God. They were very poor and they lost 306 00:19:23,320 --> 00:19:26,199 Speaker 1: everything during the Great Depression. He had to drop out 307 00:19:26,240 --> 00:19:28,880 Speaker 1: of high school to work on the farm to help out. 308 00:19:29,400 --> 00:19:33,360 Speaker 1: Looked like his life would be limited, no money, little education, 309 00:19:33,720 --> 00:19:36,639 Speaker 1: no future to speak of. But my father had a 310 00:19:36,680 --> 00:19:39,879 Speaker 1: friend named Sam. He would get to school early and 311 00:19:39,920 --> 00:19:43,680 Speaker 1: write scriptures on the chalkboard. My dad was so embarrassed. 312 00:19:43,960 --> 00:19:46,040 Speaker 1: He didn't want to have anything to do with religion 313 00:19:46,160 --> 00:19:50,040 Speaker 1: or faith. But at seventeen years old, he was walking 314 00:19:50,080 --> 00:19:52,600 Speaker 1: home from a nightclub at two o'clock in the morning. 315 00:19:53,200 --> 00:19:55,719 Speaker 1: He looked up at the stars and for some reason 316 00:19:55,920 --> 00:19:58,320 Speaker 1: he began to think about God and what he was 317 00:19:58,359 --> 00:20:01,359 Speaker 1: going to do with his life. The next morning, my 318 00:20:01,480 --> 00:20:04,160 Speaker 1: father went to church with Sam and gave his life 319 00:20:04,200 --> 00:20:08,080 Speaker 1: to Christ. That changed the whole trajectory of our family. 320 00:20:09,160 --> 00:20:13,199 Speaker 1: My father was like Simon, a stranger. There was no 321 00:20:13,359 --> 00:20:16,520 Speaker 1: history of faith, nothing in his background that said he 322 00:20:16,560 --> 00:20:20,840 Speaker 1: would believe. He was a teenager partying doing his own thing. 323 00:20:21,400 --> 00:20:25,280 Speaker 1: But God, in his mercy, chose my father before he 324 00:20:25,280 --> 00:20:28,960 Speaker 1: could choose him. Walking home from that nightclub that night. 325 00:20:29,160 --> 00:20:33,480 Speaker 1: That was God drawing my father like him. You may 326 00:20:33,480 --> 00:20:36,119 Speaker 1: not have a background of faith. You don't think you 327 00:20:36,160 --> 00:20:38,880 Speaker 1: could live up to the standards. You've had too much 328 00:20:39,000 --> 00:20:43,040 Speaker 1: negative baggage. None of that stops God. He loves to 329 00:20:43,160 --> 00:20:47,560 Speaker 1: choose strangers and do something awesome with their lives. Don't 330 00:20:47,560 --> 00:20:51,040 Speaker 1: make excuses. My father could have thought, God, I don't 331 00:20:51,040 --> 00:20:54,720 Speaker 1: have much to offer. I don't have much education, don't 332 00:20:54,760 --> 00:20:57,840 Speaker 1: have any influence, I don't have a family that's honored you. 333 00:20:58,600 --> 00:21:01,560 Speaker 1: God's not looking at what you don't have. All he 334 00:21:01,680 --> 00:21:05,840 Speaker 1: needs is what you do have. Your willingness, your obedience, 335 00:21:06,000 --> 00:21:10,000 Speaker 1: your courage, your faith. You can impact your family line 336 00:21:10,320 --> 00:21:13,720 Speaker 1: for generations to come. You can be the one that 337 00:21:13,880 --> 00:21:18,360 Speaker 1: breaks the cycle of defeat, mediocrity and starts the cycle 338 00:21:18,440 --> 00:21:23,919 Speaker 1: of blessing. Favor, honor, integrity. You may be a stranger, 339 00:21:24,480 --> 00:21:29,280 Speaker 1: but don't stay a stranger. You've been chosen. God's calling 340 00:21:29,400 --> 00:21:33,160 Speaker 1: is on your life. There's an assignment for you to accomplish. 341 00:21:33,320 --> 00:21:36,840 Speaker 1: It's something bigger than you've imagined, and you may not 342 00:21:36,920 --> 00:21:40,359 Speaker 1: feel qualified. You don't have the training. The giant looks 343 00:21:40,400 --> 00:21:43,480 Speaker 1: too big. But when you step into that calling, there's 344 00:21:43,520 --> 00:21:47,000 Speaker 1: a supernatural force that will push you into your destiny, 345 00:21:47,280 --> 00:21:50,440 Speaker 1: a favor that will open doors. No person can shut 346 00:21:51,000 --> 00:21:55,560 Speaker 1: a power to accomplish dreams you never thought possible. When 347 00:21:55,640 --> 00:21:59,160 Speaker 1: Jesus was on the cross, there were two thieves crucified 348 00:21:59,200 --> 00:22:01,760 Speaker 1: on each side. One mocked him and said, man, you 349 00:22:01,800 --> 00:22:05,679 Speaker 1: couldn't even save yourself. The other said, Jesus, when you 350 00:22:05,760 --> 00:22:10,200 Speaker 1: come into your kingdom, please remember me. He believed Jesus 351 00:22:10,280 --> 00:22:13,280 Speaker 1: was the Messiah, that he was a king going into 352 00:22:13,320 --> 00:22:17,480 Speaker 1: his kingdom. Jesus didn't say, I don't even know you. 353 00:22:17,480 --> 00:22:20,359 Speaker 1: You didn't follow me. You never came to the temple 354 00:22:20,400 --> 00:22:23,880 Speaker 1: when I talked, you never got baptized. Oh, Jesus said, 355 00:22:24,320 --> 00:22:28,520 Speaker 1: this day you will be with me in Paradise. Down 356 00:22:28,560 --> 00:22:32,199 Speaker 1: to his last breath on this earth, God was showing 357 00:22:32,280 --> 00:22:37,040 Speaker 1: us that he chooses strangers, that our past doesn't determine 358 00:22:37,040 --> 00:22:40,440 Speaker 1: our future, that when we're at our worst, God is 359 00:22:40,480 --> 00:22:44,720 Speaker 1: at his best. That's when his mercy shows out. Jesus 360 00:22:44,800 --> 00:22:46,640 Speaker 1: could have said to the man, well, tell me, did 361 00:22:46,680 --> 00:22:49,240 Speaker 1: you do any good works? How much time did you 362 00:22:49,320 --> 00:22:52,240 Speaker 1: serve others? How were you raised? Then don't think about 363 00:22:52,240 --> 00:22:56,240 Speaker 1: your request. No, the scripture says, by grace are we 364 00:22:56,320 --> 00:22:59,840 Speaker 1: saved through faith, not of works. It is a gift. 365 00:22:59,840 --> 00:23:04,399 Speaker 1: For There's a man in the scripture named Saul. He 366 00:23:04,520 --> 00:23:07,520 Speaker 1: was the greatest enemy of the church. He went around 367 00:23:07,680 --> 00:23:11,680 Speaker 1: arresting believers and having them put in jail. He would 368 00:23:11,680 --> 00:23:14,520 Speaker 1: think God wouldn't have anything to do with him. He's 369 00:23:14,520 --> 00:23:18,320 Speaker 1: too far off course. Now, don't ever write anyone off. 370 00:23:18,760 --> 00:23:22,879 Speaker 1: The mercy of God is bigger than any mistake you've made. 371 00:23:23,000 --> 00:23:26,320 Speaker 1: It's bigger than any force that's trying to stop your children, 372 00:23:26,640 --> 00:23:30,960 Speaker 1: your loved ones. As Saul was traveling to Damascus with 373 00:23:31,119 --> 00:23:34,760 Speaker 1: papers in hand to arrest believers, a bright light shine 374 00:23:34,800 --> 00:23:38,119 Speaker 1: down from heaven knocked him off his horse, fell to 375 00:23:38,200 --> 00:23:42,080 Speaker 1: the ground and couldn't see. A voice boomed out, Saul, 376 00:23:42,240 --> 00:23:45,480 Speaker 1: why do you persecute me? Saul was puzzled. He said, 377 00:23:45,480 --> 00:23:49,919 Speaker 1: who are you. The voice answered, I am Jesus. Of 378 00:23:49,960 --> 00:23:53,520 Speaker 1: all the people God could be dealing with, he's talking 379 00:23:53,560 --> 00:23:57,840 Speaker 1: to this stranger. This man is so against him. God 380 00:23:57,880 --> 00:24:01,400 Speaker 1: told Anonius, go pray for Saul, for he's a chosen 381 00:24:01,560 --> 00:24:05,720 Speaker 1: vessel to bear my name. Here's the biggest enemy of 382 00:24:05,760 --> 00:24:09,520 Speaker 1: the church, and God is saying I chose him. Why 383 00:24:09,520 --> 00:24:12,879 Speaker 1: are you believing those lies that you've made too many mistakes, 384 00:24:13,359 --> 00:24:15,719 Speaker 1: that God won't have anything to do with you, that 385 00:24:15,760 --> 00:24:19,000 Speaker 1: you're stuck where you are, when in fact, God is 386 00:24:19,080 --> 00:24:24,600 Speaker 1: saying you're a chosen vessel. Your mistakes didn't cancel your destiny. 387 00:24:25,080 --> 00:24:29,520 Speaker 1: God doesn't consult your past to determine your future. The 388 00:24:29,720 --> 00:24:33,760 Speaker 1: enemy would love to keep you condemned, feeling unworthy, like 389 00:24:33,800 --> 00:24:36,600 Speaker 1: you don't belong, you don't measure up. That's why the 390 00:24:36,640 --> 00:24:40,000 Speaker 1: scripture says, while you were far off, while you were 391 00:24:40,040 --> 00:24:44,680 Speaker 1: a stranger, God brought you in through Christ. In that 392 00:24:44,760 --> 00:24:49,320 Speaker 1: one destiny moment, Saul's life was forever changed. He became 393 00:24:49,400 --> 00:24:52,639 Speaker 1: the apostle Paul. He went from the greatest enemy of 394 00:24:52,680 --> 00:24:55,879 Speaker 1: the church to the greatest asset of the church. He 395 00:24:55,920 --> 00:24:58,600 Speaker 1: wrote over half of the books in the New Testament 396 00:24:59,800 --> 00:25:04,240 Speaker 1: that time Saul was reaking habit, causing trouble. That didn't 397 00:25:04,280 --> 00:25:08,080 Speaker 1: stop God's plan. God knew he was a chosen vessel. 398 00:25:08,920 --> 00:25:11,760 Speaker 1: God doesn't give up on you. People look at what 399 00:25:11,880 --> 00:25:15,880 Speaker 1: you are, but God sees what you can become. It's 400 00:25:15,920 --> 00:25:19,679 Speaker 1: no coincidence that Paul wrote in Ephesians. You are no 401 00:25:19,760 --> 00:25:23,920 Speaker 1: longer strangers, you are no longer foreigners, but you belong 402 00:25:24,080 --> 00:25:27,520 Speaker 1: to the household of God. Get this down in your spirit. 403 00:25:28,040 --> 00:25:32,720 Speaker 1: You've been chosen. You belong in God's family, the creator 404 00:25:32,800 --> 00:25:36,960 Speaker 1: of the universe, hand pics you not meet, y'all. I've 405 00:25:37,000 --> 00:25:40,080 Speaker 1: made too many mistakes. You don't know what I've done. 406 00:25:40,400 --> 00:25:44,160 Speaker 1: You're a Saul, You're a chosen vessel. Well. I don't 407 00:25:44,160 --> 00:25:47,159 Speaker 1: come from a background of faith. I wasn't raised like this. 408 00:25:47,320 --> 00:25:50,760 Speaker 1: I don't fit in. You're a Simon. You're still chosen. 409 00:25:51,520 --> 00:25:51,639 Speaker 4: Well. 410 00:25:51,680 --> 00:25:55,240 Speaker 1: I have flaws and weaknesses. I don't perform perfectly. You're 411 00:25:55,240 --> 00:26:01,000 Speaker 1: a Peter. God knew every shortcoming and he still chose you. Now, 412 00:26:01,040 --> 00:26:04,480 Speaker 1: the tragedy is to go through life being chosen and 413 00:26:04,600 --> 00:26:08,480 Speaker 1: never recognize it. You have to accept that God has 414 00:26:08,520 --> 00:26:11,520 Speaker 1: a calling on your life, that he's put seeds of 415 00:26:11,600 --> 00:26:14,600 Speaker 1: greatness in you. That He's given you a purpose, a 416 00:26:14,640 --> 00:26:20,320 Speaker 1: divine assignment. Don't let fear, guilt insecurity keep you from 417 00:26:20,359 --> 00:26:23,600 Speaker 1: stepping into your greatness. Step up to who you were 418 00:26:23,640 --> 00:26:27,360 Speaker 1: created to be. This is your time to shine. You've 419 00:26:27,400 --> 00:26:30,520 Speaker 1: been chosen to set a new standard for your family. 420 00:26:30,960 --> 00:26:34,600 Speaker 1: You've been chosen to break a cycle of dysfunction. You've 421 00:26:34,640 --> 00:26:38,240 Speaker 1: been chosen to live a life of excellence, integrity, and 422 00:26:38,400 --> 00:26:43,720 Speaker 1: abundant victorious life. Now when thoughts whisper, no, no, no, man, 423 00:26:43,760 --> 00:26:48,520 Speaker 1: You're unworthy, You're unqualified. This is not your background, tune 424 00:26:48,560 --> 00:26:52,119 Speaker 1: all that out every morning, Father, thank you that I 425 00:26:52,160 --> 00:26:55,720 Speaker 1: am chosen. Let me tell you again, you are worthy, 426 00:26:56,280 --> 00:27:00,880 Speaker 1: You are valuable, You are favored. You are annoying. Your 427 00:27:01,000 --> 00:27:04,680 Speaker 1: past is forgiven, your future is bright. You are well 428 00:27:04,720 --> 00:27:09,760 Speaker 1: able to fulfill your purpose. I believe and declare, like Simon, 429 00:27:10,240 --> 00:27:13,840 Speaker 1: You're about to step into some destiny moments, things you 430 00:27:13,880 --> 00:27:16,760 Speaker 1: couldn't make happen. The favor of God's going to propel 431 00:27:16,800 --> 00:27:20,960 Speaker 1: you ahead like Saul. God's gonna free you from every bondage, 432 00:27:21,200 --> 00:27:25,840 Speaker 1: turn negative situations around. Promotion is coming, healing is coming, 433 00:27:26,119 --> 00:27:30,840 Speaker 1: breakthroughs are coming. The fullness of your destiny in Jesus' name. 434 00:27:31,320 --> 00:27:36,159 Speaker 1: If you receive it, can you say amen? I'd like 435 00:27:36,280 --> 00:27:39,040 Speaker 1: to give you an opportunity to make Jesus the Lord 436 00:27:39,040 --> 00:27:43,160 Speaker 1: of your life. Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus, 437 00:27:43,800 --> 00:27:47,600 Speaker 1: I repent of my sins, Come into my heart. I 438 00:27:47,800 --> 00:27:51,000 Speaker 1: make you my Lord and savior. If you prayed that 439 00:27:51,080 --> 00:27:54,439 Speaker 1: simple prayer, we believe you got born again. We'd love 440 00:27:54,520 --> 00:27:57,040 Speaker 1: to send you some free information on your new walk 441 00:27:57,040 --> 00:27:59,240 Speaker 1: with the Lord. You can text the number on the 442 00:27:59,280 --> 00:28:02,120 Speaker 1: screen or go to the website. But I hope you'll 443 00:28:02,119 --> 00:28:05,440 Speaker 1: get into a good Bible based church and keep God 444 00:28:05,800 --> 00:28:06,480 Speaker 1: first place. 445 00:28:08,480 --> 00:28:12,080 Speaker 4: It starts with just a tiny seed. From it tender 446 00:28:12,160 --> 00:28:16,040 Speaker 4: bud sprout. The miracle of new life blooms and thrives. 447 00:28:16,359 --> 00:28:19,920 Speaker 4: But how do you experience the same miraculous and extraordinary 448 00:28:19,960 --> 00:28:21,720 Speaker 4: growth in your own life? 449 00:28:21,760 --> 00:28:25,400 Speaker 1: Sometimes our life is limited because we're believing too small. 450 00:28:26,000 --> 00:28:29,400 Speaker 1: Faith is like a sea. When you believe all things 451 00:28:29,440 --> 00:28:33,560 Speaker 1: are possible, that's when you'll see new growth, opportunity, and healing. 452 00:28:33,920 --> 00:28:36,280 Speaker 2: We don't have to figure out how it's going to happen. 453 00:28:36,600 --> 00:28:39,200 Speaker 2: All we have to do is believe. There may not 454 00:28:39,320 --> 00:28:42,400 Speaker 2: be a way in the natural, but our God is supernatural. 455 00:28:42,560 --> 00:28:45,200 Speaker 1: We'd like to send you our new this time next year, 456 00:28:45,400 --> 00:28:48,800 Speaker 1: Believe Big Journal. It will help you to enlarger vision 457 00:28:48,880 --> 00:28:51,760 Speaker 1: and stretch your faith. Where would you like to be 458 00:28:52,080 --> 00:28:54,720 Speaker 1: a year from now? Who knows what God will do 459 00:28:54,760 --> 00:28:57,320 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty four if you'll take the limits off 460 00:28:57,360 --> 00:28:59,960 Speaker 1: of Him and believe for the great things He's placed 461 00:29:00,160 --> 00:29:00,760 Speaker 1: in your heart. 462 00:29:01,280 --> 00:29:03,760 Speaker 4: As our thank you for your gift of any amount 463 00:29:03,800 --> 00:29:06,320 Speaker 4: this month, we want to send you that this time 464 00:29:06,400 --> 00:29:10,440 Speaker 4: next year, Believe Big Journal, along with our new Believe tea. 465 00:29:10,520 --> 00:29:13,640 Speaker 4: As you begin to believe fague, you'll see God move 466 00:29:13,720 --> 00:29:19,239 Speaker 4: in powerful ways, the impossible made possible. Growth, provision, and 467 00:29:19,280 --> 00:29:22,800 Speaker 4: new opportunities will burst forth above and beyond which you 468 00:29:22,840 --> 00:29:26,520 Speaker 4: can ask or imagine. Also, for the first time ever, 469 00:29:26,920 --> 00:29:29,760 Speaker 4: we want to present you with our new Believe t shirt, 470 00:29:30,160 --> 00:29:33,800 Speaker 4: created exclusively by our friends at Copperfit for the viewers 471 00:29:33,840 --> 00:29:37,480 Speaker 4: and partners of Joe Lostein. We invite you to wear 472 00:29:37,560 --> 00:29:40,520 Speaker 4: and declare which you are believing God or in twenty 473 00:29:40,560 --> 00:29:43,920 Speaker 4: twenty four. It's a gift from Copperfit as they extend 474 00:29:43,960 --> 00:29:46,000 Speaker 4: their support of the message of Hope. 475 00:29:46,560 --> 00:29:48,480 Speaker 1: Many of you have watched us a long time, but 476 00:29:48,560 --> 00:29:51,360 Speaker 1: you've never been to lake Wood. We have a perfect time. 477 00:29:51,560 --> 00:29:55,600 Speaker 1: We're calling it Homecoming weekend April thirteenth and fourteenth. We'd 478 00:29:55,640 --> 00:29:58,200 Speaker 1: love to meet you. I'll introduce you to my family. 479 00:29:58,520 --> 00:30:01,320 Speaker 1: You can see the facility and joy of service. We'd 480 00:30:01,360 --> 00:30:03,680 Speaker 1: be honored to have you. We'll make you feel right 481 00:30:03,720 --> 00:30:06,840 Speaker 1: at home. Remember you can watch the services live online 482 00:30:06,920 --> 00:30:11,200 Speaker 1: every Sunday. Download our podcast watch on YouTube. We'll keep 483 00:30:11,200 --> 00:30:12,959 Speaker 1: you inspired and encouraged. 484 00:30:13,320 --> 00:30:16,120 Speaker 4: Be sure to request your copy of This Time next 485 00:30:16,200 --> 00:30:19,720 Speaker 4: year Believe Big Journal and the Copperfit Believe T shirt 486 00:30:19,840 --> 00:30:23,840 Speaker 4: as our gift of thanks Today. Visit Joelostein dot com 487 00:30:23,960 --> 00:30:28,360 Speaker 4: or call us tool free