1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:02,880 Speaker 1: No one likes to talk about money. Am I saving enough? 2 00:00:02,960 --> 00:00:05,040 Speaker 1: Can I buy a house? Am I paying too much 3 00:00:05,040 --> 00:00:07,760 Speaker 1: in taxes? Will I be able to retire? What if 4 00:00:07,760 --> 00:00:10,360 Speaker 1: you could unlock insights about your finances in less than 5 00:00:10,360 --> 00:00:12,840 Speaker 1: five minutes, with a clear picture of where you stand 6 00:00:12,880 --> 00:00:15,720 Speaker 1: today and where your money can work harder. Now you 7 00:00:15,760 --> 00:00:18,759 Speaker 1: can visit facet dot com to take the free quiz 8 00:00:18,800 --> 00:00:23,400 Speaker 1: and get your financial wellness score today. That's Facet dot com. 9 00:00:23,440 --> 00:00:25,360 Speaker 1: This ad is sponsored by Facet. Fast Wealth in Corporated 10 00:00:25,440 --> 00:00:27,280 Speaker 1: is an sec registered investment advisor. This is not an 11 00:00:27,320 --> 00:00:29,080 Speaker 1: offer to buy your self securities or is it investment, 12 00:00:29,160 --> 00:00:30,080 Speaker 1: legal or tax advice. 13 00:00:30,520 --> 00:00:33,120 Speaker 2: Are you ready to move your career forward? Make your 14 00:00:33,159 --> 00:00:36,640 Speaker 2: comeback with Perdue Global and get college credit for your work, school, life, 15 00:00:36,720 --> 00:00:39,840 Speaker 2: or military experiences. With these credits, you may have already 16 00:00:39,840 --> 00:00:42,680 Speaker 2: completed up to seventy five percent of your undergraduate degree. 17 00:00:42,720 --> 00:00:44,800 Speaker 2: You've worked hard to get where you are. It's time 18 00:00:44,840 --> 00:00:46,920 Speaker 2: to get the recognition you deserve and earn a degree 19 00:00:47,000 --> 00:00:49,600 Speaker 2: you'll be proud of, one that employers will trust and 20 00:00:49,720 --> 00:00:51,840 Speaker 2: respect when you take the next step in your life 21 00:00:51,880 --> 00:00:55,040 Speaker 2: and career. Make it count with Perdue Global produce online 22 00:00:55,120 --> 00:00:59,720 Speaker 2: University for working adults. Start your comeback at Purdueglobal dot edu. 23 00:01:00,680 --> 00:01:03,440 Speaker 3: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 24 00:01:03,480 --> 00:01:06,600 Speaker 3: our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. If you 25 00:01:06,720 --> 00:01:09,280 Speaker 3: enjoy today's message, why don't you be a blessing and 26 00:01:09,360 --> 00:01:12,000 Speaker 3: share it with a friend. We appreciate you and pray 27 00:01:12,040 --> 00:01:27,720 Speaker 3: for God's very best in your life. Well, God bless you. 28 00:01:27,880 --> 00:01:30,080 Speaker 3: It's always a joy to come into your homes. And 29 00:01:30,280 --> 00:01:32,640 Speaker 3: if you're ever in our area, please stop by and 30 00:01:32,680 --> 00:01:35,080 Speaker 3: be a part of one of our services. I promise 31 00:01:35,120 --> 00:01:37,399 Speaker 3: you we'll make you feel right at home. Thanks so 32 00:01:37,480 --> 00:01:40,039 Speaker 3: much for tuning in, and thank you again for coming out. 33 00:01:40,520 --> 00:01:42,800 Speaker 3: I like to start with something funny, and I heard 34 00:01:42,800 --> 00:01:46,400 Speaker 3: about this reporter that was visiting churches across the nation. 35 00:01:47,120 --> 00:01:50,520 Speaker 3: While in the Northeast, he saw this golden telephone on 36 00:01:50,560 --> 00:01:53,920 Speaker 3: the wall with a sign that said calls ten thousand 37 00:01:53,960 --> 00:01:57,080 Speaker 3: dollars a minute. He asked the pastor what it meant. 38 00:01:57,440 --> 00:02:00,920 Speaker 3: The pastor explained that was a direct line Heaven. If 39 00:02:00,960 --> 00:02:02,960 Speaker 3: you were willing to pay the price, you could talk 40 00:02:02,960 --> 00:02:06,800 Speaker 3: directly to God. He continued visiting different churches and saw 41 00:02:06,840 --> 00:02:10,440 Speaker 3: the same golden phone the same sign. Finally made it 42 00:02:10,480 --> 00:02:13,440 Speaker 3: to Texas. He saw the phone, but the sign said 43 00:02:13,440 --> 00:02:17,480 Speaker 3: calls twenty five cents a minute. Intrigued, he asked the 44 00:02:17,520 --> 00:02:20,239 Speaker 3: pastor why it was so much cheaper. The pastor said, 45 00:02:20,240 --> 00:02:25,680 Speaker 3: you're in Texas now, it's a local call. Say it 46 00:02:25,760 --> 00:02:28,680 Speaker 3: like you mean it. This is my Bible. I am 47 00:02:28,720 --> 00:02:31,040 Speaker 3: what it says I am. I have what it says 48 00:02:31,080 --> 00:02:33,560 Speaker 3: I have. I can do what it says I can do. 49 00:02:33,960 --> 00:02:36,720 Speaker 3: Today I will be taught the word of God. I 50 00:02:36,840 --> 00:02:40,720 Speaker 3: boldly confess. My mind is alert, my heart is recepted. 51 00:02:41,120 --> 00:02:44,760 Speaker 3: I will never be the same. In Jesus' name, God 52 00:02:44,840 --> 00:02:48,280 Speaker 3: bless you. I want to talk to you today about 53 00:02:48,560 --> 00:02:52,720 Speaker 3: shining brightly. How you live your life is sending a 54 00:02:52,760 --> 00:02:56,679 Speaker 3: message to those around you. More than your words, More 55 00:02:56,720 --> 00:02:59,959 Speaker 3: than what you say. People are watching, how you live, 56 00:03:00,680 --> 00:03:04,079 Speaker 3: how you respond to adversity, how you treat others, how 57 00:03:04,120 --> 00:03:07,360 Speaker 3: consistent you are when you go out each day with 58 00:03:07,400 --> 00:03:10,520 Speaker 3: a smile on your face. You're kind, you're in a 59 00:03:10,520 --> 00:03:14,120 Speaker 3: good mood, You're always doing things for others. That's one 60 00:03:14,120 --> 00:03:18,440 Speaker 3: of the best witnesses you can have. Our actions speak 61 00:03:18,560 --> 00:03:22,160 Speaker 3: much louder than our words. I've heard it said, preach 62 00:03:22,200 --> 00:03:26,880 Speaker 3: at all times, use words only when necessary. Your life 63 00:03:27,080 --> 00:03:30,120 Speaker 3: is your message, and the scripture tells us we have 64 00:03:30,200 --> 00:03:33,639 Speaker 3: the power to be a witness. It doesn't say to 65 00:03:33,840 --> 00:03:37,280 Speaker 3: witness to preach a sermon, to straighten people out, to 66 00:03:37,360 --> 00:03:40,280 Speaker 3: tell them what they're doing wrong. Know, the real power 67 00:03:40,480 --> 00:03:44,360 Speaker 3: is to be a witness. When people see you living 68 00:03:44,520 --> 00:03:48,320 Speaker 3: a life of excellence and integrity day in and day out. 69 00:03:48,360 --> 00:03:53,080 Speaker 3: You're happy, friendly, good natured. That has a greater impact 70 00:03:53,280 --> 00:03:57,000 Speaker 3: than anything we could ever say. We can quote scriptures 71 00:03:57,040 --> 00:03:59,680 Speaker 3: all day long, come to church every time the doors 72 00:03:59,720 --> 00:04:03,200 Speaker 3: are open, keep a praise music on. But if you 73 00:04:03,240 --> 00:04:06,800 Speaker 3: complain about the boss, get upset because of the traffic, 74 00:04:07,320 --> 00:04:12,560 Speaker 3: play politics to get ahead. Your example will override anything 75 00:04:12,560 --> 00:04:16,159 Speaker 3: that you say. Parents, we can tell our children be kind, 76 00:04:16,640 --> 00:04:20,839 Speaker 3: be respectful, but if they see us being disrespectful, not 77 00:04:20,920 --> 00:04:23,360 Speaker 3: treating people right, it will go in one ear and 78 00:04:23,400 --> 00:04:26,640 Speaker 3: out the other. The power is in what you do. 79 00:04:27,640 --> 00:04:31,240 Speaker 3: Most people are not reading their Bibles, they're reading your life. 80 00:04:32,040 --> 00:04:34,120 Speaker 3: They may never listen to a minister, they may never 81 00:04:34,160 --> 00:04:37,240 Speaker 3: come to church, but they're watching how you live. And 82 00:04:37,279 --> 00:04:40,800 Speaker 3: we should have so much joy, so much peace. We 83 00:04:40,880 --> 00:04:43,960 Speaker 3: should be so kind, so generous, so good natured that 84 00:04:44,080 --> 00:04:47,200 Speaker 3: people want what we have that's what it means to 85 00:04:47,240 --> 00:04:49,919 Speaker 3: be the light of the world. And we come to 86 00:04:50,000 --> 00:04:53,520 Speaker 3: church each week to get our batteries charged, to get 87 00:04:53,560 --> 00:04:57,120 Speaker 3: filled back up, to be encouraged to grow, to learn. 88 00:04:57,760 --> 00:05:01,520 Speaker 3: But our real assignment begins when we leave this auditorium. 89 00:05:02,120 --> 00:05:05,599 Speaker 3: There's already plenty of light in here. Most of us 90 00:05:05,680 --> 00:05:09,560 Speaker 3: are believers, we have faith, We're expecting good things. Our 91 00:05:09,680 --> 00:05:14,440 Speaker 3: light is not very effective around other light. It's like 92 00:05:14,480 --> 00:05:17,600 Speaker 3: this little boy. His father bought him a new flashlight. 93 00:05:18,160 --> 00:05:20,479 Speaker 3: He was outside on a bright sunny day and he 94 00:05:20,760 --> 00:05:24,000 Speaker 3: turned it on, shined it around, couldn't see anything, said, Daddy, 95 00:05:24,040 --> 00:05:27,760 Speaker 3: doesn't work. Something's wrong. Dad said, no, son, it's fine. 96 00:05:27,880 --> 00:05:30,919 Speaker 3: It wasn't designed to work in the light. It was 97 00:05:31,000 --> 00:05:33,840 Speaker 3: made to work in the darkness. That's when you'll see 98 00:05:33,839 --> 00:05:37,559 Speaker 3: what it can really do. Too often we complain about 99 00:05:37,600 --> 00:05:40,960 Speaker 3: the darkness. I don't like this job. These people are 100 00:05:41,000 --> 00:05:44,279 Speaker 3: so negative. Nobody has a good attitude. Let me ask you, 101 00:05:44,760 --> 00:05:47,559 Speaker 3: why do you think God puts you there? They don't 102 00:05:47,600 --> 00:05:51,159 Speaker 3: need more light in the bright places. That's an opportunity 103 00:05:51,320 --> 00:05:54,760 Speaker 3: for you to shine. I've heard it said you can 104 00:05:54,839 --> 00:05:58,960 Speaker 3: either be a thermometer and just measure the temperature become 105 00:05:59,040 --> 00:06:02,480 Speaker 3: like everyone else. Or you can be a thermostat and 106 00:06:02,600 --> 00:06:06,880 Speaker 3: change the temperature. When you hear people complaining about the company, 107 00:06:06,920 --> 00:06:09,279 Speaker 3: don't join in. Yeah it's really bad around here. Be 108 00:06:09,320 --> 00:06:12,919 Speaker 3: a thermostat. Turn it around. Things may not be perfect, 109 00:06:12,960 --> 00:06:15,640 Speaker 3: but I'm grateful that I have a job. I'm thankful 110 00:06:15,680 --> 00:06:18,200 Speaker 3: that I can come to work each day. You are 111 00:06:18,279 --> 00:06:21,599 Speaker 3: the light of the world. Don't add to the darkness. 112 00:06:22,040 --> 00:06:26,120 Speaker 3: Turn your light on. It works best in the dark places, 113 00:06:26,760 --> 00:06:32,039 Speaker 3: when you're around negative influences, gossiping, complaining, people playing politics. 114 00:06:32,279 --> 00:06:36,000 Speaker 3: Don't turn it off, don't hide it. Realize that's what 115 00:06:36,080 --> 00:06:40,159 Speaker 3: your light was designed for. Let it shine brightly. The 116 00:06:40,200 --> 00:06:44,280 Speaker 3: scripture talks about wives that have husbands that are not believers. 117 00:06:44,839 --> 00:06:48,719 Speaker 3: It says, don't try to win them over with your speech. 118 00:06:49,440 --> 00:06:53,279 Speaker 3: Your godly life will speak to them better than any words. 119 00:06:53,760 --> 00:06:56,719 Speaker 3: They will be won over by watching how you live. 120 00:06:57,480 --> 00:06:59,920 Speaker 3: In other words, you don't have to preach to people. 121 00:07:00,440 --> 00:07:02,200 Speaker 3: You don't have to try to straighten them out. Hey, 122 00:07:02,240 --> 00:07:04,640 Speaker 3: you need to have a better attitude, You need to 123 00:07:04,640 --> 00:07:08,520 Speaker 3: have a new perspective. No, just be happy, be friendly, 124 00:07:09,360 --> 00:07:12,280 Speaker 3: be a person of excellence. That's how you let your 125 00:07:12,360 --> 00:07:16,320 Speaker 3: light shine with your actions. Not just with your words. 126 00:07:16,800 --> 00:07:19,760 Speaker 3: Everybody's discouraged, but you've got a spring in your step. 127 00:07:20,160 --> 00:07:23,440 Speaker 3: You're in a good mood. Everybody's slacking off, but you're 128 00:07:23,480 --> 00:07:26,960 Speaker 3: giving it your best. Everybody's upset at the company because 129 00:07:26,960 --> 00:07:29,160 Speaker 3: they have to work late, but you're just the same. 130 00:07:29,400 --> 00:07:32,200 Speaker 3: Happy in the good times, happy in the tough times. 131 00:07:32,560 --> 00:07:36,960 Speaker 3: That's letting your light shine brightly. My father told how 132 00:07:37,160 --> 00:07:39,920 Speaker 3: when he was a young man, this one church where 133 00:07:39,960 --> 00:07:44,480 Speaker 3: he went to minister was so dead. Nobody clapped, nobody's saying, 134 00:07:44,560 --> 00:07:48,200 Speaker 3: nobody responded. He thought, God, what am I doing here? 135 00:07:48,680 --> 00:07:51,320 Speaker 3: These people don't want to be in church. They certainly 136 00:07:51,320 --> 00:07:54,320 Speaker 3: don't want to listen to me. It's dead. He heard 137 00:07:54,360 --> 00:07:56,920 Speaker 3: God say, right down in here, son, why do you 138 00:07:56,960 --> 00:07:59,880 Speaker 3: think I sent you there? They don't need more light 139 00:08:00,040 --> 00:08:03,280 Speaker 3: where it's already bright. I sent you to stir them up. 140 00:08:03,760 --> 00:08:07,360 Speaker 3: I send you to be a thermostat, to ignite that spark, 141 00:08:07,560 --> 00:08:11,600 Speaker 3: that fleeing that's on the inside. God will send us 142 00:08:11,720 --> 00:08:15,000 Speaker 3: into dark places so we can make a difference, so 143 00:08:15,120 --> 00:08:19,440 Speaker 3: our light will shine brightly. Quick complaining about the family 144 00:08:19,520 --> 00:08:23,480 Speaker 3: you married into. God, these in laws, these outlaws, this 145 00:08:23,600 --> 00:08:26,160 Speaker 3: mother in law. God, they get on my nerves. You're 146 00:08:26,200 --> 00:08:29,680 Speaker 3: not there by accident. God has you there on purpose. 147 00:08:30,040 --> 00:08:33,200 Speaker 3: He's counting on you to brighten it up. Now. Don't 148 00:08:33,200 --> 00:08:36,280 Speaker 3: add to the darkness, don't make it worse. Be a light. 149 00:08:37,080 --> 00:08:39,760 Speaker 3: Do the right thing even when the wrong thing's happening. 150 00:08:40,360 --> 00:08:44,720 Speaker 3: Be respectful even when they're disrespectful. Keep a good attitude 151 00:08:44,760 --> 00:08:47,400 Speaker 3: even when you feel like being sour. Stay on the 152 00:08:47,480 --> 00:08:52,920 Speaker 3: high road. They need your light shine brightly well, Joel. 153 00:08:53,200 --> 00:08:56,160 Speaker 3: I am so dreading going to my family reunion this year. 154 00:08:56,840 --> 00:09:00,160 Speaker 3: My relatives are so sarcastic. They make fun of me 155 00:09:00,200 --> 00:09:02,600 Speaker 3: because I want party with them. They give me a 156 00:09:02,600 --> 00:09:04,520 Speaker 3: hard time because I go to church. I don't feel 157 00:09:04,520 --> 00:09:06,960 Speaker 3: like putting up with it. They'll have a new perspective. 158 00:09:07,200 --> 00:09:10,960 Speaker 3: That's an opportunity for you to shine. It's easy to 159 00:09:11,000 --> 00:09:14,520 Speaker 3: shine around everybody that loves you, everybody that celebrates you, 160 00:09:14,559 --> 00:09:18,240 Speaker 3: and things like you. The problem is your light is 161 00:09:18,280 --> 00:09:22,840 Speaker 3: not nearly effective around those people because it's already so bright. 162 00:09:23,440 --> 00:09:26,920 Speaker 3: The darker the situation, the brighter your light will shine. 163 00:09:27,559 --> 00:09:30,080 Speaker 3: You don't have to try to change their minds. You 164 00:09:30,080 --> 00:09:32,480 Speaker 3: don't have to tell them everything they're doing wrong. All 165 00:09:32,520 --> 00:09:35,960 Speaker 3: you've got to do is be happy when they make 166 00:09:36,000 --> 00:09:38,600 Speaker 3: fun of you, Just laugh and let it bounce off. 167 00:09:39,040 --> 00:09:42,480 Speaker 3: When they're sarcastic, just smile and move forward. No big deal. 168 00:09:42,559 --> 00:09:47,000 Speaker 3: Don't let it affect you. People push buttons expecting to 169 00:09:47,040 --> 00:09:50,800 Speaker 3: get a certain response. I'll say this and they'll get upset. 170 00:09:51,400 --> 00:09:53,440 Speaker 3: I'll leave them out and they'll get their feelings hurt. 171 00:09:53,840 --> 00:09:57,160 Speaker 3: I'll be disrespectful and they'll argue. They'll be rude. Don't 172 00:09:57,200 --> 00:10:00,640 Speaker 3: fall into that trap. Turn your buttons off, let them 173 00:10:00,679 --> 00:10:04,560 Speaker 3: push all they want. Just keep being kind, keep being respectful, 174 00:10:04,800 --> 00:10:09,360 Speaker 3: stay on the high road. Love never fails. Light will 175 00:10:09,400 --> 00:10:13,240 Speaker 3: always overcome darkness. It may not happen this year or 176 00:10:13,280 --> 00:10:16,280 Speaker 3: even next year, but at some point they will come 177 00:10:16,280 --> 00:10:20,680 Speaker 3: to the place where they get tired of living negative, defeated, sarcastic, 178 00:10:20,760 --> 00:10:23,000 Speaker 3: and they'll think, you know what, I want what they have. 179 00:10:23,559 --> 00:10:26,839 Speaker 3: I want that joy, I want that peace, I want 180 00:10:26,840 --> 00:10:31,600 Speaker 3: that spirit of excellence. Your exampled more than your words, 181 00:10:31,760 --> 00:10:35,160 Speaker 3: will be what causes them to change. Don't complain about 182 00:10:35,160 --> 00:10:39,040 Speaker 3: that neighborhood you're in. God, these neighbors, these people, they're 183 00:10:39,040 --> 00:10:42,280 Speaker 3: involved in things they shouldn't be involved in. They curse, 184 00:10:42,679 --> 00:10:46,160 Speaker 3: they're disrespectful, they don't take care of their property. That's 185 00:10:46,240 --> 00:10:49,480 Speaker 3: why God has you there. It's dark. He's counting on 186 00:10:49,520 --> 00:10:53,240 Speaker 3: you to turn on the light. Instead of complaining. While 187 00:10:53,320 --> 00:10:56,480 Speaker 3: God had you there, why don't you pray? God, help 188 00:10:56,559 --> 00:10:59,920 Speaker 3: my light to shine with greater intensity. God, help me 189 00:11:00,080 --> 00:11:03,320 Speaker 3: to be a greater influence. Let your love, your kindness, 190 00:11:03,320 --> 00:11:07,560 Speaker 3: your mercy be seen in everything that I do. In 191 00:11:07,640 --> 00:11:12,079 Speaker 3: the scripture, David worked for King Saul. Saul became jealous 192 00:11:12,080 --> 00:11:15,160 Speaker 3: of David and tried to kill him. One day, David 193 00:11:15,200 --> 00:11:17,240 Speaker 3: was playing the heart for Saul, trying to make him 194 00:11:17,280 --> 00:11:21,679 Speaker 3: feel better. Saul, through a spear, barely missed David. He 195 00:11:21,720 --> 00:11:25,199 Speaker 3: took off, running for his life. Saul ended up chasing 196 00:11:25,320 --> 00:11:29,480 Speaker 3: David through the wilderness, making his life miserable. What's interesting 197 00:11:30,240 --> 00:11:34,000 Speaker 3: is David never complained about Saul. He never said, God, 198 00:11:34,520 --> 00:11:36,800 Speaker 3: why is this man trying to kill me? This is 199 00:11:36,840 --> 00:11:40,160 Speaker 3: not right. I haven't done anything wrong. David just kept 200 00:11:40,160 --> 00:11:44,720 Speaker 3: doing the right thing, letting his light shine brightly. One night, 201 00:11:44,800 --> 00:11:48,679 Speaker 3: while David was on the run, he saw Saul and 202 00:11:48,760 --> 00:11:52,880 Speaker 3: his men asleep in the desert. This was David's big 203 00:11:52,960 --> 00:11:56,000 Speaker 3: opportunity to put an end to it. He could have 204 00:11:56,360 --> 00:11:58,960 Speaker 3: killed Saul easily once and for all been done with 205 00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:02,080 Speaker 3: it and nobody will have faulted him. But David wouldn't 206 00:12:02,120 --> 00:12:05,160 Speaker 3: do it. He knew Saul had been anointed to be 207 00:12:05,240 --> 00:12:08,160 Speaker 3: the king. He said, God, I'm not going to touch 208 00:12:08,200 --> 00:12:10,760 Speaker 3: your anointed. I'm going to let you fight my battles. 209 00:12:11,520 --> 00:12:14,520 Speaker 3: When Saul woke up and realized what had happened, that 210 00:12:14,640 --> 00:12:18,640 Speaker 3: David could have easily killed him, Saul said, David, you're 211 00:12:18,640 --> 00:12:21,760 Speaker 3: a better man than me. He was ashamed and went 212 00:12:21,800 --> 00:12:26,079 Speaker 3: back home. This didn't happen because of David's words, because 213 00:12:26,120 --> 00:12:28,680 Speaker 3: of something that he said. Come on, Saul, I'm a 214 00:12:28,720 --> 00:12:31,480 Speaker 3: good person. I'm not going to harm you. Leave me alone. No, 215 00:12:31,720 --> 00:12:36,800 Speaker 3: David let his actions do the talking. He became a witness. 216 00:12:37,360 --> 00:12:40,960 Speaker 3: People believe a sermon that they see more than a 217 00:12:41,000 --> 00:12:44,079 Speaker 3: sermon that they hear. Quit trying to pray away the 218 00:12:44,160 --> 00:12:49,000 Speaker 3: darkness and just start being a brighter light. Do it consistently. 219 00:12:49,600 --> 00:12:54,240 Speaker 3: People don't change overnight. Saul chased David for a long time, 220 00:12:54,760 --> 00:12:58,160 Speaker 3: month after month, year after year. David stayed on the 221 00:12:58,240 --> 00:13:02,240 Speaker 3: high road. God eventually vindicated him. He became the king. 222 00:13:03,280 --> 00:13:05,960 Speaker 3: There may be people in your life that you have 223 00:13:06,080 --> 00:13:09,840 Speaker 3: to let your light shine year after year. You have 224 00:13:09,920 --> 00:13:13,320 Speaker 3: to be willing to invest in them. Keep doing the 225 00:13:13,400 --> 00:13:15,959 Speaker 3: right thing, even when it seems like it's not making 226 00:13:16,000 --> 00:13:19,480 Speaker 3: a difference. Keep being respectful even though they're giving you 227 00:13:19,520 --> 00:13:23,840 Speaker 3: the cold shoulder. Your consistency being a witness day in 228 00:13:24,120 --> 00:13:27,320 Speaker 3: and day out, than just like Saul, that's going to 229 00:13:27,360 --> 00:13:31,640 Speaker 3: cause one day that light to overtake the darkness. Think 230 00:13:31,679 --> 00:13:34,320 Speaker 3: about when Jesus was on the earth. He didn't spend 231 00:13:34,360 --> 00:13:37,600 Speaker 3: all of his time in the temples and the synagogues, 232 00:13:37,679 --> 00:13:40,960 Speaker 3: in the churches, in the safe places. He didn't only 233 00:13:41,080 --> 00:13:44,760 Speaker 3: associate with people that believed in him, people that celebrated 234 00:13:44,800 --> 00:13:47,760 Speaker 3: who he was. He went to the people that were 235 00:13:47,800 --> 00:13:51,480 Speaker 3: not on the right track. The tax collectors, they were 236 00:13:51,520 --> 00:13:55,319 Speaker 3: known for being dishonest. He went to the fishermen, they 237 00:13:55,320 --> 00:13:58,400 Speaker 3: were rough and used bad language. He went to the 238 00:13:58,440 --> 00:14:02,199 Speaker 3: people that had failed moral He showed them mercy, was 239 00:14:02,320 --> 00:14:05,920 Speaker 3: kind to them. He was called a friend of sinners. 240 00:14:06,720 --> 00:14:10,880 Speaker 3: The religious people didn't like it. They criticized Jesus because 241 00:14:11,080 --> 00:14:14,200 Speaker 3: they thought that he was associating with what they considered 242 00:14:14,200 --> 00:14:18,000 Speaker 3: to be the wrong kind of people. They didn't understand 243 00:14:18,040 --> 00:14:22,800 Speaker 3: this principle that light is the most effective in dark places, 244 00:14:23,560 --> 00:14:26,760 Speaker 3: and because Jesus let his light shine. Many of those 245 00:14:26,800 --> 00:14:31,640 Speaker 3: sinners became believers. Sometimes we think, God, keep me away 246 00:14:31,680 --> 00:14:35,960 Speaker 3: from anyone that's struggling with a bad habit, an addiction 247 00:14:36,120 --> 00:14:38,960 Speaker 3: and anger issue. God, don't make me have to deal 248 00:14:39,000 --> 00:14:42,400 Speaker 3: with that person that's dishonest, not faithful in a relationship. 249 00:14:42,600 --> 00:14:46,000 Speaker 3: Keep me away from the darkness. But Jesus showed just 250 00:14:46,080 --> 00:14:49,760 Speaker 3: the opposite. He said, it's the sick who need a doctor, 251 00:14:50,080 --> 00:14:54,040 Speaker 3: not the healthy. God will bring people across your path 252 00:14:54,560 --> 00:14:58,960 Speaker 3: that need your light. Don't have a holier than now attitude, 253 00:14:59,520 --> 00:15:03,720 Speaker 3: thinking I can't be contamidated. He uses bad language, she's 254 00:15:03,800 --> 00:15:06,760 Speaker 3: kind of loose. He didn't have integrity. I got to 255 00:15:06,840 --> 00:15:10,640 Speaker 3: keep my distance. Now you've got the light. God's counting 256 00:15:10,640 --> 00:15:13,160 Speaker 3: on you to make a difference. You don't have to 257 00:15:13,200 --> 00:15:16,000 Speaker 3: become best friends with them. I'm not saying to spend 258 00:15:16,040 --> 00:15:18,400 Speaker 3: all your time with them. But you can be kind, 259 00:15:19,000 --> 00:15:21,240 Speaker 3: you can show them that's your care. You can be 260 00:15:21,320 --> 00:15:25,120 Speaker 3: a positive influence in their life. That's what a minister 261 00:15:25,240 --> 00:15:28,200 Speaker 3: friend of mine did. This young lady that cut his hair. 262 00:15:28,560 --> 00:15:31,640 Speaker 3: She was a good person, but she had some issues. 263 00:15:31,680 --> 00:15:34,760 Speaker 3: She was struggling with addictions, and she'd been in and 264 00:15:34,800 --> 00:15:36,880 Speaker 3: out of a bunch of relationships, and now she was 265 00:15:36,960 --> 00:15:40,000 Speaker 3: living with another boyfriend. And when he came in to 266 00:15:40,000 --> 00:15:43,640 Speaker 3: get his hair cut, she was very uncomfortable because she 267 00:15:43,760 --> 00:15:45,960 Speaker 3: knew there were some things in her life that were 268 00:15:46,000 --> 00:15:49,360 Speaker 3: not right. Him being a minister, she was certain that 269 00:15:49,440 --> 00:15:52,200 Speaker 3: he was going to judge her, give her a sermon, 270 00:15:52,680 --> 00:15:55,120 Speaker 3: tell her everything that she was doing wrong. But he 271 00:15:55,120 --> 00:15:59,240 Speaker 3: didn't do this. He was just kind, friendly, likable. When 272 00:15:59,280 --> 00:16:03,080 Speaker 3: he left that day, she was so relieved. I found 273 00:16:03,480 --> 00:16:07,200 Speaker 3: most people already know what they're doing wrong. You don't 274 00:16:07,240 --> 00:16:09,120 Speaker 3: have to tell them. Man, you need to break this addiction. 275 00:16:09,720 --> 00:16:11,960 Speaker 3: You need to get out of that toxic relationship. You 276 00:16:11,960 --> 00:16:14,920 Speaker 3: need to start being more honest. You don't have to 277 00:16:15,000 --> 00:16:18,920 Speaker 3: convict people of their sin. That's not your job. That's 278 00:16:18,960 --> 00:16:22,520 Speaker 3: what the Holy Spirit does. Our job is to love people, 279 00:16:22,760 --> 00:16:25,440 Speaker 3: to let our light shine, to be kind, to be friendly, 280 00:16:25,720 --> 00:16:29,760 Speaker 3: to be good to them. My friend noticed that this 281 00:16:29,880 --> 00:16:33,120 Speaker 3: young lady, the hairdresser, she liked a certain kind of coffee, 282 00:16:33,120 --> 00:16:36,080 Speaker 3: and before he'd come get his haircut, he'd always stopped 283 00:16:36,120 --> 00:16:39,000 Speaker 3: by and bring her that cup of coffee, just being kind. 284 00:16:39,440 --> 00:16:42,480 Speaker 3: She had a son, a little boy, and every time 285 00:16:42,560 --> 00:16:46,040 Speaker 3: around his birthday Christmas, special holidays. He would pick up 286 00:16:46,160 --> 00:16:48,880 Speaker 3: gift certificates to a toy store and give that to 287 00:16:48,920 --> 00:16:53,520 Speaker 3: his mother. He was always encouraging this young lady, letting 288 00:16:53,560 --> 00:16:56,720 Speaker 3: her know that he believed in her. It was about 289 00:16:56,760 --> 00:17:00,640 Speaker 3: two years later she asked where his church was located, 290 00:17:01,120 --> 00:17:03,720 Speaker 3: the first sign that he was having any kind of effect. 291 00:17:04,280 --> 00:17:07,600 Speaker 3: That next Sunday, she and her boyfriend showed up at church. 292 00:17:07,840 --> 00:17:10,160 Speaker 3: She hadn't been to church since she was a little girl. 293 00:17:11,040 --> 00:17:13,800 Speaker 3: That day, she felt a love like she had never felt. 294 00:17:14,400 --> 00:17:17,440 Speaker 3: Their hearts were touched. Both she and her boyfriend gave 295 00:17:17,480 --> 00:17:20,520 Speaker 3: their life to Christ. After the service, they said to 296 00:17:20,560 --> 00:17:23,639 Speaker 3: the minister, we've been living together for a long time. 297 00:17:24,359 --> 00:17:26,880 Speaker 3: We need to set a better example for our son. 298 00:17:27,359 --> 00:17:31,000 Speaker 3: We'd like to get married. Several months later, this minister 299 00:17:31,119 --> 00:17:35,040 Speaker 3: performed their wedding ceremony. Today that was years ago. They're 300 00:17:35,080 --> 00:17:38,480 Speaker 3: still married, still happy, still in church. Here's how Jesus 301 00:17:38,480 --> 00:17:42,960 Speaker 3: put it, Let your light shine before men so they 302 00:17:43,000 --> 00:17:46,840 Speaker 3: may see your good works. It doesn't say let your 303 00:17:46,920 --> 00:17:50,399 Speaker 3: light shine before people that deserve it, people that have 304 00:17:50,480 --> 00:17:53,520 Speaker 3: it all together, people that don't have any issues. No, 305 00:17:53,680 --> 00:17:57,080 Speaker 3: let it shine before all people. How do you do 306 00:17:57,160 --> 00:18:01,040 Speaker 3: it by letting them see your good works. Can the 307 00:18:01,119 --> 00:18:04,040 Speaker 3: people God's put in your life, not the ones that 308 00:18:04,080 --> 00:18:06,600 Speaker 3: have it all together, but the ones that are struggling, 309 00:18:07,160 --> 00:18:09,640 Speaker 3: the ones that you could easily judge and write off 310 00:18:09,680 --> 00:18:11,719 Speaker 3: and think, Man, you need to get it together. You 311 00:18:11,760 --> 00:18:14,879 Speaker 3: need to straighten up. Can they see your good works? 312 00:18:15,720 --> 00:18:18,680 Speaker 3: Maybe the reason they don't have it together just yet 313 00:18:19,440 --> 00:18:23,520 Speaker 3: is because they're waiting for your light, your love, your kindness, 314 00:18:23,640 --> 00:18:26,840 Speaker 3: your mercy. When they see your good works, they'll begin 315 00:18:26,920 --> 00:18:29,920 Speaker 3: to change. If my friend would have gone in there 316 00:18:29,960 --> 00:18:33,040 Speaker 3: and preached to her, you need to straighten up. God 317 00:18:33,119 --> 00:18:35,760 Speaker 3: is not pleased. You need to make some changes. She 318 00:18:35,800 --> 00:18:39,080 Speaker 3: wouldn't have received it. She would have become defensive, would 319 00:18:39,119 --> 00:18:41,880 Speaker 3: have pushed her away. She would have found somebody else 320 00:18:41,920 --> 00:18:45,520 Speaker 3: to cut his hair. I've heard it said people don't 321 00:18:45,560 --> 00:18:49,000 Speaker 3: care how much you know until they know how much 322 00:18:49,040 --> 00:18:52,480 Speaker 3: you care. When you take time to shine light in 323 00:18:52,560 --> 00:18:55,760 Speaker 3: their life. You give a smile, you bring them a 324 00:18:55,800 --> 00:18:58,840 Speaker 3: cup of coffee, you give their child a gift, your 325 00:18:58,960 --> 00:19:02,280 Speaker 3: kind your health. For they feel your love. That's what 326 00:19:02,440 --> 00:19:06,399 Speaker 3: opens the door to their heart. Look around at who's 327 00:19:06,440 --> 00:19:09,720 Speaker 3: in your life. Where is there some light that you 328 00:19:09,800 --> 00:19:13,800 Speaker 3: can shine? Will you be a friend to sinners. Will 329 00:19:13,840 --> 00:19:17,600 Speaker 3: you take off judgmental glasses and help love people back 330 00:19:17,680 --> 00:19:20,720 Speaker 3: onto the right track. Will you be willing to overlook 331 00:19:20,760 --> 00:19:23,600 Speaker 3: some flaws, not focus on what they're doing wrong, and 332 00:19:23,680 --> 00:19:27,600 Speaker 3: instead show a little mercy, be a light in their life, 333 00:19:27,880 --> 00:19:32,199 Speaker 3: a positive influence, a difference maker. After all, if it 334 00:19:32,240 --> 00:19:34,840 Speaker 3: had not been for the grace of God, that could 335 00:19:34,920 --> 00:19:38,840 Speaker 3: be you and me. Somebody shine some light in your life. 336 00:19:39,000 --> 00:19:42,000 Speaker 3: Somebody helps you get to where you are. Somebody overlooked 337 00:19:42,040 --> 00:19:45,800 Speaker 3: some flaws. Somebody showed mercy. Why don't you pass on 338 00:19:46,080 --> 00:19:49,679 Speaker 3: that same light that's been given to you now? I 339 00:19:49,720 --> 00:19:52,199 Speaker 3: was in my twenties. I used to play basketball at 340 00:19:52,200 --> 00:19:54,720 Speaker 3: this gym and there were a lot of guys there 341 00:19:54,760 --> 00:19:58,159 Speaker 3: that were very rough. They would curse and argue, and 342 00:19:58,440 --> 00:20:01,440 Speaker 3: a lot of times fights would break. He was very 343 00:20:01,480 --> 00:20:05,119 Speaker 3: competitive and very intense. I didn't go in there and 344 00:20:05,280 --> 00:20:08,280 Speaker 3: start telling everybody what they're doing wrong. Plus they're a 345 00:20:08,280 --> 00:20:11,520 Speaker 3: lot bigger than me. I didn't try to straighten everybody out. 346 00:20:11,640 --> 00:20:14,520 Speaker 3: I just went in there being me, just living my life, 347 00:20:14,560 --> 00:20:18,760 Speaker 3: consistently happy in a good mood, always kind to others. 348 00:20:19,400 --> 00:20:22,639 Speaker 3: Over time, they started noticing that there was something different 349 00:20:22,680 --> 00:20:26,639 Speaker 3: about me. I wouldn't argue, I didn't get upset. I 350 00:20:26,760 --> 00:20:29,719 Speaker 3: was kind to everyone. It got to the point if 351 00:20:29,760 --> 00:20:33,119 Speaker 3: there was ever a questionable call, even if I wasn't 352 00:20:33,119 --> 00:20:35,720 Speaker 3: in the game, I was on the sidelines waiting to 353 00:20:35,760 --> 00:20:38,840 Speaker 3: play next, just watching. They would always say, ask Joel, 354 00:20:39,080 --> 00:20:42,960 Speaker 3: we know he won't lie. I never told them that 355 00:20:43,000 --> 00:20:45,399 Speaker 3: my father was the pastor of a big church in town. 356 00:20:45,960 --> 00:20:48,480 Speaker 3: I worked at a ministry. I just let my actions 357 00:20:48,560 --> 00:20:51,359 Speaker 3: do the talking. There was a young man there that 358 00:20:51,680 --> 00:20:55,560 Speaker 3: had some addictions and some real angry issues. He was 359 00:20:55,680 --> 00:20:59,720 Speaker 3: very explosive. He would lose his temper and get into fights. 360 00:21:00,119 --> 00:21:02,760 Speaker 3: I had not talked to him that much over the years, 361 00:21:02,840 --> 00:21:05,800 Speaker 3: just nothing more than hello and how's it going. But 362 00:21:05,840 --> 00:21:07,919 Speaker 3: one day he came over in the locker room and 363 00:21:08,000 --> 00:21:10,639 Speaker 3: ask if I would help him. I thought he wanted 364 00:21:10,640 --> 00:21:12,840 Speaker 3: me to help him find a basketball or help him 365 00:21:12,840 --> 00:21:15,040 Speaker 3: pull out the bleachers so we could sit home. But 366 00:21:15,119 --> 00:21:17,320 Speaker 3: he looked at me and said, Joel, I got all 367 00:21:17,320 --> 00:21:20,600 Speaker 3: these anger issues. It's messing up my marriage. It's causing 368 00:21:20,640 --> 00:21:22,959 Speaker 3: me problems at home. And you always seem to be 369 00:21:23,000 --> 00:21:26,200 Speaker 3: so calm, so friendly, so good natured. I thought maybe 370 00:21:26,320 --> 00:21:29,200 Speaker 3: you could give me some advice. I was like twenty 371 00:21:29,280 --> 00:21:31,400 Speaker 3: years old. I didn't know how to solve his anger problems. 372 00:21:31,480 --> 00:21:34,160 Speaker 3: But I ended up invited him to come to church. 373 00:21:34,680 --> 00:21:36,960 Speaker 3: He came to Lakewood. Long story short, he gave his 374 00:21:37,000 --> 00:21:39,280 Speaker 3: life to Christ. He got in some of the classes, 375 00:21:39,359 --> 00:21:45,320 Speaker 3: overcame those addictions. Today he's like a different person, calm, halfy, respectful. 376 00:21:46,160 --> 00:21:49,480 Speaker 3: I still see him here all the time. Here's my point. 377 00:21:50,040 --> 00:21:52,800 Speaker 3: I could have prayed, God, get all these sinners out 378 00:21:52,800 --> 00:21:56,840 Speaker 3: of the gym. God, they're arguing, they're fighting, they got addictions. 379 00:21:56,880 --> 00:22:00,879 Speaker 3: God delivered me from these people. I could have tried 380 00:22:00,920 --> 00:22:04,679 Speaker 3: to pray away the darkness. But instead I said, God, 381 00:22:05,240 --> 00:22:07,720 Speaker 3: this is where you have me right now. I know 382 00:22:07,840 --> 00:22:10,280 Speaker 3: my steps are ordered by the Lord. You brought these 383 00:22:10,280 --> 00:22:13,119 Speaker 3: people into my life. So God, my prayer is that 384 00:22:13,240 --> 00:22:16,879 Speaker 3: my light will shine with greater intensity. God, let me 385 00:22:16,920 --> 00:22:19,919 Speaker 3: be a greater influence. Let them see something in me 386 00:22:20,240 --> 00:22:23,720 Speaker 3: that they want. Year after year, I just kept being 387 00:22:23,720 --> 00:22:27,879 Speaker 3: a witness, being kind, being respectful, being honest, being a 388 00:22:27,880 --> 00:22:31,440 Speaker 3: person of excellence. One by one, those young men would 389 00:22:31,480 --> 00:22:33,399 Speaker 3: come up, Joel, would you pray for me? Can you 390 00:22:33,440 --> 00:22:35,560 Speaker 3: give me some advice? Can I bring my family to 391 00:22:35,600 --> 00:22:39,000 Speaker 3: your church? Now many of them are here. When you 392 00:22:39,080 --> 00:22:42,439 Speaker 3: become a friend of sinners, when you take time to 393 00:22:42,480 --> 00:22:46,680 Speaker 3: shine light into the darkness, that's what has the greatest impact. 394 00:22:47,200 --> 00:22:49,679 Speaker 3: And the truth is we all have a ministry. We 395 00:22:49,760 --> 00:22:51,960 Speaker 3: all have a pulpit. May not look like this one, 396 00:22:52,200 --> 00:22:55,720 Speaker 3: but your life is sending out a message. Me just 397 00:22:55,840 --> 00:23:00,880 Speaker 3: living a life of kindness, respect, integrity. I spoke more 398 00:23:00,960 --> 00:23:04,200 Speaker 3: to those young men than anything I could have ever said. 399 00:23:04,640 --> 00:23:07,200 Speaker 3: I could have told them, Gods, straighten up, man, break 400 00:23:07,240 --> 00:23:10,800 Speaker 3: these addictions, quit fighting. That would have had very little impact. 401 00:23:11,440 --> 00:23:15,720 Speaker 3: Talk is cheap. People are watching how you live. What 402 00:23:15,840 --> 00:23:19,920 Speaker 3: kind of example are you setting? Second Corinthians five says 403 00:23:20,280 --> 00:23:24,879 Speaker 3: we are God's personal representatives on the earth. We have 404 00:23:24,960 --> 00:23:29,720 Speaker 3: to realize people can't see God, they see us. The 405 00:23:29,800 --> 00:23:33,520 Speaker 3: question is are we making God look good? Are we 406 00:23:33,640 --> 00:23:36,520 Speaker 3: representing him the right way? Do people want what we 407 00:23:36,640 --> 00:23:41,080 Speaker 3: have or are we pushing them away? A few years ago, 408 00:23:41,560 --> 00:23:44,520 Speaker 3: I was driving in my car with six small children 409 00:23:44,880 --> 00:23:48,200 Speaker 3: with me, two of my own, plus nieces and nephews. 410 00:23:48,600 --> 00:23:50,840 Speaker 3: They all wanted to go to McDonald's to get something 411 00:23:50,840 --> 00:23:53,280 Speaker 3: to eat. So I pulled in the drive through and 412 00:23:53,680 --> 00:23:56,200 Speaker 3: I was about to place my order at the little speaker. 413 00:23:56,800 --> 00:23:59,520 Speaker 3: My nephew, Christopher, was about four years old, and he 414 00:23:59,720 --> 00:24:03,359 Speaker 3: likes it is hamburger with nothing on it, completely dry. 415 00:24:03,880 --> 00:24:05,960 Speaker 3: So I told the lady, the young girl through the 416 00:24:06,000 --> 00:24:09,479 Speaker 3: speaker there, that I wanted a kid's hamburger with nothing 417 00:24:09,560 --> 00:24:12,880 Speaker 3: but the bon and a piece of meat. She said, 418 00:24:12,920 --> 00:24:15,960 Speaker 3: would you like pickles with that? I said no, ma'am, 419 00:24:16,040 --> 00:24:19,000 Speaker 3: I don't want anything on it. She said, okay, would 420 00:24:19,040 --> 00:24:22,600 Speaker 3: you like mayonnaise? I said no, I want it completely dry. 421 00:24:23,000 --> 00:24:25,320 Speaker 3: She said, all right, would you like mustard? I thought 422 00:24:25,320 --> 00:24:27,680 Speaker 3: she was kidding. I kind of laughed. I said, ma'am, 423 00:24:27,760 --> 00:24:30,320 Speaker 3: I just want the bond and a piece of meat. 424 00:24:30,800 --> 00:24:32,840 Speaker 3: She said, okay, so you don't want to lettuce, do you. 425 00:24:34,520 --> 00:24:36,920 Speaker 3: This was my first order. I had five more to go. 426 00:24:38,600 --> 00:24:42,480 Speaker 3: I had to remind myself I am God's personal representative 427 00:24:42,560 --> 00:24:46,280 Speaker 3: here on this earth. What would God do? How would 428 00:24:46,320 --> 00:24:49,760 Speaker 3: he act? Would he get upset? Would he lose his cool? 429 00:24:50,080 --> 00:24:52,560 Speaker 3: Give her a piece of his mind? I was tempted to, 430 00:24:52,680 --> 00:24:55,480 Speaker 3: but I stayed calm and ended up placing my order 431 00:24:55,520 --> 00:24:58,160 Speaker 3: and finally pulled up there to the window to pay. 432 00:24:58,680 --> 00:25:04,520 Speaker 3: First thing the young girl said was Pastor Joel. My 433 00:25:04,600 --> 00:25:12,119 Speaker 3: first thought was thank you. Jesus. You never know who's watching. 434 00:25:13,359 --> 00:25:15,119 Speaker 3: Oh you said, Joel, you know you're on TV. I 435 00:25:15,119 --> 00:25:17,440 Speaker 3: don't have to worry about that. No, don't kid yourself. 436 00:25:17,600 --> 00:25:22,000 Speaker 3: Your children are watching, your neighbors, your co workers. Every 437 00:25:22,040 --> 00:25:25,680 Speaker 3: time you interact with someone, you're preaching a sermon. They 438 00:25:25,720 --> 00:25:29,640 Speaker 3: may not remember what you say, but they'll remember how 439 00:25:29,640 --> 00:25:32,479 Speaker 3: you made them feel. Do they feel loved? Do they 440 00:25:32,480 --> 00:25:36,880 Speaker 3: feel respected? Be careful what kind of example you're setting. 441 00:25:37,080 --> 00:25:40,920 Speaker 3: You're representing Almighty God. And I was a little boy, 442 00:25:41,440 --> 00:25:44,000 Speaker 3: my father took me and my brothers and sisters to 443 00:25:44,000 --> 00:25:47,159 Speaker 3: see the Astros play baseball at the Astrodome. And there 444 00:25:47,160 --> 00:25:50,199 Speaker 3: were these two guys behind us that were very loud 445 00:25:50,480 --> 00:25:53,879 Speaker 3: and obnoxious that had too much to drink. When the 446 00:25:53,920 --> 00:25:56,520 Speaker 3: Astros would do something wrong, they would stand up and 447 00:25:56,600 --> 00:25:59,679 Speaker 3: curse the players. You blanke, any blank player? Can't you 448 00:25:59,760 --> 00:26:03,040 Speaker 3: hit the This went on for about an hour. Every 449 00:26:03,119 --> 00:26:06,119 Speaker 3: time they did that, I would squirm in my seat 450 00:26:06,560 --> 00:26:09,840 Speaker 3: because I knew eventually my father was going to say something. 451 00:26:10,280 --> 00:26:14,040 Speaker 3: Daddy was very bold, is very strong. Sure enough, the 452 00:26:14,080 --> 00:26:16,880 Speaker 3: Astros made another mistake, and they stood up and cursed 453 00:26:16,920 --> 00:26:20,840 Speaker 3: and cursed. My father turned around. I remember it like 454 00:26:20,880 --> 00:26:24,000 Speaker 3: it was yesterday with this big smile on his face, 455 00:26:24,240 --> 00:26:27,399 Speaker 3: as friendly as can be, he said, listen, fellas, the 456 00:26:27,520 --> 00:26:30,199 Speaker 3: name of the Lord is to be praised, not to 457 00:26:30,240 --> 00:26:33,639 Speaker 3: be cursed. They looked at him, kind of strained, shook 458 00:26:33,680 --> 00:26:36,520 Speaker 3: their head. A few minutes one of the astros hit 459 00:26:36,520 --> 00:26:39,280 Speaker 3: a home run. They both stood up. By this time 460 00:26:39,359 --> 00:26:42,120 Speaker 3: they had weigh too much to drink. They lifted both 461 00:26:42,160 --> 00:26:49,760 Speaker 3: hands in the air and shouted, hallelujah. They slapped my 462 00:26:49,800 --> 00:26:53,639 Speaker 3: dad on the back. He said, how's that, preacher. The 463 00:26:53,720 --> 00:26:55,919 Speaker 3: rest of that game, all we heard from them was 464 00:26:56,000 --> 00:27:01,320 Speaker 3: praise the Lord, hallelujah, Thank you, jeeves. It is to 465 00:27:01,440 --> 00:27:05,160 Speaker 3: represent God. You don't have to be mean. You don't 466 00:27:05,160 --> 00:27:08,160 Speaker 3: have to jump down people's throats. My father used to say, 467 00:27:08,400 --> 00:27:11,440 Speaker 3: don't be a fire hose and try to knock people down. 468 00:27:11,800 --> 00:27:16,400 Speaker 3: Just be a sprinkler. Just let your light shine, be kind, 469 00:27:16,680 --> 00:27:19,760 Speaker 3: keep a smile on your face, let people see your 470 00:27:19,840 --> 00:27:24,280 Speaker 3: good works. Remember your actions speak louder than your words. 471 00:27:24,840 --> 00:27:28,560 Speaker 3: Your life is your message. When you're in those dark places, 472 00:27:28,880 --> 00:27:32,879 Speaker 3: don't complain. Have a new perspective. That's an opportunity for 473 00:27:32,960 --> 00:27:36,280 Speaker 3: your light to shine brightly. When you go out each day, 474 00:27:36,760 --> 00:27:40,600 Speaker 3: represent God in a great way, be a witness, be 475 00:27:40,720 --> 00:27:44,080 Speaker 3: a positive influence in people's lives. If you'll put this 476 00:27:44,200 --> 00:27:48,439 Speaker 3: simple principle into action, shining brightly, you'll not only make 477 00:27:48,480 --> 00:27:50,760 Speaker 3: a difference in other people's lives, but it'll make a 478 00:27:50,760 --> 00:27:54,080 Speaker 3: difference in your own life. You'll have more favor, people 479 00:27:54,119 --> 00:27:57,159 Speaker 3: will be drawn to you. I believe and declare you 480 00:27:57,200 --> 00:28:01,240 Speaker 3: will fulfill your destiny and become every thing God's created 481 00:28:01,280 --> 00:28:04,439 Speaker 3: you to be in Jesus' name. If you receive it, 482 00:28:04,640 --> 00:28:08,280 Speaker 3: can you save him in today? We never like to 483 00:28:08,280 --> 00:28:11,960 Speaker 3: close our broadcast without giving you an opportunity to make 484 00:28:12,080 --> 00:28:14,919 Speaker 3: Jesus the lord of your life. Would you pray with me? 485 00:28:15,520 --> 00:28:20,760 Speaker 3: Just say, Lord, Jesus, I repent of my sins. Come 486 00:28:20,760 --> 00:28:24,320 Speaker 3: into my heart. I make you my Lord and savior. 487 00:28:25,640 --> 00:28:27,880 Speaker 3: If you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 488 00:28:27,880 --> 00:28:31,040 Speaker 3: born again. Get in a good Bible based church, Keep 489 00:28:31,080 --> 00:28:33,879 Speaker 3: God first place. He's going to take your places that 490 00:28:33,920 --> 00:28:36,440 Speaker 3: you've never dreamed of. Thank you for listening to the 491 00:28:36,560 --> 00:28:39,520 Speaker 3: joelous Deine podcast. Help us continue to. 492 00:28:39,480 --> 00:28:42,440 Speaker 2: Share the message of hope with those all over the world. 493 00:28:42,720 --> 00:28:43,960 Speaker 4: Visit joelus dein. 494 00:28:43,840 --> 00:28:47,120 Speaker 2: Dot com slash give Hope to give a gift today. 495 00:28:48,400 --> 00:28:51,320 Speaker 3: Thanks so much for listening to today's message. I hope 496 00:28:51,360 --> 00:28:54,720 Speaker 3: you'll subscribe so you can receive the latest podcast to 497 00:28:54,800 --> 00:28:58,000 Speaker 3: keep you inspired all through the week. We're praying for you. 498 00:28:58,200 --> 00:29:00,640 Speaker 3: I know God's best is still ahead. We'll see you 499 00:29:00,720 --> 00:29:01,200 Speaker 3: next time. 500 00:29:12,600 --> 00:29:15,320 Speaker 4: With millions of books on Amazon, there's a reading feeling 501 00:29:15,400 --> 00:29:19,440 Speaker 4: for everyone. 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