1 00:00:00,680 --> 00:00:03,600 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Jolan Victorium. Thanks so much for listening 2 00:00:03,600 --> 00:00:07,280 Speaker 1: to the podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. We 3 00:00:07,320 --> 00:00:11,160 Speaker 1: believe you're going to have an awesome twenty twenty four, healthy, productive, 4 00:00:11,320 --> 00:00:15,560 Speaker 1: and favor filled. God bless you today and enjoy the message. 5 00:00:15,600 --> 00:00:18,360 Speaker 1: We know God has great things in store for you. 6 00:00:18,640 --> 00:00:20,520 Speaker 1: And if you're ever in our area, I hope you'll 7 00:00:20,560 --> 00:00:22,639 Speaker 1: stop by. We'd love to have you at one of 8 00:00:22,640 --> 00:00:25,040 Speaker 1: our services. I promise you it will make you feel 9 00:00:25,079 --> 00:00:27,640 Speaker 1: right at home. But thanks so much for tuning in today. 10 00:00:28,240 --> 00:00:30,479 Speaker 1: I like to get started with something funny, and I 11 00:00:30,520 --> 00:00:34,040 Speaker 1: heard about these two guys. They argued for years over 12 00:00:34,080 --> 00:00:38,200 Speaker 1: whether Jesus was white or whether he was black. Archie 13 00:00:38,320 --> 00:00:40,159 Speaker 1: was sure he was white, and Jack was just as 14 00:00:40,200 --> 00:00:42,800 Speaker 1: sure he was black. As fate would have it, they 15 00:00:42,840 --> 00:00:45,360 Speaker 1: both died on the same day. They rushed to the 16 00:00:45,360 --> 00:00:49,040 Speaker 1: pearly gates, said, Saint Peter, please tell us is Jesus 17 00:00:49,120 --> 00:00:52,000 Speaker 1: white or black? We've been arguing our whole life over this. 18 00:00:52,360 --> 00:00:56,520 Speaker 1: About that time, Jesus walked up and said, buenos dis 19 00:00:57,680 --> 00:01:00,920 Speaker 1: all right, hold up, I will say it like you 20 00:01:01,000 --> 00:01:04,880 Speaker 1: mean it. This is my Bible. I am what it says, 21 00:01:04,880 --> 00:01:08,120 Speaker 1: I am. I have what it says I have, I 22 00:01:08,160 --> 00:01:11,000 Speaker 1: can do what it says I can do. Today I 23 00:01:11,080 --> 00:01:14,760 Speaker 1: will be taught the word of God. I boldly confess 24 00:01:15,319 --> 00:01:19,360 Speaker 1: my mind is alert, my heart is receptive. I will 25 00:01:19,400 --> 00:01:23,200 Speaker 1: never be the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. 26 00:01:24,160 --> 00:01:26,720 Speaker 1: I want to talk to you today about the importance 27 00:01:26,800 --> 00:01:30,800 Speaker 1: of developing good habits. A habit is something we do 28 00:01:31,000 --> 00:01:33,920 Speaker 1: without even thinking about it. We've done it so long 29 00:01:34,160 --> 00:01:39,080 Speaker 1: it becomes almost involuntary, and studies tell us that ninety 30 00:01:39,200 --> 00:01:42,920 Speaker 1: percent of our normal behavior is based on our habits. 31 00:01:43,560 --> 00:01:47,440 Speaker 1: That means how we treat people, how we spend our money, 32 00:01:47,680 --> 00:01:51,360 Speaker 1: what we watch, what we listen to. Ninety percent of 33 00:01:51,360 --> 00:01:54,720 Speaker 1: the time, we're on autopilot. We do it like we've 34 00:01:54,760 --> 00:01:57,680 Speaker 1: always done it before. And if we have good habits, 35 00:01:58,000 --> 00:02:01,720 Speaker 1: this can be fine. But sometimes we don't realize we 36 00:02:01,840 --> 00:02:05,360 Speaker 1: have habits that are keeping us from God's best. And 37 00:02:05,400 --> 00:02:08,960 Speaker 1: when I say habits, I don't necessarily mean some big addiction, 38 00:02:09,240 --> 00:02:12,720 Speaker 1: but even smaller things. Do you know? Always being late 39 00:02:13,000 --> 00:02:18,080 Speaker 1: is a bad habit. Allowing strife in your home, overspending, 40 00:02:18,600 --> 00:02:22,840 Speaker 1: being touchy, having a barely get by mindset, These are 41 00:02:22,880 --> 00:02:26,880 Speaker 1: all negative habits that'll keep us in mediocrity. And so 42 00:02:26,919 --> 00:02:29,320 Speaker 1: if you want to change your life, the first place 43 00:02:29,360 --> 00:02:34,280 Speaker 1: to start is by changing your habits. Your habits determine 44 00:02:34,440 --> 00:02:38,680 Speaker 1: your destiny just like gravity, They pull you toward them. 45 00:02:39,280 --> 00:02:43,000 Speaker 1: If you've developed a habit of being impatient, or unorganized 46 00:02:43,160 --> 00:02:47,120 Speaker 1: or lazy, that's going to be a constant struggle. Now 47 00:02:47,160 --> 00:02:49,760 Speaker 1: I want to encourage you, don't go the next twenty 48 00:02:49,880 --> 00:02:53,320 Speaker 1: years allowing those same things to keep you back. Make 49 00:02:53,360 --> 00:02:56,799 Speaker 1: a decision to do something about it. I know people 50 00:02:56,840 --> 00:03:00,120 Speaker 1: that are always running late. They live in a hurry, 51 00:03:00,480 --> 00:03:04,120 Speaker 1: stressed out, frustrated, and they wonder why they don't really 52 00:03:04,280 --> 00:03:08,360 Speaker 1: enjoy their life. It's because they developed a wrong habit. 53 00:03:08,800 --> 00:03:12,120 Speaker 1: All they have to do is discipline themselves to leave 54 00:03:12,160 --> 00:03:15,360 Speaker 1: a few minutes earlier, and all that frustration, all that 55 00:03:15,400 --> 00:03:19,280 Speaker 1: stress would go away. It's all in how we've trained ourselves, 56 00:03:19,800 --> 00:03:22,280 Speaker 1: and the way we develop good habits is the same 57 00:03:22,280 --> 00:03:25,240 Speaker 1: way we develop bad habits by doing the right thing 58 00:03:25,440 --> 00:03:29,480 Speaker 1: over and over again. Most experts tell us in as 59 00:03:29,520 --> 00:03:32,440 Speaker 1: little as twenty one days, we can break a bad 60 00:03:32,480 --> 00:03:35,560 Speaker 1: habit and form a new habit. And we have to 61 00:03:35,640 --> 00:03:40,080 Speaker 1: understand our habits will become a part of our character. 62 00:03:40,360 --> 00:03:43,360 Speaker 1: If you allow yourself to be unorganized and you're always 63 00:03:43,400 --> 00:03:46,440 Speaker 1: running late, that becomes a part of who you are. 64 00:03:47,200 --> 00:03:50,000 Speaker 1: If you've trained yourself to get upset and have a 65 00:03:50,040 --> 00:03:54,240 Speaker 1: fit whenever you don't get your way, Unfortunately, those bad 66 00:03:54,280 --> 00:03:57,840 Speaker 1: habits become a part of you. The first step to 67 00:03:57,960 --> 00:04:01,880 Speaker 1: changing is you have to identify what's holding you back, 68 00:04:02,640 --> 00:04:06,760 Speaker 1: Identify any bad habits, and then make a decision to 69 00:04:06,800 --> 00:04:10,680 Speaker 1: do something about it. How do we change Quit feeding 70 00:04:10,840 --> 00:04:14,080 Speaker 1: the bad habit. What you feed is going to grow. 71 00:04:14,560 --> 00:04:17,719 Speaker 1: You have to starve your bad habits and start feeding 72 00:04:17,760 --> 00:04:21,239 Speaker 1: your good habits. I heard about this old Cherokee Indian 73 00:04:21,520 --> 00:04:24,719 Speaker 1: one day. He was teaching his grandson this same principle, 74 00:04:25,040 --> 00:04:28,159 Speaker 1: and he said, son, on the inside of every person 75 00:04:28,480 --> 00:04:32,320 Speaker 1: is a battle taking place. It's a battle between two wolves. 76 00:04:33,080 --> 00:04:39,400 Speaker 1: One wolf is evil, it's anger, jealousy, unforgiveness, pride, laziness. 77 00:04:39,839 --> 00:04:45,840 Speaker 1: The other wolf is good. It's peace, joy, love, kindness, humility, 78 00:04:46,080 --> 00:04:50,039 Speaker 1: self control. And these two wolves are constantly fighting. The 79 00:04:50,080 --> 00:04:53,120 Speaker 1: little boy thought about it. In a few minutes. He said, Granddaddy, 80 00:04:53,320 --> 00:04:57,320 Speaker 1: which wolf is going to win? The grandfather smiled and said, 81 00:04:57,880 --> 00:05:02,839 Speaker 1: whichever one you feed, I'm asking you today, don't feed 82 00:05:03,000 --> 00:05:07,440 Speaker 1: the wrong one. Don't go around feeding jealousy, feeding unforgiveness, 83 00:05:07,480 --> 00:05:11,480 Speaker 1: feeding impatience, feeding low self esteem. The more you feed 84 00:05:11,480 --> 00:05:14,760 Speaker 1: that junk, the stronger is going to become. Make a 85 00:05:14,800 --> 00:05:18,920 Speaker 1: decision with me. You're going to start feeding peace, feeding patience, 86 00:05:19,120 --> 00:05:24,359 Speaker 1: feeding kindness, feeding, humility, feeding self control. For instance, maybe 87 00:05:24,400 --> 00:05:27,400 Speaker 1: you have a habit of complaining. You're always talking about 88 00:05:27,400 --> 00:05:30,159 Speaker 1: your boss and how that company doesn't treat you right, 89 00:05:30,200 --> 00:05:32,320 Speaker 1: and you can't stand the drive to work in the morning. 90 00:05:32,960 --> 00:05:36,640 Speaker 1: And it's interesting when we complain, we feel a sense 91 00:05:36,720 --> 00:05:40,039 Speaker 1: of release. Don't get me wrong. It feels good to 92 00:05:40,040 --> 00:05:43,039 Speaker 1: feed the flesh. It feels good to feed the wrong thing. 93 00:05:43,600 --> 00:05:47,000 Speaker 1: But the problem is what we feed is always going 94 00:05:47,040 --> 00:05:50,320 Speaker 1: to want more. The next time you're tempted to complain, 95 00:05:50,880 --> 00:05:53,960 Speaker 1: why don't you dig a little bit deeper? Now ask yourself, 96 00:05:54,279 --> 00:05:57,039 Speaker 1: do I really want to keep feeding this old negative habit? 97 00:05:57,560 --> 00:05:59,880 Speaker 1: Do I really want to stay where I am? Or 98 00:06:00,080 --> 00:06:03,360 Speaker 1: or do I want to start starving this complaining spirit 99 00:06:03,520 --> 00:06:07,080 Speaker 1: and come up higher? If you'll make the better choice 100 00:06:07,440 --> 00:06:09,919 Speaker 1: and instead of complaining, just learn to say, father, I 101 00:06:10,000 --> 00:06:12,000 Speaker 1: want to thank you that at least I have a job. 102 00:06:12,520 --> 00:06:14,880 Speaker 1: These people may not be treating me right, but I'm 103 00:06:14,920 --> 00:06:17,839 Speaker 1: not working under man, I'm working under you. When you 104 00:06:17,920 --> 00:06:21,599 Speaker 1: do that, you're feeding the right thing. The new habit 105 00:06:21,760 --> 00:06:24,760 Speaker 1: is starting to develop. Next time. It'll be a little 106 00:06:24,760 --> 00:06:29,160 Speaker 1: easier next time, even easier. What's happening. You're starving your 107 00:06:29,160 --> 00:06:32,839 Speaker 1: bad habit and your strengthening your good habit. I heard 108 00:06:32,839 --> 00:06:37,480 Speaker 1: somebody say bad habits are easy to develop, but difficult 109 00:06:37,560 --> 00:06:41,520 Speaker 1: to live with. In other words, it's easy to pop 110 00:06:41,560 --> 00:06:44,440 Speaker 1: off and be rused and say whatever you feel and 111 00:06:44,640 --> 00:06:49,560 Speaker 1: make cutting sarcastic remarks. That's easy, but it's difficult to 112 00:06:49,640 --> 00:06:53,280 Speaker 1: live in a home filled with strife and tension. It's 113 00:06:53,360 --> 00:06:56,400 Speaker 1: easy to spend money that we don't have and charge 114 00:06:56,440 --> 00:06:59,440 Speaker 1: everything on our credit cards, but it's hard to live 115 00:06:59,480 --> 00:07:01,800 Speaker 1: with the pressure of not being able to pay our bills. 116 00:07:02,600 --> 00:07:06,200 Speaker 1: It's easy to give into temptation and do whatever we feel, 117 00:07:06,839 --> 00:07:10,360 Speaker 1: but it's difficult to live in bondage, to go around 118 00:07:10,400 --> 00:07:14,440 Speaker 1: guilty and condemned. You take a person with a chemical addiction. 119 00:07:14,840 --> 00:07:18,600 Speaker 1: It was easy to get started, it was fun and exciting. 120 00:07:18,760 --> 00:07:23,200 Speaker 1: It gave them a high, but unfortunately, in the long run, 121 00:07:23,400 --> 00:07:26,520 Speaker 1: it ends up controlling them. They become a slave to it. 122 00:07:26,840 --> 00:07:30,280 Speaker 1: See bad habits are easy to develop but hard to 123 00:07:30,320 --> 00:07:34,800 Speaker 1: live with. On the other hand, good habits are difficult 124 00:07:34,880 --> 00:07:39,960 Speaker 1: to develop. It takes sometimes a little sacrifice, a little pain, 125 00:07:40,120 --> 00:07:43,800 Speaker 1: a little suffering, but good habits are easy to live with. 126 00:07:44,520 --> 00:07:47,920 Speaker 1: For instance, at first, it's hard to bite your tongue 127 00:07:48,160 --> 00:07:51,040 Speaker 1: when you want to argue. It's hard to just overlook 128 00:07:51,040 --> 00:07:54,240 Speaker 1: an offense. It's hard at first to forgive, but it 129 00:07:54,320 --> 00:07:57,040 Speaker 1: sure is easy to live in a home filled with 130 00:07:57,120 --> 00:08:00,440 Speaker 1: peace and harmony. And what I'm saying today is if 131 00:08:00,480 --> 00:08:04,040 Speaker 1: you will just be willing to press past the initial 132 00:08:04,120 --> 00:08:07,000 Speaker 1: pain of change, if you will be willing to be 133 00:08:07,200 --> 00:08:11,200 Speaker 1: uncomfortable for a little while, in the long run, your 134 00:08:11,320 --> 00:08:14,920 Speaker 1: life will be much much better because the pain doesn't 135 00:08:15,000 --> 00:08:19,600 Speaker 1: last forever. Once you develop the new habit, then it's easy. 136 00:08:19,760 --> 00:08:23,160 Speaker 1: Victoria will tell you, I won't argue. We don't allow 137 00:08:23,280 --> 00:08:26,680 Speaker 1: strife and conflict in our home. And I'll be honest. 138 00:08:27,000 --> 00:08:29,960 Speaker 1: It's not hard for me now to overlook things. It's 139 00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:33,720 Speaker 1: not hard for me to forgive because I've simply trained 140 00:08:33,760 --> 00:08:37,439 Speaker 1: myself to do it. I've trained myself to be a peacemaker. 141 00:08:38,000 --> 00:08:41,880 Speaker 1: I've trained myself to apologize even when it's not my fault. 142 00:08:42,200 --> 00:08:47,920 Speaker 1: Which of course is every single time. But at first 143 00:08:48,000 --> 00:08:51,040 Speaker 1: this was difficult. At first I didn't want to do it, 144 00:08:51,400 --> 00:08:53,280 Speaker 1: and I'd put up a good argument. I'd tell her 145 00:08:53,320 --> 00:08:55,520 Speaker 1: what I thought and the way it should be. But 146 00:08:55,600 --> 00:08:58,600 Speaker 1: one day I begin to realize that's not the way 147 00:08:58,600 --> 00:09:01,560 Speaker 1: God wants me to live. It's not his best. And 148 00:09:01,640 --> 00:09:04,000 Speaker 1: I could hear the still small voice right down in 149 00:09:04,040 --> 00:09:07,920 Speaker 1: here saying, Joel, let it go. You're better than this. 150 00:09:08,320 --> 00:09:11,440 Speaker 1: Don't live on this low level. See, we have to 151 00:09:11,480 --> 00:09:13,960 Speaker 1: decide do we want to be right or do we 152 00:09:14,000 --> 00:09:17,120 Speaker 1: want to have peace? And little by little I begin 153 00:09:17,240 --> 00:09:21,400 Speaker 1: to change, and it got easier and easier. Today it's 154 00:09:21,440 --> 00:09:24,960 Speaker 1: not difficult at all. It's become a part of my character. 155 00:09:25,120 --> 00:09:28,360 Speaker 1: It's natural to me. The truth is, I could still 156 00:09:28,440 --> 00:09:30,920 Speaker 1: be where I was twenty years ago when we first 157 00:09:30,920 --> 00:09:34,880 Speaker 1: got married, arguing, pouting when I didn't get my way, 158 00:09:35,200 --> 00:09:38,360 Speaker 1: always having to have the last word. No. Thank God, 159 00:09:38,640 --> 00:09:42,160 Speaker 1: I developed some better habits. I press past the pain 160 00:09:42,200 --> 00:09:45,840 Speaker 1: of change, and today it's easy. And sure I have 161 00:09:45,920 --> 00:09:48,679 Speaker 1: other areas that I need to improve in, maybe one 162 00:09:48,760 --> 00:09:52,760 Speaker 1: or two. But you too, if you will press past 163 00:09:52,920 --> 00:09:55,839 Speaker 1: the initial pain, whether it's a week, a month, or 164 00:09:55,880 --> 00:09:59,920 Speaker 1: a year, Eventually the pain will go away, and you'll 165 00:10:00,080 --> 00:10:02,480 Speaker 1: not only enjoy your life a lot more, but you'll 166 00:10:02,520 --> 00:10:05,079 Speaker 1: be living at a much higher level. It will become 167 00:10:05,120 --> 00:10:07,320 Speaker 1: a part of you. It's kind of like a rocket 168 00:10:07,320 --> 00:10:11,120 Speaker 1: ship being launched into space. The first few minutes takes 169 00:10:11,160 --> 00:10:14,640 Speaker 1: the majority of the energy. It needs all that thrust 170 00:10:14,679 --> 00:10:17,520 Speaker 1: to lift it off the ground. Those boosters are shooting 171 00:10:17,559 --> 00:10:19,959 Speaker 1: it up into the air. But in a little while, 172 00:10:20,200 --> 00:10:23,600 Speaker 1: once it gets into outer space, it doesn't need all 173 00:10:23,600 --> 00:10:27,760 Speaker 1: that extra energy. It simply had to press past the 174 00:10:27,800 --> 00:10:32,560 Speaker 1: Earth's atmosphere. Same way with us informing new habits. At first, 175 00:10:32,679 --> 00:10:36,200 Speaker 1: it's difficult, but if you will stick with it, you'll 176 00:10:36,240 --> 00:10:38,640 Speaker 1: come to a point where it doesn't take much effort 177 00:10:38,679 --> 00:10:41,320 Speaker 1: at all. It will be natural to you. It's like 178 00:10:41,400 --> 00:10:44,400 Speaker 1: that person with that chemical addiction. He's been hooked on 179 00:10:44,440 --> 00:10:47,040 Speaker 1: that drug so long. When he goes off of it, 180 00:10:47,400 --> 00:10:51,560 Speaker 1: what happens. He goes through withdraws. It's painful, he suffers, 181 00:10:51,720 --> 00:10:54,600 Speaker 1: his body wants it back, and this is where so 182 00:10:54,720 --> 00:10:57,360 Speaker 1: many people give in and they feed the bad habit. 183 00:10:57,440 --> 00:11:01,000 Speaker 1: Once again. I'm asking you today to dig your heels 184 00:11:01,000 --> 00:11:05,120 Speaker 1: in and stay consistent. It's better to suffer a little 185 00:11:05,120 --> 00:11:08,520 Speaker 1: while than to suffer your whole lifetime. And if you too, 186 00:11:08,880 --> 00:11:12,240 Speaker 1: will press past that pain of change, just like that rocket, 187 00:11:12,679 --> 00:11:15,000 Speaker 1: you'll come to a place where it's not painful, you'll 188 00:11:15,000 --> 00:11:18,160 Speaker 1: begin to sore, you'll be free from those bondages. And 189 00:11:18,240 --> 00:11:20,920 Speaker 1: I know we all have areas that we've struggled with 190 00:11:20,960 --> 00:11:23,520 Speaker 1: for years and years. And i'd love to tell you, you know, 191 00:11:23,559 --> 00:11:25,920 Speaker 1: you quote one scripture, pray one prayer, and it'll go away. 192 00:11:26,679 --> 00:11:29,719 Speaker 1: But unfortunately, most of the time that's not the way 193 00:11:29,760 --> 00:11:34,400 Speaker 1: it works. God changes us little by little. Be determined, 194 00:11:34,679 --> 00:11:38,360 Speaker 1: stick with it, and keep making right decisions. We've all 195 00:11:38,400 --> 00:11:42,280 Speaker 1: heard that saying practice makes perfect, and that's true, but 196 00:11:42,400 --> 00:11:46,719 Speaker 1: I found sometimes we're practicing the wrong things. I've had 197 00:11:46,760 --> 00:11:49,880 Speaker 1: people tell me, Joel, I'm just a real negative person. 198 00:11:50,200 --> 00:11:53,000 Speaker 1: My parents were negative, my grandparents were negative. This is 199 00:11:53,080 --> 00:11:56,760 Speaker 1: just who I am. But with all due respect, that's 200 00:11:56,880 --> 00:11:59,680 Speaker 1: not who you really are. That's not the way God 201 00:11:59,720 --> 00:12:03,559 Speaker 1: made you. God made you to be free. He didn't 202 00:12:03,600 --> 00:12:07,040 Speaker 1: make us to be bound by addictions and unorganized and 203 00:12:07,160 --> 00:12:11,200 Speaker 1: hot temper, going around frustrated and negative. No, God made 204 00:12:11,360 --> 00:12:14,640 Speaker 1: each one of you as a person of excellence. He 205 00:12:14,800 --> 00:12:18,400 Speaker 1: made you to be healthy, healthy, and whole. But too 206 00:12:18,480 --> 00:12:22,640 Speaker 1: often we've developed wrong mindsets. We go around telling ourselves, Man, 207 00:12:22,679 --> 00:12:25,120 Speaker 1: I can't change, I can't break this habit. This is 208 00:12:25,160 --> 00:12:28,880 Speaker 1: just who I am now. The problem is we're practicing 209 00:12:28,960 --> 00:12:32,480 Speaker 1: the wrong things, and it's interesting. The Apostle Paul said 210 00:12:32,480 --> 00:12:35,680 Speaker 1: in Romans chapter seven, the things I want to do 211 00:12:35,800 --> 00:12:37,960 Speaker 1: I don't and the things I don't want to do 212 00:12:38,000 --> 00:12:41,160 Speaker 1: I end up doing. He was having this same struggle 213 00:12:41,280 --> 00:12:44,199 Speaker 1: of doing the right thing, and in verse nineteen, a 214 00:12:44,240 --> 00:12:47,640 Speaker 1: couple verses down, he gives us insight into why he's 215 00:12:47,640 --> 00:12:52,280 Speaker 1: having this struggle. He said, for I fail to practice 216 00:12:52,920 --> 00:12:56,480 Speaker 1: the things I desire to do. He was basically saying, 217 00:12:56,760 --> 00:13:00,439 Speaker 1: I haven't developed good habits in these areas. I'm not 218 00:13:00,600 --> 00:13:04,120 Speaker 1: practicing what I know I should be doing. The truth 219 00:13:04,280 --> 00:13:08,160 Speaker 1: is we are all practicing something. The way we develop 220 00:13:08,240 --> 00:13:12,080 Speaker 1: good habits is by practicing the right things. Some of 221 00:13:12,120 --> 00:13:14,760 Speaker 1: you are real good at losing your temper because you 222 00:13:14,840 --> 00:13:18,199 Speaker 1: practice it a couple times a week. Some people are 223 00:13:18,200 --> 00:13:21,439 Speaker 1: good at being impatient because they practice it every morning 224 00:13:21,480 --> 00:13:23,880 Speaker 1: on the drive to work. I know people that are 225 00:13:23,920 --> 00:13:29,400 Speaker 1: good at being negative because they constantly practice negative thinking. Remember, 226 00:13:30,040 --> 00:13:33,600 Speaker 1: repetition is what forms a habit. That's what puts us 227 00:13:33,640 --> 00:13:37,320 Speaker 1: on autopilot. So we have to make sure we are 228 00:13:37,400 --> 00:13:41,199 Speaker 1: practicing the right things. And every one of us should 229 00:13:41,280 --> 00:13:45,160 Speaker 1: be practicing forgiveness. Next time somebody offends you, next time 230 00:13:45,200 --> 00:13:47,200 Speaker 1: they hurt you, don't even think about it. Don't give 231 00:13:47,240 --> 00:13:50,880 Speaker 1: it five seconds. Immediately, forgive them immediate, let it go. 232 00:13:51,240 --> 00:13:55,480 Speaker 1: Start practicing forgiveness. Maybe you struggle with keeping your weight 233 00:13:55,559 --> 00:13:59,720 Speaker 1: under control. Next time you're attempted to snack, practice saying no, 234 00:14:00,520 --> 00:14:04,920 Speaker 1: practice walking away, practice self control. The only way you're 235 00:14:04,960 --> 00:14:08,240 Speaker 1: gonna get good at it is by practicing. Each one 236 00:14:08,240 --> 00:14:12,760 Speaker 1: of us should practice being kind. Let's practice being patient, 237 00:14:13,120 --> 00:14:18,160 Speaker 1: Let's practice being disciplined in our spending, making good financial choices. 238 00:14:18,679 --> 00:14:21,320 Speaker 1: I know too many people. They're way out of balance 239 00:14:21,440 --> 00:14:24,880 Speaker 1: in their finances because they've developed bad habits, and they 240 00:14:24,960 --> 00:14:28,560 Speaker 1: just keep practicing the wrong things, spending money that they 241 00:14:28,560 --> 00:14:32,440 Speaker 1: don't have, charging everything on their credit cards. It doesn't 242 00:14:32,480 --> 00:14:35,800 Speaker 1: take a lot of wisdom to realize paying twenty to 243 00:14:35,880 --> 00:14:38,320 Speaker 1: twenty five percent interest on a credit card is not 244 00:14:38,360 --> 00:14:41,920 Speaker 1: a good thing. Don't keep practicing that. It's like this 245 00:14:41,960 --> 00:14:44,600 Speaker 1: guy I heard about the credit card company called him 246 00:14:44,640 --> 00:14:47,560 Speaker 1: one night and said, sir, I'm sorry but someone has 247 00:14:47,640 --> 00:14:51,000 Speaker 1: stolen your wife's credit card. He checked his bill and 248 00:14:51,080 --> 00:14:53,280 Speaker 1: called him back a little later and said, tell the 249 00:14:53,320 --> 00:14:56,840 Speaker 1: thief to keep it. He spends less than my wife. 250 00:14:57,800 --> 00:14:59,600 Speaker 1: I've heard people say, Joel, I just can't make it 251 00:14:59,600 --> 00:15:02,440 Speaker 1: without my my credit cards, can't live without them. But 252 00:15:02,480 --> 00:15:05,480 Speaker 1: the truth is you can make it. You just may 253 00:15:05,520 --> 00:15:08,560 Speaker 1: be a little uncomfortable. You may have to suffer through 254 00:15:08,720 --> 00:15:12,360 Speaker 1: that period of change. I remember my father used to say, 255 00:15:12,680 --> 00:15:16,560 Speaker 1: you can't buy everything your little obed eyes. See. He 256 00:15:16,600 --> 00:15:19,760 Speaker 1: would say, learn to sit on an apple box until 257 00:15:19,760 --> 00:15:22,720 Speaker 1: you can afford a chair. What he is really saying was, 258 00:15:23,200 --> 00:15:26,480 Speaker 1: if you'll use what you have wisely, then God will 259 00:15:26,480 --> 00:15:29,520 Speaker 1: give you more. A lot of times today we're praying 260 00:15:29,520 --> 00:15:33,080 Speaker 1: for a miracle. We're praying for a financial breakthrough. And 261 00:15:33,120 --> 00:15:36,920 Speaker 1: I say this respectfully, but we don't really need a miracle. 262 00:15:37,240 --> 00:15:40,280 Speaker 1: We just need to develop better habits. So I know 263 00:15:40,360 --> 00:15:44,120 Speaker 1: people if God blessed them with a million dollars tomorrow, 264 00:15:44,440 --> 00:15:46,800 Speaker 1: a year from now, they'd be in the same financial 265 00:15:46,880 --> 00:15:50,160 Speaker 1: difficulty that have the same problems. Why they have not 266 00:15:50,360 --> 00:15:53,880 Speaker 1: developed good spending habits. We need to think long and 267 00:15:53,960 --> 00:15:57,480 Speaker 1: hard before we buy something that puts us deep into debt. 268 00:15:58,080 --> 00:16:01,040 Speaker 1: I'm talking about outside your home. Do you really need 269 00:16:01,040 --> 00:16:04,160 Speaker 1: that fancy car? Do you really need that extra toy. 270 00:16:04,960 --> 00:16:08,240 Speaker 1: I heard somebody say if we paid cash for everything 271 00:16:08,520 --> 00:16:12,360 Speaker 1: actually paid with green bills in a year, we would 272 00:16:12,440 --> 00:16:16,160 Speaker 1: save an average of nine hundred dollars each. It's because 273 00:16:16,200 --> 00:16:18,760 Speaker 1: when you dole that money out, one bill at a time, 274 00:16:19,520 --> 00:16:21,760 Speaker 1: it makes you think, do I really want to give 275 00:16:21,800 --> 00:16:24,000 Speaker 1: all this up just to have this? That's a lot 276 00:16:24,040 --> 00:16:27,240 Speaker 1: more thought provoking than just popping out a credit card. 277 00:16:27,600 --> 00:16:32,240 Speaker 1: And do you realize financial pressure is always listed as 278 00:16:32,280 --> 00:16:35,920 Speaker 1: one of the top three reasons why our homes fall apart, 279 00:16:36,480 --> 00:16:40,640 Speaker 1: top three reasons why couples get a divorce, develop good 280 00:16:40,680 --> 00:16:44,800 Speaker 1: spending habits, and listen, it's never too late to start. 281 00:16:45,240 --> 00:16:47,800 Speaker 1: If you'll do your part, God will do his part. 282 00:16:48,000 --> 00:16:50,800 Speaker 1: He'll give you promotion, he'll give you increase. But you've 283 00:16:50,800 --> 00:16:52,720 Speaker 1: got to be a good steward with what you have. 284 00:16:53,440 --> 00:16:56,320 Speaker 1: I love the story a young couple told here at 285 00:16:56,360 --> 00:16:59,800 Speaker 1: Lakewood a few months ago. They had about forty thousand 286 00:16:59,800 --> 00:17:02,800 Speaker 1: dollars in credit card debt, and they were not only 287 00:17:02,960 --> 00:17:06,480 Speaker 1: kind of embarrassed by it, they were very distraught over it. 288 00:17:06,920 --> 00:17:09,560 Speaker 1: They didn't see any way out in the natural. It 289 00:17:09,600 --> 00:17:12,720 Speaker 1: looked totally impossible. For one day, they took a step 290 00:17:12,760 --> 00:17:15,880 Speaker 1: of faith and they swallowed their pride and came up 291 00:17:16,000 --> 00:17:18,879 Speaker 1: and met with one of our financial planners. That's a 292 00:17:18,920 --> 00:17:22,040 Speaker 1: free ministry we have here at Lakewood. And that planner 293 00:17:22,080 --> 00:17:25,560 Speaker 1: studied their finances and gave them instruction in how they 294 00:17:25,600 --> 00:17:28,600 Speaker 1: could overcome. And this young couple told, and I was 295 00:17:28,640 --> 00:17:31,960 Speaker 1: so impressed how for three years they didn't go out 296 00:17:32,000 --> 00:17:35,800 Speaker 1: to eat, they didn't take vacations, they didn't buy extra clothes. 297 00:17:36,080 --> 00:17:40,320 Speaker 1: They were on a bare bones budget. It was uncomfortable. 298 00:17:40,840 --> 00:17:44,320 Speaker 1: It was a sacrifice. But how do we overturn years 299 00:17:44,400 --> 00:17:48,440 Speaker 1: of wrong choices by forming better habits and making years 300 00:17:48,480 --> 00:17:52,199 Speaker 1: of right choices. They changed what they were practicing. They 301 00:17:52,320 --> 00:17:55,879 Speaker 1: quit using their credit cards, They learned the difference between 302 00:17:55,920 --> 00:18:00,000 Speaker 1: their wants and their needs. They started practicing discipline. Practice 303 00:18:00,080 --> 00:18:03,760 Speaker 1: is seeing self control. That was three years ago. Today 304 00:18:03,800 --> 00:18:07,760 Speaker 1: that young couple is totally debt free. God is blessing them. 305 00:18:08,040 --> 00:18:11,960 Speaker 1: They're seeing increase in promotion. But it all started way 306 00:18:12,000 --> 00:18:16,240 Speaker 1: back when they decided to form better habits. They drew 307 00:18:16,280 --> 00:18:18,400 Speaker 1: the line in the sand, said, you know what, that's it. 308 00:18:18,840 --> 00:18:22,440 Speaker 1: We're not living like this anymore. The first step to overcoming, 309 00:18:22,920 --> 00:18:25,880 Speaker 1: first step to victory is you got to identify what's 310 00:18:25,880 --> 00:18:28,960 Speaker 1: holding you back and then don't stop there, make a 311 00:18:29,000 --> 00:18:32,400 Speaker 1: decision to do something about it. Take action. You may 312 00:18:32,440 --> 00:18:34,840 Speaker 1: need to get some help like this young couple. Don't 313 00:18:34,880 --> 00:18:38,240 Speaker 1: be embarrassed by it. Whatever area it's in. Today, people 314 00:18:38,280 --> 00:18:42,159 Speaker 1: struggle with chemical addictions, sexual addictions. It may be an 315 00:18:42,240 --> 00:18:46,159 Speaker 1: anger addiction. You just can't control your temper. Listen, you 316 00:18:46,280 --> 00:18:50,960 Speaker 1: can change. Freedom is available. Don't believe that lie telling 317 00:18:51,000 --> 00:18:53,520 Speaker 1: you that you're stuck. You'll never get any better. No, 318 00:18:54,000 --> 00:18:57,720 Speaker 1: God already has a pathway of victory laid out for you. 319 00:18:58,080 --> 00:19:00,320 Speaker 1: But you've got to do your part and be willing 320 00:19:00,359 --> 00:19:03,720 Speaker 1: to walk it out the next time that temptation comes. 321 00:19:04,040 --> 00:19:07,359 Speaker 1: First thing you need to do is pray. Get God 322 00:19:07,560 --> 00:19:11,399 Speaker 1: involved in your life. We cannot defeat bad habits in 323 00:19:11,440 --> 00:19:14,720 Speaker 1: our own strength. Ask God to help you when you're 324 00:19:14,760 --> 00:19:17,800 Speaker 1: tempted to be rude, you feel your emotions getting out 325 00:19:17,840 --> 00:19:21,400 Speaker 1: of hand, Normally you just tell somebody off. Know right 326 00:19:21,440 --> 00:19:24,439 Speaker 1: then and there under your breath, God, I'm asking you 327 00:19:24,480 --> 00:19:27,000 Speaker 1: to help me. God give me the grace to keep 328 00:19:27,000 --> 00:19:31,200 Speaker 1: my mouth closed. God give me the strength to walk away. See, 329 00:19:31,240 --> 00:19:35,960 Speaker 1: the scripture tells us pray that you don't come into temptation. 330 00:19:36,840 --> 00:19:39,600 Speaker 1: It doesn't say pray that you'll never be tempted. No, 331 00:19:39,760 --> 00:19:43,400 Speaker 1: we're all going to face temptation, God says when that comes, 332 00:19:43,840 --> 00:19:47,240 Speaker 1: ask me for my health in any area that you're 333 00:19:47,240 --> 00:19:50,480 Speaker 1: trying to change, even small things. God, I'm about to 334 00:19:50,480 --> 00:19:53,080 Speaker 1: walk through this kitchen and I can smell the chocolate 335 00:19:53,160 --> 00:19:56,880 Speaker 1: chip cookies. I'm asking you to help me resistant. God. 336 00:19:56,960 --> 00:19:59,439 Speaker 1: All my friends are going out partying tonight, and I 337 00:19:59,480 --> 00:20:02,200 Speaker 1: know down here it's not right. God. I'm asking you 338 00:20:02,400 --> 00:20:04,879 Speaker 1: to help me make the best choice, help me stay 339 00:20:05,080 --> 00:20:09,119 Speaker 1: on your best plan. Well, Joel, that's difficult. It's hard 340 00:20:09,200 --> 00:20:11,359 Speaker 1: not to go out with my friends, hard not to 341 00:20:11,440 --> 00:20:14,800 Speaker 1: use my credit cards, hard not to speak my mind. Yes, 342 00:20:14,920 --> 00:20:18,200 Speaker 1: that's difficult. But you know what's even more difficult living 343 00:20:18,200 --> 00:20:21,879 Speaker 1: in bondage. You know what's even harder going around feeling 344 00:20:21,920 --> 00:20:26,000 Speaker 1: bad about yourself because you know you're living below your potential. 345 00:20:26,520 --> 00:20:29,720 Speaker 1: There's nothing worse than going through the day with little 346 00:20:29,760 --> 00:20:32,440 Speaker 1: things holding you back that you know, good and well 347 00:20:32,560 --> 00:20:35,720 Speaker 1: you can beat. And some of you today you're struggling 348 00:20:35,720 --> 00:20:39,200 Speaker 1: with addictions, or you struggle with your temper, or being impatient, 349 00:20:39,880 --> 00:20:44,320 Speaker 1: dragging around in mediocrity, allowing something so small to control you. 350 00:20:45,080 --> 00:20:47,760 Speaker 1: Let me tell you what you already know. You're better 351 00:20:47,840 --> 00:20:51,200 Speaker 1: than that. You're a child of the most High God. 352 00:20:51,280 --> 00:20:55,720 Speaker 1: You have his royal blood flowing through your veins. Don't 353 00:20:55,760 --> 00:20:58,480 Speaker 1: you dare? Just sit back and settle where you are. 354 00:20:58,960 --> 00:21:01,800 Speaker 1: There is not an odd obstacle in your life that 355 00:21:01,880 --> 00:21:05,800 Speaker 1: you cannot overcome. Large or small. It doesn't matter if 356 00:21:05,840 --> 00:21:09,080 Speaker 1: it's a critical spirit or if you're addicted to cocaine. 357 00:21:09,400 --> 00:21:12,480 Speaker 1: The power that's in you is greater than the power 358 00:21:12,520 --> 00:21:15,360 Speaker 1: that's trying to hold you back. Dig your heels in 359 00:21:15,480 --> 00:21:18,800 Speaker 1: and fight the good fight of faith. Don't let that 360 00:21:18,880 --> 00:21:22,520 Speaker 1: thing master you. Our attitude should be that's it. I'm 361 00:21:22,560 --> 00:21:25,119 Speaker 1: not staying where I am. I'm coming up higher. I 362 00:21:25,200 --> 00:21:28,400 Speaker 1: know I'm better than this. That's what the scripture tells us. 363 00:21:28,680 --> 00:21:32,280 Speaker 1: That we're supposed to reign as kings in this life. 364 00:21:32,640 --> 00:21:35,480 Speaker 1: That means we're not supposed to go around being conquered 365 00:21:35,480 --> 00:21:39,040 Speaker 1: by addictions. Not Able to control our temper, we can't 366 00:21:39,119 --> 00:21:41,920 Speaker 1: get to work on time, We're always arging in fighting. No, 367 00:21:42,440 --> 00:21:45,560 Speaker 1: tap into the power that's on the inside. Quit saying 368 00:21:45,600 --> 00:21:48,600 Speaker 1: I can't break this thing and start declaring every day 369 00:21:48,800 --> 00:21:51,880 Speaker 1: I am free. I can do all things through Christ. 370 00:21:52,440 --> 00:21:54,840 Speaker 1: No weapon formed against me is ever going to prosper. 371 00:21:55,119 --> 00:21:59,560 Speaker 1: Remember what Jesus said, whom the sun sets free is free. Indeed, 372 00:22:00,000 --> 00:22:02,879 Speaker 1: it's declaring that over your own life. It says in 373 00:22:02,880 --> 00:22:06,400 Speaker 1: Philippians chapter two, we have to work out our salvation. 374 00:22:07,080 --> 00:22:10,560 Speaker 1: That means we have all these good things on the inside. 375 00:22:10,720 --> 00:22:14,400 Speaker 1: You have the seed of Almighty God. He's already put 376 00:22:14,440 --> 00:22:20,840 Speaker 1: in you self control, disciplined, kindness, forgiveness, patience. It's on 377 00:22:20,920 --> 00:22:23,480 Speaker 1: the inside, but it's up to each one of us 378 00:22:23,720 --> 00:22:27,160 Speaker 1: to work it out. Doesn't come out automatically. It only 379 00:22:27,200 --> 00:22:30,000 Speaker 1: comes out when we make good choices, not once, but 380 00:22:30,119 --> 00:22:32,720 Speaker 1: over and over again. In other words, when we form 381 00:22:32,800 --> 00:22:36,639 Speaker 1: these good habits. Now, I know my personality type is 382 00:22:36,800 --> 00:22:41,200 Speaker 1: very goal oriented. I'm structured, I'm organized. If I tell 383 00:22:41,200 --> 00:22:43,040 Speaker 1: you i'm gonna be somewhere at noon, I'm not going 384 00:22:43,119 --> 00:22:44,640 Speaker 1: to be ten minutes late. I'm going to be ten 385 00:22:44,640 --> 00:22:48,440 Speaker 1: minutes early. I'm very disciplined when it comes to being 386 00:22:48,560 --> 00:22:52,000 Speaker 1: organized and getting things done. But with the good in 387 00:22:52,080 --> 00:22:55,560 Speaker 1: our personalities, there are always other areas that we have 388 00:22:55,640 --> 00:22:59,560 Speaker 1: to work on, where I'm naturally disciplined and focused. I'm 389 00:22:59,600 --> 00:23:03,520 Speaker 1: not nownaturally very patient. I don't like to wait. I 390 00:23:03,640 --> 00:23:05,680 Speaker 1: like to get somewhere, get it done, and move on. 391 00:23:05,920 --> 00:23:09,359 Speaker 1: It's very easy for me to be impatient. I realize 392 00:23:09,600 --> 00:23:12,720 Speaker 1: that's an area I have to develop. I can't just 393 00:23:12,720 --> 00:23:14,960 Speaker 1: sit back and say, well, I'm not a patient person. 394 00:23:15,040 --> 00:23:17,600 Speaker 1: That's not the way God made me. No. I know 395 00:23:18,280 --> 00:23:21,000 Speaker 1: patience is on the inside of me, but I have 396 00:23:21,119 --> 00:23:23,560 Speaker 1: to do my part to work it out. And it's 397 00:23:23,560 --> 00:23:26,920 Speaker 1: funny how God will use people and circumstances to try 398 00:23:26,960 --> 00:23:29,320 Speaker 1: to help us come up higher. I have to tell you, 399 00:23:29,600 --> 00:23:32,320 Speaker 1: the freeway system out here in Houston has taught me 400 00:23:32,359 --> 00:23:36,200 Speaker 1: a whole lot about patience. I used to practice getting 401 00:23:36,200 --> 00:23:39,560 Speaker 1: stressed out, practice getting up tight every time traffic backed up. 402 00:23:39,960 --> 00:23:42,720 Speaker 1: But now I've learned to just relax, go with the flow, 403 00:23:42,840 --> 00:23:46,000 Speaker 1: stay in peace. See. I've worked some of that patience 404 00:23:46,119 --> 00:23:49,679 Speaker 1: from the inside to the outside, to my thoughts, to 405 00:23:49,720 --> 00:23:53,040 Speaker 1: my behavior, to my attitude. And God has used my 406 00:23:53,080 --> 00:23:56,720 Speaker 1: beautiful wife Victoria to help me work out my salvation. 407 00:23:58,359 --> 00:24:00,879 Speaker 1: When we first got married, we're about to leave the 408 00:24:00,880 --> 00:24:02,960 Speaker 1: house and go somewhere. I say, Victoria, are you ready? 409 00:24:03,000 --> 00:24:05,600 Speaker 1: She says yeah, I'm ready, I'll be right there. Well, 410 00:24:05,600 --> 00:24:07,879 Speaker 1: with my personality type, I would go get in the 411 00:24:07,920 --> 00:24:11,280 Speaker 1: car and wait. I mean to me, i'm ready means 412 00:24:11,280 --> 00:24:17,200 Speaker 1: we're leaving right now. But Victoria's personality is very laid back, easygo, 413 00:24:17,320 --> 00:24:20,000 Speaker 1: and nothing's a big deal. She's the most patient person 414 00:24:20,080 --> 00:24:23,119 Speaker 1: in the world. So when she says I'm ready, she 415 00:24:23,320 --> 00:24:28,080 Speaker 1: means in general, in the next ten or fifteen minutes, 416 00:24:28,119 --> 00:24:31,400 Speaker 1: I'll begin to mose in my way towards the back door. Well, 417 00:24:31,440 --> 00:24:33,760 Speaker 1: I used to sit in that car and get frustrated 418 00:24:33,800 --> 00:24:36,560 Speaker 1: and aggravated, and I thought she said she is ready, 419 00:24:36,560 --> 00:24:38,720 Speaker 1: when is she coming. Well, now I've learned when she 420 00:24:38,840 --> 00:24:41,000 Speaker 1: says I'm ready, it's kind of like the two minute 421 00:24:41,000 --> 00:24:45,719 Speaker 1: warning in football. The clock says two minutes, but if 422 00:24:45,720 --> 00:24:47,359 Speaker 1: you know anything about football, it's going to be at 423 00:24:47,400 --> 00:24:50,399 Speaker 1: least another ten or fifteen minutes. I've learned now just 424 00:24:50,400 --> 00:24:52,639 Speaker 1: to go, sit down, go over my notes, watch a 425 00:24:52,640 --> 00:24:55,879 Speaker 1: little television, stay in peace, not uptight. I'm telling you, 426 00:24:56,200 --> 00:24:58,919 Speaker 1: God has used that girl to bring patience out of me, 427 00:25:01,720 --> 00:25:05,200 Speaker 1: And I gotta be honest. I know God has used 428 00:25:05,240 --> 00:25:07,040 Speaker 1: me to bring a few things out of her, but 429 00:25:07,760 --> 00:25:09,160 Speaker 1: I don't want to know what they are, and don't 430 00:25:09,160 --> 00:25:13,920 Speaker 1: you ask? But how did I develop patience? By practicing it? 431 00:25:14,320 --> 00:25:16,960 Speaker 1: Over time, I develop better habits. You may be the 432 00:25:17,000 --> 00:25:19,640 Speaker 1: most patient person in the world, but you spend half 433 00:25:19,680 --> 00:25:23,200 Speaker 1: your life discouraged, depressed. Well, you gotta work the joy 434 00:25:23,240 --> 00:25:26,120 Speaker 1: from the inside to the outside. You got to get 435 00:25:26,160 --> 00:25:28,359 Speaker 1: up in the morning and say, with David, this is 436 00:25:28,359 --> 00:25:30,639 Speaker 1: the day the Lord's man, I'm gonna be happy today. 437 00:25:31,080 --> 00:25:32,879 Speaker 1: You got to focus on what's right and not on 438 00:25:32,960 --> 00:25:37,600 Speaker 1: what's wrong. Work out your salvation. Don't believe those lies. Well, 439 00:25:37,720 --> 00:25:40,000 Speaker 1: I just can't control my temper. I'm just hot headed. 440 00:25:40,320 --> 00:25:43,520 Speaker 1: No self control is in you. Problem is you just 441 00:25:43,520 --> 00:25:45,879 Speaker 1: hadn't worked it out yet. The way you work it 442 00:25:45,920 --> 00:25:48,920 Speaker 1: out is by exercising your muscles in that area. If 443 00:25:48,960 --> 00:25:52,080 Speaker 1: you want to work out kindness, start being kinder, start 444 00:25:52,160 --> 00:25:55,359 Speaker 1: encouraging people, start giving compliments. What I'm saying is we 445 00:25:55,359 --> 00:25:57,359 Speaker 1: can't just sit back and wait for God to change 446 00:25:57,440 --> 00:26:00,280 Speaker 1: us into a kind, loving person. The only way going 447 00:26:00,320 --> 00:26:02,879 Speaker 1: to happen is to work it out, be kinder, develop 448 00:26:02,960 --> 00:26:06,320 Speaker 1: better habits, and we should always keep new goals in 449 00:26:06,359 --> 00:26:09,640 Speaker 1: front of us. Our attitude should be this year, I'm 450 00:26:09,640 --> 00:26:12,720 Speaker 1: want to practice treating my family better. I'm going to 451 00:26:12,800 --> 00:26:16,000 Speaker 1: come up higher and how I honor and respect my spouse, 452 00:26:16,280 --> 00:26:19,200 Speaker 1: I'm going to be more loving and generous to my children. See, 453 00:26:19,200 --> 00:26:22,760 Speaker 1: don't get stuck. I'm not talking about just overcoming bad habits. 454 00:26:22,840 --> 00:26:26,840 Speaker 1: I'm talking about strengthening and improving good habits. And I 455 00:26:26,840 --> 00:26:28,920 Speaker 1: don't know about you, but I want to work out 456 00:26:28,960 --> 00:26:32,040 Speaker 1: everything God's put in me. I don't want a little joy, 457 00:26:32,080 --> 00:26:34,400 Speaker 1: a little peace, a little victory. I want to live 458 00:26:34,480 --> 00:26:37,600 Speaker 1: his abundant life. And I know that's going to happen 459 00:26:37,760 --> 00:26:40,119 Speaker 1: when I do my part and work it out. And 460 00:26:40,200 --> 00:26:42,840 Speaker 1: some of you today you have areas in your life 461 00:26:43,040 --> 00:26:46,240 Speaker 1: that you know you need to get under control. God 462 00:26:46,320 --> 00:26:49,840 Speaker 1: is saying, don't put it off any longer. Today is 463 00:26:49,880 --> 00:26:52,200 Speaker 1: the day to start. Today can be a new beginning. 464 00:26:52,800 --> 00:26:55,560 Speaker 1: If you'll take this to heart and be willing to 465 00:26:55,600 --> 00:26:58,360 Speaker 1: press past the pain of change and just stick with it, 466 00:26:58,880 --> 00:27:01,159 Speaker 1: then a year from now you won't be the same person. 467 00:27:01,440 --> 00:27:04,520 Speaker 1: You'll be free from addictions, free from bad attitudes, free 468 00:27:04,520 --> 00:27:07,399 Speaker 1: from every bondage it's trying to hold you back. So 469 00:27:07,480 --> 00:27:09,960 Speaker 1: my challenge to you again is to make sure you're 470 00:27:09,960 --> 00:27:13,600 Speaker 1: practicing the right things. Don't feed those old negative habits anymore. 471 00:27:14,080 --> 00:27:17,160 Speaker 1: Starve your bad habits and feed your good habits. Work 472 00:27:17,200 --> 00:27:20,600 Speaker 1: out your salvation. If you do this, I know you're 473 00:27:20,600 --> 00:27:23,040 Speaker 1: going to rise higher and higher. God will pour out 474 00:27:23,080 --> 00:27:25,280 Speaker 1: his blessings in favor and you're going to live the 475 00:27:25,320 --> 00:27:28,119 Speaker 1: life of victory he has in store. Amen, do you 476 00:27:28,160 --> 00:27:32,800 Speaker 1: receive it today? We never like to close our broadcast 477 00:27:33,040 --> 00:27:35,840 Speaker 1: without giving you an opportunity to make Jesus the lord 478 00:27:35,920 --> 00:27:40,320 Speaker 1: of your life. Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus, 479 00:27:41,280 --> 00:27:45,879 Speaker 1: I repent of my sins, Come into my heart. I 480 00:27:46,040 --> 00:27:49,760 Speaker 1: make you my Lord and savior. Friends, if you prayed 481 00:27:49,760 --> 00:27:52,960 Speaker 1: that simple prayer, we believe you got born again. Get 482 00:27:52,960 --> 00:27:55,800 Speaker 1: in a good Bible based church. Keep God first place. 483 00:27:56,119 --> 00:27:58,560 Speaker 1: He's going to take your places that you've never dreamed of. 484 00:28:01,080 --> 00:28:05,320 Speaker 2: What if what you imagine came to pass. What if 485 00:28:05,720 --> 00:28:08,800 Speaker 2: what you asked for turned out greater than what you 486 00:28:08,840 --> 00:28:13,000 Speaker 2: can see. What if you could plan for God's best 487 00:28:13,040 --> 00:28:14,560 Speaker 2: in your life. 488 00:28:14,600 --> 00:28:17,840 Speaker 1: We all have hopes and dreams and things we're believing for, 489 00:28:18,280 --> 00:28:20,800 Speaker 1: But what God has in store for you is more 490 00:28:20,880 --> 00:28:23,640 Speaker 1: than you can imagine. When you start the year off 491 00:28:23,680 --> 00:28:27,120 Speaker 1: in faith, believing for greater things, that's when God will 492 00:28:27,119 --> 00:28:30,919 Speaker 1: exceed your expectations. We love to send you our twenty 493 00:28:30,960 --> 00:28:34,400 Speaker 1: twenty five More to Imagine planner. You can write down 494 00:28:34,400 --> 00:28:37,320 Speaker 1: your dreams and goals, plus use it for your everyday 495 00:28:37,400 --> 00:28:39,080 Speaker 1: activity and reminders. 496 00:28:39,200 --> 00:28:42,040 Speaker 3: It is so important to feed yourself hope and faith 497 00:28:42,080 --> 00:28:45,480 Speaker 3: on a daily basis. This planner is not only a calendar, 498 00:28:45,760 --> 00:28:48,520 Speaker 3: but it's filled with inspiration and scripture to help you 499 00:28:48,560 --> 00:28:51,640 Speaker 3: stay encouraged and keep believing for what God has put 500 00:28:51,680 --> 00:28:52,280 Speaker 3: in your heart. 501 00:28:52,560 --> 00:28:55,560 Speaker 1: He sees your faithfulness, how you're being your best each day. 502 00:28:55,880 --> 00:28:58,040 Speaker 1: You're going to see the goodness of God in new 503 00:28:58,080 --> 00:28:59,720 Speaker 1: ways in twenty twenty five. 504 00:29:00,360 --> 00:29:03,000 Speaker 2: As you support the ministry this month with a special 505 00:29:03,080 --> 00:29:05,640 Speaker 2: year end gift of any amount, we would like to 506 00:29:05,640 --> 00:29:08,960 Speaker 2: bless you with the More to Imagine twenty twenty five planner. 507 00:29:09,320 --> 00:29:12,160 Speaker 2: With the new planner, you can start each day writing 508 00:29:12,200 --> 00:29:15,920 Speaker 2: down the fresh vision God gives you, whether it's appointments, 509 00:29:16,080 --> 00:29:19,880 Speaker 2: daily tasks, or long term desires in your heart. Let 510 00:29:19,920 --> 00:29:23,920 Speaker 2: each note be a testament to your faith. Included our 511 00:29:24,000 --> 00:29:28,200 Speaker 2: hand picked scriptures and uplifting reflections to empower you as 512 00:29:28,240 --> 00:29:31,600 Speaker 2: you walk this faith journey with Jesus, one day at 513 00:29:31,600 --> 00:29:32,080 Speaker 2: a time. 514 00:29:32,800 --> 00:29:34,760 Speaker 3: Joel and I are standing in faith with you that 515 00:29:34,880 --> 00:29:37,280 Speaker 3: twenty twenty five will be a year of far and 516 00:29:37,320 --> 00:29:39,200 Speaker 3: beyond favor for you and your family. 517 00:29:39,320 --> 00:29:42,000 Speaker 1: We pray for you every day for God's very best, 518 00:29:42,080 --> 00:29:44,840 Speaker 1: and we want to thank you for your prayer and support, 519 00:29:45,200 --> 00:29:48,680 Speaker 1: especially your year in gifts. You are impacting people all 520 00:29:48,800 --> 00:29:52,240 Speaker 1: over the world. Remember you can watch the services online 521 00:29:52,320 --> 00:29:56,880 Speaker 1: every Sunday morning, download our daily podcast, listen on Serious ExM. 522 00:29:57,320 --> 00:29:59,800 Speaker 1: We'll watch our YouTube channel and the new Jewel O 523 00:30:00,080 --> 00:30:04,000 Speaker 1: Stein Streaming television network twenty four hours a day until 524 00:30:04,000 --> 00:30:07,320 Speaker 1: we see you next time. Have a very merry Christmas. 525 00:30:07,920 --> 00:30:10,280 Speaker 2: Be sure to request your copy of the More to 526 00:30:10,400 --> 00:30:14,720 Speaker 2: Imagine twenty twenty five planner today. Visit Joe Loustein dot 527 00:30:14,760 --> 00:30:26,440 Speaker 2: com or call us toll free