1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:03,160 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 2 00:00:03,200 --> 00:00:06,360 Speaker 1: our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. If you 3 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:09,040 Speaker 1: enjoy today's message, why don't you be a blessing and 4 00:00:09,080 --> 00:00:11,880 Speaker 1: share it with a friend. Reappreciate you and pray for 5 00:00:11,920 --> 00:00:14,760 Speaker 1: God's very best in your life. Will God bless you. 6 00:00:15,040 --> 00:00:17,280 Speaker 1: It's always a joy to come into your homes. And 7 00:00:17,560 --> 00:00:20,239 Speaker 1: if you're ever in our area, please stop by and 8 00:00:20,320 --> 00:00:22,919 Speaker 1: be a part of one of our services. I promise 9 00:00:23,000 --> 00:00:25,200 Speaker 1: you we'll make you feel right at home. But thanks 10 00:00:25,200 --> 00:00:27,400 Speaker 1: so much for tuning in, and thank you again for 11 00:00:27,480 --> 00:00:30,000 Speaker 1: coming out today. And I like to start with something 12 00:00:30,080 --> 00:00:33,519 Speaker 1: funny and I heard about these two famous baseball players. 13 00:00:34,000 --> 00:00:36,760 Speaker 1: They were discussing whether or not there would be baseball 14 00:00:36,880 --> 00:00:40,160 Speaker 1: up in heaven. They made an agreement that whoever died 15 00:00:40,240 --> 00:00:43,239 Speaker 1: first would come back and tell the other one if 16 00:00:43,280 --> 00:00:46,360 Speaker 1: there was indeed baseball in heaven. A few months later, 17 00:00:46,600 --> 00:00:49,280 Speaker 1: one of the players died, and just like he promised, 18 00:00:49,320 --> 00:00:52,160 Speaker 1: he came back. He said to his friend, I've got 19 00:00:52,200 --> 00:00:55,480 Speaker 1: good news and I've got bad news. The good news 20 00:00:55,560 --> 00:00:58,760 Speaker 1: is there is baseball up in heaven. The bad news 21 00:00:58,840 --> 00:01:03,640 Speaker 1: is you're scheduled to pitch next Thursday. Hold on your Bible. 22 00:01:03,840 --> 00:01:06,440 Speaker 1: Say it like you mean it. This is my Bible. 23 00:01:06,800 --> 00:01:09,080 Speaker 1: I am what it says I am. I have what 24 00:01:09,160 --> 00:01:11,600 Speaker 1: it says I have. I can do what it says 25 00:01:11,640 --> 00:01:14,399 Speaker 1: I can do. Today I will be taught the word 26 00:01:14,480 --> 00:01:18,679 Speaker 1: of God. I boldly confess. My mind is alert, my 27 00:01:18,840 --> 00:01:23,119 Speaker 1: heart is receptive. I will never be the same. In Jesus' name, 28 00:01:23,520 --> 00:01:26,680 Speaker 1: God bless you. I want to talk to you today 29 00:01:26,959 --> 00:01:31,520 Speaker 1: about running your race in life. There will always be 30 00:01:31,680 --> 00:01:35,440 Speaker 1: people that try to squeeze you into their mold, people 31 00:01:35,480 --> 00:01:38,160 Speaker 1: that try to pressure you into being who they want 32 00:01:38,200 --> 00:01:41,520 Speaker 1: you to be. And they may be good people, they 33 00:01:41,560 --> 00:01:45,560 Speaker 1: may mean well, but the problem is they didn't breathe 34 00:01:45,640 --> 00:01:50,120 Speaker 1: life into you. They didn't equip you, empower you, anoint 35 00:01:50,160 --> 00:01:53,920 Speaker 1: you Almighty God did. If you're going to become who 36 00:01:53,960 --> 00:01:57,720 Speaker 1: God created you to be, you have to have a boldness. 37 00:01:58,200 --> 00:02:02,560 Speaker 1: You can't be insecure and worry about what everybody thinks. 38 00:02:03,080 --> 00:02:06,720 Speaker 1: If you change with every criticism, you play up to 39 00:02:06,840 --> 00:02:10,200 Speaker 1: people to try to win their favor, then you'll go 40 00:02:10,280 --> 00:02:14,880 Speaker 1: through life being manipulated, letting people squeeze you into their box. 41 00:02:15,560 --> 00:02:19,160 Speaker 1: You have to realize you can't keep every person happy. 42 00:02:19,960 --> 00:02:23,880 Speaker 1: You can't make everyone like you, you'll never win over 43 00:02:23,960 --> 00:02:27,680 Speaker 1: all of your critics. Even if you changed and did 44 00:02:27,760 --> 00:02:32,040 Speaker 1: exactly what they asked, they would still find fault. You're 45 00:02:32,080 --> 00:02:36,679 Speaker 1: not really free until you're free from trying to please everybody. 46 00:02:37,400 --> 00:02:41,600 Speaker 1: You're kind, you're respectful, but you're not living to please people. 47 00:02:41,840 --> 00:02:44,640 Speaker 1: You're living to please God. When you get up in 48 00:02:44,680 --> 00:02:48,079 Speaker 1: the morning, you should search your heart and if you're 49 00:02:48,120 --> 00:02:51,800 Speaker 1: doing to the best of your ability what you know 50 00:02:51,960 --> 00:02:54,400 Speaker 1: God wants you to do, and you don't have to 51 00:02:54,440 --> 00:02:57,280 Speaker 1: look to the left nor to the right, just stay 52 00:02:57,360 --> 00:03:02,040 Speaker 1: focused on your goals. If people don't understand you, that's okay. 53 00:03:02,960 --> 00:03:06,079 Speaker 1: If you lose some friends because you wouldn't let them 54 00:03:06,120 --> 00:03:09,760 Speaker 1: control you, they weren't true friends anyway, You're better off 55 00:03:09,800 --> 00:03:14,560 Speaker 1: without them. If people start talking critical, jealous, trying to 56 00:03:14,560 --> 00:03:17,920 Speaker 1: make you look bad, don't let that change you. You 57 00:03:17,960 --> 00:03:22,160 Speaker 1: don't need their approval. You have Almighty God's approval. Some 58 00:03:22,240 --> 00:03:24,720 Speaker 1: of you would go to a new level if you 59 00:03:24,720 --> 00:03:28,840 Speaker 1: would get free from what everybody thinks and start being 60 00:03:28,919 --> 00:03:32,400 Speaker 1: true to who God made you to be. We spend 61 00:03:32,480 --> 00:03:36,280 Speaker 1: too much time trying to impress people, trying to gain 62 00:03:36,360 --> 00:03:39,760 Speaker 1: their approval, wondering what they're going to think, if I 63 00:03:39,800 --> 00:03:42,320 Speaker 1: take this job, if I wear my hair this way, 64 00:03:42,680 --> 00:03:46,320 Speaker 1: if I move into this neighborhood. We make decisions based 65 00:03:46,360 --> 00:03:50,280 Speaker 1: on these superficial things. Now, I heard somebody say, at 66 00:03:50,320 --> 00:03:54,360 Speaker 1: twenty years old, we wonder what everybody thinks about us. 67 00:03:55,080 --> 00:03:58,200 Speaker 1: At forty years old, we don't care what anybody thinks 68 00:03:58,200 --> 00:04:03,280 Speaker 1: about us. Years old, we realize nobody was thinking about us. 69 00:04:04,960 --> 00:04:08,480 Speaker 1: I read a report from a nurse that takes care 70 00:04:08,520 --> 00:04:12,080 Speaker 1: of people that are close to death. She asked hundreds 71 00:04:12,120 --> 00:04:15,480 Speaker 1: of patients in the last twelve weeks of their life 72 00:04:15,840 --> 00:04:20,479 Speaker 1: what their biggest regret was. The number one regret was, 73 00:04:20,520 --> 00:04:23,640 Speaker 1: I wish I had been true to who I was 74 00:04:24,279 --> 00:04:28,080 Speaker 1: and not just lived to meet the expectations of others. 75 00:04:28,920 --> 00:04:32,120 Speaker 1: How many people today are not being true to who 76 00:04:32,160 --> 00:04:36,120 Speaker 1: they are because they're afraid they're going to disappoint somebody. 77 00:04:36,600 --> 00:04:39,080 Speaker 1: They're afraid they may fall out of their good grace, 78 00:04:39,600 --> 00:04:42,880 Speaker 1: they may not be accepted in a certain group. I 79 00:04:42,960 --> 00:04:46,760 Speaker 1: say this respectfully, but you cannot live trying to be 80 00:04:46,880 --> 00:04:49,599 Speaker 1: who your parents want you to be, or your boss 81 00:04:49,640 --> 00:04:52,000 Speaker 1: wants you to be, or your friends want you to be. 82 00:04:52,440 --> 00:04:55,200 Speaker 1: You've got to stay true to who God has called 83 00:04:55,240 --> 00:04:57,719 Speaker 1: you to be. When my father went to be with 84 00:04:57,760 --> 00:05:01,080 Speaker 1: the Lord. I had to accept the fact that God's 85 00:05:01,160 --> 00:05:05,120 Speaker 1: purpose for my life was not the same purpose as 86 00:05:05,160 --> 00:05:09,120 Speaker 1: my father's. His calling was to help bring down the 87 00:05:09,160 --> 00:05:13,280 Speaker 1: denominational walls and let people know about the fullness of 88 00:05:13,320 --> 00:05:17,440 Speaker 1: the Spirit. When I took over, I felt pressured to 89 00:05:17,480 --> 00:05:20,680 Speaker 1: be like my father. To fit into that mold. I 90 00:05:20,720 --> 00:05:23,279 Speaker 1: thought I had to minister like him, and run the 91 00:05:23,360 --> 00:05:26,880 Speaker 1: church like him, and go down that same path. But 92 00:05:26,960 --> 00:05:30,520 Speaker 1: when I searched my heart, I knew my calling was 93 00:05:30,560 --> 00:05:34,359 Speaker 1: to plant a seed of hope, to encourage people, to 94 00:05:34,440 --> 00:05:37,320 Speaker 1: let them know about the goodness of God. And at 95 00:05:37,360 --> 00:05:40,599 Speaker 1: first it was difficult because some people had been in 96 00:05:40,640 --> 00:05:44,000 Speaker 1: the church for forty years. I thought, I can't be 97 00:05:44,080 --> 00:05:48,000 Speaker 1: anything different. What would they think. They may not like me, 98 00:05:48,120 --> 00:05:51,000 Speaker 1: they may not accept me. One day I read a 99 00:05:51,040 --> 00:05:56,560 Speaker 1: scripture talking about David. It said David fulfilled his purpose 100 00:05:56,960 --> 00:06:01,680 Speaker 1: for his generation. I heard God say, down in here, Joel, 101 00:06:02,000 --> 00:06:05,599 Speaker 1: your father fulfilled his purpose. Now quit trying to be 102 00:06:05,839 --> 00:06:09,440 Speaker 1: like him, and go out and fulfill your purpose. And 103 00:06:09,520 --> 00:06:12,479 Speaker 1: when I heard that, it was like a light turned on. 104 00:06:13,360 --> 00:06:16,080 Speaker 1: I realized, I don't have to try to be like 105 00:06:16,160 --> 00:06:19,480 Speaker 1: my father. I don't have to fit into a certain mold. 106 00:06:19,960 --> 00:06:24,000 Speaker 1: It's okay to run my race. I am free to 107 00:06:24,080 --> 00:06:27,560 Speaker 1: be me. After all, God doesn't want us to be 108 00:06:27,600 --> 00:06:32,000 Speaker 1: an imitation of somebody else, be the original. God created 109 00:06:32,040 --> 00:06:36,200 Speaker 1: you to be friends. There is an anointing on your life, 110 00:06:36,440 --> 00:06:40,280 Speaker 1: not to be someone else. You are anointed to be you. 111 00:06:41,160 --> 00:06:44,159 Speaker 1: But if you let people squeeze you into their mold, 112 00:06:44,240 --> 00:06:47,279 Speaker 1: and you bow do under that pressure, and you change 113 00:06:47,320 --> 00:06:50,679 Speaker 1: with every criticism, that's not only going to take away 114 00:06:50,720 --> 00:06:54,680 Speaker 1: your uniqueness, but it's going to lessen God's favor. It's 115 00:06:54,680 --> 00:06:58,400 Speaker 1: going to reduce his anointing on your life. Now, as 116 00:06:58,440 --> 00:07:02,240 Speaker 1: the church started to grow, more people were watching on television. 117 00:07:02,560 --> 00:07:06,400 Speaker 1: The critics came out of the woodwork, people saying he's 118 00:07:06,440 --> 00:07:09,600 Speaker 1: not like his father, He's too young, he doesn't have 119 00:07:09,640 --> 00:07:13,760 Speaker 1: the experience. Even now, Joel's too much of this, not 120 00:07:14,000 --> 00:07:18,120 Speaker 1: enough of that. If you change with every criticism, you 121 00:07:18,200 --> 00:07:21,720 Speaker 1: won't have a chance. I believe one reason that God 122 00:07:21,760 --> 00:07:25,280 Speaker 1: has promoted me is I have tuned out the negative 123 00:07:25,360 --> 00:07:28,720 Speaker 1: voices and I've done my best to stay true to 124 00:07:28,800 --> 00:07:32,680 Speaker 1: who God's called me to be. I don't try to 125 00:07:32,720 --> 00:07:36,600 Speaker 1: compete with somebody else. I don't let people control me 126 00:07:37,320 --> 00:07:40,120 Speaker 1: feel guilty if I don't fit into their box. I 127 00:07:40,160 --> 00:07:43,840 Speaker 1: don't get upset because somebody said something negative. I look 128 00:07:43,920 --> 00:07:47,960 Speaker 1: straight ahead, like the apostle Paul, I do my best 129 00:07:48,000 --> 00:07:51,680 Speaker 1: to run with purpose in every step. Now, I learned 130 00:07:51,720 --> 00:07:55,920 Speaker 1: early on in order to please God, you may have 131 00:07:56,000 --> 00:08:00,200 Speaker 1: to disappoint a few people. And there were several members 132 00:08:00,280 --> 00:08:02,880 Speaker 1: that had been at the church for many, many years, 133 00:08:03,000 --> 00:08:07,080 Speaker 1: long time friends of our family. But because I wasn't 134 00:08:07,120 --> 00:08:10,840 Speaker 1: exactly like my father, because I wouldn't let them squeeze 135 00:08:10,880 --> 00:08:14,360 Speaker 1: me into their mold, they got upset and left the church. 136 00:08:14,760 --> 00:08:18,240 Speaker 1: And that was difficult for me because I wanted their approval. 137 00:08:18,920 --> 00:08:22,600 Speaker 1: But looking back now, I realized had I let them 138 00:08:22,680 --> 00:08:25,720 Speaker 1: pressure me into being who they wanted me to be, 139 00:08:26,000 --> 00:08:29,640 Speaker 1: I wouldn't be standing here today. The scripture talks about 140 00:08:29,800 --> 00:08:33,280 Speaker 1: how they loved the praise of people more than they 141 00:08:33,320 --> 00:08:36,160 Speaker 1: loved the praise of God. One of the tests that 142 00:08:36,200 --> 00:08:39,320 Speaker 1: we all have to face is someone in our life 143 00:08:39,440 --> 00:08:43,360 Speaker 1: that we love. We look up to, a friend, a boss, 144 00:08:43,520 --> 00:08:46,640 Speaker 1: a family member. They want us to go a certain direction, 145 00:08:47,320 --> 00:08:49,760 Speaker 1: but we know in our heart God wants us to 146 00:08:49,840 --> 00:08:53,960 Speaker 1: go another direction. We don't want to lose their friendship. 147 00:08:54,000 --> 00:08:57,160 Speaker 1: We don't want to disappoint them. We want their approval. 148 00:08:57,920 --> 00:09:00,840 Speaker 1: But if you're going to fulfill your destiny, you've got 149 00:09:00,840 --> 00:09:04,160 Speaker 1: to be strong. You have to have this attitude. I 150 00:09:04,240 --> 00:09:06,840 Speaker 1: want the praise of God more than I want the 151 00:09:06,840 --> 00:09:10,280 Speaker 1: praise of people. I have an assignment, I have a purpose, 152 00:09:10,440 --> 00:09:13,160 Speaker 1: I have a destiny. I'm going to become who God's 153 00:09:13,200 --> 00:09:16,880 Speaker 1: created me to be. What I found is if you 154 00:09:16,920 --> 00:09:19,959 Speaker 1: will please God, if you will be true to who 155 00:09:20,000 --> 00:09:23,800 Speaker 1: He's made you to be, eventually you will have the 156 00:09:23,840 --> 00:09:27,640 Speaker 1: praise of people. You may lose a few friends early on, 157 00:09:28,320 --> 00:09:31,480 Speaker 1: people don't understand you, think you're making a big mistake. 158 00:09:31,880 --> 00:09:34,760 Speaker 1: But later on they will see you walking in the 159 00:09:34,760 --> 00:09:38,280 Speaker 1: fullness of your destiny. Some of you would see God's 160 00:09:38,360 --> 00:09:43,760 Speaker 1: favor increase. You would see new opportunities, new relationships. If 161 00:09:43,800 --> 00:09:47,199 Speaker 1: you just get free from what people think and start 162 00:09:47,280 --> 00:09:51,000 Speaker 1: doing what God's put in your own heart. I've learned 163 00:09:51,360 --> 00:09:55,080 Speaker 1: everyone has an opinion. People will be quick to tell 164 00:09:55,120 --> 00:09:57,960 Speaker 1: you how to run your life, what to wear, what 165 00:09:58,080 --> 00:10:00,840 Speaker 1: to drive, how to comb your hair, how to raise 166 00:10:00,880 --> 00:10:04,200 Speaker 1: your children, how to spend your money. If you try 167 00:10:04,240 --> 00:10:07,920 Speaker 1: to please everybody, one thing, I can guarantee you one 168 00:10:08,000 --> 00:10:12,360 Speaker 1: hundred percent you'll be confused, you'll be frustrated, life will 169 00:10:12,400 --> 00:10:16,120 Speaker 1: be miserable. I live by this motto. Everyone has a 170 00:10:16,240 --> 00:10:19,240 Speaker 1: right to their opinion, and I have every right to 171 00:10:19,240 --> 00:10:23,640 Speaker 1: not listen to it. If it doesn't match what God's 172 00:10:23,679 --> 00:10:25,960 Speaker 1: put in your heart. Let it go in one ear 173 00:10:26,040 --> 00:10:28,600 Speaker 1: and out the other. I heard about a man that 174 00:10:28,720 --> 00:10:32,760 Speaker 1: fell into a pit. Different people came along with their opinions. 175 00:10:33,200 --> 00:10:36,160 Speaker 1: The Pharisee said, you deserve to be in the pit. 176 00:10:37,000 --> 00:10:39,520 Speaker 1: The Catholic said, you need to suffer while you're in 177 00:10:39,600 --> 00:10:42,800 Speaker 1: the pit. The Baptist said, if you'd get saved, you 178 00:10:42,800 --> 00:10:47,240 Speaker 1: wouldn't have fallen into the pit. The charismatics said, just confess, 179 00:10:47,480 --> 00:10:51,440 Speaker 1: I'm not in the pit. The mathematician said, let me 180 00:10:51,520 --> 00:10:55,680 Speaker 1: calculate how you fell into the pit. The irs agent said, 181 00:10:55,880 --> 00:10:59,920 Speaker 1: have you paid taxes on that pit? The optimist said 182 00:11:00,160 --> 00:11:03,920 Speaker 1: things could be worse? The pessimists said things will get worse. 183 00:11:05,160 --> 00:11:09,600 Speaker 1: Everyone has an opinion. If you try to please every person, 184 00:11:10,200 --> 00:11:13,160 Speaker 1: the one person that will not be happy is you. 185 00:11:13,920 --> 00:11:16,800 Speaker 1: And it's funny sometimes the people that are trying to 186 00:11:16,880 --> 00:11:20,160 Speaker 1: run your life, if you study them, they can't even 187 00:11:20,200 --> 00:11:23,920 Speaker 1: run their own life, much less yours. And it's good 188 00:11:25,640 --> 00:11:29,160 Speaker 1: it's good to get advice, it's good to listen to opinions, 189 00:11:29,480 --> 00:11:32,319 Speaker 1: but you've got to be confident enough in who God 190 00:11:32,400 --> 00:11:35,840 Speaker 1: made you to be that when something doesn't bear a 191 00:11:35,880 --> 00:11:39,920 Speaker 1: witness with your spirit, you have a boldness to say thanks, 192 00:11:40,120 --> 00:11:43,760 Speaker 1: but no thanks. I love you, I appreciate your advice, 193 00:11:43,960 --> 00:11:47,120 Speaker 1: but this time it's not for me. I have a 194 00:11:47,160 --> 00:11:50,240 Speaker 1: friend that's on staff here with us, and several years 195 00:11:50,280 --> 00:11:53,120 Speaker 1: ago this man came up to him and said, I 196 00:11:53,160 --> 00:11:56,800 Speaker 1: feel very strongly that you're supposed to go out and 197 00:11:56,840 --> 00:12:01,240 Speaker 1: start your own church. You're a great minute, you're anointed. 198 00:12:01,559 --> 00:12:04,480 Speaker 1: I know it would be a success. And while my 199 00:12:04,640 --> 00:12:09,480 Speaker 1: friend appreciated his encouragement that didn't bear witness at all, 200 00:12:09,960 --> 00:12:13,080 Speaker 1: he knows he's called to be here. This is exactly 201 00:12:13,120 --> 00:12:16,280 Speaker 1: where God wants him to be. Month after month, this 202 00:12:16,400 --> 00:12:18,720 Speaker 1: man kept coming up, when are you going to start 203 00:12:18,720 --> 00:12:20,720 Speaker 1: your church? When are you going to take that stuff 204 00:12:20,720 --> 00:12:25,040 Speaker 1: of faith? It went from being encouraging to pressuring him, 205 00:12:25,400 --> 00:12:29,400 Speaker 1: trying to squeeze him into his mold. My friend finally 206 00:12:29,400 --> 00:12:31,959 Speaker 1: said to him, let me ask you. Will you rent 207 00:12:31,960 --> 00:12:35,319 Speaker 1: me an auditorium, Will you buy me a sound system? 208 00:12:35,600 --> 00:12:38,600 Speaker 1: Will you pay my staff? Will you pay the utilities. 209 00:12:38,720 --> 00:12:41,840 Speaker 1: Will you pay all the advertising costs? That man looked 210 00:12:41,840 --> 00:12:44,319 Speaker 1: at him like he had lost his mind. He said, no, 211 00:12:44,440 --> 00:12:47,680 Speaker 1: I can't do that. I can't afford it. My friend said, well, 212 00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:51,440 Speaker 1: if God calls me, he'll take care of me. He'll 213 00:12:51,480 --> 00:12:54,280 Speaker 1: pay my bills, he'll bring the right people, he'll line 214 00:12:54,320 --> 00:12:57,400 Speaker 1: up the auditorium. But if I do it because you 215 00:12:57,600 --> 00:13:00,400 Speaker 1: call me, I'm going to have to rely on you, 216 00:13:01,000 --> 00:13:06,240 Speaker 1: and I can tell I'd be very disappointed. The reason 217 00:13:06,480 --> 00:13:09,200 Speaker 1: some people are not a joy in their life is 218 00:13:09,240 --> 00:13:13,960 Speaker 1: they've stepped out of their anointing. Everything's a struggle. It's 219 00:13:14,000 --> 00:13:18,200 Speaker 1: because they've let people talk them into it. No matter 220 00:13:18,280 --> 00:13:21,160 Speaker 1: how good of an idea it is, no matter how 221 00:13:21,240 --> 00:13:24,880 Speaker 1: exciting it sounds, if it doesn't bear witness to what 222 00:13:24,920 --> 00:13:27,800 Speaker 1: you're feeling in your own spirit, do like my friend, 223 00:13:28,120 --> 00:13:32,360 Speaker 1: be strong and run your own race. Growing up, my 224 00:13:32,480 --> 00:13:35,000 Speaker 1: parents knew this couple them. They had been friends for 225 00:13:35,080 --> 00:13:38,679 Speaker 1: a long long time, and this couple really loved my parents. 226 00:13:39,080 --> 00:13:42,040 Speaker 1: But they didn't attend at Lakewood. They thought it was 227 00:13:42,080 --> 00:13:44,559 Speaker 1: too far. They lived on the other side of town. 228 00:13:44,720 --> 00:13:47,320 Speaker 1: It's about a thirty minute drive, no big deal now, 229 00:13:47,880 --> 00:13:51,280 Speaker 1: but for years they told my father if you ever 230 00:13:51,520 --> 00:13:54,800 Speaker 1: bring Lakewood to our side of town, we will be 231 00:13:54,920 --> 00:13:58,800 Speaker 1: there every time the door's open. There are so many people, 232 00:13:59,080 --> 00:14:02,160 Speaker 1: thousands on this side of town that would love to 233 00:14:02,200 --> 00:14:06,440 Speaker 1: attend Lakewood. My father heard that so much he was 234 00:14:06,559 --> 00:14:10,160 Speaker 1: convinced that there was this mass of people on the 235 00:14:10,200 --> 00:14:13,880 Speaker 1: other side of town waiting for Lakewood. So he rented 236 00:14:13,920 --> 00:14:18,080 Speaker 1: an auditorium less than five minutes from their house, spent 237 00:14:18,280 --> 00:14:23,200 Speaker 1: thousands of dollars on the building, the sound system, the advertising. 238 00:14:23,920 --> 00:14:28,000 Speaker 1: For one month, every Thursday night, he brought Lakewood to 239 00:14:28,040 --> 00:14:31,680 Speaker 1: that side of town. And the truth is God didn't 240 00:14:31,680 --> 00:14:34,120 Speaker 1: call him to do it. These people called him to 241 00:14:34,120 --> 00:14:37,040 Speaker 1: do it. They talked him into it. It was a 242 00:14:37,080 --> 00:14:41,760 Speaker 1: good idea, but it wasn't a God idea. There's a difference. 243 00:14:42,080 --> 00:14:44,760 Speaker 1: There can be a lot of things that look fine 244 00:14:44,800 --> 00:14:47,320 Speaker 1: on the surface, but you got to search your heart 245 00:14:47,680 --> 00:14:50,760 Speaker 1: and say, God, is this for me? Is this a 246 00:14:50,800 --> 00:14:54,520 Speaker 1: part of my destiny? Is this a God idea? Or 247 00:14:54,600 --> 00:14:57,880 Speaker 1: is this just a distraction? Is this just people trying 248 00:14:57,880 --> 00:15:01,200 Speaker 1: to squeeze me into their mould. My father had his 249 00:15:01,240 --> 00:15:05,840 Speaker 1: big service across town, spent thousands on the advertising, and 250 00:15:05,880 --> 00:15:09,480 Speaker 1: do you know, practically nobody showed up. Less than two 251 00:15:09,520 --> 00:15:13,480 Speaker 1: hundred people. The amazing thing is that couple did not 252 00:15:13,600 --> 00:15:18,360 Speaker 1: attend one service. First week they had a little league. 253 00:15:18,400 --> 00:15:20,680 Speaker 1: Second week, they had guessed in from out of town. 254 00:15:21,160 --> 00:15:25,200 Speaker 1: Third week, their goldfish was sick. Fourth week, their cat 255 00:15:25,360 --> 00:15:29,640 Speaker 1: was depressed. They had the most lame excuses. My father 256 00:15:29,800 --> 00:15:33,560 Speaker 1: left there kicking himself all the way back across town. 257 00:15:33,760 --> 00:15:37,440 Speaker 1: He learned his lesson. If people call you, people will 258 00:15:37,440 --> 00:15:40,120 Speaker 1: have to take care of you. But when God calls you, 259 00:15:40,400 --> 00:15:44,960 Speaker 1: God will take care of you. I've heard it said 260 00:15:45,160 --> 00:15:49,640 Speaker 1: what God orders he will pay for just because something 261 00:15:49,760 --> 00:15:52,640 Speaker 1: is good. If it's not God's plan for your life, 262 00:15:52,800 --> 00:15:55,920 Speaker 1: there won't be an anointing on it. Listen to what 263 00:15:55,960 --> 00:15:59,720 Speaker 1: you're feeling down in here. Don't go against that. Still small, 264 00:16:00,600 --> 00:16:04,080 Speaker 1: You're not anointed to be everywhere. You're anointed to be 265 00:16:04,160 --> 00:16:07,680 Speaker 1: where God's called you to be. Now, don't let people 266 00:16:07,760 --> 00:16:11,640 Speaker 1: talk you in to leaving your sweet spot. I see 267 00:16:11,680 --> 00:16:16,440 Speaker 1: too many people hopping from church to church, relationship to relationship, 268 00:16:16,840 --> 00:16:20,680 Speaker 1: job to job, always chasing the latest fad. Now. I 269 00:16:20,720 --> 00:16:23,960 Speaker 1: know there are times to change, but so often it's 270 00:16:24,000 --> 00:16:28,200 Speaker 1: not God moving us, it's people moving us. Some people 271 00:16:28,320 --> 00:16:32,320 Speaker 1: will even use the scripture they'll use spiritual language to 272 00:16:32,360 --> 00:16:34,560 Speaker 1: try to convince you to do what they want you 273 00:16:34,600 --> 00:16:38,360 Speaker 1: to do. How many times have I heard, Joel, God 274 00:16:38,560 --> 00:16:41,200 Speaker 1: told me to tell you how to run the church. 275 00:16:41,960 --> 00:16:44,360 Speaker 1: God told me to tell you to do less of this. 276 00:16:45,280 --> 00:16:47,840 Speaker 1: Some people listening to them, you'd think God speaks to 277 00:16:47,880 --> 00:16:52,800 Speaker 1: them more than he spoke to Moses. David Esther, Sarah Combine. 278 00:16:52,880 --> 00:16:56,320 Speaker 1: I had a man every Sunday that gave me a 279 00:16:56,360 --> 00:16:59,000 Speaker 1: word from the Lord. When I would see him in 280 00:16:59,040 --> 00:17:01,760 Speaker 1: the lobby, I do my best to hide. God, give 281 00:17:01,800 --> 00:17:04,960 Speaker 1: me a break this week, please. He would always find me. 282 00:17:05,480 --> 00:17:08,800 Speaker 1: He was frustrated because I wouldn't run the church like 283 00:17:08,880 --> 00:17:11,840 Speaker 1: he wanted me to. And I finally told him, very nice, 284 00:17:11,960 --> 00:17:15,680 Speaker 1: but sir, I appreciate your advice, but I'm on speaking 285 00:17:15,800 --> 00:17:19,360 Speaker 1: terms with God. He can talk directly to me. Matter 286 00:17:19,400 --> 00:17:21,720 Speaker 1: of fact, I spoke with him this morning. Everything's just 287 00:17:21,800 --> 00:17:27,680 Speaker 1: behind me. See. God will give you direction for your 288 00:17:27,720 --> 00:17:31,520 Speaker 1: life more than anyone else. God's not going to tell 289 00:17:31,840 --> 00:17:35,280 Speaker 1: me something about you and then not tell you. If 290 00:17:35,320 --> 00:17:38,560 Speaker 1: someone speaks into your life, they should confirm what you 291 00:17:38,680 --> 00:17:42,399 Speaker 1: already know, you say, Joel. In the Old Testament, the 292 00:17:42,440 --> 00:17:45,520 Speaker 1: prophets told people what to do yes. But in the 293 00:17:45,560 --> 00:17:48,639 Speaker 1: New Testament, the Holy Spirit lives on the inside of 294 00:17:48,720 --> 00:17:52,960 Speaker 1: each one of us. A man came to my father 295 00:17:53,040 --> 00:17:55,720 Speaker 1: and said, Pastor Ostein, a man gave me a word 296 00:17:55,800 --> 00:17:58,400 Speaker 1: from the Lord that I'm supposed to go to Africa. 297 00:17:58,600 --> 00:18:01,159 Speaker 1: Should I go? My father said, I don't know if 298 00:18:01,200 --> 00:18:03,200 Speaker 1: you should go or not, but if you do go, 299 00:18:03,520 --> 00:18:05,679 Speaker 1: make sure you take him with you so you'll know 300 00:18:05,720 --> 00:18:10,119 Speaker 1: when to come back home. You don't need anybody to 301 00:18:10,160 --> 00:18:13,000 Speaker 1: tell you what to do or not to do. We 302 00:18:13,080 --> 00:18:16,000 Speaker 1: have to realize when we come to the end of life, 303 00:18:16,600 --> 00:18:19,480 Speaker 1: we're not going to stand before any person and give 304 00:18:19,520 --> 00:18:23,360 Speaker 1: our account. We're going to stand before Almighty God. He's 305 00:18:23,400 --> 00:18:26,240 Speaker 1: not going to say why didn't you do what they said? 306 00:18:26,720 --> 00:18:28,680 Speaker 1: Why didn't you fit into their mold? Why didn't you 307 00:18:28,760 --> 00:18:32,400 Speaker 1: take their opinion. He's going to ask, did you become 308 00:18:32,880 --> 00:18:36,080 Speaker 1: who I created you to be? Did you stay true 309 00:18:36,480 --> 00:18:39,320 Speaker 1: to what I put in your heart? This is where 310 00:18:39,400 --> 00:18:43,320 Speaker 1: Saul missed it. Saul had a big destiny. God had 311 00:18:43,440 --> 00:18:47,240 Speaker 1: great things in his future. But Saul was so insecure 312 00:18:47,600 --> 00:18:50,760 Speaker 1: he let people squeeze him into their mold. He was 313 00:18:50,800 --> 00:18:53,919 Speaker 1: afraid he was going to disappoint somebody. He said in 314 00:18:53,960 --> 00:18:59,040 Speaker 1: First Samuel fifteen twenty four. I disobeyed the Lord's instructions 315 00:18:59,480 --> 00:19:02,960 Speaker 1: because I was afraid of the people, so I did 316 00:19:03,119 --> 00:19:07,080 Speaker 1: what they ask notice. Saul knew what to do. He 317 00:19:07,119 --> 00:19:11,680 Speaker 1: even admitted it. I disobeyed God's instructions. Why he was 318 00:19:11,720 --> 00:19:15,920 Speaker 1: a people pleaser. He thought somebody might get their feelings hurt, 319 00:19:16,480 --> 00:19:20,720 Speaker 1: somebody may be disappointed, somebody may not like me, so 320 00:19:20,800 --> 00:19:25,480 Speaker 1: he forfeited his destiny in order to please people. Don't 321 00:19:25,560 --> 00:19:29,360 Speaker 1: let that be you. You have to especially be aware 322 00:19:29,640 --> 00:19:33,280 Speaker 1: of how maintenance people. I believe that's who Saul was 323 00:19:33,320 --> 00:19:36,959 Speaker 1: dealing with. These people are almost impossible to keep happy. 324 00:19:37,480 --> 00:19:40,879 Speaker 1: You have to call them on schedule, keep them cheered up, 325 00:19:41,240 --> 00:19:45,120 Speaker 1: run their errands, meet their demands, be available twenty four 326 00:19:45,119 --> 00:19:48,800 Speaker 1: to seven. If not, they get upset, and they'll do 327 00:19:48,960 --> 00:19:52,440 Speaker 1: their best to make you feel guilty about it. High 328 00:19:52,480 --> 00:19:58,120 Speaker 1: maintenance people are almost always controllers. They're not interested in you, 329 00:19:58,560 --> 00:20:00,880 Speaker 1: They're interested in what you you can do for them. 330 00:20:01,560 --> 00:20:03,760 Speaker 1: And if you fall into that trap of trying to 331 00:20:03,880 --> 00:20:07,400 Speaker 1: keep them happy, it'll wear you out and you'll live 332 00:20:07,480 --> 00:20:11,240 Speaker 1: life frustrated. I know I knew this couple years ago. 333 00:20:11,640 --> 00:20:14,640 Speaker 1: I really liked them and I was so good to them. 334 00:20:15,240 --> 00:20:18,439 Speaker 1: They moved to another city. I helped them move, I 335 00:20:18,520 --> 00:20:21,600 Speaker 1: gave them money, I'd called a check on them. I 336 00:20:21,720 --> 00:20:25,320 Speaker 1: was always available, But the feeling I got from them 337 00:20:25,680 --> 00:20:29,520 Speaker 1: is I was never doing enough. They were never satisfied, 338 00:20:29,880 --> 00:20:33,840 Speaker 1: always had a complaint here. I had gone overboard to 339 00:20:33,920 --> 00:20:38,119 Speaker 1: be kind and generous, but they were constantly finding fault, 340 00:20:38,400 --> 00:20:41,439 Speaker 1: trying to make me feel guilty. And one day I 341 00:20:41,560 --> 00:20:45,359 Speaker 1: learned what I'm sharing with you, They're just high maintenance people. 342 00:20:45,840 --> 00:20:48,720 Speaker 1: I am not responsible to keep them happy. I'm going 343 00:20:48,760 --> 00:20:51,480 Speaker 1: to run my own race and not let them steal 344 00:20:51,560 --> 00:20:54,560 Speaker 1: my joy. And that was a great day in my life. 345 00:20:54,800 --> 00:20:59,040 Speaker 1: Matter of fact, I get happy just thinking about it. Friends, 346 00:20:59,080 --> 00:21:02,680 Speaker 1: your time, it's too valuable to go around trying to 347 00:21:02,680 --> 00:21:06,720 Speaker 1: figure out how to keep everybody happy. I know people 348 00:21:06,960 --> 00:21:10,640 Speaker 1: that spend more time worrying about what people are going 349 00:21:10,680 --> 00:21:14,400 Speaker 1: to think about them than they do pursuing their own dreams, 350 00:21:14,520 --> 00:21:17,119 Speaker 1: their own goals. You got a break free from that. 351 00:21:18,000 --> 00:21:21,280 Speaker 1: If you're going to do anything great in life, if 352 00:21:21,320 --> 00:21:24,520 Speaker 1: you're going to be a great business person, a great teacher, 353 00:21:24,880 --> 00:21:28,560 Speaker 1: a great parent, not everybody is going to cheer you on. 354 00:21:29,520 --> 00:21:32,440 Speaker 1: I'd love to tell you that all your family, friends, 355 00:21:32,480 --> 00:21:35,639 Speaker 1: co workers will celebrate you. But that's not the case. 356 00:21:36,560 --> 00:21:40,720 Speaker 1: Some people can't handle your success. If you were where 357 00:21:40,720 --> 00:21:43,760 Speaker 1: you were ten years ago, they'd have no problem with you. 358 00:21:44,320 --> 00:21:47,720 Speaker 1: But as you succeed, as God pours out his favor, 359 00:21:48,119 --> 00:21:52,440 Speaker 1: somebody will get jealous. Somebody will start finding fault. Don't 360 00:21:52,440 --> 00:21:56,200 Speaker 1: be surprised if a family member, a relative tries to 361 00:21:56,240 --> 00:21:59,879 Speaker 1: belittle you, discredit you. A friend you've been good to 362 00:22:00,119 --> 00:22:02,080 Speaker 1: for years, all of a sudden won't speak to you. 363 00:22:02,920 --> 00:22:05,240 Speaker 1: Let that bounce off of you like water off of 364 00:22:05,280 --> 00:22:10,120 Speaker 1: a duck's back. If you don't, you'll start changing, being defensive, 365 00:22:10,560 --> 00:22:13,360 Speaker 1: trying to prove to them that you really are okay. 366 00:22:14,119 --> 00:22:17,639 Speaker 1: What's happening is you're letting them squeeze you into their mold. 367 00:22:18,720 --> 00:22:22,960 Speaker 1: Your destiny is too great to be distracted by people 368 00:22:23,000 --> 00:22:26,879 Speaker 1: that are never going to like you. Don't take it personally. 369 00:22:27,200 --> 00:22:30,760 Speaker 1: It's not about you. It's about the favor God put 370 00:22:30,800 --> 00:22:34,080 Speaker 1: on your life that stirs up the jealousy in them. 371 00:22:34,520 --> 00:22:37,679 Speaker 1: Until they deal with it, nothing's going to change. You 372 00:22:37,760 --> 00:22:40,239 Speaker 1: might as well just shake it off, be happy, and 373 00:22:40,320 --> 00:22:43,520 Speaker 1: run your race, because no matter how good you are 374 00:22:43,600 --> 00:22:46,640 Speaker 1: to them, they're still going to find fault. No matter 375 00:22:46,760 --> 00:22:50,240 Speaker 1: how much kindness you show, they will still find some 376 00:22:50,440 --> 00:22:54,359 Speaker 1: reason to be critical. It's like this grandfather I heard about. 377 00:22:54,720 --> 00:22:57,440 Speaker 1: He and his small grandson were taking a trip into town, 378 00:22:57,480 --> 00:23:01,400 Speaker 1: and he started off, letting the grand son ride the donkey, 379 00:23:01,480 --> 00:23:05,439 Speaker 1: and he was walking alongside. Somebody came along and said, 380 00:23:05,600 --> 00:23:09,399 Speaker 1: look at that selfish little boy making the old man walk. 381 00:23:09,920 --> 00:23:12,760 Speaker 1: The grandfather heard it, took the boy off, and he 382 00:23:12,800 --> 00:23:14,720 Speaker 1: got on the donkey and wrote it and had his 383 00:23:14,800 --> 00:23:18,600 Speaker 1: little grandson walking alongside. In a few minutes, somebody came 384 00:23:18,600 --> 00:23:22,800 Speaker 1: along and said, look at that selfish old man making 385 00:23:22,840 --> 00:23:25,600 Speaker 1: the little boy walk while he rides. That is not right. 386 00:23:26,280 --> 00:23:29,200 Speaker 1: Hearing that, the grandfather picked up the boy and put 387 00:23:29,240 --> 00:23:31,359 Speaker 1: him on the back of the donkey. They were both riding. 388 00:23:31,720 --> 00:23:35,200 Speaker 1: A few minutes. Somebody came by and said, how cruel 389 00:23:35,400 --> 00:23:37,840 Speaker 1: of the two of you to put that heavy load 390 00:23:37,920 --> 00:23:41,280 Speaker 1: on that little donkey. By that time they got to town, 391 00:23:41,359 --> 00:23:47,080 Speaker 1: the grandfather and grandson were carrying the donkey. You know 392 00:23:47,160 --> 00:23:50,520 Speaker 1: the point, no matter what you do, you're not going 393 00:23:50,600 --> 00:23:55,879 Speaker 1: to please everyone. You might as well accept the fact 394 00:23:55,920 --> 00:23:59,040 Speaker 1: that not every person is going to understand you. And 395 00:23:59,080 --> 00:24:02,240 Speaker 1: that's okay. They have a right to their opinion, and 396 00:24:02,280 --> 00:24:05,280 Speaker 1: you have every right to ignore it. One more key, 397 00:24:05,720 --> 00:24:08,760 Speaker 1: if you're going to run your race, don't share your 398 00:24:08,840 --> 00:24:14,080 Speaker 1: dreams with everyone. Don't go around telling people what's in 399 00:24:14,119 --> 00:24:17,800 Speaker 1: your heart and all your goals. Some things you're supposed 400 00:24:17,800 --> 00:24:21,320 Speaker 1: to keep to yourself. The scripture even talks about the 401 00:24:21,480 --> 00:24:25,240 Speaker 1: hidden petitions of your heart that's supposed to be between 402 00:24:25,280 --> 00:24:28,680 Speaker 1: you and God. And what gets us off course sometimes 403 00:24:29,000 --> 00:24:32,160 Speaker 1: is we share our dreams with people that can't handle it. 404 00:24:32,720 --> 00:24:35,359 Speaker 1: If Joseph would have understood this would have saved him 405 00:24:35,400 --> 00:24:38,399 Speaker 1: a lot of heartache. As a teenager, he had the 406 00:24:38,520 --> 00:24:41,720 Speaker 1: dream that his older brothers were going to bow down 407 00:24:41,760 --> 00:24:44,480 Speaker 1: before him. He was going to lead a nation and 408 00:24:44,680 --> 00:24:48,320 Speaker 1: have all this success. The mistake he made is he 409 00:24:48,359 --> 00:24:52,160 Speaker 1: went out and told everyone, and somehow his older brothers 410 00:24:52,520 --> 00:24:54,960 Speaker 1: didn't celebrate the fact that they were going to bow down. 411 00:24:55,520 --> 00:24:59,120 Speaker 1: That didn't go over very big. Certain dreams you should 412 00:24:59,200 --> 00:25:02,679 Speaker 1: keep to yourself. You may be excited, but other people 413 00:25:02,720 --> 00:25:06,320 Speaker 1: are not going to be excited. Like Joseph's family, They're 414 00:25:06,359 --> 00:25:08,840 Speaker 1: not going to celebrate what God's put in your heart. 415 00:25:09,280 --> 00:25:11,399 Speaker 1: Be much better off to just learn to keep it 416 00:25:11,440 --> 00:25:15,439 Speaker 1: to yourself. This is what Mary did the Mother of Christ. 417 00:25:15,600 --> 00:25:18,600 Speaker 1: When she was a teenager, the angel appeared under her 418 00:25:18,960 --> 00:25:20,959 Speaker 1: and told her she was going to have a baby. 419 00:25:21,119 --> 00:25:24,600 Speaker 1: Without knowing a man. Mary didn't go out and announce 420 00:25:24,640 --> 00:25:27,520 Speaker 1: it to the world. She didn't run called TMZ and 421 00:25:27,560 --> 00:25:32,040 Speaker 1: say I got some big news. The scripture says she 422 00:25:32,400 --> 00:25:36,160 Speaker 1: pondered it in her heart. She kept it between her 423 00:25:36,520 --> 00:25:40,400 Speaker 1: and God. She was wise enough to know not everybody 424 00:25:40,440 --> 00:25:43,439 Speaker 1: would understand it. Some people would try to talk her 425 00:25:43,480 --> 00:25:45,359 Speaker 1: out of it. Some people would make fun of it. 426 00:25:46,119 --> 00:25:49,800 Speaker 1: Learn to keep your dreams to yourself. Let them take 427 00:25:49,920 --> 00:25:53,360 Speaker 1: root in your own spirit. Ponder it on the inside 428 00:25:53,600 --> 00:25:56,760 Speaker 1: between you and God. When it's time to bring it 429 00:25:56,800 --> 00:25:59,720 Speaker 1: to past, God will help you to give birth to 430 00:26:00,359 --> 00:26:03,480 Speaker 1: dream He's placed in your heart. My challenge to you 431 00:26:03,960 --> 00:26:07,480 Speaker 1: run your race. Don't you dare let people squeeze you 432 00:26:07,600 --> 00:26:11,800 Speaker 1: into their mold. Always be kind, but be confident enough 433 00:26:11,840 --> 00:26:14,080 Speaker 1: in who God made you to be that you don't 434 00:26:14,160 --> 00:26:17,360 Speaker 1: live to please people, You live to please God. Our 435 00:26:17,400 --> 00:26:21,440 Speaker 1: attitude should be I'm free to be me, and I'm 436 00:26:21,480 --> 00:26:25,040 Speaker 1: going to be the best me that I possibly can. Remember, 437 00:26:25,480 --> 00:26:27,399 Speaker 1: you don't have to try to play up to people 438 00:26:27,520 --> 00:26:31,200 Speaker 1: to try to win their approval. You have Almighty God's approval. 439 00:26:31,560 --> 00:26:34,960 Speaker 1: Quit worrying about what everybody thinks as long as you're 440 00:26:35,040 --> 00:26:37,720 Speaker 1: being true to what God's put in your heart. Don't 441 00:26:37,720 --> 00:26:40,440 Speaker 1: look to the left nor to the right. Stay focused 442 00:26:40,440 --> 00:26:43,359 Speaker 1: on your goals. If you'll make this decision with me 443 00:26:43,680 --> 00:26:46,280 Speaker 1: that you're going to run your race that I believe in, 444 00:26:46,320 --> 00:26:49,480 Speaker 1: declare God will get you to where you're supposed to be. 445 00:26:49,920 --> 00:26:54,200 Speaker 1: You will overcome every obstacle and accomplish every God given dream. 446 00:26:54,600 --> 00:26:57,360 Speaker 1: In Jesus' name, if you receive it, can you say 447 00:26:57,400 --> 00:27:01,520 Speaker 1: him in today? We never like to close our broadcast 448 00:27:01,720 --> 00:27:04,880 Speaker 1: without giving you an opportunity to make Jesus the lord 449 00:27:04,920 --> 00:27:09,080 Speaker 1: of your life. Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus, 450 00:27:10,280 --> 00:27:15,080 Speaker 1: I repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I 451 00:27:15,240 --> 00:27:18,480 Speaker 1: make you my Lord and savior. Friends, if you prayed 452 00:27:18,480 --> 00:27:21,720 Speaker 1: that simple prayer, we believe you got born again. Get 453 00:27:21,720 --> 00:27:24,840 Speaker 1: in a good Bible based church. Keep God first place. 454 00:27:25,119 --> 00:27:27,600 Speaker 1: He's going to take your places that you've never dreamed of. 455 00:27:28,720 --> 00:27:31,840 Speaker 1: Many people believe that God can heal, but when nothing 456 00:27:31,920 --> 00:27:35,280 Speaker 1: is improving, our prayers are not being answered, it's easy 457 00:27:35,320 --> 00:27:38,800 Speaker 1: to think, will God heal me? The truth is God 458 00:27:38,880 --> 00:27:43,040 Speaker 1: still Loves to heal. I've witnessed God's healing power firsthand 459 00:27:43,119 --> 00:27:47,879 Speaker 1: in my own family. When situations seemed impossible and medically speaking, 460 00:27:47,920 --> 00:27:50,840 Speaker 1: there were no options, God stepped in and made away. 461 00:27:51,400 --> 00:27:53,720 Speaker 1: Now I love to send you our new devotional, God 462 00:27:53,800 --> 00:27:57,280 Speaker 1: Still Loves to Heal. It's filled with scripture and encouragement 463 00:27:57,520 --> 00:28:00,439 Speaker 1: designed to strengthen your faith and help you beli for 464 00:28:00,560 --> 00:28:04,120 Speaker 1: healing even when you can't see it. God is still working. 465 00:28:04,560 --> 00:28:07,919 Speaker 1: As you stand firm and declare his promises, healing is 466 00:28:08,000 --> 00:28:10,240 Speaker 1: on the way. The same God who healed in the 467 00:28:10,280 --> 00:28:12,440 Speaker 1: Bible is still healing today. 468 00:28:13,280 --> 00:28:16,560 Speaker 2: Your generous support is so important to help us share 469 00:28:16,600 --> 00:28:19,240 Speaker 2: the message of hope, and as our way of saying 470 00:28:19,280 --> 00:28:22,359 Speaker 2: thank you for your gift of any amount, Pastor Joel 471 00:28:22,400 --> 00:28:24,760 Speaker 2: would like to send you a copy of God Still 472 00:28:24,840 --> 00:28:29,240 Speaker 2: Loves to Heal seventy days to receive, reflect and rest 473 00:28:29,400 --> 00:28:33,320 Speaker 2: in the finished work of God. This new seasonal devotional 474 00:28:33,480 --> 00:28:36,199 Speaker 2: will guide you through a weekly rhythm where you'll be 475 00:28:36,359 --> 00:28:40,240 Speaker 2: encouraged by life changing insight that will strengthen and encourage 476 00:28:40,280 --> 00:28:44,440 Speaker 2: you in your faith. Jesus cares about you physically, mentally, 477 00:28:44,680 --> 00:28:49,320 Speaker 2: and emotionally. He forgives us delivers us, and he heals 478 00:28:49,400 --> 00:28:53,680 Speaker 2: us and makes us whole. With this inspiring devotional resource, 479 00:28:53,840 --> 00:28:57,280 Speaker 2: You'll go on a healing journey. You'll enter into God's 480 00:28:57,360 --> 00:29:02,320 Speaker 2: rest and restoration, knowing his promise are true. Yesterday, today, 481 00:29:02,680 --> 00:29:06,600 Speaker 2: and forever. Receive your copy of this powerful new book 482 00:29:06,840 --> 00:29:10,840 Speaker 2: and experience God's goodness and healing power. Be sure to 483 00:29:10,920 --> 00:29:14,480 Speaker 2: request your copy of God Still Loves to Heal available 484 00:29:14,560 --> 00:29:18,320 Speaker 2: this month by simply visiting us at Joelosteing dot com 485 00:29:18,640 --> 00:29:21,800 Speaker 2: or call eight eight eight five six seven Joel. 486 00:29:22,600 --> 00:29:26,720 Speaker 1: My mother was miraculously healed from terminal cancer. My sister 487 00:29:26,800 --> 00:29:30,360 Speaker 1: Lisa was healed from a birth injury similar to cerebral palsy. 488 00:29:30,800 --> 00:29:33,800 Speaker 1: What God did for us, he can do for you. Nick, 489 00:29:33,880 --> 00:29:35,280 Speaker 1: Tory and I are going to be praying for you 490 00:29:35,360 --> 00:29:38,920 Speaker 1: this month, especially for healing for you and your family, 491 00:29:39,320 --> 00:29:43,120 Speaker 1: not just physically, but mentally and emotionally, that you will 492 00:29:43,160 --> 00:29:47,800 Speaker 1: be completely whole. We appreciate your prayer and support. Your 493 00:29:47,840 --> 00:29:51,880 Speaker 1: generosity is impacting people around the world, and special thank 494 00:29:51,960 --> 00:29:54,240 Speaker 1: you to our Champion of Hope partners for all you 495 00:29:54,320 --> 00:29:57,520 Speaker 1: do to make the ministry possible. Until we meet again, 496 00:29:57,920 --> 00:29:59,960 Speaker 1: May the Lord bless you and keep. 497 00:29:59,760 --> 00:30:03,240 Speaker 2: You be sure to request your copy of God Still 498 00:30:03,280 --> 00:30:06,880 Speaker 2: Loves to Heal, available this month by simply visiting us 499 00:30:06,960 --> 00:30:10,840 Speaker 2: at Joelostein dot com or call eight eight eight five 500 00:30:10,960 --> 00:30:15,040 Speaker 2: six seven Joel, and you can fill your year with strength, 501 00:30:15,280 --> 00:30:19,120 Speaker 2: peace and encouragement with the Healing and Wholeness Collection. It 502 00:30:19,200 --> 00:30:22,600 Speaker 2: features God's Word for every season, a guided four part 503 00:30:22,640 --> 00:30:25,680 Speaker 2: journal series to help anchor your heart to his promises, 504 00:30:25,880 --> 00:30:28,640 Speaker 2: plus God Still Loves to Heal, and the blessing of 505 00:30:28,680 --> 00:30:33,240 Speaker 2: taking communion Together. They'll strengthen your faith, renew your hope, 506 00:30:33,400 --> 00:30:37,160 Speaker 2: and remind you that Jesus still heals and restores Today. 507 00:30:37,760 --> 00:30:41,560 Speaker 2: You can request these inspiring resources by calling eight eight 508 00:30:41,600 --> 00:30:45,680 Speaker 2: eight five six seven Joel or logging on to Joelostein 509 00:30:45,800 --> 00:30:49,760 Speaker 2: dot com today. Call or click any time twenty four 510 00:30:49,760 --> 00:31:00,880 Speaker 2: hours a day. Request your copies today