1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:03,120 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks so much for 2 00:00:03,160 --> 00:00:06,280 Speaker 1: listening to the podcast. We have a new resource. It's 3 00:00:06,320 --> 00:00:09,120 Speaker 1: a twenty twenty four daily devotional. We'd love to send 4 00:00:09,119 --> 00:00:11,440 Speaker 1: it to you. It'll help you start the day off rock. 5 00:00:11,640 --> 00:00:14,160 Speaker 1: You will love this devotional and know this, we are 6 00:00:14,160 --> 00:00:16,959 Speaker 1: praying for you and we are believing for God's very 7 00:00:17,000 --> 00:00:17,680 Speaker 1: best for you. 8 00:00:17,880 --> 00:00:21,160 Speaker 2: In twenty twenty four, Oh God left you. It is 9 00:00:21,239 --> 00:00:23,320 Speaker 2: always a joy that coming to your homes. 10 00:00:23,680 --> 00:00:25,919 Speaker 1: We love you and we count to you as a 11 00:00:25,960 --> 00:00:28,600 Speaker 1: part of our extended family. And thanks for tuning in 12 00:00:28,640 --> 00:00:31,040 Speaker 1: each week. And if you're ever in our area, I 13 00:00:31,040 --> 00:00:32,680 Speaker 1: hope that you'll stop by and see us. 14 00:00:32,920 --> 00:00:34,320 Speaker 2: You'll love our new facility. 15 00:00:34,560 --> 00:00:36,760 Speaker 1: These are the finest people in all of Houston right 16 00:00:36,760 --> 00:00:38,920 Speaker 1: here at Lakewood, So come out and be a part 17 00:00:38,920 --> 00:00:39,839 Speaker 1: of one of our services. 18 00:00:39,840 --> 00:00:40,720 Speaker 2: We'd love to have you. 19 00:00:42,120 --> 00:00:44,040 Speaker 1: I like to get started each week with something kind 20 00:00:44,040 --> 00:00:46,720 Speaker 1: of funny. And I heard about this pastor that skipped 21 00:00:46,760 --> 00:00:49,080 Speaker 1: church one Sunday morning to go bear honey. 22 00:00:49,640 --> 00:00:50,639 Speaker 2: He got his gun and. 23 00:00:50,600 --> 00:00:52,400 Speaker 1: He went out in the woods and he searched and 24 00:00:52,440 --> 00:00:53,440 Speaker 1: searched and searched. 25 00:00:53,760 --> 00:00:55,520 Speaker 2: He didn't see any sign of a bear. 26 00:00:55,960 --> 00:00:58,640 Speaker 1: Finally he got frustrated and threw his gun down and 27 00:00:58,680 --> 00:01:02,040 Speaker 1: went down to the stream to cool off. About that time, 28 00:01:02,080 --> 00:01:05,880 Speaker 1: he saw this huge grizzly bear running full speed toward him. 29 00:01:06,240 --> 00:01:08,600 Speaker 1: He fell down on his knees and said, God, please 30 00:01:08,720 --> 00:01:11,760 Speaker 1: protect me. God, I'm praying that you would convert this 31 00:01:11,959 --> 00:01:17,120 Speaker 1: bear into being a Christian. Miraculously, the bear stopped in 32 00:01:17,160 --> 00:01:19,720 Speaker 1: his tracks, lifted up his pause to ward to heavens, 33 00:01:19,720 --> 00:01:21,800 Speaker 1: and said, thank you Lord for this food I'm about 34 00:01:21,800 --> 00:01:26,360 Speaker 1: to eat. Now, all right, hold up your bibles and 35 00:01:26,360 --> 00:01:26,959 Speaker 1: say it with me. 36 00:01:27,000 --> 00:01:27,600 Speaker 2: Are you ready? 37 00:01:28,000 --> 00:01:31,000 Speaker 1: This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. 38 00:01:31,600 --> 00:01:34,280 Speaker 1: I have what it says I have. I can do 39 00:01:34,360 --> 00:01:37,000 Speaker 1: what it says I can do. Today I will be 40 00:01:37,080 --> 00:01:41,160 Speaker 1: talked the word of God. I boldly confess. My mind 41 00:01:41,280 --> 00:01:44,920 Speaker 1: is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never be 42 00:01:45,040 --> 00:01:49,800 Speaker 1: the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. I want 43 00:01:49,800 --> 00:01:52,400 Speaker 1: to talk to you today about bringing out the best 44 00:01:52,440 --> 00:01:55,680 Speaker 1: in people. I believe that God puts people in our 45 00:01:55,720 --> 00:01:59,200 Speaker 1: lives on purpose so that we can help them succeed 46 00:01:59,400 --> 00:02:02,000 Speaker 1: and help them become all God's created them to be. 47 00:02:03,040 --> 00:02:07,280 Speaker 1: Most people will not reach their full potential without somebody 48 00:02:07,320 --> 00:02:08,720 Speaker 1: else believing in them. 49 00:02:09,320 --> 00:02:11,760 Speaker 2: That means you and I have an assignment. 50 00:02:12,320 --> 00:02:16,480 Speaker 1: Everywhere we go, we should be encouraging people, building them 51 00:02:16,560 --> 00:02:19,960 Speaker 1: up and challenging them to reach for new heights. And 52 00:02:20,000 --> 00:02:23,480 Speaker 1: when people are around us, they should leave better off 53 00:02:23,520 --> 00:02:28,320 Speaker 1: than they were before, not negative, discouraged, defeated, no challenged 54 00:02:28,400 --> 00:02:32,440 Speaker 1: and inspired. The scripture says here in First Corinthians thirteen, 55 00:02:32,560 --> 00:02:37,840 Speaker 1: verse four that love is kind. One translation says love 56 00:02:38,120 --> 00:02:42,320 Speaker 1: looks for a way of being constructive. In other words, 57 00:02:42,760 --> 00:02:47,120 Speaker 1: love looks for ways of improving somebody else's life. 58 00:02:47,400 --> 00:02:47,919 Speaker 2: Now, I want to. 59 00:02:47,919 --> 00:02:51,360 Speaker 1: Encourage you today to take time to make a difference. 60 00:02:51,919 --> 00:02:54,880 Speaker 1: Don't just get up in the morning thinking about yourself 61 00:02:55,000 --> 00:02:56,720 Speaker 1: and how you can make your life better. 62 00:02:57,240 --> 00:02:58,359 Speaker 2: Think about how. 63 00:02:58,240 --> 00:03:01,760 Speaker 1: You can make somebody else's life better. Our attitude should 64 00:03:01,800 --> 00:03:05,600 Speaker 1: be who can I encourage today? Who can I build up? 65 00:03:05,840 --> 00:03:09,720 Speaker 1: How can I improve somebody else's life? See, you have 66 00:03:09,919 --> 00:03:14,200 Speaker 1: something to offer that nobody else can give. Somebody needs 67 00:03:14,240 --> 00:03:18,600 Speaker 1: your encouragement. Somebody needs to know that you believe in them, 68 00:03:18,880 --> 00:03:21,400 Speaker 1: that you're for them, that you think they've got what 69 00:03:21,440 --> 00:03:24,679 Speaker 1: it takes. If you look back over your own life, 70 00:03:24,919 --> 00:03:28,519 Speaker 1: most likely you'll see someone that played a very pivotal 71 00:03:28,639 --> 00:03:31,360 Speaker 1: role in helping you get to where you are today. 72 00:03:31,800 --> 00:03:35,600 Speaker 1: Somebody had confidence in you, maybe a parent. 73 00:03:35,400 --> 00:03:36,080 Speaker 2: Or a teacher. 74 00:03:36,440 --> 00:03:38,840 Speaker 1: They made you believe you can do what you're doing. 75 00:03:39,440 --> 00:03:41,600 Speaker 1: Maybe it was a boss that puts you in a 76 00:03:41,920 --> 00:03:45,000 Speaker 1: higher position even though you didn't feel qualified, or a 77 00:03:45,000 --> 00:03:48,240 Speaker 1: school counselor that said, you've got what it takes. You 78 00:03:48,240 --> 00:03:50,920 Speaker 1: can go to this college, you can be successful in 79 00:03:50,920 --> 00:03:55,040 Speaker 1: this career. But most of the time, they saw something 80 00:03:55,080 --> 00:03:58,000 Speaker 1: in you that you may not have even seen in yourself, 81 00:03:58,240 --> 00:04:01,240 Speaker 1: and they helped you get to that next time level. Well, 82 00:04:01,280 --> 00:04:04,680 Speaker 1: I'm asking you to do the same thing for somebody else. 83 00:04:05,240 --> 00:04:08,000 Speaker 1: Who are you believing in? Who are you cheering on? 84 00:04:08,360 --> 00:04:12,000 Speaker 1: Who are you helping to become successful? Friends, There's no 85 00:04:12,080 --> 00:04:13,640 Speaker 1: greater investment. 86 00:04:13,160 --> 00:04:15,920 Speaker 2: In life than in being a people builder. 87 00:04:16,520 --> 00:04:21,200 Speaker 1: Relationships are more important than our accomplishments. And I believe 88 00:04:21,240 --> 00:04:24,440 Speaker 1: that God's going to hold us responsible for the people 89 00:04:24,560 --> 00:04:27,680 Speaker 1: that He's put in our lives. He's counting on us 90 00:04:27,920 --> 00:04:31,120 Speaker 1: to bring out the best in our spouse, the best 91 00:04:31,200 --> 00:04:34,560 Speaker 1: in our children, the best in our friends and our coworkers. 92 00:04:35,000 --> 00:04:35,560 Speaker 2: And we need to. 93 00:04:35,560 --> 00:04:39,919 Speaker 1: Ask ourselves, am I improving somebody's life giving them confidence? 94 00:04:40,480 --> 00:04:43,000 Speaker 1: Or am I just coasting along doing my own thing. 95 00:04:43,920 --> 00:04:46,359 Speaker 1: I remember when I was in middle school, I was 96 00:04:46,400 --> 00:04:49,320 Speaker 1: on the basketball team and one of our first games 97 00:04:49,440 --> 00:04:51,760 Speaker 1: was coming up later that week, and I was one 98 00:04:51,760 --> 00:04:54,560 Speaker 1: of the smaller players and we were playing this real 99 00:04:54,640 --> 00:04:57,360 Speaker 1: good team. They had a bunch of big guys, and 100 00:04:57,360 --> 00:05:00,760 Speaker 1: it was very easy to be intimidated. I can't say 101 00:05:00,760 --> 00:05:03,320 Speaker 1: that I had that much confidence, but I was walking 102 00:05:03,360 --> 00:05:06,200 Speaker 1: through the hallways of school one day in between classes, 103 00:05:06,760 --> 00:05:09,840 Speaker 1: and I'll never forget my basketball coach called me over 104 00:05:10,080 --> 00:05:11,960 Speaker 1: to where he was in front of all. 105 00:05:11,800 --> 00:05:12,679 Speaker 2: Of my other friends. 106 00:05:13,200 --> 00:05:15,560 Speaker 1: He was a big, strong, tough coach, kind of a 107 00:05:15,600 --> 00:05:18,400 Speaker 1: gruff guy, and he said, Joel, you're not that tall, 108 00:05:18,800 --> 00:05:22,440 Speaker 1: but let me tell you size doesn't matter. What counts 109 00:05:22,520 --> 00:05:25,120 Speaker 1: is right down in here. He pointed his finger and 110 00:05:25,120 --> 00:05:27,760 Speaker 1: he said, Joel, you got a big heart, and you're 111 00:05:27,760 --> 00:05:30,560 Speaker 1: going to do great this year. Man. When I heard that, 112 00:05:30,680 --> 00:05:33,200 Speaker 1: I stood up tall, put my shoulders back. You would 113 00:05:33,200 --> 00:05:36,800 Speaker 1: have thought I was Michael Jordan. I thought to myself, 114 00:05:36,839 --> 00:05:40,800 Speaker 1: this coach believes in me, and my confidence shot up 115 00:05:40,839 --> 00:05:42,919 Speaker 1: to a whole new level. And do you know I 116 00:05:43,000 --> 00:05:46,080 Speaker 1: did better that year than I'd ever done before. It's 117 00:05:46,120 --> 00:05:50,000 Speaker 1: amazing what we can accomplish when we know somebody really 118 00:05:50,000 --> 00:05:51,120 Speaker 1: believes in us. 119 00:05:51,480 --> 00:05:52,800 Speaker 2: That coach, he didn't have to do that. 120 00:05:53,360 --> 00:05:56,240 Speaker 1: He could have stood over there all by himself, but no, 121 00:05:56,360 --> 00:05:59,560 Speaker 1: he took time to make a difference. He took time 122 00:06:00,160 --> 00:06:03,599 Speaker 1: to instill that confidence in me. And if we're going 123 00:06:03,640 --> 00:06:06,120 Speaker 1: to bring out the best in people, we've got to 124 00:06:06,200 --> 00:06:06,960 Speaker 1: learn to. 125 00:06:07,040 --> 00:06:10,960 Speaker 2: Sow these seeds of encouragement. Well, you say, Joe, nobody's 126 00:06:11,040 --> 00:06:13,400 Speaker 2: doing it for me. Why should I know? 127 00:06:13,520 --> 00:06:15,840 Speaker 1: If you want your life to increase, if you want 128 00:06:15,839 --> 00:06:17,840 Speaker 1: your life to get better, then you need to sow 129 00:06:17,880 --> 00:06:20,279 Speaker 1: a seed by helping improve. 130 00:06:19,960 --> 00:06:21,480 Speaker 2: Somebody else's life. 131 00:06:21,600 --> 00:06:24,640 Speaker 1: If you will help somebody else become successful, God will 132 00:06:24,640 --> 00:06:27,520 Speaker 1: make sure that you are always successful. That's one thing 133 00:06:27,560 --> 00:06:31,400 Speaker 1: I've loved about Victoria. She's always believed in me. She's 134 00:06:31,480 --> 00:06:35,480 Speaker 1: my biggest supporter, my biggest fan. Victoria thinks that I'm 135 00:06:35,520 --> 00:06:38,320 Speaker 1: the greatest person on the face of this earth. And 136 00:06:38,360 --> 00:06:40,480 Speaker 1: I know that's not true, but I like the fact 137 00:06:40,520 --> 00:06:43,880 Speaker 1: that at least she thinks so. And listen, don't you 138 00:06:43,960 --> 00:06:48,720 Speaker 1: dare tell her anything otherwise. But Victoria thinks that I 139 00:06:48,760 --> 00:06:51,840 Speaker 1: can do anything. She's always bringing out the best in me. 140 00:06:52,400 --> 00:06:54,360 Speaker 1: I remember one time we were going to build a house. 141 00:06:54,800 --> 00:06:57,080 Speaker 1: We'd sold our other house and bought this property, and 142 00:06:57,120 --> 00:06:59,320 Speaker 1: it came time to build, and so I picked up 143 00:06:59,320 --> 00:07:02,040 Speaker 1: the phone to call our builder friend get everything lined up. 144 00:07:02,440 --> 00:07:04,400 Speaker 2: And she said, Joel, what are you doing that for. 145 00:07:04,839 --> 00:07:05,960 Speaker 2: We don't need a builder. 146 00:07:06,120 --> 00:07:09,240 Speaker 1: You can build a house. I said, Victoria, I don't 147 00:07:09,240 --> 00:07:10,880 Speaker 1: know how to build a house. I don't know anything 148 00:07:10,920 --> 00:07:13,840 Speaker 1: about construction. She said, sure you do, Joel. You were 149 00:07:13,880 --> 00:07:17,080 Speaker 1: at our other house practically every day when they were 150 00:07:17,080 --> 00:07:17,640 Speaker 1: building it. 151 00:07:17,760 --> 00:07:18,760 Speaker 2: You saw how they did it. 152 00:07:19,120 --> 00:07:21,560 Speaker 1: You can get those subcontractors lined up as good as 153 00:07:21,560 --> 00:07:24,280 Speaker 1: anybody else. And sure enough, she talked me into it, 154 00:07:24,320 --> 00:07:27,280 Speaker 1: and I ended up building our house and it turned 155 00:07:27,280 --> 00:07:29,480 Speaker 1: out pretty good. I forgot the plumbing, but other than. 156 00:07:29,440 --> 00:07:30,040 Speaker 2: That it's okay. 157 00:07:32,320 --> 00:07:35,760 Speaker 1: But seriously, Victoria, one thing I know is she has 158 00:07:35,920 --> 00:07:39,000 Speaker 1: confidence in me. I don't believe that I would be 159 00:07:39,080 --> 00:07:41,920 Speaker 1: standing up here today if she had not told me 160 00:07:42,080 --> 00:07:44,360 Speaker 1: years ago that one day I was going to pastor 161 00:07:44,440 --> 00:07:44,920 Speaker 1: this church. 162 00:07:45,440 --> 00:07:46,800 Speaker 2: Ten or fifteen years ago. 163 00:07:47,040 --> 00:07:50,440 Speaker 1: I had never spoken, didn't have any desire yet, she said, Joel, 164 00:07:50,760 --> 00:07:52,760 Speaker 1: she'd see my dad up here one day. That's going 165 00:07:52,800 --> 00:07:55,080 Speaker 1: to be you up there. You have so much to 166 00:07:55,200 --> 00:07:56,880 Speaker 1: offer one day you're gonna. 167 00:07:56,640 --> 00:07:58,440 Speaker 2: Be helping a lot of people. See. 168 00:07:58,480 --> 00:08:00,760 Speaker 1: She saw things in me that I didn't even see 169 00:08:00,760 --> 00:08:04,240 Speaker 1: in myself, and she just kept planning those seeds of encouragement. 170 00:08:04,480 --> 00:08:06,360 Speaker 1: And I didn't think I could do it. I didn't 171 00:08:06,440 --> 00:08:08,240 Speaker 1: like getting up in front of people. I had never 172 00:08:08,280 --> 00:08:10,680 Speaker 1: been to seminary. And I used to say, Victoria, I 173 00:08:10,760 --> 00:08:12,960 Speaker 1: wish you'd quit saying that that's just not me. 174 00:08:13,080 --> 00:08:14,960 Speaker 2: I'm not a preacher. She'd say, no, Joel, I can 175 00:08:15,000 --> 00:08:17,000 Speaker 2: see it in you. You do have what it takes. 176 00:08:17,440 --> 00:08:19,320 Speaker 1: And when my father went to be with the Lord, 177 00:08:19,560 --> 00:08:22,680 Speaker 1: there were two things that had a major impact on me. 178 00:08:23,160 --> 00:08:27,120 Speaker 1: One was all the seeds of encouragement that Victoria had sung. 179 00:08:27,880 --> 00:08:30,720 Speaker 1: The other thing is when I first started ministering, as 180 00:08:30,760 --> 00:08:31,280 Speaker 1: I said, I. 181 00:08:31,240 --> 00:08:33,280 Speaker 2: Was so nervous. I didn't know I could do it. 182 00:08:33,880 --> 00:08:36,320 Speaker 1: But one thing that kept me going is every time 183 00:08:36,360 --> 00:08:38,839 Speaker 1: I got up here to speak, many of you, the 184 00:08:38,880 --> 00:08:40,800 Speaker 1: people of Lakewood just cheered me on. 185 00:08:41,400 --> 00:08:42,600 Speaker 2: I mean you clapped and. 186 00:08:42,520 --> 00:08:45,720 Speaker 1: You clapped, and you clapped before I even began my message. 187 00:08:46,120 --> 00:08:48,320 Speaker 1: I could have been terrible, but you just kept cheering 188 00:08:48,320 --> 00:08:51,320 Speaker 1: me on. You kept giving me that confidence that I needed. 189 00:08:54,760 --> 00:08:57,280 Speaker 1: And after a few months, I began to realize that 190 00:09:04,840 --> 00:09:06,640 Speaker 1: I don't know why I'm such a crybaby, but I have. 191 00:09:08,080 --> 00:09:10,920 Speaker 1: But after a few months, I begin to realize that 192 00:09:10,960 --> 00:09:14,400 Speaker 1: you believed in me. Begin to realize that, you know, hey, 193 00:09:14,640 --> 00:09:16,320 Speaker 1: these people think that I can do it. 194 00:09:16,800 --> 00:09:19,840 Speaker 2: It did something on the inside. You know what happened. 195 00:09:20,160 --> 00:09:21,360 Speaker 2: You brought out the best in me. 196 00:09:26,320 --> 00:09:31,079 Speaker 1: Okay, let me tell you this. I'm committed to bringing 197 00:09:31,120 --> 00:09:33,840 Speaker 1: out the best in you. You have things on the 198 00:09:33,880 --> 00:09:37,480 Speaker 1: inside of you, just like I had, gifts and talents 199 00:09:37,800 --> 00:09:40,400 Speaker 1: that you've never even dreamed of. You can go further, 200 00:09:41,080 --> 00:09:44,520 Speaker 1: you can accomplish more. You've got seeds of greatness in you. 201 00:09:45,280 --> 00:09:48,200 Speaker 1: As long as I'm up here, I'm gonna keep challenging 202 00:09:48,240 --> 00:09:51,160 Speaker 1: you to rise higher, to press forward that don't settle 203 00:09:51,200 --> 00:09:57,840 Speaker 1: for the status quo. You can accomplish your dreams. You 204 00:09:57,880 --> 00:10:01,400 Speaker 1: can overcome any challenge that's before you. You can break 205 00:10:01,480 --> 00:10:03,920 Speaker 1: any addiction. You got the power of the most High 206 00:10:04,000 --> 00:10:06,520 Speaker 1: God on the inside of you. Why don't you rise 207 00:10:06,600 --> 00:10:09,240 Speaker 1: up and start believing in yourself? Why don't you start 208 00:10:09,280 --> 00:10:10,360 Speaker 1: acting like it's true? 209 00:10:11,040 --> 00:10:11,240 Speaker 2: See? 210 00:10:11,280 --> 00:10:14,360 Speaker 1: The Bible says in First Corinthians eight, verse one that 211 00:10:14,520 --> 00:10:16,440 Speaker 1: love encourages. 212 00:10:15,920 --> 00:10:18,480 Speaker 2: People to grow to their full stature. 213 00:10:19,080 --> 00:10:20,840 Speaker 1: That's what I want to do to you to encourage 214 00:10:20,880 --> 00:10:23,120 Speaker 1: you to go further, and I want to challenge you 215 00:10:23,160 --> 00:10:26,160 Speaker 1: to encourage others to do the same thing. See, when 216 00:10:26,160 --> 00:10:28,880 Speaker 1: you believe the best in people, you helped to bring 217 00:10:29,000 --> 00:10:32,000 Speaker 1: the best out of those people. I heard a story 218 00:10:32,280 --> 00:10:34,840 Speaker 1: about a lady named leu Ann Johnson. She had a 219 00:10:34,920 --> 00:10:38,160 Speaker 1: very successful career and everything was going great in her life, 220 00:10:38,240 --> 00:10:41,440 Speaker 1: but she just wasn't satisfied. She had a desire deep 221 00:10:41,480 --> 00:10:44,920 Speaker 1: down on the inside to help troubled teenagers, and so 222 00:10:45,040 --> 00:10:48,320 Speaker 1: one day she quit her job making a lot of money, 223 00:10:48,600 --> 00:10:51,000 Speaker 1: and she went to work as a school teacher in 224 00:10:51,040 --> 00:10:54,760 Speaker 1: one of the roughest schools in California. This high school 225 00:10:54,840 --> 00:10:57,680 Speaker 1: was known for its drugs and games and all kinds 226 00:10:57,720 --> 00:11:00,640 Speaker 1: of problems. It had one of the highest dry rates 227 00:11:00,679 --> 00:11:03,679 Speaker 1: of any school. They could hardly even keep teachers at 228 00:11:03,679 --> 00:11:06,880 Speaker 1: this school because the students were so wild and so rebellious, 229 00:11:06,920 --> 00:11:10,160 Speaker 1: and nobody thought this new lady would ever last. But 230 00:11:10,240 --> 00:11:13,480 Speaker 1: miss Johnson took a different approach. On the first day 231 00:11:13,480 --> 00:11:16,240 Speaker 1: of school, she asked her students to write down their 232 00:11:16,360 --> 00:11:19,880 Speaker 1: names and addresses and a little bit about themselves. And 233 00:11:19,920 --> 00:11:22,200 Speaker 1: while they were doing that, she walked up and down 234 00:11:22,240 --> 00:11:27,200 Speaker 1: the rows and secretly memorized each student's name. When they 235 00:11:27,240 --> 00:11:30,120 Speaker 1: got finished, she announced to the class that we're about 236 00:11:30,160 --> 00:11:33,360 Speaker 1: to have our first test, and the students all moaned 237 00:11:33,400 --> 00:11:33,920 Speaker 1: and groaned. 238 00:11:34,080 --> 00:11:36,640 Speaker 2: She said, no, the test isn't for you, The test 239 00:11:36,760 --> 00:11:37,200 Speaker 2: is for me. 240 00:11:37,920 --> 00:11:40,840 Speaker 1: She explained that if I can call each one of 241 00:11:40,840 --> 00:11:44,440 Speaker 1: you by name correctly, then I passed the test. But 242 00:11:44,520 --> 00:11:47,280 Speaker 1: if I miss even one of your names, then every 243 00:11:47,320 --> 00:11:49,800 Speaker 1: one of you will get an automatic A on our 244 00:11:49,840 --> 00:11:50,760 Speaker 1: first real test. 245 00:11:51,120 --> 00:11:51,920 Speaker 2: The students were. 246 00:11:51,880 --> 00:11:54,320 Speaker 1: Very excited, so she went up and down the road 247 00:11:54,559 --> 00:11:58,240 Speaker 1: and one by one she correctly called each student's name. 248 00:11:58,640 --> 00:11:59,880 Speaker 2: They were very impressed. 249 00:12:00,200 --> 00:12:02,600 Speaker 1: She said to them listening class, the reason I did 250 00:12:02,640 --> 00:12:06,320 Speaker 1: this is to show you that you are important to me, 251 00:12:06,920 --> 00:12:10,000 Speaker 1: and when I look at you, I not only like you, 252 00:12:10,520 --> 00:12:13,600 Speaker 1: but I care about you. That's the reason I'm here. 253 00:12:14,160 --> 00:12:17,720 Speaker 1: And all of a sudden, these students begin to realize this. 254 00:12:17,600 --> 00:12:18,520 Speaker 2: Teacher was different. 255 00:12:19,120 --> 00:12:21,280 Speaker 1: She's not just here to get a paycheck, not just 256 00:12:21,320 --> 00:12:22,080 Speaker 1: trying to get by. 257 00:12:22,480 --> 00:12:25,880 Speaker 2: This lady believes in us. This lady thinks that we 258 00:12:25,960 --> 00:12:27,200 Speaker 2: can become something. 259 00:12:28,000 --> 00:12:30,679 Speaker 1: One day, missus Johnson got word that one of the 260 00:12:30,760 --> 00:12:33,600 Speaker 1: roughest students in her class, a young man named Ryol 261 00:12:34,120 --> 00:12:36,520 Speaker 1: owed one of the street gains one hundred dollars. 262 00:12:36,800 --> 00:12:38,280 Speaker 2: It was a very dangerous situation. 263 00:12:38,400 --> 00:12:40,400 Speaker 1: He didn't have the money, and she asked him to 264 00:12:40,440 --> 00:12:43,400 Speaker 1: stay after class and she said, l I've heard about 265 00:12:43,440 --> 00:12:46,000 Speaker 1: your dilemma, and I want to loan you the money, 266 00:12:46,640 --> 00:12:48,559 Speaker 1: but I'll do it only under one condition. 267 00:12:49,160 --> 00:12:50,160 Speaker 2: He was a sophomore. 268 00:12:50,520 --> 00:12:53,360 Speaker 1: She said, I'll give you this money if you promise 269 00:12:53,520 --> 00:12:56,240 Speaker 1: to pay me back on the day that you graduate. 270 00:12:57,000 --> 00:12:59,880 Speaker 1: And you've got to understand, Raoul was the least likely 271 00:13:00,160 --> 00:13:03,720 Speaker 1: one to graduate. His brothers and sisters that went before him, 272 00:13:03,760 --> 00:13:06,520 Speaker 1: they had not graduated. His parents only had a second 273 00:13:06,559 --> 00:13:11,400 Speaker 1: grade education. But this simple act of kindness so touched 274 00:13:11,400 --> 00:13:14,760 Speaker 1: his heart. Nobody had ever shown him that kind of love. 275 00:13:15,080 --> 00:13:16,920 Speaker 1: Nobody had ever believed in him. 276 00:13:16,880 --> 00:13:20,600 Speaker 2: Enough to think that he could actually graduate. Miss Johnson 277 00:13:20,880 --> 00:13:22,280 Speaker 2: had the students keep a journal. 278 00:13:22,720 --> 00:13:25,200 Speaker 1: The week before, she'd asked them to write down the 279 00:13:25,320 --> 00:13:28,600 Speaker 1: nicest thing anyone had ever done for them. Ryoel said, 280 00:13:28,600 --> 00:13:31,560 Speaker 1: Miss Johnson, last week, I had to make up something 281 00:13:31,880 --> 00:13:35,199 Speaker 1: because I can't ever remember anybody doing anything nice for me. 282 00:13:35,920 --> 00:13:38,960 Speaker 1: But he said, what you did for me today, I 283 00:13:39,000 --> 00:13:42,160 Speaker 1: will never forget. He went on to say, Miss Johnson, 284 00:13:42,480 --> 00:13:45,840 Speaker 1: I will not let you down. I will graduate because 285 00:13:45,840 --> 00:13:47,880 Speaker 1: if you think I can do it, then I know 286 00:13:48,360 --> 00:13:51,640 Speaker 1: I can do it. And see this lady believed in 287 00:13:51,679 --> 00:13:55,080 Speaker 1: her students so much they begin to believe in themselves. 288 00:13:55,720 --> 00:13:58,880 Speaker 1: Long story short, Ryol ended up being the first one 289 00:13:58,960 --> 00:14:01,920 Speaker 1: in his family to ever earn a high school diploma. 290 00:14:02,000 --> 00:14:04,400 Speaker 1: And there are so many people out there just like 291 00:14:04,440 --> 00:14:08,199 Speaker 1: this today. They simply need somebody to spark a little 292 00:14:08,240 --> 00:14:11,480 Speaker 1: bit of hope, somebody to say yes, you can do it, 293 00:14:11,880 --> 00:14:14,960 Speaker 1: Yes you can, pastor the church, Yes you can take 294 00:14:15,000 --> 00:14:15,840 Speaker 1: that new position. 295 00:14:16,120 --> 00:14:19,000 Speaker 2: Yes you can overcome that addiction. You've got what it takes. 296 00:14:19,280 --> 00:14:22,560 Speaker 1: And understand, when you believe the best in people, you 297 00:14:22,720 --> 00:14:25,360 Speaker 1: help to draw the best out of people. And it 298 00:14:25,400 --> 00:14:28,600 Speaker 1: may not be something as drastic as Ryol, But let 299 00:14:28,640 --> 00:14:32,040 Speaker 1: me ask you. Are you believing the best in your 300 00:14:32,080 --> 00:14:35,440 Speaker 1: own children? Are you instilling the confidence in them that 301 00:14:35,480 --> 00:14:37,840 Speaker 1: they need, telling them that they're going to do great 302 00:14:37,920 --> 00:14:38,680 Speaker 1: things in life? 303 00:14:39,280 --> 00:14:41,840 Speaker 2: Are you believing the best in your loved ones? 304 00:14:42,440 --> 00:14:45,440 Speaker 1: Maybe some of them have gotten off course, Well have 305 00:14:45,560 --> 00:14:46,440 Speaker 1: you given up on them? 306 00:14:46,440 --> 00:14:47,400 Speaker 2: Have you written them all? 307 00:14:47,680 --> 00:14:49,800 Speaker 1: Oh, Joel, I've been praying for ten years. They're never 308 00:14:49,840 --> 00:14:52,800 Speaker 1: going to change. Now, why don't you dare reach out 309 00:14:52,840 --> 00:14:55,360 Speaker 1: to them like this lady did. Make sure they know 310 00:14:55,480 --> 00:14:58,200 Speaker 1: that you're concerned. Make sure they know that you really 311 00:14:58,240 --> 00:14:59,040 Speaker 1: believe in them. 312 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:00,640 Speaker 2: Here's the key. 313 00:15:01,040 --> 00:15:04,600 Speaker 1: Don't focus on what they are right now, focus on 314 00:15:04,680 --> 00:15:08,239 Speaker 1: what they can become. See the potential on the inside. 315 00:15:08,880 --> 00:15:11,560 Speaker 1: They may have some bad habits, they may be doing 316 00:15:11,600 --> 00:15:14,240 Speaker 1: some things that you don't like, but don't judge them 317 00:15:14,280 --> 00:15:17,480 Speaker 1: for it. Don't look down on them and be critical. No, 318 00:15:17,760 --> 00:15:21,200 Speaker 1: just challenge them to rise higher. Tell them, hey, I'm 319 00:15:21,240 --> 00:15:24,600 Speaker 1: praying for you. I'm believing you're going to break that addiction. 320 00:15:24,840 --> 00:15:26,720 Speaker 1: I'm believing for great things. 321 00:15:26,400 --> 00:15:27,720 Speaker 2: In your life. 322 00:15:27,800 --> 00:15:31,040 Speaker 1: You'll be amazed at how people respond when they really 323 00:15:31,080 --> 00:15:35,000 Speaker 1: know you care. I heard somebody say, people don't want 324 00:15:35,000 --> 00:15:37,960 Speaker 1: to know how much we know until they know how 325 00:15:38,040 --> 00:15:41,600 Speaker 1: much we care. In other words, people are not going 326 00:15:41,680 --> 00:15:44,360 Speaker 1: to take our advice until they really know that we 327 00:15:44,480 --> 00:15:47,440 Speaker 1: believe in them, Till they know that we're genuinely concerned. 328 00:15:47,760 --> 00:15:49,480 Speaker 2: And really, this is what Jesus did. 329 00:15:50,000 --> 00:15:53,680 Speaker 1: Everywhere he went, he saw potential in people that they 330 00:15:53,680 --> 00:15:57,520 Speaker 1: didn't even see in themselves. He didn't focus on their weaknesses, 331 00:15:57,920 --> 00:16:00,920 Speaker 1: he didn't just look at their faults. He saw them 332 00:16:01,280 --> 00:16:04,560 Speaker 1: the way they could become. I think about Peter. He 333 00:16:04,600 --> 00:16:07,360 Speaker 1: had a lot of rough edges. He was hot tempered, 334 00:16:07,440 --> 00:16:09,440 Speaker 1: he was loud. He would tell you what he thought. 335 00:16:10,080 --> 00:16:11,440 Speaker 1: But you know that didn't. 336 00:16:11,200 --> 00:16:12,640 Speaker 2: Necessarily bother Jesus. 337 00:16:13,240 --> 00:16:15,920 Speaker 1: Jesus didn't say forget it, Peter, I'm gonna go find 338 00:16:15,960 --> 00:16:19,920 Speaker 1: somebody a little more perfect than you. No, Jesus worked 339 00:16:19,920 --> 00:16:22,080 Speaker 1: with Peter to bring the best out of him. It 340 00:16:22,160 --> 00:16:23,880 Speaker 1: was in there, he just had to get it out. 341 00:16:24,600 --> 00:16:26,640 Speaker 1: And let me tell you, you never bring out the best 342 00:16:26,960 --> 00:16:29,720 Speaker 1: by condemning and criticizing. You don't bring out the best 343 00:16:29,760 --> 00:16:32,320 Speaker 1: by beating people down. You bring it out by love. 344 00:16:32,880 --> 00:16:34,880 Speaker 1: You bring it out by showing people. 345 00:16:34,600 --> 00:16:36,440 Speaker 2: That you care. It's interesting. 346 00:16:36,800 --> 00:16:42,040 Speaker 1: Peter's name literally meant pebble, it meant small stone. But 347 00:16:42,160 --> 00:16:45,200 Speaker 1: Jesus saw so much more in Peter. He said, Peter, 348 00:16:45,280 --> 00:16:47,560 Speaker 1: I'm gonna give you a new name. Your new name 349 00:16:47,680 --> 00:16:51,800 Speaker 1: is gonna be Sephis, which means a rock. In other words, 350 00:16:51,840 --> 00:16:54,320 Speaker 1: God said, you are a pebble right now, But when 351 00:16:54,320 --> 00:16:56,400 Speaker 1: I get finished with you, you're gonna be a rock. 352 00:16:56,640 --> 00:16:59,560 Speaker 1: You're gonna be strong, you'll be solid, You're gonna be secure. 353 00:17:00,280 --> 00:17:02,480 Speaker 1: That's what we've got to learn to do. See the 354 00:17:02,520 --> 00:17:06,000 Speaker 1: best in people, see the potential, and then urge them 355 00:17:06,080 --> 00:17:10,800 Speaker 1: to go forward. Henry Ford said, my best friend is 356 00:17:10,840 --> 00:17:13,600 Speaker 1: the one that brings out the best in me. I 357 00:17:13,600 --> 00:17:15,200 Speaker 1: don't know about you, but I don't like to be 358 00:17:15,280 --> 00:17:18,600 Speaker 1: around people that are negative and critical, people that are 359 00:17:18,600 --> 00:17:21,200 Speaker 1: always complaining and always telling you what you can't do. 360 00:17:21,840 --> 00:17:24,880 Speaker 1: All that does is drag you down. All that does 361 00:17:25,000 --> 00:17:27,560 Speaker 1: is take the life and energy out of us. Now, 362 00:17:27,560 --> 00:17:29,359 Speaker 1: if we're going to bring out the best in people, 363 00:17:29,760 --> 00:17:31,800 Speaker 1: we got to learn to keep a smile on our face. 364 00:17:32,280 --> 00:17:36,000 Speaker 1: We need to be positive and don't go around judging people. 365 00:17:36,440 --> 00:17:38,119 Speaker 1: Let me say it again, you don't bring out the 366 00:17:38,160 --> 00:17:41,879 Speaker 1: best by criticizing. You bring it out by encouraging people, 367 00:17:42,560 --> 00:17:45,520 Speaker 1: your friends, your family. They may do some things you 368 00:17:45,560 --> 00:17:49,160 Speaker 1: don't like, they may have some bad habits, but don't 369 00:17:49,200 --> 00:17:53,040 Speaker 1: focus on their weaknesses. Find something they're doing right and 370 00:17:53,200 --> 00:17:56,000 Speaker 1: encourage them for that. Now. I'm not saying that you 371 00:17:56,080 --> 00:17:58,640 Speaker 1: just sweep things under the rug, but at the right time, 372 00:17:58,680 --> 00:18:02,000 Speaker 1: once you've gained their respect, you can encourage them and 373 00:18:02,080 --> 00:18:04,400 Speaker 1: challenge them to rise up higher. But we should never 374 00:18:04,480 --> 00:18:07,639 Speaker 1: do it through being a fault finder and through being critical. 375 00:18:08,280 --> 00:18:11,119 Speaker 2: Remember, we all have weaknesses. 376 00:18:11,080 --> 00:18:16,080 Speaker 1: And people respond to praise and encouragement, not criticism and condemnation. 377 00:18:16,880 --> 00:18:19,479 Speaker 1: We've got to learn to magnify what's right in a person, 378 00:18:19,680 --> 00:18:22,800 Speaker 1: not what's wrong in a person. Now I've found if 379 00:18:22,840 --> 00:18:25,600 Speaker 1: you will treat somebody the way you want them to be, 380 00:18:26,080 --> 00:18:28,880 Speaker 1: they are much more likely to become that person. They're 381 00:18:28,920 --> 00:18:32,360 Speaker 1: much more likely to change. For instance, if your husband 382 00:18:32,680 --> 00:18:34,960 Speaker 1: is not treating you with as much respect as you 383 00:18:35,040 --> 00:18:37,840 Speaker 1: know he should, well don't sink down to his level 384 00:18:37,880 --> 00:18:41,800 Speaker 1: and be disrespectful as well. No, so a see, treat 385 00:18:41,880 --> 00:18:45,240 Speaker 1: him respectfully anyway and watch that man begin to change. 386 00:18:45,640 --> 00:18:48,080 Speaker 2: If he's lazy, treat him like he's a hard worker. 387 00:18:48,720 --> 00:18:50,919 Speaker 1: He may do a thousand things you don't like, but 388 00:18:50,960 --> 00:18:52,639 Speaker 1: you're going to have to find the one thing you 389 00:18:52,720 --> 00:18:56,000 Speaker 1: do like and encourage him for that. See, it is 390 00:18:56,080 --> 00:18:59,199 Speaker 1: so easy in life to sit around and nitpick, be 391 00:18:59,240 --> 00:19:02,119 Speaker 1: a fault, find to be critical, be negative friends. That 392 00:19:02,280 --> 00:19:04,399 Speaker 1: is not our job. Our job is to bring out 393 00:19:04,440 --> 00:19:07,480 Speaker 1: the best in people. Our job is to encourage, to 394 00:19:07,520 --> 00:19:09,639 Speaker 1: build up, to challenge people. 395 00:19:09,359 --> 00:19:10,119 Speaker 2: To rise higher. 396 00:19:10,480 --> 00:19:13,520 Speaker 1: And let me say it again, people respond to praise, 397 00:19:14,040 --> 00:19:17,560 Speaker 1: not to criticism. I heard about this man that went 398 00:19:17,600 --> 00:19:20,040 Speaker 1: out to get his paper. One morning when he opened 399 00:19:20,080 --> 00:19:22,760 Speaker 1: up the front door, the little dog that lived across 400 00:19:22,760 --> 00:19:26,120 Speaker 1: the street was bringing his paper to it, and he thought, 401 00:19:26,119 --> 00:19:28,320 Speaker 1: what do you know, that's great, And he ran back 402 00:19:28,359 --> 00:19:30,760 Speaker 1: inside and got the dog a treat, and that little 403 00:19:30,800 --> 00:19:32,520 Speaker 1: dog left there just as happy as can be. 404 00:19:33,400 --> 00:19:34,480 Speaker 2: The next morning, when. 405 00:19:34,320 --> 00:19:36,240 Speaker 1: He went to get the paper, he opened up the 406 00:19:36,280 --> 00:19:39,000 Speaker 1: door and that little dog was sitting there, and next 407 00:19:39,040 --> 00:19:43,840 Speaker 1: to him there were eight of the neighbor's newspapers. He 408 00:19:43,880 --> 00:19:47,200 Speaker 1: had gone up and down the street collecting all those newspapers. 409 00:19:47,840 --> 00:19:49,600 Speaker 1: I guess he figured if he got one treat for 410 00:19:49,680 --> 00:19:51,679 Speaker 1: one newspaper, he's gonna get eight treats today. 411 00:19:52,920 --> 00:19:55,320 Speaker 2: And basically that's the way human nature is. 412 00:19:55,760 --> 00:19:59,120 Speaker 1: We do a whole lot more when we're praised and appreciated. 413 00:20:00,080 --> 00:20:03,400 Speaker 1: Husbands and wives, we should be each other's greatest cheerleader. 414 00:20:03,960 --> 00:20:07,080 Speaker 1: Take time to praise your wife, take time to compliment 415 00:20:07,119 --> 00:20:10,280 Speaker 1: your husband. Don't get lazy in this area, and learn 416 00:20:10,359 --> 00:20:12,919 Speaker 1: not to take each other for granted. You know, the 417 00:20:12,960 --> 00:20:16,280 Speaker 1: other day, Victoria walked by me and she looked so beautiful. 418 00:20:16,600 --> 00:20:18,760 Speaker 1: She was all dressed up and had her hair off fixed, 419 00:20:18,800 --> 00:20:21,320 Speaker 1: and I thought to myself, men, she looks great today. 420 00:20:21,359 --> 00:20:24,640 Speaker 2: She looks so beautiful. But I was busy doing my thing, 421 00:20:24,760 --> 00:20:27,080 Speaker 2: working at my desk. I didn't want to slow down. 422 00:20:27,320 --> 00:20:29,480 Speaker 1: I didn't want to be interrupted, and I kind of 423 00:20:29,480 --> 00:20:32,640 Speaker 1: thought to myself, anyway, she knows I think she's beautiful. 424 00:20:32,640 --> 00:20:35,119 Speaker 1: I've told her thousands of times, and so I just 425 00:20:35,200 --> 00:20:38,600 Speaker 1: let it pass. I missed that opportunity to sow a compliment. 426 00:20:38,880 --> 00:20:39,920 Speaker 2: No, don't be lazy. 427 00:20:40,320 --> 00:20:42,520 Speaker 1: She may know it, he may know it, but they 428 00:20:42,560 --> 00:20:44,800 Speaker 1: need to hear it again and again and again. 429 00:20:45,280 --> 00:20:47,720 Speaker 2: Every day. We should compliment each other. 430 00:20:48,440 --> 00:20:52,560 Speaker 1: I heard somebody say complimenting each other is like the 431 00:20:52,640 --> 00:20:56,800 Speaker 1: glue that holds relationships together. There are so many things 432 00:20:56,800 --> 00:20:58,920 Speaker 1: that are trying to pull us apart today. 433 00:20:59,000 --> 00:21:02,560 Speaker 2: It's amazing what a little kind word here and there 434 00:21:02,640 --> 00:21:03,000 Speaker 2: will do. 435 00:21:03,320 --> 00:21:06,879 Speaker 1: Honey, you look beautiful today, Thanks for cleaning up after me, 436 00:21:07,040 --> 00:21:09,480 Speaker 1: Or how you did great on your project last week. 437 00:21:09,880 --> 00:21:13,479 Speaker 1: Those simple little things can help keep our relationships strong. 438 00:21:13,880 --> 00:21:16,280 Speaker 1: I know every time I get finished speaking and I 439 00:21:16,320 --> 00:21:20,400 Speaker 1: walk off the platform without fail. Every single time, Victoria 440 00:21:20,480 --> 00:21:23,679 Speaker 1: will tell me Joel, that was great today. Now it 441 00:21:23,720 --> 00:21:25,960 Speaker 1: may have been the worst message in the world, doesn't matter. 442 00:21:26,000 --> 00:21:28,320 Speaker 1: She's still gonna tell me it was great, And you 443 00:21:28,359 --> 00:21:29,560 Speaker 1: know what, that's fine with me. 444 00:21:29,680 --> 00:21:31,280 Speaker 2: It's okay to lie about stuff like that. 445 00:21:33,680 --> 00:21:35,840 Speaker 1: Some of you women, you're telling your husband, honey, you 446 00:21:35,880 --> 00:21:39,280 Speaker 1: are so handsome. You're either calling it by faith or 447 00:21:39,280 --> 00:21:44,200 Speaker 1: you're lying, but either way, it's all right. We walked 448 00:21:44,200 --> 00:21:46,160 Speaker 1: off the other day and Victoria said, Joel, that. 449 00:21:46,200 --> 00:21:48,840 Speaker 2: Was spectacular today. Man, I felt good. 450 00:21:49,359 --> 00:21:51,240 Speaker 1: The next Sunday she went back to saying, Joel, that 451 00:21:51,320 --> 00:21:54,040 Speaker 1: was great today. I said, what do you mean great? 452 00:21:54,040 --> 00:21:58,680 Speaker 1: How about spectacular? She's got me spoiled now. But we 453 00:21:58,800 --> 00:22:03,200 Speaker 1: need each other. Be free with your compliments. Remember your 454 00:22:03,240 --> 00:22:06,800 Speaker 1: thoughts don't bless anybody. You can think good thoughts about 455 00:22:06,840 --> 00:22:08,879 Speaker 1: somebody all day long, but it's not going to do 456 00:22:08,920 --> 00:22:09,840 Speaker 1: them one bit of good. 457 00:22:09,920 --> 00:22:11,080 Speaker 2: You got to verbalize it. 458 00:22:11,119 --> 00:22:13,480 Speaker 1: You got to speak it out. And every day we 459 00:22:13,520 --> 00:22:16,760 Speaker 1: should find somebody we can compliment. Find somebody you can 460 00:22:16,800 --> 00:22:20,200 Speaker 1: build up. A waiter at the restaurant. If he gives 461 00:22:20,240 --> 00:22:23,280 Speaker 1: you a good service, don't just think about it. Tell him, hey, 462 00:22:23,320 --> 00:22:25,680 Speaker 1: thanks for being such a good waiter. Thanks for taking 463 00:22:25,680 --> 00:22:26,719 Speaker 1: good care of us today. 464 00:22:27,119 --> 00:22:29,000 Speaker 2: That does something on the inside of him. 465 00:22:29,720 --> 00:22:32,040 Speaker 1: Somebody told me last week they were at the grocery 466 00:22:32,080 --> 00:22:34,760 Speaker 1: store inline to pay, and this young lady that was 467 00:22:34,840 --> 00:22:37,400 Speaker 1: running the register was having a tough tough time and 468 00:22:37,440 --> 00:22:39,960 Speaker 1: the people in the lines started getting aggravated and being 469 00:22:40,000 --> 00:22:40,440 Speaker 1: a little. 470 00:22:40,280 --> 00:22:41,040 Speaker 2: Bit short with her. 471 00:22:41,440 --> 00:22:43,320 Speaker 1: And when he got up there, he said, he decided 472 00:22:43,359 --> 00:22:44,040 Speaker 1: he wasn't going to be a. 473 00:22:44,040 --> 00:22:46,040 Speaker 2: Part of the problem. He wasn't going to do what 474 00:22:46,080 --> 00:22:47,960 Speaker 2: everybody else was doing. He was going to be a 475 00:22:48,000 --> 00:22:48,760 Speaker 2: part of the solution. 476 00:22:49,200 --> 00:22:51,200 Speaker 1: And he just smiled real big and he said, ma'am, 477 00:22:51,280 --> 00:22:52,800 Speaker 1: I just want to tell you I think you're doing 478 00:22:52,840 --> 00:22:56,000 Speaker 1: a great job and we just appreciate you trying so hard. 479 00:22:56,720 --> 00:22:58,439 Speaker 2: That young lady just brightened up. 480 00:22:58,600 --> 00:23:00,840 Speaker 1: It was like he lifted a load heavy bricks off 481 00:23:00,840 --> 00:23:03,480 Speaker 1: of her, and she said, sir, do you know I've 482 00:23:03,480 --> 00:23:06,040 Speaker 1: been working here for three months and you're the first 483 00:23:06,119 --> 00:23:09,720 Speaker 1: person to ever tell me anything like that. And I thought, really, 484 00:23:10,000 --> 00:23:12,320 Speaker 1: that's a sad reflection on our society. 485 00:23:12,640 --> 00:23:15,400 Speaker 2: People are so critical, they're fault finders. 486 00:23:15,560 --> 00:23:18,160 Speaker 1: They don't have any problem pointing out all you're doing wrong, 487 00:23:18,440 --> 00:23:20,560 Speaker 1: but they wouldn't dare take the time to point out 488 00:23:20,600 --> 00:23:21,640 Speaker 1: anything you're doing right. 489 00:23:22,359 --> 00:23:24,240 Speaker 2: I don't know about you, but I'm not gonna live 490 00:23:24,280 --> 00:23:26,399 Speaker 2: my life like that. I'm gonna be a giver and 491 00:23:26,480 --> 00:23:28,800 Speaker 2: not a taker. I'm gonna build people up and not 492 00:23:28,880 --> 00:23:31,840 Speaker 2: tear them down. I'm gonna do my best to leave. 493 00:23:31,720 --> 00:23:34,720 Speaker 1: Places better off than they were before. Now I was 494 00:23:34,760 --> 00:23:36,680 Speaker 1: thinking about there are a lot of things in. 495 00:23:36,640 --> 00:23:39,080 Speaker 2: Life that we can be known for. We're all leaving 496 00:23:39,119 --> 00:23:40,359 Speaker 2: a legacy, but. 497 00:23:40,400 --> 00:23:43,120 Speaker 1: One hundred years from now, I want to be known 498 00:23:43,240 --> 00:23:47,520 Speaker 1: as somebody that brought out the best in people, somebody. 499 00:23:47,080 --> 00:23:48,879 Speaker 2: That left the world a better place. 500 00:23:49,520 --> 00:23:52,879 Speaker 1: We can have all kinds of accomplishments, but soon they 501 00:23:52,920 --> 00:23:56,400 Speaker 1: will be forgotten. The only thing that's gonna really last 502 00:23:56,640 --> 00:24:00,080 Speaker 1: is the investment we make in other people's lives. I 503 00:24:00,160 --> 00:24:02,240 Speaker 1: want to bring the best out of my wife. I 504 00:24:02,280 --> 00:24:04,040 Speaker 1: want to bring the best out of my children, the 505 00:24:04,080 --> 00:24:06,720 Speaker 1: best out of my friends. I want people to say 506 00:24:07,119 --> 00:24:10,800 Speaker 1: I like being around him. He encourages me to go 507 00:24:10,920 --> 00:24:15,520 Speaker 1: higher in his actions, in his attitude, his integrity, the 508 00:24:15,560 --> 00:24:18,399 Speaker 1: way he treats people. That inspires me to be better. 509 00:24:18,840 --> 00:24:20,679 Speaker 1: That's the kind of people we need to strive to be. 510 00:24:21,480 --> 00:24:25,640 Speaker 1: The Scripture says iron sharpens iron. The way we live 511 00:24:25,680 --> 00:24:29,720 Speaker 1: our lives, our examples should inspire people to do better. 512 00:24:30,160 --> 00:24:32,600 Speaker 2: We should inspire people to press forward. 513 00:24:32,440 --> 00:24:35,040 Speaker 1: And to become all God's created them to be. And 514 00:24:35,080 --> 00:24:38,119 Speaker 1: we need to ask ourselves today, are the people in 515 00:24:38,160 --> 00:24:41,280 Speaker 1: my life better off or worse off because of me? 516 00:24:42,160 --> 00:24:44,520 Speaker 1: Am I building them up and bringing out the best? 517 00:24:44,960 --> 00:24:47,680 Speaker 1: Or am I just dragging them down? Do I believe 518 00:24:47,760 --> 00:24:51,160 Speaker 1: in somebody? Do I give them confidence improving their lives? 519 00:24:51,680 --> 00:24:53,440 Speaker 1: Or am I just focused on myself? 520 00:24:53,920 --> 00:24:56,560 Speaker 2: Now, let's make decisions today that we're going to be 521 00:24:56,840 --> 00:24:57,760 Speaker 2: people builders. 522 00:24:58,560 --> 00:25:00,879 Speaker 1: I know over the last few years I've gotten some 523 00:25:01,080 --> 00:25:06,880 Speaker 1: very complimentary letters from famous people, movie stars, government leaders, 524 00:25:06,960 --> 00:25:10,720 Speaker 1: pro athletes, and it's very flattering, it's very honoring. But 525 00:25:10,800 --> 00:25:14,320 Speaker 1: the greatest compliment I ever received came just a couple 526 00:25:14,320 --> 00:25:17,080 Speaker 1: of weeks ago when Victorias stood up here and in 527 00:25:17,080 --> 00:25:19,720 Speaker 1: front of all of you, she said, after living with 528 00:25:19,840 --> 00:25:22,680 Speaker 1: Joel these last eighteen years, I can tell you. 529 00:25:23,000 --> 00:25:24,120 Speaker 2: That I'm a better person. 530 00:25:24,640 --> 00:25:29,000 Speaker 1: I've got more confidence, I'm kinder, I've got a better attitude, 531 00:25:29,080 --> 00:25:32,639 Speaker 1: I've grown, I've been challenged. That's the greatest compliment I 532 00:25:32,680 --> 00:25:34,879 Speaker 1: could ever receive. And of course I could say the 533 00:25:34,920 --> 00:25:37,720 Speaker 1: same thing about her. But my point is that's the 534 00:25:37,720 --> 00:25:39,160 Speaker 1: mark of a people builder. 535 00:25:39,840 --> 00:25:42,000 Speaker 2: Everywhere we go, we should leave. 536 00:25:41,880 --> 00:25:45,080 Speaker 1: People better off than they were before. That man at 537 00:25:45,119 --> 00:25:49,440 Speaker 1: the gas station imparts something into his life. 538 00:25:48,640 --> 00:25:51,880 Speaker 2: The lady at the grocery store. Don't complain, take time 539 00:25:51,960 --> 00:25:52,840 Speaker 2: to give a compliment. 540 00:25:53,400 --> 00:25:57,400 Speaker 1: Your friends, your coworkers, build them up everywhere you go. 541 00:25:57,760 --> 00:26:00,000 Speaker 2: You should be making deposits, not withdrawal. 542 00:26:00,680 --> 00:26:02,640 Speaker 1: When we get up in the morning, we shouldn't try 543 00:26:02,640 --> 00:26:05,160 Speaker 1: to figure out how we can get blessed. Let's figure 544 00:26:05,200 --> 00:26:07,720 Speaker 1: out how we can be a blessing. If you will 545 00:26:07,760 --> 00:26:11,879 Speaker 1: make somebody else's day, God will always make your own day. Now, 546 00:26:11,920 --> 00:26:16,400 Speaker 1: I know in my own life I've been so blessed 547 00:26:16,440 --> 00:26:18,440 Speaker 1: to have people that believed in. 548 00:26:18,359 --> 00:26:22,399 Speaker 2: Me, my parents, my wife, my family, and that's all great. 549 00:26:22,600 --> 00:26:25,639 Speaker 1: But the real question today is who am I believing in? 550 00:26:26,200 --> 00:26:30,000 Speaker 1: Who am I cheering on? Who am I helping to succeed? Friends, 551 00:26:30,000 --> 00:26:32,520 Speaker 1: you have something to offer that nobody else can give, 552 00:26:33,080 --> 00:26:36,520 Speaker 1: and true love looks for ways to improve other people's lives. 553 00:26:37,000 --> 00:26:40,120 Speaker 2: I want to challenge you to bring out the best. 554 00:26:39,920 --> 00:26:42,280 Speaker 1: In the people that God has put in your life. 555 00:26:42,359 --> 00:26:44,840 Speaker 1: You're never more like God than when you give the 556 00:26:44,920 --> 00:26:48,199 Speaker 1: closest thing to his heart is helping others. If you 557 00:26:48,240 --> 00:26:51,600 Speaker 1: will be a people builder focused on bringing out the 558 00:26:51,640 --> 00:26:54,600 Speaker 1: best in others. I can promise you this God will 559 00:26:54,640 --> 00:26:57,240 Speaker 1: bring out the best in you. When you help somebody 560 00:26:57,280 --> 00:27:00,160 Speaker 1: else succeed. God will make sure you not only see, 561 00:27:00,560 --> 00:27:01,280 Speaker 1: but he'll take. 562 00:27:01,119 --> 00:27:03,560 Speaker 2: Your places that you've never even dreamed of. Amen. Do 563 00:27:03,600 --> 00:27:04,600 Speaker 2: you receive it this morning? 564 00:27:06,119 --> 00:27:08,760 Speaker 1: Or We never like to close our broadcast without giving 565 00:27:08,760 --> 00:27:11,600 Speaker 1: you an opportunity to make Jesus the lord of your life. 566 00:27:12,000 --> 00:27:16,320 Speaker 1: Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus, I'll 567 00:27:16,359 --> 00:27:20,920 Speaker 1: repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I make 568 00:27:21,000 --> 00:27:25,080 Speaker 1: you my Lord and savior. If you prayed that simple prayer, 569 00:27:25,119 --> 00:27:27,600 Speaker 1: we believe you got born again. Get in a good 570 00:27:27,640 --> 00:27:29,960 Speaker 1: Bible based church. Keep God first place. 571 00:27:30,240 --> 00:27:32,600 Speaker 2: He's going to take your places that you've never dreamed of. 572 00:27:33,680 --> 00:27:40,320 Speaker 2: It's January. Time to renew my faith. It's January. It's 573 00:27:40,359 --> 00:27:44,359 Speaker 2: time to start a new season. It's January. 574 00:27:44,680 --> 00:27:46,760 Speaker 1: There is no better time than now to set the 575 00:27:46,760 --> 00:27:50,040 Speaker 1: course of our year ahead. The beginning of the year 576 00:27:50,200 --> 00:27:53,119 Speaker 1: is a great time to start afresh and anew, to 577 00:27:53,240 --> 00:27:55,600 Speaker 1: let go of negative things of the past and to 578 00:27:55,640 --> 00:27:58,119 Speaker 1: get ready for the new things God has in store. 579 00:27:58,720 --> 00:28:02,920 Speaker 1: Every January, create a new devotional calendar that will help 580 00:28:02,960 --> 00:28:05,640 Speaker 1: you throughout the year. When you start the day off 581 00:28:05,640 --> 00:28:10,359 Speaker 1: in faith, grateful for what God's done. Making positive declarations 582 00:28:10,400 --> 00:28:13,560 Speaker 1: over your future. You're setting the tone for a blessed 583 00:28:13,640 --> 00:28:17,399 Speaker 1: day and a victorious year. This devotional will help you 584 00:28:17,440 --> 00:28:20,199 Speaker 1: get your mind going in the right direction so you 585 00:28:20,240 --> 00:28:23,000 Speaker 1: can go out each day in faith knowing that God 586 00:28:23,080 --> 00:28:26,119 Speaker 1: is in control, that His plans for you are for good. 587 00:28:26,640 --> 00:28:27,800 Speaker 2: I'd love to send you a. 588 00:28:27,720 --> 00:28:30,879 Speaker 3: Copy as our way of saying thank you for your 589 00:28:30,920 --> 00:28:33,480 Speaker 3: gift of any amount this first month of the year. 590 00:28:33,760 --> 00:28:35,640 Speaker 3: We would like to send you a copy of our 591 00:28:35,720 --> 00:28:38,760 Speaker 3: brand new twenty twenty four three hundred and sixty five 592 00:28:38,880 --> 00:28:42,360 Speaker 3: day devotional calendar. Do you want to set a faith 593 00:28:42,440 --> 00:28:44,960 Speaker 3: course for your life in twenty twenty four? Do you 594 00:28:45,000 --> 00:28:47,400 Speaker 3: want to see your life take off in new directions 595 00:28:47,400 --> 00:28:51,240 Speaker 3: of influence, favor, and provision in the year ahead? Using 596 00:28:51,280 --> 00:28:55,040 Speaker 3: this devotional calendar is as easy as one, two three. 597 00:28:55,960 --> 00:28:59,280 Speaker 3: One Wake up with an expectancy in your heart. Two 598 00:28:59,680 --> 00:29:02,960 Speaker 3: reflect on the daily scripture, verse and devotional from Joel. 599 00:29:03,440 --> 00:29:07,120 Speaker 3: Three capture God's promises to you on journaling lines for 600 00:29:07,200 --> 00:29:11,120 Speaker 3: writing and reflection. Be sure to request your copy of 601 00:29:11,160 --> 00:29:14,800 Speaker 3: the twenty twenty four devotional calendar available this month by 602 00:29:14,840 --> 00:29:18,520 Speaker 3: simply visiting us at joelostein dot com or calling eight 603 00:29:18,560 --> 00:29:20,560 Speaker 3: eight eight five six seven Joel