1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:02,880 Speaker 1: No one likes to talk about money. Am I saving enough? 2 00:00:02,960 --> 00:00:05,040 Speaker 1: Can I buy a house? Am I paying too much 3 00:00:05,040 --> 00:00:07,760 Speaker 1: in taxes? Will I be able to retire? What if 4 00:00:07,760 --> 00:00:10,360 Speaker 1: you could unlock insights about your finances in less than 5 00:00:10,400 --> 00:00:12,840 Speaker 1: five minutes, with a clear picture of where you stand 6 00:00:12,880 --> 00:00:15,720 Speaker 1: today and where your money can work harder. Now you 7 00:00:15,760 --> 00:00:18,759 Speaker 1: can visit facet dot com to take the free quiz 8 00:00:18,800 --> 00:00:23,400 Speaker 1: and get your financial wellness score today. That's Facet dot com. 9 00:00:23,400 --> 00:00:25,360 Speaker 1: This ad is sponsored by Facet. Fast Wealth in Corporated 10 00:00:25,440 --> 00:00:27,280 Speaker 1: is an sec registered investment advisor. This is not an 11 00:00:27,320 --> 00:00:29,080 Speaker 1: offer to buy your self securities or is it investment, 12 00:00:29,160 --> 00:00:30,080 Speaker 1: legal or tax advice. 13 00:00:30,760 --> 00:00:33,960 Speaker 2: You're ready for a comeback, and with Purdue Global you 14 00:00:34,000 --> 00:00:37,200 Speaker 2: can do more than take classes. You can take charge 15 00:00:37,520 --> 00:00:41,520 Speaker 2: of your story, of your career, of your life, Earn 16 00:00:41,560 --> 00:00:43,559 Speaker 2: a degree you can be proud of, and get an 17 00:00:43,680 --> 00:00:48,559 Speaker 2: education employer's respect. It's time, your time, not just to 18 00:00:48,560 --> 00:00:50,960 Speaker 2: go back to school, but to come back and move 19 00:00:51,040 --> 00:00:55,840 Speaker 2: forward with Purdue Global, Purdue's online university for working adults. 20 00:00:56,440 --> 00:00:59,920 Speaker 2: Start your comeback at Purdueglobal dot edu. 21 00:01:00,280 --> 00:01:02,240 Speaker 3: He'll forget about the video game you gave him on 22 00:01:02,280 --> 00:01:02,840 Speaker 3: his birthday. 23 00:01:03,160 --> 00:01:05,119 Speaker 4: Wow, thanks Grandpa. 24 00:01:04,880 --> 00:01:07,280 Speaker 3: But He'll never forget how you invested in his future 25 00:01:07,319 --> 00:01:11,840 Speaker 3: with the uns stapp. Wow, Thanks Grandpa. The units stap 26 00:01:11,840 --> 00:01:14,360 Speaker 3: makes it easy for grandparents and family friends to give 27 00:01:14,440 --> 00:01:17,160 Speaker 3: funds to a child's investment account for a limited time. 28 00:01:17,280 --> 00:01:19,440 Speaker 3: Download the uns stap and use the code I heeart 29 00:01:19,440 --> 00:01:21,720 Speaker 3: fifty at sign up to receive a fifty dollars bonus 30 00:01:21,720 --> 00:01:24,280 Speaker 3: when you fund your account. That's code iHeart fifty when 31 00:01:24,319 --> 00:01:27,280 Speaker 3: you sign up at unest dot co for a fifty 32 00:01:27,319 --> 00:01:30,120 Speaker 3: dollars bonus. See terms and conditions at UNEs dot co. 33 00:01:31,280 --> 00:01:33,040 Speaker 4: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. 34 00:01:33,080 --> 00:01:36,120 Speaker 5: Thanks for listening to our podcast and thanks for supporting 35 00:01:36,120 --> 00:01:39,039 Speaker 5: the ministry. If you enjoy today's message, why don't you 36 00:01:39,120 --> 00:01:41,200 Speaker 5: be a blessing and share it with a friend. We 37 00:01:41,360 --> 00:01:56,320 Speaker 5: appreciate you and pray for God's very best in your life. Well, 38 00:01:56,400 --> 00:01:59,000 Speaker 5: God bless you. It's always a joy to come into 39 00:01:59,000 --> 00:02:01,960 Speaker 5: your homes. And if you're ever in our area, please 40 00:02:01,960 --> 00:02:04,360 Speaker 5: stop by and be a part of one of our services. 41 00:02:04,680 --> 00:02:06,960 Speaker 5: I promise you we'll make you feel right at home. 42 00:02:07,200 --> 00:02:09,400 Speaker 5: But thanks so much for tuning in, and thank you 43 00:02:09,440 --> 00:02:11,960 Speaker 5: again for coming out today. And I like to start 44 00:02:11,960 --> 00:02:14,120 Speaker 5: with something funny each week, and I heard about this 45 00:02:14,200 --> 00:02:16,079 Speaker 5: airplane it was about to land. 46 00:02:16,560 --> 00:02:17,880 Speaker 4: The flight attendant came over. 47 00:02:17,840 --> 00:02:20,399 Speaker 5: The loud speaker and said, we'd like you to help 48 00:02:20,480 --> 00:02:23,560 Speaker 5: welcome our new co pilot. He's about to make his 49 00:02:23,720 --> 00:02:27,120 Speaker 5: first commercial landing, so when the plane stops, give him 50 00:02:27,120 --> 00:02:29,840 Speaker 5: a big round of applause. A few minutes later, the 51 00:02:29,880 --> 00:02:33,840 Speaker 5: plane made an extremely bumpy landing, bouncing up and down. 52 00:02:34,280 --> 00:02:36,680 Speaker 5: She came back on said thanks for flying with us today, 53 00:02:36,960 --> 00:02:39,720 Speaker 5: and don't forget to tell our new copilot which one 54 00:02:39,760 --> 00:02:43,880 Speaker 5: of his three landings you like best. All right, hold 55 00:02:43,960 --> 00:02:46,480 Speaker 5: up your Bible, say it like you mean it. This 56 00:02:46,680 --> 00:02:49,320 Speaker 5: is my Bible. I am what it says I am. 57 00:02:49,880 --> 00:02:52,560 Speaker 5: I have what it says I have. I can do 58 00:02:52,639 --> 00:02:55,440 Speaker 5: what it says I can do. Today I will be 59 00:02:55,480 --> 00:02:59,720 Speaker 5: taught the word of God. I boldly confess. My mind 60 00:02:59,800 --> 00:03:03,480 Speaker 5: is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never be 61 00:03:03,560 --> 00:03:08,359 Speaker 5: the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. I want 62 00:03:08,400 --> 00:03:12,800 Speaker 5: to talk to you today about divine connections. I believe 63 00:03:12,960 --> 00:03:15,600 Speaker 5: if you will stay in faith and be a person 64 00:03:15,639 --> 00:03:19,160 Speaker 5: of excellence, God will always bring the right people into 65 00:03:19,200 --> 00:03:22,680 Speaker 5: your life. Just as He's put the dreams and desires 66 00:03:22,720 --> 00:03:26,080 Speaker 5: in your heart. God has already lined up the people 67 00:03:26,160 --> 00:03:29,640 Speaker 5: you need to help bring those dreams to pass. God 68 00:03:29,760 --> 00:03:33,040 Speaker 5: knows who you need to know. He knows who's going 69 00:03:33,120 --> 00:03:35,320 Speaker 5: to need to give you a break. Ten years from now, 70 00:03:36,120 --> 00:03:39,560 Speaker 5: you single, people, God already has your mate lined up. 71 00:03:39,760 --> 00:03:43,640 Speaker 5: He's already picked out the perfect person. One man received it. 72 00:03:45,440 --> 00:03:48,040 Speaker 5: You don't have to struggle, You don't have to try 73 00:03:48,120 --> 00:03:49,240 Speaker 5: to make things happen. 74 00:03:49,680 --> 00:03:52,040 Speaker 4: All you have to do is stay in faith. 75 00:03:52,440 --> 00:03:55,440 Speaker 5: If you'll keep being your best day in and day out, 76 00:03:55,720 --> 00:03:59,600 Speaker 5: God will give you divine connections. But too often we 77 00:03:59,680 --> 00:04:02,640 Speaker 5: try to make things happen in our own strength. How 78 00:04:02,680 --> 00:04:05,440 Speaker 5: many people at the office play up to the boss, 79 00:04:05,600 --> 00:04:08,880 Speaker 5: play politics to try to get that promotion. I've known 80 00:04:08,920 --> 00:04:12,520 Speaker 5: people they're friends with a person only because of the 81 00:04:12,600 --> 00:04:15,880 Speaker 5: other people that person knows they're using one person to 82 00:04:15,880 --> 00:04:19,120 Speaker 5: get to another. Usually when that happens, we end up 83 00:04:19,160 --> 00:04:22,240 Speaker 5: letting them control us. But there's a real freedom when 84 00:04:22,279 --> 00:04:26,040 Speaker 5: you realize God wants to give you divine connections. That 85 00:04:26,200 --> 00:04:28,720 Speaker 5: means you don't have to play up to someone to 86 00:04:28,720 --> 00:04:30,960 Speaker 5: try to get them to like you. You don't have 87 00:04:31,040 --> 00:04:33,719 Speaker 5: to worry because you haven't met the man or woman 88 00:04:33,800 --> 00:04:36,919 Speaker 5: of your dreams. You don't have to live frustrated because 89 00:04:36,960 --> 00:04:39,800 Speaker 5: you don't have all the connections you need right now. No, 90 00:04:39,960 --> 00:04:42,880 Speaker 5: God has it all planned out. As long as you 91 00:04:42,960 --> 00:04:46,400 Speaker 5: stay in faith, he'll bring the right people across your path. 92 00:04:46,560 --> 00:04:50,720 Speaker 5: He'll give you divine connections. Now. Divine connection is when 93 00:04:50,760 --> 00:04:53,320 Speaker 5: you know it had to be God. He calls you 94 00:04:53,360 --> 00:04:55,359 Speaker 5: to be at the right place at the right time. 95 00:04:56,040 --> 00:04:59,000 Speaker 5: I remember a few years ago, Victoria and I were 96 00:04:59,160 --> 00:05:01,400 Speaker 5: out of state, take in a few days off, and 97 00:05:01,480 --> 00:05:03,120 Speaker 5: I got up early one Sunday morning. 98 00:05:03,440 --> 00:05:06,559 Speaker 4: I watched this minister on television. He was very good. 99 00:05:06,920 --> 00:05:09,080 Speaker 4: I said, Victoria, let's go to his church today. 100 00:05:09,600 --> 00:05:11,800 Speaker 5: We called the front desk and they said it was 101 00:05:11,839 --> 00:05:13,120 Speaker 5: over an hour away. 102 00:05:13,400 --> 00:05:14,760 Speaker 4: We didn't have time to make it. 103 00:05:15,240 --> 00:05:18,160 Speaker 5: And normally when we're on vacation, we may not typically 104 00:05:18,200 --> 00:05:20,440 Speaker 5: go to church because we're in church all the time. 105 00:05:20,480 --> 00:05:23,120 Speaker 5: But for some reason, I grabbed the phone book and 106 00:05:23,160 --> 00:05:25,520 Speaker 5: I opened it up and I saw this other minister 107 00:05:25,600 --> 00:05:28,560 Speaker 5: that I recognized. I'd never met him, but I'd seen 108 00:05:28,640 --> 00:05:31,280 Speaker 5: him a few times before. We found out his church 109 00:05:31,360 --> 00:05:33,440 Speaker 5: was just a few minutes down the road. So we 110 00:05:33,480 --> 00:05:36,560 Speaker 5: went to the service, and afterwards the pastor came up 111 00:05:36,560 --> 00:05:39,440 Speaker 5: to say hello. I didn't talk to that man for 112 00:05:39,560 --> 00:05:42,760 Speaker 5: ninety seconds before I knew this was a divine connection. 113 00:05:43,520 --> 00:05:44,960 Speaker 4: Some people you just. 114 00:05:44,880 --> 00:05:47,920 Speaker 5: Feel good about. You just know it's right down in here. 115 00:05:48,440 --> 00:05:50,720 Speaker 5: I felt like I'd known that man for ten years. 116 00:05:51,040 --> 00:05:53,479 Speaker 5: When we left that day, I knew that was God 117 00:05:53,600 --> 00:05:54,720 Speaker 5: directing my steps. 118 00:05:54,920 --> 00:05:56,239 Speaker 4: We became close friends. 119 00:05:56,640 --> 00:05:59,320 Speaker 5: Well. A few years later, I was going somewhere with 120 00:05:59,400 --> 00:06:03,800 Speaker 5: him and he introduced me almost in passing, to a 121 00:06:03,839 --> 00:06:08,600 Speaker 5: person that he knows that's very knowledgeable in the publishing industry. 122 00:06:08,680 --> 00:06:11,520 Speaker 5: It was that connection that led to me writing my 123 00:06:11,560 --> 00:06:14,200 Speaker 5: first book. What I want you to see is God 124 00:06:14,279 --> 00:06:17,000 Speaker 5: has it all lined up. This door's gonna close so 125 00:06:17,080 --> 00:06:19,479 Speaker 5: you can meet this other man. He's gonna introduce you 126 00:06:19,560 --> 00:06:21,599 Speaker 5: to his friend who's gonna give you a break, and 127 00:06:21,720 --> 00:06:24,760 Speaker 5: on and on. God is in control of our lives. 128 00:06:25,160 --> 00:06:27,960 Speaker 5: He's got the people you need to bring your dreams 129 00:06:27,960 --> 00:06:31,560 Speaker 5: to pass. Why don't you quit worrying, Why don't you 130 00:06:31,640 --> 00:06:35,400 Speaker 5: quit trying to make everything happen, and instead just stay 131 00:06:35,440 --> 00:06:38,400 Speaker 5: in faith. When you do that, the scripture says God 132 00:06:38,480 --> 00:06:41,800 Speaker 5: will give you the desires of your heart. Looking back 133 00:06:41,839 --> 00:06:44,960 Speaker 5: over my life, I can see every major break that 134 00:06:45,000 --> 00:06:48,360 Speaker 5: I've gotten. When I met a lifelong friend where I 135 00:06:48,440 --> 00:06:52,320 Speaker 5: met Victoria, where somebody showed me favor and opened the door. 136 00:06:52,680 --> 00:06:55,880 Speaker 5: Not one of those times did I have to struggle 137 00:06:55,920 --> 00:06:58,400 Speaker 5: and try to make it happen. Not one time did 138 00:06:58,440 --> 00:07:01,240 Speaker 5: I have to manipulate someone and try to talk them 139 00:07:01,240 --> 00:07:02,400 Speaker 5: in to giving me a break. 140 00:07:02,880 --> 00:07:05,960 Speaker 4: Now, every time things just fell into place. What am 141 00:07:06,000 --> 00:07:06,440 Speaker 4: I saying? 142 00:07:07,040 --> 00:07:10,640 Speaker 5: Trust God to bring you divine connections. You don't have 143 00:07:10,680 --> 00:07:13,040 Speaker 5: to play up to someone to try to make them 144 00:07:13,240 --> 00:07:15,800 Speaker 5: like you. If someone doesn't want to be your friends, 145 00:07:15,880 --> 00:07:18,880 Speaker 5: you know what, it's their loss, not yours. You don't 146 00:07:18,960 --> 00:07:22,720 Speaker 5: need them to fulfill your destiny. God has the right 147 00:07:22,800 --> 00:07:26,360 Speaker 5: people already lined up for you. If they don't want 148 00:07:26,360 --> 00:07:28,600 Speaker 5: to be in relationship with you. Of course you can 149 00:07:28,640 --> 00:07:32,160 Speaker 5: be kind and respectful, but your attitude should be I 150 00:07:32,200 --> 00:07:34,080 Speaker 5: don't have to have you to get to where I 151 00:07:34,160 --> 00:07:34,560 Speaker 5: need to be. 152 00:07:35,000 --> 00:07:36,560 Speaker 4: I know God is in control of. 153 00:07:36,520 --> 00:07:38,880 Speaker 5: My life and at the right time, He's going to 154 00:07:38,920 --> 00:07:42,000 Speaker 5: bring the right people to help me fulfill my destiny. 155 00:07:42,600 --> 00:07:46,520 Speaker 5: We all go through different seasons, even in friendships. Maybe 156 00:07:46,560 --> 00:07:49,120 Speaker 5: for ten or fifteen years you were best friends with 157 00:07:49,160 --> 00:07:53,040 Speaker 5: the person you enjoyed spending that time together, but now 158 00:07:53,120 --> 00:07:56,320 Speaker 5: it's a new season. Of course, you can still be friends, 159 00:07:56,320 --> 00:08:00,280 Speaker 5: but maybe you can't spend as much time together. Kids 160 00:08:00,280 --> 00:08:03,440 Speaker 5: aren't in the same school, You're going in different directions. Well, 161 00:08:03,560 --> 00:08:06,160 Speaker 5: that season is over now God wants to bring you 162 00:08:06,240 --> 00:08:11,360 Speaker 5: new friends. The scripture says in Ecclesiastes three eleven, everything 163 00:08:11,680 --> 00:08:15,440 Speaker 5: is beautiful in its time. Hey, you say, Joel, this 164 00:08:15,480 --> 00:08:17,280 Speaker 5: guy was dating the girl I was dating. 165 00:08:17,360 --> 00:08:18,360 Speaker 4: She broke up with me. 166 00:08:18,480 --> 00:08:21,800 Speaker 5: And I'm so discouraged. No, that just means God has 167 00:08:21,800 --> 00:08:25,480 Speaker 5: somebody better in store for you. Recognize that season is over, 168 00:08:26,120 --> 00:08:29,520 Speaker 5: be grateful for it. Now keep pressing forward. Hell, I 169 00:08:29,560 --> 00:08:32,920 Speaker 5: really wanted this promotion, but my supervisor didn't put any 170 00:08:32,960 --> 00:08:35,160 Speaker 5: good word for me, and I didn't get it. O. 171 00:08:35,320 --> 00:08:36,560 Speaker 4: God's still in control. 172 00:08:36,760 --> 00:08:39,200 Speaker 5: If you'll stay in faith, when God wants you to 173 00:08:39,240 --> 00:08:42,439 Speaker 5: be promoted, He'll make sure the right people come along 174 00:08:42,679 --> 00:08:46,480 Speaker 5: to get you promoted. Instead of getting discouraged, I'm trying 175 00:08:46,480 --> 00:08:49,160 Speaker 5: to force everything to happen, It's much better to just 176 00:08:49,240 --> 00:08:52,840 Speaker 5: say God, I'm trusting you to bring me divine connections, 177 00:08:53,120 --> 00:08:55,840 Speaker 5: people that will further me in my dreams, and not 178 00:08:56,000 --> 00:08:59,760 Speaker 5: people that will distract and hold me back. We have 179 00:08:59,840 --> 00:09:02,800 Speaker 5: to be sensitive with whom we get in relationship with 180 00:09:03,760 --> 00:09:06,640 Speaker 5: just because someone is important or they have a circle 181 00:09:06,679 --> 00:09:09,120 Speaker 5: of friends that we would like to know, it doesn't 182 00:09:09,160 --> 00:09:12,920 Speaker 5: necessarily mean that they're right for us. There's this one 183 00:09:12,960 --> 00:09:15,960 Speaker 5: door that I've been praying that God would open again 184 00:09:16,240 --> 00:09:19,400 Speaker 5: and again. It involves a certain person, and in the 185 00:09:19,520 --> 00:09:22,720 Speaker 5: natural it seems like a perfect fit. I can't see 186 00:09:22,720 --> 00:09:25,960 Speaker 5: any reason why it wouldn't open. But I've learned that 187 00:09:26,000 --> 00:09:28,880 Speaker 5: God knows what's best for us. And sometimes when a 188 00:09:28,920 --> 00:09:32,280 Speaker 5: door's not opening, it's because God doesn't want it to open. 189 00:09:32,920 --> 00:09:33,760 Speaker 4: It may be. 190 00:09:33,520 --> 00:09:36,280 Speaker 5: Because it's gonna do us more harm than good, or 191 00:09:36,320 --> 00:09:39,200 Speaker 5: it's gonna limit our growth. And one of the main 192 00:09:39,320 --> 00:09:43,000 Speaker 5: prayers I pray every day is God, bring the right 193 00:09:43,080 --> 00:09:46,400 Speaker 5: people into my life and weed out those that shouldn't 194 00:09:46,400 --> 00:09:49,559 Speaker 5: be there. I believe the second part is just as 195 00:09:49,600 --> 00:09:52,520 Speaker 5: important as the first part because God can bring the 196 00:09:52,640 --> 00:09:55,880 Speaker 5: right people, but if we're still attached to the wrong people, 197 00:09:56,280 --> 00:10:00,280 Speaker 5: it's gonna hinder our progress. Stay sensitive and way for 198 00:10:00,320 --> 00:10:05,120 Speaker 5: God to bring you divine connections. Really, life is too 199 00:10:05,160 --> 00:10:09,040 Speaker 5: short to get in relationship with the wrong people. They 200 00:10:09,080 --> 00:10:11,760 Speaker 5: may be important, or it may look impressive to be 201 00:10:11,840 --> 00:10:14,240 Speaker 5: seen around them, but you have to get past all 202 00:10:14,280 --> 00:10:17,079 Speaker 5: the surface and see what you're feeling right down in here. 203 00:10:17,520 --> 00:10:20,880 Speaker 5: Listen to the still small voice. I know this couple. 204 00:10:21,240 --> 00:10:24,439 Speaker 5: They seem to be fine people. They come from good families, 205 00:10:24,800 --> 00:10:27,439 Speaker 5: and they've got a lot going for them. They're very influential, 206 00:10:28,120 --> 00:10:30,520 Speaker 5: and in the natural they would be good people for 207 00:10:30,559 --> 00:10:32,760 Speaker 5: me to get to know. Maybe they could introduce me 208 00:10:32,800 --> 00:10:36,400 Speaker 5: to some other influential people. And over the years, I've 209 00:10:36,440 --> 00:10:39,240 Speaker 5: had numerous opportunities. 210 00:10:38,520 --> 00:10:39,560 Speaker 4: To get close to them. 211 00:10:40,080 --> 00:10:42,559 Speaker 5: I've had friends that know them real well and they 212 00:10:42,600 --> 00:10:45,079 Speaker 5: want to set up dinner engagements so we can get 213 00:10:45,080 --> 00:10:48,440 Speaker 5: better acquainted. But every time I just don't feel good 214 00:10:48,480 --> 00:10:51,760 Speaker 5: about it. I can't quite put my finger on it. 215 00:10:51,760 --> 00:10:54,679 Speaker 5: Doesn't mean that they're bad people, doesn't mean there's something 216 00:10:54,720 --> 00:10:57,600 Speaker 5: wrong with them, but I'm sensitive enough to know down 217 00:10:57,600 --> 00:11:00,720 Speaker 5: in here they're just not right for me. I've learned 218 00:11:00,760 --> 00:11:03,880 Speaker 5: to wait for divine connections, for God to bring the 219 00:11:04,000 --> 00:11:08,080 Speaker 5: right people into my life. Too often we'll just jump 220 00:11:08,120 --> 00:11:11,640 Speaker 5: into something because somebody's influential or because they know the 221 00:11:11,679 --> 00:11:15,080 Speaker 5: boss real well. All that time we can feel the 222 00:11:15,120 --> 00:11:17,600 Speaker 5: alarm down and here we can feel that unrest. 223 00:11:18,280 --> 00:11:19,960 Speaker 4: Too many times we just ignore that. 224 00:11:20,800 --> 00:11:23,920 Speaker 5: I found out several years later that couple had some 225 00:11:24,040 --> 00:11:26,360 Speaker 5: questionable things concerning their integrity. 226 00:11:26,920 --> 00:11:28,280 Speaker 4: They were bitter toward. 227 00:11:28,080 --> 00:11:31,760 Speaker 5: Another person, talking behind their back. Now I can see why. 228 00:11:32,080 --> 00:11:35,280 Speaker 4: Now God closed that door. We can only see on 229 00:11:35,320 --> 00:11:38,360 Speaker 4: the surface, but God looks at a person's heart. If 230 00:11:38,360 --> 00:11:39,280 Speaker 4: you don't feel good. 231 00:11:39,120 --> 00:11:42,520 Speaker 5: About someone or something, it's not because God's trying to 232 00:11:42,559 --> 00:11:45,440 Speaker 5: hold you back. It's because He's trying to keep you on. 233 00:11:45,360 --> 00:11:46,120 Speaker 4: His best path. 234 00:11:47,080 --> 00:11:51,520 Speaker 5: And we have to realize that spirits are transferable. When 235 00:11:51,559 --> 00:11:54,960 Speaker 5: you get in relationship with someone, you don't just get 236 00:11:54,960 --> 00:11:58,680 Speaker 5: the natural or the physical, you get the spiritual as well. 237 00:11:59,280 --> 00:12:01,960 Speaker 5: In other words, if if you hang around someone that's jealous, 238 00:12:02,320 --> 00:12:05,400 Speaker 5: that jealous spirit can get off on you. If you're 239 00:12:05,559 --> 00:12:08,680 Speaker 5: around someone that has a lack of integrity, that spirit 240 00:12:08,720 --> 00:12:10,240 Speaker 5: of compromise can affect you. 241 00:12:10,840 --> 00:12:13,840 Speaker 4: Or maybe they don't treat people right, they're rude and disrespectful. 242 00:12:14,400 --> 00:12:17,319 Speaker 5: Or don't be surprised if before long you're the same way. 243 00:12:17,640 --> 00:12:21,000 Speaker 5: We become just like the people we associate with. You 244 00:12:21,120 --> 00:12:23,959 Speaker 5: have to pay attention to what you're feeling down in here. 245 00:12:24,360 --> 00:12:27,040 Speaker 5: If it doesn't feel right, Sure, you can still be 246 00:12:27,160 --> 00:12:30,480 Speaker 5: friends from a distance. You can still be kind and courteous, 247 00:12:30,679 --> 00:12:33,360 Speaker 5: but you should not allow them to get close to you, 248 00:12:33,559 --> 00:12:35,559 Speaker 5: don't let them into your inner circle. 249 00:12:35,880 --> 00:12:37,359 Speaker 4: God has the right. 250 00:12:37,360 --> 00:12:40,319 Speaker 5: People to bring into your life. But if you're spending 251 00:12:40,320 --> 00:12:43,000 Speaker 5: all your time with the wrong people, you're not going 252 00:12:43,080 --> 00:12:45,319 Speaker 5: to be where you should be when the right people 253 00:12:45,360 --> 00:12:46,360 Speaker 5: come across your path. 254 00:12:47,200 --> 00:12:48,800 Speaker 4: You may be thinking, Joel, where are all. 255 00:12:48,679 --> 00:12:51,600 Speaker 5: My divine connections? I'm not getting these breaks that you're 256 00:12:51,640 --> 00:12:54,880 Speaker 5: talking about. Well, could it be that you're still hanging 257 00:12:54,880 --> 00:12:57,440 Speaker 5: around the wrong people. Maybe you need to make some 258 00:12:57,520 --> 00:13:00,600 Speaker 5: adjustments and just be honest and say God, God, I 259 00:13:00,679 --> 00:13:03,560 Speaker 5: know this friend is pulling me down, or I know 260 00:13:03,679 --> 00:13:06,800 Speaker 5: I got into this relationship for the wrong reason and I. 261 00:13:06,760 --> 00:13:08,080 Speaker 4: Still don't feel good about it. 262 00:13:08,360 --> 00:13:11,880 Speaker 5: So God, I'm gonna make some changes and start trusting 263 00:13:11,920 --> 00:13:14,400 Speaker 5: you to bring the right people into my life. 264 00:13:15,200 --> 00:13:16,199 Speaker 4: When you obey that. 265 00:13:16,320 --> 00:13:21,000 Speaker 5: Still small voice, God's blessings will chase you down. You 266 00:13:21,040 --> 00:13:23,760 Speaker 5: won't have to try to find new friends. You won't 267 00:13:23,840 --> 00:13:26,320 Speaker 5: have to manipulate people into giving you a break. 268 00:13:26,679 --> 00:13:27,640 Speaker 4: Now, when you walk in. 269 00:13:27,640 --> 00:13:30,600 Speaker 5: Obedience, you won't be able to outrun the good things 270 00:13:30,600 --> 00:13:32,760 Speaker 5: of God. People will want to be good to you 271 00:13:33,040 --> 00:13:35,920 Speaker 5: and they don't even know why. It's because you have 272 00:13:36,000 --> 00:13:38,840 Speaker 5: the favor of God on your life. I was thinking 273 00:13:38,880 --> 00:13:43,760 Speaker 5: about the apostle Paul. He spent years persecuting Christians. One day, 274 00:13:43,800 --> 00:13:47,280 Speaker 5: God supernaturally turned his life around, and now he had 275 00:13:47,320 --> 00:13:50,560 Speaker 5: a message to share with God's people. But the problem 276 00:13:50,760 --> 00:13:53,360 Speaker 5: was nobody would have anything to do with Paul. 277 00:13:53,520 --> 00:13:55,080 Speaker 4: They were all afraid of him. 278 00:13:55,520 --> 00:13:59,200 Speaker 5: But the scripture says God brought Barnabas across Paul's path 279 00:14:00,360 --> 00:14:03,679 Speaker 5: this friendship. Barnabas went back to the people and said. 280 00:14:03,520 --> 00:14:06,480 Speaker 4: It's okay, let Paul come. He's for real. 281 00:14:07,120 --> 00:14:10,560 Speaker 5: In other words, he used his influence to open a 282 00:14:10,640 --> 00:14:13,320 Speaker 5: door to Paul for a whole new group of people. 283 00:14:13,920 --> 00:14:16,240 Speaker 5: Paul went on to write over half of the New Testament. 284 00:14:16,720 --> 00:14:20,040 Speaker 5: But think about if Barnabas had not come along and 285 00:14:20,080 --> 00:14:23,120 Speaker 5: put his stamp of approval on Paul, Paul may not 286 00:14:23,160 --> 00:14:24,640 Speaker 5: have had the impact. 287 00:14:24,200 --> 00:14:24,760 Speaker 4: That he had. 288 00:14:25,360 --> 00:14:28,800 Speaker 5: But no, God always has a plan. God already had 289 00:14:28,880 --> 00:14:32,360 Speaker 5: Barnabas lined up. You may be thinking, Joel, how can 290 00:14:32,400 --> 00:14:35,600 Speaker 5: I fulfill my dreams? How can I get that promotion? Listen, 291 00:14:35,880 --> 00:14:38,160 Speaker 5: all God has to do is send to Barnabas across 292 00:14:38,200 --> 00:14:38,640 Speaker 5: your path. 293 00:14:39,120 --> 00:14:40,920 Speaker 4: He did it for Paul, he can do it for you. 294 00:14:41,560 --> 00:14:44,640 Speaker 5: Remember, all it takes is one touch of God's favor, 295 00:14:45,520 --> 00:14:48,240 Speaker 5: one person putting in the right word for you at 296 00:14:48,240 --> 00:14:50,560 Speaker 5: the right time, you'll go to a whole new level. 297 00:14:51,320 --> 00:14:54,440 Speaker 5: One person introducing you to their friend, and all of 298 00:14:54,480 --> 00:14:56,880 Speaker 5: a sudden you met the man or woman of your dreams. 299 00:14:57,320 --> 00:15:00,600 Speaker 5: Just one Barnabas coming across your path to say, hey, 300 00:15:00,840 --> 00:15:03,760 Speaker 5: let me use my influence. Now all these other doors 301 00:15:03,800 --> 00:15:06,680 Speaker 5: open up. I don't know about you, but I'm believing 302 00:15:06,800 --> 00:15:09,600 Speaker 5: for some Barnabases in my life, people that will want 303 00:15:09,600 --> 00:15:12,360 Speaker 5: to help me, people that will open up doors that 304 00:15:12,440 --> 00:15:15,880 Speaker 5: would not have normally been opened. And when God gives 305 00:15:15,880 --> 00:15:18,560 Speaker 5: you a Barnabas, when he gives you one touch of 306 00:15:18,600 --> 00:15:21,680 Speaker 5: his favor, that'll do more in a split second than 307 00:15:21,720 --> 00:15:24,200 Speaker 5: you could do in your whole lifetime. I was reading 308 00:15:24,240 --> 00:15:27,920 Speaker 5: about Billy Graham back in nineteen forty nine. He was 309 00:15:27,960 --> 00:15:32,680 Speaker 5: a young minister traveling the country holding meetings in large auditoriums. 310 00:15:33,040 --> 00:15:36,640 Speaker 5: He was having good success, but he was not nationally known. 311 00:15:37,320 --> 00:15:41,040 Speaker 5: And that summer he was conducting a crusade in Los Angeles, 312 00:15:41,440 --> 00:15:44,040 Speaker 5: and it just so happened one night there was a 313 00:15:44,080 --> 00:15:47,960 Speaker 5: gentleman in the audience by the name of William Randolph Hurst. 314 00:15:48,560 --> 00:15:50,880 Speaker 4: Mister Hurst was a newspaper Magnet. 315 00:15:51,240 --> 00:15:54,560 Speaker 5: He owned newspapers all across the country, and he was 316 00:15:54,600 --> 00:15:57,960 Speaker 5: so impressed with Billy Graham that night he sent word 317 00:15:58,000 --> 00:16:02,720 Speaker 5: to all of his newspapers to write favorable articles concerning 318 00:16:02,760 --> 00:16:06,640 Speaker 5: doctor Graham. The next week, the whole country was talking 319 00:16:06,680 --> 00:16:11,120 Speaker 5: about this young minister. Billy Graham came into national prominence 320 00:16:11,320 --> 00:16:15,720 Speaker 5: practically overnight, all because of this one man. What happened, 321 00:16:16,040 --> 00:16:20,200 Speaker 5: God sent a Barnabas across his path. That one favorable 322 00:16:20,280 --> 00:16:24,400 Speaker 5: word did more for him to gain influence and credibility 323 00:16:24,640 --> 00:16:26,480 Speaker 5: than he could have done on his own in his 324 00:16:26,560 --> 00:16:31,680 Speaker 5: whole lifetime. Understand, our destiny is connected to other people. 325 00:16:32,160 --> 00:16:35,400 Speaker 4: But the good news is God already has them lined up. 326 00:16:36,080 --> 00:16:38,960 Speaker 5: You don't have to worry, you don't have to struggle. 327 00:16:39,240 --> 00:16:42,680 Speaker 5: God has all the Barnabases you're ever gonna need. The 328 00:16:42,760 --> 00:16:45,960 Speaker 5: key is to just stay in faith, keep believing, knowing 329 00:16:46,000 --> 00:16:48,520 Speaker 5: that God has it all planned out. A few years 330 00:16:48,520 --> 00:16:51,600 Speaker 5: after Victoria and I were married, we needed some tax 331 00:16:51,680 --> 00:16:54,560 Speaker 5: at vice. The person that had been doing our taxes 332 00:16:54,600 --> 00:16:57,440 Speaker 5: lived out of state. He wasn't familiar with a certain 333 00:16:57,520 --> 00:16:59,960 Speaker 5: law in Texas, and it looked like we may owe 334 00:17:00,160 --> 00:17:01,880 Speaker 5: some back taxes, and we. 335 00:17:01,760 --> 00:17:04,399 Speaker 4: Were so discouraged. We were a young couple. 336 00:17:04,520 --> 00:17:07,160 Speaker 5: It was Christmas time and we didn't know what to do. 337 00:17:07,840 --> 00:17:11,679 Speaker 5: Long story short, we came across this tax attorney and 338 00:17:11,720 --> 00:17:14,679 Speaker 5: we just hit it off. He was a very good man, 339 00:17:14,880 --> 00:17:17,719 Speaker 5: not only knowledgeable, but he was fun to be around. 340 00:17:18,119 --> 00:17:21,199 Speaker 5: We ended up becoming close friends. He took care of 341 00:17:21,200 --> 00:17:24,320 Speaker 5: that situation and it ended up working out to our favor, 342 00:17:24,760 --> 00:17:27,359 Speaker 5: and over the next few years we didn't talk to 343 00:17:27,440 --> 00:17:30,480 Speaker 5: him that often, maybe once or twice a year, but 344 00:17:30,600 --> 00:17:33,280 Speaker 5: every time we did it was like old times, like 345 00:17:33,320 --> 00:17:34,560 Speaker 5: we'd been together forever. 346 00:17:35,119 --> 00:17:35,280 Speaker 4: Well. 347 00:17:35,320 --> 00:17:39,000 Speaker 5: Several years after that, a once in a lifetime business 348 00:17:39,000 --> 00:17:42,480 Speaker 5: opportunity came across our path, and Victoria and I knew 349 00:17:42,520 --> 00:17:45,080 Speaker 5: we wanted to pursue it, but we didn't even know 350 00:17:45,119 --> 00:17:48,320 Speaker 5: where to start. So we just called our old friend, 351 00:17:48,680 --> 00:17:51,600 Speaker 5: this tax attorney, and even though it wasn't in his. 352 00:17:51,600 --> 00:17:54,280 Speaker 4: Field, he said, sure, Joel, I'll help you. And he 353 00:17:54,359 --> 00:17:55,160 Speaker 4: took that deal. 354 00:17:55,400 --> 00:17:59,800 Speaker 5: He negotiated it, wrote the contracts, convinced all the different parties. 355 00:18:00,119 --> 00:18:01,679 Speaker 4: Before long, it all came together. 356 00:18:02,640 --> 00:18:06,360 Speaker 5: I know now looking back, that man was a divine connection. 357 00:18:07,160 --> 00:18:10,760 Speaker 5: God brought him into our lives several years earlier, just 358 00:18:10,800 --> 00:18:13,959 Speaker 5: so we could develop that relationship with him. Had we 359 00:18:14,040 --> 00:18:16,840 Speaker 5: not been familiar with him, had we not known that 360 00:18:16,880 --> 00:18:19,480 Speaker 5: we could trust him, I don't think this other deal 361 00:18:19,520 --> 00:18:20,679 Speaker 5: would have ever come together. 362 00:18:21,480 --> 00:18:24,480 Speaker 4: The truth is God used the tax issue. 363 00:18:24,200 --> 00:18:26,880 Speaker 5: To get him into our life. If we'd never had 364 00:18:26,920 --> 00:18:30,240 Speaker 5: that problem, we would have never met that man. What 365 00:18:30,280 --> 00:18:34,600 Speaker 5: I'm saying is, sometimes when it looks negative, sometimes what 366 00:18:34,720 --> 00:18:37,960 Speaker 5: looks like a disappointment is really God just getting you 367 00:18:38,040 --> 00:18:41,199 Speaker 5: prepared for what He has in store. You may not 368 00:18:41,240 --> 00:18:43,119 Speaker 5: see how it's going to work out right now, but 369 00:18:43,200 --> 00:18:45,680 Speaker 5: if you'll stay in faith, I believe. 370 00:18:45,440 --> 00:18:46,640 Speaker 4: God will turn it around. 371 00:18:47,000 --> 00:18:50,080 Speaker 5: He will still use that to your advantage. Now I'm 372 00:18:50,119 --> 00:18:53,359 Speaker 5: asking you today to believe that God is in control 373 00:18:53,440 --> 00:18:56,160 Speaker 5: of your life. Believe that He's going to bring. 374 00:18:56,000 --> 00:18:58,000 Speaker 4: The right people at the right time. 375 00:18:58,680 --> 00:19:01,560 Speaker 5: And even when it looks like a disappointment, even when 376 00:19:01,560 --> 00:19:05,600 Speaker 5: your plans didn't work out, remember God is still directing 377 00:19:05,640 --> 00:19:08,919 Speaker 5: your steps. You don't know who you're gonna meet like 378 00:19:08,960 --> 00:19:11,280 Speaker 5: we did. That's gonna help you years down the road. 379 00:19:11,720 --> 00:19:12,600 Speaker 4: Just stay in faith. 380 00:19:13,359 --> 00:19:15,399 Speaker 5: And I know some of you today are single and 381 00:19:15,680 --> 00:19:17,800 Speaker 5: you have a desire to get married. Let me just 382 00:19:17,920 --> 00:19:21,920 Speaker 5: encourage you again. God already has the right person picked out. 383 00:19:22,720 --> 00:19:25,560 Speaker 5: You may be divorced, or maybe you're a widow, and 384 00:19:25,720 --> 00:19:28,040 Speaker 5: you tempted to think, oh, Joel, it's too late for me, 385 00:19:28,119 --> 00:19:31,600 Speaker 5: I'll never meet anybody. No, God still has a plan. 386 00:19:32,200 --> 00:19:35,600 Speaker 5: God is concerned about you. God's the one that said 387 00:19:35,920 --> 00:19:37,080 Speaker 5: it's not good. 388 00:19:37,240 --> 00:19:39,680 Speaker 4: For a man or a woman to be alone. 389 00:19:40,080 --> 00:19:43,000 Speaker 5: God doesn't want you to go through life lonely. You 390 00:19:43,040 --> 00:19:45,160 Speaker 5: may have been divorced, or maybe you even. 391 00:19:44,960 --> 00:19:46,000 Speaker 4: Lost your spouse. 392 00:19:46,600 --> 00:19:50,000 Speaker 5: But if you have a desire to meet someone, God 393 00:19:50,080 --> 00:19:52,600 Speaker 5: put that in your heart and he wants to bring 394 00:19:52,680 --> 00:19:55,920 Speaker 5: the right person into your life. You may not see 395 00:19:55,920 --> 00:19:58,240 Speaker 5: how it's gonna happen. But let me challenge you to 396 00:19:58,359 --> 00:20:01,600 Speaker 5: just keep standing in faith. You've heard me tell how 397 00:20:01,640 --> 00:20:05,280 Speaker 5: I met Victoria. I walked into her mother's jewelry store 398 00:20:05,400 --> 00:20:08,000 Speaker 5: to buy a battery for my watch. Think of the 399 00:20:08,080 --> 00:20:11,840 Speaker 5: chances of that. There are hundreds of jewelry stores in Houston. Men, 400 00:20:11,920 --> 00:20:17,080 Speaker 5: Victoria must have really been praying. I'm trying to figure 401 00:20:17,119 --> 00:20:19,560 Speaker 5: out was I her divine connection or was she my 402 00:20:19,640 --> 00:20:25,280 Speaker 5: divine connection? But seriously, I know that was not a coincidence. 403 00:20:25,480 --> 00:20:29,679 Speaker 5: That was God directing my steps. When you stay in faith, 404 00:20:29,960 --> 00:20:31,959 Speaker 5: God will cause you to be at the right place 405 00:20:32,040 --> 00:20:34,679 Speaker 5: at the right time. I think of the story of 406 00:20:34,760 --> 00:20:37,800 Speaker 5: Ruth in the Bible. She was a widow, she lost 407 00:20:37,880 --> 00:20:41,360 Speaker 5: her husband in a battle. I'm sure she was discouraged. 408 00:20:41,720 --> 00:20:43,720 Speaker 5: I'm sure at times she didn't think she'd ever get 409 00:20:43,760 --> 00:20:47,840 Speaker 5: married again. But do you know God was concerned about Ruth. 410 00:20:48,240 --> 00:20:51,280 Speaker 5: His plan for her did not end just because something 411 00:20:51,440 --> 00:20:56,200 Speaker 5: unfortunate happened. God brought another man into Ruth's life. Wasn't 412 00:20:56,240 --> 00:21:00,800 Speaker 5: just anybody. His name was Boaz. He was a leader 413 00:21:00,880 --> 00:21:04,720 Speaker 5: in his community. He was kind and generous. He was 414 00:21:04,840 --> 00:21:06,359 Speaker 5: wealthy and good looking. 415 00:21:07,119 --> 00:21:07,600 Speaker 4: Some of you. 416 00:21:07,600 --> 00:21:10,359 Speaker 5: Today, you may be a widow, or maybe you've been 417 00:21:10,400 --> 00:21:12,639 Speaker 5: through a divorce and you're thinking, Ah, too bad for me. 418 00:21:12,920 --> 00:21:15,800 Speaker 4: But let me tell you God has another Boaz out there. 419 00:21:16,040 --> 00:21:17,440 Speaker 4: You've got to get your hopes up. 420 00:21:17,800 --> 00:21:20,560 Speaker 5: You get up every morning and say, Father, I want 421 00:21:20,560 --> 00:21:23,840 Speaker 5: to thank you for bringing me divine connections, just like 422 00:21:23,880 --> 00:21:26,399 Speaker 5: you did for Ruth. I believe you can cause me 423 00:21:26,680 --> 00:21:28,920 Speaker 5: to be at the right place at the right time. 424 00:21:29,359 --> 00:21:32,040 Speaker 5: I was reading an article about a lady that lost 425 00:21:32,080 --> 00:21:35,080 Speaker 5: her husband in the war. This was many years ago. 426 00:21:35,560 --> 00:21:38,920 Speaker 5: She had a three year old son, grieving and lonely. 427 00:21:39,240 --> 00:21:42,720 Speaker 5: She moved back to her hometown, and she was doing okay, 428 00:21:43,000 --> 00:21:46,240 Speaker 5: but it was especially difficult during the holidays. In this 429 00:21:46,280 --> 00:21:50,640 Speaker 5: one particular Christmas, she saw an unusual ad in the newspaper. 430 00:21:51,160 --> 00:21:55,000 Speaker 5: It said, would anyone with a small son be willing 431 00:21:55,119 --> 00:21:57,840 Speaker 5: to come to Christmas dinner with my mother and me? 432 00:21:58,640 --> 00:22:02,199 Speaker 5: That ad really touched the lady's heart. After debating it 433 00:22:02,280 --> 00:22:05,840 Speaker 5: for several days, she finally called and accepted the invitation. 434 00:22:06,640 --> 00:22:07,800 Speaker 4: This man and his. 435 00:22:07,720 --> 00:22:10,480 Speaker 5: Mother were so good to her little boy. They gave 436 00:22:10,520 --> 00:22:13,120 Speaker 5: him all kinds of gifts, treated him like a king. 437 00:22:13,800 --> 00:22:17,200 Speaker 5: What this lady did not know was earlier that year 438 00:22:17,600 --> 00:22:20,840 Speaker 5: that man had lost his wife and his young son 439 00:22:21,240 --> 00:22:25,439 Speaker 5: in an automobile accident. He too was a widower. The 440 00:22:25,520 --> 00:22:28,520 Speaker 5: lady told how that was one of the most memorable 441 00:22:28,600 --> 00:22:33,120 Speaker 5: Christmases she had ever spent together. That day, those two 442 00:22:33,119 --> 00:22:37,280 Speaker 5: broken families came together and experienced a happiness they thought 443 00:22:37,280 --> 00:22:38,200 Speaker 5: would never return. 444 00:22:38,840 --> 00:22:39,240 Speaker 4: She said. 445 00:22:39,240 --> 00:22:42,040 Speaker 5: The best part was the joy was hers to keep. 446 00:22:42,640 --> 00:22:44,720 Speaker 5: You see, a few months later the man that wrote 447 00:22:44,760 --> 00:22:48,160 Speaker 5: the ad he became her husband. God brought the two 448 00:22:48,200 --> 00:22:52,520 Speaker 5: families together, And no matter where you are, no matter 449 00:22:52,640 --> 00:22:56,040 Speaker 5: what you've been through, God always has the right people. 450 00:22:56,320 --> 00:22:58,840 Speaker 5: For the right time in your life, whether you need 451 00:22:58,840 --> 00:23:01,800 Speaker 5: a spouse, whether you need a friend, whether you need 452 00:23:01,800 --> 00:23:06,679 Speaker 5: a barnabas. God is in control. Start believing. Thank him 453 00:23:06,720 --> 00:23:09,439 Speaker 5: every day for divine connections. Thank him that He's going 454 00:23:09,520 --> 00:23:12,080 Speaker 5: to cause you to be at the right place at 455 00:23:12,119 --> 00:23:15,719 Speaker 5: the right time. Tewod King's chapter five, there's the story 456 00:23:15,760 --> 00:23:20,120 Speaker 5: of Naeman. He was a very well respected and influential man. 457 00:23:20,320 --> 00:23:24,080 Speaker 5: He was a captain in the army. But Naemen had leprosy. 458 00:23:24,600 --> 00:23:28,159 Speaker 5: He couldn't fulfill his dreams with that disease. Do you 459 00:23:28,200 --> 00:23:31,600 Speaker 5: know who God used? You know who his divine connection was? 460 00:23:32,240 --> 00:23:35,720 Speaker 5: One of his servants, just a young maid that helped 461 00:23:35,720 --> 00:23:39,159 Speaker 5: take care of his house. She said, Naeman, if you'll go, 462 00:23:39,240 --> 00:23:42,840 Speaker 5: let the prophet Elisha pray for you, I know you'll 463 00:23:42,880 --> 00:23:46,520 Speaker 5: be healed. It was that one word that turned Naeman's 464 00:23:46,560 --> 00:23:51,000 Speaker 5: life around. What's my point. Don't overlook the so called 465 00:23:51,600 --> 00:23:54,160 Speaker 5: insignificant people in your life, the. 466 00:23:54,119 --> 00:23:56,320 Speaker 4: People you may kind of think are not that important. 467 00:23:56,520 --> 00:23:57,800 Speaker 4: Oh he's just a student. 468 00:23:58,119 --> 00:24:01,320 Speaker 5: He just mows the lawns, She just cleaned the house. Listen, 469 00:24:01,400 --> 00:24:05,040 Speaker 5: anybody can be a divine connection. Doesn't matter their position, 470 00:24:05,440 --> 00:24:08,440 Speaker 5: doesn't matter, their social standing, color of their skin. 471 00:24:09,000 --> 00:24:12,159 Speaker 4: God uses every person. I know. 472 00:24:12,280 --> 00:24:15,080 Speaker 5: The other day, I was leaving the offices and it 473 00:24:15,119 --> 00:24:18,080 Speaker 5: had been one of those days where everything that could go. 474 00:24:18,119 --> 00:24:20,680 Speaker 4: Wrong dead and I was kind of tired. 475 00:24:20,359 --> 00:24:23,840 Speaker 5: And frustrated and even tempted to be a little discouraged. 476 00:24:24,240 --> 00:24:26,600 Speaker 5: And where I park, I noticed a member of our 477 00:24:26,640 --> 00:24:29,920 Speaker 5: maintenance staff, part of the cleaning crew. I don't think 478 00:24:29,960 --> 00:24:32,320 Speaker 5: i'd ever seen this young man before, but he was 479 00:24:32,359 --> 00:24:35,119 Speaker 5: wearing one of our uniforms, and I just said hello 480 00:24:35,240 --> 00:24:38,199 Speaker 5: and smiled and walked on. A few seconds later, I 481 00:24:38,240 --> 00:24:40,960 Speaker 5: saw him coming toward the car, and in the most 482 00:24:41,000 --> 00:24:43,480 Speaker 5: sincere way you could imagine, he said. 483 00:24:43,359 --> 00:24:45,080 Speaker 4: Joel, I've been wanting to meet you. 484 00:24:45,400 --> 00:24:48,119 Speaker 5: I just want to tell you how much I appreciate 485 00:24:48,240 --> 00:24:51,600 Speaker 5: you helping to change my life. Had big tears coming 486 00:24:51,680 --> 00:24:53,920 Speaker 5: on the side of his face, and I thought, that's 487 00:24:54,119 --> 00:24:57,159 Speaker 5: exactly what I needed to hear that day. I knew 488 00:24:57,400 --> 00:25:00,879 Speaker 5: that was a divine connection, just like na and God 489 00:25:00,920 --> 00:25:03,760 Speaker 5: sent the right person at the right time to give 490 00:25:03,800 --> 00:25:07,200 Speaker 5: me an encouraging word. And you cannot let the seemingly 491 00:25:08,200 --> 00:25:12,800 Speaker 5: insignificance of someone's position fool you, because God can use anybody. 492 00:25:13,119 --> 00:25:15,320 Speaker 5: If Naemon would have been too proud, he might have 493 00:25:15,359 --> 00:25:18,160 Speaker 5: missed out on his miracle. If I'd been too busy, 494 00:25:18,720 --> 00:25:21,080 Speaker 5: too high minded, I might have missed out. 495 00:25:20,920 --> 00:25:23,520 Speaker 4: On that encouraging word. That was a divine connection. 496 00:25:24,359 --> 00:25:27,200 Speaker 5: Another important key is if you want God to give 497 00:25:27,240 --> 00:25:30,360 Speaker 5: you divine connections, you have to be a divine connection. 498 00:25:31,080 --> 00:25:33,960 Speaker 5: In other words, take time for people, show them that 499 00:25:34,040 --> 00:25:37,320 Speaker 5: you care, be willing to meet a need, put in 500 00:25:37,400 --> 00:25:39,880 Speaker 5: a good word for someone whenever you can. 501 00:25:40,760 --> 00:25:42,160 Speaker 4: I mentioned Ruth earlier. 502 00:25:42,800 --> 00:25:46,000 Speaker 5: I believe one reason God showed his favor and said 503 00:25:46,119 --> 00:25:50,760 Speaker 5: Boaz was because Ruth was good to her mother in law, Naomi. 504 00:25:51,440 --> 00:25:53,680 Speaker 4: She too was a widow, and when. 505 00:25:53,560 --> 00:25:56,640 Speaker 5: Ruth's husband died, she could easily just bolt and move 506 00:25:56,680 --> 00:25:59,960 Speaker 5: back home, but Ruth decided to stay there with me 507 00:26:00,119 --> 00:26:03,280 Speaker 5: Naomi and help take care of her. See, she sowed 508 00:26:03,320 --> 00:26:06,880 Speaker 5: a seed by being a divine connection, and God used 509 00:26:06,920 --> 00:26:10,280 Speaker 5: that seed to bring a divine connection into her own life. 510 00:26:10,760 --> 00:26:13,520 Speaker 5: A few weeks ago, Victoria was calling a friend. 511 00:26:13,240 --> 00:26:14,440 Speaker 4: Of ours named Shannon. 512 00:26:15,000 --> 00:26:17,439 Speaker 5: She died the number and this young lady answered the 513 00:26:17,480 --> 00:26:21,960 Speaker 5: phone and seemed somewhat disturbed. Victoria said, Shannon, is this you? 514 00:26:22,680 --> 00:26:25,439 Speaker 5: And she said kind of muffled, yes, it's me. And 515 00:26:25,480 --> 00:26:28,199 Speaker 5: I'm going to be okay. You could tell she had 516 00:26:28,240 --> 00:26:31,680 Speaker 5: been crying. Victoria was kind of confused. She said, is 517 00:26:31,720 --> 00:26:34,040 Speaker 5: this Shannon so and so and called her last name. 518 00:26:34,480 --> 00:26:37,000 Speaker 5: The young lady said, no, this is a different Shannon. 519 00:26:37,040 --> 00:26:38,320 Speaker 4: You must have the wrong number. 520 00:26:39,000 --> 00:26:41,800 Speaker 5: And just as Victoria was about to hang up, something 521 00:26:41,840 --> 00:26:44,199 Speaker 5: said to her, right down and here, you need to 522 00:26:44,240 --> 00:26:47,719 Speaker 5: pray for this young lady here. Victoria didn't know her 523 00:26:47,720 --> 00:26:49,840 Speaker 5: from Adam. She could have thought, I'm not going to 524 00:26:49,880 --> 00:26:52,879 Speaker 5: get involved in her personal business. No, she followed that 525 00:26:53,000 --> 00:26:56,359 Speaker 5: still small voice, and she said, Shannon, I know you 526 00:26:56,440 --> 00:26:59,119 Speaker 5: don't know me, but would you allow me to pray 527 00:26:59,160 --> 00:27:02,800 Speaker 5: for you? The girl began to weep and weep. She said, 528 00:27:02,800 --> 00:27:03,760 Speaker 5: oh yes, please. 529 00:27:04,040 --> 00:27:07,240 Speaker 4: My father just died and I'm so depressed. I don't 530 00:27:07,280 --> 00:27:08,119 Speaker 4: know what I'm. 531 00:27:08,000 --> 00:27:08,359 Speaker 1: Going to do. 532 00:27:09,160 --> 00:27:12,760 Speaker 5: Victoria poured her heart of compassion into her, encouraged her, 533 00:27:12,840 --> 00:27:15,520 Speaker 5: let her know that God was still in control. Just 534 00:27:15,560 --> 00:27:18,440 Speaker 5: before the young lady hung up, she said, Victoria, you're 535 00:27:18,480 --> 00:27:21,760 Speaker 5: my angel. I know now God still has a divine 536 00:27:21,800 --> 00:27:27,000 Speaker 5: plan for my life. There was another divine connection. See, 537 00:27:27,040 --> 00:27:31,159 Speaker 5: God already has the people to encourage you, the people 538 00:27:31,200 --> 00:27:34,080 Speaker 5: to keep you filled with hope. But what if Victoria 539 00:27:34,119 --> 00:27:37,080 Speaker 5: would have been not sensitive and too busy and just 540 00:27:37,160 --> 00:27:37,960 Speaker 5: hung up the phone. 541 00:27:38,240 --> 00:27:41,280 Speaker 4: You'll pay attention to the people around you. Live with 542 00:27:41,359 --> 00:27:45,240 Speaker 4: the attitude who can I bless today? Who can I encourage? 543 00:27:45,359 --> 00:27:46,880 Speaker 4: Where is a need I can meet? 544 00:27:47,480 --> 00:27:50,720 Speaker 5: If you will sow acede by being a divine connection, 545 00:27:51,040 --> 00:27:55,040 Speaker 5: you can rest assured God will always bring you divine connections, 546 00:27:55,640 --> 00:27:56,119 Speaker 5: no doubt. 547 00:27:56,160 --> 00:27:56,880 Speaker 4: Every one of. 548 00:27:56,840 --> 00:27:59,240 Speaker 5: You can look back over your life like I did 549 00:28:00,200 --> 00:28:03,360 Speaker 5: things that had to be the hand of God. Somebody 550 00:28:03,760 --> 00:28:06,719 Speaker 5: introduced you to your spouse, You met somebody and they 551 00:28:06,760 --> 00:28:09,399 Speaker 5: opened the door, gave you a new position, gave you 552 00:28:09,440 --> 00:28:10,080 Speaker 5: that job. 553 00:28:10,720 --> 00:28:13,040 Speaker 4: That had to be God working in your life. 554 00:28:13,520 --> 00:28:15,280 Speaker 5: And if he did it for you in the past, 555 00:28:15,400 --> 00:28:18,040 Speaker 5: he'll do it for you in the future. He's already 556 00:28:18,080 --> 00:28:21,200 Speaker 5: got the people you need lined up. Stay in faith, 557 00:28:21,640 --> 00:28:24,800 Speaker 5: get up every morning and thank him for divine connections. 558 00:28:25,119 --> 00:28:26,679 Speaker 4: Don't try to force things to happen. 559 00:28:27,000 --> 00:28:29,840 Speaker 5: Just believe he's gonna bring the right people into your life. 560 00:28:30,000 --> 00:28:32,800 Speaker 5: And know this, He's got a Barnabas when you need 561 00:28:32,880 --> 00:28:35,960 Speaker 5: a good break. He's got a bo As when you 562 00:28:36,000 --> 00:28:38,360 Speaker 5: need a spouse or a friend. And he's got a 563 00:28:38,400 --> 00:28:41,959 Speaker 5: servant girl when you did advice or a word of encouragement. 564 00:28:42,080 --> 00:28:44,600 Speaker 5: Why don't you believe God's in control of your life? 565 00:28:44,840 --> 00:28:46,720 Speaker 5: If you'll just keep doing your best day in and 566 00:28:46,800 --> 00:28:49,880 Speaker 5: day out, God's promise He's gonna give you divine connections. 567 00:28:50,000 --> 00:28:52,320 Speaker 5: He'll bring the right people for the right time in 568 00:28:52,360 --> 00:28:54,640 Speaker 5: your life. And I know you're gonna live that life 569 00:28:54,680 --> 00:28:56,320 Speaker 5: of victory he has in story. 570 00:28:56,360 --> 00:28:56,680 Speaker 4: Amen. 571 00:28:58,280 --> 00:29:01,200 Speaker 5: We never like to close our broadcast without giving you 572 00:29:01,240 --> 00:29:04,240 Speaker 5: an opportunity to make Jesus the lord of your life. 573 00:29:04,480 --> 00:29:09,000 Speaker 4: Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus, I 574 00:29:09,160 --> 00:29:14,120 Speaker 4: repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I make 575 00:29:14,160 --> 00:29:15,320 Speaker 4: you my Lord and savior. 576 00:29:16,320 --> 00:29:18,840 Speaker 5: Friends, if you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you 577 00:29:18,880 --> 00:29:21,880 Speaker 5: got born again. Get in a good Bible based church, 578 00:29:22,280 --> 00:29:25,280 Speaker 5: keep God first place. He's gonna take your places that 579 00:29:25,360 --> 00:29:26,280 Speaker 5: you've never dreamed of. 580 00:29:26,520 --> 00:29:29,400 Speaker 6: Thank you for listening to the joel OUs Deine podcast. 581 00:29:29,720 --> 00:29:32,360 Speaker 6: Help us continue to share the message of hope with 582 00:29:32,480 --> 00:29:36,440 Speaker 6: those all over the world. Visit Joeloustine dot com slash 583 00:29:36,520 --> 00:29:38,520 Speaker 6: give Hope to give a gift today. 584 00:29:39,800 --> 00:29:42,240 Speaker 4: Thanks so much for listening to today's message. 585 00:29:42,360 --> 00:29:45,120 Speaker 5: I hope you'll subscribe so you can receive the latest 586 00:29:45,160 --> 00:29:46,600 Speaker 5: podcast to keep. 587 00:29:46,440 --> 00:29:49,400 Speaker 4: You inspired all through the week. We're praying for you. 588 00:29:49,560 --> 00:29:52,040 Speaker 4: I know God's best is still ahead. We'll see you 589 00:29:52,080 --> 00:29:52,680 Speaker 4: next time. 590 00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:00,040 Speaker 5: S