1 00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:03,440 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks so much for 2 00:00:03,560 --> 00:00:06,520 Speaker 1: listening to the podcast. Twenty twenty four is going to 3 00:00:06,559 --> 00:00:09,000 Speaker 1: be an amazing year for you and your family though 4 00:00:09,000 --> 00:00:10,320 Speaker 1: that we're praying for you, so. 5 00:00:10,360 --> 00:00:13,400 Speaker 2: Get ready, keep your expectations up. It's going to be 6 00:00:13,480 --> 00:00:18,279 Speaker 2: a great year. Hope you enjoyed today's message. God bless you. 7 00:00:18,880 --> 00:00:21,360 Speaker 1: It's always a joy to come into your homes, and 8 00:00:21,680 --> 00:00:24,200 Speaker 1: if you're ever in our area, please stop buying. 9 00:00:24,360 --> 00:00:25,919 Speaker 2: Be a part of one of our services. 10 00:00:26,120 --> 00:00:28,880 Speaker 1: These are the finest people in all of Houston, Texas, 11 00:00:29,000 --> 00:00:31,680 Speaker 1: right here at Lakewood Church, so come out and be 12 00:00:31,720 --> 00:00:32,000 Speaker 1: a part. 13 00:00:32,080 --> 00:00:34,920 Speaker 2: But thanks for tuning in. Thank you again for coming out. 14 00:00:35,479 --> 00:00:37,720 Speaker 1: I like to start with something funny, and I heard 15 00:00:37,760 --> 00:00:39,600 Speaker 1: about this group of elderly ladies. 16 00:00:40,000 --> 00:00:41,720 Speaker 2: They were way up in their eighties. 17 00:00:42,200 --> 00:00:45,320 Speaker 1: As they were driving down the freeway together, they got 18 00:00:45,320 --> 00:00:46,080 Speaker 1: pulled over. 19 00:00:46,080 --> 00:00:47,159 Speaker 2: By a police officer. 20 00:00:47,600 --> 00:00:50,640 Speaker 1: The officer said to the driver, ma'am, do you realize 21 00:00:50,680 --> 00:00:54,680 Speaker 1: you're only going thirty five miles an hour? She said, yes, Officer, 22 00:00:54,720 --> 00:00:55,600 Speaker 1: I do realize that. 23 00:00:56,040 --> 00:00:57,000 Speaker 2: He said, well, why are you. 24 00:00:56,960 --> 00:01:00,600 Speaker 1: Going so slow? She said, The sign says thirty five. 25 00:01:01,160 --> 00:01:03,920 Speaker 1: The officer kind of laughed. He said no, ma'am, that's 26 00:01:03,960 --> 00:01:05,200 Speaker 1: the number of the freeway. 27 00:01:05,319 --> 00:01:06,800 Speaker 2: This is Highway thirty five. 28 00:01:07,959 --> 00:01:10,280 Speaker 1: By the way, why are these other ladies in your 29 00:01:10,319 --> 00:01:14,040 Speaker 1: car so terrified looking? She smiled and said, because we 30 00:01:14,200 --> 00:01:19,040 Speaker 1: just got off Highway ninety five. Hold up your Bible. 31 00:01:19,640 --> 00:01:22,360 Speaker 1: Say it like you mean it. This is my Bible. 32 00:01:22,720 --> 00:01:23,680 Speaker 1: I am what it says. 33 00:01:23,680 --> 00:01:24,000 Speaker 2: I am. 34 00:01:24,480 --> 00:01:26,760 Speaker 1: I have what it says I have. I can do 35 00:01:26,840 --> 00:01:29,240 Speaker 1: what it says I can do. Today I will be 36 00:01:29,319 --> 00:01:32,959 Speaker 1: taught the word of God. I boldly confess. My mind 37 00:01:33,040 --> 00:01:36,240 Speaker 1: is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never be 38 00:01:36,360 --> 00:01:41,319 Speaker 1: the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. I want 39 00:01:41,360 --> 00:01:44,600 Speaker 1: to talk to you today about making God a part 40 00:01:44,720 --> 00:01:48,640 Speaker 1: of your everyday life. God wants to help you, not 41 00:01:49,080 --> 00:01:51,920 Speaker 1: just in the big things. God wants to help you 42 00:01:52,120 --> 00:01:56,040 Speaker 1: cooking dinner, driving into traffic. He wants to help you 43 00:01:56,080 --> 00:01:59,560 Speaker 1: with your schoolwork, help you be more productive at the office. 44 00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:00,600 Speaker 2: Here's the key. 45 00:02:00,720 --> 00:02:03,720 Speaker 1: God will only be involved in as much of your. 46 00:02:03,640 --> 00:02:05,320 Speaker 2: Life as you allow him to. 47 00:02:06,040 --> 00:02:08,320 Speaker 1: Now, a lot of people have God in a Sunday 48 00:02:08,360 --> 00:02:11,880 Speaker 1: morning box. That's when they come to church, pray, think 49 00:02:11,919 --> 00:02:15,120 Speaker 1: about God. Then they go out during the week and 50 00:02:15,160 --> 00:02:17,120 Speaker 1: they don't really include. 51 00:02:16,720 --> 00:02:18,040 Speaker 2: God in their life. 52 00:02:18,240 --> 00:02:21,919 Speaker 1: They love God, they reverence him, but they think there's 53 00:02:21,919 --> 00:02:25,799 Speaker 1: nothing spiritual about going to the grocery store, cooking dinner, 54 00:02:25,960 --> 00:02:29,240 Speaker 1: or meeting with a client. Because they keep God in 55 00:02:29,280 --> 00:02:32,600 Speaker 1: this box, they're missing the blessings in favor that God 56 00:02:32,639 --> 00:02:37,120 Speaker 1: wants to give them. Proverbs three to six says, acknowledge 57 00:02:37,200 --> 00:02:41,560 Speaker 1: God in all of your ways, not some of your ways, 58 00:02:42,040 --> 00:02:46,040 Speaker 1: not just the big things. If you'll start acknowledging God 59 00:02:46,160 --> 00:02:49,160 Speaker 1: in all of your ways, he will crown your efforts 60 00:02:49,160 --> 00:02:53,880 Speaker 1: with success. One way to acknowledge God is simply ask 61 00:02:54,200 --> 00:02:57,239 Speaker 1: for his health on the way to the grocery store 62 00:02:57,520 --> 00:03:00,160 Speaker 1: under your breath, God, help me to find what I'm 63 00:03:00,200 --> 00:03:03,640 Speaker 1: looking for. Help this to be a productive trip. That's 64 00:03:03,720 --> 00:03:07,840 Speaker 1: acknowledging God. You're saying, in effect, God, I need you, 65 00:03:08,400 --> 00:03:13,079 Speaker 1: I want you in my life. That simple acknowledgment allows 66 00:03:13,120 --> 00:03:17,000 Speaker 1: the creator of the universe to direct your steps. God 67 00:03:17,040 --> 00:03:19,320 Speaker 1: will help you find what you may not have found. 68 00:03:19,800 --> 00:03:22,560 Speaker 1: He'll put you at the right place at the right time. 69 00:03:23,200 --> 00:03:26,200 Speaker 1: And sure, you can do this without God's help. You 70 00:03:26,280 --> 00:03:29,160 Speaker 1: can do it in your own strength. But life will 71 00:03:29,160 --> 00:03:33,280 Speaker 1: go so much better. There will be less frustration, You'll 72 00:03:33,320 --> 00:03:37,640 Speaker 1: accomplish more when you develop this habit of acknowledging God. 73 00:03:38,560 --> 00:03:41,120 Speaker 1: When you acknowledge God, he breathes his. 74 00:03:41,240 --> 00:03:43,080 Speaker 2: Favor on your life. 75 00:03:43,280 --> 00:03:47,000 Speaker 1: You'll come into an anointing of ease. What should have 76 00:03:47,000 --> 00:03:50,720 Speaker 1: been a struggle won't be a struggle. That's God crowning 77 00:03:50,800 --> 00:03:52,360 Speaker 1: your efforts with success. 78 00:03:52,800 --> 00:03:56,080 Speaker 2: And it doesn't have to be some long drawn out thing. 79 00:03:56,440 --> 00:03:59,440 Speaker 1: Brushing your teeth in the morning, Lord, thank you for 80 00:03:59,480 --> 00:04:00,640 Speaker 1: another bu utiful day. 81 00:04:00,840 --> 00:04:02,120 Speaker 2: You just acknowledge God. 82 00:04:02,960 --> 00:04:05,800 Speaker 1: Driving into traffic, Lord, thank you for a safe trip. 83 00:04:06,200 --> 00:04:07,440 Speaker 2: That's acknowledging God. 84 00:04:08,160 --> 00:04:11,800 Speaker 1: Before you go into the restaurant, under your breath, God, 85 00:04:11,880 --> 00:04:13,280 Speaker 1: help us to have a good dinner. 86 00:04:13,760 --> 00:04:15,120 Speaker 2: Bless this time together. 87 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:20,280 Speaker 1: When God sees you showing your dependency on Him like that, 88 00:04:20,760 --> 00:04:24,040 Speaker 1: relying on Him in your everyday life, that's what will 89 00:04:24,080 --> 00:04:27,279 Speaker 1: cause Him to make your life easier. Well, Joel, I 90 00:04:27,279 --> 00:04:30,400 Speaker 1: don't think I need to pray about that, something so small, 91 00:04:30,640 --> 00:04:31,560 Speaker 1: so routine. 92 00:04:31,800 --> 00:04:32,680 Speaker 2: You don't have to. 93 00:04:33,400 --> 00:04:36,000 Speaker 1: But if you want God to help you, if you 94 00:04:36,040 --> 00:04:39,240 Speaker 1: want him to direct your steps and cause things to 95 00:04:39,320 --> 00:04:42,880 Speaker 1: fall into place, you have to invite Him into. 96 00:04:42,680 --> 00:04:44,679 Speaker 2: Your everyday life. 97 00:04:44,800 --> 00:04:48,000 Speaker 1: Years ago, I was in another city, leaving a hotel 98 00:04:48,120 --> 00:04:50,799 Speaker 1: room early in the morning, and I had a large 99 00:04:50,800 --> 00:04:54,120 Speaker 1: suitcase and a big binder under this arm, and a 100 00:04:54,160 --> 00:04:55,280 Speaker 1: heavy suit bag. 101 00:04:55,120 --> 00:04:56,640 Speaker 2: And my computer under this arm. 102 00:04:57,200 --> 00:05:00,040 Speaker 1: And normally we travel together as a team, but this 103 00:05:00,400 --> 00:05:03,279 Speaker 1: I was coming down by myself, and I was making 104 00:05:03,320 --> 00:05:06,240 Speaker 1: it okay. But it was a struggle to carry all 105 00:05:06,279 --> 00:05:08,920 Speaker 1: the luggage, and plus I was running a little late. 106 00:05:09,800 --> 00:05:12,479 Speaker 1: Under my breath, I was doing what I'm asking you 107 00:05:12,560 --> 00:05:15,760 Speaker 1: to do, thanking God for the day and thanking him 108 00:05:15,839 --> 00:05:18,120 Speaker 1: for a safe trip home, thanking him that it would 109 00:05:18,160 --> 00:05:23,719 Speaker 1: all work out. Nothing deep, nothing complicated, just acknowledging God, 110 00:05:24,160 --> 00:05:27,520 Speaker 1: making him a part of my everyday life. And about 111 00:05:27,760 --> 00:05:31,039 Speaker 1: halfway down the hallway, a young man that worked for 112 00:05:31,080 --> 00:05:34,960 Speaker 1: the hotel showed up out of nowhere and said, let 113 00:05:34,960 --> 00:05:38,000 Speaker 1: me carry those bags. He didn't take part of them, 114 00:05:38,240 --> 00:05:41,240 Speaker 1: he took all of them. He wouldn't let me carry anything. 115 00:05:41,960 --> 00:05:44,520 Speaker 1: We got down to the elevator. There's a bunch of 116 00:05:44,560 --> 00:05:47,839 Speaker 1: people waiting. Looked like a big sports group. He said, 117 00:05:47,880 --> 00:05:51,160 Speaker 1: come with me. He took me to a service elevator. 118 00:05:51,320 --> 00:05:54,480 Speaker 1: It opened right up, didn't wait one second. We went down, 119 00:05:54,680 --> 00:05:57,920 Speaker 1: put the bags in the car. I got to the airport. 120 00:05:58,400 --> 00:06:01,640 Speaker 1: The line for security was very long, cause I could. 121 00:06:01,440 --> 00:06:03,239 Speaker 2: Take at least half an hour. 122 00:06:03,960 --> 00:06:06,320 Speaker 1: As I was standing there, a man came up wearing 123 00:06:06,360 --> 00:06:09,200 Speaker 1: a badge and said, come with me. I didn't know 124 00:06:09,200 --> 00:06:12,360 Speaker 1: if I was in trouble or seeing God's favor. He 125 00:06:12,400 --> 00:06:16,400 Speaker 1: opened a new line, took my bags through security for me. 126 00:06:16,839 --> 00:06:19,839 Speaker 1: Never asked him to. He ordered a cart and drove 127 00:06:19,920 --> 00:06:22,719 Speaker 1: me to my gate. I got home and sat in 128 00:06:22,760 --> 00:06:25,880 Speaker 1: my favorite green chair, put my legs up in the air. 129 00:06:26,120 --> 00:06:29,560 Speaker 1: About that time, Victoria brought my dinner in on a trail. 130 00:06:31,400 --> 00:06:33,800 Speaker 1: At that point I knew the day of miracles was 131 00:06:33,839 --> 00:06:40,080 Speaker 1: not over. If you'll acknowledge God, he'll go before you. 132 00:06:40,000 --> 00:06:41,520 Speaker 2: And make crooked places straight. 133 00:06:42,120 --> 00:06:45,279 Speaker 1: He'll cause the right people to show up. He'll open 134 00:06:45,360 --> 00:06:48,640 Speaker 1: doors that you could not open. He'll crown your efforts 135 00:06:48,640 --> 00:06:52,440 Speaker 1: with success. And this is something we shouldn't do. Every 136 00:06:52,440 --> 00:06:56,760 Speaker 1: once in a while, on Sundays we'll pray. Maybe before dinner, 137 00:06:56,839 --> 00:06:59,120 Speaker 1: we'll thank God for the food. Before we go to bed, 138 00:06:59,200 --> 00:07:01,760 Speaker 1: we'll say a prayer. That's all good. But what I'm 139 00:07:01,800 --> 00:07:05,280 Speaker 1: saying today is God wants to help you all through 140 00:07:05,400 --> 00:07:10,720 Speaker 1: the day. One translation says, in everything you do, acknowledge God. 141 00:07:11,280 --> 00:07:14,200 Speaker 1: That means when you get up in the morning, acknowledge God. 142 00:07:14,560 --> 00:07:17,080 Speaker 2: Good morning. Lord. I love you today. 143 00:07:17,480 --> 00:07:20,760 Speaker 1: Lord, I wouldn't be alive without your goodness. When you 144 00:07:20,800 --> 00:07:23,800 Speaker 1: see your children, God, thank you for these amazing children 145 00:07:24,400 --> 00:07:27,000 Speaker 1: at the office. Lord, thank you for your favor. Thank 146 00:07:27,040 --> 00:07:29,240 Speaker 1: you that I excel at what you've called me to do, 147 00:07:29,800 --> 00:07:32,520 Speaker 1: even mowing the lawn. Lord, thank you that I'm healthy 148 00:07:32,600 --> 00:07:37,360 Speaker 1: and strong. The scripture says to pray without ceasing. That 149 00:07:37,440 --> 00:07:39,520 Speaker 1: doesn't mean twenty four hours a day, to get on 150 00:07:39,560 --> 00:07:42,200 Speaker 1: our knees and never do anything else, never go to work. 151 00:07:42,320 --> 00:07:46,840 Speaker 1: It's talking about an attitude under our breath, in our thoughts. 152 00:07:46,960 --> 00:07:50,960 Speaker 1: We're constantly thinking about God, thanking him for his goodness, 153 00:07:51,200 --> 00:07:55,720 Speaker 1: meditating on his promises, asking for his health. This should 154 00:07:55,800 --> 00:07:59,640 Speaker 1: be a lifestyle where it's so ingrained in us. It's 155 00:07:59,680 --> 00:08:04,200 Speaker 1: all anything you do, you include God. You've developed that 156 00:08:04,280 --> 00:08:08,400 Speaker 1: habit of acknowledging Him. That's when God will fight your battles. 157 00:08:08,680 --> 00:08:12,640 Speaker 1: That's when God will make the crooked places smooth. Now, 158 00:08:12,680 --> 00:08:16,320 Speaker 1: don't go the next twenty years doing everything on your own. 159 00:08:17,280 --> 00:08:20,280 Speaker 1: If you'll acknowledge God before you go to the mall, 160 00:08:20,720 --> 00:08:22,440 Speaker 1: he'll help you to find the best deals. 161 00:08:23,160 --> 00:08:25,640 Speaker 2: Victoria, be sure you're listening here. Save me some money. 162 00:08:26,960 --> 00:08:30,520 Speaker 2: If you'll acknowledge God before you go to the gym. 163 00:08:30,680 --> 00:08:32,120 Speaker 2: He'll help you get a better workout. 164 00:08:32,920 --> 00:08:36,600 Speaker 1: If you'll acknowledge God before you go into that meeting 165 00:08:36,880 --> 00:08:41,440 Speaker 1: ten seconds under your breath. God, give me your favor. God, 166 00:08:41,480 --> 00:08:45,040 Speaker 1: I need your blessing. That meeting will go better. God 167 00:08:45,080 --> 00:08:49,240 Speaker 1: will give you the words to speak. He'll give you ideas, creativity. 168 00:08:49,360 --> 00:08:51,439 Speaker 1: He could even cause those people to like you. 169 00:08:52,040 --> 00:08:53,480 Speaker 2: When you need to clean the house. 170 00:08:53,760 --> 00:08:57,920 Speaker 1: Instead of complain in getting negative, acknowledge God, and he'll 171 00:08:57,920 --> 00:09:00,520 Speaker 1: give you more strength. He'll help you to get it 172 00:09:00,559 --> 00:09:05,080 Speaker 1: done in less time. Jesus put it this way. Without me, 173 00:09:05,760 --> 00:09:09,720 Speaker 1: you can do nothing, he was saying. Without inviting Me 174 00:09:10,000 --> 00:09:13,839 Speaker 1: into every area of your life, that day is not 175 00:09:13,880 --> 00:09:16,240 Speaker 1: going to be what it could have been. 176 00:09:16,240 --> 00:09:17,920 Speaker 2: We should live with this attitude. 177 00:09:18,160 --> 00:09:21,360 Speaker 1: God, I realize this day is not going to be 178 00:09:21,360 --> 00:09:26,560 Speaker 1: as productive, as successful, nor as easy without your blessing 179 00:09:26,679 --> 00:09:29,040 Speaker 1: and your favor. So I'm going to make it a 180 00:09:29,080 --> 00:09:33,840 Speaker 1: priority to acknowledge you in all of my ways. When 181 00:09:33,880 --> 00:09:38,640 Speaker 1: you acknowledge God, that's a sign of humility. You're saying, God, 182 00:09:38,679 --> 00:09:42,520 Speaker 1: I know you created the whole universe. You flung the 183 00:09:42,600 --> 00:09:46,559 Speaker 1: stars into space. You tell every raindrop where to fall. 184 00:09:47,320 --> 00:09:50,440 Speaker 1: I'm not here by accident. You breathe your life into me. 185 00:09:51,040 --> 00:09:53,679 Speaker 1: You made me in your image, You crowned me with 186 00:09:53,720 --> 00:09:57,400 Speaker 1: your favor. Now, God, I can't do this without you. 187 00:09:58,000 --> 00:09:59,560 Speaker 1: I can't make it on my own. 188 00:10:00,200 --> 00:10:01,560 Speaker 2: Need you in my life. 189 00:10:02,400 --> 00:10:05,760 Speaker 1: When you show that kind of dependency on God, there 190 00:10:05,880 --> 00:10:07,680 Speaker 1: is nothing he won't do for you. 191 00:10:08,120 --> 00:10:11,120 Speaker 2: God will move heaven and earth to get you to 192 00:10:11,160 --> 00:10:14,840 Speaker 2: where you're supposed to be. You may struggle in a 193 00:10:14,880 --> 00:10:17,040 Speaker 2: certain area. It's been that way year after year again. 194 00:10:17,200 --> 00:10:21,080 Speaker 1: Instead of complaining, instead of getting negative all through the day, God, 195 00:10:21,120 --> 00:10:22,000 Speaker 1: I need your help. 196 00:10:22,400 --> 00:10:24,160 Speaker 2: God. I'm asking for your strength. 197 00:10:25,120 --> 00:10:29,120 Speaker 1: When you humble yourself and admit that you cannot do 198 00:10:29,200 --> 00:10:32,600 Speaker 1: it on your own, that's when God can exalt you. 199 00:10:33,280 --> 00:10:34,840 Speaker 2: That's when he can turn it around. 200 00:10:35,720 --> 00:10:40,359 Speaker 1: The dependency on God is not a weakness, it's a strength. 201 00:10:40,960 --> 00:10:44,840 Speaker 1: It activates God's power in our weakness. God shows up 202 00:10:44,840 --> 00:10:49,560 Speaker 1: the strongest. But when we don't acknowledge God, really, that's 203 00:10:49,600 --> 00:10:53,839 Speaker 1: a sign of pride. We're saying, God, I don't really 204 00:10:53,920 --> 00:10:54,920 Speaker 1: need you to help. 205 00:10:54,679 --> 00:10:56,600 Speaker 2: Me run my life. I'm doing okay. I got it 206 00:10:56,640 --> 00:10:59,600 Speaker 2: all figured out. God will step back and let us 207 00:10:59,600 --> 00:11:02,200 Speaker 2: do it on our own. God is a gentleman. 208 00:11:02,360 --> 00:11:06,120 Speaker 1: He will not force his way into your life. Jesus said, 209 00:11:06,320 --> 00:11:09,840 Speaker 1: if you abide in Me, you will bear much fruit. 210 00:11:10,800 --> 00:11:15,240 Speaker 1: One translation says, if you will depend on me. The 211 00:11:15,280 --> 00:11:21,000 Speaker 1: word depend indicates continual action. You don't depend once and 212 00:11:21,040 --> 00:11:22,240 Speaker 1: then you're done. 213 00:11:22,440 --> 00:11:22,680 Speaker 2: Joel. 214 00:11:22,760 --> 00:11:25,439 Speaker 1: I went to church on Sunday. I spent a couple hours. 215 00:11:25,480 --> 00:11:27,760 Speaker 1: I did my duty. Now, if you're going to depend 216 00:11:27,800 --> 00:11:30,800 Speaker 1: on God all through the day, God, I need you. 217 00:11:31,559 --> 00:11:34,240 Speaker 1: God help me to understand this subject in school. 218 00:11:34,679 --> 00:11:36,880 Speaker 2: God help me to raise these children. 219 00:11:37,200 --> 00:11:39,720 Speaker 1: That's what it means to depend on God. And I've 220 00:11:39,800 --> 00:11:43,320 Speaker 1: learned the more you depend on God, the better things 221 00:11:43,320 --> 00:11:44,000 Speaker 1: will work out. 222 00:11:44,440 --> 00:11:46,080 Speaker 2: You will bear much fruit. 223 00:11:47,120 --> 00:11:50,640 Speaker 1: But I wonder how many times we don't have as 224 00:11:50,679 --> 00:11:55,680 Speaker 1: fruitful or productive day as we could have because we're 225 00:11:55,720 --> 00:12:01,040 Speaker 1: not taking time to acknowledge God simple things. Driving in 226 00:12:01,080 --> 00:12:04,079 Speaker 1: the car, Lord, thank you that your angels have charge 227 00:12:04,120 --> 00:12:07,200 Speaker 1: over me. You just invited God into your car. 228 00:12:08,080 --> 00:12:10,920 Speaker 2: At school, God helped me to understand this lesson. 229 00:12:10,960 --> 00:12:15,880 Speaker 1: Today, you invited God into your studies, working out, mowing 230 00:12:15,920 --> 00:12:18,800 Speaker 1: the lawn, cooking dinner. Lord, thank you for your health, 231 00:12:19,000 --> 00:12:23,360 Speaker 1: your strength. You invited the creator of the universe to 232 00:12:23,440 --> 00:12:26,839 Speaker 1: help you. We can take the opposite of what Jesus said. 233 00:12:27,240 --> 00:12:29,720 Speaker 1: If we don't depend on him, we're not going to 234 00:12:29,760 --> 00:12:32,719 Speaker 1: be as productive as we could have been. We've all 235 00:12:32,760 --> 00:12:35,480 Speaker 1: had one of those days where you drive across town 236 00:12:35,600 --> 00:12:38,480 Speaker 1: to pick something up. When you get there you find 237 00:12:38,480 --> 00:12:41,800 Speaker 1: out they just closed, or you work all day long 238 00:12:41,960 --> 00:12:45,400 Speaker 1: and then your computer crashes, you lose the information. You 239 00:12:45,480 --> 00:12:48,080 Speaker 1: go to the gym and realize you forgot your tennis shoes, 240 00:12:48,120 --> 00:12:49,000 Speaker 1: you can't work out. 241 00:12:50,000 --> 00:12:52,480 Speaker 2: Little things can cause us to be unproductive. 242 00:12:53,080 --> 00:12:56,680 Speaker 1: And not every time, of course, but I believe sometimes 243 00:12:57,040 --> 00:12:58,839 Speaker 1: it's because we're not. 244 00:12:59,080 --> 00:13:00,800 Speaker 2: Asking God or his health. 245 00:13:01,240 --> 00:13:04,239 Speaker 1: We're doing it all on our own. God has politely 246 00:13:04,480 --> 00:13:09,760 Speaker 1: stepped away. Make sure that you're acknowledging God. Hebrews eleven 247 00:13:09,840 --> 00:13:13,400 Speaker 1: six says God is a rewarder of those that. 248 00:13:13,480 --> 00:13:15,160 Speaker 2: Diligently seek him. 249 00:13:15,800 --> 00:13:20,600 Speaker 1: Notice who God rewards. Not people that half heartedly seek him, 250 00:13:20,880 --> 00:13:23,680 Speaker 1: people that just think about him on Sundays, people that 251 00:13:23,840 --> 00:13:24,440 Speaker 1: just pray. 252 00:13:24,280 --> 00:13:25,000 Speaker 2: Once a week. 253 00:13:25,360 --> 00:13:28,600 Speaker 1: No, God rewards people like you that get up every 254 00:13:28,640 --> 00:13:31,440 Speaker 1: morning and thank Him for his goodness, people that go 255 00:13:31,520 --> 00:13:35,000 Speaker 1: through the day meditating on his promises, people that. 256 00:13:34,920 --> 00:13:37,040 Speaker 2: Acknowledge Him in all of their ways. 257 00:13:38,160 --> 00:13:42,120 Speaker 1: When you diligently seek God, there will be a reward. 258 00:13:42,840 --> 00:13:44,400 Speaker 2: Your life will go better. 259 00:13:44,960 --> 00:13:47,800 Speaker 1: God will take you where you could not go on 260 00:13:47,840 --> 00:13:51,840 Speaker 1: your own. The amazing thing about God is he says, 261 00:13:52,320 --> 00:13:53,199 Speaker 1: you don't even. 262 00:13:53,120 --> 00:13:56,520 Speaker 2: Have to find me. If you just seek me, I'll 263 00:13:56,520 --> 00:13:57,360 Speaker 2: give you the reward. 264 00:13:58,080 --> 00:14:00,800 Speaker 1: If you just make an effort to please me, if 265 00:14:00,880 --> 00:14:03,920 Speaker 1: you just take time to thank me, if you just 266 00:14:04,080 --> 00:14:08,199 Speaker 1: acknowledge me throughout the day, then I'll reward. 267 00:14:07,760 --> 00:14:09,560 Speaker 2: You for just making the effort. 268 00:14:10,559 --> 00:14:13,000 Speaker 1: My father was raised in a family that knew nothing 269 00:14:13,040 --> 00:14:16,440 Speaker 1: about God, and at the age of seventeen, when he 270 00:14:16,480 --> 00:14:19,840 Speaker 1: gave his life to Christ, he started preaching on the 271 00:14:19,880 --> 00:14:24,240 Speaker 1: street corners, in the prisons, in the seniors' homes. He'd 272 00:14:24,280 --> 00:14:27,600 Speaker 1: never been to seminary, he didn't know much about the Bible. 273 00:14:28,320 --> 00:14:31,480 Speaker 1: One time he preached a whole message on Samson and 274 00:14:31,520 --> 00:14:34,120 Speaker 1: realized at the end he had been calling him Tarzan 275 00:14:36,120 --> 00:14:38,840 Speaker 1: at seventeen, that he didn't have it all figured out, 276 00:14:39,560 --> 00:14:43,760 Speaker 1: but one thing he had was a desire to please God. 277 00:14:44,320 --> 00:14:47,520 Speaker 1: He was seeking him, he was making the effort. See, 278 00:14:47,560 --> 00:14:51,360 Speaker 1: God doesn't say, as long as you can quote all 279 00:14:51,400 --> 00:14:54,480 Speaker 1: the scriptures, as long as you understand all the theology, 280 00:14:54,560 --> 00:14:58,320 Speaker 1: I'll reward you. Now, God says, I'll pay you for 281 00:14:58,440 --> 00:15:01,840 Speaker 1: seeking me. I'll pay you for simply making the effort. 282 00:15:03,280 --> 00:15:05,960 Speaker 1: From the time I was a little boy, my parents 283 00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:09,040 Speaker 1: taught me the importance of honoring God. 284 00:15:09,200 --> 00:15:10,800 Speaker 2: I wasn't perfect. I made plenty of. 285 00:15:10,800 --> 00:15:14,520 Speaker 1: Mistakes, but for as long as I can remember, I 286 00:15:14,520 --> 00:15:18,120 Speaker 1: would get up every morning, take a moment and thank 287 00:15:18,200 --> 00:15:22,200 Speaker 1: God for that day and ask Him for wisdom and production. 288 00:15:23,040 --> 00:15:25,640 Speaker 1: Every day I would read a chapter in my Bible. 289 00:15:26,360 --> 00:15:30,080 Speaker 1: Didn't always understand it, still don't, and I'm the pastor 290 00:15:30,080 --> 00:15:33,200 Speaker 1: of a big church. God has not blessed me because 291 00:15:33,200 --> 00:15:36,720 Speaker 1: I'm the smartest, the most talented, the most skilled. God 292 00:15:36,760 --> 00:15:39,120 Speaker 1: has blessed me because I've made it a. 293 00:15:39,160 --> 00:15:42,600 Speaker 2: Goal to seek Him, to please Him, to honor him. 294 00:15:44,600 --> 00:15:47,440 Speaker 1: I still take the first half hour of every day 295 00:15:47,880 --> 00:15:51,040 Speaker 1: to thank God for his goodness, read my Bible, and pray. 296 00:15:51,640 --> 00:15:55,840 Speaker 1: I ask every day, God, let everything I do today bring. 297 00:15:55,640 --> 00:15:56,520 Speaker 2: Honor to your name. 298 00:15:57,160 --> 00:15:59,520 Speaker 1: God has taken me places that I've never dreamed of. 299 00:16:00,000 --> 00:16:03,000 Speaker 1: He's blessed our family more than I can imagine. 300 00:16:03,080 --> 00:16:05,080 Speaker 2: Now I'd love to tell you I'm just that smart, 301 00:16:05,480 --> 00:16:07,880 Speaker 2: I'm just that talented. I'm just an overachiever. 302 00:16:08,840 --> 00:16:12,440 Speaker 1: Now, I've done my part to develop what God's put 303 00:16:12,480 --> 00:16:15,480 Speaker 1: in me. But I know the blessings, the favor, the 304 00:16:15,600 --> 00:16:19,000 Speaker 1: honor has come because I've done my best to diligently 305 00:16:19,040 --> 00:16:22,000 Speaker 1: seek y'all to keep Him first place in my life. 306 00:16:22,880 --> 00:16:24,200 Speaker 2: That's what I'm asking you to do. 307 00:16:25,960 --> 00:16:30,200 Speaker 1: Jesus said in Matthew six, seek first the Kingdom of God. 308 00:16:30,800 --> 00:16:34,640 Speaker 1: That word seek is a strong word. One definition is 309 00:16:34,800 --> 00:16:37,880 Speaker 1: to require as a vital necessity. 310 00:16:38,520 --> 00:16:40,800 Speaker 2: You have to see spending time. 311 00:16:40,560 --> 00:16:44,400 Speaker 1: With God as being vital to living a victorious life. 312 00:16:44,920 --> 00:16:46,880 Speaker 1: Because some mornings we think, I don't want to get 313 00:16:46,960 --> 00:16:49,120 Speaker 1: up early, I don't feel like reading my Bible, I 314 00:16:49,120 --> 00:16:49,680 Speaker 1: don't feel like. 315 00:16:49,640 --> 00:16:50,640 Speaker 2: Going to church today. 316 00:16:51,320 --> 00:16:54,640 Speaker 1: But once you get in a habit and you see 317 00:16:54,680 --> 00:16:58,760 Speaker 1: the benefits of how you feel refreshed and restored, you 318 00:16:58,880 --> 00:17:02,880 Speaker 1: make better decisions, You're more creative, you have God's favor. 319 00:17:03,520 --> 00:17:06,400 Speaker 1: Then you'll think, I can't afford not to do it. 320 00:17:06,720 --> 00:17:09,400 Speaker 1: When I don't spend time with God, I don't feel right. 321 00:17:09,640 --> 00:17:15,280 Speaker 1: Something is missing. It says seek first. That indicates take 322 00:17:15,359 --> 00:17:18,720 Speaker 1: time for God at the start of the day. Make 323 00:17:18,800 --> 00:17:22,240 Speaker 1: him a part of your normal routine. My father was 324 00:17:22,280 --> 00:17:26,040 Speaker 1: on dialysis the last few months of his life. Three 325 00:17:26,080 --> 00:17:28,800 Speaker 1: times a week, for four hours a day, he would 326 00:17:28,800 --> 00:17:30,600 Speaker 1: have to go up to the clinic and have his 327 00:17:30,720 --> 00:17:34,359 Speaker 1: blood cleaned. There were days he didn't feel like doing it. 328 00:17:34,920 --> 00:17:37,800 Speaker 1: He was tired, he was busy, he had other things 329 00:17:37,840 --> 00:17:38,160 Speaker 1: to do. 330 00:17:38,800 --> 00:17:40,680 Speaker 2: Didn't matter. He went up anyway. 331 00:17:41,400 --> 00:17:45,159 Speaker 1: Why his life depended on it. It wasn't an option. 332 00:17:45,720 --> 00:17:50,080 Speaker 1: It was vital in life. Things get busy, technic at 333 00:17:50,119 --> 00:17:53,160 Speaker 1: the office, your children need you. You got a thousand 334 00:17:53,280 --> 00:17:56,359 Speaker 1: things to do. But you've got to see spending time 335 00:17:56,400 --> 00:18:00,679 Speaker 1: with God, like my father on dialysis, not an option. 336 00:18:01,160 --> 00:18:03,440 Speaker 1: If you're going to stay strong, if you're going to 337 00:18:03,520 --> 00:18:07,240 Speaker 1: have God's wisdom and favor, you may have to rearrange 338 00:18:07,280 --> 00:18:09,000 Speaker 1: some things so you can make. 339 00:18:08,880 --> 00:18:11,320 Speaker 2: It a priority to spend time with God. 340 00:18:11,880 --> 00:18:16,560 Speaker 1: You draw strength, encouragement, wisdom from spending time with God. 341 00:18:17,240 --> 00:18:20,840 Speaker 1: That's what's going to keep your life fresh. Just like 342 00:18:21,080 --> 00:18:23,959 Speaker 1: we have to feed our physical person, we need to 343 00:18:23,960 --> 00:18:26,040 Speaker 1: feed our spiritual person. 344 00:18:26,880 --> 00:18:28,879 Speaker 2: Learn to invest in yourself. 345 00:18:29,800 --> 00:18:34,400 Speaker 1: Sometimes we feed our physical man three hot meals a day, 346 00:18:34,440 --> 00:18:37,840 Speaker 1: but we only feed our spiritual man one cold snack 347 00:18:37,920 --> 00:18:41,719 Speaker 1: a week. And then we wonder why we don't have energy, 348 00:18:42,160 --> 00:18:46,439 Speaker 1: God's favor, wisdom. It's because we're not taking time to 349 00:18:46,440 --> 00:18:52,600 Speaker 1: get filled back up in God's presence is fullness of joy, peace, victory. 350 00:18:52,720 --> 00:18:55,159 Speaker 1: That's where you get refreshed and re energized. 351 00:18:55,960 --> 00:18:59,920 Speaker 2: Every day. You ought to take time to read the scripture. 352 00:19:00,240 --> 00:19:04,120 Speaker 1: Meditate on God's promises, put on good praise music. When 353 00:19:04,119 --> 00:19:07,359 Speaker 1: you can have a quiet time with you and God. 354 00:19:08,119 --> 00:19:11,879 Speaker 1: Everything's so busy, hectic, noisy these days. But when you 355 00:19:11,920 --> 00:19:16,160 Speaker 1: get quiet and say God, I love you today. Lord, 356 00:19:16,280 --> 00:19:19,920 Speaker 1: thank you for my life, my family, my dreams. Lord, 357 00:19:19,960 --> 00:19:22,720 Speaker 1: I realize every good thing comes from you. 358 00:19:23,440 --> 00:19:25,000 Speaker 2: That's what's going to keep you strong. 359 00:19:26,000 --> 00:19:29,680 Speaker 1: Jesus said, I am the living water. If you drink 360 00:19:29,720 --> 00:19:34,160 Speaker 1: of me, you'll never thirst again. During the day, things 361 00:19:34,200 --> 00:19:36,920 Speaker 1: come against you. It's easy to get upset, may be 362 00:19:37,040 --> 00:19:39,639 Speaker 1: stressed out. You need to take a two minute break 363 00:19:40,000 --> 00:19:43,560 Speaker 1: and go drink of the living water. Get quiet and 364 00:19:43,600 --> 00:19:46,240 Speaker 1: say God, I need you. I'm asking your God, help 365 00:19:46,280 --> 00:19:48,520 Speaker 1: me to stay strong, help me to stay in peace. 366 00:19:48,920 --> 00:19:52,560 Speaker 2: When you do that, you're taking a drink. You're strengthening 367 00:19:52,640 --> 00:19:53,320 Speaker 2: your inner man. 368 00:19:54,240 --> 00:19:56,280 Speaker 1: When the boss is giving you a hard time, just 369 00:19:56,280 --> 00:19:58,000 Speaker 1: tell him I got to go get a drink. 370 00:19:58,760 --> 00:20:02,600 Speaker 2: I'm talking about the living water in our quiet time. 371 00:20:02,920 --> 00:20:05,080 Speaker 1: People tell me, Joe, I don't know how to pray. 372 00:20:05,200 --> 00:20:09,280 Speaker 1: I'm not a religious person, but prayer is simply talking 373 00:20:09,320 --> 00:20:14,680 Speaker 1: to God. Sometimes religion makes things complicated, makes us think 374 00:20:14,720 --> 00:20:19,119 Speaker 1: we had to pray these long, fancy these and thour's prayers. No, 375 00:20:19,359 --> 00:20:23,840 Speaker 1: talk to God in your everyday language. If you talk country, 376 00:20:24,040 --> 00:20:28,080 Speaker 1: the good news is God talks country. If you talk 377 00:20:28,160 --> 00:20:29,880 Speaker 1: New York, God talks New York. 378 00:20:30,000 --> 00:20:32,520 Speaker 2: He understands you. We don't, but he does. 379 00:20:34,000 --> 00:20:37,639 Speaker 1: When you pray, talk to God like you're talking to 380 00:20:37,720 --> 00:20:42,600 Speaker 1: your best friend. Telling your needs, your concerns, ask him 381 00:20:42,600 --> 00:20:46,720 Speaker 1: for help, and then thank him for what he's already done. 382 00:20:47,600 --> 00:20:52,040 Speaker 1: Our praise should outweigh our petitions. Don't spend your whole 383 00:20:52,119 --> 00:20:54,760 Speaker 1: quiet time telling God your problems your needs. 384 00:20:55,040 --> 00:20:58,480 Speaker 2: He already knows your needs. Take time to thank him. 385 00:20:59,080 --> 00:21:03,080 Speaker 1: And when you read the script, you may not understand everything, 386 00:21:03,600 --> 00:21:04,359 Speaker 1: but that's okay. 387 00:21:04,520 --> 00:21:05,959 Speaker 2: Just read it and move on. 388 00:21:06,920 --> 00:21:10,760 Speaker 1: The Holy Spirit is called our teacher. He'll make sure 389 00:21:11,000 --> 00:21:15,280 Speaker 1: you understand what you need to understand. God's word is 390 00:21:15,440 --> 00:21:18,040 Speaker 1: like a seed. Once you put it in you, it 391 00:21:18,080 --> 00:21:21,679 Speaker 1: will never die. You may not understand it now, but 392 00:21:21,800 --> 00:21:24,480 Speaker 1: at the right time, when you need it, God will 393 00:21:24,520 --> 00:21:27,440 Speaker 1: cause it to come alive. I read about a young 394 00:21:27,480 --> 00:21:29,960 Speaker 1: man in junior high. He didn't have any kind of 395 00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:34,000 Speaker 1: spiritual upbringing. One summer, all of his friends invited him 396 00:21:34,000 --> 00:21:37,440 Speaker 1: to a camp put on by the local church. When 397 00:21:37,440 --> 00:21:39,520 Speaker 1: he got there, he noticed on the platform there was 398 00:21:39,560 --> 00:21:44,160 Speaker 1: a big trophy. He was very competitive, great in sports, 399 00:21:44,200 --> 00:21:47,040 Speaker 1: great in academics. He made up his mind right then 400 00:21:47,080 --> 00:21:49,960 Speaker 1: and there he was going to win that trophy. Come 401 00:21:50,000 --> 00:21:52,320 Speaker 1: to find out, it was going to be given to 402 00:21:52,400 --> 00:21:57,320 Speaker 1: the person who could memorize the most Scripture verses. This 403 00:21:57,440 --> 00:22:00,520 Speaker 1: young man had never picked up the Bible, never been 404 00:22:00,560 --> 00:22:04,480 Speaker 1: to church before, but he was so competitive. In two days, 405 00:22:04,680 --> 00:22:08,600 Speaker 1: he memorized thirty verses of scripture and he won the trophy. 406 00:22:09,720 --> 00:22:13,240 Speaker 1: Fifteen years later, he was an All American football player, 407 00:22:13,600 --> 00:22:17,720 Speaker 1: headed to the NFL, very bright future when one day 408 00:22:18,080 --> 00:22:20,479 Speaker 1: he felt a terrible pain in his chest. 409 00:22:21,000 --> 00:22:23,560 Speaker 2: Didn't know what was happening. He soon passed out. 410 00:22:24,240 --> 00:22:26,800 Speaker 1: At twenty two years of age, he had a massive 411 00:22:26,840 --> 00:22:30,920 Speaker 1: heart attack. Laying there, he woke up in the emergency room, 412 00:22:31,160 --> 00:22:35,080 Speaker 1: tubes coming out of everywhere, scared to death, didn't know 413 00:22:35,119 --> 00:22:39,480 Speaker 1: what to do. Laying on that emergency room table, All 414 00:22:39,520 --> 00:22:42,600 Speaker 1: of a sudden, from right down in here, all those 415 00:22:42,680 --> 00:22:45,760 Speaker 1: scriptures he had memorized fifteen years. 416 00:22:45,480 --> 00:22:50,119 Speaker 2: Earlier began to come up once again. Friends, God's word 417 00:22:50,400 --> 00:22:53,080 Speaker 2: is full of power. When you need it, it's. 418 00:22:52,960 --> 00:22:55,440 Speaker 1: Gonna take root, and God's gonna cause it to come alive. 419 00:22:56,000 --> 00:22:59,640 Speaker 1: He started quoting scripture after scripture. Though I walk through 420 00:22:59,640 --> 00:23:02,440 Speaker 1: the vow of the shadow of death, I will fear 421 00:23:02,520 --> 00:23:05,800 Speaker 1: no evil, for you are with me. The doctors didn't 422 00:23:05,840 --> 00:23:07,679 Speaker 1: think he was going to make it. But today that 423 00:23:07,800 --> 00:23:11,120 Speaker 1: young man is healthy and hold. In fact, he's a minister. 424 00:23:11,680 --> 00:23:12,760 Speaker 2: He goes all. 425 00:23:12,520 --> 00:23:15,600 Speaker 1: Over telling people what God has done for him. But 426 00:23:15,680 --> 00:23:18,879 Speaker 1: it all started when he put the seed of God's 427 00:23:18,960 --> 00:23:22,440 Speaker 1: word on the inside. You may not understand it now, 428 00:23:22,600 --> 00:23:25,560 Speaker 1: but you can rest assured when you need it, God's 429 00:23:25,600 --> 00:23:27,960 Speaker 1: going to cause it to come alive in your own life. 430 00:23:29,040 --> 00:23:33,160 Speaker 1: In Malachi, chapter three, verse sixteen, it talks about how 431 00:23:33,200 --> 00:23:38,280 Speaker 1: God has a book of remembrance in this book. Every 432 00:23:38,320 --> 00:23:42,040 Speaker 1: time we talk about God, we thank him for his goodness, 433 00:23:42,080 --> 00:23:44,880 Speaker 1: we meditate on his promises, we ask for his health. 434 00:23:45,280 --> 00:23:49,480 Speaker 1: God has the angels write that down in this book 435 00:23:49,600 --> 00:23:54,080 Speaker 1: of remembrance on your behalf. When you even think about God, 436 00:23:54,400 --> 00:23:57,840 Speaker 1: the angels record it. In fact, this moment. Right now, 437 00:23:57,960 --> 00:24:00,680 Speaker 1: the angels are writing it down in the Book of Remembrance. 438 00:24:00,720 --> 00:24:04,600 Speaker 1: They're at Lakewood, honoring God. This book is not up 439 00:24:04,600 --> 00:24:08,320 Speaker 1: in a storeroom shelf in heaven somewhere. The scripture says, 440 00:24:08,720 --> 00:24:14,600 Speaker 1: it stays constantly before God, wide open, as a reminder of. 441 00:24:14,520 --> 00:24:18,040 Speaker 2: Those who are thinking of him. Imagine with me. 442 00:24:18,640 --> 00:24:21,080 Speaker 1: God sees the Angel start to write in the Book 443 00:24:21,119 --> 00:24:25,119 Speaker 1: of Remembrance. God asks the Angel, who are you writing about. 444 00:24:25,359 --> 00:24:29,399 Speaker 1: The Angel says, I'm writing about Julie. She's attending Lakewood again. 445 00:24:29,920 --> 00:24:32,960 Speaker 1: She's down there singing praises, listening to your word. I'm 446 00:24:32,960 --> 00:24:36,000 Speaker 1: gonna make a record of it. A couple of hours later, 447 00:24:36,600 --> 00:24:39,600 Speaker 1: God ask again, who are you writing about now? The 448 00:24:39,640 --> 00:24:42,920 Speaker 1: Angel says, I'm still writing about Julie. She's at lunch 449 00:24:42,960 --> 00:24:46,240 Speaker 1: with some of her friends talking about you. A few 450 00:24:46,280 --> 00:24:49,680 Speaker 1: hours later, same thing. Who you're writing about now? Angel says, 451 00:24:49,760 --> 00:24:52,840 Speaker 1: I'm still writing about Julie. She's driving in her car, 452 00:24:53,040 --> 00:24:56,679 Speaker 1: she's got some praise music on. Early The next morning, 453 00:24:57,240 --> 00:25:00,399 Speaker 1: God ask again who you I'm still writing about Julie. 454 00:25:00,680 --> 00:25:04,159 Speaker 1: She's up early, got her coffee, reading her Bible. A 455 00:25:04,160 --> 00:25:07,080 Speaker 1: few hours later, God sees the Angel start to write, 456 00:25:07,680 --> 00:25:10,600 Speaker 1: God says, let me guess, don't tell me you're writing 457 00:25:10,600 --> 00:25:14,400 Speaker 1: about Julie, aren't you. The angel says, you're exactly right. 458 00:25:14,760 --> 00:25:15,000 Speaker 2: God. 459 00:25:15,080 --> 00:25:18,840 Speaker 1: All through the day, she's acknowledging you, thanking you, depending 460 00:25:18,880 --> 00:25:19,240 Speaker 1: on you. 461 00:25:19,920 --> 00:25:22,840 Speaker 2: Now imagine with me. Julie has a need. 462 00:25:23,400 --> 00:25:26,480 Speaker 1: She goes boldly to the throne, says, God, I need 463 00:25:26,520 --> 00:25:30,119 Speaker 1: your help. I've got this problem. Who is this, God asks. 464 00:25:30,560 --> 00:25:34,720 Speaker 1: She says, it's Julie. God says, oh, yeah, I know you, Julie. 465 00:25:34,880 --> 00:25:38,399 Speaker 1: You're always talking about me. You've always got me on 466 00:25:38,480 --> 00:25:40,800 Speaker 1: your mind. What can I do for you? 467 00:25:42,320 --> 00:25:43,840 Speaker 2: That's the way we should live. 468 00:25:44,119 --> 00:25:48,000 Speaker 1: We should keep God constantly in our thoughts, meditating on 469 00:25:48,080 --> 00:25:52,280 Speaker 1: his promises, thanking him for his goodness, acknowledging him throughout 470 00:25:52,320 --> 00:25:52,720 Speaker 1: the day. 471 00:25:53,440 --> 00:25:55,400 Speaker 2: Our goal should be to give that. 472 00:25:55,359 --> 00:25:58,760 Speaker 1: Angel a cramp in his hand from writing about us 473 00:25:58,880 --> 00:26:01,800 Speaker 1: in that book of Remember. If that's going to happen, 474 00:26:02,400 --> 00:26:05,320 Speaker 1: you got to let God out of your Sunday morning box. 475 00:26:06,040 --> 00:26:09,920 Speaker 1: Include him in every part of your life. Take time 476 00:26:09,960 --> 00:26:11,399 Speaker 1: each day to get your. 477 00:26:11,240 --> 00:26:12,520 Speaker 2: Inner person filled up. 478 00:26:13,000 --> 00:26:15,680 Speaker 1: If you will keep God first in everything you do, 479 00:26:16,000 --> 00:26:19,800 Speaker 1: he promises he's going to crown your efforts with success 480 00:26:20,280 --> 00:26:24,720 Speaker 1: because you diligently seek him. I believe and declare a 481 00:26:24,880 --> 00:26:28,800 Speaker 1: reward is coming, Favor is coming, good breaks are coming, 482 00:26:29,080 --> 00:26:33,040 Speaker 1: promotion is coming, a shift is coming, healing's coming. 483 00:26:32,880 --> 00:26:35,639 Speaker 2: Restoration is coming. You need to get ready. 484 00:26:35,840 --> 00:26:39,800 Speaker 1: You're not going to live an average, ordinary life because 485 00:26:39,840 --> 00:26:43,320 Speaker 1: you depend on him. God is going to increase you. 486 00:26:43,320 --> 00:26:45,639 Speaker 1: You are going to bear much fruit. He's going to 487 00:26:45,680 --> 00:26:48,280 Speaker 1: make you more productive. You're going to get more done 488 00:26:48,280 --> 00:26:51,040 Speaker 1: in less time. He's going to make your life easier, 489 00:26:51,400 --> 00:26:54,080 Speaker 1: take you where you could not go on your own. 490 00:26:54,440 --> 00:26:57,280 Speaker 1: It's going to be greater than you ever even dreamed of. 491 00:26:57,640 --> 00:26:59,520 Speaker 2: I believe it in Jesus' name. 492 00:27:00,080 --> 00:27:04,760 Speaker 1: If you receive it, can you say amen. We never 493 00:27:04,880 --> 00:27:07,920 Speaker 1: like to close our broadcast without giving you an opportunity 494 00:27:07,960 --> 00:27:10,520 Speaker 1: to make Jesus of the lord of your life. Would 495 00:27:10,520 --> 00:27:11,199 Speaker 1: you pray with me? 496 00:27:11,880 --> 00:27:17,240 Speaker 2: Just say, Lord Jesus, I'll repent of my sins. Come 497 00:27:17,280 --> 00:27:20,720 Speaker 2: into my heart. I make you my Lord and savior. 498 00:27:22,160 --> 00:27:24,600 Speaker 1: Friends, if you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you 499 00:27:24,640 --> 00:27:27,639 Speaker 1: got born again. Get in a good Bible based church, 500 00:27:28,119 --> 00:27:29,399 Speaker 1: Keep God first place. 501 00:27:29,720 --> 00:27:32,119 Speaker 2: He's going to take your places that you've never dreamed of. 502 00:27:33,320 --> 00:27:39,920 Speaker 2: It's January. Time to renew my faith. It's January. It's 503 00:27:39,960 --> 00:27:44,000 Speaker 2: time to start a new season. It's January. 504 00:27:44,280 --> 00:27:46,359 Speaker 3: There is no better time than now to set the 505 00:27:46,400 --> 00:27:47,520 Speaker 3: course of our year ahead. 506 00:27:48,520 --> 00:27:50,840 Speaker 1: The beginning of the year is a great time to 507 00:27:50,880 --> 00:27:54,119 Speaker 1: start afresh and anew, to let go of negative things 508 00:27:54,119 --> 00:27:56,280 Speaker 1: of the past, and to get ready for the new 509 00:27:56,359 --> 00:27:59,960 Speaker 1: things God has in store. Every January we create a 510 00:28:00,240 --> 00:28:03,480 Speaker 1: new devotional calendar that will help you throughout the year. 511 00:28:04,040 --> 00:28:06,760 Speaker 1: When you start the day off in faith, grateful for 512 00:28:06,840 --> 00:28:11,520 Speaker 1: what God's done, making positive declarations over your future, You're 513 00:28:11,560 --> 00:28:15,040 Speaker 1: setting the tone for a blessed day and a victorious year. 514 00:28:15,560 --> 00:28:17,359 Speaker 2: This devotional will help you get. 515 00:28:17,240 --> 00:28:20,040 Speaker 1: Your mind going in the right direction so you can 516 00:28:20,080 --> 00:28:22,760 Speaker 1: go out each day in faith knowing that God is 517 00:28:22,800 --> 00:28:25,720 Speaker 1: in control that His plans for you are for good. 518 00:28:26,240 --> 00:28:28,920 Speaker 2: I'd love to send you a copy as. 519 00:28:28,720 --> 00:28:31,000 Speaker 3: Our way of saying thank you for your gift of 520 00:28:31,040 --> 00:28:33,800 Speaker 3: any amount this first month of the year. We would 521 00:28:33,840 --> 00:28:35,920 Speaker 3: like to send you a copy of our brand new 522 00:28:36,119 --> 00:28:39,880 Speaker 3: twenty twenty four three hundred and sixty five day devotional calendar. 523 00:28:40,720 --> 00:28:42,720 Speaker 3: Do you want to set a faith course for your 524 00:28:42,760 --> 00:28:45,080 Speaker 3: life in twenty twenty four? Do you want to see 525 00:28:45,080 --> 00:28:48,320 Speaker 3: your life take off in new directions? Of influence, favor, 526 00:28:48,520 --> 00:28:51,680 Speaker 3: and for vision in the year ahead. Using this devotional 527 00:28:51,720 --> 00:28:56,440 Speaker 3: calendar is as easy as one, two three. One wake 528 00:28:56,560 --> 00:28:59,840 Speaker 3: up with an expectancy in your heart. Two reflect on 529 00:28:59,840 --> 00:29:04,120 Speaker 3: the daily scripture, verse and devotional from Joel. Three Capture 530 00:29:04,160 --> 00:29:07,920 Speaker 3: God's promises to you on journaling lines for writing and reflection. 531 00:29:09,080 --> 00:29:11,560 Speaker 3: Be sure to request your copy of the twenty twenty 532 00:29:11,560 --> 00:29:15,480 Speaker 3: four devotional calendar available this month by simply visiting us 533 00:29:15,560 --> 00:29:18,960 Speaker 3: at Joelostein dot com or calling eight eight eight five 534 00:29:19,080 --> 00:29:20,200 Speaker 3: six seven Joel