1 00:00:00,440 --> 00:00:03,040 Speaker 1: Are you ready to move your career forward? Make your 2 00:00:03,040 --> 00:00:06,520 Speaker 1: comeback with Perdue Global and get college credit for your work, school, life, 3 00:00:06,640 --> 00:00:09,760 Speaker 1: or military experiences. With these credits, you may have already 4 00:00:09,760 --> 00:00:12,560 Speaker 1: completed up to seventy five percent of your undergraduate degree. 5 00:00:12,640 --> 00:00:14,720 Speaker 1: You've worked hard to get where you are. It's time 6 00:00:14,720 --> 00:00:16,880 Speaker 1: to get the recognition you deserve and earn a degree 7 00:00:16,880 --> 00:00:19,520 Speaker 1: you'll be proud of, one that employers will trust and 8 00:00:19,600 --> 00:00:21,799 Speaker 1: respect when you take the next step in your life 9 00:00:21,800 --> 00:00:25,480 Speaker 1: and career. Make account with Purdue Global produce online university 10 00:00:25,520 --> 00:00:29,600 Speaker 1: for working adults. Start your comeback at Purdueglobal dot edu. 11 00:00:30,160 --> 00:00:32,120 Speaker 2: He'll forget about the video game you gave him on 12 00:00:32,120 --> 00:00:32,680 Speaker 2: his birthday. 13 00:00:33,000 --> 00:00:35,360 Speaker 3: Wow, Thanks Grandpa. 14 00:00:34,720 --> 00:00:36,680 Speaker 2: But he'll never forget how you invest it in his 15 00:00:36,760 --> 00:00:38,080 Speaker 2: future with the uns stapp. 16 00:00:38,680 --> 00:00:40,640 Speaker 4: Wow, Thanks Grandpa. 17 00:00:40,920 --> 00:00:43,479 Speaker 2: The units stap makes it easy for grandparents and family 18 00:00:43,520 --> 00:00:46,199 Speaker 2: friends to give funds to a child's investment account for 19 00:00:46,360 --> 00:00:48,880 Speaker 2: limited time. Download the uns stapp and use the code 20 00:00:48,920 --> 00:00:51,280 Speaker 2: iHeart fifty at sign up to receive a fifty dollars 21 00:00:51,280 --> 00:00:53,960 Speaker 2: bonus when you fund your account. That's code iheard fifty 22 00:00:54,000 --> 00:00:57,160 Speaker 2: When you sign up at unest dot co for fifty 23 00:00:57,200 --> 00:00:59,880 Speaker 2: dollars bonus see terms and conditions at UNS dot C. 24 00:01:02,280 --> 00:01:04,040 Speaker 3: Hi, this is Joelan Victoria. 25 00:01:04,120 --> 00:01:07,120 Speaker 4: Thanks for listening to our podcast and thanks for supporting 26 00:01:07,160 --> 00:01:07,840 Speaker 4: the ministry. 27 00:01:07,959 --> 00:01:10,319 Speaker 5: If you enjoy today's message, why don't you be a 28 00:01:10,319 --> 00:01:11,880 Speaker 5: blessing and share it with a friend. 29 00:01:12,160 --> 00:01:14,920 Speaker 4: We appreciate you and pray for God's very best in 30 00:01:14,959 --> 00:01:19,280 Speaker 4: your life. Well, God bless you. It's a joy to 31 00:01:19,360 --> 00:01:22,200 Speaker 4: come into your homes. And if you're ever in our area, 32 00:01:22,319 --> 00:01:24,120 Speaker 4: please stop buy and be a part of one of 33 00:01:24,160 --> 00:01:27,039 Speaker 4: our services. I promise you we'll make you feel right 34 00:01:27,080 --> 00:01:31,240 Speaker 4: at home. These are the finest people in all the Houston, Texas. 35 00:01:30,880 --> 00:01:32,040 Speaker 3: Right here at Lakewood. 36 00:01:33,760 --> 00:01:36,400 Speaker 4: Thanks for tuning in. Thank you again for coming out. 37 00:01:36,440 --> 00:01:38,080 Speaker 4: And I'd like to start with something funny. 38 00:01:38,120 --> 00:01:40,880 Speaker 3: And I heard about this burglar that broke. 39 00:01:40,640 --> 00:01:44,120 Speaker 4: Into a home one night. As he was stealing the stereo, 40 00:01:44,640 --> 00:01:48,600 Speaker 4: he heard a voice saying, Jesus is watching you. He 41 00:01:48,720 --> 00:01:51,800 Speaker 4: froze in his tracks and shined his slide over in 42 00:01:51,840 --> 00:01:53,760 Speaker 4: the corner of the room and he saw a parrot. 43 00:01:54,440 --> 00:01:56,720 Speaker 4: He said, did you say that to me? The parent 44 00:01:56,840 --> 00:01:58,640 Speaker 4: said yes, I'm just trying. 45 00:01:58,400 --> 00:02:01,640 Speaker 3: To warn you. Burglar said warn me, what are you 46 00:02:01,680 --> 00:02:05,560 Speaker 3: talking about? Who are you? Parent said? My name is Moses. 47 00:02:06,360 --> 00:02:09,400 Speaker 4: Burglar laughed, said, what kind of crazy people would name 48 00:02:09,440 --> 00:02:12,480 Speaker 4: a parent Moses? The parent said, the same kind of 49 00:02:12,480 --> 00:02:17,919 Speaker 4: people that would name a one hundred and fifty pounds Rottweiler. Jesus, 50 00:02:18,720 --> 00:02:21,440 Speaker 4: hold up your Bible. Say it like you mean it. 51 00:02:21,840 --> 00:02:24,600 Speaker 4: This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. 52 00:02:25,080 --> 00:02:27,480 Speaker 4: I have what it says I have. I can do 53 00:02:27,600 --> 00:02:30,120 Speaker 4: what it says I can do. Today I will be 54 00:02:30,200 --> 00:02:33,880 Speaker 4: talked the word of God. I boldly confess. My mind 55 00:02:33,960 --> 00:02:37,120 Speaker 4: is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never be 56 00:02:37,240 --> 00:02:42,160 Speaker 4: the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. I want 57 00:02:42,160 --> 00:02:44,720 Speaker 4: to talk to you today about staying in the game. 58 00:02:45,560 --> 00:02:46,520 Speaker 3: And it's easy to. 59 00:02:46,760 --> 00:02:50,200 Speaker 4: Have a good attitude and pursue our dreams as long 60 00:02:50,240 --> 00:02:51,720 Speaker 4: as everything is going our way. 61 00:02:52,280 --> 00:02:53,919 Speaker 3: That doesn't take a lot of faith. 62 00:02:54,600 --> 00:02:58,680 Speaker 4: But what about the difficult times when a relationship doesn't 63 00:02:58,680 --> 00:03:01,960 Speaker 4: work out, you get a bad health report, a. 64 00:03:01,880 --> 00:03:02,919 Speaker 3: Friend does us wrong. 65 00:03:03,520 --> 00:03:08,400 Speaker 4: It's easy to lose our passion when we're hurt, the disappointment, 66 00:03:08,919 --> 00:03:12,320 Speaker 4: the business that didn't make it, the breakup that was painful. 67 00:03:13,240 --> 00:03:16,880 Speaker 4: Many people are sitting on the sidelines of life because 68 00:03:16,919 --> 00:03:22,000 Speaker 4: they're injured. Now they're nursing their wounds, not moving forward 69 00:03:22,360 --> 00:03:25,360 Speaker 4: because of what they've been through. Now, you may have 70 00:03:25,400 --> 00:03:28,280 Speaker 4: a reason to feel sorry for yourself, but you don't 71 00:03:28,280 --> 00:03:31,920 Speaker 4: have a right. God promised he will give you beauty 72 00:03:32,000 --> 00:03:34,880 Speaker 4: for those ashes. He said he would pay you back 73 00:03:34,960 --> 00:03:36,280 Speaker 4: double for the wrongs. 74 00:03:36,760 --> 00:03:38,559 Speaker 3: But you have to do your part. 75 00:03:38,640 --> 00:03:40,880 Speaker 4: And if you're going to see the beauty, if you're 76 00:03:40,880 --> 00:03:43,680 Speaker 4: going to see the double, shake off the self pity. 77 00:03:44,120 --> 00:03:47,280 Speaker 4: You got to shake off the discouragement and get back 78 00:03:47,320 --> 00:03:52,480 Speaker 4: in the game. Every person has injuries, we all have wounds. 79 00:03:52,920 --> 00:03:56,480 Speaker 4: But you can't let a loss, a health issue, a 80 00:03:56,560 --> 00:04:00,960 Speaker 4: divorce be an excuse to sit on the sidelines. Sometimes 81 00:04:01,000 --> 00:04:04,400 Speaker 4: in life you have to play in pain. I was 82 00:04:04,440 --> 00:04:07,000 Speaker 4: watching the football game a while back and one of 83 00:04:07,040 --> 00:04:11,560 Speaker 4: the players had a broken hand and bruised ribs. He's 84 00:04:11,600 --> 00:04:15,560 Speaker 4: a big offensive lineman. He wasn't expected to play. The 85 00:04:15,600 --> 00:04:18,560 Speaker 4: trainers wanted him to sit out, but he wasn't about 86 00:04:18,600 --> 00:04:21,800 Speaker 4: to miss the game. Had a big cast on his arm. 87 00:04:22,040 --> 00:04:25,400 Speaker 4: It's wearing a special vest to protect his ribs. He's 88 00:04:25,480 --> 00:04:28,719 Speaker 4: all bandaged up. He looked like a mummy, and a 89 00:04:28,800 --> 00:04:31,520 Speaker 4: reporter asked him how he felt. He said, it's a 90 00:04:31,560 --> 00:04:35,280 Speaker 4: little painful. But I'd rather be in the game in 91 00:04:35,400 --> 00:04:39,680 Speaker 4: pain than sitting on the sidelines watching. And if you're 92 00:04:39,720 --> 00:04:43,040 Speaker 4: going to become all God's created you to be, you 93 00:04:43,080 --> 00:04:47,719 Speaker 4: can't let that injury, that hurt, that disappointment caused you 94 00:04:47,800 --> 00:04:52,040 Speaker 4: to sit on the sidelines. Do like this player, bandage 95 00:04:52,120 --> 00:04:55,119 Speaker 4: up what's hurting, forgive the person that did you wrong, 96 00:04:55,520 --> 00:04:58,000 Speaker 4: let go of what didn't work out, and get back 97 00:04:58,040 --> 00:05:02,279 Speaker 4: in the game. Lady in our lobbies last week that 98 00:05:02,360 --> 00:05:04,840 Speaker 4: I haven't seen in a long long time. She's an 99 00:05:04,920 --> 00:05:09,840 Speaker 4: older woman, very faithful, tends our services regularly. I said 100 00:05:09,839 --> 00:05:11,960 Speaker 4: in passing, Hey, I haven't seen you lately. 101 00:05:12,520 --> 00:05:15,080 Speaker 3: Where have you been? She said, Joel, I had. 102 00:05:14,920 --> 00:05:18,920 Speaker 4: To have an emergency surgery, been in the hospital for 103 00:05:19,000 --> 00:05:22,360 Speaker 4: three months, said wow, I'm so glad to have you back. 104 00:05:22,520 --> 00:05:25,720 Speaker 3: How are you doing? For as long as I live. 105 00:05:25,880 --> 00:05:29,760 Speaker 4: I will never forget her words, she said, I'm hurting, 106 00:05:30,480 --> 00:05:34,480 Speaker 4: but I'm here. That's the kind of people God rewards 107 00:05:34,720 --> 00:05:39,960 Speaker 4: faithful people, people that are determined, people that get knocked down. 108 00:05:39,960 --> 00:05:42,279 Speaker 3: But don't stay down. They get back up again. 109 00:05:42,960 --> 00:05:46,440 Speaker 4: You don't let the hurt, the pain, the bad break 110 00:05:46,640 --> 00:05:49,640 Speaker 4: cause you to get bitter, to lose your passion to. 111 00:05:49,640 --> 00:05:50,719 Speaker 3: Start blaming God. 112 00:05:51,080 --> 00:05:54,480 Speaker 4: No, like this lady, you stay in the game no 113 00:05:54,520 --> 00:05:58,000 Speaker 4: matter what life deals our way. Our attitude should be. 114 00:05:58,400 --> 00:06:00,360 Speaker 4: I'm hurting, but I'm still here. 115 00:06:01,240 --> 00:06:05,440 Speaker 3: Friend did me wrong, but I'm still here. Business is slow. 116 00:06:05,320 --> 00:06:08,400 Speaker 4: But I'm still here. Didn't feel like coming, but I'm 117 00:06:08,440 --> 00:06:11,640 Speaker 4: still here. You got to have a made up mind. 118 00:06:11,839 --> 00:06:14,680 Speaker 4: You're going to stay in the game. You're not going 119 00:06:14,720 --> 00:06:18,120 Speaker 4: to be faithful as long as you feel perfectly well, 120 00:06:18,800 --> 00:06:21,480 Speaker 4: as long as everybody treats you right, as long as 121 00:06:21,520 --> 00:06:25,520 Speaker 4: it's sunny and cool outside. Now, where are the people 122 00:06:25,960 --> 00:06:29,599 Speaker 4: like this lady that have a made up mind. I'm hurting, 123 00:06:29,960 --> 00:06:33,680 Speaker 4: but I'm still coming. Boss did me wrong, but I'm 124 00:06:33,720 --> 00:06:37,000 Speaker 4: still getting to work on time, being my best. My 125 00:06:37,160 --> 00:06:40,120 Speaker 4: child won't speak to me. It's breaking my heart. I'm 126 00:06:40,160 --> 00:06:43,440 Speaker 4: in pain, but I'm still singing in the choir. I'm 127 00:06:43,480 --> 00:06:46,520 Speaker 4: still ushering each week. I'm still being good to a 128 00:06:46,520 --> 00:06:49,680 Speaker 4: friend that's in need. I've still got a smile. I'm 129 00:06:49,800 --> 00:06:54,120 Speaker 4: still giving God praise. Listen, anybody can sit on the sidelines, 130 00:06:54,640 --> 00:06:58,279 Speaker 4: anybody can find an excuse to be sour, to drop out, 131 00:06:58,360 --> 00:06:59,479 Speaker 4: to give up on life. 132 00:07:00,320 --> 00:07:02,040 Speaker 3: You to stay in the game. 133 00:07:02,680 --> 00:07:06,000 Speaker 4: And when you're hurting when you're in pain, it's easy 134 00:07:06,120 --> 00:07:10,400 Speaker 4: to become ingrown to where all you think about is hurt, 135 00:07:10,720 --> 00:07:14,520 Speaker 4: my disappointment, my bed break. All that's going to do 136 00:07:14,680 --> 00:07:19,600 Speaker 4: is bring more discouragement, more self pity, eventually even depression. 137 00:07:20,560 --> 00:07:22,880 Speaker 4: One of the best things you can do when you're 138 00:07:22,960 --> 00:07:26,680 Speaker 4: hurting is go out and help somebody else that's hurting. 139 00:07:27,480 --> 00:07:30,240 Speaker 4: Get your mind off of your problems, off of your pain, 140 00:07:30,560 --> 00:07:34,160 Speaker 4: and go help somebody else in need. When you help 141 00:07:34,280 --> 00:07:37,720 Speaker 4: others in your time of need, that's a seed you're 142 00:07:37,760 --> 00:07:40,920 Speaker 4: sowing that God can use to change your own situation. 143 00:07:41,840 --> 00:07:44,520 Speaker 4: This is what my mother did in nineteen eighty one 144 00:07:45,000 --> 00:07:48,200 Speaker 4: when she was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer, given a 145 00:07:48,240 --> 00:07:52,000 Speaker 4: few weeks to live. She didn't feel well. She had 146 00:07:52,000 --> 00:07:54,960 Speaker 4: a good reason to be discouraged. She had a good 147 00:07:55,000 --> 00:07:59,000 Speaker 4: excuse to go home, go to bed, pull the curtains, 148 00:07:59,120 --> 00:08:02,800 Speaker 4: and be depressed. She was injured. She could have sat 149 00:08:02,800 --> 00:08:06,440 Speaker 4: on the sidelines, nobody would have faulted her. But my 150 00:08:06,560 --> 00:08:11,000 Speaker 4: mother understood this principle. She stayed in the game. She 151 00:08:11,040 --> 00:08:14,000 Speaker 4: would drive across town to pray for a friend of 152 00:08:14,040 --> 00:08:17,520 Speaker 4: hers that was sick. The truth is she needed more 153 00:08:17,560 --> 00:08:20,440 Speaker 4: prayer than that friend, but My mother was so in 154 00:08:20,520 --> 00:08:24,040 Speaker 4: a seed. She would come to church every weekend and 155 00:08:24,080 --> 00:08:27,760 Speaker 4: pray for other people that were in need. She was injured, 156 00:08:28,120 --> 00:08:32,080 Speaker 4: but she was still in the game. Sometimes in life 157 00:08:32,160 --> 00:08:33,760 Speaker 4: you got to play in pain. 158 00:08:34,160 --> 00:08:35,640 Speaker 3: You don't feel like it. 159 00:08:35,640 --> 00:08:39,360 Speaker 4: It's not easy. Every voice will tell you you're done, 160 00:08:39,720 --> 00:08:43,280 Speaker 4: there's nothing good in your future. No, don't believe those lies. 161 00:08:43,600 --> 00:08:47,200 Speaker 4: God sees your effort. It's one thing to do the 162 00:08:47,280 --> 00:08:50,880 Speaker 4: right thing, make good decisions. When everything's going our way, 163 00:08:51,120 --> 00:08:51,680 Speaker 4: that's great. 164 00:08:52,280 --> 00:08:53,280 Speaker 3: God rewards that. 165 00:08:54,240 --> 00:08:57,839 Speaker 4: But when times are tough and nothing's going your way, 166 00:08:58,520 --> 00:09:01,920 Speaker 4: you're hurting. You should be on the sidelines nursing your wound. 167 00:09:02,160 --> 00:09:05,439 Speaker 4: But instead you're still in the game. You're still getting 168 00:09:05,440 --> 00:09:08,079 Speaker 4: to work on time, You're still being good to someone, 169 00:09:08,440 --> 00:09:12,040 Speaker 4: You're still expecting God to turn it around. That gets 170 00:09:12,080 --> 00:09:15,800 Speaker 4: God's attention in a new way. God has a greater 171 00:09:15,960 --> 00:09:19,360 Speaker 4: reward for people who are faithful in the tough times. 172 00:09:20,440 --> 00:09:24,280 Speaker 4: Years ago, my sister Lisa went through an unwanted divorce. 173 00:09:25,040 --> 00:09:26,960 Speaker 3: She was in her early twenties. 174 00:09:26,559 --> 00:09:31,280 Speaker 4: And she was so devastated. Was an unfair situation, and 175 00:09:31,320 --> 00:09:34,679 Speaker 4: for weeks she was so depressed that she wouldn't leave 176 00:09:34,720 --> 00:09:35,160 Speaker 4: the house. 177 00:09:35,960 --> 00:09:39,520 Speaker 3: Practically wouldn't even come out of her room in the morning. 178 00:09:39,920 --> 00:09:43,120 Speaker 4: She couldn't wait for it to get dark at nighttime, 179 00:09:43,360 --> 00:09:47,560 Speaker 4: she couldn't wait for the morning. She wasn't living, just existing. 180 00:09:48,440 --> 00:09:50,840 Speaker 4: One day she called my father and she was crying. 181 00:09:50,920 --> 00:09:53,840 Speaker 4: She said, Daddy, I think I'm having a nervous breakdown. 182 00:09:54,400 --> 00:09:57,679 Speaker 4: She was in so much pain, she was overwhelmed, and 183 00:09:57,720 --> 00:09:59,839 Speaker 4: we as a family, of course, we tried to cheer up, 184 00:10:00,200 --> 00:10:02,720 Speaker 4: We tried to encourage her, but it's like we couldn't 185 00:10:02,760 --> 00:10:05,199 Speaker 4: get her out of that deep hold of depression. 186 00:10:06,040 --> 00:10:07,679 Speaker 3: A minister friend of ours. 187 00:10:07,480 --> 00:10:10,120 Speaker 4: Was speaking at the church at that time. His name 188 00:10:10,160 --> 00:10:14,080 Speaker 4: is T. L. Osborne. He got on the phone said, Lisa, 189 00:10:14,840 --> 00:10:18,760 Speaker 4: nobody can bring you out of this except you. You 190 00:10:18,840 --> 00:10:21,160 Speaker 4: know I love you, Lisa, but you got to quit 191 00:10:21,240 --> 00:10:25,480 Speaker 4: feeling sorry for yourself, quit nursing your wounds, quit thinking 192 00:10:25,520 --> 00:10:28,320 Speaker 4: about your problem, get out of the house. 193 00:10:28,240 --> 00:10:29,800 Speaker 3: And move forward with your life. 194 00:10:30,559 --> 00:10:35,760 Speaker 4: At first, Lisa was defensive, almost offended, thinking, you don't 195 00:10:35,800 --> 00:10:37,320 Speaker 4: know the pain that I'm feeling. 196 00:10:37,559 --> 00:10:40,040 Speaker 3: You don't know what I'm going through. This is ruined 197 00:10:40,080 --> 00:10:43,880 Speaker 3: by life. Then he made this statement, if you'll. 198 00:10:43,679 --> 00:10:47,839 Speaker 4: Move forward, God will take your scars and turn them 199 00:10:47,880 --> 00:10:48,800 Speaker 4: into stars. 200 00:10:48,960 --> 00:10:50,319 Speaker 3: For his glory. 201 00:10:50,960 --> 00:10:55,720 Speaker 4: When she heard that something ignited on the inside. It's 202 00:10:55,760 --> 00:10:59,319 Speaker 4: like a stronghold was broken in her mind. Instead of 203 00:10:59,360 --> 00:11:02,400 Speaker 4: sitting at home feeling sorry for herself, she went up 204 00:11:02,440 --> 00:11:05,480 Speaker 4: to the church and started a class every week for 205 00:11:05,640 --> 00:11:08,640 Speaker 4: people who were believing for their marriages to be restored. 206 00:11:09,360 --> 00:11:12,320 Speaker 4: She reached out to other people that were hurting. She 207 00:11:12,559 --> 00:11:16,240 Speaker 4: was injured, but she got back in the game. By 208 00:11:16,280 --> 00:11:20,040 Speaker 4: her action, she was saying, I'm hurting, but I'm still here. 209 00:11:20,720 --> 00:11:24,439 Speaker 4: I'm disappointed, but I'm still here. They did me wrong, 210 00:11:24,679 --> 00:11:29,040 Speaker 4: but I'm still here. Lisa could still be bitter with 211 00:11:29,080 --> 00:11:32,400 Speaker 4: a chip on her shoulder, blaming God, but she made 212 00:11:32,440 --> 00:11:35,880 Speaker 4: the decision to get back in the game. Today, more 213 00:11:35,920 --> 00:11:40,080 Speaker 4: than twenty years later, she's happily married, great husband, three 214 00:11:40,160 --> 00:11:44,160 Speaker 4: beautiful children. She saw what God promised. He took the 215 00:11:44,200 --> 00:11:48,320 Speaker 4: scars and turned them into stars. He gave her beauty 216 00:11:48,480 --> 00:11:51,640 Speaker 4: for those ashes. But it all happened when she made 217 00:11:51,640 --> 00:11:52,679 Speaker 4: the decision to. 218 00:11:52,679 --> 00:11:53,680 Speaker 3: Get back in the game. 219 00:11:54,840 --> 00:11:59,200 Speaker 4: Isaiah put it this way, Arise from the depression in 220 00:11:59,240 --> 00:12:03,000 Speaker 4: which the circum stances have kept you, rise. 221 00:12:02,800 --> 00:12:04,400 Speaker 3: To a new life. 222 00:12:04,640 --> 00:12:07,600 Speaker 4: Notice, if you want a new life, there's something you 223 00:12:07,679 --> 00:12:11,400 Speaker 4: have to do. You can't sit back in self pity. 224 00:12:11,559 --> 00:12:14,200 Speaker 4: You can't wait till all your wounds heal and you 225 00:12:14,280 --> 00:12:17,280 Speaker 4: feel one hundred percent. You've got to do like Lisa 226 00:12:17,640 --> 00:12:22,160 Speaker 4: and arise from that discouragement. Shake off what didn't work out, 227 00:12:22,960 --> 00:12:26,240 Speaker 4: Quit mourning over what you've lost, Quit dwelling on. 228 00:12:26,160 --> 00:12:29,600 Speaker 3: Who hurts you and how unfair it was, and rise 229 00:12:29,760 --> 00:12:31,079 Speaker 3: to a new life. 230 00:12:31,679 --> 00:12:35,240 Speaker 4: When God sees you in the game, pain in awe, 231 00:12:35,840 --> 00:12:39,280 Speaker 4: bandages in awe, when you show up with that attitude. 232 00:12:39,679 --> 00:12:43,720 Speaker 4: I'm hurting but I'm still here. I'm hurting, but I 233 00:12:43,760 --> 00:12:46,760 Speaker 4: know God is still on the throne. I'm hurting, but 234 00:12:46,840 --> 00:12:50,400 Speaker 4: I'm expecting God to turn it around. That's when the 235 00:12:50,440 --> 00:12:54,000 Speaker 4: creator of the universe goes to work. That's when God 236 00:12:54,080 --> 00:12:56,680 Speaker 4: will pay you back for the wrongs that have happened 237 00:12:56,720 --> 00:12:59,600 Speaker 4: to you. Some of you are in a tough times 238 00:13:00,120 --> 00:13:04,200 Speaker 4: sitting on the sidelines. God is saying, arise and get 239 00:13:04,240 --> 00:13:08,559 Speaker 4: back in the game. If a friend betrayed you, don't 240 00:13:08,559 --> 00:13:12,040 Speaker 4: go through life lonely. Go out and find some new friends. 241 00:13:12,240 --> 00:13:15,400 Speaker 4: The right people are in your future. If you lost 242 00:13:15,440 --> 00:13:18,240 Speaker 4: your job, don't sit around complaining, go out and find 243 00:13:18,240 --> 00:13:21,760 Speaker 4: another job. When one door closes, God will always open 244 00:13:21,840 --> 00:13:27,240 Speaker 4: up another door. If you're facing a health issue, fighting 245 00:13:27,280 --> 00:13:30,559 Speaker 4: that sickness, don't give up on life and start planning 246 00:13:30,679 --> 00:13:31,280 Speaker 4: your funeral. 247 00:13:31,559 --> 00:13:33,520 Speaker 3: Arise from that discouragement. 248 00:13:34,120 --> 00:13:37,440 Speaker 4: When God sees you do your part, he will do 249 00:13:37,520 --> 00:13:38,040 Speaker 4: his part. 250 00:13:38,200 --> 00:13:39,440 Speaker 3: He'll give you a new life. 251 00:13:39,880 --> 00:13:43,800 Speaker 4: That means he'll restore your health, give you new opportunities, 252 00:13:44,280 --> 00:13:45,479 Speaker 4: new relationships. 253 00:13:45,960 --> 00:13:48,040 Speaker 3: He'll give you a new perspective. 254 00:13:48,800 --> 00:13:52,200 Speaker 4: You will see, even though it's painful, it is not 255 00:13:52,320 --> 00:13:56,400 Speaker 4: the end. Even though it was unfair, it is not over. 256 00:13:57,040 --> 00:14:02,600 Speaker 4: There is still life after the sicklness, life after the divorce, 257 00:14:03,200 --> 00:14:06,800 Speaker 4: life after the bad break, A full life is still 258 00:14:06,840 --> 00:14:10,840 Speaker 4: in front of you. Job experienced this. He went through 259 00:14:10,880 --> 00:14:14,720 Speaker 4: all kinds of tough times. Everything that could go wrong did. 260 00:14:15,520 --> 00:14:18,720 Speaker 4: He was tempted to sit on the sidelines of life. 261 00:14:18,760 --> 00:14:21,120 Speaker 4: His wife told him, Job, just give up. It's never 262 00:14:21,200 --> 00:14:24,000 Speaker 4: going to get any better. But in the midst of 263 00:14:24,000 --> 00:14:25,960 Speaker 4: that pain, Job said. 264 00:14:26,040 --> 00:14:28,280 Speaker 3: I know my Redeemer lives. 265 00:14:28,800 --> 00:14:31,560 Speaker 4: He was saying, in effect, I'm hurting, but I'm still 266 00:14:31,560 --> 00:14:34,720 Speaker 4: in the game. I'm hurting, but I know my God 267 00:14:34,880 --> 00:14:38,360 Speaker 4: is still on the throne. A year later, when he 268 00:14:38,440 --> 00:14:41,720 Speaker 4: came through that challenge, God not only brought him out, 269 00:14:42,200 --> 00:14:45,440 Speaker 4: but God paid him back double for what he had lost. 270 00:14:46,120 --> 00:14:50,640 Speaker 4: The scripture says, after this Job lived one hundred and 271 00:14:50,880 --> 00:14:56,680 Speaker 4: forty years and saw his grandchildren down to four generations. Notice, 272 00:14:56,920 --> 00:15:02,440 Speaker 4: after the trouble, after the loss, after the sickness, after 273 00:15:02,480 --> 00:15:05,840 Speaker 4: the business went down, after the bottom fell out, his 274 00:15:05,960 --> 00:15:09,040 Speaker 4: life was not over. He didn't end on a sour, 275 00:15:09,200 --> 00:15:13,040 Speaker 4: defeated note. He went on to live a blessed, happy 276 00:15:13,600 --> 00:15:19,120 Speaker 4: one hundred and forty years, enjoying his grandchildren, accomplishing his dreams, 277 00:15:19,440 --> 00:15:23,880 Speaker 4: fulfilling his destiny. What am I saying? Your life is 278 00:15:23,920 --> 00:15:27,040 Speaker 4: not over because you had a setback. God has an 279 00:15:27,120 --> 00:15:31,640 Speaker 4: after this in your future. When we go through tough times, 280 00:15:31,800 --> 00:15:34,720 Speaker 4: don't be surprised if the enemy doesn't whisper in your ear. 281 00:15:34,960 --> 00:15:37,040 Speaker 4: You'll never be as happy as you used to be. 282 00:15:37,440 --> 00:15:40,480 Speaker 4: You've seen your best days. This setback is the end 283 00:15:40,480 --> 00:15:43,000 Speaker 4: of you. No let that go in one ear and 284 00:15:43,120 --> 00:15:45,840 Speaker 4: out the other. God is saying to you what he 285 00:15:45,920 --> 00:15:50,280 Speaker 4: said to Job after the cancer, after the bad break, 286 00:15:50,640 --> 00:15:52,640 Speaker 4: after the disappointment, there. 287 00:15:52,520 --> 00:15:53,920 Speaker 3: Is still a full life. 288 00:15:54,720 --> 00:15:57,840 Speaker 4: You have not danced your best dance, you have not 289 00:15:58,000 --> 00:16:02,440 Speaker 4: laughed your best laugh, dreamed your best dream. If you 290 00:16:02,480 --> 00:16:05,640 Speaker 4: will stay in the game, and not get bitter. God 291 00:16:05,680 --> 00:16:10,120 Speaker 4: hasn't after this in your future like job. He's not 292 00:16:10,160 --> 00:16:12,320 Speaker 4: only gonna bring you out, He's gonna bring you out 293 00:16:12,320 --> 00:16:15,760 Speaker 4: with double what you had before. You may have seen 294 00:16:15,760 --> 00:16:19,520 Speaker 4: the football game last Sunday. One of the players younger 295 00:16:19,560 --> 00:16:23,240 Speaker 4: brothers was tragically killed in an accident the day before. 296 00:16:23,920 --> 00:16:27,960 Speaker 4: This player practically raised his siblings. They were extremely close. 297 00:16:28,440 --> 00:16:30,840 Speaker 4: You can imagine the pain and shock he must have 298 00:16:30,920 --> 00:16:33,440 Speaker 4: been in. The coach told him to go back home 299 00:16:33,520 --> 00:16:36,320 Speaker 4: and spend as much time as he needed with his family, 300 00:16:36,800 --> 00:16:39,200 Speaker 4: but he said, no, Coach, I'm going to play in 301 00:16:39,240 --> 00:16:42,800 Speaker 4: the game tomorrow in memory of my brother. I know 302 00:16:43,120 --> 00:16:46,000 Speaker 4: that's what he would want me to do. It's interesting 303 00:16:46,080 --> 00:16:49,080 Speaker 4: this player had one of the greatest games of his career. 304 00:16:49,600 --> 00:16:53,440 Speaker 4: He caught an incredible touchdown pass, made other great plays. 305 00:16:54,320 --> 00:16:57,560 Speaker 4: Some people would see it as a coincidence, just the 306 00:16:57,600 --> 00:17:00,680 Speaker 4: adrenaline of the moment, but I see it as the 307 00:17:00,720 --> 00:17:03,840 Speaker 4: hand of God. I believe God was saying, if you'll 308 00:17:03,920 --> 00:17:07,040 Speaker 4: dare stay in the game, if you'll dare play with pain, 309 00:17:07,400 --> 00:17:11,520 Speaker 4: then I'll breathe my favor on your life. When God 310 00:17:11,560 --> 00:17:14,840 Speaker 4: sees you in the game, when at least in the 311 00:17:14,960 --> 00:17:18,320 Speaker 4: natural you should be on the sidelines nursing your wounds. 312 00:17:19,000 --> 00:17:22,159 Speaker 4: Everybody would understand if you were bitter you lost a 313 00:17:22,200 --> 00:17:25,199 Speaker 4: loved one in an accident. We'd understand if you had 314 00:17:25,200 --> 00:17:29,159 Speaker 4: a bad attitude. You're facing a serious illness, raising a 315 00:17:29,200 --> 00:17:31,120 Speaker 4: special needs child in the. 316 00:17:31,000 --> 00:17:32,280 Speaker 3: Middle of a legal battle. 317 00:17:32,640 --> 00:17:36,520 Speaker 4: Nobody would fault you for being discouraged. That's what most 318 00:17:36,520 --> 00:17:41,120 Speaker 4: people expect. But when you defy the odds and say, Hey, 319 00:17:41,320 --> 00:17:45,879 Speaker 4: I'm hurting, but I'm still here. The medical report wasn't good, 320 00:17:46,119 --> 00:17:47,160 Speaker 4: but I'm still. 321 00:17:46,880 --> 00:17:47,840 Speaker 3: Giving God praise. 322 00:17:48,280 --> 00:17:51,080 Speaker 4: The loan didn't go through, but I still have a smile. 323 00:17:51,560 --> 00:17:54,679 Speaker 4: I didn't get that promotion, but I'm still volunteering in 324 00:17:54,760 --> 00:17:59,320 Speaker 4: the nursery. When you play in pain, the most powerful 325 00:17:59,480 --> 00:18:03,560 Speaker 4: force in the universe breathe in your direction. You may 326 00:18:03,600 --> 00:18:07,040 Speaker 4: be in a difficult time. You could easily be discouraged, 327 00:18:07,240 --> 00:18:11,080 Speaker 4: but God is saying it's time to wipe away the tears, 328 00:18:12,119 --> 00:18:15,440 Speaker 4: wash your face, put on a new attitude, and get 329 00:18:15,480 --> 00:18:18,720 Speaker 4: back in the game. You may not be able to 330 00:18:18,800 --> 00:18:23,280 Speaker 4: do what you used to. You've got some aches, some limitations. 331 00:18:23,480 --> 00:18:24,120 Speaker 3: That's all right. 332 00:18:24,760 --> 00:18:29,399 Speaker 4: God is not necessarily concerned about your performance. He's looking 333 00:18:29,400 --> 00:18:32,639 Speaker 4: at the fact that you're even in the game. You 334 00:18:32,680 --> 00:18:35,440 Speaker 4: could have a chip on your shoulder. You could be 335 00:18:35,560 --> 00:18:39,680 Speaker 4: sitting on the sidelines. Some of you just being here today, 336 00:18:40,200 --> 00:18:43,040 Speaker 4: just flipping on the channel. That took an act of 337 00:18:43,080 --> 00:18:48,120 Speaker 4: your faith. Every voice told you, don't go today. You're tired, 338 00:18:48,680 --> 00:18:49,720 Speaker 4: you're disappointed. 339 00:18:50,000 --> 00:18:52,840 Speaker 3: You had a set back. That's a waste of your time. 340 00:18:53,080 --> 00:18:56,040 Speaker 4: You had all these excuses to sit on the sidelines, 341 00:18:56,280 --> 00:18:59,399 Speaker 4: but you shook it off and came anyway. Let me 342 00:18:59,440 --> 00:19:03,600 Speaker 4: assure you God sees your effort. God knows what it 343 00:19:03,640 --> 00:19:05,960 Speaker 4: took to be here, what it took to even turn 344 00:19:06,000 --> 00:19:11,000 Speaker 4: the channel on. Nobody else knows the battles you had 345 00:19:11,040 --> 00:19:14,480 Speaker 4: to fight to get here, the discouragement you had to overcome. 346 00:19:14,920 --> 00:19:17,800 Speaker 4: They didn't see all the opportunities you had to get 347 00:19:17,920 --> 00:19:19,679 Speaker 4: sour and throw in the towel. 348 00:19:20,400 --> 00:19:22,280 Speaker 3: Just the fact that you showed up. 349 00:19:22,720 --> 00:19:25,960 Speaker 4: You're saying to God you are still on the throne. 350 00:19:26,000 --> 00:19:29,359 Speaker 4: You're saying to yourself, I'm in it for the long haul. 351 00:19:29,640 --> 00:19:32,240 Speaker 4: And you're saying to the enemy, you're under my feet. 352 00:19:32,640 --> 00:19:36,720 Speaker 4: There's nothing you can do to keep me from my destiny. Listen, 353 00:19:36,840 --> 00:19:40,159 Speaker 4: the moment you walked in these doors, the moment you 354 00:19:40,280 --> 00:19:43,840 Speaker 4: flipped on the channel, all the forces of darkness begin 355 00:19:43,960 --> 00:19:47,879 Speaker 4: to tremble. Because when you honor God, especially in a 356 00:19:47,920 --> 00:19:52,120 Speaker 4: tough time when you could be complaining but instead you're praising, 357 00:19:52,800 --> 00:19:53,480 Speaker 4: that gives the. 358 00:19:53,600 --> 00:19:55,200 Speaker 3: Enemy a nervous breakdown. 359 00:19:55,560 --> 00:19:57,639 Speaker 4: He doesn't know what to do with people. To just 360 00:19:57,680 --> 00:20:01,800 Speaker 4: stay in the game. Friends, God sees. 361 00:20:01,560 --> 00:20:04,360 Speaker 3: Your effort, he sees your sacrifice. 362 00:20:04,960 --> 00:20:08,359 Speaker 4: When Jesus was here on this earth, he felt every pain, 363 00:20:08,880 --> 00:20:11,959 Speaker 4: every emotion that we would ever feel. He knows what 364 00:20:12,000 --> 00:20:15,040 Speaker 4: it's like to be lonely, to go through a loss, 365 00:20:15,440 --> 00:20:19,399 Speaker 4: to be betrayed, to be discouraged, so much so that 366 00:20:19,520 --> 00:20:23,320 Speaker 4: he sweat great drops of blood. He's been where we are. 367 00:20:24,080 --> 00:20:27,199 Speaker 4: The scripture says, he is touched with the feelings of 368 00:20:27,240 --> 00:20:31,960 Speaker 4: our infirmities. When you hurt, God feels the pain. You're 369 00:20:32,000 --> 00:20:35,600 Speaker 4: his most surprized possession. You're his child, and when you 370 00:20:35,680 --> 00:20:39,520 Speaker 4: arise in spite of the pain and get in the game, 371 00:20:39,840 --> 00:20:43,280 Speaker 4: that's the seed God will use to take the scar 372 00:20:43,760 --> 00:20:46,800 Speaker 4: and turn it into a star. I met a man 373 00:20:46,840 --> 00:20:49,880 Speaker 4: in our lobby a while back, and I noticed that 374 00:20:49,920 --> 00:20:52,880 Speaker 4: he was wearing a wristband from the hospital and asked 375 00:20:52,920 --> 00:20:56,560 Speaker 4: him if everything was okay. He explained how he had 376 00:20:56,840 --> 00:21:00,280 Speaker 4: surgery earlier in that week, a major surgery. He was 377 00:21:00,320 --> 00:21:03,400 Speaker 4: supposed to stay in the hospital through the weekend to recover, 378 00:21:04,000 --> 00:21:06,680 Speaker 4: but he said, doctor, I've got to go to church 379 00:21:06,720 --> 00:21:11,320 Speaker 4: on Sunday. I'm an usher. They'll be expecting me. The 380 00:21:11,359 --> 00:21:14,080 Speaker 4: doctor said, no way, sir. I'm not even thinking about 381 00:21:14,160 --> 00:21:16,200 Speaker 4: letting you out of the hospital. You're gonna stay right 382 00:21:16,280 --> 00:21:20,359 Speaker 4: here and recover. The man said, doctor, you don't understand. 383 00:21:20,600 --> 00:21:24,359 Speaker 4: I have to be at church. I never miss a Sunday. 384 00:21:24,600 --> 00:21:26,640 Speaker 4: Doctor looked at him, so let me ask you. 385 00:21:26,880 --> 00:21:31,080 Speaker 3: Do you go to Lakewood. He said, yes, sir, I do. 386 00:21:31,440 --> 00:21:35,399 Speaker 4: The doctor said, Lakewood people are the most dedicated, faithful, 387 00:21:35,800 --> 00:21:41,120 Speaker 4: happiest people I've ever seen. The doctor said, I'm gonna 388 00:21:41,119 --> 00:21:42,960 Speaker 4: make a deal with you. I'm gonna give you a 389 00:21:43,080 --> 00:21:46,639 Speaker 4: three hour pass to go to church on Sunday morning, 390 00:21:46,760 --> 00:21:48,960 Speaker 4: and then you get right back in here and get 391 00:21:48,960 --> 00:21:52,920 Speaker 4: in that bed to recover. He showed up. He was hurting, 392 00:21:53,160 --> 00:21:56,359 Speaker 4: but he was here. He told me before the service, Joel, 393 00:21:56,359 --> 00:22:00,680 Speaker 4: don't go long. I'll get in trouble. There's a young 394 00:22:00,720 --> 00:22:02,000 Speaker 4: man that attends here. 395 00:22:01,960 --> 00:22:02,680 Speaker 3: All the time. 396 00:22:03,000 --> 00:22:05,720 Speaker 4: He always has a smile, seems as happy as can be. 397 00:22:06,480 --> 00:22:09,639 Speaker 4: What I didn't realize is he has been on dialysis 398 00:22:09,680 --> 00:22:13,520 Speaker 4: for twelve years, much younger than I am. I took 399 00:22:13,560 --> 00:22:16,760 Speaker 4: my father to dialysis the last three months of his life. 400 00:22:16,840 --> 00:22:18,240 Speaker 4: I know a little bit about that. 401 00:22:18,640 --> 00:22:20,919 Speaker 3: It's not always easy. It can be a burden. 402 00:22:21,560 --> 00:22:26,080 Speaker 4: This young man always wore long sleeved shirts. One Sunday 403 00:22:26,119 --> 00:22:28,359 Speaker 4: he came up for prayer. I met him at the 404 00:22:28,400 --> 00:22:30,920 Speaker 4: altar for the first time. Said, hey, I see out 405 00:22:30,920 --> 00:22:32,520 Speaker 4: there in the audience all the time. It's good to 406 00:22:32,560 --> 00:22:35,400 Speaker 4: finally meet you. Said yeah, Joel, I never miss a service. 407 00:22:35,640 --> 00:22:36,439 Speaker 4: I love coming. 408 00:22:37,160 --> 00:22:41,440 Speaker 3: He rolled up his sleeve. His whole arm was as 409 00:22:41,560 --> 00:22:42,800 Speaker 3: red as a tomato. 410 00:22:43,480 --> 00:22:45,919 Speaker 4: It looked like somebody had taken an ice pick and 411 00:22:45,960 --> 00:22:49,200 Speaker 4: poked at it for three hours straight. Never seen anything 412 00:22:49,320 --> 00:22:52,960 Speaker 4: like that before. I couldn't help but think about all 413 00:22:53,000 --> 00:22:55,680 Speaker 4: the times I had seen him out in the audience 414 00:22:55,920 --> 00:22:59,760 Speaker 4: with his arms up in the air in worship. Looked 415 00:22:59,760 --> 00:23:01,960 Speaker 4: like he didn't have a problem in the world, look 416 00:23:02,000 --> 00:23:03,119 Speaker 4: as happy as could be. 417 00:23:03,680 --> 00:23:05,879 Speaker 3: What I didn't realize was under. 418 00:23:05,680 --> 00:23:10,080 Speaker 4: That sleeve he was injured. He was here, but he 419 00:23:10,119 --> 00:23:13,920 Speaker 4: was hurting. He was playing in pain. And it's one 420 00:23:13,960 --> 00:23:16,840 Speaker 4: thing to go through a difficulty and everybody. 421 00:23:16,359 --> 00:23:17,160 Speaker 3: Knows about it. 422 00:23:17,520 --> 00:23:21,399 Speaker 4: You're worried, discouraged, You got your friends, your family members praying. 423 00:23:21,920 --> 00:23:22,960 Speaker 3: There's nothing wrong with that. 424 00:23:23,520 --> 00:23:27,040 Speaker 4: We're all human, we all have emotions, we handle things 425 00:23:27,040 --> 00:23:31,520 Speaker 4: in different ways. But what really gets God's attention is 426 00:23:31,560 --> 00:23:35,199 Speaker 4: when you're in a tough time. You're hurting, you're in pain. 427 00:23:35,560 --> 00:23:39,880 Speaker 4: But like this young man, you're so stable, you're so consistent, 428 00:23:40,200 --> 00:23:44,439 Speaker 4: you're so at peace. Nobody knows anything about it. You 429 00:23:44,560 --> 00:23:47,879 Speaker 4: show up to church each week with a smile, you 430 00:23:48,000 --> 00:23:52,600 Speaker 4: go to work with a good attitude. You're kind, friendly, compassionate. 431 00:23:52,800 --> 00:23:56,359 Speaker 4: The whole time you're fighting a battle that nobody knows 432 00:23:56,400 --> 00:23:59,640 Speaker 4: anything about. Let me tell you that gets God's attention 433 00:23:59,720 --> 00:24:02,960 Speaker 4: in a great, great way. About three months ago, he 434 00:24:03,040 --> 00:24:05,400 Speaker 4: came back to the altar. There was a young man 435 00:24:05,440 --> 00:24:08,680 Speaker 4: next to him. He said, Joel, my friend is going 436 00:24:08,720 --> 00:24:11,320 Speaker 4: to donate me one of his kidneys. We're going to 437 00:24:11,400 --> 00:24:16,040 Speaker 4: have the transplant on Tuesday. Long story short, The procedure 438 00:24:16,080 --> 00:24:20,960 Speaker 4: went great. The new kidney responded perfectly. Today he's not 439 00:24:21,080 --> 00:24:24,960 Speaker 4: on dialysis anymore, he didn't have to wear long sleeve 440 00:24:25,000 --> 00:24:29,000 Speaker 4: shirts anymore. He's healthy, free from that pain. 441 00:24:31,200 --> 00:24:32,080 Speaker 3: Here's my point. 442 00:24:33,680 --> 00:24:40,359 Speaker 4: Twelve years after the dialysis, after the struggle, after the pain, 443 00:24:40,880 --> 00:24:43,280 Speaker 4: there was still a bright future in front of him. 444 00:24:43,480 --> 00:24:45,119 Speaker 3: Because he stayed in the game. 445 00:24:45,600 --> 00:24:49,080 Speaker 4: Like job, he came in to his after this, God 446 00:24:49,119 --> 00:24:51,680 Speaker 4: will do the same thing for you. So a young 447 00:24:51,720 --> 00:24:54,080 Speaker 4: lady in the scripture that went through a time of 448 00:24:54,119 --> 00:24:57,760 Speaker 4: great pain. Her name was Ruth. Her husband was killed 449 00:24:57,800 --> 00:25:01,080 Speaker 4: in a battle. In a moment, her life forever changed. 450 00:25:01,359 --> 00:25:04,720 Speaker 4: Ruth could have easily gotten off into self pity, discouragement. 451 00:25:04,840 --> 00:25:07,680 Speaker 4: God life is just not fair. But Ruth stayed in 452 00:25:07,760 --> 00:25:11,159 Speaker 4: the game. Her mother in law, Naomi, it was her 453 00:25:11,240 --> 00:25:14,840 Speaker 4: son that was killed. She was a widow already. She 454 00:25:14,960 --> 00:25:18,040 Speaker 4: was about to move back to her hometown. She said, Ruth, 455 00:25:18,080 --> 00:25:21,320 Speaker 4: you're a young woman. I'm an old lady. You've got 456 00:25:21,359 --> 00:25:24,080 Speaker 4: a full life in front of you. Don't worry about me. 457 00:25:24,560 --> 00:25:28,480 Speaker 4: Just go off and do your own thing. Ruth said, no, Naomi, 458 00:25:28,720 --> 00:25:31,640 Speaker 4: I'm not going to leave you by yourself, especially when 459 00:25:31,680 --> 00:25:34,920 Speaker 4: you're hurting. I'm gonna go with you and take care 460 00:25:34,960 --> 00:25:38,639 Speaker 4: of you. Even though Ruth was hurting, even though she 461 00:25:38,840 --> 00:25:42,040 Speaker 4: was in pain, she reached out to somebody else that 462 00:25:42,200 --> 00:25:45,880 Speaker 4: was hurting. Month after month, Ruth just kept taking care 463 00:25:45,920 --> 00:25:49,760 Speaker 4: of Naomi, getting the food, serving her dinner being her friend. 464 00:25:50,600 --> 00:25:53,119 Speaker 4: One day, Ruth was out in the field gathering up 465 00:25:53,160 --> 00:25:56,960 Speaker 4: wheat for the dinner, and she met this man named Boaz. 466 00:25:57,600 --> 00:26:00,679 Speaker 4: He was the owner of all the fields, the wealthiest 467 00:26:00,760 --> 00:26:02,240 Speaker 4: man in that area. 468 00:26:02,440 --> 00:26:03,320 Speaker 3: Long story short. 469 00:26:03,359 --> 00:26:06,000 Speaker 4: They fell in love and got married, and God blessed 470 00:26:06,040 --> 00:26:10,440 Speaker 4: them with a baby boy. They named him Obed. Obed 471 00:26:10,600 --> 00:26:15,480 Speaker 4: had a son named Jesse. Jesse had a son named David. David, 472 00:26:15,480 --> 00:26:17,320 Speaker 4: of course, went on to be the King of Israel, 473 00:26:17,440 --> 00:26:20,640 Speaker 4: one of the greatest men that's ever lived. Ruth could 474 00:26:20,680 --> 00:26:23,399 Speaker 4: have sat on the sidelines the rest of her life 475 00:26:23,600 --> 00:26:27,919 Speaker 4: after that loss, but she understood this principle. She played 476 00:26:27,960 --> 00:26:31,159 Speaker 4: in pain, she was injured, but she kept doing the 477 00:26:31,240 --> 00:26:35,240 Speaker 4: right thing. And God had an after this for Ruth, 478 00:26:35,880 --> 00:26:40,200 Speaker 4: after the loss, after the pain, God said, I'll give 479 00:26:40,240 --> 00:26:43,399 Speaker 4: you a great great grandson that will change the world. 480 00:26:44,320 --> 00:26:47,320 Speaker 4: You may be in pain today, you suffered a loss, 481 00:26:47,400 --> 00:26:50,840 Speaker 4: been through a disappointment. My message is that is not 482 00:26:51,240 --> 00:26:55,320 Speaker 4: the end. God still has a plan. Now, don't sit 483 00:26:55,359 --> 00:26:59,600 Speaker 4: around nursing the wound. Don't let bitterness and discouragement set 484 00:26:59,640 --> 00:27:03,200 Speaker 4: the tone for your life. God is saying, arives, wipe 485 00:27:03,240 --> 00:27:06,439 Speaker 4: away the tears and get back in the game. You 486 00:27:06,560 --> 00:27:09,840 Speaker 4: may be injured, but dare to do like Ruth and 487 00:27:09,960 --> 00:27:14,000 Speaker 4: play in pain. Have the attitude. I'm hurting, but I'm 488 00:27:14,040 --> 00:27:17,600 Speaker 4: still here. I'm disappointed, but I've still got a smile. 489 00:27:18,000 --> 00:27:22,199 Speaker 4: They did me wrong, but I'm still giving God praise. Friends, 490 00:27:22,200 --> 00:27:25,200 Speaker 4: if you will stay in the game, God will always 491 00:27:25,280 --> 00:27:29,640 Speaker 4: have and after this for you. After the loss, you'll 492 00:27:29,640 --> 00:27:32,560 Speaker 4: meet the right person. After the layoff, you'll get a 493 00:27:32,600 --> 00:27:36,600 Speaker 4: better job. After the sickness, you'll come out stronger. After 494 00:27:36,640 --> 00:27:40,560 Speaker 4: the disappointment. You'll still live a blessed, full, happy life, 495 00:27:40,720 --> 00:27:42,879 Speaker 4: just like my mother, just like the young men with 496 00:27:42,920 --> 00:27:47,080 Speaker 4: the kidney, just like Ruth, Like Job, I believe and 497 00:27:47,200 --> 00:27:51,000 Speaker 4: declare in spite of the pain, in spite of the adversity, 498 00:27:51,359 --> 00:27:54,280 Speaker 4: because you're still in the game, God's going to make 499 00:27:54,320 --> 00:27:56,960 Speaker 4: the rest of your life the best of your life. 500 00:27:57,320 --> 00:28:01,479 Speaker 4: You will still fulfill your destiny and come everything that 501 00:28:01,520 --> 00:28:03,120 Speaker 4: God has created you to be. 502 00:28:03,160 --> 00:28:05,000 Speaker 3: In Jesus' name, if. 503 00:28:04,880 --> 00:28:09,080 Speaker 4: You receive it, can you say amen? Today? We never 504 00:28:09,160 --> 00:28:12,400 Speaker 4: like to close our broadcast without giving you an opportunity 505 00:28:12,520 --> 00:28:14,320 Speaker 4: to make Jesus the lord of your life. 506 00:28:14,480 --> 00:28:15,439 Speaker 3: Would you pray with me? 507 00:28:16,160 --> 00:28:20,080 Speaker 4: Just say Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins. 508 00:28:21,400 --> 00:28:24,320 Speaker 3: Come into my heart. I make you my. 509 00:28:24,320 --> 00:28:28,080 Speaker 4: Lord and save you. Friends, if you prayed that simple prayer, 510 00:28:28,160 --> 00:28:30,680 Speaker 4: we believe you got born again. Get in a good 511 00:28:30,800 --> 00:28:33,200 Speaker 4: Bible based church, Keep God in first place. 512 00:28:33,480 --> 00:28:35,760 Speaker 3: He's gonna take your places you've never dreamed of. 513 00:28:36,400 --> 00:28:39,400 Speaker 4: Thanks so much for listening to today's message. I hope 514 00:28:39,400 --> 00:28:42,800 Speaker 4: you'll subscribe so you can receive the latest podcast to 515 00:28:42,880 --> 00:28:45,400 Speaker 4: keep you encouraged and inspired all through the week. 516 00:28:45,560 --> 00:28:47,800 Speaker 5: Help us to continue to share the message of hope 517 00:28:47,800 --> 00:28:51,240 Speaker 5: with those all around the world. Visit Joelosting dot com 518 00:28:51,360 --> 00:28:53,959 Speaker 5: or click the link in the description to partner with 519 00:28:54,040 --> 00:28:54,560 Speaker 5: us today. 520 00:28:54,840 --> 00:28:57,280 Speaker 4: We hope you'll share this message with a friend and 521 00:28:57,360 --> 00:29:00,640 Speaker 4: be sure to follow us on social media. For you, 522 00:29:00,880 --> 00:29:03,600 Speaker 4: I know God's best is still ahead. 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