1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:03,160 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 2 00:00:03,200 --> 00:00:05,960 Speaker 1: our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. 3 00:00:06,120 --> 00:00:08,440 Speaker 2: If you enjoy today's message, why don't you be a 4 00:00:08,480 --> 00:00:10,039 Speaker 2: blessing and share it with a friend. 5 00:00:10,360 --> 00:00:13,040 Speaker 1: We appreciate you and pray for God's very best in 6 00:00:13,080 --> 00:00:13,560 Speaker 1: your life. 7 00:00:14,040 --> 00:00:16,520 Speaker 3: Nay Man, What a powerful name we have. 8 00:00:16,760 --> 00:00:21,119 Speaker 2: Amen. When I was a little girl, I love to 9 00:00:21,680 --> 00:00:25,080 Speaker 2: handmake cards for my parents. I always liked to tell 10 00:00:25,120 --> 00:00:27,400 Speaker 2: them how much I loved them and show my affection 11 00:00:27,560 --> 00:00:30,880 Speaker 2: with these hand made cards. And I used to put 12 00:00:30,920 --> 00:00:34,680 Speaker 2: my signature butterflies and flowers all over them. You know, 13 00:00:34,720 --> 00:00:36,920 Speaker 2: I did the same kind of butterfly and the same 14 00:00:37,040 --> 00:00:40,479 Speaker 2: kind of flower every time. Not long ago, I was 15 00:00:40,520 --> 00:00:43,400 Speaker 2: going through a stack of scrap books that my mother 16 00:00:43,479 --> 00:00:47,800 Speaker 2: had so you know, carefully saved and put together, when 17 00:00:47,840 --> 00:00:51,320 Speaker 2: I came across one of these signature cards that I 18 00:00:51,360 --> 00:00:54,960 Speaker 2: had made, and there it was my butterflies and flowers. 19 00:00:55,400 --> 00:00:58,000 Speaker 2: As I was looking at it, I noticed at the 20 00:00:58,040 --> 00:01:03,240 Speaker 2: bottom of the page, written in yellow pencil, were these words, 21 00:01:04,520 --> 00:01:08,200 Speaker 2: I feel like we are somebody important and I know 22 00:01:08,760 --> 00:01:14,440 Speaker 2: that we are. When when my eyes dropped to those words, 23 00:01:14,480 --> 00:01:17,880 Speaker 2: I thought, what in the world was I thinking? As 24 00:01:17,920 --> 00:01:21,640 Speaker 2: a little girl. I feel like we're someone important and 25 00:01:21,720 --> 00:01:24,760 Speaker 2: I know that we are. What was I thinking? 26 00:01:25,480 --> 00:01:26,640 Speaker 3: Why can't I feel like that? 27 00:01:26,760 --> 00:01:33,280 Speaker 2: Now? You see? I feel like I am something important 28 00:01:33,560 --> 00:01:36,520 Speaker 2: and I know that I am. It really it made 29 00:01:36,520 --> 00:01:39,840 Speaker 2: me laugh, It made me chuckle. But you know what, 30 00:01:40,080 --> 00:01:43,600 Speaker 2: I couldn't let those words slide by. They kept going 31 00:01:43,640 --> 00:01:47,040 Speaker 2: through my mind the next day and the next day 32 00:01:47,360 --> 00:01:51,160 Speaker 2: because I thought what was I thinking? And then it 33 00:01:51,240 --> 00:01:56,280 Speaker 2: was if I realized in sight of every single one 34 00:01:56,320 --> 00:02:00,200 Speaker 2: of us is the voice of God saying, you, who 35 00:02:00,280 --> 00:02:05,960 Speaker 2: are made in my image, you are valuable, you are significant, 36 00:02:06,360 --> 00:02:11,960 Speaker 2: and you are important in this life. You see, inside 37 00:02:12,000 --> 00:02:15,880 Speaker 2: of every one of us there is a voice that 38 00:02:16,040 --> 00:02:24,440 Speaker 2: is speaking out value, significance, and importance. But sometimes life 39 00:02:25,000 --> 00:02:29,280 Speaker 2: truest to change and drowned out that voice. It tries 40 00:02:29,360 --> 00:02:33,639 Speaker 2: to devalue us. Unfair things happen, People talk about you, 41 00:02:33,760 --> 00:02:38,760 Speaker 2: somebody walks out on your life, struggles problems, They distort 42 00:02:39,200 --> 00:02:43,800 Speaker 2: that voice. They try to speak louder than that voice. 43 00:02:44,000 --> 00:02:48,119 Speaker 2: You know, I realize, though, God has put that in 44 00:02:48,200 --> 00:02:50,840 Speaker 2: each and every one of us, and we have to 45 00:02:50,919 --> 00:02:54,600 Speaker 2: allow that voice to come out of us, because see, 46 00:02:54,680 --> 00:02:59,000 Speaker 2: doesn't matter what we think. It matters who we are. 47 00:02:59,760 --> 00:03:04,080 Speaker 2: You may feel insignificant, but God sees you as valuable. 48 00:03:04,360 --> 00:03:09,080 Speaker 2: He sees you as important to his plan. You see, 49 00:03:09,480 --> 00:03:13,280 Speaker 2: doesn't matter how we feel. It doesn't change the value 50 00:03:13,840 --> 00:03:16,640 Speaker 2: of our life in the eyes of God. You know, 51 00:03:16,720 --> 00:03:20,600 Speaker 2: I have this nice, crisp hundred dollar bill. Andy. It 52 00:03:20,600 --> 00:03:23,079 Speaker 2: doesn't look like it's been handled much. It doesn't look 53 00:03:23,120 --> 00:03:26,639 Speaker 2: like it's been spent a whole lot. It's beautiful, isn't it? 54 00:03:26,680 --> 00:03:27,520 Speaker 2: Does anybody want it? 55 00:03:29,120 --> 00:03:29,640 Speaker 1: Who wants this. 56 00:03:29,720 --> 00:03:32,840 Speaker 2: Hundred dollar bill? Anybody? Here? 57 00:03:32,840 --> 00:03:33,040 Speaker 3: You go? 58 00:03:33,800 --> 00:03:38,480 Speaker 2: Here? You go up? Sorry, my sweet lady, of course 59 00:03:38,560 --> 00:03:42,360 Speaker 2: you want that beautiful hundred dollar bill. It's Christine. It's 60 00:03:42,840 --> 00:03:46,840 Speaker 2: it's amazing, isn't it? And it'll spend well. Oh, don't worry, 61 00:03:46,840 --> 00:03:50,640 Speaker 2: I have another one. Oh, but this one looks like 62 00:03:50,680 --> 00:03:52,920 Speaker 2: it I'm sorry, just a minute. It looks like it's 63 00:03:52,960 --> 00:03:56,560 Speaker 2: been in the washer and the dryer. It's not so pretty. 64 00:03:56,600 --> 00:03:59,440 Speaker 2: You probably don't want this one. This one's all ugly 65 00:03:59,520 --> 00:04:04,120 Speaker 2: and mess No, do you think anybody anybody want? You 66 00:04:04,160 --> 00:04:08,640 Speaker 2: want this one? All right? My sweet sister was there. 67 00:04:08,680 --> 00:04:12,960 Speaker 2: I'm sorry. Of course you want that one hundred dollars. 68 00:04:13,000 --> 00:04:20,200 Speaker 2: It doesn't matter what it looks like it holds tremendous value. 69 00:04:20,520 --> 00:04:25,159 Speaker 2: Doesn't matter if life has put some wrinkles in you. 70 00:04:26,240 --> 00:04:29,560 Speaker 2: It doesn't matter if you feel like you've gone through 71 00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:36,000 Speaker 2: the ringer. You have value, and you have importance, and 72 00:04:36,080 --> 00:04:45,440 Speaker 2: you have significance today. You know, God doesn't make mistakes. 73 00:04:46,279 --> 00:04:52,160 Speaker 2: God only makes masterpieces, and you are a masterpiece in 74 00:04:52,200 --> 00:04:56,680 Speaker 2: the eyes of God. He's already qualified you, and He's 75 00:04:56,760 --> 00:05:00,240 Speaker 2: left nothing out of you. You know, we we all 76 00:05:00,240 --> 00:05:05,560 Speaker 2: have a responsibility to keep that voice of God clear 77 00:05:06,400 --> 00:05:10,159 Speaker 2: and free from the debris of life. We all have 78 00:05:10,240 --> 00:05:14,200 Speaker 2: a responsibility to spend our life well and to make 79 00:05:14,240 --> 00:05:17,359 Speaker 2: it count. You see, this great God has put so 80 00:05:17,440 --> 00:05:21,800 Speaker 2: many amazing things in us. He's already put assignments in 81 00:05:21,880 --> 00:05:26,120 Speaker 2: our path. We have a responsibility and how we live 82 00:05:26,160 --> 00:05:29,680 Speaker 2: our life it matters, you know. It matters how I 83 00:05:29,720 --> 00:05:34,000 Speaker 2: live my life, matters to my children, matters to my husband, 84 00:05:34,800 --> 00:05:38,360 Speaker 2: it matters to my neighbor. You see, when I realize 85 00:05:39,160 --> 00:05:41,880 Speaker 2: that God's placed this value in me, I'm going to 86 00:05:41,920 --> 00:05:44,640 Speaker 2: spend my life well. And you know, when I spend 87 00:05:44,680 --> 00:05:48,840 Speaker 2: my life well, it helps others spend theirs well. When 88 00:05:48,880 --> 00:05:53,440 Speaker 2: I have God confidence, it helps others rise up and 89 00:05:53,520 --> 00:05:58,160 Speaker 2: have confidence in themselves. You see, how you live your 90 00:05:58,200 --> 00:06:01,760 Speaker 2: life makes a difference, and that's why God want you 91 00:06:01,839 --> 00:06:06,440 Speaker 2: to keep that voice free and clear, keep that child 92 00:06:06,680 --> 00:06:10,960 Speaker 2: like wonder in the things of God. I read the 93 00:06:11,080 --> 00:06:15,640 Speaker 2: letter that day and I realized, you know what, I 94 00:06:15,720 --> 00:06:21,040 Speaker 2: may feel unqualified, I may not have confidence, I may 95 00:06:21,120 --> 00:06:25,000 Speaker 2: feel like I lack the ability, but God doesn't see 96 00:06:25,040 --> 00:06:30,120 Speaker 2: me that way. He sees me as strong, capable to 97 00:06:30,200 --> 00:06:32,560 Speaker 2: do what He's called me to do. You know there's 98 00:06:32,600 --> 00:06:35,000 Speaker 2: a guy in the Bible. His name was Gideon. You 99 00:06:35,080 --> 00:06:40,600 Speaker 2: may know his story. He lacked confidence, he lacked the 100 00:06:40,640 --> 00:06:44,760 Speaker 2: feeling that he had the ability to do anything. One day, 101 00:06:44,800 --> 00:06:47,720 Speaker 2: an angel the Lord came to get in and he said, 102 00:06:48,279 --> 00:06:52,359 Speaker 2: get in. The Lord is with you, you, mighty man of 103 00:06:52,520 --> 00:06:58,280 Speaker 2: fearless courage. Then the angel went on to say, gide In, 104 00:06:59,200 --> 00:07:02,839 Speaker 2: the Lord wants you to help the Israelites his children 105 00:07:03,240 --> 00:07:10,120 Speaker 2: defeat the enemy, the Midianites. Isn't that interesting? He addressed 106 00:07:10,160 --> 00:07:13,520 Speaker 2: him as a mighty man of fearless courage, and then 107 00:07:13,560 --> 00:07:16,920 Speaker 2: he asked him to do something. But this is what 108 00:07:17,000 --> 00:07:20,040 Speaker 2: Gideon replied. He said, Lord, wait a minute, how am 109 00:07:20,080 --> 00:07:24,000 Speaker 2: I going to do that? I have a family, and 110 00:07:24,120 --> 00:07:26,640 Speaker 2: our family amounts to nothing. In fact, we are the 111 00:07:26,800 --> 00:07:30,400 Speaker 2: least of all the families in the area. And not 112 00:07:30,520 --> 00:07:35,080 Speaker 2: only does my family not have what it takes, I'm 113 00:07:35,160 --> 00:07:39,840 Speaker 2: the least in all my family. You see his reply. 114 00:07:41,480 --> 00:07:45,960 Speaker 2: There's such a contrast in the voice of God telling 115 00:07:46,040 --> 00:07:50,160 Speaker 2: him a mighty man of valor speaking up to what 116 00:07:50,200 --> 00:07:55,520 Speaker 2: Gideon's reply was. You hear the voice that tries to 117 00:07:55,600 --> 00:07:59,840 Speaker 2: drowned out God's voice. See, God is saying the same 118 00:07:59,880 --> 00:08:03,120 Speaker 2: thing to you today, whatever is in front of you. 119 00:08:03,200 --> 00:08:07,280 Speaker 2: He's calling out those things that you are, that you 120 00:08:07,640 --> 00:08:12,080 Speaker 2: have on the inside of you. But the voice of 121 00:08:12,120 --> 00:08:16,360 Speaker 2: life wants to be so noisy, wants to distort the 122 00:08:16,440 --> 00:08:24,160 Speaker 2: voice of God. Very interesting the difference between God's voice 123 00:08:24,320 --> 00:08:29,280 Speaker 2: and Gideon's voice. You see, Gideon didn't see himself as strong. 124 00:08:30,080 --> 00:08:35,640 Speaker 2: But you know what's interesting, didn't change God's perspective. Gideon, 125 00:08:36,200 --> 00:08:38,679 Speaker 2: he talked himself out of it when he replied to God, 126 00:08:39,679 --> 00:08:43,760 Speaker 2: God didn't talk himself out of it. Gideon felt weak, 127 00:08:44,440 --> 00:08:49,840 Speaker 2: but God sighing as capable, as able as a champion, 128 00:08:50,600 --> 00:08:57,640 Speaker 2: a fearless, courageous champion. You see. The good news is this, 129 00:08:59,200 --> 00:09:04,400 Speaker 2: Gideon fine took hold of that voice, took that strength 130 00:09:04,400 --> 00:09:07,800 Speaker 2: of that voice and let him go out and lead 131 00:09:07,840 --> 00:09:11,240 Speaker 2: the charge, and he won the victory for God that day. 132 00:09:12,200 --> 00:09:15,360 Speaker 2: You see, whatever's trying to hold you down, you need 133 00:09:15,400 --> 00:09:18,679 Speaker 2: to shake it off. You need to let the voice 134 00:09:18,679 --> 00:09:22,880 Speaker 2: of God come booming out loud and clear. You may 135 00:09:22,920 --> 00:09:27,559 Speaker 2: feel weak, you may feel small, but your weakness can 136 00:09:27,600 --> 00:09:31,520 Speaker 2: be turned into strength when you take hold of God. 137 00:09:35,000 --> 00:09:38,559 Speaker 2: I saw this animated cartoon one time that made such 138 00:09:38,600 --> 00:09:42,199 Speaker 2: an impression on me. It was this tiny little mouse 139 00:09:43,000 --> 00:09:47,120 Speaker 2: and his friend was this big, huge elephant, and they 140 00:09:47,120 --> 00:09:52,280 Speaker 2: were about to cross this thatched bridge that was high 141 00:09:52,400 --> 00:09:56,760 Speaker 2: in the air. As they crossed that bridge, that little 142 00:09:56,800 --> 00:10:01,440 Speaker 2: thatched bridge started swinging and shaking all the way across. 143 00:10:01,520 --> 00:10:05,080 Speaker 2: It was rickety swinging and shaking. But when they got 144 00:10:05,200 --> 00:10:09,720 Speaker 2: on the other side of that bridge safe, that little 145 00:10:09,800 --> 00:10:13,040 Speaker 2: mouse was so proud. He looked up at his friend, 146 00:10:13,080 --> 00:10:16,320 Speaker 2: that great big elephant, and he said, we really shook 147 00:10:16,400 --> 00:10:20,880 Speaker 2: that bridge, didn't we. You see, you may feel small, 148 00:10:22,000 --> 00:10:24,840 Speaker 2: but when you grab hold of God's strength, you have 149 00:10:24,960 --> 00:10:28,559 Speaker 2: the power of an elephant. You can look at God 150 00:10:29,040 --> 00:10:32,959 Speaker 2: and you can say, we really shook that bridge, didn't we. God? 151 00:10:34,640 --> 00:10:37,280 Speaker 2: You see, at the end of the day, what matters 152 00:10:37,360 --> 00:10:43,400 Speaker 2: most is what you believe about yourself. Protect the voice 153 00:10:43,400 --> 00:10:46,320 Speaker 2: of God. He's put it in you. He speaks it 154 00:10:46,360 --> 00:10:50,040 Speaker 2: out every single day. See unfair things happen to us. 155 00:10:50,720 --> 00:10:53,760 Speaker 2: God said, in this world there'll be trouble, but you 156 00:10:53,960 --> 00:10:57,440 Speaker 2: be a good cheer because you've got an overcomer in you. 157 00:10:57,440 --> 00:11:02,000 Speaker 2: You've got an overcomer in you. You are a mighty man, 158 00:11:02,320 --> 00:11:08,200 Speaker 2: a mighty woman, a valor. Don't lose that childlike on wonder. 159 00:11:08,600 --> 00:11:13,920 Speaker 2: Go out of here today and shake some bridges with God. Amen. Amen, 160 00:11:14,040 --> 00:11:15,160 Speaker 2: He's an awesome God. 161 00:11:16,000 --> 00:11:20,360 Speaker 3: What if every plan you set, every habit you formed, 162 00:11:20,679 --> 00:11:24,360 Speaker 3: and every decision you made became a pathway to see 163 00:11:24,440 --> 00:11:27,080 Speaker 3: God move in your life. 164 00:11:27,120 --> 00:11:30,080 Speaker 1: We all have hopes and dreams, things we're believing for. 165 00:11:30,520 --> 00:11:33,880 Speaker 1: When you start the year in faith, expecting God's goodness, 166 00:11:34,080 --> 00:11:36,640 Speaker 1: you are setting the tone for a blessed new year. 167 00:11:37,080 --> 00:11:39,160 Speaker 1: And we'd love to send you our twenty twenty six 168 00:11:39,360 --> 00:11:42,600 Speaker 1: Faith for Today planner. You can write down your dreams 169 00:11:42,640 --> 00:11:45,760 Speaker 1: and goals and plus use it for your everyday activities 170 00:11:45,800 --> 00:11:46,640 Speaker 1: and reminders. 171 00:11:46,880 --> 00:11:49,840 Speaker 2: It's important to feed your faith on a daily basis. 172 00:11:50,200 --> 00:11:53,000 Speaker 2: This planner it's not just a calendar, it's filled with 173 00:11:53,040 --> 00:11:56,800 Speaker 2: scriptures and inspiration to help you stay encouraged and keep 174 00:11:56,880 --> 00:11:58,960 Speaker 2: believing for what God has put in your heart. 175 00:11:59,160 --> 00:12:01,720 Speaker 1: Twenty twenty six is your year to see the goodness 176 00:12:01,720 --> 00:12:04,520 Speaker 1: of God in greater ways, let go of what didn't 177 00:12:04,559 --> 00:12:07,079 Speaker 1: work out, and get ready for the new things God 178 00:12:07,120 --> 00:12:07,840 Speaker 1: has in store. 179 00:12:08,760 --> 00:12:11,120 Speaker 3: As our way of saying thank you for your gift 180 00:12:11,200 --> 00:12:13,800 Speaker 3: of any amount this month, we would like to send 181 00:12:13,840 --> 00:12:16,360 Speaker 3: you a copy of the twenty twenty six Faith for 182 00:12:16,480 --> 00:12:20,839 Speaker 3: Today Planner. Each month features a fresh theme of encouragement, 183 00:12:21,240 --> 00:12:25,599 Speaker 3: a guiding scripture to stand on, room to write your goals, prayers, 184 00:12:25,640 --> 00:12:29,920 Speaker 3: and vision space for faith steps. Because faith isn't passive, 185 00:12:30,240 --> 00:12:34,079 Speaker 3: it's active, a monthly QR code linking to a message 186 00:12:34,160 --> 00:12:37,360 Speaker 3: or video to keep your spirit lifted. With a twenty 187 00:12:37,400 --> 00:12:40,960 Speaker 3: twenty six Faith for Today Planner, you'll be reminded that 188 00:12:41,120 --> 00:12:44,400 Speaker 3: living by faith makes room for God to do what 189 00:12:44,600 --> 00:12:48,600 Speaker 3: only He can do. Break through in your business, God's 190 00:12:48,640 --> 00:12:53,400 Speaker 3: healing touch. Loved ones returning to faith, request your copy 191 00:12:53,440 --> 00:12:55,920 Speaker 3: of the planner and step into the new year with 192 00:12:56,080 --> 00:13:00,559 Speaker 3: bold faith, fresh hope, and daily encouragement. To strengthen your 193 00:13:00,559 --> 00:13:04,000 Speaker 3: spirit and face every challenge with confidence. 194 00:13:04,200 --> 00:13:07,240 Speaker 1: No matter what's happening around you. Faith can rise up 195 00:13:07,320 --> 00:13:10,920 Speaker 1: in you, keep believing and expecting a blessed twenty twenty 196 00:13:11,000 --> 00:13:13,880 Speaker 1: six Victoria and I pray for you and your family 197 00:13:14,000 --> 00:13:17,400 Speaker 1: every day. Thank you so much for your prayer and support. 198 00:13:17,760 --> 00:13:21,360 Speaker 1: Your generosity is helping people around the world. As we 199 00:13:21,440 --> 00:13:24,600 Speaker 1: finish this year, I hope you'll consider making a special 200 00:13:24,760 --> 00:13:28,120 Speaker 1: year in gift to help keep the ministry strong. We 201 00:13:28,200 --> 00:13:30,920 Speaker 1: so appreciate all the Champion of Hope partners for your 202 00:13:31,000 --> 00:13:34,280 Speaker 1: monthly support. We wish you and your family a very 203 00:13:34,480 --> 00:13:37,240 Speaker 1: merry Christmas. Until we see you next time. May the 204 00:13:37,280 --> 00:13:38,920 Speaker 1: Lord bless you and keep you. 205 00:13:39,760 --> 00:13:42,360 Speaker 3: Be sure to request your copy of the twenty twenty 206 00:13:42,400 --> 00:13:46,520 Speaker 3: six Faith for Today Planner. Visit Joelostein dot com or 207 00:13:46,600 --> 00:13:50,080 Speaker 3: call eight eight eight five six seven Joel for a 208 00:13:50,160 --> 00:13:53,320 Speaker 3: special year end gift. This month, we are also offering 209 00:13:53,520 --> 00:13:57,600 Speaker 3: the Faith to Share Bundle, Keep One, Give One, Give 210 00:13:57,679 --> 00:14:01,480 Speaker 3: the gift of faith, focus and fresh hope for someone 211 00:14:01,600 --> 00:14:05,160 Speaker 3: special in your life. You can also request the God's 212 00:14:05,200 --> 00:14:10,160 Speaker 3: Word Work Study Collection. This empowering collection includes the NIV, 213 00:14:10,480 --> 00:14:15,160 Speaker 3: the Message, Parallel Bible, a beautifully crafted leather bookmark and pen, 214 00:14:15,559 --> 00:14:18,400 Speaker 3: and how to read your Bible and Enjoy It, along 215 00:14:18,440 --> 00:14:22,520 Speaker 3: with two planners. You can request these inspiring resources by 216 00:14:22,560 --> 00:14:26,240 Speaker 3: calling eight eight eight five six seven Joel or logging 217 00:14:26,240 --> 00:14:30,560 Speaker 3: on to joelostein dot com today. Call or click anytime 218 00:14:30,760 --> 00:14:35,080 Speaker 3: twenty four hours a day, Stay organized, encouraged, and full 219 00:14:35,120 --> 00:14:59,760 Speaker 3: of faith all year long. Request these resources today