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 --> 00:00:06,360 Speaker 1: our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. If you 3 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:09,040 Speaker 1: enjoy today's message, why don't you be a blessing and 4 00:00:09,080 --> 00:00:11,760 Speaker 1: share it with a friend. We appreciate you and pray 5 00:00:11,800 --> 00:00:15,000 Speaker 1: for God's very best in your life. Well, God bless you. 6 00:00:15,480 --> 00:00:18,120 Speaker 1: It is always a joy to come into your homes. 7 00:00:18,360 --> 00:00:21,160 Speaker 1: We love you, We know God has great things in store. 8 00:00:21,480 --> 00:00:23,920 Speaker 1: If you're ever in our area, I hope you'll stop 9 00:00:23,960 --> 00:00:26,080 Speaker 1: by and be a part of one of our services. 10 00:00:26,320 --> 00:00:28,240 Speaker 1: I promise you we'll make you feel right at home. 11 00:00:28,400 --> 00:00:30,640 Speaker 1: But thanks for tuning in, Thanks for coming out today. 12 00:00:31,120 --> 00:00:33,560 Speaker 1: I like to start with something funny. I heard about 13 00:00:33,640 --> 00:00:37,839 Speaker 1: three men, a Baptist, a Catholic, and a Charismatic. They 14 00:00:37,880 --> 00:00:40,280 Speaker 1: died on the same day and went to heaven. Saint 15 00:00:40,320 --> 00:00:43,720 Speaker 1: Peter said, I'm sorry, men, your rooms are not available yet. 16 00:00:44,080 --> 00:00:46,760 Speaker 1: He didn't quite know what to do, so he called 17 00:00:46,800 --> 00:00:48,720 Speaker 1: Satan up and asked if he would keep them for 18 00:00:48,760 --> 00:00:53,360 Speaker 1: a little while. Satan reluctantly agreed. In a few hours, 19 00:00:53,440 --> 00:00:55,600 Speaker 1: Satan called back and said, Peter, you've got to come 20 00:00:55,640 --> 00:00:59,200 Speaker 1: get these guys. The Baptist man is saving everybody. The 21 00:00:59,280 --> 00:01:03,160 Speaker 1: Catholic man is forgiven everybody and the charismatic has already 22 00:01:03,240 --> 00:01:07,920 Speaker 1: raised enough money for air conditioning. Hold your bibles up, 23 00:01:08,080 --> 00:01:10,720 Speaker 1: say it like you mean it. This is my Bible. 24 00:01:11,080 --> 00:01:13,640 Speaker 1: I am what it says I am. I have what 25 00:01:13,680 --> 00:01:16,240 Speaker 1: it says I have. I can do what it says 26 00:01:16,280 --> 00:01:19,080 Speaker 1: I can do. Today I will be taught the word 27 00:01:19,120 --> 00:01:23,600 Speaker 1: of God. I boldly confess my mind is alert, my 28 00:01:23,720 --> 00:01:28,160 Speaker 1: heart is receptive. I will never be the same. In Jesus' name, 29 00:01:28,600 --> 00:01:31,720 Speaker 1: God bless you. I want to talk to you today 30 00:01:31,880 --> 00:01:35,800 Speaker 1: about being a people builder. Being a people builder means 31 00:01:35,880 --> 00:01:39,440 Speaker 1: that you're investing in others. You're looking for ways to 32 00:01:39,520 --> 00:01:42,920 Speaker 1: bring out the best in someone. You're giving it vice, 33 00:01:43,480 --> 00:01:48,040 Speaker 1: speaking faith into them, building their confidence, challenging them to 34 00:01:48,120 --> 00:01:51,600 Speaker 1: go to a higher level. I found all most people 35 00:01:51,680 --> 00:01:55,360 Speaker 1: need is a boost. All they need is a little push, 36 00:01:55,720 --> 00:01:59,440 Speaker 1: a little encouragement to become what God's created them to be. 37 00:02:00,120 --> 00:02:02,720 Speaker 1: And the fact is none of us will reach our 38 00:02:02,800 --> 00:02:07,280 Speaker 1: highest potential by ourselves. We need each other. And you 39 00:02:07,360 --> 00:02:10,480 Speaker 1: can be the one to tip the scales for someone else. 40 00:02:11,080 --> 00:02:13,640 Speaker 1: You can be the one to stir up their seeds 41 00:02:13,639 --> 00:02:18,160 Speaker 1: of greatness. Reggie Jackson, The Hall of fame baseball player said, 42 00:02:18,680 --> 00:02:22,520 Speaker 1: a great manager has the ability to make a player 43 00:02:22,680 --> 00:02:26,359 Speaker 1: think that he is better than he is. He convinces 44 00:02:26,440 --> 00:02:30,040 Speaker 1: you to have confidence in yourself. He lets you know 45 00:02:30,120 --> 00:02:33,920 Speaker 1: that he believes in you, and before long, you discover 46 00:02:34,080 --> 00:02:37,400 Speaker 1: talent that you never knew you had. And that's what happens. 47 00:02:37,680 --> 00:02:41,000 Speaker 1: When we believe the best in someone, we draw the 48 00:02:41,000 --> 00:02:45,280 Speaker 1: best out. The scripture says in First Thessalonians five to eleven, 49 00:02:45,919 --> 00:02:50,440 Speaker 1: encourage one another and build each other up. The word 50 00:02:50,560 --> 00:02:54,960 Speaker 1: encourage simply means to urge forward. And every one of 51 00:02:55,040 --> 00:02:59,880 Speaker 1: us should have someone we're believing in, someone we're urging forward, 52 00:03:00,320 --> 00:03:04,080 Speaker 1: someone we're helping with their dreams. You need to study 53 00:03:04,120 --> 00:03:08,440 Speaker 1: that person, watch what they're good at, watch what excites them, 54 00:03:08,760 --> 00:03:12,440 Speaker 1: find their strengths, and then encourage them in those areas. 55 00:03:13,200 --> 00:03:16,040 Speaker 1: Many times you can see things in others that they 56 00:03:16,080 --> 00:03:20,200 Speaker 1: can't see in themselves, and a simple compliment, a simple 57 00:03:20,280 --> 00:03:23,880 Speaker 1: word of encouragement, can give them the confidence they need 58 00:03:23,960 --> 00:03:27,200 Speaker 1: to take that step of faith. We can either draw 59 00:03:27,240 --> 00:03:29,520 Speaker 1: out the best in people, or we can draw out 60 00:03:29,520 --> 00:03:33,480 Speaker 1: the worst. Now I read where seventy five percent of 61 00:03:33,560 --> 00:03:37,320 Speaker 1: people that are in prison right now, we're told by 62 00:03:37,360 --> 00:03:40,600 Speaker 1: their parents or by the people that raised them that 63 00:03:40,760 --> 00:03:44,200 Speaker 1: one day they would be in prison. They planted the seed. 64 00:03:44,480 --> 00:03:47,840 Speaker 1: The problem was it was the wrong seed. They believed 65 00:03:47,880 --> 00:03:51,320 Speaker 1: the worst, and they drew out the worst. I often 66 00:03:51,400 --> 00:03:54,960 Speaker 1: wonder what would have happened if somebody would have told them, 67 00:03:55,040 --> 00:03:57,880 Speaker 1: you're going to be a great doctor one day. You're 68 00:03:57,880 --> 00:04:00,920 Speaker 1: going to be an entrepreneur. I can see you. You're 69 00:04:00,960 --> 00:04:03,440 Speaker 1: going to make a great teacher. You've got what it takes. 70 00:04:04,080 --> 00:04:07,360 Speaker 1: There's no telling where they would be if someone would 71 00:04:07,400 --> 00:04:10,520 Speaker 1: have believed in them, if someone would have taken time 72 00:04:10,880 --> 00:04:14,320 Speaker 1: to study their gifts, to listen to their dreams, to 73 00:04:14,360 --> 00:04:16,920 Speaker 1: see what they were good at, and then encourage them 74 00:04:16,960 --> 00:04:20,000 Speaker 1: in those areas. I heard a story about a little 75 00:04:20,080 --> 00:04:23,480 Speaker 1: boy by the name of Robert. His uncle had been 76 00:04:23,520 --> 00:04:26,440 Speaker 1: in China since his birth, and now he was about 77 00:04:26,440 --> 00:04:28,359 Speaker 1: to meet his uncle for the very first time, and 78 00:04:28,560 --> 00:04:31,200 Speaker 1: he was so excited about it. He was out waiting 79 00:04:31,240 --> 00:04:34,080 Speaker 1: for him on the front porch. Robert and his family 80 00:04:34,200 --> 00:04:37,279 Speaker 1: lived on a farm in Iowa. He saw the uncle's 81 00:04:37,560 --> 00:04:40,599 Speaker 1: car driving down the dusty road, and when he pulled 82 00:04:40,600 --> 00:04:42,840 Speaker 1: in the gate, little Robert ran out there to meet him. 83 00:04:43,120 --> 00:04:45,839 Speaker 1: The uncle got out, gave him a big hug, swung 84 00:04:45,880 --> 00:04:48,920 Speaker 1: him around and around, and he said, you must be Robert. 85 00:04:48,960 --> 00:04:52,080 Speaker 1: I've heard so much about you. Then the uncle stepped 86 00:04:52,120 --> 00:04:54,360 Speaker 1: back and looked at him, and out of the blue, 87 00:04:54,400 --> 00:04:57,640 Speaker 1: he said, you know what, Robert, I think one day 88 00:04:58,040 --> 00:05:01,000 Speaker 1: you're going to be a minister. In fact, I think 89 00:05:01,040 --> 00:05:04,680 Speaker 1: one day you're going to be a great minister. Why 90 00:05:04,680 --> 00:05:07,279 Speaker 1: did this uncle say this? There were no ministers in 91 00:05:07,320 --> 00:05:11,000 Speaker 1: this family. He simply felt something on the inside, and 92 00:05:11,200 --> 00:05:13,599 Speaker 1: he was bold enough to speak it out. By faith, 93 00:05:14,240 --> 00:05:18,160 Speaker 1: he planted a seed in little Robert's heart. That night, 94 00:05:18,560 --> 00:05:22,719 Speaker 1: as Robert lay in his bed, he secretly prayed, God, 95 00:05:23,000 --> 00:05:26,160 Speaker 1: let what my uncle said be true. Let me be 96 00:05:26,279 --> 00:05:30,160 Speaker 1: a minister one day. That was seventy eight years ago, 97 00:05:30,680 --> 00:05:34,279 Speaker 1: and today Robert Shuler is still one of the great 98 00:05:34,320 --> 00:05:39,880 Speaker 1: ministers of our time. It's amazing what a simple word 99 00:05:40,160 --> 00:05:44,080 Speaker 1: of encouragement can do. Friends, you have the ability to 100 00:05:44,200 --> 00:05:47,680 Speaker 1: stir up someone's dreams. You can light a fire on 101 00:05:47,720 --> 00:05:51,440 Speaker 1: the inside. When you take time to believe in someone 102 00:05:51,880 --> 00:05:55,720 Speaker 1: and you speak faith into their heart, your words can 103 00:05:55,760 --> 00:05:59,680 Speaker 1: be the seed God uses to help them reach their potential. 104 00:06:00,320 --> 00:06:03,839 Speaker 1: I'm asking you today to be a seed planter, be 105 00:06:03,960 --> 00:06:08,520 Speaker 1: a people builder. Don't become so focused on your own dreams, 106 00:06:08,560 --> 00:06:12,159 Speaker 1: your own goals, that you get ingrown. Be on the 107 00:06:12,200 --> 00:06:16,599 Speaker 1: lookout for someone you can urge forward. Learn to speak 108 00:06:16,680 --> 00:06:20,719 Speaker 1: faith into them, speak vision, speak the blessing over their lives. 109 00:06:21,480 --> 00:06:24,960 Speaker 1: I know this man. He's an older gentleman. Anytimes he 110 00:06:25,040 --> 00:06:28,680 Speaker 1: sees a small child with their parents' permission, he'll call 111 00:06:28,760 --> 00:06:31,719 Speaker 1: them over and say, young man, young lady, I have 112 00:06:31,839 --> 00:06:36,080 Speaker 1: a very special talent, something only a few people can do. 113 00:06:36,560 --> 00:06:40,440 Speaker 1: I have the ability to pick a winner. The child's 114 00:06:40,440 --> 00:06:42,760 Speaker 1: eyes gets real big, and he'll ask the little boy 115 00:06:42,880 --> 00:06:45,640 Speaker 1: the little girl if he can evaluate them. Of course, 116 00:06:45,680 --> 00:06:48,880 Speaker 1: the parent is playing along. He'll stand back and look 117 00:06:48,880 --> 00:06:51,720 Speaker 1: at the child and walk around him very slowly say 118 00:06:51,839 --> 00:06:54,760 Speaker 1: uh huh, yes, okay, I see that, like he's taking 119 00:06:54,760 --> 00:06:57,360 Speaker 1: it all in. When he gets back around, he looks 120 00:06:57,400 --> 00:06:59,640 Speaker 1: at the little boy a girl in the eyes, says, 121 00:06:59,680 --> 00:07:03,600 Speaker 1: young men, young lady, I've got great news. I've never 122 00:07:03,640 --> 00:07:07,000 Speaker 1: been wrong. I'm right every time you, my friend. Indeed, 123 00:07:07,240 --> 00:07:10,400 Speaker 1: you are a winner. The child gets a smile on 124 00:07:10,400 --> 00:07:13,320 Speaker 1: its face runs back to their parents. Hey Mom, Hey dad, 125 00:07:13,360 --> 00:07:17,320 Speaker 1: guess what, I'm a winner? What's that man doing urging 126 00:07:17,360 --> 00:07:22,680 Speaker 1: them forward? Building their confidence, instilling self esteem. Do you 127 00:07:22,800 --> 00:07:26,080 Speaker 1: know how many people have never been told they're a winner. 128 00:07:26,880 --> 00:07:29,840 Speaker 1: There are people in your life right now, most likely 129 00:07:30,200 --> 00:07:33,559 Speaker 1: people you work with, people you play ball with, maybe 130 00:07:33,720 --> 00:07:38,400 Speaker 1: even your own family members, that are starving for your approval. 131 00:07:38,960 --> 00:07:42,440 Speaker 1: They're craving for you to speak the blessing over their life. 132 00:07:43,040 --> 00:07:46,240 Speaker 1: You don't know what it will mean when you affirm them, 133 00:07:46,680 --> 00:07:49,840 Speaker 1: when you give them your approval and let them know 134 00:07:50,160 --> 00:07:53,480 Speaker 1: in no uncertain terms that you are proud of them 135 00:07:53,920 --> 00:07:57,080 Speaker 1: and you think they're going to do great things. Everyone 136 00:07:57,240 --> 00:08:00,520 Speaker 1: needs to be valued, Everyone needs to be a presciated 137 00:08:00,840 --> 00:08:04,640 Speaker 1: Every person needs that blessing. Let me ask you today, 138 00:08:05,160 --> 00:08:08,920 Speaker 1: what kind of seeds are you planting in your child, 139 00:08:09,120 --> 00:08:13,120 Speaker 1: in your spouse, in that friend, in that nephew. Are 140 00:08:13,160 --> 00:08:16,760 Speaker 1: you believing in anyone? Are you taking an interest to 141 00:08:16,800 --> 00:08:20,200 Speaker 1: see how you can make their life better? Listen to 142 00:08:20,280 --> 00:08:23,360 Speaker 1: their dreams, find out what God's put in their heart, 143 00:08:23,920 --> 00:08:27,440 Speaker 1: Let them know that you're behind them, give them your approval. 144 00:08:27,920 --> 00:08:31,040 Speaker 1: If you talk with any successful person, they'll tell you 145 00:08:31,320 --> 00:08:35,680 Speaker 1: somebody believed in them. Somebody planted a seed and encouraged 146 00:08:35,720 --> 00:08:38,480 Speaker 1: them when they were down. Somebody helped them get a 147 00:08:38,480 --> 00:08:41,720 Speaker 1: good break. Somebody spoke faith when they didn't think they 148 00:08:41,760 --> 00:08:47,200 Speaker 1: could do it. I read where Thomas Edison encouraged Henry Ford. 149 00:08:47,880 --> 00:08:50,960 Speaker 1: Mister Ford was introduced to him as the man that 150 00:08:51,120 --> 00:08:54,120 Speaker 1: was trying to build a car that ran on gasoline. 151 00:08:54,280 --> 00:08:57,320 Speaker 1: When Edison heard it, his face brightened up. He hit 152 00:08:57,400 --> 00:08:59,679 Speaker 1: his fist on the table and said, you've got it. 153 00:09:00,240 --> 00:09:02,960 Speaker 1: A car that has its own power plant. That's a 154 00:09:03,000 --> 00:09:07,600 Speaker 1: brilliant idea. Up to that point, no one had encouraged 155 00:09:07,600 --> 00:09:10,439 Speaker 1: mister Ford. No one thought it was a good idea. 156 00:09:10,800 --> 00:09:14,160 Speaker 1: He had just about convinced himself to give up. But 157 00:09:14,640 --> 00:09:18,480 Speaker 1: along came Edison and spoke faith into him. That was 158 00:09:18,520 --> 00:09:21,760 Speaker 1: a turning point in Henry Ford's life. He said, I 159 00:09:21,840 --> 00:09:24,240 Speaker 1: thought I had a good idea, but I started to 160 00:09:24,320 --> 00:09:28,320 Speaker 1: doubt myself. Then came along one of the greatest minds 161 00:09:28,320 --> 00:09:32,920 Speaker 1: that's ever lived and gave me his complete approval. That's 162 00:09:32,920 --> 00:09:36,880 Speaker 1: what can happen with a simple vote of confidence. We 163 00:09:36,960 --> 00:09:40,520 Speaker 1: don't realize the power we hold. We don't always realize 164 00:09:40,559 --> 00:09:44,319 Speaker 1: what it means when we tell somebody I believe in you, 165 00:09:44,320 --> 00:09:48,160 Speaker 1: You've got what it takes. I'm behind you one hundred percent. Really, 166 00:09:48,320 --> 00:09:52,600 Speaker 1: every one of us should be someone else's number one fan. 167 00:09:53,240 --> 00:09:57,080 Speaker 1: We should be encouraging them, lifting them when they falling, 168 00:09:57,640 --> 00:10:02,760 Speaker 1: celebrating when they succeed when they're struggling, urging them forward. 169 00:10:03,080 --> 00:10:05,720 Speaker 1: That's what it means to be a people builder. The 170 00:10:05,760 --> 00:10:09,439 Speaker 1: fact is we all need somebody to believe in us 171 00:10:10,040 --> 00:10:13,480 Speaker 1: more than we believe in ourselves. Somebody that can see 172 00:10:13,480 --> 00:10:16,880 Speaker 1: our potential, Somebody that can look beyond where we are 173 00:10:17,440 --> 00:10:20,240 Speaker 1: and see what we can become. And this is what 174 00:10:20,360 --> 00:10:24,080 Speaker 1: Jesus was so great at. He didn't focus on people's faults. 175 00:10:24,480 --> 00:10:26,720 Speaker 1: He didn't look at what they didn't have. He saw 176 00:10:26,800 --> 00:10:30,600 Speaker 1: their potential. You take the disciple Peter. He was kind 177 00:10:30,600 --> 00:10:33,800 Speaker 1: of rough around the edges. He was hot tempered, used 178 00:10:33,800 --> 00:10:38,320 Speaker 1: foul language. Yet Jesus looked beyond all that and he said, Peter, 179 00:10:38,480 --> 00:10:41,480 Speaker 1: it's not what you are. I see what you can become. 180 00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:44,280 Speaker 1: You've got what it takes. You've got the talent, you've 181 00:10:44,320 --> 00:10:47,319 Speaker 1: got the ability, you've got the strength, you've got the personality. 182 00:10:47,480 --> 00:10:50,480 Speaker 1: You're going to make a great disciple. He spoke faith 183 00:10:50,559 --> 00:10:54,240 Speaker 1: into him. He helped Peter get a vision of himself 184 00:10:54,360 --> 00:10:59,200 Speaker 1: rising higher, overcoming those obstacles. It was that encouragement that 185 00:10:59,280 --> 00:11:02,480 Speaker 1: helped Peter come what he was created to be. It 186 00:11:02,520 --> 00:11:07,520 Speaker 1: says in Proverbs that a word of encouragement works wonders. 187 00:11:08,280 --> 00:11:11,200 Speaker 1: When you help people expand their thinking and get a 188 00:11:11,200 --> 00:11:14,920 Speaker 1: real vision of victory for their lives, they will accomplish 189 00:11:14,960 --> 00:11:17,640 Speaker 1: things that they never could have. And it will be 190 00:11:17,720 --> 00:11:20,600 Speaker 1: in part because of your faith, because of your confidence, 191 00:11:20,720 --> 00:11:23,600 Speaker 1: because of those seeds that you planted. I heard about 192 00:11:23,600 --> 00:11:27,120 Speaker 1: this experiment that was done with a high school in California. 193 00:11:27,720 --> 00:11:31,640 Speaker 1: The principal came in and told these three teachers, because 194 00:11:31,720 --> 00:11:35,240 Speaker 1: you are the brightest and most effective teachers in our 195 00:11:35,280 --> 00:11:39,079 Speaker 1: whole school district, we've chosen you to start this new program. 196 00:11:39,559 --> 00:11:42,920 Speaker 1: We're going to give you the top ninety students, the 197 00:11:42,960 --> 00:11:46,120 Speaker 1: smartest students with the highest IQs, and we're going to 198 00:11:46,200 --> 00:11:48,760 Speaker 1: let you teach them at a faster pace this year. 199 00:11:49,200 --> 00:11:51,960 Speaker 1: And both the students and the teachers were so excited. 200 00:11:52,400 --> 00:11:55,000 Speaker 1: It just did something on the inside to know that 201 00:11:55,040 --> 00:11:57,440 Speaker 1: they were the cream of the crop. At the end 202 00:11:57,520 --> 00:12:01,280 Speaker 1: of that school year, those three classes had learned thirty 203 00:12:01,320 --> 00:12:04,400 Speaker 1: percent more than the other students. They were thirty percent 204 00:12:04,480 --> 00:12:08,480 Speaker 1: further along. The principle then came in and informed the 205 00:12:08,520 --> 00:12:12,719 Speaker 1: teachers that this was only an experiment, and in reality, 206 00:12:13,040 --> 00:12:16,600 Speaker 1: they did not have the top ninety students. Those students 207 00:12:16,640 --> 00:12:20,440 Speaker 1: had just been randomly selected. The teachers were amazed at 208 00:12:20,520 --> 00:12:22,880 Speaker 1: how good they did. They kind of patted themselves on 209 00:12:22,920 --> 00:12:25,960 Speaker 1: the back, thinking it was their exceptional teaching and ability. 210 00:12:26,559 --> 00:12:30,280 Speaker 1: But then the principal broke some more news. They were 211 00:12:30,320 --> 00:12:34,079 Speaker 1: not the top three teachers in the district. They were 212 00:12:34,120 --> 00:12:37,280 Speaker 1: simply the first three teachers that had been chosen out 213 00:12:37,280 --> 00:12:40,960 Speaker 1: of a hat. They too had been randomly selected. What's 214 00:12:41,000 --> 00:12:44,680 Speaker 1: my point. When people believe in us, we rise to 215 00:12:44,760 --> 00:12:51,000 Speaker 1: their expectations. You may not realize it, but the only 216 00:12:51,160 --> 00:12:55,840 Speaker 1: people we allow in Lakewood we have a very strict policy. 217 00:12:56,600 --> 00:12:59,920 Speaker 1: The only ones we allowed through these doors are the smartest, 218 00:13:00,120 --> 00:13:04,760 Speaker 1: the brightest, the most creative, the most talented, the most generous. 219 00:13:04,800 --> 00:13:09,760 Speaker 1: The wealth is the happiest people around. You didn't know it, 220 00:13:09,840 --> 00:13:12,120 Speaker 1: but you couldn't a god in here today if you 221 00:13:12,160 --> 00:13:16,360 Speaker 1: weren't the cream of the crop. We have incredible confidence 222 00:13:16,400 --> 00:13:18,360 Speaker 1: in you. We know you're gonna do great things. You're 223 00:13:18,360 --> 00:13:22,439 Speaker 1: gonna fulfill your god given destiny. We have to understand 224 00:13:24,160 --> 00:13:28,840 Speaker 1: every person has seeds of greatness on the inside. When 225 00:13:28,880 --> 00:13:31,840 Speaker 1: we believe in them and take time to encourage them 226 00:13:31,920 --> 00:13:34,920 Speaker 1: and help them discover their gifts and talents. We are 227 00:13:34,960 --> 00:13:37,880 Speaker 1: watering those seeds, We are helping them to take root 228 00:13:38,000 --> 00:13:40,880 Speaker 1: and grow. And you need to look around and see 229 00:13:40,920 --> 00:13:43,840 Speaker 1: who God's put in your life that you can inspire, 230 00:13:44,080 --> 00:13:46,800 Speaker 1: you can cheer on, you can help motivate to go 231 00:13:46,880 --> 00:13:50,280 Speaker 1: to a new level. When you're a people builder, you 232 00:13:50,440 --> 00:13:54,880 Speaker 1: believe in people before they're successful. You cheer people on 233 00:13:55,120 --> 00:13:57,800 Speaker 1: when nobody's cheering them all. You tell them you're gonna 234 00:13:57,840 --> 00:14:00,000 Speaker 1: do something great, when in the back of your mind 235 00:14:00,280 --> 00:14:02,280 Speaker 1: you wonder if they'll ever get on the right track. 236 00:14:03,080 --> 00:14:07,000 Speaker 1: After all, anybody can get on board when somebody's already 237 00:14:07,360 --> 00:14:11,720 Speaker 1: accomplishing their dreams. When somebody's already successful, that's easy. We 238 00:14:11,800 --> 00:14:15,080 Speaker 1: need to invest in people before they get there. It 239 00:14:15,160 --> 00:14:18,719 Speaker 1: doesn't have to be something big, a kind word, a 240 00:14:18,720 --> 00:14:23,200 Speaker 1: note of encouragement, or even just recognizing a person's gifts. 241 00:14:23,760 --> 00:14:25,960 Speaker 1: It may seem small to you, but you don't know 242 00:14:26,000 --> 00:14:28,720 Speaker 1: the difference it could make. I read a letter from 243 00:14:28,760 --> 00:14:31,920 Speaker 1: a young lady. She told how when she was a teenager, 244 00:14:32,040 --> 00:14:35,800 Speaker 1: she had anorexia. She stood nearly six feet tall, but 245 00:14:35,880 --> 00:14:38,840 Speaker 1: weighed less than one hundred pounds. She wouldn't eat but 246 00:14:38,880 --> 00:14:42,240 Speaker 1: a couple hundred calories a day. She was so depressed 247 00:14:42,280 --> 00:14:46,480 Speaker 1: and so disillusioned with life, she had basically cut herself 248 00:14:46,480 --> 00:14:49,480 Speaker 1: off from her friends and her family. She figured one 249 00:14:49,560 --> 00:14:51,760 Speaker 1: day she had probably starved to death, and that was 250 00:14:51,800 --> 00:14:54,520 Speaker 1: fine with her. She didn't feel any sense of purpose. 251 00:14:55,200 --> 00:14:58,640 Speaker 1: One day, a friend from school called and asked if 252 00:14:58,680 --> 00:15:02,280 Speaker 1: she would help her with her math homework, and this 253 00:15:02,400 --> 00:15:05,600 Speaker 1: lady agreed, And so the friend came to the girl's 254 00:15:05,760 --> 00:15:09,680 Speaker 1: house that has anorexia, and this girl with anarexia explained 255 00:15:09,720 --> 00:15:12,360 Speaker 1: the math and helped her to understand it. When her 256 00:15:12,400 --> 00:15:16,120 Speaker 1: friend was leaving, just in passing, she said, man, you 257 00:15:16,200 --> 00:15:19,920 Speaker 1: are so smart. You would make a great math teacher. 258 00:15:19,960 --> 00:15:23,280 Speaker 1: One day, all of a sudden, a light turned on 259 00:15:23,480 --> 00:15:26,400 Speaker 1: in that young lady. She began to feel a sense 260 00:15:26,440 --> 00:15:30,680 Speaker 1: of purpose. She realized that she had a talent. There 261 00:15:30,760 --> 00:15:35,200 Speaker 1: was something she was good at. That one compliment changed 262 00:15:35,200 --> 00:15:39,120 Speaker 1: her perspective. That was over twenty years ago. Today, that 263 00:15:39,160 --> 00:15:42,760 Speaker 1: young lady is an award winning math teacher. She works 264 00:15:42,800 --> 00:15:47,760 Speaker 1: with underachieving children. Not only that, she is happily married 265 00:15:47,920 --> 00:15:51,040 Speaker 1: and she has three children of her own. But she 266 00:15:51,200 --> 00:15:54,600 Speaker 1: credits it all back to that one statement, that one 267 00:15:54,720 --> 00:15:59,040 Speaker 1: friend that recognized her gift and took the time to 268 00:15:59,120 --> 00:16:02,600 Speaker 1: plant that small seed of hope, just a simple affirmation. 269 00:16:03,360 --> 00:16:06,440 Speaker 1: What a difference it makes when we bless people with 270 00:16:06,560 --> 00:16:09,520 Speaker 1: our words, when we look for their gifts, we look 271 00:16:09,560 --> 00:16:12,960 Speaker 1: for their talents, and we speak faith into them. One 272 00:16:13,040 --> 00:16:16,360 Speaker 1: of our goals should be not to get people to 273 00:16:16,440 --> 00:16:20,080 Speaker 1: think more highly of ourselves, but to get people to 274 00:16:20,160 --> 00:16:23,640 Speaker 1: think more highly of themselves. Who can you build up? 275 00:16:23,640 --> 00:16:26,280 Speaker 1: Who can you make feel better? Does it have to 276 00:16:26,440 --> 00:16:31,280 Speaker 1: be something big? Just a kind word, a simple compliment. 277 00:16:31,880 --> 00:16:35,040 Speaker 1: Maybe you drop somebody a note in the mail, telling 278 00:16:35,080 --> 00:16:37,600 Speaker 1: them what you like about them, telling them how much 279 00:16:37,600 --> 00:16:41,520 Speaker 1: you appreciate them. Find ways to invest in others. You 280 00:16:41,600 --> 00:16:44,200 Speaker 1: never know the difference is going to make. I heard 281 00:16:44,200 --> 00:16:47,440 Speaker 1: about this junior high teacher one day. Her class was 282 00:16:47,680 --> 00:16:50,400 Speaker 1: kind of rowdy and didn't seem like they were very 283 00:16:50,400 --> 00:16:53,760 Speaker 1: interested in learning. She was tired and didn't feel like 284 00:16:53,800 --> 00:16:56,480 Speaker 1: pushing through it, so she told her students to put 285 00:16:56,520 --> 00:16:59,280 Speaker 1: their books away and to take out a clean sheet 286 00:16:59,280 --> 00:17:02,720 Speaker 1: of paper. Their assignment that day was to write down 287 00:17:03,000 --> 00:17:06,640 Speaker 1: every student's name on the left, and then they were 288 00:17:06,640 --> 00:17:09,880 Speaker 1: to write one good thing they liked about that student. 289 00:17:10,440 --> 00:17:13,280 Speaker 1: The students went to work looking around the room, thinking 290 00:17:13,280 --> 00:17:16,920 Speaker 1: about what they liked about each other. Over the weekend, 291 00:17:17,119 --> 00:17:20,320 Speaker 1: the teacher took the time to write the student's name 292 00:17:20,359 --> 00:17:23,320 Speaker 1: at the top, and then she listed all the comments 293 00:17:23,359 --> 00:17:26,879 Speaker 1: that were written about that individual student. The next Monday, 294 00:17:26,960 --> 00:17:29,920 Speaker 1: she handed that sheet of paper to the appropriate students 295 00:17:30,160 --> 00:17:32,840 Speaker 1: and they begin to read all these comments that were 296 00:17:32,880 --> 00:17:36,400 Speaker 1: written about them. The room was just buzzing with electricity. 297 00:17:36,760 --> 00:17:39,879 Speaker 1: As those students read the comments, you could hear things like, Wow, 298 00:17:40,359 --> 00:17:42,879 Speaker 1: I didn't know they liked me that much. I didn't 299 00:17:42,920 --> 00:17:44,919 Speaker 1: know I was good at that. I didn't know they 300 00:17:44,960 --> 00:17:48,320 Speaker 1: thought I was beautiful. On and on. Those students were 301 00:17:48,320 --> 00:17:52,119 Speaker 1: on cloud nine. They left that day with more confidence, 302 00:17:52,240 --> 00:17:56,760 Speaker 1: more self esteem, feeling better about themselves. Well years later, 303 00:17:57,080 --> 00:18:00,800 Speaker 1: one of the students was killed while serving in Vietnam 304 00:18:00,080 --> 00:18:03,040 Speaker 1: on Not only the teacher, but many of the students 305 00:18:03,040 --> 00:18:06,879 Speaker 1: attended the funeral. After the service, the father of the 306 00:18:06,920 --> 00:18:09,560 Speaker 1: soldier came up to the teacher and said, I want 307 00:18:09,560 --> 00:18:11,919 Speaker 1: to show you what my son was carrying when he 308 00:18:12,040 --> 00:18:14,880 Speaker 1: was killed. Here's something that he kept in his wallet. 309 00:18:15,040 --> 00:18:17,720 Speaker 1: He took out this paper, and as he unfolded it, 310 00:18:18,119 --> 00:18:20,840 Speaker 1: the teacher realized it was the note that she had 311 00:18:20,840 --> 00:18:24,879 Speaker 1: copied with all the encouraging comments from her students. The 312 00:18:24,960 --> 00:18:29,080 Speaker 1: father told how his son treasured that piece of paper. Well, 313 00:18:29,080 --> 00:18:31,920 Speaker 1: when the other students overheard it, they begin to tell 314 00:18:31,920 --> 00:18:35,280 Speaker 1: the same story. One man said he keeps his paper 315 00:18:35,520 --> 00:18:38,879 Speaker 1: in his top drawer at the office. One lady said 316 00:18:39,080 --> 00:18:41,879 Speaker 1: she put hers in her wedding album next to her 317 00:18:41,880 --> 00:18:44,600 Speaker 1: wedding pictures. Another man, right then and there, took out 318 00:18:44,600 --> 00:18:47,600 Speaker 1: his wallet and he unfolded his like it was his 319 00:18:47,640 --> 00:18:52,000 Speaker 1: most prized possession. The teacher was overwhelmed. Little did she 320 00:18:52,160 --> 00:18:57,520 Speaker 1: realize what a lasting impact that little impromptu assignment would 321 00:18:57,560 --> 00:19:02,280 Speaker 1: have that day. The message is everyone needs to be blessed. 322 00:19:02,800 --> 00:19:06,840 Speaker 1: Everyone needs to feel valuable. We long for that affirmation. 323 00:19:07,720 --> 00:19:11,880 Speaker 1: My challenge to you today is, don't withhold your blessing. 324 00:19:12,680 --> 00:19:16,440 Speaker 1: Be free with your compliments. Look for people you can 325 00:19:16,480 --> 00:19:19,920 Speaker 1: build up, tell them what you like about them, how 326 00:19:20,000 --> 00:19:23,960 Speaker 1: much you appreciate them. It takes so little effort that 327 00:19:24,080 --> 00:19:26,920 Speaker 1: it makes such a huge deposit for you to walk 328 00:19:26,960 --> 00:19:29,680 Speaker 1: over to that coworker and just say, hey, have I 329 00:19:29,720 --> 00:19:32,679 Speaker 1: ever told you how much I enjoy working with you 330 00:19:32,760 --> 00:19:36,480 Speaker 1: each day? That does something huge on the inside. Or 331 00:19:36,520 --> 00:19:39,439 Speaker 1: to tell your spouse, I really appreciate you being in 332 00:19:39,440 --> 00:19:42,600 Speaker 1: my life. I appreciate you being so kind, You're so 333 00:19:42,800 --> 00:19:46,720 Speaker 1: fun to be around. Those are not just words, those 334 00:19:46,800 --> 00:19:51,040 Speaker 1: are treasures they will carry around for a lifetime. Heard 335 00:19:51,080 --> 00:19:54,919 Speaker 1: somebody say flatter me, and I may not believe you, 336 00:19:55,680 --> 00:19:59,600 Speaker 1: criticize me and I may not like you, But encourage 337 00:19:59,600 --> 00:20:03,480 Speaker 1: me and I'll never forget you. Simple words can make 338 00:20:03,520 --> 00:20:09,160 Speaker 1: a huge difference. My sister Lisa. My sister Lisa told 339 00:20:09,200 --> 00:20:11,919 Speaker 1: how the other day she was up that the altar 340 00:20:11,960 --> 00:20:14,879 Speaker 1: area just got through praying for somebody, and she walked 341 00:20:14,920 --> 00:20:17,600 Speaker 1: back to her seat. A man came up out of 342 00:20:17,640 --> 00:20:20,600 Speaker 1: the blue. She didn't know him, and he said, hey, Lisa, 343 00:20:20,640 --> 00:20:23,960 Speaker 1: I just want to tell you that I really admire you. 344 00:20:24,640 --> 00:20:27,639 Speaker 1: Lisa told how that put a spring in her step 345 00:20:27,720 --> 00:20:30,639 Speaker 1: that made her day. I noticed after the service she 346 00:20:30,680 --> 00:20:35,840 Speaker 1: was giving him twenty dollars. But a lot of times, seriously, 347 00:20:36,200 --> 00:20:39,760 Speaker 1: we may think that about a person. We may think 348 00:20:39,840 --> 00:20:43,160 Speaker 1: how much we like them, But do you realize our 349 00:20:43,200 --> 00:20:46,560 Speaker 1: thoughts don't bless anybody. Have you ever told them, I 350 00:20:46,640 --> 00:20:49,800 Speaker 1: really admire you. You're a real gift in my life. 351 00:20:49,920 --> 00:20:53,760 Speaker 1: I appreciate you for who you are growing up. We 352 00:20:53,840 --> 00:20:56,600 Speaker 1: had a certain tradition at my home. It was started 353 00:20:56,640 --> 00:20:59,120 Speaker 1: by my mother, and I must admit that I did 354 00:20:59,160 --> 00:21:03,159 Speaker 1: not really like it. Whenever it was someone's birthday, before 355 00:21:03,200 --> 00:21:05,720 Speaker 1: we could eat the cake, my mother made us go 356 00:21:05,800 --> 00:21:09,879 Speaker 1: around the room and everyone tell one good thing about 357 00:21:09,920 --> 00:21:13,919 Speaker 1: that person. In fact, I dreaded that. One reason is 358 00:21:14,080 --> 00:21:16,200 Speaker 1: I could never think of anything good to say about 359 00:21:16,240 --> 00:21:20,560 Speaker 1: my brother Paul. The only thing I came up with is, 360 00:21:20,760 --> 00:21:26,560 Speaker 1: you sure have a good looking brother. Don't tell Paul 361 00:21:26,600 --> 00:21:30,440 Speaker 1: I said that now. But as I got older, I 362 00:21:30,560 --> 00:21:34,439 Speaker 1: begin to realize the importance and the value of not 363 00:21:34,480 --> 00:21:38,120 Speaker 1: only hearing those words, but of saying those words. Those 364 00:21:38,160 --> 00:21:42,719 Speaker 1: simple affirmations do so much for our confidence, our self esteem, 365 00:21:42,960 --> 00:21:46,320 Speaker 1: Little things like man, I like you because you're so kind. 366 00:21:46,359 --> 00:21:48,520 Speaker 1: I like you because you're respectful. I like you because 367 00:21:48,520 --> 00:21:51,320 Speaker 1: you've got a great sense of humor. I've had people 368 00:21:51,320 --> 00:21:53,960 Speaker 1: tell me Joel, I know you always hear this, but 369 00:21:54,240 --> 00:21:57,080 Speaker 1: you've really helped change my life. And I always tell 370 00:21:57,119 --> 00:22:00,639 Speaker 1: them I never get tired of hearing it. The fact is, 371 00:22:00,960 --> 00:22:03,320 Speaker 1: your spouse will never get tired of hearing it how 372 00:22:03,400 --> 00:22:06,440 Speaker 1: much you love them. Your friends will never get tired 373 00:22:06,480 --> 00:22:10,000 Speaker 1: of hearing how much you appreciate them. Are you speaking 374 00:22:10,040 --> 00:22:13,080 Speaker 1: the blessing to those around you? Are you being free 375 00:22:13,160 --> 00:22:18,000 Speaker 1: with your compliments? Are you verbalizing what you appreciate about 376 00:22:18,040 --> 00:22:21,000 Speaker 1: the people God put in your life? When you take 377 00:22:21,080 --> 00:22:24,520 Speaker 1: time to speak an encouraging word, it's just like you'll 378 00:22:24,560 --> 00:22:27,439 Speaker 1: give in wings to an ego. You'll help that person 379 00:22:27,520 --> 00:22:32,240 Speaker 1: begin to soar. John Wooden, the famous basketball coach, told 380 00:22:32,320 --> 00:22:36,439 Speaker 1: his players, after you score a basket, always look for 381 00:22:36,520 --> 00:22:39,640 Speaker 1: the player that gave you the pass and acknowledge them. 382 00:22:40,200 --> 00:22:43,440 Speaker 1: Nod your head, smile, point your finger, but do something 383 00:22:43,480 --> 00:22:46,960 Speaker 1: to express your appreciation. One of the players said, what 384 00:22:47,040 --> 00:22:50,879 Speaker 1: if he's not looking, Woodn't replied, don't worry, he'll be looking. 385 00:22:51,960 --> 00:22:54,960 Speaker 1: The point is we all love to be appreciated. We 386 00:22:55,119 --> 00:22:59,520 Speaker 1: love to be valued, to feel encouraged. Mark Twain said, 387 00:22:59,800 --> 00:23:02,400 Speaker 1: I can live for a whole year off of one 388 00:23:02,440 --> 00:23:06,120 Speaker 1: good compliment. I wonder what would happen if we'd all 389 00:23:06,119 --> 00:23:10,119 Speaker 1: go out of here today looking for someone we can compliment, 390 00:23:10,400 --> 00:23:14,160 Speaker 1: not criticized. I wonder how much better our relationships would 391 00:23:14,200 --> 00:23:17,600 Speaker 1: be if we would take time to express what we 392 00:23:17,800 --> 00:23:21,960 Speaker 1: liked in that person. It's interesting I read where Abraham 393 00:23:22,000 --> 00:23:25,880 Speaker 1: Lincoln was carrying several things when he was killed. They'd 394 00:23:25,880 --> 00:23:29,120 Speaker 1: been on display in the Smithsonian. He had a handkerchief 395 00:23:29,200 --> 00:23:32,040 Speaker 1: with his initials on it. He had a five dollars bill, 396 00:23:32,440 --> 00:23:35,960 Speaker 1: and he had a newspaper article folded up that talked 397 00:23:35,960 --> 00:23:40,639 Speaker 1: about his accomplishments. The headline read, Abraham Lincoln one of 398 00:23:40,640 --> 00:23:44,120 Speaker 1: the greatest statesmen that's ever lived. Why would he carry 399 00:23:44,160 --> 00:23:47,320 Speaker 1: around an article like that, especially an article about himself. 400 00:23:47,760 --> 00:23:50,359 Speaker 1: Surely he was confident. Surely he knew he was a 401 00:23:50,400 --> 00:23:53,840 Speaker 1: great president. No. Lincoln served during some of the most 402 00:23:53,920 --> 00:23:59,480 Speaker 1: difficult years. He was criticized, ridiculed, constantly being put down. 403 00:24:00,080 --> 00:24:04,960 Speaker 1: Even Abraham Lincoln needed to be reminded that somebody believed 404 00:24:04,960 --> 00:24:08,840 Speaker 1: in him. You've probably seen that commercial what's in your wallet? 405 00:24:09,560 --> 00:24:12,920 Speaker 1: My question today is what are you putting in people's wallet. 406 00:24:13,560 --> 00:24:16,760 Speaker 1: I'm not talking about money. I'm talking about putting in confidence, 407 00:24:17,119 --> 00:24:20,920 Speaker 1: putting in self esteem, making them feel better about themselves 408 00:24:21,119 --> 00:24:25,640 Speaker 1: by believing in them, by speaking the blessing, by telling 409 00:24:25,680 --> 00:24:28,760 Speaker 1: them not what they are but what they can become. 410 00:24:29,680 --> 00:24:33,000 Speaker 1: Your words have the power to help set the direction 411 00:24:33,240 --> 00:24:37,200 Speaker 1: for someone's life. In nineteen seventy five, a young man 412 00:24:37,280 --> 00:24:41,480 Speaker 1: named Denzel Washington was home from college. He was struggling 413 00:24:41,520 --> 00:24:43,560 Speaker 1: with what he wanted to do in life. He didn't 414 00:24:43,600 --> 00:24:47,000 Speaker 1: have clear direction. One day, he was at his mother's 415 00:24:47,040 --> 00:24:51,720 Speaker 1: beauty shop and an older lady a customer named Ruth Green. 416 00:24:52,240 --> 00:24:54,960 Speaker 1: He had seen her in there many times growing up, 417 00:24:55,400 --> 00:24:59,040 Speaker 1: but he wondered why she kept staring and staring and 418 00:24:59,080 --> 00:25:01,640 Speaker 1: staring at him. He knew her enough to say alone, 419 00:25:01,640 --> 00:25:04,480 Speaker 1: but she just kept looking at him. Finally, Miss Green 420 00:25:04,600 --> 00:25:07,640 Speaker 1: took the hairdryer off and said, somebody get me a 421 00:25:07,680 --> 00:25:10,800 Speaker 1: pen and a piece of paper. She began to write 422 00:25:10,840 --> 00:25:15,639 Speaker 1: down a prophecy something she felt in her heart. It said, Denzel, 423 00:25:16,080 --> 00:25:19,359 Speaker 1: you will speak to millions, you will travel the world, 424 00:25:19,720 --> 00:25:23,120 Speaker 1: and you will make a positive difference. At that time, 425 00:25:23,440 --> 00:25:25,120 Speaker 1: it could have looked like she was a little off 426 00:25:25,200 --> 00:25:29,400 Speaker 1: of her rocker, But Denzel took that prophecy and put 427 00:25:29,440 --> 00:25:32,600 Speaker 1: it in his wallet. It spoke to his heart, and 428 00:25:32,640 --> 00:25:35,280 Speaker 1: throughout his career, when he was tempted to get down, 429 00:25:35,320 --> 00:25:38,440 Speaker 1: to get discouraged, he would always pull that prophecy out 430 00:25:38,760 --> 00:25:41,439 Speaker 1: say no, God's got a great plan for my life. 431 00:25:41,600 --> 00:25:45,719 Speaker 1: Somebody believes in me. To this day, he still carries 432 00:25:45,760 --> 00:25:50,040 Speaker 1: around that prophecy who knows where he would be if 433 00:25:50,119 --> 00:25:53,400 Speaker 1: Miss Green hadn't taken the time to bless his future. 434 00:25:53,720 --> 00:25:56,400 Speaker 1: Who knows if he would have seen so much success 435 00:25:56,600 --> 00:25:59,639 Speaker 1: if she hadn't planted those seeds of faith in his heart. 436 00:26:00,200 --> 00:26:03,520 Speaker 1: You never know the impact a small note, a kind 437 00:26:03,560 --> 00:26:06,440 Speaker 1: word of encouragement can have. I don't know about you, 438 00:26:06,800 --> 00:26:09,920 Speaker 1: but I want to be a wallet filler. I want 439 00:26:09,960 --> 00:26:13,160 Speaker 1: to speak so much vision, so much faith, so much 440 00:26:13,240 --> 00:26:16,600 Speaker 1: blessings that it inspires people to even want to carry 441 00:26:16,640 --> 00:26:19,960 Speaker 1: it around with them. After all, we got enough people 442 00:26:20,000 --> 00:26:23,200 Speaker 1: speaking defeat over us, criticizing us, telling us what we're 443 00:26:23,240 --> 00:26:26,399 Speaker 1: not going to become. Don't fall into that trap. You 444 00:26:26,600 --> 00:26:29,960 Speaker 1: have the power in you right now to help someone 445 00:26:30,080 --> 00:26:33,000 Speaker 1: go to a higher level. The people in your life 446 00:26:33,000 --> 00:26:36,760 Speaker 1: are not thereby accident. Are you believing in them? Are 447 00:26:36,800 --> 00:26:40,439 Speaker 1: you urging them forward? Are you speaking the blessing? I 448 00:26:40,480 --> 00:26:43,640 Speaker 1: want to give you an assignment. Find at least one 449 00:26:43,720 --> 00:26:46,359 Speaker 1: person you can build up. You may have four or 450 00:26:46,400 --> 00:26:49,240 Speaker 1: five different people. Write their name on a sheet of paper, 451 00:26:49,760 --> 00:26:53,440 Speaker 1: List what you like about them, their strengths, Pray over that, 452 00:26:53,840 --> 00:26:56,640 Speaker 1: ask God to show you ways to bless them, and 453 00:26:56,680 --> 00:27:01,640 Speaker 1: then start speaking favor into their life and encouraging note. 454 00:27:01,840 --> 00:27:05,520 Speaker 1: Let them know that you're believing in them. As they succeed. 455 00:27:05,760 --> 00:27:08,160 Speaker 1: You're going to succeed. When you bring out the best 456 00:27:08,160 --> 00:27:10,959 Speaker 1: in others, it'll bring out the best in you. And 457 00:27:11,000 --> 00:27:15,119 Speaker 1: in life. We can be a career builder, a bodybuilder, 458 00:27:15,240 --> 00:27:18,000 Speaker 1: a home builder. That's all great, but the only thing 459 00:27:18,040 --> 00:27:20,520 Speaker 1: that's going to last is the investment we make in 460 00:27:20,600 --> 00:27:22,919 Speaker 1: other people. And when it comes to the end of 461 00:27:22,960 --> 00:27:25,640 Speaker 1: my days, I want people to say that man help 462 00:27:25,720 --> 00:27:28,600 Speaker 1: me go higher. He made me feel better about myself. 463 00:27:28,640 --> 00:27:33,880 Speaker 1: He took time to make a difference. Remember an encouraging 464 00:27:34,000 --> 00:27:38,920 Speaker 1: word works wonders. Be free with your compliments, tell people 465 00:27:38,960 --> 00:27:41,600 Speaker 1: what they mean to you. Let's fill up some wallets 466 00:27:41,640 --> 00:27:45,280 Speaker 1: this week. Let's put some treasures in people's hearts. If 467 00:27:45,280 --> 00:27:48,120 Speaker 1: you'll get in a habit of building other people up, 468 00:27:48,200 --> 00:27:50,600 Speaker 1: you'll never lack in your own life. When you sow 469 00:27:50,640 --> 00:27:53,359 Speaker 1: those seeds, God will make sure you go higher. That's 470 00:27:53,400 --> 00:27:56,320 Speaker 1: when he'll pour out his blessings in favor and you'll 471 00:27:56,320 --> 00:28:00,119 Speaker 1: see every dream, every desire, every promise God's put in you, 472 00:28:00,280 --> 00:28:03,080 Speaker 1: it will come to pass. Amen. Do you receive it today? 473 00:28:04,600 --> 00:28:08,560 Speaker 2: It's a new year. Time to see the impossible become possible. 474 00:28:08,920 --> 00:28:12,200 Speaker 2: It's a new year. Life setbacks are about to become 475 00:28:12,320 --> 00:28:16,760 Speaker 2: God's setups for new opportunity. It's a new year. Cherished 476 00:28:16,840 --> 00:28:20,080 Speaker 2: dreams will become unexpected reality. 477 00:28:20,200 --> 00:28:22,440 Speaker 1: The start of the new year is the perfect time 478 00:28:22,480 --> 00:28:26,119 Speaker 1: to reset your focus, release disappointments of the past, and 479 00:28:26,200 --> 00:28:28,719 Speaker 1: get ready for the new things God has in store. 480 00:28:29,280 --> 00:28:32,440 Speaker 1: Every January, we create a new three hundred and sixty 481 00:28:32,440 --> 00:28:35,960 Speaker 1: five day devotional calendar. I'd love to send it to you. 482 00:28:36,400 --> 00:28:40,760 Speaker 1: Each day is filled with inspiration, scripture, and uplifting declarations 483 00:28:40,800 --> 00:28:43,760 Speaker 1: to fuel your faith. When you begin the day thanking 484 00:28:43,800 --> 00:28:47,200 Speaker 1: God for what He's done, speaking victory over your future, 485 00:28:47,640 --> 00:28:52,200 Speaker 1: you're positioning yourself for a blessed, favor filled year. Amazing 486 00:28:52,240 --> 00:28:54,719 Speaker 1: things happen when you keep God first place. 487 00:28:55,480 --> 00:28:57,880 Speaker 2: As our way of saying thank you for your gift 488 00:28:57,880 --> 00:29:00,560 Speaker 2: of any amount this first month of the year, we 489 00:29:00,600 --> 00:29:02,800 Speaker 2: would like to send you a copy of our brand 490 00:29:02,880 --> 00:29:06,040 Speaker 2: new three hundred and sixty five day twenty twenty six 491 00:29:06,160 --> 00:29:09,920 Speaker 2: devotional calendar. Do you want to overcome your most pressing 492 00:29:10,040 --> 00:29:11,720 Speaker 2: challenges in twenty twenty six? 493 00:29:12,040 --> 00:29:13,080 Speaker 1: Do you want to see. 494 00:29:12,840 --> 00:29:16,600 Speaker 2: Your life take off in new directions of influence, favor, 495 00:29:16,840 --> 00:29:20,680 Speaker 2: and provision in the year ahead. With this daily encouragement, 496 00:29:21,000 --> 00:29:24,240 Speaker 2: you'll not only smile at your day, you'll be reminded 497 00:29:24,360 --> 00:29:28,040 Speaker 2: that God is smiling on your entire life. Each day 498 00:29:28,240 --> 00:29:32,520 Speaker 2: will be a fresh new day. Turn discouragement to encouragement, 499 00:29:33,000 --> 00:29:39,560 Speaker 2: frustration to fulfillment, anxiety to overcoming. Start each morning knowing 500 00:29:39,600 --> 00:29:42,560 Speaker 2: that it's God's desire to turn what seems like an 501 00:29:42,720 --> 00:29:48,720 Speaker 2: ordinary life into extraordinary favor, strength, and opportunities. Using this 502 00:29:48,760 --> 00:29:54,040 Speaker 2: devotional calendar is as easy as one, two, three. One 503 00:29:54,520 --> 00:29:58,680 Speaker 2: wake up with an expectancy in your heart. Two reflect 504 00:29:58,720 --> 00:30:02,680 Speaker 2: on the daily scripture, verse and devotional from Joel. Three 505 00:30:02,960 --> 00:30:06,480 Speaker 2: capture the Lord's promises to you on journaling lines for 506 00:30:06,600 --> 00:30:07,720 Speaker 2: writing and reflection. 507 00:30:08,600 --> 00:30:10,760 Speaker 1: Twenty twenty six is going to be one of your 508 00:30:10,880 --> 00:30:13,480 Speaker 1: best years ever. We're going to help you stay in 509 00:30:13,480 --> 00:30:16,120 Speaker 1: faith so you can see the goodness of God in 510 00:30:16,240 --> 00:30:18,920 Speaker 1: new ways. Victoria and I pray for you and your 511 00:30:18,960 --> 00:30:21,360 Speaker 1: family every day, and we want to thank you for 512 00:30:21,440 --> 00:30:25,760 Speaker 1: your prayer and support. Your generosity is impacting lives around 513 00:30:25,800 --> 00:30:28,440 Speaker 1: the world. A special thank you to our Champion of 514 00:30:28,480 --> 00:30:31,640 Speaker 1: Hope partners for your monthly gifts. If you're not a partner, 515 00:30:31,640 --> 00:30:34,880 Speaker 1: I hope you'll consider becoming one. Remember you can watch 516 00:30:34,920 --> 00:30:40,080 Speaker 1: the services online live every Sunday morning, download our daily podcast, 517 00:30:40,480 --> 00:30:43,880 Speaker 1: watch on YouTube or the new Joel ost Network twenty 518 00:30:43,880 --> 00:30:46,680 Speaker 1: four hours a day. Of course, listen live on Serious 519 00:30:46,840 --> 00:30:49,960 Speaker 1: XM as well. But until we meet again, may the 520 00:30:49,960 --> 00:30:51,600 Speaker 1: Lord bless you and keep you. 521 00:30:52,560 --> 00:30:55,240 Speaker 2: Be sure to request your copy of the twenty twenty 522 00:30:55,280 --> 00:30:59,600 Speaker 2: six devotional calendar available this month by simply visiting us 523 00:31:00,040 --> 00:31:03,760 Speaker 2: jolostein dot com or calling eight eight eight five six 524 00:31:03,840 --> 00:31:10,600 Speaker 2: seven Joel. Also, no matter what season you're in, joy, sorrow, waiting, growth, 525 00:31:10,920 --> 00:31:14,720 Speaker 2: God wants to speak into each and every moment. God's 526 00:31:14,760 --> 00:31:18,520 Speaker 2: Word for Every Season is a guided journal series designed 527 00:31:18,600 --> 00:31:22,080 Speaker 2: to help you slow down, write out scripture, and reflect 528 00:31:22,160 --> 00:31:25,160 Speaker 2: on its truth, one verse at a time. As you 529 00:31:25,320 --> 00:31:29,560 Speaker 2: engage with His Word, you'll discover fresh strength, deeper peace, 530 00:31:29,880 --> 00:31:33,800 Speaker 2: and timely encouragement for every step of your journey. You 531 00:31:33,880 --> 00:31:37,640 Speaker 2: can request these inspiring resources by calling eight eight eight 532 00:31:37,880 --> 00:31:41,760 Speaker 2: five six seven Joel or logging on to joelostein dot 533 00:31:41,760 --> 00:31:45,680 Speaker 2: com today call or click anytime twenty four hours a 534 00:31:45,760 --> 00:31:48,320 Speaker 2: day request these resources today