1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:02,880 Speaker 1: No one likes to talk about money. Am I saving enough? 2 00:00:02,960 --> 00:00:05,040 Speaker 1: Can I buy a house? Am I paying too much 3 00:00:05,040 --> 00:00:07,760 Speaker 1: in taxes? Will I be able to retire? What if 4 00:00:07,760 --> 00:00:10,360 Speaker 1: you could unlock insights about your finances in less than 5 00:00:10,360 --> 00:00:12,840 Speaker 1: five minutes, with a clear picture of where you stand 6 00:00:12,880 --> 00:00:15,720 Speaker 1: today and where your money can work harder. Now you 7 00:00:15,760 --> 00:00:18,759 Speaker 1: can visit facet dot com to take the free quiz 8 00:00:18,800 --> 00:00:23,400 Speaker 1: and get your financial wellness score today. That's Facet dot com. 9 00:00:23,440 --> 00:00:25,360 Speaker 1: This ad is sponsored by Facet. Fast Wealth in Corporated 10 00:00:25,440 --> 00:00:27,280 Speaker 1: is an sec registered investment advisor. This is not an 11 00:00:27,320 --> 00:00:29,080 Speaker 1: offer to buy your self securities or is it investment, 12 00:00:29,160 --> 00:00:30,080 Speaker 1: legal or tax advice. 13 00:00:30,520 --> 00:00:33,120 Speaker 2: Are you ready to move your career forward? Make your 14 00:00:33,159 --> 00:00:36,640 Speaker 2: comeback with Perdue Global and get college credit for your work, school, life, 15 00:00:36,720 --> 00:00:39,840 Speaker 2: or military experiences. With these credits, you may have already 16 00:00:39,840 --> 00:00:42,680 Speaker 2: completed up to seventy five percent of your undergraduate degree. 17 00:00:42,720 --> 00:00:44,800 Speaker 2: You've worked hard to get where you are. It's time 18 00:00:44,840 --> 00:00:46,920 Speaker 2: to get the recognition you deserve and earn a degree 19 00:00:47,000 --> 00:00:49,600 Speaker 2: you'll be proud of, one that employers will trust and 20 00:00:49,720 --> 00:00:51,840 Speaker 2: respect when you take the next step in your life 21 00:00:51,880 --> 00:00:55,040 Speaker 2: and career. Make it count with Perdue Global produce online 22 00:00:55,120 --> 00:00:59,720 Speaker 2: University for working adults start your comeback at Purdueglobal dot edu. 23 00:01:00,680 --> 00:01:03,440 Speaker 3: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 24 00:01:03,480 --> 00:01:06,600 Speaker 3: our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. If you 25 00:01:06,720 --> 00:01:09,280 Speaker 3: enjoy today's message, why don't you be a blessing and 26 00:01:09,360 --> 00:01:12,000 Speaker 3: share it with a friend. We appreciate you and pray 27 00:01:12,040 --> 00:01:21,840 Speaker 3: for God's very best in your life. 28 00:01:24,880 --> 00:01:25,880 Speaker 4: Well, God bless you. 29 00:01:26,120 --> 00:01:28,440 Speaker 3: It's a joy to come into your homes, and if 30 00:01:28,440 --> 00:01:31,039 Speaker 3: you're ever in our area, please stop by and be 31 00:01:31,080 --> 00:01:33,480 Speaker 3: a part of one of our services. I promise you 32 00:01:33,640 --> 00:01:36,080 Speaker 3: we'll make you feel right at home. I say it often, 33 00:01:36,200 --> 00:01:39,080 Speaker 3: but these are the finest people in all of Houston, Texas, 34 00:01:39,280 --> 00:01:41,720 Speaker 3: right here at Lakewood, So come out whenever you can. 35 00:01:42,240 --> 00:01:44,880 Speaker 3: But thanks for tuning in. Thank you again for coming out. 36 00:01:45,120 --> 00:01:47,000 Speaker 3: I'd like to get started each week with something kind 37 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:49,440 Speaker 3: of funny. And I heard about this couple. They'd been 38 00:01:49,480 --> 00:01:52,440 Speaker 3: married for over sixty years. They were at a church 39 00:01:52,480 --> 00:01:55,920 Speaker 3: fellowship and somebody asked them the secret of their success 40 00:01:56,000 --> 00:01:59,000 Speaker 3: and how they'd been married so long. The man told 41 00:01:59,040 --> 00:02:02,320 Speaker 3: how he always treated his wife with respect, and how 42 00:02:02,360 --> 00:02:05,360 Speaker 3: he took her on trips all over the world. He said, 43 00:02:05,360 --> 00:02:08,560 Speaker 3: in fact, for our twenty fifth wedding anniversary. I took 44 00:02:08,600 --> 00:02:12,240 Speaker 3: her to Beijing, China. Everybody kind of clapped. When men 45 00:02:12,280 --> 00:02:14,840 Speaker 3: spoke up and said, what'd you do for your fiftieth anniversary? 46 00:02:15,000 --> 00:02:19,639 Speaker 3: He said, I went back and picked her up. All right, 47 00:02:19,840 --> 00:02:23,400 Speaker 3: hold up your bibles. Say it like you mean it. 48 00:02:23,680 --> 00:02:26,799 Speaker 3: This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. 49 00:02:27,400 --> 00:02:29,920 Speaker 3: I have what it says I have. I can do 50 00:02:30,040 --> 00:02:32,600 Speaker 3: what it says I can do. Today I will be 51 00:02:32,639 --> 00:02:36,799 Speaker 3: taught the Word of God. I boldly confess. My mind 52 00:02:36,880 --> 00:02:40,360 Speaker 3: is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never be 53 00:02:40,480 --> 00:02:46,520 Speaker 3: the same. I am about to receive the incorruptible, indestructible, ever. 54 00:02:46,320 --> 00:02:48,600 Speaker 4: Living seed of the Word of God. 55 00:02:49,120 --> 00:02:53,080 Speaker 3: I'll never be the same, never, never, never, I'll never 56 00:02:53,120 --> 00:02:57,920 Speaker 3: be the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. I 57 00:02:57,960 --> 00:03:00,639 Speaker 3: want to talk to you today about footing the right 58 00:03:00,720 --> 00:03:04,639 Speaker 3: actions behind your faith. It's not enough to just believe. 59 00:03:04,960 --> 00:03:08,440 Speaker 3: We have to take it one step further and start expecting. 60 00:03:09,120 --> 00:03:12,840 Speaker 3: When we're expecting, we're making plans, we talk like it's 61 00:03:12,880 --> 00:03:15,120 Speaker 3: going to happen. We act like it's going to happen. 62 00:03:15,800 --> 00:03:18,880 Speaker 3: Just like a young couple that's expecting a baby. They 63 00:03:18,919 --> 00:03:23,120 Speaker 3: make all these preparations. Why because a child it's on 64 00:03:23,240 --> 00:03:26,359 Speaker 3: his way. The fact is they haven't seen the baby, 65 00:03:26,400 --> 00:03:29,600 Speaker 3: they haven't touched it yet. They have enough faith in 66 00:03:29,639 --> 00:03:33,520 Speaker 3: the doctor's report to start making these preparations. And God 67 00:03:33,560 --> 00:03:36,320 Speaker 3: has put dreams in every one of our hearts. We 68 00:03:36,440 --> 00:03:39,880 Speaker 3: all have things that we're believing for. Believing to overcome 69 00:03:39,920 --> 00:03:43,000 Speaker 3: an illness, believing to get out of debt, believing. 70 00:03:42,560 --> 00:03:45,400 Speaker 4: To accomplish our dreams. But here's the key. 71 00:03:45,720 --> 00:03:50,120 Speaker 3: We have to go beyond believing. True faith has actions 72 00:03:50,160 --> 00:03:53,440 Speaker 3: behind it. If you're sick, you need to start making 73 00:03:53,520 --> 00:03:56,920 Speaker 3: plans to get well. If you're struggling in your finances, 74 00:03:57,320 --> 00:04:01,720 Speaker 3: start making plans to prosper carriages on the rocks, start 75 00:04:01,760 --> 00:04:03,040 Speaker 3: making plans. 76 00:04:02,600 --> 00:04:06,160 Speaker 4: To see that relationship restored. Put your faith out there. 77 00:04:06,760 --> 00:04:09,320 Speaker 3: A lot of times we're believing one way, but with 78 00:04:09,400 --> 00:04:12,560 Speaker 3: our actions we're doing just the opposite. We have to 79 00:04:12,640 --> 00:04:16,719 Speaker 3: understand our faith will work in either direction. Now I 80 00:04:16,760 --> 00:04:20,320 Speaker 3: know people they're making plans to get the flu at 81 00:04:20,320 --> 00:04:21,320 Speaker 3: the grocery store. 82 00:04:21,680 --> 00:04:22,679 Speaker 4: Well, it's flu season. 83 00:04:22,720 --> 00:04:24,719 Speaker 3: I better pick up some of this flu medicine just 84 00:04:24,760 --> 00:04:27,760 Speaker 3: in case. After all, it was bad last year, got 85 00:04:27,839 --> 00:04:28,640 Speaker 3: lucky and didn't get it. 86 00:04:28,640 --> 00:04:29,840 Speaker 4: But I'll probably get it this year. 87 00:04:30,680 --> 00:04:33,240 Speaker 3: They talk like it's going to happen, they take it 88 00:04:33,279 --> 00:04:36,599 Speaker 3: one step further and put actions behind their faith behind 89 00:04:36,640 --> 00:04:37,520 Speaker 3: the flu medicine. 90 00:04:37,520 --> 00:04:40,600 Speaker 4: A few months later, they've got it. See their faith worked. 91 00:04:40,760 --> 00:04:44,200 Speaker 3: They believe for it, they expected, they made plans, and 92 00:04:44,240 --> 00:04:47,920 Speaker 3: they get it. Faith will work even in the negative direction. 93 00:04:48,720 --> 00:04:50,240 Speaker 4: And I'm not saying to go overboard. 94 00:04:50,520 --> 00:04:53,200 Speaker 3: We have medicine at our house, but I don't think 95 00:04:53,240 --> 00:04:55,839 Speaker 3: we should run down to the pharmacy every time a 96 00:04:55,839 --> 00:04:59,839 Speaker 3: television commercial comes on announcing flu season, is here. 97 00:05:00,160 --> 00:05:01,320 Speaker 4: Ready to get it. 98 00:05:01,320 --> 00:05:04,600 Speaker 3: It's funny sometimes we put more faith in that than 99 00:05:04,640 --> 00:05:07,800 Speaker 3: we do in what God says. The scripture says no 100 00:05:07,880 --> 00:05:10,800 Speaker 3: weapon formed against us is going to prosper. I love 101 00:05:10,880 --> 00:05:13,760 Speaker 3: what it says in Psalms. A thousand may fall at 102 00:05:13,760 --> 00:05:16,520 Speaker 3: my side, ten thousand at my right hand, but it 103 00:05:16,560 --> 00:05:20,240 Speaker 3: will not come near my dwelling. That means everybody at 104 00:05:20,240 --> 00:05:23,039 Speaker 3: work may be getting the flu, everybody at school may 105 00:05:23,080 --> 00:05:25,520 Speaker 3: have it. But I believe God has put a hedge 106 00:05:25,560 --> 00:05:27,960 Speaker 3: of protection around me. And I'm going to stay in 107 00:05:28,040 --> 00:05:31,120 Speaker 3: faith and not make plans to get it. And you know, 108 00:05:31,240 --> 00:05:33,640 Speaker 3: if we read the news long enough and watch all 109 00:05:33,680 --> 00:05:36,760 Speaker 3: the studies. If we're not careful, they'll just about talk 110 00:05:36,839 --> 00:05:40,600 Speaker 3: us into having heart disease and high cholesterol and diabetes. 111 00:05:41,200 --> 00:05:43,520 Speaker 3: Well you know what they say, Joel, One in four 112 00:05:43,560 --> 00:05:47,039 Speaker 3: people get cancer. Maybe that's true, But why don't you 113 00:05:47,120 --> 00:05:49,240 Speaker 3: believe to be one of the three that don't get 114 00:05:49,240 --> 00:05:50,960 Speaker 3: it instead of the one of the ones that do 115 00:05:51,080 --> 00:05:54,320 Speaker 3: get it. It is just as easy to believe for 116 00:05:54,360 --> 00:05:57,560 Speaker 3: the positive as it is the negative. And I want 117 00:05:57,600 --> 00:06:00,960 Speaker 3: you to start making plans to live a long, healthy 118 00:06:01,040 --> 00:06:04,800 Speaker 3: life when you face sickness. We all have things come 119 00:06:04,839 --> 00:06:07,880 Speaker 3: against us, but don't just give up and start making 120 00:06:08,040 --> 00:06:11,040 Speaker 3: plans to live with it. I've heard people say, well, Joel, 121 00:06:11,160 --> 00:06:14,240 Speaker 3: I'm learning to live with my arthritis. I'm learning to 122 00:06:14,320 --> 00:06:17,600 Speaker 3: live with my high blood pressure. No, that's not your 123 00:06:17,680 --> 00:06:21,039 Speaker 3: high blood pressure. That's not your sickness. Quit taking ownership 124 00:06:21,080 --> 00:06:24,560 Speaker 3: of it and start making plans to get well. Our 125 00:06:24,600 --> 00:06:27,760 Speaker 3: attitude should be this sickness didn't come to stay, It 126 00:06:27,800 --> 00:06:30,640 Speaker 3: came to pass. Now I know with long life, God's 127 00:06:30,680 --> 00:06:33,400 Speaker 3: going to satisfy me. So I declare it by faith. 128 00:06:33,520 --> 00:06:37,880 Speaker 3: I'm getting better and better every day in every way. See, 129 00:06:37,880 --> 00:06:40,719 Speaker 3: don't give up, don't quit dreaming. Got to keep the 130 00:06:40,839 --> 00:06:43,560 Speaker 3: vision in front of you. I love what a friend 131 00:06:43,600 --> 00:06:46,240 Speaker 3: of mine did. Both of his knees were crushed in 132 00:06:46,320 --> 00:06:50,159 Speaker 3: an accident. The doctor told him he would be fortunate 133 00:06:50,240 --> 00:06:52,960 Speaker 3: to ever walk, but he would certainly never run or 134 00:06:53,000 --> 00:06:53,919 Speaker 3: play sports again. 135 00:06:54,320 --> 00:06:55,480 Speaker 4: He was so disappointed. 136 00:06:55,839 --> 00:06:58,400 Speaker 3: But after being in the hospital for over three months, 137 00:06:58,560 --> 00:07:00,920 Speaker 3: when he got out, the first thing he did was 138 00:07:01,000 --> 00:07:03,680 Speaker 3: go up and join a health club. He took a 139 00:07:03,680 --> 00:07:06,520 Speaker 3: step of faith. The fact is he couldn't go up 140 00:07:06,560 --> 00:07:07,760 Speaker 3: there for over a year. 141 00:07:08,120 --> 00:07:09,000 Speaker 4: He was too weak. 142 00:07:09,480 --> 00:07:11,800 Speaker 3: But he made up his mind he was not going 143 00:07:11,840 --> 00:07:14,800 Speaker 3: to just sit back and plan on staying in that wheelchair. 144 00:07:15,080 --> 00:07:17,640 Speaker 4: He was making plans to be up walking again. 145 00:07:18,520 --> 00:07:21,200 Speaker 3: That was over five years ago, and little by little 146 00:07:21,280 --> 00:07:24,800 Speaker 3: he got stronger and stronger, and today that young man 147 00:07:24,840 --> 00:07:28,960 Speaker 3: can outrun me. He defied the odds. What happened He 148 00:07:29,000 --> 00:07:33,320 Speaker 3: went from believing to expecting. He started making plans to 149 00:07:33,440 --> 00:07:36,280 Speaker 3: rise up out of that. He could have easily let 150 00:07:36,360 --> 00:07:40,040 Speaker 3: the negative words sink in, just convince him to give 151 00:07:40,160 --> 00:07:44,480 Speaker 3: up settle for mediocrity. Maybe you've had some negative things 152 00:07:44,480 --> 00:07:47,280 Speaker 3: spoken over you, But what I'm saying is don't let 153 00:07:47,320 --> 00:07:48,600 Speaker 3: those negative. 154 00:07:48,160 --> 00:07:49,120 Speaker 4: Words take root. 155 00:07:49,400 --> 00:07:53,200 Speaker 3: Keep believing God has you in the palm of his hand. 156 00:07:53,800 --> 00:07:57,960 Speaker 3: And remember, faith is always in the now. Get up 157 00:07:58,000 --> 00:08:01,000 Speaker 3: every morning not saying well, I know one day God's 158 00:08:01,040 --> 00:08:03,360 Speaker 3: going to work. One day, God's going to turn this around. 159 00:08:03,680 --> 00:08:06,240 Speaker 3: Now we should be saying, Father, I thank you that. 160 00:08:06,440 --> 00:08:08,880 Speaker 3: Right now you're working in my life. I think you 161 00:08:08,920 --> 00:08:10,280 Speaker 3: that right now, I'm getting better. 162 00:08:10,400 --> 00:08:12,200 Speaker 4: Right now things are changing. 163 00:08:11,840 --> 00:08:14,360 Speaker 3: In my favor. You've got to stay in the now. 164 00:08:14,680 --> 00:08:17,560 Speaker 3: Faith is always in the present. But a lot of 165 00:08:17,640 --> 00:08:20,960 Speaker 3: times we're making preparations. 166 00:08:20,120 --> 00:08:21,239 Speaker 4: For the wrong things. 167 00:08:21,880 --> 00:08:24,520 Speaker 3: I had a man tell me how his father, when 168 00:08:24,560 --> 00:08:27,120 Speaker 3: he got up there in years, he had a terrible 169 00:08:27,160 --> 00:08:30,000 Speaker 3: time with his eyesight. He got to the point where 170 00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:32,840 Speaker 3: he couldn't read anymore. And this was very common for 171 00:08:32,880 --> 00:08:34,679 Speaker 3: the older people in their family. 172 00:08:34,960 --> 00:08:36,120 Speaker 4: Several of them had that. 173 00:08:36,520 --> 00:08:38,880 Speaker 3: And this man was doing exactly opposite of what I'm 174 00:08:38,920 --> 00:08:41,960 Speaker 3: asking us to do. He was already making plans to 175 00:08:42,040 --> 00:08:45,440 Speaker 3: have it himself. He said, Joel, I love to read, 176 00:08:46,000 --> 00:08:49,120 Speaker 3: so I've started buying all of my books on CD now. 177 00:08:49,679 --> 00:08:52,240 Speaker 3: That way I can listen to them just in case 178 00:08:52,360 --> 00:08:56,240 Speaker 3: something ever happens to my eyesight. Now, that's making plans 179 00:08:56,640 --> 00:08:59,960 Speaker 3: for the wrong things. That's putting your faith in the negative. 180 00:09:00,120 --> 00:09:02,000 Speaker 4: That's what allows it to come to pass. 181 00:09:02,320 --> 00:09:04,840 Speaker 3: I told him, you need to keep buying regular books 182 00:09:04,840 --> 00:09:08,040 Speaker 3: that you always read, and even if you're older, don't 183 00:09:08,080 --> 00:09:11,240 Speaker 3: start buying these large print books just cause some of 184 00:09:11,280 --> 00:09:12,160 Speaker 3: your friends. 185 00:09:11,800 --> 00:09:13,840 Speaker 4: Are and it makes it a little easier for you. Now, 186 00:09:13,920 --> 00:09:16,400 Speaker 4: if you don't need it, don't take the easy way out. 187 00:09:16,679 --> 00:09:19,160 Speaker 3: And even if you do need it, put that off 188 00:09:19,280 --> 00:09:21,920 Speaker 3: until you cannot read that other print anymore. 189 00:09:22,080 --> 00:09:25,240 Speaker 4: Don't give up any ground. I like what Victoria did. 190 00:09:25,679 --> 00:09:29,360 Speaker 3: She's always had real good eyesight twenty twenty vision, but 191 00:09:29,440 --> 00:09:31,880 Speaker 3: over the last couple of years she's had a little 192 00:09:31,920 --> 00:09:35,520 Speaker 3: difficulty reading things up close. And I've tried and tried 193 00:09:35,559 --> 00:09:37,679 Speaker 3: to get her to go see the eye doctor, but. 194 00:09:37,679 --> 00:09:38,760 Speaker 4: She just wouldn't do it. 195 00:09:38,960 --> 00:09:41,440 Speaker 3: She could not stand to think about the fact that 196 00:09:41,559 --> 00:09:43,600 Speaker 3: her vision might be going down a little bit. 197 00:09:44,000 --> 00:09:47,040 Speaker 4: Well, finally I talked her into it. He said it 198 00:09:47,120 --> 00:09:47,559 Speaker 4: was nothing. 199 00:09:47,640 --> 00:09:50,920 Speaker 3: She just needed the lowest power reading glasses kind you 200 00:09:50,920 --> 00:09:53,520 Speaker 3: can buy over the counter at the grocery store. But 201 00:09:53,679 --> 00:09:56,880 Speaker 3: still it has been like pulling teeth for her to 202 00:09:56,960 --> 00:10:00,360 Speaker 3: ever even give in to wearing those things. I love 203 00:10:00,400 --> 00:10:02,880 Speaker 3: the fact she's not gonna just sit back and accept it. 204 00:10:03,000 --> 00:10:04,160 Speaker 4: She stands against it. 205 00:10:04,679 --> 00:10:06,120 Speaker 3: She has put it off, and put it off, and 206 00:10:06,160 --> 00:10:07,920 Speaker 3: put it off. I mean, we'll go to a restaurant 207 00:10:07,960 --> 00:10:09,959 Speaker 3: and you'll have to hold the menu way back here. 208 00:10:11,320 --> 00:10:13,200 Speaker 3: It's like my dad used to say, God, you're either 209 00:10:13,200 --> 00:10:15,880 Speaker 3: gonna have to heal my eyes or linked in my arms. 210 00:10:17,320 --> 00:10:18,640 Speaker 4: But my point is she. 211 00:10:18,559 --> 00:10:20,520 Speaker 3: Doesn't just sit back and say, well, I guess I'm 212 00:10:20,559 --> 00:10:23,880 Speaker 3: getting older. I guess my vision's going downhill. No, she 213 00:10:24,000 --> 00:10:27,240 Speaker 3: is not making plans for defeat. I read a study 214 00:10:27,240 --> 00:10:30,160 Speaker 3: the other day had this big chart that showed how 215 00:10:30,200 --> 00:10:34,880 Speaker 3: at different ages certain things started to decline. According to 216 00:10:34,920 --> 00:10:37,600 Speaker 3: the research, when we get to be twenty five thirty 217 00:10:37,679 --> 00:10:40,440 Speaker 3: years old, our hearing starts to go down so much 218 00:10:40,480 --> 00:10:43,760 Speaker 3: every year, and we lose so much muscle mass every year. 219 00:10:44,240 --> 00:10:47,120 Speaker 3: Our brain cells decrease by a certain percentage every year, 220 00:10:47,280 --> 00:10:50,120 Speaker 3: on and on. And if you let that junk take 221 00:10:50,240 --> 00:10:52,840 Speaker 3: root and you start believing it and acting on it, 222 00:10:52,960 --> 00:10:54,560 Speaker 3: that's what allows it to come to pass. 223 00:10:55,160 --> 00:10:57,079 Speaker 4: I heard somebody the other day said, Joel, I. 224 00:10:57,080 --> 00:10:59,160 Speaker 3: Just turned sixty and I can't hear as good as 225 00:10:59,160 --> 00:11:01,200 Speaker 3: I used to. And I knew this day was coming. 226 00:11:01,240 --> 00:11:04,320 Speaker 3: Everybody told me my hearing would go down. No, you 227 00:11:04,360 --> 00:11:07,920 Speaker 3: are agreeing with the wrong voices. Quit putting your faith 228 00:11:07,920 --> 00:11:10,720 Speaker 3: in the wrong places, and start agreeing with what God 229 00:11:10,760 --> 00:11:14,440 Speaker 3: says about you. Says there in Deuteronomy thirty four, verse seven, 230 00:11:14,800 --> 00:11:18,120 Speaker 3: talking about Moses, when he was one hundred and twenty 231 00:11:18,200 --> 00:11:22,040 Speaker 3: years old, his eye was not dim and his natural 232 00:11:22,080 --> 00:11:26,000 Speaker 3: strength was not abated. That means he could still see clearly, 233 00:11:26,360 --> 00:11:27,440 Speaker 3: he could hear clearly. 234 00:11:27,600 --> 00:11:29,080 Speaker 4: He was strong and healthy. 235 00:11:29,559 --> 00:11:31,719 Speaker 3: I don't know about you, but I'm gonna believe to 236 00:11:31,760 --> 00:11:34,800 Speaker 3: live out my days like Moses. Instead of listening to 237 00:11:34,800 --> 00:11:37,760 Speaker 3: all these negative reports, let me give you a different report. 238 00:11:37,840 --> 00:11:39,880 Speaker 3: Let me give you a study found in God's word. 239 00:11:40,320 --> 00:11:42,760 Speaker 3: It says, in effect, at sixty, you're still. 240 00:11:42,640 --> 00:11:46,319 Speaker 4: Supposed to hear well. At seventy, your mind. 241 00:11:46,160 --> 00:11:48,000 Speaker 3: Is supposed to be as sharp as it was when 242 00:11:48,000 --> 00:11:50,760 Speaker 3: you were twenty five. At eighty, you're supposed to be 243 00:11:50,800 --> 00:11:54,120 Speaker 3: full of joy, full of life, full of energy. Why 244 00:11:54,120 --> 00:11:58,080 Speaker 3: don't you start making plans to live a long, healthy, 245 00:11:58,679 --> 00:12:03,360 Speaker 3: satisfied life. I remember about fifteen years ago we were 246 00:12:03,400 --> 00:12:07,320 Speaker 3: remodeling the old sanctuary, mainly the platform area, and at 247 00:12:07,360 --> 00:12:09,880 Speaker 3: that time my father would have been seventy years old. 248 00:12:10,400 --> 00:12:13,400 Speaker 3: One of the architects I was working with, he said, Joel, 249 00:12:13,400 --> 00:12:14,959 Speaker 3: your dad's getting a little older. 250 00:12:15,440 --> 00:12:16,320 Speaker 4: Don't you think we. 251 00:12:16,320 --> 00:12:18,760 Speaker 3: Should put a wheelchair ramp up to the side of 252 00:12:18,800 --> 00:12:21,760 Speaker 3: the platform, just in case he's ever in a wheelchair? 253 00:12:22,120 --> 00:12:24,120 Speaker 3: And he meant, well, he's a very nice man. But 254 00:12:24,200 --> 00:12:27,160 Speaker 3: I thought to myself, you don't know my father. If 255 00:12:27,200 --> 00:12:29,000 Speaker 3: he heard you say that, he would chase you. 256 00:12:28,960 --> 00:12:29,840 Speaker 4: Out of this county. 257 00:12:30,440 --> 00:12:33,600 Speaker 3: Because my dad, in no way, shape or form, was 258 00:12:33,640 --> 00:12:36,800 Speaker 3: ever planning on being in a wheelchair. And I'm asking 259 00:12:36,840 --> 00:12:40,240 Speaker 3: you today to not make plans for defeat. Don't make 260 00:12:40,280 --> 00:12:43,439 Speaker 3: plans to get old and being over and not be. 261 00:12:43,400 --> 00:12:45,560 Speaker 4: Able to do anything. Keep your faith out. 262 00:12:45,440 --> 00:12:48,600 Speaker 3: There, talk health, talk long life, and then put some 263 00:12:48,720 --> 00:12:52,080 Speaker 3: actions behind it. I know a man he's in his 264 00:12:52,240 --> 00:12:56,719 Speaker 3: nineties and he still lives at home alone, and his 265 00:12:56,800 --> 00:12:59,880 Speaker 3: bedroom is on the second floor. That means every day, 266 00:13:00,080 --> 00:13:02,240 Speaker 3: several times he's got to go up and down those stairs. 267 00:13:02,840 --> 00:13:06,520 Speaker 3: His children, his grandchildren have tried to talk him in 268 00:13:06,760 --> 00:13:09,120 Speaker 3: to move it into one of the empty bedrooms downstairs, 269 00:13:09,160 --> 00:13:11,560 Speaker 3: but he won't do it. His mind is made up. 270 00:13:11,720 --> 00:13:14,120 Speaker 3: He said, Joel. I know if I give in, I'll 271 00:13:14,160 --> 00:13:16,800 Speaker 3: never be able to go back up those stairs. And 272 00:13:16,880 --> 00:13:18,840 Speaker 3: I know we have to use common sense we have 273 00:13:18,880 --> 00:13:20,320 Speaker 3: to be realistic. 274 00:13:20,040 --> 00:13:22,600 Speaker 4: For to what I'm saying, it's just don't make plans 275 00:13:22,640 --> 00:13:23,160 Speaker 4: for defeat. 276 00:13:23,720 --> 00:13:26,800 Speaker 3: Everybody around you may be getting old and cranky and 277 00:13:26,880 --> 00:13:28,600 Speaker 3: this doesn't work, and that doesn't work. 278 00:13:29,000 --> 00:13:31,520 Speaker 4: But let me tell you that doesn't have to be you. 279 00:13:31,520 --> 00:13:34,400 Speaker 3: You can be the exception believed to live a long, 280 00:13:34,840 --> 00:13:35,960 Speaker 3: healthy life. 281 00:13:36,800 --> 00:13:40,360 Speaker 4: I know my father. He never wanted to live if 282 00:13:40,400 --> 00:13:41,240 Speaker 4: he couldn't preach. 283 00:13:41,880 --> 00:13:44,240 Speaker 3: He didn't want to retire. He didn't want to kick 284 00:13:44,320 --> 00:13:47,280 Speaker 3: back and take it easy. He made plans to preach 285 00:13:47,360 --> 00:13:50,040 Speaker 3: right up until he died. He used to tell me, Joel, 286 00:13:50,240 --> 00:13:52,840 Speaker 3: I will never have a stroke. He was saying that 287 00:13:52,880 --> 00:13:55,760 Speaker 3: by faith, because he struggled with high blood pressure his 288 00:13:55,800 --> 00:14:00,120 Speaker 3: whole lifetime. He would say, I'll never be incapacitated. I've 289 00:14:00,160 --> 00:14:02,920 Speaker 3: never come to the place where i cannot preach. And 290 00:14:02,960 --> 00:14:06,520 Speaker 3: do you know my father preached just eleven days before 291 00:14:06,559 --> 00:14:08,960 Speaker 3: he went to be with the Lord. God gave him 292 00:14:09,040 --> 00:14:11,199 Speaker 3: the desires of his heart, but he had his faith 293 00:14:11,240 --> 00:14:14,040 Speaker 3: out there. He was believing he was going to be 294 00:14:14,160 --> 00:14:18,720 Speaker 3: productive right up unto the day that he died. And 295 00:14:18,720 --> 00:14:20,440 Speaker 3: it's easy to think, well, Joel, this is just a 296 00:14:20,480 --> 00:14:23,480 Speaker 3: part of getting old. This doesn't work that doesn't work, 297 00:14:23,560 --> 00:14:25,200 Speaker 3: can't see, can't hear cranky? 298 00:14:25,480 --> 00:14:28,440 Speaker 4: No, don't fall into that trap, especially the cranky part. 299 00:14:28,480 --> 00:14:29,720 Speaker 4: There's enough cranky people. 300 00:14:30,240 --> 00:14:33,080 Speaker 3: Make plans to be healthy, to be full of joy, 301 00:14:33,440 --> 00:14:36,680 Speaker 3: to be productive, right up to the day God calls 302 00:14:36,720 --> 00:14:39,840 Speaker 3: you home. I love what Caleb did when he was 303 00:14:39,840 --> 00:14:43,320 Speaker 3: eighty years old. He said, God, give me another mountain. 304 00:14:43,920 --> 00:14:46,120 Speaker 3: He was saying, God, give me something else to do, 305 00:14:46,280 --> 00:14:49,920 Speaker 3: give me another assignment. Notice, he was planning on living 306 00:14:49,960 --> 00:14:52,520 Speaker 3: out his life in victory. He could have said, God, 307 00:14:52,600 --> 00:14:55,560 Speaker 3: just let me retire, and my back's hurting, can't hardly 308 00:14:55,600 --> 00:14:58,520 Speaker 3: see anymore. Medicare wouldn't pay that latest prescription. 309 00:14:58,560 --> 00:14:59,440 Speaker 4: I'm so aggravated. 310 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:02,120 Speaker 3: I'm pretty sure Caleb wasn't wearing one of those things 311 00:15:02,120 --> 00:15:03,600 Speaker 3: around his neck that says. 312 00:15:03,600 --> 00:15:05,320 Speaker 4: Help, I fall in and I can't get up. 313 00:15:06,160 --> 00:15:09,240 Speaker 3: No, he was strong, he was energetic, ready for the 314 00:15:09,280 --> 00:15:12,800 Speaker 3: next challenge. Let me tell you you're never too old 315 00:15:12,880 --> 00:15:15,760 Speaker 3: to do something for God. You wouldn't be here if 316 00:15:15,800 --> 00:15:18,400 Speaker 3: God didn't have a purpose for you. You're not just 317 00:15:18,720 --> 00:15:21,080 Speaker 3: taking up space waiting to go to Heaven. Get your 318 00:15:21,200 --> 00:15:23,240 Speaker 3: joy back, get your enthusiasm back. 319 00:15:24,200 --> 00:15:26,400 Speaker 4: Don't plan on the withering up. 320 00:15:27,080 --> 00:15:32,880 Speaker 3: No, make plans to live every day joyful, vibrant, healthy, productive. 321 00:15:33,880 --> 00:15:36,480 Speaker 3: An older couple came to our leadership conference a couple 322 00:15:36,560 --> 00:15:39,480 Speaker 3: of months ago, and during the question and answer session, 323 00:15:39,480 --> 00:15:41,640 Speaker 3: they stood up and the man said, Joel, we're not 324 00:15:41,680 --> 00:15:44,640 Speaker 3: real sure what we're supposed to be doing at our age. 325 00:15:44,760 --> 00:15:45,920 Speaker 4: They were in their nineties. 326 00:15:46,360 --> 00:15:49,560 Speaker 3: This man was dressed to a tea, his skin looked great, 327 00:15:49,720 --> 00:15:52,680 Speaker 3: had on a hat. His wife was the epitome of 328 00:15:52,760 --> 00:15:55,520 Speaker 3: grace and beauty. I mean, you've never seen a sharper, 329 00:15:56,040 --> 00:15:59,000 Speaker 3: more striking looking older couple. And I told him, one 330 00:15:59,040 --> 00:16:01,160 Speaker 3: thing you need to do for sure is just go 331 00:16:01,240 --> 00:16:03,040 Speaker 3: around and let other people see you. 332 00:16:03,640 --> 00:16:07,600 Speaker 4: Be an example. Your joy, your health, your peace. 333 00:16:07,360 --> 00:16:11,440 Speaker 3: Your victory is an inspiration to others. I said, you 334 00:16:11,520 --> 00:16:14,800 Speaker 3: need to let the younger generation to them. That's anyone 335 00:16:14,920 --> 00:16:18,080 Speaker 3: under eighty. You need to let them see how you 336 00:16:18,120 --> 00:16:22,680 Speaker 3: can be up there in years and still be healthy, joyful, peaceful. 337 00:16:22,880 --> 00:16:24,200 Speaker 4: I mean they inspired me. 338 00:16:24,960 --> 00:16:28,320 Speaker 3: I tell Victoria every week, I'm believing for at least 339 00:16:28,600 --> 00:16:33,840 Speaker 3: forty more good years of strong, productive ministry, forty years 340 00:16:33,840 --> 00:16:39,360 Speaker 3: of sharing God's word, encouraging people, building the kingdom, not 341 00:16:39,680 --> 00:16:42,840 Speaker 3: thirty good years, and then the last ten my back's hurting. 342 00:16:42,880 --> 00:16:45,560 Speaker 4: This doesn't work, that doesn't work. No joy, no peace. No, 343 00:16:45,680 --> 00:16:46,840 Speaker 4: I got my faith out there. 344 00:16:47,200 --> 00:16:49,120 Speaker 3: I'm believing, at eighty years old, I'm going to be 345 00:16:49,160 --> 00:16:52,280 Speaker 3: just as good looking as I am right now. I'm 346 00:16:52,280 --> 00:16:56,080 Speaker 3: believing I'm gonna still have my hair, still be telling 347 00:16:56,120 --> 00:16:58,840 Speaker 3: my jokes, still be making fun of my brother Paul, 348 00:17:00,160 --> 00:17:02,960 Speaker 3: kidding him that his dentures are loose. And I've got 349 00:17:03,000 --> 00:17:08,480 Speaker 3: here and he doesn't. I'm making plans. I'm making plans 350 00:17:08,560 --> 00:17:13,359 Speaker 3: to live a long, healthy, prosperous, joy filled, abundant life. 351 00:17:13,400 --> 00:17:15,000 Speaker 4: Why don't you do the same thing. 352 00:17:17,119 --> 00:17:21,080 Speaker 3: I've told you about these three sisters, ages ninety six, 353 00:17:21,280 --> 00:17:22,560 Speaker 3: ninety four, and ninety two. 354 00:17:22,840 --> 00:17:23,679 Speaker 4: They lived together. 355 00:17:24,200 --> 00:17:26,359 Speaker 3: One day, The ninety six year old draws a bath 356 00:17:26,440 --> 00:17:30,080 Speaker 3: and puts one foot in and pauses. She yells, downstairs, 357 00:17:30,200 --> 00:17:32,520 Speaker 3: I can't remember if I was getting in or getting out. 358 00:17:33,800 --> 00:17:35,359 Speaker 4: The ninety four year old says, I don't know. 359 00:17:35,480 --> 00:17:37,880 Speaker 3: I'll come see, And she gets halfway up the stairs 360 00:17:37,880 --> 00:17:40,160 Speaker 3: and says, I can't remember if I was going up 361 00:17:40,280 --> 00:17:43,119 Speaker 3: or coming down. The ninety two year old shook her 362 00:17:43,119 --> 00:17:44,639 Speaker 3: head and said, man, I hope I never get that. 363 00:17:44,720 --> 00:17:48,600 Speaker 4: Forgetful. She knocked on wood for good measure. Then she said, 364 00:17:48,600 --> 00:17:49,000 Speaker 4: hang on. 365 00:17:49,000 --> 00:17:50,760 Speaker 3: I'll come help both of you as soon as I 366 00:17:50,760 --> 00:17:51,720 Speaker 3: see who's at the door. 367 00:17:54,240 --> 00:17:55,919 Speaker 4: Let's believe we're not going to get like that. 368 00:17:56,760 --> 00:17:59,280 Speaker 3: We got to believe that our mind is going to 369 00:17:59,359 --> 00:18:01,879 Speaker 3: be sharp, We're going to be healthy, we're gonna be 370 00:18:01,960 --> 00:18:05,439 Speaker 3: productive right up until the day that we die. But 371 00:18:05,520 --> 00:18:08,640 Speaker 3: we have to get beyond these stereotypes, these strongholds. 372 00:18:08,680 --> 00:18:09,640 Speaker 4: Well I'm getting old. 373 00:18:09,720 --> 00:18:12,840 Speaker 3: There goes my health, my vision, my hearing. No, our 374 00:18:12,920 --> 00:18:15,840 Speaker 3: faith is going to work in either direction. I know 375 00:18:15,880 --> 00:18:19,400 Speaker 3: a lady that went through a very extensive medical checkup, 376 00:18:20,000 --> 00:18:22,679 Speaker 3: and at the time, she was about seventy years old, 377 00:18:23,080 --> 00:18:25,920 Speaker 3: and they'd compiled all her information and then they gave 378 00:18:25,960 --> 00:18:30,639 Speaker 3: you an average life expectancy based on their findings her health, 379 00:18:30,680 --> 00:18:33,919 Speaker 3: her genetics, her family's history. They told her she'd probably 380 00:18:33,920 --> 00:18:36,840 Speaker 3: lived to be around seventy five years old. Well, that 381 00:18:36,960 --> 00:18:39,480 Speaker 3: was only another five years. You might as well have 382 00:18:39,560 --> 00:18:42,199 Speaker 3: told her she was gonna die. The next day, she 383 00:18:42,320 --> 00:18:44,960 Speaker 3: got so depressed she wouldn't come out of her house, 384 00:18:45,400 --> 00:18:49,280 Speaker 3: lost her joy, lost her peace. Basically, she had just 385 00:18:49,359 --> 00:18:52,399 Speaker 3: quit living her life. This went on month after month. 386 00:18:53,080 --> 00:18:56,080 Speaker 3: One day her family brought her up here and I 387 00:18:56,200 --> 00:18:58,280 Speaker 3: was able to tell her what I'm telling you today. 388 00:18:58,720 --> 00:19:01,720 Speaker 3: Don't make plans for the war, don't let the negative 389 00:19:01,760 --> 00:19:02,560 Speaker 3: words take root. 390 00:19:02,800 --> 00:19:04,439 Speaker 4: God can do what men can't do. 391 00:19:05,160 --> 00:19:08,320 Speaker 3: And I found sometimes these experts, even though they are 392 00:19:08,359 --> 00:19:10,200 Speaker 3: fine people, they can be wrong. 393 00:19:10,680 --> 00:19:13,359 Speaker 4: And I started pumping her full of faith. What today. 394 00:19:13,640 --> 00:19:16,600 Speaker 3: That lady is eighty one years old and as healthy 395 00:19:16,680 --> 00:19:20,040 Speaker 3: and vibrant as can be. I saw her not long ago. 396 00:19:20,400 --> 00:19:23,000 Speaker 3: She said, Joel, I've already beat it by six years. 397 00:19:23,560 --> 00:19:25,200 Speaker 3: I said, yeah, and when you make it to ninety, 398 00:19:25,200 --> 00:19:26,840 Speaker 3: we're going to have a real party around here. 399 00:19:27,560 --> 00:19:30,760 Speaker 4: Don't let those negative words take root. And it's important 400 00:19:30,760 --> 00:19:33,520 Speaker 4: to set a high goal for your life. 401 00:19:33,560 --> 00:19:36,480 Speaker 3: My father always believed that he would live to preach 402 00:19:36,520 --> 00:19:39,359 Speaker 3: into his nineties. He didn't quite make it, but he 403 00:19:39,480 --> 00:19:41,879 Speaker 3: used to say, I'd rather shoot high. 404 00:19:42,000 --> 00:19:44,880 Speaker 4: And missus little than shoot low and make it. Keep 405 00:19:44,920 --> 00:19:45,560 Speaker 4: a high goal. 406 00:19:46,280 --> 00:19:48,960 Speaker 3: I used to play basketball with a gentleman that was 407 00:19:49,000 --> 00:19:52,760 Speaker 3: in his seventies. He was in great shape. He could 408 00:19:52,800 --> 00:19:54,720 Speaker 3: run up and down the court with the twenty year old. 409 00:19:55,119 --> 00:19:57,520 Speaker 3: One day we were talking. He said, Joel, that's kind 410 00:19:57,520 --> 00:20:01,439 Speaker 3: of funny. When I was forty, told me that my 411 00:20:01,640 --> 00:20:03,960 Speaker 3: knees wouldn't hold up playing this much, but I just 412 00:20:04,040 --> 00:20:06,880 Speaker 3: kept playing. And at fifty he told me my back 413 00:20:06,920 --> 00:20:09,720 Speaker 3: would start hurting if I kept running and jumping like this. 414 00:20:09,680 --> 00:20:10,480 Speaker 4: But I just kept on. 415 00:20:11,040 --> 00:20:14,119 Speaker 3: At sixty, he told me I could never keep up physically, 416 00:20:14,560 --> 00:20:17,000 Speaker 3: but I can still run with the young guys, he said. 417 00:20:17,040 --> 00:20:19,520 Speaker 3: I went back at seventy. Finally, he told me, just 418 00:20:19,600 --> 00:20:23,119 Speaker 3: keep playing as much as you want too. I laughed, 419 00:20:23,119 --> 00:20:25,040 Speaker 3: and I said, how long are you going to play? 420 00:20:25,400 --> 00:20:28,200 Speaker 3: He smiled and said, I'm gonna play until I get old. 421 00:20:29,040 --> 00:20:31,880 Speaker 3: And I like that because old is in your mind. 422 00:20:32,359 --> 00:20:34,720 Speaker 3: Your body may age, but if you'll stay young in 423 00:20:34,760 --> 00:20:37,040 Speaker 3: your heart, it'll help your body to age even better. 424 00:20:38,040 --> 00:20:41,960 Speaker 3: This man had the heart of a twenty five year old. 425 00:20:42,480 --> 00:20:46,720 Speaker 3: I mean he was always grateful, always happy, always in 426 00:20:46,800 --> 00:20:49,840 Speaker 3: a good mood. You could tell he wasn't making plans 427 00:20:49,880 --> 00:20:52,520 Speaker 3: to get old and worn out, nothing working right. 428 00:20:52,840 --> 00:20:56,680 Speaker 4: He was planning on living out his life joyful, vibrant, 429 00:20:56,840 --> 00:20:57,639 Speaker 4: in good health. 430 00:20:58,240 --> 00:21:00,879 Speaker 3: And I know some of you have a history of 431 00:21:00,920 --> 00:21:03,840 Speaker 3: certain illnesses in your family. I was praying with somebody 432 00:21:03,920 --> 00:21:06,639 Speaker 3: last week and she told how her grandmother had a 433 00:21:06,680 --> 00:21:09,879 Speaker 3: certain illness and her cousin had it and her uncle 434 00:21:09,880 --> 00:21:11,800 Speaker 3: had it and it had shortened all of their lives, 435 00:21:12,000 --> 00:21:15,239 Speaker 3: and naturally she was concerned about it. But you have 436 00:21:15,320 --> 00:21:17,000 Speaker 3: to stand against things like that. 437 00:21:17,720 --> 00:21:20,600 Speaker 4: You can be the exception. You can be the one 438 00:21:20,600 --> 00:21:23,280 Speaker 4: to start a new standard for your family. Here's what 439 00:21:23,320 --> 00:21:23,760 Speaker 4: you gotta do. 440 00:21:23,840 --> 00:21:25,680 Speaker 3: You got to think different and you've got to take 441 00:21:25,720 --> 00:21:26,600 Speaker 3: different actions. 442 00:21:27,000 --> 00:21:30,400 Speaker 4: You cannot prepare for defeat and expect to have victory. 443 00:21:30,720 --> 00:21:32,640 Speaker 4: Keep your faith going in the right direction. 444 00:21:33,560 --> 00:21:37,680 Speaker 3: I remember my grandmother on my father's side, Grandmother Osteine. 445 00:21:37,880 --> 00:21:40,240 Speaker 3: She was a very feisty lady, one of a kind. 446 00:21:40,400 --> 00:21:43,720 Speaker 3: She only stood about five feet tall. One time, when 447 00:21:43,800 --> 00:21:45,680 Speaker 3: she was older in life, she went to see her 448 00:21:45,720 --> 00:21:48,880 Speaker 3: doctor and he said, I'm sorry, missus Ostein, but you're 449 00:21:48,880 --> 00:21:53,600 Speaker 3: in the beginning stages of Parkinson's disease. Well, grandmother Ostine 450 00:21:53,640 --> 00:21:56,040 Speaker 3: didn't really know what that was, but she was sure 451 00:21:56,080 --> 00:21:58,280 Speaker 3: she didn't want to have any part of it, and. 452 00:21:58,240 --> 00:21:59,919 Speaker 4: So she bristled back. She got real s. 453 00:22:00,359 --> 00:22:02,919 Speaker 3: She said, listen here, doctor, I'll not have that. I 454 00:22:03,000 --> 00:22:05,240 Speaker 3: refuse to have it. I'm too old to have it. 455 00:22:06,640 --> 00:22:09,080 Speaker 3: And she went home and do you know, my grandmother 456 00:22:09,440 --> 00:22:13,040 Speaker 3: never did have Parkinson's disease. She just kept doing what 457 00:22:13,160 --> 00:22:17,440 Speaker 3: she'd always been doing, planning on living a long, healthy life. 458 00:22:18,320 --> 00:22:22,080 Speaker 3: She didn't let the negative words take root, and I realized, 459 00:22:22,119 --> 00:22:25,440 Speaker 3: we can't just necessarily wish things away, but we can 460 00:22:25,600 --> 00:22:28,480 Speaker 3: decide what we're going to plan for. We can plan 461 00:22:28,800 --> 00:22:31,399 Speaker 3: to get old and lose our sight and lose our health, 462 00:22:31,680 --> 00:22:34,400 Speaker 3: or we can plan to live a long, healthy, blessed, 463 00:22:34,480 --> 00:22:38,399 Speaker 3: prosperous life. What are you planning for today, sickness or 464 00:22:38,400 --> 00:22:42,040 Speaker 3: divine health, to barely get by, or to be blessed, 465 00:22:42,520 --> 00:22:44,840 Speaker 3: to stay where you are, or to rise higher and 466 00:22:44,880 --> 00:22:49,240 Speaker 3: really accomplish your dreams. Every one of us, according to 467 00:22:49,320 --> 00:22:53,080 Speaker 3: our actions or even our inactions, we're all making plans 468 00:22:53,119 --> 00:22:57,280 Speaker 3: for something. There's an interesting story in Second Kings about 469 00:22:57,280 --> 00:23:00,639 Speaker 3: a widow. Her husband has died and she didn't have 470 00:23:00,680 --> 00:23:03,440 Speaker 3: any money to pay her bills, and now the creditors 471 00:23:03,480 --> 00:23:06,560 Speaker 3: are coming to take her two sons as payment. The 472 00:23:06,640 --> 00:23:08,959 Speaker 3: only thing she has of any value is a small 473 00:23:09,000 --> 00:23:12,119 Speaker 3: pot of oil. Elisha, the prophet showed up at her 474 00:23:12,119 --> 00:23:15,200 Speaker 3: home and he told her something interesting to do. He said, 475 00:23:15,240 --> 00:23:18,000 Speaker 3: go out to all your neighbors and gather up as 476 00:23:18,080 --> 00:23:21,760 Speaker 3: many of these large empty containers that you can find, 477 00:23:21,880 --> 00:23:24,600 Speaker 3: these big jars that used to hold oil, and he 478 00:23:24,680 --> 00:23:28,120 Speaker 3: told her specifically, don't get just a few, get as 479 00:23:28,200 --> 00:23:31,640 Speaker 3: many as you can possibly find. And in the natural 480 00:23:31,920 --> 00:23:34,040 Speaker 3: it seemed like she was just wasting her time. This 481 00:23:34,160 --> 00:23:37,400 Speaker 3: lady had enough problems. She lost her husband, she didn't 482 00:23:37,440 --> 00:23:39,760 Speaker 3: have any money, the creditors are on her back. But 483 00:23:39,880 --> 00:23:43,040 Speaker 3: Elisha knew he had to get her faith going in 484 00:23:43,080 --> 00:23:46,080 Speaker 3: the right direction. She had been sitting around long enough 485 00:23:46,080 --> 00:23:49,080 Speaker 3: preparing for defeat. Now he was trying to get her 486 00:23:49,280 --> 00:23:52,600 Speaker 3: to start preparing for victory. And so she gathered up 487 00:23:52,680 --> 00:23:55,920 Speaker 3: all these empty containers, got them home, and Elisha told 488 00:23:55,960 --> 00:23:58,920 Speaker 3: her to pour the oil that she had into one 489 00:23:58,920 --> 00:24:01,439 Speaker 3: of the other containers. And it looked like she was 490 00:24:01,480 --> 00:24:04,080 Speaker 3: just gonna transfer it from one to the other. But 491 00:24:04,119 --> 00:24:07,800 Speaker 3: the scripture says her oil never ran out. She kept 492 00:24:07,880 --> 00:24:12,800 Speaker 3: pouring and pouring and pouring. God supernaturally multiplied it until 493 00:24:12,880 --> 00:24:17,200 Speaker 3: every single container was completely full. The fact is, if 494 00:24:17,200 --> 00:24:19,800 Speaker 3: she would have gotten a dozen more containers, they would 495 00:24:19,840 --> 00:24:20,640 Speaker 3: have been full as well. 496 00:24:21,320 --> 00:24:23,080 Speaker 4: Friends, we are the ones that limit God. 497 00:24:23,600 --> 00:24:26,480 Speaker 3: Let me challenge you have a big dream for your life, 498 00:24:26,800 --> 00:24:31,080 Speaker 3: make provision for abundance. Well, Joel, I'd love to pay 499 00:24:31,080 --> 00:24:33,480 Speaker 3: my house off. I'd love to get out of debt, 500 00:24:33,800 --> 00:24:35,320 Speaker 3: but I don't see how it could happen for me. 501 00:24:35,760 --> 00:24:37,680 Speaker 3: I've gone as far in my career as I can go. 502 00:24:38,080 --> 00:24:40,200 Speaker 3: I'd love to send my children to college, but it's 503 00:24:40,200 --> 00:24:44,520 Speaker 3: so expensive these days. No, are you making any provision? 504 00:24:45,119 --> 00:24:47,600 Speaker 3: Do you have a savings account opened up? Do you 505 00:24:47,680 --> 00:24:51,000 Speaker 3: have any containers? Well, Joel, that'd be kind of foolish 506 00:24:51,160 --> 00:24:52,960 Speaker 3: to have an account and not have anything to put 507 00:24:52,960 --> 00:24:53,239 Speaker 3: in it. 508 00:24:53,720 --> 00:24:55,960 Speaker 4: That's what this lady did. You got to take a 509 00:24:56,000 --> 00:24:56,760 Speaker 4: step of faith. 510 00:24:57,000 --> 00:25:00,040 Speaker 3: It's not enough to just believe. Put actions behind and 511 00:25:00,200 --> 00:25:00,600 Speaker 3: your faith. 512 00:25:01,119 --> 00:25:01,920 Speaker 4: Do what you can. 513 00:25:02,720 --> 00:25:05,479 Speaker 3: Are you being your very best on the job, showing 514 00:25:05,560 --> 00:25:09,000 Speaker 3: up early, going the extra mile, doing more than expected. 515 00:25:09,800 --> 00:25:13,639 Speaker 3: Are you dressing for success? You may only have one suit, 516 00:25:14,119 --> 00:25:16,320 Speaker 3: clean it up, press it and wear it like you 517 00:25:16,400 --> 00:25:20,480 Speaker 3: own the place. Are you talking successful, Well, everybody gets 518 00:25:20,480 --> 00:25:23,480 Speaker 3: promoted except me. They're talking about laying off people at 519 00:25:23,480 --> 00:25:26,480 Speaker 3: my job and Joel, last week my washing machine broke. 520 00:25:26,520 --> 00:25:29,479 Speaker 3: If it's not one thing, it's another. Now that's only 521 00:25:29,560 --> 00:25:32,800 Speaker 3: preparing you for defeat. Change your attitude and change what 522 00:25:32,840 --> 00:25:35,320 Speaker 3: you're saying. Start saying this is going to be a 523 00:25:35,359 --> 00:25:39,080 Speaker 3: blessed year. I know great things are in store. Goodness 524 00:25:39,080 --> 00:25:42,440 Speaker 3: and mercy are following me. God's favor is surrounding me. 525 00:25:42,760 --> 00:25:47,120 Speaker 3: I am expecting increase, promotion, abundance in this new year. 526 00:25:48,320 --> 00:25:49,280 Speaker 4: Then don't start there. 527 00:25:50,400 --> 00:25:54,040 Speaker 3: Do like this little lady and start making plans to 528 00:25:54,160 --> 00:25:59,439 Speaker 3: prosper make preparations to succeed, not to fail. I know 529 00:25:59,480 --> 00:26:01,520 Speaker 3: when my father went to be with the Lord back 530 00:26:01,520 --> 00:26:03,879 Speaker 3: in nineteen ninety nine and I stepped up to pastor 531 00:26:03,960 --> 00:26:06,800 Speaker 3: the church, one of the first things I did was 532 00:26:06,840 --> 00:26:10,520 Speaker 3: to cancel our weekly television time. I thought, I've never 533 00:26:10,560 --> 00:26:12,199 Speaker 3: preached before, and I'm sure not going to get on 534 00:26:12,200 --> 00:26:15,920 Speaker 3: television and preach. And so I called our representative from 535 00:26:15,960 --> 00:26:17,960 Speaker 3: the main national network that we were on. He was 536 00:26:18,000 --> 00:26:20,080 Speaker 3: a good friend. I told him what had happened, how 537 00:26:20,080 --> 00:26:20,880 Speaker 3: we were going to have to. 538 00:26:20,800 --> 00:26:21,919 Speaker 4: Cancel our broadcast. 539 00:26:22,200 --> 00:26:25,240 Speaker 3: Well, the fact is I was making plans for defeat. 540 00:26:25,840 --> 00:26:28,320 Speaker 3: I was making plans to not do very well. I 541 00:26:28,320 --> 00:26:30,840 Speaker 3: didn't think I could preach. I didn't think anybody want 542 00:26:30,880 --> 00:26:34,119 Speaker 3: to listen to me, so I put actions behind my faith. 543 00:26:34,720 --> 00:26:36,919 Speaker 3: The problem is I was using my faith in the 544 00:26:36,920 --> 00:26:40,600 Speaker 3: wrong direction. I got home that night and told Victoria 545 00:26:40,640 --> 00:26:42,240 Speaker 3: it just in passing what I'd done. 546 00:26:42,560 --> 00:26:44,920 Speaker 4: She said, Joel, you did what you need to get 547 00:26:44,920 --> 00:26:45,760 Speaker 4: that time back. 548 00:26:46,200 --> 00:26:48,760 Speaker 3: People all over the country are waiting to see what's 549 00:26:48,800 --> 00:26:51,840 Speaker 3: going to happen to Lakewood. When she said that right 550 00:26:51,880 --> 00:26:52,879 Speaker 3: down in here, I knew that. 551 00:26:52,960 --> 00:26:54,000 Speaker 4: I knew that it was right. 552 00:26:54,560 --> 00:26:56,440 Speaker 3: Long story short, we were able to get it back, 553 00:26:56,480 --> 00:26:59,000 Speaker 3: and today the broadcast goes out all over the world. 554 00:26:59,359 --> 00:27:03,040 Speaker 3: But a lot of time, times, a lot of times, 555 00:27:03,359 --> 00:27:07,680 Speaker 3: with our own actions, we are limiting God. And had 556 00:27:07,720 --> 00:27:10,240 Speaker 3: I not taken a step of faith in the right direction, 557 00:27:10,880 --> 00:27:13,520 Speaker 3: I don't know if we'd be on television today. We 558 00:27:13,640 --> 00:27:16,920 Speaker 3: cannot prepare for defeat and expect to have victory. 559 00:27:17,359 --> 00:27:18,919 Speaker 4: And some of you are kind of like I was. 560 00:27:19,200 --> 00:27:23,000 Speaker 3: You're preparing to fail, preparing to barely get by, preparing 561 00:27:23,040 --> 00:27:23,919 Speaker 3: to lose your health. 562 00:27:24,160 --> 00:27:25,520 Speaker 4: Now I want to challenge you today. 563 00:27:25,960 --> 00:27:31,639 Speaker 3: Start preparing for good things. Prepare for success, Prepare for abundance, 564 00:27:31,680 --> 00:27:35,239 Speaker 3: Prepare for victory, Prepare for a long life, Prepare for 565 00:27:35,280 --> 00:27:35,919 Speaker 3: good health. 566 00:27:36,359 --> 00:27:38,360 Speaker 4: Get your faith going in the right direction. 567 00:27:39,119 --> 00:27:42,920 Speaker 3: Remember, with our actions, or even our inactions, we're all 568 00:27:42,920 --> 00:27:46,040 Speaker 3: making plans for something. Now I'm asking you today to 569 00:27:46,080 --> 00:27:51,480 Speaker 3: start making plans to live a blessed, prosperous, healthy, joy filled. 570 00:27:51,240 --> 00:27:53,320 Speaker 4: Abundant long life. 571 00:27:53,520 --> 00:27:55,960 Speaker 3: I know if you do this, God will do more 572 00:27:55,960 --> 00:27:58,200 Speaker 3: than you can even ask or think. He will pour 573 00:27:58,240 --> 00:28:01,040 Speaker 3: out his blessings in favor and you'll live that life 574 00:28:01,080 --> 00:28:02,640 Speaker 3: of victory God has in story. 575 00:28:02,640 --> 00:28:04,159 Speaker 4: Amen, do you receive it today? 576 00:28:05,280 --> 00:28:08,159 Speaker 3: We never like to close our broadcast without giving you 577 00:28:08,200 --> 00:28:11,000 Speaker 3: an opportunity to make Jesus the lord of your life. 578 00:28:11,400 --> 00:28:16,000 Speaker 3: Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus, I 579 00:28:16,119 --> 00:28:21,480 Speaker 3: repent of my sins. Come into my heart, wash me clean. 580 00:28:22,520 --> 00:28:26,240 Speaker 3: I make you my Lord and savior. Friends, if you 581 00:28:26,280 --> 00:28:28,879 Speaker 3: prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got born again. 582 00:28:29,200 --> 00:28:32,240 Speaker 3: Get in a good Bible based church. Keep God first place. 583 00:28:32,520 --> 00:28:34,480 Speaker 3: He's going to take your place as you've never dreamed of. 584 00:28:34,800 --> 00:28:38,240 Speaker 5: Thank you for listening to the Joel Oustine podcast. Help 585 00:28:38,320 --> 00:28:41,040 Speaker 5: us continue to share the message of hope with those 586 00:28:41,160 --> 00:28:45,040 Speaker 5: all over the world. Visit jolustein dot com slash give 587 00:28:45,120 --> 00:28:46,840 Speaker 5: Hope to give a gift today. 588 00:28:48,080 --> 00:28:50,520 Speaker 4: Thanks so much for listening to today's message. 589 00:28:50,640 --> 00:28:53,400 Speaker 3: I hope you'll subscribe so you can receive the latest 590 00:28:53,440 --> 00:28:54,880 Speaker 3: podcast to keep. 591 00:28:54,680 --> 00:28:57,680 Speaker 4: You inspired all through the week. We're praying for you. 592 00:28:57,840 --> 00:29:01,360 Speaker 4: I know God's best is still ahead. 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