1 00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:03,680 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Juel and Victoria. We are so glad 2 00:00:03,720 --> 00:00:06,360 Speaker 1: that you are a part of this podcast. We believe 3 00:00:06,360 --> 00:00:08,760 Speaker 1: that it's going to make a huge difference in your life. 4 00:00:09,080 --> 00:00:10,560 Speaker 2: Know that we are praying for you. 5 00:00:11,000 --> 00:00:13,480 Speaker 3: Yeah, we love you guys, and just appreciate you taking 6 00:00:13,520 --> 00:00:15,680 Speaker 3: the time. We believe it it's going to be a 7 00:00:15,720 --> 00:00:19,000 Speaker 3: beautiful spring for you and an awesome twenty twenty four. 8 00:00:19,320 --> 00:00:23,400 Speaker 2: Enjoy the message, Toda. God bless you. It's great to 9 00:00:23,440 --> 00:00:24,520 Speaker 2: have you with us today. 10 00:00:24,600 --> 00:00:27,480 Speaker 3: And if you're ever in our area, please stop buying 11 00:00:27,640 --> 00:00:29,720 Speaker 3: be a part of one of our services. These are 12 00:00:29,760 --> 00:00:32,120 Speaker 3: the finest people in all of Houston, Texas right. 13 00:00:32,000 --> 00:00:34,960 Speaker 2: Here at Lakewood. We'd love to have you now. I 14 00:00:35,040 --> 00:00:37,519 Speaker 2: hope you'll stay connected with us during the week. We 15 00:00:37,560 --> 00:00:38,760 Speaker 2: have a daily podcast. 16 00:00:38,800 --> 00:00:42,520 Speaker 3: You can download our YouTube channel, follow us on social media. 17 00:00:42,720 --> 00:00:45,919 Speaker 3: We'll keep you encouraged and inspired. But thanks for tuning in. 18 00:00:46,120 --> 00:00:47,879 Speaker 2: Thanks again for coming out in person. 19 00:00:48,400 --> 00:00:50,640 Speaker 3: I'd like to start with something funny and I heard 20 00:00:50,680 --> 00:00:53,480 Speaker 3: about this groom during the wedding rehearsal. 21 00:00:53,720 --> 00:00:56,040 Speaker 2: He said to the ministry, I'll make a deal with you. 22 00:00:56,440 --> 00:01:00,000 Speaker 3: If you'll leave out all that honor, obey and love stuff, 23 00:01:00,200 --> 00:01:02,920 Speaker 3: I'll give you one hundred dollars. He slipped one hundred 24 00:01:02,960 --> 00:01:06,240 Speaker 3: dollar bill into the minister's hand walked away with a smile. 25 00:01:06,800 --> 00:01:09,959 Speaker 3: The next day, during the ceremony, the minister said to him, 26 00:01:10,200 --> 00:01:12,920 Speaker 3: do you promise to bow down before your wife and 27 00:01:13,240 --> 00:01:16,880 Speaker 3: take her breakfast in bed fulfill her every desire? He 28 00:01:16,959 --> 00:01:19,800 Speaker 3: gulped in astonishment, said in a weak voice, I do. 29 00:01:20,280 --> 00:01:22,720 Speaker 3: He then whispered in the minister's ear. I thought we 30 00:01:22,800 --> 00:01:25,960 Speaker 3: had a deal. The minister handed him his money back 31 00:01:26,000 --> 00:01:27,120 Speaker 3: and said, your. 32 00:01:26,959 --> 00:01:30,840 Speaker 2: Wife made me a much better offer. Say it like 33 00:01:30,880 --> 00:01:33,000 Speaker 2: you mean it. This is my Bible. 34 00:01:33,400 --> 00:01:35,680 Speaker 3: I am what it says I am. I have what 35 00:01:35,760 --> 00:01:38,080 Speaker 3: it says I have. I can do what it says 36 00:01:38,160 --> 00:01:40,920 Speaker 3: I can do. Today I will be taught the word 37 00:01:40,959 --> 00:01:45,000 Speaker 3: of God. I boldly confess. My mind is alert, my 38 00:01:45,120 --> 00:01:48,280 Speaker 3: heart is receptive. I will never be the same. In 39 00:01:48,440 --> 00:01:49,600 Speaker 3: Jesus's name. 40 00:01:49,760 --> 00:01:50,640 Speaker 2: God bless you. 41 00:01:51,800 --> 00:01:54,840 Speaker 3: I want to talk to you today about beautiful in 42 00:01:54,920 --> 00:01:59,000 Speaker 3: its time. Solomon was the wisest man that ever lived. 43 00:01:59,440 --> 00:02:02,800 Speaker 3: He wrote the Book of Ecclesiastes. There is a time 44 00:02:02,840 --> 00:02:06,120 Speaker 3: for joy and a time for sadness, a time to 45 00:02:06,200 --> 00:02:09,560 Speaker 3: harvest and the time to plant, a time to be born, 46 00:02:09,919 --> 00:02:13,200 Speaker 3: and the time to die. He was saying, life is 47 00:02:13,240 --> 00:02:15,520 Speaker 3: going to happen to us all. There are going to 48 00:02:15,560 --> 00:02:20,760 Speaker 3: be different seasons, ups and downs, victories and losses, good 49 00:02:20,800 --> 00:02:25,480 Speaker 3: friends and betrayals, promotions and setbacks. If he had has 50 00:02:25,520 --> 00:02:28,640 Speaker 3: stopped there, we'd think, tell me something new. We know 51 00:02:28,760 --> 00:02:32,280 Speaker 3: all that that's kind of depressing. But after listing all 52 00:02:32,320 --> 00:02:35,920 Speaker 3: the things that can happen, the disappointments, the loss, the 53 00:02:35,960 --> 00:02:39,480 Speaker 3: bad breaks, he said in verse ten, I've thought about 54 00:02:39,520 --> 00:02:41,359 Speaker 3: this and come to the conclusion. 55 00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:45,080 Speaker 2: God makes all things beautiful in its time. 56 00:02:46,000 --> 00:02:48,400 Speaker 3: He was saying, you're going to go through things that 57 00:02:48,480 --> 00:02:51,760 Speaker 3: are not fair, people that do you wrong, set back 58 00:02:51,800 --> 00:02:54,959 Speaker 3: in your health, a child that's off course. It's easy 59 00:02:55,000 --> 00:02:57,920 Speaker 3: to live discouraged, think that it's never going to work out. 60 00:02:58,600 --> 00:03:01,280 Speaker 2: But if you'll just stay in and keep. 61 00:03:01,120 --> 00:03:05,480 Speaker 3: Moving forward in time, God will make all things beautiful. 62 00:03:06,320 --> 00:03:07,960 Speaker 2: May not be beautiful right now. 63 00:03:08,440 --> 00:03:11,520 Speaker 3: Nothing beautiful about going through a loss, or dealing with 64 00:03:11,560 --> 00:03:14,800 Speaker 3: an illness, a family member that won't speak to you. 65 00:03:14,960 --> 00:03:16,080 Speaker 2: Just give it some time. 66 00:03:16,760 --> 00:03:19,760 Speaker 3: You don't have to live worried you can't sleep at night. 67 00:03:20,080 --> 00:03:23,440 Speaker 3: God is working behind the scenes. He's going to resolve 68 00:03:23,560 --> 00:03:26,840 Speaker 3: things that looked like they could never resolve what. 69 00:03:26,760 --> 00:03:28,880 Speaker 2: You thought was going to limit you the rest of 70 00:03:28,919 --> 00:03:29,440 Speaker 2: your life. 71 00:03:29,919 --> 00:03:33,560 Speaker 3: The bad break, the disappointment, the mistake you made. 72 00:03:33,800 --> 00:03:35,760 Speaker 2: That is not how your story ends. 73 00:03:35,920 --> 00:03:40,800 Speaker 3: Beauty is coming, Restoration is coming, healing is coming. It's 74 00:03:40,840 --> 00:03:44,720 Speaker 3: going to turn out better than you've imagined. God will 75 00:03:44,760 --> 00:03:48,680 Speaker 3: make all things beautiful, not just the good breaks, not 76 00:03:48,840 --> 00:03:53,040 Speaker 3: just the promotions, the divine connections, that's obvious. But he'll 77 00:03:53,080 --> 00:03:57,800 Speaker 3: make the disappointments, the loss, the mistakes. That's how awesome 78 00:03:57,840 --> 00:04:01,600 Speaker 3: our God is. Don't give up on dreams. Don't live 79 00:04:01,680 --> 00:04:05,040 Speaker 3: sour because of what didn't work out, bitter over the 80 00:04:05,080 --> 00:04:08,160 Speaker 3: person that walked away, or upset over the contract that 81 00:04:08,200 --> 00:04:09,120 Speaker 3: should have been yours. 82 00:04:09,520 --> 00:04:12,160 Speaker 2: Let it go. God saw what happened. 83 00:04:12,440 --> 00:04:15,440 Speaker 3: He has beauty for the ashes, He has joy for 84 00:04:15,520 --> 00:04:18,160 Speaker 3: the morning. He said he would pay you back double 85 00:04:18,320 --> 00:04:19,120 Speaker 3: for the wrongs. 86 00:04:19,480 --> 00:04:23,119 Speaker 2: He just needs some time now. While you're waiting. Stay 87 00:04:23,160 --> 00:04:26,400 Speaker 2: in faith. That's when it's easy to get discouraged. Why 88 00:04:26,480 --> 00:04:29,440 Speaker 2: is this happening? When is it ever going to turn around? 89 00:04:29,760 --> 00:04:30,640 Speaker 2: This is not fair. 90 00:04:31,200 --> 00:04:34,880 Speaker 3: Past the test, keep doing the right thing, keep going 91 00:04:34,880 --> 00:04:38,280 Speaker 3: to work with a good attitude, Keep praising when you 92 00:04:38,279 --> 00:04:39,280 Speaker 3: could be complaining. 93 00:04:39,839 --> 00:04:43,599 Speaker 2: Keep speaking victory in the face of defeat. God is 94 00:04:43,640 --> 00:04:46,279 Speaker 2: still on the throne. He has you in the palm 95 00:04:46,440 --> 00:04:47,119 Speaker 2: of his hand. 96 00:04:47,640 --> 00:04:50,520 Speaker 3: At the right time, you're going to see him show 97 00:04:50,560 --> 00:04:53,240 Speaker 3: out in your life in such a way that you 98 00:04:53,279 --> 00:04:54,760 Speaker 3: don't think about what you've lost. 99 00:04:55,279 --> 00:04:58,039 Speaker 2: You're so blessed, you don't think about who did you wrong. 100 00:04:58,520 --> 00:05:02,520 Speaker 3: You're so fulfilled dwell on the negative things in your past. 101 00:05:03,440 --> 00:05:06,160 Speaker 3: Maybe you didn't have a good childhood, you grew up 102 00:05:06,200 --> 00:05:10,040 Speaker 3: in dysfunction. You could accept that you're at a disadvantage. 103 00:05:10,240 --> 00:05:13,599 Speaker 3: You can't do anything great. That didn't stop your destiny. 104 00:05:14,160 --> 00:05:16,920 Speaker 3: You keep honoring God, and he's going to make up 105 00:05:17,080 --> 00:05:18,160 Speaker 3: for what you didn't get. 106 00:05:18,680 --> 00:05:21,120 Speaker 2: He's going to open doors that you couldn't open. 107 00:05:21,520 --> 00:05:23,680 Speaker 3: He's going to have the right people come to you 108 00:05:24,040 --> 00:05:25,679 Speaker 3: to push you into your purpose. 109 00:05:26,560 --> 00:05:29,840 Speaker 2: It was unfair, but God saw it. He knows who 110 00:05:29,920 --> 00:05:31,680 Speaker 2: left you out, he knows. 111 00:05:31,520 --> 00:05:34,279 Speaker 3: The times you didn't think you could go on. He's 112 00:05:34,400 --> 00:05:37,560 Speaker 3: promised he's going to make it beautiful. He's going to 113 00:05:37,600 --> 00:05:39,280 Speaker 3: do something awesome in your life. 114 00:05:40,080 --> 00:05:43,839 Speaker 2: Perhaps you went through a breakup, a divorce, your hurting, 115 00:05:44,240 --> 00:05:47,800 Speaker 2: your lonely. God is not finished. He's not going to 116 00:05:47,880 --> 00:05:50,000 Speaker 2: leave you depressed, heartbroken. 117 00:05:50,279 --> 00:05:53,320 Speaker 3: He has someone amazing coming where you're going to be 118 00:05:53,440 --> 00:05:57,640 Speaker 3: happier and more fulfilled than you've ever been. Don't judge 119 00:05:57,680 --> 00:06:01,479 Speaker 3: the rest of your life by one difficult season. You 120 00:06:01,560 --> 00:06:04,520 Speaker 3: may be in a time of struggle, time of loss, 121 00:06:04,920 --> 00:06:07,920 Speaker 3: time where things aren't fair. Thoughts will tell you it's 122 00:06:07,920 --> 00:06:11,359 Speaker 3: never gonna change. This is your lot in life. Just 123 00:06:11,520 --> 00:06:12,080 Speaker 3: accept it. 124 00:06:12,680 --> 00:06:13,960 Speaker 2: Don't believe those lies. 125 00:06:14,440 --> 00:06:17,520 Speaker 3: God promised he will make all things beautiful. 126 00:06:17,680 --> 00:06:20,320 Speaker 2: Now here's the key. Just give it some time. 127 00:06:21,360 --> 00:06:25,360 Speaker 3: The scripture says the Israelites did not wait for God's 128 00:06:25,400 --> 00:06:26,440 Speaker 3: plan to unfold. 129 00:06:27,120 --> 00:06:28,960 Speaker 2: They missed the promised land. 130 00:06:28,880 --> 00:06:33,839 Speaker 3: Because they got impatient, complained, thought God had forgotten about them. 131 00:06:34,279 --> 00:06:36,920 Speaker 3: The mistake we make often is we get in a hurry. 132 00:06:37,440 --> 00:06:40,800 Speaker 3: We don't think it's gonna happen. Voices whisper. If it 133 00:06:40,839 --> 00:06:42,960 Speaker 3: was going to happen, Come on, man, it would have 134 00:06:42,960 --> 00:06:43,799 Speaker 3: happened by now. 135 00:06:44,240 --> 00:06:49,120 Speaker 2: Trust the process. All things in its time will be beautiful. 136 00:06:49,560 --> 00:06:51,400 Speaker 2: Give God time to work it out. 137 00:06:52,000 --> 00:06:54,400 Speaker 3: If it hasn't happened yet, then it hasn't been the 138 00:06:54,480 --> 00:06:58,039 Speaker 3: right time. When God is ready, all the forces of 139 00:06:58,160 --> 00:07:03,800 Speaker 3: darkness cannot stop him. When it's your time to see beauty, promotion, vindication, 140 00:07:04,240 --> 00:07:09,000 Speaker 3: it will happen. People don't determine your destiny. Bad breaks 141 00:07:09,040 --> 00:07:13,280 Speaker 3: didn't cancel what God has ordained for you. Disappointments or 142 00:07:13,320 --> 00:07:17,360 Speaker 3: even mistakes you've made. God has taken that all into account. 143 00:07:18,000 --> 00:07:23,240 Speaker 3: How we wait is important. If we wait upset, discourage God. 144 00:07:23,280 --> 00:07:25,840 Speaker 3: Why did these people do me wrong? That's going to 145 00:07:25,880 --> 00:07:28,920 Speaker 3: delay the beauty. The right way to wait is in 146 00:07:29,000 --> 00:07:32,200 Speaker 3: an attitude of faith, knowing that God is on the throne, 147 00:07:32,680 --> 00:07:35,960 Speaker 3: knowing that He's working all things for your good, expecting 148 00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:40,880 Speaker 3: his favor, declaring his promises. This difficulty didn't come to stay, 149 00:07:41,160 --> 00:07:44,120 Speaker 3: it came to pass. God being for me is more 150 00:07:44,160 --> 00:07:48,000 Speaker 3: than the world being against me. While you're waiting, be 151 00:07:48,080 --> 00:07:52,240 Speaker 3: good to others. Be a blessing to your friends, Encourage 152 00:07:52,240 --> 00:07:55,400 Speaker 3: your coworkers. You're waiting for your child to get back 153 00:07:55,440 --> 00:07:58,680 Speaker 3: on course. Go help another young person get back on course. 154 00:07:59,360 --> 00:08:02,920 Speaker 3: You're waiting for that promotion. Help someone else rise higher. 155 00:08:03,400 --> 00:08:07,760 Speaker 2: You're waiting for healing. Pray for someone else that needs healing. See, 156 00:08:07,760 --> 00:08:08,440 Speaker 2: when we've been. 157 00:08:08,320 --> 00:08:12,960 Speaker 3: Through loss, hurts, disappointments, it's easy to sit around nursing 158 00:08:13,000 --> 00:08:16,600 Speaker 3: our wounds, thinking about what we've been through, how unfair 159 00:08:16,640 --> 00:08:17,080 Speaker 3: it was. 160 00:08:17,480 --> 00:08:18,560 Speaker 2: Do yourself a favor. 161 00:08:18,880 --> 00:08:21,640 Speaker 3: Get your mind off yourself and go out and be 162 00:08:21,760 --> 00:08:24,800 Speaker 3: a blessing. As you help others, God is going to 163 00:08:24,840 --> 00:08:30,240 Speaker 3: help you. The scripture says everything serves his plan. Not 164 00:08:30,440 --> 00:08:34,600 Speaker 3: just the good breaks, the promotions, but the disappointments are 165 00:08:34,600 --> 00:08:35,520 Speaker 3: serving his plan. 166 00:08:36,160 --> 00:08:38,520 Speaker 2: The closed doors, the people that did you wrong. 167 00:08:39,200 --> 00:08:43,080 Speaker 3: Without that happening, you couldn't reach your destiny. You have 168 00:08:43,160 --> 00:08:46,680 Speaker 3: to trust the process. God's ways are not our ways. 169 00:08:47,400 --> 00:08:50,400 Speaker 3: We see the bad breaks as negative the person that 170 00:08:50,480 --> 00:08:53,600 Speaker 3: left us out. But the truth is all that is 171 00:08:53,720 --> 00:08:56,800 Speaker 3: necessary to become who you were created to be. 172 00:08:57,920 --> 00:08:59,640 Speaker 2: Friend of mine started a new business. 173 00:09:00,040 --> 00:09:04,040 Speaker 3: He and his wife worked tirelessly, year after year, pouring 174 00:09:04,080 --> 00:09:05,679 Speaker 3: their heart and soul into it. 175 00:09:06,200 --> 00:09:07,120 Speaker 2: I would call him. 176 00:09:07,000 --> 00:09:09,800 Speaker 3: Some evenings and he would be out meeting with clients 177 00:09:09,960 --> 00:09:13,240 Speaker 3: several nights a week, and they saw some success. It 178 00:09:13,360 --> 00:09:16,680 Speaker 3: was profitable, but then they hit a limit. Couldn't seem 179 00:09:16,760 --> 00:09:19,720 Speaker 3: to get past it. At one point, the place that 180 00:09:19,800 --> 00:09:23,199 Speaker 3: he leased space from closed the parking lot to build 181 00:09:23,200 --> 00:09:26,839 Speaker 3: a big parking garage. Now his customers had to park 182 00:09:26,880 --> 00:09:29,920 Speaker 3: off site and take a shuttle. Seemed like the harder 183 00:09:29,960 --> 00:09:31,480 Speaker 3: he worked, the worse it got. 184 00:09:32,040 --> 00:09:33,520 Speaker 2: His dream was to give. 185 00:09:33,360 --> 00:09:36,800 Speaker 3: The company to his children to leave a legacy of success. 186 00:09:37,400 --> 00:09:40,400 Speaker 3: But after thirty years, they had to close the doors. 187 00:09:40,960 --> 00:09:44,280 Speaker 3: He was so disappointed. He told me that he felt 188 00:09:44,280 --> 00:09:45,000 Speaker 3: like a failure. 189 00:09:45,480 --> 00:09:49,760 Speaker 2: He was embarrassed, ashamed, hurt. He thought, God, how could 190 00:09:49,760 --> 00:09:50,840 Speaker 2: you let this happen to me? 191 00:09:51,240 --> 00:09:53,720 Speaker 3: I gave it my best, and I have nothing to 192 00:09:53,760 --> 00:09:57,480 Speaker 3: show for all these years of hard work. For several years, 193 00:09:57,520 --> 00:10:00,599 Speaker 3: he was not himself. He used to be so and 194 00:10:00,840 --> 00:10:03,320 Speaker 3: full of faith, but when I'd call, he didn't have 195 00:10:03,320 --> 00:10:04,040 Speaker 3: any passion. 196 00:10:04,360 --> 00:10:05,440 Speaker 2: He'd lost his fire. 197 00:10:06,240 --> 00:10:08,880 Speaker 3: And we all go through things that don't make sense. 198 00:10:09,400 --> 00:10:12,120 Speaker 3: But God wouldn't have allowed it if it wasn't going 199 00:10:12,200 --> 00:10:14,800 Speaker 3: to serve his plan. This is when you have to 200 00:10:14,840 --> 00:10:17,559 Speaker 3: dig down deep and say, God, I don't understand this, 201 00:10:17,880 --> 00:10:21,640 Speaker 3: but I trust you. I believe you're still ordering my steps, 202 00:10:21,800 --> 00:10:24,120 Speaker 3: that you still have good things in store for me. 203 00:10:25,000 --> 00:10:28,760 Speaker 3: One day, a door unexpectedly opened for my friend a 204 00:10:28,800 --> 00:10:31,079 Speaker 3: position where he could use his gifts in a. 205 00:10:31,080 --> 00:10:32,000 Speaker 2: Much greater way. 206 00:10:32,600 --> 00:10:35,800 Speaker 3: He was so excited, he said, I feel like the 207 00:10:35,880 --> 00:10:39,559 Speaker 3: thirty years I put into my former business was not lost, 208 00:10:39,880 --> 00:10:42,559 Speaker 3: but it was to prepare me for what I'm doing now. 209 00:10:43,040 --> 00:10:46,319 Speaker 3: He calls his new job the position of a lifetime. 210 00:10:47,000 --> 00:10:49,280 Speaker 3: The amount of people he used to impact in a 211 00:10:49,400 --> 00:10:54,000 Speaker 3: year he now does in one day. God knows how 212 00:10:54,040 --> 00:10:57,199 Speaker 3: to make all things beautiful if you'll just give him 213 00:10:57,200 --> 00:10:57,720 Speaker 3: the time. 214 00:10:58,679 --> 00:10:59,880 Speaker 2: Some of the things that you're dis. 215 00:11:00,080 --> 00:11:03,360 Speaker 3: Pointed about, you don't understand. It wasn't fair. 216 00:11:03,880 --> 00:11:05,280 Speaker 2: Just keep moving forward. 217 00:11:06,000 --> 00:11:08,679 Speaker 3: God is not going to waste anything you went through. 218 00:11:09,280 --> 00:11:12,080 Speaker 3: It feels like a setback. Really it's a set up. 219 00:11:12,720 --> 00:11:15,319 Speaker 3: You're about to come out to new levels. You're about 220 00:11:15,360 --> 00:11:17,679 Speaker 3: to go places that you've never gone. 221 00:11:17,480 --> 00:11:20,320 Speaker 2: See favor that you've never seen. Qulit. 222 00:11:20,400 --> 00:11:23,199 Speaker 3: Believe in those lies that you've had too many bad breaks. 223 00:11:23,720 --> 00:11:26,520 Speaker 3: God must have forgotten about you. You have a good 224 00:11:26,600 --> 00:11:29,400 Speaker 3: reason to live sour. Look at what you've been through. 225 00:11:29,840 --> 00:11:33,479 Speaker 3: That was all setting you up for something you've never imagined. 226 00:11:34,520 --> 00:11:36,320 Speaker 2: I believe even now. 227 00:11:36,360 --> 00:11:39,640 Speaker 3: You're about to step into some of this beauty. Things 228 00:11:39,640 --> 00:11:42,559 Speaker 3: that were meant to harm you, struggles that have tried 229 00:11:42,559 --> 00:11:46,240 Speaker 3: to discourage you, people that did you wrong, bad breaks 230 00:11:46,240 --> 00:11:47,920 Speaker 3: that should have limited your life. 231 00:11:48,320 --> 00:11:51,080 Speaker 2: This is a new day. God is doing a new thing. 232 00:11:51,640 --> 00:11:58,000 Speaker 3: You're about to see vindication, restoration, new opportunities, divine connections. 233 00:11:58,120 --> 00:12:01,200 Speaker 3: The tide is turning in your favor. What was meant 234 00:12:01,240 --> 00:12:02,720 Speaker 3: for your harm, God. 235 00:12:02,600 --> 00:12:06,320 Speaker 2: Is turning to your advantage. There's a couple that have 236 00:12:06,400 --> 00:12:06,800 Speaker 2: a son. 237 00:12:07,280 --> 00:12:10,679 Speaker 3: He was raised here at Lakewood, very faithful, but when 238 00:12:10,679 --> 00:12:13,200 Speaker 3: he went off to college, he started running with the 239 00:12:13,200 --> 00:12:15,760 Speaker 3: wrong crowd and partying and. 240 00:12:15,520 --> 00:12:16,800 Speaker 2: Making poor decisions. 241 00:12:17,160 --> 00:12:19,520 Speaker 3: One thing led to another, and he ended up with 242 00:12:19,559 --> 00:12:23,160 Speaker 3: the drug addiction. His parents tried to help him, but 243 00:12:23,200 --> 00:12:25,760 Speaker 3: he wouldn't have anything to do with him. He got 244 00:12:25,760 --> 00:12:28,360 Speaker 3: to the point where he wouldn't speak to them or 245 00:12:28,400 --> 00:12:29,920 Speaker 3: have any kind of contact. 246 00:12:30,400 --> 00:12:31,800 Speaker 2: It was breaking their hearts. 247 00:12:32,240 --> 00:12:35,199 Speaker 3: They would come down for prayer week after week and 248 00:12:35,240 --> 00:12:38,240 Speaker 3: they couldn't understand it. They had done the right thing 249 00:12:38,360 --> 00:12:43,640 Speaker 3: and now the wrong thing happened. They could have been bitter, complaining. 250 00:12:43,200 --> 00:12:46,040 Speaker 2: God, where were you? But they just kept. 251 00:12:45,800 --> 00:12:50,760 Speaker 3: Doing the right thing, being faithful, serving, giving, helping others. 252 00:12:51,600 --> 00:12:54,400 Speaker 3: The scripture says that God is the potter and we 253 00:12:54,480 --> 00:12:58,600 Speaker 3: are the claim. There's nothing really beautiful about the claim. 254 00:12:58,840 --> 00:13:01,600 Speaker 3: It's just a lump of hard dirt, some rocks in it, 255 00:13:01,880 --> 00:13:05,200 Speaker 3: no form. But the potter puts the clay on the 256 00:13:05,240 --> 00:13:09,360 Speaker 3: wheel and begins to spin it around and around. While 257 00:13:09,360 --> 00:13:13,240 Speaker 3: it's spinning, the clay is still wobbly, still has lumps, 258 00:13:13,520 --> 00:13:17,240 Speaker 3: still doesn't look like much. But the potter never takes 259 00:13:17,280 --> 00:13:20,480 Speaker 3: his hands off the clay. He keeps making it and 260 00:13:20,520 --> 00:13:22,520 Speaker 3: molding it until it begins. 261 00:13:22,280 --> 00:13:23,640 Speaker 2: To take shape. 262 00:13:23,720 --> 00:13:26,200 Speaker 3: If someone came up to the potter and saw the 263 00:13:26,240 --> 00:13:28,360 Speaker 3: clay going around, they would think. 264 00:13:28,400 --> 00:13:29,520 Speaker 2: You're wasting your time. 265 00:13:30,000 --> 00:13:32,280 Speaker 3: That's just a bunch of clay that's never going to 266 00:13:32,400 --> 00:13:35,760 Speaker 3: mount to much. The Potter would say, just give me 267 00:13:35,800 --> 00:13:39,480 Speaker 3: some time. You see clay, but I see something beautiful. 268 00:13:39,840 --> 00:13:41,680 Speaker 3: You see a bunch of dirt, but I see a 269 00:13:41,760 --> 00:13:46,839 Speaker 3: valuable vase. This young man was off course, making poor decisions. 270 00:13:47,280 --> 00:13:48,400 Speaker 2: But God is the potter. 271 00:13:49,040 --> 00:13:52,320 Speaker 3: He never takes his hands off the clay, even though 272 00:13:52,320 --> 00:13:55,640 Speaker 3: it's wobbly, even though it has lumps, even though it 273 00:13:55,679 --> 00:13:57,920 Speaker 3: falls down and he has to reshape it. 274 00:13:58,080 --> 00:13:59,000 Speaker 2: He keeps working. 275 00:14:00,040 --> 00:14:03,080 Speaker 3: All those times you thought that God had forgotten about you, 276 00:14:03,480 --> 00:14:06,480 Speaker 3: the truth is God still had his hands on you 277 00:14:07,000 --> 00:14:10,080 Speaker 3: when you weren't making good decisions, when you were running 278 00:14:10,080 --> 00:14:12,480 Speaker 3: with the wrong crowd, giving. 279 00:14:12,200 --> 00:14:16,240 Speaker 2: Into the temptation. The Potter didn't throw you out because 280 00:14:16,240 --> 00:14:17,720 Speaker 2: your claim. 281 00:14:17,440 --> 00:14:20,760 Speaker 3: Because he found some lumps, You have faults and weaknesses. 282 00:14:21,080 --> 00:14:23,120 Speaker 2: His hands have always been on. 283 00:14:23,080 --> 00:14:26,400 Speaker 3: You, and the good news is he's never going to 284 00:14:26,440 --> 00:14:27,760 Speaker 3: take his hands off of you. 285 00:14:28,320 --> 00:14:32,200 Speaker 2: The scripture says, his calling on your life is irrevocable. 286 00:14:32,560 --> 00:14:36,000 Speaker 3: He's going to keep making you and molding you in 287 00:14:36,080 --> 00:14:39,640 Speaker 3: the same way the potter's hands are on your children. 288 00:14:40,360 --> 00:14:43,520 Speaker 3: They may get off course, but the potter doesn't give 289 00:14:43,600 --> 00:14:46,360 Speaker 3: up on the claim. He just spins it around a 290 00:14:46,360 --> 00:14:51,320 Speaker 3: little bit more. These parents understood what Solomon said, that 291 00:14:51,360 --> 00:14:54,640 Speaker 3: there's a time for weeping, a time for loss, a 292 00:14:54,680 --> 00:14:57,720 Speaker 3: time for disappointment, but that is not the end of 293 00:14:57,760 --> 00:15:01,440 Speaker 3: the story. God also said he will make all things 294 00:15:01,520 --> 00:15:05,720 Speaker 3: beautiful in its time. There's a time for restoration, a 295 00:15:05,760 --> 00:15:09,720 Speaker 3: time for healing, a time for deliverance, a time for celebration. 296 00:15:10,600 --> 00:15:13,960 Speaker 3: Their attitude was, God, we don't understand it, but we 297 00:15:14,120 --> 00:15:17,560 Speaker 3: trust you. We know that you're in control, that you 298 00:15:17,640 --> 00:15:20,240 Speaker 3: won't take your hands off of our son, that you 299 00:15:20,280 --> 00:15:25,000 Speaker 3: will keep making him and molding him. After thirteen years 300 00:15:25,160 --> 00:15:28,480 Speaker 3: of barely speaking to them, one day he called and 301 00:15:28,520 --> 00:15:30,800 Speaker 3: said he wanted to come home, and he wanted to 302 00:15:30,840 --> 00:15:34,040 Speaker 3: make things right. He got back in church, he went 303 00:15:34,080 --> 00:15:37,840 Speaker 3: to treatment. He's been free for six years now. Today 304 00:15:38,200 --> 00:15:42,040 Speaker 3: he's helping other young people get free. If you will 305 00:15:42,080 --> 00:15:46,000 Speaker 3: stay in faith and give God the time He'll. 306 00:15:45,720 --> 00:15:48,800 Speaker 2: Make all things beautiful Like this couple. 307 00:15:49,200 --> 00:15:52,680 Speaker 3: You may have relationships that are strained, family members that 308 00:15:52,720 --> 00:15:55,280 Speaker 3: won't have anything to do with you. You think it's 309 00:15:55,320 --> 00:15:57,600 Speaker 3: always going to be that way, and you're about to 310 00:15:57,640 --> 00:16:01,320 Speaker 3: write them off. No, keep loving them, keep being good 311 00:16:01,400 --> 00:16:05,840 Speaker 3: to them, keep praying, keep forgiving, stay on the high road. 312 00:16:06,360 --> 00:16:07,760 Speaker 2: God sees what's happening. 313 00:16:08,240 --> 00:16:11,480 Speaker 3: He knows how to restore, he knows how to change 314 00:16:11,520 --> 00:16:15,480 Speaker 3: people's hearts. His hands are still on them. They may 315 00:16:15,520 --> 00:16:17,680 Speaker 3: need to go around the wheel a few more times. 316 00:16:17,920 --> 00:16:19,640 Speaker 3: The timing is not up to us. 317 00:16:19,800 --> 00:16:20,680 Speaker 2: It's up to God. 318 00:16:21,520 --> 00:16:25,000 Speaker 3: Will you wait for his plan to unfold? Will you 319 00:16:25,080 --> 00:16:26,200 Speaker 3: not get discouraged? 320 00:16:26,720 --> 00:16:29,760 Speaker 2: When is it going to happen? Why isn't it improving? 321 00:16:30,520 --> 00:16:31,760 Speaker 2: It just needs some time. 322 00:16:32,520 --> 00:16:35,440 Speaker 3: When you understand this principle, it takes the pressure off. 323 00:16:35,920 --> 00:16:39,640 Speaker 3: You won't live frustrated wondering how it's going to work out. 324 00:16:40,240 --> 00:16:44,080 Speaker 3: You'll say, God, everything's not perfect in my life. I'm 325 00:16:44,120 --> 00:16:47,120 Speaker 3: waiting for things to change, but I'm going to enjoy 326 00:16:47,240 --> 00:16:50,280 Speaker 3: today knowing that you're on the throne and at the 327 00:16:50,400 --> 00:16:53,400 Speaker 3: right time, You're going to make all things beautiful in 328 00:16:53,480 --> 00:16:58,640 Speaker 3: my life. In Exodus fifteen, Moses was leading the Israelites 329 00:16:58,720 --> 00:16:59,880 Speaker 3: to the Promised land. 330 00:17:00,480 --> 00:17:03,480 Speaker 2: They were in the desert. It was so hot and thirsty. 331 00:17:03,840 --> 00:17:05,840 Speaker 3: They didn't think they were going to make it. They 332 00:17:05,880 --> 00:17:09,800 Speaker 3: desperately needed water. They finally came to this river. They 333 00:17:09,800 --> 00:17:12,960 Speaker 3: were so excited they rushed over to it, but the 334 00:17:13,000 --> 00:17:13,960 Speaker 3: water was bitter. 335 00:17:14,480 --> 00:17:15,399 Speaker 2: They couldn't drink it. 336 00:17:15,960 --> 00:17:20,040 Speaker 3: Their excitement turned to great disappointment. God told Moses to 337 00:17:20,040 --> 00:17:22,640 Speaker 3: put a certain kind of tree in the water. When 338 00:17:22,640 --> 00:17:26,439 Speaker 3: he did, the bitter waters became sweet. Now the people 339 00:17:26,480 --> 00:17:30,240 Speaker 3: could drink all the water that they wanted. God knows 340 00:17:30,359 --> 00:17:33,520 Speaker 3: how to take a bitter situation and make it sweet. 341 00:17:33,840 --> 00:17:37,760 Speaker 3: A bitter loss, a bitter breakup, a bitter childhood. 342 00:17:37,880 --> 00:17:40,960 Speaker 2: It looks like that's your destiny. Just learned to live 343 00:17:41,040 --> 00:17:41,360 Speaker 2: with it. 344 00:17:42,080 --> 00:17:45,359 Speaker 3: In the natural, that's true, but God is supernatural. 345 00:17:45,920 --> 00:17:47,200 Speaker 2: That water should be bitter. 346 00:17:47,320 --> 00:17:50,320 Speaker 3: But when God touches it, the bitterness will turn sweet, 347 00:17:50,880 --> 00:17:53,120 Speaker 3: the relationship will be restored, the. 348 00:17:53,160 --> 00:17:55,960 Speaker 2: Child will come home, the dream will come to pass. 349 00:17:56,680 --> 00:18:00,720 Speaker 3: The scripture says, after the Israelites left Mara, where the 350 00:18:00,760 --> 00:18:03,880 Speaker 3: water was bitter, they came to Elam, where there were 351 00:18:03,880 --> 00:18:08,359 Speaker 3: twelve springs and seventy palm trees. They came out of 352 00:18:08,400 --> 00:18:10,880 Speaker 3: the bitterness into an oasis. 353 00:18:11,160 --> 00:18:12,320 Speaker 2: It was like a resort. 354 00:18:12,920 --> 00:18:15,600 Speaker 3: I can imagine them thinking, how did this place ever 355 00:18:15,640 --> 00:18:19,480 Speaker 3: make it into the desert. The principle is God is 356 00:18:19,520 --> 00:18:22,560 Speaker 3: going to bring you out of the bitter places of life, 357 00:18:22,880 --> 00:18:26,000 Speaker 3: not just to where you were, but to an oasis, 358 00:18:26,240 --> 00:18:30,960 Speaker 3: to an abundance joy, health fulfillment like you've never seen. 359 00:18:31,480 --> 00:18:36,800 Speaker 3: It's going to be a time of refreshing, re energizing enjoyment. 360 00:18:36,320 --> 00:18:40,399 Speaker 2: That you've never experienced. When God makes all things beautiful, 361 00:18:40,600 --> 00:18:42,920 Speaker 2: it's going to exceed your expectations. 362 00:18:43,359 --> 00:18:48,000 Speaker 3: Relationships healthier than ever, your children doing awesome things, going 363 00:18:48,119 --> 00:18:51,960 Speaker 3: further in your career, stepping into new levels of your destiny. 364 00:18:52,160 --> 00:18:56,680 Speaker 3: From bitter waters to sweetwaters, from the desert to an oasis. 365 00:18:56,840 --> 00:19:01,199 Speaker 3: That's how God restores, that's his idea of you. In 366 00:19:01,280 --> 00:19:05,560 Speaker 3: the scripture, the Apostle, Paul chose Barnabas and his cousin 367 00:19:05,720 --> 00:19:09,440 Speaker 3: John Mark to travel with him. Paul could have chosen anyone. 368 00:19:09,920 --> 00:19:13,199 Speaker 3: He was very influential and very respected. They went to 369 00:19:13,240 --> 00:19:17,400 Speaker 3: different cities ministering and were having great success. But when 370 00:19:17,400 --> 00:19:20,639 Speaker 3: Paul decided to sell to the city of Perga, the 371 00:19:20,680 --> 00:19:25,560 Speaker 3: scripture says that John Mark deserted him, doesn't give any reason. 372 00:19:25,880 --> 00:19:29,360 Speaker 2: He just went back home to Jerusalem. Paul was upset. 373 00:19:29,880 --> 00:19:31,560 Speaker 3: He thought, at least you could tell me you're going 374 00:19:31,640 --> 00:19:34,639 Speaker 3: to leave. After all, I chose you and took you 375 00:19:34,760 --> 00:19:37,520 Speaker 3: under my wing and shared my influence with you. 376 00:19:37,920 --> 00:19:39,359 Speaker 2: Now you're just gonna walk away. 377 00:19:40,359 --> 00:19:43,000 Speaker 3: Later, Paul was about to return to a city to 378 00:19:43,080 --> 00:19:46,520 Speaker 3: check on how things were going. Barnabas said, let's take 379 00:19:46,640 --> 00:19:47,680 Speaker 3: John Mark with us. 380 00:19:48,359 --> 00:19:49,760 Speaker 2: Paul wasn't so forgiving. 381 00:19:50,200 --> 00:19:52,800 Speaker 3: He said, in effect, no way, he's not coming back 382 00:19:52,840 --> 00:19:56,320 Speaker 3: on my team. After he deserted me, I'm done with him. 383 00:19:57,080 --> 00:20:00,480 Speaker 3: It was such a sharp disagreement that Paul and Barnabas 384 00:20:00,480 --> 00:20:03,679 Speaker 3: split up. They were so at odds they no longer 385 00:20:03,720 --> 00:20:08,320 Speaker 3: traveled together. Paul chose Silas, Barnabas chose John Mark. 386 00:20:08,600 --> 00:20:09,919 Speaker 2: They went their separate ways. 387 00:20:10,720 --> 00:20:13,760 Speaker 3: You don't hear much more about Barnabas and John Mark, 388 00:20:14,280 --> 00:20:17,680 Speaker 3: But Paul and Silas they did great things, saw one. 389 00:20:17,520 --> 00:20:18,639 Speaker 2: Miracle after another. 390 00:20:19,200 --> 00:20:22,359 Speaker 3: When they were in prison, at midnight, they sang praises 391 00:20:22,520 --> 00:20:24,040 Speaker 3: and the prison doors were open. 392 00:20:24,600 --> 00:20:27,879 Speaker 2: When they were shipwrecked on the island of malta poisonous 393 00:20:27,920 --> 00:20:28,800 Speaker 2: snake bit Paul. 394 00:20:28,960 --> 00:20:31,639 Speaker 3: He shook it off didn't harm him. He prayed, and 395 00:20:31,720 --> 00:20:32,560 Speaker 3: all the sick. 396 00:20:32,359 --> 00:20:34,200 Speaker 2: People on the island were healed. 397 00:20:34,680 --> 00:20:38,080 Speaker 3: There are chapters and chapters of how God used them. 398 00:20:38,560 --> 00:20:40,840 Speaker 3: Paul went on to write almost half of the books 399 00:20:40,840 --> 00:20:45,119 Speaker 3: in the New Testament. I can imagine John Mark thinking, man. 400 00:20:45,000 --> 00:20:48,120 Speaker 2: I blew it. Why didn't I stick with Paul? Why 401 00:20:48,119 --> 00:20:50,720 Speaker 2: did I desert him? At least I should have thanked 402 00:20:50,800 --> 00:20:51,720 Speaker 2: him for choosing me. 403 00:20:52,119 --> 00:20:54,040 Speaker 3: Told him that I wanted to go back home and 404 00:20:54,080 --> 00:20:55,240 Speaker 3: not just disappeared. 405 00:20:56,080 --> 00:20:59,280 Speaker 2: It seemed like his own mistakes, his own. 406 00:20:59,080 --> 00:21:03,679 Speaker 3: Poor choices, had soured this relationship and limited his destiny. 407 00:21:04,400 --> 00:21:07,560 Speaker 3: And we can all look back like John Mark and think, man, 408 00:21:07,600 --> 00:21:10,440 Speaker 3: if I'd only stayed in that relationship, if I'd only 409 00:21:10,480 --> 00:21:13,120 Speaker 3: been more committed in my marriage, if I only spent 410 00:21:13,200 --> 00:21:16,320 Speaker 3: more time with my children, if I'd only finished college, 411 00:21:16,440 --> 00:21:19,520 Speaker 3: where could I be now? But God has a way 412 00:21:19,960 --> 00:21:23,520 Speaker 3: of making all things beautiful, even mistakes that we've made, 413 00:21:24,000 --> 00:21:26,920 Speaker 3: even our own shortcomings, things that we know we should 414 00:21:26,960 --> 00:21:30,840 Speaker 3: have done better. John Mark was down on himself when 415 00:21:30,880 --> 00:21:33,399 Speaker 3: he heard how great Paul was doing and how he 416 00:21:33,480 --> 00:21:36,760 Speaker 3: was impacting cities. It was like pouring salt on the wound. 417 00:21:37,320 --> 00:21:40,840 Speaker 3: He thought that could have been me. Fast forward many 418 00:21:40,960 --> 00:21:44,560 Speaker 3: years later, Paul is now an old man. He's in 419 00:21:44,600 --> 00:21:48,400 Speaker 3: prison and about to pass. He's writing to Timothy and says, 420 00:21:48,440 --> 00:21:50,879 Speaker 3: I finished my course. I've run my race. 421 00:21:51,480 --> 00:21:54,120 Speaker 2: He went on to say, Timothy, when you come. 422 00:21:54,359 --> 00:21:57,560 Speaker 3: Bring the coat I left at Troas, bring my books 423 00:21:57,600 --> 00:22:01,400 Speaker 3: and my papers, and one more thing, bring John Mark 424 00:22:01,480 --> 00:22:05,760 Speaker 3: with you, for he is very profitable to me. Of 425 00:22:05,840 --> 00:22:08,280 Speaker 3: all the things he could have asked for. At the 426 00:22:08,359 --> 00:22:12,000 Speaker 3: end of his life, he asks for John Mark. I 427 00:22:12,040 --> 00:22:14,760 Speaker 3: can imagine word getting to him. You're not going to 428 00:22:14,840 --> 00:22:18,159 Speaker 3: believe this, but Paul is asking for you. He wants 429 00:22:18,200 --> 00:22:20,919 Speaker 3: me to bring you. John markin says, don't kid me 430 00:22:21,000 --> 00:22:23,560 Speaker 3: like that. You know I blew it with Paul. No, 431 00:22:23,640 --> 00:22:27,000 Speaker 3: I'm not kidding. Timothy sent the message. Paul wants you 432 00:22:27,040 --> 00:22:27,480 Speaker 3: to come. 433 00:22:27,640 --> 00:22:28,680 Speaker 2: He says that you. 434 00:22:28,680 --> 00:22:32,719 Speaker 3: Are very valuable to him. I can see tears welling 435 00:22:32,800 --> 00:22:36,640 Speaker 3: up in his eyes. Paul wasn't so forgiving early on. 436 00:22:37,320 --> 00:22:39,560 Speaker 3: He didn't want to have anything to do with John Mark. 437 00:22:40,080 --> 00:22:43,800 Speaker 3: But God knows how to soften people's hearts. He knows 438 00:22:43,920 --> 00:22:47,240 Speaker 3: how to give you another chance. In his time, he 439 00:22:47,320 --> 00:22:51,919 Speaker 3: will make all things beautiful. You may have relationships that 440 00:22:52,000 --> 00:22:55,240 Speaker 3: you think are too far gone, too much water under 441 00:22:55,280 --> 00:22:55,760 Speaker 3: the bridge. 442 00:22:56,040 --> 00:22:56,760 Speaker 2: You messed up. 443 00:22:57,160 --> 00:22:59,320 Speaker 3: They're not going to have anything to do with you. 444 00:22:59,320 --> 00:23:01,000 Speaker 2: Know another chance is coming. 445 00:23:01,600 --> 00:23:04,280 Speaker 3: You wouldn't be hearing this if God wasn't about to 446 00:23:04,280 --> 00:23:08,600 Speaker 3: do something unusual, something out of the ordinary. John Mark 447 00:23:08,800 --> 00:23:11,680 Speaker 3: thought that he had missed his chance, that his bad 448 00:23:11,800 --> 00:23:13,560 Speaker 3: choices stopped his purpose. 449 00:23:14,080 --> 00:23:15,439 Speaker 2: But here's how good God is. 450 00:23:16,000 --> 00:23:20,040 Speaker 3: He not only saw his relationship with Paul restored, but 451 00:23:20,119 --> 00:23:23,480 Speaker 3: most scholars believe that he wrote the Gospel of Mark. 452 00:23:24,080 --> 00:23:28,280 Speaker 3: Who would have ever thought that after deserting Paul, after 453 00:23:28,320 --> 00:23:32,119 Speaker 3: causing a disagreement that caused Barnabas to break away, that 454 00:23:32,240 --> 00:23:35,200 Speaker 3: one day, many years later, we'd be reading the book 455 00:23:35,240 --> 00:23:36,480 Speaker 3: that he wrote. 456 00:23:36,640 --> 00:23:39,520 Speaker 2: What am I saying? God knows how to make all 457 00:23:39,600 --> 00:23:43,480 Speaker 2: things beautiful? Just give it some time. Well, Joel, this 458 00:23:43,600 --> 00:23:46,399 Speaker 2: is encouraging, but I think it's too late for me. 459 00:23:47,000 --> 00:23:48,800 Speaker 2: You don't know what I've done. 460 00:23:48,600 --> 00:23:52,480 Speaker 3: The relationships I've soured, the regrets that I have. Your 461 00:23:52,560 --> 00:23:55,920 Speaker 3: mistakes are not too much for the mercy of God. 462 00:23:56,040 --> 00:24:00,399 Speaker 3: Your shortcomings, your failures, your lack of commitment did not 463 00:24:00,520 --> 00:24:05,080 Speaker 3: stop your destiny. God is softening hearts right now. He's 464 00:24:05,160 --> 00:24:09,960 Speaker 3: preparing the way for restoration. Timothy said, word, Go find 465 00:24:10,040 --> 00:24:14,440 Speaker 3: john Mark. Tell them that Paul says he's profitable, he's valuable, 466 00:24:14,600 --> 00:24:15,840 Speaker 3: that he needs them. 467 00:24:16,200 --> 00:24:17,919 Speaker 2: God is calling your name today. 468 00:24:18,520 --> 00:24:22,720 Speaker 3: Go find Linda, Go find Philip, Go find Rolando. Tell 469 00:24:22,760 --> 00:24:26,159 Speaker 3: them that they're valuable, that I have another chance, that 470 00:24:26,240 --> 00:24:28,360 Speaker 3: I'm going to restore what was stolen. 471 00:24:28,880 --> 00:24:32,080 Speaker 2: It's not too late. You haven't made too many mistakes. 472 00:24:32,480 --> 00:24:35,199 Speaker 3: Like John Mark, Your latter days are going to be 473 00:24:35,200 --> 00:24:38,119 Speaker 3: better than your former days. Mistakes you've made in the 474 00:24:38,200 --> 00:24:41,000 Speaker 3: past are not going to keep you from the great 475 00:24:41,080 --> 00:24:42,479 Speaker 3: things God has in store. 476 00:24:43,280 --> 00:24:43,480 Speaker 2: Now. 477 00:24:43,520 --> 00:24:46,760 Speaker 3: Maybe you're not John Mark in this story, you're Paul. 478 00:24:47,640 --> 00:24:52,360 Speaker 3: God is saying, give them another chance. Show mercy. It's 479 00:24:52,400 --> 00:24:55,760 Speaker 3: time to forgive. It's time to release the hurt. It's 480 00:24:55,760 --> 00:24:58,440 Speaker 3: time to bury that hatchet. This is a new day. 481 00:24:59,040 --> 00:25:02,280 Speaker 3: As you forgive, God is going to make things beautiful 482 00:25:02,400 --> 00:25:05,479 Speaker 3: in your life. You're not just doing them a favor, 483 00:25:05,720 --> 00:25:07,119 Speaker 3: You're doing yourself a favor. 484 00:25:07,720 --> 00:25:11,120 Speaker 2: Make that call. Tell your child, your parent. 485 00:25:11,040 --> 00:25:14,520 Speaker 3: Your friend that you need them, that they're valuable to you. 486 00:25:15,240 --> 00:25:18,439 Speaker 3: God didn't put them in your life by accident. The 487 00:25:18,520 --> 00:25:21,320 Speaker 3: mercy you show them is the mercy that's going to 488 00:25:21,320 --> 00:25:25,399 Speaker 3: be shown you life is flying by time is short. 489 00:25:25,880 --> 00:25:27,440 Speaker 2: They're not always going to be here. 490 00:25:28,160 --> 00:25:31,399 Speaker 3: Paul waited till he was almost done, but he couldn't 491 00:25:31,400 --> 00:25:35,320 Speaker 3: really say I have finished my course without saying, go 492 00:25:35,359 --> 00:25:38,359 Speaker 3: get john Mark. He was saying, I'm not going to 493 00:25:38,440 --> 00:25:41,680 Speaker 3: die holding this against him, letting him think that I'm 494 00:25:41,720 --> 00:25:45,560 Speaker 3: disappointed in him, trying to keep him feeling guilty, condemned. 495 00:25:45,640 --> 00:25:48,680 Speaker 3: I'm bigger than that. I'm done holding on to things 496 00:25:48,800 --> 00:25:52,159 Speaker 3: that are holding me down. When John Mark came and 497 00:25:52,560 --> 00:25:57,119 Speaker 3: felt Paul's love and acceptance, gifts that had been buried 498 00:25:57,160 --> 00:26:01,000 Speaker 3: in him came alive. Vision that laid dormant came back 499 00:26:01,000 --> 00:26:04,240 Speaker 3: to life. He stepped up and wrote his book, saw 500 00:26:04,280 --> 00:26:08,480 Speaker 3: God's favor in new ways. I believe today God is 501 00:26:08,520 --> 00:26:12,200 Speaker 3: about to make some things beautiful in your life. Whether 502 00:26:12,280 --> 00:26:15,680 Speaker 3: you made the mistakes like John Mark, or life threw 503 00:26:15,720 --> 00:26:20,240 Speaker 3: you some curves at no fault of your own bad breaks, disappointments. 504 00:26:20,359 --> 00:26:23,040 Speaker 2: God saw it. Your time is coming. 505 00:26:23,480 --> 00:26:26,320 Speaker 3: He didn't bring you this far to leave you things 506 00:26:26,320 --> 00:26:29,159 Speaker 3: that look like they'll never work out. In your health, 507 00:26:29,560 --> 00:26:33,800 Speaker 3: your relationship, your career. Just give it some time. God 508 00:26:33,880 --> 00:26:37,360 Speaker 3: is still on the throne. He's working behind the scenes now. 509 00:26:37,400 --> 00:26:40,800 Speaker 3: Do your part instead of living discourage all through the day. 510 00:26:41,080 --> 00:26:42,840 Speaker 2: Father, thank you that you're. 511 00:26:42,640 --> 00:26:46,200 Speaker 3: Making all things beautiful in my life. If you'll do this, 512 00:26:46,600 --> 00:26:50,159 Speaker 3: I believe and declare things are about to happen that 513 00:26:50,200 --> 00:26:53,600 Speaker 3: you couldn't make happen. Like John Mark, You're going to 514 00:26:53,600 --> 00:26:57,160 Speaker 3: see restoration. You're going to accomplish dreams bigger. 515 00:26:56,840 --> 00:26:57,520 Speaker 2: Than you thought. 516 00:26:57,800 --> 00:27:02,919 Speaker 3: Healing is coming, freedom is coming, promotion breakthroughs, the fullness 517 00:27:02,960 --> 00:27:06,120 Speaker 3: of your destiny in Jesus' name, and. 518 00:27:06,040 --> 00:27:08,159 Speaker 2: If you receive it, can you say him in Today? 519 00:27:09,600 --> 00:27:12,680 Speaker 3: We'd like to give you an opportunity to make Jesus 520 00:27:12,760 --> 00:27:13,960 Speaker 3: the Lord of your life. 521 00:27:14,160 --> 00:27:18,680 Speaker 2: Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord Jesus, I'll 522 00:27:18,720 --> 00:27:23,400 Speaker 2: repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I'll make 523 00:27:23,480 --> 00:27:24,920 Speaker 2: you my Lord and savior. 524 00:27:25,960 --> 00:27:28,320 Speaker 3: Friends, if you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you 525 00:27:28,359 --> 00:27:31,119 Speaker 3: got born again. We'd love to send you some information 526 00:27:31,280 --> 00:27:33,359 Speaker 3: on your new walk with the Lord. Just text the 527 00:27:33,440 --> 00:27:35,840 Speaker 3: number on the screen or go to the website. I 528 00:27:35,880 --> 00:27:38,800 Speaker 3: hope you'll get into a good Bible based church and 529 00:27:38,880 --> 00:27:40,359 Speaker 3: keep God first place. 530 00:27:41,480 --> 00:27:45,080 Speaker 4: It starts with just a tiny seed from it, tender 531 00:27:45,160 --> 00:27:49,040 Speaker 4: bud sprout, The miracle of new life blooms and thrives. 532 00:27:49,359 --> 00:27:52,920 Speaker 4: But how do you experience the same miraculous and extraordinary 533 00:27:52,960 --> 00:27:54,360 Speaker 4: growth in your own life? 534 00:27:54,760 --> 00:27:58,400 Speaker 3: Sometimes our life is limited because we're believing too small. 535 00:27:59,000 --> 00:28:00,000 Speaker 2: Faith is like a sin. 536 00:28:00,680 --> 00:28:04,040 Speaker 3: When you believe all things are possible, that's when you'll 537 00:28:04,040 --> 00:28:06,600 Speaker 3: see new growth, opportunity, and healing. 538 00:28:06,920 --> 00:28:09,280 Speaker 1: We don't have to figure out how it's going to happen. 539 00:28:09,600 --> 00:28:12,199 Speaker 1: All we have to do is believe. There may not 540 00:28:12,320 --> 00:28:15,399 Speaker 1: be a way in the natural, but our God is supernatural. 541 00:28:15,560 --> 00:28:18,800 Speaker 3: We'd like to send you this time next year Believe 542 00:28:18,920 --> 00:28:19,680 Speaker 3: Big Journal. 543 00:28:20,080 --> 00:28:22,600 Speaker 2: It will help you to enlarge your vision and stretch 544 00:28:22,640 --> 00:28:25,480 Speaker 2: your faith. Where would you like to be a year 545 00:28:25,520 --> 00:28:25,960 Speaker 2: from now? 546 00:28:26,440 --> 00:28:28,840 Speaker 3: Who knows what God will do in twenty twenty four 547 00:28:29,080 --> 00:28:31,520 Speaker 3: if you'll take the limits off of him and believe 548 00:28:31,600 --> 00:28:33,760 Speaker 3: for the great things He's placed in your heart. 549 00:28:34,240 --> 00:28:36,760 Speaker 4: As our thank you for your gift of any amount 550 00:28:36,800 --> 00:28:39,320 Speaker 4: this month, we want to send you that this time 551 00:28:39,400 --> 00:28:43,160 Speaker 4: next year, Believe Big Journal, along with our new Believe Tea. 552 00:28:43,520 --> 00:28:46,640 Speaker 4: As you begin to believe Big, you'll see God move 553 00:28:46,720 --> 00:28:52,239 Speaker 4: in powerful ways, the impossible made possible. Growth, provision, and 554 00:28:52,280 --> 00:28:55,800 Speaker 4: new opportunities will burst forth above and beyond which you 555 00:28:55,840 --> 00:28:59,480 Speaker 4: can ask or imagine. Also for the first time ever? 556 00:29:00,000 --> 00:29:02,080 Speaker 4: Do you want to present you with our new Believe 557 00:29:02,200 --> 00:29:06,120 Speaker 4: T shirt, created exclusively by our friends at Copperfeit for 558 00:29:06,240 --> 00:29:09,960 Speaker 4: the viewers and partners of Joe Lostein. We invite you 559 00:29:10,000 --> 00:29:12,760 Speaker 4: to wear and declare which you are believing God or 560 00:29:13,000 --> 00:29:16,320 Speaker 4: In twenty twenty four. It's a gift from Copperfeit as 561 00:29:16,360 --> 00:29:19,000 Speaker 4: they extend their support of the message of hope. 562 00:29:19,560 --> 00:29:21,480 Speaker 3: Many of you have watched us a long time, but 563 00:29:21,520 --> 00:29:22,880 Speaker 3: you've never been to Lakewood. 564 00:29:23,160 --> 00:29:24,360 Speaker 2: We have a perfect time. 565 00:29:24,560 --> 00:29:28,200 Speaker 3: We're calling it homecoming weekend April thirteenth and fourteenth. 566 00:29:28,360 --> 00:29:31,200 Speaker 2: We'd love to meet you. I'll introduce you to my family. 567 00:29:31,520 --> 00:29:34,280 Speaker 2: You can see the facility and enjoy a service. We'd 568 00:29:34,360 --> 00:29:36,680 Speaker 2: be honored to have you. We'll make you feel right 569 00:29:36,720 --> 00:29:37,120 Speaker 2: at home. 570 00:29:37,440 --> 00:29:40,680 Speaker 3: Remember you can watch the services live online every Sunday, 571 00:29:40,960 --> 00:29:41,680 Speaker 3: download our. 572 00:29:41,600 --> 00:29:45,959 Speaker 2: Podcast watch on YouTube. We'll keep you inspired and encouraged. 573 00:29:46,320 --> 00:29:49,120 Speaker 4: Be sure to request your copy of This Time next 574 00:29:49,200 --> 00:29:52,720 Speaker 4: year Believe Big Journal and the Copperfit Believe T shirt 575 00:29:52,840 --> 00:29:56,840 Speaker 4: as our gift of thanks Today. Visit Joelostein dot com 576 00:29:56,960 --> 00:30:02,320 Speaker 4: or call us toll free