1 00:00:00,680 --> 00:00:03,600 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joeln Victoria. Thanks so much for listening 2 00:00:03,600 --> 00:00:05,680 Speaker 1: to the podcast and thanks. 3 00:00:05,360 --> 00:00:06,800 Speaker 2: For supporting the ministry. 4 00:00:07,120 --> 00:00:11,160 Speaker 1: We believe you're going to have an awesome twenty twenty four, healthy, productive, 5 00:00:11,320 --> 00:00:12,520 Speaker 1: and favor filled. 6 00:00:12,800 --> 00:00:14,960 Speaker 2: God bless you today and enjoy the message. 7 00:00:15,120 --> 00:00:18,239 Speaker 1: Will God bless you always a joy to come into 8 00:00:18,280 --> 00:00:21,600 Speaker 1: your homes. We love you and we're believing for God's very, 9 00:00:21,760 --> 00:00:24,120 Speaker 1: very best in your life. You're ever in our area, 10 00:00:24,280 --> 00:00:25,720 Speaker 1: come out and be a part of one of our 11 00:00:25,720 --> 00:00:26,920 Speaker 1: services here at Lakewood. 12 00:00:26,960 --> 00:00:28,840 Speaker 2: I promise you will make you feel right at home. 13 00:00:28,880 --> 00:00:30,360 Speaker 2: But thanks again for tuning in. 14 00:00:30,720 --> 00:00:32,760 Speaker 1: I like to start with something funny each week, and 15 00:00:33,159 --> 00:00:36,400 Speaker 1: I heard about this man. He was the only Protestant 16 00:00:36,400 --> 00:00:40,320 Speaker 1: in a large Catholic neighborhood, and every Friday during Lyn, 17 00:00:40,800 --> 00:00:43,600 Speaker 1: while all of his neighbors were eating cold fish, he 18 00:00:43,640 --> 00:00:47,000 Speaker 1: would be in his backyard grilling a steak. They just 19 00:00:47,040 --> 00:00:49,960 Speaker 1: couldn't stand the temptation, and they decided to try to 20 00:00:50,000 --> 00:00:54,360 Speaker 1: convert him to Catholicism. He finally agreed. The pre sprinkled 21 00:00:54,360 --> 00:00:56,920 Speaker 1: water over him and said, you were born a Baptist, 22 00:00:57,120 --> 00:00:59,560 Speaker 1: you were raised a Baptist, but now you're a Catholic. 23 00:01:00,160 --> 00:01:02,720 Speaker 1: The next year, on the first Friday of Lent, the 24 00:01:02,760 --> 00:01:05,119 Speaker 1: neighbors smell the same smell in the air. 25 00:01:05,440 --> 00:01:06,559 Speaker 2: They rushed to his house. 26 00:01:06,720 --> 00:01:10,360 Speaker 1: He was in the backyard sprinkling water over his steak, saying, 27 00:01:10,440 --> 00:01:12,440 Speaker 1: you were born a cow, you were raised a cow, 28 00:01:12,560 --> 00:01:15,720 Speaker 1: but now you're a fish. 29 00:01:15,920 --> 00:01:19,280 Speaker 2: All right. Hold up your Bible. Say it like you 30 00:01:19,360 --> 00:01:19,640 Speaker 2: mean it. 31 00:01:20,200 --> 00:01:23,120 Speaker 1: This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. 32 00:01:23,640 --> 00:01:26,000 Speaker 1: I have what it says I have. I can do 33 00:01:26,080 --> 00:01:28,600 Speaker 1: what it says I can do. Today I will be 34 00:01:28,680 --> 00:01:32,400 Speaker 1: taught the word of God. I boldly confess. My mind 35 00:01:32,480 --> 00:01:35,760 Speaker 1: is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never be 36 00:01:35,880 --> 00:01:40,560 Speaker 1: the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. I want 37 00:01:40,600 --> 00:01:43,520 Speaker 1: to talk to you today about how valuable you are. 38 00:01:44,400 --> 00:01:47,320 Speaker 1: One of the greatest needs we all have is to 39 00:01:47,319 --> 00:01:49,200 Speaker 1: feel a sense of self worth. 40 00:01:49,840 --> 00:01:51,880 Speaker 2: Deep down, we need to know that we're. 41 00:01:51,760 --> 00:01:55,120 Speaker 1: Important, that our life matters, and that we have something 42 00:01:55,160 --> 00:01:58,800 Speaker 1: great to offer. But so often we base our self 43 00:01:58,840 --> 00:02:02,880 Speaker 1: worth on our books, on what we've achieved and what 44 00:02:02,920 --> 00:02:05,800 Speaker 1: we own, and how perfect of a life we've lived. 45 00:02:06,400 --> 00:02:10,120 Speaker 1: The problem with this is those things can change. If 46 00:02:10,120 --> 00:02:13,960 Speaker 1: you're basing your self worth on your looks, your accomplishments, 47 00:02:14,000 --> 00:02:17,720 Speaker 1: your popularity, then if that goes down, your self worth 48 00:02:17,760 --> 00:02:18,400 Speaker 1: will go down. 49 00:02:19,160 --> 00:02:20,560 Speaker 2: If you base your sense. 50 00:02:20,360 --> 00:02:23,919 Speaker 1: Of value on how somebody else treats you and how 51 00:02:24,000 --> 00:02:27,639 Speaker 1: they make you feel, then if they hurt you, if 52 00:02:27,680 --> 00:02:31,240 Speaker 1: they disappoint you, very likely you'll turn it on yourself 53 00:02:31,639 --> 00:02:34,520 Speaker 1: and think there must be something wrong with me. He 54 00:02:34,560 --> 00:02:37,440 Speaker 1: wouldn't have left me if I was pretty enough, They 55 00:02:37,480 --> 00:02:40,400 Speaker 1: wouldn't be treating me badly if I had a better personality, 56 00:02:41,040 --> 00:02:42,920 Speaker 1: or I wouldn't have gotten laid off if I was 57 00:02:43,000 --> 00:02:46,520 Speaker 1: just more talented. Now, the problem is you're getting your 58 00:02:46,560 --> 00:02:47,559 Speaker 1: self worth. 59 00:02:47,440 --> 00:02:48,640 Speaker 2: From the wrong places. 60 00:02:49,320 --> 00:02:52,680 Speaker 1: We should not receive our value from how somebody else 61 00:02:52,720 --> 00:02:54,000 Speaker 1: treats us, or. 62 00:02:53,919 --> 00:02:56,400 Speaker 2: What we own or what we've accomplished. 63 00:02:56,840 --> 00:02:59,840 Speaker 1: Our value should come solely from the fact that we 64 00:02:59,880 --> 00:03:03,120 Speaker 1: are children of the Most High God, and the value 65 00:03:03,200 --> 00:03:06,600 Speaker 1: God put in you is permanent. Nothing you can do 66 00:03:07,040 --> 00:03:10,200 Speaker 1: or anyone else can do, can ever change that value. 67 00:03:10,360 --> 00:03:13,320 Speaker 1: And I've seen how the enemy works over time in 68 00:03:13,360 --> 00:03:16,320 Speaker 1: this area. He would love for us to go through 69 00:03:16,360 --> 00:03:22,200 Speaker 1: life insecure, insecure about our looks, about our personality, about 70 00:03:22,240 --> 00:03:29,200 Speaker 1: our abilities. He will use hurtful things that people have said, disappointments, rejections, 71 00:03:29,480 --> 00:03:33,640 Speaker 1: unfair situations to try to lower our sense of self worth. 72 00:03:34,160 --> 00:03:38,720 Speaker 1: If we're not careful, we'll go around blaming ourself, internalizing 73 00:03:38,800 --> 00:03:42,120 Speaker 1: every bad thing that happens. And I've seen people that 74 00:03:42,200 --> 00:03:45,560 Speaker 1: were mistreated when they were growing up, and somehow they 75 00:03:45,640 --> 00:03:49,160 Speaker 1: still think it was their fault. They were children, they 76 00:03:49,160 --> 00:03:52,360 Speaker 1: didn't have any control over it. But those lies come 77 00:03:52,480 --> 00:03:55,520 Speaker 1: saying it's because you're not good enough, that's why they 78 00:03:55,600 --> 00:03:59,200 Speaker 1: left you. It's because you didn't measure up, that's why 79 00:03:59,240 --> 00:03:59,920 Speaker 1: you didn't get. 80 00:03:59,760 --> 00:04:00,920 Speaker 2: Your parents' approval. 81 00:04:01,160 --> 00:04:06,040 Speaker 1: That recording is constantly playing in the back of their minds. Failure, loser, 82 00:04:06,520 --> 00:04:10,600 Speaker 1: not talented, not attractive, not valuable, not lovable. Now you've 83 00:04:10,600 --> 00:04:13,960 Speaker 1: got to turn that recording off. Somebody may have hurt you, 84 00:04:14,240 --> 00:04:18,000 Speaker 1: but don't internalize it. Don't go around blame in yourself. 85 00:04:18,279 --> 00:04:21,120 Speaker 2: You're not at fault. They had the problem, not you. 86 00:04:21,880 --> 00:04:24,640 Speaker 1: They may have rejected you, but the good news is 87 00:04:24,920 --> 00:04:26,000 Speaker 1: God accepts you. 88 00:04:26,320 --> 00:04:28,080 Speaker 2: He has already approved you. 89 00:04:30,000 --> 00:04:34,200 Speaker 1: Psychologists tell us that our self worth comes from what 90 00:04:34,360 --> 00:04:38,119 Speaker 1: we think the most important person in our life thinks 91 00:04:38,160 --> 00:04:42,000 Speaker 1: about us. For children, most likely that would be their parents. 92 00:04:42,440 --> 00:04:45,839 Speaker 1: As adults, that could still be a parent, or a spouse, 93 00:04:46,160 --> 00:04:50,240 Speaker 1: a friend, a mentor, But the problem with this philosophy 94 00:04:50,400 --> 00:04:54,839 Speaker 1: is that people are all human. People can disappoint us. 95 00:04:55,279 --> 00:04:58,320 Speaker 1: They can say things or do things that bring heartache 96 00:04:58,320 --> 00:05:02,240 Speaker 1: and pain. If we're on receiving our value from them, 97 00:05:02,760 --> 00:05:06,120 Speaker 1: over time, we're going to feel less and less valuable 98 00:05:06,400 --> 00:05:09,560 Speaker 1: because sooner or later they will say something that cuts 99 00:05:09,600 --> 00:05:12,479 Speaker 1: like a knife, or they will show by their actions 100 00:05:12,480 --> 00:05:14,159 Speaker 1: that were not really that important. 101 00:05:14,920 --> 00:05:19,120 Speaker 2: But the key to really understanding and maintaining. 102 00:05:18,440 --> 00:05:21,800 Speaker 1: A true sense of value is to let your heavenly 103 00:05:21,880 --> 00:05:25,640 Speaker 1: Father be the most important person in your life. Base 104 00:05:25,680 --> 00:05:28,359 Speaker 1: your sense of value on what he says about you. 105 00:05:29,279 --> 00:05:31,599 Speaker 2: When you make mistakes, people. 106 00:05:31,320 --> 00:05:33,760 Speaker 1: Will try to make you feel guilty or like you're 107 00:05:33,800 --> 00:05:37,279 Speaker 1: all washed up, But God says I have mercy for 108 00:05:37,400 --> 00:05:38,160 Speaker 1: every mistake. 109 00:05:38,560 --> 00:05:41,480 Speaker 2: Get up and go again. Your future is brighter than 110 00:05:41,520 --> 00:05:42,040 Speaker 2: your past. 111 00:05:42,760 --> 00:05:45,919 Speaker 1: People will tell you or sometimes make you feel like 112 00:05:46,040 --> 00:05:49,000 Speaker 1: you're not talented, you're not attractive, you don't have anything 113 00:05:49,040 --> 00:05:49,919 Speaker 1: special to offer. 114 00:05:50,400 --> 00:05:51,599 Speaker 2: But God says. 115 00:05:51,640 --> 00:05:55,920 Speaker 1: You're amazing, you're beautiful, you're one of a kind. People 116 00:05:56,000 --> 00:05:59,479 Speaker 1: can disappoint you, reject you, even say. 117 00:05:59,360 --> 00:06:01,000 Speaker 2: Things that can wound your spirit. 118 00:06:01,560 --> 00:06:05,599 Speaker 1: If you're only receiving your value and your worth from them, 119 00:06:05,920 --> 00:06:11,000 Speaker 1: you'll go through life feeling inferior, feeling insecure, with. 120 00:06:11,120 --> 00:06:12,360 Speaker 2: Little self worth. 121 00:06:12,800 --> 00:06:15,440 Speaker 1: But if you will learn to receive your value from 122 00:06:15,480 --> 00:06:19,040 Speaker 1: your heavenly father and listen to what he says about you, 123 00:06:19,440 --> 00:06:25,479 Speaker 1: then you'll go around feeling accepted, approved, redeemed, forgiven, confident 124 00:06:25,600 --> 00:06:26,240 Speaker 1: and secure. 125 00:06:26,520 --> 00:06:28,960 Speaker 2: You will feel extremely valuable. 126 00:06:29,240 --> 00:06:31,960 Speaker 1: And that's exactly the way God wants you to be, 127 00:06:32,760 --> 00:06:37,520 Speaker 1: says in Ephesians two ten. You are God's masterpiece. Do 128 00:06:37,560 --> 00:06:42,200 Speaker 1: you realize a masterpiece is not mass produced. You didn't 129 00:06:42,240 --> 00:06:46,720 Speaker 1: come off an assembly line. You're not average, You're not ordinary. 130 00:06:47,120 --> 00:06:50,000 Speaker 1: You've been custom made. You are one of a kind. 131 00:06:50,600 --> 00:06:53,680 Speaker 1: And of all the things God created, what he is 132 00:06:53,720 --> 00:06:58,279 Speaker 1: the most proud of is not the spectacular solar system, 133 00:06:58,800 --> 00:07:03,479 Speaker 1: not the magnificence sosets, not even the amazing animals. The 134 00:07:03,600 --> 00:07:08,160 Speaker 1: creation that God calls his masterpiece is you. You are 135 00:07:08,200 --> 00:07:12,080 Speaker 1: his most prized possession. He created you in his very 136 00:07:12,120 --> 00:07:15,160 Speaker 1: own image, and he looks past all those other things, 137 00:07:15,240 --> 00:07:18,200 Speaker 1: and he looks right at you and says, there's my masterpiece. 138 00:07:18,320 --> 00:07:21,280 Speaker 2: That's my son, that's my daughter. That's what brings the 139 00:07:21,320 --> 00:07:22,880 Speaker 2: most joy to my heart. 140 00:07:23,960 --> 00:07:27,480 Speaker 1: One thing that creates value is who the owner is. 141 00:07:28,240 --> 00:07:30,920 Speaker 1: I have a baseball bat at home that I purchased 142 00:07:30,920 --> 00:07:33,960 Speaker 1: for thirty dollars at the sporting goods store. But I 143 00:07:34,080 --> 00:07:37,600 Speaker 1: read where one of Babe Ruth's old baseball bats sold 144 00:07:37,600 --> 00:07:39,840 Speaker 1: for over one hundred thousand dollars. 145 00:07:40,240 --> 00:07:41,280 Speaker 2: What was the difference. 146 00:07:41,560 --> 00:07:44,760 Speaker 1: They were both wood bats, both thirty four inches long. 147 00:07:45,080 --> 00:07:47,200 Speaker 2: The difference is who the owner is. 148 00:07:48,240 --> 00:07:51,160 Speaker 1: I have a handkerchief that I paid less than five 149 00:07:51,240 --> 00:07:55,880 Speaker 1: dollars for, but I read one of Elvis's handkerchiefs sold 150 00:07:55,880 --> 00:07:58,040 Speaker 1: for over three hundred thousand dollars. 151 00:07:58,680 --> 00:07:59,680 Speaker 2: What was the difference. 152 00:08:00,320 --> 00:08:03,800 Speaker 1: Was his covered with jewels and rubies and diamonds. No, 153 00:08:03,960 --> 00:08:08,240 Speaker 1: his was covered with his sweat. The difference was who sweat. 154 00:08:08,240 --> 00:08:13,240 Speaker 1: It is throughout life we need to constantly remind ourselves. 155 00:08:13,480 --> 00:08:17,120 Speaker 1: I am valuable, not because of what I do or 156 00:08:17,200 --> 00:08:20,240 Speaker 1: don't do, not because of what I have or don't have, 157 00:08:20,800 --> 00:08:21,800 Speaker 1: not because of who. 158 00:08:21,680 --> 00:08:25,320 Speaker 2: I know or don't know. I am valuable because of 159 00:08:25,360 --> 00:08:26,480 Speaker 2: who my owner is. 160 00:08:27,120 --> 00:08:31,280 Speaker 1: And it is not my parents, it is not my spouse, 161 00:08:31,720 --> 00:08:34,400 Speaker 1: it's not my boss, not even the government. No. The 162 00:08:34,559 --> 00:08:38,319 Speaker 1: creator of the universe breathes his life into each one 163 00:08:38,360 --> 00:08:42,040 Speaker 1: of us. He fashioned us, he formed us, He gave 164 00:08:42,120 --> 00:08:47,040 Speaker 1: us our personality. He intricately made everything about us. We 165 00:08:47,080 --> 00:08:50,400 Speaker 1: may not be perfect, we may make mistakes. Other people 166 00:08:50,440 --> 00:08:53,880 Speaker 1: may try to push us down, make us feel less valuable, 167 00:08:54,240 --> 00:08:56,960 Speaker 1: but we know the truth. Our value comes from the 168 00:08:57,000 --> 00:08:59,640 Speaker 1: fact that we are children of the most high God. 169 00:09:00,080 --> 00:09:04,280 Speaker 2: We know who our owner is. There was an article 170 00:09:04,280 --> 00:09:05,559 Speaker 2: in a medical magazine. 171 00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:10,800 Speaker 1: It talked about how these researchers calculated how much money 172 00:09:10,920 --> 00:09:12,439 Speaker 1: the human body was worth. 173 00:09:13,160 --> 00:09:14,120 Speaker 2: They added up, to. 174 00:09:14,080 --> 00:09:18,040 Speaker 1: The best of their ability, all the enzymes and hormones 175 00:09:18,200 --> 00:09:22,360 Speaker 1: and cells, tissues, everything contained in the body, and their 176 00:09:22,440 --> 00:09:27,880 Speaker 1: conclusion was the average sized person is worth approximately six 177 00:09:28,000 --> 00:09:31,839 Speaker 1: million dollars. You've heard of the six million dollar man. Well, 178 00:09:31,880 --> 00:09:35,560 Speaker 1: I'm looking at six million dollar people today. Some of 179 00:09:35,600 --> 00:09:39,240 Speaker 1: you you didn't even realize you are a multi millionaire. 180 00:09:40,760 --> 00:09:43,360 Speaker 1: You need to put your shoulders back, hold your head 181 00:09:43,400 --> 00:09:46,600 Speaker 1: up high, go out with a new spring in your step. No, 182 00:09:46,720 --> 00:09:49,760 Speaker 1: you didn't just win the lottery, but your heavenly father 183 00:09:49,920 --> 00:09:53,640 Speaker 1: put six million dollars worth of assets on the inside. 184 00:09:53,800 --> 00:09:55,840 Speaker 1: And the good news is you didn't even have to 185 00:09:55,840 --> 00:09:56,960 Speaker 1: pay taxes on it. 186 00:09:58,720 --> 00:10:01,559 Speaker 2: Friends, you are extreme valuable. Think of it. 187 00:10:01,880 --> 00:10:05,120 Speaker 1: That's just an average sized person. Some of you are 188 00:10:05,120 --> 00:10:09,320 Speaker 1: worth nine million dollars. That's a new way to look 189 00:10:09,320 --> 00:10:15,680 Speaker 1: at it. You're not overweight, You're just more valuable. Years ago, 190 00:10:16,800 --> 00:10:20,640 Speaker 1: a good friend of ours, Jesse Barfield, signed a contract 191 00:10:20,679 --> 00:10:23,360 Speaker 1: to play baseball for the New York Yankees for two 192 00:10:23,400 --> 00:10:26,559 Speaker 1: million dollars a year. One morning, he was walking in 193 00:10:26,679 --> 00:10:29,559 Speaker 1: church and my father saw him, and Jesse always dresses 194 00:10:29,640 --> 00:10:32,120 Speaker 1: very nice, and Daddy said, Jesse, you look like a 195 00:10:32,200 --> 00:10:36,040 Speaker 1: million dollars today. He said, excuse me, pastor how about two. 196 00:10:37,600 --> 00:10:39,920 Speaker 1: Somebody says to you, you look like a million dollars, 197 00:10:40,080 --> 00:10:42,439 Speaker 1: Just say, like, Jesse, excuse me, how about six. 198 00:10:43,760 --> 00:10:46,239 Speaker 2: I want you to understand your sense of value. 199 00:10:46,679 --> 00:10:50,880 Speaker 1: I've discovered one of the greatest enemies of value is rejection. 200 00:10:51,600 --> 00:10:54,280 Speaker 1: It's hard on our self esteem to not be wanted. 201 00:10:54,640 --> 00:10:57,760 Speaker 1: It's very painful to be told you're not good enough, 202 00:10:58,200 --> 00:11:02,240 Speaker 1: you're not tall enough, talented enough, you're not attractive enough. 203 00:11:02,280 --> 00:11:05,360 Speaker 2: We just don't need you here. I remember growing up. 204 00:11:05,640 --> 00:11:09,040 Speaker 1: I played baseball all through Little league and junior high 205 00:11:09,120 --> 00:11:11,640 Speaker 1: and I was very good. I was a second baseman, 206 00:11:11,679 --> 00:11:14,680 Speaker 1: and I always made the All Star team. Like any 207 00:11:14,720 --> 00:11:17,800 Speaker 1: little league player, I dreamed of playing second base in 208 00:11:17,840 --> 00:11:20,720 Speaker 1: the big leagues. But when I got to high school. 209 00:11:20,920 --> 00:11:24,080 Speaker 1: It was a whole new level of talent. I came 210 00:11:24,080 --> 00:11:26,800 Speaker 1: from a very large high school. There were eight hundred 211 00:11:26,840 --> 00:11:29,680 Speaker 1: people in my graduating class, and back then I was 212 00:11:29,840 --> 00:11:33,480 Speaker 1: very small. I grew six inches after high school, and 213 00:11:33,559 --> 00:11:36,160 Speaker 1: so I tried out for the baseball team, along with 214 00:11:36,200 --> 00:11:40,080 Speaker 1: one hundred and fifty other young men, for twenty positions 215 00:11:40,080 --> 00:11:42,959 Speaker 1: on the team. I'll never forget the day the coach 216 00:11:43,040 --> 00:11:45,480 Speaker 1: called us into the gym to tell us who made 217 00:11:45,520 --> 00:11:46,000 Speaker 1: the team. 218 00:11:46,240 --> 00:11:49,079 Speaker 2: He began to call out the names one by one. 219 00:11:49,200 --> 00:11:51,200 Speaker 2: I didn't hear my name, but I was sure I 220 00:11:51,280 --> 00:11:51,640 Speaker 2: was going to. 221 00:11:51,640 --> 00:11:55,040 Speaker 1: Be next, or next, or next, and then more names 222 00:11:55,040 --> 00:11:55,560 Speaker 1: he called out. 223 00:11:55,640 --> 00:11:56,960 Speaker 2: The lower I sunk. 224 00:11:57,200 --> 00:11:59,600 Speaker 1: He finally said, all right, here's the last name. He 225 00:11:59,640 --> 00:12:01,560 Speaker 1: called it out, and it wasn't my name. 226 00:12:02,120 --> 00:12:05,480 Speaker 2: I was so disappointed. He told me later, Joel, I'd 227 00:12:05,520 --> 00:12:08,400 Speaker 2: love to have you on the team. You're just too small, 228 00:12:08,559 --> 00:12:09,520 Speaker 2: You're not big enough. 229 00:12:10,120 --> 00:12:13,439 Speaker 1: Over the next few weeks, few months, those words rang 230 00:12:13,520 --> 00:12:16,480 Speaker 1: out in my mind again and again. You heard what 231 00:12:16,559 --> 00:12:20,360 Speaker 1: the coach said. You're too small. There's something wrong with you. 232 00:12:20,679 --> 00:12:24,120 Speaker 1: You're not good enough. Have you noticed how. 233 00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:27,280 Speaker 2: The negative voices will always play the loudest. 234 00:12:27,280 --> 00:12:29,959 Speaker 1: If you don't take control of your thought life, then 235 00:12:30,000 --> 00:12:35,240 Speaker 1: every hurt, every criticism, every derogatory comment will play again 236 00:12:35,640 --> 00:12:36,160 Speaker 1: and again. 237 00:12:36,840 --> 00:12:38,040 Speaker 2: I was tempted to be. 238 00:12:38,040 --> 00:12:42,200 Speaker 1: Insecure, to feel inferior, to lose my confidence, but I 239 00:12:42,240 --> 00:12:44,959 Speaker 1: had to keep reminded myself. He may have said I'm 240 00:12:44,960 --> 00:12:48,000 Speaker 1: too small, but I know God made me like I 241 00:12:48,040 --> 00:12:51,040 Speaker 1: am on purpose. He may have said I'm not good enough, 242 00:12:51,160 --> 00:12:54,720 Speaker 1: but God says I'm a masterpiece. They may have rejected me, 243 00:12:55,080 --> 00:12:58,280 Speaker 1: but God says he accepts me. Says in one Peter 244 00:12:58,360 --> 00:13:02,640 Speaker 1: two nine have been chosen by God himself. 245 00:13:03,280 --> 00:13:06,240 Speaker 2: I like that. People may leave you out, people may. 246 00:13:06,080 --> 00:13:10,040 Speaker 1: Overlook you, but always remember the one who matters most 247 00:13:10,320 --> 00:13:15,240 Speaker 1: chooses you. One translation says you've been hand picked by 248 00:13:15,280 --> 00:13:19,520 Speaker 1: Almighty God. That means you weren't randomly chose God on 249 00:13:19,679 --> 00:13:22,400 Speaker 1: purpose looked at you and said, I choose him, I 250 00:13:22,520 --> 00:13:25,040 Speaker 1: choose her. They're my son, they're my daughter. That's who 251 00:13:25,040 --> 00:13:28,000 Speaker 1: I want on my team. People may tell you you're just 252 00:13:28,400 --> 00:13:31,880 Speaker 1: too small. God says you're just the right size for me. 253 00:13:32,800 --> 00:13:35,640 Speaker 1: People may make you feel like you're not talented. We 254 00:13:35,720 --> 00:13:38,839 Speaker 1: don't need you, you don't have anything to offer. God 255 00:13:38,920 --> 00:13:43,119 Speaker 1: says you are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are talented, 256 00:13:43,400 --> 00:13:47,240 Speaker 1: you are creative, you are anointed, You are smart, you 257 00:13:47,280 --> 00:13:51,920 Speaker 1: are intelligent, you are amazing. God chooses you, and whenever 258 00:13:51,960 --> 00:13:55,680 Speaker 1: we feel that sting of rejection, instead of getting down 259 00:13:55,760 --> 00:14:00,000 Speaker 1: on ourselves and losing our sense of value, our attitude 260 00:14:00,120 --> 00:14:04,080 Speaker 1: should be I may be disappointed, this may hurt, but 261 00:14:04,160 --> 00:14:06,560 Speaker 1: I'm not going to sink down into self pity and 262 00:14:06,600 --> 00:14:09,560 Speaker 1: start thinking that there's something wrong with me. I know 263 00:14:09,800 --> 00:14:13,959 Speaker 1: the one who matters most, the one who controls the universe, 264 00:14:14,360 --> 00:14:17,280 Speaker 1: hand picked me. Now, I may not have been chosen 265 00:14:17,320 --> 00:14:20,160 Speaker 1: by the coach, the boss, or a friend, but I 266 00:14:20,360 --> 00:14:23,920 Speaker 1: was chosen by the most high God, and he says 267 00:14:23,960 --> 00:14:27,360 Speaker 1: that his plans for me are for good and not evil, 268 00:14:27,560 --> 00:14:31,480 Speaker 1: to give me a future and a hope. If you 269 00:14:31,520 --> 00:14:35,080 Speaker 1: will keep this attitude of faith, God will always give 270 00:14:35,080 --> 00:14:37,640 Speaker 1: you the last laugh. He'll get you to where you're 271 00:14:37,640 --> 00:14:40,440 Speaker 1: supposed to be. No, I didn't get chosen for the 272 00:14:40,480 --> 00:14:44,000 Speaker 1: baseball team that year. My dreams of playing second base 273 00:14:44,080 --> 00:14:46,880 Speaker 1: didn't work out. But do you know, thirty years later 274 00:14:47,240 --> 00:14:52,320 Speaker 1: I did stand at second base at Yankee Stadium. I 275 00:14:52,440 --> 00:14:55,160 Speaker 1: wasn't playing baseball. God had something else for me to do. 276 00:14:55,360 --> 00:14:58,600 Speaker 1: But what am I saying. People may reject you, but 277 00:14:58,720 --> 00:15:01,960 Speaker 1: God accepts you. He has already chosen you, and he's 278 00:15:02,000 --> 00:15:04,760 Speaker 1: the one that matters most. Now. I know some of 279 00:15:04,800 --> 00:15:08,520 Speaker 1: you have gone through more than your share of unfair situations. 280 00:15:08,960 --> 00:15:11,720 Speaker 1: Our hearts go out to you. But here's what I've learned. 281 00:15:12,200 --> 00:15:16,200 Speaker 1: Even though life is not fair, God is fair. And 282 00:15:16,240 --> 00:15:19,880 Speaker 1: if you will not internalize the blame, go around thinking 283 00:15:19,880 --> 00:15:23,920 Speaker 1: there's something wrong with you, but instead start seeing yourself 284 00:15:24,160 --> 00:15:29,480 Speaker 1: as handpicked by God, valuable, lovable, with something great to offer. 285 00:15:30,200 --> 00:15:33,440 Speaker 1: Then God said he will pay you back double for 286 00:15:33,560 --> 00:15:37,000 Speaker 1: your former shame. That means he'll make the rest of 287 00:15:37,080 --> 00:15:39,920 Speaker 1: your life twice as good as it would have been 288 00:15:40,120 --> 00:15:42,520 Speaker 1: if that would have never even happened to you. But 289 00:15:42,600 --> 00:15:45,040 Speaker 1: you've got to dig your heels in and say, I 290 00:15:45,080 --> 00:15:49,000 Speaker 1: am not going to allow what somebody did or didn't 291 00:15:49,000 --> 00:15:52,320 Speaker 1: do to me steal my destiny and cause me to 292 00:15:52,400 --> 00:15:57,000 Speaker 1: go through life feeling not good enough, not talented, not attractive. No, 293 00:15:57,120 --> 00:16:00,440 Speaker 1: I realize I'm a child of the most Time God, 294 00:16:00,800 --> 00:16:04,560 Speaker 1: and my value doesn't come from people or accomplishments. 295 00:16:04,800 --> 00:16:08,040 Speaker 2: It comes from my Creator. So I'm not gonna go. 296 00:16:08,040 --> 00:16:11,040 Speaker 1: Around thinking that I don't measure up blaming me all 297 00:16:11,080 --> 00:16:13,480 Speaker 1: the time. Nor I'm gonna put my shoulders back, I'm 298 00:16:13,480 --> 00:16:14,800 Speaker 1: gonna hold my head up high. 299 00:16:15,000 --> 00:16:16,600 Speaker 2: I'm gonna live with confidence. 300 00:16:16,880 --> 00:16:19,120 Speaker 1: God said he will take what was meant for my 301 00:16:19,240 --> 00:16:23,160 Speaker 1: harm and use it to my advantage. I love the scripture. 302 00:16:23,200 --> 00:16:26,280 Speaker 1: It says God will give you beauty for your ashes. 303 00:16:26,760 --> 00:16:29,440 Speaker 1: You may feel like you have ashes right now. You've 304 00:16:29,440 --> 00:16:33,240 Speaker 1: been through a loss, a disappointment, rejection, betrayal. 305 00:16:33,640 --> 00:16:36,720 Speaker 2: I know that pain is real. It's easy to sink 306 00:16:36,800 --> 00:16:37,640 Speaker 2: down into. 307 00:16:37,440 --> 00:16:40,400 Speaker 1: Self pity and kind of feel like you're all washed up. 308 00:16:40,800 --> 00:16:43,280 Speaker 1: But if you can just shake that off and press 309 00:16:43,360 --> 00:16:48,320 Speaker 1: forward in faith, God promises beauty is coming your way. 310 00:16:48,440 --> 00:16:54,160 Speaker 1: What is beauty new beginnings, new friendships, new opportunities. Beauty 311 00:16:54,240 --> 00:16:58,720 Speaker 1: represents new levels of God's goodness and favor. This is 312 00:16:58,760 --> 00:17:02,680 Speaker 1: what the Israelites had to do. They'd spent years in slavery. 313 00:17:03,200 --> 00:17:07,000 Speaker 1: They were so beaten down, not just physically but emotionally. 314 00:17:07,640 --> 00:17:11,240 Speaker 1: They were constantly told that they weren't good enough, they 315 00:17:11,240 --> 00:17:15,240 Speaker 1: didn't measure up, and they couldn't do anything right. Over time, 316 00:17:15,280 --> 00:17:18,200 Speaker 1: they allowed that to steal their sense of value. After 317 00:17:18,240 --> 00:17:20,720 Speaker 1: four hundred and thirty years, God brought them out. 318 00:17:20,720 --> 00:17:21,400 Speaker 2: Of slavery. 319 00:17:22,000 --> 00:17:24,359 Speaker 1: And just as they were about to enter into the 320 00:17:24,400 --> 00:17:28,960 Speaker 1: Promised Land, God said something very significant. In Joshua five 321 00:17:29,080 --> 00:17:33,840 Speaker 1: verse nine, God said, this day I have rolled away 322 00:17:34,040 --> 00:17:38,880 Speaker 1: the reproach from Egypt off of you. The word reproach. 323 00:17:38,560 --> 00:17:41,480 Speaker 2: Means blame, shame, and disgrace. 324 00:17:42,359 --> 00:17:47,960 Speaker 1: Notice they couldn't go into the Promised Land feeling inferior, insecure, guilty, 325 00:17:48,200 --> 00:17:49,280 Speaker 1: with low self worth. 326 00:17:49,520 --> 00:17:52,080 Speaker 2: God had to roll away the reproach. 327 00:17:52,960 --> 00:17:56,439 Speaker 1: God is saying, before you enter into your promised land, 328 00:17:56,800 --> 00:17:59,159 Speaker 1: you've got to get rid of the blame, the shame. 329 00:18:01,080 --> 00:18:04,359 Speaker 1: You may have made mistakes, People may have done you wrong. 330 00:18:04,520 --> 00:18:07,200 Speaker 1: Life may not have treated you fair, but you cannot 331 00:18:07,240 --> 00:18:12,280 Speaker 1: afford to sit around in self pity, blaming yourself, blaming others, 332 00:18:12,600 --> 00:18:16,359 Speaker 1: living guilty, feeling like a failure. You may have ashes, 333 00:18:16,640 --> 00:18:20,320 Speaker 1: but God wants to swap them for beauty. Whatever your 334 00:18:20,400 --> 00:18:24,920 Speaker 1: Egypt may be a failure, a disappointment, a bitter divorce, 335 00:18:25,160 --> 00:18:28,080 Speaker 1: a friend that betrayed you. God is saying to you 336 00:18:28,119 --> 00:18:32,120 Speaker 1: what he said to them this day, not tomorrow, not. 337 00:18:32,240 --> 00:18:34,679 Speaker 2: Next week, not six months from now. 338 00:18:34,600 --> 00:18:38,720 Speaker 1: No today, God is rolling away the reproach from you. 339 00:18:39,520 --> 00:18:43,400 Speaker 1: My question is will you receive it? Will you let 340 00:18:43,560 --> 00:18:46,840 Speaker 1: go of your failures. Will you forgive the people that 341 00:18:46,960 --> 00:18:51,000 Speaker 1: hurt you? Will you quit dwelling on your disappointments? Will 342 00:18:51,000 --> 00:18:53,680 Speaker 1: you quit thinking that you're washed up and not valuable? 343 00:18:54,119 --> 00:18:57,520 Speaker 1: Bottom line is, will you start seeing yourself as the 344 00:18:57,560 --> 00:19:01,280 Speaker 1: masterpiece God created you to be? Before you can make 345 00:19:01,320 --> 00:19:04,280 Speaker 1: it into your promised land, before your dreams will come 346 00:19:04,320 --> 00:19:06,359 Speaker 1: to pass, You've gotta let go of. 347 00:19:06,240 --> 00:19:10,359 Speaker 2: The shame, the blame, the disgrace. Whether you caused it 348 00:19:10,720 --> 00:19:13,199 Speaker 2: or somebody else doesn't matter. Let it go today. 349 00:19:14,080 --> 00:19:17,280 Speaker 1: God has beauty in front of you. He has a 350 00:19:17,359 --> 00:19:22,960 Speaker 1: promised land filled with increase, promotion, happiness, holness. It's all 351 00:19:23,000 --> 00:19:25,560 Speaker 1: in your future. But you've got to get in agreement 352 00:19:25,600 --> 00:19:26,440 Speaker 1: with God. 353 00:19:26,800 --> 00:19:30,440 Speaker 2: And let him roll away the reproach. 354 00:19:30,640 --> 00:19:34,480 Speaker 1: That simply means put on a new attitude, quite allowing 355 00:19:34,560 --> 00:19:37,720 Speaker 1: what somebody said about you to steal your self worth 356 00:19:38,000 --> 00:19:40,800 Speaker 1: and make you feel inferior. Just shake that off and 357 00:19:40,840 --> 00:19:44,280 Speaker 1: say no, no, no, I am a masterpiece. They may 358 00:19:44,320 --> 00:19:47,159 Speaker 1: try to make me feel small, they may try to 359 00:19:47,200 --> 00:19:50,480 Speaker 1: push me down, make me think that I'm not worth anything, 360 00:19:50,520 --> 00:19:53,840 Speaker 1: but they don't realize I'm a six million dollar man, 361 00:19:54,080 --> 00:19:55,600 Speaker 1: I'm a six million dollar woman. 362 00:19:56,400 --> 00:19:57,720 Speaker 2: Or he may have walked. 363 00:19:57,440 --> 00:20:00,920 Speaker 1: Out on me, told me that I was not good enough, 364 00:20:01,240 --> 00:20:04,919 Speaker 1: not attractive enough, but it's his loss, not mine. He 365 00:20:04,960 --> 00:20:07,520 Speaker 1: doesn't realize I'm a six million dollar girl. 366 00:20:07,880 --> 00:20:09,520 Speaker 2: I'm a six million dollar woman. 367 00:20:10,520 --> 00:20:12,679 Speaker 1: Or they may have told me I'm too small, that 368 00:20:12,760 --> 00:20:14,000 Speaker 1: I don't have what it takes. 369 00:20:14,480 --> 00:20:16,680 Speaker 2: But people don't determine my destiny. 370 00:20:16,800 --> 00:20:20,119 Speaker 1: God does, and I know He's already equipped me with 371 00:20:20,280 --> 00:20:21,800 Speaker 1: everything I need to succeed. 372 00:20:22,720 --> 00:20:23,520 Speaker 2: What am I saying? 373 00:20:23,880 --> 00:20:27,840 Speaker 1: Don't allow other people to determine your worth and value. 374 00:20:28,160 --> 00:20:30,320 Speaker 2: Those disappointments, the failures. 375 00:20:30,320 --> 00:20:32,920 Speaker 1: They'll always play the loudest, but you got to put 376 00:20:32,960 --> 00:20:34,800 Speaker 1: your foot down and say not anymore. 377 00:20:35,160 --> 00:20:36,040 Speaker 2: I'm letting it go. 378 00:20:36,680 --> 00:20:39,760 Speaker 1: I'm not gonna go through life beating myself up, feeling 379 00:20:39,840 --> 00:20:42,480 Speaker 1: like I'm all washed up. God said he'd give me 380 00:20:42,560 --> 00:20:45,720 Speaker 1: beauty for my ashes. I'm not holding onto the ashes. 381 00:20:45,880 --> 00:20:48,359 Speaker 1: I'm looking for the beauty. I know my best days 382 00:20:48,400 --> 00:20:51,040 Speaker 1: are still up in front of me. I have with 383 00:20:51,240 --> 00:20:56,040 Speaker 1: me today a brand new, perfectly chrisp one hundred dollar bill. 384 00:20:56,320 --> 00:20:58,919 Speaker 2: How many of you would like it? Every one of you? 385 00:20:59,560 --> 00:21:02,720 Speaker 1: But what if I waded it up into a tight 386 00:21:02,800 --> 00:21:06,000 Speaker 1: little ball and now it wasn't perfectly Chris, it was 387 00:21:06,040 --> 00:21:07,360 Speaker 1: all wrinkled and crumpled. 388 00:21:07,400 --> 00:21:09,359 Speaker 2: Would you still want it? Sure? You would. 389 00:21:09,920 --> 00:21:11,520 Speaker 1: What if I took it out in the parking lot, 390 00:21:11,560 --> 00:21:14,399 Speaker 1: You guys are greedy? What if I took What if 391 00:21:14,400 --> 00:21:15,800 Speaker 1: I went out of the parking lot, put it on 392 00:21:15,840 --> 00:21:18,800 Speaker 1: the ground and stomped it with my foot and now 393 00:21:18,840 --> 00:21:20,720 Speaker 1: it got dirty. There was a little bit of oil 394 00:21:20,800 --> 00:21:23,920 Speaker 1: and grease there, and now it's not only renkled and crumpled, 395 00:21:24,040 --> 00:21:26,000 Speaker 1: but it's stained and soiled. 396 00:21:26,040 --> 00:21:26,960 Speaker 2: Would you still want it? 397 00:21:27,320 --> 00:21:31,120 Speaker 1: Yes, you would. Why is that its value never changes? 398 00:21:31,720 --> 00:21:35,119 Speaker 1: One hundred dollars is one hundred dollars, whether it's pretty 399 00:21:35,320 --> 00:21:39,320 Speaker 1: or ugly, whether it's spotless or soiled, whether it's perfectly 400 00:21:39,400 --> 00:21:44,800 Speaker 1: chrisp or battered and torn. That's exactly the way God 401 00:21:44,880 --> 00:21:49,200 Speaker 1: wants us to view ourselves. We go through challenges at times, 402 00:21:49,240 --> 00:21:52,560 Speaker 1: we feel like we've been dropped, we've been stomped, we've 403 00:21:52,600 --> 00:21:55,720 Speaker 1: been stained, we've been soiled. That's when the negative thoughts come, 404 00:21:55,760 --> 00:21:59,400 Speaker 1: saying you've made too many mistakes and you're not worth anything, 405 00:22:00,000 --> 00:22:03,240 Speaker 1: nothing good in your future. No, just like that one 406 00:22:03,280 --> 00:22:07,479 Speaker 1: hundred dollar bill, you never lose your value. That value 407 00:22:07,520 --> 00:22:10,800 Speaker 1: the creator put in you is permanent and no person, 408 00:22:11,160 --> 00:22:15,880 Speaker 1: no mistake, no disappointment, no injustice, no failure, not even 409 00:22:16,080 --> 00:22:18,280 Speaker 1: all the forces of darkness. 410 00:22:17,920 --> 00:22:19,280 Speaker 2: Can take your value away. 411 00:22:20,160 --> 00:22:23,600 Speaker 1: But so often we view our value more like an automobile. 412 00:22:24,200 --> 00:22:26,560 Speaker 1: When you purchase a new car, you know how the 413 00:22:26,600 --> 00:22:29,040 Speaker 1: moment you drive it off the lot, it goes down 414 00:22:29,040 --> 00:22:29,760 Speaker 1: in value. 415 00:22:30,240 --> 00:22:32,480 Speaker 2: Year after year, it gets less and less valuable. 416 00:22:32,880 --> 00:22:35,400 Speaker 1: If you were ever in a wreck, if the car 417 00:22:35,520 --> 00:22:38,320 Speaker 1: was in an accident or a flood, its value is 418 00:22:38,480 --> 00:22:41,960 Speaker 1: further reduced. May look great on the outside, but if 419 00:22:41,960 --> 00:22:46,520 Speaker 1: it's been repainted, rebuilt, restored, its value will never be 420 00:22:46,640 --> 00:22:51,480 Speaker 1: the same. It's permanently diminished. And in life, at times. 421 00:22:51,400 --> 00:22:52,359 Speaker 2: We go through RECs. 422 00:22:52,720 --> 00:22:56,800 Speaker 1: In other words, we have disappointments and setbacks. A relationship 423 00:22:56,840 --> 00:23:02,640 Speaker 1: didn't work out. But understand, unlike that automobile, your value 424 00:23:02,840 --> 00:23:06,600 Speaker 1: didn't go down because you went through a divorce. Your 425 00:23:06,720 --> 00:23:10,760 Speaker 1: value didn't diminish because somebody did something wrong to you. 426 00:23:10,760 --> 00:23:13,240 Speaker 2: Your value didn't decrease because you. 427 00:23:13,200 --> 00:23:15,960 Speaker 1: Had a personal failure and you had to be rebuilt 428 00:23:16,240 --> 00:23:19,359 Speaker 1: and restored. Now, just like that one hundred dollars bill, 429 00:23:19,680 --> 00:23:22,639 Speaker 1: you never lose your value. You may have some dirt 430 00:23:22,640 --> 00:23:25,479 Speaker 1: on you today, you may have a few wrinkles, but 431 00:23:25,520 --> 00:23:28,960 Speaker 1: you are still a masterpiece. You are still God's most 432 00:23:29,000 --> 00:23:32,760 Speaker 1: prized possession. Now you've got to put your shoulders back, 433 00:23:33,119 --> 00:23:35,840 Speaker 1: hold your head up high, and start seeing. 434 00:23:35,520 --> 00:23:38,000 Speaker 2: Yourself as the masterpiece. 435 00:23:37,400 --> 00:23:41,120 Speaker 1: God created you to be. Quit beating yourself up over 436 00:23:41,160 --> 00:23:45,760 Speaker 1: past mistakes. God's already forgiven you. Why don't you forgive yourself. 437 00:23:46,240 --> 00:23:49,200 Speaker 1: Quit dwelling on all the people that hurt you, all 438 00:23:49,240 --> 00:23:53,560 Speaker 1: your disappointments. God has beauty for your ashes, but you've 439 00:23:53,560 --> 00:23:55,840 Speaker 1: got to let go of the ashes before you'll ever 440 00:23:55,960 --> 00:24:00,679 Speaker 1: receive the beauty. I heard a interesting story about th trees, 441 00:24:01,080 --> 00:24:04,959 Speaker 1: an olive tree, an oak tree, and a pine tree. 442 00:24:05,040 --> 00:24:05,880 Speaker 2: Each of these. 443 00:24:05,720 --> 00:24:08,800 Speaker 1: Trees had a dream to be used for something great 444 00:24:08,880 --> 00:24:13,160 Speaker 1: in life. The olive tree dreamed of becoming a finely 445 00:24:13,240 --> 00:24:17,080 Speaker 1: crafted treasure chest. It wanted to hold gold and silver 446 00:24:17,240 --> 00:24:20,960 Speaker 1: and precious jewels. One day, a woodsman came out of 447 00:24:21,000 --> 00:24:23,240 Speaker 1: all the other trees in the forest, it cut down 448 00:24:23,280 --> 00:24:27,000 Speaker 1: this olive tree. He was so excited, but over time 449 00:24:27,080 --> 00:24:30,840 Speaker 1: he realized they weren't making him into a beautiful treasure chest. 450 00:24:31,280 --> 00:24:35,000 Speaker 1: They were making him into a manger to hold dirty, 451 00:24:35,359 --> 00:24:40,239 Speaker 1: smelly animals. He was so disappointed he felt worthless. The 452 00:24:40,280 --> 00:24:42,720 Speaker 1: oak tree had a dream of being used for a 453 00:24:42,840 --> 00:24:46,879 Speaker 1: huge ship that would carry kings across the ocean. The 454 00:24:46,920 --> 00:24:50,639 Speaker 1: woodsman came cut him down, but over time he realized 455 00:24:50,800 --> 00:24:53,800 Speaker 1: they weren't making him into a huge ship. They were 456 00:24:53,800 --> 00:24:59,240 Speaker 1: making him into a small, seemingly insignificant fishing boat. 457 00:24:59,480 --> 00:25:00,879 Speaker 2: He too, it felt worthless. 458 00:25:01,359 --> 00:25:04,080 Speaker 1: The third tree was a pine tree. It lived on 459 00:25:04,119 --> 00:25:07,199 Speaker 1: the top of a huge mountain. Its dream was to 460 00:25:07,280 --> 00:25:11,600 Speaker 1: always stand tall and remind people of God's glory. But 461 00:25:11,680 --> 00:25:15,159 Speaker 1: in a split second, a bolt of lightning shattered its 462 00:25:15,280 --> 00:25:19,040 Speaker 1: dream and it came tumbling down. The woodsman came and 463 00:25:19,240 --> 00:25:20,160 Speaker 1: carried it off. 464 00:25:20,119 --> 00:25:21,840 Speaker 2: To an old pile of wood. 465 00:25:22,560 --> 00:25:26,720 Speaker 1: All three of these trees felt worthless, rejected. None of 466 00:25:26,760 --> 00:25:30,160 Speaker 1: their dreams had come to pass, But God had other plans. 467 00:25:30,880 --> 00:25:35,120 Speaker 1: Many years later, Mary and Joseph couldn't find any place 468 00:25:35,440 --> 00:25:38,360 Speaker 1: to give birth to their little baby, so they went 469 00:25:38,400 --> 00:25:40,800 Speaker 1: to a stable, and Jesus was born. 470 00:25:41,359 --> 00:25:45,320 Speaker 2: They placed him in a manger. It was the olive tree. 471 00:25:45,520 --> 00:25:48,879 Speaker 1: It wanted to hold precious jewels, but it ended up 472 00:25:48,920 --> 00:25:51,200 Speaker 1: holding the greatest treasure of all time. 473 00:25:52,600 --> 00:25:53,600 Speaker 2: Jesus grew up. 474 00:25:54,280 --> 00:25:56,439 Speaker 1: One day he needed a boat to cross to the 475 00:25:56,480 --> 00:25:59,720 Speaker 1: other side of the lake. He didn't choose a huge, 476 00:25:59,760 --> 00:26:03,639 Speaker 1: faith fancy ship. He chose a small fishing boat. It 477 00:26:03,720 --> 00:26:07,000 Speaker 1: was the oak tree. It wanted to carry kings across 478 00:26:07,040 --> 00:26:10,119 Speaker 1: the ocean, but God had other plans. It ended up 479 00:26:10,160 --> 00:26:14,280 Speaker 1: carrying the King of Kings. Few years later, the Roman 480 00:26:14,359 --> 00:26:17,320 Speaker 1: soldiers went over to that pile of scrap wood where 481 00:26:17,359 --> 00:26:18,240 Speaker 1: the pine tree lay. 482 00:26:18,600 --> 00:26:19,880 Speaker 2: They picked up the pine tree. 483 00:26:20,280 --> 00:26:21,840 Speaker 1: He thought for sure they were going to cut him 484 00:26:21,880 --> 00:26:25,800 Speaker 1: up into firewood, but instead they cut it into two 485 00:26:25,840 --> 00:26:30,679 Speaker 1: distinct pieces and formed a cross. Jesus was crucified on 486 00:26:30,760 --> 00:26:34,280 Speaker 1: that pine tree, and still even today, that once discarded 487 00:26:34,320 --> 00:26:38,240 Speaker 1: pine tree is pointing people to God's love and mercy. 488 00:26:38,840 --> 00:26:42,879 Speaker 2: And friends, your dreams may. 489 00:26:42,760 --> 00:26:45,600 Speaker 1: Not have turned out exactly like you'd hope, but keep 490 00:26:45,640 --> 00:26:49,199 Speaker 1: your head held high. You never lose your value. You 491 00:26:49,240 --> 00:26:51,840 Speaker 1: don't know what God's up to. He still has a 492 00:26:51,880 --> 00:26:54,800 Speaker 1: great plan for your life. He can take what was 493 00:26:54,840 --> 00:26:57,880 Speaker 1: meant for your harm and use it to your advantage. 494 00:26:58,040 --> 00:27:01,720 Speaker 1: I'm asking you today to not go around feeling washed up, 495 00:27:02,280 --> 00:27:05,160 Speaker 1: feeling like you don't have any value. No, your best 496 00:27:05,280 --> 00:27:07,120 Speaker 1: days are still out in front of you. 497 00:27:07,520 --> 00:27:07,600 Speaker 3: Now. 498 00:27:07,640 --> 00:27:10,240 Speaker 1: Other people may overlook you, they may leave you out 499 00:27:10,280 --> 00:27:12,560 Speaker 1: but remember, the one who matters. 500 00:27:12,280 --> 00:27:16,240 Speaker 2: Most chooses you. Let him, your heavenly. 501 00:27:15,880 --> 00:27:19,879 Speaker 1: Father, be the most important person in your life. This day, 502 00:27:20,200 --> 00:27:23,480 Speaker 1: he has rolled away the reproach. If you will start 503 00:27:23,480 --> 00:27:26,919 Speaker 1: seeing yourself as the masterpiece he created you to be, 504 00:27:27,480 --> 00:27:30,600 Speaker 1: shaking off the blame, the shame, the disgrace. God said, 505 00:27:30,640 --> 00:27:33,479 Speaker 1: he'll take you into your promised land. You'll see his 506 00:27:33,560 --> 00:27:36,640 Speaker 1: blessings in favor. And I believe and declare you will 507 00:27:36,680 --> 00:27:39,080 Speaker 1: live that life of victory that he has in story. 508 00:27:39,080 --> 00:27:42,640 Speaker 2: Amen, do you receive it today? We never like the. 509 00:27:42,600 --> 00:27:45,960 Speaker 1: Clothe our broadcast without giving you an opportunity to make 510 00:27:46,080 --> 00:27:47,560 Speaker 1: Jesus the lord of your life. 511 00:27:47,880 --> 00:27:52,199 Speaker 2: Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus, I 512 00:27:52,320 --> 00:27:53,520 Speaker 2: repent of my sins. 513 00:27:54,680 --> 00:28:00,280 Speaker 1: Come into my heart. I make you my Lord and savior. Friends, 514 00:28:00,280 --> 00:28:02,600 Speaker 1: if you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 515 00:28:02,600 --> 00:28:05,640 Speaker 1: born again. Get in a good Bible based church, Keep 516 00:28:05,680 --> 00:28:06,600 Speaker 1: God first place. 517 00:28:06,880 --> 00:28:09,280 Speaker 2: He's going to take your places that you've never dreamed of. 518 00:28:10,800 --> 00:28:13,920 Speaker 3: Three minutes Can such a small amount of time make 519 00:28:13,960 --> 00:28:17,520 Speaker 3: a big difference to your day? To turn worry into confidence, 520 00:28:17,840 --> 00:28:22,640 Speaker 3: frustration to hope, defeat to victory. Maybe you just need 521 00:28:22,680 --> 00:28:24,040 Speaker 3: a boost of faith. 522 00:28:24,200 --> 00:28:27,119 Speaker 1: When we put God first place and get our thinking 523 00:28:27,240 --> 00:28:30,480 Speaker 1: in line with his, even a small seed of time. 524 00:28:30,400 --> 00:28:31,800 Speaker 2: Can make a huge difference. 525 00:28:32,200 --> 00:28:35,080 Speaker 1: We have a new resource called three Minute Mornings. Start 526 00:28:35,119 --> 00:28:38,560 Speaker 1: your day the blessed way. My challenge is, when you 527 00:28:38,600 --> 00:28:41,920 Speaker 1: wake up, before you leave the house, take three minutes 528 00:28:42,040 --> 00:28:45,520 Speaker 1: to speak blessings over your life and to declare God's favor. 529 00:28:45,840 --> 00:28:48,800 Speaker 1: Get your mind going in the right direction. When you 530 00:28:48,920 --> 00:28:52,880 Speaker 1: do that, you're setting yourself up for a blessed, victorious day. 531 00:28:53,600 --> 00:28:55,880 Speaker 3: As our way of saying thank you for your gift 532 00:28:55,920 --> 00:28:58,600 Speaker 3: of any size to the ministry, this month, Joel and 533 00:28:58,720 --> 00:29:02,040 Speaker 3: Victoria would like to say you this just released life 534 00:29:02,080 --> 00:29:06,000 Speaker 3: giving new daily devotional. Before your feet hit the ground 535 00:29:06,200 --> 00:29:09,000 Speaker 3: or go out the door, have your heard experience a 536 00:29:09,040 --> 00:29:11,920 Speaker 3: bit of heaven, set your mind on the things above 537 00:29:12,160 --> 00:29:15,560 Speaker 3: with our new three minute Mornings devotional. With this new 538 00:29:15,800 --> 00:29:19,360 Speaker 3: three hundred and sixty five day devotional three Minute Mornings, 539 00:29:19,520 --> 00:29:23,479 Speaker 3: You'll experience God showering down his favor like never before. 540 00:29:24,120 --> 00:29:26,880 Speaker 3: You'll focus on the better that is coming and fully 541 00:29:26,960 --> 00:29:30,040 Speaker 3: realize the freedom of not worrying about tomorrow. 542 00:29:30,680 --> 00:29:33,600 Speaker 1: Victoria, I pray for you and your family every day. 543 00:29:34,120 --> 00:29:37,000 Speaker 1: Thank you so much for your prayer and support. You're 544 00:29:37,040 --> 00:29:40,080 Speaker 1: making a difference all over the world. Remember you can 545 00:29:40,120 --> 00:29:45,560 Speaker 1: watch the services online every Sunday morning, download our daily podcast. 546 00:29:45,240 --> 00:29:48,960 Speaker 2: Listen on Sirius XM. But until we meet again, mid 547 00:29:48,960 --> 00:29:50,680 Speaker 2: the Lord bless you and keep you. 548 00:29:51,200 --> 00:29:54,400 Speaker 3: Be sure to request your copy of three Minute Mornings today. 549 00:29:54,680 --> 00:29:58,360 Speaker 3: Visit Joelostein dot com or call eight eight eight five 550 00:29:58,480 --> 00:30:00,960 Speaker 3: six seven Joel eight