1 00:00:00,480 --> 00:00:02,200 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. 2 00:00:02,320 --> 00:00:05,320 Speaker 2: Thanks for listening to our podcast and thanks for supporting 3 00:00:05,360 --> 00:00:08,280 Speaker 2: the ministry. If you enjoy today's message, why don't you 4 00:00:08,320 --> 00:00:10,480 Speaker 2: be a blessing and share it with a friend. We 5 00:00:10,560 --> 00:00:13,680 Speaker 2: appreciate you and pray for God's very best in your life. 6 00:00:15,160 --> 00:00:17,760 Speaker 1: Well, God bless you. It's always a joy to come 7 00:00:17,760 --> 00:00:18,520 Speaker 1: into your homes. 8 00:00:18,520 --> 00:00:21,480 Speaker 2: And if you're ever in our area, please stop by 9 00:00:21,520 --> 00:00:23,720 Speaker 2: and be a part of one of our services. I 10 00:00:23,880 --> 00:00:26,280 Speaker 2: promise you we'll make you feel right at home. But 11 00:00:26,320 --> 00:00:28,680 Speaker 2: thanks so much for tuning in, and thank you again 12 00:00:28,720 --> 00:00:31,040 Speaker 2: for coming out today. And I'd like to start with 13 00:00:31,040 --> 00:00:33,919 Speaker 2: something funny each week. And I heard about this airplane 14 00:00:34,000 --> 00:00:36,760 Speaker 2: it was about to land. The flight attendant came over 15 00:00:36,840 --> 00:00:39,360 Speaker 2: the loud speaker and said, we'd like you to help 16 00:00:39,440 --> 00:00:42,519 Speaker 2: welcome our new co pilot. He's about to make his 17 00:00:42,680 --> 00:00:46,080 Speaker 2: first commercial landing, so when the plane stops, give him 18 00:00:46,080 --> 00:00:48,800 Speaker 2: a big round of applause. A few minutes later, the 19 00:00:48,840 --> 00:00:52,840 Speaker 2: plane made an extremely bumpy landing, bouncing up and down. 20 00:00:53,240 --> 00:00:55,680 Speaker 2: She came back on said thanks for flying with us today, 21 00:00:55,960 --> 00:00:58,680 Speaker 2: and don't forget to tell our new copilot which one 22 00:00:58,720 --> 00:01:00,520 Speaker 2: of his three landings like best. 23 00:01:02,120 --> 00:01:04,319 Speaker 1: All right, hold up your Bible. Say it like you 24 00:01:04,400 --> 00:01:04,720 Speaker 1: mean it. 25 00:01:05,240 --> 00:01:08,280 Speaker 2: This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. 26 00:01:08,880 --> 00:01:11,520 Speaker 2: I have what it says I have. I can do 27 00:01:11,640 --> 00:01:14,399 Speaker 2: what it says I can do. Today I will be 28 00:01:14,480 --> 00:01:18,720 Speaker 2: taught the word of God. I boldly confess. My mind 29 00:01:18,840 --> 00:01:22,440 Speaker 2: is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never be 30 00:01:22,560 --> 00:01:27,319 Speaker 2: the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. I want 31 00:01:27,360 --> 00:01:31,760 Speaker 2: to talk to you today about divine connections. I believe 32 00:01:31,920 --> 00:01:34,559 Speaker 2: if you will stay in faith and be a person 33 00:01:34,600 --> 00:01:38,119 Speaker 2: of excellence, God will always bring the right people into 34 00:01:38,160 --> 00:01:41,640 Speaker 2: your life. Just as he's put the dreams and desires 35 00:01:41,680 --> 00:01:45,040 Speaker 2: in your heart, God has already lined up the people 36 00:01:45,120 --> 00:01:48,639 Speaker 2: you need to help bring those dreams to pass. God 37 00:01:48,720 --> 00:01:52,000 Speaker 2: knows who you need to know. He knows who's going 38 00:01:52,080 --> 00:01:54,280 Speaker 2: to need to give you a break. Ten years from now, 39 00:01:55,120 --> 00:01:58,480 Speaker 2: you single people, God already has your mate lined up. 40 00:01:58,720 --> 00:02:01,960 Speaker 2: He's already picked out the perfect the person one man 41 00:02:02,000 --> 00:02:06,640 Speaker 2: received it. You don't have to struggle, you don't have 42 00:02:06,720 --> 00:02:08,240 Speaker 2: to try to make things happen. 43 00:02:08,639 --> 00:02:11,000 Speaker 1: All you have to do is stay in faith. 44 00:02:11,440 --> 00:02:14,440 Speaker 2: If you'll keep being your best day in and day out, 45 00:02:14,680 --> 00:02:15,360 Speaker 2: God will. 46 00:02:15,160 --> 00:02:16,840 Speaker 1: Give you divine connections. 47 00:02:17,320 --> 00:02:20,120 Speaker 2: But too often we try to make things happen in 48 00:02:20,160 --> 00:02:23,560 Speaker 2: our own strength. How many people at the office play 49 00:02:23,639 --> 00:02:26,280 Speaker 2: up to the boss, play politics to try to get 50 00:02:26,280 --> 00:02:29,960 Speaker 2: that promotion. I've known people they're friends with a person 51 00:02:30,400 --> 00:02:33,760 Speaker 2: only because of the other people that person knows they're 52 00:02:33,840 --> 00:02:37,359 Speaker 2: using one person to get to another. Usually when that happens, 53 00:02:37,560 --> 00:02:40,280 Speaker 2: we end up letting them control us. But there's a 54 00:02:40,320 --> 00:02:43,120 Speaker 2: real freedom when you realize God wants to give you 55 00:02:43,280 --> 00:02:46,800 Speaker 2: divine connections. That means you don't have to play up 56 00:02:46,800 --> 00:02:49,480 Speaker 2: to someone to try to get them to like you. 57 00:02:49,480 --> 00:02:50,240 Speaker 1: You don't have to. 58 00:02:50,160 --> 00:02:52,840 Speaker 2: Worry because you haven't met the man or woman of 59 00:02:52,880 --> 00:02:56,000 Speaker 2: your dreams. You don't have to live frustrated because you 60 00:02:56,000 --> 00:02:58,480 Speaker 2: don't have all the connections you need right now. 61 00:02:58,720 --> 00:03:00,720 Speaker 1: No, God has it all planned out. 62 00:03:01,120 --> 00:03:03,600 Speaker 2: As long as you stay in faith, he'll bring the 63 00:03:03,720 --> 00:03:08,040 Speaker 2: right people across your path. He'll give you divine connections. Now, 64 00:03:08,040 --> 00:03:10,720 Speaker 2: a divine connection is when you know it had to 65 00:03:10,720 --> 00:03:13,080 Speaker 2: be God. He caused you to be at the right 66 00:03:13,120 --> 00:03:16,600 Speaker 2: place at the right time. I remember a few years ago, 67 00:03:16,919 --> 00:03:19,359 Speaker 2: Victoria and I were out of state taking a few 68 00:03:19,440 --> 00:03:22,520 Speaker 2: days off. I got up early one Sunday morning I 69 00:03:22,560 --> 00:03:24,359 Speaker 2: watched this minister on television. 70 00:03:24,560 --> 00:03:25,560 Speaker 1: He was very good. 71 00:03:25,919 --> 00:03:28,720 Speaker 2: I said, Victoria, let's go to his church today. We 72 00:03:28,760 --> 00:03:31,000 Speaker 2: called the front desk and they said it was over 73 00:03:31,120 --> 00:03:32,080 Speaker 2: an hour away. 74 00:03:32,360 --> 00:03:33,720 Speaker 1: We didn't have time to make it. 75 00:03:34,240 --> 00:03:37,119 Speaker 2: And normally when we're on vacation, we may not typically 76 00:03:37,160 --> 00:03:39,400 Speaker 2: go to church because we're in church all the time. 77 00:03:39,440 --> 00:03:42,080 Speaker 2: But for some reason, I grabbed the phone book and 78 00:03:42,120 --> 00:03:44,480 Speaker 2: I opened it up and I saw this other minister 79 00:03:44,560 --> 00:03:47,520 Speaker 2: that I recognized. I'd never met him, but I'd seen 80 00:03:47,600 --> 00:03:50,240 Speaker 2: him a few times before. We found out his church 81 00:03:50,320 --> 00:03:52,400 Speaker 2: was just a few minutes down the road. So we 82 00:03:52,480 --> 00:03:55,520 Speaker 2: went to the service, and afterwards the pastor came up 83 00:03:55,560 --> 00:03:58,400 Speaker 2: to say hello. I didn't talk to that man for 84 00:03:58,520 --> 00:04:01,720 Speaker 2: ninety seconds before I knew this was a divine connection. 85 00:04:02,480 --> 00:04:04,960 Speaker 1: Some people you just feel good about. 86 00:04:05,080 --> 00:04:07,840 Speaker 2: You just know it's right down in here. I felt 87 00:04:07,880 --> 00:04:10,320 Speaker 2: like I'd known that man for ten years. When we 88 00:04:10,400 --> 00:04:13,720 Speaker 2: left that day, I knew that was God directing my steps. 89 00:04:13,920 --> 00:04:17,200 Speaker 2: We became close friends. Well. A few years later, I 90 00:04:17,279 --> 00:04:21,120 Speaker 2: was going somewhere with him and he introduced me almost 91 00:04:21,279 --> 00:04:24,800 Speaker 2: in passing to a person that he knows that's very 92 00:04:24,839 --> 00:04:29,360 Speaker 2: knowledgeable in the publishing industry. It was that connection that 93 00:04:29,480 --> 00:04:31,239 Speaker 2: led to me writing my first book. 94 00:04:31,680 --> 00:04:33,560 Speaker 1: What I want you to see is God has it 95 00:04:33,600 --> 00:04:36,280 Speaker 1: all lined up. This door's gonna close so you can 96 00:04:36,279 --> 00:04:37,280 Speaker 1: meet this other man. 97 00:04:37,480 --> 00:04:39,760 Speaker 2: He's gonna introduce you to his friend who's gonna give 98 00:04:39,800 --> 00:04:42,440 Speaker 2: you a break, and on and on. God is in 99 00:04:42,480 --> 00:04:45,720 Speaker 2: control of our lives. He's got the people you need 100 00:04:45,960 --> 00:04:49,520 Speaker 2: to bring your dreams to pass. Why don't you quit worrying? 101 00:04:50,040 --> 00:04:52,880 Speaker 2: Why don't you quit trying to make everything happen and 102 00:04:53,000 --> 00:04:55,960 Speaker 2: instead just stay in faith. When you do that, the 103 00:04:56,000 --> 00:04:59,680 Speaker 2: scripture says, God will give you the desires of your heart. 104 00:05:00,240 --> 00:05:03,480 Speaker 2: Looking back over my life, I can see every major 105 00:05:03,560 --> 00:05:06,520 Speaker 2: break that I've gotten when I met a lifelong friend, 106 00:05:07,000 --> 00:05:10,360 Speaker 2: or where I met victoria, where somebody showed me favor 107 00:05:10,360 --> 00:05:13,640 Speaker 2: and opened the door. Not one of those times did 108 00:05:13,680 --> 00:05:15,960 Speaker 2: I have to struggle and try to make it happen. 109 00:05:16,400 --> 00:05:19,359 Speaker 2: Not one time did I have to manipulate someone and 110 00:05:19,440 --> 00:05:22,000 Speaker 2: try to talk them into giving me a break. Now, 111 00:05:22,080 --> 00:05:25,400 Speaker 2: every time things just fell into place. What am I saying? 112 00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:28,600 Speaker 1: Trust God to bring you divine connections. 113 00:05:29,160 --> 00:05:31,440 Speaker 2: You don't have to play up to someone to try 114 00:05:31,480 --> 00:05:34,040 Speaker 2: to make them like you. If someone doesn't want to 115 00:05:34,080 --> 00:05:37,240 Speaker 2: be your friends, you know what, it's their loss, not yours. 116 00:05:37,440 --> 00:05:41,120 Speaker 2: You don't need them to fulfill your destiny. God has 117 00:05:41,200 --> 00:05:44,960 Speaker 2: the right people already lined up for you if they 118 00:05:44,960 --> 00:05:47,240 Speaker 2: don't want to be in relationship with you. Of course 119 00:05:47,279 --> 00:05:50,559 Speaker 2: you can be kind and respectful, but your attitude should 120 00:05:50,600 --> 00:05:52,719 Speaker 2: be I don't have to have you to get to 121 00:05:52,760 --> 00:05:54,920 Speaker 2: where I need to be. I know God is in 122 00:05:54,960 --> 00:05:57,600 Speaker 2: control of my life, and at the right time, He's 123 00:05:57,640 --> 00:05:59,840 Speaker 2: going to bring the right people to help me fulfill 124 00:05:59,920 --> 00:06:03,839 Speaker 2: me my destiny. We all go through different seasons, even 125 00:06:03,839 --> 00:06:04,839 Speaker 2: in friendships. 126 00:06:05,200 --> 00:06:06,080 Speaker 1: Maybe for ten or. 127 00:06:06,000 --> 00:06:09,039 Speaker 2: Fifteen years you were best friends with the person. You 128 00:06:09,240 --> 00:06:11,040 Speaker 2: enjoyed spending that time together. 129 00:06:11,520 --> 00:06:13,120 Speaker 1: But now it's a new season. 130 00:06:13,680 --> 00:06:16,360 Speaker 2: Of course you can still be friends, but maybe you 131 00:06:16,400 --> 00:06:19,520 Speaker 2: can't spend as much time together. The kids aren't in 132 00:06:19,560 --> 00:06:22,640 Speaker 2: the same school, you're going in different directions. Well, that 133 00:06:22,800 --> 00:06:25,799 Speaker 2: season is over. Now God wants to bring you new friends. 134 00:06:26,400 --> 00:06:30,719 Speaker 2: The scripture says in Ecclesiastes three to eleven, everything is 135 00:06:30,800 --> 00:06:34,680 Speaker 2: beautiful in its time. Hey, you say, Joel, this guy 136 00:06:34,839 --> 00:06:36,920 Speaker 2: was dating the girl I was dating. She broke up 137 00:06:36,960 --> 00:06:40,279 Speaker 2: with me, and I'm so discouraged. No, that just means 138 00:06:40,360 --> 00:06:43,560 Speaker 2: God has somebody better in store for you. Recognize that 139 00:06:43,640 --> 00:06:46,120 Speaker 2: season is over. Be grateful, for it. 140 00:06:46,279 --> 00:06:47,520 Speaker 1: Now keep pressing forward. 141 00:06:48,160 --> 00:06:51,559 Speaker 2: Hell, I really wanted this promotion, but my supervisor didn't 142 00:06:51,560 --> 00:06:53,560 Speaker 2: put any good word for me, and I didn't get it. 143 00:06:54,080 --> 00:06:55,560 Speaker 1: No, God's still in control. 144 00:06:55,720 --> 00:06:58,159 Speaker 2: If you'll stay in faith, when God wants you to 145 00:06:58,200 --> 00:07:01,360 Speaker 2: be promoted, He'll make sure the right people come along 146 00:07:01,640 --> 00:07:05,520 Speaker 2: to get you promoted. Instead of getting discouraged trying to 147 00:07:05,560 --> 00:07:08,760 Speaker 2: force everything to happen, it's much better to just say God, 148 00:07:09,200 --> 00:07:12,520 Speaker 2: I'm trusting you to bring me divine connections, people that 149 00:07:12,560 --> 00:07:15,400 Speaker 2: will further me in my dreams, and not people that 150 00:07:15,440 --> 00:07:19,040 Speaker 2: will distract and hold me back. We have to be 151 00:07:19,160 --> 00:07:21,800 Speaker 2: sensitive with whom we get in relationship with. 152 00:07:22,760 --> 00:07:23,840 Speaker 1: Just because someone is. 153 00:07:23,800 --> 00:07:26,360 Speaker 2: Important or they have a circle of friends that we 154 00:07:26,400 --> 00:07:29,600 Speaker 2: would like to know, it doesn't necessarily mean that they're 155 00:07:29,680 --> 00:07:33,080 Speaker 2: right for us. There's this one door that I've been 156 00:07:33,120 --> 00:07:36,640 Speaker 2: praying that God would open again and again. It involves 157 00:07:36,680 --> 00:07:39,720 Speaker 2: a certain person, and in the natural, it seems like 158 00:07:39,760 --> 00:07:42,560 Speaker 2: a perfect fit. I can't see any reason why it 159 00:07:42,560 --> 00:07:46,080 Speaker 2: wouldn't open. But I've learned that God knows what's best 160 00:07:46,120 --> 00:07:49,280 Speaker 2: for us. And sometimes when a door's not opening, it's 161 00:07:49,320 --> 00:07:52,520 Speaker 2: because God doesn't want it to open. It may be 162 00:07:52,520 --> 00:07:54,800 Speaker 2: because it's going to do us more harm than good, 163 00:07:55,160 --> 00:07:57,920 Speaker 2: or it's gonna limit our growth. And one of the 164 00:07:57,960 --> 00:08:01,600 Speaker 2: main prayers I pray every day is God, bring the 165 00:08:01,720 --> 00:08:04,880 Speaker 2: right people into my life and weed out those that 166 00:08:04,920 --> 00:08:08,280 Speaker 2: shouldn't be there. I believe the second part is just 167 00:08:08,400 --> 00:08:11,360 Speaker 2: as important as the first part because God can bring 168 00:08:11,440 --> 00:08:14,080 Speaker 2: the right people, but if we're still attached to the 169 00:08:14,120 --> 00:08:18,360 Speaker 2: wrong people, it's going to hinder our progress. Stay sensitive 170 00:08:18,600 --> 00:08:22,720 Speaker 2: and wait for God to bring you divine connections. Really, 171 00:08:23,200 --> 00:08:26,440 Speaker 2: life is too short to get in relationship with the 172 00:08:26,440 --> 00:08:29,960 Speaker 2: wrong people. They may be important or it may look 173 00:08:29,960 --> 00:08:32,440 Speaker 2: impressive to be seen around them, but you have to 174 00:08:32,440 --> 00:08:35,200 Speaker 2: get past all the surface and see what you're feeling 175 00:08:35,240 --> 00:08:38,880 Speaker 2: right down in here. Listen to the still small voice. 176 00:08:38,960 --> 00:08:41,680 Speaker 2: I know this couple. They seem to be fine people. 177 00:08:42,000 --> 00:08:44,640 Speaker 2: They come from good families, and they've got a lot. 178 00:08:44,559 --> 00:08:45,080 Speaker 1: Going for them. 179 00:08:45,080 --> 00:08:48,760 Speaker 2: They're very influential and in the natural, they would be 180 00:08:48,840 --> 00:08:50,960 Speaker 2: good people for me to get to know. Maybe they 181 00:08:51,000 --> 00:08:54,240 Speaker 2: could introduce me to some other influential people. And over 182 00:08:54,280 --> 00:08:58,520 Speaker 2: the years, I've had numerous opportunities to get close to them. 183 00:08:59,040 --> 00:09:01,520 Speaker 2: I've had friends that know them real well and they 184 00:09:01,559 --> 00:09:04,040 Speaker 2: want to set up dinner engagements, so we can get 185 00:09:04,080 --> 00:09:07,439 Speaker 2: better acquainted, But every time I just don't feel good 186 00:09:07,440 --> 00:09:10,720 Speaker 2: about it. I can't quite put my finger on it. 187 00:09:10,760 --> 00:09:13,640 Speaker 2: Doesn't mean that they're bad people, doesn't mean there's something 188 00:09:13,679 --> 00:09:16,560 Speaker 2: wrong with them, but I'm sensitive enough to know down 189 00:09:16,600 --> 00:09:19,720 Speaker 2: and here they're just not right for me. I've learned 190 00:09:19,720 --> 00:09:22,880 Speaker 2: to wait for divine connections, for God to bring the 191 00:09:23,000 --> 00:09:24,400 Speaker 2: right people into my life. 192 00:09:24,920 --> 00:09:26,360 Speaker 1: Too often we'll. 193 00:09:26,200 --> 00:09:30,160 Speaker 2: Just jump into something because somebody is influential or because 194 00:09:30,200 --> 00:09:33,400 Speaker 2: they know the boss real well. All that time, we 195 00:09:33,400 --> 00:09:35,760 Speaker 2: can feel the alarm down in here. We can feel 196 00:09:35,760 --> 00:09:39,840 Speaker 2: that unrest. Too many times we just ignore that. I 197 00:09:39,960 --> 00:09:43,679 Speaker 2: found out several years later that couple had some questionable 198 00:09:43,720 --> 00:09:47,800 Speaker 2: things concerning their integrity. They were bitter toward another person, 199 00:09:47,880 --> 00:09:51,280 Speaker 2: talking behind their back. Now I can see why. Now 200 00:09:51,400 --> 00:09:54,800 Speaker 2: God closed that door. We can only see on the surface, 201 00:09:54,960 --> 00:09:56,600 Speaker 2: but God looks at a person's heart. 202 00:09:57,160 --> 00:09:58,240 Speaker 1: If you don't feel good. 203 00:09:58,120 --> 00:10:01,160 Speaker 2: About someone or something, if it's not because God is 204 00:10:01,160 --> 00:10:03,800 Speaker 2: trying to hold you back, it's because he's trying to 205 00:10:03,880 --> 00:10:05,079 Speaker 2: keep you on his best path. 206 00:10:06,040 --> 00:10:06,679 Speaker 1: And we have to. 207 00:10:06,679 --> 00:10:11,760 Speaker 2: Realize that spirits are transferable. When you get in relationship 208 00:10:11,800 --> 00:10:14,120 Speaker 2: with someone, you don't just get the. 209 00:10:14,160 --> 00:10:17,640 Speaker 1: Natural or the physical. You get the spiritual as well. 210 00:10:18,240 --> 00:10:20,960 Speaker 2: In other words, if you hang around someone that's jealous, 211 00:10:21,280 --> 00:10:24,360 Speaker 2: that jealous spirit can get off on you. If you're 212 00:10:24,520 --> 00:10:27,640 Speaker 2: around someone that has a lack of integrity, that spirit 213 00:10:27,679 --> 00:10:29,240 Speaker 2: of compromise can affect you. 214 00:10:29,800 --> 00:10:30,400 Speaker 1: Or maybe they. 215 00:10:30,280 --> 00:10:33,680 Speaker 2: Don't treat people right, they're rude and disrespectful. Or don't 216 00:10:33,679 --> 00:10:36,800 Speaker 2: be surprised if before long you're the same way we 217 00:10:36,880 --> 00:10:40,240 Speaker 2: become just like the people we associate with. You have 218 00:10:40,280 --> 00:10:42,920 Speaker 2: to pay attention to what you're feeling down in here. 219 00:10:43,320 --> 00:10:46,080 Speaker 2: If it doesn't feel right, Sure, you can still be 220 00:10:46,120 --> 00:10:49,479 Speaker 2: friends from a distance. You can still be kind and courteous, 221 00:10:49,640 --> 00:10:52,280 Speaker 2: but you should not allow them to get close to you. 222 00:10:52,520 --> 00:10:55,640 Speaker 1: Don't let them into your inner circle. God has the 223 00:10:55,760 --> 00:10:57,839 Speaker 1: right people to bring into your life. 224 00:10:58,400 --> 00:11:01,120 Speaker 2: But if you're spending all your time with the wrong people, 225 00:11:01,480 --> 00:11:03,679 Speaker 2: you're not gonna be where you should be when the 226 00:11:03,800 --> 00:11:05,319 Speaker 2: right people come across your path. 227 00:11:06,160 --> 00:11:07,559 Speaker 1: You may be thinking, Joel, where. 228 00:11:07,360 --> 00:11:10,280 Speaker 2: Are all my divine connections? I'm not getting these breaks 229 00:11:10,280 --> 00:11:11,240 Speaker 2: that you're talking about. 230 00:11:11,640 --> 00:11:12,760 Speaker 1: Well, could it. 231 00:11:12,760 --> 00:11:15,640 Speaker 2: Be that you're still hanging around the wrong people. Maybe 232 00:11:15,679 --> 00:11:18,520 Speaker 2: you need to make some adjustments and just be honest 233 00:11:18,520 --> 00:11:21,480 Speaker 2: and say, God, I know this friend is pulling me down, 234 00:11:22,120 --> 00:11:24,320 Speaker 2: or I know I got into this relationship for the 235 00:11:24,360 --> 00:11:25,760 Speaker 2: wrong reason, and I. 236 00:11:25,720 --> 00:11:27,079 Speaker 1: Still don't feel good about it. 237 00:11:27,320 --> 00:11:30,840 Speaker 2: So God, I'm gonna make some changes and start trusting 238 00:11:30,920 --> 00:11:33,360 Speaker 2: you to bring the right people into my life. 239 00:11:34,160 --> 00:11:35,240 Speaker 1: When you obey that. 240 00:11:35,320 --> 00:11:39,960 Speaker 2: Still small voice, God's blessings will chase you down. You 241 00:11:40,040 --> 00:11:42,720 Speaker 2: won't have to try to find new friends. You won't 242 00:11:42,800 --> 00:11:45,280 Speaker 2: have to manipulate people into giving you a break. 243 00:11:45,679 --> 00:11:46,600 Speaker 1: Now, when you walk in. 244 00:11:46,600 --> 00:11:49,559 Speaker 2: Obedience, you won't be able to outrun the good things 245 00:11:49,559 --> 00:11:51,720 Speaker 2: of God. People will want to be good to you, 246 00:11:52,000 --> 00:11:54,880 Speaker 2: and they don't even know why. It's because you have 247 00:11:54,960 --> 00:11:57,800 Speaker 2: the favor of God on your life. I was thinking 248 00:11:57,840 --> 00:12:02,760 Speaker 2: about the apostle Paul. He spent years persecuting Christians. One day, 249 00:12:02,760 --> 00:12:06,280 Speaker 2: God supernaturally turned his life around, and now he had 250 00:12:06,280 --> 00:12:09,520 Speaker 2: a message to share with God's people. But the problem 251 00:12:09,720 --> 00:12:12,319 Speaker 2: was nobody would have anything to do with Paul. 252 00:12:12,520 --> 00:12:13,800 Speaker 1: They were all afraid of him. 253 00:12:14,480 --> 00:12:18,160 Speaker 2: But the scripture says God brought Barnabas across Paul's path 254 00:12:18,559 --> 00:12:21,640 Speaker 2: and they developed this friendship. Barnabas went back to the 255 00:12:21,679 --> 00:12:22,840 Speaker 2: people and said, it's. 256 00:12:22,760 --> 00:12:25,440 Speaker 1: Okay, let Paul come. He's for real. 257 00:12:26,120 --> 00:12:29,520 Speaker 2: In other words, he used his influence to open a 258 00:12:29,600 --> 00:12:32,280 Speaker 2: door to Paul for a whole new group of people. 259 00:12:32,880 --> 00:12:35,200 Speaker 2: Paul went on to write over half of the New Testament. 260 00:12:35,679 --> 00:12:39,000 Speaker 2: But think about if Barnabas had not come along and 261 00:12:39,080 --> 00:12:42,080 Speaker 2: put his stamp of approval on Paul, Paul may not 262 00:12:42,160 --> 00:12:43,520 Speaker 2: have had the impact. 263 00:12:43,160 --> 00:12:43,720 Speaker 1: That he had. 264 00:12:44,360 --> 00:12:47,760 Speaker 2: But no, God always has a plan. God already had 265 00:12:47,840 --> 00:12:51,319 Speaker 2: Barnabas lined up. You may be thinking, Joel, how can 266 00:12:51,360 --> 00:12:54,560 Speaker 2: I fulfill my dreams? How can I get that promotion? Listen, 267 00:12:54,840 --> 00:12:57,160 Speaker 2: all God has to do is send the Barnabas across 268 00:12:57,160 --> 00:12:57,600 Speaker 2: your path. 269 00:12:58,080 --> 00:13:00,000 Speaker 1: He did it for Paul, he can do it for you. 270 00:13:00,559 --> 00:13:03,600 Speaker 2: Remember, all it takes is one touch of God's favor, 271 00:13:04,480 --> 00:13:07,199 Speaker 2: one person putting in the right word for you at 272 00:13:07,200 --> 00:13:09,520 Speaker 2: the right time. You'll go to a whole new level. 273 00:13:10,280 --> 00:13:13,439 Speaker 2: One person introducing you to their friend, and all of 274 00:13:13,440 --> 00:13:16,200 Speaker 2: a sudden you met the man or woman of your dreams. 275 00:13:16,280 --> 00:13:19,520 Speaker 2: Just one Barnabas coming across your path to say, hey, 276 00:13:19,800 --> 00:13:22,720 Speaker 2: let me use my influence. Now all these other doors 277 00:13:22,760 --> 00:13:25,680 Speaker 2: open up. I don't know about you, but I'm believing 278 00:13:25,760 --> 00:13:28,320 Speaker 2: for some Barnabas is in my life. People that will 279 00:13:28,320 --> 00:13:31,040 Speaker 2: want to help me, people that will open up doors 280 00:13:31,240 --> 00:13:31,959 Speaker 2: that would not have. 281 00:13:31,960 --> 00:13:32,839 Speaker 1: Normally been opened. 282 00:13:33,880 --> 00:13:36,760 Speaker 2: And when God gives you a Barnabas, when he gives 283 00:13:36,760 --> 00:13:39,360 Speaker 2: you one touch of his favor, that'll do more in 284 00:13:39,400 --> 00:13:42,200 Speaker 2: a split second than you could do in your whole lifetime. 285 00:13:42,640 --> 00:13:46,600 Speaker 2: I was reading about Billy Graham back in nineteen forty nine. 286 00:13:46,640 --> 00:13:50,400 Speaker 2: He was a young minister traveling the country, holding meetings 287 00:13:50,400 --> 00:13:53,880 Speaker 2: in large auditoriums. He was having good success, but he 288 00:13:54,040 --> 00:13:58,080 Speaker 2: was not nationally known. And that summer he was conducting 289 00:13:58,120 --> 00:14:01,560 Speaker 2: a crusade in Los Angeles, and it just so happened 290 00:14:01,720 --> 00:14:04,719 Speaker 2: one night there was a gentleman in the audience by 291 00:14:04,760 --> 00:14:08,640 Speaker 2: the name of William Randolph Hurst. Mister Hurst was a 292 00:14:08,640 --> 00:14:13,120 Speaker 2: newspaper magnet. He owned newspapers all across the country, and 293 00:14:13,200 --> 00:14:16,240 Speaker 2: he was so impressed with Billy Graham that night he 294 00:14:16,360 --> 00:14:20,120 Speaker 2: sent word to all of his newspapers to write favorable 295 00:14:20,320 --> 00:14:25,160 Speaker 2: articles concerning doctor Graham. The next week, the whole country 296 00:14:25,240 --> 00:14:28,880 Speaker 2: was talking about this young minister. Billy Graham came into 297 00:14:28,960 --> 00:14:33,480 Speaker 2: national prominence practically overnight, all because of this one man. 298 00:14:34,080 --> 00:14:37,880 Speaker 2: What happened, God sent a Barnabas across his path. That 299 00:14:38,080 --> 00:14:42,160 Speaker 2: one favorable word did more for him to gain influence 300 00:14:42,480 --> 00:14:45,040 Speaker 2: and credibility than he could have done on his own 301 00:14:45,200 --> 00:14:49,920 Speaker 2: in his whole lifetime. Understand, our destiny is connected to 302 00:14:50,000 --> 00:14:53,480 Speaker 2: other people, But the good news is God already has 303 00:14:53,560 --> 00:14:57,080 Speaker 2: them lined up. You don't have to worry, you don't 304 00:14:57,120 --> 00:15:00,440 Speaker 2: have to struggle. God has all the barnabases you're. 305 00:15:00,240 --> 00:15:00,920 Speaker 1: Ever gonna need. 306 00:15:01,600 --> 00:15:04,480 Speaker 2: The key is to just stay in faith, keep believing, 307 00:15:04,720 --> 00:15:07,200 Speaker 2: knowing that God has it all planned out. A few 308 00:15:07,280 --> 00:15:10,160 Speaker 2: years after Victoria and I were married, we needed some 309 00:15:10,240 --> 00:15:13,040 Speaker 2: tax at vice. The person that had been doing our 310 00:15:13,080 --> 00:15:16,120 Speaker 2: taxes lived out of state. He wasn't familiar with a 311 00:15:16,120 --> 00:15:18,760 Speaker 2: certain law in Texas, and it looked like we may 312 00:15:18,800 --> 00:15:21,920 Speaker 2: owe some back taxes, and we were so discouraged. 313 00:15:22,240 --> 00:15:23,400 Speaker 1: We were a young couple. 314 00:15:23,480 --> 00:15:26,120 Speaker 2: It was Christmas time and we didn't know what to do. 315 00:15:26,840 --> 00:15:30,640 Speaker 2: Long story short, we came across this tax attorney and 316 00:15:30,680 --> 00:15:33,640 Speaker 2: we just hit it off. He was a very good man, 317 00:15:33,840 --> 00:15:36,680 Speaker 2: not only knowledgeable, but he was fun to be around. 318 00:15:37,080 --> 00:15:40,160 Speaker 2: We ended up becoming close friends. He took care of 319 00:15:40,160 --> 00:15:43,280 Speaker 2: that situation and it ended up working out to our favor, 320 00:15:43,720 --> 00:15:46,320 Speaker 2: and over the next few years we didn't talk to 321 00:15:46,400 --> 00:15:49,440 Speaker 2: him that often, maybe once or twice a year, but 322 00:15:49,560 --> 00:15:52,240 Speaker 2: every time we did it was like old times, like 323 00:15:52,280 --> 00:15:53,520 Speaker 2: we'd been together forever. 324 00:15:54,080 --> 00:15:54,280 Speaker 1: Well. 325 00:15:54,320 --> 00:15:57,960 Speaker 2: Several years after that, a once in a lifetime business 326 00:15:57,960 --> 00:16:01,480 Speaker 2: opportunity came across our path, and Victoria and I knew 327 00:16:01,480 --> 00:16:04,040 Speaker 2: we wanted to pursue it, but we didn't even know 328 00:16:04,120 --> 00:16:07,280 Speaker 2: where to start. So we just called our old friend, 329 00:16:07,640 --> 00:16:10,920 Speaker 2: this tax attorney, and even though it wasn't in his field, 330 00:16:11,200 --> 00:16:13,600 Speaker 2: he said, sure, Joel, I'll help you, and he took 331 00:16:13,640 --> 00:16:17,800 Speaker 2: that deal. He negotiated it, wrote the contracts, convinced all 332 00:16:17,840 --> 00:16:18,800 Speaker 2: the different parties. 333 00:16:19,040 --> 00:16:20,640 Speaker 1: Before long it all came together. 334 00:16:21,640 --> 00:16:25,320 Speaker 2: I know now looking back, that man was a divine connection. 335 00:16:26,120 --> 00:16:29,680 Speaker 2: God brought him into our lives several years earlier. 336 00:16:29,640 --> 00:16:31,800 Speaker 1: Just so we could develop that relationship with him. 337 00:16:32,560 --> 00:16:35,440 Speaker 2: Had we not been familiar with him, had we not 338 00:16:35,520 --> 00:16:37,840 Speaker 2: known that we could trust him, I don't think this 339 00:16:37,960 --> 00:16:41,160 Speaker 2: other deal would have ever come together. The truth is 340 00:16:41,520 --> 00:16:44,960 Speaker 2: God used the tax issue to get him into our life. 341 00:16:45,000 --> 00:16:47,200 Speaker 2: If we had never had that problem, we would have 342 00:16:47,240 --> 00:16:51,320 Speaker 2: never met that man. What I'm saying is, sometimes when 343 00:16:51,360 --> 00:16:55,480 Speaker 2: it looks negative, sometimes what looks like a disappointment is 344 00:16:55,520 --> 00:16:58,440 Speaker 2: really God just getting you prepared for what He has 345 00:16:58,480 --> 00:17:01,840 Speaker 2: in store. They not see how it's gonna work out, right, now. 346 00:17:02,000 --> 00:17:04,840 Speaker 2: But if you'll stay in faith, I believe God will 347 00:17:04,840 --> 00:17:08,800 Speaker 2: turn it around. He will still use that to your advantage. Now, 348 00:17:08,840 --> 00:17:11,919 Speaker 2: I'm asking you today to believe that God is in 349 00:17:11,960 --> 00:17:12,920 Speaker 2: control of your life. 350 00:17:13,680 --> 00:17:16,280 Speaker 1: Believe that He's gonna bring the right people at the 351 00:17:16,359 --> 00:17:16,960 Speaker 1: right time. 352 00:17:17,640 --> 00:17:20,520 Speaker 2: And even when it looks like a disappointment, even when 353 00:17:20,520 --> 00:17:24,560 Speaker 2: your plans didn't work out, remember God is still directing 354 00:17:24,600 --> 00:17:25,240 Speaker 2: your steps. 355 00:17:25,760 --> 00:17:28,400 Speaker 1: You don't know who you're gonna meet like we did. 356 00:17:28,640 --> 00:17:31,080 Speaker 1: That's gonna help you years down the road. Just stay 357 00:17:31,080 --> 00:17:31,600 Speaker 1: in faith. 358 00:17:32,320 --> 00:17:34,359 Speaker 2: And I know some of you today are single and 359 00:17:34,680 --> 00:17:36,199 Speaker 2: you have a desire to get married. 360 00:17:36,359 --> 00:17:37,640 Speaker 1: Let me just encourage you again. 361 00:17:38,119 --> 00:17:42,000 Speaker 2: God already has the right person picked out. You may 362 00:17:42,040 --> 00:17:45,240 Speaker 2: be divorced or maybe you're a widow, and you're tempted 363 00:17:45,240 --> 00:17:47,280 Speaker 2: to think, oh, Joel, it's too late for me, I'll 364 00:17:47,320 --> 00:17:51,400 Speaker 2: never meet anybody. No, God still has a plan. God 365 00:17:51,480 --> 00:17:55,120 Speaker 2: is concerned about you. God's the one that said it's 366 00:17:55,200 --> 00:17:58,760 Speaker 2: not good for a man or a woman to be alone. 367 00:17:59,040 --> 00:18:01,960 Speaker 2: God doesn't want you to go through life lonely. You 368 00:18:02,040 --> 00:18:04,960 Speaker 2: may have been divorced or maybe you even lost your spouse. 369 00:18:05,560 --> 00:18:08,960 Speaker 2: But if you have a desire to meet someone, God 370 00:18:09,040 --> 00:18:11,399 Speaker 2: put that in your heart, and he wants. 371 00:18:11,160 --> 00:18:13,480 Speaker 1: To bring the right person into your life. 372 00:18:14,200 --> 00:18:16,320 Speaker 2: You may not see how it's gonna happen, but let 373 00:18:16,359 --> 00:18:18,760 Speaker 2: me challenge you to just keep standing in faith. 374 00:18:19,280 --> 00:18:21,520 Speaker 1: You've heard me tell how I met Victoria. 375 00:18:22,000 --> 00:18:24,680 Speaker 2: I walked into her mother's jewelry store to buy a 376 00:18:24,760 --> 00:18:27,880 Speaker 2: battery for my watch. Think of the chances of that. 377 00:18:28,000 --> 00:18:31,320 Speaker 2: There are hundreds of jewelry stores in Houston. Men, Victoria 378 00:18:31,359 --> 00:18:36,280 Speaker 2: must have really been praying. I'm trying to figure out 379 00:18:36,720 --> 00:18:39,360 Speaker 2: was I her divine connection or was she my divine connection? 380 00:18:40,840 --> 00:18:44,560 Speaker 2: But seriously, I know that was not a coincidence. That 381 00:18:44,720 --> 00:18:48,639 Speaker 2: was God directing my steps. When you stay in faith, 382 00:18:48,920 --> 00:18:50,919 Speaker 2: God will cause you to be at the right place 383 00:18:51,000 --> 00:18:53,639 Speaker 2: at the right time. I think of the story of 384 00:18:53,760 --> 00:18:56,800 Speaker 2: Ruth in the Bible. She was a widow, she lost 385 00:18:56,840 --> 00:19:00,000 Speaker 2: her husband in a battle. I'm sure she was discourag 386 00:19:00,680 --> 00:19:02,680 Speaker 2: I'm sure at times she didn't think she'd ever get 387 00:19:02,720 --> 00:19:03,320 Speaker 2: married again. 388 00:19:03,800 --> 00:19:06,800 Speaker 1: But do you know God was concerned about Ruth. 389 00:19:07,240 --> 00:19:10,280 Speaker 2: His plan for her did not end just because something 390 00:19:10,400 --> 00:19:15,160 Speaker 2: unfortunate happened. God brought another man into Ruth's life. Wasn't 391 00:19:15,200 --> 00:19:15,919 Speaker 2: just anybody. 392 00:19:16,359 --> 00:19:17,600 Speaker 1: His name was Boaz. 393 00:19:18,240 --> 00:19:22,080 Speaker 2: He was a leader in his community. He was kind 394 00:19:22,280 --> 00:19:25,320 Speaker 2: and generous. He was wealthy and good lucking. 395 00:19:26,080 --> 00:19:27,800 Speaker 1: Some of you today you may. 396 00:19:27,760 --> 00:19:30,000 Speaker 2: Be a widow, or maybe you've been through a divorce 397 00:19:30,040 --> 00:19:31,600 Speaker 2: and you're thinking, ah, too bad for me. 398 00:19:31,880 --> 00:19:34,280 Speaker 1: But let me tell you God has another bow as 399 00:19:34,359 --> 00:19:34,760 Speaker 1: out there. 400 00:19:35,000 --> 00:19:37,240 Speaker 2: You've got to get your hopes up and get up 401 00:19:37,280 --> 00:19:40,000 Speaker 2: every morning and say, Father, I want to thank you 402 00:19:40,040 --> 00:19:42,920 Speaker 2: for bringing me divine connections. 403 00:19:42,480 --> 00:19:43,720 Speaker 1: Just like you did for Ruth. 404 00:19:44,040 --> 00:19:46,119 Speaker 2: I believe you can cause me to be at the 405 00:19:46,200 --> 00:19:48,959 Speaker 2: right place at the right time. He was reading an 406 00:19:49,000 --> 00:19:52,240 Speaker 2: article about a lady that lost her husband in the war. 407 00:19:52,720 --> 00:19:55,320 Speaker 2: This was many years ago. She had a three year 408 00:19:55,320 --> 00:19:59,879 Speaker 2: old son. Grieving and lonely, she moved back to her hometown. 409 00:20:00,560 --> 00:20:03,720 Speaker 2: She was doing okay, but it was especially difficult during 410 00:20:03,760 --> 00:20:08,200 Speaker 2: the holidays. This one particular Christmas, she saw an unusual 411 00:20:08,280 --> 00:20:12,159 Speaker 2: ad in the newspaper. It said, would anyone with a 412 00:20:12,200 --> 00:20:15,960 Speaker 2: small son be willing to come to Christmas dinner with 413 00:20:16,000 --> 00:20:19,679 Speaker 2: my mother and me? That ad really touched the lady's heart. 414 00:20:20,240 --> 00:20:23,520 Speaker 2: After debating it for several days, she finally called and 415 00:20:23,600 --> 00:20:27,560 Speaker 2: accepted the invitation. This man and his mother were so 416 00:20:27,720 --> 00:20:30,200 Speaker 2: good to her little boy. They gave him all kinds 417 00:20:30,240 --> 00:20:33,520 Speaker 2: of gifts treated him like a king. What this lady 418 00:20:33,680 --> 00:20:37,400 Speaker 2: did not know was earlier that year that man had 419 00:20:37,440 --> 00:20:40,080 Speaker 2: lost his wife and his young son. 420 00:20:40,200 --> 00:20:43,640 Speaker 1: In an automobile accident. He too was a widower. 421 00:20:44,320 --> 00:20:46,880 Speaker 2: The lady told how that was one of the most 422 00:20:46,960 --> 00:20:51,840 Speaker 2: memorable Christmases she had ever spent together. That day, those 423 00:20:51,880 --> 00:20:56,000 Speaker 2: two broken families came together and experienced a happiness they 424 00:20:56,000 --> 00:20:59,199 Speaker 2: thought would never return. She said, the best part was 425 00:20:59,440 --> 00:21:02,320 Speaker 2: the joy was hers to keep. You see, a few 426 00:21:02,320 --> 00:21:04,960 Speaker 2: months later the man that wrote the ad he became 427 00:21:05,040 --> 00:21:08,840 Speaker 2: her husband. God brought the two families together. And no 428 00:21:08,960 --> 00:21:12,680 Speaker 2: matter where you are, no matter what you've been through, 429 00:21:13,040 --> 00:21:16,080 Speaker 2: God always has the right people for the right. 430 00:21:15,880 --> 00:21:17,000 Speaker 1: Time in your life. 431 00:21:17,119 --> 00:21:20,080 Speaker 2: Whether you need a spouse, whether you need a friend, 432 00:21:20,160 --> 00:21:24,679 Speaker 2: whether you need a barnabas. God is in control. Start believing. 433 00:21:25,280 --> 00:21:28,119 Speaker 2: Thank him every day for divine connections. Thank him that 434 00:21:28,160 --> 00:21:30,040 Speaker 2: He's going to cause you to be at the right 435 00:21:30,119 --> 00:21:34,160 Speaker 2: place at the right time. Tewod Kings Chapter five. There's 436 00:21:34,200 --> 00:21:37,760 Speaker 2: the story of Naeman. He was a very well respected 437 00:21:37,760 --> 00:21:40,959 Speaker 2: and influential man. He was a captain in the army. 438 00:21:41,320 --> 00:21:45,560 Speaker 2: But Naeman had leprosy. He couldn't fulfill his dreams with 439 00:21:45,640 --> 00:21:48,800 Speaker 2: that disease. Do you know who God used? You know 440 00:21:48,840 --> 00:21:50,560 Speaker 2: who his divine connection was? 441 00:21:51,200 --> 00:21:51,720 Speaker 1: One of his. 442 00:21:52,119 --> 00:21:55,240 Speaker 2: Servants, just a young maid that helped take care of 443 00:21:55,280 --> 00:21:58,520 Speaker 2: his house. She said, Naeman, if you'll go, let the 444 00:21:58,560 --> 00:22:02,400 Speaker 2: prophet Elisha pray for you, I know you'll be healed. 445 00:22:02,960 --> 00:22:06,160 Speaker 2: It was that one word that turned Naeman's life around. 446 00:22:06,720 --> 00:22:11,720 Speaker 2: What's my point? Don't overlook the so called insignificant people 447 00:22:11,720 --> 00:22:14,240 Speaker 2: in your life, the people you may kind of think 448 00:22:14,280 --> 00:22:17,159 Speaker 2: are not that important. Oh he's just a student, he 449 00:22:17,320 --> 00:22:19,639 Speaker 2: just mows the lawns, he just cleans the house. 450 00:22:20,000 --> 00:22:22,360 Speaker 1: Listen, anybody can be a divine connection. 451 00:22:22,760 --> 00:22:26,760 Speaker 2: Doesn't matter their position, doesn't matter their social standing, color 452 00:22:26,800 --> 00:22:27,399 Speaker 2: of their skin. 453 00:22:27,960 --> 00:22:31,159 Speaker 1: God's uses every person. I know. 454 00:22:31,280 --> 00:22:34,200 Speaker 2: The other day, I was leaving the offices and it'd 455 00:22:34,200 --> 00:22:36,960 Speaker 2: been one of those days where everything that could go 456 00:22:37,080 --> 00:22:40,400 Speaker 2: wrong dead, and I was kind of tired and frustrated 457 00:22:40,400 --> 00:22:43,560 Speaker 2: and even tempted to be a little discouraged. And where 458 00:22:43,560 --> 00:22:46,520 Speaker 2: I park, I noticed a member of our maintenance staff, 459 00:22:46,840 --> 00:22:49,240 Speaker 2: part of the cleaning crew. I don't think i'd ever 460 00:22:49,280 --> 00:22:51,920 Speaker 2: seen this young man before, but he was wearing one 461 00:22:51,920 --> 00:22:54,760 Speaker 2: of our uniforms, and I just said hello and smiled 462 00:22:54,800 --> 00:22:57,600 Speaker 2: and walked on A few seconds later, I saw him 463 00:22:57,600 --> 00:23:00,439 Speaker 2: coming toward the car, and in the most see your 464 00:23:00,520 --> 00:23:02,480 Speaker 2: way you could imagine, he said. 465 00:23:02,320 --> 00:23:04,040 Speaker 1: Joel, I've been wanting to meet you. 466 00:23:04,359 --> 00:23:07,120 Speaker 2: I just want to tell you how much I appreciate 467 00:23:07,200 --> 00:23:10,600 Speaker 2: you helping to change my life. Had big tears coming 468 00:23:10,640 --> 00:23:13,760 Speaker 2: on the side of his face. I thought, that's exactly 469 00:23:13,920 --> 00:23:16,439 Speaker 2: what I needed to hear that day. I knew that 470 00:23:16,600 --> 00:23:20,240 Speaker 2: was a divine connection. Just like Naeman, God sent the 471 00:23:20,320 --> 00:23:22,359 Speaker 2: right person at the right time. 472 00:23:22,400 --> 00:23:24,080 Speaker 1: To give me an encouraging word. 473 00:23:24,720 --> 00:23:29,959 Speaker 2: You cannot let the seemingly insignificance of someone's position fool you, 474 00:23:30,160 --> 00:23:33,080 Speaker 2: because God can use anybody. If Naemon would have been 475 00:23:33,160 --> 00:23:35,440 Speaker 2: too proud, he might have missed out on his miracle. 476 00:23:35,920 --> 00:23:39,239 Speaker 2: If I'd been too busy, too high minded, I might 477 00:23:39,280 --> 00:23:41,080 Speaker 2: have missed out on that encouraging word. 478 00:23:41,200 --> 00:23:42,480 Speaker 1: That was a divine connection. 479 00:23:43,320 --> 00:23:46,160 Speaker 2: Another important key is if you want God to give 480 00:23:46,200 --> 00:23:49,320 Speaker 2: you divine connections, you have to be a divine connection. 481 00:23:50,040 --> 00:23:52,919 Speaker 2: In other words, take time for people, show them that 482 00:23:53,000 --> 00:23:56,320 Speaker 2: you care, be willing to meet a need, put in 483 00:23:56,359 --> 00:24:00,080 Speaker 2: a good word for someone whenever you can. 484 00:24:00,400 --> 00:24:01,120 Speaker 1: Ruth earlier. 485 00:24:01,760 --> 00:24:05,000 Speaker 2: I believe one reason God showed his favor and said 486 00:24:05,080 --> 00:24:09,720 Speaker 2: Boaz was because Ruth was good to her mother in law, Naomi. 487 00:24:10,400 --> 00:24:12,280 Speaker 1: She too was a widow, and. 488 00:24:12,240 --> 00:24:15,359 Speaker 2: When Ruth's husband died, she could easily just bolt and 489 00:24:15,400 --> 00:24:18,879 Speaker 2: move back home, but Ruth decided to stay there with 490 00:24:19,040 --> 00:24:22,280 Speaker 2: Naomi and help take care of her. See, she sowed 491 00:24:22,280 --> 00:24:25,880 Speaker 2: a seed by being a divine connection, and God used 492 00:24:25,880 --> 00:24:27,360 Speaker 2: that seed to bring. 493 00:24:27,119 --> 00:24:29,240 Speaker 1: A divine connection into her own life. 494 00:24:29,720 --> 00:24:32,280 Speaker 2: A few weeks ago, Victoria was calling a friend of 495 00:24:32,320 --> 00:24:35,600 Speaker 2: ours named Shannon. She died the number and this young 496 00:24:35,680 --> 00:24:38,760 Speaker 2: lady answered the phone and seemed somewhat disturbed. 497 00:24:39,320 --> 00:24:40,919 Speaker 1: Victoria says, Shannon, is this you? 498 00:24:41,760 --> 00:24:44,600 Speaker 2: She said, kind of muffled, Yes, it's me, and I'm 499 00:24:44,600 --> 00:24:47,840 Speaker 2: gonna be okay. You could tell she had been crying, 500 00:24:48,280 --> 00:24:49,879 Speaker 2: and Victoria was kind of confused. 501 00:24:49,920 --> 00:24:51,639 Speaker 1: She said, is this Shannon. 502 00:24:51,320 --> 00:24:53,720 Speaker 2: So and so and called her last name. The young 503 00:24:53,800 --> 00:24:56,360 Speaker 2: lady said, no, this is a different Shannon. You must 504 00:24:56,359 --> 00:24:59,560 Speaker 2: have the wrong number. And just as Victoria was about 505 00:24:59,560 --> 00:25:02,280 Speaker 2: to hang up, something said to her, right down and here. 506 00:25:02,680 --> 00:25:05,879 Speaker 1: You need to pray for this young lady here. Victoria 507 00:25:06,160 --> 00:25:07,280 Speaker 1: didn't know her from Adam. 508 00:25:07,720 --> 00:25:09,440 Speaker 2: She could have thought, I'm not going to get involved 509 00:25:09,440 --> 00:25:12,600 Speaker 2: in her personal business. No, she followed that still small 510 00:25:12,680 --> 00:25:16,000 Speaker 2: voice and she said, Shannon, I know you don't know me, 511 00:25:16,400 --> 00:25:18,480 Speaker 2: but would you allow me to pray for you? 512 00:25:19,040 --> 00:25:22,719 Speaker 1: The girl began to weep and weep. She said, oh, yes, please. 513 00:25:23,000 --> 00:25:26,160 Speaker 1: My father just died and I'm so depressed. I don't 514 00:25:26,240 --> 00:25:27,359 Speaker 1: know what I'm going to do. 515 00:25:28,119 --> 00:25:31,719 Speaker 2: Victoria poured her heart of compassion into her, encouraged her, 516 00:25:31,840 --> 00:25:34,480 Speaker 2: let her know that God was still in control. Just 517 00:25:34,520 --> 00:25:37,400 Speaker 2: before the young lady hung up, she said, Victoria, you're 518 00:25:37,440 --> 00:25:40,720 Speaker 2: my angel. I know now God still has a divine 519 00:25:40,760 --> 00:25:45,960 Speaker 2: plan for my life. There was another divine connection. See, 520 00:25:46,040 --> 00:25:50,000 Speaker 2: God already has the people to encourage. 521 00:25:49,480 --> 00:25:51,760 Speaker 1: You, the people to keep you filled with hope. 522 00:25:52,119 --> 00:25:55,080 Speaker 2: But what if Victoria would have been not sensitive and 523 00:25:55,200 --> 00:25:56,919 Speaker 2: too busy and just hung up the phone. 524 00:25:57,240 --> 00:26:00,320 Speaker 1: Now, pay attention to the people around you. Live with 525 00:26:00,359 --> 00:26:04,200 Speaker 1: the attitude. Who can I bless today? Who can I encourage? 526 00:26:04,320 --> 00:26:06,920 Speaker 2: Where is a need I can meet? If you will 527 00:26:06,960 --> 00:26:10,280 Speaker 2: sow a seed by being a divine connection, you can 528 00:26:10,320 --> 00:26:15,080 Speaker 2: rest assured God will always bring you divine connections, no doubt. 529 00:26:15,119 --> 00:26:16,560 Speaker 1: Every one of you can. 530 00:26:16,480 --> 00:26:19,119 Speaker 2: Look back over your life like I did and see 531 00:26:19,160 --> 00:26:22,320 Speaker 2: things that had to be the hand of God. Somebody 532 00:26:22,720 --> 00:26:25,679 Speaker 2: introduced you to your spouse, you met somebody, and they 533 00:26:25,720 --> 00:26:28,359 Speaker 2: opened the door, gave you a new position, gave you 534 00:26:28,400 --> 00:26:32,040 Speaker 2: that job that had to be God working in your life. 535 00:26:32,480 --> 00:26:34,240 Speaker 2: And if he did it for you in the past, 536 00:26:34,400 --> 00:26:35,880 Speaker 2: he'll do it for you in the future. 537 00:26:36,480 --> 00:26:38,760 Speaker 1: He's already got the people you need lined up. 538 00:26:39,280 --> 00:26:42,440 Speaker 2: Stay in faith, get up every morning and thank him 539 00:26:42,440 --> 00:26:43,760 Speaker 2: for divine connections. 540 00:26:44,080 --> 00:26:45,639 Speaker 1: Don't try to force things to happen. 541 00:26:45,960 --> 00:26:48,200 Speaker 2: Just believe he's going to bring the right people into 542 00:26:48,240 --> 00:26:48,840 Speaker 2: your life. 543 00:26:48,960 --> 00:26:50,320 Speaker 1: And know this, He's got a. 544 00:26:50,280 --> 00:26:53,560 Speaker 2: Barnabas when you need a good break, He's got a 545 00:26:53,560 --> 00:26:56,320 Speaker 2: bo as when you need a spouse or a friend, 546 00:26:56,720 --> 00:26:59,320 Speaker 2: and he's got a servant girl when you did advice 547 00:26:59,680 --> 00:27:02,960 Speaker 2: or encouragement. Why don't you believe God's in control of 548 00:27:03,000 --> 00:27:03,600 Speaker 2: your life. 549 00:27:03,840 --> 00:27:04,320 Speaker 1: If you'll just. 550 00:27:04,359 --> 00:27:06,720 Speaker 2: Keep doing your best day in and day out, God's 551 00:27:06,760 --> 00:27:09,520 Speaker 2: promise He's gonna give you divine connections. He'll bring the 552 00:27:09,640 --> 00:27:11,920 Speaker 2: right people for the right time in your life. 553 00:27:12,080 --> 00:27:14,240 Speaker 1: And I know you're gonna live that life of victory 554 00:27:14,400 --> 00:27:15,320 Speaker 1: he has in story. 555 00:27:15,320 --> 00:27:20,040 Speaker 2: Amen, we never like to close our broadcast without giving 556 00:27:20,080 --> 00:27:23,200 Speaker 2: you an opportunity to make Jesus the lord of your life. 557 00:27:23,440 --> 00:27:24,399 Speaker 1: Would you pray with me? 558 00:27:25,200 --> 00:27:29,200 Speaker 2: Just say Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins. 559 00:27:30,520 --> 00:27:34,280 Speaker 1: Come into my heart. I make you my Lord and savior. 560 00:27:35,280 --> 00:27:37,800 Speaker 2: Friends, if you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you 561 00:27:37,840 --> 00:27:38,760 Speaker 2: got born again. 562 00:27:39,200 --> 00:27:42,520 Speaker 1: Get in a good Bible based church. Keep God first place. 563 00:27:42,760 --> 00:27:45,240 Speaker 1: He's gonna take your places that you've never dreamed of. 564 00:27:46,080 --> 00:27:48,280 Speaker 2: When was the last time you asked God to do 565 00:27:48,320 --> 00:27:53,320 Speaker 2: something that seemed impossible. If you only pray small, ordinary prayers, 566 00:27:53,480 --> 00:27:55,560 Speaker 2: you live a small, ordinary life. 567 00:27:56,000 --> 00:27:57,800 Speaker 1: I have a new book called Pray Bold. 568 00:27:58,240 --> 00:28:00,680 Speaker 2: I'll challenge you to stretch your faith and believe for 569 00:28:00,760 --> 00:28:02,000 Speaker 2: the big things God. 570 00:28:01,800 --> 00:28:03,080 Speaker 1: Puts in your heart. 571 00:28:03,480 --> 00:28:05,960 Speaker 2: Victoria and I used to have seasoned tickets to watch 572 00:28:06,000 --> 00:28:07,760 Speaker 2: the Rockets play basketball here. 573 00:28:08,240 --> 00:28:11,320 Speaker 1: We never dreamed it could be ours when they moved out. 574 00:28:11,680 --> 00:28:14,080 Speaker 2: Somehow we had the faith to pray a bold prayer. 575 00:28:14,560 --> 00:28:17,359 Speaker 2: God made things happen that we could never make happen. 576 00:28:17,600 --> 00:28:20,360 Speaker 1: It's the same for you. Who knows what God will 577 00:28:20,400 --> 00:28:21,240 Speaker 1: do in your life. 578 00:28:21,440 --> 00:28:24,720 Speaker 2: If you'll dare to pray bold, ask Him for your dreams, 579 00:28:25,000 --> 00:28:27,960 Speaker 2: ask for your healing, as for your freedom. That's when 580 00:28:28,000 --> 00:28:30,440 Speaker 2: God will show up and do more than you could 581 00:28:30,480 --> 00:28:31,480 Speaker 2: ever imagine. 582 00:28:31,880 --> 00:28:34,200 Speaker 3: As our way of saying thank you for your gift 583 00:28:34,240 --> 00:28:36,840 Speaker 3: of any amount this month, we would like to send 584 00:28:36,880 --> 00:28:40,400 Speaker 3: you a copy of Jewel's brand new book, Pray Bold. 585 00:28:40,720 --> 00:28:45,080 Speaker 3: Dare to ask and Believe Big. Joel shares that when 586 00:28:45,120 --> 00:28:49,160 Speaker 3: we pray, we can tap into God's creative, awesome power, 587 00:28:49,680 --> 00:28:53,400 Speaker 3: something bigger than we have ever imagined. God doesn't want 588 00:28:53,480 --> 00:28:56,880 Speaker 3: us to just pray in our comfort zones. Now. God 589 00:28:56,960 --> 00:29:01,160 Speaker 3: loves when we pray big, believe big, expect him to 590 00:29:01,240 --> 00:29:05,360 Speaker 3: do the unexpected. There are inspiring stories from the Bible, 591 00:29:05,600 --> 00:29:09,200 Speaker 3: from history, and personal testimonies of people who dared to 592 00:29:09,280 --> 00:29:13,520 Speaker 3: believe God in extraordinary ways. You'll learn how to practically 593 00:29:13,560 --> 00:29:16,880 Speaker 3: expand your prayers and watch your life move from the 594 00:29:16,920 --> 00:29:22,000 Speaker 3: common to the extraordinary, from less than to overflowing. Be 595 00:29:22,200 --> 00:29:25,800 Speaker 3: sure to request your copy of Pray Bold today, Visit 596 00:29:25,880 --> 00:29:29,280 Speaker 3: joelostein dot com, or call us toll free. 597 00:29:29,360 --> 00:29:32,600 Speaker 2: God has put dreams in your heart, things He's whispered 598 00:29:32,600 --> 00:29:35,600 Speaker 2: in the night that seem impossible. But as you pray 599 00:29:35,640 --> 00:29:38,120 Speaker 2: these bold prayers, you're going to see the goodness of 600 00:29:38,120 --> 00:29:41,600 Speaker 2: God in ways you've never seen, tour in our belief, 601 00:29:41,640 --> 00:29:44,440 Speaker 2: and you're gonna have a great twenty twenty five. We 602 00:29:44,520 --> 00:29:47,200 Speaker 2: pray for you and your family every day for God's 603 00:29:47,320 --> 00:29:50,080 Speaker 2: very best. We want to thank you for your prayer 604 00:29:50,080 --> 00:29:53,280 Speaker 2: and your support. You're impacting people all over the world. 605 00:29:53,560 --> 00:29:56,640 Speaker 3: Be sure to request your copy of Pray Bold today, 606 00:29:57,160 --> 00:30:02,200 Speaker 3: visit Joelostein dot com or call us free. Finally, elevates 607 00:30:02,240 --> 00:30:05,600 Speaker 3: your personal time with God by requesting the My Time 608 00:30:05,640 --> 00:30:10,160 Speaker 3: with God collection. This beautiful collection contains the pre Bold 609 00:30:10,200 --> 00:30:14,680 Speaker 3: new release, plus the new Living Translation, one year Chronological 610 00:30:14,680 --> 00:30:18,160 Speaker 3: Study Bible, and a beautiful glass mug and throw blanket 611 00:30:18,480 --> 00:30:22,040 Speaker 3: based around the inspiring scripture from Psalm forty six to ten. 612 00:30:22,480 --> 00:30:25,680 Speaker 3: Be still and know that I am God. You can 613 00:30:25,760 --> 00:30:28,960 Speaker 3: learn more about this unique new gift collection by calling 614 00:30:29,080 --> 00:30:32,520 Speaker 3: eight eight eight five six seven joel 'or logging onto 615 00:30:32,640 --> 00:30:34,560 Speaker 3: Joelostein dot com today. 616 00:30:35,600 --> 00:30:39,040 Speaker 2: Remember, you can watch the services online every Sunday morning, 617 00:30:39,400 --> 00:30:43,920 Speaker 2: download our daily podcast Misten on Sirius XM, watch on YouTube, 618 00:30:44,280 --> 00:30:47,480 Speaker 2: and now the new joel Ostein network streaming on television 619 00:30:47,520 --> 00:30:50,840 Speaker 2: twenty four hours a day. If you've never been to Lakewood, 620 00:30:51,000 --> 00:30:55,040 Speaker 2: we have a great opportunity. We called it Homecoming Weekend. 621 00:30:55,480 --> 00:30:58,400 Speaker 2: We'd love to meet you and your family. You can 622 00:30:58,600 --> 00:31:01,040 Speaker 2: see the building and at ten he's one of the services. 623 00:31:01,200 --> 00:31:03,400 Speaker 2: It's a great time to be a part of the 624 00:31:03,440 --> 00:31:06,960 Speaker 2: Lakewood family. Looking forward to seeing your homecoming weekend