1 00:00:00,440 --> 00:00:03,040 Speaker 1: Are you ready to move your career forward? Make your 2 00:00:03,040 --> 00:00:06,520 Speaker 1: comeback with Perdue Global and get college credit for your work, school, life, 3 00:00:06,640 --> 00:00:09,760 Speaker 1: or military experiences. With these credits, you may have already 4 00:00:09,760 --> 00:00:12,560 Speaker 1: completed up to seventy five percent of your undergraduate degree. 5 00:00:12,640 --> 00:00:14,720 Speaker 1: You've worked hard to get where you are. It's time 6 00:00:14,720 --> 00:00:16,880 Speaker 1: to get the recognition you deserve and earn a degree 7 00:00:16,880 --> 00:00:19,520 Speaker 1: you'll be proud of, one that employers will trust and 8 00:00:19,600 --> 00:00:21,799 Speaker 1: respect when you take the next step in your life 9 00:00:21,800 --> 00:00:25,480 Speaker 1: and career. Make account with Purdue Global produce online university 10 00:00:25,520 --> 00:00:29,600 Speaker 1: for working adults. Start your comeback at Purdueglobal dot edu. 11 00:00:30,160 --> 00:00:32,120 Speaker 2: He'll forget about the video game you gave him on 12 00:00:32,120 --> 00:00:32,680 Speaker 2: his birthday. 13 00:00:33,000 --> 00:00:35,360 Speaker 3: Wow, Thanks Grandpa. 14 00:00:34,720 --> 00:00:36,680 Speaker 2: But he'll never forget how you invest it in his 15 00:00:36,760 --> 00:00:38,080 Speaker 2: future with the uns stapp. 16 00:00:38,680 --> 00:00:40,640 Speaker 3: Wow, Thanks Grandpa. 17 00:00:40,920 --> 00:00:43,479 Speaker 2: The units stap makes it easy for grandparents and family 18 00:00:43,520 --> 00:00:46,199 Speaker 2: friends to give funds to a child's investment account for 19 00:00:46,360 --> 00:00:48,880 Speaker 2: limited time. Download the uns stapp and use the code 20 00:00:48,920 --> 00:00:51,280 Speaker 2: iHeart fifty at sign up to receive a fifty dollars 21 00:00:51,280 --> 00:00:53,960 Speaker 2: bonus when you fund your account. That's code iheard fifty 22 00:00:54,000 --> 00:00:57,160 Speaker 2: When you sign up at unest dot co for fifty 23 00:00:57,200 --> 00:00:59,880 Speaker 2: dollars bonus see terms and conditions at UNS dot C. 24 00:01:01,120 --> 00:01:03,880 Speaker 4: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 25 00:01:03,920 --> 00:01:07,039 Speaker 4: our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. If you 26 00:01:07,120 --> 00:01:09,720 Speaker 4: enjoy today's message, why don't you be a blessing and 27 00:01:09,800 --> 00:01:12,440 Speaker 4: share it with a friend. We appreciate you and pray 28 00:01:12,480 --> 00:01:27,920 Speaker 4: for God's very best in your life. If God bless you, 29 00:01:28,200 --> 00:01:30,400 Speaker 4: it's a joy to come into your homes. And if 30 00:01:30,400 --> 00:01:33,160 Speaker 4: you're ever in our area, please stop by be a 31 00:01:33,200 --> 00:01:34,600 Speaker 4: part of one of our services. 32 00:01:34,760 --> 00:01:37,360 Speaker 3: I promise you we'll make you feel right at home. 33 00:01:37,680 --> 00:01:39,959 Speaker 4: I'd like to start with something funny, and I heard 34 00:01:40,000 --> 00:01:41,000 Speaker 4: about this pastor. 35 00:01:41,480 --> 00:01:44,040 Speaker 3: He'd been out bear hunting all day long. 36 00:01:43,840 --> 00:01:46,960 Speaker 4: And searched and searched through the woods with no sign 37 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:50,080 Speaker 4: of a bear. Finally, in frustration, he threw his gun 38 00:01:50,160 --> 00:01:52,440 Speaker 4: on the ground and he went down to the stream 39 00:01:52,520 --> 00:01:53,200 Speaker 4: to cool off. 40 00:01:53,760 --> 00:01:55,040 Speaker 3: About that time, he. 41 00:01:55,080 --> 00:01:59,240 Speaker 4: Sees this huge, grizzly bear running toward him full speed, 42 00:01:59,240 --> 00:02:02,440 Speaker 4: about one hundred yards away. He falls on his knees 43 00:02:02,480 --> 00:02:06,840 Speaker 4: and said, God, I need protection, Please convert this bear 44 00:02:07,000 --> 00:02:11,080 Speaker 4: into a Christian. Miraculously, the bear froze in his tracks, 45 00:02:11,240 --> 00:02:13,959 Speaker 4: put both paws up toward the heavens, and said. 46 00:02:13,720 --> 00:02:15,960 Speaker 3: Thank you Lord for this food I'm about to eat. 47 00:02:17,760 --> 00:02:18,720 Speaker 3: Say it like you mean it. 48 00:02:19,040 --> 00:02:21,760 Speaker 4: This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. 49 00:02:22,160 --> 00:02:24,360 Speaker 4: I have what it says I have. I can do 50 00:02:24,480 --> 00:02:27,000 Speaker 4: what it says I can do. Today I will be 51 00:02:27,080 --> 00:02:30,720 Speaker 4: taught the word of God. I'll boldly confess. My mind 52 00:02:30,840 --> 00:02:33,800 Speaker 4: is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never be 53 00:02:33,919 --> 00:02:36,079 Speaker 4: the same. In Jesus' name. 54 00:02:36,240 --> 00:02:39,680 Speaker 3: God bless you. I want to talk to you today 55 00:02:39,720 --> 00:02:42,440 Speaker 3: about stepping into the unknown. 56 00:02:43,400 --> 00:02:46,959 Speaker 4: When I type an address in my navigation system, there's 57 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:51,280 Speaker 4: an option that comes up that says route overview. If 58 00:02:51,320 --> 00:02:54,200 Speaker 4: you click that, it will give you all the details 59 00:02:54,240 --> 00:02:58,840 Speaker 4: of your trip. There may be fifteen different instructions. Travel 60 00:02:58,880 --> 00:03:01,680 Speaker 4: six miles on this free way. Get off at exit 61 00:03:01,720 --> 00:03:05,320 Speaker 4: forty three, Go four hundred feet, turn left on the intersection. 62 00:03:05,880 --> 00:03:08,520 Speaker 3: Your whole route is clearly laid out. 63 00:03:09,080 --> 00:03:11,840 Speaker 4: You know where you're going, how long it's going to take, 64 00:03:12,200 --> 00:03:17,000 Speaker 4: what to expect. Knowing these details makes us comfortable where 65 00:03:17,040 --> 00:03:20,600 Speaker 4: we can relax. And in the same way, God has 66 00:03:20,639 --> 00:03:25,240 Speaker 4: a route overview for your life. Before you were formed 67 00:03:25,320 --> 00:03:28,840 Speaker 4: in your mother's womb, he laid out your plan. He 68 00:03:28,919 --> 00:03:33,280 Speaker 4: not only knows your final destination, but he knows the 69 00:03:33,320 --> 00:03:34,120 Speaker 4: best way to. 70 00:03:34,120 --> 00:03:34,720 Speaker 3: Get you there. 71 00:03:35,400 --> 00:03:39,240 Speaker 4: But one difference between God and a navigation system is 72 00:03:39,320 --> 00:03:43,640 Speaker 4: God doesn't show you the route overview. He doesn't tell 73 00:03:43,680 --> 00:03:46,120 Speaker 4: you how it's going to happen, how long it's going 74 00:03:46,160 --> 00:03:48,520 Speaker 4: to take, where the funds are going to come from, 75 00:03:48,720 --> 00:03:49,600 Speaker 4: who you're going to meet. 76 00:03:50,120 --> 00:03:52,920 Speaker 3: He leads you one step at a time. 77 00:03:53,680 --> 00:03:57,600 Speaker 4: If you'll trust him and take that step into the unknown, 78 00:03:58,240 --> 00:04:00,840 Speaker 4: not knowing how it's going to work out, then he'll 79 00:04:00,840 --> 00:04:02,000 Speaker 4: show you the next step. 80 00:04:02,680 --> 00:04:04,760 Speaker 3: Step by step, he'll lead. 81 00:04:04,640 --> 00:04:09,119 Speaker 4: You into your destiny. The challenge is we like details. 82 00:04:09,320 --> 00:04:11,880 Speaker 4: We wouldn't have any problem taking that step of faith, 83 00:04:12,320 --> 00:04:15,640 Speaker 4: starting that new business, going back to school, moving to 84 00:04:15,680 --> 00:04:18,880 Speaker 4: that new location. If we knew where the money was 85 00:04:18,920 --> 00:04:21,800 Speaker 4: coming from, how long it was going to take, that 86 00:04:21,880 --> 00:04:25,320 Speaker 4: the right people would be there. We had all the details, 87 00:04:25,480 --> 00:04:27,000 Speaker 4: it'd be easy to step out. 88 00:04:27,760 --> 00:04:30,919 Speaker 3: Here's the key. God doesn't give us details. 89 00:04:31,560 --> 00:04:33,920 Speaker 4: He's not going to show you a blueprint for your 90 00:04:33,960 --> 00:04:37,680 Speaker 4: whole life. If you had all the facts, you wouldn't 91 00:04:37,720 --> 00:04:41,359 Speaker 4: need any faith. He's going to send you out not 92 00:04:41,640 --> 00:04:45,880 Speaker 4: knowing everything. If you'll have the boldness to step into 93 00:04:45,920 --> 00:04:50,039 Speaker 4: the unknown, do what he's asking you to do, doors 94 00:04:50,080 --> 00:04:52,800 Speaker 4: will open that you could have never opened. The right 95 00:04:52,839 --> 00:04:56,320 Speaker 4: people will show up. You'll have the funds, the resources 96 00:04:56,320 --> 00:05:00,040 Speaker 4: that you need. The scripture puts it this way. The 97 00:05:00,120 --> 00:05:03,919 Speaker 4: word is a lamp unto our feet and a light 98 00:05:04,160 --> 00:05:08,080 Speaker 4: unto our path. A lamp implies you have just enough 99 00:05:08,240 --> 00:05:09,719 Speaker 4: to see in front of you. 100 00:05:10,480 --> 00:05:12,760 Speaker 3: God is not giving you the light for the next 101 00:05:12,800 --> 00:05:13,960 Speaker 3: fifty years. 102 00:05:14,200 --> 00:05:17,120 Speaker 4: It's like the headlights on your car. When you're driving 103 00:05:17,160 --> 00:05:19,839 Speaker 4: at night. You can only see one hundred feet in 104 00:05:19,880 --> 00:05:22,920 Speaker 4: front of you, So you don't pull over because you 105 00:05:22,960 --> 00:05:25,400 Speaker 4: can't see your destination fifty miles away. 106 00:05:26,160 --> 00:05:28,360 Speaker 3: You keep driving. As you go. 107 00:05:28,360 --> 00:05:32,040 Speaker 4: Further, then you will see more. Will you take that 108 00:05:32,080 --> 00:05:35,880 Speaker 4: step with the light that you have. If you're waiting 109 00:05:35,920 --> 00:05:38,479 Speaker 4: for all the details, you're going to be waiting your 110 00:05:38,520 --> 00:05:42,320 Speaker 4: whole life. We all want to be comfortable, but being 111 00:05:42,400 --> 00:05:46,440 Speaker 4: in God's perfect will will make you a little uncomfortable. 112 00:05:47,080 --> 00:05:50,560 Speaker 4: There's a healthy tension to where you have to stretch, 113 00:05:51,120 --> 00:05:53,760 Speaker 4: you have to pray, you have to believe, you're not 114 00:05:53,960 --> 00:05:57,800 Speaker 4: sure how it's going to work out. That's when you're growing. 115 00:05:58,560 --> 00:06:01,719 Speaker 4: That's when you're learning to trust God in a greater way. 116 00:06:02,720 --> 00:06:05,720 Speaker 4: God is not just interested in the destination. 117 00:06:06,360 --> 00:06:09,960 Speaker 3: He's teaching you along the way. He's getting you prepared, 118 00:06:10,240 --> 00:06:12,680 Speaker 3: growing you up on purpose. 119 00:06:12,960 --> 00:06:16,280 Speaker 4: God will put us in situations where we're over our head, 120 00:06:17,000 --> 00:06:19,760 Speaker 4: where our friends can't help us, where we don't have 121 00:06:19,880 --> 00:06:23,960 Speaker 4: the experience. Too often we swink back, think I'm not 122 00:06:24,040 --> 00:06:27,280 Speaker 4: going there, I'm not qualified, I'm too nervous. What if 123 00:06:27,320 --> 00:06:30,520 Speaker 4: it doesn't work out? God knew you would be nervous. 124 00:06:30,920 --> 00:06:34,720 Speaker 3: He knew you wouldn't feel qualified. That's a test. Are 125 00:06:34,720 --> 00:06:36,440 Speaker 3: you going to talk to yourself out of it? 126 00:06:36,920 --> 00:06:38,960 Speaker 4: Are you going to let the fear of what you 127 00:06:39,080 --> 00:06:42,320 Speaker 4: can't see hold you back? Or are you going to 128 00:06:42,360 --> 00:06:46,200 Speaker 4: be bold and step in to the unknown. In the 129 00:06:46,360 --> 00:06:50,479 Speaker 4: unknown is where miracles happen. In the unknown is where 130 00:06:50,480 --> 00:06:53,760 Speaker 4: you discover ability that you didn't know you had. In 131 00:06:53,800 --> 00:06:57,679 Speaker 4: the unknown is where you'll accomplish more than you ever dreamed. 132 00:06:58,760 --> 00:07:02,160 Speaker 4: Just because you don't have the details doesn't mean God 133 00:07:02,200 --> 00:07:05,760 Speaker 4: doesn't have the details. He has the route overview for 134 00:07:05,839 --> 00:07:08,640 Speaker 4: your life. He wouldn't be leading you there if he 135 00:07:08,680 --> 00:07:11,840 Speaker 4: didn't have the favor, the provision, everything. 136 00:07:11,400 --> 00:07:13,119 Speaker 3: You need to go to the next level. 137 00:07:13,880 --> 00:07:17,240 Speaker 4: One thing I like about my navigation system is it 138 00:07:17,280 --> 00:07:21,960 Speaker 4: gives me exact details go nine point three miles down 139 00:07:22,000 --> 00:07:25,600 Speaker 4: this freeway. Then it counts down the whole way. Eight 140 00:07:25,640 --> 00:07:28,760 Speaker 4: miles left, seven miles, six miles. It's all right in 141 00:07:28,800 --> 00:07:32,520 Speaker 4: front of me. God is just the opposite. He'll tell 142 00:07:32,560 --> 00:07:35,320 Speaker 4: you go down this road. The first thing we do 143 00:07:35,680 --> 00:07:38,240 Speaker 4: is ask for details. How far do you want me 144 00:07:38,280 --> 00:07:38,600 Speaker 4: to go? 145 00:07:38,920 --> 00:07:42,360 Speaker 3: No answer? What do you want me to take? No answer? 146 00:07:42,880 --> 00:07:44,920 Speaker 3: Who's going to be there to meet me? No answer? 147 00:07:45,840 --> 00:07:50,160 Speaker 4: Can you endure the silence of not knowing everything? Will 148 00:07:50,200 --> 00:07:53,080 Speaker 4: you trust God even though you don't have all the details. 149 00:07:53,520 --> 00:07:56,920 Speaker 4: Will you take that step of faith even when you're uncomfortable, 150 00:07:57,320 --> 00:08:00,680 Speaker 4: You're nervous, not sure how it's going to work out. 151 00:08:01,000 --> 00:08:02,360 Speaker 3: This is what Abraham did. 152 00:08:03,080 --> 00:08:06,120 Speaker 4: God told him to leave the place he was living, 153 00:08:06,400 --> 00:08:09,360 Speaker 4: pack up his family, his belongings, and head out to 154 00:08:09,400 --> 00:08:13,040 Speaker 4: the land that God was going to give him his inheritance. 155 00:08:13,640 --> 00:08:17,320 Speaker 4: The only problem was God didn't give him any details. 156 00:08:18,040 --> 00:08:22,320 Speaker 4: The scripture says Abraham went out not knowing where he 157 00:08:22,480 --> 00:08:26,920 Speaker 4: was going. I can imagine Abraham telling his wife Sarah, Honey, 158 00:08:27,000 --> 00:08:30,840 Speaker 4: I've got great news. We're going to move. God promised 159 00:08:30,840 --> 00:08:33,520 Speaker 4: me He's taking us to a better land where we're 160 00:08:33,520 --> 00:08:35,040 Speaker 4: gonna be blessed in a new way. 161 00:08:35,920 --> 00:08:39,120 Speaker 3: I can hear Sarah saying, that's so exciting. I can't wait. 162 00:08:39,280 --> 00:08:42,600 Speaker 3: Where are we going? Abraham says, I don't know. He 163 00:08:42,640 --> 00:08:45,480 Speaker 3: didn't tell me. She asked, well, what should I wear? 164 00:08:45,640 --> 00:08:47,000 Speaker 3: Will it be cold or hot? 165 00:08:47,520 --> 00:08:51,800 Speaker 4: He says, I'm not sure. Well, Abraham, are you sure 166 00:08:51,840 --> 00:08:55,400 Speaker 4: God told you this? How we gonna provide for our family? 167 00:08:55,880 --> 00:08:58,480 Speaker 4: Where are we gonna get food for our staff and animals? 168 00:08:58,559 --> 00:08:59,880 Speaker 3: This seems like a mistake. 169 00:09:00,720 --> 00:09:03,640 Speaker 4: If you're going to step into the unknown, it's going 170 00:09:03,679 --> 00:09:06,680 Speaker 4: to take boldness. It's not always going to make sense. 171 00:09:07,480 --> 00:09:10,880 Speaker 4: People may not understand it. Your own thoughts will tell 172 00:09:10,920 --> 00:09:12,400 Speaker 4: you you better play it safe. 173 00:09:12,880 --> 00:09:15,400 Speaker 3: This is too big a risk. What if it doesn't 174 00:09:15,400 --> 00:09:15,920 Speaker 3: work out. 175 00:09:16,840 --> 00:09:21,080 Speaker 4: Abraham understood this principle that just because he didn't have 176 00:09:21,160 --> 00:09:25,520 Speaker 4: all the answers, just because he was nervous, didn't mean. 177 00:09:25,559 --> 00:09:27,000 Speaker 3: He wasn't supposed to do it. 178 00:09:27,760 --> 00:09:31,640 Speaker 4: The scripture says, the steps of a good person are 179 00:09:31,760 --> 00:09:35,160 Speaker 4: ordered by the Lord. If you'll take the first step, 180 00:09:35,559 --> 00:09:39,000 Speaker 4: not knowing all the details, trusting that God knows what 181 00:09:39,120 --> 00:09:42,280 Speaker 4: he's doing, then every step of the way there will 182 00:09:42,280 --> 00:09:45,480 Speaker 4: be provision, there will be favor, there will be wisdom, 183 00:09:45,840 --> 00:09:50,880 Speaker 4: and yes, it's uncomfortable, not knowing. You have to stretch, pray, believe. 184 00:09:51,480 --> 00:09:55,400 Speaker 4: But each step you not only have God's blessing, but you're. 185 00:09:55,280 --> 00:09:57,280 Speaker 3: Growing, You're getting stronger. 186 00:09:58,080 --> 00:10:01,240 Speaker 4: In the scripture, Peter was the own one that walked 187 00:10:01,280 --> 00:10:05,120 Speaker 4: on the water, and he was the only one willing to. 188 00:10:05,080 --> 00:10:05,920 Speaker 3: Get out of the boat. 189 00:10:06,920 --> 00:10:09,920 Speaker 4: I'm sure the other disciple said, Peter, you better stay 190 00:10:09,920 --> 00:10:10,679 Speaker 4: in here with us. 191 00:10:11,160 --> 00:10:14,160 Speaker 3: Look at those waves. It's dangerous. You could drown. 192 00:10:15,080 --> 00:10:18,080 Speaker 4: But when Jesus asked him to come, he had the 193 00:10:18,200 --> 00:10:22,319 Speaker 4: courage to step into the unknown, and he walked. 194 00:10:22,000 --> 00:10:22,559 Speaker 3: On the water. 195 00:10:23,360 --> 00:10:25,440 Speaker 4: Well, Joe, but he sank. Yeah, but he walked more 196 00:10:25,480 --> 00:10:30,680 Speaker 4: than you. He walked more than me. What's familiar staying 197 00:10:30,720 --> 00:10:35,560 Speaker 4: in the boat. Although that's comfortable, Instead of being a blessing, 198 00:10:36,160 --> 00:10:40,640 Speaker 4: it can become a curse. Familiarity can keep you from 199 00:10:40,720 --> 00:10:44,480 Speaker 4: your destiny, what you're used to, how you were raised, 200 00:10:44,760 --> 00:10:47,559 Speaker 4: the job you've been at for years. Don't let your 201 00:10:47,720 --> 00:10:51,640 Speaker 4: comfort keep you from becoming all God created you to be. 202 00:10:52,520 --> 00:10:54,400 Speaker 3: If Abraham would. 203 00:10:54,120 --> 00:10:58,720 Speaker 4: Have put his comfort above fulfilling his purpose, we wouldn't 204 00:10:58,760 --> 00:11:02,160 Speaker 4: be talking about him. You cannot play it safe your 205 00:11:02,200 --> 00:11:06,720 Speaker 4: whole life and reach the fullness of your destiny. Don't 206 00:11:06,800 --> 00:11:09,040 Speaker 4: let the what ifs talk you out of it. What 207 00:11:09,160 --> 00:11:11,719 Speaker 4: if I fail? What if they say no? What if 208 00:11:11,760 --> 00:11:15,520 Speaker 4: I don't have the funds? You'll never know unless you try. 209 00:11:16,520 --> 00:11:19,120 Speaker 4: When you come to the end of life, will you 210 00:11:19,200 --> 00:11:22,520 Speaker 4: have more regrets from the risks that you took or 211 00:11:22,520 --> 00:11:25,080 Speaker 4: from the risk that you didn't take. What if I 212 00:11:25,080 --> 00:11:27,480 Speaker 4: get in this new relationship John and I get hurt again, 213 00:11:28,000 --> 00:11:30,360 Speaker 4: that's what happened last time. What if you get in 214 00:11:30,400 --> 00:11:32,320 Speaker 4: it and you're happier than you've ever been. 215 00:11:32,720 --> 00:11:34,120 Speaker 3: What if it's a divine connection. 216 00:11:34,960 --> 00:11:37,560 Speaker 4: What if I take this position and I'm not good 217 00:11:37,600 --> 00:11:38,959 Speaker 4: at it, I'm not successful. 218 00:11:39,200 --> 00:11:41,120 Speaker 3: What if you take it and you excel. 219 00:11:41,840 --> 00:11:44,160 Speaker 4: What if you discover talent you didn't know you had. 220 00:11:44,520 --> 00:11:48,360 Speaker 4: What if it opens doors to more opportunities. I can 221 00:11:48,400 --> 00:11:54,400 Speaker 4: tell you every significant accomplishment in my own life, every 222 00:11:54,440 --> 00:11:59,040 Speaker 4: major victory. I've had to step into the unknown. When 223 00:11:59,040 --> 00:12:01,400 Speaker 4: my dad went to be with the Lord. I had 224 00:12:01,480 --> 00:12:04,960 Speaker 4: never ministered before I stepped up to pastor the church. 225 00:12:05,600 --> 00:12:07,720 Speaker 4: I didn't know how it was going to work out. 226 00:12:08,360 --> 00:12:10,719 Speaker 4: I didn't know if I could minister. I didn't know 227 00:12:10,760 --> 00:12:11,719 Speaker 4: if anybody. 228 00:12:11,480 --> 00:12:12,080 Speaker 3: Listened to me. 229 00:12:12,800 --> 00:12:16,600 Speaker 4: Every thought told me Joel don't do it. It's a big mistake. 230 00:12:17,240 --> 00:12:18,880 Speaker 4: You're going to get up there and not know what 231 00:12:19,040 --> 00:12:20,199 Speaker 4: to say. 232 00:12:20,280 --> 00:12:21,880 Speaker 3: I knew I was over my head. 233 00:12:22,520 --> 00:12:26,000 Speaker 4: I knew I didn't have the experience. But I also 234 00:12:26,160 --> 00:12:30,200 Speaker 4: knew when we are weak, God's power shows up the greatest. 235 00:12:31,480 --> 00:12:34,920 Speaker 4: I couldn't see way down the road. I couldn't see 236 00:12:34,960 --> 00:12:38,080 Speaker 4: any of this that we're doing today. All I could 237 00:12:38,120 --> 00:12:41,040 Speaker 4: see was right then, step up and pastor the church. 238 00:12:41,720 --> 00:12:43,760 Speaker 4: If God would have shown me all of this, I'd 239 00:12:43,800 --> 00:12:47,680 Speaker 4: have said, no way, I can't do that. Sometimes the 240 00:12:47,800 --> 00:12:51,200 Speaker 4: reason God doesn't tell us what's in our future is 241 00:12:51,240 --> 00:12:54,080 Speaker 4: because he knows we would talk ourselves out of it. 242 00:12:55,000 --> 00:12:57,840 Speaker 4: What God has in store for you is going to 243 00:12:57,840 --> 00:13:01,199 Speaker 4: boggle your mind. The place is He's going to take you, 244 00:13:01,640 --> 00:13:04,240 Speaker 4: the people you're going to influence, the dreams you're going 245 00:13:04,320 --> 00:13:08,359 Speaker 4: to accomplish. It's going to be bigger than you've imagined. 246 00:13:09,240 --> 00:13:10,040 Speaker 3: You know where it is. 247 00:13:10,760 --> 00:13:13,720 Speaker 4: It's in the unknown, It's in what you can't see 248 00:13:13,800 --> 00:13:14,319 Speaker 4: right now. 249 00:13:14,679 --> 00:13:16,920 Speaker 3: It's in what you don't feel qualified for. 250 00:13:17,800 --> 00:13:20,480 Speaker 4: When you find yourself in a situation where you're over 251 00:13:20,520 --> 00:13:23,080 Speaker 4: your head, you don't think you have what it takes. 252 00:13:23,480 --> 00:13:25,160 Speaker 3: That's God stretching you. 253 00:13:25,760 --> 00:13:28,480 Speaker 4: He can see things in you that you can't see 254 00:13:28,520 --> 00:13:32,200 Speaker 4: in yourself. And it may be uncomfortable, but don't shrink back, 255 00:13:32,480 --> 00:13:37,640 Speaker 4: keep stretching, keep believing, keep dreaming. Step by step, God 256 00:13:37,720 --> 00:13:41,800 Speaker 4: is leading you. Some of you are about to step 257 00:13:41,840 --> 00:13:45,040 Speaker 4: in to the next level. You've been on that step 258 00:13:45,080 --> 00:13:49,319 Speaker 4: long enough. You pass the test. Now the next step 259 00:13:49,400 --> 00:13:52,400 Speaker 4: is coming. It's going to be a new level of influence, 260 00:13:52,800 --> 00:13:55,360 Speaker 4: a new level of talent, a new level of creativity, 261 00:13:56,120 --> 00:14:00,000 Speaker 4: a new level of your destiny. Victoria and I were 262 00:14:00,240 --> 00:14:02,800 Speaker 4: driving to another city the other day and had my 263 00:14:02,920 --> 00:14:05,880 Speaker 4: navigation system on, and at one point we were on 264 00:14:05,920 --> 00:14:09,160 Speaker 4: this country road for about one hundred miles stretch, and 265 00:14:09,559 --> 00:14:12,880 Speaker 4: there were all these intersections and different roads that veered off, 266 00:14:12,920 --> 00:14:15,200 Speaker 4: and I kept thinking that I had missed my turn, 267 00:14:15,240 --> 00:14:18,560 Speaker 4: and I had to keep looking at the navigation system. 268 00:14:19,080 --> 00:14:21,280 Speaker 3: I noticed that as long as. 269 00:14:21,160 --> 00:14:23,840 Speaker 4: I was on the right path, the lady on the 270 00:14:23,880 --> 00:14:28,120 Speaker 4: GPS system didn't say anything. I wish you had come on, 271 00:14:28,280 --> 00:14:32,920 Speaker 4: said you're doing good, John, keep going forward. But she 272 00:14:33,080 --> 00:14:36,520 Speaker 4: never said a thing until it was time to do 273 00:14:36,600 --> 00:14:41,560 Speaker 4: something different. Sometimes God is silent, you don't hear him 274 00:14:41,600 --> 00:14:44,240 Speaker 4: saying anything. And see, he didn't think I must be 275 00:14:44,280 --> 00:14:47,240 Speaker 4: off course, something must be wrong. He's not talking, But 276 00:14:47,440 --> 00:14:50,480 Speaker 4: like the lady on the GPS system, that means you're 277 00:14:50,480 --> 00:14:51,480 Speaker 4: on the right course. 278 00:14:51,960 --> 00:14:52,560 Speaker 3: Keep doing the. 279 00:14:52,640 --> 00:14:57,920 Speaker 4: Right thing, keep praying, believing, stretching. The next step is coming, 280 00:14:58,520 --> 00:15:01,800 Speaker 4: but you have to pass the t of being faithful 281 00:15:01,920 --> 00:15:02,440 Speaker 4: where you. 282 00:15:02,440 --> 00:15:05,240 Speaker 3: Are, being your best with what you have. 283 00:15:05,640 --> 00:15:08,600 Speaker 4: Then the next step will be a favor step, a 284 00:15:08,640 --> 00:15:13,120 Speaker 4: promotion step, a healing step, a breakthrough step. When Joshua 285 00:15:13,200 --> 00:15:16,120 Speaker 4: and the Israelites came to the Jordan River, there was 286 00:15:16,200 --> 00:15:19,720 Speaker 4: no way to get across. They had heard how Moses 287 00:15:20,000 --> 00:15:22,200 Speaker 4: held up his rod and the Red Sea parted, and 288 00:15:22,600 --> 00:15:25,520 Speaker 4: I'm sure Joshua thought the same thing would happen for him. 289 00:15:25,960 --> 00:15:27,440 Speaker 3: But God had a different plan. 290 00:15:28,040 --> 00:15:31,880 Speaker 4: He told Joshua to go, tell the priest to walk 291 00:15:32,120 --> 00:15:36,200 Speaker 4: into the river, and then the waters would part. I'm 292 00:15:36,240 --> 00:15:39,400 Speaker 4: sure the priest thought, Joshua, that doesn't make sense. 293 00:15:39,880 --> 00:15:42,640 Speaker 3: You want us to walk into the water. We could drown. 294 00:15:43,200 --> 00:15:45,480 Speaker 4: The priest got up to the shore and nothing happened 295 00:15:45,520 --> 00:15:46,000 Speaker 4: to the water. 296 00:15:46,520 --> 00:15:48,720 Speaker 3: They got a couple feet from the bank, still nothing. 297 00:15:49,080 --> 00:15:52,160 Speaker 4: Thoughts started telling them, what if it doesn't part, What 298 00:15:52,240 --> 00:15:54,720 Speaker 4: if Joshua made a mistake, What if you get out 299 00:15:54,760 --> 00:15:56,120 Speaker 4: there and you can't come back. 300 00:15:56,760 --> 00:15:58,720 Speaker 3: They could have talked themselves out of it. 301 00:15:59,280 --> 00:16:04,120 Speaker 4: Instead, they dared to step into the unknown. The scripture says, 302 00:16:04,360 --> 00:16:08,440 Speaker 4: the moment their feet touched the water, the waters upstream 303 00:16:08,640 --> 00:16:12,320 Speaker 4: began to pile up. On the other side it flowed downstream. 304 00:16:12,640 --> 00:16:16,120 Speaker 4: Before long, the whole river bed was empty. They were 305 00:16:16,160 --> 00:16:18,280 Speaker 4: able to walk across on dry ground. 306 00:16:18,800 --> 00:16:20,320 Speaker 3: Notice the miracle. 307 00:16:20,000 --> 00:16:24,440 Speaker 4: Happened along the way. We think, God part the river, 308 00:16:24,960 --> 00:16:28,280 Speaker 4: and then I'll go. God says, go, then I'll part 309 00:16:28,280 --> 00:16:32,680 Speaker 4: the river. If you will step into the unknown. Along 310 00:16:32,760 --> 00:16:35,920 Speaker 4: the way, you'll see miracles along the way. 311 00:16:35,960 --> 00:16:39,080 Speaker 3: The right people will show up. Along the way. Doors 312 00:16:39,160 --> 00:16:42,920 Speaker 3: will open that you could have never opened. God could have. 313 00:16:43,000 --> 00:16:46,400 Speaker 4: Just as easily parted the waters before they stepped in. 314 00:16:47,080 --> 00:16:48,800 Speaker 3: He was showing us this principle. 315 00:16:49,360 --> 00:16:52,240 Speaker 4: When you don't see how it can work out, every 316 00:16:52,360 --> 00:16:55,280 Speaker 4: voice says you better play it safe. But you take 317 00:16:55,360 --> 00:16:58,360 Speaker 4: that step of faith and do what God's asking you 318 00:16:58,440 --> 00:17:02,520 Speaker 4: to do. You too, We'll see Jordan Rivers part and 319 00:17:02,560 --> 00:17:06,560 Speaker 4: God on purpose puts us in situations where we can't 320 00:17:06,600 --> 00:17:09,919 Speaker 4: do it on our own. It looks impossible. That's a 321 00:17:10,040 --> 00:17:13,320 Speaker 4: test of our faith. If we stay in the boat 322 00:17:13,640 --> 00:17:16,560 Speaker 4: we'll never walk on water, We'll never see the fullness 323 00:17:16,600 --> 00:17:19,760 Speaker 4: of our destiny. And if God would have parted the 324 00:17:19,800 --> 00:17:23,000 Speaker 4: water first, that would have been a lot less stressful 325 00:17:23,040 --> 00:17:25,760 Speaker 4: for them. They wouldn't have had to stretch and pray 326 00:17:25,840 --> 00:17:26,440 Speaker 4: and believe. 327 00:17:27,040 --> 00:17:27,880 Speaker 3: But here's the key. 328 00:17:28,440 --> 00:17:32,200 Speaker 4: God uses the journey to get us prepared for where 329 00:17:32,240 --> 00:17:36,000 Speaker 4: we're going. When you have to stretch your faith, believe 330 00:17:36,040 --> 00:17:38,399 Speaker 4: that He's making a way, and thank him that things 331 00:17:38,400 --> 00:17:42,760 Speaker 4: are changing in your favor. Your spiritual muscles are getting stronger. 332 00:17:43,000 --> 00:17:46,280 Speaker 4: You're developing a greater trust, a greater confidence in God. 333 00:17:47,320 --> 00:17:50,240 Speaker 4: When we received word that this place, the form of 334 00:17:50,320 --> 00:17:53,560 Speaker 4: compact center where the Rockets used to play basketball, was 335 00:17:53,640 --> 00:17:57,399 Speaker 4: coming available, something came alive on the inside of me. 336 00:17:57,800 --> 00:18:00,679 Speaker 4: I knew this was supposed to be ours. What I 337 00:18:00,760 --> 00:18:04,760 Speaker 4: didn't know was how complicated it would be trying to 338 00:18:04,840 --> 00:18:08,359 Speaker 4: acquire it. God will give you the first step, but 339 00:18:08,440 --> 00:18:11,439 Speaker 4: he won't tell you everything. I was excited about the 340 00:18:11,480 --> 00:18:15,240 Speaker 4: possibility of moving Lakewood here. This was more than I 341 00:18:15,240 --> 00:18:18,800 Speaker 4: could ask or think. But what I didn't know was 342 00:18:18,840 --> 00:18:21,960 Speaker 4: it was going to cost one hundred million dollars to renovate. 343 00:18:22,760 --> 00:18:24,480 Speaker 3: I didn't know a company would. 344 00:18:24,320 --> 00:18:28,240 Speaker 4: File a lawsuit to try to stop us. Sometimes it's 345 00:18:28,280 --> 00:18:32,320 Speaker 4: good to be naive. That's called having childlike faith. All 346 00:18:32,359 --> 00:18:35,240 Speaker 4: I knew was that dream was alive in my spirit, 347 00:18:35,480 --> 00:18:37,480 Speaker 4: and I did what I'm asking you to do. 348 00:18:38,119 --> 00:18:40,280 Speaker 3: I stepped in to the unknown. 349 00:18:40,920 --> 00:18:44,399 Speaker 4: This facility was owned by the City of Houston, my 350 00:18:44,560 --> 00:18:45,680 Speaker 4: parents and our family. 351 00:18:45,840 --> 00:18:46,680 Speaker 3: We knew the mayor. 352 00:18:47,160 --> 00:18:49,919 Speaker 4: I called him, and the mayor was in favor of 353 00:18:50,000 --> 00:18:50,920 Speaker 4: Lakewood having it. 354 00:18:51,000 --> 00:18:52,800 Speaker 3: The first miracle, we. 355 00:18:52,720 --> 00:18:56,440 Speaker 4: Needed ten votes from city council members. We only had nine, 356 00:18:57,160 --> 00:19:01,119 Speaker 4: But the night before the main vote, a council member, 357 00:19:01,440 --> 00:19:05,080 Speaker 4: after being against us for two years, suddenly changed his 358 00:19:05,200 --> 00:19:07,639 Speaker 4: mind and voted for us, and we got the building. 359 00:19:07,960 --> 00:19:08,800 Speaker 3: Another miracle. 360 00:19:09,720 --> 00:19:13,439 Speaker 4: A week later, a large company filed a lawsuit to 361 00:19:13,520 --> 00:19:14,200 Speaker 4: try to keep. 362 00:19:14,119 --> 00:19:15,080 Speaker 3: Us from moving in. 363 00:19:15,680 --> 00:19:17,679 Speaker 4: We were told it could be tied up in the 364 00:19:17,720 --> 00:19:20,479 Speaker 4: court system for up to ten years. Here I had 365 00:19:20,520 --> 00:19:24,120 Speaker 4: already announced it to the church, people had given funds. 366 00:19:24,440 --> 00:19:25,359 Speaker 3: I would wake up. 367 00:19:25,280 --> 00:19:28,520 Speaker 4: In the middle of the night sweating thoughts, telling me, Joe, 368 00:19:28,600 --> 00:19:29,840 Speaker 4: you're going to look like a fool. 369 00:19:30,240 --> 00:19:31,760 Speaker 3: This is going to be a big mess when you 370 00:19:31,800 --> 00:19:32,919 Speaker 3: have to give it all back. 371 00:19:33,400 --> 00:19:38,120 Speaker 4: But like Joshua, along the way, miracles kept happening. The 372 00:19:38,160 --> 00:19:41,800 Speaker 4: CEO of this large company flew in from out of 373 00:19:41,880 --> 00:19:44,679 Speaker 4: town to meet with us. We were told by our 374 00:19:44,720 --> 00:19:47,439 Speaker 4: attorneys that it was a ploy just to confuse things. 375 00:19:47,800 --> 00:19:51,159 Speaker 4: But he said, Joel, I watch you on television. My 376 00:19:51,240 --> 00:19:54,200 Speaker 4: son in law is a youth pastor. Let's work something out. 377 00:19:54,680 --> 00:19:56,600 Speaker 3: Two days later we had an agreement. 378 00:19:56,800 --> 00:20:00,520 Speaker 4: The lawsuit was dropped. We were on our way go out, 379 00:20:00,600 --> 00:20:04,960 Speaker 4: not knowing. You'll see Jordan Rivers Park. You'll see compact 380 00:20:04,960 --> 00:20:08,320 Speaker 4: centers fall into place. God will make things happen that 381 00:20:08,359 --> 00:20:11,320 Speaker 4: you could never make happen. Don't get stuck in the boat. 382 00:20:11,840 --> 00:20:13,120 Speaker 3: Don't let the fear. 383 00:20:13,119 --> 00:20:15,600 Speaker 4: That you can't see all the details hold you back. 384 00:20:16,119 --> 00:20:20,000 Speaker 4: You're not supposed to see everything. God's leading you step 385 00:20:20,160 --> 00:20:24,360 Speaker 4: by step. When you're in the unknown, you're having to stretch, 386 00:20:24,720 --> 00:20:25,719 Speaker 4: pray and believe. 387 00:20:26,000 --> 00:20:27,400 Speaker 3: That's when you're really growing. 388 00:20:28,200 --> 00:20:30,760 Speaker 4: Those three years we were in the battle over this place, 389 00:20:31,040 --> 00:20:33,879 Speaker 4: That's when I learned to pray like I had never prayed. 390 00:20:34,640 --> 00:20:36,840 Speaker 4: If I'd known how long it was going to take, 391 00:20:37,160 --> 00:20:39,520 Speaker 4: how much it was going to cost, I just said, no, 392 00:20:39,640 --> 00:20:42,960 Speaker 4: thanks God. I don't want that responsibility. I'm too young, 393 00:20:43,040 --> 00:20:46,640 Speaker 4: I don't have the experience. God knows what's in you. 394 00:20:47,280 --> 00:20:51,120 Speaker 4: He uses these steps to stretch you, to develop you, 395 00:20:51,400 --> 00:20:51,840 Speaker 4: to get you. 396 00:20:51,960 --> 00:20:53,720 Speaker 3: Prepared for the next level. 397 00:20:54,280 --> 00:20:58,800 Speaker 4: The journey is more important than the destination, because if 398 00:20:58,800 --> 00:21:02,200 Speaker 4: you don't get prepared the journey, if you don't learn 399 00:21:02,240 --> 00:21:05,400 Speaker 4: what you're supposed to learn along the way, you won't 400 00:21:05,440 --> 00:21:08,679 Speaker 4: be able to handle where God has taken you. 401 00:21:08,720 --> 00:21:08,960 Speaker 3: See. 402 00:21:09,000 --> 00:21:12,320 Speaker 4: God could have given us the compact center the first 403 00:21:12,359 --> 00:21:15,800 Speaker 4: week we prayed, or at least the first month we prayed. 404 00:21:16,400 --> 00:21:18,280 Speaker 3: That would have saved me a lot of stress. 405 00:21:18,680 --> 00:21:21,480 Speaker 4: I wouldn't have had to stretch, prayed, believe why d 406 00:21:21,600 --> 00:21:22,520 Speaker 4: wait three years? 407 00:21:22,920 --> 00:21:26,439 Speaker 3: He was getting me prepared. I was learning to trust him. 408 00:21:26,760 --> 00:21:30,440 Speaker 4: My faith was being increased, my character was being developed. 409 00:21:30,920 --> 00:21:34,439 Speaker 4: What's interesting in those three years, Like the lady on 410 00:21:34,480 --> 00:21:37,359 Speaker 4: the GPS, I never heard anything new. 411 00:21:38,160 --> 00:21:39,080 Speaker 3: I never heard. 412 00:21:38,880 --> 00:21:41,840 Speaker 4: God say, don't worry, Joel, I got you covered. It's 413 00:21:41,880 --> 00:21:44,440 Speaker 4: all going to work out. I had to trust him 414 00:21:44,760 --> 00:21:48,000 Speaker 4: when he was silent. I had to believe he was 415 00:21:48,080 --> 00:21:50,959 Speaker 4: in control when I didn't see any sign of it. 416 00:21:51,560 --> 00:21:55,040 Speaker 4: I had to keep reminding myself the steps. 417 00:21:54,880 --> 00:21:57,080 Speaker 3: Of a good person are ordered by the Lord. 418 00:21:57,600 --> 00:22:00,879 Speaker 4: I took that step knowing that God put the dream 419 00:22:00,920 --> 00:22:03,680 Speaker 4: in my heart I didn't know how it would turn out. 420 00:22:04,160 --> 00:22:07,400 Speaker 4: I didn't know if we'd be successful, but I believed 421 00:22:07,520 --> 00:22:09,520 Speaker 4: I was doing what God asked me to do. 422 00:22:10,040 --> 00:22:12,680 Speaker 3: And here's the key. Even if you miss. 423 00:22:12,480 --> 00:22:15,639 Speaker 4: It, even if it doesn't turn out the way you thought. 424 00:22:15,720 --> 00:22:18,240 Speaker 3: God knows how to use it for your good. 425 00:22:19,200 --> 00:22:21,840 Speaker 4: God would rather you take a step of faith and 426 00:22:21,960 --> 00:22:24,480 Speaker 4: miss it every once in a while than to play 427 00:22:24,520 --> 00:22:27,280 Speaker 4: it safe your whole life and never make a mistake. 428 00:22:28,080 --> 00:22:30,600 Speaker 4: And the times we make mistakes we miss it, we 429 00:22:30,640 --> 00:22:33,280 Speaker 4: get off course the closed doors. That's all a part 430 00:22:33,280 --> 00:22:37,080 Speaker 4: of God's plan. That's getting us prepared for the open doors. 431 00:22:37,720 --> 00:22:39,720 Speaker 4: But if you're so concerned you're going to miss it, 432 00:22:39,800 --> 00:22:41,439 Speaker 4: you'll never get off a dead sinner. 433 00:22:42,119 --> 00:22:45,199 Speaker 3: I like what my friend Joyce myersays. She was praying. 434 00:22:45,560 --> 00:22:48,720 Speaker 4: She said, God, what if I miss you? God said, Joyce, 435 00:22:48,720 --> 00:22:52,560 Speaker 4: don't worry. If you miss me, I'll find you. But 436 00:22:52,680 --> 00:22:56,439 Speaker 4: sometimes we let the fear of the unknown hold us back. 437 00:22:57,280 --> 00:23:01,040 Speaker 4: Being in God's will, there will be a nott knowing factor. 438 00:23:01,480 --> 00:23:04,000 Speaker 3: You're not going to know all the details how it's 439 00:23:04,040 --> 00:23:06,719 Speaker 3: going to work out. You have to have this boldness 440 00:23:06,960 --> 00:23:08,920 Speaker 3: to step in to the unknown. 441 00:23:09,880 --> 00:23:12,120 Speaker 4: This is what my brother Paul did you know he's 442 00:23:12,160 --> 00:23:16,000 Speaker 4: a medical doctor. For thirteen years, he was the chief 443 00:23:16,040 --> 00:23:20,600 Speaker 4: of surgery at a hospital in Arkansas, had a successful practice. 444 00:23:20,880 --> 00:23:23,200 Speaker 3: Looked like that's how he would spend his life. 445 00:23:23,840 --> 00:23:27,359 Speaker 4: But when Daddy died in nineteen ninety nine, Paul felt 446 00:23:27,359 --> 00:23:30,640 Speaker 4: the Lord leading him to come back home to Houston 447 00:23:31,040 --> 00:23:34,800 Speaker 4: to help us pastor the church. His colleagues thought he 448 00:23:34,920 --> 00:23:37,200 Speaker 4: was having a midlife crisis. 449 00:23:37,560 --> 00:23:39,200 Speaker 3: They told him to wait at least. 450 00:23:39,040 --> 00:23:41,879 Speaker 4: A couple of years, get over my father's death, not 451 00:23:42,000 --> 00:23:46,400 Speaker 4: make an emotional decision. But deep down, Paul knew that's 452 00:23:46,440 --> 00:23:49,600 Speaker 4: what he was supposed to do. In his mind, it 453 00:23:49,640 --> 00:23:53,680 Speaker 4: didn't make sense leaving your medical practice, giving up all 454 00:23:53,720 --> 00:23:54,400 Speaker 4: that training. 455 00:23:54,960 --> 00:23:57,600 Speaker 3: Thoughts started telling him what if it doesn't. 456 00:23:57,320 --> 00:24:00,400 Speaker 4: Work out, What if you don't like it, What if 457 00:24:00,400 --> 00:24:03,000 Speaker 4: they don't like you? What if you get down there 458 00:24:03,000 --> 00:24:05,919 Speaker 4: and Joel makes fun of you all the time? In 459 00:24:06,000 --> 00:24:08,680 Speaker 4: the natural, it seemed like he was making a mistake. 460 00:24:09,160 --> 00:24:13,040 Speaker 4: But like Abraham, Paul went out not knowing how it 461 00:24:13,119 --> 00:24:15,879 Speaker 4: was going to work out. He didn't have all the details. 462 00:24:16,040 --> 00:24:19,080 Speaker 4: We didn't have a ten year strategy. All he knew 463 00:24:19,200 --> 00:24:22,160 Speaker 4: was the first step, go back home and help your family. 464 00:24:22,840 --> 00:24:25,960 Speaker 4: What Paul didn't know was how the ministry was going 465 00:24:26,000 --> 00:24:29,800 Speaker 4: to grow. He didn't know that after eight years of 466 00:24:29,920 --> 00:24:33,560 Speaker 4: helping us faithfully past to the church, God would open 467 00:24:33,600 --> 00:24:36,520 Speaker 4: the door for him to go to Africa several months 468 00:24:36,560 --> 00:24:40,399 Speaker 4: at a time and operate on less fortunate people. That 469 00:24:40,680 --> 00:24:44,360 Speaker 4: was his dream, to do medical missions. He thought he 470 00:24:44,440 --> 00:24:48,239 Speaker 4: was walking away from medicine. What he couldn't see it 471 00:24:48,320 --> 00:24:49,680 Speaker 4: was all a part of God's plan. 472 00:24:50,400 --> 00:24:53,240 Speaker 3: If he had not stepped into the unknown, he wouldn't 473 00:24:53,280 --> 00:24:55,120 Speaker 3: have reached the fullness of his destiny. 474 00:24:55,880 --> 00:24:58,840 Speaker 4: When you have this boldness to go out not knowing, 475 00:24:59,080 --> 00:25:02,320 Speaker 4: your life will be more rewarding, more fulfilling than you 476 00:25:02,359 --> 00:25:05,560 Speaker 4: could ever imagine. There was a young Jewish girl in 477 00:25:05,600 --> 00:25:09,440 Speaker 4: the scripture named Esther. She was an orphan, didn't come 478 00:25:09,480 --> 00:25:13,199 Speaker 4: from an influential family. God raised her up. Now she 479 00:25:13,400 --> 00:25:16,600 Speaker 4: was the queen living in the palace. A man named 480 00:25:16,600 --> 00:25:20,280 Speaker 4: Haymon tried to secretly pass a law to get rid 481 00:25:20,359 --> 00:25:24,000 Speaker 4: of all the Jewish people. Esther's uncle came to the 482 00:25:24,040 --> 00:25:26,840 Speaker 4: palace and told her of the ploy. Said, you've got 483 00:25:26,840 --> 00:25:28,840 Speaker 4: to go in and tell the king what's going on. 484 00:25:29,600 --> 00:25:32,520 Speaker 4: The problem was in those days if you approached the 485 00:25:32,600 --> 00:25:36,080 Speaker 4: king without him holding up his golden rod, then you 486 00:25:36,119 --> 00:25:36,959 Speaker 4: could be killed. 487 00:25:37,520 --> 00:25:39,560 Speaker 3: Esther said, I can't do that. What if he doesn't 488 00:25:39,560 --> 00:25:41,320 Speaker 3: hold it up, that would be the end of me. 489 00:25:42,240 --> 00:25:45,440 Speaker 4: God was asking her to step into the unknown. 490 00:25:45,800 --> 00:25:48,359 Speaker 3: But the what if started coming. What if he doesn't 491 00:25:48,359 --> 00:25:50,680 Speaker 3: hold it up. What if he's in a bad mood, 492 00:25:50,800 --> 00:25:52,440 Speaker 3: what if he gets upset. 493 00:25:53,040 --> 00:25:55,480 Speaker 4: Just when she was about to talk herself out of it, 494 00:25:55,960 --> 00:26:00,679 Speaker 4: her uncle said, Esther, if you remained silent, for the 495 00:26:00,760 --> 00:26:04,120 Speaker 4: Jews will come from someone else, but you and your 496 00:26:04,200 --> 00:26:05,560 Speaker 4: family will perish. 497 00:26:05,760 --> 00:26:08,480 Speaker 3: And who knows but that you've come to the kingdom 498 00:26:08,680 --> 00:26:09,920 Speaker 3: for such a time as this. 499 00:26:10,880 --> 00:26:13,040 Speaker 4: God was saying Esther, if you don't want to do it, 500 00:26:13,040 --> 00:26:16,240 Speaker 4: that's fine. I'll get somebody else. But the problem is, Esther, 501 00:26:16,880 --> 00:26:20,720 Speaker 4: you will miss your destiny. This opportunity will not come 502 00:26:20,760 --> 00:26:24,040 Speaker 4: your way again. This was her chance to leave her mark. 503 00:26:24,160 --> 00:26:27,000 Speaker 4: It was a now or never moment. I love what 504 00:26:27,240 --> 00:26:30,880 Speaker 4: Esther did. She said, I will go before the king. 505 00:26:31,400 --> 00:26:32,959 Speaker 4: If I perish, I perish. 506 00:26:33,200 --> 00:26:36,800 Speaker 3: But I will not let this moment pass. Esther stepped 507 00:26:36,840 --> 00:26:37,840 Speaker 3: into the unknown. 508 00:26:38,680 --> 00:26:41,479 Speaker 4: She not only had favor with the king, but she 509 00:26:41,680 --> 00:26:43,439 Speaker 4: was able to deliver her people. 510 00:26:43,800 --> 00:26:45,600 Speaker 3: She became one of the heroes of faith. 511 00:26:46,480 --> 00:26:50,199 Speaker 4: Like Esther, we all have opportunities that won't pass our 512 00:26:50,240 --> 00:26:50,919 Speaker 4: way again. 513 00:26:51,640 --> 00:26:53,600 Speaker 3: When my dad went to be with the Lord. 514 00:26:53,720 --> 00:26:55,800 Speaker 4: I had to make the choice to step up or 515 00:26:55,840 --> 00:26:58,639 Speaker 4: play it safe. That was one of those now or 516 00:26:58,680 --> 00:27:02,720 Speaker 4: never moments when they come your way. Don't shrink back, 517 00:27:03,280 --> 00:27:05,880 Speaker 4: don't let fear talk you out of it. Don't let 518 00:27:05,880 --> 00:27:08,479 Speaker 4: the what ifs keep you in the boat. Be bold, 519 00:27:08,960 --> 00:27:13,040 Speaker 4: be courageous, step into the unknown. You may not have 520 00:27:13,119 --> 00:27:15,560 Speaker 4: all the details, you're not sure how it's going to 521 00:27:15,640 --> 00:27:20,280 Speaker 4: work out. But like with Joshua, along the way, miracles 522 00:27:20,280 --> 00:27:23,880 Speaker 4: will happen. God will open doors that no man can shut. 523 00:27:24,160 --> 00:27:27,680 Speaker 4: If you'll do this, I believe and declare you're about 524 00:27:27,720 --> 00:27:30,719 Speaker 4: to step in to a new level of favor, a 525 00:27:30,760 --> 00:27:32,080 Speaker 4: new level of influence. 526 00:27:32,520 --> 00:27:36,160 Speaker 3: Like Esther, You're going to leave your mark, accomplish your dreams, 527 00:27:36,359 --> 00:27:39,920 Speaker 3: and reach the fullness of your destiny. In Jesus's name. 528 00:27:40,440 --> 00:27:41,200 Speaker 3: If you receive it. 529 00:27:41,160 --> 00:27:44,639 Speaker 4: Today, can you say amen, I'd like to give you 530 00:27:44,680 --> 00:27:47,800 Speaker 4: an opportunity to make Jesus the lord of your life. 531 00:27:48,200 --> 00:27:49,280 Speaker 3: Wouldn't you pray with me? 532 00:27:50,000 --> 00:27:55,320 Speaker 4: Just say, Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins. Come 533 00:27:55,320 --> 00:28:00,639 Speaker 4: into my heart. I make you my Lord and Savior. Friends, 534 00:28:00,680 --> 00:28:03,360 Speaker 4: if you've prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 535 00:28:03,400 --> 00:28:06,760 Speaker 4: born again. Get in a good Bible based church. Keep 536 00:28:06,800 --> 00:28:07,840 Speaker 4: God first place. 537 00:28:08,680 --> 00:28:12,120 Speaker 3: Thank you for listening to the joel Ostein podcast. Help 538 00:28:12,200 --> 00:28:14,920 Speaker 3: us continue to share the message of hope with those 539 00:28:15,040 --> 00:28:16,000 Speaker 3: all over the world. 540 00:28:16,280 --> 00:28:19,960 Speaker 1: Visit Joelostein dot com slash give Hope to give a 541 00:28:20,000 --> 00:28:20,720 Speaker 1: gift today. 542 00:28:21,960 --> 00:28:24,399 Speaker 3: Thanks so much for listening to today's message. 543 00:28:24,520 --> 00:28:27,280 Speaker 4: I hope you'll subscribe so you can receive the latest 544 00:28:27,320 --> 00:28:30,800 Speaker 4: podcast to keep you inspired all through the week. We're 545 00:28:30,840 --> 00:28:33,479 Speaker 4: praying for you. 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