1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:02,880 Speaker 1: No one likes to talk about money. Am I saving enough? 2 00:00:02,960 --> 00:00:05,040 Speaker 1: Can I buy a house? Am I paying too much 3 00:00:05,040 --> 00:00:07,760 Speaker 1: in taxes? Will I be able to retire? What if 4 00:00:07,760 --> 00:00:10,360 Speaker 1: you could unlock insights about your finances in less than 5 00:00:10,360 --> 00:00:12,840 Speaker 1: five minutes, with a clear picture of where you stand 6 00:00:12,880 --> 00:00:15,720 Speaker 1: today and where your money can work harder. Now you 7 00:00:15,760 --> 00:00:18,759 Speaker 1: can visit facet dot com to take the free quiz 8 00:00:18,800 --> 00:00:23,400 Speaker 1: and get your financial wellness score today. That's Facet dot com. 9 00:00:23,440 --> 00:00:25,360 Speaker 1: This ad is sponsored by Facet. Fast Wealth in Corporated 10 00:00:25,440 --> 00:00:27,280 Speaker 1: is an sec registered investment advisor. 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The unit stap 28 00:01:11,800 --> 00:01:14,320 Speaker 3: makes it easy for grandparents and family friends to give 29 00:01:14,400 --> 00:01:17,039 Speaker 3: funds to a child's investment account for a limited time. 30 00:01:17,200 --> 00:01:19,360 Speaker 5: Download the uns stapp and use the code I heeart 31 00:01:19,400 --> 00:01:21,680 Speaker 5: fifty at sign up to receive a fifty dollars bonus 32 00:01:21,680 --> 00:01:24,240 Speaker 5: when you find your account. That's code iHeart fifty when 33 00:01:24,240 --> 00:01:27,240 Speaker 5: you sign up at unest dot co for a fifty 34 00:01:27,280 --> 00:01:30,080 Speaker 5: dollars bonus. See terms and conditions at UNEs dot co. 35 00:01:32,880 --> 00:01:35,600 Speaker 4: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 36 00:01:35,640 --> 00:01:38,399 Speaker 4: our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. 37 00:01:38,520 --> 00:01:40,880 Speaker 5: If you enjoy today's message, why don't you be a 38 00:01:40,880 --> 00:01:42,440 Speaker 5: blessing and share it with a friend. 39 00:01:42,760 --> 00:01:45,480 Speaker 4: We appreciate you and pray for God's very best in 40 00:01:45,520 --> 00:01:49,520 Speaker 4: your life. Well, God bless you. It's great to be 41 00:01:49,600 --> 00:01:52,240 Speaker 4: with you today, and I hope you'll stay connected with 42 00:01:52,320 --> 00:01:55,880 Speaker 4: us during the week through our daily podcast, our YouTube channel, 43 00:01:56,000 --> 00:01:59,400 Speaker 4: social media, and you can come visit us in person 44 00:02:00,120 --> 00:02:02,440 Speaker 4: to have you be a part of one of our services. 45 00:02:02,720 --> 00:02:04,960 Speaker 4: So I like to start with something funny, and I 46 00:02:05,000 --> 00:02:08,200 Speaker 4: heard about this man named Bubba. He lived way out 47 00:02:08,240 --> 00:02:10,600 Speaker 4: in the country and there was a stray dog that 48 00:02:10,720 --> 00:02:13,400 Speaker 4: kept showing up at his house. His wife said, Bubba, 49 00:02:13,440 --> 00:02:15,440 Speaker 4: you have to put the dog in your truck, take 50 00:02:15,480 --> 00:02:17,760 Speaker 4: him out in the woods and drop him off. That's 51 00:02:17,800 --> 00:02:20,920 Speaker 4: where he lives. Bubba drove him a mile down the road, 52 00:02:21,040 --> 00:02:23,679 Speaker 4: dropped him off. When he came home, the dog was 53 00:02:23,720 --> 00:02:27,360 Speaker 4: walking up the driveway practically beat him back. This happened 54 00:02:27,360 --> 00:02:29,880 Speaker 4: again and again. His wife said, Bubba, you have to 55 00:02:29,919 --> 00:02:33,000 Speaker 4: take him way out, drive him around in circles, get 56 00:02:33,080 --> 00:02:36,400 Speaker 4: him mixed up. Bubba drove him an hour away, criss 57 00:02:36,400 --> 00:02:39,720 Speaker 4: cross roads he's never driven before, dropped him off. Two 58 00:02:39,720 --> 00:02:42,640 Speaker 4: hours later. He called his wife from the truck, said 59 00:02:42,639 --> 00:02:45,160 Speaker 4: did the dog come back. She said, yeah, he's walking 60 00:02:45,240 --> 00:02:48,000 Speaker 4: up the driveway. Now, Bubba said, do me a favor, 61 00:02:48,080 --> 00:02:51,959 Speaker 4: put him on the line. I need directions. Say it 62 00:02:52,080 --> 00:02:54,960 Speaker 4: like you mean it. This is my Bible. I am 63 00:02:55,040 --> 00:02:57,520 Speaker 4: what it says I am. I have what it says 64 00:02:57,520 --> 00:03:00,160 Speaker 4: I have. I can do what it says I can do. 65 00:03:00,600 --> 00:03:03,519 Speaker 4: Today I will be taught the word of God. I'll 66 00:03:03,560 --> 00:03:07,760 Speaker 4: boldly confess my mind is alert, my heart is receptive. 67 00:03:08,160 --> 00:03:11,840 Speaker 4: I will never be the same. In Jesus' name, God 68 00:03:11,880 --> 00:03:15,239 Speaker 4: bless you. I want to talk to you today about 69 00:03:15,400 --> 00:03:19,320 Speaker 4: joy in the journey. Too often, we're going to enjoy 70 00:03:19,400 --> 00:03:23,119 Speaker 4: life when we accomplish a goal, when the kids are raised, 71 00:03:23,320 --> 00:03:26,880 Speaker 4: when we get the promotion Joe, when I lose ten pounds, 72 00:03:27,320 --> 00:03:30,000 Speaker 4: when I get through this problem, then I'll be happy. 73 00:03:30,760 --> 00:03:33,760 Speaker 4: Our joy is always in the future, when we cross 74 00:03:33,800 --> 00:03:37,360 Speaker 4: the finish line. The problem with this approach is there's 75 00:03:37,400 --> 00:03:41,120 Speaker 4: always some reason we can't be happy. Something's going on 76 00:03:41,240 --> 00:03:44,960 Speaker 4: that's causing us to be stressed uptight. But the key 77 00:03:45,240 --> 00:03:48,880 Speaker 4: is to find joy in the journey. You're not there yet. 78 00:03:49,360 --> 00:03:52,560 Speaker 4: You're still waiting for things to improve, still believing for 79 00:03:52,600 --> 00:03:56,520 Speaker 4: the promise. But in the meantime, you're enjoying where you 80 00:03:56,640 --> 00:03:59,320 Speaker 4: are while you're on the way to where you're going. 81 00:04:00,280 --> 00:04:03,400 Speaker 4: If you're so focused on the finish line, what's not 82 00:04:03,520 --> 00:04:07,120 Speaker 4: working out, this trouble at the office, then you'll miss 83 00:04:07,160 --> 00:04:10,640 Speaker 4: the beauty of this day. You won't laugh at the 84 00:04:10,720 --> 00:04:14,240 Speaker 4: funny thing your child does. You're too busy, got to 85 00:04:14,320 --> 00:04:17,480 Speaker 4: get them dressed, feed them breakfast, get them to school. 86 00:04:18,200 --> 00:04:21,279 Speaker 4: You want enjoy your spouse. You're too busy trying to 87 00:04:21,320 --> 00:04:25,320 Speaker 4: fix them. Focused on their flaws. When they improve, then 88 00:04:25,360 --> 00:04:28,880 Speaker 4: you'll have fun together. I know people that hurry through 89 00:04:28,880 --> 00:04:32,279 Speaker 4: the week. They don't like going to work, dread driving 90 00:04:32,360 --> 00:04:35,440 Speaker 4: in the traffic, have to put up with this cranky coworker. 91 00:04:35,760 --> 00:04:39,360 Speaker 4: They can't wait till the weekend gets here. How much 92 00:04:39,480 --> 00:04:42,159 Speaker 4: of your life are you missing trying to get to 93 00:04:42,240 --> 00:04:45,320 Speaker 4: the next thing, what you think is better, then you 94 00:04:45,360 --> 00:04:49,200 Speaker 4: can be happy. Try a different approach. Instead of rushing 95 00:04:49,279 --> 00:04:51,919 Speaker 4: through what you don't like trying to get to the 96 00:04:51,960 --> 00:04:56,280 Speaker 4: next goal, slow down and find the joy in the journey. 97 00:04:57,080 --> 00:04:59,760 Speaker 4: Look at all the good things in your life right now. 98 00:05:00,440 --> 00:05:03,240 Speaker 4: Don't take for granted the people God's given you the love. 99 00:05:04,000 --> 00:05:07,520 Speaker 4: They may not be perfect, but neither are you. Joe, 100 00:05:07,640 --> 00:05:10,400 Speaker 4: this husband, he gets on my nerves. I bet you 101 00:05:10,440 --> 00:05:13,919 Speaker 4: get on his nerves too. Some people would love to 102 00:05:14,000 --> 00:05:17,200 Speaker 4: have your husband. They'd give anything to have that man. 103 00:05:17,760 --> 00:05:20,080 Speaker 4: I see a lady holding up her husband's phone number. 104 00:05:20,160 --> 00:05:24,440 Speaker 4: That's how she's gonna get joined. But these children, there's 105 00:05:24,480 --> 00:05:28,200 Speaker 4: so much work. All I do is cook, clean, run 106 00:05:28,240 --> 00:05:30,839 Speaker 4: in places, do you know how many people are not 107 00:05:30,920 --> 00:05:34,800 Speaker 4: able to have children. They do anything to have those kids. 108 00:05:35,480 --> 00:05:39,000 Speaker 4: What you see is common is really uncommon. What we 109 00:05:39,080 --> 00:05:44,039 Speaker 4: think is ordinary is really extraordinary. Well, it's Monday, I 110 00:05:44,120 --> 00:05:46,839 Speaker 4: have to go to work. Try a different approach. I 111 00:05:46,920 --> 00:05:49,360 Speaker 4: get to go to work. I have a job, I 112 00:05:49,400 --> 00:05:53,120 Speaker 4: have income, I have resources. I can't stand driving in 113 00:05:53,160 --> 00:05:56,640 Speaker 4: this traffic. It's so stressful. How about I get to 114 00:05:56,760 --> 00:06:00,760 Speaker 4: drive in traffic. I have a car, I have opportunity. Well, 115 00:06:00,800 --> 00:06:03,120 Speaker 4: I got to clean the house again today. That's the 116 00:06:03,200 --> 00:06:05,880 Speaker 4: story of my life. Now I get to clean the house. 117 00:06:06,040 --> 00:06:09,599 Speaker 4: God's blessed me with the place to live. If you'll 118 00:06:09,640 --> 00:06:13,160 Speaker 4: have the right perspective, you'll find joy in the journey. 119 00:06:13,920 --> 00:06:16,640 Speaker 4: Not in my dream house yet, but Lord, I'm grateful 120 00:06:16,640 --> 00:06:20,400 Speaker 4: for this apartment. Haven't met the right person yet, but Lord, 121 00:06:20,440 --> 00:06:23,960 Speaker 4: I'm grateful being single. This place i'm working is not 122 00:06:24,000 --> 00:06:26,600 Speaker 4: where I want to end up, but Lord, I'm grateful 123 00:06:26,640 --> 00:06:30,520 Speaker 4: that I'm employed. See, the enemy would love to deceive 124 00:06:30,640 --> 00:06:36,159 Speaker 4: us into enduring life, not enjoying life, having children, not 125 00:06:36,360 --> 00:06:41,760 Speaker 4: enjoying them, being married, but not enjoying it, having a house, job, opportunity, 126 00:06:42,000 --> 00:06:44,880 Speaker 4: But always some reason we're not happy. We got to 127 00:06:44,920 --> 00:06:48,360 Speaker 4: get to that next thing, then we'll enjoy life. Now 128 00:06:48,400 --> 00:06:51,400 Speaker 4: you have to learn this principle. There is joy in 129 00:06:51,440 --> 00:06:54,960 Speaker 4: your journey. There are things in your life right now 130 00:06:55,200 --> 00:06:58,240 Speaker 4: that you can enjoy if you'll have the right perspective. 131 00:06:59,240 --> 00:07:05,480 Speaker 4: Paul sitting Fulllypians, whatever things are wholesome, good, pure, if 132 00:07:05,520 --> 00:07:09,400 Speaker 4: there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think 133 00:07:09,440 --> 00:07:13,360 Speaker 4: on these things. It's significant that he used the word if, 134 00:07:14,120 --> 00:07:17,360 Speaker 4: if there be any virtue. He was saying, you have 135 00:07:17,440 --> 00:07:20,680 Speaker 4: to look for the good in your family, look for 136 00:07:20,760 --> 00:07:24,360 Speaker 4: the good in your spouse. Yes, you can point out 137 00:07:24,400 --> 00:07:28,200 Speaker 4: twenty three flaws. How about looking for the good in 138 00:07:28,280 --> 00:07:31,760 Speaker 4: that challenge. Maybe a lot's coming against you. Look for 139 00:07:31,840 --> 00:07:36,280 Speaker 4: the good. God is sustaining you. People are encouraging you. 140 00:07:36,520 --> 00:07:39,640 Speaker 4: This one area has improved. If you're going to find 141 00:07:39,720 --> 00:07:42,520 Speaker 4: joy in the journey, you have to look past all 142 00:07:42,560 --> 00:07:46,480 Speaker 4: the wrongs and see the rights. And sometimes it's just 143 00:07:46,520 --> 00:07:49,720 Speaker 4: the fact that you shouldn't still be here. The opposition 144 00:07:49,800 --> 00:07:52,960 Speaker 4: should have taken you out. The sickness should have defeated you, 145 00:07:53,560 --> 00:07:56,000 Speaker 4: how you were raised, should have held you back. But 146 00:07:56,040 --> 00:07:58,680 Speaker 4: you can say, Lord, thank you that I'm still standing, 147 00:07:58,960 --> 00:08:01,400 Speaker 4: thank you that I still have to breathe, thank you 148 00:08:01,440 --> 00:08:05,640 Speaker 4: that you're still for me. Luke twenty four. Jesus had 149 00:08:05,680 --> 00:08:09,440 Speaker 4: been crucified on a Friday. That Sunday, two of his 150 00:08:09,560 --> 00:08:14,280 Speaker 4: disciples were walking from Jerusalem to a city called Imaus. 151 00:08:14,680 --> 00:08:18,080 Speaker 4: You can imagine how discouraged they were. The man they 152 00:08:18,080 --> 00:08:21,680 Speaker 4: had followed given their life to was now gone. And 153 00:08:21,760 --> 00:08:24,840 Speaker 4: as they were on this journey talking about everything that 154 00:08:24,880 --> 00:08:29,400 Speaker 4: had happened, the wrongs, the betrayals, the heartache, Jesus came 155 00:08:29,520 --> 00:08:33,160 Speaker 4: up and started walking with them, but they didn't recognize 156 00:08:33,200 --> 00:08:36,840 Speaker 4: who he was. He was in a different form. Jesus 157 00:08:36,920 --> 00:08:40,040 Speaker 4: asked what they were discussing and why they were so concerned. 158 00:08:40,760 --> 00:08:43,920 Speaker 4: They said, in effect, where have you been? Haven't you 159 00:08:44,080 --> 00:08:48,400 Speaker 4: heard they've taken our messiah and crucified him. How we're 160 00:08:48,400 --> 00:08:52,560 Speaker 4: without a leader. Jesus began to talk to them about 161 00:08:52,559 --> 00:08:55,880 Speaker 4: what the prophets had predicted, how he had to come 162 00:08:55,960 --> 00:08:59,400 Speaker 4: and be crucified, that he'd be raised on the third day. 163 00:09:00,200 --> 00:09:03,600 Speaker 4: Verse twenty seven says he explained what the scripture said 164 00:09:03,640 --> 00:09:08,160 Speaker 4: about him. What an incredible moment this was. They're walking 165 00:09:08,240 --> 00:09:12,040 Speaker 4: with Jesus, who's just risen from the dead, who's helping 166 00:09:12,080 --> 00:09:16,679 Speaker 4: them to understand passages from the Old Testament that prophesied 167 00:09:16,720 --> 00:09:19,080 Speaker 4: what would happen, how this was all a part of 168 00:09:19,120 --> 00:09:23,080 Speaker 4: God's plan. Well, it was a seven mile walk from Jerusalem. 169 00:09:23,679 --> 00:09:26,480 Speaker 4: They were about to arrive in Ammaeas. It was late 170 00:09:26,520 --> 00:09:30,439 Speaker 4: at night. They asked Jesus to stay with them. As 171 00:09:30,480 --> 00:09:34,000 Speaker 4: they were eating dinner, Jesus broke the bread and their 172 00:09:34,000 --> 00:09:39,120 Speaker 4: eyes were open. They recognized who he was. Jesus suddenly disappeared. 173 00:09:40,120 --> 00:09:43,360 Speaker 4: But think about that long walk with Jesus. They were 174 00:09:43,400 --> 00:09:47,280 Speaker 4: so focused on what didn't work out, this great disappointment, 175 00:09:47,559 --> 00:09:51,800 Speaker 4: their leader is gone, that they didn't recognize the miracle. 176 00:09:51,960 --> 00:09:55,400 Speaker 4: In the moment, all they knew was life was unfair, 177 00:09:55,960 --> 00:10:00,200 Speaker 4: This wasn't right. They were discouraged, Yet that whole time, 178 00:10:00,520 --> 00:10:04,800 Speaker 4: the risen Savior was in their midst. How many times 179 00:10:04,840 --> 00:10:08,520 Speaker 4: on our journey are we not recognizing what God is doing. 180 00:10:09,360 --> 00:10:11,320 Speaker 4: We're so caught up in the stress of the day 181 00:10:11,960 --> 00:10:14,719 Speaker 4: dealing with this problem, had to set back in our 182 00:10:14,760 --> 00:10:18,559 Speaker 4: finances that we don't see all the good things. How 183 00:10:18,600 --> 00:10:23,040 Speaker 4: God is sustaining us, favoring us, guiding us. We've been 184 00:10:23,080 --> 00:10:26,959 Speaker 4: through challenges, but in the midst our children are still healthy. 185 00:10:27,520 --> 00:10:30,880 Speaker 4: We have opportunity. The right person showed up when we 186 00:10:30,960 --> 00:10:35,040 Speaker 4: needed them. Don't get so focused on what's wrong that 187 00:10:35,080 --> 00:10:40,000 Speaker 4: you don't recognize what's right. It's interesting that these disciples 188 00:10:40,040 --> 00:10:43,800 Speaker 4: were on a journey with Jesus. One principle it shows 189 00:10:43,920 --> 00:10:47,559 Speaker 4: us is there was joy in the journey, but they 190 00:10:47,559 --> 00:10:51,480 Speaker 4: didn't recognize it. How many of us are seeing the 191 00:10:51,600 --> 00:10:55,640 Speaker 4: joy in the journey. We see the traffic, we see 192 00:10:55,679 --> 00:10:58,880 Speaker 4: the struggle. These children are a lot of work. But 193 00:10:58,960 --> 00:11:02,160 Speaker 4: are you seeing the joy? Could it be like these 194 00:11:02,200 --> 00:11:06,080 Speaker 4: disciples that God is doing great things in your midst 195 00:11:06,360 --> 00:11:10,520 Speaker 4: but you don't see it. The scripture says God opened 196 00:11:10,559 --> 00:11:15,880 Speaker 4: their eyes and suddenly they recognize Jesus. My prayer is, God, 197 00:11:15,920 --> 00:11:19,400 Speaker 4: open our eyes, help us on the journey of life 198 00:11:19,600 --> 00:11:23,320 Speaker 4: to not miss the miracles of the moment, to recognize 199 00:11:23,360 --> 00:11:27,040 Speaker 4: your goodness, to be aware that you're at work. I 200 00:11:27,080 --> 00:11:30,040 Speaker 4: don't want us to come to the end of life. Man. 201 00:11:30,200 --> 00:11:34,680 Speaker 4: I didn't enjoy my twenties so stress raising kids. I 202 00:11:34,679 --> 00:11:38,080 Speaker 4: didn't enjoy my thirties. Pressures of work were so bad. 203 00:11:38,360 --> 00:11:42,319 Speaker 4: Didn't enjoy my forties, had financial difficulties my fifties, I 204 00:11:42,360 --> 00:11:46,079 Speaker 4: had that health issues. My sixties, we had inflation, the pandemic, 205 00:11:46,240 --> 00:11:50,240 Speaker 4: the Texans couldn't win. We look up and our life 206 00:11:50,360 --> 00:11:54,079 Speaker 4: is passed, but we didn't enjoy it. There's always something, 207 00:11:54,600 --> 00:11:58,320 Speaker 4: some problem, some person, some delay. You could be in 208 00:11:58,360 --> 00:12:02,520 Speaker 4: a great moment right now, but like these disciples, you're 209 00:12:02,559 --> 00:12:05,880 Speaker 4: letting what went wrong, so focused on where you're trying 210 00:12:05,880 --> 00:12:09,679 Speaker 4: to go that you're missing all the good things. They 211 00:12:09,760 --> 00:12:13,000 Speaker 4: looked back and thought, Man Jesus was walking with us, 212 00:12:13,480 --> 00:12:16,560 Speaker 4: he was explaining the scriptures. We were right there in 213 00:12:16,559 --> 00:12:19,839 Speaker 4: his presence. We should have stopped, taken it all in 214 00:12:19,960 --> 00:12:23,200 Speaker 4: and enjoyed it. Instead, they're just trying to get to 215 00:12:23,240 --> 00:12:27,640 Speaker 4: amais trying to get past the disappointment. I'm not saying 216 00:12:27,679 --> 00:12:31,160 Speaker 4: that we don't have difficulties. There's pressure stress. What I'm 217 00:12:31,200 --> 00:12:35,200 Speaker 4: saying is there is good in every season. You have 218 00:12:35,280 --> 00:12:39,400 Speaker 4: to find joy in the journey. Sometimes, like these disciples, 219 00:12:39,640 --> 00:12:42,600 Speaker 4: we don't see it till it's gone. In the moment, 220 00:12:42,679 --> 00:12:45,560 Speaker 4: we don't recognize it, but later we look back and 221 00:12:45,600 --> 00:12:48,720 Speaker 4: think that was a great time. We talk about the 222 00:12:48,760 --> 00:12:52,000 Speaker 4: good old days. Can I tell you are living in 223 00:12:52,040 --> 00:12:55,960 Speaker 4: the good old days. There are great things happening right now, 224 00:12:56,440 --> 00:13:00,880 Speaker 4: great memories, great people, great opportunities. Don't do like them 225 00:13:00,960 --> 00:13:04,480 Speaker 4: and miss it. A few years before my father passed, 226 00:13:04,679 --> 00:13:08,360 Speaker 4: three of my sisters, along with their spouses their husbands, 227 00:13:08,520 --> 00:13:11,320 Speaker 4: they worked on staff with us here at Lakewood. That 228 00:13:11,520 --> 00:13:14,720 Speaker 4: was four of the five children. My brother Paul hadn't 229 00:13:14,720 --> 00:13:18,200 Speaker 4: come to join us yet. And on Sunday nights during church, 230 00:13:18,760 --> 00:13:20,920 Speaker 4: I would look down the road and see Lisa and 231 00:13:21,000 --> 00:13:24,360 Speaker 4: her husband, and Tamar and her husband, April and her husband, 232 00:13:24,800 --> 00:13:28,880 Speaker 4: then Victoria and myself. I would tell Victoria often, we 233 00:13:28,920 --> 00:13:31,640 Speaker 4: are living in the good old days. This is an 234 00:13:31,679 --> 00:13:36,000 Speaker 4: amazing time where we're all here together. Somehow I knew 235 00:13:36,040 --> 00:13:38,960 Speaker 4: not to take it for granted. It's just my family, 236 00:13:39,160 --> 00:13:43,439 Speaker 4: no big deal. I recognized that it was unusual. We 237 00:13:43,480 --> 00:13:47,080 Speaker 4: made the most of that time. Over the years, people 238 00:13:47,160 --> 00:13:52,360 Speaker 4: moved on, started churches, fulfilling their calling. The people in 239 00:13:52,400 --> 00:13:55,840 Speaker 4: your life are not always going to be there. Don't 240 00:13:55,840 --> 00:14:00,600 Speaker 4: take them for granted. I like to accomplish dreams, goals, 241 00:14:00,679 --> 00:14:04,360 Speaker 4: go fast. I have to remind myself what I'm telling you, 242 00:14:04,720 --> 00:14:10,640 Speaker 4: slow down and enjoy the journey. It's easy to live busy, stressed, upset, 243 00:14:11,200 --> 00:14:15,120 Speaker 4: but today is a gift from God. Don't just endure it, 244 00:14:15,520 --> 00:14:18,960 Speaker 4: enjoy it. Twenty years from now, you're going to look 245 00:14:19,000 --> 00:14:22,760 Speaker 4: back with fond memories of today. You're gonna think those 246 00:14:22,800 --> 00:14:26,760 Speaker 4: were the good old days, raising my children, working for 247 00:14:26,840 --> 00:14:30,640 Speaker 4: that company, go into Lakewood. But I wonder, if you're 248 00:14:30,640 --> 00:14:33,720 Speaker 4: living in the good old days and you don't recognize it, 249 00:14:34,280 --> 00:14:39,680 Speaker 4: you're uptight, focused on what's wrong trying to achieve those dreams. No, 250 00:14:39,840 --> 00:14:44,200 Speaker 4: start finding joy in the journey. When our son Jonathan 251 00:14:44,440 --> 00:14:46,920 Speaker 4: was seven years old, we were about to leave for 252 00:14:47,120 --> 00:14:49,920 Speaker 4: church and I was in the garage putting things in 253 00:14:49,960 --> 00:14:52,560 Speaker 4: the car, and I said, come on, Jonathan, let's go. 254 00:14:53,320 --> 00:14:55,680 Speaker 4: And he had one of those label makers that we 255 00:14:55,840 --> 00:14:58,040 Speaker 4: used to use. You hold it in your hand and 256 00:14:58,320 --> 00:15:00,800 Speaker 4: you select the letter on the dial, you click it. 257 00:15:01,000 --> 00:15:03,960 Speaker 4: You can make labels. He was so focused on what 258 00:15:04,040 --> 00:15:06,840 Speaker 4: he was doing. I said, Jonathan, we're going to be late. 259 00:15:07,000 --> 00:15:09,480 Speaker 4: We have to go. He said, okay, Dad, just give 260 00:15:09,480 --> 00:15:12,040 Speaker 4: me another second. I said, we don't have a second. 261 00:15:12,640 --> 00:15:15,520 Speaker 4: He kept working and working as fast as he could. 262 00:15:15,920 --> 00:15:19,080 Speaker 4: I was getting more and more uptight. He finally finished, 263 00:15:19,160 --> 00:15:21,880 Speaker 4: pulled the label out, ran over and handed it to me. 264 00:15:22,200 --> 00:15:26,400 Speaker 4: It read best Dad in the world. I thought, oh, 265 00:15:26,520 --> 00:15:28,440 Speaker 4: we have a little more time. Let's make a few 266 00:15:28,480 --> 00:15:33,560 Speaker 4: more of these. Somehow, I wasn't in a hurry anymore. 267 00:15:34,320 --> 00:15:37,480 Speaker 4: Many times it's the small things in life that give 268 00:15:37,480 --> 00:15:41,240 Speaker 4: it real meaning. Yes, it's great to accomplish big gulls, 269 00:15:41,480 --> 00:15:44,320 Speaker 4: get married, have a child, moving to the new house. 270 00:15:44,840 --> 00:15:49,200 Speaker 4: Those are mountaintop moments. Some people live for them. That's 271 00:15:49,240 --> 00:15:51,480 Speaker 4: when they're going to be happy. But those are few 272 00:15:51,560 --> 00:15:56,400 Speaker 4: and far between. Even the heroes of faith, Moses parted 273 00:15:56,440 --> 00:16:00,520 Speaker 4: the Red Sea, delivered the Israelites out of slavery. That 274 00:16:00,680 --> 00:16:03,240 Speaker 4: was amazing, But what was it a month of his life? 275 00:16:03,840 --> 00:16:06,920 Speaker 4: What about the other one hundred and twenty years. You 276 00:16:07,040 --> 00:16:10,000 Speaker 4: have to learn to enjoy the journey while the Red 277 00:16:10,040 --> 00:16:13,560 Speaker 4: Seas aren't partying. While you're waiting for the next big things, 278 00:16:13,840 --> 00:16:17,560 Speaker 4: you're enjoying the small things. You're finding the good in 279 00:16:17,600 --> 00:16:21,400 Speaker 4: your everyday life. Taking time to laugh with your children, 280 00:16:21,920 --> 00:16:25,240 Speaker 4: taking a walk with your spouse, seeing the sunrise in 281 00:16:25,280 --> 00:16:29,120 Speaker 4: the morning, hearing the birds scene, not too busy, not 282 00:16:29,200 --> 00:16:33,160 Speaker 4: too stressed, to enjoy the simple things in life. I 283 00:16:33,240 --> 00:16:36,120 Speaker 4: learned a lot of this from Victoria's side of the family. 284 00:16:36,320 --> 00:16:39,800 Speaker 4: They loved to laugh, They take time to enjoy each other. 285 00:16:40,480 --> 00:16:43,480 Speaker 4: We were having lunch one Sunday a while back, after 286 00:16:43,600 --> 00:16:46,880 Speaker 4: church at our house, and Victoria's mother was there, Georgian, 287 00:16:47,320 --> 00:16:49,920 Speaker 4: Victoria's brother, and all their family, the whole bunch of us. 288 00:16:50,560 --> 00:16:54,280 Speaker 4: We sat down together. Thirty minutes later, I was finished eating. 289 00:16:54,800 --> 00:16:56,520 Speaker 4: I got up and went to the back to watch 290 00:16:56,560 --> 00:17:00,200 Speaker 4: the ball game. Three hours later, I watched that's the 291 00:17:00,200 --> 00:17:03,440 Speaker 4: whole game. I came back and they were still sitting 292 00:17:03,520 --> 00:17:06,320 Speaker 4: at the table in the same seats. I said, are 293 00:17:06,400 --> 00:17:10,000 Speaker 4: y'all eating dinner now? Victoria said, no, we're still sitting 294 00:17:10,040 --> 00:17:12,560 Speaker 4: here from lunch. I looked at her, kind of puzzle. 295 00:17:12,720 --> 00:17:16,320 Speaker 4: She said, Joel, we're just enjoying each other. Thought, man, 296 00:17:16,320 --> 00:17:18,399 Speaker 4: I can enjoy my brother Paul in a couple minutes. 297 00:17:18,440 --> 00:17:22,359 Speaker 4: But you know what they were doing finding joy in 298 00:17:22,400 --> 00:17:28,480 Speaker 4: the journey wasn't a mountaintop moment. They weren't celebrating a birthday. Sure, 299 00:17:28,520 --> 00:17:32,640 Speaker 4: they had challenges difficulties, but they took time to see 300 00:17:32,680 --> 00:17:37,160 Speaker 4: the good, to enjoy what God had given them. Sometimes 301 00:17:37,160 --> 00:17:40,440 Speaker 4: we're waiting for these big miracles, but there are miracles 302 00:17:40,520 --> 00:17:44,320 Speaker 4: in the mundane. The fact that you're alive is a miracle. 303 00:17:44,720 --> 00:17:47,120 Speaker 4: You have people in your life to love, that's a miracle. 304 00:17:47,400 --> 00:17:51,359 Speaker 4: You have your health, sound mind, opportunity. Let's not be 305 00:17:51,480 --> 00:17:55,639 Speaker 4: like those disciples and missed the moment because it looks common. 306 00:17:56,800 --> 00:17:59,920 Speaker 4: It's just my family, Joel. We see it as just enough, 307 00:18:00,080 --> 00:18:03,560 Speaker 4: the ordinary day. But the fact is there are no 308 00:18:03,760 --> 00:18:07,919 Speaker 4: ordinary days. Each day is a gift from God. He 309 00:18:07,960 --> 00:18:10,919 Speaker 4: could have chosen anyone to be alive at this time, 310 00:18:11,040 --> 00:18:13,800 Speaker 4: but he chose you and me. We can see all 311 00:18:13,840 --> 00:18:17,919 Speaker 4: the wrong what we don't have, live pressured, stressed, or 312 00:18:18,000 --> 00:18:21,400 Speaker 4: we can focus on the good. We can appreciate even 313 00:18:21,440 --> 00:18:25,160 Speaker 4: the simple things in life. Some of my fondest memories 314 00:18:25,200 --> 00:18:28,720 Speaker 4: growing up is when we were kids. My parents used 315 00:18:28,760 --> 00:18:31,719 Speaker 4: to take us to the airport to ride the trains 316 00:18:31,960 --> 00:18:35,320 Speaker 4: that went from Terminal A to Terminal B. This was 317 00:18:35,359 --> 00:18:37,760 Speaker 4: before they had all the security. We'd go on and 318 00:18:37,800 --> 00:18:40,520 Speaker 4: all ride for free. We thought we were at Disneyland, 319 00:18:41,359 --> 00:18:44,159 Speaker 4: just a simple thing. Yet I talk about it today. 320 00:18:44,840 --> 00:18:48,680 Speaker 4: They were finding joy in the journey. The scripture says 321 00:18:48,960 --> 00:18:52,600 Speaker 4: God was in their midst, but they didn't recognize him. 322 00:18:53,160 --> 00:18:55,679 Speaker 4: How many times has God been in our midst but 323 00:18:55,760 --> 00:18:58,240 Speaker 4: we didn't know it. We were waiting for the Red 324 00:18:58,280 --> 00:19:01,800 Speaker 4: Sea apart, we were waiting for Goliath to fall. We 325 00:19:01,880 --> 00:19:04,879 Speaker 4: didn't know he'd be walking on the road to amaeis 326 00:19:05,440 --> 00:19:09,720 Speaker 4: that it would seem ordinary common. Two thousand and seven, 327 00:19:10,119 --> 00:19:14,080 Speaker 4: a major newspaper did an experiment to see how people 328 00:19:14,320 --> 00:19:19,320 Speaker 4: perceived the uncommon in a common environment. Would they recognize 329 00:19:19,440 --> 00:19:23,320 Speaker 4: talent out of context? Would they appreciate music not in 330 00:19:23,359 --> 00:19:28,000 Speaker 4: a concert hall. They took this world renowned violinist, a 331 00:19:28,040 --> 00:19:32,120 Speaker 4: former child prodigy, one of the most amazing violin players 332 00:19:32,160 --> 00:19:35,359 Speaker 4: in the world. People had spent hundreds of dollars for 333 00:19:35,440 --> 00:19:38,159 Speaker 4: a ticket to hear him play in some of the 334 00:19:38,160 --> 00:19:42,800 Speaker 4: most distinguished venues. His violin was worth four million dollars, 335 00:19:43,280 --> 00:19:47,800 Speaker 4: a seventeenth century start of various Early one Monday morning, 336 00:19:48,280 --> 00:19:52,000 Speaker 4: he went to the subway station during rush hour, had 337 00:19:52,000 --> 00:19:55,200 Speaker 4: a ball cap on, Jean's tennis shoes look very ordinary, 338 00:19:55,880 --> 00:19:59,080 Speaker 4: stood over by the wall, and begin to play. He 339 00:19:59,119 --> 00:20:03,439 Speaker 4: performed six of the most well known classical pieces in 340 00:20:03,480 --> 00:20:08,080 Speaker 4: forty three minutes. Eleven hundred people passed by. Only seven 341 00:20:08,240 --> 00:20:13,680 Speaker 4: paused to listen. Most just went about their day, busy, preoccupied. 342 00:20:14,160 --> 00:20:17,720 Speaker 4: They heard the music, but it seemed common. People play 343 00:20:17,720 --> 00:20:22,080 Speaker 4: out there all the time. The researchers came to different conclusions, 344 00:20:22,680 --> 00:20:27,520 Speaker 4: one being when something uncommon is in a commonplace, we 345 00:20:27,600 --> 00:20:32,159 Speaker 4: don't recognize it. Maybe the people were too busy in 346 00:20:32,200 --> 00:20:36,080 Speaker 4: a hurry, focused on other things. But it begs the question, 347 00:20:36,920 --> 00:20:39,640 Speaker 4: if we're in such a hurry that we don't recognize 348 00:20:39,960 --> 00:20:42,920 Speaker 4: one of the best pieces of music ever written by 349 00:20:42,960 --> 00:20:45,479 Speaker 4: one of the best players in the world on one 350 00:20:45,520 --> 00:20:49,640 Speaker 4: of the finest instruments ever created, what else are we missing? 351 00:20:50,320 --> 00:20:54,040 Speaker 4: What else are we rushing by not appreciating There are 352 00:20:54,080 --> 00:20:57,879 Speaker 4: things in your life that may seem common. It's an 353 00:20:58,000 --> 00:21:03,920 Speaker 4: ordinary environment. There's nothing ordinary about your children, nothing common 354 00:21:04,040 --> 00:21:07,040 Speaker 4: about being able to breathe the gifts God's given you, 355 00:21:07,480 --> 00:21:11,400 Speaker 4: the doors He's opened. When Jesus showed up and walked 356 00:21:11,400 --> 00:21:15,400 Speaker 4: with the disciples, he seemed common, just another man joining us. 357 00:21:16,240 --> 00:21:19,520 Speaker 4: Wasn't till later, they said, we knew there was something 358 00:21:19,560 --> 00:21:23,679 Speaker 4: special about him. Don't wait till later to recognize the 359 00:21:23,800 --> 00:21:27,679 Speaker 4: uncommon in your life. This is where the Israelites missed it. 360 00:21:28,000 --> 00:21:31,879 Speaker 4: God brought them out of slavery, defeated Pharoh and his army. 361 00:21:32,280 --> 00:21:35,120 Speaker 4: Now they were headed to the Promised Land. They were 362 00:21:35,160 --> 00:21:39,000 Speaker 4: out in the desert on this journey. There were no hotels, 363 00:21:39,440 --> 00:21:44,280 Speaker 4: no grocery stores, pharmacy, water towers, yet God provided for 364 00:21:44,359 --> 00:21:48,320 Speaker 4: them day after day. The scripture says their clothes and 365 00:21:48,440 --> 00:21:52,200 Speaker 4: shoes did not wear out for forty years. You would 366 00:21:52,200 --> 00:21:55,359 Speaker 4: think they'd be grateful, they'd see the hand of God. 367 00:21:56,160 --> 00:21:59,000 Speaker 4: All they saw was what was wrong. We're not in 368 00:21:59,080 --> 00:22:02,680 Speaker 4: the promised land. Where are those huge clusters of grapes? 369 00:22:03,000 --> 00:22:05,440 Speaker 4: Where are those houses that we didn't build that were 370 00:22:05,480 --> 00:22:09,400 Speaker 4: promised us? If you don't find the joy in the journey, 371 00:22:09,560 --> 00:22:13,760 Speaker 4: you'll find all the negative. You start complaining. They didn't 372 00:22:13,760 --> 00:22:17,480 Speaker 4: recognize how God was sustaining them, how he was giving 373 00:22:17,520 --> 00:22:21,880 Speaker 4: them provision seem common. We have this manner every day, 374 00:22:22,160 --> 00:22:25,680 Speaker 4: no big deal. God was in their presence, but they 375 00:22:25,680 --> 00:22:29,520 Speaker 4: didn't see him, and they complained so much that God 376 00:22:29,560 --> 00:22:31,960 Speaker 4: finally told them that they were never going to make 377 00:22:32,000 --> 00:22:35,960 Speaker 4: it in Only their children would go into the Promised Land. 378 00:22:37,000 --> 00:22:40,040 Speaker 4: Like with them, much of our life is spent waiting, 379 00:22:40,680 --> 00:22:43,800 Speaker 4: waiting for the promise, waiting for a health to improve, 380 00:22:44,160 --> 00:22:47,600 Speaker 4: waiting to meet the right person. We see the destination. 381 00:22:48,400 --> 00:22:50,960 Speaker 4: We know what God put in our heart. Now we're 382 00:22:51,000 --> 00:22:54,359 Speaker 4: on the journey. The key is what are you seeing 383 00:22:54,480 --> 00:22:58,800 Speaker 4: on the journey? What's wrong? How long it's taking? Why 384 00:22:58,800 --> 00:23:01,800 Speaker 4: did they leave me? If you do like them and 385 00:23:01,840 --> 00:23:05,399 Speaker 4: focus on all the negative doubt will come. You'll start 386 00:23:05,440 --> 00:23:09,960 Speaker 4: complaining and miss God's best. What you may not recognize 387 00:23:10,520 --> 00:23:13,760 Speaker 4: is God is on that journey with you all along 388 00:23:13,800 --> 00:23:18,480 Speaker 4: the way. He's doing things, sustaining you, protecting you, providing 389 00:23:18,520 --> 00:23:22,159 Speaker 4: for you, ordering your steps. Don't do like them and 390 00:23:22,200 --> 00:23:26,280 Speaker 4: not recognize his goodness. Take time every day to thank 391 00:23:26,359 --> 00:23:29,080 Speaker 4: him for what he's doing. Lord, Thank you that you 392 00:23:29,200 --> 00:23:31,800 Speaker 4: brought me this far. Thank you that you're making my 393 00:23:31,880 --> 00:23:35,879 Speaker 4: crooked places straight. Thank you for fighting my battles. You 394 00:23:35,960 --> 00:23:39,720 Speaker 4: can complain or you can praise, but you can't do both. 395 00:23:40,440 --> 00:23:44,080 Speaker 4: If you complain, you're going to remain. If you praise, 396 00:23:44,400 --> 00:23:49,000 Speaker 4: you're going to be raised. This wealthy father wanted to 397 00:23:49,040 --> 00:23:52,480 Speaker 4: show his seven year old son how the poor people lived. 398 00:23:53,160 --> 00:23:55,600 Speaker 4: They left their big, fancy house and drove out in 399 00:23:55,680 --> 00:23:58,919 Speaker 4: the country, spent the night on a farm. Just a 400 00:23:58,920 --> 00:24:03,159 Speaker 4: little wood frame house, no TV, no fancy furniture, not 401 00:24:03,200 --> 00:24:07,120 Speaker 4: even carpet, just a farmhouse. But at night this family 402 00:24:07,200 --> 00:24:10,800 Speaker 4: would go out on the porch, tell stories, laugh and sing. 403 00:24:11,840 --> 00:24:13,879 Speaker 4: After a day and a half on the farm, they 404 00:24:13,920 --> 00:24:17,240 Speaker 4: headed back home. Father wanted to see if his son 405 00:24:17,280 --> 00:24:20,800 Speaker 4: had learned his lesson. He asked him, very curiously how 406 00:24:20,800 --> 00:24:23,760 Speaker 4: he enjoyed the trip. Son said, oh, Dad, I really 407 00:24:23,840 --> 00:24:26,840 Speaker 4: loved it. He said, well, did you see how poor 408 00:24:26,920 --> 00:24:30,200 Speaker 4: people can be? The son said, yes, Dad, I did. 409 00:24:30,760 --> 00:24:33,479 Speaker 4: He said, well, tell me exactly what you mean what 410 00:24:33,560 --> 00:24:36,840 Speaker 4: you learned. The little boy said, Dad, I learned that 411 00:24:36,960 --> 00:24:39,679 Speaker 4: We have one dog at home and they have four. 412 00:24:40,600 --> 00:24:42,840 Speaker 4: We have a pool that reaches to the middle of 413 00:24:42,880 --> 00:24:45,760 Speaker 4: our backyard, but they have a stream with no end. 414 00:24:46,480 --> 00:24:49,080 Speaker 4: We have fancy lanterns on the house, but they have 415 00:24:49,160 --> 00:24:52,879 Speaker 4: the stars. We watched TV at night by ourselves, but 416 00:24:52,920 --> 00:24:56,040 Speaker 4: they sit around and laugh and have fun together. The 417 00:24:56,119 --> 00:24:58,359 Speaker 4: dad was shaking his head. He couldn't believe it. The 418 00:24:58,440 --> 00:25:01,320 Speaker 4: son finished up by saying, Dad, thank you for showing 419 00:25:01,400 --> 00:25:06,280 Speaker 4: me how poor we really are. Here's the point. It's 420 00:25:06,320 --> 00:25:09,600 Speaker 4: the simple things in life that bring the most joy. 421 00:25:10,600 --> 00:25:13,120 Speaker 4: You may not have a lot of resources, but if 422 00:25:13,119 --> 00:25:16,200 Speaker 4: you have family, you're wealthy. If you have your health, 423 00:25:16,320 --> 00:25:18,760 Speaker 4: you're wealthy. If you can look up at the stars 424 00:25:18,800 --> 00:25:23,080 Speaker 4: at night, you're wealthy. It's not whether you have a 425 00:25:23,119 --> 00:25:26,520 Speaker 4: lot or a little, it's or you're finding joy in 426 00:25:26,560 --> 00:25:31,320 Speaker 4: the journey. Are you recognizing God's goodness, seeing the blessings 427 00:25:31,320 --> 00:25:35,000 Speaker 4: along the way, or you focus on what's wrong, what 428 00:25:35,160 --> 00:25:38,359 Speaker 4: you didn't get, what you don't have waiting to reach 429 00:25:38,400 --> 00:25:42,480 Speaker 4: that destination, then you'll be happy you're missing the beauty 430 00:25:42,560 --> 00:25:46,479 Speaker 4: of this day. Make the decision you're going to enjoy 431 00:25:46,600 --> 00:25:49,440 Speaker 4: where you are while you're on the way to where 432 00:25:49,480 --> 00:25:52,840 Speaker 4: you want to be. Not there yet, but I'm happy 433 00:25:52,840 --> 00:25:56,600 Speaker 4: where I am. Not married yet, but I'm happy being single. 434 00:25:57,240 --> 00:26:01,040 Speaker 4: Have some challenges, but I'm enjoying life while God's working 435 00:26:01,040 --> 00:26:04,600 Speaker 4: it all out. Don't put your joy on hold, Paul 436 00:26:04,640 --> 00:26:07,719 Speaker 4: said in Romans. Let us be full of joy now, 437 00:26:08,520 --> 00:26:11,840 Speaker 4: not tomorrow, not when you reach the goal, not when 438 00:26:11,880 --> 00:26:14,960 Speaker 4: the problem turns around. Now is the time to be 439 00:26:15,080 --> 00:26:18,720 Speaker 4: full of joy. A young lady I know is one 440 00:26:18,720 --> 00:26:23,000 Speaker 4: of the kindness most friendly people you'll ever meet. Anytime 441 00:26:23,040 --> 00:26:25,560 Speaker 4: you're with her, she always brightens your day. But a 442 00:26:25,600 --> 00:26:29,640 Speaker 4: few years back she was diagnosed with cancer. It's very serious. 443 00:26:30,119 --> 00:26:33,159 Speaker 4: She began taking the treatment, going through all the tests, 444 00:26:33,240 --> 00:26:37,240 Speaker 4: and there were major ups and major downs. Every time 445 00:26:37,280 --> 00:26:40,480 Speaker 4: I would see her, she was the same. Visiting her 446 00:26:40,480 --> 00:26:43,199 Speaker 4: in the hospital Victoria, and I'd walk in, she'd have 447 00:26:43,240 --> 00:26:47,439 Speaker 4: that big smile, that joyful laugh. We'd leave there encouraged. 448 00:26:48,080 --> 00:26:51,240 Speaker 4: There was an older woman that was a patient where 449 00:26:51,280 --> 00:26:55,760 Speaker 4: they both took treatment every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. She 450 00:26:55,880 --> 00:26:58,879 Speaker 4: asked the nurse to leave the door open so she 451 00:26:58,920 --> 00:27:03,080 Speaker 4: could see out into the The nurse asked why. She said, 452 00:27:03,119 --> 00:27:05,560 Speaker 4: because that young, pretty girl is going to come by 453 00:27:05,600 --> 00:27:09,240 Speaker 4: and wave at me. Her smile is what keeps me going. 454 00:27:10,320 --> 00:27:13,560 Speaker 4: Even in my friend's most challenging hour, she was still 455 00:27:13,680 --> 00:27:18,040 Speaker 4: joyful being a blessing, recognizing each day is a gift. 456 00:27:18,640 --> 00:27:22,240 Speaker 4: Sure she could have been bitter depressed. When I get well, 457 00:27:22,359 --> 00:27:25,840 Speaker 4: then I'll be happy, But she found joy in the journey. 458 00:27:26,320 --> 00:27:28,919 Speaker 4: She saw the goodness of God in the midst of 459 00:27:28,960 --> 00:27:32,560 Speaker 4: the adversity. One hundred years from now, we're all going 460 00:27:32,600 --> 00:27:36,880 Speaker 4: to be gone. Don't live another day defeated, discouraged, Get 461 00:27:36,920 --> 00:27:40,840 Speaker 4: your joy back. I've heard it said, it's not that 462 00:27:40,880 --> 00:27:43,920 Speaker 4: life is so short, it's that we wait so long 463 00:27:44,000 --> 00:27:47,880 Speaker 4: to begin. We're waiting for this challenge to be over, 464 00:27:48,320 --> 00:27:51,320 Speaker 4: waiting to raise the kids, waiting for the promotion, waiting 465 00:27:51,359 --> 00:27:55,840 Speaker 4: for retirement. My prayer again, God opened her eyes. Help 466 00:27:55,920 --> 00:27:59,800 Speaker 4: us to see the uncommon in everyday life, to appreciate 467 00:27:59,800 --> 00:28:03,080 Speaker 4: the people You've given us, to value the simple things. 468 00:28:03,800 --> 00:28:07,160 Speaker 4: It's very powerful when we can look back and say 469 00:28:07,200 --> 00:28:11,080 Speaker 4: I enjoyed my twenties, I enjoyed my thirties, I enjoyed 470 00:28:11,119 --> 00:28:15,600 Speaker 4: my forties. I didn't endure life. I enjoyed it. Let's 471 00:28:15,640 --> 00:28:18,280 Speaker 4: not be like those disciples and have God in our 472 00:28:18,320 --> 00:28:22,640 Speaker 4: midst and not recognize it. Right now, he's sustaining you, 473 00:28:23,160 --> 00:28:26,840 Speaker 4: providing for you, giving your breath to breathe. Now do 474 00:28:26,960 --> 00:28:30,960 Speaker 4: your part, find joy in the journey. If you'll do this, 475 00:28:31,280 --> 00:28:34,639 Speaker 4: I believe and declare you're going to live happier, have 476 00:28:34,760 --> 00:28:39,600 Speaker 4: better relationships, see more favor. Those negative situations will turn 477 00:28:39,640 --> 00:28:43,440 Speaker 4: around and you'll reach the fullness of your destiny in 478 00:28:43,600 --> 00:28:46,960 Speaker 4: Jesus's name. And if you receive it, can you say amen? 479 00:28:48,720 --> 00:28:51,560 Speaker 4: I'd like to give you an opportunity to make Jesus 480 00:28:51,600 --> 00:28:54,160 Speaker 4: the lord of your life. Would you pray with me? 481 00:28:54,840 --> 00:29:00,280 Speaker 4: Just say, Lord, Jesus, I repent of my sins. Come 482 00:29:00,280 --> 00:29:04,280 Speaker 4: into my heart. I make you my Lord and savior. 483 00:29:05,840 --> 00:29:08,200 Speaker 4: If you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 484 00:29:08,240 --> 00:29:11,280 Speaker 4: born again. I encourage you to get into a good 485 00:29:11,400 --> 00:29:15,520 Speaker 4: Bible based church and keep God first place. Thanks so 486 00:29:15,600 --> 00:29:18,960 Speaker 4: much for listening to today's message. I hope you'll subscribe 487 00:29:19,120 --> 00:29:21,840 Speaker 4: so you can receive the latest podcast to keep you 488 00:29:21,960 --> 00:29:24,080 Speaker 4: encouraged and inspired all through the week. 489 00:29:24,240 --> 00:29:26,480 Speaker 5: Help us to continue to share the message of hope 490 00:29:26,480 --> 00:29:27,960 Speaker 5: with those all around the world. 491 00:29:28,280 --> 00:29:31,040 Speaker 2: Visit Joelosting dot com or click the link in the 492 00:29:31,080 --> 00:29:33,240 Speaker 2: description to partner with us today. 493 00:29:33,480 --> 00:29:35,960 Speaker 4: We hope you'll share this message with a friend and 494 00:29:36,040 --> 00:29:38,840 Speaker 4: be sure to follow us on social media. We're praying 495 00:29:38,920 --> 00:29:42,000 Speaker 4: for you. I know God's best is still ahead. We'll 496 00:29:42,040 --> 00:29:42,880 Speaker 4: see you next time.