1
00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:03,360
Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joeln Victoria. Thanks for listening to our

2
00:00:03,400 --> 00:00:06,680
Speaker 1: podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. If you enjoy

3
00:00:06,720 --> 00:00:09,320
Speaker 1: today's message, why don't you be a blessing and share

4
00:00:09,320 --> 00:00:12,240
Speaker 1: it with a friend, reappreciate you and pray for God's

5
00:00:12,360 --> 00:00:15,520
Speaker 1: very best in your life. Well, God bless you. It's

6
00:00:15,560 --> 00:00:17,960
Speaker 1: a joy to come into your homes. And if you're

7
00:00:18,000 --> 00:00:20,800
Speaker 1: ever in our area, please stop buy be a part

8
00:00:20,840 --> 00:00:23,520
Speaker 1: of one of our services. I promise you we'll make

9
00:00:23,560 --> 00:00:26,279
Speaker 1: you feel right at home. I like to start with

10
00:00:26,360 --> 00:00:29,480
Speaker 1: something funny and heard about this mother. She had two

11
00:00:29,600 --> 00:00:34,040
Speaker 1: young boys that were known for their mischievous behavior. Anytime

12
00:00:34,120 --> 00:00:37,280
Speaker 1: trouble occurred, they were certain to be a part. She

13
00:00:37,440 --> 00:00:40,360
Speaker 1: decided to take them to see their pastor. One at

14
00:00:40,400 --> 00:00:43,360
Speaker 1: a time. Pastor said to the first young boy, son,

15
00:00:43,720 --> 00:00:47,480
Speaker 1: where is God? He sat there silently. He asked again,

16
00:00:47,640 --> 00:00:51,360
Speaker 1: where is God? Still no reply. Third time he asked.

17
00:00:51,479 --> 00:00:54,320
Speaker 1: The boy bolted out the door, ran home and said

18
00:00:54,320 --> 00:00:57,080
Speaker 1: to his brother, God is missing. And they think we

19
00:00:57,120 --> 00:01:02,520
Speaker 1: did it say it. This is my Bible. I am

20
00:01:02,600 --> 00:01:05,040
Speaker 1: what it says. I am. I have what it says

21
00:01:05,120 --> 00:01:07,759
Speaker 1: I have. I can do what it says I can do.

22
00:01:08,200 --> 00:01:11,080
Speaker 1: Today I will be taught the word of God. I

23
00:01:11,240 --> 00:01:15,479
Speaker 1: boldly confess my mind is alert, my heart is receptive.

24
00:01:15,760 --> 00:01:19,600
Speaker 1: I will never be the same. In Jesus' name, God

25
00:01:19,640 --> 00:01:23,119
Speaker 1: bless you. I want to talk to you today about

26
00:01:23,520 --> 00:01:27,479
Speaker 1: no more distractions. The older we get, the more we

27
00:01:27,520 --> 00:01:31,280
Speaker 1: realize we're not going to be here forever. Life is

28
00:01:31,400 --> 00:01:34,720
Speaker 1: flying by. Seems like just the other day I was

29
00:01:34,760 --> 00:01:38,280
Speaker 1: in high school. Now that I'm thirty five, I think,

30
00:01:39,360 --> 00:01:43,880
Speaker 1: where has this time gone. I'm kidding, y'all, I'm thirty nine.

31
00:01:45,120 --> 00:01:48,840
Speaker 1: But when you realize how fast time is going, it

32
00:01:48,880 --> 00:01:52,320
Speaker 1: should bring a sense of urgency, a sense of focus.

33
00:01:52,840 --> 00:01:57,400
Speaker 1: Your assignment has an expiration date. Your time on this

34
00:01:57,520 --> 00:02:02,160
Speaker 1: earth is not unlimited. Jesus was about to be crucified.

35
00:02:02,520 --> 00:02:07,600
Speaker 1: The scripture says he set his face toward Jerusalem because

36
00:02:07,640 --> 00:02:11,320
Speaker 1: his hour had come. No more go into the desert

37
00:02:11,520 --> 00:02:14,760
Speaker 1: feeding the five thousand, no more waiting for the woman

38
00:02:14,840 --> 00:02:18,440
Speaker 1: at the well, no more stopping by Zachiah's house for dinner.

39
00:02:19,000 --> 00:02:22,400
Speaker 1: Those things were fine for a season, but now he

40
00:02:22,440 --> 00:02:27,080
Speaker 1: didn't have time for distractions. His hour had come. God

41
00:02:27,240 --> 00:02:30,919
Speaker 1: is saying to you, your hour has come. If you're

42
00:02:30,919 --> 00:02:33,920
Speaker 1: going to reach your highest potential, you have to do

43
00:02:34,120 --> 00:02:38,600
Speaker 1: like Jesus and set your face. You can't be distracted

44
00:02:38,639 --> 00:02:42,160
Speaker 1: by things that are keeping you from your purpose. You

45
00:02:42,240 --> 00:02:46,080
Speaker 1: don't have time to waste worried about what people think

46
00:02:46,120 --> 00:02:50,440
Speaker 1: about you. Your time is too valuable to respond to

47
00:02:50,560 --> 00:02:54,920
Speaker 1: every critic, every negative comment, try to convince people that

48
00:02:54,960 --> 00:02:59,680
Speaker 1: you really are. Okay, those are distractions. Everyone is not

49
00:02:59,720 --> 00:03:03,000
Speaker 1: going to like you. Everyone's not going to accept you.

50
00:03:03,760 --> 00:03:08,360
Speaker 1: Quit trying to convince someone to understand you that's determined

51
00:03:08,639 --> 00:03:12,760
Speaker 1: to misunderstand you. Some people don't want to be for you,

52
00:03:13,200 --> 00:03:17,880
Speaker 1: and that's okay. You don't need them to fulfill your destiny.

53
00:03:18,120 --> 00:03:21,840
Speaker 1: But the enemy would love for us to spend time

54
00:03:21,960 --> 00:03:25,680
Speaker 1: and energy trying to win someone over that's never going

55
00:03:25,720 --> 00:03:29,040
Speaker 1: to be one over. You have to set your face.

56
00:03:29,520 --> 00:03:32,120
Speaker 1: The people that need to be for you will be

57
00:03:32,280 --> 00:03:35,600
Speaker 1: for you. God has already lined up the right people,

58
00:03:35,840 --> 00:03:38,720
Speaker 1: people that will celebrate you, people that will cheer you on,

59
00:03:39,280 --> 00:03:42,920
Speaker 1: people that stick with you through thick and thin. But

60
00:03:42,960 --> 00:03:46,040
Speaker 1: too often we're trying to convince people to be our

61
00:03:46,120 --> 00:03:49,520
Speaker 1: friend and convince them to spend time with us. But

62
00:03:49,600 --> 00:03:52,960
Speaker 1: if someone doesn't see the gift that you are, if

63
00:03:53,000 --> 00:03:57,560
Speaker 1: they don't recognize your talents, value your friendship, do yourself

64
00:03:57,600 --> 00:04:01,440
Speaker 1: a favor, and move on no offense. But they are

65
00:04:01,480 --> 00:04:04,800
Speaker 1: not a part of your destiny. You don't have to

66
00:04:04,880 --> 00:04:08,760
Speaker 1: play up to people. Let them manipulate you. Hope that

67
00:04:08,840 --> 00:04:12,840
Speaker 1: they call. Maybe they'll include you in their group. Though,

68
00:04:12,840 --> 00:04:15,880
Speaker 1: the people God has for you don't have to be

69
00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:18,840
Speaker 1: talked in to liking you. You won't be able to

70
00:04:18,960 --> 00:04:21,839
Speaker 1: keep them away. They'll light up when you walk in

71
00:04:21,839 --> 00:04:24,599
Speaker 1: the room. They can't wait to spend time with you.

72
00:04:24,880 --> 00:04:27,960
Speaker 1: They'll go out of their way to do you favors. Now,

73
00:04:28,000 --> 00:04:32,320
Speaker 1: don't waste another minute trying to convince someone to like you,

74
00:04:32,720 --> 00:04:35,520
Speaker 1: to call you, to come see you. If you have

75
00:04:35,640 --> 00:04:38,120
Speaker 1: to talk them into it, they are not for you.

76
00:04:38,480 --> 00:04:42,080
Speaker 1: They are a distraction. Well, Joe, these people at work

77
00:04:42,360 --> 00:04:45,360
Speaker 1: are saying negative things about me. They're trying to make

78
00:04:45,400 --> 00:04:48,960
Speaker 1: me look bad. It's not your job to straighten them out.

79
00:04:49,640 --> 00:04:53,680
Speaker 1: Let God fight your battles. Let God be your vindicator.

80
00:04:54,520 --> 00:04:59,039
Speaker 1: You're not supposed to engage in every conflict. Don't fight

81
00:04:59,160 --> 00:05:03,359
Speaker 1: battles that are between you and your destiny. Most of

82
00:05:03,360 --> 00:05:07,520
Speaker 1: the things that come against us are simply distractions. You

83
00:05:07,600 --> 00:05:11,640
Speaker 1: have to keep your face set. Takes discipline to say

84
00:05:11,760 --> 00:05:14,680
Speaker 1: I am not going to respond, not going to waste

85
00:05:14,680 --> 00:05:18,159
Speaker 1: my valuable time. I have a destiny to fulfill. My

86
00:05:18,320 --> 00:05:23,520
Speaker 1: hour has come. Proverb says avoiding a fight is a

87
00:05:23,560 --> 00:05:28,960
Speaker 1: mark of honor. It's easy to get in conflict, upset, offended,

88
00:05:29,200 --> 00:05:32,720
Speaker 1: want to pay people back. That doesn't take any discipline.

89
00:05:33,279 --> 00:05:39,040
Speaker 1: Avoiding a fight, not taking debate, not being drawn into conflict.

90
00:05:39,440 --> 00:05:43,400
Speaker 1: That takes your face being set. The next time something

91
00:05:43,440 --> 00:05:47,680
Speaker 1: comes against you, ask yourself, is this a battle worth fighting?

92
00:05:48,200 --> 00:05:52,080
Speaker 1: Or is it simply a distraction? That person that cuts

93
00:05:52,080 --> 00:05:55,440
Speaker 1: you off in traffic Is it worth getting upset over

94
00:05:55,800 --> 00:05:59,560
Speaker 1: when you're never going to see them again? That coworker

95
00:05:59,720 --> 00:06:03,279
Speaker 1: that leaves you out doesn't give you credit. Do you

96
00:06:03,440 --> 00:06:07,640
Speaker 1: think they can stop your destiny? That somehow they're more

97
00:06:07,720 --> 00:06:12,560
Speaker 1: powerful than what God has ordained for you their distractions.

98
00:06:13,160 --> 00:06:15,919
Speaker 1: The only way they can hinder you is if you

99
00:06:16,000 --> 00:06:20,760
Speaker 1: get baited into conflict. Best thing you could do, ignore it,

100
00:06:21,120 --> 00:06:24,240
Speaker 1: don't give it the time of day. When David heard

101
00:06:24,279 --> 00:06:29,240
Speaker 1: Goliath taunting the Israelites, he asked what the reward was

102
00:06:29,640 --> 00:06:33,040
Speaker 1: for killing the giant. He didn't just run out and

103
00:06:33,080 --> 00:06:37,240
Speaker 1: fight him because he was saying negative things. Sure, David

104
00:06:37,240 --> 00:06:41,120
Speaker 1: didn't like that. But he understood this principle. He didn't

105
00:06:41,120 --> 00:06:45,520
Speaker 1: get involved in battles that weren't between him and his destiny.

106
00:06:46,480 --> 00:06:50,120
Speaker 1: They told him whoever killed the giant would get the

107
00:06:50,240 --> 00:06:53,800
Speaker 1: king's daughter as his wife, and their family would be

108
00:06:53,839 --> 00:06:58,960
Speaker 1: exempt from taxes. With that one victory, David's whole family

109
00:06:59,040 --> 00:07:02,960
Speaker 1: line would change. They would go from a low income

110
00:07:03,279 --> 00:07:07,440
Speaker 1: family of shepherds to royalty. They would be in the

111
00:07:07,520 --> 00:07:12,520
Speaker 1: King's family. David thought, this is a battle worth engaging,

112
00:07:12,920 --> 00:07:16,520
Speaker 1: This is worth spending my time and energy. Now. I'm

113
00:07:16,560 --> 00:07:19,720
Speaker 1: not saying to be passive and don't fight any battles.

114
00:07:20,000 --> 00:07:23,960
Speaker 1: I'm saying to look at what the spoils are. Will

115
00:07:24,000 --> 00:07:27,360
Speaker 1: it just feed your ego you paid them back, you

116
00:07:27,440 --> 00:07:30,840
Speaker 1: made them look bad, or will it propel you into

117
00:07:30,880 --> 00:07:35,200
Speaker 1: your destiny. We fight too many battles that don't matter.

118
00:07:36,120 --> 00:07:38,520
Speaker 1: They're talking about me. I'm gonna go straighten them out.

119
00:07:39,160 --> 00:07:41,760
Speaker 1: After you straighten them out, someone else will start talking.

120
00:07:42,400 --> 00:07:46,200
Speaker 1: Here's what I've learned. Nobody talks about people that aren't

121
00:07:46,240 --> 00:07:51,040
Speaker 1: doing anything. Nobody tries to discredit someone that doesn't have

122
00:07:51,120 --> 00:07:55,600
Speaker 1: any influence. The reason they're talking about you is because

123
00:07:55,800 --> 00:07:59,480
Speaker 1: you're a difference maker. You're a world changer. They can

124
00:07:59,520 --> 00:08:03,560
Speaker 1: see the whifs, the influence, the fever on your life.

125
00:08:03,720 --> 00:08:07,320
Speaker 1: The brighter the light, the more the heat, the higher

126
00:08:07,400 --> 00:08:10,120
Speaker 1: God takes you, the more people are going to see you.

127
00:08:10,920 --> 00:08:15,480
Speaker 1: And sometimes instead of celebrating you, people will get jealous,

128
00:08:16,080 --> 00:08:19,560
Speaker 1: try to pull you down, get you into conflict. Don't

129
00:08:19,640 --> 00:08:23,840
Speaker 1: take the bait. It's a distraction. Keep your face set,

130
00:08:24,320 --> 00:08:29,320
Speaker 1: stay focused on your purpose. Before David faced Goliath, his

131
00:08:29,440 --> 00:08:32,920
Speaker 1: father asked him to take lunch to his brothers that

132
00:08:32,960 --> 00:08:36,920
Speaker 1: were in another city on the battlefield. David arrived and

133
00:08:36,920 --> 00:08:40,280
Speaker 1: gave the lunch to his oldest brother. He was jealous

134
00:08:40,320 --> 00:08:43,679
Speaker 1: of David. He said, in front of everyone, what do

135
00:08:43,800 --> 00:08:46,680
Speaker 1: you doing here? David? What did you do with those

136
00:08:46,760 --> 00:08:50,439
Speaker 1: few sheep you're supposed to be taken care of. Instead

137
00:08:50,440 --> 00:08:55,040
Speaker 1: of thanking David for traveling several days, he insulted him,

138
00:08:55,440 --> 00:08:59,120
Speaker 1: tried to belittle him. Now, David had killed a lion

139
00:08:59,320 --> 00:09:02,280
Speaker 1: and a bear with his own hands. He was young,

140
00:09:02,360 --> 00:09:05,360
Speaker 1: but he was not a weakling. I have no doubt

141
00:09:05,559 --> 00:09:08,920
Speaker 1: he could have taken care of his brother. But David thought,

142
00:09:09,640 --> 00:09:12,640
Speaker 1: what are the spoils? What good is it going to

143
00:09:12,679 --> 00:09:15,560
Speaker 1: do me? If I embarrassed my brother in front of

144
00:09:15,600 --> 00:09:19,600
Speaker 1: his peers like he did me. He realized all that

145
00:09:19,640 --> 00:09:23,280
Speaker 1: would do was feed his ego. There was no reward.

146
00:09:24,080 --> 00:09:28,560
Speaker 1: The scripture says David turned and walked away. He ignored it.

147
00:09:29,280 --> 00:09:32,559
Speaker 1: One reason we're talking about him is he knew which

148
00:09:32,640 --> 00:09:38,079
Speaker 1: battles to fight. He didn't engage in every conflict. Paul

149
00:09:38,160 --> 00:09:41,679
Speaker 1: said in Romans, as far as you can live at

150
00:09:41,679 --> 00:09:46,480
Speaker 1: peace with everyone, it doesn't say that you're always going

151
00:09:46,520 --> 00:09:50,520
Speaker 1: to have peace with every person. Some people don't want

152
00:09:50,559 --> 00:09:54,280
Speaker 1: to have peace with you. David's brother didn't want peace.

153
00:09:54,880 --> 00:09:58,080
Speaker 1: He was jealous, he was small minded, he wanted to

154
00:09:58,120 --> 00:10:02,600
Speaker 1: stir things up. Had to accept that his brother was

155
00:10:02,640 --> 00:10:05,679
Speaker 1: not going to be at peace with him. Well, Georg,

156
00:10:05,760 --> 00:10:08,680
Speaker 1: shouldn't I go the extra mile? Shouldn't I be the

157
00:10:08,720 --> 00:10:12,800
Speaker 1: bigger person? Yes? But if you do all that and

158
00:10:12,840 --> 00:10:15,800
Speaker 1: they still don't want peace, you need to move on.

159
00:10:16,600 --> 00:10:20,560
Speaker 1: You have a destiny to fulfill. Your assignment is waiting

160
00:10:20,600 --> 00:10:24,120
Speaker 1: on you. You can't worry about people that don't want

161
00:10:24,160 --> 00:10:27,760
Speaker 1: to have peace with you. And I'm all for being nice,

162
00:10:28,080 --> 00:10:30,040
Speaker 1: but at some point you have to put your foot

163
00:10:30,120 --> 00:10:33,040
Speaker 1: down and say you may have a problem with me,

164
00:10:33,760 --> 00:10:36,679
Speaker 1: no disrespect, but I don't have time to have a

165
00:10:36,720 --> 00:10:39,800
Speaker 1: problem with you. I don't have time to play petty

166
00:10:39,880 --> 00:10:44,200
Speaker 1: games to try to convince you that I'm okay. Life

167
00:10:44,400 --> 00:10:47,440
Speaker 1: is too short to try to have peace with people

168
00:10:47,720 --> 00:10:50,280
Speaker 1: that don't want to have peace with you. And some

169
00:10:50,360 --> 00:10:53,000
Speaker 1: of your relatives, you love them, but you have to

170
00:10:53,040 --> 00:10:57,360
Speaker 1: love them from a distance. Don't frustrate yourself trying to

171
00:10:57,400 --> 00:11:00,560
Speaker 1: make things happen that they don't want to happen. And

172
00:11:00,640 --> 00:11:05,160
Speaker 1: that's not being disrespectful, that's being responsible with the gifts

173
00:11:05,200 --> 00:11:09,319
Speaker 1: God has given you. My nature is to be a peacemaker.

174
00:11:09,960 --> 00:11:12,679
Speaker 1: I want everybody to be happy. I'll go the extra

175
00:11:12,760 --> 00:11:16,520
Speaker 1: mile four hundred times to make peace. But some people

176
00:11:16,720 --> 00:11:20,720
Speaker 1: have their own issues. They don't get along with themselves.

177
00:11:21,080 --> 00:11:23,600
Speaker 1: How are they going to get along with you. They

178
00:11:23,600 --> 00:11:25,880
Speaker 1: don't like who they are, How are they going to

179
00:11:25,960 --> 00:11:29,400
Speaker 1: like who you are? No matter what you do is

180
00:11:29,480 --> 00:11:32,200
Speaker 1: not going to be enough. They're going to find fault,

181
00:11:32,679 --> 00:11:36,280
Speaker 1: be critical, try to make you feel guilty if you

182
00:11:36,480 --> 00:11:41,160
Speaker 1: keep trying to appease them, keep bending over backwards, spending

183
00:11:41,200 --> 00:11:45,080
Speaker 1: all your time and energy. All that's doing is letting

184
00:11:45,120 --> 00:11:50,120
Speaker 1: them control you. Be nice, but don't get distracted trying

185
00:11:50,160 --> 00:11:54,079
Speaker 1: to have peace with someone that doesn't want peace. We

186
00:11:54,120 --> 00:11:57,679
Speaker 1: all have people in our life like David's brother, they

187
00:11:57,679 --> 00:12:02,480
Speaker 1: don't like seeing you happy, rise higher, going places. It's

188
00:12:02,520 --> 00:12:05,680
Speaker 1: not about you, it's about the favor on your life.

189
00:12:06,000 --> 00:12:09,319
Speaker 1: It's about the blessing God put on you. Don't take

190
00:12:09,360 --> 00:12:14,080
Speaker 1: it personally. Keep your face set. You won't fulfill your

191
00:12:14,160 --> 00:12:18,520
Speaker 1: destiny if you're trying to keep everyone happy. And some

192
00:12:18,600 --> 00:12:23,080
Speaker 1: people that make the most withdrawals put in the least deposits.

193
00:12:23,760 --> 00:12:27,480
Speaker 1: They're high maintenance people. They expect you to always be

194
00:12:27,600 --> 00:12:31,360
Speaker 1: there to help them, to encourage them to meet their

195
00:12:31,400 --> 00:12:35,480
Speaker 1: every demand, But when you need something, they're never around.

196
00:12:35,880 --> 00:12:39,960
Speaker 1: They're too busy. If that friendship is one sided, they're

197
00:12:39,960 --> 00:12:43,320
Speaker 1: doing all the taking and none of the giving. You

198
00:12:43,440 --> 00:12:46,920
Speaker 1: need to make a change. I've heard it said, quit

199
00:12:47,000 --> 00:12:50,800
Speaker 1: swimming across an ocean to be good to someone that

200
00:12:50,880 --> 00:12:53,760
Speaker 1: won't jump across a puddle to be good to you.

201
00:12:54,720 --> 00:12:58,480
Speaker 1: And if they get offended because you don't meet every expectation,

202
00:12:59,400 --> 00:13:03,040
Speaker 1: they weren't a true friend. They just want you for

203
00:13:03,200 --> 00:13:07,240
Speaker 1: what you can do for them. Those are distractions you

204
00:13:07,320 --> 00:13:11,520
Speaker 1: need to gradually break away from people like that. You

205
00:13:11,600 --> 00:13:15,640
Speaker 1: were not created to be controlled, to never have any

206
00:13:15,720 --> 00:13:19,559
Speaker 1: time to pursue what God put in your heart. Well, Joel,

207
00:13:19,600 --> 00:13:22,800
Speaker 1: what if they get upset? What if I hurt their feelings?

208
00:13:23,200 --> 00:13:27,319
Speaker 1: I would rather disappoint a few people than to disappoint God,

209
00:13:27,920 --> 00:13:30,720
Speaker 1: because when you come to the end of life, you

210
00:13:30,800 --> 00:13:34,160
Speaker 1: won't give an account to people of what you did

211
00:13:34,200 --> 00:13:37,840
Speaker 1: with your time, your talents, your resources. You'll give an

212
00:13:37,840 --> 00:13:43,480
Speaker 1: account to God. Romans thirteen says, oh, no person anything

213
00:13:43,760 --> 00:13:47,439
Speaker 1: except to love them. The only thing you really owe

214
00:13:47,520 --> 00:13:50,760
Speaker 1: people is to love them. But if you think you

215
00:13:50,840 --> 00:13:53,440
Speaker 1: have to keep everyone happy and I got to keep

216
00:13:53,440 --> 00:13:55,720
Speaker 1: this one cheered up, and I got to call this

217
00:13:55,760 --> 00:13:58,080
Speaker 1: one every day or they'll get upset. I got to

218
00:13:58,120 --> 00:14:00,840
Speaker 1: play up to my coworker, or they want be my friend.

219
00:14:01,679 --> 00:14:05,800
Speaker 1: You are carrying a debt that you don't owe go

220
00:14:05,880 --> 00:14:09,640
Speaker 1: through life trying to please everyone. If you try to

221
00:14:09,720 --> 00:14:12,920
Speaker 1: keep every person happy, the one person that won't be

222
00:14:13,040 --> 00:14:18,000
Speaker 1: happy is you come out from under that debt. Be nice,

223
00:14:18,120 --> 00:14:21,160
Speaker 1: go the extra mile, but don't be a people pleaser.

224
00:14:22,200 --> 00:14:24,760
Speaker 1: This was hard for me because I want people to

225
00:14:24,960 --> 00:14:28,040
Speaker 1: like me. I'll go out of my way do everything

226
00:14:28,080 --> 00:14:31,800
Speaker 1: I can. But some people, no matter what you do,

227
00:14:31,920 --> 00:14:35,520
Speaker 1: it's not going to be enough. It's very free when

228
00:14:35,560 --> 00:14:40,360
Speaker 1: you realize you are not responsible to keep other people happy.

229
00:14:40,800 --> 00:14:44,840
Speaker 1: You're responsible for your own happiness. Now, I don't mean

230
00:14:44,920 --> 00:14:48,080
Speaker 1: to live selfish and only think about you, but don't

231
00:14:48,120 --> 00:14:52,320
Speaker 1: take that false sense of responsibility thinking that other people's

232
00:14:52,360 --> 00:14:56,360
Speaker 1: happiness depends on you. There was this couple I knew

233
00:14:56,640 --> 00:14:59,720
Speaker 1: years ago. I went out of my way to be

234
00:14:59,760 --> 00:15:02,800
Speaker 1: good to them. They moved to another city and I

235
00:15:02,880 --> 00:15:06,800
Speaker 1: helped them move. I gave them money. I would call

236
00:15:06,920 --> 00:15:10,280
Speaker 1: and check on them if they needed anything. I was

237
00:15:10,320 --> 00:15:14,120
Speaker 1: always available. But the feeling I got from them is

238
00:15:14,160 --> 00:15:18,120
Speaker 1: I was never doing enough. They were never satisfied. They

239
00:15:18,120 --> 00:15:22,000
Speaker 1: always had a complaint here. I was going overboard to

240
00:15:22,040 --> 00:15:25,920
Speaker 1: be kind and generous, but they were constantly finding fault,

241
00:15:26,200 --> 00:15:29,480
Speaker 1: trying to make me feel guilty. I was concerned that

242
00:15:29,480 --> 00:15:31,360
Speaker 1: they would get upset and they weren't going to be

243
00:15:31,440 --> 00:15:35,120
Speaker 1: my friend. One day I realized what I'm telling you.

244
00:15:35,640 --> 00:15:41,200
Speaker 1: They were only making withdraws, never any deposits. I was nice,

245
00:15:41,600 --> 00:15:45,280
Speaker 1: but I quit letting them control me. When I stopped,

246
00:15:45,560 --> 00:15:48,800
Speaker 1: you would have thought I'd taken their firstborn child. They

247
00:15:48,880 --> 00:15:52,080
Speaker 1: tried to make me feel so guilty, so ashamed, but

248
00:15:52,120 --> 00:15:55,600
Speaker 1: my attitude was I love you, but I don't owe you.

249
00:15:56,720 --> 00:16:01,440
Speaker 1: If someone is controlling you, it's not their fault, it's yours.

250
00:16:02,160 --> 00:16:05,200
Speaker 1: You have to put your foot down, make a change.

251
00:16:05,360 --> 00:16:09,680
Speaker 1: This is your hour. You cannot reach your destiny dragging

252
00:16:09,720 --> 00:16:13,560
Speaker 1: people along, trying to keep everyone happy. Now I know

253
00:16:13,680 --> 00:16:17,560
Speaker 1: people that spend more time worried about what other people

254
00:16:17,640 --> 00:16:21,240
Speaker 1: think about them than they do pursuing their own dreams

255
00:16:21,280 --> 00:16:25,040
Speaker 1: and goals. And it's great to get free from addictions,

256
00:16:25,320 --> 00:16:29,040
Speaker 1: free from depression, but one of the greatest freedoms is

257
00:16:29,080 --> 00:16:33,280
Speaker 1: to get free from people. Because everyone has an opinion.

258
00:16:34,640 --> 00:16:39,920
Speaker 1: These days, with social media, it's easier to express than ever.

259
00:16:40,480 --> 00:16:43,400
Speaker 1: People will tell you what to wear and how to

260
00:16:43,480 --> 00:16:46,640
Speaker 1: raise your kids, and what you're doing wrong and what

261
00:16:46,800 --> 00:16:49,280
Speaker 1: to drive. They're quick to tell you how to run

262
00:16:49,320 --> 00:16:52,720
Speaker 1: your life. Sometimes they can't even run their own life.

263
00:16:53,360 --> 00:16:56,120
Speaker 1: And it's good to take advice, it's good to listen

264
00:16:56,160 --> 00:17:00,480
Speaker 1: to wise counsel, but nobody can hear what you here

265
00:17:00,520 --> 00:17:04,760
Speaker 1: on the inside. Other people may mean well, but they

266
00:17:04,760 --> 00:17:08,120
Speaker 1: don't know what God put in you. They don't know

267
00:17:08,200 --> 00:17:11,760
Speaker 1: the gifts, the dreams, the calling. You have to have

268
00:17:11,840 --> 00:17:15,119
Speaker 1: a boldness to follow what God's put in your heart.

269
00:17:15,760 --> 00:17:19,719
Speaker 1: You can't worry about what everybody else thinks, Joe. What

270
00:17:19,760 --> 00:17:23,040
Speaker 1: if they get upset, What if they don't agree. If

271
00:17:23,040 --> 00:17:27,280
Speaker 1: someone gets offended because you're not taking their advice, that's

272
00:17:27,320 --> 00:17:31,240
Speaker 1: not your problem. If you live by the opinion of others,

273
00:17:31,520 --> 00:17:35,320
Speaker 1: you will never become who you were created to be,

274
00:17:35,320 --> 00:17:38,080
Speaker 1: because people will try to keep you in their box

275
00:17:38,440 --> 00:17:41,639
Speaker 1: in who they want you to be. There was this grandfather.

276
00:17:42,080 --> 00:17:45,399
Speaker 1: He and his small grandson were taking a trip into town.

277
00:17:45,920 --> 00:17:49,600
Speaker 1: He started off, letting the grandson ride the donkey. He

278
00:17:49,680 --> 00:17:53,840
Speaker 1: was walking alongside. Someone passed by and said, look at

279
00:17:53,840 --> 00:17:57,760
Speaker 1: that selfish little boy making that old man walk. He

280
00:17:57,840 --> 00:17:59,960
Speaker 1: took the boy off and put him on the ground.

281
00:18:00,240 --> 00:18:03,200
Speaker 1: He got on the donkey. The boy was walking alongside.

282
00:18:03,400 --> 00:18:06,760
Speaker 1: Somebody passed by and said, look at that man making

283
00:18:06,800 --> 00:18:10,159
Speaker 1: that little boy walk while he rides. He picked the

284
00:18:10,200 --> 00:18:12,600
Speaker 1: boy up and put him on the donkey with him.

285
00:18:12,840 --> 00:18:16,239
Speaker 1: A few minutes someone passed and said, how cruel of

286
00:18:16,280 --> 00:18:18,960
Speaker 1: the two of you to place that heavy load on

287
00:18:19,080 --> 00:18:22,200
Speaker 1: the donkey. By that time they got to town, the

288
00:18:22,280 --> 00:18:28,359
Speaker 1: grandfather and grandson were carrying the donkey. Everybody has a

289
00:18:28,440 --> 00:18:31,520
Speaker 1: right to have their opinion, and you have the right

290
00:18:31,800 --> 00:18:35,600
Speaker 1: not to take it. No matter what you do, someone

291
00:18:35,800 --> 00:18:41,480
Speaker 1: is not going to understand. Are you carrying the donkey?

292
00:18:41,680 --> 00:18:44,520
Speaker 1: Are you being pressured into doing what people want you

293
00:18:44,600 --> 00:18:48,560
Speaker 1: to do? Not want to disappoint anything. It's time to

294
00:18:48,640 --> 00:18:52,560
Speaker 1: put the donkey down. The donkey doesn't look good on you.

295
00:18:52,920 --> 00:18:56,320
Speaker 1: Start running your own races, Start following what God put

296
00:18:56,359 --> 00:18:59,320
Speaker 1: in your heart. My father went to be with the

297
00:18:59,359 --> 00:19:02,840
Speaker 1: Lord twenty one years ago. This week. When I stepped

298
00:19:02,880 --> 00:19:05,359
Speaker 1: up to pastor the church, I had a lot of

299
00:19:05,400 --> 00:19:08,840
Speaker 1: people giving me advice, telling me how to run the church,

300
00:19:09,280 --> 00:19:13,520
Speaker 1: how to minister, which direction we should go. One minister

301
00:19:13,680 --> 00:19:16,959
Speaker 1: that we've known a long time and very prominent, he

302
00:19:17,040 --> 00:19:19,840
Speaker 1: called me and told me what I should do. He's

303
00:19:19,880 --> 00:19:23,800
Speaker 1: a good man. I respect him, but nothing he said

304
00:19:24,240 --> 00:19:28,000
Speaker 1: bore witness. On the inside, I felt pressured to be

305
00:19:28,320 --> 00:19:30,800
Speaker 1: who he wanted me to be, and pressured to be

306
00:19:30,880 --> 00:19:34,160
Speaker 1: who someone else wanted me to be. All these good

307
00:19:34,160 --> 00:19:38,879
Speaker 1: opinions from good people, but deep down I knew which

308
00:19:38,960 --> 00:19:41,760
Speaker 1: direction I was supposed to go. I didn't know if

309
00:19:41,800 --> 00:19:44,000
Speaker 1: it was going to work out, but I wasn't going

310
00:19:44,040 --> 00:19:47,720
Speaker 1: to be squeezed into somebody else's mold. And I told

311
00:19:47,720 --> 00:19:50,639
Speaker 1: that minister, is that's not what I felt on the inside,

312
00:19:50,680 --> 00:19:54,160
Speaker 1: and he didn't agree. He thought I was making a mistake.

313
00:19:54,680 --> 00:19:57,159
Speaker 1: But I knew when I came to the end, he

314
00:19:57,200 --> 00:19:59,960
Speaker 1: wouldn't be on the throne. I wouldn't have to answer

315
00:20:00,160 --> 00:20:03,000
Speaker 1: to him. I followed what God put in my heart,

316
00:20:03,320 --> 00:20:05,920
Speaker 1: and God has taken me further than I've ever dreamed.

317
00:20:07,200 --> 00:20:12,520
Speaker 1: Don't let people squeeze you into their mild God is

318
00:20:12,600 --> 00:20:15,399
Speaker 1: doing a new thing. He is going to take you

319
00:20:15,600 --> 00:20:19,520
Speaker 1: further than your parents, further than those that have gone

320
00:20:19,560 --> 00:20:23,919
Speaker 1: before you. Listen to their advice, but be strong to

321
00:20:24,000 --> 00:20:28,640
Speaker 1: follow that still small voice on the inside. Nobody can

322
00:20:28,680 --> 00:20:33,000
Speaker 1: hear God's direction for your life like you. God won't

323
00:20:33,000 --> 00:20:37,320
Speaker 1: give someone else more insight into your destiny than he

324
00:20:37,359 --> 00:20:41,040
Speaker 1: does you. Sure some people may see things, but God

325
00:20:41,119 --> 00:20:46,320
Speaker 1: speaks directly to your spirit. Some people won't understand you.

326
00:20:47,000 --> 00:20:49,320
Speaker 1: They'll get upset when you break out of the box.

327
00:20:49,880 --> 00:20:53,400
Speaker 1: Someone told me, Joel, I like the old days. You've

328
00:20:53,400 --> 00:20:56,720
Speaker 1: forgotten where we've come from. I thought, I haven't forgotten.

329
00:20:56,960 --> 00:20:59,760
Speaker 1: I just didn't want to stay there. God is a

330
00:21:00,119 --> 00:21:05,200
Speaker 1: progressive God. Don't get stuck in the past. Don't get

331
00:21:05,240 --> 00:21:09,080
Speaker 1: stuck in tradition. What are they going to think what

332
00:21:09,200 --> 00:21:12,159
Speaker 1: if they don't accept me, What if they don't approve me?

333
00:21:12,760 --> 00:21:16,040
Speaker 1: You don't need their approval. The most time, God has

334
00:21:16,080 --> 00:21:21,000
Speaker 1: approved you. The creator of the universe has already accepted you.

335
00:21:21,560 --> 00:21:25,439
Speaker 1: Now you have to set your face. This is your hour.

336
00:21:26,119 --> 00:21:29,760
Speaker 1: There is greatness in you. God is calling you out

337
00:21:29,840 --> 00:21:33,359
Speaker 1: of the ordinary, out of what you're used to. He

338
00:21:33,480 --> 00:21:36,959
Speaker 1: has things in your future that are going to break barriers.

339
00:21:37,400 --> 00:21:39,680
Speaker 1: You're going to go where no one in your family

340
00:21:39,760 --> 00:21:43,440
Speaker 1: has gone. It's going to be unusual, out of the ordinary.

341
00:21:44,280 --> 00:21:48,280
Speaker 1: Sure there will be people that find fault, try to discredit,

342
00:21:48,840 --> 00:21:52,360
Speaker 1: think that you're missing it. That's okay. Nobody has ever

343
00:21:52,480 --> 00:21:57,520
Speaker 1: done anything great without opposition, without critics, without people thinking

344
00:21:57,560 --> 00:22:01,320
Speaker 1: they were missing it. Keep your face set. My father

345
00:22:01,400 --> 00:22:04,800
Speaker 1: had always said that he would never move Lakewood from

346
00:22:04,800 --> 00:22:09,000
Speaker 1: the original location. When I became pastor, I wasn't about

347
00:22:09,040 --> 00:22:11,720
Speaker 1: to move it either. I was new and young, and

348
00:22:11,920 --> 00:22:14,679
Speaker 1: I wasn't going to rock the boat. We needed a

349
00:22:14,680 --> 00:22:17,479
Speaker 1: bigger place to meet, and we looked for land in

350
00:22:17,520 --> 00:22:22,280
Speaker 1: that area, but nothing worked out. Then the Compact Center

351
00:22:22,440 --> 00:22:25,960
Speaker 1: this place became available. It's about twenty minutes from the

352
00:22:26,000 --> 00:22:30,080
Speaker 1: original location. I knew it was supposed to be ours.

353
00:22:30,480 --> 00:22:33,760
Speaker 1: I felt it so strongly in my spirit, but I

354
00:22:33,800 --> 00:22:37,280
Speaker 1: didn't know what other people would think. They had heard

355
00:22:37,320 --> 00:22:40,480
Speaker 1: my father say for many years that he would never

356
00:22:40,840 --> 00:22:44,720
Speaker 1: move the location. Thoughts whispered, Joe, this is not right.

357
00:22:45,040 --> 00:22:48,080
Speaker 1: They're not going to understand. You better stay in your box.

358
00:22:48,600 --> 00:22:51,960
Speaker 1: I felt something so strongly in my spirit, but my

359
00:22:52,119 --> 00:22:55,520
Speaker 1: mind was telling me just the opposite. One day I

360
00:22:55,560 --> 00:22:59,359
Speaker 1: heard something down in hearsay. Your father said he would

361
00:22:59,400 --> 00:23:02,400
Speaker 1: never move it, but I never said you wouldn't move it.

362
00:23:03,520 --> 00:23:07,800
Speaker 1: That's all I needed to hear. I now that we

363
00:23:07,840 --> 00:23:11,760
Speaker 1: were going to pursue the Compact center. Ninety nine point

364
00:23:11,880 --> 00:23:14,719
Speaker 1: ninety nine percent of the people were for it. But

365
00:23:14,760 --> 00:23:17,119
Speaker 1: there will always be that one jerk. I mean that

366
00:23:17,200 --> 00:23:22,040
Speaker 1: one person. This man came up all been out of shape. Joe,

367
00:23:22,200 --> 00:23:26,000
Speaker 1: your dad said he wouldn't move it. This is a mistake.

368
00:23:26,560 --> 00:23:29,520
Speaker 1: If you move it, I'm not going to come. I

369
00:23:29,560 --> 00:23:35,720
Speaker 1: wanted to say, you promise. Some people will not accept

370
00:23:36,200 --> 00:23:39,560
Speaker 1: the new thing God puts in your heart. They're stuck

371
00:23:39,680 --> 00:23:42,879
Speaker 1: in what was while God is telling you what he is.

372
00:23:43,640 --> 00:23:48,480
Speaker 1: It's much bigger, it's new levels, it's greater influence, it's

373
00:23:48,600 --> 00:23:52,959
Speaker 1: uncommon favor, it's something that you've never seen. Don't let

374
00:23:53,040 --> 00:23:55,920
Speaker 1: the fear of what people are going to think keep

375
00:23:55,960 --> 00:23:59,639
Speaker 1: you in your box. This is one reason King Saul

376
00:24:00,080 --> 00:24:03,320
Speaker 1: lost the throne. God told him to do certain things.

377
00:24:03,560 --> 00:24:08,200
Speaker 1: He did them partially. When Samuel confronted him, Saul admitted,

378
00:24:08,600 --> 00:24:12,960
Speaker 1: I disobeyed the Lord's instructions because I was afraid of

379
00:24:13,000 --> 00:24:16,440
Speaker 1: the people, so I did what they asked. God had

380
00:24:16,520 --> 00:24:20,159
Speaker 1: greatness in Saul. He was going to take him amazing places.

381
00:24:20,480 --> 00:24:23,800
Speaker 1: For Saul didn't want to disappoint the people. He didn't

382
00:24:23,800 --> 00:24:26,760
Speaker 1: want to rock the boat. You can't be a people

383
00:24:26,840 --> 00:24:30,679
Speaker 1: pleaser and reach your potential because people will try to

384
00:24:30,760 --> 00:24:34,199
Speaker 1: squeeze you into who they want you to be. You

385
00:24:34,280 --> 00:24:37,080
Speaker 1: may have to disappoint a few people in order to

386
00:24:37,119 --> 00:24:42,480
Speaker 1: reach your destiny. Genesis twelve, God told Abraham to leave

387
00:24:42,520 --> 00:24:46,800
Speaker 1: his country, his relatives, and his father's house and go

388
00:24:46,880 --> 00:24:50,520
Speaker 1: to the land of Canaan. Abraham gathered up his belongings,

389
00:24:50,640 --> 00:24:53,520
Speaker 1: got his flocks and herds, and he left. But he

390
00:24:53,600 --> 00:24:57,920
Speaker 1: took his nephew Lot with him. God just told him

391
00:24:57,960 --> 00:25:01,760
Speaker 1: to leave his relatives. I don't know. Maybe he thought

392
00:25:02,040 --> 00:25:05,159
Speaker 1: Lot will get his feelings hurt. He may be offended.

393
00:25:05,520 --> 00:25:07,800
Speaker 1: He knew the right thing to do, but he was

394
00:25:07,840 --> 00:25:13,280
Speaker 1: afraid someone wouldn't understand. When they arrived, the land wouldn't

395
00:25:13,359 --> 00:25:17,440
Speaker 1: sustain both he and Lot, all their flocks and herds.

396
00:25:17,920 --> 00:25:22,480
Speaker 1: Their shepherds started arguing. There was strife and division, all

397
00:25:22,560 --> 00:25:27,440
Speaker 1: because Lot wasn't supposed to be there in the first place. Finally,

398
00:25:27,520 --> 00:25:30,560
Speaker 1: Lot moved to a different part of the country. The

399
00:25:30,640 --> 00:25:35,360
Speaker 1: scripture says after Lot left, God said to Abraham, look

400
00:25:35,440 --> 00:25:38,479
Speaker 1: around all the lands you see, I will give it

401
00:25:38,520 --> 00:25:43,679
Speaker 1: to you. It's interesting that God didn't speak until after

402
00:25:43,800 --> 00:25:47,919
Speaker 1: Lot left, when Abraham finally did what he knew he

403
00:25:48,040 --> 00:25:51,760
Speaker 1: was supposed to do. When Lot moved away, that's when

404
00:25:51,800 --> 00:25:55,879
Speaker 1: Abraham stepped in to the fullness of the blessing. Do

405
00:25:55,920 --> 00:25:59,480
Speaker 1: you have some lots in your life? Are you letting

406
00:25:59,520 --> 00:26:02,600
Speaker 1: the fear of what people think keep you from hearing

407
00:26:02,720 --> 00:26:05,719
Speaker 1: the new thing God has for you? What if we

408
00:26:05,760 --> 00:26:08,199
Speaker 1: move the church, what if they get upset? What if

409
00:26:08,200 --> 00:26:11,640
Speaker 1: people don't understand? Why don't you get rid of the lots?

410
00:26:12,280 --> 00:26:15,760
Speaker 1: Quit being afraid of the people. Quit letting them squeeze

411
00:26:15,800 --> 00:26:19,480
Speaker 1: you into their mold. Don't get stuck in tradition. God

412
00:26:19,520 --> 00:26:23,760
Speaker 1: has blessings you've never seen increase that you've never imagined.

413
00:26:24,359 --> 00:26:28,879
Speaker 1: I'm asking you to get rid of any distractions. No

414
00:26:29,040 --> 00:26:32,399
Speaker 1: more living to please people, no more worried about what

415
00:26:32,520 --> 00:26:36,199
Speaker 1: others think. No more fighting battles that don't matter. This

416
00:26:36,440 --> 00:26:40,440
Speaker 1: is your hour, this is your time. Make up your mind.

417
00:26:40,640 --> 00:26:43,439
Speaker 1: You're going to set your face. You're going to become

418
00:26:43,680 --> 00:26:46,480
Speaker 1: who God created you to be. If you'll do this,

419
00:26:46,840 --> 00:26:50,560
Speaker 1: I believe and declare, like with Abraham, You're about to

420
00:26:50,600 --> 00:26:57,520
Speaker 1: see unprecedented favor. New doors are about to open, divine connections, breakthroughs,

421
00:26:57,920 --> 00:27:02,080
Speaker 1: the fullness of your destiny in Jesus' name, and if

422
00:27:02,119 --> 00:27:05,880
Speaker 1: you receive it, can you say him in Today? I'd

423
00:27:05,960 --> 00:27:08,800
Speaker 1: like to give you an opportunity to make Jesus the

424
00:27:08,840 --> 00:27:13,640
Speaker 1: lord of your life. Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus,

425
00:27:14,400 --> 00:27:19,560
Speaker 1: I repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I'll

426
00:27:19,600 --> 00:27:23,480
Speaker 1: make you by Lord and Savior. If you prayed that

427
00:27:23,560 --> 00:27:26,960
Speaker 1: simple prayer, we believe you got born again. Get in

428
00:27:27,000 --> 00:27:30,240
Speaker 1: a good Bible based church, Keep God at first place.

429
00:27:32,080 --> 00:27:36,080
Speaker 2: It's a new year. Time to see the impossible become possible.

430
00:27:36,440 --> 00:27:37,280
Speaker 1: It's a new year.

431
00:27:37,680 --> 00:27:42,040
Speaker 2: Life setbacks are about to become God's setups for new opportunity.

432
00:27:42,400 --> 00:27:47,600
Speaker 2: It's a new year, cherished dreams will become unexpected reality.

433
00:27:47,720 --> 00:27:49,920
Speaker 1: The start of the new year is the perfect time

434
00:27:50,000 --> 00:27:53,600
Speaker 1: to reset your focus, release disappointments of the past, and

435
00:27:53,680 --> 00:27:56,240
Speaker 1: get ready for the new things God has in store.

436
00:27:56,800 --> 00:27:59,760
Speaker 1: Every January we create a new three hundred and sixty

437
00:27:59,800 --> 00:28:03,480
Speaker 1: five devotional calendar. I'd love to send it to you.

438
00:28:03,920 --> 00:28:08,280
Speaker 1: Each day is filled with inspiration, scripture, and uplifting declarations

439
00:28:08,280 --> 00:28:11,280
Speaker 1: to fuel your faith. When you begin the day thanking

440
00:28:11,320 --> 00:28:14,680
Speaker 1: God for what He's done, speaking victory over your future,

441
00:28:15,160 --> 00:28:19,680
Speaker 1: you're positioning yourself for a blessed, favor filled year. Amazing

442
00:28:19,720 --> 00:28:22,200
Speaker 1: things happen when you keep God first place.

443
00:28:22,960 --> 00:28:25,359
Speaker 2: As our way of saying thank You for your gift

444
00:28:25,400 --> 00:28:28,040
Speaker 2: of any amount this first month of the year, we

445
00:28:28,080 --> 00:28:30,320
Speaker 2: would like to send you a copy of our brand

446
00:28:30,400 --> 00:28:33,520
Speaker 2: new three hundred and sixty five Day twenty twenty six

447
00:28:33,640 --> 00:28:37,440
Speaker 2: devotional calendar. Do you want to overcome your most pressing

448
00:28:37,520 --> 00:28:40,320
Speaker 2: challenges in twenty twenty six? Do you want to see

449
00:28:40,360 --> 00:28:44,560
Speaker 2: your life take off in new directions of influence, favor.

450
00:28:44,360 --> 00:28:46,120
Speaker 1: And provision in the year ahead.

451
00:28:46,600 --> 00:28:50,360
Speaker 2: With this daily encouragement, you'll not only smile at your day,

452
00:28:50,760 --> 00:28:54,520
Speaker 2: you'll be reminded that God is smiling on your entire life.

453
00:28:54,960 --> 00:28:58,800
Speaker 2: Each day will be a fresh new day. Turn discouragement

454
00:28:59,040 --> 00:29:06,000
Speaker 2: to encouragement, frustration to fulfillment, anxiety to overcoming. Start each

455
00:29:06,080 --> 00:29:09,800
Speaker 2: morning knowing that it's God's desire to turn what seems

456
00:29:09,840 --> 00:29:15,240
Speaker 2: like an ordinary life into extraordinary favor, strength, and opportunities.

457
00:29:15,720 --> 00:29:20,960
Speaker 2: Using this devotional calendar is as easy as one, two, three.

458
00:29:21,280 --> 00:29:25,200
Speaker 2: One wake up with an expectancy in your heart. Two

459
00:29:25,720 --> 00:29:29,080
Speaker 2: reflect on the daily scripture, verse and devotional from Joel.

460
00:29:29,640 --> 00:29:33,840
Speaker 2: Three Capture the Lord's promises to you on journaling lines

461
00:29:33,920 --> 00:29:35,240
Speaker 2: for writing and reflection.

462
00:29:36,120 --> 00:29:38,280
Speaker 1: Twenty twenty six is going to be one of your

463
00:29:38,360 --> 00:29:40,960
Speaker 1: best years ever. We're going to help you stay in

464
00:29:41,000 --> 00:29:43,640
Speaker 1: faith so you can see the goodness of God in

465
00:29:43,720 --> 00:29:46,840
Speaker 1: new ways. Victory. I pray for you and your family

466
00:29:46,960 --> 00:29:49,120
Speaker 1: every day, and we want to thank you for your

467
00:29:49,160 --> 00:29:53,800
Speaker 1: prayer and support. Your generosity is impacting lives around the world.

468
00:29:54,200 --> 00:29:56,760
Speaker 1: A special thank you to our Champion of Hope partners

469
00:29:56,800 --> 00:29:59,440
Speaker 1: for your monthly gifts. You're not a partner, I hope

470
00:29:59,440 --> 00:30:03,160
Speaker 1: you'll consider becoming one. Remember you can watch the services

471
00:30:03,200 --> 00:30:08,240
Speaker 1: online live every Sunday morning, download our daily podcast, watch

472
00:30:08,280 --> 00:30:11,600
Speaker 1: on YouTube or the new joel Ostein network twenty four

473
00:30:11,600 --> 00:30:14,600
Speaker 1: hours a day. Of course, listen live on Serious XM

474
00:30:14,640 --> 00:30:17,720
Speaker 1: as well. But until we meet again, may the Lord

475
00:30:17,720 --> 00:30:18,960
Speaker 1: bless you and keep you.

476
00:30:20,040 --> 00:30:22,760
Speaker 2: Be sure to request your copy of the twenty twenty

477
00:30:22,760 --> 00:30:27,120
Speaker 2: sixth devotional calendar available this month by simply visiting us

478
00:30:27,240 --> 00:30:30,960
Speaker 2: at Joelostein dot com or calling eight eight eight five

479
00:30:31,080 --> 00:30:38,080
Speaker 2: six seven Joel. Also, no matter what season you're in, joy, sorry, waiting, growth,

480
00:30:38,400 --> 00:30:42,240
Speaker 2: God wants to speak into each and every moment. God's

481
00:30:42,240 --> 00:30:46,080
Speaker 2: Word for Every Season is a guided journal series designed

482
00:30:46,080 --> 00:30:49,600
Speaker 2: to help you slow down, write out scripture, and reflect

483
00:30:49,640 --> 00:30:52,680
Speaker 2: on its truth, one verse at a time. As you

484
00:30:52,800 --> 00:30:57,040
Speaker 2: engage with His Word, you'll discover fresh strength, deeper peace,

485
00:30:57,360 --> 00:31:01,280
Speaker 2: and timely encouragement for every step of your journey. You

486
00:31:01,360 --> 00:31:05,160
Speaker 2: can request these inspiring resources by calling eight eight eight

487
00:31:05,400 --> 00:31:09,240
Speaker 2: five six seven Joel or logging on to Joelosdein dot

488
00:31:09,280 --> 00:31:13,200
Speaker 2: com today call or click anytime twenty four hours a

489
00:31:13,280 --> 00:31:19,200
Speaker 2: day request these resources today