1 00:00:00,680 --> 00:00:03,600 Speaker 1: Hi, this is joelan Victorium. Thanks so much for listening 2 00:00:03,600 --> 00:00:05,600 Speaker 1: to the podcast and thanks for. 3 00:00:05,559 --> 00:00:08,160 Speaker 2: Supporting the ministry. We believe you're going to have. 4 00:00:08,119 --> 00:00:12,480 Speaker 1: An awesome twenty twenty four, healthy, productive, and favor filled. 5 00:00:12,800 --> 00:00:16,159 Speaker 2: God bless you today and enjoy the message. God bless you. 6 00:00:16,360 --> 00:00:18,040 Speaker 2: And it's great to be with you today. 7 00:00:18,120 --> 00:00:20,680 Speaker 1: And I hope you'll stay connected with us during the 8 00:00:20,680 --> 00:00:24,680 Speaker 1: week to our daily podcast, our YouTube channel, social media, 9 00:00:25,120 --> 00:00:27,840 Speaker 1: and you can come visit us in person. We'd love 10 00:00:27,880 --> 00:00:30,280 Speaker 1: to have you be a part of one of our services. 11 00:00:30,640 --> 00:00:32,920 Speaker 1: And I'd like to start with something funny. And I 12 00:00:32,960 --> 00:00:36,000 Speaker 1: heard about this pastor. He was raising funds for a 13 00:00:36,040 --> 00:00:39,920 Speaker 1: new auditorium center the congregation. Anyone who will give a 14 00:00:40,000 --> 00:00:42,200 Speaker 1: thousand dollars can pick out the. 15 00:00:42,159 --> 00:00:45,560 Speaker 2: Next three hymns. Little old lady in the back, raise 16 00:00:45,600 --> 00:00:48,840 Speaker 2: your hand, Pastor, I'll do it. He was so excited. 17 00:00:49,120 --> 00:00:51,920 Speaker 1: He said, thank you so much. Now, which three hymns 18 00:00:51,960 --> 00:00:55,200 Speaker 1: would you like? She looked over the congregation said I'll 19 00:00:55,240 --> 00:00:58,160 Speaker 1: take him and him and him. 20 00:00:58,200 --> 00:01:01,040 Speaker 2: All right, Joe, say it like you mean, this is 21 00:01:01,080 --> 00:01:01,720 Speaker 2: my Bible. 22 00:01:02,120 --> 00:01:04,480 Speaker 1: I am what it says, I am, I have what 23 00:01:04,560 --> 00:01:06,960 Speaker 1: it says I have, I can do what It says 24 00:01:07,000 --> 00:01:08,360 Speaker 1: I can do today. 25 00:01:08,440 --> 00:01:10,279 Speaker 2: I will be taught the word of God. 26 00:01:10,720 --> 00:01:15,000 Speaker 1: I boldly confess my mind is alert, my heart is receptive. 27 00:01:15,319 --> 00:01:19,119 Speaker 2: I will never be the same. In Jesus' name, God 28 00:01:19,160 --> 00:01:19,760 Speaker 2: bless you. 29 00:01:20,959 --> 00:01:23,160 Speaker 1: I want to talk to you today about. 30 00:01:22,720 --> 00:01:24,039 Speaker 2: Seeing from a distance. 31 00:01:24,840 --> 00:01:27,880 Speaker 1: We all have promises in our heart and dreams we're 32 00:01:27,880 --> 00:01:31,760 Speaker 1: believing for, but sometimes they seem so far off and 33 00:01:32,000 --> 00:01:35,199 Speaker 1: so unlikely. We don't see how we could get well, 34 00:01:35,319 --> 00:01:38,399 Speaker 1: or how we'll meet the right person. Doesn't look like 35 00:01:38,440 --> 00:01:41,520 Speaker 1: our child will ever get back on course. It's such 36 00:01:41,560 --> 00:01:44,959 Speaker 1: a long way off that it's easy to get discouraged 37 00:01:45,000 --> 00:01:48,640 Speaker 1: and think that it's never going to happen. Hebrews eleven 38 00:01:48,800 --> 00:01:52,240 Speaker 1: talks about the heroes of faith and all the amazing 39 00:01:52,360 --> 00:01:55,680 Speaker 1: things they accomplished, and how God showed up and did 40 00:01:55,720 --> 00:01:58,600 Speaker 1: what only he could do. Parted the Red Sea for 41 00:01:58,760 --> 00:02:03,240 Speaker 1: mosesm down, the walls of Jeriko for Joshua, was closed, 42 00:02:03,240 --> 00:02:06,440 Speaker 1: the mouths of lions for Daniel. They were all in 43 00:02:06,520 --> 00:02:12,240 Speaker 1: situations that looked impossible, no way out. Verse thirteen gives 44 00:02:12,320 --> 00:02:15,200 Speaker 1: us a secret of how they saw the promises come 45 00:02:15,280 --> 00:02:19,200 Speaker 1: to pass. It says they had not yet received what 46 00:02:19,240 --> 00:02:23,240 Speaker 1: God promised, but They saw it from a distance and 47 00:02:23,320 --> 00:02:27,760 Speaker 1: welcomed the promises of God when every circumstance said it's 48 00:02:27,760 --> 00:02:30,680 Speaker 1: never going to happen. It's been too long, the our 49 00:02:30,720 --> 00:02:34,760 Speaker 1: phosition's too big. They just kept seeing it in the distance. 50 00:02:35,480 --> 00:02:38,560 Speaker 1: Their attitude was, may be a long way off, but 51 00:02:38,639 --> 00:02:42,000 Speaker 1: I still believe what God promised. I still believe what 52 00:02:42,080 --> 00:02:45,200 Speaker 1: he started he'll finish. I still believe he can make 53 00:02:45,200 --> 00:02:46,960 Speaker 1: a way where I don't see away. 54 00:02:47,800 --> 00:02:49,440 Speaker 2: They welcomed it by faith. 55 00:02:50,160 --> 00:02:53,160 Speaker 1: When the promise is far off, doubt will try to 56 00:02:53,160 --> 00:02:56,600 Speaker 1: fill your mind. You can't have the baby you saw 57 00:02:56,680 --> 00:03:00,280 Speaker 1: the report. You'll always have this addiction. Every one in 58 00:03:00,320 --> 00:03:03,600 Speaker 1: your family struggles with it. You can't start your business, 59 00:03:03,680 --> 00:03:06,680 Speaker 1: you can barely pay your own bills. If you agree 60 00:03:06,720 --> 00:03:09,640 Speaker 1: with the doubt, it's going to push the promise away. 61 00:03:10,360 --> 00:03:12,200 Speaker 2: You have to welcome it by faith. 62 00:03:12,840 --> 00:03:15,720 Speaker 1: Lord, I thank you that my healing is on the way. 63 00:03:15,840 --> 00:03:18,400 Speaker 1: Thank you that freedom is coming. Thank you that my 64 00:03:18,520 --> 00:03:21,760 Speaker 1: child is turning around. Thank you that abundance is in 65 00:03:21,840 --> 00:03:26,520 Speaker 1: my future. Maybe way off in the distance, but you're saying. 66 00:03:26,440 --> 00:03:28,280 Speaker 2: Come on in healing. 67 00:03:28,360 --> 00:03:32,040 Speaker 1: You'll welcome here, Abundance, You'll welcome here Freedom. 68 00:03:32,120 --> 00:03:33,400 Speaker 2: You're welcome in my house. 69 00:03:34,280 --> 00:03:37,280 Speaker 1: The more you welcome it, the more you thank God 70 00:03:37,400 --> 00:03:40,800 Speaker 1: and believe it's going to happen, the closer it's getting 71 00:03:41,600 --> 00:03:45,720 Speaker 1: the message. Translation of verse thirteen says, each of these 72 00:03:45,800 --> 00:03:49,280 Speaker 1: heroes of faith did not yet have what was promised. 73 00:03:49,720 --> 00:03:50,560 Speaker 2: How did they do it? 74 00:03:51,000 --> 00:03:54,840 Speaker 1: They saw it way off in the distance, waive their greeting, 75 00:03:55,320 --> 00:03:56,760 Speaker 1: and accepted it. 76 00:03:56,640 --> 00:03:59,720 Speaker 2: Was going to happen. When it was way off, they 77 00:03:59,720 --> 00:04:00,560 Speaker 2: weighed at it. 78 00:04:01,160 --> 00:04:05,640 Speaker 1: They were welcoming it, expecting it, giving it permission to come. 79 00:04:06,480 --> 00:04:09,120 Speaker 1: I was at the airport one time waiting for some 80 00:04:09,240 --> 00:04:12,600 Speaker 1: friends who were coming in from overseas, and we hadn't 81 00:04:12,600 --> 00:04:15,560 Speaker 1: seen him in a long time, and we were so excited, 82 00:04:15,600 --> 00:04:19,120 Speaker 1: and we were standing in the lobby in this restricted 83 00:04:19,200 --> 00:04:21,680 Speaker 1: area they had to come through customs. 84 00:04:21,960 --> 00:04:24,560 Speaker 2: There was a glass wall and you could see. 85 00:04:24,400 --> 00:04:28,040 Speaker 1: The people through the jetway about fifty yards away, and 86 00:04:28,080 --> 00:04:29,080 Speaker 1: we were hoping. 87 00:04:28,800 --> 00:04:29,800 Speaker 2: To get a glimpse of them. 88 00:04:30,400 --> 00:04:33,440 Speaker 1: Hundreds of people were coming through and we kept looking 89 00:04:33,480 --> 00:04:35,559 Speaker 1: and looking, straining. 90 00:04:34,960 --> 00:04:37,119 Speaker 2: And at one point we saw them. 91 00:04:37,480 --> 00:04:40,040 Speaker 1: Of course, we all started waving and waving, trying to 92 00:04:40,080 --> 00:04:43,719 Speaker 1: get their attention. They finally saw us and started waving 93 00:04:43,800 --> 00:04:45,120 Speaker 1: back and blowing kisses. 94 00:04:46,160 --> 00:04:47,960 Speaker 2: We wanted to make sure they. 95 00:04:47,839 --> 00:04:51,000 Speaker 1: Felt welcoming, that they knew how glad we were to 96 00:04:51,080 --> 00:04:55,080 Speaker 1: have them. Most of the promises God puts in our 97 00:04:55,120 --> 00:04:56,800 Speaker 1: heart start far off. 98 00:04:57,560 --> 00:05:01,520 Speaker 2: The dreams, the healing, the breakthroughs. They start in the distance. 99 00:05:02,120 --> 00:05:06,080 Speaker 2: Seems unlikely. We don't have the resources, We don't know 100 00:05:06,120 --> 00:05:06,920 Speaker 2: the right people. 101 00:05:07,480 --> 00:05:11,400 Speaker 1: The opposition has more influence, more equipment. That's the way 102 00:05:11,440 --> 00:05:15,000 Speaker 1: it was with the heroes of faith. Every thought said, 103 00:05:15,400 --> 00:05:18,799 Speaker 1: the giant is too big, David, the fire too hot, 104 00:05:18,880 --> 00:05:23,039 Speaker 1: shadrack Niejak of Bendigunde, you've been sick twelve years. 105 00:05:23,360 --> 00:05:24,800 Speaker 2: Woman with the issue of blood. 106 00:05:25,760 --> 00:05:29,159 Speaker 1: They had every reason to get discouraged, think that it 107 00:05:29,160 --> 00:05:30,080 Speaker 1: could never happen. 108 00:05:30,560 --> 00:05:32,480 Speaker 2: But they understood this principle. 109 00:05:32,960 --> 00:05:36,480 Speaker 1: They saw it in the distance and welcomed it by faith. 110 00:05:37,520 --> 00:05:41,800 Speaker 1: Your healing may look far away, Your freedom, your abundance, 111 00:05:42,080 --> 00:05:43,760 Speaker 1: meeting the right person may. 112 00:05:43,640 --> 00:05:46,320 Speaker 2: Look a long way off. What am I saying? 113 00:05:46,680 --> 00:05:50,480 Speaker 1: Don't get discouraged by the distance. Get up every morning 114 00:05:50,520 --> 00:05:54,280 Speaker 1: and wave at your healing, Wave at your family's salvation, 115 00:05:55,000 --> 00:05:58,360 Speaker 1: wave at your freedom, wave at that spouse. You've been 116 00:05:58,440 --> 00:06:02,600 Speaker 1: dreaming about your abundance. You have to give it permission 117 00:06:02,880 --> 00:06:04,080 Speaker 1: to become a reality. 118 00:06:04,760 --> 00:06:07,680 Speaker 2: Let it know that it's welcome when you. 119 00:06:07,720 --> 00:06:13,280 Speaker 1: Believe, expect, Thank God, it's getting closer. You're drawing it in. 120 00:06:14,360 --> 00:06:17,479 Speaker 1: But too often we let the distance cause. 121 00:06:17,360 --> 00:06:18,360 Speaker 2: Us to quit believing. 122 00:06:18,720 --> 00:06:21,000 Speaker 1: There's no way I can get well, Joel, you should 123 00:06:21,040 --> 00:06:24,120 Speaker 1: see the reporter. My family can't be restored. There's so 124 00:06:24,240 --> 00:06:29,040 Speaker 1: much strife. The distance is a test. How you respond 125 00:06:29,160 --> 00:06:32,640 Speaker 1: when things are far away will determine whether or not 126 00:06:32,880 --> 00:06:37,040 Speaker 1: you see them become a reality. Maybe a long way off, 127 00:06:37,240 --> 00:06:40,680 Speaker 1: but that doesn't mean it's not going to happen. Promises 128 00:06:40,800 --> 00:06:45,480 Speaker 1: start in the distance. Healing starts in the distance. Dreams 129 00:06:45,520 --> 00:06:48,520 Speaker 1: start in the distance. The enemy would love for you 130 00:06:48,600 --> 00:06:52,440 Speaker 1: to let the distance talk you out of what God put. 131 00:06:52,320 --> 00:06:56,120 Speaker 2: In your spirits. He'll whisper it's too far away, it's 132 00:06:56,160 --> 00:07:00,000 Speaker 2: not possible. What have happened by now? Don't believe those lives. 133 00:07:00,800 --> 00:07:03,240 Speaker 1: God wouldn't have put that in your heart if he 134 00:07:03,320 --> 00:07:05,640 Speaker 1: wasn't going to bring it to pass. You have to 135 00:07:05,720 --> 00:07:09,680 Speaker 1: keep seeing it in the distance, calling it in by faith, 136 00:07:10,120 --> 00:07:13,680 Speaker 1: thanking God that is coming, expecting things to change in 137 00:07:13,760 --> 00:07:16,760 Speaker 1: your favor. Just like I waved at my friends at 138 00:07:16,800 --> 00:07:20,040 Speaker 1: the airport that were far away. Wave it to healing, 139 00:07:20,600 --> 00:07:23,800 Speaker 1: wave it your new business, Wave it your dream, make 140 00:07:23,840 --> 00:07:27,680 Speaker 1: it feel welcome, give it permission to become a reality. 141 00:07:28,240 --> 00:07:31,559 Speaker 1: That's when God will step in and take what looks 142 00:07:31,640 --> 00:07:36,040 Speaker 1: far away, what's unlikely, what no one saw coming, and 143 00:07:36,160 --> 00:07:37,520 Speaker 1: make it a reality. 144 00:07:38,600 --> 00:07:41,000 Speaker 2: This is what Abraham had to do. He didn't have 145 00:07:41,120 --> 00:07:42,440 Speaker 2: any children. 146 00:07:42,360 --> 00:07:45,320 Speaker 1: No way to carry on his legacy, and he was 147 00:07:45,440 --> 00:07:49,120 Speaker 1: very discouraged. He said, God, you blessed me in great ways, 148 00:07:49,160 --> 00:07:52,080 Speaker 1: but I don't have a child. I'm gonna have to 149 00:07:52,160 --> 00:07:56,160 Speaker 1: leave my inheritance to my staff. And God said, no, Abraham, 150 00:07:56,480 --> 00:07:57,920 Speaker 1: I'm going to give you a son. 151 00:07:58,640 --> 00:08:02,560 Speaker 2: You will become the father of many nations. The problem 152 00:08:02,760 --> 00:08:04,080 Speaker 2: was Abraham and. 153 00:08:04,000 --> 00:08:07,680 Speaker 1: His wife Sarah were way too old. Sarah was seventy, 154 00:08:08,160 --> 00:08:11,040 Speaker 1: she had already gone through the change of life. On 155 00:08:11,080 --> 00:08:14,800 Speaker 1: top of that, she was barren, never able to have children. 156 00:08:15,400 --> 00:08:18,880 Speaker 1: You talk about the promise in the distance, far away, 157 00:08:19,600 --> 00:08:21,320 Speaker 1: this one was in another universe. 158 00:08:21,880 --> 00:08:24,520 Speaker 2: No one had ever had a baby at that age. 159 00:08:25,080 --> 00:08:28,440 Speaker 1: When Sarah first heard it, she laughed. She said, how 160 00:08:28,480 --> 00:08:31,600 Speaker 1: can an old woman like me and a worn out 161 00:08:31,720 --> 00:08:32,240 Speaker 1: man like. 162 00:08:32,240 --> 00:08:35,960 Speaker 2: Abraham ever have a baby? She told it like it was. 163 00:08:36,800 --> 00:08:39,840 Speaker 1: Abraham was in his tent at night, and God told 164 00:08:39,920 --> 00:08:43,600 Speaker 1: him to go outside look up at the stars as 165 00:08:43,679 --> 00:08:46,680 Speaker 1: many as he could see. That's how many children he 166 00:08:46,800 --> 00:08:50,120 Speaker 1: was going to have. God wanted him to have this picture. 167 00:08:50,640 --> 00:08:53,800 Speaker 1: But think about the stars, they're a long way off, 168 00:08:54,440 --> 00:08:58,120 Speaker 1: millions of miles far in the distance. God could have 169 00:08:58,160 --> 00:09:02,680 Speaker 1: had Abraham go to the marketplace in the city square 170 00:09:02,760 --> 00:09:05,960 Speaker 1: and see all the people up close, right there where 171 00:09:05,960 --> 00:09:09,640 Speaker 1: you could touch them. But on purpose, he gave him 172 00:09:09,679 --> 00:09:14,000 Speaker 1: this image of a promise far away. When God puts 173 00:09:14,040 --> 00:09:16,720 Speaker 1: things in your heart that seem a long way off, 174 00:09:17,320 --> 00:09:19,840 Speaker 1: that's when you have to show God what you're made of. 175 00:09:20,800 --> 00:09:22,480 Speaker 2: You'll either dismiss. 176 00:09:21,960 --> 00:09:25,960 Speaker 1: It is never gonna happen, or you'll wave at it. God, 177 00:09:26,000 --> 00:09:28,320 Speaker 1: I thank you that it's on the way. I believe 178 00:09:28,400 --> 00:09:29,120 Speaker 1: what you promise. 179 00:09:30,000 --> 00:09:30,959 Speaker 2: You'll either push it. 180 00:09:30,920 --> 00:09:35,000 Speaker 1: Away with doubt and discouragement, or you'll welcome it with 181 00:09:35,120 --> 00:09:36,720 Speaker 1: faith and expectancy. 182 00:09:37,760 --> 00:09:39,439 Speaker 2: Sarah laughed in unbelief. 183 00:09:40,160 --> 00:09:43,239 Speaker 1: She just looked at it in the natural, but Abraham 184 00:09:43,280 --> 00:09:48,160 Speaker 1: knew God is supernatural. Romans Force says, even though this 185 00:09:48,360 --> 00:09:54,000 Speaker 1: promise seemed utterly impossible, Abraham was fully convinced God was 186 00:09:54,040 --> 00:09:57,079 Speaker 1: able to do what he promised. Goes on to say, 187 00:09:57,360 --> 00:10:01,000 Speaker 1: he did not waver in his faith, but grew stronger 188 00:10:01,240 --> 00:10:05,360 Speaker 1: by giving praise to God. I can imagine Abraham at 189 00:10:05,480 --> 00:10:09,880 Speaker 1: night looking up at the stars and waving at them. Father, 190 00:10:10,000 --> 00:10:12,760 Speaker 1: I know you are faithful to what you promised. I 191 00:10:12,880 --> 00:10:15,640 Speaker 1: thank you that my son is on the way. He 192 00:10:15,760 --> 00:10:19,920 Speaker 1: stayed strong in faith by continuing to thank God that 193 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:20,680 Speaker 1: it was coming. 194 00:10:21,679 --> 00:10:23,040 Speaker 2: When the promise is in the. 195 00:10:23,040 --> 00:10:27,240 Speaker 1: Distance, far away, you're going to have plenty of opportunities 196 00:10:27,280 --> 00:10:31,800 Speaker 1: to get discouraged, grow weary. Thoughts will tell you it's 197 00:10:31,800 --> 00:10:34,840 Speaker 1: not going to work out. You heard the reports, it's 198 00:10:34,880 --> 00:10:38,280 Speaker 1: too late. Tune all that out and keep seeing it 199 00:10:38,320 --> 00:10:42,280 Speaker 1: from a distance. The distance doesn't mean God is not 200 00:10:42,320 --> 00:10:46,840 Speaker 1: going to do it. Most of his promises start far away. 201 00:10:47,760 --> 00:10:51,720 Speaker 1: If it was close practical, you could figure it out. 202 00:10:52,240 --> 00:10:55,400 Speaker 2: You have everything you need, then it wouldn't taint faith. 203 00:10:56,320 --> 00:10:58,880 Speaker 1: God is going to put things in your heart that 204 00:10:58,960 --> 00:11:02,320 Speaker 1: seem unlikely, never happened in your family. 205 00:11:02,760 --> 00:11:04,560 Speaker 2: All your reasoning says no way. 206 00:11:05,200 --> 00:11:08,400 Speaker 1: That's when you have to do like Abraham, against all hope, 207 00:11:08,600 --> 00:11:12,160 Speaker 1: hope on in faith, keep waving at it, keep thanking 208 00:11:12,160 --> 00:11:15,120 Speaker 1: God that he's working, keep believing that it is coming. 209 00:11:16,160 --> 00:11:20,760 Speaker 1: Abraham had this promise a year no baby. Two years 210 00:11:20,800 --> 00:11:26,280 Speaker 1: nothing happened, Five years still nothing. It already seemed impossible. 211 00:11:26,800 --> 00:11:29,240 Speaker 1: Now with each year that goes by, it. 212 00:11:29,120 --> 00:11:30,400 Speaker 2: Becomes more unlikely. 213 00:11:31,440 --> 00:11:33,760 Speaker 1: What do you do when you're doing the right thing 214 00:11:34,080 --> 00:11:38,880 Speaker 1: but nothing's improving, It's not getting any closer. That doesn't 215 00:11:38,960 --> 00:11:41,680 Speaker 1: mean that God is not working. You have to keep 216 00:11:41,800 --> 00:11:46,160 Speaker 1: seeing it by faith, keep waving it in, keep talking 217 00:11:46,280 --> 00:11:50,360 Speaker 1: like it's coming, keep expecting things to change, not move 218 00:11:50,440 --> 00:11:51,000 Speaker 1: by how. 219 00:11:50,840 --> 00:11:54,600 Speaker 2: Far off it is, but fully persuaded that God will 220 00:11:54,640 --> 00:11:55,600 Speaker 2: do what he promised. 221 00:11:56,320 --> 00:12:00,480 Speaker 1: Twenty years later, Sarah conceived and gave birth to a. 222 00:12:00,200 --> 00:12:02,000 Speaker 2: Son at ninety one years old. 223 00:12:02,800 --> 00:12:05,880 Speaker 1: There may be things you're believing for that seem far off, 224 00:12:06,640 --> 00:12:09,520 Speaker 1: no sign of it in the natural, thoughts telling you 225 00:12:09,559 --> 00:12:13,400 Speaker 1: it's never gonna work out. But like Abraham, you keep 226 00:12:13,480 --> 00:12:17,960 Speaker 1: seeing it from a distance, trusting that God's working, welcoming 227 00:12:18,000 --> 00:12:18,720 Speaker 1: that promise. 228 00:12:19,400 --> 00:12:21,640 Speaker 2: God is going to do for you what he did 229 00:12:21,679 --> 00:12:25,200 Speaker 2: for him. It may have been years, but get ready. 230 00:12:25,400 --> 00:12:29,720 Speaker 1: Breakthroughs are coming, healing is coming, that baby is coming, 231 00:12:30,080 --> 00:12:34,200 Speaker 1: Your promotion is coming. Suddenly things are gonna change. You 232 00:12:34,240 --> 00:12:35,720 Speaker 1: can't explain it. 233 00:12:35,720 --> 00:12:38,520 Speaker 2: It seems like he is far away. Here's the key. 234 00:12:39,080 --> 00:12:42,719 Speaker 1: God knows how to accelerate things. He can speed up 235 00:12:42,800 --> 00:12:46,520 Speaker 1: what should take years. One touch of his favor and 236 00:12:46,559 --> 00:12:50,559 Speaker 1: what you see in the distance will suddenly become a reality. 237 00:12:51,520 --> 00:12:54,800 Speaker 1: If Abraham were here today, he would tell you, don't 238 00:12:54,840 --> 00:12:56,320 Speaker 1: get discouraged by the distance. 239 00:12:56,920 --> 00:13:00,280 Speaker 2: Don't quit believing because it seems far away. You are 240 00:13:00,320 --> 00:13:03,240 Speaker 2: closer than you think. You are, on the verge of 241 00:13:03,280 --> 00:13:05,760 Speaker 2: seeing God do something you've never seen. 242 00:13:06,679 --> 00:13:08,800 Speaker 1: When I was growing up, there were five of us 243 00:13:08,880 --> 00:13:11,400 Speaker 1: kids in the house and we lived on an acre 244 00:13:11,440 --> 00:13:14,320 Speaker 1: lot out in the country, and we had two dogs. 245 00:13:14,920 --> 00:13:17,840 Speaker 1: At one time, we had some chickens and roosters in 246 00:13:17,880 --> 00:13:21,240 Speaker 1: a pen in our backyard and they were always getting out. 247 00:13:21,880 --> 00:13:24,160 Speaker 1: We'd have to go to the neighbors and round up 248 00:13:24,200 --> 00:13:28,800 Speaker 1: our runaway chickens. Our dog, Scooter, a big German shepherd. 249 00:13:29,280 --> 00:13:32,920 Speaker 1: He was constantly in other people's business. Neighbors would call, 250 00:13:33,000 --> 00:13:36,400 Speaker 1: please come get your dogs. Bottom line, my father was 251 00:13:36,520 --> 00:13:39,840 Speaker 1: tired of dealing with all the headaches that come with 252 00:13:39,920 --> 00:13:42,839 Speaker 1: a bunch of animals. But when I was seven years old, 253 00:13:43,360 --> 00:13:46,959 Speaker 1: my sister Tamra, she's eighteen months older than I am, 254 00:13:47,320 --> 00:13:52,400 Speaker 1: she decided that she wanted some rabbits. She asked my father, well, Daddy, 255 00:13:52,440 --> 00:13:53,760 Speaker 1: didn't have to think twice. 256 00:13:53,880 --> 00:13:54,719 Speaker 2: He said, not a. 257 00:13:54,760 --> 00:13:58,280 Speaker 1: Chance in the world. Tamra, we are not getting any rabbit. 258 00:13:58,600 --> 00:14:01,000 Speaker 1: Well that when in one ear and out the other. 259 00:14:01,720 --> 00:14:04,520 Speaker 2: It didn't phasee Tamra. She was stubborn. I mean she 260 00:14:04,679 --> 00:14:05,400 Speaker 2: was determined. 261 00:14:05,760 --> 00:14:09,320 Speaker 1: A few hours later, Daddy, can we please get some rabbits. 262 00:14:09,800 --> 00:14:12,320 Speaker 1: I'll take care of them. You won't have to do anything. 263 00:14:13,040 --> 00:14:16,240 Speaker 1: She kept asking and asking. We kept a week, month 264 00:14:16,280 --> 00:14:20,320 Speaker 1: after month. She finally wore my father down. He said, Tamra, 265 00:14:20,480 --> 00:14:23,160 Speaker 1: even if we wanted to get rabbits, we don't know 266 00:14:23,160 --> 00:14:26,240 Speaker 1: where to buy them. Tamar said, yes I do, Daddy, 267 00:14:26,440 --> 00:14:27,840 Speaker 1: I know exactly where to get them. 268 00:14:28,200 --> 00:14:30,840 Speaker 2: He said where. She said, Let's get in the car 269 00:14:30,920 --> 00:14:31,720 Speaker 2: and I'll show you. 270 00:14:32,360 --> 00:14:35,280 Speaker 1: We all got in. She asked my father to drive 271 00:14:35,320 --> 00:14:37,720 Speaker 1: toward the church we lived in Humble. We got on 272 00:14:37,800 --> 00:14:42,160 Speaker 1: Highway fifty nine started driving. About ten minutes in she said, 273 00:14:42,200 --> 00:14:43,680 Speaker 1: slow down, slow down. 274 00:14:44,200 --> 00:14:46,640 Speaker 2: Then she pointed over to the right and said, there. 275 00:14:46,680 --> 00:14:50,160 Speaker 1: It is about a quarter of a mile off the freeway, 276 00:14:50,800 --> 00:14:54,840 Speaker 1: past the feeder, past the shopping center, down a side 277 00:14:54,920 --> 00:14:56,479 Speaker 1: street of this neighborhood. 278 00:14:57,080 --> 00:14:57,560 Speaker 2: One of the. 279 00:14:57,560 --> 00:15:01,720 Speaker 1: Houses had a little sign on the out front about 280 00:15:01,720 --> 00:15:06,320 Speaker 1: two feet wide with handwritten letters that said rabbits for sales. 281 00:15:07,320 --> 00:15:10,000 Speaker 1: To see that sign from the freeway, you would have 282 00:15:10,080 --> 00:15:11,600 Speaker 1: to have supernatural vision. 283 00:15:12,560 --> 00:15:16,960 Speaker 2: How she saw that driving sixty miles an hour down 284 00:15:17,000 --> 00:15:18,960 Speaker 2: the highway had to be a miracle. 285 00:15:19,960 --> 00:15:24,280 Speaker 1: But faith sees what other people can't see. We had 286 00:15:24,400 --> 00:15:30,080 Speaker 1: driven down that freeway hundreds of times, maybe thousands of times, 287 00:15:30,120 --> 00:15:34,000 Speaker 1: coming to church, but none of us saw anything about rabbits. 288 00:15:34,600 --> 00:15:37,000 Speaker 2: But Tamra knew how to see from a distance. 289 00:15:37,800 --> 00:15:40,520 Speaker 1: My father said, okay, Tamra, but even if we did 290 00:15:40,560 --> 00:15:42,000 Speaker 1: get some rabbits, we. 291 00:15:41,960 --> 00:15:43,560 Speaker 2: Don't have any place to put them. 292 00:15:44,040 --> 00:15:47,040 Speaker 1: She said, Oh, yes we do, Daddy, I already had Paul. 293 00:15:46,920 --> 00:15:49,160 Speaker 2: Make them a cage. And it's perfect. 294 00:15:50,120 --> 00:15:53,280 Speaker 1: Faith not only sees from a distance, but it makes 295 00:15:53,360 --> 00:15:58,360 Speaker 1: plans for what God promised. Don't just see it. Take 296 00:15:58,400 --> 00:16:02,640 Speaker 1: it a step further and start building your cage. Start 297 00:16:02,720 --> 00:16:06,360 Speaker 1: making plans to get well, plans to get out of debt, 298 00:16:06,400 --> 00:16:10,080 Speaker 1: plans to meet the right person. Not if it ever happens, 299 00:16:10,360 --> 00:16:12,880 Speaker 1: but when I start my new business, when I meet 300 00:16:12,920 --> 00:16:15,800 Speaker 1: my spouse, when I'm able to run again, when my 301 00:16:15,960 --> 00:16:17,280 Speaker 1: child comes back home. 302 00:16:17,720 --> 00:16:20,720 Speaker 2: That's what allows the most High God to go to work. 303 00:16:21,360 --> 00:16:25,520 Speaker 1: Seeing what others can't see, declaring it, believing it will happen, 304 00:16:25,840 --> 00:16:29,360 Speaker 1: making plans for what God put in your heart. We 305 00:16:29,440 --> 00:16:33,120 Speaker 1: had those rabbits about three days before they escaped from 306 00:16:33,120 --> 00:16:38,880 Speaker 1: Paul's amazing cage. He's a surgeon, not a builder. One King, 307 00:16:39,000 --> 00:16:42,320 Speaker 1: Chapter eighteen. The people of Samaria were in a drought 308 00:16:42,400 --> 00:16:45,680 Speaker 1: for three and a half years, and they were barely surviving. 309 00:16:45,760 --> 00:16:49,800 Speaker 1: And God gave a promise to Elijah that there was 310 00:16:49,840 --> 00:16:52,520 Speaker 1: going to be an abundance of rain. He was so 311 00:16:52,640 --> 00:16:57,040 Speaker 1: confident that he told King Ahab, the man that ruled 312 00:16:57,040 --> 00:16:58,240 Speaker 1: that area, that. 313 00:16:58,200 --> 00:16:59,800 Speaker 2: The drought was coming to an end. 314 00:17:00,480 --> 00:17:03,360 Speaker 1: He didn't just hear the promise, but he declared what 315 00:17:03,520 --> 00:17:07,199 Speaker 1: God said. He talked like it was gonna happen. Now, 316 00:17:07,200 --> 00:17:10,840 Speaker 1: I'm sure Ahab thought Elijah, not a cloud in the sky, 317 00:17:11,320 --> 00:17:12,560 Speaker 1: there's no sign of rain. 318 00:17:12,880 --> 00:17:13,919 Speaker 2: That doesn't make sense. 319 00:17:14,680 --> 00:17:19,040 Speaker 1: But faith sees what other people cannot see. Elijah went 320 00:17:19,080 --> 00:17:22,119 Speaker 1: on top of Mount Carmel and began to thank God 321 00:17:22,240 --> 00:17:25,679 Speaker 1: that the rain was coming, thanking him for something that 322 00:17:25,760 --> 00:17:29,520 Speaker 1: seemed far away. He asked his assistant to go to 323 00:17:29,600 --> 00:17:31,680 Speaker 1: the other side of the mountain to see if there's 324 00:17:31,720 --> 00:17:32,720 Speaker 1: any sign of rain. 325 00:17:33,320 --> 00:17:35,080 Speaker 2: It's hoping to get a little encouragement. 326 00:17:35,600 --> 00:17:38,360 Speaker 1: God, I'm seeing it by faith, but at least let 327 00:17:38,400 --> 00:17:38,960 Speaker 1: me see. 328 00:17:38,720 --> 00:17:41,199 Speaker 2: A few clouds, let me see a little change. 329 00:17:42,080 --> 00:17:46,080 Speaker 1: The assistant came back and said, Elijah, nothing, it's perfectly clear. 330 00:17:46,440 --> 00:17:47,400 Speaker 2: It's not going to rain. 331 00:17:48,280 --> 00:17:51,880 Speaker 1: The assistant didn't mean anything wrong, he was just reporting 332 00:17:51,920 --> 00:17:55,240 Speaker 1: the facts. But to stay in faith, you have to 333 00:17:55,359 --> 00:18:00,200 Speaker 1: ignore the negative reports. Everyone can't see what you see. 334 00:18:00,440 --> 00:18:03,240 Speaker 1: They didn't hear what you heard. It's too far in 335 00:18:03,320 --> 00:18:06,040 Speaker 1: the distance for them to see it. They'll tell you 336 00:18:06,080 --> 00:18:09,640 Speaker 1: it's not gonna rain. You're never gonna get well. Never 337 00:18:09,680 --> 00:18:12,760 Speaker 1: break that addiction. Let it go in one ear and 338 00:18:12,840 --> 00:18:16,520 Speaker 1: out the other. They don't determine your destiny. God does 339 00:18:17,640 --> 00:18:21,639 Speaker 1: Nowliya ask the assistant to go look again, and he 340 00:18:21,680 --> 00:18:24,640 Speaker 1: came back and said the same thing. Nothing, no wind, 341 00:18:24,840 --> 00:18:29,520 Speaker 1: no clouds, not any different. This happened six times, the. 342 00:18:29,520 --> 00:18:30,960 Speaker 2: Same negative report. 343 00:18:31,760 --> 00:18:35,240 Speaker 1: And sometimes when you're looking for what God promised, it's 344 00:18:35,240 --> 00:18:38,439 Speaker 1: so far in the distance you can't see anything with 345 00:18:38,520 --> 00:18:39,520 Speaker 1: your natural eyes. 346 00:18:40,080 --> 00:18:42,800 Speaker 2: It's not visible yet. This is when you have to 347 00:18:42,920 --> 00:18:44,200 Speaker 2: use your eyes of faith. 348 00:18:45,080 --> 00:18:47,960 Speaker 1: I don't feel any better yet, but by faith I 349 00:18:48,000 --> 00:18:51,400 Speaker 1: see my healing. No doors have opened yet, but by 350 00:18:51,480 --> 00:18:54,720 Speaker 1: faith I see my dream coming to pass. My child 351 00:18:54,800 --> 00:18:57,760 Speaker 1: is still off course, but by faith I see him 352 00:18:58,000 --> 00:18:59,200 Speaker 1: fulfilling his purpose. 353 00:19:00,080 --> 00:19:02,240 Speaker 2: The seventh time, the assistant came back. 354 00:19:02,560 --> 00:19:06,679 Speaker 1: He said, this time I saw a small cloud about 355 00:19:06,680 --> 00:19:07,680 Speaker 1: the size. 356 00:19:07,359 --> 00:19:09,119 Speaker 2: Of a man's hand in the sky. 357 00:19:10,280 --> 00:19:13,480 Speaker 1: It's significant that God could have had a big bank 358 00:19:13,560 --> 00:19:17,400 Speaker 1: of clouds roll in all the sky get dark where 359 00:19:17,400 --> 00:19:20,600 Speaker 1: it was obvious it was going to rain. But notice 360 00:19:20,800 --> 00:19:23,840 Speaker 1: how this came about in stages nothing. 361 00:19:23,520 --> 00:19:24,520 Speaker 2: For six times. 362 00:19:25,040 --> 00:19:28,640 Speaker 1: Now just a little cloud, Elijah could have gotten discouraged. 363 00:19:29,080 --> 00:19:31,320 Speaker 2: God, I must have heard you wrong. Maybe it's not 364 00:19:31,359 --> 00:19:32,840 Speaker 2: going to rain now. 365 00:19:32,880 --> 00:19:35,840 Speaker 1: When he saw that small cloud, he came off the 366 00:19:35,880 --> 00:19:39,359 Speaker 1: mountain told King Ahab to get in his chariot and 367 00:19:39,480 --> 00:19:42,399 Speaker 1: hurry to another city, or he would be stopped by 368 00:19:42,440 --> 00:19:46,160 Speaker 1: the rain. He didn't just see it. He made plans 369 00:19:46,200 --> 00:19:49,080 Speaker 1: like it was going to happen. It wasn't long till 370 00:19:49,080 --> 00:19:52,040 Speaker 1: the heavens opened up and the draft came to an end. 371 00:19:53,160 --> 00:19:55,720 Speaker 1: There may be promises God has spoken to you, but 372 00:19:56,320 --> 00:19:58,000 Speaker 1: they too seem so far off. 373 00:19:58,680 --> 00:20:02,560 Speaker 2: It's tempting to quit believe. Like Elijah, you have. 374 00:20:02,480 --> 00:20:05,560 Speaker 1: To keep seeing it in the distance, waving at what 375 00:20:05,720 --> 00:20:09,400 Speaker 1: God promised expecting things to change in your favor. 376 00:20:10,040 --> 00:20:13,240 Speaker 2: When you welcome it, you give it permission to come. 377 00:20:14,080 --> 00:20:18,080 Speaker 1: If Elijah would have doubted and talk defeat, let that 378 00:20:18,160 --> 00:20:21,000 Speaker 1: assistant convince him that it wasn't going to happen, we 379 00:20:21,040 --> 00:20:24,360 Speaker 1: wouldn't be talking about it. There are levels of your 380 00:20:24,400 --> 00:20:29,560 Speaker 1: destiny you cannot reach without seeing in the distance, believing 381 00:20:29,600 --> 00:20:33,080 Speaker 1: when it's far away doesn't seem possible. This is what 382 00:20:33,280 --> 00:20:38,439 Speaker 1: separates ordinary people from heroes of faith. Where God is 383 00:20:38,520 --> 00:20:43,120 Speaker 1: taking you is much bigger than you've imagined, with more influence, 384 00:20:43,520 --> 00:20:48,360 Speaker 1: more resources, more anointing. But for that to happen, there 385 00:20:48,359 --> 00:20:51,760 Speaker 1: will be things that seem over your head, out of 386 00:20:51,760 --> 00:20:56,359 Speaker 1: your control, not possible. You can't have a baby, Abraham, 387 00:20:56,560 --> 00:21:00,760 Speaker 1: you're too old. It's not going to reign. Elijah drought, 388 00:21:01,400 --> 00:21:04,480 Speaker 1: you can't take the throne, David King. Saul's chasing you. 389 00:21:05,359 --> 00:21:09,040 Speaker 1: When it seems far away, that's okay. Just keep seeing 390 00:21:09,080 --> 00:21:13,400 Speaker 1: it by faith, believing when every circumstance says there's no way. 391 00:21:14,440 --> 00:21:17,520 Speaker 1: Like with Elijah, that little cloud way off in the 392 00:21:17,600 --> 00:21:22,080 Speaker 1: distance will suddenly turn into a downpour, an abundance of rain, 393 00:21:22,160 --> 00:21:26,399 Speaker 1: and you will see what God promised. My nephew Matt 394 00:21:26,680 --> 00:21:29,399 Speaker 1: is my brother, Paul's son, and when he was twelve 395 00:21:29,480 --> 00:21:30,440 Speaker 1: years old. 396 00:21:30,720 --> 00:21:33,040 Speaker 2: Matt started struggling with depressions. 397 00:21:33,280 --> 00:21:36,960 Speaker 1: He lost interest in school and wouldn't engage socially with 398 00:21:37,080 --> 00:21:40,720 Speaker 1: other students or hardly even his own family. And the 399 00:21:40,800 --> 00:21:43,480 Speaker 1: depression became so bad that he had to drop out 400 00:21:43,480 --> 00:21:46,399 Speaker 1: of school. And this, of course, was breaking Paul's heart. 401 00:21:46,960 --> 00:21:52,680 Speaker 1: Paul prayed, believed quoted scriptures. Nothing improved. Year after year 402 00:21:52,760 --> 00:21:55,960 Speaker 1: went by and no sign of change. Paul could have 403 00:21:55,960 --> 00:21:59,320 Speaker 1: given up. Maybe it's not meant to be, but he 404 00:21:59,400 --> 00:22:02,439 Speaker 1: did what I'm asking us to do. He kept seeing 405 00:22:02,440 --> 00:22:06,159 Speaker 1: it from a distance, looked far away from Matt to 406 00:22:06,160 --> 00:22:10,639 Speaker 1: fulfill his destiny. That promise that as for being my house, 407 00:22:10,680 --> 00:22:14,680 Speaker 1: we will serve the Lord didn't seem possible at that point. 408 00:22:15,200 --> 00:22:18,800 Speaker 1: Paul heard abundance in effect, but there wasn't a cloud 409 00:22:18,840 --> 00:22:19,320 Speaker 1: in the sky. 410 00:22:20,280 --> 00:22:22,520 Speaker 2: Like Elijah. Paul kept looking. 411 00:22:22,760 --> 00:22:25,600 Speaker 1: God, I don't see a sign, but I know you're working, 412 00:22:25,920 --> 00:22:29,359 Speaker 1: You're doing things behind the scenes. He didn't have to 413 00:22:29,400 --> 00:22:31,639 Speaker 1: have it right in front of him to believe. He 414 00:22:31,760 --> 00:22:35,560 Speaker 1: believed from a distance when there were no clouds, no sign, 415 00:22:36,080 --> 00:22:40,520 Speaker 1: nothing improving. When Jesus rose from the grave, he appeared 416 00:22:40,520 --> 00:22:45,040 Speaker 1: to his disciples, and Thomas wasn't there that day. Thomas said, 417 00:22:45,080 --> 00:22:47,919 Speaker 1: I'm not going to believe unless I see Jesus up close, 418 00:22:48,520 --> 00:22:50,919 Speaker 1: unless I feel the nail prints in his hand and 419 00:22:51,119 --> 00:22:55,159 Speaker 1: see the scars on his side. Jesus appeared to him later, 420 00:22:55,680 --> 00:22:59,440 Speaker 1: said Thomas, you had believed because you have seen, but 421 00:22:59,520 --> 00:23:01,080 Speaker 1: blessed those who will. 422 00:23:00,880 --> 00:23:04,760 Speaker 2: Believe and have not seen. Don't be a Thomas. 423 00:23:05,440 --> 00:23:07,719 Speaker 1: I have to see it up close, Joel when it's 424 00:23:07,800 --> 00:23:11,199 Speaker 1: right here, then I'll believe. No be in Elijah, be 425 00:23:11,320 --> 00:23:14,680 Speaker 1: a pall. See it from a distance, believe when it's 426 00:23:14,720 --> 00:23:18,480 Speaker 1: far away, when there's no sign it looks unlikely. 427 00:23:18,880 --> 00:23:21,440 Speaker 2: That's what it takes to become a hero of faith. 428 00:23:22,080 --> 00:23:24,520 Speaker 1: That's when you'll see God show out in your life 429 00:23:24,560 --> 00:23:28,159 Speaker 1: and do more than you can imagine. Matt spent years 430 00:23:28,200 --> 00:23:31,560 Speaker 1: struggling with that depression. But when you have people praying 431 00:23:31,640 --> 00:23:36,240 Speaker 1: for you and declaring freedom and speaking victory, forces of 432 00:23:36,320 --> 00:23:39,840 Speaker 1: darkness cannot stay. There will come a point where God 433 00:23:39,920 --> 00:23:43,640 Speaker 1: says enough is enough. Your time in this famine is over. 434 00:23:44,400 --> 00:23:46,720 Speaker 1: And that's what happened with Matt. It was like those 435 00:23:46,840 --> 00:23:50,840 Speaker 1: changes of depression were broken suddenly off of him. Got 436 00:23:50,880 --> 00:23:54,199 Speaker 1: his passion back, got his joy back. He went and 437 00:23:54,200 --> 00:23:58,359 Speaker 1: finished high school, went on to college, got his bachelor's degree, 438 00:23:58,760 --> 00:23:59,960 Speaker 1: went on to law school. 439 00:24:00,000 --> 00:24:02,760 Speaker 2: Oh God, his law degree, and now. 440 00:24:03,080 --> 00:24:06,600 Speaker 1: Mad right here on the front road. Now he's an 441 00:24:06,640 --> 00:24:09,600 Speaker 1: attorney with us, working here at Lakewood. He runs our 442 00:24:09,680 --> 00:24:14,480 Speaker 1: humanitarian outreaches, helping people all over the world. What Paul 443 00:24:14,640 --> 00:24:18,800 Speaker 1: used to see from a distance, his son blessed Mighty 444 00:24:18,840 --> 00:24:22,719 Speaker 1: in the land, fulfilling his purpose, has now become a reality. 445 00:24:23,200 --> 00:24:24,399 Speaker 2: He sees it up close. 446 00:24:25,680 --> 00:24:28,600 Speaker 1: Is there something God promised you that seems far away? 447 00:24:29,440 --> 00:24:32,359 Speaker 1: Had dreamed to write a book, to get healthy again, 448 00:24:32,800 --> 00:24:35,800 Speaker 1: to be free from the addiction. There's no sign of 449 00:24:35,840 --> 00:24:39,240 Speaker 1: it happening. Now you're right where Paul was, right where 450 00:24:39,240 --> 00:24:42,679 Speaker 1: Abraham was. Don't let the distance discourage you. 451 00:24:43,000 --> 00:24:44,399 Speaker 2: Dare to see it by faith. 452 00:24:45,200 --> 00:24:48,119 Speaker 1: When the prodigal son left home and wasted all of 453 00:24:48,160 --> 00:24:52,160 Speaker 1: his money partying and living wild, he got so desperate 454 00:24:52,359 --> 00:24:55,720 Speaker 1: that he decided to go back home. The scripture says, 455 00:24:55,960 --> 00:24:59,520 Speaker 1: when the father saw him a long way off, he 456 00:24:59,640 --> 00:25:03,800 Speaker 1: ran out to greet him. This father represents God. What 457 00:25:03,960 --> 00:25:06,879 Speaker 1: is God doing when things are a long way off? 458 00:25:07,600 --> 00:25:10,439 Speaker 1: When this father hadn't heard from his son for months. 459 00:25:10,920 --> 00:25:14,520 Speaker 1: I can imagine him telling his staff, get the best robout, 460 00:25:15,080 --> 00:25:17,960 Speaker 1: make sure it's washed and ironed. I'm gonna need it 461 00:25:18,000 --> 00:25:21,280 Speaker 1: when my son returns. Get the family ring and make 462 00:25:21,280 --> 00:25:24,359 Speaker 1: sure it's polished. Feed the cattle. I'm gonna need a 463 00:25:24,400 --> 00:25:28,040 Speaker 1: fatted calf here real soon. While the sun was a 464 00:25:28,080 --> 00:25:31,800 Speaker 1: long way off, the father was working behind the scenes 465 00:25:32,320 --> 00:25:36,159 Speaker 1: making plans for him to come home in victory. You 466 00:25:36,240 --> 00:25:38,760 Speaker 1: may have promises that seem a long way off and 467 00:25:39,400 --> 00:25:42,760 Speaker 1: kind of feels like God's forgotten about you, gone on vacation. 468 00:25:43,200 --> 00:25:43,320 Speaker 2: Now. 469 00:25:43,400 --> 00:25:46,560 Speaker 1: Can I tell you God is working right now, making 470 00:25:46,640 --> 00:25:51,520 Speaker 1: plans for your victory, arranging things in your favor, lining. 471 00:25:51,240 --> 00:25:52,240 Speaker 2: Up the right people. 472 00:25:53,320 --> 00:25:56,639 Speaker 1: Even though it's in the distance, believe that it's on 473 00:25:56,760 --> 00:25:57,120 Speaker 1: the way. 474 00:25:57,880 --> 00:25:58,600 Speaker 2: Get up each. 475 00:25:58,520 --> 00:26:01,679 Speaker 1: Morning and wave to your heath, Wave to your freedom, 476 00:26:01,720 --> 00:26:02,919 Speaker 1: wave to your abundance. 477 00:26:03,359 --> 00:26:06,440 Speaker 2: You have to welcome it, give it permission to come. 478 00:26:07,160 --> 00:26:09,679 Speaker 1: Doubt, We'll try to talk you out of it. Come on, 479 00:26:09,760 --> 00:26:12,320 Speaker 1: there are no clouds in the sky. You're too old 480 00:26:12,359 --> 00:26:15,520 Speaker 1: to have that child. The expert say it's not gonna happen. 481 00:26:15,920 --> 00:26:19,680 Speaker 1: Look beyond all that, do like Tamra and see what 482 00:26:19,720 --> 00:26:23,040 Speaker 1: other people can't see. Make plans for what God put 483 00:26:23,119 --> 00:26:25,959 Speaker 1: in your heart may not happen for them, but it 484 00:26:26,000 --> 00:26:29,520 Speaker 1: can happen for you. You're not ordinary, You're a hero 485 00:26:29,640 --> 00:26:33,080 Speaker 1: of faith. There is greatness in you. You know this 486 00:26:33,240 --> 00:26:36,879 Speaker 1: secret to see it from a distance. Now know many 487 00:26:36,920 --> 00:26:40,399 Speaker 1: of you have been doing this faithfully, believing when you 488 00:26:40,440 --> 00:26:43,800 Speaker 1: don't see any sign looks far away. But can I 489 00:26:43,880 --> 00:26:47,720 Speaker 1: encourage you? You are closer than you think. Now believe 490 00:26:47,920 --> 00:26:52,560 Speaker 1: and declare. Like Elijah, there's about to be a downpour 491 00:26:52,600 --> 00:26:56,800 Speaker 1: a favor, a downpour, a healing, a downpour of freedom, 492 00:26:57,320 --> 00:27:01,160 Speaker 1: like Sarah and Abraham. That baby promise is on the way, 493 00:27:01,680 --> 00:27:05,240 Speaker 1: like my brother Paul. A turnaround in your family members 494 00:27:05,600 --> 00:27:08,000 Speaker 1: in Jesus' name, and if. 495 00:27:07,840 --> 00:27:09,600 Speaker 2: You receive it, can you say amen? 496 00:27:11,720 --> 00:27:14,440 Speaker 1: I'd like to give you an opportunity to make Jesus 497 00:27:14,480 --> 00:27:16,840 Speaker 1: the Lord of your life. Would you pray with me? 498 00:27:17,640 --> 00:27:21,760 Speaker 1: Just say, Lord, Jesus, I repent of my sins. Come 499 00:27:21,800 --> 00:27:25,160 Speaker 1: into my heart. I make you my Lord and savior. 500 00:27:25,880 --> 00:27:28,360 Speaker 1: If you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 501 00:27:28,400 --> 00:27:31,440 Speaker 1: born again. We'd love to send you some free information 502 00:27:31,680 --> 00:27:33,040 Speaker 1: on your new walk with the Lord. 503 00:27:33,400 --> 00:27:35,639 Speaker 2: You can text the number on the screen or go 504 00:27:35,680 --> 00:27:36,000 Speaker 2: to the. 505 00:27:35,960 --> 00:27:39,040 Speaker 1: Website, but I hope you'll get into a good Bible 506 00:27:39,080 --> 00:27:41,960 Speaker 1: based church and keep God first place. 507 00:27:44,000 --> 00:27:47,360 Speaker 3: It's a new year, an opportunity for a fresh start. 508 00:27:47,840 --> 00:27:50,840 Speaker 3: It's a new year, time to forget the struggles of 509 00:27:50,880 --> 00:27:54,040 Speaker 3: the past and make room for new blessings. It's a 510 00:27:54,160 --> 00:27:57,919 Speaker 3: new year, the perfect time to build expectation and faith 511 00:27:58,160 --> 00:27:59,680 Speaker 3: for an amazing new season. 512 00:28:00,520 --> 00:28:02,720 Speaker 1: The beginning of the year is a great time to 513 00:28:02,760 --> 00:28:06,040 Speaker 1: start afresh and anew, to let go of negative things 514 00:28:06,080 --> 00:28:08,200 Speaker 1: of the past and to get ready for the new 515 00:28:08,240 --> 00:28:12,119 Speaker 1: things God has in store. Every January we create a 516 00:28:12,160 --> 00:28:16,119 Speaker 1: new devotional calendar. When you start off each day in faith, 517 00:28:16,480 --> 00:28:20,560 Speaker 1: grateful for what God has done, making positive declarations over 518 00:28:20,600 --> 00:28:23,680 Speaker 1: your future, you're setting the tone for a blessed day 519 00:28:23,920 --> 00:28:27,800 Speaker 1: and a victorious year. This devotional calendar will help you 520 00:28:27,840 --> 00:28:30,679 Speaker 1: get your mind going in the right direction so you 521 00:28:30,720 --> 00:28:33,679 Speaker 1: can live in faith expecting the goodness of God. 522 00:28:34,359 --> 00:28:36,800 Speaker 3: As our way of saying thank you for your gift 523 00:28:36,840 --> 00:28:39,400 Speaker 3: of any amount this first month of the year, we 524 00:28:39,400 --> 00:28:41,600 Speaker 3: would like to send you a copy of our brand 525 00:28:41,680 --> 00:28:44,760 Speaker 3: new twenty twenty five three hundred and sixty five day 526 00:28:44,840 --> 00:28:50,040 Speaker 3: devotional calendar. Using this devotional calendar is as easy as one, two, 527 00:28:50,160 --> 00:28:54,440 Speaker 3: three One Wake up with an expectancy in your heart. 528 00:28:54,760 --> 00:28:58,600 Speaker 3: Two reflect on the daily scripture, verse and devotional from Joel. 529 00:28:58,840 --> 00:29:02,880 Speaker 3: Three the Lord's promises to you on journaling lines for 530 00:29:02,960 --> 00:29:04,080 Speaker 3: writing and reflection. 531 00:29:04,880 --> 00:29:06,960 Speaker 2: This is going to be one of your best years. 532 00:29:07,240 --> 00:29:10,240 Speaker 1: Our twenty twenty five devotional calendar is going to help 533 00:29:10,280 --> 00:29:12,760 Speaker 1: you stay in faith and see the goodness of God 534 00:29:13,000 --> 00:29:16,200 Speaker 1: in ways you've never seen. Victoria and I pray for 535 00:29:16,280 --> 00:29:18,880 Speaker 1: you and your family every day, and thank you so 536 00:29:19,000 --> 00:29:23,040 Speaker 1: much for your prayer and support. Your generosity is impacting 537 00:29:23,120 --> 00:29:24,360 Speaker 1: lives around the world. 538 00:29:24,680 --> 00:29:27,000 Speaker 2: And a special thank you to our Champion of Hope 539 00:29:27,040 --> 00:29:28,920 Speaker 2: partners for your monthly gifts. 540 00:29:29,200 --> 00:29:32,080 Speaker 1: If you're not a partner, I hope you'll consider becoming one. 541 00:29:32,440 --> 00:29:36,480 Speaker 1: Remember you can watch the services online live every Sunday morning, 542 00:29:36,920 --> 00:29:40,840 Speaker 1: download our daily podcast, watch on YouTube now the new 543 00:29:40,920 --> 00:29:43,720 Speaker 1: joel Osteine Network twenty four hours a day, and of 544 00:29:43,720 --> 00:29:47,120 Speaker 1: course listen live on Serious XM as well. But until 545 00:29:47,160 --> 00:29:50,200 Speaker 1: we meet again, met the Lord bless you and keep you, 546 00:29:50,440 --> 00:29:52,920 Speaker 1: may show you His favor and watch over you. 547 00:29:53,680 --> 00:29:56,400 Speaker 3: Be sure to request your copy of the twenty twenty 548 00:29:56,400 --> 00:30:01,000 Speaker 3: five devotional calendar today. Visit Joelostein dot Palm or cull 549 00:30:01,120 --> 00:30:06,040 Speaker 3: us to all freem