1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:01,960 Speaker 1: He'll forget about the video game you gave him on 2 00:00:02,000 --> 00:00:02,560 Speaker 1: his birthday. 3 00:00:02,880 --> 00:00:05,000 Speaker 2: Wow, thanks Grandpa. 4 00:00:04,600 --> 00:00:06,520 Speaker 1: But he'll never forget how you invest it in his 5 00:00:06,600 --> 00:00:08,000 Speaker 1: future with the units stapp. 6 00:00:08,520 --> 00:00:10,160 Speaker 2: Wow, thanks Grandpa. 7 00:00:10,800 --> 00:00:13,320 Speaker 1: The unit stap makes it easy for grandparents and family 8 00:00:13,360 --> 00:00:16,040 Speaker 1: friends to give funds to a child's investment account for 9 00:00:16,079 --> 00:00:18,479 Speaker 1: a limited time. Download the uns stapp and use the 10 00:00:18,480 --> 00:00:20,560 Speaker 1: code I heeart fifty at sign up to receive a 11 00:00:20,600 --> 00:00:23,120 Speaker 1: fifty dollars bonus when you find your account. That's code 12 00:00:23,120 --> 00:00:26,119 Speaker 1: iHeart fifty when you sign up at unest dot co 13 00:00:26,480 --> 00:00:29,040 Speaker 1: for a fifty dollars bonus. See terms and conditions at 14 00:00:29,120 --> 00:00:29,840 Speaker 1: UNEs dot co. 15 00:00:31,000 --> 00:00:33,760 Speaker 2: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 16 00:00:33,800 --> 00:00:36,560 Speaker 2: our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. 17 00:00:36,680 --> 00:00:39,040 Speaker 1: If you enjoy today's message, why don't you be a 18 00:00:39,080 --> 00:00:40,680 Speaker 1: blessing and share it with a friends. 19 00:00:40,920 --> 00:00:43,640 Speaker 3: We appreciate you and pray for God's very best in 20 00:00:43,680 --> 00:00:51,560 Speaker 3: your life. 21 00:00:55,520 --> 00:00:58,480 Speaker 2: Oh God, bless you. It is always a joy to 22 00:00:58,520 --> 00:01:01,720 Speaker 2: come into your homes. We love you. We always come 23 00:01:01,920 --> 00:01:04,440 Speaker 2: with good news knowing that God is on your side. 24 00:01:04,600 --> 00:01:06,640 Speaker 2: If you're ever in our area, I hope you'll stop 25 00:01:06,680 --> 00:01:08,479 Speaker 2: buy and be a part of one of our services. 26 00:01:08,720 --> 00:01:10,840 Speaker 2: These are the finest people in all of Houston, right 27 00:01:10,880 --> 00:01:12,880 Speaker 2: here at Lakewood. So come out be a part of 28 00:01:12,920 --> 00:01:16,280 Speaker 2: one of our services sometime things for tuning in, I 29 00:01:16,480 --> 00:01:18,600 Speaker 2: like to start with something funny each week. And I 30 00:01:18,640 --> 00:01:21,520 Speaker 2: heard about this airplane that was about to crash. There 31 00:01:21,520 --> 00:01:26,000 Speaker 2: were four passengers but only three parachutes. The first passenger said, 32 00:01:26,240 --> 00:01:29,640 Speaker 2: I'm a leading heart surgeon. My patients need me. He 33 00:01:29,720 --> 00:01:32,960 Speaker 2: grabbed the first parachute and jumped. The second passenger said, 34 00:01:33,160 --> 00:01:36,120 Speaker 2: I'm a rocket scientist, one of the smartest men in 35 00:01:36,160 --> 00:01:39,119 Speaker 2: the world. My country needs me. He took the second 36 00:01:39,120 --> 00:01:43,000 Speaker 2: parachute and jumped. The third passenger was Pope John Paul. 37 00:01:43,520 --> 00:01:45,520 Speaker 2: He said to the fourth passenger, a ten year old 38 00:01:45,560 --> 00:01:48,240 Speaker 2: boy scout, son, I'm old and frail. You take the 39 00:01:48,320 --> 00:01:51,560 Speaker 2: last parachute. The boy scout said, that's okay, sir, there 40 00:01:51,560 --> 00:01:54,960 Speaker 2: are still two parachutes left. The world's smartest man just 41 00:01:55,040 --> 00:02:00,760 Speaker 2: jumped out with my backpack. All right, hold up, let's 42 00:02:00,760 --> 00:02:03,360 Speaker 2: say it like we mean it. This is my Bible. 43 00:02:03,800 --> 00:02:06,440 Speaker 2: I am what it says I am. I have what 44 00:02:06,520 --> 00:02:09,040 Speaker 2: it says I have. I can do what it says 45 00:02:09,080 --> 00:02:11,960 Speaker 2: I can do. Today I will be taught the word 46 00:02:12,000 --> 00:02:16,560 Speaker 2: of God, I boldly confess my mind is alert, my 47 00:02:16,720 --> 00:02:20,280 Speaker 2: heart is receptive. I will never be the same. I 48 00:02:20,320 --> 00:02:26,240 Speaker 2: am about to receive the incorruptible, indestructible, ever living seed 49 00:02:26,520 --> 00:02:30,880 Speaker 2: of the Word of God. I'll never be the same, never, never, never, 50 00:02:31,400 --> 00:02:35,680 Speaker 2: I'll never be the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. 51 00:02:36,680 --> 00:02:39,160 Speaker 2: I want to talk to you today about letting God 52 00:02:39,400 --> 00:02:42,600 Speaker 2: be God in your life. So many times we try 53 00:02:42,639 --> 00:02:45,760 Speaker 2: to figure everything out, we try to solve everything in 54 00:02:45,800 --> 00:02:48,480 Speaker 2: our own strength, and if we're not careful, we'll put 55 00:02:48,520 --> 00:02:50,680 Speaker 2: God in a box and we'll tell him how to 56 00:02:50,760 --> 00:02:53,120 Speaker 2: do it and when to do it, Why should do 57 00:02:53,160 --> 00:02:55,760 Speaker 2: it this way and not this other way. All we're 58 00:02:55,800 --> 00:02:59,360 Speaker 2: doing is limiting God from working in the way he wants. 59 00:03:00,040 --> 00:03:02,200 Speaker 2: Got to learn to just turn it over to him 60 00:03:02,520 --> 00:03:05,400 Speaker 2: and believe that He is in control. Believe that he 61 00:03:05,480 --> 00:03:07,959 Speaker 2: knows what's best for us and at the exact right 62 00:03:08,040 --> 00:03:11,119 Speaker 2: time that it'll change things in our favor. But when 63 00:03:11,120 --> 00:03:15,400 Speaker 2: we're constantly reasoning, wondering why this happened and trying to 64 00:03:15,400 --> 00:03:19,960 Speaker 2: figure this out over here, it only brings confusion, brings frustration, 65 00:03:20,160 --> 00:03:23,000 Speaker 2: and we end up living stressed out. Now. I know 66 00:03:23,080 --> 00:03:26,960 Speaker 2: people their mind is never at rest, it's constantly going 67 00:03:27,040 --> 00:03:29,720 Speaker 2: ninety to nothing. They're not going to be happy unless 68 00:03:29,720 --> 00:03:32,760 Speaker 2: they've got everything figured out. But the problem with this 69 00:03:33,440 --> 00:03:36,960 Speaker 2: is sometimes we face situations in life where there is 70 00:03:37,080 --> 00:03:41,160 Speaker 2: no logical solution. Sometimes in the natural we can't see 71 00:03:41,160 --> 00:03:43,560 Speaker 2: a way out, and if we don't learn to turn 72 00:03:43,600 --> 00:03:46,200 Speaker 2: it over to God and just trust him, then it's 73 00:03:46,200 --> 00:03:49,240 Speaker 2: going to steal our joy, steal our peace when we 74 00:03:49,280 --> 00:03:52,600 Speaker 2: face difficulties. We can't fall into that trap of going 75 00:03:52,680 --> 00:03:55,200 Speaker 2: all through the day constantly thinking what am I going 76 00:03:55,280 --> 00:03:58,440 Speaker 2: to do? How's this going to work out? My health, 77 00:03:58,520 --> 00:04:00,720 Speaker 2: my children, my finances. I don't know how I'm going 78 00:04:00,800 --> 00:04:03,760 Speaker 2: to get out of this mess. Now, that's not your job. 79 00:04:04,200 --> 00:04:07,200 Speaker 2: You don't have to figure everything out. Your job is 80 00:04:07,240 --> 00:04:10,720 Speaker 2: to believe. Your job is to know that God has 81 00:04:10,760 --> 00:04:13,120 Speaker 2: you in the palm of his hand, and he said 82 00:04:13,120 --> 00:04:16,440 Speaker 2: that no weapon formed against you will ever prosper. You've 83 00:04:16,480 --> 00:04:19,440 Speaker 2: got to believe that right now God is working behind 84 00:04:19,480 --> 00:04:22,840 Speaker 2: the scenes. Believe that he's changing things in your favor. 85 00:04:23,200 --> 00:04:26,640 Speaker 2: Believe that he's fighting your battles for you. When we believe, 86 00:04:27,040 --> 00:04:30,640 Speaker 2: all things become possible. Some of you today you're living 87 00:04:30,680 --> 00:04:34,560 Speaker 2: so frustrated, so upset about a situation. You don't sleep 88 00:04:34,600 --> 00:04:37,520 Speaker 2: well at night, You're dragging through the day without the joy, 89 00:04:37,600 --> 00:04:41,200 Speaker 2: without the enthusiasm. Let me ask you this, If you 90 00:04:41,279 --> 00:04:44,560 Speaker 2: knew that in three years time that situation was going 91 00:04:44,600 --> 00:04:47,080 Speaker 2: to totally resolve, God was going to turn it around 92 00:04:47,160 --> 00:04:50,360 Speaker 2: and bring you out with the victory, most likely you'd 93 00:04:50,440 --> 00:04:53,159 Speaker 2: let out a big sigh, you'd relax, you'd take the 94 00:04:53,160 --> 00:04:56,840 Speaker 2: pressure off, you start enjoying your life once again. Well, 95 00:04:56,880 --> 00:04:59,719 Speaker 2: I'm asking you to do that right now. Turn it 96 00:04:59,720 --> 00:05:03,240 Speaker 2: over God. Quit trying to figure it all out. If 97 00:05:03,279 --> 00:05:05,920 Speaker 2: you'll let God do it his way, he'll not only 98 00:05:05,920 --> 00:05:08,560 Speaker 2: bring you out, but he's promised he'll bring you out 99 00:05:08,720 --> 00:05:12,120 Speaker 2: better off than you were before. David said, I was young, 100 00:05:12,360 --> 00:05:15,120 Speaker 2: now I'm old, and I've never once seen the righteous forsaken. 101 00:05:15,839 --> 00:05:17,200 Speaker 2: I want you to go out of here with a 102 00:05:17,279 --> 00:05:21,400 Speaker 2: lighter load, free from reasoning, free from trying to figure 103 00:05:21,440 --> 00:05:24,599 Speaker 2: everything out, knowing that God is in complete control of 104 00:05:24,640 --> 00:05:27,840 Speaker 2: your life. The scripture says here in Proverbs three five, 105 00:05:28,160 --> 00:05:31,600 Speaker 2: trust in the Lord with all of your heart. One 106 00:05:31,680 --> 00:05:36,480 Speaker 2: translation says, and mind our mind. Our thoughts are so important. 107 00:05:36,880 --> 00:05:40,320 Speaker 2: You cannot allow that problem to dominate your thought life. 108 00:05:40,760 --> 00:05:44,760 Speaker 2: If you're worrying, you're not trusting. We cannot worry and 109 00:05:44,839 --> 00:05:47,680 Speaker 2: believe at the same time. When you're tempted to think 110 00:05:47,680 --> 00:05:50,279 Speaker 2: about it and try to figure it all out, just 111 00:05:50,480 --> 00:05:53,760 Speaker 2: use that as a reminder to say, God, I know 112 00:05:54,120 --> 00:05:56,839 Speaker 2: you are working in my life. I may not see 113 00:05:56,880 --> 00:05:59,640 Speaker 2: a way out, but I know you already have the answer. 114 00:06:00,040 --> 00:06:03,360 Speaker 2: So I'm just gonna relax and enjoy my life. That's 115 00:06:03,400 --> 00:06:05,919 Speaker 2: what it means to be more than a conquer You 116 00:06:06,040 --> 00:06:08,919 Speaker 2: have peace right in the midst of the storm. You 117 00:06:09,040 --> 00:06:11,320 Speaker 2: have a peace right there in the midst of the battle. 118 00:06:11,360 --> 00:06:14,040 Speaker 2: You know God is going to bring you out. Your 119 00:06:14,080 --> 00:06:17,240 Speaker 2: mind may be screaming all kinds of negative thoughts. It's 120 00:06:17,320 --> 00:06:20,360 Speaker 2: never gonna work out. You're never gonna get well, your 121 00:06:20,440 --> 00:06:23,000 Speaker 2: child's never gonna do right. You've got to just shake 122 00:06:23,080 --> 00:06:26,520 Speaker 2: that off and say, no, I know this too shall pass. 123 00:06:26,760 --> 00:06:30,159 Speaker 2: If God before me, who dare be against me? Yes, 124 00:06:30,240 --> 00:06:32,880 Speaker 2: I may have some difficulties, but know this, I am 125 00:06:32,880 --> 00:06:36,040 Speaker 2: not a victim. I am a victor. See, you've got 126 00:06:36,080 --> 00:06:38,919 Speaker 2: to turn that around and don't allow the negative thoughts 127 00:06:38,960 --> 00:06:42,440 Speaker 2: to play over and over. Instead, start thinking some thoughts 128 00:06:42,440 --> 00:06:46,240 Speaker 2: of faith and victory. It goes on to say lean 129 00:06:46,320 --> 00:06:49,800 Speaker 2: not to your own understanding. That doesn't mean we shouldn't 130 00:06:49,839 --> 00:06:52,800 Speaker 2: use our mind, never use common sense. It's talking about 131 00:06:52,880 --> 00:06:55,560 Speaker 2: when we can't figure something out, when we don't see 132 00:06:55,600 --> 00:06:59,719 Speaker 2: a solution. It's saying, don't dwell on that. Let God 133 00:06:59,760 --> 00:07:03,279 Speaker 2: be God. He already has the way out. And of 134 00:07:03,279 --> 00:07:05,600 Speaker 2: course there are times when we have to deal with 135 00:07:05,640 --> 00:07:09,360 Speaker 2: the situation and maybe strategize a little bit. But how 136 00:07:09,360 --> 00:07:12,160 Speaker 2: do we know when we've gone too far? How do 137 00:07:12,200 --> 00:07:14,559 Speaker 2: we know when we've crossed the line and now we're 138 00:07:14,800 --> 00:07:18,160 Speaker 2: over analyzing a problem. We know it when we start 139 00:07:18,200 --> 00:07:21,640 Speaker 2: getting confused, the moment you get frustrated, the moment that 140 00:07:21,680 --> 00:07:25,000 Speaker 2: stresses you out, that's a sure sign you're trying to 141 00:07:25,040 --> 00:07:27,560 Speaker 2: figure out something that only God has the answer to. 142 00:07:27,880 --> 00:07:30,080 Speaker 2: You've got to turn that over to him and know 143 00:07:30,240 --> 00:07:33,560 Speaker 2: that He is in complete control of your life. And 144 00:07:33,600 --> 00:07:36,720 Speaker 2: this is why many people have health problems. Their nerves 145 00:07:36,720 --> 00:07:41,880 Speaker 2: are shot, got back, agches, headaches, ulcers. It's because their 146 00:07:41,920 --> 00:07:45,240 Speaker 2: mind is always going trying to figure out things that 147 00:07:45,320 --> 00:07:47,640 Speaker 2: there is no answer to. How I'm not going to 148 00:07:47,640 --> 00:07:50,600 Speaker 2: get out of debt, What if my child doesn't change, 149 00:07:50,640 --> 00:07:53,880 Speaker 2: what if my health doesn't improve? There's no rest there's 150 00:07:53,920 --> 00:07:56,880 Speaker 2: no peace some of you today. If you could just 151 00:07:56,920 --> 00:07:59,320 Speaker 2: give your mind to break, if you could just give 152 00:07:59,360 --> 00:08:01,240 Speaker 2: your mind some time off and say, you know what, 153 00:08:01,800 --> 00:08:04,920 Speaker 2: that's it. I'm done trying to figure everything out, living 154 00:08:05,000 --> 00:08:07,360 Speaker 2: negative and worried. My life is too short for that. 155 00:08:07,960 --> 00:08:10,440 Speaker 2: I'm gonna put a smile back on my face and 156 00:08:10,480 --> 00:08:13,320 Speaker 2: I'm gonna start letting God be God in my life. 157 00:08:13,400 --> 00:08:15,440 Speaker 2: After all, He's taking care of me in the past, 158 00:08:15,640 --> 00:08:17,000 Speaker 2: and I know he's gonna take care of me in 159 00:08:17,040 --> 00:08:21,720 Speaker 2: the future. If you could just change your outlook and 160 00:08:21,800 --> 00:08:23,840 Speaker 2: not fall into that trap and trying to figure in 161 00:08:23,880 --> 00:08:27,800 Speaker 2: everything out and dwelling on the worst case scenarios, but 162 00:08:27,920 --> 00:08:30,760 Speaker 2: instead let your mind have some peace, some rest, some 163 00:08:30,840 --> 00:08:33,960 Speaker 2: quiet time, you'd be amazed at how those health issues 164 00:08:34,000 --> 00:08:37,080 Speaker 2: would go away. That's what the scripture says. This will 165 00:08:37,120 --> 00:08:41,280 Speaker 2: be health to our nerves. Understand, you cannot live mentally 166 00:08:41,400 --> 00:08:44,600 Speaker 2: uptight all the time and expect to stay healthy physically. 167 00:08:45,440 --> 00:08:48,040 Speaker 2: And the fact is we all have situations in life 168 00:08:48,120 --> 00:08:51,199 Speaker 2: where there's no logical solution. Doesn't matter how good of 169 00:08:51,240 --> 00:08:53,920 Speaker 2: a person you are or how spiritual you are, at 170 00:08:53,920 --> 00:08:56,600 Speaker 2: times we can't see any way out. This is what 171 00:08:56,720 --> 00:08:59,280 Speaker 2: happened to a man by the name of Jehosaphat and 172 00:08:59,360 --> 00:09:02,600 Speaker 2: Second Chronic chapter twenty. He and the people of Judah 173 00:09:02,840 --> 00:09:06,559 Speaker 2: were surrounded by three major armies. They were quickly closing 174 00:09:06,600 --> 00:09:09,400 Speaker 2: in on them. In the natural, they didn't have a chance. 175 00:09:09,720 --> 00:09:12,440 Speaker 2: But I love what they did. They didn't lose their peace. 176 00:09:12,880 --> 00:09:16,160 Speaker 2: They didn't get all upset start complaining, God, why is 177 00:09:16,200 --> 00:09:18,600 Speaker 2: this happening to us? Now? You know what they did. 178 00:09:19,120 --> 00:09:21,280 Speaker 2: They got down on their knees and turned it over 179 00:09:21,320 --> 00:09:24,600 Speaker 2: to God. They said, God, we have no power to 180 00:09:24,679 --> 00:09:28,200 Speaker 2: stand against this mighty army in our own strength. Notice 181 00:09:28,240 --> 00:09:31,800 Speaker 2: they didn't deny the facts. They admitted they didn't see 182 00:09:31,800 --> 00:09:33,800 Speaker 2: a way out. They admitted in the natural it looked 183 00:09:33,840 --> 00:09:37,000 Speaker 2: pretty hopeless. But they went on to say, God, we 184 00:09:37,080 --> 00:09:40,400 Speaker 2: don't know what to do, but our eyes are upon you. 185 00:09:41,200 --> 00:09:43,679 Speaker 2: There's the key right there. You may not know what 186 00:09:43,760 --> 00:09:46,280 Speaker 2: to do today. You may not see how that marriage 187 00:09:46,320 --> 00:09:48,440 Speaker 2: is ever going to work, how you could ever be 188 00:09:48,520 --> 00:09:52,320 Speaker 2: well physically, or how that business could ever survive. You 189 00:09:52,400 --> 00:09:54,600 Speaker 2: may not be able to see it. You've got to 190 00:09:54,640 --> 00:09:57,400 Speaker 2: make sure you've got your eyes on him. You've got 191 00:09:57,400 --> 00:10:00,120 Speaker 2: to quit looking at how big your problems are and 192 00:10:00,160 --> 00:10:03,360 Speaker 2: start looking at how big your God is, David said, 193 00:10:03,400 --> 00:10:05,520 Speaker 2: I don't look to the mountains for help. I look 194 00:10:05,559 --> 00:10:08,440 Speaker 2: to the God who made the mountains. You may have 195 00:10:08,480 --> 00:10:11,560 Speaker 2: some powerful enemies coming against you, that you've got to know. 196 00:10:11,960 --> 00:10:16,000 Speaker 2: Our God is all powerful. He spoke the world into existence. 197 00:10:16,520 --> 00:10:19,079 Speaker 2: One angel in the Old Testament killed one hundred and 198 00:10:19,120 --> 00:10:22,160 Speaker 2: eighty five thousand of the enemies of God. We have 199 00:10:22,240 --> 00:10:25,400 Speaker 2: to learn this principle to not magnify our problems, but 200 00:10:25,520 --> 00:10:28,640 Speaker 2: less magnify our God. And it's okay to be honest. 201 00:10:28,679 --> 00:10:31,840 Speaker 2: There's nothing wrong with saying, like jehosaphat, God, I don't 202 00:10:31,920 --> 00:10:34,360 Speaker 2: know what to do in my own strength and my 203 00:10:34,400 --> 00:10:36,679 Speaker 2: own ability. God, I know I'm never going to make 204 00:10:36,720 --> 00:10:41,000 Speaker 2: it through this. In other words, I recognize my own inability. 205 00:10:41,320 --> 00:10:44,440 Speaker 2: But God, I also recognize that you and I are 206 00:10:44,480 --> 00:10:47,920 Speaker 2: a majority. God. I recognize that no man can stand 207 00:10:47,920 --> 00:10:51,200 Speaker 2: against you. I realize that you are not only for me, 208 00:10:51,400 --> 00:10:53,720 Speaker 2: you are not only with me, but you are in me. 209 00:10:54,280 --> 00:10:57,080 Speaker 2: And as long as you are on my side, all 210 00:10:57,160 --> 00:11:00,360 Speaker 2: the forces of darkness cannot hold me back. That's what 211 00:11:00,400 --> 00:11:02,920 Speaker 2: I did when my father went to be with the Lord. 212 00:11:03,880 --> 00:11:05,320 Speaker 2: I didn't think I could get up here. I didn't 213 00:11:05,320 --> 00:11:08,040 Speaker 2: think I could minister. I'd never done it before, but 214 00:11:08,120 --> 00:11:10,160 Speaker 2: I knew deep down in here it was what I 215 00:11:10,200 --> 00:11:13,079 Speaker 2: was supposed to do. And I basically just said, God, 216 00:11:13,559 --> 00:11:16,080 Speaker 2: I don't know what to do, but my eyes are 217 00:11:16,160 --> 00:11:19,400 Speaker 2: upon you. When we rely on God, we will see 218 00:11:19,440 --> 00:11:22,440 Speaker 2: his supernatural power. That's when He will make a way, 219 00:11:22,840 --> 00:11:25,320 Speaker 2: even when it looks like there is no way. And 220 00:11:25,400 --> 00:11:27,920 Speaker 2: some of you today you need to change your focus. 221 00:11:28,480 --> 00:11:31,000 Speaker 2: You need to quit looking at how big your obstacles are. 222 00:11:31,440 --> 00:11:35,000 Speaker 2: Quit meditating on all the negative, what you can't be, 223 00:11:35,160 --> 00:11:39,040 Speaker 2: and what you don't have, and instead start dwelling on 224 00:11:39,120 --> 00:11:42,120 Speaker 2: the greatness of our God. One of the names God 225 00:11:42,160 --> 00:11:45,840 Speaker 2: has called in the Old Testament is Jehovah Nissi. It 226 00:11:46,000 --> 00:11:50,840 Speaker 2: means the Lord, our banner. One translation says the Lord, 227 00:11:51,080 --> 00:11:55,320 Speaker 2: our banner of victory and conquest. I think of a 228 00:11:55,360 --> 00:11:57,840 Speaker 2: banner kind of like a flag. You go to a 229 00:11:57,880 --> 00:12:00,440 Speaker 2: certain country and you see their flag waving in the air. 230 00:12:01,120 --> 00:12:05,439 Speaker 2: It represents what they stand for. Well, everywhere you go, 231 00:12:05,440 --> 00:12:08,839 Speaker 2: God has put a flag of victory flying over your head. 232 00:12:09,400 --> 00:12:11,960 Speaker 2: That flag is saying I am a child of the 233 00:12:11,960 --> 00:12:15,040 Speaker 2: Most High God, I am destined to live in victory. 234 00:12:15,480 --> 00:12:18,800 Speaker 2: I can do all things through Christ. When the enemy 235 00:12:18,840 --> 00:12:21,439 Speaker 2: comes against me like a flood, I'm not worried. I've 236 00:12:21,480 --> 00:12:24,880 Speaker 2: got that banner of conquest. I know God always causes 237 00:12:24,920 --> 00:12:29,600 Speaker 2: me to try out. And when you face these impossible situations, 238 00:12:30,200 --> 00:12:32,400 Speaker 2: you need to just in your imagination, get your flag 239 00:12:32,440 --> 00:12:35,120 Speaker 2: out and wave it around a little bit. This may 240 00:12:35,120 --> 00:12:38,440 Speaker 2: be impossible with men, but look what I've got because 241 00:12:38,440 --> 00:12:41,280 Speaker 2: of who I am, because of the flag of victory 242 00:12:41,280 --> 00:12:43,720 Speaker 2: over my head. I know God can turn it around. 243 00:12:44,040 --> 00:12:46,400 Speaker 2: I know this battle is not mine, this battle is 244 00:12:46,440 --> 00:12:49,760 Speaker 2: the Lord's. I love what God said in Psalm forty four. 245 00:12:50,360 --> 00:12:53,800 Speaker 2: He has commanded us to live in victory. When God 246 00:12:53,880 --> 00:12:55,960 Speaker 2: commands something, you got to know it's going to happen. 247 00:12:56,440 --> 00:12:58,920 Speaker 2: The only thing that can stop it is our own 248 00:12:59,000 --> 00:13:02,920 Speaker 2: wrong thinking. Well, Joe, you don't know my circumstances. You 249 00:13:02,960 --> 00:13:05,679 Speaker 2: don't know my finances. I'm so broke, I can't even 250 00:13:05,720 --> 00:13:09,400 Speaker 2: pay attention. You don't know my marriage, it's so far gone. 251 00:13:09,640 --> 00:13:11,960 Speaker 2: You don't know what the doctors have said to me. Now, 252 00:13:12,080 --> 00:13:14,720 Speaker 2: let me tell you. You are magnifying the wrong voices. 253 00:13:15,040 --> 00:13:18,080 Speaker 2: No wonder your stress, no wonder you're discouraged. You've got 254 00:13:18,120 --> 00:13:21,800 Speaker 2: to quit magnifying the problem and start magnifying the solution. 255 00:13:22,200 --> 00:13:24,320 Speaker 2: You got to get your banner of victory back out. 256 00:13:25,000 --> 00:13:26,920 Speaker 2: Every morning when you get out of bed, make sure 257 00:13:27,000 --> 00:13:29,520 Speaker 2: you place that over your head. You do it by faith. 258 00:13:29,720 --> 00:13:32,760 Speaker 2: Jehovah Nissi is at work. The God who causes me 259 00:13:32,840 --> 00:13:36,760 Speaker 2: to conquer our attitude should be everywhere I go today. 260 00:13:36,880 --> 00:13:40,240 Speaker 2: I'm going to overcome. I may have problems, things may 261 00:13:40,280 --> 00:13:43,040 Speaker 2: come against me, but I'm not worried about it. I 262 00:13:43,120 --> 00:13:46,080 Speaker 2: know it's not permanent. It's only temporary, and I'm not 263 00:13:46,120 --> 00:13:48,400 Speaker 2: going to allow it to steal my joy. Some of 264 00:13:48,400 --> 00:13:51,480 Speaker 2: you today, just like Jehosipath, you can't see a way out. 265 00:13:51,559 --> 00:13:54,520 Speaker 2: You've got some big obstacles in your path, but you 266 00:13:54,640 --> 00:13:57,920 Speaker 2: have to stir your faith up. This is what David did. 267 00:13:58,160 --> 00:14:02,120 Speaker 2: He encouraged himself. And you're tempted to get negative and 268 00:14:02,160 --> 00:14:05,160 Speaker 2: discourage and think nothing's gonna change. That's when you've got 269 00:14:05,200 --> 00:14:07,520 Speaker 2: to get that banner of victory back out. When you 270 00:14:07,559 --> 00:14:11,079 Speaker 2: do that, you're saying, I am victorious. I know good 271 00:14:11,200 --> 00:14:14,360 Speaker 2: things are in store. These problems may be big, but 272 00:14:14,440 --> 00:14:17,040 Speaker 2: I know my God is bigger. I may not see 273 00:14:17,040 --> 00:14:19,440 Speaker 2: a way out, but I know God already has the solution. 274 00:14:20,200 --> 00:14:22,760 Speaker 2: So I'm not gonna stay awake at night toss and 275 00:14:22,840 --> 00:14:26,520 Speaker 2: turn worry. I know God never sleeps, so I'm gonna 276 00:14:26,520 --> 00:14:28,920 Speaker 2: rest in faith and just allow Him to take care 277 00:14:28,960 --> 00:14:31,560 Speaker 2: of it for me even when we go to bed. 278 00:14:31,680 --> 00:14:34,720 Speaker 2: Just symbolically, you put the flag of victory over your head, 279 00:14:35,360 --> 00:14:36,840 Speaker 2: get up in the morning. You got it with you 280 00:14:36,880 --> 00:14:39,200 Speaker 2: in your car, at the office, at the job side, 281 00:14:39,320 --> 00:14:42,440 Speaker 2: everywhere you go. You've got to remember what's flying over 282 00:14:42,480 --> 00:14:45,400 Speaker 2: your heads. Not just our country's flag. It's the banner 283 00:14:45,480 --> 00:14:49,360 Speaker 2: of conquest, the flag Almighty God has put over our heads. 284 00:14:50,000 --> 00:14:52,520 Speaker 2: Even right now, when I look out at you through 285 00:14:52,560 --> 00:14:55,880 Speaker 2: my eyes of faith, I see your flag of victory. 286 00:14:56,160 --> 00:14:59,680 Speaker 2: Everywhere I look. I see strength, I see favor, I 287 00:14:59,720 --> 00:15:03,160 Speaker 2: see increase, I see promotion, I see divine health, I 288 00:15:03,200 --> 00:15:07,800 Speaker 2: see wisdom, I see joy. I see victors and not victims. 289 00:15:08,200 --> 00:15:10,560 Speaker 2: You got to get that down on the inside of you. Well, Joe, 290 00:15:10,640 --> 00:15:12,560 Speaker 2: I don't see it. You got to see it through 291 00:15:12,600 --> 00:15:15,880 Speaker 2: your eyes of faith. Quit thinking nothing's ever going to change. 292 00:15:16,240 --> 00:15:19,120 Speaker 2: You may not know what to do, but as long 293 00:15:19,280 --> 00:15:21,640 Speaker 2: as you know the one who does, you're gonna be okay. 294 00:15:22,320 --> 00:15:24,600 Speaker 2: And there's nothing wrong in life with saying God, I 295 00:15:24,600 --> 00:15:27,040 Speaker 2: don't know what to do, but we've got to learn 296 00:15:27,080 --> 00:15:30,160 Speaker 2: to follow it up with But my eyes are upon you, 297 00:15:30,400 --> 00:15:32,960 Speaker 2: and I know you do I know you are my 298 00:15:33,080 --> 00:15:35,960 Speaker 2: banner of victory. This is what we did. When my 299 00:15:36,040 --> 00:15:39,680 Speaker 2: mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The doctor said there 300 00:15:39,680 --> 00:15:42,440 Speaker 2: was no treatment they could give her, that chemotherapy and 301 00:15:42,520 --> 00:15:45,840 Speaker 2: radiation wouldn't work, and in the natural we didn't see 302 00:15:45,880 --> 00:15:48,440 Speaker 2: a solution. But when my mother came home from the 303 00:15:48,440 --> 00:15:51,720 Speaker 2: hospital after being there twenty one days, we did what 304 00:15:51,840 --> 00:15:55,200 Speaker 2: Jehosaphat and the people of Judah did. The next morning, 305 00:15:55,240 --> 00:15:57,840 Speaker 2: in our living room as a family, we got down 306 00:15:57,840 --> 00:16:00,880 Speaker 2: on our knees and we said, God, we don't know 307 00:16:00,960 --> 00:16:04,160 Speaker 2: what to do, but our eyes are upon you. In 308 00:16:04,200 --> 00:16:07,160 Speaker 2: other words, God, we know you're bigger than this cancer. 309 00:16:07,680 --> 00:16:10,360 Speaker 2: We know you can do what men can't do. And 310 00:16:10,480 --> 00:16:14,240 Speaker 2: even though this looks impossible to us, we know you're 311 00:16:14,280 --> 00:16:17,120 Speaker 2: the God of the impossible. And we had to fight 312 00:16:17,200 --> 00:16:21,080 Speaker 2: the good fight of faith every day. Those negative thoughts 313 00:16:21,120 --> 00:16:24,520 Speaker 2: would try to bombard our mind. It's never going to change, 314 00:16:24,560 --> 00:16:27,440 Speaker 2: it's hopeless, it's impossible, But we learn to just turn 315 00:16:27,480 --> 00:16:29,640 Speaker 2: it around and say, no, God can make a way. 316 00:16:29,760 --> 00:16:32,440 Speaker 2: He is Jehovah, Wrath of the Lord, our healer. He's 317 00:16:32,480 --> 00:16:34,960 Speaker 2: restoring health back into her. She will live and not 318 00:16:35,080 --> 00:16:37,480 Speaker 2: die and declare the works of the Lord. That was 319 00:16:37,520 --> 00:16:40,680 Speaker 2: over twenty five years ago. Today, my mother's still going strong, 320 00:16:40,720 --> 00:16:43,200 Speaker 2: as healthy as can be. God had a plan. God 321 00:16:43,360 --> 00:16:46,520 Speaker 2: was still in control. Why don't you let him be 322 00:16:46,640 --> 00:16:50,360 Speaker 2: God in your life? Why don't you quit worrying, quit 323 00:16:50,400 --> 00:16:53,280 Speaker 2: trying to figure everything out. Just because you don't have 324 00:16:53,360 --> 00:16:56,360 Speaker 2: an answer doesn't mean God doesn't have an answer. Learn 325 00:16:56,440 --> 00:16:59,080 Speaker 2: to trust him. I found a lot of times in 326 00:16:59,120 --> 00:17:03,160 Speaker 2: life face difficulties and especially problems that we don't see 327 00:17:03,160 --> 00:17:05,680 Speaker 2: an answer to. In the back of our mind, there's 328 00:17:05,680 --> 00:17:08,679 Speaker 2: a voice constantly saying, what are you gonna do? What 329 00:17:08,720 --> 00:17:11,040 Speaker 2: are you gonna do? How's it gonna work out? Trying 330 00:17:11,080 --> 00:17:14,560 Speaker 2: to pressure us. But we have to understand we don't 331 00:17:14,600 --> 00:17:18,240 Speaker 2: have to have an answer. Trusting God means we're not 332 00:17:18,280 --> 00:17:22,199 Speaker 2: gonna have everything always figured out. Somebody says to you, 333 00:17:22,240 --> 00:17:24,280 Speaker 2: I heard about your problem. What are you gonna do? 334 00:17:25,000 --> 00:17:27,679 Speaker 2: Our answer should be I don't know, but I do 335 00:17:27,800 --> 00:17:31,080 Speaker 2: know the one who does. What I'm saying is it's 336 00:17:31,119 --> 00:17:34,000 Speaker 2: okay not to know. There are things in my life 337 00:17:34,040 --> 00:17:36,320 Speaker 2: right now, I don't know exactly how they're going to 338 00:17:36,359 --> 00:17:38,840 Speaker 2: turn out. I don't know exactly what to do, but 339 00:17:38,920 --> 00:17:41,199 Speaker 2: I can tell you that I'm at peace because I 340 00:17:41,240 --> 00:17:44,280 Speaker 2: know the one who does. I'm not looking at my circumstances. 341 00:17:44,440 --> 00:17:47,960 Speaker 2: I'm looking at my God. And it's amazing how when 342 00:17:48,000 --> 00:17:51,440 Speaker 2: we magnify the greatness of our God, and we dwell 343 00:17:51,440 --> 00:17:54,199 Speaker 2: on the fact that he flung the stars into space, 344 00:17:54,280 --> 00:17:57,640 Speaker 2: he created it all. When we dwell on that, it's 345 00:17:57,680 --> 00:18:01,720 Speaker 2: amazing how small our problems because it's easy to thank God. 346 00:18:01,760 --> 00:18:04,280 Speaker 2: If you did all that. Surely you can give me 347 00:18:04,320 --> 00:18:07,239 Speaker 2: three dollars for a gallon of gas. Surely you can 348 00:18:07,320 --> 00:18:10,119 Speaker 2: change my child. Surely you can bring the right person 349 00:18:10,160 --> 00:18:12,840 Speaker 2: into my life. Surely you can help my dreams come 350 00:18:12,880 --> 00:18:16,959 Speaker 2: to pass. Let's learn to magnify God. I remember when 351 00:18:17,000 --> 00:18:19,320 Speaker 2: they told me that it was going to cost seventy 352 00:18:19,359 --> 00:18:23,399 Speaker 2: five million dollars to renovate our new facility. At first, 353 00:18:23,480 --> 00:18:26,040 Speaker 2: I didn't really know exactly how we were going to 354 00:18:26,080 --> 00:18:29,160 Speaker 2: pay for it, and I could easily stayed awake at night, 355 00:18:29,480 --> 00:18:32,920 Speaker 2: tossed and turned lived up tight frustrated. But I did 356 00:18:33,000 --> 00:18:35,600 Speaker 2: just what I'm asking you to do today, I said God, 357 00:18:35,640 --> 00:18:38,760 Speaker 2: I know you brought this opportunity across our path. I 358 00:18:38,840 --> 00:18:41,439 Speaker 2: know you've opened up this door, and I don't know 359 00:18:41,480 --> 00:18:43,000 Speaker 2: how it's all going to work out. I don't know 360 00:18:43,040 --> 00:18:46,040 Speaker 2: exactly in the natural how we're going to pay for it. 361 00:18:46,080 --> 00:18:49,439 Speaker 2: But God, my eyes are upon you. There were plenty 362 00:18:49,440 --> 00:18:52,080 Speaker 2: of times that I tried to figure it out in 363 00:18:52,200 --> 00:18:55,040 Speaker 2: my own thinking. I thought, well, if we could raise 364 00:18:55,040 --> 00:18:56,840 Speaker 2: this much over here and this much over here, and 365 00:18:57,119 --> 00:19:00,199 Speaker 2: sell this and have all this other come together, it 366 00:19:00,200 --> 00:19:02,760 Speaker 2: seemed like I could never quite get it all figured out. 367 00:19:03,359 --> 00:19:05,679 Speaker 2: Every time I started to worry, every time I started 368 00:19:05,720 --> 00:19:08,600 Speaker 2: to get frustrated, I'd catch myself and say, no, I 369 00:19:08,640 --> 00:19:11,920 Speaker 2: don't have to have the answer. I know where we're 370 00:19:11,960 --> 00:19:15,040 Speaker 2: supposed to be, and when God gives a vision, he 371 00:19:15,119 --> 00:19:18,119 Speaker 2: always gives provision. So I just turned it over to 372 00:19:18,200 --> 00:19:21,439 Speaker 2: God and I stayed in faith, and little by little, 373 00:19:21,760 --> 00:19:24,919 Speaker 2: one after another, we've met our goals and I know 374 00:19:25,160 --> 00:19:27,479 Speaker 2: we're going to continue to do so, but we've got 375 00:19:27,520 --> 00:19:30,879 Speaker 2: to let God do it his way. At first, I 376 00:19:30,960 --> 00:19:33,520 Speaker 2: kind of thought, surely God would send one person to 377 00:19:33,520 --> 00:19:37,679 Speaker 2: give a fifty million dollar gift. God never did that. Instead, 378 00:19:37,760 --> 00:19:40,639 Speaker 2: he sent me all to you. He must have a 379 00:19:40,640 --> 00:19:45,080 Speaker 2: lot of confidence in you guys. It's like that minister 380 00:19:45,200 --> 00:19:47,760 Speaker 2: I heard about. He told his congregation, I've got good 381 00:19:47,800 --> 00:19:50,480 Speaker 2: news and I've got bad news. The good news is 382 00:19:50,560 --> 00:19:53,040 Speaker 2: we have plenty of money to pay for our new 383 00:19:53,080 --> 00:19:56,480 Speaker 2: building project. The bad news is it's still in your pockets. 384 00:19:58,680 --> 00:20:01,720 Speaker 2: But when you don't know what to do, make sure 385 00:20:01,920 --> 00:20:04,320 Speaker 2: that you know the one who does. We have to 386 00:20:04,400 --> 00:20:09,680 Speaker 2: understand sometimes God delivers us from a difficulty. Other times 387 00:20:09,800 --> 00:20:13,159 Speaker 2: he chooses to take us through it. Just because you 388 00:20:13,240 --> 00:20:16,080 Speaker 2: have a problem today, just because things are coming against you, 389 00:20:16,600 --> 00:20:19,679 Speaker 2: doesn't mean necessarily you've done something wrong. Doesn't mean you're 390 00:20:19,720 --> 00:20:23,400 Speaker 2: out of God's will. In fact, many times, because we're 391 00:20:23,440 --> 00:20:27,280 Speaker 2: doing what's right, because we're in God's will, this stirs 392 00:20:27,359 --> 00:20:30,720 Speaker 2: up the opposition, and it seems like everything comes against us. 393 00:20:31,119 --> 00:20:33,679 Speaker 2: But if we can just learn to stay faithful, not 394 00:20:33,800 --> 00:20:36,400 Speaker 2: get bitter, not try to figure it out, God will 395 00:20:36,400 --> 00:20:39,160 Speaker 2: not only bring us through that, but he'll bring us 396 00:20:39,280 --> 00:20:42,879 Speaker 2: through it stronger, refined, better off than we were before. 397 00:20:43,560 --> 00:20:47,240 Speaker 2: You think about the three Hebrew teenagers Shadrack, Mejack and Abdigo. 398 00:20:47,480 --> 00:20:51,960 Speaker 2: They were in God's perfect will, but because of their righteousness, 399 00:20:52,280 --> 00:20:55,760 Speaker 2: because they refuse to bow down and worship the Golden idol. 400 00:20:56,320 --> 00:20:59,240 Speaker 2: It stirred up the enemy. And you notice God didn't 401 00:20:59,280 --> 00:21:02,440 Speaker 2: deliver them from the fiery furnace. He chose to take 402 00:21:02,520 --> 00:21:05,119 Speaker 2: them through it. And I love what the scripture says. 403 00:21:05,480 --> 00:21:08,399 Speaker 2: They came out without even having the smell of smoke. 404 00:21:09,200 --> 00:21:11,159 Speaker 2: And you may be going through things right now that 405 00:21:11,200 --> 00:21:14,720 Speaker 2: you don't understand. Doesn't seem fair, and you're tempted to 406 00:21:14,720 --> 00:21:17,560 Speaker 2: thank God. Why is this happening to me? Why won't 407 00:21:17,600 --> 00:21:19,920 Speaker 2: my child do right? Why didn't my relationship work out? 408 00:21:19,920 --> 00:21:23,880 Speaker 2: Why did somebody lie about me? One reason is because 409 00:21:23,880 --> 00:21:26,919 Speaker 2: we have an enemy. There are forces of darkness that 410 00:21:26,960 --> 00:21:29,359 Speaker 2: are trying to drag every one of us down. But 411 00:21:29,400 --> 00:21:32,399 Speaker 2: thank God, greater is he that's in us than he 412 00:21:32,520 --> 00:21:35,119 Speaker 2: that's in the world. And when you're in one of 413 00:21:35,200 --> 00:21:38,080 Speaker 2: those trying times, that's when you've got to dig your 414 00:21:38,119 --> 00:21:41,160 Speaker 2: heels in and get that banner of victory back out. 415 00:21:41,680 --> 00:21:43,800 Speaker 2: Our attitude should be I may be down, but I'm 416 00:21:43,840 --> 00:21:46,080 Speaker 2: not going to stay down. I may be in the 417 00:21:46,119 --> 00:21:48,840 Speaker 2: fiery furnace, but I know I'm coming out without even 418 00:21:48,880 --> 00:21:51,440 Speaker 2: the smell of smoke. I know I'm coming out bitter 419 00:21:51,520 --> 00:21:55,000 Speaker 2: off than I was before. See the enemy always fights 420 00:21:55,040 --> 00:21:57,879 Speaker 2: you the hardest when he knows God has something great 421 00:21:57,920 --> 00:22:02,760 Speaker 2: in store tough times. The scripture says, when you've done 422 00:22:02,800 --> 00:22:05,560 Speaker 2: all you know how to do, just keep standing firm. 423 00:22:06,160 --> 00:22:09,600 Speaker 2: That means even when it doesn't seem fair, even when 424 00:22:09,640 --> 00:22:12,640 Speaker 2: you don't understand it, just keep on keeping on, keep 425 00:22:12,640 --> 00:22:15,719 Speaker 2: on being your best, keep on being good to people, 426 00:22:16,200 --> 00:22:19,560 Speaker 2: keep on coming to church, keep on praying, keep on giving, 427 00:22:19,680 --> 00:22:23,359 Speaker 2: keep on serving. If you will stand strong, then God 428 00:22:23,400 --> 00:22:25,760 Speaker 2: can fight your battles for you. But we have to 429 00:22:25,840 --> 00:22:28,600 Speaker 2: let God be God in our lives. In other words, 430 00:22:29,119 --> 00:22:31,960 Speaker 2: whether he chooses to deliver us from it or he 431 00:22:32,080 --> 00:22:34,639 Speaker 2: chooses to take us through it, Let's let him do 432 00:22:34,680 --> 00:22:37,640 Speaker 2: it his way. Don't try to figure everything out. In fact, 433 00:22:37,680 --> 00:22:42,240 Speaker 2: the scripture says, God works in strange and mysterious ways. 434 00:22:42,920 --> 00:22:45,800 Speaker 2: I read about this man that was so down and discouraged. 435 00:22:46,040 --> 00:22:49,520 Speaker 2: Seemed like everything had come against him, his health, his family, 436 00:22:49,600 --> 00:22:52,480 Speaker 2: his finances, and he was just about ready to give up. 437 00:22:52,960 --> 00:22:56,840 Speaker 2: At his lowest point at home, one night, he said, God, 438 00:22:56,920 --> 00:22:58,959 Speaker 2: if you're really working in my life, give me some 439 00:22:59,080 --> 00:23:02,600 Speaker 2: kind of sign. About that time, the phone rang. He 440 00:23:02,640 --> 00:23:04,760 Speaker 2: went to answer it, and he looked on the caller 441 00:23:04,840 --> 00:23:09,400 Speaker 2: ID and it said Almighty God. He nearly passed out. 442 00:23:09,440 --> 00:23:12,600 Speaker 2: He didn't dare touch it. The next morning he got 443 00:23:12,600 --> 00:23:15,320 Speaker 2: his nerve up and he called the number back. Come 444 00:23:15,359 --> 00:23:18,359 Speaker 2: to find out it was a church across town called 445 00:23:18,359 --> 00:23:24,720 Speaker 2: the Almighty God Tabernacle. Somebody had accidentally called his number 446 00:23:24,800 --> 00:23:27,640 Speaker 2: the night before and the name was too long. All 447 00:23:27,680 --> 00:23:31,560 Speaker 2: that fit on the caller id was Almighty God. God 448 00:23:31,680 --> 00:23:35,320 Speaker 2: has a plan. The man there at the church, he 449 00:23:35,359 --> 00:23:37,360 Speaker 2: asked him, why didn't you answer the phone last night? 450 00:23:37,720 --> 00:23:39,320 Speaker 2: He said, are you kid? And I wasn't about to 451 00:23:39,320 --> 00:23:42,520 Speaker 2: touch that phone. I don't know that I'd blame him. 452 00:23:42,920 --> 00:23:46,880 Speaker 2: But God works in mysterious ways. It says in Isaiah 453 00:23:46,880 --> 00:23:49,640 Speaker 2: that God's ways are not our ways. They are higher 454 00:23:49,680 --> 00:23:52,880 Speaker 2: and better than our ways. We're never going to understand everything. 455 00:23:53,160 --> 00:23:55,919 Speaker 2: We need to learn to distrust him. I know some 456 00:23:56,000 --> 00:23:59,040 Speaker 2: of you are concerned about your loved ones, family member, 457 00:23:59,160 --> 00:24:01,480 Speaker 2: friends that are not making good choices, not on the 458 00:24:01,560 --> 00:24:04,919 Speaker 2: right path. But God has a way of getting their attention. 459 00:24:05,440 --> 00:24:08,240 Speaker 2: You don't have to shove things down their throat. It's 460 00:24:08,280 --> 00:24:12,439 Speaker 2: not your responsibility to change them. It's your responsibility to 461 00:24:12,520 --> 00:24:16,320 Speaker 2: love them. Only God can change people. Quit worrying about them. 462 00:24:16,520 --> 00:24:20,040 Speaker 2: And just believe God has a plan. I heard about 463 00:24:20,040 --> 00:24:22,720 Speaker 2: this young couple. They were going to visit some relatives. 464 00:24:23,160 --> 00:24:25,320 Speaker 2: It was September of the eleventh, the day of the 465 00:24:25,320 --> 00:24:28,520 Speaker 2: attacks on the World Trade Center. Early that morning, on 466 00:24:28,560 --> 00:24:30,920 Speaker 2: the way to the airport, they had a flat tire 467 00:24:31,320 --> 00:24:34,080 Speaker 2: and they ended up missing their flight. And it just 468 00:24:34,119 --> 00:24:36,840 Speaker 2: so happened that was one of the flights that didn't 469 00:24:36,920 --> 00:24:39,440 Speaker 2: make it. If they had not had that flat tire, 470 00:24:39,480 --> 00:24:42,720 Speaker 2: they wouldn't be here today. And they were so relieved 471 00:24:42,800 --> 00:24:46,000 Speaker 2: and just so thankful that God had spared their lives. 472 00:24:46,400 --> 00:24:48,679 Speaker 2: And the young men got a call from his father 473 00:24:49,080 --> 00:24:51,840 Speaker 2: who lived in New York. He was so frantic and 474 00:24:51,880 --> 00:24:53,560 Speaker 2: so worried. He knew they were supposed to be on 475 00:24:53,600 --> 00:24:55,960 Speaker 2: that flight, and the son gave him the good news 476 00:24:55,960 --> 00:24:57,680 Speaker 2: that they had missed it. And the whole family, which 477 00:24:57,760 --> 00:25:00,760 Speaker 2: is so grateful. And this father in New York, he 478 00:25:00,880 --> 00:25:03,600 Speaker 2: was a retired fireman. He told his son he just 479 00:25:03,640 --> 00:25:05,640 Speaker 2: couldn't stay at home. He was going to go down 480 00:25:05,680 --> 00:25:08,800 Speaker 2: to the site and help rescue people. Well that was 481 00:25:08,840 --> 00:25:11,960 Speaker 2: the last conversation that they ever had. The father was 482 00:25:12,040 --> 00:25:15,560 Speaker 2: killed later that day when the towers collapsed, and the 483 00:25:15,600 --> 00:25:17,880 Speaker 2: next morning when his son and daughter in law got 484 00:25:17,920 --> 00:25:21,239 Speaker 2: the bad news. Their joy, their happiness of having their 485 00:25:21,280 --> 00:25:25,760 Speaker 2: own lives spared, was turned to sorrow and even confusion. See, 486 00:25:25,800 --> 00:25:28,480 Speaker 2: this father would never have anything to do with God. 487 00:25:28,560 --> 00:25:31,399 Speaker 2: He was never open. And the son tried and tried 488 00:25:31,440 --> 00:25:33,760 Speaker 2: to share God's love, but it was just like hitting 489 00:25:33,760 --> 00:25:36,480 Speaker 2: a brick wall. Now it seemed like it was too late. 490 00:25:37,119 --> 00:25:40,240 Speaker 2: The son was so heartbroken and so grieved, not only 491 00:25:40,280 --> 00:25:42,120 Speaker 2: at the loss of his father, but at the fact 492 00:25:42,600 --> 00:25:44,639 Speaker 2: that he just didn't really know if he was at 493 00:25:44,640 --> 00:25:47,920 Speaker 2: peace with God. Well, about three months later there was 494 00:25:47,920 --> 00:25:50,560 Speaker 2: a knock on his door. It was a young couple 495 00:25:50,600 --> 00:25:54,200 Speaker 2: with a very small baby from New York. They asked 496 00:25:54,280 --> 00:25:56,000 Speaker 2: if he was so and so, and he said he was, 497 00:25:56,040 --> 00:25:57,480 Speaker 2: and they said, can we come in? We want to 498 00:25:57,520 --> 00:25:59,840 Speaker 2: share a story with you. And this young lady hold 499 00:25:59,920 --> 00:26:02,800 Speaker 2: up the baby explain that she was in the World 500 00:26:02,800 --> 00:26:05,480 Speaker 2: Trade Center on the day of the attacks. She was 501 00:26:05,560 --> 00:26:09,080 Speaker 2: seven months pregnant, and this young man's father had come 502 00:26:09,080 --> 00:26:12,440 Speaker 2: and rescued her and carried her down a long flight 503 00:26:12,480 --> 00:26:15,080 Speaker 2: of stairs. And she said, on the way down, I 504 00:26:15,160 --> 00:26:18,800 Speaker 2: started talking to your dad about his relationship to God 505 00:26:18,840 --> 00:26:21,720 Speaker 2: and about receiving Christ. She said, when we got to 506 00:26:21,760 --> 00:26:24,919 Speaker 2: the bottom of the stairs, we both knelt down on 507 00:26:24,960 --> 00:26:27,639 Speaker 2: our knees and your dad prayed and asked Christ to 508 00:26:27,640 --> 00:26:33,240 Speaker 2: come into his life. And they said, we traveled this 509 00:26:33,359 --> 00:26:36,439 Speaker 2: long distance not only to thank you, not only to 510 00:26:36,480 --> 00:26:39,000 Speaker 2: give you this good news, but we wanted to introduce 511 00:26:39,080 --> 00:26:43,399 Speaker 2: you to our little son. We named him after your father. Friends, 512 00:26:43,480 --> 00:26:46,919 Speaker 2: God is in control. Why don't you start letting him 513 00:26:47,160 --> 00:26:52,560 Speaker 2: be God in your life? Why don't you start trusting him? 514 00:26:53,200 --> 00:26:55,919 Speaker 2: Quit trying to figure how it's all going to happen. 515 00:26:56,160 --> 00:26:59,520 Speaker 2: God has a plan, He already has the answer, and 516 00:26:59,520 --> 00:27:01,280 Speaker 2: they're going There be a lot of things like this 517 00:27:01,560 --> 00:27:04,479 Speaker 2: that we don't understand until we get to heaven. But 518 00:27:04,520 --> 00:27:07,280 Speaker 2: in the meantime, we can relax. We can stay in 519 00:27:07,359 --> 00:27:09,639 Speaker 2: peace knowing that God has us in the palm of 520 00:27:09,680 --> 00:27:12,360 Speaker 2: his hand, knowing that He's put a banner of victory 521 00:27:12,359 --> 00:27:14,880 Speaker 2: over every one of us. And we may not always 522 00:27:14,920 --> 00:27:17,240 Speaker 2: know what to do, but as long as we know 523 00:27:17,320 --> 00:27:19,919 Speaker 2: the one who does, we're going to be okay. And 524 00:27:19,960 --> 00:27:23,080 Speaker 2: I'm asking you today to give your mind some rest. 525 00:27:23,600 --> 00:27:25,960 Speaker 2: I'm asking you to not try to figure everything out, 526 00:27:26,320 --> 00:27:28,679 Speaker 2: if you'll turn it over to God and really let 527 00:27:28,800 --> 00:27:31,560 Speaker 2: him be God. In your life. He's promised he'll not 528 00:27:31,600 --> 00:27:34,240 Speaker 2: only fight your battles for you, He'll not only lead 529 00:27:34,320 --> 00:27:36,520 Speaker 2: you and guide you, but he'll begin to pour out 530 00:27:36,560 --> 00:27:39,320 Speaker 2: more of his blessings and favor. And I know you'll 531 00:27:39,359 --> 00:27:42,200 Speaker 2: live the life of victory that he has in store. Amen, 532 00:27:42,240 --> 00:27:46,320 Speaker 2: do you receive it today? I know you do. We 533 00:27:46,400 --> 00:27:49,320 Speaker 2: never like to close our broadcast without giving you an 534 00:27:49,359 --> 00:27:52,560 Speaker 2: opportunity to make Jesus the lord of your life. Would 535 00:27:52,600 --> 00:27:56,919 Speaker 2: you pray with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus, I'll repent 536 00:27:56,960 --> 00:28:01,320 Speaker 2: of my sins. Come into my heart. I make you 537 00:28:01,400 --> 00:28:05,359 Speaker 2: my Lord and savior. Friends, if you've prayed that simple prayer, 538 00:28:05,480 --> 00:28:07,840 Speaker 2: we believe you got born again. Get in a good 539 00:28:07,840 --> 00:28:11,000 Speaker 2: Bible based church. Keep God first place. He's going to 540 00:28:11,040 --> 00:28:13,040 Speaker 2: take your places that you've never dreamed of. 541 00:28:13,320 --> 00:28:16,159 Speaker 4: Thank you for listening to the Joel lous Deine podcast. 542 00:28:16,480 --> 00:28:19,119 Speaker 4: Help us continue to share the message of hope with 543 00:28:19,240 --> 00:28:23,200 Speaker 4: those all over the world. Visit Joeloustein dot com slash 544 00:28:23,320 --> 00:28:25,320 Speaker 4: give Hope to give a gift today. 545 00:28:26,600 --> 00:28:29,520 Speaker 2: Thanks so much for listening to today's message. I hope 546 00:28:29,520 --> 00:28:32,879 Speaker 2: you'll subscribe so you can receive the latest podcast to 547 00:28:32,960 --> 00:28:36,159 Speaker 2: keep you inspired all through the week. We're praying for you. 548 00:28:36,359 --> 00:28:38,800 Speaker 2: I know God's best is still ahead. We'll see you 549 00:28:38,880 --> 00:28:39,360 Speaker 2: next time. 550 00:28:51,000 --> 00:28:53,760 Speaker 5: With millions of books on Amazon, there's a reading feeling 551 00:28:53,800 --> 00:28:58,320 Speaker 5: for everyone. For example, quans as he drifts away to 552 00:28:58,400 --> 00:29:02,120 Speaker 5: Nirvana after only the first chapter is different to Maya's 553 00:29:03,240 --> 00:29:06,360 Speaker 5: when she discovered the narrator was in fact the Evil Twin, 554 00:29:06,960 --> 00:29:10,560 Speaker 5: which is also different to Noah's aw anytime the cute 555 00:29:10,560 --> 00:29:13,960 Speaker 5: cyberpunk is mentioned, even though in reality he'd be totally 556 00:29:13,960 --> 00:29:19,800 Speaker 5: out of his leg from two Amazon books that reading 557 00:29:19,880 --> 00:29:20,640 Speaker 5: feeling awaits