1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:02,880 Speaker 1: No one likes to talk about money. Am I saving enough? 2 00:00:02,960 --> 00:00:05,040 Speaker 1: Can I buy a house? Am I paying too much 3 00:00:05,040 --> 00:00:07,760 Speaker 1: in taxes? Will I be able to retire? What if 4 00:00:07,760 --> 00:00:10,360 Speaker 1: you could unlock insights about your finances in less than 5 00:00:10,360 --> 00:00:12,840 Speaker 1: five minutes, with a clear picture of where you stand 6 00:00:12,880 --> 00:00:15,720 Speaker 1: today and where your money can work harder. Now you 7 00:00:15,760 --> 00:00:18,759 Speaker 1: can visit facet dot com to take the free quiz 8 00:00:18,800 --> 00:00:23,400 Speaker 1: and get your financial wellness score today. That's Facet dot com. 9 00:00:23,440 --> 00:00:25,360 Speaker 1: This ad is sponsored by Facet. Fast Wealth in Corporated 10 00:00:25,440 --> 00:00:27,280 Speaker 1: is an sec registered investment advisor. 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Start your comeback at Purdueglobal dot edu. 23 00:01:00,240 --> 00:01:02,200 Speaker 3: He'll forget about the video game you gave him on 24 00:01:02,200 --> 00:01:02,800 Speaker 3: his birthday. 25 00:01:03,120 --> 00:01:05,400 Speaker 4: Wow, thanks Grandpa. 26 00:01:04,840 --> 00:01:06,760 Speaker 3: But he'll never forget how you invest it in his 27 00:01:06,840 --> 00:01:08,240 Speaker 3: future with the units stapp. 28 00:01:08,760 --> 00:01:10,760 Speaker 4: Wow, thanks Grandpa. 29 00:01:11,040 --> 00:01:13,560 Speaker 3: The unit stap makes it easy for grandparents and family 30 00:01:13,600 --> 00:01:16,280 Speaker 3: friends to give funds to a child's investment account for 31 00:01:16,319 --> 00:01:18,720 Speaker 3: a limited time. Download the uns stapp and use the 32 00:01:18,720 --> 00:01:20,800 Speaker 3: code I heeart fifty at sign up to receive a 33 00:01:20,840 --> 00:01:23,319 Speaker 3: fifty dollars bonus when you find your account. That's code 34 00:01:23,360 --> 00:01:26,360 Speaker 3: iHeart fifty when you sign up at unest dot co 35 00:01:26,720 --> 00:01:29,280 Speaker 3: for a fifty dollars bonus. See terms and conditions at 36 00:01:29,360 --> 00:01:30,080 Speaker 3: UNEs dot co. 37 00:01:32,360 --> 00:01:35,120 Speaker 4: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 38 00:01:35,160 --> 00:01:37,920 Speaker 4: our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. 39 00:01:38,040 --> 00:01:40,399 Speaker 5: If you enjoy today's message, why don't you be a 40 00:01:40,440 --> 00:01:41,959 Speaker 5: blessing and share it with a friend. 41 00:01:42,280 --> 00:01:45,000 Speaker 4: We appreciate you and pray for God's very best in 42 00:01:45,040 --> 00:01:50,880 Speaker 4: your line. It is always a joy to come into 43 00:01:50,880 --> 00:01:53,720 Speaker 4: your homes each week, and we know that God has 44 00:01:53,800 --> 00:01:56,280 Speaker 4: good things in store for you. So we come with 45 00:01:56,400 --> 00:01:59,080 Speaker 4: good news and we just believe that today you're going 46 00:01:59,160 --> 00:02:01,640 Speaker 4: to be changed as you listen. If you're ever in 47 00:02:01,680 --> 00:02:03,920 Speaker 4: our area, I hope you'll stop by. I give you 48 00:02:03,960 --> 00:02:06,400 Speaker 4: a personal invitation. I say it often, but these are 49 00:02:06,400 --> 00:02:08,560 Speaker 4: the finest people in all of Houston. Will make you 50 00:02:08,600 --> 00:02:10,400 Speaker 4: feel right at home. So come by and see us. 51 00:02:10,520 --> 00:02:13,040 Speaker 4: We'd love to have you. But thanks for tuning in today. 52 00:02:14,480 --> 00:02:16,480 Speaker 4: I'd like to get started each week with something funny, 53 00:02:16,480 --> 00:02:18,600 Speaker 4: so see what you think of this one. A young 54 00:02:18,639 --> 00:02:21,639 Speaker 4: man received a parrot as a gift, but the parrot 55 00:02:21,680 --> 00:02:25,280 Speaker 4: had an extremely cantankerous attitude, and every word out of 56 00:02:25,320 --> 00:02:28,239 Speaker 4: his mouth was rude and obnoxious. The young man got 57 00:02:28,280 --> 00:02:30,560 Speaker 4: so fed up with it one day he grabbed the 58 00:02:30,560 --> 00:02:33,079 Speaker 4: bird and put him in the freezer, hoping to teach 59 00:02:33,160 --> 00:02:36,800 Speaker 4: him a lesson. The parrot squawked and kicked and screamed, 60 00:02:36,960 --> 00:02:40,080 Speaker 4: but then suddenly fell silent. Fearing he had heard him, 61 00:02:40,080 --> 00:02:42,800 Speaker 4: he quickly opened the door. The parrot stepped out and said, 62 00:02:43,040 --> 00:02:46,440 Speaker 4: I believe I may have offended you. I'm seriously remorseful, 63 00:02:46,440 --> 00:02:48,800 Speaker 4: and promised to never to behave that way again. And 64 00:02:48,840 --> 00:02:51,440 Speaker 4: by the way, the parrot continued, may I ask what 65 00:02:51,480 --> 00:02:56,240 Speaker 4: the turkey did. Hold your bibles up and say it 66 00:02:56,280 --> 00:02:59,359 Speaker 4: like you in it ready. This is my Bible. I 67 00:02:59,400 --> 00:03:01,920 Speaker 4: am what is it says I am. I have what 68 00:03:02,000 --> 00:03:04,560 Speaker 4: it says I have. I can do what it says 69 00:03:04,600 --> 00:03:07,800 Speaker 4: I can do. Today, all be taught the word of God. 70 00:03:08,240 --> 00:03:12,760 Speaker 4: I boldly confess. My mind is alert, my heart is receptive. 71 00:03:13,120 --> 00:03:15,680 Speaker 4: I will never be the same. I am about to 72 00:03:15,720 --> 00:03:21,160 Speaker 4: receive the incorruptible, indestructible ever live in seed of the 73 00:03:21,200 --> 00:03:25,120 Speaker 4: Word of God. I'll never be the same. Never, never, never, 74 00:03:25,560 --> 00:03:29,760 Speaker 4: I'll never be the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. 75 00:03:29,760 --> 00:03:32,760 Speaker 4: You sound great as usual. I want to talk to 76 00:03:32,760 --> 00:03:35,200 Speaker 4: you today about one of the greatest enemies that we 77 00:03:35,240 --> 00:03:40,240 Speaker 4: will ever face, and that is procrastination. How many people 78 00:03:40,920 --> 00:03:44,840 Speaker 4: you moan like the other services. How many people know 79 00:03:45,120 --> 00:03:47,680 Speaker 4: in their heart what they should do down in here. 80 00:03:47,760 --> 00:03:51,200 Speaker 4: They know what's right, and they have good intentions, but 81 00:03:51,280 --> 00:03:53,520 Speaker 4: they just keep putting it off and putting it off. 82 00:03:54,240 --> 00:03:58,160 Speaker 4: And the interesting thing about procrastination is it's so easy 83 00:03:58,240 --> 00:04:01,880 Speaker 4: to justify. I think, one day I'm gonna do that, 84 00:04:02,000 --> 00:04:05,640 Speaker 4: so I'm not really being disobedient, Joel. One day I'm 85 00:04:05,640 --> 00:04:08,280 Speaker 4: gonna get serious about my relationship with God, just not 86 00:04:08,400 --> 00:04:11,640 Speaker 4: right now, or one day I'm gonna get back in shape. 87 00:04:12,120 --> 00:04:14,840 Speaker 4: One day I'm gonna get my finances in order, or 88 00:04:14,920 --> 00:04:17,960 Speaker 4: one day I'm gonna forgive that person that hurt me. Now, 89 00:04:18,080 --> 00:04:21,080 Speaker 4: the problem with that is, most of the time, one 90 00:04:21,160 --> 00:04:24,600 Speaker 4: day never comes, never get around to it. We're always 91 00:04:24,600 --> 00:04:27,919 Speaker 4: making some other excuse. And I've discovered that if the 92 00:04:28,040 --> 00:04:31,880 Speaker 4: enemy can't get us to be outright disobedient, his next 93 00:04:31,920 --> 00:04:35,320 Speaker 4: plan of attack is to simply deceive us into putting 94 00:04:35,320 --> 00:04:38,440 Speaker 4: it off. Where we know what we should do. God, 95 00:04:38,480 --> 00:04:41,599 Speaker 4: I'm planning to do it, just not right now. I'm 96 00:04:41,640 --> 00:04:44,240 Speaker 4: planning to tithe my income as soon as my finances 97 00:04:44,279 --> 00:04:47,600 Speaker 4: get better. I'm planning to serve in the children's ministry 98 00:04:47,760 --> 00:04:50,280 Speaker 4: as soon as it slows down at my office. What 99 00:04:50,320 --> 00:04:53,599 Speaker 4: we're saying is I have good intentions. I'm planning on 100 00:04:53,680 --> 00:04:56,880 Speaker 4: being obedient, so that's not so bad. But no, good 101 00:04:56,960 --> 00:05:01,840 Speaker 4: intentions don't equal obedience, and really, delayed obedience is not 102 00:05:02,000 --> 00:05:05,560 Speaker 4: even obedience. And when God is speaking to your heart, 103 00:05:05,960 --> 00:05:08,919 Speaker 4: when your conscience is talking to you down in here, 104 00:05:09,320 --> 00:05:13,360 Speaker 4: maybe about changing your attitude or apologizing to that loved one, 105 00:05:13,400 --> 00:05:16,359 Speaker 4: treating somebody better, yet you keep putting it off and 106 00:05:16,400 --> 00:05:18,480 Speaker 4: putting it off. All that's gonna do is still your 107 00:05:18,600 --> 00:05:21,560 Speaker 4: joy and keep you from God's very best. Now, I 108 00:05:21,600 --> 00:05:24,440 Speaker 4: want to challenge you today to be a now person. 109 00:05:25,080 --> 00:05:27,640 Speaker 4: Start doing what God has put in your heart right now. 110 00:05:28,160 --> 00:05:33,000 Speaker 4: Don't just be obedient, be extremely obedient, be prompt to obey. 111 00:05:33,720 --> 00:05:36,080 Speaker 4: And you've got to learn to listen to your conscience. 112 00:05:36,400 --> 00:05:39,360 Speaker 4: God speaks to us right down in here. And some 113 00:05:39,440 --> 00:05:41,640 Speaker 4: of you go to bed practically every night with a 114 00:05:41,680 --> 00:05:45,400 Speaker 4: guilty conscience. You can hardly even sleep, and it's because 115 00:05:45,680 --> 00:05:48,240 Speaker 4: you're putting off what you know you should be doing. 116 00:05:48,960 --> 00:05:52,280 Speaker 4: When we procrastinate, it makes us feel bad about ourselves. 117 00:05:52,520 --> 00:05:55,400 Speaker 4: It condemns us. You go in the house, see that 118 00:05:55,440 --> 00:05:58,000 Speaker 4: dirty laundry room that you've been meaning to clean for 119 00:05:58,040 --> 00:05:59,960 Speaker 4: two months, and you've got a sink full of deal 120 00:06:00,440 --> 00:06:03,000 Speaker 4: and your garage is a big mess. Every time you 121 00:06:03,080 --> 00:06:05,760 Speaker 4: go in there, it's gonna depress you. You're gonna think, man, 122 00:06:05,800 --> 00:06:07,960 Speaker 4: what is wrong with me? I'm never gonna get this 123 00:06:08,000 --> 00:06:10,400 Speaker 4: place cleaned up. I'm so lazy. I might as well 124 00:06:10,440 --> 00:06:14,360 Speaker 4: just go in, sit down, watch some more TV. That's 125 00:06:14,400 --> 00:06:18,719 Speaker 4: a negative cycle and it's gonna continue unless you put 126 00:06:18,760 --> 00:06:20,960 Speaker 4: your foot down and say, you know what, I'm gonna 127 00:06:20,960 --> 00:06:23,880 Speaker 4: get my house in order. I'm gonna make some changes today. 128 00:06:23,920 --> 00:06:26,839 Speaker 4: No more procrastinating for me. I'm gonna get this place 129 00:06:26,880 --> 00:06:29,400 Speaker 4: cleaned up if it's the last thing I do. See, 130 00:06:29,440 --> 00:06:32,320 Speaker 4: stop putting off what you know you should do. It 131 00:06:32,400 --> 00:06:35,039 Speaker 4: is less painful to dig your heels in and do 132 00:06:35,160 --> 00:06:38,080 Speaker 4: it than it is to go day after day, week 133 00:06:38,160 --> 00:06:41,680 Speaker 4: after week, guilty and condemned because you're not doing what 134 00:06:41,720 --> 00:06:44,680 Speaker 4: you should do. You're going against your conscience. And some 135 00:06:44,720 --> 00:06:47,640 Speaker 4: of you today are living kind of frustrated because you've 136 00:06:47,640 --> 00:06:51,520 Speaker 4: got about twenty five unfinished projects around the house. You 137 00:06:51,640 --> 00:06:54,440 Speaker 4: got one room half painted, and the yard needs to 138 00:06:54,480 --> 00:06:56,440 Speaker 4: be weeded, and you have to balance your check book 139 00:06:56,480 --> 00:07:01,000 Speaker 4: in six months. Your middle name could be procrastination ushers. 140 00:07:01,040 --> 00:07:05,359 Speaker 4: You better lock the doors. Three people have already left, 141 00:07:05,920 --> 00:07:11,520 Speaker 4: three more wanted to leave, but they keep putting it off. Seriously, 142 00:07:11,600 --> 00:07:14,080 Speaker 4: God's been dealing with some of you about getting out 143 00:07:14,160 --> 00:07:17,640 Speaker 4: of debt, about controlling your spending, not being so quick 144 00:07:17,680 --> 00:07:20,480 Speaker 4: to use those credit cards, but you keep falling into 145 00:07:20,480 --> 00:07:23,600 Speaker 4: that trap. Yes, one day, I'm gonna make those changes. 146 00:07:23,720 --> 00:07:25,640 Speaker 4: One day. I know I got to get that in order. 147 00:07:25,960 --> 00:07:29,080 Speaker 4: Let me just run up to the mall one more time. Now, 148 00:07:29,120 --> 00:07:32,000 Speaker 4: the scripture says, if you know the right thing to do, 149 00:07:32,240 --> 00:07:35,760 Speaker 4: but you're not doing it, then that's sin. Well, you say, Joey, 150 00:07:35,800 --> 00:07:37,680 Speaker 4: you mean it's a sin for me to spend too 151 00:07:37,760 --> 00:07:43,960 Speaker 4: much money. Listen carefully, Victoria. If you know in your 152 00:07:44,000 --> 00:07:47,400 Speaker 4: heart it's not right and you're going against your conscience, 153 00:07:47,440 --> 00:07:50,160 Speaker 4: and down in here it's telling you what am I doing? 154 00:07:50,600 --> 00:07:53,360 Speaker 4: I'm out of control? Why do I keep spending this money? 155 00:07:53,560 --> 00:07:55,680 Speaker 4: But if you just keep doing that, then yes, that's 156 00:07:55,760 --> 00:07:59,480 Speaker 4: being disobedient. And when we are disobedient, we're not going 157 00:07:59,560 --> 00:08:02,440 Speaker 4: to have God's blessings. And I don't know what areas 158 00:08:02,480 --> 00:08:05,800 Speaker 4: you may be tempted to procrastinate in today. Some of 159 00:08:05,800 --> 00:08:08,080 Speaker 4: you may not think you have any area, but really 160 00:08:08,120 --> 00:08:10,680 Speaker 4: I believe we all have things that we can obey 161 00:08:10,960 --> 00:08:14,200 Speaker 4: more quickly in. And I'm not here to condemn anybody. 162 00:08:14,320 --> 00:08:17,040 Speaker 4: I'm just asking you to search your heart today. Are 163 00:08:17,080 --> 00:08:19,840 Speaker 4: there people in your life you know you need to forgive, 164 00:08:19,960 --> 00:08:22,400 Speaker 4: but you just keep putting it off. Are you putting 165 00:08:22,440 --> 00:08:25,520 Speaker 4: off spending time with your family? Or are you putting 166 00:08:25,560 --> 00:08:28,800 Speaker 4: off taking steps to live a healthier life. Some of 167 00:08:28,840 --> 00:08:31,320 Speaker 4: you know you need to get on an exercise program. 168 00:08:31,680 --> 00:08:34,000 Speaker 4: You know, deep down in here. You need to take 169 00:08:34,040 --> 00:08:35,920 Speaker 4: care of this temple God is given. You need to 170 00:08:35,920 --> 00:08:38,760 Speaker 4: get in shape. You're saying, joy, Yeah, that's right, that's me, 171 00:08:39,080 --> 00:08:40,760 Speaker 4: and sure enough, I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna start 172 00:08:40,760 --> 00:08:43,000 Speaker 4: this summer as soon as the kids get out of school. 173 00:08:43,400 --> 00:08:47,040 Speaker 4: Now that's delayed obedience. That's not God's best. Or you 174 00:08:47,080 --> 00:08:49,680 Speaker 4: may be thinking, I know I need to eat healthier. 175 00:08:50,120 --> 00:08:51,880 Speaker 4: I know I eat too much junk food. I know 176 00:08:51,920 --> 00:08:54,760 Speaker 4: I drink too many sodas. And yes, I'm gonna make changes, 177 00:08:54,800 --> 00:08:57,720 Speaker 4: but some of the time. Or I can hear you saying, Joel, 178 00:08:57,760 --> 00:08:59,480 Speaker 4: you hit the nail on the head. I know I 179 00:08:59,520 --> 00:09:01,760 Speaker 4: got to do with my finances. I know I need 180 00:09:01,800 --> 00:09:04,400 Speaker 4: to balance my check book, and so, by golly, next 181 00:09:04,400 --> 00:09:06,480 Speaker 4: month or two, I'm gonna sit down and do it. No, 182 00:09:06,600 --> 00:09:08,960 Speaker 4: don't put that off. Do you know the longer we 183 00:09:09,040 --> 00:09:10,920 Speaker 4: put things off, the harder it's going to be to 184 00:09:10,960 --> 00:09:14,160 Speaker 4: do the Other day, one of our children spilled something 185 00:09:14,200 --> 00:09:16,760 Speaker 4: on the carpet. So I went and got the carpet cleaner, 186 00:09:16,800 --> 00:09:19,360 Speaker 4: the stain remover, and as I was reading the directions, 187 00:09:19,360 --> 00:09:22,040 Speaker 4: I found something kind of interesting. It said that I 188 00:09:22,120 --> 00:09:24,720 Speaker 4: needed to get to that spot as quickly as possible 189 00:09:25,120 --> 00:09:27,400 Speaker 4: to not let it dry, not let it soak in. 190 00:09:27,640 --> 00:09:30,080 Speaker 4: But I had to put that solution on it immediately. 191 00:09:30,480 --> 00:09:32,880 Speaker 4: In other words, it was saying, the quicker you deal 192 00:09:32,960 --> 00:09:35,200 Speaker 4: with it, the easier it's going to be to remove. 193 00:09:35,559 --> 00:09:37,680 Speaker 4: And really, I believe it's the same way in our lives. 194 00:09:38,000 --> 00:09:41,240 Speaker 4: When God brings something to light an area that you 195 00:09:41,320 --> 00:09:43,520 Speaker 4: need to change, something that you need to make right, 196 00:09:44,080 --> 00:09:46,960 Speaker 4: that's when you need to take action. Not next week 197 00:09:47,000 --> 00:09:49,319 Speaker 4: when you feel like it, or not next month when 198 00:09:49,360 --> 00:09:53,160 Speaker 4: your circumstances are better. No, do it right then, that's 199 00:09:53,200 --> 00:09:55,040 Speaker 4: when you're going to have the anointing to do it. 200 00:09:55,720 --> 00:09:57,320 Speaker 4: And some of you, you may have a person in 201 00:09:57,360 --> 00:09:59,760 Speaker 4: your life right now that you know down in here 202 00:10:00,080 --> 00:10:02,520 Speaker 4: need to forgive, and God's been dealing with you about 203 00:10:02,520 --> 00:10:04,840 Speaker 4: it again and again, but you just think, man, I 204 00:10:04,840 --> 00:10:07,319 Speaker 4: can't do that. They hurt me too bad. It wasn't fair. 205 00:10:07,880 --> 00:10:10,080 Speaker 4: But the longer you put it off, the more difficult 206 00:10:10,120 --> 00:10:11,960 Speaker 4: it's going to be. And if you just take that 207 00:10:12,000 --> 00:10:14,720 Speaker 4: step of faith and even release it right now, God 208 00:10:14,760 --> 00:10:17,120 Speaker 4: will give you the grace you need and you'll be 209 00:10:17,160 --> 00:10:19,240 Speaker 4: amazed at how you'll begin to get your joy in 210 00:10:19,400 --> 00:10:23,240 Speaker 4: victory back. I remember growing up. We knew this Methodist minister, 211 00:10:23,720 --> 00:10:26,920 Speaker 4: and his hands were all crippled up with arthritis. It 212 00:10:26,960 --> 00:10:30,480 Speaker 4: was a very sad situation. He couldn't drive anymore, he 213 00:10:30,480 --> 00:10:33,280 Speaker 4: could barely even get himself dressed in the morning. But 214 00:10:33,360 --> 00:10:36,240 Speaker 4: one day he heard my father speaking on forgiveness and 215 00:10:36,280 --> 00:10:39,040 Speaker 4: the importance of letting go of the past, and he 216 00:10:39,120 --> 00:10:41,600 Speaker 4: told how for years he had held on to this 217 00:10:41,720 --> 00:10:45,240 Speaker 4: bitterness on the inside toward these people that had done 218 00:10:45,320 --> 00:10:47,800 Speaker 4: him wrong when he was just a young man, and 219 00:10:47,880 --> 00:10:50,800 Speaker 4: he knew he needed to forgive. He knew it was 220 00:10:50,840 --> 00:10:53,160 Speaker 4: the right thing, but he just chose not to do it. 221 00:10:53,600 --> 00:10:55,280 Speaker 4: And it's funny, I meet a lot of people like 222 00:10:55,360 --> 00:10:58,080 Speaker 4: that today. They know they should let go of the past, 223 00:10:58,480 --> 00:11:00,199 Speaker 4: or they know they should change their attitude, and they 224 00:11:00,280 --> 00:11:02,600 Speaker 4: know they need to forgive, but they're just making the 225 00:11:02,679 --> 00:11:05,400 Speaker 4: choice for some reason not to do it. Well, this man, 226 00:11:05,440 --> 00:11:07,960 Speaker 4: when he heard my father, that really convicted his heart, 227 00:11:08,320 --> 00:11:10,720 Speaker 4: and he made a decision right then and there that 228 00:11:10,760 --> 00:11:12,840 Speaker 4: he was going to stop putting it off and he 229 00:11:12,920 --> 00:11:14,400 Speaker 4: was just going to do what he knew he should 230 00:11:14,440 --> 00:11:16,719 Speaker 4: do and just let it go. He said, God, I 231 00:11:16,840 --> 00:11:19,480 Speaker 4: just forgive him right now. I release that to you. 232 00:11:19,559 --> 00:11:22,160 Speaker 4: I'm not going to dwell on it anymore, And he said, 233 00:11:22,160 --> 00:11:25,360 Speaker 4: the most amazing thing began to happen. His crippled hands 234 00:11:25,440 --> 00:11:28,560 Speaker 4: began to open up. Week after week, one finger would 235 00:11:28,600 --> 00:11:31,120 Speaker 4: get better, and the next week this finger was normal, 236 00:11:31,320 --> 00:11:34,160 Speaker 4: And as time went on, his hands eventually just were 237 00:11:34,200 --> 00:11:36,280 Speaker 4: totally and completely normal. He can use them just like 238 00:11:36,480 --> 00:11:39,440 Speaker 4: you and I could today. The point I'm making is 239 00:11:39,480 --> 00:11:42,280 Speaker 4: when we go against what we know is right, we 240 00:11:42,360 --> 00:11:46,600 Speaker 4: hold on to bitterness, unforgiveness, anger. All we're doing is 241 00:11:46,640 --> 00:11:49,400 Speaker 4: opening up the door to sickness and disease. And I 242 00:11:49,440 --> 00:11:52,240 Speaker 4: believe some of you would see your whole situation turn 243 00:11:52,280 --> 00:11:54,800 Speaker 4: around if you just do what you know down and 244 00:11:54,840 --> 00:11:58,319 Speaker 4: here you're supposed to do, whether it's apologize to somebody 245 00:11:58,920 --> 00:12:02,079 Speaker 4: or not live so stressed out, or treat a person better, 246 00:12:02,320 --> 00:12:04,600 Speaker 4: whatever it is. I believe you know down in here, 247 00:12:04,920 --> 00:12:07,720 Speaker 4: listen to your conscience. You may be here today and 248 00:12:07,760 --> 00:12:10,839 Speaker 4: you need to start dealing with some issues, start confronting 249 00:12:10,880 --> 00:12:13,280 Speaker 4: some people in your life. Maybe there's a person that's 250 00:12:13,320 --> 00:12:16,600 Speaker 4: always trying to control you and manipulate you, and you 251 00:12:16,720 --> 00:12:19,080 Speaker 4: know down in here it's not right, but you're letting 252 00:12:19,160 --> 00:12:22,400 Speaker 4: it go on month after month and it's stealing your joy. 253 00:12:22,760 --> 00:12:25,120 Speaker 4: You're not happy, it's dragging you down, but you're thinking, 254 00:12:25,120 --> 00:12:26,800 Speaker 4: you know what, Joey, it's just not worth it. I 255 00:12:26,840 --> 00:12:29,160 Speaker 4: don't even want to deal with the headache. But no, 256 00:12:29,320 --> 00:12:31,559 Speaker 4: the longer you put it off, the more difficult it's 257 00:12:31,600 --> 00:12:34,040 Speaker 4: going to be. If you'll just take that step of 258 00:12:34,080 --> 00:12:37,680 Speaker 4: faith in God's timing, he'll give you the supernatural strength 259 00:12:37,679 --> 00:12:40,160 Speaker 4: that you need. He said, Joe, how do I know 260 00:12:40,320 --> 00:12:43,600 Speaker 4: when it's really God's timing. It's God's timing when he's 261 00:12:43,640 --> 00:12:45,840 Speaker 4: dealing with you about it, when it's coming up on 262 00:12:45,880 --> 00:12:49,240 Speaker 4: the inside. I believe even right now, God is bringing 263 00:12:49,320 --> 00:12:52,960 Speaker 4: areas to light, maybe something you've been pushing down, maybe 264 00:12:53,000 --> 00:12:55,360 Speaker 4: an area you need to change, something you've been putting off, 265 00:12:55,600 --> 00:12:58,360 Speaker 4: and I'm asking you to start being willing to do 266 00:12:58,400 --> 00:13:02,320 Speaker 4: something about it. Putting off the apologies you need to make, 267 00:13:02,920 --> 00:13:05,240 Speaker 4: stop putting off the little jobs around the home in 268 00:13:05,280 --> 00:13:08,720 Speaker 4: the office that need to be done, and don't procrastinate 269 00:13:08,840 --> 00:13:11,160 Speaker 4: when it comes to your health and taking care of 270 00:13:11,200 --> 00:13:13,720 Speaker 4: the body that God's given you. I have a friend 271 00:13:13,800 --> 00:13:16,040 Speaker 4: that we used to play basketball quite a bit, and 272 00:13:16,080 --> 00:13:18,880 Speaker 4: several years ago he was telling me how for month 273 00:13:19,080 --> 00:13:22,600 Speaker 4: after month, something down in here kept saying to him, 274 00:13:22,880 --> 00:13:25,640 Speaker 4: go get a checkup. And here he was as healthy 275 00:13:25,640 --> 00:13:28,520 Speaker 4: as can be, not a problem in the world. But still, 276 00:13:28,559 --> 00:13:30,680 Speaker 4: he said, down in here he knew he should go 277 00:13:30,760 --> 00:13:33,440 Speaker 4: visit a doctor and get a checker in the natural, 278 00:13:33,440 --> 00:13:35,560 Speaker 4: though it didn't seem like any reason to do it. 279 00:13:35,640 --> 00:13:38,120 Speaker 4: Life was good, you know how it is when you're healthy, 280 00:13:38,320 --> 00:13:40,480 Speaker 4: last thing you do is think about going to the doctor. 281 00:13:40,880 --> 00:13:42,920 Speaker 4: And he told how he just kept pushing it down 282 00:13:42,960 --> 00:13:45,520 Speaker 4: month after month, but he would go to bed at 283 00:13:45,600 --> 00:13:49,240 Speaker 4: night almost feeling condemned because he knew down in here 284 00:13:49,320 --> 00:13:51,319 Speaker 4: he should go get that check up. Or to make 285 00:13:51,320 --> 00:13:54,800 Speaker 4: a long story short, unfortunately, one day his health started 286 00:13:54,840 --> 00:13:58,080 Speaker 4: going downhill. He lost a bunch of weight. We didn't 287 00:13:58,120 --> 00:14:00,400 Speaker 4: see him up at the gym for some time. When 288 00:14:00,400 --> 00:14:03,640 Speaker 4: he finally returned, we learned how he had been diagnosed 289 00:14:03,640 --> 00:14:06,440 Speaker 4: with a very serious illness. Now, of course we're praying 290 00:14:06,440 --> 00:14:08,440 Speaker 4: for him, we're believing it's going to change. But he 291 00:14:08,520 --> 00:14:11,200 Speaker 4: told me something so interesting. He said, Joel, when I 292 00:14:11,240 --> 00:14:13,640 Speaker 4: went to see the doctor, the first thing he said 293 00:14:13,640 --> 00:14:15,800 Speaker 4: to me was, Man, I wish you'd have God here 294 00:14:15,840 --> 00:14:18,600 Speaker 4: several years ago. We would have had so much better 295 00:14:18,640 --> 00:14:21,520 Speaker 4: of a chance to deal with this. See, he knew 296 00:14:21,640 --> 00:14:24,160 Speaker 4: in his heart what he should do. God was speaking 297 00:14:24,200 --> 00:14:26,640 Speaker 4: to him right down in here. He just chose not 298 00:14:26,760 --> 00:14:29,200 Speaker 4: to do it. And I don't say that to bring 299 00:14:29,320 --> 00:14:32,560 Speaker 4: fear of any kind. I'm simply saying, when we know 300 00:14:32,720 --> 00:14:35,240 Speaker 4: what's right, but we just keep putting it off, We're 301 00:14:35,280 --> 00:14:38,000 Speaker 4: always going to miss out on God's best. And yes, 302 00:14:38,160 --> 00:14:40,880 Speaker 4: I believe in healing. Yes, I know God can take 303 00:14:40,920 --> 00:14:44,000 Speaker 4: care of us. But I know also God expects us 304 00:14:44,120 --> 00:14:47,560 Speaker 4: to do our part. Now, I consider myself very healthy. 305 00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:50,080 Speaker 4: I'm a young man, but do you know every two 306 00:14:50,200 --> 00:14:53,200 Speaker 4: years I go and I have a full physical That's 307 00:14:53,240 --> 00:14:55,400 Speaker 4: what I feel good about. I'm not telling you to 308 00:14:55,440 --> 00:14:57,680 Speaker 4: do it, but I know when I don't do it, 309 00:14:57,800 --> 00:15:01,520 Speaker 4: I feel uneasy on the inside. My conscience is not clear. 310 00:15:01,840 --> 00:15:04,720 Speaker 4: Something down in here, says Joel. That's not right. You 311 00:15:04,800 --> 00:15:07,240 Speaker 4: need to take that precaution. And I don't do it 312 00:15:07,320 --> 00:15:09,920 Speaker 4: just for myself. I do it for my wife. I 313 00:15:09,960 --> 00:15:12,680 Speaker 4: do it for my children. And understand I don't like 314 00:15:12,840 --> 00:15:15,760 Speaker 4: doing it. There are a thousand things I'd rather be doing. 315 00:15:15,920 --> 00:15:18,080 Speaker 4: But I know when I don't do it, like I said, 316 00:15:18,080 --> 00:15:21,280 Speaker 4: there's an unrest on the inside. Well, he said, Joel, 317 00:15:21,320 --> 00:15:23,000 Speaker 4: I thought you were a man of faith. I thought 318 00:15:23,040 --> 00:15:26,120 Speaker 4: you believed in healing. Yes, I believe in healing, but 319 00:15:26,240 --> 00:15:29,160 Speaker 4: I also believe that if we'll take care of ourselves, 320 00:15:29,240 --> 00:15:31,600 Speaker 4: we may not need to be healed. And I would 321 00:15:31,640 --> 00:15:34,640 Speaker 4: rather live a healthy lifestyle than to have to try 322 00:15:34,680 --> 00:15:37,120 Speaker 4: to get healed all the time. And even though I 323 00:15:37,200 --> 00:15:39,320 Speaker 4: know that God can take care of us, I know 324 00:15:39,440 --> 00:15:42,880 Speaker 4: also that God has given us all common sense. And 325 00:15:42,920 --> 00:15:46,880 Speaker 4: the truth is, God uses doctors, he uses medicines, He 326 00:15:47,000 --> 00:15:50,120 Speaker 4: uses some of these new techniques to either prevent an 327 00:15:50,120 --> 00:15:53,440 Speaker 4: illness or to begin that healing process. And you know, 328 00:15:53,560 --> 00:15:56,560 Speaker 4: practically every doctor will tell you if you catch something 329 00:15:56,600 --> 00:15:59,600 Speaker 4: early on, it's a whole lot easier to deal with it. 330 00:16:00,000 --> 00:16:01,920 Speaker 4: And if you let it go for year after year, 331 00:16:02,320 --> 00:16:04,920 Speaker 4: and especially you ladies, you know how important it is 332 00:16:05,080 --> 00:16:07,600 Speaker 4: to have that regular checkup. And you may be busy, 333 00:16:07,920 --> 00:16:09,960 Speaker 4: there may be a lot going on in your life, 334 00:16:10,000 --> 00:16:12,600 Speaker 4: but you need to make that a priority. What I'm 335 00:16:12,640 --> 00:16:15,560 Speaker 4: saying to you today is quit putting off what you 336 00:16:15,720 --> 00:16:17,800 Speaker 4: know in your heart is the right thing to do. 337 00:16:18,520 --> 00:16:20,760 Speaker 4: Some of you are always putting off spending time with 338 00:16:20,800 --> 00:16:23,800 Speaker 4: your family. You're so busy, your work, all the time. 339 00:16:24,120 --> 00:16:27,600 Speaker 4: Your attitude is one day I'm gonna slow down and 340 00:16:27,720 --> 00:16:30,560 Speaker 4: enjoy these children that God has given me. Or one 341 00:16:30,600 --> 00:16:33,000 Speaker 4: day I'm gonna take that trip and go visit my 342 00:16:33,080 --> 00:16:35,760 Speaker 4: parents who are getting up there in age. One day 343 00:16:35,760 --> 00:16:37,760 Speaker 4: I'm gonna call that loved one that I've really been 344 00:16:37,800 --> 00:16:41,160 Speaker 4: thinking about. No, stop putting that off. Take time for 345 00:16:41,240 --> 00:16:44,080 Speaker 4: the people you love. You don't really know how long 346 00:16:44,120 --> 00:16:46,760 Speaker 4: they're gonna be there. I know, even with my father, 347 00:16:47,000 --> 00:16:49,160 Speaker 4: we never dreamed that he was going to go so quickly. 348 00:16:49,600 --> 00:16:52,160 Speaker 4: But I thank God that I spent time with him. 349 00:16:52,360 --> 00:16:55,280 Speaker 4: I can honestly say that I don't have any regrets. 350 00:16:55,280 --> 00:16:57,880 Speaker 4: But don't put that stuff off. I know one time 351 00:16:58,360 --> 00:17:00,040 Speaker 4: men came up to me in the front lobby and 352 00:17:00,160 --> 00:17:03,560 Speaker 4: he was just sobbing. He was probably in his early fifties, 353 00:17:03,800 --> 00:17:06,840 Speaker 4: and somehow he had gotten at odds with his parents. 354 00:17:07,359 --> 00:17:09,639 Speaker 4: They had done something that had offended him, and so 355 00:17:09,800 --> 00:17:12,680 Speaker 4: for several years he wouldn't have anything to do with them. 356 00:17:13,160 --> 00:17:16,600 Speaker 4: He was holding on to that unforgiveness, harboring that bitterness 357 00:17:16,600 --> 00:17:19,440 Speaker 4: on the inside, and he said something down in here 358 00:17:19,760 --> 00:17:22,879 Speaker 4: told him it wasn't right. He knew on the inside 359 00:17:22,920 --> 00:17:25,680 Speaker 4: he should just let it go be the bigger person, 360 00:17:25,800 --> 00:17:29,360 Speaker 4: forgive him, overlook their faults. But no, he wouldn't do it. 361 00:17:29,560 --> 00:17:32,760 Speaker 4: He was hard headed and his attitude was one day 362 00:17:32,880 --> 00:17:35,480 Speaker 4: I'll make things right, but right now I'm going to 363 00:17:35,560 --> 00:17:39,480 Speaker 4: show them well. Unfortunately, one day never came. His father 364 00:17:39,560 --> 00:17:42,560 Speaker 4: had a massive stroke and instantly he was gone. And 365 00:17:42,600 --> 00:17:44,680 Speaker 4: now he was sobbing. He was having to deal with 366 00:17:44,720 --> 00:17:47,560 Speaker 4: all the guilt and shame. You can imagine if he 367 00:17:47,600 --> 00:17:49,840 Speaker 4: had to do it again, he wouldn't have put it off. 368 00:17:49,880 --> 00:17:52,240 Speaker 4: He wouldn't have been so hard headed. And we have 369 00:17:52,320 --> 00:17:55,760 Speaker 4: to understand when people do us wrong, God expects us 370 00:17:55,760 --> 00:17:58,840 Speaker 4: to be the bigger person. God expects us to be 371 00:17:58,880 --> 00:18:01,240 Speaker 4: the ones to let it go. You've got to do 372 00:18:01,359 --> 00:18:04,680 Speaker 4: whatever you possibly can to keep the peace in your family. 373 00:18:05,359 --> 00:18:08,159 Speaker 4: Life is too short to go around holding a grudge. 374 00:18:08,400 --> 00:18:10,679 Speaker 4: It's too short to hold on to that anger and 375 00:18:10,800 --> 00:18:14,720 Speaker 4: unforgiveness and bitterness. Stop putting off forgiving the people that 376 00:18:14,760 --> 00:18:17,880 Speaker 4: have done you wrong, and stop putting off spending time 377 00:18:18,119 --> 00:18:21,120 Speaker 4: with the people that you love. So often we take 378 00:18:21,160 --> 00:18:23,920 Speaker 4: people for granted. Well, Joel, I am gonna go see 379 00:18:23,920 --> 00:18:26,600 Speaker 4: my parents when it slows down at the office, or 380 00:18:26,640 --> 00:18:28,560 Speaker 4: when my kids get through with baseball, or when I 381 00:18:28,560 --> 00:18:30,359 Speaker 4: get a little bit more money. But you know, the 382 00:18:30,400 --> 00:18:33,919 Speaker 4: scripture says in Ecclesiastes, if you wait for all the 383 00:18:34,000 --> 00:18:36,480 Speaker 4: conditions to be just right, you'll never get off a 384 00:18:36,480 --> 00:18:40,919 Speaker 4: dead sinner. That's saying that there probably will never be 385 00:18:41,080 --> 00:18:43,520 Speaker 4: a perfect time to do what God has put in 386 00:18:43,560 --> 00:18:46,080 Speaker 4: your heart. You've got to make a decision that you're 387 00:18:46,119 --> 00:18:48,320 Speaker 4: just gonna put your foot down and do it anyway, 388 00:18:48,880 --> 00:18:52,160 Speaker 4: and don't miss opportunities to be good to people. I'm 389 00:18:52,240 --> 00:18:55,639 Speaker 4: convinced that God is always putting things in our heart 390 00:18:55,800 --> 00:18:59,080 Speaker 4: that we can do for others. Be sensitive and don't 391 00:18:59,080 --> 00:19:02,320 Speaker 4: put that off. For instance, maybe God leads you to 392 00:19:02,359 --> 00:19:05,560 Speaker 4: give somebody a little money or to buy somebody's dinner, Well, 393 00:19:05,840 --> 00:19:08,880 Speaker 4: just do it, don't overanalyze it. Well, God, I think 394 00:19:08,920 --> 00:19:11,239 Speaker 4: I need the money more than they do. Is this 395 00:19:11,320 --> 00:19:13,159 Speaker 4: really you God? I better pray about this for a 396 00:19:13,160 --> 00:19:16,800 Speaker 4: couple of weeks. Now that's an excuse we use so often. 397 00:19:16,880 --> 00:19:19,080 Speaker 4: But what I happened is a couple weeks go by 398 00:19:19,680 --> 00:19:22,680 Speaker 4: and you'll forget all about it. God will have already 399 00:19:22,720 --> 00:19:25,639 Speaker 4: met that person's need through somebody else, and you'll have 400 00:19:25,760 --> 00:19:28,800 Speaker 4: missed out on that opportunity to be a blessing. I 401 00:19:28,840 --> 00:19:32,000 Speaker 4: know so many times down in here, somebody's name comes 402 00:19:32,080 --> 00:19:34,120 Speaker 4: up and I just know I should go call them 403 00:19:34,240 --> 00:19:37,159 Speaker 4: and encourage them. I feel so strongly about it, but 404 00:19:37,200 --> 00:19:39,720 Speaker 4: I'm in the middle of watching the ball game. It's 405 00:19:39,760 --> 00:19:42,280 Speaker 4: the fourth quarter. Man, I can't go in there. I 406 00:19:42,320 --> 00:19:44,719 Speaker 4: can't go write myself a note. I might miss something. 407 00:19:45,280 --> 00:19:47,760 Speaker 4: How many times have I known what I should do 408 00:19:48,080 --> 00:19:50,200 Speaker 4: and I've said, yeah, God, I'm gonna do that later. 409 00:19:50,640 --> 00:19:53,639 Speaker 4: Maybe I'll call them tomorrow, or maybe even I'll invite 410 00:19:53,680 --> 00:19:56,919 Speaker 4: them out to eat dinner next week. I had good intentions, 411 00:19:57,000 --> 00:19:59,520 Speaker 4: but you know, as well as I do, things get busy. 412 00:20:00,000 --> 00:20:02,199 Speaker 4: I got other things to deal with, and we end 413 00:20:02,280 --> 00:20:04,680 Speaker 4: up missing out on sowing that seed for a blessing. 414 00:20:05,240 --> 00:20:07,439 Speaker 4: I've learned now when that comes up, I've got to 415 00:20:07,440 --> 00:20:09,520 Speaker 4: do it right. Then. If I can't get them on 416 00:20:09,520 --> 00:20:11,960 Speaker 4: the phone, I'll leave a message on my voicemail at 417 00:20:12,000 --> 00:20:14,880 Speaker 4: the office. Ask one of my assistants, Hey, send these 418 00:20:14,880 --> 00:20:16,840 Speaker 4: guys a note. Let them know we're thinking of them. 419 00:20:16,880 --> 00:20:19,760 Speaker 4: See if there's anything we can do to help friends. 420 00:20:19,760 --> 00:20:22,760 Speaker 4: We miss so many opportunities to be good to people 421 00:20:23,119 --> 00:20:27,000 Speaker 4: simply because we procrastinate. And if every one of us 422 00:20:27,080 --> 00:20:29,600 Speaker 4: would do what God has put in our heart for others. 423 00:20:29,760 --> 00:20:31,959 Speaker 4: You can imagine what kind of world this place would be. 424 00:20:32,720 --> 00:20:34,919 Speaker 4: Let me ask you, what are you putting off today? 425 00:20:35,600 --> 00:20:38,119 Speaker 4: What areas is God dealing with you in? Are you 426 00:20:38,160 --> 00:20:41,000 Speaker 4: putting off being good to people? Are you putting off 427 00:20:41,040 --> 00:20:44,399 Speaker 4: taking steps to break that addiction? I know people that 428 00:20:44,440 --> 00:20:48,080 Speaker 4: are always putting off being happy. Their attitude is one 429 00:20:48,160 --> 00:20:50,920 Speaker 4: day I'm gonna start enjoying my life, Joel, as soon 430 00:20:50,960 --> 00:20:52,680 Speaker 4: as I get out of these problems and I'm gonna 431 00:20:52,680 --> 00:20:55,320 Speaker 4: be happy, Or as soon as I get that promotion, 432 00:20:55,840 --> 00:20:58,280 Speaker 4: as soon as I retire, as soon as I get married, 433 00:20:58,280 --> 00:21:01,480 Speaker 4: then I'm gonna really enjoy my life. No, let me 434 00:21:01,560 --> 00:21:04,120 Speaker 4: challenge you to start enjoying your life right where you are. 435 00:21:04,760 --> 00:21:06,920 Speaker 4: Things may not be perfect, You may not have all 436 00:21:06,920 --> 00:21:09,440 Speaker 4: the money that you want. Your kids may not all 437 00:21:09,480 --> 00:21:11,760 Speaker 4: be making straight a's. But you need to get up 438 00:21:11,800 --> 00:21:14,200 Speaker 4: and say, with the Psalmist David, this is the day 439 00:21:14,240 --> 00:21:17,080 Speaker 4: the Lord has made and I'm gonna enjoy it. Friends, 440 00:21:17,119 --> 00:21:19,240 Speaker 4: You've got to learn to bloom right where you're planning. 441 00:21:20,200 --> 00:21:23,199 Speaker 4: I love what the apostle Paul said. He said, I 442 00:21:23,240 --> 00:21:26,879 Speaker 4: have learned how to be content. In every situation. That 443 00:21:27,040 --> 00:21:29,399 Speaker 4: means you've got to quit looking at what's wrong in 444 00:21:29,440 --> 00:21:32,360 Speaker 4: your life and start looking at what's right. You need 445 00:21:32,359 --> 00:21:35,240 Speaker 4: to quit complaining about what you don't have, and let's 446 00:21:35,240 --> 00:21:38,399 Speaker 4: start thinking God for what you do have. And every 447 00:21:38,520 --> 00:21:42,120 Speaker 4: day that you live negative and unhappy is a day 448 00:21:42,160 --> 00:21:44,840 Speaker 4: that you've wasted. And what a shame to waste what 449 00:21:44,960 --> 00:21:47,640 Speaker 4: God has given us. Why don't you make a decision 450 00:21:47,680 --> 00:21:50,360 Speaker 4: before you leave today that you're not going to live 451 00:21:50,359 --> 00:21:54,520 Speaker 4: another minute being down and discourage, stop putting off your happiness, 452 00:21:54,840 --> 00:21:57,959 Speaker 4: and start enjoying your life. It's a decision that you 453 00:21:58,000 --> 00:22:01,359 Speaker 4: can make. Some people are always put off making peace 454 00:22:01,400 --> 00:22:04,439 Speaker 4: with God. I can't think of any area worse to 455 00:22:04,480 --> 00:22:08,720 Speaker 4: procrastinate in than this area. People tell me all the time, Joel, 456 00:22:08,880 --> 00:22:11,399 Speaker 4: I know I need to get back in church. I 457 00:22:11,480 --> 00:22:14,520 Speaker 4: know I need to start living right, making better choices, 458 00:22:14,600 --> 00:22:17,800 Speaker 4: resisting this temptation. It's just not the right time. But 459 00:22:17,880 --> 00:22:20,280 Speaker 4: one day you're going to see me in there. People 460 00:22:20,320 --> 00:22:23,440 Speaker 4: tell me, Joel, as soon as I break all these addictions, 461 00:22:23,680 --> 00:22:25,680 Speaker 4: as soon as I get rid of these bad habits, 462 00:22:25,840 --> 00:22:28,760 Speaker 4: then I'll be there. But really, you've got it backwards. 463 00:22:29,040 --> 00:22:31,520 Speaker 4: You've got to come to God just as you are, 464 00:22:31,640 --> 00:22:34,959 Speaker 4: and he'll help you get your life cleaned up. Really, 465 00:22:35,040 --> 00:22:37,800 Speaker 4: I don't believe that you can break those addictions without 466 00:22:37,800 --> 00:22:40,879 Speaker 4: God's health. Well, you say, Joel, I'd get back in church, 467 00:22:40,920 --> 00:22:43,920 Speaker 4: but somebody in the church hurt me growing up. Man, 468 00:22:43,960 --> 00:22:46,480 Speaker 4: that pastor. He did our family wrong. No, you've got 469 00:22:46,520 --> 00:22:49,000 Speaker 4: to get your eyes off of people. People will let 470 00:22:49,040 --> 00:22:52,439 Speaker 4: you down, people will fail you. Listen, I'm only human. 471 00:22:52,520 --> 00:22:54,560 Speaker 4: I may disappoint you, I hope not. But I can 472 00:22:54,600 --> 00:22:57,240 Speaker 4: tell you this. God will never disappoint you. He'll never 473 00:22:57,320 --> 00:23:00,879 Speaker 4: let you down. And the only way this You're going 474 00:23:00,920 --> 00:23:04,200 Speaker 4: to be ultimately happy in life is by making peace 475 00:23:04,240 --> 00:23:07,040 Speaker 4: with the creator of the universe. The trick of the 476 00:23:07,160 --> 00:23:10,440 Speaker 4: enemy is to tell you do it tomorrow. You can 477 00:23:10,480 --> 00:23:12,800 Speaker 4: do it some of the time. You can do it 478 00:23:12,840 --> 00:23:14,680 Speaker 4: after you get out of college. Man, these are your 479 00:23:14,720 --> 00:23:18,520 Speaker 4: party years. Do it later. No, don't believe those lies. 480 00:23:18,720 --> 00:23:22,640 Speaker 4: The scripture says, today is the day of salvation. Today 481 00:23:22,920 --> 00:23:25,000 Speaker 4: is the day we need to make changes in our life. 482 00:23:25,840 --> 00:23:28,720 Speaker 4: I heard a little fictitious story about these three demons, 483 00:23:28,720 --> 00:23:31,719 Speaker 4: and they were about to graduate from their training. They 484 00:23:31,720 --> 00:23:34,439 Speaker 4: were taking their final exams, and so Satan came to 485 00:23:34,480 --> 00:23:36,119 Speaker 4: the first one, and he said what are you going 486 00:23:36,200 --> 00:23:39,159 Speaker 4: to do to deceive people? And he said, Satan, I'm 487 00:23:39,200 --> 00:23:41,560 Speaker 4: going to tell people that there's not a God. It's 488 00:23:41,600 --> 00:23:44,240 Speaker 4: just a big thing that somebody made up. Satan shook 489 00:23:44,280 --> 00:23:46,159 Speaker 4: his head and said, you're not gonna have much success. 490 00:23:46,320 --> 00:23:49,040 Speaker 4: Everybody's going to believe that there's a God. He went 491 00:23:49,080 --> 00:23:50,639 Speaker 4: to the next one and he asked him what's going 492 00:23:50,720 --> 00:23:53,600 Speaker 4: to be your strategy to deceive. He said, Satan, I'm 493 00:23:53,600 --> 00:23:56,200 Speaker 4: going to tell people that there's no heaven, there's no hell. 494 00:23:56,320 --> 00:23:59,840 Speaker 4: This life is all there is. Satan again shook his head, 495 00:23:59,640 --> 00:24:01,240 Speaker 4: said you're not going to have much of an impact. 496 00:24:01,280 --> 00:24:03,520 Speaker 4: Everybody's going to know there's more than just this life. 497 00:24:04,080 --> 00:24:06,320 Speaker 4: He went to the third one a little bit disgusted, 498 00:24:06,359 --> 00:24:08,679 Speaker 4: and he said, what's going to be your strategy to deceive? 499 00:24:09,320 --> 00:24:11,800 Speaker 4: He said, Satan, I'm going to tell people that there's 500 00:24:11,840 --> 00:24:15,080 Speaker 4: no hurry, they can do it later. Yes, God is real, 501 00:24:15,160 --> 00:24:16,880 Speaker 4: Yes he's a good god. He's got a good plan, 502 00:24:17,200 --> 00:24:20,439 Speaker 4: but you can make the decision some other time. Satan 503 00:24:20,520 --> 00:24:24,240 Speaker 4: smiled and said, you, my friend, are going to deceive millions. See, 504 00:24:24,280 --> 00:24:27,000 Speaker 4: the trick of the enemy is to have us put 505 00:24:27,040 --> 00:24:30,560 Speaker 4: it off. God I'll clean up my life tomorrow. God, 506 00:24:30,600 --> 00:24:33,800 Speaker 4: I'll forgive that person next week. God, I'm gonna take 507 00:24:33,840 --> 00:24:36,280 Speaker 4: that step of faith when it's a little more convenient. 508 00:24:36,800 --> 00:24:40,000 Speaker 4: So don't fall into that trap. The scripture says, Now 509 00:24:40,359 --> 00:24:43,639 Speaker 4: faith is God is a god of the now and 510 00:24:43,760 --> 00:24:46,600 Speaker 4: whatever area he may be dealing with you in, do 511 00:24:46,680 --> 00:24:49,639 Speaker 4: it right, then that's the only way you're going to 512 00:24:49,720 --> 00:24:53,520 Speaker 4: experience his abundant life. Some of you today may wonder 513 00:24:53,600 --> 00:24:55,480 Speaker 4: why you're not as happy as you should be. You 514 00:24:55,600 --> 00:24:58,520 Speaker 4: know you should be more fulfilled. Well, it may be 515 00:24:58,760 --> 00:25:01,400 Speaker 4: simply because you're not doing what you know you should 516 00:25:01,480 --> 00:25:04,119 Speaker 4: be doing. Down in here. You keep pushing down what 517 00:25:04,160 --> 00:25:07,040 Speaker 4: God is bringing up. And God will not force us 518 00:25:07,040 --> 00:25:09,680 Speaker 4: to live in victory. He's given us all our own 519 00:25:09,800 --> 00:25:13,080 Speaker 4: free will. We have to choose, and it's not a 520 00:25:13,119 --> 00:25:16,439 Speaker 4: one time choice. Every day you've got to choose to 521 00:25:16,480 --> 00:25:19,199 Speaker 4: listen to your conscience, to be good to people, to 522 00:25:19,280 --> 00:25:23,880 Speaker 4: resist that temptation. It's an ongoing process. I can tell you. 523 00:25:24,040 --> 00:25:27,280 Speaker 4: Human nature always wants to put it off, do it later. 524 00:25:27,600 --> 00:25:29,359 Speaker 4: And that's what the story is all about. There in 525 00:25:29,359 --> 00:25:33,000 Speaker 4: the Book of HAGII, in chapter one, God had spoken 526 00:25:33,040 --> 00:25:36,320 Speaker 4: to these people about building the temple. But in verse 527 00:25:36,480 --> 00:25:40,320 Speaker 4: two of chapter one, the people said, the time has 528 00:25:40,400 --> 00:25:43,720 Speaker 4: not yet come for the Lord's house to be rebuilt, 529 00:25:44,280 --> 00:25:48,960 Speaker 4: even though Cyrus had ordered it sixteen years earlier. Notice 530 00:25:49,000 --> 00:25:51,919 Speaker 4: sixteen years before God told them to do it. But 531 00:25:52,000 --> 00:25:54,800 Speaker 4: they're still saying it's not the right time. We'll do 532 00:25:54,840 --> 00:25:58,200 Speaker 4: it later. God, we're just too busy. When they first 533 00:25:58,240 --> 00:26:00,760 Speaker 4: put that off, I don't really believe they ever planned 534 00:26:00,800 --> 00:26:03,080 Speaker 4: on putting it off for sixteen years, but it just 535 00:26:03,200 --> 00:26:06,560 Speaker 4: kept growing. Well, this is not a good year. It's 536 00:26:06,600 --> 00:26:09,560 Speaker 4: not convenient. The next year rolled around. Now, let's don't 537 00:26:09,560 --> 00:26:11,480 Speaker 4: do it this year. Man, I got too much going on. 538 00:26:12,160 --> 00:26:14,359 Speaker 4: That's what we do so many times. We'll take care 539 00:26:14,400 --> 00:26:17,160 Speaker 4: of it next month, but not right now. The next 540 00:26:17,200 --> 00:26:19,600 Speaker 4: month rolls around. Oh yeah, God, I'm gonna deal with that, 541 00:26:19,680 --> 00:26:21,879 Speaker 4: but let me do it a little bit later. And 542 00:26:21,920 --> 00:26:24,560 Speaker 4: too often, just like these people, we look up and 543 00:26:24,600 --> 00:26:27,560 Speaker 4: we put something off for a year, for five years, 544 00:26:27,720 --> 00:26:30,959 Speaker 4: even ten years. These people put it off for sixteen years. 545 00:26:31,680 --> 00:26:35,199 Speaker 4: And notice what happens when we procrastinate. The prophet Hagia 546 00:26:35,240 --> 00:26:38,679 Speaker 4: I said in verse six, you have sown much, but 547 00:26:38,760 --> 00:26:42,320 Speaker 4: you have reaped little. You have earned your wages, but 548 00:26:42,440 --> 00:26:44,719 Speaker 4: you're putting them in a bag with holes in it. 549 00:26:45,320 --> 00:26:47,840 Speaker 4: He said in verse five, you need to consider your ways. 550 00:26:48,640 --> 00:26:51,680 Speaker 4: If you're not happy today. You're working all the time, 551 00:26:51,680 --> 00:26:53,600 Speaker 4: but you can't seem to get on top, you can't 552 00:26:53,600 --> 00:26:56,800 Speaker 4: seem to get ahead. You need to consider your ways. 553 00:26:57,240 --> 00:26:59,639 Speaker 4: When we put off what we know we should be doing, 554 00:27:00,040 --> 00:27:01,760 Speaker 4: it's just like we're trying to fill up a bag 555 00:27:01,800 --> 00:27:04,400 Speaker 4: that's got holes in it. The point of this story 556 00:27:04,760 --> 00:27:06,720 Speaker 4: is do what God tells you to do right then. 557 00:27:07,320 --> 00:27:10,639 Speaker 4: Don't make excuses, don't look for a more convenient time, 558 00:27:11,160 --> 00:27:14,080 Speaker 4: Just do it. I don't know. Maybe you procrastinate those 559 00:27:14,080 --> 00:27:16,800 Speaker 4: small areas like I mentioned, you know, cleaning your house, 560 00:27:16,880 --> 00:27:20,760 Speaker 4: mowing the lawn. You go around condemned. Don't make changes today. 561 00:27:21,160 --> 00:27:24,200 Speaker 4: It's no use living like that. Just do it. If 562 00:27:24,200 --> 00:27:26,760 Speaker 4: in your heart you know you're supposed to forgive somebody, 563 00:27:27,080 --> 00:27:30,159 Speaker 4: quit contemplating it, quit reasoning it all out, and just 564 00:27:30,200 --> 00:27:32,040 Speaker 4: do it. If you know you need to get on 565 00:27:32,040 --> 00:27:36,840 Speaker 4: that exercise program, quit making excuses and just do it. Really, 566 00:27:36,880 --> 00:27:39,320 Speaker 4: that's a good phrase. We ought to always remember when 567 00:27:39,320 --> 00:27:41,639 Speaker 4: God speaks to our heart, when we know it right 568 00:27:41,720 --> 00:27:44,639 Speaker 4: down in here in our conscience, our attitude should be God. 569 00:27:44,840 --> 00:27:48,480 Speaker 4: I'm going to just do it and remember good intentions, 570 00:27:48,520 --> 00:27:51,320 Speaker 4: planning on doing it like these people. That's not obedience. 571 00:27:51,320 --> 00:27:53,920 Speaker 4: You've got to do it right then. I believe even 572 00:27:53,960 --> 00:27:56,520 Speaker 4: now God's speaking to some of you about areas you've 573 00:27:56,520 --> 00:27:58,480 Speaker 4: been putting off, and I don't want any of you 574 00:27:58,560 --> 00:28:01,640 Speaker 4: to take it as condemnation. That's God trying to take 575 00:28:01,680 --> 00:28:03,879 Speaker 4: you to a higher level. And if you'll just do 576 00:28:03,960 --> 00:28:07,040 Speaker 4: your part today and be quick to obey and don't 577 00:28:07,040 --> 00:28:10,119 Speaker 4: fall into the procrastination trap, then you won't have a 578 00:28:10,160 --> 00:28:12,680 Speaker 4: bag with holes in it. And God do his part, 579 00:28:12,720 --> 00:28:15,440 Speaker 4: he'll pour out his blessings in favor and you'll experience 580 00:28:15,440 --> 00:28:20,000 Speaker 4: the abundant life he has in story. Amen, we never 581 00:28:20,119 --> 00:28:23,320 Speaker 4: like to close all broadcast without giving you an opportunity 582 00:28:23,440 --> 00:28:26,000 Speaker 4: to make Jesus the lord of your life. Would you 583 00:28:26,000 --> 00:28:30,280 Speaker 4: pray with me? Just say it, Lord, Jesus, I repent 584 00:28:30,320 --> 00:28:34,840 Speaker 4: of my sins. Come into my heart. I make you 585 00:28:34,920 --> 00:28:39,120 Speaker 4: my Lord and savior. Friends, if you prayed that simple prayer, 586 00:28:39,200 --> 00:28:41,520 Speaker 4: we believe you got born again. Get in a good 587 00:28:41,560 --> 00:28:44,760 Speaker 4: Bible based church, keep God first place. He's going to 588 00:28:44,800 --> 00:28:47,680 Speaker 4: take your places that you've never dreamed of. Thanks so 589 00:28:47,800 --> 00:28:51,120 Speaker 4: much for listening to today's message. I hope you'll subscribe 590 00:28:51,280 --> 00:28:54,000 Speaker 4: so you can receive the latest podcast to keep you 591 00:28:54,120 --> 00:28:56,240 Speaker 4: encouraged and inspired all through the week. 592 00:28:56,400 --> 00:28:58,600 Speaker 5: Help us to continue to share the message of hope 593 00:28:58,640 --> 00:29:02,120 Speaker 5: with those all around the world. Visit Joelosting dot com 594 00:29:02,200 --> 00:29:04,840 Speaker 5: or click the link in the description to partner with 595 00:29:04,920 --> 00:29:05,440 Speaker 5: us today. 596 00:29:05,680 --> 00:29:08,120 Speaker 4: We hope you'll share this message with a friend and 597 00:29:08,200 --> 00:29:11,040 Speaker 4: be sure to follow us on social media. We're praying 598 00:29:11,080 --> 00:29:14,200 Speaker 4: for you. I know God's best is still ahead. We'll 599 00:29:14,200 --> 00:29:15,000 Speaker 4: see you next time. 600 00:29:18,560 --> 00:29:22,320 Speaker 2: All inclusive vacations make life easy with endless aids, bottomless drinks, 601 00:29:22,320 --> 00:29:24,840 Speaker 2: and never ending fun, so booking at all inclusive vacation 602 00:29:24,920 --> 00:29:25,760 Speaker 2: should be easy too. 603 00:29:26,000 --> 00:29:26,360 Speaker 4: Write. 604 00:29:26,480 --> 00:29:29,200 Speaker 2: That's where Apple Vacations comes in. 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