1 00:00:00,440 --> 00:00:02,720 Speaker 1: It's so great to have you with us today. We 2 00:00:02,800 --> 00:00:03,720 Speaker 1: love you, guys. 3 00:00:03,880 --> 00:00:07,000 Speaker 2: We're praying you're going to have a beautiful month of March, 4 00:00:07,080 --> 00:00:09,479 Speaker 2: and just speaking blessings in favor of each one of you. 5 00:00:09,760 --> 00:00:13,920 Speaker 3: This time of year is just new beginnings, new spring seasons, 6 00:00:13,960 --> 00:00:16,000 Speaker 3: and so if we are believing that this will be 7 00:00:16,000 --> 00:00:20,000 Speaker 3: a newness of joy in your heart, so no today 8 00:00:20,040 --> 00:00:23,720 Speaker 3: we are praying for you and we love you well. 9 00:00:23,760 --> 00:00:26,560 Speaker 4: God bless you. It's a joy to come into your 10 00:00:26,600 --> 00:00:28,840 Speaker 4: homes and we come with good news. 11 00:00:29,000 --> 00:00:31,320 Speaker 2: We know God is on your side and he has 12 00:00:31,360 --> 00:00:34,320 Speaker 2: a great plan for your life. And I trust today 13 00:00:34,360 --> 00:00:36,879 Speaker 2: that you're gonna be blessed and encouraged. And if you're 14 00:00:36,880 --> 00:00:39,320 Speaker 2: ever in our area, please stop by and see us. 15 00:00:39,400 --> 00:00:41,000 Speaker 2: We'd love to have you be a part of one 16 00:00:41,040 --> 00:00:43,520 Speaker 2: of our services. I promise you we'll make you feel 17 00:00:43,600 --> 00:00:45,839 Speaker 2: right at home. But thank you so much for tuning in, 18 00:00:45,920 --> 00:00:48,680 Speaker 2: thanks for coming out today. Once again, I'd like to 19 00:00:48,680 --> 00:00:51,479 Speaker 2: start with something funny. And I heard about this young lady. 20 00:00:51,800 --> 00:00:54,920 Speaker 2: She brought her fiance home to meet her parents and 21 00:00:54,920 --> 00:00:57,200 Speaker 2: the dad said, okay, son, tell me a little about yourself. 22 00:00:57,240 --> 00:00:57,800 Speaker 4: What do you do? 23 00:00:58,200 --> 00:01:01,080 Speaker 2: And he said, well, sir, I'm a Bible. Scot Dad 24 00:01:01,120 --> 00:01:03,520 Speaker 2: said that's great, but how are you going to provide 25 00:01:03,520 --> 00:01:05,880 Speaker 2: for my daughter? He said, well, I'm going to study 26 00:01:05,920 --> 00:01:09,520 Speaker 2: my Bible and I know God will provide. He said, well, 27 00:01:09,560 --> 00:01:11,399 Speaker 2: find but how are you going to buy her an 28 00:01:11,440 --> 00:01:14,360 Speaker 2: engagement ring? He said, well, I know when I focus 29 00:01:14,400 --> 00:01:18,119 Speaker 2: on my studies that God will provide. He said, well, 30 00:01:18,160 --> 00:01:19,960 Speaker 2: in a few years, y'all may have children. How you 31 00:01:20,040 --> 00:01:22,559 Speaker 2: going to provide for them? He said, sir, please don't 32 00:01:22,560 --> 00:01:26,160 Speaker 2: worry about it. God will provide. Later that night, the 33 00:01:26,200 --> 00:01:29,000 Speaker 2: man's wife asked him how the talk went with their 34 00:01:29,040 --> 00:01:31,280 Speaker 2: future son in law, and he said, not too good. 35 00:01:31,560 --> 00:01:34,560 Speaker 2: He has no plans, no job, and he thinks that 36 00:01:34,640 --> 00:01:39,959 Speaker 2: I'm God. All right, hold up your Bible. Say it 37 00:01:40,040 --> 00:01:43,160 Speaker 2: like you mean it. This is my Bible. I am 38 00:01:43,240 --> 00:01:45,800 Speaker 2: what it says I am. I have what it says 39 00:01:45,800 --> 00:01:48,560 Speaker 2: I have. I can do what it says I can do. 40 00:01:49,040 --> 00:01:51,960 Speaker 2: Today I will be taught the word of God. I 41 00:01:52,080 --> 00:01:56,600 Speaker 2: boldly confess. My mind is alert, my heart is receptive. 42 00:01:57,000 --> 00:02:00,600 Speaker 2: I will never be the same. In Jesus' name, God 43 00:02:00,640 --> 00:02:04,040 Speaker 2: bless you. I want to talk to you today about 44 00:02:04,080 --> 00:02:07,560 Speaker 2: the importance of not getting stagnant in life. 45 00:02:07,640 --> 00:02:09,360 Speaker 4: It's so easy to get stuck. 46 00:02:09,120 --> 00:02:12,280 Speaker 2: In a rut to where we're not growing, our marriage 47 00:02:12,360 --> 00:02:16,280 Speaker 2: becomes stale, our finances are not increasing, we're not as 48 00:02:16,320 --> 00:02:19,160 Speaker 2: happy as we know we should be. And the problem 49 00:02:19,280 --> 00:02:22,880 Speaker 2: is we become stagnant, and many times we just kind 50 00:02:22,919 --> 00:02:25,200 Speaker 2: of sit back and we learn to live with things 51 00:02:25,280 --> 00:02:27,840 Speaker 2: that are less than God's best. But I want to 52 00:02:27,880 --> 00:02:31,960 Speaker 2: stir your faith today. You can rise higher, you can 53 00:02:32,000 --> 00:02:35,440 Speaker 2: be happier, you can have a better marriage, a more 54 00:02:35,480 --> 00:02:36,679 Speaker 2: fulfilled life. 55 00:02:36,840 --> 00:02:39,720 Speaker 4: God has more in store for every one of us. 56 00:02:40,120 --> 00:02:43,679 Speaker 2: His dream is that we would continually be growing, that 57 00:02:43,760 --> 00:02:44,919 Speaker 2: we'd always. 58 00:02:44,520 --> 00:02:47,040 Speaker 4: Be increasing and reaching for new heights. 59 00:02:47,600 --> 00:02:49,560 Speaker 2: But if this is going to happen, we've got to 60 00:02:49,639 --> 00:02:51,839 Speaker 2: learn how to shake off complacency. 61 00:02:52,280 --> 00:02:53,840 Speaker 4: We've got to get out of these ruts. 62 00:02:54,520 --> 00:02:57,480 Speaker 2: There's a law found all through the Bible called the 63 00:02:57,600 --> 00:03:01,720 Speaker 2: law of sowing and reaping. Basically says what we sow, 64 00:03:02,080 --> 00:03:04,760 Speaker 2: we're going to reap. And if we keep doing the 65 00:03:04,800 --> 00:03:08,320 Speaker 2: same thing the same way year after year, then we're going. 66 00:03:08,280 --> 00:03:10,040 Speaker 4: To keep reaping the same things. 67 00:03:10,600 --> 00:03:13,040 Speaker 2: If you want to see change, you have to get 68 00:03:13,080 --> 00:03:16,000 Speaker 2: out of your routine. You've got to do something that 69 00:03:16,240 --> 00:03:19,720 Speaker 2: stretches you, something to where you have to press beyond 70 00:03:19,800 --> 00:03:24,000 Speaker 2: the norm. I call it sowing an extraordinary seed. 71 00:03:24,480 --> 00:03:26,280 Speaker 4: And it may not be something difficult. 72 00:03:26,520 --> 00:03:29,400 Speaker 2: You can smile more often for some of you, that 73 00:03:29,440 --> 00:03:33,040 Speaker 2: would be an extraordinary seed. You can get to work 74 00:03:33,080 --> 00:03:37,560 Speaker 2: five minutes earlier, come to church more consistently, forgive a 75 00:03:37,600 --> 00:03:41,839 Speaker 2: little quicker, not get upset so easily. Those are all 76 00:03:41,960 --> 00:03:46,360 Speaker 2: extraordinary seeds that will allow God to do the extraordinary 77 00:03:46,440 --> 00:03:49,400 Speaker 2: in your own life. But you cannot keep doing the 78 00:03:49,440 --> 00:03:53,600 Speaker 2: same thing the same way and expect to get different results. 79 00:03:54,080 --> 00:03:56,080 Speaker 2: If you want to be happier, if you want to 80 00:03:56,120 --> 00:03:58,440 Speaker 2: have a better marriage, if you want to see increase, 81 00:03:58,760 --> 00:03:59,400 Speaker 2: it all. 82 00:03:59,200 --> 00:04:01,160 Speaker 4: Starts you sowing a seed. 83 00:04:01,880 --> 00:04:03,880 Speaker 2: Now, a lot of times we're just kind of waiting 84 00:04:03,880 --> 00:04:06,120 Speaker 2: for God to bless us. We're waiting for God to 85 00:04:06,160 --> 00:04:08,920 Speaker 2: increase us. But we have to give God something to 86 00:04:08,960 --> 00:04:09,360 Speaker 2: work with. 87 00:04:10,240 --> 00:04:11,280 Speaker 4: For instance, if. 88 00:04:11,200 --> 00:04:14,240 Speaker 2: You want a better relationship with your family, why don't 89 00:04:14,280 --> 00:04:16,960 Speaker 2: you sow a seed by turning that TV off an 90 00:04:16,960 --> 00:04:20,080 Speaker 2: hour at night and spending that same time together. It's 91 00:04:20,200 --> 00:04:24,240 Speaker 2: just something small, but you're out of your routine, you're stretching, 92 00:04:24,320 --> 00:04:25,719 Speaker 2: you're going beyond the norm. 93 00:04:26,080 --> 00:04:27,560 Speaker 4: God always rewards that. 94 00:04:28,400 --> 00:04:31,840 Speaker 2: Or maybe you get up and pray ten minutes every morning, Well, 95 00:04:31,880 --> 00:04:35,360 Speaker 2: let me challenge it a pray fifteen, just an extra 96 00:04:35,480 --> 00:04:37,320 Speaker 2: five minutes, and watch what God. 97 00:04:37,160 --> 00:04:37,839 Speaker 4: Will begin to do. 98 00:04:38,440 --> 00:04:41,760 Speaker 2: Maybe you normally give ten percent of your income, Well 99 00:04:41,760 --> 00:04:43,880 Speaker 2: why don't you stretch your faith and give just a 100 00:04:43,920 --> 00:04:46,800 Speaker 2: little bit more and just watch and see if God 101 00:04:46,839 --> 00:04:50,200 Speaker 2: doesn't begin to do extraordinary things in your life. Maybe 102 00:04:50,240 --> 00:04:52,000 Speaker 2: you have a child that's hard to get along with. 103 00:04:52,480 --> 00:04:55,000 Speaker 2: He's always getting you down, kind of stealing your joy. 104 00:04:55,440 --> 00:04:57,960 Speaker 2: Well you need to sow a seed of being more patient. 105 00:04:58,640 --> 00:05:01,520 Speaker 2: Just make a decision. I'm not gonna be so uptight 106 00:05:01,560 --> 00:05:03,920 Speaker 2: about this. I'm not gonna let him steal my joy. 107 00:05:03,960 --> 00:05:05,600 Speaker 2: I'm not gonna let him get me upset. I'm gonna 108 00:05:05,640 --> 00:05:09,839 Speaker 2: be more understanding. That's an extraordinary seed that God can reward. 109 00:05:10,320 --> 00:05:12,159 Speaker 2: But I want us to get out of these ruts. 110 00:05:12,440 --> 00:05:16,720 Speaker 2: Doesn't matter who we are. Over time, anyone can get complacent. 111 00:05:17,360 --> 00:05:20,640 Speaker 2: And I found that human nature is too easily satisfied. 112 00:05:21,279 --> 00:05:24,520 Speaker 2: We have to constantly make sure that we're staying fresh 113 00:05:24,560 --> 00:05:28,839 Speaker 2: and that we're pressing beyond the status quo, especially in 114 00:05:28,880 --> 00:05:32,640 Speaker 2: our relationships. I know people today their marriage is as 115 00:05:32,720 --> 00:05:36,440 Speaker 2: stale as it can be. It's not growing. They don't 116 00:05:36,520 --> 00:05:39,320 Speaker 2: enjoy each other anymore. They've lost that spark. 117 00:05:40,000 --> 00:05:43,040 Speaker 4: And the sad thing is they're not doing anything about it. 118 00:05:43,120 --> 00:05:45,960 Speaker 4: They're just accepting it. Well, Joel, this is just the 119 00:05:45,960 --> 00:05:49,120 Speaker 4: way it is. We don't have anything in common. He 120 00:05:49,160 --> 00:05:50,520 Speaker 4: doesn't like to do what I like. 121 00:05:51,120 --> 00:05:53,400 Speaker 2: Or if she would start treating me better, then things 122 00:05:53,400 --> 00:05:54,120 Speaker 2: would be different. 123 00:05:54,920 --> 00:05:56,599 Speaker 4: Now, quit waiting for that other. 124 00:05:56,480 --> 00:05:59,560 Speaker 2: Person to change, and you do what you can to 125 00:05:59,600 --> 00:06:00,799 Speaker 2: make your marriage better. 126 00:06:01,120 --> 00:06:02,960 Speaker 4: Sow in extra ordinary seed. 127 00:06:03,720 --> 00:06:07,040 Speaker 2: Start treating that person with more respect than ever before. 128 00:06:07,680 --> 00:06:08,240 Speaker 4: Go out of. 129 00:06:08,200 --> 00:06:11,279 Speaker 2: Your way to do kind things for them, be more 130 00:06:11,400 --> 00:06:14,320 Speaker 2: fun to be around. You got to do something out 131 00:06:14,360 --> 00:06:18,160 Speaker 2: of your normal routine. I know a while back, Victory 132 00:06:18,200 --> 00:06:20,880 Speaker 2: and I had been very busy traveling a lot, and 133 00:06:21,040 --> 00:06:24,200 Speaker 2: we hadn't spent much time together, and so I decided 134 00:06:24,200 --> 00:06:27,520 Speaker 2: to do something out of the ordinary, something just to 135 00:06:27,600 --> 00:06:29,279 Speaker 2: let her know that I was thinking about her. 136 00:06:29,680 --> 00:06:31,720 Speaker 4: And so I had flowers delivered to. 137 00:06:31,680 --> 00:06:35,920 Speaker 2: Her every Monday morning for one month, just something different. 138 00:06:36,520 --> 00:06:38,640 Speaker 2: It's funny when she first opened up the card to 139 00:06:38,680 --> 00:06:41,000 Speaker 2: see who they were from, she said, oh, look, Joel, 140 00:06:41,000 --> 00:06:43,719 Speaker 2: they made a mistake. They said, these flowers are from you. 141 00:06:45,520 --> 00:06:49,479 Speaker 2: Made me feel real good. But those flowers cost me 142 00:06:49,960 --> 00:06:52,720 Speaker 2: about one hundred bucks. Some of you, that could be 143 00:06:52,800 --> 00:06:55,320 Speaker 2: the best one hundred dollars that you could spend. It 144 00:06:55,360 --> 00:06:57,520 Speaker 2: would breathe new life back into your marriage. 145 00:06:57,720 --> 00:07:02,160 Speaker 4: Just something small, so in an extra ordinary seed. Well, Joel, 146 00:07:02,200 --> 00:07:03,839 Speaker 4: I'm not going to spend my money like that. She 147 00:07:03,960 --> 00:07:04,760 Speaker 4: knows I love her. 148 00:07:05,240 --> 00:07:07,960 Speaker 2: No, you need to put some actions behind those words, 149 00:07:08,000 --> 00:07:13,160 Speaker 2: you old stingy thing. Now, I'm asking us today to 150 00:07:13,240 --> 00:07:17,280 Speaker 2: do something out of our normal routine, something that stretches us. 151 00:07:18,000 --> 00:07:20,720 Speaker 2: Instead of complaining that she won't ever go anywhere with you, 152 00:07:20,960 --> 00:07:24,040 Speaker 2: why don't you swallow your pride and go somewhere with her? Or, 153 00:07:24,080 --> 00:07:27,480 Speaker 2: better yet, why don't you get creative and plan an 154 00:07:27,520 --> 00:07:30,520 Speaker 2: event that she would enjoy going to. You can plan 155 00:07:30,560 --> 00:07:33,040 Speaker 2: an afternoon down at the beach. You can take her 156 00:07:33,080 --> 00:07:37,920 Speaker 2: to the galleria. That always works. But some of you men, 157 00:07:38,000 --> 00:07:40,880 Speaker 2: if you plan something special, you may want to first 158 00:07:40,960 --> 00:07:44,480 Speaker 2: learn CPR in case she passes out, because you know 159 00:07:44,520 --> 00:07:48,480 Speaker 2: you hadn't done anything romantic in twenty seven years. But 160 00:07:48,560 --> 00:07:51,640 Speaker 2: I know we can all improve in some of these areas. 161 00:07:51,680 --> 00:07:54,720 Speaker 2: We can be a little kinder. Let's be a little 162 00:07:54,800 --> 00:07:58,720 Speaker 2: less judgmental, a little quicker to forgive a little. 163 00:07:58,560 --> 00:07:59,880 Speaker 4: More pleasant to be around. 164 00:08:00,120 --> 00:08:02,920 Speaker 2: But we need to do something that stretches us out 165 00:08:03,040 --> 00:08:06,280 Speaker 2: of the norm. I remember one thing I did years 166 00:08:06,320 --> 00:08:08,520 Speaker 2: ago is every time I went to brush my teeth, 167 00:08:08,960 --> 00:08:12,920 Speaker 2: I would reach over and put toothpaste on Victoria's toothbrush. 168 00:08:12,960 --> 00:08:15,440 Speaker 2: Just a little thing didn't take me in extra five seconds. 169 00:08:15,600 --> 00:08:17,840 Speaker 2: I remember back then Victoria was not only in a 170 00:08:17,840 --> 00:08:24,000 Speaker 2: better mood, but once a month she would cook dinner. Now, seriously, 171 00:08:24,080 --> 00:08:26,800 Speaker 2: Victoria's a great cook. Nobody can heat up those TV 172 00:08:26,840 --> 00:08:31,560 Speaker 2: dinners like she can. But do you know, it's the 173 00:08:31,640 --> 00:08:35,520 Speaker 2: little things that keep a relationship growing. It's the little 174 00:08:35,559 --> 00:08:39,000 Speaker 2: things that keep it healthy. Let me ask you, what 175 00:08:39,000 --> 00:08:41,840 Speaker 2: are you doing to make your marriage better? Some of 176 00:08:41,880 --> 00:08:44,600 Speaker 2: you may not want to admit it, but that relationship 177 00:08:44,720 --> 00:08:48,280 Speaker 2: is so stagnant that unless you take the initiative and 178 00:08:48,320 --> 00:08:51,280 Speaker 2: start doing some fresh, new things, it's going to continue 179 00:08:51,320 --> 00:08:54,000 Speaker 2: to go downhill. And as I said, you cannot wait 180 00:08:54,040 --> 00:08:54,920 Speaker 2: for the other person. 181 00:08:55,000 --> 00:08:55,760 Speaker 4: You've got to do it. 182 00:08:56,320 --> 00:08:59,120 Speaker 2: Do something out of your normal routine to show that 183 00:08:59,160 --> 00:09:00,160 Speaker 2: person that you care. 184 00:09:00,280 --> 00:09:01,880 Speaker 4: So an extraordinary seed. 185 00:09:02,320 --> 00:09:04,679 Speaker 2: And we need to examine our lives and see if 186 00:09:04,679 --> 00:09:07,480 Speaker 2: there are areas where we're stuck, areas where. 187 00:09:07,280 --> 00:09:08,080 Speaker 4: We're not growing. 188 00:09:08,640 --> 00:09:13,000 Speaker 2: And I'll admit that my personality type is naturally very routine. 189 00:09:13,440 --> 00:09:14,120 Speaker 4: I'm a very. 190 00:09:14,040 --> 00:09:17,040 Speaker 2: Structured person, and it's easy for me to get stuck 191 00:09:17,040 --> 00:09:19,400 Speaker 2: in the rock. It's easy for me to go year 192 00:09:19,440 --> 00:09:22,120 Speaker 2: after year reading the same amount of chapters in my Bible, 193 00:09:22,440 --> 00:09:25,080 Speaker 2: giving the same amount, praying the same amount of time. 194 00:09:25,360 --> 00:09:28,439 Speaker 2: It's almost like I'm on autopilot. But I've noticed when 195 00:09:28,440 --> 00:09:30,240 Speaker 2: I do that, I just stay at the same level. 196 00:09:30,640 --> 00:09:33,120 Speaker 2: I don't grow, I don't see as much of God's 197 00:09:33,160 --> 00:09:37,000 Speaker 2: favor as I should. I have to constantly remind myself 198 00:09:37,120 --> 00:09:40,199 Speaker 2: to stretch beyond the norm. I don't know about you, 199 00:09:40,240 --> 00:09:42,160 Speaker 2: but I don't want to be at this same place 200 00:09:42,240 --> 00:09:44,319 Speaker 2: next year as I am right now. I want to 201 00:09:44,360 --> 00:09:47,400 Speaker 2: be a better father, a better pastor, a bigger giver. 202 00:09:47,840 --> 00:09:48,600 Speaker 4: I want to grow. 203 00:09:49,240 --> 00:09:53,240 Speaker 2: I want to increase, and I've learned if it's not happening, 204 00:09:53,240 --> 00:09:54,280 Speaker 2: it's not God's fault. 205 00:09:54,600 --> 00:09:56,800 Speaker 4: He doesn't need to change. I need to change. 206 00:09:57,640 --> 00:10:01,080 Speaker 2: Maybe you're here today and you struggle addictions. Maybe you 207 00:10:01,120 --> 00:10:03,959 Speaker 2: have a problem with smoking. You've tried again and again 208 00:10:04,000 --> 00:10:06,839 Speaker 2: to quit but just can't seem to do it. Well. 209 00:10:06,880 --> 00:10:09,840 Speaker 2: Don't get complacent about it. What I'm saying is, don't 210 00:10:09,880 --> 00:10:12,840 Speaker 2: stay in that rut. Do something out of the ordinary. 211 00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:15,280 Speaker 4: Why don't you just give up one cigarette a day, 212 00:10:15,960 --> 00:10:18,240 Speaker 4: or instead of smoking the whole thing, smoke three fourth 213 00:10:18,320 --> 00:10:21,160 Speaker 4: of it. But do something out of your normal routine. 214 00:10:21,360 --> 00:10:24,440 Speaker 2: Let me tell you, God sees that sacrifice, and when 215 00:10:24,440 --> 00:10:26,560 Speaker 2: you do your part, that's when God will kick in 216 00:10:26,720 --> 00:10:28,640 Speaker 2: and do his part. But you've got to do something 217 00:10:28,640 --> 00:10:32,160 Speaker 2: that stretches you, Do something that makes you push. Maybe 218 00:10:32,160 --> 00:10:34,520 Speaker 2: you're here and you're wanting to get in better shape, 219 00:10:34,559 --> 00:10:37,080 Speaker 2: you're wanting to lose some weight. Well why don't you 220 00:10:37,080 --> 00:10:39,760 Speaker 2: give up drinking so many cokes? Well why don't you 221 00:10:39,800 --> 00:10:43,000 Speaker 2: exercise just ten minutes longer than you normally do. Don't 222 00:10:43,080 --> 00:10:46,000 Speaker 2: just sit back and accept it. Take that first step, 223 00:10:46,400 --> 00:10:50,280 Speaker 2: you know, sow that extraordinary seed. Now I hear people say, well, Joe, 224 00:10:50,320 --> 00:10:52,480 Speaker 2: we all struggle with this in my family. We all 225 00:10:52,480 --> 00:10:55,480 Speaker 2: have these same addictions. Now that's what I'm talking about. 226 00:10:55,520 --> 00:10:58,360 Speaker 2: Being complacent. You can be the one to change. Sow 227 00:10:58,400 --> 00:10:59,800 Speaker 2: that extraordinary seed. 228 00:11:00,280 --> 00:11:01,280 Speaker 4: I hear people. 229 00:11:01,200 --> 00:11:04,120 Speaker 2: Complaining all the time about the place they work. When Joel, 230 00:11:04,160 --> 00:11:06,160 Speaker 2: I don't like my job, I don't like the people. 231 00:11:06,360 --> 00:11:09,320 Speaker 2: I can't stand the drive in traffic. Well, for you, 232 00:11:09,440 --> 00:11:12,800 Speaker 2: an extraordinary seed would simply be to change your attitude. 233 00:11:13,440 --> 00:11:16,000 Speaker 2: Instead of complaining about that job, Why don't you be 234 00:11:16,040 --> 00:11:18,120 Speaker 2: grateful that at least you have a place to work. 235 00:11:18,400 --> 00:11:20,400 Speaker 2: Why don't you start looking at what's right in your 236 00:11:20,440 --> 00:11:24,200 Speaker 2: life instead of looking at what's wrong. After all, what 237 00:11:24,320 --> 00:11:27,760 Speaker 2: a shame to go to that place year after year, miserable, 238 00:11:28,000 --> 00:11:29,720 Speaker 2: complaining about it, dreading it. 239 00:11:30,240 --> 00:11:31,440 Speaker 4: Life is too short for that. 240 00:11:31,800 --> 00:11:33,360 Speaker 2: You've got to get out of that rut and just 241 00:11:33,400 --> 00:11:34,640 Speaker 2: make a decision. 242 00:11:34,360 --> 00:11:36,080 Speaker 4: That you're going to be happy wherever you are. 243 00:11:36,520 --> 00:11:39,679 Speaker 2: Put a smile on your face, Cheer the other people up, 244 00:11:40,280 --> 00:11:42,840 Speaker 2: don't sink down to their level, be a person of 245 00:11:42,880 --> 00:11:46,120 Speaker 2: excellence there at the workplace, and do the right thing 246 00:11:46,160 --> 00:11:48,880 Speaker 2: even when it's hard, even when you don't feel like it. 247 00:11:49,080 --> 00:11:51,160 Speaker 4: That's sowing an extraordinary seed. 248 00:11:52,000 --> 00:11:54,000 Speaker 2: I met a man in the lobby not too long ago, 249 00:11:54,080 --> 00:11:57,120 Speaker 2: and he commented on how much he liked my tie. 250 00:11:57,480 --> 00:11:59,600 Speaker 2: And of course you've heard me tell stories about people 251 00:11:59,600 --> 00:12:01,600 Speaker 2: that have like my ties, and I've given it to him. 252 00:12:02,080 --> 00:12:03,959 Speaker 4: And so now a lot of times. 253 00:12:03,679 --> 00:12:06,240 Speaker 2: People come up and kid me about liking my ties, 254 00:12:06,320 --> 00:12:09,200 Speaker 2: kind of jokingly knowing that I've given them away. In fact, 255 00:12:09,200 --> 00:12:10,839 Speaker 2: some people come up and say, Joel, I really like 256 00:12:10,920 --> 00:12:14,679 Speaker 2: that suit. And had one guy the other day. He said, Joel, 257 00:12:14,720 --> 00:12:16,720 Speaker 2: I like your car. You got a beautiful house. I said, 258 00:12:16,720 --> 00:12:17,480 Speaker 2: you can forget. 259 00:12:17,280 --> 00:12:21,640 Speaker 4: It, man. But when this man commented about that tie, 260 00:12:21,720 --> 00:12:22,920 Speaker 4: I knew that. I knew that. 261 00:12:23,000 --> 00:12:25,160 Speaker 2: I knew right down in here that I was supposed 262 00:12:25,160 --> 00:12:27,720 Speaker 2: to give it to him. The problem is I didn't 263 00:12:27,760 --> 00:12:31,000 Speaker 2: want to. This tie was brand new. It was the 264 00:12:31,040 --> 00:12:34,040 Speaker 2: first time I was wearing it, and already several people 265 00:12:34,120 --> 00:12:36,440 Speaker 2: told me how beautiful it was, and I really liked it. 266 00:12:36,840 --> 00:12:38,640 Speaker 2: And so my first thought was, yeah, God, I'll give 267 00:12:38,720 --> 00:12:41,440 Speaker 2: him a tie, just not this tie. I begin to 268 00:12:41,480 --> 00:12:43,560 Speaker 2: reason that out. I thought, I know exactly the tie. 269 00:12:43,600 --> 00:12:46,120 Speaker 2: I'll give him that tie that I don't like anymore. 270 00:12:46,720 --> 00:12:48,520 Speaker 2: You know that tie that we got coffee on the 271 00:12:48,559 --> 00:12:50,400 Speaker 2: other week. And you know, I begin to make all 272 00:12:50,400 --> 00:12:53,600 Speaker 2: these excuses. But right down in here I just couldn't 273 00:12:53,600 --> 00:12:55,560 Speaker 2: get away from it. I knew I was supposed to 274 00:12:55,559 --> 00:12:58,600 Speaker 2: give him that particular tie. See, that was not an 275 00:12:58,720 --> 00:13:02,400 Speaker 2: ordinary seed for me. That was an extraordinary seed. That's 276 00:13:02,440 --> 00:13:05,640 Speaker 2: when God asked you to do something that's difficult. Maybe 277 00:13:05,679 --> 00:13:08,760 Speaker 2: God asked you to apologize and it wasn't even your fault. 278 00:13:09,480 --> 00:13:11,840 Speaker 2: God asked you to be nice to somebody, yet they're 279 00:13:11,880 --> 00:13:14,439 Speaker 2: not being nice to you, or like in my case, 280 00:13:14,640 --> 00:13:17,160 Speaker 2: he asked you to give away something that you really like. 281 00:13:17,840 --> 00:13:20,719 Speaker 2: It may be uncomfortable, it may be difficult, but if 282 00:13:20,720 --> 00:13:23,720 Speaker 2: you'll do it anyway, you are sowing a seed for 283 00:13:23,840 --> 00:13:26,760 Speaker 2: God to do the extraordinary, a seed for God to 284 00:13:26,800 --> 00:13:29,800 Speaker 2: take it in new levels. You got to realize God 285 00:13:29,840 --> 00:13:32,440 Speaker 2: sees your sacrifice, he sees you. 286 00:13:32,520 --> 00:13:33,560 Speaker 4: Going the extra mile. 287 00:13:34,240 --> 00:13:37,319 Speaker 2: Don't get complacent, don't just settle for mediocrity. 288 00:13:37,520 --> 00:13:40,560 Speaker 4: Keep pressing forward. Let me ask you today, do you 289 00:13:40,600 --> 00:13:42,800 Speaker 4: have any extraordinary seed in the ground? 290 00:13:43,280 --> 00:13:46,640 Speaker 2: Are you pressing beyond the norm? Stretching yourself every day? 291 00:13:47,559 --> 00:13:49,800 Speaker 2: I had this single mother talk to me not too 292 00:13:49,840 --> 00:13:53,640 Speaker 2: long ago, and she brought me a doctor's bill from 293 00:13:53,640 --> 00:13:57,280 Speaker 2: the hospital for seventy eight thousand dollars, and I thought 294 00:13:57,280 --> 00:13:58,800 Speaker 2: she was going to ask us to help with it, 295 00:13:58,920 --> 00:14:01,800 Speaker 2: or at least ask us to pray, but she said, no, George, 296 00:14:01,840 --> 00:14:04,080 Speaker 2: just look down there at the very bottom and I 297 00:14:04,080 --> 00:14:06,760 Speaker 2: saw in big bold letters, paid in full. 298 00:14:07,360 --> 00:14:09,960 Speaker 4: And she told how her child had been in the hospital. 299 00:14:10,360 --> 00:14:13,079 Speaker 2: And this single mom had been through a lot of adversities, 300 00:14:13,400 --> 00:14:15,199 Speaker 2: a lot of hardships, but she. 301 00:14:15,280 --> 00:14:16,640 Speaker 4: Just kept on being faithful. 302 00:14:16,960 --> 00:14:20,680 Speaker 2: She kept coming to church, she kept tithing her income, she. 303 00:14:20,720 --> 00:14:22,239 Speaker 4: Kept having a good attitude. 304 00:14:22,640 --> 00:14:25,760 Speaker 2: And that whole time, her relatives were telling her, you're 305 00:14:25,800 --> 00:14:28,240 Speaker 2: just wasting your time, you're wasting your money. 306 00:14:28,240 --> 00:14:29,960 Speaker 4: You should be keeping that for yourself. 307 00:14:30,600 --> 00:14:32,800 Speaker 2: And she said how many times she was tempted to 308 00:14:32,800 --> 00:14:34,840 Speaker 2: get discouraged, she was tempted to. 309 00:14:34,760 --> 00:14:37,560 Speaker 4: Just give up, but she never did. She just kept 310 00:14:37,600 --> 00:14:40,720 Speaker 4: on pressing forward. And she had no idea how she'd 311 00:14:40,720 --> 00:14:43,000 Speaker 4: ever be able to pay off that debt. She didn't 312 00:14:43,000 --> 00:14:44,080 Speaker 4: have insurance for it. 313 00:14:44,440 --> 00:14:46,600 Speaker 2: But one day out of the blue, she got that 314 00:14:46,680 --> 00:14:49,080 Speaker 2: letter in the mail from the hospital that she was 315 00:14:49,120 --> 00:14:52,040 Speaker 2: showing me, and it was basically saying it was totally 316 00:14:52,080 --> 00:14:53,600 Speaker 2: and completely. 317 00:14:53,120 --> 00:14:54,200 Speaker 4: Canceling her debt. 318 00:14:54,640 --> 00:14:56,960 Speaker 2: And we've seen that kind of thing happen time and 319 00:14:57,000 --> 00:14:59,080 Speaker 2: time again. And let me tell you, that's not a 320 00:14:59,120 --> 00:15:02,760 Speaker 2: lucky break, that's not a coincidence. That's the fact that 321 00:15:02,800 --> 00:15:07,040 Speaker 2: she's sowing all those extraordinary seeds. She did the right 322 00:15:07,120 --> 00:15:10,080 Speaker 2: thing when the wrong thing was happening to her. She 323 00:15:10,280 --> 00:15:13,560 Speaker 2: just kept on being faithful when a lot of people 324 00:15:13,600 --> 00:15:13,920 Speaker 2: would have. 325 00:15:14,000 --> 00:15:15,480 Speaker 4: Just thrown in the town. 326 00:15:15,600 --> 00:15:18,360 Speaker 2: And she could have easily just accepted it, she could 327 00:15:18,400 --> 00:15:19,520 Speaker 2: have just gotten used to it. 328 00:15:19,560 --> 00:15:21,000 Speaker 4: Well, this is my lot in life. 329 00:15:21,600 --> 00:15:25,960 Speaker 2: Broke defeated in debt. But no, she didn't get complacent. 330 00:15:26,200 --> 00:15:29,480 Speaker 2: She just kept on pressing forward. And just like her, 331 00:15:29,600 --> 00:15:32,440 Speaker 2: every one of you can rise higher. You can overcome 332 00:15:32,520 --> 00:15:34,160 Speaker 2: any obstacle, you. 333 00:15:34,080 --> 00:15:36,360 Speaker 4: Can have a better marriage, you can get out of debt. 334 00:15:36,560 --> 00:15:40,119 Speaker 2: But you've got to do your part by sowing extraordinary seeds. 335 00:15:40,600 --> 00:15:42,640 Speaker 4: I was thinking about Isaac. They're in the Bible. 336 00:15:43,040 --> 00:15:44,680 Speaker 2: He was at a time in his life when they 337 00:15:44,720 --> 00:15:46,160 Speaker 2: were in the middle of a famine. 338 00:15:46,600 --> 00:15:49,680 Speaker 4: There was no food and no water. People were starving. 339 00:15:50,240 --> 00:15:53,200 Speaker 2: What did Isaac do sit around and complain about it? 340 00:15:53,360 --> 00:15:55,200 Speaker 2: Did he sit around and just have a pity party 341 00:15:55,240 --> 00:15:56,200 Speaker 2: and say it's not fair? 342 00:15:56,760 --> 00:15:56,880 Speaker 4: Now? 343 00:15:56,960 --> 00:16:00,400 Speaker 2: The scripture says in Genesis twenty six, verse twelve that 344 00:16:00,520 --> 00:16:04,240 Speaker 2: in the midst of that famine, Isaac sow does seed 345 00:16:04,480 --> 00:16:08,200 Speaker 2: in the land. In other words, he planted his crops. 346 00:16:08,800 --> 00:16:11,280 Speaker 2: And can you imagine what the other people must have thought. 347 00:16:11,560 --> 00:16:14,480 Speaker 2: There was no water to water the crops. He has 348 00:16:14,560 --> 00:16:17,360 Speaker 2: no way to irrigate his fields. And I'm sure his 349 00:16:17,440 --> 00:16:19,840 Speaker 2: friends said, Isaac, what in the world are you doing. 350 00:16:20,400 --> 00:16:23,360 Speaker 2: You are wasting your time, your money, your energy. What 351 00:16:23,400 --> 00:16:26,240 Speaker 2: do you mean planting in the midst of a famine. 352 00:16:26,880 --> 00:16:30,440 Speaker 2: But Isaac didn't get discouraged. He didn't listen to the naysayers. 353 00:16:30,640 --> 00:16:33,280 Speaker 4: He just kept sowing those extraordinary seeds. 354 00:16:34,000 --> 00:16:36,760 Speaker 2: The scripture goes on to say that in the same 355 00:16:36,880 --> 00:16:40,560 Speaker 2: year Isaac received a one hundredfold return. 356 00:16:41,480 --> 00:16:43,800 Speaker 4: We have to remember that God is in control. 357 00:16:44,440 --> 00:16:47,160 Speaker 2: He's the one that created the universe, and it doesn't 358 00:16:47,160 --> 00:16:49,760 Speaker 2: matter what it looks like in the natural. He's a 359 00:16:49,800 --> 00:16:54,360 Speaker 2: supernatural God. Your friends, your relatives, your coworkers may be 360 00:16:54,520 --> 00:16:56,480 Speaker 2: saying to you, do you really think you're going to 361 00:16:56,520 --> 00:16:59,280 Speaker 2: get out of debt? You really think your husband's going 362 00:16:59,360 --> 00:17:02,040 Speaker 2: to change? You really think you're ever gonna get well? 363 00:17:02,880 --> 00:17:05,359 Speaker 2: Just like in this case, many times they'll try to 364 00:17:05,359 --> 00:17:08,440 Speaker 2: talk you out of your dreams. Too many people today 365 00:17:08,680 --> 00:17:11,239 Speaker 2: they just get complacent and they live with things that 366 00:17:11,280 --> 00:17:14,480 Speaker 2: are less than God's best. But I'm asking you today 367 00:17:14,760 --> 00:17:17,600 Speaker 2: to do what Isaac did in your time of need, 368 00:17:18,160 --> 00:17:20,600 Speaker 2: in your time of famine. When it doesn't look like 369 00:17:20,680 --> 00:17:23,520 Speaker 2: anything's going to change, when the doctors don't give you 370 00:17:23,600 --> 00:17:24,720 Speaker 2: a good report. 371 00:17:24,480 --> 00:17:26,880 Speaker 4: When the business is slow, you know what you've got 372 00:17:26,920 --> 00:17:27,119 Speaker 4: to do. 373 00:17:27,680 --> 00:17:32,040 Speaker 2: Just keep sowing those extraordinary seeds. You keep praying, you 374 00:17:32,119 --> 00:17:34,720 Speaker 2: keep believing, you keep giving, you keep coming to church, 375 00:17:34,880 --> 00:17:36,120 Speaker 2: you keep being faithful. 376 00:17:36,760 --> 00:17:38,280 Speaker 4: God is keeping the wreckers. 377 00:17:38,640 --> 00:17:41,600 Speaker 2: It may look impossible with men, but it is possible 378 00:17:41,600 --> 00:17:42,080 Speaker 2: with God. 379 00:17:42,560 --> 00:17:44,560 Speaker 4: And as you just keep on keeping on, you know 380 00:17:44,600 --> 00:17:47,040 Speaker 4: what's happening. You're passing the test. 381 00:17:47,359 --> 00:17:51,280 Speaker 2: Those extraordinary seeds are taking root. One day you're going 382 00:17:51,359 --> 00:17:53,119 Speaker 2: to reap the seeds that you've been sowing. 383 00:17:53,320 --> 00:17:54,639 Speaker 4: God is a faithful God. 384 00:17:55,240 --> 00:17:57,879 Speaker 2: What I'm saying today is, don't give up on your relatives. 385 00:17:58,400 --> 00:18:01,879 Speaker 2: Keep praying for that husband, keep praying for that son, 386 00:18:02,320 --> 00:18:06,040 Speaker 2: that aunt, that uncle, that grandmother. Keep calling them, keep 387 00:18:06,080 --> 00:18:09,399 Speaker 2: inviting them to come to church, keep encouraging them. You 388 00:18:09,440 --> 00:18:12,119 Speaker 2: may not see anything happening in the natural. It may 389 00:18:12,160 --> 00:18:14,679 Speaker 2: not look like anything is changing. But let me tell you, 390 00:18:14,920 --> 00:18:18,440 Speaker 2: God is working behind the seams. He sees your diligence, 391 00:18:18,760 --> 00:18:21,920 Speaker 2: he sees your faithfulness. Or maybe you're here like that 392 00:18:21,960 --> 00:18:24,000 Speaker 2: single mom and you don't think you could ever get 393 00:18:24,000 --> 00:18:25,879 Speaker 2: out of death, You don't think you could ever. 394 00:18:25,800 --> 00:18:26,720 Speaker 4: Pay your house off. 395 00:18:27,200 --> 00:18:29,119 Speaker 2: He said Joel Man, I've gone as far as my 396 00:18:29,359 --> 00:18:33,040 Speaker 2: education allows. You don't know my situation. No, God is 397 00:18:33,080 --> 00:18:36,560 Speaker 2: not limited by your education. Your job is not your source. 398 00:18:36,640 --> 00:18:39,040 Speaker 2: God is your source. And God can give you one 399 00:18:39,080 --> 00:18:41,440 Speaker 2: new idea that can thrust you. 400 00:18:41,440 --> 00:18:42,359 Speaker 4: To a whole new level. 401 00:18:43,320 --> 00:18:45,560 Speaker 2: God can cause you to be at the right place 402 00:18:45,680 --> 00:18:48,439 Speaker 2: at the right time. He can cause his light to 403 00:18:48,480 --> 00:18:51,359 Speaker 2: shine down on you and favor you. You've got to 404 00:18:51,440 --> 00:18:54,520 Speaker 2: just keep on passing that test. I can promise you 405 00:18:54,520 --> 00:18:58,040 Speaker 2: you're going to see the extraordinary in your life. That's 406 00:18:58,119 --> 00:19:01,200 Speaker 2: talking to another man from Los Angeles. He was here 407 00:19:01,240 --> 00:19:04,440 Speaker 2: for treatment at M. D Anderson, the cancer hospital here 408 00:19:04,440 --> 00:19:07,760 Speaker 2: in town. He was having problems with his kidneys. He 409 00:19:07,760 --> 00:19:10,120 Speaker 2: would come in every three months to have them tested, 410 00:19:10,640 --> 00:19:13,480 Speaker 2: and the doctors told him that very likely in the 411 00:19:13,520 --> 00:19:16,359 Speaker 2: near future he would have to go on dialysis, and 412 00:19:16,440 --> 00:19:18,280 Speaker 2: not only that, that he may have to have those 413 00:19:18,359 --> 00:19:21,439 Speaker 2: kidneys removed. He had big tumors on them and they 414 00:19:21,480 --> 00:19:24,440 Speaker 2: were checking the growth. But this man didn't just sit 415 00:19:24,520 --> 00:19:27,320 Speaker 2: back and accept it. He didn't just start making plans 416 00:19:27,359 --> 00:19:31,240 Speaker 2: for that. Instead, he started really praying. He started really believing. 417 00:19:31,720 --> 00:19:33,560 Speaker 2: And what I like about him is he did it 418 00:19:33,600 --> 00:19:36,800 Speaker 2: not only for himself, but he'd go around the hospital praying. 419 00:19:36,560 --> 00:19:39,080 Speaker 4: For other people. He was an encourager. 420 00:19:39,320 --> 00:19:41,560 Speaker 2: Every time he came to Lakewood, he had three or 421 00:19:41,560 --> 00:19:43,439 Speaker 2: four of those cancer patients with him. 422 00:19:43,760 --> 00:19:45,600 Speaker 4: So in an extraordinary seed. 423 00:19:46,280 --> 00:19:48,680 Speaker 2: Don't you know a lot of people in his situation 424 00:19:49,160 --> 00:19:51,840 Speaker 2: would have been at home having a pity party, depressed 425 00:19:51,840 --> 00:19:52,560 Speaker 2: and dejected. 426 00:19:52,880 --> 00:19:53,360 Speaker 4: Not him. 427 00:19:53,560 --> 00:19:57,400 Speaker 2: He just kept believing, stretching his faith, pressing beyond the norm. 428 00:19:58,040 --> 00:20:00,040 Speaker 2: And you know, the last time I saw him, a 429 00:20:00,080 --> 00:20:02,720 Speaker 2: couple of weeks ago, he said, Joel, I came in 430 00:20:02,800 --> 00:20:06,040 Speaker 2: and the doctors tested my kidneys, and those doctors didn't 431 00:20:06,080 --> 00:20:08,200 Speaker 2: know what to tell me. They said, we can't find 432 00:20:08,240 --> 00:20:11,040 Speaker 2: any sign of a tumor on those kidneys. There's nothing 433 00:20:11,080 --> 00:20:14,720 Speaker 2: wrong with you. They said, we don't want to see 434 00:20:14,760 --> 00:20:19,240 Speaker 2: you for another year. Friends, God can supernaturally turn things around. 435 00:20:19,720 --> 00:20:23,080 Speaker 2: He made your body. He can create what you need. 436 00:20:23,560 --> 00:20:27,720 Speaker 2: Don't get discouraged. Keep on believing like Abraham, keep on 437 00:20:27,920 --> 00:20:31,600 Speaker 2: hoping on in faith like Isaac learned to sew a. 438 00:20:31,720 --> 00:20:33,520 Speaker 4: Seed in that time of famine. 439 00:20:33,920 --> 00:20:36,720 Speaker 2: I don't just sit back and get complacent and say, well, man, 440 00:20:36,760 --> 00:20:38,560 Speaker 2: I guess this is my lot in life. You heard 441 00:20:38,600 --> 00:20:40,600 Speaker 2: what they said. Now let me tell you what your 442 00:20:40,640 --> 00:20:43,120 Speaker 2: lot in life is. If you read God's word, your 443 00:20:43,160 --> 00:20:46,160 Speaker 2: lot in life is to be happy, to be healthy, 444 00:20:46,680 --> 00:20:50,600 Speaker 2: to be a blessing to others, to enjoy God's abundant life. 445 00:20:51,480 --> 00:20:53,120 Speaker 4: Well, you said, Joel, what. 446 00:20:53,160 --> 00:20:56,360 Speaker 2: If I pray and believe like he did and nothing happens? 447 00:20:56,359 --> 00:20:59,359 Speaker 2: Well what if you pray and believe in something does happen. Now, 448 00:20:59,359 --> 00:21:02,399 Speaker 2: I realize not everybody gets healed like that, but you'd 449 00:21:02,400 --> 00:21:05,320 Speaker 2: still be better off to believe than to sit around 450 00:21:05,359 --> 00:21:08,159 Speaker 2: depressed and defeated. The fact is, one day we're all 451 00:21:08,200 --> 00:21:10,400 Speaker 2: gonna die. But I made up my mind I'm gonna 452 00:21:10,400 --> 00:21:12,800 Speaker 2: die in faith. I'm gonna die believe, and I'm gonna 453 00:21:12,840 --> 00:21:15,280 Speaker 2: die with a smile on my face. So in those 454 00:21:15,320 --> 00:21:20,840 Speaker 2: extraordinary scenes. I loved the story in March chapter five 455 00:21:21,000 --> 00:21:23,840 Speaker 2: about this lady that had been sick for twelve years 456 00:21:23,880 --> 00:21:26,520 Speaker 2: with a bleeding disorder, and she had gone to many 457 00:21:26,560 --> 00:21:29,440 Speaker 2: different doctors, spent all of her money, but she continued 458 00:21:29,480 --> 00:21:32,280 Speaker 2: to get worse, and I'm sure she was very tempted 459 00:21:32,320 --> 00:21:35,400 Speaker 2: to get discouraged medical science had given up on her. 460 00:21:35,800 --> 00:21:38,080 Speaker 2: She could easily gone home and just pull the blinds 461 00:21:38,119 --> 00:21:40,560 Speaker 2: and said, well too bad, that's it for me. But no, 462 00:21:40,680 --> 00:21:43,399 Speaker 2: not this lady. She refused to live with things that 463 00:21:43,440 --> 00:21:46,120 Speaker 2: were less than God's best. She said, you know what, 464 00:21:46,280 --> 00:21:48,480 Speaker 2: I'm gonna do something out of the ordinary. I'm gonna 465 00:21:48,480 --> 00:21:52,240 Speaker 2: do something unusual, uncommon. I'm gonna reach out and touch 466 00:21:52,400 --> 00:21:55,680 Speaker 2: Jesus when he comes walking by. She had a lot 467 00:21:55,720 --> 00:21:59,080 Speaker 2: of opposition as Jesus came through her town. There were 468 00:21:59,119 --> 00:22:01,879 Speaker 2: so many people around him. She couldn't get to him, 469 00:22:02,160 --> 00:22:04,439 Speaker 2: and so she had to fight her way through the crowd. 470 00:22:04,760 --> 00:22:07,119 Speaker 2: No doubt, she's having to push people out of the way. 471 00:22:07,440 --> 00:22:11,080 Speaker 4: She's sowing those extraordinary seeds, and you know the story. 472 00:22:11,280 --> 00:22:13,800 Speaker 2: As Jesus came by, right at the last minute, she 473 00:22:13,960 --> 00:22:16,600 Speaker 2: lunged out with all of her might and just barely 474 00:22:16,640 --> 00:22:19,479 Speaker 2: touched the edge of his robe, and the Bible says 475 00:22:19,760 --> 00:22:24,040 Speaker 2: immediately she felt a supernatural power surge into her body. 476 00:22:24,320 --> 00:22:25,880 Speaker 4: She was instantly made whole. 477 00:22:26,520 --> 00:22:29,000 Speaker 2: And friends, when you get out of your routine and 478 00:22:29,040 --> 00:22:31,520 Speaker 2: you press in to really get to know God, you 479 00:22:31,600 --> 00:22:34,879 Speaker 2: make decisions that are pleasing to him, you stretch your faith, 480 00:22:35,320 --> 00:22:38,359 Speaker 2: then God will do the extraordinary in your life. And 481 00:22:38,480 --> 00:22:41,200 Speaker 2: Jesus stopped right there and he said to his disciples, 482 00:22:41,320 --> 00:22:43,920 Speaker 2: who just touched me, And they kind of laughed, said, 483 00:22:43,920 --> 00:22:46,879 Speaker 2: what do you mean Jesus, everybody's touching, everybody's bumping into you. 484 00:22:47,200 --> 00:22:51,239 Speaker 2: He said, No, somebody touched me with such faith and 485 00:22:51,280 --> 00:22:54,919 Speaker 2: with such expectancy that they drew the miracle working. 486 00:22:54,720 --> 00:22:55,560 Speaker 4: Power right out of me. 487 00:22:56,200 --> 00:22:59,159 Speaker 2: And about that time Jesus' eyes meant that woman's eyes. 488 00:22:59,520 --> 00:23:03,200 Speaker 2: He smiled and said, daughter, your faith has made you whole. 489 00:23:03,640 --> 00:23:09,399 Speaker 2: Go in peace. And you notice Jesus didn't say my 490 00:23:09,480 --> 00:23:13,040 Speaker 2: faith has done it. No, he said, because of your actions, 491 00:23:13,440 --> 00:23:14,960 Speaker 2: because you went out of your way. 492 00:23:15,320 --> 00:23:17,800 Speaker 4: I'm going to go out of my way and see when. 493 00:23:17,640 --> 00:23:21,000 Speaker 2: You sow those extraordinary seeds, God can bless you in 494 00:23:21,040 --> 00:23:22,199 Speaker 2: extraordinary ways. 495 00:23:22,840 --> 00:23:24,240 Speaker 4: But I know too many people today. 496 00:23:24,280 --> 00:23:28,000 Speaker 2: They're stuck in a rut in their marriage, in their finances, 497 00:23:28,040 --> 00:23:28,760 Speaker 2: in their health. 498 00:23:29,200 --> 00:23:29,720 Speaker 4: But I want to. 499 00:23:29,720 --> 00:23:33,000 Speaker 2: Shake you out of that complacency. Don't just sit back 500 00:23:33,240 --> 00:23:35,160 Speaker 2: and learn to live with things that are less than 501 00:23:35,200 --> 00:23:38,800 Speaker 2: God's best. God wants you to go higher. Are you 502 00:23:38,880 --> 00:23:41,879 Speaker 2: giving him anything to work with? Are you doing like 503 00:23:41,960 --> 00:23:46,240 Speaker 2: this lady and stretching your faith, pressing beyond the norm. 504 00:23:46,840 --> 00:23:49,200 Speaker 2: You need to do something out of the ordinary. That's 505 00:23:49,240 --> 00:23:52,320 Speaker 2: what gets God's attention. And some of you right now 506 00:23:52,480 --> 00:23:54,920 Speaker 2: you have areas in your life that are so stale, 507 00:23:55,400 --> 00:24:00,320 Speaker 2: and it's because you're not stretching. You've gotten comfortable. You know, 508 00:24:00,440 --> 00:24:03,560 Speaker 2: you can even get stale coming to church. I found 509 00:24:03,760 --> 00:24:05,760 Speaker 2: you get out of something what you put into it. 510 00:24:06,280 --> 00:24:09,359 Speaker 2: And if you find yourself starting to get stale, that's 511 00:24:09,440 --> 00:24:12,720 Speaker 2: God trying to get you to grow. Maybe it's time 512 00:24:12,760 --> 00:24:16,240 Speaker 2: that you start serving in one of our ministries, teaching 513 00:24:16,280 --> 00:24:20,320 Speaker 2: our children, visiting people at the hospital, standing at the 514 00:24:20,359 --> 00:24:21,200 Speaker 2: door and being a. 515 00:24:21,080 --> 00:24:22,720 Speaker 4: Friendly face to greet people. 516 00:24:23,000 --> 00:24:26,119 Speaker 2: That would be an extraordinary seed that'll help get rid 517 00:24:26,160 --> 00:24:29,640 Speaker 2: of that staleness. Or maybe you're stale in your finances, 518 00:24:29,760 --> 00:24:32,760 Speaker 2: you're not seeing any growth, everything's the same year after year. 519 00:24:33,000 --> 00:24:36,320 Speaker 2: Well you got to start planting some extraordinary seeds. Why 520 00:24:36,359 --> 00:24:38,840 Speaker 2: don't you stretch your faith and give a little bit more. 521 00:24:39,680 --> 00:24:41,920 Speaker 2: Or maybe instead of going out to eat one night, 522 00:24:42,400 --> 00:24:45,159 Speaker 2: send that money to a friend that's struggling. If you 523 00:24:45,160 --> 00:24:46,800 Speaker 2: don't have extra money, I understand that. 524 00:24:46,920 --> 00:24:48,080 Speaker 4: But you can give your time. 525 00:24:48,680 --> 00:24:52,120 Speaker 2: Maybe sit somebody's children, give somebody a ride to church, 526 00:24:52,400 --> 00:24:56,560 Speaker 2: most somebody's long, but do something to get some extraordinary 527 00:24:56,600 --> 00:24:59,959 Speaker 2: seed in the ground. Maybe you're stale at the workplace, 528 00:25:00,400 --> 00:25:03,080 Speaker 2: you haven't had a promotion, a bonus, a raise in 529 00:25:03,119 --> 00:25:05,560 Speaker 2: a long time. Well, maybe you need to sow a 530 00:25:05,640 --> 00:25:08,200 Speaker 2: seed by getting there a little earlier. You need to 531 00:25:08,240 --> 00:25:11,440 Speaker 2: stretch your faith by being a little bit more productive, 532 00:25:12,119 --> 00:25:14,879 Speaker 2: be a person of excellence on that job. You go 533 00:25:14,960 --> 00:25:17,680 Speaker 2: the extra mile and God can use that to bring 534 00:25:17,720 --> 00:25:20,520 Speaker 2: promotion and increase in your life. I believe then you'll 535 00:25:20,520 --> 00:25:23,400 Speaker 2: see that new growth. But we have to make sure 536 00:25:23,480 --> 00:25:25,560 Speaker 2: that we're keeping ourselves fresh. 537 00:25:25,880 --> 00:25:27,480 Speaker 4: When we're stale, it's boring. 538 00:25:28,240 --> 00:25:30,840 Speaker 2: When it's stale, we just dragged through the day with 539 00:25:30,920 --> 00:25:32,640 Speaker 2: no joy, no enthusiasm. 540 00:25:32,680 --> 00:25:35,400 Speaker 4: It's because we're not growing. You got to get out 541 00:25:35,440 --> 00:25:37,800 Speaker 4: of that rut. If you stay stale, you're going to 542 00:25:37,880 --> 00:25:38,480 Speaker 4: get molded. 543 00:25:38,960 --> 00:25:40,560 Speaker 2: Now. I want us to go into this new year 544 00:25:40,600 --> 00:25:44,040 Speaker 2: with a freshness, excited about it. If that's going to happen, 545 00:25:44,040 --> 00:25:45,680 Speaker 2: we got to be willing to get out of our 546 00:25:45,720 --> 00:25:49,840 Speaker 2: normal routine and plant some extraordinary seeds. Remember, if we 547 00:25:49,920 --> 00:25:52,320 Speaker 2: keep doing the same thing the same way, we're going 548 00:25:52,400 --> 00:25:55,159 Speaker 2: to have the same results. And I'm asking you today 549 00:25:55,200 --> 00:25:58,000 Speaker 2: to find at least one area in your life that 550 00:25:58,080 --> 00:26:01,080 Speaker 2: you know that you're kind of stale and do something 551 00:26:01,240 --> 00:26:03,879 Speaker 2: out of your normal routine that honors God in a 552 00:26:03,920 --> 00:26:06,760 Speaker 2: greater way. Maybe you're going to turn that TV off 553 00:26:06,840 --> 00:26:09,040 Speaker 2: like we talked about at night and spend more time 554 00:26:09,080 --> 00:26:12,439 Speaker 2: with your family. Maybe you're gonna get up fifteen minutes 555 00:26:12,480 --> 00:26:15,359 Speaker 2: earlier and spend a little more time with God. Maybe 556 00:26:15,359 --> 00:26:17,280 Speaker 2: you're going to just start treating the people in your 557 00:26:17,320 --> 00:26:20,680 Speaker 2: life kinder and with more respect. But do at least 558 00:26:20,720 --> 00:26:24,000 Speaker 2: one thing out of your normal routine for several months, 559 00:26:24,040 --> 00:26:26,560 Speaker 2: be consistent about it, and you just see if God 560 00:26:26,600 --> 00:26:29,840 Speaker 2: doesn't do the extraordinary. Just see if that freshness doesn't 561 00:26:29,840 --> 00:26:30,680 Speaker 2: come back and. 562 00:26:30,640 --> 00:26:32,399 Speaker 4: You begin to experience new growth. 563 00:26:32,920 --> 00:26:35,600 Speaker 2: Friends, God has more in store no matter where you 564 00:26:35,640 --> 00:26:37,840 Speaker 2: are in life. He wants you to go up higher. 565 00:26:38,200 --> 00:26:40,400 Speaker 2: But we got to get out of these ruts. Let's 566 00:26:40,480 --> 00:26:43,760 Speaker 2: learn to shake off complacency. And we need to continually 567 00:26:43,800 --> 00:26:47,320 Speaker 2: be pressing forward, pressing beyond the norm. And I know 568 00:26:47,560 --> 00:26:51,240 Speaker 2: if you will sow extraordinary seeds. God is a faithful God, 569 00:26:51,440 --> 00:26:54,280 Speaker 2: you will see the extraordinary in your life. You won't 570 00:26:54,320 --> 00:26:57,639 Speaker 2: be stale, you'll be fresh, you'll be excited about the future, 571 00:26:57,680 --> 00:27:00,000 Speaker 2: you'll be growing, and you'll live that life a victory 572 00:27:00,480 --> 00:27:01,560 Speaker 2: that God has in story. 573 00:27:01,560 --> 00:27:01,879 Speaker 4: Amen. 574 00:27:02,800 --> 00:27:05,560 Speaker 2: We never like to close our broadcast without giving you 575 00:27:05,600 --> 00:27:08,520 Speaker 2: an opportunity to make Jesus, the Lord of your life. 576 00:27:08,720 --> 00:27:09,760 Speaker 4: Would you pray with me? 577 00:27:10,480 --> 00:27:16,040 Speaker 2: Just say, Lord, Jesus, I repent of my sins, Come 578 00:27:16,040 --> 00:27:16,800 Speaker 2: into my heart. 579 00:27:17,960 --> 00:27:19,800 Speaker 4: I make you my Lord and savior. 580 00:27:21,400 --> 00:27:23,960 Speaker 2: Friends, if you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you 581 00:27:24,000 --> 00:27:27,080 Speaker 2: got born again. Get in a good Bible based church. 582 00:27:27,400 --> 00:27:30,280 Speaker 2: Keep God first place. He's going to take your places 583 00:27:30,359 --> 00:27:31,520 Speaker 2: that you've never dreamed of. 584 00:27:33,240 --> 00:27:36,840 Speaker 5: It starts with just a tiny seed. From it tender 585 00:27:36,920 --> 00:27:40,800 Speaker 5: bud sprout. The miracle of new life blooms and thrives. 586 00:27:41,119 --> 00:27:44,680 Speaker 5: But how do you experience the same miraculous and extraordinary 587 00:27:44,720 --> 00:27:46,080 Speaker 5: growth in your own life? 588 00:27:46,480 --> 00:27:50,120 Speaker 2: Sometimes our life is limited because we're believing too small. 589 00:27:50,720 --> 00:27:51,920 Speaker 1: Faith is like a sea. 590 00:27:52,440 --> 00:27:55,800 Speaker 2: When you believe all things are possible, that's when you'll 591 00:27:55,800 --> 00:27:58,320 Speaker 2: see new growth, opportunity, and healing. 592 00:27:58,680 --> 00:28:00,560 Speaker 1: We don't have to figure out how how it's going 593 00:28:00,600 --> 00:28:03,040 Speaker 1: to happen. All we have to do is believe. 594 00:28:03,400 --> 00:28:05,760 Speaker 3: There may not be away in the natural, but our 595 00:28:05,760 --> 00:28:07,119 Speaker 3: God is supernatural. 596 00:28:07,280 --> 00:28:10,560 Speaker 1: We'd like to send you this time next year. Believe 597 00:28:10,640 --> 00:28:11,440 Speaker 1: big journal. 598 00:28:11,800 --> 00:28:14,360 Speaker 2: It will help you to enlarge your vision and stretch 599 00:28:14,400 --> 00:28:14,919 Speaker 2: your faith. 600 00:28:15,440 --> 00:28:17,720 Speaker 1: Where would you like to be a year from now? 601 00:28:18,200 --> 00:28:19,320 Speaker 1: Who knows what God. 602 00:28:19,160 --> 00:28:21,520 Speaker 2: Will do in twenty twenty four, if you'll take the 603 00:28:21,560 --> 00:28:24,280 Speaker 2: limits off of him and believe for the great things 604 00:28:24,320 --> 00:28:25,240 Speaker 2: He's placed. 605 00:28:24,920 --> 00:28:25,520 Speaker 1: In your heart. 606 00:28:26,000 --> 00:28:28,520 Speaker 5: As our thank you for your gift of any amount 607 00:28:28,560 --> 00:28:31,080 Speaker 5: this month, we want to send you that this time 608 00:28:31,160 --> 00:28:34,920 Speaker 5: next year Believe Big Journal along with our new Believe tea. 609 00:28:35,240 --> 00:28:38,400 Speaker 5: As you begin to Believe Big, you'll see God move 610 00:28:38,480 --> 00:28:44,000 Speaker 5: in powerful ways, the impossible made possible. Growth, provision, and 611 00:28:44,040 --> 00:28:47,560 Speaker 5: new opportunities will burst forth above and beyond which you 612 00:28:47,600 --> 00:28:51,240 Speaker 5: can ask or imagine. Also, for the first time ever, 613 00:28:51,640 --> 00:28:54,480 Speaker 5: we want to present you with our new Believe t shirt, 614 00:28:54,880 --> 00:28:58,560 Speaker 5: created exclusively by our friends at Copperfeit for the viewers 615 00:28:58,600 --> 00:29:02,440 Speaker 5: and partners of Jolo's. We invite you to wear and 616 00:29:02,480 --> 00:29:05,880 Speaker 5: declare which you are believing God or in twenty twenty four. 617 00:29:06,240 --> 00:29:09,320 Speaker 5: It's a gift from Copperfit as they extend their support 618 00:29:09,360 --> 00:29:10,760 Speaker 5: of the message of Hope. 619 00:29:11,320 --> 00:29:13,239 Speaker 2: Many of you have watched us a long time, but 620 00:29:13,280 --> 00:29:14,640 Speaker 2: you've never been to Lakewood. 621 00:29:14,880 --> 00:29:16,120 Speaker 1: We have a perfect time. 622 00:29:16,280 --> 00:29:19,960 Speaker 2: We're calling it homecoming weekend April thirteenth and fourteenth. 623 00:29:20,120 --> 00:29:21,200 Speaker 1: We'd love to meet you. 624 00:29:21,520 --> 00:29:23,840 Speaker 2: I'll introduce you to my family. You can see the 625 00:29:23,880 --> 00:29:27,280 Speaker 2: facility and enjoy a service. We'd be honored to have you. 626 00:29:27,480 --> 00:29:29,800 Speaker 2: We'll make you feel right at home. Remember you can 627 00:29:29,840 --> 00:29:33,959 Speaker 2: watch the services live online every Sunday, download our podcast 628 00:29:34,280 --> 00:29:35,360 Speaker 2: watch on YouTube. 629 00:29:35,520 --> 00:29:37,720 Speaker 1: We'll keep you inspired and encouraged. 630 00:29:38,080 --> 00:29:41,160 Speaker 5: Be sure to request your copy of This Time next year. 631 00:29:41,400 --> 00:29:44,760 Speaker 5: Believe Big Journal and the Copperfit Believe T shirt as 632 00:29:44,800 --> 00:29:48,840 Speaker 5: our gift of thanks Today, visit Joelostein dot com or 633 00:29:48,880 --> 00:29:52,840 Speaker 5: call us tool free