1 00:00:00,480 --> 00:00:02,200 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. 2 00:00:02,320 --> 00:00:05,320 Speaker 2: Thanks for listening to our podcast and thanks for supporting 3 00:00:05,360 --> 00:00:08,280 Speaker 2: the ministry. If you enjoy today's message, why don't you 4 00:00:08,320 --> 00:00:09,160 Speaker 2: be a blessing and. 5 00:00:09,160 --> 00:00:10,080 Speaker 1: Share it with a friend. 6 00:00:10,400 --> 00:00:13,119 Speaker 2: We appreciate you and pray for God's very best in 7 00:00:13,160 --> 00:00:13,840 Speaker 2: your life. 8 00:00:14,080 --> 00:00:16,800 Speaker 1: Will God bless you. It's always a joy to come 9 00:00:16,800 --> 00:00:17,320 Speaker 1: into your. 10 00:00:17,160 --> 00:00:20,080 Speaker 2: Homes, and if you're ever in our area, please stop 11 00:00:20,120 --> 00:00:22,280 Speaker 2: by and be a part of one of our services. 12 00:00:22,440 --> 00:00:24,840 Speaker 2: I'll promise you we'll make you feel right at home. 13 00:00:25,120 --> 00:00:27,400 Speaker 2: But thanks so much for tuning in and thank you 14 00:00:27,440 --> 00:00:30,560 Speaker 2: again for coming out. I like to start with something funny. 15 00:00:30,600 --> 00:00:34,920 Speaker 2: And one day Adam was feeling very lonely. God said, Adam, 16 00:00:35,000 --> 00:00:36,800 Speaker 2: I'm going to make you a companion. 17 00:00:37,320 --> 00:00:39,159 Speaker 1: This is going to be called a woman. 18 00:00:40,000 --> 00:00:43,760 Speaker 2: This person will cook for you and wash your clothes. 19 00:00:44,240 --> 00:00:47,159 Speaker 2: She will bear you children and never ask you to 20 00:00:47,159 --> 00:00:48,520 Speaker 2: get up in the middle of the night. 21 00:00:48,880 --> 00:00:52,040 Speaker 1: She will not nag you. She will always. 22 00:00:51,600 --> 00:00:54,320 Speaker 2: Agree with you, and if you ever have a disagreement, 23 00:00:54,520 --> 00:00:56,200 Speaker 2: she'll be the first to admit that. 24 00:00:56,120 --> 00:00:56,800 Speaker 1: She was wrong. 25 00:00:58,360 --> 00:01:01,520 Speaker 2: Adam said, wow, God, well, will a woman like this cost? 26 00:01:01,840 --> 00:01:05,880 Speaker 2: God said an arm and a leg. Adam said, what 27 00:01:05,920 --> 00:01:08,360 Speaker 2: can I get for a rib and the rest is history. 28 00:01:11,080 --> 00:01:13,520 Speaker 2: Hold up your Bible, say it like you mean it. 29 00:01:14,040 --> 00:01:16,680 Speaker 2: This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. 30 00:01:17,240 --> 00:01:19,480 Speaker 2: I have what it says I have. I can do 31 00:01:19,560 --> 00:01:22,039 Speaker 2: what it says I can do. Today I will be 32 00:01:22,120 --> 00:01:25,840 Speaker 2: taught the word of God. I boldly confess. My mind 33 00:01:25,920 --> 00:01:29,120 Speaker 2: is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never be 34 00:01:29,200 --> 00:01:34,160 Speaker 2: the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. I want 35 00:01:34,200 --> 00:01:36,920 Speaker 2: to talk to you today about releasing control. 36 00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:40,240 Speaker 1: It's easy to get so focused. 37 00:01:39,800 --> 00:01:42,760 Speaker 2: On our goals, our dreams that we're not going to 38 00:01:42,800 --> 00:01:45,800 Speaker 2: be happy until it happens. When we put God in 39 00:01:45,880 --> 00:01:48,640 Speaker 2: a box and we tell him what we want, when 40 00:01:48,680 --> 00:01:51,000 Speaker 2: we want it, how to do it, who to use, 41 00:01:51,120 --> 00:01:54,440 Speaker 2: we've got it all figured out. But the scripture says 42 00:01:54,600 --> 00:01:56,680 Speaker 2: God's ways are not our ways. 43 00:01:57,000 --> 00:01:58,600 Speaker 1: They are better than our ways. 44 00:01:59,200 --> 00:02:01,520 Speaker 2: And if you're only going to be happy if it 45 00:02:01,600 --> 00:02:06,680 Speaker 2: happens your way, you're setting yourself up for disappointment. God 46 00:02:06,760 --> 00:02:10,040 Speaker 2: can see the big picture for our lives. He knows 47 00:02:10,120 --> 00:02:14,280 Speaker 2: what's around every curve. He can see the detours, the 48 00:02:14,280 --> 00:02:17,600 Speaker 2: dead ends, the shortcuts, things that we cannot see. 49 00:02:18,280 --> 00:02:18,360 Speaker 3: Now. 50 00:02:18,400 --> 00:02:21,040 Speaker 2: A better approach is to say God, this is what 51 00:02:21,080 --> 00:02:24,000 Speaker 2: I want. This is what I'm believing for. But God, 52 00:02:24,080 --> 00:02:26,680 Speaker 2: you know what's best for me. I don't have to 53 00:02:26,720 --> 00:02:27,560 Speaker 2: have it my way. 54 00:02:27,919 --> 00:02:28,959 Speaker 1: God, I trust you. 55 00:02:29,880 --> 00:02:34,080 Speaker 2: When you release control, it takes the pressure off. Life 56 00:02:34,080 --> 00:02:37,600 Speaker 2: gets so much more free. You're not always fighting trying 57 00:02:37,600 --> 00:02:41,160 Speaker 2: to make your plans work out. And sometimes we're so 58 00:02:41,360 --> 00:02:44,560 Speaker 2: focused on what we want that it's out of balance. 59 00:02:45,360 --> 00:02:48,400 Speaker 2: Anything you have to have in order to be happy, 60 00:02:48,800 --> 00:02:52,520 Speaker 2: the enemy can use against you. If you think I 61 00:02:52,600 --> 00:02:55,840 Speaker 2: have to have this promotion, my spouse has to change, 62 00:02:56,360 --> 00:02:58,880 Speaker 2: I've got to get married to be happier. I've got 63 00:02:58,880 --> 00:03:01,560 Speaker 2: to have good weather to big outdoor event plan. No, 64 00:03:01,720 --> 00:03:05,359 Speaker 2: a mature attitude says, even if it doesn't work out 65 00:03:05,360 --> 00:03:09,200 Speaker 2: my way, Even if my plans don't happen, God, I'm 66 00:03:09,320 --> 00:03:12,160 Speaker 2: still going to enjoy my life knowing that you're on 67 00:03:12,200 --> 00:03:12,840 Speaker 2: the throne. 68 00:03:13,639 --> 00:03:14,320 Speaker 1: Here's the key. 69 00:03:14,960 --> 00:03:19,119 Speaker 2: When our dreams and goals start to frustrate us, when 70 00:03:19,120 --> 00:03:22,720 Speaker 2: we're not at peace, not enjoying where we are because 71 00:03:22,720 --> 00:03:26,079 Speaker 2: we're so focused on what we want, that's a sign 72 00:03:26,360 --> 00:03:29,919 Speaker 2: that we're holding on too tightly. And when you hold 73 00:03:29,960 --> 00:03:33,440 Speaker 2: on to what you want so tightly, it can almost 74 00:03:33,480 --> 00:03:34,640 Speaker 2: become like an idol. 75 00:03:35,200 --> 00:03:36,760 Speaker 1: You're so focused on it, that's. 76 00:03:36,640 --> 00:03:40,040 Speaker 2: All you think about, all you pray about consumes your 77 00:03:40,040 --> 00:03:41,000 Speaker 2: time and energy. 78 00:03:41,120 --> 00:03:42,040 Speaker 1: That's out of balance. 79 00:03:42,760 --> 00:03:45,480 Speaker 2: One of the best prayers that we can ever pray 80 00:03:45,920 --> 00:03:47,760 Speaker 2: is God, not my will, but. 81 00:03:47,840 --> 00:03:48,960 Speaker 1: Let your will be done. 82 00:03:49,640 --> 00:03:54,080 Speaker 2: When you release control, you're showing God by your actions 83 00:03:54,240 --> 00:03:58,400 Speaker 2: that you trust him. There are times in life God 84 00:03:58,440 --> 00:04:01,280 Speaker 2: will ask you to release the thing that you want 85 00:04:01,280 --> 00:04:05,360 Speaker 2: the most. It's a test. If you will pass that test, 86 00:04:05,880 --> 00:04:08,840 Speaker 2: at some point, God will either give you back what 87 00:04:08,880 --> 00:04:12,360 Speaker 2: you wanted or bring something better into your life. 88 00:04:12,400 --> 00:04:14,040 Speaker 1: This is what happened with Abraham. 89 00:04:14,480 --> 00:04:18,080 Speaker 2: His son Isaac, the child he had dreamed about year 90 00:04:18,200 --> 00:04:22,360 Speaker 2: after year, finally showed up. Abraham loved him more than 91 00:04:22,400 --> 00:04:26,320 Speaker 2: anything in the world. One day, God told Abraham to 92 00:04:26,360 --> 00:04:30,200 Speaker 2: put Isaac on the altar, to sacrifice the thing that 93 00:04:30,320 --> 00:04:33,440 Speaker 2: meant the most to him. And it wasn't easy, but 94 00:04:33,520 --> 00:04:38,200 Speaker 2: Abraham made this decision to release control. He said, God, 95 00:04:38,680 --> 00:04:41,240 Speaker 2: you know, this is what I've dreamed about, this is 96 00:04:41,279 --> 00:04:43,240 Speaker 2: what I've wanted more than anything else. 97 00:04:43,720 --> 00:04:45,560 Speaker 1: But God, I trust you. 98 00:04:46,200 --> 00:04:49,080 Speaker 2: I can be happy even if it doesn't work out 99 00:04:49,080 --> 00:04:53,159 Speaker 2: my way. When God saw his willingness to put on 100 00:04:53,200 --> 00:04:56,520 Speaker 2: the altar the thing that meant most to him. Then 101 00:04:56,560 --> 00:04:58,880 Speaker 2: God said no, don't do it. He gave him his 102 00:04:58,960 --> 00:05:03,600 Speaker 2: son back. The question is, can you be happy if 103 00:05:03,640 --> 00:05:06,359 Speaker 2: it doesn't work out your way? Will you keep a 104 00:05:06,400 --> 00:05:10,560 Speaker 2: good attitude if the business slows down, the medical report 105 00:05:10,839 --> 00:05:14,839 Speaker 2: isn't good. Maybe you're believing standing on a promise for 106 00:05:14,880 --> 00:05:15,960 Speaker 2: your health to get better. 107 00:05:16,920 --> 00:05:17,680 Speaker 1: When you have the. 108 00:05:17,680 --> 00:05:21,159 Speaker 2: Attitude, even if I don't get better, I'm still going 109 00:05:21,240 --> 00:05:23,520 Speaker 2: to have a smile. I'm still going to be good 110 00:05:23,560 --> 00:05:26,680 Speaker 2: to people. I'm still going to give God praise. You're 111 00:05:26,680 --> 00:05:30,320 Speaker 2: doing what Abraham did. You're putting that dream on the altar. 112 00:05:31,440 --> 00:05:34,480 Speaker 2: When you can pass the test that you don't have 113 00:05:34,560 --> 00:05:37,520 Speaker 2: to have the problem turn around to be happy. You 114 00:05:37,560 --> 00:05:39,640 Speaker 2: don't have to have the dream come to pass. To 115 00:05:39,800 --> 00:05:43,800 Speaker 2: enjoy your life. You're proving to God that you trust him. 116 00:05:44,320 --> 00:05:47,280 Speaker 2: That's when God will give you the desires of your heart. 117 00:05:48,200 --> 00:05:51,120 Speaker 2: When we were trying to acquire this facility, the former 118 00:05:51,200 --> 00:05:54,960 Speaker 2: Compact Center, I wanted it so badly that it consumed me. 119 00:05:55,560 --> 00:05:59,040 Speaker 2: I was constantly thinking about it, praying about it, talking 120 00:05:59,080 --> 00:06:02,000 Speaker 2: about it. And it seemed like the harder I tried, 121 00:06:02,480 --> 00:06:06,880 Speaker 2: the worse things got. More people came against us, lawsuits 122 00:06:06,880 --> 00:06:09,480 Speaker 2: were filed, I would wake up in the middle of 123 00:06:09,560 --> 00:06:12,160 Speaker 2: the night in a cold sweat, wondering if it was 124 00:06:12,200 --> 00:06:16,359 Speaker 2: going to happen. One day, I realized that I was 125 00:06:16,480 --> 00:06:20,280 Speaker 2: so set on having it my way. I wasn't enjoying 126 00:06:20,400 --> 00:06:23,720 Speaker 2: where I was. I wasn't going to be happy if 127 00:06:23,760 --> 00:06:26,560 Speaker 2: we didn't acquire it. I had to do what I'm 128 00:06:26,560 --> 00:06:30,080 Speaker 2: asking you to do, I said, God, I believe that 129 00:06:30,160 --> 00:06:33,640 Speaker 2: this facility is supposed to be ours. Deep down, God, 130 00:06:33,680 --> 00:06:37,320 Speaker 2: I believe you saved it just for us. But even 131 00:06:37,480 --> 00:06:40,359 Speaker 2: if it doesn't happen, I'm going to still be my 132 00:06:40,440 --> 00:06:43,159 Speaker 2: best at the other location. I'm still going to be 133 00:06:43,200 --> 00:06:47,120 Speaker 2: happy and enjoy my life. I released control. God, do 134 00:06:47,200 --> 00:06:50,679 Speaker 2: it your way. It wasn't long after that that things 135 00:06:50,680 --> 00:06:52,000 Speaker 2: started falling into place. 136 00:06:52,760 --> 00:06:53,920 Speaker 1: We won the votes. 137 00:06:53,640 --> 00:06:56,760 Speaker 2: From the city council members, the lawsuits were settled. 138 00:06:57,120 --> 00:06:58,040 Speaker 1: Here we are today. 139 00:06:58,680 --> 00:07:03,600 Speaker 2: When you released control, you are passing a very important test, 140 00:07:04,080 --> 00:07:07,840 Speaker 2: the trust test. You're saying, God, I believe you know 141 00:07:08,040 --> 00:07:12,160 Speaker 2: what's best for me. Many times, like with Abraham, like 142 00:07:12,280 --> 00:07:15,640 Speaker 2: with this facility, that's when God will release back to 143 00:07:15,680 --> 00:07:19,280 Speaker 2: you the very thing that you're believing for. I know 144 00:07:19,400 --> 00:07:21,920 Speaker 2: this lady that had a husband that wouldn't come to 145 00:07:22,000 --> 00:07:24,320 Speaker 2: church with her, and he was a nice man. He 146 00:07:24,440 --> 00:07:27,680 Speaker 2: just wasn't interested. She was praying and believing that it 147 00:07:27,680 --> 00:07:31,000 Speaker 2: would change. And this went on year after year. She 148 00:07:31,080 --> 00:07:34,360 Speaker 2: did everything she could think of. She put scripture verses 149 00:07:34,480 --> 00:07:37,800 Speaker 2: up all over her house, and she was always encouraging 150 00:07:37,880 --> 00:07:39,880 Speaker 2: him to come. But in spite of all of that, 151 00:07:40,400 --> 00:07:44,040 Speaker 2: he wouldn't come. After about a year, she began to 152 00:07:44,080 --> 00:07:47,840 Speaker 2: get frustrated. She lost her joy. She used to come 153 00:07:47,880 --> 00:07:51,600 Speaker 2: down to the front for prayer, very discouraged. Upset Joel, 154 00:07:51,640 --> 00:07:54,640 Speaker 2: I don't understand it. I'm doing everything that I can. 155 00:07:55,320 --> 00:07:58,280 Speaker 2: I told her what I'm telling you. The best thing 156 00:07:58,360 --> 00:08:02,560 Speaker 2: you can do is release control. Turn it over to God. 157 00:08:02,720 --> 00:08:06,280 Speaker 2: You've prayed, you believed, you're standing in faith. 158 00:08:06,760 --> 00:08:09,840 Speaker 1: Now put it on the altar. Have the attitude. 159 00:08:10,120 --> 00:08:12,840 Speaker 2: If he never comes, God, I'm still going to trust you. 160 00:08:13,360 --> 00:08:15,800 Speaker 2: If it never changes, I'm still going to be happy. 161 00:08:16,560 --> 00:08:19,560 Speaker 2: When you show God that you don't have to have 162 00:08:19,600 --> 00:08:22,240 Speaker 2: it in order to be happy, that's when God goes 163 00:08:22,240 --> 00:08:26,320 Speaker 2: to work. There may be things that are frustrating you 164 00:08:26,480 --> 00:08:29,840 Speaker 2: right now because they're not changing. You know, God put 165 00:08:29,880 --> 00:08:32,360 Speaker 2: the dream in your heart, but doesn't look like it's 166 00:08:32,360 --> 00:08:33,000 Speaker 2: going to happen. 167 00:08:33,720 --> 00:08:34,839 Speaker 1: You have to do what she. 168 00:08:34,920 --> 00:08:38,560 Speaker 2: Did and say, God, I've done everything I can. I 169 00:08:38,559 --> 00:08:41,720 Speaker 2: Am not going to live my life upset, not going 170 00:08:41,760 --> 00:08:44,640 Speaker 2: to go around worried, wondering, frustrated. 171 00:08:44,920 --> 00:08:46,080 Speaker 1: God. I'm putting this. 172 00:08:46,120 --> 00:08:49,520 Speaker 2: On the altar. I'm giving it to you. And that's 173 00:08:49,520 --> 00:08:52,520 Speaker 2: what this lady did. She got her joy back, she 174 00:08:52,640 --> 00:08:53,120 Speaker 2: got that. 175 00:08:53,040 --> 00:08:55,880 Speaker 1: Spring in her step. By her action. 176 00:08:56,280 --> 00:08:59,360 Speaker 2: She was saying, God, I trust you, I know you're 177 00:08:59,400 --> 00:09:04,000 Speaker 2: still on the I don't have to have anyone or anything. 178 00:09:03,520 --> 00:09:05,760 Speaker 1: To make me happy. I will be happy right where 179 00:09:05,800 --> 00:09:06,160 Speaker 1: I am. 180 00:09:07,320 --> 00:09:11,600 Speaker 2: About two years later, one Sunday morning, her husband asked 181 00:09:11,880 --> 00:09:13,319 Speaker 2: if he could come to church with her. 182 00:09:13,840 --> 00:09:17,080 Speaker 1: It was his idea. They came that Sunday. 183 00:09:17,480 --> 00:09:20,520 Speaker 2: That was over eight years ago. Now he hardly ever 184 00:09:20,600 --> 00:09:24,280 Speaker 2: misses a Sunday. That's what happens when you release control. 185 00:09:26,040 --> 00:09:28,800 Speaker 2: God will make things happen that you could never make 186 00:09:28,880 --> 00:09:31,840 Speaker 2: happen on your own. Now, I'm not saying to release 187 00:09:31,960 --> 00:09:35,400 Speaker 2: the promise to give up on a dream. No release 188 00:09:35,520 --> 00:09:40,000 Speaker 2: the worries, release the frustration, release having to have it 189 00:09:40,120 --> 00:09:44,960 Speaker 2: your way. Psalm one says God will work out his 190 00:09:45,160 --> 00:09:48,840 Speaker 2: plan for your life. God knows how to get you 191 00:09:48,880 --> 00:09:51,160 Speaker 2: to where you're supposed to be. You don't have to 192 00:09:51,200 --> 00:09:53,000 Speaker 2: live worried, frustrated. 193 00:09:53,480 --> 00:09:54,920 Speaker 1: If you'll trust him. 194 00:09:55,120 --> 00:09:58,600 Speaker 2: God will bring the right people. He'll open the right doors, 195 00:09:58,800 --> 00:10:03,400 Speaker 2: he'll turn problems. He promises, he will work out his 196 00:10:03,559 --> 00:10:05,400 Speaker 2: plan for your life. 197 00:10:05,480 --> 00:10:07,160 Speaker 1: When we all have goals. 198 00:10:06,800 --> 00:10:10,480 Speaker 2: And dreams, and it's easy to be frustrated when they're 199 00:10:10,480 --> 00:10:14,480 Speaker 2: not happening as fast as we would like, we think, God, 200 00:10:14,760 --> 00:10:17,920 Speaker 2: I'm working hard, I'm being my best, I'm honoring you. 201 00:10:18,720 --> 00:10:21,040 Speaker 2: When am I going to get that good break? When 202 00:10:21,080 --> 00:10:23,000 Speaker 2: am I going to meet the right person? Why is 203 00:10:23,040 --> 00:10:27,359 Speaker 2: it taking so long? No, you can't control the timetable. 204 00:10:28,120 --> 00:10:31,400 Speaker 2: You can plant the seed, you can water it, but 205 00:10:31,520 --> 00:10:35,319 Speaker 2: only God can bring the sunshine. Only God can cause 206 00:10:35,320 --> 00:10:39,199 Speaker 2: it to grow. Don't be frustrated because it's not happening 207 00:10:39,240 --> 00:10:40,280 Speaker 2: on your timetable. 208 00:10:40,679 --> 00:10:42,280 Speaker 1: As long as you're being. 209 00:10:42,120 --> 00:10:46,480 Speaker 2: Your best, honoring God, you can rest assured God will 210 00:10:46,520 --> 00:10:49,080 Speaker 2: get you to where you're supposed to be. It's the 211 00:10:49,120 --> 00:10:52,880 Speaker 2: same principle in our health. You can't make yourself get well. 212 00:10:53,480 --> 00:10:57,040 Speaker 2: You can pray and believe, you can eat, ride, exercise, 213 00:10:57,160 --> 00:11:00,480 Speaker 2: take medicine, but only God can bring the healing. 214 00:11:01,160 --> 00:11:02,240 Speaker 1: Only he can. 215 00:11:02,120 --> 00:11:06,480 Speaker 2: Restore health and the scripture says to cast your cares 216 00:11:06,559 --> 00:11:10,760 Speaker 2: on the Lord. The care is the worry, those thoughts 217 00:11:10,760 --> 00:11:14,000 Speaker 2: that bring anxiety and fear. What if you don't get well, 218 00:11:14,440 --> 00:11:17,200 Speaker 2: what if the treatment doesn't work, What if the medical 219 00:11:17,240 --> 00:11:21,920 Speaker 2: report isn't good. Worry ties the hands of Almighty God. 220 00:11:22,720 --> 00:11:27,080 Speaker 2: Living stressed out, trying to change things that you can't change, 221 00:11:27,320 --> 00:11:30,840 Speaker 2: will keep you from God's best. You have to release control. 222 00:11:31,559 --> 00:11:34,720 Speaker 2: It's not your job to heal yourself. You don't control 223 00:11:34,800 --> 00:11:39,360 Speaker 2: the sunshine. The right attitude is God. My life is 224 00:11:39,440 --> 00:11:43,040 Speaker 2: in your hands. I know you're the healer. You said 225 00:11:43,040 --> 00:11:46,120 Speaker 2: the number of my days you would fulfill. So I'm 226 00:11:46,120 --> 00:11:48,080 Speaker 2: not gonna live worried and stressed out. 227 00:11:48,280 --> 00:11:48,520 Speaker 1: Lord. 228 00:11:48,559 --> 00:11:51,040 Speaker 2: I want to thank you for the sunshine, Thank you 229 00:11:51,120 --> 00:11:54,080 Speaker 2: for doing what only you can do. Then, all through 230 00:11:54,080 --> 00:11:56,959 Speaker 2: the day, instead of trying to make yourself get well, 231 00:11:57,280 --> 00:12:01,280 Speaker 2: just relax, stay in peace, keep a smile on your face. 232 00:12:02,280 --> 00:12:06,200 Speaker 2: God is not asking you to control everything. Take the 233 00:12:06,240 --> 00:12:12,640 Speaker 2: pressure off yourself. He's saying, cast your cares, release the control. See, 234 00:12:12,720 --> 00:12:16,040 Speaker 2: you can't make yourself get well. You can't make people 235 00:12:16,200 --> 00:12:19,080 Speaker 2: like you. You can't make a dream come to pass. 236 00:12:19,600 --> 00:12:22,200 Speaker 2: God has to give you the sunshine. He has to 237 00:12:22,240 --> 00:12:26,480 Speaker 2: breathe in your direction. Maybe you're believing for a promotion today. 238 00:12:27,040 --> 00:12:28,920 Speaker 2: Well you said, Joel, all you said I have to 239 00:12:28,960 --> 00:12:31,560 Speaker 2: do is just trust I can't make it happen. Now. 240 00:12:31,640 --> 00:12:37,000 Speaker 2: The scripture says cast your cares, not your responsibilities. I'm 241 00:12:37,000 --> 00:12:39,400 Speaker 2: not saying to just sit back and don't do anything. No, 242 00:12:39,600 --> 00:12:42,640 Speaker 2: do your part. Then take your hands off of it 243 00:12:42,960 --> 00:12:45,960 Speaker 2: and trust God to do what you can't do. In 244 00:12:46,000 --> 00:12:49,800 Speaker 2: other words, get to work on time, produce more than 245 00:12:49,840 --> 00:12:52,719 Speaker 2: you have to, have a spirit of excellence. Then if 246 00:12:52,720 --> 00:12:56,280 Speaker 2: for some reason you don't get the promotion, maybe they 247 00:12:56,320 --> 00:12:59,679 Speaker 2: give it to somebody less deserving. You can't control that, 248 00:13:00,200 --> 00:13:03,679 Speaker 2: but you can control your response. God, I trust you. 249 00:13:04,200 --> 00:13:07,600 Speaker 2: I'm not going to be offended start complaining. God, I 250 00:13:07,679 --> 00:13:11,199 Speaker 2: know you have something better in store. In the meantime, 251 00:13:11,320 --> 00:13:13,640 Speaker 2: I'm going to enjoy my life right where I am. 252 00:13:14,280 --> 00:13:18,680 Speaker 2: Quit being frustrated by things that you cannot change. God 253 00:13:18,800 --> 00:13:22,360 Speaker 2: has you in the palm of his hand. Nothing is 254 00:13:22,440 --> 00:13:26,400 Speaker 2: happening that he is not completely aware of. When you 255 00:13:26,440 --> 00:13:29,920 Speaker 2: start releasing control and trusting him to get you to 256 00:13:29,960 --> 00:13:33,000 Speaker 2: where you're supposed to be, that's when you'll see new 257 00:13:33,040 --> 00:13:38,079 Speaker 2: doors open, new opportunities, new friendships. But much of our 258 00:13:38,160 --> 00:13:42,280 Speaker 2: frustration in life is because we're trying to control things 259 00:13:42,559 --> 00:13:45,720 Speaker 2: we were never meant to control. We try to control 260 00:13:45,760 --> 00:13:49,280 Speaker 2: what people think about us, control what our spouse does, 261 00:13:49,880 --> 00:13:52,920 Speaker 2: control when a dream comes to pass, and if it's 262 00:13:52,960 --> 00:13:56,360 Speaker 2: not happening on our timetable the way we want, we 263 00:13:56,400 --> 00:13:57,800 Speaker 2: go to work and try to change it. 264 00:13:58,320 --> 00:13:59,560 Speaker 1: Thinking, man, I got to change my. 265 00:13:59,600 --> 00:14:02,560 Speaker 2: Spole, I got to change these people's opinion of me. 266 00:14:03,200 --> 00:14:05,360 Speaker 2: This problem's not turning around fast enough. 267 00:14:05,600 --> 00:14:07,200 Speaker 1: I got to get in there and change that. 268 00:14:07,960 --> 00:14:12,160 Speaker 2: Many people are working over time trying to change things 269 00:14:12,320 --> 00:14:15,640 Speaker 2: that they cannot change. You have to accept the fact 270 00:14:15,960 --> 00:14:20,800 Speaker 2: you can't control everything. The only thing you can control 271 00:14:21,120 --> 00:14:25,640 Speaker 2: one hundred percent of the time is your attitude. Life 272 00:14:25,760 --> 00:14:29,680 Speaker 2: is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent 273 00:14:29,840 --> 00:14:30,720 Speaker 2: how you respond. 274 00:14:31,800 --> 00:14:33,880 Speaker 1: If somebody hurts you, you can't. 275 00:14:33,720 --> 00:14:37,800 Speaker 2: Control that it's over and done, but you can control 276 00:14:38,000 --> 00:14:40,760 Speaker 2: whether or not you get offended or if you were 277 00:14:40,760 --> 00:14:44,160 Speaker 2: to get a negative medical report. You can't control that 278 00:14:44,280 --> 00:14:48,120 Speaker 2: life happens, but you can control whether or not you 279 00:14:48,240 --> 00:14:53,560 Speaker 2: live upset and discouraged. I'm simply asking you today focus 280 00:14:53,720 --> 00:14:57,040 Speaker 2: on what you can control, not on what you can. 281 00:14:57,600 --> 00:15:01,360 Speaker 1: If you live in Houston. During the summer very hot here. 282 00:15:02,240 --> 00:15:05,160 Speaker 2: I know people that have complained for the last thirty 283 00:15:05,280 --> 00:15:08,800 Speaker 2: years about the heat. It's so hard I can't take 284 00:15:08,840 --> 00:15:12,360 Speaker 2: it joy. The fact is you can't change the heat now. 285 00:15:12,360 --> 00:15:14,240 Speaker 2: I don't mean to depress you, but it's gonna be 286 00:15:14,240 --> 00:15:15,480 Speaker 2: hot in the summers for the. 287 00:15:15,440 --> 00:15:16,280 Speaker 1: Next thirty years. 288 00:15:17,160 --> 00:15:20,160 Speaker 2: You can either dread it and let that sour the 289 00:15:20,200 --> 00:15:23,240 Speaker 2: rest of your life, or you can say, this is 290 00:15:23,240 --> 00:15:26,280 Speaker 2: where God has me. I believe I have the grace 291 00:15:26,360 --> 00:15:29,280 Speaker 2: to handle it. Yes, it's hot, but thank god I 292 00:15:29,280 --> 00:15:32,040 Speaker 2: have an air conditioner. Thank God I have a job here. 293 00:15:32,360 --> 00:15:34,880 Speaker 2: Thank God I have friends and family. Thank God I 294 00:15:34,880 --> 00:15:39,360 Speaker 2: can come to Lakewood. You can't control the heat, but 295 00:15:39,480 --> 00:15:44,840 Speaker 2: you can control your attitude. Why be unhappy about something 296 00:15:44,880 --> 00:15:47,680 Speaker 2: that you cannot change. If you have to sit in 297 00:15:47,720 --> 00:15:50,240 Speaker 2: traffic every day on the way to work, why let 298 00:15:50,280 --> 00:15:53,280 Speaker 2: that steal your joy? Being upset about it is not 299 00:15:53,320 --> 00:15:56,720 Speaker 2: going to make it go any faster. You can't control 300 00:15:56,840 --> 00:16:00,000 Speaker 2: the traffic. Why don't you change what you can control. 301 00:16:00,720 --> 00:16:03,200 Speaker 2: Use that time to thank God for what He's done 302 00:16:03,200 --> 00:16:06,000 Speaker 2: in your life. Look out at the beauty of his creation. 303 00:16:06,520 --> 00:16:10,000 Speaker 2: Put on some good praise music, turn on serious XM. 304 00:16:10,040 --> 00:16:11,120 Speaker 1: Listen to our messages. 305 00:16:11,480 --> 00:16:14,560 Speaker 2: The traffic may not ever change, but you can change 306 00:16:15,080 --> 00:16:18,520 Speaker 2: and some of the things that are frustrating you right now. 307 00:16:18,880 --> 00:16:22,440 Speaker 2: If you don't make these simple adjustments, twenty years from now, 308 00:16:22,600 --> 00:16:26,200 Speaker 2: thirty years, forty years, those same things will still be 309 00:16:26,240 --> 00:16:27,040 Speaker 2: frustrating you. 310 00:16:28,000 --> 00:16:29,560 Speaker 1: Life happens to all of us. 311 00:16:30,040 --> 00:16:34,960 Speaker 2: We have delays, interruptions, unfair situations we can't control that. 312 00:16:35,600 --> 00:16:38,680 Speaker 1: Don't use it as an excuse to get upset. 313 00:16:39,080 --> 00:16:43,200 Speaker 2: Few Christmases ago, I was driving around a crowded parking lot, 314 00:16:43,760 --> 00:16:46,080 Speaker 2: up and down the roads, again and again, trying to 315 00:16:46,080 --> 00:16:49,080 Speaker 2: find someplace to park in a few minutes. This young 316 00:16:49,080 --> 00:16:51,720 Speaker 2: couple came out and they were parked right up close 317 00:16:51,760 --> 00:16:54,200 Speaker 2: to the building. I said, well, lord, thank you for 318 00:16:54,280 --> 00:16:56,600 Speaker 2: your favor, and I put my blinker on and I 319 00:16:56,720 --> 00:16:58,960 Speaker 2: was waiting for them to pull out, and took them 320 00:16:58,960 --> 00:17:01,120 Speaker 2: a long time. They had to put their packages in 321 00:17:01,160 --> 00:17:04,120 Speaker 2: the trunk and buckle up a child in the safety seat. 322 00:17:04,840 --> 00:17:07,919 Speaker 2: Finally they backed out just as I was about to 323 00:17:07,960 --> 00:17:11,160 Speaker 2: pull in. They still had me blocked. This car came 324 00:17:11,200 --> 00:17:14,240 Speaker 2: from the wrong direction and pulled in right in front 325 00:17:14,280 --> 00:17:17,600 Speaker 2: of it. My first thought was to haunt my horn 326 00:17:17,640 --> 00:17:20,719 Speaker 2: and give them a piece of my mind. Then I 327 00:17:20,720 --> 00:17:25,840 Speaker 2: remembered I'm a pastor, and. 328 00:17:23,960 --> 00:17:25,240 Speaker 1: A happy pastor at that. 329 00:17:27,000 --> 00:17:30,320 Speaker 2: But one of the most important things that I've learned 330 00:17:30,760 --> 00:17:34,840 Speaker 2: is life is too short to be frustrated by things 331 00:17:34,880 --> 00:17:38,960 Speaker 2: you cannot control. You can't control what other people do. 332 00:17:39,600 --> 00:17:43,160 Speaker 2: He can't control the traffic, can't control the weather. If 333 00:17:43,200 --> 00:17:45,920 Speaker 2: you're only going to be happy, if everything goes your 334 00:17:45,960 --> 00:17:49,600 Speaker 2: way and everybody's nice and kind to you, you're probably 335 00:17:49,600 --> 00:17:53,119 Speaker 2: going to live a very unhappy life. Them taking my 336 00:17:53,240 --> 00:17:57,240 Speaker 2: parking spot was a part of the ten percent life happened. 337 00:17:57,280 --> 00:18:00,760 Speaker 2: It wasn't fair, But the ninety percent it is what 338 00:18:00,880 --> 00:18:01,720 Speaker 2: really matters. 339 00:18:02,040 --> 00:18:03,119 Speaker 1: How do we respond? 340 00:18:04,080 --> 00:18:10,520 Speaker 2: Jesus said, stop allowing yourselves to be upset, agitated, and disturbed. 341 00:18:10,720 --> 00:18:13,240 Speaker 1: It's a choice that we have to make now. 342 00:18:13,280 --> 00:18:15,679 Speaker 2: At the start of the day, you should make a 343 00:18:15,760 --> 00:18:19,359 Speaker 2: decision that, no matter what comes against you that day, 344 00:18:19,760 --> 00:18:21,200 Speaker 2: you are not going to get upset. 345 00:18:22,040 --> 00:18:24,000 Speaker 1: You have to decide ahead of time. 346 00:18:24,600 --> 00:18:27,200 Speaker 2: That way, if you get to work and your boss 347 00:18:27,280 --> 00:18:30,119 Speaker 2: is in a grouchy mood, you think that's okay. I 348 00:18:30,160 --> 00:18:33,159 Speaker 2: can't control him. I can't make him be in a 349 00:18:33,200 --> 00:18:36,920 Speaker 2: good mood. That's his choice. My choice is to be happy. 350 00:18:37,240 --> 00:18:41,080 Speaker 2: I've already decided to enjoy this day. Traffic is worse 351 00:18:41,119 --> 00:18:44,240 Speaker 2: than normal. If your child forgets his homework at school, 352 00:18:44,280 --> 00:18:46,800 Speaker 2: you got to go back up. If the Texans. 353 00:18:46,320 --> 00:18:47,760 Speaker 1: Don't win, that's all right. 354 00:18:47,840 --> 00:18:50,639 Speaker 2: I've already decided I'm not gonna be frustrated. I'm not 355 00:18:50,640 --> 00:18:54,520 Speaker 2: gonna get upset today. Back when I first started ministering 356 00:18:54,720 --> 00:18:57,760 Speaker 2: nineteen ninety nine, one day I was at home working 357 00:18:57,800 --> 00:19:01,399 Speaker 2: on my computer writing the message for that weekend. It 358 00:19:01,440 --> 00:19:04,639 Speaker 2: was a perfectly sunny day, not a cloud in the sky. 359 00:19:05,160 --> 00:19:08,960 Speaker 2: Out of nowhere, the power went off for some reason. 360 00:19:09,080 --> 00:19:12,440 Speaker 2: I had not saved my material, had five or six 361 00:19:12,480 --> 00:19:15,520 Speaker 2: pages of notes, been working most of the day, and 362 00:19:15,880 --> 00:19:19,520 Speaker 2: I was hoping, praying, believing that somehow it had been 363 00:19:19,560 --> 00:19:22,960 Speaker 2: automatically saved. It was hard enough back then to write 364 00:19:23,000 --> 00:19:25,760 Speaker 2: one message. I said, God, please don't make me write 365 00:19:25,760 --> 00:19:29,880 Speaker 2: it again. Power came back on and I searched and searched, 366 00:19:30,119 --> 00:19:32,800 Speaker 2: trying to find it, but it wasn't there. I got 367 00:19:32,840 --> 00:19:35,639 Speaker 2: technicians to come out from the office. They looked in 368 00:19:35,720 --> 00:19:39,960 Speaker 2: look but the material was gone. I was so frustrated 369 00:19:40,400 --> 00:19:43,919 Speaker 2: I lost the whole day's worth of work. I felt 370 00:19:43,960 --> 00:19:47,280 Speaker 2: like calling the power company, What are you doing turning 371 00:19:47,280 --> 00:19:48,080 Speaker 2: my power. 372 00:19:47,800 --> 00:19:49,480 Speaker 1: Off in the middle of the day. Don't you know 373 00:19:49,520 --> 00:19:50,560 Speaker 1: that's causing problem? 374 00:19:51,240 --> 00:19:54,600 Speaker 2: No matter how much I vented, no matter how frustrated 375 00:19:54,680 --> 00:19:59,240 Speaker 2: I became, the material was not coming back. We waste 376 00:19:59,280 --> 00:20:02,680 Speaker 2: a lot of time and energy trying to change things 377 00:20:02,760 --> 00:20:07,160 Speaker 2: that we cannot change. The scripture says in life, you'll 378 00:20:07,160 --> 00:20:11,959 Speaker 2: have trials, difficulties, interruptions. We're all going to have our 379 00:20:12,040 --> 00:20:15,879 Speaker 2: ten percent. Things we don't like, things that are not fair, 380 00:20:15,920 --> 00:20:19,840 Speaker 2: things we don't understand. We can't control that. You have 381 00:20:19,920 --> 00:20:23,600 Speaker 2: to focus on what you can control. I finally shook 382 00:20:23,640 --> 00:20:27,320 Speaker 2: off the self pity. I shook off the discouragement, sat 383 00:20:27,359 --> 00:20:31,119 Speaker 2: back down at my computer. I said, God, this power 384 00:20:31,200 --> 00:20:34,720 Speaker 2: going off is not a surprise to you. You said, 385 00:20:34,800 --> 00:20:37,239 Speaker 2: what's meant from my harm? You would use it to 386 00:20:37,240 --> 00:20:40,320 Speaker 2: my advantage. You said all things would work together for 387 00:20:40,440 --> 00:20:42,640 Speaker 2: my good. So Lord, I want to thank you. The 388 00:20:42,680 --> 00:20:45,359 Speaker 2: second time I write this message will be better than 389 00:20:45,359 --> 00:20:47,800 Speaker 2: the first time. I went to work there at my 390 00:20:47,840 --> 00:20:52,159 Speaker 2: computer and ideas started coming from out of nowhere. A 391 00:20:52,160 --> 00:20:55,480 Speaker 2: couple of hours I had more notes and better notes 392 00:20:55,520 --> 00:21:00,639 Speaker 2: than I had before. Next time, you're tempted to be frustrated, offended, 393 00:21:00,840 --> 00:21:04,600 Speaker 2: stressed out. Remind yourself that's a part of the ten percent. 394 00:21:05,280 --> 00:21:09,639 Speaker 2: You can't control that, but you can control how you respond. 395 00:21:10,320 --> 00:21:14,320 Speaker 2: Start passing the test. Don't keep letting the same things 396 00:21:14,400 --> 00:21:17,479 Speaker 2: upset you year after year. The same people get on 397 00:21:17,520 --> 00:21:18,200 Speaker 2: your nerves. 398 00:21:18,640 --> 00:21:19,920 Speaker 1: Every day is a. 399 00:21:19,840 --> 00:21:23,080 Speaker 2: Gift from God. We're not always going to be here. 400 00:21:23,760 --> 00:21:26,320 Speaker 2: Once this day is over, we can never get it back. 401 00:21:26,960 --> 00:21:31,200 Speaker 2: Your time is too valuable to waste it. Upset in traffic, 402 00:21:31,760 --> 00:21:35,440 Speaker 2: offended at a neighbor, frustrated at a child, worried about 403 00:21:35,480 --> 00:21:38,879 Speaker 2: your health. Discourage because a dream is taking so long. 404 00:21:39,640 --> 00:21:42,480 Speaker 2: You can't control those things. If that was going to 405 00:21:42,600 --> 00:21:43,280 Speaker 2: keep you from. 406 00:21:43,200 --> 00:21:46,080 Speaker 1: Your destiny, God would have never permitted it. 407 00:21:46,400 --> 00:21:50,040 Speaker 2: Start passing the test. Don't allow yourself to be upset. 408 00:21:51,040 --> 00:21:54,040 Speaker 2: I was in Australia last year and they used the 409 00:21:54,040 --> 00:21:58,320 Speaker 2: phrase no worries all the time. They say no worries, 410 00:21:58,600 --> 00:22:01,640 Speaker 2: like we say you're welcome here in the States. If 411 00:22:01,640 --> 00:22:03,720 Speaker 2: you're at dinner and the waiter brings you the food, 412 00:22:03,920 --> 00:22:04,800 Speaker 2: you say thank you. 413 00:22:05,040 --> 00:22:06,600 Speaker 1: They answer back, no worries. 414 00:22:07,240 --> 00:22:09,560 Speaker 2: I dropped my fork on the ground, they came running over, 415 00:22:09,640 --> 00:22:10,840 Speaker 2: pick it up. No worries. 416 00:22:11,080 --> 00:22:15,240 Speaker 1: They're so relaxed, easy going. Nothing bothers them. 417 00:22:15,720 --> 00:22:20,640 Speaker 2: Building's on fire, no worries, robbery in progress, no worries. 418 00:22:21,960 --> 00:22:25,920 Speaker 2: I must have heard that phrase twenty thirty times a day, 419 00:22:26,440 --> 00:22:28,720 Speaker 2: and even though they use it in a different way, 420 00:22:29,240 --> 00:22:32,600 Speaker 2: I love the fact that it reminds you not to worry. 421 00:22:32,840 --> 00:22:36,560 Speaker 1: Puts it ease. That should be our motto. No worries. 422 00:22:37,160 --> 00:22:40,960 Speaker 2: Traffic is backed up, no worries. God has directing my steps. 423 00:22:41,280 --> 00:22:44,040 Speaker 2: I'm at the right place at the right time. Somebody's 424 00:22:44,119 --> 00:22:44,720 Speaker 2: rude to us. 425 00:22:44,880 --> 00:22:45,560 Speaker 1: No worries. 426 00:22:45,760 --> 00:22:48,280 Speaker 2: They're having a bad day. I've already decided to have 427 00:22:48,320 --> 00:22:50,960 Speaker 2: a good day. Business is a little slow. 428 00:22:51,160 --> 00:22:54,520 Speaker 1: No worries. God is my provider. He's supplying all of 429 00:22:54,560 --> 00:22:55,159 Speaker 1: my needs. 430 00:22:55,760 --> 00:22:59,679 Speaker 2: If we would develop this no worries mentality, I wonder 431 00:23:00,119 --> 00:23:03,639 Speaker 2: not only how much more we'd enjoy life, but how 432 00:23:03,720 --> 00:23:08,440 Speaker 2: much longer we would live. Proverb says a relaxed attitude 433 00:23:08,840 --> 00:23:09,960 Speaker 2: lengthens life. 434 00:23:10,480 --> 00:23:11,760 Speaker 1: The opposite is true. 435 00:23:12,119 --> 00:23:16,440 Speaker 2: If you're living upset, offended, worried, you're taking time off 436 00:23:16,440 --> 00:23:17,879 Speaker 2: of your life. 437 00:23:17,920 --> 00:23:18,920 Speaker 1: We need you here. 438 00:23:19,560 --> 00:23:25,400 Speaker 2: Don't leave before your time is up. If you'll start trusting, relaxing, 439 00:23:25,720 --> 00:23:29,560 Speaker 2: going with the flow, you can add time to your life. 440 00:23:29,760 --> 00:23:32,960 Speaker 2: We're always looking for that fountain of youth. Ways to 441 00:23:33,000 --> 00:23:36,800 Speaker 2: look younger, to live longer. One way is to develop 442 00:23:36,840 --> 00:23:41,840 Speaker 2: this no worries mentality. Quit being upset over things that 443 00:23:41,880 --> 00:23:45,280 Speaker 2: you have no control over. Quit trying to change. 444 00:23:45,000 --> 00:23:46,960 Speaker 1: Things that you cannot change. 445 00:23:47,560 --> 00:23:53,480 Speaker 2: Worry less, trust more, stress less, laugh more, love. 446 00:23:53,320 --> 00:23:55,000 Speaker 1: More, enjoy more. 447 00:23:55,840 --> 00:23:59,480 Speaker 2: When our daughter Alexandra was about five years old, one night, 448 00:23:59,560 --> 00:24:01,520 Speaker 2: I needed to run up to the store to pick 449 00:24:01,560 --> 00:24:04,679 Speaker 2: something up. It was going to close in thirty minutes. 450 00:24:05,160 --> 00:24:07,760 Speaker 2: Victoria said, we'll never make it, Joel, I said, sure, 451 00:24:07,800 --> 00:24:10,040 Speaker 2: we will. Just help me get the kids ready and 452 00:24:10,119 --> 00:24:13,040 Speaker 2: let's go. She got them dressed real fast, and I 453 00:24:13,119 --> 00:24:15,600 Speaker 2: grabbed their shoes and we took off to the store. 454 00:24:15,600 --> 00:24:17,960 Speaker 2: And it was like I was on a mission from God. 455 00:24:18,440 --> 00:24:20,760 Speaker 2: I was so said I needed to get what I wanted. 456 00:24:20,800 --> 00:24:22,439 Speaker 2: I did not want to have to come back the 457 00:24:22,480 --> 00:24:25,560 Speaker 2: next day. We arrived at the store's parking lot with 458 00:24:25,640 --> 00:24:28,000 Speaker 2: about eight minutes left to go, and I knew I 459 00:24:28,000 --> 00:24:30,359 Speaker 2: could still make it, but I had to put little 460 00:24:30,400 --> 00:24:34,720 Speaker 2: Alexandra's shoes on. I got her left shoe on, went 461 00:24:34,760 --> 00:24:36,840 Speaker 2: to put the right one on, but I couldn't get 462 00:24:36,840 --> 00:24:39,600 Speaker 2: it to fit. I worked and worked and struggled, but 463 00:24:39,640 --> 00:24:41,800 Speaker 2: it just wouldn't go on right. And I took it 464 00:24:41,840 --> 00:24:46,199 Speaker 2: off and noticed that it was another left shoe. I 465 00:24:46,240 --> 00:24:48,520 Speaker 2: thought that couldn't be right, and I compared it with 466 00:24:48,560 --> 00:24:51,120 Speaker 2: the other one. Sure enough, we had two left shoes. 467 00:24:51,640 --> 00:24:53,800 Speaker 2: I said, Victoria, why do we have two of the 468 00:24:53,880 --> 00:24:57,679 Speaker 2: exact same shoes? She said, oh, Joel, her little cousin 469 00:24:57,840 --> 00:24:59,880 Speaker 2: was over at the house playing today and she has 470 00:25:00,160 --> 00:25:01,120 Speaker 2: same pair of shoes. 471 00:25:01,240 --> 00:25:04,280 Speaker 1: We must have grabbed the wrong ones. I thought, oh great. 472 00:25:04,640 --> 00:25:06,760 Speaker 2: Now I had about four minutes to go, and I 473 00:25:06,800 --> 00:25:11,199 Speaker 2: was really stressed out. Alexandra was a daddy's girl. She 474 00:25:11,280 --> 00:25:13,600 Speaker 2: would do anything in the world for me, So I 475 00:25:13,680 --> 00:25:16,520 Speaker 2: got this idea. I said, Alexandra, it may be a 476 00:25:16,520 --> 00:25:19,359 Speaker 2: little tight, but will you put this left shoe on 477 00:25:19,400 --> 00:25:22,240 Speaker 2: your right foot and wear it for daddy. She looked 478 00:25:22,240 --> 00:25:24,439 Speaker 2: at me, I'll never forget it, smile real big and 479 00:25:24,480 --> 00:25:30,520 Speaker 2: said no, I won't. I knew right then and there 480 00:25:30,720 --> 00:25:31,800 Speaker 2: it wasn't meant to be. 481 00:25:32,000 --> 00:25:32,920 Speaker 1: Just go with the flow. 482 00:25:33,160 --> 00:25:36,080 Speaker 2: That was a part of the ten percent daughter has 483 00:25:36,160 --> 00:25:39,960 Speaker 2: two left shoes. No use getting upset over what you 484 00:25:40,000 --> 00:25:43,040 Speaker 2: can't change. My plans didn't work out. No worries, I 485 00:25:43,080 --> 00:25:46,080 Speaker 2: can come back the next day. God still directed my steps. 486 00:25:46,359 --> 00:25:49,480 Speaker 2: Think of it this way. If you learned you only 487 00:25:49,520 --> 00:25:52,280 Speaker 2: had three months to live, how many of the things 488 00:25:52,280 --> 00:25:55,159 Speaker 2: that upset you last week would you let upset you 489 00:25:55,200 --> 00:25:58,560 Speaker 2: this week? Would you be stressed because your computer died? 490 00:25:59,000 --> 00:26:01,719 Speaker 2: Would you be frustrated because your daughter has two left shoes? 491 00:26:01,960 --> 00:26:04,399 Speaker 2: Would you be upset because somebody got your parking spot, 492 00:26:04,960 --> 00:26:07,200 Speaker 2: somebody was rude to get the grocery store. 493 00:26:07,320 --> 00:26:07,959 Speaker 1: No, let it go. 494 00:26:08,400 --> 00:26:11,480 Speaker 2: Life is too short to live that way. Some of 495 00:26:11,520 --> 00:26:15,520 Speaker 2: you are carrying around way too much. You need to 496 00:26:15,560 --> 00:26:21,080 Speaker 2: start releasing the worries, release the offense, release the struggles. 497 00:26:21,560 --> 00:26:24,080 Speaker 2: You don't have to make your dreams come to pass. 498 00:26:24,359 --> 00:26:27,480 Speaker 2: Take the pressure off of yourself. Only God can. 499 00:26:27,320 --> 00:26:29,000 Speaker 1: Bring the sunshine. 500 00:26:29,040 --> 00:26:31,680 Speaker 2: Trust him and he'll get you to where you're supposed 501 00:26:31,680 --> 00:26:35,919 Speaker 2: to be. If you'll start releasing control, you'll not only 502 00:26:36,400 --> 00:26:40,040 Speaker 2: enjoy life more, but you'll live longer. God promises he 503 00:26:40,119 --> 00:26:41,639 Speaker 2: will work out his plan. 504 00:26:41,440 --> 00:26:42,280 Speaker 1: For your life. 505 00:26:42,440 --> 00:26:45,400 Speaker 2: I believe and declare he will open the right doors, 506 00:26:45,560 --> 00:26:49,160 Speaker 2: he'll bring the right people, He'll turn negative situations around, 507 00:26:49,400 --> 00:26:53,800 Speaker 2: and you'll step into the fullness of your destiny in Jesus' name. 508 00:26:54,240 --> 00:26:56,240 Speaker 2: If you receive it. Can you say him in today? 509 00:26:57,880 --> 00:27:00,240 Speaker 2: We never like to close our broadcast with no out, 510 00:27:00,240 --> 00:27:02,879 Speaker 2: giving you an opportunity to make Jesus the lord of 511 00:27:02,880 --> 00:27:03,560 Speaker 2: your life. 512 00:27:03,720 --> 00:27:04,720 Speaker 1: Would you pray with me? 513 00:27:05,480 --> 00:27:10,640 Speaker 2: Just say Lord, Jesus, I'll repent of my sins. Come 514 00:27:10,680 --> 00:27:16,280 Speaker 2: into my heart. I make you my Lord and savior. Friends, 515 00:27:16,320 --> 00:27:18,680 Speaker 2: if you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 516 00:27:18,680 --> 00:27:21,960 Speaker 2: born again. Get in a good Bible based church, Keep 517 00:27:22,000 --> 00:27:25,080 Speaker 2: God first place. He's gonna take your places that you've 518 00:27:25,080 --> 00:27:25,800 Speaker 2: never dreamed. 519 00:27:27,480 --> 00:27:30,320 Speaker 3: We all carry a mental picture of what our life 520 00:27:30,440 --> 00:27:36,600 Speaker 3: can be. Is yours limited? Do you picture yourself stuck? Inadequate, defeated? 521 00:27:37,000 --> 00:27:39,679 Speaker 3: Are you willing to change your mindset in order to 522 00:27:39,760 --> 00:27:42,280 Speaker 3: experience a life of blessing and abundance. 523 00:27:42,800 --> 00:27:45,480 Speaker 2: We all have a picture in our mind of ourself, 524 00:27:45,840 --> 00:27:49,480 Speaker 2: our family, our future. And if that picture is negative, 525 00:27:49,840 --> 00:27:53,040 Speaker 2: you see yourself at a disadvantage. Your problem's too big, 526 00:27:53,280 --> 00:27:57,439 Speaker 2: it's gonna limit your life. A new book, The Abundance Mindset, 527 00:27:57,680 --> 00:28:00,320 Speaker 2: will help you see yourself the right way. If you'll 528 00:28:00,400 --> 00:28:06,040 Speaker 2: change those negative pictures, start seeing yourself blessed, healthy, rising high, 529 00:28:06,119 --> 00:28:09,040 Speaker 2: or accomplishing dreams, then things will begin. 530 00:28:08,840 --> 00:28:10,240 Speaker 1: To shift in your favor. 531 00:28:10,600 --> 00:28:13,080 Speaker 2: You have to see it on the inside before it'll 532 00:28:13,080 --> 00:28:15,760 Speaker 2: come to pass on the outside. We'll send you the 533 00:28:15,800 --> 00:28:18,960 Speaker 2: Mindset Journal too. These tools will help you get your 534 00:28:18,960 --> 00:28:21,840 Speaker 2: inner vision in the right place so you can move 535 00:28:22,040 --> 00:28:25,000 Speaker 2: into the favor and blessing that God has for you. 536 00:28:25,880 --> 00:28:28,200 Speaker 3: As our way of saying thank you for your gift 537 00:28:28,240 --> 00:28:30,720 Speaker 3: of any amount this month, we would like to send 538 00:28:30,760 --> 00:28:34,480 Speaker 3: you a copy of Joel's book The Abundance Mindset and 539 00:28:34,560 --> 00:28:39,480 Speaker 3: this inspiring Mindset Journal. Joel shares powerful scriptures and encouraging 540 00:28:39,560 --> 00:28:42,840 Speaker 3: thoughts about how to move from fairly enough to more 541 00:28:42,880 --> 00:28:46,760 Speaker 3: than enough, how to be someone else's miracle and experience 542 00:28:46,840 --> 00:28:49,760 Speaker 3: miracles in your own life. As you make the book 543 00:28:49,800 --> 00:28:52,560 Speaker 3: and journal a part of your daily walk, you'll be 544 00:28:52,640 --> 00:28:56,000 Speaker 3: built up every day regarding how to tap into God's 545 00:28:56,000 --> 00:28:59,400 Speaker 3: favor and blessing, how not to talk yourself out of 546 00:28:59,440 --> 00:29:02,720 Speaker 3: the dreams and opportunities He has already prepared for you, 547 00:29:03,160 --> 00:29:07,000 Speaker 3: how to experience life to the fullest. Request your copies 548 00:29:07,000 --> 00:29:09,920 Speaker 3: today and begin to see a new mental picture of 549 00:29:09,960 --> 00:29:14,480 Speaker 3: yourself that will lead to new measures of blessing, favor, promotion, 550 00:29:14,880 --> 00:29:15,720 Speaker 3: and abundance. 551 00:29:16,200 --> 00:29:19,520 Speaker 2: Let's go into twenty twenty five with an Abundant Mindset. 552 00:29:19,960 --> 00:29:22,000 Speaker 2: I believe you're going to see the goodness of God 553 00:29:22,200 --> 00:29:24,800 Speaker 2: in new ways. Victorian and I want you to know 554 00:29:24,880 --> 00:29:27,640 Speaker 2: we pray for you and your family every day for 555 00:29:27,760 --> 00:29:28,960 Speaker 2: God's very best. 556 00:29:29,360 --> 00:29:31,800 Speaker 1: We want to thank you for your prayer and support. 557 00:29:32,160 --> 00:29:34,560 Speaker 1: You are impacting people all over the world. 558 00:29:35,040 --> 00:29:37,680 Speaker 2: A special thank you to our Champion of Hope partners 559 00:29:37,760 --> 00:29:40,640 Speaker 2: for your monthly support. If you're not a partner, I 560 00:29:40,680 --> 00:29:44,080 Speaker 2: hope you'll consider becoming one. Remember you can watch the 561 00:29:44,160 --> 00:29:49,240 Speaker 2: services online every Sunday morning, download our daily podcast, listen 562 00:29:49,280 --> 00:29:54,000 Speaker 2: on Serious Exam, watch on YouTube. Also the new Joelosite 563 00:29:54,000 --> 00:29:57,200 Speaker 2: Network streaming on television twenty four hours a day. 564 00:29:57,840 --> 00:30:00,400 Speaker 1: Until we see you again. Made the Lord bless you 565 00:30:00,520 --> 00:30:01,160 Speaker 1: and keep you. 566 00:30:02,000 --> 00:30:05,240 Speaker 3: Be sure to request your copy of the Abundance Mindset 567 00:30:05,280 --> 00:30:09,880 Speaker 3: Book and Mindset Journal today. Visit Joelostein dot com or 568 00:30:10,000 --> 00:30:13,520 Speaker 3: call eight eight eight five sixty seven Joel for an 569 00:30:13,560 --> 00:30:17,320 Speaker 3: additional donation. This month, we are also offering His Goodness 570 00:30:17,520 --> 00:30:21,760 Speaker 3: Abundance Bowl. You can request this inspiring resource by calling 571 00:30:21,920 --> 00:30:25,280 Speaker 3: eight eight eight five six seven Joel. We're logging on 572 00:30:25,440 --> 00:30:27,520 Speaker 3: to Joelostein dot com today. 573 00:30:28,120 --> 00:30:31,640 Speaker 2: If you've never been to Lakewood, we have a great opportunity. 574 00:30:31,920 --> 00:30:35,520 Speaker 2: We called it Homecoming Weekend. We'd love to meet you 575 00:30:35,560 --> 00:30:38,880 Speaker 2: and your family. You can see the building and attend 576 00:30:38,920 --> 00:30:41,680 Speaker 2: one of the services. It's a great time to be 577 00:30:41,760 --> 00:30:44,120 Speaker 2: a part of the Lakewood family. Looking forward to seeing 578 00:30:44,120 --> 00:30:45,760 Speaker 2: your Homecoming Weekend.