1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:02,880 Speaker 1: No one likes to talk about money. Am I saving enough? 2 00:00:02,960 --> 00:00:05,040 Speaker 1: Can I buy a house? Am I paying too much 3 00:00:05,040 --> 00:00:07,760 Speaker 1: in taxes? Will I be able to retire? What if 4 00:00:07,760 --> 00:00:10,360 Speaker 1: you could unlock insights about your finances in less than 5 00:00:10,360 --> 00:00:12,840 Speaker 1: five minutes, with a clear picture of where you stand 6 00:00:12,880 --> 00:00:15,720 Speaker 1: today and where your money can work harder. Now you 7 00:00:15,760 --> 00:00:18,759 Speaker 1: can visit facet dot com to take the free quiz 8 00:00:18,800 --> 00:00:23,400 Speaker 1: and get your financial wellness score today. That's Facet dot com. 9 00:00:23,440 --> 00:00:25,360 Speaker 1: This ad is sponsored by Facet. Fast Wealth in Corporated 10 00:00:25,440 --> 00:00:27,280 Speaker 1: is an sec registered investment advisor. This is not an 11 00:00:27,320 --> 00:00:29,080 Speaker 1: offer to buy your self securities or is it investment, 12 00:00:29,160 --> 00:00:30,080 Speaker 1: legal or tax advice. 13 00:00:30,520 --> 00:00:33,120 Speaker 2: Are you ready to move your career forward? Make your 14 00:00:33,159 --> 00:00:36,640 Speaker 2: comeback with Perdue Global and get college credit for your work, school, life, 15 00:00:36,720 --> 00:00:39,840 Speaker 2: or military experiences. With these credits, you may have already 16 00:00:39,840 --> 00:00:42,680 Speaker 2: completed up to seventy five percent of your undergraduate degree. 17 00:00:42,720 --> 00:00:44,800 Speaker 2: You've worked hard to get where you are. It's time 18 00:00:44,840 --> 00:00:46,920 Speaker 2: to get the recognition you deserve and earn a degree 19 00:00:47,000 --> 00:00:49,600 Speaker 2: you'll be proud of, one that employers will trust and 20 00:00:49,720 --> 00:00:51,840 Speaker 2: respect when you take the next step in your life 21 00:00:51,880 --> 00:00:55,040 Speaker 2: and career. Make it count with Perdue Global produce online 22 00:00:55,120 --> 00:00:59,720 Speaker 2: University for working adults start your comeback at Purdueglobal dot edu. 23 00:01:01,840 --> 00:01:04,600 Speaker 3: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 24 00:01:04,640 --> 00:01:07,760 Speaker 3: our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. If you 25 00:01:07,840 --> 00:01:10,440 Speaker 3: enjoy today's message, why don't you be a blessing and 26 00:01:10,520 --> 00:01:13,160 Speaker 3: share it with a friend. We appreciate you and pray 27 00:01:13,200 --> 00:01:17,160 Speaker 3: for God's very best in your life. Well, God bless 28 00:01:17,200 --> 00:01:20,360 Speaker 3: you always a joy to come into your homes. We 29 00:01:20,520 --> 00:01:23,280 Speaker 3: love you and we know God has great things in store. 30 00:01:23,600 --> 00:01:25,720 Speaker 3: If you're ever in our area, I hope you'll come 31 00:01:25,760 --> 00:01:27,720 Speaker 3: out and be a part of one of our services. 32 00:01:27,720 --> 00:01:30,080 Speaker 3: We'd love to have you. I promise you'll We'll make 33 00:01:30,080 --> 00:01:32,000 Speaker 3: you feel right at home. But thanks so much for 34 00:01:32,040 --> 00:01:34,680 Speaker 3: tuning in today. I'd like to get started each week 35 00:01:34,720 --> 00:01:36,920 Speaker 3: with something kind of funny. And I heard about this 36 00:01:37,080 --> 00:01:40,720 Speaker 3: groom at the wedding rehearsal. He said to the minister, 37 00:01:41,080 --> 00:01:43,640 Speaker 3: I'll make a deal with you. If you'll change my 38 00:01:43,720 --> 00:01:46,920 Speaker 3: wedding vows and leave out all that love, honor, and 39 00:01:46,959 --> 00:01:50,200 Speaker 3: obey stuff, I'll give you one hundred dollars. He pressed 40 00:01:50,200 --> 00:01:52,720 Speaker 3: one hundred dollar bill into the minister's hand and walked 41 00:01:52,720 --> 00:01:55,840 Speaker 3: away quietly with a big smile. The next day, During 42 00:01:55,880 --> 00:01:59,400 Speaker 3: the ceremony, the minister said, do you promise to bow 43 00:01:59,520 --> 00:02:02,760 Speaker 3: down before for your wife? Take her breakfast in bed 44 00:02:02,880 --> 00:02:07,080 Speaker 3: every day, fulfill her every desire. He gulped in astonishment, said, 45 00:02:07,120 --> 00:02:09,440 Speaker 3: in a weak voice, I do. Then he leaned forward 46 00:02:09,480 --> 00:02:11,639 Speaker 3: and said I thought we had a deal. The minister 47 00:02:11,760 --> 00:02:14,359 Speaker 3: handed him the money back and said, your wife made 48 00:02:14,400 --> 00:02:20,080 Speaker 3: me a much better offer. All right, hold up your bible. 49 00:02:20,160 --> 00:02:22,720 Speaker 3: Say it like you mean it. This is my Bible. 50 00:02:23,160 --> 00:02:25,760 Speaker 3: I am what it says I am. I have what 51 00:02:25,840 --> 00:02:28,400 Speaker 3: it says I have. I can do what it says 52 00:02:28,440 --> 00:02:31,240 Speaker 3: I can do. Today I will be taught the word 53 00:02:31,280 --> 00:02:35,600 Speaker 3: of God. I boldly confess. My mind is alert, my 54 00:02:35,720 --> 00:02:40,120 Speaker 3: heart is receptive. I will never be the same. In Jesus' name, 55 00:02:40,639 --> 00:02:43,760 Speaker 3: God bless you. I want to talk to you today 56 00:02:44,000 --> 00:02:49,280 Speaker 3: about living without crutches. A crutch is something or someone 57 00:02:49,720 --> 00:02:53,359 Speaker 3: we rely on too much. It's supposed to be temporary, 58 00:02:54,000 --> 00:02:56,640 Speaker 3: just there till we heal up, or until we're able 59 00:02:56,680 --> 00:02:59,120 Speaker 3: to do it on our own. It's not supposed to 60 00:02:59,120 --> 00:03:02,160 Speaker 3: be permanent. One of the hardest things for us to 61 00:03:02,280 --> 00:03:06,079 Speaker 3: accept is everyone was not meant to be in our 62 00:03:06,120 --> 00:03:10,040 Speaker 3: lives forever. Some people are, of course, our husband, our wife, 63 00:03:10,040 --> 00:03:13,320 Speaker 3: our children. But then there are other people that God 64 00:03:13,360 --> 00:03:17,120 Speaker 3: brings across our path for a season. They weren't meant 65 00:03:17,160 --> 00:03:20,760 Speaker 3: to always be there. Maybe for a season, there's somebody 66 00:03:20,800 --> 00:03:23,880 Speaker 3: there to help mentor you, to help you grow, or 67 00:03:23,919 --> 00:03:26,120 Speaker 3: to help you raise your children, to help you make 68 00:03:26,120 --> 00:03:29,160 Speaker 3: it through a difficult time. But too often we think 69 00:03:29,320 --> 00:03:31,800 Speaker 3: this is the way it's always going to be. They're 70 00:03:31,840 --> 00:03:34,320 Speaker 3: not going to leave. I couldn't make it without them. 71 00:03:34,880 --> 00:03:38,320 Speaker 3: What happens is we become too dependent on them. If 72 00:03:38,360 --> 00:03:42,040 Speaker 3: God didn't move them away, instead of helping us, they 73 00:03:42,080 --> 00:03:45,360 Speaker 3: would end up actually hindering us. They were good for 74 00:03:45,480 --> 00:03:49,840 Speaker 3: a time, but now they're limiting our growth. We have 75 00:03:49,960 --> 00:03:53,640 Speaker 3: to be big enough to recognize when somebody's part in 76 00:03:53,720 --> 00:03:56,560 Speaker 3: our story is over, does it mean they're not a 77 00:03:56,560 --> 00:03:59,480 Speaker 3: good person? Does it mean we still can't be friends, 78 00:03:59,720 --> 00:04:02,840 Speaker 3: love and respect them. But we have to accept the 79 00:04:02,920 --> 00:04:06,840 Speaker 3: fact that things are changing. This is a new season, 80 00:04:07,120 --> 00:04:09,040 Speaker 3: and if we're going to go forward, we've got to 81 00:04:09,080 --> 00:04:11,560 Speaker 3: be willing to let that go. And this is very 82 00:04:11,600 --> 00:04:15,320 Speaker 3: difficult for most people because we don't like change. We 83 00:04:15,360 --> 00:04:18,719 Speaker 3: don't like the uncertainty that comes from things being shaken up. 84 00:04:19,400 --> 00:04:21,719 Speaker 3: But if we could just see change in the right 85 00:04:21,760 --> 00:04:25,960 Speaker 3: way and realize when God closes a door, it's because 86 00:04:26,000 --> 00:04:29,040 Speaker 3: he has something better in store. And when a person 87 00:04:29,120 --> 00:04:32,320 Speaker 3: has served their purpose in your life, if you don't 88 00:04:32,360 --> 00:04:35,160 Speaker 3: freely let them go, it's going to keep you from 89 00:04:35,160 --> 00:04:38,840 Speaker 3: the new things God wants to do. I hear people say, well, 90 00:04:38,880 --> 00:04:41,640 Speaker 3: I couldn't make it without this person that trains me 91 00:04:41,720 --> 00:04:44,560 Speaker 3: at work, I couldn't make it without this friend that 92 00:04:44,680 --> 00:04:47,840 Speaker 3: calls me every week and encourages me. Or I don't 93 00:04:47,880 --> 00:04:50,800 Speaker 3: know what I do without this neighbor that drives me 94 00:04:50,880 --> 00:04:54,800 Speaker 3: around everywhere. And that's great. Those are divine connections. But 95 00:04:54,880 --> 00:04:58,560 Speaker 3: what I'm saying is, don't be surprised if that doesn't 96 00:04:58,640 --> 00:05:02,600 Speaker 3: last forever. If God allowed them to always be there, 97 00:05:03,160 --> 00:05:06,640 Speaker 3: you wouldn't become everything He's created you to be. And 98 00:05:06,839 --> 00:05:10,880 Speaker 3: just as God supernaturally brings people into our lives, God 99 00:05:10,920 --> 00:05:14,360 Speaker 3: will supernaturally move people out of our lives. And if 100 00:05:14,400 --> 00:05:18,400 Speaker 3: we don't stay open and recognize what's happening, we'll try 101 00:05:18,400 --> 00:05:21,520 Speaker 3: to hold on to someone that's not supposed to be there. 102 00:05:22,240 --> 00:05:24,800 Speaker 3: We'll think, why are they trying to leave? I thought 103 00:05:24,800 --> 00:05:27,960 Speaker 3: they were my friend? Why won't he mentor me anymore? 104 00:05:28,160 --> 00:05:31,240 Speaker 3: Why doesn't she call me as much? I guess I'm 105 00:05:31,279 --> 00:05:34,719 Speaker 3: not important enough. Or have you ever thought that? May 106 00:05:34,720 --> 00:05:38,320 Speaker 3: be God moving them away because they're limiting your growth? 107 00:05:38,960 --> 00:05:41,880 Speaker 3: Could it be God is saying it's time for you 108 00:05:41,960 --> 00:05:44,919 Speaker 3: to go to a new level. You don't need them anymore. 109 00:05:45,040 --> 00:05:47,880 Speaker 3: They have fulfilled their purpose. Now it's time for you 110 00:05:47,960 --> 00:05:51,440 Speaker 3: to step up. It's time for you to start encouraging yourself. 111 00:05:52,200 --> 00:05:55,039 Speaker 3: It's time for you to run that business on your own. 112 00:05:55,279 --> 00:05:58,800 Speaker 3: It's time for you to learn that new skill. You 113 00:05:58,839 --> 00:06:02,440 Speaker 3: don't need someone to constantly think for you and drive 114 00:06:02,560 --> 00:06:05,640 Speaker 3: for you, and believe for you and encourage you. You 115 00:06:05,760 --> 00:06:08,560 Speaker 3: can do that for yourself. And if we're going to 116 00:06:08,640 --> 00:06:11,839 Speaker 3: continue to grow, we have to get rid of these crutches. 117 00:06:12,640 --> 00:06:16,760 Speaker 3: God has equipped you with everything you need to succeed. 118 00:06:17,560 --> 00:06:20,159 Speaker 3: And yes, for a season, God will have people there 119 00:06:20,200 --> 00:06:23,240 Speaker 3: to help us. But at some point, God's going to say, 120 00:06:23,800 --> 00:06:27,280 Speaker 3: I've given you a pair of eagles wings. I don't 121 00:06:27,279 --> 00:06:31,080 Speaker 3: want you to be pushed along and just admire everybody 122 00:06:31,160 --> 00:06:32,880 Speaker 3: that's ahead of you and wish you could do what 123 00:06:32,960 --> 00:06:36,640 Speaker 3: they were doing. No, it's time to stretch out your wings. 124 00:06:36,960 --> 00:06:40,920 Speaker 3: You can rise higher than you think. I remember when 125 00:06:40,960 --> 00:06:43,960 Speaker 3: I came back from college to start the television outreach 126 00:06:43,960 --> 00:06:47,119 Speaker 3: here at Lakewood. I was nineteen years old. I didn't 127 00:06:47,120 --> 00:06:49,640 Speaker 3: know a whole lot about television production, and so we 128 00:06:49,720 --> 00:06:53,200 Speaker 3: hired this gentleman from California. He was in his sixties, 129 00:06:53,480 --> 00:06:57,200 Speaker 3: very experienced. He'd produced a lot of Major League sports, 130 00:06:57,480 --> 00:07:01,800 Speaker 3: some of the national morning shows. It's not only extremely gifted, 131 00:07:01,960 --> 00:07:04,520 Speaker 3: but he had a great personality. It was fun to 132 00:07:04,560 --> 00:07:07,640 Speaker 3: be around, and we hit it off from the very start. 133 00:07:08,160 --> 00:07:11,640 Speaker 3: I would come in early, back then stay late, go 134 00:07:11,680 --> 00:07:15,040 Speaker 3: to dinner, hang out together, and I watched very carefully 135 00:07:15,360 --> 00:07:18,360 Speaker 3: how he put the programs together, and how he chose 136 00:07:18,400 --> 00:07:21,040 Speaker 3: certain shots, and why did it this way, why did 137 00:07:21,080 --> 00:07:24,080 Speaker 3: it that way? I was learning so much. He was 138 00:07:24,160 --> 00:07:26,920 Speaker 3: so good at what he did. I used to think 139 00:07:27,200 --> 00:07:31,320 Speaker 3: I could never do what he does. He is so creative. 140 00:07:31,560 --> 00:07:35,800 Speaker 3: He can write, he can direct. I'm just not that talented. Well, 141 00:07:35,840 --> 00:07:38,520 Speaker 3: one morning he came in about a year after he 142 00:07:38,560 --> 00:07:42,720 Speaker 3: started working there, and he said, Joel, I'm leaving next month. 143 00:07:43,080 --> 00:07:45,800 Speaker 3: I'm going back home. I said, no way, you cannot 144 00:07:45,880 --> 00:07:48,280 Speaker 3: leave me with this job. I don't know what to do. 145 00:07:48,320 --> 00:07:51,120 Speaker 3: Everything's going to fall apart. He said, sure, you do 146 00:07:51,760 --> 00:07:55,040 Speaker 3: You've watched me for a year, and I've watched you. 147 00:07:55,080 --> 00:07:57,960 Speaker 3: There's no reason you can't do what I'm doing, no 148 00:07:58,080 --> 00:08:00,640 Speaker 3: reason you can't handle this by yourself. I said that 149 00:08:00,760 --> 00:08:03,360 Speaker 3: is not true. You're just being kind and I begged 150 00:08:03,400 --> 00:08:06,320 Speaker 3: him to stay. I said, we'll pay you more money, 151 00:08:07,120 --> 00:08:09,560 Speaker 3: we'll give you more time off. You can go home, 152 00:08:09,600 --> 00:08:12,560 Speaker 3: but then come on back again. He said, no, I 153 00:08:12,600 --> 00:08:16,080 Speaker 3: know this is the right decision. He left. That first 154 00:08:16,120 --> 00:08:18,160 Speaker 3: couple of weeks, I was so nervous. I didn't know 155 00:08:18,200 --> 00:08:21,200 Speaker 3: what I was doing. I called him every other hour, 156 00:08:21,360 --> 00:08:25,400 Speaker 3: asking him questions. But in a month I started to 157 00:08:25,400 --> 00:08:29,239 Speaker 3: feel more comfortable. In six months, I thought I'm pretty 158 00:08:29,280 --> 00:08:32,200 Speaker 3: good at this. A year later, I said, what did 159 00:08:32,240 --> 00:08:37,600 Speaker 3: I ever even need him for? I realize now him 160 00:08:37,679 --> 00:08:41,079 Speaker 3: leaving was the best thing for me. If he had 161 00:08:41,120 --> 00:08:45,439 Speaker 3: not left and forced me to stretch, forced me to 162 00:08:45,520 --> 00:08:48,160 Speaker 3: use my God given talents, than I would have never 163 00:08:48,360 --> 00:08:52,400 Speaker 3: stepped in to my divine destiny. If somebody walks away 164 00:08:52,480 --> 00:08:55,800 Speaker 3: in your life, whether it's a business relationship like that 165 00:08:56,280 --> 00:09:01,079 Speaker 3: or a personal friendship, don't beg them to stay. Don't 166 00:09:01,080 --> 00:09:04,559 Speaker 3: try to talk people into working for you, or loving you, 167 00:09:04,920 --> 00:09:07,240 Speaker 3: or coming to see you. Here's a phrase you need 168 00:09:07,280 --> 00:09:11,720 Speaker 3: to remember. Let them go. Your destiny is not tied 169 00:09:11,800 --> 00:09:16,520 Speaker 3: to the people that walked away. Just like in my case, 170 00:09:17,160 --> 00:09:20,840 Speaker 3: them leaving somehow, some way is going to launch you 171 00:09:21,120 --> 00:09:24,000 Speaker 3: into a new dimension of your life. You're not gonna 172 00:09:24,000 --> 00:09:26,880 Speaker 3: step back. You're gonna step up to who you really are. 173 00:09:27,600 --> 00:09:31,600 Speaker 3: And understand if they walked away, it wasn't an accident. 174 00:09:32,240 --> 00:09:34,800 Speaker 3: If you tried to make it work and it didn't happen, 175 00:09:35,240 --> 00:09:38,760 Speaker 3: accept it as God's plan. Let it go. God is 176 00:09:38,800 --> 00:09:41,520 Speaker 3: going to open up new doors. You're going to discover 177 00:09:41,679 --> 00:09:44,760 Speaker 3: new strengths and talents. Perhaps God's going to give you 178 00:09:44,840 --> 00:09:47,679 Speaker 3: new friends that are more appropriate for where you are 179 00:09:47,760 --> 00:09:51,400 Speaker 3: in this time in life. After all, things are always changing. 180 00:09:52,080 --> 00:09:54,440 Speaker 3: The people that were your friends when your children were 181 00:09:54,440 --> 00:09:57,240 Speaker 3: in school together, they may not be your same best 182 00:09:57,280 --> 00:10:00,480 Speaker 3: friends when your children are not in school. But you 183 00:10:00,520 --> 00:10:03,760 Speaker 3: know what, that's okay. Accept it and allow God to 184 00:10:03,760 --> 00:10:07,400 Speaker 3: bring you new friends. Too. Many people today are trying 185 00:10:07,440 --> 00:10:10,679 Speaker 3: to ride a dead horse. They're holding on to something 186 00:10:10,679 --> 00:10:13,480 Speaker 3: that God's been done with for five years. They wonder 187 00:10:13,480 --> 00:10:16,480 Speaker 3: why they don't have any joy, why they can't get along. Listen, 188 00:10:16,559 --> 00:10:19,520 Speaker 3: if the horse is dead, it's time to dismount and 189 00:10:19,600 --> 00:10:24,199 Speaker 3: allow God to do something new. When that man left 190 00:10:24,280 --> 00:10:27,160 Speaker 3: my life, I had a choice. I could either sit 191 00:10:27,200 --> 00:10:29,600 Speaker 3: around in self pity and think it's not fair, look 192 00:10:29,640 --> 00:10:32,880 Speaker 3: what I've lost. Or I could say, God, I know 193 00:10:32,960 --> 00:10:35,760 Speaker 3: you would not have allowed him to leave unless you 194 00:10:35,800 --> 00:10:38,199 Speaker 3: had a plan for me to go forward. So I'm 195 00:10:38,200 --> 00:10:41,000 Speaker 3: going to step into a new level of my destiny. 196 00:10:41,720 --> 00:10:45,079 Speaker 3: I've learned since then. Don't try to talk people into 197 00:10:45,120 --> 00:10:48,800 Speaker 3: staying that want to leave. If you do, you're only 198 00:10:48,840 --> 00:10:51,920 Speaker 3: delaying the inevitable. They're still going to go, whether it's 199 00:10:51,920 --> 00:10:54,360 Speaker 3: a week or a year or five years. Because when 200 00:10:54,400 --> 00:10:58,000 Speaker 3: God is done with something, there's no amount of superglue 201 00:10:58,120 --> 00:11:01,959 Speaker 3: that can hold it together. There's something called the gift 202 00:11:02,360 --> 00:11:06,120 Speaker 3: of goodbye some people. You may not realize it, but 203 00:11:06,240 --> 00:11:09,640 Speaker 3: them leaving you is God giving you a gift. You 204 00:11:09,679 --> 00:11:13,280 Speaker 3: shouldn't be sad, you should be rejoicing. I know some 205 00:11:13,360 --> 00:11:16,040 Speaker 3: of you are thinking, God, give me that gift. Right now. 206 00:11:16,080 --> 00:11:19,920 Speaker 3: I can tell you their name. I know my father 207 00:11:20,400 --> 00:11:24,000 Speaker 3: as a pastor, when people would come and tell him 208 00:11:24,000 --> 00:11:26,839 Speaker 3: they were leaving the church, they would give him their 209 00:11:26,880 --> 00:11:30,640 Speaker 3: sad story and tell them everything that had gone wrong there. 210 00:11:31,080 --> 00:11:34,280 Speaker 3: They expected my father to be down and discouraged. They 211 00:11:34,280 --> 00:11:37,160 Speaker 3: were always shocked. My father was just as happy as 212 00:11:37,200 --> 00:11:40,200 Speaker 3: could be. He never tried to talk them into staying. 213 00:11:40,720 --> 00:11:42,720 Speaker 3: He didn't try to convince them they were making a 214 00:11:42,760 --> 00:11:46,719 Speaker 3: big mistake. Oh please don't leave, I'm sure we'll change. No. 215 00:11:46,880 --> 00:11:50,880 Speaker 3: He was always very gracious. He always thanked them, prayed 216 00:11:50,880 --> 00:11:53,439 Speaker 3: over them, and then he walked them to the door. 217 00:11:54,240 --> 00:11:56,040 Speaker 3: He didn't say it, but I know what he was thinking. 218 00:11:56,080 --> 00:11:58,280 Speaker 3: The sooner you go, the better off for both of us. 219 00:12:00,000 --> 00:12:02,720 Speaker 3: I want people in your life that are supposed to 220 00:12:02,800 --> 00:12:06,000 Speaker 3: be there when God has them there. They don't find 221 00:12:06,040 --> 00:12:09,160 Speaker 3: fault in everything you do. When God puts them there, 222 00:12:09,280 --> 00:12:12,400 Speaker 3: you don't have to manipulate them to stay. That's what 223 00:12:12,480 --> 00:12:14,920 Speaker 3: I love about all of you. I don't even know 224 00:12:15,080 --> 00:12:17,800 Speaker 3: most of you by name. I can't call you personally. 225 00:12:17,840 --> 00:12:20,880 Speaker 3: I can't come to your children's ballgames. But you don't 226 00:12:20,920 --> 00:12:23,400 Speaker 3: come because you need me to stroke you, and you 227 00:12:23,440 --> 00:12:26,800 Speaker 3: need all this time and attention. You come because God 228 00:12:26,840 --> 00:12:29,520 Speaker 3: puts you here, and you're mature enough to know you 229 00:12:29,520 --> 00:12:31,800 Speaker 3: don't need Joel to touch you. You just need God 230 00:12:31,840 --> 00:12:36,960 Speaker 3: to touch you. When God joins people to you, you 231 00:12:37,000 --> 00:12:40,600 Speaker 3: don't have to play up to them and do everything perfect, 232 00:12:40,720 --> 00:12:43,240 Speaker 3: or they're going to leave. I know people that walk 233 00:12:43,280 --> 00:12:47,520 Speaker 3: on eggshells, trying not to offend their friends, making sure 234 00:12:47,600 --> 00:12:50,000 Speaker 3: they don't get on the bad side at the person 235 00:12:50,080 --> 00:12:52,079 Speaker 3: at the office. Well, hell, if I don't go to 236 00:12:52,160 --> 00:12:54,200 Speaker 3: lunch with them each day, Joel, they'll get upset and 237 00:12:54,200 --> 00:12:57,520 Speaker 3: probably start talking about me. Listen, you don't need friends 238 00:12:57,559 --> 00:13:00,360 Speaker 3: like that. That's not a true friend. That's somebody trying 239 00:13:00,360 --> 00:13:03,680 Speaker 3: to manipulate you. They're trying to control you to do 240 00:13:03,760 --> 00:13:07,560 Speaker 3: everything they want you to do. Let them walk away. 241 00:13:08,120 --> 00:13:11,880 Speaker 3: You don't need them to fulfill your destiny. Those kinds 242 00:13:11,920 --> 00:13:14,960 Speaker 3: of people, if they're not talking about you now, don't 243 00:13:15,040 --> 00:13:17,199 Speaker 3: let it fool you. It's just a matter of time 244 00:13:17,360 --> 00:13:21,000 Speaker 3: before they will. You cannot keep people like that happy. 245 00:13:21,320 --> 00:13:23,520 Speaker 3: The sooner they go, the better off you're gonna be. 246 00:13:24,280 --> 00:13:26,640 Speaker 3: I think about in my own life how I've tried 247 00:13:26,640 --> 00:13:29,640 Speaker 3: to win people over, tried to keep them as my friend. 248 00:13:30,040 --> 00:13:33,000 Speaker 3: I thought the church wouldn't continue without them, so I 249 00:13:33,080 --> 00:13:36,000 Speaker 3: played up to them, let them control me. One day 250 00:13:36,080 --> 00:13:38,880 Speaker 3: I realized what I'm telling you, I can't live my 251 00:13:38,960 --> 00:13:42,200 Speaker 3: life like that. I don't have enough energy and my 252 00:13:42,360 --> 00:13:45,720 Speaker 3: time is too valuable. To try to keep somebody happy 253 00:13:45,960 --> 00:13:48,600 Speaker 3: that's never gonna be happy. I knew, no matter what 254 00:13:48,679 --> 00:13:50,880 Speaker 3: I did, no matter how hard I tried, they were 255 00:13:50,920 --> 00:13:54,400 Speaker 3: gonna find some reason to complain, some reason to find fault. 256 00:13:54,520 --> 00:13:57,080 Speaker 3: They're gonna give me a new problem to fix. I 257 00:13:57,120 --> 00:14:01,079 Speaker 3: love this scripture in one John two nineteen says they 258 00:14:01,160 --> 00:14:04,360 Speaker 3: went out from us because they were not a part 259 00:14:04,440 --> 00:14:08,440 Speaker 3: of us. That tells me when somebody leaves your life, 260 00:14:08,600 --> 00:14:11,480 Speaker 3: they are no longer a part of your destiny. Their 261 00:14:11,520 --> 00:14:15,480 Speaker 3: time is over. If you'll stay open, God will give 262 00:14:15,480 --> 00:14:18,720 Speaker 3: you people that are not just with you, but people 263 00:14:18,760 --> 00:14:22,080 Speaker 3: that are for you. It's a big difference. When you're 264 00:14:22,120 --> 00:14:25,840 Speaker 3: with me, you're there as long as I perform perfectly, 265 00:14:26,400 --> 00:14:28,800 Speaker 3: as long as I give you everything you need, as 266 00:14:28,840 --> 00:14:31,680 Speaker 3: long as I don't make any mistakes. But when you're 267 00:14:31,680 --> 00:14:35,320 Speaker 3: not just with me, but you're for me. You believe 268 00:14:35,360 --> 00:14:38,080 Speaker 3: the best in me, You don't try to control me, 269 00:14:38,480 --> 00:14:41,360 Speaker 3: You give me room to make mistakes. You don't need 270 00:14:41,400 --> 00:14:44,240 Speaker 3: my attention all the time. You give more to the 271 00:14:44,280 --> 00:14:48,040 Speaker 3: relationship than you take away. That's the kind of people 272 00:14:48,200 --> 00:14:50,600 Speaker 3: God wants to bring into your life. You don't have 273 00:14:50,640 --> 00:14:53,120 Speaker 3: to try to make this happen, just be your best 274 00:14:53,160 --> 00:14:57,120 Speaker 3: each day and God will bring you divine connections. And 275 00:14:57,160 --> 00:14:59,680 Speaker 3: then when that season is over, you don't have to 276 00:14:59,680 --> 00:15:03,200 Speaker 3: get up set. You can let them leave with your blessing, 277 00:15:03,480 --> 00:15:07,520 Speaker 3: continuing to love and respect them. I have people we 278 00:15:07,520 --> 00:15:10,720 Speaker 3: were friends way back, used to spend all this time together, 279 00:15:11,160 --> 00:15:14,440 Speaker 3: but now my path has gone a different direction. They've 280 00:15:14,480 --> 00:15:17,480 Speaker 3: had changes in their life. We may see each other 281 00:15:17,520 --> 00:15:20,320 Speaker 3: only once every two or three years, but when we do, 282 00:15:20,560 --> 00:15:24,040 Speaker 3: it's just like old times. You know why, we understand 283 00:15:24,040 --> 00:15:27,480 Speaker 3: this principle. God had us in each other's lives for 284 00:15:27,600 --> 00:15:32,040 Speaker 3: a season. We recognize when things were changing. We didn't 285 00:15:32,080 --> 00:15:34,800 Speaker 3: try to make something work out. When we knew down 286 00:15:34,840 --> 00:15:38,360 Speaker 3: deep it was over and done, we accepted it, and 287 00:15:38,440 --> 00:15:41,720 Speaker 3: today we're both better off and we're still friends. That's 288 00:15:41,760 --> 00:15:45,560 Speaker 3: the way it's supposed to be. Don't fight change. My 289 00:15:45,640 --> 00:15:49,840 Speaker 3: father used to say, nothing is forever. When you hold 290 00:15:49,880 --> 00:15:52,240 Speaker 3: on to someone, when you know, down and here God 291 00:15:52,320 --> 00:15:54,160 Speaker 3: is done with it, it's going to be nothing but 292 00:15:54,200 --> 00:15:57,920 Speaker 3: a headache. Now I've learned this. God will always bring 293 00:15:58,000 --> 00:16:01,000 Speaker 3: the right people into your life. But the key is 294 00:16:01,400 --> 00:16:04,240 Speaker 3: you've got to let the wrong ones walk away. If 295 00:16:04,320 --> 00:16:06,560 Speaker 3: you don't let the wrong ones go the right ones 296 00:16:06,600 --> 00:16:10,400 Speaker 3: will never show up, and sometimes people play up to 297 00:16:10,480 --> 00:16:13,360 Speaker 3: our weaknesses to try to convince us that we have 298 00:16:13,480 --> 00:16:16,520 Speaker 3: to have them in our lives. They'll try to make 299 00:16:16,520 --> 00:16:18,760 Speaker 3: you think that you're not smart enough on your own, 300 00:16:18,760 --> 00:16:22,080 Speaker 3: you're not talented enough, and you need them to make 301 00:16:22,160 --> 00:16:25,960 Speaker 3: up for what you're lacking. Don't believe those lives. Years ago, 302 00:16:26,280 --> 00:16:28,160 Speaker 3: there was a young lady that worked for us here 303 00:16:28,200 --> 00:16:30,800 Speaker 3: at the ministry. She grew up in a small town, 304 00:16:31,160 --> 00:16:33,800 Speaker 3: moved here in her mid twenties. She was very smart, 305 00:16:34,200 --> 00:16:37,520 Speaker 3: very bright, talented young girl. But I noticed that she 306 00:16:37,680 --> 00:16:41,200 Speaker 3: never drove to work. She always had a young man 307 00:16:41,320 --> 00:16:43,680 Speaker 3: drop her off every morning. And one day we were 308 00:16:43,720 --> 00:16:46,200 Speaker 3: just talking and passing. I said, hey, you're thinking about 309 00:16:46,200 --> 00:16:49,240 Speaker 3: getting a car. She said, oh, Joel, I have a car, 310 00:16:49,640 --> 00:16:52,560 Speaker 3: and I drove everywhere in my small town. But when 311 00:16:52,560 --> 00:16:56,080 Speaker 3: I got here, my friend told me because the city 312 00:16:56,200 --> 00:16:59,800 Speaker 3: is so big and so complicated, and because I'm not 313 00:17:00,080 --> 00:17:02,640 Speaker 3: used to driving on the freeways, he would have to 314 00:17:02,680 --> 00:17:05,680 Speaker 3: bring me to work every day. I thought, all right, 315 00:17:05,760 --> 00:17:08,040 Speaker 3: that's fine. That's nice for a while, but I said, 316 00:17:08,080 --> 00:17:11,040 Speaker 3: when are you planning on driving? She said, Oh, I 317 00:17:11,040 --> 00:17:13,280 Speaker 3: don't think I'll ever be able to drive in this city. 318 00:17:13,560 --> 00:17:16,800 Speaker 3: He said, it's so bad, it's so congested. I looked 319 00:17:16,840 --> 00:17:19,040 Speaker 3: at her and said, can I tell you something. You 320 00:17:19,160 --> 00:17:24,040 Speaker 3: are extremely talented. Do not allow some yo yo to 321 00:17:24,160 --> 00:17:29,000 Speaker 3: convince you that you cannot drive on our freeways. I 322 00:17:29,040 --> 00:17:32,480 Speaker 3: told her, I know people that are eighteen years old. 323 00:17:32,840 --> 00:17:36,320 Speaker 3: They are no smarter, no brighter, no more talented than you, 324 00:17:36,680 --> 00:17:39,400 Speaker 3: and they drive up and down these freeways every single day. 325 00:17:39,960 --> 00:17:42,439 Speaker 3: She went back and told that young man what I said. 326 00:17:42,880 --> 00:17:45,280 Speaker 3: He said, I don't know about that. You use, the 327 00:17:45,359 --> 00:17:47,960 Speaker 3: kind of dangers you may get lost. Listen, You've got 328 00:17:48,000 --> 00:17:51,040 Speaker 3: to be able to see through that. That's somebody wanting 329 00:17:51,080 --> 00:17:53,879 Speaker 3: you to stay in that limitation so they can have 330 00:17:53,920 --> 00:17:56,920 Speaker 3: a place in your life. That is not a true friend. 331 00:17:56,960 --> 00:18:00,800 Speaker 3: That's manipulation. And it's fine. So it's great that they 332 00:18:00,840 --> 00:18:03,879 Speaker 3: want to drive you, but a true friend will not 333 00:18:03,960 --> 00:18:06,760 Speaker 3: only give you assistance. They'll say, you know what, you 334 00:18:06,800 --> 00:18:08,920 Speaker 3: can do this on your own. I'll take you out 335 00:18:08,960 --> 00:18:11,440 Speaker 3: on the weekends and we'll practice driving on the freeways, 336 00:18:11,600 --> 00:18:14,800 Speaker 3: but you should be able to drive by yourself. About 337 00:18:14,800 --> 00:18:17,399 Speaker 3: a month later I saw her. She said, Joel, I 338 00:18:17,520 --> 00:18:20,680 Speaker 3: drove to work today by myself. I said, that's great. 339 00:18:20,720 --> 00:18:22,600 Speaker 3: I knew you could do it. I asked her how 340 00:18:22,640 --> 00:18:24,960 Speaker 3: it was driving on the freeways. She said, oh, I 341 00:18:25,000 --> 00:18:29,080 Speaker 3: don't drive on the freeways. I drive on the side streets. 342 00:18:30,480 --> 00:18:32,440 Speaker 3: It took her an hour to get here. It should 343 00:18:32,440 --> 00:18:35,120 Speaker 3: have taken her a half hour. And I encouraged her. 344 00:18:35,160 --> 00:18:37,320 Speaker 3: That's great, but you keep it up and don't settle 345 00:18:37,359 --> 00:18:40,480 Speaker 3: for the side streets. A month later, she is driving 346 00:18:40,480 --> 00:18:43,800 Speaker 3: on the freeways today, she goes everywhere. Here's what's interesting. 347 00:18:45,080 --> 00:18:47,960 Speaker 3: That young man that wanted her to stay off the roads. 348 00:18:48,280 --> 00:18:52,000 Speaker 3: He's no longer around. He was only interested in her 349 00:18:52,240 --> 00:18:54,880 Speaker 3: if he could keep her push down so she could 350 00:18:54,960 --> 00:18:58,320 Speaker 3: feel like she always owed him something. Those are not 351 00:18:58,400 --> 00:19:01,600 Speaker 3: true friends. They are not God helping you. They are 352 00:19:01,680 --> 00:19:05,280 Speaker 3: hindering you. You don't need people in your life that 353 00:19:05,359 --> 00:19:10,240 Speaker 3: are enabling a limitation, people that are enabling a dysfunction. 354 00:19:10,760 --> 00:19:13,159 Speaker 3: If you will let them go, God will bring you 355 00:19:13,280 --> 00:19:17,320 Speaker 3: the right people. I think about Moses when God told 356 00:19:17,400 --> 00:19:21,840 Speaker 3: him to go, tell Pharah, let my people go. Moses said, God, 357 00:19:21,880 --> 00:19:26,280 Speaker 3: I can't do that. I stutter. I'm not a good speaker. God. 358 00:19:26,359 --> 00:19:29,840 Speaker 3: Let me take my brother Aaron. He's a good communicator. 359 00:19:30,080 --> 00:19:32,639 Speaker 3: He's got a lot more confidence than me. If I 360 00:19:32,720 --> 00:19:35,040 Speaker 3: have him, I know I'll be able to pull it off. 361 00:19:35,640 --> 00:19:38,960 Speaker 3: What was Moses saying, God, I need a crutch, I 362 00:19:39,040 --> 00:19:42,080 Speaker 3: need somebody to make up for my weakness. And so 363 00:19:42,160 --> 00:19:44,680 Speaker 3: he took Erin with him. But I love what happened 364 00:19:45,040 --> 00:19:48,600 Speaker 3: when they got before Pharaoh. Just as Aaron was going 365 00:19:48,680 --> 00:19:51,719 Speaker 3: to step up to speak, something rose up on the 366 00:19:51,760 --> 00:19:55,680 Speaker 3: inside of Moses that said, Moses, this is your time. 367 00:19:56,080 --> 00:19:58,720 Speaker 3: You do not need somebody to speak for you. I've 368 00:19:58,760 --> 00:20:02,320 Speaker 3: given you everything you you need. Moses put his shoulders back, 369 00:20:02,640 --> 00:20:05,400 Speaker 3: held his head up high. He said, hold on, Erin, 370 00:20:05,520 --> 00:20:08,840 Speaker 3: I've changed my mind. I've got something to say. Pharaoh, 371 00:20:09,000 --> 00:20:13,320 Speaker 3: Let God's people go. It's interesting the scripture never says 372 00:20:13,359 --> 00:20:17,439 Speaker 3: that Erin actually spoke for Moses. I believe God is 373 00:20:17,480 --> 00:20:19,760 Speaker 3: saying that to each one of us. You don't need 374 00:20:19,800 --> 00:20:22,399 Speaker 3: your friend to speak for you. You don't need your 375 00:20:22,400 --> 00:20:24,800 Speaker 3: neighbor to drive for you. You don't need your cousin 376 00:20:24,880 --> 00:20:28,600 Speaker 3: to tell you what to do. You are equipped. God 377 00:20:28,640 --> 00:20:31,760 Speaker 3: wouldn't have presented you with that opportunity if he had 378 00:20:31,800 --> 00:20:35,439 Speaker 3: not already given you everything that you need and some 379 00:20:35,520 --> 00:20:38,800 Speaker 3: of you. Today you're relying on other people to carry you. 380 00:20:39,359 --> 00:20:42,600 Speaker 3: For instance, let me do the report at the office. 381 00:20:42,720 --> 00:20:46,359 Speaker 3: You don't write well enough. Don't believe that lie. Let 382 00:20:46,359 --> 00:20:48,560 Speaker 3: me drive you everywhere you're not able to it's just 383 00:20:48,600 --> 00:20:51,159 Speaker 3: too bad. Let me speak for you at the meeting. 384 00:20:51,359 --> 00:20:53,760 Speaker 3: You're not very good in front of people. Now, how 385 00:20:53,760 --> 00:20:55,800 Speaker 3: do they know what God's put on the inside of you? 386 00:20:56,560 --> 00:21:00,320 Speaker 3: Next time that happens, you need to rise up like Moses, say, Hey, 387 00:21:00,359 --> 00:21:03,520 Speaker 3: wait a minute, this is my time, this is my moment. 388 00:21:03,800 --> 00:21:06,280 Speaker 3: I don't need you to speak for me, to write, 389 00:21:06,359 --> 00:21:08,760 Speaker 3: for me to believe, for me to drive, for me, 390 00:21:08,920 --> 00:21:11,360 Speaker 3: to encourage me. I don't even need you to pray 391 00:21:11,400 --> 00:21:13,720 Speaker 3: for me. I can pray for myself. I am getting 392 00:21:13,800 --> 00:21:19,840 Speaker 3: rid of these crutches. Friends, God has equipped you. You 393 00:21:20,200 --> 00:21:24,760 Speaker 3: are anointed, you are empowered, you are well able. Don't 394 00:21:24,880 --> 00:21:28,000 Speaker 3: let people play up to what you think are your weaknesses. 395 00:21:28,400 --> 00:21:31,560 Speaker 3: And I understand some older people need someone to drive 396 00:21:31,600 --> 00:21:33,920 Speaker 3: for them, But I'm talking about when we swink back 397 00:21:33,960 --> 00:21:36,560 Speaker 3: and don't do it because of fear, and it's easy 398 00:21:36,760 --> 00:21:40,040 Speaker 3: to become too dependent on somebody else. And if we 399 00:21:40,080 --> 00:21:42,000 Speaker 3: don't break out of that rut and get rid of 400 00:21:42,040 --> 00:21:45,800 Speaker 3: those crutches, we can go year after year allowing other 401 00:21:45,840 --> 00:21:49,320 Speaker 3: people to keep us from our destiny. Well, you say, Joel, 402 00:21:49,320 --> 00:21:51,679 Speaker 3: I kind of feel like Moses. I don't feel like 403 00:21:51,720 --> 00:21:54,680 Speaker 3: I have what it takes. I'm quiet, I'm reserved, I'm shy. 404 00:21:55,480 --> 00:21:58,240 Speaker 3: That's just how I felt when my father went to 405 00:21:58,280 --> 00:22:01,480 Speaker 3: be with the Lord back in nineteen nine. I didn't 406 00:22:01,480 --> 00:22:03,720 Speaker 3: think I could get up here in minister I was 407 00:22:03,760 --> 00:22:06,639 Speaker 3: afraid to get up in public, had all these thoughts 408 00:22:06,680 --> 00:22:09,359 Speaker 3: telling me that I couldn't do it. But down in 409 00:22:09,440 --> 00:22:12,399 Speaker 3: here I had a strong desire. I knew that I 410 00:22:12,480 --> 00:22:15,720 Speaker 3: was supposed to step up and pastor the church. And again, 411 00:22:16,200 --> 00:22:19,199 Speaker 3: God will never give you the desire without giving you 412 00:22:19,240 --> 00:22:22,560 Speaker 3: the ability. God would have never told Moses to go 413 00:22:22,600 --> 00:22:25,840 Speaker 3: speak in front of Phaiah unless he knew Moses could 414 00:22:25,880 --> 00:22:29,480 Speaker 3: do it. And so the first couple of Sundays after 415 00:22:29,520 --> 00:22:31,639 Speaker 3: my father went home to be with the Lord, I 416 00:22:31,680 --> 00:22:34,000 Speaker 3: got up in a ministry. I did the best that 417 00:22:34,040 --> 00:22:36,400 Speaker 3: I could do, but I still trying to figure out 418 00:22:36,640 --> 00:22:38,600 Speaker 3: if I was able to and if I really had 419 00:22:38,640 --> 00:22:42,400 Speaker 3: what it takes. One Sunday, I was sitting there listening 420 00:22:42,400 --> 00:22:46,679 Speaker 3: to a guest minister. As he was speaking, something rose 421 00:22:46,760 --> 00:22:50,080 Speaker 3: up in me so strongly that said Joel, this is 422 00:22:50,119 --> 00:22:53,560 Speaker 3: your time, this is your moment. But if you shrink 423 00:22:53,640 --> 00:22:58,600 Speaker 3: back in fear, you will miss your destiny. Some opportunities 424 00:22:58,920 --> 00:23:02,639 Speaker 3: only come around once. Driving home from that service, I 425 00:23:02,680 --> 00:23:05,920 Speaker 3: told Victoria, I'm going to pastor the church. I made 426 00:23:05,920 --> 00:23:08,879 Speaker 3: the decision and I took that step of faith, and 427 00:23:09,000 --> 00:23:12,280 Speaker 3: even though I was nervous, I discovered, like Moses, I 428 00:23:12,320 --> 00:23:15,120 Speaker 3: didn't need anybody to speak for me. I was well 429 00:23:15,160 --> 00:23:19,800 Speaker 3: able to do what God told me to do. You 430 00:23:19,920 --> 00:23:23,399 Speaker 3: may have some limitations, but let me tell you, you 431 00:23:23,440 --> 00:23:26,800 Speaker 3: don't need a crutch Erin may be by your side, 432 00:23:26,800 --> 00:23:29,480 Speaker 3: and that's great, but you don't need Aron to speak 433 00:23:29,520 --> 00:23:32,240 Speaker 3: for you. You don't need Aaron to drive for you. 434 00:23:32,240 --> 00:23:34,160 Speaker 3: You don't need Aaron to tell you what to do. 435 00:23:34,640 --> 00:23:38,440 Speaker 3: You have been equipped with everything you need to fulfill 436 00:23:38,480 --> 00:23:42,680 Speaker 3: your destiny. That means you can make your own decisions. 437 00:23:43,320 --> 00:23:46,200 Speaker 3: God has given you wisdom to run your own life. 438 00:23:46,760 --> 00:23:49,720 Speaker 3: You don't need somebody constantly telling you what to do 439 00:23:50,000 --> 00:23:52,520 Speaker 3: and what not to do. And yes, it's good to 440 00:23:52,560 --> 00:23:55,439 Speaker 3: get other people's opinions, it's good to listen to it vice, 441 00:23:55,840 --> 00:23:59,800 Speaker 3: but understand, God talks to you. You can hear that 442 00:24:00,119 --> 00:24:03,639 Speaker 3: still small voice you don't have to go through anybody else. 443 00:24:03,880 --> 00:24:06,639 Speaker 3: You have a direct line to the throne of God. 444 00:24:07,000 --> 00:24:08,919 Speaker 3: And if somebody is always trying to tell you what 445 00:24:09,040 --> 00:24:11,760 Speaker 3: to do, just say thanks, but no thanks. Me and 446 00:24:11,840 --> 00:24:15,520 Speaker 3: God we're on speaking terms. One time, a man came 447 00:24:15,600 --> 00:24:18,480 Speaker 3: up to my father and said, this man prayed for me, 448 00:24:19,080 --> 00:24:21,679 Speaker 3: and he said that God told him to tell me 449 00:24:22,280 --> 00:24:24,679 Speaker 3: that I was supposed to go to Africa and be 450 00:24:24,720 --> 00:24:27,840 Speaker 3: a missionary. What do you think, my father said, I 451 00:24:27,880 --> 00:24:30,800 Speaker 3: don't know, but I do know this. If you do go, 452 00:24:31,080 --> 00:24:33,120 Speaker 3: make sure you take him with you so he can 453 00:24:33,119 --> 00:24:37,520 Speaker 3: tell you when to come back home. You don't need 454 00:24:37,560 --> 00:24:39,720 Speaker 3: somebody to tell you what God wants you to do. 455 00:24:40,760 --> 00:24:42,560 Speaker 3: It's like this young lady came up to me a 456 00:24:42,640 --> 00:24:45,520 Speaker 3: few weeks back. She said, you're this man that I 457 00:24:45,680 --> 00:24:49,439 Speaker 3: hardly even know. He told me God told him to 458 00:24:49,480 --> 00:24:53,800 Speaker 3: tell me that I was supposed to marry him. She 459 00:24:53,960 --> 00:24:56,440 Speaker 3: was a beautiful young lady. I kind of laughed. I said, 460 00:24:56,440 --> 00:24:59,040 Speaker 3: don't worry about that. Every single guy things say hear 461 00:24:59,040 --> 00:25:01,320 Speaker 3: God's saying that. He's just dumb enough to tell you. 462 00:25:02,800 --> 00:25:06,159 Speaker 3: Any time you hear that phrase God told me to 463 00:25:06,240 --> 00:25:10,040 Speaker 3: tell you, an alarm should go off in your mind, 464 00:25:10,119 --> 00:25:13,720 Speaker 3: something should start blinking. Flake alert, Flake alert, Flake alert. 465 00:25:15,320 --> 00:25:18,320 Speaker 3: You can hear from God for yourself. You don't need 466 00:25:18,400 --> 00:25:22,000 Speaker 3: a crutch. Listen on the inside to that still small 467 00:25:22,080 --> 00:25:25,280 Speaker 3: voice right down in here. That knowing that the impression, 468 00:25:25,560 --> 00:25:29,840 Speaker 3: that's God talking directly to you. In the Scripture, a 469 00:25:29,880 --> 00:25:32,520 Speaker 3: man by the name of Gideon had three armies coming 470 00:25:32,560 --> 00:25:36,360 Speaker 3: against him. As he prepared for the battle, God said, Gideon, 471 00:25:36,560 --> 00:25:39,320 Speaker 3: you've got too many people with you. If you win 472 00:25:39,440 --> 00:25:41,960 Speaker 3: with this many, you'll be tempted to think you did 473 00:25:41,960 --> 00:25:44,119 Speaker 3: it in your own strength, and I won't get the 474 00:25:44,160 --> 00:25:47,199 Speaker 3: credit that I deserve. And so God told him to 475 00:25:47,280 --> 00:25:50,720 Speaker 3: let everybody go home that was afraid. There were thirty 476 00:25:50,720 --> 00:25:54,320 Speaker 3: two thousand people in his army that day. Twenty two 477 00:25:54,440 --> 00:25:59,080 Speaker 3: thousand went home. I can imagine Gideon was depressed. God, 478 00:25:59,240 --> 00:26:02,640 Speaker 3: everybody is leaving. What am I gonna do? It's interesting. 479 00:26:03,080 --> 00:26:05,159 Speaker 3: God didn't say, don't worry, get in, I'll bring you 480 00:26:05,200 --> 00:26:08,760 Speaker 3: some more people. God said just the opposite. He said, Gideon, 481 00:26:08,840 --> 00:26:11,359 Speaker 3: you still have too many people. He had him do 482 00:26:11,440 --> 00:26:16,440 Speaker 3: something else. This time, all but three hundred people walked away. 483 00:26:16,760 --> 00:26:19,520 Speaker 3: Think about it, he went from thirty two thousand to 484 00:26:19,600 --> 00:26:22,679 Speaker 3: three hundred. I'm sure, he thought we are going to 485 00:26:22,720 --> 00:26:26,400 Speaker 3: get totally wiped out. Practically my whole army has gone. 486 00:26:26,880 --> 00:26:29,840 Speaker 3: But no, it's not important how many people you have. 487 00:26:30,280 --> 00:26:34,280 Speaker 3: What's important is do you have the right ones? That night, 488 00:26:34,520 --> 00:26:39,400 Speaker 3: those three hundred defeated tens of thousands of the enemy troops. 489 00:26:39,960 --> 00:26:42,800 Speaker 3: What am I saying? If you're not willing to let 490 00:26:42,840 --> 00:26:47,080 Speaker 3: people walk away, you'll miss out on God's best. Don't 491 00:26:47,080 --> 00:26:51,280 Speaker 3: be surprised in the coming days if God streamlines things 492 00:26:51,720 --> 00:26:55,000 Speaker 3: and begins to weed out certain people. He's not trying 493 00:26:55,040 --> 00:26:57,840 Speaker 3: to take you backwards. He's getting you prepared to go 494 00:26:57,920 --> 00:27:02,080 Speaker 3: to a new level. You're gonna see victories that looked impossible. 495 00:27:02,600 --> 00:27:04,479 Speaker 3: You're going to think, like, get in, how did I 496 00:27:04,520 --> 00:27:07,040 Speaker 3: do this? I could understand it if I had my 497 00:27:07,119 --> 00:27:10,879 Speaker 3: whole army, if I had my neighbor driving for me, 498 00:27:11,000 --> 00:27:14,280 Speaker 3: and my friend helping me, and my coworker writing the report. 499 00:27:14,359 --> 00:27:16,720 Speaker 3: But I did it all on my own. Yes, But 500 00:27:16,960 --> 00:27:20,639 Speaker 3: you and God are a majority. And what happened is 501 00:27:20,680 --> 00:27:23,760 Speaker 3: you quit depending on others and you stepped into a 502 00:27:23,800 --> 00:27:27,520 Speaker 3: greater anointing. When you put a demand on your faith, 503 00:27:27,640 --> 00:27:30,720 Speaker 3: that's what pleases God. Not when we sit back and 504 00:27:30,800 --> 00:27:34,240 Speaker 3: expect others to do it. You don't need anyone to 505 00:27:34,320 --> 00:27:37,199 Speaker 3: make up for what you think are your weaknesses. I 506 00:27:37,240 --> 00:27:39,240 Speaker 3: didn't think I could get up and speak in public. 507 00:27:39,280 --> 00:27:42,720 Speaker 3: I'm too shy. But yet today, almost every week, I 508 00:27:42,760 --> 00:27:46,360 Speaker 3: speak to thousands. That tells me God didn't give us 509 00:27:46,600 --> 00:27:50,240 Speaker 3: half the talent we needed. God never made us dependent 510 00:27:50,520 --> 00:27:54,320 Speaker 3: on somebody else. Quit relying on another person to pray 511 00:27:54,359 --> 00:27:56,320 Speaker 3: for you, to speak, for you, to believe for you, 512 00:27:56,640 --> 00:28:00,440 Speaker 3: to encourage you. Do like Moses and say, Aaron, appreciate 513 00:28:00,560 --> 00:28:02,960 Speaker 3: you coming. But you know what, this is my time, 514 00:28:03,280 --> 00:28:07,040 Speaker 3: this is my season. I'm stepping into my God given destiny. 515 00:28:07,280 --> 00:28:11,160 Speaker 3: Recognize if somebody walked away, it was not an accident. 516 00:28:11,680 --> 00:28:14,000 Speaker 3: It was a part of God's plan to get you 517 00:28:14,080 --> 00:28:17,480 Speaker 3: to a new level. Don't let people control you. Don't 518 00:28:17,520 --> 00:28:20,239 Speaker 3: let them manipulate you into thinking you can't do it 519 00:28:20,280 --> 00:28:23,280 Speaker 3: without them. God would not have let them walk away 520 00:28:23,680 --> 00:28:25,600 Speaker 3: if he didn't know you could do it on your own. 521 00:28:26,080 --> 00:28:29,240 Speaker 3: And some people are with you, but they're not for you. 522 00:28:29,600 --> 00:28:31,479 Speaker 3: And the sooner you let them go, the better off 523 00:28:31,480 --> 00:28:34,040 Speaker 3: you're going to beg Amen, do you receive that today? 524 00:28:35,080 --> 00:28:38,640 Speaker 3: I know you do. We never like to close our 525 00:28:38,680 --> 00:28:42,280 Speaker 3: broadcast without giving you an opportunity to make Jesus the 526 00:28:42,320 --> 00:28:45,120 Speaker 3: lord of your life. Would you pray with me? Just 527 00:28:45,200 --> 00:28:50,280 Speaker 3: say it, Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins. Come 528 00:28:50,320 --> 00:28:55,640 Speaker 3: into my heart. I make you my Lord and savior. Friends, 529 00:28:55,640 --> 00:28:57,880 Speaker 3: if you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 530 00:28:57,880 --> 00:29:00,960 Speaker 3: born again. Get in a good Bible based church. Keep 531 00:29:01,000 --> 00:29:03,640 Speaker 3: God first place. He's going to take your places that 532 00:29:03,680 --> 00:29:06,720 Speaker 3: you've never dreamed of. Thanks so much for listening to 533 00:29:06,720 --> 00:29:10,120 Speaker 3: today's message. I hope you'll subscribe so you can receive 534 00:29:10,160 --> 00:29:13,640 Speaker 3: the latest podcast to keep you encouraged and inspired all 535 00:29:13,680 --> 00:29:15,800 Speaker 3: through the week. Help us to continue to share the 536 00:29:15,840 --> 00:29:18,120 Speaker 3: message of hope with those all around the world. 537 00:29:18,440 --> 00:29:21,200 Speaker 2: Visit Joelosting dot com or click the link in the 538 00:29:21,240 --> 00:29:23,400 Speaker 2: description to partner with us today. 539 00:29:23,640 --> 00:29:26,080 Speaker 3: We hope you'll share this message with a friend and 540 00:29:26,200 --> 00:29:29,000 Speaker 3: be sure to follow us on social media. We're praying 541 00:29:29,080 --> 00:29:32,160 Speaker 3: for you. I know God's best is still ahead. 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