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That's face t 32 00:01:23,520 --> 00:01:25,640 Speaker 4: dot com. This add a sponsored by Facet. Facet Wealth 33 00:01:25,640 --> 00:01:27,800 Speaker 4: in Corporated is an sec registered investment advisor. This is 34 00:01:27,800 --> 00:01:29,360 Speaker 4: not an offer to buy your self securities, nor is 35 00:01:29,360 --> 00:01:30,760 Speaker 4: it investment, legal or tax advice. 36 00:01:31,240 --> 00:01:33,959 Speaker 3: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 37 00:01:34,000 --> 00:01:37,160 Speaker 3: our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. If you 38 00:01:37,240 --> 00:01:39,840 Speaker 3: enjoy today's message, why don't you be a blessing and 39 00:01:39,880 --> 00:01:42,559 Speaker 3: share it with a friend. We appreciate you and pray 40 00:01:42,600 --> 00:01:56,800 Speaker 3: for God's very best in your life. Well, God bless 41 00:01:56,840 --> 00:02:00,520 Speaker 3: you always a joy to come into your homes and 42 00:02:00,640 --> 00:02:03,400 Speaker 3: just to appreciate being able to spend this next little 43 00:02:03,400 --> 00:02:05,600 Speaker 3: while with you. And if you're ever in our area, 44 00:02:05,680 --> 00:02:07,360 Speaker 3: I hope you'll stop by and be a part of 45 00:02:07,400 --> 00:02:09,960 Speaker 3: one of our services. I promise you we'll make you 46 00:02:10,000 --> 00:02:12,680 Speaker 3: feel right at home. But thanks for watching, and thanks 47 00:02:12,720 --> 00:02:14,960 Speaker 3: again for coming out. And I like to start with 48 00:02:15,000 --> 00:02:17,480 Speaker 3: something funny each week. And I heard about this mother 49 00:02:17,639 --> 00:02:21,000 Speaker 3: that invited some people over for dinner. And at the table, 50 00:02:21,160 --> 00:02:23,560 Speaker 3: she said to her little five year old daughter, Honey, 51 00:02:23,639 --> 00:02:26,200 Speaker 3: do you want to say the blessing? She said, no, Mom, 52 00:02:26,280 --> 00:02:28,600 Speaker 3: I wouldn't know what to say. She said, oh, sure 53 00:02:28,639 --> 00:02:31,160 Speaker 3: you would, honey. Just say what you hear mom saying. 54 00:02:31,639 --> 00:02:33,959 Speaker 3: So she bows her head and said, oh Lord, why 55 00:02:33,960 --> 00:02:38,959 Speaker 3: did I invite these people to dinner? All right, hold 56 00:02:39,040 --> 00:02:41,680 Speaker 3: up your Bible. Say it like you mean it. This 57 00:02:41,800 --> 00:02:44,359 Speaker 3: is my Bible. I am what it says. I am. 58 00:02:44,919 --> 00:02:47,320 Speaker 3: I have what it says I have. I can do 59 00:02:47,400 --> 00:02:49,880 Speaker 3: what it says I can do. Today I will be 60 00:02:49,960 --> 00:02:53,799 Speaker 3: taught the word of God. I boldly confess. My mind 61 00:02:53,880 --> 00:02:57,080 Speaker 3: is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never be 62 00:02:57,160 --> 00:03:01,480 Speaker 3: the same. In Jesus' name, God bless that's you. I 63 00:03:01,560 --> 00:03:04,520 Speaker 3: want to talk to you today about being excellent in 64 00:03:04,600 --> 00:03:08,800 Speaker 3: the workplace. Unemployment is at one of the highest levels 65 00:03:08,840 --> 00:03:11,799 Speaker 3: that it's been in many years. Every day we read 66 00:03:11,800 --> 00:03:16,239 Speaker 3: about more businesses closing and more potential for layoffs, and 67 00:03:16,280 --> 00:03:19,120 Speaker 3: if we're going to keep our positions or at least 68 00:03:19,160 --> 00:03:22,400 Speaker 3: see new opportunity open up if something were to close down. 69 00:03:23,160 --> 00:03:26,720 Speaker 3: Now more than ever, we need to be people of excellence. 70 00:03:27,600 --> 00:03:31,000 Speaker 3: We live in a society where mediocrity is the norm. 71 00:03:31,840 --> 00:03:34,440 Speaker 3: Many people do as little as they can to get by. 72 00:03:35,040 --> 00:03:37,880 Speaker 3: They're always looking for the easy way out. If the 73 00:03:37,880 --> 00:03:41,680 Speaker 3: boss isn't watching, they're playing on the computer, they simply 74 00:03:41,720 --> 00:03:44,280 Speaker 3: go to work to pick up a paycheck. Then they 75 00:03:44,320 --> 00:03:47,680 Speaker 3: wonder why they're not promoted and why they don't see increase. 76 00:03:48,440 --> 00:03:54,320 Speaker 3: It's because God doesn't bless mediocrity. He blesses excellence, and 77 00:03:54,400 --> 00:03:57,120 Speaker 3: whatever we do, we should do it to the best 78 00:03:57,120 --> 00:04:00,560 Speaker 3: of our ability. If you're a teacher, don't be an 79 00:04:00,600 --> 00:04:04,640 Speaker 3: average teacher, be an excellent teacher. If you're a plumber, 80 00:04:04,680 --> 00:04:08,280 Speaker 3: don't be an ok plumber, be a great plumber. If 81 00:04:08,280 --> 00:04:11,320 Speaker 3: you work in sales, don't give it a half hearted effort, 82 00:04:11,720 --> 00:04:15,680 Speaker 3: make a few phone calls, get discouraged. Nobody's buying business 83 00:04:15,760 --> 00:04:19,720 Speaker 3: is slow. No come up with new strategies. Learn from 84 00:04:19,760 --> 00:04:22,680 Speaker 3: the people that are in front of you, stay determined, 85 00:04:23,000 --> 00:04:27,120 Speaker 3: stay focused. You have excellence on the inside. It was 86 00:04:27,160 --> 00:04:30,479 Speaker 3: put there by the creator of the universe. And whether 87 00:04:30,520 --> 00:04:34,679 Speaker 3: you're a waitress, a truck driver, an architect, a police officer, 88 00:04:34,760 --> 00:04:38,200 Speaker 3: or a CEO, do it to the best of your ability. 89 00:04:38,360 --> 00:04:41,960 Speaker 3: You and I should set the standard for excellence. Other 90 00:04:42,040 --> 00:04:45,640 Speaker 3: people may show up late, they may complain, they may 91 00:04:45,640 --> 00:04:49,320 Speaker 3: cut corners, but don't sink down to their level. Well, 92 00:04:49,360 --> 00:04:53,040 Speaker 3: you say, Joel, everybody's doing it. Yes, but you're not everybody. 93 00:04:53,320 --> 00:04:57,080 Speaker 3: You're a cut above. You're a call to excellence. God 94 00:04:57,120 --> 00:05:00,640 Speaker 3: wants you to set the highest stander. So a company 95 00:05:00,720 --> 00:05:04,560 Speaker 3: should use you as the example as the model employee. 96 00:05:04,760 --> 00:05:07,880 Speaker 3: Your boss, your supervisor should be able to say to 97 00:05:07,920 --> 00:05:11,760 Speaker 3: the new hires, watch that man, learn from that woman, 98 00:05:12,320 --> 00:05:15,880 Speaker 3: pick up their habits. Develop your skills like they've developed 99 00:05:15,880 --> 00:05:18,919 Speaker 3: their skills. They are the cream of the crop. You 100 00:05:18,920 --> 00:05:22,320 Speaker 3: know what you're doing. You are honoring God. A lot 101 00:05:22,360 --> 00:05:24,400 Speaker 3: of times we think, let me go to church to 102 00:05:24,480 --> 00:05:27,400 Speaker 3: honor God, let me read my Bible to honor God, 103 00:05:27,800 --> 00:05:30,760 Speaker 3: let me sing and clap to honor God. And yes, 104 00:05:30,800 --> 00:05:34,200 Speaker 3: that's true, But do you know it honors God just 105 00:05:34,240 --> 00:05:37,520 Speaker 3: as much to get to work on time. It honors 106 00:05:37,560 --> 00:05:40,919 Speaker 3: God to be productive each day. It honors God to 107 00:05:41,000 --> 00:05:45,360 Speaker 3: excel in your career. When you are excellent in the workplace, 108 00:05:45,680 --> 00:05:48,960 Speaker 3: your whole life is given praise to God. And that's 109 00:05:48,960 --> 00:05:52,000 Speaker 3: one of the best witnesses we could ever have. Just 110 00:05:52,080 --> 00:05:55,039 Speaker 3: to show up each day to work on time, with 111 00:05:55,120 --> 00:06:00,919 Speaker 3: a good attitude, friendly organized, being our best, stronger witness 112 00:06:01,160 --> 00:06:04,880 Speaker 3: than quoting a dozen scriptures. Our life should give praise 113 00:06:04,920 --> 00:06:08,160 Speaker 3: to God. In other words, we don't have to say anything, 114 00:06:08,839 --> 00:06:11,520 Speaker 3: just the fact that we are people of excellence. We 115 00:06:11,560 --> 00:06:14,920 Speaker 3: do the right thing, whether anybody's watching or not. We're 116 00:06:14,960 --> 00:06:19,760 Speaker 3: consistently good natured, consistently improving. We do more than we 117 00:06:19,880 --> 00:06:23,520 Speaker 3: have to. When you have that kind of attitude, it 118 00:06:23,640 --> 00:06:27,400 Speaker 3: not only gets God's attention, it gets other people's attention. 119 00:06:28,320 --> 00:06:31,360 Speaker 3: They see the depth of your character, they see your 120 00:06:31,400 --> 00:06:36,320 Speaker 3: spirit of excellence. You begin to gain influence, credibility, respect, 121 00:06:36,800 --> 00:06:39,680 Speaker 3: And it's great to honor God on Sundays. It's great 122 00:06:39,720 --> 00:06:42,839 Speaker 3: to all come in here together to celebrate today. But 123 00:06:42,920 --> 00:06:45,239 Speaker 3: what I want you to see is you can honor 124 00:06:45,320 --> 00:06:49,039 Speaker 3: God just as much on Monday, on Tuesday, on Wednesday. 125 00:06:49,680 --> 00:06:52,400 Speaker 3: When you go to work this week, don't you dare think, 126 00:06:52,480 --> 00:06:54,960 Speaker 3: oh man, I gotta go to work again. What a bummer. No, 127 00:06:55,120 --> 00:06:57,599 Speaker 3: get up with enthusiasm and say I get to go 128 00:06:57,680 --> 00:07:02,920 Speaker 3: to work today to honor God. The scripture says here 129 00:07:02,960 --> 00:07:07,040 Speaker 3: in Colossians three twenty three. Whatever you do, do it 130 00:07:07,080 --> 00:07:10,680 Speaker 3: with all your heart, as though you're working under God 131 00:07:11,080 --> 00:07:14,720 Speaker 3: and not under men. You have to realize you're not 132 00:07:14,960 --> 00:07:18,720 Speaker 3: just working for people. You're not just working for that company, 133 00:07:19,240 --> 00:07:22,200 Speaker 3: not even just working to get a paycheck, even though 134 00:07:22,200 --> 00:07:25,120 Speaker 3: that's part of it. But the truth is you are 135 00:07:25,160 --> 00:07:28,800 Speaker 3: working under God. He's the one that gave you breath 136 00:07:28,840 --> 00:07:31,680 Speaker 3: to breathe today. He's the one that woke you up 137 00:07:31,720 --> 00:07:34,440 Speaker 3: this morning. You may have thought it was the alarm clock, 138 00:07:34,640 --> 00:07:36,600 Speaker 3: but God was the one that gave you strength to 139 00:07:36,600 --> 00:07:38,880 Speaker 3: get out of bed. He's the one that's given you 140 00:07:38,880 --> 00:07:44,480 Speaker 3: your talents, gifts, wisdom, creativity. You have a responsibility to 141 00:07:44,640 --> 00:07:47,920 Speaker 3: use what you have to honor him. Do you know 142 00:07:48,320 --> 00:07:51,920 Speaker 3: when you look good, it makes God look good. When 143 00:07:51,960 --> 00:07:56,040 Speaker 3: you get promoted, God is honored when you excel and 144 00:07:56,120 --> 00:07:58,720 Speaker 3: you go around telling people I got this new position. 145 00:07:58,760 --> 00:08:01,840 Speaker 3: God's been so good to me. You are exalting God. 146 00:08:02,280 --> 00:08:05,440 Speaker 3: You can bringing attention to Him. But when we just 147 00:08:05,520 --> 00:08:08,240 Speaker 3: sit back and dread going to work, and we can't 148 00:08:08,280 --> 00:08:11,000 Speaker 3: wait till five o'clock. And we're not growing, We're not 149 00:08:11,080 --> 00:08:14,560 Speaker 3: applying what we know. We are not being responsible with 150 00:08:14,600 --> 00:08:18,239 Speaker 3: what God's given us. He has entrusted you with his gifts. 151 00:08:18,720 --> 00:08:22,040 Speaker 3: He is expecting you to be your very best. Whatever 152 00:08:22,120 --> 00:08:24,800 Speaker 3: we do, we should do it with our whole heart, 153 00:08:25,360 --> 00:08:28,160 Speaker 3: not halfway, not with what we can get by with. 154 00:08:28,640 --> 00:08:31,680 Speaker 3: Do it to the best of your ability, even small 155 00:08:31,720 --> 00:08:35,679 Speaker 3: things mowing the lawn. Do it with excellence. You are 156 00:08:35,720 --> 00:08:39,120 Speaker 3: working under God. When your law looks good, you're making 157 00:08:39,160 --> 00:08:41,800 Speaker 3: God look good. If you're gonna sing in the choir, 158 00:08:42,040 --> 00:08:45,040 Speaker 3: don't show up every other Sunday not knowing the songs. 159 00:08:45,120 --> 00:08:48,199 Speaker 3: No enthusiasm here I am. I told you i'd come. Now, 160 00:08:48,240 --> 00:08:52,240 Speaker 3: show up like these guys on fire, excited, looking good, 161 00:08:52,400 --> 00:08:59,040 Speaker 3: feeling good, annoying it, equipped, empowered, being their best. That's 162 00:08:59,040 --> 00:09:03,640 Speaker 3: what honors God. When you understand this principle, it's easy 163 00:09:03,679 --> 00:09:06,480 Speaker 3: to say, I'm not gonna be late to the office today. 164 00:09:06,679 --> 00:09:10,880 Speaker 3: I'm working under God. I'm not gonna build this house shoddily, 165 00:09:11,520 --> 00:09:13,760 Speaker 3: just good enough to get a paycheck. No, I'm working 166 00:09:13,840 --> 00:09:16,240 Speaker 3: under God. I'm gonna do it as precise as I can. 167 00:09:17,080 --> 00:09:20,439 Speaker 3: At the office. I could kick back and relax. I've 168 00:09:20,440 --> 00:09:23,480 Speaker 3: done my duty for the day. Nobody would know. No, 169 00:09:23,559 --> 00:09:25,760 Speaker 3: I'm not gonna waste a couple of hours. I'm working 170 00:09:25,840 --> 00:09:28,880 Speaker 3: under God. I'm gonna help my coworker finish their project. 171 00:09:29,120 --> 00:09:32,200 Speaker 3: I'm gonna organize these files for another colleague. I'm gonna 172 00:09:32,320 --> 00:09:36,160 Speaker 3: keep giving it my best because I'm working under God. Well, 173 00:09:36,200 --> 00:09:38,600 Speaker 3: you say, Joel, I'd love to do that, but you 174 00:09:38,640 --> 00:09:41,080 Speaker 3: don't know my boss. He's hard to get along with. 175 00:09:41,679 --> 00:09:44,040 Speaker 3: You don't know my company. They just don't treat me right. 176 00:09:44,320 --> 00:09:46,400 Speaker 3: You have to get a new perspective. You are not 177 00:09:46,520 --> 00:09:49,520 Speaker 3: working for them. You are working under God. If you 178 00:09:49,559 --> 00:09:53,040 Speaker 3: will start being your best each day and do the 179 00:09:53,160 --> 00:09:56,520 Speaker 3: right thing even though the wrong thing is happening, let 180 00:09:56,559 --> 00:09:59,240 Speaker 3: me assure you God will take care of your boss, 181 00:10:00,160 --> 00:10:02,200 Speaker 3: take care of the people that are doing you wrong. 182 00:10:02,880 --> 00:10:06,320 Speaker 3: You have an incredible advantage when you work for the 183 00:10:06,320 --> 00:10:09,720 Speaker 3: creator of the universe. God is the one that brings promotion. 184 00:10:10,400 --> 00:10:13,520 Speaker 3: He's the one that lifts one up and brings another down. 185 00:10:13,920 --> 00:10:17,200 Speaker 3: The scripture says God can turn the heart of a king. 186 00:10:17,840 --> 00:10:21,240 Speaker 3: That simply means God can change your boss's mind. He 187 00:10:21,280 --> 00:10:23,960 Speaker 3: can cause them to see you in a new light. 188 00:10:24,880 --> 00:10:27,720 Speaker 3: You don't know. God may have you at that place 189 00:10:27,760 --> 00:10:31,560 Speaker 3: specifically on purpose, so he can do a work in 190 00:10:31,600 --> 00:10:34,839 Speaker 3: that boss. You may be the only light that person 191 00:10:34,920 --> 00:10:38,440 Speaker 3: will ever see. They may never read the Bible, but 192 00:10:38,480 --> 00:10:41,440 Speaker 3: they will read you. When you show up each day 193 00:10:41,480 --> 00:10:44,319 Speaker 3: with a good attitude, you do the right thing, even 194 00:10:44,360 --> 00:10:47,760 Speaker 3: though you're not getting the proper credit, and you are consistent. 195 00:10:47,840 --> 00:10:50,439 Speaker 3: You do it day in and day out. You don't 196 00:10:50,480 --> 00:10:53,080 Speaker 3: know what kind of impact you're having on that person. 197 00:10:53,800 --> 00:10:56,720 Speaker 3: Keep being your best in spite of who's trying to 198 00:10:56,720 --> 00:10:59,960 Speaker 3: pull you down. When you have this spirit of excellence, 199 00:11:00,559 --> 00:11:03,920 Speaker 3: you go the extra mile knowing that the quality of 200 00:11:03,960 --> 00:11:07,600 Speaker 3: your work is a reflection of the quality of your character. 201 00:11:08,520 --> 00:11:10,920 Speaker 3: Excellence shouldn't be something that we do every once in 202 00:11:10,960 --> 00:11:14,480 Speaker 3: a while, as long as somebody is watching, as long 203 00:11:14,559 --> 00:11:18,640 Speaker 3: as it's evaluation month, as long as management is in town. 204 00:11:18,920 --> 00:11:23,079 Speaker 3: No excellence should be our standard. It should be the norm. 205 00:11:23,440 --> 00:11:27,120 Speaker 3: At home, we have these big five gallon bottles of water. 206 00:11:27,480 --> 00:11:31,080 Speaker 3: They're large glass containers and they have this neck on 207 00:11:31,120 --> 00:11:33,040 Speaker 3: them and you have to pick them up and turn 208 00:11:33,080 --> 00:11:35,240 Speaker 3: them over and set them on the dispenser. That's how 209 00:11:35,280 --> 00:11:38,360 Speaker 3: the water comes out. And they're not only very heavy, 210 00:11:38,400 --> 00:11:42,800 Speaker 3: but they're extremely awkward, and Victoria likes everything super clean. 211 00:11:43,440 --> 00:11:45,520 Speaker 3: And even though the part where the water goes in 212 00:11:45,960 --> 00:11:49,800 Speaker 3: is completely sealed, the receptor goes way up on the inside. 213 00:11:49,960 --> 00:11:51,959 Speaker 3: You can't even get to it without breaking the seal. 214 00:11:52,440 --> 00:11:56,200 Speaker 3: But Victoria's pet peeve is that the whole glass bottle 215 00:11:56,480 --> 00:12:00,520 Speaker 3: gets wiped down with soap and water. Why down, No 216 00:12:00,520 --> 00:12:03,720 Speaker 3: matter how much you dry it, it makes it extremely slippery. 217 00:12:04,360 --> 00:12:07,800 Speaker 3: And I've debated with her several times about why we 218 00:12:07,920 --> 00:12:10,800 Speaker 3: do not need to wipe the whole bottle down, and 219 00:12:10,840 --> 00:12:14,400 Speaker 3: how it is absolutely positively impossible for germs to get 220 00:12:14,480 --> 00:12:17,640 Speaker 3: up in there it is sealed. I'm very passionate, I'm 221 00:12:17,760 --> 00:12:21,000 Speaker 3: very persuasive, but I've never once been able to convince 222 00:12:21,040 --> 00:12:23,520 Speaker 3: her that we don't need to do it. She likes 223 00:12:23,559 --> 00:12:26,200 Speaker 3: it wife down, so I've given her my word that 224 00:12:26,240 --> 00:12:29,240 Speaker 3: I will always wipe it down. But there have been 225 00:12:29,280 --> 00:12:34,040 Speaker 3: a few times when we run out of water and 226 00:12:34,120 --> 00:12:35,600 Speaker 3: I go to the room where we store it, and 227 00:12:35,640 --> 00:12:38,199 Speaker 3: I get the new container, and I come back into 228 00:12:38,200 --> 00:12:42,360 Speaker 3: the pantry where I'm all alone, nobody can see me. 229 00:12:43,120 --> 00:12:45,720 Speaker 3: I'm tired. I don't feel like wiping it down. It 230 00:12:45,760 --> 00:12:47,960 Speaker 3: makes it harder. It makes it so slippery. I know 231 00:12:48,040 --> 00:12:50,880 Speaker 3: there's no germs on it, but every time I start 232 00:12:50,920 --> 00:12:53,600 Speaker 3: to put it up, I can hear a small voice 233 00:12:53,679 --> 00:12:57,240 Speaker 3: right down in here saying, Joel, do the right thing. 234 00:12:58,040 --> 00:13:00,320 Speaker 3: Be a person of excellence. You've given you a word 235 00:13:01,080 --> 00:13:05,160 Speaker 3: more than once. Don't listen, Victoria. More than once. I've 236 00:13:05,160 --> 00:13:06,960 Speaker 3: had to take that down, put it on the ground, 237 00:13:07,000 --> 00:13:09,440 Speaker 3: get the soap and water, and clean that sucker off. 238 00:13:10,960 --> 00:13:14,640 Speaker 3: What am I saying Excellence is doing the right thing, 239 00:13:15,160 --> 00:13:18,000 Speaker 3: even when no one can see you, even when you 240 00:13:18,040 --> 00:13:24,640 Speaker 3: don't think it's necessary, even when you don't agree. You've 241 00:13:24,640 --> 00:13:27,040 Speaker 3: given your word, so you're gonna live up to it. 242 00:13:27,679 --> 00:13:30,520 Speaker 3: Sometimes we have to say, God, I don't feel like 243 00:13:30,640 --> 00:13:33,560 Speaker 3: doing this, but I'm gonna do it under you. God, 244 00:13:33,559 --> 00:13:35,600 Speaker 3: I don't agree with what my boss is telling me, 245 00:13:35,840 --> 00:13:38,320 Speaker 3: but I'm gonna do it under you. I didn't make 246 00:13:38,360 --> 00:13:40,280 Speaker 3: the mess. God, I shouldn't have to clean it up, 247 00:13:40,400 --> 00:13:43,120 Speaker 3: but I'm gonna do it under you. A lot of 248 00:13:43,160 --> 00:13:46,880 Speaker 3: people are not experiencing God's favor like they should because 249 00:13:46,880 --> 00:13:50,640 Speaker 3: they're not passing the small test. Being excellent in the 250 00:13:50,679 --> 00:13:54,600 Speaker 3: workplace for you may not mean some huge adjustment. It 251 00:13:54,640 --> 00:13:57,720 Speaker 3: may just mean leaving ten minutes earlier so you can 252 00:13:57,720 --> 00:14:00,679 Speaker 3: get to work on time. It may mean not complaining 253 00:14:00,760 --> 00:14:03,680 Speaker 3: when your supervisor asked you to do something. May mean 254 00:14:03,800 --> 00:14:07,040 Speaker 3: not making personal phone calls on company time. It's just 255 00:14:07,080 --> 00:14:10,800 Speaker 3: a small thing. Nobody would know. It's not hurting anything. 256 00:14:11,559 --> 00:14:15,600 Speaker 3: The scripture says, it's the little foxes that spoil the vines. 257 00:14:16,240 --> 00:14:18,200 Speaker 3: If I'd have gone week after week putting the water 258 00:14:18,320 --> 00:14:21,640 Speaker 3: up without cleaning it, nobody would have known. Just between 259 00:14:21,680 --> 00:14:24,120 Speaker 3: me and God, technically I could get away with it. 260 00:14:24,360 --> 00:14:27,600 Speaker 3: But here's what I've learned. I don't want something small 261 00:14:28,200 --> 00:14:31,720 Speaker 3: to keep God from releasing something big. I don't want 262 00:14:31,800 --> 00:14:35,120 Speaker 3: a little thing to keep me from becoming everything that 263 00:14:35,160 --> 00:14:39,440 Speaker 3: God's created me to be. I remember my father told 264 00:14:39,480 --> 00:14:41,600 Speaker 3: how when he was just a little boy, five or 265 00:14:41,640 --> 00:14:44,400 Speaker 3: six years old, he was out in the cotton fields 266 00:14:44,400 --> 00:14:47,880 Speaker 3: with his father. They were cotton farmers. One day, his 267 00:14:47,960 --> 00:14:50,560 Speaker 3: father gave him a bag of cotton seed and said, John, 268 00:14:50,800 --> 00:14:53,280 Speaker 3: I want you to go up and down these rows 269 00:14:53,560 --> 00:14:57,560 Speaker 3: and sprinkle a little seed all along the way. Well, 270 00:14:57,640 --> 00:15:00,400 Speaker 3: it was hot. My father didn't feel like do and that, 271 00:15:00,680 --> 00:15:02,960 Speaker 3: so instead he came up with his own plan that 272 00:15:03,000 --> 00:15:05,680 Speaker 3: he thought was much better. He was gonna dig one 273 00:15:05,800 --> 00:15:09,560 Speaker 3: big hole and dump all the seeds into that. So 274 00:15:09,640 --> 00:15:11,680 Speaker 3: when his father went away for a few minutes, he 275 00:15:11,720 --> 00:15:14,040 Speaker 3: did just that. He dug the hole and planted every 276 00:15:14,040 --> 00:15:16,440 Speaker 3: one of those cotton seeds. And he didn't think any 277 00:15:16,600 --> 00:15:20,640 Speaker 3: more about it. But several months later, the strangest thing happened. 278 00:15:21,000 --> 00:15:24,320 Speaker 3: There were row after row of empty fields, and on 279 00:15:24,360 --> 00:15:28,000 Speaker 3: this one end it looked like a jungle. It looked 280 00:15:28,040 --> 00:15:31,960 Speaker 3: like cotton on steroids. You've never seen anything like this. 281 00:15:32,800 --> 00:15:35,880 Speaker 3: The scripture says, be sure your sins will find you out. 282 00:15:36,720 --> 00:15:39,880 Speaker 3: What am I saying? Don't take the easy way out? 283 00:15:40,360 --> 00:15:43,520 Speaker 3: Sooner or later it's gonna catch up to you. Make 284 00:15:43,560 --> 00:15:47,080 Speaker 3: a decision with me. You're gonna be excellent in the workplace. 285 00:15:47,600 --> 00:15:50,320 Speaker 3: That not only honors God, but it is one of 286 00:15:50,320 --> 00:15:54,480 Speaker 3: the best witnesses we could ever have. I know people 287 00:15:54,720 --> 00:15:57,480 Speaker 3: that can quote half the Bible, they can pray two 288 00:15:57,520 --> 00:16:02,080 Speaker 3: hours a day, but they have no influence, no credibility, 289 00:16:02,480 --> 00:16:07,120 Speaker 3: because they're sloppy in the workplace. They're always late, always 290 00:16:07,160 --> 00:16:11,480 Speaker 3: wasting time. They're not productive, they're not efficient. No one 291 00:16:11,520 --> 00:16:14,560 Speaker 3: will even listen to them. Now, I heard somebody say, 292 00:16:14,960 --> 00:16:19,520 Speaker 3: your performance gives you a platform when you excel in 293 00:16:19,600 --> 00:16:23,360 Speaker 3: what you do that gets people attention. You can talk 294 00:16:23,400 --> 00:16:26,120 Speaker 3: to them all day long about your faith, but if 295 00:16:26,160 --> 00:16:29,160 Speaker 3: they don't see something in you that they want, then 296 00:16:29,200 --> 00:16:31,280 Speaker 3: it's going to go in one ear and out the other. 297 00:16:32,160 --> 00:16:35,200 Speaker 3: The way to gain respect, the way to gain influence, 298 00:16:35,800 --> 00:16:39,360 Speaker 3: is to develop your character and develop your skills in 299 00:16:39,440 --> 00:16:42,880 Speaker 3: such a way that people are almost envious of you. 300 00:16:43,880 --> 00:16:46,920 Speaker 3: They may not agree with what you believe, but when 301 00:16:46,960 --> 00:16:49,840 Speaker 3: you lead the company in sales, they can't argue with 302 00:16:49,920 --> 00:16:52,800 Speaker 3: that something is working. They may make fun of you 303 00:16:53,040 --> 00:16:56,000 Speaker 3: at the shop, but when you're the best mechanic in 304 00:16:56,080 --> 00:16:59,720 Speaker 3: the company, you've taken time to develop your skills. Then 305 00:16:59,760 --> 00:17:01,880 Speaker 3: when they can't figure out how to fix the car, 306 00:17:02,400 --> 00:17:04,760 Speaker 3: they may not like you, but they'll come ask you 307 00:17:04,800 --> 00:17:08,119 Speaker 3: how to do it. What happened You earned their respect 308 00:17:08,480 --> 00:17:11,600 Speaker 3: not by your words, but by your spirit of excellence. 309 00:17:12,359 --> 00:17:16,800 Speaker 3: Jesus said it this way. Let your light shine before men, 310 00:17:17,520 --> 00:17:21,040 Speaker 3: that they may see your good work and praise your 311 00:17:21,080 --> 00:17:24,760 Speaker 3: Father in heaven. He's saying, if you'll develop what God's 312 00:17:24,800 --> 00:17:28,639 Speaker 3: put in you and excel in your career, then when 313 00:17:28,720 --> 00:17:33,359 Speaker 3: people see your accomplishments, your character, your worth ethic, that 314 00:17:33,440 --> 00:17:36,760 Speaker 3: will bring praise to God. We hear the phrase a 315 00:17:36,760 --> 00:17:41,879 Speaker 3: lot glory to God. Glory means to make illustrious, to 316 00:17:42,040 --> 00:17:45,840 Speaker 3: exalt to a higher position. The way we bring glory 317 00:17:45,840 --> 00:17:48,359 Speaker 3: to God is not just with our words, not just 318 00:17:48,400 --> 00:17:51,800 Speaker 3: with our praise. But when you excel in the workplace, 319 00:17:52,160 --> 00:17:56,119 Speaker 3: you are exalting God. When you develop that new software 320 00:17:56,160 --> 00:18:00,520 Speaker 3: for your department, you just glorified God. When you coach 321 00:18:00,560 --> 00:18:04,440 Speaker 3: your team to a winning season, you glorified God. When 322 00:18:04,440 --> 00:18:07,280 Speaker 3: you are the example that your company uses to train 323 00:18:07,480 --> 00:18:12,040 Speaker 3: the new employees, you glorified God. The truth is we 324 00:18:12,080 --> 00:18:15,760 Speaker 3: should glorify God more during the week than we do 325 00:18:15,840 --> 00:18:19,280 Speaker 3: on Sundays. We all already know how great God is 326 00:18:19,280 --> 00:18:22,440 Speaker 3: in here. We know God can do anything. But when 327 00:18:22,480 --> 00:18:25,680 Speaker 3: you go out Monday and you close that big cell 328 00:18:25,840 --> 00:18:28,960 Speaker 3: that you've been working on and your co workers think, wow, 329 00:18:29,200 --> 00:18:32,560 Speaker 3: how did he pull that off? You just glorified God. 330 00:18:32,680 --> 00:18:36,800 Speaker 3: That one accomplishment made God look better. I know a 331 00:18:36,840 --> 00:18:40,720 Speaker 3: young man that attends here. He has over fifty scholarships 332 00:18:40,920 --> 00:18:44,679 Speaker 3: to play basketball at major universities. I saw him not 333 00:18:44,760 --> 00:18:47,240 Speaker 3: long ago, and he had a big game the night before, 334 00:18:47,280 --> 00:18:49,639 Speaker 3: and now ask him how he did. He had scored 335 00:18:49,680 --> 00:18:52,679 Speaker 3: forty two points. I said, how many did your team score? 336 00:18:52,880 --> 00:18:56,120 Speaker 3: He said eighty. He had scored more than half the points. 337 00:18:56,520 --> 00:19:00,280 Speaker 3: You know what he's doing. He's glorifying God. Oh, he 338 00:19:00,320 --> 00:19:02,400 Speaker 3: just won a basketball game. He just has a lot 339 00:19:02,400 --> 00:19:05,600 Speaker 3: of talent. Yes, but that's the talent God's given him 340 00:19:05,840 --> 00:19:09,000 Speaker 3: and now he's taken time to develop it. He's focused, 341 00:19:09,200 --> 00:19:14,000 Speaker 3: he's disciplined. He's honoring God by being his best. Do 342 00:19:14,040 --> 00:19:16,359 Speaker 3: you know there are a lot of talented people sitting 343 00:19:16,359 --> 00:19:19,680 Speaker 3: on the sideline, a lot of gifted people that are 344 00:19:19,680 --> 00:19:22,440 Speaker 3: not tapping in to what God put on the inside. 345 00:19:23,040 --> 00:19:26,399 Speaker 3: And I'm not talking about competing with others and trying 346 00:19:26,440 --> 00:19:31,040 Speaker 3: to outdo somebody else. I'm talking about honoring God by 347 00:19:31,080 --> 00:19:34,000 Speaker 3: being the very best that you can be. And every 348 00:19:34,000 --> 00:19:37,160 Speaker 3: one of us can be excellent at something. You can 349 00:19:37,240 --> 00:19:41,440 Speaker 3: be an excellent mother, you can be an excellent accountant, 350 00:19:41,840 --> 00:19:45,560 Speaker 3: You can be an excellent receptionist, one that finds new 351 00:19:45,600 --> 00:19:49,040 Speaker 3: ways to make the company run smoother. People look at 352 00:19:49,040 --> 00:19:51,399 Speaker 3: you and think, wow, we couldn't make it without that, 353 00:19:51,480 --> 00:19:54,359 Speaker 3: young lady. She is something else. You know what you did. 354 00:19:54,680 --> 00:19:59,200 Speaker 3: You glorified God in their mind. You made God more illustrious. 355 00:20:00,160 --> 00:20:02,240 Speaker 3: You may not be able to win people over with 356 00:20:02,400 --> 00:20:06,040 Speaker 3: your words. You may not gain their respect with your speech, 357 00:20:06,600 --> 00:20:09,280 Speaker 3: but when you cause that company to run like a 358 00:20:09,280 --> 00:20:12,960 Speaker 3: well oiled machine, then they'll respect you. When you get 359 00:20:13,000 --> 00:20:17,280 Speaker 3: your students test scores higher than the expert said, that'll 360 00:20:17,320 --> 00:20:20,679 Speaker 3: get attention. When you show up on time, go the 361 00:20:20,760 --> 00:20:25,200 Speaker 3: extra mile, do more than that's expected, that will get noticed. 362 00:20:25,960 --> 00:20:29,679 Speaker 3: Our attitude should be I'm gonna glorify God this week. 363 00:20:29,880 --> 00:20:32,399 Speaker 3: I'm gonna go out and make God look better. I'm 364 00:20:32,440 --> 00:20:35,360 Speaker 3: gonna make him look more illustrious by being the very 365 00:20:35,400 --> 00:20:38,359 Speaker 3: best that I can be. When you have a spirit 366 00:20:38,400 --> 00:20:43,280 Speaker 3: of excellence, you're always sharpening your skills. You're always looking 367 00:20:43,359 --> 00:20:48,320 Speaker 3: for new ways to grow. Here's a challenge. Whatever you do, 368 00:20:48,440 --> 00:20:51,920 Speaker 3: get better at it. If you're a carpenter, get better 369 00:20:51,960 --> 00:20:54,640 Speaker 3: at it. If you're a doctor, get better at it. 370 00:20:54,800 --> 00:20:58,359 Speaker 3: If you're in cells, get better at it. Find out 371 00:20:58,440 --> 00:21:01,960 Speaker 3: how you can improve, study ways that you can become 372 00:21:02,240 --> 00:21:05,760 Speaker 3: more effective. You should not be at the same skill 373 00:21:05,840 --> 00:21:09,439 Speaker 3: level next year as you are right now. You should 374 00:21:09,480 --> 00:21:13,679 Speaker 3: be doing something on purpose to increase your skills. You 375 00:21:13,760 --> 00:21:17,040 Speaker 3: have to be proactive. We cannot sit back and just 376 00:21:17,160 --> 00:21:21,840 Speaker 3: expect our talent to automatically increase. God helps the people 377 00:21:22,119 --> 00:21:25,760 Speaker 3: that help themselves. Can you take courses on the internet? 378 00:21:26,359 --> 00:21:29,359 Speaker 3: Do you have a mentor speaking faith into your life? 379 00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:32,600 Speaker 3: Are you studying the people ahead of you? Are you 380 00:21:32,720 --> 00:21:36,520 Speaker 3: learning the next position in line? If you'll take these 381 00:21:36,560 --> 00:21:40,520 Speaker 3: steps to grow, it not only honors God, but God 382 00:21:40,560 --> 00:21:44,080 Speaker 3: will open up the right doors. The scripture says, your 383 00:21:44,160 --> 00:21:47,960 Speaker 3: gift will make room for you. You say, Joel, I never 384 00:21:48,000 --> 00:21:51,080 Speaker 3: see promotion, I never see new doors open. My question 385 00:21:51,320 --> 00:21:55,560 Speaker 3: is are you developing your gifts? Are you improving? Are 386 00:21:55,600 --> 00:21:58,800 Speaker 3: you an employee that the company can't live without if 387 00:21:58,800 --> 00:22:01,199 Speaker 3: you were to miss a couple weeks, do they miss you? 388 00:22:01,840 --> 00:22:06,080 Speaker 3: Do they feel your impact? God promises if you'll develop 389 00:22:06,119 --> 00:22:10,040 Speaker 3: what's in you and continually be improving, he will make 390 00:22:10,080 --> 00:22:13,680 Speaker 3: sure the right doors will open. But we can't sit 391 00:22:13,760 --> 00:22:15,760 Speaker 3: back and think, Okay, God opened the door, and then 392 00:22:15,800 --> 00:22:18,480 Speaker 3: I'll get ready. Now we have to make the first move. 393 00:22:19,280 --> 00:22:22,280 Speaker 3: We need to develop a habit of looking for ways 394 00:22:22,320 --> 00:22:25,440 Speaker 3: to grow. It should be a part of our nature. 395 00:22:25,760 --> 00:22:31,159 Speaker 3: It doesn't matter if we're ninety years old. We're still growing, increasing, improving. 396 00:22:31,800 --> 00:22:34,119 Speaker 3: I can look back at my messages from when I 397 00:22:34,160 --> 00:22:37,399 Speaker 3: first started ten years ago and see how I've improved 398 00:22:37,760 --> 00:22:39,760 Speaker 3: every year. I've gotten a little bit better, a little 399 00:22:39,760 --> 00:22:42,600 Speaker 3: bit better. And the fact is I could have stayed 400 00:22:42,640 --> 00:22:45,480 Speaker 3: at that same level I was when I started. I 401 00:22:45,600 --> 00:22:48,439 Speaker 3: wasn't bad, I was okay. Nobody would have complained, but 402 00:22:48,520 --> 00:22:51,879 Speaker 3: I would not have seen these new doors open. I 403 00:22:51,920 --> 00:22:55,120 Speaker 3: took time and was disciplined to develop what God's put 404 00:22:55,160 --> 00:22:58,240 Speaker 3: on the inside. Now I believe even five years from now, 405 00:22:58,359 --> 00:23:00,480 Speaker 3: I'll look back at this message and think, Man, I 406 00:23:00,520 --> 00:23:03,439 Speaker 3: can do it a whole lot better. Now I'm constantly 407 00:23:03,680 --> 00:23:08,040 Speaker 3: studying how I can improve, how can I communicate more effectively. 408 00:23:08,440 --> 00:23:11,800 Speaker 3: I am proactive when it comes to sharpening my skills. 409 00:23:12,560 --> 00:23:14,760 Speaker 3: No matter how great you are at what you do 410 00:23:14,880 --> 00:23:19,760 Speaker 3: right now, you cannot get satisfied. When you stop improving, 411 00:23:20,119 --> 00:23:23,600 Speaker 3: you stop growing. And when you stop growing, that's when 412 00:23:23,640 --> 00:23:27,600 Speaker 3: you become stagnant. It's very easy to get complacent and 413 00:23:27,640 --> 00:23:32,080 Speaker 3: lose your enthusiasm, start slacking off, start cutting corners. Why 414 00:23:32,560 --> 00:23:35,159 Speaker 3: you're not being challenged, there's nothing pushing you. 415 00:23:35,840 --> 00:23:35,919 Speaker 4: Now. 416 00:23:35,960 --> 00:23:38,600 Speaker 3: I love what it says about David. He played his 417 00:23:38,800 --> 00:23:42,919 Speaker 3: harp skillfully. Notice he didn't just play the harp, he 418 00:23:43,000 --> 00:23:46,840 Speaker 3: played it with excellence. Even with that slingshot when he 419 00:23:47,000 --> 00:23:50,880 Speaker 3: slung that stone that defeated Goliath. That was not an accident, 420 00:23:51,280 --> 00:23:55,360 Speaker 3: That wasn't a lucky break. David had practiced the slingshot 421 00:23:55,920 --> 00:23:59,920 Speaker 3: year after year out there in the shepherd's fields. Was 422 00:24:00,200 --> 00:24:04,640 Speaker 3: extremely talented with that slingshot. Some experts say he could 423 00:24:04,680 --> 00:24:07,840 Speaker 3: hit a small bullseye more than one hundred feet away. 424 00:24:08,400 --> 00:24:12,280 Speaker 3: What am I saying? He didn't get complacent. He kept improving. 425 00:24:12,920 --> 00:24:16,840 Speaker 3: And in today's competitive world, with the economy being so 426 00:24:17,040 --> 00:24:20,920 Speaker 3: tight and business is being so bottom line oriented, if 427 00:24:20,960 --> 00:24:24,960 Speaker 3: you're not growing, then you're at a disadvantage. If you're 428 00:24:24,960 --> 00:24:27,840 Speaker 3: at the same skill level this year as you were 429 00:24:27,880 --> 00:24:31,359 Speaker 3: five years from now, then you are falling behind. You 430 00:24:31,400 --> 00:24:33,879 Speaker 3: need to step it up a notch. I saw an 431 00:24:33,960 --> 00:24:37,080 Speaker 3: article that talked about how to reduce the risk of 432 00:24:37,160 --> 00:24:40,840 Speaker 3: being laid off. There were three main things that businesses 433 00:24:41,119 --> 00:24:43,680 Speaker 3: looked at when they're thinking about who to lay off 434 00:24:43,920 --> 00:24:46,359 Speaker 3: and who not to lay off. The people that didn't 435 00:24:46,359 --> 00:24:50,520 Speaker 3: get laid off Number one had a positive attitude. Number two, 436 00:24:50,680 --> 00:24:54,840 Speaker 3: they were versatile, and number three they were always improving 437 00:24:54,920 --> 00:24:58,439 Speaker 3: their skills. And so if you want to reduce the 438 00:24:58,560 --> 00:25:02,480 Speaker 3: chance of unemployment, make sure number one you stay positive, 439 00:25:02,720 --> 00:25:08,040 Speaker 3: stay flexible and keep growing, keep increasing, keep improving. If 440 00:25:08,080 --> 00:25:10,760 Speaker 3: you will get better at what you do, there will 441 00:25:10,800 --> 00:25:14,280 Speaker 3: always be a place for you. Your gift will make room. 442 00:25:15,400 --> 00:25:19,119 Speaker 3: When you're a person of excellence, you do more than expected. 443 00:25:19,840 --> 00:25:22,439 Speaker 3: You don't take the easy way out. You don't do 444 00:25:22,520 --> 00:25:27,200 Speaker 3: the minimum requirement. You go the extra mile. That phrase 445 00:25:27,320 --> 00:25:30,600 Speaker 3: actually comes from the Bible. Jesus said it in Matthew 446 00:25:30,600 --> 00:25:33,440 Speaker 3: five point forty one. If someone asks you to walk 447 00:25:33,440 --> 00:25:37,400 Speaker 3: a mile with them, do more, go two miles. Here's 448 00:25:37,440 --> 00:25:40,959 Speaker 3: the context. Back in those days Roman soldiers, when they 449 00:25:41,000 --> 00:25:44,680 Speaker 3: were walking through a city. By law, they could require 450 00:25:44,760 --> 00:25:48,080 Speaker 3: a person to carry their armor for one mile, and 451 00:25:48,160 --> 00:25:51,880 Speaker 3: after that mile they'd have to get somebody else. Jesus said, 452 00:25:51,920 --> 00:25:54,080 Speaker 3: if they ask you to do it one mile, go 453 00:25:54,240 --> 00:25:58,400 Speaker 3: above and beyond the call of duty. Do more than expected, 454 00:25:58,600 --> 00:26:01,600 Speaker 3: carry it two miles. That's the attitude we need to have. 455 00:26:01,880 --> 00:26:04,720 Speaker 3: Not I'm just gonna do what I have to. I'm 456 00:26:04,720 --> 00:26:07,359 Speaker 3: gonna do the minimum amount to keep my paycheck. No, 457 00:26:07,680 --> 00:26:10,199 Speaker 3: we are people of excellence. I'm gonna go above and 458 00:26:10,240 --> 00:26:13,480 Speaker 3: beyond what I have to. I'm gonna do more than expected. 459 00:26:13,800 --> 00:26:17,360 Speaker 3: That's the attitude God rewards. One time in the scripture, 460 00:26:17,800 --> 00:26:21,280 Speaker 3: Abraham sent his servant to another country to find a 461 00:26:21,359 --> 00:26:24,960 Speaker 3: wife for his son Isaac. This servant traveled a great 462 00:26:25,000 --> 00:26:28,679 Speaker 3: distance with ten camels, and around sunset he came to 463 00:26:28,760 --> 00:26:32,080 Speaker 3: a well outside of a city. This was a time 464 00:26:32,119 --> 00:26:34,400 Speaker 3: of day that the young ladies would come and get 465 00:26:34,440 --> 00:26:37,679 Speaker 3: water for their families. The servant didn't know how he 466 00:26:37,760 --> 00:26:40,280 Speaker 3: was gonna know who the right wife would be for 467 00:26:40,359 --> 00:26:42,960 Speaker 3: Isaac and who he was gonna choose, so he prayed. 468 00:26:43,320 --> 00:26:45,399 Speaker 3: He said, God, I believe you'll give me a sign. 469 00:26:46,040 --> 00:26:48,720 Speaker 3: I'm gonna ask these ladies for a drink of water, 470 00:26:49,320 --> 00:26:52,280 Speaker 3: and the one that says yes, I'll give you a drink, 471 00:26:52,680 --> 00:26:55,920 Speaker 3: and also let me get your camel some water, I'll 472 00:26:55,960 --> 00:26:59,919 Speaker 3: know she is the right wife for Isaac. About that time, 473 00:27:00,080 --> 00:27:03,399 Speaker 3: a beautiful girl named Rebecca came to the well. The 474 00:27:03,440 --> 00:27:05,640 Speaker 3: servant said, I've traveled a great distance and I don't 475 00:27:05,640 --> 00:27:07,840 Speaker 3: have a bucket. Do you mind getting me some water? 476 00:27:08,280 --> 00:27:11,639 Speaker 3: Rebecca said sure, I will. Not only that, let me 477 00:27:11,680 --> 00:27:14,760 Speaker 3: get all your camels some water as well. He knew 478 00:27:14,800 --> 00:27:17,680 Speaker 3: immediately she was the right young lady. But here's what's 479 00:27:17,720 --> 00:27:21,600 Speaker 3: interesting to me. A camel after a long day's walk 480 00:27:22,000 --> 00:27:26,000 Speaker 3: can drink thirty gallons of water. They're like an suv. 481 00:27:27,720 --> 00:27:31,600 Speaker 3: Can you imagine the magnitude of what Rebecca did? She 482 00:27:31,720 --> 00:27:34,480 Speaker 3: said to the servant, Yes, I'll not only do what 483 00:27:34,560 --> 00:27:38,119 Speaker 3: you've asked, but I'll dip down in this well three 484 00:27:38,240 --> 00:27:42,359 Speaker 3: hundred more times and get your ten camels water as well. 485 00:27:42,680 --> 00:27:45,960 Speaker 3: That's what I call going the extra mile. She went 486 00:27:46,119 --> 00:27:50,520 Speaker 3: far beyond the call of duty. Notice what happened. God 487 00:27:50,680 --> 00:27:54,840 Speaker 3: chose her to marry Isaac. Isaac came from one of 488 00:27:54,840 --> 00:27:59,200 Speaker 3: the wealthiest, most prominent families of that day. I doubt 489 00:27:59,280 --> 00:28:02,040 Speaker 3: if Rebecca ever had to reach down into a well 490 00:28:02,160 --> 00:28:06,760 Speaker 3: three hundred times. Again, what am I saying? God rewards 491 00:28:07,000 --> 00:28:10,520 Speaker 3: excellence when you do more than what's required of you. 492 00:28:10,520 --> 00:28:13,000 Speaker 3: You better get ready. You're going to see God's favor 493 00:28:13,040 --> 00:28:17,720 Speaker 3: in amazing ways. And I know today, I know today 494 00:28:18,040 --> 00:28:20,560 Speaker 3: I am looking at the cream of the crop. I'm 495 00:28:20,600 --> 00:28:23,159 Speaker 3: looking at people that go the extra mile. People that 496 00:28:23,240 --> 00:28:26,040 Speaker 3: will say, with Rebecca, let me get your camels some water. 497 00:28:26,520 --> 00:28:29,159 Speaker 3: You are people that don't cut corners. You do the 498 00:28:29,240 --> 00:28:32,480 Speaker 3: right thing even though no one is watching. You'll continually 499 00:28:32,560 --> 00:28:37,200 Speaker 3: sharpen your skills, growing, increasing, improving. Here's what that tells 500 00:28:37,240 --> 00:28:40,880 Speaker 3: me increase is coming your way. New doors are going 501 00:28:40,960 --> 00:28:46,600 Speaker 3: to open, new relationships, new connections, new opportunities. Your gift 502 00:28:46,760 --> 00:28:50,600 Speaker 3: will make room for you. Get up every morning with enthusiasm. 503 00:28:50,920 --> 00:28:53,480 Speaker 3: Whatever you do, large or small, do it to the 504 00:28:53,520 --> 00:28:57,400 Speaker 3: best of your ability. Honor God in the workplace. If 505 00:28:57,440 --> 00:29:00,040 Speaker 3: you will be a person of excellence, knowing that you 506 00:29:00,080 --> 00:29:03,280 Speaker 3: are working under God and not under men, then I believe, 507 00:29:03,440 --> 00:29:05,920 Speaker 3: like Rebecca, God is going to take you places that 508 00:29:05,960 --> 00:29:09,000 Speaker 3: you've never dreamed of. You are going to accomplish gold 509 00:29:09,160 --> 00:29:13,880 Speaker 3: you never thought possible, overcome obstacles that look insurmountable. And 510 00:29:13,960 --> 00:29:18,200 Speaker 3: I believe and declare every dream, every promise God put 511 00:29:18,200 --> 00:29:20,840 Speaker 3: in your heart. You're going to see that come to pass. Amen. 512 00:29:21,120 --> 00:29:22,240 Speaker 3: Do you receive that today? 513 00:29:24,280 --> 00:29:24,440 Speaker 1: Well? 514 00:29:24,480 --> 00:29:27,040 Speaker 3: He never likes to close our broadcast without giving you 515 00:29:27,080 --> 00:29:29,680 Speaker 3: an opportunity to make Jesus the lord of your life. 516 00:29:30,080 --> 00:29:33,800 Speaker 3: Would you pray with me, just say, Lord, Jesus, I 517 00:29:33,920 --> 00:29:38,240 Speaker 3: repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I make 518 00:29:38,320 --> 00:29:41,720 Speaker 3: you my Lord and savior. Friends, if you prayed that 519 00:29:41,800 --> 00:29:44,520 Speaker 3: simple prayer, we believe you got born again. Get in 520 00:29:44,560 --> 00:29:47,760 Speaker 3: a good Bible based church, keep God first place. He's 521 00:29:47,800 --> 00:29:49,880 Speaker 3: going to take your places you've never dreamed of. 522 00:29:50,640 --> 00:29:54,040 Speaker 1: Thank you for listening to the Julus Deine podcast. Help 523 00:29:54,160 --> 00:29:56,880 Speaker 1: us continue to share the message of hope with those 524 00:29:56,960 --> 00:30:00,560 Speaker 1: all over the world. Visit jolus Deine dot com slash 525 00:30:00,640 --> 00:30:02,640 Speaker 1: give hope to give a gift today. 526 00:30:03,920 --> 00:30:06,840 Speaker 3: Thanks so much for listening to today's message. I hope 527 00:30:06,840 --> 00:30:10,240 Speaker 3: you'll subscribe so you can receive the latest podcast to 528 00:30:10,320 --> 00:30:13,520 Speaker 3: keep you inspired all through the week. We're praying for you. 529 00:30:13,680 --> 00:30:16,120 Speaker 3: I know God's best is still ahead. 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