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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 --> 00:01:56,400 Speaker 3: for God's very best in your life. Oh God bless you, 41 00:01:57,120 --> 00:01:59,640 Speaker 3: Oh with our joy to come into your homes. We 42 00:01:59,800 --> 00:02:02,640 Speaker 3: love you. We know God has great things in store. 43 00:02:02,680 --> 00:02:04,840 Speaker 3: And if you're ever in our area, I hope you'll 44 00:02:04,840 --> 00:02:07,520 Speaker 3: stop by and be a part of one of our services. 45 00:02:07,640 --> 00:02:09,640 Speaker 3: I promise you we'll make you feel right at home. 46 00:02:09,680 --> 00:02:11,880 Speaker 3: But thanks for tuning in, and thank you again for 47 00:02:11,960 --> 00:02:14,400 Speaker 3: coming out today. And I like to start with something 48 00:02:14,440 --> 00:02:17,280 Speaker 3: funny each week. And I heard about this pastor and 49 00:02:17,440 --> 00:02:20,600 Speaker 3: song leader that weren't getting along and begin to spill 50 00:02:20,639 --> 00:02:24,239 Speaker 3: over into the services. And one Sunday, the pastor spoke 51 00:02:24,320 --> 00:02:27,919 Speaker 3: on being willing to change. Afterwards, the song leader got 52 00:02:28,000 --> 00:02:30,440 Speaker 3: up and led the song I shall not be moved. 53 00:02:31,480 --> 00:02:33,760 Speaker 3: The next week he spoke on being a giver, and 54 00:02:33,880 --> 00:02:36,840 Speaker 3: the song leader got up and led, Jesus paid it all. 55 00:02:37,880 --> 00:02:40,280 Speaker 3: The next week, the pastor talked about how we have 56 00:02:40,360 --> 00:02:43,400 Speaker 3: to watch our tongues and not gossiping. The song leader 57 00:02:43,520 --> 00:02:46,880 Speaker 3: got up and led, I love to tell the story. 58 00:02:47,520 --> 00:02:51,040 Speaker 3: The pastor got so frustrated he finally resigned. He said, 59 00:02:51,120 --> 00:02:53,919 Speaker 3: Jesus brought me here, and Jesus has taken me away. 60 00:02:54,320 --> 00:02:56,840 Speaker 3: The song leader then led, what a friend we have 61 00:02:56,919 --> 00:03:01,760 Speaker 3: in Jesus. All right, hold up your bibles. Say it 62 00:03:01,840 --> 00:03:04,720 Speaker 3: like you mean it. This is my Bible. I am 63 00:03:04,800 --> 00:03:07,280 Speaker 3: what it says I am. I have what it says 64 00:03:07,280 --> 00:03:09,880 Speaker 3: I have. I can do what it says I can do. 65 00:03:10,240 --> 00:03:13,120 Speaker 3: Today I will be taught the word of God. I 66 00:03:13,280 --> 00:03:17,440 Speaker 3: boldly confess my mind is alert, my heart is receptive. 67 00:03:17,760 --> 00:03:21,320 Speaker 3: I will never be the same. In Jesus' name, God 68 00:03:21,360 --> 00:03:24,920 Speaker 3: bless you. I want to talk to you today about 69 00:03:24,960 --> 00:03:29,359 Speaker 3: blooming where you're planet. Too many people are living negative 70 00:03:29,480 --> 00:03:33,200 Speaker 3: and discouraged because they don't like where they are. They 71 00:03:33,240 --> 00:03:35,880 Speaker 3: don't like their job. The people are hard to get 72 00:03:35,880 --> 00:03:38,920 Speaker 3: along with. They don't like where they live. That's not 73 00:03:38,960 --> 00:03:41,960 Speaker 3: where they want to be. When they get stuck in traffic, 74 00:03:42,080 --> 00:03:44,839 Speaker 3: they get all upset. If they have to work late, 75 00:03:44,920 --> 00:03:49,520 Speaker 3: that just sours their day. There's always something they're fighting against, 76 00:03:49,760 --> 00:03:53,400 Speaker 3: trying to get somewhere else. But I've learned God is 77 00:03:53,440 --> 00:03:57,000 Speaker 3: more interested in changing me than he is in changing 78 00:03:57,000 --> 00:04:00,840 Speaker 3: my circumstances. As long as I'm sour because I'm not 79 00:04:00,880 --> 00:04:04,600 Speaker 3: getting my way, discouraged because I'm single and I want 80 00:04:04,640 --> 00:04:07,920 Speaker 3: to be married, and upset because the business isn't growing, 81 00:04:08,360 --> 00:04:11,360 Speaker 3: that's going to keep me right where I am. If 82 00:04:11,400 --> 00:04:13,680 Speaker 3: you want to see change, if you want to see 83 00:04:13,760 --> 00:04:16,800 Speaker 3: God open up new doors, the key is you have 84 00:04:16,880 --> 00:04:21,560 Speaker 3: to bloom where you're planeted. You cannot wait till everything 85 00:04:21,600 --> 00:04:24,400 Speaker 3: gets better before you decide to have a good attitude. 86 00:04:24,920 --> 00:04:27,120 Speaker 3: You have to be the best that you can be 87 00:04:27,680 --> 00:04:30,400 Speaker 3: right where you are. Put a smile on your face. 88 00:04:30,960 --> 00:04:33,400 Speaker 3: Be good to people, even if they're not being good 89 00:04:33,400 --> 00:04:36,640 Speaker 3: to you. Be grateful for where you live, even if 90 00:04:36,680 --> 00:04:39,560 Speaker 3: it's not where you want to be. When you bloom 91 00:04:39,680 --> 00:04:42,839 Speaker 3: where you're planted, you're sowing a seed for God to 92 00:04:42,839 --> 00:04:46,440 Speaker 3: do something new. The scripture says here in Psalm thirty seven, 93 00:04:46,920 --> 00:04:50,239 Speaker 3: the steps of a good person are ordered by the Lord. 94 00:04:51,040 --> 00:04:54,640 Speaker 3: That means, as long as we're in faith, where we 95 00:04:54,680 --> 00:04:58,200 Speaker 3: are is where we're supposed to be. Well, you said, Joel, 96 00:04:58,200 --> 00:05:01,279 Speaker 3: that couldn't be right. I'm uncomfor if I'm not in 97 00:05:01,320 --> 00:05:04,200 Speaker 3: a good place. Somebody's not treating me right. No, it 98 00:05:04,240 --> 00:05:07,880 Speaker 3: may be difficult, but God will not allow a challenge 99 00:05:07,920 --> 00:05:10,720 Speaker 3: to come into our life unless he has a divine 100 00:05:10,880 --> 00:05:15,080 Speaker 3: purpose for it. Now I've found nothing in life happens 101 00:05:15,120 --> 00:05:18,560 Speaker 3: to us, It happens for us. If we'll keep the 102 00:05:18,640 --> 00:05:21,760 Speaker 3: right attitude, God will always use it for our good. 103 00:05:22,680 --> 00:05:25,200 Speaker 3: That person is hard to get along with. He's not 104 00:05:25,360 --> 00:05:29,360 Speaker 3: happening to you, He's happening for you. God's using him 105 00:05:29,400 --> 00:05:32,919 Speaker 3: to grow you up. You're developing character, You're learning to 106 00:05:32,960 --> 00:05:35,360 Speaker 3: be good to people that are not being good to you. 107 00:05:36,279 --> 00:05:40,560 Speaker 3: God uses difficult people like sandpaper to rub the rough 108 00:05:40,640 --> 00:05:43,520 Speaker 3: edges off of us. The next time you see him, 109 00:05:43,640 --> 00:05:46,800 Speaker 3: instead of getting upset and all stressed out, just smile 110 00:05:46,839 --> 00:05:49,680 Speaker 3: real big and say thank you so much for everything 111 00:05:49,720 --> 00:05:52,160 Speaker 3: you have done for me. Then you may have to 112 00:05:52,240 --> 00:05:55,919 Speaker 3: help pick him up off the ground. But some of 113 00:05:55,920 --> 00:05:58,799 Speaker 3: the things that are uncomfortable in your life right now 114 00:05:58,839 --> 00:06:01,160 Speaker 3: and you're trying to get rid of of, if God 115 00:06:01,279 --> 00:06:04,480 Speaker 3: removed them, you would not be prepared for what He 116 00:06:04,520 --> 00:06:07,479 Speaker 3: has in store when things come our way that we 117 00:06:07,560 --> 00:06:11,760 Speaker 3: don't like. Instead of being negative and complaining, our attitude 118 00:06:11,760 --> 00:06:15,240 Speaker 3: should be God. I may not like this, but I 119 00:06:15,320 --> 00:06:18,479 Speaker 3: know I'm here in your divine plan and you would 120 00:06:18,560 --> 00:06:20,360 Speaker 3: not have allowed it unless you were going to get 121 00:06:20,400 --> 00:06:22,960 Speaker 3: good out of it. It may not feel good, but 122 00:06:23,080 --> 00:06:25,760 Speaker 3: I know it's helping me to grow and become all 123 00:06:25,839 --> 00:06:28,920 Speaker 3: that You've created me to be. But so often we're 124 00:06:28,960 --> 00:06:32,200 Speaker 3: fighting against everything that doesn't go our way. In we're 125 00:06:32,240 --> 00:06:35,400 Speaker 3: always trying to get somewhere else to be happy. If 126 00:06:35,440 --> 00:06:37,880 Speaker 3: I could just get out of this small house, if 127 00:06:37,920 --> 00:06:40,240 Speaker 3: I could just get a better job, or at least 128 00:06:40,279 --> 00:06:43,720 Speaker 3: change departments, If I could just find some new friends. Now. 129 00:06:43,760 --> 00:06:46,200 Speaker 3: That's going to keep us where we are. A better 130 00:06:46,279 --> 00:06:49,839 Speaker 3: approach is, this is where God has me right now, 131 00:06:50,360 --> 00:06:53,120 Speaker 3: and until he moves me, I'm going to be happy. 132 00:06:53,960 --> 00:06:56,640 Speaker 3: In other words, if I get stuck in traffic, this 133 00:06:56,760 --> 00:06:58,400 Speaker 3: is not where I want to be, but this is 134 00:06:58,440 --> 00:07:02,600 Speaker 3: where God has me. Relax and stay in peace. If 135 00:07:02,640 --> 00:07:05,240 Speaker 3: I have to work late, I'm not gonna get discouraged. 136 00:07:05,480 --> 00:07:07,800 Speaker 3: This is where God has me, so I'm gonna be 137 00:07:07,839 --> 00:07:11,680 Speaker 3: happy and enjoy it. If somebody is not treating me right, 138 00:07:12,240 --> 00:07:16,280 Speaker 3: I'm not gonna let that sour my day instill my joy. 139 00:07:16,320 --> 00:07:19,520 Speaker 3: This is where God has me for this season, so 140 00:07:19,560 --> 00:07:22,480 Speaker 3: I'm going to rise above it and be happy anyway. 141 00:07:23,360 --> 00:07:27,040 Speaker 3: That's what it means to bloom where you're planned. Wherever 142 00:07:27,120 --> 00:07:30,480 Speaker 3: you are, you know God has you there for a reason, 143 00:07:31,160 --> 00:07:33,840 Speaker 3: so you don't go up and down depending on your 144 00:07:33,880 --> 00:07:38,120 Speaker 3: circumstances or depending on how somebody is treating you. You're stable, 145 00:07:38,560 --> 00:07:41,880 Speaker 3: you're consistent, You've always got a smile, you're always in 146 00:07:41,920 --> 00:07:45,000 Speaker 3: a good mood, You're always friendly. That's the sign of 147 00:07:45,040 --> 00:07:48,200 Speaker 3: a mature person. And what I love about this is 148 00:07:48,280 --> 00:07:52,680 Speaker 3: it takes away our excuses and puts the responsibility to 149 00:07:52,720 --> 00:07:56,720 Speaker 3: be happy and enjoy our life right back on us. Now. 150 00:07:56,720 --> 00:07:58,960 Speaker 3: I know too many people that don't like their job. 151 00:07:59,360 --> 00:08:02,560 Speaker 3: They dread go to work, they dread driving into traffic, 152 00:08:02,720 --> 00:08:05,360 Speaker 3: they dread dealing with the people. They live by that 153 00:08:05,440 --> 00:08:10,200 Speaker 3: motto take this job and shove it. But really, what 154 00:08:10,360 --> 00:08:14,080 Speaker 3: a shame to be somewhere forty hours a week and 155 00:08:14,160 --> 00:08:17,280 Speaker 3: not enjoy it. Friends, life is too short to live 156 00:08:17,320 --> 00:08:20,080 Speaker 3: that way. You may not have the perfect job, the 157 00:08:20,120 --> 00:08:23,520 Speaker 3: perfect boss, the perfect conditions, but make up your mind 158 00:08:23,760 --> 00:08:27,200 Speaker 3: you're gonna bloom right where you are. And you say, Joel, 159 00:08:27,200 --> 00:08:29,600 Speaker 3: you don't know these people I work with. You don't 160 00:08:29,640 --> 00:08:33,400 Speaker 3: know how miserable it is. No, the scripture says God 161 00:08:33,480 --> 00:08:37,600 Speaker 3: has given us the power to enjoy our work. Quit 162 00:08:37,640 --> 00:08:40,320 Speaker 3: telling yourself I can't be happy here. I don't like 163 00:08:40,400 --> 00:08:42,880 Speaker 3: my job, I don't like the people. I can't wait 164 00:08:42,920 --> 00:08:46,760 Speaker 3: till God opens up something new. No, you're making yourself miserable. 165 00:08:47,200 --> 00:08:51,040 Speaker 3: Start telling yourself, I have the power to enjoy this job. 166 00:08:51,320 --> 00:08:53,800 Speaker 3: I'm gonna have a great day. I'm gonna enjoy the people. 167 00:08:54,000 --> 00:08:57,520 Speaker 3: I'm gonna be productive. I'm gonna bloom right here where 168 00:08:57,520 --> 00:09:01,640 Speaker 3: God has me planning. Instead of having that motto take 169 00:09:01,720 --> 00:09:04,000 Speaker 3: this job and shove it, or a motto should be 170 00:09:04,080 --> 00:09:07,320 Speaker 3: I'm gonna take this job and love it. Nothing is 171 00:09:07,360 --> 00:09:12,000 Speaker 3: gonna keep me from enjoying my life. I found sometimes 172 00:09:12,040 --> 00:09:14,720 Speaker 3: the reason we're not happy on the job is we're 173 00:09:14,760 --> 00:09:17,839 Speaker 3: not getting our way. We're being asked to do things 174 00:09:17,880 --> 00:09:20,280 Speaker 3: that we don't want to do. Maybe we feel like 175 00:09:20,320 --> 00:09:23,880 Speaker 3: we're more qualified, or that's not exciting enough. But this 176 00:09:23,960 --> 00:09:27,800 Speaker 3: is important. The person that's paying us. They may like 177 00:09:27,880 --> 00:09:31,600 Speaker 3: things done a certain way. We may not agree. We 178 00:09:31,640 --> 00:09:34,440 Speaker 3: may think we can do it better another way, but 179 00:09:34,600 --> 00:09:37,760 Speaker 3: since they are signing the check, they have the right 180 00:09:37,880 --> 00:09:40,280 Speaker 3: to have it done the way they want. And we've 181 00:09:40,280 --> 00:09:43,280 Speaker 3: got to be big enough to submit to the authority 182 00:09:43,800 --> 00:09:46,960 Speaker 3: and do what we're asked with a good attitude, without 183 00:09:47,080 --> 00:09:51,120 Speaker 3: always questioning it, without walking away mumbling under our breath. 184 00:09:51,120 --> 00:09:53,760 Speaker 3: They just don't know what they're talking about. When I 185 00:09:53,840 --> 00:09:56,880 Speaker 3: work for my father here at the Ministry for seventeen years, 186 00:09:57,280 --> 00:10:00,400 Speaker 3: I was in charge of the television production. Do these 187 00:10:00,400 --> 00:10:05,320 Speaker 3: big television specials, big concerts, and all kinds of exciting things. 188 00:10:05,880 --> 00:10:08,520 Speaker 3: But toward the end of my father's life, he didn't 189 00:10:08,520 --> 00:10:11,560 Speaker 3: want to do that anymore. One time I got all 190 00:10:11,559 --> 00:10:15,360 Speaker 3: these radio stations lined up to carry my father's broadcast, 191 00:10:15,440 --> 00:10:18,520 Speaker 3: and I had worked real hard. It was a big deal. Now. 192 00:10:18,520 --> 00:10:20,560 Speaker 3: I asked my dad to come down for an hour 193 00:10:20,679 --> 00:10:23,800 Speaker 3: a week and we could make the openings and the closings. 194 00:10:24,240 --> 00:10:26,400 Speaker 3: But he said, Joel, I don't want to do that. 195 00:10:27,080 --> 00:10:30,520 Speaker 3: I'm seventy five years old. I just want to relax 196 00:10:30,760 --> 00:10:35,240 Speaker 3: and pasture the church. I was so disappointed. I thought, God, 197 00:10:35,360 --> 00:10:37,760 Speaker 3: I'm young. I don't want to do less. I've got 198 00:10:37,800 --> 00:10:41,000 Speaker 3: big dreams. I want to do more. I thought, maybe 199 00:10:41,040 --> 00:10:43,840 Speaker 3: it's time for me to leave, Maybe it's time for 200 00:10:43,880 --> 00:10:47,280 Speaker 3: me to pursue some other opportunities. But down in here, 201 00:10:47,320 --> 00:10:49,920 Speaker 3: when I searched my own heart, I knew I was 202 00:10:49,920 --> 00:10:53,079 Speaker 3: supposed to stay right here with my father. I remember 203 00:10:53,200 --> 00:10:56,160 Speaker 3: right where I was when I made the decision that 204 00:10:56,240 --> 00:10:59,959 Speaker 3: this is my father's vision. He's been here for forty years, 205 00:11:00,280 --> 00:11:02,600 Speaker 3: he founded the place. He has a right to do 206 00:11:02,640 --> 00:11:05,439 Speaker 3: what he wants, and so I'm not gonna get sour 207 00:11:06,000 --> 00:11:08,680 Speaker 3: and lose my joy and pack up and leave just 208 00:11:08,720 --> 00:11:11,440 Speaker 3: because I'm not getting my way. I just kept being 209 00:11:11,480 --> 00:11:14,400 Speaker 3: my best day in and day out. Two years later, 210 00:11:14,520 --> 00:11:17,280 Speaker 3: my father went to be with the Lord I realize 211 00:11:17,320 --> 00:11:20,040 Speaker 3: now God put those dreams in my heart for my 212 00:11:20,120 --> 00:11:23,720 Speaker 3: own ministry. It just wasn't the right time. But had 213 00:11:23,760 --> 00:11:26,880 Speaker 3: I not been faithful where I was, had I not 214 00:11:27,120 --> 00:11:30,840 Speaker 3: honored and submitted to that authority and did the right 215 00:11:30,920 --> 00:11:33,560 Speaker 3: thing even though I didn't feel like it, I don't 216 00:11:33,600 --> 00:11:36,679 Speaker 3: believe I would be standing here today. When you pass 217 00:11:36,800 --> 00:11:40,800 Speaker 3: that test of blooming, where you're planning and keeping a 218 00:11:40,840 --> 00:11:43,640 Speaker 3: good attitude even when you don't feel like it, and 219 00:11:43,679 --> 00:11:46,559 Speaker 3: not getting upset when you don't get your way, and 220 00:11:46,679 --> 00:11:50,440 Speaker 3: honoring the authority even when you don't agree, then you 221 00:11:50,520 --> 00:11:53,080 Speaker 3: are sowing a seed for God to take you where 222 00:11:53,080 --> 00:11:56,000 Speaker 3: he wants to go. Well, you say, Joe, my boss 223 00:11:56,120 --> 00:11:59,160 Speaker 3: is hard to get along with. These coworkers get on 224 00:11:59,240 --> 00:12:02,800 Speaker 3: my nerves. They're negative, they complain, I've been praying for 225 00:12:02,840 --> 00:12:04,880 Speaker 3: three years for God to give me another job. I 226 00:12:04,880 --> 00:12:07,800 Speaker 3: don't know what's taken so long. Now, have you ever 227 00:12:07,840 --> 00:12:10,720 Speaker 3: thought about the fact that God may have you there 228 00:12:10,800 --> 00:12:13,640 Speaker 3: on purpose so you can be a good example to them. 229 00:12:14,040 --> 00:12:16,640 Speaker 3: God may want you to let your light shine to 230 00:12:16,720 --> 00:12:19,559 Speaker 3: brighten their days, to make a difference where you are. 231 00:12:20,160 --> 00:12:23,520 Speaker 3: Why don't you have a different perspective? Or maybe if 232 00:12:23,559 --> 00:12:26,720 Speaker 3: you would pass that test and bloom where you're planted, 233 00:12:27,040 --> 00:12:29,880 Speaker 3: then God would open up some new doors. But as 234 00:12:29,920 --> 00:12:33,760 Speaker 3: long as we're negative and complaining, nothing's going to change. 235 00:12:33,880 --> 00:12:37,280 Speaker 3: We're not in position for God to promote us if 236 00:12:37,320 --> 00:12:39,720 Speaker 3: we're not being the best that we can be right 237 00:12:39,760 --> 00:12:43,920 Speaker 3: where we are. When we're in an uncomfortable situation where 238 00:12:43,960 --> 00:12:47,920 Speaker 3: it's difficult or not fair, we have to realize God 239 00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:51,160 Speaker 3: is either doing a work in us or he's using 240 00:12:51,280 --> 00:12:53,719 Speaker 3: us to do a work in someone else. But there 241 00:12:53,800 --> 00:12:56,440 Speaker 3: is a purpose for it, and there's nothing wrong with 242 00:12:56,520 --> 00:13:00,440 Speaker 3: asking God to change a situation. But until it has happens, 243 00:13:00,679 --> 00:13:03,240 Speaker 3: you have to have the trust that where you are 244 00:13:03,760 --> 00:13:06,440 Speaker 3: is where you're supposed to be. Now, I know some 245 00:13:06,480 --> 00:13:10,160 Speaker 3: of you work around people, or even live with people 246 00:13:10,360 --> 00:13:12,640 Speaker 3: that are hard to get along with. They get on 247 00:13:12,679 --> 00:13:15,679 Speaker 3: your nerves, they do things to aggravate you. You've got 248 00:13:15,720 --> 00:13:18,080 Speaker 3: to make up your mind. You are not going to 249 00:13:18,120 --> 00:13:21,240 Speaker 3: live your life miserable. You are not going to dread 250 00:13:21,320 --> 00:13:24,120 Speaker 3: going to work because there's somebody there that you don't like. 251 00:13:24,679 --> 00:13:26,920 Speaker 3: You're not going to dread being at home because somebody 252 00:13:26,960 --> 00:13:31,240 Speaker 3: irritates you. Friends. You are an egle, you can rise 253 00:13:31,240 --> 00:13:34,320 Speaker 3: above that. A crow will always get in there and 254 00:13:34,360 --> 00:13:37,520 Speaker 3: fight and try to prove that he's right. A chicken 255 00:13:37,600 --> 00:13:40,800 Speaker 3: is always flapping and working, but he never even gets 256 00:13:40,840 --> 00:13:44,160 Speaker 3: off the ground, never makes any progress. A turkey makes 257 00:13:44,200 --> 00:13:46,480 Speaker 3: a lot of noise, but he always ends up on 258 00:13:46,520 --> 00:13:49,840 Speaker 3: the dinner table. You are not a crow. You are 259 00:13:49,920 --> 00:13:52,800 Speaker 3: not a chicken. You're not a turkey. You are an egle. 260 00:13:53,160 --> 00:13:58,040 Speaker 3: And when an egle faces adversity, when an egle has 261 00:13:58,080 --> 00:14:02,720 Speaker 3: something pestering him, he simply spreads out his wings and 262 00:14:02,840 --> 00:14:06,520 Speaker 3: catches the thermal winds that enable him to rise higher 263 00:14:06,559 --> 00:14:09,880 Speaker 3: and higher and fly where no other birds can come. 264 00:14:10,600 --> 00:14:13,840 Speaker 3: What am I saying? Quit allowing things to pester you 265 00:14:14,200 --> 00:14:17,760 Speaker 3: and start rising higher. Don't sink down to somebody's level 266 00:14:17,800 --> 00:14:21,440 Speaker 3: and argue with them, try to prove that you're right. Listen, 267 00:14:21,480 --> 00:14:23,360 Speaker 3: you don't have to prove who you are. You know 268 00:14:23,400 --> 00:14:25,720 Speaker 3: who you are, a child of the most High God. 269 00:14:26,600 --> 00:14:30,840 Speaker 3: Some of you are allowing somebody to steal your joy. 270 00:14:30,920 --> 00:14:34,680 Speaker 3: You've already decided that you can't be happy until they're gone, 271 00:14:35,160 --> 00:14:37,720 Speaker 3: or you can't be happy until they change. But I 272 00:14:37,760 --> 00:14:40,640 Speaker 3: believe God is saying it's time for you to change. 273 00:14:41,040 --> 00:14:43,720 Speaker 3: It's time to draw that line into sand and say 274 00:14:43,760 --> 00:14:47,680 Speaker 3: I'm not going to live my life negative, discouraged, waiting 275 00:14:47,720 --> 00:14:50,760 Speaker 3: for something to change before I decide to be happy. No, 276 00:14:50,920 --> 00:14:54,000 Speaker 3: I realize now where I am is where I'm supposed 277 00:14:54,040 --> 00:14:56,760 Speaker 3: to be, So I'm going to be happy in spite 278 00:14:57,040 --> 00:15:00,120 Speaker 3: of how somebody is or is not treating me. Now 279 00:15:00,160 --> 00:15:03,000 Speaker 3: I found that sometimes God will have us go through 280 00:15:03,040 --> 00:15:07,560 Speaker 3: a difficult season in order to help somebody else, we 281 00:15:07,640 --> 00:15:12,080 Speaker 3: have to sow a seede and be uncomfortable, treat it unfairly. 282 00:15:12,680 --> 00:15:16,080 Speaker 3: We have to be extremely patient and kind and overlook 283 00:15:16,160 --> 00:15:20,640 Speaker 3: things just so another person can become what God has 284 00:15:20,680 --> 00:15:23,480 Speaker 3: created them to be. When you say, Joel, I don't 285 00:15:23,520 --> 00:15:26,080 Speaker 3: want to do that. I don't want to be uncomfortable. 286 00:15:26,480 --> 00:15:28,200 Speaker 3: I don't want to have to be an ego all 287 00:15:28,240 --> 00:15:31,880 Speaker 3: the time. I like having my way. I like everybody 288 00:15:31,920 --> 00:15:35,080 Speaker 3: being nice to me. I like proving my point. Can 289 00:15:35,120 --> 00:15:38,240 Speaker 3: I say this respectfully? It's not all about us. It's 290 00:15:38,240 --> 00:15:42,480 Speaker 3: about advancing the kingdom. It's about helping others to rise higher. 291 00:15:44,400 --> 00:15:48,960 Speaker 3: God uses people and sometimes we just have to suffer 292 00:15:49,040 --> 00:15:51,920 Speaker 3: in silence. In other words, you have to do the 293 00:15:52,000 --> 00:15:55,560 Speaker 3: right thing and not complain even though you know it's 294 00:15:55,600 --> 00:15:59,240 Speaker 3: not fair. You have to swallow your pride and overlook 295 00:15:59,280 --> 00:16:02,560 Speaker 3: an insult. You have to bite your tongue when you 296 00:16:02,600 --> 00:16:05,480 Speaker 3: feel like telling somebody off. You have to keep a 297 00:16:05,480 --> 00:16:09,080 Speaker 3: smile and stay encouraged when you really feel like being 298 00:16:09,160 --> 00:16:12,400 Speaker 3: down and defeated. We have to be willing to be 299 00:16:12,680 --> 00:16:17,120 Speaker 3: uncomfortable through a season so somebody else in our life 300 00:16:17,160 --> 00:16:21,680 Speaker 3: can change. I have a friend that this lady had 301 00:16:21,720 --> 00:16:24,160 Speaker 3: a lot of unfair things happened to her when she 302 00:16:24,320 --> 00:16:27,360 Speaker 3: was growing up, and her first marriage didn't last, and 303 00:16:27,400 --> 00:16:30,120 Speaker 3: she got married a second time, and she made her 304 00:16:30,200 --> 00:16:34,080 Speaker 3: husband's life miserable. She wasn't trying to, but she'd just 305 00:16:34,120 --> 00:16:37,160 Speaker 3: been through so much, so hurt, and so messed up. 306 00:16:37,480 --> 00:16:41,880 Speaker 3: She couldn't trust anybody. She was very negative, critical, hard 307 00:16:41,920 --> 00:16:46,359 Speaker 3: to get along with. This husband told how a thousand 308 00:16:46,520 --> 00:16:49,840 Speaker 3: times he wanted to leave her. He had every right 309 00:16:49,960 --> 00:16:53,960 Speaker 3: to walk away. Nobody would have blamed him, but down deep, 310 00:16:54,200 --> 00:16:57,240 Speaker 3: he knew he was supposed to stay. It was the 311 00:16:57,280 --> 00:17:00,480 Speaker 3: most difficult thing he had ever done. Month after month, 312 00:17:00,760 --> 00:17:04,679 Speaker 3: even year after year, he was uncomfortable. It wasn't fair, 313 00:17:05,240 --> 00:17:08,119 Speaker 3: but he just kept blooming where he was planted. He 314 00:17:08,280 --> 00:17:13,320 Speaker 3: just kept being his best, kind forgiving, patient, overlooking things. 315 00:17:13,960 --> 00:17:17,080 Speaker 3: It seemed like it was all giving and no receiving, 316 00:17:17,480 --> 00:17:22,000 Speaker 3: all sewing and no reaping. But today it's a different story. 317 00:17:22,400 --> 00:17:25,600 Speaker 3: He paid the price, he's stuck with her, and now 318 00:17:25,800 --> 00:17:29,879 Speaker 3: thirty five years later, he's reaping great rewards. That lady, 319 00:17:30,119 --> 00:17:34,320 Speaker 3: his wife, is joy smiring. She's not only healthy and whole, 320 00:17:34,359 --> 00:17:37,560 Speaker 3: but they have a ministry touching people around the world. 321 00:17:38,680 --> 00:17:42,480 Speaker 3: Both she and her husband, Dave, are incredible people, good 322 00:17:42,520 --> 00:17:45,960 Speaker 3: friends of ours. But Joyce said later, what if Dave 323 00:17:46,040 --> 00:17:48,399 Speaker 3: would have been like my first husband and taken the 324 00:17:48,440 --> 00:17:51,480 Speaker 3: easy way out. What if he had not stuck with 325 00:17:51,600 --> 00:17:55,720 Speaker 3: me and paid the price. See, sometimes God will ask 326 00:17:55,800 --> 00:17:58,479 Speaker 3: us to put up with things to help another person. 327 00:17:59,359 --> 00:18:03,040 Speaker 3: Where are the people that are unselfish enough to say, God, 328 00:18:03,280 --> 00:18:07,199 Speaker 3: I trust you. It's uncomfortable, it's not fair. I'm not 329 00:18:07,240 --> 00:18:09,160 Speaker 3: gonna do it because I want to. I'm not gonna 330 00:18:09,160 --> 00:18:11,280 Speaker 3: do it because I feel like it. But God, I'm 331 00:18:11,359 --> 00:18:14,120 Speaker 3: gonna do it under you. Let me tell you. God 332 00:18:14,240 --> 00:18:17,760 Speaker 3: rewards people like that. The apostle Paul put it this way. 333 00:18:18,119 --> 00:18:21,880 Speaker 3: I have learned how to be content, whether I'm being 334 00:18:21,880 --> 00:18:25,479 Speaker 3: treated right or being treated wrong, whether I have a 335 00:18:25,520 --> 00:18:28,199 Speaker 3: lot or whether I have a little, whether I'm getting 336 00:18:28,240 --> 00:18:32,080 Speaker 3: my way or not getting my way. He was basically saying, 337 00:18:32,280 --> 00:18:35,399 Speaker 3: I just bloom wherever I'm planning. I'm just gonna be 338 00:18:35,480 --> 00:18:38,440 Speaker 3: happy and have a good attitude, knowing that God has 339 00:18:38,480 --> 00:18:42,200 Speaker 3: directed my steps. He's in complete control, and it's all 340 00:18:42,280 --> 00:18:46,040 Speaker 3: a part of his divine plan for my life. I 341 00:18:46,119 --> 00:18:48,080 Speaker 3: was out walking through the woods a while back, and 342 00:18:48,400 --> 00:18:51,560 Speaker 3: I came to this one big open area that was 343 00:18:51,600 --> 00:18:56,480 Speaker 3: full of these large, tall weeds. I mean acres and acres. 344 00:18:56,560 --> 00:19:00,439 Speaker 3: Everywhere I could see there were these dead, dried up, brown, 345 00:19:00,560 --> 00:19:04,359 Speaker 3: ugly looking weeds. As I continued walking through the open field, 346 00:19:04,359 --> 00:19:08,080 Speaker 3: about one hundred yards in, I saw this beautiful flower. 347 00:19:08,680 --> 00:19:12,880 Speaker 3: It was so bright, so colorful, so refreshing. It had 348 00:19:12,920 --> 00:19:16,240 Speaker 3: bloomed right there in the middle of acres and acres 349 00:19:16,400 --> 00:19:19,760 Speaker 3: of old, ugly, dried up weeds. And I thought, really, 350 00:19:20,080 --> 00:19:23,640 Speaker 3: that's what God wants us to do. Just bloom wherever 351 00:19:23,680 --> 00:19:27,160 Speaker 3: you're planning. You may work around a bunch of weeds, 352 00:19:27,520 --> 00:19:30,399 Speaker 3: but that doesn't have to stop you from blooming. You 353 00:19:30,480 --> 00:19:33,920 Speaker 3: may be married to an old weed, but the good 354 00:19:33,960 --> 00:19:38,000 Speaker 3: news is you can still bloom. Victoria puts your hand down, 355 00:19:40,840 --> 00:19:44,400 Speaker 3: but our environment does not have to keep us from 356 00:19:44,480 --> 00:19:48,960 Speaker 3: being happy. Here's the key. Don't stay focused on the weeds. 357 00:19:49,640 --> 00:19:52,080 Speaker 3: Some of you are spending all your time, so to speak, 358 00:19:52,200 --> 00:19:54,760 Speaker 3: trying to pull up the weeds. In other words, trying 359 00:19:54,800 --> 00:19:57,879 Speaker 3: to fix everything in your life, trying to make people 360 00:19:57,880 --> 00:20:00,320 Speaker 3: do what's right, trying to straighten out all oh your 361 00:20:00,320 --> 00:20:04,880 Speaker 3: co workers. Oh listen, you can't change people. Only God can. 362 00:20:05,560 --> 00:20:07,960 Speaker 3: If somebody wants to be a weed, no matter what 363 00:20:08,000 --> 00:20:10,240 Speaker 3: you do, they're gonna be a weed. And if you're 364 00:20:10,280 --> 00:20:13,400 Speaker 3: spending all your time and energy trying to change them, 365 00:20:13,680 --> 00:20:16,320 Speaker 3: it's going to keep you from blooming. One of the 366 00:20:16,359 --> 00:20:19,320 Speaker 3: best things you can do is right in the middle 367 00:20:19,359 --> 00:20:23,399 Speaker 3: of those weeds, just bloom bigger than ever, right in 368 00:20:23,440 --> 00:20:26,400 Speaker 3: the middle of those co workers that are negative and critical. 369 00:20:26,720 --> 00:20:29,800 Speaker 3: Just put a smile on your face. Be kind, be friendly, 370 00:20:29,880 --> 00:20:33,439 Speaker 3: have a good report. When they complain, don't preach a 371 00:20:33,480 --> 00:20:36,600 Speaker 3: sermon to them, don't try to stop them. Your job 372 00:20:36,720 --> 00:20:39,000 Speaker 3: is not to pull up the weeds. Your job is 373 00:20:39,040 --> 00:20:42,640 Speaker 3: to bloom. Just have a good report. The more they complain, 374 00:20:42,920 --> 00:20:46,280 Speaker 3: the more grateful you should be. The more they talk defeat, 375 00:20:46,400 --> 00:20:49,199 Speaker 3: the more you should talk victory. If they come in 376 00:20:49,240 --> 00:20:52,639 Speaker 3: one morning sour and rude, to you don't get all 377 00:20:52,680 --> 00:20:54,879 Speaker 3: offended and think, well, I'm never going to speak to 378 00:20:54,920 --> 00:20:57,840 Speaker 3: them again. Now, that's the time more than ever, to bloom. 379 00:20:58,040 --> 00:21:00,480 Speaker 3: Put a smile on your face anyway, have a good 380 00:21:00,480 --> 00:21:05,320 Speaker 3: attitude in spite of that, and understand we are responsible 381 00:21:05,480 --> 00:21:09,960 Speaker 3: to people. We are not responsible for people. In other words, 382 00:21:10,119 --> 00:21:14,040 Speaker 3: we're responsible to help people, to encourage them to further 383 00:21:14,119 --> 00:21:17,880 Speaker 3: them along, but we are not responsible for their choices. 384 00:21:18,800 --> 00:21:22,320 Speaker 3: You cannot make someone have a good attitude. If they 385 00:21:22,400 --> 00:21:26,439 Speaker 3: want to live in the pits, unhappy, discouraged in self pity, 386 00:21:26,880 --> 00:21:30,600 Speaker 3: that's their choice. If you're not careful, you'll allow them 387 00:21:30,640 --> 00:21:33,360 Speaker 3: to drag you into the pit with them. You'll want 388 00:21:33,400 --> 00:21:36,360 Speaker 3: to help them so much that you'll spend all your 389 00:21:36,440 --> 00:21:39,159 Speaker 3: time trying to encourage them, trying to make them do 390 00:21:39,280 --> 00:21:42,320 Speaker 3: what's right, trying to keep them cheered up. They'll end 391 00:21:42,400 --> 00:21:46,240 Speaker 3: up draining all the life and energy out of you. 392 00:21:46,240 --> 00:21:49,520 Speaker 3: You cannot bloom if you're weighted down with the burden 393 00:21:49,920 --> 00:21:53,239 Speaker 3: of trying to keep everybody in your life happy. That 394 00:21:53,359 --> 00:21:56,840 Speaker 3: is not your responsibility. I learned a long time ago. 395 00:21:57,440 --> 00:22:01,320 Speaker 3: Everybody doesn't want to be happy. Some people like living 396 00:22:01,359 --> 00:22:04,159 Speaker 3: in the pits. They like the attention that it brings in. 397 00:22:04,960 --> 00:22:07,639 Speaker 3: You gotta make the decision. If you don't want to 398 00:22:07,680 --> 00:22:10,320 Speaker 3: be happy, that's fine, but you're not gonna keep me 399 00:22:10,359 --> 00:22:12,960 Speaker 3: from being happy. If you want to live in the pits, 400 00:22:12,960 --> 00:22:14,720 Speaker 3: that's your choice, but I'm not gonna get in the 401 00:22:14,720 --> 00:22:17,040 Speaker 3: pits with you. If you wanna be a weed, you 402 00:22:17,080 --> 00:22:18,800 Speaker 3: can be a weed. But I'm gonna be a flower. 403 00:22:18,840 --> 00:22:21,199 Speaker 3: I'm gonna bloom, I'm gonna have a good attitude, I'm 404 00:22:21,200 --> 00:22:27,520 Speaker 3: gonna smile, I'm gonna be happy in spite of my circumstances. 405 00:22:28,640 --> 00:22:31,560 Speaker 3: When you bloom in the midst of all those weeds, 406 00:22:32,040 --> 00:22:35,080 Speaker 3: that is a seed that you're sowing. That's not only 407 00:22:35,119 --> 00:22:37,920 Speaker 3: gonna inspire and challenge the people around you to come 408 00:22:38,000 --> 00:22:41,040 Speaker 3: up higher, but that's a seed for God to take 409 00:22:41,080 --> 00:22:44,040 Speaker 3: you higher. I know some of you right now. You're 410 00:22:44,080 --> 00:22:47,600 Speaker 3: in a negative environment. The people in your life aren't 411 00:22:47,640 --> 00:22:51,479 Speaker 3: really going places. There's no goals, no dreams, no vision, 412 00:22:51,680 --> 00:22:54,960 Speaker 3: no enthusiasm. You don't really see how you could ever 413 00:22:55,200 --> 00:22:58,240 Speaker 3: rise out of that. It'd be easy to just accept it, 414 00:22:58,680 --> 00:23:01,440 Speaker 3: settle where you are, and think that that's your destiny. 415 00:23:01,920 --> 00:23:04,800 Speaker 3: Let me challenge you, that is not your destiny. You 416 00:23:04,880 --> 00:23:08,960 Speaker 3: were made for more. God has incredible things in your future. 417 00:23:09,480 --> 00:23:12,080 Speaker 3: You have got to do your part and bloom where 418 00:23:12,080 --> 00:23:16,399 Speaker 3: you're planet. What does that mean? Develop your gifts and talents. 419 00:23:16,600 --> 00:23:20,800 Speaker 3: Whatever you do, whatever your occupation is, get better at it, 420 00:23:21,359 --> 00:23:26,080 Speaker 3: improve your skills, read books, take training courses, go back 421 00:23:26,080 --> 00:23:28,720 Speaker 3: to school if you need to. Don't you dare just 422 00:23:28,760 --> 00:23:31,960 Speaker 3: sit back and think, I'll never rise any higher, I'll 423 00:23:32,000 --> 00:23:34,199 Speaker 3: never get out of this neighborhood. I guess this is 424 00:23:34,240 --> 00:23:37,280 Speaker 3: just my lot in life. No, your lot in life 425 00:23:37,600 --> 00:23:40,600 Speaker 3: is to excel, it's to go further, it's to make 426 00:23:40,640 --> 00:23:43,399 Speaker 3: a difference in this world. You need to draw that 427 00:23:43,520 --> 00:23:45,919 Speaker 3: line in the sand and say, I'm not gonna settle 428 00:23:45,920 --> 00:23:48,400 Speaker 3: where I am. I know I was made for more. 429 00:23:48,800 --> 00:23:51,239 Speaker 3: I'm a child of the most tied God. I have 430 00:23:51,359 --> 00:23:54,040 Speaker 3: seeds of greatness on the inside of me. So I'm 431 00:23:54,000 --> 00:23:56,480 Speaker 3: gonna rise up and be the best that I can 432 00:23:56,520 --> 00:23:59,080 Speaker 3: be right where I am, knowing that God is going 433 00:23:59,119 --> 00:24:03,480 Speaker 3: to get me to where I'm supposed to be. This 434 00:24:03,520 --> 00:24:07,199 Speaker 3: is what Joseph did. It looked like his destiny was 435 00:24:07,240 --> 00:24:10,320 Speaker 3: to be a slave all of his life. He was mistreated, 436 00:24:10,840 --> 00:24:14,000 Speaker 3: lied about, even spent years in prison for something that 437 00:24:14,040 --> 00:24:16,920 Speaker 3: he didn't do. But I love the fact that Joseph 438 00:24:16,960 --> 00:24:20,240 Speaker 3: didn't get negative. He didn't complain, he didn't give up. 439 00:24:20,400 --> 00:24:23,040 Speaker 3: He just kept blooming where he was planted, kept being 440 00:24:23,080 --> 00:24:25,800 Speaker 3: his best right where he was. Let me tell you 441 00:24:25,960 --> 00:24:28,879 Speaker 3: can't keep a good person down. God got him to 442 00:24:28,920 --> 00:24:32,040 Speaker 3: where he was supposed to be. You may be surrounded 443 00:24:32,040 --> 00:24:34,760 Speaker 3: by a bunch of weeds today, people that are not 444 00:24:34,880 --> 00:24:37,440 Speaker 3: going any place, or people that are even telling you 445 00:24:37,520 --> 00:24:39,879 Speaker 3: that you're not going to make anything out of your life. 446 00:24:40,400 --> 00:24:43,199 Speaker 3: Now plug your ears full of cotton and just bloom 447 00:24:43,280 --> 00:24:46,040 Speaker 3: right where you are. You can prove them wrong. You 448 00:24:46,080 --> 00:24:48,040 Speaker 3: can be the one to set a new standard for 449 00:24:48,080 --> 00:24:50,640 Speaker 3: your family. You can be the one to raise the bar. 450 00:24:51,440 --> 00:24:53,760 Speaker 3: Let me tell you, when God sees you doing what 451 00:24:53,840 --> 00:24:56,920 Speaker 3: you can do, God will show up and do what 452 00:24:56,960 --> 00:25:00,000 Speaker 3: you can't do. He'll give you breaks that you didn't deserve. 453 00:25:00,440 --> 00:25:03,440 Speaker 3: He'll cause people to be good to you for no reason. 454 00:25:03,840 --> 00:25:07,160 Speaker 3: He'll open up doors that no man can shut. That's 455 00:25:07,200 --> 00:25:10,399 Speaker 3: his favor shining down on your life. I read a 456 00:25:10,440 --> 00:25:13,600 Speaker 3: story about a boy that was born in extreme poverty 457 00:25:13,760 --> 00:25:18,320 Speaker 3: in Puerto Rico. His name is Juan Rodriguez. Growing up, 458 00:25:18,359 --> 00:25:20,639 Speaker 3: he and his family hardly had anything to eat. The 459 00:25:20,680 --> 00:25:22,960 Speaker 3: place they were living was nothing more than a shack. 460 00:25:23,480 --> 00:25:26,040 Speaker 3: At seven years old, he was working in the sugar 461 00:25:26,119 --> 00:25:29,800 Speaker 3: cane fields, plowing behind the oxen. Didn't look like he 462 00:25:29,840 --> 00:25:31,720 Speaker 3: had much of a future, didn't look like he would 463 00:25:31,800 --> 00:25:34,639 Speaker 3: ever get out of that environment. But right close to 464 00:25:34,720 --> 00:25:38,359 Speaker 3: his house there was an old rundown, beat up golf course, 465 00:25:39,000 --> 00:25:42,360 Speaker 3: and one was so intrigued by golf that he made 466 00:25:42,359 --> 00:25:45,080 Speaker 3: his own golf club out of a stick. He would 467 00:25:45,160 --> 00:25:47,840 Speaker 3: use bottle caps as the ball, and all through the 468 00:25:47,920 --> 00:25:51,359 Speaker 3: day he'd go around playing golf on his imaginary golf course. 469 00:25:51,840 --> 00:25:54,280 Speaker 3: A few years later, when one of the golfers saw 470 00:25:54,480 --> 00:25:57,119 Speaker 3: how interested he was in golf, they got him a 471 00:25:57,160 --> 00:25:59,920 Speaker 3: job up at the course, making thirty five cents a day. 472 00:26:00,640 --> 00:26:03,679 Speaker 3: Whenever one wasn't working, he was up there playing golf, 473 00:26:03,960 --> 00:26:06,919 Speaker 3: getting better and better, being the best that he could be. 474 00:26:07,080 --> 00:26:10,200 Speaker 3: Right where he was. At twenty one years of age, 475 00:26:10,400 --> 00:26:13,639 Speaker 3: after spending two years in the US Army, he was 476 00:26:13,720 --> 00:26:16,480 Speaker 3: hired as a full time caddy at a golf course 477 00:26:16,560 --> 00:26:20,120 Speaker 3: in Puerto Rico. One day, a professional golfer came through 478 00:26:20,160 --> 00:26:23,880 Speaker 3: and saw how talented Wan was. This golfer took Wan 479 00:26:24,000 --> 00:26:27,359 Speaker 3: under his wings and started working with him, teaching him, 480 00:26:27,560 --> 00:26:32,119 Speaker 3: training him today many years later, Juan Rodriguez is better 481 00:26:32,160 --> 00:26:35,879 Speaker 3: known as Chichi Rodriguez. He went on to win eight 482 00:26:35,920 --> 00:26:39,359 Speaker 3: tournaments on the PGA Tour was named the Senior Player 483 00:26:39,440 --> 00:26:44,160 Speaker 3: of the Year. He started the Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth 484 00:26:44,240 --> 00:26:48,040 Speaker 3: Foundation to help other children rise out of defeat and 485 00:26:48,119 --> 00:26:52,000 Speaker 3: poverty like he did. What am I saying? Bloom where 486 00:26:52,040 --> 00:26:56,040 Speaker 3: you're planet. Don't make excuses. Don't go through life thinking 487 00:26:56,320 --> 00:27:00,200 Speaker 3: I've got a disadvantage. I've got too many obstacles, the 488 00:27:00,200 --> 00:27:03,480 Speaker 3: wrong nationality, I come from the wrong family, I don't 489 00:27:03,480 --> 00:27:07,119 Speaker 3: have the connections. I could never get out of this environment. No, 490 00:27:07,280 --> 00:27:09,520 Speaker 3: you may not see how you can get out, But 491 00:27:09,560 --> 00:27:12,800 Speaker 3: the good news is God does. He already has a way. 492 00:27:13,240 --> 00:27:16,680 Speaker 3: And your destiny is not determined by how you were raised, 493 00:27:16,800 --> 00:27:19,520 Speaker 3: or by your circumstances, or by how many odds are 494 00:27:19,560 --> 00:27:23,560 Speaker 3: against you. Your destiny is determined by the creator of 495 00:27:23,600 --> 00:27:26,320 Speaker 3: the universe. And if you will take what God has 496 00:27:26,359 --> 00:27:29,280 Speaker 3: given you and make the most of it, just like 497 00:27:29,359 --> 00:27:32,600 Speaker 3: with Chi Chee, God will open up the right doors, 498 00:27:32,800 --> 00:27:35,280 Speaker 3: He'll give you the right breaks, and he'll bring the 499 00:27:35,400 --> 00:27:39,040 Speaker 3: right people across your path. I'm asking us today to 500 00:27:39,080 --> 00:27:43,080 Speaker 3: get rid of the excuses. Quit waiting for things to change, 501 00:27:43,320 --> 00:27:45,399 Speaker 3: and then you're going to be happy. No so is 502 00:27:45,480 --> 00:27:49,320 Speaker 3: see and be happy right now. When you're in difficult times, 503 00:27:49,320 --> 00:27:52,320 Speaker 3: remember God's either doing a work in you or he's 504 00:27:52,440 --> 00:27:54,840 Speaker 3: using you to do a work in someone else. But 505 00:27:54,920 --> 00:27:57,600 Speaker 3: as long as you're in faith, where you are is 506 00:27:57,640 --> 00:28:01,560 Speaker 3: where you're supposed to be. Quit fight against everything trying 507 00:28:01,560 --> 00:28:04,240 Speaker 3: to get somewhere else, and just start being the best 508 00:28:04,280 --> 00:28:07,240 Speaker 3: that you can be right where you are. If you 509 00:28:07,240 --> 00:28:10,480 Speaker 3: will make this decision to bloom where you're planted, then 510 00:28:10,520 --> 00:28:14,000 Speaker 3: you are passing the test. God promises he will pour 511 00:28:14,040 --> 00:28:16,960 Speaker 3: out his blessings in favor. You will not only live 512 00:28:17,040 --> 00:28:19,760 Speaker 3: your life happy, but God will take you places that 513 00:28:19,800 --> 00:28:22,720 Speaker 3: you've never even dreamed of. And I believe in declare 514 00:28:23,000 --> 00:28:26,040 Speaker 3: you will become everything God's created you to be, and 515 00:28:26,080 --> 00:28:29,159 Speaker 3: you will have everything God intended for you to have. Amen. 516 00:28:29,440 --> 00:28:33,240 Speaker 3: Do you receive it today? We never like to close 517 00:28:33,280 --> 00:28:36,800 Speaker 3: our broadcast without giving you an opportunity to make Jesus 518 00:28:36,880 --> 00:28:39,000 Speaker 3: the lord of your life. Would you pray with me? 519 00:28:39,520 --> 00:28:44,240 Speaker 3: Just say, Lord, Jesus, I repent of my sins. Come 520 00:28:44,280 --> 00:28:49,200 Speaker 3: into my heart. I make you my lord and savior. Friends, 521 00:28:49,240 --> 00:28:51,560 Speaker 3: if you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 522 00:28:51,600 --> 00:28:55,200 Speaker 3: born again. Get in a good Bible based church. Keep 523 00:28:55,240 --> 00:28:58,480 Speaker 3: God first place. He'll do amazing things in your life. 524 00:28:58,880 --> 00:29:02,320 Speaker 5: Thank you for listening to the Joel Loustein podcast. Help 525 00:29:02,400 --> 00:29:05,120 Speaker 5: us continue to share the message of hope with those 526 00:29:05,240 --> 00:29:09,120 Speaker 5: all over the world. Visit Joeloustein dot com slash give 527 00:29:09,200 --> 00:29:10,880 Speaker 5: Hope to give a gift today. 528 00:29:12,160 --> 00:29:15,080 Speaker 3: Thanks so much for listening to today's message. I hope 529 00:29:15,080 --> 00:29:18,480 Speaker 3: you'll subscribe so you can receive the latest podcast to 530 00:29:18,560 --> 00:29:21,760 Speaker 3: keep you inspired all through the week. We're praying for you. 531 00:29:21,920 --> 00:29:24,400 Speaker 3: I know God's best is still ahead. We'll see you 532 00:29:24,440 --> 00:29:24,920 Speaker 3: next time. 533 00:29:32,080 --> 00:29:34,840 Speaker 6: With millions of books on Amazon, there's a reading feeling 534 00:29:34,880 --> 00:29:39,400 Speaker 6: for everyone. For example, Quand's as he drifts away to 535 00:29:39,480 --> 00:29:43,200 Speaker 6: Nirvana after only the first chapter is different to Maya's 536 00:29:44,320 --> 00:29:47,480 Speaker 6: when she discovered the narrator was in fact the Evil Twin, 537 00:29:48,040 --> 00:29:51,640 Speaker 6: which is also different to Noah's aw anytime the cute 538 00:29:51,680 --> 00:29:55,040 Speaker 6: cyberpunk is mentioned, even though in reality he'd be totally 539 00:29:55,080 --> 00:30:00,000 Speaker 6: out of his league. 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