1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:03,160 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 2 00:00:03,200 --> 00:00:05,960 Speaker 1: our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. 3 00:00:06,120 --> 00:00:08,440 Speaker 2: If you enjoy today's message, why don't you be a 4 00:00:08,480 --> 00:00:09,720 Speaker 2: blessing and share it with a. 5 00:00:09,680 --> 00:00:13,040 Speaker 1: Friend, reappreciate you and pray for God's very best in 6 00:00:13,080 --> 00:00:15,840 Speaker 1: your life. God bless you and it's great to be 7 00:00:15,960 --> 00:00:18,720 Speaker 1: with you today. And I hope you'll stay connected with 8 00:00:18,800 --> 00:00:22,360 Speaker 1: us during the week through our daily podcast, our YouTube channel, 9 00:00:22,480 --> 00:00:25,599 Speaker 1: social media, and you can come visit us in person. 10 00:00:25,840 --> 00:00:27,920 Speaker 1: We love to have you be a part of one 11 00:00:27,920 --> 00:00:31,000 Speaker 1: of our services. Not like to start with something funny, 12 00:00:31,000 --> 00:00:34,240 Speaker 1: and I heard about this senior citizen. He was driving 13 00:00:34,240 --> 00:00:37,239 Speaker 1: down the freeway in his brand new Corvette with the 14 00:00:37,320 --> 00:00:40,640 Speaker 1: top down, going eighty miles an hour when he saw 15 00:00:40,720 --> 00:00:44,320 Speaker 1: flashing red lights in his rearview mirror from a state trooper. 16 00:00:44,760 --> 00:00:47,400 Speaker 1: Without thinking about it, he floored it. Took it up 17 00:00:47,400 --> 00:00:49,720 Speaker 1: to one hundred miles an hour, and he heard the 18 00:00:49,760 --> 00:00:52,519 Speaker 1: soeigns behind him and finally came to his senses and 19 00:00:52,560 --> 00:00:55,800 Speaker 1: pulled over. He said, officer, I'm so sorry. I don't 20 00:00:55,840 --> 00:00:59,280 Speaker 1: know what I was thinking. The officer said, listen, it's Friday, 21 00:00:59,400 --> 00:01:02,639 Speaker 1: four o'clock. My shift is over in thirty minutes. If 22 00:01:02,680 --> 00:01:05,000 Speaker 1: you tell me a reason you're speeding that I've never 23 00:01:05,040 --> 00:01:08,080 Speaker 1: heard before, I'll let you go. The man thought about it, 24 00:01:08,200 --> 00:01:11,240 Speaker 1: said Officer. Years ago, my wife ran off with a 25 00:01:11,280 --> 00:01:13,840 Speaker 1: state trooper and I thought you were bringing her back, 26 00:01:15,800 --> 00:01:19,399 Speaker 1: he said, have a great weekend. Say it like you 27 00:01:19,480 --> 00:01:22,280 Speaker 1: mean it. This is my Bible. I am what it 28 00:01:22,319 --> 00:01:24,800 Speaker 1: says I am. I have what it says I have. 29 00:01:25,360 --> 00:01:28,039 Speaker 1: I can do what it says I can do. Today 30 00:01:28,160 --> 00:01:31,560 Speaker 1: I will be taught the word of God. I boldly confess. 31 00:01:31,959 --> 00:01:35,480 Speaker 1: My mind is alert, my heart is receptive. I will 32 00:01:35,520 --> 00:01:39,280 Speaker 1: never be the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. 33 00:01:40,680 --> 00:01:43,200 Speaker 1: I want to talk to you today about your place 34 00:01:43,319 --> 00:01:47,880 Speaker 1: of blessing. There are specific places where God has designed 35 00:01:47,880 --> 00:01:51,160 Speaker 1: for you to be blessed, places where He has favored 36 00:01:51,560 --> 00:01:56,880 Speaker 1: opportunity provision waiting for you. Your destiny is connected to 37 00:01:56,960 --> 00:02:01,640 Speaker 1: certain places. You can have faith a great attitude, but 38 00:02:01,720 --> 00:02:04,320 Speaker 1: if you're not in the right place, you can miss 39 00:02:04,440 --> 00:02:08,240 Speaker 1: what God has in store. The Book of Acts, Jesus 40 00:02:08,240 --> 00:02:11,280 Speaker 1: told five hundred people to go to the Upper Room 41 00:02:11,520 --> 00:02:14,480 Speaker 1: and wait for the promise of the Holy Spirit, but 42 00:02:14,600 --> 00:02:17,600 Speaker 1: only one hundred and twenty people showed up. When the 43 00:02:17,600 --> 00:02:21,600 Speaker 1: Holy Spirit came like a rushing, mighty wind, three hundred 44 00:02:21,600 --> 00:02:25,960 Speaker 1: and eighty people missed the blessing simply because they weren't 45 00:02:26,000 --> 00:02:29,400 Speaker 1: in the right place. You have to be sensitive to 46 00:02:29,440 --> 00:02:33,000 Speaker 1: what you're feeling on the inside. Listen to what God 47 00:02:33,120 --> 00:02:37,480 Speaker 1: is saying to you, that still small voice, that's not random, 48 00:02:37,760 --> 00:02:41,600 Speaker 1: it's not just your idea. That's God leading you into 49 00:02:41,639 --> 00:02:45,400 Speaker 1: your place of blessing. And sometimes he'll close a door 50 00:02:45,480 --> 00:02:49,280 Speaker 1: and move you out. You don't understand. It looks like 51 00:02:49,360 --> 00:02:53,320 Speaker 1: a setback. The truth is it's setting you up. He's 52 00:02:53,400 --> 00:02:56,639 Speaker 1: moving you to a place of promotion, a place where 53 00:02:56,639 --> 00:03:01,160 Speaker 1: you'll meet divine connections, people who are instruments in your purpose. 54 00:03:02,080 --> 00:03:05,400 Speaker 1: Other times God will have you stay where it's uncomfortable. 55 00:03:05,960 --> 00:03:09,799 Speaker 1: You're not seeing any growth, you're being overlooked. You'll be 56 00:03:09,880 --> 00:03:11,959 Speaker 1: tempted to leave. I don't have to put up with this. 57 00:03:12,720 --> 00:03:17,360 Speaker 1: Sometimes the right place is a difficult place, an unfair place, 58 00:03:17,800 --> 00:03:20,400 Speaker 1: a place where you're doing the right thing but the 59 00:03:20,400 --> 00:03:24,280 Speaker 1: wrong thing is happening. This is what happened with Hagar. 60 00:03:24,720 --> 00:03:28,120 Speaker 1: She was Abraham and Sarah's maid. When they couldn't have 61 00:03:28,160 --> 00:03:32,000 Speaker 1: a baby, Sarah told Abraham to sleep with Hagar. They 62 00:03:32,040 --> 00:03:35,600 Speaker 1: had a son named Ishmael. Well, you'd think Sarah would 63 00:03:35,640 --> 00:03:38,360 Speaker 1: be happy. It was her big idea, but she got 64 00:03:38,480 --> 00:03:42,760 Speaker 1: upset with Hagar. She started treating her so badly, putting 65 00:03:42,760 --> 00:03:47,080 Speaker 1: her down, making rude comments. Finally, Hagar said, I'm out 66 00:03:47,080 --> 00:03:50,000 Speaker 1: of here. She took her son and went off into 67 00:03:50,040 --> 00:03:54,360 Speaker 1: the desert. The problem was she left her place of blessing. 68 00:03:54,960 --> 00:03:57,760 Speaker 1: God never told her to leave. She was just upset. 69 00:03:58,400 --> 00:04:01,080 Speaker 1: She had no food, no water, no way to live 70 00:04:01,120 --> 00:04:04,680 Speaker 1: out there. An angel appeared to her and said, go 71 00:04:04,760 --> 00:04:08,840 Speaker 1: back to Sarah and continue to serve her. He was saying, 72 00:04:09,280 --> 00:04:13,160 Speaker 1: go back to your place of blessing. Sometimes you have 73 00:04:13,240 --> 00:04:16,440 Speaker 1: to stay when it's hard. You have to forgive those 74 00:04:16,480 --> 00:04:18,839 Speaker 1: that did you wrong. You have to be good to 75 00:04:18,920 --> 00:04:22,320 Speaker 1: people that are not being good to you. But notice 76 00:04:22,320 --> 00:04:26,039 Speaker 1: how merciful God is. When she left that place. God 77 00:04:26,080 --> 00:04:29,000 Speaker 1: didn't say, fine, hay Gar, you blew it. You should 78 00:04:29,000 --> 00:04:32,039 Speaker 1: have known better. I'm done with you. No, God send 79 00:04:32,080 --> 00:04:34,800 Speaker 1: an angel to get her back to the right place. 80 00:04:35,720 --> 00:04:38,480 Speaker 1: And at times we're all going to miss it. Leave 81 00:04:38,520 --> 00:04:41,640 Speaker 1: where we're supposed to stay, or stay when God wants 82 00:04:41,720 --> 00:04:45,039 Speaker 1: us to leave. The good news is God's going to 83 00:04:45,080 --> 00:04:48,039 Speaker 1: send that angel. He's not going to let you miss 84 00:04:48,080 --> 00:04:51,920 Speaker 1: your place of blessing. He's going to keep whispering to you. 85 00:04:51,920 --> 00:04:55,200 Speaker 1: You're going to hear that still small voice, that knowing 86 00:04:55,320 --> 00:04:59,200 Speaker 1: on the inside, telling you what to do. Don't ignore it. 87 00:04:59,680 --> 00:05:03,640 Speaker 1: Be sensitive to what you're feeling. See the scripture says 88 00:05:03,920 --> 00:05:07,800 Speaker 1: God is ordering your steps. Ordering is not an option. 89 00:05:08,560 --> 00:05:12,560 Speaker 1: He's not suggesting. He's not saying, if you perform perfectly, 90 00:05:12,720 --> 00:05:15,279 Speaker 1: then I'll guide you. If you don't get off course, 91 00:05:15,680 --> 00:05:19,520 Speaker 1: then I'll bless you. No, your steps are ordered. He's 92 00:05:19,520 --> 00:05:22,680 Speaker 1: going to keep leading you into places of blessing and 93 00:05:23,080 --> 00:05:27,600 Speaker 1: places that he's already lined up favor and promotion, opportunity. 94 00:05:28,560 --> 00:05:33,320 Speaker 1: Stay open for change, don't fight the closed doors. Don't 95 00:05:33,360 --> 00:05:36,280 Speaker 1: get discouraged when you get pushed out, Joel, I don't 96 00:05:36,320 --> 00:05:39,680 Speaker 1: understand it. I was doing the right thing. Why didn't 97 00:05:39,680 --> 00:05:42,960 Speaker 1: this work out? God's leading you to a place of 98 00:05:43,080 --> 00:05:47,680 Speaker 1: greater blessing. I've learned being in the right place is 99 00:05:47,720 --> 00:05:52,159 Speaker 1: better than getting your way. God knows what's best for you. 100 00:05:52,160 --> 00:05:55,040 Speaker 1: You may not see it now, but later on you're 101 00:05:55,080 --> 00:05:58,080 Speaker 1: going to see how God was shutting one door to 102 00:05:58,200 --> 00:06:01,960 Speaker 1: open a better door. You would have never reached your potential. 103 00:06:02,480 --> 00:06:05,599 Speaker 1: If he didn't stop one place of blessing and move 104 00:06:05,680 --> 00:06:09,279 Speaker 1: you to a different place. Or perhaps you feel stuck, 105 00:06:09,839 --> 00:06:13,520 Speaker 1: you're not making any progress. You're tempted to force a 106 00:06:13,560 --> 00:06:18,039 Speaker 1: door to open, manipulate things. No, be still and know 107 00:06:18,160 --> 00:06:21,960 Speaker 1: that he is God. If the door hasn't opened, then 108 00:06:22,000 --> 00:06:26,000 Speaker 1: shine where you are. That's your place of blessing right now. 109 00:06:26,760 --> 00:06:30,000 Speaker 1: You may not be seeing any growth, any favor. You're 110 00:06:30,040 --> 00:06:33,000 Speaker 1: in a time of testing. You have to prove to 111 00:06:33,040 --> 00:06:35,920 Speaker 1: God who you are. That You're not going to get bitter. 112 00:06:36,520 --> 00:06:39,120 Speaker 1: You're not going to start slacking off. You're going to 113 00:06:39,200 --> 00:06:43,120 Speaker 1: do the right thing when it's hard. That's passing the test. 114 00:06:43,279 --> 00:06:46,240 Speaker 1: You keep doing that, you're going to see new levels 115 00:06:46,320 --> 00:06:51,200 Speaker 1: of your destiny. Matthew. Chapter one, Joseph was engaged to 116 00:06:51,279 --> 00:06:55,640 Speaker 1: his fiance Marian. She became pregnant with Jesus, and of 117 00:06:55,680 --> 00:06:58,719 Speaker 1: course he didn't understand. He was going to quietly break 118 00:06:58,760 --> 00:07:02,200 Speaker 1: off the engagement when an angel appeared to him in 119 00:07:02,279 --> 00:07:05,320 Speaker 1: a dream and told him to go through with the marriage. 120 00:07:06,000 --> 00:07:09,400 Speaker 1: They were living in Nazareth, planning on having the baby there, 121 00:07:10,000 --> 00:07:13,720 Speaker 1: but the Roman emperor called for a senses everyone had 122 00:07:13,760 --> 00:07:17,440 Speaker 1: to travel back to their original hometown. Well, Joseph was 123 00:07:17,440 --> 00:07:22,040 Speaker 1: from Bethlehem. That was a ninety mile journey. Mary was 124 00:07:22,200 --> 00:07:27,960 Speaker 1: nine months pregnant. I can imagine telling Victoria nine months pregnant, Hey, babe, 125 00:07:28,040 --> 00:07:30,640 Speaker 1: We're gonna get on a donkey and travel for a week, 126 00:07:31,280 --> 00:07:33,520 Speaker 1: camp out along the way. It's gonna be so fun. 127 00:07:34,280 --> 00:07:39,280 Speaker 1: I'd be your former pastor. Mary was bouncing up and down, 128 00:07:39,960 --> 00:07:44,160 Speaker 1: hot outside, her feet were swollen, back was hurting. She 129 00:07:44,280 --> 00:07:48,400 Speaker 1: is uncomfortable. She didn't understand it. But God wasn't just 130 00:07:48,480 --> 00:07:52,560 Speaker 1: making them miserable, having them suffer. He was taking them 131 00:07:52,600 --> 00:07:57,120 Speaker 1: to a place of blessing. Micah prophesied seven hundred years 132 00:07:57,200 --> 00:08:01,800 Speaker 1: earlier that the Messiah would be born in Fahim. Wasn't 133 00:08:01,800 --> 00:08:05,400 Speaker 1: a coincidence that the Emperor called for the senses at 134 00:08:05,400 --> 00:08:08,240 Speaker 1: this particular time. He could have called for it three 135 00:08:08,240 --> 00:08:11,120 Speaker 1: months later. They would have had the baby in Nazareth. 136 00:08:11,760 --> 00:08:15,400 Speaker 1: It was all a part of God's plan, strategically moving 137 00:08:15,440 --> 00:08:19,080 Speaker 1: them to where they needed to be. Joseph and Mary 138 00:08:19,120 --> 00:08:23,240 Speaker 1: were admiring their new son when three wise men showed up. 139 00:08:23,840 --> 00:08:27,320 Speaker 1: They had traveled a great distance following the Eastern Star. 140 00:08:28,000 --> 00:08:30,560 Speaker 1: When they saw Jesus, they fell on their knees and 141 00:08:30,600 --> 00:08:33,880 Speaker 1: begin to worship him. Mary and Joseph were standing there 142 00:08:33,920 --> 00:08:37,360 Speaker 1: and awe. The wise men opened up their treasure chest, 143 00:08:37,840 --> 00:08:40,840 Speaker 1: these boxes filled with gold and jewels, and they gave 144 00:08:40,880 --> 00:08:44,960 Speaker 1: them all these gifts. Think about Mary and Joseph traveling 145 00:08:45,000 --> 00:08:48,960 Speaker 1: to Bethlehem at the same time. God had these wise 146 00:08:49,000 --> 00:08:53,000 Speaker 1: men headed that way. They met at the place of blessing, 147 00:08:53,280 --> 00:08:56,120 Speaker 1: where God designed them to see his favor in a 148 00:08:56,120 --> 00:08:59,679 Speaker 1: new way. It was difficult for Joseph and Mary to 149 00:08:59,720 --> 00:09:03,640 Speaker 1: get them there was in an inconvenient time. They didn't 150 00:09:03,720 --> 00:09:07,720 Speaker 1: understand it. But God was ordering their steps, and he 151 00:09:07,840 --> 00:09:10,720 Speaker 1: was ordering the steps of the wise men, the people 152 00:09:10,840 --> 00:09:15,400 Speaker 1: bringing the provision. God is not only ordering your steps, 153 00:09:15,640 --> 00:09:19,040 Speaker 1: but he's ordering other people's steps to meet you at 154 00:09:19,080 --> 00:09:23,960 Speaker 1: your place of blessing. You may not understand it. You're uncomfortable. 155 00:09:24,440 --> 00:09:27,360 Speaker 1: You had to leave Nazareth, so to speak. But your 156 00:09:27,440 --> 00:09:30,360 Speaker 1: time is coming. You're going to see what God was 157 00:09:30,480 --> 00:09:34,960 Speaker 1: up to. The door closing wasn't random the person that 158 00:09:35,040 --> 00:09:40,319 Speaker 1: forced you out. The unexpected change wasn't happenstance. It was strategic. 159 00:09:40,840 --> 00:09:43,600 Speaker 1: It was the hand of God moving you to a 160 00:09:43,640 --> 00:09:49,320 Speaker 1: place of greater blessing, greater favor greater fulfillment. King Herod 161 00:09:49,400 --> 00:09:53,160 Speaker 1: heard about this baby Jesus, that he might be the Messiah. 162 00:09:53,440 --> 00:09:55,560 Speaker 1: He was afraid that he was going to lose control. 163 00:09:56,240 --> 00:09:58,280 Speaker 1: He wanted to get rid of Jesus, but he couldn't 164 00:09:58,280 --> 00:10:02,760 Speaker 1: find him, so he had all the male Hebrew babies killed. 165 00:10:03,400 --> 00:10:06,120 Speaker 1: But an angel came to Joseph in a dream and 166 00:10:06,160 --> 00:10:09,280 Speaker 1: told him to flee to Egypt with his family. In 167 00:10:09,320 --> 00:10:12,400 Speaker 1: the middle of the night, they took off. Jesus was 168 00:10:12,480 --> 00:10:15,400 Speaker 1: just a few weeks old. Mary was still getting over 169 00:10:15,480 --> 00:10:18,760 Speaker 1: the birth. They wanted to enjoy their new baby, but 170 00:10:18,840 --> 00:10:22,080 Speaker 1: they were on the run to a foreign country. This 171 00:10:22,240 --> 00:10:27,199 Speaker 1: wasn't just another bad break, another inconvenience. This was prophecy 172 00:10:27,360 --> 00:10:31,439 Speaker 1: being fulfilled. It was prophesied, I have called my son 173 00:10:31,679 --> 00:10:36,199 Speaker 1: out of Egypt. Herod died and they moved back to Nazareth. 174 00:10:36,760 --> 00:10:41,719 Speaker 1: Another prophecy fulfilled that Jesus would be a Nazarene. There 175 00:10:41,760 --> 00:10:45,080 Speaker 1: was an old man named Simon. It was prophesied that 176 00:10:45,160 --> 00:10:48,800 Speaker 1: he would not die until he saw the Messiah. Mary 177 00:10:48,840 --> 00:10:52,520 Speaker 1: and Joseph took baby Jesus to the temple to be dedicated. 178 00:10:53,160 --> 00:10:56,800 Speaker 1: Just so happened, Simeon was there. He took the baby 179 00:10:56,840 --> 00:10:59,439 Speaker 1: in his hands and said, oh man, now I can 180 00:10:59,520 --> 00:11:03,400 Speaker 1: die in peace. I have seen the Savior. You look 181 00:11:03,440 --> 00:11:08,319 Speaker 1: at all these different locations forced to lead Nazareth to Bethlehem, 182 00:11:08,720 --> 00:11:12,559 Speaker 1: flee to Egypt, back to Nazareth, to the temple. They 183 00:11:12,600 --> 00:11:17,960 Speaker 1: weren't random. They were strategically orchestrated. Each step was their 184 00:11:18,000 --> 00:11:22,920 Speaker 1: place of blessing, place of provision, place of protection. It 185 00:11:23,000 --> 00:11:26,040 Speaker 1: wasn't the enemy dictating their life. It was the hand 186 00:11:26,080 --> 00:11:30,600 Speaker 1: of God ordering their steps. Like with them, there are 187 00:11:30,679 --> 00:11:34,680 Speaker 1: prophecies spoken over your life, things that God has already 188 00:11:34,840 --> 00:11:39,160 Speaker 1: ordained for you favor. He's already lined up wise men. 189 00:11:39,200 --> 00:11:44,000 Speaker 1: He's already scheduled doors opening, He's already arranged. But it 190 00:11:44,080 --> 00:11:47,480 Speaker 1: may not all happen at the same place. There will 191 00:11:47,480 --> 00:11:52,559 Speaker 1: be twist in turns, unexpected moves, people that walk away 192 00:11:53,120 --> 00:11:57,360 Speaker 1: things that weren't fair. Instead of fighting change, learn to 193 00:11:57,480 --> 00:12:03,400 Speaker 1: embrace change. Recognize that's God ordering your steps. He wouldn't 194 00:12:03,400 --> 00:12:06,320 Speaker 1: be changing things if he wasn't leading you to a 195 00:12:06,360 --> 00:12:10,199 Speaker 1: place of greater blessing. You may not see it right away. 196 00:12:10,800 --> 00:12:13,560 Speaker 1: There are things that don't make sense. Seems like a 197 00:12:13,640 --> 00:12:16,880 Speaker 1: set back. You have to go to Bethlehem, you are 198 00:12:16,920 --> 00:12:21,080 Speaker 1: comfortable in Nazareth, plus you're pregnant. It's the worst time. 199 00:12:21,640 --> 00:12:25,160 Speaker 1: Then Herod starts making threats. People start coming against you. 200 00:12:25,800 --> 00:12:29,720 Speaker 1: They cannot stop your destiny. God is using them like 201 00:12:29,920 --> 00:12:32,440 Speaker 1: ponds to move you to where he wants you to be. 202 00:12:33,280 --> 00:12:36,240 Speaker 1: You may not understand everything, but you can trust that 203 00:12:36,360 --> 00:12:39,320 Speaker 1: God knows what he's doing. He'll have the wise men 204 00:12:39,400 --> 00:12:43,800 Speaker 1: show up the unexpected favor promotion that you didn't see coming. 205 00:12:44,520 --> 00:12:47,480 Speaker 1: It won't happen anywhere. It will happen at the place 206 00:12:47,760 --> 00:12:51,240 Speaker 1: where God has ordained you to be blessed. After I 207 00:12:51,240 --> 00:12:54,760 Speaker 1: finished high school, I went to or Robert's University to 208 00:12:54,840 --> 00:12:58,400 Speaker 1: study television production. They had one of the best studios 209 00:12:58,480 --> 00:13:01,560 Speaker 1: and the best equipment. First week I was there, I 210 00:13:01,600 --> 00:13:04,440 Speaker 1: went to the production office and I applied for a job. 211 00:13:05,160 --> 00:13:07,560 Speaker 1: I met this young man about twenty eight years old. 212 00:13:07,920 --> 00:13:11,160 Speaker 1: He was the production manager in charge of all the hiring. 213 00:13:11,840 --> 00:13:14,680 Speaker 1: I told him my background, that I had run camera 214 00:13:14,760 --> 00:13:18,200 Speaker 1: and been involved in production at Lakewood. He and I 215 00:13:18,280 --> 00:13:21,040 Speaker 1: hit it off like we were old friends. He showed 216 00:13:21,080 --> 00:13:25,439 Speaker 1: me around the studios, cameras, the editing, and I was amazed. 217 00:13:25,800 --> 00:13:28,720 Speaker 1: This was everything I dreamed of. I couldn't wait to 218 00:13:28,760 --> 00:13:30,880 Speaker 1: be a party. I told him I don't have to 219 00:13:30,960 --> 00:13:33,720 Speaker 1: run camera, I'll just pull cable. I just wanted to 220 00:13:33,760 --> 00:13:36,320 Speaker 1: be in that environment. He said, Joe, we'd love to 221 00:13:36,360 --> 00:13:38,800 Speaker 1: have you. I'll call you and get it all set up. 222 00:13:39,160 --> 00:13:42,040 Speaker 1: And I left so excited. But a week went by 223 00:13:42,120 --> 00:13:45,960 Speaker 1: and he didn't call him. Two weeks nothing. I called him, 224 00:13:46,080 --> 00:13:48,640 Speaker 1: but he was always busy. I went back to the 225 00:13:48,679 --> 00:13:52,600 Speaker 1: production office, left a message again and again, but I 226 00:13:52,640 --> 00:13:56,080 Speaker 1: never heard a thing. I was so disappointed. I couldn't 227 00:13:56,160 --> 00:13:59,640 Speaker 1: understand why that door wouldn't open. Well. I finished that 228 00:13:59,679 --> 00:14:02,960 Speaker 1: first year of school and I felt so strongly that 229 00:14:03,040 --> 00:14:05,600 Speaker 1: I was supposed to come back to Lakewood and start 230 00:14:05,640 --> 00:14:09,600 Speaker 1: a television ministry. My siblings had all gotten their degrees, 231 00:14:09,640 --> 00:14:12,280 Speaker 1: but I knew this was what God was leading me 232 00:14:12,360 --> 00:14:15,680 Speaker 1: to do. I came back and started the television outreach, 233 00:14:15,800 --> 00:14:20,320 Speaker 1: and we saw the church begin to flourish. Looking back now, 234 00:14:20,440 --> 00:14:24,280 Speaker 1: I realized if God had opened that door at the university, 235 00:14:24,880 --> 00:14:26,920 Speaker 1: I would have gotten so caught up in what they 236 00:14:26,960 --> 00:14:30,400 Speaker 1: were doing and so engrossed in the production, I would 237 00:14:30,400 --> 00:14:33,680 Speaker 1: have never come back home. I know by personality, you 238 00:14:33,680 --> 00:14:38,120 Speaker 1: couldn't have convinced me to leave, and sometimes God closes 239 00:14:38,240 --> 00:14:41,760 Speaker 1: doors that we don't understand. At the time, that didn't 240 00:14:41,800 --> 00:14:45,600 Speaker 1: make sense to me. I had the experience. They needed help. 241 00:14:45,920 --> 00:14:49,680 Speaker 1: This man was my friend. But God is your doorkeeper. 242 00:14:50,240 --> 00:14:53,160 Speaker 1: He knows the right doors to open and the right 243 00:14:53,200 --> 00:14:56,640 Speaker 1: doors to close. What looked like a blessing to me 244 00:14:57,520 --> 00:14:59,920 Speaker 1: would have kept me from the real blessing that God 245 00:15:00,080 --> 00:15:03,200 Speaker 1: head in store, not to work for another ministry my 246 00:15:03,240 --> 00:15:06,560 Speaker 1: whole life, but to use my gifts and talents at 247 00:15:06,600 --> 00:15:10,200 Speaker 1: the ministry God had given my family. When you don't 248 00:15:10,280 --> 00:15:13,520 Speaker 1: understand it, you have to trust God. You know what's 249 00:15:13,560 --> 00:15:17,080 Speaker 1: best for me. I'm gonna follow where you leave, when 250 00:15:17,120 --> 00:15:20,000 Speaker 1: you open doors, when you push me out, I'm gonna 251 00:15:20,000 --> 00:15:23,560 Speaker 1: take steps of faith with a good attitude God. When 252 00:15:23,600 --> 00:15:26,760 Speaker 1: doors closed, when it seems like I'm stuck, I'm gonna 253 00:15:26,840 --> 00:15:30,080 Speaker 1: keep being faithful where I am. When you have that 254 00:15:30,160 --> 00:15:33,240 Speaker 1: kind of attitude, God will keep you in your place 255 00:15:33,360 --> 00:15:37,400 Speaker 1: a blessing. I worked seventeen years behind the scenes here 256 00:15:37,440 --> 00:15:40,240 Speaker 1: at Lakewood, and one point I had all these radio 257 00:15:40,320 --> 00:15:44,440 Speaker 1: stations lined up to carry my father's weekly message. I'd 258 00:15:44,520 --> 00:15:49,000 Speaker 1: arranged everything God, all the times and stations cleared. I 259 00:15:49,040 --> 00:15:51,240 Speaker 1: asked my father if he would come down once a 260 00:15:51,280 --> 00:15:54,640 Speaker 1: month and we'd make the openings and closings. Just take 261 00:15:54,640 --> 00:15:58,040 Speaker 1: about an hour. No big deal, my father said, Joel, 262 00:15:58,080 --> 00:16:01,600 Speaker 1: I'm seventy five years old. I'm not looking for more work. 263 00:16:01,880 --> 00:16:05,120 Speaker 1: I just want to relax and pastor the church. I 264 00:16:05,280 --> 00:16:08,400 Speaker 1: was so disappointed. I thought, God, you put big things 265 00:16:08,440 --> 00:16:10,960 Speaker 1: in me. I'm young. I don't want to do less. 266 00:16:11,080 --> 00:16:13,680 Speaker 1: I want to do more. I thought maybe it was 267 00:16:13,760 --> 00:16:16,920 Speaker 1: time to move on and do something else. I had 268 00:16:16,920 --> 00:16:20,000 Speaker 1: an opportunity for one of the largest ministries to come 269 00:16:20,040 --> 00:16:23,640 Speaker 1: work for them. A big sports network offered me something. 270 00:16:24,480 --> 00:16:28,000 Speaker 1: But when I got quiet, when I searched my heart, 271 00:16:28,160 --> 00:16:30,840 Speaker 1: I could hear that still small voice saying, no, Joel, 272 00:16:31,240 --> 00:16:35,000 Speaker 1: stay where you are. This is your father's ministry, this 273 00:16:35,040 --> 00:16:38,480 Speaker 1: is his vision. Don't leave because you're not getting your way, 274 00:16:38,920 --> 00:16:42,760 Speaker 1: honor what he wants to do. I made a decision 275 00:16:43,080 --> 00:16:45,280 Speaker 1: that I was not only going to stay, but I 276 00:16:45,360 --> 00:16:48,280 Speaker 1: was going to stay with a good attitude. Wasn't going 277 00:16:48,360 --> 00:16:52,800 Speaker 1: to get bitter, slack awe be disgruntled. I kept being 278 00:16:52,840 --> 00:16:57,160 Speaker 1: my best, doing what I could to make my father shine. 279 00:16:57,280 --> 00:17:00,360 Speaker 1: I never dreamed that two years later my father would 280 00:17:00,400 --> 00:17:04,480 Speaker 1: pass and suddenly I would become the pastor that big 281 00:17:04,600 --> 00:17:07,399 Speaker 1: vision God put in me. It was still going to happen. 282 00:17:07,720 --> 00:17:11,160 Speaker 1: It just wasn't the right time. Had I not honored 283 00:17:11,160 --> 00:17:14,399 Speaker 1: my father and stayed in my place of blessing, I 284 00:17:14,440 --> 00:17:18,560 Speaker 1: wouldn't be here today. Your place of blessing doesn't mean 285 00:17:18,600 --> 00:17:22,640 Speaker 1: that everything's going your way. Everybody will celebrate you, all 286 00:17:22,680 --> 00:17:26,080 Speaker 1: these doors are opening. It may mean that you're serving 287 00:17:26,160 --> 00:17:30,000 Speaker 1: another person's vision. You don't feel like you're using everything 288 00:17:30,080 --> 00:17:34,600 Speaker 1: you have. You're being overlooked, not getting opportunities to share 289 00:17:34,640 --> 00:17:39,400 Speaker 1: your gifts. Many times those are tests God is seeing. 290 00:17:39,680 --> 00:17:42,200 Speaker 1: Will you be faithful when you're not getting your way? 291 00:17:42,920 --> 00:17:45,480 Speaker 1: Will you have a good attitude when they don't take 292 00:17:45,520 --> 00:17:49,520 Speaker 1: your suggestions they don't give you the credit. It's easy 293 00:17:49,520 --> 00:17:52,560 Speaker 1: to leave, forget it, I'm out of here. You have 294 00:17:52,640 --> 00:17:55,639 Speaker 1: to search your heart. If you don't feel that release 295 00:17:55,720 --> 00:17:58,960 Speaker 1: to leave, you need to stay because you're not going 296 00:17:59,000 --> 00:18:02,639 Speaker 1: to be blessed anyway where your blessing is connected to 297 00:18:02,720 --> 00:18:06,359 Speaker 1: the place God called you to be. See Think about David. 298 00:18:06,400 --> 00:18:08,520 Speaker 1: He was out in the shepherd's fields taking care of 299 00:18:08,560 --> 00:18:12,240 Speaker 1: his father's sheep. He knew he had big things in him, 300 00:18:12,280 --> 00:18:15,639 Speaker 1: but he didn't try to force doors to open. He 301 00:18:15,680 --> 00:18:18,800 Speaker 1: didn't get bitter because his father left him out. He 302 00:18:18,800 --> 00:18:22,440 Speaker 1: didn't slack off because he was doing something less than 303 00:18:22,480 --> 00:18:25,679 Speaker 1: he knew was in him. His father asked him to 304 00:18:25,680 --> 00:18:28,639 Speaker 1: take lunch to his brothers, who were in another city, 305 00:18:29,119 --> 00:18:32,560 Speaker 1: to do a menial task. David could have said, sorry, Dad, 306 00:18:32,680 --> 00:18:35,240 Speaker 1: I'm not an errand boy, I have more in me. 307 00:18:35,480 --> 00:18:39,359 Speaker 1: You'll have to find somebody else. No, David was faithful 308 00:18:39,520 --> 00:18:43,160 Speaker 1: in small things. When he wasn't getting his way, when 309 00:18:43,240 --> 00:18:47,040 Speaker 1: doors weren't opening, while he was taking his brother's lunch, 310 00:18:47,640 --> 00:18:52,200 Speaker 1: something that seemed insignificant. That's where he heard Goliath tauning 311 00:18:52,280 --> 00:18:56,080 Speaker 1: the Israelites. Had he not been faithful in the small 312 00:18:56,440 --> 00:19:00,280 Speaker 1: he would have never defeated Goliath. Don't think you're place 313 00:19:00,280 --> 00:19:04,240 Speaker 1: of blessing has to be something super exciting, super important, 314 00:19:04,400 --> 00:19:08,240 Speaker 1: where everyone sees you many times. Your place of blessing 315 00:19:08,640 --> 00:19:11,840 Speaker 1: is being faithful with things that no one pays attention 316 00:19:11,960 --> 00:19:15,160 Speaker 1: to see. David didn't go to the throne. He went 317 00:19:15,200 --> 00:19:19,280 Speaker 1: back to the shepherd's fields. King Saul suffered with depression. 318 00:19:19,800 --> 00:19:22,840 Speaker 1: He needed someone to play music for him. They asked 319 00:19:22,920 --> 00:19:25,439 Speaker 1: David to come to the palace, not to be the 320 00:19:25,520 --> 00:19:29,000 Speaker 1: king not to be a trusted adviser, but to be 321 00:19:29,040 --> 00:19:32,679 Speaker 1: a part time musician. Play the harp when we call you, 322 00:19:32,920 --> 00:19:37,080 Speaker 1: Otherwise we don't need you. You have to recognize you're 323 00:19:37,080 --> 00:19:40,840 Speaker 1: not working under people, You're working under God. He's keeping 324 00:19:40,880 --> 00:19:44,840 Speaker 1: the records. The scripture says He's taken you from glory 325 00:19:44,960 --> 00:19:50,240 Speaker 1: to glory. Sometimes you're in between one glory and another glory. 326 00:19:50,400 --> 00:19:52,640 Speaker 1: You could think, Joeb, this is not my place of blessing. 327 00:19:53,080 --> 00:19:58,520 Speaker 1: Nobody appreciates me. I'm overlooked, undervalued. I know I'm called 328 00:19:58,520 --> 00:20:01,399 Speaker 1: to be in leadership, but all I'm doing is playing 329 00:20:01,400 --> 00:20:05,560 Speaker 1: this heart. Well, here's how strategic God is. David had 330 00:20:05,600 --> 00:20:08,399 Speaker 1: been in the shepherd's fields his whole life. All he 331 00:20:08,480 --> 00:20:11,359 Speaker 1: had known was taking care of sheep. Now he's in 332 00:20:11,440 --> 00:20:15,679 Speaker 1: the palace, in the presence of King Saul. God is 333 00:20:15,760 --> 00:20:19,000 Speaker 1: showing him what it's like to be a king. He's 334 00:20:19,040 --> 00:20:24,000 Speaker 1: getting him familiar with the palace and how a king operates, protocol, 335 00:20:24,320 --> 00:20:28,120 Speaker 1: the staff that serves him. He doesn't realize, but this 336 00:20:28,240 --> 00:20:32,720 Speaker 1: task of playing the harp is divinely orchestrated. God put 337 00:20:32,800 --> 00:20:35,959 Speaker 1: him there to get him prepared for where he was going. 338 00:20:37,040 --> 00:20:39,840 Speaker 1: All those years that I worked behind the scenes here 339 00:20:39,840 --> 00:20:43,720 Speaker 1: at Lakewood, I had to edit my father's sermons. He 340 00:20:43,760 --> 00:20:46,440 Speaker 1: would speak about forty minutes. I would have to cut 341 00:20:46,480 --> 00:20:49,320 Speaker 1: them down to twenty five minutes for the television program. 342 00:20:49,840 --> 00:20:52,720 Speaker 1: I would listen to each message four or five times, 343 00:20:53,119 --> 00:20:56,480 Speaker 1: trying to get his train of thoughts. All the stories, 344 00:20:56,800 --> 00:21:00,440 Speaker 1: the scriptures, the examples were going into me. I didn't 345 00:21:00,520 --> 00:21:05,000 Speaker 1: realize God was getting me prepared for what I'm doing now. 346 00:21:05,280 --> 00:21:07,399 Speaker 1: I couldn't see it at the time, but that was 347 00:21:07,480 --> 00:21:11,920 Speaker 1: my place of blessing. It was a place strategically orchestrated 348 00:21:12,240 --> 00:21:15,480 Speaker 1: to get me prepared for the fullness of my destiny. 349 00:21:15,960 --> 00:21:19,760 Speaker 1: What am I saying? Don't despise where you are right now. 350 00:21:20,520 --> 00:21:23,160 Speaker 1: You don't know what God is up to. You can't 351 00:21:23,200 --> 00:21:26,360 Speaker 1: see how He's making you and molding you, getting you 352 00:21:26,440 --> 00:21:32,680 Speaker 1: ready for greater responsibility, greater resources, greater favor. One King, 353 00:21:32,800 --> 00:21:38,040 Speaker 1: Chapter seventeen, the prophet Elijah told King Ahaf that because 354 00:21:38,119 --> 00:21:41,359 Speaker 1: the people had turned away from Jehovah because they started 355 00:21:41,359 --> 00:21:44,199 Speaker 1: worshiping idols, there was going to be a drought in 356 00:21:44,280 --> 00:21:47,680 Speaker 1: the land for three and a half years. God said 357 00:21:47,680 --> 00:21:51,680 Speaker 1: to Elijah, leave here and go down to the brook Cherih, 358 00:21:52,160 --> 00:21:55,120 Speaker 1: for I have commanded the ravens to feed you there. 359 00:21:56,400 --> 00:21:59,560 Speaker 1: Notice there's a place where God has commanded you to 360 00:21:59,600 --> 00:22:05,080 Speaker 1: be blessed, not maybe hope so if the economy gets better. No, 361 00:22:05,200 --> 00:22:08,640 Speaker 1: he's commanded the ravens to feed you. That means he's 362 00:22:08,720 --> 00:22:14,000 Speaker 1: commanded provision, commanded resources, commanded the right people to be there. 363 00:22:14,720 --> 00:22:18,359 Speaker 1: But here's the key. The blessing wasn't anywhere. It was 364 00:22:18,440 --> 00:22:22,160 Speaker 1: at a specific place. The ravens were waiting for him 365 00:22:22,320 --> 00:22:26,760 Speaker 1: at the brook. Elijah could have stayed in Samarian. God 366 00:22:26,840 --> 00:22:29,560 Speaker 1: is faithful. I'm sure you'll take care of me here, 367 00:22:30,200 --> 00:22:33,600 Speaker 1: but he would have missed the blessing. When God tells 368 00:22:33,600 --> 00:22:36,960 Speaker 1: you to do something, don't reason it out, don't ask 369 00:22:37,000 --> 00:22:40,159 Speaker 1: four friends, don't pray about it six months, don't come 370 00:22:40,240 --> 00:22:44,280 Speaker 1: up with twelve excuses. Just do it. Be obedient to 371 00:22:44,359 --> 00:22:47,480 Speaker 1: what you're hearing in your spirit. God is leading you 372 00:22:47,720 --> 00:22:51,720 Speaker 1: to your place of blessing. Sometimes you have to leave 373 00:22:51,760 --> 00:22:55,280 Speaker 1: a friend that's pulling you down, leave an environment where 374 00:22:55,320 --> 00:22:59,520 Speaker 1: you're being poisoned, or leave a bad attitude, leave bitterness 375 00:23:00,200 --> 00:23:03,280 Speaker 1: what didn't work out, and move forward into the new 376 00:23:03,320 --> 00:23:06,639 Speaker 1: things God has for you. Elijah went down to the 377 00:23:06,680 --> 00:23:11,000 Speaker 1: brook just like clockwork. Every morning the ravens showed up. 378 00:23:11,520 --> 00:23:15,960 Speaker 1: He had supernatural provision. I'm sure he was happy. God, 379 00:23:16,040 --> 00:23:18,760 Speaker 1: You've been good to me. I found my place of blessing. 380 00:23:19,600 --> 00:23:22,800 Speaker 1: But one day the ravens quit coming. The brook went 381 00:23:22,840 --> 00:23:26,600 Speaker 1: from a stream to a trickle to barely flowing to nothing. 382 00:23:27,680 --> 00:23:29,720 Speaker 1: What do you do when God leads you to a 383 00:23:29,760 --> 00:23:33,600 Speaker 1: brook that dries up when what used to work doesn't 384 00:23:33,600 --> 00:23:37,719 Speaker 1: work anymore. God was showing us just because it happened 385 00:23:37,760 --> 00:23:41,080 Speaker 1: one way doesn't mean it's always going to happen that way. 386 00:23:42,000 --> 00:23:45,520 Speaker 1: Stay open for change, Be willing to accept the new 387 00:23:45,560 --> 00:23:48,280 Speaker 1: thing God is doing. If you get set and think 388 00:23:48,320 --> 00:23:50,920 Speaker 1: it's only going to happen one way, then you'll miss out. 389 00:23:52,000 --> 00:23:55,720 Speaker 1: God told Elijah go to the city of Zaraphath, for 390 00:23:55,840 --> 00:23:59,679 Speaker 1: I have commanded a widow to feed you there. Notice 391 00:23:59,680 --> 00:24:03,080 Speaker 1: another place where God commanded him to be blessed, but 392 00:24:03,200 --> 00:24:07,320 Speaker 1: a different location. Well, Zaraphath is where Ahab and his 393 00:24:07,359 --> 00:24:11,600 Speaker 1: wife Jezebel lived. She didn't like Elijah. She wanted to 394 00:24:11,600 --> 00:24:14,960 Speaker 1: get rid of him. Out Of all the places God 395 00:24:15,040 --> 00:24:18,000 Speaker 1: could have told Elijah to go, he sent him to 396 00:24:18,119 --> 00:24:23,720 Speaker 1: the enemy's territory. The way God does things always requires faith. 397 00:24:24,520 --> 00:24:27,119 Speaker 1: He could have sent him to his friends, his relatives, 398 00:24:27,160 --> 00:24:30,919 Speaker 1: his supporters. I'm sure Elijah thought, God, you know that 399 00:24:31,000 --> 00:24:34,199 Speaker 1: lady is after me. Can't you extend my stay at 400 00:24:34,200 --> 00:24:37,200 Speaker 1: the brook? Can't I get a late checkout? God, I'm 401 00:24:37,200 --> 00:24:41,080 Speaker 1: comfortable here. To reach your destiny, you have to get 402 00:24:41,119 --> 00:24:43,679 Speaker 1: out of your comfort zones. You have to take some 403 00:24:43,840 --> 00:24:46,760 Speaker 1: steps of faith. Don't get stuck where the brook has 404 00:24:46,880 --> 00:24:51,199 Speaker 1: dried up. Our God is a moving God, a progressive God. 405 00:24:51,280 --> 00:24:54,720 Speaker 1: He's taking you on a journey. That place of blessing 406 00:24:54,840 --> 00:24:57,800 Speaker 1: is going to move. It may not always be physical. 407 00:24:58,000 --> 00:25:02,200 Speaker 1: Sometimes it's in your thinking. You have to leave limited mindsets. 408 00:25:02,880 --> 00:25:06,200 Speaker 1: Quit telling yourself you're not qualified and take that new 409 00:25:06,240 --> 00:25:10,160 Speaker 1: position at work, teach that class, volunteer at the church. 410 00:25:10,840 --> 00:25:13,960 Speaker 1: Quit thinking about the brook that dried up, what didn't 411 00:25:13,960 --> 00:25:17,440 Speaker 1: work out? Who did you wrong? Had relationship that didn't 412 00:25:17,480 --> 00:25:21,199 Speaker 1: make it? God is still in control. He knew it 413 00:25:21,280 --> 00:25:24,400 Speaker 1: was going to dry up. That's why he's commanded another 414 00:25:24,480 --> 00:25:28,600 Speaker 1: place for you to be blessed. Elijah arrived at Zereaphath, 415 00:25:28,640 --> 00:25:31,600 Speaker 1: and just like promise, the widow was there to take 416 00:25:31,640 --> 00:25:33,800 Speaker 1: care of him, and she did it until the drought 417 00:25:33,920 --> 00:25:37,360 Speaker 1: was over. But how many of us are stuck by 418 00:25:37,400 --> 00:25:40,960 Speaker 1: the brook, waiting for what used to be, wondering why 419 00:25:41,000 --> 00:25:44,359 Speaker 1: it's drying up. You have to leave where God was 420 00:25:44,800 --> 00:25:47,679 Speaker 1: and go to where God is. That's the new place 421 00:25:47,720 --> 00:25:51,040 Speaker 1: of blessing. That's where your provision is waiting for you. 422 00:25:52,400 --> 00:25:55,480 Speaker 1: Is there something that God is asking you to do 423 00:25:55,640 --> 00:25:58,600 Speaker 1: but you keep putting it off. You're afraid of the 424 00:25:58,680 --> 00:26:02,560 Speaker 1: unknown or how it's gonna work out. You can't play 425 00:26:02,560 --> 00:26:06,080 Speaker 1: it safe your whole life and become who God's created 426 00:26:06,119 --> 00:26:09,359 Speaker 1: you to be. Maybe God is asking you to stay. 427 00:26:09,960 --> 00:26:13,080 Speaker 1: You want to leave. Like David, you have more in you, 428 00:26:13,600 --> 00:26:17,520 Speaker 1: like Hagar. You're not being treated right. You're in a test. 429 00:26:17,840 --> 00:26:20,440 Speaker 1: If you'll do the right thing when it's hard, you're 430 00:26:20,440 --> 00:26:23,600 Speaker 1: going to see God begin to turn things in your favor. 431 00:26:24,560 --> 00:26:28,600 Speaker 1: There are prophecies He has spoken over your life, things 432 00:26:28,640 --> 00:26:32,400 Speaker 1: he's destined you to accomplish. You have not missed them. 433 00:26:32,960 --> 00:26:37,240 Speaker 1: Keep trusting Him even when you don't understand. Don't fight 434 00:26:37,320 --> 00:26:40,959 Speaker 1: the things that don't make sense. Your steps are being ordered. 435 00:26:41,440 --> 00:26:44,439 Speaker 1: Things are happening right now behind the scenes that you 436 00:26:44,520 --> 00:26:48,320 Speaker 1: cannot see. Now, be sensitive to what he's saying and 437 00:26:48,440 --> 00:26:51,880 Speaker 1: be quick to obey. If you'll do this I believe 438 00:26:51,960 --> 00:26:55,120 Speaker 1: and declare you will live in your place of blessing 439 00:26:55,640 --> 00:26:58,720 Speaker 1: life with Mary and Joseph. The wise men are about 440 00:26:58,760 --> 00:27:02,680 Speaker 1: to show up lessons you didn't see coming. Like Elijah, 441 00:27:02,960 --> 00:27:07,920 Speaker 1: the ravens will be waiting for you supernatural provision, opportunity 442 00:27:08,119 --> 00:27:13,159 Speaker 1: favor the fullness of your destiny in Jesus's name, and 443 00:27:13,240 --> 00:27:17,480 Speaker 1: if you receive it, can you say amen? I'd like 444 00:27:17,520 --> 00:27:20,200 Speaker 1: to give you an opportunity to make Jesus the Lord 445 00:27:20,240 --> 00:27:24,160 Speaker 1: of your life. Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus, 446 00:27:24,800 --> 00:27:28,560 Speaker 1: I repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I 447 00:27:28,760 --> 00:27:31,919 Speaker 1: make you my Lord and savior. If you prayed that 448 00:27:32,000 --> 00:27:35,439 Speaker 1: simple prayer, we believe you got born again. We'd love 449 00:27:35,520 --> 00:27:37,800 Speaker 1: to send you some new information on your walk with 450 00:27:37,840 --> 00:27:40,320 Speaker 1: the Lord. You can text the number on the screen 451 00:27:40,440 --> 00:27:42,919 Speaker 1: or go to the website. But I hope you'll get 452 00:27:42,960 --> 00:27:47,000 Speaker 1: into a good Bible based church and keep God first place. 453 00:27:48,720 --> 00:27:51,320 Speaker 1: It's easy to get stuck in life because of fear 454 00:27:51,400 --> 00:27:55,320 Speaker 1: and lack of confidence. We've been through disappointments, but I'm 455 00:27:55,359 --> 00:27:59,320 Speaker 1: excited about Victoria's new book, Grace to Go. It'll help 456 00:27:59,359 --> 00:28:02,160 Speaker 1: you move past what's holding you back and step into 457 00:28:02,200 --> 00:28:03,680 Speaker 1: new levels. Of your destiny. 458 00:28:04,080 --> 00:28:06,320 Speaker 2: My heart for this book is that you will discover 459 00:28:06,560 --> 00:28:09,720 Speaker 2: the courage, the gifts, and the faith that God has 460 00:28:09,760 --> 00:28:11,840 Speaker 2: put in you so that you can see your dreams 461 00:28:11,880 --> 00:28:15,199 Speaker 2: come to pass. It's not too late, the obstacles are 462 00:28:15,240 --> 00:28:18,000 Speaker 2: not too big. The grace of God equips you to 463 00:28:18,040 --> 00:28:21,840 Speaker 2: go beyond your comfort zone and overcome what looks impossible. 464 00:28:22,240 --> 00:28:25,080 Speaker 2: You are stronger than you think. You are not alone. 465 00:28:25,240 --> 00:28:26,640 Speaker 2: You are Grace to Go. 466 00:28:27,520 --> 00:28:29,840 Speaker 3: As our way of saying thank you for your gift 467 00:28:29,880 --> 00:28:33,480 Speaker 3: of any amount, this month, we'll send you Victoria Ostein's 468 00:28:33,520 --> 00:28:37,320 Speaker 3: brand new book, Grace to Go. Step onto the bigger, 469 00:28:37,520 --> 00:28:41,880 Speaker 3: bolder life that belongs to you. This inspiring resource will 470 00:28:41,920 --> 00:28:46,240 Speaker 3: help you break through fear, insecurity, or regret and activate 471 00:28:46,320 --> 00:28:50,200 Speaker 3: the faith to move forward. Each chapter will stir your spirit, 472 00:28:50,600 --> 00:28:54,880 Speaker 3: renew your perspective, and empower you to live boldly. You 473 00:28:54,920 --> 00:28:58,560 Speaker 3: don't have to wait for perfect conditions. God's grace meets 474 00:28:58,600 --> 00:29:01,840 Speaker 3: you where you are and hells you into a future. 475 00:29:01,600 --> 00:29:03,360 Speaker 1: Full of purpose and peace. 476 00:29:03,880 --> 00:29:06,680 Speaker 3: With an additional gift, we'll send you the Grace to 477 00:29:06,720 --> 00:29:10,960 Speaker 3: Go Bold Bundle featuring Grace to Go by Victoria Ostein 478 00:29:11,280 --> 00:29:15,760 Speaker 3: and Pray Bold by Joelostein. These two powerful books will 479 00:29:15,760 --> 00:29:20,200 Speaker 3: stir your faith, break hesitation, and help you believe big again. 480 00:29:21,200 --> 00:29:24,600 Speaker 2: Grace is power. When you receive it by faith, it 481 00:29:24,760 --> 00:29:27,280 Speaker 2: enables you to take the next step so you can 482 00:29:27,320 --> 00:29:28,920 Speaker 2: become all you are created to be. 483 00:29:29,440 --> 00:29:31,720 Speaker 1: Victoria and I are so grateful to spend this time 484 00:29:31,760 --> 00:29:34,720 Speaker 1: with you. We pray for you and your family every day. 485 00:29:35,240 --> 00:29:38,160 Speaker 1: Thank you so much for your prayer and support. Your 486 00:29:38,200 --> 00:29:41,959 Speaker 1: generosity is helping people around the world. Special thank you 487 00:29:42,000 --> 00:29:44,760 Speaker 1: to our Champion of Hope partners for your monthly gifts. 488 00:29:45,040 --> 00:29:47,960 Speaker 1: If you're not a partner, I hope you'll consider becoming one. 489 00:29:48,120 --> 00:29:51,600 Speaker 1: Remember you can watch the services online every Sunday morning, 490 00:29:51,920 --> 00:29:56,200 Speaker 1: download our daily podcast, watch on YouTube the new Joelosting 491 00:29:56,280 --> 00:29:59,920 Speaker 1: Network social media. Of course, listen on Serious XM twenty four. 492 00:30:00,760 --> 00:30:04,560 Speaker 1: We'll help you stay encouraged and inspired. If you're a pastor, 493 00:30:04,800 --> 00:30:07,800 Speaker 1: we'd like to invite you to our Pastor's gathering. We'd 494 00:30:07,800 --> 00:30:10,440 Speaker 1: be honored to spend the day with you here at Lakewood. 495 00:30:10,800 --> 00:30:14,120 Speaker 1: We'll share some of the things we've learned, insights behind 496 00:30:14,160 --> 00:30:17,840 Speaker 1: the scenes, be a time of inspiration and encouragement. We'd 497 00:30:17,920 --> 00:30:18,760 Speaker 1: love to meet you. 498 00:30:19,560 --> 00:30:23,560 Speaker 3: These two powerful books will stir your faith, break hesitation, 499 00:30:23,960 --> 00:30:27,680 Speaker 3: and help you believe big again. Be sure to request 500 00:30:27,720 --> 00:30:32,360 Speaker 3: your copy of these powerful resources today for an additional donation. 501 00:30:32,520 --> 00:30:36,200 Speaker 3: This month, we are also offering the NLT Large Print 502 00:30:36,280 --> 00:30:40,600 Speaker 3: Thinline Reference Bible. This Bible also enables you to connect 503 00:30:40,680 --> 00:30:43,960 Speaker 3: through your smartphone or tablet to a vast, power packed 504 00:30:44,040 --> 00:30:49,400 Speaker 3: array of study notes, devotionals, interactive maps, videos, worship music. 505 00:30:49,880 --> 00:30:53,560 Speaker 3: You can request these inspiring resources by calling eight eight 506 00:30:53,560 --> 00:30:57,720 Speaker 3: eight five six seven Joel or logging on to joloscene 507 00:30:57,760 --> 00:31:02,320 Speaker 3: dot com today. Call any time twenty four hours a day, 508 00:31:02,880 --> 00:31:07,720 Speaker 3: Start fresh, step forward. You are graced to go. Request 509 00:31:07,800 --> 00:31:11,600 Speaker 3: your copies today