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Now you 21 00:00:46,320 --> 00:00:49,280 Speaker 3: can visit facet dot com to take the free quiz 22 00:00:49,320 --> 00:00:53,920 Speaker 3: and get your financial wellness score today. That's Facet dot com. 23 00:00:53,960 --> 00:00:56,040 Speaker 3: This ad is sponsored by Facet. Facet Wealth Incorporated is 24 00:00:56,040 --> 00:00:58,040 Speaker 3: an SEC registered investment advisor. This is not an offer 25 00:00:58,080 --> 00:00:59,920 Speaker 3: to buy yourself security snore? Is it investment legal or 26 00:01:00,080 --> 00:01:00,600 Speaker 3: tips of bikes? 27 00:01:01,080 --> 00:01:03,800 Speaker 2: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 28 00:01:03,880 --> 00:01:06,960 Speaker 2: our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. If you 29 00:01:07,080 --> 00:01:09,640 Speaker 2: enjoy today's message, why don't you be a blessing and 30 00:01:09,760 --> 00:01:12,360 Speaker 2: share it with a friend. We appreciate you and pray 31 00:01:12,440 --> 00:01:27,240 Speaker 2: for God's very best in your life. Well, God bless you. 32 00:01:27,720 --> 00:01:30,399 Speaker 2: It's a joy to come into your homes. We're praying 33 00:01:30,520 --> 00:01:33,320 Speaker 2: for very good things in your life. If you're ever 34 00:01:33,400 --> 00:01:35,399 Speaker 2: in our area, I hope you'll stop by and see us. 35 00:01:35,800 --> 00:01:38,520 Speaker 2: We give you a personal invitation. I promise you we'll 36 00:01:38,520 --> 00:01:40,600 Speaker 2: make you feel right at home. But thanks so much 37 00:01:40,640 --> 00:01:43,200 Speaker 2: for tuning in today. I like to get started each 38 00:01:43,240 --> 00:01:45,479 Speaker 2: week with something kind of funny and I heard about 39 00:01:45,520 --> 00:01:49,200 Speaker 2: one day Adam was feeling very lonely and God said, Adam, 40 00:01:49,240 --> 00:01:52,080 Speaker 2: I'm gonna make you a companion. It's going to be 41 00:01:52,240 --> 00:01:56,560 Speaker 2: called a woman. This person will cook for you, she'll 42 00:01:56,680 --> 00:01:59,800 Speaker 2: wash your clothes, she'll bear your children and not ask 43 00:01:59,840 --> 00:02:01,400 Speaker 2: you to get up in the middle of the night. 44 00:02:01,920 --> 00:02:04,800 Speaker 2: She'll never nag you, and even if you do have 45 00:02:04,920 --> 00:02:07,520 Speaker 2: a disagreement, she'll be the first to admit that she 46 00:02:07,760 --> 00:02:11,400 Speaker 2: was wrong. Adam said, Wow, God, what will a woman 47 00:02:11,600 --> 00:02:14,519 Speaker 2: like this cost? God said an arm and a leg? 48 00:02:16,280 --> 00:02:18,519 Speaker 2: Adam said, what can I get for a rib? And 49 00:02:18,600 --> 00:02:23,959 Speaker 2: the rest is history? All right, Hold up your Bible, 50 00:02:24,280 --> 00:02:26,880 Speaker 2: say it like you mean it. This is my Bible. 51 00:02:27,320 --> 00:02:29,760 Speaker 2: I am what it says. I am. I have what 52 00:02:29,919 --> 00:02:32,320 Speaker 2: it says I have. I can do what it says 53 00:02:32,400 --> 00:02:35,120 Speaker 2: I can do. Today I will be taught the word 54 00:02:35,200 --> 00:02:39,480 Speaker 2: of God. I boldly confess. My mind is alert, my 55 00:02:39,680 --> 00:02:44,119 Speaker 2: heart is receptive. I will never be the same. In Jesus' name, 56 00:02:44,560 --> 00:02:47,400 Speaker 2: God bless you. I want to talk to you today 57 00:02:47,600 --> 00:02:51,160 Speaker 2: about making good decisions and how to stay on God's 58 00:02:51,200 --> 00:02:54,239 Speaker 2: best plan for your life. If there's one thing we 59 00:02:54,360 --> 00:02:58,880 Speaker 2: all need, it's direction. People say to me all the time, Joel, 60 00:02:59,000 --> 00:03:01,160 Speaker 2: I don't know what I shall should do. Should I 61 00:03:01,280 --> 00:03:04,840 Speaker 2: take this new job, Should I go further in this relationship? 62 00:03:05,320 --> 00:03:08,040 Speaker 2: Should I confront this person at work? How should I 63 00:03:08,160 --> 00:03:12,280 Speaker 2: deal with this problem? We all need wisdom to make 64 00:03:12,400 --> 00:03:16,919 Speaker 2: good choices. Now, I heard somebody say, we make our decisions, 65 00:03:17,200 --> 00:03:20,240 Speaker 2: and then our decisions make us. And if we can 66 00:03:20,320 --> 00:03:23,079 Speaker 2: learn to make good choices, we're going to have a 67 00:03:23,160 --> 00:03:26,600 Speaker 2: successful life and The good news is God wants to 68 00:03:26,720 --> 00:03:30,560 Speaker 2: give us wisdom. It says in Proverbs that He will 69 00:03:30,680 --> 00:03:34,040 Speaker 2: help us find the right course of action every time. 70 00:03:34,639 --> 00:03:37,240 Speaker 2: How some of the time, all of the time. But 71 00:03:37,360 --> 00:03:40,360 Speaker 2: here's the key. If God's going to lead us, if 72 00:03:40,400 --> 00:03:42,960 Speaker 2: he's going to give us this direction, then we have 73 00:03:43,160 --> 00:03:46,680 Speaker 2: to listen to what he's saying. And God speaks to 74 00:03:46,840 --> 00:03:49,920 Speaker 2: every one of us too often we don't realize it. 75 00:03:50,640 --> 00:03:53,440 Speaker 2: You can be reading the scripture and a verse jumps 76 00:03:53,480 --> 00:03:56,360 Speaker 2: out at you. That's God talking to you. You can 77 00:03:56,440 --> 00:03:59,240 Speaker 2: be talking to a friend and they say one thing 78 00:03:59,320 --> 00:04:02,640 Speaker 2: that gives you insight. They may not have even realized 79 00:04:02,680 --> 00:04:05,640 Speaker 2: they said it, but God used them to give you direction. 80 00:04:06,560 --> 00:04:09,280 Speaker 2: A common way God speaks to us is by peace. 81 00:04:09,920 --> 00:04:12,040 Speaker 2: You're about to make a decision and all of a 82 00:04:12,080 --> 00:04:15,760 Speaker 2: sudden you feel an unrest and uneasiness down in here. 83 00:04:16,400 --> 00:04:19,560 Speaker 2: That's God telling you to hold off. It's either not 84 00:04:19,720 --> 00:04:23,080 Speaker 2: the right time or something that you shouldn't do altogether. 85 00:04:23,640 --> 00:04:26,560 Speaker 2: But if we can be sensitive and learn to really 86 00:04:26,640 --> 00:04:29,480 Speaker 2: be aware of what God is saying to us, then 87 00:04:29,520 --> 00:04:32,560 Speaker 2: we'll make good choices in life. And the Scripture says 88 00:04:32,600 --> 00:04:35,839 Speaker 2: here in Psalm thirty two, verse eight, God will guide 89 00:04:35,960 --> 00:04:40,679 Speaker 2: us along the best pathway for our lives. That means 90 00:04:41,040 --> 00:04:44,760 Speaker 2: there's an okay pathway where we're getting along, we're doing 91 00:04:44,839 --> 00:04:48,680 Speaker 2: all right, But then there's a best pathway. That's when 92 00:04:48,760 --> 00:04:51,880 Speaker 2: we're prospering, that's when we're happy, that's when we're really 93 00:04:52,240 --> 00:04:55,800 Speaker 2: fulfilling our destiny. But if God is going to lead 94 00:04:55,880 --> 00:04:59,400 Speaker 2: us again, we have to do our part and be listening. 95 00:05:00,240 --> 00:05:04,960 Speaker 2: And too often our lives are so noisy, we're so busy, 96 00:05:05,320 --> 00:05:08,400 Speaker 2: things are so hectic that we can't really hear the 97 00:05:08,520 --> 00:05:12,320 Speaker 2: still small voice. We need to learn to get quiet 98 00:05:13,120 --> 00:05:17,760 Speaker 2: every day. We need some downtime, not only physically, but mentally. 99 00:05:18,480 --> 00:05:21,080 Speaker 2: We're not going to make good decisions if we're out 100 00:05:21,120 --> 00:05:25,839 Speaker 2: of balance. I see too many people making emotional decisions. 101 00:05:26,480 --> 00:05:31,200 Speaker 2: They let people in circumstances pressure them into making poor choices. 102 00:05:32,000 --> 00:05:35,920 Speaker 2: Or sometimes we just want something so badly, even though 103 00:05:36,040 --> 00:05:38,720 Speaker 2: we know down and here it's not God's best. We 104 00:05:38,920 --> 00:05:42,360 Speaker 2: override that and do it anyway. Then we wonder why 105 00:05:42,440 --> 00:05:45,560 Speaker 2: we have issues to deal with. Well, it's because we 106 00:05:45,680 --> 00:05:48,960 Speaker 2: didn't take time to get quiet. We didn't listen to 107 00:05:49,080 --> 00:05:51,839 Speaker 2: what God was trying to say to us. And one 108 00:05:51,920 --> 00:05:54,080 Speaker 2: thing that I've learned that's really helped me in my 109 00:05:54,200 --> 00:05:58,479 Speaker 2: life is I will never move forward unless I have peace. 110 00:05:59,160 --> 00:06:01,719 Speaker 2: If there's an un rest down in here, no matter 111 00:06:01,839 --> 00:06:05,840 Speaker 2: how great the opportunity looks, I'm going to pass. Well, Joel, 112 00:06:05,880 --> 00:06:08,360 Speaker 2: this is a once in a lifetime chance they're offering me. 113 00:06:08,839 --> 00:06:11,560 Speaker 2: They got to know by tomorrow morning. No, those are 114 00:06:11,680 --> 00:06:16,840 Speaker 2: pressure tactics. Most likely those lead to poor decisions. We 115 00:06:16,960 --> 00:06:20,240 Speaker 2: don't make good choices when our emotions are real high 116 00:06:20,839 --> 00:06:22,960 Speaker 2: or real low. We've got to get back in balance. 117 00:06:23,680 --> 00:06:26,279 Speaker 2: You see it all the time on television when they're 118 00:06:26,320 --> 00:06:29,760 Speaker 2: selling something. They try to store our emotions up. If 119 00:06:29,800 --> 00:06:32,360 Speaker 2: you'll call in the next two minutes, you'll get a 120 00:06:32,440 --> 00:06:36,840 Speaker 2: free ad buster with that super duper bun burner, our 121 00:06:36,880 --> 00:06:40,320 Speaker 2: emotions get rought up. I gotta have one now. Anytime 122 00:06:40,560 --> 00:06:43,120 Speaker 2: we feel pressure, best thing we can do is just 123 00:06:43,200 --> 00:06:46,520 Speaker 2: step away, get alone, get quiet for a few minutes, 124 00:06:46,839 --> 00:06:49,480 Speaker 2: search your heart. See what you're feeling down in here. 125 00:06:49,800 --> 00:06:52,840 Speaker 2: If you don't have peace, don't move forward. Know this, 126 00:06:53,200 --> 00:06:55,560 Speaker 2: there will always be another opportunity. 127 00:06:56,600 --> 00:06:56,800 Speaker 1: I know. 128 00:06:57,200 --> 00:06:59,760 Speaker 2: Over the last three years, i'd really been praying about 129 00:06:59,760 --> 00:07:03,920 Speaker 2: how a leadership conference. My father used to have those, 130 00:07:04,040 --> 00:07:06,040 Speaker 2: and I knew at one point we should be doing it, 131 00:07:06,120 --> 00:07:08,400 Speaker 2: but I just didn't really have peace about it. I 132 00:07:08,480 --> 00:07:11,040 Speaker 2: knew it wasn't the right time. But then finally it 133 00:07:11,120 --> 00:07:13,480 Speaker 2: all came together and we announced that we were going 134 00:07:13,520 --> 00:07:15,640 Speaker 2: to have one and a lot of people signed up. 135 00:07:16,320 --> 00:07:19,000 Speaker 2: And maybe eight or nine months before the conference, some 136 00:07:19,160 --> 00:07:21,440 Speaker 2: of our staff said, Joel, we need to get together 137 00:07:21,880 --> 00:07:23,520 Speaker 2: to come up with a plan, come up with the 138 00:07:23,600 --> 00:07:26,880 Speaker 2: program so we can print some material and let people 139 00:07:27,000 --> 00:07:29,400 Speaker 2: know what we're going to be doing. But it seemed 140 00:07:29,480 --> 00:07:32,280 Speaker 2: like every time I went to meet on that conference, 141 00:07:32,720 --> 00:07:36,000 Speaker 2: I didn't have clear direction. I knew we were supposed 142 00:07:36,040 --> 00:07:38,040 Speaker 2: to do the conference. I felt good about that, but 143 00:07:38,160 --> 00:07:40,200 Speaker 2: I didn't know exactly what we were supposed to do 144 00:07:40,520 --> 00:07:42,720 Speaker 2: during it. And I was just real honest, I said, 145 00:07:42,720 --> 00:07:45,400 Speaker 2: you know what, guys, I don't have good direction. We're 146 00:07:45,480 --> 00:07:48,080 Speaker 2: just going to have to wait. And really I didn't 147 00:07:48,160 --> 00:07:51,240 Speaker 2: worry about it. I didn't lose any sleep. I thought, God, 148 00:07:51,320 --> 00:07:54,080 Speaker 2: you're in control, and I know you'll give me wisdom 149 00:07:54,200 --> 00:07:57,760 Speaker 2: at the right time. Do you know, eight days before 150 00:07:57,800 --> 00:08:00,960 Speaker 2: the conference, we still did not have an official plan. 151 00:08:01,600 --> 00:08:03,560 Speaker 2: But I woke up that morning and it was just 152 00:08:03,640 --> 00:08:06,280 Speaker 2: as clear as day. I knew exactly what we were 153 00:08:06,320 --> 00:08:09,920 Speaker 2: supposed to do. The point I'm making is you don't 154 00:08:10,000 --> 00:08:13,480 Speaker 2: have to be pressured into making a decision if you'll 155 00:08:13,640 --> 00:08:16,480 Speaker 2: just stay in peace. God is faithful, He'll never let 156 00:08:16,560 --> 00:08:18,960 Speaker 2: you down. He will lead you, he will guide you, 157 00:08:19,320 --> 00:08:21,800 Speaker 2: he will show you exactly what you need to do. 158 00:08:23,040 --> 00:08:26,480 Speaker 2: One of the mistakes I see people making they feel 159 00:08:26,520 --> 00:08:28,880 Speaker 2: like they have to come up with an answer, and 160 00:08:28,960 --> 00:08:32,520 Speaker 2: it's this pressure that gets us into trouble. I remember 161 00:08:32,600 --> 00:08:35,840 Speaker 2: my father when he had a problem or a situation 162 00:08:36,000 --> 00:08:38,440 Speaker 2: that he didn't really have an answer to, he would say, 163 00:08:38,960 --> 00:08:41,000 Speaker 2: I'm going to put this up on the shelf and 164 00:08:41,160 --> 00:08:43,839 Speaker 2: just pray about it. He didn't let it bother him, 165 00:08:44,360 --> 00:08:47,680 Speaker 2: he didn't lose his peace. And it's amazing how many 166 00:08:47,800 --> 00:08:51,640 Speaker 2: times those problems had a way of working themselves out. 167 00:08:52,000 --> 00:08:55,040 Speaker 2: They just needed a little time. And some of you today, 168 00:08:55,679 --> 00:08:58,559 Speaker 2: rather than trying to figure something out and making a 169 00:08:58,679 --> 00:09:02,200 Speaker 2: hasty emotional descission, you need to just put that up 170 00:09:02,240 --> 00:09:05,120 Speaker 2: on the shelf, pray over it a little while, ask 171 00:09:05,240 --> 00:09:08,000 Speaker 2: for God's guidance, let him go to work on it 172 00:09:08,600 --> 00:09:11,839 Speaker 2: over time. He will give you a clear direction. But 173 00:09:11,960 --> 00:09:14,600 Speaker 2: don't be in a hurry. It's much better to wait 174 00:09:15,000 --> 00:09:18,120 Speaker 2: than it is to make a bad decision. Now, I've 175 00:09:18,160 --> 00:09:22,040 Speaker 2: found sometimes the best decision we could make is that 176 00:09:22,160 --> 00:09:26,079 Speaker 2: we are going to decide not to decide. In other words, 177 00:09:26,520 --> 00:09:29,440 Speaker 2: I'm not going to let this pressure me into making 178 00:09:29,480 --> 00:09:32,720 Speaker 2: a decision. And a lot of times I'll just set 179 00:09:32,840 --> 00:09:35,679 Speaker 2: another date in my mind. Okay, I need to make 180 00:09:35,760 --> 00:09:38,360 Speaker 2: this decision, but one week from now, I'll come back 181 00:09:38,480 --> 00:09:41,240 Speaker 2: and look at it. That takes all the pressure off 182 00:09:41,280 --> 00:09:44,160 Speaker 2: of me. Now I can relax. I don't have to 183 00:09:44,240 --> 00:09:46,839 Speaker 2: think about it every minute. I don't have to make 184 00:09:46,880 --> 00:09:50,160 Speaker 2: a decision that I'm not comfortable with. When that week 185 00:09:50,280 --> 00:09:53,480 Speaker 2: rolls around, I'll pray about it again, I'll get a 186 00:09:53,600 --> 00:09:56,880 Speaker 2: vice from wise people. I'll search my heart one more time, 187 00:09:57,240 --> 00:09:59,319 Speaker 2: and if I still don't have peace, then I'll put 188 00:09:59,320 --> 00:10:02,679 Speaker 2: it off even longer. And I realize if I missed 189 00:10:02,720 --> 00:10:06,000 Speaker 2: the opportunity, then it wasn't meant to be. God has 190 00:10:06,080 --> 00:10:08,480 Speaker 2: something better in store. But I'm not going to move 191 00:10:08,520 --> 00:10:12,720 Speaker 2: forward without clear direction. And it's interesting if you'll wait, 192 00:10:12,880 --> 00:10:15,120 Speaker 2: if you'll really be patient, let God do it in 193 00:10:15,200 --> 00:10:20,120 Speaker 2: his timing. Many times the answers will become clear. In 194 00:10:20,240 --> 00:10:23,400 Speaker 2: other words, a door will close, or something better will 195 00:10:23,440 --> 00:10:27,800 Speaker 2: come along, be patient, don't move forward unless you have peace. 196 00:10:28,600 --> 00:10:31,079 Speaker 2: And we need to learn to not make decisions when 197 00:10:31,120 --> 00:10:33,920 Speaker 2: we're tired. When you've had a long day at the office, 198 00:10:34,559 --> 00:10:37,839 Speaker 2: fought the traffic, dealt with the children, that's not the 199 00:10:37,960 --> 00:10:40,920 Speaker 2: time to make important decisions. Just put it on hold, 200 00:10:41,600 --> 00:10:44,160 Speaker 2: go to bed, get a good night's rest, get up 201 00:10:44,160 --> 00:10:47,120 Speaker 2: in the morning fresh, and then pray about it. Go 202 00:10:47,240 --> 00:10:50,480 Speaker 2: out and exercise. Make sure that your mind is clear. 203 00:10:51,240 --> 00:10:54,280 Speaker 2: We don't make good decisions when our mind is cluttered, 204 00:10:54,720 --> 00:10:59,360 Speaker 2: when we're stressed, when we're overly tired. Another important principle 205 00:11:00,160 --> 00:11:03,240 Speaker 2: is you should not let your dreams and desires become 206 00:11:03,360 --> 00:11:08,160 Speaker 2: so strong that you cannot be happy without them. I've 207 00:11:08,200 --> 00:11:11,360 Speaker 2: seen people that have such a strong desire to get married, 208 00:11:12,040 --> 00:11:15,280 Speaker 2: a strong desire to have a baby, strong desire to 209 00:11:15,320 --> 00:11:20,120 Speaker 2: get a promotion. It just consumes them, rather than enjoying 210 00:11:20,200 --> 00:11:23,360 Speaker 2: their life trusting God to bring it to pass. It 211 00:11:23,520 --> 00:11:27,200 Speaker 2: totally frustrates them. But that's out of balance. It says 212 00:11:27,240 --> 00:11:30,000 Speaker 2: in the Book of Psalms that if we will delight 213 00:11:30,200 --> 00:11:33,680 Speaker 2: ourselves in the Lord, he will give us the desires 214 00:11:33,760 --> 00:11:36,520 Speaker 2: of our heart. You don't have to make that happen. 215 00:11:37,320 --> 00:11:40,920 Speaker 2: Don't seek your desires. Just delight yourself in the Lord. 216 00:11:41,559 --> 00:11:45,360 Speaker 2: That means keep God first place, keep a good attitude, 217 00:11:45,760 --> 00:11:48,360 Speaker 2: keep being a blessing to other people. When you do 218 00:11:48,520 --> 00:11:52,000 Speaker 2: that at the right time, God's promised he will bring 219 00:11:52,120 --> 00:11:55,880 Speaker 2: those desires to pass. But sometimes we can almost let 220 00:11:55,920 --> 00:11:59,640 Speaker 2: a dream become an idol, where we're pursuing our dreams 221 00:11:59,720 --> 00:12:02,920 Speaker 2: more than we're pursuing our relationship with God. I talked 222 00:12:02,920 --> 00:12:04,920 Speaker 2: to a lady the other day and she was so 223 00:12:05,160 --> 00:12:08,840 Speaker 2: consumed with having a baby. She and her husband had 224 00:12:08,880 --> 00:12:11,679 Speaker 2: been trying for a couple of years, and that's great. 225 00:12:11,720 --> 00:12:14,920 Speaker 2: I prayed with her, I encouraged her, but she was 226 00:12:15,000 --> 00:12:19,120 Speaker 2: so upset and so frustrated. Finally, I said, ma'am, you 227 00:12:19,240 --> 00:12:22,079 Speaker 2: need to just relax and let God give you the 228 00:12:22,160 --> 00:12:24,880 Speaker 2: desires of your heart. In other words, you don't have 229 00:12:25,040 --> 00:12:27,559 Speaker 2: to make it happen. You need to take time to 230 00:12:27,640 --> 00:12:32,120 Speaker 2: smell the roses right now. Enjoy your husband today. If 231 00:12:32,160 --> 00:12:35,439 Speaker 2: you're single, don't get so consumed with getting married that 232 00:12:35,559 --> 00:12:38,960 Speaker 2: you can't be happy right where you are. Enjoy being single. 233 00:12:39,600 --> 00:12:41,960 Speaker 2: But when we let our desires get out of balance, 234 00:12:42,600 --> 00:12:45,320 Speaker 2: even if they're good things, even if God put them there, 235 00:12:45,880 --> 00:12:48,320 Speaker 2: many times, if we're not careful, We'll try to start 236 00:12:48,440 --> 00:12:52,040 Speaker 2: making them happen on her own. I've seen people marry 237 00:12:52,160 --> 00:12:55,839 Speaker 2: somebody that they didn't really feel peace about, just because 238 00:12:55,920 --> 00:12:59,760 Speaker 2: the desire was so strong. I've had pastor friends that 239 00:13:00,040 --> 00:13:02,760 Speaker 2: have a big vision, a dream to touch their city. 240 00:13:03,200 --> 00:13:07,079 Speaker 2: They're gifted, they're talented, but rather than just enjoying their 241 00:13:07,160 --> 00:13:09,920 Speaker 2: life knowing that God's taken them there one step at 242 00:13:09,920 --> 00:13:13,920 Speaker 2: a time, it frustrates them. They get down and discouraged 243 00:13:14,360 --> 00:13:16,640 Speaker 2: because it's not happening as fast as they would like. 244 00:13:17,280 --> 00:13:19,800 Speaker 2: Many times they end up giving up on those dreams. 245 00:13:20,240 --> 00:13:24,280 Speaker 2: But understand, any time God puts a dream or desire 246 00:13:24,360 --> 00:13:28,000 Speaker 2: in our heart, he also gives us the ability to 247 00:13:28,160 --> 00:13:31,640 Speaker 2: wait patiently for it. You need to get back in balance, 248 00:13:32,000 --> 00:13:35,439 Speaker 2: get your peace back. At the right time, God is 249 00:13:35,520 --> 00:13:39,120 Speaker 2: going to give you your desires. Really, our attitude should 250 00:13:39,120 --> 00:13:42,240 Speaker 2: be God, I believe you put this dream in my heart. 251 00:13:42,880 --> 00:13:45,000 Speaker 2: But God, I know you know what's best for me. 252 00:13:45,720 --> 00:13:48,719 Speaker 2: And even if it doesn't happen on my timetable the 253 00:13:48,840 --> 00:13:51,480 Speaker 2: way I had hoped, I'm still not gonna live upset 254 00:13:51,520 --> 00:13:54,880 Speaker 2: and frustrated. God, I know you're in control and at 255 00:13:54,880 --> 00:13:57,839 Speaker 2: the right time, you will give me the desires of 256 00:13:57,960 --> 00:14:01,800 Speaker 2: my heart. Some of you today, you just need to 257 00:14:01,960 --> 00:14:05,880 Speaker 2: turn your dreams and desires over to God. As long 258 00:14:05,960 --> 00:14:09,120 Speaker 2: as you're allowing them to frustrate you, there's a good 259 00:14:09,240 --> 00:14:11,480 Speaker 2: chance you're going to try to make it all happen 260 00:14:11,559 --> 00:14:13,880 Speaker 2: on your own, and that always gets us out of 261 00:14:13,960 --> 00:14:17,880 Speaker 2: God's best plan. I remember one time years ago, I 262 00:14:18,000 --> 00:14:20,400 Speaker 2: came across what seemed to be a once in a 263 00:14:20,480 --> 00:14:24,800 Speaker 2: lifetime opportunity. I was so excited about it. I didn't pray, 264 00:14:25,480 --> 00:14:27,360 Speaker 2: I didn't take time to get quiet to see what 265 00:14:27,440 --> 00:14:29,840 Speaker 2: I felt down in here. I was on cloud nine 266 00:14:30,240 --> 00:14:32,680 Speaker 2: and emotional high, and I went to work trying to 267 00:14:32,720 --> 00:14:36,040 Speaker 2: make it happen. I convinced other people and got it 268 00:14:36,120 --> 00:14:39,000 Speaker 2: all lined up. But over the next couple of months, 269 00:14:39,240 --> 00:14:41,040 Speaker 2: while we were waiting for it all to come together, 270 00:14:41,840 --> 00:14:46,240 Speaker 2: twice a person whom I really respect said to me, Joel, 271 00:14:46,680 --> 00:14:49,000 Speaker 2: I just don't feel good about this. I feel like 272 00:14:49,200 --> 00:14:52,600 Speaker 2: something is not right. And I did my best to 273 00:14:52,680 --> 00:14:55,240 Speaker 2: convince him otherwise and let him know that it was 274 00:14:55,360 --> 00:14:58,280 Speaker 2: all going to be right. But that whole time, deep 275 00:14:58,360 --> 00:15:01,320 Speaker 2: down in here, if I was really honest with myself, 276 00:15:01,840 --> 00:15:04,760 Speaker 2: if I got past the emotion and the excitement. I 277 00:15:04,840 --> 00:15:08,640 Speaker 2: could feel some unrest, some checks, but the problem was 278 00:15:09,280 --> 00:15:12,320 Speaker 2: my desire was so strong man, I could taste this 279 00:15:12,520 --> 00:15:15,680 Speaker 2: same we were so close to it, and so I 280 00:15:15,880 --> 00:15:18,480 Speaker 2: just overrode what I was feeling down in here and 281 00:15:18,600 --> 00:15:21,640 Speaker 2: we went ahead with that project. And what's interesting is 282 00:15:21,800 --> 00:15:24,960 Speaker 2: it wasn't a failure, it wasn't a big mistake, but 283 00:15:25,120 --> 00:15:29,200 Speaker 2: it never took off like it should have. Afterwards, we 284 00:15:29,360 --> 00:15:32,400 Speaker 2: found some things that really hindered the progress, and it 285 00:15:32,600 --> 00:15:35,120 Speaker 2: ended up being a strain, and it ended up draining 286 00:15:35,240 --> 00:15:38,920 Speaker 2: our time and energy. It never really flourished. That's what 287 00:15:39,160 --> 00:15:42,960 Speaker 2: happens when we get impatient and we try to make 288 00:15:43,080 --> 00:15:45,440 Speaker 2: things happen on our own. We have to settle for 289 00:15:45,600 --> 00:15:50,000 Speaker 2: second best. And through that situation, I learned that no 290 00:15:50,160 --> 00:15:53,600 Speaker 2: matter how great the opportunity looks to me, no matter 291 00:15:53,680 --> 00:15:57,200 Speaker 2: how high my emotions go, if I have this unrest, 292 00:15:57,520 --> 00:16:00,280 Speaker 2: I don't want it. It may be good, but it's 293 00:16:00,320 --> 00:16:02,360 Speaker 2: not good for me, and I want to stay in 294 00:16:02,480 --> 00:16:06,120 Speaker 2: God's best plan for my life. God is trying to 295 00:16:06,280 --> 00:16:09,800 Speaker 2: lead us, He wants to guide us. But my question 296 00:16:09,960 --> 00:16:13,280 Speaker 2: to U is today are we listening? Are we paying 297 00:16:13,320 --> 00:16:17,240 Speaker 2: attention to the still small voice? Or have we let 298 00:16:17,280 --> 00:16:21,520 Speaker 2: our desires consume us. Now we're making emotional decisions and 299 00:16:21,920 --> 00:16:25,160 Speaker 2: trying to make things happen in our own strength. We 300 00:16:25,320 --> 00:16:29,040 Speaker 2: have to understand God will give us the grace to 301 00:16:29,160 --> 00:16:31,960 Speaker 2: do what He's called us to do. He will not 302 00:16:32,320 --> 00:16:35,280 Speaker 2: necessarily give us the grace to do things that we 303 00:16:35,400 --> 00:16:38,920 Speaker 2: start in our own strength. That's when it's a constant struggle. 304 00:16:39,560 --> 00:16:42,320 Speaker 2: And if we can just learn to be disciplined to 305 00:16:42,480 --> 00:16:45,480 Speaker 2: not go against what we're feeling down in here, I 306 00:16:45,640 --> 00:16:50,440 Speaker 2: know God will keep us from making mistakes. Looking back now, 307 00:16:50,680 --> 00:16:54,560 Speaker 2: I can see how many warnings I ignored. God tried 308 00:16:54,680 --> 00:16:57,560 Speaker 2: time and time again to get my attention. He tried 309 00:16:57,680 --> 00:17:00,720 Speaker 2: speaking to me through other people. You know what, I 310 00:17:00,880 --> 00:17:03,640 Speaker 2: was too hard headed. I was set on having it 311 00:17:03,800 --> 00:17:08,000 Speaker 2: my way. That always gets us into trouble. God wants 312 00:17:08,080 --> 00:17:11,080 Speaker 2: to lead us, but he's not gonna drag us. He's 313 00:17:11,119 --> 00:17:13,680 Speaker 2: not going to force us to do what's right. You 314 00:17:13,760 --> 00:17:16,760 Speaker 2: know what I pray every day now, God, open up 315 00:17:16,800 --> 00:17:20,960 Speaker 2: the right doors and close the wrong doors. I found 316 00:17:21,280 --> 00:17:25,760 Speaker 2: it's just as important to discern is this opportunity good 317 00:17:25,840 --> 00:17:29,879 Speaker 2: for me or is this just another distraction that's going 318 00:17:29,960 --> 00:17:33,120 Speaker 2: to keep me off of God's best plan, and sometimes 319 00:17:33,160 --> 00:17:36,000 Speaker 2: you know, we think we can't turn an opportunity down. Joel, 320 00:17:36,119 --> 00:17:40,320 Speaker 2: She's just so beautiful, He's so handsome. But know this, 321 00:17:40,920 --> 00:17:44,439 Speaker 2: if you have an unrest, that simply means God has 322 00:17:44,520 --> 00:17:47,600 Speaker 2: something better in store for you. I tried to make 323 00:17:47,680 --> 00:17:50,120 Speaker 2: that other plan work out. I thought that's what I'd 324 00:17:50,200 --> 00:17:53,080 Speaker 2: be doing the rest of my life. I never dreamed 325 00:17:53,119 --> 00:17:56,080 Speaker 2: I would be doing this. But God can see the 326 00:17:56,200 --> 00:17:59,639 Speaker 2: big picture. His dream for our life is so much 327 00:17:59,680 --> 00:18:03,960 Speaker 2: bigger than our own. Learn to trust him. Get in 328 00:18:04,000 --> 00:18:06,320 Speaker 2: a habit of saying, God, do you want me to 329 00:18:06,400 --> 00:18:08,440 Speaker 2: go forward? Is this something you want me to do? 330 00:18:09,240 --> 00:18:12,120 Speaker 2: And then pay attention to what you're feeling down in here. 331 00:18:12,840 --> 00:18:15,639 Speaker 2: Many times you'll have a green light, you'll feel peace 332 00:18:15,880 --> 00:18:17,800 Speaker 2: that means go for it and give it your all. 333 00:18:18,720 --> 00:18:21,600 Speaker 2: But some of you today you're letting your dreams and 334 00:18:21,720 --> 00:18:24,800 Speaker 2: desires frustrate you. You need to just turn that over 335 00:18:24,880 --> 00:18:28,040 Speaker 2: to God. Know that at the right time, He's going 336 00:18:28,119 --> 00:18:30,840 Speaker 2: to give you the desires of your heart. But don't 337 00:18:30,880 --> 00:18:33,000 Speaker 2: do like I did and get in a hurry and 338 00:18:33,119 --> 00:18:36,600 Speaker 2: try to convince yourself and everybody else that's right when 339 00:18:36,680 --> 00:18:40,000 Speaker 2: you know deep down in here it's not. Don't override 340 00:18:40,080 --> 00:18:43,520 Speaker 2: those warnings. Many times it's simply not the right time. 341 00:18:44,640 --> 00:18:48,200 Speaker 2: I remember about five years ago, I had a strong 342 00:18:48,359 --> 00:18:51,800 Speaker 2: desire to write a book. I hadn't told anybody about it. 343 00:18:52,080 --> 00:18:54,720 Speaker 2: I just kept it to myself. But I knew that 344 00:18:54,920 --> 00:18:57,800 Speaker 2: was a dream that God put on the inside. But 345 00:18:57,880 --> 00:19:00,000 Speaker 2: it seemed like every time I tried to move forward, 346 00:19:00,400 --> 00:19:03,560 Speaker 2: I didn't have peace about it. Month after month went by, 347 00:19:03,680 --> 00:19:06,879 Speaker 2: even year after year, I just kept it on the inside. 348 00:19:07,240 --> 00:19:10,280 Speaker 2: The desire was strong, but I'd learned by that point 349 00:19:10,480 --> 00:19:13,240 Speaker 2: to wait for God's perfect timing. And over the next 350 00:19:13,320 --> 00:19:16,760 Speaker 2: couple of years, several publishers came by, and in the 351 00:19:16,880 --> 00:19:20,080 Speaker 2: natural it seemed like they had real good opportunities. But again, 352 00:19:20,200 --> 00:19:22,359 Speaker 2: for some reason down in here, I didn't have peace 353 00:19:22,400 --> 00:19:25,040 Speaker 2: about it. And in my own reasoning, I thought, God, 354 00:19:25,600 --> 00:19:29,280 Speaker 2: I've got this desire, You're bringing good people across my path. 355 00:19:29,600 --> 00:19:31,720 Speaker 2: Why do I have this unrest? Why do I feel 356 00:19:31,800 --> 00:19:35,000 Speaker 2: like I can't move forward? And at times I tried 357 00:19:35,040 --> 00:19:36,680 Speaker 2: to talk myself into it. I thought, well, you know what, 358 00:19:36,880 --> 00:19:40,199 Speaker 2: I'm probably just being overly cautious. I'm just kind of nervous, 359 00:19:40,240 --> 00:19:43,080 Speaker 2: probably because I've never done one before. But still, when 360 00:19:43,119 --> 00:19:45,800 Speaker 2: I searched my heart. I knew it wasn't right. Well, 361 00:19:45,840 --> 00:19:47,680 Speaker 2: one day, a couple of years later, I was in 362 00:19:47,800 --> 00:19:50,520 Speaker 2: another city and I ran into an old friend of mine. 363 00:19:51,200 --> 00:19:52,760 Speaker 2: He mentioned that he was going to run up to 364 00:19:52,880 --> 00:19:55,639 Speaker 2: a conference the next day, and he asked me if 365 00:19:55,680 --> 00:19:57,840 Speaker 2: I would ride with him, and I went with him, 366 00:19:57,920 --> 00:20:00,240 Speaker 2: just to visit and catch up on old time. I 367 00:20:00,359 --> 00:20:02,320 Speaker 2: wasn't even planning on going in. He's just going to 368 00:20:02,359 --> 00:20:04,520 Speaker 2: pick up something. But when we got there, he said, 369 00:20:04,520 --> 00:20:06,080 Speaker 2: oh yeah, Joe, come in with me. She's going to 370 00:20:06,119 --> 00:20:09,160 Speaker 2: take me ten or fifteen minutes. And it was at 371 00:20:09,240 --> 00:20:12,120 Speaker 2: that place that I met a man that was very 372 00:20:12,240 --> 00:20:15,840 Speaker 2: knowledgeable in the book industry, and I really liked him. 373 00:20:16,119 --> 00:20:18,520 Speaker 2: Didn't talk to him five minutes, but I had a 374 00:20:18,640 --> 00:20:21,520 Speaker 2: complete piece. I knew he was the man and these 375 00:20:21,600 --> 00:20:24,160 Speaker 2: were the people to go with. A few months later, 376 00:20:24,320 --> 00:20:27,760 Speaker 2: I had a contract on my desk. Things started falling 377 00:20:27,880 --> 00:20:30,720 Speaker 2: into place. I didn't have to make it happen. I 378 00:20:30,800 --> 00:20:34,159 Speaker 2: didn't have to struggle. God gave me the desires of 379 00:20:34,280 --> 00:20:37,320 Speaker 2: my heart. And I know, if you'll be patient and 380 00:20:37,400 --> 00:20:39,960 Speaker 2: wait for God's timing, He'll do the same thing for 381 00:20:40,080 --> 00:20:43,600 Speaker 2: each one of you. You know, I never dreamed my 382 00:20:43,680 --> 00:20:46,359 Speaker 2: book would sell like it did. They said, if we 383 00:20:46,440 --> 00:20:48,679 Speaker 2: sold thirty or forty thousand copies, we would have hit 384 00:20:48,720 --> 00:20:50,960 Speaker 2: a home run. Do you know today there are over 385 00:20:51,119 --> 00:20:54,280 Speaker 2: four million copies in print and it continues to sell. 386 00:20:56,080 --> 00:20:58,440 Speaker 2: And I don't say that bragging on me. The point 387 00:20:58,480 --> 00:21:02,200 Speaker 2: I'm making is Godd's dream for your life is so 388 00:21:02,359 --> 00:21:04,800 Speaker 2: much bigger than your own. He wants to get you 389 00:21:04,960 --> 00:21:09,840 Speaker 2: into his best path. Be patient, ask for his guidance, 390 00:21:10,280 --> 00:21:13,320 Speaker 2: and then listen to what he's saying to you. Every 391 00:21:13,400 --> 00:21:16,880 Speaker 2: one of you can hear from God. It's not some big, 392 00:21:17,080 --> 00:21:20,879 Speaker 2: super spiritual thing. Just pay attention to what you're feeling 393 00:21:20,960 --> 00:21:24,560 Speaker 2: down in here. Somebody says something to you that jumps 394 00:21:24,600 --> 00:21:28,520 Speaker 2: out at you, gives your wisdom, gives you insight. Don't think, Wow, 395 00:21:28,600 --> 00:21:30,920 Speaker 2: isn't that funny? I was just thinking about that. No, 396 00:21:31,280 --> 00:21:34,520 Speaker 2: that's God talking to you. God speaks to us through 397 00:21:34,600 --> 00:21:37,280 Speaker 2: other people. How many times have people come up to 398 00:21:37,359 --> 00:21:39,879 Speaker 2: me after the service and said, Joel, you must have 399 00:21:39,960 --> 00:21:42,159 Speaker 2: read my mail this week. You must have been in 400 00:21:42,240 --> 00:21:45,040 Speaker 2: our living room. That's exactly what we needed to hear. Well, 401 00:21:45,200 --> 00:21:48,280 Speaker 2: that was God talking to you. I've had people come 402 00:21:48,359 --> 00:21:50,120 Speaker 2: up and say, Jeel, I really like when you said 403 00:21:50,160 --> 00:21:52,680 Speaker 2: this and this, that really helped me. And I'm thinking 404 00:21:52,760 --> 00:21:56,040 Speaker 2: to myself, I never even said that, but God caused 405 00:21:56,119 --> 00:22:01,080 Speaker 2: them to hear that. And if you'll stay open, if 406 00:22:01,119 --> 00:22:05,639 Speaker 2: you'll stay open to God's wisdom, He'll make sure you 407 00:22:05,880 --> 00:22:09,119 Speaker 2: hear exactly what you need to hear. It's like this 408 00:22:09,280 --> 00:22:11,880 Speaker 2: friend of mine, he was going through a very dark 409 00:22:11,960 --> 00:22:14,560 Speaker 2: time in his life. He was down and discouraged, and 410 00:22:14,800 --> 00:22:17,639 Speaker 2: he didn't think it would ever end. And one morning 411 00:22:17,720 --> 00:22:19,840 Speaker 2: early he was praying, he just said, God, you gotta 412 00:22:19,960 --> 00:22:22,600 Speaker 2: speak to me. I need some encouragement. He went over 413 00:22:22,640 --> 00:22:24,280 Speaker 2: and opened up his Bible and flipped to it and 414 00:22:24,359 --> 00:22:27,119 Speaker 2: just pointed to a scripture. First thing he read was 415 00:22:27,560 --> 00:22:31,320 Speaker 2: and it came to pass. That just jumped out at him. 416 00:22:31,640 --> 00:22:34,399 Speaker 2: It wasn't even in the right context. The scripture was 417 00:22:34,440 --> 00:22:36,480 Speaker 2: about to tell a story, and it came to pass, 418 00:22:36,560 --> 00:22:40,080 Speaker 2: so and so happened. Yet God illuminated that one little phrase, 419 00:22:40,520 --> 00:22:43,000 Speaker 2: and he knew right then and there that that situation 420 00:22:43,240 --> 00:22:45,800 Speaker 2: was not going to last forever. It had come to pass. 421 00:22:46,520 --> 00:22:48,280 Speaker 2: And no doubt, every one of us we've probably done 422 00:22:48,320 --> 00:22:50,520 Speaker 2: the same thing. We've opened it up, put our finger there, 423 00:22:50,600 --> 00:22:53,119 Speaker 2: and God spoken a word to us. Of course, that 424 00:22:53,240 --> 00:22:56,320 Speaker 2: doesn't happen every time. This one man told how he 425 00:22:56,480 --> 00:22:58,280 Speaker 2: was really down, and he flipped in his Bible and 426 00:22:58,359 --> 00:23:00,959 Speaker 2: he pointed in the first thing he read, and Judas 427 00:23:01,080 --> 00:23:05,679 Speaker 2: went out and hanged himself. He got real, real nervous, 428 00:23:05,680 --> 00:23:07,560 Speaker 2: and he flipped to another passage and he pointed, and 429 00:23:07,680 --> 00:23:13,760 Speaker 2: it said, go and do thou. Likewise may not always work, 430 00:23:15,320 --> 00:23:19,680 Speaker 2: but the Scripture says in Proverbs, if we will acknowledge God, 431 00:23:20,359 --> 00:23:23,280 Speaker 2: he will guide and direct our steps. When you have 432 00:23:23,359 --> 00:23:26,560 Speaker 2: a decision to make and you take time to get quiet, 433 00:23:27,359 --> 00:23:29,520 Speaker 2: you listen to the still small voice. You ask for 434 00:23:29,600 --> 00:23:32,760 Speaker 2: God's wisdom. You know what you're doing. You're acknowledging God. 435 00:23:33,280 --> 00:23:35,760 Speaker 2: When you do that, God has promised to guide you. 436 00:23:36,200 --> 00:23:39,560 Speaker 2: He's promised to even keep you from making major mistakes. 437 00:23:40,400 --> 00:23:43,760 Speaker 2: One time in the Old Testament, Abraham and his family 438 00:23:43,840 --> 00:23:47,359 Speaker 2: were moving to another city, and Abraham's wife, Sarah, was 439 00:23:47,400 --> 00:23:51,159 Speaker 2: a very beautiful woman, and Abraham thought that the people 440 00:23:51,760 --> 00:23:54,359 Speaker 2: may try to kill him to have his wife, so 441 00:23:54,520 --> 00:23:58,119 Speaker 2: he told everybody that Sarah was his sister instead of 442 00:23:58,200 --> 00:24:01,480 Speaker 2: his wife. And when the king saw how beautiful Sarah was, 443 00:24:01,960 --> 00:24:05,560 Speaker 2: he took her into his Harem. One night in a dream, 444 00:24:05,720 --> 00:24:08,560 Speaker 2: God said to this king, how dare you have a 445 00:24:08,640 --> 00:24:11,399 Speaker 2: married woman in here? And the king said, God, what 446 00:24:11,440 --> 00:24:14,040 Speaker 2: are you talking about? I would never do that. And 447 00:24:14,160 --> 00:24:18,880 Speaker 2: God revealed how Sarah was really Abraham's wife. Then God 448 00:24:19,000 --> 00:24:23,280 Speaker 2: said something very interesting to this king. He said, because 449 00:24:23,520 --> 00:24:26,720 Speaker 2: of the integrity of your heart, I have kept you 450 00:24:26,840 --> 00:24:31,119 Speaker 2: from touching her. In other words, because your heart was pure, 451 00:24:31,720 --> 00:24:35,000 Speaker 2: because you were trying to please me. I have kept 452 00:24:35,080 --> 00:24:39,200 Speaker 2: you from making a major mistake. That's the key. If 453 00:24:39,240 --> 00:24:42,240 Speaker 2: we can keep our heart pure, if you will do 454 00:24:42,400 --> 00:24:46,879 Speaker 2: your best to do what's right, even when we make mistakes, 455 00:24:47,000 --> 00:24:49,960 Speaker 2: even when we miss it, and we all do, because 456 00:24:50,160 --> 00:24:52,840 Speaker 2: of the integrity of your heart, God will keep it 457 00:24:52,920 --> 00:24:56,160 Speaker 2: from harming you. He'll keep it from doing lasting damage. 458 00:24:57,000 --> 00:24:59,160 Speaker 2: I know that's what happened. When we tried to buy 459 00:24:59,200 --> 00:25:02,040 Speaker 2: that property to build a new sanctuary on I found 460 00:25:02,080 --> 00:25:05,159 Speaker 2: this big peace of land. I felt peace about it. 461 00:25:05,800 --> 00:25:08,640 Speaker 2: I thought I was doing the right thing. But God 462 00:25:08,720 --> 00:25:11,240 Speaker 2: knew that wasn't his best. He knew this place was 463 00:25:11,280 --> 00:25:15,240 Speaker 2: coming available, and rather than allowing the deal to go through, 464 00:25:16,000 --> 00:25:18,439 Speaker 2: rather than allowing us to buy it and have our 465 00:25:18,520 --> 00:25:20,159 Speaker 2: money tied up, now we've got to go try to 466 00:25:20,200 --> 00:25:22,439 Speaker 2: sell it so we can get this place. I believe 467 00:25:22,600 --> 00:25:25,720 Speaker 2: because of the integrity of our heart, God closed that door. 468 00:25:26,359 --> 00:25:29,920 Speaker 2: He kept that from happening. Sometimes we don't know what 469 00:25:30,080 --> 00:25:32,920 Speaker 2: the best thing is. We think we're making the right decision. 470 00:25:33,440 --> 00:25:36,800 Speaker 2: We have good intentions, But God loves us too much 471 00:25:37,320 --> 00:25:39,680 Speaker 2: to allow us to have our way. If we'll keep 472 00:25:39,720 --> 00:25:43,560 Speaker 2: our heart pure, he'll keep us from making a mistake. Now, 473 00:25:43,720 --> 00:25:46,000 Speaker 2: every time I'm about to take a step of faith, 474 00:25:46,440 --> 00:25:50,320 Speaker 2: make a major decision, I'll say, God, I believe, to 475 00:25:50,400 --> 00:25:52,480 Speaker 2: the best of my ability, I'm doing what you want 476 00:25:52,520 --> 00:25:54,800 Speaker 2: me to do. God, I believe this is your will. 477 00:25:55,200 --> 00:25:58,000 Speaker 2: So I'm asking you God, because of the integrity of 478 00:25:58,040 --> 00:26:01,800 Speaker 2: my heart, keep me from making mistake. That takes all 479 00:26:01,880 --> 00:26:05,280 Speaker 2: the pressure off of me. Now I can relax. See, 480 00:26:05,359 --> 00:26:08,560 Speaker 2: we're not supposed to go around worried, wondering if we 481 00:26:08,680 --> 00:26:13,240 Speaker 2: made the right decision, beating ourselves up when something went wrong. Now, 482 00:26:13,280 --> 00:26:15,600 Speaker 2: if you had peace about it and you took a 483 00:26:15,640 --> 00:26:18,360 Speaker 2: step of faith and it didn't work out, well, God 484 00:26:18,520 --> 00:26:22,439 Speaker 2: knows what's best. Don't condemn yourself, and don't go around 485 00:26:22,760 --> 00:26:26,359 Speaker 2: second guess in yourself. I hear too many people saying, well, Joel. 486 00:26:26,680 --> 00:26:29,240 Speaker 2: Maybe I just shouldn't have taken this job, maybe I 487 00:26:29,359 --> 00:26:31,800 Speaker 2: missed it. Maybe I shouldn't have married this person. Maybe 488 00:26:31,800 --> 00:26:34,040 Speaker 2: I shouldn't have gone back to school. Now, once you 489 00:26:34,160 --> 00:26:37,240 Speaker 2: make a decision, you need to move forward, it says 490 00:26:37,320 --> 00:26:41,160 Speaker 2: in James. A double minded person is unstable in all 491 00:26:41,200 --> 00:26:45,639 Speaker 2: their ways. If you're always second guessing yourself, beating yourself 492 00:26:45,720 --> 00:26:48,280 Speaker 2: up because something didn't work out, that's going to affect 493 00:26:48,320 --> 00:26:50,879 Speaker 2: you in every area of your life. When you have 494 00:26:51,000 --> 00:26:54,040 Speaker 2: a decision to make, just do your best. Search your heart, 495 00:26:54,640 --> 00:26:56,720 Speaker 2: make sure it lines up with God's word, ask for 496 00:26:56,800 --> 00:26:58,920 Speaker 2: godly counsel if you need it, and then if you 497 00:26:59,000 --> 00:27:01,679 Speaker 2: still feel good about it, move forward and don't ever 498 00:27:01,760 --> 00:27:04,159 Speaker 2: look back. Even if it doesn't work out. Don't go 499 00:27:04,280 --> 00:27:09,320 Speaker 2: around condemn yourself. God is a god of hearts because 500 00:27:09,400 --> 00:27:11,639 Speaker 2: you did it with the right heart. Even when you 501 00:27:11,760 --> 00:27:14,520 Speaker 2: miss it, God is so good he'll still turn it 502 00:27:14,560 --> 00:27:17,320 Speaker 2: around and use it to your advantage. Now, I don't know, 503 00:27:18,440 --> 00:27:21,639 Speaker 2: I don't know any person that makes good decisions one 504 00:27:21,720 --> 00:27:25,240 Speaker 2: hundred percent of the time. When we make mistakes, we 505 00:27:25,320 --> 00:27:27,800 Speaker 2: can learn from them, we can grow in our character, 506 00:27:28,119 --> 00:27:30,960 Speaker 2: but we should not condemn ourselves. Let it go and 507 00:27:31,080 --> 00:27:34,320 Speaker 2: do better next time. Friends, you can make good choices. 508 00:27:34,800 --> 00:27:37,760 Speaker 2: Let God guide you throughout life. Listen to what he's 509 00:27:37,800 --> 00:27:40,440 Speaker 2: saying to you. Pay attention to what you're feeling down 510 00:27:40,520 --> 00:27:43,639 Speaker 2: in here. Take time every day, especially when you have 511 00:27:43,720 --> 00:27:47,560 Speaker 2: to make decisions, to get quiet before God and learn 512 00:27:47,640 --> 00:27:51,080 Speaker 2: not to let people pressure you. Don't make emotional decisions, 513 00:27:51,600 --> 00:27:54,520 Speaker 2: and don't let your dreams consume you to where you 514 00:27:54,600 --> 00:27:57,560 Speaker 2: can't be happy unless they come to pass. Let God 515 00:27:57,720 --> 00:28:00,639 Speaker 2: give you the desires of your heart. I know this. 516 00:28:00,880 --> 00:28:04,399 Speaker 2: If you'll acknowledge God before you make decisions, God has 517 00:28:04,440 --> 00:28:07,040 Speaker 2: promised he'll not only give you wisdom, He'll not only 518 00:28:07,119 --> 00:28:09,320 Speaker 2: help you find the right choice, but it'll lead you 519 00:28:09,640 --> 00:28:11,760 Speaker 2: down the best path. And I know you'll live the 520 00:28:11,800 --> 00:28:14,480 Speaker 2: life of victory. God has in story. Amen, do you 521 00:28:14,560 --> 00:28:18,239 Speaker 2: receive it today? Or We never like to close our 522 00:28:18,280 --> 00:28:21,680 Speaker 2: broadcast without giving you an opportunity to make Jesus the 523 00:28:21,760 --> 00:28:26,000 Speaker 2: lord of your life. Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus, 524 00:28:27,080 --> 00:28:31,720 Speaker 2: I repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I 525 00:28:31,920 --> 00:28:35,720 Speaker 2: make you my Lord and savior. Well, if you prayed 526 00:28:35,760 --> 00:28:38,800 Speaker 2: that simple prayer, we believe you got born again. Get 527 00:28:38,840 --> 00:28:41,920 Speaker 2: in a good Bible based church and keep God first place. 528 00:28:42,280 --> 00:28:44,680 Speaker 2: He's going to take your places that you've never dreamed of. 529 00:28:45,000 --> 00:28:47,800 Speaker 2: Thank you for listening to the Joel O's Den podcast. 530 00:28:48,200 --> 00:28:50,760 Speaker 4: Help us continue to share the message of hope with 531 00:28:50,920 --> 00:28:54,120 Speaker 4: those all over the world. Visit jolos Dean dot com 532 00:28:54,440 --> 00:28:56,960 Speaker 4: slash give Hope to give a gift today. 533 00:28:58,280 --> 00:29:01,160 Speaker 2: Thanks so much for listening to today's message. I hope 534 00:29:01,200 --> 00:29:04,520 Speaker 2: you'll subscribe so you can receive the latest podcast to 535 00:29:04,640 --> 00:29:07,840 Speaker 2: keep you inspired all through the week. We're praying for you. 536 00:29:08,040 --> 00:29:10,440 Speaker 2: I know God's best is still ahead. 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