1 00:00:01,440 --> 00:00:04,360 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Jorlan Victorium. Thanks so much for listening 2 00:00:04,360 --> 00:00:07,960 Speaker 1: to the podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. We 3 00:00:08,039 --> 00:00:11,920 Speaker 1: believe you're going to have an awesome twenty twenty four, healthy, productive, 4 00:00:12,080 --> 00:00:16,200 Speaker 1: and favor filled. God bless you today and enjoy the message. Well, 5 00:00:16,239 --> 00:00:19,239 Speaker 1: God bless you. It is always our joy to coming 6 00:00:19,280 --> 00:00:21,480 Speaker 1: to your homes. We may not know you by name, 7 00:00:21,640 --> 00:00:24,119 Speaker 1: but we believe you're a part of our extended family. 8 00:00:24,480 --> 00:00:26,200 Speaker 1: We're believing that this is going to be the best 9 00:00:26,239 --> 00:00:28,720 Speaker 1: year of your life. I know that God rewards the 10 00:00:28,720 --> 00:00:30,920 Speaker 1: people that seek after him, and that's you, or you 11 00:00:30,920 --> 00:00:33,520 Speaker 1: wouldn't be watching today. And if you're ever in our area, 12 00:00:33,720 --> 00:00:35,800 Speaker 1: you got to stop by and see it. We'd love 13 00:00:35,840 --> 00:00:37,760 Speaker 1: to have you be a part of one of our services. 14 00:00:37,960 --> 00:00:40,120 Speaker 1: I tell you often, these are the finest people in 15 00:00:40,159 --> 00:00:42,040 Speaker 1: all of Houston, right here at La Quist, So come 16 00:00:42,040 --> 00:00:45,839 Speaker 1: out and see us. Sometimes. I like to get started 17 00:00:45,880 --> 00:00:48,320 Speaker 1: each week with something kind of funny. And one day 18 00:00:48,360 --> 00:00:50,920 Speaker 1: Adam was talking to God and he said, God, why 19 00:00:50,960 --> 00:00:54,120 Speaker 1: did you make Eve so beautiful? God said, so you 20 00:00:54,160 --> 00:00:56,360 Speaker 1: would love her. He said, why'd you give her such 21 00:00:56,440 --> 00:00:59,800 Speaker 1: long flowing hair? Same thing, so you would love her? 22 00:01:00,160 --> 00:01:02,400 Speaker 1: Why did you give her such a great figure, said 23 00:01:02,440 --> 00:01:05,120 Speaker 1: it again, so you would love her. He said, all right, God, 24 00:01:05,120 --> 00:01:07,559 Speaker 1: tell me this. You made her so beautiful, so attractive. 25 00:01:07,760 --> 00:01:11,920 Speaker 1: Why did you make her so dumb? God said, that's easy, Adam, 26 00:01:11,959 --> 00:01:17,840 Speaker 1: so she would love you. All right. Hold of your bibles. 27 00:01:18,319 --> 00:01:21,120 Speaker 1: Say it like you mean it. This is my Bible. 28 00:01:21,600 --> 00:01:22,600 Speaker 1: I am what it says. 29 00:01:22,640 --> 00:01:22,960 Speaker 2: I am. 30 00:01:23,600 --> 00:01:26,200 Speaker 1: I have what it says I have. I can do 31 00:01:26,280 --> 00:01:28,920 Speaker 1: what it says I can do. Today I will be 32 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:33,240 Speaker 1: taught the Word of God. I boldly confess. My mind 33 00:01:33,360 --> 00:01:37,039 Speaker 1: is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never be 34 00:01:37,160 --> 00:01:42,520 Speaker 1: the same. I am about to receive the incorruptible, indestructible, 35 00:01:42,920 --> 00:01:46,560 Speaker 1: ever living seed of the Word of God. I will 36 00:01:46,600 --> 00:01:50,480 Speaker 1: never be the same. Never, never, never, I'll never be 37 00:01:50,600 --> 00:01:55,440 Speaker 1: the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. I want 38 00:01:55,480 --> 00:01:58,040 Speaker 1: to talk to you today about not getting stuck in 39 00:01:58,120 --> 00:02:01,280 Speaker 1: a rut and becoming all all that God's created you 40 00:02:01,320 --> 00:02:04,400 Speaker 1: to be. God has a great plan for each of 41 00:02:04,440 --> 00:02:08,040 Speaker 1: our lives, and his dream is that we continually be 42 00:02:08,240 --> 00:02:11,720 Speaker 1: rising to new levels. But how high we go in 43 00:02:11,800 --> 00:02:15,040 Speaker 1: life and how much of God's favor and blessings we 44 00:02:15,120 --> 00:02:19,799 Speaker 1: experience will be directly related to how obedient we are. 45 00:02:20,680 --> 00:02:22,760 Speaker 1: And one of the ways that God leads us is 46 00:02:22,800 --> 00:02:26,560 Speaker 1: through our conscience right down in here. All of a sudden, 47 00:02:26,840 --> 00:02:30,880 Speaker 1: you feel a prompting, a suggestion. You know you should 48 00:02:30,880 --> 00:02:34,280 Speaker 1: do something, or maybe you're about to make a decision. 49 00:02:34,840 --> 00:02:37,560 Speaker 1: An alarm goes off on the inside, you feel an 50 00:02:37,639 --> 00:02:42,639 Speaker 1: unrest and uneasiness. Something says, hey, hold off, don't do that. 51 00:02:41,680 --> 00:02:46,119 Speaker 1: That's God talking to us. He's trying to lead us 52 00:02:46,200 --> 00:02:48,960 Speaker 1: and guide us, and it's up to each one of 53 00:02:49,040 --> 00:02:52,200 Speaker 1: us to be quick to obey and not ignore that 54 00:02:52,320 --> 00:02:55,120 Speaker 1: still small voice. God's trying to keep us on the 55 00:02:55,160 --> 00:02:58,720 Speaker 1: best path. And throughout life, God will deal with us 56 00:02:59,360 --> 00:03:02,280 Speaker 1: and bring cares to light that we need to improve in. 57 00:03:02,960 --> 00:03:05,440 Speaker 1: He knows the things that are holding us back. He 58 00:03:05,560 --> 00:03:08,639 Speaker 1: knows our faults, our weaknesses, the things that we keep 59 00:03:08,639 --> 00:03:11,560 Speaker 1: sweeping under the rug, and He will bring these things 60 00:03:11,600 --> 00:03:15,160 Speaker 1: to our attention. And if we're going to continue to increase, 61 00:03:15,639 --> 00:03:18,040 Speaker 1: we have to be willing to face the truth about 62 00:03:18,040 --> 00:03:21,519 Speaker 1: ourselves and deal with these things. A lot of people 63 00:03:21,520 --> 00:03:25,000 Speaker 1: don't realize the reason they're stuck, the reason they can't 64 00:03:25,000 --> 00:03:28,079 Speaker 1: break out of that rut in their marriage, their finance, 65 00:03:28,120 --> 00:03:31,680 Speaker 1: is their career, it's because they're not dealing with the 66 00:03:31,720 --> 00:03:36,120 Speaker 1: issues that God keeps bringing up, things like a bad attitude, 67 00:03:36,280 --> 00:03:40,520 Speaker 1: how they treat people, the friends they choose, what they watch, 68 00:03:40,880 --> 00:03:44,200 Speaker 1: the unforgiveness in their heart, they just sweep it under 69 00:03:44,200 --> 00:03:47,560 Speaker 1: the rug and go against their conscience. They ignore the 70 00:03:47,720 --> 00:03:51,360 Speaker 1: still small voice, and that's keeping them right where they are. 71 00:03:51,800 --> 00:03:54,240 Speaker 1: And sometimes we think, well, Joel, it's hard. I know 72 00:03:54,360 --> 00:03:57,560 Speaker 1: I should forgive, but they hurt me so badly. Or 73 00:03:57,600 --> 00:03:59,280 Speaker 1: I know I need to get in shape, but I 74 00:03:59,280 --> 00:04:01,560 Speaker 1: don't really have the time. I know I need to 75 00:04:01,640 --> 00:04:05,000 Speaker 1: quit working so much, but I need the extra money now. 76 00:04:05,000 --> 00:04:08,840 Speaker 1: If we could just understand, everything God tells us is 77 00:04:08,880 --> 00:04:12,440 Speaker 1: for our good. God is never trying to hold us back. 78 00:04:12,760 --> 00:04:16,200 Speaker 1: He's never trying to make our lives more difficult. He's 79 00:04:16,240 --> 00:04:19,359 Speaker 1: trying to release more of his favor. He's trying to 80 00:04:19,400 --> 00:04:22,839 Speaker 1: release more of his blessings. And I'm asking us today 81 00:04:23,320 --> 00:04:26,839 Speaker 1: to look inside. Are there things in your life that 82 00:04:26,920 --> 00:04:29,880 Speaker 1: God's been dealing with you about that you keep putting off? 83 00:04:30,279 --> 00:04:34,960 Speaker 1: You keep ignoring, getting your finances in order, being less judgmental, 84 00:04:35,560 --> 00:04:39,040 Speaker 1: keeping strife out of the home, making peace with somebody, 85 00:04:39,600 --> 00:04:42,400 Speaker 1: Search your heart and pay attention to what God is 86 00:04:42,400 --> 00:04:45,120 Speaker 1: saying to you. Some of you. God's been dealing with 87 00:04:45,200 --> 00:04:48,720 Speaker 1: you for years about your friends, the people you're choosing 88 00:04:48,760 --> 00:04:51,680 Speaker 1: to hang around. You know they're not a good influence, 89 00:04:52,000 --> 00:04:56,159 Speaker 1: you know they're pulling you down, but you keep making excuses. Joel, 90 00:04:56,200 --> 00:04:58,520 Speaker 1: I don't want to hurt their feelings. If I don't 91 00:04:58,520 --> 00:05:01,280 Speaker 1: hang around them, I made lonely. I may not have 92 00:05:01,320 --> 00:05:05,080 Speaker 1: any friends. But the fact is, if you'll make the 93 00:05:05,160 --> 00:05:07,640 Speaker 1: right changes and do what you feel good about down 94 00:05:07,680 --> 00:05:11,200 Speaker 1: in here, God will give you new friends. Not only that, 95 00:05:11,520 --> 00:05:14,440 Speaker 1: he'll give you better friends, people that pull you up 96 00:05:14,520 --> 00:05:17,960 Speaker 1: and don't drag you down. And yes, we may go 97 00:05:18,080 --> 00:05:21,000 Speaker 1: through a season of being lonely, but I'd rather be 98 00:05:21,080 --> 00:05:24,120 Speaker 1: lonely for a little while knowing that I'm rising higher, 99 00:05:24,400 --> 00:05:27,320 Speaker 1: knowing that I'm going to fulfill my destiny. I'd rather 100 00:05:27,360 --> 00:05:30,320 Speaker 1: do that than let people pollute me and keep me 101 00:05:30,360 --> 00:05:33,719 Speaker 1: from being all God's created me to be. Any time 102 00:05:33,760 --> 00:05:37,080 Speaker 1: you obey, there is a blessing that will follow. Every 103 00:05:37,120 --> 00:05:40,280 Speaker 1: time you're obedient, you're sowing a seed to come up higher. 104 00:05:40,920 --> 00:05:44,160 Speaker 1: It may not happen overnight, but at some point, in 105 00:05:44,200 --> 00:05:47,080 Speaker 1: some way, shape or form, you will see God's goodness 106 00:05:47,080 --> 00:05:50,080 Speaker 1: in a greater way. And I wonder how many people 107 00:05:50,160 --> 00:05:54,799 Speaker 1: today are stuck somewhere in life simply because they're still 108 00:05:54,839 --> 00:05:57,760 Speaker 1: hanging around with people that they know years ago they 109 00:05:57,760 --> 00:06:00,480 Speaker 1: should have gotten away from at the office, sitting at 110 00:06:00,520 --> 00:06:04,919 Speaker 1: lunch every day with people that gossip, criticize, talk about people, 111 00:06:05,000 --> 00:06:07,719 Speaker 1: bad mouth the company. When Joel I can help. If 112 00:06:07,720 --> 00:06:10,440 Speaker 1: they're in the lunch room, yes, you can go find 113 00:06:10,480 --> 00:06:13,640 Speaker 1: somewhere else to eat lunch. Don't allow them to poison you. 114 00:06:14,400 --> 00:06:17,560 Speaker 1: Do you know, if you hang around negative and critical 115 00:06:17,600 --> 00:06:21,520 Speaker 1: people before long, most likely you will become negative and critical. 116 00:06:21,960 --> 00:06:25,279 Speaker 1: If you hang around jealous fault finding people, I'm telling 117 00:06:25,279 --> 00:06:27,760 Speaker 1: you that old jealous fault finding spirit is going to 118 00:06:27,800 --> 00:06:30,520 Speaker 1: rub off on you. You want to know what you're 119 00:06:30,520 --> 00:06:32,279 Speaker 1: going to be like in the future, just take a 120 00:06:32,279 --> 00:06:35,960 Speaker 1: look at your friends. Says in Proverbs, if you walk 121 00:06:36,000 --> 00:06:39,640 Speaker 1: with wise men, you will become wise. In other words, 122 00:06:39,839 --> 00:06:42,960 Speaker 1: we will become exactly like the people that we're hanging around. 123 00:06:43,760 --> 00:06:45,960 Speaker 1: And really, there are a lot of things in life 124 00:06:46,040 --> 00:06:49,000 Speaker 1: that we can get away with. But my question today 125 00:06:49,640 --> 00:06:52,159 Speaker 1: is how high do you want to go? Do you 126 00:06:52,200 --> 00:06:54,680 Speaker 1: want to continue to increase, do you want to see 127 00:06:54,680 --> 00:06:59,239 Speaker 1: more of God's blessings in favor. If so, the higher 128 00:06:59,279 --> 00:07:02,599 Speaker 1: we go, the lower our flesh has to go. That 129 00:07:02,680 --> 00:07:06,239 Speaker 1: means the more disciplined we have to be, the quicker 130 00:07:06,279 --> 00:07:09,359 Speaker 1: we have to learn to obey. If you're hanging around 131 00:07:09,360 --> 00:07:13,160 Speaker 1: people that compromise, cheat on their spouse, have no integrity, 132 00:07:13,320 --> 00:07:16,400 Speaker 1: you're just asking for trouble. Well, joel I do that 133 00:07:16,520 --> 00:07:19,320 Speaker 1: doesn't bother me, doesn't seem to hurt me one bit. No, 134 00:07:19,480 --> 00:07:22,240 Speaker 1: you don't know how much that's holding you back. You 135 00:07:22,320 --> 00:07:25,520 Speaker 1: don't know what God wants to release, but he cannot 136 00:07:25,560 --> 00:07:28,560 Speaker 1: do that. If you just get away from the negative 137 00:07:28,680 --> 00:07:31,720 Speaker 1: influences and do what you feel good about down in here, 138 00:07:32,480 --> 00:07:34,680 Speaker 1: you would see God's favor in a new way. You 139 00:07:34,680 --> 00:07:38,600 Speaker 1: would rise to a higher level and understand. The longer 140 00:07:38,640 --> 00:07:41,680 Speaker 1: we put something off, the more difficult it is to 141 00:07:41,680 --> 00:07:45,280 Speaker 1: do later on, and many times, the more problems it 142 00:07:45,320 --> 00:07:48,560 Speaker 1: causes us. Right now. It's much better to learn to 143 00:07:48,680 --> 00:07:52,080 Speaker 1: be quick to obey the moment you feel the uneasiness, 144 00:07:52,320 --> 00:07:54,520 Speaker 1: the moment the alarm goes off and something says, hey, 145 00:07:54,560 --> 00:07:57,560 Speaker 1: this is right. Don't do it. Don't go day after day, 146 00:07:57,920 --> 00:08:01,080 Speaker 1: month after month, year after year, No, do it right. 147 00:08:01,120 --> 00:08:04,240 Speaker 1: Then that's God talking to you, trying to keep you 148 00:08:04,360 --> 00:08:07,800 Speaker 1: on his very best path. And here's the thing. God 149 00:08:07,840 --> 00:08:11,120 Speaker 1: has given us all our own free will. God will 150 00:08:11,120 --> 00:08:13,880 Speaker 1: not force us to do what's right. He won't force 151 00:08:13,960 --> 00:08:16,920 Speaker 1: us to make good decisions. It's up to each one 152 00:08:16,960 --> 00:08:20,520 Speaker 1: of us individually to pay attention to that still small 153 00:08:20,600 --> 00:08:24,080 Speaker 1: voice and not get so busy and so caught up 154 00:08:24,120 --> 00:08:26,760 Speaker 1: in our way that we miss what God is trying 155 00:08:26,800 --> 00:08:30,200 Speaker 1: to tell us. Even right now, most likely God is 156 00:08:30,240 --> 00:08:33,120 Speaker 1: speaking something to every one of us deep down in here. 157 00:08:33,679 --> 00:08:35,680 Speaker 1: We know of a few things we should be doing, 158 00:08:35,960 --> 00:08:38,760 Speaker 1: but we keep putting off. Hell. I know I need 159 00:08:38,800 --> 00:08:40,960 Speaker 1: to spend more time with my family. I know I 160 00:08:41,000 --> 00:08:43,120 Speaker 1: need to get my finances in order. I know I 161 00:08:43,120 --> 00:08:45,000 Speaker 1: need to quit drinking so many colors. I know I 162 00:08:45,040 --> 00:08:48,000 Speaker 1: need to get back in shape. See. God deals with 163 00:08:48,080 --> 00:08:51,040 Speaker 1: us with very practical things. Learn to act on it. 164 00:08:51,760 --> 00:08:54,160 Speaker 1: In fact, I was talking to a lady the other day. 165 00:08:54,600 --> 00:08:57,040 Speaker 1: She told me how all of a sudden she felt 166 00:08:57,040 --> 00:09:00,280 Speaker 1: this strong urge right down in here to go get 167 00:09:00,320 --> 00:09:03,160 Speaker 1: a checkup, to get a physical And here she is 168 00:09:03,200 --> 00:09:07,000 Speaker 1: a very young woman, looked as healthy as can be, active, 169 00:09:07,240 --> 00:09:12,160 Speaker 1: energetic exercises regularly normally. That's the furthest thing from our mind. 170 00:09:12,480 --> 00:09:15,000 Speaker 1: But she just kept having that feeling right here, go 171 00:09:15,040 --> 00:09:19,079 Speaker 1: see the doctor, Go get a checker, the still small voice, 172 00:09:19,400 --> 00:09:22,240 Speaker 1: And for several weeks she just ignored it, put it off. 173 00:09:22,240 --> 00:09:24,560 Speaker 1: Oh man, I'm fine, that's not for me, but she 174 00:09:24,600 --> 00:09:27,120 Speaker 1: couldn't get away from it. A couple of months later, 175 00:09:27,200 --> 00:09:29,520 Speaker 1: she finally went to the doctor and at the checkup, 176 00:09:29,720 --> 00:09:32,840 Speaker 1: he found a small cyst in her body. Come to 177 00:09:32,840 --> 00:09:36,440 Speaker 1: find out, it was malignant. Long story short, he was 178 00:09:36,480 --> 00:09:40,080 Speaker 1: able to completely remove it because it hadn't spread. She 179 00:09:40,120 --> 00:09:43,280 Speaker 1: didn't have to have any further treatment. Afterwards, the doctor 180 00:09:43,320 --> 00:09:45,480 Speaker 1: told her it's a very good thing you came in 181 00:09:45,520 --> 00:09:48,240 Speaker 1: when you did, because a couple of years later and 182 00:09:48,280 --> 00:09:50,560 Speaker 1: this would have been a major problem, could have even 183 00:09:50,600 --> 00:09:54,640 Speaker 1: been a life threatening situation. And she was so grateful. 184 00:09:54,720 --> 00:09:57,400 Speaker 1: She said, Joel, I know that was God. I would 185 00:09:57,440 --> 00:10:00,640 Speaker 1: have never normally gone to the doctor. And I don't 186 00:10:00,679 --> 00:10:03,040 Speaker 1: say that to bring fear, simply to make the point 187 00:10:03,400 --> 00:10:06,200 Speaker 1: that we need to listen to the sill small voice. 188 00:10:06,320 --> 00:10:09,400 Speaker 1: God knows what's best for us and some of you today. 189 00:10:09,800 --> 00:10:12,840 Speaker 1: If you don't start obeying what you know is right 190 00:10:13,200 --> 00:10:16,320 Speaker 1: concerning how you treat people, concerning how you treat your mate. 191 00:10:17,000 --> 00:10:20,360 Speaker 1: That relationship is not going to last. This can save 192 00:10:20,440 --> 00:10:23,280 Speaker 1: you so much heartache and pain. I've had people come 193 00:10:23,280 --> 00:10:25,720 Speaker 1: to me with tears in their eyes. They say, Joel, 194 00:10:26,120 --> 00:10:28,040 Speaker 1: I knew I should have kept the strife out of 195 00:10:28,040 --> 00:10:30,640 Speaker 1: my family. I knew I should have spent more time 196 00:10:30,679 --> 00:10:33,040 Speaker 1: with them. I knew I shouldn't have been so hard 197 00:10:33,040 --> 00:10:36,280 Speaker 1: to get along with. Don't let that be You be 198 00:10:36,440 --> 00:10:40,720 Speaker 1: obedient now so you don't have regrets later on. Victoria 199 00:10:40,760 --> 00:10:43,360 Speaker 1: and I were married in nineteen eighty seven, and for 200 00:10:43,400 --> 00:10:46,520 Speaker 1: the first couple of years, like any young couple, I guess, 201 00:10:46,640 --> 00:10:50,120 Speaker 1: we were trying to learn to become one. The problem 202 00:10:50,240 --> 00:10:54,240 Speaker 1: was she wasn't learning the way I wanted her to. No, 203 00:10:54,360 --> 00:10:58,200 Speaker 1: we didn't have any major problems, just little things, arguing 204 00:10:58,200 --> 00:11:01,560 Speaker 1: over things that didn't matter, always wanting to have my way, 205 00:11:01,720 --> 00:11:05,160 Speaker 1: not being willing to compromise. And I'll never forget. God 206 00:11:05,240 --> 00:11:07,560 Speaker 1: spoke to me back then, not out loud, just like 207 00:11:07,600 --> 00:11:10,320 Speaker 1: I'm talking about right down in here. He said, Joel, 208 00:11:10,640 --> 00:11:13,640 Speaker 1: if you don't make changes and do your part to 209 00:11:13,720 --> 00:11:16,360 Speaker 1: keep the peace in the family, you're not only going 210 00:11:16,440 --> 00:11:19,200 Speaker 1: to change the beautiful girl you married, but it's going 211 00:11:19,240 --> 00:11:22,480 Speaker 1: to cause you made your problems in the future. And 212 00:11:22,559 --> 00:11:25,360 Speaker 1: thank god I was smart enough to heed that warning, 213 00:11:25,880 --> 00:11:28,440 Speaker 1: and we quit arguing over little things, and we were 214 00:11:28,480 --> 00:11:31,679 Speaker 1: willing to make compromises and adjustments to make our marriage 215 00:11:31,720 --> 00:11:34,480 Speaker 1: work out. Today where as happy as can be. We 216 00:11:34,559 --> 00:11:39,559 Speaker 1: have a great relationship most of the time when she's obedient. 217 00:11:42,080 --> 00:11:44,920 Speaker 1: But you too, if you would just do what you 218 00:11:45,120 --> 00:11:49,480 Speaker 1: know down in here is right overlooking some things, biting 219 00:11:49,559 --> 00:11:52,320 Speaker 1: your tongue when you want to argue, being the bigger 220 00:11:52,360 --> 00:11:54,960 Speaker 1: person to keep the peace, that would save you so 221 00:11:55,080 --> 00:11:58,000 Speaker 1: much heartache. And I know some couples they just live 222 00:11:58,080 --> 00:12:02,240 Speaker 1: to push each other's buttons, always had odds with each other, 223 00:12:02,320 --> 00:12:05,400 Speaker 1: No joy, no peace. Listen, you've got to come up higher. 224 00:12:05,840 --> 00:12:08,720 Speaker 1: You've got to make changes. Well, Joel, I'm waiting for 225 00:12:08,800 --> 00:12:11,439 Speaker 1: him to do it. I'm waiting for her to do it. Now. 226 00:12:11,480 --> 00:12:13,600 Speaker 1: Do you know who the bigger person is, the one 227 00:12:13,640 --> 00:12:16,920 Speaker 1: that makes the first move, The most mature person is 228 00:12:17,000 --> 00:12:19,360 Speaker 1: the one that takes the high road to keep the peace. 229 00:12:20,360 --> 00:12:23,280 Speaker 1: God's dealing with some of you about your mouth, not 230 00:12:23,440 --> 00:12:27,480 Speaker 1: saying so many hurtful, critical things. You've developed a bad habit, 231 00:12:28,040 --> 00:12:31,520 Speaker 1: you know, down in here, it's destroying the relationship. Well, 232 00:12:31,559 --> 00:12:34,560 Speaker 1: don't be hard headed. Don't have to have twenty five 233 00:12:34,600 --> 00:12:38,400 Speaker 1: alarms go off before you do something about it. After all, 234 00:12:38,679 --> 00:12:41,079 Speaker 1: most of the time, God's not gonna hit us over 235 00:12:41,080 --> 00:12:43,319 Speaker 1: the head with a ball bat and say, hey, come 236 00:12:43,360 --> 00:12:45,560 Speaker 1: on your run in your marriage. You're gonna end up 237 00:12:45,640 --> 00:12:49,880 Speaker 1: hurting lonely. No, he just whispers it. It's the still 238 00:12:50,080 --> 00:12:54,160 Speaker 1: small voice. We have to be sensitive, pay attention, and 239 00:12:54,240 --> 00:12:57,600 Speaker 1: do whatever it takes to keep your family together. Too 240 00:12:57,640 --> 00:13:00,640 Speaker 1: often we make excuses. Well, I know I should treat 241 00:13:00,679 --> 00:13:03,679 Speaker 1: my spouse better. I know I'm kind of disrespectful Joel, 242 00:13:03,720 --> 00:13:07,000 Speaker 1: but they're disrespectful to me. Or I know I shouldn't 243 00:13:07,200 --> 00:13:10,240 Speaker 1: watch this junk on television, but everybody else is doing it. 244 00:13:10,720 --> 00:13:12,480 Speaker 1: I know I kind of got a chip on my shoulder. 245 00:13:12,480 --> 00:13:14,360 Speaker 1: I know I'm hard to get along with, but I've 246 00:13:14,360 --> 00:13:16,319 Speaker 1: been through a lot in life. It's just not fair. 247 00:13:17,200 --> 00:13:20,840 Speaker 1: No excuses. Keep us right where we are. Let's learn 248 00:13:20,880 --> 00:13:23,600 Speaker 1: to deal with things. I don't know about you, but 249 00:13:23,679 --> 00:13:25,440 Speaker 1: I don't want to be at this same place next 250 00:13:25,520 --> 00:13:27,600 Speaker 1: year as I am right now. I want to be 251 00:13:27,679 --> 00:13:30,320 Speaker 1: more mature. I want to have a better attitude. I 252 00:13:30,360 --> 00:13:34,000 Speaker 1: want to be a better father, a better husband. The 253 00:13:34,160 --> 00:13:37,160 Speaker 1: only way that's gonna happen is for us to stay 254 00:13:37,200 --> 00:13:40,040 Speaker 1: open and deal with the issues God brings to light. 255 00:13:40,920 --> 00:13:43,600 Speaker 1: It may be something as simple as how you talk 256 00:13:43,679 --> 00:13:47,960 Speaker 1: to your spouse, your tone of voice, your body language, 257 00:13:48,000 --> 00:13:51,760 Speaker 1: your facial expressions. Well, Joel, I'm nice. I don't say 258 00:13:51,760 --> 00:13:54,719 Speaker 1: things wrong. Maybe not. But if you talk like that, 259 00:13:55,160 --> 00:13:57,880 Speaker 1: if you're harsh, if you're short, if you're just always 260 00:13:58,200 --> 00:14:01,480 Speaker 1: matter of fact, you listen right down in here, you'll 261 00:14:01,480 --> 00:14:04,719 Speaker 1: feel that conviction, something says that's not right. You can 262 00:14:04,760 --> 00:14:07,280 Speaker 1: do better, you can be kinder, and if you will 263 00:14:07,320 --> 00:14:11,080 Speaker 1: make those simple adjustments, you will see the relationship go 264 00:14:11,160 --> 00:14:14,040 Speaker 1: to a new level. Most of the time, it is 265 00:14:14,080 --> 00:14:16,520 Speaker 1: not the big things that are holding us back. It's 266 00:14:16,600 --> 00:14:20,160 Speaker 1: just the small things. I know people that are jealous. 267 00:14:20,360 --> 00:14:24,160 Speaker 1: They see somebody that's blessed, somebody that's prospering. Instead of 268 00:14:24,160 --> 00:14:27,120 Speaker 1: being happy for them and rejoicing with them, they go 269 00:14:27,160 --> 00:14:31,360 Speaker 1: around talking about them, finding fault, being critical, being judgmental. 270 00:14:31,920 --> 00:14:35,200 Speaker 1: And what's interesting is most of the time that person 271 00:14:35,400 --> 00:14:39,080 Speaker 1: could have the same success, the same joy, the same fulfillment. 272 00:14:39,560 --> 00:14:42,480 Speaker 1: The problem was they weren't willing to pay the price. 273 00:14:43,200 --> 00:14:46,040 Speaker 1: They weren't willing to make the sacrifices the other person 274 00:14:46,080 --> 00:14:49,080 Speaker 1: made to get to where they are. In other words, 275 00:14:49,560 --> 00:14:52,760 Speaker 1: they weren't disciplined to listen to the still small voice. 276 00:14:52,920 --> 00:14:56,600 Speaker 1: They weren't disciplined to obey their conscience. And yes, we 277 00:14:56,680 --> 00:14:59,200 Speaker 1: all have different gifts and talents, but what I'm saying 278 00:14:59,280 --> 00:15:02,440 Speaker 1: is any one of us can rise higher and higher 279 00:15:02,480 --> 00:15:05,160 Speaker 1: and higher. There is no limit to what God will 280 00:15:05,200 --> 00:15:07,360 Speaker 1: do in your life if you will learn to be 281 00:15:07,480 --> 00:15:10,560 Speaker 1: quick to obey and deal with the issues He brings 282 00:15:10,600 --> 00:15:14,080 Speaker 1: to light, even small things. I know the other day 283 00:15:14,360 --> 00:15:17,400 Speaker 1: I was watching a minister on television. He's a fine man, 284 00:15:17,440 --> 00:15:20,240 Speaker 1: he's got a great ministry. But as I was watching, 285 00:15:20,560 --> 00:15:24,280 Speaker 1: I begin to critique the production of the program. Most 286 00:15:24,320 --> 00:15:26,560 Speaker 1: of you know, that's my background television production. So I 287 00:15:26,640 --> 00:15:30,200 Speaker 1: was sitting there, not even really paying attention, thinking why'd 288 00:15:30,200 --> 00:15:33,160 Speaker 1: they put the camera there? That background doesn't look good, 289 00:15:33,240 --> 00:15:35,640 Speaker 1: and he shouldn't be wearing that, and that light's not adjusted. 290 00:15:35,720 --> 00:15:39,520 Speaker 1: Right before you knew it, I'd found a dozen things 291 00:15:39,640 --> 00:15:42,360 Speaker 1: I would have done differently, and all of a sudden, 292 00:15:42,880 --> 00:15:46,920 Speaker 1: I felt that still small voice said, Joel, don't be critical, 293 00:15:47,320 --> 00:15:50,000 Speaker 1: look for the good, Look at what they're doing right. 294 00:15:50,240 --> 00:15:52,560 Speaker 1: Look at all the people that they're helping. I felt 295 00:15:52,600 --> 00:15:56,120 Speaker 1: that conviction. I could have easily blown it off, could 296 00:15:56,160 --> 00:15:59,200 Speaker 1: have ignored it. Nobody would have known. But no, I've 297 00:15:59,280 --> 00:16:03,760 Speaker 1: learned to just quickly say, Father, forgive me, help me 298 00:16:03,880 --> 00:16:06,400 Speaker 1: to never be critical, help me to do better, help 299 00:16:06,440 --> 00:16:09,200 Speaker 1: me to always see the good. See that was an 300 00:16:09,200 --> 00:16:14,040 Speaker 1: opportunity for me to come up higher. God showed me something, 301 00:16:14,080 --> 00:16:17,200 Speaker 1: although small, that would keep me from being my very 302 00:16:17,360 --> 00:16:20,200 Speaker 1: very best. And no, I'm not perfect, but I've learned 303 00:16:20,240 --> 00:16:22,760 Speaker 1: to deal with things like that. I've learned to stay 304 00:16:22,800 --> 00:16:25,920 Speaker 1: open and look for ways that I can improve. I 305 00:16:25,960 --> 00:16:28,560 Speaker 1: don't want to get stuck in life, and I want 306 00:16:28,600 --> 00:16:32,120 Speaker 1: to stir you to action. Don't keep putting things off. 307 00:16:32,160 --> 00:16:34,440 Speaker 1: Make a decision with me that you're going to do 308 00:16:34,600 --> 00:16:37,080 Speaker 1: what you know you should be doing. And as I said, 309 00:16:37,440 --> 00:16:39,640 Speaker 1: there's a lot we can do in life and get 310 00:16:39,680 --> 00:16:42,000 Speaker 1: away with. We can run with the wrong crowd and 311 00:16:42,040 --> 00:16:45,040 Speaker 1: still get to have it. We can treat people disrespectfully, 312 00:16:45,320 --> 00:16:48,240 Speaker 1: we can be sloppy in our business affairs. But I'm 313 00:16:48,280 --> 00:16:52,040 Speaker 1: talking about rising higher. I'm talking about being the very 314 00:16:52,080 --> 00:16:54,600 Speaker 1: best that you can be. And I know some of 315 00:16:54,640 --> 00:16:58,080 Speaker 1: you God's dealing with you about your finances. You're living 316 00:16:58,120 --> 00:17:02,040 Speaker 1: above your means, spending more than you can afford, charging 317 00:17:02,080 --> 00:17:05,240 Speaker 1: everything on the credit card, paying eighteen twenty twenty four 318 00:17:05,240 --> 00:17:08,399 Speaker 1: percent interest, and the same time praying for God to 319 00:17:08,440 --> 00:17:10,840 Speaker 1: help you financially. God help me get out of debt. 320 00:17:11,119 --> 00:17:13,719 Speaker 1: And of course God does want to help us, but 321 00:17:13,760 --> 00:17:16,440 Speaker 1: we have to do our part most of the time. 322 00:17:16,520 --> 00:17:20,040 Speaker 1: If we're really honest, what's happened is, way back here, 323 00:17:20,760 --> 00:17:22,919 Speaker 1: we made a purchase that we didn't feel good about. 324 00:17:23,480 --> 00:17:26,200 Speaker 1: We bought the car, the house, the boat. The alarm 325 00:17:26,320 --> 00:17:29,280 Speaker 1: was going off, we just ignored it. And now we're 326 00:17:29,280 --> 00:17:32,040 Speaker 1: in this bund and it's much better to learn to 327 00:17:32,119 --> 00:17:35,359 Speaker 1: obey all along the way. Then we don't have to 328 00:17:35,359 --> 00:17:38,200 Speaker 1: deal with many of these issues. And I'm not trying 329 00:17:38,200 --> 00:17:41,320 Speaker 1: to make anybody feel bad, but rather to challenge us 330 00:17:41,480 --> 00:17:44,960 Speaker 1: to obey. Right now, this is one of the most 331 00:17:44,960 --> 00:17:49,320 Speaker 1: important principles we will ever learn. Fall a peace, listen 332 00:17:49,359 --> 00:17:52,840 Speaker 1: to your conscience, deal with the issues God brings to light. 333 00:17:53,080 --> 00:17:55,640 Speaker 1: Don't put it off. The longer you put it off, 334 00:17:55,760 --> 00:17:58,560 Speaker 1: the more difficult it's going to be. And as I said, 335 00:17:58,600 --> 00:18:02,680 Speaker 1: God deals with us about very practical things. Maybe he's 336 00:18:02,720 --> 00:18:05,480 Speaker 1: dealing with you today about how you spend your time. 337 00:18:06,160 --> 00:18:09,359 Speaker 1: You know you need to be more organized, more efficient, 338 00:18:09,520 --> 00:18:13,080 Speaker 1: more focused. Well, don't put that off. Maybe it's something 339 00:18:13,119 --> 00:18:15,400 Speaker 1: as simple as you need to get to work on time. 340 00:18:15,480 --> 00:18:18,680 Speaker 1: You're always running late, and you keep it knowringing hell, Joel. 341 00:18:18,720 --> 00:18:20,639 Speaker 1: I know I need to get up earlier. I know 342 00:18:20,720 --> 00:18:23,359 Speaker 1: I need to be more disciplined. Well, don't put it 343 00:18:23,400 --> 00:18:27,240 Speaker 1: off any longer. Come up higher in that area. Some 344 00:18:27,320 --> 00:18:29,600 Speaker 1: of you know you need to make peace with somebody. 345 00:18:30,119 --> 00:18:33,200 Speaker 1: You're at odds with a family member, you're at strife 346 00:18:33,320 --> 00:18:37,240 Speaker 1: between you and a business associate, between you and a neighbor, 347 00:18:37,520 --> 00:18:40,240 Speaker 1: and you keep putting it off. It's not my fault, Joel. 348 00:18:40,280 --> 00:18:43,800 Speaker 1: They started this fight. They brought it on themselves. Now 349 00:18:43,880 --> 00:18:46,720 Speaker 1: you have to be the bigger person. Swallow your pride 350 00:18:46,760 --> 00:18:49,919 Speaker 1: and keep the peace. I know people that spend years 351 00:18:49,960 --> 00:18:53,440 Speaker 1: and years of their life with unforgiveness on the inside. 352 00:18:53,480 --> 00:18:56,400 Speaker 1: Somebody did them wrong, somebody hurt them. They know they 353 00:18:56,440 --> 00:18:59,840 Speaker 1: need to let it go. It bothers their conscience, but 354 00:19:00,040 --> 00:19:02,919 Speaker 1: they just won't do it. And now the bitterness is 355 00:19:02,960 --> 00:19:07,600 Speaker 1: poisoning their life, poisoning their attitude. You cannot just sweep 356 00:19:07,640 --> 00:19:10,439 Speaker 1: things like that under the rug and think, Oh, it 357 00:19:10,440 --> 00:19:13,520 Speaker 1: doesn't matter, it's not hurting me. Maybe I'll deal with 358 00:19:13,560 --> 00:19:16,040 Speaker 1: it one day. No, you need to deal with it now. 359 00:19:16,359 --> 00:19:19,480 Speaker 1: That's going to keep you right where you are. That's 360 00:19:19,520 --> 00:19:22,280 Speaker 1: a weight that will hold you back from being your 361 00:19:22,400 --> 00:19:25,600 Speaker 1: very best. And too many people today are stuck in 362 00:19:25,640 --> 00:19:29,720 Speaker 1: a rug simply because they refuse to deal with things. 363 00:19:29,920 --> 00:19:32,480 Speaker 1: They sweep it under the rug, and then they wonder 364 00:19:32,520 --> 00:19:35,399 Speaker 1: why they're not happy, why they're not increasing, why they 365 00:19:35,440 --> 00:19:39,439 Speaker 1: can't sleep well at night. It's because their conscience is 366 00:19:39,480 --> 00:19:43,200 Speaker 1: not clear. We cannot bury things and expect to rise 367 00:19:43,280 --> 00:19:46,719 Speaker 1: higher and have God's very best. I think about David. 368 00:19:47,080 --> 00:19:50,640 Speaker 1: You remember when he committed adultery with Bathsheba. On top 369 00:19:50,680 --> 00:19:52,520 Speaker 1: of that, he tried to cover it up and he 370 00:19:52,600 --> 00:19:55,040 Speaker 1: had her husband killed, send him out to the front 371 00:19:55,040 --> 00:19:58,240 Speaker 1: lines of the battle. And for one year David just 372 00:19:58,240 --> 00:20:01,960 Speaker 1: swept that under the rug. He didn't repent, he didn't 373 00:20:02,000 --> 00:20:05,480 Speaker 1: feel sorry. He just ignored it and went about his business. 374 00:20:05,720 --> 00:20:08,359 Speaker 1: He thought, if I don't deal with it, if I 375 00:20:08,359 --> 00:20:10,480 Speaker 1: ignore it, it won't bother me, it won't affect me. 376 00:20:11,359 --> 00:20:13,280 Speaker 1: But do you know that was one of the worst 377 00:20:13,359 --> 00:20:17,040 Speaker 1: years of David's life. He was miserable. The scripture says 378 00:20:17,240 --> 00:20:20,520 Speaker 1: he was weak, he was sick, he had all kinds 379 00:20:20,560 --> 00:20:23,680 Speaker 1: of problems. And that's what happens to us. When we 380 00:20:23,720 --> 00:20:28,040 Speaker 1: refuse to deal with issues. It drags us down. Really, 381 00:20:28,160 --> 00:20:31,640 Speaker 1: we step out of God's protection and favor. It's very 382 00:20:31,760 --> 00:20:34,359 Speaker 1: costly to just sweep things under the rug. We go 383 00:20:34,440 --> 00:20:38,240 Speaker 1: around with that guilty conscience. We don't feel good about ourselves. 384 00:20:38,359 --> 00:20:41,159 Speaker 1: We take it out on other people. Many times, just 385 00:20:41,280 --> 00:20:45,399 Speaker 1: like David. We're weak, defeated in mediocrity. It's because of 386 00:20:45,440 --> 00:20:49,439 Speaker 1: the poison on the inside. But friends, there's no reason 387 00:20:49,560 --> 00:20:52,400 Speaker 1: for any of us to live that way. Our God 388 00:20:52,600 --> 00:20:56,240 Speaker 1: is a forgiving god. Our God is a merciful God. 389 00:20:56,520 --> 00:20:58,600 Speaker 1: When you make mistakes, you don't have to hide it. 390 00:20:58,720 --> 00:21:01,280 Speaker 1: When you do wrong. I don't run away from God, 391 00:21:01,600 --> 00:21:04,840 Speaker 1: run to God. The scripture says here in first John one, 392 00:21:04,920 --> 00:21:09,800 Speaker 1: verse nine. If we confess our sins, God is faithful 393 00:21:10,040 --> 00:21:13,920 Speaker 1: and just to forgive us when we make mistakes. When 394 00:21:13,920 --> 00:21:16,600 Speaker 1: we do wrong, there are three things that we should do. 395 00:21:17,119 --> 00:21:20,880 Speaker 1: Number one, admit it, don't try to justify it. Well, 396 00:21:20,920 --> 00:21:22,680 Speaker 1: I did wrong, Joel, but I was under a lot 397 00:21:22,680 --> 00:21:26,240 Speaker 1: of pressure. I was dishonest, but everybody else was doing it. No, 398 00:21:26,840 --> 00:21:29,920 Speaker 1: don't make excuses, don't beat around the bush. Just call 399 00:21:29,960 --> 00:21:33,359 Speaker 1: it what it is. I was wrong. Number two, we 400 00:21:33,400 --> 00:21:36,040 Speaker 1: need to confess our sins. It's not enough to just 401 00:21:36,080 --> 00:21:38,639 Speaker 1: think about it. We need to get along with God 402 00:21:39,080 --> 00:21:41,760 Speaker 1: and in a quiet moment, just say God, I'm sorry. 403 00:21:42,240 --> 00:21:44,880 Speaker 1: I did wrong. I made a bad choice, I hurt somebody. 404 00:21:45,280 --> 00:21:47,840 Speaker 1: I'm asking for your forgiveness. I'm asking for your mercy. 405 00:21:48,520 --> 00:21:52,120 Speaker 1: The third thing very important. We need to repent. Repent 406 00:21:52,200 --> 00:21:54,800 Speaker 1: means we turn around and we don't do it again. 407 00:21:55,480 --> 00:21:58,240 Speaker 1: It means we go off in a different direction. We 408 00:21:58,280 --> 00:22:00,560 Speaker 1: cannot go to God and say I'm sorry and then 409 00:22:00,600 --> 00:22:03,640 Speaker 1: keep doing the same thing again and again. We need 410 00:22:03,640 --> 00:22:07,040 Speaker 1: to change our ways, change our behavior. A lot of 411 00:22:07,040 --> 00:22:10,400 Speaker 1: people are sorry they did wrong, They're sorry they hurt somebody, 412 00:22:10,800 --> 00:22:13,840 Speaker 1: but they're not sincere enough to turn away and not 413 00:22:13,920 --> 00:22:16,679 Speaker 1: do it again. We got to learn to do like David. 414 00:22:16,920 --> 00:22:19,840 Speaker 1: After that year, he finally got it out into the open. 415 00:22:20,160 --> 00:22:23,000 Speaker 1: He said, God, I'm sorry forgive me, creating me a 416 00:22:23,040 --> 00:22:27,159 Speaker 1: clean heart, restore the joy of my salvation. When he 417 00:22:27,240 --> 00:22:30,520 Speaker 1: did that, that's when God restored him. That's when he 418 00:22:30,560 --> 00:22:33,040 Speaker 1: got his joy back, his peace, back, his victory back. 419 00:22:33,359 --> 00:22:36,040 Speaker 1: He went on to do great things. But you think 420 00:22:36,080 --> 00:22:39,800 Speaker 1: about it, David could have got stuck right there in defeat, 421 00:22:39,920 --> 00:22:42,720 Speaker 1: in mediocrity for the rest of his life had he 422 00:22:42,800 --> 00:22:45,960 Speaker 1: refused to deal with that issue. Now I'm asking us today, 423 00:22:46,680 --> 00:22:48,760 Speaker 1: are there things in your life that you keep sweeping 424 00:22:48,840 --> 00:22:51,760 Speaker 1: under the rug, things that you're burying, things that you're 425 00:22:51,760 --> 00:22:55,000 Speaker 1: refusing to deal with. If so, why don't you get 426 00:22:55,040 --> 00:22:58,160 Speaker 1: it out in the open today? When you ask for forgiveness, 427 00:22:58,680 --> 00:23:01,720 Speaker 1: just like David, God and restore you. That's when he'll 428 00:23:01,760 --> 00:23:03,960 Speaker 1: put you on your best path. That's when he'll give 429 00:23:03,960 --> 00:23:07,639 Speaker 1: you a new beginning. As long as we have things buried, 430 00:23:07,960 --> 00:23:10,679 Speaker 1: it's going to keep us right where we are. And 431 00:23:10,720 --> 00:23:13,680 Speaker 1: God deals with each one of us individually. We're all 432 00:23:13,720 --> 00:23:17,359 Speaker 1: at different levels, and we should never compare ourselves because 433 00:23:17,359 --> 00:23:20,680 Speaker 1: when we do that, we end up making excuses. For instance, 434 00:23:20,720 --> 00:23:22,919 Speaker 1: maybe all your friends are going to see a movie 435 00:23:23,480 --> 00:23:25,880 Speaker 1: and you read the review and write down in here 436 00:23:25,920 --> 00:23:28,440 Speaker 1: you don't feel good about it. You know it would 437 00:23:28,480 --> 00:23:31,800 Speaker 1: not be God's best for you, and the alarm goes off. 438 00:23:31,840 --> 00:23:34,960 Speaker 1: Your conscience tells you, hey, don't do that. Well, there's 439 00:23:35,000 --> 00:23:38,119 Speaker 1: an opportunity for you to come up higher. The easy 440 00:23:38,160 --> 00:23:40,400 Speaker 1: thing to do is just blow it off and say, 441 00:23:40,400 --> 00:23:43,360 Speaker 1: all it's not going to hurt me. I'm strong. Besides, 442 00:23:43,400 --> 00:23:46,000 Speaker 1: all my friends they love God, they come to church, 443 00:23:46,040 --> 00:23:49,359 Speaker 1: they're good people. Now you don't know that God didn't 444 00:23:49,359 --> 00:23:52,239 Speaker 1: deal with them and they ignored it. Maybe they're at 445 00:23:52,240 --> 00:23:55,240 Speaker 1: a different level in their spiritual walk, or maybe they'd 446 00:23:55,280 --> 00:23:57,240 Speaker 1: be a whole lot more blessed if they would quit 447 00:23:57,280 --> 00:23:59,760 Speaker 1: giving in. You got to do what you feel good 448 00:23:59,760 --> 00:24:03,119 Speaker 1: about in your own heart. It may cost you a 449 00:24:03,119 --> 00:24:06,960 Speaker 1: few friendships, it may mean you have a few nights lonely. 450 00:24:07,400 --> 00:24:09,720 Speaker 1: Maybe you can't play on that ball team that parties 451 00:24:09,760 --> 00:24:13,760 Speaker 1: after every game. But remember, anything God asks you to 452 00:24:13,800 --> 00:24:17,800 Speaker 1: do is for your benefit. It's so He can ultimately 453 00:24:18,080 --> 00:24:21,520 Speaker 1: release more of his favor into your life. And too 454 00:24:21,560 --> 00:24:24,960 Speaker 1: often we're shortsighted. Hell, I hear what he's saying. I 455 00:24:25,000 --> 00:24:26,800 Speaker 1: got to start getting up early and getting to work 456 00:24:26,840 --> 00:24:29,159 Speaker 1: on time. That's going to be a pain. I know 457 00:24:29,240 --> 00:24:31,480 Speaker 1: I need to get back in shape. I've heard those messages. 458 00:24:31,520 --> 00:24:34,119 Speaker 1: I got to eat right. No, it may be a 459 00:24:34,119 --> 00:24:37,520 Speaker 1: little difficult at the beginning, may be a little uncomfortable 460 00:24:37,520 --> 00:24:41,280 Speaker 1: early on, but later on, when you get that promotion 461 00:24:42,119 --> 00:24:44,320 Speaker 1: later on when you feel better later on, when you 462 00:24:44,320 --> 00:24:47,960 Speaker 1: have better relationships, you'll be very happy you were willing 463 00:24:48,000 --> 00:24:51,080 Speaker 1: to pay the price. Do what's right now so you 464 00:24:51,080 --> 00:24:55,560 Speaker 1: don't have these regrets later on, and understand, anything God 465 00:24:55,640 --> 00:24:58,399 Speaker 1: asks us to do, he always gives us the grace 466 00:24:58,440 --> 00:25:01,400 Speaker 1: to do it. If God ask you to forgive somebody, 467 00:25:01,760 --> 00:25:04,080 Speaker 1: you may not think you can. But if you will 468 00:25:04,119 --> 00:25:06,480 Speaker 1: take that step of faith, the grace will be there 469 00:25:06,520 --> 00:25:09,000 Speaker 1: to help you. But you don't get the grace unless 470 00:25:09,000 --> 00:25:11,080 Speaker 1: you step out. You have to make the first move. 471 00:25:11,920 --> 00:25:13,679 Speaker 1: Some of you don't think you could ever get out 472 00:25:13,680 --> 00:25:17,719 Speaker 1: of that habit of being critical, sarcastic, saying hurtful things. 473 00:25:18,200 --> 00:25:20,760 Speaker 1: But if you would just have the desire, if you 474 00:25:20,760 --> 00:25:23,240 Speaker 1: would just be disciplined to bite your tongue and walk 475 00:25:23,240 --> 00:25:26,320 Speaker 1: away a couple times, God would see that step of faith, 476 00:25:26,680 --> 00:25:31,520 Speaker 1: and he'd give you a supernatural strength to help you overcome. Friends, 477 00:25:31,560 --> 00:25:34,520 Speaker 1: God has so many great things in store for every 478 00:25:34,520 --> 00:25:37,200 Speaker 1: one of you. Don't you dare get stuck in a runt. 479 00:25:37,280 --> 00:25:41,960 Speaker 1: Don't you dare settle for mediocrity with bad habits, bad attitudes. 480 00:25:42,240 --> 00:25:45,120 Speaker 1: Pay attention to the still small voice on the inside. 481 00:25:45,520 --> 00:25:48,560 Speaker 1: Deal with the issues God brings to light, Learn to 482 00:25:48,600 --> 00:25:51,879 Speaker 1: be quick to obey. Remember how high we go in 483 00:25:51,960 --> 00:25:55,000 Speaker 1: life is going to be directly related to how obedient 484 00:25:55,040 --> 00:25:57,719 Speaker 1: we are. And I know sometimes you see your friends 485 00:25:57,720 --> 00:26:01,000 Speaker 1: out doing things and you just can't feel good about it. 486 00:26:01,000 --> 00:26:04,480 Speaker 1: Seems kind of unfair. But the scripture says to whom 487 00:26:04,560 --> 00:26:08,200 Speaker 1: much is given, much is required. That simply means God's 488 00:26:08,240 --> 00:26:11,080 Speaker 1: getting you prepared for greater things. He's gonna take you 489 00:26:11,160 --> 00:26:15,159 Speaker 1: further than you thought possible. So I just challenge you again, 490 00:26:16,160 --> 00:26:20,760 Speaker 1: do your best. Look inside, don't ever ignore your conscience. 491 00:26:21,040 --> 00:26:24,160 Speaker 1: If you will live this obedient life, you will rise 492 00:26:24,320 --> 00:26:27,320 Speaker 1: higher and higher. God has promised he'll pour out more 493 00:26:27,320 --> 00:26:30,240 Speaker 1: of his blessings in favor. And I know God will 494 00:26:30,280 --> 00:26:32,040 Speaker 1: do for you what he's done for me. He'll take 495 00:26:32,080 --> 00:26:34,679 Speaker 1: you places that you've never even dreamed of. Amen. Do 496 00:26:34,720 --> 00:26:37,920 Speaker 1: you receive it today? And we never like to close 497 00:26:38,040 --> 00:26:41,640 Speaker 1: our broadcast without giving you an opportunity to make Jesus 498 00:26:41,680 --> 00:26:43,919 Speaker 1: the lord of your life? Would you pray with me? 499 00:26:44,520 --> 00:26:50,000 Speaker 1: Just say, Lord Jesus, I'll repent of my sins. Come 500 00:26:50,040 --> 00:26:55,240 Speaker 1: into my heart. I make you my lord and savior. Friends, 501 00:26:55,280 --> 00:26:57,680 Speaker 1: if you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 502 00:26:57,720 --> 00:27:00,880 Speaker 1: born again, get in a good Bible based, keep God 503 00:27:01,000 --> 00:27:03,680 Speaker 1: first place. He's going to take you places that you've 504 00:27:03,720 --> 00:27:04,399 Speaker 1: never dreamed of. 505 00:27:05,800 --> 00:27:09,439 Speaker 2: Sometimes the difficulties of life can be so overwhelming you 506 00:27:09,520 --> 00:27:12,760 Speaker 2: feel like you're stumbling around in the dark. Things are 507 00:27:12,760 --> 00:27:15,800 Speaker 2: so bad you would need a miracle to change your situation. 508 00:27:16,640 --> 00:27:18,359 Speaker 2: But as a miracle even possible. 509 00:27:19,520 --> 00:27:22,600 Speaker 1: We all face situations where we don't see a way out. 510 00:27:23,000 --> 00:27:25,439 Speaker 1: It's easy to get discouraged and give up on what 511 00:27:25,440 --> 00:27:29,080 Speaker 1: we're believing for That's how we felt. In nineteen eighty one, 512 00:27:29,560 --> 00:27:32,720 Speaker 1: my mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer and given a 513 00:27:32,760 --> 00:27:36,360 Speaker 1: few weeks to live. Nothing could be done medically speaking, 514 00:27:36,720 --> 00:27:40,240 Speaker 1: but she chose to believe that God is a miracle worker. Today, 515 00:27:40,280 --> 00:27:43,040 Speaker 1: forty three years later, by the grace of God, she's 516 00:27:43,040 --> 00:27:46,600 Speaker 1: still healthy and strong. I'm so grateful to be alive. 517 00:27:46,760 --> 00:27:50,040 Speaker 1: I'm ninety years young. I thank God every day that 518 00:27:50,119 --> 00:27:52,479 Speaker 1: he still does miracles. I'd love to send you by 519 00:27:52,520 --> 00:27:56,280 Speaker 1: new book. It's called Miracles Happen. It's filled with powerful 520 00:27:56,320 --> 00:27:59,679 Speaker 1: stories of miracles from the Scripture and real life stories 521 00:27:59,720 --> 00:28:01,879 Speaker 1: of peace people that have seen the hand of God. 522 00:28:02,280 --> 00:28:04,959 Speaker 1: It'll help build your faith so you can believe what 523 00:28:05,080 --> 00:28:08,280 Speaker 1: seems impossible. God did it for my mother. Yes, He'll 524 00:28:08,280 --> 00:28:08,960 Speaker 1: do it for you. 525 00:28:09,480 --> 00:28:11,720 Speaker 2: As our way of saying thank you for your gift 526 00:28:11,800 --> 00:28:15,000 Speaker 2: of any amount to the ministry this month, Joel and Victoria, 527 00:28:15,119 --> 00:28:18,359 Speaker 2: we'd like to send you this powerful book, Miracles Happen 528 00:28:18,760 --> 00:28:23,520 Speaker 2: Your Journey to Supernatural breakthrough. This new book details thirty 529 00:28:23,560 --> 00:28:26,680 Speaker 2: different miracles from the Word of God, and each one 530 00:28:26,800 --> 00:28:30,040 Speaker 2: comes with an encouragement and application to your own life. 531 00:28:30,320 --> 00:28:35,880 Speaker 2: God has miracles stored up for you, healing, freedom, favor, breakthroughs. 532 00:28:36,960 --> 00:28:41,240 Speaker 1: Miracles still happen today, and faith is what activates God's power. 533 00:28:41,440 --> 00:28:44,680 Speaker 1: When you believe all things are possible, that's when you'll 534 00:28:44,680 --> 00:28:48,120 Speaker 1: see the hand of God do supernatural things in your life. 535 00:28:48,640 --> 00:28:51,120 Speaker 1: Victory and I are standing in faith with you. We 536 00:28:51,240 --> 00:28:54,720 Speaker 1: pray for you every day. We appreciate your prayer and support. 537 00:28:55,200 --> 00:28:58,760 Speaker 1: Your generosity is impacting so many lives. Remember you can 538 00:28:58,840 --> 00:29:02,640 Speaker 1: watch the Services Lives online every Sunday morning, download our 539 00:29:02,720 --> 00:29:07,160 Speaker 1: daily podcast, watch on YouTube the new Joelostin Network. Listen 540 00:29:07,240 --> 00:29:10,760 Speaker 1: on Sirious XM. Until we meet again. May the Lord 541 00:29:10,840 --> 00:29:12,080 Speaker 1: bless you and keep you. 542 00:29:12,720 --> 00:29:15,880 Speaker 2: Be sure to request your copy of Miracles Happen your 543 00:29:15,960 --> 00:29:20,520 Speaker 2: journey to supernatural breakthrough. Today, visit Joelostein dot com or 544 00:29:20,640 --> 00:29:23,560 Speaker 2: call eight eight eight five six seven Joel