1 00:00:00,920 --> 00:00:03,120 Speaker 1: Always a joy to have you with us. We're praying 2 00:00:03,200 --> 00:00:05,760 Speaker 1: for you, guys. Check out my new book. It's called 3 00:00:05,760 --> 00:00:09,600 Speaker 1: Power Up, a twenty one day action plan to transformative 4 00:00:09,600 --> 00:00:12,080 Speaker 1: of thinking. You can all help you think great thoughts 5 00:00:12,080 --> 00:00:14,159 Speaker 1: and just live a victorious life. And if you can 6 00:00:14,240 --> 00:00:16,239 Speaker 1: check it out on the wind, it's so great having 7 00:00:16,280 --> 00:00:17,680 Speaker 1: you with us. Enjoy the podcast. 8 00:00:18,040 --> 00:00:20,640 Speaker 2: Well, God bless you. It's a joy to come into 9 00:00:20,680 --> 00:00:23,440 Speaker 2: your homes. And if you're ever in our area, please 10 00:00:23,440 --> 00:00:26,160 Speaker 2: stop buying. Be a part of one of our services. 11 00:00:26,320 --> 00:00:28,680 Speaker 2: I promise you we'll make you feel right at home. 12 00:00:28,960 --> 00:00:31,800 Speaker 2: But thanks for tuning in today. I like to start 13 00:00:31,800 --> 00:00:34,640 Speaker 2: with something funny, and I heard about this man. He 14 00:00:34,760 --> 00:00:37,400 Speaker 2: called the church office and said, I want to speak 15 00:00:37,440 --> 00:00:41,840 Speaker 2: to the head hog at the trough. The secretary was offended. 16 00:00:42,200 --> 00:00:44,400 Speaker 2: She said, if you mean the pastor, you're going to 17 00:00:44,479 --> 00:00:46,880 Speaker 2: have to call him pastor, but you may not call 18 00:00:46,960 --> 00:00:49,760 Speaker 2: him the head a hog at the trough. He said, well, find, 19 00:00:50,080 --> 00:00:52,600 Speaker 2: but I was thinking about making a five thousand dollars 20 00:00:52,600 --> 00:00:55,959 Speaker 2: donation to your church. She said, hang on, poor kid, 21 00:00:56,080 --> 00:01:00,040 Speaker 2: just walked in. Say it like you mean it. This 22 00:00:59,880 --> 00:01:02,520 Speaker 2: is my Bible. I am what it says, I am. 23 00:01:03,000 --> 00:01:05,399 Speaker 2: I have what it says I have, I can do 24 00:01:05,440 --> 00:01:08,039 Speaker 2: what it says I can do. Today I will be 25 00:01:08,120 --> 00:01:11,959 Speaker 2: taught the word of God. I boldly confess. My mind 26 00:01:12,040 --> 00:01:15,319 Speaker 2: is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never be 27 00:01:15,440 --> 00:01:20,119 Speaker 2: the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. I want 28 00:01:20,160 --> 00:01:23,959 Speaker 2: to talk to you today about uncommon. It's easy to 29 00:01:24,040 --> 00:01:27,320 Speaker 2: fit in and do what everyone else is doing. Our 30 00:01:27,360 --> 00:01:31,479 Speaker 2: neighbors complain, so we complain. Our coworkers show up late, 31 00:01:31,560 --> 00:01:34,800 Speaker 2: so we show up late. Our relatives have addictions, so 32 00:01:34,880 --> 00:01:39,240 Speaker 2: we have addictions. It's normal. It's common. But God did 33 00:01:39,280 --> 00:01:43,240 Speaker 2: not create you to be common. He didn't breathe his 34 00:01:43,319 --> 00:01:46,920 Speaker 2: life into you so you can do what everyone else does. 35 00:01:47,560 --> 00:01:51,520 Speaker 2: You were created to be uncommon, to live by a 36 00:01:51,640 --> 00:01:55,560 Speaker 2: higher standard, to do what others aren't willing to do, 37 00:01:56,160 --> 00:01:59,160 Speaker 2: to believe for things that others think are too big. 38 00:01:59,760 --> 00:02:03,120 Speaker 2: He created you to stand out in the crowd, to 39 00:02:03,200 --> 00:02:07,280 Speaker 2: be a cut above. Everyone. At work. May be complaining 40 00:02:07,480 --> 00:02:12,839 Speaker 2: that's common, but that's not you. You're uncommon. Instead of joining in, 41 00:02:13,160 --> 00:02:16,520 Speaker 2: you find something to be grateful for. You don't focus 42 00:02:16,560 --> 00:02:19,760 Speaker 2: on what's wrong. You thank God for what's right. Why 43 00:02:19,960 --> 00:02:24,160 Speaker 2: you're uncommon. People around you may have a small vision. 44 00:02:24,520 --> 00:02:27,760 Speaker 2: They think they've reached their limits. Now they've settled where 45 00:02:27,760 --> 00:02:30,440 Speaker 2: they are and they're just going through the motions of life. 46 00:02:30,880 --> 00:02:35,720 Speaker 2: That's common, but that's not you. You're passionate about your future. 47 00:02:36,160 --> 00:02:40,080 Speaker 2: You believe for big things. You're expecting new levels. You know, 48 00:02:40,160 --> 00:02:43,920 Speaker 2: the path of the righteous gets brighter and brighter. Or 49 00:02:43,960 --> 00:02:49,320 Speaker 2: maybe everyone around you is compromising. They're not faithful in relationships, 50 00:02:49,639 --> 00:02:53,400 Speaker 2: they're dishonest in business dealings. They do anything to get ahead. 51 00:02:54,040 --> 00:02:58,840 Speaker 2: That's common, but that's not you. You're a person of excellence. 52 00:02:59,360 --> 00:03:02,680 Speaker 2: You do the when no one is looking. You keep 53 00:03:02,720 --> 00:03:07,000 Speaker 2: your word when it costs you something. Other people don't understand. 54 00:03:07,480 --> 00:03:11,000 Speaker 2: You could have compromised to get ahead. Nobody would have known, 55 00:03:11,440 --> 00:03:14,680 Speaker 2: but you live by a higher standard. Why is that 56 00:03:15,200 --> 00:03:20,960 Speaker 2: You're uncommon? That's the kind of people God rewards. Complainers 57 00:03:21,040 --> 00:03:26,360 Speaker 2: are a dime a dozen compromisers are all around naysayers. 58 00:03:26,400 --> 00:03:29,400 Speaker 2: I can't accomplish my dreams. You'll see them every day. 59 00:03:29,560 --> 00:03:35,080 Speaker 2: That's common. But God is looking for uncommon people, people 60 00:03:35,120 --> 00:03:38,840 Speaker 2: that don't go with the majority, people that don't lower 61 00:03:38,880 --> 00:03:42,960 Speaker 2: their standards. He's looking for people that go against the grain, 62 00:03:43,800 --> 00:03:48,720 Speaker 2: people that have uncommon faith, that believe when it seems impossible, 63 00:03:49,440 --> 00:03:52,920 Speaker 2: uncommon commitment that do the right thing when it's hard, 64 00:03:53,520 --> 00:03:59,080 Speaker 2: an uncommon attitude. When everyone around is negative, bitter, moody, 65 00:03:59,320 --> 00:04:04,160 Speaker 2: You have a smile, you're kind, your good nature. When 66 00:04:04,160 --> 00:04:07,480 Speaker 2: you make this decision to not fit in, to not 67 00:04:07,640 --> 00:04:11,480 Speaker 2: be like everyone else, but to be uncommon, then you 68 00:04:11,560 --> 00:04:18,400 Speaker 2: will see uncommon favor, uncommon opportunities, uncommon breakthroughs, uncommon victories. 69 00:04:19,240 --> 00:04:22,400 Speaker 2: But we are living in a day where the standards 70 00:04:22,520 --> 00:04:26,800 Speaker 2: are being lowered, where it's acceptable to compromise, to not 71 00:04:26,920 --> 00:04:30,400 Speaker 2: have integrity, to take the easy way out, and if 72 00:04:30,400 --> 00:04:34,640 Speaker 2: we're not careful, we'll adapt to our environment, will become 73 00:04:34,720 --> 00:04:39,839 Speaker 2: like everybody else. But there's nothing special about common, nothing 74 00:04:39,960 --> 00:04:45,120 Speaker 2: significant about ordinary. God wants you to stand out. When 75 00:04:45,120 --> 00:04:48,679 Speaker 2: people look at us, they should say there's something different 76 00:04:48,720 --> 00:04:53,839 Speaker 2: about them. They're a cut above, they're excellent, they're trustworthy, 77 00:04:54,040 --> 00:04:57,520 Speaker 2: they're committed, they're loyal, they're happy. What they're really saying 78 00:04:57,680 --> 00:05:03,479 Speaker 2: is they're uncommon. Paul said in Romans, don't let society 79 00:05:03,839 --> 00:05:08,479 Speaker 2: squeeze you into its mold. There's a constant pressure trying 80 00:05:08,480 --> 00:05:12,640 Speaker 2: to squeeze us into being common. People at work may 81 00:05:12,720 --> 00:05:18,039 Speaker 2: slack off, waste time, playing around, do a half hearted job. 82 00:05:18,760 --> 00:05:22,520 Speaker 2: Don't be squeezed into that mold. Don't let that thinking 83 00:05:22,600 --> 00:05:25,480 Speaker 2: rub off on you. If they want to be mediocre, 84 00:05:25,960 --> 00:05:29,240 Speaker 2: if they want to be common, that's their choice. But 85 00:05:29,320 --> 00:05:32,960 Speaker 2: that's not who you are. You are uncommon, stand out 86 00:05:33,000 --> 00:05:35,880 Speaker 2: in the crowd. Do the right thing when the boss 87 00:05:35,920 --> 00:05:39,600 Speaker 2: is not around. Don't sink down to their level. Set 88 00:05:39,600 --> 00:05:43,560 Speaker 2: a new standard. People around you may be giving into 89 00:05:43,640 --> 00:05:47,640 Speaker 2: temptation doing things you know are not the best. Thoughts 90 00:05:47,680 --> 00:05:51,040 Speaker 2: will tell you it's okay, it's not hurting anything. You only 91 00:05:51,080 --> 00:05:55,279 Speaker 2: live once. That's the enemy trying to deceive you into 92 00:05:55,320 --> 00:05:59,279 Speaker 2: being common. He knows if you're like everyone else, if 93 00:05:59,320 --> 00:06:03,440 Speaker 2: there's nothing different about you, then you won't become all 94 00:06:03,520 --> 00:06:06,920 Speaker 2: you were created to be. Don't fall into that trap. 95 00:06:07,240 --> 00:06:12,559 Speaker 2: Be uncommon, be different, Live by a higher standard. Well, Joel, 96 00:06:12,640 --> 00:06:16,719 Speaker 2: everyone is doing it. Everyone's party, and everyone's slacking off. 97 00:06:16,800 --> 00:06:21,520 Speaker 2: Everyone's negative. Here's the key. You're not everyone. You're the exception. 98 00:06:22,520 --> 00:06:26,359 Speaker 2: The scripture says you've been set apart. You are a 99 00:06:26,480 --> 00:06:31,080 Speaker 2: chosen people. That's saying you're not common, You're not like 100 00:06:31,200 --> 00:06:35,960 Speaker 2: everyone else. You've not only been handpicked by the most 101 00:06:36,000 --> 00:06:39,360 Speaker 2: high God. He not only chose you, but he has 102 00:06:39,480 --> 00:06:44,120 Speaker 2: set you apart. He's made you uncommon. Could it be 103 00:06:44,720 --> 00:06:48,440 Speaker 2: the reason you're not seeing favor is you're being common. 104 00:06:49,400 --> 00:06:52,200 Speaker 2: The reason you're not going to the next level is 105 00:06:52,240 --> 00:06:56,599 Speaker 2: you've let society squeeze you into its mold, and now 106 00:06:56,680 --> 00:07:00,279 Speaker 2: there's nothing different about you. You're like everyone else. It's 107 00:07:00,320 --> 00:07:02,960 Speaker 2: time to break out of that mold. That is not 108 00:07:03,040 --> 00:07:06,599 Speaker 2: who you are. You may be surrounded by people that 109 00:07:06,680 --> 00:07:12,040 Speaker 2: are lazy, indifferent, not going anywhere. Don't be squeezed into 110 00:07:12,080 --> 00:07:15,360 Speaker 2: that mold. Don't let that keep you from your destiny. 111 00:07:15,800 --> 00:07:19,680 Speaker 2: You've been set apart. You're not common. Now do your 112 00:07:19,760 --> 00:07:24,040 Speaker 2: part and don't live common. This is what Daniel did 113 00:07:24,120 --> 00:07:28,360 Speaker 2: in the scripture. He was a Hebrew teenager that was 114 00:07:28,400 --> 00:07:32,040 Speaker 2: brought out of Judah into Babylon to be trained to 115 00:07:32,120 --> 00:07:36,120 Speaker 2: serve the king. But the Babylonians had all these customs 116 00:07:36,360 --> 00:07:39,880 Speaker 2: that didn't agree with the Jewish faith. They worshiped many 117 00:07:39,960 --> 00:07:42,960 Speaker 2: different gods, and they wanted Daniel to fit in and 118 00:07:43,040 --> 00:07:46,840 Speaker 2: worship their gods. The first thing they did was change 119 00:07:46,880 --> 00:07:50,960 Speaker 2: his name from Daniel, which means God is my judge, 120 00:07:51,280 --> 00:07:55,800 Speaker 2: to belt a shazar, which means worshiper of bel They 121 00:07:55,840 --> 00:07:59,080 Speaker 2: wanted him to forget about the God of Israel and 122 00:07:59,160 --> 00:08:03,720 Speaker 2: start worshiping their idols. Daniel could have accepted it and thought, 123 00:08:03,880 --> 00:08:07,880 Speaker 2: this is what everybody's doing. I'm in their nation, I'm 124 00:08:07,920 --> 00:08:11,040 Speaker 2: surrounded by people that worship idols. I'll just fit in, 125 00:08:11,240 --> 00:08:15,800 Speaker 2: go with the flow. But Daniel understood this principle. He 126 00:08:15,840 --> 00:08:20,080 Speaker 2: didn't let them squeeze him into their mold. He knew 127 00:08:20,240 --> 00:08:23,320 Speaker 2: he had been set apart, that he wasn't supposed to 128 00:08:23,360 --> 00:08:26,720 Speaker 2: be common, and they put all this pressure on Daniel 129 00:08:26,760 --> 00:08:30,640 Speaker 2: to change. But the scripture says Daniel purposed in his 130 00:08:30,800 --> 00:08:35,080 Speaker 2: heart he would not defile himself by eating the king's 131 00:08:35,120 --> 00:08:39,559 Speaker 2: food and drinking the king's wine. He was saying, in effect, 132 00:08:39,840 --> 00:08:44,400 Speaker 2: everyone around me may be compromising, they're taking the easy 133 00:08:44,440 --> 00:08:47,760 Speaker 2: way out. But I am not going to lower my standards. 134 00:08:48,240 --> 00:08:51,040 Speaker 2: I'm not going to fit in and become common. I'm 135 00:08:51,080 --> 00:08:54,600 Speaker 2: going to live by a higher standard. When the person 136 00:08:54,720 --> 00:08:57,960 Speaker 2: in charge saw how determined he was, he said he 137 00:08:57,960 --> 00:09:00,960 Speaker 2: would give Daniel ten days to eat his own food, 138 00:09:01,480 --> 00:09:05,200 Speaker 2: then they see how he was doing. After those ten days, 139 00:09:05,600 --> 00:09:09,920 Speaker 2: Daniel came out stronger and healthier than all the other 140 00:09:10,040 --> 00:09:13,880 Speaker 2: young men that had been eating the king's food. When 141 00:09:13,920 --> 00:09:18,960 Speaker 2: you refuse to compromise, not be squeezed into society's mold, 142 00:09:19,400 --> 00:09:22,520 Speaker 2: God will show you favor and cause you to stand 143 00:09:22,559 --> 00:09:26,640 Speaker 2: out above the rest. But being common does it get 144 00:09:26,679 --> 00:09:31,160 Speaker 2: God's attention being like everyone else, not being different. But 145 00:09:31,280 --> 00:09:34,360 Speaker 2: when you dig your heels in and say, like Daniel, 146 00:09:35,040 --> 00:09:38,680 Speaker 2: I'm not going to be pressured into compromising. I'm not 147 00:09:38,720 --> 00:09:43,520 Speaker 2: going to live like everyone else, complaining, gossiping, giving up 148 00:09:43,559 --> 00:09:47,319 Speaker 2: on dreams. I'm going to be uncommon. I'm going to 149 00:09:47,400 --> 00:09:50,120 Speaker 2: go against the grain. I'm gonna take the high road. 150 00:09:50,360 --> 00:09:53,600 Speaker 2: I'm going to be a person of excellence. When you 151 00:09:53,720 --> 00:09:58,040 Speaker 2: make this choice to be uncommon, like Daniel, you will 152 00:09:58,080 --> 00:10:02,480 Speaker 2: see uncommon favor. God will make things happen that you 153 00:10:02,520 --> 00:10:06,679 Speaker 2: couldn't make happen. But it takes courage to be different, 154 00:10:07,360 --> 00:10:11,160 Speaker 2: takes courage to not compromise. People will try to make 155 00:10:11,200 --> 00:10:15,000 Speaker 2: you feel weak because you're not going with the majority, 156 00:10:15,120 --> 00:10:18,360 Speaker 2: because you don't party with everyone, you don't gossip, you 157 00:10:18,400 --> 00:10:22,920 Speaker 2: don't play politics. The truth is you're not weak, you're strong. 158 00:10:23,920 --> 00:10:27,120 Speaker 2: It doesn't take much effort to do what everyone else 159 00:10:27,240 --> 00:10:31,160 Speaker 2: is doing. A dead fish can float downstream. It takes 160 00:10:31,200 --> 00:10:36,559 Speaker 2: a live one to swim upstream. It's easy to be common. 161 00:10:37,160 --> 00:10:41,559 Speaker 2: The pressure comes when you decide to be uncommon, when 162 00:10:41,600 --> 00:10:45,840 Speaker 2: everybody around you is compromising, But you rise up and say, 163 00:10:46,240 --> 00:10:49,400 Speaker 2: as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. 164 00:10:50,640 --> 00:10:54,280 Speaker 2: Neighbors will say, you're going to church today on Sunday, 165 00:10:54,360 --> 00:10:56,960 Speaker 2: You're day off. Why would you waste time doing that? 166 00:10:57,280 --> 00:11:02,040 Speaker 2: It's because you're uncommon. Live by a higher standard. You 167 00:11:02,160 --> 00:11:08,840 Speaker 2: honor God with your life. Uncommon obedience produces uncommon blessings, 168 00:11:09,280 --> 00:11:14,120 Speaker 2: uncommon favor, and uncommon destiny. You'll go where you couldn't 169 00:11:14,160 --> 00:11:17,840 Speaker 2: go on your own. But there is pressure right now 170 00:11:18,040 --> 00:11:22,000 Speaker 2: trying to squeeze you into being common thoughts trying to 171 00:11:22,040 --> 00:11:25,400 Speaker 2: deceive you into not breaking out of them all. Don't 172 00:11:25,400 --> 00:11:30,120 Speaker 2: believe those lies. Be a Daniel. All that pressure trying 173 00:11:30,120 --> 00:11:33,320 Speaker 2: to get you to conform is a sign that God 174 00:11:33,400 --> 00:11:36,720 Speaker 2: has something amazing in front of you. You have to 175 00:11:36,760 --> 00:11:40,160 Speaker 2: do like him and purpose in your heart. I will 176 00:11:40,160 --> 00:11:44,439 Speaker 2: not defile myself by giving into this temptation, or by 177 00:11:44,520 --> 00:11:49,040 Speaker 2: letting these outside pressures convince me into lowering my standards. 178 00:11:50,160 --> 00:11:53,160 Speaker 2: The person in charge was so impressed with Daniel he 179 00:11:53,200 --> 00:11:56,400 Speaker 2: took him to see the King. The scripture says the 180 00:11:56,520 --> 00:12:00,320 Speaker 2: king found no one equal to Daniel. He had ten 181 00:12:00,400 --> 00:12:04,800 Speaker 2: times more wisdom and understanding than the smartest people in 182 00:12:04,840 --> 00:12:09,080 Speaker 2: his kingdom. That wasn't a coincidence. When you make this 183 00:12:09,280 --> 00:12:14,080 Speaker 2: choice to be uncommon, God will shine his favor on you. 184 00:12:14,080 --> 00:12:19,600 Speaker 2: You will have wisdom beyond you years, creativity, ideas, ability. 185 00:12:20,040 --> 00:12:25,200 Speaker 2: God rewards uncommon. The king put Daniel in charge of 186 00:12:25,320 --> 00:12:29,080 Speaker 2: all of Babylon. He went from being a slave to 187 00:12:29,160 --> 00:12:32,640 Speaker 2: being the leader of the whole country. But I wonder 188 00:12:32,800 --> 00:12:36,000 Speaker 2: what would have happened if Daniel would have chosen to 189 00:12:36,080 --> 00:12:40,160 Speaker 2: be common, if he had worshiped their idols, lived by 190 00:12:40,200 --> 00:12:44,040 Speaker 2: their standards, been squeezed into their mold. I don't think 191 00:12:44,080 --> 00:12:47,880 Speaker 2: we would be talking about him today. Another ordinary life 192 00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:52,800 Speaker 2: would have faded off into the sunset years after you're gone. 193 00:12:53,280 --> 00:12:57,319 Speaker 2: God wants somebody to be reading about you. Your faith, 194 00:12:57,800 --> 00:13:02,600 Speaker 2: your courage, your victories can inspire others to believe for 195 00:13:02,640 --> 00:13:06,160 Speaker 2: the fullness of their destinies. Joel, I don't think so. 196 00:13:06,640 --> 00:13:10,439 Speaker 2: Not with me. I don't have the experience, the influence, 197 00:13:10,520 --> 00:13:15,679 Speaker 2: the training, the education. Daniel was a slave, a teenager 198 00:13:16,040 --> 00:13:19,560 Speaker 2: in a foreign land. All the odds were against him, 199 00:13:19,920 --> 00:13:24,600 Speaker 2: but he made this decision to be uncommon, to stand out, 200 00:13:25,080 --> 00:13:28,720 Speaker 2: to honor God with his life. When you honor God, 201 00:13:29,000 --> 00:13:33,000 Speaker 2: God will always honor you. God opened doors for Daniel 202 00:13:33,160 --> 00:13:37,000 Speaker 2: he never dreamed would open. You may not see it yet, 203 00:13:37,280 --> 00:13:41,000 Speaker 2: but God has something amazing in front of you. He 204 00:13:41,080 --> 00:13:44,559 Speaker 2: has destined you to leave your mark in this generation. 205 00:13:45,320 --> 00:13:48,520 Speaker 2: You're not supposed to live and die and nobody knew 206 00:13:48,520 --> 00:13:55,000 Speaker 2: you were here. God has opportunities, resources, people, wisdom that's 207 00:13:55,040 --> 00:13:59,120 Speaker 2: going to catapult you further than you thought possible. But 208 00:13:59,200 --> 00:14:03,600 Speaker 2: one requires is you can't be common. You have to 209 00:14:03,679 --> 00:14:07,240 Speaker 2: be willing to do what others won't do, to make 210 00:14:07,360 --> 00:14:12,480 Speaker 2: sacrifices that others won't make, to resist temptation when others 211 00:14:12,520 --> 00:14:17,160 Speaker 2: are giving in the good news. Nothing you're facing is 212 00:14:17,240 --> 00:14:21,920 Speaker 2: too much for you to handle. Every temptation, every struggle, 213 00:14:22,000 --> 00:14:26,280 Speaker 2: every difficulty. God has given you the grace to overcome. 214 00:14:26,760 --> 00:14:30,800 Speaker 2: You have the power to be uncommon. And yes it 215 00:14:30,880 --> 00:14:35,360 Speaker 2: takes discipline. Yes it's uncomfortable. Your flesh will tell you 216 00:14:35,440 --> 00:14:38,640 Speaker 2: give in, do what everyone else is doing. No, your 217 00:14:38,720 --> 00:14:43,200 Speaker 2: destiny is at stake. Don't let a temporary period of 218 00:14:43,280 --> 00:14:47,880 Speaker 2: being uncomfortable keep you from a permanent blessing. It wasn't 219 00:14:47,920 --> 00:14:51,480 Speaker 2: easy for Daniel to go against the grain. I'm sure 220 00:14:51,600 --> 00:14:55,560 Speaker 2: people made fun of him, thought this new guy, this teenager, 221 00:14:56,080 --> 00:15:00,320 Speaker 2: he's strange, brought his own food, he worships his own God, 222 00:15:00,600 --> 00:15:04,280 Speaker 2: he's too good to hang out with us. Daniel could 223 00:15:04,320 --> 00:15:08,280 Speaker 2: have given in to the pressure, been intimidated, not wanted 224 00:15:08,320 --> 00:15:11,640 Speaker 2: to stand out, but he was willing to take the 225 00:15:11,680 --> 00:15:15,720 Speaker 2: heat for being different. He was secure enough in who 226 00:15:15,800 --> 00:15:19,360 Speaker 2: he was and confident enough in who his God was 227 00:15:19,960 --> 00:15:24,160 Speaker 2: that he didn't let the opposition, the ridicule, the people 228 00:15:24,200 --> 00:15:28,480 Speaker 2: trying to discredit him to squeeze him into their mold. 229 00:15:29,360 --> 00:15:33,040 Speaker 2: He knew when you're uncommon, there will be seasons of 230 00:15:33,080 --> 00:15:37,200 Speaker 2: difficulties where it's not fair, seems like others are getting 231 00:15:37,240 --> 00:15:40,400 Speaker 2: the best of you. You're having to swim upstream. But 232 00:15:40,520 --> 00:15:45,560 Speaker 2: God sees what's happening. Your time is coming. Like with Daniel, 233 00:15:45,920 --> 00:15:49,720 Speaker 2: at some point, God will suddenly turn it around. He'll 234 00:15:49,760 --> 00:15:55,040 Speaker 2: suddenly promote you, suddenly vindicate you. When the people saw 235 00:15:55,080 --> 00:15:59,920 Speaker 2: the favor on Daniel's life, they became jealous. This Hebrews 236 00:16:00,080 --> 00:16:03,560 Speaker 2: slave that they'd been making fun of, trying to discredit, 237 00:16:03,960 --> 00:16:06,680 Speaker 2: was now their boss. He was over all of them. 238 00:16:07,640 --> 00:16:11,240 Speaker 2: When you're being uncommon taking the high road. Don't be 239 00:16:11,360 --> 00:16:15,280 Speaker 2: distracted by the naysayers and people trying to discredit you. 240 00:16:15,960 --> 00:16:18,480 Speaker 2: They're making fun of you now, but you don't know, 241 00:16:19,080 --> 00:16:22,120 Speaker 2: like with Daniel, one day, they may be working for you. 242 00:16:23,120 --> 00:16:26,960 Speaker 2: These people knew that Daniel wouldn't compromise. They knew how 243 00:16:27,000 --> 00:16:30,040 Speaker 2: committed and faithful he was, so they came up with 244 00:16:30,080 --> 00:16:33,320 Speaker 2: a plan to try to trap him. They went to 245 00:16:33,360 --> 00:16:37,880 Speaker 2: the king and said, King, you're so amazing. You're so incredible, 246 00:16:38,480 --> 00:16:42,120 Speaker 2: you should write a law that for the next thirty days, 247 00:16:42,600 --> 00:16:46,800 Speaker 2: no one can pray to anyone except you. If they do, 248 00:16:46,840 --> 00:16:50,480 Speaker 2: they'll be thrown into a lion's den. The king was 249 00:16:50,520 --> 00:16:54,720 Speaker 2: so flattered, his ego was so inflated. He thought that 250 00:16:54,840 --> 00:16:59,040 Speaker 2: was a good idea. Be careful when people flatter you 251 00:16:59,520 --> 00:17:02,960 Speaker 2: and then ask you for something. When they do, just 252 00:17:03,080 --> 00:17:06,879 Speaker 2: cancel out everything they said first, because even if it 253 00:17:06,960 --> 00:17:10,440 Speaker 2: is true, most likely they said it with the wrong motives. 254 00:17:11,119 --> 00:17:14,600 Speaker 2: Flattery is a tool. If you're not securing who you are, 255 00:17:14,640 --> 00:17:17,800 Speaker 2: and you need that to feel good about yourself, you'll 256 00:17:17,840 --> 00:17:22,240 Speaker 2: make decisions that you may regret later on. The King 257 00:17:22,359 --> 00:17:25,359 Speaker 2: loved Daniel, he didn't realize they were doing this to 258 00:17:25,440 --> 00:17:28,640 Speaker 2: trap him. But when Daniel heard about the new law, 259 00:17:28,920 --> 00:17:32,399 Speaker 2: it didn't stop him. The scripture says he went home, 260 00:17:32,920 --> 00:17:36,720 Speaker 2: opened his windows, got on his knees, and prayed like 261 00:17:36,800 --> 00:17:41,480 Speaker 2: he had always done. Now he's in charge, and he's 262 00:17:41,520 --> 00:17:46,080 Speaker 2: still not being squeezed into their mold. Sometimes when people 263 00:17:46,160 --> 00:17:49,520 Speaker 2: get to where they were trying to go, God blesses 264 00:17:49,560 --> 00:17:53,760 Speaker 2: them and opens the door, they forget what got them there. 265 00:17:54,600 --> 00:17:58,040 Speaker 2: It was the fact that they were uncommon, but too often, 266 00:17:58,320 --> 00:18:01,760 Speaker 2: once they reach a goal, they start becoming in common. 267 00:18:02,359 --> 00:18:06,080 Speaker 2: Daniel didn't do this. He had made it to the top. 268 00:18:06,520 --> 00:18:09,159 Speaker 2: He had everything to lose. If there was ever a 269 00:18:09,240 --> 00:18:13,080 Speaker 2: time he should have fit in did what the king asked, 270 00:18:13,200 --> 00:18:16,520 Speaker 2: it was now. But Daniel stayed on the high road. 271 00:18:17,119 --> 00:18:20,959 Speaker 2: He didn't let the pressure cause him to compromise. Well, 272 00:18:21,000 --> 00:18:23,639 Speaker 2: they ran back and told the king that Daniel was 273 00:18:23,680 --> 00:18:27,119 Speaker 2: praying to another god. The king felt bad about it, 274 00:18:27,200 --> 00:18:29,480 Speaker 2: but he couldn't go back on his word, and he 275 00:18:29,560 --> 00:18:33,440 Speaker 2: had Daniel thrown into the lion's den. The whole night, 276 00:18:33,720 --> 00:18:37,560 Speaker 2: the king stayed awake and prayed and fasted for Daniel. 277 00:18:38,280 --> 00:18:41,280 Speaker 2: Early the next morning he ran out to check on him. 278 00:18:41,640 --> 00:18:45,040 Speaker 2: He said Daniel was the god you serve able to 279 00:18:45,080 --> 00:18:49,280 Speaker 2: rescue you from the lions. Daniel said, yes, I'm still here. 280 00:18:50,000 --> 00:18:53,160 Speaker 2: The king was so overjoyed he had him taken out 281 00:18:53,200 --> 00:18:56,159 Speaker 2: of the lion's den. The scripture says there was not 282 00:18:56,320 --> 00:18:59,720 Speaker 2: one scratch on him and the people that talked to 283 00:18:59,760 --> 00:19:02,760 Speaker 2: him into writing the decree that tried to get rid 284 00:19:02,800 --> 00:19:06,520 Speaker 2: of Daniel. The king had them arrested and thrown into 285 00:19:06,560 --> 00:19:11,240 Speaker 2: the same lions den. Not one of them survived. The 286 00:19:11,320 --> 00:19:14,879 Speaker 2: king wrote a new decree. It said everyone in my 287 00:19:15,119 --> 00:19:19,120 Speaker 2: kingdom should worship the God of Daniel. He's the living god. 288 00:19:19,480 --> 00:19:24,120 Speaker 2: He rescues people and does great miraclesure when you're uncommon, 289 00:19:24,760 --> 00:19:27,399 Speaker 2: when you refuse to compromise, when you don't take the 290 00:19:27,480 --> 00:19:31,639 Speaker 2: easy way out, God will do the uncommon. He'll close 291 00:19:31,720 --> 00:19:35,359 Speaker 2: the mouths of lions. When you study the heroes of faith, 292 00:19:35,400 --> 00:19:39,119 Speaker 2: people like Daniel, you'll find one common ingredient is they 293 00:19:39,160 --> 00:19:43,800 Speaker 2: were uncommon. A lady in the scripture named Naomi had 294 00:19:43,840 --> 00:19:48,040 Speaker 2: two sons that both died early. Their wives were Ruth 295 00:19:48,200 --> 00:19:52,360 Speaker 2: and Orpha. Naomi was going to move back home to Bethlehem. 296 00:19:53,000 --> 00:19:55,639 Speaker 2: She told both daughters in law that they should go 297 00:19:55,720 --> 00:19:59,520 Speaker 2: back to their country and start a new life. Ruth said, 298 00:19:59,560 --> 00:20:02,520 Speaker 2: no name, I'm not going to leave you. I'm going 299 00:20:02,560 --> 00:20:05,280 Speaker 2: to move back with you and help take care of you. 300 00:20:06,000 --> 00:20:09,119 Speaker 2: She said, Ruth, I'm an old lady. There's no future 301 00:20:09,160 --> 00:20:12,080 Speaker 2: for you in Bethlehem. Go back to your country. Maybe 302 00:20:12,119 --> 00:20:15,600 Speaker 2: you'll find somebody new to marry there. This is what 303 00:20:15,720 --> 00:20:18,680 Speaker 2: Orpah did. She left, went her own way, did her 304 00:20:18,720 --> 00:20:23,240 Speaker 2: own thing. Ruth said, Naomi, I will go where you go. 305 00:20:23,960 --> 00:20:26,439 Speaker 2: Your people will be my people, Your God will be 306 00:20:26,520 --> 00:20:30,760 Speaker 2: my God. It was in the fields of Bethlehem, picking 307 00:20:30,840 --> 00:20:35,520 Speaker 2: up wheat every morning, barely surviving that God costs Boaz, 308 00:20:35,920 --> 00:20:39,560 Speaker 2: the owner of those fields, to notice Ruth. He was 309 00:20:39,600 --> 00:20:43,199 Speaker 2: the wealthiest man in that area. They ended up falling 310 00:20:43,240 --> 00:20:46,480 Speaker 2: in love and were married. Ruth no longer had to 311 00:20:46,560 --> 00:20:49,800 Speaker 2: work in the fields. Now she owned the fields. What 312 00:20:49,840 --> 00:20:56,359 Speaker 2: am I saying? Uncommon commitment brought uncommon fevor. Ruth was 313 00:20:56,400 --> 00:21:00,719 Speaker 2: willing to do what Orpah wouldn't do, or the easy 314 00:21:00,720 --> 00:21:04,119 Speaker 2: way out. But Ruth did the right thing when it 315 00:21:04,200 --> 00:21:07,800 Speaker 2: was hard. She took care of someone when she had 316 00:21:07,880 --> 00:21:11,880 Speaker 2: every right to walk away. Nothing against Orpha. She may 317 00:21:11,920 --> 00:21:15,120 Speaker 2: have lived a good life, but you don't read anything 318 00:21:15,200 --> 00:21:18,800 Speaker 2: more in the scripture about her. You don't read much 319 00:21:18,880 --> 00:21:23,000 Speaker 2: about common people. Not only did God bless Ruth with 320 00:21:23,040 --> 00:21:26,879 Speaker 2: a husband and a son, but she became the great 321 00:21:26,920 --> 00:21:30,879 Speaker 2: grandmother of David. God put her in the family line 322 00:21:31,000 --> 00:21:34,920 Speaker 2: of Jesus. It wouldn't have happened if she was common. 323 00:21:35,800 --> 00:21:39,600 Speaker 2: Are there areas that you're being common in doing what 324 00:21:39,640 --> 00:21:43,480 Speaker 2: everybody else is doing? Taking the easy way out? Why 325 00:21:43,520 --> 00:21:46,400 Speaker 2: don't you be a Ruth? Why don't you be a Daniel? 326 00:21:47,000 --> 00:21:54,120 Speaker 2: God has uncommon favor in your future, uncommon opportunities, uncommon relationships. 327 00:21:54,480 --> 00:21:57,600 Speaker 2: But you have to do your part and be uncommon 328 00:21:58,520 --> 00:22:02,240 Speaker 2: Acts Chapter sixteen, Paul and Silas were out helping people 329 00:22:02,760 --> 00:22:06,040 Speaker 2: when they were falsely accused of trying to start a riot. 330 00:22:06,520 --> 00:22:09,560 Speaker 2: They hadn't committed any crime, but they were beaten with 331 00:22:09,760 --> 00:22:13,680 Speaker 2: rods and put in prison. They could have been complaining, 332 00:22:14,280 --> 00:22:17,480 Speaker 2: bitter God, why did you let this happen? That would 333 00:22:17,480 --> 00:22:22,720 Speaker 2: have been common, but they were uncommon. Instead, at midnight 334 00:22:23,119 --> 00:22:27,399 Speaker 2: in the dungeon, they were singing praises to God. The 335 00:22:27,440 --> 00:22:31,280 Speaker 2: scripture says the other prisoners could hear them. I'm sure 336 00:22:31,320 --> 00:22:34,399 Speaker 2: they thought, what's wrong with these guys? They'd been beaten, 337 00:22:34,720 --> 00:22:38,640 Speaker 2: they were falsely accused, and now they're thanking God. That's 338 00:22:38,720 --> 00:22:43,040 Speaker 2: not normal. Suddenly there was a great earthquake. The prison 339 00:22:43,080 --> 00:22:46,080 Speaker 2: doors flung open, the chains came off, they walked out 340 00:22:46,320 --> 00:22:52,520 Speaker 2: as free men. An uncommon attitude led to an uncommon breakthrough. 341 00:22:53,600 --> 00:22:56,720 Speaker 2: Instead of complaining about the people that have done you wrong, 342 00:22:57,480 --> 00:23:00,960 Speaker 2: being sour over the disappointment, don't you do like them 343 00:23:01,280 --> 00:23:05,480 Speaker 2: and be uncommon God. I don't understand why this has happened, 344 00:23:05,760 --> 00:23:08,840 Speaker 2: but I know you're still on the throne. I want 345 00:23:08,840 --> 00:23:11,000 Speaker 2: to thank you that you have beauty for these ashes. 346 00:23:11,280 --> 00:23:14,600 Speaker 2: That what was meant for harm, you turn into my advantage. 347 00:23:14,800 --> 00:23:21,960 Speaker 2: That's what brings uncommon turnarounds, uncommon breakthroughs, uncommon favor. This 348 00:23:22,040 --> 00:23:25,560 Speaker 2: is what happened with David. He was a teenager out 349 00:23:25,600 --> 00:23:28,640 Speaker 2: taking care of his father's sheep. He didn't come from 350 00:23:28,640 --> 00:23:33,840 Speaker 2: an influential family. They were shepherds. Nobody saw anything special 351 00:23:33,920 --> 00:23:38,440 Speaker 2: in David. He looked ordinary like everyone else. But David 352 00:23:38,600 --> 00:23:42,879 Speaker 2: made this decision to be uncommon. He was willing to 353 00:23:42,960 --> 00:23:47,080 Speaker 2: do what others wouldn't do. Nobody had the courage to 354 00:23:47,119 --> 00:23:50,680 Speaker 2: face Goliath. They thought he was too big, too strong, 355 00:23:50,880 --> 00:23:55,440 Speaker 2: too much experience. The whole army was afraid and intimidated. 356 00:23:56,280 --> 00:24:00,639 Speaker 2: But when David heard Goliath tauning the Israelites, he said, 357 00:24:01,040 --> 00:24:05,560 Speaker 2: who is this uncircumcised philistine that he would defy the 358 00:24:05,680 --> 00:24:09,320 Speaker 2: armies of the Living God. When others were shrinking back 359 00:24:09,400 --> 00:24:13,440 Speaker 2: in fear, David rose up in faith. He told King 360 00:24:13,560 --> 00:24:17,320 Speaker 2: Saul that he wanted to fight Goliath. His brothers, the 361 00:24:17,440 --> 00:24:20,760 Speaker 2: other people in the army said, who are you. You 362 00:24:20,800 --> 00:24:23,320 Speaker 2: don't have a chance. You're a kid, and a small 363 00:24:23,359 --> 00:24:27,080 Speaker 2: one at that. They were common, and they were trying 364 00:24:27,080 --> 00:24:31,320 Speaker 2: to convince him into being common. When you go against 365 00:24:31,320 --> 00:24:34,600 Speaker 2: the grain, when you take these steps of faith, don't 366 00:24:34,600 --> 00:24:38,199 Speaker 2: be surprised if common people tell you how it's not 367 00:24:38,280 --> 00:24:41,879 Speaker 2: going to happen. You can't get well. He'll never break 368 00:24:41,880 --> 00:24:45,080 Speaker 2: that addiction. You can't start your business, you don't have 369 00:24:45,119 --> 00:24:49,520 Speaker 2: the experience. Don't believe those lies. You have something on 370 00:24:49,680 --> 00:24:53,560 Speaker 2: you that they cannot see. There is a favor, a 371 00:24:53,680 --> 00:24:59,520 Speaker 2: blessing and anointing, an ability that is not ordinary. Average 372 00:24:59,560 --> 00:25:04,560 Speaker 2: people would be stuck. Ordinary people would settle. Common people 373 00:25:04,600 --> 00:25:07,760 Speaker 2: would say, the giant is too big. The good news 374 00:25:07,880 --> 00:25:11,919 Speaker 2: is you are uncommon. God breeds his life into you. 375 00:25:12,560 --> 00:25:16,320 Speaker 2: He's crowned you with fever. You have seeds of greatness 376 00:25:16,359 --> 00:25:20,400 Speaker 2: on the inside. Like David. You're going to defeat giants 377 00:25:20,440 --> 00:25:24,600 Speaker 2: that look bigger. You're going to overcome obstacles that look stronger. 378 00:25:25,119 --> 00:25:29,400 Speaker 2: You're going to accomplish dreams that seemed impossible. The forces 379 00:25:29,440 --> 00:25:32,239 Speaker 2: that are for you are greater than the forces that 380 00:25:32,280 --> 00:25:35,920 Speaker 2: are against you. I'm not looking at average people. I'm 381 00:25:35,960 --> 00:25:39,680 Speaker 2: not looking at common people. I'm looking at David's. I'm 382 00:25:39,680 --> 00:25:43,960 Speaker 2: looking at Ruth's. I'm looking at Daniels. I see history makers. 383 00:25:44,680 --> 00:25:46,840 Speaker 2: I see people that are going to leave their mark, 384 00:25:47,400 --> 00:25:49,560 Speaker 2: people that are willing to do what others want do, 385 00:25:50,680 --> 00:25:54,480 Speaker 2: people that live by a higher standard fringe. God has 386 00:25:54,560 --> 00:25:57,560 Speaker 2: not only chosen you, but he has set you apart. 387 00:25:58,040 --> 00:26:00,760 Speaker 2: He's made you uncommon. Now I'm asking you to do 388 00:26:00,880 --> 00:26:05,480 Speaker 2: your part and live uncommon when others shrink back, have 389 00:26:05,640 --> 00:26:10,080 Speaker 2: uncommon faith, when others slack off, have uncommon commitment when 390 00:26:10,119 --> 00:26:13,760 Speaker 2: others take the easy way out, have uncommon excellence. If 391 00:26:13,800 --> 00:26:17,080 Speaker 2: you'll do this, I'll believe and declare. You're going to 392 00:26:17,160 --> 00:26:25,400 Speaker 2: see uncommon favor, uncommon breakthroughs, uncommon increase, uncommon victories in Jesus' name, 393 00:26:25,760 --> 00:26:28,760 Speaker 2: And if you receive it, can you say amen. Today, 394 00:26:29,800 --> 00:26:33,080 Speaker 2: I'd like to give you an opportunity to make Jesus 395 00:26:33,160 --> 00:26:35,800 Speaker 2: the lord of your life. Would you pray with me? 396 00:26:36,480 --> 00:26:42,080 Speaker 2: Just say, Lord, Jesus, I repent of my sins. Come 397 00:26:42,119 --> 00:26:47,439 Speaker 2: into my heart. I'll make you my lord and savior. Friends, 398 00:26:47,440 --> 00:26:49,840 Speaker 2: if you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 399 00:26:49,840 --> 00:26:53,119 Speaker 2: born again. Get in a good Bible based church, and 400 00:26:53,240 --> 00:26:54,720 Speaker 2: keep God first place. 401 00:26:56,240 --> 00:26:59,800 Speaker 3: Our negative thinking can short circuit God's power and blessing 402 00:26:59,840 --> 00:27:02,840 Speaker 3: it in our lives. When you say, I always seem 403 00:27:02,880 --> 00:27:05,960 Speaker 3: to worry. I can't forgive what was done to me. 404 00:27:06,600 --> 00:27:09,800 Speaker 3: I pray, but it feels like God doesn't hear. I 405 00:27:09,800 --> 00:27:12,160 Speaker 3: won't have enough to provide for me and my family. 406 00:27:12,960 --> 00:27:15,520 Speaker 3: How do you overcome this type of negative thinking that 407 00:27:15,600 --> 00:27:17,080 Speaker 3: limits you from God's best. 408 00:27:18,240 --> 00:27:21,879 Speaker 2: Our thinking sets the limits for our life. Every morning. 409 00:27:21,920 --> 00:27:24,360 Speaker 2: You have to power up your mind, get it going 410 00:27:24,440 --> 00:27:27,240 Speaker 2: in the right direction, but dwelling on what God says 411 00:27:27,280 --> 00:27:31,359 Speaker 2: about you. When you think thoughts of faith, hope, and victory, 412 00:27:31,680 --> 00:27:35,520 Speaker 2: you'll tap into blessing and favor that belongs to you. Now, 413 00:27:35,520 --> 00:27:37,639 Speaker 2: I'd love to send you my newest book. It's called 414 00:27:37,680 --> 00:27:41,000 Speaker 2: Power Up. I'll show you how to delete negative thoughts 415 00:27:41,119 --> 00:27:44,320 Speaker 2: and focus on the promises rather than the problems. 416 00:27:44,760 --> 00:27:48,640 Speaker 3: You can discover God's unprecedented power in your life. As 417 00:27:48,680 --> 00:27:50,959 Speaker 3: our way of saying thank you for your gift of 418 00:27:51,000 --> 00:27:54,240 Speaker 3: any amount to the ministry, this month, Joel and Victoria 419 00:27:54,359 --> 00:27:57,920 Speaker 3: would like to send you this life altering resource, power Up, 420 00:27:58,160 --> 00:28:02,040 Speaker 3: a twenty one day action plan to transformative thinking. God 421 00:28:02,119 --> 00:28:08,320 Speaker 3: wants to power up every area of your life, your relationships, career, finances, health. 422 00:28:08,600 --> 00:28:11,959 Speaker 3: He wants to bless it all. But sometimes negative thinking 423 00:28:12,080 --> 00:28:16,600 Speaker 3: can short circuit the truth. This resource reconnects those power lines, 424 00:28:16,760 --> 00:28:21,480 Speaker 3: providing the free flow of God's eternal promises. Remember, wherever 425 00:28:21,520 --> 00:28:24,679 Speaker 3: you're at, whatever you're facing, you can make the choice 426 00:28:24,680 --> 00:28:27,399 Speaker 3: to power up and access God's promises. 427 00:28:28,320 --> 00:28:31,040 Speaker 2: When your mind is going in the right direction, your 428 00:28:31,119 --> 00:28:34,400 Speaker 2: life will go in the right direction. Start powering up 429 00:28:34,480 --> 00:28:37,760 Speaker 2: each day and watch what God will do. Victory and 430 00:28:37,800 --> 00:28:39,720 Speaker 2: I want you to know that we pray for you 431 00:28:39,800 --> 00:28:43,760 Speaker 2: and your family. We appreciate your prayer and support. Your 432 00:28:43,800 --> 00:28:48,240 Speaker 2: generosity is impacting so many lines. Remember you can watch 433 00:28:48,280 --> 00:28:53,160 Speaker 2: the services live online every Sunday morning, download our daily podcast, 434 00:28:53,600 --> 00:28:57,600 Speaker 2: watch our YouTube channel, listen on Serious Exam. But until 435 00:28:57,600 --> 00:29:00,680 Speaker 2: we meet again, May the Lord bless you and keep you. 436 00:29:01,720 --> 00:29:04,400 Speaker 3: Be sure to request your copy of Power Up, a 437 00:29:04,480 --> 00:29:08,360 Speaker 3: twenty one day action plan to transformative thinking today. Visit 438 00:29:08,440 --> 00:29:16,480 Speaker 3: Joe lustein dot com or call us toll free