1 00:00:00,480 --> 00:00:02,200 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. 2 00:00:02,320 --> 00:00:05,320 Speaker 2: Thanks for listening to our podcast and thanks for supporting 3 00:00:05,360 --> 00:00:08,280 Speaker 2: the ministry. If you enjoy today's message, why don't you 4 00:00:08,320 --> 00:00:10,480 Speaker 2: be a blessing and share it with a friend. We 5 00:00:10,560 --> 00:00:15,480 Speaker 2: appreciate you and pray for God's very best in your life. Well, 6 00:00:15,480 --> 00:00:18,759 Speaker 2: God bless you always the joy to come into your homes, 7 00:00:18,800 --> 00:00:21,360 Speaker 2: and if you're ever in our area, please stop by 8 00:00:21,480 --> 00:00:23,160 Speaker 2: and be a part of one of our services. 9 00:00:23,360 --> 00:00:25,560 Speaker 1: I promise you we'll make you feel right at home. 10 00:00:25,880 --> 00:00:27,920 Speaker 2: But thanks so much for tuning in, and thank you 11 00:00:27,960 --> 00:00:31,120 Speaker 2: again for coming out. I like to start with something funny, 12 00:00:31,120 --> 00:00:33,080 Speaker 2: and I heard about this scientist. 13 00:00:33,479 --> 00:00:37,040 Speaker 1: He said to God, we've decided we no longer need you. 14 00:00:37,720 --> 00:00:41,560 Speaker 2: We can clone people, transplant hearts, and do all kinds 15 00:00:41,600 --> 00:00:45,120 Speaker 2: of things once considered miraculous. God said, well, that's fine, 16 00:00:45,320 --> 00:00:47,600 Speaker 2: But to prove that you don't need me, let's have 17 00:00:47,680 --> 00:00:51,599 Speaker 2: a man making contest. The only requirement is you have 18 00:00:51,680 --> 00:00:54,920 Speaker 2: to make man out of dirt. The scientist said great. 19 00:00:55,160 --> 00:00:57,320 Speaker 2: He reached down quickly to get a handful of dirt. 20 00:00:57,560 --> 00:01:02,880 Speaker 2: God said, not so quick. Go get your own. Say 21 00:01:02,920 --> 00:01:05,800 Speaker 2: it like you mean it. This is my Bible. I 22 00:01:05,840 --> 00:01:08,200 Speaker 2: am what it says I am. I have what it 23 00:01:08,240 --> 00:01:10,640 Speaker 2: says I have. I can do what it says I 24 00:01:10,680 --> 00:01:13,759 Speaker 2: can do. Today I will be taught the word of God. 25 00:01:14,200 --> 00:01:18,320 Speaker 2: I boldly confess. My mind is alert, my heart is receptive. 26 00:01:18,640 --> 00:01:22,160 Speaker 2: I will never be the same. In Jesus' name, God 27 00:01:22,200 --> 00:01:25,440 Speaker 2: bless you. I want to talk to you today about 28 00:01:25,760 --> 00:01:30,160 Speaker 2: even now faith. We all face situations that look like 29 00:01:30,240 --> 00:01:32,960 Speaker 2: they're never going to work out. We don't see how 30 00:01:33,000 --> 00:01:35,479 Speaker 2: we could get well, or how we could get out 31 00:01:35,520 --> 00:01:37,720 Speaker 2: of debt, how we could accomplish a dream. 32 00:01:38,120 --> 00:01:39,119 Speaker 1: It's been too long. 33 00:01:39,640 --> 00:01:43,000 Speaker 2: The odds are against us. Too often we settle where 34 00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:45,640 Speaker 2: we are and just accept the fact that, hey, it 35 00:01:45,720 --> 00:01:49,240 Speaker 2: wasn't meant to be. In the scripture, there's a lady 36 00:01:49,320 --> 00:01:53,760 Speaker 2: named Martha that faced one of these impossible situations. Her 37 00:01:53,800 --> 00:01:58,880 Speaker 2: brother Lazarus was extremely sick. Martha and her sister Mary 38 00:01:58,960 --> 00:02:01,960 Speaker 2: were very close to g Jesus, so they sent word 39 00:02:02,080 --> 00:02:06,000 Speaker 2: for Jesus to come to their house and pray for Lazarus. Well, 40 00:02:06,080 --> 00:02:09,200 Speaker 2: Jesus was in another city and he kept getting delayed. 41 00:02:10,080 --> 00:02:10,760 Speaker 1: Day went by. 42 00:02:11,440 --> 00:02:14,639 Speaker 2: Martha said to her assistant, did you tell Jesus it 43 00:02:14,680 --> 00:02:17,480 Speaker 2: was me asking for him? The assistant said yes, I 44 00:02:17,520 --> 00:02:19,680 Speaker 2: told him it was you. Well, did you tell him 45 00:02:19,720 --> 00:02:23,040 Speaker 2: it was an emergency? Yes? I told him it was urgent. 46 00:02:23,639 --> 00:02:27,160 Speaker 2: Another day went by and they're waiting and waiting, night 47 00:02:27,280 --> 00:02:29,440 Speaker 2: falls and still no sign of Jesus. 48 00:02:29,960 --> 00:02:31,239 Speaker 1: They wake up early. 49 00:02:30,960 --> 00:02:34,680 Speaker 2: The next morning looking out the windows, knowing that any 50 00:02:34,760 --> 00:02:39,840 Speaker 2: moment Jesus would arrive. After all, it's been three days since. 51 00:02:39,600 --> 00:02:41,320 Speaker 1: They first asked for him. 52 00:02:41,760 --> 00:02:45,480 Speaker 2: Every hour that goes by, they're getting more and more upset. 53 00:02:45,800 --> 00:02:46,400 Speaker 1: Where is he? 54 00:02:46,840 --> 00:02:51,079 Speaker 2: I can't understand what's taken him so long. Finally, their 55 00:02:51,120 --> 00:02:57,399 Speaker 2: worst nightmare comes true. Lazarus died. They're distraught, upset they'd 56 00:02:57,480 --> 00:03:01,639 Speaker 2: just lost their brother. To make matters worse, they knew 57 00:03:01,840 --> 00:03:05,600 Speaker 2: that their good friend Jesus could have healed Lazarus. They 58 00:03:05,680 --> 00:03:09,560 Speaker 2: had seen him open blind eyes, cure the lepers, turn 59 00:03:09,680 --> 00:03:12,640 Speaker 2: water into wine. It would have been no big deal 60 00:03:12,880 --> 00:03:17,520 Speaker 2: for Jesus to heal their brother. Four days after Lazarus 61 00:03:17,560 --> 00:03:21,400 Speaker 2: had died, Jesus showed up, knocked on the front door, said, here, 62 00:03:21,440 --> 00:03:22,680 Speaker 2: I am, what can. 63 00:03:22,560 --> 00:03:26,080 Speaker 1: I do for you? Has it ever seemed like God 64 00:03:26,160 --> 00:03:27,160 Speaker 1: showed up too late? 65 00:03:28,040 --> 00:03:31,680 Speaker 2: You prayed, you believed, but the problem didn't turn around. 66 00:03:32,160 --> 00:03:35,280 Speaker 2: The medical report wasn't good. The business didn't make it. 67 00:03:35,920 --> 00:03:39,280 Speaker 2: Martha was crying. She went up to him and said, Jesus, 68 00:03:39,720 --> 00:03:42,400 Speaker 2: if you would have been here sooner, my brother wouldn't 69 00:03:42,440 --> 00:03:42,800 Speaker 2: have died. 70 00:03:43,720 --> 00:03:46,640 Speaker 1: She was saying, Jesus, how could you do this to us. 71 00:03:47,040 --> 00:03:50,440 Speaker 2: We're your friends, we hang out together, we have you 72 00:03:50,520 --> 00:03:53,600 Speaker 2: over for dinner. The least you could do is show 73 00:03:53,720 --> 00:03:57,680 Speaker 2: up when we have an emergency. Martha could have turned 74 00:03:57,960 --> 00:04:01,920 Speaker 2: and walked away, bitter, angry, complaining that would be the 75 00:04:02,000 --> 00:04:04,720 Speaker 2: end of the story. We wouldn't be talking about it today. 76 00:04:05,640 --> 00:04:09,160 Speaker 2: But in that dark season, when it looked like it 77 00:04:09,280 --> 00:04:14,800 Speaker 2: was too late, too far gone, Martha did something extremely significant. 78 00:04:15,400 --> 00:04:19,919 Speaker 2: It's a key to seeing negative situations turn around. She said, 79 00:04:20,080 --> 00:04:22,640 Speaker 2: if you would have been here sooner, he wouldn't have died. 80 00:04:23,240 --> 00:04:28,120 Speaker 2: But I know even now, whatever you ask God will 81 00:04:28,160 --> 00:04:31,960 Speaker 2: do it for you. Notice those two simple words. Even 82 00:04:32,160 --> 00:04:36,599 Speaker 2: now it looks impossible, but even now you can turn 83 00:04:36,600 --> 00:04:40,159 Speaker 2: it around. He's been dead for four days, but even 84 00:04:40,240 --> 00:04:43,440 Speaker 2: now you can raise him back up. I don't see 85 00:04:43,480 --> 00:04:46,400 Speaker 2: a way, but even now you can make a way. 86 00:04:47,400 --> 00:04:50,039 Speaker 2: There will be times in life. 87 00:04:49,600 --> 00:04:50,440 Speaker 1: Like with Martha. 88 00:04:50,920 --> 00:04:55,039 Speaker 2: You have to have Even now faith God. The medical 89 00:04:55,080 --> 00:04:58,800 Speaker 2: report doesn't look good but I believe even now you 90 00:04:58,839 --> 00:05:01,960 Speaker 2: can heal me. My business is hanging by a thread, 91 00:05:02,320 --> 00:05:03,200 Speaker 2: but even. 92 00:05:02,960 --> 00:05:04,440 Speaker 1: Now you can prosper me. 93 00:05:05,160 --> 00:05:08,360 Speaker 2: My marriage looks like it's over, but even now you 94 00:05:08,360 --> 00:05:12,360 Speaker 2: can restore me. When it looks impossible, the odds are 95 00:05:12,400 --> 00:05:13,320 Speaker 2: against you. 96 00:05:13,320 --> 00:05:14,719 Speaker 1: You don't see how it could work out. 97 00:05:14,920 --> 00:05:18,560 Speaker 2: Don't complain, don't get bitter, dig your heels in and 98 00:05:18,640 --> 00:05:22,800 Speaker 2: have this even now, faith God, even now you can 99 00:05:22,839 --> 00:05:26,599 Speaker 2: turn my child around. Had this addiction for years, but 100 00:05:26,760 --> 00:05:30,120 Speaker 2: even now you can set me free. Been believing to 101 00:05:30,160 --> 00:05:33,200 Speaker 2: have a baby. The medical report says it's not going 102 00:05:33,279 --> 00:05:36,599 Speaker 2: to happen. But God, I'm bold enough to believe, like 103 00:05:36,760 --> 00:05:40,599 Speaker 2: Martha that even now, in spite of how long it's been, 104 00:05:41,080 --> 00:05:43,599 Speaker 2: in spite of what I've been told, in spite of 105 00:05:43,640 --> 00:05:46,480 Speaker 2: what I feel, I know you have the final say 106 00:05:47,000 --> 00:05:50,760 Speaker 2: you control the universe. Nothing's too hard for you. I 107 00:05:50,839 --> 00:05:53,400 Speaker 2: may not see away, but I know you have a way. 108 00:05:54,600 --> 00:05:58,080 Speaker 2: When you have this even now, faith, God will move 109 00:05:58,200 --> 00:06:02,080 Speaker 2: heaven and earth to do what he promised. And whatever 110 00:06:02,120 --> 00:06:05,159 Speaker 2: you think is too far gone. The dreams you've given 111 00:06:05,200 --> 00:06:08,599 Speaker 2: up on, the promises you've let go of. God is 112 00:06:08,640 --> 00:06:12,120 Speaker 2: saying I can still bring them to pass. I can 113 00:06:12,160 --> 00:06:16,000 Speaker 2: still restore the relationship. I can still prosper you and 114 00:06:16,080 --> 00:06:20,640 Speaker 2: put you into overflow. I can still give you the desires. 115 00:06:20,080 --> 00:06:23,360 Speaker 1: Of your heart. I know a young lady named Vanessa. 116 00:06:23,880 --> 00:06:27,280 Speaker 2: She's a medical doctor that attends here, and years back, 117 00:06:27,400 --> 00:06:32,120 Speaker 2: she started experiencing terrible pain in her joints. It got 118 00:06:32,160 --> 00:06:35,120 Speaker 2: so bad she could hardly stand it. She ended up 119 00:06:35,160 --> 00:06:38,960 Speaker 2: having surgery on her knees, but unfortunately it didn't help. 120 00:06:39,360 --> 00:06:40,760 Speaker 1: It continued to get worse. 121 00:06:41,480 --> 00:06:43,919 Speaker 2: She got to the place where she was so crippled 122 00:06:44,080 --> 00:06:46,279 Speaker 2: she had to walk with a cane. When she would 123 00:06:46,320 --> 00:06:49,400 Speaker 2: come to church, it would take her forty five minutes 124 00:06:49,480 --> 00:06:51,040 Speaker 2: to walk from the parking. 125 00:06:50,640 --> 00:06:52,800 Speaker 1: Lot to her seat in the auditorium. 126 00:06:53,440 --> 00:06:55,800 Speaker 2: During the week, she would get up at three o'clock 127 00:06:55,839 --> 00:06:59,360 Speaker 2: in the morning to start getting her joints loosened up. 128 00:07:00,120 --> 00:07:01,280 Speaker 1: She could be at work at eight. 129 00:07:02,360 --> 00:07:04,799 Speaker 2: This was a gene that had been in her family 130 00:07:04,880 --> 00:07:08,760 Speaker 2: line that kept getting passed down. Her father had the 131 00:07:08,800 --> 00:07:13,440 Speaker 2: same illness in his early twenties. He died from complications 132 00:07:13,440 --> 00:07:17,360 Speaker 2: of it at forty three. Her grandmother was a paraplegic 133 00:07:17,640 --> 00:07:22,360 Speaker 2: had the same problem. It looked like this was Vanessa's destiny. 134 00:07:22,520 --> 00:07:24,760 Speaker 2: She could have thought Hey, too bad for me. It's 135 00:07:24,800 --> 00:07:29,400 Speaker 2: in my DNA. Can't do anything about this. No, Vanessa 136 00:07:30,120 --> 00:07:34,360 Speaker 2: was like Martha. She had this even now faith. Her 137 00:07:34,440 --> 00:07:39,040 Speaker 2: attitude was even though it looks impossible, even though medical 138 00:07:39,080 --> 00:07:42,440 Speaker 2: science says there's nothing they can do, even though daddy 139 00:07:42,480 --> 00:07:45,360 Speaker 2: had it and grandmother had it, This is a new day. 140 00:07:45,760 --> 00:07:47,000 Speaker 1: The buck stops with me. 141 00:07:47,480 --> 00:07:51,800 Speaker 2: God, I believe even now, in spite of what's been 142 00:07:51,840 --> 00:07:55,600 Speaker 2: passed down, in spite of what the experts have told me, 143 00:07:56,240 --> 00:07:59,840 Speaker 2: I know you made my body. You can correct what's wrong. 144 00:08:00,240 --> 00:08:02,240 Speaker 2: You said you would restore. 145 00:08:01,800 --> 00:08:04,960 Speaker 1: Health and to me and heal me of my wounds. 146 00:08:05,320 --> 00:08:08,480 Speaker 2: It didn't happen overnight, but little by little she kept 147 00:08:08,520 --> 00:08:12,560 Speaker 2: getting better and better and better. Today she's perfectly healthy 148 00:08:12,600 --> 00:08:16,120 Speaker 2: and whole. She can walk without pain and without that cane. 149 00:08:17,760 --> 00:08:20,160 Speaker 2: You don't have to learn to live with things that 150 00:08:20,280 --> 00:08:24,040 Speaker 2: keep getting passed down. Well, Joe, everybody in my family 151 00:08:24,160 --> 00:08:27,720 Speaker 2: is depressed. Maybe so, but you can be the turning point. 152 00:08:28,240 --> 00:08:30,760 Speaker 2: Why don't you rise up and say, God, I believe 153 00:08:30,880 --> 00:08:34,280 Speaker 2: even now, you're freeing me from this depression. When you 154 00:08:34,400 --> 00:08:38,240 Speaker 2: do that, the creator of the universe breathes in your direction. 155 00:08:38,840 --> 00:08:43,000 Speaker 2: He dispatches angels you'll feel a strength, a joy, a 156 00:08:43,040 --> 00:08:46,959 Speaker 2: freedom that you didn't have before. Addictions may have been 157 00:08:47,040 --> 00:08:50,200 Speaker 2: passed down to you. You can't do anything about that part, 158 00:08:50,559 --> 00:08:53,840 Speaker 2: but you can put an end to it. God, I believe, 159 00:08:54,000 --> 00:08:58,400 Speaker 2: even right now, you are freeing me from these addictions. Well, Joel, 160 00:08:58,480 --> 00:09:02,120 Speaker 2: my family, we're poor, defeated, we never get any good breaks. 161 00:09:02,360 --> 00:09:04,880 Speaker 2: I come from the wrong side of the tracks. No, 162 00:09:05,000 --> 00:09:07,679 Speaker 2: there's no such thing as the wrong side of the tracks. 163 00:09:08,160 --> 00:09:12,040 Speaker 2: The most High God breeds his life into you. He's 164 00:09:12,120 --> 00:09:15,720 Speaker 2: crowned you with his favor. He puts seeds of greatness 165 00:09:15,760 --> 00:09:20,239 Speaker 2: on the inside. Don't accept lack and defeat as your destiny. 166 00:09:20,640 --> 00:09:23,120 Speaker 2: It may have been that way in the past, but 167 00:09:23,240 --> 00:09:24,720 Speaker 2: God raised you up. 168 00:09:24,600 --> 00:09:25,719 Speaker 1: To put an end to it. 169 00:09:26,080 --> 00:09:29,560 Speaker 2: You're the difference maker. Your attitude should be God. I 170 00:09:29,640 --> 00:09:32,839 Speaker 2: want to thank you that even now you're prospering me. 171 00:09:33,600 --> 00:09:37,920 Speaker 2: Even now, you're opening up new doors, bringing opportunity. Divine 172 00:09:38,000 --> 00:09:43,000 Speaker 2: connections increase across my path. He's an even now God. 173 00:09:43,440 --> 00:09:46,880 Speaker 2: But you have to have this even now faith. Here's 174 00:09:46,920 --> 00:09:51,360 Speaker 2: why God meets us at the level of our expectations. 175 00:09:52,240 --> 00:09:54,800 Speaker 2: If you don't expect to get well, then you won't 176 00:09:54,800 --> 00:09:58,320 Speaker 2: get well. If you don't expect to accomplish your dreams. 177 00:09:58,800 --> 00:10:01,640 Speaker 2: You don't expect to op come the addiction, to be 178 00:10:01,800 --> 00:10:04,720 Speaker 2: free from that depression. Then you'll get stuck where you are. 179 00:10:05,559 --> 00:10:08,720 Speaker 2: Why don't you take the limits off of God? Dare 180 00:10:08,800 --> 00:10:11,640 Speaker 2: to say, like Martha, God, I don't see how this 181 00:10:11,720 --> 00:10:14,480 Speaker 2: can happen in the natural. My brother's been dead for 182 00:10:14,480 --> 00:10:18,200 Speaker 2: four days. He's already in the tomb. In other words, 183 00:10:18,440 --> 00:10:21,880 Speaker 2: the medical report says I won't get well. Business is slow, 184 00:10:22,400 --> 00:10:25,319 Speaker 2: my marriage is on the rock. But God, I believe 185 00:10:25,800 --> 00:10:29,640 Speaker 2: even now, in spite of how bad it looks, in 186 00:10:29,720 --> 00:10:33,320 Speaker 2: spite of the setbacks I've suffered, I know your power 187 00:10:33,840 --> 00:10:36,240 Speaker 2: is greater than any power that's trying to stop me. 188 00:10:36,920 --> 00:10:39,920 Speaker 2: You said, what's meant for my harm, you would use 189 00:10:39,960 --> 00:10:42,320 Speaker 2: to my advantage. So Lord, I want to thank you 190 00:10:42,400 --> 00:10:45,160 Speaker 2: that I'm not only coming out, that I'm coming out better. 191 00:10:46,160 --> 00:10:50,600 Speaker 2: Even now, Faith says, I still believe, even though the 192 00:10:50,640 --> 00:10:54,280 Speaker 2: medical report is not good, I still believe that my 193 00:10:54,440 --> 00:10:56,360 Speaker 2: children will be mighty in the land. 194 00:10:57,000 --> 00:11:00,480 Speaker 1: I still believe that I'll live debt free, pay off house, 195 00:11:00,559 --> 00:11:01,880 Speaker 1: and be a blessing to others. 196 00:11:02,400 --> 00:11:05,040 Speaker 2: I still believe that I'll accomplish my dreams. 197 00:11:05,640 --> 00:11:06,800 Speaker 1: Build that orphanage. 198 00:11:06,840 --> 00:11:10,559 Speaker 2: Start my business, step into the fullness of my destiny. 199 00:11:11,559 --> 00:11:15,000 Speaker 2: This is what Moses did when he and the Israelites 200 00:11:15,120 --> 00:11:17,280 Speaker 2: came to a dead end at the Red Sea. 201 00:11:17,840 --> 00:11:18,880 Speaker 1: They had nowhere to go. 202 00:11:19,920 --> 00:11:22,680 Speaker 2: Fah and his army was quickly closing in. 203 00:11:23,280 --> 00:11:24,080 Speaker 1: It looked like they. 204 00:11:24,000 --> 00:11:28,280 Speaker 2: Would easily be captured and returned as slaves. But Moses 205 00:11:28,320 --> 00:11:33,560 Speaker 2: didn't panic. He didn't complain. He understood this principle. He said, God, 206 00:11:33,640 --> 00:11:37,319 Speaker 2: it looks impossible, but I know even now. 207 00:11:37,160 --> 00:11:38,120 Speaker 1: You can deliver us. 208 00:11:38,840 --> 00:11:41,760 Speaker 2: He held up the rod, the Red Sea parted, they 209 00:11:41,800 --> 00:11:45,720 Speaker 2: went through on dry ground. How about Abraham. God gave 210 00:11:45,800 --> 00:11:48,800 Speaker 2: him the promise that he would have a baby. He 211 00:11:48,840 --> 00:11:51,840 Speaker 2: and his wife Sarah were way too old, almost eighty. 212 00:11:52,400 --> 00:11:55,439 Speaker 2: This would defy the laws of nature. I can hear 213 00:11:55,520 --> 00:11:59,240 Speaker 2: Abraham every morning. God, all the odds are against us. 214 00:11:59,360 --> 00:12:02,480 Speaker 2: It's not possible in the natural. But God, I believe 215 00:12:02,920 --> 00:12:06,200 Speaker 2: even now, you can give us this baby, in spite 216 00:12:06,200 --> 00:12:08,440 Speaker 2: of how old we are, in spite of what our 217 00:12:08,520 --> 00:12:10,000 Speaker 2: natural reasoning is telling us. 218 00:12:10,160 --> 00:12:11,040 Speaker 1: You can make away. 219 00:12:12,040 --> 00:12:15,199 Speaker 2: One day, when they were almost one hundred years old, 220 00:12:15,559 --> 00:12:18,640 Speaker 2: they had that baby. The promise came to pass. My 221 00:12:18,760 --> 00:12:23,080 Speaker 2: sister Lisa was born with something like cerebral palsy. The 222 00:12:23,160 --> 00:12:26,760 Speaker 2: doctors told my parents that she would most likely never 223 00:12:26,800 --> 00:12:29,560 Speaker 2: be able to walk or to talk, but she would 224 00:12:29,600 --> 00:12:32,600 Speaker 2: need constant, twenty four hour care. And of course my 225 00:12:32,720 --> 00:12:36,440 Speaker 2: parents were devastated. They never dreamed they'd be dealing with 226 00:12:36,480 --> 00:12:40,440 Speaker 2: an unhealthy baby. But they didn't get bitter, they didn't 227 00:12:40,480 --> 00:12:43,520 Speaker 2: start complaining. They did what I'm asking you to do. 228 00:12:44,280 --> 00:12:47,600 Speaker 2: They said, God, this doesn't look possible in the natural. 229 00:12:48,280 --> 00:12:52,319 Speaker 2: Medical science says that she will be disabled. But God, 230 00:12:52,480 --> 00:12:55,920 Speaker 2: we know you can do what medicine cannot do. God, 231 00:12:56,000 --> 00:13:00,320 Speaker 2: even now, we believe you can heal our daughter. But again, 232 00:13:00,960 --> 00:13:04,320 Speaker 2: like Vanessa, it didn't happen instantly, but Lisa kept getting 233 00:13:04,360 --> 00:13:07,120 Speaker 2: better and better, and today she's as healthy as can be. 234 00:13:07,320 --> 00:13:10,360 Speaker 2: One of the ministers here on staff, seventy seven years old, 235 00:13:10,440 --> 00:13:15,920 Speaker 2: still going strong. So but you know, I think about 236 00:13:16,200 --> 00:13:19,480 Speaker 2: how different life would be if my parents would have 237 00:13:19,559 --> 00:13:22,360 Speaker 2: just accepted it and thought, Hey, too bad, this is 238 00:13:22,400 --> 00:13:25,439 Speaker 2: our lot in life. No, if you want to step 239 00:13:25,480 --> 00:13:28,360 Speaker 2: into the fullness of your destiny, if you're going to 240 00:13:28,400 --> 00:13:32,640 Speaker 2: overcome these challenges, see the greatness of God's favor, You've 241 00:13:32,640 --> 00:13:36,839 Speaker 2: got to have this even now, faith when it looks impossible. God, 242 00:13:36,880 --> 00:13:39,680 Speaker 2: I know you can do the impossible when you don't 243 00:13:39,679 --> 00:13:40,240 Speaker 2: see away. 244 00:13:40,520 --> 00:13:43,240 Speaker 1: God, I know you still have a way when. 245 00:13:43,080 --> 00:13:45,560 Speaker 2: Your natural reasoning is telling you it's never going to 246 00:13:45,600 --> 00:13:50,320 Speaker 2: work out. God, I know you're a supernatural God. It's 247 00:13:50,360 --> 00:13:54,840 Speaker 2: significant that Jesus waited four days to go pray for Lazarus. 248 00:13:55,280 --> 00:13:56,199 Speaker 1: He knew he was sick. 249 00:13:56,800 --> 00:14:00,240 Speaker 2: In fact, Jesus knew he was going to die. Have 250 00:14:00,280 --> 00:14:03,679 Speaker 2: gone on the first day healed Lazarus and saved them 251 00:14:03,720 --> 00:14:06,440 Speaker 2: all of that trouble, or at least he could have 252 00:14:06,520 --> 00:14:09,080 Speaker 2: arrived on the second or third day and they wouldn't 253 00:14:09,120 --> 00:14:10,439 Speaker 2: have had to go through so much. 254 00:14:11,280 --> 00:14:15,080 Speaker 1: But there's always a reason for a delay. We may 255 00:14:15,080 --> 00:14:16,079 Speaker 1: not understand it. 256 00:14:16,720 --> 00:14:19,880 Speaker 2: Sometimes it's just a test of our faith. Are we 257 00:14:19,960 --> 00:14:23,680 Speaker 2: going to get discouraged and give up? If Martha would 258 00:14:23,720 --> 00:14:27,520 Speaker 2: have gotten bitter, complained, angry, she could have stopped the miracle. 259 00:14:28,200 --> 00:14:30,880 Speaker 1: And this is where many people miss God's best. 260 00:14:31,800 --> 00:14:35,760 Speaker 2: While you're waiting for the problem to turn around, waiting 261 00:14:35,800 --> 00:14:38,560 Speaker 2: for your health to improve, waiting for a child to 262 00:14:38,600 --> 00:14:39,440 Speaker 2: get on the right. 263 00:14:39,280 --> 00:14:42,160 Speaker 1: Course, that's a very critical time. 264 00:14:43,040 --> 00:14:46,920 Speaker 2: Can you pass the test of staying in faith when 265 00:14:46,920 --> 00:14:50,400 Speaker 2: you don't see anything happening. Can you keep a good 266 00:14:50,440 --> 00:14:55,200 Speaker 2: attitude when God is silent? You're calling out to him, 267 00:14:55,640 --> 00:14:58,920 Speaker 2: like Martha, you sent word, you're praying, but he's not 268 00:14:59,040 --> 00:15:03,480 Speaker 2: coming for some reason, He's delayed. He's not answering. The 269 00:15:03,560 --> 00:15:07,400 Speaker 2: situation is not improving. This is when many people get 270 00:15:07,400 --> 00:15:10,040 Speaker 2: discouraged and think, well, too bad, it wasn't meant to 271 00:15:10,080 --> 00:15:13,360 Speaker 2: be Joel. I believe five years ago that I could 272 00:15:13,400 --> 00:15:15,640 Speaker 2: get out of debt, but man, not now I'm way 273 00:15:15,680 --> 00:15:18,760 Speaker 2: over my head. Or I used to believe that i'd 274 00:15:18,760 --> 00:15:21,760 Speaker 2: get healthy again, that i'd meet the right person, that 275 00:15:21,760 --> 00:15:25,080 Speaker 2: I'd accomplish my dream. But it's been too long, had 276 00:15:25,080 --> 00:15:29,720 Speaker 2: too many setbacks. Now how you wait will determine whether 277 00:15:29,800 --> 00:15:34,120 Speaker 2: or not that situation changes. When Jesus arrived at Mary 278 00:15:34,160 --> 00:15:37,360 Speaker 2: and Martha's house, he said to them, take me to 279 00:15:37,440 --> 00:15:39,920 Speaker 2: the place where you buried Lazarus. 280 00:15:40,240 --> 00:15:41,480 Speaker 1: Take me to the tomb. 281 00:15:42,360 --> 00:15:45,880 Speaker 2: He was saying, in effect, take me to the place 282 00:15:46,320 --> 00:15:49,920 Speaker 2: where you quit believing. Take me to the place where 283 00:15:49,920 --> 00:15:52,600 Speaker 2: you gave up on your dreams. You decided that you 284 00:15:52,600 --> 00:15:55,360 Speaker 2: wouldn't get well, that you wouldn't meet the right person. 285 00:15:56,280 --> 00:15:59,600 Speaker 2: If you don't go back to that place and stir 286 00:15:59,680 --> 00:16:02,280 Speaker 2: up your faith, get your passion back. 287 00:16:02,600 --> 00:16:05,000 Speaker 1: It will tie the hands of Almighty God. 288 00:16:05,680 --> 00:16:07,720 Speaker 2: You've got to go back to that place where you 289 00:16:07,800 --> 00:16:12,920 Speaker 2: quit believing and ask yourself, is my God bigger than 290 00:16:12,920 --> 00:16:13,720 Speaker 2: this problem? 291 00:16:14,280 --> 00:16:18,320 Speaker 1: Is my God greater than this addiction? Is my God more. 292 00:16:18,160 --> 00:16:22,480 Speaker 2: Powerful than this sickness? Is He still Jehovah Jahrah, the 293 00:16:22,520 --> 00:16:26,400 Speaker 2: Lord my Provider? Is he still Jehovah Rafhah, the Lord 294 00:16:26,480 --> 00:16:30,160 Speaker 2: my healer? Is he still? Elshaday, the God who is 295 00:16:30,240 --> 00:16:34,360 Speaker 2: more than enough. When you remind yourself who your God is, 296 00:16:34,960 --> 00:16:38,840 Speaker 2: the all powerful creator of the universe, something comes alive 297 00:16:39,000 --> 00:16:43,600 Speaker 2: on the inside. One angel in the Old Testament destroyed 298 00:16:43,680 --> 00:16:46,800 Speaker 2: one hundred and eighty thousand of the enemies of God. 299 00:16:47,280 --> 00:16:51,280 Speaker 2: He's all powerful. He can turn any situation around. He's 300 00:16:51,280 --> 00:16:52,200 Speaker 2: got you in the. 301 00:16:52,160 --> 00:16:55,280 Speaker 1: Palm of his hand. He knows how to get you 302 00:16:55,360 --> 00:16:56,200 Speaker 1: to your destiny. 303 00:16:57,120 --> 00:17:00,720 Speaker 2: When Jesus said take me to the tomb, roll away 304 00:17:00,760 --> 00:17:04,720 Speaker 2: the stone, I can imagine Martha said, no, Jesus, I 305 00:17:04,760 --> 00:17:08,200 Speaker 2: don't want to go there. It stinks he's been dead 306 00:17:08,280 --> 00:17:12,560 Speaker 2: for four days. Maybe something has died in your life. 307 00:17:13,240 --> 00:17:17,560 Speaker 2: You went through a divorce, a bankruptcy, a friend betrayed you, 308 00:17:17,680 --> 00:17:20,840 Speaker 2: and now like with Lazarus. It stinks. 309 00:17:21,320 --> 00:17:22,280 Speaker 1: It's a mess. 310 00:17:22,920 --> 00:17:26,040 Speaker 2: But unless you're willing to deal with your stinky stuff, 311 00:17:26,359 --> 00:17:27,840 Speaker 2: you probably won't get you a miracle. 312 00:17:28,720 --> 00:17:31,240 Speaker 1: We make excuses, Joe. They hurt me. 313 00:17:31,359 --> 00:17:34,040 Speaker 2: He walked out of a relationship. It wasn't my fault. 314 00:17:34,200 --> 00:17:35,560 Speaker 2: That's why I'm angry and bitter. 315 00:17:35,880 --> 00:17:36,520 Speaker 1: Now you've got to. 316 00:17:36,520 --> 00:17:39,280 Speaker 2: Do your part and let go of the bitterness. You've 317 00:17:39,320 --> 00:17:41,560 Speaker 2: got to forgive the people that have done you wrong. 318 00:17:41,840 --> 00:17:45,879 Speaker 2: Deal with the stinky stuff. Or maybe my business didn't 319 00:17:45,880 --> 00:17:49,120 Speaker 2: make it. I went through bankruptcy. I tried, But man, 320 00:17:49,160 --> 00:17:53,119 Speaker 2: I'm a failure. No failure is an event. It's not 321 00:17:53,160 --> 00:17:56,080 Speaker 2: who you are. Don't put that label on you. You 322 00:17:56,119 --> 00:17:59,320 Speaker 2: are a child of the most highed God. If one 323 00:17:59,400 --> 00:18:02,960 Speaker 2: dream died, you have to dream another dream. A young 324 00:18:03,040 --> 00:18:06,639 Speaker 2: man I met a few years ago had taken the 325 00:18:06,760 --> 00:18:09,840 Speaker 2: state bar for his law degree for the second time 326 00:18:10,000 --> 00:18:12,480 Speaker 2: and failed. It had been over a year and he 327 00:18:12,600 --> 00:18:15,600 Speaker 2: was working as a legal assistant. You could tell he 328 00:18:15,640 --> 00:18:18,639 Speaker 2: wasn't fulfilled. I asked him when he was going to 329 00:18:18,640 --> 00:18:22,120 Speaker 2: take the state bar again. He kind of laughed. He said, oh, man, Joel, 330 00:18:22,160 --> 00:18:24,800 Speaker 2: I'm done with that. I've already failed it twice. That 331 00:18:24,960 --> 00:18:27,640 Speaker 2: just wasn't meant to be. I told him what I'm 332 00:18:27,680 --> 00:18:30,920 Speaker 2: telling you. If God is going to resurrect that dream, 333 00:18:31,200 --> 00:18:34,600 Speaker 2: if you're going to step into the fullness of your destiny, 334 00:18:34,680 --> 00:18:38,639 Speaker 2: you've got to roll away the stone. Those two failures 335 00:18:38,680 --> 00:18:41,840 Speaker 2: may stink, it may not be pretty, but that is 336 00:18:41,920 --> 00:18:45,159 Speaker 2: not the end of your story. God didn't put the 337 00:18:45,280 --> 00:18:48,679 Speaker 2: dream in you to lie dormant. He didn't give you 338 00:18:48,720 --> 00:18:50,680 Speaker 2: the promise to just kind of tease you and take 339 00:18:50,720 --> 00:18:54,840 Speaker 2: you halfway there. You may have had some setbacks, may 340 00:18:54,880 --> 00:18:57,879 Speaker 2: not have happened on your timetable. The heavens may have 341 00:18:57,920 --> 00:19:01,360 Speaker 2: been silent when you prayed, but don't take that as 342 00:19:01,400 --> 00:19:05,960 Speaker 2: a sign that God is not there. He's closely watching you. 343 00:19:06,640 --> 00:19:07,600 Speaker 2: This is a test. 344 00:19:08,240 --> 00:19:09,240 Speaker 1: What are you going to do? 345 00:19:09,560 --> 00:19:12,880 Speaker 2: Settle where you are, get discouraged better. It wasn't meant 346 00:19:12,920 --> 00:19:15,320 Speaker 2: to be. Now you've got to do you a part, 347 00:19:15,800 --> 00:19:19,040 Speaker 2: roll away the stone, deal with the stinky stuff, and 348 00:19:19,119 --> 00:19:19,920 Speaker 2: get your passion. 349 00:19:19,960 --> 00:19:21,120 Speaker 1: Battle God. 350 00:19:21,200 --> 00:19:24,280 Speaker 2: I felled this test two times. All the odds are 351 00:19:24,320 --> 00:19:27,640 Speaker 2: against me, but I know even now you can help 352 00:19:27,680 --> 00:19:32,320 Speaker 2: me to pass. Even now, you're changing things in my favor. Now. 353 00:19:32,359 --> 00:19:34,280 Speaker 2: Three or four months ago I saw that young man 354 00:19:34,320 --> 00:19:36,840 Speaker 2: out in the lobby, had a big smile on his face, 355 00:19:37,080 --> 00:19:39,320 Speaker 2: put his hand up for a high five, said Joel, 356 00:19:39,359 --> 00:19:40,640 Speaker 2: I did it the third time. 357 00:19:40,760 --> 00:19:43,400 Speaker 1: Was a charm. I passed that test. God has loved 358 00:19:43,400 --> 00:19:45,959 Speaker 1: to great friends. 359 00:19:46,040 --> 00:19:50,600 Speaker 2: God knows how to resurrect dead dreams. Don't talk yourself 360 00:19:50,600 --> 00:19:54,560 Speaker 2: out of it. We make excuses. Jesus, he's been dead 361 00:19:54,600 --> 00:19:57,879 Speaker 2: for four days. They've already wrapped him up like a mummy. 362 00:19:58,560 --> 00:20:00,960 Speaker 2: Or I've taken the test twy and failed. No use 363 00:20:01,000 --> 00:20:04,600 Speaker 2: taking it again, Or like Vanessa is in my DNA, 364 00:20:04,720 --> 00:20:05,760 Speaker 2: I'll never get well. 365 00:20:06,480 --> 00:20:08,480 Speaker 1: No get rid of the excuses. 366 00:20:08,880 --> 00:20:12,639 Speaker 2: We serve a supernatural God. It may be taking a 367 00:20:12,680 --> 00:20:14,680 Speaker 2: long time. The odds are against you. 368 00:20:14,640 --> 00:20:18,440 Speaker 1: But keep passing the test, keep doing the right thing. 369 00:20:18,840 --> 00:20:21,640 Speaker 2: If you will do what you can, God will show 370 00:20:21,720 --> 00:20:22,760 Speaker 2: up and do what you can. 371 00:20:24,000 --> 00:20:25,359 Speaker 1: What's interesting is. 372 00:20:25,280 --> 00:20:29,119 Speaker 2: Back in those days, the Sadducees, these were the people 373 00:20:29,160 --> 00:20:30,240 Speaker 2: that were against Jesus. 374 00:20:30,520 --> 00:20:31,920 Speaker 1: They were always doubting him. 375 00:20:32,400 --> 00:20:36,159 Speaker 2: They believed that the spirit left the body after the 376 00:20:36,240 --> 00:20:39,399 Speaker 2: third day when a person had died. It's not a 377 00:20:39,440 --> 00:20:43,240 Speaker 2: coincidence that Jesus waited till the fourth day to show up. 378 00:20:43,960 --> 00:20:44,919 Speaker 1: He wanted to make. 379 00:20:44,800 --> 00:20:48,080 Speaker 2: Sure that when he raised Lazarus from the dead, there 380 00:20:48,119 --> 00:20:52,359 Speaker 2: would be no doubt about it. Sometimes God will delay 381 00:20:52,720 --> 00:20:55,840 Speaker 2: in your life on purpose, not only so that you 382 00:20:55,880 --> 00:20:58,360 Speaker 2: will know that it's his favor, but so that all 383 00:20:58,359 --> 00:21:02,520 Speaker 2: of your critics, friends, relatives, coworkers, they won't be able 384 00:21:02,560 --> 00:21:07,280 Speaker 2: to deny the great thing God did in your life. 385 00:21:07,320 --> 00:21:11,760 Speaker 2: Mary and Martha were upset at first that Jesus didn't 386 00:21:11,760 --> 00:21:15,399 Speaker 2: get there in time to heal their brother, their prayer 387 00:21:15,440 --> 00:21:18,920 Speaker 2: didn't get answered the way they wanted. But all along 388 00:21:19,080 --> 00:21:22,680 Speaker 2: God knew what he was doing. He wasn't planning a healing. 389 00:21:23,200 --> 00:21:27,000 Speaker 2: He had something better in mind, a resurrection. And if 390 00:21:27,040 --> 00:21:30,320 Speaker 2: it hasn't worked out your way on your timetable, don't 391 00:21:30,320 --> 00:21:33,200 Speaker 2: get upset. That doesn't mean that God has failed you. 392 00:21:33,600 --> 00:21:37,119 Speaker 2: It's just the opposite. It means God is planning something 393 00:21:37,200 --> 00:21:40,919 Speaker 2: even better. Few years after my father went to be 394 00:21:41,000 --> 00:21:43,840 Speaker 2: with the Lord, the church was really growing and we 395 00:21:43,920 --> 00:21:47,800 Speaker 2: needed a larger auditorium. My father told how he would 396 00:21:47,800 --> 00:21:51,040 Speaker 2: never move the church. I was knew the young pastor. 397 00:21:51,080 --> 00:21:53,480 Speaker 2: I wasn't about to rock the boat, and so I 398 00:21:53,560 --> 00:21:57,040 Speaker 2: found a one hundred acre tract of land about two 399 00:21:57,080 --> 00:22:00,480 Speaker 2: miles from the other location, right on the freeway. I thought, 400 00:22:00,480 --> 00:22:02,800 Speaker 2: this is perfect, we'll build a new sanctuary. 401 00:22:03,480 --> 00:22:04,200 Speaker 1: The owner of. 402 00:22:04,160 --> 00:22:06,840 Speaker 2: The property told how that had been for sale for 403 00:22:06,920 --> 00:22:10,280 Speaker 2: over twenty years and they'd never had one offer on 404 00:22:10,359 --> 00:22:13,720 Speaker 2: the property. I knew God saved that property for us. 405 00:22:14,480 --> 00:22:16,240 Speaker 2: He said, you don't even need to draw up a 406 00:22:16,280 --> 00:22:19,440 Speaker 2: contract now. Just go ahead and do your preliminary drawings 407 00:22:19,480 --> 00:22:22,119 Speaker 2: and soil studies, and then we'll draw up the contract. 408 00:22:22,800 --> 00:22:25,680 Speaker 2: Four months later we went to close on the property. 409 00:22:26,040 --> 00:22:28,359 Speaker 2: We had an eight o'clock in the morning meeting. We 410 00:22:28,440 --> 00:22:31,239 Speaker 2: showed up at seven forty five, so excited about our 411 00:22:31,280 --> 00:22:35,160 Speaker 2: new property. His secretary walked out and said, I'm sorry 412 00:22:35,560 --> 00:22:39,399 Speaker 2: he sold the property last night to someone else. I 413 00:22:39,560 --> 00:22:42,320 Speaker 2: was so disappointed. I knew that was the devil stealing 414 00:22:42,359 --> 00:22:46,399 Speaker 2: our property. A couple of months later, we found another 415 00:22:46,560 --> 00:22:47,840 Speaker 2: large piece of property. 416 00:22:47,840 --> 00:22:48,960 Speaker 1: We thought, this is even. 417 00:22:48,760 --> 00:22:52,080 Speaker 2: Better, but do you know, the same exact thing happened. 418 00:22:52,200 --> 00:22:54,960 Speaker 2: They sold it out from under us. Thought, God, what 419 00:22:55,080 --> 00:22:57,960 Speaker 2: is going on. You know we need a larger building. 420 00:22:58,560 --> 00:23:01,120 Speaker 2: There weren't any more large. He says a property over 421 00:23:01,160 --> 00:23:03,600 Speaker 2: in that area. And I was tempted to get discourage 422 00:23:03,640 --> 00:23:06,920 Speaker 2: and quit believing. Think, well, I guess this is good enough. 423 00:23:07,440 --> 00:23:08,960 Speaker 1: We tried. It just wasn't mean to be. 424 00:23:09,880 --> 00:23:12,919 Speaker 2: About six months later, I could feel something stirring on 425 00:23:12,960 --> 00:23:15,960 Speaker 2: the inside. I knew I had to get my passion back. 426 00:23:16,560 --> 00:23:17,480 Speaker 1: And it says if I. 427 00:23:17,480 --> 00:23:21,840 Speaker 2: Went to that stinky place where the dream died, been 428 00:23:21,920 --> 00:23:25,520 Speaker 2: turned down two times, said God, it hasn't worked out. 429 00:23:25,359 --> 00:23:28,280 Speaker 1: My way, but I know you're still on the throne. 430 00:23:28,400 --> 00:23:31,159 Speaker 2: I don't see any land available, but I know even 431 00:23:31,240 --> 00:23:35,040 Speaker 2: now you have the right place for us. A few 432 00:23:35,080 --> 00:23:38,560 Speaker 2: weeks later, I received a phone call that this place, 433 00:23:38,920 --> 00:23:42,040 Speaker 2: the former Compact Center, was coming available. When I heard 434 00:23:42,040 --> 00:23:45,440 Speaker 2: that something leaped on the inside, I knew it was 435 00:23:45,480 --> 00:23:48,120 Speaker 2: supposed to be ours. Three and a half years later 436 00:23:48,400 --> 00:23:50,800 Speaker 2: we moved into it. We didn't have to build a 437 00:23:50,840 --> 00:23:55,040 Speaker 2: new sanctuary. God gave us an auditorium already built, the 438 00:23:55,160 --> 00:24:00,199 Speaker 2: premier facility in the fourth largest city in America. My 439 00:24:00,280 --> 00:24:04,080 Speaker 2: point is I was praying for a healing, but God 440 00:24:04,119 --> 00:24:07,840 Speaker 2: had something better in mind, a resurrection. If it's not 441 00:24:07,960 --> 00:24:11,720 Speaker 2: happening your way on your timetable, don't get upset. Stay 442 00:24:11,720 --> 00:24:14,880 Speaker 2: in faith. God knows what he's doing. He can see 443 00:24:14,880 --> 00:24:18,040 Speaker 2: the big picture for your life. He always has your 444 00:24:18,040 --> 00:24:21,600 Speaker 2: best interest at heart. I heard about this lady that 445 00:24:21,760 --> 00:24:22,879 Speaker 2: was losing her home. 446 00:24:23,359 --> 00:24:24,000 Speaker 1: She had been. 447 00:24:23,920 --> 00:24:26,520 Speaker 2: Laid off, and she prayed and prayed that she is 448 00:24:26,640 --> 00:24:28,840 Speaker 2: somehow be able to make her payments, but. 449 00:24:28,920 --> 00:24:30,439 Speaker 1: Unfortunately she couldn't do it. 450 00:24:31,040 --> 00:24:34,560 Speaker 2: Eventually, her house was foreclosed on and the bank took 451 00:24:34,600 --> 00:24:37,239 Speaker 2: it and put it up for auction. And she had 452 00:24:37,280 --> 00:24:40,280 Speaker 2: already accepted the fact that her house was gone and 453 00:24:40,320 --> 00:24:43,560 Speaker 2: this chapter in her life was over, but deep down 454 00:24:43,680 --> 00:24:47,080 Speaker 2: she was heartbroken. This is where she had raised her children, 455 00:24:47,119 --> 00:24:50,480 Speaker 2: a single parent mom. Just to get some kind of closure, 456 00:24:50,960 --> 00:24:53,760 Speaker 2: she went to the auction where they were selling off 457 00:24:53,760 --> 00:24:58,320 Speaker 2: these foreclosed homes, including her own. While she was there, 458 00:24:58,400 --> 00:25:01,520 Speaker 2: she couldn't help but weep. Seeing her house up on 459 00:25:01,600 --> 00:25:05,399 Speaker 2: the docket to be auctioned off. A lady nearby noticed 460 00:25:05,440 --> 00:25:08,400 Speaker 2: that she was upset, came over and asked what was wrong, 461 00:25:08,480 --> 00:25:11,159 Speaker 2: and she explained how she had lost her job and 462 00:25:11,200 --> 00:25:13,720 Speaker 2: now her home was about to be auctioned off, and 463 00:25:14,240 --> 00:25:15,480 Speaker 2: the lady asked which one. 464 00:25:15,359 --> 00:25:17,199 Speaker 1: It was, and she pointed to the picture. 465 00:25:17,840 --> 00:25:20,639 Speaker 2: When it came up to be auctioned, this lady started 466 00:25:20,680 --> 00:25:24,240 Speaker 2: bidding on it. She kept bidding, bidding, bidding, eventually won 467 00:25:24,280 --> 00:25:27,480 Speaker 2: the bid. Now she owned her house, she turned to 468 00:25:27,520 --> 00:25:29,840 Speaker 2: her new friend, the one that was weeping that she 469 00:25:30,000 --> 00:25:33,439 Speaker 2: just met. She said, I came to buy a house 470 00:25:33,520 --> 00:25:37,000 Speaker 2: from my son, but I know now God sent me 471 00:25:37,080 --> 00:25:39,400 Speaker 2: here to buy your house and to give it. 472 00:25:39,359 --> 00:25:39,800 Speaker 1: Back to you. 473 00:25:40,320 --> 00:25:43,239 Speaker 2: She handed her the deed. The lady couldn't believe it. 474 00:25:45,119 --> 00:25:48,800 Speaker 2: She had been praying to make the payments for a healing, 475 00:25:49,320 --> 00:25:52,359 Speaker 2: but God had a resurrection. Now she owns it, free 476 00:25:52,359 --> 00:25:56,440 Speaker 2: and clear, no more payments. Is there something you've given 477 00:25:56,520 --> 00:25:59,720 Speaker 2: up on? You think it's been too long. You don't 478 00:25:59,720 --> 00:26:02,679 Speaker 2: see how it could ever work out. All it takes 479 00:26:03,080 --> 00:26:05,800 Speaker 2: is one touch of God's favor. You've got to go 480 00:26:05,880 --> 00:26:08,960 Speaker 2: back to that place where you quit believing. God is saying, 481 00:26:09,400 --> 00:26:12,320 Speaker 2: even now, I can turn it around. Even now I 482 00:26:12,359 --> 00:26:16,040 Speaker 2: can restore your health. Even now I can help accomplish 483 00:26:16,119 --> 00:26:20,000 Speaker 2: your dreams. Now pass the test of staying in faith 484 00:26:20,320 --> 00:26:24,080 Speaker 2: when God is silent, Keep a good attitude even when 485 00:26:24,080 --> 00:26:27,480 Speaker 2: it's not happening on your timetable. God knows what he's doing. 486 00:26:28,080 --> 00:26:30,520 Speaker 2: You may be praying for a healing, but He has 487 00:26:30,520 --> 00:26:32,120 Speaker 2: a resurrection come in your way. 488 00:26:32,760 --> 00:26:35,600 Speaker 1: If you'll tap into this even now faith. 489 00:26:35,960 --> 00:26:39,840 Speaker 2: Like Martha, I believe and declare God is about. 490 00:26:39,640 --> 00:26:41,680 Speaker 1: To resurrect what you thought was dead. 491 00:26:42,240 --> 00:26:45,600 Speaker 2: He's going to breathe new life into your health, your dreams, 492 00:26:45,640 --> 00:26:49,520 Speaker 2: your finances, your relationships. You're going to see problems turn around, 493 00:26:50,040 --> 00:26:54,520 Speaker 2: dreams fulfilled, a new level of your destiny. In Jesus's name, 494 00:26:54,800 --> 00:26:59,280 Speaker 2: if you receive it, can you say him in today? Well, 495 00:26:59,320 --> 00:27:02,000 Speaker 2: we never like to close our broadcast without giving you 496 00:27:02,040 --> 00:27:03,600 Speaker 2: an opportunity. 497 00:27:03,000 --> 00:27:05,840 Speaker 1: To make Jesus the lord of your life. Would you 498 00:27:05,880 --> 00:27:06,480 Speaker 1: pray with me? 499 00:27:07,240 --> 00:27:12,400 Speaker 2: Just say Lord, Jesus, I'll repent of my sins. Come 500 00:27:12,440 --> 00:27:17,840 Speaker 2: into my heart. I'll make you my lord and savior. Friends, 501 00:27:17,840 --> 00:27:20,240 Speaker 2: if you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 502 00:27:20,240 --> 00:27:23,520 Speaker 2: born again. Get in a good Bible based church. Keep 503 00:27:23,560 --> 00:27:26,359 Speaker 2: God first place. He's going to take your places that 504 00:27:26,400 --> 00:27:29,639 Speaker 2: you've never dreamed. When was the last time you asked 505 00:27:29,640 --> 00:27:33,160 Speaker 2: God to do something that seemed impossible. If you only 506 00:27:33,200 --> 00:27:36,760 Speaker 2: pray small, ordinary prayers, you live a small. 507 00:27:36,560 --> 00:27:37,359 Speaker 1: Ordinary life. 508 00:27:37,960 --> 00:27:40,800 Speaker 2: I have a new book called Pray Bold. I'll challenge 509 00:27:40,840 --> 00:27:43,120 Speaker 2: you to stretch your faith and believe of the big 510 00:27:43,160 --> 00:27:46,280 Speaker 2: things God puts in your heart. Victoria and I used 511 00:27:46,280 --> 00:27:49,720 Speaker 2: to have seasoned tickets to watch the Rockets play basketball here. 512 00:27:50,200 --> 00:27:53,280 Speaker 2: We never dreamed it could be ours when they moved out. 513 00:27:53,640 --> 00:27:56,040 Speaker 2: Somehow we had the faith to pray a bold prayer. 514 00:27:56,520 --> 00:27:59,320 Speaker 2: God made things happen that we could never make happen 515 00:28:00,359 --> 00:28:02,800 Speaker 2: for you. Who knows what God will do in your 516 00:28:02,840 --> 00:28:05,879 Speaker 2: life If you'll dare to pray bold, ask him for 517 00:28:05,920 --> 00:28:09,080 Speaker 2: your dreams, ask for your healing, ask for your freedom. 518 00:28:09,520 --> 00:28:12,040 Speaker 2: That's when God will show up and do more than 519 00:28:12,080 --> 00:28:13,480 Speaker 2: you could ever imagine. 520 00:28:13,840 --> 00:28:16,160 Speaker 3: As our way of saying thank you for your gift 521 00:28:16,200 --> 00:28:18,800 Speaker 3: of any amount, this month, we would like to send 522 00:28:18,840 --> 00:28:22,320 Speaker 3: you a copy of Joel's brand new book, Pray Bold, 523 00:28:22,680 --> 00:28:27,040 Speaker 3: Dare to Ask and Believe Big. Joel shares that when 524 00:28:27,080 --> 00:28:31,080 Speaker 3: we pray, we can tap into God's creative, awesome power, 525 00:28:31,640 --> 00:28:35,360 Speaker 3: something bigger than we have ever imagined. God doesn't want 526 00:28:35,440 --> 00:28:38,840 Speaker 3: us to just pray in our comfort zones. No, God 527 00:28:38,920 --> 00:28:43,120 Speaker 3: loves when we pray big, believe big, expect him to 528 00:28:43,200 --> 00:28:47,320 Speaker 3: do the unexpected. There are inspiring stories from the Bible, 529 00:28:47,560 --> 00:28:51,160 Speaker 3: from history, and personal testimonies of people who dared to 530 00:28:51,240 --> 00:28:55,480 Speaker 3: believe God in extraordinary ways. You'll learn how to practically 531 00:28:55,520 --> 00:28:58,840 Speaker 3: expand your prayers and watch your life move from the 532 00:28:58,880 --> 00:29:04,000 Speaker 3: common to the extraordinary, from less than to overflowing. Be 533 00:29:04,160 --> 00:29:08,560 Speaker 3: sure to request your copy of Praybold Today, visit Joeloustein 534 00:29:08,640 --> 00:29:11,240 Speaker 3: dot com or call us toll free. 535 00:29:11,320 --> 00:29:14,720 Speaker 2: God has put dreams in your heart, things He's whispered in. 536 00:29:14,680 --> 00:29:16,520 Speaker 1: The night that seem impossible. 537 00:29:16,840 --> 00:29:19,160 Speaker 2: But as you pray these Bold prayers, you're going to 538 00:29:19,240 --> 00:29:21,960 Speaker 2: see the goodness of God in ways you've never seen 539 00:29:22,600 --> 00:29:24,800 Speaker 2: victor in our belief, and you're gonna have a great 540 00:29:24,840 --> 00:29:27,880 Speaker 2: twenty twenty five. We pray for you and your family 541 00:29:28,040 --> 00:29:31,120 Speaker 2: every day for God's very best. We want to thank 542 00:29:31,160 --> 00:29:34,160 Speaker 2: you for your prayer and your support. You're impacting people 543 00:29:34,240 --> 00:29:35,240 Speaker 2: all over the world. 544 00:29:35,520 --> 00:29:38,560 Speaker 3: Be sure to request your copy of pre Bold Today, 545 00:29:39,120 --> 00:29:43,280 Speaker 3: Visit Joelostein dot com or call us toll free. Finally, 546 00:29:43,600 --> 00:29:47,120 Speaker 3: elevates your personal time with God by requesting the My 547 00:29:47,320 --> 00:29:52,120 Speaker 3: Time with God collection. This beautiful collection contains the Prebold 548 00:29:52,160 --> 00:29:56,640 Speaker 3: new release, plus the new Living Translation, one year Chronological 549 00:29:56,640 --> 00:30:00,240 Speaker 3: Study Bible, and a beautiful glass mug and throw blanket 550 00:30:00,440 --> 00:30:03,720 Speaker 3: based around the inspiring scripture from Psalm forty six to 551 00:30:03,800 --> 00:30:07,440 Speaker 3: ten Be Still and Know that I Am God. You 552 00:30:07,520 --> 00:30:10,560 Speaker 3: can learn more about this unique new gift collection by 553 00:30:10,600 --> 00:30:14,120 Speaker 3: calling eight eight eight five six seven Joel. We're logging 554 00:30:14,160 --> 00:30:16,520 Speaker 3: onto Joeloustein dot com Today. 555 00:30:17,560 --> 00:30:21,000 Speaker 2: Remember you can watch the services online every Sunday morning, 556 00:30:21,360 --> 00:30:25,760 Speaker 2: download our daily podcast, listening on Sirius XM, watch on YouTube, 557 00:30:26,240 --> 00:30:29,440 Speaker 2: and now the new joel Ostein network streaming on television 558 00:30:29,480 --> 00:30:32,800 Speaker 2: twenty four hours a day. If you've never been to Lakewood, 559 00:30:32,960 --> 00:30:37,000 Speaker 2: we have a great opportunity. We call it Homecoming weekend. 560 00:30:37,440 --> 00:30:40,360 Speaker 2: We'd love to meet you and your family. You can 561 00:30:40,560 --> 00:30:43,360 Speaker 2: see the building and attend one of the services. It's 562 00:30:43,400 --> 00:30:46,280 Speaker 2: a great time to be a part of the Lakewood family. 563 00:30:46,320 --> 00:30:48,920 Speaker 2: Looking forward to seeing your Homecoming Weekend.