1 00:00:00,680 --> 00:00:03,600 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Jorlan Victoria. Thanks so much for listening 2 00:00:03,600 --> 00:00:05,680 Speaker 1: to the podcast, and thanks. 3 00:00:05,360 --> 00:00:06,800 Speaker 2: For supporting the ministry. 4 00:00:07,120 --> 00:00:11,160 Speaker 1: We believe you're going to have an awesome twenty twenty four, healthy, productive, 5 00:00:11,320 --> 00:00:12,520 Speaker 1: and favor filled. 6 00:00:12,800 --> 00:00:15,760 Speaker 2: God bless you today and enjoy the message. Well, God 7 00:00:15,840 --> 00:00:18,599 Speaker 2: bless you. It's a joy to come into your homes. 8 00:00:18,840 --> 00:00:21,720 Speaker 1: We love you, just an honor to spend this next 9 00:00:21,760 --> 00:00:24,040 Speaker 1: half hour or so with you. So if you're ever 10 00:00:24,079 --> 00:00:27,200 Speaker 1: in our area, I hope you'll stop by and make 11 00:00:27,240 --> 00:00:29,800 Speaker 1: yourself at home here. I promise you we'll make you 12 00:00:29,880 --> 00:00:32,040 Speaker 1: feel comfortable, but come out and see us. 13 00:00:32,280 --> 00:00:34,080 Speaker 2: But we're glad to have you tuned in today. 14 00:00:34,080 --> 00:00:36,120 Speaker 1: And I'd like to get started each week with something 15 00:00:36,200 --> 00:00:38,640 Speaker 1: kind of funny. And I heard about this guy. He 16 00:00:38,680 --> 00:00:41,800 Speaker 1: had been stranded all alone on a deserted island for 17 00:00:41,840 --> 00:00:44,599 Speaker 1: twenty years, and all of a sudden, this ship came 18 00:00:44,680 --> 00:00:47,360 Speaker 1: up to rescue him, and the captain came ashore, and 19 00:00:47,360 --> 00:00:49,640 Speaker 1: he noticed that the man had built three buildings in 20 00:00:49,680 --> 00:00:52,120 Speaker 1: a row. He was kind of curious. He asked the man, 21 00:00:52,360 --> 00:00:54,840 Speaker 1: what are those three buildings? The man said, well, the 22 00:00:54,840 --> 00:00:57,240 Speaker 1: building on the left is my home and the building 23 00:00:57,240 --> 00:00:58,560 Speaker 1: on the right is my church. 24 00:00:59,120 --> 00:01:00,440 Speaker 2: The captain was even, I'm curious. 25 00:01:00,480 --> 00:01:02,200 Speaker 1: He said, what about that one in the middle, And 26 00:01:02,200 --> 00:01:04,200 Speaker 1: the man said, Oh, that's the church I used to 27 00:01:04,240 --> 00:01:08,399 Speaker 1: go to. All right, hold your bibles up, say it 28 00:01:08,480 --> 00:01:11,600 Speaker 1: like you mean it. This is my Bible. I am 29 00:01:11,680 --> 00:01:14,280 Speaker 1: what it says I am. I have what it says 30 00:01:14,319 --> 00:01:17,119 Speaker 1: I have. I can do what it says I can do. 31 00:01:17,680 --> 00:01:20,560 Speaker 1: Today I will be taught the word of God. I 32 00:01:20,720 --> 00:01:25,199 Speaker 1: boldly confess. My mind is alert, my heart is receptive. 33 00:01:25,640 --> 00:01:28,360 Speaker 1: I will never be the same. I am about to 34 00:01:28,400 --> 00:01:34,440 Speaker 1: receive the incorruptible, indestructible, ever living seed of the Word 35 00:01:34,480 --> 00:01:38,360 Speaker 1: of God. I'll never be the same, never, never, never, 36 00:01:38,840 --> 00:01:42,960 Speaker 1: I'll never be the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. 37 00:01:43,760 --> 00:01:46,640 Speaker 1: I want to talk to you today about being confident 38 00:01:47,120 --> 00:01:50,000 Speaker 1: in who God made you to be. You are an 39 00:01:50,040 --> 00:01:53,440 Speaker 1: individual and you have something to offer this world that 40 00:01:53,480 --> 00:01:57,480 Speaker 1: nobody else has. But too often we make the mistake 41 00:01:57,720 --> 00:02:01,440 Speaker 1: of comparing ourselves with other people, and if we don't 42 00:02:01,480 --> 00:02:04,720 Speaker 1: think we measure up, then we don't feel good about ourselves. 43 00:02:05,240 --> 00:02:09,960 Speaker 1: This brings pressure, and it brings competition, and before long 44 00:02:10,280 --> 00:02:13,320 Speaker 1: we're not even being the individual that God's made us 45 00:02:13,360 --> 00:02:13,519 Speaker 1: to be. 46 00:02:14,360 --> 00:02:14,919 Speaker 2: Now, I heard. 47 00:02:14,840 --> 00:02:18,200 Speaker 1: Somebody say we forfeit three fourths of who we are 48 00:02:18,600 --> 00:02:22,240 Speaker 1: trying to be like somebody else. I believe many of 49 00:02:22,280 --> 00:02:24,760 Speaker 1: our problems are rooted in the fact that we're trying 50 00:02:24,800 --> 00:02:27,200 Speaker 1: to be something that we're not. But if you're going 51 00:02:27,240 --> 00:02:30,160 Speaker 1: to really experience God's best, you've got to learn to 52 00:02:30,320 --> 00:02:34,800 Speaker 1: just be yourself. You can't go around comparing and competing 53 00:02:34,919 --> 00:02:37,880 Speaker 1: with other people. You shouldn't live your life trying to 54 00:02:37,919 --> 00:02:41,240 Speaker 1: please everybody, try to gain their approval, trying to fit 55 00:02:41,280 --> 00:02:42,040 Speaker 1: into their mold. 56 00:02:42,400 --> 00:02:43,000 Speaker 2: Now you've got to. 57 00:02:43,040 --> 00:02:45,760 Speaker 1: Run your own race, and I want to challenge you 58 00:02:45,840 --> 00:02:49,160 Speaker 1: today to be the individual God made you to be. 59 00:02:49,919 --> 00:02:53,799 Speaker 1: Don't be a copycat, don't be an imitation, be an original. 60 00:02:54,560 --> 00:02:57,200 Speaker 1: You may not be like everybody else, you may not 61 00:02:57,280 --> 00:02:59,120 Speaker 1: fit into their mold, but that's okay. 62 00:03:00,000 --> 00:03:03,360 Speaker 2: Attitude should be. I am free to be me now. 63 00:03:03,360 --> 00:03:05,760 Speaker 1: I don't have to have everybody's approval to feel good 64 00:03:05,760 --> 00:03:09,720 Speaker 1: about myself. I'm not gonna compare my life to anybody else's. 65 00:03:09,919 --> 00:03:12,720 Speaker 1: I'm not gonna go around wishing that I was something different. No, 66 00:03:12,840 --> 00:03:15,480 Speaker 1: I'm gonna be happy with who God made me to be. 67 00:03:16,400 --> 00:03:18,920 Speaker 1: And I'm not talking about being rebellious in any way, 68 00:03:19,080 --> 00:03:22,400 Speaker 1: or living outside of God's word. I'm talking about not 69 00:03:22,520 --> 00:03:26,399 Speaker 1: being pressured into being something that you're not. See, there's 70 00:03:26,440 --> 00:03:30,040 Speaker 1: not another person on this planet like you. Nobody has 71 00:03:30,080 --> 00:03:33,840 Speaker 1: your same fingerprints. You may have a few quirks in 72 00:03:33,880 --> 00:03:37,120 Speaker 1: your personality, your taste may be a little bit different, 73 00:03:37,240 --> 00:03:41,200 Speaker 1: but that's okay. You're not weird, You're unique. You're one 74 00:03:41,200 --> 00:03:44,600 Speaker 1: of a kind. Quit getting down on yourself because you 75 00:03:44,600 --> 00:03:47,120 Speaker 1: don't think you measure up to this certain person, or 76 00:03:47,120 --> 00:03:49,120 Speaker 1: because you don't think you have enough of this or you. 77 00:03:49,160 --> 00:03:50,000 Speaker 2: Have too much of that. 78 00:03:50,640 --> 00:03:53,440 Speaker 1: I hear people say, well, if I just had her looks, 79 00:03:54,080 --> 00:03:56,720 Speaker 1: or I wish I had his personality, I wish I 80 00:03:56,800 --> 00:03:58,440 Speaker 1: was six inches taller, I wish I. 81 00:03:58,400 --> 00:03:59,080 Speaker 2: Had more hair. 82 00:04:00,200 --> 00:04:02,880 Speaker 1: God made you like you are on purpose. You are 83 00:04:02,880 --> 00:04:05,920 Speaker 1: not an accident. If God wanted you to be taller, 84 00:04:06,120 --> 00:04:08,320 Speaker 1: he would have made you taller, he wanted you to 85 00:04:08,320 --> 00:04:10,320 Speaker 1: have a different personality. 86 00:04:09,800 --> 00:04:10,880 Speaker 2: He would have given you one. 87 00:04:11,600 --> 00:04:15,720 Speaker 1: You've got to quit apologizing and quit feeling bad towards 88 00:04:15,760 --> 00:04:19,120 Speaker 1: yourself because of who you are. Some of you have 89 00:04:19,320 --> 00:04:23,159 Speaker 1: very strong personalities. Well that's the way God made you. 90 00:04:23,200 --> 00:04:25,320 Speaker 1: And I'm not saying there are not areas where we 91 00:04:25,360 --> 00:04:29,000 Speaker 1: can improve. But if you have a strong personality, don't 92 00:04:29,040 --> 00:04:32,240 Speaker 1: fight it and go around being condemned because you're not 93 00:04:32,320 --> 00:04:32,960 Speaker 1: something else. 94 00:04:33,480 --> 00:04:35,240 Speaker 2: Learn to accept who you are. 95 00:04:35,680 --> 00:04:38,159 Speaker 1: It's funny to me because it seems like we're always 96 00:04:38,200 --> 00:04:41,200 Speaker 1: trying to be something that we're not. And I'm naturally 97 00:04:41,400 --> 00:04:44,560 Speaker 1: very quiet and reserved. That's my personality. I'm just real 98 00:04:44,680 --> 00:04:47,240 Speaker 1: laid back. But when I was growing up, I always 99 00:04:47,279 --> 00:04:50,480 Speaker 1: thought that I needed to be more bold and forceful. 100 00:04:50,960 --> 00:04:53,960 Speaker 1: I'd see somebody with a strong personality and I think, yeah, 101 00:04:54,000 --> 00:04:56,479 Speaker 1: that's the way I need to be. But one day 102 00:04:56,600 --> 00:05:00,840 Speaker 1: I learned to just relax and enjoy who God created 103 00:05:00,880 --> 00:05:03,719 Speaker 1: me to be. I found I don't have to be 104 00:05:03,880 --> 00:05:07,840 Speaker 1: like anybody else. It's okay to just be me. This 105 00:05:07,920 --> 00:05:09,559 Speaker 1: takes all the pressure off. 106 00:05:09,960 --> 00:05:11,240 Speaker 2: I mean, it's easy to be me. 107 00:05:11,960 --> 00:05:13,919 Speaker 1: I don't have to think about it. I don't have 108 00:05:14,000 --> 00:05:16,599 Speaker 1: to pretend, I don't have to be on guard. I 109 00:05:16,640 --> 00:05:20,400 Speaker 1: can just relax and enjoy my life. I remember one time, 110 00:05:20,760 --> 00:05:23,400 Speaker 1: after Victoria and I had just gotten married, we had 111 00:05:23,400 --> 00:05:25,240 Speaker 1: a leak in our townhouse. 112 00:05:25,279 --> 00:05:25,719 Speaker 2: One night. 113 00:05:26,240 --> 00:05:28,640 Speaker 1: The roofer forgot to cover up the roof and it 114 00:05:28,760 --> 00:05:31,479 Speaker 1: rained that night and the next morning when I came down. 115 00:05:31,520 --> 00:05:34,520 Speaker 1: I could see that the whole downstairs was flooded. And 116 00:05:34,560 --> 00:05:37,600 Speaker 1: I was fairly young in my early twenties. I was 117 00:05:37,640 --> 00:05:40,040 Speaker 1: about to call the company and let them know what happened, 118 00:05:40,320 --> 00:05:42,680 Speaker 1: but I thought to myself, I need to be loud 119 00:05:43,000 --> 00:05:46,919 Speaker 1: and forcefull, mean and angry to let them know that 120 00:05:47,000 --> 00:05:49,719 Speaker 1: I really mean business. I didn't think they'd take me seriously. 121 00:05:49,720 --> 00:05:52,239 Speaker 1: If not, now, I'll never forget. I tried to raise 122 00:05:52,279 --> 00:05:54,920 Speaker 1: my voice and be real strong and real tough there 123 00:05:54,960 --> 00:05:57,279 Speaker 1: on the phone, and I'm telling you, I felt like 124 00:05:57,320 --> 00:05:58,279 Speaker 1: a fish out of water. 125 00:05:59,080 --> 00:06:01,039 Speaker 2: I mean, can you see this face being mean? 126 00:06:02,680 --> 00:06:06,040 Speaker 1: I started off the conversation real loud and tough. By 127 00:06:06,080 --> 00:06:08,480 Speaker 1: the end of the conversation, I was inviting them all 128 00:06:08,520 --> 00:06:13,960 Speaker 1: over for dinner. My point is be who you are, 129 00:06:14,560 --> 00:06:17,720 Speaker 1: and don't be condemned because you're not something else. I 130 00:06:17,800 --> 00:06:21,000 Speaker 1: realize I'm never going to be real, bold and forceful. 131 00:06:21,200 --> 00:06:21,800 Speaker 2: That's not me. 132 00:06:22,360 --> 00:06:24,760 Speaker 1: Some of you are never going to be quiet and reserved. 133 00:06:25,360 --> 00:06:27,320 Speaker 1: You're not going to handle things the way I would. 134 00:06:27,640 --> 00:06:31,159 Speaker 1: But that's okay. Doesn't mean that I'm necessarily right and 135 00:06:31,200 --> 00:06:33,960 Speaker 1: you're wrong. We're just different. And I'm not saying it's 136 00:06:34,000 --> 00:06:36,920 Speaker 1: okay to be rude. It's not okay to be mealy mouthed. 137 00:06:37,080 --> 00:06:39,599 Speaker 1: What I'm saying today is we have to learn to 138 00:06:39,800 --> 00:06:43,279 Speaker 1: stay in the annoying that God has given us. I 139 00:06:43,320 --> 00:06:46,880 Speaker 1: see too many people going around wishing they were something different, 140 00:06:47,360 --> 00:06:51,440 Speaker 1: feeling condemned because they're not like somebody else. No, enjoy 141 00:06:51,640 --> 00:06:54,320 Speaker 1: who God made you to be. I have a friend 142 00:06:54,680 --> 00:06:58,279 Speaker 1: that has a real strong personality. He's very kind, but 143 00:06:58,360 --> 00:07:01,440 Speaker 1: he's just naturally very straight and to the point, very 144 00:07:01,520 --> 00:07:03,720 Speaker 1: matter of fact. And he told me one day he 145 00:07:03,760 --> 00:07:06,760 Speaker 1: and his wife were having a disagreement, turned into kind 146 00:07:06,760 --> 00:07:10,120 Speaker 1: of a heated debate, and she finally said to him, well, 147 00:07:10,160 --> 00:07:13,600 Speaker 1: you just need to be more like Joel. He said, 148 00:07:13,640 --> 00:07:16,520 Speaker 1: excuse me, I think I'm supposed to be more like Jesus. 149 00:07:17,320 --> 00:07:22,480 Speaker 1: She said, that's right, But why don't you start with Joel. Well, 150 00:07:22,600 --> 00:07:25,400 Speaker 1: you say Joel, my coworker. He is so kind and 151 00:07:25,520 --> 00:07:27,960 Speaker 1: gentle with everybody. I don't know what's wrong with me. 152 00:07:28,360 --> 00:07:31,440 Speaker 1: Nothing's wrong with you. God made you different. Well, she's 153 00:07:31,440 --> 00:07:34,720 Speaker 1: so smart and talented. No wonder she's successful. No, God 154 00:07:34,760 --> 00:07:37,520 Speaker 1: hasn't left you out. He's given you everything you need 155 00:07:37,520 --> 00:07:40,960 Speaker 1: to succeed. Well, I wish my metabolism was as fast 156 00:07:41,000 --> 00:07:43,800 Speaker 1: as hers. She eat anything she wants to. She never 157 00:07:43,840 --> 00:07:46,840 Speaker 1: gains a pen. That's not right, No quick comparing your 158 00:07:46,880 --> 00:07:50,040 Speaker 1: life and run your own race. I heard somebody say, 159 00:07:50,360 --> 00:07:55,680 Speaker 1: my metabolism is not slow, it's in a coma. But 160 00:07:55,800 --> 00:07:57,760 Speaker 1: when we compare, all this is going to do is 161 00:07:57,840 --> 00:08:01,200 Speaker 1: frustrate us because I found ninety nine percent of the 162 00:08:01,240 --> 00:08:05,000 Speaker 1: time we only compare ourselves with people that have more money, 163 00:08:05,520 --> 00:08:10,040 Speaker 1: more success, more talent, people that are better looking, healthier, happier. 164 00:08:10,120 --> 00:08:12,480 Speaker 1: That's human nature, and all that's going to do is 165 00:08:12,520 --> 00:08:16,960 Speaker 1: make us feel inferior, inadequate, mistreated. It's not fair, and 166 00:08:17,080 --> 00:08:19,040 Speaker 1: I really believe some of you today could get your 167 00:08:19,160 --> 00:08:22,119 Speaker 1: joy back if you just start running your own race. 168 00:08:22,680 --> 00:08:25,560 Speaker 1: You're always looking at what everybody else is doing and 169 00:08:25,600 --> 00:08:29,960 Speaker 1: what everybody else has. You're comparing your problems to their problems. 170 00:08:30,640 --> 00:08:33,840 Speaker 1: The Scripture says in proverbs, don't look to the left, 171 00:08:33,960 --> 00:08:36,360 Speaker 1: and don't look to the right, look straight ahead. 172 00:08:36,800 --> 00:08:38,400 Speaker 2: We're all at different stages. 173 00:08:38,760 --> 00:08:41,680 Speaker 1: You may compare yourself to another person, but you don't 174 00:08:41,760 --> 00:08:44,920 Speaker 1: know why that person is where he is. You don't 175 00:08:44,960 --> 00:08:47,680 Speaker 1: know what he's gone through to get there. You don't 176 00:08:47,679 --> 00:08:50,679 Speaker 1: know what God has in store for him. Every plan 177 00:08:50,840 --> 00:08:54,600 Speaker 1: is different. We're individuals. I know this lady, she's been 178 00:08:54,640 --> 00:08:56,680 Speaker 1: praying for her husband to come to church with her 179 00:08:56,800 --> 00:08:57,960 Speaker 1: for over twenty years. 180 00:08:58,120 --> 00:08:59,160 Speaker 2: He still hasn't come. 181 00:08:59,520 --> 00:09:01,840 Speaker 1: But I had a friend not too long ago, and 182 00:09:01,920 --> 00:09:04,440 Speaker 1: she started coming, and this lady began to pray that 183 00:09:04,520 --> 00:09:07,040 Speaker 1: her husband would come, and it wasn't. A month later 184 00:09:07,400 --> 00:09:10,000 Speaker 1: to this other lady's husband started to come. And this 185 00:09:10,080 --> 00:09:13,000 Speaker 1: first lady was so frustrated. She said, Joel, I don't 186 00:09:13,080 --> 00:09:15,520 Speaker 1: understand that I've been praying for twenty years. 187 00:09:15,559 --> 00:09:16,760 Speaker 2: That just doesn't seem fair. 188 00:09:17,280 --> 00:09:21,440 Speaker 1: Notice she didn't get frustrated until she started comparing. I 189 00:09:21,480 --> 00:09:24,280 Speaker 1: told her what I'm telling you, run your own race. 190 00:09:24,440 --> 00:09:28,760 Speaker 1: Quit focusing on that. I found sometimes God will bring 191 00:09:28,800 --> 00:09:32,160 Speaker 1: people across our path that are more prosperous, more blessed, 192 00:09:32,240 --> 00:09:35,720 Speaker 1: or somebody that has what we want, simply as a test, 193 00:09:36,280 --> 00:09:38,360 Speaker 1: he wants to see how we're going to respond. 194 00:09:38,960 --> 00:09:40,480 Speaker 2: Are we going to be happy for him? 195 00:09:40,640 --> 00:09:43,640 Speaker 1: Are we going to keep a good attitude, or are 196 00:09:43,640 --> 00:09:45,839 Speaker 1: we going to get all down and discouraged? Say, man, 197 00:09:45,880 --> 00:09:48,280 Speaker 1: it's not fair. Why did they get that new house, 198 00:09:48,840 --> 00:09:52,200 Speaker 1: Why are they so talented? Why did their husband come now? 199 00:09:52,360 --> 00:09:54,720 Speaker 1: Keep a good attitude, keep doing your. 200 00:09:54,600 --> 00:09:56,320 Speaker 2: Best, and you'll pass that test. 201 00:09:56,840 --> 00:09:59,080 Speaker 1: And we need to learn to be happy with the 202 00:09:59,120 --> 00:10:02,360 Speaker 1: gifts in town that God has given us. They may 203 00:10:02,400 --> 00:10:05,319 Speaker 1: not be what other people have, but God knows what's 204 00:10:05,360 --> 00:10:08,959 Speaker 1: best for you. And really you shouldn't want what I have, 205 00:10:09,600 --> 00:10:11,960 Speaker 1: because if God gave you what I have, it would 206 00:10:11,960 --> 00:10:15,360 Speaker 1: be second best. In other words, what God has for 207 00:10:15,400 --> 00:10:17,760 Speaker 1: you is a whole lot better than what I have. 208 00:10:18,040 --> 00:10:21,280 Speaker 1: He's got a perfect plan for your life. And Paul 209 00:10:21,360 --> 00:10:26,120 Speaker 1: said in Galatians five twenty six, stop comparing, stop competing, 210 00:10:26,520 --> 00:10:30,120 Speaker 1: and quit being jealous of what other people have. And 211 00:10:30,200 --> 00:10:33,240 Speaker 1: I found the moment we start to compare, it steals 212 00:10:33,280 --> 00:10:36,760 Speaker 1: our joy and it's going to sour our day. You 213 00:10:36,760 --> 00:10:38,760 Speaker 1: can get up in the morning, be in a perfectly 214 00:10:38,800 --> 00:10:42,079 Speaker 1: good mood. You drive into the garage at the office 215 00:10:42,400 --> 00:10:44,480 Speaker 1: and you see your friend pull up with a brand 216 00:10:44,520 --> 00:10:47,439 Speaker 1: new car, and you think to yourself, man, that's not fair. 217 00:10:47,720 --> 00:10:49,800 Speaker 1: I wish I could afford a new car. All I 218 00:10:49,800 --> 00:10:52,480 Speaker 1: got this old piece of junk. Before long, you're all 219 00:10:52,640 --> 00:10:55,480 Speaker 1: down and discouraged, and it's all because you're comparing. 220 00:10:56,280 --> 00:10:58,560 Speaker 2: Or maybe you see your friend walk in and she's. 221 00:10:58,440 --> 00:11:01,560 Speaker 1: Got her husband by her side. This man is tall 222 00:11:01,679 --> 00:11:04,680 Speaker 1: and dark and handsome. He looks like he just stepped 223 00:11:04,679 --> 00:11:07,560 Speaker 1: out of a fashion magazine, and you think to yourself, 224 00:11:07,600 --> 00:11:09,760 Speaker 1: man alive, My husband he looks like he stepped out 225 00:11:09,760 --> 00:11:16,800 Speaker 1: of an antique magazine. Sorry, men, but don't compare your spouse. 226 00:11:17,559 --> 00:11:21,280 Speaker 1: Don't compare your looks with anybody else's looks. Don't compare 227 00:11:21,320 --> 00:11:25,839 Speaker 1: your talent your education. Don't compare your successes or your failures. 228 00:11:26,200 --> 00:11:29,720 Speaker 1: Run your own race and be confident in who God 229 00:11:29,760 --> 00:11:32,560 Speaker 1: has made you to be. I see too many people today. 230 00:11:32,760 --> 00:11:37,079 Speaker 1: They're insecure, and because of these insecurities, they go around 231 00:11:37,320 --> 00:11:41,239 Speaker 1: not only comparing, but they're constantly trying to get everybody's 232 00:11:41,280 --> 00:11:44,520 Speaker 1: approval so they can feel good about themselves. And they 233 00:11:44,600 --> 00:11:47,440 Speaker 1: end up living to please people, trying to fit into 234 00:11:47,480 --> 00:11:50,320 Speaker 1: their mold, and really they're not being true to who 235 00:11:50,360 --> 00:11:50,840 Speaker 1: they are. 236 00:11:51,400 --> 00:11:52,320 Speaker 2: And all this does. 237 00:11:52,400 --> 00:11:56,640 Speaker 1: It steals our uniqueness, it steals our creativity. But friends, 238 00:11:56,679 --> 00:12:00,240 Speaker 1: God doesn't want a bunch of clones. He likes variety. 239 00:12:00,559 --> 00:12:02,520 Speaker 1: He went to great links to make sure that we 240 00:12:02,559 --> 00:12:05,480 Speaker 1: all didn't look the same. What a shame to go 241 00:12:05,559 --> 00:12:08,440 Speaker 1: through life trying to be like somebody else. What a 242 00:12:08,480 --> 00:12:12,839 Speaker 1: shame to go around trying to fit in somebody else's mam. Now, 243 00:12:12,880 --> 00:12:16,720 Speaker 1: don't be a cheap imitation. Be the original God made 244 00:12:16,720 --> 00:12:18,880 Speaker 1: you to be. Let me tell you it's okay to 245 00:12:18,920 --> 00:12:21,800 Speaker 1: be different. You don't have to look like everybody, sound 246 00:12:21,880 --> 00:12:23,679 Speaker 1: like everybody, dressed like everybody. 247 00:12:24,040 --> 00:12:25,280 Speaker 2: Be an individual. 248 00:12:26,080 --> 00:12:28,640 Speaker 1: I say this respectfully, but you may not like my 249 00:12:28,760 --> 00:12:31,240 Speaker 1: taste in clothes. You may not like the way I 250 00:12:31,360 --> 00:12:34,000 Speaker 1: wear my hair. You may not like my sense of humor. 251 00:12:34,240 --> 00:12:36,319 Speaker 1: But I can't help it if there's something. 252 00:12:36,080 --> 00:12:36,719 Speaker 2: Wrong with you. 253 00:12:39,920 --> 00:12:42,360 Speaker 1: I say that just to make a point. So often 254 00:12:42,400 --> 00:12:45,160 Speaker 1: we go just the opposite. How am I going to 255 00:12:45,240 --> 00:12:47,920 Speaker 1: fit in? What are they gonna think of me? Will 256 00:12:47,960 --> 00:12:48,920 Speaker 1: I be accepted? 257 00:12:49,240 --> 00:12:49,400 Speaker 2: Now? 258 00:12:49,480 --> 00:12:52,640 Speaker 1: Be secure in who you are. You don't know where 259 00:12:52,679 --> 00:12:55,040 Speaker 1: your hair a certain way. Don't go around and have 260 00:12:55,080 --> 00:12:57,360 Speaker 1: to check with five people to make sure that it's okay. 261 00:12:57,559 --> 00:12:58,520 Speaker 2: Be an individual. 262 00:12:59,120 --> 00:13:02,120 Speaker 1: You want to join the step out and launch a 263 00:13:02,160 --> 00:13:05,360 Speaker 1: new business. Sure, it's good to get other opinions. The 264 00:13:05,360 --> 00:13:08,040 Speaker 1: scripture says there's safety in many counselors. 265 00:13:08,360 --> 00:13:09,520 Speaker 2: But you know as well as I. 266 00:13:09,520 --> 00:13:12,280 Speaker 1: Do, if you get too many opinions, all that's going 267 00:13:12,360 --> 00:13:15,360 Speaker 1: to do is bring confusion. And I've found a lot 268 00:13:15,400 --> 00:13:17,760 Speaker 1: of times people will be real quick to tell you 269 00:13:17,800 --> 00:13:20,520 Speaker 1: how to run your life. The problem is they can't 270 00:13:20,520 --> 00:13:23,679 Speaker 1: even run their own life. Be careful about trying to 271 00:13:23,720 --> 00:13:28,000 Speaker 1: get everybody's approval. Really, I believe the best thing is 272 00:13:28,040 --> 00:13:30,559 Speaker 1: to just search your own heart and if you feel 273 00:13:30,600 --> 00:13:33,160 Speaker 1: good about it, take that step of faith and do it. 274 00:13:33,720 --> 00:13:37,560 Speaker 1: And understand you are anointed to be you. You're not 275 00:13:37,600 --> 00:13:41,280 Speaker 1: anointed to be somebody else. One thing you'll never beat 276 00:13:41,360 --> 00:13:44,280 Speaker 1: me at is being me. If you try to be 277 00:13:44,400 --> 00:13:46,640 Speaker 1: me the most, you'll ever be a second best because 278 00:13:46,640 --> 00:13:49,400 Speaker 1: I'm annointed to be me. And when we go around 279 00:13:49,400 --> 00:13:54,240 Speaker 1: comparing and copying somebody because we feel pressured or we 280 00:13:54,280 --> 00:13:56,120 Speaker 1: think that they're going to look down on us, all 281 00:13:56,160 --> 00:13:58,800 Speaker 1: we're really doing is stepping out of our own annoying 282 00:14:00,120 --> 00:14:03,720 Speaker 1: my family, two of my sisters and my sister in law, 283 00:14:03,920 --> 00:14:07,320 Speaker 1: they all homeschooled their children, and when it came time 284 00:14:07,400 --> 00:14:09,679 Speaker 1: for our children to go to school, Victoria and I 285 00:14:09,720 --> 00:14:12,920 Speaker 1: really prayed about it. We really debated because we wanted 286 00:14:12,920 --> 00:14:15,520 Speaker 1: to make the right decision, and of course we wanted 287 00:14:15,520 --> 00:14:18,080 Speaker 1: to be good parents and nothing that they did, but 288 00:14:18,200 --> 00:14:20,360 Speaker 1: just in the natural, we felt a little bit of 289 00:14:20,400 --> 00:14:24,240 Speaker 1: pressure to homeschool our children, and so we studied and 290 00:14:24,280 --> 00:14:27,080 Speaker 1: we read what all the experts said about it. One time, 291 00:14:27,120 --> 00:14:29,440 Speaker 1: I was even talking to my sister list I said, Lesa, 292 00:14:29,440 --> 00:14:30,280 Speaker 1: why do you homeschool? 293 00:14:30,320 --> 00:14:32,600 Speaker 2: And she said, well, Juel, when you send. 294 00:14:32,520 --> 00:14:35,720 Speaker 1: Your kids away for school, that's seven hours that they're gone. 295 00:14:35,800 --> 00:14:38,920 Speaker 1: And I just don't want anybody influencing my children for 296 00:14:39,000 --> 00:14:39,680 Speaker 1: seven hours. 297 00:14:40,080 --> 00:14:41,080 Speaker 2: I felt kind of guilty. 298 00:14:41,080 --> 00:14:43,320 Speaker 1: I thought, man, that's seven hours to get them out 299 00:14:43,320 --> 00:14:47,840 Speaker 1: of the house. I can see you feel like me. 300 00:14:48,600 --> 00:14:51,840 Speaker 1: That's seven hours to get a break. But you know, seriously, 301 00:14:51,920 --> 00:14:54,760 Speaker 1: we prayed about it, and we felt good about sending 302 00:14:54,840 --> 00:14:56,040 Speaker 1: our kids to school. 303 00:14:56,520 --> 00:14:58,480 Speaker 2: And today they're doing great. They love it. 304 00:14:58,640 --> 00:15:01,520 Speaker 1: But my point is, if we had just succumbed to 305 00:15:01,600 --> 00:15:05,280 Speaker 1: that pressure and done it, because hey, everybody else is 306 00:15:05,320 --> 00:15:08,120 Speaker 1: doing it, and somebody may look down on us, somebody 307 00:15:08,160 --> 00:15:10,560 Speaker 1: may not think that we're being good parents. If we 308 00:15:10,600 --> 00:15:13,280 Speaker 1: had done it for the wrong reason, I believe it 309 00:15:13,280 --> 00:15:15,840 Speaker 1: would have been a constant struggle. It would have been 310 00:15:15,880 --> 00:15:19,400 Speaker 1: one headache after another because there would have been no 311 00:15:19,560 --> 00:15:22,840 Speaker 1: annoying on it. When you step out of your annoying, 312 00:15:23,000 --> 00:15:25,760 Speaker 1: you're going to struggle, you're going to be frustrated. And 313 00:15:25,800 --> 00:15:28,840 Speaker 1: that's why This is so important to be confident in 314 00:15:28,880 --> 00:15:31,840 Speaker 1: who God made you to be. His plan for your 315 00:15:31,920 --> 00:15:34,240 Speaker 1: life is not the same as his plan for somebody 316 00:15:34,240 --> 00:15:34,840 Speaker 1: else's life. 317 00:15:35,480 --> 00:15:36,200 Speaker 2: Don't compare. 318 00:15:36,680 --> 00:15:40,280 Speaker 1: If you compare, before long, you'll be competing, and you'll be. 319 00:15:40,240 --> 00:15:41,680 Speaker 2: Doing things for the wrong reason. 320 00:15:42,520 --> 00:15:45,480 Speaker 1: My father told about one time years ago, a good 321 00:15:45,640 --> 00:15:48,680 Speaker 1: pastor friend of his went on this ten day fast, 322 00:15:49,080 --> 00:15:49,920 Speaker 1: ten days. 323 00:15:49,640 --> 00:15:50,760 Speaker 2: Without eating any food. 324 00:15:51,160 --> 00:15:53,320 Speaker 1: And this man did this several times a year, and 325 00:15:53,640 --> 00:15:56,480 Speaker 1: my father started to feel a little bit bad about himself, 326 00:15:56,760 --> 00:15:59,200 Speaker 1: started to feel a little condemned because he didn't do it. 327 00:16:00,080 --> 00:16:03,360 Speaker 1: Father was a pastor of a large, successful church, and 328 00:16:03,520 --> 00:16:06,600 Speaker 1: this other pastor friend was sort of showing him up, 329 00:16:06,920 --> 00:16:09,240 Speaker 1: you know, so to speak, in his own mind, And 330 00:16:09,280 --> 00:16:11,800 Speaker 1: so my father decided to go on this fast with 331 00:16:11,920 --> 00:16:15,720 Speaker 1: this other man. There's nothing wrong with fasting with other people, 332 00:16:16,000 --> 00:16:17,880 Speaker 1: but Daddy wasn't running his race. 333 00:16:18,120 --> 00:16:21,760 Speaker 2: He was doing it because he felt guilty. He felt pressured. 334 00:16:22,200 --> 00:16:25,280 Speaker 1: And again, when you step out of your anointing, there's 335 00:16:25,320 --> 00:16:27,320 Speaker 1: no grace to do it. It's going to be a headache. 336 00:16:27,880 --> 00:16:30,600 Speaker 1: And my father told later how that was one of 337 00:16:30,640 --> 00:16:32,880 Speaker 1: the worst ten days of his life. He said he 338 00:16:32,880 --> 00:16:35,800 Speaker 1: felt like he almost was going to die. And later 339 00:16:35,880 --> 00:16:38,520 Speaker 1: that pastor friend asked him, John, did you have any 340 00:16:38,600 --> 00:16:40,640 Speaker 1: dreams or visions during your fast? 341 00:16:40,680 --> 00:16:41,680 Speaker 2: And Daddy said, I sure did. 342 00:16:41,760 --> 00:16:48,680 Speaker 1: Every night I had visions of hamburgers hot dogs Ininchilada. 343 00:16:48,840 --> 00:16:50,160 Speaker 2: No, run your own race. 344 00:16:51,320 --> 00:16:54,560 Speaker 1: Make sure you're doing things for the right reason and 345 00:16:54,640 --> 00:16:58,000 Speaker 1: not just to keep up with everybody else. I've seen mothers. 346 00:16:58,240 --> 00:17:01,680 Speaker 1: They've got their children in every and every activity. They're 347 00:17:01,720 --> 00:17:05,160 Speaker 1: always running them here and there, and they're great mothers. 348 00:17:05,520 --> 00:17:07,800 Speaker 1: But do you know if you're doing that just because 349 00:17:07,880 --> 00:17:10,320 Speaker 1: you feel guilty and you feel like you've got to 350 00:17:10,400 --> 00:17:13,240 Speaker 1: keep up with everybody and maybe somebody's gonna look down 351 00:17:13,240 --> 00:17:15,000 Speaker 1: on you, then that's just gonna. 352 00:17:14,720 --> 00:17:16,960 Speaker 2: Wear you out. You've got to run your race. 353 00:17:17,680 --> 00:17:19,960 Speaker 1: God has given you the grace to do what he's 354 00:17:20,000 --> 00:17:22,679 Speaker 1: called you to do. He hasn't given you the grace 355 00:17:22,800 --> 00:17:25,480 Speaker 1: to do what everybody else is doing. You don't have 356 00:17:25,600 --> 00:17:27,800 Speaker 1: to be the best mother in the world. Just be 357 00:17:28,040 --> 00:17:31,240 Speaker 1: the best mother that you can be. I realize I 358 00:17:31,320 --> 00:17:33,679 Speaker 1: may not be the best pastor, I may not be 359 00:17:33,720 --> 00:17:36,080 Speaker 1: the best husband, may not be the best father, But 360 00:17:36,119 --> 00:17:37,679 Speaker 1: I'm going to be the best that I can be, 361 00:17:38,240 --> 00:17:41,159 Speaker 1: and I'm not gonna go around feeling condemned because somebody 362 00:17:41,240 --> 00:17:43,800 Speaker 1: can preach better than me, or somebody's. 363 00:17:43,359 --> 00:17:44,840 Speaker 2: Better at this or better at that. 364 00:17:45,080 --> 00:17:47,760 Speaker 1: No, I'm not comparing. As far as I'm concerned, I'm 365 00:17:47,840 --> 00:17:50,479 Speaker 1: number one. I know that I'm doing my best, and 366 00:17:50,520 --> 00:17:51,640 Speaker 1: that's all that God. 367 00:17:51,440 --> 00:17:52,200 Speaker 2: Asked us to do. 368 00:17:53,760 --> 00:17:57,760 Speaker 1: The Scripture says there in Galatians six, verse four, let 369 00:17:57,800 --> 00:18:02,160 Speaker 1: each man examine his own In other words, quit looking 370 00:18:02,200 --> 00:18:03,600 Speaker 1: at what everybody else is doing. 371 00:18:04,000 --> 00:18:05,560 Speaker 2: Focus on your own life. 372 00:18:06,200 --> 00:18:09,240 Speaker 1: It goes on to say, then you can take pride 373 00:18:09,359 --> 00:18:14,679 Speaker 1: in yourself without comparing yourself to anyone else. Paul is 374 00:18:14,720 --> 00:18:18,280 Speaker 1: saying here, if you don't compare and just focus on 375 00:18:18,320 --> 00:18:20,640 Speaker 1: your own race and be the best that you can be, 376 00:18:21,000 --> 00:18:23,000 Speaker 1: then you're going to be happy and you're going to 377 00:18:23,040 --> 00:18:26,520 Speaker 1: feel good about yourself. It's when we compare that we 378 00:18:26,600 --> 00:18:30,000 Speaker 1: lose our joy and we lose our confidence. And really, 379 00:18:30,000 --> 00:18:32,920 Speaker 1: there's so much pressure these days to just fit in 380 00:18:33,119 --> 00:18:36,640 Speaker 1: and do what everybody else is doing, please everybody, meet 381 00:18:36,680 --> 00:18:40,520 Speaker 1: their expectations. But when we do that, we become an 382 00:18:40,600 --> 00:18:43,639 Speaker 1: imitation rather than an original. And if you're going to 383 00:18:43,720 --> 00:18:46,359 Speaker 1: really run your race, you're not going to be able 384 00:18:46,400 --> 00:18:50,640 Speaker 1: to meet everybody's expectations. You can't be everything to everybody. 385 00:18:51,200 --> 00:18:53,840 Speaker 1: You've got to accept the fact that not everybody is 386 00:18:53,840 --> 00:18:56,520 Speaker 1: going to like you, not everybody is going to agree 387 00:18:56,520 --> 00:19:00,240 Speaker 1: with every decision you make, and most likely they're not 388 00:19:00,359 --> 00:19:03,240 Speaker 1: going to be able to keep everybody around you happy. 389 00:19:04,040 --> 00:19:05,520 Speaker 2: You cannot allow these. 390 00:19:05,440 --> 00:19:09,639 Speaker 1: Outside expectations and the demands that other people put on 391 00:19:09,720 --> 00:19:12,360 Speaker 1: you to keep you from doing what you know God. 392 00:19:12,200 --> 00:19:12,800 Speaker 2: Wants you to do. 393 00:19:13,800 --> 00:19:16,520 Speaker 1: I remember a few years ago when we were trying 394 00:19:16,520 --> 00:19:19,960 Speaker 1: to find a larger facility. My first thought is that 395 00:19:20,000 --> 00:19:23,000 Speaker 1: we would never move the church. I always remembered how 396 00:19:23,000 --> 00:19:25,480 Speaker 1: my father had told how he felt like God had 397 00:19:25,520 --> 00:19:28,840 Speaker 1: impressed him to keep it right where it was. Of course, 398 00:19:28,880 --> 00:19:31,240 Speaker 1: I was the new pastor, and I wasn't about to 399 00:19:31,240 --> 00:19:33,560 Speaker 1: come in and make waves and suggest that we moved 400 00:19:33,560 --> 00:19:35,960 Speaker 1: the church. And so when we look for property, we 401 00:19:36,040 --> 00:19:38,119 Speaker 1: tried to find it as close as possible to that 402 00:19:38,240 --> 00:19:41,040 Speaker 1: original location. But you know the story of how all 403 00:19:41,119 --> 00:19:43,720 Speaker 1: those deals fell through. And when we got word that 404 00:19:43,760 --> 00:19:47,760 Speaker 1: the compact center was coming available, in my heart of hearts, 405 00:19:48,200 --> 00:19:50,920 Speaker 1: I knew that we were to pursue this. I didn't 406 00:19:50,920 --> 00:19:51,879 Speaker 1: know if we were going to get it, but I 407 00:19:51,960 --> 00:19:55,000 Speaker 1: knew God wanted us to go after it, and probably 408 00:19:55,240 --> 00:19:58,040 Speaker 1: ninety nine percent of the people were totally on board, 409 00:19:58,080 --> 00:20:01,640 Speaker 1: were totally behind it. There were a few people back then. 410 00:20:02,160 --> 00:20:04,720 Speaker 1: They used to come up to me practically after every 411 00:20:04,800 --> 00:20:07,199 Speaker 1: service and say, Joel, you're missing it. 412 00:20:07,800 --> 00:20:08,160 Speaker 2: You know. 413 00:20:08,320 --> 00:20:10,680 Speaker 1: Even your father said he had never moved the church. 414 00:20:10,840 --> 00:20:13,159 Speaker 1: If you move it, we're not gonna come. And that 415 00:20:13,280 --> 00:20:16,000 Speaker 1: was very hard on me because you never like to 416 00:20:16,040 --> 00:20:19,639 Speaker 1: lose anybody. But I've discovered you've got to be willing 417 00:20:19,760 --> 00:20:23,160 Speaker 1: to walk away from a friend, walk away from a neighbor, 418 00:20:23,160 --> 00:20:26,040 Speaker 1: walk away from an associate, to do what God's calling 419 00:20:26,080 --> 00:20:30,639 Speaker 1: you to do. They're not gonna all They're not gonna 420 00:20:30,680 --> 00:20:34,160 Speaker 1: all give you their approval, they're not gonna all cheer 421 00:20:34,240 --> 00:20:37,280 Speaker 1: your own You have to make a decision. Are you 422 00:20:37,320 --> 00:20:40,800 Speaker 1: gonna please God and follow your own dreams and. 423 00:20:40,720 --> 00:20:43,280 Speaker 2: Do what He's called you to do, or are you 424 00:20:43,320 --> 00:20:44,280 Speaker 2: going to succumb. 425 00:20:43,960 --> 00:20:46,879 Speaker 1: To that pressure and just please people and end up 426 00:20:46,920 --> 00:20:49,840 Speaker 1: settling for mediocrity. And as I said, this was very 427 00:20:49,880 --> 00:20:52,520 Speaker 1: difficult for me because I don't like to disappoint people. 428 00:20:52,560 --> 00:20:54,399 Speaker 1: I don't like to have people that are against me. 429 00:20:55,080 --> 00:20:58,639 Speaker 1: But I've learned sometimes you have to disappoint people in 430 00:20:58,720 --> 00:21:01,639 Speaker 1: order to not disappoint God. And as much as I 431 00:21:01,760 --> 00:21:05,359 Speaker 1: never like to see one person leave, I found that 432 00:21:05,400 --> 00:21:08,359 Speaker 1: if I'll be true to myself and if I'll stay 433 00:21:08,440 --> 00:21:11,520 Speaker 1: true to God, that for everyone that leaves, God will 434 00:21:11,520 --> 00:21:13,040 Speaker 1: send us a dozen others. 435 00:21:13,960 --> 00:21:14,360 Speaker 2: Amen. 436 00:21:16,400 --> 00:21:20,119 Speaker 1: And if you're struggling today, if you're frustrated, you need 437 00:21:20,160 --> 00:21:22,560 Speaker 1: to examine your heart and make sure you're not out 438 00:21:22,600 --> 00:21:26,000 Speaker 1: of balance, always trying to please this person, trying to 439 00:21:26,080 --> 00:21:29,600 Speaker 1: keep this one happy, trying to get this one's approval. Now, 440 00:21:29,640 --> 00:21:33,200 Speaker 1: it's very freeing to really understand that you don't have 441 00:21:33,280 --> 00:21:36,880 Speaker 1: to keep everybody happy. That's not your job. And yes, 442 00:21:36,920 --> 00:21:39,719 Speaker 1: we should be kind and courteous, we should go out 443 00:21:39,760 --> 00:21:41,760 Speaker 1: of our way to keep the peace and do good 444 00:21:41,800 --> 00:21:44,800 Speaker 1: things for people, but we should not allow them to 445 00:21:44,840 --> 00:21:48,159 Speaker 1: control us and manipulate us. At some point, you've got 446 00:21:48,200 --> 00:21:50,199 Speaker 1: to be bold enough to say, I've got to be 447 00:21:50,240 --> 00:21:53,400 Speaker 1: free to be me, I've got to follow my dreams. Yes, 448 00:21:53,480 --> 00:21:55,959 Speaker 1: I love you, but I know I can't keep you happy. 449 00:21:56,320 --> 00:21:58,160 Speaker 1: And the fact is I don't have to have your 450 00:21:58,200 --> 00:21:59,560 Speaker 1: approval to feel. 451 00:21:59,359 --> 00:22:01,000 Speaker 2: Good about it who I am. 452 00:22:01,320 --> 00:22:03,719 Speaker 1: And a lot of times people they don't realize it, 453 00:22:04,040 --> 00:22:06,760 Speaker 1: they may not mean to, but it's easy to allow 454 00:22:06,840 --> 00:22:10,040 Speaker 1: them to control us, to pressure us, to manipulate us. 455 00:22:10,359 --> 00:22:12,199 Speaker 1: You know, they kind of have the attitude, I'll be 456 00:22:12,280 --> 00:22:14,360 Speaker 1: your friend as long as you do this and this 457 00:22:14,480 --> 00:22:17,720 Speaker 1: and this. I'll give you my approval as long as 458 00:22:17,760 --> 00:22:21,159 Speaker 1: you do it my way. This is exactly what David 459 00:22:21,200 --> 00:22:24,480 Speaker 1: had to face when he told King Saul that he 460 00:22:24,560 --> 00:22:27,840 Speaker 1: wanted to fight Goliath. Saul said, that'd be fine, David. 461 00:22:28,119 --> 00:22:30,280 Speaker 1: You can do it as long as you put on 462 00:22:30,560 --> 00:22:33,639 Speaker 1: my armor. He was saying, you've got to do it 463 00:22:33,840 --> 00:22:36,199 Speaker 1: my way. You've got to be who I want you 464 00:22:36,240 --> 00:22:39,280 Speaker 1: to be. And David evidently didn't know any better because 465 00:22:39,280 --> 00:22:42,520 Speaker 1: he put that armor on and Saul was so pleased. 466 00:22:42,760 --> 00:22:44,639 Speaker 1: He said, you look great, David. I got you just 467 00:22:44,760 --> 00:22:48,119 Speaker 1: like I want you. But it wasn't long until David 468 00:22:48,200 --> 00:22:51,399 Speaker 1: realized he didn't like that armor. It was too big, 469 00:22:51,520 --> 00:22:55,040 Speaker 1: it was cumbersome, it wasn't him. And David was bold 470 00:22:55,119 --> 00:22:58,000 Speaker 1: enough to just take that armor off. He said, listen, Saul, 471 00:22:58,400 --> 00:23:00,760 Speaker 1: I've got to be who God could heed me to be. 472 00:23:01,480 --> 00:23:04,160 Speaker 1: I can't walk, and you're annoying. I've got to walk 473 00:23:04,200 --> 00:23:07,240 Speaker 1: in my own annoying friends. God's not looking for a 474 00:23:07,240 --> 00:23:10,760 Speaker 1: bunch of copycats. He didn't want a substitute for Saul. 475 00:23:11,000 --> 00:23:14,919 Speaker 1: He wanted an original. You'll never defeat the giants in 476 00:23:15,000 --> 00:23:17,840 Speaker 1: your life. Where in somebody else's armor. You got to 477 00:23:17,880 --> 00:23:20,400 Speaker 1: be yourself. You got to walk in your own annoying. 478 00:23:21,080 --> 00:23:23,920 Speaker 1: And so David took off that armor. He put down 479 00:23:23,960 --> 00:23:26,960 Speaker 1: the fancy sword, and he reached in his pocket. 480 00:23:26,680 --> 00:23:28,159 Speaker 2: And he got out a sling shot. 481 00:23:28,840 --> 00:23:32,040 Speaker 1: And you got to realize, Saul was tall and handsome, 482 00:23:32,480 --> 00:23:36,000 Speaker 1: he stood head and shoulders above the rest. But David, 483 00:23:36,200 --> 00:23:39,320 Speaker 1: he's just a shepherd boy, no experience. But he wasn't 484 00:23:39,400 --> 00:23:42,240 Speaker 1: comparing himself. He wasn't looking at what he didn't have. 485 00:23:42,560 --> 00:23:44,760 Speaker 1: He was looking at what he did have. He bit 486 00:23:44,840 --> 00:23:48,800 Speaker 1: down to the ground, picked up five smooth stones. I 487 00:23:48,840 --> 00:23:50,960 Speaker 1: can hear Saul saying, boy, you better put my armor 488 00:23:51,040 --> 00:23:53,560 Speaker 1: back on. You're gonna get out there and get clobbered. 489 00:23:54,240 --> 00:23:57,359 Speaker 1: But no, David understood, as long as he walked in 490 00:23:57,400 --> 00:24:01,240 Speaker 1: his own annoying, he had God's supernatural face. As long 491 00:24:01,320 --> 00:24:03,600 Speaker 1: as he walked in his annoying, he knew those rocks 492 00:24:03,960 --> 00:24:08,200 Speaker 1: and that slingshot they were full of God's supernatural power. See, 493 00:24:08,240 --> 00:24:11,600 Speaker 1: it's not important what you have. What's important is does 494 00:24:11,640 --> 00:24:14,159 Speaker 1: it have God's annoying on it? Does it have God's 495 00:24:14,200 --> 00:24:17,960 Speaker 1: favor on it? You know the story David went out 496 00:24:18,160 --> 00:24:22,760 Speaker 1: and without Saul's armor, he defeated Goliath. I want to 497 00:24:22,800 --> 00:24:26,240 Speaker 1: ask you today, are you wearing somebody else's armor? 498 00:24:26,880 --> 00:24:28,879 Speaker 2: Are you being who God created you to be? 499 00:24:29,760 --> 00:24:32,600 Speaker 1: Or are you going around being what everybody else wants 500 00:24:32,640 --> 00:24:36,200 Speaker 1: you to be, fulfilling their dreams for your life, trying 501 00:24:36,200 --> 00:24:38,320 Speaker 1: to live up to their expectations. 502 00:24:39,000 --> 00:24:41,720 Speaker 2: No walk in your own annoying. I know. 503 00:24:41,760 --> 00:24:44,280 Speaker 1: When my father went to be with the Lord back 504 00:24:44,280 --> 00:24:47,399 Speaker 1: in nineteen ninety nine, one of my biggest struggles, and 505 00:24:47,440 --> 00:24:51,639 Speaker 1: probably my biggest concerns, was how is everybody going to 506 00:24:51,720 --> 00:24:55,560 Speaker 1: accept me? After all, my father had founded the church 507 00:24:55,560 --> 00:24:58,160 Speaker 1: and been here for some forty years, and people were 508 00:24:58,200 --> 00:25:01,640 Speaker 1: obviously used to him. I didn't think our styles were 509 00:25:01,680 --> 00:25:04,480 Speaker 1: the same. Daddy was a little more of a fireball. 510 00:25:04,520 --> 00:25:07,080 Speaker 1: He preached a little more excitedly. And I was praying 511 00:25:07,119 --> 00:25:09,240 Speaker 1: one night and said, God, I don't know if everybody's 512 00:25:09,280 --> 00:25:11,240 Speaker 1: going to accept me, And should I just try to 513 00:25:11,240 --> 00:25:13,560 Speaker 1: be more like my dad? Should I try to copy 514 00:25:13,600 --> 00:25:16,600 Speaker 1: his style and preach his messages? And I was so concerned, 515 00:25:17,080 --> 00:25:19,439 Speaker 1: But I'll never forget God spoke back to me, and 516 00:25:19,560 --> 00:25:21,439 Speaker 1: I felt it so strong, right down in here, not 517 00:25:21,440 --> 00:25:24,879 Speaker 1: out loud, but he said, Joel, don't try to copy anybody. 518 00:25:25,240 --> 00:25:28,480 Speaker 2: Just be yourself. Just be who I created you to be. 519 00:25:29,200 --> 00:25:30,000 Speaker 2: God was saying. 520 00:25:31,920 --> 00:25:34,320 Speaker 1: God was saying, I don't want you to wear anybody 521 00:25:34,400 --> 00:25:37,320 Speaker 1: else's armor. I don't want a duplicate of your dad. 522 00:25:37,440 --> 00:25:40,440 Speaker 1: I want an original. And when I heard that, man, 523 00:25:40,520 --> 00:25:43,200 Speaker 1: it set me free. I knew that I was free 524 00:25:43,200 --> 00:25:46,160 Speaker 1: to be me. And if there's any success I've had 525 00:25:46,200 --> 00:25:49,399 Speaker 1: in these last seven years, I know one reason is 526 00:25:49,400 --> 00:25:52,560 Speaker 1: because I've always walked in my own annoying. I haven't 527 00:25:52,560 --> 00:25:55,000 Speaker 1: tried to be something that I'm not. I haven't tried 528 00:25:55,000 --> 00:25:56,200 Speaker 1: to copy somebody else. 529 00:25:56,480 --> 00:25:58,119 Speaker 2: I've learned to just be myself. 530 00:25:58,600 --> 00:26:01,240 Speaker 1: And I'm asking you to do this same thing. Be 531 00:26:01,520 --> 00:26:05,280 Speaker 1: the original God made you to be. Don't be a copycat. 532 00:26:06,840 --> 00:26:10,159 Speaker 1: Take off all that other armor. Quit living just to 533 00:26:10,200 --> 00:26:13,359 Speaker 1: please other people, and walk in your own annoying And 534 00:26:13,480 --> 00:26:17,600 Speaker 1: don't make that mistake of comparing your life, comparing your looks, 535 00:26:17,640 --> 00:26:20,840 Speaker 1: comparing your education, comparing your problems. No, run your own 536 00:26:20,920 --> 00:26:23,640 Speaker 1: race and when you see others that have what you want, 537 00:26:24,040 --> 00:26:27,280 Speaker 1: instead of comparing and getting all jealous, be happy for them. 538 00:26:27,440 --> 00:26:30,800 Speaker 1: Pass that test knowing that your day is coming. And friends, 539 00:26:30,800 --> 00:26:33,040 Speaker 1: if you'll be the individual God made you to be 540 00:26:33,560 --> 00:26:36,600 Speaker 1: and not go around comparing and competing, trying to get 541 00:26:36,640 --> 00:26:38,800 Speaker 1: everybody's approval, trying to impress people. 542 00:26:39,160 --> 00:26:40,520 Speaker 2: Now, if you'll just get up each. 543 00:26:40,440 --> 00:26:43,000 Speaker 1: Day and do your best to be who God created 544 00:26:43,040 --> 00:26:45,879 Speaker 1: you to be, I can promise you you'll not only 545 00:26:45,920 --> 00:26:49,720 Speaker 1: be happier and more fulfilled, but you'll see your gifts 546 00:26:49,720 --> 00:26:52,000 Speaker 1: and talents come out to the full. And I believe 547 00:26:52,000 --> 00:26:53,480 Speaker 1: God will do for you what he did for me. 548 00:26:53,720 --> 00:26:56,199 Speaker 1: He'll take your places that you've never even dreamed of. 549 00:26:56,440 --> 00:26:56,800 Speaker 2: Amen. 550 00:26:57,160 --> 00:27:01,320 Speaker 1: Do you receive it today? Or we never like suppose 551 00:27:01,359 --> 00:27:04,800 Speaker 1: our godcast without giving you an opportunity to make Jesus 552 00:27:04,840 --> 00:27:07,199 Speaker 1: the lord of your life. Would you pray with me, 553 00:27:07,880 --> 00:27:13,040 Speaker 1: just say, Lord, Jesus, I repent of my sins. Come 554 00:27:13,040 --> 00:27:16,440 Speaker 1: into my heart. I make you my Lord and savior. 555 00:27:17,840 --> 00:27:20,120 Speaker 1: If you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 556 00:27:20,119 --> 00:27:23,240 Speaker 1: born again. Get in a good Bible based church, Keep 557 00:27:23,280 --> 00:27:24,200 Speaker 1: God first place. 558 00:27:24,440 --> 00:27:26,840 Speaker 2: He's going to take your places that you've never dreamed of. 559 00:27:29,040 --> 00:27:32,160 Speaker 3: Three minutes Can such a small amount of time make 560 00:27:32,200 --> 00:27:35,760 Speaker 3: a big difference? To your day to turn worry into confidence, 561 00:27:36,080 --> 00:27:40,880 Speaker 3: frustration to hope, defeat to victory. Maybe you just need 562 00:27:40,920 --> 00:27:41,919 Speaker 3: a boost of faith. 563 00:27:42,440 --> 00:27:45,399 Speaker 1: When we put God first place and get our thinking 564 00:27:45,480 --> 00:27:48,479 Speaker 1: in line with his, even a small seed of time 565 00:27:48,680 --> 00:27:51,440 Speaker 1: can make a huge difference. We have a new resource 566 00:27:51,480 --> 00:27:54,800 Speaker 1: called three minute Mornings. Start your day the blessed way. 567 00:27:55,520 --> 00:27:58,360 Speaker 1: My challenge is when you wake up, before you leave 568 00:27:58,400 --> 00:28:01,720 Speaker 1: the house, take three minutes to speak blessings over your 569 00:28:01,720 --> 00:28:05,120 Speaker 1: life and to declare God's favor. Get your mind going 570 00:28:05,240 --> 00:28:08,359 Speaker 1: in the right direction. When you do that, you're setting 571 00:28:08,400 --> 00:28:11,120 Speaker 1: yourself up for a blessed, victorious day. 572 00:28:11,840 --> 00:28:14,159 Speaker 3: As our way of saying thank you for your gift 573 00:28:14,160 --> 00:28:16,840 Speaker 3: of any size to the ministry. This month, Joel and 574 00:28:16,960 --> 00:28:20,320 Speaker 3: Victoria would like to send you this just released life 575 00:28:20,359 --> 00:28:24,240 Speaker 3: giving new daily devotional. Before your feet hit the ground 576 00:28:24,440 --> 00:28:27,240 Speaker 3: or go out the door, have your heart experience a 577 00:28:27,280 --> 00:28:30,159 Speaker 3: bit of heaven. Set your mind on the things above 578 00:28:30,440 --> 00:28:33,840 Speaker 3: with our new three minute Mornings devotional. With this new 579 00:28:34,040 --> 00:28:37,560 Speaker 3: three hundred and sixty five day devotional three Minute Mornings, 580 00:28:37,800 --> 00:28:41,760 Speaker 3: You'll experience God showering down his favor like never before. 581 00:28:42,360 --> 00:28:45,120 Speaker 3: You'll focus on the better that is coming and fully 582 00:28:45,200 --> 00:28:48,320 Speaker 3: realize the freedom of not worrying about tomorrow. 583 00:28:48,920 --> 00:28:51,880 Speaker 1: Victorian, I pray for you and your family every day. 584 00:28:52,360 --> 00:28:55,240 Speaker 1: Thank you so much for your prayer and support. You're 585 00:28:55,280 --> 00:28:58,360 Speaker 1: making a difference all over the world. Remember you can 586 00:28:58,360 --> 00:29:04,040 Speaker 1: watch the services online every Sunday morning, download our daily podcast, listen. 587 00:29:03,840 --> 00:29:07,280 Speaker 2: On Sirius XM. But until we meet again, met the 588 00:29:07,320 --> 00:29:08,920 Speaker 2: Lord bless you and keep you. 589 00:29:09,440 --> 00:29:12,640 Speaker 3: Be sure to request your copy of Three Minute Mornings today. 590 00:29:12,960 --> 00:29:16,600 Speaker 3: Visit Joelostein dot com or call eight eight eight five 591 00:29:16,720 --> 00:29:17,800 Speaker 3: six seven Joel