1 00:00:00,440 --> 00:00:02,160 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. 2 00:00:02,240 --> 00:00:05,279 Speaker 2: Thanks for listening to our podcast and thanks for supporting 3 00:00:05,280 --> 00:00:08,239 Speaker 2: the ministry. If you enjoy today's message, why don't you 4 00:00:08,280 --> 00:00:11,040 Speaker 2: be a blessing and share it with a friend, reappreciate 5 00:00:11,119 --> 00:00:13,760 Speaker 2: you and pray for God's very best in your life. 6 00:00:14,040 --> 00:00:15,880 Speaker 1: God bless you. It's great to. 7 00:00:15,760 --> 00:00:18,440 Speaker 2: Be with you today, and I hope you'll stay connected 8 00:00:18,480 --> 00:00:21,440 Speaker 2: with us during the week through our daily podcast, our 9 00:00:21,480 --> 00:00:25,040 Speaker 2: YouTube channel, social media, and you can come visit us 10 00:00:25,079 --> 00:00:27,240 Speaker 2: in person. We'd love to have you be a part 11 00:00:27,280 --> 00:00:29,960 Speaker 2: of one of our services. I'd like to start with 12 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:32,839 Speaker 2: something funny and I heard about this mother. She was 13 00:00:32,880 --> 00:00:36,240 Speaker 2: cooking breakfast for her two young boys, Ryan was five 14 00:00:36,280 --> 00:00:39,440 Speaker 2: and Kevin was three, and then begin to argue over 15 00:00:39,440 --> 00:00:42,400 Speaker 2: who should get the first pancake. She saw this as 16 00:00:42,440 --> 00:00:46,159 Speaker 2: an opportunity to teach them a lesson. She said, boys, boys, 17 00:00:46,320 --> 00:00:49,160 Speaker 2: if Jesus were here, he would say, let my brother 18 00:00:49,320 --> 00:00:52,560 Speaker 2: have the first pancake. Ryan turned to his younger brother 19 00:00:52,600 --> 00:00:54,520 Speaker 2: and said, okay, Kevin, you be Jesus. 20 00:00:56,360 --> 00:00:59,000 Speaker 1: Say it like you mean it. This is my Bible. 21 00:00:59,320 --> 00:01:01,680 Speaker 2: I am what it says I am, I have what 22 00:01:01,760 --> 00:01:04,240 Speaker 2: it says I have, I can do what it says 23 00:01:04,280 --> 00:01:05,560 Speaker 2: I can do today. 24 00:01:05,720 --> 00:01:07,479 Speaker 1: I will be taught the word of God. 25 00:01:07,880 --> 00:01:12,160 Speaker 2: I boldly confess my mind is alert, my heart is receptive. 26 00:01:12,480 --> 00:01:16,000 Speaker 2: I will never be the same. In Jesus's name, God 27 00:01:16,040 --> 00:01:19,240 Speaker 2: bless you. I want to talk to you today about 28 00:01:19,400 --> 00:01:20,560 Speaker 2: approval addiction. 29 00:01:21,640 --> 00:01:22,840 Speaker 1: Too many people. 30 00:01:22,640 --> 00:01:26,200 Speaker 2: Make decisions based on what other people will think about them. 31 00:01:26,720 --> 00:01:29,960 Speaker 2: They run everything through a filter. How is this going 32 00:01:30,000 --> 00:01:33,280 Speaker 2: to make me look? How will my friends, my coworkers 33 00:01:33,319 --> 00:01:37,520 Speaker 2: perceive me. Will they be impressed, will they applaud or 34 00:01:37,560 --> 00:01:38,679 Speaker 2: will they look down on me? 35 00:01:38,959 --> 00:01:40,040 Speaker 1: Will they think less? 36 00:01:40,800 --> 00:01:43,560 Speaker 2: Instead of being confident in who God made them to be, 37 00:01:44,240 --> 00:01:45,759 Speaker 2: they let the opinion. 38 00:01:45,360 --> 00:01:47,520 Speaker 1: Of others determine what they do. 39 00:01:48,240 --> 00:01:53,040 Speaker 2: They don't realize they're addicted to approval. Psychologists call this 40 00:01:53,160 --> 00:01:55,720 Speaker 2: faupo fpo fear. 41 00:01:55,560 --> 00:01:59,240 Speaker 1: Of other people's opinion. And yes, we all want approval, 42 00:01:59,480 --> 00:02:00,600 Speaker 1: we all want to be liked. 43 00:02:01,000 --> 00:02:04,240 Speaker 2: But you can't become dependent on what other people think 44 00:02:04,280 --> 00:02:08,800 Speaker 2: about you. Everyone is not going to understand you. Everyone 45 00:02:08,840 --> 00:02:12,679 Speaker 2: won't celebrate you. There will be seasons when people are 46 00:02:12,720 --> 00:02:16,480 Speaker 2: for you, giving you approval, then times when they're not. 47 00:02:17,160 --> 00:02:19,239 Speaker 2: And if you have that filter, I have to keep 48 00:02:19,280 --> 00:02:22,560 Speaker 2: pleasing them. I need them to approve me to feel 49 00:02:22,600 --> 00:02:26,120 Speaker 2: good about myself. Then you're letting them be in charge 50 00:02:26,160 --> 00:02:30,120 Speaker 2: of who you are. But your destiny is not predicated 51 00:02:30,400 --> 00:02:32,120 Speaker 2: on other people's opinion of you. 52 00:02:32,960 --> 00:02:35,079 Speaker 1: Whether they like you approve you. 53 00:02:35,520 --> 00:02:39,600 Speaker 2: Does not stop God's purpose for your life. When God 54 00:02:39,680 --> 00:02:42,279 Speaker 2: laid out your plan, he didn't have a committee. 55 00:02:42,800 --> 00:02:44,200 Speaker 1: He didn't form a group chat. 56 00:02:44,720 --> 00:02:48,360 Speaker 2: Call twelve of your friends, say let's get together, decide 57 00:02:48,400 --> 00:02:49,399 Speaker 2: who they're going to be. 58 00:02:50,120 --> 00:02:54,400 Speaker 1: By himself, he called you equipped. You gave you favor. 59 00:02:55,120 --> 00:02:58,680 Speaker 2: If you live trying to please people and gain their approval, 60 00:02:59,080 --> 00:03:00,320 Speaker 2: keep everyone happy. 61 00:03:00,400 --> 00:03:03,240 Speaker 1: You're going to be frustrated. That's going to wear you out. 62 00:03:03,960 --> 00:03:07,400 Speaker 2: You have to break free from what people think about you. 63 00:03:07,400 --> 00:03:10,119 Speaker 2: You don't have to have their approval, You have Almighty 64 00:03:10,120 --> 00:03:14,760 Speaker 2: God's approval. Don't live to please people. Live to please God. 65 00:03:15,400 --> 00:03:18,799 Speaker 2: He's the one that holds your destiny. Promotion doesn't come 66 00:03:18,840 --> 00:03:22,680 Speaker 2: from people, It comes from the Lord. How much time 67 00:03:22,720 --> 00:03:26,600 Speaker 2: and energy are you spending trying to get approval, trying 68 00:03:26,639 --> 00:03:29,880 Speaker 2: to be well liked, trying to keep this friend impressed, 69 00:03:30,200 --> 00:03:34,720 Speaker 2: stay in this coworker's favor, Take the pressure off. You 70 00:03:34,800 --> 00:03:37,680 Speaker 2: can't follow what God put in your heart if you're 71 00:03:37,720 --> 00:03:40,960 Speaker 2: always trying to play up to people. What will they think? 72 00:03:41,360 --> 00:03:44,400 Speaker 2: What if they don't approve? A much better question is 73 00:03:44,560 --> 00:03:47,640 Speaker 2: what will God think? I would much rather spend my 74 00:03:47,720 --> 00:03:51,840 Speaker 2: time pleasing Him than trying to please people. The apostle 75 00:03:51,840 --> 00:03:55,720 Speaker 2: Paul had all kinds of opinions about him. At one time, 76 00:03:55,880 --> 00:03:58,480 Speaker 2: he was the biggest enemy of the church, and then 77 00:03:58,520 --> 00:04:03,040 Speaker 2: he became a believer. Some people loved him, others were skeptical. 78 00:04:03,760 --> 00:04:07,480 Speaker 2: Despite all this opposition, he wrote almost half of the 79 00:04:07,520 --> 00:04:11,800 Speaker 2: New Testament impacted the world in an amazing way. He 80 00:04:11,840 --> 00:04:14,680 Speaker 2: gives us a secret of how he handled the pressure, 81 00:04:15,120 --> 00:04:17,880 Speaker 2: how he dealt with all the opinions. He said in 82 00:04:17,920 --> 00:04:22,000 Speaker 2: First Corinthians form, it matters very little to me what 83 00:04:22,120 --> 00:04:26,919 Speaker 2: you or anyone else thinks I have been faithful. Paul 84 00:04:27,000 --> 00:04:30,520 Speaker 2: was saying, I'm not looking to you for approval. I'm 85 00:04:30,520 --> 00:04:33,400 Speaker 2: not basing my decisions on what you think. Whether you 86 00:04:33,640 --> 00:04:36,839 Speaker 2: like me or don't, that doesn't change who I am. 87 00:04:37,640 --> 00:04:40,919 Speaker 2: He wasn't trying to please everyone. He was trying to 88 00:04:40,960 --> 00:04:44,440 Speaker 2: please an audience of one, the one who called him, 89 00:04:44,680 --> 00:04:47,400 Speaker 2: the one who gave him breath to breathe. He went 90 00:04:47,440 --> 00:04:50,560 Speaker 2: on to say in that next verse, my conscience is clear. 91 00:04:51,320 --> 00:04:54,200 Speaker 2: He was saying, I've done what God put in my 92 00:04:54,279 --> 00:04:57,279 Speaker 2: heart to the best of my ability. I've pursued the 93 00:04:57,360 --> 00:05:02,080 Speaker 2: dreams and goals He's placed in me. Some people didn't understand, 94 00:05:02,560 --> 00:05:03,640 Speaker 2: some didn't approve. 95 00:05:04,240 --> 00:05:06,479 Speaker 1: But he wasn't ruled by their opinions. 96 00:05:07,040 --> 00:05:10,800 Speaker 2: He wasn't insecure to where he needed people to validate him. 97 00:05:11,279 --> 00:05:13,039 Speaker 1: He didn't have to fit into their mold. 98 00:05:13,760 --> 00:05:16,920 Speaker 2: If he was addicted to approval, we wouldn't have half 99 00:05:16,960 --> 00:05:21,040 Speaker 2: of the New Testament. Now, don't miss your greatness because 100 00:05:21,080 --> 00:05:25,400 Speaker 2: you're dependent on people approving you. Don't shrink back and 101 00:05:25,520 --> 00:05:29,159 Speaker 2: let your dreams die still born because you're worried about 102 00:05:29,279 --> 00:05:32,360 Speaker 2: what they may think, what they may say. They may 103 00:05:32,400 --> 00:05:35,680 Speaker 2: not accept you. Now, that's an addiction that needs to 104 00:05:35,680 --> 00:05:38,880 Speaker 2: be broken. You have to be like Paul be bold, 105 00:05:39,160 --> 00:05:42,719 Speaker 2: have that attitude. It matters very little what people think, 106 00:05:42,920 --> 00:05:46,120 Speaker 2: what they say. I don't need their approval to do 107 00:05:46,200 --> 00:05:48,960 Speaker 2: what God's called me to do. If you're getting your 108 00:05:49,000 --> 00:05:53,240 Speaker 2: approval from people, you're letting them control you. Now, I'm 109 00:05:53,279 --> 00:05:56,880 Speaker 2: not talking about never taking advice, not listening to counsel. 110 00:05:57,320 --> 00:06:01,480 Speaker 2: I'm saying, don't let their opinion become more important than 111 00:06:01,520 --> 00:06:04,440 Speaker 2: what God put in your heart. If you can say, 112 00:06:04,520 --> 00:06:08,279 Speaker 2: like Paul, my conscience is clear God, I've searched my 113 00:06:08,360 --> 00:06:11,440 Speaker 2: heart to the best of my ability. I believe this 114 00:06:11,480 --> 00:06:13,480 Speaker 2: is something you want me to do, that this is 115 00:06:13,520 --> 00:06:16,840 Speaker 2: a part of my destiny, then you don't need twelve 116 00:06:16,880 --> 00:06:20,120 Speaker 2: people to confirm it. You don't need all your family 117 00:06:20,160 --> 00:06:23,440 Speaker 2: to cheer you on, your friends and co workers to approve. 118 00:06:23,960 --> 00:06:28,000 Speaker 2: You may not get that sometimes God will cause people 119 00:06:28,240 --> 00:06:29,680 Speaker 2: to withhold their approval. 120 00:06:30,320 --> 00:06:31,040 Speaker 1: It's a test. 121 00:06:31,640 --> 00:06:34,200 Speaker 2: Are you going to let their lack of approval, their 122 00:06:34,240 --> 00:06:37,560 Speaker 2: opinion keep you from becoming who you were created to be. 123 00:06:38,720 --> 00:06:40,800 Speaker 2: When my father went to be with the Lord, I 124 00:06:40,839 --> 00:06:44,080 Speaker 2: stepped up to pastor the church and I was insecure. 125 00:06:44,480 --> 00:06:45,800 Speaker 1: I didn't feel qualified. 126 00:06:46,440 --> 00:06:49,000 Speaker 2: I was trying to figure everything out and who I 127 00:06:49,040 --> 00:06:51,320 Speaker 2: was going to be and how I was going to lead, 128 00:06:51,800 --> 00:06:52,640 Speaker 2: what direction the. 129 00:06:52,600 --> 00:06:54,719 Speaker 1: Church was going to go, And there were a lot 130 00:06:54,760 --> 00:06:55,920 Speaker 1: of different opinions. 131 00:06:56,600 --> 00:07:00,840 Speaker 2: My personality type is to want to please people. I'm kind, 132 00:07:01,120 --> 00:07:04,279 Speaker 2: I'll do anything for you. That can be good, but 133 00:07:04,360 --> 00:07:07,360 Speaker 2: it also can be a weakness. There were all these 134 00:07:07,400 --> 00:07:11,560 Speaker 2: different opinions, and I found myself tempted to make decisions 135 00:07:11,720 --> 00:07:14,440 Speaker 2: based on what people would think. And there was this 136 00:07:14,520 --> 00:07:16,600 Speaker 2: man that had been on staff with us at the 137 00:07:16,720 --> 00:07:19,480 Speaker 2: church for many years, a good friend of my father, 138 00:07:19,560 --> 00:07:21,760 Speaker 2: and I'd known him since I was a little boy 139 00:07:21,800 --> 00:07:25,240 Speaker 2: and always liked him. And one day he called and 140 00:07:25,320 --> 00:07:28,679 Speaker 2: started telling me everything I needed to do, how to minister, 141 00:07:29,160 --> 00:07:31,640 Speaker 2: how to run the church. We should do more of this, 142 00:07:32,080 --> 00:07:36,640 Speaker 2: less of that. He was very opinionated, very strong. He said, 143 00:07:36,640 --> 00:07:39,120 Speaker 2: if you don't do these things, Joel is all going 144 00:07:39,200 --> 00:07:44,080 Speaker 2: to go down. There's a fine line between advice and manipulation. 145 00:07:45,200 --> 00:07:48,440 Speaker 2: I'm always open for new ideas. The problem was nothing 146 00:07:48,600 --> 00:07:52,280 Speaker 2: he was telling me. Bore witness with my spirit, just 147 00:07:52,360 --> 00:07:55,520 Speaker 2: the opposite of what I was feeling. What I've learned 148 00:07:55,960 --> 00:07:58,760 Speaker 2: is you can hear God's voice for your life more 149 00:07:58,800 --> 00:08:02,080 Speaker 2: than anyone else. God is not going to speak to 150 00:08:02,120 --> 00:08:07,080 Speaker 2: someone else about your destiny and not tell you. Other 151 00:08:07,120 --> 00:08:10,640 Speaker 2: people may confirm it, they may encourage you, but if 152 00:08:10,640 --> 00:08:13,280 Speaker 2: it doesn't agree with your spirit, then you need to 153 00:08:13,360 --> 00:08:14,080 Speaker 2: dismiss it. 154 00:08:14,600 --> 00:08:17,360 Speaker 1: Don't let other people squeeze you into their mam. 155 00:08:17,880 --> 00:08:20,200 Speaker 2: Now, I looked up to this man like a father 156 00:08:20,320 --> 00:08:22,520 Speaker 2: figure to me, and I thought, if I don't do 157 00:08:22,640 --> 00:08:25,520 Speaker 2: what he wants, then he's not going to approve me. 158 00:08:26,040 --> 00:08:29,200 Speaker 2: He may not support me. He may tell others try 159 00:08:29,240 --> 00:08:32,320 Speaker 2: to stir up trouble. All these reasons, said Joe, you 160 00:08:32,400 --> 00:08:35,400 Speaker 2: need his approval. You better take his opinion. Don't rock 161 00:08:35,480 --> 00:08:39,720 Speaker 2: the boat. These are tests we have to pass. Am 162 00:08:39,720 --> 00:08:42,000 Speaker 2: I going to please people? Or am I going to 163 00:08:42,040 --> 00:08:45,520 Speaker 2: please God? I was afraid of what he would think, 164 00:08:45,559 --> 00:08:48,640 Speaker 2: and afraid he may be offended, afraid he might not 165 00:08:48,880 --> 00:08:53,840 Speaker 2: like me. The scripture says fearing people is a dangerous trap. 166 00:08:54,760 --> 00:08:57,880 Speaker 2: Doesn't say a bad trap, doesn't say it's unhealthy. 167 00:08:58,400 --> 00:09:00,000 Speaker 1: It uses the word dangerous. 168 00:09:00,559 --> 00:09:04,599 Speaker 2: It's because if you fear people, you can miss your destiny. 169 00:09:05,320 --> 00:09:08,440 Speaker 2: If you let the opinion of others, what will they think? 170 00:09:08,679 --> 00:09:11,080 Speaker 1: What if they don't approve me? If you let that 171 00:09:11,240 --> 00:09:14,000 Speaker 1: hold you back, then you can miss who you were 172 00:09:14,040 --> 00:09:14,720 Speaker 1: created to be. 173 00:09:15,520 --> 00:09:18,720 Speaker 2: And something rose up in me like a holy boldness. 174 00:09:19,280 --> 00:09:22,320 Speaker 2: I was respectful, I was kind, but I was very strong. 175 00:09:22,840 --> 00:09:25,840 Speaker 2: I said, in effect, thanks, but no thanks, I'm not 176 00:09:26,040 --> 00:09:27,120 Speaker 2: following your plan. 177 00:09:27,400 --> 00:09:29,559 Speaker 1: I'm going to follow what God put in my heart. 178 00:09:30,760 --> 00:09:34,480 Speaker 2: Sometimes you have to go alone. You have to do 179 00:09:34,559 --> 00:09:37,720 Speaker 2: it without the approval of those that you thought would 180 00:09:37,760 --> 00:09:41,200 Speaker 2: be for you. Other people may not see what God 181 00:09:41,240 --> 00:09:44,640 Speaker 2: put in you. They can't feel what you feel. He 182 00:09:44,720 --> 00:09:47,360 Speaker 2: wasn't happy. He told me how it wasn't going to 183 00:09:47,440 --> 00:09:48,640 Speaker 2: work out and how I. 184 00:09:48,679 --> 00:09:51,079 Speaker 1: Was missing it. And he ended up leaving the church. 185 00:09:51,160 --> 00:09:54,680 Speaker 2: And I was so thrilled, I mean disappointed, but I 186 00:09:54,800 --> 00:09:58,440 Speaker 2: learned I didn't have to have his approval. You and 187 00:09:58,559 --> 00:10:02,720 Speaker 2: God are a majority. He didn't approve me, but Almighty 188 00:10:02,760 --> 00:10:04,320 Speaker 2: God shine down his favor. 189 00:10:05,360 --> 00:10:06,439 Speaker 1: But here's my point. 190 00:10:07,120 --> 00:10:09,880 Speaker 2: Had I listened to that man and let the fear 191 00:10:09,920 --> 00:10:13,679 Speaker 2: of people determine my decisions, had I let the opinion 192 00:10:13,720 --> 00:10:17,920 Speaker 2: of others dictate my life, I wouldn't be here today. 193 00:10:18,280 --> 00:10:22,040 Speaker 2: We put too much emphasis on people's approval. But people 194 00:10:22,080 --> 00:10:25,760 Speaker 2: didn't call you. People didn't crown you with favor. People 195 00:10:25,760 --> 00:10:28,640 Speaker 2: didn't know you before you were formed in your mother's wound. 196 00:10:28,880 --> 00:10:30,160 Speaker 1: The most hoigh God did. 197 00:10:30,840 --> 00:10:34,360 Speaker 2: Quit worrying about their opinions and get your approval from him. 198 00:10:35,559 --> 00:10:39,800 Speaker 2: In the scripture, God told Jeremiah that before he was born, 199 00:10:40,160 --> 00:10:43,120 Speaker 2: he had set Jeremiah apart and called him to speak 200 00:10:43,120 --> 00:10:46,280 Speaker 2: to nations, that he'd be a prophet, that he would 201 00:10:46,400 --> 00:10:51,400 Speaker 2: impact the culture. Jeremiah was a teenager, he felt unqualified. 202 00:10:51,760 --> 00:10:54,000 Speaker 2: God told him he would give him the words to 203 00:10:54,040 --> 00:10:57,040 Speaker 2: speak and wherever he went, his hand of favor would 204 00:10:57,040 --> 00:11:00,920 Speaker 2: be on him. After God spoke all these things and 205 00:11:01,280 --> 00:11:03,920 Speaker 2: told him how he would be a history maker, God 206 00:11:03,960 --> 00:11:08,160 Speaker 2: finished by saying one last thing. He said, Jeremiah, don't 207 00:11:08,200 --> 00:11:12,360 Speaker 2: be afraid of the people. God knew that people wouldn't 208 00:11:12,440 --> 00:11:16,360 Speaker 2: understand him, that friends may not agree. He was saying, 209 00:11:16,679 --> 00:11:20,360 Speaker 2: don't let the opinion of others hold you back. Don't 210 00:11:20,400 --> 00:11:23,360 Speaker 2: let what they think, what they say, keep you from 211 00:11:23,360 --> 00:11:27,640 Speaker 2: fulfilling your purpose. God is saying that to us, don't 212 00:11:27,679 --> 00:11:31,080 Speaker 2: fear the people. If they don't approve you, that's not 213 00:11:31,120 --> 00:11:34,280 Speaker 2: going to stop your purpose. What will stop you is 214 00:11:34,320 --> 00:11:37,600 Speaker 2: if you let their opinion become more important than what 215 00:11:37,640 --> 00:11:41,120 Speaker 2: God has put in your heart. The late nineteen fifties, 216 00:11:41,480 --> 00:11:44,880 Speaker 2: my father was pastoring a successful church. They had just 217 00:11:44,920 --> 00:11:48,680 Speaker 2: built a brand new sanctuary held a thousand people that 218 00:11:48,800 --> 00:11:51,480 Speaker 2: was unheard of back then. He was on the state 219 00:11:51,520 --> 00:11:55,880 Speaker 2: board for his denomination. Life was good. My sister Lisa 220 00:11:56,000 --> 00:11:59,320 Speaker 2: was born with something like cerebral Paul's in The doctors 221 00:11:59,320 --> 00:12:02,200 Speaker 2: told my parents said she would probably never be able 222 00:12:02,240 --> 00:12:05,680 Speaker 2: to walk or feed herself. Of course, they were devastated. 223 00:12:06,400 --> 00:12:09,080 Speaker 2: My father went to a hotel downtown to spend a 224 00:12:09,080 --> 00:12:13,199 Speaker 2: few days alone, reading his Bible and praying. He saw 225 00:12:13,240 --> 00:12:17,160 Speaker 2: how all through the Scripture Jesus went around healing people, 226 00:12:17,200 --> 00:12:20,960 Speaker 2: and how the Holy Spirit brings power and victory. He 227 00:12:21,040 --> 00:12:23,760 Speaker 2: had been taught that God didn't heal Now that was 228 00:12:23,800 --> 00:12:24,560 Speaker 2: just for back then. 229 00:12:25,280 --> 00:12:27,120 Speaker 1: But that day his eyes were open. 230 00:12:27,880 --> 00:12:30,400 Speaker 2: He came back to his church with this new fire 231 00:12:30,440 --> 00:12:34,160 Speaker 2: and this new faith he began sharing with them. He 232 00:12:34,200 --> 00:12:37,880 Speaker 2: thought everyone would be excited, but it was just the opposite. 233 00:12:37,960 --> 00:12:39,560 Speaker 1: It didn't fit into their tradition. 234 00:12:40,600 --> 00:12:43,120 Speaker 2: My father could have shrunk back, thought, I don't want 235 00:12:43,120 --> 00:12:43,960 Speaker 2: to rock this boat. 236 00:12:44,440 --> 00:12:46,880 Speaker 1: I don't want people to not like me. I'll go 237 00:12:47,040 --> 00:12:48,560 Speaker 1: back to what I used to be. 238 00:12:49,240 --> 00:12:53,480 Speaker 2: He could have feared the people let their disapproval override 239 00:12:53,520 --> 00:12:56,840 Speaker 2: what God put in his heart. Instead, he chose to 240 00:12:56,880 --> 00:12:59,600 Speaker 2: please God. Some people didn't like it. 241 00:13:00,120 --> 00:13:00,959 Speaker 1: They got upset. 242 00:13:01,640 --> 00:13:04,520 Speaker 2: They ended up asking my parents to lead the church. 243 00:13:05,200 --> 00:13:08,240 Speaker 2: But the scripture says it is better to obey God 244 00:13:08,440 --> 00:13:12,360 Speaker 2: than to obey people. That will be these times where 245 00:13:12,400 --> 00:13:14,760 Speaker 2: you have to make a decision. Am I going to 246 00:13:14,800 --> 00:13:17,680 Speaker 2: stick with my convictions. Am I going to be who 247 00:13:17,720 --> 00:13:20,319 Speaker 2: God made me to be? Or am I going to 248 00:13:20,400 --> 00:13:23,120 Speaker 2: let the approval of people? Am I going to let 249 00:13:23,160 --> 00:13:28,480 Speaker 2: their opinion determine my destiny. If you suffer from approval addiction, 250 00:13:29,040 --> 00:13:31,480 Speaker 2: if you're not confident in who you are and you 251 00:13:31,600 --> 00:13:35,480 Speaker 2: need people to validate you, you'll always shrink back and 252 00:13:35,559 --> 00:13:39,560 Speaker 2: let them control your future. But what God has for you, 253 00:13:39,920 --> 00:13:43,000 Speaker 2: it's going to take boldness. He's going to take you 254 00:13:43,320 --> 00:13:45,600 Speaker 2: where no one in your family has gone. 255 00:13:45,760 --> 00:13:49,400 Speaker 1: You're going to be a pioneer, a trendsetter. Like with 256 00:13:49,520 --> 00:13:50,040 Speaker 1: my father. 257 00:13:50,600 --> 00:13:55,200 Speaker 2: Everyone won't understand. Everyone won't to prove you. You may 258 00:13:55,240 --> 00:13:58,600 Speaker 2: have critics, people that try to discredit you, and the 259 00:13:58,640 --> 00:14:00,839 Speaker 2: ones that used to cheer your own on now they're 260 00:14:00,920 --> 00:14:03,840 Speaker 2: finding fault. That's when you have to dig your heels 261 00:14:03,840 --> 00:14:07,000 Speaker 2: in and say, I'm not moved by who's not for me. 262 00:14:08,120 --> 00:14:11,760 Speaker 2: Jesus told the religious leaders in John chapter five, your 263 00:14:11,840 --> 00:14:16,559 Speaker 2: disapproval means nothing to me. He wasn't dependent on who 264 00:14:16,760 --> 00:14:19,640 Speaker 2: liked him, who didn't support him, who used to be 265 00:14:19,680 --> 00:14:23,240 Speaker 2: for him. He got his approval from his heavenly father. 266 00:14:24,600 --> 00:14:27,920 Speaker 2: My parents went out and started Lakewood on Mother's Day. 267 00:14:27,760 --> 00:14:29,080 Speaker 1: In nineteen fifty nine. 268 00:14:29,600 --> 00:14:32,760 Speaker 2: Instead of a beautiful new auditorium, they had this old 269 00:14:33,200 --> 00:14:37,760 Speaker 2: Rundown feed store, had holes in the floor, dirty and smelly, 270 00:14:37,840 --> 00:14:40,720 Speaker 2: and they cleaned it up and put some wood chairs 271 00:14:40,760 --> 00:14:44,640 Speaker 2: in it. One of my father's good friends came by, said, John, 272 00:14:44,680 --> 00:14:47,280 Speaker 2: what in the world are you doing out here pastoring 273 00:14:47,320 --> 00:14:51,200 Speaker 2: this little church. He couldn't understand it. Some people made 274 00:14:51,200 --> 00:14:54,920 Speaker 2: fun of my father laugh These are tests that we 275 00:14:55,040 --> 00:14:58,240 Speaker 2: have to pass. Are we going to depend on people's 276 00:14:58,280 --> 00:15:00,840 Speaker 2: approval to do what God wan put in our heart? 277 00:15:01,440 --> 00:15:04,600 Speaker 1: Are we going to let their opinions? What will they think? 278 00:15:05,040 --> 00:15:07,480 Speaker 1: How will I be seen? What if they look down 279 00:15:07,520 --> 00:15:10,360 Speaker 1: on me? We're going to let that determine who we become. 280 00:15:11,040 --> 00:15:14,280 Speaker 2: It's dangerous to fear the people. On the way to 281 00:15:14,360 --> 00:15:15,119 Speaker 2: your destiny. 282 00:15:15,480 --> 00:15:18,000 Speaker 1: There will be people that don't celebrate you. 283 00:15:18,000 --> 00:15:21,680 Speaker 2: You don't get the support. The encouragement is just between 284 00:15:21,680 --> 00:15:24,760 Speaker 2: you and God. That's where you have to set your 285 00:15:24,760 --> 00:15:27,280 Speaker 2: face like a flint and say, God, I'm not living 286 00:15:27,280 --> 00:15:28,120 Speaker 2: to please people. 287 00:15:28,400 --> 00:15:32,119 Speaker 1: I'm living to please you. People love my father. 288 00:15:32,120 --> 00:15:35,360 Speaker 2: Back then as long as he was in their mold, 289 00:15:35,960 --> 00:15:36,960 Speaker 2: as long as. 290 00:15:36,760 --> 00:15:39,640 Speaker 1: He stayed who he was. But when he stepped into 291 00:15:39,720 --> 00:15:43,000 Speaker 1: a new level, that's when certain people didn't like it. 292 00:15:43,080 --> 00:15:45,000 Speaker 1: The opposition, the critics came. 293 00:15:45,960 --> 00:15:49,440 Speaker 2: When God takes you higher, don't be surprised if you 294 00:15:49,480 --> 00:15:52,640 Speaker 2: don't get approval from some of your friends, some of 295 00:15:52,680 --> 00:15:56,440 Speaker 2: your family, they'll tell you you've changed, you're not who 296 00:15:56,480 --> 00:15:58,800 Speaker 2: you used to be. They want to keep you in 297 00:15:58,840 --> 00:16:02,520 Speaker 2: that same box. But where God is taking you, it's 298 00:16:02,520 --> 00:16:05,600 Speaker 2: somewhere that you've never been. And the fact is all 299 00:16:05,600 --> 00:16:09,440 Speaker 2: of your friends can't handle where you're going. All of 300 00:16:09,480 --> 00:16:13,840 Speaker 2: your relatives can't handle the favor and influence. But it's 301 00:16:13,920 --> 00:16:19,200 Speaker 2: tempting to let their disapproval, their negative comments, their doubt, 302 00:16:19,720 --> 00:16:22,240 Speaker 2: to cause you to get stuck. Like man, if they'd 303 00:16:22,240 --> 00:16:25,640 Speaker 2: only support me, they just change their mind. If they 304 00:16:25,760 --> 00:16:30,000 Speaker 2: just before me, you don't need their approval. When they 305 00:16:30,040 --> 00:16:32,480 Speaker 2: tell you you've changed, you're not who you used to be, 306 00:16:32,840 --> 00:16:33,760 Speaker 2: tell them you're right. 307 00:16:34,040 --> 00:16:37,400 Speaker 1: I'm growing, I'm stepping up to new levels. My gifts 308 00:16:37,440 --> 00:16:38,840 Speaker 1: are coming out in new ways. 309 00:16:40,000 --> 00:16:42,880 Speaker 2: It's not a bad thing to change, but some people 310 00:16:42,920 --> 00:16:46,480 Speaker 2: can't handle it. If you're depending on them, it will 311 00:16:46,560 --> 00:16:50,280 Speaker 2: keep you from moving forward. Those critics told my father 312 00:16:50,360 --> 00:16:53,720 Speaker 2: that Lakewood wouldn't last, that he was making a big mistakes. 313 00:16:53,720 --> 00:16:57,160 Speaker 2: But here we are, sixty four years later, still going strong. 314 00:16:58,680 --> 00:17:02,640 Speaker 1: Here's what I'm saying. God knows what he's doing, he 315 00:17:02,800 --> 00:17:04,360 Speaker 1: knows where he's taking you. 316 00:17:05,119 --> 00:17:07,800 Speaker 2: I think about if my father would have been addicted 317 00:17:07,800 --> 00:17:10,240 Speaker 2: to approval, he'd have never rocked the boat. 318 00:17:10,880 --> 00:17:12,200 Speaker 1: He would have stayed there. 319 00:17:12,359 --> 00:17:16,359 Speaker 2: And let people's opinions control him. My sister Lisa wouldn't 320 00:17:16,359 --> 00:17:19,199 Speaker 2: be healed, I wouldn't be up here. He would have 321 00:17:19,280 --> 00:17:23,199 Speaker 2: never seen the fullness of his destiny. Sometimes we're so 322 00:17:23,320 --> 00:17:27,000 Speaker 2: concerned about what people think. What will they say, Well, 323 00:17:27,040 --> 00:17:29,840 Speaker 2: they have a good opinion of me. We're spending all 324 00:17:29,880 --> 00:17:33,720 Speaker 2: this time and energy trying to perform for people, win 325 00:17:33,800 --> 00:17:38,080 Speaker 2: them over, make a good impression, hopefully they'll validate us. 326 00:17:38,840 --> 00:17:42,439 Speaker 2: We're getting our approval from the wrong place. It was 327 00:17:42,480 --> 00:17:46,240 Speaker 2: never meant to come from people, but from God. When 328 00:17:46,320 --> 00:17:49,159 Speaker 2: you're secure in who He made you to be, you 329 00:17:49,240 --> 00:17:54,040 Speaker 2: know your valuable, talented, attractive, a masterpiece, then you don't 330 00:17:54,080 --> 00:17:58,560 Speaker 2: have to have all the outside validation. And we're living 331 00:17:58,600 --> 00:18:02,200 Speaker 2: in a day where people can express their opinion easier 332 00:18:02,240 --> 00:18:06,439 Speaker 2: than ever, not just in person, but now on social media. 333 00:18:07,040 --> 00:18:12,560 Speaker 2: You have quote friends on Facebook, you have followers on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok. 334 00:18:13,359 --> 00:18:17,040 Speaker 2: Some people you've never met, living one thousand miles away, 335 00:18:17,560 --> 00:18:20,120 Speaker 2: yet they have an opinion on what you wear, what 336 00:18:20,160 --> 00:18:23,080 Speaker 2: you believe, how you raise your children, what you had 337 00:18:23,080 --> 00:18:24,080 Speaker 2: for dinner last night. 338 00:18:24,880 --> 00:18:27,600 Speaker 1: They've never talked to you, never got to know who 339 00:18:27,640 --> 00:18:30,040 Speaker 1: you are, never sat down and had lunch. 340 00:18:30,560 --> 00:18:33,760 Speaker 2: Why are you worrying about what they think? Why are 341 00:18:33,760 --> 00:18:38,200 Speaker 2: you trying to impress them? Given time and energy responding 342 00:18:38,240 --> 00:18:42,200 Speaker 2: to their comments, trying to explain what you meant. Some 343 00:18:42,280 --> 00:18:46,919 Speaker 2: people are determined to misunderstand you. Their comment is not 344 00:18:46,960 --> 00:18:50,919 Speaker 2: really about you. It shows what's in them. They have 345 00:18:51,119 --> 00:18:55,200 Speaker 2: issues they haven't dealt with. They're angry, they're upset, they 346 00:18:55,200 --> 00:18:59,120 Speaker 2: don't like themselves. Don't be surprised if they find. 347 00:18:58,920 --> 00:19:02,680 Speaker 1: Fault with you. No offense, but they're not going where 348 00:19:02,720 --> 00:19:03,200 Speaker 1: you're going. 349 00:19:03,920 --> 00:19:07,640 Speaker 2: If you try to please everyone when their approval, you'll 350 00:19:07,680 --> 00:19:10,320 Speaker 2: not only miss the new levels that belong to you, 351 00:19:10,600 --> 00:19:13,919 Speaker 2: but you'll miss the joy, the peace, the victory of 352 00:19:13,960 --> 00:19:18,359 Speaker 2: this day. And the problem with living for approval is 353 00:19:18,400 --> 00:19:22,520 Speaker 2: we can lose who we really are so busy trying 354 00:19:22,560 --> 00:19:25,120 Speaker 2: to be what everyone else wants us to be. That's 355 00:19:25,160 --> 00:19:28,280 Speaker 2: when life gets confusing. You have to do like Paul 356 00:19:28,400 --> 00:19:31,879 Speaker 2: and search your own heart. When your conscience is clear, 357 00:19:32,480 --> 00:19:35,200 Speaker 2: when you know where God is leading you, follow that 358 00:19:35,280 --> 00:19:39,680 Speaker 2: still small voice. Don't get distracted trying to get everyone 359 00:19:39,720 --> 00:19:40,240 Speaker 2: on board. 360 00:19:40,880 --> 00:19:42,480 Speaker 1: It's a lot of pressure to live. 361 00:19:42,560 --> 00:19:45,680 Speaker 2: Trying to please people, convince them to be for you 362 00:19:46,040 --> 00:19:50,200 Speaker 2: so you can pursue what's in your heart. After high school, 363 00:19:50,520 --> 00:19:53,320 Speaker 2: I went off to college and always knew that I 364 00:19:53,359 --> 00:19:55,600 Speaker 2: wanted to come back to the church and work here 365 00:19:55,600 --> 00:19:58,560 Speaker 2: and start a television ministry. From the time I was 366 00:19:58,600 --> 00:20:01,280 Speaker 2: a little boy, like ten years old. I love cameras 367 00:20:01,320 --> 00:20:04,639 Speaker 2: and editing and lighting, and I used to run the 368 00:20:04,680 --> 00:20:07,680 Speaker 2: cameras as a teenager during the services, and I'd come 369 00:20:07,720 --> 00:20:10,160 Speaker 2: down on the weekends and play with all the equipment. 370 00:20:10,960 --> 00:20:15,359 Speaker 2: I studied television production in college, but after that first year, 371 00:20:15,840 --> 00:20:18,480 Speaker 2: I felt very strongly that I was supposed to come 372 00:20:18,520 --> 00:20:19,600 Speaker 2: back and get started. 373 00:20:20,160 --> 00:20:23,400 Speaker 1: Now I'm all for education. My brother Paul's a surgeon. 374 00:20:23,640 --> 00:20:27,240 Speaker 2: He went to college for forty seven years, and all 375 00:20:27,320 --> 00:20:30,320 Speaker 2: my sisters have their degrees, and I have friends that 376 00:20:30,440 --> 00:20:31,960 Speaker 2: graduated SUMA cum Laud. 377 00:20:32,040 --> 00:20:34,640 Speaker 1: And I finished that first year and thought, Lord have mercy. 378 00:20:36,119 --> 00:20:39,119 Speaker 1: But I knew this was the time God was leading me. 379 00:20:39,600 --> 00:20:43,080 Speaker 1: But I wondered what people would think. Would they look 380 00:20:43,160 --> 00:20:43,720 Speaker 1: down on me? 381 00:20:44,440 --> 00:20:46,880 Speaker 2: What if they think I wasn't able to finish college? 382 00:20:47,320 --> 00:20:50,479 Speaker 2: What if they discount me. There was this struggle in 383 00:20:50,520 --> 00:20:53,320 Speaker 2: my mind, and I finally told my father and he 384 00:20:53,440 --> 00:20:56,040 Speaker 2: was all for it. He said, George, just follow what 385 00:20:56,080 --> 00:20:59,080 Speaker 2: God put in your heart. My mother not so much, 386 00:20:59,800 --> 00:21:04,440 Speaker 2: took prayer and fasting. God's plan for your life may 387 00:21:04,480 --> 00:21:07,600 Speaker 2: be different than others in your family. It may be 388 00:21:07,680 --> 00:21:10,800 Speaker 2: out of the ordinary, not a traditional approach. 389 00:21:11,320 --> 00:21:14,600 Speaker 1: Only you can hear that voice. There'll be a temptation 390 00:21:14,800 --> 00:21:15,800 Speaker 1: to stay in the box. 391 00:21:16,359 --> 00:21:19,200 Speaker 2: People aren't going to approve just do what everyone else 392 00:21:19,320 --> 00:21:22,440 Speaker 2: is doing. No, you have to be bold, step in 393 00:21:22,480 --> 00:21:24,760 Speaker 2: to who God has made you to be. When you do, 394 00:21:24,920 --> 00:21:29,000 Speaker 2: the right doors will open. You'll discover talent and ability 395 00:21:29,040 --> 00:21:31,680 Speaker 2: that you didn't know you had. Don't let the fear 396 00:21:31,720 --> 00:21:34,560 Speaker 2: of people what they're going to think keep you from 397 00:21:34,600 --> 00:21:35,359 Speaker 2: your greatness. 398 00:21:36,160 --> 00:21:37,600 Speaker 1: Tewod Samuel, chapter six. 399 00:21:38,000 --> 00:21:41,040 Speaker 2: David and his men had just recovered the ark of 400 00:21:41,080 --> 00:21:44,679 Speaker 2: the Covenant that represented where God lived, and it had 401 00:21:44,720 --> 00:21:47,720 Speaker 2: been stolen, and now some twenty years later it was 402 00:21:47,760 --> 00:21:52,320 Speaker 2: being returned. The priests were carrying it into Jerusalem. There 403 00:21:52,359 --> 00:21:56,440 Speaker 2: was this huge celebration, shouts of joy, trumpets blowing, and 404 00:21:56,760 --> 00:21:57,879 Speaker 2: crashing symbols. 405 00:21:58,200 --> 00:21:59,880 Speaker 1: This was a day they had dreamed about. 406 00:22:00,840 --> 00:22:04,000 Speaker 2: David was wearing a long priestly robe, and he was 407 00:22:04,040 --> 00:22:04,800 Speaker 2: so excited. 408 00:22:05,040 --> 00:22:06,640 Speaker 1: He danced with all of his might. 409 00:22:07,359 --> 00:22:10,639 Speaker 2: Here he was this distinguished leader, but he didn't hold back. 410 00:22:11,000 --> 00:22:14,360 Speaker 2: He was out there celebrating the goodness of God. Well 411 00:22:14,400 --> 00:22:18,800 Speaker 2: his wife, Michell, this was King Saul's daughter, was watching 412 00:22:18,840 --> 00:22:22,439 Speaker 2: from an upstairs window. She saw him dancing and leaping, 413 00:22:22,480 --> 00:22:24,960 Speaker 2: and at times his robe would open up and you 414 00:22:24,960 --> 00:22:28,480 Speaker 2: could see his legs. The scripture says she was filled 415 00:22:28,520 --> 00:22:33,040 Speaker 2: with contempt and she despised what David was doing. When 416 00:22:33,119 --> 00:22:35,680 Speaker 2: David came home, she let him have it. She said, 417 00:22:35,760 --> 00:22:39,080 Speaker 2: how glorious the King of Israel looked today, out there 418 00:22:39,160 --> 00:22:42,040 Speaker 2: dancing like a fool, letting the young women. 419 00:22:41,840 --> 00:22:42,719 Speaker 1: See your legs. 420 00:22:43,400 --> 00:22:46,520 Speaker 2: David said, listen, Michelle, I wasn't dancing under you. 421 00:22:46,800 --> 00:22:48,240 Speaker 1: I was dancing under God. 422 00:22:48,960 --> 00:22:51,960 Speaker 2: I'm willing to act like a fool to show my 423 00:22:52,119 --> 00:22:53,160 Speaker 2: gratefulness for. 424 00:22:53,160 --> 00:22:54,440 Speaker 1: What he's done. 425 00:22:55,080 --> 00:22:58,639 Speaker 2: David was saying, respectfully, what you think of me is 426 00:22:58,680 --> 00:23:00,920 Speaker 2: not going to keep me from being who I am. 427 00:23:01,440 --> 00:23:05,560 Speaker 2: Your disapproval is not gonna stop me from fulfilling my purpose. 428 00:23:06,480 --> 00:23:10,760 Speaker 2: David wasn't controlled by other people's opinions. He didn't worry 429 00:23:10,840 --> 00:23:14,520 Speaker 2: about what people thought. We all have some mishalls in 430 00:23:14,560 --> 00:23:18,199 Speaker 2: our life. You're honoring God, you're being your best, and 431 00:23:18,240 --> 00:23:19,240 Speaker 2: they're finding fault. 432 00:23:19,800 --> 00:23:22,280 Speaker 1: They're looking down on you. Why don't you come party 433 00:23:22,320 --> 00:23:23,160 Speaker 1: with us anymore? 434 00:23:23,640 --> 00:23:25,919 Speaker 2: Why do you go to church every week? Why do 435 00:23:26,000 --> 00:23:28,359 Speaker 2: you stay faithful in your marriage? Come on, lighten up 436 00:23:28,400 --> 00:23:30,160 Speaker 2: a little bit now, be a David. 437 00:23:31,000 --> 00:23:31,919 Speaker 1: Have the attitude. 438 00:23:32,200 --> 00:23:36,040 Speaker 2: I don't need your approval. I'm not making decisions based 439 00:23:36,080 --> 00:23:39,119 Speaker 2: on your opinion of me. I'm gonna keep God first place. 440 00:23:39,600 --> 00:23:42,800 Speaker 2: I'm gonna live with integrity. I'm gonna take the high road. 441 00:23:43,000 --> 00:23:46,040 Speaker 2: I'm gonna do the right thing when it's hard. Don't 442 00:23:46,160 --> 00:23:50,840 Speaker 2: let people talk you into compromising, lowering your standards. 443 00:23:51,119 --> 00:23:54,640 Speaker 1: They may not approve you, but God approves you. He's 444 00:23:54,760 --> 00:23:58,800 Speaker 1: one that matters. There was another leader named King Saul. 445 00:23:59,320 --> 00:24:03,120 Speaker 2: He was the first king of Israel, and for Samuel fifteen, 446 00:24:03,680 --> 00:24:07,199 Speaker 2: God told him to completely destroy the Amalekites. 447 00:24:07,440 --> 00:24:08,439 Speaker 1: Do not spare any. 448 00:24:08,320 --> 00:24:11,480 Speaker 2: Of them, the people, the livestock, not take any of 449 00:24:11,520 --> 00:24:15,000 Speaker 2: their possessions. Saul went out and defeated the enemy, but 450 00:24:15,080 --> 00:24:17,879 Speaker 2: he spared the king, and he kept the best sheep 451 00:24:18,040 --> 00:24:20,920 Speaker 2: and the best cattle. Gathered up some of the spoils. 452 00:24:21,520 --> 00:24:24,680 Speaker 2: The next morning, Samuel went to Saul, said, why didn't 453 00:24:24,680 --> 00:24:27,560 Speaker 2: you do what God told you to do? Saul said, 454 00:24:27,600 --> 00:24:29,360 Speaker 2: what do you mean I did? I wiped them out. 455 00:24:30,160 --> 00:24:33,080 Speaker 2: Samuel said, then why do I see those sheep? Why 456 00:24:33,080 --> 00:24:37,160 Speaker 2: do I hear those cows? Saul said, old Samuel, that's nothing. 457 00:24:37,400 --> 00:24:40,439 Speaker 2: We kept those animals so we can sacrifice them to 458 00:24:40,480 --> 00:24:42,960 Speaker 2: the Lord. We kept a little bit of the plunder, 459 00:24:43,920 --> 00:24:47,639 Speaker 2: Samuel said, Paul, God would rather have your obedience than 460 00:24:47,680 --> 00:24:52,320 Speaker 2: your sacrifices. Saul ran out of excuses. He finally got 461 00:24:52,359 --> 00:24:55,600 Speaker 2: honest and told the real reason that he didn't do it. 462 00:24:55,880 --> 00:24:59,600 Speaker 2: He said in verse twenty four, I disobeyed because I 463 00:24:59,680 --> 00:25:00,840 Speaker 2: was a to the people. 464 00:25:01,520 --> 00:25:02,919 Speaker 1: I did what they demanded. 465 00:25:03,960 --> 00:25:07,639 Speaker 2: One reason Saul lost the kingdom was he was addicted 466 00:25:07,680 --> 00:25:08,560 Speaker 2: to approval. 467 00:25:09,240 --> 00:25:10,159 Speaker 1: He based his. 468 00:25:10,080 --> 00:25:14,480 Speaker 2: Decisions on other people's opinion what they would think about him. 469 00:25:15,040 --> 00:25:18,119 Speaker 2: The scripture says in verse ten, the Lord said to Samuel, 470 00:25:18,440 --> 00:25:18,919 Speaker 2: I am. 471 00:25:18,880 --> 00:25:22,359 Speaker 1: Sorry that I made Saul king. It's one of the 472 00:25:22,440 --> 00:25:23,960 Speaker 1: saddest scriptures in the Bible. 473 00:25:24,440 --> 00:25:27,119 Speaker 2: It's the only place I can find where God says 474 00:25:27,280 --> 00:25:30,560 Speaker 2: I'm sorry, I gave them my blessing. I'm sorry I 475 00:25:30,600 --> 00:25:33,840 Speaker 2: showed them my favor. What did Saul do that was 476 00:25:33,840 --> 00:25:38,040 Speaker 2: so bad? He didn't deny Jesus like Peter did. He 477 00:25:38,080 --> 00:25:41,359 Speaker 2: didn't betray Jesus like Judas. He didn't mock him like 478 00:25:41,440 --> 00:25:46,120 Speaker 2: the soldiers. What made God sorry was Saul let other 479 00:25:46,200 --> 00:25:50,679 Speaker 2: people's opinions keep him from obeying. He lived for the 480 00:25:50,720 --> 00:25:53,879 Speaker 2: approval of people rather than the approval of God. 481 00:25:54,960 --> 00:25:58,480 Speaker 1: Look at the difference between Saul and David. David danced 482 00:25:58,480 --> 00:25:59,440 Speaker 1: with all of his might. 483 00:26:00,080 --> 00:26:03,000 Speaker 2: He didn't care what other people thought. But Saul said, 484 00:26:03,320 --> 00:26:07,280 Speaker 2: I'm afraid of the people. I need their approval. David 485 00:26:07,320 --> 00:26:10,000 Speaker 2: went on to become the greatest king that ever lived. 486 00:26:10,480 --> 00:26:12,760 Speaker 1: Saul had the throne taken away from him. 487 00:26:14,000 --> 00:26:18,000 Speaker 2: Is fear of other people's opinions holding you back? Are 488 00:26:18,040 --> 00:26:21,800 Speaker 2: you sacrificing who you are because you're addicted to approval, 489 00:26:22,359 --> 00:26:25,720 Speaker 2: worried about what everyone thinks. This is your day to 490 00:26:25,760 --> 00:26:29,320 Speaker 2: be free. God is doing a new thing. Where he's 491 00:26:29,359 --> 00:26:32,840 Speaker 2: about to take you is going to take boldness, courage 492 00:26:33,080 --> 00:26:36,760 Speaker 2: to break out of them all. Everyone's not going to understand. 493 00:26:37,320 --> 00:26:40,560 Speaker 2: Some people won't give you their approval. That's okay. You're 494 00:26:40,600 --> 00:26:42,480 Speaker 2: not a Saul, You're a David. 495 00:26:42,880 --> 00:26:45,600 Speaker 1: You're not living to please people. You're living to please 496 00:26:45,640 --> 00:26:48,840 Speaker 1: God because you're getting your approval from him. 497 00:26:49,119 --> 00:26:52,320 Speaker 2: I believe and declare you're going to step into new 498 00:26:52,400 --> 00:26:53,360 Speaker 2: levels of favor. 499 00:26:53,920 --> 00:26:56,280 Speaker 1: New doors are opening light. David. 500 00:26:56,320 --> 00:27:00,679 Speaker 2: You're gonna rise higher, accomplish dreams, and reach then of 501 00:27:00,720 --> 00:27:04,439 Speaker 2: your destiny in Jesus' name, And if you receive it, 502 00:27:04,600 --> 00:27:08,159 Speaker 2: can you say amen? I'd like to give you an 503 00:27:08,200 --> 00:27:11,240 Speaker 2: opportunity to make Jesus the lord of your life. 504 00:27:11,680 --> 00:27:12,639 Speaker 1: Would you pray with me? 505 00:27:13,400 --> 00:27:17,240 Speaker 2: Just say, Lord, Jesus, I repent of my sins. 506 00:27:17,880 --> 00:27:21,720 Speaker 1: Come into my heart. I make you my Lord and savior. 507 00:27:22,680 --> 00:27:24,880 Speaker 2: If you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 508 00:27:24,880 --> 00:27:25,520 Speaker 2: born again. 509 00:27:26,160 --> 00:27:28,400 Speaker 1: We'd love to send you some free information on your 510 00:27:28,400 --> 00:27:29,480 Speaker 1: new walk with the Lord. 511 00:27:29,840 --> 00:27:31,760 Speaker 2: You can text the number on the screen or go 512 00:27:31,800 --> 00:27:34,600 Speaker 2: to the website. I hope you'll get into a good 513 00:27:34,760 --> 00:27:40,320 Speaker 2: Bible based church and keep God first place. Each week 514 00:27:40,440 --> 00:27:43,040 Speaker 2: I stand on this stage and remind you of what 515 00:27:43,119 --> 00:27:46,440 Speaker 2: God says about you. Because it's easy to be defined 516 00:27:46,440 --> 00:27:48,920 Speaker 2: by who people say we are, or by our own 517 00:27:48,960 --> 00:27:52,600 Speaker 2: negative thoughts that we're not talented or problems too big. 518 00:27:53,119 --> 00:27:55,400 Speaker 2: The key is to go back to who God says 519 00:27:55,440 --> 00:27:57,360 Speaker 2: you are. Now I love to send you my new 520 00:27:57,400 --> 00:28:00,200 Speaker 2: book one hundred and one Great Things that God God 521 00:28:00,200 --> 00:28:03,879 Speaker 2: Says about You. I'll help you discover your true identity. 522 00:28:04,280 --> 00:28:08,119 Speaker 2: God says, You're blessed, You've chosen, You're forgiven, you have 523 00:28:08,200 --> 00:28:09,400 Speaker 2: seeds of greatness. 524 00:28:09,560 --> 00:28:12,600 Speaker 1: Your future is bright. When you get in agreement with 525 00:28:12,680 --> 00:28:13,320 Speaker 1: God and. 526 00:28:13,359 --> 00:28:17,439 Speaker 2: Declare his promises, you'll rise higher and become all you 527 00:28:17,520 --> 00:28:18,399 Speaker 2: were created to be. 528 00:28:19,359 --> 00:28:21,800 Speaker 3: As our way of saying thank you for your gift 529 00:28:21,840 --> 00:28:24,320 Speaker 3: of any amount this month, we would like to send 530 00:28:24,359 --> 00:28:27,359 Speaker 3: you a copy of Joel's brand new resource, one hundred 531 00:28:27,400 --> 00:28:31,160 Speaker 3: and one Things God Says About You Faith reminders when 532 00:28:31,200 --> 00:28:35,000 Speaker 3: you need them most. As you read and reflect the 533 00:28:35,040 --> 00:28:38,120 Speaker 3: story of your life, the way you see yourself will 534 00:28:38,240 --> 00:28:41,760 Speaker 3: radically change. It will become a reflection of God himself 535 00:28:42,000 --> 00:28:45,080 Speaker 3: and what He says about you. Use this resource to 536 00:28:45,200 --> 00:28:48,000 Speaker 3: encourage your heart and remind you of who you are 537 00:28:48,000 --> 00:28:51,680 Speaker 3: in Him. You are everything God says about you within 538 00:28:51,720 --> 00:28:55,680 Speaker 3: these pages, So read it, experience it, and believe it. 539 00:28:56,080 --> 00:28:59,000 Speaker 3: As an added bonus, you can detach the beautiful poster 540 00:28:59,080 --> 00:29:01,360 Speaker 3: at the back of the book to read and declare 541 00:29:01,400 --> 00:29:05,320 Speaker 3: these reminders every day. Yes, you are who God says 542 00:29:05,360 --> 00:29:08,240 Speaker 3: you are. Now is your time to start believing it. 543 00:29:08,680 --> 00:29:11,280 Speaker 3: Be sure to request your copy of one hundred and 544 00:29:11,320 --> 00:29:15,200 Speaker 3: one Things God Says About You. Visit joelostein dot com 545 00:29:15,360 --> 00:29:18,320 Speaker 3: or call eight eight eight five six seven Joel. 546 00:29:19,200 --> 00:29:21,760 Speaker 2: As you dwell on what God says about you, You're 547 00:29:21,760 --> 00:29:26,400 Speaker 2: going to see yourself for who you really are, strong, talented, valuable, 548 00:29:26,640 --> 00:29:30,320 Speaker 2: a victor never a victim Victoria and I want you 549 00:29:30,360 --> 00:29:32,520 Speaker 2: to know that we love you and we pray for 550 00:29:32,560 --> 00:29:36,440 Speaker 2: you every day. Thanks so much for your prayer and support. 551 00:29:36,680 --> 00:29:40,640 Speaker 2: Your generosity is helping people around the world. Special thank 552 00:29:40,680 --> 00:29:43,840 Speaker 2: you to our Champion of Hope partners for your monthly support. 553 00:29:44,160 --> 00:29:47,120 Speaker 2: If you're not a partner, I hope you'll consider becoming one. 554 00:29:47,400 --> 00:29:50,800 Speaker 2: Remember you can watch the services online every Sunday morning, 555 00:29:51,120 --> 00:29:55,680 Speaker 2: download our daily podcast, listen on SiriusXM, watch our YouTube 556 00:29:55,800 --> 00:29:59,560 Speaker 2: channel and the new jewel Ostein Network streaming twenty four 557 00:29:59,600 --> 00:30:01,720 Speaker 2: hours until we meet again. 558 00:30:01,880 --> 00:30:03,760 Speaker 1: Met the Lord bless you and keep you. 559 00:30:04,520 --> 00:30:07,080 Speaker 3: Be sure to request your copy of one hundred and 560 00:30:07,120 --> 00:30:11,040 Speaker 3: one Things God Says About You. Visit jolostein dot com 561 00:30:11,160 --> 00:30:14,760 Speaker 3: or call eight eight eight five six seven Joel for 562 00:30:14,800 --> 00:30:18,120 Speaker 3: an additional donation this month, We are also offering one 563 00:30:18,240 --> 00:30:22,080 Speaker 3: hundred and one Great Things God Says About You card set. 564 00:30:22,120 --> 00:30:25,480 Speaker 3: These cards can serve as daily reminders of who God 565 00:30:25,560 --> 00:30:29,800 Speaker 3: says you are. Additionally, you can request the beautiful copy 566 00:30:29,960 --> 00:30:34,560 Speaker 3: of the Passion Translation, Power, Provision, and Peace. This book 567 00:30:34,640 --> 00:30:38,800 Speaker 3: brings fresh insight and deeper understanding to the Early Church's journey, 568 00:30:39,120 --> 00:30:43,360 Speaker 3: Paul's teachings, and the practical application of faith in daily life. 569 00:30:43,800 --> 00:30:47,200 Speaker 3: You can request these unique resources by calling eight eight 570 00:30:47,200 --> 00:30:51,280 Speaker 3: eight five six seven Joel or logging on to jolostein 571 00:30:51,360 --> 00:30:52,520 Speaker 3: dot com today. 572 00:30:53,000 --> 00:30:54,080 Speaker 1: Call or click. 573 00:30:53,920 --> 00:30:58,240 Speaker 3: Anytime, twenty four hours a day. Discover your true identity 574 00:30:58,400 --> 00:31:02,720 Speaker 3: in Christ. Request your copies today