1 00:00:00,560 --> 00:00:03,480 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Jolan Victoria. Thanks so much for listening 2 00:00:03,480 --> 00:00:05,400 Speaker 1: to the podcast and thanks. 3 00:00:05,240 --> 00:00:07,880 Speaker 2: For supporting the ministry. We believe you're going to. 4 00:00:07,880 --> 00:00:12,360 Speaker 1: Have an awesome twenty twenty four, healthy, productive, and favor filled. 5 00:00:12,680 --> 00:00:15,560 Speaker 2: God bless you today and enjoy the message. Well, God 6 00:00:15,600 --> 00:00:18,239 Speaker 2: bless you. It's a joy to come into your homes. 7 00:00:18,560 --> 00:00:21,760 Speaker 1: We're praying for very good things in your life. If 8 00:00:21,800 --> 00:00:23,640 Speaker 1: you're ever in our area, I hope you'll stop by 9 00:00:23,640 --> 00:00:26,400 Speaker 1: and see us. We give you a personal invitation. I 10 00:00:26,480 --> 00:00:28,440 Speaker 1: promise you we'll make you feel right at home. But 11 00:00:28,720 --> 00:00:31,240 Speaker 1: thanks so much for tuning in today. I like to 12 00:00:31,240 --> 00:00:33,280 Speaker 1: get started each week with something kind of funny and 13 00:00:33,680 --> 00:00:36,519 Speaker 1: I heard about one day Adam was feeling very lonely, 14 00:00:37,040 --> 00:00:39,760 Speaker 1: and God said, Adam, I'm going to make you a companion. 15 00:00:40,200 --> 00:00:41,880 Speaker 2: It's going to be called a woman. 16 00:00:42,600 --> 00:00:46,400 Speaker 1: This person will cook for you, she'll wash your clothes, 17 00:00:46,680 --> 00:00:49,040 Speaker 1: she'll bear your children and not ask you to get 18 00:00:49,080 --> 00:00:52,120 Speaker 1: up in the middle of the night. She'll never nag you, 19 00:00:52,560 --> 00:00:54,960 Speaker 1: and even if you do have a disagreement, she'll be 20 00:00:55,000 --> 00:00:59,360 Speaker 1: the first to admit that she was wrong. Adam said, Wow, God, 21 00:00:59,400 --> 00:01:02,880 Speaker 1: what will like this cost? God said an arm and 22 00:01:02,920 --> 00:01:06,600 Speaker 1: a leg. Adam said, what can I get. 23 00:01:06,480 --> 00:01:11,240 Speaker 2: For a rib? And the rest is history? All right, 24 00:01:11,800 --> 00:01:14,080 Speaker 2: hold up your Bible, say it like you mean it. 25 00:01:14,520 --> 00:01:17,480 Speaker 2: This is my Bible. I am what it says. I am. 26 00:01:18,000 --> 00:01:20,440 Speaker 1: I have what it says I have. I can do 27 00:01:20,520 --> 00:01:23,039 Speaker 1: what it says I can do. Today I will be 28 00:01:23,120 --> 00:01:27,199 Speaker 1: taught the word of God. I boldly confess. My mind 29 00:01:27,280 --> 00:01:30,679 Speaker 1: is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never be 30 00:01:30,800 --> 00:01:35,240 Speaker 1: the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. I want 31 00:01:35,280 --> 00:01:38,520 Speaker 1: to talk to you today about making good decisions and 32 00:01:38,560 --> 00:01:41,360 Speaker 1: how to stay on God's best plan for your life. 33 00:01:41,959 --> 00:01:45,759 Speaker 1: If there's one thing we all need its direction. People 34 00:01:45,840 --> 00:01:48,320 Speaker 1: say to me all the time, Joel, I don't know 35 00:01:48,400 --> 00:01:51,080 Speaker 1: what I should do. Should I take this new job, 36 00:01:51,560 --> 00:01:53,680 Speaker 1: Should I go further in this relationship? 37 00:01:54,040 --> 00:01:56,880 Speaker 2: Should I confront this person at work? How should I 38 00:01:56,920 --> 00:01:58,080 Speaker 2: deal with this problem? 39 00:01:58,720 --> 00:02:02,720 Speaker 1: We all need wisdom to make good choices. Now, I 40 00:02:02,720 --> 00:02:06,400 Speaker 1: heard somebody say, we make our decisions, and then our 41 00:02:06,440 --> 00:02:09,720 Speaker 1: decisions make us. And if we can learn to make 42 00:02:09,760 --> 00:02:13,360 Speaker 1: good choices, we're going to have a successful life. And 43 00:02:13,400 --> 00:02:16,720 Speaker 1: the good news is God wants to give us wisdom. 44 00:02:17,080 --> 00:02:20,320 Speaker 1: It says in Proverbs that he will help us find 45 00:02:20,360 --> 00:02:21,680 Speaker 1: the right course of action. 46 00:02:22,160 --> 00:02:25,440 Speaker 2: Every time, now some of the time, all of the time. 47 00:02:25,960 --> 00:02:26,800 Speaker 2: But here's the key. 48 00:02:27,400 --> 00:02:29,600 Speaker 1: If God's going to lead us, if he's going to 49 00:02:29,600 --> 00:02:32,840 Speaker 1: give us this direction, then we have to listen to 50 00:02:32,919 --> 00:02:36,520 Speaker 1: what he's saying. And God speaks to every one of us. 51 00:02:36,960 --> 00:02:40,200 Speaker 1: Too often we don't realize it. You can be reading 52 00:02:40,240 --> 00:02:43,239 Speaker 1: the scripture and a verse jumps out at you. That's 53 00:02:43,280 --> 00:02:46,000 Speaker 1: God talking to you. You can be talking to a 54 00:02:46,080 --> 00:02:49,239 Speaker 1: friend and they say one thing that gives you insight. 55 00:02:49,960 --> 00:02:52,480 Speaker 1: They may not have even realized they said it, but 56 00:02:52,520 --> 00:02:53,480 Speaker 1: God used. 57 00:02:53,200 --> 00:02:54,440 Speaker 2: Them to give you direction. 58 00:02:55,320 --> 00:02:58,079 Speaker 1: A common way God speaks to us is by peace. 59 00:02:58,639 --> 00:03:00,799 Speaker 1: You're about to make a decision and all of a 60 00:03:00,840 --> 00:03:04,600 Speaker 1: sudden you feel an unrest and uneasiness down in here. 61 00:03:05,120 --> 00:03:08,320 Speaker 1: That's God telling you to hold off. It's either not 62 00:03:08,480 --> 00:03:10,639 Speaker 1: the right time or it's something. 63 00:03:10,440 --> 00:03:11,880 Speaker 2: That you shouldn't do altogether. 64 00:03:12,400 --> 00:03:15,360 Speaker 1: But if we can be sensitive and learn to really 65 00:03:15,400 --> 00:03:18,240 Speaker 1: be aware of what God is saying to us, then 66 00:03:18,280 --> 00:03:19,880 Speaker 1: we'll make good choices in life. 67 00:03:20,440 --> 00:03:22,560 Speaker 2: And the Scripture says here in Psalm thirty two. 68 00:03:22,600 --> 00:03:27,239 Speaker 1: Verse eight, God will guide us along the best pathway 69 00:03:27,360 --> 00:03:32,079 Speaker 1: for our lives. That means there's an okay pathway where 70 00:03:32,080 --> 00:03:35,560 Speaker 1: we're getting along we're doing all right, but then there's 71 00:03:35,600 --> 00:03:39,680 Speaker 1: a best pathway. That's when we're prospering, that's when we're happy, 72 00:03:39,720 --> 00:03:41,080 Speaker 1: that's when we're really. 73 00:03:41,000 --> 00:03:43,080 Speaker 2: Fulfilling our destiny. 74 00:03:43,240 --> 00:03:45,760 Speaker 1: But if God is going to lead us again, we 75 00:03:45,880 --> 00:03:49,840 Speaker 1: have to do our part and be listening. Too often 76 00:03:50,240 --> 00:03:54,520 Speaker 1: our lives are so noisy, we're so busy, things are 77 00:03:54,560 --> 00:03:58,440 Speaker 1: so hectic that we can't really hear the still small voice. 78 00:03:58,920 --> 00:04:03,120 Speaker 1: We need to learn to get quiet every day. We 79 00:04:03,160 --> 00:04:07,640 Speaker 1: need some downtime, not only physically, but mentally. We're not 80 00:04:07,720 --> 00:04:10,440 Speaker 1: going to make good decisions if we're out of balance. 81 00:04:11,120 --> 00:04:11,720 Speaker 2: I see too. 82 00:04:11,680 --> 00:04:17,360 Speaker 1: Many people making emotional decisions. They let people in circumstances 83 00:04:17,640 --> 00:04:22,120 Speaker 1: pressure them into making poor choices. Or sometimes we just 84 00:04:22,160 --> 00:04:25,599 Speaker 1: want something so badly, even though we know down in 85 00:04:25,640 --> 00:04:27,000 Speaker 1: here it's not God's best. 86 00:04:27,440 --> 00:04:28,520 Speaker 2: We override that. 87 00:04:28,640 --> 00:04:31,440 Speaker 1: And do it anyway. Then we wonder why we have 88 00:04:31,560 --> 00:04:34,960 Speaker 1: issues to deal with. Well, it's because we didn't take 89 00:04:35,000 --> 00:04:38,320 Speaker 1: time to get quiet. We didn't listen to what God 90 00:04:38,440 --> 00:04:41,120 Speaker 1: was trying to say to us. And one thing that 91 00:04:41,200 --> 00:04:43,680 Speaker 1: I've learned that's really helped me in my life is 92 00:04:43,720 --> 00:04:48,080 Speaker 1: I will never move forward unless I have peace. If 93 00:04:48,080 --> 00:04:51,119 Speaker 1: there's an unrest down in here. No matter how great 94 00:04:51,160 --> 00:04:52,720 Speaker 1: the opportunity looks. 95 00:04:52,440 --> 00:04:53,240 Speaker 2: I'm going to pass. 96 00:04:54,040 --> 00:04:56,480 Speaker 1: Well, Joel, this is a once in a lifetime chance 97 00:04:56,480 --> 00:04:59,039 Speaker 1: they're offering me. They got to know by tomorrow morning. 98 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:05,080 Speaker 1: Those are pressure tactics. Most likely, those lead to poor decisions. 99 00:05:05,560 --> 00:05:08,800 Speaker 1: We don't make good choices when our emotions. 100 00:05:08,279 --> 00:05:10,920 Speaker 2: Are real high or real low. We've got to get 101 00:05:10,960 --> 00:05:11,760 Speaker 2: back in balance. 102 00:05:12,440 --> 00:05:15,039 Speaker 1: You see it all the time on television when they're 103 00:05:15,040 --> 00:05:18,520 Speaker 1: selling something. They try to stir our emotions up. If 104 00:05:18,560 --> 00:05:21,159 Speaker 1: you'll call in the next two minutes, you'll get a 105 00:05:21,160 --> 00:05:24,159 Speaker 1: free abb buster with that super duper bun burner. 106 00:05:25,440 --> 00:05:28,400 Speaker 2: Our emotions get rought up. I gotta have one now. 107 00:05:28,520 --> 00:05:31,800 Speaker 1: Anytime we feel pressure, best thing we can do is 108 00:05:31,839 --> 00:05:35,280 Speaker 1: just step away, get alone, get quiet for a few minutes, 109 00:05:35,600 --> 00:05:38,360 Speaker 1: search your heart, see what you're feeling down in here. 110 00:05:38,560 --> 00:05:41,720 Speaker 1: If you don't have peace, don't move forward. Know this, 111 00:05:41,920 --> 00:05:44,360 Speaker 1: there will always be another opportunity. 112 00:05:45,320 --> 00:05:45,560 Speaker 2: I know. 113 00:05:45,960 --> 00:05:48,599 Speaker 1: Over the last three years, I'd really been praying about 114 00:05:48,640 --> 00:05:50,359 Speaker 1: having a leadership conference. 115 00:05:50,920 --> 00:05:53,840 Speaker 2: My father used to have those, and I knew at one. 116 00:05:53,760 --> 00:05:55,640 Speaker 1: Point we should be doing it, but I just didn't 117 00:05:55,680 --> 00:05:57,919 Speaker 1: really have peace about it. I knew it wasn't the 118 00:05:58,000 --> 00:06:00,880 Speaker 1: right time, but then finally at all came together and 119 00:06:01,160 --> 00:06:03,000 Speaker 1: we announced that we were going to have one and 120 00:06:03,160 --> 00:06:05,800 Speaker 1: a lot of people signed up. And maybe eight or 121 00:06:05,880 --> 00:06:09,040 Speaker 1: nine months before the conference, some of our staff said, Joel, 122 00:06:09,200 --> 00:06:11,599 Speaker 1: we need to get together to come up with a plan, 123 00:06:11,760 --> 00:06:14,120 Speaker 1: come up with the program so we can print some 124 00:06:14,200 --> 00:06:16,919 Speaker 1: material and let people know what we're going to be doing. 125 00:06:17,560 --> 00:06:20,000 Speaker 1: But it seemed like every time I went to meet 126 00:06:20,120 --> 00:06:22,880 Speaker 1: on that conference, I didn't have clear direction. 127 00:06:23,640 --> 00:06:25,440 Speaker 2: I knew we were supposed to do the conference. 128 00:06:25,480 --> 00:06:27,839 Speaker 1: I felt good about that, but I didn't know exactly 129 00:06:27,960 --> 00:06:30,360 Speaker 1: what we were supposed to do during it. And I 130 00:06:30,400 --> 00:06:32,119 Speaker 1: was just real honest, I said, you know what, guys, 131 00:06:32,480 --> 00:06:34,719 Speaker 1: I don't have good direction. We're just going to have 132 00:06:34,760 --> 00:06:37,839 Speaker 1: to wait. And really I didn't worry about it. I 133 00:06:37,880 --> 00:06:40,920 Speaker 1: didn't lose any sleep. I thought, God, you're in control, 134 00:06:41,000 --> 00:06:43,839 Speaker 1: and I know you'll give me wisdom at the right time. 135 00:06:44,600 --> 00:06:48,160 Speaker 1: Do you know, eight days before the conference, we still 136 00:06:48,200 --> 00:06:51,120 Speaker 1: did not have an official plan. But I woke up 137 00:06:51,160 --> 00:06:53,479 Speaker 1: that morning and it was just as clear as day. 138 00:06:53,600 --> 00:06:56,560 Speaker 1: I knew exactly what we were supposed to do. The 139 00:06:56,640 --> 00:06:59,839 Speaker 1: point I'm making is you don't have to be pressured 140 00:07:00,040 --> 00:07:03,440 Speaker 1: into making a decision if you'll just stay in peace. 141 00:07:03,680 --> 00:07:06,279 Speaker 1: God is faithful, He'll never let you down. He will 142 00:07:06,360 --> 00:07:08,760 Speaker 1: lead you, he will guide you, he will show you 143 00:07:08,960 --> 00:07:12,840 Speaker 1: exactly what you need to do. One of the mistakes 144 00:07:13,240 --> 00:07:16,000 Speaker 1: I see people making they feel like they have to 145 00:07:16,040 --> 00:07:18,840 Speaker 1: come up with an answer, and it's this pressure that 146 00:07:18,920 --> 00:07:22,680 Speaker 1: gets us into trouble. I remember my father when he 147 00:07:22,720 --> 00:07:25,440 Speaker 1: had a problem or a situation that he didn't really 148 00:07:25,480 --> 00:07:28,120 Speaker 1: have an answer to, he would say, I'm going to 149 00:07:28,200 --> 00:07:30,720 Speaker 1: put this up on the shelf and just pray about it. 150 00:07:31,360 --> 00:07:34,440 Speaker 1: He didn't let it bother him, he didn't lose his peace. 151 00:07:35,080 --> 00:07:38,600 Speaker 1: And it's amazing how many times those problems had a 152 00:07:38,640 --> 00:07:40,440 Speaker 1: way of working themselves out. 153 00:07:40,720 --> 00:07:42,200 Speaker 2: They just needed a little time. 154 00:07:42,840 --> 00:07:45,720 Speaker 1: And some of you today, rather than trying to figure 155 00:07:45,760 --> 00:07:49,720 Speaker 1: something out and making a hasty emotional decision, you need 156 00:07:49,760 --> 00:07:52,520 Speaker 1: to just put that up on the shelf, pray over 157 00:07:52,520 --> 00:07:55,960 Speaker 1: it a little while, ask for God's guidance, let him 158 00:07:56,000 --> 00:07:58,120 Speaker 1: go to work on it over time. 159 00:07:58,360 --> 00:08:01,040 Speaker 2: He will give you a clear direction. But don't be 160 00:08:01,120 --> 00:08:01,680 Speaker 2: in a hurry. 161 00:08:02,000 --> 00:08:04,680 Speaker 1: It's much better to wait than it is to make 162 00:08:04,760 --> 00:08:09,400 Speaker 1: a bad decision. Now I've found sometimes the best decision 163 00:08:09,440 --> 00:08:12,120 Speaker 1: we could make is that we are going to decide 164 00:08:12,640 --> 00:08:15,960 Speaker 1: not to decide. In other words, I'm not going to 165 00:08:16,040 --> 00:08:19,600 Speaker 1: let this pressure me into making a decision. And a 166 00:08:19,600 --> 00:08:23,880 Speaker 1: lot of times I'll just set another date in my mind. Okay, 167 00:08:23,920 --> 00:08:26,440 Speaker 1: I need to make this decision, but one week from now, 168 00:08:26,520 --> 00:08:27,920 Speaker 1: I'll come back and look at it. 169 00:08:28,520 --> 00:08:31,040 Speaker 2: That takes all the pressure off of me. Now I 170 00:08:31,120 --> 00:08:31,880 Speaker 2: can relax. 171 00:08:32,360 --> 00:08:34,800 Speaker 1: I don't have to think about it every minute. I 172 00:08:34,840 --> 00:08:37,520 Speaker 1: don't have to make a decision that I'm not comfortable with. 173 00:08:38,320 --> 00:08:39,160 Speaker 2: When that week. 174 00:08:39,040 --> 00:08:42,640 Speaker 1: Rolls around, I'll pray about it again, I'll get advice 175 00:08:42,720 --> 00:08:43,800 Speaker 1: from wise people. 176 00:08:44,040 --> 00:08:46,360 Speaker 2: I'll search my heart one more time, and if I 177 00:08:46,400 --> 00:08:49,199 Speaker 2: still don't have peace, then I'll put it off even longer. 178 00:08:49,760 --> 00:08:53,160 Speaker 2: And I realize if I missed the opportunity, then it 179 00:08:53,200 --> 00:08:54,040 Speaker 2: wasn't meant to be. 180 00:08:54,320 --> 00:08:56,880 Speaker 1: God has something better in store. But I'm not going 181 00:08:56,960 --> 00:09:01,520 Speaker 1: to move forward without clear direction. Interesting, if you'll wait, 182 00:09:01,640 --> 00:09:03,920 Speaker 1: if you'll really be patient, let God do it in 183 00:09:03,960 --> 00:09:08,960 Speaker 1: his timing. Many times the answers will become clear. In 184 00:09:09,000 --> 00:09:12,120 Speaker 1: other words, a door will close or something better will 185 00:09:12,160 --> 00:09:16,600 Speaker 1: come along. Be patient, don't move forward unless you have peace. 186 00:09:17,360 --> 00:09:19,880 Speaker 1: And we need to learn to not make decisions when 187 00:09:19,880 --> 00:09:22,800 Speaker 1: we're tired, when you've had a long day at the office, 188 00:09:23,320 --> 00:09:26,640 Speaker 1: fought the traffic, dealt with the children. That's not the 189 00:09:26,720 --> 00:09:29,679 Speaker 1: time to make important decisions. Just put it on hold, 190 00:09:30,360 --> 00:09:32,920 Speaker 1: Go to bed, get a good night's rest, get up 191 00:09:32,920 --> 00:09:35,960 Speaker 1: in the morning fresh, and then pray about it. Go 192 00:09:36,000 --> 00:09:39,280 Speaker 1: out and exercise. Make sure that your mind is clear. 193 00:09:40,000 --> 00:09:43,080 Speaker 1: We don't make good decisions when our mind is cluttered, 194 00:09:43,480 --> 00:09:45,760 Speaker 1: when we're stressed, when we're overly tired. 195 00:09:46,640 --> 00:09:49,679 Speaker 2: Another important principle is you should. 196 00:09:49,440 --> 00:09:53,760 Speaker 1: Not let your dreams and desires become so strong that 197 00:09:53,840 --> 00:09:57,800 Speaker 1: you cannot be happy without them. I've seen people that 198 00:09:57,880 --> 00:10:01,280 Speaker 1: have such a strong desire to get married, a strong 199 00:10:01,360 --> 00:10:03,840 Speaker 1: desire to have a baby, strong. 200 00:10:03,559 --> 00:10:04,800 Speaker 2: Desire to get a promotion. 201 00:10:05,320 --> 00:10:10,600 Speaker 1: It just consumes them, rather than enjoying their life trusting 202 00:10:10,640 --> 00:10:13,720 Speaker 1: God to bring it to pass. It totally frustrates them. 203 00:10:14,040 --> 00:10:16,440 Speaker 1: But that's out of balance. It says in the Book 204 00:10:16,480 --> 00:10:20,160 Speaker 1: of Psalms that if we will delight ourselves in the Lord, 205 00:10:20,720 --> 00:10:23,439 Speaker 1: he will give us the desires of our heart. 206 00:10:23,720 --> 00:10:25,360 Speaker 2: You don't have to make that happen. 207 00:10:26,080 --> 00:10:29,679 Speaker 1: Don't seek your desires, just delight yourself in the Lord. 208 00:10:30,320 --> 00:10:34,120 Speaker 1: That means keep God first place, keep a good attitude, 209 00:10:34,480 --> 00:10:37,199 Speaker 1: keep being a blessing to other people. When you do 210 00:10:37,280 --> 00:10:40,839 Speaker 1: that at the right time, God's promised he will bring 211 00:10:40,880 --> 00:10:44,640 Speaker 1: those desires to pass. But sometimes we can almost let 212 00:10:44,679 --> 00:10:48,520 Speaker 1: a dream become an idol, where we're pursuing our dreams 213 00:10:48,559 --> 00:10:50,000 Speaker 1: more than we're pursuing. 214 00:10:49,640 --> 00:10:50,880 Speaker 2: Our relationship with God. 215 00:10:51,320 --> 00:10:53,360 Speaker 1: I talked to a lady the other day, and she 216 00:10:53,520 --> 00:10:56,920 Speaker 1: was so consumed with having a baby. She and her 217 00:10:57,000 --> 00:11:00,600 Speaker 1: husband had been trying for a couple of years. I 218 00:11:00,679 --> 00:11:03,880 Speaker 1: prayed with her, I encouraged her, but she was so 219 00:11:04,040 --> 00:11:08,160 Speaker 1: upset and so frustrated. Finally, I said, ma'am, you need 220 00:11:08,200 --> 00:11:11,360 Speaker 1: to just relax and let God give you the desires 221 00:11:11,400 --> 00:11:13,880 Speaker 1: of your heart. In other words, you don't have to 222 00:11:13,920 --> 00:11:16,720 Speaker 1: make it happen. You need to take time to smell 223 00:11:16,760 --> 00:11:21,480 Speaker 1: the roses right now. Enjoy your husband today. If you're single, 224 00:11:21,559 --> 00:11:24,440 Speaker 1: don't get so consumed with getting married that. 225 00:11:24,320 --> 00:11:27,720 Speaker 2: You can't be happy right where you are. Enjoy being single. 226 00:11:28,360 --> 00:11:30,720 Speaker 1: But when we let our desires get out of balance, 227 00:11:31,320 --> 00:11:34,120 Speaker 1: even if they're good things, even if God put them there, 228 00:11:34,640 --> 00:11:37,120 Speaker 1: many times, if we're not careful, we'll try to start 229 00:11:37,200 --> 00:11:38,640 Speaker 1: making them happen on her own. 230 00:11:39,200 --> 00:11:41,200 Speaker 2: I've seen people marry. 231 00:11:40,920 --> 00:11:44,640 Speaker 1: Somebody that they didn't really feel peace about, just because 232 00:11:44,640 --> 00:11:48,600 Speaker 1: the desire was so strong. I've had pastor friends that 233 00:11:48,760 --> 00:11:51,560 Speaker 1: have a big vision, a dream to touch their city. 234 00:11:51,920 --> 00:11:55,839 Speaker 1: They're gifted, they're talented, but rather than just enjoying their 235 00:11:55,920 --> 00:11:58,679 Speaker 1: life knowing that God's taken them there one step at 236 00:11:58,679 --> 00:12:03,440 Speaker 1: a time, stras them. They get down and discouraged because 237 00:12:03,480 --> 00:12:05,440 Speaker 1: it's not happening as fast as they would like. 238 00:12:06,040 --> 00:12:08,600 Speaker 2: Many times they end up giving up on those dreams. 239 00:12:08,960 --> 00:12:13,040 Speaker 1: But understand, any time God puts a dream or desire 240 00:12:13,120 --> 00:12:16,800 Speaker 1: in our heart, he also gives us the ability to 241 00:12:16,920 --> 00:12:20,360 Speaker 1: wait patiently for it. You need to get back in balance, 242 00:12:20,760 --> 00:12:24,240 Speaker 1: get your peace back. At the right time, God is 243 00:12:24,280 --> 00:12:27,880 Speaker 1: going to give you your desires. Really, our attitude should 244 00:12:27,880 --> 00:12:31,000 Speaker 1: be God, I believe you put this dream in my heart. 245 00:12:31,600 --> 00:12:33,800 Speaker 2: But God, I know you know what's best for me. 246 00:12:34,440 --> 00:12:37,520 Speaker 1: And even if it doesn't happen on my timetable the 247 00:12:37,600 --> 00:12:40,280 Speaker 1: way I had hoped, I'm still not gonna live upset 248 00:12:40,280 --> 00:12:43,640 Speaker 1: and frustrated. God, I know you're in control and at 249 00:12:43,640 --> 00:12:46,679 Speaker 1: the right time, you will give me the desires of 250 00:12:46,679 --> 00:12:50,600 Speaker 1: my heart. Some of you today you just need to 251 00:12:50,720 --> 00:12:54,680 Speaker 1: turn your dreams and desires over to God. As long 252 00:12:54,720 --> 00:12:57,920 Speaker 1: as you're allowing them to frustrate you. There's a good 253 00:12:58,000 --> 00:13:00,400 Speaker 1: chance you're gonna try to make it all happen on 254 00:13:00,440 --> 00:13:03,080 Speaker 1: your own, and that always gets us out of God's 255 00:13:03,120 --> 00:13:06,960 Speaker 1: best plan. I remember one time years ago, I came 256 00:13:07,000 --> 00:13:10,480 Speaker 1: across what seemed to be a once in a lifetime opportunity. 257 00:13:10,800 --> 00:13:12,280 Speaker 2: I was so excited about it. 258 00:13:12,720 --> 00:13:15,760 Speaker 1: I didn't pray, I didn't take time to get quiet 259 00:13:15,800 --> 00:13:17,560 Speaker 1: to see what I felt down in here. I was 260 00:13:17,600 --> 00:13:20,800 Speaker 1: on cloud nine, an emotional high, and I went to 261 00:13:20,840 --> 00:13:22,160 Speaker 1: work trying to make it happen. 262 00:13:22,720 --> 00:13:25,640 Speaker 2: I convinced other people and got it all lined up. 263 00:13:26,160 --> 00:13:28,400 Speaker 1: But over the next couple of months, while we were 264 00:13:28,440 --> 00:13:32,120 Speaker 1: waiting for it all to come together, twice a person 265 00:13:32,280 --> 00:13:35,760 Speaker 1: whom I really respect said to me, Joel, I just 266 00:13:35,760 --> 00:13:36,880 Speaker 1: don't feel good about this. 267 00:13:37,280 --> 00:13:39,200 Speaker 2: I feel like something is not right. 268 00:13:39,960 --> 00:13:43,000 Speaker 1: And I did my best to convince him otherwise and 269 00:13:43,080 --> 00:13:45,000 Speaker 1: let him know that it was all going to be right. 270 00:13:45,360 --> 00:13:48,480 Speaker 1: But that whole time, deep down in here, if I 271 00:13:48,600 --> 00:13:51,600 Speaker 1: was really honest with myself, if I got past the 272 00:13:51,679 --> 00:13:55,959 Speaker 1: emotion and the excitement, I could feel some unrest, some checks. 273 00:13:56,440 --> 00:14:00,240 Speaker 2: But the problem was my desire was so strong man. 274 00:14:00,280 --> 00:14:01,199 Speaker 2: I could taste this. 275 00:14:01,280 --> 00:14:04,480 Speaker 1: Same we were so close to it and so I 276 00:14:04,600 --> 00:14:06,679 Speaker 1: just overrode what I was feeling down in. 277 00:14:06,640 --> 00:14:08,880 Speaker 2: Here and we went ahead with that project. 278 00:14:09,280 --> 00:14:12,120 Speaker 1: And what's interesting is it wasn't a failure, it wasn't 279 00:14:12,160 --> 00:14:15,800 Speaker 1: a big mistake, but it never took off like it 280 00:14:15,880 --> 00:14:19,240 Speaker 1: should have. Afterwards, we found some things that. 281 00:14:19,200 --> 00:14:21,360 Speaker 2: Really hindered the progress, and it. 282 00:14:21,320 --> 00:14:24,120 Speaker 1: Ended up being a strain that it ended up draining our 283 00:14:24,160 --> 00:14:25,080 Speaker 1: time and energy. 284 00:14:25,320 --> 00:14:26,800 Speaker 2: It never really flourished. 285 00:14:27,360 --> 00:14:31,000 Speaker 1: That's what happens when we get impatient and we try 286 00:14:31,040 --> 00:14:32,000 Speaker 1: to make. 287 00:14:31,840 --> 00:14:34,240 Speaker 2: Things happen on our own. We have to settle for 288 00:14:34,320 --> 00:14:35,000 Speaker 2: second best. 289 00:14:35,680 --> 00:14:39,760 Speaker 1: And through that situation, I learned that no matter how 290 00:14:39,840 --> 00:14:42,920 Speaker 1: great the opportunity looks to me, no matter how high 291 00:14:43,080 --> 00:14:46,640 Speaker 1: my emotions go, if I have this unrest, I don't 292 00:14:46,640 --> 00:14:49,480 Speaker 1: want it. It may be good, but it's not good 293 00:14:49,480 --> 00:14:52,000 Speaker 1: for me, and I want to stay in God's best 294 00:14:52,040 --> 00:14:55,520 Speaker 1: plan for my life. God is trying to lead us, 295 00:14:56,160 --> 00:14:57,480 Speaker 1: He wants to guide us. 296 00:14:57,920 --> 00:15:00,800 Speaker 2: But my question to us today a are we listening? 297 00:15:01,360 --> 00:15:05,160 Speaker 1: Are we paying attention to the still small voice? Or 298 00:15:05,400 --> 00:15:08,920 Speaker 1: have we let our desires consume us? Now we're making 299 00:15:08,960 --> 00:15:12,280 Speaker 1: emotional decisions and trying to make things happen in our 300 00:15:12,320 --> 00:15:16,560 Speaker 1: own strength. We have to understand God will give us 301 00:15:16,680 --> 00:15:19,360 Speaker 1: the grace to do what He's called us to do. 302 00:15:20,240 --> 00:15:23,320 Speaker 1: He will not necessarily give us the grace to do 303 00:15:23,520 --> 00:15:26,440 Speaker 1: things that we start in our own strength. That's when 304 00:15:26,440 --> 00:15:29,440 Speaker 1: it's a constant struggle. And if we can just learn 305 00:15:29,800 --> 00:15:33,000 Speaker 1: to be disciplined to not go against what we're feeling 306 00:15:33,040 --> 00:15:36,440 Speaker 1: down in here, I know God will keep us from 307 00:15:36,440 --> 00:15:40,680 Speaker 1: making mistakes. Looking back now, I can see how many 308 00:15:40,720 --> 00:15:44,720 Speaker 1: warnings I ignored. God tried time and time again to 309 00:15:44,760 --> 00:15:48,240 Speaker 1: get my attention. He tried speaking to me through other people, 310 00:15:48,560 --> 00:15:51,160 Speaker 1: but you know what, I was too hard headed. I 311 00:15:51,320 --> 00:15:54,680 Speaker 1: was set on having it my way. That always gets 312 00:15:54,760 --> 00:15:58,040 Speaker 1: us into trouble. God wants to lead us, but he's 313 00:15:58,080 --> 00:16:00,640 Speaker 1: not going to drag us. He's not going to force 314 00:16:00,720 --> 00:16:03,080 Speaker 1: us to do what's right. You know what I pray 315 00:16:03,120 --> 00:16:07,000 Speaker 1: every day now, God, open up the right doors and 316 00:16:07,080 --> 00:16:11,440 Speaker 1: close the wrong doors. I found it's just as important 317 00:16:11,480 --> 00:16:16,320 Speaker 1: to discern is this opportunity good for me? Or is 318 00:16:16,360 --> 00:16:19,440 Speaker 1: this just another distraction that's going to keep me off 319 00:16:19,440 --> 00:16:22,440 Speaker 1: of God's best plan? And sometimes, you know, we think 320 00:16:22,480 --> 00:16:26,280 Speaker 1: we can't turn an opportunity down. Joels, She's just so beautiful, 321 00:16:26,880 --> 00:16:28,160 Speaker 1: he's so handsome. 322 00:16:28,560 --> 00:16:30,920 Speaker 2: But know this, if you have an unrest. 323 00:16:31,400 --> 00:16:34,800 Speaker 1: That simply means God has something better in store for you. 324 00:16:35,640 --> 00:16:38,040 Speaker 1: I tried to make that other plan work out. I 325 00:16:38,080 --> 00:16:40,360 Speaker 1: thought that's what I'd be doing the rest of my life. 326 00:16:40,960 --> 00:16:44,040 Speaker 1: I never dreamed I would be doing this. But God 327 00:16:44,120 --> 00:16:47,800 Speaker 1: can see the big picture. His dream for our life 328 00:16:47,920 --> 00:16:52,120 Speaker 1: is so much bigger than our own. Learn to trust him. 329 00:16:52,440 --> 00:16:54,880 Speaker 1: Get in a habit of saying, God, do you want 330 00:16:54,920 --> 00:16:56,960 Speaker 1: me to go forward? Is this something you want me 331 00:16:57,000 --> 00:17:00,360 Speaker 1: to do? And then pay attention to what you're feeling 332 00:17:00,400 --> 00:17:03,520 Speaker 1: down in here. Many times you'll have a green light. 333 00:17:03,600 --> 00:17:05,960 Speaker 1: You'll feel peace. That means go for it and give 334 00:17:06,000 --> 00:17:09,560 Speaker 1: it your all. Some of you today you're letting your 335 00:17:09,680 --> 00:17:12,280 Speaker 1: dreams and desires frustrate you. 336 00:17:12,280 --> 00:17:14,080 Speaker 2: You need to just turn that over to God. 337 00:17:14,800 --> 00:17:17,240 Speaker 1: Know that at the right time, He's going to give 338 00:17:17,280 --> 00:17:19,919 Speaker 1: you the desires of your heart. But don't do like 339 00:17:20,000 --> 00:17:22,159 Speaker 1: I did and get in a hurry and try to 340 00:17:22,200 --> 00:17:25,480 Speaker 1: convince yourself and everybody else that is right when you 341 00:17:25,600 --> 00:17:29,639 Speaker 1: know deep down in here it's not. Don't override those warnings. 342 00:17:29,880 --> 00:17:34,000 Speaker 1: Many times it's simply not the right time. I remember 343 00:17:34,240 --> 00:17:37,760 Speaker 1: about five years ago, I had a strong desire to 344 00:17:37,800 --> 00:17:40,959 Speaker 1: write a book. I hadn't told anybody about it. I 345 00:17:41,040 --> 00:17:43,720 Speaker 1: just kept it to myself. But I knew that was 346 00:17:43,760 --> 00:17:46,720 Speaker 1: a dream that God put on the inside. But it 347 00:17:46,760 --> 00:17:49,240 Speaker 1: seemed like every time I tried to move forward, I 348 00:17:49,240 --> 00:17:52,320 Speaker 1: didn't have peace about it. Month after month went by, 349 00:17:52,440 --> 00:17:55,639 Speaker 1: even year after year. I just kept it on the inside. 350 00:17:56,000 --> 00:17:59,080 Speaker 1: The desire was strong, but I'd learned by that point 351 00:17:59,200 --> 00:18:02,040 Speaker 1: to wait for God's perfect timing. And over the next 352 00:18:02,080 --> 00:18:05,520 Speaker 1: couple of years, several publishers came by, and in the 353 00:18:05,600 --> 00:18:06,679 Speaker 1: natural it seemed. 354 00:18:06,400 --> 00:18:08,040 Speaker 2: Like they had real good opportunities. 355 00:18:08,080 --> 00:18:10,639 Speaker 1: But again, for some reason down in here, I didn't 356 00:18:10,680 --> 00:18:13,840 Speaker 1: have peace about it. And in my own reasoning, I thought, God, 357 00:18:14,320 --> 00:18:18,040 Speaker 1: I've got this desire, You're bringing good people across my path. 358 00:18:18,320 --> 00:18:19,760 Speaker 2: Why do I have this unrest? 359 00:18:19,800 --> 00:18:22,520 Speaker 1: Why do I feel like I can't move forward? And 360 00:18:22,560 --> 00:18:25,199 Speaker 1: at times I tried to talk myself into it. I thought, well, 361 00:18:25,200 --> 00:18:28,040 Speaker 1: you know what, I'm probably just being overly cautious. I'm 362 00:18:28,040 --> 00:18:30,720 Speaker 1: just kind of nervous, probably because I've never done one before. 363 00:18:31,240 --> 00:18:33,119 Speaker 2: But still, when I searched my heart, I knew it 364 00:18:33,160 --> 00:18:33,680 Speaker 2: wasn't right. 365 00:18:34,400 --> 00:18:36,359 Speaker 1: Well, one day, a couple of years later, I was 366 00:18:36,400 --> 00:18:38,920 Speaker 1: in another city and I ran into an old friend 367 00:18:38,920 --> 00:18:41,439 Speaker 1: of mine, He mentioned that he was gonna run up 368 00:18:41,480 --> 00:18:44,240 Speaker 1: to a conference the next day, and he asked me 369 00:18:44,280 --> 00:18:46,600 Speaker 1: if I would ride with him, and I went with him, 370 00:18:46,680 --> 00:18:49,040 Speaker 1: just to visit and catch up on old times. I 371 00:18:49,080 --> 00:18:51,080 Speaker 1: wasn't even planning on going in. He's just going to 372 00:18:51,119 --> 00:18:53,280 Speaker 1: pick up something. But when we got there, he said, 373 00:18:53,280 --> 00:18:55,040 Speaker 1: oh yeah, Joe, come in with me. It's gonna take 374 00:18:55,040 --> 00:18:58,040 Speaker 1: me ten or fifteen minutes. And it was at that 375 00:18:58,480 --> 00:19:01,640 Speaker 1: place that I met a man that was very knowledgeable 376 00:19:01,760 --> 00:19:03,600 Speaker 1: in the book industry, and I. 377 00:19:03,480 --> 00:19:06,879 Speaker 2: Really liked him. Didn't talk to him five minutes, but 378 00:19:06,920 --> 00:19:09,280 Speaker 2: I had a complete piece. I knew he was. 379 00:19:09,240 --> 00:19:11,480 Speaker 1: The man and these were the people to go with. 380 00:19:12,040 --> 00:19:15,040 Speaker 1: A few months later, I had a contract on my desk. 381 00:19:15,400 --> 00:19:18,600 Speaker 1: Things started falling into place. I didn't have to make 382 00:19:18,640 --> 00:19:20,639 Speaker 1: it happen. I didn't have to struggle. 383 00:19:21,040 --> 00:19:23,480 Speaker 2: God gave me the desires of my heart. 384 00:19:24,240 --> 00:19:26,440 Speaker 1: And I know if you'll be patient and wait for 385 00:19:26,520 --> 00:19:29,159 Speaker 1: God's timing, He'll do the same thing for each one 386 00:19:29,200 --> 00:19:32,920 Speaker 1: of you. You know, I never dreamed my book would 387 00:19:32,960 --> 00:19:35,760 Speaker 1: sell like it did. They said, if we sold thirty 388 00:19:35,840 --> 00:19:38,080 Speaker 1: or forty thousand copies, we would have hit a home run. 389 00:19:38,440 --> 00:19:40,960 Speaker 1: Do you know today there are over four million copies 390 00:19:41,000 --> 00:19:44,760 Speaker 1: in print, and it continues to sell. 391 00:19:44,800 --> 00:19:46,439 Speaker 2: And I don't say that bragging on me. 392 00:19:46,840 --> 00:19:50,439 Speaker 1: The point I'm making is God's dream for your life 393 00:19:50,800 --> 00:19:52,200 Speaker 1: is so much bigger than your own. 394 00:19:52,680 --> 00:19:55,119 Speaker 2: He wants to get you into his best path. 395 00:19:55,840 --> 00:20:00,240 Speaker 1: Be patient, ask for his guidance, and then listen what 396 00:20:00,320 --> 00:20:03,520 Speaker 1: he's saying to you. Every one of you can hear 397 00:20:03,560 --> 00:20:07,639 Speaker 1: from God. It's not some big, super spiritual thing. Just 398 00:20:07,760 --> 00:20:11,480 Speaker 1: pay attention to what you're feeling down in here. Somebody 399 00:20:11,520 --> 00:20:14,560 Speaker 1: says something to you that jumps out at you, gives 400 00:20:14,600 --> 00:20:16,200 Speaker 1: your wisdom, gives you insight. 401 00:20:16,640 --> 00:20:18,680 Speaker 2: Don't think, Wow, isn't that funny? I was just thinking 402 00:20:18,720 --> 00:20:22,800 Speaker 2: about that. No, that's God talking to you. God speaks 403 00:20:22,840 --> 00:20:23,919 Speaker 2: to us through other people. 404 00:20:24,480 --> 00:20:26,480 Speaker 1: How many times have people come up to me after 405 00:20:26,480 --> 00:20:29,040 Speaker 1: the service and said, Joel, you must have read my 406 00:20:29,080 --> 00:20:31,640 Speaker 1: mail this week. You must have been in our living room. 407 00:20:31,680 --> 00:20:33,360 Speaker 1: That's exactly what we needed to hear. 408 00:20:33,600 --> 00:20:35,359 Speaker 2: Well, that was God talking to you. 409 00:20:36,200 --> 00:20:38,160 Speaker 1: I've had people come up and say, Joel, I really 410 00:20:38,200 --> 00:20:39,520 Speaker 1: like when you said this and this. 411 00:20:39,600 --> 00:20:40,480 Speaker 2: That really helped me. 412 00:20:40,960 --> 00:20:43,160 Speaker 1: And I'm thinking to myself, I never even said that, 413 00:20:43,760 --> 00:20:45,679 Speaker 1: but God caused them to hear that. 414 00:20:46,960 --> 00:20:51,000 Speaker 2: And if you'll stay open. If you'll stay open. 415 00:20:50,760 --> 00:20:56,240 Speaker 1: To God's wisdom, He'll make sure you hear exactly what you. 416 00:20:56,280 --> 00:20:56,880 Speaker 2: Need to hear. 417 00:20:57,440 --> 00:20:59,640 Speaker 1: It's like this friend of mine. He was going through 418 00:20:59,640 --> 00:21:02,080 Speaker 1: a very very dark time in his life. He was 419 00:21:02,160 --> 00:21:03,240 Speaker 1: down and discouraged. 420 00:21:03,560 --> 00:21:05,280 Speaker 2: He didn't think it would ever end. 421 00:21:05,760 --> 00:21:08,120 Speaker 1: And one morning early he was praying, he just said, God, 422 00:21:08,200 --> 00:21:09,320 Speaker 1: you got us speak to me. 423 00:21:09,400 --> 00:21:10,600 Speaker 2: I need some encouragement. 424 00:21:10,920 --> 00:21:12,800 Speaker 1: He went over and opened up his Bible and flipped 425 00:21:12,800 --> 00:21:15,120 Speaker 1: to it and just pointed to a scripture. First thing 426 00:21:15,200 --> 00:21:19,040 Speaker 1: he read was and it came to pass. That just 427 00:21:19,160 --> 00:21:22,200 Speaker 1: jumped out at him. It wasn't even in the right context. 428 00:21:22,520 --> 00:21:24,639 Speaker 1: The scripture was about to tell a story, and it 429 00:21:24,680 --> 00:21:27,920 Speaker 1: came to pass, so and so happened. Yet God illuminated 430 00:21:27,960 --> 00:21:30,320 Speaker 1: that one little phrase, and he knew right then and 431 00:21:30,359 --> 00:21:33,199 Speaker 1: there that that situation was not going to last forever. 432 00:21:33,560 --> 00:21:36,119 Speaker 2: It had come to pass. And no doubt, every one 433 00:21:36,160 --> 00:21:37,520 Speaker 2: of us we've probably done the same thing. 434 00:21:37,560 --> 00:21:39,640 Speaker 1: We've opened it up, put our finger there, and God 435 00:21:39,720 --> 00:21:42,600 Speaker 1: spoken a word to us. Of course, that doesn't happen 436 00:21:42,680 --> 00:21:45,600 Speaker 1: every time. This one man told how he was really 437 00:21:45,640 --> 00:21:47,560 Speaker 1: down and he flipped in his Bible and he pointed, 438 00:21:47,560 --> 00:21:50,000 Speaker 1: and the first thing he read was and Judas went 439 00:21:50,000 --> 00:21:54,399 Speaker 1: out and hanged himself, and he got real, real nervous, 440 00:21:54,440 --> 00:21:56,399 Speaker 1: and he flipped to another passage and he pointed, and 441 00:21:56,440 --> 00:21:57,960 Speaker 1: it said, go and do thou. 442 00:21:58,080 --> 00:22:02,639 Speaker 2: Likewise may not always. 443 00:22:02,240 --> 00:22:07,440 Speaker 1: Work, but the scripture says in proverbs, if we will 444 00:22:07,480 --> 00:22:11,800 Speaker 1: acknowledge God, he will guide and direct our steps. When 445 00:22:11,840 --> 00:22:14,520 Speaker 1: you have a decision to make and you take time 446 00:22:14,600 --> 00:22:17,840 Speaker 1: to get quiet, you listen to the still small voice, 447 00:22:17,840 --> 00:22:20,080 Speaker 1: you ask for God's wisdom. You know what you're doing. 448 00:22:20,320 --> 00:22:23,920 Speaker 1: You're acknowledging God. When you do that, God has promised 449 00:22:23,960 --> 00:22:27,040 Speaker 1: to guide you. He's promised to even keep you from 450 00:22:27,040 --> 00:22:31,560 Speaker 1: making major mistakes. One time in the Old Testament, Abraham 451 00:22:31,840 --> 00:22:36,000 Speaker 1: and his family were moving to another city and Abraham's wife, Sarah, 452 00:22:36,080 --> 00:22:39,520 Speaker 1: was a very beautiful woman, and Abraham thought that the 453 00:22:39,560 --> 00:22:42,920 Speaker 1: people may try to kill him to have his wife, 454 00:22:43,040 --> 00:22:46,840 Speaker 1: so he told everybody that Sarah was his sister instead 455 00:22:46,840 --> 00:22:50,320 Speaker 1: of his wife. When the king saw how beautiful Sarah was, 456 00:22:50,720 --> 00:22:54,359 Speaker 1: he took her into his harem. One night in a dream, 457 00:22:54,480 --> 00:22:57,359 Speaker 1: God said to this king, how dare you have a 458 00:22:57,400 --> 00:23:00,200 Speaker 1: married woman in here? And the king said, God, what 459 00:23:00,240 --> 00:23:02,879 Speaker 1: are you talking about? I would never do that, And 460 00:23:02,920 --> 00:23:06,479 Speaker 1: God revealed how Sarah was really Abraham's wife. 461 00:23:07,200 --> 00:23:09,920 Speaker 2: Then God said something very interesting to this king. 462 00:23:10,359 --> 00:23:14,879 Speaker 1: He said, because of the integrity of your heart, I 463 00:23:14,920 --> 00:23:18,400 Speaker 1: have kept you from touching her. In other words, because 464 00:23:18,520 --> 00:23:22,440 Speaker 1: your heart was pure, because you were trying to please me, 465 00:23:23,119 --> 00:23:25,760 Speaker 1: I have kept you from making a major mistake. 466 00:23:26,560 --> 00:23:27,240 Speaker 2: That's the key. 467 00:23:27,800 --> 00:23:30,920 Speaker 1: If we can keep our heart pure, if you will 468 00:23:30,960 --> 00:23:34,719 Speaker 1: do your best to do what's right, even when we 469 00:23:34,800 --> 00:23:37,560 Speaker 1: make mistakes, even when we miss it, and we all do, 470 00:23:38,200 --> 00:23:41,560 Speaker 1: because of the integrity of your heart, God will keep 471 00:23:41,560 --> 00:23:45,639 Speaker 1: it from harming you. He'll keep it from doing lasting damage. 472 00:23:45,720 --> 00:23:47,960 Speaker 1: I know that's what happened when we tried to buy 473 00:23:47,960 --> 00:23:50,840 Speaker 1: that property to build a new sanctuary on I found 474 00:23:50,840 --> 00:23:54,040 Speaker 1: this big piece of land. I felt peace about it. 475 00:23:54,560 --> 00:23:57,400 Speaker 1: I thought I was doing the right thing. But God 476 00:23:57,480 --> 00:23:59,960 Speaker 1: knew that wasn't his best. He knew this place was 477 00:24:00,080 --> 00:24:04,080 Speaker 1: coming available, and rather than allowing the deal to go through, 478 00:24:04,760 --> 00:24:07,239 Speaker 1: rather than allowing us to buy it and have our 479 00:24:07,280 --> 00:24:08,680 Speaker 1: money tied up, now we've got to go. 480 00:24:08,640 --> 00:24:10,280 Speaker 2: Try to sell it so we can get this place. 481 00:24:10,640 --> 00:24:13,640 Speaker 1: I believe because of the integrity of our heart, God 482 00:24:13,680 --> 00:24:17,960 Speaker 1: closed that door. He kept that from happening. Sometimes we 483 00:24:18,040 --> 00:24:20,560 Speaker 1: don't know what the best thing is. We think we're 484 00:24:20,560 --> 00:24:24,480 Speaker 1: making the right decision. We have good intentions, but God 485 00:24:24,560 --> 00:24:27,679 Speaker 1: loves us too much to allow us to have our way. 486 00:24:27,880 --> 00:24:30,520 Speaker 1: If we'll keep our heart pure, he'll keep us from 487 00:24:30,560 --> 00:24:33,960 Speaker 1: making a mistake. Now, every time I'm about to take 488 00:24:34,000 --> 00:24:37,560 Speaker 1: a step of faith, make a major decision, I'll say, God, 489 00:24:38,200 --> 00:24:40,800 Speaker 1: I believe, to the best of my ability, I'm doing 490 00:24:40,800 --> 00:24:41,680 Speaker 1: what you want me to do. 491 00:24:41,960 --> 00:24:43,600 Speaker 2: God, I believe this is your will. 492 00:24:43,960 --> 00:24:46,800 Speaker 1: So I'm asking you God, because of the integrity of 493 00:24:46,800 --> 00:24:49,280 Speaker 1: my heart, keep me from making a mistake. 494 00:24:49,960 --> 00:24:52,280 Speaker 2: That takes all the pressure off of me. Now I 495 00:24:52,280 --> 00:24:55,320 Speaker 2: can relax. See, we're not supposed to go. 496 00:24:55,359 --> 00:24:59,439 Speaker 1: Round worried, wondering if we made the right decision, beating 497 00:24:59,440 --> 00:25:00,520 Speaker 1: ourselves up up when. 498 00:25:00,359 --> 00:25:01,240 Speaker 2: Something went wrong. 499 00:25:01,920 --> 00:25:04,240 Speaker 1: Now, if you had peace about it and you took 500 00:25:04,280 --> 00:25:06,720 Speaker 1: a step of faith and it didn't work out, well, 501 00:25:06,880 --> 00:25:10,760 Speaker 1: God knows what's best. Don't condemn yourself, and don't go 502 00:25:10,880 --> 00:25:15,120 Speaker 1: around second guessing yourself. I hear too many people saying, well, Joel, 503 00:25:15,440 --> 00:25:18,040 Speaker 1: maybe I just shouldn't have taken this job, Maybe I 504 00:25:18,119 --> 00:25:20,520 Speaker 1: missed it. Maybe I shouldn't have married this person. Maybe 505 00:25:20,560 --> 00:25:22,840 Speaker 1: I shouldn't have gone back to school. Now Once you 506 00:25:22,920 --> 00:25:26,040 Speaker 1: make a decision, you need to move forward, it says 507 00:25:26,080 --> 00:25:29,920 Speaker 1: in James, A double minded person is unstable in all 508 00:25:29,960 --> 00:25:34,399 Speaker 1: their ways. If you're always second guessing yourself, beating yourself 509 00:25:34,480 --> 00:25:37,040 Speaker 1: up because something didn't work out, that's going to affect 510 00:25:37,080 --> 00:25:39,679 Speaker 1: you in every area of your life. When you have 511 00:25:39,720 --> 00:25:42,840 Speaker 1: a decision to make, just do your best. Search your heart, 512 00:25:43,359 --> 00:25:45,480 Speaker 1: make sure it lines up with God's word, ask for 513 00:25:45,560 --> 00:25:47,720 Speaker 1: godly counsel if you need it, and then if you 514 00:25:47,760 --> 00:25:50,480 Speaker 1: still feel good about it, move forward and don't ever 515 00:25:50,520 --> 00:25:52,520 Speaker 1: look back even if it doesn't work out. 516 00:25:52,600 --> 00:25:54,359 Speaker 2: Don't go around condemning yourself. 517 00:25:55,119 --> 00:25:58,560 Speaker 1: God is a god of hearts because you did it 518 00:25:58,600 --> 00:26:01,760 Speaker 1: with the right heart. When you miss it, God is 519 00:26:01,800 --> 00:26:04,320 Speaker 1: so good he'll still turn it around and use it 520 00:26:04,320 --> 00:26:07,600 Speaker 1: to your advantage. Now, I don't know, I don't know 521 00:26:07,680 --> 00:26:11,159 Speaker 1: any person that makes good decisions one hundred percent of 522 00:26:11,200 --> 00:26:15,000 Speaker 1: the time. When we make mistakes, we can learn from them. 523 00:26:15,280 --> 00:26:17,600 Speaker 1: We can grow in our character, but we should not 524 00:26:17,720 --> 00:26:18,719 Speaker 1: condemn ourselves. 525 00:26:19,000 --> 00:26:20,840 Speaker 2: Let it go and do better next time. 526 00:26:21,440 --> 00:26:24,560 Speaker 1: Friends, you can make good choices. Let God guide you 527 00:26:24,640 --> 00:26:27,720 Speaker 1: throughout life. Listen to what he's saying to you, pay 528 00:26:27,760 --> 00:26:29,000 Speaker 1: attention to what you're feeling. 529 00:26:29,040 --> 00:26:29,560 Speaker 2: Down in here. 530 00:26:30,240 --> 00:26:33,399 Speaker 1: Take time every day, especially when you have to make decisions, 531 00:26:33,600 --> 00:26:36,920 Speaker 1: to get quiet before God, and learn not to let 532 00:26:36,920 --> 00:26:37,960 Speaker 1: people pressure you. 533 00:26:38,240 --> 00:26:39,800 Speaker 2: Don't make emotional. 534 00:26:39,280 --> 00:26:43,200 Speaker 1: Decisions, and don't let your dreams consume you to where 535 00:26:43,240 --> 00:26:45,240 Speaker 1: you can't be happy unless they come to pass. 536 00:26:45,800 --> 00:26:49,080 Speaker 2: Let God give you the desires of your heart. I 537 00:26:49,160 --> 00:26:49,520 Speaker 2: know this. 538 00:26:49,640 --> 00:26:53,000 Speaker 1: If you will acknowledge God before you make decisions, God 539 00:26:53,040 --> 00:26:55,600 Speaker 1: has promised he'll not only give you wisdom, He'll not 540 00:26:55,640 --> 00:26:58,119 Speaker 1: only help you find the right choice, but he'llad you 541 00:26:58,359 --> 00:27:01,360 Speaker 1: down the best path you'll live the life of victory. 542 00:27:01,600 --> 00:27:04,520 Speaker 2: God has in story. Amen, do you receive it today? 543 00:27:05,800 --> 00:27:08,480 Speaker 1: Or we never like to close our broadcast without giving 544 00:27:08,480 --> 00:27:11,399 Speaker 1: you an opportunity to make Jesus the lord of your life. 545 00:27:11,560 --> 00:27:15,879 Speaker 1: Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus, I 546 00:27:16,040 --> 00:27:17,160 Speaker 1: repent of my sins. 547 00:27:18,400 --> 00:27:22,280 Speaker 2: Come into my heart. I make you my Lord and savior. 548 00:27:23,720 --> 00:27:26,119 Speaker 1: Well, if you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you 549 00:27:26,160 --> 00:27:29,120 Speaker 1: got born again. Get in a good Bible based church, 550 00:27:29,200 --> 00:27:30,720 Speaker 1: and keep God in first place. 551 00:27:31,000 --> 00:27:33,440 Speaker 2: He's going to take your places that you've never dreamed of. 552 00:27:34,600 --> 00:27:37,480 Speaker 2: This is my Bible. I am what it says, I am. 553 00:27:37,960 --> 00:27:40,439 Speaker 2: I have what it says I have. I can do this. 554 00:27:40,480 --> 00:27:43,359 Speaker 1: As the first Bible that my parents gave me I 555 00:27:43,440 --> 00:27:46,399 Speaker 1: was six years old, they taught me the importance of 556 00:27:46,440 --> 00:27:49,800 Speaker 1: believing what God says about you and letting that determine 557 00:27:49,800 --> 00:27:53,000 Speaker 1: your self image. How through the Scripture you can learn 558 00:27:53,040 --> 00:27:57,480 Speaker 1: to handle challenges and pursue your dreams. Some people tell 559 00:27:57,520 --> 00:28:00,440 Speaker 1: me that the Bible's not practical for them. They don't 560 00:28:00,520 --> 00:28:03,639 Speaker 1: understand it. We've created a new resource called how to 561 00:28:03,680 --> 00:28:07,520 Speaker 1: Read Your Bible and Enjoy It. It provides twelve distinct 562 00:28:07,640 --> 00:28:10,439 Speaker 1: lenses that will help you see the Bible with fresh eyes, 563 00:28:10,840 --> 00:28:14,240 Speaker 1: so you can discover the hidden treasures that increase your faith, 564 00:28:14,720 --> 00:28:16,200 Speaker 1: practical truths. 565 00:28:15,840 --> 00:28:17,960 Speaker 2: That will help you in your everyday life. 566 00:28:18,359 --> 00:28:21,120 Speaker 1: When you tap into the power of God's word, there's 567 00:28:21,160 --> 00:28:22,800 Speaker 1: no limit to where He'll take you. 568 00:28:23,520 --> 00:28:25,879 Speaker 3: As our way of saying thank you for your gift 569 00:28:25,920 --> 00:28:28,680 Speaker 3: of any size to the ministry this month, Joel would 570 00:28:28,720 --> 00:28:32,840 Speaker 3: like to send you this inspiring new resource. Sometimes reading 571 00:28:32,840 --> 00:28:36,360 Speaker 3: the Bible can feel confusing, out of touch, or even 572 00:28:36,440 --> 00:28:40,600 Speaker 3: produce more fear than faith. But now with this new resource, 573 00:28:40,880 --> 00:28:43,680 Speaker 3: how to Read your Bible and Enjoy It, it will 574 00:28:43,720 --> 00:28:46,600 Speaker 3: make the Word of God come alive in new ways. 575 00:28:47,160 --> 00:28:50,680 Speaker 3: You'll discover fresh inspiration on every page of your Bible. 576 00:28:50,960 --> 00:28:54,160 Speaker 3: The twelve lenses give you the power to see the 577 00:28:54,200 --> 00:28:57,719 Speaker 3: Scripture in a whole new light. When you experience the 578 00:28:57,840 --> 00:29:01,280 Speaker 3: right way to approach God's word, it will ignite renewed 579 00:29:01,320 --> 00:29:02,560 Speaker 3: passion in your life. 580 00:29:02,960 --> 00:29:05,720 Speaker 1: When you get God's Word down in you, it brings 581 00:29:05,800 --> 00:29:09,280 Speaker 1: life and victory. This has a great Bible reading plan 582 00:29:09,560 --> 00:29:13,320 Speaker 1: plus introductions to each book. It'll help you enjoy reading 583 00:29:13,360 --> 00:29:16,000 Speaker 1: the Bible. Thanks so much for being a part of 584 00:29:16,040 --> 00:29:18,680 Speaker 1: the ministry. Victoria and I pray for you and your 585 00:29:18,720 --> 00:29:21,360 Speaker 1: family every day and we appreciate your. 586 00:29:21,200 --> 00:29:22,320 Speaker 2: Prayers and support. 587 00:29:22,720 --> 00:29:26,120 Speaker 1: Remember you can watch the services online every Sunday morning, 588 00:29:26,560 --> 00:29:30,160 Speaker 1: download our daily podcast, watch on YouTube, or we have 589 00:29:30,240 --> 00:29:33,280 Speaker 1: a new Joel Ostein television network twenty four hours a. 590 00:29:33,320 --> 00:29:35,680 Speaker 2: Day, and of course syrixxm as well. 591 00:29:36,080 --> 00:29:38,520 Speaker 1: Until we see you next time, May the Lord bless 592 00:29:38,560 --> 00:29:39,600 Speaker 1: you and keep you. 593 00:29:40,160 --> 00:29:42,680 Speaker 3: Be sure to request your copy of How to Read 594 00:29:42,720 --> 00:29:46,800 Speaker 3: Your Bible and Enjoy It today. Visit Joelostein dot com 595 00:29:46,960 --> 00:29:50,720 Speaker 3: or call eight eight eight five six seven Joel call 596 00:29:50,840 --> 00:29:53,360 Speaker 3: or click anytime twenty four hours a day.