1 00:00:00,409 --> 00:00:02,990 Speaker 1: Hey, thanks again for being with us today. Always my 2 00:00:03,190 --> 00:00:05,360 Speaker 1: honor to be able to share God's Word with you 3 00:00:05,380 --> 00:00:08,160 Speaker 1: and hopefully inspire you and encourage you. If you're enjoying 4 00:00:08,180 --> 00:00:10,260 Speaker 1: the podcast, I hope you'll share it with a friend, 5 00:00:10,460 --> 00:00:13,240 Speaker 1: pass it along. Let's inspire some other people as well, 6 00:00:13,289 --> 00:00:14,990 Speaker 1: but know that we love you. It's going to be 7 00:00:15,010 --> 00:00:19,010 Speaker 1: a blessed day for you. God bless you. It's great 8 00:00:19,050 --> 00:00:21,590 Speaker 1: to be with you today. And I hope you'll stay 9 00:00:21,630 --> 00:00:24,570 Speaker 1: connected with us throughout the week. We have a daily 10 00:00:24,680 --> 00:00:27,600 Speaker 1: podcast that you can download. You can go to our 11 00:00:27,660 --> 00:00:31,340 Speaker 1: YouTube channel, watch the messages anytime. You can follow us 12 00:00:31,420 --> 00:00:33,980 Speaker 1: on social media. But I promise you this will keep 13 00:00:34,020 --> 00:00:37,300 Speaker 1: you inspired and encouraged. Thanks again for tuning in though. 14 00:00:37,340 --> 00:00:40,339 Speaker 1: And thank you all for coming out in person. I 15 00:00:40,380 --> 00:00:42,770 Speaker 1: like to start with something funny. And I heard about 16 00:00:42,810 --> 00:00:47,680 Speaker 1: this husband that died. He left his wife $ 20, 000. After 17 00:00:47,720 --> 00:00:50,480 Speaker 1: the funeral, his wife told a friend that she was 18 00:00:50,600 --> 00:00:53,370 Speaker 1: totally broke. The friend said, what do you mean? I 19 00:00:53,390 --> 00:00:56,530 Speaker 1: thought you said you had 20,000. She said, I did, 20 00:00:56,890 --> 00:01:00,900 Speaker 1: but I spent 5,000 on the funeral and 15,000 on 21 00:01:00,940 --> 00:01:04,260 Speaker 1: the memorial stone. The friend said, wow, that must have 22 00:01:04,280 --> 00:01:07,060 Speaker 1: been some kind of stone. How big was it? She 23 00:01:07,120 --> 00:01:09,490 Speaker 1: held up her finger and said, three and a half carats. 24 00:01:11,130 --> 00:01:13,750 Speaker 1: Say it like you mean it. This is my Bible. 25 00:01:14,250 --> 00:01:16,690 Speaker 1: I am what it says I am. I have what 26 00:01:16,709 --> 00:01:19,100 Speaker 1: it says I have. I can do what it says 27 00:01:19,180 --> 00:01:21,960 Speaker 1: I can do. Today, I will be taught the Word 28 00:01:22,000 --> 00:01:26,340 Speaker 1: of God. I boldly confess my mind is alert. My 29 00:01:26,400 --> 00:01:30,780 Speaker 1: heart is receptive. I will never be the same. In Jesus' name, 30 00:01:31,120 --> 00:01:34,390 Speaker 1: God bless you. I want to talk to you today 31 00:01:34,450 --> 00:01:38,390 Speaker 1: about can you handle the blessings? We all love to 32 00:01:38,430 --> 00:01:42,630 Speaker 1: be blessed, to see new doors opening, our business taking off. 33 00:01:43,090 --> 00:01:45,450 Speaker 1: We meet the person of our dreams or we move 34 00:01:45,490 --> 00:01:48,460 Speaker 1: into that new house. We know that's God taking us 35 00:01:48,600 --> 00:01:51,920 Speaker 1: where we can't go on our own. But here's the key. 36 00:01:52,260 --> 00:01:57,020 Speaker 1: The blessing doesn't come by itself. Jesus told his disciples 37 00:01:57,140 --> 00:02:03,140 Speaker 1: in Mark chapter 10, anything you give up for my sake, houses, property, people, 38 00:02:03,620 --> 00:02:09,180 Speaker 1: you will receive in this life a hundredfold return with persecution. 39 00:02:10,060 --> 00:02:12,200 Speaker 1: He could have said, I'm going to give you the blessing, 40 00:02:12,600 --> 00:02:16,139 Speaker 1: the houses, the resources, the promotion, and left it there. 41 00:02:16,880 --> 00:02:19,980 Speaker 1: But he added this asterisk, so to speak, and said, 42 00:02:20,020 --> 00:02:23,480 Speaker 1: I'm going to bless you, but with that blessing is 43 00:02:23,500 --> 00:02:28,660 Speaker 1: going to come opposition, jealousy, criticism, people that are not 44 00:02:28,740 --> 00:02:32,020 Speaker 1: for you. The question is not so much can you 45 00:02:32,080 --> 00:02:36,620 Speaker 1: handle the blessing? The question is can you handle the persecution? 46 00:02:37,340 --> 00:02:42,850 Speaker 1: Can you handle being misunderstood, talked about, left out? Everyone 47 00:02:42,970 --> 00:02:46,570 Speaker 1: is not going to celebrate your success. All your friends 48 00:02:46,750 --> 00:02:50,230 Speaker 1: won't be happy when you get that promotion. All your 49 00:02:50,290 --> 00:02:53,440 Speaker 1: relatives won't cheer you on when you move into that 50 00:02:53,500 --> 00:02:57,420 Speaker 1: new house. when your business increases, when you get engaged, 51 00:02:58,040 --> 00:03:01,200 Speaker 1: the favor on your life will stir up the jealousy, 52 00:03:01,560 --> 00:03:06,130 Speaker 1: the competition, the envy in certain people. Don't get upset. 53 00:03:06,710 --> 00:03:09,890 Speaker 1: It's not about you. It's about the blessing on your life. 54 00:03:10,650 --> 00:03:14,670 Speaker 1: You can't have the blessing without some kind of persecution. 55 00:03:15,430 --> 00:03:17,809 Speaker 1: If you're going to be blessed on a greater level, 56 00:03:18,310 --> 00:03:21,620 Speaker 1: you're going to be persecuted on a greater level. If 57 00:03:21,660 --> 00:03:25,049 Speaker 1: you can handle the persecution, then God can trust you 58 00:03:25,150 --> 00:03:29,730 Speaker 1: with the blessing. As long as you're going to be offended, upset, 59 00:03:30,090 --> 00:03:33,890 Speaker 1: fight with people, then the blessing wouldn't be a blessing. 60 00:03:34,570 --> 00:03:38,840 Speaker 1: You have to pass the test of overlooking insults, ignoring 61 00:03:38,900 --> 00:03:42,120 Speaker 1: what people are saying, not paying attention to the critics, 62 00:03:42,520 --> 00:03:46,220 Speaker 1: those trying to discredit you. They wouldn't be talking if 63 00:03:46,240 --> 00:03:48,970 Speaker 1: you weren't making a difference, if you weren't a leader, 64 00:03:49,310 --> 00:03:53,680 Speaker 1: if you weren't shining brightly. Let God deal with the naysayers. 65 00:03:54,260 --> 00:03:56,620 Speaker 1: Let God take care of those that are trying to 66 00:03:56,660 --> 00:03:59,750 Speaker 1: make you look bad, trying to stir up trouble, leaving 67 00:03:59,770 --> 00:04:04,589 Speaker 1: you out. Some people can't handle your success. They were 68 00:04:04,670 --> 00:04:07,410 Speaker 1: fine as long as you were at their level. They 69 00:04:07,450 --> 00:04:09,830 Speaker 1: had no problem as long as you were in the 70 00:04:09,870 --> 00:04:13,050 Speaker 1: same department, as long as you were single like them, 71 00:04:13,550 --> 00:04:16,460 Speaker 1: as long as you lived in their neighborhood. But when 72 00:04:16,520 --> 00:04:19,360 Speaker 1: God blesses you in a greater way, it can stir 73 00:04:19,420 --> 00:04:23,430 Speaker 1: things up. You have to be okay with them not 74 00:04:23,490 --> 00:04:27,610 Speaker 1: being okay with you. Your time is too valuable to 75 00:04:27,670 --> 00:04:31,680 Speaker 1: worry about what people think about you. Your assignment is 76 00:04:31,740 --> 00:04:35,200 Speaker 1: too important to try to convince everyone to like you. 77 00:04:36,040 --> 00:04:39,239 Speaker 1: Don't waste your time and energy trying to make someone 78 00:04:39,300 --> 00:04:43,020 Speaker 1: before you that's never going to be for you. You 79 00:04:43,060 --> 00:04:46,400 Speaker 1: don't need everyone to celebrate you. You don't need all 80 00:04:46,440 --> 00:04:50,380 Speaker 1: your coworkers, all your relatives to cheer you on. If 81 00:04:50,420 --> 00:04:54,380 Speaker 1: you become too dependent on people, what they think, do 82 00:04:54,400 --> 00:04:58,370 Speaker 1: they validate me? Are they happy with my success? Then 83 00:04:58,410 --> 00:05:02,110 Speaker 1: if they don't meet your expectations, if they don't approve you, 84 00:05:02,510 --> 00:05:06,250 Speaker 1: you'll spend your time trying to get their approval. Upset 85 00:05:06,490 --> 00:05:10,050 Speaker 1: because they're not for you. Don't look to people, look 86 00:05:10,089 --> 00:05:15,050 Speaker 1: to God. People can get jealous. People can be competitive, moody. 87 00:05:15,330 --> 00:05:18,589 Speaker 1: You don't need their approval. You have almighty God's approval. 88 00:05:19,710 --> 00:05:22,610 Speaker 1: When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, it was a 89 00:05:22,680 --> 00:05:26,400 Speaker 1: great miracle. You would think everyone would be happy. Everyone 90 00:05:26,440 --> 00:05:29,700 Speaker 1: would celebrate that this man had life again. He could 91 00:05:29,740 --> 00:05:33,680 Speaker 1: see his children. He could go enjoy his family. But 92 00:05:33,720 --> 00:05:37,180 Speaker 1: the leaders in the synagogue were jealous. They didn't like 93 00:05:37,240 --> 00:05:40,400 Speaker 1: the fact that it brought more attention to Jesus. They 94 00:05:40,440 --> 00:05:43,820 Speaker 1: were already plotting to kill him. But the scripture says 95 00:05:44,310 --> 00:05:49,339 Speaker 1: the religious leaders decided to kill Lazarus too. Here, Lazarus, 96 00:05:49,440 --> 00:05:52,340 Speaker 1: all he did was come back to life. Wasn't even 97 00:05:52,400 --> 00:05:55,900 Speaker 1: his choice. God chose to bless him, to make him 98 00:05:56,020 --> 00:06:00,039 Speaker 1: an example of his goodness. But with that great blessing 99 00:06:00,380 --> 00:06:04,120 Speaker 1: came great persecution. If God is going to bless you 100 00:06:04,240 --> 00:06:06,640 Speaker 1: in a greater way, you have to be able to 101 00:06:06,700 --> 00:06:11,650 Speaker 1: handle greater persecution. Don't get upset when people turn on you. 102 00:06:12,310 --> 00:06:15,890 Speaker 1: Don't be revengeful and use your influence to pay them back. 103 00:06:16,600 --> 00:06:20,790 Speaker 1: live bitter, always thinking about what they said, ignore it. 104 00:06:21,500 --> 00:06:25,580 Speaker 1: Don't give it the time of day. Keep shining, keep dreaming, 105 00:06:25,850 --> 00:06:29,029 Speaker 1: keep being good to people, and God will take care 106 00:06:29,170 --> 00:06:32,950 Speaker 1: of the persecutors. He'll deal with the critics, the jealous people, 107 00:06:33,150 --> 00:06:38,590 Speaker 1: the opposition. What's interesting is the religious leaders never did 108 00:06:38,650 --> 00:06:42,150 Speaker 1: kill Lazarus. They came up with a plan. They had 109 00:06:42,190 --> 00:06:46,980 Speaker 1: a strategy, but it never succeeded. That's because people can't 110 00:06:47,040 --> 00:06:51,250 Speaker 1: stop your destiny. The blessing on your life is greater 111 00:06:51,290 --> 00:06:54,490 Speaker 1: than any force that's trying to hold you back. Now 112 00:06:54,529 --> 00:06:57,830 Speaker 1: don't stay focused on the persecution. Why did they turn 113 00:06:57,890 --> 00:07:00,490 Speaker 1: on me? Why are they talking about me? Why aren't 114 00:07:00,529 --> 00:07:05,400 Speaker 1: they for me? It's because the blessing comes with persecution. 115 00:07:06,100 --> 00:07:10,340 Speaker 1: It's a test. Can you handle the opposition, the jealousy, 116 00:07:10,640 --> 00:07:14,380 Speaker 1: the people stirring up trouble? You know who gets jealous 117 00:07:14,480 --> 00:07:20,430 Speaker 1: when you succeed? Small-minded people. Small-minded people think you going 118 00:07:20,590 --> 00:07:23,150 Speaker 1: up makes them look bad, so they try to pull 119 00:07:23,190 --> 00:07:27,190 Speaker 1: you down. Instead of believing that what God did for you, 120 00:07:27,530 --> 00:07:31,570 Speaker 1: he can do for them, they start criticizing, finding fault, 121 00:07:31,810 --> 00:07:35,150 Speaker 1: trying to make you look bad. They think God's favor 122 00:07:35,270 --> 00:07:38,940 Speaker 1: is limited, that you being blessed is keeping them from 123 00:07:38,980 --> 00:07:43,770 Speaker 1: rising higher. They don't realize God has unlimited favor. What 124 00:07:43,790 --> 00:07:46,830 Speaker 1: he's done for you, he can do for them. I've 125 00:07:46,890 --> 00:07:49,610 Speaker 1: seen this in my own life. God has taken me 126 00:07:49,650 --> 00:07:53,900 Speaker 1: places that I've never dreamed. I recognize that it's his goodness. 127 00:07:54,280 --> 00:07:56,980 Speaker 1: I couldn't have done this on my own. There have 128 00:07:57,000 --> 00:08:01,990 Speaker 1: been many friends, family members, other ministers that have celebrated 129 00:08:02,110 --> 00:08:04,490 Speaker 1: what God has done in my life. People that have 130 00:08:04,530 --> 00:08:08,600 Speaker 1: been very for me. I've noticed how certain ministers that 131 00:08:08,630 --> 00:08:12,460 Speaker 1: were behind me, happy for my success, cheered me on. 132 00:08:13,040 --> 00:08:16,500 Speaker 1: God has blessed them in great ways. They've seen increase 133 00:08:16,560 --> 00:08:20,370 Speaker 1: and favor and continue to rise higher. But there were 134 00:08:20,380 --> 00:08:23,970 Speaker 1: a few ministers that weren't for me. They didn't know me, 135 00:08:24,330 --> 00:08:28,130 Speaker 1: but they were hard, critical, jealous. They tried to stir 136 00:08:28,210 --> 00:08:32,100 Speaker 1: up trouble. I didn't pay any attention. I didn't get bitter, 137 00:08:32,440 --> 00:08:35,600 Speaker 1: talk badly about them. I just kept running my race, 138 00:08:35,920 --> 00:08:38,839 Speaker 1: doing what I've been called to do. I understand this 139 00:08:38,920 --> 00:08:43,860 Speaker 1: principle that with the blessing comes persecution. And I've noticed 140 00:08:43,900 --> 00:08:47,380 Speaker 1: that these ministers that were very hard and critical have 141 00:08:47,440 --> 00:08:50,780 Speaker 1: seen very little growth. In fact, some of them have 142 00:08:50,820 --> 00:08:55,040 Speaker 1: gone way down. It's because they can't handle the blessing. 143 00:08:55,780 --> 00:08:58,319 Speaker 1: If you can't celebrate people that are ahead of you, 144 00:08:59,030 --> 00:09:01,970 Speaker 1: If you can't be happy when they get promoted, when 145 00:09:01,990 --> 00:09:05,370 Speaker 1: their child gets a scholarship, when they get married, when 146 00:09:05,390 --> 00:09:09,310 Speaker 1: their dream comes to pass, that's going to limit how 147 00:09:09,410 --> 00:09:21,720 Speaker 1: high God will take you. Don't have a small-minded mentality. 148 00:09:22,460 --> 00:09:26,070 Speaker 1: Your friend being promoted doesn't mean that God can't promote you. 149 00:09:26,880 --> 00:09:31,520 Speaker 1: Your family member moving into that nice house shouldn't intimidate you. 150 00:09:31,880 --> 00:09:35,100 Speaker 1: It should inspire you. God didn't run out of favor. 151 00:09:35,340 --> 00:09:37,069 Speaker 1: If he did it for them, he could do it 152 00:09:37,110 --> 00:09:40,850 Speaker 1: for you. Now, I believe that God is about to 153 00:09:40,890 --> 00:09:47,710 Speaker 1: release greater blessings, greater influence, greater resources, favor that you 154 00:09:47,750 --> 00:09:51,180 Speaker 1: haven't seen. But for this to happen, you have to 155 00:09:51,220 --> 00:09:54,199 Speaker 1: be able to handle the blessings. You have to get 156 00:09:54,240 --> 00:09:58,109 Speaker 1: to the point where you're not bothered by persecution. You're 157 00:09:58,150 --> 00:10:01,800 Speaker 1: okay with people not liking you. You're not defensive when 158 00:10:01,840 --> 00:10:05,460 Speaker 1: people don't understand. You don't live bitter because they won't 159 00:10:05,500 --> 00:10:08,870 Speaker 1: be for you. If you'll show God that you can 160 00:10:08,900 --> 00:10:12,390 Speaker 1: handle the blessing, he'll open doors that you could never open. 161 00:10:12,890 --> 00:10:16,170 Speaker 1: He'll cause opportunity, the right people to come to you, 162 00:10:16,610 --> 00:10:21,590 Speaker 1: favor that will thrust you ahead. In Genesis 26, there 163 00:10:21,630 --> 00:10:24,430 Speaker 1: was a great famine in the land. The people had 164 00:10:24,510 --> 00:10:29,120 Speaker 1: very little food. God told Isaac to not leave, but 165 00:10:29,160 --> 00:10:31,839 Speaker 1: to stay in the city of Gerar, and God would 166 00:10:31,880 --> 00:10:36,320 Speaker 1: bless him there. It was controlled by the Philistines. Everything 167 00:10:36,360 --> 00:10:40,620 Speaker 1: was fine, friendly neighbors. Then Isaac went out and planted 168 00:10:40,679 --> 00:10:44,320 Speaker 1: his crops. He stepped out in faith and sowed seeds 169 00:10:44,460 --> 00:10:47,949 Speaker 1: in a time of famine. Didn't make sense. I can 170 00:10:48,030 --> 00:10:52,130 Speaker 1: imagine his neighbors laughing, Isaac, what are you doing? We're 171 00:10:52,170 --> 00:10:55,760 Speaker 1: in a drought. There's no water for your crops. But 172 00:10:55,800 --> 00:11:00,520 Speaker 1: the scripture says that same year, Isaac harvested a hundred 173 00:11:00,580 --> 00:11:05,360 Speaker 1: times what he planted. It's significant that Jesus said you 174 00:11:05,380 --> 00:11:08,300 Speaker 1: would receive a hundredfold what you give up for the 175 00:11:08,370 --> 00:11:12,630 Speaker 1: cause of Christ. Here's this hundred times harvest. In the 176 00:11:12,710 --> 00:11:16,349 Speaker 1: middle of the famine, Isaac was blessed in a great way. 177 00:11:17,190 --> 00:11:21,110 Speaker 1: Verse 13 says, he became a wealthy man and his 178 00:11:21,210 --> 00:11:25,479 Speaker 1: wealth continued to increase. He acquired large flocks of sheep, 179 00:11:25,860 --> 00:11:29,580 Speaker 1: great herds of cattle, and many staff. He was blessed 180 00:11:29,720 --> 00:11:35,209 Speaker 1: in abundance. The next verse says, soon the Philistines became jealous. 181 00:11:36,070 --> 00:11:40,360 Speaker 1: Didn't take long before the blessing stirred up trouble. It's 182 00:11:40,420 --> 00:11:44,109 Speaker 1: funny how when you step out in faith, like Isaac, 183 00:11:44,130 --> 00:11:48,810 Speaker 1: you're obedient. You stretch, take risks, pray and believe God 184 00:11:48,870 --> 00:11:53,390 Speaker 1: blesses you. Then people get jealous. The fact is the 185 00:11:53,429 --> 00:11:56,980 Speaker 1: Philistines could have planted their crops. They could have stepped 186 00:11:57,059 --> 00:12:00,500 Speaker 1: out in faith, but people that won't do what you're 187 00:12:00,540 --> 00:12:03,439 Speaker 1: willing to do will be quick to find fault when 188 00:12:03,460 --> 00:12:08,240 Speaker 1: you're blessed. The Philistines had no problem with Isaac. as 189 00:12:08,300 --> 00:12:10,940 Speaker 1: long as he was suffering. But as soon as God 190 00:12:11,000 --> 00:12:14,480 Speaker 1: blessed him, as soon as his business took off, as 191 00:12:14,559 --> 00:12:18,550 Speaker 1: soon as he stood out, they became jealous. Critical started 192 00:12:18,610 --> 00:12:21,970 Speaker 1: finding fault. And they didn't just talk about him, they 193 00:12:22,050 --> 00:12:25,290 Speaker 1: clogged up his wells. They filled them full of dirt. 194 00:12:26,050 --> 00:12:29,290 Speaker 1: The king said, Isaac, you've become too wealthy and too 195 00:12:29,370 --> 00:12:33,830 Speaker 1: powerful for us. You have to move somewhere else. Isaac 196 00:12:33,870 --> 00:12:37,250 Speaker 1: could have argued, I'm not leaving. This is my property. 197 00:12:38,040 --> 00:12:43,600 Speaker 1: He could have been baited into conflict, started fighting the Philistines. Instead, 198 00:12:43,740 --> 00:12:47,500 Speaker 1: he moved to the valley and lived there. He understood 199 00:12:47,860 --> 00:12:54,000 Speaker 1: with the blessing comes persecution. The Philistines couldn't handle his success. 200 00:12:54,679 --> 00:12:58,770 Speaker 1: The king admitted, you're too powerful for us. It wasn't 201 00:12:58,929 --> 00:13:02,570 Speaker 1: about Isaac. He didn't take it personally. It was about 202 00:13:02,610 --> 00:13:06,650 Speaker 1: the blessing on his life. When people don't accept you, 203 00:13:07,070 --> 00:13:10,150 Speaker 1: when they leave you out, they try to stir up conflict, 204 00:13:10,670 --> 00:13:14,150 Speaker 1: don't take it personally. It's not about you. It's about 205 00:13:14,190 --> 00:13:17,370 Speaker 1: the favor that God's put on you. If you can't 206 00:13:17,429 --> 00:13:21,710 Speaker 1: handle the persecution, then God won't trust you with the blessing. 207 00:13:22,850 --> 00:13:26,290 Speaker 1: Are you upset over who's against you? Who turned on you? 208 00:13:26,500 --> 00:13:30,400 Speaker 1: Who's talking about you? It comes with the blessings. But 209 00:13:30,440 --> 00:13:32,720 Speaker 1: if you get bent out of shape every time you 210 00:13:32,760 --> 00:13:36,600 Speaker 1: face persecution, that's going to keep you from the abundance 211 00:13:36,860 --> 00:13:41,199 Speaker 1: that belongs to you. With great favor comes great haters. 212 00:13:41,880 --> 00:13:46,360 Speaker 1: With great abundance comes great opposition. With great blessing comes 213 00:13:46,440 --> 00:13:50,690 Speaker 1: great persecution. We pray for the blessings. God, give me 214 00:13:50,750 --> 00:13:55,800 Speaker 1: great favor. great influence, great ideas. That's good. I believe 215 00:13:55,840 --> 00:13:58,900 Speaker 1: in asking big, but we should add to that prayer 216 00:13:59,320 --> 00:14:03,180 Speaker 1: and God help me to endure great persecution. Help me 217 00:14:03,220 --> 00:14:06,260 Speaker 1: to not live bitter, try to pay people back. Help 218 00:14:06,300 --> 00:14:08,860 Speaker 1: me to stay on the high road and trust you 219 00:14:09,000 --> 00:14:13,020 Speaker 1: to fight my battles. It's not a coincidence that Isaac 220 00:14:13,120 --> 00:14:16,840 Speaker 1: experienced one of the greatest blessings of his life. In 221 00:14:16,860 --> 00:14:20,090 Speaker 1: the middle of the famine, against all odds, the scripture 222 00:14:20,150 --> 00:14:24,570 Speaker 1: says his harvest was tremendous. A hundred times what he planted. 223 00:14:25,570 --> 00:14:28,910 Speaker 1: If it stopped there, it would be great. Blessings with 224 00:14:28,980 --> 00:14:32,880 Speaker 1: no trouble. Blessings with everyone happy for you. Blessings with 225 00:14:33,040 --> 00:14:36,280 Speaker 1: all your friends celebrating. But it goes on to say, 226 00:14:36,640 --> 00:14:41,520 Speaker 1: soon the Philistines were jealous. When you see great blessing, 227 00:14:41,940 --> 00:14:46,170 Speaker 1: soon someone will not understand. Soon a family member will 228 00:14:46,210 --> 00:14:49,790 Speaker 1: get jealous. Soon a coworker will try to stir up trouble. 229 00:14:50,650 --> 00:14:53,800 Speaker 1: And this is not to discourage you, but to prepare you. 230 00:14:54,580 --> 00:14:57,660 Speaker 1: If you're prepared, you don't get bitter. You don't try 231 00:14:57,700 --> 00:15:00,850 Speaker 1: to straighten them out. You do like Isaac and say, God, 232 00:15:00,920 --> 00:15:04,770 Speaker 1: I know with the blessing comes persecution, so I'm going 233 00:15:04,790 --> 00:15:07,970 Speaker 1: to pass this test. Father, thank you that you're in control. 234 00:15:08,230 --> 00:15:10,750 Speaker 1: Thank you that you're fighting my battles. Thank you that 235 00:15:10,810 --> 00:15:14,720 Speaker 1: what you started, no person can stop. Stay on the 236 00:15:14,740 --> 00:15:20,360 Speaker 1: high road. Don't pay attention to jealous, small-minded people. Joel, 237 00:15:20,400 --> 00:15:23,520 Speaker 1: they clogged up my wells. They did me wrong. God 238 00:15:23,640 --> 00:15:26,820 Speaker 1: saw it. He blessed you in the famine. Do you 239 00:15:26,900 --> 00:15:29,920 Speaker 1: think they can stop him from blessing you again? He 240 00:15:29,980 --> 00:15:33,480 Speaker 1: knows how to unclog wells. He knows how to silence 241 00:15:33,520 --> 00:15:37,730 Speaker 1: your accusers. The scripture says those that have hated you 242 00:15:38,090 --> 00:15:42,030 Speaker 1: will be put to shame. Their humiliation will be obvious 243 00:15:42,070 --> 00:15:45,710 Speaker 1: to all. And sometimes the way God pays you back 244 00:15:46,070 --> 00:15:48,989 Speaker 1: is he keeps blessing you when others are trying to 245 00:15:49,050 --> 00:15:52,460 Speaker 1: discredit you. He keeps taking you up when they're doing 246 00:15:52,500 --> 00:15:55,620 Speaker 1: their best to pull you down. I worked behind the 247 00:15:55,680 --> 00:15:59,300 Speaker 1: scenes here at Lakewood for 17 years. When my father 248 00:15:59,350 --> 00:16:01,730 Speaker 1: went to be with the Lord, I stepped up to 249 00:16:01,790 --> 00:16:04,550 Speaker 1: pastor the church. I didn't think I would ever be 250 00:16:04,610 --> 00:16:07,870 Speaker 1: a minister, but God suddenly took me from the background 251 00:16:07,930 --> 00:16:12,130 Speaker 1: to the foreground. Much to my surprise, the church started growing. 252 00:16:12,670 --> 00:16:16,450 Speaker 1: People started coming and watching in record numbers. With all 253 00:16:16,510 --> 00:16:21,080 Speaker 1: this influence and favor came persecution. I had never dealt 254 00:16:21,120 --> 00:16:24,260 Speaker 1: with that. When I was behind the scenes, I didn't 255 00:16:24,280 --> 00:16:27,180 Speaker 1: have any enemies to speak of and people that would 256 00:16:27,220 --> 00:16:30,420 Speaker 1: try to discredit me. I had to learn what I'm 257 00:16:30,480 --> 00:16:34,200 Speaker 1: telling you. Here's the key. The grace is there to 258 00:16:34,280 --> 00:16:38,280 Speaker 1: handle it. God doesn't let you face anything that's too much. 259 00:16:38,880 --> 00:16:41,940 Speaker 1: You have what it takes to not be offended, to 260 00:16:42,000 --> 00:16:45,380 Speaker 1: not live defensive, to not let what they say get 261 00:16:45,440 --> 00:16:48,320 Speaker 1: down in your spirit. God wouldn't have given you the 262 00:16:48,360 --> 00:16:51,930 Speaker 1: blessing if he hasn't given you the grace to handle it. 263 00:16:52,940 --> 00:16:56,660 Speaker 1: This doesn't happen automatically. You have to rule your emotions. 264 00:16:57,340 --> 00:17:00,320 Speaker 1: You have to not dwell on the offense, not think 265 00:17:00,360 --> 00:17:03,440 Speaker 1: about what they said. When you're tempted to get bitter, 266 00:17:03,920 --> 00:17:07,879 Speaker 1: get upset, take that same time to thank God for 267 00:17:07,920 --> 00:17:12,790 Speaker 1: how he blessed you. Don't let jealous people steal your blessings. 268 00:17:13,609 --> 00:17:16,609 Speaker 1: Don't let critical people, people that are never going to 269 00:17:16,650 --> 00:17:19,930 Speaker 1: be for you, keep you from the greatness that God 270 00:17:19,970 --> 00:17:24,910 Speaker 1: put in you. Jesus had many critics. Many people said 271 00:17:25,190 --> 00:17:28,630 Speaker 1: hurtful things, things that were untrue. He could have straightened 272 00:17:28,650 --> 00:17:32,379 Speaker 1: them out, spent time arguing, trying to change their mind. 273 00:17:33,060 --> 00:17:36,459 Speaker 1: But the scripture says he answered them not a word. 274 00:17:37,260 --> 00:17:40,440 Speaker 1: He didn't give them the time of day. Don't waste 275 00:17:40,460 --> 00:17:44,609 Speaker 1: your time trying to change your critic's mind. Don't argue 276 00:17:44,650 --> 00:17:47,890 Speaker 1: with people that don't matter. What they think of you 277 00:17:48,310 --> 00:17:51,760 Speaker 1: is not going to stop your destiny. Their opinion is 278 00:17:51,820 --> 00:17:55,080 Speaker 1: not going to keep you from your purpose. That negative 279 00:17:55,140 --> 00:17:59,340 Speaker 1: chatter is a distraction. It's the enemy trying to bait 280 00:17:59,400 --> 00:18:03,500 Speaker 1: you into conflict to get you off course. You can't 281 00:18:03,560 --> 00:18:07,400 Speaker 1: stop what they're saying, but you can ignore it. You 282 00:18:07,440 --> 00:18:10,490 Speaker 1: can not let it get down in your spirit. You 283 00:18:10,510 --> 00:18:14,170 Speaker 1: don't have to respond to the negative. A response gives 284 00:18:14,210 --> 00:18:19,710 Speaker 1: that person credibility. Don't validate what they're saying by answering them. 285 00:18:20,010 --> 00:18:23,160 Speaker 1: You have a destiny to fulfill. You have an assignment 286 00:18:23,200 --> 00:18:27,740 Speaker 1: to accomplish. Do like Jesus and ignore him. This was 287 00:18:27,859 --> 00:18:32,040 Speaker 1: difficult for me at first. My personality type is to 288 00:18:32,080 --> 00:18:34,740 Speaker 1: want everybody to like me. But I had to learn 289 00:18:34,790 --> 00:18:37,590 Speaker 1: that some people are not going to like you and 290 00:18:37,609 --> 00:18:41,350 Speaker 1: that's okay. Some people are not going to accept you 291 00:18:41,550 --> 00:18:45,300 Speaker 1: and that's fine. Everyone is not supposed to be for you. 292 00:18:46,100 --> 00:18:49,379 Speaker 1: But sometimes we're trying to change people's minds that are 293 00:18:49,460 --> 00:18:52,820 Speaker 1: never going to be for us. You keep honoring God, 294 00:18:53,100 --> 00:18:56,200 Speaker 1: being your best, and God will cause the people you 295 00:18:56,260 --> 00:18:59,139 Speaker 1: need to be for you, and he'll take care of 296 00:18:59,180 --> 00:19:02,290 Speaker 1: your critics. When it's the right time, just like he 297 00:19:02,330 --> 00:19:05,730 Speaker 1: closed the mouths of hungry lions, he'll close the mouths 298 00:19:05,850 --> 00:19:09,070 Speaker 1: of those trying to discredit you. That's not your battle. 299 00:19:09,930 --> 00:19:13,080 Speaker 1: That battle is the Lord's. But if you don't let 300 00:19:13,160 --> 00:19:16,560 Speaker 1: him fight it, you'll live defensive, trying to prove to 301 00:19:16,619 --> 00:19:19,699 Speaker 1: people that you're okay, prove to them that you're not 302 00:19:19,740 --> 00:19:23,300 Speaker 1: what they said. You're letting them change who you are. 303 00:19:24,060 --> 00:19:27,080 Speaker 1: You don't need them to be for you. Having them 304 00:19:27,160 --> 00:19:29,679 Speaker 1: on your side, changing their mind is not going to 305 00:19:29,760 --> 00:19:33,800 Speaker 1: move you forward. The best response is let your life, 306 00:19:34,240 --> 00:19:38,669 Speaker 1: your success, your example do the talking. When I had 307 00:19:38,710 --> 00:19:42,340 Speaker 1: been ministering for a few years, I was still young 308 00:19:42,380 --> 00:19:44,840 Speaker 1: and not sure of myself. I was at a book 309 00:19:44,900 --> 00:19:48,810 Speaker 1: signing in another state. This lady came up with the newspaper. 310 00:19:49,190 --> 00:19:51,919 Speaker 1: It was folded in in two. On the top half, 311 00:19:52,220 --> 00:19:55,740 Speaker 1: it had a big picture of me, big smile, hair 312 00:19:55,800 --> 00:19:59,280 Speaker 1: just right, good looking. I was feeling good. I had 313 00:19:59,340 --> 00:20:02,639 Speaker 1: made the paper. Over to the side, it had the 314 00:20:02,680 --> 00:20:07,440 Speaker 1: word in bold letters, positively. I thought that's good. They're 315 00:20:07,460 --> 00:20:10,610 Speaker 1: saying I'm positive. She asked me to sign it. When 316 00:20:10,650 --> 00:20:12,450 Speaker 1: I finished, I said, let me look at this. I 317 00:20:12,470 --> 00:20:15,950 Speaker 1: was proud. I opened it up and under the word 318 00:20:16,010 --> 00:20:21,190 Speaker 1: positively was the word dangerous. It wasn't a favorable article. 319 00:20:21,850 --> 00:20:24,199 Speaker 1: Now that picture didn't look so hot. Now I was 320 00:20:24,260 --> 00:20:28,920 Speaker 1: tempted to be discouraged, offended. Then I thought to myself, 321 00:20:29,600 --> 00:20:32,680 Speaker 1: Is it dangerous to tell people about the goodness of God, 322 00:20:33,200 --> 00:20:36,080 Speaker 1: give them hope, let them know they can break addictions, 323 00:20:36,840 --> 00:20:40,750 Speaker 1: overcome an illness, let go of their past, reach their dreams? 324 00:20:41,609 --> 00:20:43,949 Speaker 1: Is it dangerous to tell people that they're made in 325 00:20:43,990 --> 00:20:48,649 Speaker 1: the image of God, a masterpiece, crowned with favor, royal 326 00:20:48,690 --> 00:20:52,879 Speaker 1: blood flowing through their veins with seeds of greatness? I 327 00:20:52,920 --> 00:20:55,540 Speaker 1: had to make a decision. Was I going to let 328 00:20:55,680 --> 00:20:59,480 Speaker 1: someone I had never met change who I am? someone 329 00:20:59,500 --> 00:21:03,040 Speaker 1: that didn't understand me, that wasn't for me, to cause 330 00:21:03,100 --> 00:21:05,879 Speaker 1: me to be defensive, try to prove to them that 331 00:21:05,920 --> 00:21:09,900 Speaker 1: I'm not harmful, or was I going to ignore the naysayers, 332 00:21:10,260 --> 00:21:14,379 Speaker 1: run my race, and let God fight my battles? Don't 333 00:21:14,480 --> 00:21:18,690 Speaker 1: change who you are for someone that isn't going to 334 00:21:18,730 --> 00:21:22,010 Speaker 1: be for you no matter what you do. It's not 335 00:21:22,070 --> 00:21:25,350 Speaker 1: about you. It's about the hundredfold blessing on your life. 336 00:21:25,690 --> 00:21:28,850 Speaker 1: It's about you having a harvest in a famine like Isaac. 337 00:21:29,230 --> 00:21:31,810 Speaker 1: It's about you setting a new standard for your family, 338 00:21:32,230 --> 00:21:36,949 Speaker 1: breaking the addiction, graduating from college. You don't have to respond. 339 00:21:37,410 --> 00:21:40,410 Speaker 1: You don't have time to deal with every negative comment. 340 00:21:40,930 --> 00:21:44,929 Speaker 1: Every person doesn't like or understand you. Be an Isaac. 341 00:21:45,530 --> 00:21:49,429 Speaker 1: Take the hundredfold and move forward with your life. The 342 00:21:49,450 --> 00:21:53,310 Speaker 1: king told Isaac, you're too powerful for us. Like Isaac, 343 00:21:53,630 --> 00:21:56,790 Speaker 1: you're too powerful for some of your friends. You're too 344 00:21:56,869 --> 00:21:59,929 Speaker 1: anointed for some of your coworkers. You're too favored for 345 00:21:59,970 --> 00:22:04,280 Speaker 1: those critics. You're too blessed for those naysayers. Where God 346 00:22:04,300 --> 00:22:08,439 Speaker 1: has taken you, they can't go. The sooner you move on, 347 00:22:09,060 --> 00:22:12,189 Speaker 1: the sooner you quit responding, the sooner you quit giving 348 00:22:12,490 --> 00:22:15,790 Speaker 1: the negative your time and attention, the better off you're 349 00:22:15,810 --> 00:22:19,119 Speaker 1: going to be. You have the grace to rise above it, 350 00:22:19,520 --> 00:22:22,220 Speaker 1: the grace to ignore it, the grace to not let 351 00:22:22,260 --> 00:22:26,340 Speaker 1: it bother you. Well, Joel, when they stopped saying things 352 00:22:26,400 --> 00:22:29,440 Speaker 1: about me, when they changed their mind, then I'll quit 353 00:22:29,480 --> 00:22:34,850 Speaker 1: being offended, upset, defensive. It's a test. With that blessing 354 00:22:35,070 --> 00:22:38,570 Speaker 1: came persecution. Are you going to let it keep you 355 00:22:38,590 --> 00:22:42,500 Speaker 1: from enjoying the blessing? If you focus on the persecution, 356 00:22:43,020 --> 00:22:46,600 Speaker 1: live sour, trying to straighten people out, it will keep 357 00:22:46,619 --> 00:22:50,180 Speaker 1: you from the greater blessings that belong to you. Step 358 00:22:50,240 --> 00:22:54,330 Speaker 1: into that grace and move forward. This is what David 359 00:22:54,390 --> 00:22:58,330 Speaker 1: did when he was a teenager out in the shepherd's fields, 360 00:22:58,590 --> 00:23:03,520 Speaker 1: taking care of his father's As long as he was 361 00:23:03,600 --> 00:23:08,580 Speaker 1: alone in the fields, not having much influence, his gifts 362 00:23:08,619 --> 00:23:13,219 Speaker 1: still hidden, nobody criticized. Nobody tried to stop him. But 363 00:23:13,380 --> 00:23:18,010 Speaker 1: after he killed Goliath, he became an overnight hero. King 364 00:23:18,090 --> 00:23:21,070 Speaker 1: Saul eventually sent for David, had him to come to 365 00:23:21,109 --> 00:23:25,040 Speaker 1: the palace and become his armor bearer. One day Saul 366 00:23:25,160 --> 00:23:29,790 Speaker 1: overheard people singing. Saul has killed thousands and David has 367 00:23:29,830 --> 00:23:33,710 Speaker 1: killed tens of thousands. Saul thought, this guy's more popular 368 00:23:33,750 --> 00:23:38,629 Speaker 1: than I am. Saul became jealous. He couldn't handle David's success. 369 00:23:39,609 --> 00:23:42,159 Speaker 1: One day while David was playing the harp for Saul, 370 00:23:42,619 --> 00:23:45,580 Speaker 1: trying to make him feel better, Saul took a spear 371 00:23:45,859 --> 00:23:49,040 Speaker 1: and threw it at David, trying to kill him. David 372 00:23:49,119 --> 00:23:53,350 Speaker 1: dodged it and barely missed him. When God promotes you, 373 00:23:53,890 --> 00:23:57,230 Speaker 1: gives you more influence, you have to get good at 374 00:23:57,340 --> 00:24:02,760 Speaker 1: dodging spears. Someone throws an insult, dodge it. Throws jealousy, 375 00:24:02,940 --> 00:24:06,020 Speaker 1: tries to make you look bad, dodge it. Throws criticism, 376 00:24:06,240 --> 00:24:10,000 Speaker 1: says things that aren't true, dodge it. The persecution is 377 00:24:10,060 --> 00:24:13,480 Speaker 1: a sign that people can see the favor on your life. 378 00:24:14,380 --> 00:24:17,230 Speaker 1: Saul wasn't throwing spears at any of his other men. 379 00:24:17,890 --> 00:24:21,230 Speaker 1: He wasn't trying to stop his chief of staff. His lieutenant, 380 00:24:21,570 --> 00:24:25,550 Speaker 1: his general, he saw something special on David. He could 381 00:24:25,630 --> 00:24:29,170 Speaker 1: sense that David had greatness that stirred up the jealousy. 382 00:24:29,190 --> 00:24:32,950 Speaker 1: And that's why he chased David through the desert. David 383 00:24:32,990 --> 00:24:36,340 Speaker 1: kept dodging spears, doing the right thing when the wrong 384 00:24:36,380 --> 00:24:40,080 Speaker 1: thing was happening. Eventually, Saul was killed in a battle 385 00:24:40,480 --> 00:24:44,320 Speaker 1: and David took the throne. You keep dodging the spears, 386 00:24:44,840 --> 00:24:48,310 Speaker 1: overlooking the wrongs, staying on the high road, and God 387 00:24:48,350 --> 00:24:51,420 Speaker 1: will take care of your Saul's. You have to get 388 00:24:51,460 --> 00:24:55,140 Speaker 1: to the point where you're not moved by persecution. You're 389 00:24:55,180 --> 00:24:58,840 Speaker 1: not bothered by the jealousy, not offended by what someone said, 390 00:24:59,400 --> 00:25:03,380 Speaker 1: not losing sleep over those that are throwing spears. You 391 00:25:03,440 --> 00:25:06,110 Speaker 1: know it's a part of the package. You can't be 392 00:25:06,170 --> 00:25:11,210 Speaker 1: blessed without persecution. When those spears start coming, that means 393 00:25:11,530 --> 00:25:14,210 Speaker 1: you're about to take the throne. You're about to see 394 00:25:14,250 --> 00:25:17,710 Speaker 1: God's favor in a new way. Now don't get bent 395 00:25:17,750 --> 00:25:20,989 Speaker 1: out of shape by who's against you. what they said, 396 00:25:21,090 --> 00:25:24,369 Speaker 1: why do they leave me out? They can't stop your destiny. 397 00:25:24,950 --> 00:25:27,770 Speaker 1: Where God is going to take you is going to 398 00:25:27,830 --> 00:25:33,590 Speaker 1: require greater discipline, greater focus, and greater obedience. There will 399 00:25:33,609 --> 00:25:36,619 Speaker 1: be plenty of opportunities to pick up their spear and 400 00:25:36,640 --> 00:25:41,139 Speaker 1: throw it back, to live defensive, to get baited into conflict. 401 00:25:41,780 --> 00:25:44,540 Speaker 1: Like with Isaac, when they see God show out in 402 00:25:44,580 --> 00:25:48,209 Speaker 1: your life, favor you in the famine, prosper you in 403 00:25:48,250 --> 00:25:53,310 Speaker 1: the pandemic, some people won't understand. They'll try to discredit you, 404 00:25:53,650 --> 00:25:57,320 Speaker 1: find fault, don't take the bait. Keep your heart pure. 405 00:25:58,020 --> 00:26:00,980 Speaker 1: Be good to those that aren't good to you. Overlook 406 00:26:01,160 --> 00:26:04,500 Speaker 1: what they said. That all used to bother me, but 407 00:26:04,560 --> 00:26:08,880 Speaker 1: now I'm comfortable with persecution. I don't fall apart when 408 00:26:08,920 --> 00:26:12,160 Speaker 1: things come against me. I'm not bothered by the jealousy. 409 00:26:12,760 --> 00:26:15,679 Speaker 1: I've lived long enough to tell you God has the 410 00:26:15,720 --> 00:26:18,960 Speaker 1: final say. He will take care of those that try 411 00:26:19,000 --> 00:26:23,670 Speaker 1: to stop you. My question is, can you handle the blessing? 412 00:26:24,330 --> 00:26:28,010 Speaker 1: Can you withstand the persecution? Keep a good attitude with 413 00:26:28,090 --> 00:26:32,330 Speaker 1: negative chatter, not be bitter over the jealousy. I already 414 00:26:32,390 --> 00:26:36,449 Speaker 1: know the answer. Yes, you can. I'm looking at powerful people. 415 00:26:36,890 --> 00:26:40,310 Speaker 1: I'm looking at focused people and I'm looking at favored people. 416 00:26:40,750 --> 00:26:44,889 Speaker 1: You've been graced for every situation. Now tap into that grace. 417 00:26:45,330 --> 00:26:48,750 Speaker 1: Stay on the high road and get ready. I believe 418 00:26:48,790 --> 00:26:52,510 Speaker 1: and declare because you can handle it. God is about 419 00:26:52,550 --> 00:26:55,840 Speaker 1: to release a new level of blessing. a new level 420 00:26:55,880 --> 00:27:01,689 Speaker 1: of resources, a new level of influence, anointing, creativity, something 421 00:27:01,710 --> 00:27:06,990 Speaker 1: that you've never seen, favor that catapults you ahead in Jesus' name. 422 00:27:07,010 --> 00:27:09,710 Speaker 1: And if you receive it, can you say amen today? 423 00:27:11,170 --> 00:27:13,970 Speaker 1: I'd like to give you an opportunity to make Jesus 424 00:27:14,060 --> 00:27:16,500 Speaker 1: the Lord of your life. Would you pray with me? 425 00:27:17,060 --> 00:27:22,180 Speaker 1: Just say, Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins. Come 426 00:27:22,220 --> 00:27:26,070 Speaker 1: into my heart. I make you my Lord and Savior. 427 00:27:27,590 --> 00:27:29,970 Speaker 1: If you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 428 00:27:30,050 --> 00:27:33,170 Speaker 1: born again. We'd love to send you some new information 429 00:27:33,230 --> 00:27:35,340 Speaker 1: on your new walk with the Lord. Just text the 430 00:27:35,380 --> 00:27:37,960 Speaker 1: number on the screen or you can go to the website. 431 00:27:38,560 --> 00:27:41,960 Speaker 1: I hope you'll get into a good Bible-based church and 432 00:27:42,040 --> 00:27:52,850 Speaker 1: keep God first place. A few years ago, I stood 433 00:27:52,869 --> 00:27:56,280 Speaker 1: in a forest of giant redwoods, trees hundreds of feet 434 00:27:56,320 --> 00:28:00,300 Speaker 1: tall and thousands of years old. I remember thinking every 435 00:28:00,400 --> 00:28:03,310 Speaker 1: one of them started as a single seed, something you 436 00:28:03,350 --> 00:28:06,020 Speaker 1: could hold in your hand. but I was amazed at 437 00:28:06,060 --> 00:28:09,260 Speaker 1: what they had become. That's not just true of trees. 438 00:28:09,500 --> 00:28:12,300 Speaker 1: It's true of you. There are seeds God has already 439 00:28:12,380 --> 00:28:14,859 Speaker 1: placed in you that are waiting to come to life. 440 00:28:15,260 --> 00:28:18,500 Speaker 1: You haven't seen all that you can become. I'd love 441 00:28:18,540 --> 00:28:21,780 Speaker 1: to send you my new 90-day devotional called Super Bloom. 442 00:28:22,320 --> 00:28:25,060 Speaker 1: It's designed to help you water what God has already 443 00:28:25,160 --> 00:28:29,010 Speaker 1: planted in your life. Each day's reading will strengthen your faith, 444 00:28:29,369 --> 00:28:32,790 Speaker 1: remind you of God's promises, and encourage you to keep believing. 445 00:28:33,410 --> 00:28:36,390 Speaker 1: As you do this, you'll see new confidence, new joy, 446 00:28:36,510 --> 00:28:40,010 Speaker 1: and new growth. Those seeds of greatness will begin to flourish, 447 00:28:40,330 --> 00:28:43,960 Speaker 1: and you'll discover a life more rewarding than you've ever imagined. 448 00:28:45,020 --> 00:28:48,680 Speaker 2: Super Bloom, 90 days of growth, encouragement, and hope for 449 00:28:48,740 --> 00:28:52,240 Speaker 2: all seasons of life is Joel's brand new devotional designed 450 00:28:52,280 --> 00:28:56,090 Speaker 2: to help you water what God has already planted in you. Inside, 451 00:28:56,290 --> 00:28:59,890 Speaker 2: you'll find 90 days of scripture, encouragement, and a simple 452 00:28:59,990 --> 00:29:04,170 Speaker 2: daily practice. Whatever season you're walking through, whatever you're believing 453 00:29:04,250 --> 00:29:08,350 Speaker 2: God for, because what you water today is what blooms tomorrow. 454 00:29:08,830 --> 00:29:10,870 Speaker 2: It's yours as a thank you for your gift to 455 00:29:10,910 --> 00:29:14,850 Speaker 2: the ministry today. Be sure to request your copy of Superbloom, 456 00:29:15,090 --> 00:29:18,970 Speaker 2: available this month by visiting us at joelostein.com or call 888-567-JOEL. 457 00:29:22,460 --> 00:29:25,380 Speaker 1: Keep watering what God has planted. I believe you're going 458 00:29:25,400 --> 00:29:28,590 Speaker 1: to come into your super bloom season. Victoria and I 459 00:29:28,650 --> 00:29:31,390 Speaker 1: love you. We're praying for you and your family every day. 460 00:29:31,450 --> 00:29:34,450 Speaker 1: And thanks so much for your prayer and support. Your 461 00:29:34,490 --> 00:29:37,710 Speaker 1: generosity helps take this message of hope to people all 462 00:29:37,830 --> 00:29:40,760 Speaker 1: over the world who need their own more. with God. 463 00:29:41,260 --> 00:29:43,700 Speaker 1: And a special thank you to our Champion of Hope partners. 464 00:29:44,020 --> 00:29:46,840 Speaker 1: Your monthly support makes a difference every single day. If 465 00:29:47,340 --> 00:29:49,800 Speaker 1: you're not a partner, I hope you'll consider becoming one. 466 00:29:50,280 --> 00:29:53,160 Speaker 1: Until next time, may the Lord bless you and keep you. 467 00:29:54,020 --> 00:29:57,350 Speaker 2: Be sure to request your copy of Superbloom, available this 468 00:29:57,420 --> 00:30:03,850 Speaker 2: month by visiting us at joelostein.com or call 888-567-JOEL. With 469 00:30:03,890 --> 00:30:07,230 Speaker 2: an additional gift, you can also receive the Superbloom devotional 470 00:30:07,350 --> 00:30:10,330 Speaker 2: together with the Planted in God journal, a place to 471 00:30:10,370 --> 00:30:13,650 Speaker 2: capture your prayers, your dreams, and all the good things 472 00:30:13,750 --> 00:30:16,620 Speaker 2: God is doing in your life. We are also making 473 00:30:16,680 --> 00:30:20,160 Speaker 2: available to you this month the Bloom Expanded Collection, the 474 00:30:20,180 --> 00:30:24,260 Speaker 2: devotional and journal together with the NLT Spiritual Growth Bible, 475 00:30:24,640 --> 00:30:27,810 Speaker 2: one of the most comprehensive study Bibles available to help 476 00:30:27,850 --> 00:30:31,170 Speaker 2: you go even deeper in God's Word. What you water 477 00:30:31,210 --> 00:30:35,410 Speaker 2: today is what blooms tomorrow. You can request these inspiring 478 00:30:35,470 --> 00:30:39,130 Speaker 2: resources by calling 888-567-JOEL or logging on to joelostein.com today. 479 00:30:42,890 --> 00:30:45,950 Speaker 2: Take the step today and watch what God planted in 480 00:30:45,990 --> 00:30:49,130 Speaker 2: you break open into your own super bloom, a season 481 00:30:49,170 --> 00:30:53,160 Speaker 2: of joy, hope, and growth you never imagined. Call or 482 00:30:53,200 --> 00:30:54,500 Speaker 2: click anytime, 24 hours a day.