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 00:00:13,280 --> 00:00:14,980 Speaker 1: but know that we love you. It's going to be 7 00:00:15,000 --> 00:00:18,239 Speaker 1: a blessed day for you. God bless you. It's great 8 00:00:18,260 --> 00:00:20,770 Speaker 1: to be with you today. And I hope you'll stay 9 00:00:20,810 --> 00:00:23,690 Speaker 1: connected with us during the week through our daily podcast 10 00:00:23,750 --> 00:00:27,010 Speaker 1: or YouTube channel, social media, and you can come visit 11 00:00:27,050 --> 00:00:29,090 Speaker 1: us in person. We'd love to have you be a 12 00:00:29,130 --> 00:00:31,490 Speaker 1: part of one of our services. But I like to 13 00:00:31,510 --> 00:00:34,599 Speaker 1: start with something funny. And I heard about this 85 14 00:00:34,600 --> 00:00:37,500 Speaker 1: year old man. He was out fishing one morning and 15 00:00:37,900 --> 00:00:40,880 Speaker 1: he heard a voice saying, pick me up and looked around. 16 00:00:40,920 --> 00:00:43,639 Speaker 1: He didn't see anyone, thought he was dreaming. He heard 17 00:00:43,680 --> 00:00:46,470 Speaker 1: it again, pick me up. He looked down and saw 18 00:00:46,490 --> 00:00:49,690 Speaker 1: a frog. He said in amazement, are you talking to me? 19 00:00:50,229 --> 00:00:52,540 Speaker 1: The frog said, yes, pick me up and kiss me 20 00:00:52,920 --> 00:00:55,860 Speaker 1: and I'll turn into a beautiful bride. The man quickly 21 00:00:55,900 --> 00:00:58,140 Speaker 1: picked him up, put him in his front pocket. The 22 00:00:58,180 --> 00:01:00,020 Speaker 1: frog said, wait a minute. I said, kiss me and 23 00:01:00,040 --> 00:01:02,770 Speaker 1: I'll turn into a bride. The man said, no, thanks. 24 00:01:02,850 --> 00:01:07,600 Speaker 1: At my age, I'd rather have a talking frog. All right, y'all, 25 00:01:07,640 --> 00:01:10,100 Speaker 1: say it like you mean it. This is my Bible. 26 00:01:10,500 --> 00:01:12,840 Speaker 1: I am what it says I am. I have what 27 00:01:12,890 --> 00:01:15,330 Speaker 1: it says I have. I can do what it says 28 00:01:15,410 --> 00:01:18,250 Speaker 1: I can do. Today, I will be taught the word 29 00:01:18,290 --> 00:01:22,630 Speaker 1: of God. I boldly confess my mind is alert. My 30 00:01:22,690 --> 00:01:27,370 Speaker 1: heart is receptive. I will never be the same in Jesus' name. 31 00:01:27,770 --> 00:01:31,210 Speaker 1: God bless you. I want to talk to you today 32 00:01:31,270 --> 00:01:35,390 Speaker 1: about giving people room to change. We've all had people 33 00:01:35,450 --> 00:01:39,669 Speaker 1: do us wrong. Friend betrayed us, business partner cheated us, 34 00:01:40,150 --> 00:01:45,790 Speaker 1: family member walked away. When people are dishonest, manipulative, abusive, 35 00:01:46,390 --> 00:01:49,780 Speaker 1: it's important to put up boundaries and not allow them 36 00:01:49,960 --> 00:01:53,380 Speaker 1: access into our lives so they don't continue to hurt us. 37 00:01:54,180 --> 00:01:58,280 Speaker 1: That's not being harsh, that's being wise. You can't fulfill 38 00:01:58,320 --> 00:02:01,730 Speaker 1: your destiny with toxic people in your life. There are 39 00:02:01,770 --> 00:02:04,610 Speaker 1: times you have to draw the line and say, that's it, 40 00:02:04,950 --> 00:02:07,960 Speaker 1: I'm not answering your call. I'm not gonna come see you. 41 00:02:08,200 --> 00:02:11,440 Speaker 1: This is an unhealthy relationship. There needs to be that 42 00:02:11,560 --> 00:02:16,040 Speaker 1: separation so you won't be poisoned and dragged down. Number one, 43 00:02:16,340 --> 00:02:20,600 Speaker 1: it's important to forgive the person. You're not excusing their behavior. 44 00:02:21,180 --> 00:02:24,459 Speaker 1: You're not saying what they did was okay. You're forgiving 45 00:02:24,740 --> 00:02:28,680 Speaker 1: so that hurt doesn't turn into bitterness and contaminate your life. 46 00:02:29,480 --> 00:02:32,370 Speaker 1: If you hold on to the wrongs then you're allowing 47 00:02:32,410 --> 00:02:35,790 Speaker 1: that person to continue to hurt you. They may not 48 00:02:35,910 --> 00:02:39,250 Speaker 1: even be in your life. You've closed that door, but 49 00:02:39,290 --> 00:02:42,609 Speaker 1: you haven't released the hurt. You have to forgive so 50 00:02:42,669 --> 00:02:46,660 Speaker 1: you can be free. Forgiveness is not an option. You 51 00:02:46,690 --> 00:02:50,680 Speaker 1: can forgive someone that hasn't changed. They're just as sour, hard, 52 00:02:50,740 --> 00:02:54,540 Speaker 1: dishonest as they always were. But there's a popular philosophy 53 00:02:54,580 --> 00:02:58,630 Speaker 1: that says, when someone shows you who they are, believe them. 54 00:02:59,130 --> 00:03:02,660 Speaker 1: And yes, we can't ignore patterns of abuse and dishonesty, 55 00:03:03,300 --> 00:03:06,180 Speaker 1: but what that's really saying is when someone shows you 56 00:03:06,220 --> 00:03:10,040 Speaker 1: who they are, believe that they can never change. Believe 57 00:03:10,080 --> 00:03:12,760 Speaker 1: that's who they'll always be. But let me ask you, 58 00:03:13,220 --> 00:03:15,800 Speaker 1: are you the same person today as you were 10 59 00:03:15,800 --> 00:03:19,990 Speaker 1: years ago, 20 years ago, 30 years ago? How many 60 00:03:20,030 --> 00:03:22,850 Speaker 1: of us have areas where we are not proud of 61 00:03:22,910 --> 00:03:26,180 Speaker 1: who we were back then, but by the grace of God, 62 00:03:26,240 --> 00:03:30,020 Speaker 1: we've changed. We've grown. We're not who we used to be. 63 00:03:30,740 --> 00:03:34,660 Speaker 1: One time, maybe we were compromisers. We cheated. We did 64 00:03:34,720 --> 00:03:38,260 Speaker 1: people wrong. We were jealous. But God, who is rich 65 00:03:38,320 --> 00:03:41,420 Speaker 1: in mercy, reached down his hand and helped us to 66 00:03:41,460 --> 00:03:45,530 Speaker 1: come up higher. Now we are new creations. Now we've 67 00:03:45,590 --> 00:03:49,020 Speaker 1: learned to be disciplined. Now we bite our tongues. Now 68 00:03:49,060 --> 00:03:52,140 Speaker 1: we treat others with respect. Now we're people of integrity. 69 00:03:53,260 --> 00:03:56,710 Speaker 1: My question today is, are you giving other people room 70 00:03:56,750 --> 00:04:00,730 Speaker 1: to change? Maybe 20 years has passed since that person 71 00:04:00,770 --> 00:04:04,850 Speaker 1: has hurt you. Have you frozen them in time, frozen 72 00:04:04,890 --> 00:04:08,750 Speaker 1: them in their worst season, in the betrayal, the failure? 73 00:04:09,470 --> 00:04:11,950 Speaker 1: Every time you think about them, your mind goes back 74 00:04:11,990 --> 00:04:15,310 Speaker 1: to who they were. What if they've changed? What if 75 00:04:15,350 --> 00:04:18,980 Speaker 1: they've matured? What if they've come to know Christ? What 76 00:04:19,020 --> 00:04:22,220 Speaker 1: if they're a new creation? Could you be missing out 77 00:04:22,300 --> 00:04:25,600 Speaker 1: on a more fuller, a more rewarding life, but you've 78 00:04:25,660 --> 00:04:29,580 Speaker 1: frozen them in time? You've judged them by their worst season, 79 00:04:30,180 --> 00:04:34,050 Speaker 1: family member, business partner, friend, and now you have permanent 80 00:04:34,089 --> 00:04:37,990 Speaker 1: walls up. You'll never give them access, never give them 81 00:04:38,050 --> 00:04:42,330 Speaker 1: another chance. After all, they showed you who they were. Well, 82 00:04:42,370 --> 00:04:46,070 Speaker 1: maybe that's just who they were in that season. Peter 83 00:04:46,130 --> 00:04:49,489 Speaker 1: showed Jesus who he was. when he denied him three times. 84 00:04:50,110 --> 00:04:53,409 Speaker 1: Thomas showed the disciples who he was when he doubted 85 00:04:53,450 --> 00:04:57,430 Speaker 1: Jesus was alive. Abraham showed God who he was when 86 00:04:57,450 --> 00:05:00,680 Speaker 1: he lied and said Sarah was his sister and not 87 00:05:00,710 --> 00:05:03,940 Speaker 1: his wife. David showed God who he was when he 88 00:05:03,980 --> 00:05:07,600 Speaker 1: had an affair and had the lady's husband killed. But 89 00:05:07,700 --> 00:05:11,100 Speaker 1: thank God he doesn't freeze us in one bad season. 90 00:05:11,870 --> 00:05:16,050 Speaker 1: He doesn't deny us access forever because we failed. We 91 00:05:16,089 --> 00:05:19,740 Speaker 1: were dishonest. We hurt others. We're not proud of it, 92 00:05:20,250 --> 00:05:23,530 Speaker 1: but by his grace, we've changed. We're not the same 93 00:05:23,610 --> 00:05:26,690 Speaker 1: person that we were. Are you giving people that have 94 00:05:26,710 --> 00:05:30,109 Speaker 1: done you wrong room to change? Are you going to 95 00:05:30,290 --> 00:05:33,710 Speaker 1: forever keep those walls up? No access, no time of day. 96 00:05:35,029 --> 00:05:37,589 Speaker 1: I'm not saying you go right back to where you were, 97 00:05:38,350 --> 00:05:41,650 Speaker 1: but when you've seen change and you know they're remorseful 98 00:05:42,170 --> 00:05:45,610 Speaker 1: They walk in humility. Other people vouch for who they 99 00:05:45,750 --> 00:05:48,570 Speaker 1: are now. Then maybe you need to open the door. 100 00:05:49,430 --> 00:05:52,800 Speaker 1: You don't have to invite them in, but perhaps you'll 101 00:05:52,810 --> 00:05:56,840 Speaker 1: discover they're not who you think they are anymore. That 102 00:05:56,920 --> 00:06:00,060 Speaker 1: relative you haven't spoken to in 20 years, you know 103 00:06:00,100 --> 00:06:04,240 Speaker 1: how they were loud, disrespectful, always causing trouble. Have you 104 00:06:04,300 --> 00:06:08,490 Speaker 1: frozen them in that season? Yet now they've changed. People 105 00:06:08,529 --> 00:06:12,810 Speaker 1: have told you how they're different. That boundary was necessary 106 00:06:12,870 --> 00:06:16,010 Speaker 1: for a season, but sometimes we turn it into a 107 00:06:16,110 --> 00:06:21,010 Speaker 1: lifetime sentence. There's no room for change. You've shown me once, 108 00:06:21,029 --> 00:06:24,320 Speaker 1: that's all I needed. The mercy you show others is 109 00:06:24,360 --> 00:06:27,540 Speaker 1: the mercy God is going to show you. Now, I'm 110 00:06:27,560 --> 00:06:31,279 Speaker 1: not saying to reconcile with everyone. Some people haven't changed. 111 00:06:31,800 --> 00:06:34,120 Speaker 1: They're still who they were. You don't need that in 112 00:06:34,160 --> 00:06:38,409 Speaker 1: your life. All I'm saying is give people room to change. 113 00:06:39,310 --> 00:06:42,929 Speaker 1: You could be missing great joy and fulfillment from someone 114 00:06:42,970 --> 00:06:47,410 Speaker 1: you permanently crossed out. No more. No chance, Joel. They 115 00:06:47,450 --> 00:06:50,200 Speaker 1: disrespected me in front of the whole office, made me 116 00:06:50,240 --> 00:06:53,599 Speaker 1: look bad. They walked out when I gave them my best. 117 00:06:54,120 --> 00:06:57,600 Speaker 1: It's one and done. One bad season. Now they're frozen 118 00:06:57,700 --> 00:07:01,220 Speaker 1: in time. One of the hardest things to do is 119 00:07:01,300 --> 00:07:05,540 Speaker 1: give people the grace to change. We update our phones. 120 00:07:05,920 --> 00:07:10,050 Speaker 1: We update our wardrobe. We update our opinion on restaurants, 121 00:07:10,130 --> 00:07:14,910 Speaker 1: football teams, political issues. But sometimes we never update our 122 00:07:14,970 --> 00:07:18,690 Speaker 1: opinion of other people. We still see them as the 123 00:07:18,730 --> 00:07:23,140 Speaker 1: rebellious teenager causing trouble. That was 20 years ago. Now 124 00:07:23,180 --> 00:07:27,360 Speaker 1: they're married, raising children. Great job. Why don't you update 125 00:07:27,400 --> 00:07:30,620 Speaker 1: your opinion of them? You've got them frozen in a 126 00:07:30,660 --> 00:07:33,739 Speaker 1: bad season. We think that friend is still the addict 127 00:07:34,120 --> 00:07:36,860 Speaker 1: or they're still the brother, the sister that gets on 128 00:07:36,920 --> 00:07:40,820 Speaker 1: our nerves, that manipulated our parents. They're still the coworker 129 00:07:40,840 --> 00:07:44,360 Speaker 1: that can't be trusted. What if they've changed? What if 130 00:07:44,400 --> 00:07:49,190 Speaker 1: they've grown? God knows how to transform people. He's done 131 00:07:49,230 --> 00:07:52,550 Speaker 1: it for us. But sometimes we shut that door and 132 00:07:52,770 --> 00:07:55,570 Speaker 1: throw away the key. I never speak to them again. 133 00:07:55,590 --> 00:07:59,330 Speaker 1: I never give them the time of day. maybe that 134 00:07:59,410 --> 00:08:03,130 Speaker 1: family member is not who you think they are. Maybe 135 00:08:03,170 --> 00:08:07,330 Speaker 1: that person that did you wrong is someone, if you're open, 136 00:08:07,950 --> 00:08:11,410 Speaker 1: will make your life much richer and more fulfilling. I 137 00:08:11,450 --> 00:08:13,950 Speaker 1: talked to a young man right out here after service. 138 00:08:13,990 --> 00:08:16,530 Speaker 1: He grew up in an abusive home. His father was 139 00:08:16,570 --> 00:08:19,590 Speaker 1: an alcoholic, and when his dad would drink, there was 140 00:08:19,630 --> 00:08:23,660 Speaker 1: all kinds of drama and harshness, abuse. Got so bad 141 00:08:23,700 --> 00:08:26,040 Speaker 1: that his mother left and took him and his little 142 00:08:26,080 --> 00:08:29,730 Speaker 1: brother to another city. just to be safe and to 143 00:08:29,770 --> 00:08:35,069 Speaker 1: have peace. It's important to set those boundaries. Separate yourself 144 00:08:35,110 --> 00:08:39,030 Speaker 1: from abuse and toxic people. You need to protect yourself 145 00:08:39,070 --> 00:08:42,320 Speaker 1: from those that are unstable and not making good decisions. 146 00:08:42,780 --> 00:08:45,600 Speaker 1: So for 20 years, this young man had nothing to 147 00:08:45,640 --> 00:08:48,220 Speaker 1: do with his father. He had all these bad memories, 148 00:08:48,620 --> 00:08:50,720 Speaker 1: never saw him, never gave him the time of day. 149 00:08:50,760 --> 00:08:53,660 Speaker 1: He was done. Well, now this young man had two 150 00:08:53,730 --> 00:08:56,829 Speaker 1: small children of his own. He was happily married, beautiful wife, 151 00:08:56,870 --> 00:08:59,550 Speaker 1: doing great. He got word from a friend of the 152 00:08:59,610 --> 00:09:03,310 Speaker 1: family that his father had gone through rehab and had 153 00:09:03,330 --> 00:09:06,550 Speaker 1: been clean and sober for several years and that he 154 00:09:06,600 --> 00:09:09,660 Speaker 1: had given his life to Christ. He was involved in 155 00:09:09,679 --> 00:09:13,340 Speaker 1: a good church. But in his mind, this young man 156 00:09:13,380 --> 00:09:16,920 Speaker 1: couldn't comprehend that. He debated with that person, said, no, 157 00:09:17,040 --> 00:09:19,650 Speaker 1: I know my father. There's no way he's like that. 158 00:09:19,690 --> 00:09:22,790 Speaker 1: He's fooling you. They'd go back and forth. Yes, I 159 00:09:22,830 --> 00:09:25,770 Speaker 1: can assure you he's different. You should reach out to him. 160 00:09:26,290 --> 00:09:28,689 Speaker 1: He hadn't spoken to his father since he's a little boy. 161 00:09:28,990 --> 00:09:31,630 Speaker 1: He prayed about it and felt peace and he reached 162 00:09:31,790 --> 00:09:35,130 Speaker 1: out and little by little, he saw that his father 163 00:09:35,190 --> 00:09:39,250 Speaker 1: was a different person. Over time, that relationship was restored. 164 00:09:39,630 --> 00:09:42,250 Speaker 1: Now his father is at all of his kids' ball 165 00:09:42,290 --> 00:09:46,400 Speaker 1: games and school events and they love their grandfather, comes 166 00:09:46,440 --> 00:09:49,240 Speaker 1: over to the house all the time. The young man 167 00:09:49,300 --> 00:09:51,700 Speaker 1: said to me, the father that I never got to 168 00:09:51,740 --> 00:10:03,270 Speaker 1: have is now one of my children's favorite people. This 169 00:10:03,309 --> 00:10:06,150 Speaker 1: would have never happened had he not been willing to 170 00:10:06,220 --> 00:10:09,560 Speaker 1: take a risk. He had to be open that maybe 171 00:10:09,640 --> 00:10:12,800 Speaker 1: he has changed. I'm not saying to be naive and 172 00:10:12,840 --> 00:10:16,520 Speaker 1: just take anyone back. You need to pray. God will 173 00:10:16,559 --> 00:10:20,439 Speaker 1: give you discernment. Often other people will vouch for them. 174 00:10:21,200 --> 00:10:24,559 Speaker 1: They can attest that they've changed. Jesus said, you will 175 00:10:24,600 --> 00:10:28,060 Speaker 1: know them by their fruit. You can look at their actions, 176 00:10:28,160 --> 00:10:31,120 Speaker 1: not by what they say, but how do they treat people? 177 00:10:31,620 --> 00:10:34,000 Speaker 1: Do they have a good job? What are their other 178 00:10:34,070 --> 00:10:38,790 Speaker 1: relationships like? And I realize not everyone changes. There are 179 00:10:38,830 --> 00:10:41,609 Speaker 1: a dozen stories, just the opposite of what I just told. 180 00:10:42,450 --> 00:10:45,850 Speaker 1: But what if you're the exception? What if you're excluding 181 00:10:45,929 --> 00:10:50,250 Speaker 1: people because a past hurts? but now they've changed. And 182 00:10:50,300 --> 00:10:53,130 Speaker 1: like this young man, they will make your life so 183 00:10:53,190 --> 00:10:57,330 Speaker 1: much more rewarding. Had this young man frozen his father 184 00:10:57,450 --> 00:11:01,240 Speaker 1: in time, in his worst season, then think of the joy, 185 00:11:01,600 --> 00:11:04,449 Speaker 1: the love that his children would have missed. This can 186 00:11:04,490 --> 00:11:08,150 Speaker 1: start with a phone call, reaching out to them, meeting 187 00:11:08,190 --> 00:11:11,630 Speaker 1: for coffee, just simple steps, not giving them the keys 188 00:11:11,670 --> 00:11:14,580 Speaker 1: to your house, but opening a door. You can see 189 00:11:14,650 --> 00:11:18,660 Speaker 1: if there's humility. Do they take responsibility or act like 190 00:11:18,700 --> 00:11:23,020 Speaker 1: nothing happened? God will give you discernment. You will know 191 00:11:23,120 --> 00:11:26,100 Speaker 1: down in your spirit if things are right. God is 192 00:11:26,120 --> 00:11:30,179 Speaker 1: your doorkeeper. When you're honoring him, he's going to open 193 00:11:30,360 --> 00:11:33,400 Speaker 1: and close the doors in your life. But when we've 194 00:11:33,420 --> 00:11:36,280 Speaker 1: been through hurts and people have done us wrong, we've 195 00:11:36,320 --> 00:11:39,520 Speaker 1: shut that door. We can come to the point where 196 00:11:39,980 --> 00:11:44,600 Speaker 1: we're not protecting ourselves from danger anymore. We're protecting ourselves 197 00:11:44,660 --> 00:11:48,420 Speaker 1: from disappointment. We don't want to be hurt again. We 198 00:11:48,440 --> 00:11:51,230 Speaker 1: don't want to go through that heartache. And yes, there 199 00:11:51,260 --> 00:11:54,130 Speaker 1: are people you shouldn't let back in your life. They're unhealthy. 200 00:11:54,650 --> 00:11:58,170 Speaker 1: They haven't changed. Forgive them. Pray for them. Keep those 201 00:11:58,230 --> 00:12:02,360 Speaker 1: boundaries up. That's important. But don't let that be the 202 00:12:02,580 --> 00:12:05,979 Speaker 1: only option where you keep people in a box of 203 00:12:06,040 --> 00:12:10,080 Speaker 1: who they used to be. People can change. God knows 204 00:12:10,140 --> 00:12:14,179 Speaker 1: how to transform. Maybe it's been 10 years since you've 205 00:12:14,210 --> 00:12:17,710 Speaker 1: spoken to that family member. 20 years since you've seen 206 00:12:17,750 --> 00:12:21,950 Speaker 1: that friend. Have you permanently labeled them by that one season? 207 00:12:22,890 --> 00:12:26,410 Speaker 1: Are you holding them captive to an old version of themselves? 208 00:12:27,290 --> 00:12:30,370 Speaker 1: Maybe you need to update your files. Maybe they're not 209 00:12:30,450 --> 00:12:33,530 Speaker 1: who they used to be. How will you know if 210 00:12:33,580 --> 00:12:37,020 Speaker 1: you have them serving a lifetime sentence? There's no chance. 211 00:12:37,640 --> 00:12:42,260 Speaker 1: You're forever excluded. They hurt you when you were 25. 212 00:12:42,260 --> 00:12:46,690 Speaker 1: Now you're both 45. They've raised children, gone through difficulty. 213 00:12:47,130 --> 00:12:50,910 Speaker 1: Life has a way of humbling people and giving new perspectives. 214 00:12:51,390 --> 00:12:53,730 Speaker 1: But if every time you think of them, you think 215 00:12:53,750 --> 00:12:57,890 Speaker 1: of the 25-year-old version, that's not who they are. You've 216 00:12:57,929 --> 00:13:01,000 Speaker 1: changed in 20 years. You're not who you were two 217 00:13:01,030 --> 00:13:05,180 Speaker 1: decades ago. Let's give other people room to change. In 218 00:13:05,220 --> 00:13:08,540 Speaker 1: the scripture, there was a man named Onesimus. He was 219 00:13:08,600 --> 00:13:12,360 Speaker 1: a slave that worked for a man named Philemon. Philemon 220 00:13:12,420 --> 00:13:16,480 Speaker 1: was a respected believer, a close friend of the apostle Paul. 221 00:13:16,660 --> 00:13:19,020 Speaker 1: He had a church in his home. But at some point, 222 00:13:19,260 --> 00:13:24,300 Speaker 1: Onesimus ran away. This was a serious offense, risking his life. 223 00:13:25,200 --> 00:13:28,599 Speaker 1: He didn't just leave. The scripture says he wronged Philemon 224 00:13:28,740 --> 00:13:32,679 Speaker 1: in some way. Scholars believe he either stole money or 225 00:13:32,760 --> 00:13:37,660 Speaker 1: stole possessions. Whatever he did, it was significant. Trust was broken. 226 00:13:38,220 --> 00:13:43,160 Speaker 1: Philemon was angry, felt betrayed and violated. Onesimus took off 227 00:13:43,210 --> 00:13:45,830 Speaker 1: for Rome, the largest city in the world in that day. 228 00:13:46,290 --> 00:13:48,530 Speaker 1: He thought he could hide and be lost in the crowd. 229 00:13:49,110 --> 00:13:52,689 Speaker 1: Somehow he came across the apostle Paul. He gave his 230 00:13:52,750 --> 00:13:57,020 Speaker 1: life to Christ and became a believer. For years, Onesimus 231 00:13:57,160 --> 00:14:02,920 Speaker 1: served Paul, so loyal, faithful. someone Paul could always count on. Eventually, 232 00:14:03,020 --> 00:14:06,170 Speaker 1: Paul found out the truth about Onesimus, how he had 233 00:14:06,210 --> 00:14:09,730 Speaker 1: run away and did his friend Philemon wrong. He knew 234 00:14:09,750 --> 00:14:13,589 Speaker 1: he had to make things right and send Onesimus back. 235 00:14:14,370 --> 00:14:17,740 Speaker 1: So he wrote Philemon a letter in verse 8 saying, 236 00:14:17,750 --> 00:14:22,520 Speaker 1: I'm asking you for a favor. Please show kindness to Anisimus. 237 00:14:22,960 --> 00:14:25,720 Speaker 1: I think of him as my own son. He became 238 00:14:25,760 --> 00:14:29,040 Speaker 1: a believer as a result of my ministry. He hasn't 239 00:14:29,080 --> 00:14:32,500 Speaker 1: been very useful to you in the past, but now 240 00:14:32,880 --> 00:14:36,140 Speaker 1: he is very useful to both of us. I'm sending 241 00:14:36,210 --> 00:14:39,510 Speaker 1: him back to you and with him comes my heart. 242 00:14:40,830 --> 00:14:43,910 Speaker 1: Imagine if you're Philemon, you're thinking good work, Paul. You 243 00:14:43,950 --> 00:14:47,310 Speaker 1: caught him. I'm gonna let him have it. No, Paul said, Philemon, 244 00:14:47,910 --> 00:14:51,750 Speaker 1: this is not the same person you knew that was dishonest, 245 00:14:51,990 --> 00:14:56,870 Speaker 1: that betrayed you, stole from you, he's changed. He was useless, 246 00:14:57,130 --> 00:15:00,170 Speaker 1: but I can tell you now he's become very useful. 247 00:15:01,430 --> 00:15:05,410 Speaker 1: Paul was putting his credibility on the line, saying you 248 00:15:05,470 --> 00:15:08,040 Speaker 1: knew one version of him, but I'm here to tell 249 00:15:08,080 --> 00:15:12,360 Speaker 1: you there's a new version of him. The question was, 250 00:15:12,780 --> 00:15:17,140 Speaker 1: had Philemon frozen him in time? Had he permanently labeled 251 00:15:17,180 --> 00:15:20,200 Speaker 1: him by that one season? Or would he give him 252 00:15:20,340 --> 00:15:23,520 Speaker 1: room to change? It's easy to have people locked into 253 00:15:23,560 --> 00:15:26,740 Speaker 1: the old version that we knew. We see them that 254 00:15:26,880 --> 00:15:30,000 Speaker 1: one way. They hurt us. They betrayed us. They walked away. 255 00:15:30,800 --> 00:15:32,990 Speaker 1: But are we open to the fact that God can 256 00:15:33,050 --> 00:15:37,490 Speaker 1: change people? That maybe they're not who they were years ago? 257 00:15:38,170 --> 00:15:41,750 Speaker 1: Philemon knew the old Onesimus, the one who fell, the 258 00:15:41,790 --> 00:15:44,650 Speaker 1: one who ran away, the one who stole. But Paul 259 00:15:44,690 --> 00:15:49,010 Speaker 1: knew the new Onesimus. He said, in effect, don't receive 260 00:15:49,050 --> 00:15:53,030 Speaker 1: him according to who he was, but receive him according 261 00:15:53,070 --> 00:15:57,030 Speaker 1: to who he has become. Sometimes we're judging people as 262 00:15:57,090 --> 00:16:00,109 Speaker 1: a finished product, but God is still working on him. 263 00:16:01,030 --> 00:16:03,640 Speaker 1: That's one chapter in their life. It's not the end 264 00:16:03,660 --> 00:16:07,300 Speaker 1: of the story. Paul said in verse 15, perhaps you 265 00:16:07,320 --> 00:16:10,540 Speaker 1: can think of it this way. Onesimus ran away for 266 00:16:10,600 --> 00:16:14,360 Speaker 1: a while so you could have him back forever. He 267 00:16:14,440 --> 00:16:17,320 Speaker 1: left as a slave, but he's coming back to you 268 00:16:17,700 --> 00:16:21,530 Speaker 1: as a brother. I wonder if we're big enough to 269 00:16:21,590 --> 00:16:25,870 Speaker 1: receive someone back that's hurt us as a brother. Not 270 00:16:25,910 --> 00:16:28,550 Speaker 1: a slave, not a thief, not the one that lied, 271 00:16:29,210 --> 00:16:33,430 Speaker 1: but they're coming back changed, a new version. As Onesimus 272 00:16:33,500 --> 00:16:36,540 Speaker 1: was walking toward Philemon's house, all he had was that 273 00:16:36,640 --> 00:16:39,500 Speaker 1: letter from Paul in his hand, this friend that was 274 00:16:39,560 --> 00:16:43,230 Speaker 1: vouching for him. What's interesting is we don't know how 275 00:16:43,270 --> 00:16:47,430 Speaker 1: this story ends. The scripture doesn't tell us. Did Philemon 276 00:16:47,470 --> 00:16:51,360 Speaker 1: welcome him back? Have the grace to reconcile and rebuild 277 00:16:51,400 --> 00:16:54,900 Speaker 1: the trust? Or was he set in his ways? No 278 00:16:54,960 --> 00:16:58,140 Speaker 1: room for change. Stay out of my life. You've shown 279 00:16:58,180 --> 00:17:01,530 Speaker 1: me who you are. 50 years after he went back, 280 00:17:02,010 --> 00:17:05,899 Speaker 1: we have a clue. Researchers found a letter written to 281 00:17:05,940 --> 00:17:10,600 Speaker 1: the church at Ephesus. It specifically praised their bishop named 282 00:17:10,760 --> 00:17:15,669 Speaker 1: Onesimus as a great leader, respected and admired by the people. 283 00:17:16,130 --> 00:17:19,629 Speaker 1: We don't know for sure, but most scholars believe it's 284 00:17:19,670 --> 00:17:23,770 Speaker 1: the same man that Philemon received him, not as a slave, 285 00:17:23,830 --> 00:17:26,390 Speaker 1: but as a brother. They both went on to leave 286 00:17:26,430 --> 00:17:30,950 Speaker 1: their mark. Is there someone that you permanently labeled You're 287 00:17:30,990 --> 00:17:34,040 Speaker 1: holding them captive to an old version of themselves and 288 00:17:34,320 --> 00:17:38,179 Speaker 1: frozen in their worst moment. What if they've changed? And 289 00:17:38,680 --> 00:17:41,620 Speaker 1: now like Paul said, they could be useful to you. 290 00:17:42,180 --> 00:17:46,550 Speaker 1: They could bring joy and fulfillment. That family member you 291 00:17:46,590 --> 00:17:50,270 Speaker 1: haven't spoken to in years. That coworker that treated you 292 00:17:50,310 --> 00:17:54,070 Speaker 1: badly and you've written them all. That neighbor that was rude. 293 00:17:54,510 --> 00:17:57,810 Speaker 1: It was years ago. And I know we need boundaries. 294 00:17:58,450 --> 00:18:01,929 Speaker 1: I'm a believer in keeping negative, dysfunctional people out of 295 00:18:02,010 --> 00:18:06,310 Speaker 1: our lives. All I'm saying today is sometimes people change. 296 00:18:07,320 --> 00:18:10,260 Speaker 1: They leave as a runaway slave, so to speak, but 297 00:18:10,300 --> 00:18:13,659 Speaker 1: they come back as a brother. Paul never denied that 298 00:18:13,780 --> 00:18:16,940 Speaker 1: Onesimus did wrong. He didn't make excuses, try to water 299 00:18:16,960 --> 00:18:19,860 Speaker 1: it down. Come on, Philemon, get over it. It's no 300 00:18:19,920 --> 00:18:22,520 Speaker 1: big deal. It wasn't that bad. No, he said any 301 00:18:22,680 --> 00:18:25,659 Speaker 1: wrong that was done, put it on my account. He 302 00:18:25,680 --> 00:18:28,649 Speaker 1: was saying, I know we hurt you. I know he stole, 303 00:18:28,930 --> 00:18:32,370 Speaker 1: caused heartache, but he's coming back as a different person. 304 00:18:33,050 --> 00:18:35,650 Speaker 1: I'm not saying to take everyone back, but when you 305 00:18:35,690 --> 00:18:39,320 Speaker 1: have people you love and trust that vouch for that person, 306 00:18:40,060 --> 00:18:45,639 Speaker 1: you see their humility, they take responsibility, then pray and 307 00:18:45,760 --> 00:18:50,379 Speaker 1: ask God to give you discernment. Forgiveness is not an option. 308 00:18:50,420 --> 00:18:54,460 Speaker 1: We have to forgive everyone. That's a requirement, but reconciling. 309 00:18:55,270 --> 00:18:59,310 Speaker 1: letting people back in our life, that takes discernment. It's 310 00:18:59,510 --> 00:19:02,910 Speaker 1: easy to write everyone off that's done us wrong, freeze 311 00:19:02,950 --> 00:19:06,380 Speaker 1: them in time. But when we have this one size 312 00:19:06,520 --> 00:19:10,320 Speaker 1: fits all mentality, we're gonna miss what God has in store. 313 00:19:11,140 --> 00:19:14,320 Speaker 1: Because there are people that go off track for a season, 314 00:19:14,840 --> 00:19:17,940 Speaker 1: but in another season, they can bring great joy into 315 00:19:17,980 --> 00:19:21,359 Speaker 1: your life. They can even have something that you need. 316 00:19:21,680 --> 00:19:25,389 Speaker 1: They can open doors. They can push you forward. but 317 00:19:25,430 --> 00:19:28,869 Speaker 1: you have to be willing to receive them back. Steve 318 00:19:28,910 --> 00:19:34,310 Speaker 1: Jobs founded Apple in 1976, and he's a brilliant visionary, 319 00:19:34,330 --> 00:19:39,149 Speaker 1: had an incredible mind, but he was hard to work with. Hot-headed, demanding. 320 00:19:39,670 --> 00:19:43,870 Speaker 1: There was constant tension and conflict, so much so that 321 00:19:43,990 --> 00:19:47,450 Speaker 1: in 1985, he was fired from the company he started. 322 00:19:48,190 --> 00:19:51,939 Speaker 1: They thought, you're talented, but good-ridden. Well, Steve went out 323 00:19:52,000 --> 00:19:55,340 Speaker 1: and started another company called Next. It was never a 324 00:19:55,380 --> 00:19:59,840 Speaker 1: big commercial success, but he developed new software that Apple 325 00:19:59,900 --> 00:20:04,000 Speaker 1: desperately needed. It became the operating system for the modern 326 00:20:04,040 --> 00:20:08,109 Speaker 1: day Mac. Well, 12 years after he was fired from Apple, 327 00:20:08,390 --> 00:20:13,670 Speaker 1: they hired him back. Those years away taught Steve valuable lessons. 328 00:20:14,390 --> 00:20:18,609 Speaker 1: Experience had matured him. Failure had shaped him. He wasn't 329 00:20:18,650 --> 00:20:22,310 Speaker 1: the same person that walked out the door. Had Apple 330 00:20:22,470 --> 00:20:25,890 Speaker 1: frozen him in time? Thought he's not for us. He's 331 00:20:25,910 --> 00:20:28,840 Speaker 1: too difficult. We wouldn't have the Mac and a lot 332 00:20:28,859 --> 00:20:32,740 Speaker 1: of other great products. But I wonder if the person 333 00:20:32,780 --> 00:20:36,700 Speaker 1: you've written off is carrying something you need for your destiny. 334 00:20:37,690 --> 00:20:40,540 Speaker 1: If you only see them through the lens of your past, 335 00:20:40,890 --> 00:20:43,479 Speaker 1: you can miss what God has placed in them for 336 00:20:43,540 --> 00:20:46,660 Speaker 1: your future. And I know this is not a one 337 00:20:46,700 --> 00:20:49,200 Speaker 1: size fits all. Some people, you should keep them away. 338 00:20:49,240 --> 00:20:53,000 Speaker 1: They're unhealthy, but you need to be open and give 339 00:20:53,040 --> 00:20:57,520 Speaker 1: people room to change. It's interesting that Paul was speaking 340 00:20:57,619 --> 00:21:02,450 Speaker 1: up for Onesimus, validating the change he had seen. Years earlier, 341 00:21:02,470 --> 00:21:06,830 Speaker 1: Paul was in Onesimus' shoes. He was known as Saul, 342 00:21:07,090 --> 00:21:10,330 Speaker 1: the greatest enemy of the church. He went around having 343 00:21:10,369 --> 00:21:14,490 Speaker 1: people arrested for following Christ, dragging them from their homes. 344 00:21:15,119 --> 00:21:17,920 Speaker 1: He was there giving his approval when Stephen was stoned 345 00:21:17,960 --> 00:21:21,180 Speaker 1: to death for his faith. While he was in route 346 00:21:21,220 --> 00:21:24,340 Speaker 1: to arrest other believers, that bright light shone down. He 347 00:21:24,400 --> 00:21:26,980 Speaker 1: fell to the ground. In that moment, he was changed. 348 00:21:27,280 --> 00:21:30,659 Speaker 1: He became a believer. The problem was none of the 349 00:21:30,700 --> 00:21:34,860 Speaker 1: disciples would accept him. Acts chapter nine says Saul arrived 350 00:21:34,920 --> 00:21:37,959 Speaker 1: in Jerusalem and tried to meet with the believers, but 351 00:21:38,020 --> 00:21:40,840 Speaker 1: they were all afraid of him. Can you blame them? 352 00:21:41,220 --> 00:21:44,270 Speaker 1: For years, he was their biggest threat. They were always 353 00:21:44,330 --> 00:21:47,430 Speaker 1: on guard. Where is he? What's he up to? They 354 00:21:47,490 --> 00:21:51,030 Speaker 1: knew him for who he was, a persecutor, an enemy, 355 00:21:51,050 --> 00:21:54,250 Speaker 1: a threat. They had good reason. That's all they had seen. 356 00:21:55,369 --> 00:21:58,290 Speaker 1: There was a man named Barnabas who became a friend 357 00:21:58,330 --> 00:22:01,959 Speaker 1: of Saul's. He could see the change in him. He 358 00:22:02,000 --> 00:22:05,360 Speaker 1: went to the disciples and said, in effect, you're looking 359 00:22:05,520 --> 00:22:08,240 Speaker 1: at Saul for who he was, but I can tell 360 00:22:08,280 --> 00:22:13,320 Speaker 1: you who he is now. They had Saul frozen in time, 361 00:22:13,660 --> 00:22:18,119 Speaker 1: but Barnabas vouched for Saul. He put his reputation on 362 00:22:18,160 --> 00:22:21,119 Speaker 1: the line and it was because of Barnabas that the 363 00:22:21,180 --> 00:22:26,879 Speaker 1: disciples eventually accepted Paul. No wonder Paul was so gracious 364 00:22:26,900 --> 00:22:30,739 Speaker 1: to when he saw the change in Onesimus, how he 365 00:22:30,810 --> 00:22:33,630 Speaker 1: went from a runaway slave, a thief, to a man 366 00:22:33,670 --> 00:22:39,250 Speaker 1: of integrity, faithful and trustworthy. Paul had been where Onesimus was. 367 00:22:40,070 --> 00:22:44,010 Speaker 1: That's why he was so passionate, telling Philemon, look, I'll 368 00:22:44,050 --> 00:22:46,870 Speaker 1: pay you back for any wrongs. Put it on my account. 369 00:22:47,190 --> 00:22:49,110 Speaker 1: I know who he used to be, but I know 370 00:22:49,170 --> 00:22:52,379 Speaker 1: who he is right now. Not a slave, but a brother. 371 00:22:52,990 --> 00:22:56,080 Speaker 1: When you've been shown mercy and it's easy to be 372 00:22:56,180 --> 00:22:59,939 Speaker 1: merciful to others. When someone stood up for you, when 373 00:22:59,960 --> 00:23:02,919 Speaker 1: you couldn't stand for yourself, then you'll stand up for 374 00:23:03,070 --> 00:23:05,830 Speaker 1: others and help them to be seen in the right light. 375 00:23:06,410 --> 00:23:09,130 Speaker 1: But in his earlier years, Paul did a lot of damage. 376 00:23:09,630 --> 00:23:12,609 Speaker 1: He hurt a lot of people. The easy thing for 377 00:23:12,650 --> 00:23:16,310 Speaker 1: the disciples to do was say, stay away, Paul. You've 378 00:23:16,390 --> 00:23:18,710 Speaker 1: proven who you are. We're not going to take that 379 00:23:18,810 --> 00:23:22,730 Speaker 1: risk and accept you now. But had the disciples not 380 00:23:22,830 --> 00:23:25,619 Speaker 1: given Paul room to change, We wouldn't have much of 381 00:23:25,640 --> 00:23:29,170 Speaker 1: the New Testament. The gospel would not have spread nearly 382 00:23:29,250 --> 00:23:32,270 Speaker 1: as fast as it did. It's easy to keep people 383 00:23:32,369 --> 00:23:35,250 Speaker 1: in a box and think, well, they hurt me. They 384 00:23:35,270 --> 00:23:39,950 Speaker 1: did me wrong. Joel, they're jealous. They're self-centered. We locked 385 00:23:40,030 --> 00:23:43,310 Speaker 1: them into the version of who they were. But while 386 00:23:43,369 --> 00:23:46,260 Speaker 1: we kept them out, what we couldn't see was God 387 00:23:46,320 --> 00:23:49,780 Speaker 1: was working on them. That wasn't the final version. It 388 00:23:49,820 --> 00:23:53,119 Speaker 1: was a season. What if every time Paul walked in 389 00:23:53,160 --> 00:23:56,709 Speaker 1: the room, someone said, there's the guy that persecuted the church. 390 00:23:57,090 --> 00:23:59,930 Speaker 1: There's the man that approved Stephen being stoned to death. 391 00:24:00,330 --> 00:24:03,270 Speaker 1: There's the one that drugged believers out of their home 392 00:24:03,310 --> 00:24:05,649 Speaker 1: and took them to prison. All of that would have 393 00:24:05,670 --> 00:24:09,970 Speaker 1: been true, but that wasn't the finished story. There were 394 00:24:10,050 --> 00:24:15,609 Speaker 1: new chapters coming, chapters of redemption, forgiveness, and breakthrough. Maybe 395 00:24:15,650 --> 00:24:18,230 Speaker 1: the person that did you wrong has stepped into a 396 00:24:18,270 --> 00:24:22,530 Speaker 1: new chapter. While you had them locked out, God was working, 397 00:24:22,900 --> 00:24:25,970 Speaker 1: doing what only he can. I'm not saying give them 398 00:24:26,030 --> 00:24:29,790 Speaker 1: full access. I'm saying be open that they may not 399 00:24:29,869 --> 00:24:34,050 Speaker 1: be who they were. God knows how to transform. And 400 00:24:34,109 --> 00:24:37,880 Speaker 1: sometimes those that we love to permanently lock out, they 401 00:24:37,940 --> 00:24:41,300 Speaker 1: have something we need for our destiny. They still have 402 00:24:41,359 --> 00:24:45,359 Speaker 1: a part in our story. Listen to the people you trust. 403 00:24:46,100 --> 00:24:49,909 Speaker 1: Watch what they say about them. Watch their fruit. How 404 00:24:49,930 --> 00:24:53,710 Speaker 1: did they treat people? Did they take responsibility and ask 405 00:24:53,770 --> 00:24:58,070 Speaker 1: God for discernment? And yes, boundaries are good, but it's 406 00:24:58,250 --> 00:25:02,390 Speaker 1: easy to let the boundary become a lifetime sentence because 407 00:25:02,430 --> 00:25:05,540 Speaker 1: we don't want to take a risk. Philemon could have thought, Paul, 408 00:25:05,910 --> 00:25:08,159 Speaker 1: I read your letter, but sorry, I'm not taking a 409 00:25:08,190 --> 00:25:11,040 Speaker 1: chance with him. The disciples could have said, Barnabas, we 410 00:25:11,080 --> 00:25:14,760 Speaker 1: love you, but we know Saul. We've seen his track record. 411 00:25:15,340 --> 00:25:18,820 Speaker 1: Sometimes you have to take a risk This may mean 412 00:25:18,880 --> 00:25:22,119 Speaker 1: for you calling a family member that you haven't spoken 413 00:25:22,160 --> 00:25:24,920 Speaker 1: to in a long time, a lot of water under 414 00:25:24,960 --> 00:25:28,179 Speaker 1: the bridge, but you don't know what God's been doing 415 00:25:28,460 --> 00:25:32,209 Speaker 1: while they've been away. Maybe it's getting in contact with 416 00:25:32,250 --> 00:25:35,770 Speaker 1: that friend that did you wrong. You've been feeling that nudging, 417 00:25:36,030 --> 00:25:39,330 Speaker 1: that prompting. Others have told you that person wants to 418 00:25:39,390 --> 00:25:43,199 Speaker 1: speak to you. Life is too short to hold grudges, 419 00:25:43,840 --> 00:25:47,320 Speaker 1: make people pay and live one and done. You've shown 420 00:25:47,359 --> 00:25:50,419 Speaker 1: me who you are. What if that person has something 421 00:25:50,460 --> 00:25:53,650 Speaker 1: you need for your destinies? What if God has purposed 422 00:25:53,670 --> 00:25:56,590 Speaker 1: them to bring great joy and fulfillment to your life? 423 00:25:57,530 --> 00:25:59,950 Speaker 1: And again, I'm not saying to be naive, but I 424 00:26:00,070 --> 00:26:04,240 Speaker 1: am asking you to be open, use wisdom, listen to 425 00:26:04,280 --> 00:26:07,550 Speaker 1: what you're feeling in here. When you hear that still 426 00:26:07,630 --> 00:26:11,330 Speaker 1: small voice, that prompting, or you hear a trusted friend, 427 00:26:11,410 --> 00:26:15,190 Speaker 1: a Barnabas, a Paul saying they've changed, I can verify it. 428 00:26:15,510 --> 00:26:18,270 Speaker 1: Will you give people room to change? Will you open 429 00:26:18,290 --> 00:26:21,449 Speaker 1: the door and give them some access? Or have you 430 00:26:21,510 --> 00:26:24,730 Speaker 1: frozen them in time, stuck in a version of who 431 00:26:24,770 --> 00:26:28,890 Speaker 1: they were? No, leave room for God's grace. Don't let 432 00:26:29,010 --> 00:26:32,590 Speaker 1: yesterday's version keep you from what God wants to do today. 433 00:26:33,390 --> 00:26:36,379 Speaker 1: If you'll do this, I believe and declare God is 434 00:26:36,400 --> 00:26:39,899 Speaker 1: going to restore relationships you thought were over and done. 435 00:26:40,580 --> 00:26:43,280 Speaker 1: He's going to change the people you need for your destiny, 436 00:26:43,720 --> 00:26:47,030 Speaker 1: bring in healing where there's been hurt, trust where there's 437 00:26:47,070 --> 00:26:50,590 Speaker 1: been broken. You will rise higher and become all he 438 00:26:50,609 --> 00:26:54,190 Speaker 1: was created you to be in Jesus name. And if 439 00:26:54,210 --> 00:26:55,950 Speaker 1: you receive it, can you say amen? 440 00:26:55,970 --> 00:26:56,150 Speaker 2: Amen. 441 00:26:58,410 --> 00:27:01,070 Speaker 1: I'd like to give you an opportunity to make Jesus 442 00:27:01,170 --> 00:27:03,750 Speaker 1: the Lord of your life. Would you pray with me? 443 00:27:04,470 --> 00:27:08,610 Speaker 1: Just say, Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins. Come 444 00:27:08,670 --> 00:27:12,250 Speaker 1: into my heart. I make you my Lord and Savior. 445 00:27:13,109 --> 00:27:15,350 Speaker 1: If you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 446 00:27:15,410 --> 00:27:17,850 Speaker 1: born again. And we'd love to send you some free 447 00:27:17,890 --> 00:27:20,510 Speaker 1: information on your new walk with the Lord. You can 448 00:27:20,550 --> 00:27:23,070 Speaker 1: text the number on the screen or go to the website. 449 00:27:23,740 --> 00:27:26,640 Speaker 1: But I hope you'll get into a good Bible-based church 450 00:27:26,980 --> 00:27:38,710 Speaker 1: and keep God first place. A few years ago, I 451 00:27:38,750 --> 00:27:42,149 Speaker 1: stood in a forest of giant redwoods, trees hundreds of 452 00:27:42,190 --> 00:27:45,780 Speaker 1: feet tall and thousands of years old. I remember thinking 453 00:27:46,220 --> 00:27:49,320 Speaker 1: every one of them started as a single seed, something 454 00:27:49,340 --> 00:27:52,060 Speaker 1: you could hold in your hand. But I was amazed 455 00:27:52,100 --> 00:27:55,380 Speaker 1: at what they had become. That's not just true of trees. 456 00:27:55,600 --> 00:27:58,419 Speaker 1: It's true of you. There are seeds God has already 457 00:27:58,500 --> 00:28:00,960 Speaker 1: placed in you that are waiting to come to life. 458 00:28:01,380 --> 00:28:04,620 Speaker 1: You haven't seen all that you can become. I'd love 459 00:28:04,640 --> 00:28:07,909 Speaker 1: to send you my new 90-day devotional called Super Bloom. 460 00:28:08,430 --> 00:28:11,189 Speaker 1: It's designed to help you water what God has already 461 00:28:11,290 --> 00:28:15,129 Speaker 1: planted in your life. Each day's reading will strengthen your faith, 462 00:28:15,490 --> 00:28:18,929 Speaker 1: remind you of God's promises, and encourage you to keep believing. 463 00:28:19,530 --> 00:28:22,500 Speaker 1: As you do this, you'll see new confidence, new joy, 464 00:28:22,640 --> 00:28:25,639 Speaker 1: and new growth. Those seeds of greatness will begin to 465 00:28:25,700 --> 00:28:29,220 Speaker 1: flourish and you'll discover a life more rewarding than you've 466 00:28:29,260 --> 00:28:30,060 Speaker 1: ever imagined. 467 00:28:31,119 --> 00:28:34,790 Speaker 2: Super Bloom, 90 days of growth, encouragement, and hope for 468 00:28:34,850 --> 00:28:38,370 Speaker 2: all seasons of life is Joel's brand new devotional designed 469 00:28:38,390 --> 00:28:42,200 Speaker 2: to help you water what God has already planted in you. Inside, 470 00:28:42,400 --> 00:28:46,000 Speaker 2: you'll find 90 days of scripture, encouragement, and a simple 471 00:28:46,100 --> 00:28:50,280 Speaker 2: daily practice. Whatever season you're walking through, whatever you're believing 472 00:28:50,360 --> 00:28:54,460 Speaker 2: God for, because what you water today is what blooms tomorrow. 473 00:28:54,940 --> 00:28:57,000 Speaker 2: It's yours as a thank you for your gift to 474 00:28:57,020 --> 00:29:00,959 Speaker 2: the ministry today. Be sure to request your copy of Superbloom, 475 00:29:01,200 --> 00:29:05,720 Speaker 2: available this month by visiting us at joelostein.com or call 888-567-JOEL. 476 00:29:08,570 --> 00:29:11,500 Speaker 1: Keep watering what God has planted. I believe you're going 477 00:29:11,520 --> 00:29:14,719 Speaker 1: to come into your super bloom season. Victoria and I 478 00:29:14,760 --> 00:29:17,520 Speaker 1: love you. We're praying for you and your family every day. 479 00:29:17,560 --> 00:29:20,570 Speaker 1: And thanks so much for your prayer and support. Your 480 00:29:20,610 --> 00:29:23,830 Speaker 1: generosity helps take this message of hope to people all 481 00:29:23,950 --> 00:29:26,810 Speaker 1: over the world who need their own moment with God. 482 00:29:27,360 --> 00:29:29,810 Speaker 1: And a special thank you to our Champion of Hope partners. 483 00:29:30,120 --> 00:29:32,970 Speaker 1: Your monthly support makes a difference every single day. If 484 00:29:33,450 --> 00:29:35,930 Speaker 1: you're not a partner, I hope you'll consider becoming one. 485 00:29:36,390 --> 00:29:39,300 Speaker 1: Until next time, may the Lord bless you and keep you. 486 00:29:40,130 --> 00:29:43,450 Speaker 2: Be sure to request your copy of Superbloom, available this 487 00:29:43,530 --> 00:29:49,960 Speaker 2: month by visiting us at joelostein.com or call 888-567-JOEL. With 488 00:29:50,000 --> 00:29:53,340 Speaker 2: an additional gift, you can also receive the Superbloom devotional 489 00:29:53,460 --> 00:29:56,440 Speaker 2: together with the Planted in God journals. a place to 490 00:29:56,480 --> 00:29:59,760 Speaker 2: capture your prayers, your dreams, and all the good things 491 00:29:59,860 --> 00:30:02,740 Speaker 2: God is doing in your life. We are also making 492 00:30:02,780 --> 00:30:06,260 Speaker 2: available to you this month the Bloom Expanded Collection, the 493 00:30:06,300 --> 00:30:10,380 Speaker 2: devotional and journal together with the NLT Spiritual Growth Bible, 494 00:30:10,760 --> 00:30:13,920 Speaker 2: one of the most comprehensive study Bibles available to help 495 00:30:13,960 --> 00:30:17,280 Speaker 2: you go even deeper in God's Word. What you water 496 00:30:17,320 --> 00:30:21,530 Speaker 2: today is what blooms tomorrow. You can request these inspiring 497 00:30:21,590 --> 00:30:28,350 Speaker 2: resources by calling 888-567-JOEL or logging on to joelostein.com today. 498 00:30:29,010 --> 00:30:32,050 Speaker 2: Take the step today and watch what God planted in 499 00:30:32,090 --> 00:30:35,250 Speaker 2: you break open into your own super bloom, a season 500 00:30:35,290 --> 00:30:39,250 Speaker 2: of joy, hope, and growth you never imagined. Call or 501 00:30:39,310 --> 00:30:40,620 Speaker 2: click anytime, 24 hours a day.