1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:02,880 Speaker 1: No one likes to talk about money. Am I saving enough? 2 00:00:02,960 --> 00:00:05,040 Speaker 1: Can I buy a house? Am I paying too much 3 00:00:05,040 --> 00:00:07,760 Speaker 1: in taxes? Will I be able to retire? What if 4 00:00:07,760 --> 00:00:10,360 Speaker 1: you could unlock insights about your finances in less than 5 00:00:10,400 --> 00:00:12,840 Speaker 1: five minutes, with a clear picture of where you stand 6 00:00:12,880 --> 00:00:15,720 Speaker 1: today and where your money can work harder. Now you 7 00:00:15,760 --> 00:00:18,759 Speaker 1: can visit facet dot com to take the free quiz 8 00:00:18,800 --> 00:00:23,400 Speaker 1: and get your financial wellness score today. That's Facet dot com. 9 00:00:23,400 --> 00:00:25,360 Speaker 1: This ad is sponsored by Facet. Fast Wealth in Corporated 10 00:00:25,440 --> 00:00:27,280 Speaker 1: is an sec registered investment advisor. This is not an 11 00:00:27,320 --> 00:00:29,080 Speaker 1: offer to buy your self securities or is it investment, 12 00:00:29,160 --> 00:00:30,080 Speaker 1: legal or tax advice. 13 00:00:30,760 --> 00:00:33,960 Speaker 2: You're ready for a comeback, and with Purdue Global you 14 00:00:34,000 --> 00:00:37,200 Speaker 2: can do more than take classes. You can take charge 15 00:00:37,520 --> 00:00:41,520 Speaker 2: of your story, of your career, of your life, Earn 16 00:00:41,560 --> 00:00:43,559 Speaker 2: a degree you can be proud of, and get an 17 00:00:43,680 --> 00:00:48,559 Speaker 2: education employer's respect. It's time, your time, not just to 18 00:00:48,560 --> 00:00:50,960 Speaker 2: go back to school, but to come back and move 19 00:00:51,040 --> 00:00:55,840 Speaker 2: forward with Purdue Global, Purdue's online university for working adults. 20 00:00:56,440 --> 00:00:59,920 Speaker 2: Start your comeback at Purdueglobal dot edu. 21 00:01:00,720 --> 00:01:03,480 Speaker 3: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 22 00:01:03,520 --> 00:01:06,640 Speaker 3: our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. If you 23 00:01:06,760 --> 00:01:09,319 Speaker 3: enjoy today's message, why don't you be a blessing and 24 00:01:09,400 --> 00:01:12,039 Speaker 3: share it with a friend. We appreciate you and pray 25 00:01:12,080 --> 00:01:27,000 Speaker 3: for God's very best in your life. Well, God, bless you. 26 00:01:27,280 --> 00:01:30,039 Speaker 3: It's a joy to come into your homes. We love you. 27 00:01:30,360 --> 00:01:32,720 Speaker 3: We know God has great things in store for you. 28 00:01:33,080 --> 00:01:35,399 Speaker 3: If you're ever in our area, I hope you'll stop 29 00:01:35,400 --> 00:01:37,319 Speaker 3: buy and be a part of one of our services. 30 00:01:37,600 --> 00:01:39,839 Speaker 3: I promise you this will make you feel right at home. 31 00:01:40,080 --> 00:01:42,720 Speaker 3: But thanks so much for tuning in, Thanks again for 32 00:01:42,800 --> 00:01:45,559 Speaker 3: coming out today. And I like to start with something funny. 33 00:01:45,560 --> 00:01:48,160 Speaker 3: And I heard about this young man. He was talking 34 00:01:48,200 --> 00:01:51,639 Speaker 3: to God and he said, God, what's a million years 35 00:01:51,800 --> 00:01:54,680 Speaker 3: like to you? God said, son, a million years to 36 00:01:54,760 --> 00:01:58,200 Speaker 3: me is like one second to you. He said, well, God, 37 00:01:58,240 --> 00:02:01,440 Speaker 3: what's a million dollars like to you? God said, a 38 00:02:01,480 --> 00:02:04,400 Speaker 3: million dollars to me is like one penny to you. 39 00:02:05,040 --> 00:02:07,480 Speaker 3: He thought about it, finally got his nerve up and said, God, 40 00:02:07,480 --> 00:02:11,320 Speaker 3: would you give me a penny? God said sure, just 41 00:02:11,360 --> 00:02:17,120 Speaker 3: a second. All right, hold up your bibles, say it 42 00:02:17,200 --> 00:02:20,320 Speaker 3: like you mean it. This is my Bible. I am 43 00:02:20,400 --> 00:02:22,840 Speaker 3: what it says, I am, I have what it says. 44 00:02:22,840 --> 00:02:23,120 Speaker 4: I have. 45 00:02:23,720 --> 00:02:26,440 Speaker 3: I can do what it says I can do. Today, 46 00:02:26,560 --> 00:02:29,440 Speaker 3: I will be taught the word of God. I boldly 47 00:02:29,520 --> 00:02:33,800 Speaker 3: confess my mind is alert, my heart is receptive. I 48 00:02:33,840 --> 00:02:38,040 Speaker 3: will never be the same. In Jesus's name, God bless you. 49 00:02:39,200 --> 00:02:42,640 Speaker 3: I want to talk to you today about overcoming discouragement. 50 00:02:43,400 --> 00:02:45,280 Speaker 3: One of the tests that we all have to face 51 00:02:45,400 --> 00:02:48,560 Speaker 3: in life on a regular basis is the test of 52 00:02:48,680 --> 00:02:53,000 Speaker 3: not getting discouraged. No matter how successful you are or 53 00:02:53,040 --> 00:02:56,000 Speaker 3: how many victories you've had in the past, sooner or 54 00:02:56,080 --> 00:02:59,520 Speaker 3: later there will be an opportunity to get discouraged. Now 55 00:02:59,800 --> 00:03:02,919 Speaker 3: two many people that have let life wear them down. 56 00:03:03,680 --> 00:03:06,240 Speaker 3: They used to have a spring in their step. They 57 00:03:06,320 --> 00:03:09,280 Speaker 3: used to go out each day with excitement. But now 58 00:03:09,400 --> 00:03:12,640 Speaker 3: they've allowed this heaviness to come on them, just like 59 00:03:12,680 --> 00:03:16,240 Speaker 3: a dark cloud. It follows them everywhere they go. And 60 00:03:16,320 --> 00:03:19,680 Speaker 3: unless they learn this principle of how to pass the 61 00:03:19,720 --> 00:03:23,760 Speaker 3: discouragement test, it'll keep them from God's best. And this 62 00:03:23,800 --> 00:03:26,359 Speaker 3: is what happened to the people of Israel. They were 63 00:03:26,400 --> 00:03:30,240 Speaker 3: headed toward the Promised Land, but the scripture says they 64 00:03:30,320 --> 00:03:35,840 Speaker 3: became discouraged along the way. What's interesting is God is 65 00:03:35,920 --> 00:03:38,600 Speaker 3: the one that was leading them it's not that they 66 00:03:38,600 --> 00:03:41,840 Speaker 3: weren't being led the right way. The problem is they 67 00:03:41,840 --> 00:03:45,000 Speaker 3: didn't handle the discouragement the right way. And a lot 68 00:03:45,000 --> 00:03:47,839 Speaker 3: of times we think, well, I'm discouraged because of where 69 00:03:47,880 --> 00:03:51,640 Speaker 3: I am. I'm discouraged because of these problems. No, God 70 00:03:51,800 --> 00:03:55,120 Speaker 3: is directing our steps as well. He's given us the 71 00:03:55,200 --> 00:03:57,760 Speaker 3: strength to be where we are with a good attitude. 72 00:03:58,360 --> 00:04:01,240 Speaker 3: And when that discouraging spirit comes knocking on the door, 73 00:04:01,480 --> 00:04:04,360 Speaker 3: you don't have to answer, just say no thanks. I'm 74 00:04:04,360 --> 00:04:07,080 Speaker 3: gonna keep my joy. I know God is in control 75 00:04:07,120 --> 00:04:09,440 Speaker 3: of my life. He's going to get me to where 76 00:04:09,440 --> 00:04:13,760 Speaker 3: I'm supposed to be. It says they became discouraged along 77 00:04:13,800 --> 00:04:17,240 Speaker 3: the way. In other words, didn't happen all at once. 78 00:04:17,960 --> 00:04:21,160 Speaker 3: Little by little they got worn down. And they were 79 00:04:21,240 --> 00:04:25,200 Speaker 3: good people that loved the Lord. They'd seen great victories 80 00:04:25,200 --> 00:04:28,000 Speaker 3: in the past. Down deep, they knew they were headed 81 00:04:28,040 --> 00:04:31,760 Speaker 3: toward the promised Land. But over time they lost their 82 00:04:31,839 --> 00:04:35,279 Speaker 3: passion for life. Finally they said, forget it, let's just 83 00:04:35,320 --> 00:04:38,080 Speaker 3: go back to Egypt. It's never going to work. What 84 00:04:38,240 --> 00:04:42,960 Speaker 3: happened they didn't pass the discouragement test. In life, We're 85 00:04:43,000 --> 00:04:46,120 Speaker 3: gonna face all the same type of situations on the 86 00:04:46,120 --> 00:04:50,000 Speaker 3: way to our destiny. There will be opposition. It may 87 00:04:50,040 --> 00:04:53,200 Speaker 3: take longer than we'd hoped, it may be more difficult 88 00:04:53,240 --> 00:04:56,680 Speaker 3: than we thought. It's easy to get discouraged and think 89 00:04:56,680 --> 00:04:59,719 Speaker 3: it's never gonna work out. I'm tired of believing for 90 00:04:59,760 --> 00:05:02,840 Speaker 3: this child to turn around. I'm tired of treating these 91 00:05:02,839 --> 00:05:05,520 Speaker 3: people right that are treating me wrong. I'm tired of 92 00:05:05,560 --> 00:05:09,000 Speaker 3: tithing my income. Now you have to realize on the 93 00:05:09,040 --> 00:05:12,240 Speaker 3: other side of that discouragement is a new level of 94 00:05:12,279 --> 00:05:15,839 Speaker 3: your destiny. When you pass the test, there will always 95 00:05:15,880 --> 00:05:19,360 Speaker 3: be promotion. And if we're going to become everything God's 96 00:05:19,360 --> 00:05:21,960 Speaker 3: created us to be, we've got to dig our heels 97 00:05:21,960 --> 00:05:25,120 Speaker 3: in and say I have come too far to stop now. 98 00:05:25,839 --> 00:05:29,040 Speaker 3: It may be tough, it may be taking a long time. 99 00:05:29,279 --> 00:05:31,839 Speaker 3: I may not understand it, but I do know this. 100 00:05:32,279 --> 00:05:34,719 Speaker 3: My God is still on the throne and what he 101 00:05:34,800 --> 00:05:37,479 Speaker 3: promised he will bring to pass. You got to have 102 00:05:37,560 --> 00:05:41,240 Speaker 3: a made up mind or resolve that no matter what 103 00:05:41,360 --> 00:05:44,479 Speaker 3: comes your way, no matter how long it takes or 104 00:05:44,560 --> 00:05:47,680 Speaker 3: impossible it looks, you are in it for the long haul. 105 00:05:48,120 --> 00:05:50,280 Speaker 3: You're not going to lose your passing. You're going to 106 00:05:50,360 --> 00:05:54,359 Speaker 3: pass these discouragement tests. You may be in a difficult 107 00:05:54,400 --> 00:05:57,359 Speaker 3: season right now. You have plenty of reasons that you 108 00:05:57,400 --> 00:06:01,040 Speaker 3: could be sour and live down and discourage. Perhaps you're 109 00:06:01,040 --> 00:06:04,960 Speaker 3: struggling in your finances, or you don't feel well physically. 110 00:06:05,360 --> 00:06:08,760 Speaker 3: Maybe your relationship is giving you trouble. It'd be easy 111 00:06:08,800 --> 00:06:10,800 Speaker 3: to settle there and think, you know what, forget it, 112 00:06:10,800 --> 00:06:13,680 Speaker 3: it's not going to work out now. God sent you 113 00:06:13,800 --> 00:06:17,680 Speaker 3: here today to breathe new life into your spirit. He's 114 00:06:17,720 --> 00:06:21,680 Speaker 3: saying where you are is simply a test. If you 115 00:06:21,680 --> 00:06:25,120 Speaker 3: will shake off the discouragement, shake off the self pity, 116 00:06:25,400 --> 00:06:28,320 Speaker 3: and get a fresh new vision for your life, then 117 00:06:28,400 --> 00:06:31,000 Speaker 3: where you are is not where you're going to stay. 118 00:06:31,920 --> 00:06:34,839 Speaker 3: It may be difficult, but God has armed you with 119 00:06:34,920 --> 00:06:38,360 Speaker 3: strength for every battle. It may be taken a long time, 120 00:06:38,440 --> 00:06:41,839 Speaker 3: but know this, you are closer than you think. Your 121 00:06:41,960 --> 00:06:45,960 Speaker 3: victory is already on the way. Galatian six puts it 122 00:06:46,080 --> 00:06:49,600 Speaker 3: like this. Don't get tired of doing what's right, for 123 00:06:49,720 --> 00:06:52,840 Speaker 3: in due season you will reap if you just don't 124 00:06:52,839 --> 00:06:56,479 Speaker 3: give up. For many of you, like the people of Israel, 125 00:06:56,800 --> 00:07:00,120 Speaker 3: you are right next door to your promised land. Your 126 00:07:00,200 --> 00:07:03,840 Speaker 3: due season is right around the corner. That breakthrough, that 127 00:07:03,960 --> 00:07:07,840 Speaker 3: dream coming to pass meeting the right person, overcoming that obstacle. 128 00:07:08,360 --> 00:07:11,720 Speaker 3: God has already put it on his schedule. He's already 129 00:07:11,800 --> 00:07:14,280 Speaker 3: set the time and the date to make it happen. 130 00:07:15,000 --> 00:07:17,840 Speaker 3: So now is not the time to get discouraged. Now 131 00:07:17,880 --> 00:07:20,120 Speaker 3: more than ever is the time to be a believer. 132 00:07:20,280 --> 00:07:23,400 Speaker 3: It's the time to stay in fame. The scripture says, 133 00:07:23,920 --> 00:07:27,400 Speaker 3: lift up your head, and the King of glory will 134 00:07:27,400 --> 00:07:30,560 Speaker 3: come in. If you want God to come in and 135 00:07:30,640 --> 00:07:33,600 Speaker 3: show you his favor, you got to lift up your head. 136 00:07:33,840 --> 00:07:36,720 Speaker 3: That's where your help comes from. The Psalmas said, I 137 00:07:36,720 --> 00:07:38,880 Speaker 3: don't look to the mountains for help. I look to 138 00:07:38,920 --> 00:07:42,360 Speaker 3: the God who made the mountains. We cannot go through 139 00:07:42,400 --> 00:07:46,880 Speaker 3: life looking down, thinking about our problems, dwelling on how 140 00:07:46,880 --> 00:07:50,800 Speaker 3: bad it is, reliving every negative thing that's happened, and 141 00:07:50,920 --> 00:07:53,560 Speaker 3: expect to have God's best. You got to lift up 142 00:07:53,600 --> 00:07:56,760 Speaker 3: your head, get a fresh new vision for your life. 143 00:07:57,240 --> 00:08:00,480 Speaker 3: There are greater victories in your future then you have 144 00:08:00,560 --> 00:08:03,600 Speaker 3: experienced in your past. But as long as we're looking 145 00:08:03,640 --> 00:08:06,880 Speaker 3: down wondering why it's not working and why it's taking 146 00:08:06,920 --> 00:08:09,760 Speaker 3: so long, that's going to keep us from rising higher. 147 00:08:10,480 --> 00:08:13,800 Speaker 3: David said in Psalm three that God is the glory 148 00:08:14,160 --> 00:08:18,840 Speaker 3: and the lifter of our heads. Sometimes circumstances try to 149 00:08:18,840 --> 00:08:22,560 Speaker 3: convince us to keep our heads down. Got too many problems. 150 00:08:22,600 --> 00:08:25,600 Speaker 3: I'm tired of dealing with it. It's just not worth it. Now. 151 00:08:25,640 --> 00:08:28,760 Speaker 3: God is saying today, your head's been down long enough. 152 00:08:29,040 --> 00:08:32,240 Speaker 3: I'm the glory and the lifter of your head. You 153 00:08:32,280 --> 00:08:35,880 Speaker 3: know what that word glory means. It means favor. One 154 00:08:35,960 --> 00:08:40,320 Speaker 3: translation says heavy favor. The enemy tries to weigh us 155 00:08:40,360 --> 00:08:43,839 Speaker 3: down with heavy burdens, convince us to look down, stay 156 00:08:43,840 --> 00:08:48,400 Speaker 3: focused on our difficulties. Before long, that discouragement is like 157 00:08:48,440 --> 00:08:51,880 Speaker 3: a heavy weight that we're dragging around. But if you'll 158 00:08:51,960 --> 00:08:54,880 Speaker 3: let God be the glory and the lifter of your 159 00:08:54,960 --> 00:08:58,200 Speaker 3: head and work with them to shake off that discouragement, 160 00:08:58,720 --> 00:09:01,480 Speaker 3: then the only thing that'll be heavy on you is 161 00:09:01,520 --> 00:09:05,200 Speaker 3: the favor of God. Instead of being heavy with discouragement 162 00:09:05,240 --> 00:09:08,800 Speaker 3: and depression and burdens, you'll be heavy with joy, heavy 163 00:09:08,800 --> 00:09:12,360 Speaker 3: with favor, heavy with blessings, heavy with victory. He is 164 00:09:12,400 --> 00:09:16,520 Speaker 3: the glory and the lifter of our heads. That means 165 00:09:16,960 --> 00:09:20,000 Speaker 3: when we can't lift our heads in our own strength, 166 00:09:20,720 --> 00:09:24,560 Speaker 3: when our circumstances have overwhelmed us, when the medical report 167 00:09:24,600 --> 00:09:27,680 Speaker 3: knocks the wind out of us. When a relationship hits 168 00:09:27,720 --> 00:09:31,080 Speaker 3: a major storm and we can't lift our head on 169 00:09:31,120 --> 00:09:34,480 Speaker 3: our own, that's when God will show up as the 170 00:09:34,520 --> 00:09:37,520 Speaker 3: glory and the lifter of our heads. You know what 171 00:09:37,559 --> 00:09:41,240 Speaker 3: God's doing today through my words. He's lifting your heads. 172 00:09:41,640 --> 00:09:45,600 Speaker 3: He's breathing new life, new hope into your spirit. He's saying, 173 00:09:45,840 --> 00:09:51,560 Speaker 3: there are brighter days up ahead. David experienced this lifting power. 174 00:09:51,920 --> 00:09:55,320 Speaker 3: He said in Psalm forty. God lifted me out of 175 00:09:55,400 --> 00:09:58,440 Speaker 3: a horrible pit and set my feet on a rock 176 00:09:58,679 --> 00:10:01,640 Speaker 3: and put a new song in my heart. There's some 177 00:10:01,760 --> 00:10:05,720 Speaker 3: lifting going on today. The creator of the universe is saying, 178 00:10:06,080 --> 00:10:08,280 Speaker 3: if you put your trust in me and shake off 179 00:10:08,320 --> 00:10:11,720 Speaker 3: the discouragement, then I'm gonna lift you to places that 180 00:10:11,800 --> 00:10:14,679 Speaker 3: you could not get to on your own. I'm gonna 181 00:10:14,720 --> 00:10:18,000 Speaker 3: lift you out of trouble into victory. I'm gonna lift 182 00:10:18,040 --> 00:10:21,040 Speaker 3: you out of sickness into health. I'm gonna lift you 183 00:10:21,280 --> 00:10:24,480 Speaker 3: out of lack into abundance. Or how about this, God 184 00:10:24,520 --> 00:10:27,760 Speaker 3: will lift you out of unfair situations and give your 185 00:10:27,800 --> 00:10:30,880 Speaker 3: beauty for ashes. In those times where you feel like 186 00:10:31,040 --> 00:10:34,480 Speaker 3: being discouraged, it's good to just look up and say, Father, 187 00:10:34,520 --> 00:10:36,840 Speaker 3: I want to thank you that you're the glory and 188 00:10:36,880 --> 00:10:39,920 Speaker 3: the lifter of my head. Father. You said you'd put 189 00:10:39,960 --> 00:10:42,880 Speaker 3: a new song in my heart. You said you've armed 190 00:10:42,880 --> 00:10:45,760 Speaker 3: me with strength for every battle. So I'm not gonna 191 00:10:45,800 --> 00:10:49,080 Speaker 3: drag around defeated and depressed. I'm gonna get my joy 192 00:10:49,160 --> 00:10:52,640 Speaker 3: back and start expecting your favor. That's what it says 193 00:10:52,679 --> 00:10:55,880 Speaker 3: in Psalm thirty. Weeping may endure for a night, but 194 00:10:56,160 --> 00:11:00,480 Speaker 3: joy is coming in the morning. Think about this morning 195 00:11:00,640 --> 00:11:05,480 Speaker 3: starts at twelve one am. What's interesting is, even though 196 00:11:05,520 --> 00:11:09,199 Speaker 3: it's a new morning at midnight, it's still dark at 197 00:11:09,240 --> 00:11:12,280 Speaker 3: one am, two am, three am, four am, still dark. 198 00:11:12,360 --> 00:11:16,160 Speaker 3: Doesn't look like anything's happening. No, stay in faith. Joy 199 00:11:16,320 --> 00:11:19,240 Speaker 3: is coming. You've entered into a new day. About six 200 00:11:19,360 --> 00:11:22,360 Speaker 3: or seven o'clock, you will suddenly see the sun break 201 00:11:22,400 --> 00:11:25,280 Speaker 3: forth over the horizon. Things will start to brighten up. 202 00:11:25,520 --> 00:11:29,160 Speaker 3: In other words, business will increase, health will be restored, 203 00:11:29,400 --> 00:11:32,839 Speaker 3: dreams will come to pass. And in these discouraging seasons, 204 00:11:32,920 --> 00:11:36,080 Speaker 3: you've got to remind yourself that the lifter of your head, 205 00:11:36,160 --> 00:11:40,360 Speaker 3: the most High God, has promised that joy is coming. 206 00:11:40,920 --> 00:11:43,800 Speaker 3: And just because it's dark doesn't mean it's not on 207 00:11:43,840 --> 00:11:46,920 Speaker 3: its way. You've entered into a new day. It's just 208 00:11:46,960 --> 00:11:49,920 Speaker 3: a matter of time before you see the sun break forth. 209 00:11:50,760 --> 00:11:53,679 Speaker 3: But I see too many people that have become discouraged 210 00:11:53,760 --> 00:11:57,280 Speaker 3: along the way. They started out fine, but they hit 211 00:11:57,360 --> 00:12:00,480 Speaker 3: some setbacks, and instead of shaking it off and having 212 00:12:00,480 --> 00:12:03,679 Speaker 3: a new vision, they let life wear them down and 213 00:12:03,960 --> 00:12:06,839 Speaker 3: they lose their passion. They end up settling for less 214 00:12:06,920 --> 00:12:10,040 Speaker 3: than God's best. In the scripture, there's a man like this. 215 00:12:10,559 --> 00:12:13,520 Speaker 3: We don't know his name. He's simply called the man 216 00:12:13,760 --> 00:12:18,080 Speaker 3: with the withered hand. That withered hand represents how life 217 00:12:18,160 --> 00:12:22,439 Speaker 3: can wear us down. When something withers. Doesn't happen overnight. 218 00:12:22,760 --> 00:12:27,080 Speaker 3: It's a gradual process. We've had people send us flowers before, 219 00:12:27,120 --> 00:12:29,000 Speaker 3: and we take them home and put them on our 220 00:12:29,080 --> 00:12:33,280 Speaker 3: kitchen table, and they're just as beautiful and colorful. They 221 00:12:33,280 --> 00:12:36,320 Speaker 3: look like a picture of life. But after a week 222 00:12:36,440 --> 00:12:39,720 Speaker 3: or two, little by little they start to wither. We 223 00:12:39,760 --> 00:12:42,000 Speaker 3: don't go in there and think, oh wow, look they're withering. No, 224 00:12:42,080 --> 00:12:45,319 Speaker 3: it's so slow of a process. You can barely tell 225 00:12:45,400 --> 00:12:48,360 Speaker 3: that they're losing a little color, a little vibrance, that 226 00:12:48,480 --> 00:12:51,000 Speaker 3: getting a little more dull. You can't really tell it. 227 00:12:51,080 --> 00:12:53,880 Speaker 3: But then after a few weeks, they're totally withered. If 228 00:12:53,880 --> 00:12:56,960 Speaker 3: we're not careful, that's what can happen to us in life. 229 00:12:57,480 --> 00:13:00,959 Speaker 3: We start out passionate about our dreams, we're excited about 230 00:13:00,960 --> 00:13:03,360 Speaker 3: our marriage. We're going to do something great in life. 231 00:13:03,840 --> 00:13:06,959 Speaker 3: But then we hit some setbacks. Somebody does us wrong, 232 00:13:07,679 --> 00:13:09,720 Speaker 3: or we have a sickness that we never thought we'd 233 00:13:09,760 --> 00:13:12,520 Speaker 3: have to deal with. We make a mistake, and now 234 00:13:12,559 --> 00:13:16,199 Speaker 3: we're very hard on ourselves. We don't realize it, but 235 00:13:16,720 --> 00:13:20,400 Speaker 3: little by little life has withered us. We've lost our passion. 236 00:13:20,800 --> 00:13:23,360 Speaker 3: And it's interesting what Jesus said to the man. He 237 00:13:23,400 --> 00:13:26,439 Speaker 3: didn't say, sir, I'm sorry that you have a withered hand. 238 00:13:27,040 --> 00:13:30,200 Speaker 3: I'm sorry that life hasn't treated you fair. I'm sorry 239 00:13:30,200 --> 00:13:33,319 Speaker 3: you can't do what other people can do. No, Jesus 240 00:13:33,480 --> 00:13:37,400 Speaker 3: asked him to do something that almost could seem cruel, 241 00:13:37,840 --> 00:13:40,320 Speaker 3: something that the man had never done before. He looked 242 00:13:40,320 --> 00:13:44,280 Speaker 3: at him and said, sir, stretch forth your hand. The 243 00:13:44,360 --> 00:13:47,040 Speaker 3: man had to make a decision. Could he do what 244 00:13:47,120 --> 00:13:49,600 Speaker 3: he had never done before? Don't you know? There was 245 00:13:49,640 --> 00:13:53,360 Speaker 3: a battle taking place in his mind. There were strongholds 246 00:13:53,360 --> 00:13:56,280 Speaker 3: that had been there for years that had convinced him 247 00:13:56,360 --> 00:13:59,360 Speaker 3: he would never get better. He could have made plenty 248 00:13:59,400 --> 00:14:02,880 Speaker 3: of excuse Jesus, what do you mean, I can't stretch 249 00:14:02,920 --> 00:14:05,160 Speaker 3: out my hand. I was born this way? 250 00:14:05,960 --> 00:14:06,840 Speaker 1: Was it my fault? 251 00:14:07,200 --> 00:14:10,079 Speaker 3: Life hasn't treated me fair. No, this man must have 252 00:14:10,120 --> 00:14:13,240 Speaker 3: been coming to Lakewood. He knew he wasn't a victim, 253 00:14:13,320 --> 00:14:16,559 Speaker 3: he was a victor. He did not make any excuses. 254 00:14:18,000 --> 00:14:20,200 Speaker 3: He dared to take a step of faith, and he 255 00:14:20,640 --> 00:14:25,240 Speaker 3: stretched forth his hand. The scripture says, immediately he was 256 00:14:25,280 --> 00:14:29,240 Speaker 3: made whole. Life may have withered you in some area 257 00:14:29,800 --> 00:14:33,240 Speaker 3: along the way. You got discouraged, and now you've given 258 00:14:33,320 --> 00:14:35,960 Speaker 3: up on the dream of having a happy family, the 259 00:14:36,040 --> 00:14:39,040 Speaker 3: dream of being healthy and whole again, the dream of 260 00:14:39,080 --> 00:14:42,440 Speaker 3: getting out of debt, paying off your house. You've got 261 00:14:42,440 --> 00:14:45,840 Speaker 3: plenty of excuses, Joel, this is the way it's always been. 262 00:14:46,120 --> 00:14:49,600 Speaker 3: I've made too many mistakes. I come from the wrong family. No, 263 00:14:49,720 --> 00:14:52,760 Speaker 3: those are strongholds that will keep you from God's best. 264 00:14:53,280 --> 00:14:55,040 Speaker 3: And God is saying to us what he said to 265 00:14:55,080 --> 00:14:59,840 Speaker 3: this man. Stretch forth your hand. That means believe you 266 00:15:00,080 --> 00:15:03,840 Speaker 3: can go places that you've never been before. Stretch into 267 00:15:03,880 --> 00:15:07,520 Speaker 3: a new way of thinking, Stretch into a bigger vision. 268 00:15:08,280 --> 00:15:11,240 Speaker 3: Where you are is not where God wants you to stay, 269 00:15:11,560 --> 00:15:14,360 Speaker 3: and just because it hasn't happened in the past doesn't 270 00:15:14,400 --> 00:15:17,000 Speaker 3: mean that it cannot happen in the future. If you'll 271 00:15:17,000 --> 00:15:20,360 Speaker 3: get in agreement with God and stretch forth your hands, 272 00:15:20,440 --> 00:15:23,960 Speaker 3: so to speak, then God has new seasons of promotion 273 00:15:24,200 --> 00:15:27,200 Speaker 3: and increase come in your way. One time, I was 274 00:15:27,200 --> 00:15:29,840 Speaker 3: in my backyard talking to a man that helps me 275 00:15:29,920 --> 00:15:33,000 Speaker 3: with my landscaping. Was the middle of winter time, and 276 00:15:33,080 --> 00:15:36,640 Speaker 3: the grass was very brown. It looked really bad, like 277 00:15:36,680 --> 00:15:39,640 Speaker 3: it was totally dead. And I commented to the man 278 00:15:39,720 --> 00:15:42,720 Speaker 3: about how bad the grass looked and how dead it was. 279 00:15:43,240 --> 00:15:46,040 Speaker 3: He said, well, Joe, it doesn't look very good. But 280 00:15:46,080 --> 00:15:50,040 Speaker 3: the truth is the grass is not really dead. It's 281 00:15:50,120 --> 00:15:54,440 Speaker 3: just not in season. In the springtime, this same grass 282 00:15:54,600 --> 00:15:57,240 Speaker 3: will be just as lush and green as it can be. 283 00:15:58,280 --> 00:16:02,200 Speaker 3: That's the way it is in life. Sometimes our circumstances 284 00:16:02,280 --> 00:16:05,520 Speaker 3: look dead. It may look like a dream is dead, 285 00:16:05,920 --> 00:16:09,200 Speaker 3: a marriage is dead, a promise is dead. You have 286 00:16:09,240 --> 00:16:13,040 Speaker 3: to realize it's not really dead. It's just not in season. 287 00:16:13,400 --> 00:16:17,960 Speaker 3: It's coming back. New seasons of growth are coming, new health, 288 00:16:18,080 --> 00:16:22,120 Speaker 3: new relationships, new opportunities. What am I saying just because 289 00:16:22,160 --> 00:16:25,960 Speaker 3: something looks dead don't write it off. Our God is 290 00:16:25,960 --> 00:16:28,560 Speaker 3: a god of new beginnings, and when we go through 291 00:16:28,560 --> 00:16:32,240 Speaker 3: these disappointments, these setbacks, instead of getting all down and 292 00:16:32,280 --> 00:16:35,800 Speaker 3: discouraged and giving up, we should have the attitude. May 293 00:16:35,840 --> 00:16:39,160 Speaker 3: not look good, looks like it's over, but I know 294 00:16:39,320 --> 00:16:42,640 Speaker 3: the truth, it's not really dead. It's just not in season. 295 00:16:43,120 --> 00:16:46,120 Speaker 3: I'm in winter time, but I know springtime is coming. 296 00:16:46,520 --> 00:16:49,040 Speaker 3: So I'm gonna lift up my head and get ready 297 00:16:49,080 --> 00:16:51,960 Speaker 3: for the new things God is about to do. If 298 00:16:51,960 --> 00:16:54,960 Speaker 3: we're going to overcome discouragement, we've got to learn how 299 00:16:54,960 --> 00:16:58,920 Speaker 3: to transition into the different seasons of life. There's a 300 00:16:59,000 --> 00:17:02,600 Speaker 3: lady in the scripture, Naomi. She didn't do this very well. 301 00:17:03,200 --> 00:17:06,760 Speaker 3: She failed to realize that just because a season is 302 00:17:06,800 --> 00:17:10,879 Speaker 3: over doesn't mean that your life is over. Often we 303 00:17:10,920 --> 00:17:14,000 Speaker 3: want a certain season to last forever. That may not 304 00:17:14,119 --> 00:17:16,919 Speaker 3: be how God has it planned. We have to be 305 00:17:17,080 --> 00:17:21,280 Speaker 3: open enough, be willing to adapt and adjust when these 306 00:17:21,400 --> 00:17:25,000 Speaker 3: changes come, and not get bitter when something happens that 307 00:17:25,040 --> 00:17:28,359 Speaker 3: we don't like or we don't understand. Of course, no 308 00:17:28,400 --> 00:17:32,080 Speaker 3: one likes to go through changes or loss or disappointment, 309 00:17:32,119 --> 00:17:35,639 Speaker 3: but it's all a part of life. In those difficult seasons. 310 00:17:35,880 --> 00:17:38,359 Speaker 3: You have to remind yourself that God is still on 311 00:17:38,400 --> 00:17:41,919 Speaker 3: the throne. And even though the grass looks dead, it 312 00:17:41,960 --> 00:17:44,800 Speaker 3: doesn't mean that it's not going to be green once again. 313 00:17:45,800 --> 00:17:50,359 Speaker 3: And it's interesting the name Naomi actually means my joy, 314 00:17:51,000 --> 00:17:54,119 Speaker 3: so every time someone said hello Naomi, they were saying hello, 315 00:17:54,240 --> 00:17:58,800 Speaker 3: my joy, Good morning Naomi, good morning, my joy. Naomi 316 00:17:58,920 --> 00:18:02,200 Speaker 3: was going along just great. Life was good, the grass 317 00:18:02,320 --> 00:18:05,880 Speaker 3: was green. But over time she went through a series 318 00:18:05,920 --> 00:18:10,239 Speaker 3: of losses. Her husband died later her two sons were 319 00:18:10,359 --> 00:18:13,600 Speaker 3: killed in battle. Of course, it's difficult to go through 320 00:18:13,640 --> 00:18:16,639 Speaker 3: a loss, and there's a proper time for grieving. Do 321 00:18:16,720 --> 00:18:19,480 Speaker 3: you have to make sure you don't let a season 322 00:18:19,600 --> 00:18:24,120 Speaker 3: of mourning turn into a lifetime of morning. Naomi made 323 00:18:24,160 --> 00:18:27,800 Speaker 3: the mistake of letting the bitterness, the discouragement get on 324 00:18:27,800 --> 00:18:30,879 Speaker 3: the inside. She didn't think the grass would ever be 325 00:18:30,960 --> 00:18:36,359 Speaker 3: green again, and she actually changed her name tomorraw. Mara 326 00:18:36,560 --> 00:18:40,760 Speaker 3: means sorrow. When somebody said hey Naomi, she said, don't 327 00:18:40,760 --> 00:18:43,240 Speaker 3: call me that. Don't you know what I've been through. 328 00:18:43,520 --> 00:18:45,560 Speaker 3: I don't have any joy, I don't have any hope. 329 00:18:45,840 --> 00:18:49,280 Speaker 3: Call me by my new name, Mara. Now, when they 330 00:18:49,320 --> 00:18:53,040 Speaker 3: said hello Mara, they were reminding her of her pain 331 00:18:53,200 --> 00:18:57,760 Speaker 3: and misery. Her attitude was, all my dreams have been shattered. 332 00:18:58,119 --> 00:19:01,000 Speaker 3: I'm never gonna be happy again. Leave me in my 333 00:19:01,080 --> 00:19:04,560 Speaker 3: trouble and heartache. Now, when you go through a loss, 334 00:19:04,880 --> 00:19:08,440 Speaker 3: a disappointment, an unfair situation, you have to make sure 335 00:19:09,160 --> 00:19:12,760 Speaker 3: that you don't let life change your name. I know 336 00:19:12,880 --> 00:19:16,600 Speaker 3: people at one time they were happy, positive, hopeful, but 337 00:19:16,720 --> 00:19:20,040 Speaker 3: over time they've let life with them. They didn't handle 338 00:19:20,119 --> 00:19:24,080 Speaker 3: the different transitions into seasons well, and now they've let 339 00:19:24,119 --> 00:19:27,040 Speaker 3: life change their name. But here's how good God is. 340 00:19:27,200 --> 00:19:29,560 Speaker 3: If you'll get your joy back, if you'll shake off 341 00:19:29,600 --> 00:19:32,640 Speaker 3: the discouragement, if you'll lift up your head, you will 342 00:19:32,680 --> 00:19:36,880 Speaker 3: discover that just because a season is over, it does 343 00:19:36,960 --> 00:19:40,640 Speaker 3: not mean that your life is over. Naomi went through 344 00:19:40,680 --> 00:19:43,600 Speaker 3: all this loss and she moved back to her original 345 00:19:43,640 --> 00:19:47,440 Speaker 3: hometown with her daughter in law, Ruth. One day, Ruth 346 00:19:47,520 --> 00:19:49,959 Speaker 3: met a man, fell in love and got married, and 347 00:19:50,040 --> 00:19:54,240 Speaker 3: eventually Ruth had this baby boy. By now, Naomi was 348 00:19:54,280 --> 00:19:57,640 Speaker 3: an old woman, way up there in years, but when 349 00:19:57,680 --> 00:20:01,080 Speaker 3: she saw that little baby boy, something lit up on 350 00:20:01,119 --> 00:20:04,959 Speaker 3: the inside. She felt a new sense of purpose, a 351 00:20:05,000 --> 00:20:08,360 Speaker 3: new sense of destiny. Now as she was holding the baby, 352 00:20:08,960 --> 00:20:13,879 Speaker 3: something amazing happened. Milk began to be produced in her body. 353 00:20:14,080 --> 00:20:17,680 Speaker 3: The scripture says, this older woman, way up in her 354 00:20:17,800 --> 00:20:22,040 Speaker 3: senior years, was able to nurse the little baby. Naomi 355 00:20:22,160 --> 00:20:25,480 Speaker 3: was just as happy and fulfilled as can be. What 356 00:20:25,520 --> 00:20:29,000 Speaker 3: am I saying? Just because a good season is over 357 00:20:29,560 --> 00:20:33,760 Speaker 3: doesn't mean God doesn't have another good season coming. You 358 00:20:33,800 --> 00:20:37,080 Speaker 3: wouldn't be alive if God didn't have a purpose for you. 359 00:20:37,600 --> 00:20:40,359 Speaker 3: And you may have been through a disappointment. A good 360 00:20:40,400 --> 00:20:43,080 Speaker 3: season may be over, but if you'll shake it off 361 00:20:43,080 --> 00:20:46,040 Speaker 3: and keep moving forward, you're going to come into another 362 00:20:46,119 --> 00:20:48,879 Speaker 3: good season. God is going to reveal to you a 363 00:20:48,920 --> 00:20:54,000 Speaker 3: new purpose, with new friends, with new opportunities. Once you 364 00:20:54,119 --> 00:20:57,439 Speaker 3: discover your purpose, your milk will begin to flow. It 365 00:20:57,480 --> 00:21:00,320 Speaker 3: doesn't matter if you're thirty, or you're fifty, or you're 366 00:21:00,400 --> 00:21:03,240 Speaker 3: ninety five. God still has something for you to do. 367 00:21:04,000 --> 00:21:06,840 Speaker 3: But some of you are here today kind of like Naomi. 368 00:21:07,000 --> 00:21:10,199 Speaker 3: You've gone through a great disappointment. Something unfair is happened. 369 00:21:10,840 --> 00:21:13,199 Speaker 3: You basically thought, you know what I'm done. I'm just 370 00:21:13,240 --> 00:21:15,560 Speaker 3: gonna go home, give up on life, give up on 371 00:21:15,600 --> 00:21:19,440 Speaker 3: my family, give up on my dreams. No, understand, there's 372 00:21:19,520 --> 00:21:22,600 Speaker 3: another Ruth out there that needs you. There's a baby 373 00:21:22,640 --> 00:21:26,160 Speaker 3: boy that's counting on you. Don't let life change your name. 374 00:21:26,440 --> 00:21:30,640 Speaker 3: Get your enthusiasm back. You wouldn't be breathing unless God 375 00:21:30,720 --> 00:21:33,439 Speaker 3: had an assignment for you to do, something for you 376 00:21:33,520 --> 00:21:38,040 Speaker 3: to accomplish. Somebody needs what you have heard this young 377 00:21:38,119 --> 00:21:40,880 Speaker 3: lady talking. She'd been in an accident where she lost 378 00:21:41,000 --> 00:21:43,879 Speaker 3: both of her legs, and she was so distraught and 379 00:21:43,960 --> 00:21:47,200 Speaker 3: so depressed. She didn't think she had any reason to 380 00:21:47,280 --> 00:21:50,040 Speaker 3: be alive. She didn't see anything good in her future. 381 00:21:50,440 --> 00:21:53,480 Speaker 3: But I love what she did. She would quote Jeremiah 382 00:21:53,480 --> 00:21:56,919 Speaker 3: twenty nine to eleven and say, God, even though I 383 00:21:56,920 --> 00:21:59,560 Speaker 3: don't see any reason for me to be alive, I 384 00:21:59,640 --> 00:22:02,119 Speaker 3: know you have a plan for my life, and I 385 00:22:02,200 --> 00:22:05,640 Speaker 3: know it's good to give me a future and a hope. 386 00:22:05,760 --> 00:22:08,440 Speaker 3: And if you ever find yourself overwhelmed and you don't 387 00:22:08,440 --> 00:22:11,560 Speaker 3: see anything good in your future, I would encourage it 388 00:22:11,600 --> 00:22:14,159 Speaker 3: to do like her and just get in agreement with 389 00:22:14,240 --> 00:22:17,080 Speaker 3: God and say, God, I know you've got a good plan, 390 00:22:17,200 --> 00:22:20,240 Speaker 3: You've got a purpose for me, You've got brighter days 391 00:22:20,320 --> 00:22:24,280 Speaker 3: up ahead. Sometimes when we're in one of these discouraging tests, 392 00:22:24,800 --> 00:22:28,240 Speaker 3: it seems like God is silent. We pray and we 393 00:22:28,280 --> 00:22:31,679 Speaker 3: don't hear anything. We read the scripture and feels like 394 00:22:31,760 --> 00:22:35,920 Speaker 3: God is a million miles away. Think about this. When 395 00:22:35,920 --> 00:22:39,920 Speaker 3: you're in school taking a test. The teacher never talks 396 00:22:40,119 --> 00:22:42,840 Speaker 3: during the test. They stand up at the front of 397 00:22:42,880 --> 00:22:46,240 Speaker 3: the room very quietly, just watching all the students taking 398 00:22:46,280 --> 00:22:50,320 Speaker 3: the exam. If the test is on Friday, during the week, 399 00:22:50,400 --> 00:22:53,560 Speaker 3: they will talk. During the week. They'll get you prepared. 400 00:22:54,040 --> 00:22:57,640 Speaker 3: They'll show you what to study and explain the concepts 401 00:22:57,680 --> 00:23:00,679 Speaker 3: and make sure you know exactly what's on the end exam. 402 00:23:01,119 --> 00:23:03,720 Speaker 3: Monday through Thursday, they'll be there to answer all the 403 00:23:03,800 --> 00:23:07,160 Speaker 3: questions to make sure that you understand. They'll even stay 404 00:23:07,200 --> 00:23:10,280 Speaker 3: after school if they need to. They'll go overboard to 405 00:23:10,400 --> 00:23:14,440 Speaker 3: make sure that you're prepared for Friday. But on Friday, 406 00:23:14,520 --> 00:23:17,320 Speaker 3: during the test, the teacher will just stand back very 407 00:23:17,400 --> 00:23:20,800 Speaker 3: quietly and watch you take the exam. They know that 408 00:23:20,840 --> 00:23:24,480 Speaker 3: you have the information that you need. They know you're prepared. 409 00:23:24,800 --> 00:23:27,600 Speaker 3: You're ready. Now all you've got to do is put 410 00:23:27,640 --> 00:23:30,720 Speaker 3: into practice what you've learned. Well in the same way 411 00:23:30,760 --> 00:23:34,000 Speaker 3: with God, when it seems like he's silent and we 412 00:23:34,040 --> 00:23:37,720 Speaker 3: don't hear anything, we don't feel anything. It doesn't mean 413 00:23:37,760 --> 00:23:40,760 Speaker 3: that God has left you. Doesn't mean that God is 414 00:23:40,800 --> 00:23:44,359 Speaker 3: not concerned. He's right there with you during the test. 415 00:23:44,880 --> 00:23:48,800 Speaker 3: The silence means that God has you prepared. He wouldn't 416 00:23:48,800 --> 00:23:51,719 Speaker 3: have given you the test unless he knew you were ready. 417 00:23:52,600 --> 00:23:56,000 Speaker 3: So often we think just the opposite. When God is silent, 418 00:23:56,080 --> 00:23:58,200 Speaker 3: We think, oh, man, God's mad at me. I must 419 00:23:58,240 --> 00:24:00,840 Speaker 3: have been doing something wrong. I don't hear anything, I 420 00:24:00,840 --> 00:24:04,119 Speaker 3: don't feel anything. Now, God being silent is not a 421 00:24:04,160 --> 00:24:07,480 Speaker 3: sign that he's forsaken you. It's a sign that he 422 00:24:07,560 --> 00:24:10,679 Speaker 3: has great confidence in you. He knows you've got what 423 00:24:10,800 --> 00:24:15,200 Speaker 3: it takes. He knows you're gonna come through that test victoriously, 424 00:24:16,280 --> 00:24:18,840 Speaker 3: or he would not have permitted it. Now here's the 425 00:24:18,920 --> 00:24:23,199 Speaker 3: key during the test. Don't get discouraged, fall apart, have 426 00:24:23,280 --> 00:24:26,280 Speaker 3: a chip on your shoulder. No, put into practice what 427 00:24:26,400 --> 00:24:30,320 Speaker 3: you've learned. Stay in faith, keep being good to people, 428 00:24:30,760 --> 00:24:34,399 Speaker 3: keep coming to church, keep blessing others, stay in that 429 00:24:34,520 --> 00:24:37,720 Speaker 3: attitude of faith. If you do that, just like Naomi, 430 00:24:38,080 --> 00:24:41,000 Speaker 3: you're going to come into a new season of your life. 431 00:24:41,480 --> 00:24:44,080 Speaker 3: Your milk will begin to flow. In other words, God 432 00:24:44,119 --> 00:24:46,200 Speaker 3: will bring things out of you that you didn't even 433 00:24:46,280 --> 00:24:50,119 Speaker 3: know what's in you. He'll give you supernatural ability that 434 00:24:50,200 --> 00:24:53,040 Speaker 3: will take your places you've never dreamed of. Now I know, 435 00:24:53,160 --> 00:24:56,240 Speaker 3: right now, some of you are in this discouragement test. 436 00:24:56,840 --> 00:25:00,440 Speaker 3: You feel the weight of the heaviness. You're tired, feel 437 00:25:00,520 --> 00:25:04,399 Speaker 3: like fighting. Life is just about to wither you another notch. 438 00:25:04,920 --> 00:25:08,400 Speaker 3: But today is a new day. God is breathing new 439 00:25:08,440 --> 00:25:12,000 Speaker 3: hope into your heart, new vision into your spirit. Now 440 00:25:12,000 --> 00:25:15,080 Speaker 3: you've got to do your part and lift up your head. 441 00:25:15,960 --> 00:25:18,880 Speaker 3: Yes it may be difficult, but you've come too far 442 00:25:19,040 --> 00:25:22,280 Speaker 3: to stop. Now. The grass may look dead, but you 443 00:25:22,359 --> 00:25:25,640 Speaker 3: know the truth, it's not dead. It's just not in season. 444 00:25:25,880 --> 00:25:30,280 Speaker 3: Springtime is coming. New opportunities are in your future. If 445 00:25:30,280 --> 00:25:33,639 Speaker 3: you will pass the discouragement test, you'll step into a 446 00:25:33,680 --> 00:25:37,320 Speaker 3: new level of your destiny. Just like in school, when 447 00:25:37,359 --> 00:25:40,800 Speaker 3: you pass the test, you graduate to the next level. 448 00:25:40,960 --> 00:25:43,159 Speaker 3: You don't keep passing the test and stay in the 449 00:25:43,200 --> 00:25:45,800 Speaker 3: fourth grade for twenty two years. No, you go to 450 00:25:45,840 --> 00:25:48,760 Speaker 3: the fifth grade, to junior high, to high school to college. 451 00:25:49,000 --> 00:25:52,240 Speaker 3: Same way with God. If you'll just keep shaking off 452 00:25:52,280 --> 00:25:55,960 Speaker 3: the discouragement, shaking off the self pity, being your best, 453 00:25:56,040 --> 00:25:59,920 Speaker 3: pressing forward, God will keep taking you higher and higher, 454 00:26:00,480 --> 00:26:05,000 Speaker 3: giving you more of his favor, bringing more opportunity, more fulfillment, 455 00:26:05,400 --> 00:26:11,040 Speaker 3: more influence. Understand, if the enemy can't keep you discouraged, 456 00:26:11,359 --> 00:26:15,000 Speaker 3: you have taken away one of his greatest weapons. When 457 00:26:15,040 --> 00:26:18,679 Speaker 3: things don't go your way, and you should get negative, bitter, 458 00:26:19,200 --> 00:26:22,880 Speaker 3: complaining down, but instead you shake it all. You lift 459 00:26:22,960 --> 00:26:25,040 Speaker 3: up your head. You put on a new attitude. You 460 00:26:25,119 --> 00:26:28,280 Speaker 3: expect God's favor. You do that, and you'll give the 461 00:26:28,440 --> 00:26:31,680 Speaker 3: enemy a nervous breakdown. He doesn't know what to do 462 00:26:31,720 --> 00:26:35,960 Speaker 3: with people like that. And here's the thing. You may 463 00:26:36,240 --> 00:26:39,680 Speaker 3: have gotten discouraged along the way, but the good news 464 00:26:39,800 --> 00:26:43,920 Speaker 3: is you can get encouraged along the way. Life may 465 00:26:43,920 --> 00:26:46,320 Speaker 3: have withered you a little bit, but God has a 466 00:26:46,359 --> 00:26:50,679 Speaker 3: way of rejuvenating and restoring what looked dead. He's the 467 00:26:50,760 --> 00:26:55,160 Speaker 3: glory and the lifter of our heads. By faith today, 468 00:26:55,560 --> 00:26:59,439 Speaker 3: let him lift your head. Stop looking down, look up 469 00:26:59,440 --> 00:27:02,240 Speaker 3: from where you are, get a fresh new vision. If 470 00:27:02,280 --> 00:27:04,960 Speaker 3: you do that, God will do what he promised David, 471 00:27:04,960 --> 00:27:07,680 Speaker 3: they're in Psalm forty. He'll lift you out of a pit. 472 00:27:08,000 --> 00:27:10,040 Speaker 3: He'll set your feet on a rock. He'll put a 473 00:27:10,080 --> 00:27:13,040 Speaker 3: new song in your heart. You won't drag through life 474 00:27:13,080 --> 00:27:17,120 Speaker 3: defeated and depressed. No, you'll soar through life, full of joy, 475 00:27:17,240 --> 00:27:20,240 Speaker 3: full of faith, full of victory. And I know some 476 00:27:20,320 --> 00:27:24,440 Speaker 3: of you have struggled with discouragement, depression, heaviness. I want 477 00:27:24,480 --> 00:27:28,160 Speaker 3: to speak words of faith over you today. I declare 478 00:27:28,640 --> 00:27:31,879 Speaker 3: right now, in the name of Jesus, that spirit of 479 00:27:31,920 --> 00:27:36,040 Speaker 3: discouragement is broken off of your life. I declare that 480 00:27:36,160 --> 00:27:40,520 Speaker 3: spirit of heaviness, that spirit of depression is broken off 481 00:27:40,560 --> 00:27:44,160 Speaker 3: of you, off of your family, off of your future. 482 00:27:44,680 --> 00:27:48,159 Speaker 3: It will no longer have any effect on you. I 483 00:27:48,320 --> 00:27:51,440 Speaker 3: declare it, and I believe it in the name of Jesus. 484 00:27:51,760 --> 00:27:54,000 Speaker 3: And if you receive it, can you say him in today? 485 00:27:56,840 --> 00:27:59,399 Speaker 3: We never like to close our broadcast without giving you 486 00:27:59,440 --> 00:28:02,440 Speaker 3: an opportunity to make Jesus the lord of your life. 487 00:28:02,600 --> 00:28:06,600 Speaker 3: Would you pray with me? Just say Lord Jesus, I'll 488 00:28:06,640 --> 00:28:11,840 Speaker 3: repent of my sins, Come into my heart, wash me clean. 489 00:28:12,800 --> 00:28:16,200 Speaker 3: I make you my lord and savior. Friends, if you 490 00:28:16,240 --> 00:28:18,800 Speaker 3: prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got born again. 491 00:28:19,240 --> 00:28:22,280 Speaker 3: Get in a good Bible based church, Keep God first place. 492 00:28:22,560 --> 00:28:24,840 Speaker 3: He's going to take your places that you've never dreamed of. 493 00:28:25,520 --> 00:28:28,920 Speaker 4: Thank you for listening to the Joel Oustine podcast. Help 494 00:28:29,000 --> 00:28:31,760 Speaker 4: us continue to share the message of hope with those 495 00:28:31,840 --> 00:28:32,800 Speaker 4: all over the world. 496 00:28:33,119 --> 00:28:34,680 Speaker 3: Visit Joeloustin dot. 497 00:28:34,480 --> 00:28:37,520 Speaker 4: Com slash give Hope to give a gift today. 498 00:28:38,800 --> 00:28:41,720 Speaker 3: Thanks so much for listening to today's message. I hope 499 00:28:41,720 --> 00:28:45,080 Speaker 3: you'll subscribe so you can receive the latest podcast to 500 00:28:45,200 --> 00:28:48,400 Speaker 3: keep you inspired all through the week. We're praying for you. 501 00:28:48,560 --> 00:28:51,000 Speaker 3: I know God's best is still ahead. We'll see you 502 00:28:51,080 --> 00:28:51,680 Speaker 3: next time. 503 00:28:55,720 --> 00:28:58,400 Speaker 5: With millions of books on Amazon, there's a reading feeling 504 00:28:58,480 --> 00:29:02,880 Speaker 5: for everyone. 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