1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:03,160 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 2 00:00:03,200 --> 00:00:05,920 Speaker 1: our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. 3 00:00:06,120 --> 00:00:08,440 Speaker 2: If you enjoy today's message, why don't you be a 4 00:00:08,480 --> 00:00:09,720 Speaker 2: blessing and share it with a. 5 00:00:09,720 --> 00:00:13,040 Speaker 1: Friend, reappreciate you, and pray for God's very best in 6 00:00:13,080 --> 00:00:16,040 Speaker 1: your life. Oh, God bless you. It is always a 7 00:00:16,160 --> 00:00:19,000 Speaker 1: joy to come into your homes. We love you, and 8 00:00:19,040 --> 00:00:22,160 Speaker 1: we're believing from good things in your life. God rewards 9 00:00:22,200 --> 00:00:24,919 Speaker 1: the people that seek after Him. I believe that's you 10 00:00:24,960 --> 00:00:26,960 Speaker 1: and all of you, or you wouldn't have taken time 11 00:00:27,000 --> 00:00:29,159 Speaker 1: to join with us today. But God bless you. If 12 00:00:29,200 --> 00:00:30,280 Speaker 1: you ever in our erea, come out. 13 00:00:30,120 --> 00:00:30,600 Speaker 3: And see us. 14 00:00:30,760 --> 00:00:32,279 Speaker 1: We'd love to have you be a part of one 15 00:00:32,280 --> 00:00:34,800 Speaker 1: of our services. I like to start each week with 16 00:00:34,840 --> 00:00:37,280 Speaker 1: something kind of funny. And I heard about this man 17 00:00:37,360 --> 00:00:40,919 Speaker 1: named Bubba. He was feeling really down and discouraged, and 18 00:00:41,000 --> 00:00:43,560 Speaker 1: he went to his little country church and the pastor said, 19 00:00:43,600 --> 00:00:45,760 Speaker 1: what's wrong, Baba? He said, I need you to pray 20 00:00:45,800 --> 00:00:49,800 Speaker 1: for my hearing. The pastor very earnestly put both hands 21 00:00:49,840 --> 00:00:52,240 Speaker 1: on his ears, and he prayed and prayed and prayed 22 00:00:52,240 --> 00:00:55,480 Speaker 1: and prayed, and finally he got finished, and she said, okay, now, 23 00:00:55,680 --> 00:00:58,160 Speaker 1: how's your hearing, Baba said, I don't know. It's not 24 00:00:58,240 --> 00:00:59,200 Speaker 1: till Tuesday morning. 25 00:01:01,520 --> 00:01:04,520 Speaker 3: All right, hold up your Bible. Say it like you meaning, 26 00:01:05,360 --> 00:01:08,480 Speaker 3: this is my Bible. I am what it says I am. 27 00:01:09,120 --> 00:01:11,720 Speaker 3: I have what it says I have. I can do 28 00:01:11,800 --> 00:01:14,480 Speaker 3: what it says I can do. Today I will be 29 00:01:14,560 --> 00:01:18,720 Speaker 3: taught the word of God. I'll boldly confess. My mind 30 00:01:18,840 --> 00:01:22,480 Speaker 3: is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never be 31 00:01:22,560 --> 00:01:23,039 Speaker 3: the same. 32 00:01:23,640 --> 00:01:28,880 Speaker 1: I am about to receive the incorruptible, indestructible, ever living 33 00:01:29,160 --> 00:01:34,080 Speaker 1: seed of the Word of God. I'll never be the same. Never, never, never, 34 00:01:34,600 --> 00:01:39,040 Speaker 1: I'll never be the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. 35 00:01:39,959 --> 00:01:42,399 Speaker 1: I want to talk to you today about keeping your 36 00:01:42,400 --> 00:01:46,280 Speaker 1: heart free from offenses. Every day we're going to have 37 00:01:46,319 --> 00:01:50,120 Speaker 1: opportunities to get upset and offend it. People are going 38 00:01:50,200 --> 00:01:53,680 Speaker 1: to say things we don't understand. Maybe somebody's rude to 39 00:01:53,720 --> 00:01:56,720 Speaker 1: you at the grocery store, or a coworker leaves you 40 00:01:56,760 --> 00:02:00,200 Speaker 1: out of an important meeting. Offenses are going to come. 41 00:02:00,680 --> 00:02:03,720 Speaker 1: That's just a part of life. So many people are 42 00:02:03,720 --> 00:02:07,560 Speaker 1: living with their feelings on their shoulders. They're easily offended. 43 00:02:07,960 --> 00:02:11,959 Speaker 1: They let the smallest things upset them. Somebody cuts them 44 00:02:12,000 --> 00:02:15,320 Speaker 1: off in traffic. They don't even know the person, but 45 00:02:15,360 --> 00:02:18,160 Speaker 1: their blood pressure shoots sky high. The next two or 46 00:02:18,200 --> 00:02:21,000 Speaker 1: three hours, they're all up tight and on edge. But 47 00:02:21,080 --> 00:02:24,040 Speaker 1: if we're going to live in victory, we've got to 48 00:02:24,120 --> 00:02:28,320 Speaker 1: learn how to not take these offenses. Just because an 49 00:02:28,320 --> 00:02:31,800 Speaker 1: offense comes doesn't mean it has to affect us. It 50 00:02:31,840 --> 00:02:34,639 Speaker 1: all depends on what we do with it. The other day, 51 00:02:34,720 --> 00:02:37,480 Speaker 1: our son Jonathan, and I were at a department store. 52 00:02:37,760 --> 00:02:40,480 Speaker 1: We wanted to buy some sporting goods, and I tried 53 00:02:40,600 --> 00:02:43,280 Speaker 1: and tried to get somebody to help us. And I 54 00:02:43,280 --> 00:02:46,920 Speaker 1: could see three or four employees over there, talking, laughing, 55 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:49,000 Speaker 1: having a good time, and so I just went over 56 00:02:49,040 --> 00:02:51,520 Speaker 1: there and very politely ask if one of them could 57 00:02:51,520 --> 00:02:54,760 Speaker 1: assist us. They no more gave us the time of day. 58 00:02:55,320 --> 00:02:58,680 Speaker 1: They totally ignored us and just kept talking and talking. 59 00:02:59,040 --> 00:03:02,280 Speaker 1: The longer it will, the more I could feel myself 60 00:03:02,320 --> 00:03:05,960 Speaker 1: wanting to get upset. I could feel that offense trying 61 00:03:06,000 --> 00:03:08,679 Speaker 1: to take root. I had to dig my heels in 62 00:03:08,840 --> 00:03:11,200 Speaker 1: and say, no, I am not going to lose my joy. 63 00:03:11,560 --> 00:03:14,600 Speaker 1: I am not gonna let their sour attitude ruin the 64 00:03:14,600 --> 00:03:17,280 Speaker 1: rest of my day. After I told the manager, I 65 00:03:17,280 --> 00:03:21,800 Speaker 1: shook it off and moved on. I'm just kidding, I didn't. 66 00:03:23,480 --> 00:03:26,960 Speaker 1: The word offense in the scripture comes from a Greek 67 00:03:27,040 --> 00:03:30,799 Speaker 1: word that means bait. It's used in reference to how 68 00:03:30,800 --> 00:03:34,359 Speaker 1: they would catch animals, was actually the bait that lured 69 00:03:34,400 --> 00:03:38,200 Speaker 1: the animal into the trap. When you're tempted to be offended, 70 00:03:38,680 --> 00:03:44,000 Speaker 1: somebody's rude to you, somebody's inconsiderate, somebody ignores you, recognize 71 00:03:44,320 --> 00:03:47,800 Speaker 1: that's the enemy offering you his bait. He saying, come on, 72 00:03:47,920 --> 00:03:51,520 Speaker 1: get upset, get angry, argue, let it sour your day. 73 00:03:52,360 --> 00:03:55,920 Speaker 1: Many people don't know any better. They swallow that bait, hooked, line, 74 00:03:55,960 --> 00:04:00,800 Speaker 1: and sinker. They go around day after day upset bul offended. 75 00:04:01,200 --> 00:04:04,120 Speaker 1: But we need to be aware of what's happening. The 76 00:04:04,160 --> 00:04:07,360 Speaker 1: next time you have an opportunity to be offended, instead 77 00:04:07,400 --> 00:04:10,560 Speaker 1: of falling into that same trap, just say no thanks, 78 00:04:10,720 --> 00:04:13,080 Speaker 1: I'm not gonna take the bait. I'm smarter than that. 79 00:04:13,440 --> 00:04:16,600 Speaker 1: I'm gonna live my life free. I'm gonna enjoy this day. 80 00:04:17,560 --> 00:04:19,480 Speaker 1: One of the best things we can learn to do 81 00:04:20,080 --> 00:04:24,479 Speaker 1: is forgive quickly. And somebody does you wrong, learn to 82 00:04:24,640 --> 00:04:28,600 Speaker 1: immediately let it go. Don't play that offense over and 83 00:04:28,680 --> 00:04:31,440 Speaker 1: over in your mind and dissect it and try to 84 00:04:31,440 --> 00:04:34,200 Speaker 1: figure out what they really meant. Don't go call your 85 00:04:34,200 --> 00:04:36,760 Speaker 1: friends and get their take on it. Can you believe 86 00:04:36,760 --> 00:04:39,320 Speaker 1: how rude they are? Can you believe what they said 87 00:04:39,320 --> 00:04:42,200 Speaker 1: to me? Nor just drop it. The quicker you let 88 00:04:42,200 --> 00:04:45,240 Speaker 1: it go, the easier it will be, and some of 89 00:04:45,279 --> 00:04:47,120 Speaker 1: you would see your life go to a whole new 90 00:04:47,200 --> 00:04:52,240 Speaker 1: level if you just start practicing this simple principle forgive quickly, 91 00:04:52,720 --> 00:04:56,479 Speaker 1: don't allow the offense to take root. We cannot stop 92 00:04:56,520 --> 00:04:59,920 Speaker 1: offenses from coming, but we can keep them from draggon ess. 93 00:05:01,000 --> 00:05:03,840 Speaker 1: The longer you dwell on it, the more it poisons you, 94 00:05:04,200 --> 00:05:07,120 Speaker 1: and the harder it is to get free. I had 95 00:05:07,120 --> 00:05:09,880 Speaker 1: some stain remover out the other day. I was trying 96 00:05:09,880 --> 00:05:12,400 Speaker 1: to clean a little spot on our carpet, and I 97 00:05:12,440 --> 00:05:15,679 Speaker 1: noticed the direction said, get to the spot as quickly 98 00:05:15,720 --> 00:05:20,279 Speaker 1: as possible, hopefully while it's still wet. Why Because the 99 00:05:20,320 --> 00:05:23,960 Speaker 1: longer it stays there, the more difficult it is to remove. 100 00:05:24,279 --> 00:05:27,320 Speaker 1: It's the same way with us when an offense comes. 101 00:05:27,839 --> 00:05:30,720 Speaker 1: If you allow that stain to stay in your mind, 102 00:05:30,800 --> 00:05:34,200 Speaker 1: so to speak, hour after hour, day after day, it's 103 00:05:34,200 --> 00:05:37,080 Speaker 1: getting harder and harder to get rid of. It's so 104 00:05:37,240 --> 00:05:40,800 Speaker 1: much easier to forgive right when it happens. I mean, 105 00:05:40,839 --> 00:05:43,360 Speaker 1: if somebody offends you at ten o'clock in the morning, 106 00:05:43,720 --> 00:05:46,320 Speaker 1: and now it's ten point fifteen, your attitude should be 107 00:05:46,360 --> 00:05:48,600 Speaker 1: I'm moving on. That's not going to sour the rest 108 00:05:48,600 --> 00:05:51,440 Speaker 1: of my day. Somebody cuts you off at traffic at 109 00:05:51,440 --> 00:05:54,760 Speaker 1: four o'clock, well, now it's four five. That's over and done. 110 00:05:54,839 --> 00:05:57,920 Speaker 1: I'm not taking the bait. I'm living my life free. 111 00:05:58,000 --> 00:06:00,320 Speaker 1: And the Bible talks about how we have to put 112 00:06:00,400 --> 00:06:03,640 Speaker 1: on the armor of God. One of the most important 113 00:06:03,720 --> 00:06:07,680 Speaker 1: pieces is our shoes of peace. But I found too 114 00:06:07,720 --> 00:06:11,720 Speaker 1: many people are going around barefooted. They're always upset and 115 00:06:11,920 --> 00:06:14,839 Speaker 1: been out of shape about something. Offended at the neighbor 116 00:06:15,000 --> 00:06:17,800 Speaker 1: because they weren't invited to play Little League, Offended at 117 00:06:17,800 --> 00:06:20,719 Speaker 1: the department store because they wouldn't take something back, Offended 118 00:06:20,720 --> 00:06:22,640 Speaker 1: at their spouse because he left in such a hurry. 119 00:06:23,080 --> 00:06:26,000 Speaker 1: What's the problem. They're not putting on their shoes a peace. 120 00:06:26,920 --> 00:06:29,320 Speaker 1: You have to make a decision first thing in the 121 00:06:29,320 --> 00:06:32,480 Speaker 1: morning that no matter what comes against you, you're not 122 00:06:32,480 --> 00:06:35,360 Speaker 1: gonna get upset, You're not gonna get offended. You're gonna 123 00:06:35,360 --> 00:06:39,279 Speaker 1: stay in peace, have the attitude. If somebody ignores me, 124 00:06:39,720 --> 00:06:42,440 Speaker 1: that's all right. They're probably just having a bad day. 125 00:06:42,800 --> 00:06:44,680 Speaker 1: I'm will give them the benefit of the doubt and 126 00:06:44,800 --> 00:06:48,080 Speaker 1: move on. Somebody's rude to meet, no big deal. I'm 127 00:06:48,080 --> 00:06:51,279 Speaker 1: an eagle. I can rise above it. Somebody's talking behind 128 00:06:51,279 --> 00:06:53,760 Speaker 1: my back, trying to make me look bad, That's all right. 129 00:06:54,040 --> 00:06:56,760 Speaker 1: God is my vindicator. I'm not gonna sink down to 130 00:06:56,800 --> 00:06:59,599 Speaker 1: their level, start arguing. I know God will fight my 131 00:06:59,640 --> 00:07:03,080 Speaker 1: battles for me. We have to have a made up 132 00:07:03,200 --> 00:07:05,160 Speaker 1: mind that we're going to stay in peace. We're going 133 00:07:05,200 --> 00:07:08,599 Speaker 1: to live our lives free. But too many people are 134 00:07:08,640 --> 00:07:12,080 Speaker 1: constantly taking the bait, just like it was candy. They're 135 00:07:12,080 --> 00:07:16,480 Speaker 1: always being offended. They don't realize they're allowing the enemy 136 00:07:16,560 --> 00:07:19,560 Speaker 1: to control them, just like a puppet. He's behind the 137 00:07:19,600 --> 00:07:23,000 Speaker 1: scenes saying, let's have this person cut him off in traffic. 138 00:07:23,320 --> 00:07:27,120 Speaker 1: This person ignored him. This person be rude all day long, upset, 139 00:07:27,520 --> 00:07:30,360 Speaker 1: getting their feelings hurt, getting in the strife, trying to 140 00:07:30,360 --> 00:07:34,240 Speaker 1: pay people back. No, keep your peace. When the enemy 141 00:07:34,320 --> 00:07:38,440 Speaker 1: can't upset you, he can't control you. When you're in peace, 142 00:07:38,800 --> 00:07:42,239 Speaker 1: you're in a position of power. When people do you wrong, 143 00:07:42,480 --> 00:07:45,200 Speaker 1: just leave it up to God. Trying to get revenge, 144 00:07:45,280 --> 00:07:48,080 Speaker 1: trying to pay people back, getting all upset, that just 145 00:07:48,120 --> 00:07:51,240 Speaker 1: makes matters worse. I heard about this man that had 146 00:07:51,280 --> 00:07:54,040 Speaker 1: been bitten by a dog, and at the doctor's office 147 00:07:54,080 --> 00:07:57,760 Speaker 1: they told him he had tested positive for rabies. He 148 00:07:57,800 --> 00:08:01,560 Speaker 1: immediately began making out this list, and the doctor said, oh, no, sir, 149 00:08:01,960 --> 00:08:03,720 Speaker 1: you don't need to make out a will. You're not 150 00:08:03,760 --> 00:08:06,000 Speaker 1: going to die. We have a vaccine for it. The 151 00:08:06,040 --> 00:08:08,600 Speaker 1: man said, no, this is not my will. These are 152 00:08:08,640 --> 00:08:13,560 Speaker 1: all the people I'm going to bite. Just let it go. 153 00:08:14,000 --> 00:08:17,280 Speaker 1: Don't try to pay people back. The scripture says in 154 00:08:17,320 --> 00:08:22,040 Speaker 1: one Corinthians thirteen, verse five. In the amplified love is 155 00:08:22,080 --> 00:08:26,840 Speaker 1: not easily offended, love is not touchy. If we're going 156 00:08:26,880 --> 00:08:29,840 Speaker 1: to have healthy relationships, we've got to give people a 157 00:08:29,880 --> 00:08:34,880 Speaker 1: little room. Don't expect everyone to perform perfectly all the time. 158 00:08:35,600 --> 00:08:37,840 Speaker 1: The other day I was talking on the telephone to 159 00:08:37,880 --> 00:08:40,920 Speaker 1: someone and Victoria came into the room where I was, 160 00:08:41,440 --> 00:08:44,080 Speaker 1: And every once in a while, when she hears the conversation, 161 00:08:44,559 --> 00:08:47,520 Speaker 1: she'll want to join in. The only problem is she 162 00:08:47,559 --> 00:08:51,240 Speaker 1: doesn't have a phone, so she'll communicate to me in 163 00:08:51,320 --> 00:08:53,400 Speaker 1: this year what I'm supposed to tell them, And the 164 00:08:53,440 --> 00:08:55,120 Speaker 1: whole time I was trying to listen to them and 165 00:08:55,160 --> 00:08:59,280 Speaker 1: listen to her and keep my sanity. After a few minutes, 166 00:08:59,280 --> 00:09:01,600 Speaker 1: I finally put the phone down. I said, Victoria, I 167 00:09:01,640 --> 00:09:05,000 Speaker 1: cannot listen to you both. And I said it very nice, 168 00:09:05,040 --> 00:09:07,800 Speaker 1: but I said it very firm. About two hours later, 169 00:09:07,920 --> 00:09:10,679 Speaker 1: when I noticed Victoria was not speaking to me, I 170 00:09:13,480 --> 00:09:17,240 Speaker 1: had to preach this message to her and remind her 171 00:09:17,280 --> 00:09:21,120 Speaker 1: to show mercy that not everybody's perfect, and don't be 172 00:09:21,240 --> 00:09:24,480 Speaker 1: easily offended. She always gets my messages before you do. 173 00:09:26,640 --> 00:09:29,960 Speaker 1: My father used to say everyone has the right to 174 00:09:30,040 --> 00:09:32,880 Speaker 1: have a bad day every once in a while. Being 175 00:09:32,920 --> 00:09:36,000 Speaker 1: in relationship with people day in and day out, things 176 00:09:36,040 --> 00:09:40,120 Speaker 1: can be misunderstood, comments can be taken wrong, or maybe 177 00:09:40,160 --> 00:09:42,079 Speaker 1: they're just having a bad day. But you know what, 178 00:09:42,480 --> 00:09:46,280 Speaker 1: that's okay. There are no perfect people. Learn to let 179 00:09:46,320 --> 00:09:49,880 Speaker 1: some things go to keep the poison out of your relationship. 180 00:09:50,480 --> 00:09:52,880 Speaker 1: Some of you, this is exactly what's holding you back. 181 00:09:53,200 --> 00:09:56,640 Speaker 1: You're too easily offended. You need to toughen up. Don't 182 00:09:56,640 --> 00:09:59,400 Speaker 1: wear your feelings on your shoulder, don't be so sensitive 183 00:09:59,600 --> 00:10:02,480 Speaker 1: to where people have to walk on eggshells around you, 184 00:10:02,840 --> 00:10:05,200 Speaker 1: afraid they're gonna hurt your feelings, Afraid they're gonna get 185 00:10:05,200 --> 00:10:09,000 Speaker 1: you upset. That's a very selfish way to live. You 186 00:10:09,040 --> 00:10:11,240 Speaker 1: need to draw the line in the sand and say 187 00:10:11,280 --> 00:10:14,320 Speaker 1: that's it. I'm done with being offended. I'm done with 188 00:10:14,440 --> 00:10:16,880 Speaker 1: losing my joy every other hour. I'm gonna live my 189 00:10:16,920 --> 00:10:21,400 Speaker 1: life free. And I realize there are times when we 190 00:10:21,480 --> 00:10:23,880 Speaker 1: need to bring things up and say, hey, that's hurting 191 00:10:23,880 --> 00:10:25,960 Speaker 1: my feelings. I wish you wouldn't do that. We don't 192 00:10:26,000 --> 00:10:30,440 Speaker 1: overlook everything, but I believe that our relationships and our 193 00:10:30,520 --> 00:10:33,000 Speaker 1: level of joy would go to a new level if 194 00:10:33,040 --> 00:10:35,720 Speaker 1: we just give everybody a little room and not be 195 00:10:35,880 --> 00:10:40,079 Speaker 1: overly sensitive. I found most of the time people don't 196 00:10:40,080 --> 00:10:43,199 Speaker 1: really mean to hurt our feelings. We just take things wrong. 197 00:10:43,800 --> 00:10:47,080 Speaker 1: We either too sensitive or were a little insecure. I 198 00:10:47,160 --> 00:10:50,800 Speaker 1: know people that have a personality that's very direct. They're 199 00:10:50,920 --> 00:10:54,440 Speaker 1: very bold, very straightforward. They think nothing of telling you 200 00:10:54,600 --> 00:10:57,640 Speaker 1: exactly what they think. They may see you before work 201 00:10:57,679 --> 00:10:59,679 Speaker 1: and say, you know what, your hair doesn't look right today. 202 00:10:59,679 --> 00:11:02,400 Speaker 1: You need to fix it. They think they're doing you 203 00:11:02,440 --> 00:11:06,040 Speaker 1: a favor. They say it in all honesty and all sincerity. 204 00:11:06,760 --> 00:11:09,360 Speaker 1: And sure they could be more diplomatic, they could be 205 00:11:09,400 --> 00:11:12,080 Speaker 1: a little more tactful, but that's just who they are. 206 00:11:12,720 --> 00:11:15,720 Speaker 1: We need to be secure enough and be big enough 207 00:11:15,760 --> 00:11:19,240 Speaker 1: that we don't get offended. Too often though we get 208 00:11:19,280 --> 00:11:21,200 Speaker 1: a little bit sour, and we may not say it 209 00:11:21,240 --> 00:11:23,320 Speaker 1: to them, but we'll look at them and think, well, honey, 210 00:11:23,320 --> 00:11:26,440 Speaker 1: your hair doesn't look too hot either, and one day 211 00:11:26,520 --> 00:11:30,760 Speaker 1: those clothes you're wearing may come back in style. No, 212 00:11:31,040 --> 00:11:34,000 Speaker 1: just shake it off, don't take the bait, don't get upset, 213 00:11:34,120 --> 00:11:38,160 Speaker 1: Just let it go. Here's a key. If you're always 214 00:11:38,200 --> 00:11:41,600 Speaker 1: getting your feelings hurt, if you're always upset and offended 215 00:11:41,640 --> 00:11:45,400 Speaker 1: about something, it's not anybody else's fault. It's your own fault. 216 00:11:46,120 --> 00:11:49,760 Speaker 1: You are responsible for your own happiness. Well, you say, Joe, 217 00:11:49,840 --> 00:11:52,560 Speaker 1: you don't know my boss, you don't know my husband, 218 00:11:52,640 --> 00:11:55,319 Speaker 1: you don't know the traffic I drive in. No nobody 219 00:11:55,480 --> 00:11:58,720 Speaker 1: can make you drink that poison. If you'll stop allowing 220 00:11:58,800 --> 00:12:01,680 Speaker 1: yourself to get upset and start putting on your shoes 221 00:12:01,720 --> 00:12:04,199 Speaker 1: a piece, you can come up to a whole new level. 222 00:12:04,800 --> 00:12:07,920 Speaker 1: I think about the Apostle Paul. The scripture talks about 223 00:12:08,160 --> 00:12:10,800 Speaker 1: how he had to work to keep offenses out of 224 00:12:10,840 --> 00:12:15,200 Speaker 1: his life. People were always coming against him, doing him wrong, 225 00:12:15,360 --> 00:12:18,640 Speaker 1: but he refused to take the bait. He said, one time, 226 00:12:19,240 --> 00:12:22,640 Speaker 1: Alexander the Coppersmith did me great wrong, but I'm not 227 00:12:22,720 --> 00:12:25,120 Speaker 1: worried about it. I know God will pay him back. 228 00:12:25,440 --> 00:12:28,760 Speaker 1: That's the attitude we need to have. Somebody does you wrong, 229 00:12:29,400 --> 00:12:32,280 Speaker 1: maybe at work they take advantage of your cheat you 230 00:12:32,320 --> 00:12:35,120 Speaker 1: out of commission. Don't live your life offended. Don't go 231 00:12:35,200 --> 00:12:38,120 Speaker 1: around all upset. Do what Paul did and just turn 232 00:12:38,160 --> 00:12:41,120 Speaker 1: it over to God, knowing that he's promised he'll make 233 00:12:41,160 --> 00:12:44,680 Speaker 1: you wrongs. Right. I know a person that got offended 234 00:12:44,760 --> 00:12:48,120 Speaker 1: at a shoe store. He bought these shoes and they 235 00:12:48,120 --> 00:12:50,400 Speaker 1: came apart, and he tried to take them back, but 236 00:12:50,400 --> 00:12:53,680 Speaker 1: they didn't allow him to. And one time, years later, 237 00:12:53,760 --> 00:12:56,160 Speaker 1: we were walking down the mall together. We're going to 238 00:12:56,240 --> 00:12:57,959 Speaker 1: our car, and all of a sudden, he said, let's 239 00:12:58,000 --> 00:13:00,200 Speaker 1: go this way, and I said, well, our cars right 240 00:13:00,240 --> 00:13:02,920 Speaker 1: down here. He said no, and he pointed to the 241 00:13:02,920 --> 00:13:05,600 Speaker 1: shoe store and he said, I don't walk by that 242 00:13:05,640 --> 00:13:09,800 Speaker 1: shoe store. They did me wrong. Now, I thought to myself, 243 00:13:10,000 --> 00:13:13,280 Speaker 1: does he really think he's hurting that shoe store? Do 244 00:13:13,360 --> 00:13:15,480 Speaker 1: you really think they're looking down the malls and oh man, 245 00:13:15,520 --> 00:13:19,680 Speaker 1: we're depressed. He's not coming by today. Friend's life is 246 00:13:19,720 --> 00:13:23,320 Speaker 1: too short to live it that way. Angry, offended, bitter. 247 00:13:23,720 --> 00:13:25,960 Speaker 1: I've made up my mind. I'm gonna stay in peace. 248 00:13:26,640 --> 00:13:29,400 Speaker 1: Doesn't matter what people do to me, doesn't matter what 249 00:13:29,440 --> 00:13:32,640 Speaker 1: they may say. You cannot offend me. Well, Joel, I 250 00:13:32,679 --> 00:13:35,120 Speaker 1: don't really like that suit you're wearing today. Will fine, 251 00:13:35,160 --> 00:13:39,440 Speaker 1: God bless you anyway? Well, the service was kind of long, 252 00:13:39,559 --> 00:13:41,599 Speaker 1: the music was kind of loud. Fine, God bless you. 253 00:13:41,640 --> 00:13:44,080 Speaker 1: I hope you come back next week. Well, I didn't 254 00:13:44,120 --> 00:13:46,320 Speaker 1: get anything out of that message, Joel. Fine, I can't 255 00:13:46,320 --> 00:13:50,360 Speaker 1: help it if you have a problem. I'm not gonna 256 00:13:50,400 --> 00:13:53,280 Speaker 1: be offended. I'm not gonna wear my feelings on my shoulder. 257 00:13:54,200 --> 00:13:57,880 Speaker 1: I found anytime you start seeing more of the negative 258 00:13:58,160 --> 00:14:00,640 Speaker 1: than the positive, you need to check your own heart. 259 00:14:01,520 --> 00:14:03,800 Speaker 1: I've come in here before on a Wednesday night to 260 00:14:03,880 --> 00:14:06,960 Speaker 1: a service. I've had a long day, kind of stressed, 261 00:14:06,960 --> 00:14:09,840 Speaker 1: maybe a little irritated. The first thing I see is, 262 00:14:10,360 --> 00:14:13,840 Speaker 1: why is that light not adjusted? Who didn't shut those doors? 263 00:14:14,080 --> 00:14:16,160 Speaker 1: The carpet looks like it's kind of dirty. I don't 264 00:14:16,160 --> 00:14:18,440 Speaker 1: think the singers are standing where they're supposed to. I 265 00:14:18,480 --> 00:14:21,480 Speaker 1: start seeing all the negative. When I do that, I 266 00:14:21,600 --> 00:14:25,760 Speaker 1: realize there's something wrong with me, Because ninety nine percent 267 00:14:25,800 --> 00:14:27,400 Speaker 1: of the time when I come in here, I think, Wow, 268 00:14:27,400 --> 00:14:29,720 Speaker 1: it sure is beautiful. This is how great it sounds. 269 00:14:29,760 --> 00:14:32,280 Speaker 1: Look how fantastic that people look. I don't see any 270 00:14:32,320 --> 00:14:36,200 Speaker 1: of the negative. The scripture says to the purer, all 271 00:14:36,240 --> 00:14:39,920 Speaker 1: things are pure. But if you're offended at a person, 272 00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:42,880 Speaker 1: and bitter at the shoe store and mad at a coworker, 273 00:14:43,560 --> 00:14:46,480 Speaker 1: you're going to see everything from a very tainied point 274 00:14:46,520 --> 00:14:50,440 Speaker 1: of view. The problem is not your circumstances. It's not 275 00:14:50,560 --> 00:14:53,200 Speaker 1: the people in your life. The problem is your own 276 00:14:53,280 --> 00:14:56,560 Speaker 1: well has become polluted. And if you can just keep 277 00:14:56,600 --> 00:14:59,120 Speaker 1: these offenses out of your heart, you can keep it 278 00:14:59,160 --> 00:15:02,480 Speaker 1: free from bitterness. It'll make it so much easier to 279 00:15:02,520 --> 00:15:05,120 Speaker 1: live your life happy. We need to learn to give 280 00:15:05,160 --> 00:15:09,000 Speaker 1: people the benefit of the doubt instead of believing the worst. 281 00:15:09,200 --> 00:15:12,440 Speaker 1: Why don't we believe the best. Maybe they didn't mean 282 00:15:12,520 --> 00:15:15,160 Speaker 1: something the way it sounded. Maybe we just took it wrong. 283 00:15:16,080 --> 00:15:18,200 Speaker 1: I remember a while back, I was at this big 284 00:15:18,240 --> 00:15:21,080 Speaker 1: event in the city. There were all kinds of very 285 00:15:21,280 --> 00:15:24,800 Speaker 1: well respected and influential people from all over the country. 286 00:15:25,080 --> 00:15:27,320 Speaker 1: And I was in the lobby, standing over the side, 287 00:15:27,440 --> 00:15:29,880 Speaker 1: just talking with some friends, waiting for it to start. 288 00:15:30,280 --> 00:15:33,000 Speaker 1: And here comes this man that I've really been warning 289 00:15:33,120 --> 00:15:35,840 Speaker 1: to meet. I've always thought a lot of him. He's 290 00:15:36,120 --> 00:15:39,240 Speaker 1: very well respected. And there was about ten of us 291 00:15:39,280 --> 00:15:41,480 Speaker 1: in this line waiting, and just so happened to be 292 00:15:41,520 --> 00:15:43,520 Speaker 1: that I was at the very last of the line. 293 00:15:43,920 --> 00:15:46,640 Speaker 1: The men came along and he started shaking everybody's hand, 294 00:15:47,120 --> 00:15:50,440 Speaker 1: very warm, very friendly, very kind. But when he got 295 00:15:50,520 --> 00:15:53,160 Speaker 1: to me, all of a sudden, he stopped and looked away. 296 00:15:53,760 --> 00:15:56,400 Speaker 1: Then he turned around and walked into the event. I 297 00:15:56,440 --> 00:16:00,320 Speaker 1: couldn't believe it. He totally ignored me. I thought to myself, buddy, 298 00:16:00,320 --> 00:16:04,240 Speaker 1: you don't know what you just missed. My attitude was 299 00:16:04,280 --> 00:16:06,600 Speaker 1: I wouldn't meet him if they paid me to see, 300 00:16:06,600 --> 00:16:08,720 Speaker 1: if I ever give him the time of day. All 301 00:16:08,800 --> 00:16:12,520 Speaker 1: these holy thoughts were filling my pastoral mind. Well, the 302 00:16:12,560 --> 00:16:17,160 Speaker 1: event took place, and it's interesting afterwards, I was making 303 00:16:17,160 --> 00:16:19,600 Speaker 1: my way through a very crowded lobby and I saw 304 00:16:19,680 --> 00:16:22,720 Speaker 1: this man walking toward me. He came right up to me, 305 00:16:22,840 --> 00:16:25,280 Speaker 1: shook my hand and said, Joel, I've been wanting to 306 00:16:25,280 --> 00:16:27,880 Speaker 1: meet you. My wife and I watch you every week 307 00:16:28,000 --> 00:16:30,640 Speaker 1: went on and on. I thought to myself, you must 308 00:16:30,640 --> 00:16:34,120 Speaker 1: have been in a trance thirty minutes ago. But the 309 00:16:34,160 --> 00:16:36,880 Speaker 1: truth is he didn't even realize what he had done. 310 00:16:37,280 --> 00:16:40,880 Speaker 1: He didn't realize that was me standing there earlier. Do 311 00:16:40,920 --> 00:16:43,640 Speaker 1: you know how many times people are somewhere physically but 312 00:16:43,680 --> 00:16:46,920 Speaker 1: their mind is somewhere else. That man no more meant 313 00:16:46,960 --> 00:16:50,400 Speaker 1: to offend me. He just had his mind on something else. 314 00:16:50,920 --> 00:16:52,920 Speaker 1: That's why we got to learn to give people the 315 00:16:52,960 --> 00:16:56,000 Speaker 1: benefit of the death. Believe the best in them. Even 316 00:16:56,040 --> 00:16:59,200 Speaker 1: on the freeway, somebody zooms by you, cuts right in 317 00:16:59,240 --> 00:17:02,160 Speaker 1: front of you, and to slow down. Instead of letting 318 00:17:02,200 --> 00:17:05,240 Speaker 1: that upset you, why don't you show a little mercy, 319 00:17:05,760 --> 00:17:09,400 Speaker 1: believe the best. Maybe they have an emergency, maybe their 320 00:17:09,480 --> 00:17:12,040 Speaker 1: child sick at home, Maybe they're trying to meet an 321 00:17:12,040 --> 00:17:16,040 Speaker 1: important deadline. Show mercy, not any of this Hong Kong. 322 00:17:16,119 --> 00:17:19,280 Speaker 1: Get out of my way, you idiot. No, don't take 323 00:17:19,320 --> 00:17:22,680 Speaker 1: the bank, y'all laugh when you know it's true now, 324 00:17:24,760 --> 00:17:27,800 Speaker 1: or even you know you're waiting for a parking spot, 325 00:17:28,520 --> 00:17:31,040 Speaker 1: clearly got your blinker on. Somebody comes in, it takes 326 00:17:31,040 --> 00:17:34,920 Speaker 1: your parking spot. Instead of letting that sour you just think, 327 00:17:34,960 --> 00:17:37,280 Speaker 1: you know, maybe they can't walk from the very back, 328 00:17:37,920 --> 00:17:40,080 Speaker 1: maybe they're in a big hurry, or maybe somehow they 329 00:17:40,080 --> 00:17:42,520 Speaker 1: didn't see me. Next time, I'll shoot up a flare. 330 00:17:44,680 --> 00:17:47,720 Speaker 1: Don't drive away complaining. Y'aught to drive away, praying for him. 331 00:17:47,960 --> 00:17:50,480 Speaker 1: God bless them, God give them a good day, God 332 00:17:50,560 --> 00:17:54,679 Speaker 1: give them your peace. We overcome evil by doing good. 333 00:17:55,520 --> 00:18:00,440 Speaker 1: Love covers a person's faults. Love makes allowances for people's wenesses. 334 00:18:00,840 --> 00:18:03,800 Speaker 1: Here's the key. If you're not going to be easily offended, 335 00:18:04,240 --> 00:18:08,080 Speaker 1: you have to stay full of mercy. It's funny how 336 00:18:08,119 --> 00:18:11,639 Speaker 1: we can make excuses for ourselves. Well, I was rude 337 00:18:11,640 --> 00:18:14,560 Speaker 1: because I was tired. I was unfriendly because my child 338 00:18:14,640 --> 00:18:17,159 Speaker 1: was up all last night. I didn't invite you to 339 00:18:17,200 --> 00:18:19,119 Speaker 1: that meeting because I was so busy. I got swamped 340 00:18:19,119 --> 00:18:22,080 Speaker 1: and I just forgot to. It's easy to justify our 341 00:18:22,119 --> 00:18:25,600 Speaker 1: own behavior, But why don't we show that same amount 342 00:18:25,640 --> 00:18:28,320 Speaker 1: of mercy to other people? Why don't we believe the 343 00:18:28,359 --> 00:18:31,479 Speaker 1: best in them? A few months ago, Victory and I 344 00:18:31,560 --> 00:18:34,000 Speaker 1: came across this man that we've known for a long time, 345 00:18:34,040 --> 00:18:36,720 Speaker 1: and he's always been very kind and friendly to us. 346 00:18:36,760 --> 00:18:38,720 Speaker 1: And we were in a room with a bunch of people, 347 00:18:38,720 --> 00:18:41,160 Speaker 1: and I walked over to him and shook his hand 348 00:18:41,200 --> 00:18:43,679 Speaker 1: and asked him how he was doing, and he said fine, 349 00:18:44,040 --> 00:18:47,840 Speaker 1: But he wasn't his normal self. He was almost unfriendly, 350 00:18:47,840 --> 00:18:51,239 Speaker 1: almost stand offish. I thought, maybe it's just me. I 351 00:18:51,280 --> 00:18:53,159 Speaker 1: was able to talk to him a little later, but 352 00:18:53,240 --> 00:18:57,920 Speaker 1: it was a same thing, very cold, very distant. Driving home, 353 00:18:57,960 --> 00:19:00,600 Speaker 1: I even asked Victoria, was so and so so friendly 354 00:19:00,640 --> 00:19:03,320 Speaker 1: to you? She said, not at all. There was just 355 00:19:03,320 --> 00:19:06,560 Speaker 1: something different about him. We began trying to figure out 356 00:19:06,600 --> 00:19:09,240 Speaker 1: what it was. I thought, well, maybe it's because we 357 00:19:09,280 --> 00:19:11,240 Speaker 1: didn't go to that event he invited us to, or 358 00:19:11,400 --> 00:19:14,280 Speaker 1: maybe I haven't called him enough, or maybe somebody said 359 00:19:14,280 --> 00:19:16,520 Speaker 1: something bad about us. And we're just trying to figure 360 00:19:16,560 --> 00:19:19,000 Speaker 1: it all out. And the more we did, the more 361 00:19:19,080 --> 00:19:21,919 Speaker 1: I could feel the offense trying to take root. That 362 00:19:22,040 --> 00:19:24,280 Speaker 1: thought came up, We'll find If he doesn't want to 363 00:19:24,280 --> 00:19:27,000 Speaker 1: be my friend, that's okay. I've got other friends. That 364 00:19:27,200 --> 00:19:31,240 Speaker 1: was the enemy offering us his bait. But love covers 365 00:19:31,280 --> 00:19:35,440 Speaker 1: a person's faults, Love believes the best. Finally I caught 366 00:19:35,440 --> 00:19:38,960 Speaker 1: myself and I changed my attitude and I told Victoria 367 00:19:39,440 --> 00:19:41,359 Speaker 1: I don't know what it was, but I'm not gonna 368 00:19:41,359 --> 00:19:44,080 Speaker 1: take it personally. I'm just gonna believe that he had 369 00:19:44,080 --> 00:19:46,160 Speaker 1: a lot on his mind, or maybe he was having 370 00:19:46,200 --> 00:19:48,160 Speaker 1: a hard day, but I know he's a good man. 371 00:19:48,680 --> 00:19:51,840 Speaker 1: I just let it go, didn't think about it anymore. Well, 372 00:19:52,040 --> 00:19:54,679 Speaker 1: several weeks later, I found out from a mutual friend 373 00:19:55,200 --> 00:19:59,000 Speaker 1: earlier that week that man had learned that his wife 374 00:19:59,119 --> 00:20:02,919 Speaker 1: had some kind of very serious illness. He was very distraught, 375 00:20:03,280 --> 00:20:05,600 Speaker 1: very upset over it, but he just didn't want to 376 00:20:05,600 --> 00:20:08,040 Speaker 1: tell anybody. Now, I was so glad that I didn't 377 00:20:08,119 --> 00:20:11,320 Speaker 1: change my opinion of him and let that offense take root. 378 00:20:12,119 --> 00:20:15,800 Speaker 1: We don't know what people are going through. Usually there's 379 00:20:15,840 --> 00:20:18,600 Speaker 1: a reason why they act the way they act, and 380 00:20:18,600 --> 00:20:21,480 Speaker 1: if somebody is rude and inconsiderate to you, if they 381 00:20:21,520 --> 00:20:24,399 Speaker 1: don't treat you the way they normally do. Instead of 382 00:20:24,440 --> 00:20:27,040 Speaker 1: being quick to judge and letting the offense take root, 383 00:20:27,680 --> 00:20:31,320 Speaker 1: we need to learn to be more merciful, because most 384 00:20:31,320 --> 00:20:33,320 Speaker 1: of the time, if we really knew what they were 385 00:20:33,320 --> 00:20:36,040 Speaker 1: going through, if we just walked in their shoes for 386 00:20:36,119 --> 00:20:39,600 Speaker 1: a couple of weeks, we'd understand why they were uptight, 387 00:20:39,960 --> 00:20:42,240 Speaker 1: why they were on edge. Why they didn't treat us right. 388 00:20:43,080 --> 00:20:45,679 Speaker 1: If we're going to keep our heart free from these offenses, 389 00:20:46,040 --> 00:20:48,560 Speaker 1: we've got to learn to cover some faults. We've got 390 00:20:48,600 --> 00:20:52,280 Speaker 1: to learn to overlook some insults with the same amount 391 00:20:52,320 --> 00:20:55,080 Speaker 1: of mercy you show other people, the same amount of 392 00:20:55,080 --> 00:20:58,080 Speaker 1: grace you give them, That's the amount of mercy God's 393 00:20:58,080 --> 00:21:01,359 Speaker 1: gonna show back to you. The longer I live, the 394 00:21:01,359 --> 00:21:05,119 Speaker 1: more merciful I become. The older I get, the less 395 00:21:05,320 --> 00:21:08,119 Speaker 1: judgmental I am, and the easier it is for me 396 00:21:08,200 --> 00:21:11,520 Speaker 1: to forget. You know why, Because I know people have 397 00:21:11,640 --> 00:21:15,520 Speaker 1: gone through things that we know nothing about. They may smile, 398 00:21:16,000 --> 00:21:19,000 Speaker 1: but on the inside they're full of hurt and pain. 399 00:21:19,840 --> 00:21:22,320 Speaker 1: We just see the surface. But if we could see 400 00:21:22,320 --> 00:21:25,360 Speaker 1: their heart and know what they've endured, and the battles 401 00:21:25,400 --> 00:21:29,600 Speaker 1: they fought and the challenges they're facing, we would understand 402 00:21:29,720 --> 00:21:31,399 Speaker 1: why they were a little hard to get along with. 403 00:21:32,280 --> 00:21:35,879 Speaker 1: I'm asking us today, instead of being quick to judge, 404 00:21:36,400 --> 00:21:40,240 Speaker 1: let's be quick to show mercy. Instead of playing the 405 00:21:40,240 --> 00:21:42,679 Speaker 1: offense over and over and wondering why they did that, 406 00:21:43,480 --> 00:21:47,320 Speaker 1: let's spend that same time praying for that person. If 407 00:21:47,320 --> 00:21:50,200 Speaker 1: you'll pray for them and not let the poison take root, 408 00:21:50,880 --> 00:21:53,520 Speaker 1: you'll not only be better off, but you can inspire 409 00:21:53,560 --> 00:21:56,919 Speaker 1: them to come up higher. That means, if a coworker, 410 00:21:57,040 --> 00:21:59,560 Speaker 1: a boss early in the morning the kind of rude 411 00:21:59,600 --> 00:22:01,600 Speaker 1: to you, they jump down your throat for no reason 412 00:22:01,640 --> 00:22:06,080 Speaker 1: at all, don't take it personal. Show some mercy. You 413 00:22:06,119 --> 00:22:08,520 Speaker 1: don't know what they're going through at home, you don't 414 00:22:08,520 --> 00:22:12,080 Speaker 1: know what kind of issues they're dealing with. Believe the best. 415 00:22:12,760 --> 00:22:16,879 Speaker 1: After all, anybody can get offended, anybody can be rude. 416 00:22:16,920 --> 00:22:20,000 Speaker 1: Back to someone that's rude to us, that's easy. But 417 00:22:20,119 --> 00:22:23,679 Speaker 1: love always takes the high road. Love is always a 418 00:22:23,680 --> 00:22:27,800 Speaker 1: part of the solution and not the problem. The scripture 419 00:22:27,840 --> 00:22:30,960 Speaker 1: says in Ephesians four to two, we have to bear 420 00:22:31,119 --> 00:22:34,639 Speaker 1: with one another. That means we're going to have to 421 00:22:34,720 --> 00:22:38,000 Speaker 1: put up with some things, and throughout the day we're 422 00:22:38,000 --> 00:22:41,320 Speaker 1: going to come across people that are inconsiderate, people that 423 00:22:41,359 --> 00:22:44,320 Speaker 1: are selfish, people that are rude, people that are angry. 424 00:22:44,840 --> 00:22:47,840 Speaker 1: We can either let them poison us and drag us down, 425 00:22:48,560 --> 00:22:51,240 Speaker 1: or we can show mercy and help to lift them up. 426 00:22:52,160 --> 00:22:54,480 Speaker 1: I was at a grocery store one time, and there 427 00:22:54,560 --> 00:22:57,520 Speaker 1: was a girl up at the register that was very sour. 428 00:22:58,119 --> 00:22:59,960 Speaker 1: You could tell She did not want to be there. 429 00:23:00,359 --> 00:23:03,840 Speaker 1: She was unfriendly and cold. She acted like everybody was 430 00:23:03,880 --> 00:23:07,119 Speaker 1: bothering her, and I watched person after person in that 431 00:23:07,240 --> 00:23:11,120 Speaker 1: line get offended. They were taking her poison left and right, 432 00:23:11,200 --> 00:23:15,000 Speaker 1: leaving their upset and agitated. One lady. When the young 433 00:23:15,040 --> 00:23:17,320 Speaker 1: girl handed her receipt, she just wadded it up and 434 00:23:17,359 --> 00:23:19,199 Speaker 1: threw it back down. She said I don't need that 435 00:23:19,320 --> 00:23:21,800 Speaker 1: and stormed out of there. Well, when it was my 436 00:23:21,920 --> 00:23:25,960 Speaker 1: time to check out, I was just my normal, friendly self. 437 00:23:26,359 --> 00:23:30,680 Speaker 1: I said, how's everything going, She said, very coldly, terrible. 438 00:23:31,280 --> 00:23:33,240 Speaker 1: I said, well, I'm a minister and I would love 439 00:23:33,280 --> 00:23:35,920 Speaker 1: to pray with you. I believe God can turn any 440 00:23:35,960 --> 00:23:39,719 Speaker 1: situation around. She looked up at me so surprised her 441 00:23:39,760 --> 00:23:42,840 Speaker 1: whole countenance changed. She said, are you serious? I said 442 00:23:42,840 --> 00:23:45,280 Speaker 1: I am. She said, I would love for you to 443 00:23:45,320 --> 00:23:48,240 Speaker 1: pray for me. My little girl's in the hospital. We 444 00:23:48,320 --> 00:23:50,399 Speaker 1: don't have insurance, and my husband and I were not 445 00:23:50,440 --> 00:23:52,359 Speaker 1: getting along, and I don't know what I'm going to do. 446 00:23:53,080 --> 00:23:56,320 Speaker 1: Right there at the cash register, we prayed. When I left, 447 00:23:56,320 --> 00:23:58,920 Speaker 1: she had big tears running down her cheeks. She said, 448 00:23:58,960 --> 00:24:02,520 Speaker 1: you'll never know that meant to me most of the time. 449 00:24:02,560 --> 00:24:06,240 Speaker 1: When somebody's rude or inconsiderate like that, they've got much 450 00:24:06,359 --> 00:24:10,280 Speaker 1: deeper issues. They've got problems and heartaches we know nothing about. 451 00:24:11,000 --> 00:24:13,800 Speaker 1: If we allow them to offend us and get upset, 452 00:24:14,480 --> 00:24:17,439 Speaker 1: all we're doing is sinking down to their level. And 453 00:24:17,480 --> 00:24:20,240 Speaker 1: you know what I found, there's not enough mercy in 454 00:24:20,320 --> 00:24:23,439 Speaker 1: our world. Where is the love that will overlook a fault. 455 00:24:24,000 --> 00:24:26,240 Speaker 1: Where is the love that will give someone the benefit 456 00:24:26,240 --> 00:24:29,119 Speaker 1: of the doubt. Where is the love that will lift 457 00:24:29,160 --> 00:24:32,959 Speaker 1: the falling? Let's learn to be more merciful. What happened 458 00:24:32,960 --> 00:24:36,320 Speaker 1: that day? I look beyond the surface to her heart. 459 00:24:37,040 --> 00:24:40,240 Speaker 1: When somebody's dishing out that kind of poison, you can 460 00:24:40,280 --> 00:24:43,360 Speaker 1: be assured they're crying out for help on the inside. 461 00:24:43,680 --> 00:24:47,320 Speaker 1: Don't do like everybody else, take the bait and get offended. 462 00:24:47,680 --> 00:24:51,480 Speaker 1: So a seed. When you're kind to someone that's rude 463 00:24:51,520 --> 00:24:54,040 Speaker 1: to you, When you're good to them even though they 464 00:24:54,040 --> 00:24:57,720 Speaker 1: didn't deserve it, you're so in a seed of God's mercy. 465 00:24:57,920 --> 00:25:01,040 Speaker 1: I believe the number one thing that's going to keep 466 00:25:01,080 --> 00:25:04,719 Speaker 1: our heart free from offenses is when we stay full 467 00:25:04,800 --> 00:25:08,280 Speaker 1: of mercy. Let me ask you today, are you making 468 00:25:08,359 --> 00:25:12,040 Speaker 1: any allowances for people in your life? Are you covering 469 00:25:12,080 --> 00:25:16,520 Speaker 1: any faults overlooking things? Or are you making everybody pay 470 00:25:16,560 --> 00:25:20,840 Speaker 1: holding the line getting upset getting offended. No, let's be 471 00:25:21,040 --> 00:25:24,600 Speaker 1: more generous with our mercy. Some of you are getting 472 00:25:24,680 --> 00:25:28,000 Speaker 1: upset way too easily. You need to start putting on 473 00:25:28,040 --> 00:25:31,520 Speaker 1: your shoes a peace every morning when you get up, 474 00:25:31,600 --> 00:25:34,399 Speaker 1: make a decision. I'm not gonna get upset. I'm not 475 00:25:34,440 --> 00:25:38,240 Speaker 1: gonna get offended today. And when those offenses come and 476 00:25:38,359 --> 00:25:42,679 Speaker 1: they will learn to forgive quickly, don't allow them to 477 00:25:42,680 --> 00:25:46,080 Speaker 1: take root. If you'll do your part and keep your 478 00:25:46,080 --> 00:25:50,520 Speaker 1: heart free from offenses, staying full of mercy, giving people 479 00:25:50,520 --> 00:25:53,720 Speaker 1: the benefit of the doubt, you'll not only enjoy life more, 480 00:25:53,960 --> 00:25:57,120 Speaker 1: but your relationships will get better and better. God will 481 00:25:57,119 --> 00:25:59,480 Speaker 1: pour out his blessings, his favor, and you're going to 482 00:25:59,520 --> 00:26:02,359 Speaker 1: live the life victory he has in story. Amen, do 483 00:26:02,440 --> 00:26:05,720 Speaker 1: you receive it today? We never like to close on 484 00:26:05,840 --> 00:26:09,439 Speaker 1: broadcast without giving you an opportunity to make Jesus the 485 00:26:09,480 --> 00:26:13,680 Speaker 1: lord of your life. Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus, 486 00:26:14,840 --> 00:26:19,639 Speaker 1: I repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I 487 00:26:19,800 --> 00:26:23,480 Speaker 1: make you my lord and savior. Friends, if you prayed 488 00:26:23,480 --> 00:26:26,560 Speaker 1: that simple prayer, we believe you got born again, get 489 00:26:26,600 --> 00:26:29,320 Speaker 1: in a good Bible based chirk, keep God first place. 490 00:26:29,640 --> 00:26:32,080 Speaker 1: He's going to take you places that you've never dreamed of. 491 00:26:33,280 --> 00:26:35,440 Speaker 4: It's easy to let the day get away from us 492 00:26:35,520 --> 00:26:38,520 Speaker 4: before the day even starts. The first few minutes of 493 00:26:38,520 --> 00:26:41,760 Speaker 4: your morning are more powerful than you might think. Life 494 00:26:41,800 --> 00:26:44,760 Speaker 4: moves really fast sometimes, and it can be easy to 495 00:26:44,840 --> 00:26:47,679 Speaker 4: begin each day by zeroing in on your problems. 496 00:26:48,040 --> 00:26:51,400 Speaker 1: But here's the truth. How you start the day can 497 00:26:51,440 --> 00:26:53,480 Speaker 1: determine what kind of day it's going to be. And 498 00:26:53,800 --> 00:26:56,520 Speaker 1: I'd love to send you my devotional three minute mornings. 499 00:26:56,680 --> 00:26:58,280 Speaker 1: Start your day the blessed way. 500 00:26:58,520 --> 00:27:01,199 Speaker 2: Three minutes doesn't seem like a life time, but when 501 00:27:01,240 --> 00:27:03,720 Speaker 2: you put God first place and get your mind going 502 00:27:03,760 --> 00:27:06,159 Speaker 2: in the right direction is set in. The tone for 503 00:27:06,200 --> 00:27:09,879 Speaker 2: a blessed, productive day is filled with inspiration. 504 00:27:09,480 --> 00:27:11,879 Speaker 1: And encouragement to help you begin each day with a 505 00:27:12,000 --> 00:27:16,080 Speaker 1: fresh attitude, grateful that you're alive. It's amazing what happens 506 00:27:16,200 --> 00:27:19,040 Speaker 1: when you take three minutes and speak blessings over your 507 00:27:19,080 --> 00:27:23,119 Speaker 1: life and declaring God's favor. Three minute mornings is our gift. 508 00:27:22,880 --> 00:27:25,760 Speaker 4: To you, as our way of saying thank you for 509 00:27:25,880 --> 00:27:28,439 Speaker 4: your gift of any amount this month. We would like 510 00:27:28,480 --> 00:27:31,480 Speaker 4: to send you a copy of Joel's new devotional three 511 00:27:31,560 --> 00:27:35,800 Speaker 4: Minute Mornings, Start your day in Faith. This powerful book 512 00:27:35,840 --> 00:27:39,439 Speaker 4: will open the pathways to experience God's presence and peace 513 00:27:39,480 --> 00:27:44,000 Speaker 4: in your life, and there you will find renewed energy, assurance, 514 00:27:44,160 --> 00:27:47,680 Speaker 4: and wisdom to face your day. The Bible promises that 515 00:27:47,760 --> 00:27:51,240 Speaker 4: God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him, 516 00:27:51,280 --> 00:27:54,560 Speaker 4: So as you pause for only three minutes and take 517 00:27:54,640 --> 00:27:57,600 Speaker 4: in his wonderful promises in this book, you will be 518 00:27:57,680 --> 00:28:01,480 Speaker 4: positioning yourself to receive all the amazing things that God 519 00:28:01,560 --> 00:28:04,800 Speaker 4: has in store for you. Please request your copy today 520 00:28:05,000 --> 00:28:09,520 Speaker 4: and watch anxiety turn to divine answers, weakness to strength, 521 00:28:09,880 --> 00:28:16,160 Speaker 4: problems to renewed possibilities, frustrations to God's favor. Yes, only 522 00:28:16,280 --> 00:28:19,040 Speaker 4: three minutes will transform your entire day. 523 00:28:19,800 --> 00:28:21,959 Speaker 1: From the time I was a little boy, my parents 524 00:28:22,000 --> 00:28:24,840 Speaker 1: taught me the value of starting the day off in faith. 525 00:28:25,160 --> 00:28:28,479 Speaker 1: Three Minute Mornings will help you do just that. Victoria 526 00:28:28,480 --> 00:28:31,480 Speaker 1: and I pray for you every day for God's very best. 527 00:28:31,960 --> 00:28:34,359 Speaker 1: We want to thank you for your prayer and support. 528 00:28:34,600 --> 00:28:38,120 Speaker 1: You're impacting people all over the world. A special thank 529 00:28:38,160 --> 00:28:41,360 Speaker 1: you to our Champion of Hope partners for your monthly support. 530 00:28:41,640 --> 00:28:44,640 Speaker 1: If you're not a partner, I hope you'll consider becoming one. 531 00:28:45,080 --> 00:28:48,400 Speaker 1: Remember you can watch the services online every Sunday morning, 532 00:28:48,800 --> 00:28:53,040 Speaker 1: download our daily podcast, listen on Serious Exam, watch our 533 00:28:53,080 --> 00:28:57,040 Speaker 1: YouTube channel and the Joel Osting Network streaming on television 534 00:28:57,120 --> 00:29:00,000 Speaker 1: twenty four hours a day until we see you again. 535 00:29:00,360 --> 00:29:02,160 Speaker 1: Make the Lord bless you and keep you. 536 00:29:03,040 --> 00:29:06,040 Speaker 4: Be sure to request your copy of three minute Mornings 537 00:29:06,160 --> 00:29:09,960 Speaker 4: Start your day in faith. Visit jolostein dot com or 538 00:29:10,040 --> 00:29:13,880 Speaker 4: call eight eight eight five six seven Joel for an 539 00:29:13,880 --> 00:29:17,400 Speaker 4: additional donation. This month, we are also offering the Faith 540 00:29:17,440 --> 00:29:21,280 Speaker 4: and Freedom Bundle. You'll receive an additional devotional filled with 541 00:29:21,480 --> 00:29:25,080 Speaker 4: daily wisdom to guide you in living with favor, focus 542 00:29:25,240 --> 00:29:29,240 Speaker 4: and freedom. Also available, our Morning Power and Peace Collection 543 00:29:29,640 --> 00:29:34,600 Speaker 4: includes Power, Provision and Peace, beautifully bound and timeless elegance. 544 00:29:34,920 --> 00:29:39,240 Speaker 4: This dynamic New Testament the Passion Translation helps you walk 545 00:29:39,360 --> 00:29:43,560 Speaker 4: in God's best. You can request these inspiring resources by 546 00:29:43,600 --> 00:29:47,240 Speaker 4: calling eight eight eight five six seven Joel or logging 547 00:29:47,280 --> 00:29:51,680 Speaker 4: on to jolostein dot com today. Call or click any time, 548 00:29:51,960 --> 00:29:56,440 Speaker 4: twenty four hours a day, be inspired every morning. Request 549 00:29:56,480 --> 00:30:02,720 Speaker 4: your copies today