1 00:00:00,160 --> 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 00:00:10,360 --> 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 00:00:23,440 --> 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 00:00:30,520 --> 00:00:33,120 Speaker 2: Are you ready to move your career forward? Make your 14 00:00:33,159 --> 00:00:36,640 Speaker 2: comeback with Perdue Global and get college credit for your work, school, life, 15 00:00:36,720 --> 00:00:39,840 Speaker 2: or military experiences. With these credits, you may have already 16 00:00:39,840 --> 00:00:42,680 Speaker 2: completed up to seventy five percent of your undergraduate degree. 17 00:00:42,720 --> 00:00:44,800 Speaker 2: You've worked hard to get where you are. It's time 18 00:00:44,840 --> 00:00:46,920 Speaker 2: to get the recognition you deserve and earn a degree 19 00:00:47,000 --> 00:00:49,600 Speaker 2: you'll be proud of, one that employers will trust and 20 00:00:49,720 --> 00:00:51,840 Speaker 2: respect when you take the next step in your life 21 00:00:51,880 --> 00:00:55,040 Speaker 2: and career. Make it count with Perdue Global produce online 22 00:00:55,120 --> 00:00:59,720 Speaker 2: University for working adults start your comeback at Purdueglobal dot edu. 23 00:01:00,680 --> 00:01:03,440 Speaker 3: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 24 00:01:03,480 --> 00:01:06,600 Speaker 3: our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. If you 25 00:01:06,720 --> 00:01:09,280 Speaker 3: enjoy today's message, why don't you be a blessing and 26 00:01:09,360 --> 00:01:12,000 Speaker 3: share it with a friend. We appreciate you and pray 27 00:01:12,040 --> 00:01:26,520 Speaker 3: for God's very best in your life. Well, God bless 28 00:01:26,560 --> 00:01:29,119 Speaker 3: you so joy to come into your homes, and if 29 00:01:29,120 --> 00:01:30,720 Speaker 3: you're ever in our area, I hope you'll stop by 30 00:01:30,720 --> 00:01:33,040 Speaker 3: and see us. I promise you we'll make you feel 31 00:01:33,160 --> 00:01:34,959 Speaker 3: right at home here at one of our services. 32 00:01:35,080 --> 00:01:36,119 Speaker 4: But thanks for tuning in. 33 00:01:36,400 --> 00:01:38,479 Speaker 3: I like to get started with something funny each week, 34 00:01:38,520 --> 00:01:40,960 Speaker 3: and I heard about this minister. He was up in 35 00:01:41,000 --> 00:01:44,319 Speaker 3: the pulpit preaching away one Sunday morning, and he noticed 36 00:01:44,400 --> 00:01:47,760 Speaker 3: a man on the front row sound asleep. That made 37 00:01:47,800 --> 00:01:51,680 Speaker 3: him so aggravated he started preaching louder and harder. But 38 00:01:51,760 --> 00:01:54,960 Speaker 3: it seemed like the louder he got, the sounder he slept. 39 00:01:55,600 --> 00:01:57,440 Speaker 3: And so he finally stopped right in the middle of 40 00:01:57,440 --> 00:01:59,680 Speaker 3: his sermon, and he said to the men sitting next 41 00:01:59,680 --> 00:02:02,920 Speaker 3: to him, would you please wake that man up? The 42 00:02:02,960 --> 00:02:05,760 Speaker 3: man said, wake him up yourself. You put him to sleep. 43 00:02:08,040 --> 00:02:09,760 Speaker 4: All right, Hold up your bibles. 44 00:02:09,880 --> 00:02:12,480 Speaker 3: Say it like you mean it's this is my Bible. 45 00:02:12,880 --> 00:02:14,280 Speaker 4: I am what it says. I am. 46 00:02:14,840 --> 00:02:17,359 Speaker 3: I have what it says I have. I can do 47 00:02:17,440 --> 00:02:19,960 Speaker 3: what it says I can do. Today I will be 48 00:02:20,040 --> 00:02:24,359 Speaker 3: taught the word of God. I boldly confess. My mind 49 00:02:24,480 --> 00:02:28,080 Speaker 3: is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never be 50 00:02:28,160 --> 00:02:32,679 Speaker 3: the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. I want 51 00:02:32,680 --> 00:02:35,359 Speaker 3: to talk to you today about giving birth to. 52 00:02:35,360 --> 00:02:37,520 Speaker 4: The promises that God has put in your heart. 53 00:02:38,280 --> 00:02:41,799 Speaker 3: We all have dreams and desires, things that we're believing 54 00:02:41,840 --> 00:02:46,239 Speaker 3: to come to pass. These promises are like seeds planted 55 00:02:46,320 --> 00:02:49,000 Speaker 3: in the soil of our hearts, and most of the 56 00:02:49,040 --> 00:02:51,640 Speaker 3: time they don't happen overnight. 57 00:02:51,720 --> 00:02:55,280 Speaker 4: There's a period of waiting involved. And this is when 58 00:02:55,280 --> 00:02:58,400 Speaker 4: it's so easy to give up. It's easy to. 59 00:02:58,320 --> 00:03:01,639 Speaker 3: Get discouraged, and if we're not careful, we'll just end 60 00:03:01,720 --> 00:03:06,120 Speaker 3: up settling for mediocrity. For we have to understand God 61 00:03:06,280 --> 00:03:11,600 Speaker 3: never aborts a dream. Once the seed is planted, Once 62 00:03:11,680 --> 00:03:15,760 Speaker 3: the dream, the desire, the promise takes root, we may 63 00:03:15,800 --> 00:03:18,800 Speaker 3: give up. But the fact is the seed is still 64 00:03:18,840 --> 00:03:21,880 Speaker 3: in us and some of you today because of the 65 00:03:21,919 --> 00:03:25,160 Speaker 3: time that's passed, or because of disappointments along the. 66 00:03:25,120 --> 00:03:27,959 Speaker 4: Way, you've allowed that seed to just lie. 67 00:03:28,000 --> 00:03:32,600 Speaker 3: Dorman, you've lost your fire, lost your enthusiasm. Maybe at 68 00:03:32,639 --> 00:03:35,680 Speaker 3: one time you believe for a good marriage, but now 69 00:03:35,680 --> 00:03:39,160 Speaker 3: you've just settled for living together with no real relationship. 70 00:03:39,800 --> 00:03:40,600 Speaker 4: Maybe in your. 71 00:03:40,520 --> 00:03:43,880 Speaker 3: Career, at one time you had a dream to go further, 72 00:03:44,360 --> 00:03:48,240 Speaker 3: to advance, to do great things, but you hit some setbacks. 73 00:03:48,560 --> 00:03:51,880 Speaker 3: Now you've gotten comfortable where you are. Or maybe in 74 00:03:51,920 --> 00:03:55,920 Speaker 3: your health, you believe to overcome that illness, but now 75 00:03:55,960 --> 00:03:59,440 Speaker 3: it's been so long and you've had so many negative reports, 76 00:03:59,560 --> 00:04:02,600 Speaker 3: you're just learning to live with that. Well, these are 77 00:04:02,640 --> 00:04:07,200 Speaker 3: all unborn promises. But the good news is the seed 78 00:04:07,520 --> 00:04:10,520 Speaker 3: is still in you, and if you'll stir your faith 79 00:04:10,640 --> 00:04:14,600 Speaker 3: up and start believing once again, God can still bring 80 00:04:14,640 --> 00:04:18,400 Speaker 3: that to pass. It's not too late. God doesn't abort 81 00:04:18,440 --> 00:04:21,120 Speaker 3: the dreams. It depends though, on what we're going to 82 00:04:21,160 --> 00:04:25,360 Speaker 3: do with them. The reason many people give up and 83 00:04:25,400 --> 00:04:28,680 Speaker 3: they don't see that promise come to fulfillment is because 84 00:04:29,000 --> 00:04:30,760 Speaker 3: they're not watering their seed. 85 00:04:31,520 --> 00:04:32,080 Speaker 4: And one of the. 86 00:04:32,040 --> 00:04:35,000 Speaker 3: Main ways we water our seed is by giving God 87 00:04:35,120 --> 00:04:38,800 Speaker 3: praise all through the day. We should be thanking God 88 00:04:38,920 --> 00:04:42,599 Speaker 3: that the answer is on the way. Whatever you're believing for, Father, 89 00:04:42,720 --> 00:04:45,600 Speaker 3: thank you that you're changing my child. Thank you that 90 00:04:45,640 --> 00:04:48,600 Speaker 3: you're bringing me a spouse, thank you that you're restoring 91 00:04:48,720 --> 00:04:50,120 Speaker 3: my marriage. 92 00:04:50,160 --> 00:04:52,360 Speaker 4: Praise is your faith at work. 93 00:04:52,960 --> 00:04:57,240 Speaker 3: Praise is what activates God's supernatural power. And really the 94 00:04:57,240 --> 00:04:59,880 Speaker 3: first place we lose the victory is in our thinking. 95 00:05:00,520 --> 00:05:03,880 Speaker 3: The battle is taking place in our mind. And when 96 00:05:03,920 --> 00:05:07,560 Speaker 3: those negative thoughts come telling you it's not going to happen, 97 00:05:08,000 --> 00:05:10,719 Speaker 3: you're never gonna get well, you're never going to break 98 00:05:10,720 --> 00:05:15,000 Speaker 3: that addiction. Instead of dwelling on that and going around 99 00:05:15,040 --> 00:05:19,680 Speaker 3: discouraged and complaining, just use that as a reminder to 100 00:05:19,839 --> 00:05:22,920 Speaker 3: thank God that the answers on the way. In other words, 101 00:05:22,960 --> 00:05:25,919 Speaker 3: when the negative thoughts come, turn it around and say, Father, 102 00:05:26,320 --> 00:05:28,760 Speaker 3: thank you that you're at work, thank you that. 103 00:05:28,760 --> 00:05:30,640 Speaker 4: You're changing things in my favor. 104 00:05:31,240 --> 00:05:34,120 Speaker 3: And let's understand, we don't have to pray about the 105 00:05:34,200 --> 00:05:38,920 Speaker 3: same thing over and over again. Once you pray, shift 106 00:05:38,960 --> 00:05:41,720 Speaker 3: into a different gear and get into praise. 107 00:05:42,040 --> 00:05:43,320 Speaker 4: Start thanking God. 108 00:05:44,279 --> 00:05:48,679 Speaker 3: I know people that practically beg God all day long. God, 109 00:05:48,720 --> 00:05:51,520 Speaker 3: please get me out of this trouble. God, Please change 110 00:05:51,520 --> 00:05:53,520 Speaker 3: my child. God, Please I need a breakthrough. 111 00:05:54,320 --> 00:05:55,720 Speaker 4: And of course God. 112 00:05:55,480 --> 00:05:58,520 Speaker 3: Sees your heart, he sees your sincerity, but you don't 113 00:05:58,640 --> 00:06:02,000 Speaker 3: have to be a beggar, be a believer. A much 114 00:06:02,040 --> 00:06:05,000 Speaker 3: better way is to say, Father, I know you heard 115 00:06:05,040 --> 00:06:07,960 Speaker 3: me the first time I prayed, and I believe the 116 00:06:08,040 --> 00:06:09,960 Speaker 3: answer is already on the way. 117 00:06:10,279 --> 00:06:12,559 Speaker 4: I may not know when, I may not know how, 118 00:06:12,680 --> 00:06:15,080 Speaker 4: but I know this. You already have the solution. 119 00:06:15,480 --> 00:06:17,760 Speaker 3: So I just want to thank you that you're at 120 00:06:17,800 --> 00:06:21,000 Speaker 3: work in my life. When you do that, you're not 121 00:06:21,160 --> 00:06:24,880 Speaker 3: only watering your seed. It's not only getting a little 122 00:06:24,880 --> 00:06:28,120 Speaker 3: closer to coming to pass, but something's happening on the 123 00:06:28,160 --> 00:06:33,320 Speaker 3: inside of you. It's giving you strength, it's keeping you encouraged. 124 00:06:33,440 --> 00:06:35,440 Speaker 3: That's what's going to help you to fight the good 125 00:06:35,440 --> 00:06:39,200 Speaker 3: fight of faith. And this is what Abraham did. God 126 00:06:39,240 --> 00:06:42,160 Speaker 3: gave him a promise that his wife Sarah was going 127 00:06:42,240 --> 00:06:45,360 Speaker 3: to have a baby. The seed was planted in his heart. 128 00:06:45,520 --> 00:06:49,440 Speaker 3: It was an unborn promise in the natural. It was impossible. 129 00:06:49,600 --> 00:06:53,279 Speaker 3: They were much too old, and Abraham had every reason 130 00:06:53,400 --> 00:06:54,000 Speaker 3: to give up. 131 00:06:54,680 --> 00:06:56,880 Speaker 4: But the scripture says here in Romans four. 132 00:06:56,800 --> 00:07:01,400 Speaker 3: Twenty, Abraham did not waver in his faith, but he 133 00:07:01,440 --> 00:07:07,080 Speaker 3: grew strong by giving praise and thanksgiving to God. Notice 134 00:07:07,160 --> 00:07:10,200 Speaker 3: when we give God praise, that's what gives us strength, 135 00:07:10,680 --> 00:07:12,680 Speaker 3: That's what keeps us encouraged. 136 00:07:13,320 --> 00:07:14,880 Speaker 4: We don't grow strong. 137 00:07:14,720 --> 00:07:18,560 Speaker 3: By complaining and being negative. Well, I knew this would 138 00:07:18,640 --> 00:07:21,560 Speaker 3: never work. I thought God wanted me to prosper, but 139 00:07:21,600 --> 00:07:23,000 Speaker 3: I don't ever get any good breaks. 140 00:07:23,520 --> 00:07:25,720 Speaker 4: Joel, I've been praying for my child, but he keeps 141 00:07:25,760 --> 00:07:27,200 Speaker 4: getting worse and worse. 142 00:07:28,200 --> 00:07:32,160 Speaker 3: Don't even verbalize that, even if it is true. Don't 143 00:07:32,280 --> 00:07:36,360 Speaker 3: use your words to describe your situations. Use your words 144 00:07:36,400 --> 00:07:40,000 Speaker 3: to change your situation. Don't talk to God about how 145 00:07:40,000 --> 00:07:41,080 Speaker 3: big your mountains are. 146 00:07:41,360 --> 00:07:43,840 Speaker 4: Talk to your mountains about how big your God is. 147 00:07:44,880 --> 00:07:48,800 Speaker 3: Being negative, complaining, that's just going to depress us and 148 00:07:48,840 --> 00:07:51,840 Speaker 3: cause us to sink down. The way we stay strong 149 00:07:52,280 --> 00:07:53,960 Speaker 3: is to keep an attitude of faith. 150 00:07:53,880 --> 00:07:55,040 Speaker 4: By giving God praise. 151 00:07:55,880 --> 00:07:59,520 Speaker 3: I'm sure Abraham got up many mornings and those negative 152 00:07:59,560 --> 00:08:01,080 Speaker 3: thoughts bombarded his mind. 153 00:08:01,240 --> 00:08:02,200 Speaker 4: It's not gonna happen. 154 00:08:02,560 --> 00:08:05,680 Speaker 3: You're too old, it's been too long, This is impossible, 155 00:08:05,920 --> 00:08:07,720 Speaker 3: same kind of things that come against us. 156 00:08:08,280 --> 00:08:09,520 Speaker 4: He had to make a decision. 157 00:08:10,120 --> 00:08:12,280 Speaker 3: Was he gonna dwell on those lives and go around 158 00:08:12,320 --> 00:08:15,560 Speaker 3: negative and complaining, or was he going to stay in 159 00:08:15,640 --> 00:08:18,920 Speaker 3: faith and keep giving God praise. I believe he did 160 00:08:18,960 --> 00:08:21,640 Speaker 3: just what we're talking about. When the negative thoughts came, 161 00:08:21,880 --> 00:08:24,520 Speaker 3: he turned them around and just said, Father, thank you 162 00:08:24,600 --> 00:08:25,960 Speaker 3: that you're working in my life. 163 00:08:26,360 --> 00:08:28,560 Speaker 4: This may look impossible, but I know. 164 00:08:28,640 --> 00:08:31,560 Speaker 3: You're the God of the impossible, and at the right time, 165 00:08:31,680 --> 00:08:35,120 Speaker 3: you're gonna bring this promise to pass. Day after day, 166 00:08:35,400 --> 00:08:39,319 Speaker 3: even year after year, he just kept thanking God. That's 167 00:08:39,360 --> 00:08:42,600 Speaker 3: how we stay strong. Do you know when we dwell 168 00:08:42,679 --> 00:08:47,240 Speaker 3: on the wrong thoughts, it affects our moods, We get down, discourage, 169 00:08:47,280 --> 00:08:50,040 Speaker 3: to lose our hope. And some of you today, the 170 00:08:50,120 --> 00:08:53,440 Speaker 3: reason you don't have the joy and the enthusiasm God 171 00:08:53,520 --> 00:08:57,080 Speaker 3: wants you to have is because you're constantly dwelling on 172 00:08:57,120 --> 00:08:57,680 Speaker 3: the negative. 173 00:08:58,320 --> 00:09:00,439 Speaker 4: Well, Joel, you don't know my situation. 174 00:09:00,880 --> 00:09:03,440 Speaker 3: It's been so long and I've prayed and prayed and 175 00:09:03,520 --> 00:09:06,240 Speaker 3: prayed and prayed and prayed, and I don't see anything happening. 176 00:09:06,400 --> 00:09:09,760 Speaker 3: Now here's the problem. You got to switch over into praise. 177 00:09:10,280 --> 00:09:13,280 Speaker 3: When you start thinking God, you're gonna have joy, You're 178 00:09:13,280 --> 00:09:16,440 Speaker 3: gonna be positive, you'll be hopeful. And the fact is 179 00:09:16,800 --> 00:09:20,280 Speaker 3: Abraham waited twenty four years to see his promise come 180 00:09:20,320 --> 00:09:22,840 Speaker 3: to pass. The only way he could do that was 181 00:09:22,880 --> 00:09:26,640 Speaker 3: by giving God praise. I'm asking you today to stir 182 00:09:26,800 --> 00:09:31,200 Speaker 3: your faith up. God doesn't abort any dreams. Quit dwelling 183 00:09:31,240 --> 00:09:33,880 Speaker 3: on the negative. It may have been a long time, 184 00:09:33,920 --> 00:09:37,000 Speaker 3: but the good news is the seed is still in you. 185 00:09:37,400 --> 00:09:40,840 Speaker 3: And every time you give God praise, every time you 186 00:09:40,960 --> 00:09:43,160 Speaker 3: have a good report, every time you have a smile 187 00:09:43,200 --> 00:09:46,880 Speaker 3: on your face, you are watering that seed. And it's 188 00:09:46,920 --> 00:09:51,360 Speaker 3: so important to stay on the offensive, stay proactive. I 189 00:09:51,520 --> 00:09:54,920 Speaker 3: found when we get lazy and passive in our thought 190 00:09:54,920 --> 00:09:57,960 Speaker 3: life and we let our guard down before long, what's 191 00:09:58,000 --> 00:10:00,840 Speaker 3: going to happen. Doubt and unbelief will try to fill 192 00:10:00,880 --> 00:10:04,960 Speaker 3: our mind. If we're not careful, we'll start talking defeat 193 00:10:05,280 --> 00:10:09,320 Speaker 3: out of the heart the mouth sticks. I'm convinced one 194 00:10:09,400 --> 00:10:12,199 Speaker 3: reason the scripture tells us to bless the Lord at 195 00:10:12,200 --> 00:10:16,120 Speaker 3: all times is because God knew in our times of difficulty. 196 00:10:16,600 --> 00:10:18,800 Speaker 3: He knew when we were holding on to a promise 197 00:10:18,840 --> 00:10:22,080 Speaker 3: and not seeing anything happening, we would all be saying 198 00:10:22,160 --> 00:10:24,880 Speaker 3: something and we can't praise and complain. 199 00:10:24,960 --> 00:10:25,600 Speaker 4: At the same. 200 00:10:25,480 --> 00:10:28,120 Speaker 3: Time, he knew we'd either be saying poor ol me. 201 00:10:28,800 --> 00:10:31,160 Speaker 3: I knew I wouldn't qualify for that new home. I 202 00:10:31,240 --> 00:10:34,679 Speaker 3: knew my marriage wouldn't last or we'd be saying, Father, 203 00:10:34,720 --> 00:10:37,280 Speaker 3: I thank you that I'm a victor and not a victim. 204 00:10:37,760 --> 00:10:40,280 Speaker 4: I know no good thing will you withhold because. 205 00:10:40,040 --> 00:10:43,920 Speaker 3: I walk up rightly, and because I'm the Seed of Abraham. 206 00:10:43,960 --> 00:10:45,960 Speaker 3: You did it for him, and God, I know you'll 207 00:10:45,960 --> 00:10:48,880 Speaker 3: do it for me. See, don't be a complainer, be 208 00:10:48,920 --> 00:10:51,480 Speaker 3: a praiser. When you're full of praise, you're going to 209 00:10:51,559 --> 00:10:54,920 Speaker 3: be strong. We need to make this a habit. Train 210 00:10:55,040 --> 00:10:58,240 Speaker 3: your mind to see the good and go around thanking God. 211 00:10:59,240 --> 00:11:01,400 Speaker 3: I know when I was growing up, we used to 212 00:11:01,480 --> 00:11:04,480 Speaker 3: have a conference every Thanksgiving here at Lakewood. 213 00:11:04,720 --> 00:11:06,199 Speaker 4: People would come from all over the. 214 00:11:06,160 --> 00:11:09,320 Speaker 3: World, and at that time we would house the foreign 215 00:11:09,320 --> 00:11:12,440 Speaker 3: guests at our other location and we would provide them 216 00:11:12,520 --> 00:11:15,480 Speaker 3: meals as well well. One year, I remember, when I 217 00:11:15,520 --> 00:11:18,920 Speaker 3: was just a little boy, my father decided that he 218 00:11:19,080 --> 00:11:21,960 Speaker 3: was going to believe that somebody would give us two 219 00:11:22,080 --> 00:11:25,240 Speaker 3: cows so we could provide all the meat for our 220 00:11:25,280 --> 00:11:28,520 Speaker 3: foreign guest. God just dropped that into his heart. He 221 00:11:28,559 --> 00:11:31,320 Speaker 3: felt very strongly about it. Down in here, the seed 222 00:11:31,480 --> 00:11:34,880 Speaker 3: was planning. He then announced it to the congregation. He said, 223 00:11:35,280 --> 00:11:37,520 Speaker 3: I want you to set your faith in agreement with 224 00:11:37,640 --> 00:11:40,200 Speaker 3: mine that somebody will give us these two cows. 225 00:11:40,360 --> 00:11:43,200 Speaker 4: They were all excited. Everybody clapped. In the first couple 226 00:11:43,240 --> 00:11:45,480 Speaker 4: of weeks. My dad was so determined. 227 00:11:45,520 --> 00:11:48,640 Speaker 3: He went around saying, Father, thank you that you're supplying 228 00:11:48,800 --> 00:11:49,760 Speaker 3: all of our needs. 229 00:11:49,800 --> 00:11:52,200 Speaker 4: Thank you that you're going to give us these two cows. 230 00:11:52,760 --> 00:11:55,559 Speaker 3: You know, in the beginning, it's easy, we're excited, we're 231 00:11:55,600 --> 00:11:59,440 Speaker 3: all fired up. But week after week went by and 232 00:11:59,480 --> 00:12:02,440 Speaker 3: there was no sign of any cows. My father was 233 00:12:02,440 --> 00:12:06,160 Speaker 3: so surprised. He had not gotten one phone call, not one. 234 00:12:06,080 --> 00:12:07,520 Speaker 4: Lead concerning those cows. 235 00:12:08,160 --> 00:12:10,720 Speaker 3: Now, the conference was just a couple of months away, 236 00:12:11,120 --> 00:12:13,520 Speaker 3: and the staff was beginning to ask about the food 237 00:12:13,640 --> 00:12:16,840 Speaker 3: arrangements and what they were supposed to do. That's when 238 00:12:16,880 --> 00:12:20,480 Speaker 3: the negative thoughts started whispering in his ears. What are 239 00:12:20,520 --> 00:12:22,520 Speaker 3: you going to do if you don't get these cows. 240 00:12:23,200 --> 00:12:25,800 Speaker 3: Maybe this wasn't God, Maybe you just made this up. 241 00:12:26,280 --> 00:12:28,160 Speaker 3: After all, you got enough money. Won't you go out 242 00:12:28,160 --> 00:12:30,720 Speaker 3: and buy the cows. You're wasting all your time and energy. 243 00:12:30,960 --> 00:12:33,760 Speaker 3: My dad did his best to stand against those negative thoughts. 244 00:12:34,040 --> 00:12:36,560 Speaker 3: He told the congregation again, let's keep believing for our 245 00:12:36,640 --> 00:12:40,240 Speaker 3: cows and see the battle was taking place in his mind. 246 00:12:40,600 --> 00:12:43,880 Speaker 3: That's why it's so important to stay on guard. Well, 247 00:12:44,000 --> 00:12:48,240 Speaker 3: little by little, my father's faith began to weaken. Instead 248 00:12:48,240 --> 00:12:52,560 Speaker 3: of replacing the negative thoughts, he started dwelling on them. 249 00:12:53,000 --> 00:12:55,720 Speaker 3: He thought to himself, well, I guess we do have 250 00:12:55,880 --> 00:12:59,080 Speaker 3: enough money to buy the cows, and I am spending 251 00:12:59,120 --> 00:13:01,760 Speaker 3: a lot of time in on this. Maybe it just 252 00:13:01,880 --> 00:13:04,760 Speaker 3: wasn't meant to be. Maybe I just didn't hear God right. 253 00:13:05,080 --> 00:13:07,400 Speaker 3: Long story short, he gave up. 254 00:13:07,520 --> 00:13:10,240 Speaker 4: And had somebody go out and buy two cows. No 255 00:13:10,320 --> 00:13:10,839 Speaker 4: big deals. 256 00:13:10,840 --> 00:13:13,160 Speaker 3: He just let it go, kept it quiet, didn't say 257 00:13:13,200 --> 00:13:15,920 Speaker 3: anything to anybody about it, and they had the conference. 258 00:13:16,160 --> 00:13:19,400 Speaker 3: Everything went great, But a couple of weeks later, my 259 00:13:19,559 --> 00:13:22,880 Speaker 3: dad told how he had a dream one night, and 260 00:13:22,920 --> 00:13:26,320 Speaker 3: in this dream, he was in this big open field 261 00:13:26,400 --> 00:13:29,880 Speaker 3: acres and acres, and way out in the distance he 262 00:13:29,920 --> 00:13:33,560 Speaker 3: could see this huge snake must have been one hundred 263 00:13:33,640 --> 00:13:36,959 Speaker 3: feet long, and he noticed something very odd about it. 264 00:13:37,040 --> 00:13:38,679 Speaker 4: It had two big humps in it. 265 00:13:39,280 --> 00:13:42,160 Speaker 3: Now, out of curiosity, he walked toward it, and when 266 00:13:42,160 --> 00:13:45,800 Speaker 3: he got up closer, he could see the distinct outline 267 00:13:46,040 --> 00:13:48,520 Speaker 3: of two cows. Inside that snake. 268 00:13:49,120 --> 00:13:51,360 Speaker 4: He could see the head, the back, the legs. 269 00:13:51,520 --> 00:13:55,959 Speaker 3: It was obvious the snake had eaten those cows. Well, 270 00:13:56,000 --> 00:13:59,000 Speaker 3: he woke up and he told how God spoke to him, 271 00:13:59,160 --> 00:14:02,080 Speaker 3: not out loud, but down in here. God said, I 272 00:14:02,200 --> 00:14:05,080 Speaker 3: just want you to know you let the enemy have. 273 00:14:05,160 --> 00:14:06,040 Speaker 4: Your two cows. 274 00:14:06,880 --> 00:14:10,080 Speaker 3: And that's what happens when we give in to doubt 275 00:14:10,160 --> 00:14:13,920 Speaker 3: and unbelieve. There's no telling how many promises God is 276 00:14:13,960 --> 00:14:16,520 Speaker 3: placed in our hearts that we've allowed to. 277 00:14:16,520 --> 00:14:17,280 Speaker 4: Be taken away. 278 00:14:17,840 --> 00:14:20,360 Speaker 3: Now I'm asking you today, don't give up on your 279 00:14:20,360 --> 00:14:21,040 Speaker 3: two cows. 280 00:14:21,320 --> 00:14:22,520 Speaker 4: Don't give up on your seed. 281 00:14:22,720 --> 00:14:26,200 Speaker 3: You've got to keep watering that seed day in day out. 282 00:14:27,640 --> 00:14:29,520 Speaker 4: Some of you kind of like my father. 283 00:14:29,840 --> 00:14:33,520 Speaker 3: You've gotten passive and you're not actively believing, you're not 284 00:14:33,600 --> 00:14:37,160 Speaker 3: actively stretching your faith. Well, the good news is you 285 00:14:37,240 --> 00:14:40,240 Speaker 3: can start right now. It's never too late. The seed 286 00:14:40,320 --> 00:14:43,120 Speaker 3: is still in. You get up every morning thanking God 287 00:14:43,160 --> 00:14:45,320 Speaker 3: that the answer is on the way, Thank him that 288 00:14:45,400 --> 00:14:49,240 Speaker 3: he's bringing your dreams to pass. Dare to believe. You've 289 00:14:49,240 --> 00:14:53,160 Speaker 3: got to keep your seed water. Friends, God doesn't abort 290 00:14:53,200 --> 00:14:56,880 Speaker 3: the dreams we do. As long as you will keep believing, 291 00:14:57,200 --> 00:15:00,000 Speaker 3: the seed is alive and well on the inside of you. 292 00:15:00,760 --> 00:15:03,800 Speaker 3: Says about Abraham in the natural, he had no reason 293 00:15:03,840 --> 00:15:06,520 Speaker 3: to have hope, but that didn't bother him. He just 294 00:15:06,640 --> 00:15:10,960 Speaker 3: kept hoping on in faith. Anyway, my father gave up 295 00:15:11,040 --> 00:15:14,280 Speaker 3: when he started dwelling on the negative thoughts. He lost 296 00:15:14,280 --> 00:15:17,320 Speaker 3: the battle right here before he ever lost it physically. 297 00:15:18,000 --> 00:15:20,560 Speaker 3: And the fact is they could have bought the meat 298 00:15:20,640 --> 00:15:21,320 Speaker 3: for the convention. 299 00:15:21,520 --> 00:15:22,840 Speaker 4: That wasn't any big deal. 300 00:15:23,360 --> 00:15:26,560 Speaker 3: But God was trying to teach my father a principle 301 00:15:26,880 --> 00:15:29,480 Speaker 3: to stand strong in his faith, to not give in 302 00:15:29,520 --> 00:15:30,600 Speaker 3: to doubt and unbelieve. 303 00:15:31,400 --> 00:15:33,240 Speaker 4: The two cows were not a big deal. 304 00:15:33,480 --> 00:15:36,720 Speaker 3: But nine years later, when my mother was diagnosed with 305 00:15:36,840 --> 00:15:40,360 Speaker 3: terminal cancer, that was a big deal. Now they weren't 306 00:15:40,360 --> 00:15:43,200 Speaker 3: believing for a couple of cows. They were believing from 307 00:15:43,200 --> 00:15:46,760 Speaker 3: my mother's life. And thank God, this time my parents 308 00:15:46,840 --> 00:15:49,400 Speaker 3: knew how to stand strong and fight the good fight 309 00:15:49,440 --> 00:15:49,880 Speaker 3: of faith. 310 00:15:50,480 --> 00:15:51,160 Speaker 4: I would hear. 311 00:15:51,040 --> 00:15:55,520 Speaker 3: Them all through the day, especially my mother going through 312 00:15:55,560 --> 00:15:59,400 Speaker 3: the house thanking the Lord for her healing, thanking. 313 00:15:59,040 --> 00:16:01,600 Speaker 4: God that you would live long, healthy life. 314 00:16:01,720 --> 00:16:06,520 Speaker 3: From morning to evening, my mother was constantly watering her seed. 315 00:16:06,920 --> 00:16:08,560 Speaker 4: She stayed on the offensive. 316 00:16:09,080 --> 00:16:12,000 Speaker 3: If she had gotten passive, she would have sunk down 317 00:16:12,120 --> 00:16:13,800 Speaker 3: into that deep hold of depression. 318 00:16:14,240 --> 00:16:15,680 Speaker 4: She probably wouldn't be here today. 319 00:16:16,120 --> 00:16:18,840 Speaker 3: The only way you can keep yourself strong, especially in 320 00:16:18,840 --> 00:16:21,760 Speaker 3: the dark times, is to keep thanking God that the 321 00:16:21,840 --> 00:16:25,680 Speaker 3: answers on the way that seed begin to grow. Little 322 00:16:25,720 --> 00:16:28,800 Speaker 3: by little, she got better and better. That was twenty 323 00:16:28,800 --> 00:16:32,360 Speaker 3: five years ago. This week today, my mother is as 324 00:16:32,400 --> 00:16:36,200 Speaker 3: strong and as healthy as she could possibly do. The 325 00:16:36,240 --> 00:16:40,720 Speaker 3: scripture tells us in Hebrews, we have to hold fast 326 00:16:40,920 --> 00:16:42,440 Speaker 3: the profession of your faith. 327 00:16:42,840 --> 00:16:46,440 Speaker 4: That means hold fast to what God's put in your heart, 328 00:16:46,680 --> 00:16:48,480 Speaker 4: hold on to your dreams. 329 00:16:48,800 --> 00:16:51,160 Speaker 3: It indicates something's going to try to take it away. 330 00:16:51,880 --> 00:16:55,120 Speaker 3: That means you got to grip it tightly, stay determined, 331 00:16:55,640 --> 00:16:57,400 Speaker 3: stay persistent, and. 332 00:16:57,400 --> 00:16:59,080 Speaker 4: Don't dwell on those lies. 333 00:16:59,360 --> 00:17:02,400 Speaker 3: When the back in your mind, some of you, like 334 00:17:02,440 --> 00:17:06,680 Speaker 3: my father, you're wondering, can God give me these two cows? 335 00:17:07,119 --> 00:17:10,600 Speaker 3: Can God really restore my marriage? Can God really turn 336 00:17:10,680 --> 00:17:14,320 Speaker 3: my situation around? No, you've got it backwards. Quit asking 337 00:17:14,520 --> 00:17:18,240 Speaker 3: can God and start declaring God can, and I know 338 00:17:18,359 --> 00:17:22,600 Speaker 3: God will. You may not be feeling very well those 339 00:17:22,680 --> 00:17:25,399 Speaker 3: thoughts come telling you this is it man, You're not 340 00:17:25,440 --> 00:17:27,600 Speaker 3: going to make it. No, just turn it around. Just 341 00:17:27,680 --> 00:17:30,320 Speaker 3: like my mother, Father, Thank you that you're restoring health 342 00:17:30,359 --> 00:17:33,600 Speaker 3: unto me. Thank you that I'll live a long satisfied life. 343 00:17:34,119 --> 00:17:36,840 Speaker 3: Your child may not be doing right. The negative thoughts 344 00:17:37,040 --> 00:17:39,760 Speaker 3: try to bombarde your mind. No turn it around, father. 345 00:17:39,840 --> 00:17:40,280 Speaker 4: Thank you. 346 00:17:40,440 --> 00:17:42,720 Speaker 3: As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. 347 00:17:43,040 --> 00:17:45,840 Speaker 3: I thank you that my children will fulfill their destiny. 348 00:17:46,840 --> 00:17:49,760 Speaker 3: Maybe at the office things are trying to pull you down. 349 00:17:49,800 --> 00:17:50,879 Speaker 3: You've got some struggles. 350 00:17:50,960 --> 00:17:53,800 Speaker 4: Don't dwell on that. Don't go around well. I wonder 351 00:17:53,840 --> 00:17:55,880 Speaker 4: when God's going to do something in my life. Don't 352 00:17:55,960 --> 00:17:57,280 Speaker 4: just turn it around. Father. 353 00:17:57,320 --> 00:18:00,359 Speaker 3: I thank you that right now you're working in my life. 354 00:18:00,440 --> 00:18:03,280 Speaker 3: I thinking that you always caused me to triumph. I 355 00:18:03,359 --> 00:18:06,520 Speaker 3: thinking that no weapon formed against me will ever prosper. 356 00:18:07,080 --> 00:18:09,040 Speaker 3: You start talking like that, you know what you're doing. 357 00:18:09,240 --> 00:18:10,639 Speaker 4: You're watering your seed. 358 00:18:11,280 --> 00:18:14,639 Speaker 3: If you'll stay in faith, you'll give birth to those promises. 359 00:18:14,920 --> 00:18:18,080 Speaker 3: You'll see God bring them to pass. I love what 360 00:18:18,160 --> 00:18:20,879 Speaker 3: a friend of mine did. Her name is Dawn, and 361 00:18:20,920 --> 00:18:23,280 Speaker 3: she grew up here in the church. I've known her 362 00:18:23,359 --> 00:18:25,159 Speaker 3: as long as I can remember, since I was a 363 00:18:25,200 --> 00:18:28,199 Speaker 3: little boy. And after Dawn and her husband got married, 364 00:18:28,480 --> 00:18:31,399 Speaker 3: they had to desire to have a baby. They tried 365 00:18:31,480 --> 00:18:34,680 Speaker 3: and tried and went through all these fertility treatments, did 366 00:18:34,720 --> 00:18:38,400 Speaker 3: everything they could with no success. And year after year 367 00:18:38,480 --> 00:18:41,440 Speaker 3: went by, and at this time Dawn was the head 368 00:18:41,520 --> 00:18:44,679 Speaker 3: of our children's ministry. Well, when my father went to 369 00:18:44,720 --> 00:18:46,920 Speaker 3: be with the Lord and I stepped up to pasture 370 00:18:47,000 --> 00:18:49,520 Speaker 3: the church. She had been believing to have that baby 371 00:18:49,640 --> 00:18:52,879 Speaker 3: for over twenty years. And one day we were in 372 00:18:52,920 --> 00:18:57,240 Speaker 3: a meeting about the children's ministry and Dawn said, Joel, 373 00:18:57,320 --> 00:19:00,720 Speaker 3: I've got a real good assistant trained, because when I 374 00:19:00,760 --> 00:19:02,760 Speaker 3: go to have my baby, I'm going to be out 375 00:19:02,800 --> 00:19:05,920 Speaker 3: for a few months. And after the meeting, I got 376 00:19:05,920 --> 00:19:08,160 Speaker 3: my sister Lisa aside. She was in there with us, 377 00:19:08,240 --> 00:19:10,400 Speaker 3: and I said, Lisa, did I miss it somewhere it's 378 00:19:10,480 --> 00:19:14,040 Speaker 3: Dawn pregnant. Lisa said, no, Joe, she's still believing to 379 00:19:14,080 --> 00:19:14,840 Speaker 3: have that baby. 380 00:19:15,160 --> 00:19:17,920 Speaker 4: Let me tell you. Dawn talked like she was pregnant. 381 00:19:17,960 --> 00:19:19,760 Speaker 4: She talked like she was going to have it next week. 382 00:19:20,240 --> 00:19:23,040 Speaker 3: And I have to admit in the natural. And I 383 00:19:23,080 --> 00:19:25,280 Speaker 3: didn't certainly tell anybody this, but I kind of thought 384 00:19:25,320 --> 00:19:27,959 Speaker 3: to myself, Dawn, you have been believing to have this 385 00:19:28,080 --> 00:19:31,600 Speaker 3: baby for as long as I've practically known you. Maybe 386 00:19:31,600 --> 00:19:33,600 Speaker 3: God wants to do something different. Maybe you should make 387 00:19:33,600 --> 00:19:36,440 Speaker 3: some other plans. But let me tell you, Dawn had 388 00:19:36,480 --> 00:19:39,800 Speaker 3: her mind made up. The promise was in her. That's 389 00:19:39,840 --> 00:19:42,560 Speaker 3: why you should not let other people talk you out 390 00:19:42,600 --> 00:19:46,240 Speaker 3: of your dreams. They don't know the seed that God's 391 00:19:46,240 --> 00:19:50,359 Speaker 3: put in you. And Dawn did just like Abraham. She 392 00:19:50,520 --> 00:19:53,600 Speaker 3: kept thinking God that one day she'd have that baby, 393 00:19:53,920 --> 00:19:57,520 Speaker 3: that one day she would see her dreams come to pass. Well, 394 00:19:57,640 --> 00:20:01,480 Speaker 3: twenty nine years later, Dawn went to the doctor to 395 00:20:01,520 --> 00:20:05,440 Speaker 3: have a checkup. He said, congratulations, Dawn, you're not only 396 00:20:05,480 --> 00:20:09,200 Speaker 3: gonna have one child, You're gonna have twins. 397 00:20:09,320 --> 00:20:10,399 Speaker 4: Today. 398 00:20:11,400 --> 00:20:14,840 Speaker 3: Those little babies today are about six months old, and 399 00:20:14,920 --> 00:20:16,639 Speaker 3: Dawn is just as happy as can be. 400 00:20:17,240 --> 00:20:20,040 Speaker 4: She hasn't slept in six months, but she's happy by faith. 401 00:20:21,720 --> 00:20:24,640 Speaker 3: But I love the fact that God does not abort 402 00:20:24,680 --> 00:20:27,880 Speaker 3: the dreams. Some of you think you could never be well, 403 00:20:28,000 --> 00:20:30,000 Speaker 3: you could never have a baby, you could never get 404 00:20:30,040 --> 00:20:30,639 Speaker 3: out of debt. 405 00:20:31,000 --> 00:20:31,720 Speaker 4: Don't give up. 406 00:20:32,400 --> 00:20:35,520 Speaker 3: Keep giving God praise, keep believing, get up every morning, 407 00:20:35,680 --> 00:20:38,480 Speaker 3: thanking him that the answers on the way, And even 408 00:20:38,520 --> 00:20:41,760 Speaker 3: when it looks impossible, learn to speak words of faith. 409 00:20:42,320 --> 00:20:44,200 Speaker 3: You may not be able to see a way out, 410 00:20:44,400 --> 00:20:48,040 Speaker 3: but know this Our God is the way maker. Just 411 00:20:48,160 --> 00:20:50,800 Speaker 3: like he parted the Red Sea for the children of Israel, 412 00:20:51,080 --> 00:20:54,080 Speaker 3: he can make a way in your life. Don't get negative, 413 00:20:54,080 --> 00:20:59,000 Speaker 3: don't start complaining. Keep the song of praise in your heart. Remember, 414 00:20:59,320 --> 00:21:03,320 Speaker 3: praise always precedes the victory. The mistake we make a 415 00:21:03,320 --> 00:21:06,840 Speaker 3: lot of times is we're waiting for our situations to change, 416 00:21:06,920 --> 00:21:09,240 Speaker 3: and as soon as the promise comes to pass, then 417 00:21:09,280 --> 00:21:11,840 Speaker 3: we're going to be happy. But God says, you got 418 00:21:11,840 --> 00:21:14,240 Speaker 3: to get happy first. You've got to give me praise first. 419 00:21:14,560 --> 00:21:17,960 Speaker 3: Then I'll begin to turn things around. You remember when 420 00:21:18,200 --> 00:21:21,640 Speaker 3: Joshua and the people were marching around the walls of Jericho. 421 00:21:22,200 --> 00:21:25,080 Speaker 3: They had to shout before the walls came down. 422 00:21:25,880 --> 00:21:26,960 Speaker 4: That seems kind of odd. 423 00:21:27,040 --> 00:21:29,040 Speaker 3: Seems like God would want them to shout and be 424 00:21:29,160 --> 00:21:32,359 Speaker 3: happy after the victory, after the walls have fallen. 425 00:21:32,840 --> 00:21:35,200 Speaker 4: But no, that doesn't take any faith. 426 00:21:35,800 --> 00:21:38,360 Speaker 3: We can all sing and give God praise when we're 427 00:21:38,359 --> 00:21:41,240 Speaker 3: on the mountaintop, but God wants us to learn to 428 00:21:41,280 --> 00:21:43,639 Speaker 3: give him praise even when we're in the valley and 429 00:21:43,720 --> 00:21:45,760 Speaker 3: we don't thank God for the problem. We think him 430 00:21:45,760 --> 00:21:48,199 Speaker 3: that we're coming out, We think him that victory is 431 00:21:48,240 --> 00:21:52,040 Speaker 3: on its way. This is what David did. He had 432 00:21:52,080 --> 00:21:55,600 Speaker 3: all kinds of challenges. People were lying about him, doing 433 00:21:55,680 --> 00:21:58,520 Speaker 3: him wrong, trying to kill him. He said in song 434 00:21:58,600 --> 00:22:03,400 Speaker 3: fifty nine, enemies are coming against me like vicious dogs, 435 00:22:03,520 --> 00:22:04,520 Speaker 3: trying to destroy me. 436 00:22:04,920 --> 00:22:06,560 Speaker 4: But as for me, what am I going to do? 437 00:22:06,880 --> 00:22:10,040 Speaker 3: I will sing about your power, and I will shout 438 00:22:10,080 --> 00:22:13,439 Speaker 3: for joy, for you are my refuge, my place of 439 00:22:13,520 --> 00:22:17,879 Speaker 3: safety in my day of distress. Notice in David's time 440 00:22:18,000 --> 00:22:21,920 Speaker 3: of need, he wasn't sitting around having a pity party complaining. 441 00:22:22,560 --> 00:22:25,040 Speaker 4: He was singing about the greatness of God. 442 00:22:25,560 --> 00:22:28,600 Speaker 3: He was saying, in effect, my enemies may be powerful, 443 00:22:28,840 --> 00:22:32,320 Speaker 3: but I know my God is all powerful. My obstacles 444 00:22:32,320 --> 00:22:34,840 Speaker 3: may be high, but I know my God is the 445 00:22:34,840 --> 00:22:35,560 Speaker 3: most time. 446 00:22:36,119 --> 00:22:37,160 Speaker 4: He wasn't talking to. 447 00:22:37,119 --> 00:22:40,040 Speaker 3: God about how big his problems were. He was talking 448 00:22:40,040 --> 00:22:42,800 Speaker 3: to his problems about how big his God was. And 449 00:22:42,880 --> 00:22:45,439 Speaker 3: some of you today, if you just start singing a 450 00:22:45,480 --> 00:22:49,800 Speaker 3: new song instead of complaining and thinking about what you're not, 451 00:22:50,200 --> 00:22:52,560 Speaker 3: you need to start thanking God for what you're going 452 00:22:52,600 --> 00:22:56,200 Speaker 3: to become. Our attitude should be I've come too far 453 00:22:56,320 --> 00:23:00,240 Speaker 3: to stop now. I've got dreams, I've got promises, will 454 00:23:00,280 --> 00:23:03,639 Speaker 3: stay in faith and give birth to everything that God's 455 00:23:03,640 --> 00:23:07,560 Speaker 3: put in my heart. I think about Elijah one Kings, 456 00:23:07,640 --> 00:23:10,560 Speaker 3: chapter eighteen. There was a great drought in the land, 457 00:23:11,040 --> 00:23:13,760 Speaker 3: been going on for several years, and the people were 458 00:23:13,760 --> 00:23:17,359 Speaker 3: in desperate need of water. And one day God dropped 459 00:23:17,359 --> 00:23:20,480 Speaker 3: the promise in Elijah's heart that it was going to rain. 460 00:23:21,119 --> 00:23:23,879 Speaker 4: So he went and announced it to Ahab, the leader. 461 00:23:24,280 --> 00:23:25,800 Speaker 4: And it's interesting how he did it. 462 00:23:26,040 --> 00:23:30,880 Speaker 3: He said, Ahab, I hear the sound of abundance of rain. 463 00:23:31,720 --> 00:23:35,800 Speaker 3: And I'm sure Ahab thought naturally, like maybe he heard 464 00:23:35,880 --> 00:23:39,160 Speaker 3: some thunder or maybe heard rain often the distance. 465 00:23:39,440 --> 00:23:43,080 Speaker 4: But no, Elijah didn't hear it physically. He heard it 466 00:23:43,119 --> 00:23:43,720 Speaker 4: down in here. 467 00:23:44,480 --> 00:23:48,480 Speaker 3: And I love the fact that Elijah announced his dream. 468 00:23:48,720 --> 00:23:49,680 Speaker 4: He spoke it out. 469 00:23:50,640 --> 00:23:54,639 Speaker 3: Words give life to our faith. Sometimes it's good for 470 00:23:54,720 --> 00:23:57,359 Speaker 3: you to tell somebody else what God has put in 471 00:23:57,400 --> 00:23:57,879 Speaker 3: your heart. 472 00:23:58,480 --> 00:23:59,720 Speaker 4: Words have creative. 473 00:24:00,920 --> 00:24:04,239 Speaker 3: That's why I'm constantly telling you your best days are 474 00:24:04,280 --> 00:24:06,640 Speaker 3: still out in front of you, and two thousand and 475 00:24:06,680 --> 00:24:09,359 Speaker 3: seven is going to be better than two thousand and six. 476 00:24:09,640 --> 00:24:14,560 Speaker 3: You can prophesy your future. Your child may not be 477 00:24:14,680 --> 00:24:17,200 Speaker 3: doing right, but it do you good to tell your 478 00:24:17,240 --> 00:24:19,040 Speaker 3: friends next time you see them, Hey, you know what 479 00:24:19,200 --> 00:24:22,399 Speaker 3: my child's turning around. My child's going to do great things. 480 00:24:23,040 --> 00:24:25,600 Speaker 3: Your finances may be kind of low. You need to 481 00:24:25,640 --> 00:24:28,679 Speaker 3: make some new announcements. I am blessed. I have the 482 00:24:28,720 --> 00:24:32,040 Speaker 3: favor of God. Whatever I touch prospers. My best days 483 00:24:32,240 --> 00:24:34,800 Speaker 3: are out in front of any somebody say, how do 484 00:24:34,840 --> 00:24:37,119 Speaker 3: you know that? Just tell him I heard it on 485 00:24:37,160 --> 00:24:39,600 Speaker 3: the inside. I heard it down in here. That's what 486 00:24:39,640 --> 00:24:40,280 Speaker 3: Elijah did. 487 00:24:40,320 --> 00:24:40,840 Speaker 4: He hurt it. 488 00:24:41,480 --> 00:24:43,800 Speaker 3: Then he announced his dream. Then he took it one 489 00:24:43,840 --> 00:24:47,040 Speaker 3: step further, very important. He went to the top of 490 00:24:47,160 --> 00:24:50,640 Speaker 3: Mount Carmel, and he began to worship God. He did 491 00:24:50,720 --> 00:24:51,800 Speaker 3: just what I'm talking about. 492 00:24:51,920 --> 00:24:52,320 Speaker 4: I believe. 493 00:24:52,359 --> 00:24:54,520 Speaker 3: He went up there and said, God, thank you that 494 00:24:54,560 --> 00:24:57,480 Speaker 3: it's going to rain, thank you that this drought is ending. 495 00:24:57,520 --> 00:25:01,480 Speaker 4: Thank you that you're changing things. One of his servants out. 496 00:25:01,320 --> 00:25:03,320 Speaker 3: To the other side of the mountain to see if 497 00:25:03,320 --> 00:25:05,600 Speaker 3: he could see anything up in the sky, any sign 498 00:25:05,680 --> 00:25:08,320 Speaker 3: of rain. That young man came back a few minutes 499 00:25:08,400 --> 00:25:11,760 Speaker 3: later and said, Elijah, there's nothing, not a cloud in 500 00:25:11,840 --> 00:25:16,200 Speaker 3: the sky. Well did Elijah get discouraged? Did he say, God, 501 00:25:16,240 --> 00:25:17,720 Speaker 3: I thought you told me it was going to rain. 502 00:25:17,800 --> 00:25:20,600 Speaker 3: I thought I heard the sound of abundance. No, he 503 00:25:20,760 --> 00:25:24,240 Speaker 3: just kept worshiping. He kept thanking God that the answer 504 00:25:24,320 --> 00:25:27,120 Speaker 3: was on the way. The servant went out six more 505 00:25:27,160 --> 00:25:30,199 Speaker 3: times came back with the same negative report. 506 00:25:30,480 --> 00:25:34,320 Speaker 4: Nothing didn't bother Elijah. He just kept thanking God. 507 00:25:35,040 --> 00:25:37,920 Speaker 3: Finally, on the seventh time, the servant said, I saw 508 00:25:37,960 --> 00:25:40,600 Speaker 3: a little cloud up in the sky. It wasn't long 509 00:25:40,640 --> 00:25:44,679 Speaker 3: after that before the heavens opened up and Elijah saw 510 00:25:44,840 --> 00:25:48,400 Speaker 3: the abundance of rain. But think about this, he heard 511 00:25:48,440 --> 00:25:51,600 Speaker 3: it down in here before he ever saw it out 512 00:25:51,640 --> 00:25:55,040 Speaker 3: in here. Let me ask you today, what do you hear? 513 00:25:55,560 --> 00:25:58,919 Speaker 3: Can you hear the sound of abundance over your own life? 514 00:25:59,320 --> 00:26:02,280 Speaker 3: Can you hear the sound of God's blessings and favor? 515 00:26:02,600 --> 00:26:05,160 Speaker 3: Can you hear the sound of increase? Can you hear 516 00:26:05,200 --> 00:26:08,280 Speaker 3: the sound of divine health? Some of you need to 517 00:26:08,320 --> 00:26:11,639 Speaker 3: start hearing some new sounds. I don't know what that 518 00:26:11,680 --> 00:26:13,720 Speaker 3: preacher is talking about. I don't hear anything. No, I'm 519 00:26:13,720 --> 00:26:16,320 Speaker 3: talking about down in here. By faith, you need to 520 00:26:16,359 --> 00:26:18,360 Speaker 3: hear it, and then you need to speak it out. 521 00:26:18,400 --> 00:26:21,040 Speaker 3: You need to declare it, and then take the third step, 522 00:26:21,280 --> 00:26:24,840 Speaker 3: get over into your position of praise, and you think 523 00:26:24,880 --> 00:26:27,639 Speaker 3: about Elijah. He didn't pay a lot of attention to 524 00:26:27,680 --> 00:26:30,960 Speaker 3: the negative reports. Six times that young man told him 525 00:26:30,960 --> 00:26:31,560 Speaker 3: something bad. 526 00:26:31,840 --> 00:26:33,040 Speaker 4: He just kept worshiping. 527 00:26:33,760 --> 00:26:37,160 Speaker 3: Maybe you've had some bad reports concerning your health, Well, 528 00:26:37,200 --> 00:26:39,520 Speaker 3: you don't need to read that thing twenty times a day. 529 00:26:39,760 --> 00:26:43,120 Speaker 3: Put it away and start thanking God that he's restoring hell. 530 00:26:43,840 --> 00:26:47,200 Speaker 3: Maybe your business is slow, your checking account doesn't look good, Well, 531 00:26:47,200 --> 00:26:48,000 Speaker 3: you don't need to read. 532 00:26:47,840 --> 00:26:48,680 Speaker 4: The numbers all day. 533 00:26:48,720 --> 00:26:52,000 Speaker 3: Put that away and just thank God that increase is 534 00:26:52,040 --> 00:26:52,600 Speaker 3: on the way. 535 00:26:52,960 --> 00:26:55,760 Speaker 4: You've got to hear the sound of abundance. 536 00:26:55,240 --> 00:26:59,320 Speaker 3: Over your own life, it says in Isaiah fifty four. 537 00:27:00,160 --> 00:27:03,879 Speaker 3: Sing old bearing woman, you who never bore a child, 538 00:27:04,440 --> 00:27:08,880 Speaker 3: break forth into song and shout for joy. It's interesting 539 00:27:08,920 --> 00:27:11,920 Speaker 3: this passage was written to women that didn't have any children. 540 00:27:12,359 --> 00:27:13,320 Speaker 4: Notice what it's saying. 541 00:27:13,800 --> 00:27:16,640 Speaker 3: If your dreams have not come to pass, if you've 542 00:27:16,680 --> 00:27:20,119 Speaker 3: got unborn promises, if you don't have that baby yet, 543 00:27:20,640 --> 00:27:22,000 Speaker 3: don't just sit around in the feet. 544 00:27:22,080 --> 00:27:23,760 Speaker 4: Don't just give up and say too bad for me. 545 00:27:24,200 --> 00:27:27,200 Speaker 3: No, God says, when you're bearing, first thing you need 546 00:27:27,240 --> 00:27:29,040 Speaker 3: to do is sing a song of praise. 547 00:27:29,840 --> 00:27:31,520 Speaker 4: Well, Joel, I'm kind of depressed today. 548 00:27:31,520 --> 00:27:31,800 Speaker 2: Man. 549 00:27:31,920 --> 00:27:33,880 Speaker 4: I'll sing after I have my baby. 550 00:27:34,480 --> 00:27:37,879 Speaker 3: No, this passage wasn't written to people that were holding 551 00:27:37,920 --> 00:27:41,159 Speaker 3: their baby. It was written to empty armed people, to 552 00:27:41,280 --> 00:27:42,919 Speaker 3: people who did not have. 553 00:27:42,800 --> 00:27:43,680 Speaker 4: What they were believing. 554 00:27:43,720 --> 00:27:43,800 Speaker 1: For. 555 00:27:44,680 --> 00:27:47,879 Speaker 3: One principle we can see through this scripture is that 556 00:27:48,160 --> 00:27:52,919 Speaker 3: singing is the birth position. When you're giving God praise, 557 00:27:52,960 --> 00:27:54,680 Speaker 3: when you're giving him thanks. You know what you're doing 558 00:27:54,920 --> 00:27:56,240 Speaker 3: putting yourself. 559 00:27:55,800 --> 00:27:58,800 Speaker 4: In a position to give birth to that promise. This 560 00:27:58,960 --> 00:28:02,199 Speaker 4: is exactly what a li I you did. He kept worshiping. 561 00:28:01,720 --> 00:28:06,520 Speaker 3: God and eventually he saw the abundance of rain. Let 562 00:28:06,600 --> 00:28:09,119 Speaker 3: me challenge you today, get into the birth. 563 00:28:08,880 --> 00:28:11,240 Speaker 4: Position, have a song of praise. 564 00:28:11,760 --> 00:28:14,920 Speaker 3: Remember, God doesn't abort any dreams. You may not see 565 00:28:14,920 --> 00:28:18,000 Speaker 3: anything happening, but you've got to hold on to your promise. 566 00:28:18,520 --> 00:28:21,440 Speaker 3: When the negative thoughts come, turn it around and thank 567 00:28:21,480 --> 00:28:23,760 Speaker 3: God that the answer is on the way. Stay in 568 00:28:23,840 --> 00:28:26,680 Speaker 3: the birth position, keep a song of praise coming out 569 00:28:26,680 --> 00:28:29,600 Speaker 3: of your heart. If you do this, I know you 570 00:28:29,680 --> 00:28:33,280 Speaker 3: won't die with any unborn promises. You'll give birth. God 571 00:28:33,320 --> 00:28:35,840 Speaker 3: will bring your dreams to pass. You'll live the life 572 00:28:35,880 --> 00:28:38,920 Speaker 3: of victory He has in story. Do you receive it today? 573 00:28:40,960 --> 00:28:43,680 Speaker 3: We never like to close our broadcast without giving you 574 00:28:43,720 --> 00:28:46,600 Speaker 3: an opportunity to make Jesus the lord of your life. 575 00:28:47,040 --> 00:28:48,000 Speaker 4: Would you pray with me. 576 00:28:48,560 --> 00:28:53,680 Speaker 3: Just say, Lord Jesus, come into my heart. I repent 577 00:28:53,720 --> 00:28:58,760 Speaker 3: of my sins. I make you my Lord and savior. Friends, 578 00:28:58,760 --> 00:29:01,160 Speaker 3: if you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 579 00:29:01,160 --> 00:29:04,360 Speaker 3: born again. Get in a good Bible based church. Keep 580 00:29:04,400 --> 00:29:07,120 Speaker 3: God first place. He's going to take your places you've 581 00:29:07,120 --> 00:29:07,800 Speaker 3: never dreamed of. 582 00:29:08,160 --> 00:29:11,560 Speaker 5: Thank you for listening to the joel Osteine podcast. Help 583 00:29:11,680 --> 00:29:14,400 Speaker 5: us continue to share the message of hope with those 584 00:29:14,480 --> 00:29:18,400 Speaker 5: all over the world. Visit joelostein dot com slash give 585 00:29:18,480 --> 00:29:20,160 Speaker 5: Hope to give a gift today. 586 00:29:21,440 --> 00:29:23,880 Speaker 4: Thanks so much for listening to today's message. 587 00:29:24,000 --> 00:29:26,760 Speaker 3: I hope you'll subscribe so you can receive the latest 588 00:29:26,800 --> 00:29:29,840 Speaker 3: podcast to keep you inspired all through the week. 589 00:29:30,080 --> 00:29:32,920 Speaker 4: We're praying for you. 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