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 --> 00:00:05,960 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 --> 00:00:10,000 Speaker 2: blessing and share it with a friend. 5 00:00:10,320 --> 00:00:13,040 Speaker 1: We appreciate you and pray for God's very best in 6 00:00:13,080 --> 00:00:13,600 Speaker 1: your life. 7 00:00:13,960 --> 00:00:17,200 Speaker 2: We honor you and we bless you with our lives. 8 00:00:17,840 --> 00:00:18,919 Speaker 3: You may be seated. 9 00:00:20,760 --> 00:00:22,160 Speaker 2: You know, I want to talk to us a little 10 00:00:22,160 --> 00:00:27,320 Speaker 2: bit about relationships and how to bring value to our relationships. 11 00:00:28,080 --> 00:00:30,680 Speaker 2: You know, we're going to be around people all the time, 12 00:00:30,800 --> 00:00:32,760 Speaker 2: and we're going to have people in our life that 13 00:00:32,800 --> 00:00:36,040 Speaker 2: are close to us, and some of those relationships can 14 00:00:36,120 --> 00:00:40,640 Speaker 2: bring us great joy and satisfaction. And sometimes some of 15 00:00:40,680 --> 00:00:44,640 Speaker 2: those same relationships can be a source of a frustration, 16 00:00:45,200 --> 00:00:48,040 Speaker 2: and they can be a challenge in our life. We've 17 00:00:48,080 --> 00:00:51,360 Speaker 2: got to learn to balance the two extremes. Have you 18 00:00:51,479 --> 00:00:53,960 Speaker 2: ever been in love with someone a moment and then 19 00:00:54,000 --> 00:00:57,880 Speaker 2: they say something you don't like and you're mad at them. 20 00:00:58,080 --> 00:01:02,560 Speaker 2: That doesn't make sense. We got fick on feelings. We've 21 00:01:02,600 --> 00:01:06,520 Speaker 2: got to learn how to balance these things called relationships 22 00:01:06,920 --> 00:01:09,240 Speaker 2: and learn to bring out the best in each other 23 00:01:09,600 --> 00:01:13,679 Speaker 2: and enjoy relationships. Listen to what the Apostle Paul teaches 24 00:01:13,800 --> 00:01:18,919 Speaker 2: us in First Corinthians thirteen point five. He says, love 25 00:01:19,160 --> 00:01:25,360 Speaker 2: keeps no records of wrongs. Love keeps no records of wrongs. 26 00:01:26,120 --> 00:01:27,360 Speaker 3: You see, the. 27 00:01:27,280 --> 00:01:30,440 Speaker 2: Apostle Paul was telling us, if we're gonna balance out 28 00:01:30,440 --> 00:01:33,440 Speaker 2: our relationships and we're gonna enjoy them, we're not gonna 29 00:01:33,440 --> 00:01:37,319 Speaker 2: be frustrated and irritated. We're going to have to learn 30 00:01:37,880 --> 00:01:39,959 Speaker 2: to keep records of the good things. 31 00:01:40,640 --> 00:01:41,280 Speaker 3: We're going to. 32 00:01:41,280 --> 00:01:44,280 Speaker 2: Have to learn to find the good in our relationship, 33 00:01:44,600 --> 00:01:48,560 Speaker 2: the good in the people that we are connected to. See, 34 00:01:48,600 --> 00:01:51,040 Speaker 2: it's easy to see the worst in people. Let me 35 00:01:51,080 --> 00:01:54,120 Speaker 2: tell you that takes no effort, and it certainly takes 36 00:01:54,160 --> 00:01:58,480 Speaker 2: no faith. But when we begin to keep no records 37 00:01:58,520 --> 00:02:00,960 Speaker 2: of wrong and we begin to look at the good, 38 00:02:01,440 --> 00:02:05,280 Speaker 2: we have a grateful heart. Now think about this, Love 39 00:02:05,800 --> 00:02:09,160 Speaker 2: keeps no records of wrong. The only way that we 40 00:02:09,280 --> 00:02:14,120 Speaker 2: can accomplish this is to let love rule. See God 41 00:02:14,240 --> 00:02:17,880 Speaker 2: is love. He is the very essence of love. When 42 00:02:17,880 --> 00:02:20,160 Speaker 2: we think about this for a minute, about God's love. 43 00:02:20,200 --> 00:02:23,120 Speaker 2: We think, now, God, if you were to have recorded 44 00:02:23,160 --> 00:02:26,280 Speaker 2: our mistakes, if you were to have recorded all the 45 00:02:26,320 --> 00:02:29,639 Speaker 2: things that we've done wrong, would you ever have given 46 00:02:29,720 --> 00:02:34,520 Speaker 2: us the very best Jesus Christ, would you have sent 47 00:02:34,919 --> 00:02:40,800 Speaker 2: your only son in place of our mistakes. See, love 48 00:02:41,520 --> 00:02:44,920 Speaker 2: is the essence of Almighty God, and He's put that 49 00:02:45,040 --> 00:02:47,799 Speaker 2: love on the inside of us. And the only way 50 00:02:47,840 --> 00:02:50,360 Speaker 2: that we're going to be able to balance out relationships 51 00:02:50,400 --> 00:02:53,400 Speaker 2: and certainly enjoy them, is to let the love grow. 52 00:02:54,919 --> 00:02:57,839 Speaker 2: I was several years ago. I was right down here 53 00:02:57,919 --> 00:03:00,959 Speaker 2: at prayer time, praying with a woman and she came 54 00:03:00,960 --> 00:03:02,800 Speaker 2: to me and she said, Victoria, you need to pray 55 00:03:02,800 --> 00:03:06,720 Speaker 2: for me. My husband has disappointed me so much. He 56 00:03:06,760 --> 00:03:10,120 Speaker 2: does all these things that I don't like. Then she 57 00:03:10,320 --> 00:03:13,920 Speaker 2: pulled up these three sheets of paper that she held 58 00:03:13,919 --> 00:03:18,240 Speaker 2: in her hand, and she opened him up and I 59 00:03:18,280 --> 00:03:20,880 Speaker 2: began to look at the offenses on the pieces of paper, 60 00:03:20,919 --> 00:03:24,040 Speaker 2: and I noticed that they were written in different color ink, 61 00:03:24,760 --> 00:03:28,200 Speaker 2: and some were written in pencil. And I thought, well, 62 00:03:29,080 --> 00:03:31,840 Speaker 2: why are they written in different color ink and in pencil? 63 00:03:32,320 --> 00:03:35,080 Speaker 2: And she said, you know why, Because as soon as 64 00:03:35,080 --> 00:03:38,160 Speaker 2: he does something I don't like, she said, I'll grab 65 00:03:38,200 --> 00:03:41,680 Speaker 2: the closest pen or pencil that I have and I'll 66 00:03:41,680 --> 00:03:43,920 Speaker 2: write it down as quickly as I can because I 67 00:03:43,960 --> 00:03:53,520 Speaker 2: don't want to forget it. And I thought, Okay, I 68 00:03:53,600 --> 00:03:56,120 Speaker 2: prayed for her. There's only so much you can do 69 00:03:56,200 --> 00:04:01,520 Speaker 2: at the altar. Sweet woman woman, yea, she came up 70 00:04:01,560 --> 00:04:04,000 Speaker 2: for prayer. She was giving it to God. When I 71 00:04:04,040 --> 00:04:05,840 Speaker 2: got back in my seat, I was thinking about it, 72 00:04:05,840 --> 00:04:08,960 Speaker 2: and I thought, Lord, you know, if I see her again, 73 00:04:09,760 --> 00:04:11,880 Speaker 2: I'm gonna tell her, you know, and then I have 74 00:04:11,920 --> 00:04:14,520 Speaker 2: all this download what I'm gonna tell her? Right, But 75 00:04:14,600 --> 00:04:20,200 Speaker 2: I thought to myself, wouldn't she be much happier if 76 00:04:20,200 --> 00:04:23,440 Speaker 2: she would just tear that list up? If she wouldn't 77 00:04:23,560 --> 00:04:28,400 Speaker 2: keep a record, a running list of the things that 78 00:04:28,560 --> 00:04:34,520 Speaker 2: she sees that's wrong. Wouldn't her life be better, less frustrated. 79 00:04:35,000 --> 00:04:39,400 Speaker 2: Wouldn't she operate from a position of power if she 80 00:04:39,440 --> 00:04:42,360 Speaker 2: would just tear that list up? Because the truth of 81 00:04:42,400 --> 00:04:45,880 Speaker 2: the matter is the greatest power that we operate in 82 00:04:46,200 --> 00:04:49,120 Speaker 2: is when we trust God, is when we say God. 83 00:04:49,160 --> 00:04:52,080 Speaker 2: It doesn't matter how many things they do wrong, doesn't 84 00:04:52,080 --> 00:04:54,640 Speaker 2: matter if they don't affirm me, It doesn't matter if 85 00:04:54,680 --> 00:04:57,040 Speaker 2: they do the things that I like or dislike. That 86 00:04:57,080 --> 00:05:00,360 Speaker 2: doesn't change who I am, doesn't change my death to me. 87 00:05:01,120 --> 00:05:04,960 Speaker 2: Because I trust you God, you got my back, I 88 00:05:05,000 --> 00:05:08,719 Speaker 2: can love, I can let it grow. That is a 89 00:05:08,760 --> 00:05:14,039 Speaker 2: position of power. When we're frustrated, when we're always looking 90 00:05:14,080 --> 00:05:16,920 Speaker 2: at what's wrong, we're at a position of weakness. We're 91 00:05:17,000 --> 00:05:20,080 Speaker 2: running at a deficit. Because that's how we're going to operate. 92 00:05:20,400 --> 00:05:23,320 Speaker 2: We're going to respond to people in our life from 93 00:05:23,320 --> 00:05:27,799 Speaker 2: that place. You know, some of us don't make physical lists, 94 00:05:28,520 --> 00:05:32,720 Speaker 2: but some of us compile a mental list of the 95 00:05:32,760 --> 00:05:35,240 Speaker 2: things that people do when they hurt us. They don't 96 00:05:35,240 --> 00:05:38,159 Speaker 2: make us feel good. They do things their way and 97 00:05:38,240 --> 00:05:42,560 Speaker 2: not our way. We compile this mental list, and when 98 00:05:42,600 --> 00:05:45,559 Speaker 2: it happens again, we add it to our list again. 99 00:05:46,480 --> 00:05:50,440 Speaker 2: And then when it happens again, we have this automatic 100 00:05:50,640 --> 00:05:53,240 Speaker 2: recording in our mind that says, well, there they go again. 101 00:05:54,240 --> 00:05:56,440 Speaker 2: They're always going to be like that. They're never going 102 00:05:56,520 --> 00:06:00,719 Speaker 2: to change. There they go. That's who they are. And 103 00:06:00,800 --> 00:06:03,599 Speaker 2: you know what, that is not a healthy place to 104 00:06:03,640 --> 00:06:08,720 Speaker 2: be because you know what happens, it hurts us. I mean, 105 00:06:08,760 --> 00:06:12,279 Speaker 2: it not only hurts the other person and damages our relationships, 106 00:06:12,960 --> 00:06:17,800 Speaker 2: but it frustrates us. It hurts us so God, I mean, 107 00:06:17,839 --> 00:06:21,080 Speaker 2: it's saying through the apostle, Paul. One of the ways 108 00:06:21,120 --> 00:06:24,640 Speaker 2: you can balance all this out is to clean the 109 00:06:24,680 --> 00:06:29,400 Speaker 2: slate every day, to let people off the hook to understand. 110 00:06:29,480 --> 00:06:31,680 Speaker 2: The best health you can be to them is when 111 00:06:31,760 --> 00:06:36,400 Speaker 2: you're operating out of a place of wholeness, happiness, and strength. 112 00:06:37,720 --> 00:06:45,400 Speaker 2: Keep no records of wrongs. Listen, nobody's perfect, No relationship 113 00:06:45,480 --> 00:06:46,040 Speaker 2: is perfect. 114 00:06:46,520 --> 00:06:46,680 Speaker 1: Now. 115 00:06:46,680 --> 00:06:49,040 Speaker 2: Can I stop there just a minute, because I've heard 116 00:06:49,040 --> 00:06:53,120 Speaker 2: that a lot lately. Nobody's perfect. Some people say nobody's perfect, 117 00:06:53,120 --> 00:06:55,800 Speaker 2: and you know that's why I do that. But the 118 00:06:55,839 --> 00:06:58,200 Speaker 2: truth of the matter is we serve a perfect God, 119 00:06:58,880 --> 00:07:01,840 Speaker 2: and his spirit is on the inside of us, So 120 00:07:01,880 --> 00:07:06,159 Speaker 2: we should at least set our sights on perfection. We 121 00:07:06,200 --> 00:07:10,120 Speaker 2: should at least set our sights on developing everything that 122 00:07:10,160 --> 00:07:13,200 Speaker 2: He's put on the inside of us. Can you imagine 123 00:07:13,240 --> 00:07:17,840 Speaker 2: walking this earth being soul full of love, soulful of faithfulness, 124 00:07:18,000 --> 00:07:22,280 Speaker 2: that nothing shakes you, nothing rocks your boat. When your 125 00:07:22,400 --> 00:07:24,680 Speaker 2: child says something or he does something that you don't 126 00:07:24,680 --> 00:07:28,120 Speaker 2: particularly agree with, that you say, I love you anyway. 127 00:07:29,000 --> 00:07:33,440 Speaker 2: Tell me. Can you imagine the response that the people 128 00:07:33,480 --> 00:07:36,920 Speaker 2: in our life would have when we love them anyway? 129 00:07:37,920 --> 00:07:41,240 Speaker 2: Can you imagine the meaningful conversations that we can have 130 00:07:41,520 --> 00:07:43,560 Speaker 2: when we're operating of this place. 131 00:07:43,600 --> 00:07:44,320 Speaker 1: A pure love. 132 00:07:47,240 --> 00:07:50,360 Speaker 2: Now, people don't always want to hear it. But men, 133 00:07:50,440 --> 00:07:53,560 Speaker 2: when they know you love them, seed goes down on 134 00:07:53,600 --> 00:07:56,760 Speaker 2: the inside of them and they carry that seed with them. 135 00:07:57,720 --> 00:08:01,840 Speaker 2: You know, more is caught, More is caught with honey. 136 00:08:02,000 --> 00:08:05,760 Speaker 2: More flies are caught with honey than vinegar. More things 137 00:08:05,840 --> 00:08:08,480 Speaker 2: are absorbed when you are coming at it from a 138 00:08:08,520 --> 00:08:12,320 Speaker 2: place of love, like you know what, I can't change you. 139 00:08:12,800 --> 00:08:15,720 Speaker 2: God can change you. All I can do is love you. 140 00:08:16,480 --> 00:08:20,800 Speaker 2: Bible says, Oh, no, man, but to love them. Listen. 141 00:08:21,080 --> 00:08:25,840 Speaker 2: Life is too short to live frustrated. Life is too short, 142 00:08:26,080 --> 00:08:29,000 Speaker 2: and it's too precious to be out of balance with 143 00:08:29,080 --> 00:08:31,960 Speaker 2: the people in your life. You know as well as 144 00:08:31,960 --> 00:08:34,040 Speaker 2: I do. One minute, you can love somebody till they 145 00:08:34,080 --> 00:08:38,320 Speaker 2: do something you don't like. Listen, we've got to step back, 146 00:08:39,240 --> 00:08:42,120 Speaker 2: and we've got to say, Okay, this morning, I wipe 147 00:08:42,200 --> 00:08:45,360 Speaker 2: the slate clean, I let go of a fence. I 148 00:08:45,520 --> 00:08:48,320 Speaker 2: let everybody in my life off the book. I'm gonna 149 00:08:48,400 --> 00:08:52,800 Speaker 2: let them be who God's called them to be. I'm 150 00:08:52,800 --> 00:08:55,880 Speaker 2: gonna do my job, and I'm gonna be more effective 151 00:08:56,160 --> 00:08:59,280 Speaker 2: in that job when I come from a place to love. Amen. 152 00:09:00,040 --> 00:09:00,360 Speaker 3: Amen. 153 00:09:00,440 --> 00:09:02,920 Speaker 2: He is an awesome God, and he helps us. That's 154 00:09:02,960 --> 00:09:05,640 Speaker 2: the great thing. He helps us. He doesn't expect us 155 00:09:05,640 --> 00:09:06,640 Speaker 2: to do this alone. 156 00:09:07,400 --> 00:09:10,520 Speaker 3: Fear can be a powerful force, and we'll try to 157 00:09:10,600 --> 00:09:15,400 Speaker 3: make you feel alone, stuck without hope. But fear doesn't 158 00:09:15,440 --> 00:09:18,480 Speaker 3: have to get the final say. There is a way out. 159 00:09:19,280 --> 00:09:22,280 Speaker 1: Fear is a powerful force, but so is faith. What 160 00:09:22,400 --> 00:09:25,640 Speaker 1: we focus on shapes our reality. In my new book, 161 00:09:25,840 --> 00:09:28,800 Speaker 1: No More Fear, You Have the Mind of Christ, I'll 162 00:09:28,840 --> 00:09:31,640 Speaker 1: show you how to silence fear and live boldly in 163 00:09:31,760 --> 00:09:35,520 Speaker 1: faith and confidence. Just like David said, though I walk 164 00:09:35,600 --> 00:09:38,839 Speaker 1: through the valley, I will not fear, you too can 165 00:09:38,880 --> 00:09:42,960 Speaker 1: walk through life's challenges without being paralyzed by fear. I 166 00:09:43,000 --> 00:09:46,000 Speaker 1: can't promise you you'll never feel fear, but I can 167 00:09:46,120 --> 00:09:48,600 Speaker 1: teach you how to rise above it. By dwelling on 168 00:09:48,679 --> 00:09:52,520 Speaker 1: what God says, learning to replace the anxious thoughts with 169 00:09:52,720 --> 00:09:55,960 Speaker 1: faith filled ones, you can live from a place of peace, 170 00:09:56,360 --> 00:09:57,520 Speaker 1: power and purpose. 171 00:09:58,360 --> 00:10:00,800 Speaker 3: As our way of saying thank you for your gift 172 00:10:00,840 --> 00:10:03,400 Speaker 3: of any amount this month, we would like to send 173 00:10:03,440 --> 00:10:06,720 Speaker 3: you a copy of Joel's book, No More Fear. You 174 00:10:07,000 --> 00:10:10,600 Speaker 3: Have the Mind of Christ. The Bible proclaims the Lord 175 00:10:10,679 --> 00:10:14,120 Speaker 3: is my Light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? 176 00:10:14,640 --> 00:10:18,240 Speaker 3: This powerful and practical book will help you silenced out, 177 00:10:18,559 --> 00:10:23,720 Speaker 3: overcome anxiety and step boldly into God's overcoming power when 178 00:10:23,760 --> 00:10:27,840 Speaker 3: fear whispers you can't. This devotional will stir your faith 179 00:10:27,920 --> 00:10:31,880 Speaker 3: to declare God will. Each page reminds you that you 180 00:10:32,040 --> 00:10:35,680 Speaker 3: weren't created to live in fear or despair. You were 181 00:10:35,720 --> 00:10:40,079 Speaker 3: created to live with passion, purpose, and confidence in God's 182 00:10:40,120 --> 00:10:43,760 Speaker 3: plans for your life. Let God's word equip you to 183 00:10:43,880 --> 00:10:46,680 Speaker 3: rise above fear and walk in victory. 184 00:10:47,880 --> 00:10:51,360 Speaker 1: Fear doesn't have the final say God does. Be bold, 185 00:10:51,440 --> 00:10:54,120 Speaker 1: be strong, and step up to who He made you 186 00:10:54,200 --> 00:10:57,000 Speaker 1: to be. Mitorne. I want you to know we're praying 187 00:10:57,080 --> 00:11:00,360 Speaker 1: for you and your family believe in for God's very best. 188 00:11:00,840 --> 00:11:03,720 Speaker 1: Thank you so much for your prayer and support. Your 189 00:11:03,760 --> 00:11:07,679 Speaker 1: generosity is helping people around the world. As we finish 190 00:11:07,800 --> 00:11:10,800 Speaker 1: this year, I hope you'll consider making a special year 191 00:11:10,880 --> 00:11:14,560 Speaker 1: in gift helps to keep the ministry strong. I always 192 00:11:14,600 --> 00:11:17,040 Speaker 1: want to thank our Champion of Hope partners for your 193 00:11:17,120 --> 00:11:19,920 Speaker 1: monthly gifts. If you're not a partner, I hope you'll 194 00:11:19,920 --> 00:11:23,280 Speaker 1: consider becoming one. Until we see you next time, May 195 00:11:23,320 --> 00:11:25,160 Speaker 1: the Lord bless you and keep you. 196 00:11:26,120 --> 00:11:29,000 Speaker 3: Be sure to request your copy of Joel's new book 197 00:11:29,320 --> 00:11:32,640 Speaker 3: No More Fear. You have the mind of Christ. Visit 198 00:11:32,720 --> 00:11:36,319 Speaker 3: Joelostein dot com or call eight eight eight five six 199 00:11:36,440 --> 00:11:40,280 Speaker 3: seven Joel and for an additional gift. This month, we're 200 00:11:40,320 --> 00:11:44,840 Speaker 3: also offering the God's Word Work study collection. This empowering 201 00:11:44,920 --> 00:11:49,040 Speaker 3: set includes the NIV, the Message Parallel Bible, Joel's No 202 00:11:49,160 --> 00:11:52,559 Speaker 3: More Fear Devotional, the classic How to Read Your Bible 203 00:11:52,640 --> 00:11:56,640 Speaker 3: and Enjoy It, plus a beautifully crafted leather bookmark with pen. 204 00:11:57,200 --> 00:12:01,240 Speaker 3: You can request these inspiring scripture discovery resources by calling 205 00:12:01,480 --> 00:12:04,760 Speaker 3: eight eight eight five six seven Joel or logging on 206 00:12:04,920 --> 00:12:09,600 Speaker 3: to Joelostein dot com today. Call or click anytime twenty 207 00:12:09,640 --> 00:12:14,120 Speaker 3: four hours a day. Silence fear, strengthen your spirit. Let 208 00:12:14,160 --> 00:12:17,600 Speaker 3: God's Word equip you to rise above fear and walk 209 00:12:17,760 --> 00:12:23,439 Speaker 3: in victory. Request these resources today