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Download the uns stap and use the 30 00:01:18,800 --> 00:01:20,840 Speaker 3: code I heeart fifty at sign up to receive a 31 00:01:20,880 --> 00:01:23,400 Speaker 3: fifty dollars bonus when you fund your account. That's code 32 00:01:23,400 --> 00:01:26,400 Speaker 3: iHeart fifty when you sign up at unest dot co 33 00:01:26,760 --> 00:01:29,319 Speaker 3: for a fifty dollars bonus. See terms and conditions at 34 00:01:29,440 --> 00:01:30,120 Speaker 3: UNEs dot co. 35 00:01:31,120 --> 00:01:34,880 Speaker 4: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for downloading our podcast. 36 00:01:35,120 --> 00:01:37,920 Speaker 4: We enjoy spending this time with you. I hope you'll 37 00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:41,360 Speaker 4: leave Inspire. Make sure you subscribe to get new messages 38 00:01:41,400 --> 00:01:44,440 Speaker 4: every week. We appreciate your support. It helps keep the 39 00:01:44,480 --> 00:01:59,160 Speaker 4: ministry going. Enjoy the message. It is always a joy 40 00:01:59,280 --> 00:02:01,960 Speaker 4: to come into your homes each week. And we know 41 00:02:02,080 --> 00:02:04,520 Speaker 4: that God has good things in store for you. So 42 00:02:04,800 --> 00:02:07,400 Speaker 4: we come with good news and we just believe that 43 00:02:07,440 --> 00:02:10,160 Speaker 4: today you're going to be changed as you listen. If 44 00:02:10,240 --> 00:02:12,200 Speaker 4: you're ever in our area, I hope you'll stop by. 45 00:02:12,560 --> 00:02:15,040 Speaker 4: I give you a personal invitation. I say it often, 46 00:02:15,040 --> 00:02:17,000 Speaker 4: but these are the finest people in all of Houston 47 00:02:17,160 --> 00:02:18,880 Speaker 4: will make you feel right at home, so come by 48 00:02:18,919 --> 00:02:21,120 Speaker 4: and see us. We'd love to have you. But thanks 49 00:02:21,120 --> 00:02:24,600 Speaker 4: for tuning in today. I'd like to get started each 50 00:02:24,600 --> 00:02:26,480 Speaker 4: week with something funny, so see what you think of 51 00:02:26,480 --> 00:02:29,640 Speaker 4: this one. A young man received a parrot as a gift, 52 00:02:30,080 --> 00:02:33,800 Speaker 4: but the parrot had an extremely cantankerous attitude, and every 53 00:02:33,800 --> 00:02:36,560 Speaker 4: word out of his mouth was rude and obnoxious. The 54 00:02:36,639 --> 00:02:38,679 Speaker 4: young man got so fed up with it one day 55 00:02:38,919 --> 00:02:41,200 Speaker 4: he grabbed the bird and put him in the freezer, 56 00:02:41,480 --> 00:02:44,640 Speaker 4: hoping to teach him a lesson. The parrot squawked and 57 00:02:44,800 --> 00:02:48,600 Speaker 4: kicked and screamed, but then suddenly fell silent. Fearing he 58 00:02:48,600 --> 00:02:50,919 Speaker 4: had heard him, he quickly opened the door. The parrot 59 00:02:50,960 --> 00:02:53,720 Speaker 4: stepped out and said, I believe I may have offended you. 60 00:02:54,120 --> 00:02:56,840 Speaker 4: I'm seriously remorseful and promised to never to behave that 61 00:02:56,919 --> 00:02:59,880 Speaker 4: way again. And by the way, the parrot continued, may 62 00:02:59,880 --> 00:03:04,840 Speaker 4: I ask what the turkey did. Hold your bibles up 63 00:03:04,880 --> 00:03:07,040 Speaker 4: and say it like you mean it. Ready, this is 64 00:03:07,120 --> 00:03:10,400 Speaker 4: my Bible. I am what it says I am, I 65 00:03:10,520 --> 00:03:13,040 Speaker 4: have what it says I have, I can do what 66 00:03:13,160 --> 00:03:16,000 Speaker 4: it says I can do. Today, all be taught the 67 00:03:16,040 --> 00:03:20,120 Speaker 4: word of God. I boldly confess my mind is alert, 68 00:03:20,560 --> 00:03:23,480 Speaker 4: my heart is receptive. I will never be the same. 69 00:03:23,960 --> 00:03:28,919 Speaker 4: I am about to receive the incorruptible, indestructible ever live 70 00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:32,080 Speaker 4: in seed of the Word of God. I'll never be 71 00:03:32,200 --> 00:03:35,880 Speaker 4: the same, never, never, never, I'll never be the same. 72 00:03:36,320 --> 00:03:40,200 Speaker 4: In Jesus' name, God bless you. You sound great as usual. 73 00:03:41,080 --> 00:03:42,840 Speaker 4: I want to talk to you today about one of 74 00:03:42,840 --> 00:03:45,800 Speaker 4: the greatest enemies that we will ever face, and that 75 00:03:46,000 --> 00:03:51,480 Speaker 4: is procrastination. How many people you moan like the other services. 76 00:03:52,800 --> 00:03:55,600 Speaker 4: How many people know in their heart what they should 77 00:03:55,600 --> 00:03:58,720 Speaker 4: do down in here. They know what's right, and they 78 00:03:58,760 --> 00:04:01,600 Speaker 4: have good intentions, but they just keep putting it off 79 00:04:01,680 --> 00:04:05,600 Speaker 4: and putting it off. And the interesting thing about procrastination 80 00:04:06,160 --> 00:04:10,080 Speaker 4: is it's so easy to justify. We think, one day 81 00:04:10,160 --> 00:04:13,760 Speaker 4: I'm gonna do that, so I'm not really being disobedient. Joel. 82 00:04:13,840 --> 00:04:16,960 Speaker 4: One day I'm gonna get serious about my relationship with God, 83 00:04:17,080 --> 00:04:19,920 Speaker 4: just not right now. Or one day I'm gonna get 84 00:04:19,920 --> 00:04:22,880 Speaker 4: back in shape, one day I'm gonna get my finances 85 00:04:22,880 --> 00:04:25,640 Speaker 4: in order, or one day I'm gonna forgive that person 86 00:04:25,680 --> 00:04:28,840 Speaker 4: that hurt me. Now, the problem with that is most 87 00:04:28,920 --> 00:04:32,680 Speaker 4: of the time, one day never comes, never get around 88 00:04:32,760 --> 00:04:35,920 Speaker 4: to it. We're always making some other excuse. And I've 89 00:04:35,920 --> 00:04:38,479 Speaker 4: discovered that if the enemy can't get us to be 90 00:04:38,560 --> 00:04:42,919 Speaker 4: outright disobedient, his next plan of attack is to simply 91 00:04:42,960 --> 00:04:45,960 Speaker 4: deceive us into putting it off. Where we know what 92 00:04:46,040 --> 00:04:49,000 Speaker 4: we should do. God, I'm planning to do it, just 93 00:04:49,080 --> 00:04:52,320 Speaker 4: not right now. I'm planning to tithe my income as 94 00:04:52,320 --> 00:04:55,400 Speaker 4: soon as my finances get better. I'm planning to serve 95 00:04:55,400 --> 00:04:58,039 Speaker 4: in the children's ministry as soon as it slows down 96 00:04:58,040 --> 00:05:01,719 Speaker 4: at my office. What we're saying is I have good intentions. 97 00:05:01,880 --> 00:05:04,440 Speaker 4: I'm planning on being obedience, so that's not so bad. 98 00:05:05,160 --> 00:05:09,839 Speaker 4: But no, good intentions don't equal obedience, and really delayed 99 00:05:10,000 --> 00:05:13,960 Speaker 4: obedience in not even obedience. And when God is speaking 100 00:05:14,000 --> 00:05:16,760 Speaker 4: to your heart, when your conscience is talking to you 101 00:05:17,240 --> 00:05:21,599 Speaker 4: down in here, maybe about changing your attitude or apologizing 102 00:05:21,640 --> 00:05:24,640 Speaker 4: to that loved one, treating somebody better, yet you keep 103 00:05:24,680 --> 00:05:26,640 Speaker 4: putting it off and putting it off. All that's going 104 00:05:26,720 --> 00:05:28,960 Speaker 4: to do is still your joy and keep you from 105 00:05:28,960 --> 00:05:31,840 Speaker 4: God's very best. Now, I want to challenge you today 106 00:05:32,080 --> 00:05:35,280 Speaker 4: to be a now person, start doing what God has 107 00:05:35,320 --> 00:05:38,400 Speaker 4: put in your heart right now. Don't just be obedient, 108 00:05:38,680 --> 00:05:43,279 Speaker 4: be extremely obedient, be prompt to obey. And you've got 109 00:05:43,279 --> 00:05:46,279 Speaker 4: to learn to listen to your conscience. God speaks to 110 00:05:46,400 --> 00:05:48,839 Speaker 4: us right down in here. And some of you go 111 00:05:48,920 --> 00:05:52,120 Speaker 4: to bed practically every night with a guilty conscience. You 112 00:05:52,160 --> 00:05:55,600 Speaker 4: can hardly even sleep, and it's because you're putting off 113 00:05:55,720 --> 00:05:59,320 Speaker 4: what you know you should be doing. When we procrastinate, 114 00:05:59,440 --> 00:06:02,520 Speaker 4: it makes us feel bad about ourselves. It condemns us. 115 00:06:03,000 --> 00:06:05,520 Speaker 4: You go in the house, see that dirty laundry room 116 00:06:05,720 --> 00:06:07,919 Speaker 4: that you've been meaning to clean for two months, and 117 00:06:07,960 --> 00:06:10,480 Speaker 4: you've got a sink full of dishes and your garage 118 00:06:10,560 --> 00:06:12,640 Speaker 4: is a big mess. Every time you go in there, 119 00:06:12,680 --> 00:06:15,080 Speaker 4: it's gonna depress you. You're gonna think, man, what is 120 00:06:15,080 --> 00:06:17,840 Speaker 4: wrong with me? I'm never gonna get this place cleaned up. 121 00:06:18,120 --> 00:06:19,800 Speaker 4: I'm so lazy. I might as well just go in, 122 00:06:19,920 --> 00:06:24,839 Speaker 4: sit down and watch some more TV. That's a negative cycle, 123 00:06:24,960 --> 00:06:28,520 Speaker 4: and it's gonna continue unless you put your foot down 124 00:06:28,520 --> 00:06:30,520 Speaker 4: and say, you know what, I'm gonna get my house 125 00:06:30,560 --> 00:06:33,320 Speaker 4: in order. I'm gonna make some changes today. No more 126 00:06:33,360 --> 00:06:36,400 Speaker 4: procrastinating for me. I'm gonna get this place cleaned up. 127 00:06:36,560 --> 00:06:39,159 Speaker 4: If it's the last thing I do. See, stop putting 128 00:06:39,160 --> 00:06:41,960 Speaker 4: off what you know you should do. It is less 129 00:06:42,000 --> 00:06:44,880 Speaker 4: painful to dig your heels in and do it than 130 00:06:44,920 --> 00:06:47,760 Speaker 4: it is to go day after day, week after week, 131 00:06:48,040 --> 00:06:51,280 Speaker 4: guilty and condemned because you're not doing what you should do. 132 00:06:51,400 --> 00:06:54,320 Speaker 4: You're going against your conscience. And some of you today 133 00:06:54,360 --> 00:06:57,440 Speaker 4: are living kind of frustrated because you've got about twenty 134 00:06:57,480 --> 00:07:01,440 Speaker 4: five unfinished projects around the house. You got one room 135 00:07:01,560 --> 00:07:04,160 Speaker 4: half painted, and the yard needs to be weeded, and 136 00:07:04,200 --> 00:07:06,720 Speaker 4: you had to balance your checkbook in six months. Your 137 00:07:06,760 --> 00:07:11,200 Speaker 4: middle name could be procrastination ushers. You better lock the doors. 138 00:07:12,880 --> 00:07:16,040 Speaker 4: Three people have already left, three more wanted to leave, 139 00:07:16,080 --> 00:07:21,080 Speaker 4: but they keep putting it off. But seriously, God's been 140 00:07:21,120 --> 00:07:23,560 Speaker 4: dealing with some of you about getting out of debt, 141 00:07:23,960 --> 00:07:27,040 Speaker 4: about controlling your spending, not being so quick to use 142 00:07:27,080 --> 00:07:30,679 Speaker 4: those credit cards, but you keep falling into that trap. Yes, 143 00:07:30,720 --> 00:07:33,360 Speaker 4: one day I'm gonna make those changes. One day. I 144 00:07:33,400 --> 00:07:35,240 Speaker 4: know I got to get that in order. Let me 145 00:07:35,280 --> 00:07:38,120 Speaker 4: just run up to the mall one more time. Now, 146 00:07:38,160 --> 00:07:41,040 Speaker 4: the scripture says, if you know the right thing to do, 147 00:07:41,280 --> 00:07:44,720 Speaker 4: but you're not doing it, then that's sin. Well, you say, Joe, 148 00:07:44,800 --> 00:07:46,680 Speaker 4: you mean it's a sin for me to spend too 149 00:07:46,760 --> 00:07:53,000 Speaker 4: much money. Listen carefully, Victoria, if you know in your 150 00:07:53,040 --> 00:07:56,440 Speaker 4: heart it's not right and you're going against your conscience, 151 00:07:56,440 --> 00:07:59,160 Speaker 4: and down in here it's telling you what am I doing? 152 00:07:59,600 --> 00:08:02,400 Speaker 4: I'm out of control? Why do I keep spending this money? 153 00:08:02,600 --> 00:08:04,640 Speaker 4: But if you just keep doing that, then yes, that's 154 00:08:04,760 --> 00:08:08,720 Speaker 4: being disobedient. And when we are disobedient, we're not gonna 155 00:08:08,720 --> 00:08:11,600 Speaker 4: have God's blessings. And I don't know what areas you 156 00:08:11,680 --> 00:08:14,960 Speaker 4: may be tempted to procrastinate in today. Some of you 157 00:08:15,000 --> 00:08:17,240 Speaker 4: may not think you have any area, but really I 158 00:08:17,280 --> 00:08:20,200 Speaker 4: believe we all have things that we can obey more 159 00:08:20,280 --> 00:08:23,560 Speaker 4: quickly in And I'm not here to condemn anybody. I'm 160 00:08:23,600 --> 00:08:26,280 Speaker 4: just asking you to search your heart today. Are there 161 00:08:26,320 --> 00:08:28,880 Speaker 4: people in your life you know you need to forgive, 162 00:08:29,000 --> 00:08:31,440 Speaker 4: but you just keep putting it off. Are you putting 163 00:08:31,440 --> 00:08:34,560 Speaker 4: off spending time with your family? Or are you putting 164 00:08:34,559 --> 00:08:37,840 Speaker 4: off taking steps to live a healthier life. Some of 165 00:08:37,880 --> 00:08:40,359 Speaker 4: you know you need to get on an exercise program. 166 00:08:40,679 --> 00:08:43,040 Speaker 4: You know, deep down in here you need to take 167 00:08:43,080 --> 00:08:44,960 Speaker 4: care of this temple God is given. You need to 168 00:08:44,960 --> 00:08:47,800 Speaker 4: get in shape. You're saying, Joe, Yeah, that's right, that's me. 169 00:08:48,080 --> 00:08:49,720 Speaker 4: And sure, enough, I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna start 170 00:08:49,800 --> 00:08:52,040 Speaker 4: this summer as soon as the kids get out of school. 171 00:08:52,440 --> 00:08:56,040 Speaker 4: Now that's delayed obedience. That's not God's best. Or you 172 00:08:56,080 --> 00:08:58,680 Speaker 4: may be thinking, I know I need to eat healthier. 173 00:08:59,120 --> 00:09:00,800 Speaker 4: I know I ate too much. It's junk food. I 174 00:09:00,840 --> 00:09:03,120 Speaker 4: know I drink too many sodas. And yes, I'm gonna 175 00:09:03,120 --> 00:09:06,160 Speaker 4: make changes, but some other time. Or I can hear 176 00:09:06,200 --> 00:09:07,960 Speaker 4: you saying, Joel, you hit the nail on the head. 177 00:09:08,160 --> 00:09:10,080 Speaker 4: I know I got to do something with my finances. 178 00:09:10,200 --> 00:09:12,120 Speaker 4: I know I need to balance my check book, and so, 179 00:09:12,600 --> 00:09:14,560 Speaker 4: by golly, next month or two, I'm gonna sit down 180 00:09:14,600 --> 00:09:16,960 Speaker 4: and do it. Now. Don't put that off. Do you 181 00:09:17,040 --> 00:09:19,440 Speaker 4: know the longer we put things off, the harder it's 182 00:09:19,480 --> 00:09:21,480 Speaker 4: going to be to do. The other day, one of 183 00:09:21,480 --> 00:09:24,480 Speaker 4: our children spilled something on the carpet. So I went 184 00:09:24,520 --> 00:09:27,319 Speaker 4: and got the carpet cleaner, the stain remover, and as 185 00:09:27,320 --> 00:09:29,840 Speaker 4: I was reading the directions, I found something kind of interesting. 186 00:09:30,120 --> 00:09:32,400 Speaker 4: It said that I needed to get to that spot 187 00:09:32,480 --> 00:09:35,560 Speaker 4: as quickly as possible, to not let it dry, not 188 00:09:35,679 --> 00:09:37,560 Speaker 4: let it soak in. But I had to put that 189 00:09:37,600 --> 00:09:40,679 Speaker 4: solution on it immediately. In other words, it was saying, 190 00:09:40,880 --> 00:09:43,400 Speaker 4: the quicker you deal with it, the easier it's going 191 00:09:43,480 --> 00:09:45,640 Speaker 4: to be to remove. And really, I believe it's the 192 00:09:45,679 --> 00:09:48,440 Speaker 4: same way in our lives. When God brings something to 193 00:09:48,600 --> 00:09:51,640 Speaker 4: light an area that you need to change, something that 194 00:09:51,679 --> 00:09:54,360 Speaker 4: you need to make right, that's when you need to 195 00:09:54,440 --> 00:09:56,959 Speaker 4: take action. Not next week when you feel like it, 196 00:09:57,400 --> 00:10:00,280 Speaker 4: or not next month when your circumstances are better. No, 197 00:10:00,440 --> 00:10:02,920 Speaker 4: do it right then, that's when you're going to have 198 00:10:02,960 --> 00:10:05,480 Speaker 4: the anointing to do it. And some of you, you 199 00:10:05,520 --> 00:10:07,400 Speaker 4: may have a person in your life right now that 200 00:10:07,720 --> 00:10:10,160 Speaker 4: you know down in here you need to forgive, and 201 00:10:10,240 --> 00:10:12,360 Speaker 4: God's been dealing with you about it again and again, 202 00:10:12,760 --> 00:10:14,600 Speaker 4: but you just think, man, I can't do that. They 203 00:10:14,679 --> 00:10:17,679 Speaker 4: hurt me too bad. It wasn't fair. But the longer 204 00:10:17,720 --> 00:10:19,680 Speaker 4: you put it off, the more difficult it's going to be. 205 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:21,840 Speaker 4: And if you just take that step of faith and 206 00:10:21,920 --> 00:10:24,440 Speaker 4: even release it right now, God will give you the 207 00:10:24,440 --> 00:10:27,120 Speaker 4: grace you need and you'll be amazed at how you'll 208 00:10:27,120 --> 00:10:29,960 Speaker 4: begin to get your joy in victory back. I remember 209 00:10:30,000 --> 00:10:33,440 Speaker 4: growing up, we knew this Methodist minister and his hands 210 00:10:33,440 --> 00:10:37,679 Speaker 4: were all crippled up with arthritis. It was very sad situation. 211 00:10:37,840 --> 00:10:40,800 Speaker 4: He couldn't drive anymore, he could barely even get himself 212 00:10:40,880 --> 00:10:43,280 Speaker 4: dressed in the morning. But one day he heard my 213 00:10:43,400 --> 00:10:46,560 Speaker 4: father speaking on forgiveness and the importance of letting go 214 00:10:46,640 --> 00:10:49,840 Speaker 4: of the past. And he told how for years he 215 00:10:49,840 --> 00:10:53,000 Speaker 4: had held on to this bitterness on the inside toward 216 00:10:53,080 --> 00:10:55,320 Speaker 4: these people that had done him wrong when he was 217 00:10:55,400 --> 00:10:58,600 Speaker 4: just a young man, and he knew he needed to forgive. 218 00:10:59,080 --> 00:11:01,079 Speaker 4: He knew it was a right thing, but he just 219 00:11:01,200 --> 00:11:03,480 Speaker 4: chose not to do it. And it's funny, I meet 220 00:11:03,520 --> 00:11:05,960 Speaker 4: a lot of people like that today. They know they 221 00:11:05,960 --> 00:11:08,040 Speaker 4: should let go of the past, or they know they 222 00:11:08,040 --> 00:11:10,280 Speaker 4: should change their attitude. They know they need to forgive, 223 00:11:10,440 --> 00:11:13,040 Speaker 4: but they're just making the choice for some reason not 224 00:11:13,120 --> 00:11:15,440 Speaker 4: to do it. Well, this man, when he heard my father, 225 00:11:15,520 --> 00:11:18,440 Speaker 4: that really convicted his heart, and he made a decision 226 00:11:18,520 --> 00:11:20,600 Speaker 4: right then and there that he was going to stop 227 00:11:20,600 --> 00:11:22,600 Speaker 4: putting it off and he was just going to do 228 00:11:22,640 --> 00:11:24,559 Speaker 4: what he knew he should do and just let it go. 229 00:11:25,080 --> 00:11:27,520 Speaker 4: He said, God, I just forgive him right now. I 230 00:11:27,640 --> 00:11:29,440 Speaker 4: release that to you. I'm not going to dwell on 231 00:11:29,480 --> 00:11:32,560 Speaker 4: it anymore. And he said, the most amazing thing began 232 00:11:32,640 --> 00:11:36,200 Speaker 4: to happen. His crippled hands begin to open up. Week 233 00:11:36,280 --> 00:11:38,679 Speaker 4: after week, one finger would get better, and the next 234 00:11:38,760 --> 00:11:41,440 Speaker 4: week this finger was normal, and as time went on, 235 00:11:41,559 --> 00:11:44,480 Speaker 4: his hands eventually just were totally and completely normal. He 236 00:11:44,520 --> 00:11:46,560 Speaker 4: can use them just like you and I could today. 237 00:11:47,160 --> 00:11:49,679 Speaker 4: The point I'm making is when we go against what 238 00:11:49,720 --> 00:11:54,520 Speaker 4: we know is right, we hold on to bitterness, unforgiveness, anger. 239 00:11:54,760 --> 00:11:57,200 Speaker 4: All we're doing is opening up the door to sickness 240 00:11:57,200 --> 00:11:59,800 Speaker 4: and disease. And I believe some of you would see 241 00:11:59,800 --> 00:12:02,960 Speaker 4: your whole situation turn around if you just do what 242 00:12:03,080 --> 00:12:05,679 Speaker 4: you know down in here you're supposed to do, whether 243 00:12:05,720 --> 00:12:09,800 Speaker 4: it's apologized to somebody, or not live so stressed out, 244 00:12:09,920 --> 00:12:12,480 Speaker 4: or treat a person better, whatever it is. I believe 245 00:12:12,520 --> 00:12:15,480 Speaker 4: you know down in here, listen to your conscience. You 246 00:12:15,559 --> 00:12:18,160 Speaker 4: may be here today and you need to start dealing 247 00:12:18,160 --> 00:12:21,080 Speaker 4: with some issues, start confronting some people in your life. 248 00:12:21,160 --> 00:12:23,800 Speaker 4: Maybe there's a person that's always trying to control you 249 00:12:23,960 --> 00:12:26,640 Speaker 4: and manipulate you, and you know down in here it's 250 00:12:26,679 --> 00:12:29,680 Speaker 4: not right, but you're letting it go on month after month, 251 00:12:30,000 --> 00:12:33,240 Speaker 4: and it's stealing your joy. You're not happy, it's dragging 252 00:12:33,280 --> 00:12:34,880 Speaker 4: you down, but you're thinking, you know what, joy, it's 253 00:12:34,880 --> 00:12:36,760 Speaker 4: just not worth it. I don't even want to deal 254 00:12:36,800 --> 00:12:39,559 Speaker 4: with the headache. But know the longer you put it off, 255 00:12:39,600 --> 00:12:42,040 Speaker 4: the more difficult it's going to be. If you'll just 256 00:12:42,160 --> 00:12:45,360 Speaker 4: take that step of faith in God's timing, He'll give 257 00:12:45,400 --> 00:12:48,439 Speaker 4: you the supernatural strength that you need. He said, Joe, 258 00:12:48,559 --> 00:12:51,079 Speaker 4: how do I know when it's really God's timing. It's 259 00:12:51,120 --> 00:12:54,160 Speaker 4: God's timing when he's dealing with you about it, when 260 00:12:54,160 --> 00:12:57,360 Speaker 4: it's coming up on the inside. I believe even right now, 261 00:12:57,520 --> 00:13:00,559 Speaker 4: God is bringing areas to light, maybe something you've been 262 00:13:00,600 --> 00:13:03,439 Speaker 4: pushing down, maybe an area you need to change, something 263 00:13:03,440 --> 00:13:06,360 Speaker 4: you've been putting off, and I'm asking you to start 264 00:13:06,400 --> 00:13:09,760 Speaker 4: being willing to do something about it. Stop putting off 265 00:13:09,760 --> 00:13:12,840 Speaker 4: the apologies you need to make, stop putting off the 266 00:13:12,880 --> 00:13:15,200 Speaker 4: little jobs around the home in the office that need 267 00:13:15,240 --> 00:13:18,520 Speaker 4: to be done, and don't procrastinate when it comes to 268 00:13:18,600 --> 00:13:21,120 Speaker 4: your health and taking care of the body that God's 269 00:13:21,160 --> 00:13:23,520 Speaker 4: given you. I have a friend that we used to 270 00:13:23,520 --> 00:13:26,160 Speaker 4: play basketball quite a bit, and several years ago he 271 00:13:26,240 --> 00:13:30,120 Speaker 4: was telling me how, for month after month, something down 272 00:13:30,160 --> 00:13:32,960 Speaker 4: in here kept saying to him, go get a checkup. 273 00:13:33,440 --> 00:13:35,720 Speaker 4: And here he was as healthy as can be, not 274 00:13:35,800 --> 00:13:38,200 Speaker 4: a problem in the world. But still he said, down 275 00:13:38,200 --> 00:13:40,520 Speaker 4: in here, he knew he should go visit a doctor 276 00:13:40,559 --> 00:13:43,080 Speaker 4: and get a checkup in the natural, though it didn't 277 00:13:43,080 --> 00:13:45,400 Speaker 4: seem like any reason to do it. Life was good, 278 00:13:45,800 --> 00:13:47,760 Speaker 4: you know how it is. When you're healthy, last thing 279 00:13:47,760 --> 00:13:50,000 Speaker 4: you do is think about going to the doctor. And 280 00:13:50,080 --> 00:13:52,280 Speaker 4: he told how he just kept pushing it down month 281 00:13:52,360 --> 00:13:54,800 Speaker 4: after month, but he would go to bed at night 282 00:13:54,960 --> 00:13:58,360 Speaker 4: almost feeling condemned because he knew down in here he 283 00:13:58,400 --> 00:14:02,480 Speaker 4: should go get that checkup. To make a long story short, unfortunately, 284 00:14:02,559 --> 00:14:05,560 Speaker 4: one day his health started going downhill. He lost a 285 00:14:05,559 --> 00:14:07,840 Speaker 4: bunch of weight. We didn't see him up at the 286 00:14:07,880 --> 00:14:11,000 Speaker 4: gym for some time, and when he finally returned, we 287 00:14:11,120 --> 00:14:14,520 Speaker 4: learned how he had been diagnosed with a very serious illness. Now, 288 00:14:14,559 --> 00:14:17,080 Speaker 4: of course we're praying for him, we're believing it's gonna change. 289 00:14:17,080 --> 00:14:19,920 Speaker 4: But he told me something so interesting. He said, Joel, 290 00:14:19,960 --> 00:14:22,200 Speaker 4: when I went to see the doctor, the first thing 291 00:14:22,280 --> 00:14:24,480 Speaker 4: he said to me was, Man, I wish you'd have 292 00:14:24,480 --> 00:14:26,800 Speaker 4: God here several years ago. We would have had so 293 00:14:27,000 --> 00:14:30,000 Speaker 4: much better of a chance to deal with this. See, 294 00:14:30,040 --> 00:14:32,560 Speaker 4: he knew in his heart what he should do. God 295 00:14:32,720 --> 00:14:34,880 Speaker 4: was speaking to him right down in here. He just 296 00:14:35,040 --> 00:14:37,600 Speaker 4: chose not to do it. And I don't say that 297 00:14:37,800 --> 00:14:41,160 Speaker 4: to bring fear of any kind. I'm simply saying, when 298 00:14:41,200 --> 00:14:43,920 Speaker 4: we know what's right, but we just keep putting it off, 299 00:14:44,040 --> 00:14:47,040 Speaker 4: We're always going to miss out on God's best. And yes, 300 00:14:47,200 --> 00:14:49,920 Speaker 4: I believe in healing. Yes, I know God can take 301 00:14:49,960 --> 00:14:53,000 Speaker 4: care of us, but I know also God expects us 302 00:14:53,160 --> 00:14:56,600 Speaker 4: to do our part. Now, I consider myself very healthy. 303 00:14:57,040 --> 00:14:59,160 Speaker 4: I'm a young man, but do you know every two 304 00:14:59,200 --> 00:15:02,240 Speaker 4: years I go and I have a full physical That's 305 00:15:02,280 --> 00:15:04,440 Speaker 4: what I feel good about. I'm not telling you to 306 00:15:04,480 --> 00:15:06,680 Speaker 4: do it, but I know when I don't do it, 307 00:15:06,840 --> 00:15:10,560 Speaker 4: I feel uneasy on the inside. My conscience is not clear, 308 00:15:10,840 --> 00:15:13,760 Speaker 4: something down in here, says Joel. That's not right. You 309 00:15:13,840 --> 00:15:16,240 Speaker 4: need to take that precaution. And I don't do it 310 00:15:16,360 --> 00:15:18,960 Speaker 4: just for myself. I do it for my wife. I 311 00:15:19,000 --> 00:15:21,720 Speaker 4: do it for my children. And understand I don't like 312 00:15:21,840 --> 00:15:24,800 Speaker 4: doing it. There are a thousand things I'd rather be doing. 313 00:15:24,960 --> 00:15:27,080 Speaker 4: But I know when I don't do it, like I said, 314 00:15:27,120 --> 00:15:30,360 Speaker 4: there's an unrest on the inside. Well, he said, Joel, 315 00:15:30,360 --> 00:15:32,040 Speaker 4: I thought you were a man of faith. I thought 316 00:15:32,040 --> 00:15:35,160 Speaker 4: you believed in healing. Yes, I believe in healing, but 317 00:15:35,280 --> 00:15:38,200 Speaker 4: I also believe that if we'll take care of ourselves, 318 00:15:38,280 --> 00:15:40,560 Speaker 4: we may not need to be healed. And I would 319 00:15:40,680 --> 00:15:43,680 Speaker 4: rather live a healthy lifestyle than to have to try 320 00:15:43,680 --> 00:15:46,160 Speaker 4: to get healed all the time. And even though I 321 00:15:46,240 --> 00:15:48,360 Speaker 4: know that God can take care of us, I know 322 00:15:48,480 --> 00:15:51,880 Speaker 4: also that God has given us all common sense. And 323 00:15:51,960 --> 00:15:55,920 Speaker 4: the truth is, God uses doctors, he uses medicines, He 324 00:15:56,040 --> 00:15:59,080 Speaker 4: uses some of these new techniques to either prevent an 325 00:15:59,120 --> 00:16:02,480 Speaker 4: illness or to begin that healing process. And you know, 326 00:16:02,600 --> 00:16:05,600 Speaker 4: practically every doctor will tell you if you catch something 327 00:16:05,640 --> 00:16:08,560 Speaker 4: early on, it's a whole lot easier to deal with 328 00:16:08,600 --> 00:16:10,920 Speaker 4: it than if you let it go for year after year. 329 00:16:11,360 --> 00:16:13,960 Speaker 4: And especially you ladies, you know how important it is 330 00:16:14,080 --> 00:16:16,600 Speaker 4: to have that regular checkup. And you may be busy, 331 00:16:16,920 --> 00:16:19,000 Speaker 4: there may be a lot going on in your life, 332 00:16:19,040 --> 00:16:21,640 Speaker 4: but you need to make that a priority. What I'm 333 00:16:21,640 --> 00:16:24,560 Speaker 4: saying to you today is quit putting off what you 334 00:16:24,760 --> 00:16:26,840 Speaker 4: know in your heart is the right thing to do. 335 00:16:27,560 --> 00:16:29,760 Speaker 4: Some of you are always putting off spending time with 336 00:16:29,840 --> 00:16:32,800 Speaker 4: your family. You're so busy your work all the time. 337 00:16:33,160 --> 00:16:36,640 Speaker 4: Your attitude is one day I'm gonna slow down and 338 00:16:36,760 --> 00:16:39,560 Speaker 4: enjoy these children that God has given me, or one 339 00:16:39,640 --> 00:16:42,400 Speaker 4: day I'm gonna take that trip and go visit my parents, 340 00:16:42,400 --> 00:16:44,920 Speaker 4: who are getting up there in age. One day, I'm 341 00:16:44,920 --> 00:16:47,920 Speaker 4: gonna call that loved one that I've really been thinking about. No, 342 00:16:48,040 --> 00:16:51,080 Speaker 4: stop putting that off. Take time for the people you love. 343 00:16:51,640 --> 00:16:54,000 Speaker 4: You don't really know how long they're gonna be there. 344 00:16:54,400 --> 00:16:56,920 Speaker 4: I know, even with my father, we never dreamed that 345 00:16:56,960 --> 00:16:59,440 Speaker 4: he was gonna go so quickly. But I thank God 346 00:16:59,480 --> 00:17:02,520 Speaker 4: that I spent time with him. I can honestly say 347 00:17:02,560 --> 00:17:04,959 Speaker 4: that I don't have any regrets. But don't put that 348 00:17:05,000 --> 00:17:08,040 Speaker 4: stuff off. I know one time a man came up 349 00:17:08,040 --> 00:17:10,080 Speaker 4: to me in the front lobby and he was just sobbing. 350 00:17:10,560 --> 00:17:13,960 Speaker 4: He was probably in his early fifties, and somehow he 351 00:17:14,000 --> 00:17:16,880 Speaker 4: had gotten at odds with his parents. They had done 352 00:17:16,960 --> 00:17:19,800 Speaker 4: something that had offended him, and so for several years 353 00:17:20,000 --> 00:17:22,439 Speaker 4: he wouldn't have anything to do with them. He was 354 00:17:22,480 --> 00:17:26,760 Speaker 4: holding on to that unforgiveness, harboring that bitterness on the inside, 355 00:17:26,840 --> 00:17:29,320 Speaker 4: and he said, something down in here told him it 356 00:17:29,400 --> 00:17:32,439 Speaker 4: wasn't right. He knew on the inside he should just 357 00:17:32,560 --> 00:17:35,960 Speaker 4: let it go, be the bigger person, forgive him, overlook 358 00:17:36,000 --> 00:17:38,879 Speaker 4: their faults. But no, he wouldn't do it. He was 359 00:17:38,920 --> 00:17:42,320 Speaker 4: hard headed and his attitude was one day I'll make 360 00:17:42,359 --> 00:17:46,680 Speaker 4: things right, but right now I'm gonna show them well. Unfortunately, 361 00:17:46,760 --> 00:17:49,639 Speaker 4: one day never came. His father had a massive stroke 362 00:17:49,960 --> 00:17:52,639 Speaker 4: and instantly he was gone. And now he was sobbing. 363 00:17:52,720 --> 00:17:55,040 Speaker 4: He was having to deal with all the guilt and shame. 364 00:17:55,680 --> 00:17:57,480 Speaker 4: You can imagine if he had to do it again, 365 00:17:57,840 --> 00:17:59,560 Speaker 4: he wouldn't have put it off. He wouldn't have been 366 00:17:59,600 --> 00:18:02,679 Speaker 4: so hard headed. And we have to understand when people 367 00:18:02,760 --> 00:18:05,840 Speaker 4: do us wrong, God expects us to be the bigger person. 368 00:18:06,600 --> 00:18:08,960 Speaker 4: God expects us to be the ones to let it go. 369 00:18:09,680 --> 00:18:12,560 Speaker 4: You've got to do whatever you possibly can to keep 370 00:18:12,560 --> 00:18:15,639 Speaker 4: the peace in your family. Life is too short to 371 00:18:15,680 --> 00:18:18,520 Speaker 4: go around holding a grudge. It's too short to hold 372 00:18:18,560 --> 00:18:22,680 Speaker 4: onto that anger and unforgiveness and bitterness. Stop putting off 373 00:18:22,720 --> 00:18:25,399 Speaker 4: forgiving the people that have done you wrong, and stop 374 00:18:25,440 --> 00:18:28,320 Speaker 4: putting off spending time with the people that you love. 375 00:18:29,119 --> 00:18:32,119 Speaker 4: So often we take people for granted, when Joel, I 376 00:18:32,119 --> 00:18:34,480 Speaker 4: am gonna go see my parents, when it slows down 377 00:18:34,520 --> 00:18:37,240 Speaker 4: at the office, or when my kids get through with baseball, 378 00:18:37,280 --> 00:18:39,000 Speaker 4: or when I get a little bit more money. But 379 00:18:39,119 --> 00:18:42,240 Speaker 4: you know, the scripture says in Ecclesiastes, if you wait 380 00:18:42,359 --> 00:18:45,080 Speaker 4: for all the conditions to be just right, you'll never 381 00:18:45,119 --> 00:18:48,840 Speaker 4: get off a dead sinner. That's saying that there probably 382 00:18:49,280 --> 00:18:52,080 Speaker 4: will never be a perfect time to do what God 383 00:18:52,119 --> 00:18:54,080 Speaker 4: has put in your heart. You've got to make a 384 00:18:54,119 --> 00:18:56,600 Speaker 4: decision that you're just gonna put your foot down and 385 00:18:56,640 --> 00:19:00,000 Speaker 4: do it anyway, and don't miss opportunities to be good 386 00:19:00,119 --> 00:19:03,960 Speaker 4: to people. I'm convinced that God is always putting things 387 00:19:04,000 --> 00:19:06,680 Speaker 4: in our heart that we can do for others. Be 388 00:19:06,920 --> 00:19:10,760 Speaker 4: sensitive and don't put that off. For instance, maybe God 389 00:19:10,840 --> 00:19:13,000 Speaker 4: leads you to give somebody a little money or to 390 00:19:13,000 --> 00:19:17,560 Speaker 4: buy somebody's dinner, Well just do it, don't overanalyze it. Well, God, 391 00:19:17,600 --> 00:19:19,360 Speaker 4: I think I need the money more than they do. 392 00:19:20,040 --> 00:19:21,959 Speaker 4: Is this really you God? I better pray about this 393 00:19:22,000 --> 00:19:24,959 Speaker 4: for a couple of weeks. Now that's an excuse we 394 00:19:25,000 --> 00:19:27,320 Speaker 4: you so often, But what I happened is a couple 395 00:19:27,359 --> 00:19:30,160 Speaker 4: of weeks go by and you'll forget all about it. 396 00:19:30,680 --> 00:19:33,879 Speaker 4: God will have already met that person's need through somebody else, 397 00:19:34,119 --> 00:19:36,600 Speaker 4: and you'll have missed out on that opportunity to be 398 00:19:36,640 --> 00:19:39,840 Speaker 4: a blessing. I know so many times down in here 399 00:19:39,960 --> 00:19:42,520 Speaker 4: somebody's name comes up and I just know I should 400 00:19:42,560 --> 00:19:45,240 Speaker 4: go call them and encourage them I feel so strongly 401 00:19:45,280 --> 00:19:47,560 Speaker 4: about it, but I'm in the middle of watching the 402 00:19:47,600 --> 00:19:50,199 Speaker 4: ball game. It's the fourth quarter. Man, I can't go 403 00:19:50,280 --> 00:19:52,800 Speaker 4: in there. I can't go write myself a note. I 404 00:19:52,880 --> 00:19:55,960 Speaker 4: might miss something. How many times have I known what 405 00:19:56,080 --> 00:19:58,480 Speaker 4: I should do and I've said, yeah, God, I'm gonna 406 00:19:58,480 --> 00:20:02,120 Speaker 4: do that later. I'll call them tomorrow, or maybe even 407 00:20:02,160 --> 00:20:04,840 Speaker 4: I'll invite them out to eat dinner next week. I 408 00:20:04,880 --> 00:20:07,400 Speaker 4: had good intentions, but you know, as well as I do, 409 00:20:07,640 --> 00:20:10,480 Speaker 4: things get busy, we got other things to deal with, 410 00:20:10,680 --> 00:20:13,040 Speaker 4: and we end up missing out on sowing that seed 411 00:20:13,080 --> 00:20:16,000 Speaker 4: for a blessing. I've learned now when that comes up, 412 00:20:16,040 --> 00:20:18,120 Speaker 4: I've got to do it right. Then. If I can't 413 00:20:18,119 --> 00:20:20,280 Speaker 4: get them on the phone, I'll leave a message on 414 00:20:20,320 --> 00:20:23,280 Speaker 4: my voicemail at the office. Ask one of my assistants, Hey, 415 00:20:23,440 --> 00:20:25,560 Speaker 4: send these guys a note. Let them know we're thinking 416 00:20:25,600 --> 00:20:27,480 Speaker 4: of them. See if there's anything we can do to 417 00:20:27,520 --> 00:20:31,320 Speaker 4: help friends. We miss so many opportunities to be good 418 00:20:31,320 --> 00:20:35,720 Speaker 4: to people simply because we procrastinate. And if every one 419 00:20:35,760 --> 00:20:37,600 Speaker 4: of us would do what God has put in our 420 00:20:37,680 --> 00:20:40,200 Speaker 4: heart for others, you can imagine what kind of world 421 00:20:40,200 --> 00:20:42,919 Speaker 4: this place would be. Let me ask you, what are 422 00:20:42,920 --> 00:20:46,439 Speaker 4: you putting off today? What areas is God dealing with 423 00:20:46,480 --> 00:20:48,720 Speaker 4: you in? Are you putting off being good to people? 424 00:20:49,119 --> 00:20:51,760 Speaker 4: Are you putting off taking steps to break that addiction. 425 00:20:52,520 --> 00:20:55,240 Speaker 4: I know people that are always putting off being happy. 426 00:20:55,760 --> 00:20:58,639 Speaker 4: Their attitude is one day I'm gonna start enjoying my 427 00:20:58,720 --> 00:21:01,479 Speaker 4: life as I get out of these problems and I'm 428 00:21:01,480 --> 00:21:04,360 Speaker 4: gonna be happy, or as soon as I get that promotion, 429 00:21:04,880 --> 00:21:07,320 Speaker 4: as soon as I retire, as soon as I get married, 430 00:21:07,320 --> 00:21:10,520 Speaker 4: then I'm gonna really enjoy my life. No, let me 431 00:21:10,600 --> 00:21:13,120 Speaker 4: challenge you to start enjoying your life right where you are. 432 00:21:13,800 --> 00:21:15,919 Speaker 4: Things may not be perfect, you may not have all 433 00:21:15,960 --> 00:21:18,480 Speaker 4: the money that you want, your kids may not all 434 00:21:18,520 --> 00:21:20,800 Speaker 4: be making straight a's, but you need to get up 435 00:21:20,840 --> 00:21:22,960 Speaker 4: and say, with the psalm as David, this is the 436 00:21:23,040 --> 00:21:26,159 Speaker 4: day the Lord has made, and I'm gonna enjoy it. Friends. 437 00:21:26,160 --> 00:21:28,280 Speaker 4: You've got to learn to bloom right where you're planning. 438 00:21:29,240 --> 00:21:32,239 Speaker 4: I love what the Apostle Paul said. He said, I 439 00:21:32,280 --> 00:21:35,919 Speaker 4: have learned how to be content in every situation. That 440 00:21:36,080 --> 00:21:38,439 Speaker 4: means you've got to quit looking at what's wrong in 441 00:21:38,480 --> 00:21:41,359 Speaker 4: your life and start looking at what's right. You need 442 00:21:41,400 --> 00:21:44,280 Speaker 4: to quit complaining about what you don't have, and let's 443 00:21:44,280 --> 00:21:47,439 Speaker 4: start thinking God for what you do have. And every 444 00:21:47,520 --> 00:21:51,160 Speaker 4: day that you live negative and unhappy is a day 445 00:21:51,200 --> 00:21:53,919 Speaker 4: that you've wasted. And what a shame to waste what 446 00:21:54,000 --> 00:21:56,680 Speaker 4: God has given us. Why don't you make a decision 447 00:21:56,720 --> 00:21:59,720 Speaker 4: before you leave today that you're not gonna live another 448 00:21:59,720 --> 00:22:02,920 Speaker 4: manu it being down and discourage. Stop putting off your 449 00:22:02,920 --> 00:22:06,400 Speaker 4: happiness and starting joy in your life. It's a decision 450 00:22:06,680 --> 00:22:09,560 Speaker 4: that you can make. Some people are always putting off 451 00:22:09,720 --> 00:22:13,000 Speaker 4: making peace with God. I can't think of any area 452 00:22:13,080 --> 00:22:16,520 Speaker 4: worse to procrastinate in than this area. People tell me 453 00:22:16,560 --> 00:22:19,080 Speaker 4: all the time, Joel, I know I need to get 454 00:22:19,119 --> 00:22:21,960 Speaker 4: back in church. I know I need to start living right, 455 00:22:22,400 --> 00:22:25,879 Speaker 4: making better choices, resisting this temptation. It's just not the 456 00:22:25,960 --> 00:22:28,040 Speaker 4: right time. But one day you're going to see me 457 00:22:28,119 --> 00:22:30,879 Speaker 4: in there. People tell me, Joel, as soon as I 458 00:22:31,080 --> 00:22:33,719 Speaker 4: break all these addictions, as soon as I get rid 459 00:22:33,760 --> 00:22:36,680 Speaker 4: of these bad habits, then I'll be there. But really, 460 00:22:36,720 --> 00:22:39,520 Speaker 4: you've got it backwards. You've got to come to God 461 00:22:39,720 --> 00:22:41,880 Speaker 4: just as you are, and he'll help you get your 462 00:22:41,880 --> 00:22:45,440 Speaker 4: life cleaned up. Really, I don't believe that you can 463 00:22:45,440 --> 00:22:48,760 Speaker 4: break those addictions without God's health. Well, you say, Joe, 464 00:22:48,840 --> 00:22:51,240 Speaker 4: I'd get back in church, but somebody in the church 465 00:22:51,320 --> 00:22:54,080 Speaker 4: hurt me growing up. Man, that pastor he did our 466 00:22:54,119 --> 00:22:56,440 Speaker 4: family wrong. No, you've got to get your eyes off 467 00:22:56,440 --> 00:23:00,600 Speaker 4: of people. People will let you down, people will fail you. Listen, 468 00:23:00,640 --> 00:23:03,080 Speaker 4: I'm only human. I may disappoint you, I hope not. 469 00:23:03,280 --> 00:23:05,440 Speaker 4: But I can tell you this, God will never disappoint you. 470 00:23:05,720 --> 00:23:09,359 Speaker 4: He'll never let you down. And the only way that 471 00:23:09,480 --> 00:23:12,520 Speaker 4: you're going to be ultimately happy in life is by 472 00:23:12,560 --> 00:23:15,880 Speaker 4: making peace with the creator of the universe. The trick 473 00:23:15,920 --> 00:23:18,480 Speaker 4: of the enemy is to tell you do it tomorrow. 474 00:23:19,119 --> 00:23:21,560 Speaker 4: You can do it some of the time. You can 475 00:23:21,600 --> 00:23:23,359 Speaker 4: do it after you get out of college. Man, these 476 00:23:23,400 --> 00:23:26,919 Speaker 4: are your party years. Do it later. No, don't believe 477 00:23:26,960 --> 00:23:30,639 Speaker 4: those lies. The scripture says, today is the day of salvation. 478 00:23:31,160 --> 00:23:33,600 Speaker 4: Today is the day we need to make changes in 479 00:23:33,640 --> 00:23:36,520 Speaker 4: our life. I heard a little kick tish his story 480 00:23:36,560 --> 00:23:39,359 Speaker 4: about these three demons, and they were about to graduate 481 00:23:39,400 --> 00:23:42,800 Speaker 4: from their training. They were taking their final exams. So 482 00:23:42,840 --> 00:23:44,720 Speaker 4: Satan came to the first one and he said, what 483 00:23:44,760 --> 00:23:47,879 Speaker 4: are you going to do to deceive people? And he said, Satan, 484 00:23:48,040 --> 00:23:49,960 Speaker 4: I'm going to tell people that there's not a God. 485 00:23:50,359 --> 00:23:53,000 Speaker 4: It's just a big thing that somebody made up. Satan 486 00:23:53,000 --> 00:23:54,359 Speaker 4: shook his head and said, you're not going to have 487 00:23:54,440 --> 00:23:57,200 Speaker 4: much success. Everybody's going to believe that there's a God. 488 00:23:57,760 --> 00:23:59,320 Speaker 4: He went to the next one and he asked him, 489 00:23:59,359 --> 00:24:02,480 Speaker 4: what's going to be your strategy to deceive. He said, Satan, 490 00:24:02,480 --> 00:24:05,240 Speaker 4: I'm gonna tell people that there's no heaven, there's no hell. 491 00:24:05,320 --> 00:24:08,520 Speaker 4: This life is all there is. Satan again shook his head, 492 00:24:08,680 --> 00:24:10,840 Speaker 4: said you're not gonna have much of an impact. Everybody's 493 00:24:10,880 --> 00:24:13,400 Speaker 4: gonna know there's more than just this life. He went 494 00:24:13,440 --> 00:24:15,800 Speaker 4: to the third one a little bit disgusted, and he said, 495 00:24:15,800 --> 00:24:19,159 Speaker 4: what's going to be your strategy to deceive? He said, Satan, 496 00:24:19,359 --> 00:24:22,480 Speaker 4: I'm gonna tell people that there's no hurry, they can 497 00:24:22,520 --> 00:24:24,639 Speaker 4: do it later. Yes, God is real, Yes he's a 498 00:24:24,640 --> 00:24:26,800 Speaker 4: good God. He's got a good plan. But you can 499 00:24:26,840 --> 00:24:30,359 Speaker 4: make the decision some other time. Satan smiled and said, you, 500 00:24:30,480 --> 00:24:33,760 Speaker 4: my friend, are going to deceive millions. See, the trick 501 00:24:33,880 --> 00:24:37,040 Speaker 4: of the enemy is to have us put it off. God, 502 00:24:37,080 --> 00:24:40,320 Speaker 4: I'll clean up my life tomorrow. God I'll forgive that 503 00:24:40,359 --> 00:24:43,439 Speaker 4: person next week. God I'm gonna take that step of 504 00:24:43,440 --> 00:24:46,480 Speaker 4: faith when it's a little more convenient, So don't fall 505 00:24:46,480 --> 00:24:50,760 Speaker 4: into that trap. The scripture says, now faith is God 506 00:24:50,880 --> 00:24:53,840 Speaker 4: is a god of the now, and whatever area he 507 00:24:53,920 --> 00:24:56,320 Speaker 4: may be dealing with you in, do it right. Then 508 00:24:57,080 --> 00:25:00,280 Speaker 4: that's the only way you're going to experience his abundance life. 509 00:25:01,000 --> 00:25:03,320 Speaker 4: Some of you today may wonder why you're not as 510 00:25:03,320 --> 00:25:05,399 Speaker 4: happy as you should be. You know you should be 511 00:25:05,440 --> 00:25:08,919 Speaker 4: more fulfilled. Well, it may be simply because you're not 512 00:25:09,040 --> 00:25:11,480 Speaker 4: doing what you know you should be doing. Down in here. 513 00:25:11,760 --> 00:25:14,840 Speaker 4: You keep pushing down what God is bringing up. And 514 00:25:14,920 --> 00:25:17,480 Speaker 4: God will not force us to live in victory. He's 515 00:25:17,520 --> 00:25:21,040 Speaker 4: given us all our own free will. We have to choose, 516 00:25:21,440 --> 00:25:24,320 Speaker 4: and it's not a one time choice. Every day you've 517 00:25:24,359 --> 00:25:27,240 Speaker 4: got to choose to listen to your conscious, to be 518 00:25:27,359 --> 00:25:31,760 Speaker 4: good to people, to resist that temptation. It's an ongoing process. 519 00:25:32,200 --> 00:25:34,880 Speaker 4: I can tell you. Human nature always wants to put 520 00:25:34,920 --> 00:25:37,560 Speaker 4: it off, do it later. And that's what the story 521 00:25:37,600 --> 00:25:39,720 Speaker 4: is all about. There in the Book of HAGII, in 522 00:25:39,840 --> 00:25:43,680 Speaker 4: chapter one, God had spoken to these people about building 523 00:25:43,720 --> 00:25:47,159 Speaker 4: the temple, but in verse two of chapter one, the 524 00:25:47,240 --> 00:25:51,080 Speaker 4: people said, the time has not yet come for the 525 00:25:51,119 --> 00:25:55,040 Speaker 4: Lord's house to be rebuilt, even though Cyrus had ordered 526 00:25:55,080 --> 00:25:59,960 Speaker 4: it sixteen years earlier. Notice sixteen years before God told 527 00:26:00,000 --> 00:26:02,120 Speaker 4: told them to do it. But they're still saying it's 528 00:26:02,160 --> 00:26:04,840 Speaker 4: not the right time. We'll do it later. God, we're 529 00:26:04,880 --> 00:26:08,000 Speaker 4: just too busy. When they first put that off. I 530 00:26:08,040 --> 00:26:10,520 Speaker 4: don't really believe they ever planned on putting it off 531 00:26:10,520 --> 00:26:13,639 Speaker 4: for sixteen years, but it just kept growing. Well, this 532 00:26:13,800 --> 00:26:17,160 Speaker 4: is not a good year. It's not convenient. The next 533 00:26:17,200 --> 00:26:19,320 Speaker 4: year rolled around. Now, let's don't do it this year. Man, 534 00:26:19,359 --> 00:26:21,919 Speaker 4: I got too much going on. That's what we do 535 00:26:22,000 --> 00:26:24,240 Speaker 4: so many times. We'll take care of it next month, 536 00:26:24,320 --> 00:26:27,880 Speaker 4: but not right now. The next month rolls around. Oh yeah, God, 537 00:26:27,880 --> 00:26:29,320 Speaker 4: I'm gonna deal with that, but let me do it 538 00:26:29,320 --> 00:26:32,639 Speaker 4: a little bit later. And too often, just like these people, 539 00:26:32,880 --> 00:26:35,000 Speaker 4: we look up and we put something off for a year, 540 00:26:35,560 --> 00:26:38,639 Speaker 4: for five years, even ten years. These people put it 541 00:26:38,680 --> 00:26:42,879 Speaker 4: off for sixteen years, and notice what happens when we procrastinate. 542 00:26:43,240 --> 00:26:46,119 Speaker 4: The prophet have ya I said in verse six, you 543 00:26:46,240 --> 00:26:49,800 Speaker 4: have sown much, but you have reaped little. You have 544 00:26:49,920 --> 00:26:52,840 Speaker 4: earned your wages, but you're putting them in a bag 545 00:26:52,920 --> 00:26:55,560 Speaker 4: with holes in it. He said in verse five, you 546 00:26:55,600 --> 00:26:58,840 Speaker 4: need to consider your ways. If you're not happy today 547 00:26:58,960 --> 00:27:01,480 Speaker 4: and you're work all the time, but you can't seem 548 00:27:01,480 --> 00:27:03,560 Speaker 4: to get on top. You can't seem to get ahead. 549 00:27:03,960 --> 00:27:07,160 Speaker 4: You need to consider your ways. When we put off 550 00:27:07,200 --> 00:27:09,480 Speaker 4: what we know we should be doing, it's just like 551 00:27:09,560 --> 00:27:11,560 Speaker 4: we're trying to fill up a bag that's got holes 552 00:27:11,600 --> 00:27:14,280 Speaker 4: in it. The point of this story is, do what 553 00:27:14,320 --> 00:27:17,480 Speaker 4: God tells you to do right then. Don't make excuses, 554 00:27:17,840 --> 00:27:20,760 Speaker 4: don't look for a more convenient time, Just do it. 555 00:27:21,240 --> 00:27:23,800 Speaker 4: I don't know. Maybe you procrastinate in those small areas 556 00:27:23,840 --> 00:27:26,840 Speaker 4: like I mentioned, you know, cleaning your house, mowing the lawn. 557 00:27:27,080 --> 00:27:30,520 Speaker 4: You go around condemned. Don't make changes today. It's no 558 00:27:30,680 --> 00:27:33,520 Speaker 4: use living like that. Just do it. If in your 559 00:27:33,520 --> 00:27:37,240 Speaker 4: heart you know you're supposed to forgive somebody, quit contemplating it, 560 00:27:37,359 --> 00:27:40,119 Speaker 4: quit reasoning it all out, and just do it. If 561 00:27:40,160 --> 00:27:42,359 Speaker 4: you know you need to get on that exercise program, 562 00:27:42,600 --> 00:27:46,159 Speaker 4: quit making excuses and just do it. Really, that's a 563 00:27:46,200 --> 00:27:49,000 Speaker 4: good phrase. We ought to always remember when God speaks 564 00:27:49,000 --> 00:27:51,040 Speaker 4: to our heart, when we know it right down in 565 00:27:51,080 --> 00:27:54,040 Speaker 4: here in our conscience, our attitude should be God, I'm 566 00:27:54,080 --> 00:27:57,920 Speaker 4: going to just do it and remember good intentions. Planning 567 00:27:57,920 --> 00:28:00,440 Speaker 4: on doing it like these people. That's not oldence. You 568 00:28:00,520 --> 00:28:03,160 Speaker 4: got to do it. Right then. I believe even now 569 00:28:03,200 --> 00:28:05,679 Speaker 4: God speaking to some of you about areas you've been 570 00:28:05,720 --> 00:28:07,639 Speaker 4: putting off, and I don't want any of you to 571 00:28:07,680 --> 00:28:10,800 Speaker 4: take it as condemnation. That's God trying to take you 572 00:28:10,880 --> 00:28:13,160 Speaker 4: to a higher level. And if you'll just do your 573 00:28:13,200 --> 00:28:16,320 Speaker 4: part today and be quick to obey and don't fall 574 00:28:16,320 --> 00:28:19,480 Speaker 4: into the procrastination trap, then you won't have a bag 575 00:28:19,560 --> 00:28:21,920 Speaker 4: with holes in it. And God do his part, He'll 576 00:28:21,920 --> 00:28:24,560 Speaker 4: pour out his blessings in favor and you'll experience the 577 00:28:24,600 --> 00:28:29,199 Speaker 4: abundant life he has in story. Amen. We never like 578 00:28:29,240 --> 00:28:32,560 Speaker 4: to close our broadcast without giving you an opportunity to 579 00:28:32,600 --> 00:28:35,280 Speaker 4: make Jesus the lord of your life. Would you pray 580 00:28:35,320 --> 00:28:39,440 Speaker 4: with me? Just say it, Lord Jesus, I'll repent of 581 00:28:39,480 --> 00:28:44,040 Speaker 4: my sins. Come into my heart. I make you my 582 00:28:44,160 --> 00:28:48,160 Speaker 4: Lord and savior. Friends, if you prayed that simple prayer, 583 00:28:48,240 --> 00:28:50,560 Speaker 4: we believe you got born again. Get in a good 584 00:28:50,560 --> 00:28:53,800 Speaker 4: Bible based church, keep God first place. He's going to 585 00:28:53,840 --> 00:28:55,720 Speaker 4: take your places that you've never dreamed of. 586 00:28:56,480 --> 00:29:00,680 Speaker 5: Thank you for listening to the Julus Dean Podcastle continue 587 00:29:00,680 --> 00:29:03,280 Speaker 5: to share the message of hope with those all over 588 00:29:03,320 --> 00:29:07,360 Speaker 5: the world. Visit joelostein dot com, slash give hope to 589 00:29:07,440 --> 00:29:08,479 Speaker 5: give a gift today. 590 00:29:09,760 --> 00:29:12,680 Speaker 4: Thanks so much for listening to today's message. I hope 591 00:29:12,680 --> 00:29:16,040 Speaker 4: you'll subscribe so you can receive the latest podcast to 592 00:29:16,160 --> 00:29:19,360 Speaker 4: keep you inspired all through the week. We're praying for you. 593 00:29:19,520 --> 00:29:21,960 Speaker 4: I know God's best is still ahead. 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