1 00:00:00,680 --> 00:00:03,600 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joelan Victoria. Thanks so much for listening 2 00:00:03,600 --> 00:00:07,200 Speaker 1: to the podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. We 3 00:00:07,320 --> 00:00:11,160 Speaker 1: believe you're going to have an awesome twenty twenty four, healthy, productive, 4 00:00:11,320 --> 00:00:14,960 Speaker 1: and favor filled. God bless you today and enjoy the message. 5 00:00:15,120 --> 00:00:18,240 Speaker 1: God Bless you. It's a joy to come into your homes. 6 00:00:18,400 --> 00:00:21,239 Speaker 1: We love you. We know that God has good things 7 00:00:21,280 --> 00:00:24,040 Speaker 1: in store for you, and when you seek after God, 8 00:00:24,120 --> 00:00:27,200 Speaker 1: you'll find him. And I just believe that even today, 9 00:00:27,280 --> 00:00:29,560 Speaker 1: your life's going to be better for having tuned in. 10 00:00:29,680 --> 00:00:31,319 Speaker 1: So I just thank you for being a part of 11 00:00:31,320 --> 00:00:33,640 Speaker 1: this next half hour. And if you're ever in our area, 12 00:00:33,800 --> 00:00:36,080 Speaker 1: I hope you'll please stop by and be a part 13 00:00:36,120 --> 00:00:38,159 Speaker 1: of one of our services. We'd love to meet you 14 00:00:38,200 --> 00:00:40,519 Speaker 1: in person, so come on by and see us sometime. 15 00:00:40,560 --> 00:00:43,279 Speaker 1: But thanks for joining us today. I'd like to get 16 00:00:43,320 --> 00:00:45,440 Speaker 1: started each week with something kind of funny. And I 17 00:00:45,479 --> 00:00:48,239 Speaker 1: heard about this new pastor that moved into town, and 18 00:00:48,280 --> 00:00:51,320 Speaker 1: he was going door to door visiting people. And he 19 00:00:51,360 --> 00:00:53,920 Speaker 1: came to this one house and it was obvious someone 20 00:00:54,040 --> 00:00:56,880 Speaker 1: was home, but nobody would answer the door. So he 21 00:00:56,920 --> 00:01:00,360 Speaker 1: took his card out and he just wrote Revelation three 22 00:01:00,400 --> 00:01:03,120 Speaker 1: on the back, and he stuck it in the door well. 23 00:01:03,160 --> 00:01:06,000 Speaker 1: The next Sunday, after the service, an usher handed him 24 00:01:06,040 --> 00:01:09,800 Speaker 1: his same card, and below his message was the scripture 25 00:01:09,880 --> 00:01:14,000 Speaker 1: reference Genesis three twenty. Here's what they say. The pastor's 26 00:01:14,000 --> 00:01:17,959 Speaker 1: word was Revelation three twenty. It says, behold, I stand 27 00:01:17,959 --> 00:01:20,520 Speaker 1: at the door and knock. If any man opens the door, 28 00:01:20,560 --> 00:01:23,880 Speaker 1: I will come in. The reply was Genesis three ten. 29 00:01:24,200 --> 00:01:27,280 Speaker 1: It says I heard your voice, and I was afraid 30 00:01:27,640 --> 00:01:32,480 Speaker 1: because I was naked. All right, hold up your bible. 31 00:01:32,600 --> 00:01:35,240 Speaker 1: Say it like you mean it. This is my Bible. 32 00:01:35,640 --> 00:01:38,240 Speaker 1: I am what it says. I am. I have what 33 00:01:38,280 --> 00:01:40,880 Speaker 1: it says I have. I can do what it says 34 00:01:40,920 --> 00:01:43,800 Speaker 1: I can do. Today I will be taught the word 35 00:01:43,840 --> 00:01:48,320 Speaker 1: of God. I boldly confess. My mind is alert, my 36 00:01:48,480 --> 00:01:52,960 Speaker 1: heart is receptive. I will never be the same. In Jesus' name, 37 00:01:53,360 --> 00:01:56,440 Speaker 1: God bless you. I want to talk to you today 38 00:01:56,680 --> 00:02:00,360 Speaker 1: about not being frustrated and really believing that God is 39 00:02:00,400 --> 00:02:03,639 Speaker 1: in control of your life. I see too many people 40 00:02:03,760 --> 00:02:09,280 Speaker 1: going around upset and discouraged. They're always fighting against everything. 41 00:02:09,919 --> 00:02:13,320 Speaker 1: They're not happy with where they are in life, frustrated 42 00:02:13,360 --> 00:02:16,400 Speaker 1: because they're not married, or upset because somebody is not 43 00:02:16,480 --> 00:02:21,240 Speaker 1: treating them right. They're constantly at work on the inside, worried, 44 00:02:21,840 --> 00:02:25,040 Speaker 1: trying to reason things out, trying to change things that 45 00:02:25,160 --> 00:02:28,840 Speaker 1: only God can change. And I believe that we create 46 00:02:28,960 --> 00:02:32,520 Speaker 1: much of our own unhappiness, We create much of our 47 00:02:32,560 --> 00:02:39,000 Speaker 1: own frustration by constantly resisting and fighting everything that's going 48 00:02:39,040 --> 00:02:42,720 Speaker 1: on in our lives. We don't understand why our prayers 49 00:02:42,720 --> 00:02:46,480 Speaker 1: aren't being answered, why things aren't changing sooner, why has 50 00:02:46,560 --> 00:02:49,280 Speaker 1: this happened to me? And a lot of times we 51 00:02:49,440 --> 00:02:53,600 Speaker 1: end up with all this unrest and uneasiness on the inside. 52 00:02:54,200 --> 00:02:57,120 Speaker 1: But I want to challenge it today to learn to 53 00:02:57,240 --> 00:03:02,079 Speaker 1: relax and just accept the place where you are. It 54 00:03:02,120 --> 00:03:05,040 Speaker 1: may not be a great place. We all have things 55 00:03:05,120 --> 00:03:07,600 Speaker 1: we want to see change, things we want to see 56 00:03:07,639 --> 00:03:10,800 Speaker 1: happen sooner. But if we really believe that God is 57 00:03:10,800 --> 00:03:14,440 Speaker 1: in control, if we really believe that He's directing our steps, 58 00:03:14,800 --> 00:03:18,480 Speaker 1: then each one of us is exactly where we're supposed 59 00:03:18,520 --> 00:03:21,760 Speaker 1: to be, and we shouldn't be resisting it all the time. 60 00:03:22,360 --> 00:03:25,679 Speaker 1: And yes, we should resist the enemy, we should resist sickness, 61 00:03:25,960 --> 00:03:29,600 Speaker 1: but that doesn't mean that every minute we're fighting and struggling. 62 00:03:30,360 --> 00:03:33,240 Speaker 1: And I know people they just wear themselves out. They're 63 00:03:33,280 --> 00:03:38,360 Speaker 1: constantly praying, resisting, rebuking. God, You've got to change this situation. 64 00:03:38,960 --> 00:03:42,080 Speaker 1: Change my husband, I don't like my job, and my 65 00:03:42,280 --> 00:03:45,200 Speaker 1: child won't do right. We listen, You've got to turn 66 00:03:45,280 --> 00:03:48,640 Speaker 1: all of that over to God. Your attitude should be God. 67 00:03:48,720 --> 00:03:52,280 Speaker 1: I'm trusting you. I know that you're in control of 68 00:03:52,280 --> 00:03:55,440 Speaker 1: my life. And I may not understand everything that's happening, 69 00:03:55,760 --> 00:03:58,520 Speaker 1: but God, I believe you have my best interest at heart. 70 00:03:58,920 --> 00:04:01,480 Speaker 1: So I'm not going to go around I'm resisting and struggling. 71 00:04:01,680 --> 00:04:05,480 Speaker 1: I'm will relax and start enjoy in my life. Friends, 72 00:04:05,480 --> 00:04:08,840 Speaker 1: That'll take all the pressure off of you. The Bible says, 73 00:04:09,040 --> 00:04:12,839 Speaker 1: to be still and know that I am God. Some 74 00:04:12,880 --> 00:04:15,440 Speaker 1: of you need to get still. You need to get 75 00:04:15,480 --> 00:04:18,800 Speaker 1: at peace with where you are right now. Things may 76 00:04:18,800 --> 00:04:22,240 Speaker 1: not be perfect, you may have some areas that you 77 00:04:22,360 --> 00:04:26,600 Speaker 1: need to improve in. But as long as we're living upset, worried, 78 00:04:26,880 --> 00:04:29,839 Speaker 1: stressed out, we're just tying the hands of Almighty God. 79 00:04:30,360 --> 00:04:32,640 Speaker 1: If you could just get to a place of peace, 80 00:04:33,040 --> 00:04:35,320 Speaker 1: then God could fight your battles for you. Then he 81 00:04:35,360 --> 00:04:39,080 Speaker 1: can turn those situations around. And the scripture says here 82 00:04:39,160 --> 00:04:42,599 Speaker 1: in Hebrews chapter four and verse three, Those who have 83 00:04:42,800 --> 00:04:47,760 Speaker 1: believed enter in to the rest of God. Being in 84 00:04:47,839 --> 00:04:51,120 Speaker 1: God's rest means that you have a problem, but you're 85 00:04:51,160 --> 00:04:54,200 Speaker 1: trusting God to take care of it. It means that 86 00:04:54,279 --> 00:04:57,599 Speaker 1: you have a situation that you don't understand, but you're 87 00:04:57,640 --> 00:05:00,880 Speaker 1: not constantly trying to figure it out. It means you 88 00:05:00,920 --> 00:05:03,320 Speaker 1: have a dream in your heart, but you're not in 89 00:05:03,360 --> 00:05:06,760 Speaker 1: a hurry. You're not frustrated because it hasn't come to 90 00:05:06,800 --> 00:05:10,960 Speaker 1: pass yet. In other words, when you're really in God's rest, 91 00:05:11,400 --> 00:05:13,839 Speaker 1: you know that God has you in the palm of 92 00:05:13,880 --> 00:05:17,760 Speaker 1: his hand, and no matter where you are, you accept 93 00:05:17,800 --> 00:05:21,120 Speaker 1: it as the place God wants you to be. I'm 94 00:05:21,160 --> 00:05:23,440 Speaker 1: not saying that God wants you to stay there, but 95 00:05:23,520 --> 00:05:26,520 Speaker 1: if you're really trusting him, if you really believe he's 96 00:05:26,560 --> 00:05:30,159 Speaker 1: in control, then wherever you are, either good or bad, 97 00:05:30,800 --> 00:05:33,800 Speaker 1: is exactly where you're supposed to be. And if it's 98 00:05:33,839 --> 00:05:37,200 Speaker 1: not a good place, maybe something unfair has happened, maybe 99 00:05:37,279 --> 00:05:41,279 Speaker 1: somebody's not treating you riot, or maybe you're struggling financially. Still, 100 00:05:41,640 --> 00:05:44,160 Speaker 1: that doesn't give us the right to live upset and 101 00:05:44,200 --> 00:05:48,359 Speaker 1: frustrate it. We have to understand that God has promised 102 00:05:48,640 --> 00:05:52,000 Speaker 1: he will use whatever comes into our lives for our good. 103 00:05:52,760 --> 00:05:55,800 Speaker 1: He'll use that difficulty to do a work in you. 104 00:05:56,680 --> 00:05:58,920 Speaker 1: It may not be good, but if you'll keep the 105 00:05:59,000 --> 00:06:02,599 Speaker 1: right attitude, he'll use it for your good. But what 106 00:06:02,640 --> 00:06:04,920 Speaker 1: I want you to see today is where you are 107 00:06:05,440 --> 00:06:09,359 Speaker 1: is exactly where God wants you to be. Quit resisting it, 108 00:06:09,720 --> 00:06:14,200 Speaker 1: quit fighting it. Learn to embrace the place where you are. 109 00:06:14,560 --> 00:06:17,520 Speaker 1: That'll take all the pressure off of you. Well, you said, Joel, 110 00:06:17,600 --> 00:06:20,880 Speaker 1: you don't understand my circumstances. I'm doing the right thing, 111 00:06:21,200 --> 00:06:23,599 Speaker 1: but the wrong thing's happening to me, or I'm in 112 00:06:23,640 --> 00:06:27,320 Speaker 1: a lousy marriage, or people aren't treating me right, or 113 00:06:27,360 --> 00:06:31,120 Speaker 1: I've had some bad breaks in life. Now, please don't 114 00:06:31,240 --> 00:06:33,839 Speaker 1: use that as an excuse to live your life sour. 115 00:06:34,560 --> 00:06:38,800 Speaker 1: Think about Joseph. He spent thirteen years in prison for 116 00:06:38,880 --> 00:06:42,280 Speaker 1: something that he didn't do. He could have constantly fought that. 117 00:06:43,000 --> 00:06:45,320 Speaker 1: He could have spent all his time trying to figure 118 00:06:45,360 --> 00:06:50,200 Speaker 1: out why he could have easily lived his life upset, negative, bitter, 119 00:06:50,680 --> 00:06:54,200 Speaker 1: But he didn't do that. He simply embraced the place 120 00:06:54,240 --> 00:06:57,960 Speaker 1: where he was. His attitude was, God, this is where 121 00:06:57,960 --> 00:06:59,000 Speaker 1: you have me right now. 122 00:07:00,320 --> 00:07:00,600 Speaker 2: Like it. 123 00:07:00,960 --> 00:07:03,160 Speaker 1: I may not understand it, I don't think it's fair, 124 00:07:03,400 --> 00:07:05,960 Speaker 1: but I'm not dwelling on any of that. This is 125 00:07:06,000 --> 00:07:08,320 Speaker 1: the hand that I've been dealt, So I'm gonna keep 126 00:07:08,320 --> 00:07:11,320 Speaker 1: my head held high and keep doing my best, knowing 127 00:07:11,320 --> 00:07:13,240 Speaker 1: that in the end You're gonna use this all to 128 00:07:13,280 --> 00:07:16,560 Speaker 1: my advantage. That's exactly what God did for him, and 129 00:07:16,600 --> 00:07:18,680 Speaker 1: God will do the same thing for any one of you. 130 00:07:19,280 --> 00:07:22,000 Speaker 1: But some of you, right now you're frustrated because you're 131 00:07:22,000 --> 00:07:24,760 Speaker 1: not married yet. You're not gonna be happy until you 132 00:07:24,800 --> 00:07:27,880 Speaker 1: find yourself a man, find yourself a woman. Now, why 133 00:07:27,920 --> 00:07:31,040 Speaker 1: don't you just relax and enjoy the place where God 134 00:07:31,080 --> 00:07:34,440 Speaker 1: has you right now? Do you know being frustrated is 135 00:07:34,480 --> 00:07:37,360 Speaker 1: not gonna make it happen any sooner. Worrying about it 136 00:07:37,400 --> 00:07:39,760 Speaker 1: and being upset all the time is just gonna slow 137 00:07:39,840 --> 00:07:43,280 Speaker 1: the process down. And some of you pray every five minutes, 138 00:07:43,520 --> 00:07:45,440 Speaker 1: telling God what to do and how to do it, 139 00:07:45,600 --> 00:07:47,640 Speaker 1: what he should look like, what kind of card he 140 00:07:47,680 --> 00:07:49,880 Speaker 1: should drive, how tall he should be, how much money 141 00:07:49,920 --> 00:07:51,840 Speaker 1: he should make. God, I got to get married. I 142 00:07:51,840 --> 00:07:55,320 Speaker 1: can't take it another month. So listen, you've already told 143 00:07:55,320 --> 00:07:58,200 Speaker 1: God a thousand times what you want. Why don't you 144 00:07:58,320 --> 00:08:01,480 Speaker 1: just relax and say God, God, not my will, but 145 00:08:01,520 --> 00:08:03,720 Speaker 1: yours be done. I'm turning this over to you. 146 00:08:03,880 --> 00:08:04,120 Speaker 2: God. 147 00:08:04,480 --> 00:08:07,960 Speaker 1: I believe You've got my best interest at heart, and 148 00:08:08,000 --> 00:08:10,360 Speaker 1: it's okay to be honest with God. God. You know 149 00:08:10,440 --> 00:08:12,960 Speaker 1: I'd like to see it happen today. But God, I'm 150 00:08:12,960 --> 00:08:15,720 Speaker 1: gonna trust you and believe at the right time, you 151 00:08:15,840 --> 00:08:18,480 Speaker 1: gonna bring the right person into my life. That's what 152 00:08:18,520 --> 00:08:21,560 Speaker 1: it means to trust God. Quit trying to figure it 153 00:08:21,600 --> 00:08:25,760 Speaker 1: all out, and quit resisting against everything. One of my 154 00:08:25,800 --> 00:08:29,320 Speaker 1: favorite scriptures is Romans eight twenty eight. All things work 155 00:08:29,400 --> 00:08:32,360 Speaker 1: together for good when you love the Lord. If you 156 00:08:32,400 --> 00:08:34,800 Speaker 1: can just stay in an attitude of faith, God will 157 00:08:34,880 --> 00:08:37,719 Speaker 1: cause it to work for your good. Well, Joel, these 158 00:08:37,760 --> 00:08:41,800 Speaker 1: people at work aren't treating me right. I'm uncomfortable. I 159 00:08:41,880 --> 00:08:44,719 Speaker 1: don't like it. I want to get rid of it. Now. 160 00:08:44,760 --> 00:08:47,760 Speaker 1: You know what I found. We can't pray away everything 161 00:08:47,880 --> 00:08:51,760 Speaker 1: uncomfortable in our lives. God is not gonna instantly remove 162 00:08:51,840 --> 00:08:55,840 Speaker 1: every difficulty from you. He uses those things to do 163 00:08:55,920 --> 00:08:58,840 Speaker 1: a work in us. It's in the tough times that 164 00:08:58,880 --> 00:09:02,520 Speaker 1: God develops our cas character. The fact is we don't 165 00:09:02,520 --> 00:09:05,560 Speaker 1: grow nearly as much when everything is easy. We grow 166 00:09:05,640 --> 00:09:08,440 Speaker 1: when it's difficult, and of course none of us like 167 00:09:08,559 --> 00:09:11,559 Speaker 1: being uncomfortable, but it'll help you to press through it 168 00:09:12,000 --> 00:09:14,360 Speaker 1: if you can just remember God is gonna get some 169 00:09:14,440 --> 00:09:16,480 Speaker 1: good out of that. You're gonna come out of that 170 00:09:16,600 --> 00:09:20,480 Speaker 1: stronger than before. He's getting you prepared for greater things. 171 00:09:20,760 --> 00:09:23,360 Speaker 1: But here's the whole key. You have to pass the test. 172 00:09:23,880 --> 00:09:26,920 Speaker 1: And if you're dragging around defeated and worried and negative, 173 00:09:27,360 --> 00:09:30,760 Speaker 1: trying to figure everything out and just fighting against everything 174 00:09:30,800 --> 00:09:34,800 Speaker 1: that's not going your way, then you're just prolonging that process. 175 00:09:35,400 --> 00:09:38,480 Speaker 1: You've got to recognize you are where you are for 176 00:09:38,559 --> 00:09:42,440 Speaker 1: a reason. Maybe it's because in your choices, or maybe 177 00:09:42,480 --> 00:09:45,800 Speaker 1: it's just an attack of the enemy, but whatever it is, 178 00:09:46,280 --> 00:09:49,240 Speaker 1: God will not allow anything to come into your life 179 00:09:49,440 --> 00:09:52,240 Speaker 1: unless He has a purpose for it. You may not 180 00:09:52,520 --> 00:09:55,960 Speaker 1: like it, you may be uncomfortable, but if you'll keep 181 00:09:56,000 --> 00:09:59,120 Speaker 1: the right attitude in the end, you're gonna come out 182 00:09:59,120 --> 00:10:01,880 Speaker 1: of that strong, longer and better off than you were before. 183 00:10:02,440 --> 00:10:05,720 Speaker 1: But we have to understand our faith is not going 184 00:10:05,760 --> 00:10:09,320 Speaker 1: to instantly deliver us out of every problem. Most of 185 00:10:09,360 --> 00:10:12,400 Speaker 1: the time, our faith is going to carry us through 186 00:10:12,400 --> 00:10:15,760 Speaker 1: the problem. And some of the things that you're praying 187 00:10:15,840 --> 00:10:19,320 Speaker 1: for God to remove right now. If he did, you 188 00:10:19,360 --> 00:10:22,440 Speaker 1: wouldn't be prepared for the promotion that he has in store. 189 00:10:23,080 --> 00:10:26,320 Speaker 1: He's using what you're going through to get you ready. 190 00:10:26,960 --> 00:10:29,640 Speaker 1: And so if you're not getting your way, does it 191 00:10:29,760 --> 00:10:32,959 Speaker 1: mean that God doesn't love you? If your prayers aren't 192 00:10:32,960 --> 00:10:36,160 Speaker 1: being answered in the way you want on your timetable, 193 00:10:36,600 --> 00:10:39,160 Speaker 1: doesn't mean God's probably mad at you. He's probably trying 194 00:10:39,160 --> 00:10:41,640 Speaker 1: to punish you. Now get a bigger vision than that. 195 00:10:42,280 --> 00:10:46,200 Speaker 1: Maybe it means God has something better in store. Maybe 196 00:10:46,240 --> 00:10:49,920 Speaker 1: it means he's protecting you from danger up ahead. Or 197 00:10:49,960 --> 00:10:52,320 Speaker 1: maybe God is just trying to do a work in 198 00:10:52,360 --> 00:10:54,840 Speaker 1: you so he can take you to a whole new level. 199 00:10:55,559 --> 00:10:58,800 Speaker 1: Why don't you quit resisting everything that's going on in 200 00:10:58,840 --> 00:11:02,760 Speaker 1: your life? Don't you quit fighting against everything that doesn't 201 00:11:02,800 --> 00:11:05,240 Speaker 1: go your way? Well, you say, Joey, it seems like 202 00:11:05,320 --> 00:11:08,880 Speaker 1: God never answers my prayers, He never does what I want. Well, 203 00:11:09,000 --> 00:11:12,120 Speaker 1: maybe God is answering your prayers. He's simply saying no, 204 00:11:12,880 --> 00:11:15,760 Speaker 1: or maybe he's saying it's not the right time, or 205 00:11:15,800 --> 00:11:18,440 Speaker 1: maybe he's saying, I'm not going to remove that until 206 00:11:18,440 --> 00:11:22,079 Speaker 1: you change your attitude and quit complaining about it. And 207 00:11:22,160 --> 00:11:25,840 Speaker 1: if you just make those simple adjustments, you'd see things 208 00:11:25,840 --> 00:11:29,200 Speaker 1: begin to improve. I don't know about you, but I 209 00:11:29,240 --> 00:11:32,160 Speaker 1: can look back in my life now and many times 210 00:11:32,240 --> 00:11:34,400 Speaker 1: I thank God that he didn't answer one of my 211 00:11:34,440 --> 00:11:37,160 Speaker 1: prayers because what I thought was the best for me 212 00:11:37,400 --> 00:11:40,680 Speaker 1: wasn't the best at all. And if you push and 213 00:11:40,840 --> 00:11:44,079 Speaker 1: push and try to make things happen, finally God will 214 00:11:44,160 --> 00:11:46,360 Speaker 1: let you have your way, and you'll have to learn 215 00:11:46,400 --> 00:11:49,839 Speaker 1: the hard way. And I see people that just jump 216 00:11:49,880 --> 00:11:53,559 Speaker 1: into a relationship or jump into a business. They didn't 217 00:11:53,559 --> 00:11:56,400 Speaker 1: feel good about it, but they wanted it so badly. 218 00:11:57,200 --> 00:11:59,719 Speaker 1: And friends, God is a gentleman. If you want your way, 219 00:11:59,760 --> 00:12:02,400 Speaker 1: he'll let you have your way. But most of the 220 00:12:02,400 --> 00:12:05,199 Speaker 1: time when we do that, we end up settling for 221 00:12:05,360 --> 00:12:08,520 Speaker 1: second best. And so if things are not going as 222 00:12:08,640 --> 00:12:11,600 Speaker 1: fast as you would like today, if you're not seeing 223 00:12:11,640 --> 00:12:15,680 Speaker 1: things change in your favor, just relax and learn to 224 00:12:15,679 --> 00:12:20,600 Speaker 1: trust God. Know this, God is on your side. He 225 00:12:20,679 --> 00:12:24,200 Speaker 1: is not trying to hold you back. Nobody in the 226 00:12:24,240 --> 00:12:27,559 Speaker 1: world wants you to fulfill your destiny more than Almighty God. 227 00:12:28,040 --> 00:12:30,800 Speaker 1: Nobody in the world wants you to see those dreams 228 00:12:30,840 --> 00:12:34,120 Speaker 1: come to pass than Almighty God. He's the one that 229 00:12:34,200 --> 00:12:38,880 Speaker 1: puts the dream in your heart. Learn to trust him, 230 00:12:39,200 --> 00:12:41,920 Speaker 1: let him lead you and guide you, and don't get 231 00:12:42,000 --> 00:12:45,440 Speaker 1: upset if you're not always getting your way. I really 232 00:12:45,480 --> 00:12:47,680 Speaker 1: believe one of the best prayers that we could ever 233 00:12:47,720 --> 00:12:50,960 Speaker 1: pray is God, not my will, but your will be done. 234 00:12:51,600 --> 00:12:54,400 Speaker 1: I pray it every day. God, open up the right 235 00:12:54,480 --> 00:12:58,200 Speaker 1: doors and close the wrong doors. I found. If you'll 236 00:12:58,240 --> 00:13:01,640 Speaker 1: stay open and follow your heart, God will protect you. 237 00:13:02,080 --> 00:13:06,200 Speaker 1: Says in Proverbs. If you acknowledge God in all your ways, 238 00:13:06,559 --> 00:13:11,040 Speaker 1: he will direct your pass One translation says he'll crown 239 00:13:11,200 --> 00:13:14,560 Speaker 1: your efforts with success. I know when I have a 240 00:13:14,600 --> 00:13:18,200 Speaker 1: decision to make, sometimes three or four options all look good. 241 00:13:18,240 --> 00:13:21,240 Speaker 1: And I used to really agonize over that, think, Man, 242 00:13:21,280 --> 00:13:23,520 Speaker 1: I don't know which way I should go. But now 243 00:13:23,600 --> 00:13:25,880 Speaker 1: I've learned to say, God, this is what I feel 244 00:13:25,880 --> 00:13:28,520 Speaker 1: good about, this is what I think is best for me, 245 00:13:29,200 --> 00:13:33,440 Speaker 1: And I believe God, because I am acknowledging you, You're 246 00:13:33,440 --> 00:13:37,319 Speaker 1: going to direct my past. The scripture talks about because 247 00:13:37,440 --> 00:13:40,640 Speaker 1: of the integrity of our hearts, God will keep us 248 00:13:40,640 --> 00:13:43,760 Speaker 1: from making a mistake. That means he'll close the wrong 249 00:13:43,840 --> 00:13:47,000 Speaker 1: doors and he'll open the right doors. And so if 250 00:13:47,000 --> 00:13:49,880 Speaker 1: you're acknowledging God today, and I believe you are. You 251 00:13:49,920 --> 00:13:52,120 Speaker 1: wouldn't be here, you wouldn't be tuned in if you're 252 00:13:52,120 --> 00:13:55,600 Speaker 1: doing your best to keep God first and things aren't 253 00:13:55,600 --> 00:13:59,400 Speaker 1: going your way, something's not changing, your prayers aren't being answered. 254 00:13:59,440 --> 00:14:02,680 Speaker 1: Don't get up set. Know that God is in control. 255 00:14:03,280 --> 00:14:06,280 Speaker 1: You may not understand it, but God's ways are not 256 00:14:06,440 --> 00:14:10,560 Speaker 1: our ways. Dare to trust him, dare to believe that 257 00:14:10,679 --> 00:14:14,880 Speaker 1: He knows exactly what's best for you. I remember a 258 00:14:14,880 --> 00:14:17,960 Speaker 1: few months ago myself and some of our staff members 259 00:14:17,960 --> 00:14:20,920 Speaker 1: were flying to another city. We were on this smaller 260 00:14:21,000 --> 00:14:23,840 Speaker 1: plane and it only had one seat on each side 261 00:14:23,880 --> 00:14:26,680 Speaker 1: of the aisle, And after we took off, I wanted 262 00:14:26,720 --> 00:14:28,920 Speaker 1: to get my trade table out so I could make 263 00:14:28,960 --> 00:14:31,840 Speaker 1: some notes. And the trade table on this particular plane 264 00:14:32,080 --> 00:14:34,920 Speaker 1: came right out of the side underneath my window. There 265 00:14:34,960 --> 00:14:37,160 Speaker 1: was a little sign here that said pull, and so 266 00:14:37,240 --> 00:14:40,320 Speaker 1: I pulled and pulled and pulled, but I couldn't get 267 00:14:40,320 --> 00:14:42,800 Speaker 1: it open. It was stuck. And my friend Johnny was 268 00:14:42,840 --> 00:14:45,840 Speaker 1: sitting across the way, and I went over to his seat, 269 00:14:45,880 --> 00:14:48,720 Speaker 1: and his window looked exactly like mine, and he pulled 270 00:14:48,720 --> 00:14:51,040 Speaker 1: his trade table right out, and so I went back 271 00:14:51,040 --> 00:14:54,280 Speaker 1: to mine, and I yanked, and I struggled and I pulled. 272 00:14:54,440 --> 00:14:56,400 Speaker 1: I thought, I'm gonna get this trade table out. It's 273 00:14:56,440 --> 00:14:58,520 Speaker 1: the last thing I ever do. So I just pulled 274 00:14:58,520 --> 00:15:02,200 Speaker 1: and pulled and still wouldn't come. Johnny got that time. 275 00:15:02,240 --> 00:15:04,680 Speaker 1: He came over and he's pretty strong, not as strong 276 00:15:04,720 --> 00:15:07,640 Speaker 1: as me, but he started pulling and pulling. He couldn't 277 00:15:07,640 --> 00:15:09,920 Speaker 1: get it out either. One of our other staff members. 278 00:15:09,920 --> 00:15:12,440 Speaker 1: They came over and for enagled with it. They couldn't 279 00:15:12,440 --> 00:15:14,800 Speaker 1: get it. And finally I just sat down across the 280 00:15:14,800 --> 00:15:17,080 Speaker 1: way and it just so happened that I looked up 281 00:15:17,280 --> 00:15:19,960 Speaker 1: and right above that window where we had been pulling, 282 00:15:20,080 --> 00:15:22,640 Speaker 1: there was a little sign, and in big bold letters, 283 00:15:22,680 --> 00:15:27,040 Speaker 1: it said, no trade table, this seat emergency exit only. 284 00:15:28,960 --> 00:15:31,440 Speaker 1: I said, Dear God, thank you for not letting me 285 00:15:31,520 --> 00:15:35,960 Speaker 1: have my way, thank you for not opening up that door. 286 00:15:37,880 --> 00:15:41,400 Speaker 1: And thank goodness the people that designed that knew there'd 287 00:15:41,440 --> 00:15:43,920 Speaker 1: be people like me on board, because they put a 288 00:15:44,000 --> 00:15:46,120 Speaker 1: latch up talk where you had to use both hands. 289 00:15:46,480 --> 00:15:48,480 Speaker 1: If not, that would have been the last thing that 290 00:15:48,520 --> 00:15:52,440 Speaker 1: I ever did. But sometimes we're just like that. God 291 00:15:52,520 --> 00:15:55,400 Speaker 1: give it to me. I gotta have it my way, God, 292 00:15:55,480 --> 00:15:57,720 Speaker 1: or I'm not going to be happy. No, you may 293 00:15:57,800 --> 00:15:59,960 Speaker 1: end up nearly flying out the window like I do. 294 00:16:01,400 --> 00:16:05,280 Speaker 1: Thank God he knows what's best for us. Thank God 295 00:16:05,360 --> 00:16:08,360 Speaker 1: that he's merciful and he doesn't always give us our way. 296 00:16:09,360 --> 00:16:12,880 Speaker 1: And I've learned. I've learned now that when my prayers 297 00:16:12,880 --> 00:16:15,760 Speaker 1: aren't being an answer to, when things aren't happening as 298 00:16:15,800 --> 00:16:18,720 Speaker 1: fast as I would like, that either means that God 299 00:16:18,800 --> 00:16:21,720 Speaker 1: is protecting me from danger up ahead, or it's not 300 00:16:21,840 --> 00:16:25,320 Speaker 1: the right time, or God has something better in store. 301 00:16:25,880 --> 00:16:30,040 Speaker 1: Don't be hard headed, don't fight against everything. It's funny, 302 00:16:30,040 --> 00:16:32,280 Speaker 1: this lady told me the other day. She went back 303 00:16:32,320 --> 00:16:35,720 Speaker 1: to her twenty five year high school reunion, and she 304 00:16:35,760 --> 00:16:38,720 Speaker 1: couldn't wait to see this old boyfriend. This guy she 305 00:16:38,720 --> 00:16:44,880 Speaker 1: had dated in high school. He was the star football player, strong, tall, dark, handsome. 306 00:16:45,080 --> 00:16:48,520 Speaker 1: Everybody loved this guy. But when he went away to college, 307 00:16:48,640 --> 00:16:50,840 Speaker 1: he broke it off with this young lady and she 308 00:16:51,000 --> 00:16:54,320 Speaker 1: was so heartbroken. Back then, she was so devastated. She 309 00:16:54,480 --> 00:16:57,000 Speaker 1: just didn't think she could ever live without him. But 310 00:16:57,080 --> 00:17:00,600 Speaker 1: twenty five years later, when he walked into this high 311 00:17:00,640 --> 00:17:03,440 Speaker 1: school reunion, she said, Joe, he didn't look like the 312 00:17:03,480 --> 00:17:07,760 Speaker 1: star football player. He looked more like the football. He 313 00:17:07,840 --> 00:17:11,080 Speaker 1: had gone from being mister Macho to being mister couch potato. 314 00:17:11,160 --> 00:17:13,439 Speaker 1: And she said, thank you, Lord, you knew what you 315 00:17:13,520 --> 00:17:17,239 Speaker 1: were doing. But ladies, quit looking at your husband. I'm 316 00:17:17,280 --> 00:17:22,119 Speaker 1: not talking about that man. Your husband is tall, dark 317 00:17:22,160 --> 00:17:27,200 Speaker 1: and handsome by faith anyway. But God knows what's best 318 00:17:27,240 --> 00:17:29,920 Speaker 1: for each one of us. Let's learn to trust him. 319 00:17:30,520 --> 00:17:33,440 Speaker 1: And when disappointments come, and they come to every one 320 00:17:33,480 --> 00:17:36,440 Speaker 1: of us, when our plans don't work out, when things 321 00:17:36,560 --> 00:17:39,800 Speaker 1: don't go our way, know this, God still has you 322 00:17:39,920 --> 00:17:42,600 Speaker 1: in the palm of his hand. Well, you say, Joe, 323 00:17:42,720 --> 00:17:46,000 Speaker 1: my coworker got the promotion I was praying for and 324 00:17:46,080 --> 00:17:48,800 Speaker 1: I got more experienced than they do. Well, that must 325 00:17:48,840 --> 00:17:51,439 Speaker 1: mean God has something better in store for you. But 326 00:17:51,480 --> 00:17:53,760 Speaker 1: you've got to pass the test. You've got to be 327 00:17:53,840 --> 00:17:55,479 Speaker 1: happy for him. You've got to keep a smile on 328 00:17:55,520 --> 00:17:58,720 Speaker 1: your face. Well, my neighbor just bought a brand new home. 329 00:17:58,800 --> 00:18:01,119 Speaker 1: They never come to church. I come every Sunday, I 330 00:18:01,160 --> 00:18:03,840 Speaker 1: give in every offering. That's not fair. No, keep your 331 00:18:03,840 --> 00:18:06,640 Speaker 1: head held high, knowing that your day is coming. God 332 00:18:06,720 --> 00:18:10,000 Speaker 1: is keeping the records. Then due season you shall reap. 333 00:18:10,280 --> 00:18:13,080 Speaker 1: If you just don't fink but some of you today 334 00:18:13,119 --> 00:18:16,840 Speaker 1: you're living so frustrated because you're fighting against everything that 335 00:18:16,880 --> 00:18:20,280 Speaker 1: doesn't go your way. You need to just relax, lighten up, 336 00:18:20,600 --> 00:18:23,840 Speaker 1: and take the pressure off yourself. The Bible says in 337 00:18:23,920 --> 00:18:28,200 Speaker 1: Romans that joy and peace are found in believing. When 338 00:18:28,200 --> 00:18:31,160 Speaker 1: you get frustrated, when you lose your peace, first thing 339 00:18:31,200 --> 00:18:34,440 Speaker 1: you need to do is check up on your believing. Well, 340 00:18:34,480 --> 00:18:36,960 Speaker 1: nothing good ever happens to me. I don't think I'll 341 00:18:37,000 --> 00:18:39,159 Speaker 1: ever get married. I hadn't had a date in ten years. 342 00:18:39,440 --> 00:18:41,240 Speaker 1: I don't think I'll ever get out of debt. Joel 343 00:18:41,480 --> 00:18:44,720 Speaker 1: no quit dwelling on that jump. Believe that God's in control. 344 00:18:45,200 --> 00:18:48,560 Speaker 1: Believe that he's going to turn that situation. Believe that 345 00:18:48,800 --> 00:18:51,399 Speaker 1: all things are going to work together for your good. 346 00:18:52,480 --> 00:18:54,600 Speaker 1: I know. The first year I went away to college, 347 00:18:54,840 --> 00:18:57,679 Speaker 1: I applied at the university to get a job at 348 00:18:57,720 --> 00:19:02,080 Speaker 1: the television studio. They had this big production facility, was 349 00:19:02,200 --> 00:19:04,520 Speaker 1: very well known and I'd always wanted to be a 350 00:19:04,560 --> 00:19:07,560 Speaker 1: part of it. That was my passion television production. And 351 00:19:07,600 --> 00:19:10,000 Speaker 1: so the first week I went and met with the 352 00:19:10,000 --> 00:19:13,760 Speaker 1: production manager. He was in charge of all the cameramen 353 00:19:13,880 --> 00:19:16,560 Speaker 1: and hiring all the assistance, and at that point. I 354 00:19:16,600 --> 00:19:19,480 Speaker 1: had several years of camera experience, and he was the 355 00:19:19,600 --> 00:19:21,800 Speaker 1: nicest man in the world. He went out of his 356 00:19:21,880 --> 00:19:23,800 Speaker 1: way to be kind to me and took a couple 357 00:19:23,800 --> 00:19:26,280 Speaker 1: of hours to show me around. We seemed to really 358 00:19:26,320 --> 00:19:28,679 Speaker 1: hit it off, but when it came time for me 359 00:19:28,720 --> 00:19:31,040 Speaker 1: to leave, he said, Joel, i'll call you later this 360 00:19:31,119 --> 00:19:33,800 Speaker 1: week and i'll let you know about the job. Well, 361 00:19:33,800 --> 00:19:35,640 Speaker 1: that week went by and I didn't hear from him. 362 00:19:36,040 --> 00:19:39,080 Speaker 1: The next week, nothing, the next week, still nothing, and 363 00:19:39,119 --> 00:19:42,520 Speaker 1: so finally I called him and he was always either 364 00:19:42,600 --> 00:19:46,000 Speaker 1: busy or out of town. It was the strangest thing. 365 00:19:46,440 --> 00:19:49,159 Speaker 1: I didn't think I would have any problem getting that job, 366 00:19:49,400 --> 00:19:52,160 Speaker 1: but the door just wasn't opening, and I wanted it 367 00:19:52,240 --> 00:19:55,680 Speaker 1: so badly, but I could see it just wasn't meant 368 00:19:55,720 --> 00:19:59,239 Speaker 1: to be. And finally I just accepted it. I just 369 00:19:59,480 --> 00:20:01,679 Speaker 1: embraced and I thought, no big deal, I'm just going 370 00:20:01,760 --> 00:20:04,919 Speaker 1: to let it go. And do you know, looking back now, 371 00:20:05,440 --> 00:20:09,359 Speaker 1: I realized that if I had taken that position, I 372 00:20:09,400 --> 00:20:12,200 Speaker 1: don't think I would have ever been open to coming 373 00:20:12,240 --> 00:20:15,440 Speaker 1: back to Lakewood to start a television outreach. I know 374 00:20:15,560 --> 00:20:17,960 Speaker 1: my personality. I would have been so caught up in 375 00:20:18,000 --> 00:20:21,040 Speaker 1: the excitement I would have loved it so much. I'm 376 00:20:21,080 --> 00:20:24,040 Speaker 1: sure I just would have stayed right there. But see, 377 00:20:24,160 --> 00:20:27,520 Speaker 1: God knows what's best for us. And even though that 378 00:20:27,600 --> 00:20:29,760 Speaker 1: looked great to me at the time, even though I 379 00:20:29,880 --> 00:20:33,159 Speaker 1: was disappointed, I didn't know where God was taking me. 380 00:20:33,480 --> 00:20:36,399 Speaker 1: I didn't know what God had in store. And too 381 00:20:36,520 --> 00:20:40,200 Speaker 1: often we're shortsighted. All we can see is a little 382 00:20:40,240 --> 00:20:43,000 Speaker 1: ways down the road. But God can see the big picture. 383 00:20:43,720 --> 00:20:45,920 Speaker 1: He knows when something's going to be a dead end. 384 00:20:46,520 --> 00:20:49,800 Speaker 1: He knows when something's going to be a distraction that 385 00:20:49,880 --> 00:20:53,639 Speaker 1: will hinder us from our destiny. Now, I'm convinced some 386 00:20:53,760 --> 00:20:56,680 Speaker 1: of the things that you're frustrated about right now, you'll 387 00:20:56,680 --> 00:20:59,399 Speaker 1: look back ten years from now like I did, and 388 00:20:59,440 --> 00:21:01,919 Speaker 1: you'll think God for not answering that prayer, or for 389 00:21:02,000 --> 00:21:04,800 Speaker 1: not opening up that door. You may not be able 390 00:21:04,840 --> 00:21:07,280 Speaker 1: to see it right now, but that's what faith is 391 00:21:07,320 --> 00:21:10,560 Speaker 1: all about. Why don't you trust God? Why don't you 392 00:21:10,640 --> 00:21:13,119 Speaker 1: believe that He's got you in the palm of his hand. 393 00:21:13,920 --> 00:21:16,679 Speaker 1: And know this, When it comes time for God to 394 00:21:16,720 --> 00:21:20,040 Speaker 1: open a door, no man can keep it shut. No 395 00:21:20,240 --> 00:21:24,240 Speaker 1: obstacle is too high. Your enemies may be powerful, but 396 00:21:24,320 --> 00:21:27,360 Speaker 1: our God is all powerful, and when God says it's 397 00:21:27,359 --> 00:21:30,879 Speaker 1: time to promote you, you're gonna be promoted. And the 398 00:21:30,920 --> 00:21:33,960 Speaker 1: good news is it's not gonna be one second late. 399 00:21:34,760 --> 00:21:38,800 Speaker 1: Suddenly God can turn any situation around. Suddenly, God can 400 00:21:38,840 --> 00:21:41,880 Speaker 1: cause a door to open. All it takes is one 401 00:21:41,960 --> 00:21:45,200 Speaker 1: touch of God's favor, and our attitude should be I'm 402 00:21:45,200 --> 00:21:48,879 Speaker 1: not gonna live upset and frustrated. I know that everything 403 00:21:49,080 --> 00:21:51,600 Speaker 1: is gonna be all right. I know that in the end, 404 00:21:51,880 --> 00:21:55,199 Speaker 1: it's all going to work out to my advantage. I 405 00:21:55,240 --> 00:21:57,640 Speaker 1: know some of you right now you're going through very 406 00:21:57,640 --> 00:22:02,240 Speaker 1: difficult times, but just remember God has promised he'll never 407 00:22:02,359 --> 00:22:05,600 Speaker 1: let you go through more than you can handle. When 408 00:22:05,640 --> 00:22:08,200 Speaker 1: you said, Joel, I don't understand why this has happened 409 00:22:08,240 --> 00:22:11,400 Speaker 1: to me. I don't understand why my prayers haven't been answered. 410 00:22:11,640 --> 00:22:14,399 Speaker 1: Why did I get sick? Why did my marriage not last? 411 00:22:15,160 --> 00:22:17,919 Speaker 1: Let me tell you something important. Quit trying to figure 412 00:22:17,960 --> 00:22:21,560 Speaker 1: out why some things you're never going to understand. If 413 00:22:21,600 --> 00:22:23,639 Speaker 1: you're always trying to figure it out, it's just going 414 00:22:23,680 --> 00:22:27,399 Speaker 1: to bring frustration and confusion. Learn to just go with 415 00:22:27,480 --> 00:22:30,280 Speaker 1: the flow and know this. As long as you're doing 416 00:22:30,320 --> 00:22:33,160 Speaker 1: your best, as long as you're keeping your heart pure 417 00:22:33,200 --> 00:22:36,959 Speaker 1: before God. You're exactly where you're supposed to be. It 418 00:22:37,000 --> 00:22:39,119 Speaker 1: may not be easy, but in the end, God's going 419 00:22:39,160 --> 00:22:41,679 Speaker 1: to use it to your advantage. And a part of 420 00:22:41,720 --> 00:22:45,320 Speaker 1: faith is trusting God even when we don't understand it. 421 00:22:46,160 --> 00:22:48,040 Speaker 1: I talked to a good friend of mine this week. 422 00:22:48,440 --> 00:22:51,479 Speaker 1: He just found out that he has cancer, and I 423 00:22:51,520 --> 00:22:53,879 Speaker 1: called him to encourage him, and I thought he'd be 424 00:22:53,960 --> 00:22:58,160 Speaker 1: all down and depressed, but I was pleasantly surprised. He said, no, Joel, 425 00:22:58,440 --> 00:23:02,000 Speaker 1: I'm at peace like this, but I know that God 426 00:23:02,080 --> 00:23:04,600 Speaker 1: is still in control, and I believe in my heart 427 00:23:04,640 --> 00:23:06,600 Speaker 1: of hearts that He's going to bring me through with 428 00:23:06,640 --> 00:23:10,840 Speaker 1: the victory. See, even in your times of great difficulty, 429 00:23:11,200 --> 00:23:13,960 Speaker 1: even if the bottom falls out, you don't have to 430 00:23:14,000 --> 00:23:17,840 Speaker 1: be distraught and let yourself get all worked up. You know, 431 00:23:18,040 --> 00:23:20,960 Speaker 1: staying in peace in the midst of the storm is 432 00:23:21,000 --> 00:23:25,840 Speaker 1: spiritual warfare. Sometimes we think we've always got to be praying, resisting, 433 00:23:26,119 --> 00:23:29,080 Speaker 1: quoting scriptures every minute, and of course there's nothing wrong 434 00:23:29,119 --> 00:23:34,240 Speaker 1: with that, but really just remaining at rest, remaining in peace, 435 00:23:34,359 --> 00:23:37,320 Speaker 1: keeping your joy, keeping a smile on your face, that's 436 00:23:37,400 --> 00:23:40,040 Speaker 1: all a part of fighting the good fight of faith. 437 00:23:40,880 --> 00:23:43,240 Speaker 1: If you're in a situation like that today, let me 438 00:23:43,320 --> 00:23:47,320 Speaker 1: just encourage you. God is still in control of your life. 439 00:23:47,400 --> 00:23:51,480 Speaker 1: He made your body. Don't sit around depressed and discouraged. 440 00:23:51,840 --> 00:23:55,359 Speaker 1: Your attitude should be God, I'm trusting you. I know 441 00:23:55,480 --> 00:23:58,200 Speaker 1: you can do what men can't do, and I'm committing 442 00:23:58,240 --> 00:24:01,320 Speaker 1: my life into your hands. And that's the kind of 443 00:24:01,320 --> 00:24:03,879 Speaker 1: people that God is looking for. People that have a 444 00:24:04,000 --> 00:24:07,359 Speaker 1: made up mind, people that say, God, I'm gonna trust 445 00:24:07,400 --> 00:24:09,720 Speaker 1: you if I get my way or if I don't 446 00:24:09,720 --> 00:24:12,159 Speaker 1: get my way. God, I'm gonna trust you in the 447 00:24:12,200 --> 00:24:15,120 Speaker 1: good times, and I'm gonna trust you in the tough times. 448 00:24:15,640 --> 00:24:18,760 Speaker 1: Like those three Hebrew teenagers back in the Old Testament, 449 00:24:19,200 --> 00:24:22,080 Speaker 1: they wouldn't bow down to the king's golden idol, and 450 00:24:22,119 --> 00:24:24,480 Speaker 1: the king got so upset he was about to throw 451 00:24:24,520 --> 00:24:27,880 Speaker 1: them into the fiery furnace. And I love their attitude. 452 00:24:28,040 --> 00:24:30,879 Speaker 1: They said, King, we're not worried about it. We know 453 00:24:31,200 --> 00:24:34,760 Speaker 1: that our God will deliver us, but even if he doesn't, 454 00:24:34,920 --> 00:24:39,359 Speaker 1: we're still not gonna bow down. Notice they embraced the 455 00:24:39,440 --> 00:24:42,960 Speaker 1: place where they were, even though it was difficult, even 456 00:24:43,000 --> 00:24:45,679 Speaker 1: though they didn't like it. And I'm asking you to 457 00:24:45,720 --> 00:24:49,880 Speaker 1: do the same thing today. Quit living frustrated because your 458 00:24:49,920 --> 00:24:52,119 Speaker 1: prayers didn't get answered in the way you want it. 459 00:24:52,640 --> 00:24:55,440 Speaker 1: Quit being depressed because you're not as far in your 460 00:24:55,520 --> 00:24:58,200 Speaker 1: career as you'd hoped, or because you have a problem 461 00:24:58,200 --> 00:25:00,720 Speaker 1: in your marriage or in your finances. No, just keep 462 00:25:00,760 --> 00:25:05,880 Speaker 1: pressing forward, keep your joy, keep your enthusiasm. You may 463 00:25:05,920 --> 00:25:08,600 Speaker 1: not be exactly where you'd hope to be, but know this, 464 00:25:08,920 --> 00:25:11,679 Speaker 1: God is still in control of your life, and as 465 00:25:11,760 --> 00:25:14,960 Speaker 1: long as you keep passing that test, all the forces 466 00:25:15,000 --> 00:25:19,440 Speaker 1: of darkness cannot keep you from fulfilling your God given destiny. 467 00:25:19,560 --> 00:25:21,879 Speaker 1: And some of you today you can go out of 468 00:25:21,880 --> 00:25:24,720 Speaker 1: here with a heavy burden lifted off of you. You 469 00:25:24,760 --> 00:25:28,480 Speaker 1: don't have to fight and struggle all the time trying 470 00:25:28,480 --> 00:25:32,679 Speaker 1: to change everybody and change everything. No, just embrace the 471 00:25:32,720 --> 00:25:36,720 Speaker 1: place where you are. God is in control, He's doing 472 00:25:36,720 --> 00:25:40,160 Speaker 1: a work in you. He's guiding you, he's directing you. 473 00:25:40,520 --> 00:25:43,679 Speaker 1: Why don't you take the pressure off yourself. Don't be 474 00:25:43,840 --> 00:25:48,000 Speaker 1: like a chicken that goes around working all the time, pecking, 475 00:25:48,280 --> 00:25:51,399 Speaker 1: flapping and flapping, but never getting off the ground. Be 476 00:25:51,560 --> 00:25:55,320 Speaker 1: like an ego. An ego doesn't struggle, an ego doesn't 477 00:25:55,359 --> 00:25:59,040 Speaker 1: get frustrated, and ego just puts his wings out and 478 00:25:59,119 --> 00:26:02,480 Speaker 1: he catches the thort normal winds and he begins to soar. 479 00:26:03,200 --> 00:26:06,520 Speaker 1: If the winds aren't there, he waits. He doesn't try 480 00:26:06,560 --> 00:26:08,840 Speaker 1: to make things happen. He knows how to just go 481 00:26:08,920 --> 00:26:12,200 Speaker 1: with the flow. And if that eagle encounters a storm, 482 00:26:12,560 --> 00:26:14,880 Speaker 1: he doesn't get frustrated and try to fight his way 483 00:26:14,920 --> 00:26:17,760 Speaker 1: through it. You know what he does. He goes up higher. 484 00:26:18,160 --> 00:26:21,679 Speaker 1: He rises above it. If you're in a storm today, 485 00:26:21,880 --> 00:26:24,640 Speaker 1: if you're facing difficulties, the words you need to hear 486 00:26:24,920 --> 00:26:28,280 Speaker 1: is rise above it. Quit fighting it. Quit trying to 487 00:26:28,359 --> 00:26:31,120 Speaker 1: change things that only God can change. Go up higher, 488 00:26:31,680 --> 00:26:35,080 Speaker 1: Get your peace back, get your joy back. Believe that 489 00:26:35,119 --> 00:26:38,200 Speaker 1: God's in control. Believe that he's going to turn it around. 490 00:26:38,400 --> 00:26:41,960 Speaker 1: Believe that He's got a great plan for your life. Friends, 491 00:26:41,960 --> 00:26:44,520 Speaker 1: if you'll learn to embrace the place where you are 492 00:26:44,760 --> 00:26:47,639 Speaker 1: and not always be fighting and struggling, then you'll be 493 00:26:47,840 --> 00:26:50,600 Speaker 1: like that eagle. If you'll just enter into God's rest, 494 00:26:50,800 --> 00:26:54,400 Speaker 1: you'll rise higher, you'll overcome every obstacle, and you'll live 495 00:26:54,440 --> 00:26:57,199 Speaker 1: that life of victory that God has in store. Amen, 496 00:26:57,400 --> 00:26:59,680 Speaker 1: do you receive it today? I know you do. 497 00:27:00,920 --> 00:27:01,040 Speaker 2: Well. 498 00:27:01,080 --> 00:27:03,760 Speaker 1: We'd never like to close our broadcast without giving you 499 00:27:03,800 --> 00:27:06,760 Speaker 1: an opportunity to make Jesus the lord of your life. 500 00:27:07,000 --> 00:27:11,000 Speaker 1: Would you pray with me, Just say, Lord, Jesus, I 501 00:27:11,119 --> 00:27:15,640 Speaker 1: repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I make 502 00:27:15,680 --> 00:27:18,960 Speaker 1: you my Lord and savior. Friends, if you prayed that 503 00:27:19,080 --> 00:27:22,159 Speaker 1: simple prayer, we believe you got born again. Get in 504 00:27:22,200 --> 00:27:25,440 Speaker 1: a good Bible based church. Keep God first place. He's 505 00:27:25,480 --> 00:27:27,679 Speaker 1: going to take your places that you've never dreamed of. 506 00:27:29,560 --> 00:27:32,680 Speaker 2: Three minutes can such a small amount of time make 507 00:27:32,720 --> 00:27:36,240 Speaker 2: a big difference to your day? To turn worry into confidence, 508 00:27:36,600 --> 00:27:41,400 Speaker 2: frustration to hope, defeat to victory. Maybe you just need 509 00:27:41,440 --> 00:27:42,399 Speaker 2: a boost of faith. 510 00:27:42,960 --> 00:27:45,879 Speaker 1: When we put God first place and get our thinking 511 00:27:46,000 --> 00:27:48,919 Speaker 1: in line with his, even a small seed of time 512 00:27:49,160 --> 00:27:51,920 Speaker 1: can make a huge difference. We have a new resource 513 00:27:52,000 --> 00:27:55,320 Speaker 1: called three minute Mornings. Start your day the blessed way. 514 00:27:56,000 --> 00:27:58,840 Speaker 1: My challenge is when you wake up, before you leave 515 00:27:58,880 --> 00:28:02,200 Speaker 1: the house, take three minutes to speak blessings over your 516 00:28:02,240 --> 00:28:05,640 Speaker 1: life and to declare God's favor. Get your mind going 517 00:28:05,760 --> 00:28:08,879 Speaker 1: in the right direction. When you do that, you're setting 518 00:28:08,880 --> 00:28:11,640 Speaker 1: yourself up for a blessed, victorious day. 519 00:28:12,359 --> 00:28:14,639 Speaker 2: As our way of saying thank you for your gift 520 00:28:14,680 --> 00:28:17,359 Speaker 2: of any size to the ministry, this month, Joel and 521 00:28:17,480 --> 00:28:20,800 Speaker 2: Victoria would like to send you this just released, life 522 00:28:20,840 --> 00:28:24,719 Speaker 2: giving new daily devotional. Before your feet hit the ground 523 00:28:24,920 --> 00:28:27,720 Speaker 2: or go out the door, have your heart experience a 524 00:28:27,800 --> 00:28:30,679 Speaker 2: bit of heaven, set your mind on the things above 525 00:28:30,920 --> 00:28:34,320 Speaker 2: with our new three Minute Mornings devotional. With this new 526 00:28:34,520 --> 00:28:38,040 Speaker 2: three hundred and sixty five day devotional, three Minute Mornings, 527 00:28:38,280 --> 00:28:42,240 Speaker 2: You'll experience God showering down his favor like never before. 528 00:28:42,880 --> 00:28:45,680 Speaker 2: You'll focus on the better that is coming and fully 529 00:28:45,720 --> 00:28:48,800 Speaker 2: realize the freedom of not worrying about tomorrow. 530 00:28:49,440 --> 00:28:52,360 Speaker 1: Victoria, I pray for you and your family every day. 531 00:28:52,880 --> 00:28:55,760 Speaker 1: Thank you so much for your prayer and support. You're 532 00:28:55,760 --> 00:28:58,840 Speaker 1: making a difference all over the world. Remember you can 533 00:28:58,880 --> 00:29:02,600 Speaker 1: watch the services on line every Sunday morning, download our 534 00:29:02,680 --> 00:29:07,120 Speaker 1: daily podcast, listen on Sirius XM. But until we meet again, 535 00:29:07,520 --> 00:29:09,440 Speaker 1: met the Lord bless you and keep you. 536 00:29:09,960 --> 00:29:13,120 Speaker 2: Be sure to request your copy of three Minute Mornings today. 537 00:29:13,440 --> 00:29:17,120 Speaker 2: Visit Joelostein dot com or call eight eight eight five 538 00:29:17,200 --> 00:29:17,760 Speaker 2: six seven. 539 00:29:18,000 --> 00:29:18,280 Speaker 1: Joel