1 00:00:00,540 --> 00:00:02,740 Speaker 1: It's another great day to be alive, and we are 2 00:00:02,779 --> 00:00:05,400 Speaker 1: so blessed to be here with you today, Victoria, my 3 00:00:05,420 --> 00:00:08,020 Speaker 1: beautiful wife, and we're just praying for you guys to 4 00:00:08,060 --> 00:00:11,139 Speaker 1: have a blessed summer. I sure hope you enjoy the podcast. 5 00:00:11,280 --> 00:00:14,580 Speaker 1: I know I always enjoy these messages. They're so uplifting 6 00:00:14,620 --> 00:00:17,860 Speaker 1: and encouraging and inspiring, so we hope you enjoy the 7 00:00:17,900 --> 00:00:21,180 Speaker 1: message today. Well, God bless you. It's always a joy 8 00:00:21,220 --> 00:00:23,520 Speaker 1: to come into your homes, and if you're ever in 9 00:00:23,579 --> 00:00:26,480 Speaker 1: our area, please stop by and see us. These are 10 00:00:26,500 --> 00:00:29,240 Speaker 1: the finest people in all of Houston, Texas, right here 11 00:00:29,260 --> 00:00:32,320 Speaker 1: at Lakewood Church. I promise you, we will make you 12 00:00:32,380 --> 00:00:35,339 Speaker 1: feel right at home. But thanks for tuning in. Thank 13 00:00:35,360 --> 00:00:37,540 Speaker 1: you again for coming out. I'd like to start with 14 00:00:37,580 --> 00:00:41,300 Speaker 1: something funny. I heard about this Southern Baptist man named Bill. 15 00:00:41,880 --> 00:00:44,769 Speaker 1: He loved to sneak off to the horse races and bet. 16 00:00:45,550 --> 00:00:48,089 Speaker 1: One day after losing almost all of his money, he 17 00:00:48,170 --> 00:00:51,690 Speaker 1: noticed a priest step down on the tracks and bless 18 00:00:51,729 --> 00:00:55,350 Speaker 1: a horse. Sure enough, the horse won first place. The 19 00:00:55,390 --> 00:00:58,370 Speaker 1: next race, the priest blessed another horse. Once again, that 20 00:00:58,430 --> 00:01:01,529 Speaker 1: horse won. So Bill went to the ATM machine, took 21 00:01:01,590 --> 00:01:04,580 Speaker 1: out all of his money. This time, the priest not 22 00:01:04,680 --> 00:01:08,020 Speaker 1: only touched the horse's forehead, but his eyes, his ears, 23 00:01:08,080 --> 00:01:11,360 Speaker 1: and all of his hooves. Feeling confident, Bill bet all 24 00:01:11,380 --> 00:01:14,380 Speaker 1: of his money. But right in the middle of the race, 25 00:01:14,580 --> 00:01:18,070 Speaker 1: the horse fell over and died. Bill couldn't believe it. 26 00:01:18,750 --> 00:01:20,650 Speaker 1: Went to the priest and said, what in the world happened? 27 00:01:21,050 --> 00:01:24,089 Speaker 1: The priest said, that's the problem with you Protestants. You 28 00:01:24,130 --> 00:01:27,130 Speaker 1: don't know the difference between a blessing and the last rites. 29 00:01:29,130 --> 00:01:31,459 Speaker 1: Hold up your Bible. Say it like you mean it. 30 00:01:31,950 --> 00:01:34,720 Speaker 1: This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. 31 00:01:35,300 --> 00:01:37,580 Speaker 1: I have what it says I have. I can do 32 00:01:37,620 --> 00:01:40,039 Speaker 1: what it says I can do. Today, I will be 33 00:01:40,080 --> 00:01:43,779 Speaker 1: taught the Word of God. I boldly confess my mind 34 00:01:43,860 --> 00:01:47,000 Speaker 1: is alert. My heart is receptive. I will never be 35 00:01:47,060 --> 00:01:51,880 Speaker 1: the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. I want 36 00:01:51,900 --> 00:01:55,800 Speaker 1: to talk to you today about taking control of your happiness. 37 00:01:56,830 --> 00:02:00,460 Speaker 1: Some people are sacrificing their own happiness to try to 38 00:02:00,500 --> 00:02:03,700 Speaker 1: keep everyone around them happy. They've got to stop by 39 00:02:03,720 --> 00:02:06,680 Speaker 1: a friend's house to say hello. If not, they may 40 00:02:06,700 --> 00:02:10,660 Speaker 1: get upset. They've got to work late every night. If not, 41 00:02:10,840 --> 00:02:13,600 Speaker 1: the boss may be unhappy. They've got to loan this 42 00:02:13,639 --> 00:02:17,200 Speaker 1: friend money. They're in trouble again. If they don't meet 43 00:02:17,440 --> 00:02:22,210 Speaker 1: all these demands, rescue this person and keep this person fixed, 44 00:02:22,690 --> 00:02:26,350 Speaker 1: solve this person's problem, then they'll fall out of somebody's 45 00:02:26,370 --> 00:02:30,690 Speaker 1: good grace. Somebody won't understand. But God did not call 46 00:02:30,750 --> 00:02:35,560 Speaker 1: you to keep everyone happy. It's good to be loving, kind, generous, 47 00:02:35,880 --> 00:02:39,300 Speaker 1: but you are not responsible for other people's happiness. You 48 00:02:39,360 --> 00:02:43,100 Speaker 1: are responsible to keep yourself happy. Well, Joel, if I 49 00:02:43,200 --> 00:02:46,160 Speaker 1: don't loan them the money, if I don't bail them 50 00:02:46,260 --> 00:02:49,240 Speaker 1: out again for the 12th time, they may get upset 51 00:02:49,280 --> 00:02:53,100 Speaker 1: with me. maybe it's time for them to be unhappy 52 00:02:53,540 --> 00:02:57,160 Speaker 1: instead of you to be unhappy. If they get upset, 53 00:02:57,660 --> 00:03:02,870 Speaker 1: they're not friends, they're manipulators. Your time is too valuable 54 00:03:03,150 --> 00:03:06,850 Speaker 1: to go through life letting people control you, make you 55 00:03:06,889 --> 00:03:09,590 Speaker 1: feel guilty if you don't come running every time they call. 56 00:03:10,370 --> 00:03:13,669 Speaker 1: The easy thing is to just give in and bail 57 00:03:13,730 --> 00:03:17,750 Speaker 1: them out, don't make any waves. But as long as 58 00:03:17,790 --> 00:03:21,140 Speaker 1: you rescue them, and you're there to keep them fixed 59 00:03:21,200 --> 00:03:24,660 Speaker 1: and to keep them cheered up, you're not really helping them, 60 00:03:25,000 --> 00:03:30,030 Speaker 1: you're becoming a crutch. You're enabling their dysfunction. The only 61 00:03:30,110 --> 00:03:32,590 Speaker 1: way they're really going to get free is for you 62 00:03:32,630 --> 00:03:35,970 Speaker 1: to not meet all their needs and not come running 63 00:03:36,310 --> 00:03:39,350 Speaker 1: every time they have a quote, emergency. You got to 64 00:03:39,390 --> 00:03:42,470 Speaker 1: put your foot down and say, I love you, but 65 00:03:42,490 --> 00:03:45,410 Speaker 1: I'm not going to let you control me. I love you, 66 00:03:45,510 --> 00:03:47,190 Speaker 1: but I'm not going to jump every time you call. 67 00:03:47,850 --> 00:03:50,520 Speaker 1: I love you, but I am not going to feel 68 00:03:50,600 --> 00:03:54,400 Speaker 1: guilty if I don't meet all of your demands. If 69 00:03:54,480 --> 00:03:58,980 Speaker 1: somebody is controlling you, it's not their fault, it's your fault. 70 00:03:59,660 --> 00:04:02,920 Speaker 1: You have to set some boundaries. Quit allowing them to 71 00:04:03,000 --> 00:04:05,650 Speaker 1: call you all hours of the day and night and 72 00:04:05,710 --> 00:04:08,850 Speaker 1: dump their problems on you. That's why we have voicemails 73 00:04:10,650 --> 00:04:13,530 Speaker 1: Quit catering to them every time they throw a fit. 74 00:04:14,050 --> 00:04:17,560 Speaker 1: Ignore it. Quit loaning them the money every time they 75 00:04:17,600 --> 00:04:22,520 Speaker 1: make poor choices. Don't take on that false sense of responsibility. 76 00:04:22,900 --> 00:04:25,820 Speaker 1: You are not the savior of the world. We already 77 00:04:25,860 --> 00:04:29,360 Speaker 1: have a savior. You're not supposed to keep everyone happy, 78 00:04:29,779 --> 00:04:33,510 Speaker 1: everyone fixed. If you take on that job, the one 79 00:04:33,589 --> 00:04:36,970 Speaker 1: person who will not be happy is you. I know 80 00:04:36,990 --> 00:04:40,279 Speaker 1: this man, and for years, He had a problem paying 81 00:04:40,320 --> 00:04:42,920 Speaker 1: his rent. My heart went out to him and I 82 00:04:42,960 --> 00:04:46,950 Speaker 1: helped him again and again. Every other month, practically, he 83 00:04:46,990 --> 00:04:49,770 Speaker 1: would explain how something had come up and he couldn't 84 00:04:49,810 --> 00:04:54,130 Speaker 1: make his payments. After about the fifth emergency, I started 85 00:04:54,150 --> 00:04:58,210 Speaker 1: to wise up. He told how his client hadn't paid him. 86 00:04:58,630 --> 00:05:01,900 Speaker 1: The money should show up anytime. A relative got sick. 87 00:05:02,460 --> 00:05:04,570 Speaker 1: He had to travel out of town on and on. 88 00:05:05,260 --> 00:05:09,360 Speaker 1: after this long, sad story, he looked at me and said, now, Joel, 89 00:05:09,839 --> 00:05:13,860 Speaker 1: what are we going to do? I didn't say it, 90 00:05:13,880 --> 00:05:16,120 Speaker 1: but I thought to myself, we're not going to do 91 00:05:16,200 --> 00:05:20,580 Speaker 1: anything because this is not my problem. This is your problem. 92 00:05:20,960 --> 00:05:24,000 Speaker 1: And I'm not going to feel guilty because you keep 93 00:05:24,040 --> 00:05:27,740 Speaker 1: making poor choices. I believe I would still be helping 94 00:05:27,779 --> 00:05:30,620 Speaker 1: him today, five years later, if I had not put 95 00:05:30,640 --> 00:05:33,720 Speaker 1: my foot down. A lot of times we do things 96 00:05:33,820 --> 00:05:36,900 Speaker 1: out of guilt. Well, I should help them, I feel like, 97 00:05:36,940 --> 00:05:38,620 Speaker 1: and if I don't, I'm going to feel bad about it. 98 00:05:39,220 --> 00:05:42,700 Speaker 1: But if that person is not taking responsibility, you're not 99 00:05:42,760 --> 00:05:46,380 Speaker 1: really helping them, you're hurting them. They're not having to 100 00:05:46,440 --> 00:05:50,370 Speaker 1: deal with the real issues. And some people are always 101 00:05:50,430 --> 00:05:54,040 Speaker 1: having a crisis. They're always in need. And it's good 102 00:05:54,080 --> 00:05:58,790 Speaker 1: to help them once, twice, a dozen times. Certainly be kind, 103 00:05:59,190 --> 00:06:03,529 Speaker 1: show mercy. But five years later, they're still having those 104 00:06:03,810 --> 00:06:08,130 Speaker 1: regular emergencies counting on you to come running. If you 105 00:06:08,170 --> 00:06:10,850 Speaker 1: keep giving in, it's just like they have you as 106 00:06:10,890 --> 00:06:13,930 Speaker 1: a puppet. They know if they pull this string, you'll 107 00:06:13,950 --> 00:06:17,130 Speaker 1: feel guilty. Pull this string, you'll come bail them out. 108 00:06:17,560 --> 00:06:20,000 Speaker 1: Pull this string, then you'll stay late and do the 109 00:06:20,040 --> 00:06:24,310 Speaker 1: project for them. My message today is, is cut the strings. 110 00:06:25,110 --> 00:06:28,770 Speaker 1: No more puppets. No more letting them make you feel guilty. 111 00:06:29,450 --> 00:06:32,440 Speaker 1: No more come running. Well, Joel, if I do that, 112 00:06:32,820 --> 00:06:35,660 Speaker 1: they may not be my friend anymore. There's your answer. 113 00:06:36,000 --> 00:06:39,160 Speaker 1: God may have just closed that door for you. The 114 00:06:39,200 --> 00:06:42,780 Speaker 1: truth is, if they get upset because you don't meet 115 00:06:42,920 --> 00:06:46,160 Speaker 1: every demand, they give you the cold shoulder because you 116 00:06:46,180 --> 00:06:49,920 Speaker 1: don't call on cue, they're not really a friend, they're 117 00:06:49,980 --> 00:06:53,380 Speaker 1: a controller. The sooner you break free, the better off 118 00:06:53,400 --> 00:06:56,390 Speaker 1: you're going to be. It's like a little child, a toddler. 119 00:06:56,750 --> 00:06:59,950 Speaker 1: If every time they throw a fit, you come running, 120 00:07:00,610 --> 00:07:03,180 Speaker 1: you give them what they want, they'll continue to do that. 121 00:07:03,820 --> 00:07:06,580 Speaker 1: They know what they have to do to get their way. 122 00:07:07,490 --> 00:07:10,150 Speaker 1: But if you let them throw that fit a dozen times, 123 00:07:10,830 --> 00:07:14,580 Speaker 1: even though they're hollering and screaming, you ignore it, go 124 00:07:14,640 --> 00:07:19,100 Speaker 1: about your day, enjoy your life. Before long, they'll realize 125 00:07:19,380 --> 00:07:22,590 Speaker 1: throwing a fit doesn't do any good and they'll have 126 00:07:22,630 --> 00:07:27,190 Speaker 1: to change. It's the same principle in adults. As long 127 00:07:27,530 --> 00:07:30,790 Speaker 1: as somebody can pressure you into doing what they want, 128 00:07:31,150 --> 00:07:33,600 Speaker 1: they will continue to do it. But when you don't 129 00:07:33,650 --> 00:07:37,420 Speaker 1: respond to their fits, you don't let their guilt cause 130 00:07:37,460 --> 00:07:40,360 Speaker 1: you to give in. You don't come running every time 131 00:07:40,400 --> 00:07:43,260 Speaker 1: they have a need. That will force them to look 132 00:07:43,360 --> 00:07:47,680 Speaker 1: inside and deal with the real issues. I have some friends, 133 00:07:47,760 --> 00:07:50,740 Speaker 1: this couple, the first several years of their marriage was 134 00:07:50,800 --> 00:07:55,080 Speaker 1: very miserable. The young lady went through some unfair situations 135 00:07:55,320 --> 00:07:59,600 Speaker 1: as a child and she was extremely unhappy, extremely negative. 136 00:08:00,220 --> 00:08:02,660 Speaker 1: If she didn't get her way, she would throw fits, 137 00:08:03,280 --> 00:08:06,060 Speaker 1: go four or five days having a pity party, pouting. 138 00:08:06,760 --> 00:08:09,860 Speaker 1: Her husband is as good as can be. He did 139 00:08:09,980 --> 00:08:12,610 Speaker 1: everything he could to try to keep her happy. was 140 00:08:12,690 --> 00:08:16,730 Speaker 1: constantly encouraging her, trying to fix her problems, telling her 141 00:08:16,870 --> 00:08:20,650 Speaker 1: everything was going to be okay. For three years, he 142 00:08:20,710 --> 00:08:25,310 Speaker 1: catered to her night and day, basically giving up his 143 00:08:25,370 --> 00:08:28,980 Speaker 1: happiness to try to keep her happy. One day it 144 00:08:29,040 --> 00:08:33,140 Speaker 1: dawned on him, she's not going to change. He realized 145 00:08:33,460 --> 00:08:36,680 Speaker 1: even though he had good intentions, he wasn't helping her, 146 00:08:37,160 --> 00:08:41,010 Speaker 1: he had become a crutch. He told her, I love you, 147 00:08:41,410 --> 00:08:44,550 Speaker 1: but I cannot make you happy. I've tried everything I 148 00:08:44,620 --> 00:08:48,579 Speaker 1: can and I'm done trying. As harsh as that sounds, 149 00:08:49,020 --> 00:08:52,059 Speaker 1: she said that was the best thing that ever happened 150 00:08:52,100 --> 00:08:56,050 Speaker 1: to her. That forced her to look inside and deal 151 00:08:56,090 --> 00:08:59,470 Speaker 1: with those issues. You may be in relationship with somebody 152 00:08:59,510 --> 00:09:04,420 Speaker 1: like that. Don't take on that false sense of responsibility. 153 00:09:05,160 --> 00:09:08,520 Speaker 1: God did not call you to be unhappy in order 154 00:09:08,540 --> 00:09:12,179 Speaker 1: to keep somebody else happy. And yes, there may be 155 00:09:12,559 --> 00:09:15,929 Speaker 1: seasons where we make sacrifices and we have to put 156 00:09:15,990 --> 00:09:18,469 Speaker 1: up with some things to help a friend get well 157 00:09:18,510 --> 00:09:21,709 Speaker 1: or to help a loved one overcome. But you cannot 158 00:09:21,790 --> 00:09:25,690 Speaker 1: let a season be turn into a lifetime where you 159 00:09:25,750 --> 00:09:30,500 Speaker 1: are sacrificing your happiness, not pursuing your dreams, putting your 160 00:09:30,559 --> 00:09:33,460 Speaker 1: life on hold to try to keep somebody else happy. 161 00:09:34,360 --> 00:09:37,860 Speaker 1: Life is too short to go through it, letting people 162 00:09:37,920 --> 00:09:41,710 Speaker 1: control you who will not make good decisions for themselves. 163 00:09:42,230 --> 00:09:44,390 Speaker 1: And there's a fine line here, but you are not 164 00:09:44,450 --> 00:09:49,730 Speaker 1: responsible for your spouse's happiness, your children's happiness, your friend's happiness. 165 00:09:50,030 --> 00:09:53,179 Speaker 1: You can't make people do what's right. No matter how 166 00:09:53,260 --> 00:09:56,239 Speaker 1: hard you pray, how hard you try, you can't make 167 00:09:56,300 --> 00:09:59,250 Speaker 1: a family member serve God. Can't make a friend stay 168 00:09:59,290 --> 00:10:02,620 Speaker 1: out of trouble. When we love people, it's very easy 169 00:10:02,880 --> 00:10:06,360 Speaker 1: to take on that responsibility, spend all our time and 170 00:10:06,500 --> 00:10:10,300 Speaker 1: energy thinking we've got to get them fixed. The problem 171 00:10:10,440 --> 00:10:14,120 Speaker 1: is some people don't want to be fixed. You got 172 00:10:14,140 --> 00:10:17,510 Speaker 1: to turn those people over to the Lord. Quit being 173 00:10:17,570 --> 00:10:20,969 Speaker 1: frustrated because they won't do what's right. That's what it 174 00:10:21,050 --> 00:10:25,870 Speaker 1: means to become codependent. Somebody has a problem. They won't 175 00:10:25,929 --> 00:10:29,290 Speaker 1: make good choices and you make the mistake of letting 176 00:10:29,340 --> 00:10:33,300 Speaker 1: their problem become your problem. And if you're putting off 177 00:10:33,340 --> 00:10:37,100 Speaker 1: your happiness until they change, you may be unhappy for 178 00:10:37,140 --> 00:10:40,460 Speaker 1: a long time. why don't you let that person offer 179 00:10:40,480 --> 00:10:43,650 Speaker 1: your potter's will? You are not the potter. God is 180 00:10:43,690 --> 00:10:46,790 Speaker 1: the potter. God knows how to get people to change. 181 00:10:48,190 --> 00:10:52,080 Speaker 1: Your job is to love them, pray for them, help 182 00:10:52,120 --> 00:10:55,939 Speaker 1: them when you can, but don't take responsibility for their 183 00:10:55,960 --> 00:11:05,880 Speaker 1: poor choices. I talked to a lady a couple of 184 00:11:05,910 --> 00:11:09,740 Speaker 1: weeks ago in the lobby. Her 24-year-old son has gotten 185 00:11:09,800 --> 00:11:13,740 Speaker 1: way off track. For the last three years, she's been 186 00:11:13,900 --> 00:11:18,440 Speaker 1: emotionally drained and physically worn out. She looks 10 years 187 00:11:18,540 --> 00:11:21,240 Speaker 1: older than normal. You can see the weight of the 188 00:11:21,300 --> 00:11:25,660 Speaker 1: world that she's been carrying. She's constantly rescuing her son, 189 00:11:26,420 --> 00:11:30,420 Speaker 1: bailing him out, loaning him the money. She's giving up 190 00:11:30,559 --> 00:11:34,940 Speaker 1: her happiness until her son gets straightened out. And of course, 191 00:11:35,120 --> 00:11:37,340 Speaker 1: we all love our children. We do anything in the 192 00:11:37,380 --> 00:11:41,400 Speaker 1: world for them. But sometimes the best thing is to 193 00:11:41,540 --> 00:11:47,430 Speaker 1: not rescue them. Don't keep enabling that dysfunction. In the 194 00:11:47,470 --> 00:11:51,290 Speaker 1: story of the prodigal son, the young man took his inheritance, 195 00:11:51,929 --> 00:11:56,819 Speaker 1: went out, wasted all the money, partying, wild living, making 196 00:11:56,860 --> 00:12:01,189 Speaker 1: poor choices. He ended up in the hog pen. no money, 197 00:12:01,510 --> 00:12:05,170 Speaker 1: so desperate that he was eating hog food to survive. 198 00:12:06,120 --> 00:12:11,020 Speaker 1: What's interesting is the father didn't go rescue him. Father 199 00:12:11,040 --> 00:12:13,520 Speaker 1: didn't go bail him out, didn't send him his staff 200 00:12:13,800 --> 00:12:16,480 Speaker 1: to get him all fixed up. He just left him there. 201 00:12:17,000 --> 00:12:21,819 Speaker 1: The father went about his business, living life, pursuing his goals. Eventually, 202 00:12:22,250 --> 00:12:26,350 Speaker 1: Luke 15, 17 says, the young man came to himself. 203 00:12:27,080 --> 00:12:29,939 Speaker 1: He came to his senses and realized, hey, I'm making 204 00:12:30,000 --> 00:12:32,420 Speaker 1: poor choices. I got to get back on the right track. 205 00:12:32,940 --> 00:12:36,000 Speaker 1: He went home and got his life straightened out. And 206 00:12:36,040 --> 00:12:40,120 Speaker 1: I'm all for helping people, saving them whenever we can 207 00:12:40,179 --> 00:12:43,719 Speaker 1: from heartache and pain. But some people, you can help 208 00:12:43,760 --> 00:12:46,540 Speaker 1: them a hundred times and when they leave, every time, 209 00:12:46,780 --> 00:12:48,570 Speaker 1: they'll go right back to the mess they were in. 210 00:12:49,140 --> 00:12:51,910 Speaker 1: The only way they're really going to get free is 211 00:12:51,950 --> 00:12:55,170 Speaker 1: to come to a place where nobody's bailing them out. 212 00:12:55,730 --> 00:13:00,530 Speaker 1: nobody's paying their bills, nobody's acting as a crutch. Then, 213 00:13:00,970 --> 00:13:03,689 Speaker 1: like the prodigal son, at some point, they're going to 214 00:13:03,710 --> 00:13:06,809 Speaker 1: come to themselves. They're going to realize, hey, I've got 215 00:13:06,830 --> 00:13:09,880 Speaker 1: to take responsibility for my life. I've got to rise 216 00:13:10,000 --> 00:13:13,160 Speaker 1: up and become who God's created me to be. But 217 00:13:13,220 --> 00:13:15,920 Speaker 1: some of you today, you're doing too much for other 218 00:13:15,980 --> 00:13:19,939 Speaker 1: people and not enough for yourself. You're so good hearted, 219 00:13:20,000 --> 00:13:24,540 Speaker 1: so kind, you're sacrificing your happiness to keep everyone around 220 00:13:24,600 --> 00:13:29,150 Speaker 1: you happy. But your first priority is to keep yourself happy. 221 00:13:30,090 --> 00:13:34,030 Speaker 1: You need to evaluate your relationships. If you're doing all 222 00:13:34,070 --> 00:13:38,150 Speaker 1: the giving and very little receiving, something is out of balance. 223 00:13:39,080 --> 00:13:41,740 Speaker 1: If you have to keep that person cheered up 24 224 00:13:41,740 --> 00:13:45,270 Speaker 1: hours a day, something is wrong. You should be able 225 00:13:45,309 --> 00:13:47,470 Speaker 1: to tell your friend, no, I'm not going to be 226 00:13:47,550 --> 00:13:50,309 Speaker 1: able to go, and them not try to make you 227 00:13:50,350 --> 00:13:53,970 Speaker 1: feel guilty. If they do, they try to give you 228 00:13:53,990 --> 00:13:57,190 Speaker 1: the cold shoulder, they get upset, they're not a friend, 229 00:13:57,530 --> 00:14:01,660 Speaker 1: they're a controller. Don't go the next 20 years trying 230 00:14:01,700 --> 00:14:05,060 Speaker 1: to meet all their demands. The best thing you could 231 00:14:05,080 --> 00:14:09,120 Speaker 1: do is cut the puppet strings. They're not really interested 232 00:14:09,160 --> 00:14:12,350 Speaker 1: in you. They're interested in what you can do for them. 233 00:14:12,910 --> 00:14:17,290 Speaker 1: You don't have time to play games, get distracted, entangled, 234 00:14:17,530 --> 00:14:20,970 Speaker 1: trying to keep everybody around you happy. You have a 235 00:14:21,150 --> 00:14:25,170 Speaker 1: destiny to fulfill. Be bold and take control of your 236 00:14:25,230 --> 00:14:30,020 Speaker 1: own life. When I was growing up, my grandfather would 237 00:14:30,060 --> 00:14:32,880 Speaker 1: buy a new car every two years, and he would 238 00:14:32,900 --> 00:14:35,780 Speaker 1: give one of us grandkids his old car. He was 239 00:14:35,840 --> 00:14:38,920 Speaker 1: very generous. When I was a junior in high school, 240 00:14:39,400 --> 00:14:44,230 Speaker 1: my grandfather gave me his four-year-old Buick LeSabre. It had 241 00:14:44,270 --> 00:14:48,330 Speaker 1: a lime green body and a white top. I loved 242 00:14:48,350 --> 00:14:51,450 Speaker 1: my grandfather, but it was the ugliest car on the road. 243 00:14:53,220 --> 00:14:55,700 Speaker 1: One of my friends that I played basketball with, he 244 00:14:55,760 --> 00:14:59,620 Speaker 1: had a car as well. We decided to carpool. I'd 245 00:14:59,640 --> 00:15:01,870 Speaker 1: go pick him up a week, take him to school, 246 00:15:01,920 --> 00:15:04,670 Speaker 1: and he would drive me the next week. He lived 247 00:15:04,710 --> 00:15:08,150 Speaker 1: about 15 minutes in the opposite direction from the school. 248 00:15:08,590 --> 00:15:10,110 Speaker 1: So I'd have to go that way and come all 249 00:15:10,130 --> 00:15:12,450 Speaker 1: the way back by my house. I didn't mind doing that. 250 00:15:12,880 --> 00:15:14,980 Speaker 1: He drove a week, I drove a week. This happened 251 00:15:15,020 --> 00:15:18,380 Speaker 1: two or three times. Then his car was in the shop. 252 00:15:19,200 --> 00:15:21,840 Speaker 1: Then his brother needed to borrow the car. He couldn't drive. 253 00:15:22,120 --> 00:15:25,280 Speaker 1: Then something else came up. It got to where I 254 00:15:25,340 --> 00:15:28,510 Speaker 1: was driving all the time. And I really didn't mind it, 255 00:15:29,160 --> 00:15:31,910 Speaker 1: but it didn't seem like he was grateful. He acted 256 00:15:31,950 --> 00:15:34,500 Speaker 1: like I owed it to him to go pick him up. 257 00:15:35,230 --> 00:15:37,730 Speaker 1: One day I got my nerve up. I asked him 258 00:15:37,770 --> 00:15:40,090 Speaker 1: if he was ever going to drive again. And he 259 00:15:40,150 --> 00:15:43,750 Speaker 1: explained how he was trying to keep the mileage down 260 00:15:43,910 --> 00:15:48,390 Speaker 1: on his car. And Basically, that I needed to keep 261 00:15:48,430 --> 00:15:51,380 Speaker 1: picking him up. He acted like he was doing me 262 00:15:51,410 --> 00:15:54,580 Speaker 1: a favor to ride in my car. And even though 263 00:15:54,600 --> 00:15:56,830 Speaker 1: my car was ugly, he didn't deserve on being in it. 264 00:15:58,160 --> 00:16:01,620 Speaker 1: I did what I'm asking you to do. It's very polite, 265 00:16:01,780 --> 00:16:04,280 Speaker 1: had a big smile on my face, but I told him, 266 00:16:04,380 --> 00:16:07,020 Speaker 1: I'm sorry, I'm not going to be able to come 267 00:16:07,110 --> 00:16:09,970 Speaker 1: out there and pick you up anymore. You would have 268 00:16:09,990 --> 00:16:12,750 Speaker 1: thought I'd told him his life was coming to an end. 269 00:16:13,790 --> 00:16:16,120 Speaker 1: He tried to put me on the biggest guilt trip, 270 00:16:16,640 --> 00:16:19,700 Speaker 1: told me how selfish I was being. He would hardly 271 00:16:19,860 --> 00:16:23,240 Speaker 1: speak to me again. I thought, that is fine with me. 272 00:16:23,720 --> 00:16:25,940 Speaker 1: If he's only going to be my friend if I 273 00:16:26,000 --> 00:16:29,580 Speaker 1: meet all of his demands and cater to his every need, 274 00:16:30,000 --> 00:16:33,260 Speaker 1: good riddance. I don't need friends like that. Go find 275 00:16:33,340 --> 00:16:36,290 Speaker 1: somebody else to control, but you're not going to control me. 276 00:16:37,770 --> 00:16:40,070 Speaker 1: I don't mind being good to people, but I do 277 00:16:40,110 --> 00:16:43,700 Speaker 1: mind being used. If you allow it, people will run 278 00:16:43,740 --> 00:16:46,500 Speaker 1: your life. They'll tell you what to do and where 279 00:16:46,540 --> 00:16:48,950 Speaker 1: to go and how to dress, how to spend your money. 280 00:16:49,550 --> 00:16:52,570 Speaker 1: It's good to get free from addictions, free from debt, 281 00:16:52,670 --> 00:16:56,010 Speaker 1: free from depression, but one of the greatest freedoms is 282 00:16:56,050 --> 00:17:00,010 Speaker 1: to get free from people. Quit letting people pressure you 283 00:17:00,330 --> 00:17:04,659 Speaker 1: into becoming something that you're not. Quit living on eggshells 284 00:17:04,840 --> 00:17:07,690 Speaker 1: thinking you're going to fall out of their favor. If 285 00:17:07,730 --> 00:17:12,109 Speaker 1: you don't perform perfectly, call them on cue, come running 286 00:17:12,270 --> 00:17:15,189 Speaker 1: every time they ask, then Joel, they may get upset 287 00:17:15,230 --> 00:17:18,940 Speaker 1: with me. My message today is let them be upset. 288 00:17:19,780 --> 00:17:24,139 Speaker 1: If you spend your life trying to please everyone, letting 289 00:17:24,180 --> 00:17:28,040 Speaker 1: people control you, you may make them happy, but you 290 00:17:28,060 --> 00:17:32,159 Speaker 1: will miss your destiny. I would rather please God and 291 00:17:32,200 --> 00:17:35,119 Speaker 1: have a few people upset with me than to please 292 00:17:35,200 --> 00:17:39,189 Speaker 1: people and have God upset with me. You got to especially, 293 00:17:39,210 --> 00:17:43,990 Speaker 1: you need to especially be careful of high maintenance people. 294 00:17:44,690 --> 00:17:47,929 Speaker 1: That's what my friend was. High maintenance people, you can 295 00:17:47,990 --> 00:17:50,980 Speaker 1: never do enough for them. No matter how much you do, 296 00:17:51,240 --> 00:17:55,300 Speaker 1: they expect more. You got to be available 24 seven, 297 00:17:55,859 --> 00:18:00,359 Speaker 1: run their errands, compliment them, keep them cheered up. If not, 298 00:18:00,880 --> 00:18:03,010 Speaker 1: they get their feelings hurt. They try to make you 299 00:18:03,050 --> 00:18:07,209 Speaker 1: feel guilty. Don't go year after year playing up to 300 00:18:07,250 --> 00:18:12,220 Speaker 1: people like that. High maintenance people are impossible to keep happy. 301 00:18:12,940 --> 00:18:14,619 Speaker 1: If you do that, all it's going to do is 302 00:18:14,680 --> 00:18:18,120 Speaker 1: end up frustrating you. Friend of mine is a pilot. 303 00:18:18,640 --> 00:18:21,899 Speaker 1: He told how there are four main principles in flying 304 00:18:21,940 --> 00:18:29,310 Speaker 1: an airplane. There is lift, thrust, weight, and drag. You 305 00:18:29,350 --> 00:18:32,149 Speaker 1: have to take into account all four of these to 306 00:18:32,210 --> 00:18:36,670 Speaker 1: make sure the plane will fly. Most people fall into 307 00:18:36,750 --> 00:18:40,070 Speaker 1: one of these four categories. There will be people who 308 00:18:40,170 --> 00:18:44,990 Speaker 1: lift you, brighten your day, make you feel better about yourself. 309 00:18:45,450 --> 00:18:47,730 Speaker 1: When you leave, you got a spring in your step. 310 00:18:47,910 --> 00:18:52,190 Speaker 1: They're lifters. There are people who will thrust you. They 311 00:18:52,300 --> 00:18:55,780 Speaker 1: motivate you. They inspire you. They challenge you to move 312 00:18:55,880 --> 00:19:00,260 Speaker 1: forward and accomplish your dreams. They are thrusters. Then there 313 00:19:00,320 --> 00:19:04,360 Speaker 1: are people who are a weight, They pull you down. 314 00:19:05,180 --> 00:19:09,679 Speaker 1: When you leave, you feel heavier, discouraged, negative, worse than 315 00:19:09,700 --> 00:19:13,659 Speaker 1: you were before. Number four, there are people who are 316 00:19:13,700 --> 00:19:17,950 Speaker 1: a drag. They've always got a sad story, had a 317 00:19:18,010 --> 00:19:24,270 Speaker 1: flat tire, dishwasher broke, goldfish died, mother-in-law just moved in permanently. 318 00:19:25,470 --> 00:19:28,649 Speaker 1: They're always in the pits and they expect you to 319 00:19:28,690 --> 00:19:31,770 Speaker 1: cheer them up, to solve their problems, to carry their 320 00:19:31,790 --> 00:19:36,210 Speaker 1: heavy load. In life, we all encounter people from these 321 00:19:36,250 --> 00:19:40,520 Speaker 1: four different groups. Here's the key. Make sure you're spending 322 00:19:40,560 --> 00:19:45,929 Speaker 1: the majority of your time with lifters and thrusters. If 323 00:19:45,970 --> 00:19:50,660 Speaker 1: you're only hanging out with weights, with drags, they will 324 00:19:50,700 --> 00:19:53,460 Speaker 1: keep you from becoming all God's created you to be. 325 00:19:54,380 --> 00:19:58,980 Speaker 1: Some people have a perpetual problem, always got a sad story. 326 00:19:59,300 --> 00:20:01,810 Speaker 1: And if you allow it, they will use you as 327 00:20:01,869 --> 00:20:05,480 Speaker 1: a trash can to dump all their garbage. You spend 328 00:20:05,500 --> 00:20:08,080 Speaker 1: an hour with them, feel like you just ran a marathon. 329 00:20:08,680 --> 00:20:12,400 Speaker 1: They're energy suckers. You leave drained and worn out. You 330 00:20:12,440 --> 00:20:16,490 Speaker 1: cannot continue to put that in day after day and 331 00:20:16,530 --> 00:20:20,390 Speaker 1: expect to reach your highest potential. You will not lift off. 332 00:20:20,970 --> 00:20:24,070 Speaker 1: You will not be thrust into the amazing future God 333 00:20:24,090 --> 00:20:28,210 Speaker 1: has in store if you are weighted down, letting people 334 00:20:28,290 --> 00:20:31,980 Speaker 1: dump their problems on you. make you discouraged, taking all 335 00:20:32,000 --> 00:20:35,160 Speaker 1: your energy, thinking that you have to spend your time 336 00:20:35,460 --> 00:20:39,830 Speaker 1: keeping them fixed, keeping them encouraged. No, it's hard enough 337 00:20:40,050 --> 00:20:45,050 Speaker 1: to keep yourself encouraged. Don't take responsibility for their happiness. 338 00:20:45,740 --> 00:20:48,650 Speaker 1: And yes, I realize there are times that we need 339 00:20:48,670 --> 00:20:52,070 Speaker 1: to sow a seed, be a listening ear, help love 340 00:20:52,130 --> 00:20:56,150 Speaker 1: somebody back into wholeness. But that should be for a season, 341 00:20:56,580 --> 00:21:01,700 Speaker 1: not an ongoing drama to where every day somebody calls 342 00:21:01,720 --> 00:21:04,399 Speaker 1: you and tells how bad their husband's treating her and 343 00:21:04,660 --> 00:21:07,629 Speaker 1: how the neighbor didn't do her right. They're in the pits. 344 00:21:08,230 --> 00:21:11,070 Speaker 1: Now they're expecting you to work your magic. It's like 345 00:21:11,150 --> 00:21:15,090 Speaker 1: Guiding Light, Jersey Shore, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills all 346 00:21:15,150 --> 00:21:18,170 Speaker 1: put into one. Listen, you've got enough drama in your 347 00:21:18,290 --> 00:21:22,630 Speaker 1: own life without listening to everybody else's drama. You cannot 348 00:21:23,119 --> 00:21:27,840 Speaker 1: put that negativity in and expect to soar like God 349 00:21:27,880 --> 00:21:30,940 Speaker 1: wants you to. And some of you, if you don't 350 00:21:30,980 --> 00:21:34,740 Speaker 1: make an adjustment in this area and not spend so 351 00:21:34,780 --> 00:21:38,030 Speaker 1: much time with the weights and the drags, it'll keep 352 00:21:38,070 --> 00:21:41,100 Speaker 1: you from God's best. Well, Joel, what if they get 353 00:21:41,119 --> 00:21:44,850 Speaker 1: their feelings hurt? What if you miss your destiny? What 354 00:21:44,900 --> 00:21:47,490 Speaker 1: if they get upset with me? What if you don't 355 00:21:47,530 --> 00:21:52,230 Speaker 1: accomplish your God-given dreams? Pay attention to who you're spending 356 00:21:52,270 --> 00:21:56,860 Speaker 1: time with. Are they lifters, thrusters? Do they motivate you, 357 00:21:57,160 --> 00:22:00,960 Speaker 1: inspire you, challenge you, leave you better than you were before? 358 00:22:01,640 --> 00:22:03,720 Speaker 1: Or is it just the opposite? They drag you down. 359 00:22:04,609 --> 00:22:06,970 Speaker 1: Many years ago, I used to get my hair cut 360 00:22:07,250 --> 00:22:09,690 Speaker 1: by this young lady. She was as nice as can be, 361 00:22:10,210 --> 00:22:14,350 Speaker 1: had a great heart, but she was very negative. Every 362 00:22:14,410 --> 00:22:17,770 Speaker 1: time I went in, month after month, year after year, 363 00:22:18,090 --> 00:22:20,990 Speaker 1: she would tell me all of her problems, how the 364 00:22:21,109 --> 00:22:23,650 Speaker 1: owners weren't treating her right, they were making her work 365 00:22:23,710 --> 00:22:27,609 Speaker 1: long hours. She had a sister that was causing her problems. 366 00:22:28,210 --> 00:22:30,590 Speaker 1: She was never sure she could pay her rent each month. 367 00:22:30,810 --> 00:22:35,260 Speaker 1: Her father wasn't well. When I left, always felt so heavy, 368 00:22:35,859 --> 00:22:38,900 Speaker 1: so discouraged. And I did my best to encourage her. 369 00:22:39,590 --> 00:22:42,310 Speaker 1: I would pray with her. I spoke faith into her. 370 00:22:42,609 --> 00:22:45,750 Speaker 1: I gave her money. I sent her customers, but it 371 00:22:45,810 --> 00:22:50,490 Speaker 1: was never enough. One day I realized what I'm telling you. 372 00:22:51,290 --> 00:22:54,860 Speaker 1: I cannot go where God has taken me with her 373 00:22:54,980 --> 00:22:58,210 Speaker 1: in my life. I love her. I pray for her, 374 00:22:58,550 --> 00:23:02,570 Speaker 1: but I cannot fulfill my destiny with that weight and 375 00:23:02,650 --> 00:23:05,560 Speaker 1: drag being put on me every month. And I made 376 00:23:05,580 --> 00:23:08,320 Speaker 1: a change. And it wasn't easy because I never like 377 00:23:08,359 --> 00:23:12,280 Speaker 1: to hurt somebody's feelings, but I knew my assignment was 378 00:23:12,340 --> 00:23:16,920 Speaker 1: too important. My destiny was too great to allow someone 379 00:23:17,160 --> 00:23:21,669 Speaker 1: to continually pull me down. You too may have to 380 00:23:21,710 --> 00:23:24,930 Speaker 1: make a change in where you do business, in where 381 00:23:24,970 --> 00:23:28,900 Speaker 1: you work out, in whose phone calls you take. Don't 382 00:23:29,000 --> 00:23:32,760 Speaker 1: let that negativity go into you day after day. You 383 00:23:32,800 --> 00:23:37,639 Speaker 1: need to be around other thrusters, other lifters, people that motivate, 384 00:23:37,700 --> 00:23:40,940 Speaker 1: people that inspire. That's why so many people are drawn 385 00:23:40,980 --> 00:23:45,710 Speaker 1: to our ministry. There are enough weights, enough drags. I'm 386 00:23:45,750 --> 00:23:47,970 Speaker 1: going to push you forward if you get around me. 387 00:23:48,369 --> 00:23:50,330 Speaker 1: I'm going to do my best to encourage you, to 388 00:23:50,369 --> 00:23:54,389 Speaker 1: challenge you, to inspire you. Hopefully leave you better than 389 00:23:54,410 --> 00:23:57,609 Speaker 1: you were before. Now I know some of you work 390 00:23:57,670 --> 00:24:00,530 Speaker 1: around people who are a weight or you go to 391 00:24:00,609 --> 00:24:03,040 Speaker 1: school with people who are a drag. You don't have 392 00:24:03,060 --> 00:24:05,740 Speaker 1: a choice. You have to be there. Here's the key. 393 00:24:06,119 --> 00:24:09,320 Speaker 1: Before you go to work, before you go to school, 394 00:24:09,700 --> 00:24:14,580 Speaker 1: you got to get prayed up, praised up, encouraged. You 395 00:24:14,619 --> 00:24:16,619 Speaker 1: got to set your mind that it's going to be 396 00:24:16,660 --> 00:24:20,740 Speaker 1: a great day. You cannot go into that negative environment 397 00:24:21,020 --> 00:24:25,689 Speaker 1: in neutral. You got to get already filled up, already encouraged. 398 00:24:26,420 --> 00:24:29,460 Speaker 1: Don't let your guard down, stressed out because of the traffic, 399 00:24:29,920 --> 00:24:33,030 Speaker 1: worried about your deadline, listening to the news. No, if 400 00:24:33,070 --> 00:24:36,450 Speaker 1: you're not on the offensive, the weights and drags will 401 00:24:36,470 --> 00:24:39,290 Speaker 1: pull you down. On the way to work, maybe it's 402 00:24:39,330 --> 00:24:41,650 Speaker 1: a 20-minute drive. Why don't you put on some good 403 00:24:41,750 --> 00:24:45,430 Speaker 1: praise music? Get your spirit person built up. Have a 404 00:24:45,510 --> 00:24:49,490 Speaker 1: grateful attitude. Start thanking God for what he's done. Or 405 00:24:49,790 --> 00:24:53,010 Speaker 1: put on a good teaching CD, something that inspires you, 406 00:24:53,369 --> 00:24:56,630 Speaker 1: motivates you. Then start talking to yourself the right way. 407 00:24:56,670 --> 00:24:58,939 Speaker 1: This is gonna be a great day. I have the 408 00:24:59,040 --> 00:25:02,300 Speaker 1: favor of God. I am strong in the Lord. I 409 00:25:02,340 --> 00:25:05,260 Speaker 1: can do all things through Christ. Something good is gonna 410 00:25:05,320 --> 00:25:08,959 Speaker 1: happen to me today. That's how you stay strong and 411 00:25:09,030 --> 00:25:12,070 Speaker 1: not let the weights and drags pull you down. You 412 00:25:12,090 --> 00:25:16,070 Speaker 1: gotta build up that resistance. Well, what happens if you 413 00:25:16,130 --> 00:25:20,410 Speaker 1: live with a weight? Perhaps you're even married to a way, 414 00:25:20,670 --> 00:25:23,830 Speaker 1: married to a drag. Don't look at your spouse now. 415 00:25:23,890 --> 00:25:27,650 Speaker 1: That wouldn't be good. You got to do the same thing. 416 00:25:27,950 --> 00:25:33,889 Speaker 1: Take extra doses of praise, encouragement, inspiration, stay filled up. 417 00:25:35,290 --> 00:25:39,010 Speaker 1: And while God is in the process of changing that person, 418 00:25:39,210 --> 00:25:42,189 Speaker 1: don't let them steal your joy. Some people don't want 419 00:25:42,230 --> 00:25:45,220 Speaker 1: to be happy. They like living in the pits. You 420 00:25:45,240 --> 00:25:47,200 Speaker 1: got to have the attitude. If you don't want to 421 00:25:47,240 --> 00:25:49,780 Speaker 1: be happy, that's fine, but you're not going to keep 422 00:25:49,800 --> 00:25:51,740 Speaker 1: me from being happy. If you want to live in 423 00:25:51,780 --> 00:25:54,260 Speaker 1: the pits, that's your choice, but I'm not getting in 424 00:25:54,300 --> 00:25:58,840 Speaker 1: the pits with you. Take responsibility for your own happiness. 425 00:25:59,560 --> 00:26:03,980 Speaker 1: Don't let those issues sour your own life. Pray for them, 426 00:26:04,300 --> 00:26:08,270 Speaker 1: be respectful, but don't become codependent where you let their 427 00:26:08,330 --> 00:26:12,889 Speaker 1: problem become your problem and you miss your destiny. Friends, 428 00:26:13,010 --> 00:26:17,150 Speaker 1: it's time to break free. Is there something keeping you 429 00:26:17,210 --> 00:26:20,950 Speaker 1: from being happy? Are you allowing somebody to control you, 430 00:26:21,470 --> 00:26:24,730 Speaker 1: make you feel guilty because you don't meet all their demands? 431 00:26:25,210 --> 00:26:29,610 Speaker 1: Why don't you cut the puppet strings? Set some boundaries. 432 00:26:29,930 --> 00:26:34,560 Speaker 1: Don't miss your destiny trying to keep everyone happy, everybody fixed. 433 00:26:34,980 --> 00:26:38,480 Speaker 1: God did not call you to be unhappy to keep 434 00:26:38,560 --> 00:26:43,210 Speaker 1: somebody else happy. Make sure you have plenty of thrusters 435 00:26:43,550 --> 00:26:46,950 Speaker 1: and lifters in your life. If you'll learn this principle, 436 00:26:47,340 --> 00:26:50,899 Speaker 1: of taking control of your own happiness. I believe and 437 00:26:50,940 --> 00:26:54,500 Speaker 1: declare this is going to be a new day. Bondages 438 00:26:54,600 --> 00:26:57,260 Speaker 1: that have held you back for years are being broken 439 00:26:57,359 --> 00:26:59,980 Speaker 1: right now. You're going to step into a new sense 440 00:27:00,020 --> 00:27:03,609 Speaker 1: of freedom, a new sense of joy, a greater happiness. 441 00:27:03,910 --> 00:27:07,830 Speaker 1: You will overcome every obstacle, defeat every enemy, and become 442 00:27:07,990 --> 00:27:11,850 Speaker 1: everything God's created you to be. In Jesus' name, if 443 00:27:11,890 --> 00:27:16,470 Speaker 1: you receive it, can you say amen? We never like 444 00:27:16,490 --> 00:27:19,659 Speaker 1: to close our broadcast without giving you an opportunity to 445 00:27:19,700 --> 00:27:22,360 Speaker 1: make Jesus the Lord of your life. Would you pray 446 00:27:22,400 --> 00:27:27,100 Speaker 1: with me? Just say, Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins. 447 00:27:28,640 --> 00:27:34,080 Speaker 1: Come into my heart. I make you my Lord and Savior. Friends, 448 00:27:34,119 --> 00:27:36,500 Speaker 1: if you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 449 00:27:36,560 --> 00:27:40,260 Speaker 1: born again. Get in a good Bible-based church. Keep God 450 00:27:40,359 --> 00:27:43,120 Speaker 1: first place. He's going to take you places that you've 451 00:27:43,160 --> 00:27:53,889 Speaker 1: never dreamed of. The scripture says, write the vision and 452 00:27:53,930 --> 00:27:57,470 Speaker 1: make it plain to see. There's something powerful about writing 453 00:27:57,530 --> 00:28:00,230 Speaker 1: down what you're believing for. That's why I'd love to 454 00:28:00,270 --> 00:28:03,450 Speaker 1: send you my new I Believe Planner. It's a place 455 00:28:03,470 --> 00:28:06,650 Speaker 1: to write down your dreams, your prayers, and the promises 456 00:28:06,670 --> 00:28:10,270 Speaker 1: you're standing on. What stays before your eyes has a 457 00:28:10,310 --> 00:28:13,040 Speaker 1: way of staying in your heart. Every time you see 458 00:28:13,100 --> 00:28:15,680 Speaker 1: what you've written, let it be a reminder to thank 459 00:28:15,720 --> 00:28:18,750 Speaker 1: God that it's already at work behind the scenes, even 460 00:28:18,790 --> 00:28:21,330 Speaker 1: when you can't see it. As you keep your faith 461 00:28:21,390 --> 00:28:23,989 Speaker 1: in front of you day after day, you'll be encouraged, 462 00:28:24,390 --> 00:28:27,619 Speaker 1: your expectation will grow, and you'll begin to see God 463 00:28:27,859 --> 00:28:29,180 Speaker 1: bring those dreams to pass. 464 00:28:30,020 --> 00:28:33,400 Speaker 2: The I Believe Planner is a beautiful new resource designed 465 00:28:33,440 --> 00:28:36,399 Speaker 2: to help you believe God for more in your health, 466 00:28:36,680 --> 00:28:40,600 Speaker 2: your family, your future. Inside, you'll find a weekly I 467 00:28:40,640 --> 00:28:44,480 Speaker 2: Believe Declaration to frame your mindset and shift the atmosphere 468 00:28:44,560 --> 00:28:48,830 Speaker 2: with God's Word. Daily planning, to-dos, and prayer prompts, and 469 00:28:48,910 --> 00:28:52,350 Speaker 2: space to reflect and record God's faithfulness in your life. 470 00:28:52,870 --> 00:28:55,670 Speaker 2: Each month brings a fresh scripture and theme, plus a 471 00:28:55,710 --> 00:28:59,400 Speaker 2: QR code. linking to an exclusive message from Joel to 472 00:28:59,460 --> 00:29:03,680 Speaker 2: keep you encouraged all year long. This 15-month planner will 473 00:29:03,740 --> 00:29:06,340 Speaker 2: inspire you for the rest of this year and set 474 00:29:06,380 --> 00:29:10,820 Speaker 2: you on a course for breakthrough throughout 2027. It's yours 475 00:29:10,900 --> 00:29:13,580 Speaker 2: as a thank you for your gift to the ministry today. 476 00:29:14,140 --> 00:29:17,500 Speaker 2: Be sure to request your copy of The I Believe Planner, 477 00:29:17,780 --> 00:29:21,860 Speaker 2: available this month by visiting us at joelosteen.com or call 888-567-JOEL. 478 00:29:25,550 --> 00:29:28,010 Speaker 1: Don't just carry your dreams in your heart. Put them 479 00:29:28,110 --> 00:29:30,810 Speaker 1: on paper. And as you read them each day, keep 480 00:29:30,890 --> 00:29:34,190 Speaker 1: thanking God that he's working. Victoria and I are praying 481 00:29:34,210 --> 00:29:37,070 Speaker 1: for you and your family every day. Thanks so much 482 00:29:37,110 --> 00:29:40,920 Speaker 1: for your prayer and support, your generosity. helps us take 483 00:29:40,980 --> 00:29:44,020 Speaker 1: this message of hope to people around the world a 484 00:29:44,040 --> 00:29:46,800 Speaker 1: special thank you to our champion of hope partners for 485 00:29:46,880 --> 00:29:50,070 Speaker 1: all you do to make the ministry possible until we 486 00:29:50,110 --> 00:29:53,130 Speaker 1: meet again may the Lord keep you and bless you. 487 00:29:53,930 --> 00:29:57,260 Speaker 2: Be sure to request your copy of The I Believe Planner, 488 00:29:57,540 --> 00:30:04,479 Speaker 2: available this month by visiting us at joelosteen.com or call 888-567-JOEL. 489 00:30:04,880 --> 00:30:07,780 Speaker 2: With an additional gift, you can also receive the I 490 00:30:07,840 --> 00:30:11,940 Speaker 2: Believe in His Word collection, featuring the Passion Translation New 491 00:30:11,980 --> 00:30:16,209 Speaker 2: Testament Reader's Edition, alongside the I Believe Planner, so you 492 00:30:16,250 --> 00:30:19,910 Speaker 2: can carry God's Word with you every single day, right 493 00:30:19,970 --> 00:30:23,979 Speaker 2: alongside the promises you're standing on. Don't wait until 2027 494 00:30:23,980 --> 00:30:26,140 Speaker 2: to believe God for more. 495 00:30:26,520 --> 00:30:27,840 Speaker 1: This is your moment. 496 00:30:28,220 --> 00:30:33,950 Speaker 2: You can request these inspiring resources by calling 888-567-JOEL or 497 00:30:34,010 --> 00:30:36,690 Speaker 2: logging on to joelosteen.com today. 498 00:30:37,190 --> 00:30:39,030 Speaker 1: Call or click anytime, 24 hours a day.