1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:03,160 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 2 00:00:03,200 --> 00:00:06,360 Speaker 1: our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. If you 3 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:09,040 Speaker 1: enjoy today's message, why don't you be a blessing and 4 00:00:09,080 --> 00:00:11,880 Speaker 1: share it with a friend. Reappreciate you and pray for 5 00:00:11,920 --> 00:00:14,960 Speaker 1: God's very best in your life. Will God bless you? 6 00:00:15,240 --> 00:00:17,800 Speaker 1: It's joy to come into your homes. And if you're 7 00:00:17,840 --> 00:00:20,119 Speaker 1: ever in our area, I hope you'll stop by and 8 00:00:20,160 --> 00:00:22,240 Speaker 1: be a part of one of our services. These are 9 00:00:22,280 --> 00:00:25,040 Speaker 1: the finest people in all of Houston, Texas. Right here 10 00:00:25,040 --> 00:00:27,800 Speaker 1: at Lakewood. We'll make you feel right at home. But 11 00:00:27,920 --> 00:00:30,720 Speaker 1: thanks for tuning in. Thank you again for coming out. 12 00:00:30,760 --> 00:00:33,199 Speaker 1: And I like to start with something funny, and I 13 00:00:33,240 --> 00:00:36,320 Speaker 1: heard about this man. He sat down on an airplane 14 00:00:36,479 --> 00:00:39,720 Speaker 1: next to a beautiful single lady. They struck up a 15 00:00:39,760 --> 00:00:42,800 Speaker 1: conversation and he asked, what kind of men do you like? 16 00:00:43,320 --> 00:00:46,760 Speaker 1: She said, well, I like Native American men with their 17 00:00:46,840 --> 00:00:50,640 Speaker 1: high cheek bones and their gold and tan skin. Plus 18 00:00:50,680 --> 00:00:54,280 Speaker 1: I like Jewish men, they're so brilliant and so successful. 19 00:00:54,800 --> 00:00:57,320 Speaker 1: And then I like good old boys from the South 20 00:00:57,440 --> 00:01:01,040 Speaker 1: with their long Southern draw. What's your name, he said, 21 00:01:01,080 --> 00:01:08,080 Speaker 1: My name is Geronimo Bernstein, but my friends call me Bubba. 22 00:01:08,520 --> 00:01:10,760 Speaker 1: Hold up your bible, say it like you mean it. 23 00:01:11,360 --> 00:01:14,160 Speaker 1: This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. 24 00:01:14,640 --> 00:01:16,920 Speaker 1: I have what it says I have. I can do 25 00:01:17,040 --> 00:01:19,560 Speaker 1: what it says I can do. Today I will be 26 00:01:19,640 --> 00:01:23,400 Speaker 1: taught the word of God. I boldly confess. My mind 27 00:01:23,480 --> 00:01:26,760 Speaker 1: is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never be 28 00:01:26,840 --> 00:01:31,720 Speaker 1: the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. I want 29 00:01:31,760 --> 00:01:35,080 Speaker 1: to talk to you today about dealing with it. It 30 00:01:35,280 --> 00:01:38,480 Speaker 1: is anything that's keeping you from being your best. It 31 00:01:38,560 --> 00:01:42,120 Speaker 1: may be an addiction, a bad habit, a hot temper, 32 00:01:42,680 --> 00:01:45,960 Speaker 1: or maybe something we'd consider smaller, not getting to work 33 00:01:46,000 --> 00:01:50,400 Speaker 1: on time, not treating somebody right, a critical spirit. God's 34 00:01:50,480 --> 00:01:54,120 Speaker 1: always dealing with us about something. He's always wanting us 35 00:01:54,320 --> 00:01:58,760 Speaker 1: to come to a new level. But anytime we go higher, 36 00:01:59,280 --> 00:02:03,440 Speaker 1: part of our flo has to go lower. The scripture says, 37 00:02:03,960 --> 00:02:07,280 Speaker 1: if we're going to share in Christ's glory, we have 38 00:02:07,360 --> 00:02:11,120 Speaker 1: to share in his suffering. There is a suffering that 39 00:02:11,160 --> 00:02:16,520 Speaker 1: we as believers are supposed to endure. But it's not tragedies, sickness, 40 00:02:16,760 --> 00:02:20,800 Speaker 1: living poor, broke, defeated. I'm suffering for Christ. No. First, 41 00:02:20,840 --> 00:02:24,560 Speaker 1: Peter four tells us what it is. It says, if 42 00:02:24,600 --> 00:02:27,560 Speaker 1: you are willing to suffer for Christ, then you have 43 00:02:27,680 --> 00:02:32,960 Speaker 1: decided to put aside your wrong desires. The suffering God's 44 00:02:33,000 --> 00:02:37,240 Speaker 1: talking about is saying no to our flesh. When you 45 00:02:37,320 --> 00:02:41,119 Speaker 1: resist temptation, when you bite your tongue and don't tell 46 00:02:41,160 --> 00:02:45,200 Speaker 1: somebody off, when you swallow your pride and forgive someone 47 00:02:45,240 --> 00:02:49,600 Speaker 1: that hurts you. Your flesh, everything on the inside is 48 00:02:49,639 --> 00:02:52,119 Speaker 1: going to throw a fit saying this is not right, 49 00:02:52,240 --> 00:02:55,680 Speaker 1: this is not fair. Let me tell them all many times, 50 00:02:55,720 --> 00:02:59,400 Speaker 1: it's uncomfortable to make the right decision. We have to 51 00:02:59,520 --> 00:03:03,600 Speaker 1: suffer through that period of not getting our way. When 52 00:03:03,600 --> 00:03:06,960 Speaker 1: God asked us to do something hard, He asks you 53 00:03:07,040 --> 00:03:10,240 Speaker 1: to walk away from a friend that's polluting your life. 54 00:03:10,680 --> 00:03:13,360 Speaker 1: He asked us to be more disciplined in what we watch. 55 00:03:13,919 --> 00:03:17,520 Speaker 1: God is never trying to take something from us. He's 56 00:03:17,520 --> 00:03:21,240 Speaker 1: trying to get something to us. Whenever God's moving you 57 00:03:21,320 --> 00:03:25,280 Speaker 1: away from something, He's always moving you towards something better. 58 00:03:25,720 --> 00:03:28,680 Speaker 1: God has our best interests at heart, and if we 59 00:03:28,760 --> 00:03:32,919 Speaker 1: will be willing to suffer through being uncomfortable not getting 60 00:03:32,960 --> 00:03:37,480 Speaker 1: our way, then our character is being developed as we grow, 61 00:03:37,680 --> 00:03:42,320 Speaker 1: As we mature, God's blessings will be released. See every 62 00:03:42,400 --> 00:03:45,800 Speaker 1: time you say no to the flesh, every time you 63 00:03:45,920 --> 00:03:49,240 Speaker 1: resist that temptation, the next time it will be a 64 00:03:49,240 --> 00:03:53,880 Speaker 1: little easier, a little less painful. See, whatever you feed 65 00:03:54,040 --> 00:03:58,120 Speaker 1: is going to grow. If you feed the addiction, feed 66 00:03:58,160 --> 00:04:01,040 Speaker 1: the jealousy, feed the bad habit the hot temper, and 67 00:04:01,080 --> 00:04:03,840 Speaker 1: you just give in whenever you feel like it, then 68 00:04:03,880 --> 00:04:07,240 Speaker 1: it's going to become stronger. You need to change what 69 00:04:07,280 --> 00:04:10,880 Speaker 1: you're feeding. The next time you're tempted, take a deep breath, 70 00:04:11,320 --> 00:04:15,240 Speaker 1: step back and pray God, I'm asking you for your discipline. 71 00:04:15,400 --> 00:04:18,719 Speaker 1: Then dig your heels in and walk away. What happened. 72 00:04:18,920 --> 00:04:21,960 Speaker 1: You just starved the flesh and you fed the spirit. 73 00:04:23,040 --> 00:04:27,159 Speaker 1: But many people choose what's comfortable now and then later 74 00:04:27,200 --> 00:04:30,920 Speaker 1: on wonder why they don't have victory. It was an 75 00:04:30,960 --> 00:04:34,440 Speaker 1: eleven day journey to the Promised Land, but the people 76 00:04:34,480 --> 00:04:38,640 Speaker 1: of Israel went around the same mountain for forty years 77 00:04:39,040 --> 00:04:42,400 Speaker 1: and never did make it in. They were complainers, they 78 00:04:42,440 --> 00:04:47,039 Speaker 1: were negative, ungrateful. God gave them chance after chance, but 79 00:04:47,120 --> 00:04:50,080 Speaker 1: they kept failing the test. They didn't deal with it. 80 00:04:50,480 --> 00:04:53,360 Speaker 1: And yes, they lived an okay life, a get by life, 81 00:04:53,640 --> 00:04:58,680 Speaker 1: but they missed God's best. And sometimes we wonder why 82 00:04:58,760 --> 00:05:01,240 Speaker 1: we feel stuck at the same time place while we 83 00:05:01,279 --> 00:05:03,880 Speaker 1: can't seem to get out of this rut. It could 84 00:05:03,920 --> 00:05:07,640 Speaker 1: be because we're not dealing with what God brings to light. 85 00:05:08,640 --> 00:05:12,640 Speaker 1: When you feel the conviction on the inside, something says 86 00:05:13,080 --> 00:05:15,520 Speaker 1: you need to treat that person better. You need to 87 00:05:15,560 --> 00:05:17,760 Speaker 1: get to work on time, You need to get help 88 00:05:17,800 --> 00:05:21,080 Speaker 1: with that bad habit. Those are not just nice thoughts. 89 00:05:21,360 --> 00:05:24,719 Speaker 1: That's God's speaking to you, wanting to bring you up higher. 90 00:05:25,440 --> 00:05:29,159 Speaker 1: Don't ignore it, don't sweep it under the rug. It 91 00:05:29,200 --> 00:05:33,279 Speaker 1: may be difficult, but it's better to make right choices 92 00:05:33,640 --> 00:05:37,039 Speaker 1: and be uncomfortable for a while than to keep going 93 00:05:37,080 --> 00:05:40,680 Speaker 1: the same way and miss your destiny. The pain of 94 00:05:40,760 --> 00:05:45,480 Speaker 1: discipline is temporary, but the pain of compromise is permanent. 95 00:05:46,240 --> 00:05:49,839 Speaker 1: I say every day, God search my heart. Am I 96 00:05:49,920 --> 00:05:53,279 Speaker 1: on the right track? God? Show me areas I need 97 00:05:53,279 --> 00:05:56,960 Speaker 1: to improve in? What can I do better? See? God 98 00:05:57,000 --> 00:06:00,320 Speaker 1: doesn't require us to be perfect. All he had ask 99 00:06:00,600 --> 00:06:03,920 Speaker 1: is that we keep trying, We keep taking steps to improve, 100 00:06:04,920 --> 00:06:07,720 Speaker 1: and we should treat people better this year than we 101 00:06:07,760 --> 00:06:11,280 Speaker 1: did five years ago. We should have more discipline, less 102 00:06:11,279 --> 00:06:14,960 Speaker 1: bad habits, a better attitude. And if you're stuck at 103 00:06:14,960 --> 00:06:17,719 Speaker 1: the same place you need to pray. God, show me 104 00:06:18,080 --> 00:06:21,520 Speaker 1: what I need to do to improve, and then pay 105 00:06:21,560 --> 00:06:25,120 Speaker 1: attention to your conscience. Listen to what you're hearing down 106 00:06:25,160 --> 00:06:29,480 Speaker 1: in here. Sometimes we've ignored what God has brought up 107 00:06:29,600 --> 00:06:33,960 Speaker 1: so long that we become numb to that conviction. At first, 108 00:06:34,040 --> 00:06:36,120 Speaker 1: it was like an alarm going off. We knew it 109 00:06:36,200 --> 00:06:38,839 Speaker 1: was wrong. It really bothered us, but we pushed it 110 00:06:38,880 --> 00:06:41,560 Speaker 1: down again and again, and now it's no big deal. 111 00:06:42,480 --> 00:06:45,239 Speaker 1: One of the best prayers we could ever pray is, God, 112 00:06:45,560 --> 00:06:49,080 Speaker 1: help me to stay sensitive to your voice. God, help 113 00:06:49,120 --> 00:06:52,040 Speaker 1: me to respond to your conviction. Help me not to 114 00:06:52,080 --> 00:06:55,640 Speaker 1: go against my conscience. If you will stay open and 115 00:06:55,720 --> 00:06:58,400 Speaker 1: pay attention to what you're hearing down in here, God 116 00:06:58,480 --> 00:07:02,200 Speaker 1: will keep you from making a mine a mistake. One 117 00:07:02,200 --> 00:07:05,719 Speaker 1: time in the scripture, Abraham and his wife Sarah moved 118 00:07:05,720 --> 00:07:09,240 Speaker 1: to a new city, and Sarah was a very beautiful woman. 119 00:07:09,920 --> 00:07:14,080 Speaker 1: Abraham was concerned that this king would see how beautiful 120 00:07:14,240 --> 00:07:17,920 Speaker 1: she was and kill Abraham and take Sarah in as 121 00:07:17,920 --> 00:07:22,119 Speaker 1: one of his wives. To avoid all this, Abraham told 122 00:07:22,160 --> 00:07:26,400 Speaker 1: everyone that Sarah was his sister and not his wife, 123 00:07:26,680 --> 00:07:29,920 Speaker 1: just like he thought. The king saw how beautiful she was. 124 00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:33,160 Speaker 1: And took her to be his wife. But just before 125 00:07:33,280 --> 00:07:36,720 Speaker 1: he could follow through, God showed this king that she 126 00:07:36,840 --> 00:07:40,160 Speaker 1: was really married, caused him to stop. The scripture says 127 00:07:40,240 --> 00:07:44,080 Speaker 1: God said to the king, because of the integrity of 128 00:07:44,120 --> 00:07:46,840 Speaker 1: your heart, I have kept you from making a mistake. 129 00:07:47,920 --> 00:07:50,200 Speaker 1: In one sense, it wouldn't have been the king's fault. 130 00:07:50,280 --> 00:07:53,360 Speaker 1: He didn't know any better. That's the way God is 131 00:07:53,600 --> 00:07:56,560 Speaker 1: when you walk in his ways, it says in Psalms, 132 00:07:56,720 --> 00:08:00,000 Speaker 1: God will keep your foot from stumbley. When you say 133 00:08:00,040 --> 00:08:03,120 Speaker 1: say God, search me, make me, mold me, show me 134 00:08:03,160 --> 00:08:05,960 Speaker 1: where I need to change, and then you pay attention 135 00:08:06,360 --> 00:08:10,000 Speaker 1: to that still small voice like this king, God will 136 00:08:10,080 --> 00:08:13,640 Speaker 1: keep you from making a major mistake. And if you 137 00:08:13,680 --> 00:08:16,600 Speaker 1: have areas that you struggle in and we all do, 138 00:08:16,600 --> 00:08:19,520 Speaker 1: don't ignore it. Don't sweep it under the rug and 139 00:08:19,880 --> 00:08:23,840 Speaker 1: hope that it'll go away. Once you don't confront, you 140 00:08:23,920 --> 00:08:27,480 Speaker 1: cannot conquer. If you have a problem with jealousy, just 141 00:08:27,480 --> 00:08:29,880 Speaker 1: get it out and the open God. Every time I 142 00:08:29,920 --> 00:08:33,480 Speaker 1: see my friend, she's so talented, she's so beautiful, I 143 00:08:33,520 --> 00:08:36,960 Speaker 1: tend to get jealous. God help me, or God, these 144 00:08:37,000 --> 00:08:40,440 Speaker 1: people really hurt me. I'm having a problem for giving them. 145 00:08:40,520 --> 00:08:44,000 Speaker 1: God I've got this resentment in my heart. It's better 146 00:08:44,080 --> 00:08:47,560 Speaker 1: to be open and honest then to go around acting 147 00:08:47,679 --> 00:08:51,040 Speaker 1: like you're perfect, pushing things down hoping that they'll go away. 148 00:08:51,960 --> 00:08:56,160 Speaker 1: I've learned proud people get stuck. Proud people don't reach 149 00:08:56,200 --> 00:08:59,560 Speaker 1: their full potential. A proud person won't ask God for 150 00:08:59,600 --> 00:09:03,200 Speaker 1: his health. You have to humble yourself and say, God, 151 00:09:03,320 --> 00:09:05,960 Speaker 1: I can't break this addiction on my own. I need 152 00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:09,480 Speaker 1: your help. It takes humility to say God, I've got 153 00:09:09,520 --> 00:09:11,960 Speaker 1: a problem with my temper. God, I know I should 154 00:09:12,000 --> 00:09:14,000 Speaker 1: treat my spouse better. God, I know I shouldn't be 155 00:09:14,000 --> 00:09:16,880 Speaker 1: watching these things. God give me the strength the power 156 00:09:16,920 --> 00:09:22,600 Speaker 1: to overcome. When you have a humble, dependent attitude asking 157 00:09:22,679 --> 00:09:26,079 Speaker 1: in faith, God will never let you down. It may 158 00:09:26,120 --> 00:09:29,000 Speaker 1: not happen overnight, but God will give you the strength 159 00:09:29,040 --> 00:09:31,600 Speaker 1: to rise above it when you look to the Lord 160 00:09:31,679 --> 00:09:34,640 Speaker 1: for your help. That's the kind of people God uses 161 00:09:34,800 --> 00:09:40,160 Speaker 1: to do amazing things. Not perfect people, but people that 162 00:09:40,240 --> 00:09:43,280 Speaker 1: are depending on him, people that are trusting in Him 163 00:09:43,520 --> 00:09:47,760 Speaker 1: for his mercy, his strength, his power to fulfill their destiny. 164 00:09:48,160 --> 00:09:51,360 Speaker 1: And here's the good news. God will never ask you 165 00:09:51,440 --> 00:09:54,320 Speaker 1: to do something and then not give you the power 166 00:09:54,400 --> 00:09:58,800 Speaker 1: to do it. It may be difficult, but you are equipped. 167 00:09:59,160 --> 00:10:02,320 Speaker 1: You are in Pa Howard, the greatest force in the 168 00:10:02,440 --> 00:10:06,520 Speaker 1: universe is breathing in your direction. If you will do 169 00:10:06,640 --> 00:10:09,760 Speaker 1: what you can, then God will do what you can't. 170 00:10:10,600 --> 00:10:13,240 Speaker 1: But here's the key. God is not going to do 171 00:10:13,440 --> 00:10:17,040 Speaker 1: for you what you can do for yourself. You got 172 00:10:17,080 --> 00:10:20,000 Speaker 1: to dig your heels in and be disciplined. You got 173 00:10:20,040 --> 00:10:22,400 Speaker 1: to stay away from the places and people that are 174 00:10:22,400 --> 00:10:25,679 Speaker 1: bringing you down. You got to make an effort. Get 175 00:10:25,760 --> 00:10:29,000 Speaker 1: up early and pray. Find friends that will support you, 176 00:10:29,520 --> 00:10:33,520 Speaker 1: feed your mind thoughts of hope, faith victory, make church, 177 00:10:33,920 --> 00:10:37,880 Speaker 1: being around other believers a priority. When God sees you 178 00:10:38,000 --> 00:10:42,200 Speaker 1: doing what you can, responding to that conviction, taking steps 179 00:10:42,240 --> 00:10:45,480 Speaker 1: to improve. When you do the natural, God will show 180 00:10:45,559 --> 00:10:48,720 Speaker 1: up and do the supernatural. I know this man that 181 00:10:48,840 --> 00:10:51,720 Speaker 1: struggled with an addiction for a long time and he's 182 00:10:51,760 --> 00:10:54,240 Speaker 1: really wanted to stop him. A couple of years ago, 183 00:10:54,880 --> 00:10:58,480 Speaker 1: he was all fired up, so excited. He said, Joel, 184 00:10:58,559 --> 00:11:01,760 Speaker 1: I know this is by I'm gonna break this bad habit. 185 00:11:02,280 --> 00:11:05,680 Speaker 1: He felt a new strength, a new determination. But the 186 00:11:05,760 --> 00:11:09,640 Speaker 1: problem is he never really acted on it. He knew 187 00:11:09,800 --> 00:11:12,320 Speaker 1: he was equipped, he knew it was his time, but 188 00:11:12,400 --> 00:11:15,520 Speaker 1: he kept putting it off, thinking I'll start next week. 189 00:11:15,920 --> 00:11:19,079 Speaker 1: The next week came, I'll start the next week. Well, 190 00:11:19,120 --> 00:11:22,040 Speaker 1: a couple of months later, he didn't have that strong 191 00:11:22,120 --> 00:11:26,880 Speaker 1: desire anymore. He didn't feel that strength, that determination. I'll 192 00:11:26,880 --> 00:11:30,680 Speaker 1: never forget what he told me, He said, Joel, I 193 00:11:30,920 --> 00:11:34,720 Speaker 1: missed my season of grace. I said, what do you mean? 194 00:11:35,240 --> 00:11:37,640 Speaker 1: He said, I knew that I could break that addiction. 195 00:11:38,040 --> 00:11:40,760 Speaker 1: It was so strong in me, but I ignored it. 196 00:11:41,160 --> 00:11:43,880 Speaker 1: I didn't act on it, and I missed that window 197 00:11:43,960 --> 00:11:47,480 Speaker 1: of opportunity. And of course God will always give us 198 00:11:47,520 --> 00:11:52,560 Speaker 1: another chance. But there are seasons of grace to break 199 00:11:52,600 --> 00:11:56,520 Speaker 1: what's holding you back, a season of grace to forgive 200 00:11:56,559 --> 00:11:59,600 Speaker 1: someone that hurts you, a season of grace to make 201 00:11:59,640 --> 00:12:03,240 Speaker 1: a change in a wrong relationship. When you feel God 202 00:12:03,320 --> 00:12:06,120 Speaker 1: bringing that to light, you know, like he did, this 203 00:12:06,280 --> 00:12:08,520 Speaker 1: is your time you can come up higher. Don't push 204 00:12:08,559 --> 00:12:12,920 Speaker 1: it down, don't ignore it. Step into that grace, get 205 00:12:12,960 --> 00:12:16,480 Speaker 1: up early and pray. Take a class that will help you. 206 00:12:16,559 --> 00:12:20,760 Speaker 1: Don't miss your season. God's bringing it to light because 207 00:12:20,800 --> 00:12:25,000 Speaker 1: it's a window of opportunity to come up higher. And yes, 208 00:12:25,160 --> 00:12:27,880 Speaker 1: if you miss this season, there will be another one. 209 00:12:28,360 --> 00:12:31,080 Speaker 1: But you'll have to go around the same mountain again, 210 00:12:31,440 --> 00:12:34,800 Speaker 1: dealing with the same issues. Plus the longer we wait, 211 00:12:35,040 --> 00:12:38,760 Speaker 1: the more difficult it is to overcome. I believe many 212 00:12:38,840 --> 00:12:41,520 Speaker 1: of you are about to enter into one of these 213 00:12:41,559 --> 00:12:46,400 Speaker 1: seasons of grace. God's power, his favor, his mercy is 214 00:12:46,440 --> 00:12:50,439 Speaker 1: going to flood your mind, floods your body like never before. 215 00:12:51,920 --> 00:12:55,320 Speaker 1: You're going to fill the wind of His spirit breathing 216 00:12:55,440 --> 00:12:58,800 Speaker 1: in your direction to help you overcome things that have 217 00:12:58,880 --> 00:12:59,920 Speaker 1: held you back for years. 218 00:13:00,200 --> 00:13:00,520 Speaker 2: Years. 219 00:13:00,840 --> 00:13:04,040 Speaker 1: Step into that grace. This is your time to come 220 00:13:04,120 --> 00:13:08,240 Speaker 1: up higher. It may be difficult, but your destiny is 221 00:13:08,280 --> 00:13:11,520 Speaker 1: worth fighting for. It may be uncomfortable, you may have 222 00:13:11,600 --> 00:13:14,480 Speaker 1: to suffer for a while, but your destiny is worth 223 00:13:14,520 --> 00:13:19,040 Speaker 1: that push through anything that's holding you back. Get ready 224 00:13:19,040 --> 00:13:22,680 Speaker 1: to step into a new season of God's favor. Here's 225 00:13:22,720 --> 00:13:27,240 Speaker 1: what I've learned. With every act of obedience, there is 226 00:13:27,280 --> 00:13:30,520 Speaker 1: a blessing tied to it. Just the fact that you 227 00:13:30,640 --> 00:13:34,040 Speaker 1: came today, the fact that you're watching, you're saying, God, 228 00:13:34,440 --> 00:13:37,640 Speaker 1: I honor you. You're a priority in my life. There's 229 00:13:37,679 --> 00:13:41,320 Speaker 1: a blessing attached to that. When God asks you to 230 00:13:41,360 --> 00:13:45,400 Speaker 1: do something that seems difficult, he asks you to forgive 231 00:13:45,520 --> 00:13:48,360 Speaker 1: somebody that really hurts you. He asked you to walk 232 00:13:48,400 --> 00:13:51,600 Speaker 1: away from a friend that's polluting your life. It would 233 00:13:51,640 --> 00:13:56,120 Speaker 1: take a major effort on your part, a major sacrifice. 234 00:13:56,160 --> 00:13:59,840 Speaker 1: You can be assured that a major blessing will follow. 235 00:14:00,240 --> 00:14:03,199 Speaker 1: There will be a major shift in your life for 236 00:14:03,240 --> 00:14:07,720 Speaker 1: the better. Think about Abraham. God asked him to take 237 00:14:07,760 --> 00:14:11,480 Speaker 1: his only son, Isaac. This was the son that had 238 00:14:11,559 --> 00:14:15,000 Speaker 1: waited twenty years for, the son. They had prayed and 239 00:14:15,080 --> 00:14:18,240 Speaker 1: believed and stood in faith. He finally showed up, and 240 00:14:18,360 --> 00:14:21,840 Speaker 1: God asked Abraham to take his little boy up on 241 00:14:21,880 --> 00:14:26,080 Speaker 1: the top of a mountain and sacrifice him. Abraham could 242 00:14:26,120 --> 00:14:28,720 Speaker 1: have ignored it, thought this is not God, this is 243 00:14:28,760 --> 00:14:32,000 Speaker 1: the devil, this is my promised child. He could have 244 00:14:32,360 --> 00:14:36,840 Speaker 1: pushed it down, not paid any attention. And I'm sure Abraham, 245 00:14:36,960 --> 00:14:40,400 Speaker 1: like the Israelites, could have lived an okay life. But 246 00:14:40,440 --> 00:14:43,280 Speaker 1: when God asked you to do something that seems hard 247 00:14:43,640 --> 00:14:49,080 Speaker 1: and you obey, then something amazing will always follow. Abraham 248 00:14:49,200 --> 00:14:51,040 Speaker 1: got to the top of the mountain, he put his 249 00:14:51,080 --> 00:14:53,680 Speaker 1: little boy on the altar. Just as he was going 250 00:14:53,720 --> 00:14:58,000 Speaker 1: to follow through, God said, Abraham, don't do it. I 251 00:14:58,160 --> 00:15:00,480 Speaker 1: just wanted to see if you would obe obay me. 252 00:15:01,040 --> 00:15:05,320 Speaker 1: When it was extremely difficult, Abraham looked over and he 253 00:15:05,400 --> 00:15:08,560 Speaker 1: saw a ram caught in the brush. He knew that 254 00:15:08,720 --> 00:15:11,320 Speaker 1: was the real sacrifice. This is where we get the 255 00:15:11,320 --> 00:15:16,280 Speaker 1: phrase Jehovah Jirah, the Lord, our provider. And what's interesting 256 00:15:16,680 --> 00:15:20,400 Speaker 1: if you study rams, they never go that high up 257 00:15:20,440 --> 00:15:23,800 Speaker 1: in the mountain. It's not natural to them. But when 258 00:15:23,840 --> 00:15:27,520 Speaker 1: you do what God's asking you to do, every step 259 00:15:27,600 --> 00:15:30,840 Speaker 1: you take in obedience, the Ram is taking a step 260 00:15:30,880 --> 00:15:33,760 Speaker 1: toward you, coming up the other side of the mountain. 261 00:15:35,320 --> 00:15:37,960 Speaker 1: You may not be able to see it. You're doing 262 00:15:38,000 --> 00:15:41,120 Speaker 1: the right thing, you're being disciplined, you're trying to break 263 00:15:41,160 --> 00:15:45,000 Speaker 1: the habit. But it doesn't look like anything's happening. Now. 264 00:15:45,040 --> 00:15:47,960 Speaker 1: What you cannot see is on the other side of 265 00:15:48,000 --> 00:15:53,080 Speaker 1: the mountain. Your provision, you're healing, your breakthrough, your turnaround, 266 00:15:53,400 --> 00:15:56,480 Speaker 1: is making its way towards you. You just keep doing 267 00:15:56,640 --> 00:15:59,400 Speaker 1: what you know God's asking you to do, keep walking 268 00:15:59,440 --> 00:16:03,680 Speaker 1: in obedience, keep taking steps to improve, and before long, 269 00:16:04,000 --> 00:16:06,920 Speaker 1: your ram is gonna show up. God's going to say 270 00:16:07,120 --> 00:16:12,120 Speaker 1: you passed the test. You've been extremely obedient, extremely faithful, 271 00:16:12,480 --> 00:16:17,240 Speaker 1: You've made extreme sacrifices. Now Here are my extreme blessings. 272 00:16:17,480 --> 00:16:20,800 Speaker 1: Here's my extreme favor. You're gonna see God's goodness in 273 00:16:20,880 --> 00:16:25,440 Speaker 1: ways you've never seen before. In Abraham, he didn't just 274 00:16:25,520 --> 00:16:29,080 Speaker 1: find a Ram. He didn't just have his son's life spared, 275 00:16:29,120 --> 00:16:33,440 Speaker 1: although that's huge, But Abraham was the one God started 276 00:16:33,440 --> 00:16:36,600 Speaker 1: the covenant with. Today, you and I are called the 277 00:16:36,680 --> 00:16:41,320 Speaker 1: seed of Abraham. What am I saying? When you radically obey, 278 00:16:41,920 --> 00:16:46,400 Speaker 1: God will radically bless There are other people in the scripture, however, 279 00:16:46,480 --> 00:16:50,240 Speaker 1: that didn't have the same story as Abraham. They did 280 00:16:50,280 --> 00:16:55,640 Speaker 1: just the opposite. Samson had a supernatural beginning. His birth 281 00:16:55,800 --> 00:16:59,000 Speaker 1: was announced by the angels. God destined him to do 282 00:16:59,080 --> 00:17:03,080 Speaker 1: great things, but Sampson wasn't disciplined in what he watched. 283 00:17:03,440 --> 00:17:06,399 Speaker 1: He couldn't keep his eyes off the wrong things. No 284 00:17:06,520 --> 00:17:09,200 Speaker 1: telling how many times God dealt with him about that. 285 00:17:10,000 --> 00:17:13,680 Speaker 1: You never make a mistake without God giving you plenty 286 00:17:13,720 --> 00:17:18,120 Speaker 1: of warnings. God's very merciful. You'll hear the alarm going off, 287 00:17:18,440 --> 00:17:21,679 Speaker 1: saying don't do it, it's not right on the inside. 288 00:17:21,720 --> 00:17:25,320 Speaker 1: You'll feel an uneasiness again and again. Year after year. 289 00:17:25,640 --> 00:17:29,920 Speaker 1: Sampson ignored it. He ended up as a slave, blind 290 00:17:30,240 --> 00:17:34,200 Speaker 1: grinding at the mill. Didn't fulfill his destiny could have 291 00:17:34,320 --> 00:17:37,119 Speaker 1: all been avoided if he had been willing to deal 292 00:17:37,160 --> 00:17:40,880 Speaker 1: with it. Saul was chosen to be the King of Israel. 293 00:17:41,400 --> 00:17:44,960 Speaker 1: God's hand of favor was upon him, But Saul had 294 00:17:44,960 --> 00:17:48,320 Speaker 1: a problem with jealousy. He couldn't stand the fact that 295 00:17:48,440 --> 00:17:52,160 Speaker 1: David was more popular than him. No doubt, God dealt 296 00:17:52,200 --> 00:17:55,760 Speaker 1: with him again and again. Saul let it go. Be 297 00:17:55,920 --> 00:18:00,359 Speaker 1: happy for David. Like Sampson, he ignored it all, went 298 00:18:00,400 --> 00:18:03,720 Speaker 1: around the same mountain again and again, ended up dying 299 00:18:03,760 --> 00:18:07,640 Speaker 1: an early death, killed in battle. When you think about it, 300 00:18:07,800 --> 00:18:11,080 Speaker 1: jealousy is a small thing to keep us from our destiny. 301 00:18:11,880 --> 00:18:15,600 Speaker 1: Not being disciplined in what we watch is small compared 302 00:18:15,640 --> 00:18:19,399 Speaker 1: to the amazing plan God has for your life. It 303 00:18:19,400 --> 00:18:23,320 Speaker 1: wouldn't have been that difficult for Saul to overcome jealousy. 304 00:18:23,880 --> 00:18:27,159 Speaker 1: I'm sure he had plenty seasons of grace. Would have 305 00:18:27,160 --> 00:18:30,800 Speaker 1: been too hard for Samson to stay focused. After all, 306 00:18:31,040 --> 00:18:34,080 Speaker 1: that was nothing compared to what Abraham had to deal with. 307 00:18:34,880 --> 00:18:38,520 Speaker 1: But the scripture says, it's the little foxes that spoil 308 00:18:38,560 --> 00:18:42,439 Speaker 1: the vines. Don't let something small keep you from God's 309 00:18:42,440 --> 00:18:47,040 Speaker 1: best One wrong friend, not forgiving someone one bad habit 310 00:18:47,359 --> 00:18:50,119 Speaker 1: that's small compared to where God wants to take you. 311 00:18:51,359 --> 00:18:53,800 Speaker 1: In the scripture, there's a man by the name of Gehesei. 312 00:18:54,480 --> 00:18:58,560 Speaker 1: He was Elisha's assistant. One time, Elisha prayed for this 313 00:18:58,640 --> 00:19:02,360 Speaker 1: man that had leprosy, and God healed him. The man 314 00:19:02,520 --> 00:19:06,880 Speaker 1: was so excited and so grateful. He asked Elisha if 315 00:19:06,880 --> 00:19:09,520 Speaker 1: he could pay him or give him some type of 316 00:19:09,600 --> 00:19:13,280 Speaker 1: gift to express his gratitude. Alicia said no, no, I 317 00:19:13,320 --> 00:19:16,520 Speaker 1: didn't hear you God did. I won't take anything. The 318 00:19:16,560 --> 00:19:18,719 Speaker 1: man pleaded and plead and said, come on, Elisha, let 319 00:19:18,720 --> 00:19:20,920 Speaker 1: me give you some gold, some silver, let me give 320 00:19:20,920 --> 00:19:25,280 Speaker 1: you something. Again, Elisha refused. The man and his party 321 00:19:25,720 --> 00:19:28,600 Speaker 1: got on the road and headed toward their home in 322 00:19:28,640 --> 00:19:33,800 Speaker 1: a different city. Well, Gehazi, Elisha's assistant, overheard all this. 323 00:19:34,560 --> 00:19:37,600 Speaker 1: When Elisha wasn't watching, he snuck out of the house 324 00:19:37,640 --> 00:19:40,399 Speaker 1: and ran down the road and caught up with them. 325 00:19:40,720 --> 00:19:43,119 Speaker 1: The man was surprised and said, Gehese, what are you 326 00:19:43,160 --> 00:19:47,000 Speaker 1: doing here? He said, well, Elisha sent me because we've 327 00:19:47,040 --> 00:19:50,679 Speaker 1: had some unexpected guests show up. He was wondering if 328 00:19:50,720 --> 00:19:53,480 Speaker 1: you might give us some of those gifts you talk about. 329 00:19:54,000 --> 00:19:56,400 Speaker 1: The man said, of course I will. He loaded Gaehesa 330 00:19:56,560 --> 00:20:00,160 Speaker 1: down with gold and silver, and gahes I left there happy, 331 00:20:00,280 --> 00:20:03,280 Speaker 1: can be, feeling like he just won the lottery. But 332 00:20:03,320 --> 00:20:07,680 Speaker 1: what gahes I didn't realize is God sees everything. God's 333 00:20:07,720 --> 00:20:10,479 Speaker 1: the one that lifts up one and brings down another. 334 00:20:11,440 --> 00:20:15,160 Speaker 1: Gahes I got back to Elysia's house, acted like everything 335 00:20:15,280 --> 00:20:19,359 Speaker 1: was fine. Lysia said, Gaehesi, where have you been? Said? No, nowhere, 336 00:20:19,480 --> 00:20:22,480 Speaker 1: just here hanging out at the house. Lyshi said, Gehesi, 337 00:20:22,920 --> 00:20:26,440 Speaker 1: don't you know that when you left, my spirit went 338 00:20:26,520 --> 00:20:30,160 Speaker 1: with you, and you cannot fool God. The scripture says, 339 00:20:30,240 --> 00:20:35,720 Speaker 1: immediately Gahesi's skin was filled with leprosy. And I don't 340 00:20:35,760 --> 00:20:39,800 Speaker 1: believe that God sends the leprosy, but we can step 341 00:20:39,840 --> 00:20:42,680 Speaker 1: out of God's protection. God was saying, hey, if you 342 00:20:42,720 --> 00:20:46,200 Speaker 1: don't want my favor, my blessings, my protection, I'll remove it. 343 00:20:46,280 --> 00:20:50,320 Speaker 1: I'll take it away. What we don't know is how 344 00:20:50,359 --> 00:20:54,800 Speaker 1: many times God had dealt with Gahesi, telling him, come on, Gahesi, 345 00:20:55,040 --> 00:20:58,360 Speaker 1: you gotta change, You gotta come up higher, be more honest, 346 00:20:58,680 --> 00:21:03,160 Speaker 1: have more integrity. Again and again, Gahesi refused. He didn't 347 00:21:03,240 --> 00:21:06,800 Speaker 1: let God make him and mold him. Think about this, 348 00:21:07,560 --> 00:21:12,960 Speaker 1: Elisha was Elijah's assistant. He received a double portion of 349 00:21:13,000 --> 00:21:18,159 Speaker 1: Elijah's anointing. Well, Gehesi was Elisha's assistant, he was in 350 00:21:18,200 --> 00:21:21,560 Speaker 1: line for a double portion that would have been four 351 00:21:21,720 --> 00:21:26,480 Speaker 1: times the annoying that Elijah had. Friends. Don't miss doing 352 00:21:26,520 --> 00:21:30,400 Speaker 1: something great because you keep pushing things down. All you've 353 00:21:30,440 --> 00:21:32,840 Speaker 1: got to do is stay open, say God, make me, 354 00:21:33,320 --> 00:21:36,320 Speaker 1: mold me, show me where I need to change. If 355 00:21:36,359 --> 00:21:40,160 Speaker 1: you have a heart to improve, God will have incredible 356 00:21:40,240 --> 00:21:44,320 Speaker 1: mercy on you. God doesn't expect us to be perfect. 357 00:21:44,880 --> 00:21:47,640 Speaker 1: He doesn't condemn us when we fail. He doesn't right 358 00:21:47,720 --> 00:21:50,000 Speaker 1: us off because we missed it in the past. As 359 00:21:50,080 --> 00:21:52,560 Speaker 1: long as we get up and keep trying, God will 360 00:21:52,600 --> 00:21:57,080 Speaker 1: give us another chance, again and again and again. One time, 361 00:21:57,160 --> 00:22:02,280 Speaker 1: David was facing the Jebyah sites. They were living in Jerusalem, 362 00:22:02,760 --> 00:22:05,479 Speaker 1: on the land that was promised to be the city 363 00:22:05,600 --> 00:22:08,800 Speaker 1: of David. It was up on a big hill. It 364 00:22:08,880 --> 00:22:12,720 Speaker 1: was surrounded by walls like a big fort. That's where 365 00:22:12,800 --> 00:22:16,119 Speaker 1: David was supposed to rain from. But David and his 366 00:22:16,240 --> 00:22:19,960 Speaker 1: men were down in the valley. Everything was fine down there. 367 00:22:20,040 --> 00:22:23,119 Speaker 1: Nobody bothered them as long as they were in the valley. 368 00:22:23,840 --> 00:22:28,159 Speaker 1: But unless David conquered this enemy. Unless he took this 369 00:22:28,320 --> 00:22:32,000 Speaker 1: city that God had promised him, that enemy would always 370 00:22:32,080 --> 00:22:35,400 Speaker 1: be able to taunt him. Every time they looked up 371 00:22:35,440 --> 00:22:38,240 Speaker 1: and saw that city, they would be reminded of what 372 00:22:38,359 --> 00:22:41,720 Speaker 1: should have been theirs. There are certain enemies that if 373 00:22:41,720 --> 00:22:44,639 Speaker 1: you don't conquer, they will taunt you your whole life. 374 00:22:45,400 --> 00:22:48,520 Speaker 1: As long as you're in the valley, everything's okay, But 375 00:22:48,560 --> 00:22:51,000 Speaker 1: when you look up and see what you should be, 376 00:22:51,280 --> 00:22:54,280 Speaker 1: it'll frustrate you. This is the way David and his 377 00:22:54,440 --> 00:22:58,480 Speaker 1: men felt. They had partial victory. They had control over 378 00:22:58,520 --> 00:23:01,920 Speaker 1: the lower areas over the valley, but David knew that 379 00:23:02,080 --> 00:23:05,239 Speaker 1: city on a hill was supposed to be his. He 380 00:23:05,320 --> 00:23:08,000 Speaker 1: got fired up. He told his men, we're going to 381 00:23:08,080 --> 00:23:12,720 Speaker 1: take this city. Well, the Jebusites were prepared. They were 382 00:23:12,760 --> 00:23:16,920 Speaker 1: on guard, fully expecting David in his army to come 383 00:23:17,040 --> 00:23:19,399 Speaker 1: charging over those walls, and they were going to let 384 00:23:19,440 --> 00:23:24,080 Speaker 1: them have it. But David did something interesting. The city 385 00:23:24,119 --> 00:23:28,479 Speaker 1: of Jerusalem had developed a unique water system made up 386 00:23:28,480 --> 00:23:32,760 Speaker 1: of small tunnels and canals that the water and sewer 387 00:23:32,880 --> 00:23:37,440 Speaker 1: flowed through. It was underground. It's a very sophisticated system. 388 00:23:37,480 --> 00:23:39,879 Speaker 1: Back for those days, the people didn't have to go 389 00:23:39,920 --> 00:23:42,520 Speaker 1: out and get water. It came right to their homes 390 00:23:42,840 --> 00:23:47,480 Speaker 1: underneath the ground. David and his men, instead of going 391 00:23:47,560 --> 00:23:51,280 Speaker 1: over the walls, they got down on their knees and 392 00:23:51,400 --> 00:23:55,199 Speaker 1: crawled through the sewer, through the water, through the gutter 393 00:23:55,600 --> 00:24:00,199 Speaker 1: and totally surprised the Jebasites when they showed up. It 394 00:24:00,240 --> 00:24:03,480 Speaker 1: caught them off guard. They were able to defeat that enemy. 395 00:24:04,240 --> 00:24:07,720 Speaker 1: David was saying, in order to take this city, I 396 00:24:07,760 --> 00:24:11,200 Speaker 1: am willing to humble myself and get on my knees 397 00:24:11,600 --> 00:24:14,640 Speaker 1: and do whatever I have to do to get this victory. 398 00:24:15,400 --> 00:24:17,520 Speaker 1: You got to come to the point where, like David, 399 00:24:17,720 --> 00:24:20,399 Speaker 1: you have a made up mind. You're not going to 400 00:24:20,480 --> 00:24:23,159 Speaker 1: let the enemy taunt you your whole life. You're not 401 00:24:23,200 --> 00:24:26,120 Speaker 1: going to settle for partial victory. You're going to do 402 00:24:26,320 --> 00:24:30,240 Speaker 1: whatever it takes to conquer that enemy. You've got to 403 00:24:30,280 --> 00:24:32,919 Speaker 1: be willing to get on your knees to pray, to 404 00:24:33,000 --> 00:24:36,040 Speaker 1: ask God for his health. There are enemies that you 405 00:24:36,200 --> 00:24:40,080 Speaker 1: cannot defeat in your own strength. The real question is 406 00:24:40,600 --> 00:24:44,159 Speaker 1: how bad do you want it? David was willing to 407 00:24:44,280 --> 00:24:47,639 Speaker 1: do what others would not do. Do you want it 408 00:24:47,680 --> 00:24:50,600 Speaker 1: bad enough to be uncomfortable? Do you want it bad 409 00:24:50,680 --> 00:24:53,000 Speaker 1: enough to get up early and pray. Do you want 410 00:24:53,040 --> 00:24:55,959 Speaker 1: it bad enough to humble yourself and say, God, I 411 00:24:56,000 --> 00:24:59,400 Speaker 1: can't do this in my own strength. If you will 412 00:24:59,480 --> 00:25:02,760 Speaker 1: be will to do what other people will not do, 413 00:25:03,160 --> 00:25:06,399 Speaker 1: God will show up and help you conquer every single 414 00:25:06,520 --> 00:25:12,240 Speaker 1: enemy in your life. Friends, there will always be something 415 00:25:12,440 --> 00:25:18,080 Speaker 1: that stands between you and your destiny. Pride, jealousy, and offense, 416 00:25:18,320 --> 00:25:21,520 Speaker 1: a bad habit. The enemy will give you the low ground. 417 00:25:22,080 --> 00:25:25,880 Speaker 1: He'll give you being mediocre, being average, not making a difference. 418 00:25:25,920 --> 00:25:29,440 Speaker 1: No problem with that. But when you have a big dream, 419 00:25:29,880 --> 00:25:32,720 Speaker 1: when you say, now, I'm not gonna live with things 420 00:25:32,720 --> 00:25:35,800 Speaker 1: holding me back. I'm not gonna go through life angry, 421 00:25:36,119 --> 00:25:39,560 Speaker 1: low self esteem, addicted. I'm gonna deal with what God 422 00:25:39,600 --> 00:25:42,199 Speaker 1: brings up. I'm gonna become all that He's created me 423 00:25:42,240 --> 00:25:45,160 Speaker 1: to be. When you refuse to settle for the low 424 00:25:45,200 --> 00:25:48,680 Speaker 1: ground and you reach for the high ground, You're gonna 425 00:25:48,720 --> 00:25:53,000 Speaker 1: see God's favor in amazing ways. I'm asking us today 426 00:25:53,080 --> 00:25:57,359 Speaker 1: to shake off any kind of mediocrity. You have seeds 427 00:25:57,400 --> 00:26:01,760 Speaker 1: of greatness on the inside. No obstacle too big, no 428 00:26:01,840 --> 00:26:05,919 Speaker 1: addiction too great, no ad habit too strong. You and 429 00:26:06,040 --> 00:26:09,640 Speaker 1: God are a majority. Now I'm not looking at gaheyese eyes. 430 00:26:09,960 --> 00:26:13,760 Speaker 1: I'm not looking at Samson nor Saws. I'm looking at Abraham's. 431 00:26:13,880 --> 00:26:18,879 Speaker 1: I'm looking at David's. People that are extremely obedient, people 432 00:26:18,880 --> 00:26:22,280 Speaker 1: that aren't satisfied with the low ground, people that know 433 00:26:22,320 --> 00:26:26,000 Speaker 1: how to step into their seasons of grace. I speak 434 00:26:26,080 --> 00:26:29,760 Speaker 1: strength over you, I speak victory over you. I speak 435 00:26:29,800 --> 00:26:32,840 Speaker 1: breakthroughs over you. Some of you have struggled in an 436 00:26:32,880 --> 00:26:35,280 Speaker 1: area for a long time, but let me announce it. 437 00:26:35,480 --> 00:26:38,919 Speaker 1: Today is a breakthrough day. The enemies we've seen in 438 00:26:38,920 --> 00:26:43,119 Speaker 1: the past we will see no more. God is doing 439 00:26:43,200 --> 00:26:46,480 Speaker 1: a new thing. The Ram is coming up the mountain. 440 00:26:47,000 --> 00:26:50,400 Speaker 1: You're about to see your provision. You're about to see 441 00:26:50,440 --> 00:26:53,199 Speaker 1: your turnaround. You're going to meet up with your healing, 442 00:26:53,320 --> 00:26:57,000 Speaker 1: with your breakthrough, with your promotion. Now, just keep doing 443 00:26:57,440 --> 00:27:00,679 Speaker 1: the right thing, keep letting God make you mold you, 444 00:27:01,280 --> 00:27:04,560 Speaker 1: keep dealing with what He brings to light because of 445 00:27:04,600 --> 00:27:07,920 Speaker 1: your radical obedience. I believe in declare You're going to 446 00:27:07,960 --> 00:27:13,840 Speaker 1: see God's radical favor, radical blessings, radical turnarounds in Jesus' name. 447 00:27:14,160 --> 00:27:18,040 Speaker 1: If you receive it, can you say amen? Today? Well, 448 00:27:18,040 --> 00:27:20,840 Speaker 1: we never like to close our broadcasts without giving you 449 00:27:20,880 --> 00:27:23,840 Speaker 1: an opportunity to make Jesus, the Lord of your life. 450 00:27:24,080 --> 00:27:28,439 Speaker 1: Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus, I 451 00:27:28,520 --> 00:27:33,240 Speaker 1: repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I make 452 00:27:33,320 --> 00:27:37,040 Speaker 1: you my Lord and savior. Friends, if you prayed that 453 00:27:37,160 --> 00:27:40,119 Speaker 1: simple prayer, we believe you got born again. Get in 454 00:27:40,160 --> 00:27:43,440 Speaker 1: a good Bible based church. Keep God first place. He's 455 00:27:43,480 --> 00:27:45,320 Speaker 1: going to take your place as you've never dreamed of. 456 00:27:45,880 --> 00:27:49,040 Speaker 2: Fear can be a powerful force, and we'll try to 457 00:27:49,080 --> 00:27:53,840 Speaker 2: make you feel alone, stuck without hope. But fear doesn't 458 00:27:53,920 --> 00:27:57,400 Speaker 2: have to get the final say. There is a way out. 459 00:27:57,760 --> 00:28:00,800 Speaker 1: Fear is a powerful force, but so is faith. What 460 00:28:00,880 --> 00:28:04,159 Speaker 1: we focus on shapes our reality. In my new book, 461 00:28:04,359 --> 00:28:07,320 Speaker 1: No More Fear, you have the mind of Christ. I'll 462 00:28:07,320 --> 00:28:10,159 Speaker 1: show you how to silence fear and live boldly in 463 00:28:10,280 --> 00:28:14,000 Speaker 1: faith and confidence. Just like David said, though I walk 464 00:28:14,080 --> 00:28:17,360 Speaker 1: through the valley, I will not fear, You too, can 465 00:28:17,400 --> 00:28:21,439 Speaker 1: walk through life's challenges without being paralyzed by fear. I 466 00:28:21,480 --> 00:28:24,840 Speaker 1: can't promise you you'll never feel fear, but I can teach 467 00:28:24,880 --> 00:28:27,320 Speaker 1: you how to rise above it. By dwelling on what 468 00:28:27,400 --> 00:28:31,520 Speaker 1: God says, learning to replace the anxious thoughts with faith 469 00:28:31,600 --> 00:28:34,480 Speaker 1: filled ones, you can live from a place of peace 470 00:28:34,840 --> 00:28:36,040 Speaker 1: power and purpose. 471 00:28:36,840 --> 00:28:39,280 Speaker 2: As our way of saying thank you for your gift 472 00:28:39,320 --> 00:28:41,880 Speaker 2: of any amount this month, we would like to send 473 00:28:41,920 --> 00:28:45,239 Speaker 2: you a copy of Joel's book No More Fear. You 474 00:28:45,520 --> 00:28:49,080 Speaker 2: have the mind of Christ. The Bible proclaims the Lord 475 00:28:49,200 --> 00:28:52,640 Speaker 2: is my Light and my Salvation. Whom shall I fear? 476 00:28:53,120 --> 00:28:56,680 Speaker 2: This powerful and practical book will help you silenced out, 477 00:28:57,040 --> 00:29:02,200 Speaker 2: overcome anxiety and step boldly into God's overcoming power when 478 00:29:02,280 --> 00:29:06,320 Speaker 2: fear whispers you can't. This devotional will stir your faith 479 00:29:06,400 --> 00:29:10,400 Speaker 2: to declare God will. Each page reminds you that you 480 00:29:10,560 --> 00:29:14,160 Speaker 2: weren't created to live in fear or despair. You were 481 00:29:14,200 --> 00:29:18,560 Speaker 2: created to live with passion, purpose, and confidence in God's 482 00:29:18,600 --> 00:29:22,240 Speaker 2: plans for your life. Let God's word equip you to 483 00:29:22,400 --> 00:29:25,160 Speaker 2: rise above fear and walk in victory. 484 00:29:26,360 --> 00:29:29,880 Speaker 1: Fear doesn't have the final say God does. Be bold, 485 00:29:29,960 --> 00:29:32,600 Speaker 1: be strong, and step up to who He made you 486 00:29:32,680 --> 00:29:35,520 Speaker 1: to be. Miturne. I want you to know we're praying 487 00:29:35,560 --> 00:29:38,920 Speaker 1: for you and your family, believing for God's very best. 488 00:29:39,360 --> 00:29:42,200 Speaker 1: Thank you so much for your prayer and support. Your 489 00:29:42,280 --> 00:29:46,240 Speaker 1: generosity is helping people around the world. As we finish 490 00:29:46,280 --> 00:29:49,280 Speaker 1: this year, I hope you'll consider making a special year 491 00:29:49,400 --> 00:29:53,080 Speaker 1: in gift helps to keep the ministry strong. I always 492 00:29:53,080 --> 00:29:55,560 Speaker 1: want to thank our Champion of Hope partners for your 493 00:29:55,600 --> 00:29:58,400 Speaker 1: monthly gifts. If you're not a partner, I hope you'll 494 00:29:58,440 --> 00:30:01,400 Speaker 1: consider becoming one. And until we see you next time, 495 00:30:01,640 --> 00:30:03,640 Speaker 1: may the Lord bless you and keep you. 496 00:30:04,600 --> 00:30:07,520 Speaker 2: Be sure to request your copy of Joel's new book, 497 00:30:07,800 --> 00:30:11,160 Speaker 2: No More Fear. You have the Mind of Christ. Visit 498 00:30:11,240 --> 00:30:14,840 Speaker 2: Joelostein dot com or call eight eight eight five six 499 00:30:14,920 --> 00:30:18,760 Speaker 2: seven Joel, and for an additional gift. This month, we're 500 00:30:18,800 --> 00:30:23,360 Speaker 2: also offering the God's Word Work study collection. This empowering 501 00:30:23,440 --> 00:30:27,560 Speaker 2: set includes the NIV, the Message Parallel Bible, Joel's No 502 00:30:27,680 --> 00:30:31,040 Speaker 2: More Fear Devotional, the classic How to Read Your Bible 503 00:30:31,160 --> 00:30:35,160 Speaker 2: and Enjoy It, plus a beautifully crafted leather bookmark with pen. 504 00:30:35,680 --> 00:30:39,760 Speaker 2: You can request these inspiring scripture discovery resources by calling 505 00:30:40,000 --> 00:30:43,240 Speaker 2: eight eight eight five six seven Joel or logging on 506 00:30:43,400 --> 00:30:47,480 Speaker 2: to Joelostein dot com today, call or click any time 507 00:30:47,760 --> 00:30:52,040 Speaker 2: twenty four hours a day. Silence fear, strengthen your spirit. 508 00:30:52,440 --> 00:30:55,640 Speaker 2: Let God's Word equip you to rise above fear and 509 00:30:55,800 --> 00:31:04,120 Speaker 2: walk in victory. Request these resources today