1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:02,160 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. 2 00:00:02,240 --> 00:00:05,279 Speaker 2: Thanks for listening to our podcast and thanks for supporting 3 00:00:05,280 --> 00:00:08,239 Speaker 2: the ministry. If you enjoy today's message, why don't you 4 00:00:08,280 --> 00:00:11,200 Speaker 2: be a blessing and share it with a friend, reappreciate you, 5 00:00:11,360 --> 00:00:13,600 Speaker 2: and pray for God's very best in your life. 6 00:00:14,160 --> 00:00:17,360 Speaker 1: God bless you. It's always a joy to come into 7 00:00:17,400 --> 00:00:19,400 Speaker 1: your homes, and if you're ever in our. 8 00:00:19,320 --> 00:00:21,480 Speaker 2: Area, come out and see us. I promise you, these 9 00:00:21,520 --> 00:00:23,880 Speaker 2: are the finest people in all of Houston, Texas, right 10 00:00:23,920 --> 00:00:24,560 Speaker 2: here at Lake four. 11 00:00:25,200 --> 00:00:26,280 Speaker 1: Glad to have you today. 12 00:00:27,400 --> 00:00:29,880 Speaker 2: I like to start with something funny, and I heard 13 00:00:29,920 --> 00:00:32,080 Speaker 2: about this man. He was walking along the beach and 14 00:00:32,360 --> 00:00:35,080 Speaker 2: God said, son, you've been so faithful, I'm gonna grant 15 00:00:35,120 --> 00:00:38,839 Speaker 2: you one special wish. The man said, God, I've always 16 00:00:38,840 --> 00:00:41,720 Speaker 2: wanted to go to Hawaii, but I'm afraid to fly. 17 00:00:42,240 --> 00:00:45,880 Speaker 1: Would you build me a bridge across the ocean? God said, son, 18 00:00:45,960 --> 00:00:47,440 Speaker 1: that's totally impossible. 19 00:00:47,600 --> 00:00:50,280 Speaker 2: Think of the logistics of that. Now take some time 20 00:00:50,400 --> 00:00:53,560 Speaker 2: and wish again. He said, Okay, God, I've been divorced 21 00:00:53,560 --> 00:00:56,600 Speaker 2: four times and all my ex wives say that I'm 22 00:00:56,600 --> 00:00:59,720 Speaker 2: so insensitive. My wish is that I would be able 23 00:00:59,720 --> 00:01:02,760 Speaker 2: to understand a woman I want to know why they 24 00:01:02,800 --> 00:01:05,280 Speaker 2: think like they think and why they feel like they feel. 25 00:01:05,319 --> 00:01:07,640 Speaker 2: I want to know how to truly make them happy. 26 00:01:07,800 --> 00:01:10,240 Speaker 2: There was a long pause, and God said, do you 27 00:01:10,280 --> 00:01:11,480 Speaker 2: want two lanes. 28 00:01:11,200 --> 00:01:12,360 Speaker 1: Or four lanes on that bread? 29 00:01:13,920 --> 00:01:17,120 Speaker 2: All right, hold up your bible. 30 00:01:17,200 --> 00:01:18,200 Speaker 1: Say it like you mean it. 31 00:01:18,800 --> 00:01:21,800 Speaker 2: This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. 32 00:01:22,319 --> 00:01:24,760 Speaker 2: I have what it says I have. I can do 33 00:01:24,880 --> 00:01:27,520 Speaker 2: what it says I can do. Today I will be 34 00:01:27,600 --> 00:01:31,839 Speaker 2: taught the word of God. I boldly confess my mind 35 00:01:31,959 --> 00:01:34,199 Speaker 2: is alert, my heart is receptive. 36 00:01:34,560 --> 00:01:35,960 Speaker 1: I will never be the same. 37 00:01:36,480 --> 00:01:40,560 Speaker 2: In Jesus' name, God bless you. I want to talk 38 00:01:40,600 --> 00:01:45,200 Speaker 2: to you today about making plans to succeed. One thing 39 00:01:45,240 --> 00:01:49,800 Speaker 2: I've learned is success is not accidental. You're not going 40 00:01:49,840 --> 00:01:54,840 Speaker 2: to accidentally accomplish your dreams. You don't accidentally have good relationships. 41 00:01:55,120 --> 00:01:57,280 Speaker 2: You won't accidentally lose twenty pounds. 42 00:01:57,720 --> 00:01:59,000 Speaker 1: You have to have a plan. 43 00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:02,640 Speaker 2: If you're going to get to the right destination, You've 44 00:02:02,680 --> 00:02:05,080 Speaker 2: got to know where you're going and how you're going 45 00:02:05,120 --> 00:02:07,480 Speaker 2: to get there. If you've ever been at the beach 46 00:02:07,640 --> 00:02:11,400 Speaker 2: just floating in the water, relaxing, you'll notice after a 47 00:02:11,440 --> 00:02:14,280 Speaker 2: while the current has taken you far away. 48 00:02:15,000 --> 00:02:16,680 Speaker 1: That's the way it is in life. 49 00:02:16,760 --> 00:02:20,120 Speaker 2: If we don't have clear cut goals with a plan 50 00:02:20,320 --> 00:02:23,400 Speaker 2: in place to accomplish those goals, we're not going to 51 00:02:23,520 --> 00:02:27,000 Speaker 2: end up at the right place. Without goals, we can't 52 00:02:27,040 --> 00:02:30,720 Speaker 2: really measure our success. When we don't have goals, we're 53 00:02:30,760 --> 00:02:31,919 Speaker 2: easily distracted. 54 00:02:32,000 --> 00:02:33,560 Speaker 1: It's easy to lose focus. 55 00:02:34,120 --> 00:02:37,440 Speaker 2: And in business, there's something called a mission statement for 56 00:02:37,560 --> 00:02:41,000 Speaker 2: that company talks about what the purpose of the company 57 00:02:41,160 --> 00:02:44,560 Speaker 2: is and what it's there to accomplish. In life, you 58 00:02:44,639 --> 00:02:48,040 Speaker 2: need to have your own mission statement. Put it on paper. 59 00:02:48,480 --> 00:02:51,239 Speaker 2: What's your purpose, What are you dreaming about? 60 00:02:51,480 --> 00:02:55,960 Speaker 1: What are your goals for? Everything you have responsibility over. 61 00:02:56,080 --> 00:02:58,680 Speaker 2: From a business to a ball team to your family, 62 00:02:59,200 --> 00:03:03,160 Speaker 2: you need to know what that mission statement is. Whether 63 00:03:03,200 --> 00:03:06,280 Speaker 2: it's a business with hundreds of employees or just you 64 00:03:06,440 --> 00:03:09,520 Speaker 2: and your child, you need to have a clear cut plan. 65 00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:11,280 Speaker 1: This is what we're all about. 66 00:03:11,720 --> 00:03:14,120 Speaker 2: These are our goals, and here's how we plan to 67 00:03:14,160 --> 00:03:14,959 Speaker 2: accomplish them. 68 00:03:15,720 --> 00:03:19,000 Speaker 1: Don't go through life vague. Don't go through life with 69 00:03:19,120 --> 00:03:21,639 Speaker 1: no focus, not knowing your purpose. 70 00:03:21,639 --> 00:03:23,320 Speaker 2: Just kind of hoping that you'll end up at the 71 00:03:23,400 --> 00:03:27,280 Speaker 2: right place. No, you'll miss your destiny. You'll miss what 72 00:03:27,320 --> 00:03:30,440 Speaker 2: you were created for. And it's important to know the 73 00:03:30,480 --> 00:03:34,239 Speaker 2: difference between a god given dream and just a wish. 74 00:03:34,840 --> 00:03:38,880 Speaker 2: Sometimes as children, we dream of being a ballplayer, dream 75 00:03:38,880 --> 00:03:41,480 Speaker 2: of being an actress, dream of being a fireman. But 76 00:03:41,600 --> 00:03:44,320 Speaker 2: most of the time that's just wishful thinking. 77 00:03:44,480 --> 00:03:45,480 Speaker 1: We grow out of it. 78 00:03:45,880 --> 00:03:48,120 Speaker 2: I remember when I was a little boy, I dreamed 79 00:03:48,120 --> 00:03:51,000 Speaker 2: I was gonna play basketball for the Houston Rockets. That 80 00:03:51,160 --> 00:03:56,040 Speaker 2: was definitely a fantasy. But there are dreams put in 81 00:03:56,120 --> 00:03:59,720 Speaker 2: us by the creator of the universe. The Latin word 82 00:03:59,840 --> 00:04:04,160 Speaker 2: for desire means from the Father. There are desires that 83 00:04:04,240 --> 00:04:07,360 Speaker 2: God puts in our heart. The way you can tell 84 00:04:07,440 --> 00:04:10,200 Speaker 2: if a dream is really from God is if that 85 00:04:10,360 --> 00:04:14,280 Speaker 2: desire won't go away. You'll know it's a real dream 86 00:04:14,600 --> 00:04:16,760 Speaker 2: if you let go of it. But it won't let 87 00:04:16,800 --> 00:04:19,880 Speaker 2: go of you. You push it down, you ignore it, 88 00:04:20,160 --> 00:04:22,000 Speaker 2: you try to get rid of it, it keeps coming 89 00:04:22,040 --> 00:04:23,200 Speaker 2: back again and again. 90 00:04:23,360 --> 00:04:24,800 Speaker 1: That's a God given dream. 91 00:04:25,240 --> 00:04:27,640 Speaker 2: I've heard people say, Joel, I really want to start 92 00:04:27,680 --> 00:04:30,080 Speaker 2: my own business, I just can't get this off my mind. 93 00:04:30,600 --> 00:04:32,560 Speaker 2: Or I really want to get out of debt, or 94 00:04:32,600 --> 00:04:36,000 Speaker 2: I know I need to break this addiction. The dream 95 00:04:36,200 --> 00:04:38,680 Speaker 2: is in them. They can feel the desire God's put 96 00:04:38,720 --> 00:04:41,560 Speaker 2: on the inside. It's not going away, but there's something 97 00:04:41,600 --> 00:04:44,440 Speaker 2: else we have to do. You have to follow up 98 00:04:44,480 --> 00:04:48,679 Speaker 2: that desire with a plan. A dream without a plan 99 00:04:49,120 --> 00:04:52,560 Speaker 2: ends up just being a wish. The scripture says this 100 00:04:53,000 --> 00:04:58,840 Speaker 2: faith without corresponding actions is dead. I read where ninety 101 00:04:58,880 --> 00:05:02,520 Speaker 2: five percent of people don't have a goals program. They 102 00:05:02,520 --> 00:05:05,760 Speaker 2: don't have a plan in place to achieve what God's 103 00:05:05,800 --> 00:05:09,880 Speaker 2: put in their heart. In nineteen fifty three, they interviewed 104 00:05:09,880 --> 00:05:13,080 Speaker 2: the graduating class from Yale just as they were about 105 00:05:13,080 --> 00:05:15,160 Speaker 2: to leave and go out on their own, and they 106 00:05:15,200 --> 00:05:18,400 Speaker 2: asked how many of them had a specific set of 107 00:05:18,440 --> 00:05:21,680 Speaker 2: goals with a written plan of how they were going 108 00:05:21,720 --> 00:05:25,240 Speaker 2: to accomplish those goals. Less than three percent had a 109 00:05:25,240 --> 00:05:28,719 Speaker 2: written set of goals. Twenty years later, they interviewed the 110 00:05:28,760 --> 00:05:32,159 Speaker 2: same class and they found the people that had written 111 00:05:32,200 --> 00:05:36,520 Speaker 2: goals were not only happier and more fulfilled, but their 112 00:05:36,560 --> 00:05:40,960 Speaker 2: income was more than the other ninety seven percent combined. 113 00:05:41,560 --> 00:05:43,760 Speaker 1: Why was that they were focused? 114 00:05:44,120 --> 00:05:46,760 Speaker 2: They went out each day with purpose, knowing what they 115 00:05:46,760 --> 00:05:49,560 Speaker 2: were going to accomplish. They had not only kept their 116 00:05:49,680 --> 00:05:52,360 Speaker 2: vision in front of them, but they developed a plan. 117 00:05:52,760 --> 00:05:56,360 Speaker 2: They had goals that they were working toward. The scripture 118 00:05:56,360 --> 00:05:59,960 Speaker 2: says in Habakuk. Write the vision and make it clear. 119 00:06:00,920 --> 00:06:03,000 Speaker 2: I would encourage you to write. 120 00:06:02,800 --> 00:06:05,360 Speaker 1: Down your goals. Write down what. 121 00:06:05,320 --> 00:06:07,760 Speaker 2: You want to accomplish. It's not enough to just have 122 00:06:07,800 --> 00:06:09,279 Speaker 2: it in your head. Old Joel, I know what I 123 00:06:09,320 --> 00:06:12,479 Speaker 2: want to do. You know something happens when you get 124 00:06:12,520 --> 00:06:16,080 Speaker 2: serious enough to put those goals on paper and then 125 00:06:16,200 --> 00:06:17,800 Speaker 2: keep those goals in front of you. 126 00:06:17,920 --> 00:06:20,240 Speaker 1: Put them on your mirror at home, put them on 127 00:06:20,320 --> 00:06:21,839 Speaker 1: your desk at the office. 128 00:06:22,279 --> 00:06:24,000 Speaker 2: I know at the first of every year, I write 129 00:06:24,000 --> 00:06:26,320 Speaker 2: down four or five of the main things I'd like 130 00:06:26,400 --> 00:06:27,040 Speaker 2: to see happen. 131 00:06:27,360 --> 00:06:29,520 Speaker 1: All through the week. I can see those goals. 132 00:06:29,760 --> 00:06:32,600 Speaker 2: If you'll keep that vision in front of you, it'll 133 00:06:32,640 --> 00:06:36,160 Speaker 2: help you to stay focused. There are two types of goals. 134 00:06:36,520 --> 00:06:39,919 Speaker 2: You need to have long range goals. Where do you 135 00:06:39,960 --> 00:06:42,760 Speaker 2: want to be ten years from now? Where do you 136 00:06:42,839 --> 00:06:47,440 Speaker 2: see yourself in your career, in your finances, in your relationships. 137 00:06:47,760 --> 00:06:50,680 Speaker 2: You need to look way down the road and set 138 00:06:50,760 --> 00:06:53,960 Speaker 2: the mark, set the direction. Make a decision. This is 139 00:06:54,000 --> 00:06:56,760 Speaker 2: where I'm headed ten years from now. I'm not going 140 00:06:56,839 --> 00:06:58,960 Speaker 2: to be at this same position in my office. I'm 141 00:06:59,000 --> 00:07:01,720 Speaker 2: going to be in management. Ten years from now, I'm 142 00:07:01,720 --> 00:07:03,120 Speaker 2: not gonna be renting this apartment. 143 00:07:03,200 --> 00:07:04,520 Speaker 1: I'm gonna own my own home. 144 00:07:05,160 --> 00:07:07,560 Speaker 2: Or ten years from now, I'm not gonna be single anymore. 145 00:07:07,600 --> 00:07:10,480 Speaker 2: I'm gonna be married. He's gonna be rich and good looking. 146 00:07:11,960 --> 00:07:15,520 Speaker 2: Now I spose shoot high. Ten years from now, I'm 147 00:07:15,520 --> 00:07:18,280 Speaker 2: gonna have my college degree. Ten years from now, I'm 148 00:07:18,280 --> 00:07:20,720 Speaker 2: gonna be running my own business. You need to have 149 00:07:20,800 --> 00:07:24,040 Speaker 2: some big goals out in front of you. If you 150 00:07:24,080 --> 00:07:26,600 Speaker 2: can accomplish all your goals in a year or two, 151 00:07:26,960 --> 00:07:29,640 Speaker 2: your goals are too small. You need to set some 152 00:07:29,680 --> 00:07:31,720 Speaker 2: goals that are gonna take you at least ten or 153 00:07:31,800 --> 00:07:34,960 Speaker 2: fifteen years to accomplish. I mean, I have some things 154 00:07:35,120 --> 00:07:37,600 Speaker 2: written down on my office at home. I'd be too 155 00:07:37,600 --> 00:07:39,480 Speaker 2: embarrassed to share them with you. You'd think I'm too 156 00:07:39,480 --> 00:07:41,760 Speaker 2: far out. But you need to have some goals that 157 00:07:41,800 --> 00:07:44,520 Speaker 2: are so big you know it's gonna take God to 158 00:07:44,560 --> 00:07:46,800 Speaker 2: bring it to pass. You know he's gonna have to 159 00:07:46,800 --> 00:07:49,360 Speaker 2: give you the strength, the favor, the wisdom if you're 160 00:07:49,360 --> 00:07:50,000 Speaker 2: gonna see. 161 00:07:49,800 --> 00:07:51,000 Speaker 1: Those goals fulfilled. 162 00:07:52,080 --> 00:07:55,600 Speaker 2: Those are your long range goals ten, fifteen, twenty years 163 00:07:55,640 --> 00:07:58,640 Speaker 2: down the road. But then you also need to have 164 00:07:58,760 --> 00:08:02,880 Speaker 2: some short range attainable goals. That's what you're working on 165 00:08:03,040 --> 00:08:06,600 Speaker 2: right now, things like this year, I'm going to get 166 00:08:06,600 --> 00:08:10,200 Speaker 2: to work on time, I'm gonna lose twenty pounds, I'm 167 00:08:10,200 --> 00:08:13,160 Speaker 2: gonna take a course to improve my skills. I'm gonna 168 00:08:13,160 --> 00:08:16,280 Speaker 2: pay down my debt X amount of dollars. The reason 169 00:08:16,360 --> 00:08:19,640 Speaker 2: you need short range attainable goals is so you can 170 00:08:19,680 --> 00:08:23,520 Speaker 2: celebrate your victories on your way to your long range goals. 171 00:08:24,080 --> 00:08:26,840 Speaker 2: In other words, I may not have quit smoking altogether, 172 00:08:27,200 --> 00:08:29,080 Speaker 2: but I did give up two cigarettes a day. 173 00:08:29,160 --> 00:08:30,120 Speaker 1: I can celebrate that. 174 00:08:30,920 --> 00:08:33,040 Speaker 2: Or you, ladies, I may not be a size eight 175 00:08:33,200 --> 00:08:35,319 Speaker 2: just yet, but I did lose five pounds I can 176 00:08:35,320 --> 00:08:38,600 Speaker 2: celebrate that. Or I may not be totally out of debt, 177 00:08:38,679 --> 00:08:40,079 Speaker 2: but I did pay my credit. 178 00:08:39,840 --> 00:08:41,640 Speaker 1: Card off this month. That's pretty good. 179 00:08:42,280 --> 00:08:45,520 Speaker 2: You need to have these short range attainable goals so 180 00:08:45,600 --> 00:08:48,480 Speaker 2: you can celebrate. That's what helps you to stay encouraged. 181 00:08:48,920 --> 00:08:52,200 Speaker 2: But here's where many people miss it. A goal alone 182 00:08:52,440 --> 00:08:54,960 Speaker 2: is not enough. You have to have a plan. 183 00:08:55,880 --> 00:08:59,040 Speaker 1: What steps are you taking to achieve your goals. 184 00:08:59,440 --> 00:09:02,520 Speaker 2: A lot of time, if we say I'm praying, I'm believing, 185 00:09:02,960 --> 00:09:05,760 Speaker 2: I'm staying in faith. That's important. But that's not enough. 186 00:09:06,040 --> 00:09:10,400 Speaker 2: God expects us to make a plan. Proverb sixteen nine 187 00:09:10,480 --> 00:09:14,920 Speaker 2: says there in his heart, a man plans his course, 188 00:09:15,520 --> 00:09:18,960 Speaker 2: but the Lord will direct his steps. That tells me 189 00:09:19,400 --> 00:09:22,720 Speaker 2: if I don't plan my course, then God can't direct 190 00:09:22,760 --> 00:09:27,000 Speaker 2: my steps. Noah had a plan for the arc, Solomon 191 00:09:27,080 --> 00:09:28,320 Speaker 2: had a plan for the temple. 192 00:09:28,640 --> 00:09:29,360 Speaker 1: God had a. 193 00:09:29,280 --> 00:09:32,360 Speaker 2: Plan for the universe. You need to put a plan 194 00:09:32,600 --> 00:09:33,679 Speaker 2: with your goals. 195 00:09:34,080 --> 00:09:35,400 Speaker 1: If one of your goals. 196 00:09:35,120 --> 00:09:38,600 Speaker 2: Is to have a better relationship with your spouse, that's great, 197 00:09:39,040 --> 00:09:41,760 Speaker 2: but that goal is only half complete without a plan. 198 00:09:42,240 --> 00:09:44,840 Speaker 2: You need to follow it up with here's what I'm 199 00:09:44,880 --> 00:09:47,840 Speaker 2: going to do to make my marriage better this year. 200 00:09:48,480 --> 00:09:52,480 Speaker 2: I will be more respectful, I will not argue over 201 00:09:52,520 --> 00:09:55,880 Speaker 2: things that don't matter. I will compliment my spouse at 202 00:09:55,960 --> 00:09:58,440 Speaker 2: least once a day, even if I have to make 203 00:09:58,480 --> 00:10:04,000 Speaker 2: something up. I believe this planning part is the missing 204 00:10:04,120 --> 00:10:06,800 Speaker 2: linked to why many people don't see their dreams come 205 00:10:06,840 --> 00:10:07,360 Speaker 2: to pass. 206 00:10:07,440 --> 00:10:08,840 Speaker 1: It's important to have goals. 207 00:10:08,920 --> 00:10:12,040 Speaker 2: It's important to have dreams, but the plan is the 208 00:10:12,120 --> 00:10:13,040 Speaker 2: practical part. 209 00:10:13,240 --> 00:10:14,720 Speaker 1: God puts it back on us. 210 00:10:15,280 --> 00:10:18,040 Speaker 2: Maybe you have a goal to break an addiction that's 211 00:10:18,120 --> 00:10:21,080 Speaker 2: high on your priority list, but what steps are you 212 00:10:21,200 --> 00:10:23,800 Speaker 2: taking to make that happen. You need to follow that 213 00:10:23,960 --> 00:10:26,760 Speaker 2: up with here's how I'm going to do it. I'm 214 00:10:26,800 --> 00:10:30,080 Speaker 2: going to attend the recovery class. I'm gonna change some 215 00:10:30,160 --> 00:10:32,559 Speaker 2: of my friends. I'm not gonna put myself in the 216 00:10:32,600 --> 00:10:35,400 Speaker 2: wrong environment. I'm gonna go to the support group twice 217 00:10:35,440 --> 00:10:39,280 Speaker 2: a month. You've got to have a plan. Goals without 218 00:10:39,400 --> 00:10:42,880 Speaker 2: plans end up being ineffective. And if you will do 219 00:10:43,040 --> 00:10:45,800 Speaker 2: your part and make the plan to the best of 220 00:10:45,840 --> 00:10:50,360 Speaker 2: your ability, God will anoint your plan and cause it 221 00:10:50,400 --> 00:10:52,920 Speaker 2: to help bring those dreams to pass. You don't have 222 00:10:53,000 --> 00:10:55,400 Speaker 2: to have it all figured out. You may not see 223 00:10:55,440 --> 00:10:58,439 Speaker 2: how it can happen in the natural. That's okay. The 224 00:10:58,480 --> 00:11:01,320 Speaker 2: main thing is to get off day and do what 225 00:11:01,440 --> 00:11:04,600 Speaker 2: you can so God can start directing your steps. 226 00:11:04,960 --> 00:11:07,200 Speaker 1: When you make a move, God will make a move. 227 00:11:07,520 --> 00:11:10,880 Speaker 2: He'll give you more wisdom, more insight, more favor. I 228 00:11:10,920 --> 00:11:13,160 Speaker 2: talked to a young man the other day. He had 229 00:11:13,200 --> 00:11:16,240 Speaker 2: been addicted to cocaine for many years. He had tried 230 00:11:16,280 --> 00:11:19,520 Speaker 2: and tried to stop. He had good intentions. He was praying, 231 00:11:19,640 --> 00:11:22,480 Speaker 2: believing his heart was right, but every time he would 232 00:11:22,559 --> 00:11:25,760 Speaker 2: fall back into that. But he told how this time 233 00:11:26,160 --> 00:11:29,480 Speaker 2: he had been drug free for six months. This is 234 00:11:29,559 --> 00:11:32,760 Speaker 2: the longest he's ever stayed clean. And I asked him 235 00:11:32,800 --> 00:11:35,440 Speaker 2: how he did it without missing a beat. He told 236 00:11:35,440 --> 00:11:38,400 Speaker 2: me three things. He had a plan. Number one, he 237 00:11:38,480 --> 00:11:42,960 Speaker 2: changed his friends. Number two, he came to our recovery class. 238 00:11:43,480 --> 00:11:46,840 Speaker 2: And number three, he had a friend that would call 239 00:11:46,960 --> 00:11:50,600 Speaker 2: him every day and encourage him and help him to 240 00:11:50,640 --> 00:11:54,800 Speaker 2: stay accountable. And this third thing is so important because 241 00:11:54,840 --> 00:11:57,839 Speaker 2: there are some things we can't overcome on our own, 242 00:11:58,480 --> 00:12:02,120 Speaker 2: some things we can't break all by ourselves. When you're 243 00:12:02,160 --> 00:12:05,800 Speaker 2: making your plan, don't be too proud to ask for help. 244 00:12:06,360 --> 00:12:08,640 Speaker 2: Don't be too embarrassed to call a friend and say, 245 00:12:08,880 --> 00:12:11,280 Speaker 2: you know what, I'm struggling in this area. Will you 246 00:12:11,360 --> 00:12:14,320 Speaker 2: stand with me, will you help me overcome? Will you 247 00:12:14,400 --> 00:12:15,480 Speaker 2: hold me accountable? 248 00:12:16,080 --> 00:12:17,360 Speaker 1: We need each other. 249 00:12:18,200 --> 00:12:21,360 Speaker 2: If you're struggling in an area today, know that God 250 00:12:21,440 --> 00:12:24,840 Speaker 2: has somebody there for you. You may not know who 251 00:12:24,840 --> 00:12:27,960 Speaker 2: they are right now, but if you'll stay open, God 252 00:12:28,040 --> 00:12:29,160 Speaker 2: will direct your path. 253 00:12:29,400 --> 00:12:31,680 Speaker 1: He'll bring the right people into your life. 254 00:12:32,120 --> 00:12:34,199 Speaker 2: And this is one of the main things that keeps 255 00:12:34,280 --> 00:12:38,319 Speaker 2: us from pressing forward and really fulfilling our dreams. We 256 00:12:38,360 --> 00:12:41,640 Speaker 2: cannot fulfill everything that God's put in our heart all 257 00:12:41,679 --> 00:12:45,640 Speaker 2: by ourselves. God created us to need each other. 258 00:12:46,160 --> 00:12:46,800 Speaker 1: We need the. 259 00:12:46,800 --> 00:12:50,280 Speaker 2: Wisdom or the advice from someone that's gone before us. 260 00:12:50,679 --> 00:12:53,000 Speaker 1: We need a friend to encourage us when we're down. 261 00:12:53,520 --> 00:12:56,400 Speaker 2: We need a brother or a sister to stand with 262 00:12:56,520 --> 00:12:59,079 Speaker 2: us and challenge us to be strong when we're weak, 263 00:12:59,360 --> 00:13:01,480 Speaker 2: to keep going and when we feel like giving up. 264 00:13:02,080 --> 00:13:06,120 Speaker 2: When you're making your plans, stay open to including others. 265 00:13:06,480 --> 00:13:07,800 Speaker 1: That's what this young man did. 266 00:13:08,120 --> 00:13:10,960 Speaker 2: He had failed all those other times, but when he 267 00:13:11,040 --> 00:13:14,200 Speaker 2: got the right people involved and he put the right 268 00:13:14,280 --> 00:13:18,720 Speaker 2: plan behind his goals, that's when he overcame. Let me 269 00:13:18,760 --> 00:13:21,640 Speaker 2: ask you, do you have a plan to keep your 270 00:13:21,679 --> 00:13:25,880 Speaker 2: marriage strong? Do you have a plan to improve your skills? 271 00:13:26,320 --> 00:13:29,000 Speaker 2: Do you have a plan to live a healthy life? 272 00:13:29,120 --> 00:13:32,319 Speaker 2: A dream is not enough. Take it a step further. 273 00:13:32,880 --> 00:13:35,800 Speaker 2: Write down your goals, and then follow it up with 274 00:13:35,960 --> 00:13:38,240 Speaker 2: this is what I'm going to do to bring this 275 00:13:38,320 --> 00:13:41,400 Speaker 2: to pass. You may have a goal to advance in 276 00:13:41,440 --> 00:13:43,960 Speaker 2: your career five years from now. You want to be 277 00:13:44,000 --> 00:13:46,360 Speaker 2: in management, or you want to own your own business. 278 00:13:46,760 --> 00:13:49,920 Speaker 2: What are you doing with that goal? Are you being 279 00:13:50,000 --> 00:13:53,400 Speaker 2: mentored by someone that smarter than you are? Are you 280 00:13:53,520 --> 00:13:58,040 Speaker 2: reading books studying materials related to that field. Could you 281 00:13:58,120 --> 00:14:02,280 Speaker 2: possibly take a correspondence or go to class a couple 282 00:14:02,280 --> 00:14:03,240 Speaker 2: of nights a week. 283 00:14:03,480 --> 00:14:05,400 Speaker 1: That's putting actions. 284 00:14:04,840 --> 00:14:08,000 Speaker 2: Behind your goals. I have this friend that has a 285 00:14:08,040 --> 00:14:10,959 Speaker 2: desire to own her own company. Right now, she's got 286 00:14:11,000 --> 00:14:14,640 Speaker 2: a great job. She's content, but she knows she has 287 00:14:14,679 --> 00:14:18,360 Speaker 2: more in her That dream won't go away. So in 288 00:14:18,400 --> 00:14:22,800 Speaker 2: her free time, she's always learning. She's studying. She's already 289 00:14:22,800 --> 00:14:26,440 Speaker 2: written her business plan. She knows how many customers it's 290 00:14:26,440 --> 00:14:28,800 Speaker 2: going to take for her to break even. She knows 291 00:14:28,800 --> 00:14:31,440 Speaker 2: how much her costs are going to run. She's already 292 00:14:31,520 --> 00:14:35,600 Speaker 2: got her eye on a certain location. She's making plans. 293 00:14:36,040 --> 00:14:39,280 Speaker 2: That's more than dreaming, more than setting goals. She's in 294 00:14:39,400 --> 00:14:44,640 Speaker 2: this third phase. She's strategizing. She's not sitting back waiting 295 00:14:44,680 --> 00:14:47,840 Speaker 2: for God to drop a business in her lap. She 296 00:14:48,040 --> 00:14:52,760 Speaker 2: knows that success is intentional. She's doing her part by 297 00:14:52,800 --> 00:14:56,400 Speaker 2: getting prepared. We can't have the attitude. Well, I wish 298 00:14:56,400 --> 00:14:57,440 Speaker 2: I could break this addiction. 299 00:14:57,880 --> 00:14:59,960 Speaker 1: Wish I could get out of debt, Joeler. I wish 300 00:15:00,080 --> 00:15:03,080 Speaker 1: I could start my own business. No, all that is 301 00:15:03,080 --> 00:15:05,920 Speaker 1: is a wish without a plan. Your heart is right. 302 00:15:06,480 --> 00:15:09,040 Speaker 2: You can feel the dream on the inside. But you've 303 00:15:09,080 --> 00:15:10,760 Speaker 2: got to start taking steps. 304 00:15:11,240 --> 00:15:13,120 Speaker 1: Have the attitude this year. 305 00:15:13,400 --> 00:15:16,440 Speaker 2: I'm not just gonna dream. I'm not just gonna set goals. 306 00:15:16,680 --> 00:15:19,200 Speaker 2: I'm gonna put this third step into action, and I'm 307 00:15:19,200 --> 00:15:22,640 Speaker 2: gonna start making plans. I'm gonna actively take steps to 308 00:15:22,720 --> 00:15:24,040 Speaker 2: bring my dreams to pass. 309 00:15:24,560 --> 00:15:27,360 Speaker 1: And again, you don't have to have it all figured out. 310 00:15:27,560 --> 00:15:30,920 Speaker 1: If you'll just do the best that you can, little. 311 00:15:30,640 --> 00:15:33,800 Speaker 2: By little, God will begin to lead you. I was 312 00:15:33,800 --> 00:15:37,120 Speaker 2: reading a story about this teenager that grew up in 313 00:15:37,160 --> 00:15:38,720 Speaker 2: Pennsylvania on a farm. 314 00:15:39,000 --> 00:15:40,200 Speaker 1: This was many years ago. 315 00:15:40,760 --> 00:15:43,360 Speaker 2: Nobody in his family had ever left that small town. 316 00:15:43,520 --> 00:15:45,760 Speaker 2: They just stayed there and worked on the farm. But 317 00:15:45,880 --> 00:15:48,720 Speaker 2: this young man knew that he had more in him. 318 00:15:48,920 --> 00:15:51,600 Speaker 2: He had a dream to go to college, but in 319 00:15:51,640 --> 00:15:54,280 Speaker 2: the natural didn't look like he had much of a chance. 320 00:15:54,560 --> 00:15:57,280 Speaker 2: The family was very poor, they didn't seem to have 321 00:15:57,320 --> 00:15:58,239 Speaker 2: any connections. 322 00:15:58,720 --> 00:16:00,040 Speaker 1: But instead of just sitting. 323 00:16:00,600 --> 00:16:04,080 Speaker 2: And letting that dream turn into a wish, he went 324 00:16:04,160 --> 00:16:07,240 Speaker 2: down to the local telephone company and he got the 325 00:16:07,280 --> 00:16:10,400 Speaker 2: phone directory for New York City. He wanted to work 326 00:16:10,440 --> 00:16:13,720 Speaker 2: there and go to school, and he searched that directory 327 00:16:13,840 --> 00:16:17,880 Speaker 2: and found a certain department store that had three hundred 328 00:16:17,960 --> 00:16:21,840 Speaker 2: and ninety three locations in and around New York City. 329 00:16:22,400 --> 00:16:24,880 Speaker 2: He thought, they're so big, surely they will have a 330 00:16:24,960 --> 00:16:27,560 Speaker 2: job for me. And he decided he was going to 331 00:16:27,600 --> 00:16:30,600 Speaker 2: write every one of those department stores and ask them 332 00:16:30,640 --> 00:16:33,440 Speaker 2: for a job. And back then, of course, they didn't 333 00:16:33,480 --> 00:16:36,840 Speaker 2: have computers. He didn't even have a typewriter. He had 334 00:16:36,880 --> 00:16:40,960 Speaker 2: to handwrite three hundred and ninety three letters. He wrote 335 00:16:40,960 --> 00:16:43,800 Speaker 2: his resume and said he would do everything from sweep 336 00:16:43,880 --> 00:16:46,720 Speaker 2: the floor to work in the warehouse, and his goal 337 00:16:47,160 --> 00:16:50,440 Speaker 2: was to write about fifteen letters a day. He did 338 00:16:50,480 --> 00:16:53,520 Speaker 2: that diligently for a month or so until he had 339 00:16:53,520 --> 00:16:56,560 Speaker 2: written three hundred and ninety three individual letters to each 340 00:16:56,600 --> 00:17:00,640 Speaker 2: of those managers at those department stores. Well after month 341 00:17:00,720 --> 00:17:03,240 Speaker 2: went by, he didn't hear anything. A few more months, 342 00:17:03,280 --> 00:17:06,480 Speaker 2: still nothing. Six months later, still no word. He was 343 00:17:06,560 --> 00:17:11,480 Speaker 2: so discouraged, so tempted to give up, but instead he came. 344 00:17:11,359 --> 00:17:12,320 Speaker 1: Up with another plan. 345 00:17:12,880 --> 00:17:16,120 Speaker 2: He just turned eighteen, and he talked his parents into 346 00:17:16,200 --> 00:17:19,080 Speaker 2: letting him catch a train to New York City so 347 00:17:19,160 --> 00:17:21,400 Speaker 2: he could meet with some of those stores and hopefully 348 00:17:21,400 --> 00:17:24,479 Speaker 2: get a job. They mustered up enough money. He had 349 00:17:24,600 --> 00:17:27,359 Speaker 2: enough probably to stay about a week or so, and 350 00:17:27,400 --> 00:17:29,439 Speaker 2: when he got to New York, he went to one 351 00:17:29,480 --> 00:17:32,879 Speaker 2: of the bigger department stores there in Times Square. He 352 00:17:32,920 --> 00:17:35,560 Speaker 2: found the manager and said, my name is so and so, 353 00:17:35,760 --> 00:17:38,439 Speaker 2: and I was wondering if you got the letter that 354 00:17:38,520 --> 00:17:41,719 Speaker 2: I wrote you about a job. The manager said, now, 355 00:17:42,280 --> 00:17:45,000 Speaker 2: even if you would have written it to this address. 356 00:17:44,640 --> 00:17:45,760 Speaker 1: We wouldn't have got it. 357 00:17:45,760 --> 00:17:48,520 Speaker 2: It would have gone to our main headquarters, to the 358 00:17:48,520 --> 00:17:51,399 Speaker 2: personnel department that was about four or five blocks away. 359 00:17:51,720 --> 00:17:54,080 Speaker 2: So he walked over there. He went in and told 360 00:17:54,080 --> 00:17:56,560 Speaker 2: the receptionist who he was and asked if he could 361 00:17:56,560 --> 00:17:59,840 Speaker 2: speak to someone concerning a job. They took him into 362 00:17:59,880 --> 00:18:02,560 Speaker 2: this office. It's kind of a big, fancy place, and 363 00:18:02,760 --> 00:18:04,760 Speaker 2: this executive was sitting behind the desk. 364 00:18:05,119 --> 00:18:06,600 Speaker 1: The young men were so nervous. 365 00:18:06,960 --> 00:18:09,080 Speaker 2: He said, sir, my name is so and so, and 366 00:18:09,520 --> 00:18:11,560 Speaker 2: I was wondering if you got the letter I sent 367 00:18:11,640 --> 00:18:15,439 Speaker 2: you asking for a job. The executive turned from his 368 00:18:15,560 --> 00:18:17,600 Speaker 2: desk and he put his hand on a big stack 369 00:18:17,600 --> 00:18:20,640 Speaker 2: of papers. He said, yes, we got your letter, all 370 00:18:20,680 --> 00:18:22,040 Speaker 2: three hundred and ninety. 371 00:18:21,760 --> 00:18:22,399 Speaker 1: Three of them. 372 00:18:23,400 --> 00:18:25,760 Speaker 2: He smiled and said we knew you'd be coming soon. 373 00:18:25,960 --> 00:18:27,400 Speaker 1: You can start this afternoon. 374 00:18:28,840 --> 00:18:31,720 Speaker 2: But that young man not only went to college, but 375 00:18:31,800 --> 00:18:34,880 Speaker 2: he ended up coming back to manage a whole region 376 00:18:35,119 --> 00:18:39,080 Speaker 2: of that company's department stores. What's my point. He had 377 00:18:39,119 --> 00:18:42,240 Speaker 2: a goal, but he put a plan with it. When 378 00:18:42,240 --> 00:18:45,520 Speaker 2: you do what you can, God will direct your steps. 379 00:18:45,800 --> 00:18:48,600 Speaker 2: He'll make sure you come across the right people, the 380 00:18:48,680 --> 00:18:52,080 Speaker 2: right opportunities, the right breaks. But when we don't have 381 00:18:52,160 --> 00:18:55,600 Speaker 2: a plan, when we're not pressing forward doing what we can, 382 00:18:55,720 --> 00:18:57,879 Speaker 2: our dream turns into a wish. 383 00:18:58,119 --> 00:18:59,720 Speaker 1: Well I hoped it would have happened. 384 00:19:00,280 --> 00:19:03,119 Speaker 2: But when you know God's put something in your heart 385 00:19:03,240 --> 00:19:05,600 Speaker 2: and you can feel that it's a part of your destiny, 386 00:19:06,040 --> 00:19:08,439 Speaker 2: it won't go away. You let go of it, but 387 00:19:08,480 --> 00:19:11,320 Speaker 2: it keeps coming back again and again. You can be 388 00:19:11,440 --> 00:19:15,520 Speaker 2: assured that's a dream put in you by the creator 389 00:19:15,560 --> 00:19:18,720 Speaker 2: of the universe, and you should do everything you can 390 00:19:19,160 --> 00:19:22,800 Speaker 2: to bring that dream to pass. You've got to get prepared. 391 00:19:23,280 --> 00:19:25,679 Speaker 2: This may mean you need to change some friends that 392 00:19:25,720 --> 00:19:29,320 Speaker 2: you're running with. Maybe they were fine for a season 393 00:19:29,400 --> 00:19:32,800 Speaker 2: in your life, but you've outgrown then this is a 394 00:19:32,840 --> 00:19:35,720 Speaker 2: new season, and in order for you to go higher, 395 00:19:36,160 --> 00:19:39,240 Speaker 2: you have to break away from relationships that are limiting 396 00:19:39,280 --> 00:19:43,159 Speaker 2: you and develop some new friendships. People that are going 397 00:19:43,240 --> 00:19:46,520 Speaker 2: to pull you up and inspire you to rise higher. 398 00:19:47,400 --> 00:19:50,240 Speaker 2: I found if you're the smartest one in your group, 399 00:19:50,520 --> 00:19:54,240 Speaker 2: your group is too small. Find people that are smarter 400 00:19:54,359 --> 00:19:57,520 Speaker 2: than you are, people that will challenge you to stretch 401 00:19:57,560 --> 00:20:00,879 Speaker 2: to the next level and become everything God's created you 402 00:20:00,920 --> 00:20:04,639 Speaker 2: to be. This may mean that you need to go 403 00:20:04,720 --> 00:20:08,120 Speaker 2: to the library and research what God's put in your heart. 404 00:20:08,520 --> 00:20:10,600 Speaker 2: May mean you have to give up playing ball one 405 00:20:10,720 --> 00:20:13,520 Speaker 2: night a week and take that course to learn more 406 00:20:13,600 --> 00:20:18,160 Speaker 2: about what you're feeling on the inside. Keep growing, keep learning, 407 00:20:18,240 --> 00:20:23,320 Speaker 2: get prepared. Success is intentional. I know people that are 408 00:20:23,359 --> 00:20:27,000 Speaker 2: struggling in their finances. They're very deeply in debt. They 409 00:20:27,040 --> 00:20:29,800 Speaker 2: want to get out. They're praying, they're believing, they're giving. 410 00:20:30,200 --> 00:20:33,440 Speaker 2: But God is saying, do you have a plan. If 411 00:20:33,480 --> 00:20:36,680 Speaker 2: you'll come up with a plan, God will direct your steps. 412 00:20:37,280 --> 00:20:40,120 Speaker 2: But many times when people are in debt, they get 413 00:20:40,160 --> 00:20:43,640 Speaker 2: so overwhelmed by it and so discouraged they don't even 414 00:20:43,640 --> 00:20:44,439 Speaker 2: want to face it. 415 00:20:44,840 --> 00:20:45,920 Speaker 1: They can't tell you if. 416 00:20:45,840 --> 00:20:48,840 Speaker 2: There are a thousand dollars in debt or one hundred thousand. 417 00:20:48,840 --> 00:20:52,240 Speaker 2: They don't want to deal with it. They're afraid it's insurmountable. 418 00:20:52,880 --> 00:20:54,040 Speaker 1: That is not true. 419 00:20:54,200 --> 00:20:57,600 Speaker 2: God always has a way out, and even if you 420 00:20:57,680 --> 00:21:01,199 Speaker 2: have bad credit, you can overcome bad credit. But you 421 00:21:01,320 --> 00:21:04,359 Speaker 2: have to have a plan. You need to sit down 422 00:21:04,400 --> 00:21:07,480 Speaker 2: with someone that can help you. Sit down with someone 423 00:21:07,480 --> 00:21:10,800 Speaker 2: that could give you good advice. We have free financial 424 00:21:10,920 --> 00:21:14,159 Speaker 2: counseling here at the Ministry, and we've seen people in 425 00:21:14,320 --> 00:21:17,639 Speaker 2: all kinds of debt more than you can imagine. But 426 00:21:17,800 --> 00:21:20,760 Speaker 2: as a general rule, most people, if they're on the 427 00:21:20,840 --> 00:21:24,359 Speaker 2: right plan, in three to five years, they can be 428 00:21:24,480 --> 00:21:28,439 Speaker 2: totally debt free other than their home. You simply have 429 00:21:28,520 --> 00:21:30,840 Speaker 2: to have a clear cut plan. Let me give you 430 00:21:30,840 --> 00:21:34,359 Speaker 2: an example. If you have five thousand dollars of debt 431 00:21:34,440 --> 00:21:37,480 Speaker 2: on a credit card today, and all you ever pay 432 00:21:38,119 --> 00:21:42,120 Speaker 2: is the minimum two percent monthly payment of one hundred dollars, 433 00:21:42,560 --> 00:21:45,480 Speaker 2: that will take you eighty six and a half years 434 00:21:45,520 --> 00:21:48,840 Speaker 2: to pay that off, and if perchance you're still alive 435 00:21:48,960 --> 00:21:52,800 Speaker 2: when that happens, you will have paid thirty eight thousand 436 00:21:52,840 --> 00:21:53,880 Speaker 2: dollars in interest. 437 00:21:54,640 --> 00:21:56,840 Speaker 1: A good plan would be to pay that off as 438 00:21:56,880 --> 00:21:57,760 Speaker 1: soon as possible. 439 00:21:58,280 --> 00:22:01,480 Speaker 2: When God sees you putting with that effort, that's when 440 00:22:01,520 --> 00:22:04,520 Speaker 2: he'll step in and cause his blessings to overtake you. 441 00:22:05,119 --> 00:22:08,400 Speaker 2: One more example, if you have one hundred thousand dollars 442 00:22:08,400 --> 00:22:11,199 Speaker 2: loan on your home, and the interest rate is eight 443 00:22:11,280 --> 00:22:14,040 Speaker 2: percent and it's a thirty year loan. If you will 444 00:22:14,080 --> 00:22:18,280 Speaker 2: make one extra payment a year, that will knock off 445 00:22:18,440 --> 00:22:22,880 Speaker 2: approximately eight years of that loan. That's something we can 446 00:22:22,960 --> 00:22:25,440 Speaker 2: do well, you say, Joel, I wanted to hear about 447 00:22:25,480 --> 00:22:26,840 Speaker 2: how I can get blessed today. 448 00:22:27,040 --> 00:22:28,640 Speaker 1: This is how you can get blessed. 449 00:22:29,560 --> 00:22:34,600 Speaker 2: Set some goals and develop a plan. The goal may 450 00:22:34,640 --> 00:22:37,520 Speaker 2: be to get out of debt, but follow that goal 451 00:22:37,600 --> 00:22:40,520 Speaker 2: up with the plan this year. Here's what I'm gonna do. 452 00:22:40,760 --> 00:22:43,520 Speaker 2: I'm not gonna make emotional purchases. I'm not gonna go 453 00:22:43,560 --> 00:22:46,480 Speaker 2: out to eat every other night, or maybe more extreme, 454 00:22:46,800 --> 00:22:49,800 Speaker 2: I'm gonna sell my fancy car and buy an ordinary 455 00:22:49,840 --> 00:22:52,520 Speaker 2: car so I can take that extra money and put. 456 00:22:52,320 --> 00:22:53,280 Speaker 1: It toward my debt. 457 00:22:53,800 --> 00:22:57,000 Speaker 2: When you take those kind of steps, God will say 458 00:22:57,359 --> 00:23:00,280 Speaker 2: they've got a plan, they're doing what they can, and 459 00:23:00,320 --> 00:23:03,240 Speaker 2: now let me start directing their steps. Let me arrange 460 00:23:03,240 --> 00:23:06,000 Speaker 2: a promotion here, let me arrange favor here, let me 461 00:23:06,000 --> 00:23:08,880 Speaker 2: bring the right people across their path. That's when you'll 462 00:23:08,880 --> 00:23:12,960 Speaker 2: see promotion increase God's blessings in a greater way. You 463 00:23:13,119 --> 00:23:16,439 Speaker 2: do the natural, and God will do the supernatural. I 464 00:23:16,480 --> 00:23:19,040 Speaker 2: know this young couple that really wanted to own their 465 00:23:19,080 --> 00:23:22,320 Speaker 2: own home. They were living in a small apartment, just 466 00:23:22,400 --> 00:23:24,920 Speaker 2: out of school, and really they couldn't afford much of anything. 467 00:23:25,119 --> 00:23:27,760 Speaker 2: But they came up with a plan. They decided that 468 00:23:27,920 --> 00:23:31,800 Speaker 2: every paycheck they would give ten percent to their church 469 00:23:32,320 --> 00:23:35,560 Speaker 2: as their tithe and then they would put another ten 470 00:23:35,600 --> 00:23:38,679 Speaker 2: percent in a fund toward a down payment to a 471 00:23:38,720 --> 00:23:41,360 Speaker 2: new home. And they had this one neighborhood that they 472 00:23:41,400 --> 00:23:43,600 Speaker 2: really liked. One day they went and met with the 473 00:23:43,640 --> 00:23:46,359 Speaker 2: bank to find out how much the down payment would be, 474 00:23:46,720 --> 00:23:49,520 Speaker 2: and they calculated it would take them about seven or 475 00:23:49,560 --> 00:23:52,800 Speaker 2: eight years to come up with enough for that down payment. 476 00:23:53,240 --> 00:23:56,680 Speaker 2: They were very faithful, diligent month after month to save. 477 00:23:57,080 --> 00:23:59,879 Speaker 2: They knew where they were going, what they wanted to call, 478 00:24:00,520 --> 00:24:01,880 Speaker 2: and how they were going to get there. 479 00:24:02,400 --> 00:24:03,480 Speaker 1: And many times on the. 480 00:24:03,440 --> 00:24:06,120 Speaker 2: Weekends they would walk through the new homes that were 481 00:24:06,160 --> 00:24:10,080 Speaker 2: being built, just dreaming, just keeping that vision alive. And 482 00:24:10,119 --> 00:24:13,240 Speaker 2: one day, as they were walking through this one particular home, 483 00:24:13,359 --> 00:24:16,000 Speaker 2: they met the builder. He was the main builder in 484 00:24:16,040 --> 00:24:19,480 Speaker 2: that whole subdivision, and he asked them if they were 485 00:24:19,520 --> 00:24:23,080 Speaker 2: interested in purchasing that home, and They said, well, we 486 00:24:23,119 --> 00:24:26,000 Speaker 2: would love to, but we can't afford it right now. 487 00:24:26,160 --> 00:24:28,680 Speaker 2: We're just saving up the money and maybe in six 488 00:24:28,800 --> 00:24:30,719 Speaker 2: or seven years we'll be able to do that. 489 00:24:31,280 --> 00:24:33,320 Speaker 1: He asked them how much they have saved up. 490 00:24:33,680 --> 00:24:36,760 Speaker 2: It was several thousand dollars, but not nearly enough for 491 00:24:36,840 --> 00:24:39,640 Speaker 2: a typical down payment. They knew no bank would give 492 00:24:39,680 --> 00:24:42,680 Speaker 2: them the money. But this builder, they hadn't talked to him. 493 00:24:42,720 --> 00:24:45,760 Speaker 2: Five minutes out of the blue, he said, I really 494 00:24:45,800 --> 00:24:48,160 Speaker 2: want you to have this house, and if you'll put 495 00:24:48,240 --> 00:24:51,560 Speaker 2: down what you have, I'll finance the rest of it myself. 496 00:24:52,400 --> 00:24:55,280 Speaker 2: When you have a plan, God will direct your steps. 497 00:24:55,520 --> 00:24:57,760 Speaker 2: He'll cause you to be at the right place at 498 00:24:57,800 --> 00:24:58,480 Speaker 2: the right time. 499 00:24:58,760 --> 00:25:00,560 Speaker 1: He'll give you supernatural break. 500 00:25:02,000 --> 00:25:04,879 Speaker 2: But I don't believe this would have happened if they 501 00:25:04,880 --> 00:25:08,280 Speaker 2: had just vaguely been dreaming, vaguely been hoping that one 502 00:25:08,359 --> 00:25:11,920 Speaker 2: day they'd get a new house. They were diligent. They 503 00:25:11,920 --> 00:25:15,320 Speaker 2: didn't just dream. They didn't just have some goals. They 504 00:25:15,400 --> 00:25:19,040 Speaker 2: were taking steps. They were getting prepared. They knew what 505 00:25:19,080 --> 00:25:20,879 Speaker 2: the market was like, they knew how much it was 506 00:25:20,920 --> 00:25:23,000 Speaker 2: going to cost. They had met with the bank, they'd 507 00:25:23,080 --> 00:25:26,719 Speaker 2: saved their money. They were focused. They were diligent, and 508 00:25:26,760 --> 00:25:29,440 Speaker 2: they saw God do moore than they could even. 509 00:25:29,280 --> 00:25:30,080 Speaker 1: Ask or think. 510 00:25:30,680 --> 00:25:33,119 Speaker 2: What are you doing to bring your dreams to pass? 511 00:25:33,359 --> 00:25:36,679 Speaker 2: Are you taking steps of faith? Are you getting prepared? 512 00:25:37,119 --> 00:25:41,600 Speaker 2: Do you have clear direction for end? Success is intentional. 513 00:25:41,880 --> 00:25:44,960 Speaker 2: We're not going to accidentally get out of debt, accidentally 514 00:25:45,040 --> 00:25:47,000 Speaker 2: start a business, accidentally. 515 00:25:46,560 --> 00:25:48,760 Speaker 1: Break an addiction. You got to have a plan. 516 00:25:49,600 --> 00:25:53,199 Speaker 2: I'm asking you today to come up with a goals program. 517 00:25:53,520 --> 00:25:54,240 Speaker 1: Write it down. 518 00:25:54,720 --> 00:25:57,320 Speaker 2: This is where I'm going, this is what God's put 519 00:25:57,320 --> 00:25:59,840 Speaker 2: in my heart, and here's how I plan to get there. 520 00:26:00,280 --> 00:26:04,119 Speaker 2: In your finances, in your career, in your relationships. Don't 521 00:26:04,160 --> 00:26:08,800 Speaker 2: go another week without having a plan. Write your vision 522 00:26:09,119 --> 00:26:12,600 Speaker 2: and make it clear. Your long range goals. Where do 523 00:26:12,640 --> 00:26:14,919 Speaker 2: you want to be in ten years? Put it on paper. 524 00:26:15,000 --> 00:26:17,760 Speaker 2: Set the direction your short range goals. What are you 525 00:26:17,840 --> 00:26:23,280 Speaker 2: working on right now? Then strategize. Evaluate how you're spending 526 00:26:23,320 --> 00:26:28,080 Speaker 2: your time, how you're spending your money, Evaluate your friendships. 527 00:26:28,240 --> 00:26:30,800 Speaker 1: Is that a part of your plan? Be an on 528 00:26:31,280 --> 00:26:32,360 Speaker 1: purpose person. 529 00:26:32,960 --> 00:26:37,119 Speaker 2: If you'll go beyond dreaming, beyond setting goals and start 530 00:26:37,160 --> 00:26:41,439 Speaker 2: making plans to succeed. God promises he's going to direct 531 00:26:41,480 --> 00:26:43,600 Speaker 2: your steps, and I know he's going to lead. 532 00:26:43,480 --> 00:26:44,280 Speaker 1: You into favor. 533 00:26:44,359 --> 00:26:46,560 Speaker 2: He'll lead you into increase, He'll lead you into promotion, 534 00:26:47,000 --> 00:26:48,960 Speaker 2: and you're going to see your dreams come to pass. 535 00:26:49,000 --> 00:26:53,520 Speaker 1: Amen. Do you receive this today? We never like to 536 00:26:53,520 --> 00:26:54,080 Speaker 1: close our. 537 00:26:54,000 --> 00:26:57,280 Speaker 2: Broadcasts without giving you an opportunity to make Jesus of 538 00:26:57,359 --> 00:26:58,280 Speaker 2: the lord of your life. 539 00:26:58,680 --> 00:27:02,879 Speaker 1: Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus, I 540 00:27:03,040 --> 00:27:07,880 Speaker 1: repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I make 541 00:27:07,920 --> 00:27:09,120 Speaker 1: you my Lord and savior. 542 00:27:10,600 --> 00:27:13,000 Speaker 2: Friends, if you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you 543 00:27:13,080 --> 00:27:13,920 Speaker 2: got born again. 544 00:27:14,440 --> 00:27:17,840 Speaker 1: Get in a good Bible based church. Keep God first place. 545 00:27:18,160 --> 00:27:20,560 Speaker 1: He's going to take you places that you've never dreamed of. 546 00:27:22,560 --> 00:27:27,600 Speaker 3: Are you in a situation where you feel lost, afraid, hopeless, 547 00:27:27,880 --> 00:27:32,679 Speaker 3: where there seems to be no solutions, no answers, no 548 00:27:32,840 --> 00:27:36,119 Speaker 3: way out. It's time for your turnaround. 549 00:27:36,400 --> 00:27:39,400 Speaker 2: We all face situations that look like they'll never change. 550 00:27:39,440 --> 00:27:42,320 Speaker 2: It's easy to get discouraged. I love to send you 551 00:27:42,400 --> 00:27:45,040 Speaker 2: my book Turn Around, How God can take you from 552 00:27:45,040 --> 00:27:48,600 Speaker 2: a setback to a comeback where you'll discover how God 553 00:27:48,640 --> 00:27:53,520 Speaker 2: can turn sickness into health, lack into abundance, addictions into freedom. 554 00:27:54,000 --> 00:27:57,480 Speaker 2: It'll inspire you to keep believing and have an expectancy 555 00:27:57,560 --> 00:28:01,120 Speaker 2: for things to turn in your favor. Recent weeks, we've 556 00:28:01,160 --> 00:28:05,040 Speaker 2: been celebrating the incredible life of my mother, her miraculous 557 00:28:05,119 --> 00:28:09,200 Speaker 2: turnaround story of overcoming terminal cancer over forty years ago. 558 00:28:09,560 --> 00:28:12,480 Speaker 1: It's a testimony of the power of God's promises. 559 00:28:13,080 --> 00:28:15,560 Speaker 2: Just because you don't see a way doesn't mean God 560 00:28:15,600 --> 00:28:16,520 Speaker 2: doesn't have a way. 561 00:28:16,760 --> 00:28:19,520 Speaker 1: Stay in faith, your turnaround is on the way. 562 00:28:20,320 --> 00:28:22,680 Speaker 3: As our way of saying thank you for your gift 563 00:28:22,760 --> 00:28:25,359 Speaker 3: of any amount, this month, we would like to send 564 00:28:25,400 --> 00:28:28,639 Speaker 3: you a copy of Joel's brand new book, turn Around. 565 00:28:28,960 --> 00:28:32,240 Speaker 3: How God Can take You from setback to come Back. 566 00:28:32,640 --> 00:28:38,040 Speaker 3: Through biblical examples, real life applications, and practical encouragement, you'll 567 00:28:38,120 --> 00:28:41,760 Speaker 3: learn to see challenges through a faith filled perspective. Each 568 00:28:41,840 --> 00:28:45,400 Speaker 3: section highlights a faith turnaround point to help you see 569 00:28:45,400 --> 00:28:49,160 Speaker 3: a positive change in your life. As you meditate on 570 00:28:49,280 --> 00:28:53,760 Speaker 3: His promises, you'll begin to see your greatest challenges turn around. 571 00:28:54,280 --> 00:28:58,560 Speaker 3: These power packed life transforming stories will shift your mindset, 572 00:28:59,000 --> 00:29:03,760 Speaker 3: strengthen your faith, and turn your trials into triumphs. Request 573 00:29:03,800 --> 00:29:07,720 Speaker 3: your copy today and see the turnaround and breakthrough you've 574 00:29:07,760 --> 00:29:08,480 Speaker 3: been waiting for. 575 00:29:09,600 --> 00:29:11,840 Speaker 2: God won't let you get in a problem that he 576 00:29:11,880 --> 00:29:15,400 Speaker 2: can't bring you out of there are turnarounds in your future. 577 00:29:15,920 --> 00:29:18,640 Speaker 2: Thanks so much for being with us today. Victoria and 578 00:29:18,720 --> 00:29:21,240 Speaker 2: I pray for you and your family, and we sure 579 00:29:21,240 --> 00:29:22,960 Speaker 2: appreciate your prayer and support. 580 00:29:23,280 --> 00:29:27,160 Speaker 1: Your generosity is helping bring hope to people around the world. 581 00:29:27,680 --> 00:29:30,280 Speaker 2: Special thank you to our Champion of Hope partners for 582 00:29:30,360 --> 00:29:32,920 Speaker 2: your monthly gifts. If you're not a partner, I hope 583 00:29:32,960 --> 00:29:36,120 Speaker 2: you'll consider it becoming one. Remember you can watch the 584 00:29:36,160 --> 00:29:41,080 Speaker 2: services online every Sunday morning, download our daily podcast, watch 585 00:29:41,160 --> 00:29:45,240 Speaker 2: on YouTube the new Joelosting Network social media. Of course, 586 00:29:45,280 --> 00:29:47,800 Speaker 2: you can listen Serious XM twenty four hours a day. 587 00:29:48,120 --> 00:29:51,440 Speaker 2: We'll keep you encouraged and inspired until we see you 588 00:29:51,440 --> 00:29:52,480 Speaker 2: next time. Maid. 589 00:29:52,560 --> 00:29:54,360 Speaker 1: The Lord bless you and keep you. 590 00:29:55,120 --> 00:29:58,480 Speaker 3: Be sure to request your copy of Turnaround How God 591 00:29:58,520 --> 00:30:02,240 Speaker 3: Can take You from setback to come Back. Visit Joelostein 592 00:30:02,320 --> 00:30:05,680 Speaker 3: dot com or call eight eight eight five sixty seven 593 00:30:05,920 --> 00:30:09,600 Speaker 3: Joel for an additional donation. This month, we are also 594 00:30:09,720 --> 00:30:13,640 Speaker 3: offering the Turnaround Faith duo, one for you and one 595 00:30:13,680 --> 00:30:16,760 Speaker 3: to share with a friend or family member to encourage them. 596 00:30:17,080 --> 00:30:21,080 Speaker 3: You can also request the Turnaround Victory Collection. It includes 597 00:30:21,120 --> 00:30:24,800 Speaker 3: two Turnaround books and the beautiful set of three wooden 598 00:30:24,920 --> 00:30:30,560 Speaker 3: encouragement blocks, Happy, Healthy, and Free, each featuring and uplifting scripture. 599 00:30:31,200 --> 00:30:34,960 Speaker 3: You can request these inspiring resources by calling eight eight 600 00:30:35,000 --> 00:30:39,040 Speaker 3: eight five six seven Joel or logging on to Joelostein 601 00:30:39,120 --> 00:30:43,080 Speaker 3: dot com Today call or click any time twenty four 602 00:30:43,120 --> 00:30:46,680 Speaker 3: hours a day. Your life is about to turn around. 603 00:30:47,280 --> 00:30:56,640 Speaker 3: Request these resources today