1 00:00:00,920 --> 00:00:03,800 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Jorlan Victoria. Thanks so much for listening 2 00:00:03,880 --> 00:00:07,520 Speaker 1: to the podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. We 3 00:00:07,560 --> 00:00:11,400 Speaker 1: believe you're going to have an awesome twenty twenty four, healthy, productive, 4 00:00:11,560 --> 00:00:15,760 Speaker 1: and favor filled. God bless you today and enjoy the message. Well, 5 00:00:15,800 --> 00:00:19,520 Speaker 1: God bless you always our joy to come into your homes. 6 00:00:19,720 --> 00:00:22,200 Speaker 1: We love you and we know God has great things 7 00:00:22,239 --> 00:00:25,080 Speaker 1: in store. And if you're ever in our area, please 8 00:00:25,120 --> 00:00:27,400 Speaker 1: stop buying and be a part of one of our services. 9 00:00:27,560 --> 00:00:29,560 Speaker 1: I promise you we'll make you feel right at home. 10 00:00:29,600 --> 00:00:31,800 Speaker 1: But thank you so much for tuning in, and thank 11 00:00:31,840 --> 00:00:34,040 Speaker 1: you again for coming out today. And I like to 12 00:00:34,040 --> 00:00:36,800 Speaker 1: start with something funny each week. And Paul told this 13 00:00:36,920 --> 00:00:39,159 Speaker 1: the other day, and I can tell it better than him, 14 00:00:39,159 --> 00:00:42,400 Speaker 1: So let me tell you. I heard about this man. 15 00:00:42,520 --> 00:00:46,000 Speaker 1: He sat down on an airplane next to a beautiful blonde. 16 00:00:46,200 --> 00:00:48,920 Speaker 1: They struck up a conversation. He said, what kind of 17 00:00:49,000 --> 00:00:51,800 Speaker 1: men do you like? She said, well, I like Native 18 00:00:52,000 --> 00:00:55,680 Speaker 1: American men with their high cheek bones and their golden 19 00:00:55,880 --> 00:01:00,000 Speaker 1: tan skin. Plus I like Jewish men they're so brilliant 20 00:01:00,280 --> 00:01:03,480 Speaker 1: and so successful. And then also I like good old 21 00:01:03,520 --> 00:01:07,160 Speaker 1: boys from the South with their long Southern draw what's 22 00:01:07,200 --> 00:01:13,160 Speaker 1: your name, he said, my name is Geronimo Bernstein, but 23 00:01:13,240 --> 00:01:18,120 Speaker 1: my friends call me Bubba. All right, hold up your Bible, 24 00:01:18,280 --> 00:01:21,080 Speaker 1: say it like you mean it. This is my Bible. 25 00:01:21,400 --> 00:01:23,920 Speaker 1: I am what it says I am. I have what 26 00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:26,400 Speaker 1: it says I have. I can do what it says 27 00:01:26,440 --> 00:01:29,160 Speaker 1: I can do. Today I will be taught the word 28 00:01:29,200 --> 00:01:33,440 Speaker 1: of God. I boldly confess. My mind is alert, my 29 00:01:33,600 --> 00:01:38,000 Speaker 1: heart is receptive. I will never be the same. In Jesus' name, 30 00:01:38,319 --> 00:01:41,400 Speaker 1: God bless you. I want to talk to you today 31 00:01:41,600 --> 00:01:45,800 Speaker 1: about letting go and letting God. It's easy in life 32 00:01:45,840 --> 00:01:49,120 Speaker 1: to get so focused on what we want, our dreams, 33 00:01:49,280 --> 00:01:52,440 Speaker 1: our goals that it consumes us. We're not going to 34 00:01:52,520 --> 00:01:56,280 Speaker 1: be happy until it happens. But I found anything we 35 00:01:56,440 --> 00:01:59,160 Speaker 1: have to have in order to be happy is out 36 00:01:59,200 --> 00:02:02,400 Speaker 1: of balance. I know people that think I can't be 37 00:02:02,520 --> 00:02:06,120 Speaker 1: happy until I find a husband. Other people think I 38 00:02:06,120 --> 00:02:08,720 Speaker 1: can't be happy until I get rid of this husband. 39 00:02:10,720 --> 00:02:13,400 Speaker 1: I can't be happy till I get that bigger house. 40 00:02:14,120 --> 00:02:16,400 Speaker 1: I can't be happy till I get a promotion. No, 41 00:02:16,520 --> 00:02:20,160 Speaker 1: here's the key. When our goals and dreams start to 42 00:02:20,200 --> 00:02:23,200 Speaker 1: frustrate us, when we lose our peace and we're not 43 00:02:23,360 --> 00:02:26,840 Speaker 1: enjoying life. That's a sure sign that we're holding on 44 00:02:26,919 --> 00:02:30,560 Speaker 1: too tightly. What's the solution. You've got to release it. 45 00:02:31,160 --> 00:02:34,240 Speaker 1: There's a freedom when you say, God, I'm turning it 46 00:02:34,320 --> 00:02:37,160 Speaker 1: over to you. You know what I want, You know 47 00:02:37,240 --> 00:02:39,720 Speaker 1: the desires you put in me, and I'm not going 48 00:02:39,760 --> 00:02:43,680 Speaker 1: to live frustrated because it hasn't happened. God. I'm trusting 49 00:02:43,760 --> 00:02:46,520 Speaker 1: your timing. I know you know what's best for me 50 00:02:47,160 --> 00:02:50,200 Speaker 1: and God, even if it never happens, I'm still going 51 00:02:50,240 --> 00:02:53,639 Speaker 1: to be happy and trust you. In other words, God, 52 00:02:53,760 --> 00:02:56,440 Speaker 1: I want to attend this certain college, but if I 53 00:02:56,520 --> 00:02:59,560 Speaker 1: don't get accepted, I'm still going to be happy. God. 54 00:02:59,600 --> 00:03:01,240 Speaker 1: I really want want to get married, but if it 55 00:03:01,280 --> 00:03:04,480 Speaker 1: doesn't happen, I'm still going to enjoy my life. When 56 00:03:04,560 --> 00:03:07,600 Speaker 1: we have this kind of attitude, it takes away the 57 00:03:07,800 --> 00:03:11,000 Speaker 1: power of the enemy. It takes away his ability to 58 00:03:11,080 --> 00:03:15,200 Speaker 1: frustrate us. Not only that, by our actions, we are 59 00:03:15,320 --> 00:03:18,640 Speaker 1: showing God that we trust him. We are proving to 60 00:03:18,720 --> 00:03:21,240 Speaker 1: him that he is in complete control of our life. 61 00:03:22,200 --> 00:03:26,040 Speaker 1: Sometimes God will ask us to release the things that 62 00:03:26,160 --> 00:03:29,600 Speaker 1: mean the most to us. That's what happened to Abraham. 63 00:03:29,760 --> 00:03:32,560 Speaker 1: God asked him to put his own son on the altar. 64 00:03:32,880 --> 00:03:35,880 Speaker 1: It was the thing that meant most to him. Abraham 65 00:03:35,960 --> 00:03:39,280 Speaker 1: was obedient. He got it all prepared. Just as he 66 00:03:39,360 --> 00:03:42,000 Speaker 1: is about to go through with it, God said, no, Abraham, 67 00:03:42,240 --> 00:03:45,160 Speaker 1: don't do it. I just wanted to see that I 68 00:03:45,200 --> 00:03:49,400 Speaker 1: am the most important thing to you. Sometimes God will 69 00:03:49,440 --> 00:03:52,400 Speaker 1: ask us to put a dream on the altar. In 70 00:03:52,440 --> 00:03:55,440 Speaker 1: other words, we have to show God that we don't 71 00:03:55,520 --> 00:03:58,240 Speaker 1: have to have that promotion in order to be happy. 72 00:03:59,080 --> 00:04:01,280 Speaker 1: Maybe we're standing on a promise that we're going to 73 00:04:01,320 --> 00:04:04,560 Speaker 1: be well. But when we can say, even if I 74 00:04:04,600 --> 00:04:06,960 Speaker 1: don't get well, I'm still gonna have a smile on 75 00:04:07,000 --> 00:04:09,560 Speaker 1: my face. I'm still gonna be good to people. I'm 76 00:04:09,600 --> 00:04:11,400 Speaker 1: still gonna be here at church, I'm still gonna be 77 00:04:11,440 --> 00:04:14,640 Speaker 1: in faith. When you do that, you're doing what Abraham did. 78 00:04:14,800 --> 00:04:18,040 Speaker 1: You're putting the dream on the altar. When you learn 79 00:04:18,120 --> 00:04:21,000 Speaker 1: to pass the test of not having to have it 80 00:04:21,400 --> 00:04:24,200 Speaker 1: my way in order to be happy, you don't have 81 00:04:24,279 --> 00:04:26,800 Speaker 1: to have the bigger house in order to be happy. 82 00:04:26,920 --> 00:04:29,839 Speaker 1: The problem doesn't have to turn around before you decide 83 00:04:29,839 --> 00:04:32,480 Speaker 1: to enjoy your life. When you put things on the 84 00:04:32,560 --> 00:04:35,680 Speaker 1: altar like that and show God that you're not going 85 00:04:35,760 --> 00:04:39,320 Speaker 1: to be frustrated because it's not happening in your timetable 86 00:04:39,400 --> 00:04:42,240 Speaker 1: the way you'd hope. That's when God says, all right, 87 00:04:42,320 --> 00:04:45,640 Speaker 1: I know this. They trust me. I'm the most important 88 00:04:45,680 --> 00:04:47,960 Speaker 1: thing to them. So let me go to work, let 89 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:50,480 Speaker 1: me open up new doors, let me pour out my favor, 90 00:04:50,760 --> 00:04:55,520 Speaker 1: let me give them an exceedingly abundantly above and beyond decade. 91 00:04:55,680 --> 00:04:58,440 Speaker 1: I know this lady that was praying and believing for 92 00:04:58,520 --> 00:05:01,039 Speaker 1: her husband to come to church her. This went on 93 00:05:01,160 --> 00:05:05,320 Speaker 1: year after year. She was very determined, very passionate. She 94 00:05:05,360 --> 00:05:08,520 Speaker 1: did everything she could. She put scriptures up all over 95 00:05:08,560 --> 00:05:11,760 Speaker 1: her house. She would leave her Bible open, hoping he 96 00:05:11,800 --> 00:05:15,000 Speaker 1: would happen to read it, and she was constantly encouraging 97 00:05:15,040 --> 00:05:18,720 Speaker 1: him to come. In spite of all that, he wouldn't budge. 98 00:05:19,240 --> 00:05:22,239 Speaker 1: In the first few months, she was fine. She started 99 00:05:22,279 --> 00:05:26,040 Speaker 1: off great, But after a year or so, it began 100 00:05:26,160 --> 00:05:29,680 Speaker 1: to frustrate her, begin to wear her down. She lost 101 00:05:29,680 --> 00:05:33,200 Speaker 1: her joy. She didn't have the enthusiasm she once had. 102 00:05:33,680 --> 00:05:38,359 Speaker 1: She'd come down for prayer month after month, discouraged, upset. Joel, 103 00:05:38,440 --> 00:05:41,359 Speaker 1: I just don't know what else I can do. And 104 00:05:41,400 --> 00:05:44,160 Speaker 1: one day I told her what I'm telling you. The 105 00:05:44,200 --> 00:05:47,440 Speaker 1: best thing you can do is release it. Turn it 106 00:05:47,480 --> 00:05:50,520 Speaker 1: over to God. You've done everything you can do. You prayed, 107 00:05:50,760 --> 00:05:55,159 Speaker 1: you believed. Now put it on the altar. Have the attitude. 108 00:05:55,640 --> 00:05:58,600 Speaker 1: If he never comes God, I'm still going to be happy. 109 00:05:59,080 --> 00:06:01,600 Speaker 1: If he never changed, God, I'm still going to trust you. 110 00:06:02,480 --> 00:06:05,560 Speaker 1: Just like with Abraham. You have to put the thing 111 00:06:05,640 --> 00:06:08,440 Speaker 1: that means the most to you on the altar. When 112 00:06:08,440 --> 00:06:11,480 Speaker 1: you let it go, when you show God you don't 113 00:06:11,520 --> 00:06:14,039 Speaker 1: have to have it in order to be happy, That's 114 00:06:14,080 --> 00:06:16,880 Speaker 1: when God will go to work in amazing ways. When 115 00:06:16,920 --> 00:06:20,320 Speaker 1: you let go, you let God. Some of you today 116 00:06:20,560 --> 00:06:23,200 Speaker 1: have some things you need to let go of people 117 00:06:23,279 --> 00:06:26,920 Speaker 1: that are frustrating you because they're not changing. Give it 118 00:06:26,920 --> 00:06:29,880 Speaker 1: to God. Just say God, I've done all that I 119 00:06:29,880 --> 00:06:32,320 Speaker 1: can do. I am not going to live my life 120 00:06:32,440 --> 00:06:36,400 Speaker 1: upset anymore. I know only you can change people. So 121 00:06:36,480 --> 00:06:38,320 Speaker 1: I'm going to come back to that place of peace 122 00:06:38,800 --> 00:06:41,200 Speaker 1: and God. If it never works out, I put it 123 00:06:41,240 --> 00:06:44,520 Speaker 1: on the altar. It's up to you. There's a freedom 124 00:06:44,680 --> 00:06:47,640 Speaker 1: when you release it. And I'm not saying to release 125 00:06:47,680 --> 00:06:51,479 Speaker 1: your dreams and give up on your promises. No, release 126 00:06:51,600 --> 00:06:55,120 Speaker 1: the frustration, release the worry, and you come back to 127 00:06:55,200 --> 00:06:58,800 Speaker 1: the place of peace, knowing that God is in complete control. 128 00:06:59,120 --> 00:07:01,479 Speaker 1: That's what this lady did. She turned it over to 129 00:07:01,520 --> 00:07:04,120 Speaker 1: the Lord and she was like a different person. I 130 00:07:04,120 --> 00:07:07,440 Speaker 1: would see her week after week, big smile on her face. 131 00:07:07,960 --> 00:07:12,560 Speaker 1: She wasn't upset, frustrated. She was enjoying her life. She 132 00:07:12,760 --> 00:07:16,200 Speaker 1: was saying by her actions, God, I know you are 133 00:07:16,240 --> 00:07:18,640 Speaker 1: still on the throne, and I don't have to have 134 00:07:18,760 --> 00:07:22,000 Speaker 1: anything to happen or not happen in order for me 135 00:07:22,080 --> 00:07:24,440 Speaker 1: to be happy. I've made up my mind. I'm gonna 136 00:07:24,440 --> 00:07:27,520 Speaker 1: be happy right where I am now. About two years 137 00:07:27,560 --> 00:07:30,920 Speaker 1: after that, one Sunday morning, out of the blue, her 138 00:07:31,000 --> 00:07:33,680 Speaker 1: husband said, I want to go to church with you today. 139 00:07:34,160 --> 00:07:37,760 Speaker 1: She nearly passed out. It was his idea. He came 140 00:07:37,880 --> 00:07:41,240 Speaker 1: that Sunday and he's been coming ever since. That was 141 00:07:41,320 --> 00:07:46,600 Speaker 1: over four years ago. They hardly ever missed a service. Friends, 142 00:07:46,640 --> 00:07:49,480 Speaker 1: when you let go, it allows God to go to 143 00:07:49,520 --> 00:07:53,800 Speaker 1: work in amazing ways. Maybe like this lady. You know 144 00:07:54,000 --> 00:07:56,600 Speaker 1: God has put a dream in your heart. There's a 145 00:07:56,640 --> 00:07:59,680 Speaker 1: promise that you're standing on. But you've done everything you 146 00:07:59,720 --> 00:08:02,720 Speaker 1: can do, and now it's starting to wear you down 147 00:08:02,880 --> 00:08:05,400 Speaker 1: and take all your energy. And that's all you think 148 00:08:05,440 --> 00:08:08,000 Speaker 1: about all you pray about, all you hope for. No, 149 00:08:08,120 --> 00:08:10,800 Speaker 1: it's time to turn it over to God. Say God, 150 00:08:11,040 --> 00:08:13,920 Speaker 1: I want this, but I don't have to have this 151 00:08:14,080 --> 00:08:16,720 Speaker 1: in order to be happy. I believe it's a desire 152 00:08:16,760 --> 00:08:18,680 Speaker 1: You've given me, but I'm not going to let it 153 00:08:18,720 --> 00:08:22,240 Speaker 1: frustrate me. I'm not going to let it overwhelm me. God, 154 00:08:22,240 --> 00:08:25,520 Speaker 1: I'm releasing it to you. I love what David said 155 00:08:25,560 --> 00:08:29,400 Speaker 1: there in Psalm thirty one. God, I'm trusting you. My 156 00:08:29,560 --> 00:08:33,240 Speaker 1: future is in your hands. This tells me we don't 157 00:08:33,280 --> 00:08:36,040 Speaker 1: have to struggle to make things happen. We don't have 158 00:08:36,080 --> 00:08:38,840 Speaker 1: to worry that our God given dreams are not going 159 00:08:38,880 --> 00:08:42,160 Speaker 1: to come to pass. We can stay in peace knowing 160 00:08:42,200 --> 00:08:45,840 Speaker 1: that our future is in God's hands. He controls the 161 00:08:45,880 --> 00:08:49,520 Speaker 1: whole universe. As long as we are trusting him, he 162 00:08:49,559 --> 00:08:52,679 Speaker 1: will get us to where we're supposed to be. I 163 00:08:52,760 --> 00:08:56,000 Speaker 1: was reading about Oprah Winfrey when she was twenty eight 164 00:08:56,080 --> 00:09:00,079 Speaker 1: years old. She was a television reporter in Baltimore. He 165 00:09:00,160 --> 00:09:03,320 Speaker 1: read a book that talked about how a young African 166 00:09:03,360 --> 00:09:08,640 Speaker 1: American girl overcame being abused as a child. The story 167 00:09:08,800 --> 00:09:12,319 Speaker 1: was told through the young girl's letters to God. That 168 00:09:12,400 --> 00:09:16,079 Speaker 1: book the color purple touched Oprah in a great way. 169 00:09:16,640 --> 00:09:19,959 Speaker 1: It mirrored her own life. At that point, she had 170 00:09:20,000 --> 00:09:22,840 Speaker 1: never told anyone that she had been abused as a 171 00:09:22,920 --> 00:09:25,920 Speaker 1: child as well. She knew if the girl in the 172 00:09:25,960 --> 00:09:29,400 Speaker 1: book could overcome and move forward in life, she could also. 173 00:09:30,320 --> 00:09:32,840 Speaker 1: One day, she heard that they were making a movie 174 00:09:32,880 --> 00:09:36,079 Speaker 1: of this book, and deep down she believed she was 175 00:09:36,080 --> 00:09:38,400 Speaker 1: supposed to be a part of it. She wanted it 176 00:09:38,520 --> 00:09:41,120 Speaker 1: so badly. Didn't matter if she was going to be 177 00:09:41,240 --> 00:09:44,400 Speaker 1: on the crew or have an actual speaking part, she 178 00:09:44,600 --> 00:09:48,920 Speaker 1: was determined to be involved. One day, a producer saw 179 00:09:48,960 --> 00:09:52,440 Speaker 1: her on television and invited her to come audition. She 180 00:09:52,520 --> 00:09:55,720 Speaker 1: went an audition, gave it her best, poured her heart 181 00:09:55,760 --> 00:09:58,719 Speaker 1: and soul into it, but week after week went by 182 00:09:59,120 --> 00:10:03,680 Speaker 1: she didn't hear anything. Month after month, she was hoping, praying, 183 00:10:04,160 --> 00:10:07,200 Speaker 1: thinking about it, dreaming about it night and day. She 184 00:10:07,280 --> 00:10:11,160 Speaker 1: got very discouraged. She was so close, but now it 185 00:10:11,200 --> 00:10:14,360 Speaker 1: looked like it wasn't going to happen, and she convinced 186 00:10:14,400 --> 00:10:18,080 Speaker 1: herself it was because she was too heavy. She got 187 00:10:18,160 --> 00:10:21,800 Speaker 1: real down on herself, decided to go away to a 188 00:10:21,840 --> 00:10:25,880 Speaker 1: health retreat in another state, determined to lose fifty pounds. 189 00:10:26,360 --> 00:10:30,400 Speaker 1: At that retreat, in her room alone, she began to 190 00:10:30,440 --> 00:10:35,199 Speaker 1: realize she had become consumed by this dream. She said, 191 00:10:35,600 --> 00:10:37,679 Speaker 1: this is what I wanted more than anything in life, 192 00:10:37,760 --> 00:10:39,640 Speaker 1: to be a part of that movie. And all of 193 00:10:39,679 --> 00:10:42,480 Speaker 1: her energy and focus was put on that, and now 194 00:10:42,520 --> 00:10:46,200 Speaker 1: it hadn't happened. One morning, she was out running around 195 00:10:46,240 --> 00:10:50,800 Speaker 1: the track. It was cold, rainy, dreary, all by herself. 196 00:10:51,040 --> 00:10:55,640 Speaker 1: She began to sing, I surrender all. I surrender all 197 00:10:56,280 --> 00:11:00,560 Speaker 1: all to Jesus, I surrender, I surrender all. At that 198 00:11:00,760 --> 00:11:04,679 Speaker 1: moment she let it go. She was saying, God, I 199 00:11:04,760 --> 00:11:07,240 Speaker 1: don't have to be in this movie in order to 200 00:11:07,280 --> 00:11:10,400 Speaker 1: be happy. God, you are in control of my life, 201 00:11:10,840 --> 00:11:15,000 Speaker 1: not my will, but let yours be done. She released it. 202 00:11:15,240 --> 00:11:18,559 Speaker 1: She put the dream on the altar. A few days later, 203 00:11:18,640 --> 00:11:21,320 Speaker 1: while she was still at the retreat, she received a 204 00:11:21,360 --> 00:11:25,400 Speaker 1: phone call. It was Stephen Spielberg. He said, hey, I 205 00:11:25,440 --> 00:11:28,600 Speaker 1: hear you're at a fat farm trying to lose weight. 206 00:11:29,320 --> 00:11:32,360 Speaker 1: She said, I prefer calling to the health retreat. And 207 00:11:32,400 --> 00:11:35,040 Speaker 1: they both laughed, and he said, here's the deal. You've 208 00:11:35,040 --> 00:11:38,360 Speaker 1: got the part, but if you lose one pound, you're out. 209 00:11:39,200 --> 00:11:41,840 Speaker 1: Oprah said, She packed her bags left that place and 210 00:11:42,080 --> 00:11:44,599 Speaker 1: headed to the first dairy queen she could find me 211 00:11:46,440 --> 00:11:50,640 Speaker 1: a friends. Something happens when you put a dream on 212 00:11:50,720 --> 00:11:54,960 Speaker 1: the altar. It's very powerful to say, God, I'm giving 213 00:11:54,960 --> 00:11:57,640 Speaker 1: you control of my life. I'm gonna let you do 214 00:11:57,679 --> 00:12:00,880 Speaker 1: it your way in your timetable. Well, God, you know 215 00:12:01,040 --> 00:12:04,160 Speaker 1: my dreams. You know the things I'd like to see happened, 216 00:12:04,480 --> 00:12:07,439 Speaker 1: the situations i'd like to see turn around. God, I'm 217 00:12:07,440 --> 00:12:10,120 Speaker 1: gonna do my best. I'm gonna pray, I'm gonna believe, 218 00:12:10,200 --> 00:12:12,840 Speaker 1: I'm gonna stay in faith, but I'm not going to 219 00:12:12,880 --> 00:12:16,480 Speaker 1: be frustrated if it doesn't happen my way. God, I 220 00:12:16,559 --> 00:12:19,400 Speaker 1: don't have to have my plans to work out in 221 00:12:19,520 --> 00:12:21,840 Speaker 1: order for me to be happy. I know you know 222 00:12:22,200 --> 00:12:25,200 Speaker 1: what's best for me. That's what it means to let 223 00:12:25,280 --> 00:12:28,640 Speaker 1: go and let God. I remember one time, a few 224 00:12:28,679 --> 00:12:31,240 Speaker 1: years after Victoria and I were married, we found this 225 00:12:31,400 --> 00:12:34,360 Speaker 1: house that we really wanted to buy. It was on 226 00:12:34,400 --> 00:12:38,360 Speaker 1: a beautiful corner lot, and it had nice trees and 227 00:12:38,679 --> 00:12:41,960 Speaker 1: swimming pool in the backyard. We just knew that was 228 00:12:41,960 --> 00:12:44,800 Speaker 1: supposed to be our house. We made the people a 229 00:12:44,960 --> 00:12:48,280 Speaker 1: very good offer, not far off of the asking price. 230 00:12:48,920 --> 00:12:51,240 Speaker 1: Week after week went by and we didn't hear anything. 231 00:12:51,920 --> 00:12:55,120 Speaker 1: The house wasn't occupied. So every day Victory and I 232 00:12:55,120 --> 00:12:57,600 Speaker 1: would go out to that house and we would march 233 00:12:57,679 --> 00:13:02,360 Speaker 1: around it and pray and believe quote scripture, sing shout 234 00:13:02,400 --> 00:13:05,040 Speaker 1: everything we could think of. We wanted that house so bad. 235 00:13:05,640 --> 00:13:07,920 Speaker 1: Finally the realtor called back and said they did not 236 00:13:08,040 --> 00:13:11,040 Speaker 1: accept our offer. It was too low. So we raised 237 00:13:11,080 --> 00:13:14,560 Speaker 1: our offer. Now we were just a few thousand dollars 238 00:13:14,640 --> 00:13:17,800 Speaker 1: from what they wanted. Again, week after week went by. 239 00:13:18,240 --> 00:13:21,000 Speaker 1: One point, Victoria and I went on a vacation that 240 00:13:21,040 --> 00:13:24,080 Speaker 1: we already had planned, but the whole time all we 241 00:13:24,080 --> 00:13:26,960 Speaker 1: could do was think about that house. We were consumed 242 00:13:26,960 --> 00:13:30,920 Speaker 1: by it, so uptight, so stressed out, not even enjoying 243 00:13:30,960 --> 00:13:34,120 Speaker 1: our vacation, too caught up in having to have that house. 244 00:13:34,760 --> 00:13:37,440 Speaker 1: One day, when I was so stressed about it, I 245 00:13:37,480 --> 00:13:40,640 Speaker 1: heard God say something to me, not out loud, but 246 00:13:40,720 --> 00:13:44,120 Speaker 1: down in here. He said, Joel, do you still want 247 00:13:44,160 --> 00:13:47,480 Speaker 1: the house even if I have something better in store? 248 00:13:48,480 --> 00:13:50,840 Speaker 1: Right then and there, I did what I'm asking you 249 00:13:50,920 --> 00:13:54,160 Speaker 1: to do. I put that house on the altar. I said, God, 250 00:13:54,400 --> 00:13:56,559 Speaker 1: we don't have to have this house to be happy. 251 00:13:56,960 --> 00:13:59,520 Speaker 1: We know you know what's best for us, and we're 252 00:13:59,559 --> 00:14:04,320 Speaker 1: not going to live another minute frustrated and upset, missing 253 00:14:04,360 --> 00:14:07,880 Speaker 1: the joy of this moment, all because something has not 254 00:14:07,960 --> 00:14:10,880 Speaker 1: turned out the way we'd like. We released it. We 255 00:14:11,000 --> 00:14:14,520 Speaker 1: said God, not our will, but let yours be done. 256 00:14:14,559 --> 00:14:17,760 Speaker 1: That property was sold to somebody else eventually. But here's 257 00:14:17,800 --> 00:14:21,520 Speaker 1: what I've learned. When a door closes, what it seems 258 00:14:21,560 --> 00:14:25,680 Speaker 1: like a disappointment, really that's just another step in the 259 00:14:25,720 --> 00:14:29,640 Speaker 1: process of God taking us to our divine destiny. God 260 00:14:29,720 --> 00:14:33,920 Speaker 1: takes us through detours, doesn't always lead us the easiest way, 261 00:14:34,160 --> 00:14:38,120 Speaker 1: the way we expect. There's a tremendous freedom when you 262 00:14:38,200 --> 00:14:42,440 Speaker 1: give up control and you don't get frustrated because it's 263 00:14:42,480 --> 00:14:46,120 Speaker 1: not happening on your timetable, and you don't get discouraged 264 00:14:46,240 --> 00:14:49,480 Speaker 1: because a door closed and your plans didn't work out. 265 00:14:50,280 --> 00:14:54,160 Speaker 1: Much better attitude is to say, God, I'm trusting you, 266 00:14:54,600 --> 00:14:57,520 Speaker 1: my future is in your hands. I'm gonna hold onto 267 00:14:57,560 --> 00:15:00,400 Speaker 1: my dreams, I'm gonna hold onto my promises, but I'm 268 00:15:00,400 --> 00:15:03,680 Speaker 1: gonna let go of the frustration. I'm not going to 269 00:15:03,680 --> 00:15:07,120 Speaker 1: get aggravated because it's not happening on my timetable. I'm 270 00:15:07,160 --> 00:15:10,480 Speaker 1: not going to fight against everything that doesn't work out, God, 271 00:15:10,480 --> 00:15:13,520 Speaker 1: I believe you are directing every one of my steps. 272 00:15:14,000 --> 00:15:16,960 Speaker 1: A few months later, we bought a different home that 273 00:15:17,040 --> 00:15:21,080 Speaker 1: we ended up selling for twice what we paid for. Friends, 274 00:15:21,120 --> 00:15:23,800 Speaker 1: God knows what he's doing, he knows what's best for us. 275 00:15:24,520 --> 00:15:28,280 Speaker 1: But some of you today are frustrated because a door closed, 276 00:15:28,760 --> 00:15:31,160 Speaker 1: or you're stressed out trying to make a dream come 277 00:15:31,200 --> 00:15:35,440 Speaker 1: to pass, discouraged because it's taken longer than you thought. 278 00:15:36,080 --> 00:15:38,960 Speaker 1: The scripture talks about how we have to put on 279 00:15:39,160 --> 00:15:42,920 Speaker 1: our shoes of peace. That means come back to that 280 00:15:43,040 --> 00:15:47,040 Speaker 1: place of rest. God is in complete control. There is 281 00:15:47,160 --> 00:15:50,200 Speaker 1: nothing in your life right now that has to keep 282 00:15:50,240 --> 00:15:53,840 Speaker 1: you from being happy. If you will have the right perspective, 283 00:15:54,440 --> 00:15:57,800 Speaker 1: knowing that God is directing your steps, and be willing 284 00:15:57,840 --> 00:16:01,480 Speaker 1: to put dreams on the altar, you're not just releasing 285 00:16:01,520 --> 00:16:05,880 Speaker 1: the situation, you're releasing your faith. Then, when it's your 286 00:16:05,960 --> 00:16:08,720 Speaker 1: due season, when God's ready to open a door, when 287 00:16:08,760 --> 00:16:10,840 Speaker 1: he's ready to bring a dream to past, let me 288 00:16:10,880 --> 00:16:14,560 Speaker 1: tell you no person, no sickness, no obstacle, all the 289 00:16:14,600 --> 00:16:17,240 Speaker 1: forces of darkness will not be able to stop that 290 00:16:17,280 --> 00:16:21,280 Speaker 1: from happening. This is what my father had to do. 291 00:16:21,960 --> 00:16:24,560 Speaker 1: He was the first one in his family to give 292 00:16:24,560 --> 00:16:28,040 Speaker 1: his life to the Lord. His parents and relatives were 293 00:16:28,080 --> 00:16:31,320 Speaker 1: good people. They were cotton farmers, but they knew nothing 294 00:16:31,400 --> 00:16:34,280 Speaker 1: about God. They didn't go to church, and he didn't 295 00:16:34,280 --> 00:16:37,960 Speaker 1: have any kind of spiritual upbringing. At the age of seventeen, 296 00:16:38,200 --> 00:16:40,960 Speaker 1: my father gave his life to Christ and went on 297 00:16:41,000 --> 00:16:45,000 Speaker 1: to become a successful pastor. Anytime he was back in 298 00:16:45,120 --> 00:16:47,800 Speaker 1: town at his parents' home, he would just naturally talk 299 00:16:47,840 --> 00:16:51,200 Speaker 1: to them about the Lord. His mother and most of 300 00:16:51,200 --> 00:16:54,120 Speaker 1: his brothers and sisters gave their life to Christ, but 301 00:16:54,280 --> 00:16:57,520 Speaker 1: his father was a different story. He wouldn't have anything 302 00:16:57,520 --> 00:17:00,160 Speaker 1: to do with it. He said, John, I don't need 303 00:17:00,240 --> 00:17:03,520 Speaker 1: any of this religious stuff when I'm dead. I'm dead 304 00:17:03,640 --> 00:17:05,879 Speaker 1: like a dog just rolled me over in the ditch. 305 00:17:06,560 --> 00:17:09,880 Speaker 1: My father said, no, Daddy, that's not true. You've got 306 00:17:09,960 --> 00:17:13,159 Speaker 1: to live on somewhere throughout all eternity. You need to 307 00:17:13,200 --> 00:17:15,720 Speaker 1: know the Lord. It'd go in one ear and out 308 00:17:15,760 --> 00:17:19,800 Speaker 1: the other. My father was so concerned. This was his mission. 309 00:17:20,480 --> 00:17:23,199 Speaker 1: Anytime he saw his dad, he would light into him, 310 00:17:23,280 --> 00:17:26,280 Speaker 1: start preaching up a storm, trying to make him get saved. 311 00:17:26,840 --> 00:17:31,199 Speaker 1: He'd end up leaving frustrated, disappointed. After doing that for 312 00:17:31,320 --> 00:17:34,760 Speaker 1: many years, my father decided to do what I'm asking 313 00:17:34,840 --> 00:17:38,280 Speaker 1: us to do today. He said, God, I'm turning this 314 00:17:38,400 --> 00:17:41,640 Speaker 1: over to you. I love my dad more than anything. 315 00:17:42,080 --> 00:17:45,040 Speaker 1: I want him to know you. For God, I'm putting 316 00:17:45,080 --> 00:17:48,679 Speaker 1: this situation on the altar. I can't make him get saved, 317 00:17:48,840 --> 00:17:52,320 Speaker 1: I can't make him change. Only you can. Now, he 318 00:17:52,359 --> 00:17:55,439 Speaker 1: didn't give up on the promise that our whole house 319 00:17:55,600 --> 00:17:58,480 Speaker 1: would serve the Lord. He didn't quit praying for him, 320 00:17:58,600 --> 00:18:02,359 Speaker 1: he didn't quit believing. But he did stop worrying. He 321 00:18:02,480 --> 00:18:05,960 Speaker 1: stopped letting it frustrate him. He stopped allowing that to 322 00:18:06,000 --> 00:18:09,120 Speaker 1: steal his joy and keep him from being happy right 323 00:18:09,119 --> 00:18:12,520 Speaker 1: where he was. Year after year went by and my 324 00:18:12,600 --> 00:18:16,600 Speaker 1: father didn't see anything happening. He didn't get discouraged. He 325 00:18:16,760 --> 00:18:19,840 Speaker 1: just kept thanking God that he was working behind the scenes. 326 00:18:20,640 --> 00:18:23,639 Speaker 1: One day, my father was invited to be a guest 327 00:18:23,760 --> 00:18:29,000 Speaker 1: minister at a church in his parents' hometown. That Sunday morning, 328 00:18:29,000 --> 00:18:31,360 Speaker 1: as he got up to speak, he noticed that his 329 00:18:31,400 --> 00:18:34,359 Speaker 1: father walked in the back and sat on the very 330 00:18:34,520 --> 00:18:37,879 Speaker 1: last row, first time he had ever saw his father 331 00:18:38,040 --> 00:18:40,960 Speaker 1: in church. He couldn't believe it. Right in the middle 332 00:18:41,000 --> 00:18:44,600 Speaker 1: of his message. His father got up started walking down 333 00:18:44,640 --> 00:18:47,639 Speaker 1: the center aisle toward the platform. He got to the 334 00:18:47,680 --> 00:18:50,479 Speaker 1: altar area, but he didn't stop. He came right up 335 00:18:50,480 --> 00:18:53,679 Speaker 1: on the platform and stood next to my father interrupted 336 00:18:53,720 --> 00:18:58,360 Speaker 1: his whole sermon. He said, John, I am finishing today 337 00:18:59,040 --> 00:19:02,240 Speaker 1: what I started over thirty years ago. I want to 338 00:19:02,240 --> 00:19:05,120 Speaker 1: give my life to Christ in front of that congregation. 339 00:19:05,560 --> 00:19:08,399 Speaker 1: My father led his father to the Lord. It was 340 00:19:08,440 --> 00:19:14,200 Speaker 1: a dream come true. After the service, my father said, Daddy, 341 00:19:14,240 --> 00:19:16,479 Speaker 1: what do you mean you were finishing what you started 342 00:19:16,560 --> 00:19:20,439 Speaker 1: years ago. He told how over thirty years ago, he 343 00:19:20,520 --> 00:19:23,399 Speaker 1: was out in the woods alone and he got caught 344 00:19:23,520 --> 00:19:27,720 Speaker 1: in a huge snowstorm. He couldn't see anything, he lost 345 00:19:27,840 --> 00:19:31,760 Speaker 1: all sense of direction. Night came in, it got dark. 346 00:19:32,080 --> 00:19:35,600 Speaker 1: He knew he couldn't survive out there all night, he said, John, 347 00:19:36,119 --> 00:19:39,440 Speaker 1: I prayed for the first time. I said, God, if 348 00:19:39,480 --> 00:19:42,800 Speaker 1: you will let me live, I will serve you. Not 349 00:19:42,960 --> 00:19:46,000 Speaker 1: long after that, he fell asleep, right there, out in 350 00:19:46,040 --> 00:19:49,040 Speaker 1: the snow, in the middle of the woods. He said, John, 351 00:19:49,080 --> 00:19:51,119 Speaker 1: I woke up the next morning and I was his 352 00:19:51,280 --> 00:19:54,720 Speaker 1: warm as toast. God had spared my life. I've been 353 00:19:54,720 --> 00:19:58,320 Speaker 1: putting it off all these years, but today I'm keeping 354 00:19:58,320 --> 00:20:01,160 Speaker 1: my promise to God, I'm gonna do what I told 355 00:20:01,240 --> 00:20:05,879 Speaker 1: him I would do. My grandfather went on to join 356 00:20:06,000 --> 00:20:09,560 Speaker 1: that church. One day, they asked him to become an usher. 357 00:20:10,080 --> 00:20:11,879 Speaker 1: You would have thought they asked him to become the 358 00:20:11,920 --> 00:20:15,239 Speaker 1: President of the United States. He was so proud. He 359 00:20:15,320 --> 00:20:18,520 Speaker 1: only had one suit. They were very poor people, but 360 00:20:18,640 --> 00:20:21,800 Speaker 1: he wore that suit every Sunday, never missed a service. 361 00:20:22,280 --> 00:20:24,840 Speaker 1: Many years later, when my grandfather went to be with 362 00:20:24,920 --> 00:20:28,760 Speaker 1: the Lord, we found his suit. Both pockets were stuffed 363 00:20:28,800 --> 00:20:31,560 Speaker 1: full of gospel tracts that he would pass out to 364 00:20:31,600 --> 00:20:35,439 Speaker 1: people everywhere he went. Friends, God is in control. He 365 00:20:35,600 --> 00:20:38,760 Speaker 1: knows how to get people's attention. We don't have to worry, 366 00:20:39,320 --> 00:20:42,760 Speaker 1: we don't have to live frustrated. When you release it 367 00:20:42,800 --> 00:20:46,479 Speaker 1: to him, it allows him to work in amazing ways. Now, 368 00:20:46,480 --> 00:20:49,679 Speaker 1: I love the fact that God is always working behind 369 00:20:49,720 --> 00:20:53,359 Speaker 1: the scenes. Just because you don't see anything happening doesn't 370 00:20:53,359 --> 00:20:56,399 Speaker 1: mean God is not working. You don't know that person 371 00:20:56,440 --> 00:21:00,000 Speaker 1: you're so worried about. God may have already planted us 372 00:21:00,119 --> 00:21:03,760 Speaker 1: seed that's about to take root. Like my grandfather, it's 373 00:21:03,800 --> 00:21:06,800 Speaker 1: just a matter of time before they turn their life around. 374 00:21:07,600 --> 00:21:09,879 Speaker 1: When you release it to God, when you put a 375 00:21:09,960 --> 00:21:13,320 Speaker 1: dream on the altar. You're saying, God, I trust you. 376 00:21:13,800 --> 00:21:16,200 Speaker 1: I know you've got it all figured out. I don't 377 00:21:16,240 --> 00:21:19,200 Speaker 1: see away, but God, I know you have a way. 378 00:21:20,040 --> 00:21:22,760 Speaker 1: I love the scripture in One Peter. It says, if 379 00:21:22,760 --> 00:21:25,680 Speaker 1: you put your trust in the Lord, you will never 380 00:21:25,760 --> 00:21:29,439 Speaker 1: be disappointed. What a powerful promise. And of course that 381 00:21:29,480 --> 00:21:33,160 Speaker 1: doesn't mean that we'll never have temporary disappointments. We all do, 382 00:21:33,520 --> 00:21:37,440 Speaker 1: but this is saying we will never be permanently disappointed. 383 00:21:37,800 --> 00:21:40,440 Speaker 1: Somewhere down the road, God will cause it to all 384 00:21:40,480 --> 00:21:42,880 Speaker 1: work out for our good. But some of you today, 385 00:21:43,080 --> 00:21:47,359 Speaker 1: like my father, you're allowing another person to frustrate you. 386 00:21:47,359 --> 00:21:50,480 Speaker 1: You're trying to make them change, trying to convince them 387 00:21:50,520 --> 00:21:52,840 Speaker 1: to see it your way, and they won't do it, 388 00:21:53,240 --> 00:21:56,480 Speaker 1: and it's aggravating you. It's stealing your joy. You've got 389 00:21:56,480 --> 00:21:58,679 Speaker 1: to turn that over to the Lord. He is in 390 00:21:58,800 --> 00:22:02,960 Speaker 1: complete control. And really, life is too short to go 391 00:22:03,040 --> 00:22:06,119 Speaker 1: through it waiting to be happy. As soon as my 392 00:22:06,200 --> 00:22:08,879 Speaker 1: father knows the Lord, soon as I get that promotion 393 00:22:09,000 --> 00:22:12,080 Speaker 1: I deserve, soon as I get married. Now, make a 394 00:22:12,119 --> 00:22:16,440 Speaker 1: decision to enjoy your life right now. You don't need 395 00:22:16,480 --> 00:22:19,159 Speaker 1: those other things to be happy. You can be happy 396 00:22:19,240 --> 00:22:22,720 Speaker 1: right where you are. And I know sometimes it's difficult 397 00:22:22,760 --> 00:22:26,359 Speaker 1: to put things on the altar. It takes maturity to say, God, 398 00:22:26,800 --> 00:22:29,320 Speaker 1: this is the thing that I want the most, but 399 00:22:29,440 --> 00:22:32,240 Speaker 1: not my will, let yours be done. I read a 400 00:22:32,280 --> 00:22:34,720 Speaker 1: story about this young man that was training for the 401 00:22:34,800 --> 00:22:38,880 Speaker 1: nineteen twenty four Olympics. They were to be held in Paris, France. 402 00:22:39,359 --> 00:22:43,600 Speaker 1: He was a young American that was extremely skilled in canoeing. 403 00:22:44,000 --> 00:22:46,560 Speaker 1: He could ride the rapids like no one else, and 404 00:22:46,920 --> 00:22:51,040 Speaker 1: he'd won many competitions before. He was the heavy favorite 405 00:22:51,119 --> 00:22:54,919 Speaker 1: for the gold medal. That was his dream and Olympic gold. 406 00:22:55,520 --> 00:22:59,080 Speaker 1: But it just so happened his wife became pregnant and 407 00:22:59,200 --> 00:23:03,480 Speaker 1: her due date was exactly during the Olympics. In those days, 408 00:23:03,480 --> 00:23:06,119 Speaker 1: of course, they didn't have travel like we do today. 409 00:23:06,720 --> 00:23:09,600 Speaker 1: To go back and forth across the ocean would take 410 00:23:09,640 --> 00:23:13,159 Speaker 1: several months time. He made a decision that he was 411 00:23:13,240 --> 00:23:16,000 Speaker 1: not going to miss the birth of his first son. 412 00:23:16,960 --> 00:23:20,200 Speaker 1: Much to the surprise of his coaches and trainers, he 413 00:23:20,320 --> 00:23:23,600 Speaker 1: informed them he would not be competing in the Olympic Games. 414 00:23:24,280 --> 00:23:28,520 Speaker 1: That news sent shockwaves throughout the sports world. Here, he 415 00:23:28,560 --> 00:23:32,000 Speaker 1: had trained tirelessly for many years. He was the best 416 00:23:32,000 --> 00:23:35,320 Speaker 1: in his field as far as his career was concerned. 417 00:23:35,720 --> 00:23:38,720 Speaker 1: This was the most important thing to him, and Olympic gold. 418 00:23:39,280 --> 00:23:41,320 Speaker 1: But he did what we're talking about. He put it 419 00:23:41,359 --> 00:23:43,600 Speaker 1: on the altar. He said, God, I don't have to 420 00:23:43,640 --> 00:23:46,639 Speaker 1: have that medal in order to be happy. Seemed like 421 00:23:46,720 --> 00:23:50,399 Speaker 1: a great disappointment. His son was born, and through the 422 00:23:50,480 --> 00:23:53,720 Speaker 1: years he poured into that young man. Like his father, 423 00:23:53,960 --> 00:23:57,960 Speaker 1: the son was extremely gifted in whitewater rafting as well. 424 00:23:58,480 --> 00:24:02,760 Speaker 1: They spent year after year practicing together, training, getting better 425 00:24:02,800 --> 00:24:06,800 Speaker 1: and better. Nineteen forty eight, the son qualified for the 426 00:24:06,840 --> 00:24:11,000 Speaker 1: Olympic Games in Helsinki, Finland. He went over and competed. 427 00:24:11,359 --> 00:24:13,920 Speaker 1: A few days later here in America, the dad got 428 00:24:13,920 --> 00:24:17,840 Speaker 1: a telegraph. It said, dear Dad, thanks for waiting around 429 00:24:17,880 --> 00:24:20,760 Speaker 1: for me to be born. I'm coming home twenty four 430 00:24:20,840 --> 00:24:24,280 Speaker 1: years later with your gold medal. His son had won 431 00:24:24,320 --> 00:24:26,760 Speaker 1: the gold. He came home and gave it to his father. 432 00:24:28,359 --> 00:24:32,199 Speaker 1: Now the father had the gold medal he'd always dreamed about, 433 00:24:32,680 --> 00:24:35,440 Speaker 1: but it even meant more to him because it came 434 00:24:35,480 --> 00:24:39,080 Speaker 1: from his son, whom he loved so much. Friends, God 435 00:24:39,160 --> 00:24:42,440 Speaker 1: has a way of working everything out. When you let 436 00:24:42,480 --> 00:24:45,040 Speaker 1: it go, it doesn't mean it's not going to happen. 437 00:24:45,400 --> 00:24:48,080 Speaker 1: You're simply saying, God, I'm gonna let you do it 438 00:24:48,119 --> 00:24:50,560 Speaker 1: your way. I know you know what's best for me. 439 00:24:51,080 --> 00:24:53,760 Speaker 1: And if I put my trust in you, I know 440 00:24:54,240 --> 00:24:58,080 Speaker 1: I may have some temporary disappointments, may have some temporary setbacks, 441 00:24:58,280 --> 00:25:02,400 Speaker 1: but I know I will never be permanently disappointed. Somewhere 442 00:25:02,440 --> 00:25:04,600 Speaker 1: down the road, God, you'll cause it to work out 443 00:25:04,600 --> 00:25:07,800 Speaker 1: for my gun, just like my father years later he 444 00:25:07,920 --> 00:25:10,399 Speaker 1: saw his father come to know the Lord. Just like 445 00:25:10,480 --> 00:25:13,760 Speaker 1: with Victorian me and that house that we wanted so badly, 446 00:25:13,800 --> 00:25:16,800 Speaker 1: we were disappointed. But can I tell you today, we're 447 00:25:16,840 --> 00:25:20,359 Speaker 1: not disappointed. God gave us a much greater investment. Just 448 00:25:20,480 --> 00:25:23,119 Speaker 1: like the lady was so disappointed her husband wouldn't come 449 00:25:23,119 --> 00:25:26,480 Speaker 1: to church. Today she's not disappointed. He's here every week. 450 00:25:26,840 --> 00:25:29,800 Speaker 1: What am I saying? God has a way. You don't 451 00:25:29,840 --> 00:25:31,680 Speaker 1: have to figure it all out. You've just got to 452 00:25:31,720 --> 00:25:36,840 Speaker 1: turn it over to him. Release the struggle, release the frustration. Listen, 453 00:25:37,200 --> 00:25:40,480 Speaker 1: anything you have to have to be happy. The enemy 454 00:25:40,520 --> 00:25:43,320 Speaker 1: will always use that against you. But when you can 455 00:25:43,320 --> 00:25:46,760 Speaker 1: say God, I let it go. If it works out, great, 456 00:25:47,040 --> 00:25:49,399 Speaker 1: If it doesn't, no big deal. I know you have 457 00:25:49,480 --> 00:25:51,960 Speaker 1: something better in store, and I've made up my mind. 458 00:25:52,000 --> 00:25:55,080 Speaker 1: I'm gonna enjoy my life right where I am. When 459 00:25:55,160 --> 00:25:57,840 Speaker 1: you can put things on the altar like that, you'll 460 00:25:57,840 --> 00:26:00,480 Speaker 1: see God go to work in amazing ways. Now I 461 00:26:00,520 --> 00:26:03,640 Speaker 1: want you to go out of here today, freer, lighter. 462 00:26:04,240 --> 00:26:06,840 Speaker 1: Some of you are struggling so hard, trying to make 463 00:26:06,880 --> 00:26:10,480 Speaker 1: a dream come to pass, trying to make somebody change, 464 00:26:10,600 --> 00:26:13,440 Speaker 1: trying to force them to live right. You're not gonna 465 00:26:13,480 --> 00:26:17,240 Speaker 1: be happy if unless it happens your way on your timetable. 466 00:26:17,640 --> 00:26:20,040 Speaker 1: Let me give you a news flash. You're not God. 467 00:26:20,520 --> 00:26:23,920 Speaker 1: That's not your job. Take the pressure off. God is 468 00:26:24,000 --> 00:26:27,520 Speaker 1: running the universe. He's working behind the scenes. And listen. 469 00:26:29,040 --> 00:26:33,000 Speaker 1: God already knows what you want. He knows your goals, 470 00:26:33,080 --> 00:26:35,920 Speaker 1: he knows your dreams. He's the one that gave them 471 00:26:35,960 --> 00:26:40,000 Speaker 1: to you. Now trust him with your life. Your future 472 00:26:40,359 --> 00:26:43,480 Speaker 1: is in good hands. Not all State, but Almighty God. 473 00:26:44,200 --> 00:26:47,200 Speaker 1: He knows what's best for you. He's already planned out 474 00:26:47,240 --> 00:26:50,240 Speaker 1: your days for good. He already has a life of 475 00:26:50,359 --> 00:26:53,240 Speaker 1: victory in your future. If you will learn to let 476 00:26:53,359 --> 00:26:56,439 Speaker 1: go and let God, if you'll give him control of 477 00:26:56,480 --> 00:26:59,320 Speaker 1: your life, he will lead you and guide you down 478 00:26:59,400 --> 00:27:02,600 Speaker 1: your best path. He'll take your setbacks and turn them 479 00:27:02,600 --> 00:27:06,040 Speaker 1: into comebacks. You won't have to struggle to make things happen. 480 00:27:06,200 --> 00:27:08,560 Speaker 1: He'll give you the desires of your heart. And I 481 00:27:08,640 --> 00:27:12,159 Speaker 1: believe and declare you'll become everything He's created you to be. 482 00:27:12,520 --> 00:27:15,159 Speaker 1: You'll have everything He intended for you to have, and 483 00:27:15,240 --> 00:27:18,760 Speaker 1: you will see and Ephesians three twenty decade a decade 484 00:27:18,760 --> 00:27:24,320 Speaker 1: of exceedingly abundantly above and beyond favor, blessing, hell, happiness, 485 00:27:24,400 --> 00:27:28,359 Speaker 1: and victory. Come on, do you receive that today? We 486 00:27:28,480 --> 00:27:31,159 Speaker 1: never like to close our broadcast without giving you an 487 00:27:31,200 --> 00:27:34,600 Speaker 1: opportunity to make Jesus the lord of your life. Would 488 00:27:34,640 --> 00:27:38,919 Speaker 1: you pray with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus, I repent 489 00:27:38,960 --> 00:27:43,280 Speaker 1: of my sins. Come into my heart. I make you 490 00:27:43,359 --> 00:27:47,240 Speaker 1: my Lord and savior. Friends, if you prayed that simple prayer, 491 00:27:47,280 --> 00:27:49,680 Speaker 1: we believe you got born again. Get in a good 492 00:27:49,680 --> 00:27:53,000 Speaker 1: Bible based church, Keep God first place. He'll take your 493 00:27:53,000 --> 00:27:54,399 Speaker 1: places that you've never dreamed of. 494 00:27:56,440 --> 00:28:00,439 Speaker 2: God has put a specific dream in your heart. Maybe 495 00:28:00,440 --> 00:28:04,119 Speaker 2: it's a dream for a better career, a blessing that 496 00:28:04,280 --> 00:28:07,720 Speaker 2: enables you to bless others, to be in a healthy, 497 00:28:08,000 --> 00:28:12,440 Speaker 2: loving relationship, to launch your own business, or ministry endeavor. 498 00:28:13,240 --> 00:28:16,880 Speaker 2: We all have dreams, but sometimes setbacks and opposition can 499 00:28:16,960 --> 00:28:19,600 Speaker 2: rob us of our dreams. So how do you make 500 00:28:19,680 --> 00:28:20,960 Speaker 2: your dreams a reality? 501 00:28:22,160 --> 00:28:24,600 Speaker 1: One way you know it's a God given dream is 502 00:28:24,640 --> 00:28:27,440 Speaker 1: you can't accomplish it on your own. We never thought 503 00:28:27,520 --> 00:28:30,800 Speaker 1: we'd be having church in a former basketball arena, but 504 00:28:30,880 --> 00:28:33,200 Speaker 1: this is what can happen when you take the limits 505 00:28:33,200 --> 00:28:33,840 Speaker 1: off of God. 506 00:28:33,960 --> 00:28:36,520 Speaker 3: When you believe what God put in your heart, that's 507 00:28:36,560 --> 00:28:39,320 Speaker 3: when He steps in and makes ways where you never 508 00:28:39,360 --> 00:28:39,960 Speaker 3: saw ways. 509 00:28:40,080 --> 00:28:42,280 Speaker 1: Now I love to send you my newest book, It's 510 00:28:42,320 --> 00:28:45,120 Speaker 1: Time to Dream Again. It'll help you to hold on 511 00:28:45,200 --> 00:28:48,120 Speaker 1: to what God promised and now get discouraged by how 512 00:28:48,120 --> 00:28:51,360 Speaker 1: impossible it looks or how long it's taken. You are 513 00:28:51,440 --> 00:28:55,280 Speaker 1: closer than you think. God's working behind the scenes right now. 514 00:28:55,560 --> 00:28:58,160 Speaker 1: Stay in faith, You're going to see the greatness of 515 00:28:58,200 --> 00:29:00,000 Speaker 1: God bring your dreams to pass. 516 00:29:00,080 --> 00:29:03,440 Speaker 2: Us. As our way of saying thank you for your 517 00:29:03,480 --> 00:29:06,280 Speaker 2: gift of any amount to the ministry this month, Joel 518 00:29:06,320 --> 00:29:09,160 Speaker 2: and Victoria would like to send you this dream releasing, 519 00:29:09,560 --> 00:29:13,440 Speaker 2: life affirming book, It's time to Dream Again. You might 520 00:29:13,560 --> 00:29:16,160 Speaker 2: sense that your dreams have been buried, but with this 521 00:29:16,240 --> 00:29:19,200 Speaker 2: book you'll see that they are actually a hidden treasure 522 00:29:19,520 --> 00:29:22,959 Speaker 2: just waiting to be uncovered and come to life. God's 523 00:29:23,000 --> 00:29:26,200 Speaker 2: plan for you is significant. His dreams for you are 524 00:29:26,200 --> 00:29:30,200 Speaker 2: beyond what you could imagine. Don't wait another day. It's 525 00:29:30,280 --> 00:29:31,480 Speaker 2: time to Dream again. 526 00:29:32,800 --> 00:29:35,640 Speaker 3: This book will help you gain a fresh perspective for 527 00:29:35,760 --> 00:29:38,840 Speaker 3: your dreams and to believe for everything God has put 528 00:29:38,840 --> 00:29:39,360 Speaker 3: in your heart. 529 00:29:39,840 --> 00:29:42,600 Speaker 1: Victoria and I pray for you and your family every day. 530 00:29:42,960 --> 00:29:45,800 Speaker 1: Thank you so much for your prayer and support. Your 531 00:29:45,840 --> 00:29:49,760 Speaker 1: generosity is making a difference around the world. Remember you 532 00:29:49,760 --> 00:29:53,800 Speaker 1: can watch the services live online every Sunday. To download 533 00:29:53,840 --> 00:29:57,680 Speaker 1: the daily podcast our YouTube channel, listen on Serious exam. 534 00:29:58,040 --> 00:30:00,600 Speaker 1: We will keep you encouraged and inspired. All right, But 535 00:30:00,720 --> 00:30:03,120 Speaker 1: until we meet again, mate, the Lord bless you and 536 00:30:03,280 --> 00:30:05,240 Speaker 1: keep you. Be sure to. 537 00:30:05,200 --> 00:30:08,400 Speaker 2: Request your copy of It's Time to Dream Again today. 538 00:30:08,800 --> 00:30:12,560 Speaker 2: Visit Joelosdein dot com or call eight eight eight five 539 00:30:12,680 --> 00:30:13,800 Speaker 2: six seven Joel