1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:03,160 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 2 00:00:03,200 --> 00:00:06,360 Speaker 1: our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. If you 3 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:09,040 Speaker 1: enjoy today's message, why don't you be a blessing and 4 00:00:09,080 --> 00:00:11,880 Speaker 1: share it with a friend, reappreciate you and pray for 5 00:00:11,920 --> 00:00:14,880 Speaker 1: God's very best in your life. Well, God, bless you. 6 00:00:15,520 --> 00:00:18,160 Speaker 1: Thank you so much for tuning in today. We love 7 00:00:18,239 --> 00:00:21,000 Speaker 1: you and we know God has great things in store. 8 00:00:21,000 --> 00:00:23,680 Speaker 1: And if you're ever in our area, please stop buy 9 00:00:23,760 --> 00:00:25,639 Speaker 1: and be a part of one of our services. I 10 00:00:25,760 --> 00:00:28,120 Speaker 1: promise you we'll make you feel right at home. But 11 00:00:28,200 --> 00:00:30,480 Speaker 1: thanks so much for tuning in and thank you again 12 00:00:30,520 --> 00:00:33,080 Speaker 1: for coming out. I like to start with something funny, 13 00:00:33,080 --> 00:00:36,120 Speaker 1: and I heard about this hill billy family. They had 14 00:00:36,120 --> 00:00:39,960 Speaker 1: never left their small town, never watched television, never listen 15 00:00:40,000 --> 00:00:42,519 Speaker 1: to the radio, and they decided to take a vacation 16 00:00:42,680 --> 00:00:45,560 Speaker 1: to New York City. The first day, the father took 17 00:00:45,560 --> 00:00:48,760 Speaker 1: his son to see a famous skyscraper and they were 18 00:00:48,800 --> 00:00:53,120 Speaker 1: so impressed. They were especially intrigued by the elevator. They 19 00:00:53,120 --> 00:00:55,720 Speaker 1: didn't even know what it was. And this very old 20 00:00:55,760 --> 00:00:59,120 Speaker 1: woman walked up and punched the button. The walls opened up. 21 00:00:59,440 --> 00:01:01,440 Speaker 1: She stepped in to a room and then the walls 22 00:01:01,480 --> 00:01:04,560 Speaker 1: closed back up. They sat there contemplating what they had 23 00:01:04,600 --> 00:01:08,320 Speaker 1: just seen. About that time, the walls opened backed up, 24 00:01:08,640 --> 00:01:13,280 Speaker 1: and outstepped a beautiful twenty four year old woman. Almost 25 00:01:13,280 --> 00:01:16,319 Speaker 1: in disbelief, The son said, Dad, what just happened? The 26 00:01:16,400 --> 00:01:18,800 Speaker 1: dad said, I don't know, son, but go get your mother. 27 00:01:20,880 --> 00:01:23,040 Speaker 1: Hold up your bible. Say it like you mean it. 28 00:01:23,400 --> 00:01:26,240 Speaker 1: This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. 29 00:01:26,680 --> 00:01:28,959 Speaker 1: I have what it says I have. I can do 30 00:01:29,120 --> 00:01:31,560 Speaker 1: what it says I can do. Today I will be 31 00:01:31,640 --> 00:01:35,240 Speaker 1: taught the word of God. I boldly confess. My mind 32 00:01:35,360 --> 00:01:38,520 Speaker 1: is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never be 33 00:01:38,600 --> 00:01:43,319 Speaker 1: the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. I want 34 00:01:43,360 --> 00:01:46,240 Speaker 1: to talk to you today about how God will cause 35 00:01:46,280 --> 00:01:51,720 Speaker 1: you to remain. The word remain means to be fixed, immovable, 36 00:01:52,040 --> 00:01:56,000 Speaker 1: not affected by circumstances. In life, we all have ups 37 00:01:56,040 --> 00:01:59,600 Speaker 1: and downs. There are seasons that are more difficult than others, 38 00:02:00,080 --> 00:02:05,400 Speaker 1: seasons of testing, trials, temptation, where our character is being developed. 39 00:02:05,680 --> 00:02:08,440 Speaker 1: We're proven to God what we're made of. You may 40 00:02:08,480 --> 00:02:10,600 Speaker 1: be dealing with the boss that's hard to get along 41 00:02:10,639 --> 00:02:15,000 Speaker 1: with raising a difficult child, or perhaps just when you 42 00:02:15,080 --> 00:02:18,480 Speaker 1: thought you would get ahead. You had an unexpected crisis, 43 00:02:18,840 --> 00:02:21,120 Speaker 1: and now you had to start all over. It's like 44 00:02:21,200 --> 00:02:24,400 Speaker 1: you took two steps forward and then three steps backwards. 45 00:02:25,080 --> 00:02:28,160 Speaker 1: If we're not careful, we'll think that all of life 46 00:02:28,240 --> 00:02:30,800 Speaker 1: is going to be this way up and then down, 47 00:02:31,400 --> 00:02:34,200 Speaker 1: like a roller coaster. Everything may be fine now, but 48 00:02:34,240 --> 00:02:36,520 Speaker 1: don't get your hopes up. It's not going to last. 49 00:02:36,560 --> 00:02:39,640 Speaker 1: Something else is going to go wrong now. God wants 50 00:02:39,680 --> 00:02:42,800 Speaker 1: to bring us to a place of stability where we 51 00:02:42,880 --> 00:02:47,480 Speaker 1: cannot be moved. Jesus said in John fifteen, I am divine. 52 00:02:47,919 --> 00:02:51,600 Speaker 1: You are the branches. If you abide in me, you 53 00:02:51,639 --> 00:02:56,720 Speaker 1: will bear much fruit, and your fruit will remain. God 54 00:02:56,800 --> 00:03:00,720 Speaker 1: is saying, if you'll just keep abiding in me, keep 55 00:03:00,760 --> 00:03:05,919 Speaker 1: being your best, keep being faithful, giving, loving, serving, then 56 00:03:05,960 --> 00:03:08,680 Speaker 1: you will come to a place where life is not 57 00:03:08,840 --> 00:03:12,760 Speaker 1: all ups and downs. One good break and two bad breaks. No, 58 00:03:12,919 --> 00:03:16,480 Speaker 1: God will cause you to remain. In other words, God 59 00:03:16,520 --> 00:03:19,880 Speaker 1: won't let you go backwards. He won't let you be defeated. 60 00:03:20,440 --> 00:03:23,560 Speaker 1: The attacks may come, but God has you fixed. You 61 00:03:23,600 --> 00:03:27,400 Speaker 1: were stable, you were established. At one time you would 62 00:03:27,400 --> 00:03:31,000 Speaker 1: have gone in reverse. But because you've been faithful year 63 00:03:31,200 --> 00:03:35,040 Speaker 1: after year, you had a setback, but you didn't get discouraged. 64 00:03:35,440 --> 00:03:37,640 Speaker 1: People were talking about you, but you stayed on the 65 00:03:37,680 --> 00:03:40,560 Speaker 1: high road. Your plans didn't work out, but you gave 66 00:03:40,600 --> 00:03:45,040 Speaker 1: God praise anyway because you pass this test. It's like 67 00:03:45,120 --> 00:03:48,080 Speaker 1: you hit this tipping point where God says, all right, 68 00:03:48,320 --> 00:03:51,520 Speaker 1: you've done your part, You've abided in me. Now I'm 69 00:03:51,560 --> 00:03:54,360 Speaker 1: gonna do my part. I'm gonna set you on high. 70 00:03:54,680 --> 00:03:57,440 Speaker 1: I'm gonna take you out of the enemy's reach. I'm 71 00:03:57,440 --> 00:04:03,000 Speaker 1: gonna hide you under my wings. I'm gonna make you immovable, unshakable, untouchable. 72 00:04:03,440 --> 00:04:06,560 Speaker 1: And yes, the enemy may do his best, but his 73 00:04:06,640 --> 00:04:09,760 Speaker 1: best will never be enough. God has the final say. 74 00:04:10,080 --> 00:04:12,880 Speaker 1: And when God says I want you to remain, all 75 00:04:12,960 --> 00:04:16,920 Speaker 1: the forces of darkness cannot bring you down. No sickness, 76 00:04:16,920 --> 00:04:21,120 Speaker 1: no person, no bad break, no injustice, no company will 77 00:04:21,120 --> 00:04:24,320 Speaker 1: be able to take you backwards. You've come into this 78 00:04:24,440 --> 00:04:28,440 Speaker 1: new season where the creator of the universe says, no 79 00:04:28,560 --> 00:04:31,800 Speaker 1: more roller coaster rides for you, no more two steps 80 00:04:31,839 --> 00:04:35,800 Speaker 1: forward than three steps backwards. I'm establishing you, I'm setting 81 00:04:35,800 --> 00:04:39,279 Speaker 1: you on high. I'm gonna cause you to remain. This 82 00:04:39,320 --> 00:04:42,080 Speaker 1: is what happened to Joseph as a young man. He 83 00:04:42,200 --> 00:04:45,360 Speaker 1: was wearing the coat of many colors. He had God's favor. 84 00:04:45,520 --> 00:04:48,760 Speaker 1: He was up. Then his jealous brothers threw him into 85 00:04:48,800 --> 00:04:52,360 Speaker 1: a pit. He went down. He was sold into slavery 86 00:04:52,680 --> 00:04:54,880 Speaker 1: and went to work for a man named Potiphar. He 87 00:04:55,000 --> 00:04:58,320 Speaker 1: came back up. Potterphar's wife lied about him and had 88 00:04:58,360 --> 00:05:01,400 Speaker 1: him put in prison. He went back down. He was 89 00:05:01,440 --> 00:05:04,240 Speaker 1: good to the people in prison. Pharaoh put him in 90 00:05:04,320 --> 00:05:07,159 Speaker 1: charge over all of Egypt. He came back up again. 91 00:05:08,120 --> 00:05:11,680 Speaker 1: Year after year. It was up and down. Good break, 92 00:05:11,880 --> 00:05:16,880 Speaker 1: bad break, promotion sat back. But Joseph understood this principle 93 00:05:17,320 --> 00:05:21,440 Speaker 1: the whole time. He just kept abiding. He didn't get bitter, 94 00:05:21,960 --> 00:05:24,279 Speaker 1: he didn't start saying, God, why is this happening to me? 95 00:05:24,640 --> 00:05:28,279 Speaker 1: He just kept passing the test. One day he hit 96 00:05:28,360 --> 00:05:31,360 Speaker 1: that tipping point where God said, all right, Joseph, you've 97 00:05:31,360 --> 00:05:34,400 Speaker 1: done your part. You've proven that you're going to be faithful. 98 00:05:34,680 --> 00:05:37,000 Speaker 1: I'm gonna do my part. I'm going to cause you 99 00:05:37,080 --> 00:05:40,240 Speaker 1: to remain. And we talk a lot about the ups 100 00:05:40,279 --> 00:05:43,159 Speaker 1: and downs that Joseph went through, how he kept a 101 00:05:43,200 --> 00:05:46,719 Speaker 1: good attitude during tough times, and that's important. But what 102 00:05:46,839 --> 00:05:49,719 Speaker 1: I want us to see today is Joseph came to 103 00:05:49,760 --> 00:05:53,960 Speaker 1: a place where he never went back down again. God 104 00:05:54,200 --> 00:05:58,479 Speaker 1: established him, God set him on high. The same God 105 00:05:58,520 --> 00:06:02,159 Speaker 1: that brought you up can keep you up. Don't get 106 00:06:02,240 --> 00:06:04,400 Speaker 1: set in your thinking that life's going to be all 107 00:06:04,480 --> 00:06:07,520 Speaker 1: ups and downs, one good break and one bad break. No, 108 00:06:07,720 --> 00:06:11,160 Speaker 1: keep abiding, keep being faithful, and you too are gonna 109 00:06:11,200 --> 00:06:13,800 Speaker 1: come to that place where God not only lifts you up, 110 00:06:14,040 --> 00:06:16,920 Speaker 1: but God's going to keep you up. Think about Job. 111 00:06:17,320 --> 00:06:20,400 Speaker 1: He went through a lot of heartache and turmoil. He 112 00:06:20,480 --> 00:06:23,440 Speaker 1: had set backs in his health, in his finances, in 113 00:06:23,480 --> 00:06:27,799 Speaker 1: his family. He practically lost everything. Job's the poster child 114 00:06:27,960 --> 00:06:31,760 Speaker 1: for a difficult, unfair life. You hear people talking about 115 00:06:31,760 --> 00:06:35,839 Speaker 1: poor old Job. But what we don't always realize is 116 00:06:35,920 --> 00:06:40,800 Speaker 1: that that difficulty didn't spread out over Job's entire lifetime, 117 00:06:41,400 --> 00:06:45,760 Speaker 1: didn't last year after year. Most experts agree that that 118 00:06:45,920 --> 00:06:49,880 Speaker 1: trouble lasted for a period of nine months, less than 119 00:06:49,920 --> 00:06:53,480 Speaker 1: a year. And when it was over and Job came 120 00:06:53,520 --> 00:06:56,960 Speaker 1: out with twice what he had before. You never read 121 00:06:57,320 --> 00:07:00,679 Speaker 1: about Job going through major heartache and trouble like that. Again, 122 00:07:01,560 --> 00:07:05,320 Speaker 1: here's the key in the difficulty. Job didn't get bitter, 123 00:07:05,839 --> 00:07:09,279 Speaker 1: he didn't start complaining. He just kept abiding. He stayed 124 00:07:09,279 --> 00:07:12,920 Speaker 1: in faith, one day, God said, all right, Job, you 125 00:07:13,080 --> 00:07:16,000 Speaker 1: pass the test. I let the enemy do his best, 126 00:07:16,240 --> 00:07:19,480 Speaker 1: but you've proven that you will be faithful. Now I'm 127 00:07:19,480 --> 00:07:22,280 Speaker 1: going to take you out of the enemy's reach. That 128 00:07:22,400 --> 00:07:24,800 Speaker 1: kind of heartache and pain is over. I'm going to 129 00:07:24,920 --> 00:07:27,720 Speaker 1: set you in a place where you remain, where you 130 00:07:27,760 --> 00:07:30,720 Speaker 1: cannot be touched. You too, may have had a lot 131 00:07:30,760 --> 00:07:34,560 Speaker 1: of ups and downs in life, struggles and finances, difficulties 132 00:07:34,560 --> 00:07:38,880 Speaker 1: in a relationship. Maybe you battled with depression. These difficulties 133 00:07:38,880 --> 00:07:42,080 Speaker 1: have lasted year after year, and you're thinking, is it 134 00:07:42,120 --> 00:07:44,800 Speaker 1: ever going to get easier? Is it ever going to change? 135 00:07:45,040 --> 00:07:48,000 Speaker 1: Am I ever going to see a breakthrough? The answer 136 00:07:48,200 --> 00:07:52,920 Speaker 1: is yes, because you keep abiding in Him. Just like Job, 137 00:07:53,520 --> 00:07:56,440 Speaker 1: just like Joseph, You're going to come in to promotion, 138 00:07:56,960 --> 00:08:00,640 Speaker 1: to restoration, to vindication where God not it only lifts 139 00:08:00,640 --> 00:08:03,960 Speaker 1: you up, but God's going to keep you up. When 140 00:08:03,960 --> 00:08:06,880 Speaker 1: I took over from my parents twelve years ago, at 141 00:08:06,880 --> 00:08:10,280 Speaker 1: first it was very difficult. I had never ministered before, 142 00:08:10,320 --> 00:08:12,880 Speaker 1: and it was a struggle to prepare a message and 143 00:08:13,120 --> 00:08:15,000 Speaker 1: to learn how to get up and speak in front 144 00:08:15,000 --> 00:08:18,600 Speaker 1: of people. Then the church began to grow. We needed 145 00:08:18,600 --> 00:08:21,880 Speaker 1: a larger facility. We set out on our three year 146 00:08:21,960 --> 00:08:25,320 Speaker 1: journey to try to acquire this place, the former Compact Center. 147 00:08:25,720 --> 00:08:28,400 Speaker 1: It was up and down, a victory and a defeat. 148 00:08:29,040 --> 00:08:31,120 Speaker 1: Just when we thought we had won the battle, a 149 00:08:31,200 --> 00:08:34,319 Speaker 1: company filed another lawsuit to try to keep us from 150 00:08:34,320 --> 00:08:37,560 Speaker 1: moving in. We had to start all over. With the 151 00:08:37,600 --> 00:08:42,240 Speaker 1: growth came more notoriety, more people were watching. That's both 152 00:08:42,240 --> 00:08:46,040 Speaker 1: a blessing and to burden means there's more scrutiny, more criticism, 153 00:08:46,080 --> 00:08:50,000 Speaker 1: more people examining every decision. For the first ten years 154 00:08:50,080 --> 00:08:54,800 Speaker 1: or so, I was just fighting the good fight, growing, stretching, 155 00:08:55,160 --> 00:08:58,560 Speaker 1: doing my best to stay above water. It was a struggle. 156 00:08:59,240 --> 00:09:02,679 Speaker 1: But about two years ago I remember it like yesterday. 157 00:09:03,000 --> 00:09:06,200 Speaker 1: I felt this weight lift off of me. It wasn't 158 00:09:06,240 --> 00:09:09,640 Speaker 1: anything bad. It was just an underlying pressure of what's 159 00:09:09,679 --> 00:09:12,040 Speaker 1: going to happen next? Is it going to work out? 160 00:09:12,160 --> 00:09:14,360 Speaker 1: Are the funds going to come in? What are people saying? 161 00:09:14,679 --> 00:09:17,320 Speaker 1: That all lifted off of me. It was like I 162 00:09:17,360 --> 00:09:20,000 Speaker 1: stepped into a place where God said, all right, Joel, 163 00:09:20,160 --> 00:09:23,480 Speaker 1: you've been faithful, You've passed the test. Yes you've had 164 00:09:23,559 --> 00:09:26,000 Speaker 1: ups and downs, people for you and against you, but 165 00:09:26,080 --> 00:09:29,160 Speaker 1: I'm bringing you into a place of stability where you 166 00:09:29,200 --> 00:09:33,000 Speaker 1: are out of the enemy's reach where you cannot go backwards. 167 00:09:33,920 --> 00:09:37,280 Speaker 1: David said in Psalm twenty seven in the day of trouble, 168 00:09:37,760 --> 00:09:41,000 Speaker 1: God will hide me in his shelter. He will set 169 00:09:41,040 --> 00:09:44,080 Speaker 1: me out of reach, high up on a rock. And 170 00:09:44,080 --> 00:09:47,240 Speaker 1: if you'll just keep being faithful, you will come to 171 00:09:47,280 --> 00:09:51,160 Speaker 1: the place where God will make you untouchable, invisible to 172 00:09:51,200 --> 00:09:56,160 Speaker 1: the enemy. He will hide you away. You'll have a strength, 173 00:09:56,520 --> 00:10:00,199 Speaker 1: a comfidence, a rest, a knowing greater than you you've 174 00:10:00,200 --> 00:10:03,880 Speaker 1: ever had before. Challengings may come your way, but you're 175 00:10:03,880 --> 00:10:06,200 Speaker 1: not worried about it. You know it can't touch you. 176 00:10:06,200 --> 00:10:10,440 Speaker 1: No weapon formed against you can prosper. People may be talking, 177 00:10:10,559 --> 00:10:12,559 Speaker 1: trying to make you look bad, but you don't give 178 00:10:12,600 --> 00:10:15,080 Speaker 1: it the time of day. You know your future is 179 00:10:15,120 --> 00:10:18,120 Speaker 1: too bright to be distracted. You know they don't control 180 00:10:18,160 --> 00:10:21,520 Speaker 1: your destiny. God does. So you just keep on being 181 00:10:21,600 --> 00:10:24,880 Speaker 1: your best, walking in integrity, stay on that high road, 182 00:10:25,679 --> 00:10:29,800 Speaker 1: and Almighty God will establish you. Doesn't mean that we 183 00:10:29,840 --> 00:10:33,520 Speaker 1: won't have challenges, and certainly attacks will come, but it's 184 00:10:33,559 --> 00:10:35,880 Speaker 1: no big deal. We know that God will take care 185 00:10:35,880 --> 00:10:39,800 Speaker 1: of our enemies. Many of you today are about to 186 00:10:39,880 --> 00:10:42,320 Speaker 1: come into this place where God is going to cause 187 00:10:42,400 --> 00:10:46,440 Speaker 1: you to remain because you keep abiding in Him. You're 188 00:10:46,440 --> 00:10:49,360 Speaker 1: not going to have to face the same struggles that 189 00:10:49,400 --> 00:10:51,640 Speaker 1: have dogged you year after year. You're not going to 190 00:10:51,679 --> 00:10:54,080 Speaker 1: have to deal with the same challenges that have held 191 00:10:54,120 --> 00:10:57,360 Speaker 1: you back for so long, the sickness, the depression, the addiction, 192 00:10:57,800 --> 00:11:00,600 Speaker 1: the barely getting by, the bad breaks. It's new day. 193 00:11:01,360 --> 00:11:04,360 Speaker 1: God is saying to you what he said to Moses 194 00:11:04,440 --> 00:11:08,120 Speaker 1: and Exodus fourteen thirteen. The enemy that you see today, 195 00:11:08,400 --> 00:11:14,480 Speaker 1: you will see no more. That addiction, that addiction that 196 00:11:15,320 --> 00:11:18,520 Speaker 1: sidetracks you for so long, is about to be broken. 197 00:11:18,760 --> 00:11:22,719 Speaker 1: You will see it no more. That sickness, that depression 198 00:11:22,760 --> 00:11:25,320 Speaker 1: that you thought would never go away, is about to 199 00:11:25,480 --> 00:11:27,520 Speaker 1: come to an end. You will see it no more. 200 00:11:28,000 --> 00:11:31,559 Speaker 1: That legal problem, that conflict is not going to last forever. 201 00:11:32,000 --> 00:11:34,200 Speaker 1: You need to look at the enemies in your life, 202 00:11:34,840 --> 00:11:37,440 Speaker 1: the things that are holding you back, the struggle, the lack, 203 00:11:37,559 --> 00:11:41,040 Speaker 1: the unfair circumstances, and instead of thinking, oh man, it's 204 00:11:41,040 --> 00:11:43,400 Speaker 1: never going to change, just more the same, No, have 205 00:11:43,480 --> 00:11:47,679 Speaker 1: a new perspective, look at those challenges and say goodbye. 206 00:11:47,840 --> 00:11:52,520 Speaker 1: So long. Idios. The creator of the universe is setting 207 00:11:52,600 --> 00:11:56,440 Speaker 1: me on high. He's making me untouchable. He's taking me 208 00:11:56,559 --> 00:11:59,480 Speaker 1: out of the enemy's reach. Have that attitude. I will 209 00:11:59,520 --> 00:12:02,280 Speaker 1: see you no more. It goes on to say, you 210 00:12:02,360 --> 00:12:05,200 Speaker 1: won't have to lift one finger in your defense, for 211 00:12:05,280 --> 00:12:08,800 Speaker 1: the Lord, your God will fight for you. I have 212 00:12:08,840 --> 00:12:12,240 Speaker 1: a friend that struggled with an addiction for a long time. 213 00:12:12,320 --> 00:12:15,040 Speaker 1: For many years in high school, he got mixed up 214 00:12:15,080 --> 00:12:17,520 Speaker 1: with the wrong crowd, and some twenty years later he 215 00:12:17,640 --> 00:12:21,200 Speaker 1: was still addicted. He's a good man, has a good families, 216 00:12:21,400 --> 00:12:24,319 Speaker 1: gone through a lot of counseling, different treatment centers with 217 00:12:24,360 --> 00:12:27,080 Speaker 1: no success. I prayed for him here at the altar 218 00:12:27,480 --> 00:12:31,120 Speaker 1: several times. He could have easily just given up, thought, well, 219 00:12:31,400 --> 00:12:33,480 Speaker 1: this is just my lot in life. It's never going 220 00:12:33,559 --> 00:12:37,839 Speaker 1: to change. Very often we settled for less than God's best. 221 00:12:38,360 --> 00:12:40,760 Speaker 1: When it's not happening on our timetable and we don't 222 00:12:40,760 --> 00:12:44,400 Speaker 1: see anything changing, it's easy to get complacent and to 223 00:12:44,480 --> 00:12:47,600 Speaker 1: quit believing, to quit trying. Not this young man. He 224 00:12:47,679 --> 00:12:50,280 Speaker 1: was determined. He had a made up mind, and even 225 00:12:50,320 --> 00:12:53,040 Speaker 1: though he would fall, he would get back up again 226 00:12:53,280 --> 00:12:57,240 Speaker 1: and again. About two years ago he told me how 227 00:12:57,280 --> 00:13:00,760 Speaker 1: after being addicted for twenty one years, now totally free. 228 00:13:01,280 --> 00:13:04,199 Speaker 1: I congratulated him and I asked him how he did it. 229 00:13:04,559 --> 00:13:07,120 Speaker 1: I thought maybe he went through some kind of special 230 00:13:07,160 --> 00:13:10,800 Speaker 1: treatment program, but he said, Joel, I didn't do anything new. 231 00:13:11,440 --> 00:13:13,800 Speaker 1: In fact, I can't really put my finger on it. 232 00:13:13,800 --> 00:13:17,000 Speaker 1: It's just like something broke on the inside. All of 233 00:13:17,040 --> 00:13:20,480 Speaker 1: a sudden, I didn't have to desire anymore. I had 234 00:13:20,480 --> 00:13:24,240 Speaker 1: a strength that I'd never felt. What's interesting is in 235 00:13:24,320 --> 00:13:26,760 Speaker 1: years past, he could stop for two or three weeks, 236 00:13:26,800 --> 00:13:29,560 Speaker 1: but then he would crave that drug so strongly he 237 00:13:29,559 --> 00:13:32,400 Speaker 1: would always go back to it. He couldn't resist the temptation. 238 00:13:32,840 --> 00:13:35,600 Speaker 1: But he said, this time, I'm not even tempted by 239 00:13:35,640 --> 00:13:39,960 Speaker 1: it anymore. It's not even a struggle. That's God establishing him. 240 00:13:40,200 --> 00:13:44,040 Speaker 1: That's God taking him out of the enemy's reach. You 241 00:13:44,160 --> 00:13:47,160 Speaker 1: may fall, you may have some setbacks, but if you'll 242 00:13:47,240 --> 00:13:50,320 Speaker 1: just keep getting back up one day, that God that 243 00:13:50,440 --> 00:13:53,160 Speaker 1: helped you up is going to keep you up. You're 244 00:13:53,160 --> 00:13:55,400 Speaker 1: going to hit that tipping point where God's going to 245 00:13:55,440 --> 00:13:58,920 Speaker 1: cause you to remain. You may have enemies that you've 246 00:13:58,960 --> 00:14:02,120 Speaker 1: dealt with held you back for a long time, but 247 00:14:02,160 --> 00:14:05,800 Speaker 1: the good news is those enemies are not permanent. That 248 00:14:06,120 --> 00:14:09,079 Speaker 1: addiction is not going to defeat you all of your life. 249 00:14:09,280 --> 00:14:13,160 Speaker 1: It's coming to an end. That struggle, that barely getting by, 250 00:14:13,280 --> 00:14:16,280 Speaker 1: never having enough, that lack is not going to dog 251 00:14:16,360 --> 00:14:19,880 Speaker 1: you all of your days. Don't accept it as the norm. 252 00:14:20,440 --> 00:14:23,400 Speaker 1: You keep abiding, and it's just a matter of time. 253 00:14:23,680 --> 00:14:26,920 Speaker 1: God promises one day you will see that enemy no more. 254 00:14:27,880 --> 00:14:30,560 Speaker 1: I know a young lady. She's a single parent, mother, 255 00:14:30,600 --> 00:14:34,160 Speaker 1: and really sharp girl. And she's got her college degree 256 00:14:34,280 --> 00:14:38,000 Speaker 1: and she's working hard and raising her family, doing her 257 00:14:38,000 --> 00:14:40,560 Speaker 1: best to provide a living. But she's always struggled in 258 00:14:40,600 --> 00:14:43,640 Speaker 1: her finances. The end of every month, she would barely 259 00:14:43,680 --> 00:14:46,640 Speaker 1: have enough to pay her bills. She told how she 260 00:14:46,760 --> 00:14:49,760 Speaker 1: wanted to take her children on vacation, but every time 261 00:14:50,080 --> 00:14:53,160 Speaker 1: she saved up extra funds, something would break that would 262 00:14:53,200 --> 00:14:55,560 Speaker 1: have to be fixed. It was like she just couldn't 263 00:14:55,600 --> 00:14:59,280 Speaker 1: get ahead. But again, she didn't get discouraged. She didn't 264 00:14:59,280 --> 00:15:03,560 Speaker 1: start complaining. She just kept being faithful, kept being productive, 265 00:15:03,760 --> 00:15:07,280 Speaker 1: kept honoring God. She's one of our faithful volunteers. I 266 00:15:07,320 --> 00:15:11,280 Speaker 1: see her here all the time, giving, serving, helping others. 267 00:15:11,680 --> 00:15:15,720 Speaker 1: What she doing abiding. God says, when you abide in Me, 268 00:15:16,240 --> 00:15:19,200 Speaker 1: you will bear much fruit. Not only that your fruit 269 00:15:19,640 --> 00:15:25,000 Speaker 1: will remain. That means not temporary favor, but permanent favor. 270 00:15:25,640 --> 00:15:28,840 Speaker 1: Not a season of blessing, but a lifetime of blessing. 271 00:15:29,560 --> 00:15:33,000 Speaker 1: Because you keep abiding in Him, God won't let you 272 00:15:33,080 --> 00:15:36,760 Speaker 1: live a life of constant struggle. Now, about four years ago, 273 00:15:37,200 --> 00:15:42,280 Speaker 1: her supervisor at work unexpectedly took an early retirement and 274 00:15:42,320 --> 00:15:45,640 Speaker 1: she was given that position. With that position came an 275 00:15:45,640 --> 00:15:49,520 Speaker 1: incredible increase in her salary. She was very grateful. About 276 00:15:49,520 --> 00:15:52,720 Speaker 1: a month ago, she told me how one of the 277 00:15:52,800 --> 00:15:56,480 Speaker 1: vice presidents of their company suddenly resigned and she was 278 00:15:56,480 --> 00:16:00,200 Speaker 1: given that position. She said, Joel, now I'm making more 279 00:16:00,240 --> 00:16:03,560 Speaker 1: than ten times what I made when I first started. Today, 280 00:16:05,160 --> 00:16:09,440 Speaker 1: she doesn't live under that constant pressure. She has more 281 00:16:09,480 --> 00:16:13,000 Speaker 1: than enough. She can take vacations whenever she wants to. 282 00:16:13,400 --> 00:16:17,600 Speaker 1: Plus she supports another single parent family. That's what God 283 00:16:17,680 --> 00:16:19,960 Speaker 1: wants to do for you. He wants to set you 284 00:16:20,040 --> 00:16:23,720 Speaker 1: on high. You may be in tough times, you may 285 00:16:23,760 --> 00:16:27,280 Speaker 1: be struggling, but don't let that spirit of lack get 286 00:16:27,280 --> 00:16:30,320 Speaker 1: on the inside. That is not who you are. You're 287 00:16:30,360 --> 00:16:33,360 Speaker 1: a child of the most High God. God has much 288 00:16:33,400 --> 00:16:35,960 Speaker 1: fruit for you to bear. He is an abundance in 289 00:16:36,040 --> 00:16:38,760 Speaker 1: store for you. Now. If you will be your best 290 00:16:38,880 --> 00:16:42,000 Speaker 1: right where you are and be faithful with what you have. 291 00:16:42,640 --> 00:16:45,520 Speaker 1: Then you're going to come in not to a temporary season, 292 00:16:45,840 --> 00:16:48,920 Speaker 1: but to a permanent place where that enemy of lack 293 00:16:49,000 --> 00:16:51,800 Speaker 1: you will see no more. It won't be up and down, 294 00:16:51,840 --> 00:16:54,880 Speaker 1: barely get by. You need to wave goodbye to those days. 295 00:16:55,320 --> 00:16:58,800 Speaker 1: It says in Deuteronomy. God is bringing you into a 296 00:16:58,840 --> 00:17:02,560 Speaker 1: good land, a land with no shortage, where you will 297 00:17:02,640 --> 00:17:06,000 Speaker 1: lack nothing. You may have some lack in your life 298 00:17:06,119 --> 00:17:08,520 Speaker 1: right now, but the good news is that's not where 299 00:17:08,520 --> 00:17:12,240 Speaker 1: you're staying. God's bringing you into a land with no lack, 300 00:17:12,560 --> 00:17:16,520 Speaker 1: with no shortage, no defeat, no mediocrity, where you will 301 00:17:16,560 --> 00:17:19,320 Speaker 1: have more than enough, where you can be a blessing 302 00:17:19,400 --> 00:17:23,200 Speaker 1: to others. Not two steps forward, three steps backwards. No, 303 00:17:23,280 --> 00:17:25,119 Speaker 1: God's going to lift you up and he's going to 304 00:17:25,240 --> 00:17:28,320 Speaker 1: keep you up. He's going to cause you to remain friends. 305 00:17:28,359 --> 00:17:32,080 Speaker 1: God controls the whole universe. Like with this young lady. 306 00:17:32,320 --> 00:17:34,960 Speaker 1: God can move somebody out of the way so that 307 00:17:35,040 --> 00:17:38,399 Speaker 1: you can have that position. Quit worrying about who's in 308 00:17:38,440 --> 00:17:40,879 Speaker 1: front of you. God knows how to get you to 309 00:17:40,920 --> 00:17:43,919 Speaker 1: where he wants you to be. Promotion doesn't come from people. 310 00:17:44,040 --> 00:17:48,399 Speaker 1: Promotion comes from the Lord. I know this man who's 311 00:17:48,480 --> 00:17:52,120 Speaker 1: kind of upset because his boss was really against him. 312 00:17:52,520 --> 00:17:55,680 Speaker 1: He's always trying to make him look bad and would 313 00:17:55,680 --> 00:17:58,560 Speaker 1: never give him any kind of credit, any kind of recognition. 314 00:17:58,760 --> 00:18:01,760 Speaker 1: The truth is his boss was jealous of him. He 315 00:18:01,920 --> 00:18:04,679 Speaker 1: was afraid he might get promoted over him. But this 316 00:18:04,800 --> 00:18:08,320 Speaker 1: man just kept being his best, working under God, not 317 00:18:08,400 --> 00:18:12,400 Speaker 1: working under people. Several promotions that he should have received. 318 00:18:12,760 --> 00:18:16,080 Speaker 1: Because of this unfair boss and his tainted views toward him, 319 00:18:16,280 --> 00:18:19,679 Speaker 1: he was passed over. One day, the CEO of the 320 00:18:19,760 --> 00:18:22,560 Speaker 1: large corporation was in town and this man had to 321 00:18:22,560 --> 00:18:26,639 Speaker 1: make a sales presentation. The CEO was very impressed with 322 00:18:26,720 --> 00:18:30,800 Speaker 1: his work. About a year later, a position became available 323 00:18:30,880 --> 00:18:34,040 Speaker 1: that should have gone to his boss, but the CEO 324 00:18:34,280 --> 00:18:37,760 Speaker 1: bypassed his boss and called him directly and offered him 325 00:18:37,800 --> 00:18:41,159 Speaker 1: the position. Today, instead of having to work for the 326 00:18:41,280 --> 00:18:44,800 Speaker 1: unfair boss, the tables have turned. The boss is working 327 00:18:44,800 --> 00:18:48,399 Speaker 1: for him. One touch of God's favor and you'll go 328 00:18:48,440 --> 00:18:50,639 Speaker 1: from the back to the front, from the tail to 329 00:18:50,720 --> 00:18:56,520 Speaker 1: the head, from the employee to the employer. Keep abiding, 330 00:18:57,240 --> 00:19:01,280 Speaker 1: keep being faithful, stay on that high and you won't 331 00:19:01,280 --> 00:19:03,760 Speaker 1: have to lift one finger in your defix, for the 332 00:19:03,800 --> 00:19:07,160 Speaker 1: Lord will fight your battles. God will make your wrongs right. 333 00:19:07,480 --> 00:19:09,280 Speaker 1: God will get you to where he wants you to be. 334 00:19:09,600 --> 00:19:11,800 Speaker 1: And God knows not only how to lift you up, 335 00:19:12,040 --> 00:19:14,800 Speaker 1: God knows how to keep you up. This is what 336 00:19:14,920 --> 00:19:16,760 Speaker 1: happened to a man in the scripture by the name 337 00:19:16,760 --> 00:19:20,439 Speaker 1: of Hezekiah. This enemy was coming against him, causing them 338 00:19:20,440 --> 00:19:23,240 Speaker 1: all kinds of trouble, trying to keep him from his destiny. 339 00:19:23,680 --> 00:19:27,879 Speaker 1: But again Hezekiah didn't get all upset and worried and complaining. 340 00:19:28,160 --> 00:19:31,919 Speaker 1: He just kept abiding, kept being faithful, kept passing the test. 341 00:19:32,359 --> 00:19:37,359 Speaker 1: In Second King's nineteen God said Hezekiah, I myself will 342 00:19:37,359 --> 00:19:40,480 Speaker 1: come against this enemy. He will receive word that he's 343 00:19:40,560 --> 00:19:43,200 Speaker 1: needed at home, and I will cause him to want 344 00:19:43,200 --> 00:19:46,679 Speaker 1: to return, and he will be defeated. Notice when you 345 00:19:46,720 --> 00:19:49,960 Speaker 1: abide in him, the creator of the universe says, I 346 00:19:50,119 --> 00:19:54,000 Speaker 1: myself will come against your enemies. I myself will come 347 00:19:54,000 --> 00:19:57,439 Speaker 1: against that sickness. I myself will come against those that 348 00:19:57,480 --> 00:20:01,960 Speaker 1: oppose you. It says God caused his enemy to want 349 00:20:02,000 --> 00:20:05,760 Speaker 1: to do something. God can cause that unfair boss to 350 00:20:05,840 --> 00:20:09,640 Speaker 1: take in early retirement. God can cause that neighbor that's 351 00:20:09,680 --> 00:20:12,040 Speaker 1: given you so much trouble to decide to pack up 352 00:20:12,080 --> 00:20:16,000 Speaker 1: and move to another subdivision. Not mind, Lord, God can 353 00:20:16,080 --> 00:20:20,520 Speaker 1: cause that classmate that's saying derogatory things about you to 354 00:20:20,600 --> 00:20:25,040 Speaker 1: suddenly be transferred to another school. God is in complete control, 355 00:20:25,720 --> 00:20:29,119 Speaker 1: not just of your life. God is even in control 356 00:20:29,240 --> 00:20:31,960 Speaker 1: of your enemies. And yes, there may be a few 357 00:20:32,040 --> 00:20:34,160 Speaker 1: ups and downs. But what I want us to get 358 00:20:34,160 --> 00:20:37,000 Speaker 1: in our spirit today is God is bringing you into 359 00:20:37,080 --> 00:20:39,760 Speaker 1: a place where he's going to set you on high, 360 00:20:39,840 --> 00:20:42,120 Speaker 1: where he's going to take care of your enemies. When 361 00:20:42,119 --> 00:20:44,760 Speaker 1: it's all said and done, you will never be the victim. 362 00:20:45,040 --> 00:20:48,280 Speaker 1: He will always cause you to be the victory. Receive 363 00:20:48,359 --> 00:20:51,399 Speaker 1: that into your spirit now. I know some of you 364 00:20:51,400 --> 00:20:54,520 Speaker 1: you've been doing the right thing for a long time, faithful, 365 00:20:54,760 --> 00:20:57,960 Speaker 1: year after year, but you haven't seen much progress, and 366 00:20:58,320 --> 00:21:01,360 Speaker 1: not much is going your way. Let me encourage you. 367 00:21:01,359 --> 00:21:07,639 Speaker 1: Your time is coming. God sees every right decision, every sacrifice, 368 00:21:08,160 --> 00:21:11,560 Speaker 1: every injustice, and at some point you will come out 369 00:21:11,560 --> 00:21:15,000 Speaker 1: of the test and into the reward. Scripture talks about it. 370 00:21:15,000 --> 00:21:17,600 Speaker 1: If you just keep doing the right thing, then payday 371 00:21:17,760 --> 00:21:20,720 Speaker 1: is coming. Now. You can't get stuck in a rut 372 00:21:21,119 --> 00:21:24,199 Speaker 1: thinking it's never going to change. If you accept the 373 00:21:24,280 --> 00:21:27,520 Speaker 1: fact that life is always going to be ups and downs. 374 00:21:27,880 --> 00:21:30,760 Speaker 1: You get negative and bitter, it will limit what God 375 00:21:30,800 --> 00:21:33,679 Speaker 1: can do in your life. You may have some bad breaks, 376 00:21:33,760 --> 00:21:35,400 Speaker 1: but he got to learn to just shake it off. 377 00:21:36,200 --> 00:21:38,760 Speaker 1: Like this man I heard about. He was going skydiving 378 00:21:38,840 --> 00:21:41,840 Speaker 1: for his first time. The instructor said, there's only three 379 00:21:41,840 --> 00:21:44,520 Speaker 1: things you need to remember. Number one, when you jump, 380 00:21:44,720 --> 00:21:47,840 Speaker 1: pull the ripcord for your parachute. Number two, if it 381 00:21:47,840 --> 00:21:51,520 Speaker 1: doesn't open, pull the emergency ripcord. And number three, the 382 00:21:51,560 --> 00:21:53,760 Speaker 1: truck will be there to pick you up when you land. 383 00:21:54,440 --> 00:21:56,359 Speaker 1: He jumped out of the plane so excited, and he 384 00:21:56,440 --> 00:22:00,040 Speaker 1: pulled the first ripcord and the parachute didn't open. I 385 00:22:00,080 --> 00:22:03,560 Speaker 1: rannically poured his emergency rip cord, and that parachute didn't open. 386 00:22:03,960 --> 00:22:06,320 Speaker 1: He said, all great, and with my luck, the truck 387 00:22:06,359 --> 00:22:10,000 Speaker 1: probably won't even be there to pick me up. But 388 00:22:10,080 --> 00:22:13,880 Speaker 1: when we have bad breaks, it's easy to expect more 389 00:22:13,960 --> 00:22:16,320 Speaker 1: of the same. You've got to learn to just shake 390 00:22:16,400 --> 00:22:19,320 Speaker 1: that off. Things may come against you, but it's not 391 00:22:19,440 --> 00:22:22,679 Speaker 1: over until God says it's over. Our attitude should be. 392 00:22:23,480 --> 00:22:27,040 Speaker 1: I may be down, but I'm coming up. This difficulty 393 00:22:27,080 --> 00:22:29,760 Speaker 1: didn't come to stay, It came to pass. It's not 394 00:22:29,920 --> 00:22:33,520 Speaker 1: my final destination. God's bringing me into a good land. 395 00:22:33,920 --> 00:22:36,920 Speaker 1: I know one day this difficulty I will see no more. 396 00:22:38,080 --> 00:22:41,119 Speaker 1: Second Chronicles, chapter fourteen, there was a king named Asa. 397 00:22:41,600 --> 00:22:44,680 Speaker 1: It talks about how King Asa did what was pleasing 398 00:22:44,800 --> 00:22:47,800 Speaker 1: in the Lord's sight. He removed all of the idols, 399 00:22:47,840 --> 00:22:51,399 Speaker 1: and he encouraged the people to worship God. He lived 400 00:22:51,440 --> 00:22:55,280 Speaker 1: by example a life of faith and integrity and honored 401 00:22:55,280 --> 00:22:58,240 Speaker 1: God with his life. Up to that point, the people 402 00:22:58,240 --> 00:23:02,280 Speaker 1: of Judah had fought battle after battle. They were constantly 403 00:23:02,359 --> 00:23:06,760 Speaker 1: on edge, struggling, working, fighting off this enemy and then another. 404 00:23:07,400 --> 00:23:10,959 Speaker 1: But when King Aesa took over and honored God in 405 00:23:10,960 --> 00:23:13,159 Speaker 1: a greater way, and God rid of the things that 406 00:23:13,200 --> 00:23:17,679 Speaker 1: were displeasing. The scripture says that no one tried to 407 00:23:17,720 --> 00:23:21,440 Speaker 1: make war against King Aesa, for the Lord was giving 408 00:23:21,520 --> 00:23:25,840 Speaker 1: him rest from his enemies. When you put God first place, 409 00:23:26,520 --> 00:23:29,520 Speaker 1: and like King Aesa, you get rid of anything that's displeasing, 410 00:23:30,119 --> 00:23:35,040 Speaker 1: wrong attitude, wrong friends, bad habits. If you will honor 411 00:23:35,160 --> 00:23:37,879 Speaker 1: God with your life, you will come to a place 412 00:23:38,160 --> 00:23:40,960 Speaker 1: where God will give you rest from your enemies. It 413 00:23:41,040 --> 00:23:44,240 Speaker 1: says no one came against him. Some of you have 414 00:23:44,320 --> 00:23:47,840 Speaker 1: struggled in your finances for many years, but received this 415 00:23:48,040 --> 00:23:51,119 Speaker 1: into your spirit. God is going to give you rest 416 00:23:51,320 --> 00:23:55,080 Speaker 1: from that enemy of lack because you've abided in him. 417 00:23:55,280 --> 00:23:57,560 Speaker 1: God has much fruit come in your way. He has 418 00:23:57,600 --> 00:24:01,639 Speaker 1: an abundance in story. Struggled with the sickness for a 419 00:24:01,680 --> 00:24:04,399 Speaker 1: long time, You've just learned to live with that pain. 420 00:24:04,880 --> 00:24:07,480 Speaker 1: But take heart today God is saying he is going 421 00:24:07,520 --> 00:24:11,600 Speaker 1: to give you rest from that enemy. It is not permanent. 422 00:24:12,160 --> 00:24:14,720 Speaker 1: Don't believe those lies that are telling you. I'm never 423 00:24:14,720 --> 00:24:17,080 Speaker 1: going to get better, I'm never going to get well, 424 00:24:17,119 --> 00:24:20,879 Speaker 1: I'll never overcome this problem. Know, the creator of the 425 00:24:21,000 --> 00:24:23,920 Speaker 1: universe is going to give you rest from everything that's 426 00:24:23,920 --> 00:24:27,000 Speaker 1: holding you back. Let me declare it. Rest from depression, 427 00:24:27,560 --> 00:24:31,720 Speaker 1: Rest from sickness and disease, Rest from addictions and bad habits, 428 00:24:32,160 --> 00:24:35,439 Speaker 1: Rest from poverty and lack. You need to get up 429 00:24:35,480 --> 00:24:38,720 Speaker 1: every day and say, Father, thank you that this sickness 430 00:24:38,760 --> 00:24:42,600 Speaker 1: is not going to defeat me. You're giving me rest. Father, 431 00:24:42,720 --> 00:24:44,840 Speaker 1: thank you that these addictions are not going to ruin 432 00:24:44,920 --> 00:24:47,960 Speaker 1: my life. You're giving me rest. Lord. Thank you that 433 00:24:48,040 --> 00:24:51,680 Speaker 1: this legal problem, this conflict, is not going to last forever. 434 00:24:52,000 --> 00:24:55,679 Speaker 1: You promise to give me rest. The scripture says his 435 00:24:55,800 --> 00:24:59,840 Speaker 1: yoke is easy and his burden is light. God doesn't 436 00:25:00,000 --> 00:25:03,600 Speaker 1: I want you to go through life constantly struggling, always 437 00:25:03,640 --> 00:25:07,600 Speaker 1: burdened down, fighting against something. Yes, you may have seasons 438 00:25:07,600 --> 00:25:10,120 Speaker 1: that are more difficult. Well you have to really stand strong. 439 00:25:10,640 --> 00:25:13,600 Speaker 1: But don't settle there and accept that as the way 440 00:25:13,600 --> 00:25:16,399 Speaker 1: it's always going to be. No, God is bringing you 441 00:25:16,560 --> 00:25:19,919 Speaker 1: into a good land, a land with no shortage. Not 442 00:25:20,040 --> 00:25:23,080 Speaker 1: two steps forward and three steps backwards. No, keep it 443 00:25:23,119 --> 00:25:25,480 Speaker 1: by it and keep being faithful. And you're going to 444 00:25:25,560 --> 00:25:28,440 Speaker 1: hit that tipping point where God says, all right, that's enough, 445 00:25:28,480 --> 00:25:31,440 Speaker 1: they passed the test. That's my son, that's my daughter. 446 00:25:31,640 --> 00:25:36,320 Speaker 1: I'm gonna cause him to remain. God's not only gonna 447 00:25:36,359 --> 00:25:39,280 Speaker 1: lift you up, He's going to keep you up. He's 448 00:25:39,320 --> 00:25:43,159 Speaker 1: going to make you immovable, untouchable to the enemy. I 449 00:25:43,200 --> 00:25:45,359 Speaker 1: know some of you have struggled in a certain area 450 00:25:45,440 --> 00:25:49,040 Speaker 1: for a long time. But remember what God said to Moses. 451 00:25:49,080 --> 00:25:51,840 Speaker 1: He's saying it to you. The enemy you see today, 452 00:25:52,200 --> 00:25:55,200 Speaker 1: you will see no more. God is doing a new thing. 453 00:25:55,720 --> 00:25:58,399 Speaker 1: I believe even right now, chains are being loosed and 454 00:25:58,720 --> 00:26:01,720 Speaker 1: bondages are being broken, and setbacks are going to turn 455 00:26:01,760 --> 00:26:04,640 Speaker 1: around to be in comebacks. If you'll just keep abiding 456 00:26:04,680 --> 00:26:07,399 Speaker 1: in Him, You're not gonna have to lift one finger 457 00:26:07,440 --> 00:26:10,160 Speaker 1: in your defense. God is going to give you rest 458 00:26:10,200 --> 00:26:12,679 Speaker 1: from your enemies. He's going to set you on high. 459 00:26:12,960 --> 00:26:16,159 Speaker 1: I believe and declare you will fulfill your destiny and 460 00:26:16,200 --> 00:26:19,000 Speaker 1: you will become everything that God's created you to be. Amen. 461 00:26:19,040 --> 00:26:23,000 Speaker 1: Do you receive it today? But we never like to 462 00:26:23,000 --> 00:26:26,200 Speaker 1: close our broadcast without giving you an opportunity to make 463 00:26:26,320 --> 00:26:29,000 Speaker 1: Jesus the lord of your life. Would you pray with me? 464 00:26:29,560 --> 00:26:34,480 Speaker 1: Just say, Lord, Jesus, I repent of my sins. Come 465 00:26:34,480 --> 00:26:39,560 Speaker 1: into my heart. I make you my Lord and save you. Friends. 466 00:26:39,560 --> 00:26:41,840 Speaker 1: If you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 467 00:26:41,880 --> 00:26:44,880 Speaker 1: born again. Get in a good Bible based church. Keep 468 00:26:44,920 --> 00:26:47,560 Speaker 1: God first place. He's going to take your places that 469 00:26:47,640 --> 00:26:48,520 Speaker 1: you've never dreamed of. 470 00:26:50,280 --> 00:26:54,359 Speaker 2: God's healing isn't earned, it's received, and you can discover 471 00:26:54,480 --> 00:26:56,480 Speaker 2: how in the next thirty one days. 472 00:26:57,160 --> 00:27:01,480 Speaker 1: Life has a way of wearing us down physically, mentally, emotionally. 473 00:27:02,000 --> 00:27:05,199 Speaker 1: But God didn't create us to just survive, but to thrive. 474 00:27:05,760 --> 00:27:09,679 Speaker 1: I'm excited about our new devotional Happy, healthy and free. 475 00:27:10,160 --> 00:27:12,840 Speaker 1: For thirty one days, I'll take you on a wellness 476 00:27:12,920 --> 00:27:16,679 Speaker 1: journey for your spirit, body, and soul. It's filled with 477 00:27:16,840 --> 00:27:21,520 Speaker 1: daily declaration, scriptures, encouragement. As you get your mind in 478 00:27:21,640 --> 00:27:26,640 Speaker 1: tune with what God says, you'll experience a refreshing, a revitalization. 479 00:27:27,200 --> 00:27:31,280 Speaker 1: You are created to be strong, to be passionate, to live, happy, 480 00:27:31,560 --> 00:27:32,720 Speaker 1: healthy and free. 481 00:27:33,560 --> 00:27:37,280 Speaker 2: When you contact us today, we'll send you happy, healthy, 482 00:27:37,400 --> 00:27:40,520 Speaker 2: and free a thirty one day wellness journey as our 483 00:27:40,560 --> 00:27:43,240 Speaker 2: way of saying thank you for your gift of any amount. 484 00:27:43,760 --> 00:27:47,960 Speaker 2: This devotional will help you strengthen your faith, declare God's promises, 485 00:27:48,160 --> 00:27:52,880 Speaker 2: and receive the healing He's already made available to you spirit, soul, 486 00:27:53,000 --> 00:27:56,760 Speaker 2: and body. God wants you whole, and this resource will 487 00:27:56,760 --> 00:28:00,639 Speaker 2: help you experience His peace from the inside out. Please 488 00:28:00,680 --> 00:28:04,680 Speaker 2: request your copy today begin a life receiving, life giving 489 00:28:04,760 --> 00:28:08,520 Speaker 2: journey that will transform your spirit, mind, and body. In 490 00:28:08,680 --> 00:28:09,960 Speaker 2: just thirty one days. 491 00:28:10,560 --> 00:28:13,600 Speaker 1: God is going to restore what the enemy tried to steal, 492 00:28:13,880 --> 00:28:17,520 Speaker 1: your joy, your peace, your health, detoy and I pray 493 00:28:17,600 --> 00:28:20,440 Speaker 1: for you and your family every day. Thanks so much 494 00:28:20,480 --> 00:28:24,240 Speaker 1: for your prayer and support. Your generosity is bringing hope 495 00:28:24,320 --> 00:28:27,359 Speaker 1: to people around the world. Special thank you to our 496 00:28:27,440 --> 00:28:30,800 Speaker 1: Champion of Hope partners for your monthly gifts. If you're 497 00:28:30,840 --> 00:28:34,360 Speaker 1: not a partner, I hope you'll consider becoming one. Remember 498 00:28:34,400 --> 00:28:38,440 Speaker 1: you can watch the services online every Sunday morning, download 499 00:28:38,480 --> 00:28:43,000 Speaker 1: our daily podcast, watch on YouTube the new Jewelosting Network 500 00:28:43,120 --> 00:28:46,160 Speaker 1: social media. You can listen on Serious XM twenty four 501 00:28:46,160 --> 00:28:50,080 Speaker 1: hours a day. We'll keep you encouraged and inspired until 502 00:28:50,080 --> 00:28:52,400 Speaker 1: we see you next time. Mid The Lord bless you 503 00:28:52,640 --> 00:28:53,360 Speaker 1: and keep you. 504 00:28:54,520 --> 00:28:58,240 Speaker 2: Be sure to request your copy of Happy, Healthy and Free, 505 00:28:58,560 --> 00:29:02,680 Speaker 2: a thirty one day wellness journey. Visit Joelostein dot com 506 00:29:02,800 --> 00:29:06,520 Speaker 2: or call eight eight eight five six seven Joel for 507 00:29:06,560 --> 00:29:09,520 Speaker 2: an additional gift. This month, we are also offering the 508 00:29:09,560 --> 00:29:13,320 Speaker 2: Wholeness and Promise Bundle, which includes the Happy, Healthy and 509 00:29:13,400 --> 00:29:17,680 Speaker 2: Free book plus the Words of Promise Journal, a beautifully 510 00:29:17,680 --> 00:29:21,480 Speaker 2: designed journal where you can reflect, record prayers, and speak 511 00:29:21,560 --> 00:29:25,120 Speaker 2: life over your future. You can also request the Happy, 512 00:29:25,240 --> 00:29:29,520 Speaker 2: Healthy and Free Collection, featuring the devotional, the journal, and 513 00:29:29,560 --> 00:29:34,080 Speaker 2: a beautifully crafted set of three desktop encouragement blocks. Each 514 00:29:34,160 --> 00:29:39,760 Speaker 2: whitewashed wooden block displays one powerful word happy, Healthy, and Free, 515 00:29:40,040 --> 00:29:43,320 Speaker 2: along with a carefully chosen scripture. Place them in your 516 00:29:43,320 --> 00:29:47,080 Speaker 2: home or workspace as daily reminders of God's promises for 517 00:29:47,160 --> 00:29:51,200 Speaker 2: your life. You can request these life changing resources by 518 00:29:51,240 --> 00:29:55,040 Speaker 2: calling eight eight eight five six seven Joel or logging 519 00:29:55,120 --> 00:29:59,480 Speaker 2: on to jolostein dot com today. Call or click any time, 520 00:30:00,120 --> 00:30:03,880 Speaker 2: four hours a day. This is your season to rise stronger, 521 00:30:04,280 --> 00:30:07,840 Speaker 2: live later, and walk daily in God's healing and peace. 522 00:30:08,360 --> 00:30:09,959 Speaker 2: Request your copies today. 523 00:30:10,840 --> 00:30:13,200 Speaker 1: If you're a pastor, we'd like to invite you to 524 00:30:13,280 --> 00:30:16,320 Speaker 1: our pastors Gathering. We'd be honored to spend the day 525 00:30:16,360 --> 00:30:18,960 Speaker 1: with you here at Lakewood. We'll share some of the 526 00:30:19,040 --> 00:30:22,560 Speaker 1: things we've learned, insights and behind the scenes, be a 527 00:30:22,600 --> 00:30:39,200 Speaker 1: time of inspiration and encouragement. We'd love to meet you