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 --> 00:00:06,240 Speaker 1: our podcast and thanks for supporting The Minus Strength. If 3 00:00:06,280 --> 00:00:08,840 Speaker 1: you enjoy today's message, why don't you be a blessing 4 00:00:08,960 --> 00:00:11,760 Speaker 1: and share it with a friend, reappreciate you and pray 5 00:00:11,800 --> 00:00:14,880 Speaker 1: for God's very best in your life. God bless you 6 00:00:15,480 --> 00:00:18,200 Speaker 1: always a joy to come into your homes. We love 7 00:00:18,239 --> 00:00:20,760 Speaker 1: you and if you're ever in our area, please stop 8 00:00:20,800 --> 00:00:22,800 Speaker 1: by and be a part of one of our services. 9 00:00:22,960 --> 00:00:24,960 Speaker 1: I'll promise you we'll make you feel right at home. 10 00:00:25,200 --> 00:00:27,440 Speaker 1: But thanks so much for tuning in today, and thank 11 00:00:27,440 --> 00:00:29,600 Speaker 1: you again for coming out. I like to start with 12 00:00:29,680 --> 00:00:32,159 Speaker 1: something funny, and I heard about these three men that 13 00:00:32,200 --> 00:00:35,440 Speaker 1: were out in the wilderness and they came upon this violent, 14 00:00:35,680 --> 00:00:38,560 Speaker 1: raging river. They needed to get to the other side. 15 00:00:39,040 --> 00:00:42,239 Speaker 1: The first man prayed, God, please give me the strength 16 00:00:42,280 --> 00:00:44,880 Speaker 1: to make it across, and poof, God gave him big 17 00:00:45,000 --> 00:00:46,599 Speaker 1: arms and strong legs and. 18 00:00:46,720 --> 00:00:48,959 Speaker 2: He was able to swim across in two hours. 19 00:00:49,360 --> 00:00:52,559 Speaker 1: Seeing this, the next man prayed, God, please give me 20 00:00:52,600 --> 00:00:55,800 Speaker 1: the strength and the tools to make it across, and poof, 21 00:00:55,880 --> 00:00:56,920 Speaker 1: God gave him a boat. 22 00:00:57,280 --> 00:00:59,480 Speaker 2: He was able to row across in thirty minutes. 23 00:01:00,080 --> 00:01:02,680 Speaker 1: The next man said God please give me the strength, 24 00:01:02,960 --> 00:01:06,240 Speaker 1: the tools, and the intelligence to make it across and 25 00:01:06,319 --> 00:01:10,800 Speaker 1: poof God turned him into a woman. She looked at 26 00:01:10,840 --> 00:01:14,280 Speaker 1: the map, hiked five minutes upstream, and walked across the bridge. 27 00:01:16,280 --> 00:01:19,280 Speaker 1: Hold up your Bible and yes, that was sent to 28 00:01:19,319 --> 00:01:20,080 Speaker 1: me by a woman. 29 00:01:21,760 --> 00:01:22,880 Speaker 2: This is my Bible. 30 00:01:23,240 --> 00:01:25,560 Speaker 1: I am what it says I am. I have what 31 00:01:25,640 --> 00:01:27,839 Speaker 1: it says I have. I can do what it says 32 00:01:27,880 --> 00:01:30,440 Speaker 1: I can do. Today I will be taught the word 33 00:01:30,480 --> 00:01:34,360 Speaker 1: of God. I boldly confess. My mind is alert, my 34 00:01:34,480 --> 00:01:38,640 Speaker 1: heart is receptive. I will never be the same. In Jesus' name, 35 00:01:39,000 --> 00:01:42,080 Speaker 1: God bless you. I want to talk to you today 36 00:01:42,360 --> 00:01:47,039 Speaker 1: about staying open for change. Mark Twain said, the only 37 00:01:47,120 --> 00:01:51,440 Speaker 1: person that likes change is a wet baby. One reason 38 00:01:52,120 --> 00:01:54,560 Speaker 1: change is one of the most difficult things that we 39 00:01:54,640 --> 00:01:58,720 Speaker 1: all face, but change is inevitable. And one reason we 40 00:01:58,760 --> 00:02:01,880 Speaker 1: don't like change is we get comfortable where we are. 41 00:02:02,320 --> 00:02:05,480 Speaker 1: We get used to our friends, our job, the place 42 00:02:05,560 --> 00:02:09,040 Speaker 1: we live, and even if it's not perfect, we accept 43 00:02:09,080 --> 00:02:13,280 Speaker 1: it because it's familiar. And what happens is because we're 44 00:02:13,320 --> 00:02:16,680 Speaker 1: not willing to change. We get stuck in what God 45 00:02:16,840 --> 00:02:20,280 Speaker 1: used to do instead of moving forward into. 46 00:02:20,040 --> 00:02:21,679 Speaker 2: What God is about to do. 47 00:02:22,320 --> 00:02:25,239 Speaker 1: And just because God's blessed you where you are doesn't 48 00:02:25,280 --> 00:02:28,040 Speaker 1: mean you can just sit back and settle there. I 49 00:02:28,080 --> 00:02:30,800 Speaker 1: read about these people that went to a leading company 50 00:02:30,880 --> 00:02:34,640 Speaker 1: that rents out movies and videos. They said, we've got 51 00:02:34,680 --> 00:02:37,480 Speaker 1: an idea and we'd like to partner with you on it. 52 00:02:38,000 --> 00:02:41,880 Speaker 1: We've developed the technology to send movies through the internet. 53 00:02:42,639 --> 00:02:44,560 Speaker 1: That way people wouldn't have to come up to the 54 00:02:44,600 --> 00:02:47,240 Speaker 1: store and rent the movie and drive back and drop 55 00:02:47,280 --> 00:02:50,520 Speaker 1: it off. It would eliminate all the travel. The company 56 00:02:50,600 --> 00:02:54,000 Speaker 1: wasn't interested. They said, no thanks, we're the leaders in 57 00:02:54,040 --> 00:02:54,600 Speaker 1: our field. 58 00:02:54,760 --> 00:02:55,720 Speaker 2: We know what we're doing. 59 00:02:56,240 --> 00:02:58,880 Speaker 1: The people said fine, went out and started their own 60 00:02:58,880 --> 00:03:03,440 Speaker 1: company they called Netflix. Today it's taken off and practically 61 00:03:03,520 --> 00:03:06,280 Speaker 1: put the other people out of business. My point is 62 00:03:06,680 --> 00:03:09,560 Speaker 1: you have to stay open to what God is doing now. 63 00:03:10,280 --> 00:03:14,640 Speaker 1: What worked five years ago may not work today. If 64 00:03:14,680 --> 00:03:17,400 Speaker 1: you're going to be successful, you have to be willing 65 00:03:17,440 --> 00:03:21,799 Speaker 1: to change. Every blessing is not supposed to be permanent. 66 00:03:22,360 --> 00:03:24,760 Speaker 1: Every provision is not supposed. 67 00:03:24,360 --> 00:03:25,200 Speaker 2: To last forever. 68 00:03:26,000 --> 00:03:28,120 Speaker 1: When the people of Israel were in the desert on 69 00:03:28,200 --> 00:03:31,160 Speaker 1: the way to the Promised Land, God gave them manna 70 00:03:31,240 --> 00:03:35,160 Speaker 1: to eat. That was good It sustained them for a while, 71 00:03:35,600 --> 00:03:40,000 Speaker 1: but it wasn't permanent provision. The Mani stopped coming, they 72 00:03:40,000 --> 00:03:44,440 Speaker 1: had to move forward. God gave them quell. They were excited. 73 00:03:44,880 --> 00:03:46,520 Speaker 1: That fed them for a while, but. 74 00:03:46,560 --> 00:03:48,400 Speaker 2: It too was temporary. 75 00:03:48,520 --> 00:03:51,720 Speaker 1: God was taking them to the promised Land, where they 76 00:03:51,760 --> 00:03:55,280 Speaker 1: would have permanent provision, blessings in favor. 77 00:03:55,040 --> 00:03:56,360 Speaker 2: Like they'd never seen before. 78 00:03:57,120 --> 00:04:00,360 Speaker 1: When the Mani stopped coming, when the quail didn't share up, 79 00:04:00,720 --> 00:04:05,160 Speaker 1: they were smart enough to recognize that was only temporary provision, 80 00:04:05,560 --> 00:04:08,760 Speaker 1: that God had something much greater in their future, so 81 00:04:08,800 --> 00:04:12,280 Speaker 1: they kept moving forward. The fact is God could have 82 00:04:12,360 --> 00:04:14,160 Speaker 1: kept the quail and the manner coming. 83 00:04:14,320 --> 00:04:19,479 Speaker 2: He's God. But God likes freshness. He works in seasons. 84 00:04:20,000 --> 00:04:22,240 Speaker 1: You can't get stuck in a rut and think that 85 00:04:22,400 --> 00:04:26,320 Speaker 1: one way is going to last forever. If you'll stay 86 00:04:26,360 --> 00:04:31,080 Speaker 1: open and be willing to change, make adjustments, make corrections, 87 00:04:31,240 --> 00:04:34,720 Speaker 1: try something new, then your provision will lead you. 88 00:04:34,680 --> 00:04:35,920 Speaker 2: Into your promised land. 89 00:04:36,760 --> 00:04:39,320 Speaker 1: If the man It stops coming like it used to, 90 00:04:39,839 --> 00:04:42,640 Speaker 1: don't get upset, don't get stuck there. Try to make 91 00:04:42,680 --> 00:04:46,000 Speaker 1: something happen that God is finished with. Just keep moving 92 00:04:46,080 --> 00:04:49,520 Speaker 1: forward and you'll come into your quail. If the quail 93 00:04:49,560 --> 00:04:52,400 Speaker 1: stops showing up, look for new opportunities. 94 00:04:52,680 --> 00:04:56,200 Speaker 2: Tweak what you're doing. That's a temporary provision. 95 00:04:56,600 --> 00:04:59,520 Speaker 1: God wants to get you to your next place of blessing, 96 00:05:00,120 --> 00:05:04,039 Speaker 1: step closer to your promised land. But too often we 97 00:05:04,120 --> 00:05:07,279 Speaker 1: get stuck in the old It worked at one time, 98 00:05:07,480 --> 00:05:08,279 Speaker 1: so we think it's. 99 00:05:08,160 --> 00:05:09,279 Speaker 2: Going to work all the time. 100 00:05:10,080 --> 00:05:13,080 Speaker 1: When they needed water back then, God told Moses to 101 00:05:13,160 --> 00:05:16,440 Speaker 1: strike the rock. He struck the rock and water flowed 102 00:05:16,440 --> 00:05:20,279 Speaker 1: out freely. Another time they needed water, God told Moses, 103 00:05:20,560 --> 00:05:23,600 Speaker 1: speak to the rock. No what Moses did. He went 104 00:05:23,640 --> 00:05:26,479 Speaker 1: over and struck the rock. He thought, Hey, it worked 105 00:05:26,520 --> 00:05:29,839 Speaker 1: last time, it'll work this time. The same rock. But 106 00:05:29,920 --> 00:05:32,880 Speaker 1: God had a different plan. You have to stay open 107 00:05:33,160 --> 00:05:36,720 Speaker 1: for something new. You can do the same thing the 108 00:05:36,800 --> 00:05:39,680 Speaker 1: same way you did last time and had great success, 109 00:05:40,200 --> 00:05:43,800 Speaker 1: But this time there's no success. It's because God's doing 110 00:05:43,839 --> 00:05:47,240 Speaker 1: a new thing. It may not be something major where 111 00:05:47,240 --> 00:05:51,080 Speaker 1: you're missing it, but like Moses, just something small. He 112 00:05:51,240 --> 00:05:54,520 Speaker 1: was striking the rock when God had moved forward. 113 00:05:54,320 --> 00:05:56,080 Speaker 2: And he should have been speaking to the rock. 114 00:05:56,720 --> 00:06:00,839 Speaker 1: A small tweak, a small adjustment to stay in sync 115 00:06:00,880 --> 00:06:04,120 Speaker 1: with the plan of God. I read about this restaurant 116 00:06:04,160 --> 00:06:07,479 Speaker 1: in Washington d C. They had great success for a while, 117 00:06:07,560 --> 00:06:10,920 Speaker 1: but then business started going down. They couldn't figure out 118 00:06:10,960 --> 00:06:14,360 Speaker 1: why they were serving the same food, same chef, same 119 00:06:14,400 --> 00:06:18,039 Speaker 1: amount of advertisement, but business was about half what it 120 00:06:18,160 --> 00:06:21,800 Speaker 1: used to be. One day, a customer said to the owner, 121 00:06:22,520 --> 00:06:24,880 Speaker 1: a lot of people that come in here worked for 122 00:06:24,920 --> 00:06:28,560 Speaker 1: the CIA, and your tables are too close together. 123 00:06:29,000 --> 00:06:30,720 Speaker 2: There's no privacy. 124 00:06:30,800 --> 00:06:33,880 Speaker 1: The owner made a small tweak, removed about a dozen 125 00:06:33,920 --> 00:06:37,160 Speaker 1: tables on the floor, spread the others out, and business 126 00:06:37,160 --> 00:06:40,919 Speaker 1: went back to booming like it was before. Sometimes a 127 00:06:41,080 --> 00:06:45,240 Speaker 1: minor adjustment can make a major improvement. Let me make 128 00:06:45,279 --> 00:06:49,039 Speaker 1: it more practical. One friend, you're hanging around that was 129 00:06:49,080 --> 00:06:52,000 Speaker 1: good for a season, but now it's a new day 130 00:06:52,120 --> 00:06:55,279 Speaker 1: and they're holding you back. If you'd make a small tweak, 131 00:06:55,480 --> 00:06:58,360 Speaker 1: it'd make a major difference in your life. Stay open 132 00:06:58,400 --> 00:07:04,160 Speaker 1: for change, to make adjustments in your attitude, in relationships, 133 00:07:04,400 --> 00:07:07,320 Speaker 1: in your career. Don't be like the first company I 134 00:07:07,400 --> 00:07:09,880 Speaker 1: talked about and be a know it all and think 135 00:07:09,920 --> 00:07:13,680 Speaker 1: that there's no room for improvement. We should always stay 136 00:07:13,720 --> 00:07:18,640 Speaker 1: open to advice, open to suggestions from friends, family members 137 00:07:18,680 --> 00:07:21,920 Speaker 1: that love us and believe in us. Sometimes we can 138 00:07:21,960 --> 00:07:23,560 Speaker 1: get so close to a situation. 139 00:07:23,880 --> 00:07:25,440 Speaker 2: We can't see the obvious. 140 00:07:25,720 --> 00:07:28,320 Speaker 1: That's why you need to pay attention to who God's 141 00:07:28,360 --> 00:07:31,480 Speaker 1: put in your life. You may not take every bit 142 00:07:31,520 --> 00:07:34,160 Speaker 1: of advice, but there will be certain things they say 143 00:07:34,320 --> 00:07:37,240 Speaker 1: that bear witness to your spirit. You know it's right 144 00:07:37,280 --> 00:07:40,520 Speaker 1: for you, and it will be instrumental in you moving forward. 145 00:07:40,800 --> 00:07:44,120 Speaker 1: Just a small word of advice. Talked to a young 146 00:07:44,160 --> 00:07:46,680 Speaker 1: man after the service a while back, and he was 147 00:07:46,800 --> 00:07:50,200 Speaker 1: raised in a really rough environment. He said, Joel, the 148 00:07:50,280 --> 00:07:52,120 Speaker 1: only thing I know how to do. 149 00:07:52,120 --> 00:07:53,080 Speaker 2: Is sell drugs. 150 00:07:53,640 --> 00:07:56,680 Speaker 1: I've never been to college, don't have any special skills. 151 00:07:56,800 --> 00:07:59,000 Speaker 1: That's the only way I know how to make a living. 152 00:08:00,200 --> 00:08:04,000 Speaker 1: Him what I'm telling you, a minor adjustment could make 153 00:08:04,000 --> 00:08:05,160 Speaker 1: a major improvement. 154 00:08:05,560 --> 00:08:06,440 Speaker 2: I said, what do you mean. 155 00:08:07,000 --> 00:08:10,720 Speaker 1: I said, you're selling yourself short. If you can sell drugs, 156 00:08:11,040 --> 00:08:14,040 Speaker 1: that means you have to know how to market a product. 157 00:08:14,280 --> 00:08:16,880 Speaker 1: That's marketing. You have to know how to get the 158 00:08:16,920 --> 00:08:20,200 Speaker 1: word out. That's an advertisement. You have to know how 159 00:08:20,240 --> 00:08:23,880 Speaker 1: to take care of your clients. That's customer service. You 160 00:08:24,000 --> 00:08:26,840 Speaker 1: have to know when to sell and when not to sell. 161 00:08:27,200 --> 00:08:31,080 Speaker 1: That's a management decision. If you can sell drugs, you 162 00:08:31,120 --> 00:08:33,920 Speaker 1: can sell stocks and bombs. You can sell insurance, you 163 00:08:33,920 --> 00:08:35,360 Speaker 1: can sell medical supplies. 164 00:08:35,760 --> 00:08:39,319 Speaker 2: Be willing to change, be willing to make adjustments. 165 00:08:40,360 --> 00:08:42,720 Speaker 1: When I first started ministering, I used to write my 166 00:08:42,840 --> 00:08:45,280 Speaker 1: sermons by hand. I know how to type, but I 167 00:08:45,320 --> 00:08:47,560 Speaker 1: was very slow, and it's just easier to do it 168 00:08:47,800 --> 00:08:50,920 Speaker 1: long hand. And I would have pages and pages of notes. 169 00:08:50,960 --> 00:08:53,640 Speaker 1: It'd be like a mazed this paragraph goes over here, 170 00:08:53,679 --> 00:08:56,199 Speaker 1: this one here. To have all these lines drawn, it 171 00:08:56,240 --> 00:08:58,880 Speaker 1: would take as much time and energy to try to 172 00:08:58,880 --> 00:09:02,040 Speaker 1: remember where everything went as it did. To prepare the message, 173 00:09:02,480 --> 00:09:05,120 Speaker 1: I'd sit down with my assistant afterward and she would 174 00:09:05,160 --> 00:09:07,880 Speaker 1: type it off for me. One day, Vic Twisat said, Joel, 175 00:09:08,080 --> 00:09:10,000 Speaker 1: you've got to get on the computer. 176 00:09:09,720 --> 00:09:11,440 Speaker 2: And start typing this yourself. 177 00:09:11,800 --> 00:09:14,080 Speaker 1: You can cut and paste, move things around, make it 178 00:09:14,200 --> 00:09:17,120 Speaker 1: so much easier, save you so much time. One day 179 00:09:17,120 --> 00:09:20,040 Speaker 1: I took her advice and I made that adjustment. It 180 00:09:20,200 --> 00:09:24,320 Speaker 1: saved me hours and hours every week. A minor adjustment 181 00:09:24,440 --> 00:09:28,320 Speaker 1: made a major improvement. My mother's seventy eight years old, 182 00:09:28,360 --> 00:09:30,760 Speaker 1: and just recently she learned how to text. 183 00:09:31,480 --> 00:09:34,840 Speaker 2: Now, Yeah, she's dangerous. Now. 184 00:09:35,679 --> 00:09:39,120 Speaker 1: I get text from her all the time, about half 185 00:09:39,120 --> 00:09:41,480 Speaker 1: of them I understand. The other half is like she's 186 00:09:41,520 --> 00:09:45,360 Speaker 1: speaking in tongues. But I am so impressed that she 187 00:09:45,520 --> 00:09:49,360 Speaker 1: stays open. She's willing to try something new. Already decided 188 00:09:49,400 --> 00:09:53,560 Speaker 1: I'm gonna get her a color TV for Christmas, she 189 00:09:53,679 --> 00:09:58,400 Speaker 1: told me after the service. Make sure it's HD. Are 190 00:09:58,480 --> 00:10:01,600 Speaker 1: you stuck in what what God used to do and 191 00:10:01,640 --> 00:10:03,080 Speaker 1: it's keeping you from what. 192 00:10:03,000 --> 00:10:04,079 Speaker 2: God is about to do? 193 00:10:04,559 --> 00:10:07,280 Speaker 1: Are you still striking the rock trying to make what 194 00:10:07,400 --> 00:10:11,840 Speaker 1: happened yesterday happen today? Too often we get comfortable with 195 00:10:11,960 --> 00:10:15,880 Speaker 1: temporary provision. The good news is God loves us too 196 00:10:15,920 --> 00:10:19,080 Speaker 1: much to leave us there, and like the people of Israel, 197 00:10:19,440 --> 00:10:23,160 Speaker 1: there will be times when the provision dries up and 198 00:10:23,240 --> 00:10:27,360 Speaker 1: it forces us to change. An opportunity shuts down. You 199 00:10:27,480 --> 00:10:30,320 Speaker 1: lose a client, a friend moves to another city. What 200 00:10:30,440 --> 00:10:34,040 Speaker 1: happened the manna stopped coming. God's not trying to make 201 00:10:34,080 --> 00:10:37,120 Speaker 1: your life miserable. He's trying to get you in position 202 00:10:37,520 --> 00:10:39,720 Speaker 1: to receive a new level of His favor. 203 00:10:40,320 --> 00:10:42,640 Speaker 2: If you're going to see this increase. 204 00:10:42,440 --> 00:10:46,760 Speaker 1: You have to recognize when the whims are shifting and 205 00:10:46,840 --> 00:10:49,280 Speaker 1: not try to hold on to something that God has 206 00:10:49,360 --> 00:10:49,760 Speaker 1: done with. 207 00:10:50,720 --> 00:10:51,839 Speaker 2: I know people that. 208 00:10:51,840 --> 00:10:55,280 Speaker 1: Are trying to hold on to a relationship a friendship, 209 00:10:55,320 --> 00:10:57,800 Speaker 1: not a marriage, but a friendship that's been done for 210 00:10:57,920 --> 00:11:02,200 Speaker 1: five years. It's dragging, not bringing them any joy, but 211 00:11:02,280 --> 00:11:04,280 Speaker 1: they want it to be just like it was ten 212 00:11:04,400 --> 00:11:07,600 Speaker 1: years ago, before they had children, before they were married, 213 00:11:07,720 --> 00:11:09,280 Speaker 1: before they had responsibility. 214 00:11:09,800 --> 00:11:10,760 Speaker 2: No, it's a new day. 215 00:11:11,440 --> 00:11:15,040 Speaker 1: That relationship was right for the time God brought them 216 00:11:15,040 --> 00:11:18,920 Speaker 1: into your life. But the season has changed now. It's 217 00:11:18,920 --> 00:11:20,920 Speaker 1: not going to be like it used to be. But 218 00:11:21,000 --> 00:11:24,719 Speaker 1: that's okay. God has something new in your future, and 219 00:11:24,800 --> 00:11:28,360 Speaker 1: the key is to enjoy the season you're in. Enjoy 220 00:11:28,440 --> 00:11:31,959 Speaker 1: the favor God's given you, but don't get stuck trying 221 00:11:31,960 --> 00:11:36,080 Speaker 1: to make temporary provision permanent. In other words, don't try 222 00:11:36,120 --> 00:11:39,000 Speaker 1: to make something last forever that was never meant to 223 00:11:39,080 --> 00:11:44,079 Speaker 1: last forever. Just as God opens doors, God will supernaturally 224 00:11:44,200 --> 00:11:48,120 Speaker 1: close doors to push us into a new season. The 225 00:11:48,160 --> 00:11:52,160 Speaker 1: same God that brings people into your life divine connections, 226 00:11:52,240 --> 00:11:55,840 Speaker 1: he will supernaturally move people out of your life, not 227 00:11:56,000 --> 00:11:59,880 Speaker 1: because they're bad, but because the season is over. They 228 00:12:00,200 --> 00:12:03,400 Speaker 1: served their purpose on the way to your promised land. 229 00:12:03,720 --> 00:12:07,480 Speaker 1: Don't be surprised if God removed certain people that you 230 00:12:07,520 --> 00:12:10,840 Speaker 1: were counting on that you thought you couldn't live without. 231 00:12:11,480 --> 00:12:14,600 Speaker 1: No The truth is they were holding you back. They 232 00:12:14,600 --> 00:12:17,480 Speaker 1: were a crutch keeping you from blossoming, and if God 233 00:12:17,520 --> 00:12:20,280 Speaker 1: didn't remove them, you would be stuck living off a 234 00:12:20,280 --> 00:12:25,200 Speaker 1: temporary provision. Sometimes when people leave our life, we think 235 00:12:26,000 --> 00:12:28,480 Speaker 1: how am I going to make it without them? They 236 00:12:28,600 --> 00:12:31,839 Speaker 1: trained me, She encouraged me when I was down. They 237 00:12:31,920 --> 00:12:35,480 Speaker 1: ran errands for me. No, God wouldn't have removed them 238 00:12:35,720 --> 00:12:38,119 Speaker 1: if you weren't about to go to a new level. 239 00:12:38,520 --> 00:12:42,040 Speaker 1: Be grateful for what they did, but recognize this is 240 00:12:42,080 --> 00:12:45,160 Speaker 1: your time to shine. This is your time to step up. 241 00:12:45,440 --> 00:12:49,360 Speaker 1: You don't need someone constantly encouraging you. If God moved 242 00:12:49,400 --> 00:12:53,520 Speaker 1: them away, they were temporary provision. God is saying you 243 00:12:53,559 --> 00:12:57,240 Speaker 1: can encourage yourself. You can run that department yourself. You 244 00:12:57,280 --> 00:13:01,600 Speaker 1: can raise those children yourself. You are equipped and empowered 245 00:13:01,720 --> 00:13:05,719 Speaker 1: by the most High God. If they left you, accept 246 00:13:05,760 --> 00:13:08,800 Speaker 1: it as a part of God's plan. It was not 247 00:13:09,000 --> 00:13:12,280 Speaker 1: an accident. Let it go and God will open up 248 00:13:12,360 --> 00:13:15,560 Speaker 1: new doors. If it was their time to go. Nothing 249 00:13:15,600 --> 00:13:18,680 Speaker 1: you can do can stop it. Don't beg them, don't 250 00:13:18,679 --> 00:13:21,679 Speaker 1: play up to them, don't let them manipulate you. Move 251 00:13:21,800 --> 00:13:24,920 Speaker 1: forward and God will bring the right people. God will 252 00:13:24,920 --> 00:13:27,199 Speaker 1: give you what you need. To make it into your 253 00:13:27,240 --> 00:13:31,319 Speaker 1: promised land. But I know people that are holding on 254 00:13:31,400 --> 00:13:35,280 Speaker 1: to someone that's holding them back. Just because it was 255 00:13:35,320 --> 00:13:37,560 Speaker 1: good five years ago doesn't mean it's. 256 00:13:37,400 --> 00:13:38,280 Speaker 2: Still good today. 257 00:13:38,880 --> 00:13:44,280 Speaker 1: We should constantly evaluate our friendships. Who's speaking into your life, 258 00:13:44,440 --> 00:13:47,920 Speaker 1: who are you depending on Make sure they're not dragging 259 00:13:48,000 --> 00:13:52,200 Speaker 1: you down, limiting you from blossoming. I've learned if you 260 00:13:52,240 --> 00:13:55,000 Speaker 1: don't get rid of the wrong friends, you will never 261 00:13:55,040 --> 00:13:58,080 Speaker 1: meet the right friends. If they're not adding to your life, 262 00:13:58,160 --> 00:14:01,120 Speaker 1: if they're not making you better, inspire ing you. It 263 00:14:01,160 --> 00:14:04,000 Speaker 1: doesn't mean that they're bad people. Maybe they did at 264 00:14:04,000 --> 00:14:07,319 Speaker 1: a time, but you've grown, you've come up higher. Now 265 00:14:07,360 --> 00:14:10,040 Speaker 1: it's time to make a change. See. One of the 266 00:14:10,080 --> 00:14:13,959 Speaker 1: hardest things for us to accept is everybody is not 267 00:14:14,000 --> 00:14:17,880 Speaker 1: supposed to be in our life forever. Some people are 268 00:14:18,000 --> 00:14:22,000 Speaker 1: obviously our spouse, our children, our parents, But there are 269 00:14:22,120 --> 00:14:26,840 Speaker 1: people that come into our life like scaffolding. God designed 270 00:14:26,880 --> 00:14:29,640 Speaker 1: them to be there for a season to help us 271 00:14:29,640 --> 00:14:32,640 Speaker 1: get to the next level. When your children were young, 272 00:14:32,960 --> 00:14:35,640 Speaker 1: they were there to assist you. When you started at 273 00:14:35,680 --> 00:14:38,160 Speaker 1: the office, they were there to train you. When your 274 00:14:38,200 --> 00:14:41,160 Speaker 1: spouse was working long hours. They were the friend that 275 00:14:41,320 --> 00:14:44,160 Speaker 1: kept your company. But If they were to stay in 276 00:14:44,240 --> 00:14:48,520 Speaker 1: that same capacity, instead of helping you, they would hinder you. 277 00:14:48,720 --> 00:14:50,000 Speaker 2: They would limit your growth. 278 00:14:50,680 --> 00:14:54,800 Speaker 1: Like scaffolding, it wasn't designed to be permanent. Once the 279 00:14:54,840 --> 00:14:58,320 Speaker 1: building is built, it's taken away. Now, don't try to 280 00:14:58,440 --> 00:15:02,400 Speaker 1: keep the scaffolding up in you. Appreciate the people that 281 00:15:02,440 --> 00:15:07,240 Speaker 1: have helped you, always honor them, but recognize when their 282 00:15:07,320 --> 00:15:11,000 Speaker 1: part in your story is over. God didn't design it 283 00:15:11,160 --> 00:15:14,000 Speaker 1: to be permanent. If you hold on to it and 284 00:15:14,040 --> 00:15:16,080 Speaker 1: try to keep it the way it was, you're going 285 00:15:16,120 --> 00:15:18,600 Speaker 1: to miss out on the amazing things that God has 286 00:15:18,640 --> 00:15:21,680 Speaker 1: in your future. In the Scripture of God told the 287 00:15:21,680 --> 00:15:25,120 Speaker 1: prophet Elijah to go to the brook Cherith and the 288 00:15:25,240 --> 00:15:28,320 Speaker 1: ravens would feed him there. He got there, and he 289 00:15:28,360 --> 00:15:31,480 Speaker 1: had provisioned. Week after week, he didn't have to go 290 00:15:31,520 --> 00:15:35,400 Speaker 1: get the food. The ravens came to him. Life was good. 291 00:15:36,000 --> 00:15:38,160 Speaker 1: I'm sure he thought, doesn't get any better than this. 292 00:15:39,120 --> 00:15:42,040 Speaker 1: Just as he was about to get comfortable and settled in, 293 00:15:42,680 --> 00:15:45,280 Speaker 1: God said, all right, Elijah, now I want you to 294 00:15:45,320 --> 00:15:48,240 Speaker 1: go to the city of Zara Path. There's a widow 295 00:15:48,280 --> 00:15:51,960 Speaker 1: there that's going to take care of you. In other words, Elijah, 296 00:15:52,000 --> 00:15:54,800 Speaker 1: I know you like this job. I've blessed you here, 297 00:15:55,080 --> 00:15:57,600 Speaker 1: but I've got a new opportunity. I've got a promotion. 298 00:15:57,960 --> 00:16:01,040 Speaker 1: I want you to take a step of faith. Or Elijah, 299 00:16:01,160 --> 00:16:03,800 Speaker 1: I know you like these friends. They're good people, but 300 00:16:03,880 --> 00:16:06,720 Speaker 1: it's a new season. I'm gonna close that door and 301 00:16:06,760 --> 00:16:10,080 Speaker 1: bring some new friends into your life. Elijah could have 302 00:16:10,120 --> 00:16:14,400 Speaker 1: thought that couldn't be God. He blessed me here. I've 303 00:16:14,400 --> 00:16:18,240 Speaker 1: seen his favor. I like this brook, I like these ravens. 304 00:16:18,240 --> 00:16:20,400 Speaker 1: I'm gonna stay where I am. I'm gonna hold onto 305 00:16:20,440 --> 00:16:24,760 Speaker 1: the old. The problem is the ravens quit coming. The 306 00:16:24,800 --> 00:16:29,720 Speaker 1: brook dried up. Why it was temporary provision. That means 307 00:16:29,760 --> 00:16:32,480 Speaker 1: God has something better. But you have to let go 308 00:16:32,600 --> 00:16:35,960 Speaker 1: of the old before you'll receive the new. And if 309 00:16:35,960 --> 00:16:39,720 Speaker 1: you don't understand that God has something greater in your future, 310 00:16:39,960 --> 00:16:42,840 Speaker 1: God has something amazing in front of you, then you'll 311 00:16:42,880 --> 00:16:45,440 Speaker 1: try to hold onto the old and keep it. 312 00:16:45,320 --> 00:16:46,240 Speaker 2: The way it used to be. 313 00:16:47,360 --> 00:16:50,600 Speaker 1: I know people, they're trying to live off a temporary provision, 314 00:16:51,240 --> 00:16:54,240 Speaker 1: keeping the same friends they know God was finished with 315 00:16:54,360 --> 00:16:56,120 Speaker 1: years ago, stuck at. 316 00:16:56,040 --> 00:16:58,400 Speaker 2: The same job that was supposed. 317 00:16:57,920 --> 00:17:00,560 Speaker 1: To be a stepping stone, but they were afraid to 318 00:17:00,640 --> 00:17:03,800 Speaker 1: move forward. Now they're trying to get water from a 319 00:17:03,840 --> 00:17:06,399 Speaker 1: brook that's all dried up. Don't let that be You 320 00:17:06,920 --> 00:17:10,600 Speaker 1: be willing to make changes. God has new ways to 321 00:17:10,640 --> 00:17:16,240 Speaker 1: bless you, new ideas, new opportunities, new friendships. If you're 322 00:17:16,240 --> 00:17:19,959 Speaker 1: going to be successful, we have to continually be willing 323 00:17:20,000 --> 00:17:24,359 Speaker 1: to make adjustments. Study what's working and what's not working. 324 00:17:25,200 --> 00:17:29,720 Speaker 1: Sometimes what once was flourishing, what once had God's favor, 325 00:17:30,240 --> 00:17:33,080 Speaker 1: will start to drag you down. You have to be 326 00:17:33,240 --> 00:17:37,960 Speaker 1: sensitive enough to realize when a season is over. Don't 327 00:17:38,040 --> 00:17:39,400 Speaker 1: keep putting time. 328 00:17:39,160 --> 00:17:42,760 Speaker 2: And energy into something that's not going anywhere. This is 329 00:17:42,760 --> 00:17:43,120 Speaker 2: what my. 330 00:17:43,119 --> 00:17:46,520 Speaker 1: Father had to do years ago. Daddy started a Bible 331 00:17:46,560 --> 00:17:50,040 Speaker 1: school here at Lakewood. It was very successful, a lot 332 00:17:50,040 --> 00:17:53,719 Speaker 1: of students, many people were trained and blessed and inspired. 333 00:17:54,359 --> 00:17:57,359 Speaker 1: But at one point it started becoming more of a 334 00:17:57,400 --> 00:18:00,960 Speaker 1: burden than a blessing. It's a rain on the finances, 335 00:18:01,000 --> 00:18:03,080 Speaker 1: on the staff, on the volunteers. 336 00:18:03,760 --> 00:18:05,480 Speaker 2: One Sunday, my father got. 337 00:18:05,400 --> 00:18:08,520 Speaker 1: Up in front of the congregation and announced that we 338 00:18:08,520 --> 00:18:11,879 Speaker 1: were shutting down the Bible School. Daddy had a saying 339 00:18:12,240 --> 00:18:16,640 Speaker 1: nothing is forever. He was smart enough to recognize when 340 00:18:16,680 --> 00:18:20,520 Speaker 1: a season was over. He swallowed his pride and he 341 00:18:20,760 --> 00:18:22,720 Speaker 1: shut it down and moved on to the new thing 342 00:18:22,760 --> 00:18:27,240 Speaker 1: God wanted to do. Just because something doesn't last doesn't 343 00:18:27,280 --> 00:18:31,000 Speaker 1: mean you missed. It doesn't mean you're a failure. Accept 344 00:18:31,040 --> 00:18:34,080 Speaker 1: it as a part of God's plan. God never said 345 00:18:34,080 --> 00:18:37,560 Speaker 1: it was going to go on forever. Be determined. But 346 00:18:37,680 --> 00:18:41,040 Speaker 1: don't be too proud to know when to say, God, 347 00:18:41,080 --> 00:18:45,479 Speaker 1: I realize your favor has lifted from this Bible school, 348 00:18:45,800 --> 00:18:49,160 Speaker 1: this project, this business, this relationship. It was great at 349 00:18:49,160 --> 00:18:52,119 Speaker 1: the time. I enjoyed it. I gave it my best. 350 00:18:52,359 --> 00:18:54,560 Speaker 1: But now I can see you're doing a new thing, 351 00:18:54,920 --> 00:18:56,919 Speaker 1: and I'm not going to get stuck in the old 352 00:18:57,280 --> 00:19:01,880 Speaker 1: and try to make temporary provision permit. My father could 353 00:19:01,920 --> 00:19:05,679 Speaker 1: have thought, if I shut this Bible school down, I 354 00:19:05,760 --> 00:19:08,800 Speaker 1: may look bad. I may look like a failure. People 355 00:19:08,840 --> 00:19:10,399 Speaker 1: may get upset and leave the church. 356 00:19:10,880 --> 00:19:13,480 Speaker 2: It was just the opposite. People were as loyal as 357 00:19:13,520 --> 00:19:13,760 Speaker 2: can be. 358 00:19:14,760 --> 00:19:18,120 Speaker 1: If something is more of a burden than a blessing, 359 00:19:18,640 --> 00:19:22,200 Speaker 1: you can sense that God's favor has lifted. Off of that, 360 00:19:22,720 --> 00:19:26,520 Speaker 1: the winds are shifting. That simply means that God has 361 00:19:26,560 --> 00:19:29,880 Speaker 1: something greater in your future. I'm not saying to give 362 00:19:29,960 --> 00:19:32,040 Speaker 1: up on your dreams. You stand strong and follow your 363 00:19:32,080 --> 00:19:35,120 Speaker 1: own heart. All I'm saying is, don't be too proud 364 00:19:35,680 --> 00:19:39,720 Speaker 1: or too stubborn to recognize when a season is over. 365 00:19:40,359 --> 00:19:43,560 Speaker 1: It doesn't mean it was a failure. It means it 366 00:19:43,640 --> 00:19:47,560 Speaker 1: was only temporary provision. Like the manner that stopped coming, 367 00:19:47,840 --> 00:19:50,960 Speaker 1: It's just another step on the way to your promised land. 368 00:19:51,720 --> 00:19:54,760 Speaker 1: When a baby is born, the mother nurses the baby 369 00:19:54,800 --> 00:19:57,320 Speaker 1: for the first part of his life, and the baby 370 00:19:57,320 --> 00:20:02,080 Speaker 1: gets used to it. It's comfortable, may makes him feel secure, soothing, 371 00:20:02,760 --> 00:20:06,679 Speaker 1: But at some point that temporary provision is taken away 372 00:20:07,080 --> 00:20:09,040 Speaker 1: and the mother introduces a bottle. 373 00:20:09,560 --> 00:20:11,359 Speaker 2: The baby doesn't like the bottle. 374 00:20:11,640 --> 00:20:15,000 Speaker 1: He pushes it away, he'll kick, he'll scream, it's not 375 00:20:15,040 --> 00:20:18,159 Speaker 1: what he's used to. But over time he'll accept the 376 00:20:18,200 --> 00:20:21,440 Speaker 1: bottle and discover that he likes it. Then one day 377 00:20:21,640 --> 00:20:24,240 Speaker 1: the mother will take the bottle away and she'll take 378 00:20:24,280 --> 00:20:26,720 Speaker 1: a spoon of baby food and put it in his mouth. 379 00:20:27,240 --> 00:20:29,520 Speaker 1: Most of the time, the baby will spit it out 380 00:20:29,560 --> 00:20:33,240 Speaker 1: and cough and grimace. It wants its bottle back, but again, 381 00:20:33,320 --> 00:20:36,600 Speaker 1: at some point he realizes he likes the food. Continues 382 00:20:36,640 --> 00:20:40,359 Speaker 1: to grow and develop, But had the mother not taken 383 00:20:40,400 --> 00:20:44,280 Speaker 1: away the temporary provision at every stage at just the 384 00:20:44,400 --> 00:20:48,240 Speaker 1: right time, the baby's growth would have been stunned, never 385 00:20:48,240 --> 00:20:52,159 Speaker 1: would have grown and fully developed. In the same way, 386 00:20:52,480 --> 00:20:56,399 Speaker 1: there are times that God will take things away, not 387 00:20:56,600 --> 00:20:59,160 Speaker 1: to harm us, but to get us in a position 388 00:20:59,480 --> 00:21:03,000 Speaker 1: to receive all that He has in store. God knows 389 00:21:03,040 --> 00:21:06,080 Speaker 1: we'll never fully develop if we're not having to take 390 00:21:06,119 --> 00:21:09,639 Speaker 1: steps of faith, not having to stretch, not being pruned. 391 00:21:10,640 --> 00:21:12,160 Speaker 2: Don't fight change. 392 00:21:12,400 --> 00:21:14,480 Speaker 1: Don't try to hold on to something that you know 393 00:21:14,640 --> 00:21:17,960 Speaker 1: God has done with. If he's removing it, let it go. 394 00:21:18,960 --> 00:21:21,520 Speaker 1: Like that baby. It's temporary provision. 395 00:21:21,960 --> 00:21:22,720 Speaker 2: It was there to. 396 00:21:22,680 --> 00:21:25,320 Speaker 1: Get you to a certain level. But now you pass 397 00:21:25,400 --> 00:21:27,359 Speaker 1: the test and you're going to come up to a 398 00:21:27,440 --> 00:21:30,639 Speaker 1: higher level. You're going to see a new season of 399 00:21:30,720 --> 00:21:34,800 Speaker 1: growth and increase. Stay willing to change. This is what 400 00:21:34,920 --> 00:21:38,320 Speaker 1: Jesus talked about in John fifteen, how God will prune 401 00:21:38,480 --> 00:21:42,680 Speaker 1: us so that we can bear much fruit. Prune means 402 00:21:42,720 --> 00:21:46,320 Speaker 1: something is cut away, something is removed. A good friend 403 00:21:46,320 --> 00:21:50,160 Speaker 1: that you counted on moved to another city, a business 404 00:21:50,200 --> 00:21:53,639 Speaker 1: shut down, or you lost a loved one. Anytime you 405 00:21:53,760 --> 00:21:57,399 Speaker 1: go through loss, anytime you go through pruning, don't get bitter, 406 00:21:58,280 --> 00:22:01,040 Speaker 1: don't get down and think it's the end. Don't start 407 00:22:01,080 --> 00:22:04,119 Speaker 1: thinking that you're a failure. Have the attitude God. I 408 00:22:04,320 --> 00:22:08,040 Speaker 1: let this go knowing that it was only temporary provision, 409 00:22:08,480 --> 00:22:11,200 Speaker 1: and what you have in my future will be greater 410 00:22:11,280 --> 00:22:14,720 Speaker 1: than what I'm letting go of. If you will accept 411 00:22:14,840 --> 00:22:18,760 Speaker 1: the change and stay in faith, God will open new doors. 412 00:22:19,080 --> 00:22:23,359 Speaker 1: He will bring new opportunities, new friendships. I was reading 413 00:22:23,359 --> 00:22:27,200 Speaker 1: about Steve Jobs, one of the most brilliant minds. 414 00:22:26,840 --> 00:22:27,400 Speaker 2: Of our day. 415 00:22:28,040 --> 00:22:31,280 Speaker 1: He was fired from Apple, the very company that he 416 00:22:31,400 --> 00:22:33,159 Speaker 1: founded and made so great. 417 00:22:33,760 --> 00:22:35,520 Speaker 2: He gave it his heart, his time. 418 00:22:35,600 --> 00:22:39,000 Speaker 1: He worked so hard, and yet he got fired from 419 00:22:39,040 --> 00:22:42,240 Speaker 1: the very thing that he loved the most. He didn't 420 00:22:42,240 --> 00:22:45,639 Speaker 1: get bitter, he didn't blame other people. He went out 421 00:22:46,000 --> 00:22:49,840 Speaker 1: and started another company. He learned a new set of skills. 422 00:22:50,320 --> 00:22:54,520 Speaker 1: That company grew and became so successful that Apple bought 423 00:22:54,560 --> 00:22:58,639 Speaker 1: his company and put him back in charge. Steve Jobs said, 424 00:22:58,880 --> 00:23:01,560 Speaker 1: if I had not been fired, I would have never 425 00:23:01,760 --> 00:23:04,639 Speaker 1: developed the skills that had made me into who I 426 00:23:04,680 --> 00:23:08,520 Speaker 1: am today. Friends, God knows what he's doing. It may 427 00:23:08,600 --> 00:23:11,679 Speaker 1: look like a set back, but what was meant for 428 00:23:11,760 --> 00:23:14,679 Speaker 1: your harm? God's going to use to your advantage. The 429 00:23:14,760 --> 00:23:20,600 Speaker 1: steps of good people are ordered by the Lord. God 430 00:23:20,720 --> 00:23:24,920 Speaker 1: knows exactly when to remove something. He knows exactly when 431 00:23:24,960 --> 00:23:28,600 Speaker 1: to prune something away. It's not to harm you, it's 432 00:23:28,720 --> 00:23:33,119 Speaker 1: to promote you. God doesn't want you living off temporary provision. 433 00:23:33,440 --> 00:23:37,320 Speaker 1: He has an abundance in store. So yes, the manner 434 00:23:37,400 --> 00:23:40,840 Speaker 1: will stop coming, the quail will quit showing up, the 435 00:23:40,880 --> 00:23:42,200 Speaker 1: brook may dry up. 436 00:23:42,640 --> 00:23:44,760 Speaker 2: Not because God's forgotten. 437 00:23:44,280 --> 00:23:47,800 Speaker 1: About you, but because God has something greater in your future. 438 00:23:48,640 --> 00:23:52,520 Speaker 1: If somebody left your life, it wasn't an accident. Their 439 00:23:52,680 --> 00:23:56,880 Speaker 1: part in your story was over. God pruned it. If 440 00:23:56,920 --> 00:24:00,439 Speaker 1: a project didn't last, it wasn't supposed to last. 441 00:24:00,600 --> 00:24:04,160 Speaker 2: God shut the door. Now, don't sit around discouraged depressed. 442 00:24:04,320 --> 00:24:05,520 Speaker 2: You know the only. 443 00:24:05,280 --> 00:24:07,800 Speaker 1: Reason you were pruned is so that you can bear 444 00:24:07,880 --> 00:24:11,480 Speaker 1: more fruit. Get ready for increase, Get ready for abundance, 445 00:24:11,600 --> 00:24:13,879 Speaker 1: Get ready for a new level of God's favor. 446 00:24:14,680 --> 00:24:15,720 Speaker 2: That's what happened with me. 447 00:24:16,560 --> 00:24:19,240 Speaker 1: For seventeen years I worked behind the scenes here at 448 00:24:19,320 --> 00:24:23,080 Speaker 1: Lakewood doing the television production. When my father went to 449 00:24:23,080 --> 00:24:25,439 Speaker 1: be with the Lord, I was pushed out of my 450 00:24:25,520 --> 00:24:28,479 Speaker 1: comfort zone. I knew I was supposed to step up 451 00:24:28,520 --> 00:24:31,000 Speaker 1: and pasture the church, but I was afraid. 452 00:24:31,480 --> 00:24:32,760 Speaker 2: I didn't know this was in me. 453 00:24:33,320 --> 00:24:36,080 Speaker 1: I finally took that step of faith, and God's taken 454 00:24:36,119 --> 00:24:39,400 Speaker 1: me places that I've never dreamed of. But those seventeen 455 00:24:39,520 --> 00:24:44,240 Speaker 1: years behind the scenes, that was temporary provision. The brook 456 00:24:44,359 --> 00:24:46,720 Speaker 1: dried up like Elijah. 457 00:24:46,840 --> 00:24:47,800 Speaker 2: When my dad died. 458 00:24:47,880 --> 00:24:50,880 Speaker 1: I had to decide, am I going to move forward 459 00:24:51,040 --> 00:24:54,280 Speaker 1: into the new thing God wants to do? Or am 460 00:24:54,320 --> 00:24:56,600 Speaker 1: I going to hold onto the old and try to 461 00:24:56,680 --> 00:24:59,240 Speaker 1: keep it the way it used to be. It looked 462 00:24:59,280 --> 00:25:02,080 Speaker 1: like a set back in the natural. I thought it's 463 00:25:02,119 --> 00:25:03,879 Speaker 1: never going to be as good as it used to be. 464 00:25:04,560 --> 00:25:07,919 Speaker 1: But I realize now I was being pruned so I 465 00:25:07,960 --> 00:25:09,040 Speaker 1: could bear much fruit. 466 00:25:09,720 --> 00:25:11,040 Speaker 2: I love and honor my dad. 467 00:25:11,080 --> 00:25:13,600 Speaker 1: But when God took him away, when God removed him 468 00:25:13,640 --> 00:25:16,840 Speaker 1: from my life, that was never meant to take me backwards. 469 00:25:17,040 --> 00:25:19,520 Speaker 1: It was meant to thrust me forward. But I had 470 00:25:19,560 --> 00:25:23,480 Speaker 1: to do my part and be willing to change. I 471 00:25:23,560 --> 00:25:25,600 Speaker 1: had to let go of the. 472 00:25:25,600 --> 00:25:28,240 Speaker 2: Old and accept the new. 473 00:25:28,240 --> 00:25:31,800 Speaker 1: I've learned change is going to happen whether we like 474 00:25:31,840 --> 00:25:34,960 Speaker 1: it or not. The real question is how are we 475 00:25:35,040 --> 00:25:38,160 Speaker 1: going to deal with it? Are we going to fall 476 00:25:38,200 --> 00:25:41,359 Speaker 1: apart and think that our world is ended because a 477 00:25:41,400 --> 00:25:42,200 Speaker 1: loved one died? 478 00:25:42,720 --> 00:25:45,200 Speaker 2: A business didn't make it. A good friend moved to 479 00:25:45,320 --> 00:25:45,960 Speaker 2: another city. 480 00:25:46,600 --> 00:25:48,800 Speaker 1: Are we going to get stuck in what God used 481 00:25:48,840 --> 00:25:51,480 Speaker 1: to do and miss out on what God is about 482 00:25:51,520 --> 00:25:54,640 Speaker 1: to do? Or are we going to say, God, I'm 483 00:25:54,760 --> 00:25:58,000 Speaker 1: letting go of what you're removing. I know it's only 484 00:25:58,119 --> 00:26:01,600 Speaker 1: temporary provision, going to fight the new thing you want 485 00:26:01,640 --> 00:26:04,680 Speaker 1: to do because God, I know what's in my future 486 00:26:04,880 --> 00:26:07,919 Speaker 1: will be greater than what's in my past. I'm asking 487 00:26:08,040 --> 00:26:11,840 Speaker 1: us to stay open for change. Just because it worked 488 00:26:11,920 --> 00:26:13,720 Speaker 1: last year doesn't mean it's. 489 00:26:13,520 --> 00:26:14,560 Speaker 2: Going to work this year. 490 00:26:15,520 --> 00:26:20,600 Speaker 1: Evaluate your friendships, Evaluate how you're spending your time. Don't 491 00:26:20,680 --> 00:26:23,920 Speaker 1: keep putting effort and energy into something that's not going 492 00:26:23,960 --> 00:26:28,720 Speaker 1: any place. Recognize when a season is over. Remember a 493 00:26:28,880 --> 00:26:30,720 Speaker 1: small adjustment. 494 00:26:30,359 --> 00:26:32,000 Speaker 2: Can make a major improvement. 495 00:26:32,680 --> 00:26:35,200 Speaker 1: If you'll make this decision with me that you're gonna 496 00:26:35,200 --> 00:26:38,520 Speaker 1: stay open for change and not get bitter and discouraged, 497 00:26:38,560 --> 00:26:41,520 Speaker 1: but just keep moving forward, then just like the people 498 00:26:41,560 --> 00:26:44,360 Speaker 1: of Israel, God's going to take you into your promised 499 00:26:44,440 --> 00:26:49,879 Speaker 1: land where you see permanent provision, abundance, increase blessings like 500 00:26:49,920 --> 00:26:53,120 Speaker 1: you've never seen before. And I believe in declare You're 501 00:26:53,119 --> 00:26:56,320 Speaker 1: going to become everything God's created you to be. You're 502 00:26:56,320 --> 00:26:58,280 Speaker 1: gonna have everything He intended for. 503 00:26:58,240 --> 00:27:01,040 Speaker 2: You to have. Amen. Do you receive it today? I 504 00:27:01,119 --> 00:27:02,400 Speaker 2: know you do well. 505 00:27:03,080 --> 00:27:05,960 Speaker 1: We never like to close our broadcast without giving you 506 00:27:06,000 --> 00:27:08,840 Speaker 1: an opportunity to make Jesus the lord of your life. 507 00:27:09,080 --> 00:27:13,280 Speaker 1: Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus, I 508 00:27:13,400 --> 00:27:17,920 Speaker 1: repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I make 509 00:27:17,960 --> 00:27:21,520 Speaker 1: you my Lord and savior. Friends, if you prayed that 510 00:27:21,600 --> 00:27:24,600 Speaker 1: simple prayer, we believe you got born again. Get in 511 00:27:24,640 --> 00:27:27,920 Speaker 1: a good Bible based church. Keep God first place. He's 512 00:27:27,960 --> 00:27:30,159 Speaker 1: going to take your places that you've never dreamed of. 513 00:27:31,920 --> 00:27:36,960 Speaker 3: Are you in a situation where you feel lost, afraid, hopeless, 514 00:27:37,240 --> 00:27:42,040 Speaker 3: where there seems to be no solutions, no answers, no 515 00:27:42,200 --> 00:27:45,520 Speaker 3: way out. It's time for your turnaround. 516 00:27:45,800 --> 00:27:48,760 Speaker 1: We all face situations that look like they'll never change. 517 00:27:48,800 --> 00:27:51,720 Speaker 1: It's easy to get discouraged. I love to send you 518 00:27:51,760 --> 00:27:54,400 Speaker 1: my book Turn Around, How God can take you from 519 00:27:54,440 --> 00:27:58,000 Speaker 1: a setback to a comeback, where you'll discover how God 520 00:27:58,040 --> 00:28:02,920 Speaker 1: can turn sickness into health, lack into abundance, addictions into freedom. 521 00:28:03,400 --> 00:28:06,840 Speaker 1: It'll inspire you to keep believing and have an expectancy 522 00:28:06,920 --> 00:28:10,520 Speaker 1: for things to turn in your favor. Recent weeks We've 523 00:28:10,520 --> 00:28:14,440 Speaker 1: been celebrating the incredible life of my mother, her miraculous 524 00:28:14,480 --> 00:28:18,600 Speaker 1: turnaround story of overcoming terminal cancer over forty years ago. 525 00:28:18,960 --> 00:28:21,879 Speaker 2: It's a testimony of the power of God's promises. 526 00:28:22,480 --> 00:28:24,920 Speaker 1: Just because you don't see a way doesn't mean God 527 00:28:25,000 --> 00:28:28,320 Speaker 1: doesn't have a way. Stay in faith, your turnaround is 528 00:28:28,359 --> 00:28:28,920 Speaker 1: on the way. 529 00:28:29,680 --> 00:28:32,119 Speaker 3: As our way of saying thank you for your gift 530 00:28:32,119 --> 00:28:34,720 Speaker 3: of any amount this month, we would like to send 531 00:28:34,760 --> 00:28:38,000 Speaker 3: you a copy of Joel's brand new book, turn Around. 532 00:28:38,320 --> 00:28:41,600 Speaker 3: How God Can take You from setback to come Back. 533 00:28:42,000 --> 00:28:47,400 Speaker 3: Through biblical examples, real life applications, and practical encouragement, you'll 534 00:28:47,480 --> 00:28:51,160 Speaker 3: learn to see challenges through a faith filled perspective. Each 535 00:28:51,200 --> 00:28:54,760 Speaker 3: section highlights a faith turnaround point to help you see 536 00:28:54,760 --> 00:28:58,560 Speaker 3: a positive change in your life. As you meditate on 537 00:28:58,640 --> 00:29:03,120 Speaker 3: His promises, begin to see your greatest challenges turn around. 538 00:29:03,640 --> 00:29:08,040 Speaker 3: These power packed life transforming stories will shift your mindset, 539 00:29:08,400 --> 00:29:13,120 Speaker 3: strengthen your faith, and turn your trials into triumphs. Request 540 00:29:13,160 --> 00:29:17,120 Speaker 3: your copy today and see the turnaround and breakthrough you've 541 00:29:17,120 --> 00:29:17,840 Speaker 3: been waiting for. 542 00:29:18,960 --> 00:29:21,200 Speaker 1: God won't let you get in a problem that He 543 00:29:21,280 --> 00:29:24,800 Speaker 1: can't bring you out of. There are turnarounds in your future. 544 00:29:25,280 --> 00:29:28,080 Speaker 1: Thanks so much for being with us today. Victoria and 545 00:29:28,120 --> 00:29:30,600 Speaker 1: I pray for you and your family, and we sure 546 00:29:30,640 --> 00:29:34,640 Speaker 1: appreciate your prayer and support. Your generosity is helping bring 547 00:29:34,760 --> 00:29:38,080 Speaker 1: hope to people around the world. Special thank you to 548 00:29:38,120 --> 00:29:41,160 Speaker 1: our Champion of Hope partners for your monthly gifts. If 549 00:29:41,200 --> 00:29:44,000 Speaker 1: you're not a partner, I hope you'll consider becoming one. 550 00:29:44,360 --> 00:29:47,880 Speaker 1: Remember you can watch the services online every Sunday morning, 551 00:29:48,320 --> 00:29:52,200 Speaker 1: download our daily podcast, watch on YouTube the new Jewel 552 00:29:52,240 --> 00:29:55,560 Speaker 1: hosting network social media. Of course, you can listen Serious 553 00:29:55,680 --> 00:29:58,640 Speaker 1: XM twenty four hours a day. We'll keep you encouraged 554 00:29:58,680 --> 00:30:01,360 Speaker 1: and inspired until we see you next time. 555 00:30:01,720 --> 00:30:03,680 Speaker 2: Maid The Lord bless you and keep you. 556 00:30:04,520 --> 00:30:07,840 Speaker 3: Be sure to request your copy of Turnaround How God 557 00:30:07,920 --> 00:30:11,640 Speaker 3: Can take You from setback to come Back. Visit Joelostein 558 00:30:11,720 --> 00:30:15,040 Speaker 3: dot com or call eight eight eight five six seven 559 00:30:15,280 --> 00:30:18,960 Speaker 3: Joel for an additional donation. This month, we are also 560 00:30:19,080 --> 00:30:23,040 Speaker 3: offering the Turnaround Faith Duo, one for you and one 561 00:30:23,080 --> 00:30:26,160 Speaker 3: to share with a friend or family member to encourage them. 562 00:30:26,440 --> 00:30:30,440 Speaker 3: You can also request the Turnaround Victory Collection. It includes 563 00:30:30,520 --> 00:30:34,160 Speaker 3: two Turnaround books and the beautiful set of three wooden 564 00:30:34,280 --> 00:30:39,960 Speaker 3: encouragement blocks, Happy, Healthy, and Free, each featuring and uplifting scripture. 565 00:30:40,560 --> 00:30:44,360 Speaker 3: You can request these inspiring resources by calling eight eight 566 00:30:44,360 --> 00:30:48,400 Speaker 3: eight five six seven Joel or logging on to joelostein 567 00:30:48,520 --> 00:30:52,440 Speaker 3: dot com today call or click any time, twenty four 568 00:30:52,480 --> 00:30:56,040 Speaker 3: hours a day. Your life is about to turn around. 569 00:30:56,640 --> 00:31:05,160 Speaker 3: Request these resources today