1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:02,880 Speaker 1: No one likes to talk about money. Am I saving enough? 2 00:00:02,960 --> 00:00:05,040 Speaker 1: Can I buy a house? Am I paying too much 3 00:00:05,040 --> 00:00:07,760 Speaker 1: in taxes? Will I be able to retire? What if 4 00:00:07,760 --> 00:00:10,360 Speaker 1: you could unlock insights about your finances in less than 5 00:00:10,400 --> 00:00:12,840 Speaker 1: five minutes, with a clear picture of where you stand 6 00:00:12,880 --> 00:00:15,720 Speaker 1: today and where your money can work harder. Now you 7 00:00:15,760 --> 00:00:18,759 Speaker 1: can visit facet dot com to take the free quiz 8 00:00:18,800 --> 00:00:23,400 Speaker 1: and get your financial wellness score today. That's Facet dot com. 9 00:00:23,400 --> 00:00:25,360 Speaker 1: This ad is sponsored by Facet. Fast Wealth in Corporated 10 00:00:25,440 --> 00:00:27,280 Speaker 1: is an sec registered investment advisor. 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Download the uns stap and use the 30 00:01:18,800 --> 00:01:20,840 Speaker 3: code I heeart fifty at sign up to receive a 31 00:01:20,880 --> 00:01:23,400 Speaker 3: fifty dollars bonus when you find your account. That's code 32 00:01:23,400 --> 00:01:26,400 Speaker 3: iHeart fifty when you sign up at unest dot co 33 00:01:26,760 --> 00:01:29,319 Speaker 3: for a fifty dollars bonus. See terms and conditions at 34 00:01:29,440 --> 00:01:30,120 Speaker 3: UNEs dot co. 35 00:01:31,680 --> 00:01:34,399 Speaker 4: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 36 00:01:34,440 --> 00:01:37,240 Speaker 4: our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. 37 00:01:37,360 --> 00:01:39,680 Speaker 5: If you enjoyed today's MESSI, why don't you be a 38 00:01:39,720 --> 00:01:41,240 Speaker 5: blessing and share it with a friend. 39 00:01:41,560 --> 00:01:44,280 Speaker 4: We appreciate you and pray for God's very best in 40 00:01:44,360 --> 00:01:51,040 Speaker 4: your line. Will God bless you always a joy to 41 00:01:51,080 --> 00:01:53,680 Speaker 4: come into your homes. We love you and we know 42 00:01:53,760 --> 00:01:56,440 Speaker 4: God has great things in store. We pray for you 43 00:01:56,560 --> 00:01:59,240 Speaker 4: every single day. If you're ever in our area, I 44 00:01:59,280 --> 00:02:00,960 Speaker 4: hope you'll stop and be a part of one of 45 00:02:01,000 --> 00:02:03,720 Speaker 4: our services. We'd love to have you. I promise you 46 00:02:03,840 --> 00:02:05,800 Speaker 4: will make you feel right at home. But thanks so 47 00:02:05,880 --> 00:02:08,160 Speaker 4: much for tuning in today, and thank you again for 48 00:02:08,160 --> 00:02:11,160 Speaker 4: coming out. I'd like to start with something funny each week. 49 00:02:11,200 --> 00:02:14,560 Speaker 4: And I heard about this new police recruit. He was 50 00:02:14,560 --> 00:02:17,240 Speaker 4: taking his final exam, was in the front of this 51 00:02:17,320 --> 00:02:21,160 Speaker 4: big classroom, and the sergeant asked him, what would you 52 00:02:21,280 --> 00:02:24,239 Speaker 4: do if you had to arrest your own mother in 53 00:02:24,360 --> 00:02:28,079 Speaker 4: law without missing a beat? He said, call for back up. 54 00:02:29,840 --> 00:02:32,360 Speaker 4: All right, hold up your Bible. Say it like you 55 00:02:32,480 --> 00:02:35,799 Speaker 4: mean it. This is my Bible. I am what it says. 56 00:02:35,880 --> 00:02:39,040 Speaker 4: I am. I have what it says I have. I 57 00:02:39,080 --> 00:02:41,840 Speaker 4: can do what it says I can do. Today I 58 00:02:41,919 --> 00:02:45,320 Speaker 4: will be taught the word of God. I boldly confess 59 00:02:45,800 --> 00:02:49,600 Speaker 4: my mind is alert, my heart is receptive. I will 60 00:02:49,680 --> 00:02:53,480 Speaker 4: never be the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. 61 00:02:54,600 --> 00:02:57,040 Speaker 4: I want to talk to you today about staying full 62 00:02:57,080 --> 00:03:00,840 Speaker 4: of hope. God has put dreams and does in every 63 00:03:00,840 --> 00:03:03,799 Speaker 4: one of our hearts. We all have goals. We want 64 00:03:03,840 --> 00:03:07,760 Speaker 4: to accomplish the situations we're believing to turn around. But 65 00:03:07,840 --> 00:03:11,280 Speaker 4: so often when it's taken a long time and things 66 00:03:11,320 --> 00:03:14,960 Speaker 4: are not working out, it's easy to lose our enthusiasm. 67 00:03:15,560 --> 00:03:19,399 Speaker 4: That's when the negative thoughts come, saying it's never gonna change. 68 00:03:19,800 --> 00:03:22,560 Speaker 4: You're never gonna get well, you're never gonna get out 69 00:03:22,560 --> 00:03:25,880 Speaker 4: of debt. That child is never gonna straighten up. And 70 00:03:25,919 --> 00:03:29,280 Speaker 4: if we're not careful, we'll get discouraged and we end 71 00:03:29,400 --> 00:03:33,680 Speaker 4: up just settling where we are. Many times we miss 72 00:03:33,720 --> 00:03:37,120 Speaker 4: out on God's best because we gave up too soon. 73 00:03:38,000 --> 00:03:41,480 Speaker 4: We didn't realize how close we were to our victory. 74 00:03:42,160 --> 00:03:46,680 Speaker 4: Just another few days of believing, another few weeks of 75 00:03:46,720 --> 00:03:50,040 Speaker 4: doing the right thing, or another few months of staying 76 00:03:50,080 --> 00:03:53,120 Speaker 4: in faith, and we would see that promise come to pass. 77 00:03:53,840 --> 00:03:56,680 Speaker 4: Some of you right now you're on the verge of 78 00:03:56,720 --> 00:04:00,440 Speaker 4: seeing a major victory. You are so close to see 79 00:04:00,440 --> 00:04:04,000 Speaker 4: in that situation. Turn around. That answer you've been praying 80 00:04:04,040 --> 00:04:07,600 Speaker 4: about is just right around the corner. You can afford 81 00:04:07,720 --> 00:04:10,160 Speaker 4: to get discouraged. You can't afford to give up. Now. 82 00:04:10,800 --> 00:04:13,360 Speaker 4: That's what the scripture says in Hebrews ten thirty five, 83 00:04:13,880 --> 00:04:17,479 Speaker 4: do not cast away your confidence, for it will be 84 00:04:17,680 --> 00:04:21,440 Speaker 4: richly rewarded. That's saying if we will stay in faith, 85 00:04:21,920 --> 00:04:24,920 Speaker 4: if we will keep believing, keep hoping, keep doing the 86 00:04:25,000 --> 00:04:30,279 Speaker 4: right thing, God promises there will be a reward. One 87 00:04:30,320 --> 00:04:35,920 Speaker 4: translation says, don't get discouraged. Payday is coming. When you're 88 00:04:35,960 --> 00:04:39,000 Speaker 4: tempted to get down and things are not going your way, 89 00:04:39,520 --> 00:04:42,320 Speaker 4: you need to keep telling yourself. This may be hard, 90 00:04:42,800 --> 00:04:45,359 Speaker 4: it may be taking a long time, but I know 91 00:04:45,640 --> 00:04:48,200 Speaker 4: God is a faithful God, and I'm going to keep 92 00:04:48,240 --> 00:04:52,960 Speaker 4: believing knowing that my payday is on its way. One 93 00:04:52,960 --> 00:04:56,520 Speaker 4: thing I've learned is whenever it gets difficult and it 94 00:04:56,560 --> 00:05:00,960 Speaker 4: seems like the intensity has been turned up, you are 95 00:05:01,000 --> 00:05:05,320 Speaker 4: close to your victory. When those lies are bombarding your mind, 96 00:05:05,920 --> 00:05:09,000 Speaker 4: you're tempted to get discouraged. You feel like throwing in 97 00:05:09,040 --> 00:05:11,840 Speaker 4: the towel. No, that's not the time to give up. 98 00:05:12,240 --> 00:05:15,000 Speaker 4: That's not the time to back down. That's the time 99 00:05:15,040 --> 00:05:17,800 Speaker 4: to dig your heels in, put on a new attitude. 100 00:05:18,160 --> 00:05:21,520 Speaker 4: You are close to your victory. Now. I know some 101 00:05:21,560 --> 00:05:23,800 Speaker 4: of you have had a lot of things come against you. 102 00:05:24,200 --> 00:05:26,960 Speaker 4: It seems like the more you pray, the worse it gets. 103 00:05:27,400 --> 00:05:30,000 Speaker 4: You're doing the right thing, but the wrong thing's happening. 104 00:05:30,560 --> 00:05:34,800 Speaker 4: Maybe you're treating somebody kind and respectful, but they're being 105 00:05:34,880 --> 00:05:38,159 Speaker 4: kind of discourteous back to you. The easy thing is 106 00:05:38,200 --> 00:05:40,520 Speaker 4: to say forget it. I don't have to put up 107 00:05:40,560 --> 00:05:44,160 Speaker 4: with this. This marriage is never gonna work, I'll never 108 00:05:44,240 --> 00:05:46,440 Speaker 4: be able to raise this child, or I don't like 109 00:05:46,560 --> 00:05:50,720 Speaker 4: this job. No, instead of getting discouraged, instead of going 110 00:05:50,760 --> 00:05:54,120 Speaker 4: around all sour, you need to have the attitude. I've 111 00:05:54,160 --> 00:05:57,479 Speaker 4: come too far to stop now, I've been through too 112 00:05:57,520 --> 00:06:01,760 Speaker 4: much to back down. I realize the reason the intensity 113 00:06:01,800 --> 00:06:04,440 Speaker 4: has been turned up is because I'm about to give 114 00:06:04,480 --> 00:06:07,880 Speaker 4: birth to my dreams. I talked to a couple just 115 00:06:08,000 --> 00:06:11,520 Speaker 4: last week, and they told how their son had gotten 116 00:06:11,520 --> 00:06:14,240 Speaker 4: on the wrong course. He was running with the wrong 117 00:06:14,320 --> 00:06:17,719 Speaker 4: crowd and had some addictions he needed to overcome, and 118 00:06:17,760 --> 00:06:20,480 Speaker 4: they were doing everything they could to help him. They 119 00:06:20,520 --> 00:06:22,960 Speaker 4: found him a new place to live, away from his 120 00:06:23,080 --> 00:06:26,159 Speaker 4: old friends. They got him involved in a support group. 121 00:06:26,480 --> 00:06:29,360 Speaker 4: They were praying more than ever, but they said, Joel, 122 00:06:29,400 --> 00:06:32,520 Speaker 4: it seems like the more we pray, the more we try, 123 00:06:32,680 --> 00:06:36,080 Speaker 4: the more we believe, the worse he gets. They were 124 00:06:36,120 --> 00:06:39,479 Speaker 4: so concerned, but I told them what I'm telling you. 125 00:06:39,800 --> 00:06:43,240 Speaker 4: The reason the intensity has been turned up is because 126 00:06:43,279 --> 00:06:46,400 Speaker 4: you're close to your victory. The enemy would not be 127 00:06:46,480 --> 00:06:50,280 Speaker 4: fighting him so hard if he didn't already know he 128 00:06:50,320 --> 00:06:52,800 Speaker 4: was about to lose his grip on him. If you 129 00:06:52,880 --> 00:06:56,400 Speaker 4: will keep believing, keep hoping, keep doing the right thing. 130 00:06:56,800 --> 00:06:59,720 Speaker 4: Before long, you'll give it that final push, and you'll 131 00:06:59,760 --> 00:07:03,080 Speaker 4: see the situation turn around. You'll see that promise come 132 00:07:03,120 --> 00:07:06,720 Speaker 4: to pass. It's just like a woman that's having a baby. 133 00:07:07,279 --> 00:07:10,480 Speaker 4: The first month or two is not that difficult, it's 134 00:07:10,560 --> 00:07:13,080 Speaker 4: no big deal. She looks and feels just the same. 135 00:07:13,640 --> 00:07:15,640 Speaker 4: But then in a few months she starts to gain 136 00:07:15,680 --> 00:07:18,760 Speaker 4: the weight she has to carry around the extra pounds. 137 00:07:19,200 --> 00:07:22,800 Speaker 4: Her feet may swell up, her back may hurt, she 138 00:07:22,920 --> 00:07:26,840 Speaker 4: may have some nausea, some morning sickness. By the eighth 139 00:07:26,960 --> 00:07:30,240 Speaker 4: or the ninth month, husbands, you know, you better give 140 00:07:30,280 --> 00:07:34,480 Speaker 4: that woman some space. Don't mess with mama, don't back 141 00:07:34,520 --> 00:07:37,480 Speaker 4: talk her. Just do what she says, and nobody will 142 00:07:37,480 --> 00:07:43,160 Speaker 4: get hurt. It gets more and more uncomfortable. But then 143 00:07:43,320 --> 00:07:47,640 Speaker 4: when her water breaks and she goes into labor, all 144 00:07:47,720 --> 00:07:52,600 Speaker 4: those other challenges seem insignificant compared to the difficulty of 145 00:07:52,640 --> 00:07:56,440 Speaker 4: giving birth. I remember when Victoria was in labor with 146 00:07:56,520 --> 00:07:59,880 Speaker 4: our first child, our son, Jonathan. She was holding on 147 00:08:00,160 --> 00:08:02,920 Speaker 4: my arm right here, so tight, and when she'd have 148 00:08:02,960 --> 00:08:06,880 Speaker 4: a contraction, she would squeeze my arm and she would scream, 149 00:08:07,120 --> 00:08:11,520 Speaker 4: and I would scream. I wanted to mention to her 150 00:08:11,600 --> 00:08:15,080 Speaker 4: that it was hurting me, but I feared for my life. 151 00:08:16,520 --> 00:08:19,560 Speaker 4: But the truth be known, when a woman is in labor, 152 00:08:19,920 --> 00:08:22,800 Speaker 4: if she had a choice, she'd probably say, I don't 153 00:08:22,840 --> 00:08:25,480 Speaker 4: want to do this anymore. It's too difficult. I can't 154 00:08:25,520 --> 00:08:28,640 Speaker 4: stand it. But no, she doesn't have a choice. The doctor, 155 00:08:28,680 --> 00:08:31,920 Speaker 4: the nurse, the husband keeps saying push, push, push. Before long, 156 00:08:32,000 --> 00:08:35,160 Speaker 4: she pushes that baby out, and in a few minutes 157 00:08:35,280 --> 00:08:38,920 Speaker 4: she forgets all about the pain because she's holding the promise. 158 00:08:39,200 --> 00:08:42,320 Speaker 4: She's holding that little child. And really it's the same 159 00:08:42,520 --> 00:08:48,079 Speaker 4: principle in life, the same principle in life. The greatest 160 00:08:48,160 --> 00:08:52,559 Speaker 4: difficulty is always right before the birth, before we see 161 00:08:52,559 --> 00:08:56,360 Speaker 4: a new level of God's favor. Don't be surprised if 162 00:08:56,600 --> 00:09:00,400 Speaker 4: things come against you to try to discourage You'll try 163 00:09:00,400 --> 00:09:02,600 Speaker 4: to talk you out of your dreams, to convince you 164 00:09:02,640 --> 00:09:05,439 Speaker 4: to just settle where you are. Some of you right 165 00:09:05,520 --> 00:09:08,719 Speaker 4: now you don't realize it, but you're in labor. You're 166 00:09:08,760 --> 00:09:11,280 Speaker 4: about to give birth to what God's put in your heart. 167 00:09:11,720 --> 00:09:15,200 Speaker 4: That's why it's such a struggle. You're in that final push. 168 00:09:15,800 --> 00:09:18,400 Speaker 4: Maybe at work you're doing the right thing, going the 169 00:09:18,440 --> 00:09:21,559 Speaker 4: extra mile, but you got passed over for that promotion. 170 00:09:21,800 --> 00:09:25,480 Speaker 4: It wasn't fair. What was that a labor pain? Just 171 00:09:25,520 --> 00:09:28,800 Speaker 4: push through it. Maybe you wanted to start that new business, 172 00:09:29,040 --> 00:09:32,280 Speaker 4: but your partner backed out, the financing didn't come through. 173 00:09:32,320 --> 00:09:36,080 Speaker 4: What was that another labor pain. If you'll keep pushing, 174 00:09:36,400 --> 00:09:41,199 Speaker 4: keep believing, keep hoping, before long, like that woman, you're 175 00:09:41,240 --> 00:09:44,040 Speaker 4: going to push that promise out. Now. I know some 176 00:09:44,120 --> 00:09:46,800 Speaker 4: of you today you feel like you've never had such 177 00:09:46,800 --> 00:09:50,480 Speaker 4: a struggle, maybe in your finances, or your health, or 178 00:09:50,520 --> 00:09:53,559 Speaker 4: your relationships. You could say, Joel, this is the greatest 179 00:09:53,600 --> 00:09:57,400 Speaker 4: attack that I've ever faced. But instead of getting down 180 00:09:57,520 --> 00:09:59,960 Speaker 4: and thinking poor old me, learn to turn it aroun 181 00:10:00,640 --> 00:10:03,199 Speaker 4: and say, yes, this is the greatest attack that I've 182 00:10:03,240 --> 00:10:06,440 Speaker 4: ever been through. But I know that means I'm headed 183 00:10:06,559 --> 00:10:10,360 Speaker 4: for the greatest victory that I've ever seen. Remember it's 184 00:10:10,440 --> 00:10:14,280 Speaker 4: always darkest right before the dawn. You're about to give 185 00:10:14,400 --> 00:10:18,720 Speaker 4: birth to that promise. Not long ago, I was in Colorado. 186 00:10:19,280 --> 00:10:21,480 Speaker 4: I got up early one morning to go for a hike, 187 00:10:21,760 --> 00:10:24,320 Speaker 4: and there was this mountain trail that was about three 188 00:10:24,440 --> 00:10:25,280 Speaker 4: miles up. 189 00:10:25,720 --> 00:10:25,800 Speaker 3: Now. 190 00:10:25,840 --> 00:10:27,960 Speaker 4: At the base, there was a sign that said it 191 00:10:27,960 --> 00:10:30,400 Speaker 4: should take about three hours to get to the top. 192 00:10:30,880 --> 00:10:32,840 Speaker 4: And when I looked at the mountain. It was kind 193 00:10:32,840 --> 00:10:37,880 Speaker 4: of intimidating. It was not only extremely steep, but the altitude, 194 00:10:37,920 --> 00:10:41,319 Speaker 4: even at the base was eight thousand feet above sea level, 195 00:10:41,480 --> 00:10:44,080 Speaker 4: and it went up to nearly eleven thousand feet and 196 00:10:44,240 --> 00:10:46,960 Speaker 4: just walking up the stairs, I could feel myself breathing 197 00:10:47,040 --> 00:10:49,680 Speaker 4: heavier than normal. I wasn't real sure that I could 198 00:10:49,720 --> 00:10:52,080 Speaker 4: make it to the top, but I started out with 199 00:10:52,200 --> 00:10:55,160 Speaker 4: just my cell phone and a bottle of water. I 200 00:10:55,200 --> 00:10:58,240 Speaker 4: had a pretty good pace. Going first fifteen minutes seemed 201 00:10:58,280 --> 00:11:01,920 Speaker 4: fairly easy. The next fifteen minutes got a little more difficult. 202 00:11:02,520 --> 00:11:05,280 Speaker 4: I was breathing heavier and had to stop every so 203 00:11:05,400 --> 00:11:08,800 Speaker 4: often to catch my breath. Now, about forty five minutes in, 204 00:11:09,320 --> 00:11:13,199 Speaker 4: the trail got extremely steep, almost like I was climbing 205 00:11:13,240 --> 00:11:16,319 Speaker 4: straight up. And I'm in shape, I'm a runner, but 206 00:11:16,400 --> 00:11:20,200 Speaker 4: my legs were burning, my chest was pounding, and I 207 00:11:20,240 --> 00:11:24,040 Speaker 4: thought to myself, if there's another two hours like this, 208 00:11:24,559 --> 00:11:26,520 Speaker 4: I don't know if I'm gonna make it. And I 209 00:11:26,679 --> 00:11:29,360 Speaker 4: just come over this big ridge and I had to 210 00:11:29,360 --> 00:11:31,760 Speaker 4: stop to catch my breath, and I could feel that 211 00:11:31,800 --> 00:11:34,760 Speaker 4: sweat pouring off of my body. And the whole time, 212 00:11:35,120 --> 00:11:38,240 Speaker 4: all morning, I had not seen anyone else on the path. 213 00:11:38,800 --> 00:11:41,840 Speaker 4: But about that time, this older gentleman came around the 214 00:11:41,880 --> 00:11:46,840 Speaker 4: curve coming down the mountain. He said one little phrase 215 00:11:46,920 --> 00:11:50,560 Speaker 4: to me that totally changed my perspective. He didn't know 216 00:11:50,600 --> 00:11:53,160 Speaker 4: where I was headed, he didn't know what I was thinking. 217 00:11:53,720 --> 00:11:56,760 Speaker 4: But as he passed me, he smiled and said, in 218 00:11:56,800 --> 00:12:00,880 Speaker 4: a real calm voice, you are closer than you think. 219 00:12:01,800 --> 00:12:05,120 Speaker 4: When he said that, it was like new life was 220 00:12:05,160 --> 00:12:08,240 Speaker 4: breathed into my lungs. I could feel strength going into 221 00:12:08,240 --> 00:12:11,719 Speaker 4: my legs, energy coming into my body. I had that 222 00:12:11,880 --> 00:12:15,880 Speaker 4: second wind, and from then on out, with every stride, 223 00:12:16,000 --> 00:12:19,760 Speaker 4: I kept telling myself, I'm closer than I think. Even 224 00:12:19,840 --> 00:12:22,000 Speaker 4: though it was difficult, even though it was hurting, I 225 00:12:22,120 --> 00:12:24,840 Speaker 4: kept saying, I'm almost to the top. I know I'm 226 00:12:24,840 --> 00:12:28,200 Speaker 4: going to make it. Sure enough, just ten minutes later, 227 00:12:28,440 --> 00:12:30,680 Speaker 4: I came over these big boulders and I could see 228 00:12:30,720 --> 00:12:33,120 Speaker 4: the top. I made it in just under an hour. 229 00:12:33,480 --> 00:12:37,520 Speaker 4: But what's my message? Without his words, I might have 230 00:12:37,600 --> 00:12:42,320 Speaker 4: turned around, without his encouragement, without his insight, I might 231 00:12:42,320 --> 00:12:45,760 Speaker 4: have talked myself out of it. After all, I thought 232 00:12:46,000 --> 00:12:48,680 Speaker 4: I had two more hours to go, but all I 233 00:12:48,760 --> 00:12:52,440 Speaker 4: really had was ten more minutes. Now I believe God 234 00:12:52,679 --> 00:12:55,800 Speaker 4: is saying the same thing to every one of you. 235 00:12:55,800 --> 00:12:59,680 Speaker 4: You are closer than you think. I don't know where 236 00:12:59,720 --> 00:13:03,679 Speaker 4: you're headed, what your dreams are, how many obstacles you 237 00:13:03,800 --> 00:13:07,360 Speaker 4: have to overcome, But let these words sink deep down 238 00:13:07,800 --> 00:13:11,760 Speaker 4: into your spirit, receive them by faith. You are closer 239 00:13:12,200 --> 00:13:15,840 Speaker 4: than you think. That means now is not the time 240 00:13:16,000 --> 00:13:19,480 Speaker 4: to talk yourself out of it. Now is not the 241 00:13:19,559 --> 00:13:23,800 Speaker 4: time to get discouraged. You may think, like I did, 242 00:13:24,160 --> 00:13:27,080 Speaker 4: that you're not even halfway there. You got so far 243 00:13:27,240 --> 00:13:30,040 Speaker 4: to go, but you don't know. It may just be 244 00:13:30,280 --> 00:13:32,920 Speaker 4: up around the corner. You may think it's going to 245 00:13:32,960 --> 00:13:35,760 Speaker 4: be another two years, but if you stay in faith, 246 00:13:35,760 --> 00:13:38,840 Speaker 4: who knows, it may just be two more months. You 247 00:13:38,880 --> 00:13:41,920 Speaker 4: may have struggled with that addiction since you were a teenager, 248 00:13:42,320 --> 00:13:44,680 Speaker 4: but you don't know how close you are to breaking it. 249 00:13:45,520 --> 00:13:48,880 Speaker 4: God is wanting to breathe new life into your dreams. 250 00:13:49,280 --> 00:13:52,920 Speaker 4: He's wanting to breathe new hope into your heart. Some 251 00:13:52,960 --> 00:13:55,600 Speaker 4: of you are about to give up on a marriage, 252 00:13:55,920 --> 00:13:59,120 Speaker 4: on a child, on a goal. But God is saying, 253 00:13:59,400 --> 00:14:02,240 Speaker 4: if you'll get that's your second win. If you'll put 254 00:14:02,280 --> 00:14:05,800 Speaker 4: on a new attitude and press forward like you're headed 255 00:14:05,840 --> 00:14:09,240 Speaker 4: down the final stretch, you'll see God begin to do 256 00:14:09,320 --> 00:14:13,320 Speaker 4: amazing things. You may be tired, you may be tempted 257 00:14:13,360 --> 00:14:16,079 Speaker 4: to get discouraged, but you've got to shake that off 258 00:14:16,360 --> 00:14:20,320 Speaker 4: and start talking to yourself instead of saying things like, Man, 259 00:14:20,360 --> 00:14:23,360 Speaker 4: I'm never gonna get there, I'm never gonna break this addiction. 260 00:14:23,440 --> 00:14:25,920 Speaker 4: I'm never gonna get out of this problem. No, your 261 00:14:25,960 --> 00:14:29,880 Speaker 4: declaration should be I am closer than I think. I 262 00:14:29,960 --> 00:14:34,440 Speaker 4: know I can raise this child, I can overcome this sickness. 263 00:14:34,760 --> 00:14:38,400 Speaker 4: I can make this business work. Weeping may endure for 264 00:14:38,440 --> 00:14:41,360 Speaker 4: a night, but I know joy is coming in the morning. 265 00:14:42,680 --> 00:14:46,080 Speaker 4: You got to get up each day knowing this could 266 00:14:46,120 --> 00:14:49,120 Speaker 4: be the day you get the break you need. This 267 00:14:49,160 --> 00:14:51,480 Speaker 4: could be the day you see your health start to 268 00:14:51,520 --> 00:14:54,400 Speaker 4: turn around. This could be the day your child comes 269 00:14:54,440 --> 00:14:57,560 Speaker 4: back home. You single people, this could be the day 270 00:14:57,840 --> 00:15:02,320 Speaker 4: you meet the man or woman of your dream. Zachariah nine, 271 00:15:02,400 --> 00:15:06,480 Speaker 4: verse twelve says that we should be prisoners of hope. 272 00:15:06,560 --> 00:15:09,320 Speaker 4: It's easy to give up, it's easy to get discouraged. 273 00:15:09,680 --> 00:15:12,560 Speaker 4: But God wants us to be so full of hope, 274 00:15:12,640 --> 00:15:16,480 Speaker 4: so full of expectancy, that we just can't help believing 275 00:15:16,560 --> 00:15:20,040 Speaker 4: for the best. When you're a prisoner of something. It's 276 00:15:20,160 --> 00:15:23,040 Speaker 4: like your chain to it. In other words, you can't 277 00:15:23,040 --> 00:15:26,400 Speaker 4: get away from it. I know people that are prisoners 278 00:15:26,440 --> 00:15:31,320 Speaker 4: of fear, prisoners of worry, prisoners of doubt. You've heard them. 279 00:15:31,600 --> 00:15:35,080 Speaker 4: Nothing good ever happens to me. It's never gonna change, Joel. 280 00:15:35,080 --> 00:15:38,480 Speaker 4: It's just been too long. No, you're chained to the 281 00:15:38,520 --> 00:15:42,000 Speaker 4: wrong thing. You need to break those chains and become 282 00:15:42,040 --> 00:15:45,880 Speaker 4: a prisoner of hope. That means, no matter how long 283 00:15:45,960 --> 00:15:50,160 Speaker 4: it's taken, no matter how impossible it looks, our attitude 284 00:15:50,200 --> 00:15:52,760 Speaker 4: should be. I just can't help it. I know it's 285 00:15:52,800 --> 00:15:56,400 Speaker 4: gonna work out. I know I'm gonna overcome. It may 286 00:15:56,440 --> 00:15:59,200 Speaker 4: be taken a long time, but I know this too 287 00:15:59,240 --> 00:16:02,840 Speaker 4: shall pass. It may be difficult, but I know that 288 00:16:02,920 --> 00:16:06,320 Speaker 4: means I'm close to my victory. Somebody says to you, 289 00:16:06,560 --> 00:16:09,640 Speaker 4: what is it with you? You think everything's gonna work out, 290 00:16:10,040 --> 00:16:12,680 Speaker 4: You think you're always gonna succeed. Just tell them I 291 00:16:12,720 --> 00:16:16,320 Speaker 4: don't think so. I know. So I'm a prisoner of hope. 292 00:16:16,400 --> 00:16:19,440 Speaker 4: I can't get away from it. I just can't make 293 00:16:19,520 --> 00:16:23,120 Speaker 4: myself get negative. I just can't make myself start complaining. 294 00:16:23,520 --> 00:16:26,840 Speaker 4: I've got this hope that's feeding my faith, this hope 295 00:16:26,840 --> 00:16:30,400 Speaker 4: that's constantly lifting my spirits. They may say, well, I 296 00:16:30,400 --> 00:16:33,240 Speaker 4: don't know why I saw the medical report doesn't look 297 00:16:33,280 --> 00:16:36,400 Speaker 4: good for you. Yes, but I've got another report. It 298 00:16:36,480 --> 00:16:40,440 Speaker 4: says God is restoring health back in the mail. Well, 299 00:16:40,520 --> 00:16:42,520 Speaker 4: I saw your child. I don't think he'll ever do 300 00:16:42,640 --> 00:16:46,040 Speaker 4: what's right. No, I've got another report. It says, as 301 00:16:46,080 --> 00:16:48,440 Speaker 4: for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. 302 00:16:49,520 --> 00:16:52,960 Speaker 4: And understand. You may not see any of this in 303 00:16:53,040 --> 00:16:55,840 Speaker 4: the natural. It may not look like it's going to 304 00:16:55,880 --> 00:16:59,600 Speaker 4: come to pass, but that's okay. The scripture says we 305 00:16:59,640 --> 00:17:03,680 Speaker 4: walk by faith and not by sight. That means we 306 00:17:03,720 --> 00:17:06,920 Speaker 4: don't have to see it to believe it. It's just the opposite. 307 00:17:07,200 --> 00:17:10,040 Speaker 4: If we'll believe it, then we'll start to see it. 308 00:17:10,880 --> 00:17:14,200 Speaker 4: You need to take those dreams, those promises God's put 309 00:17:14,240 --> 00:17:17,960 Speaker 4: in your heart, and every day declare that they are 310 00:17:18,000 --> 00:17:20,879 Speaker 4: going to come to pass. Just say something like, Father, 311 00:17:21,240 --> 00:17:24,159 Speaker 4: I want to thank you that my payday is coming. 312 00:17:24,720 --> 00:17:27,639 Speaker 4: You said, no good thing, will you withhold because I 313 00:17:27,760 --> 00:17:30,840 Speaker 4: walk up rightly and I believe even right now you're 314 00:17:30,920 --> 00:17:35,080 Speaker 4: arranging things in my favor. Let me ask you, what 315 00:17:35,160 --> 00:17:39,280 Speaker 4: are you? A prisoner of fear? Worry, self, pity, negativity. 316 00:17:39,880 --> 00:17:43,600 Speaker 4: No break those chains and become a prisoner of hope. 317 00:17:43,800 --> 00:17:47,359 Speaker 4: Expect God's favor, believe that He's working in your life 318 00:17:47,680 --> 00:17:51,000 Speaker 4: even right now. I read about this experiment that was 319 00:17:51,040 --> 00:17:54,840 Speaker 4: done with these rats. The researchers wanted to see how 320 00:17:54,880 --> 00:17:58,560 Speaker 4: their attitude affected their will to live. And so they 321 00:17:58,560 --> 00:18:00,439 Speaker 4: took this rat and put him in a life large 322 00:18:00,480 --> 00:18:03,359 Speaker 4: tub of water with high sides that he could not 323 00:18:03,440 --> 00:18:06,480 Speaker 4: get out. And they put that tub in a totally 324 00:18:06,680 --> 00:18:10,080 Speaker 4: dark room, and they timed how long the rat would 325 00:18:10,160 --> 00:18:13,600 Speaker 4: keep swimming before he gave up. The rat lasted a 326 00:18:13,600 --> 00:18:17,399 Speaker 4: little over three minutes. They then put another rat in 327 00:18:17,480 --> 00:18:21,000 Speaker 4: the same tub, but this time they allowed a bright 328 00:18:21,240 --> 00:18:24,680 Speaker 4: ray of light to shine into the room. That rat 329 00:18:24,880 --> 00:18:29,440 Speaker 4: swam over thirty six hours, seven hundred times more than 330 00:18:29,440 --> 00:18:33,000 Speaker 4: the rat with no light. Why was that the rat 331 00:18:33,080 --> 00:18:36,640 Speaker 4: with no light had no hope? When he looked into 332 00:18:36,720 --> 00:18:40,440 Speaker 4: his future, he didn't see anything. There wasn't any reason 333 00:18:40,520 --> 00:18:44,080 Speaker 4: worth living for. And that's what happens when we don't 334 00:18:44,119 --> 00:18:48,360 Speaker 4: get up expecting God's favor, knowing that we can overcome 335 00:18:48,400 --> 00:18:52,560 Speaker 4: our obstacles, believing that God's in control. We lose our passion. 336 00:18:52,920 --> 00:18:56,359 Speaker 4: We lose our enthusiasm. And that's why it's so important, 337 00:18:56,840 --> 00:19:01,720 Speaker 4: especially in times of difficulty, to keep remind yourself that 338 00:19:01,880 --> 00:19:06,040 Speaker 4: the creator of the universe is directing my steps. He 339 00:19:06,200 --> 00:19:08,800 Speaker 4: has me in the palm of his hands. And even 340 00:19:08,840 --> 00:19:11,639 Speaker 4: though this is difficult, I know it's just a matter 341 00:19:11,680 --> 00:19:15,320 Speaker 4: of time before it turns around. I know my payday 342 00:19:15,720 --> 00:19:18,240 Speaker 4: is coming. Some of you are just about to give 343 00:19:18,320 --> 00:19:20,879 Speaker 4: up on a dream. You think it's been too long, 344 00:19:21,320 --> 00:19:24,920 Speaker 4: it's never gonna change, it's never gonna work out. You've 345 00:19:24,960 --> 00:19:29,080 Speaker 4: got to get your fireback. Fan that flame. That dream 346 00:19:29,320 --> 00:19:32,720 Speaker 4: is still alive, even though it's taken a long time. 347 00:19:32,960 --> 00:19:35,919 Speaker 4: The good news is God still has a way to 348 00:19:35,960 --> 00:19:39,840 Speaker 4: bring it to pass. Several years ago, Victoria lost a 349 00:19:39,920 --> 00:19:42,600 Speaker 4: ring that her mother had given her. It was a 350 00:19:42,640 --> 00:19:46,119 Speaker 4: diamond band that had been in the family for several generations, 351 00:19:46,400 --> 00:19:49,520 Speaker 4: and although it was valuable, it had even more sentimental 352 00:19:49,600 --> 00:19:52,520 Speaker 4: value to us. And sometimes when we go on trips, 353 00:19:52,760 --> 00:19:55,960 Speaker 4: Victoria would hide the ring different places in our house, 354 00:19:56,560 --> 00:20:00,000 Speaker 4: and so we looked and looked and looked in every drawer, 355 00:20:00,480 --> 00:20:04,920 Speaker 4: in every cabinet. I looked behind couches and in between chairs. 356 00:20:05,160 --> 00:20:07,280 Speaker 4: I mean, I found things that I hadn't seen in 357 00:20:07,320 --> 00:20:12,399 Speaker 4: ten years, but never the ring. After a couple of 358 00:20:12,440 --> 00:20:15,440 Speaker 4: months of looking on and off, I finally had given 359 00:20:15,520 --> 00:20:19,040 Speaker 4: up that ring was nowhere to be found. But every 360 00:20:19,119 --> 00:20:23,119 Speaker 4: few days I would hear Victoria saying, father, thank you 361 00:20:23,240 --> 00:20:25,960 Speaker 4: that I'm gonna find my ring, thank you that you're 362 00:20:26,040 --> 00:20:29,320 Speaker 4: leading me and guiding me. And I didn't say anything 363 00:20:29,359 --> 00:20:33,040 Speaker 4: out loud, but inside, being the great man of faith 364 00:20:33,040 --> 00:20:37,240 Speaker 4: that I am, I thought, Victoria, you are wasting your time. 365 00:20:37,760 --> 00:20:40,760 Speaker 4: We have turned this house upside down. That ring is 366 00:20:40,920 --> 00:20:44,199 Speaker 4: just not here. It's funny. Even her mom noticed that 367 00:20:44,240 --> 00:20:46,600 Speaker 4: she wasn't wearing it much anymore, and she asked her 368 00:20:46,600 --> 00:20:49,400 Speaker 4: about it. Victoria said, oh, mom, I've got it put 369 00:20:49,440 --> 00:20:54,119 Speaker 4: away in a really safe place. I thought, yes, so 370 00:20:54,280 --> 00:20:58,040 Speaker 4: safe that we can't even find it. As the months 371 00:20:58,040 --> 00:21:02,480 Speaker 4: went by, I probably heard Victoria talking about how she 372 00:21:02,640 --> 00:21:06,400 Speaker 4: was going to find that ring five hundred times. I 373 00:21:06,480 --> 00:21:09,399 Speaker 4: never once heard her say it's gone. I've lost it. 374 00:21:09,440 --> 00:21:12,680 Speaker 4: What am I gonna do? She had the attitude, I'm 375 00:21:12,800 --> 00:21:16,280 Speaker 4: closer than I think I know. Any day that ring 376 00:21:16,480 --> 00:21:20,240 Speaker 4: is going to show up. Three years later, we were 377 00:21:20,320 --> 00:21:25,240 Speaker 4: driving home from Victoria, Texas, two hours south of Houston. 378 00:21:25,520 --> 00:21:27,680 Speaker 4: We had just ministered for my brother in law, Jim, 379 00:21:27,760 --> 00:21:31,479 Speaker 4: and my sister Tamroy. Driving on the freeway eleven o'clock 380 00:21:31,520 --> 00:21:34,960 Speaker 4: at night, Victoria said, Joel, you better slow down. You're 381 00:21:35,000 --> 00:21:36,960 Speaker 4: gonna get a ticket. I said, I'm not going to 382 00:21:37,000 --> 00:21:39,440 Speaker 4: get a ticket. I'm only going seventy. The speed limit 383 00:21:39,520 --> 00:21:43,200 Speaker 4: sixty five. She said, no, the speed limit sixty at night. 384 00:21:43,400 --> 00:21:45,600 Speaker 4: I said, no, it's sixty five. She said, Joel, I'm 385 00:21:45,600 --> 00:21:48,080 Speaker 4: telling you you need to slow down. I kind of 386 00:21:48,160 --> 00:21:50,800 Speaker 4: laughed and said, Victoria, I've got the favor of God. 387 00:21:50,840 --> 00:21:55,080 Speaker 4: I'm not gonna get a ticket. But God has a 388 00:21:55,119 --> 00:21:58,400 Speaker 4: sense of humor, because just about that time, I looked 389 00:21:58,440 --> 00:22:00,359 Speaker 4: in my rear view mirror and I said, all the 390 00:22:00,400 --> 00:22:04,879 Speaker 4: red flashing lights. I looked at Victoria and said, you 391 00:22:05,000 --> 00:22:09,720 Speaker 4: made me get this ticket. The officer came up. He 392 00:22:09,800 --> 00:22:13,439 Speaker 4: was a real nice, polite young man. He said, I 393 00:22:13,440 --> 00:22:16,080 Speaker 4: need to see your driver's license. I gave it to him. 394 00:22:16,280 --> 00:22:18,760 Speaker 4: He said, are you the minister? I said I am. 395 00:22:19,400 --> 00:22:22,240 Speaker 4: He said, did you speak at Faith Family Church tonight? 396 00:22:22,320 --> 00:22:24,960 Speaker 4: I said I did. That's my sister's church. He said, 397 00:22:25,000 --> 00:22:28,000 Speaker 4: I know. My father was there. He's the head usher. 398 00:22:28,560 --> 00:22:31,280 Speaker 4: I said, oh man, that's great. He was so nice 399 00:22:31,320 --> 00:22:34,040 Speaker 4: to me. I had to repent later. I didn't know 400 00:22:34,080 --> 00:22:37,359 Speaker 4: him from Adam. He kind of laughed and said, well, 401 00:22:37,359 --> 00:22:39,920 Speaker 4: I need to see your insurance card. And so Victoria 402 00:22:40,040 --> 00:22:43,040 Speaker 4: started digging and digging through the glove compartment. You know, 403 00:22:43,119 --> 00:22:45,600 Speaker 4: it was dark, and we a little uptight about being 404 00:22:45,680 --> 00:22:48,520 Speaker 4: pulled over. Seemed like we could find every card except 405 00:22:48,560 --> 00:22:50,960 Speaker 4: the right one. And so Victoria started taking all the 406 00:22:51,000 --> 00:22:53,800 Speaker 4: stuff out and moving it around. And at one point 407 00:22:53,840 --> 00:22:56,280 Speaker 4: she reached way back in there with her little finger 408 00:22:56,600 --> 00:22:59,080 Speaker 4: in the crack of the glove compartment, in the dark, 409 00:22:59,160 --> 00:23:02,240 Speaker 4: she felt something. She kept digging and digging. Sure enough, 410 00:23:02,359 --> 00:23:04,760 Speaker 4: she pulled it out. Lo and behold, it was her ring. 411 00:23:07,280 --> 00:23:11,840 Speaker 4: She was so excited, she was so thrilled she forgot 412 00:23:11,880 --> 00:23:15,280 Speaker 4: all about looking for the insurance call. I thought, girl, 413 00:23:15,320 --> 00:23:19,159 Speaker 4: you're rejoicing, and I'm about to go to jail. We 414 00:23:19,240 --> 00:23:22,560 Speaker 4: got to find that card. We finally found it and 415 00:23:22,560 --> 00:23:25,320 Speaker 4: gave it to the officer. He said, Joel, I'm gonna 416 00:23:25,400 --> 00:23:28,080 Speaker 4: let you go. I just have run request. When I 417 00:23:28,160 --> 00:23:30,440 Speaker 4: come visit your church, will you save me a seat? 418 00:23:30,640 --> 00:23:35,360 Speaker 4: I said, officer, I'll save you a whole section. We 419 00:23:35,440 --> 00:23:39,199 Speaker 4: drove off that night, thinking God you are so good. 420 00:23:39,320 --> 00:23:42,040 Speaker 4: I didn't get a ticket and Victoria found her ring. 421 00:23:43,160 --> 00:23:47,760 Speaker 4: But God works in mysterious ways. I thought about it 422 00:23:47,840 --> 00:23:52,040 Speaker 4: later and God caused her to find her ring at 423 00:23:52,119 --> 00:23:57,040 Speaker 4: my expense. But the truth is Victoria stayed in faith. 424 00:23:57,359 --> 00:24:01,159 Speaker 4: She had that attitude. I'm closer than I say. I know. 425 00:24:01,240 --> 00:24:04,360 Speaker 4: This young couple, they wanted to sell their house, and 426 00:24:04,440 --> 00:24:06,560 Speaker 4: several people had looked at it, but they didn't really 427 00:24:06,600 --> 00:24:09,240 Speaker 4: have any good leads, and at that time the market 428 00:24:09,320 --> 00:24:11,639 Speaker 4: was kind of low and people were telling them it 429 00:24:11,680 --> 00:24:14,399 Speaker 4: may take six months, a year, maybe even two years 430 00:24:14,400 --> 00:24:17,760 Speaker 4: to sell. But this couple had that attitude of faith. 431 00:24:17,800 --> 00:24:20,600 Speaker 4: They were prisoners of hope, and even though it didn't 432 00:24:20,640 --> 00:24:24,320 Speaker 4: look good, they kept reminding themselves, we are closer than 433 00:24:24,359 --> 00:24:28,000 Speaker 4: we think. It could happen any day. This man came 434 00:24:28,040 --> 00:24:30,280 Speaker 4: back to look at the house a second time. He 435 00:24:30,359 --> 00:24:32,960 Speaker 4: wanted to spend a couple of hours and really study 436 00:24:33,000 --> 00:24:35,320 Speaker 4: it and see if it was right for him. And 437 00:24:35,359 --> 00:24:38,320 Speaker 4: this young couple debated as to whether they should take 438 00:24:38,400 --> 00:24:42,520 Speaker 4: down their personal pictures, pictures of themselves and their children, 439 00:24:42,800 --> 00:24:45,399 Speaker 4: just so they could remain more private. But after they 440 00:24:45,440 --> 00:24:48,000 Speaker 4: thought about it, they just felt good about leaving those 441 00:24:48,000 --> 00:24:50,800 Speaker 4: pictures where they were. The men came over and looked 442 00:24:50,840 --> 00:24:52,679 Speaker 4: at the house. A couple hours later, they got a 443 00:24:52,680 --> 00:24:55,600 Speaker 4: call from the relator saying the men wanted to purchase 444 00:24:55,600 --> 00:24:59,320 Speaker 4: the house. And what's interesting is this young couple are 445 00:24:59,400 --> 00:25:02,639 Speaker 4: faithful men here at Lakewood. In a while back, we 446 00:25:02,720 --> 00:25:06,040 Speaker 4: took a picture together in the lobby. They framed it 447 00:25:06,119 --> 00:25:09,440 Speaker 4: and put it on the bookshelves at their house. This 448 00:25:09,520 --> 00:25:12,479 Speaker 4: man that purchased the house, he told how he and 449 00:25:12,520 --> 00:25:15,200 Speaker 4: his wife were trying to decide between two different houses, 450 00:25:15,280 --> 00:25:18,560 Speaker 4: going back and forth. But he said, when we saw 451 00:25:18,640 --> 00:25:22,240 Speaker 4: that picture of you and your pastor, we thought these 452 00:25:22,280 --> 00:25:25,359 Speaker 4: people loved God. They go to Lakewood. This must be 453 00:25:25,440 --> 00:25:28,400 Speaker 4: the house for us. That young man told me later 454 00:25:28,480 --> 00:25:31,359 Speaker 4: he said, Joel, did you hear you help me sell 455 00:25:31,480 --> 00:25:35,280 Speaker 4: my house? I said, I heard. Now, let's talk about 456 00:25:35,280 --> 00:25:41,320 Speaker 4: commission the friends. God has all kinds of ways to 457 00:25:41,400 --> 00:25:44,639 Speaker 4: bring your dreams to pass. He can cause a simple 458 00:25:44,720 --> 00:25:47,400 Speaker 4: picture to be at the right place at the right 459 00:25:47,440 --> 00:25:49,960 Speaker 4: time to help you sell a piece of property. He 460 00:25:50,000 --> 00:25:52,439 Speaker 4: can cause a police officer to pull you over in 461 00:25:52,520 --> 00:25:54,720 Speaker 4: the middle of the night and help you find something 462 00:25:54,720 --> 00:25:58,080 Speaker 4: you've been looking for. God is in complete control. I'm 463 00:25:58,119 --> 00:26:01,119 Speaker 4: asking you to be a prisoner of hope. Get up 464 00:26:01,119 --> 00:26:04,920 Speaker 4: each day expecting his favor. When those negative thoughts come 465 00:26:05,400 --> 00:26:08,840 Speaker 4: and it looks impossible, you feel like getting discouraged. Just 466 00:26:08,920 --> 00:26:12,520 Speaker 4: keep telling yourself, I'm closer than I think. Right now, 467 00:26:12,560 --> 00:26:15,560 Speaker 4: the creator of the universe is lining up things in 468 00:26:15,640 --> 00:26:19,399 Speaker 4: my favor, the right people, the right breaks, the right opportunities. 469 00:26:20,000 --> 00:26:22,439 Speaker 4: You say, Joel, I've been through a lot of tough times. 470 00:26:22,560 --> 00:26:25,480 Speaker 4: You're exactly right, You've been through it. Don't stay there, 471 00:26:25,480 --> 00:26:29,200 Speaker 4: put on a new attitude. Disappointments are for a season, 472 00:26:29,480 --> 00:26:33,000 Speaker 4: but God's favor is for a lifetime. I heard about 473 00:26:33,000 --> 00:26:35,520 Speaker 4: this man that had a picture up in his office. 474 00:26:35,960 --> 00:26:38,639 Speaker 4: It was of a large rowboat that had washed up 475 00:26:38,680 --> 00:26:41,760 Speaker 4: on the beach. The two oars were resting gently in 476 00:26:41,840 --> 00:26:44,520 Speaker 4: the sand. You could see the ocean off in the 477 00:26:44,560 --> 00:26:47,680 Speaker 4: distance twenty or thirty feet away. The boat was too 478 00:26:47,720 --> 00:26:51,000 Speaker 4: heavy to drag, too big to move. It was just 479 00:26:51,040 --> 00:26:53,840 Speaker 4: sitting there, stuck. It had washed up during the high 480 00:26:53,880 --> 00:26:58,240 Speaker 4: tide and now it was stranded. The picture wasn't very beautiful, 481 00:26:58,920 --> 00:27:03,320 Speaker 4: wasn't even inspired. In fact, it was very depressing. Hear 482 00:27:03,400 --> 00:27:06,560 Speaker 4: this boat that was created to live in the water, 483 00:27:07,080 --> 00:27:10,959 Speaker 4: to dance on top of the ocean. It was sitting there, lifeless, 484 00:27:11,320 --> 00:27:14,640 Speaker 4: no energy, stuck in the sand. But at the very 485 00:27:14,720 --> 00:27:18,520 Speaker 4: bottom of the picture there was a small caption. If 486 00:27:18,560 --> 00:27:20,800 Speaker 4: you didn't look at it carefully, you might miss it. 487 00:27:21,280 --> 00:27:27,000 Speaker 4: The caption read, the tide always comes back. What's the message? 488 00:27:27,200 --> 00:27:31,760 Speaker 4: When the tide comes back, the seemingly helpless, lifeless boat 489 00:27:32,160 --> 00:27:35,440 Speaker 4: will get a new beginning. It comes back to life. 490 00:27:35,480 --> 00:27:37,800 Speaker 4: A friend saw the picture and said, why did you 491 00:27:37,840 --> 00:27:40,760 Speaker 4: put this up in your office? It's so depressing. The 492 00:27:40,840 --> 00:27:43,520 Speaker 4: man told how he had gone through a great disappointment. 493 00:27:43,800 --> 00:27:46,800 Speaker 4: He didn't think he'd ever be happy again. He saw 494 00:27:46,840 --> 00:27:50,040 Speaker 4: the painting at a small antique store bought it for 495 00:27:50,200 --> 00:27:52,840 Speaker 4: just a few dollars. Nobody else wanted it. It was 496 00:27:52,880 --> 00:27:56,560 Speaker 4: too discouraging looking, But he said, every time I looked 497 00:27:56,560 --> 00:28:01,080 Speaker 4: at it, I said to myself, the tide is coming back. 498 00:28:01,760 --> 00:28:04,959 Speaker 4: What was he doing speaking faith into his heart? He 499 00:28:05,080 --> 00:28:08,920 Speaker 4: was saying, I'm closer than I think. Things are changing 500 00:28:09,040 --> 00:28:12,080 Speaker 4: in my favor. You may be here kind of like 501 00:28:12,119 --> 00:28:16,679 Speaker 4: that man stuck stranded. Things aren't going your way. You 502 00:28:16,680 --> 00:28:19,520 Speaker 4: don't have the energy and enthusiasm that you used to have. 503 00:28:20,200 --> 00:28:23,159 Speaker 4: But you need to hear these words, the tide is 504 00:28:23,200 --> 00:28:27,200 Speaker 4: coming back. God is breathing new life into your dreams. 505 00:28:27,600 --> 00:28:30,159 Speaker 4: You're going to feel the wind of His spirit lifts 506 00:28:30,160 --> 00:28:33,919 Speaker 4: you to where you begin to sell once again. Not 507 00:28:34,160 --> 00:28:37,639 Speaker 4: just endure life barely get by, but to even dance 508 00:28:37,760 --> 00:28:40,080 Speaker 4: on top of the waves. That means to live the 509 00:28:40,640 --> 00:28:43,840 Speaker 4: abundant life that you were created to live. You need 510 00:28:43,880 --> 00:28:47,720 Speaker 4: to start telling yourself every day, my tide is coming back. 511 00:28:48,240 --> 00:28:51,760 Speaker 4: I am closer than I think. It may be difficult, 512 00:28:53,040 --> 00:28:57,160 Speaker 4: but the good news is that difficulty means you're close 513 00:28:57,200 --> 00:29:00,880 Speaker 4: to your victory. Don't give up on that dream, don't 514 00:29:00,880 --> 00:29:03,520 Speaker 4: give up on that marriage, don't give up on living 515 00:29:03,560 --> 00:29:07,160 Speaker 4: a healthy life. It may be difficult, but remember there's 516 00:29:07,200 --> 00:29:10,840 Speaker 4: a reward for staying in faith. God promises your payday 517 00:29:11,200 --> 00:29:13,560 Speaker 4: is on its way. If you'll learn to be this 518 00:29:13,720 --> 00:29:17,240 Speaker 4: prisoner of hope and get up every day expecting God's favor, 519 00:29:17,680 --> 00:29:20,840 Speaker 4: You'll see God begin to do amazing things. You'll overcome 520 00:29:20,880 --> 00:29:24,719 Speaker 4: every obstacle, you'll defeat every enemy, and I believe and 521 00:29:24,760 --> 00:29:28,280 Speaker 4: declare you'll see every dream, every promise God's put in 522 00:29:28,320 --> 00:29:31,120 Speaker 4: your heart, it will come to pass. Amen. If you 523 00:29:31,200 --> 00:29:33,080 Speaker 4: receive it. Can you give the Lord a shout of 524 00:29:33,120 --> 00:29:36,920 Speaker 4: praise today. Thanks so much for listening to today's message. 525 00:29:37,000 --> 00:29:39,800 Speaker 4: I hope you'll subscribe so you can receive the latest 526 00:29:39,840 --> 00:29:43,320 Speaker 4: podcast to keep you encouraged and inspired all through the week. 527 00:29:43,480 --> 00:29:45,680 Speaker 5: Help us to continue to share the message of hope 528 00:29:45,720 --> 00:29:49,160 Speaker 5: with those all around the world. Visit Joelosting dot com 529 00:29:49,280 --> 00:29:51,920 Speaker 5: or click the link in the description to partner with 530 00:29:52,000 --> 00:29:52,520 Speaker 5: us today. 531 00:29:52,760 --> 00:29:55,200 Speaker 4: We hope you'll share this message with a friend and 532 00:29:55,280 --> 00:29:58,080 Speaker 4: be sure to follow us on social media. We're praying 533 00:29:58,160 --> 00:30:01,280 Speaker 4: for you. I know God's best toy still ahead. We'll 534 00:30:01,280 --> 00:30:02,080 Speaker 4: see you next time. 535 00:30:04,440 --> 00:30:07,560 Speaker 6: Did you know you can be happier enjoying watermelon? 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