1 00:00:00,680 --> 00:00:02,680 Speaker 1: Victoria and I are always blessed to have you join 2 00:00:02,759 --> 00:00:05,040 Speaker 1: us for the podcast and know that we pray for 3 00:00:05,120 --> 00:00:07,200 Speaker 1: you and just speaking blessings over you and your family. 4 00:00:07,360 --> 00:00:09,119 Speaker 1: It is such a joy to know that you are 5 00:00:09,160 --> 00:00:11,280 Speaker 1: out there putting the word of God in you. I 6 00:00:11,320 --> 00:00:16,120 Speaker 1: know you're gonna love this message. God bless you. It's 7 00:00:16,120 --> 00:00:18,640 Speaker 1: a joy to come into your homes and you're ever 8 00:00:18,720 --> 00:00:21,079 Speaker 1: in our area. Please stop buying, be a part of 9 00:00:21,120 --> 00:00:23,599 Speaker 1: one of our services. I promise you we'll make you 10 00:00:23,640 --> 00:00:26,160 Speaker 1: feel right at home. But thanks so much for tuning in. 11 00:00:26,480 --> 00:00:28,960 Speaker 1: Thank you again for coming out. I like to start 12 00:00:29,000 --> 00:00:32,159 Speaker 1: with something funny, and I heard about this husband. He 13 00:00:32,240 --> 00:00:35,400 Speaker 1: was quietly reading the newspaper when his wife walked up 14 00:00:35,440 --> 00:00:37,519 Speaker 1: behind him and hit him on the head with a 15 00:00:37,560 --> 00:00:41,360 Speaker 1: frying pan. He said, what was that for? She said, 16 00:00:41,360 --> 00:00:43,320 Speaker 1: that was for the piece of paper I found in 17 00:00:43,360 --> 00:00:47,120 Speaker 1: your pocket with the name Mary Lou on it. He said, oh, honey, 18 00:00:47,200 --> 00:00:49,080 Speaker 1: that's just one of the horses that I bet on 19 00:00:49,200 --> 00:00:53,120 Speaker 1: at the racetrack last week. She apologized, went about her business. 20 00:00:53,440 --> 00:00:55,560 Speaker 1: Two days later, she hit him on the head with 21 00:00:55,600 --> 00:00:59,000 Speaker 1: a bigger frying pan. When he came to he said, 22 00:00:59,000 --> 00:01:01,760 Speaker 1: what in the world was that for she said, your 23 00:01:01,800 --> 00:01:08,520 Speaker 1: horse just called. That's not inspiring at all. But say 24 00:01:08,560 --> 00:01:11,480 Speaker 1: it like you mean it. This is my Bible. I 25 00:01:11,520 --> 00:01:13,760 Speaker 1: am what it says I am. I have what it 26 00:01:13,800 --> 00:01:16,240 Speaker 1: says I have. I can do what it says I 27 00:01:16,240 --> 00:01:19,319 Speaker 1: can do. Today I will be talked the word of God. 28 00:01:19,840 --> 00:01:24,160 Speaker 1: I boldly confess. My mind is alert, my heart is receptive. 29 00:01:24,520 --> 00:01:28,200 Speaker 1: I will never be the same. In Jesus' name, God 30 00:01:28,280 --> 00:01:31,760 Speaker 1: bless you. I want to talk to you today about 31 00:01:32,200 --> 00:01:36,440 Speaker 1: don't fight it. We all face situations that we don't like. 32 00:01:37,120 --> 00:01:40,640 Speaker 1: Somebody's not treating us right. Business is not growing as 33 00:01:40,640 --> 00:01:43,400 Speaker 1: fast as we had hoped. We're seeing God and still 34 00:01:43,400 --> 00:01:47,559 Speaker 1: haven't met anyone. It's easy to live uptight, all wrought 35 00:01:47,640 --> 00:01:51,440 Speaker 1: up on the inside. We don't understand why it's taken 36 00:01:51,520 --> 00:01:55,760 Speaker 1: so long, why this person hasn't changed, why our prayers 37 00:01:55,840 --> 00:02:01,040 Speaker 1: haven't been answered. We end up frustrated, fighting against everything 38 00:02:01,080 --> 00:02:04,760 Speaker 1: that we don't like. But here's the key. Just because 39 00:02:04,760 --> 00:02:08,519 Speaker 1: it's uncomfortable doesn't mean it's not where we're supposed to be. 40 00:02:09,280 --> 00:02:13,360 Speaker 1: God uses difficulties to do a work in us. We 41 00:02:13,440 --> 00:02:16,720 Speaker 1: grow in the tough times. That's when our character is 42 00:02:16,760 --> 00:02:21,200 Speaker 1: being developed. God will not allow a difficulty unless he 43 00:02:21,240 --> 00:02:24,000 Speaker 1: has a divine purpose for it. And if we're going 44 00:02:24,040 --> 00:02:27,120 Speaker 1: to reach our highest potential, we have to make up 45 00:02:27,120 --> 00:02:31,440 Speaker 1: our mind. I'm not going to live frustrated because I'm uncomfortable. 46 00:02:32,040 --> 00:02:34,600 Speaker 1: I'm not going to be upset because things are not 47 00:02:34,680 --> 00:02:38,280 Speaker 1: happening on my timetable. I'm not going to fight against 48 00:02:38,520 --> 00:02:42,760 Speaker 1: everything that I don't like. Our attitude should be God, 49 00:02:42,800 --> 00:02:46,840 Speaker 1: I trust you you're in complete control. I may not 50 00:02:47,160 --> 00:02:51,200 Speaker 1: like this situation, but you wouldn't have me here unless 51 00:02:51,240 --> 00:02:53,639 Speaker 1: I needed it. So I'm going to keep a good 52 00:02:53,680 --> 00:02:58,000 Speaker 1: attitude and be my best right where I am. That's 53 00:02:58,040 --> 00:03:03,239 Speaker 1: how you position yourself. From in the scripture, it says 54 00:03:03,280 --> 00:03:07,400 Speaker 1: that God didn't lead the Israelites the shortest route to 55 00:03:07,520 --> 00:03:11,040 Speaker 1: the Promised Land. He took them the long way on 56 00:03:11,280 --> 00:03:15,840 Speaker 1: purpose because they were not prepared for war. God knew 57 00:03:15,919 --> 00:03:19,079 Speaker 1: if he would have taken them into quickly, they would 58 00:03:19,120 --> 00:03:23,000 Speaker 1: have been easily defeated. Their enemies were much bigger, much 59 00:03:23,000 --> 00:03:28,000 Speaker 1: more experienced. I'm sure they prayed many times, God, we're 60 00:03:28,160 --> 00:03:31,160 Speaker 1: uncomfortable out here in the desert, we're hot, we're tired. 61 00:03:31,240 --> 00:03:35,080 Speaker 1: Let us go in sooner. But God didn't answer that prayer, 62 00:03:36,000 --> 00:03:38,920 Speaker 1: not because God was trying to make their life miserable. 63 00:03:39,560 --> 00:03:42,119 Speaker 1: But God knew what was up in front of them. 64 00:03:42,960 --> 00:03:46,280 Speaker 1: He had to toughen them up and get them prepared 65 00:03:46,880 --> 00:03:49,520 Speaker 1: so they could step into the fullness of their destiny. 66 00:03:50,440 --> 00:03:53,520 Speaker 1: In the same way, God has already laid out the 67 00:03:53,600 --> 00:03:57,720 Speaker 1: plan for your life. He knows exactly what you need, 68 00:03:58,280 --> 00:04:01,280 Speaker 1: when you need it, who you need. He knows the 69 00:04:01,320 --> 00:04:04,520 Speaker 1: battles you're going to face, the dreams you're going to accomplish. 70 00:04:04,600 --> 00:04:08,480 Speaker 1: It's got it all figured out. That's why we cannot 71 00:04:08,560 --> 00:04:13,800 Speaker 1: pray away every uncomfortable situation. God, this person at work, 72 00:04:13,920 --> 00:04:15,880 Speaker 1: they're getting on my nerves. You've got to get him 73 00:04:15,920 --> 00:04:18,760 Speaker 1: out of my life. No. God will use that person 74 00:04:19,200 --> 00:04:22,039 Speaker 1: like sandpaper to rub the rough edges off of you. 75 00:04:23,240 --> 00:04:25,880 Speaker 1: Even if you were to pray them away, God would 76 00:04:25,920 --> 00:04:29,760 Speaker 1: send you two more people just like them. I've learned this. 77 00:04:30,400 --> 00:04:34,120 Speaker 1: God is more interested in changing us than he is 78 00:04:34,240 --> 00:04:38,479 Speaker 1: in changing our circumstances. God loves you too much to 79 00:04:38,600 --> 00:04:42,040 Speaker 1: let you stay where you are. It may be uncomfortable, 80 00:04:42,480 --> 00:04:45,159 Speaker 1: but you have to remind yourself this is not working 81 00:04:45,200 --> 00:04:48,919 Speaker 1: against me. This is working for me. It's getting me 82 00:04:49,040 --> 00:04:53,279 Speaker 1: in position for the amazing future. God has in story. 83 00:04:53,520 --> 00:04:56,000 Speaker 1: The truth is, some of the things you may be 84 00:04:56,080 --> 00:04:59,800 Speaker 1: praying about, if God were to remove them right now, 85 00:05:00,520 --> 00:05:03,719 Speaker 1: you wouldn't be prepared for where God has taken you. 86 00:05:03,720 --> 00:05:05,520 Speaker 1: You got to let God do the work in you. 87 00:05:06,000 --> 00:05:09,040 Speaker 1: In other words, be kind to the people that are 88 00:05:09,040 --> 00:05:12,640 Speaker 1: not treating you right. Keep being your best, even though 89 00:05:12,640 --> 00:05:17,000 Speaker 1: you're not getting the credit pass those tests. Paul prayed 90 00:05:17,040 --> 00:05:20,440 Speaker 1: in Colossians three that the people would have the strength 91 00:05:20,600 --> 00:05:24,680 Speaker 1: to endure whatever came their way. He didn't pray that 92 00:05:24,720 --> 00:05:29,480 Speaker 1: God would deliver them instantly remove the difficulty. He prayed 93 00:05:29,600 --> 00:05:31,720 Speaker 1: that they would have the strength to go through it 94 00:05:31,920 --> 00:05:36,719 Speaker 1: with a good attitude. Paul understood this principle that God 95 00:05:36,880 --> 00:05:40,560 Speaker 1: uses the tough times to get us prepared for the 96 00:05:40,600 --> 00:05:44,799 Speaker 1: next level. Think about David. He was chosen to be king, 97 00:05:45,320 --> 00:05:48,200 Speaker 1: anointed by God to be the next leader of Israel. 98 00:05:49,000 --> 00:05:52,440 Speaker 1: Surely God would answer all of his prayers. Surely God 99 00:05:52,480 --> 00:05:55,760 Speaker 1: would make his life comfortable. No, David had to go 100 00:05:55,839 --> 00:06:00,360 Speaker 1: through this same process for many years. King Saul made 101 00:06:00,400 --> 00:06:04,559 Speaker 1: David's life miserable. David had done Saul nothing but good. 102 00:06:05,200 --> 00:06:08,720 Speaker 1: He would play music when Saul wasn't feeling well, treated 103 00:06:08,800 --> 00:06:12,960 Speaker 1: him with respect, but in return, Saul tried to kill David, 104 00:06:13,440 --> 00:06:17,520 Speaker 1: chased him through the mountainside. I can hear David praying, God, 105 00:06:17,640 --> 00:06:20,200 Speaker 1: you got to get this man out of my life. God, 106 00:06:20,279 --> 00:06:24,240 Speaker 1: you know I haven't done anything wrong. Isn't it interesting? 107 00:06:24,800 --> 00:06:29,320 Speaker 1: God didn't remove Saul. He didn't answer that prayer. Here, 108 00:06:29,440 --> 00:06:33,320 Speaker 1: David was doing the right thing. It was an unfair situation, 109 00:06:34,279 --> 00:06:37,520 Speaker 1: but God knew what he was doing. He was getting 110 00:06:37,640 --> 00:06:42,560 Speaker 1: David prepared. The longer you do the right thing when 111 00:06:42,560 --> 00:06:46,039 Speaker 1: the wrong thing's happening, The longer you keep a good 112 00:06:46,040 --> 00:06:50,279 Speaker 1: attitude in an unfair situation, the higher God is going 113 00:06:50,320 --> 00:06:54,880 Speaker 1: to take you. Don't be discouraged by it. Joel, I've 114 00:06:54,920 --> 00:06:57,440 Speaker 1: been doing the right thing in this marriage for years. 115 00:06:57,560 --> 00:07:01,000 Speaker 1: I'm not seeing any results. I've been volunteering in the 116 00:07:01,080 --> 00:07:03,920 Speaker 1: nursery for a long time. Nobody ever says thank you. 117 00:07:04,440 --> 00:07:06,120 Speaker 1: I go to work, do more than I have to. 118 00:07:06,200 --> 00:07:09,800 Speaker 1: I'm not being promoted. You're right where David was. Keep 119 00:07:09,840 --> 00:07:13,760 Speaker 1: being faithful, keep doing the right thing. God is getting 120 00:07:13,760 --> 00:07:18,320 Speaker 1: you prepared for something amazing. Your future is so big. 121 00:07:18,760 --> 00:07:22,880 Speaker 1: God has to get your spiritual muscles, your character, your 122 00:07:22,920 --> 00:07:26,400 Speaker 1: maturity to match the level that God is about to 123 00:07:26,440 --> 00:07:30,480 Speaker 1: thrust you too. Now, don't fight it, just keep being 124 00:07:30,560 --> 00:07:35,880 Speaker 1: your best. God is closely watching you. He sees every 125 00:07:35,960 --> 00:07:40,000 Speaker 1: time you make a sacrifice, every time you overlook a wrong, 126 00:07:40,520 --> 00:07:43,320 Speaker 1: every time you take the high road, every time you 127 00:07:43,440 --> 00:07:47,760 Speaker 1: help someone in need that doesn't go unnoticed. God is 128 00:07:47,840 --> 00:07:52,360 Speaker 1: keeping the records. He's saying, payday is coming, the breakthrough 129 00:07:52,440 --> 00:07:55,880 Speaker 1: is coming, the reward is coming, the new level is coming. 130 00:07:56,320 --> 00:07:59,200 Speaker 1: Just like David, You're going to take your throne and 131 00:07:59,240 --> 00:08:03,320 Speaker 1: become everything God's created you to be. But we naturally 132 00:08:04,080 --> 00:08:07,960 Speaker 1: all like things easier. We'd love for God to remove 133 00:08:08,080 --> 00:08:13,000 Speaker 1: the difficult people, eliminate the hardships. Answer our prayers the 134 00:08:13,040 --> 00:08:16,400 Speaker 1: first time we prayed. But that's not always what's best. 135 00:08:17,120 --> 00:08:22,200 Speaker 1: Have a new perspective. Those difficulties are not happening to you. 136 00:08:22,680 --> 00:08:25,960 Speaker 1: They're happening for you, the people that are hard to 137 00:08:25,960 --> 00:08:30,040 Speaker 1: get along with. If you'll have the right attitude, take 138 00:08:30,080 --> 00:08:33,880 Speaker 1: the high road, be kind, ignore their negative comments. They're 139 00:08:33,880 --> 00:08:38,080 Speaker 1: not holding you down. They're polishing you. They're refining you. 140 00:08:38,440 --> 00:08:42,719 Speaker 1: They're making you shine. Don't be upset. You couldn't go 141 00:08:42,960 --> 00:08:46,480 Speaker 1: where God wants you to go without them. They're doing 142 00:08:46,480 --> 00:08:50,000 Speaker 1: you a favor. Without that sandpaper, you would stay rough. 143 00:08:50,679 --> 00:08:53,280 Speaker 1: The next time you see them say that, thinking, oh, man, 144 00:08:53,320 --> 00:08:55,680 Speaker 1: I don't feel like dealing with them. No, just smile 145 00:08:55,920 --> 00:08:58,160 Speaker 1: and say thank you Lord. I'm gonna be polished a 146 00:08:58,160 --> 00:09:01,120 Speaker 1: little bit more today. I'm gonna shine a little bit brighter. 147 00:09:02,920 --> 00:09:06,640 Speaker 1: Could it be that you are fighting what God wants 148 00:09:06,679 --> 00:09:10,200 Speaker 1: to use. You're spending all your time trying to pray 149 00:09:10,240 --> 00:09:13,640 Speaker 1: away the difficulty when you should be spending your time 150 00:09:13,960 --> 00:09:18,000 Speaker 1: honoring God in the midst of the difficulty. Instead of 151 00:09:18,040 --> 00:09:22,679 Speaker 1: fighting where you are, try a different approach. Embrace where 152 00:09:22,679 --> 00:09:26,000 Speaker 1: you are. It may not be where you want to stay. 153 00:09:26,840 --> 00:09:30,360 Speaker 1: I'm not saying to settle there and accept mediocrity. I'm 154 00:09:30,400 --> 00:09:34,679 Speaker 1: saying to accept where you are, knowing that the creator 155 00:09:34,760 --> 00:09:37,199 Speaker 1: of the universe has you in the palm of his hand. 156 00:09:37,760 --> 00:09:41,439 Speaker 1: He's directing your steps. Nothing that's happened to you is 157 00:09:41,480 --> 00:09:45,120 Speaker 1: a surprise to him. At the right time, God will 158 00:09:45,200 --> 00:09:49,280 Speaker 1: change it in your due season, when you're ready, when 159 00:09:49,320 --> 00:09:53,080 Speaker 1: it's best for you, God will remove the difficulty and 160 00:09:53,160 --> 00:09:56,040 Speaker 1: take you to a new level. But in the meantime, 161 00:09:56,880 --> 00:10:00,440 Speaker 1: one way we can show God we're trusting him by 162 00:10:00,640 --> 00:10:05,720 Speaker 1: enjoying our life while God is changing the circumstances. Maybe 163 00:10:05,760 --> 00:10:09,840 Speaker 1: all your friends are married, you're still single. That's all right. 164 00:10:10,320 --> 00:10:12,960 Speaker 1: This is where God has me right now. I'm at peace, 165 00:10:13,360 --> 00:10:16,160 Speaker 1: I'm happy. I know the right person is already on 166 00:10:16,240 --> 00:10:19,920 Speaker 1: their way. That's how you pass the test, not every 167 00:10:19,920 --> 00:10:23,040 Speaker 1: other minute. God, I'm begging you, please in me a man. God, 168 00:10:23,080 --> 00:10:25,440 Speaker 1: I've been waiting for this. No, God, I trust you. 169 00:10:26,400 --> 00:10:29,520 Speaker 1: Maybe you're in an apartment believing for a nicer place 170 00:10:29,559 --> 00:10:32,400 Speaker 1: to live. Not God, I am so sick and tired 171 00:10:32,440 --> 00:10:35,240 Speaker 1: of this place. And God, Joel said, things have shifted, 172 00:10:35,280 --> 00:10:38,560 Speaker 1: and I have seen one shift in my life. No, God, 173 00:10:38,640 --> 00:10:41,520 Speaker 1: I trust you. This is where you have me right now. 174 00:10:41,640 --> 00:10:45,040 Speaker 1: I'm content. But God, I know in my future you're 175 00:10:45,040 --> 00:10:47,720 Speaker 1: going to open the windows of heaven pour out blessings 176 00:10:47,720 --> 00:10:51,480 Speaker 1: that I cannot contain. Lord, I want to thank you 177 00:10:51,559 --> 00:10:54,520 Speaker 1: in advance that it's on the way. That's how you 178 00:10:54,520 --> 00:10:57,840 Speaker 1: see promises come to pass. When we were trying to 179 00:10:57,920 --> 00:11:01,960 Speaker 1: acquire this facility, the Compact Center, it was a three 180 00:11:02,000 --> 00:11:05,680 Speaker 1: and a half year battle. The Houston City Council voted 181 00:11:05,679 --> 00:11:08,200 Speaker 1: for us to have the building, but then a large 182 00:11:08,200 --> 00:11:10,840 Speaker 1: company filed a lawsuit to try to keep us from 183 00:11:10,840 --> 00:11:15,400 Speaker 1: moving in. At times, it looked impossible. All the odds 184 00:11:15,440 --> 00:11:18,079 Speaker 1: were against us. Even if we were to win, the 185 00:11:18,160 --> 00:11:20,720 Speaker 1: lawsuit could have been tied up for ten years in 186 00:11:20,760 --> 00:11:24,239 Speaker 1: the court system. Now I had already told the congregation 187 00:11:24,559 --> 00:11:26,640 Speaker 1: that it was ours. We were going to renovate it 188 00:11:26,760 --> 00:11:30,600 Speaker 1: and move in. Many times I woke up in the 189 00:11:30,640 --> 00:11:33,760 Speaker 1: middle of the night in a cold sweat, with a 190 00:11:33,840 --> 00:11:37,600 Speaker 1: voice saying, what if it doesn't work out? What if 191 00:11:37,600 --> 00:11:41,240 Speaker 1: you don't win the lawsuit. You've already put the vision out, Joel. 192 00:11:41,440 --> 00:11:44,400 Speaker 1: People have given funds. It's going to be a big mess. 193 00:11:45,120 --> 00:11:48,560 Speaker 1: I was tempted to worry, be stressed, beg God, God, 194 00:11:48,600 --> 00:11:51,320 Speaker 1: you gotta please make this happen. Now, I did what 195 00:11:51,440 --> 00:11:54,800 Speaker 1: I'm asking you to do. God, It's all in your hands. 196 00:11:55,280 --> 00:11:58,640 Speaker 1: I believe God, You've promised us this building. But while 197 00:11:58,640 --> 00:12:03,439 Speaker 1: I'm waiting, gona worry. I'm not gonna live frustrated. I'm 198 00:12:03,480 --> 00:12:05,920 Speaker 1: not gonna play out all the what ifs. God. I 199 00:12:06,000 --> 00:12:10,480 Speaker 1: trust you, I know you have the final say. Instead 200 00:12:10,520 --> 00:12:14,880 Speaker 1: of fighting it begging God, I embraced where I was. 201 00:12:15,520 --> 00:12:19,200 Speaker 1: We're in a lawsuit. It's out of my control. I've 202 00:12:19,240 --> 00:12:22,400 Speaker 1: done my best. Now I'm gonna stay in faith and 203 00:12:22,440 --> 00:12:25,199 Speaker 1: trust God to do the rest. Three and a half 204 00:12:25,320 --> 00:12:28,200 Speaker 1: years later, God gave us this beautiful facility, and here 205 00:12:28,240 --> 00:12:32,920 Speaker 1: we are today. But think about this. God could have 206 00:12:33,000 --> 00:12:37,079 Speaker 1: answered our prayers the first week we prayed just as 207 00:12:37,120 --> 00:12:39,680 Speaker 1: easily as he did three and a half years later. 208 00:12:40,200 --> 00:12:43,120 Speaker 1: He's God would have been no big deal. He wouldn't 209 00:12:43,160 --> 00:12:45,160 Speaker 1: have even had to get up off the throne. He 210 00:12:45,160 --> 00:12:47,240 Speaker 1: could have just spoken it and it would have happened. 211 00:12:47,360 --> 00:12:51,240 Speaker 1: Why didn't he do it? One reason I believe is 212 00:12:51,320 --> 00:12:54,800 Speaker 1: God was doing a work in me during those three 213 00:12:54,800 --> 00:12:57,800 Speaker 1: and a half years. I learned to trust God like 214 00:12:57,840 --> 00:13:01,640 Speaker 1: I'd never trusted him before. Some things you can only 215 00:13:01,720 --> 00:13:04,440 Speaker 1: learn in the struggle. You can't learn in the good 216 00:13:04,480 --> 00:13:07,839 Speaker 1: times when it's easy everything's going your way. That doesn't 217 00:13:07,840 --> 00:13:11,559 Speaker 1: take any faith. You can only learn, like David, when 218 00:13:11,600 --> 00:13:14,440 Speaker 1: you're in the wilderness and you're not being treated right. 219 00:13:15,240 --> 00:13:18,439 Speaker 1: Don't be frustrated because it's not happening in your way 220 00:13:19,000 --> 00:13:23,240 Speaker 1: on your timetable. God knows what he's doing. He's getting 221 00:13:23,240 --> 00:13:27,480 Speaker 1: you prepared. Here's the key. Your destiny is bigger than 222 00:13:27,520 --> 00:13:31,400 Speaker 1: you think. You're going to go, further than you can imagine. 223 00:13:31,920 --> 00:13:34,520 Speaker 1: God can see the new levels in front of you. 224 00:13:34,720 --> 00:13:38,360 Speaker 1: He knows what's up there. Now. Keep passing those tests. 225 00:13:39,040 --> 00:13:43,160 Speaker 1: Stay in faith even when it's difficult, Keep doing the 226 00:13:43,240 --> 00:13:46,600 Speaker 1: right thing, even when the wrong thing's happening. Don't fight 227 00:13:46,679 --> 00:13:49,760 Speaker 1: it begging God every other minute, Please, God, you got 228 00:13:49,760 --> 00:13:52,679 Speaker 1: to change it. That's just going to frustrate you. Learn 229 00:13:52,760 --> 00:13:56,240 Speaker 1: to embrace where you are, and it's okay to be 230 00:13:56,360 --> 00:14:00,760 Speaker 1: honest and say God, I don't like where I am comfortable. 231 00:14:01,160 --> 00:14:05,320 Speaker 1: It's taken longer than I thought. But God, I trust you. 232 00:14:05,880 --> 00:14:08,880 Speaker 1: I know this is not happening to me. It's happening 233 00:14:09,000 --> 00:14:11,880 Speaker 1: for me. It's all a part of your divine plan. 234 00:14:13,040 --> 00:14:16,640 Speaker 1: When you learn to embrace where you are, it's a 235 00:14:16,640 --> 00:14:21,160 Speaker 1: freeing way to live. Takes all the pressure off. Hebrews says, 236 00:14:21,840 --> 00:14:27,040 Speaker 1: those who have believed enter into rest. The way to 237 00:14:27,120 --> 00:14:30,880 Speaker 1: know that you're really in faith is you're at rest. 238 00:14:31,080 --> 00:14:34,960 Speaker 1: There's a peace. You may have a problem believing. For 239 00:14:35,000 --> 00:14:37,920 Speaker 1: a situation to turn around. It's taken a long time. 240 00:14:38,160 --> 00:14:39,760 Speaker 1: You could easily be discouraged. 241 00:14:40,280 --> 00:14:40,440 Speaker 2: You know. 242 00:14:40,560 --> 00:14:43,760 Speaker 1: The key is to stay in that place of rest 243 00:14:44,000 --> 00:14:47,360 Speaker 1: where you know God is in complete control. You're not 244 00:14:47,560 --> 00:14:51,000 Speaker 1: moved by what you see, You're not worried because it's 245 00:14:51,040 --> 00:14:54,560 Speaker 1: taken a long time. You're not disappointed because you went 246 00:14:54,600 --> 00:14:58,000 Speaker 1: through a setback. Every day you stay in peace, you 247 00:14:58,080 --> 00:15:00,800 Speaker 1: are one day closer to see in that situation. Turn around, 248 00:15:02,080 --> 00:15:04,800 Speaker 1: you say, Joel, I just don't understand why God doesn't 249 00:15:04,800 --> 00:15:08,400 Speaker 1: answer my prayers. I'm going to church, I'm faithful, I 250 00:15:08,440 --> 00:15:13,320 Speaker 1: help others think about this. Maybe what you're praying about 251 00:15:13,840 --> 00:15:18,560 Speaker 1: is too small. Maybe God has something much better and 252 00:15:18,600 --> 00:15:21,760 Speaker 1: he loves you so much that he won't answer that prayer. 253 00:15:22,640 --> 00:15:26,000 Speaker 1: But until you enter into this rest and quit being 254 00:15:26,200 --> 00:15:29,600 Speaker 1: sour thinking that God's letting you down, it'll keep the 255 00:15:29,680 --> 00:15:32,720 Speaker 1: new thing from happening. And a prayer that we should 256 00:15:32,800 --> 00:15:36,640 Speaker 1: all pray on a regular basis is God, not my will, 257 00:15:36,880 --> 00:15:39,640 Speaker 1: but let your will be done. And it's okay to 258 00:15:39,720 --> 00:15:42,760 Speaker 1: say God, this is what i'm believing for God, this 259 00:15:42,880 --> 00:15:44,840 Speaker 1: is what I want, this is what i'm dreaming about. 260 00:15:45,160 --> 00:15:48,600 Speaker 1: But God, if you have something better, I trust you. 261 00:15:48,600 --> 00:15:52,280 Speaker 1: You know what's best for me. If you're only going 262 00:15:52,360 --> 00:15:55,480 Speaker 1: to be happy if God does it your way, then 263 00:15:55,520 --> 00:15:59,440 Speaker 1: you're not really trusting. We can only see a little 264 00:15:59,440 --> 00:16:02,880 Speaker 1: bit down the road. God can see the big picture. 265 00:16:03,400 --> 00:16:06,440 Speaker 1: He can see around every curb. He knows where the 266 00:16:06,440 --> 00:16:10,120 Speaker 1: dead ends are where the shortcuts are. God knows how 267 00:16:10,160 --> 00:16:13,640 Speaker 1: to get you to your destination. Why don't you take 268 00:16:13,680 --> 00:16:16,280 Speaker 1: your hands off the wheels, so to speak, and let 269 00:16:16,320 --> 00:16:19,280 Speaker 1: God take you where he wants you to go. Two 270 00:16:19,360 --> 00:16:22,760 Speaker 1: thousand and one, and executive flew to Houston for an 271 00:16:22,840 --> 00:16:26,960 Speaker 1: important job interview. It was at a top company, one 272 00:16:27,000 --> 00:16:30,400 Speaker 1: of the largest in the nation, headquartered right here in Houston. 273 00:16:30,920 --> 00:16:34,360 Speaker 1: In the natural. It was a golden opportunity looked like 274 00:16:34,400 --> 00:16:37,920 Speaker 1: a huge boost for his career. He was ready to 275 00:16:37,920 --> 00:16:40,960 Speaker 1: give up his position of nearly thirty years and move 276 00:16:41,040 --> 00:16:44,280 Speaker 1: his family here to town. He flew in a day early, 277 00:16:44,600 --> 00:16:46,640 Speaker 1: came to the service and asked us to pray over 278 00:16:46,680 --> 00:16:49,640 Speaker 1: the interview. We prayed that God would give him wisdom 279 00:16:49,680 --> 00:16:52,880 Speaker 1: and favor and cause him to stand out. Called back 280 00:16:52,920 --> 00:16:57,040 Speaker 1: the next day so excited. Everything had gone great, looked 281 00:16:57,160 --> 00:17:01,360 Speaker 1: very promising. Three weeks later he was invited back for 282 00:17:01,440 --> 00:17:05,040 Speaker 1: a second interview. Once again, he flew in a day early. 283 00:17:05,320 --> 00:17:08,400 Speaker 1: We prayed. He went to the interview. A few hours later. 284 00:17:08,440 --> 00:17:11,560 Speaker 1: They called him back in said we really like you. 285 00:17:11,560 --> 00:17:15,199 Speaker 1: You're very talented, but we're sorry you're not going to 286 00:17:15,200 --> 00:17:19,000 Speaker 1: fit with our organization. You would have thought that his 287 00:17:19,160 --> 00:17:22,800 Speaker 1: world had just ended. He was so set on having 288 00:17:22,840 --> 00:17:26,440 Speaker 1: that position. He felt like God had totally let him down. 289 00:17:27,280 --> 00:17:29,679 Speaker 1: I told him what I'm telling you. You've got to 290 00:17:29,720 --> 00:17:33,119 Speaker 1: trust God even when you don't get the answer that 291 00:17:33,160 --> 00:17:35,959 Speaker 1: you were looking for. You got to believe that God's 292 00:17:35,960 --> 00:17:39,600 Speaker 1: in control. He's directing your steps, keeping you on the 293 00:17:39,640 --> 00:17:43,000 Speaker 1: best plan for your life. He went back home to 294 00:17:43,080 --> 00:17:48,200 Speaker 1: his city, very very disappointed. Six months later, the company 295 00:17:48,240 --> 00:17:51,720 Speaker 1: he was trying to get a position with filed for bankruptcy. 296 00:17:52,240 --> 00:17:55,280 Speaker 1: It was a big scandal all over the national news. 297 00:17:55,480 --> 00:18:00,000 Speaker 1: The company ended up totally folding. Here's how good God is. 298 00:17:59,800 --> 00:18:03,520 Speaker 1: He was two years away from his retirement. If he'd 299 00:18:03,520 --> 00:18:06,560 Speaker 1: have gotten hired by that company, he would not only 300 00:18:06,760 --> 00:18:09,520 Speaker 1: not have a job, but he would have lost nearly 301 00:18:09,600 --> 00:18:13,919 Speaker 1: thirty years of his retirement benefits. Friends, God knows what 302 00:18:14,080 --> 00:18:17,720 Speaker 1: he's doing. Quit fighting against what does he go your way? 303 00:18:19,760 --> 00:18:23,760 Speaker 1: Quit being disappointed because your plans didn't work out. You 304 00:18:23,920 --> 00:18:27,440 Speaker 1: may not understand it now, but one day you will 305 00:18:27,480 --> 00:18:31,600 Speaker 1: thank God for those closed doors. God's ways are better 306 00:18:31,640 --> 00:18:35,160 Speaker 1: than our ways. Don't try to figure it all out. Well, Joe, 307 00:18:35,200 --> 00:18:38,320 Speaker 1: why didn't I get the promotion I had the seniority. 308 00:18:38,400 --> 00:18:42,880 Speaker 1: I worked the hardest. Listen. Just as God supernaturally opens doors, 309 00:18:43,200 --> 00:18:47,679 Speaker 1: God will supernaturally close doors. We all thank God for 310 00:18:47,760 --> 00:18:50,399 Speaker 1: the open doors, and that's good. We should celebrate that. 311 00:18:51,040 --> 00:18:53,600 Speaker 1: But I've learned to thank God just as much for 312 00:18:53,680 --> 00:18:57,720 Speaker 1: my closed doors. What I used to see as a disappointment, 313 00:18:58,119 --> 00:19:01,960 Speaker 1: now I see as the hand of God. I realized, 314 00:19:02,040 --> 00:19:05,200 Speaker 1: if God closed it, he has something better in store. 315 00:19:05,920 --> 00:19:08,680 Speaker 1: Why don't you trust him? Why don't you enter into 316 00:19:08,680 --> 00:19:12,359 Speaker 1: that rest God, you know what's best for me. I 317 00:19:12,400 --> 00:19:14,720 Speaker 1: don't have to have my way to be happy. I 318 00:19:14,760 --> 00:19:18,640 Speaker 1: know your plans are better than my plans. A few 319 00:19:18,720 --> 00:19:21,800 Speaker 1: years back, a young lady came to the altar for prayer. 320 00:19:22,400 --> 00:19:25,719 Speaker 1: She was very distraught because her boyfriend had just broken 321 00:19:25,800 --> 00:19:28,800 Speaker 1: up with her. She was certain he was the man 322 00:19:28,840 --> 00:19:32,719 Speaker 1: of her dreams. She couldn't live without him. We prayed 323 00:19:32,760 --> 00:19:36,200 Speaker 1: and asked God to restore that relationship. For the next 324 00:19:36,240 --> 00:19:39,800 Speaker 1: six months, almost every week she would come back for prayer. 325 00:19:40,080 --> 00:19:43,400 Speaker 1: We prayed again and again. I tried to tell her 326 00:19:43,440 --> 00:19:46,640 Speaker 1: to stay open, trust God to do it his way. 327 00:19:46,840 --> 00:19:48,840 Speaker 1: He knows what's best for you. She didn't want to 328 00:19:48,840 --> 00:19:51,840 Speaker 1: hear any of that. She only wanted God to do 329 00:19:51,880 --> 00:19:56,240 Speaker 1: it her way. But God is so merciful, He loves 330 00:19:56,320 --> 00:19:59,200 Speaker 1: us so much. If it's not the right thing, God 331 00:19:59,280 --> 00:20:02,439 Speaker 1: will keep the door closed even though we're trying to 332 00:20:02,480 --> 00:20:06,000 Speaker 1: pry it open. We see it as a big disappointment. God. 333 00:20:06,040 --> 00:20:08,639 Speaker 1: I can't believe you let me down. You didn't answer 334 00:20:08,680 --> 00:20:12,560 Speaker 1: my prayer. The truth is God was doing us a favor. 335 00:20:13,040 --> 00:20:16,399 Speaker 1: He was saving us from heartache and pain. Now. I 336 00:20:16,400 --> 00:20:19,320 Speaker 1: didn't see her for a long time. About five years 337 00:20:19,400 --> 00:20:22,640 Speaker 1: later I ran into her in the lobby after the service. 338 00:20:23,280 --> 00:20:26,320 Speaker 1: She was very happy. She had a handsome young man 339 00:20:26,440 --> 00:20:30,360 Speaker 1: by her side, a newborn baby. Come to find out 340 00:20:30,400 --> 00:20:32,879 Speaker 1: they were married a couple of years earlier. She was 341 00:20:32,920 --> 00:20:37,280 Speaker 1: so excited. I congratulated them, prayed over the little baby. 342 00:20:37,840 --> 00:20:41,879 Speaker 1: At one point her husband stepped away. She whispered, Joel, 343 00:20:42,119 --> 00:20:44,119 Speaker 1: you remember the young man I used to have you 344 00:20:44,160 --> 00:20:46,760 Speaker 1: pray about all the time. I thought, yeah, the one 345 00:20:46,760 --> 00:20:51,240 Speaker 1: you couldn't live without. And she told how he's been 346 00:20:51,320 --> 00:20:55,200 Speaker 1: married and divorced twice already. He's constantly in and out 347 00:20:55,200 --> 00:20:58,680 Speaker 1: of trouble, can't hold down a good job. I'll never 348 00:20:58,720 --> 00:21:02,280 Speaker 1: forget what she said. I thank God every day that 349 00:21:02,359 --> 00:21:08,399 Speaker 1: he didn't answer those prayers. But I wonder how many 350 00:21:08,480 --> 00:21:12,960 Speaker 1: things are we upset over, wondering why God didn't answer 351 00:21:13,000 --> 00:21:17,240 Speaker 1: that prayer, why the situation didn't change, why the door closed. Yet, 352 00:21:17,280 --> 00:21:20,239 Speaker 1: if God were to pull back the curtain and let 353 00:21:20,359 --> 00:21:23,520 Speaker 1: us see into the future what he can see, we'd 354 00:21:23,560 --> 00:21:27,280 Speaker 1: realize God knows exactly what he's doing. God has our 355 00:21:27,320 --> 00:21:30,679 Speaker 1: best interests at heart. That promotion you didn't get, you 356 00:21:30,720 --> 00:21:34,679 Speaker 1: were so disappointed. It's because God has something better. That 357 00:21:34,800 --> 00:21:38,119 Speaker 1: door that closed, we couldn't understand. It seemed like a 358 00:21:38,160 --> 00:21:41,920 Speaker 1: perfect fit for us. But seeing the big picture, we 359 00:21:42,000 --> 00:21:45,119 Speaker 1: realized that road was a dead end. It was leading 360 00:21:45,160 --> 00:21:48,439 Speaker 1: to nowhere. That traffic jam you got caught in, you 361 00:21:48,480 --> 00:21:51,440 Speaker 1: were so stressed out. It was saving you from an accident. 362 00:21:52,160 --> 00:21:54,720 Speaker 1: That person that walked out on you, it's very painful, 363 00:21:55,280 --> 00:21:58,280 Speaker 1: But if they hadn't left, you wouldn't meet the right 364 00:21:58,320 --> 00:22:01,840 Speaker 1: person God has in your future. I'm asking you to 365 00:22:01,960 --> 00:22:06,360 Speaker 1: quit fighting against everything you don't like. It's not happening 366 00:22:06,400 --> 00:22:09,919 Speaker 1: to you. It's happening for you. When you're at rest. 367 00:22:10,280 --> 00:22:14,280 Speaker 1: You're passing the test. A friend of mine went up 368 00:22:14,280 --> 00:22:18,080 Speaker 1: to the mall recently to return an item. She had 369 00:22:18,080 --> 00:22:20,840 Speaker 1: her little newborn baby in the back seat. When she 370 00:22:20,920 --> 00:22:23,480 Speaker 1: pulled in the parking lot, she noticed this lady was 371 00:22:23,520 --> 00:22:27,160 Speaker 1: about to pull out, and she waited there and waited 372 00:22:27,359 --> 00:22:31,000 Speaker 1: and waited and waited. The lady was taken forever. The 373 00:22:31,080 --> 00:22:34,520 Speaker 1: longer she waited, the more frustrated she became. She thought, 374 00:22:34,520 --> 00:22:36,800 Speaker 1: come on, lady, I know you can see me. What 375 00:22:36,960 --> 00:22:40,399 Speaker 1: could be taken you so long. After several minutes, she 376 00:22:40,520 --> 00:22:43,359 Speaker 1: got aggravated and just drove off, went and parked at 377 00:22:43,359 --> 00:22:46,640 Speaker 1: the very end of the road. She got out, got 378 00:22:46,640 --> 00:22:49,480 Speaker 1: her little baby, and headed to the store. When she 379 00:22:49,560 --> 00:22:52,320 Speaker 1: got to the front of the store, she realized she 380 00:22:52,359 --> 00:22:55,080 Speaker 1: had forgotten the item that she wanted to take back. 381 00:22:55,640 --> 00:22:59,359 Speaker 1: She's already frustrated, she thought, this is just not my day. 382 00:23:00,119 --> 00:23:03,119 Speaker 1: Nothing is going my way. She walked all the way 383 00:23:03,160 --> 00:23:06,440 Speaker 1: back to her car, long way with their baby, got 384 00:23:06,440 --> 00:23:09,200 Speaker 1: the items she needed, turned back and started walking toward 385 00:23:09,280 --> 00:23:12,560 Speaker 1: the store. When she got about halfway there, this car 386 00:23:12,640 --> 00:23:15,720 Speaker 1: came around in a big rush, rolled down the window 387 00:23:16,000 --> 00:23:18,840 Speaker 1: and said, hey, don't go in the store. There's a 388 00:23:18,920 --> 00:23:23,600 Speaker 1: deranged man in there with a gun taking people hostage. 389 00:23:23,640 --> 00:23:26,760 Speaker 1: In less than a minute, there were a dozen police cars, 390 00:23:27,000 --> 00:23:30,920 Speaker 1: swat team, helicopter surrounding that place, trying to get the 391 00:23:30,960 --> 00:23:35,600 Speaker 1: people out safely. Without that delay, she could have been 392 00:23:35,640 --> 00:23:39,920 Speaker 1: in there with her newborn baby, trapped with that deranged man. 393 00:23:40,480 --> 00:23:43,760 Speaker 1: What am I saying? Don't fight your delays, don't fight 394 00:23:43,800 --> 00:23:47,440 Speaker 1: the inconveniences, don't fight when you get caught by that train. 395 00:23:49,680 --> 00:23:53,080 Speaker 1: You may not understand it, but God knows what he's doing. 396 00:23:53,720 --> 00:23:57,120 Speaker 1: He can see the big picture. Dare to trust him. 397 00:23:57,480 --> 00:24:01,720 Speaker 1: Proverbs twenty says, since the Lord is directing our steps, 398 00:24:02,280 --> 00:24:05,320 Speaker 1: why do we try to figure out everything that happens 399 00:24:05,359 --> 00:24:08,600 Speaker 1: along the way. You may never know why you had 400 00:24:08,640 --> 00:24:12,760 Speaker 1: a delay, a disappointment, a setback. But when you really 401 00:24:12,800 --> 00:24:15,879 Speaker 1: believe that the creator of the universe has you in 402 00:24:15,920 --> 00:24:18,600 Speaker 1: the palm of his hand, then you can stay in 403 00:24:18,640 --> 00:24:22,119 Speaker 1: peace even when you don't understand it. That's what faith 404 00:24:22,200 --> 00:24:25,960 Speaker 1: is all about. I know a gentleman that does missionary 405 00:24:26,000 --> 00:24:29,200 Speaker 1: work in Africa. He was supposed to catch an early 406 00:24:29,280 --> 00:24:33,080 Speaker 1: morning flight the next day to come back home. The 407 00:24:33,119 --> 00:24:36,359 Speaker 1: person taking him had car trouble and he ended up 408 00:24:36,440 --> 00:24:39,920 Speaker 1: missing that flight. It's very upset because it was going 409 00:24:40,000 --> 00:24:42,239 Speaker 1: to take him another week to get home from that 410 00:24:42,320 --> 00:24:45,280 Speaker 1: small city. Went back to the hotel a little Later 411 00:24:45,320 --> 00:24:48,679 Speaker 1: that afternoon, flipped on the news the plane he was 412 00:24:48,680 --> 00:24:52,600 Speaker 1: supposed to be on had crashed into the mountain side. 413 00:24:52,840 --> 00:24:55,560 Speaker 1: Some of the very things that we fight against, the 414 00:24:55,600 --> 00:24:59,800 Speaker 1: things that frustrate us, God has ordained them to keep 415 00:24:59,880 --> 00:25:05,160 Speaker 1: us from accident and harm. They're called divine delays. Your 416 00:25:05,200 --> 00:25:09,720 Speaker 1: plans are interrupted on purpose, since the Lord is directing 417 00:25:09,760 --> 00:25:13,199 Speaker 1: our steps. Don't fight it. It's not always going to 418 00:25:13,240 --> 00:25:17,199 Speaker 1: make sense. I turned fifty years old in March of 419 00:25:17,200 --> 00:25:21,600 Speaker 1: this year, and I was reflecting back over my thank you, 420 00:25:21,680 --> 00:25:24,600 Speaker 1: thank you, Still good looking though, all right, come on. 421 00:25:26,400 --> 00:25:29,400 Speaker 1: I was reflecting back over my life and just thinking 422 00:25:29,440 --> 00:25:32,000 Speaker 1: about what would I have done differently, what could I 423 00:25:32,040 --> 00:25:35,640 Speaker 1: have done better. I have no big regrets. I've lived 424 00:25:35,640 --> 00:25:38,960 Speaker 1: a happy, blessed life. But one adjustment I would have 425 00:25:39,000 --> 00:25:43,240 Speaker 1: made is I would have trusted God more. I wouldn't 426 00:25:43,240 --> 00:25:46,600 Speaker 1: have worried about things that I couldn't change. I wouldn't 427 00:25:46,600 --> 00:25:49,160 Speaker 1: have been stressed out when my plans didn't work out. 428 00:25:49,680 --> 00:25:52,480 Speaker 1: I wouldn't have stayed awake at night wondering how we're 429 00:25:52,520 --> 00:25:54,440 Speaker 1: going to raise the funds and what am I going 430 00:25:54,480 --> 00:25:57,520 Speaker 1: to speak on next week. I would have entered into 431 00:25:57,560 --> 00:26:01,440 Speaker 1: this place of rest some of you. You are always fighting, 432 00:26:02,040 --> 00:26:05,359 Speaker 1: worried up tight. Don't like where you are, don't like 433 00:26:05,440 --> 00:26:08,240 Speaker 1: the job, don't like the people. Why don't you try 434 00:26:08,280 --> 00:26:11,679 Speaker 1: a different approach? This will save you a lot of frustration. 435 00:26:12,400 --> 00:26:16,800 Speaker 1: Embrace where you are, even when it's uncomfortable, even when 436 00:26:16,880 --> 00:26:20,480 Speaker 1: you don't like it, Stay in peace, keep a good attitude. 437 00:26:20,560 --> 00:26:23,840 Speaker 1: When you do that, God is using it to your advantage. 438 00:26:23,920 --> 00:26:28,280 Speaker 1: You're growing, You're developing character. It's positioning you for the 439 00:26:28,320 --> 00:26:31,560 Speaker 1: amazing future God has in store. And if you won't 440 00:26:31,720 --> 00:26:35,560 Speaker 1: enter into this rest and not fight against everything, you'll 441 00:26:35,560 --> 00:26:39,080 Speaker 1: not only enjoy your life more. But I believe in declare. 442 00:26:39,560 --> 00:26:42,520 Speaker 1: Just like David, You're going to step into the fullness 443 00:26:42,560 --> 00:26:45,520 Speaker 1: of your destiny. God is going to take you further 444 00:26:45,600 --> 00:26:49,400 Speaker 1: than you've imagined, opening doors that no man can shut. 445 00:26:49,600 --> 00:26:53,800 Speaker 1: You're going to overcome every obstacle, accomplish every dream, and 446 00:26:53,840 --> 00:26:57,040 Speaker 1: become everything that God's created you to be. If you 447 00:26:57,080 --> 00:27:01,560 Speaker 1: receive it, can you say him in today? We never 448 00:27:01,680 --> 00:27:04,800 Speaker 1: like to close our broadcast without giving you an opportunity 449 00:27:04,880 --> 00:27:07,399 Speaker 1: to make Jesus the lord of your life. Would you 450 00:27:07,440 --> 00:27:11,919 Speaker 1: pray with me? Just say Lord Jesus, I repent of 451 00:27:11,960 --> 00:27:16,919 Speaker 1: my sins. Come into my heart. I make you my 452 00:27:17,040 --> 00:27:21,040 Speaker 1: Lord and savior. Friends, if you prayed that simple prayer, 453 00:27:21,240 --> 00:27:23,760 Speaker 1: we believe you got born again. Get in a good 454 00:27:23,760 --> 00:27:27,040 Speaker 1: Bible based church. Keep God first place. He's going to 455 00:27:27,080 --> 00:27:29,000 Speaker 1: take your places that you've never dreamed of. 456 00:27:30,320 --> 00:27:33,520 Speaker 2: Breathtaking, that's what you feel when you look out at 457 00:27:33,560 --> 00:27:38,760 Speaker 2: majestic mountain peaks. Yes, God's creation truly is a masterpiece. 458 00:27:39,200 --> 00:27:42,639 Speaker 2: But even as you consider his handiwork, you might also 459 00:27:42,760 --> 00:27:47,639 Speaker 2: feel bless that not good enough or not valuable. The 460 00:27:47,720 --> 00:27:52,040 Speaker 2: image before you is incredible, but the confidence inside is lacking. 461 00:27:52,600 --> 00:27:55,840 Speaker 1: How do you overcome this? The opinion you have of 462 00:27:55,880 --> 00:27:59,840 Speaker 1: yourself is your most important opinion. Too often we see 463 00:27:59,880 --> 00:28:04,720 Speaker 1: our ourselves as ordinary, not talented, unattractive. That wrong self 464 00:28:04,760 --> 00:28:07,879 Speaker 1: image is setting the limits for our life. The key 465 00:28:08,000 --> 00:28:10,440 Speaker 1: is to get an agreement with who God says you are. 466 00:28:10,880 --> 00:28:15,760 Speaker 1: He calls you a masterpiece, strong, talented, valuable. If you'll 467 00:28:15,800 --> 00:28:18,840 Speaker 1: have the right image of yourself, you'll rise higher and 468 00:28:18,880 --> 00:28:21,679 Speaker 1: become who you were created to be. We have a 469 00:28:21,720 --> 00:28:24,200 Speaker 1: new resource that will help you do just that. It's 470 00:28:24,240 --> 00:28:27,919 Speaker 1: called you are a Masterpiece. It's filled with inspiration and 471 00:28:28,119 --> 00:28:33,439 Speaker 1: encouragement that will remind you who you really are gifted, chosen, approved. 472 00:28:33,800 --> 00:28:35,680 Speaker 1: It will help you get rid of the wrong self 473 00:28:35,720 --> 00:28:39,760 Speaker 1: image and start seeing yourself as the masterpiece God created 474 00:28:39,800 --> 00:28:40,240 Speaker 1: you to be. 475 00:28:41,320 --> 00:28:43,800 Speaker 2: As our Thank you for your gift of any amount 476 00:28:43,840 --> 00:28:46,160 Speaker 2: to the ministry. This month, we want to send you 477 00:28:46,320 --> 00:28:51,080 Speaker 2: Joel's inspiring new book, You Are a Masterpiece. God made 478 00:28:51,120 --> 00:28:55,240 Speaker 2: you unique, with a divine purpose and a bright future. 479 00:28:55,720 --> 00:28:59,360 Speaker 2: As these truths sink down in your spirit, the majesty 480 00:28:59,400 --> 00:29:03,960 Speaker 2: of God's will arise within you. Yes, God has breathed 481 00:29:04,000 --> 00:29:09,000 Speaker 2: his life into you. He approved you, equipped you, empowered you, 482 00:29:09,640 --> 00:29:12,960 Speaker 2: stop believing the lies about you and start hearing what 483 00:29:13,000 --> 00:29:14,120 Speaker 2: God says about to you. 484 00:29:14,680 --> 00:29:17,680 Speaker 1: Thanks so much for being a part of the ministry, Victorien. 485 00:29:17,680 --> 00:29:20,600 Speaker 1: I pray for you and your family every day. Believe 486 00:29:20,640 --> 00:29:23,320 Speaker 1: in It's going to be a favor filled twenty twenty four. 487 00:29:23,960 --> 00:29:28,120 Speaker 1: We appreciate your prayer and support. Your generosity is impacting 488 00:29:28,200 --> 00:29:31,760 Speaker 1: people around the world. Remember you can watch the services 489 00:29:31,840 --> 00:29:36,000 Speaker 1: live online Sunday mornings, see all the music and ministry 490 00:29:36,240 --> 00:29:39,800 Speaker 1: download our daily podcast. Until we meet again, May the 491 00:29:39,840 --> 00:29:41,360 Speaker 1: Lord bless you and keep you. 492 00:29:42,200 --> 00:29:44,640 Speaker 2: Be sure to request your copy of That You Are 493 00:29:44,680 --> 00:29:54,400 Speaker 2: a Masterpiece today. Visit joelostein dot com