1 00:00:00,480 --> 00:00:03,240 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 2 00:00:03,279 --> 00:00:06,400 Speaker 1: our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. If you 3 00:00:06,480 --> 00:00:09,080 Speaker 1: enjoy today's message, why don't you be a blessing and 4 00:00:09,160 --> 00:00:11,799 Speaker 1: share it with a friend. We appreciate you and pray 5 00:00:11,840 --> 00:00:15,240 Speaker 1: for God's very best in your life. Well, God bless you. 6 00:00:15,720 --> 00:00:18,360 Speaker 1: It's always a joy to come into your homes. We 7 00:00:18,440 --> 00:00:20,599 Speaker 1: loved you and we prayed for you every single day. 8 00:00:20,640 --> 00:00:23,000 Speaker 1: And if you ever in our area, hope you'll stop 9 00:00:23,040 --> 00:00:24,960 Speaker 1: by and be a part of one of our services. 10 00:00:25,079 --> 00:00:27,240 Speaker 1: I promise you we'll make you feel right at home. 11 00:00:27,280 --> 00:00:29,680 Speaker 1: But thanks so much for tuning in, and thank you 12 00:00:29,720 --> 00:00:31,840 Speaker 1: again for coming out. And I like to start with 13 00:00:31,920 --> 00:00:34,800 Speaker 1: something funny each week. And I heard about this airplane 14 00:00:34,840 --> 00:00:38,520 Speaker 1: that was about to crash. Had four passengers but only 15 00:00:38,600 --> 00:00:43,599 Speaker 1: three parachutes. The first passenger said, I'm a leading heart surgeon. 16 00:00:43,960 --> 00:00:47,360 Speaker 1: My patients need me. He took the first parachute and jumped. 17 00:00:47,720 --> 00:00:51,280 Speaker 1: The second passenger said, I'm a rocket scientist, one of 18 00:00:51,320 --> 00:00:55,000 Speaker 1: the smartest men alive. My country needs me. He took 19 00:00:55,040 --> 00:00:58,440 Speaker 1: the second parachute and jumped. The third passenger was Pope 20 00:00:58,520 --> 00:01:01,880 Speaker 1: John Paul said to the fourth passenger, a ten year 21 00:01:01,920 --> 00:01:05,319 Speaker 1: old boy scout son, I'm old and frail. I don't 22 00:01:05,319 --> 00:01:07,120 Speaker 1: have a lot of time left. Go ahead and take 23 00:01:07,160 --> 00:01:10,760 Speaker 1: this last parachute. The ten year old boy scout said, sir, 24 00:01:10,959 --> 00:01:13,880 Speaker 1: don't worry about it. There are still two parachutes left. 25 00:01:14,200 --> 00:01:17,039 Speaker 1: You see, the smartest man alive just jumped out with 26 00:01:17,160 --> 00:01:21,760 Speaker 1: my backpack. Hold up your bible. Say it like you 27 00:01:21,840 --> 00:01:24,959 Speaker 1: mean it. This is my Bible. I am what it 28 00:01:25,000 --> 00:01:27,520 Speaker 1: says I am. I have what it says I have. 29 00:01:28,120 --> 00:01:30,720 Speaker 1: I can do what it says I can do. Today 30 00:01:30,840 --> 00:01:34,200 Speaker 1: I will be taught the word of God. I boldly confess. 31 00:01:34,680 --> 00:01:38,199 Speaker 1: My mind is alert, my heart is receptive. I will 32 00:01:38,240 --> 00:01:41,920 Speaker 1: never be the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. 33 00:01:43,120 --> 00:01:45,920 Speaker 1: I want to talk to you today about seeing people 34 00:01:46,160 --> 00:01:50,120 Speaker 1: through your eyes of love. Too often we judge people 35 00:01:50,280 --> 00:01:53,840 Speaker 1: without knowing their story. We haven't walked in their shoes. 36 00:01:54,280 --> 00:01:57,040 Speaker 1: We don't know the struggles they've been through. We don't 37 00:01:57,080 --> 00:01:59,800 Speaker 1: know how they were raised, we don't know the challenges 38 00:02:00,080 --> 00:02:03,480 Speaker 1: they're facing right now. All we know is he sure 39 00:02:03,560 --> 00:02:06,960 Speaker 1: is unfriendly. She shouldn't wear that, and he's got hanging 40 00:02:07,040 --> 00:02:09,960 Speaker 1: up And I don't know why they act that way. Now. 41 00:02:09,960 --> 00:02:12,960 Speaker 1: The truth is there's a reason people are the way 42 00:02:12,960 --> 00:02:16,359 Speaker 1: they are. If we took time to know their story, 43 00:02:16,800 --> 00:02:20,560 Speaker 1: we would be much more forgiving. If we understood the 44 00:02:20,639 --> 00:02:24,320 Speaker 1: battles they fought, the pain they've endured, the people that 45 00:02:24,360 --> 00:02:27,000 Speaker 1: have done them wrong, we would give them a lot 46 00:02:27,000 --> 00:02:30,400 Speaker 1: more mercy. We wouldn't be critical because they went through 47 00:02:30,440 --> 00:02:33,960 Speaker 1: a divorce, or they've got an addiction, or they were 48 00:02:34,040 --> 00:02:36,920 Speaker 1: unfriendly and didn't speak to me. No, you don't know 49 00:02:37,200 --> 00:02:40,200 Speaker 1: what's going on behind the scenes. You don't know that 50 00:02:40,280 --> 00:02:43,560 Speaker 1: the stress that they're under. For too long, we've seen 51 00:02:43,639 --> 00:02:47,320 Speaker 1: people through eyes of judgment. My challenge is, let's start 52 00:02:47,360 --> 00:02:51,160 Speaker 1: seeing people through our eyes of love. Instead of being 53 00:02:51,200 --> 00:02:54,520 Speaker 1: critical in writing them off, take time to get to 54 00:02:54,600 --> 00:02:58,600 Speaker 1: know them, find out what they're all about. God puts 55 00:02:58,639 --> 00:03:02,160 Speaker 1: people in our lives not to judge, but so that 56 00:03:02,200 --> 00:03:06,640 Speaker 1: we can help bring healing. Every time you show mercy, 57 00:03:06,760 --> 00:03:09,800 Speaker 1: every time you overlook a fault, when you give people 58 00:03:09,840 --> 00:03:13,720 Speaker 1: the benefit of the doubt, you're bringing hope, healing, restoration 59 00:03:13,919 --> 00:03:17,079 Speaker 1: to that person. I remember in high school a young 60 00:03:17,120 --> 00:03:19,760 Speaker 1: man moved to our city and joined the basketball team, 61 00:03:19,800 --> 00:03:23,359 Speaker 1: and he was very good, but he was extremely quiet. 62 00:03:23,800 --> 00:03:27,120 Speaker 1: He had a different personality. We all thought he was odd, 63 00:03:27,680 --> 00:03:29,840 Speaker 1: never laughed with us. He just stayed over in the 64 00:03:29,840 --> 00:03:32,120 Speaker 1: corner and did his own thing, never really joined in. 65 00:03:32,840 --> 00:03:34,600 Speaker 1: One day, it was just he and I in the 66 00:03:34,639 --> 00:03:37,400 Speaker 1: locker room, and I'd never really spoken to him before, 67 00:03:37,920 --> 00:03:40,520 Speaker 1: and just to be friendly, I said, Hey, where'd you 68 00:03:40,560 --> 00:03:43,840 Speaker 1: come from? Where'd you grow up? I'll never forget how 69 00:03:43,920 --> 00:03:47,160 Speaker 1: sincere he was. He began to open up and tell 70 00:03:47,240 --> 00:03:50,880 Speaker 1: how he came out of a very dysfunctional home. He 71 00:03:50,920 --> 00:03:54,840 Speaker 1: had been passed from family to family, six different foster 72 00:03:54,960 --> 00:03:59,640 Speaker 1: homes in three years. All this hurt pain insecurity. Once 73 00:03:59,680 --> 00:04:03,240 Speaker 1: I understood where he was coming from, I saw him 74 00:04:03,240 --> 00:04:06,000 Speaker 1: in a whole new light. I got my friends and 75 00:04:06,040 --> 00:04:09,280 Speaker 1: we made sure to include him. We went the extra 76 00:04:09,360 --> 00:04:12,960 Speaker 1: mile to make him feel loved, accepted, welcome, and as 77 00:04:12,960 --> 00:04:15,760 Speaker 1: a part of our team. And over the years I 78 00:04:15,880 --> 00:04:19,800 Speaker 1: watched how he came out of his shell, became more confident, 79 00:04:20,000 --> 00:04:23,440 Speaker 1: more secure. By the time we graduated, he's just like 80 00:04:23,520 --> 00:04:26,279 Speaker 1: the rest of us, as happy and friendly as can be. 81 00:04:27,279 --> 00:04:32,360 Speaker 1: When you understand people's story, it's very easy to overlook things. 82 00:04:32,839 --> 00:04:35,760 Speaker 1: When I found out why he was the way he was, 83 00:04:36,120 --> 00:04:39,800 Speaker 1: it changed my perspective and I realized it's easy for 84 00:04:39,880 --> 00:04:43,320 Speaker 1: me to be secure and happy. I was raised in 85 00:04:43,360 --> 00:04:46,359 Speaker 1: a good environment. It's easy for me to be confident 86 00:04:46,400 --> 00:04:50,200 Speaker 1: and expect good things. I've been surrounded by loving people. 87 00:04:50,920 --> 00:04:54,000 Speaker 1: But if I didn't have this background, I don't know 88 00:04:54,240 --> 00:04:59,200 Speaker 1: how I would respond. Too often, we judge people based 89 00:04:59,240 --> 00:05:02,520 Speaker 1: on our own back ground and on the experiences we've 90 00:05:02,560 --> 00:05:06,279 Speaker 1: been through. If we're strong in an area where somebody 91 00:05:06,400 --> 00:05:09,400 Speaker 1: is weak, it's easy to think I would never do that. 92 00:05:10,160 --> 00:05:12,400 Speaker 1: I would never be as unfriendly as that young man. 93 00:05:12,560 --> 00:05:14,560 Speaker 1: I would have never gotten a divorce. I'd have never 94 00:05:14,560 --> 00:05:16,880 Speaker 1: married that person in the first place. Joel, No, you 95 00:05:16,920 --> 00:05:19,039 Speaker 1: don't know what you would have done. You haven't walked 96 00:05:19,040 --> 00:05:22,400 Speaker 1: in their shoes. You weren't raised in their environment, you 97 00:05:22,480 --> 00:05:26,520 Speaker 1: haven't been through their same experiences. All of us have 98 00:05:26,600 --> 00:05:30,279 Speaker 1: strengths and we all have weaknesses, and we are strong 99 00:05:30,520 --> 00:05:33,960 Speaker 1: in certain areas. Not because we're great and we just 100 00:05:34,000 --> 00:05:37,440 Speaker 1: decided to be strong. No, it's because of the grace 101 00:05:37,520 --> 00:05:41,200 Speaker 1: of God on our lives. I am secure and confident 102 00:05:41,360 --> 00:05:45,040 Speaker 1: because God blessed me with great parents. I cannot judge 103 00:05:45,080 --> 00:05:47,800 Speaker 1: that young man that was unfriendly. I haven't walked in 104 00:05:47,839 --> 00:05:50,800 Speaker 1: his shoes. I don't know if I would handle it 105 00:05:50,839 --> 00:05:53,960 Speaker 1: as good as he did. Instead of being holier than 106 00:05:54,000 --> 00:05:58,000 Speaker 1: now and judging people, our attitude should be but for 107 00:05:58,040 --> 00:06:00,720 Speaker 1: the grace of God, that could be me. If it 108 00:06:00,839 --> 00:06:03,600 Speaker 1: was not for God's goodness, I could be struggling with 109 00:06:03,640 --> 00:06:07,200 Speaker 1: an addiction. I could be insecure, angry, dealing with all 110 00:06:07,279 --> 00:06:10,039 Speaker 1: kinds of issues. I'm not going to judge. I'm going 111 00:06:10,120 --> 00:06:13,159 Speaker 1: to show mercy. I'm not going to be critical. I'm 112 00:06:13,200 --> 00:06:17,159 Speaker 1: going to be understanding. After all, we don't know what 113 00:06:17,320 --> 00:06:20,880 Speaker 1: people are going through. We've got to give people room. 114 00:06:21,360 --> 00:06:24,479 Speaker 1: My father used to say, everyone has the right to 115 00:06:24,560 --> 00:06:27,599 Speaker 1: have a bad day. We can either see them through 116 00:06:27,640 --> 00:06:31,039 Speaker 1: eyes of judgment and be hard and critical, or we 117 00:06:31,080 --> 00:06:33,679 Speaker 1: can see them through eyes of love, eyes of mercy, 118 00:06:33,800 --> 00:06:37,440 Speaker 1: eyes of understanding. Here's the key. The way you see 119 00:06:37,520 --> 00:06:40,000 Speaker 1: other people is the way they're going to see you. 120 00:06:40,800 --> 00:06:43,880 Speaker 1: If you're hard and critical when they do wrong, you 121 00:06:44,000 --> 00:06:47,119 Speaker 1: make sure they get what they deserve, then those same 122 00:06:47,320 --> 00:06:49,320 Speaker 1: seeds that you're so and are going to come back 123 00:06:49,360 --> 00:06:51,880 Speaker 1: to you. People are going to be hard and critical 124 00:06:51,960 --> 00:06:58,039 Speaker 1: and not show you any mercy. But when you're kind forgiving, compassionate, merciful, 125 00:06:58,240 --> 00:07:01,080 Speaker 1: when you give people room, when you realize they're not 126 00:07:01,120 --> 00:07:03,680 Speaker 1: a bad person, they're just dealing with some issues. Then 127 00:07:03,720 --> 00:07:06,360 Speaker 1: people are going to be kind for giving merciful back 128 00:07:06,400 --> 00:07:09,159 Speaker 1: to you. Now, I think one of the greatest traits 129 00:07:09,160 --> 00:07:12,200 Speaker 1: that we can all develop is to believe the best 130 00:07:12,280 --> 00:07:16,360 Speaker 1: in people. We can all criticize, we can all find fault. 131 00:07:16,400 --> 00:07:19,680 Speaker 1: People are human. They're going to make mistakes, They're going 132 00:07:19,760 --> 00:07:23,160 Speaker 1: to do things we don't understand. But the scripture says 133 00:07:23,480 --> 00:07:28,680 Speaker 1: love overlooks a person's faults. Love makes allowances for people's weaknesses. 134 00:07:29,560 --> 00:07:34,800 Speaker 1: Love doesn't magnify a mistake. Love covers a mistake. Now, 135 00:07:34,880 --> 00:07:38,200 Speaker 1: a mature person will not take an offense and run 136 00:07:38,240 --> 00:07:40,640 Speaker 1: with it. They won't magnify it and say, let me 137 00:07:40,680 --> 00:07:43,360 Speaker 1: call ten friends and tell you what they did. Now, 138 00:07:43,360 --> 00:07:47,120 Speaker 1: when you're full of mercy, you'll downplay it. You'll be 139 00:07:47,200 --> 00:07:50,840 Speaker 1: their defender. You'll even be willing to suffer the wrong, 140 00:07:51,280 --> 00:07:53,840 Speaker 1: knowing that they weren't up to par I had a 141 00:07:53,840 --> 00:07:56,800 Speaker 1: good friend tell me a while back how his boss 142 00:07:56,920 --> 00:07:59,920 Speaker 1: jumped down his throat for no reason. He hadn't done 143 00:07:59,920 --> 00:08:02,400 Speaker 1: it anything wrong, and his boss just let him have 144 00:08:02,480 --> 00:08:05,720 Speaker 1: it in front of the whole sales staff, embarrassed him, 145 00:08:05,760 --> 00:08:08,640 Speaker 1: and he was all upset about it. I told him 146 00:08:08,760 --> 00:08:11,840 Speaker 1: what I'm telling you. Just give the boss the benefit 147 00:08:11,880 --> 00:08:14,960 Speaker 1: of the doubt. Something else is going on. He found 148 00:08:15,000 --> 00:08:17,640 Speaker 1: out two weeks later that his boss was going through 149 00:08:17,680 --> 00:08:21,400 Speaker 1: a divorce. It gave him a whole new perspective. Now 150 00:08:21,440 --> 00:08:24,840 Speaker 1: he understands why he was so uptight, why he was 151 00:08:24,880 --> 00:08:28,320 Speaker 1: on edge, and instead of taking it personally, now he's 152 00:08:28,360 --> 00:08:32,000 Speaker 1: making allowances. He's showing him mercy, He's doing what he 153 00:08:32,040 --> 00:08:35,840 Speaker 1: can to help lighten the load. Most of the time, 154 00:08:36,200 --> 00:08:38,920 Speaker 1: if someone is not up to par, there's a very 155 00:08:38,960 --> 00:08:42,959 Speaker 1: good reason. We don't know what's going on behind closed doors. 156 00:08:43,360 --> 00:08:46,360 Speaker 1: We don't know the heartache, the pain that they've pushed down. 157 00:08:46,760 --> 00:08:49,080 Speaker 1: Now they're doing the best they can to just keep 158 00:08:49,080 --> 00:08:52,120 Speaker 1: it together. The last thing they need is for one 159 00:08:52,160 --> 00:08:55,559 Speaker 1: of us to come dump a whole nother load on them. Now. 160 00:08:55,600 --> 00:08:58,880 Speaker 1: God puts people in our life like that, not to judge, 161 00:08:59,080 --> 00:09:02,120 Speaker 1: not to condemn, to be critical. God put them there 162 00:09:02,520 --> 00:09:06,559 Speaker 1: so you can help love them back into wholeness. Where 163 00:09:06,600 --> 00:09:09,520 Speaker 1: are the healers? Where are the people that will be 164 00:09:09,880 --> 00:09:13,839 Speaker 1: sensitive to recognize when somebody's hurting, People that will step 165 00:09:13,920 --> 00:09:17,080 Speaker 1: up and say, I can tell you stressed out, I 166 00:09:17,080 --> 00:09:19,560 Speaker 1: can tell you're not up to par Is. There anything 167 00:09:19,600 --> 00:09:21,800 Speaker 1: I can do to help? Can I pray for you? 168 00:09:22,280 --> 00:09:24,320 Speaker 1: Can I buy your dinner? Can I come over and 169 00:09:24,400 --> 00:09:28,400 Speaker 1: encourage you. Let's stop judging people and let's start healing people. 170 00:09:29,360 --> 00:09:32,480 Speaker 1: Years ago, I was in a grocery store waiting in 171 00:09:32,520 --> 00:09:35,120 Speaker 1: line to check out, and there were eight or nine 172 00:09:35,120 --> 00:09:37,000 Speaker 1: people in front of me, and the girl at the 173 00:09:37,040 --> 00:09:40,280 Speaker 1: register was about twenty years old, and she was very 174 00:09:40,320 --> 00:09:43,439 Speaker 1: stressed out and very short with people. You could tell 175 00:09:43,480 --> 00:09:45,840 Speaker 1: that she didn't want to be there. Several of the 176 00:09:45,880 --> 00:09:48,720 Speaker 1: customers when she was rude to them, they were just 177 00:09:48,760 --> 00:09:51,600 Speaker 1: as rude back to her. It's a very tense situation. 178 00:09:52,040 --> 00:09:54,280 Speaker 1: There was a problem with the register, she had to 179 00:09:54,280 --> 00:09:57,040 Speaker 1: call the manager. Then she needed a price check. It 180 00:09:57,080 --> 00:10:01,000 Speaker 1: was taken forever. People were getting more and more and 181 00:10:01,040 --> 00:10:04,360 Speaker 1: she was becoming more and more rude. And yes, she 182 00:10:04,600 --> 00:10:07,280 Speaker 1: was wrong, she should not act that way. But I 183 00:10:07,400 --> 00:10:10,600 Speaker 1: knew it was something deeper, and I thought, I'm not 184 00:10:10,720 --> 00:10:12,840 Speaker 1: going to be a part of the problem. I'm gonna 185 00:10:12,880 --> 00:10:15,280 Speaker 1: be a part of the solution. This girl's got enough 186 00:10:15,320 --> 00:10:17,480 Speaker 1: trouble and heartache and stress in her life. I'm not 187 00:10:17,520 --> 00:10:19,520 Speaker 1: gonna make it worse. And when I got up there. 188 00:10:19,559 --> 00:10:23,839 Speaker 1: I just very kindly and quietly began to encourage her. Said, hey, 189 00:10:23,840 --> 00:10:25,800 Speaker 1: I can tell you stressed out and these people are 190 00:10:25,800 --> 00:10:27,720 Speaker 1: giving you a hard time. But I want you to 191 00:10:27,760 --> 00:10:30,840 Speaker 1: know that everything is gonna be all right. God has 192 00:10:30,840 --> 00:10:32,920 Speaker 1: you in the palm of his hand. He knows what 193 00:10:32,960 --> 00:10:35,559 Speaker 1: you're going through, and he's already got the solution. It's 194 00:10:35,559 --> 00:10:39,040 Speaker 1: all going to work out. Big tears started coming down 195 00:10:39,080 --> 00:10:42,199 Speaker 1: her cheeks. She said, my baby is in the hospital 196 00:10:42,520 --> 00:10:45,199 Speaker 1: and I'm so worried, and my husband got laid off. 197 00:10:45,240 --> 00:10:47,360 Speaker 1: I don't know how we're gonna make it. I said, well, 198 00:10:47,400 --> 00:10:49,040 Speaker 1: let's pray about it. Right there in front of the 199 00:10:49,080 --> 00:10:51,760 Speaker 1: grocery store. We prayed, and when I got finished, the 200 00:10:51,840 --> 00:10:54,080 Speaker 1: lady in line behind me came and gave her a 201 00:10:54,080 --> 00:10:57,280 Speaker 1: big huff. The next man, he said, my good friend 202 00:10:57,360 --> 00:10:59,600 Speaker 1: is the head nurse at that hospital. I'm gonna call 203 00:10:59,640 --> 00:11:01,719 Speaker 1: her and ask her to go check on your baby. 204 00:11:01,880 --> 00:11:05,840 Speaker 1: The whole atmosphere changed when we heard her story. It 205 00:11:05,880 --> 00:11:10,080 Speaker 1: all made sense. We realized why she was so uptight 206 00:11:11,320 --> 00:11:14,440 Speaker 1: before I left. She said, you'll never know what this 207 00:11:14,600 --> 00:11:18,040 Speaker 1: is meant to me. The scripture says Proverbs fifteen to 208 00:11:18,120 --> 00:11:23,040 Speaker 1: four A gentle tongue brings healing. It's amazing what a 209 00:11:23,040 --> 00:11:26,599 Speaker 1: few kind words can do. It's amazing what impact it 210 00:11:26,640 --> 00:11:29,959 Speaker 1: can have. When you tell somebody, hey, everything's going to 211 00:11:30,000 --> 00:11:33,280 Speaker 1: be all right. I'm praying for you. I believe in you. 212 00:11:33,280 --> 00:11:37,400 Speaker 1: You've got good days up ahead. Those words have healing power. 213 00:11:38,120 --> 00:11:40,880 Speaker 1: But when somebody's rude to us, it's easy to respond 214 00:11:40,960 --> 00:11:44,600 Speaker 1: back the same way. But instead of judging them, if 215 00:11:44,600 --> 00:11:47,520 Speaker 1: you will first step into their shoes, it will help 216 00:11:47,559 --> 00:11:49,839 Speaker 1: you to put on the right set of eyes, eyes 217 00:11:49,920 --> 00:11:53,040 Speaker 1: of love and not eyes of judgment. And this doesn't 218 00:11:53,080 --> 00:11:56,760 Speaker 1: mean that we're excusing their behavior. What they're doing may 219 00:11:56,800 --> 00:11:59,520 Speaker 1: be wrong, it may be their fault. They may have 220 00:11:59,520 --> 00:12:02,960 Speaker 1: brought the trouble on themselves. But I've learned I'm not 221 00:12:03,080 --> 00:12:05,960 Speaker 1: the judge. God is the judge. I'm not here to 222 00:12:06,000 --> 00:12:09,319 Speaker 1: straighten everybody out. I'm here to help bring healing. Our 223 00:12:09,480 --> 00:12:12,840 Speaker 1: job is to pour the healing oil on the wounds. 224 00:12:13,160 --> 00:12:15,480 Speaker 1: Our job is to lift the fallen, to be a 225 00:12:15,520 --> 00:12:19,240 Speaker 1: friend to the lonely, to encourage the discoverer. When you 226 00:12:19,360 --> 00:12:23,160 Speaker 1: take this merciful approach, and instead of giving them what 227 00:12:23,240 --> 00:12:27,320 Speaker 1: they deserve, he say, hey, I understand they're not having 228 00:12:27,320 --> 00:12:30,240 Speaker 1: a good day. I understand they're under a lot of stress. 229 00:12:30,400 --> 00:12:34,080 Speaker 1: I understand life's not treating them fair. That's what helps 230 00:12:34,120 --> 00:12:38,120 Speaker 1: to start the healing process. Heard a story about this farmer. 231 00:12:38,520 --> 00:12:41,000 Speaker 1: He was an older gentleman and he had some puppies 232 00:12:41,040 --> 00:12:43,280 Speaker 1: that he wanted to sell. He put a sign on 233 00:12:43,320 --> 00:12:46,200 Speaker 1: his fence out front. The next day, the little boy 234 00:12:46,200 --> 00:12:48,640 Speaker 1: from across the street came over. He was about eight 235 00:12:48,720 --> 00:12:51,280 Speaker 1: years old. He said, mister, I want to buy one 236 00:12:51,280 --> 00:12:54,040 Speaker 1: of your puppies. The little boy pulled out a pocket 237 00:12:54,040 --> 00:12:56,720 Speaker 1: full of change. He said, I got thirty nine cents. 238 00:12:56,800 --> 00:12:59,360 Speaker 1: Is that enough? Farmer kind of laughed. He said, I 239 00:12:59,360 --> 00:13:01,800 Speaker 1: don't know, me count it. He counted it coin by coin. 240 00:13:01,960 --> 00:13:05,160 Speaker 1: He said, that's exactly the right amountain. He called the 241 00:13:05,200 --> 00:13:07,880 Speaker 1: worker over there in the barn, told him to let 242 00:13:07,880 --> 00:13:10,360 Speaker 1: the little puppies out of their cage, and four the 243 00:13:10,400 --> 00:13:13,439 Speaker 1: cutest little fur balls you could ever imagine, came running 244 00:13:13,440 --> 00:13:16,199 Speaker 1: toward the little boy and he reached down begin to 245 00:13:16,240 --> 00:13:18,640 Speaker 1: play with them, trying to figure out which one he 246 00:13:18,679 --> 00:13:22,240 Speaker 1: wanted to buy. About that time, he saw another little 247 00:13:22,280 --> 00:13:25,880 Speaker 1: puppy sliding down the ramp of the cage where the 248 00:13:25,960 --> 00:13:28,960 Speaker 1: other puppies had run. There was something wrong with this 249 00:13:29,040 --> 00:13:32,120 Speaker 1: puppy's back legs. When it ran, all it could do 250 00:13:32,440 --> 00:13:35,960 Speaker 1: was hobble along, and the little boy was immediately drawn 251 00:13:36,040 --> 00:13:39,640 Speaker 1: to it. Without hesitation, he said to the farmer, that's 252 00:13:39,720 --> 00:13:43,680 Speaker 1: the puppy that I want. The farmer was puzzled. He said, no, son, 253 00:13:43,960 --> 00:13:46,520 Speaker 1: you don't want this puppy. It'll never be able to 254 00:13:46,600 --> 00:13:48,720 Speaker 1: run and play like the rest of the children. There's 255 00:13:48,720 --> 00:13:52,160 Speaker 1: something wrong with his back legs. The little boy reached 256 00:13:52,160 --> 00:13:54,920 Speaker 1: down and begin to roll up his blue jeans. When 257 00:13:54,960 --> 00:13:58,680 Speaker 1: he did, it revealed steel braces on each side of 258 00:13:58,720 --> 00:14:02,120 Speaker 1: his legs with two specially made shoes. He said to 259 00:14:02,160 --> 00:14:05,440 Speaker 1: the farmer, you see I don't run well either. This 260 00:14:05,600 --> 00:14:12,800 Speaker 1: puppy is going to need someone that understands. Friends, this 261 00:14:12,960 --> 00:14:17,160 Speaker 1: world is full of people that need someone that understands. 262 00:14:17,800 --> 00:14:20,360 Speaker 1: We don't know what people are going through. We don't 263 00:14:20,360 --> 00:14:24,280 Speaker 1: know the pain that they've endured. They may be different 264 00:14:24,320 --> 00:14:26,200 Speaker 1: and have hang ups and they're not like us, and 265 00:14:26,200 --> 00:14:28,840 Speaker 1: they shouldn't be doing that. That's okay, give them a 266 00:14:28,880 --> 00:14:32,760 Speaker 1: little room. If you took time to know their story, 267 00:14:32,800 --> 00:14:35,360 Speaker 1: then you wouldn't be critical. If you would first walk 268 00:14:35,400 --> 00:14:38,400 Speaker 1: in their shoes, you would find out why they are 269 00:14:38,720 --> 00:14:41,680 Speaker 1: the way they are. Remember when I was growing up, 270 00:14:41,920 --> 00:14:44,720 Speaker 1: there was a man at our church. It's about thirty 271 00:14:44,800 --> 00:14:48,440 Speaker 1: years old, and he was always dancing during the service, 272 00:14:49,000 --> 00:14:51,760 Speaker 1: just like clockwork. As soon as the music started, his 273 00:14:51,880 --> 00:14:53,840 Speaker 1: hands would go up in the air, his feet would 274 00:14:53,840 --> 00:14:56,760 Speaker 1: get to dancing. I was about ten years old and 275 00:14:56,840 --> 00:14:59,120 Speaker 1: some of my friends and I, I'll tell you my 276 00:14:59,200 --> 00:15:02,800 Speaker 1: sins would sit over in the youth section and we 277 00:15:02,840 --> 00:15:06,000 Speaker 1: would make fun of this guy. We just thought he 278 00:15:06,200 --> 00:15:09,240 Speaker 1: was so odd, and we would even watch before service. 279 00:15:09,240 --> 00:15:10,720 Speaker 1: Where is he, y'all? Where is he? There? He is 280 00:15:10,760 --> 00:15:12,280 Speaker 1: over there, we get a good view. Oh, okay, here 281 00:15:12,280 --> 00:15:14,800 Speaker 1: goes to music. There goes his hands, there goes his legs, 282 00:15:14,800 --> 00:15:18,120 Speaker 1: And we just couldn't understand why he was always so excited, 283 00:15:18,160 --> 00:15:20,480 Speaker 1: why he was dancing. Well, you got to know my father. 284 00:15:20,760 --> 00:15:23,800 Speaker 1: One day, my dad called him up on the platform 285 00:15:24,160 --> 00:15:27,000 Speaker 1: and asked him to tell his story. And all of 286 00:15:27,040 --> 00:15:30,400 Speaker 1: our young years were listening so intently. We're gonna finally 287 00:15:30,440 --> 00:15:33,720 Speaker 1: find out what made him so strange, why he danced 288 00:15:33,760 --> 00:15:36,800 Speaker 1: all the time. Well, he began to tell how he 289 00:15:36,920 --> 00:15:40,160 Speaker 1: never knew his father, His mother committed suicide at an 290 00:15:40,160 --> 00:15:43,440 Speaker 1: early age, and he grew up a angry, bitter, no direction, 291 00:15:43,640 --> 00:15:46,960 Speaker 1: no purpose in life. But he said he came into 292 00:15:47,040 --> 00:15:50,000 Speaker 1: Lakewood and he got his life turned around, and he 293 00:15:50,080 --> 00:15:52,400 Speaker 1: got a good job, and he was about to get married. 294 00:15:52,400 --> 00:15:54,720 Speaker 1: And he said, when I think about all God's done 295 00:15:54,720 --> 00:15:57,480 Speaker 1: for me, I just can't be still. My arms are 296 00:15:57,520 --> 00:16:02,640 Speaker 1: go up in the air. He said, when the music start, 297 00:16:02,760 --> 00:16:04,880 Speaker 1: my legs just go to dance. And I'm so happy. 298 00:16:04,960 --> 00:16:07,520 Speaker 1: I just got to give God praise. Well, when we 299 00:16:07,560 --> 00:16:10,840 Speaker 1: heard that, we felt about that big. Do you know 300 00:16:11,120 --> 00:16:14,560 Speaker 1: we never made fun of him again. When you walk 301 00:16:14,600 --> 00:16:18,560 Speaker 1: in somebody's shoes, when you hear their story, it'll give 302 00:16:18,560 --> 00:16:22,160 Speaker 1: you a new perspective. Could it be the person you're 303 00:16:22,200 --> 00:16:25,480 Speaker 1: being judgmental toward has a good reason for the way 304 00:16:25,520 --> 00:16:28,920 Speaker 1: he is. Maybe he's got an addiction. You attempted to 305 00:16:29,040 --> 00:16:31,880 Speaker 1: ride him off, to be critical, But have you walked 306 00:16:31,920 --> 00:16:34,440 Speaker 1: in his shoes? Do you know how he was raised? 307 00:16:34,680 --> 00:16:37,360 Speaker 1: Do you know the battles that he's fought. Maybe that 308 00:16:37,520 --> 00:16:40,600 Speaker 1: lady is not where she should be, but do you 309 00:16:40,720 --> 00:16:43,000 Speaker 1: know what's going on behind the scenes? Do you know 310 00:16:43,040 --> 00:16:46,280 Speaker 1: how she was treated? Do you know the experiences that 311 00:16:46,320 --> 00:16:49,040 Speaker 1: have made her into who she is today? Most of 312 00:16:49,080 --> 00:16:51,480 Speaker 1: the time, we don't know all the facts. And here's 313 00:16:51,520 --> 00:16:54,880 Speaker 1: the key. Even if they are wrong, God did not 314 00:16:54,960 --> 00:16:58,120 Speaker 1: put us here to condemn them. What's going to help 315 00:16:58,160 --> 00:17:00,360 Speaker 1: them to turn around and get back on the right 316 00:17:00,440 --> 00:17:05,960 Speaker 1: track is mercy, forgiveness, being understanding. When we're hard and critical, 317 00:17:06,040 --> 00:17:09,159 Speaker 1: that doesn't bring healing, that doesn't lift people up, that 318 00:17:09,280 --> 00:17:12,920 Speaker 1: just pushes them further down. And dealing with people for 319 00:17:13,240 --> 00:17:15,960 Speaker 1: several years, thousands of people, one thing I can tell 320 00:17:16,000 --> 00:17:20,080 Speaker 1: you is ninety nine point nine percent of people are 321 00:17:20,080 --> 00:17:23,800 Speaker 1: not bad people. They may make poor choices, but deep 322 00:17:23,880 --> 00:17:26,399 Speaker 1: down they've got a good heart. They want to do 323 00:17:26,480 --> 00:17:28,880 Speaker 1: what's right. And if we could just see them through 324 00:17:28,880 --> 00:17:31,439 Speaker 1: our eyes of love, we can be the ones to 325 00:17:31,480 --> 00:17:34,200 Speaker 1: help them come up higher and still fulfill their God 326 00:17:34,280 --> 00:17:39,679 Speaker 1: given destiny. The longer I live, the less judgmental I become. 327 00:17:40,640 --> 00:17:42,359 Speaker 1: I had a man tell me after the service a 328 00:17:42,359 --> 00:17:45,840 Speaker 1: while back, Joel, that was a hell of a sermon today. 329 00:17:47,200 --> 00:17:49,399 Speaker 1: Do you know that didn't offend me? I thought the 330 00:17:49,440 --> 00:17:54,119 Speaker 1: sermon was good too. That just told me he wasn't 331 00:17:54,200 --> 00:17:56,960 Speaker 1: raised like I was, so the way I grew up. 332 00:17:57,000 --> 00:17:59,200 Speaker 1: If you said hell, that meant you were going there. 333 00:18:01,280 --> 00:18:04,760 Speaker 1: But I found out that his parents owned bars. So 334 00:18:04,880 --> 00:18:06,879 Speaker 1: when I grew up as a little boy hanging out 335 00:18:06,880 --> 00:18:09,119 Speaker 1: in the church, he was hanging out in the bars. 336 00:18:09,680 --> 00:18:11,960 Speaker 1: I'm not going to be holier than now. I know. 337 00:18:12,200 --> 00:18:13,960 Speaker 1: If it were not for the grace of God, I 338 00:18:14,000 --> 00:18:17,760 Speaker 1: wouldn't be where I am today. Well, you say, Joel, 339 00:18:18,040 --> 00:18:20,679 Speaker 1: that girl that comes to your church, she's got a 340 00:18:20,720 --> 00:18:23,919 Speaker 1: bad reputation. Do you know what she does? No, but 341 00:18:23,960 --> 00:18:25,760 Speaker 1: I would rather her be here than out on the 342 00:18:25,800 --> 00:18:30,120 Speaker 1: street somewhere. I would rather her be here than hanging 343 00:18:30,119 --> 00:18:33,760 Speaker 1: out in the clubs. Jesus said, it's the sick who 344 00:18:33,800 --> 00:18:37,679 Speaker 1: need the doctor, not the well. Our churches should not 345 00:18:37,840 --> 00:18:42,440 Speaker 1: be museums to display perfect people. They should be hospitals 346 00:18:42,560 --> 00:18:48,000 Speaker 1: to help the hurting and the lonely. Here's the thing. 347 00:18:49,600 --> 00:18:52,080 Speaker 1: Before you judge that young lady, let me ask you. 348 00:18:52,320 --> 00:18:55,119 Speaker 1: Have you walked in her shoes? Do you know her story? 349 00:18:55,320 --> 00:18:58,240 Speaker 1: Did she have good parents that gave her wisdom, guidance 350 00:18:58,440 --> 00:19:01,240 Speaker 1: that made her feel valuable love? Or does she have 351 00:19:01,280 --> 00:19:04,119 Speaker 1: people that were taken advantage of? Have you tried to 352 00:19:04,160 --> 00:19:07,680 Speaker 1: see life from her perspective. We've got to give people 353 00:19:07,760 --> 00:19:10,360 Speaker 1: a little room while they're in the process of changing. 354 00:19:10,800 --> 00:19:13,840 Speaker 1: Maybe she's here trying to get her life turned around. 355 00:19:14,520 --> 00:19:17,800 Speaker 1: Maybe God put that person at the office next to you, 356 00:19:18,240 --> 00:19:20,760 Speaker 1: not so you could judge them, but so you could 357 00:19:20,800 --> 00:19:24,480 Speaker 1: help love them back into wholeness. Now our attitude should 358 00:19:24,520 --> 00:19:28,560 Speaker 1: be God, how can I help this person come up higher? 359 00:19:29,080 --> 00:19:32,040 Speaker 1: What can I do to inspire them to become better? 360 00:19:32,600 --> 00:19:35,800 Speaker 1: How can I make them feel more loved, more accepted, 361 00:19:36,200 --> 00:19:39,840 Speaker 1: more valuable, more secure? Friends. The closest thing to the 362 00:19:39,880 --> 00:19:45,480 Speaker 1: heart of God is helping hurting people. The same love, mercy, understanding, 363 00:19:45,560 --> 00:19:48,800 Speaker 1: compassion you give to others, that's the amount God's going 364 00:19:48,840 --> 00:19:52,399 Speaker 1: to give back to you. Romans fifteen one says, you 365 00:19:52,520 --> 00:19:56,280 Speaker 1: who are strong, you who are mature, are to bear 366 00:19:56,359 --> 00:19:59,920 Speaker 1: with those that are weak. That means you're going to 367 00:20:00,119 --> 00:20:02,320 Speaker 1: to have to put up with some things. You're going 368 00:20:02,359 --> 00:20:04,960 Speaker 1: to have to overlook some faults. We have to make 369 00:20:05,040 --> 00:20:09,800 Speaker 1: allowances for people's weaknesses. Bottom line is this, Be generous 370 00:20:09,920 --> 00:20:13,639 Speaker 1: with your mercy, show acceptance to everyone, not just the 371 00:20:13,640 --> 00:20:17,080 Speaker 1: people that are like you. Heard a story about a 372 00:20:17,119 --> 00:20:20,960 Speaker 1: young college student named Bill. He was known on campus 373 00:20:20,960 --> 00:20:23,679 Speaker 1: for his wild hair and the way he dressed. He 374 00:20:23,760 --> 00:20:26,879 Speaker 1: wore a T shirt with holes in it, blue jeans, 375 00:20:26,960 --> 00:20:29,640 Speaker 1: and sandals every day. He was a very sharp young man, 376 00:20:29,680 --> 00:20:31,919 Speaker 1: a straight a student. He was just a little different. 377 00:20:32,400 --> 00:20:35,000 Speaker 1: One day he went to a campus ministry event and 378 00:20:35,119 --> 00:20:38,080 Speaker 1: his heart was touched and he gave his life to Christ. 379 00:20:38,160 --> 00:20:40,800 Speaker 1: And they encouraged him to get into a good church, 380 00:20:41,119 --> 00:20:43,520 Speaker 1: and it just so happened. There was a church right 381 00:20:43,560 --> 00:20:46,440 Speaker 1: across the street from the university. It was a very 382 00:20:46,480 --> 00:20:51,720 Speaker 1: formal church, very conservative, very well dressed people. The next Sunday, 383 00:20:52,119 --> 00:20:55,040 Speaker 1: Bill walked in the service a few minutes late. The 384 00:20:55,080 --> 00:20:58,560 Speaker 1: little church was packed. Couldn't find a seat. He walked 385 00:20:58,600 --> 00:21:01,119 Speaker 1: down the center aisle toward the platform. Of course, he 386 00:21:01,200 --> 00:21:03,440 Speaker 1: was in his old T shirt and blue jeans and 387 00:21:03,480 --> 00:21:06,320 Speaker 1: his sandals, and he went row by roe, couldn't find 388 00:21:06,320 --> 00:21:08,080 Speaker 1: a seat. Finally got to the front row. Still no 389 00:21:08,160 --> 00:21:11,399 Speaker 1: place to sit. So Bill sat down right on the 390 00:21:11,400 --> 00:21:14,320 Speaker 1: floor in the center of the ultra area. And he 391 00:21:14,400 --> 00:21:17,520 Speaker 1: wasn't trying to be disrespectful. He just didn't know any better. 392 00:21:17,560 --> 00:21:20,200 Speaker 1: This is what he would have done in college. About 393 00:21:20,240 --> 00:21:22,680 Speaker 1: that time, the head deacon got up from the back 394 00:21:22,720 --> 00:21:26,600 Speaker 1: of the auditorium started walking down toward Bill. This head 395 00:21:26,600 --> 00:21:31,919 Speaker 1: deacon was in his eighties, very distinguished gentleman, Silver hair glasses, 396 00:21:31,960 --> 00:21:35,480 Speaker 1: wearing a very expensive suit, he walked slowly down the 397 00:21:35,520 --> 00:21:38,199 Speaker 1: aisle with his cane. There was such a commotion that 398 00:21:38,240 --> 00:21:40,520 Speaker 1: the minister had to stop his sermon and wait for 399 00:21:40,600 --> 00:21:43,840 Speaker 1: him to get down there. Everyone was thinking, you can't 400 00:21:43,840 --> 00:21:47,240 Speaker 1: blame this head deacon for wanting to correct the situation. 401 00:21:47,800 --> 00:21:50,800 Speaker 1: After all, you can't expect a man of his age 402 00:21:50,880 --> 00:21:54,239 Speaker 1: and that comes from his background, to ever understand a 403 00:21:54,280 --> 00:21:57,520 Speaker 1: young college student sitting on the floor in our very 404 00:21:57,560 --> 00:22:00,840 Speaker 1: formal church. When he got there, he laid came down, 405 00:22:00,920 --> 00:22:05,040 Speaker 1: and very slowly and with great difficulty, this head deacon 406 00:22:05,440 --> 00:22:09,000 Speaker 1: lowered himself to the floor and sat down next to 407 00:22:09,080 --> 00:22:11,680 Speaker 1: Bill so he wouldn't have to sit there all alone. 408 00:22:12,040 --> 00:22:17,320 Speaker 1: The whole church erupted in applause. The minister said, the 409 00:22:17,400 --> 00:22:20,879 Speaker 1: sermon you hear me speak today, you'll remember maybe for 410 00:22:20,960 --> 00:22:23,720 Speaker 1: a week or two, but the sermon you just saw 411 00:22:24,000 --> 00:22:27,600 Speaker 1: you will remember for the rest of your life. And 412 00:22:27,600 --> 00:22:31,760 Speaker 1: when we see people through eyes of love, eyes of compassion, 413 00:22:31,840 --> 00:22:35,840 Speaker 1: eyes of understanding, we won't be near as critical. Instead 414 00:22:35,840 --> 00:22:38,480 Speaker 1: of being quick to judge, will be quick to give 415 00:22:38,520 --> 00:22:42,200 Speaker 1: people the benefit of the doubt. That deacon, that older gentleman, 416 00:22:42,359 --> 00:22:46,119 Speaker 1: he realized that Bill wasn't raised like me. He doesn't 417 00:22:46,160 --> 00:22:49,080 Speaker 1: come from my same background. He didn't come out of 418 00:22:49,080 --> 00:22:53,440 Speaker 1: my same value system. Once he stepped into Bill's shoes, 419 00:22:53,720 --> 00:22:57,679 Speaker 1: he understood where he was coming from. Years ago, there 420 00:22:57,720 --> 00:23:00,960 Speaker 1: was a young boy named Teddy in the fifth grade 421 00:23:01,040 --> 00:23:04,760 Speaker 1: and not doing well in school. He wouldn't participate. He 422 00:23:04,920 --> 00:23:08,280 Speaker 1: was moody and hard to get along with his teacher. 423 00:23:08,680 --> 00:23:12,400 Speaker 1: Miss Thompson always said that she loved all of her students, 424 00:23:12,720 --> 00:23:15,520 Speaker 1: but later she would admit she didn't really care for 425 00:23:15,560 --> 00:23:19,639 Speaker 1: little Teddy. She couldn't understand why he was so unmotivated, 426 00:23:20,000 --> 00:23:23,840 Speaker 1: why he wasn't willing to learn. At Christmas, the students 427 00:23:23,880 --> 00:23:26,399 Speaker 1: would all bring Miss Thompson a present and she would 428 00:23:26,400 --> 00:23:28,679 Speaker 1: open it in front of the class. And most of 429 00:23:28,720 --> 00:23:33,120 Speaker 1: those presents were wrapped in fancy holiday paper with sparkling bows. 430 00:23:33,680 --> 00:23:37,040 Speaker 1: But Teddy's present was wrapped in brown paper from a 431 00:23:37,080 --> 00:23:41,040 Speaker 1: grocery bag. When she opened it, out out fell a 432 00:23:41,200 --> 00:23:45,919 Speaker 1: very plain looking bracelet that had half of the rhinestones missing, 433 00:23:46,440 --> 00:23:49,880 Speaker 1: plus a bottle of perfume halfway filled up, just real 434 00:23:50,000 --> 00:23:52,800 Speaker 1: cheap perfume, and some of the students begin to giggle. 435 00:23:53,600 --> 00:23:56,480 Speaker 1: Miss Thompson was smart enough to act like that. She 436 00:23:56,840 --> 00:23:58,600 Speaker 1: liked it, and she put some of the perfume on, 437 00:23:58,760 --> 00:24:00,560 Speaker 1: put the bracelet on her wrist and held it up 438 00:24:00,600 --> 00:24:04,320 Speaker 1: and said, oh, it's so beautiful. After class, Teddy came 439 00:24:04,400 --> 00:24:07,680 Speaker 1: up to the teacher and said, very quietly, Miss Thompson, 440 00:24:08,080 --> 00:24:11,240 Speaker 1: that bracelet looks as beautiful on you as it did 441 00:24:11,280 --> 00:24:14,720 Speaker 1: my mother. And with that perfume, you smell just like 442 00:24:14,840 --> 00:24:18,639 Speaker 1: she did. After Teddy left, Miss Thompson rushed to the 443 00:24:18,680 --> 00:24:22,119 Speaker 1: files to find out more about Teddy. She found the paperwork. 444 00:24:22,520 --> 00:24:26,320 Speaker 1: It said, first grade Teddy shows promise but has a 445 00:24:26,400 --> 00:24:31,159 Speaker 1: very poor home situation. Second grade Teddy could do better, 446 00:24:31,520 --> 00:24:35,320 Speaker 1: but mother is seriously ill. Third grade Teddy is a 447 00:24:35,359 --> 00:24:40,040 Speaker 1: good boy, but distracted. Mother died this year. Fourth grade 448 00:24:40,080 --> 00:24:43,359 Speaker 1: Teddy is a slow learner. Father shows no sign of 449 00:24:43,400 --> 00:24:47,480 Speaker 1: interest in him. Miss Thompson wiped away the tears, said, God, 450 00:24:47,520 --> 00:24:51,280 Speaker 1: please forgive me. The next morning, when the students went 451 00:24:51,320 --> 00:24:54,440 Speaker 1: to class, they had a new teacher. You see, Miss 452 00:24:54,560 --> 00:24:58,400 Speaker 1: Thompson had become a new person. She took off her 453 00:24:58,480 --> 00:25:01,320 Speaker 1: eyes of judgment and she put on her eyes a 454 00:25:01,400 --> 00:25:05,600 Speaker 1: b love. Now she understood why Teddy was so distracted. 455 00:25:06,280 --> 00:25:10,360 Speaker 1: She took him as her personal project. Begin to love him, 456 00:25:10,800 --> 00:25:14,560 Speaker 1: tutor him, mentor him, make sure that he felt accepted. 457 00:25:15,160 --> 00:25:19,720 Speaker 1: Miss Thompson was the turning point in Teddy's life. Years later, 458 00:25:19,800 --> 00:25:22,720 Speaker 1: she would get a letter from Teddy say, Miss Thompson, 459 00:25:22,880 --> 00:25:26,479 Speaker 1: thank you, I'm about to graduate from high school, second 460 00:25:26,560 --> 00:25:31,040 Speaker 1: in my class. Four years later, another letter, Miss Thompson, 461 00:25:31,160 --> 00:25:34,520 Speaker 1: thank you, I'm about to graduate from college, first in 462 00:25:34,640 --> 00:25:40,280 Speaker 1: my class. Years later, one final letter, Miss Thompson, thank you. 463 00:25:40,640 --> 00:25:44,800 Speaker 1: I am now doctor Teddy. I just graduated from medical school. 464 00:25:45,440 --> 00:25:48,440 Speaker 1: It went on to say, I'm about to get married, 465 00:25:48,680 --> 00:25:50,280 Speaker 1: and I wanted to see if you would come to 466 00:25:50,320 --> 00:25:53,240 Speaker 1: the wedding and sit where my mother would have sat 467 00:25:53,400 --> 00:25:56,240 Speaker 1: if she were still a high What a difference it 468 00:25:56,320 --> 00:25:59,520 Speaker 1: makes when we take time to hear people's story. It's 469 00:25:59,560 --> 00:26:02,440 Speaker 1: easy to be critical, it's easy to write people off. 470 00:26:02,640 --> 00:26:05,600 Speaker 1: But I'm convinced, like Miss Thompson, if we'll make an 471 00:26:05,640 --> 00:26:08,439 Speaker 1: effort to find out what they're all about, be a 472 00:26:08,440 --> 00:26:11,679 Speaker 1: lot easier to show mercy as we go out this week, 473 00:26:11,880 --> 00:26:14,600 Speaker 1: Let's make sure we see people through our eyes of love, 474 00:26:15,080 --> 00:26:18,199 Speaker 1: not our eyes of judgment. That person you're tempted to 475 00:26:18,240 --> 00:26:21,720 Speaker 1: be critical of, tempted to write off, no, give them 476 00:26:21,720 --> 00:26:24,560 Speaker 1: the benefit of the doubt, go the extra mile. Do 477 00:26:24,640 --> 00:26:27,360 Speaker 1: you know some people, all it takes is one person. 478 00:26:28,200 --> 00:26:31,199 Speaker 1: You can be the Miss Thompson in their life. You 479 00:26:31,280 --> 00:26:34,399 Speaker 1: can be the difference maker. Take an interest in that 480 00:26:34,520 --> 00:26:37,800 Speaker 1: coworker that's so discouraged, find out what's going on with 481 00:26:37,840 --> 00:26:41,080 Speaker 1: that relative that's lost his passion. You can be the 482 00:26:41,160 --> 00:26:44,640 Speaker 1: catalyst for change. Friends. If you and I will see 483 00:26:44,680 --> 00:26:47,480 Speaker 1: people through our eyes of love and not judgment, then 484 00:26:47,520 --> 00:26:51,080 Speaker 1: we'll live life as healers, lifting the fall and restoring 485 00:26:51,119 --> 00:26:53,480 Speaker 1: the broken. And let me assure you, when you help 486 00:26:53,560 --> 00:26:56,280 Speaker 1: others come up higher, God will make sure that you 487 00:26:56,400 --> 00:26:59,280 Speaker 1: come up higher. He'll pour out his blessings, his favor, 488 00:26:59,320 --> 00:27:02,480 Speaker 1: and you'll live the life of victory he has in story. Amen, 489 00:27:02,520 --> 00:27:06,600 Speaker 1: do you receive it today? We never like to close 490 00:27:06,600 --> 00:27:10,120 Speaker 1: our broadcast without giving you an opportunity to make Jesus 491 00:27:10,240 --> 00:27:12,440 Speaker 1: the lord of your life. Would you pray with me? 492 00:27:13,040 --> 00:27:18,200 Speaker 1: Just say, Lord, Jesus, I repent of my sins. Come 493 00:27:18,240 --> 00:27:22,919 Speaker 1: into my heart, wash me clean. I make you my 494 00:27:23,000 --> 00:27:26,679 Speaker 1: Lord and savior. Friends, if you prayed that simple prayer, 495 00:27:26,720 --> 00:27:28,920 Speaker 1: we believe you got born again. Get in a good 496 00:27:28,920 --> 00:27:31,760 Speaker 1: Bible based church. Keep God first place. He's going to 497 00:27:31,800 --> 00:27:33,600 Speaker 1: take you places that you've never dreamed of. 498 00:27:36,000 --> 00:27:38,879 Speaker 2: We all carry a mental picture of what our life 499 00:27:38,960 --> 00:27:45,119 Speaker 2: can be. Is yours limited? Do you picture yourself stuck, inadequate, defeated? 500 00:27:45,520 --> 00:27:48,199 Speaker 2: Are you willing to change your mindset in order to 501 00:27:48,280 --> 00:27:50,760 Speaker 2: experience a life of blessing and abundance. 502 00:27:51,320 --> 00:27:53,960 Speaker 1: We all have a picture in our mind of ourself, 503 00:27:54,320 --> 00:27:57,960 Speaker 1: our family, our future. And if that picture is negative, 504 00:27:58,359 --> 00:28:01,560 Speaker 1: you see yourself at a disadvant your problems too big, 505 00:28:01,760 --> 00:28:06,000 Speaker 1: it's gonna limit your life. A new book, The Abundance Mindset, 506 00:28:06,160 --> 00:28:08,800 Speaker 1: will help you see yourself the right way. If you'll 507 00:28:08,880 --> 00:28:14,480 Speaker 1: change those negative pictures, start seeing yourself blessed, healthy, rising high, 508 00:28:14,600 --> 00:28:18,000 Speaker 1: or accomplishing dreams, then things will begin to shift in 509 00:28:18,080 --> 00:28:20,760 Speaker 1: your favor. You have to see it on the inside 510 00:28:21,040 --> 00:28:24,000 Speaker 1: before it'll come to pass on the outside. We'll send 511 00:28:24,040 --> 00:28:27,080 Speaker 1: you the Mindset Journal too. These tools will help you 512 00:28:27,119 --> 00:28:29,840 Speaker 1: get your inner vision in the right place so you 513 00:28:29,880 --> 00:28:33,120 Speaker 1: can move into the favor and blessing that God has 514 00:28:33,119 --> 00:28:33,520 Speaker 1: for you. 515 00:28:34,400 --> 00:28:36,680 Speaker 2: As our way of saying thank you for your gift 516 00:28:36,720 --> 00:28:39,240 Speaker 2: of any amount this month, we would like to send 517 00:28:39,280 --> 00:28:43,000 Speaker 2: you a copy of Joel's book The Abundance Mindset and 518 00:28:43,040 --> 00:28:47,960 Speaker 2: this inspiring mindset. Journal Joel shares powerful scriptures and encouraging 519 00:28:48,040 --> 00:28:51,360 Speaker 2: thoughts about how to move from fairly enough to more 520 00:28:51,400 --> 00:28:55,240 Speaker 2: than enough, how to be someone else's miracle and experience 521 00:28:55,360 --> 00:28:58,280 Speaker 2: miracles in your own life. As you make the book 522 00:28:58,280 --> 00:29:01,000 Speaker 2: and journal a part of your daily WANFK, You'll be 523 00:29:01,160 --> 00:29:04,479 Speaker 2: built up every day regarding how to tapp into God's 524 00:29:04,520 --> 00:29:07,920 Speaker 2: favor and blessing, how not to talk yourself out of 525 00:29:07,960 --> 00:29:11,239 Speaker 2: the dreams and opportunities He has already prepared for you, 526 00:29:11,680 --> 00:29:15,480 Speaker 2: how to experience life to the fullest. Request your copies 527 00:29:15,520 --> 00:29:18,440 Speaker 2: today and begin to see a new mental picture of 528 00:29:18,480 --> 00:29:23,000 Speaker 2: yourself that will lead to new measures of blessing, favor, promotion, 529 00:29:23,400 --> 00:29:24,200 Speaker 2: and abundance. 530 00:29:24,720 --> 00:29:28,040 Speaker 1: Let's go into twenty twenty five with an abundant mindset. 531 00:29:28,440 --> 00:29:30,520 Speaker 1: I believe you're going to see the goodness of God 532 00:29:30,680 --> 00:29:33,280 Speaker 1: in new ways. Victory and I want you to know 533 00:29:33,400 --> 00:29:36,160 Speaker 1: we pray for you and your family every day for 534 00:29:36,240 --> 00:29:39,080 Speaker 1: God's very best. We want to thank you for your 535 00:29:39,120 --> 00:29:43,080 Speaker 1: prayer and support. You are impacting people all over the world. 536 00:29:43,520 --> 00:29:46,320 Speaker 1: A special thank you to our Championship Hope partners for 537 00:29:46,440 --> 00:29:49,360 Speaker 1: your monthly support. If you're not a partner, I hope 538 00:29:49,400 --> 00:29:53,240 Speaker 1: you'll consider becoming one. Remember you can watch the services 539 00:29:53,280 --> 00:29:57,880 Speaker 1: online every Sunday morning, download our daily podcast, listen on 540 00:29:58,000 --> 00:30:03,000 Speaker 1: Serious Exam, watch on You. You also the new Joelostein Network, 541 00:30:03,120 --> 00:30:06,720 Speaker 1: streaming on television twenty four hours a day. Until we 542 00:30:06,760 --> 00:30:09,640 Speaker 1: see you again. May the Lord bless you and keep you. 543 00:30:10,480 --> 00:30:13,760 Speaker 2: Be sure to request your copy of the Abundance Mindset 544 00:30:13,800 --> 00:30:18,360 Speaker 2: Book and Mindset Journal today. Visit Joelostein dot com or 545 00:30:18,520 --> 00:30:22,040 Speaker 2: call eight eight eight five six seven Joel for an 546 00:30:22,040 --> 00:30:25,800 Speaker 2: additional donation. This month, we are also offering His Goodness 547 00:30:26,040 --> 00:30:30,240 Speaker 2: Abundance Bowl. You can request this inspiring resource by calling 548 00:30:30,440 --> 00:30:33,800 Speaker 2: eight eight eight five six seven Joel. We're logging on 549 00:30:33,920 --> 00:30:36,040 Speaker 2: to Joelostein dot com today. 550 00:30:36,640 --> 00:30:40,200 Speaker 1: If you've never been to Lakewood, we have a great opportunity. 551 00:30:40,440 --> 00:30:44,000 Speaker 1: We call it Homecoming Weekend. We love to meet you 552 00:30:44,080 --> 00:30:47,440 Speaker 1: and your family. You can see the building and attend 553 00:30:47,440 --> 00:30:50,200 Speaker 1: one of the services. It's a great time to be 554 00:30:50,280 --> 00:30:52,560 Speaker 1: a part of the Lakewood family. Looking forward to seeing 555 00:30:52,640 --> 00:30:54,320 Speaker 1: you Homecoming Weekend.