1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:03,160 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 2 00:00:03,200 --> 00:00:06,360 Speaker 1: our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. If you 3 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:09,040 Speaker 1: enjoy today's message, why don't you be a blessing and 4 00:00:09,080 --> 00:00:11,760 Speaker 1: share it with a friend. We appreciate you and pray 5 00:00:11,800 --> 00:00:15,000 Speaker 1: for God's very best in your life. So God bless you. 6 00:00:15,400 --> 00:00:17,760 Speaker 1: It is always a joy to come into your homes. 7 00:00:18,079 --> 00:00:20,520 Speaker 1: We love you, and we know God has great things 8 00:00:20,560 --> 00:00:22,720 Speaker 1: in store for each one of you. If you're ever 9 00:00:22,840 --> 00:00:25,320 Speaker 1: in our area, I hope you'll stop by and see us. 10 00:00:25,560 --> 00:00:27,280 Speaker 1: We'd love to have you be a part of one 11 00:00:27,360 --> 00:00:30,040 Speaker 1: of our services. These are the finest people in all 12 00:00:30,080 --> 00:00:32,559 Speaker 1: of Houston, right here at Lakewood, so come on out sometime. 13 00:00:32,800 --> 00:00:36,280 Speaker 1: We'd love to have you. I like to get started 14 00:00:36,280 --> 00:00:38,440 Speaker 1: each week with something kind of funny, and I heard 15 00:00:38,479 --> 00:00:41,560 Speaker 1: about this couple. They'd been married for over sixty years. 16 00:00:41,960 --> 00:00:44,720 Speaker 1: They were at a church fellowship and somebody asked them 17 00:00:44,720 --> 00:00:48,159 Speaker 1: the secret of their success. The man told how he 18 00:00:48,280 --> 00:00:51,080 Speaker 1: always treated his wife with respect, and he took her 19 00:00:51,120 --> 00:00:53,720 Speaker 1: on trips all over the world. He said, in fact, 20 00:00:53,800 --> 00:00:57,800 Speaker 1: for our twenty fifth wedding anniversary, I took her to Beijing, China. 21 00:00:58,200 --> 00:01:00,880 Speaker 1: Everybody kind of clapped, spoke up and said, what'd you 22 00:01:00,920 --> 00:01:03,840 Speaker 1: do for your fiftieth anniversary? He said, I went back 23 00:01:03,920 --> 00:01:08,440 Speaker 1: and picked her up. All right, hold up your bible, 24 00:01:08,640 --> 00:01:11,480 Speaker 1: say it like you mean it. This is my Bible. 25 00:01:11,920 --> 00:01:14,520 Speaker 1: I am what it says. I am. I have what 26 00:01:14,560 --> 00:01:17,160 Speaker 1: it says I have. I can do what it says 27 00:01:17,160 --> 00:01:19,959 Speaker 1: I can do. Today I will be taught the word 28 00:01:20,000 --> 00:01:24,399 Speaker 1: of God. I boldly confess. My mind is alert, my 29 00:01:24,560 --> 00:01:29,039 Speaker 1: heart is receptive. I will never be the same. In Jesus' name, 30 00:01:29,520 --> 00:01:32,720 Speaker 1: God bless you. I want to talk to you today 31 00:01:33,080 --> 00:01:37,560 Speaker 1: about how we are in a controlled environment. Sometimes it 32 00:01:37,640 --> 00:01:40,679 Speaker 1: may feel like life is out of control. Things can 33 00:01:40,680 --> 00:01:44,040 Speaker 1: get kind of hectic in our finances, in our health 34 00:01:44,440 --> 00:01:47,720 Speaker 1: with a family issue. But you have to remind yourself, 35 00:01:48,120 --> 00:01:51,640 Speaker 1: even though my circumstances feel out of control, God is 36 00:01:51,680 --> 00:01:55,680 Speaker 1: still in control. When things don't go our way, the 37 00:01:55,680 --> 00:01:59,480 Speaker 1: stock market goes down, the hurricane hits, you get bad 38 00:01:59,560 --> 00:02:03,760 Speaker 1: news concerning your health. Understand, none of that is a 39 00:02:03,800 --> 00:02:07,320 Speaker 1: surprise to God. God is still on the throne, and 40 00:02:07,440 --> 00:02:09,600 Speaker 1: we need to come back to this place of peace. 41 00:02:10,280 --> 00:02:13,280 Speaker 1: We don't have to live life stressed. We don't have 42 00:02:13,320 --> 00:02:17,119 Speaker 1: to go around worried because our plans didn't work out. 43 00:02:17,800 --> 00:02:21,560 Speaker 1: We went through a disappointment. Now we're uncertain about the future. 44 00:02:22,120 --> 00:02:25,160 Speaker 1: Now we can stay in faith knowing that we are 45 00:02:25,200 --> 00:02:30,120 Speaker 1: in a controlled environment. That means nothing can happen to 46 00:02:30,240 --> 00:02:35,120 Speaker 1: us without God's permission. No sickness can end your life 47 00:02:35,400 --> 00:02:40,320 Speaker 1: before you fulfill your divine purpose. No financial difficulty can 48 00:02:40,400 --> 00:02:44,119 Speaker 1: keep you from your God given destiny. No person that's 49 00:02:44,160 --> 00:02:46,560 Speaker 1: hurt you in the past, or even someone that may 50 00:02:46,639 --> 00:02:49,680 Speaker 1: hurt you in the future, can keep you from becoming 51 00:02:49,720 --> 00:02:53,480 Speaker 1: all God's created you to be. God knew everything you 52 00:02:53,520 --> 00:02:56,280 Speaker 1: would go through, and the good news is he has 53 00:02:56,400 --> 00:03:00,360 Speaker 1: already laid out a plan of victory. God knew every 54 00:03:00,400 --> 00:03:03,639 Speaker 1: person that would do you wrong. He's already laid out 55 00:03:03,639 --> 00:03:08,040 Speaker 1: your vindication. God knew every disappointment. He's already laid out 56 00:03:08,160 --> 00:03:12,160 Speaker 1: new opportunities. God knew everything that would be stolen. He 57 00:03:12,200 --> 00:03:16,840 Speaker 1: has already laid out your restoration. You're in a controlled environment. 58 00:03:17,840 --> 00:03:20,640 Speaker 1: I think about how when the disciples were in a 59 00:03:20,680 --> 00:03:25,160 Speaker 1: boat and a great storm arose, Jesus didn't panic. He 60 00:03:25,200 --> 00:03:27,919 Speaker 1: didn't get upset and think, what are we going to do? No, 61 00:03:28,080 --> 00:03:30,160 Speaker 1: he's the one that told them to get on the boat. 62 00:03:30,760 --> 00:03:33,359 Speaker 1: He knew the storm was coming. He knew it was 63 00:03:33,400 --> 00:03:36,720 Speaker 1: going to be difficult. What did he do. He simply 64 00:03:36,760 --> 00:03:40,360 Speaker 1: spoke to the storm. He said, peace, be still, and 65 00:03:40,440 --> 00:03:44,760 Speaker 1: here's the key. The storm obeyed him. That tells me 66 00:03:45,320 --> 00:03:49,520 Speaker 1: God is in control even of my storms. And when 67 00:03:49,560 --> 00:03:52,800 Speaker 1: times get tough, you lose money in the stock market, 68 00:03:53,240 --> 00:03:56,840 Speaker 1: you're struggling in a relationship, you have to remind yourself. 69 00:03:57,120 --> 00:04:00,400 Speaker 1: God is in control not just of me, but of 70 00:04:00,440 --> 00:04:04,800 Speaker 1: even this storm. He's in control of my financial difficulty. 71 00:04:05,240 --> 00:04:08,440 Speaker 1: He's in control of my marriage problem. I'm in a 72 00:04:08,640 --> 00:04:12,920 Speaker 1: controlled environment. It's very freeing when you realize, no matter 73 00:04:12,960 --> 00:04:16,479 Speaker 1: what comes against you, it's never going to be too much. 74 00:04:16,880 --> 00:04:19,120 Speaker 1: It may be a surprise to you, but it is 75 00:04:19,200 --> 00:04:22,480 Speaker 1: not a surprise to God. He has already predestined you 76 00:04:22,680 --> 00:04:26,920 Speaker 1: to overcome. God has solutions for problems you haven't even had. 77 00:04:27,440 --> 00:04:29,440 Speaker 1: All you've got to do is stay in faith, and 78 00:04:29,480 --> 00:04:33,040 Speaker 1: you're going to walk into your divine destiny. Well, you say, Joel, 79 00:04:33,120 --> 00:04:36,080 Speaker 1: it sure seems like this sickness is in control. I 80 00:04:36,120 --> 00:04:38,720 Speaker 1: got a bad report from the doctor. Or it seems 81 00:04:38,839 --> 00:04:41,280 Speaker 1: like that my enemies are getting the best of me. 82 00:04:41,760 --> 00:04:44,279 Speaker 1: They cheated me out of a promotion at work. I 83 00:04:44,320 --> 00:04:46,719 Speaker 1: don't see how I can fulfill my dreams. I don't 84 00:04:46,760 --> 00:04:50,080 Speaker 1: have the connections. Now you've got to get a new perspective. 85 00:04:50,480 --> 00:04:53,400 Speaker 1: Do you know who's backing you up? Do you realize 86 00:04:53,440 --> 00:04:58,120 Speaker 1: who's on your side? The All powerful, almighty Creator of 87 00:04:58,160 --> 00:05:03,120 Speaker 1: the universe is breathing in your direction. God has surrounded 88 00:05:03,200 --> 00:05:07,000 Speaker 1: you with his favor. He has armed you with strength 89 00:05:07,040 --> 00:05:13,920 Speaker 1: for every battle. He has equipped you with talent, creativity, wisdom, strength, determination. 90 00:05:14,360 --> 00:05:18,080 Speaker 1: You have everything that you need. When you're tempted to 91 00:05:18,080 --> 00:05:21,680 Speaker 1: get discouraged, you need to remind yourself the forces of 92 00:05:21,760 --> 00:05:25,800 Speaker 1: darkness have never once stopped God's plan from coming to pass. 93 00:05:26,240 --> 00:05:28,400 Speaker 1: And let me assure you, it's not going to start 94 00:05:28,440 --> 00:05:32,200 Speaker 1: with you. You're going to fulfill your divine destiny. You're 95 00:05:32,240 --> 00:05:36,800 Speaker 1: going to overcome every obstacle. You're going to defeat that sickness, 96 00:05:37,080 --> 00:05:40,200 Speaker 1: You're going to beat that addiction. You're coming out of 97 00:05:40,240 --> 00:05:43,799 Speaker 1: not enough into the land of more than enough. Whatever 98 00:05:43,880 --> 00:05:47,200 Speaker 1: you touch is going to prosper and succeed. Because you 99 00:05:47,279 --> 00:05:50,120 Speaker 1: honor God, his blessings are going to chase you down 100 00:05:50,240 --> 00:05:53,479 Speaker 1: and overtake you. Why don't you let those seeds take 101 00:05:53,600 --> 00:05:56,240 Speaker 1: root in your heart today? I know some of you 102 00:05:56,680 --> 00:06:00,480 Speaker 1: are facing things that could easily steal your joy, easily 103 00:06:00,520 --> 00:06:04,520 Speaker 1: go round upset and worried. But God is saying, I've 104 00:06:04,520 --> 00:06:07,800 Speaker 1: got you in the palm of my hand. The storm 105 00:06:07,839 --> 00:06:11,240 Speaker 1: may be raging, the wind may be blowing, but I'm 106 00:06:11,279 --> 00:06:14,400 Speaker 1: in control of the storm. I'm not gonna let it 107 00:06:14,440 --> 00:06:18,000 Speaker 1: overwhelm you. Everything is gonna be all right. That's what 108 00:06:18,040 --> 00:06:21,039 Speaker 1: it says in Isaiah forty three. Too. You will go 109 00:06:21,240 --> 00:06:24,640 Speaker 1: through the flood, but you will not drown. You will 110 00:06:24,720 --> 00:06:27,160 Speaker 1: go through the river, but you will not go under. 111 00:06:27,720 --> 00:06:30,520 Speaker 1: Let me add one. You'll go through the hurricane, but 112 00:06:30,560 --> 00:06:35,080 Speaker 1: you'll come out alive. And well, how about one more. 113 00:06:35,400 --> 00:06:39,160 Speaker 1: You'll go through the fire, but one translation says you'll 114 00:06:39,160 --> 00:06:42,240 Speaker 1: come out without even the smell of smoke. And you 115 00:06:42,279 --> 00:06:44,480 Speaker 1: may feel like you're in the fire, but God's saying 116 00:06:44,560 --> 00:06:47,240 Speaker 1: you're coming out, and you're not gonna come out beat 117 00:06:47,320 --> 00:06:50,279 Speaker 1: up but draggled, half dead. You're gonna come out without 118 00:06:50,279 --> 00:06:53,440 Speaker 1: a bruise, without a blemish, better off than you were before. 119 00:06:54,800 --> 00:06:57,040 Speaker 1: You need to get your second wind. You need to 120 00:06:57,080 --> 00:06:59,960 Speaker 1: dig your heels in and say that's it. I'm dune, 121 00:07:00,160 --> 00:07:04,440 Speaker 1: live and depressed, discourage, worried. I know I've got a provider. 122 00:07:04,760 --> 00:07:07,600 Speaker 1: I've got a protector. I've got a defender. I've got 123 00:07:07,600 --> 00:07:11,760 Speaker 1: a deliver, I've got a waymaker. I'm in a controlled environment. 124 00:07:13,840 --> 00:07:16,320 Speaker 1: I saw a report on the news. This man was 125 00:07:16,320 --> 00:07:19,600 Speaker 1: filming a movie. He was in a helicopter over the ocean. 126 00:07:19,920 --> 00:07:23,240 Speaker 1: He was the lead actor, and in this particular scene, 127 00:07:23,280 --> 00:07:26,000 Speaker 1: he was supposed to hand something from the helicopter to 128 00:07:26,080 --> 00:07:29,000 Speaker 1: the people in the boat below. And so the helicopter 129 00:07:29,080 --> 00:07:31,600 Speaker 1: got real close to the water and it hit an 130 00:07:31,680 --> 00:07:35,560 Speaker 1: unusual burst of wind and the pilot lost control. It 131 00:07:35,560 --> 00:07:39,119 Speaker 1: started spinning around and around, and finally crashed into the water, 132 00:07:39,440 --> 00:07:42,960 Speaker 1: and it quickly began to sink. After about thirty seconds, 133 00:07:43,000 --> 00:07:46,040 Speaker 1: the pilot's head popped up. He was okay. People were 134 00:07:46,040 --> 00:07:49,160 Speaker 1: so relieved that he was alive, but there was no 135 00:07:49,320 --> 00:07:52,360 Speaker 1: sign of this other man, the lead actor. A minute 136 00:07:52,360 --> 00:07:55,880 Speaker 1: went by, two minutes, three minutes, four minutes, still nothing. 137 00:07:56,240 --> 00:07:59,720 Speaker 1: People were fearing the worst, But about five minutes later, 138 00:08:00,040 --> 00:08:02,240 Speaker 1: all of a sudden, his head popped up out of 139 00:08:02,280 --> 00:08:05,920 Speaker 1: the water and he too, was perfectly fine. Later he 140 00:08:06,040 --> 00:08:09,600 Speaker 1: told how he had been knocked unconscious. When he came to, 141 00:08:09,920 --> 00:08:13,440 Speaker 1: he was very disoriented and couldn't find his way out, 142 00:08:13,920 --> 00:08:16,600 Speaker 1: But he said, I'd like to thank the rescuers, and 143 00:08:16,800 --> 00:08:19,320 Speaker 1: especially the man that grabbed the back of my neck 144 00:08:19,760 --> 00:08:23,040 Speaker 1: and maneuvered me through the helicopter and gave me that 145 00:08:23,160 --> 00:08:26,320 Speaker 1: big push up to the top of the water. The 146 00:08:26,360 --> 00:08:29,560 Speaker 1: people listening said, what are you talking about. There were 147 00:08:29,600 --> 00:08:33,640 Speaker 1: no rescuers. You were down there by yourself. Big tears 148 00:08:33,679 --> 00:08:36,120 Speaker 1: began to come down his cheeks. He looked up to 149 00:08:36,160 --> 00:08:38,320 Speaker 1: the heavens and he said, then I want to thank 150 00:08:38,400 --> 00:08:41,240 Speaker 1: God because it was his hand that lifted me up. 151 00:08:43,200 --> 00:08:46,440 Speaker 1: What's my point. If it's not your time to go, 152 00:08:46,840 --> 00:08:50,280 Speaker 1: you're not gonna go. All the forces of darkness cannot 153 00:08:50,280 --> 00:08:54,160 Speaker 1: take your life. God always has the final say. And 154 00:08:54,200 --> 00:08:56,559 Speaker 1: it may look like that cancer is gonna beat you, 155 00:08:56,840 --> 00:08:59,600 Speaker 1: but you need to keep telling yourself, no sickness is 156 00:08:59,600 --> 00:09:02,520 Speaker 1: going to take my life. No accident is going to 157 00:09:02,559 --> 00:09:05,960 Speaker 1: shorten my divine destiny by a single second. I'm in 158 00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:09,600 Speaker 1: the palm of God's hand. I'm in a controlled environment. 159 00:09:10,679 --> 00:09:13,400 Speaker 1: One time in the Old Testament, a major army had 160 00:09:13,440 --> 00:09:16,400 Speaker 1: come against the people of Israel. They were much bigger, 161 00:09:16,840 --> 00:09:20,480 Speaker 1: much more powerful in the natural The Israelites didn't have 162 00:09:20,520 --> 00:09:24,439 Speaker 1: a chance. But every time this enemy army made any 163 00:09:24,559 --> 00:09:27,880 Speaker 1: kind of move, the people of Israel were already there 164 00:09:28,080 --> 00:09:31,600 Speaker 1: waiting for them. If they decided to attack from the north, 165 00:09:31,840 --> 00:09:34,400 Speaker 1: the Israelites would beat them there and cause them to 166 00:09:34,480 --> 00:09:37,480 Speaker 1: change their plans. If they decided to sneak up in 167 00:09:37,520 --> 00:09:39,880 Speaker 1: the middle of the night, the people of Israel were 168 00:09:40,000 --> 00:09:43,600 Speaker 1: up ready waiting for that battle. No matter how hard 169 00:09:43,640 --> 00:09:47,280 Speaker 1: they tried, they could never get the upper hand. And finally, 170 00:09:47,320 --> 00:09:50,360 Speaker 1: the commander of that enemy army said to his men, 171 00:09:50,960 --> 00:09:56,120 Speaker 1: somebody is a trader. Somebody is leaking valuable information. We're 172 00:09:56,160 --> 00:09:59,320 Speaker 1: never going to defeat these people. They know every move 173 00:09:59,400 --> 00:10:02,079 Speaker 1: we're gonna make before we even make it. Now, who's 174 00:10:02,120 --> 00:10:05,600 Speaker 1: the traitor. One of the captains spoke up. He said, Sir, 175 00:10:05,640 --> 00:10:07,560 Speaker 1: I don't know how to tell you this, but it's 176 00:10:07,600 --> 00:10:11,640 Speaker 1: none of us. There's a prophet over in Israel, and 177 00:10:11,720 --> 00:10:15,840 Speaker 1: what you whisper in secret, he announces in public to 178 00:10:15,920 --> 00:10:19,920 Speaker 1: the whole army. Friends, you and I have an advantage. 179 00:10:20,040 --> 00:10:23,400 Speaker 1: God is in control of our enemies. He knows what 180 00:10:23,480 --> 00:10:26,840 Speaker 1: they're planning, he knows their next move. We don't have 181 00:10:26,920 --> 00:10:31,520 Speaker 1: to be worried. We have inside information. The commander of 182 00:10:31,559 --> 00:10:33,920 Speaker 1: that army got so upset, he said, here's what we're 183 00:10:33,920 --> 00:10:36,200 Speaker 1: gonna do. We're gonna go get that man. We're gonna 184 00:10:36,240 --> 00:10:40,319 Speaker 1: go capture that prophet. Do you know he sent thousands 185 00:10:40,360 --> 00:10:44,440 Speaker 1: of troops and thousands of horses all to capture one 186 00:10:44,559 --> 00:10:48,040 Speaker 1: man filled with the spirit of the living God. It's 187 00:10:48,080 --> 00:10:50,640 Speaker 1: the same way the enemy looks at you. When he 188 00:10:50,760 --> 00:10:54,000 Speaker 1: sees you, he doesn't just see you. He sees all 189 00:10:54,080 --> 00:10:56,760 Speaker 1: the forces that are backing you up. He sees the 190 00:10:56,800 --> 00:11:00,280 Speaker 1: creator of the universe standing by your side. He's he's 191 00:11:00,320 --> 00:11:04,959 Speaker 1: his mighty angels, guarding, protecting, defending. He sees your crown 192 00:11:05,000 --> 00:11:08,680 Speaker 1: of favor. He sees your robe of righteousness. Don't ever 193 00:11:08,720 --> 00:11:11,280 Speaker 1: be afraid of the enemy. He's scared the death of you. 194 00:11:12,200 --> 00:11:15,079 Speaker 1: Somebody may be doing you wrong today, and it looks 195 00:11:15,160 --> 00:11:17,560 Speaker 1: like they have the upper hand. It looks like it's 196 00:11:17,600 --> 00:11:20,760 Speaker 1: never going to change. You need to keep reminding yourself. 197 00:11:21,040 --> 00:11:24,600 Speaker 1: I have an advantage. God is in control of my enemies. 198 00:11:24,880 --> 00:11:28,319 Speaker 1: He's fighting my battles for me. He is my vindicator, 199 00:11:28,600 --> 00:11:31,360 Speaker 1: and it's just a matter of time before things change 200 00:11:31,400 --> 00:11:35,280 Speaker 1: in my favor. I love the scripture in Hebrews. It says, 201 00:11:35,720 --> 00:11:40,240 Speaker 1: don't cast away your confidence. One translation says for payday 202 00:11:40,480 --> 00:11:43,720 Speaker 1: is coming, and in the difficult times, you have to 203 00:11:43,760 --> 00:11:47,719 Speaker 1: remind yourself that payday is on its way. God is 204 00:11:47,800 --> 00:11:51,120 Speaker 1: a faithful God. If you'll keep doing the right thing, 205 00:11:51,720 --> 00:11:56,520 Speaker 1: honoring him, expecting his favor, God has promised he will 206 00:11:56,520 --> 00:11:59,800 Speaker 1: pay you back. In fact, God said he'll make your 207 00:12:00,120 --> 00:12:04,120 Speaker 1: enemies pay you back. It's like this little old lady 208 00:12:04,160 --> 00:12:07,680 Speaker 1: I heard about. She lived way way out in the country. 209 00:12:08,080 --> 00:12:10,320 Speaker 1: I mean, she was so far out in the woods. 210 00:12:10,440 --> 00:12:14,840 Speaker 1: The june bugs didn't show up till August. Every morning 211 00:12:14,880 --> 00:12:17,240 Speaker 1: she'd go out on her front porch and she'd just 212 00:12:17,320 --> 00:12:20,280 Speaker 1: thank God she was alive, and thank God that he 213 00:12:20,360 --> 00:12:24,040 Speaker 1: was supplying all of her needs. Her neighbor thought she 214 00:12:24,200 --> 00:12:27,160 Speaker 1: was a little off of her rocker. He was always 215 00:12:27,200 --> 00:12:30,120 Speaker 1: making fun of her, telling her she was just wasting 216 00:12:30,160 --> 00:12:32,400 Speaker 1: her time, giving her a hard time. He didn't believe 217 00:12:32,559 --> 00:12:35,440 Speaker 1: in the things of God. One morning he heard her 218 00:12:35,679 --> 00:12:38,839 Speaker 1: thanking God that he would provide groceries for the week. 219 00:12:39,360 --> 00:12:41,760 Speaker 1: He decided to play a trick on her. He went 220 00:12:41,800 --> 00:12:44,520 Speaker 1: to the grocery store got a few bags of groceries. 221 00:12:44,800 --> 00:12:47,600 Speaker 1: The next morning early he snuck over there and put 222 00:12:47,640 --> 00:12:50,040 Speaker 1: them on her front porch, and then went around the 223 00:12:50,080 --> 00:12:52,719 Speaker 1: side of the house and hid. When the lady came 224 00:12:52,760 --> 00:12:56,640 Speaker 1: out and saw the groceries, she started rejoicing, saying, God, 225 00:12:56,720 --> 00:12:59,280 Speaker 1: you did it again. You brought me groceries for the week. 226 00:13:00,080 --> 00:13:03,000 Speaker 1: The man came out of hiding, and he laughed and laughed. 227 00:13:03,040 --> 00:13:05,440 Speaker 1: He said, I told you so, I told you you 228 00:13:05,520 --> 00:13:09,000 Speaker 1: were wasting your time. God didn't put those groceries there. 229 00:13:09,200 --> 00:13:13,200 Speaker 1: I did. The lady started rejoicing even louder. She said, God, 230 00:13:13,320 --> 00:13:15,560 Speaker 1: you not only brought me groceries, but you made the 231 00:13:15,600 --> 00:13:26,040 Speaker 1: devil pay for it. Frindzy, God is in control of 232 00:13:26,080 --> 00:13:29,280 Speaker 1: our enemies. You don't have to try to get even. 233 00:13:30,000 --> 00:13:32,640 Speaker 1: You don't have to try to pay people back. God 234 00:13:32,760 --> 00:13:36,000 Speaker 1: is your vindicator. If you'll stay on the high road, 235 00:13:36,400 --> 00:13:40,480 Speaker 1: God will even use your enemies to bless you. You 236 00:13:40,520 --> 00:13:43,640 Speaker 1: remember Mordecai in the scripture. He was the one that 237 00:13:43,800 --> 00:13:47,000 Speaker 1: encouraged Esther to rise up and take that step of faith. 238 00:13:47,480 --> 00:13:50,080 Speaker 1: There was another man by the name of Hayman. He 239 00:13:50,120 --> 00:13:52,920 Speaker 1: worked to directly with the king, and Hayman did not 240 00:13:53,200 --> 00:13:56,800 Speaker 1: like Mordecai. He's always pushing him down, always trying to 241 00:13:56,800 --> 00:14:00,880 Speaker 1: make him look bad. But Mordecai understood this prince. He 242 00:14:00,960 --> 00:14:04,080 Speaker 1: knew he was in a controlled environment, and as long 243 00:14:04,120 --> 00:14:06,600 Speaker 1: as he had keept doing the right thing, being his best, 244 00:14:06,880 --> 00:14:10,200 Speaker 1: God would be his vindicator. And one night this king 245 00:14:10,280 --> 00:14:13,719 Speaker 1: couldn't sleep, so he asked an assistant to bring in 246 00:14:13,760 --> 00:14:16,560 Speaker 1: the records of everything that had happened in that city, 247 00:14:16,760 --> 00:14:19,080 Speaker 1: in other words, to bring in the history books, and 248 00:14:19,120 --> 00:14:21,880 Speaker 1: it just so happened. The king opened to the exact 249 00:14:21,960 --> 00:14:25,600 Speaker 1: page where it's talked about where Mordecai had done a 250 00:14:25,600 --> 00:14:29,320 Speaker 1: great deed and had kept the city from harm. That 251 00:14:29,480 --> 00:14:33,280 Speaker 1: was not a coincidence. That was God causing the king 252 00:14:33,600 --> 00:14:36,760 Speaker 1: to see the right thing. And if you'll stay in faith, 253 00:14:37,200 --> 00:14:40,440 Speaker 1: God will cause the right people in your life, your boss, 254 00:14:40,640 --> 00:14:44,480 Speaker 1: your supervisor, your clients to see what He wants them 255 00:14:44,520 --> 00:14:47,840 Speaker 1: to see. God can make things happen that we can't 256 00:14:47,880 --> 00:14:51,920 Speaker 1: make happen on our own. It's called the favor of God. 257 00:14:52,160 --> 00:14:55,360 Speaker 1: And one touch of God's favor can thrust you years ahead. 258 00:14:56,120 --> 00:14:59,080 Speaker 1: One touch of his favor can take you from borrowing 259 00:14:59,240 --> 00:15:02,200 Speaker 1: to lending, or like Joseph, it can take you from 260 00:15:02,240 --> 00:15:05,000 Speaker 1: the prison to the palace. It can take you from 261 00:15:05,080 --> 00:15:07,600 Speaker 1: working at that business to own in your own business. 262 00:15:08,280 --> 00:15:11,600 Speaker 1: But God calls this king to see the exact page 263 00:15:11,960 --> 00:15:16,120 Speaker 1: where it talked about Mordecai's faithfulness. The next morning, the 264 00:15:16,240 --> 00:15:19,920 Speaker 1: King called Hayman in said, Hayman, what do you suggest 265 00:15:20,000 --> 00:15:23,280 Speaker 1: we do to honor a person that is really pleased 266 00:15:23,280 --> 00:15:26,680 Speaker 1: the king really done a great deed. Hamon was so 267 00:15:26,800 --> 00:15:29,440 Speaker 1: caught up in himself he thought the king was talking 268 00:15:29,480 --> 00:15:32,800 Speaker 1: about him, so he played it up real big. He said, King, 269 00:15:33,080 --> 00:15:35,240 Speaker 1: I think we ought to put a royal robe on him, 270 00:15:35,520 --> 00:15:38,040 Speaker 1: put him in a chariot, parade him up and down 271 00:15:38,040 --> 00:15:42,560 Speaker 1: the streets, blowing trumpets, announcing to everyone about how great 272 00:15:42,600 --> 00:15:45,680 Speaker 1: he is. I mean, Haman could taste it. He thought 273 00:15:45,760 --> 00:15:48,680 Speaker 1: this was his lucky day. The King said, Haymen, I 274 00:15:48,840 --> 00:15:52,440 Speaker 1: like that. That's a great idea. I'm putting you in charge. 275 00:15:52,880 --> 00:15:56,200 Speaker 1: Now go get Mordecai and do exactly what you said. 276 00:15:56,840 --> 00:15:59,040 Speaker 1: You parade him up and down the streets, and you 277 00:15:59,080 --> 00:16:02,920 Speaker 1: announced enw honored he is by the King. You talk 278 00:16:03,000 --> 00:16:06,320 Speaker 1: about being vindicated. God will not only pay you back, 279 00:16:06,600 --> 00:16:09,880 Speaker 1: He'll make your enemies pay you back. The very ones 280 00:16:09,920 --> 00:16:12,480 Speaker 1: that are talking about you at the office, the ones 281 00:16:12,520 --> 00:16:14,680 Speaker 1: that are trying to make you look bad, the ones 282 00:16:14,720 --> 00:16:17,320 Speaker 1: that kind of laugh when you make a mistake. God 283 00:16:17,360 --> 00:16:20,640 Speaker 1: will use them to help promote you. And that's why 284 00:16:20,680 --> 00:16:22,760 Speaker 1: you don't have to try to get even. Don't try 285 00:16:22,800 --> 00:16:25,640 Speaker 1: to pay people back. Stay on the high road. Let 286 00:16:25,680 --> 00:16:28,640 Speaker 1: God fight your battles for you, knowing that your payday 287 00:16:28,800 --> 00:16:31,640 Speaker 1: is on its way. What does it mean to be 288 00:16:31,680 --> 00:16:36,400 Speaker 1: in a controlled environment. It means that nothing in life 289 00:16:36,440 --> 00:16:41,760 Speaker 1: happens by accident. There are no coincidences, no random events. 290 00:16:42,360 --> 00:16:45,360 Speaker 1: You didn't just happen to get that job and happen 291 00:16:45,400 --> 00:16:48,120 Speaker 1: to marry that person, happen to be here today. Know 292 00:16:48,240 --> 00:16:52,120 Speaker 1: the creator of the universe was directing your steps all 293 00:16:52,280 --> 00:16:57,080 Speaker 1: along the way. God was carefully orchestrating every detail of 294 00:16:57,120 --> 00:17:00,600 Speaker 1: your life. If we could pull the curtain back and 295 00:17:00,640 --> 00:17:03,720 Speaker 1: look behind the scenes, we would see God pulling the 296 00:17:03,760 --> 00:17:09,760 Speaker 1: strings just like a puppet, manipulating things, arranging events strategically 297 00:17:09,800 --> 00:17:11,879 Speaker 1: causing you to be at the right place at the 298 00:17:12,000 --> 00:17:16,320 Speaker 1: right time. You're not just randomly going to work each day, 299 00:17:16,359 --> 00:17:20,680 Speaker 1: coming home doing your thing. You are a person of destiny. 300 00:17:20,800 --> 00:17:23,479 Speaker 1: Before you were born, God laid out a plan for 301 00:17:23,520 --> 00:17:26,680 Speaker 1: your life. He has an assignment for you to fulfill. 302 00:17:27,480 --> 00:17:30,320 Speaker 1: The good news is God has already lined up the 303 00:17:30,400 --> 00:17:34,479 Speaker 1: right people, the right breaks the right opportunities. You are 304 00:17:34,520 --> 00:17:39,040 Speaker 1: meeting people now that very well may somehow, some way 305 00:17:39,520 --> 00:17:42,680 Speaker 1: be instrumental in your life even twenty or thirty years 306 00:17:42,720 --> 00:17:46,520 Speaker 1: from now. I remember when I was in my mid twenties, 307 00:17:46,800 --> 00:17:50,000 Speaker 1: there was this situation in a business dealing that looked 308 00:17:50,040 --> 00:17:51,760 Speaker 1: like he's going to take a lot of time and 309 00:17:51,960 --> 00:17:55,720 Speaker 1: energy and resources to get corrected. I knew I was 310 00:17:55,760 --> 00:17:58,359 Speaker 1: in the right, but it seemed like he's going to 311 00:17:58,400 --> 00:18:01,159 Speaker 1: be months and months for it ever to be straightened out, 312 00:18:01,200 --> 00:18:03,920 Speaker 1: and I sure wasn't looking forward to it. But one 313 00:18:04,000 --> 00:18:05,919 Speaker 1: day out of the blue, I got a call from 314 00:18:05,960 --> 00:18:09,080 Speaker 1: this gentleman that was in charge, and he told how 315 00:18:09,080 --> 00:18:12,280 Speaker 1: he had straightened everything out. It was over, and I 316 00:18:12,359 --> 00:18:14,879 Speaker 1: was so relieved, and of course I thanked him and 317 00:18:15,359 --> 00:18:18,160 Speaker 1: told him how much I appreciated him taking the time 318 00:18:18,280 --> 00:18:20,920 Speaker 1: to see it my way. And he said, Joel, what 319 00:18:21,080 --> 00:18:25,240 Speaker 1: really did it for me was my grandmother's best friend 320 00:18:25,800 --> 00:18:29,120 Speaker 1: lived down the street from where your family lived when 321 00:18:29,160 --> 00:18:32,800 Speaker 1: you were growing up, and she told my grandmother one time, 322 00:18:32,880 --> 00:18:35,600 Speaker 1: when you were about ten years old, you were riding 323 00:18:35,640 --> 00:18:38,480 Speaker 1: your bike down the street and she was struggling to 324 00:18:38,520 --> 00:18:41,119 Speaker 1: get her garbage cans out, and you got off your 325 00:18:41,119 --> 00:18:43,399 Speaker 1: bike and you went over and helped her, and that 326 00:18:43,520 --> 00:18:46,320 Speaker 1: made a big impression on me. And as he was 327 00:18:46,359 --> 00:18:48,800 Speaker 1: telling me this, I thought to myself, I don't know 328 00:18:48,840 --> 00:18:51,760 Speaker 1: what you're talking about. I don't even know if I'm 329 00:18:51,800 --> 00:18:54,720 Speaker 1: the right person, but I'll definitely take credit for it. 330 00:18:56,560 --> 00:18:59,960 Speaker 1: But the truth is I did not even remember that yet, 331 00:19:00,000 --> 00:19:03,600 Speaker 1: and a simple act of kindness was still making an 332 00:19:03,600 --> 00:19:07,439 Speaker 1: impact in my life some twenty years later. That was 333 00:19:07,520 --> 00:19:11,400 Speaker 1: not a coincidence. God knows the end from the beginning. 334 00:19:11,640 --> 00:19:14,480 Speaker 1: He knows what we're gonna need in the future. And 335 00:19:14,600 --> 00:19:16,960 Speaker 1: God had to have that lady coming down the driveway 336 00:19:17,040 --> 00:19:19,560 Speaker 1: at the exact right time. I had to be riding 337 00:19:19,600 --> 00:19:22,480 Speaker 1: my bike at the exact right moment. If I'd gone 338 00:19:22,520 --> 00:19:24,600 Speaker 1: back to get a drink of water, if she'd gone 339 00:19:24,640 --> 00:19:27,800 Speaker 1: in to answer the telephone, we wouldn't be talking about it. 340 00:19:28,200 --> 00:19:32,200 Speaker 1: That was the creator of the universe, directing my steps 341 00:19:32,440 --> 00:19:35,359 Speaker 1: down to the minute details. I thought it was just 342 00:19:35,400 --> 00:19:39,320 Speaker 1: a random event, but I've since learned that nothing in 343 00:19:39,400 --> 00:19:43,240 Speaker 1: life happens by chance. We are in a controlled environment. 344 00:19:43,960 --> 00:19:47,920 Speaker 1: That means I'm not meeting you by accident. You didn't 345 00:19:47,920 --> 00:19:52,399 Speaker 1: come across my path by happenstance. God ordained before the 346 00:19:52,440 --> 00:19:56,480 Speaker 1: foundation of time that our lives would intersect. My life 347 00:19:56,520 --> 00:19:59,520 Speaker 1: will be better off because of spending this time with you. 348 00:20:00,119 --> 00:20:04,280 Speaker 1: I'm drawing strength, I'm drawing encouragement. Who knows you may 349 00:20:04,320 --> 00:20:07,560 Speaker 1: hear something today, or even have some kind of feeling, 350 00:20:07,680 --> 00:20:11,080 Speaker 1: some kind of impression that will affect you years from now, 351 00:20:11,600 --> 00:20:14,400 Speaker 1: something that will give you encouragement, something that will give 352 00:20:14,440 --> 00:20:18,080 Speaker 1: you insight. Maybe you'll be going through a difficult time 353 00:20:18,119 --> 00:20:20,320 Speaker 1: and all of a sudden God brings this up out 354 00:20:20,320 --> 00:20:23,240 Speaker 1: of your spirit and you realize it's exactly what you 355 00:20:23,359 --> 00:20:27,360 Speaker 1: needed to keep pressing forward. I received a letter from 356 00:20:27,400 --> 00:20:29,479 Speaker 1: a lady that went to one of our events in 357 00:20:29,520 --> 00:20:33,280 Speaker 1: New York City. She told how a couple of years later, 358 00:20:33,760 --> 00:20:37,280 Speaker 1: one morning she woke up early before her alarm went off, 359 00:20:37,840 --> 00:20:40,520 Speaker 1: and when she awakened, she could hear our little daughter 360 00:20:40,920 --> 00:20:43,399 Speaker 1: singing the song that she sings at the end of 361 00:20:43,440 --> 00:20:46,760 Speaker 1: these events. It's a simple little song. It says, come 362 00:20:46,880 --> 00:20:50,919 Speaker 1: just as you are, Come, believe, come, receive, Come and 363 00:20:51,000 --> 00:20:53,879 Speaker 1: live forever. And it was so clear in her mind. 364 00:20:54,400 --> 00:20:57,399 Speaker 1: She could see us standing on the platform together. She 365 00:20:57,520 --> 00:21:00,840 Speaker 1: was just reliving it. She could hear Alexandra little voice, 366 00:21:01,240 --> 00:21:05,080 Speaker 1: so innocent, so pure. It really ministered to her that night, 367 00:21:05,640 --> 00:21:08,280 Speaker 1: and as she lay there in bed, she felt an 368 00:21:08,280 --> 00:21:12,399 Speaker 1: overwhelming sense of peace and just an extraordinary sense of 369 00:21:12,400 --> 00:21:16,600 Speaker 1: God's presence. About thirty minutes later, the phone rang. It 370 00:21:16,680 --> 00:21:19,440 Speaker 1: was her father. She was kind of startled because nobody 371 00:21:19,480 --> 00:21:23,160 Speaker 1: called that early normally. Her dad said, I just want 372 00:21:23,160 --> 00:21:26,639 Speaker 1: to remind you it was three years ago today that 373 00:21:26,760 --> 00:21:29,520 Speaker 1: mother went to be with the Lord. The exact time 374 00:21:29,520 --> 00:21:31,800 Speaker 1: of her death was five point thirty in the morning. 375 00:21:32,520 --> 00:21:35,359 Speaker 1: That was the exact moment that she woke up with 376 00:21:35,440 --> 00:21:38,879 Speaker 1: that song playing in her spirit. What am I saying? 377 00:21:39,520 --> 00:21:43,359 Speaker 1: God is depositing in you everything you need for now 378 00:21:43,680 --> 00:21:46,840 Speaker 1: and everything you're going to need in the future. You 379 00:21:46,880 --> 00:21:49,480 Speaker 1: may just be listening to a song, you may be 380 00:21:49,640 --> 00:21:52,959 Speaker 1: just talking to a friend, You may just be reading 381 00:21:53,000 --> 00:21:56,119 Speaker 1: a scripture. You don't think twice about it. But the 382 00:21:56,200 --> 00:22:00,359 Speaker 1: fact is God is depositing that in your spirit because 383 00:22:00,400 --> 00:22:02,800 Speaker 1: he knows it's going to strengthen you in the days ahead. 384 00:22:03,280 --> 00:22:06,919 Speaker 1: There are no coincidences with our God. I read an 385 00:22:07,000 --> 00:22:10,159 Speaker 1: article in the newspaper about this mail carrier. She was 386 00:22:10,200 --> 00:22:12,960 Speaker 1: out delivering the mail one day, like she always did. 387 00:22:13,320 --> 00:22:15,760 Speaker 1: But she noticed a package that needed to be at 388 00:22:15,800 --> 00:22:19,200 Speaker 1: a certain address by noon, and typically she wasn't in 389 00:22:19,200 --> 00:22:22,280 Speaker 1: that neighborhood until after two o'clock, so she had to 390 00:22:22,400 --> 00:22:25,200 Speaker 1: change her route. And when she got to this address, 391 00:22:25,240 --> 00:22:28,600 Speaker 1: it was a two story apartment building. She rang the doorbell, 392 00:22:29,040 --> 00:22:32,200 Speaker 1: stepped back, waiting for somebody to answer, and all of 393 00:22:32,200 --> 00:22:35,800 Speaker 1: a sudden, out of her peripheral vision, she noticed something 394 00:22:35,920 --> 00:22:40,600 Speaker 1: falling from above, and just intuitively, she reached out her 395 00:22:40,720 --> 00:22:43,840 Speaker 1: arms and believe it or not, she caught a one 396 00:22:43,880 --> 00:22:48,280 Speaker 1: year old baby. This little baby was in an apartment upstairs. 397 00:22:48,720 --> 00:22:51,520 Speaker 1: The window was open on the mother's bed. The mother 398 00:22:51,600 --> 00:22:54,800 Speaker 1: turned away and the baby rolled out the window. The 399 00:22:54,880 --> 00:22:59,639 Speaker 1: mom came running downstairs hysterical, screaming. The postal worker calmed 400 00:22:59,640 --> 00:23:02,919 Speaker 1: her down and said, don't worry, I caught your little baby. 401 00:23:03,240 --> 00:23:05,720 Speaker 1: There was not a scratch on that baby, not a blemish. 402 00:23:05,880 --> 00:23:12,560 Speaker 1: The little child was perfectly fine. They interviewed the postal worker. 403 00:23:12,880 --> 00:23:14,920 Speaker 1: She said, all I can tell you is God had 404 00:23:15,000 --> 00:23:17,639 Speaker 1: me at the right place at the right time. She 405 00:23:17,840 --> 00:23:22,199 Speaker 1: was exactly right. Only God could orchestrate that. Think of 406 00:23:22,240 --> 00:23:25,040 Speaker 1: all the things that had to fall into place, what 407 00:23:25,119 --> 00:23:28,359 Speaker 1: are the chances of her being right there when the 408 00:23:28,359 --> 00:23:31,240 Speaker 1: baby fell out the window. If she hadn't had that package, 409 00:23:31,280 --> 00:23:33,960 Speaker 1: she wouldn't even been in that neighborhood. Or what is 410 00:23:34,000 --> 00:23:36,720 Speaker 1: the likelihood that she would be quick enough and sharp 411 00:23:36,840 --> 00:23:40,160 Speaker 1: enough to reach out and grab that little baby? Man? 412 00:23:40,200 --> 00:23:42,760 Speaker 1: I wanted to sign her up for the Texans football team. 413 00:23:44,160 --> 00:23:48,000 Speaker 1: We need some of that kind of favor. But I 414 00:23:48,040 --> 00:23:51,560 Speaker 1: want you to have this assurance today, this confidence that 415 00:23:51,640 --> 00:23:55,880 Speaker 1: wherever you are, God is directing your steps. No matter 416 00:23:55,920 --> 00:23:58,440 Speaker 1: what it looks like in life, no matter how out 417 00:23:58,440 --> 00:24:01,399 Speaker 1: of control it seems to be, know this God is 418 00:24:01,440 --> 00:24:06,520 Speaker 1: still in control. During World War II, Captain Eddie Rickenbacker's 419 00:24:06,560 --> 00:24:10,639 Speaker 1: plane crashed into the ocean. He ejected right before impact, 420 00:24:10,920 --> 00:24:13,800 Speaker 1: splashed into the water. When he came up, he found 421 00:24:13,800 --> 00:24:16,360 Speaker 1: a piece of the wreckage so he could stay afloat. 422 00:24:17,040 --> 00:24:20,040 Speaker 1: Day after day went by with no signs of hope. 423 00:24:20,400 --> 00:24:23,240 Speaker 1: He hadn't eaten in so long that his strength began 424 00:24:23,320 --> 00:24:26,359 Speaker 1: to wane. He didn't think he could carry on. Just 425 00:24:26,480 --> 00:24:29,320 Speaker 1: when he was about to give up, out of nowhere, 426 00:24:29,400 --> 00:24:32,960 Speaker 1: a seagull came and landed on his arm. He grabbed 427 00:24:32,960 --> 00:24:36,399 Speaker 1: it and ate the whole thing, bones and awe it 428 00:24:36,480 --> 00:24:41,080 Speaker 1: not only strengthened him physically, it strengthened him spiritually. At 429 00:24:41,080 --> 00:24:44,720 Speaker 1: that moment, he knew God was still in control. Wasn't 430 00:24:44,720 --> 00:24:47,920 Speaker 1: long after that that he was rescued and brought back 431 00:24:47,920 --> 00:24:51,880 Speaker 1: home to a hero's welcome. He told everyone how God 432 00:24:51,880 --> 00:24:55,359 Speaker 1: had used that seagull to spare his life. Come to 433 00:24:55,400 --> 00:24:57,879 Speaker 1: find out, it was a much bigger miracle than he thought. 434 00:24:58,320 --> 00:25:02,040 Speaker 1: He was hundreds of miles from the nearest land. There 435 00:25:02,080 --> 00:25:05,800 Speaker 1: are no seagulls out there. Seagulls don't fly that far out. 436 00:25:05,920 --> 00:25:09,320 Speaker 1: They would never be able to survive. How could that happen? 437 00:25:09,720 --> 00:25:12,560 Speaker 1: God simply spoke to the seagull and said, head out, 438 00:25:12,720 --> 00:25:15,399 Speaker 1: I've got an assignment for you. What am I saying? 439 00:25:16,040 --> 00:25:21,240 Speaker 1: We're in a controlled environment. Even if you're stranded in 440 00:25:21,320 --> 00:25:24,520 Speaker 1: the middle of the ocean. God has a plan. Let 441 00:25:24,520 --> 00:25:27,320 Speaker 1: me make it more practical. If the stock market goes 442 00:25:27,359 --> 00:25:30,800 Speaker 1: down forty percent, if gas is four dollars a gallon, 443 00:25:31,119 --> 00:25:33,840 Speaker 1: if you lose your biggest client, God still has a 444 00:25:33,840 --> 00:25:37,240 Speaker 1: way to supply your needs. God said he would prosper 445 00:25:37,359 --> 00:25:40,920 Speaker 1: you even in the desert. He said you would flourish 446 00:25:41,080 --> 00:25:45,120 Speaker 1: even in a famine. He's called El Shadai, the God 447 00:25:45,160 --> 00:25:48,200 Speaker 1: who is more than enough. David said, I was young, 448 00:25:48,280 --> 00:25:51,240 Speaker 1: now I'm old, but I've never once seen the righteous forsaken. 449 00:25:52,119 --> 00:25:55,720 Speaker 1: When times get tough, don't get discouraged and think, all men, 450 00:25:55,760 --> 00:25:58,840 Speaker 1: what am I gonna do? Stay in faith. Your heavenly 451 00:25:58,880 --> 00:26:02,240 Speaker 1: Father has not run out of options. When you fall, 452 00:26:02,600 --> 00:26:04,919 Speaker 1: He's already arranged for the mail carrier to catch you 453 00:26:05,520 --> 00:26:08,360 Speaker 1: when you're in need. He's already spoken to the seagull 454 00:26:09,000 --> 00:26:11,800 Speaker 1: when somebody does you wrong. He's already lined up your vindication. 455 00:26:12,320 --> 00:26:15,000 Speaker 1: When you're having a set back, He's already planned your comeback. 456 00:26:15,200 --> 00:26:18,400 Speaker 1: He's already deposited the right song on the inside. He's 457 00:26:18,400 --> 00:26:20,960 Speaker 1: already told the angel to protect you in the accident. 458 00:26:21,760 --> 00:26:25,000 Speaker 1: When you realize you're in this controlled environment takes all 459 00:26:25,000 --> 00:26:28,080 Speaker 1: the pressure off of you. You can relax and enjoy 460 00:26:28,160 --> 00:26:31,840 Speaker 1: your life, knowing that nothing can happen to you without 461 00:26:31,840 --> 00:26:34,879 Speaker 1: God's permission. Now, I know some of you today have 462 00:26:34,960 --> 00:26:37,399 Speaker 1: a lot of things going on. You could easily be 463 00:26:37,560 --> 00:26:40,720 Speaker 1: upset and worried, but I'm asking you to come back 464 00:26:40,720 --> 00:26:43,719 Speaker 1: to that place of peace. The storm may be raging, 465 00:26:44,119 --> 00:26:47,080 Speaker 1: the winds may be blowing, but God is saying I've 466 00:26:47,080 --> 00:26:49,919 Speaker 1: got you in the palm of my hand. Everything is 467 00:26:49,960 --> 00:26:52,560 Speaker 1: going to be all right. It may get a little rocky, 468 00:26:52,640 --> 00:26:54,960 Speaker 1: it may get a little bumpy, but God has the 469 00:26:55,000 --> 00:26:58,920 Speaker 1: final say, and he's saying, I always cause you to triumph. 470 00:26:59,160 --> 00:27:02,520 Speaker 1: What was meant for you, I'm gonna use to your advantage. 471 00:27:03,160 --> 00:27:05,320 Speaker 1: And my prayer today is that you would know, beyond 472 00:27:05,320 --> 00:27:07,840 Speaker 1: a shadow of a doubt, that the creator of the 473 00:27:07,920 --> 00:27:11,639 Speaker 1: universe is directing your steps down to the minute details 474 00:27:12,160 --> 00:27:15,960 Speaker 1: in your future. He's already lined up favor, good breaks, 475 00:27:16,160 --> 00:27:20,560 Speaker 1: solutions to problems. He's gonna be your vindicator, your provider, 476 00:27:20,920 --> 00:27:24,280 Speaker 1: your waymaker. As you go out each day in faith, 477 00:27:24,600 --> 00:27:27,359 Speaker 1: knowing that you're in this controlled environment, let me just 478 00:27:27,359 --> 00:27:30,000 Speaker 1: declare what's gonna happen. You're gonna see God's favor in 479 00:27:30,040 --> 00:27:33,440 Speaker 1: a greater way. You're gonna rise higher. You're gonna overcome 480 00:27:33,480 --> 00:27:37,040 Speaker 1: every obstacle. You're gonna defeat every enemy. You're gonna see 481 00:27:37,040 --> 00:27:39,879 Speaker 1: every dream, every desire God's put in your heart is 482 00:27:39,920 --> 00:27:42,399 Speaker 1: gonna come to pass. In the name of Jesus, Amen, 483 00:27:42,640 --> 00:27:46,480 Speaker 1: do you receive it today. We never like to close 484 00:27:46,480 --> 00:27:50,120 Speaker 1: our broadcast without giving you an opportunity to make Jesus 485 00:27:50,160 --> 00:27:52,399 Speaker 1: the lord of your life. Would you pray with me, 486 00:27:53,040 --> 00:27:58,480 Speaker 1: Just say, Lord, Jesus, I repent of my sins. Come 487 00:27:58,480 --> 00:28:03,800 Speaker 1: into my heart. I make you my Lord and savior. Friends, 488 00:28:03,800 --> 00:28:06,160 Speaker 1: if you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 489 00:28:06,200 --> 00:28:09,200 Speaker 1: born again. Get in a good Bible based church. Keep 490 00:28:09,240 --> 00:28:11,440 Speaker 1: God first place. He's going to take your place. 491 00:28:11,520 --> 00:28:16,200 Speaker 2: Lest that you've never trutch at us disappointments, failures, challenges. 492 00:28:16,640 --> 00:28:19,040 Speaker 2: We can feel so out of touch that we no 493 00:28:19,119 --> 00:28:20,679 Speaker 2: longer recognize ourselves. 494 00:28:21,480 --> 00:28:24,000 Speaker 1: Life has a way of changing us. At one time 495 00:28:24,040 --> 00:28:27,280 Speaker 1: we were outgoing and excited about our dreams. But when 496 00:28:27,359 --> 00:28:30,480 Speaker 1: we go through disappointments and people do us wrong, it's 497 00:28:30,560 --> 00:28:34,000 Speaker 1: easy to lose that positive, passionate person that we used 498 00:28:34,040 --> 00:28:37,720 Speaker 1: to be. In my new book, Rediscovering the Forgotten You, 499 00:28:38,160 --> 00:28:40,240 Speaker 1: I'll help you get back to who you really are, 500 00:28:40,560 --> 00:28:44,360 Speaker 1: the joyful you, the confident you, the talented you. It's 501 00:28:44,400 --> 00:28:47,360 Speaker 1: not too late. You haven't been through too much. You 502 00:28:47,440 --> 00:28:50,600 Speaker 1: may have lost part of yourself, but you can find yourself. 503 00:28:51,000 --> 00:28:53,840 Speaker 1: God is in the business of restoring what was lost, 504 00:28:54,200 --> 00:28:57,440 Speaker 1: healing what was broken. You haven't seen the best version 505 00:28:57,560 --> 00:29:00,080 Speaker 1: of you yet it's still in front of you. 506 00:29:00,640 --> 00:29:02,960 Speaker 2: As our way of saying thank you for your gift 507 00:29:03,000 --> 00:29:05,240 Speaker 2: of any amount. We would like to send you a 508 00:29:05,280 --> 00:29:09,240 Speaker 2: copy of Joel's brand new book, Rediscovering the Forgotten. You 509 00:29:09,920 --> 00:29:13,640 Speaker 2: take back your passion, reignite your dreams, and embrace the 510 00:29:13,720 --> 00:29:17,680 Speaker 2: life you were created to live. This book shares uplifting 511 00:29:17,680 --> 00:29:22,240 Speaker 2: scripture and personal stories that will help you release bitterness, silence, 512 00:29:22,280 --> 00:29:26,040 Speaker 2: self defeating thoughts, and embrace by faith the vision of 513 00:29:26,080 --> 00:29:29,720 Speaker 2: the life God designed for you. Life's challenges might have 514 00:29:29,800 --> 00:29:34,120 Speaker 2: distorted the true you, but now you can reclaim, revitalize, 515 00:29:34,160 --> 00:29:37,280 Speaker 2: and restore the version of yourself that you once knew, 516 00:29:37,640 --> 00:29:39,960 Speaker 2: or the version that you know God has made you 517 00:29:40,040 --> 00:29:44,280 Speaker 2: to be filled with hopes and dreams, optimism, and confidence. 518 00:29:44,600 --> 00:29:47,959 Speaker 2: Request your copy today and discover the best version of 519 00:29:48,000 --> 00:29:48,680 Speaker 2: you yet. 520 00:29:49,360 --> 00:29:52,760 Speaker 1: God is about to breathe new life, new passion, new 521 00:29:52,840 --> 00:29:56,400 Speaker 1: dreams into your heart. What he started, He's going to finish. 522 00:29:56,800 --> 00:29:59,560 Speaker 1: Hey so much for being with us today, Victorian. Our 523 00:29:59,640 --> 00:30:02,760 Speaker 1: pray for you and your family for God's very best. 524 00:30:03,160 --> 00:30:06,160 Speaker 1: Thank you so much for your prayer and support. Your 525 00:30:06,200 --> 00:30:09,920 Speaker 1: generosity helps people all over the world. The special thank 526 00:30:09,960 --> 00:30:12,680 Speaker 1: you to our Champion of Hope partners for all you 527 00:30:12,800 --> 00:30:15,760 Speaker 1: do to make the ministry possible. If you're not a partner. 528 00:30:15,800 --> 00:30:18,920 Speaker 1: I'll hope you'll consider becoming one. Until we meet again. 529 00:30:19,280 --> 00:30:21,320 Speaker 1: May the Lord bless you and keep you. 530 00:30:22,320 --> 00:30:25,680 Speaker 2: Be sure to request your copy of Rediscovering the Forgotten 531 00:30:25,720 --> 00:30:29,800 Speaker 2: You available this month by simply visiting us at Joelostein 532 00:30:29,880 --> 00:30:33,640 Speaker 2: dot com or call eight eight eight five six seven Joel. 533 00:30:34,080 --> 00:30:37,600 Speaker 2: You can also receive the God's Got You Rediscovery duo. 534 00:30:38,080 --> 00:30:42,240 Speaker 2: You'll receive Rediscovering the Forgotten You and God's Got You 535 00:30:42,640 --> 00:30:46,880 Speaker 2: Promises for Overcoming Fear. It's the perfect combination to help 536 00:30:46,920 --> 00:30:50,920 Speaker 2: you rekindle your purpose while standing firm and God's Promises. 537 00:30:51,280 --> 00:30:54,560 Speaker 2: In addition to these two inspiration books, you can also 538 00:30:54,680 --> 00:30:58,800 Speaker 2: receive the beautifully crafted CSB Thin Line Study Bible in 539 00:30:58,880 --> 00:31:02,800 Speaker 2: Camel Swedes aft leather Touch, an elegant Bible that offers 540 00:31:02,840 --> 00:31:07,280 Speaker 2: a rich, immersive study experience and brings God's Word beautifully 541 00:31:07,280 --> 00:31:11,480 Speaker 2: into your everyday life. This collection is more than encouragement. 542 00:31:11,800 --> 00:31:15,680 Speaker 2: It is a foundation for lasting renewal rooted in God's Word.