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That's Facet dot com. 32 00:01:24,080 --> 00:01:26,039 Speaker 4: This add a sponsored by Facet. Facet Wealth in Corporated 33 00:01:26,120 --> 00:01:27,959 Speaker 4: is an sec registered investment advisor. This is not an 34 00:01:28,000 --> 00:01:29,759 Speaker 4: offer to buy your self securities, nor is it investment, 35 00:01:29,840 --> 00:01:30,760 Speaker 4: legal or tax advice. 36 00:01:31,240 --> 00:01:33,959 Speaker 3: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 37 00:01:34,000 --> 00:01:37,160 Speaker 3: our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. If you 38 00:01:37,240 --> 00:01:39,840 Speaker 3: enjoy today's message, why don't you be a blessing and 39 00:01:39,880 --> 00:01:42,559 Speaker 3: share it with a friend. We appreciate you and pray 40 00:01:42,600 --> 00:01:53,360 Speaker 3: for God's very best in your life. This is the 41 00:01:53,480 --> 00:01:57,720 Speaker 3: very first weekend here at the new Lakewood Church. We're 42 00:01:57,720 --> 00:02:00,800 Speaker 3: here at the former Compact Center after a year and 43 00:02:00,880 --> 00:02:04,400 Speaker 3: a half of renovations. We are celebrating what God has 44 00:02:04,440 --> 00:02:07,480 Speaker 3: done and there is so much history in this building. 45 00:02:07,880 --> 00:02:10,560 Speaker 3: For nearly thirty years, this has been one of the 46 00:02:10,600 --> 00:02:14,679 Speaker 3: premier facilities in our city. I'm told that over two 47 00:02:14,720 --> 00:02:19,200 Speaker 3: million people a year visit this building, and practically every 48 00:02:19,320 --> 00:02:22,400 Speaker 3: major musical artist has played here, and of course, the 49 00:02:22,440 --> 00:02:25,919 Speaker 3: Houston Rockets have won two World championships here. I used 50 00:02:25,960 --> 00:02:28,120 Speaker 3: to have season tickets right over there in section one 51 00:02:28,200 --> 00:02:32,320 Speaker 3: oh four, and growing up, never in my wildest dreams 52 00:02:32,520 --> 00:02:35,000 Speaker 3: did I ever think that one day this building would 53 00:02:35,000 --> 00:02:38,320 Speaker 3: be ours. This is where I brought Victoria on our 54 00:02:38,360 --> 00:02:42,200 Speaker 3: first date nineteen years ago. We came in and sat 55 00:02:42,240 --> 00:02:45,120 Speaker 3: way up at the top. You may remember the story 56 00:02:45,200 --> 00:02:48,480 Speaker 3: somebody spilled beer all over heard. I thought, surely that 57 00:02:48,639 --> 00:02:50,480 Speaker 3: was the end. But thank God that we made it. 58 00:02:51,520 --> 00:02:53,880 Speaker 3: But isn't it great that we can all come together today. 59 00:02:54,000 --> 00:02:56,360 Speaker 3: Not for a ball game, not for a concert, nothing 60 00:02:56,400 --> 00:02:59,320 Speaker 3: wrong with that, but we can come together to celebrate 61 00:02:59,400 --> 00:03:03,800 Speaker 3: the good thing God has done. You know, for for 62 00:03:03,880 --> 00:03:07,680 Speaker 3: nearly thirty years, they've crowned champions in the sports field 63 00:03:07,760 --> 00:03:10,320 Speaker 3: in this building that I believe for the next thirty 64 00:03:10,400 --> 00:03:13,399 Speaker 3: years we can crown people champions in life. We're gonna 65 00:03:13,480 --> 00:03:16,079 Speaker 3: let them know that they are victors and not victims. 66 00:03:16,520 --> 00:03:18,400 Speaker 3: We're gonna let them know that they can do all 67 00:03:18,520 --> 00:03:21,960 Speaker 3: things through Christ. And really, our message is a message 68 00:03:21,960 --> 00:03:24,920 Speaker 3: of hope, it's a message of victory, and it's for 69 00:03:25,040 --> 00:03:28,560 Speaker 3: all people. That's one thing I love about Lakewood. We 70 00:03:28,600 --> 00:03:33,600 Speaker 3: have people from every race, every social standing, every background, 71 00:03:33,600 --> 00:03:37,200 Speaker 3: every denomination. I mean, that's what Heaven is gonna be like. 72 00:03:38,160 --> 00:03:41,320 Speaker 3: People ask me all the time. Reporter asked me last week, 73 00:03:41,520 --> 00:03:44,880 Speaker 3: how did y'all get the church so diverse? The truth is, 74 00:03:45,080 --> 00:03:47,880 Speaker 3: we never tried to do it. God did it. Really, 75 00:03:47,920 --> 00:03:49,760 Speaker 3: it's a testament to each one of you. It's a 76 00:03:49,800 --> 00:03:52,960 Speaker 3: testament to the people of Lakewood. That just shows me 77 00:03:53,160 --> 00:03:55,320 Speaker 3: you don't look at the outside, you look at the heart. 78 00:03:55,800 --> 00:03:59,040 Speaker 3: Daddy used to say, where there's grace, there is no race. 79 00:04:00,080 --> 00:04:02,680 Speaker 3: It's like that story I heard about these two guys 80 00:04:02,760 --> 00:04:06,560 Speaker 3: named Archie and Jack. They argued for years whether Jesus 81 00:04:06,680 --> 00:04:09,920 Speaker 3: was white or black. Archie was sure he was white, 82 00:04:09,960 --> 00:04:12,320 Speaker 3: and Jack was just as certain he was black. And 83 00:04:12,360 --> 00:04:14,200 Speaker 3: his fate would have it, they both died on the 84 00:04:14,240 --> 00:04:17,040 Speaker 3: same day. They rushed to the pearly gates and they said, 85 00:04:17,040 --> 00:04:20,120 Speaker 3: Saint Peter, please tell us was Jesus white or was 86 00:04:20,160 --> 00:04:23,760 Speaker 3: he black? We've been arguing our whole lifetime. About that time, 87 00:04:23,880 --> 00:04:31,400 Speaker 3: Jesus walked up and said, buenos dias. We have to 88 00:04:31,480 --> 00:04:36,680 Speaker 3: realize that God likes variety. He made us different on purpose. 89 00:04:37,279 --> 00:04:39,599 Speaker 3: Have you noticed when some people worship, they sing and 90 00:04:39,640 --> 00:04:42,520 Speaker 3: shout and lift the hands. Other people they're more quiet 91 00:04:42,560 --> 00:04:46,200 Speaker 3: and reserved. You know what, That's okay. God's given us 92 00:04:46,279 --> 00:04:51,279 Speaker 3: different traits, different personalities, different looks. Think about it like this. 93 00:04:51,720 --> 00:04:54,480 Speaker 3: The same God that made the poodle made the bulldog. 94 00:04:55,600 --> 00:04:58,880 Speaker 3: Same God that made the butterfly made the cockroach. The 95 00:04:58,960 --> 00:05:05,160 Speaker 3: same God that made me made my brother. I didn't 96 00:05:05,200 --> 00:05:09,640 Speaker 3: say it was ugly. Come on, seriously, I don't believe 97 00:05:09,680 --> 00:05:11,800 Speaker 3: that I would be standing here today if it were 98 00:05:11,839 --> 00:05:14,800 Speaker 3: not for the faithfulness and the obedience of one man. 99 00:05:15,120 --> 00:05:18,200 Speaker 3: And that man was my father. Daddy had a heart 100 00:05:18,279 --> 00:05:21,880 Speaker 3: of compassion. His love for God was seen in his 101 00:05:21,960 --> 00:05:26,080 Speaker 3: true love for people. And everywhere that we went, I 102 00:05:26,120 --> 00:05:29,640 Speaker 3: would see my father encouraging the bellman at the hotel, 103 00:05:30,160 --> 00:05:33,400 Speaker 3: given the security guard twenty dollars. In India, he would 104 00:05:33,400 --> 00:05:35,799 Speaker 3: stop just to take time to play with the kids. 105 00:05:36,160 --> 00:05:40,040 Speaker 3: He invested in their lives. He loved people, and Daddy 106 00:05:40,160 --> 00:05:43,600 Speaker 3: was a man of integrity. He always took the high road, 107 00:05:44,240 --> 00:05:47,279 Speaker 3: served in the ministry for some sixty years, and people 108 00:05:47,320 --> 00:05:50,320 Speaker 3: that knew him had nothing but respect for him. And 109 00:05:50,360 --> 00:05:52,880 Speaker 3: it was those two things that made such an impression 110 00:05:52,920 --> 00:05:56,360 Speaker 3: on me. His love for people and his life of 111 00:05:56,360 --> 00:05:59,680 Speaker 3: integrity that really impacted my life. And I know my 112 00:05:59,760 --> 00:06:03,440 Speaker 3: father is looking down on us right now. He's so proud. 113 00:06:03,839 --> 00:06:06,359 Speaker 3: He's saying, keep on keeping on, keep on fighting the 114 00:06:06,400 --> 00:06:08,680 Speaker 3: good fight of faith. And Daddy, I just want to 115 00:06:08,720 --> 00:06:10,680 Speaker 3: tell you that I love you, I miss you, and 116 00:06:10,720 --> 00:06:14,360 Speaker 3: I thank you for all that you've sown into my life. See, 117 00:06:14,360 --> 00:06:17,760 Speaker 3: I know I'm reaping many benefits because of my mother 118 00:06:18,080 --> 00:06:22,080 Speaker 3: and my father and many others that have so sacrificially 119 00:06:22,200 --> 00:06:26,080 Speaker 3: and faithfully served it before us. Many of you even 120 00:06:26,120 --> 00:06:29,560 Speaker 3: here today. You've given your time, your energy, your finances 121 00:06:29,839 --> 00:06:33,080 Speaker 3: for twenty thirty, even forty years to help us build 122 00:06:33,120 --> 00:06:35,880 Speaker 3: this place. And for that we want to say thank 123 00:06:35,920 --> 00:06:38,760 Speaker 3: you for your labor of love. It's like my father 124 00:06:38,880 --> 00:06:41,000 Speaker 3: and that first group of people, they took us right 125 00:06:41,080 --> 00:06:44,280 Speaker 3: up to the promised Land. They laid a great foundation 126 00:06:44,400 --> 00:06:46,839 Speaker 3: and did so much of the hard work. But now 127 00:06:47,080 --> 00:06:49,160 Speaker 3: you and I get to go into the promised land. 128 00:06:49,200 --> 00:06:51,279 Speaker 3: We get to see more of the goodness of God. 129 00:06:51,880 --> 00:06:55,240 Speaker 3: And I believe as Lakewood has entered into a new era, 130 00:06:56,000 --> 00:06:58,880 Speaker 3: that the same favor that's on our ministry, the same 131 00:06:58,920 --> 00:07:01,960 Speaker 3: promotion and increase that we've seen, is gonna flow right 132 00:07:02,040 --> 00:07:05,039 Speaker 3: down onto each one of you. And it's my desire 133 00:07:05,080 --> 00:07:07,680 Speaker 3: that today would be a time of new beginnings in 134 00:07:07,720 --> 00:07:11,440 Speaker 3: your life, a time of refreshing where you'd enlarge your 135 00:07:11,520 --> 00:07:14,480 Speaker 3: vision and believe that you can be all God's created 136 00:07:14,520 --> 00:07:17,560 Speaker 3: you to be. I know, I never dreamed that I 137 00:07:17,600 --> 00:07:20,440 Speaker 3: would be up here. My father, through the years, he 138 00:07:20,520 --> 00:07:23,720 Speaker 3: tried time and time again to get me up here 139 00:07:23,720 --> 00:07:26,720 Speaker 3: to preach, but I just didn't have the desire. I 140 00:07:26,800 --> 00:07:30,000 Speaker 3: remember toward the end of my father's life, people used 141 00:07:30,040 --> 00:07:32,960 Speaker 3: to ask him who's gonna take over when you're gone, 142 00:07:33,000 --> 00:07:36,160 Speaker 3: who you're grooming to be the next successor? And really, 143 00:07:36,400 --> 00:07:39,360 Speaker 3: Daddy didn't have anybody. And I know it sounds kind 144 00:07:39,360 --> 00:07:41,920 Speaker 3: of naive, but it didn't seem to bother him in 145 00:07:41,960 --> 00:07:44,320 Speaker 3: the least bit. They would ask him, and he say, oh, 146 00:07:44,360 --> 00:07:46,760 Speaker 3: I'm not worried about it. I know God will raise 147 00:07:46,840 --> 00:07:49,480 Speaker 3: up somebody. I know God will not let his work 148 00:07:49,520 --> 00:07:52,000 Speaker 3: go down. And I used to think, yeah, God's going 149 00:07:52,080 --> 00:07:56,440 Speaker 3: to raise up somebody. Well, I had no idea it 150 00:07:56,480 --> 00:07:58,880 Speaker 3: was gonna be me. If I'd have known that, I 151 00:07:58,920 --> 00:08:02,240 Speaker 3: may not have agreed so quickly. But when Daddy went 152 00:08:02,280 --> 00:08:04,560 Speaker 3: to be with the Lord and we took over, our 153 00:08:04,720 --> 00:08:07,600 Speaker 3: goal was just to try to keep the church going, 154 00:08:07,760 --> 00:08:11,600 Speaker 3: just try to maintain, try to survive. After all, all 155 00:08:11,640 --> 00:08:13,520 Speaker 3: the critics had already told us how we weren't going 156 00:08:13,560 --> 00:08:16,000 Speaker 3: to make it. But isn't it great to look around 157 00:08:16,040 --> 00:08:18,720 Speaker 3: today and see what God has done. Really, this is 158 00:08:18,760 --> 00:08:24,160 Speaker 3: a testament to the faithfulness of God. The critics said 159 00:08:24,200 --> 00:08:27,120 Speaker 3: that we would go under, but God said, you'll go over. 160 00:08:27,840 --> 00:08:30,000 Speaker 3: The critics said we would have to shut our doors, 161 00:08:30,440 --> 00:08:32,200 Speaker 3: and in a sense, I guess they were right. We 162 00:08:32,280 --> 00:08:34,600 Speaker 3: had to shut those doors because they were too small. 163 00:08:35,240 --> 00:08:37,439 Speaker 3: We had to shut those doors so we could come 164 00:08:37,520 --> 00:08:44,120 Speaker 3: down to a Texas size sanctuary. God has done more 165 00:08:44,240 --> 00:08:47,040 Speaker 3: than we could even ask or think. And I hope 166 00:08:47,080 --> 00:08:49,720 Speaker 3: you'll let this be an inspiration in your own life. 167 00:08:50,160 --> 00:08:53,040 Speaker 3: God has great things in store for you. There's no 168 00:08:53,160 --> 00:08:57,240 Speaker 3: obstacle too big, there's no challenge too difficult. If God 169 00:08:57,280 --> 00:09:00,560 Speaker 3: did this for us, certainly he can bring your dreams 170 00:09:00,600 --> 00:09:03,240 Speaker 3: to pass and I know one of the reasons that 171 00:09:03,320 --> 00:09:06,440 Speaker 3: we're seeing this favor in this increase is because of 172 00:09:06,480 --> 00:09:10,320 Speaker 3: God's faithfulness to my father. See, when you are faithful 173 00:09:10,360 --> 00:09:13,120 Speaker 3: to God, he'll not only be faithful to you, he'll 174 00:09:13,160 --> 00:09:17,120 Speaker 3: be faithful to your children. He'll be faithful to your grandchildren. 175 00:09:17,600 --> 00:09:19,640 Speaker 3: When you do your best to live a life that's 176 00:09:19,720 --> 00:09:23,880 Speaker 3: pleasing to God, you are so in seeds for future generations. 177 00:09:24,280 --> 00:09:26,920 Speaker 3: I remember a few years ago when our son Jonathan 178 00:09:27,040 --> 00:09:29,440 Speaker 3: was about six years old. We were driving here in 179 00:09:29,440 --> 00:09:32,760 Speaker 3: front of the freeway and I slowed down and I said, look, Jonathan, 180 00:09:33,160 --> 00:09:35,240 Speaker 3: one day that's going to be your building. That's the 181 00:09:35,280 --> 00:09:37,640 Speaker 3: Compact Center. One day you're going to be in their preaching. 182 00:09:38,160 --> 00:09:40,600 Speaker 3: He shook his head and said, no, Daddy, one day, 183 00:09:40,840 --> 00:09:44,400 Speaker 3: I'm going to get the Reliant Stadium. And I thought, 184 00:09:44,440 --> 00:09:48,679 Speaker 3: I like that. He's got a big vision. And really, 185 00:09:48,760 --> 00:09:51,440 Speaker 3: that's what God wants from each one of us. Some 186 00:09:51,520 --> 00:09:53,920 Speaker 3: of you today you're stuck in a rut thinking that 187 00:09:53,960 --> 00:09:56,640 Speaker 3: you've reached your limits. Well, Joel, I've gone as far 188 00:09:56,720 --> 00:09:59,439 Speaker 3: as my parents. No God wants you to go further. 189 00:10:00,080 --> 00:10:03,079 Speaker 3: The first year after Daddy died, I wore a pair 190 00:10:03,120 --> 00:10:06,760 Speaker 3: of his shoes to speak in every Sunday. I don't 191 00:10:06,840 --> 00:10:08,920 Speaker 3: really know why I did it. I guess it just 192 00:10:09,000 --> 00:10:11,840 Speaker 3: felt right. I was drawn strength from knowing that he 193 00:10:11,840 --> 00:10:14,600 Speaker 3: had stood in those same shoes. But on the first 194 00:10:14,640 --> 00:10:17,160 Speaker 3: Sunday of the year two thousand, I'll never forget, I 195 00:10:17,200 --> 00:10:19,760 Speaker 3: put my father's shoes away and I put on a 196 00:10:19,800 --> 00:10:22,840 Speaker 3: pair of my own shoes, and I've never worn his since. 197 00:10:23,480 --> 00:10:27,000 Speaker 3: That time was very significant to me, because up until then, 198 00:10:27,160 --> 00:10:29,720 Speaker 3: I know I was being carried by my father's grace 199 00:10:29,800 --> 00:10:33,200 Speaker 3: and by your loyalty to my dad. But at that time, 200 00:10:33,240 --> 00:10:36,120 Speaker 3: it's like a light turned on in the inside. God 201 00:10:36,120 --> 00:10:38,400 Speaker 3: gave me the confidence I needed. I thought, Hey, I 202 00:10:38,440 --> 00:10:40,280 Speaker 3: can do this. This is what I was born for. 203 00:10:41,080 --> 00:10:43,480 Speaker 3: People used to ask me back then, Joel, do you 204 00:10:43,520 --> 00:10:46,240 Speaker 3: really think you can fill your father's shoes? Do you 205 00:10:46,320 --> 00:10:49,040 Speaker 3: really think you can keep the church going? And I 206 00:10:49,080 --> 00:10:51,080 Speaker 3: would always tell them, and I didn't say it arrogantly, 207 00:10:51,360 --> 00:10:53,720 Speaker 3: but I'd say, you know what, I believe, with God's help, 208 00:10:53,920 --> 00:10:56,160 Speaker 3: we can not only keep the church going, but we 209 00:10:56,200 --> 00:10:58,800 Speaker 3: can go further than my dad went. I believe we 210 00:10:58,800 --> 00:11:01,960 Speaker 3: can reach new heights. And today, as we celebrate this 211 00:11:02,080 --> 00:11:05,079 Speaker 3: great victory, it's just another part of that dream coming 212 00:11:05,120 --> 00:11:08,439 Speaker 3: to pass. It's another part of the faithfulness of God. 213 00:11:08,800 --> 00:11:11,920 Speaker 3: And I know God has raised Lakewood up as an example. 214 00:11:12,520 --> 00:11:15,800 Speaker 3: He's chosen us to be one of the leaders. It's 215 00:11:15,840 --> 00:11:19,000 Speaker 3: my prayer that pastors and ministers all over the world 216 00:11:19,320 --> 00:11:22,720 Speaker 3: will get a bigger vision. Letus believe that in every 217 00:11:22,760 --> 00:11:26,000 Speaker 3: major city there can be churches just like this, with 218 00:11:26,120 --> 00:11:29,760 Speaker 3: fifteen twenty thousand people at each service, not focused on 219 00:11:29,800 --> 00:11:35,400 Speaker 3: a denomination, not focused on them, not focused on rules 220 00:11:35,480 --> 00:11:38,959 Speaker 3: and regulations, but rather focused on lifting up the name 221 00:11:39,040 --> 00:11:43,959 Speaker 3: of Jesus, focused on giving people hope and encouragement. And really, 222 00:11:44,040 --> 00:11:46,960 Speaker 3: it's an exciting time to be alive. I've never seen 223 00:11:46,960 --> 00:11:50,320 Speaker 3: a hunger for God like I've seen today. Faith in 224 00:11:50,360 --> 00:11:53,040 Speaker 3: our society is at an all time high. And yes, 225 00:11:53,080 --> 00:11:55,679 Speaker 3: I know there are some negative things happening, but I 226 00:11:55,760 --> 00:11:59,800 Speaker 3: believe there is a spiritual awakening taking place. I believe 227 00:11:59,800 --> 00:12:02,400 Speaker 3: God God is on the verge of doing some unusual things, 228 00:12:03,000 --> 00:12:05,640 Speaker 3: and I can tell you we are seeing doors open 229 00:12:05,720 --> 00:12:09,520 Speaker 3: for us in unprecedented ways. I pray every day for 230 00:12:09,640 --> 00:12:13,440 Speaker 3: God's far and beyond favor, not just for me and 231 00:12:13,559 --> 00:12:15,880 Speaker 3: my family, but I pray it for every one of you, 232 00:12:16,040 --> 00:12:18,960 Speaker 3: all of our friends. Somebody has said, when you go 233 00:12:19,040 --> 00:12:21,760 Speaker 3: into a city, you can see what's important to the 234 00:12:21,800 --> 00:12:24,719 Speaker 3: people by the buildings they have built. And most of 235 00:12:24,760 --> 00:12:28,800 Speaker 3: the time it's office towers and sports arenas stadiums, And 236 00:12:29,040 --> 00:12:32,240 Speaker 3: nothing wrong with that. But isn't it great now when 237 00:12:32,240 --> 00:12:34,720 Speaker 3: people come into our city the city of Houston, one 238 00:12:34,760 --> 00:12:37,840 Speaker 3: of the major landmarks is a house of worship when 239 00:12:37,840 --> 00:12:43,559 Speaker 3: people drive by. When people drive by, they can tell 240 00:12:43,600 --> 00:12:46,280 Speaker 3: their friends, Hey, that's a place of hope, that's a 241 00:12:46,280 --> 00:12:49,600 Speaker 3: place of healing. I want to publicly thank the city 242 00:12:49,679 --> 00:12:53,160 Speaker 3: leaders the city government for believing in us enough to 243 00:12:53,200 --> 00:12:55,720 Speaker 3: make it possible that we could be here, not only today, 244 00:12:56,000 --> 00:12:58,839 Speaker 3: but for the next sixty years. Says a whole lot 245 00:12:58,880 --> 00:13:01,360 Speaker 3: about what our city is stand for. That they would 246 00:13:01,440 --> 00:13:06,280 Speaker 3: lease a premier facility to a church. I was thinking 247 00:13:06,320 --> 00:13:09,960 Speaker 3: about when my father started Lakewood back in nineteen fifty nine. 248 00:13:10,120 --> 00:13:12,360 Speaker 3: They were in that abandoned feed store and they cleaned 249 00:13:12,360 --> 00:13:15,120 Speaker 3: it out, put some chairs in it and started having 250 00:13:15,200 --> 00:13:18,000 Speaker 3: church on Mother's Day. And people came by and told 251 00:13:18,000 --> 00:13:21,319 Speaker 3: my dad, John, nobody's gonna come. You got this old 252 00:13:21,360 --> 00:13:24,600 Speaker 3: rundown building. You're not in a real good location. You 253 00:13:24,760 --> 00:13:27,720 Speaker 3: just can't build a big church out here. But I 254 00:13:27,800 --> 00:13:30,960 Speaker 3: love this about my father. He never listened to the naysayers. 255 00:13:31,400 --> 00:13:33,680 Speaker 3: He knew God had put that dream in his heart, 256 00:13:33,760 --> 00:13:37,000 Speaker 3: and so he just kept pressing forward. One thing I've 257 00:13:37,040 --> 00:13:39,679 Speaker 3: discovered is that people will try to talk you out 258 00:13:39,679 --> 00:13:42,920 Speaker 3: of your dreams. As a rule. More often than not, 259 00:13:43,000 --> 00:13:45,120 Speaker 3: people will tell you what you can't do instead of 260 00:13:45,120 --> 00:13:49,000 Speaker 3: what you can do. The scripture says, a wide door 261 00:13:49,040 --> 00:13:53,160 Speaker 3: of opportunity is open for me, and there are many adversaries. 262 00:13:53,840 --> 00:13:57,040 Speaker 3: In other words, anytime you try to go forward, anytime 263 00:13:57,080 --> 00:13:59,840 Speaker 3: you try to fulfill your God given destiny, there's going 264 00:13:59,880 --> 00:14:02,800 Speaker 3: to be opposition. There's gonna be people telling you that 265 00:14:02,880 --> 00:14:05,480 Speaker 3: you can't do it, and that's why you've got to 266 00:14:05,520 --> 00:14:09,040 Speaker 3: stand strong and fight the good fight of faith. People 267 00:14:09,080 --> 00:14:12,080 Speaker 3: give up way too easily these days. If you have 268 00:14:12,160 --> 00:14:14,719 Speaker 3: a dream in your heart, my prayer is that that 269 00:14:14,880 --> 00:14:17,880 Speaker 3: dream today is going to really take root, and you're 270 00:14:17,920 --> 00:14:20,160 Speaker 3: gonna know that you know that you know that you 271 00:14:20,200 --> 00:14:22,360 Speaker 3: can be all God's created you to be, and you 272 00:14:22,400 --> 00:14:26,320 Speaker 3: can accomplish everything that He's put in your heart. Well, 273 00:14:26,400 --> 00:14:29,920 Speaker 3: five years and fourteen days ago, myself and a handful 274 00:14:29,960 --> 00:14:33,440 Speaker 3: of people met for the first time about acquiring the 275 00:14:33,520 --> 00:14:36,600 Speaker 3: Compact Center. We had tried for many months to buy 276 00:14:36,680 --> 00:14:39,600 Speaker 3: property to build a new facility, but those doors just 277 00:14:39,720 --> 00:14:42,840 Speaker 3: kept closing. And when we got word that the rockets 278 00:14:42,920 --> 00:14:46,280 Speaker 3: were moving out and this might be available, I knew, 279 00:14:46,320 --> 00:14:49,080 Speaker 3: deep down in my heart that's what God wanted us 280 00:14:49,120 --> 00:14:52,520 Speaker 3: to pursue, and so we started taking some steps of faith. 281 00:14:53,160 --> 00:14:55,960 Speaker 3: But man, when the word got out on the streets, 282 00:14:56,280 --> 00:14:59,200 Speaker 3: you would not believe how many people tried to discourage us. 283 00:14:59,480 --> 00:15:02,280 Speaker 3: On the main business leaders called me and he meant, well, 284 00:15:02,320 --> 00:15:05,640 Speaker 3: but he said, Joel, don't waste your time, don't waste 285 00:15:05,680 --> 00:15:08,120 Speaker 3: your money. You don't even have a chance. Don't even 286 00:15:08,160 --> 00:15:12,240 Speaker 3: go there, Just like back with my father. People were 287 00:15:12,240 --> 00:15:14,800 Speaker 3: trying to talk us into giving up before we even tried. 288 00:15:15,520 --> 00:15:17,080 Speaker 3: And I didn't know for sure that we were going 289 00:15:17,160 --> 00:15:20,480 Speaker 3: to really get this place. But our attitude was God, 290 00:15:20,600 --> 00:15:23,120 Speaker 3: we know you put this in our hearts, and if 291 00:15:23,120 --> 00:15:25,240 Speaker 3: it doesn't work out, we know you've got something better. 292 00:15:25,400 --> 00:15:27,680 Speaker 3: But we are not going to let people talk us 293 00:15:27,720 --> 00:15:29,800 Speaker 3: out of it. We are not going to just give 294 00:15:29,880 --> 00:15:32,200 Speaker 3: up and not even try just because we're listening to 295 00:15:32,240 --> 00:15:36,320 Speaker 3: all the naysayers. I like what the apostle Paul said 296 00:15:36,320 --> 00:15:40,200 Speaker 3: in Romans three. He said, what if some do not believe? 297 00:15:40,880 --> 00:15:43,960 Speaker 3: Will their unbelief make the faith of God of no 298 00:15:44,080 --> 00:15:48,360 Speaker 3: effect in your life? One translation says, so what if 299 00:15:48,360 --> 00:15:52,480 Speaker 3: they don't believe? In other words, just because somebody else 300 00:15:52,560 --> 00:15:55,760 Speaker 3: doesn't believe in your dream, that doesn't change anything. The 301 00:15:55,800 --> 00:15:58,640 Speaker 3: good news is you don't have to have every person 302 00:15:58,720 --> 00:16:01,440 Speaker 3: on board in order to see your dreams come to pass. 303 00:16:02,000 --> 00:16:04,800 Speaker 3: And you're never gonna get every family member and every 304 00:16:04,840 --> 00:16:07,680 Speaker 3: business associate, neighbor to agree with you and to cheer 305 00:16:07,720 --> 00:16:10,440 Speaker 3: you on. In fact, a lot of times they'll say, 306 00:16:10,560 --> 00:16:13,680 Speaker 3: you're gonna do what? I don't think that's possible. You 307 00:16:13,720 --> 00:16:16,720 Speaker 3: can't get the compact center. I don't think we should 308 00:16:16,760 --> 00:16:19,680 Speaker 3: be disrespectful, but sometimes we got to have an attitude 309 00:16:19,680 --> 00:16:22,040 Speaker 3: like the apostle Paul and say, so what if you 310 00:16:22,120 --> 00:16:25,080 Speaker 3: don't believe? In other words, I'm not gonna let your 311 00:16:25,160 --> 00:16:27,920 Speaker 3: lack of faith still my faith. God didn't put the 312 00:16:28,000 --> 00:16:32,360 Speaker 3: dream in you, He put the dream in me. And 313 00:16:32,400 --> 00:16:36,520 Speaker 3: that's exactly what we did. Report after report came in, 314 00:16:36,640 --> 00:16:39,320 Speaker 3: So and so doesn't think it's a good idea. Our 315 00:16:39,360 --> 00:16:42,480 Speaker 3: attitude was, so what if he doesn't believe? Are this 316 00:16:42,600 --> 00:16:46,000 Speaker 3: other expert Joe. He just doesn't think it's gonna be possible. Fine, 317 00:16:46,080 --> 00:16:48,720 Speaker 3: we know the things that are impossible with men are 318 00:16:48,760 --> 00:16:52,040 Speaker 3: possible with God. And it's great to have people to 319 00:16:52,080 --> 00:16:54,400 Speaker 3: believe in you. It's great when people are cheering you on. 320 00:16:55,200 --> 00:16:57,800 Speaker 3: But you're not always gonna be able to find somebody 321 00:16:57,840 --> 00:17:00,280 Speaker 3: to encourage you. You're gonna have to learn how to 322 00:17:00,400 --> 00:17:03,000 Speaker 3: encourage yourselves. You got to learn how to dig your 323 00:17:03,040 --> 00:17:05,600 Speaker 3: heels in and say, God, I know you put this 324 00:17:05,720 --> 00:17:08,840 Speaker 3: dream in my heart. And every circumstance looks like it's 325 00:17:08,880 --> 00:17:11,920 Speaker 3: not gonna happen. All my friends are telling me no way. 326 00:17:12,200 --> 00:17:14,439 Speaker 3: But God, I know you can make away. I know 327 00:17:14,600 --> 00:17:18,080 Speaker 3: you can do what men can't do. I think about David. 328 00:17:18,320 --> 00:17:20,080 Speaker 3: You know, when he was just a teenager, he went 329 00:17:20,080 --> 00:17:23,080 Speaker 3: out to face Goliath and all of his brothers, all 330 00:17:23,119 --> 00:17:26,320 Speaker 3: the people around him. They tried to discourage him. They 331 00:17:26,400 --> 00:17:29,520 Speaker 3: laughed at him, kind of made fun of him, ridiculed him. 332 00:17:29,720 --> 00:17:33,440 Speaker 3: They said, David, you're gonna do what face Goliath. You're 333 00:17:33,520 --> 00:17:35,400 Speaker 3: just a kid. You don't have a chance. You're gonna 334 00:17:35,400 --> 00:17:38,119 Speaker 3: embarrass us. Go on back and take care of your sheep. 335 00:17:38,760 --> 00:17:40,760 Speaker 3: But I love what David did. He let it go 336 00:17:40,840 --> 00:17:43,399 Speaker 3: in one ear and out the other ear. His attitude was, 337 00:17:43,560 --> 00:17:46,199 Speaker 3: so what if you don't believe? And he said to them, 338 00:17:46,240 --> 00:17:48,720 Speaker 3: in effect, guys, you better get a good seat and 339 00:17:48,800 --> 00:17:51,280 Speaker 3: don't turn your head, because this battle's not gonna take 340 00:17:51,320 --> 00:17:53,680 Speaker 3: me long. I got the power of the most High 341 00:17:53,760 --> 00:17:58,040 Speaker 3: God on the inside of me, he said, in effact. 342 00:17:58,119 --> 00:18:01,080 Speaker 3: I know Goliath may be big, but my God is 343 00:18:01,160 --> 00:18:03,720 Speaker 3: much much bigger. And you know the story. He went 344 00:18:03,760 --> 00:18:06,520 Speaker 3: out there and with a slingshot and a few smooth stones, 345 00:18:06,760 --> 00:18:09,760 Speaker 3: he defeated Goliath and became the king. But he could 346 00:18:09,760 --> 00:18:12,159 Speaker 3: have so easily let people talk him out of his 347 00:18:12,280 --> 00:18:15,560 Speaker 3: divine destiny. And I know it's good to get advice, 348 00:18:15,880 --> 00:18:19,080 Speaker 3: it's good to be open and listen to wise counsel. 349 00:18:19,400 --> 00:18:21,720 Speaker 3: But when something is in your heart and you know 350 00:18:21,920 --> 00:18:24,600 Speaker 3: God's placed it there, you got to keep pressing on, 351 00:18:25,200 --> 00:18:29,000 Speaker 3: keep believing, keep hoping, keep praying. Somebody may say you 352 00:18:29,080 --> 00:18:31,280 Speaker 3: really think you're ever gonna get out of debt. I've 353 00:18:31,320 --> 00:18:34,240 Speaker 3: seen your finances, know, So what if they don't believe? 354 00:18:35,000 --> 00:18:37,239 Speaker 3: You really think you're gonna get that promotion. You got 355 00:18:37,280 --> 00:18:39,719 Speaker 3: one hundred people in front of you, So what if 356 00:18:39,720 --> 00:18:42,640 Speaker 3: they don't believe? Or how about this, You really think 357 00:18:42,680 --> 00:18:45,760 Speaker 3: you're gonna get well. My aunt had that same sickness 358 00:18:45,760 --> 00:18:48,879 Speaker 3: you hadn't. She died in three months. No quit letting 359 00:18:48,920 --> 00:18:51,840 Speaker 3: people discourage you. God didn't put the sea to hope 360 00:18:51,880 --> 00:18:55,600 Speaker 3: in them. He put it in you. Keep believing, keep 361 00:18:55,640 --> 00:18:59,960 Speaker 3: pressing forward, and you've got to quit looking at what 362 00:19:00,000 --> 00:19:03,080 Speaker 3: but you don't have. All David had was a slingshot 363 00:19:03,200 --> 00:19:06,639 Speaker 3: and a few smooth stones. All Moses had was a 364 00:19:06,760 --> 00:19:10,639 Speaker 3: rod a stick. He threw it down, it became a snake. 365 00:19:11,080 --> 00:19:13,000 Speaker 3: He picked it up, and God's used it to part 366 00:19:13,040 --> 00:19:16,240 Speaker 3: the Red sea with just a stick. Every one of 367 00:19:16,280 --> 00:19:19,399 Speaker 3: you has more than that. All the disciples had were 368 00:19:19,440 --> 00:19:22,280 Speaker 3: a few fish and a few loaves of bread, Yet 369 00:19:22,320 --> 00:19:25,920 Speaker 3: God used it to feed the thousands. You have everything 370 00:19:25,960 --> 00:19:29,240 Speaker 3: you need to fulfill your God given destiny. You got 371 00:19:29,240 --> 00:19:31,600 Speaker 3: to quit looking at how big your giants are and 372 00:19:31,640 --> 00:19:34,280 Speaker 3: start looking at how big your God is. That's what 373 00:19:34,320 --> 00:19:37,679 Speaker 3: we did over these last five years. It has not 374 00:19:37,720 --> 00:19:39,960 Speaker 3: been an easy road where we just kicked back and 375 00:19:40,000 --> 00:19:42,840 Speaker 3: coasted to victory. No, we had to press through the 376 00:19:42,920 --> 00:19:46,520 Speaker 3: discouraging times. We had to not allow ourselves to be 377 00:19:46,600 --> 00:19:50,000 Speaker 3: poisoned by the naysayers. We had to believe even though 378 00:19:50,040 --> 00:19:53,120 Speaker 3: we didn't see anything happening, we had to keep moving forward, 379 00:19:53,359 --> 00:19:56,800 Speaker 3: even though we felt like giving up. Time after time. 380 00:19:56,840 --> 00:20:00,160 Speaker 3: As we did that, God began to supernaturally change things 381 00:20:00,200 --> 00:20:02,920 Speaker 3: and supernaturally make a way where it looked like there 382 00:20:03,000 --> 00:20:05,960 Speaker 3: was no way. I remember when it came down to 383 00:20:06,040 --> 00:20:09,640 Speaker 3: the final city council vote, we were one vote shy, 384 00:20:10,119 --> 00:20:12,600 Speaker 3: and it was just a couple days away, and we 385 00:20:12,640 --> 00:20:15,840 Speaker 3: went back and met with another council member, council member Goldberg, 386 00:20:15,840 --> 00:20:18,440 Speaker 3: who's here today, and he changed his mind that day, 387 00:20:18,520 --> 00:20:23,359 Speaker 3: voted for us, and here we are this morning. He 388 00:20:23,440 --> 00:20:26,520 Speaker 3: said something interesting to me. He's Jewish, he said. Later, 389 00:20:26,560 --> 00:20:29,040 Speaker 3: he said, Joe, it's kind of funny here a young 390 00:20:29,160 --> 00:20:33,360 Speaker 3: Jewish man is voting so a young Christian man can 391 00:20:33,400 --> 00:20:37,200 Speaker 3: have your church in my district. God works in mysterious ways, 392 00:20:37,200 --> 00:20:42,399 Speaker 3: doesn't he. When we first started going after this place, 393 00:20:42,920 --> 00:20:45,080 Speaker 3: a friend of mine came back from this big business 394 00:20:45,119 --> 00:20:47,480 Speaker 3: luncheon and he said, Joel, they were kind of making 395 00:20:47,520 --> 00:20:49,920 Speaker 3: fun of you today, thinking that you could really get 396 00:20:49,960 --> 00:20:52,760 Speaker 3: the Compact Center. He said, this guy stood up at 397 00:20:52,800 --> 00:20:54,520 Speaker 3: my table and he didn't really know that I knew you, 398 00:20:54,640 --> 00:20:56,640 Speaker 3: and he kind of laughed. And he said, yeah, it'll 399 00:20:56,680 --> 00:20:59,840 Speaker 3: be a cold day in Hell before Lakewood ever gets 400 00:20:59,880 --> 00:21:03,120 Speaker 3: the Compact Center. I was thinking today, how it must 401 00:21:03,200 --> 00:21:06,000 Speaker 3: be a little bit cold down there, because here we are. 402 00:21:08,840 --> 00:21:13,560 Speaker 3: God has done great things. We give him all the praise, 403 00:21:13,680 --> 00:21:17,000 Speaker 3: all the honor, all the glory. Somebody asked me a 404 00:21:17,040 --> 00:21:20,200 Speaker 3: reporter last week, what's next for Lakewood. All I could 405 00:21:20,200 --> 00:21:23,240 Speaker 3: say was, I don't know. I never dreamed we'd be here. 406 00:21:23,800 --> 00:21:26,280 Speaker 3: All I've learned through this last six years is you 407 00:21:26,359 --> 00:21:29,359 Speaker 3: got to take the limits off of God. In nineteen 408 00:21:29,400 --> 00:21:32,359 Speaker 3: eighty eight, when my father built the sanctuary that holds 409 00:21:32,400 --> 00:21:35,480 Speaker 3: eight thousand, remember walking in the first time. It was 410 00:21:35,480 --> 00:21:38,760 Speaker 3: so big. I thought to myself, we will never fill 411 00:21:38,840 --> 00:21:42,879 Speaker 3: this place. It's huge. Yet seventeen years later it's too small. 412 00:21:42,920 --> 00:21:45,239 Speaker 3: We had to move out. I look around at this 413 00:21:45,320 --> 00:21:48,440 Speaker 3: place today and it already looks too small. I think. 414 00:21:49,800 --> 00:21:52,080 Speaker 3: I think my son Jonathan was right. We may need 415 00:21:52,119 --> 00:21:58,400 Speaker 3: a bigger place. But I know this, this is only 416 00:21:58,640 --> 00:22:01,679 Speaker 3: the beginning, and we could not be more thrilled to 417 00:22:01,720 --> 00:22:03,800 Speaker 3: have you as a part of it with us. We 418 00:22:03,840 --> 00:22:06,600 Speaker 3: know we're all in this together. So many of you 419 00:22:06,680 --> 00:22:09,439 Speaker 3: watch us by television. Thank you for letting us be 420 00:22:09,520 --> 00:22:12,080 Speaker 3: a part of your lives. Victoria and I want you 421 00:22:12,119 --> 00:22:14,720 Speaker 3: to know how much we love you. We counted a 422 00:22:14,760 --> 00:22:17,160 Speaker 3: great honor to be your pastors and to be able 423 00:22:17,200 --> 00:22:19,840 Speaker 3: to stand before you. It's our goal to see you 424 00:22:19,920 --> 00:22:23,280 Speaker 3: grow and become all God's created you to be. Some 425 00:22:23,320 --> 00:22:26,240 Speaker 3: of you have supported us from the very beginning. When 426 00:22:26,240 --> 00:22:28,560 Speaker 3: I first started, I didn't even know if I could preach. 427 00:22:28,600 --> 00:22:31,000 Speaker 3: I was so nervous. Yet you believed in me. You 428 00:22:31,080 --> 00:22:33,560 Speaker 3: cheered me on. Thank you for that, and many of 429 00:22:33,560 --> 00:22:36,639 Speaker 3: you have written me letters. Just by your being here today, 430 00:22:36,680 --> 00:22:39,520 Speaker 3: I see so many great friends that mean so much 431 00:22:39,600 --> 00:22:41,960 Speaker 3: to us. Thank you for the bottom of our hearts. 432 00:22:42,520 --> 00:22:45,160 Speaker 3: Our commitment to you is that every time you walk 433 00:22:45,200 --> 00:22:47,679 Speaker 3: in these doors, every time you flip us on television, 434 00:22:48,080 --> 00:22:50,000 Speaker 3: we will build you up and not tear you down. 435 00:22:50,760 --> 00:22:52,800 Speaker 3: We will focus on the love and the mercy and 436 00:22:52,840 --> 00:22:58,159 Speaker 3: the goodness of God, not on judgment and condemnation. We 437 00:22:58,200 --> 00:23:01,359 Speaker 3: will be there to lift you when you fall, to 438 00:23:01,480 --> 00:23:03,919 Speaker 3: comfort you in the tough times, as well as to 439 00:23:03,960 --> 00:23:06,760 Speaker 3: rejoice with you in the good times, to celebrate the 440 00:23:06,880 --> 00:23:10,280 Speaker 3: victories with you. We commit to you, like my father, 441 00:23:10,760 --> 00:23:13,720 Speaker 3: that we will be people of integrity, that we will 442 00:23:13,920 --> 00:23:16,280 Speaker 3: take the high road like Daddy did, and we'll do 443 00:23:16,359 --> 00:23:18,919 Speaker 3: our best to make you proud to be examples of 444 00:23:18,920 --> 00:23:22,240 Speaker 3: what it means to live a holy and a godly life. 445 00:23:22,280 --> 00:23:24,320 Speaker 3: Six and a half years ago, I was working behind 446 00:23:24,359 --> 00:23:27,160 Speaker 3: the scenes here at the church doing the television production, 447 00:23:28,040 --> 00:23:30,679 Speaker 3: just kind of living a nice, quiet, reserved life, and 448 00:23:31,000 --> 00:23:33,840 Speaker 3: I can hardly believe how much God has promoted me. 449 00:23:33,880 --> 00:23:36,840 Speaker 3: I'm so humbled. I heard a coach talking to a 450 00:23:36,880 --> 00:23:40,760 Speaker 3: reporter after his team just won a great championship, and 451 00:23:40,800 --> 00:23:44,240 Speaker 3: he said, all the glory goes to God, all the 452 00:23:44,280 --> 00:23:47,560 Speaker 3: credit goes to my team members, and the privilege has 453 00:23:47,600 --> 00:23:51,800 Speaker 3: been mine. Really, that's how I feel today. Don't congratulate me. 454 00:23:52,119 --> 00:23:58,640 Speaker 3: All the glory goes to God. The all the credit 455 00:23:59,240 --> 00:24:03,040 Speaker 3: goes to you, the people of Lakewood. It's because of 456 00:24:03,080 --> 00:24:07,760 Speaker 3: your faithfulness, your generosity, your willingness to get behind the vision. 457 00:24:08,119 --> 00:24:11,200 Speaker 3: The credit goes to my mom, my dad, the original 458 00:24:11,200 --> 00:24:13,800 Speaker 3: members that have stuck with us through the years. I 459 00:24:13,800 --> 00:24:17,120 Speaker 3: can honestly say that the privilege has been on mine. 460 00:24:18,240 --> 00:24:20,400 Speaker 3: Would you value heads in prayer with me today? Thank 461 00:24:20,400 --> 00:24:23,439 Speaker 3: you so much. Some of you today have let the 462 00:24:23,480 --> 00:24:25,800 Speaker 3: fire go out on the inside. You've kind of given 463 00:24:25,880 --> 00:24:29,600 Speaker 3: up on your dreams and gotten complacent. But my message 464 00:24:29,640 --> 00:24:32,600 Speaker 3: to you is you've got to rekindle that fire. You've 465 00:24:32,600 --> 00:24:35,439 Speaker 3: got to stir your faith. God has great things in 466 00:24:35,520 --> 00:24:38,320 Speaker 3: store for each one of you. And I'm believing that 467 00:24:38,400 --> 00:24:41,000 Speaker 3: today is going to be the start of a new 468 00:24:41,080 --> 00:24:45,120 Speaker 3: season in your life, a season of increase, a season 469 00:24:45,160 --> 00:24:49,520 Speaker 3: of refreshing. And on this first weekend at our new facility, 470 00:24:50,080 --> 00:24:52,440 Speaker 3: I want to speak some words of faith and victory 471 00:24:52,480 --> 00:24:54,960 Speaker 3: over your lives. I want to speak a blessing over 472 00:24:55,000 --> 00:24:58,480 Speaker 3: each one of you. You may remember in the Old Testament, 473 00:24:58,760 --> 00:25:01,480 Speaker 3: when the father was getting close to death, he would 474 00:25:01,520 --> 00:25:04,040 Speaker 3: call his children in. He would lay his hands on 475 00:25:04,119 --> 00:25:08,520 Speaker 3: each child and speak loving faith build words over that child, 476 00:25:09,200 --> 00:25:12,359 Speaker 3: and those words could literally help set the direction for 477 00:25:12,440 --> 00:25:16,479 Speaker 3: that child's future. It was called the blessing. I believe 478 00:25:16,480 --> 00:25:20,040 Speaker 3: we can do the same thing today. Unfortunately, many of 479 00:25:20,080 --> 00:25:23,439 Speaker 3: you have had so many negative things spoken over your lives, 480 00:25:24,240 --> 00:25:28,119 Speaker 3: and those words, just like seeds, they've taken root and 481 00:25:28,160 --> 00:25:30,720 Speaker 3: created a stronghold in your mind. Kind of like I 482 00:25:30,760 --> 00:25:32,800 Speaker 3: was talking about, people telling you what you can't do, 483 00:25:33,359 --> 00:25:35,480 Speaker 3: what you're not gonna be, how you're never gonna go 484 00:25:35,520 --> 00:25:39,280 Speaker 3: any higher, and unless you change your thinking and get 485 00:25:39,359 --> 00:25:42,720 Speaker 3: rid of that junk. You'll never become all God's created 486 00:25:42,760 --> 00:25:45,600 Speaker 3: you to be, so with your heads about in prayer. 487 00:25:45,640 --> 00:25:48,560 Speaker 3: First thing, before I speak words of faith over you, 488 00:25:48,760 --> 00:25:51,119 Speaker 3: I'm gonna ask you to just get rid of every 489 00:25:51,160 --> 00:25:54,280 Speaker 3: negative thing just ever been spoken over you. Doesn't matter 490 00:25:54,359 --> 00:25:56,520 Speaker 3: who it was from. Maybe it was your parents, maybe 491 00:25:56,520 --> 00:25:59,159 Speaker 3: they didn't know any better. Maybe it was from a 492 00:25:59,240 --> 00:26:02,720 Speaker 3: spouse that was always beaten you down, a coach, a 493 00:26:02,760 --> 00:26:06,680 Speaker 3: business associate. Just get rid of every bit of that junk, 494 00:26:06,720 --> 00:26:09,719 Speaker 3: and then listen to these new words and my prayers 495 00:26:09,760 --> 00:26:12,280 Speaker 3: that you'll let them sink deep down onto the inside 496 00:26:12,280 --> 00:26:15,080 Speaker 3: of you, and that you'll not only hear my words, 497 00:26:15,640 --> 00:26:18,080 Speaker 3: but that you'll hear God's words. I believe this is 498 00:26:18,119 --> 00:26:21,240 Speaker 3: God's dream for your life. Father, thank you for this 499 00:26:21,280 --> 00:26:24,840 Speaker 3: beautiful facility, for the opportunity to be here with all 500 00:26:24,920 --> 00:26:27,520 Speaker 3: my friends today. We are so humbled at what you 501 00:26:27,640 --> 00:26:30,399 Speaker 3: have done. And I don't stand up here in my 502 00:26:30,520 --> 00:26:34,199 Speaker 3: authority nor in my own confidence, but I stand up 503 00:26:34,200 --> 00:26:36,800 Speaker 3: here in the name of Jesus. I know I didn't 504 00:26:36,840 --> 00:26:40,160 Speaker 3: choose you, but you chose each one of us. And Father, 505 00:26:40,280 --> 00:26:43,359 Speaker 3: I declare right now the name of Jesus that every 506 00:26:43,400 --> 00:26:47,439 Speaker 3: person under the sound of my voice is blessed. I 507 00:26:47,520 --> 00:26:51,119 Speaker 3: declare that you are blessed with God's wisdom, that you 508 00:26:51,280 --> 00:26:55,160 Speaker 3: have clear direction in life, that you will always make 509 00:26:55,240 --> 00:26:59,680 Speaker 3: good choices. I declare that you are blessed with creativity, 510 00:27:00,400 --> 00:27:06,359 Speaker 3: with good ideas, with courage, with strength, with ability. I 511 00:27:06,400 --> 00:27:10,240 Speaker 3: declare that you are blessed with good health, a good family, 512 00:27:11,040 --> 00:27:16,200 Speaker 3: good friends, and a long prosperous life. And I declare 513 00:27:16,320 --> 00:27:18,439 Speaker 3: that you will be blessed when you go in, and 514 00:27:18,480 --> 00:27:20,880 Speaker 3: you will be blessed when you come out. You will 515 00:27:20,920 --> 00:27:23,320 Speaker 3: be blessed in the country, you will be blessed in 516 00:27:23,359 --> 00:27:26,200 Speaker 3: the city. And I declare that whatever you put your 517 00:27:26,240 --> 00:27:30,520 Speaker 3: hands to will prosper and succeed. I declare that you 518 00:27:30,560 --> 00:27:33,600 Speaker 3: will lend only and not have to borrow. That you 519 00:27:33,640 --> 00:27:36,159 Speaker 3: will be the head and not to tell. And I 520 00:27:36,240 --> 00:27:40,120 Speaker 3: declare that every negative thing that has been spoken over you, 521 00:27:40,600 --> 00:27:44,200 Speaker 3: every curse so to speak, that right now that curse 522 00:27:44,480 --> 00:27:47,359 Speaker 3: is being broken. I declare that things that have been 523 00:27:47,359 --> 00:27:50,280 Speaker 3: in your family line for many generations that will no 524 00:27:50,400 --> 00:27:53,840 Speaker 3: longer have any effect upon you and your family friends. 525 00:27:53,880 --> 00:27:56,879 Speaker 3: I declare from this day forward you will sense a 526 00:27:56,920 --> 00:28:00,439 Speaker 3: new sense of freedom, a new sense of joy, a 527 00:28:00,480 --> 00:28:04,560 Speaker 3: new sense of victory. I declare that you are blessed, 528 00:28:04,600 --> 00:28:06,760 Speaker 3: and if you receive it, putch you shout Amen. 529 00:28:07,359 --> 00:28:10,800 Speaker 1: Thank you for listening to the joel Ostine podcast. Help 530 00:28:10,880 --> 00:28:13,920 Speaker 1: us continue to share the message of hope with those. 531 00:28:13,720 --> 00:28:16,520 Speaker 3: All over the world. Visit Joelostin dot. 532 00:28:16,320 --> 00:28:19,359 Speaker 1: Com slash give Hope to give a gift today. 533 00:28:20,640 --> 00:28:23,560 Speaker 3: Thanks so much for listening to today's message. I hope 534 00:28:23,560 --> 00:28:26,960 Speaker 3: you'll subscribe so you can receive the latest podcast to 535 00:28:27,040 --> 00:28:30,240 Speaker 3: keep you inspired all through the week. We're praying for you. 536 00:28:30,400 --> 00:28:32,840 Speaker 3: I know God's best is still ahead. We'll see you 537 00:28:32,920 --> 00:28:33,400 Speaker 3: next time. 538 00:28:40,520 --> 00:28:42,520 Speaker 5: Summer is here and our sleep is just as important 539 00:28:42,520 --> 00:28:44,680 Speaker 5: as our weekend plans. So get the Sleep you Deserve 540 00:28:44,720 --> 00:28:46,800 Speaker 5: with Lisa. 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