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 --> 00:00:14,960 Speaker 1: for God's very best in your life. Well, God bless you. 6 00:00:15,320 --> 00:00:17,840 Speaker 1: It's a joy to come into your homes. And if 7 00:00:17,880 --> 00:00:20,279 Speaker 1: you're ever in our area, please stop buy and be 8 00:00:20,320 --> 00:00:22,720 Speaker 1: a part of one of our services. I promise you 9 00:00:22,840 --> 00:00:25,240 Speaker 1: we'll make you feel right at home. These are the 10 00:00:25,360 --> 00:00:28,880 Speaker 1: finest people in all the Houston, Texas right here at Lakewood. 11 00:00:30,600 --> 00:00:33,280 Speaker 1: Thanks for tuning in. Thank you again for coming out. 12 00:00:33,280 --> 00:00:35,479 Speaker 1: And I'd like to start with something funny. And I 13 00:00:35,520 --> 00:00:38,720 Speaker 1: heard about this burglar that broke into a home one night. 14 00:00:39,360 --> 00:00:42,680 Speaker 1: As he was stealing the stereo, he heard a voice saying, 15 00:00:43,120 --> 00:00:46,800 Speaker 1: Jesus is watching you. He froze in his tracks and 16 00:00:47,000 --> 00:00:49,520 Speaker 1: shined his flight slide over in the corner of the room, 17 00:00:49,520 --> 00:00:52,280 Speaker 1: and he saw a parrot. He said, did you say 18 00:00:52,280 --> 00:00:55,240 Speaker 1: that to me? The parent said yes, I'm just trying 19 00:00:55,240 --> 00:00:58,480 Speaker 1: to warn you. Burglar said, warn me, what are you 20 00:00:58,520 --> 00:01:02,400 Speaker 1: talking about? Who are you? Parrot said, my name is Moses. 21 00:01:03,200 --> 00:01:06,280 Speaker 1: Burglar laughed, said what kind of crazy people would name 22 00:01:06,319 --> 00:01:09,319 Speaker 1: a parent Moses. The parent said, the same kind of 23 00:01:09,360 --> 00:01:15,000 Speaker 1: people that would name a one hundred and fifty pound rockweiler. Jesus, 24 00:01:15,560 --> 00:01:18,319 Speaker 1: hold up your Bible, say it like you mean it. 25 00:01:18,720 --> 00:01:21,480 Speaker 1: This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. 26 00:01:21,959 --> 00:01:24,319 Speaker 1: I have what it says I have. I can do 27 00:01:24,440 --> 00:01:26,959 Speaker 1: what it says I can do. Today I will be 28 00:01:27,040 --> 00:01:30,720 Speaker 1: taught the word of God. I boldly confess. My mind 29 00:01:30,800 --> 00:01:34,000 Speaker 1: is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never be 30 00:01:34,080 --> 00:01:39,000 Speaker 1: the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. I want 31 00:01:39,040 --> 00:01:41,600 Speaker 1: to talk to you today about staying in the game. 32 00:01:42,520 --> 00:01:45,679 Speaker 1: It's easy to have a good attitude and pursue our 33 00:01:45,800 --> 00:01:49,280 Speaker 1: dreams as long as everything is going our way. That 34 00:01:49,360 --> 00:01:52,360 Speaker 1: doesn't take a lot of faith. But what about the 35 00:01:52,480 --> 00:01:56,960 Speaker 1: difficult times when a relationship doesn't work out, we get 36 00:01:57,000 --> 00:02:00,600 Speaker 1: a bad health report, a friend does us wrong. It's 37 00:02:00,680 --> 00:02:05,240 Speaker 1: easy to lose our passion when we're hurt, the disappointment, 38 00:02:05,760 --> 00:02:09,160 Speaker 1: the business that didn't make it, the breakup that was painful. 39 00:02:10,080 --> 00:02:13,720 Speaker 1: Many people are sitting on the sidelines of life because 40 00:02:13,760 --> 00:02:18,880 Speaker 1: they're injured. Now they're nursing their wounds, not moving forward 41 00:02:19,200 --> 00:02:22,200 Speaker 1: because of what they've been through. No, you may have 42 00:02:22,280 --> 00:02:25,120 Speaker 1: a reason to feel sorry for yourself, but you don't 43 00:02:25,120 --> 00:02:28,760 Speaker 1: have a right. God promised he will give you beauty 44 00:02:28,840 --> 00:02:31,760 Speaker 1: for those ashes. He said he would pay you back 45 00:02:31,840 --> 00:02:35,399 Speaker 1: double for the wrongs. But you have to do your part. 46 00:02:35,520 --> 00:02:37,720 Speaker 1: And if you're going to see the beauty, if you're 47 00:02:37,760 --> 00:02:40,519 Speaker 1: going to see the double, shake off the self pity. 48 00:02:40,960 --> 00:02:44,160 Speaker 1: You've got to shake off the discouragement and get back 49 00:02:44,200 --> 00:02:49,360 Speaker 1: in the game. Every person has injuries. We all have wounds. 50 00:02:49,760 --> 00:02:53,320 Speaker 1: But you can't let a loss, a health issue, a 51 00:02:53,400 --> 00:02:57,840 Speaker 1: divorce be an excuse to sit on the sidelines. Sometimes 52 00:02:57,840 --> 00:03:01,240 Speaker 1: in life you have to play in pain. I was 53 00:03:01,280 --> 00:03:03,880 Speaker 1: watching the football game a while back and one of 54 00:03:03,919 --> 00:03:08,400 Speaker 1: the players had a broken hand and bruised ribs. He's 55 00:03:08,440 --> 00:03:12,400 Speaker 1: a big offensive lineman. He wasn't expected to play. The 56 00:03:12,440 --> 00:03:15,440 Speaker 1: trainers wanted him to sit out, but he wasn't about 57 00:03:15,440 --> 00:03:18,679 Speaker 1: to miss the game. Had a big cast on his arm. 58 00:03:18,880 --> 00:03:22,280 Speaker 1: It's wearing a special vest to protect his ribs. He's 59 00:03:22,320 --> 00:03:25,560 Speaker 1: all bandaged up. He looked like a mummy, and a 60 00:03:25,639 --> 00:03:28,440 Speaker 1: reporter asked him how he felt. He said, it's a 61 00:03:28,440 --> 00:03:32,600 Speaker 1: little painful, but I'd rather be in the game in pain. 62 00:03:33,240 --> 00:03:36,760 Speaker 1: Than sitting on the sidelines watching. And if you're going 63 00:03:36,800 --> 00:03:40,160 Speaker 1: to become all God's created you to be, you can't 64 00:03:40,240 --> 00:03:44,720 Speaker 1: let that injury, that hurt, that disappointment caused you to 65 00:03:44,760 --> 00:03:49,080 Speaker 1: sit on the sidelines. Do like this player, bandage up 66 00:03:49,120 --> 00:03:52,520 Speaker 1: what's hurting, forgive the person that did you wrong, let 67 00:03:52,640 --> 00:03:54,960 Speaker 1: go of what didn't work out, and get back in 68 00:03:55,040 --> 00:03:58,760 Speaker 1: the game. I saw a lady in our lobbies last 69 00:03:58,800 --> 00:04:01,040 Speaker 1: week that I haven't seen in a long long time. 70 00:04:01,320 --> 00:04:05,840 Speaker 1: She's an older woman, very faithful, tends our services regularly, 71 00:04:05,880 --> 00:04:08,800 Speaker 1: and I said, in passing, hey, I haven't seen you lately. 72 00:04:09,400 --> 00:04:11,880 Speaker 1: Where have you been? She said, Joel, I had to 73 00:04:11,920 --> 00:04:16,560 Speaker 1: have an emergency surgery, been in the hospital for three months. 74 00:04:17,040 --> 00:04:19,680 Speaker 1: Said wow, so glad to have you back. How are 75 00:04:19,720 --> 00:04:23,080 Speaker 1: you doing? For as long as I live, I will 76 00:04:23,120 --> 00:04:28,000 Speaker 1: never forget her words, she said, I'm hurting, but I'm here. 77 00:04:29,160 --> 00:04:33,480 Speaker 1: That's the kind of people God rewards faithful people, people 78 00:04:33,520 --> 00:04:37,240 Speaker 1: that are determined, people that get knocked down but don't 79 00:04:37,279 --> 00:04:40,560 Speaker 1: stay down. They get back up again. You don't let 80 00:04:40,800 --> 00:04:44,000 Speaker 1: the hurt, the pain, the bad break cause you to 81 00:04:44,000 --> 00:04:48,000 Speaker 1: get bitter, to lose your passion, to start blaming God. No, 82 00:04:48,200 --> 00:04:51,640 Speaker 1: like this lady, You stay in the game no matter 83 00:04:51,680 --> 00:04:55,960 Speaker 1: what life deals our way. Our attitude should be. I'm hurting, 84 00:04:56,360 --> 00:05:00,360 Speaker 1: but I'm still here. Friended me wrong, but I'm still here. 85 00:05:01,000 --> 00:05:04,719 Speaker 1: Business is slow, but I'm still here. Didn't feel like coming, 86 00:05:04,920 --> 00:05:07,800 Speaker 1: but I'm still here. You got to have a made 87 00:05:07,880 --> 00:05:11,120 Speaker 1: up mind. You're going to stay in the game. You're 88 00:05:11,160 --> 00:05:14,080 Speaker 1: not going to be faithful as long as you feel 89 00:05:14,120 --> 00:05:17,960 Speaker 1: perfectly well, as long as everybody treats you right, as 90 00:05:18,000 --> 00:05:21,800 Speaker 1: long as it's sunny and cool outside. Now, where are 91 00:05:21,839 --> 00:05:24,919 Speaker 1: the people like this lady that have a made up mind. 92 00:05:25,720 --> 00:05:29,920 Speaker 1: I'm hurting, but I'm still coming. Boss did me wrong, 93 00:05:30,200 --> 00:05:33,240 Speaker 1: but I'm still getting to work on time, being my best. 94 00:05:33,760 --> 00:05:36,640 Speaker 1: My child won't speak to me. It's breaking my heart. 95 00:05:36,800 --> 00:05:39,559 Speaker 1: I'm in pain, but I'm still singing in the choir. 96 00:05:40,120 --> 00:05:43,200 Speaker 1: I'm still ushering each week. I'm still being good to 97 00:05:43,279 --> 00:05:45,800 Speaker 1: a friend that's in need. I've still got a smile. 98 00:05:46,320 --> 00:05:50,120 Speaker 1: I'm still giving God praise. Listen, anybody can sit on 99 00:05:50,160 --> 00:05:53,920 Speaker 1: the sidelines. Anybody can find an excuse to be sour, 100 00:05:54,440 --> 00:05:57,080 Speaker 1: to drop out, to give up on life. I'm asking 101 00:05:57,160 --> 00:06:01,000 Speaker 1: you to stay in the game, and when you're when 102 00:06:01,040 --> 00:06:05,200 Speaker 1: you're in pain, it's easy to become ingrown to where 103 00:06:05,240 --> 00:06:09,600 Speaker 1: all you think about is hurt, my disappointment, my bed break. 104 00:06:10,400 --> 00:06:13,560 Speaker 1: All that's going to do is bring more discouragement, more 105 00:06:13,600 --> 00:06:18,520 Speaker 1: self pity, eventually even depression. One of the best things 106 00:06:18,520 --> 00:06:21,760 Speaker 1: you can do when you're hurting is go out and 107 00:06:21,880 --> 00:06:25,400 Speaker 1: help somebody else that's hurting. Get your mind off of 108 00:06:25,440 --> 00:06:28,520 Speaker 1: your problems, off of your pain, and go help somebody 109 00:06:28,560 --> 00:06:32,520 Speaker 1: else in need. When you help others in your time 110 00:06:32,560 --> 00:06:35,960 Speaker 1: of need, that's a seed you're sowing that God can 111 00:06:36,080 --> 00:06:39,320 Speaker 1: use to change your own situation. This is what my 112 00:06:39,400 --> 00:06:42,919 Speaker 1: mother did in nineteen eighty one when she was diagnosed 113 00:06:42,920 --> 00:06:46,040 Speaker 1: with terminal liver cancer, given a few weeks to live. 114 00:06:46,520 --> 00:06:49,960 Speaker 1: She didn't feel well. She had a good reason to 115 00:06:50,000 --> 00:06:53,559 Speaker 1: be discouraged. She had a good excuse to go home, 116 00:06:54,000 --> 00:06:57,719 Speaker 1: go to bed, pull the curtains, and be depressed. She 117 00:06:57,920 --> 00:07:00,600 Speaker 1: was injured. She could have sat on the side sidelines, 118 00:07:00,839 --> 00:07:05,440 Speaker 1: nobody would have faulted her. But my mother understood this principle. 119 00:07:05,839 --> 00:07:09,320 Speaker 1: She stayed in the game. She would drive across town 120 00:07:09,720 --> 00:07:12,119 Speaker 1: to pray for a friend of hers that was sick. 121 00:07:12,960 --> 00:07:15,640 Speaker 1: The truth is she needed more prayer than that friend. 122 00:07:16,000 --> 00:07:19,040 Speaker 1: But my mother was so in a seed. She would 123 00:07:19,080 --> 00:07:22,000 Speaker 1: come to church every weekend and pray for other people 124 00:07:22,080 --> 00:07:25,480 Speaker 1: that were in need. She was injured, but she was 125 00:07:25,520 --> 00:07:29,480 Speaker 1: still in the game. Sometimes in life you got to 126 00:07:29,520 --> 00:07:33,360 Speaker 1: play in pain. You don't feel like it. It's not easy. 127 00:07:33,880 --> 00:07:37,520 Speaker 1: Every voice will tell you you're done, there's nothing good in 128 00:07:37,560 --> 00:07:42,720 Speaker 1: your future. No, don't believe those lies. God sees your effort. 129 00:07:42,920 --> 00:07:46,360 Speaker 1: It's one thing to do the right thing, make good decisions. 130 00:07:46,360 --> 00:07:50,160 Speaker 1: When everything's going our way, that's great. God rewards that. 131 00:07:51,080 --> 00:07:55,200 Speaker 1: But when times are tough and nothing's going your way, 132 00:07:55,360 --> 00:07:58,760 Speaker 1: you're hurting. You should be on the sidelines nursing your wound. 133 00:07:59,040 --> 00:08:02,280 Speaker 1: But instead you're still in the game. You're still getting 134 00:08:02,280 --> 00:08:04,960 Speaker 1: to work on time, you're still being good to someone, 135 00:08:05,280 --> 00:08:08,880 Speaker 1: You're still expecting God to turn it around. That gets 136 00:08:08,920 --> 00:08:12,680 Speaker 1: God's attention in a new way. God has a greater 137 00:08:12,840 --> 00:08:16,240 Speaker 1: reward for people who are faithful in the tough times. 138 00:08:17,280 --> 00:08:21,120 Speaker 1: Years ago, my sister Lisa went through an unwanted divorce. 139 00:08:21,880 --> 00:08:25,440 Speaker 1: She was in her early twenties, and she was so devastated. 140 00:08:25,840 --> 00:08:29,760 Speaker 1: Was an unfair situation, and for weeks she was so 141 00:08:29,920 --> 00:08:33,960 Speaker 1: depressed that she wouldn't leave the house, practically wouldn't even 142 00:08:34,000 --> 00:08:37,280 Speaker 1: come out of her room. In the morning. She couldn't 143 00:08:37,320 --> 00:08:40,680 Speaker 1: wait for it to get dark at nighttime, she couldn't 144 00:08:40,679 --> 00:08:45,439 Speaker 1: wait for the morning. She wasn't living, just existing. One 145 00:08:45,520 --> 00:08:48,440 Speaker 1: day she called my father and she was crying. She said, Daddy, 146 00:08:48,679 --> 00:08:51,720 Speaker 1: I think I'm having a nervous breakdown. She was in 147 00:08:51,800 --> 00:08:55,280 Speaker 1: so much pain, she was overwhelmed, and we as a family, 148 00:08:55,320 --> 00:08:57,600 Speaker 1: of course, we tried to cheer up, We tried to 149 00:08:57,720 --> 00:08:59,920 Speaker 1: encourage her, but it's like we couldn't get her out 150 00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:03,800 Speaker 1: out of that deep hold of depression. A minister friend 151 00:09:03,800 --> 00:09:05,959 Speaker 1: of ours was speaking at the church at that time. 152 00:09:06,559 --> 00:09:09,080 Speaker 1: His name is T. L Osborne. He got on the 153 00:09:09,120 --> 00:09:13,480 Speaker 1: phone said, Lisa, nobody can bring you out of this 154 00:09:13,880 --> 00:09:17,360 Speaker 1: except you. You know I love you, Lisa, but you 155 00:09:17,480 --> 00:09:21,520 Speaker 1: got to quit feeling sorry for yourself, quit nursing your wounds, 156 00:09:21,800 --> 00:09:24,800 Speaker 1: quit thinking about your problem, get out of the house, 157 00:09:25,080 --> 00:09:29,440 Speaker 1: and move forward with your life. At first, Lisa was defensive, 158 00:09:30,160 --> 00:09:34,199 Speaker 1: almost offended, thinking, you don't know the pain that I'm feeling. 159 00:09:34,400 --> 00:09:36,880 Speaker 1: You don't know what I'm going through. This is ruined 160 00:09:36,920 --> 00:09:41,280 Speaker 1: my life. Then he made this statement, if you'll move forward, 161 00:09:41,840 --> 00:09:45,640 Speaker 1: God will take your scars and turn them into stars 162 00:09:45,840 --> 00:09:51,160 Speaker 1: for his glory when she heard that something ignited on 163 00:09:51,200 --> 00:09:55,120 Speaker 1: the inside. It's like a stronghold was broken in her mind. 164 00:09:55,760 --> 00:09:58,840 Speaker 1: Instead of sitting at home feeling sorry for herself, she 165 00:09:58,920 --> 00:10:01,679 Speaker 1: went up to the church and started a class every 166 00:10:01,720 --> 00:10:04,800 Speaker 1: week for people who were believing for their marriages to 167 00:10:04,840 --> 00:10:08,560 Speaker 1: be restored. She reached out to other people that were hurting. 168 00:10:09,120 --> 00:10:12,080 Speaker 1: She was injured, but she got back in the game. 169 00:10:12,920 --> 00:10:16,280 Speaker 1: By her action, she was saying, I'm hurting, but I'm 170 00:10:16,320 --> 00:10:20,640 Speaker 1: still here. I'm disappointed, but I'm still here. They did 171 00:10:20,720 --> 00:10:24,679 Speaker 1: me wrong, but I'm still here. Lisa could still be 172 00:10:24,840 --> 00:10:28,600 Speaker 1: bitter with the chip on her shoulder, blaming God, but 173 00:10:28,800 --> 00:10:32,520 Speaker 1: she made the decision to get back in the game. Today, 174 00:10:32,600 --> 00:10:36,520 Speaker 1: more than twenty years later, she's happily married, great husband, 175 00:10:36,679 --> 00:10:40,840 Speaker 1: three beautiful children. She saw what God promised. He took 176 00:10:40,920 --> 00:10:44,600 Speaker 1: the scars and turned them into stars. He gave her 177 00:10:44,679 --> 00:10:48,120 Speaker 1: beauty for those ashes. But it all happened when she 178 00:10:48,240 --> 00:10:52,120 Speaker 1: made the decision to get back in the game. Isaiah 179 00:10:52,160 --> 00:10:56,040 Speaker 1: put it this way, a rise from the depression in 180 00:10:56,080 --> 00:11:01,880 Speaker 1: which the circumstances have kept you rise to a new notice. 181 00:11:01,920 --> 00:11:04,640 Speaker 1: If you want a new life, there's something you have 182 00:11:04,720 --> 00:11:08,520 Speaker 1: to do. You can't sit back in self pity. You 183 00:11:08,559 --> 00:11:11,400 Speaker 1: can't wait till all your wounds heal and you feel 184 00:11:11,440 --> 00:11:14,600 Speaker 1: one hundred percent. You've got to do like Lisa and 185 00:11:14,720 --> 00:11:19,040 Speaker 1: arise from that discouragement. Shake off what didn't work out, 186 00:11:19,840 --> 00:11:23,200 Speaker 1: Quit mourning over what you've lost, Quit dwelling on who 187 00:11:23,280 --> 00:11:26,680 Speaker 1: hurts you and how unfair it was, and rise to 188 00:11:26,760 --> 00:11:30,680 Speaker 1: a new life. When God sees you in the game, 189 00:11:31,120 --> 00:11:35,200 Speaker 1: pain in awe, bandages in awe, when you show up 190 00:11:35,240 --> 00:11:40,000 Speaker 1: with that attitude. I'm hurting, but I'm still here. I'm hurting, 191 00:11:40,280 --> 00:11:43,360 Speaker 1: but I know God is still on the throne. I'm hurting, 192 00:11:43,520 --> 00:11:47,080 Speaker 1: but I'm expecting God to turn it around. That's when 193 00:11:47,120 --> 00:11:50,440 Speaker 1: the creator of the universe goes to work. That's when 194 00:11:50,520 --> 00:11:53,200 Speaker 1: God will pay you back for the wrongs that have 195 00:11:53,200 --> 00:11:56,480 Speaker 1: happened to you. Some of you are in a tough times. 196 00:11:56,679 --> 00:12:00,000 Speaker 1: You're sitting on the sidelines. God is saying or right 197 00:12:00,679 --> 00:12:04,240 Speaker 1: and get back in the game. If a friend betrayed you, 198 00:12:05,120 --> 00:12:08,079 Speaker 1: don't go through life lonely. Go out and find some 199 00:12:08,160 --> 00:12:11,800 Speaker 1: new friends. The right people are in your future. If 200 00:12:11,800 --> 00:12:14,679 Speaker 1: you lost your job, don't sit around complaining, go out 201 00:12:14,720 --> 00:12:17,880 Speaker 1: and find another job. When one door closes, God will 202 00:12:17,920 --> 00:12:23,239 Speaker 1: always open up another door. If you're facing a health issue, 203 00:12:23,679 --> 00:12:27,079 Speaker 1: fighting that sickness, don't give up on life and start 204 00:12:27,120 --> 00:12:32,000 Speaker 1: planning your funeral. Arise from that discouragement. When God sees 205 00:12:32,040 --> 00:12:35,280 Speaker 1: you do your part, he will do his part. He'll 206 00:12:35,280 --> 00:12:38,680 Speaker 1: give you a new life. That means he'll restore your health, 207 00:12:39,160 --> 00:12:43,760 Speaker 1: give you new opportunities, new relationships. He'll give you a 208 00:12:43,800 --> 00:12:48,720 Speaker 1: new perspective. You will see, even though it's painful, it 209 00:12:48,800 --> 00:12:52,400 Speaker 1: is not the end. Even though it was unfair, it 210 00:12:52,480 --> 00:12:57,400 Speaker 1: is not over. There is still life after the sickness, 211 00:12:57,840 --> 00:13:02,080 Speaker 1: life after the divorce, life after the bad break, A 212 00:13:02,280 --> 00:13:06,320 Speaker 1: full life is still in front of you. Job experienced this. 213 00:13:07,120 --> 00:13:10,360 Speaker 1: He went through all kinds of tough times. Everything that 214 00:13:10,480 --> 00:13:13,760 Speaker 1: could go wrong did. He was tempted to sit on 215 00:13:13,800 --> 00:13:17,000 Speaker 1: the sidelines of life. His wife told him, Job, just 216 00:13:17,080 --> 00:13:19,840 Speaker 1: give up. It's never going to get any better. But 217 00:13:20,040 --> 00:13:23,280 Speaker 1: in the midst of that pain, Job said, I know 218 00:13:23,960 --> 00:13:27,680 Speaker 1: my Redeemer lives. He was saying, in effect, I'm hurting, 219 00:13:27,840 --> 00:13:30,760 Speaker 1: but I'm still in the game. I'm hurting, but I 220 00:13:30,840 --> 00:13:34,480 Speaker 1: know my God is still on the throne. A year later, 221 00:13:34,880 --> 00:13:38,120 Speaker 1: when he came through that challenge, God not only brought 222 00:13:38,200 --> 00:13:41,440 Speaker 1: him out, but God paid him back double for what 223 00:13:41,559 --> 00:13:46,319 Speaker 1: he had lost, and the scripture says, after this Job 224 00:13:46,440 --> 00:13:50,800 Speaker 1: lived one hundred and forty years and saw his grandchildren 225 00:13:51,040 --> 00:13:56,840 Speaker 1: down to four generations. Notice, after the trouble, after the loss, 226 00:13:57,360 --> 00:14:01,760 Speaker 1: after the sickness, after the business down, after the bottom 227 00:14:01,800 --> 00:14:05,160 Speaker 1: fell out, his life was not over. He didn't end 228 00:14:05,200 --> 00:14:08,160 Speaker 1: on a sour defeated. No, he went on to live 229 00:14:08,200 --> 00:14:14,040 Speaker 1: a blessed, happy one hundred and forty years, enjoying his grandchildren, 230 00:14:14,480 --> 00:14:19,160 Speaker 1: accomplishing his dreams, fulfilling his destiny. What am I saying? 231 00:14:19,880 --> 00:14:22,720 Speaker 1: Your life is not over because you had a set back. 232 00:14:23,080 --> 00:14:27,320 Speaker 1: God has an after this in your future. When we 233 00:14:27,360 --> 00:14:30,240 Speaker 1: go through tough times, don't be surprised if the enemy 234 00:14:30,240 --> 00:14:33,080 Speaker 1: doesn't whisper in your ear. You'll never be as happy 235 00:14:33,120 --> 00:14:35,760 Speaker 1: as you used to be. You've seen your best days. 236 00:14:35,960 --> 00:14:38,520 Speaker 1: This setback is the end of you. No, let that 237 00:14:38,640 --> 00:14:41,640 Speaker 1: go in one ear and out the other. God is 238 00:14:41,680 --> 00:14:45,240 Speaker 1: saying to you what he said to Job after the cancer, 239 00:14:45,720 --> 00:14:49,920 Speaker 1: after the bad break, after the disappointment, there is still 240 00:14:50,000 --> 00:14:53,720 Speaker 1: a full life. You have not danced your best dance, 241 00:14:54,240 --> 00:14:56,920 Speaker 1: you have not laughed your best laugh, you have not 242 00:14:57,120 --> 00:14:59,880 Speaker 1: dreamed your best dream. If you will stay in the 243 00:15:00,200 --> 00:15:03,720 Speaker 1: game and not get bitter. God has an after this 244 00:15:04,120 --> 00:15:07,720 Speaker 1: in your future. Like job, He's not only gonna bring 245 00:15:07,760 --> 00:15:09,720 Speaker 1: you out, He's gonna bring you out with double what 246 00:15:09,840 --> 00:15:13,400 Speaker 1: you had before. You may have seen the football game 247 00:15:13,480 --> 00:15:17,800 Speaker 1: last Sunday. One of the players younger brothers was tragically 248 00:15:17,920 --> 00:15:22,000 Speaker 1: killed in an accident the day before. This player practically 249 00:15:22,120 --> 00:15:26,040 Speaker 1: raised his siblings. They were extremely close. You can imagine 250 00:15:26,080 --> 00:15:28,760 Speaker 1: the pain and shock he must have been in. The 251 00:15:28,800 --> 00:15:31,120 Speaker 1: coach told him to go back home and spend as 252 00:15:31,200 --> 00:15:34,680 Speaker 1: much time as he needed with his family, but he said, no, Coach, 253 00:15:35,280 --> 00:15:38,160 Speaker 1: I'm going to play in the game tomorrow in memory 254 00:15:38,200 --> 00:15:41,000 Speaker 1: of my brother. I know that's what he would want 255 00:15:41,040 --> 00:15:44,240 Speaker 1: me to do. It's interesting this player had one of 256 00:15:44,280 --> 00:15:47,560 Speaker 1: the greatest games of his career. He caught an incredible 257 00:15:47,600 --> 00:15:52,320 Speaker 1: touchdown pass, made other great plays. Some people would see 258 00:15:52,320 --> 00:15:55,680 Speaker 1: it as a coincidence, just the adrenaline of the moment, 259 00:15:56,240 --> 00:15:58,960 Speaker 1: But I see it as the hand of God. I 260 00:15:59,040 --> 00:16:01,600 Speaker 1: believe God was saying, and if you'll dare stay in 261 00:16:01,640 --> 00:16:04,640 Speaker 1: the game, if you'll dare play with pain, then I'll 262 00:16:04,680 --> 00:16:08,920 Speaker 1: breathe my favor on your life. When God sees you 263 00:16:09,400 --> 00:16:12,840 Speaker 1: in the game, when at least in the natural, you 264 00:16:12,880 --> 00:16:16,520 Speaker 1: should be on the sidelines nursing your wounds. Everybody would 265 00:16:16,600 --> 00:16:19,520 Speaker 1: understand if you were bitter you lost a loved one 266 00:16:19,560 --> 00:16:22,960 Speaker 1: in an accident. We'd understand if you had a bad attitude. 267 00:16:23,400 --> 00:16:27,200 Speaker 1: You're facing a serious illness, raising a special needs child 268 00:16:27,640 --> 00:16:30,960 Speaker 1: in the middle of a legal battle. Nobody would fault 269 00:16:31,040 --> 00:16:35,200 Speaker 1: you for being discouraged. That's what most people expect. But 270 00:16:35,240 --> 00:16:38,920 Speaker 1: when you defy the odds and say, Hey, I'm hurting, 271 00:16:39,280 --> 00:16:43,040 Speaker 1: but I'm still here. The medical report wasn't good, but 272 00:16:43,120 --> 00:16:46,480 Speaker 1: I'm still giving God praise. The loan didn't go through, 273 00:16:46,680 --> 00:16:49,600 Speaker 1: but I still have a smile. I didn't get that promotion, 274 00:16:49,920 --> 00:16:53,560 Speaker 1: but I'm still volunteering in the nursery. When you play 275 00:16:53,800 --> 00:16:58,440 Speaker 1: in pain, the most powerful force in the universe breathes 276 00:16:58,520 --> 00:17:01,840 Speaker 1: in your direction. You may be in a difficult time. 277 00:17:02,200 --> 00:17:05,680 Speaker 1: You could easily be discouraged, but God is saying it's 278 00:17:05,800 --> 00:17:10,480 Speaker 1: time to wipe away the tears, wash your face, put 279 00:17:10,520 --> 00:17:13,119 Speaker 1: on a new attitude, and get back in the game. 280 00:17:14,320 --> 00:17:16,720 Speaker 1: You may not be able to do what you used to. 281 00:17:17,520 --> 00:17:21,879 Speaker 1: You've got some aches, some limitations. That's all right. God 282 00:17:22,000 --> 00:17:26,399 Speaker 1: is not necessarily concerned about your performance. He's looking at 283 00:17:26,400 --> 00:17:29,720 Speaker 1: the fact that you're even in the game. You could 284 00:17:29,800 --> 00:17:32,760 Speaker 1: have a chip on your shoulder. You could be sitting 285 00:17:32,760 --> 00:17:36,520 Speaker 1: on the sidelines. Some of you just being here today, 286 00:17:37,040 --> 00:17:39,879 Speaker 1: just flipping on the channel. That took an act of 287 00:17:39,920 --> 00:17:45,000 Speaker 1: your faith. Every voice told you, don't go today. You're tired, 288 00:17:45,560 --> 00:17:48,919 Speaker 1: you're disappointed. You had a set back. That's a waste 289 00:17:48,960 --> 00:17:51,920 Speaker 1: of your time. You had all these excuses to sit 290 00:17:51,960 --> 00:17:55,680 Speaker 1: on the sidelines, but you shook it off and came anyway. 291 00:17:56,040 --> 00:18:00,000 Speaker 1: Let me assure you God sees your effort. God knows 292 00:18:00,200 --> 00:18:02,359 Speaker 1: what it took to be here, what it took to 293 00:18:02,400 --> 00:18:07,520 Speaker 1: even turn the channel on. Nobody else knows the battles 294 00:18:07,520 --> 00:18:10,399 Speaker 1: you had to fight to get here, the discouragement you 295 00:18:10,480 --> 00:18:13,960 Speaker 1: had to overcome. They didn't see all the opportunities you 296 00:18:14,040 --> 00:18:17,320 Speaker 1: had to get sour and throw in the towel. Just 297 00:18:17,480 --> 00:18:20,639 Speaker 1: the fact that you showed up. You're saying to God 298 00:18:20,960 --> 00:18:24,119 Speaker 1: you are still on the throne. You're saying to yourself, 299 00:18:24,480 --> 00:18:27,119 Speaker 1: I'm in it for the long haul. And you're saying 300 00:18:27,160 --> 00:18:30,320 Speaker 1: to the enemy, you're under my feet. There's nothing you 301 00:18:30,359 --> 00:18:33,760 Speaker 1: can do to keep me from my destiny. Listen, the 302 00:18:33,840 --> 00:18:37,520 Speaker 1: moment you walked in these doors, the moment you flipped 303 00:18:37,520 --> 00:18:41,360 Speaker 1: on the channel, all the forces of darkness begin to tremble. 304 00:18:41,880 --> 00:18:45,359 Speaker 1: Because when you honor God, especially in a tough time 305 00:18:45,760 --> 00:18:49,720 Speaker 1: when you could be complaining but instead you're praising, that 306 00:18:49,880 --> 00:18:53,080 Speaker 1: gives the enemy a nervous breakdown. He doesn't know what 307 00:18:53,200 --> 00:18:57,760 Speaker 1: to do with people that just stay in the game. Friends, 308 00:18:57,760 --> 00:19:02,840 Speaker 1: God sees your effort, your sacrifice. When Jesus was here 309 00:19:02,840 --> 00:19:06,639 Speaker 1: on this earth, he felt every pain, every emotion that 310 00:19:06,680 --> 00:19:09,520 Speaker 1: we would ever feel. He knows what it's like to 311 00:19:09,560 --> 00:19:13,240 Speaker 1: be lonely, to go through a loss, to be betrayed, 312 00:19:13,800 --> 00:19:17,240 Speaker 1: to be discouraged, so much so that he swept great 313 00:19:17,320 --> 00:19:21,840 Speaker 1: drops of blood. He's been where we are. The scripture says, 314 00:19:21,880 --> 00:19:25,840 Speaker 1: he is touched with the feelings of our infirmities. When 315 00:19:25,880 --> 00:19:30,400 Speaker 1: you hurt, God feels the pain. You're his most surprised possession. 316 00:19:30,480 --> 00:19:34,359 Speaker 1: You're his child, and when you arise in spite of 317 00:19:34,400 --> 00:19:37,760 Speaker 1: the pain and get in the game, that's the seed 318 00:19:37,880 --> 00:19:41,119 Speaker 1: God will use to take the scar and turn it 319 00:19:41,160 --> 00:19:44,360 Speaker 1: into a star. I met a man in our lobby 320 00:19:44,680 --> 00:19:47,399 Speaker 1: a while back, and I noticed that he was wearing 321 00:19:47,400 --> 00:19:50,439 Speaker 1: a wristband from the hospital and asked him if everything 322 00:19:50,520 --> 00:19:54,800 Speaker 1: was okay. He explained how he had surgery earlier in 323 00:19:54,880 --> 00:19:57,720 Speaker 1: that week, a major surgery, and he was supposed to 324 00:19:57,760 --> 00:20:00,919 Speaker 1: stay in the hospital through the weekend to re but 325 00:20:01,000 --> 00:20:04,320 Speaker 1: he said, doctor, I've got to go to church on Sunday. 326 00:20:04,640 --> 00:20:08,840 Speaker 1: I'm an usher. They'll be expecting me. The doctor said, 327 00:20:08,920 --> 00:20:11,320 Speaker 1: no way, sir. I'm not even thinking about letting you 328 00:20:11,359 --> 00:20:14,280 Speaker 1: out of the hospital. You're gonna stay right here and recover. 329 00:20:15,000 --> 00:20:18,159 Speaker 1: The man said, doctor, you don't understand. I have to 330 00:20:18,200 --> 00:20:22,000 Speaker 1: be at church. I never miss a Sunday. Doctor looked 331 00:20:22,000 --> 00:20:24,199 Speaker 1: at him, so let me ask you. Do you go 332 00:20:24,240 --> 00:20:29,080 Speaker 1: to Lakewood? He said, yes, sir, I do. The doctor said, 333 00:20:29,119 --> 00:20:33,760 Speaker 1: Lakewood people are the most dedicated, faithful, happiest people I've 334 00:20:33,760 --> 00:20:38,440 Speaker 1: ever seen. The doctor said, I'm gonna make a deal 335 00:20:38,480 --> 00:20:41,359 Speaker 1: with you. I'm gonna give you a three hour pass 336 00:20:41,800 --> 00:20:44,000 Speaker 1: to go to church on Sunday morning, and then you 337 00:20:44,080 --> 00:20:46,359 Speaker 1: get right back in here and get in that bed 338 00:20:46,400 --> 00:20:50,320 Speaker 1: to recover. He showed up. He was hurting, but he 339 00:20:50,400 --> 00:20:53,440 Speaker 1: was here. He told me before the service, Joel, don't 340 00:20:53,480 --> 00:20:57,760 Speaker 1: go long. I'll get in trouble. There's a young man 341 00:20:57,920 --> 00:21:01,080 Speaker 1: that attends here all the time, always has a smile, 342 00:21:01,200 --> 00:21:04,680 Speaker 1: seems as happy as can be. What I didn't realize 343 00:21:04,880 --> 00:21:08,280 Speaker 1: is he has been on dialysis for twelve years, much 344 00:21:08,359 --> 00:21:11,800 Speaker 1: younger than I am. I took my father to dialysis 345 00:21:11,840 --> 00:21:14,199 Speaker 1: the last three months of his life. I know a 346 00:21:14,200 --> 00:21:17,120 Speaker 1: little bit about that. It's not always easy. It can 347 00:21:17,160 --> 00:21:21,640 Speaker 1: be a burden. This young man always wore long sleeved shirts. 348 00:21:22,280 --> 00:21:25,000 Speaker 1: One Sunday he came up for prayer. I met him 349 00:21:25,040 --> 00:21:27,399 Speaker 1: at the altar for the first time. Said, hey, I 350 00:21:27,400 --> 00:21:29,080 Speaker 1: see out there in the audience all the time. It's 351 00:21:29,080 --> 00:21:31,440 Speaker 1: good to finally meet you. Said yeah, Joel, I never 352 00:21:31,480 --> 00:21:35,440 Speaker 1: miss a service. I love coming. He rolled up his sleeve. 353 00:21:36,040 --> 00:21:40,439 Speaker 1: His whole arm was as red as a tomato. It 354 00:21:40,480 --> 00:21:43,119 Speaker 1: looked like somebody had taken an ice pick and poked 355 00:21:43,119 --> 00:21:46,240 Speaker 1: at it for three hours straight. Never seen anything like 356 00:21:46,320 --> 00:21:49,960 Speaker 1: that before. I couldn't help but think about all the 357 00:21:50,040 --> 00:21:52,840 Speaker 1: times I had seen him out in the audience with 358 00:21:52,960 --> 00:21:56,720 Speaker 1: his arms up in the air in worship. Looked like 359 00:21:56,760 --> 00:21:59,080 Speaker 1: he didn't have a problem in the world, looking as 360 00:21:59,119 --> 00:22:02,480 Speaker 1: happy as could be. What I didn't realize was under 361 00:22:02,520 --> 00:22:06,919 Speaker 1: that sleeve he was injured. He was here, but he 362 00:22:07,000 --> 00:22:10,760 Speaker 1: was hurting. He was playing in pain. And it's one 363 00:22:10,800 --> 00:22:14,000 Speaker 1: thing to go through a difficulty, and everybody knows about it. 364 00:22:14,359 --> 00:22:18,240 Speaker 1: You're worried, discouraged. You got your friends, your family members praying. 365 00:22:18,760 --> 00:22:22,280 Speaker 1: There's nothing wrong with that. We're all human, we all 366 00:22:22,280 --> 00:22:25,680 Speaker 1: have emotions, we handle things in different ways. But what 367 00:22:25,880 --> 00:22:29,920 Speaker 1: really gets God's attention is when you're in a tough time. 368 00:22:30,520 --> 00:22:33,640 Speaker 1: You're hurting, you're in pain. But like this young man, 369 00:22:34,040 --> 00:22:38,119 Speaker 1: you're so stable, you're so consistent, you're so at peace. 370 00:22:38,680 --> 00:22:42,639 Speaker 1: Nobody knows anything about it. You show up to church 371 00:22:42,720 --> 00:22:45,560 Speaker 1: each week with a smile, you go to work with 372 00:22:45,640 --> 00:22:50,520 Speaker 1: a good attitude. You're kind, friendly, compassionate. The whole time 373 00:22:50,760 --> 00:22:54,600 Speaker 1: you're fighting a battle that nobody knows anything about. Let 374 00:22:54,600 --> 00:22:57,160 Speaker 1: me tell you that gets God's attention in a great, 375 00:22:57,200 --> 00:23:01,000 Speaker 1: great way. About three months ago, came back to the altar. 376 00:23:01,440 --> 00:23:04,080 Speaker 1: There was a young man next to him. He said, Joel, 377 00:23:04,119 --> 00:23:07,600 Speaker 1: my friend is going to donate me one of his kidneys. 378 00:23:07,800 --> 00:23:12,200 Speaker 1: We're going to have the transplant on Tuesday. Long story short, 379 00:23:12,280 --> 00:23:17,280 Speaker 1: The procedure went great. The new kidney responded perfectly. Today 380 00:23:17,480 --> 00:23:20,560 Speaker 1: he's not on dialysis anymore. He didn't have to wear 381 00:23:21,200 --> 00:23:25,840 Speaker 1: long sleeve shirts anymore. He's healthy, free from that pain. 382 00:23:28,040 --> 00:23:35,520 Speaker 1: Here's my point. Twelve years after the dialysis after the struggle, 383 00:23:36,160 --> 00:23:39,280 Speaker 1: after the pain, there was still a bright future in 384 00:23:39,320 --> 00:23:43,000 Speaker 1: front of him because he stayed in the game. Like job, 385 00:23:43,359 --> 00:23:46,280 Speaker 1: he came in to his after this, God will do 386 00:23:46,320 --> 00:23:49,080 Speaker 1: the same thing for you, So young lady in the 387 00:23:49,080 --> 00:23:52,000 Speaker 1: scripture that went through a time of great pain, her 388 00:23:52,080 --> 00:23:55,320 Speaker 1: name was Ruth. Her husband was killed in a battle. 389 00:23:55,800 --> 00:23:58,720 Speaker 1: In a moment, her life forever changed. Ruth could have 390 00:23:58,760 --> 00:24:02,439 Speaker 1: easily gotten off in self pity, discouragement. God life is 391 00:24:02,520 --> 00:24:05,840 Speaker 1: just not fair, but Ruth stayed in the game. Her 392 00:24:05,880 --> 00:24:09,040 Speaker 1: mother in law, Naomi, it was her son that was killed. 393 00:24:09,560 --> 00:24:12,520 Speaker 1: She was a widow already. She was about to move 394 00:24:12,560 --> 00:24:15,879 Speaker 1: back to her hometown. She said, Ruth, you're a young woman. 395 00:24:16,280 --> 00:24:19,080 Speaker 1: I'm an old lady. You've got a full life in 396 00:24:19,080 --> 00:24:22,080 Speaker 1: front of you. Don't worry about me. Just go off 397 00:24:22,160 --> 00:24:25,720 Speaker 1: and do your own thing. Ruth said, no, Naomi, I'm 398 00:24:25,760 --> 00:24:29,200 Speaker 1: not going to leave you by yourself, especially when you're hurting. 399 00:24:29,480 --> 00:24:32,120 Speaker 1: I'm gonna go with you and take care of you. 400 00:24:33,040 --> 00:24:36,320 Speaker 1: Even though Ruth was hurting, even though she was in pain, 401 00:24:36,800 --> 00:24:40,520 Speaker 1: she reached out to somebody else that was hurting. Month 402 00:24:40,560 --> 00:24:43,960 Speaker 1: after month, Ruth just kept taking care of Naomi, getting 403 00:24:44,000 --> 00:24:47,840 Speaker 1: the food, serving her dinner being her friend. One day, 404 00:24:47,920 --> 00:24:50,919 Speaker 1: Ruth was out in the field gathering up wheat for 405 00:24:51,000 --> 00:24:54,560 Speaker 1: the dinner, and she met this man named Boaz. He 406 00:24:54,720 --> 00:24:57,840 Speaker 1: was the owner of all the fields, the wealthiest man 407 00:24:58,000 --> 00:25:01,159 Speaker 1: in that area. Long story. They fell in love and 408 00:25:01,200 --> 00:25:03,960 Speaker 1: got married, and God blessed them with a baby boy. 409 00:25:04,359 --> 00:25:08,720 Speaker 1: They named him Obed. Obed had a son named Jesse. 410 00:25:09,600 --> 00:25:12,880 Speaker 1: Jesse had a son named David. David, of course, went 411 00:25:12,920 --> 00:25:14,679 Speaker 1: on to be the King of Israel, one of the 412 00:25:14,720 --> 00:25:18,159 Speaker 1: greatest men that's ever lived. Ruth could have sat on 413 00:25:18,200 --> 00:25:21,440 Speaker 1: the sidelines the rest of her life after that loss, 414 00:25:21,920 --> 00:25:25,960 Speaker 1: but she understood this principle. She played in pain, she 415 00:25:26,160 --> 00:25:29,239 Speaker 1: was injured, but she kept doing the right thing. And 416 00:25:29,320 --> 00:25:33,880 Speaker 1: God had an after this for Ruth, after the loss, 417 00:25:34,400 --> 00:25:37,679 Speaker 1: after the pain, God said, I'll give you a great 418 00:25:37,720 --> 00:25:41,600 Speaker 1: great grandson that will change the world. You may be 419 00:25:41,720 --> 00:25:45,480 Speaker 1: in pain today, you suffered the loss, been through a disappointment. 420 00:25:45,760 --> 00:25:50,080 Speaker 1: My message is that is not the end. God still 421 00:25:50,280 --> 00:25:53,399 Speaker 1: has a plan. Now, don't sit around nursing the wound. 422 00:25:53,960 --> 00:25:57,679 Speaker 1: Don't let bitterness and discouragement set the tone for your life. 423 00:25:58,119 --> 00:26:01,720 Speaker 1: God is saying, arives, Why away the tears and get 424 00:26:01,760 --> 00:26:05,240 Speaker 1: back in the game. You may be injured, but dare 425 00:26:05,280 --> 00:26:09,199 Speaker 1: to do like Ruth and play in pain. Have the attitude. 426 00:26:09,440 --> 00:26:13,480 Speaker 1: I'm hurting, but I'm still here. I'm disappointed, but I've 427 00:26:13,520 --> 00:26:16,480 Speaker 1: still got a smile. They did me wrong, but I'm 428 00:26:16,600 --> 00:26:19,960 Speaker 1: still giving God praise. Friends, if you will stay in 429 00:26:20,000 --> 00:26:24,320 Speaker 1: the game, God will always have and after this for you. 430 00:26:25,160 --> 00:26:28,920 Speaker 1: After the loss, you'll meet the right person. After the layoff, 431 00:26:29,000 --> 00:26:32,000 Speaker 1: you'll get a better job. After the sickness, you'll come 432 00:26:32,000 --> 00:26:36,359 Speaker 1: out stronger. After the disappointment, You'll still live a blessed, full, 433 00:26:36,680 --> 00:26:39,360 Speaker 1: happy life. Just like my mother, just like the young 434 00:26:39,400 --> 00:26:42,879 Speaker 1: man with the kidney, just like Ruth, Like Job, I 435 00:26:43,000 --> 00:26:47,000 Speaker 1: believe and declare in spite of the pain, in spite 436 00:26:47,040 --> 00:26:50,600 Speaker 1: of the adversity, because you're still in the game, God's 437 00:26:50,640 --> 00:26:53,119 Speaker 1: going to make the rest of your life the best 438 00:26:53,160 --> 00:26:56,800 Speaker 1: of your life. You will still fulfill your destiny and 439 00:26:56,840 --> 00:27:01,120 Speaker 1: become everything that God has created you to be. In Jesus' name, 440 00:27:01,560 --> 00:27:05,639 Speaker 1: if you receive it, can you say amen? Today? We 441 00:27:05,720 --> 00:27:08,560 Speaker 1: never like to close our broadcast without giving you an 442 00:27:08,560 --> 00:27:11,600 Speaker 1: opportunity to make Jesus the lord of your life. Would 443 00:27:11,640 --> 00:27:16,159 Speaker 1: you pray with me? Just say Lord Jesus, I repent 444 00:27:16,200 --> 00:27:20,919 Speaker 1: of my sins, come into my heart. I make you 445 00:27:21,000 --> 00:27:24,119 Speaker 1: my Lord and save you. Friends, if you prayed that 446 00:27:24,240 --> 00:27:27,159 Speaker 1: simple prayer, we believe you got born again. Get in 447 00:27:27,200 --> 00:27:30,080 Speaker 1: a good Bible based church, keep God in first place. 448 00:27:30,359 --> 00:27:32,600 Speaker 1: He's going to take your places you've never dreamed of. 449 00:27:33,960 --> 00:27:36,760 Speaker 1: It's easy to feel stuck in life, wondering why things 450 00:27:36,760 --> 00:27:40,200 Speaker 1: aren't changing, and worrying if it'll ever happen. But there's 451 00:27:40,240 --> 00:27:42,399 Speaker 1: a better way to wait. I'd love to send you 452 00:27:42,480 --> 00:27:45,840 Speaker 1: my new resource called Pray It Forward. This book is 453 00:27:45,880 --> 00:27:49,000 Speaker 1: a collection of prayers and promises from the Scripture to 454 00:27:49,080 --> 00:27:52,560 Speaker 1: help you pray boldly to strengthen your faith and while 455 00:27:52,560 --> 00:27:55,199 Speaker 1: you're waiting, it's important to keep your mind filled with 456 00:27:55,320 --> 00:27:59,199 Speaker 1: hope and expectancy. When you pray in faith, believe in 457 00:27:59,200 --> 00:28:02,119 Speaker 1: what God promise us. That's what moves the hands of God, 458 00:28:02,200 --> 00:28:05,680 Speaker 1: and that's when you'll see doors open, healing begins to come, 459 00:28:05,760 --> 00:28:08,960 Speaker 1: breakthroughs in your family. Don't let doubt hold you back. 460 00:28:09,240 --> 00:28:10,640 Speaker 1: Pray it Forward. 461 00:28:10,680 --> 00:28:13,000 Speaker 2: As our way of saying thank you for your gift 462 00:28:13,040 --> 00:28:15,760 Speaker 2: of any amount. We'd love to send you a copy 463 00:28:15,800 --> 00:28:19,560 Speaker 2: of Pray It Forward. Guided prayers for faith and breakthrough, 464 00:28:19,920 --> 00:28:23,720 Speaker 2: inspired by real life answer prayers. Pray it forward will 465 00:28:23,760 --> 00:28:27,080 Speaker 2: help you speak God's promises over your life and over 466 00:28:27,160 --> 00:28:30,719 Speaker 2: the people you love, trusting that when you ask in faith, 467 00:28:31,160 --> 00:28:35,120 Speaker 2: God is already at work preparing victory ahead of you. 468 00:28:35,119 --> 00:28:38,240 Speaker 2: You can take these prayers and scriptures and pray them forward. 469 00:28:38,680 --> 00:28:41,880 Speaker 2: They'll build a momentum of faith that carries you past 470 00:28:41,960 --> 00:28:46,320 Speaker 2: obstacles and into the promises God has spoken over your life. 471 00:28:46,640 --> 00:28:49,920 Speaker 2: As you meditate on these truths, you won't be tossed 472 00:28:50,000 --> 00:28:55,440 Speaker 2: back and forth by finances, health challenges, or relationship struggles. Instead, 473 00:28:55,760 --> 00:28:58,760 Speaker 2: you'll be able to boldly pray with faith that is 474 00:28:58,800 --> 00:29:03,440 Speaker 2: immovable and strong, and you'll be filled with peace, assurance, 475 00:29:03,680 --> 00:29:08,240 Speaker 2: and joy. Don't let circumstances control your future. Pray the 476 00:29:08,320 --> 00:29:11,640 Speaker 2: truth of God's word forward and faith, and watch the 477 00:29:11,720 --> 00:29:14,320 Speaker 2: mountains in your life begin to move. 478 00:29:14,760 --> 00:29:17,760 Speaker 1: When you pray the promises what God has spoken over 479 00:29:17,800 --> 00:29:20,960 Speaker 1: your life. Those are powerful prayers, and that's when God 480 00:29:21,000 --> 00:29:23,960 Speaker 1: shows up and does what only he can do. Thanks 481 00:29:23,960 --> 00:29:26,600 Speaker 1: so much for being with us between I pray for 482 00:29:26,680 --> 00:29:29,840 Speaker 1: you and your family every day, and we appreciate your 483 00:29:29,880 --> 00:29:33,720 Speaker 1: prayer and support. Your generosity helps us take this message 484 00:29:33,720 --> 00:29:36,520 Speaker 1: of hope to people around the world, and a special 485 00:29:36,560 --> 00:29:39,160 Speaker 1: Thank you to our champion of hope partners for all 486 00:29:39,200 --> 00:29:41,800 Speaker 1: you do to make the ministry possible. If you're not 487 00:29:41,840 --> 00:29:44,960 Speaker 1: a partner, I hope you'll consider becoming one. But until 488 00:29:45,000 --> 00:29:47,760 Speaker 1: we meet again, met the Lord bless you and keep you. 489 00:29:48,680 --> 00:29:51,560 Speaker 2: Be sure to request your copy of Pray It Forward 490 00:29:51,800 --> 00:29:55,760 Speaker 2: Guided Prayers for Faith and Breakthrough, available this month by 491 00:29:55,800 --> 00:29:59,600 Speaker 2: simply visiting us at Joelosteing dot com or call eight 492 00:29:59,640 --> 00:30:03,479 Speaker 2: A days five six seven Joel. You can also receive 493 00:30:03,600 --> 00:30:07,200 Speaker 2: the Pray It Forward Companion prayer journal design to help 494 00:30:07,240 --> 00:30:11,360 Speaker 2: you engage in scripture, personalize faith filled prayers, and put 495 00:30:11,440 --> 00:30:15,280 Speaker 2: God's promises into action. With an additional gift, you can 496 00:30:15,320 --> 00:30:19,200 Speaker 2: receive the Pray It Forward Prayers Essential Collection that centers 497 00:30:19,200 --> 00:30:22,760 Speaker 2: around a prayer bowl with scripture cards design to help 498 00:30:22,800 --> 00:30:26,000 Speaker 2: you physically release what's been weighing on your heart. This 499 00:30:26,160 --> 00:30:30,160 Speaker 2: collection creates a powerful prayer rhythm for your life, helping 500 00:30:30,200 --> 00:30:34,240 Speaker 2: you focus your thoughts, speak God's word boldly, and stay 501 00:30:34,280 --> 00:30:38,040 Speaker 2: anchored in hope when circumstances try to shake you. You 502 00:30:38,120 --> 00:30:42,000 Speaker 2: can request these inspiring resources by calling eight eight eight 503 00:30:42,240 --> 00:30:46,200 Speaker 2: five six seven Joel or logging on to Joelostein dot 504 00:30:46,240 --> 00:30:50,040 Speaker 2: com today, call or click any time, twenty four hours 505 00:30:50,040 --> 00:30:50,400 Speaker 2: a day,