1 00:00:00,440 --> 00:00:02,160 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. 2 00:00:02,240 --> 00:00:05,279 Speaker 2: Thanks for listening to our podcast and thanks for supporting 3 00:00:05,280 --> 00:00:08,240 Speaker 2: the ministry. If you enjoy today's message, why don't you 4 00:00:08,280 --> 00:00:11,039 Speaker 2: be a blessing and share it with a friend. Reappreciate 5 00:00:11,119 --> 00:00:13,800 Speaker 2: you and pray for God's very best in your life. 6 00:00:14,000 --> 00:00:16,959 Speaker 2: God bless you. It's great to have you with us today. 7 00:00:17,440 --> 00:00:20,040 Speaker 2: I hope you'll stay connected with us throughout the week. 8 00:00:20,280 --> 00:00:22,119 Speaker 1: We have a new daily podcast. 9 00:00:22,400 --> 00:00:25,360 Speaker 2: You can listen to the messages anytime, or you can 10 00:00:25,400 --> 00:00:28,960 Speaker 2: go to our YouTube channel, follow us on Instagram, Facebook. 11 00:00:29,160 --> 00:00:32,040 Speaker 2: But thanks again for tuning in. I like to start 12 00:00:32,040 --> 00:00:34,520 Speaker 2: with something funny, and I heard about this mother. 13 00:00:35,000 --> 00:00:35,960 Speaker 1: One Sunday morning. 14 00:00:36,120 --> 00:00:39,160 Speaker 2: She went to her son's bedroom and said, son, wake up, 15 00:00:39,280 --> 00:00:40,480 Speaker 2: it's time to go to church. 16 00:00:41,000 --> 00:00:43,400 Speaker 1: He said, no, Mom, I'm not going to church today. 17 00:00:43,840 --> 00:00:46,240 Speaker 1: She said why not? He said, I'll give you two 18 00:00:46,280 --> 00:00:47,120 Speaker 1: good reasons. 19 00:00:47,360 --> 00:00:50,520 Speaker 2: Number one, I don't like the people and number two, 20 00:00:50,840 --> 00:00:53,599 Speaker 2: they don't like me. She said, all right, I'll give 21 00:00:53,600 --> 00:00:56,880 Speaker 2: you two better reasons why you should go. Number one, 22 00:00:57,120 --> 00:01:02,000 Speaker 2: you're forty nine years old, and number two, pastor say 23 00:01:02,040 --> 00:01:02,880 Speaker 2: it like you mean it. 24 00:01:03,400 --> 00:01:06,320 Speaker 1: This is my Bible. I am what it says, I am. 25 00:01:06,880 --> 00:01:09,200 Speaker 2: I have what it says I have, I can do 26 00:01:09,280 --> 00:01:12,039 Speaker 2: what it says I can do. Today I will be 27 00:01:12,120 --> 00:01:16,000 Speaker 2: taught the word of God. I boldly confess. My mind 28 00:01:16,040 --> 00:01:19,240 Speaker 2: is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never be 29 00:01:19,319 --> 00:01:21,680 Speaker 2: the same. In Jesus' name. 30 00:01:21,920 --> 00:01:22,760 Speaker 1: God bless you. 31 00:01:23,920 --> 00:01:26,720 Speaker 2: I want to talk to you today about travel steadily. 32 00:01:27,440 --> 00:01:30,120 Speaker 2: We all have things that we're waiting on. Waiting for 33 00:01:30,160 --> 00:01:32,600 Speaker 2: a dream to come to pass, waiting for our health 34 00:01:32,640 --> 00:01:35,160 Speaker 2: to improve, waiting to meet the right person. 35 00:01:35,840 --> 00:01:38,560 Speaker 1: When it's taken longer than we thought, we don't see 36 00:01:38,560 --> 00:01:39,560 Speaker 1: anything changing. 37 00:01:39,920 --> 00:01:42,480 Speaker 2: It's easy to get discouraged and think that it's not 38 00:01:42,600 --> 00:01:46,240 Speaker 2: meant to be. But David said in Psalm thirty seven, 39 00:01:46,800 --> 00:01:50,680 Speaker 2: don't be impatient for the Lord to act. Travel steadily 40 00:01:50,880 --> 00:01:54,280 Speaker 2: along his path. He will honor you and give you 41 00:01:54,400 --> 00:01:58,560 Speaker 2: the land. Just because it hasn't happened yet doesn't mean 42 00:01:58,600 --> 00:01:59,880 Speaker 2: that it's not going to happen. 43 00:02:00,480 --> 00:02:02,040 Speaker 1: What God promised. 44 00:02:01,640 --> 00:02:05,760 Speaker 2: You is still en route. The waiting period is simply 45 00:02:05,800 --> 00:02:09,480 Speaker 2: a test. Are you going to get discouraged and quit believing? 46 00:02:10,080 --> 00:02:14,000 Speaker 2: Or are you going to keep traveling steadily, keep praying, 47 00:02:14,400 --> 00:02:17,799 Speaker 2: keep thanking God, keep being your best at work, keep 48 00:02:17,840 --> 00:02:21,360 Speaker 2: being good to other people. There's power in doing the 49 00:02:21,480 --> 00:02:26,000 Speaker 2: right thing consistently. You're not moved by what's not changing. 50 00:02:26,440 --> 00:02:30,000 Speaker 2: You consistently have a good attitude. You're not up one 51 00:02:30,080 --> 00:02:34,000 Speaker 2: day and down two days. You're consistently in a good mood. 52 00:02:34,520 --> 00:02:36,880 Speaker 2: You don't work hard for a month and then slack 53 00:02:36,919 --> 00:02:41,400 Speaker 2: off the next month. You consistently excellent. Everything may not 54 00:02:41,520 --> 00:02:45,359 Speaker 2: be perfect. You're dealing with challenges, but you're not complaining. 55 00:02:45,639 --> 00:02:52,320 Speaker 2: You're consistently thanking God, consistently declaring his promises, consistently expecting 56 00:02:52,360 --> 00:02:53,000 Speaker 2: his favor. 57 00:02:53,440 --> 00:02:55,919 Speaker 1: That's what it means to travel steadily. 58 00:02:56,760 --> 00:03:00,959 Speaker 2: God never promised things would turn around instantly, had promises 59 00:03:01,000 --> 00:03:03,680 Speaker 2: would come to pass in two weeks, there will be 60 00:03:03,840 --> 00:03:04,960 Speaker 2: a waiting period. 61 00:03:05,440 --> 00:03:06,560 Speaker 1: Don't be impatient. 62 00:03:07,080 --> 00:03:11,959 Speaker 2: God rewards faithful people, people that keep doing the right thing, 63 00:03:12,600 --> 00:03:15,440 Speaker 2: And the only thing that's holding some people back is 64 00:03:15,480 --> 00:03:16,640 Speaker 2: the consistency. 65 00:03:17,400 --> 00:03:18,600 Speaker 1: What would happen. 66 00:03:18,440 --> 00:03:22,600 Speaker 2: If you would consistently get to work on time, consistently 67 00:03:22,880 --> 00:03:28,799 Speaker 2: treat your spouse with respect, consistently exercise, or consistently put 68 00:03:28,880 --> 00:03:33,359 Speaker 2: God first place. When you're consistent, you're not ruled by 69 00:03:33,400 --> 00:03:37,040 Speaker 2: your feelings. Feelings will be up one day and down 70 00:03:37,080 --> 00:03:40,760 Speaker 2: the next. Feelings want to tell people off feelings want 71 00:03:40,760 --> 00:03:43,440 Speaker 2: to eat the whole gallon of ice cream. Feelings want 72 00:03:43,440 --> 00:03:46,760 Speaker 2: to sit around in self pity. Don't let those feelings 73 00:03:46,840 --> 00:03:51,160 Speaker 2: run your life. You have a destiny to fulfill, an assignment. 74 00:03:51,280 --> 00:03:54,040 Speaker 2: For you to accomplish, you have to put your foot 75 00:03:54,080 --> 00:03:57,120 Speaker 2: down and say, feelings, you are not going to control me. 76 00:03:57,480 --> 00:04:01,280 Speaker 2: I'm in control. I'm going to make deceis that honor God. 77 00:04:01,760 --> 00:04:04,040 Speaker 2: I'm going to do the right thing when it's hard. 78 00:04:04,440 --> 00:04:06,520 Speaker 2: I'm going to go to work when I don't feel 79 00:04:06,560 --> 00:04:09,280 Speaker 2: like it. I'm going to treat these people with respect 80 00:04:09,680 --> 00:04:13,960 Speaker 2: even though they don't deserve it. If you will keep traveling, steadily, 81 00:04:14,520 --> 00:04:18,039 Speaker 2: being consistent, you're going to see God show out in 82 00:04:18,120 --> 00:04:22,760 Speaker 2: your life. Paul said in First Corinthians, we should always 83 00:04:23,080 --> 00:04:24,440 Speaker 2: be abounding in. 84 00:04:24,440 --> 00:04:25,560 Speaker 1: The work of the Lord. 85 00:04:26,360 --> 00:04:30,000 Speaker 2: What can you say about yourself that's always? Are you 86 00:04:30,080 --> 00:04:33,800 Speaker 2: always worried, always late, always hot tempered? 87 00:04:34,279 --> 00:04:36,200 Speaker 1: Why don't you change those always? 88 00:04:36,800 --> 00:04:39,880 Speaker 2: If you're consistent in the wrong areas, it will keep 89 00:04:39,920 --> 00:04:41,200 Speaker 2: you from your destiny. 90 00:04:41,920 --> 00:04:42,640 Speaker 1: I know people. 91 00:04:43,000 --> 00:04:47,760 Speaker 2: Their circumstances aren't perfect, they have challenges, but they're always joyful, 92 00:04:48,320 --> 00:04:53,080 Speaker 2: always encouraging, always at church, always helping others. They've made 93 00:04:53,120 --> 00:04:55,920 Speaker 2: this choice that they're going to travel steadily. 94 00:04:56,800 --> 00:04:58,400 Speaker 1: God has awesome. 95 00:04:58,000 --> 00:05:00,960 Speaker 2: Things in your future, but the the only way you'll 96 00:05:01,000 --> 00:05:04,799 Speaker 2: see them is if you keep being consistent, not moved 97 00:05:04,800 --> 00:05:08,600 Speaker 2: by what's not happening, not discouraged because it's taking longer, 98 00:05:09,080 --> 00:05:11,960 Speaker 2: not slacking off because you don't see any sign of it. 99 00:05:12,560 --> 00:05:16,000 Speaker 2: When you travel steadily, you're going to come into blessings 100 00:05:16,040 --> 00:05:20,360 Speaker 2: and favor because of your faithfulness. Not because you have 101 00:05:20,440 --> 00:05:25,040 Speaker 2: great talent, great courage, great faith, but because you keep 102 00:05:25,120 --> 00:05:26,280 Speaker 2: doing the right thing. 103 00:05:27,360 --> 00:05:29,279 Speaker 1: Many of you have been doing this. 104 00:05:29,839 --> 00:05:34,560 Speaker 2: You've consistently made decisions that honor God, sacrificing to raise 105 00:05:34,640 --> 00:05:38,240 Speaker 2: those children, putting your own dream on hold. You've stayed 106 00:05:38,240 --> 00:05:41,760 Speaker 2: faithful in that marriage that's difficult. You've been your best 107 00:05:41,760 --> 00:05:44,960 Speaker 2: at that job, going the extra mile. You've done the 108 00:05:45,040 --> 00:05:48,039 Speaker 2: right thing, but you haven't seen what's in your heart. 109 00:05:48,600 --> 00:05:50,120 Speaker 1: Your time is coming. 110 00:05:50,600 --> 00:05:54,880 Speaker 2: God is about to do something unusual, promotion that thrusts 111 00:05:54,880 --> 00:05:57,920 Speaker 2: you to a new level. That problem you've struggled with 112 00:05:57,960 --> 00:06:01,320 Speaker 2: for years is about to suddenly turn around. It's going 113 00:06:01,400 --> 00:06:06,520 Speaker 2: to happen sooner than you think because you stayed faithful, consistent. 114 00:06:06,880 --> 00:06:10,080 Speaker 2: The scripture says God is going to give you the land. 115 00:06:10,560 --> 00:06:13,200 Speaker 2: You're not going to have to make it happen. Blessings 116 00:06:13,240 --> 00:06:15,880 Speaker 2: are going to find you. The right people are going 117 00:06:15,920 --> 00:06:18,600 Speaker 2: to track you down. Healing is going to come knocking 118 00:06:18,720 --> 00:06:22,320 Speaker 2: at your door. Don't be impatient for God to act. 119 00:06:22,960 --> 00:06:25,960 Speaker 2: Those dreams he's placed in your heart are still on 120 00:06:26,000 --> 00:06:29,640 Speaker 2: the schedule. Those promises he's whispered to you in the night, 121 00:06:29,920 --> 00:06:34,599 Speaker 2: they're still in your future. And sometimes the reason it's 122 00:06:34,640 --> 00:06:38,320 Speaker 2: taking so long is what God has for you is 123 00:06:38,440 --> 00:06:42,520 Speaker 2: bigger than you've imagined. He's getting you prepared to carry 124 00:06:42,560 --> 00:06:45,960 Speaker 2: the weight of the blessing, the weight of the influence. 125 00:06:46,400 --> 00:06:50,479 Speaker 2: As you keep traveling steadily, you're getting stronger. Your faith 126 00:06:50,560 --> 00:06:54,640 Speaker 2: is growing, your character is being developed. This is what 127 00:06:54,760 --> 00:06:58,120 Speaker 2: David did. At seventeen years old. He was out in 128 00:06:58,160 --> 00:07:01,719 Speaker 2: the shepherd's fields, taking care of his father's sheep, just 129 00:07:01,839 --> 00:07:05,000 Speaker 2: minding his own business. When he was called in to 130 00:07:05,120 --> 00:07:09,560 Speaker 2: his father's house, the prophet Samuel chose him out of 131 00:07:09,600 --> 00:07:13,400 Speaker 2: his seven other brothers to become the next king of Israel. 132 00:07:14,240 --> 00:07:18,120 Speaker 2: What's interesting is David didn't go to the palace that day. 133 00:07:18,600 --> 00:07:21,559 Speaker 2: He didn't step into leadership. They didn't put a royal 134 00:07:21,680 --> 00:07:24,960 Speaker 2: robe on him. He went back to the Shepherd's Fields. 135 00:07:25,680 --> 00:07:28,559 Speaker 2: When God gives you a promise, there will always be 136 00:07:28,680 --> 00:07:33,000 Speaker 2: a waiting period. What we do while we're waiting will 137 00:07:33,000 --> 00:07:35,160 Speaker 2: determine whether the promise will come. 138 00:07:35,040 --> 00:07:36,640 Speaker 1: To pass if we wait. 139 00:07:36,720 --> 00:07:40,520 Speaker 2: Discouraged, upset, why is this taking so long? We're going 140 00:07:40,600 --> 00:07:44,960 Speaker 2: to get stuck where we are. David was anointed, but 141 00:07:45,080 --> 00:07:48,840 Speaker 2: he wasn't appointed. He had to go through this season 142 00:07:48,920 --> 00:07:52,920 Speaker 2: of proving, a season of testing. Will you do the 143 00:07:53,000 --> 00:07:55,880 Speaker 2: right thing when you're not getting your way? Will you 144 00:07:55,960 --> 00:07:58,720 Speaker 2: keep serving others when you know you have more in you. 145 00:07:59,680 --> 00:08:03,120 Speaker 2: They could have slacked off, taken the easy way out. 146 00:08:03,440 --> 00:08:06,920 Speaker 1: Nobody was watching him in the Shepherd's Fields, but David 147 00:08:07,080 --> 00:08:08,400 Speaker 1: understood this principle. 148 00:08:08,880 --> 00:08:11,760 Speaker 2: To see promises come to pass, you have to keep 149 00:08:11,840 --> 00:08:15,040 Speaker 2: traveling steadily. You have to do the right thing when 150 00:08:15,080 --> 00:08:18,160 Speaker 2: nobody is watching. You have to be your best when 151 00:08:18,200 --> 00:08:21,040 Speaker 2: you're not getting the credit. You have to thank God 152 00:08:21,160 --> 00:08:25,400 Speaker 2: even though doors are not opening. Month after month, David 153 00:08:25,520 --> 00:08:29,160 Speaker 2: kept taking care of those sheep, fighting off wild animals, 154 00:08:29,400 --> 00:08:33,480 Speaker 2: making sure they were fed and protected. His father didn't 155 00:08:33,520 --> 00:08:37,319 Speaker 2: invite him into the house when Samuel first came. David 156 00:08:37,360 --> 00:08:40,199 Speaker 2: didn't get bitter. He didn't have a chip on his shoulder. 157 00:08:40,360 --> 00:08:44,120 Speaker 2: He shook it off and kept traveling forward. His brothers 158 00:08:44,240 --> 00:08:46,640 Speaker 2: made fun of him when he took him their lunch. 159 00:08:47,000 --> 00:08:50,080 Speaker 2: They tried to make him feel small. David didn't take 160 00:08:50,120 --> 00:08:55,160 Speaker 2: the bait. He walked away. After David defeated Goliath, King 161 00:08:55,280 --> 00:08:58,520 Speaker 2: Saul was jealous and tried to kill David. Chased him 162 00:08:58,520 --> 00:09:02,240 Speaker 2: through the desert. Was unfair, but David didn't try to 163 00:09:02,280 --> 00:09:05,400 Speaker 2: get revenge. He could have killed Saul, but he wouldn't 164 00:09:05,400 --> 00:09:09,400 Speaker 2: do it. He wasn't impatient for God to act. He 165 00:09:09,480 --> 00:09:13,520 Speaker 2: knew if he would keep traveling steadily, doing the right thing, 166 00:09:13,920 --> 00:09:18,080 Speaker 2: God would give him the throne. Thirteen years after David 167 00:09:18,160 --> 00:09:21,520 Speaker 2: was anointed, King Saul was killed in a battle and 168 00:09:21,640 --> 00:09:25,880 Speaker 2: David became king. When God puts a promise in your heart, 169 00:09:26,320 --> 00:09:29,160 Speaker 2: no matter who tries to stop you, no matter how 170 00:09:29,160 --> 00:09:32,320 Speaker 2: big the giants are, no matter how unfair it is 171 00:09:32,640 --> 00:09:35,920 Speaker 2: or how long it's been, if you'll just keep traveling 172 00:09:36,000 --> 00:09:41,000 Speaker 2: steadily passing the test, not bitter because people did you wrong, 173 00:09:41,520 --> 00:09:44,360 Speaker 2: not giving up because it's taken a long time, not 174 00:09:44,520 --> 00:09:49,040 Speaker 2: slacking all because things aren't improving, then, like David, God 175 00:09:49,160 --> 00:09:51,760 Speaker 2: is going to give you the land. He's going to 176 00:09:51,840 --> 00:09:54,640 Speaker 2: move the wrong people out of the way. He'll give 177 00:09:54,679 --> 00:09:58,640 Speaker 2: you favor to defeat giants. He'll make ways where you 178 00:09:58,679 --> 00:10:03,400 Speaker 2: don't see away. The key is don't be impatient. It 179 00:10:03,440 --> 00:10:06,839 Speaker 2: may not happen as fast as you would like while 180 00:10:06,840 --> 00:10:07,600 Speaker 2: you're waiting. 181 00:10:07,880 --> 00:10:08,680 Speaker 1: That's a test. 182 00:10:09,520 --> 00:10:12,040 Speaker 2: David had to prove to God that he would be 183 00:10:12,120 --> 00:10:15,680 Speaker 2: faithful taking care of sheep before God would trust him 184 00:10:15,960 --> 00:10:19,400 Speaker 2: to take care of his people. And those times where 185 00:10:19,440 --> 00:10:23,200 Speaker 2: you're doing the right thing but nothing is improving, that's 186 00:10:23,240 --> 00:10:26,720 Speaker 2: a proving season. You have to show God that you're 187 00:10:26,720 --> 00:10:29,400 Speaker 2: not going to get discouraged. You're not going to give 188 00:10:29,480 --> 00:10:31,800 Speaker 2: up on your dream. You're not going to let what 189 00:10:31,960 --> 00:10:36,560 Speaker 2: didn't work out cause you to lose your passion. Like David, 190 00:10:37,000 --> 00:10:40,200 Speaker 2: you may know you're anointed. God has put promises in 191 00:10:40,240 --> 00:10:43,560 Speaker 2: your heart. He's spoken things to you, but you're not 192 00:10:43,640 --> 00:10:46,880 Speaker 2: appointed yet. You're in that season where you're in the 193 00:10:46,920 --> 00:10:49,160 Speaker 2: shepherd's field. Nothing is happening. 194 00:10:49,600 --> 00:10:49,840 Speaker 1: God. 195 00:10:49,920 --> 00:10:52,800 Speaker 2: You said you would restore health unto me, but I'm 196 00:10:52,840 --> 00:10:55,959 Speaker 2: still struggling with this sickness. You said I would lend 197 00:10:56,000 --> 00:10:59,080 Speaker 2: and not borrow, but I can barely get ahead. You 198 00:10:59,120 --> 00:11:01,439 Speaker 2: said you'd give me for these ashes, but. 199 00:11:01,679 --> 00:11:03,040 Speaker 1: No new doors are opening. 200 00:11:03,800 --> 00:11:06,679 Speaker 2: It's easy to get discouraged, But if you're going to 201 00:11:06,720 --> 00:11:10,840 Speaker 2: go from anointed to appointed, you have to keep thanking 202 00:11:10,920 --> 00:11:14,640 Speaker 2: God when you don't see anything happening, praising when you 203 00:11:14,679 --> 00:11:17,640 Speaker 2: could be complaining, coming to church when you feel like 204 00:11:17,760 --> 00:11:19,400 Speaker 2: staying home, being. 205 00:11:19,160 --> 00:11:21,520 Speaker 1: Good to people that are not being good to you. 206 00:11:22,440 --> 00:11:25,440 Speaker 2: If you'll not be moved by what's not working out, 207 00:11:25,840 --> 00:11:28,480 Speaker 2: but you keep doing the right thing, then you're going 208 00:11:28,520 --> 00:11:31,960 Speaker 2: to go from anointed to appointed. You're going to come 209 00:11:32,000 --> 00:11:35,079 Speaker 2: out of the shepherd's fields into the fullness of what. 210 00:11:35,120 --> 00:11:36,200 Speaker 1: God has in store. 211 00:11:37,240 --> 00:11:41,520 Speaker 2: My father started Lakewood in nineteen fifty nine with ninety people. 212 00:11:41,960 --> 00:11:43,080 Speaker 1: He had traveled. 213 00:11:42,679 --> 00:11:47,280 Speaker 2: Overseas and held meetings with thousands of people, seeing great favor, 214 00:11:47,679 --> 00:11:49,720 Speaker 2: but he knew he was supposed to come back and 215 00:11:49,800 --> 00:11:51,280 Speaker 2: past through these ninety people. 216 00:11:51,840 --> 00:11:53,760 Speaker 1: God put a big dream in his heart. 217 00:11:54,160 --> 00:11:57,680 Speaker 2: He believed one day Lakewood would have thousands and impact 218 00:11:57,720 --> 00:12:02,080 Speaker 2: the world. My father was a great minister, a great leader. 219 00:12:02,600 --> 00:12:06,880 Speaker 2: But what's interesting is Lakewood didn't grow. Year after year 220 00:12:06,920 --> 00:12:11,880 Speaker 2: went by still ninety people. My father could have been discouraged. God, 221 00:12:11,960 --> 00:12:14,560 Speaker 2: you put bigger things in my heart. Why am I 222 00:12:14,600 --> 00:12:19,160 Speaker 2: not seeing increase? Instead, he preached to those ninety people 223 00:12:19,559 --> 00:12:22,360 Speaker 2: like he was preaching to thousands, not just once a 224 00:12:22,400 --> 00:12:25,400 Speaker 2: week Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night. 225 00:12:25,880 --> 00:12:26,839 Speaker 1: He was faithful. 226 00:12:27,360 --> 00:12:30,760 Speaker 2: He wasn't moved by what wasn't changing. He didn't get 227 00:12:30,800 --> 00:12:36,800 Speaker 2: sour because he wasn't seeing increase. He just kept traveling, steadily, consistently, 228 00:12:36,880 --> 00:12:40,959 Speaker 2: doing the right thing. In nineteen seventy three, it. 229 00:12:41,000 --> 00:12:42,840 Speaker 1: Was like God opened up a fawcet. 230 00:12:43,280 --> 00:12:46,720 Speaker 2: People started coming to Lakewood from all over the city. 231 00:12:47,160 --> 00:12:50,720 Speaker 2: It grew to a church of many thousands. But those 232 00:12:50,760 --> 00:12:54,600 Speaker 2: thirteen years my father didn't see any growth. They were 233 00:12:54,760 --> 00:12:58,800 Speaker 2: very important years. They were years of testing, years of 234 00:12:58,920 --> 00:13:02,320 Speaker 2: proving God was seeing what my father was made of. 235 00:13:02,960 --> 00:13:05,240 Speaker 2: What was he going to do when things weren't going 236 00:13:05,280 --> 00:13:08,160 Speaker 2: his way? What kind of attitude would he have when 237 00:13:08,200 --> 00:13:12,120 Speaker 2: he wasn't seeing increase? Would he get discouraged, give up, 238 00:13:12,360 --> 00:13:16,239 Speaker 2: try something else? If you're not faithful in the wilderness, 239 00:13:16,720 --> 00:13:19,800 Speaker 2: how can God trust you to be faithful. 240 00:13:19,320 --> 00:13:20,440 Speaker 1: In the promised land. 241 00:13:21,440 --> 00:13:24,760 Speaker 2: Maybe you're doing the right thing but not seeing any growth. 242 00:13:25,120 --> 00:13:30,000 Speaker 2: You're praying, believing, working hard, but things aren't improving. If 243 00:13:30,040 --> 00:13:32,800 Speaker 2: my father was here, he would tell you don't get 244 00:13:32,800 --> 00:13:37,000 Speaker 2: discouraged by what's not changing. Don't slack off because it 245 00:13:37,040 --> 00:13:42,400 Speaker 2: hasn't happened yet. Keep doing the right thing consistently. God 246 00:13:42,480 --> 00:13:46,320 Speaker 2: has not forgotten about you. What He's promised is still 247 00:13:46,480 --> 00:13:51,160 Speaker 2: in your future. Past the faithfulness test. Prove to him 248 00:13:51,280 --> 00:13:53,560 Speaker 2: that you're not going to quit, You're not going to 249 00:13:53,559 --> 00:13:56,200 Speaker 2: get sour, You're not going to get talked out of it. 250 00:13:56,720 --> 00:14:00,280 Speaker 2: If you'll keep traveling steadily, God will give you you 251 00:14:00,360 --> 00:14:00,840 Speaker 2: the land. 252 00:14:01,520 --> 00:14:03,600 Speaker 1: It's going to be easier than you thought. 253 00:14:04,280 --> 00:14:07,280 Speaker 2: Yes, the waiting can be difficult, but when you come 254 00:14:07,280 --> 00:14:12,800 Speaker 2: into favor, things are going to fall into place. Promotion, healing, increase. 255 00:14:13,040 --> 00:14:16,720 Speaker 2: That will thrust you to a new level. A while back, 256 00:14:16,920 --> 00:14:19,640 Speaker 2: there was this challenge I was dealing with. It had 257 00:14:19,680 --> 00:14:22,000 Speaker 2: to do with our ministry and what we were going 258 00:14:22,040 --> 00:14:24,840 Speaker 2: to do in the future. I couldn't figure out how 259 00:14:24,920 --> 00:14:27,400 Speaker 2: it was going to work out. I studied it and 260 00:14:27,720 --> 00:14:31,200 Speaker 2: made phone calls, got other people's advice, but there was 261 00:14:31,240 --> 00:14:34,520 Speaker 2: still no solution. Every time it came to my mind, 262 00:14:34,600 --> 00:14:36,840 Speaker 2: it kind of bothered me. I thought, what are we 263 00:14:36,920 --> 00:14:41,520 Speaker 2: going to do? I was tempted to live, stressed and worried. Finally, 264 00:14:41,560 --> 00:14:44,600 Speaker 2: I said, God, I'm turning this over to you. I 265 00:14:44,600 --> 00:14:47,240 Speaker 2: can't make this work out my way, but I know 266 00:14:47,360 --> 00:14:48,840 Speaker 2: you already have a solution. 267 00:14:49,400 --> 00:14:50,920 Speaker 1: So I'm not going to live uptight. 268 00:14:51,320 --> 00:14:54,160 Speaker 2: I'm going to just keep being my best, honoring you 269 00:14:55,040 --> 00:14:57,960 Speaker 2: every time I was tempted to worry. Father, Thank you 270 00:14:58,280 --> 00:15:00,880 Speaker 2: that my life is in your hand. Thank you that 271 00:15:00,920 --> 00:15:07,080 Speaker 2: you're making my crooked places straight. Sometimes we're frustrated because 272 00:15:07,120 --> 00:15:11,040 Speaker 2: we're trying to control things that only God can control. 273 00:15:11,320 --> 00:15:13,960 Speaker 2: We're trying to figure something out that there is no 274 00:15:14,080 --> 00:15:15,440 Speaker 2: answer to right now. 275 00:15:15,880 --> 00:15:18,720 Speaker 1: That's when we get frustrated, can't sleep at night. 276 00:15:19,320 --> 00:15:22,400 Speaker 2: The good news is God doesn't ask us to figure 277 00:15:22,440 --> 00:15:26,720 Speaker 2: everything out. You have to know what's your job and 278 00:15:26,760 --> 00:15:31,400 Speaker 2: what's God's job. Our job is to believe. Our job 279 00:15:31,480 --> 00:15:34,920 Speaker 2: is to thank God. Our job is to walk in obedience. 280 00:15:35,600 --> 00:15:39,440 Speaker 2: The scripture says God will work out his plan for 281 00:15:39,600 --> 00:15:43,560 Speaker 2: our lives. God's job is to work things out that 282 00:15:43,640 --> 00:15:44,640 Speaker 2: we can't work out. 283 00:15:45,280 --> 00:15:46,720 Speaker 1: You're not on your own. 284 00:15:46,920 --> 00:15:50,600 Speaker 2: The creator of the universe is working out his plan 285 00:15:50,760 --> 00:15:54,360 Speaker 2: for your life. His job is to open doors we 286 00:15:54,440 --> 00:15:58,240 Speaker 2: can't open. His job is to part red seas. His 287 00:15:58,360 --> 00:16:01,560 Speaker 2: job is to heal sick body. His job is to 288 00:16:01,600 --> 00:16:05,280 Speaker 2: make things happen that we can't make happen. Are you 289 00:16:05,400 --> 00:16:09,360 Speaker 2: frustrated because you're trying to do God's job? Take the 290 00:16:09,440 --> 00:16:13,000 Speaker 2: pressure off. You don't have to make everything happen. You 291 00:16:13,160 --> 00:16:17,760 Speaker 2: just have to keep traveling steadily, staying faithful, being good 292 00:16:17,800 --> 00:16:22,280 Speaker 2: to people, keeping God first place. About two months ago, 293 00:16:22,720 --> 00:16:25,320 Speaker 2: I was at the church and a staff member was 294 00:16:25,360 --> 00:16:28,320 Speaker 2: passing by. He said, I meant to tell you that 295 00:16:28,520 --> 00:16:30,960 Speaker 2: thing that we were working on, we figured it out. 296 00:16:31,440 --> 00:16:32,360 Speaker 1: I said, what do you mean. 297 00:16:32,800 --> 00:16:35,120 Speaker 2: He said, I'll show you. I went in and looked 298 00:16:35,120 --> 00:16:38,240 Speaker 2: at it. It was perfect. Couldn't have been any better. 299 00:16:38,920 --> 00:16:42,160 Speaker 2: I thought this was going to be an ongoing challenge 300 00:16:42,480 --> 00:16:45,400 Speaker 2: where it would take all this extra effort and energy 301 00:16:45,480 --> 00:16:49,280 Speaker 2: on my part. But then without me even working on it, 302 00:16:49,520 --> 00:16:52,400 Speaker 2: things fell into place. I never dreamed it would be 303 00:16:52,440 --> 00:16:56,040 Speaker 2: that easy. That's what the scripture says. If you'll keep 304 00:16:56,080 --> 00:16:58,120 Speaker 2: traveling steadily, God. 305 00:16:57,920 --> 00:16:59,320 Speaker 1: Will give you the land. 306 00:17:00,120 --> 00:17:04,760 Speaker 2: That means you don't have to struggle, strive, manipulate things, 307 00:17:04,960 --> 00:17:07,560 Speaker 2: try to force it to work out. It's going to 308 00:17:07,600 --> 00:17:10,400 Speaker 2: be easier than you think. Things are going to fall 309 00:17:10,440 --> 00:17:14,360 Speaker 2: into place. The right doors open, the right people show up, 310 00:17:14,680 --> 00:17:18,000 Speaker 2: the school calls you with the scholarship. The medical report 311 00:17:18,240 --> 00:17:23,399 Speaker 2: suddenly turns around. In the scripture, Joseph was engaged to 312 00:17:23,440 --> 00:17:27,000 Speaker 2: a young lady named Mary. An angel appeared to her 313 00:17:27,280 --> 00:17:29,439 Speaker 2: and said she was going to have a baby without 314 00:17:29,480 --> 00:17:32,040 Speaker 2: knowing a man, and they were to name him Jesus. 315 00:17:32,720 --> 00:17:34,600 Speaker 1: You can imagine how Joseph. 316 00:17:34,320 --> 00:17:37,680 Speaker 2: Must have felt when Mary told him she was pregnant, 317 00:17:38,000 --> 00:17:41,520 Speaker 2: not with his baby, but with the Messiah. I'm sure 318 00:17:41,560 --> 00:17:44,880 Speaker 2: he thought, yeah, right. He was going to quietly call 319 00:17:44,960 --> 00:17:48,560 Speaker 2: off the engagement. But that night an angel appeared to 320 00:17:48,640 --> 00:17:52,240 Speaker 2: him in a dream. He told Joseph that what Mary 321 00:17:52,280 --> 00:17:54,639 Speaker 2: said was true, that he was to go ahead with 322 00:17:54,680 --> 00:17:58,560 Speaker 2: the marriage. Joseph could have backed out. God, I didn't 323 00:17:58,560 --> 00:18:01,679 Speaker 2: sign up for this. I don't want my reputation ruined. 324 00:18:01,720 --> 00:18:05,679 Speaker 2: Find somebody else, But Joseph did what the angel said. 325 00:18:06,480 --> 00:18:10,000 Speaker 2: It was prophesied that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. 326 00:18:10,440 --> 00:18:14,440 Speaker 2: The Roman emperor decided to take a census. Everyone had 327 00:18:14,440 --> 00:18:18,359 Speaker 2: to go to their hometown. Joseph was from Bethlehem. He 328 00:18:18,440 --> 00:18:22,200 Speaker 2: loaded up Mary on a donkey. She was nine months pregnant. 329 00:18:22,600 --> 00:18:26,680 Speaker 2: They traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Would be one thing 330 00:18:26,760 --> 00:18:29,600 Speaker 2: if this was across town, but this was a ninety 331 00:18:29,680 --> 00:18:34,160 Speaker 2: mile journey. It would take about ten days. I've seen 332 00:18:34,200 --> 00:18:37,960 Speaker 2: what it's like for Victoria to be pregnant, how uncomfortable. 333 00:18:38,680 --> 00:18:42,560 Speaker 2: Especially toward the end, her back was hurting, feet swelling. 334 00:18:43,240 --> 00:18:46,920 Speaker 2: I can't imagine telling her, at nine months pregnant, honey, 335 00:18:47,080 --> 00:18:50,360 Speaker 2: to fulfill prophecy, we have to get on a donkey and. 336 00:18:50,359 --> 00:18:51,440 Speaker 1: Go ninety miles. 337 00:18:52,040 --> 00:18:56,119 Speaker 2: I think I would be hearing Welcome to Heaven. Sometimes 338 00:18:56,160 --> 00:19:00,280 Speaker 2: God asked us to do things that are difficult. Could 339 00:19:00,280 --> 00:19:03,800 Speaker 2: have said, not getting on that donkey, it's too bumpy, 340 00:19:04,280 --> 00:19:07,080 Speaker 2: my feed hurt. You can go by yourself. But you 341 00:19:07,200 --> 00:19:11,360 Speaker 2: never read where Mary complained. You never read where Joseph 342 00:19:11,440 --> 00:19:15,800 Speaker 2: was sour. They just kept traveling, steadily, doing what God 343 00:19:15,840 --> 00:19:19,120 Speaker 2: asked them to do, day after day, getting on the donkey, 344 00:19:19,640 --> 00:19:22,920 Speaker 2: dealing with the heat, finding the place to sleep at night. 345 00:19:23,760 --> 00:19:27,520 Speaker 2: God only spoke to them one time this whole trip 346 00:19:27,800 --> 00:19:28,640 Speaker 2: ninety miles. 347 00:19:28,760 --> 00:19:30,080 Speaker 1: God never said anything. 348 00:19:30,680 --> 00:19:33,280 Speaker 2: It would have been much easier if the angel would 349 00:19:33,280 --> 00:19:36,640 Speaker 2: have come back and said, you're doing great. Keep going 350 00:19:36,680 --> 00:19:40,639 Speaker 2: to Bethlehem. You're right on track. It's easy to follow God. 351 00:19:40,720 --> 00:19:44,080 Speaker 2: When you hear him speaking, you have clear direction. Things 352 00:19:44,119 --> 00:19:47,760 Speaker 2: are going your way. But the real test is how 353 00:19:47,760 --> 00:19:51,920 Speaker 2: do you respond when God is silent, you don't hear anything. 354 00:19:52,440 --> 00:19:55,360 Speaker 2: You're doing the right thing, but it's not improving. You're 355 00:19:55,400 --> 00:19:59,000 Speaker 2: being your best, but doors aren't opening. Months have gone by, 356 00:19:59,320 --> 00:20:02,760 Speaker 2: maybe years, and you don't hear anything. Here's the key. 357 00:20:03,400 --> 00:20:06,520 Speaker 2: Keep doing the last thing God told you to do. 358 00:20:06,960 --> 00:20:11,880 Speaker 2: Keep being consistent, keep being faithful. Joseph and Mary finally 359 00:20:12,000 --> 00:20:15,680 Speaker 2: arrived at Bethlahem. I can imagine it was late at night. 360 00:20:16,240 --> 00:20:19,600 Speaker 2: Mary was getting close to having the baby. Joseph walked 361 00:20:19,640 --> 00:20:22,800 Speaker 2: up to the end the hotel. He said, Mary, wait here, 362 00:20:23,040 --> 00:20:27,000 Speaker 2: I'll go arrange a room. The innkeeper said, I'm sorry, sir, 363 00:20:27,359 --> 00:20:27,880 Speaker 2: we're full. 364 00:20:28,440 --> 00:20:29,560 Speaker 1: We'd have no more room. 365 00:20:30,440 --> 00:20:33,680 Speaker 2: Joseph could have thought, God, you said come to Bethlahem, 366 00:20:34,200 --> 00:20:38,680 Speaker 2: You said this was your baby. Why is nothing working out? Instead, 367 00:20:39,160 --> 00:20:42,040 Speaker 2: Joseph went back out told Mary to get back on 368 00:20:42,080 --> 00:20:46,919 Speaker 2: the donkey. They were tired, disappointed, uncomfortable, but they just 369 00:20:47,000 --> 00:20:48,639 Speaker 2: kept traveling steadily. 370 00:20:49,560 --> 00:20:51,800 Speaker 1: God rewards faithful. 371 00:20:51,359 --> 00:20:54,960 Speaker 2: People, people that don't give up, people that don't let 372 00:20:55,040 --> 00:20:58,640 Speaker 2: a disappointment cause them to be sour, people that don't 373 00:20:58,720 --> 00:21:02,159 Speaker 2: let us sat back a loss, a delay to stop 374 00:21:02,200 --> 00:21:06,359 Speaker 2: their destiny. When things happen that we don't understand our 375 00:21:06,400 --> 00:21:10,000 Speaker 2: attitude should be. Father, Thank you that you are working 376 00:21:10,040 --> 00:21:14,040 Speaker 2: out your plan for my life. You are ordering my steps. 377 00:21:14,480 --> 00:21:17,280 Speaker 2: You are opening doors that no man can shut. Thank 378 00:21:17,320 --> 00:21:19,320 Speaker 2: you that you'll get me to where I'm. 379 00:21:19,200 --> 00:21:19,919 Speaker 1: Supposed to be. 380 00:21:21,040 --> 00:21:25,560 Speaker 2: Don't let a bad break, a delay, a pandemic, a 381 00:21:25,600 --> 00:21:28,879 Speaker 2: person that did you wrong cause you to quit believing 382 00:21:28,960 --> 00:21:32,639 Speaker 2: for your dreams and quit pursuing what God put in 383 00:21:32,680 --> 00:21:33,160 Speaker 2: your heart. 384 00:21:33,800 --> 00:21:36,080 Speaker 1: You are full of can do power. 385 00:21:36,640 --> 00:21:40,439 Speaker 2: The same spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives 386 00:21:40,480 --> 00:21:43,960 Speaker 2: in you. You are not weak. You are a warrior. 387 00:21:44,600 --> 00:21:48,280 Speaker 2: Now dig your heels in and be consistent. Not just 388 00:21:48,359 --> 00:21:51,360 Speaker 2: when everything is going your way, not just when there's 389 00:21:51,480 --> 00:21:52,400 Speaker 2: room at the end. 390 00:21:52,960 --> 00:21:54,840 Speaker 1: Business is flourishing. 391 00:21:54,760 --> 00:21:58,439 Speaker 2: But when the door closes, when the contract doesn't go through, 392 00:21:58,800 --> 00:22:02,000 Speaker 2: when the journey is law than you thought. God is 393 00:22:02,040 --> 00:22:06,200 Speaker 2: looking for people that are determined, people that have staminaut. 394 00:22:06,880 --> 00:22:10,600 Speaker 2: You can't be weak and reach your destiny. You can't 395 00:22:10,680 --> 00:22:14,119 Speaker 2: be half hearted and become who you were created to be. 396 00:22:15,400 --> 00:22:19,200 Speaker 2: God will be silent at times you don't hear anything. 397 00:22:19,760 --> 00:22:23,520 Speaker 2: Things are not improving. You're on that donkey, so to speak. 398 00:22:23,760 --> 00:22:27,639 Speaker 2: Doors aren't opening. What are you to do? Keep being faithful, 399 00:22:28,200 --> 00:22:31,399 Speaker 2: keep getting to work on time, keep singing in the choir, 400 00:22:31,920 --> 00:22:35,120 Speaker 2: keep being good to those neighbors, Keep thanking God when 401 00:22:35,160 --> 00:22:39,200 Speaker 2: you feel like complaining. If it was going to happen instantly, 402 00:22:39,640 --> 00:22:43,240 Speaker 2: you wouldn't need any faith. Don't be impatient for God 403 00:22:43,280 --> 00:22:47,960 Speaker 2: to act. Just because the end is full doesn't mean there's. 404 00:22:47,840 --> 00:22:50,000 Speaker 1: Not a place for your baby to be born. 405 00:22:50,800 --> 00:22:54,520 Speaker 2: Just because you've had a setback, somebody walked away, the 406 00:22:54,560 --> 00:22:58,719 Speaker 2: medical report isn't good, doesn't mean that your dream is 407 00:22:58,760 --> 00:23:02,320 Speaker 2: not going to come to pass what God promised. You 408 00:23:02,760 --> 00:23:07,720 Speaker 2: cannot be stopped by people, by circumstances, by bad breaks. 409 00:23:08,520 --> 00:23:11,800 Speaker 2: God wouldn't have allowed the end to be full if 410 00:23:11,840 --> 00:23:15,439 Speaker 2: he didn't have something better. My question is are you 411 00:23:15,520 --> 00:23:19,119 Speaker 2: going to keep traveling steadily? Are you going to keep believing, 412 00:23:19,480 --> 00:23:23,840 Speaker 2: keep praying, keep doing the right thing. Joseph and Mary 413 00:23:24,040 --> 00:23:28,639 Speaker 2: packed up, got back on the donkeys, disappointed, but still 414 00:23:28,680 --> 00:23:34,280 Speaker 2: moving forward, Tired, hungry, back, hurting, but still traveling steadily. 415 00:23:35,200 --> 00:23:38,280 Speaker 2: Joseph looked up and saw this old barn where they 416 00:23:38,359 --> 00:23:42,520 Speaker 2: kept animals. Wasn't a nice hotel, didn't have a bellman 417 00:23:42,600 --> 00:23:46,919 Speaker 2: out front, no room service, just a manger where the 418 00:23:46,960 --> 00:23:50,760 Speaker 2: sheep rest. It wasn't what they had in mind. But 419 00:23:50,800 --> 00:23:53,880 Speaker 2: God doesn't always do things the way we have planned. 420 00:23:54,280 --> 00:23:57,719 Speaker 2: His ways are not our ways. If you don't stay open, 421 00:23:58,160 --> 00:24:02,080 Speaker 2: you'll be frustrated because they wouldn't let you in, upset 422 00:24:02,160 --> 00:24:03,639 Speaker 2: because the door didn't open. 423 00:24:04,119 --> 00:24:07,000 Speaker 1: Can I tell you God knows what he's doing. 424 00:24:07,520 --> 00:24:10,720 Speaker 2: When it's time to birth your baby, all the forces 425 00:24:10,760 --> 00:24:12,800 Speaker 2: of darkness cannot keep you out. 426 00:24:13,160 --> 00:24:14,920 Speaker 1: There will be a place for you to. 427 00:24:14,960 --> 00:24:18,200 Speaker 2: Shine, for you to flourish, for you to show this 428 00:24:18,320 --> 00:24:21,880 Speaker 2: world what God put in you. Now, quit worrying about 429 00:24:21,960 --> 00:24:25,080 Speaker 2: who wouldn't let you in, why this didn't work out. 430 00:24:25,480 --> 00:24:28,920 Speaker 2: It wasn't fair. You weren't supposed to be in the end. 431 00:24:29,400 --> 00:24:32,760 Speaker 2: They weren't supposed to have room for you. Your blessing is 432 00:24:32,800 --> 00:24:36,200 Speaker 2: not in the end. It's in the manger. Your increase, 433 00:24:36,640 --> 00:24:39,960 Speaker 2: your favor, your abundance, is not in where you've been. 434 00:24:40,560 --> 00:24:43,240 Speaker 2: It's in where God is taking you. It's not in 435 00:24:43,280 --> 00:24:45,879 Speaker 2: where you were left out. It's in where you're going. 436 00:24:46,480 --> 00:24:50,080 Speaker 2: Now do your part and start moving forward in faith. 437 00:24:50,600 --> 00:24:54,960 Speaker 2: Not bitter over disappointments, not discourage over what didn't work out. 438 00:24:55,440 --> 00:24:59,880 Speaker 2: Not upset because it's taken longer. There were delays and detours. 439 00:25:00,240 --> 00:25:05,040 Speaker 2: God is saying, if you'll keep traveling, steadily, being faithful 440 00:25:05,200 --> 00:25:09,120 Speaker 2: when nobody is noticing, doing the right thing when it's uncomfortable, 441 00:25:09,600 --> 00:25:13,240 Speaker 2: not complaining because you don't see things changing, then you're 442 00:25:13,280 --> 00:25:15,480 Speaker 2: going to give birth to dreams. 443 00:25:15,320 --> 00:25:16,800 Speaker 1: Bigger than you've imagined. 444 00:25:17,160 --> 00:25:23,200 Speaker 2: God's going to do uncommon, unusual, extraordinary things. The night 445 00:25:23,320 --> 00:25:26,160 Speaker 2: Mary gave birth, there were shepherds out in a field. 446 00:25:26,640 --> 00:25:29,840 Speaker 2: An angel appeared to them and said, I have good news. 447 00:25:30,040 --> 00:25:33,440 Speaker 2: The Messiah has been born in Bethlehem. This is how 448 00:25:33,480 --> 00:25:36,960 Speaker 2: you will recognize him. You will find him lying in 449 00:25:37,000 --> 00:25:41,359 Speaker 2: a manger. If the innkeeper had not turned Jesus away, 450 00:25:41,760 --> 00:25:44,639 Speaker 2: he wouldn't have been in the manger. The shepherds wouldn't 451 00:25:44,680 --> 00:25:47,840 Speaker 2: have found him. The inn was supposed to be full. 452 00:25:48,280 --> 00:25:52,120 Speaker 2: The innkeeper was supposed to not let them in. Nothing 453 00:25:52,160 --> 00:25:55,600 Speaker 2: that happens to you is a surprise to God. He's 454 00:25:55,800 --> 00:25:59,480 Speaker 2: ordering your steps. If the door closed, it was supposed 455 00:25:59,480 --> 00:26:03,320 Speaker 2: to close. If the person walked away, they were supposed. 456 00:26:02,920 --> 00:26:03,679 Speaker 1: To walk away. 457 00:26:04,160 --> 00:26:08,680 Speaker 2: Don't get bitter, Keep traveling steadily, keep doing the right thing, 458 00:26:09,280 --> 00:26:13,520 Speaker 2: keep being good to people, keep expecting, keep believing. When 459 00:26:13,560 --> 00:26:16,399 Speaker 2: you get to your manger, so to speak, the shepherds 460 00:26:16,440 --> 00:26:19,600 Speaker 2: are going to find you. The blessings, the healing, the 461 00:26:19,600 --> 00:26:24,240 Speaker 2: promotion will come to you now. My challenge stay consistent, 462 00:26:24,760 --> 00:26:27,560 Speaker 2: don't be ruled by your feelings. Make up your mind. 463 00:26:27,800 --> 00:26:30,080 Speaker 2: You're not going to be moved by what's not changing. 464 00:26:30,480 --> 00:26:33,520 Speaker 2: Not discourage over how long it's taking. You're going to 465 00:26:33,600 --> 00:26:37,080 Speaker 2: keep doing the right thing. Prove to God that you're 466 00:26:37,119 --> 00:26:41,760 Speaker 2: going to be faithful if you'll keep traveling, steadily, honoring God, 467 00:26:42,160 --> 00:26:46,560 Speaker 2: making good decisions. I believe and declare God is about 468 00:26:46,600 --> 00:26:49,880 Speaker 2: to give you the land. He's about to open new doors, 469 00:26:50,240 --> 00:26:55,320 Speaker 2: bring new opportunities. Problems are about to turn around, healing, freedom, 470 00:26:55,600 --> 00:26:58,280 Speaker 2: favor the fullness of your destiny. 471 00:26:58,720 --> 00:26:59,840 Speaker 1: In Jesus's name. 472 00:27:00,800 --> 00:27:03,720 Speaker 2: I'd like to give you an opportunity to make Jesus 473 00:27:03,760 --> 00:27:05,080 Speaker 2: the Lord of your life. 474 00:27:05,280 --> 00:27:06,199 Speaker 1: Would you pray with me? 475 00:27:06,880 --> 00:27:11,440 Speaker 2: Just say, Lord, Jesus, I repent of my sins. Come 476 00:27:11,480 --> 00:27:14,960 Speaker 2: into my heart. I make you my Lord and savior. 477 00:27:15,800 --> 00:27:18,359 Speaker 2: If you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 478 00:27:18,359 --> 00:27:21,720 Speaker 2: born again. We'd love to give you some free information 479 00:27:22,040 --> 00:27:23,840 Speaker 2: on your new walk with the Lord. Just text the 480 00:27:23,880 --> 00:27:26,520 Speaker 2: number on the screen, or you can go to the website. 481 00:27:26,720 --> 00:27:29,240 Speaker 2: I hope you'll get into a good Bible based church 482 00:27:29,480 --> 00:27:31,359 Speaker 2: and keep God first place. 483 00:27:33,080 --> 00:27:39,280 Speaker 3: Every day we can live discouraged, angry, depressed, defeated. Is 484 00:27:39,320 --> 00:27:42,439 Speaker 3: it possible to turn these negatives into an outlook filled 485 00:27:42,480 --> 00:27:44,520 Speaker 3: with purpose, happiness and joy. 486 00:27:45,800 --> 00:27:49,080 Speaker 2: Every day we make choices, how we see ourselves, how 487 00:27:49,080 --> 00:27:52,120 Speaker 2: we respond to challenges, how we approach what's in front 488 00:27:52,160 --> 00:27:55,560 Speaker 2: of us. I've ridden a devotional called Today I Choose 489 00:27:55,840 --> 00:27:59,320 Speaker 2: Devotions for a Better Line. It's designed to help you 490 00:27:59,359 --> 00:28:00,000 Speaker 2: make those choices. 491 00:28:00,240 --> 00:28:01,320 Speaker 1: Is on purpose to. 492 00:28:01,320 --> 00:28:06,600 Speaker 2: Choose faith over fear, peace over frustration, and kindness over afirs. 493 00:28:07,080 --> 00:28:10,600 Speaker 2: Each day is filled with scripture and practical encouragement to 494 00:28:10,640 --> 00:28:12,600 Speaker 2: help you live with confidence and victory. 495 00:28:13,160 --> 00:28:15,000 Speaker 1: You can't wait to see what kind of day it's 496 00:28:15,080 --> 00:28:17,280 Speaker 1: going to be. You have to decide ahead of time. 497 00:28:17,760 --> 00:28:20,400 Speaker 2: When you do, you can step into a more blessed, 498 00:28:20,600 --> 00:28:21,560 Speaker 2: fulfilled life. 499 00:28:21,920 --> 00:28:22,920 Speaker 1: I'd love to send. 500 00:28:22,760 --> 00:28:25,640 Speaker 3: You a copy as our way of saying thank you 501 00:28:25,760 --> 00:28:28,119 Speaker 3: for your gift of any amount, we would like to 502 00:28:28,160 --> 00:28:31,800 Speaker 3: send you a copy of Today, I Choose Devotions for 503 00:28:31,920 --> 00:28:35,479 Speaker 3: a Better Life. Every day begins with a choice, and 504 00:28:35,560 --> 00:28:39,720 Speaker 3: this inspiring book is packed with powerful devotional truths that 505 00:28:39,800 --> 00:28:43,160 Speaker 3: will help you in the specific challenges you face in life, 506 00:28:43,360 --> 00:28:47,400 Speaker 3: including Today, I choose to turn down the noise, to 507 00:28:47,480 --> 00:28:51,000 Speaker 3: believe what I cannot see, to be happy, to trust 508 00:28:51,040 --> 00:28:55,440 Speaker 3: God's timing. They will transform your attitude, your outlook, your 509 00:28:55,600 --> 00:28:59,600 Speaker 3: entire day. As you embrace these biblical principles, you'll see 510 00:28:59,600 --> 00:29:04,880 Speaker 3: problems dissolve, hope restored mountains move Choose the joy and 511 00:29:04,960 --> 00:29:08,400 Speaker 3: happiness God has chosen for you. Be sure to request 512 00:29:08,480 --> 00:29:12,120 Speaker 3: your copy of Today I Choose Devotions for a Better 513 00:29:12,200 --> 00:29:16,280 Speaker 3: Life available this month by simply visiting us at Joelosting 514 00:29:16,400 --> 00:29:19,720 Speaker 3: dot com or call eight eight eight five six seven 515 00:29:19,920 --> 00:29:23,760 Speaker 3: Joel call or click anytime twenty four hours a day. 516 00:29:24,520 --> 00:29:27,880 Speaker 2: When you make choices based on what God says about you, 517 00:29:27,880 --> 00:29:30,920 Speaker 2: You're going to live happier, have more peace, and you'll 518 00:29:30,960 --> 00:29:32,720 Speaker 2: be a bigger blessing to others. 519 00:29:33,240 --> 00:29:35,800 Speaker 1: Thanks so much for being with us today, Victoria. Do 520 00:29:35,800 --> 00:29:38,440 Speaker 1: I pray for you and your family every day. We 521 00:29:38,520 --> 00:29:40,720 Speaker 1: sure appreciate your prayer and support. 522 00:29:41,160 --> 00:29:44,760 Speaker 2: Your generosity helps us take this message to people around 523 00:29:44,760 --> 00:29:47,640 Speaker 2: the world. Now. Special thank you to our Champion of 524 00:29:47,720 --> 00:29:50,960 Speaker 2: Hope partners for all you do to make the ministry possible. 525 00:29:51,320 --> 00:29:53,840 Speaker 2: And until we meet again, May the Lord bless you 526 00:29:54,000 --> 00:29:54,720 Speaker 2: and keep you. 527 00:29:55,640 --> 00:29:58,880 Speaker 3: Be sure to request your copy of Today, I Choose 528 00:29:59,200 --> 00:30:02,920 Speaker 3: Devotions or a Better Life available this month by simply 529 00:30:03,000 --> 00:30:06,680 Speaker 3: visiting us at Joelostein dot com or call eight eight 530 00:30:06,680 --> 00:30:10,560 Speaker 3: eight five six seven Joel, Call or click any time 531 00:30:10,880 --> 00:30:13,920 Speaker 3: twenty four hours a day. You can also receive that 532 00:30:14,000 --> 00:30:18,360 Speaker 3: Today I Choose to Rejoice, signature edition art print created 533 00:30:18,360 --> 00:30:22,520 Speaker 3: to encourage faith and purpose filled living. This beautifully framed 534 00:30:22,600 --> 00:30:26,160 Speaker 3: twelve by fifteen art piece features the powerful promise of 535 00:30:26,160 --> 00:30:29,520 Speaker 3: Psalm one eighteen twenty four. This is the day the 536 00:30:29,600 --> 00:30:32,920 Speaker 3: Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. 537 00:30:33,360 --> 00:30:36,760 Speaker 3: Choose every morning to begin with a declaration of God's 538 00:30:36,880 --> 00:30:41,440 Speaker 3: eternal promise. You can request these inspiring resources by calling 539 00:30:41,520 --> 00:30:44,719 Speaker 3: eight eight eight five sixty seven Joel or logging on 540 00:30:44,880 --> 00:30:49,480 Speaker 3: to Joelostein dot com Today call or click anytime twenty 541 00:30:49,480 --> 00:30:52,680 Speaker 3: four hours a day. Request your copies Today