1 00:00:00,440 --> 00:00:02,760 Speaker 1: It's another great day to be alive, and we are 2 00:00:02,759 --> 00:00:03,960 Speaker 1: so blessed to be here. 3 00:00:03,840 --> 00:00:04,560 Speaker 2: With you today. 4 00:00:04,640 --> 00:00:07,440 Speaker 1: Victoria my beautiful wife, and we're just praying for you 5 00:00:07,480 --> 00:00:08,960 Speaker 1: guys to have a blessed summer. 6 00:00:09,240 --> 00:00:11,840 Speaker 2: I sure hope you enjoy the podcast. I know I 7 00:00:11,880 --> 00:00:13,400 Speaker 2: always enjoy these messages. 8 00:00:13,440 --> 00:00:17,120 Speaker 1: They're so uplifting and encouraging and inspiring, So we hope 9 00:00:17,160 --> 00:00:18,680 Speaker 1: you enjoy the message today. 10 00:00:19,000 --> 00:00:21,400 Speaker 2: Well, God bless you. It's a joy to come into 11 00:00:21,440 --> 00:00:22,400 Speaker 2: your homes. 12 00:00:22,040 --> 00:00:24,600 Speaker 1: And if you're ever in our area, please stop by 13 00:00:25,000 --> 00:00:26,680 Speaker 1: be a part of one of our services. 14 00:00:26,800 --> 00:00:29,400 Speaker 2: I promise you we'll make you feel right at home. 15 00:00:29,760 --> 00:00:32,040 Speaker 1: I like to start with something funny, and I heard 16 00:00:32,040 --> 00:00:35,520 Speaker 1: about this pastor. He'd been out bear hunting all day 17 00:00:35,560 --> 00:00:38,559 Speaker 1: long and searched and searched through the woods with no 18 00:00:38,720 --> 00:00:41,839 Speaker 1: sign of a bear. Finally, in frustration, he threw his 19 00:00:41,880 --> 00:00:44,120 Speaker 1: gun on the ground and he went down to the 20 00:00:44,159 --> 00:00:47,559 Speaker 1: stream to cool off. About that time, he sees this 21 00:00:47,760 --> 00:00:51,680 Speaker 1: huge grizzly bear running toward him full speed, about one 22 00:00:51,720 --> 00:00:53,080 Speaker 1: hundred yards away. 23 00:00:53,200 --> 00:00:55,120 Speaker 2: He falls on his knees and said. 24 00:00:54,920 --> 00:01:01,560 Speaker 1: God, I need protection, Please convert this bear into a Christian. Miraculously, 25 00:01:01,600 --> 00:01:04,320 Speaker 1: the bear froze in his tracks, put both paws up 26 00:01:04,319 --> 00:01:06,720 Speaker 1: toward the heavens and said, thank you, Lord. 27 00:01:06,560 --> 00:01:10,280 Speaker 2: For this food I'm about to eat. Say it like 28 00:01:10,360 --> 00:01:10,760 Speaker 2: you mean it. 29 00:01:11,080 --> 00:01:13,800 Speaker 1: This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. 30 00:01:14,200 --> 00:01:16,479 Speaker 1: I have what it says I have. I can do 31 00:01:16,560 --> 00:01:19,039 Speaker 1: what it says I can do. Today I will be 32 00:01:19,120 --> 00:01:22,800 Speaker 1: taught the word of God. I boldly confess my mind 33 00:01:22,880 --> 00:01:25,840 Speaker 1: is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never be 34 00:01:25,959 --> 00:01:30,840 Speaker 1: the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. I want 35 00:01:30,880 --> 00:01:33,360 Speaker 1: to talk to you today about stepping. 36 00:01:32,959 --> 00:01:34,479 Speaker 2: In to the unknown. 37 00:01:35,440 --> 00:01:39,000 Speaker 1: When I type an address in my navigation system, there's 38 00:01:39,040 --> 00:01:43,360 Speaker 1: an option that comes up that says route overview. If 39 00:01:43,360 --> 00:01:46,240 Speaker 1: you click that, it will give you all the details 40 00:01:46,280 --> 00:01:50,880 Speaker 1: of your trip. There may be fifteen different instructions. Travel 41 00:01:50,960 --> 00:01:54,400 Speaker 1: six miles on this freeway, get off at exit forty three, 42 00:01:54,800 --> 00:01:57,360 Speaker 1: go four hundred feet, turn left on the intersection. 43 00:01:57,920 --> 00:02:00,560 Speaker 2: Your whole route is clearly laid out. 44 00:02:01,120 --> 00:02:03,840 Speaker 1: You know where you're going, how long it's going to take, 45 00:02:04,240 --> 00:02:09,080 Speaker 1: what to expect. Knowing these details makes us comfortable where 46 00:02:09,080 --> 00:02:12,639 Speaker 1: we can relax. And in the same way, God has 47 00:02:12,720 --> 00:02:17,280 Speaker 1: a route overview for your life. Before you were formed 48 00:02:17,360 --> 00:02:20,919 Speaker 1: in your mother's womb, he laid out your plan. He 49 00:02:20,960 --> 00:02:25,320 Speaker 1: not only knows your final destination, but he knows the 50 00:02:25,360 --> 00:02:28,720 Speaker 1: best way to get you there. But one difference between 51 00:02:28,760 --> 00:02:32,720 Speaker 1: God and a navigation system is God doesn't show you 52 00:02:33,160 --> 00:02:34,240 Speaker 1: the route overview. 53 00:02:35,000 --> 00:02:35,880 Speaker 2: He doesn't tell you. 54 00:02:35,880 --> 00:02:38,560 Speaker 1: How it's going to happen, how long it's going to take, 55 00:02:39,040 --> 00:02:41,120 Speaker 1: where the funds are going to come from, who you're 56 00:02:41,160 --> 00:02:44,960 Speaker 1: going to meet. He leads you one step at a time. 57 00:02:45,720 --> 00:02:49,600 Speaker 1: If you'll trust him and take that step into the unknown, 58 00:02:50,280 --> 00:02:52,760 Speaker 1: not knowing how it's going to work out, then. 59 00:02:52,639 --> 00:02:56,320 Speaker 2: He'll show you the next step. Step by step, he'll 60 00:02:56,400 --> 00:02:57,000 Speaker 2: lead you. 61 00:02:56,960 --> 00:03:01,440 Speaker 1: Into your destiny. The challenge is we like details. We 62 00:03:01,480 --> 00:03:04,840 Speaker 1: wouldn't have any problem taking that step of faith, starting 63 00:03:04,840 --> 00:03:07,880 Speaker 1: that new business, going back to school, moving to that 64 00:03:07,919 --> 00:03:11,520 Speaker 1: new location, If we knew where the money was coming from, 65 00:03:12,040 --> 00:03:13,600 Speaker 1: how long it was going to take. 66 00:03:13,760 --> 00:03:15,280 Speaker 2: That the right people would be there. 67 00:03:15,919 --> 00:03:19,080 Speaker 1: We had all the details, it'd be easy to step out. 68 00:03:19,800 --> 00:03:23,000 Speaker 2: Here's the key. God doesn't give us details. 69 00:03:23,600 --> 00:03:26,000 Speaker 1: He's not going to show you a blueprint for your 70 00:03:26,000 --> 00:03:29,760 Speaker 1: whole life. If you had all the facts, you wouldn't 71 00:03:29,760 --> 00:03:33,400 Speaker 1: need any faith. He's going to send you out not 72 00:03:33,680 --> 00:03:37,920 Speaker 1: knowing everything. If you'll have the boldness to step into 73 00:03:37,960 --> 00:03:42,080 Speaker 1: the unknown. Do what he's asking you to do. Doors 74 00:03:42,120 --> 00:03:44,839 Speaker 1: will open that you could have never opened. The right 75 00:03:44,920 --> 00:03:47,800 Speaker 1: people will show up. You'll have the funds, the. 76 00:03:47,720 --> 00:03:51,520 Speaker 2: Resources that you need. The scripture puts it this way. 77 00:03:51,640 --> 00:03:55,560 Speaker 1: God's word is a lamp unto our feet and a 78 00:03:55,680 --> 00:03:57,080 Speaker 1: light unto our path. 79 00:03:57,840 --> 00:03:59,400 Speaker 2: A lamp implies you have. 80 00:03:59,520 --> 00:04:03,000 Speaker 1: Just enough to see in front of you. God is 81 00:04:03,040 --> 00:04:04,360 Speaker 1: not giving you the light. 82 00:04:04,280 --> 00:04:05,600 Speaker 2: For the next fifty years. 83 00:04:06,280 --> 00:04:09,160 Speaker 1: It's like the headlights on your car. When you're driving 84 00:04:09,240 --> 00:04:11,920 Speaker 1: at night. You can only see one hundred feet in 85 00:04:11,920 --> 00:04:15,240 Speaker 1: front of you. You don't pull over because you can't 86 00:04:15,240 --> 00:04:19,880 Speaker 1: see your destination fifty miles away. You keep driving. As 87 00:04:19,920 --> 00:04:23,479 Speaker 1: you go further, then you will see more. Will you 88 00:04:23,640 --> 00:04:27,360 Speaker 1: take that step with the light that you have. If 89 00:04:27,400 --> 00:04:30,000 Speaker 1: you're waiting for all the details, you're going to be 90 00:04:30,080 --> 00:04:33,480 Speaker 1: waiting your whole life. We all want to be comfortable, 91 00:04:33,839 --> 00:04:36,800 Speaker 1: but being in God's perfect will will make you. 92 00:04:36,760 --> 00:04:38,479 Speaker 2: A little uncomfortable. 93 00:04:39,120 --> 00:04:42,600 Speaker 1: There's a healthy tension to where you have to stretch, 94 00:04:43,160 --> 00:04:45,839 Speaker 1: you have to pray, you have to believe, you're not 95 00:04:46,000 --> 00:04:49,839 Speaker 1: sure how it's going to work out. That's when you're growing, 96 00:04:50,600 --> 00:04:53,760 Speaker 1: that's when you're learning to trust God in a greater way. 97 00:04:54,760 --> 00:04:59,120 Speaker 1: God is not just interested in the destination. He's teaching 98 00:04:59,200 --> 00:05:02,880 Speaker 1: you along the way way. He's getting you prepared, growing you. 99 00:05:02,960 --> 00:05:04,760 Speaker 2: Up on purpose. 100 00:05:05,000 --> 00:05:08,279 Speaker 1: God will put us in situations where we're over our head, 101 00:05:09,040 --> 00:05:11,920 Speaker 1: where our friends can't help us, where we don't. 102 00:05:11,720 --> 00:05:15,400 Speaker 2: Have the experience. Too often we swink back. 103 00:05:15,400 --> 00:05:18,919 Speaker 1: I'm not going there, I'm not qualified, I'm too nervous. 104 00:05:19,040 --> 00:05:21,720 Speaker 1: What if it doesn't work out. God knew you would 105 00:05:21,760 --> 00:05:24,800 Speaker 1: be nervous. He knew you wouldn't feel qualified. 106 00:05:25,000 --> 00:05:25,760 Speaker 2: That's a test. 107 00:05:26,600 --> 00:05:28,520 Speaker 1: Are you going to talk to yourself out of it? 108 00:05:28,960 --> 00:05:31,000 Speaker 1: Are you going to let the fear of what you 109 00:05:31,160 --> 00:05:34,400 Speaker 1: can't see hold you back? Or are you going to 110 00:05:34,440 --> 00:05:38,240 Speaker 1: be bold and step in to the unknown. In the 111 00:05:38,440 --> 00:05:42,520 Speaker 1: unknown is where miracles happen. In the unknown is where 112 00:05:42,520 --> 00:05:45,800 Speaker 1: you discover ability that you didn't know you had. In 113 00:05:45,880 --> 00:05:49,719 Speaker 1: the unknown is where you'll accomplish more than you ever dreamed. 114 00:05:50,800 --> 00:05:54,200 Speaker 1: Just because you don't have the details doesn't mean God 115 00:05:54,240 --> 00:05:55,479 Speaker 1: doesn't have the details. 116 00:05:55,680 --> 00:05:58,600 Speaker 2: He has the route overview for your life. 117 00:05:58,720 --> 00:06:01,080 Speaker 1: He wouldn't be leading you there if he didn't have 118 00:06:01,120 --> 00:06:04,440 Speaker 1: the favor, the provision, everything you need to go to 119 00:06:04,480 --> 00:06:08,880 Speaker 1: the next level. One thing I like about my navigation system. 120 00:06:09,040 --> 00:06:13,200 Speaker 1: Is it gives me exact details. Go nine point three 121 00:06:13,279 --> 00:06:17,160 Speaker 1: miles down this freeway, then it counts down the whole way. 122 00:06:17,440 --> 00:06:20,640 Speaker 1: Eight miles left, seven miles, six miles. It's all right 123 00:06:20,720 --> 00:06:24,400 Speaker 1: in front of me. God is just the opposite. He'll 124 00:06:24,400 --> 00:06:27,120 Speaker 1: tell you go down this road. The first thing we 125 00:06:27,200 --> 00:06:28,800 Speaker 1: do is ask for details. 126 00:06:29,240 --> 00:06:31,560 Speaker 2: How far do you want me to go? No answer? 127 00:06:32,320 --> 00:06:35,200 Speaker 2: What do you want me to take? No answer? Who's 128 00:06:35,240 --> 00:06:37,000 Speaker 2: going to be there to meet me? No answer? 129 00:06:37,920 --> 00:06:42,200 Speaker 1: Can you endure the silence of not knowing everything? Will 130 00:06:42,240 --> 00:06:45,120 Speaker 1: you trust God even though you don't have all the details. 131 00:06:45,600 --> 00:06:48,960 Speaker 1: Will you take that step of faith even when you're uncomfortable, 132 00:06:49,400 --> 00:06:52,039 Speaker 1: you're nervous, not sure how it's going to work out. 133 00:06:53,040 --> 00:06:54,400 Speaker 2: This is what Abraham did. 134 00:06:55,120 --> 00:06:58,159 Speaker 1: God told him to leave the place he was living, 135 00:06:58,440 --> 00:07:01,400 Speaker 1: pack up his family, his below, and head out to 136 00:07:01,480 --> 00:07:03,520 Speaker 1: the land that God was going to. 137 00:07:03,480 --> 00:07:05,080 Speaker 2: Give him his inheritance. 138 00:07:05,680 --> 00:07:09,360 Speaker 1: The only problem was God didn't give him any details. 139 00:07:10,080 --> 00:07:14,360 Speaker 1: The scripture says Abraham went out not knowing where he 140 00:07:14,520 --> 00:07:14,920 Speaker 1: was going. 141 00:07:15,680 --> 00:07:19,240 Speaker 2: I can imagine Abraham telling his wife Sarah, Honey, I've 142 00:07:19,240 --> 00:07:21,440 Speaker 2: got great news. We're going to move. 143 00:07:22,080 --> 00:07:24,880 Speaker 1: God promised me He's taking us to a better land 144 00:07:25,160 --> 00:07:28,040 Speaker 1: where we're gonna be blessed in a new way. I 145 00:07:28,080 --> 00:07:31,160 Speaker 1: can hear Sarah saying, that's so exciting. I can't wait. 146 00:07:31,360 --> 00:07:34,640 Speaker 1: Where are we going? Abraham says, I don't know. He 147 00:07:34,680 --> 00:07:35,360 Speaker 1: didn't tell me. 148 00:07:36,160 --> 00:07:38,120 Speaker 2: She asked, well, what should I wear? Will it be 149 00:07:38,200 --> 00:07:41,040 Speaker 2: cold or hot? He says, I'm not sure. 150 00:07:41,840 --> 00:07:45,720 Speaker 1: Well, Abraham, are you sure God told you this? How 151 00:07:45,760 --> 00:07:48,240 Speaker 1: are we gonna provide for our family? Where are we 152 00:07:48,320 --> 00:07:50,520 Speaker 1: gonna get food for our staff and animals? 153 00:07:50,640 --> 00:07:52,000 Speaker 2: This seems like a mistake. 154 00:07:52,760 --> 00:07:55,680 Speaker 1: If you're going to step into the unknown, it's going 155 00:07:55,720 --> 00:07:58,720 Speaker 1: to take boldness. It's not always going to make sense. 156 00:07:59,520 --> 00:08:02,920 Speaker 1: People may not understand it. Your own thoughts will tell 157 00:08:02,960 --> 00:08:04,440 Speaker 1: you you better play it safe. 158 00:08:04,920 --> 00:08:07,440 Speaker 2: This is too big a risk. What if it doesn't 159 00:08:07,480 --> 00:08:07,960 Speaker 2: work out. 160 00:08:08,920 --> 00:08:13,120 Speaker 1: Abraham understood this principle that just because he didn't have 161 00:08:13,200 --> 00:08:17,920 Speaker 1: all the answers, just because he was nervous, didn't mean he. 162 00:08:17,840 --> 00:08:19,040 Speaker 2: Wasn't supposed to do it. 163 00:08:19,800 --> 00:08:23,680 Speaker 1: The scripture says, the steps of a good person are 164 00:08:23,800 --> 00:08:24,680 Speaker 1: ordered by the Lord. 165 00:08:25,480 --> 00:08:26,920 Speaker 2: If you'll take the first. 166 00:08:26,760 --> 00:08:30,920 Speaker 1: Step not knowing all the details, trusting that God knows 167 00:08:30,960 --> 00:08:34,080 Speaker 1: what he's doing, then every step of the way there 168 00:08:34,120 --> 00:08:37,520 Speaker 1: will be provision, there will be favor, there will be wisdom. 169 00:08:37,880 --> 00:08:42,920 Speaker 1: And yes, it's uncomfortable not knowing. You have to stretch, pray, believe. 170 00:08:43,559 --> 00:08:47,520 Speaker 1: But each step you not only have God's blessing, but you're. 171 00:08:47,320 --> 00:08:49,319 Speaker 2: Growing, You're getting stronger. 172 00:08:50,120 --> 00:08:53,320 Speaker 1: In the scripture, Peter was the only one that walked 173 00:08:53,320 --> 00:08:56,960 Speaker 1: on the water, and he was the only one willing 174 00:08:57,040 --> 00:08:57,560 Speaker 1: to get out. 175 00:08:57,480 --> 00:08:58,280 Speaker 2: Of the boat. 176 00:08:59,000 --> 00:09:01,960 Speaker 1: I'm sure the other disciple said, Peter, you better stay 177 00:09:01,960 --> 00:09:02,720 Speaker 1: in here with us. 178 00:09:03,200 --> 00:09:06,240 Speaker 2: Look at those waves. It's dangerous. You could drown. 179 00:09:07,120 --> 00:09:10,120 Speaker 1: But when Jesus asked him to come, he had the 180 00:09:10,240 --> 00:09:14,360 Speaker 1: courage to step into the unknown, and he walked. 181 00:09:14,040 --> 00:09:16,920 Speaker 2: On the water. Well, Joey, but he sank. Yeah, but 182 00:09:16,960 --> 00:09:19,000 Speaker 2: he walked more than you. He walked more than me. 183 00:09:20,720 --> 00:09:26,640 Speaker 1: What's familiar staying in the boat. Although that's comfortable, Instead 184 00:09:26,640 --> 00:09:31,520 Speaker 1: of being a blessing, it can become a curse. Familiarity 185 00:09:31,840 --> 00:09:32,520 Speaker 1: can keep you. 186 00:09:32,520 --> 00:09:33,520 Speaker 2: From your destiny. 187 00:09:34,120 --> 00:09:37,200 Speaker 1: What you're used to, how you were raised, the job 188 00:09:37,280 --> 00:09:40,960 Speaker 1: you've been at for years. Don't let your comfort keep 189 00:09:41,000 --> 00:09:43,680 Speaker 1: you from becoming all God created you to be. 190 00:09:44,559 --> 00:09:46,319 Speaker 2: If Abraham would. 191 00:09:46,160 --> 00:09:50,800 Speaker 1: Have put his comfort above fulfilling his purpose, we wouldn't 192 00:09:50,800 --> 00:10:02,160 Speaker 1: be talking about him. You cannot play it safe your 193 00:10:02,200 --> 00:10:06,720 Speaker 1: whole life and reach the fullness of your destiny. Don't 194 00:10:06,800 --> 00:10:09,040 Speaker 1: let the what ifs talk you out of it. What 195 00:10:09,160 --> 00:10:11,719 Speaker 1: if I fail? What if they say no? What if 196 00:10:11,760 --> 00:10:16,080 Speaker 1: I don't have the funds? You'll never know unless you try. 197 00:10:16,520 --> 00:10:19,120 Speaker 1: When you come to the end of life, will you 198 00:10:19,200 --> 00:10:22,520 Speaker 1: have more regrets from the risks that you took or 199 00:10:22,520 --> 00:10:25,080 Speaker 1: from the risk that you didn't take. What if I 200 00:10:25,080 --> 00:10:27,480 Speaker 1: get in this new relationship Joe and I get hurt again, 201 00:10:28,000 --> 00:10:29,360 Speaker 1: that's what happened last time. 202 00:10:29,600 --> 00:10:31,640 Speaker 2: What if you get in it and you're happier than 203 00:10:31,679 --> 00:10:34,120 Speaker 2: you've ever been. What if it's a divine connection. 204 00:10:34,960 --> 00:10:37,560 Speaker 1: What if I take this position and I'm not good 205 00:10:37,600 --> 00:10:40,080 Speaker 1: at it, I'm not successful. What if you take it 206 00:10:40,280 --> 00:10:43,600 Speaker 1: and you excel. What if you discover talent you didn't 207 00:10:43,600 --> 00:10:47,520 Speaker 1: know you had. What if it opens doors to more opportunities. 208 00:10:48,080 --> 00:10:53,599 Speaker 1: I can tell you every significant accomplishment in my own life, 209 00:10:53,640 --> 00:10:58,000 Speaker 1: every major victory. I've had to step into the unknown. 210 00:10:58,840 --> 00:11:01,160 Speaker 1: When my dad went to be with the Lord. I 211 00:11:01,240 --> 00:11:04,960 Speaker 1: had never ministered before I stepped up to pastor the church. 212 00:11:05,600 --> 00:11:07,720 Speaker 2: I didn't know how it was going to work out. 213 00:11:08,360 --> 00:11:10,760 Speaker 1: I didn't know if I could minister I didn't know 214 00:11:10,760 --> 00:11:12,080 Speaker 1: if anybody listened to me. 215 00:11:12,800 --> 00:11:15,480 Speaker 2: Every thought told me, Joel, don't do it. 216 00:11:14,840 --> 00:11:18,200 Speaker 1: It's a big mistake. You're going to get up there 217 00:11:18,240 --> 00:11:21,080 Speaker 1: and not know what to say. I knew I was 218 00:11:21,120 --> 00:11:24,679 Speaker 1: over my head. I knew I didn't have the experience. 219 00:11:25,200 --> 00:11:29,000 Speaker 1: But I also knew when we are weak, God's power 220 00:11:29,160 --> 00:11:33,520 Speaker 1: shows up the greatest. I couldn't see way down the road. 221 00:11:34,120 --> 00:11:36,840 Speaker 1: I couldn't see any of this that we're doing today. 222 00:11:37,520 --> 00:11:40,080 Speaker 1: All I could see was right then, step up and 223 00:11:40,120 --> 00:11:43,199 Speaker 1: pastor the church. If God would have shown me all 224 00:11:43,200 --> 00:11:45,680 Speaker 1: of this, I'd have said, no way, I can't do that. 225 00:11:46,720 --> 00:11:50,040 Speaker 1: Sometimes the reason God doesn't tell us what's in our 226 00:11:50,120 --> 00:11:53,800 Speaker 1: future is because he knows we would talk ourselves out 227 00:11:53,840 --> 00:11:57,480 Speaker 1: of it. What God has in store for you is 228 00:11:57,520 --> 00:12:00,640 Speaker 1: going to boggle your mind. The place says he's going 229 00:12:00,679 --> 00:12:03,520 Speaker 1: to take you, the people you're going to influence, the 230 00:12:03,600 --> 00:12:07,360 Speaker 1: dreams you're going to accomplish, it's going to be bigger 231 00:12:07,360 --> 00:12:08,359 Speaker 1: than you've imagined. 232 00:12:09,240 --> 00:12:10,040 Speaker 2: You know where it is. 233 00:12:10,760 --> 00:12:13,720 Speaker 1: It's in the unknown. It's in what you can't see 234 00:12:13,840 --> 00:12:16,920 Speaker 1: right now. It's in what you don't feel qualified for. 235 00:12:17,800 --> 00:12:20,480 Speaker 1: When you find yourself in a situation where you're over 236 00:12:20,520 --> 00:12:23,080 Speaker 1: your head. You don't think you have what it takes. 237 00:12:23,480 --> 00:12:27,240 Speaker 1: That's God stretching you. He can see things in you 238 00:12:27,520 --> 00:12:30,920 Speaker 1: that you can't see in yourself, and it may be uncomfortable, 239 00:12:31,080 --> 00:12:35,480 Speaker 1: but don't shrink back. Keep stretching, keep believing, keep dreaming. 240 00:12:35,800 --> 00:12:40,240 Speaker 1: Step by step, God is leading you. Some of you 241 00:12:40,800 --> 00:12:44,120 Speaker 1: are about to step in to the next level. You've 242 00:12:44,120 --> 00:12:47,520 Speaker 1: been on that step long enough. You pass the test. 243 00:12:48,400 --> 00:12:51,079 Speaker 1: Now the next step is coming. It's going to be 244 00:12:51,120 --> 00:12:53,880 Speaker 1: a new level of influence, a new level of talent, 245 00:12:53,960 --> 00:12:57,199 Speaker 1: a new level of creativity, a new level. 246 00:12:56,960 --> 00:12:58,440 Speaker 2: Of your destiny. 247 00:12:59,240 --> 00:13:01,719 Speaker 1: Victoria and I were driving to another city the other 248 00:13:01,800 --> 00:13:05,199 Speaker 1: day and had my navigation system on, and at one 249 00:13:05,240 --> 00:13:07,800 Speaker 1: point we were on this country road for about one 250 00:13:07,880 --> 00:13:11,360 Speaker 1: hundred miles stretch, and there were all these intersections and 251 00:13:11,400 --> 00:13:14,040 Speaker 1: different roads that veered off, and I kept thinking that 252 00:13:14,080 --> 00:13:16,560 Speaker 1: I had missed my turn, and I had to keep 253 00:13:16,600 --> 00:13:18,640 Speaker 1: looking at the navigation system. 254 00:13:19,080 --> 00:13:21,280 Speaker 2: I noticed that as long as. 255 00:13:21,160 --> 00:13:23,840 Speaker 1: I was on the right path, the lady on the 256 00:13:23,880 --> 00:13:28,120 Speaker 1: GPS system didn't say anything. I wish you had come on, 257 00:13:28,280 --> 00:13:30,000 Speaker 1: said you're doing good, John. 258 00:13:30,360 --> 00:13:31,320 Speaker 2: Keep going forward. 259 00:13:31,360 --> 00:13:35,960 Speaker 1: But she never said a thing until it was time 260 00:13:36,200 --> 00:13:41,200 Speaker 1: to do something different. Sometimes God is silent. You don't 261 00:13:41,240 --> 00:13:43,840 Speaker 1: hear him saying anything, and see HEAs didn't think. I 262 00:13:43,920 --> 00:13:45,880 Speaker 1: must be off course, something must be wrong. 263 00:13:45,960 --> 00:13:46,800 Speaker 2: He's not talking. 264 00:13:47,120 --> 00:13:50,240 Speaker 1: But like the lady on the GPS system, that means 265 00:13:50,280 --> 00:13:53,160 Speaker 1: you're on the right course. Keep doing the right thing, 266 00:13:53,360 --> 00:13:58,600 Speaker 1: keep praying, believing, stretching. The next step is coming, but 267 00:13:58,720 --> 00:14:02,160 Speaker 1: you have to pass the t of being faithful, where 268 00:14:02,200 --> 00:14:05,800 Speaker 1: you are being your best with what you have. Then 269 00:14:05,880 --> 00:14:09,520 Speaker 1: the next step will be a favor step, a promotion step, 270 00:14:09,559 --> 00:14:13,440 Speaker 1: a healing step, a breakthrough step. When Joshua and the 271 00:14:13,520 --> 00:14:16,679 Speaker 1: Israelites came to the Jordan River, there was no way 272 00:14:16,800 --> 00:14:20,400 Speaker 1: to get across. They had heard how Moses held up 273 00:14:20,440 --> 00:14:23,000 Speaker 1: his rod and the Red Sea parted, and I'm sure 274 00:14:23,080 --> 00:14:25,520 Speaker 1: Joshua thought the same thing would happen for him. 275 00:14:25,960 --> 00:14:27,440 Speaker 2: But God had a different plan. 276 00:14:28,040 --> 00:14:31,880 Speaker 1: He told Joshua to go tell the priest to walk 277 00:14:32,120 --> 00:14:36,200 Speaker 1: into the river, and then the waters would part. I'm 278 00:14:36,240 --> 00:14:40,000 Speaker 1: sure the priest thought, Joshua, that doesn't make sense. You 279 00:14:40,040 --> 00:14:42,640 Speaker 1: want us to walk into the water, We could drown. 280 00:14:43,200 --> 00:14:45,480 Speaker 1: The priest got up to the shore and nothing happened 281 00:14:45,520 --> 00:14:48,000 Speaker 1: to the water. They got a couple feet from the bank. 282 00:14:48,080 --> 00:14:51,600 Speaker 1: Still nothing. Thoughts started telling them. What if it doesn't part. 283 00:14:52,080 --> 00:14:54,560 Speaker 1: What if Joshua made a mistake. What if you get 284 00:14:54,560 --> 00:14:56,120 Speaker 1: out there and you can't come back. 285 00:14:56,760 --> 00:14:58,720 Speaker 2: They could have talked themselves out of it. 286 00:14:59,280 --> 00:15:04,120 Speaker 1: Instead, they dared to step into the unknown. The scripture says, 287 00:15:04,360 --> 00:15:08,440 Speaker 1: the moment their feet touched the water, the waters upstream 288 00:15:08,640 --> 00:15:09,680 Speaker 1: began to pile up. 289 00:15:10,160 --> 00:15:11,000 Speaker 2: On the other side. 290 00:15:11,040 --> 00:15:15,400 Speaker 1: It flowed downstream. Before long, the whole river bed was empty. 291 00:15:15,800 --> 00:15:18,280 Speaker 1: They were able to walk across on dry ground. 292 00:15:18,800 --> 00:15:20,320 Speaker 2: Notice the miracle. 293 00:15:20,000 --> 00:15:24,440 Speaker 1: Happened along the way. We think God part the river, 294 00:15:24,960 --> 00:15:28,280 Speaker 1: and then I'll go. God says, go, then I'll part 295 00:15:28,280 --> 00:15:32,680 Speaker 1: the river. If you will step into the unknown. Along 296 00:15:32,760 --> 00:15:35,920 Speaker 1: the way, you'll see miracles along the way. 297 00:15:35,960 --> 00:15:39,120 Speaker 2: The right people will show up. Along the way. Doors 298 00:15:39,160 --> 00:15:41,360 Speaker 2: will open that you could have never opened. 299 00:15:42,240 --> 00:15:45,600 Speaker 1: God could have just as easily parted the waters before 300 00:15:45,640 --> 00:15:46,400 Speaker 1: they stepped in. 301 00:15:47,080 --> 00:15:48,800 Speaker 2: He was showing us this principle. 302 00:15:49,360 --> 00:15:52,240 Speaker 1: When you don't see how it can work out, every 303 00:15:52,360 --> 00:15:55,280 Speaker 1: voice says you better play it safe. But you take 304 00:15:55,360 --> 00:15:58,360 Speaker 1: that step of faith and do what God's asking you 305 00:15:58,440 --> 00:16:02,520 Speaker 1: to do. You too, We'll see Jordan Rivers part and 306 00:16:02,560 --> 00:16:06,560 Speaker 1: God on purpose puts us in situations where we can't 307 00:16:06,600 --> 00:16:09,880 Speaker 1: do it on our own. It looks impossible. That's a 308 00:16:10,040 --> 00:16:13,320 Speaker 1: test of our faith. If we stay in the boat, 309 00:16:13,640 --> 00:16:16,560 Speaker 1: we'll never walk on water. We'll never see the fullness 310 00:16:16,600 --> 00:16:19,760 Speaker 1: of our destiny. And if God would have parted the 311 00:16:19,800 --> 00:16:23,000 Speaker 1: water first, that would have been a lot less stressful 312 00:16:23,040 --> 00:16:25,760 Speaker 1: for them. They wouldn't have had to stretch and pray 313 00:16:25,840 --> 00:16:26,440 Speaker 1: and believe. 314 00:16:27,040 --> 00:16:27,880 Speaker 2: But here's the key. 315 00:16:28,440 --> 00:16:32,200 Speaker 1: God uses the journey to get us prepared for where 316 00:16:32,240 --> 00:16:36,000 Speaker 1: we're going. When you have to stretch your faith, believe 317 00:16:36,040 --> 00:16:38,400 Speaker 1: that He's making a way, and thank him that things 318 00:16:38,400 --> 00:16:42,760 Speaker 1: are changing in your favor. Your spiritual muscles are getting stronger. 319 00:16:43,000 --> 00:16:45,360 Speaker 1: You're developing a greater trust, a greater. 320 00:16:45,240 --> 00:16:46,280 Speaker 2: Confidence in God. 321 00:16:47,320 --> 00:16:50,240 Speaker 1: When we received word that this place, the form of 322 00:16:50,320 --> 00:16:53,560 Speaker 1: compact center where the Rockets used to play basketball, was 323 00:16:53,640 --> 00:16:57,400 Speaker 1: coming available, something came alive on the inside of me. 324 00:16:57,800 --> 00:17:00,720 Speaker 1: I knew this was supposed to be ours. What I 325 00:17:00,760 --> 00:17:04,080 Speaker 1: didn't know was how complicated. 326 00:17:03,360 --> 00:17:05,439 Speaker 2: It would be trying to acquire it. 327 00:17:06,160 --> 00:17:08,840 Speaker 1: God will give you the first step, but he won't 328 00:17:08,840 --> 00:17:12,320 Speaker 1: tell you everything. I was excited about the possibility of 329 00:17:12,520 --> 00:17:13,639 Speaker 1: moving Lakewood here. 330 00:17:13,920 --> 00:17:17,000 Speaker 2: This was more than I could ask or think. But 331 00:17:17,119 --> 00:17:18,000 Speaker 2: what I didn't know. 332 00:17:18,720 --> 00:17:21,320 Speaker 1: Was it was going to cost one hundred million dollars 333 00:17:21,359 --> 00:17:24,639 Speaker 1: to renovate. I didn't know a company would file a 334 00:17:24,680 --> 00:17:28,639 Speaker 1: lawsuit to try to stop us. Sometimes it's good to 335 00:17:28,680 --> 00:17:32,840 Speaker 1: be naive. That's called having childlike faith. All I knew 336 00:17:33,119 --> 00:17:35,760 Speaker 1: was that dream was alive in my spirit, and I 337 00:17:35,800 --> 00:17:37,480 Speaker 1: did what I'm asking you to do. 338 00:17:38,119 --> 00:17:40,280 Speaker 2: I stepped in to the unknown. 339 00:17:40,920 --> 00:17:44,399 Speaker 1: This facility was owned by the City of Houston, my 340 00:17:44,560 --> 00:17:45,680 Speaker 1: parents and our family. 341 00:17:45,840 --> 00:17:46,680 Speaker 2: We knew the mayor. 342 00:17:47,160 --> 00:17:49,919 Speaker 1: I called him, and the mayor was in favor of 343 00:17:50,000 --> 00:17:53,720 Speaker 1: Lakewood having it. The first miracle, we needed ten votes 344 00:17:53,720 --> 00:17:57,439 Speaker 1: from city council members. We only had nine, but the 345 00:17:57,600 --> 00:18:02,040 Speaker 1: night before the main vote, a council member, after being 346 00:18:02,080 --> 00:18:05,639 Speaker 1: against us for two years, suddenly changed his mind and 347 00:18:05,720 --> 00:18:08,840 Speaker 1: voted for us, and we got the building. Another miracle. 348 00:18:09,720 --> 00:18:13,439 Speaker 1: A week later, a large company filed a lawsuit to 349 00:18:13,520 --> 00:18:14,200 Speaker 1: try to keep. 350 00:18:14,119 --> 00:18:15,080 Speaker 2: Us from moving in. 351 00:18:15,680 --> 00:18:17,679 Speaker 1: We were told it could be tied up in the 352 00:18:17,720 --> 00:18:20,479 Speaker 1: court system for up to ten years. Here I had 353 00:18:20,520 --> 00:18:24,120 Speaker 1: already announced it to the church, people had given funds. 354 00:18:24,440 --> 00:18:25,359 Speaker 2: I would wake up. 355 00:18:25,280 --> 00:18:28,520 Speaker 1: In the middle of the night, sweating thoughts, telling me, Joe, 356 00:18:28,600 --> 00:18:29,840 Speaker 1: you're going to look like a fool. 357 00:18:30,240 --> 00:18:31,760 Speaker 2: This is going to be a big mess. When you 358 00:18:31,800 --> 00:18:32,919 Speaker 2: have to give it all back. 359 00:18:33,400 --> 00:18:38,120 Speaker 1: But like Joshua, along the way, miracles kept happening. The 360 00:18:38,160 --> 00:18:41,800 Speaker 1: CEO of this large company flew in from out of 361 00:18:41,880 --> 00:18:44,679 Speaker 1: town to meet with us. We were told by our 362 00:18:44,720 --> 00:18:47,439 Speaker 1: attorneys that it was a ploy, just to confuse things. 363 00:18:47,800 --> 00:18:51,159 Speaker 1: But he said, Joel, I watch you on television. My 364 00:18:51,240 --> 00:18:54,200 Speaker 1: son in law is a youth pastor. Let's work something out. 365 00:18:54,680 --> 00:18:58,040 Speaker 2: Two days later we had an agreement. The lawsuit was dropped. 366 00:18:58,160 --> 00:18:59,040 Speaker 2: We were on our way. 367 00:18:59,840 --> 00:19:03,320 Speaker 1: You go out not knowing, you'll see Jordan Rivers Park, 368 00:19:03,960 --> 00:19:07,400 Speaker 1: You'll see compact centers fall into place. God will make 369 00:19:07,440 --> 00:19:10,440 Speaker 1: things happen that you could never make happen. Don't get 370 00:19:10,480 --> 00:19:11,320 Speaker 1: stuck in the boat. 371 00:19:11,840 --> 00:19:14,240 Speaker 2: Don't let the fear that you can't see all the 372 00:19:14,320 --> 00:19:15,639 Speaker 2: details hold you back. 373 00:19:16,119 --> 00:19:20,000 Speaker 1: You're not supposed to see everything. God's leading you step 374 00:19:20,160 --> 00:19:24,360 Speaker 1: by step. When you're in the unknown, you're having to stretch, 375 00:19:24,760 --> 00:19:25,719 Speaker 1: pray and believe. 376 00:19:26,000 --> 00:19:27,400 Speaker 2: That's when you're really growing. 377 00:19:28,200 --> 00:19:30,760 Speaker 1: Those three years we were in the battle over this place, 378 00:19:31,040 --> 00:19:33,879 Speaker 1: that's when I learned to pray like I had never prayed. 379 00:19:34,640 --> 00:19:36,840 Speaker 1: If I'd known how long it was going to take, 380 00:19:37,160 --> 00:19:39,520 Speaker 1: how much it was going to cost, I just said no, 381 00:19:39,640 --> 00:19:43,000 Speaker 1: Thanks God. I don't want that responsibility. I'm too young, 382 00:19:43,040 --> 00:19:46,640 Speaker 1: I don't have the experience. God knows what's in you. 383 00:19:47,280 --> 00:19:51,119 Speaker 1: He uses these steps to stretch you, to develop you, 384 00:19:51,400 --> 00:19:51,840 Speaker 1: to get you. 385 00:19:51,960 --> 00:19:53,720 Speaker 2: Prepared for the next level. 386 00:19:54,280 --> 00:19:58,800 Speaker 1: The journey is more important than the destination, because if 387 00:19:58,800 --> 00:20:02,200 Speaker 1: you don't get prepared the journey, if you don't learn 388 00:20:02,240 --> 00:20:05,400 Speaker 1: what you're supposed to learn along the way, you won't 389 00:20:05,440 --> 00:20:08,679 Speaker 1: be able to handle where God has taken you. 390 00:20:08,720 --> 00:20:08,960 Speaker 2: See. 391 00:20:09,000 --> 00:20:12,320 Speaker 1: God could have given us the compact center the first 392 00:20:12,359 --> 00:20:15,800 Speaker 1: week we prayed, or at least the first month we prayed. 393 00:20:16,400 --> 00:20:18,720 Speaker 1: That would have saved me a lot of stress. I 394 00:20:18,760 --> 00:20:21,800 Speaker 1: wouldn't have had to stretch, prayed, believe why d wait 395 00:20:21,920 --> 00:20:22,520 Speaker 1: three years? 396 00:20:22,920 --> 00:20:26,439 Speaker 2: He was getting me prepared. I was learning to trust him. 397 00:20:26,760 --> 00:20:30,440 Speaker 1: My faith was being increased, my character was being developed. 398 00:20:30,920 --> 00:20:34,439 Speaker 1: What's interesting in those three years, Like the lady on 399 00:20:34,480 --> 00:20:38,800 Speaker 1: the GPS, I never heard anything new. I never heard 400 00:20:38,880 --> 00:20:41,840 Speaker 1: God say, don't worry, Joel, I got you covered. It's 401 00:20:41,880 --> 00:20:42,840 Speaker 1: all going to work out. 402 00:20:43,240 --> 00:20:45,720 Speaker 2: I had to trust him when he was silent. 403 00:20:46,680 --> 00:20:49,520 Speaker 1: I had to believe he was in control when I 404 00:20:49,560 --> 00:20:52,280 Speaker 1: didn't see any sign of it. I had to keep 405 00:20:52,320 --> 00:20:56,480 Speaker 1: reminding myself the steps of a good person or ordered 406 00:20:56,480 --> 00:21:00,120 Speaker 1: by the Lord. I took that step knowing that God 407 00:21:00,280 --> 00:21:01,520 Speaker 1: put the dream in my heart. 408 00:21:02,160 --> 00:21:04,880 Speaker 2: I didn't know how it would turn out. I didn't know. 409 00:21:04,840 --> 00:21:08,200 Speaker 1: If we'd be successful, but I believed I was doing 410 00:21:08,320 --> 00:21:09,520 Speaker 1: what God asked me to do. 411 00:21:10,040 --> 00:21:13,480 Speaker 2: And here's the key. Even if you miss it, even 412 00:21:13,520 --> 00:21:13,840 Speaker 2: if it. 413 00:21:13,760 --> 00:21:16,360 Speaker 1: Doesn't turn out the way you thought, God. 414 00:21:16,119 --> 00:21:19,680 Speaker 2: Knows how to use it for your good. God would 415 00:21:19,760 --> 00:21:20,200 Speaker 2: rather you. 416 00:21:20,280 --> 00:21:22,880 Speaker 1: Take a step of faith and miss it every once 417 00:21:22,920 --> 00:21:25,480 Speaker 1: in a while than to play it safe your whole 418 00:21:25,520 --> 00:21:28,840 Speaker 1: life and never make a mistake. And the times we 419 00:21:28,880 --> 00:21:31,440 Speaker 1: make mistakes we miss it, we get off course the 420 00:21:31,520 --> 00:21:34,800 Speaker 1: closed doors. That's all a part of God's plan. That's 421 00:21:34,840 --> 00:21:38,160 Speaker 1: getting us prepared for the open doors. But if you're 422 00:21:38,200 --> 00:21:40,480 Speaker 1: so concerned you're going to miss it, you'll never get 423 00:21:40,520 --> 00:21:41,439 Speaker 1: off a dead sinner. 424 00:21:42,119 --> 00:21:45,199 Speaker 2: I like what my friend Joyce Myer says. She was praying. 425 00:21:45,560 --> 00:21:47,320 Speaker 2: She said, God, what if I miss you? 426 00:21:47,840 --> 00:21:50,800 Speaker 1: God said, Joyce, don't worry if you miss me, I'll 427 00:21:50,840 --> 00:21:54,840 Speaker 1: find you. But sometimes we let the fear of the 428 00:21:54,960 --> 00:21:59,320 Speaker 1: unknown hold us back. Being in God's will, there will 429 00:21:59,320 --> 00:22:02,320 Speaker 1: be a nott knowing factor. You're not going to know 430 00:22:02,400 --> 00:22:04,600 Speaker 1: all the details how it's going to work. 431 00:22:04,640 --> 00:22:04,840 Speaker 2: Out. 432 00:22:05,160 --> 00:22:08,080 Speaker 1: You have to have this boldness to step in to 433 00:22:08,200 --> 00:22:11,879 Speaker 1: the unknown. This is what my brother Paul did. You know, 434 00:22:11,960 --> 00:22:15,680 Speaker 1: he's a medical doctor. For thirteen years, he was the 435 00:22:15,760 --> 00:22:19,359 Speaker 1: chief of surgery at a hospital in Arkansas, had a 436 00:22:19,400 --> 00:22:23,200 Speaker 1: successful practice. Looked like that's how he would spend his life. 437 00:22:23,840 --> 00:22:27,359 Speaker 1: But when Daddy died in nineteen ninety nine, Paul felt 438 00:22:27,400 --> 00:22:30,640 Speaker 1: the Lord leading him to come back home to Houston 439 00:22:31,040 --> 00:22:34,800 Speaker 1: to help us pastor the church. His colleagues thought he 440 00:22:34,920 --> 00:22:37,200 Speaker 1: was having a midlife crisis. 441 00:22:37,560 --> 00:22:39,200 Speaker 2: They told him to wait at least. 442 00:22:39,040 --> 00:22:41,960 Speaker 1: A couple of years, get over my father's death, not 443 00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:46,400 Speaker 1: make an emotional decision. But deep down, Paul knew that's 444 00:22:46,440 --> 00:22:49,600 Speaker 1: what he was supposed to do. In his mind, it 445 00:22:49,640 --> 00:22:53,680 Speaker 1: didn't make sense leaving your medical practice, giving up all 446 00:22:53,720 --> 00:22:57,280 Speaker 1: that training. Thoughts started telling him, what if it doesn't 447 00:22:57,320 --> 00:22:58,760 Speaker 1: work out. 448 00:22:58,400 --> 00:23:00,800 Speaker 2: What if you don't like it, What if they don't 449 00:23:00,920 --> 00:23:01,240 Speaker 2: like you? 450 00:23:02,119 --> 00:23:03,760 Speaker 1: What if you get down there and Joel makes fun 451 00:23:03,800 --> 00:23:07,320 Speaker 1: of you all the time? In the natural, it seemed 452 00:23:07,320 --> 00:23:10,760 Speaker 1: like he was making a mistake. But like Abraham, Paul 453 00:23:10,840 --> 00:23:14,000 Speaker 1: went out not knowing how it was going to work out. 454 00:23:14,480 --> 00:23:16,639 Speaker 1: He didn't have all the details. We didn't have a 455 00:23:16,680 --> 00:23:20,000 Speaker 1: ten year strategy. All he knew was the first step, 456 00:23:20,440 --> 00:23:23,760 Speaker 1: go back home and help your family. What Paul didn't 457 00:23:23,800 --> 00:23:27,119 Speaker 1: know was how the ministry was going to grow. He 458 00:23:27,200 --> 00:23:31,040 Speaker 1: didn't know that after eight years of helping us faithfully 459 00:23:31,160 --> 00:23:34,600 Speaker 1: past to the church, God would open the door for 460 00:23:34,720 --> 00:23:37,199 Speaker 1: him to go to Africa several months at a time 461 00:23:37,440 --> 00:23:41,479 Speaker 1: and operate on less fortunate people. That was his dream, 462 00:23:41,960 --> 00:23:45,280 Speaker 1: to do medical missions. He thought he was walking away 463 00:23:45,320 --> 00:23:48,359 Speaker 1: from medicine. What he couldn't see it. 464 00:23:48,320 --> 00:23:49,680 Speaker 2: Was all a part of God's plan. 465 00:23:50,400 --> 00:23:53,280 Speaker 1: If he had not stepped into the unknown, he wouldn't 466 00:23:53,280 --> 00:24:04,240 Speaker 1: have reached the fullness of his destiny. When you have 467 00:24:04,359 --> 00:24:07,640 Speaker 1: this boldness to go out not knowing, your life will 468 00:24:07,680 --> 00:24:11,200 Speaker 1: be more rewarding, more fulfilling than you could ever imagine. 469 00:24:11,840 --> 00:24:14,840 Speaker 1: There was a young Jewish girl in the scripture named Esther. 470 00:24:15,440 --> 00:24:18,800 Speaker 1: She was an orphan, didn't come from an influential family, 471 00:24:19,240 --> 00:24:21,800 Speaker 1: but God raised her up. Now she was the queen 472 00:24:22,040 --> 00:24:25,720 Speaker 1: living in the palace. A man named Hayman tried to 473 00:24:25,760 --> 00:24:27,400 Speaker 1: secretly pass a law. 474 00:24:27,560 --> 00:24:31,280 Speaker 2: To get rid of all the Jewish people. Esther's uncle 475 00:24:31,359 --> 00:24:33,119 Speaker 2: came to the palace and told her. 476 00:24:33,000 --> 00:24:35,159 Speaker 1: Of the ploy, said you've got to go in and 477 00:24:35,200 --> 00:24:38,479 Speaker 1: tell the king what's going on. The problem was in 478 00:24:38,520 --> 00:24:41,960 Speaker 1: those days, if you approached the king without him holding 479 00:24:42,000 --> 00:24:46,000 Speaker 1: up his golden rod, then you could be killed. Esther said, 480 00:24:46,040 --> 00:24:47,920 Speaker 1: I can't do that. What if he doesn't hold it up, 481 00:24:48,040 --> 00:24:51,080 Speaker 1: that would be the end of me. God was asking 482 00:24:51,119 --> 00:24:54,320 Speaker 1: her to step into the unknown. But the what if 483 00:24:54,359 --> 00:24:56,800 Speaker 1: started coming. What if he doesn't hold it up. 484 00:24:57,200 --> 00:24:59,080 Speaker 2: What if he's in a bad mood, what if. 485 00:24:59,000 --> 00:25:02,320 Speaker 1: He gets upset. Just when she was about to talk 486 00:25:02,359 --> 00:25:05,879 Speaker 1: herself out of it, her uncle said, Esther, if you 487 00:25:06,040 --> 00:25:10,560 Speaker 1: remain silent, deliverance for the Jews will come from someone else, 488 00:25:10,960 --> 00:25:13,440 Speaker 1: But you and your family will perish. 489 00:25:13,600 --> 00:25:14,920 Speaker 2: And who knows but. 490 00:25:14,960 --> 00:25:17,359 Speaker 1: That you've come to the kingdom for such a time 491 00:25:17,400 --> 00:25:20,520 Speaker 1: as this. God was saying Esther, if you don't want 492 00:25:20,560 --> 00:25:22,879 Speaker 1: to do it, that's fine. I'll get somebody else. But 493 00:25:22,920 --> 00:25:27,040 Speaker 1: the problem is, Esther, you will miss your destiny. This 494 00:25:27,119 --> 00:25:30,480 Speaker 1: opportunity will not come your way again. This was her 495 00:25:30,600 --> 00:25:32,960 Speaker 1: chance to leave her mark. It was a now or 496 00:25:33,080 --> 00:25:37,080 Speaker 1: never moment. I love what Esther did. She said, I 497 00:25:37,160 --> 00:25:38,720 Speaker 1: will go before the king. 498 00:25:39,240 --> 00:25:41,880 Speaker 2: If I perish, I perish, But I will not. 499 00:25:41,880 --> 00:25:46,600 Speaker 1: Let this moment pass. Esther stepped into the unknown. She 500 00:25:46,760 --> 00:25:49,600 Speaker 1: not only had favor with the king, but she was 501 00:25:49,760 --> 00:25:51,280 Speaker 1: able to deliver her people. 502 00:25:51,640 --> 00:25:53,440 Speaker 2: She became one of the heroes of faith. 503 00:25:54,359 --> 00:25:58,080 Speaker 1: Like Esther, we all have opportunities that won't pass our 504 00:25:58,119 --> 00:26:01,160 Speaker 1: way again. When my dad went to be with the Lord, 505 00:26:01,560 --> 00:26:03,639 Speaker 1: I had to make the choice to step up or 506 00:26:03,680 --> 00:26:06,479 Speaker 1: play it safe. That was one of those now or 507 00:26:06,520 --> 00:26:10,600 Speaker 1: never moments when they come your way. Don't shrink back, 508 00:26:11,119 --> 00:26:13,720 Speaker 1: don't let fear talk you out of it. Don't let 509 00:26:13,720 --> 00:26:16,320 Speaker 1: the what ifs keep you in the boat. Be bold, 510 00:26:16,800 --> 00:26:20,639 Speaker 1: be courageous, step in to the unknown. You may not 511 00:26:20,760 --> 00:26:23,280 Speaker 1: have all the details. You're not sure how it's going 512 00:26:23,359 --> 00:26:27,159 Speaker 1: to work out. But like with Joshua, along the way, 513 00:26:27,600 --> 00:26:31,080 Speaker 1: miracles will happen. God will open doors that no man 514 00:26:31,160 --> 00:26:34,520 Speaker 1: can shut. If you'll do this, I believe and declare, 515 00:26:35,000 --> 00:26:38,440 Speaker 1: you're about to step in to a new level of favor, 516 00:26:38,440 --> 00:26:41,440 Speaker 1: a new level of influence. Like Esther, You're going to 517 00:26:41,560 --> 00:26:45,399 Speaker 1: leave your mark, accomplish your dreams, and reach the fullness 518 00:26:45,440 --> 00:26:46,320 Speaker 1: of your destiny. 519 00:26:46,720 --> 00:26:49,040 Speaker 2: In Jesus's name. If you receive it. 520 00:26:49,000 --> 00:26:52,520 Speaker 1: Today, can you say amen, I'd like to give you 521 00:26:52,520 --> 00:26:55,639 Speaker 1: an opportunity to make Jesus the lord of your life. 522 00:26:56,080 --> 00:26:57,119 Speaker 2: Would you pray with me. 523 00:26:57,840 --> 00:27:03,160 Speaker 1: Just say, Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins. Come 524 00:27:03,160 --> 00:27:08,520 Speaker 1: into my heart. I make you my Lord and savior. Friends, 525 00:27:08,560 --> 00:27:11,200 Speaker 1: if you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 526 00:27:11,240 --> 00:27:14,600 Speaker 1: born again. Get in a good Bible based church, Keep 527 00:27:14,640 --> 00:27:15,679 Speaker 1: God in first place. 528 00:27:17,840 --> 00:27:23,000 Speaker 3: Some of us have been carrying the same weight for years, mistakes, regrets, 529 00:27:23,320 --> 00:27:26,040 Speaker 3: what people said, What if you were never meant to 530 00:27:26,119 --> 00:27:27,920 Speaker 3: carry any of it. 531 00:27:27,920 --> 00:27:30,879 Speaker 1: It's easy in life to wear labels mistakes we've made 532 00:27:30,920 --> 00:27:35,120 Speaker 1: and what people have said, disappointments we faced. Those labels 533 00:27:35,160 --> 00:27:37,760 Speaker 1: can diminish our sense of value and cause us to 534 00:27:37,840 --> 00:27:40,359 Speaker 1: forget who we really are. And have a new book 535 00:27:40,359 --> 00:27:44,080 Speaker 1: called Made by God. Know it, receive it, and live it. 536 00:27:44,080 --> 00:27:48,880 Speaker 1: It'll help you see yourself the way God sees you, valuable, talented, worthy, 537 00:27:49,040 --> 00:27:52,600 Speaker 1: a masterpiece you've been fearfully and wonderfully made. 538 00:27:52,760 --> 00:27:53,320 Speaker 2: I'd love to. 539 00:27:53,240 --> 00:27:55,560 Speaker 1: Send you by new book plus the Maid by God 540 00:27:55,640 --> 00:27:58,760 Speaker 1: t shirt from our good friends at Copprofit. When you 541 00:27:58,840 --> 00:28:01,440 Speaker 1: know who you are and who you are a child 542 00:28:01,520 --> 00:28:04,439 Speaker 1: of the Most Hi, you can live with confidence and 543 00:28:04,520 --> 00:28:06,560 Speaker 1: step in to who you were created to be. 544 00:28:07,640 --> 00:28:10,080 Speaker 3: As our way of saying thank you for your gift 545 00:28:10,119 --> 00:28:12,640 Speaker 3: of any amount. This month, we would like to send 546 00:28:12,640 --> 00:28:16,119 Speaker 3: you a copy of Joel's brand new book Made by God. 547 00:28:16,640 --> 00:28:19,800 Speaker 3: Know It, receive it, Live it. You were not made 548 00:28:19,840 --> 00:28:23,080 Speaker 3: by your mistakes. You were not made by what people said. 549 00:28:23,600 --> 00:28:26,480 Speaker 3: You were not made by your hardest season. You were 550 00:28:26,480 --> 00:28:30,760 Speaker 3: made by God on purpose, with purpose, and nothing can 551 00:28:30,840 --> 00:28:34,560 Speaker 3: change that. This powerful book will help you silence the 552 00:28:34,640 --> 00:28:38,200 Speaker 3: label's life as put on you and finally see yourself 553 00:28:38,360 --> 00:28:43,920 Speaker 3: the way God sees you. Valuable, talented, a masterpiece. And 554 00:28:43,960 --> 00:28:46,800 Speaker 3: when you request your copy, we also want to send 555 00:28:46,800 --> 00:28:49,960 Speaker 3: you the exclusive Made by God t shirt from our 556 00:28:50,000 --> 00:28:53,640 Speaker 3: friends at Copperfit, a daily reminder you can wear as 557 00:28:53,680 --> 00:28:56,640 Speaker 3: a declaration of who you are and whose you are. 558 00:28:57,200 --> 00:29:00,480 Speaker 3: Set down what was never yours to carry us your 559 00:29:00,520 --> 00:29:01,320 Speaker 3: copy today. 560 00:29:02,240 --> 00:29:05,200 Speaker 1: You are not your past. You are not labels life 561 00:29:05,280 --> 00:29:08,840 Speaker 1: has put on you. You are made by God on purpose 562 00:29:09,120 --> 00:29:12,360 Speaker 1: for a purpose, and nothing can change your value. 563 00:29:12,800 --> 00:29:13,200 Speaker 2: Victoria. 564 00:29:13,320 --> 00:29:15,960 Speaker 1: I pray for you and your family every day. Believe 565 00:29:16,000 --> 00:29:18,440 Speaker 1: in You're going to have a blessed summer. Thank you 566 00:29:18,480 --> 00:29:22,280 Speaker 1: so much for your prayer and support. Your generosity helps 567 00:29:22,360 --> 00:29:25,440 Speaker 1: us take this message of hope to people around the world. 568 00:29:25,760 --> 00:29:28,280 Speaker 1: The special thank you to our champion of hope partners 569 00:29:28,440 --> 00:29:31,600 Speaker 1: for all you do to make the ministry possible. Until 570 00:29:31,640 --> 00:29:34,520 Speaker 1: we meet again, May the Lord bless you and keep you. 571 00:29:35,200 --> 00:29:38,080 Speaker 3: Be sure to request your copy of Made by God 572 00:29:38,320 --> 00:29:42,600 Speaker 3: plus your exclusive copperfit Made by God Tea available this 573 00:29:42,800 --> 00:29:46,480 Speaker 3: month by visiting us at Joelostein dot com or call 574 00:29:46,760 --> 00:29:50,800 Speaker 3: eight eight eight five six seven Joel. With an additional gift, 575 00:29:51,000 --> 00:29:54,280 Speaker 3: you can also receive the complete Made by God Designed 576 00:29:54,280 --> 00:29:57,920 Speaker 3: with Purpose collection featuring the Maid by God Tea, the 577 00:29:58,000 --> 00:30:01,360 Speaker 3: Designed with Purpose Hat, and the Made by God tote. 578 00:30:01,720 --> 00:30:04,680 Speaker 3: Each piece is more than something you wear or carry. 579 00:30:04,960 --> 00:30:08,560 Speaker 3: It is a declaration, a statement of faith, a daily 580 00:30:08,640 --> 00:30:12,360 Speaker 3: reminder that your life is not random. God has a 581 00:30:12,400 --> 00:30:15,640 Speaker 3: plan for you. Wherever your day takes you, you will 582 00:30:15,680 --> 00:30:19,320 Speaker 3: carry a message that speaks life not only over yourself, 583 00:30:19,560 --> 00:30:23,120 Speaker 3: but to everyone around you. You can request these inspiring 584 00:30:23,200 --> 00:30:27,000 Speaker 3: resources by calling eight eight eight five six seven Joel 585 00:30:27,320 --> 00:30:31,160 Speaker 3: or logging on to Joelostein dot com today, call or 586 00:30:31,200 --> 00:30:37,680 Speaker 3: click anytime twenty four hours a day