1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:03,160 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 2 00:00:03,200 --> 00:00:05,920 Speaker 1: our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. 3 00:00:06,120 --> 00:00:08,440 Speaker 2: If you enjoy today's message, why don't you be a 4 00:00:08,440 --> 00:00:10,000 Speaker 2: blessing and share it with a friend. 5 00:00:10,360 --> 00:00:13,040 Speaker 1: We appreciate you and pray for God's very best in 6 00:00:13,080 --> 00:00:14,000 Speaker 1: your life. 7 00:00:14,160 --> 00:00:17,640 Speaker 2: We are commiting in you this morning in Jesus' names. 8 00:00:18,200 --> 00:00:21,480 Speaker 2: I want to remind us all today to be good 9 00:00:21,560 --> 00:00:26,560 Speaker 2: to people. We have to be good to people. See, 10 00:00:26,920 --> 00:00:32,559 Speaker 2: people matter to God. People matter most to God. And 11 00:00:32,600 --> 00:00:36,960 Speaker 2: it's so easy these days to find things that we 12 00:00:37,000 --> 00:00:41,960 Speaker 2: disagree on. There's so much information, there's so many things 13 00:00:42,000 --> 00:00:46,320 Speaker 2: swirling that we can easily find things that we disagree on. 14 00:00:46,760 --> 00:00:49,400 Speaker 2: You know, you're never going to agree one hundred percent 15 00:00:49,440 --> 00:00:53,920 Speaker 2: of the time with anyone. But the point that we 16 00:00:54,040 --> 00:00:57,720 Speaker 2: need to make in our life to God, the things 17 00:00:57,720 --> 00:01:02,120 Speaker 2: that we need to do is content to show respect 18 00:01:02,760 --> 00:01:06,880 Speaker 2: for people. We have to show respect, whether we agree 19 00:01:06,880 --> 00:01:14,880 Speaker 2: with people or not. When we show respect, you know 20 00:01:14,920 --> 00:01:19,040 Speaker 2: what we're doing. We are honoring God and we're promoting 21 00:01:19,040 --> 00:01:23,960 Speaker 2: the gospel. We're promoting the good News. We're saying, God, 22 00:01:24,680 --> 00:01:28,960 Speaker 2: I respect these people because they matter to you. And 23 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:33,880 Speaker 2: when I show respect, I'm showing the good News. I 24 00:01:34,000 --> 00:01:38,120 Speaker 2: am promoting the Gospel on this earth. See, as a believer, 25 00:01:38,800 --> 00:01:41,640 Speaker 2: the truth is, people don't really care what you say. 26 00:01:42,520 --> 00:01:45,000 Speaker 2: They don't care if you go to church every Sunday, 27 00:01:45,040 --> 00:01:47,760 Speaker 2: if you're honest, you don't lie, you don't steal, you 28 00:01:47,800 --> 00:01:52,000 Speaker 2: don't cheat. You know, it gets their attention. It's what 29 00:01:52,080 --> 00:01:55,800 Speaker 2: you do. See, it's not what you say, but it's 30 00:01:55,840 --> 00:02:00,280 Speaker 2: what you do in faith. It's what you do through 31 00:02:00,280 --> 00:02:04,400 Speaker 2: faith that makes the difference, you know, especially in church. 32 00:02:06,000 --> 00:02:09,959 Speaker 2: In the Church, we should make sure that we don't 33 00:02:10,000 --> 00:02:13,600 Speaker 2: have petty disagreements. See the church, no matter what your 34 00:02:13,639 --> 00:02:17,040 Speaker 2: beliefs are, in the Church of Jesus Christ, we should 35 00:02:17,080 --> 00:02:20,760 Speaker 2: stand under the umbrella of the Blood of Jesus Christ. 36 00:02:21,360 --> 00:02:26,960 Speaker 2: All right, we should be in unity because that makes 37 00:02:26,960 --> 00:02:31,519 Speaker 2: the difference to the people who aren't believers. That's what's 38 00:02:31,560 --> 00:02:34,720 Speaker 2: going to cause them to believe. That's what's going to 39 00:02:34,840 --> 00:02:41,040 Speaker 2: get their attention. You know, I've seen believers literally argue 40 00:02:41,280 --> 00:02:45,480 Speaker 2: over the different translations of the Bible. See, we're better 41 00:02:45,520 --> 00:02:50,120 Speaker 2: than that. We're better than that. We got to stay together. 42 00:02:50,800 --> 00:02:56,639 Speaker 2: It's not what you know, it's what you do. It's 43 00:02:56,680 --> 00:03:00,880 Speaker 2: how you act, it's how you show your faith. How 44 00:03:00,919 --> 00:03:05,360 Speaker 2: do you express your faith? Listen to what it says 45 00:03:05,600 --> 00:03:11,040 Speaker 2: in Galatians five sixteen. It says, in Christ Jesus, there's 46 00:03:11,160 --> 00:03:16,400 Speaker 2: neither circumcision or non circumcision. None of that has any value. 47 00:03:17,120 --> 00:03:23,080 Speaker 2: The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. 48 00:03:24,360 --> 00:03:27,280 Speaker 2: That scripture is saying, you may know a lot of stuff, 49 00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:31,240 Speaker 2: you may know all the rules, and you may know 50 00:03:31,280 --> 00:03:33,560 Speaker 2: how to look really good and say the right things, 51 00:03:33,720 --> 00:03:38,400 Speaker 2: but that is not where the value is. The value 52 00:03:38,640 --> 00:03:43,960 Speaker 2: in God's eyes is us expressing our faith in Him 53 00:03:44,600 --> 00:03:50,920 Speaker 2: through love to other people. That's what gets people's attention, 54 00:03:51,520 --> 00:03:56,119 Speaker 2: and that's what pleases God. You know, some people are 55 00:03:56,320 --> 00:04:02,360 Speaker 2: more difficult to love than other people, just bottom line. See, 56 00:04:02,360 --> 00:04:05,640 Speaker 2: it's easy to love people that love you, people that 57 00:04:05,720 --> 00:04:08,560 Speaker 2: agree with you, see things the way you do. But 58 00:04:08,600 --> 00:04:12,440 Speaker 2: there'll always be people that are more difficult to love. 59 00:04:13,040 --> 00:04:16,839 Speaker 2: And so let's just talk about that a minute, because 60 00:04:16,839 --> 00:04:20,440 Speaker 2: that's the thing that we probably need to work on 61 00:04:20,839 --> 00:04:27,159 Speaker 2: the most. It's loving in faith. See, sometimes you have 62 00:04:27,320 --> 00:04:32,960 Speaker 2: to love in faith. See Jesus was empowered on this 63 00:04:33,040 --> 00:04:35,760 Speaker 2: earth by the Holy Spirit. It says that he was 64 00:04:35,880 --> 00:04:42,679 Speaker 2: empowered to do good. See everywhere Jesus went, he did good. 65 00:04:43,560 --> 00:04:47,400 Speaker 2: He did good. He was empowered, he was anointed with 66 00:04:47,640 --> 00:04:51,200 Speaker 2: power to do good. And you know, in doing good, 67 00:04:52,000 --> 00:04:56,400 Speaker 2: he brought healing everywhere he went. And you and I 68 00:04:56,480 --> 00:05:01,880 Speaker 2: have been anointed to do good. We've been anointed to 69 00:05:01,960 --> 00:05:06,560 Speaker 2: bring healing to this earth, to promote the good news 70 00:05:06,680 --> 00:05:12,440 Speaker 2: of Jesus Christ. That's what you're anointing does. It brings 71 00:05:13,160 --> 00:05:16,679 Speaker 2: God on the scene. It brings God on the scene. 72 00:05:18,080 --> 00:05:20,520 Speaker 2: So we have to step back in this time of 73 00:05:20,600 --> 00:05:25,039 Speaker 2: division and discord and disagreement, and we have to say, 74 00:05:25,080 --> 00:05:30,080 Speaker 2: what is my purpose. My purpose is to further the gospel. 75 00:05:30,560 --> 00:05:33,680 Speaker 2: My purpose is not to get my opinion out there. 76 00:05:35,000 --> 00:05:38,200 Speaker 2: I can do more through love than I can spreading 77 00:05:38,279 --> 00:05:41,880 Speaker 2: my opinion because seek God is the one who works 78 00:05:42,480 --> 00:05:48,640 Speaker 2: through the expression of love. And when you are loving, 79 00:05:48,760 --> 00:05:53,320 Speaker 2: when you are making conscious decisions to express your faith 80 00:05:53,360 --> 00:05:58,159 Speaker 2: in God through love, God is working in your life. 81 00:05:59,040 --> 00:06:01,960 Speaker 2: I read a quote that says this. It says faith 82 00:06:02,520 --> 00:06:11,800 Speaker 2: acts before it feels. Faith acts before it feels. You see, 83 00:06:11,839 --> 00:06:16,520 Speaker 2: our flesh wants to feel it. We want to like 84 00:06:17,279 --> 00:06:24,840 Speaker 2: you because you're like me. But the spirit faith the 85 00:06:24,839 --> 00:06:29,720 Speaker 2: things of God, says I am going to love in faith. 86 00:06:31,000 --> 00:06:34,320 Speaker 2: I'm gonna give you the benefit of the doubt. I'm 87 00:06:34,360 --> 00:06:38,960 Speaker 2: going to remember that God loves you and you matter 88 00:06:39,240 --> 00:06:43,880 Speaker 2: to God. You see, that's what faith says. Feelings say 89 00:06:44,240 --> 00:06:48,440 Speaker 2: no way. Faith says, I must, I must. This is 90 00:06:48,480 --> 00:06:51,640 Speaker 2: something that happened to me when I was in the 91 00:06:51,720 --> 00:06:57,279 Speaker 2: sixth grade, and I never forgot this. I was just 92 00:06:57,360 --> 00:07:00,200 Speaker 2: coming from lunch. I was in junior high school. I 93 00:07:00,279 --> 00:07:03,400 Speaker 2: was walking down the hall and this girl, I think 94 00:07:03,440 --> 00:07:05,919 Speaker 2: she was in the eighth grade. I had never even 95 00:07:05,960 --> 00:07:08,400 Speaker 2: seen her before. I didn't know the girl. I've never 96 00:07:08,440 --> 00:07:11,119 Speaker 2: talked to her. She walks up to me and she says, 97 00:07:11,680 --> 00:07:18,280 Speaker 2: I'm gonna beat you up. And I was like why. 98 00:07:20,720 --> 00:07:24,000 Speaker 2: She said, I don't like the way you act. I 99 00:07:24,040 --> 00:07:30,680 Speaker 2: looked at her and I said, I'll change. Do you 100 00:07:30,840 --> 00:07:35,920 Speaker 2: know that girl looked at me, turned around and walked off, 101 00:07:37,360 --> 00:07:41,000 Speaker 2: and I never saw her again. I never saw her again. 102 00:07:43,600 --> 00:07:46,800 Speaker 2: It's kind of interesting that that's what came up out 103 00:07:46,840 --> 00:07:51,920 Speaker 2: of me. I guess I didn't want to get beat up. Now, 104 00:07:52,040 --> 00:07:54,559 Speaker 2: my mind for a split second said I'm not changing. 105 00:07:54,600 --> 00:07:56,120 Speaker 2: I don't even know who you are, you don't even 106 00:07:56,160 --> 00:07:59,920 Speaker 2: know me. But thank god, that's what came up. Because 107 00:08:00,960 --> 00:08:03,920 Speaker 2: I look back now, and I think that simple answer, 108 00:08:04,000 --> 00:08:10,560 Speaker 2: that simple answer of humility, brought healing because think about 109 00:08:10,600 --> 00:08:14,080 Speaker 2: this just a minute. If you disagree with someone, or 110 00:08:14,120 --> 00:08:17,640 Speaker 2: if someone doesn't like you, or someone's causing you trouble, 111 00:08:18,360 --> 00:08:21,200 Speaker 2: and you act the same way to them, maybe you 112 00:08:21,320 --> 00:08:29,320 Speaker 2: disrespect them. Nothing changes, nothing changes. You're gonna dislike them, 113 00:08:29,760 --> 00:08:33,959 Speaker 2: they're gonna dislike you. Is much or more than ever before. 114 00:08:34,800 --> 00:08:41,200 Speaker 2: Nothing changes. But when you make a choice to love 115 00:08:41,280 --> 00:08:46,520 Speaker 2: by faith, to express your love for God by loving 116 00:08:46,600 --> 00:08:51,040 Speaker 2: other people, the potential for change is huge. And I 117 00:08:51,120 --> 00:08:56,640 Speaker 2: believe the attitudes of our heart change. We dislike those 118 00:08:56,640 --> 00:09:01,280 Speaker 2: people less and less and less when we choose to 119 00:09:01,480 --> 00:09:05,800 Speaker 2: express our faith through love. That's why the Bible says, 120 00:09:06,240 --> 00:09:10,880 Speaker 2: pray for your enemies, Pray for those who do wrong 121 00:09:10,920 --> 00:09:14,640 Speaker 2: against you. You see, you may have some relationships in 122 00:09:14,679 --> 00:09:19,720 Speaker 2: your life that will never change. Those people, no matter 123 00:09:19,760 --> 00:09:22,960 Speaker 2: how kind you are to them, will never be kind 124 00:09:23,040 --> 00:09:27,680 Speaker 2: to you. They'll never show you the respect that you're 125 00:09:27,720 --> 00:09:31,840 Speaker 2: showing them. They may never change, But I can tell 126 00:09:31,880 --> 00:09:37,640 Speaker 2: you this, you'll change. You'll change, And that's what matters 127 00:09:37,679 --> 00:09:46,000 Speaker 2: the most to God. God is not going to ask 128 00:09:46,080 --> 00:09:49,640 Speaker 2: us how many people we changed. He's going to ask us. 129 00:09:50,040 --> 00:09:53,760 Speaker 2: Did we change, did we walk in love? Did we 130 00:09:53,840 --> 00:09:57,920 Speaker 2: express our faith through love? Because that's what's going to 131 00:09:58,040 --> 00:10:02,079 Speaker 2: change everybody around us us. That's what's going to change 132 00:10:02,200 --> 00:10:06,000 Speaker 2: everyone around us. So when you do good, let me 133 00:10:06,000 --> 00:10:08,840 Speaker 2: tell you something. You're not only doing other people a favor, 134 00:10:09,480 --> 00:10:12,280 Speaker 2: because so you can't argue with somebody who won't argue back. 135 00:10:12,840 --> 00:10:16,200 Speaker 2: You're not only doing them a favor and promoting love 136 00:10:16,280 --> 00:10:21,840 Speaker 2: and healing, You're doing yourself a favor. You're changing, You're 137 00:10:21,880 --> 00:10:25,480 Speaker 2: breaking down walls and barriers that would like to keep 138 00:10:25,559 --> 00:10:30,160 Speaker 2: you limited. God will do great things in your life. 139 00:10:30,240 --> 00:10:34,360 Speaker 2: He will enrich you when you choose to express your 140 00:10:34,480 --> 00:10:37,720 Speaker 2: faith in love. Listen to what it says in Proverbs 141 00:10:37,760 --> 00:10:42,960 Speaker 2: eleven seventeen. It says those who are kind benefit themselves. 142 00:10:44,280 --> 00:10:48,560 Speaker 2: One version says, your own soul is nourished when you're kind. 143 00:10:49,559 --> 00:10:53,520 Speaker 2: See when you're good to people, you're nourishing your own soul, 144 00:10:54,000 --> 00:11:00,480 Speaker 2: you're bringing healing to them. If you love God today, 145 00:11:00,520 --> 00:11:04,280 Speaker 2: if you want to live for him, then you need 146 00:11:04,320 --> 00:11:07,760 Speaker 2: to step back in this world full of conflict and 147 00:11:07,800 --> 00:11:11,320 Speaker 2: say I'm going to begin to express my faith in 148 00:11:11,400 --> 00:11:19,880 Speaker 2: God by loving people, especially those difficult, unlovable people, you see, 149 00:11:20,000 --> 00:11:24,160 Speaker 2: you can do more by your actions than you can 150 00:11:24,520 --> 00:11:28,040 Speaker 2: by your words. I want to encourage you today to 151 00:11:28,160 --> 00:11:34,240 Speaker 2: look for opportunities to be good to people, not only 152 00:11:34,360 --> 00:11:38,080 Speaker 2: those who are difficult, but those who are in your 153 00:11:38,120 --> 00:11:42,439 Speaker 2: own backyard. Maybe it's your coworker, maybe it's the man 154 00:11:42,559 --> 00:11:45,280 Speaker 2: that mows the lawn, or maybe it's a family member 155 00:11:45,320 --> 00:11:49,880 Speaker 2: that can use your health. The scripture says, don't withhold 156 00:11:49,920 --> 00:11:54,280 Speaker 2: good when it's in your power to act. Listen, you're 157 00:11:54,320 --> 00:11:58,560 Speaker 2: anointed to do good. You have the power to treat 158 00:11:58,600 --> 00:12:01,120 Speaker 2: people right, whether you do you agree with them or not. 159 00:12:01,960 --> 00:12:05,199 Speaker 2: And if you love God, God wants you to use 160 00:12:05,240 --> 00:12:09,360 Speaker 2: that same love and express it through faith to all 161 00:12:09,400 --> 00:12:14,880 Speaker 2: those around you, because that's where the healing comes in. Amen. Amen. 162 00:12:17,360 --> 00:12:19,920 Speaker 1: It's easy to get stuck in life because of fear 163 00:12:20,040 --> 00:12:21,480 Speaker 1: and lack of confidence. 164 00:12:21,800 --> 00:12:24,200 Speaker 2: We've been through disappointments. 165 00:12:23,640 --> 00:12:26,920 Speaker 1: But I'm excited about Victoria's new book, Grace to Go. 166 00:12:27,440 --> 00:12:30,200 Speaker 1: It'll help you move past what's holding your back and 167 00:12:30,240 --> 00:12:32,319 Speaker 1: step into new levels of your destiny. 168 00:12:32,679 --> 00:12:34,920 Speaker 2: My heart for this book is that you will discover 169 00:12:35,200 --> 00:12:38,319 Speaker 2: the courage, the gifts, and the faith that God has 170 00:12:38,400 --> 00:12:40,480 Speaker 2: put in you so that you can see your dreams. 171 00:12:40,520 --> 00:12:43,840 Speaker 2: Come to pass. It's not too late. The obstacles are 172 00:12:43,880 --> 00:12:46,600 Speaker 2: not too big. The grace of God equips you to 173 00:12:46,679 --> 00:12:50,479 Speaker 2: go beyond your comfort zone and overcome what looks impossible. 174 00:12:50,880 --> 00:12:53,680 Speaker 2: You are stronger than you think. You are not alone. 175 00:12:53,880 --> 00:12:55,280 Speaker 2: You are Grace to Go. 176 00:12:56,160 --> 00:12:58,480 Speaker 3: As our way of saying thank you for your gift 177 00:12:58,520 --> 00:13:02,120 Speaker 3: of any amount, this month will send you Victoria Ostein's 178 00:13:02,160 --> 00:13:05,959 Speaker 3: brand new book, Grace to Go. Step onto the bigger, 179 00:13:06,120 --> 00:13:10,520 Speaker 3: bolder life that belongs to you. This inspiring resource will 180 00:13:10,520 --> 00:13:14,880 Speaker 3: help you break through fear, insecurity, or regret and activate 181 00:13:14,920 --> 00:13:18,880 Speaker 3: the faith to move forward. Each chapter will stir your spirit, 182 00:13:19,240 --> 00:13:23,520 Speaker 3: renew your perspective, and empower you to live boldly. You 183 00:13:23,559 --> 00:13:27,199 Speaker 3: don't have to wait for perfect conditions. God's grace meets 184 00:13:27,200 --> 00:13:30,080 Speaker 3: you where you are and propels you into a future 185 00:13:30,200 --> 00:13:34,160 Speaker 3: full of purpose and peace. With an additional gift, will 186 00:13:34,160 --> 00:13:37,720 Speaker 3: send you the Grace to Go Bold bundle featuring Grace 187 00:13:37,800 --> 00:13:41,960 Speaker 3: to Go by Victoria Ostein and Pray Bold by Doolo Stein. 188 00:13:42,520 --> 00:13:46,520 Speaker 3: These two powerful books will stir your faith, break hesitation, 189 00:13:46,880 --> 00:13:48,800 Speaker 3: and help you believe big again. 190 00:13:49,840 --> 00:13:53,280 Speaker 2: Grace is power. When you receive it by faith, it 191 00:13:53,400 --> 00:13:55,880 Speaker 2: enables you to take the next step so you can 192 00:13:55,920 --> 00:13:57,560 Speaker 2: become all you are created to be. 193 00:13:58,080 --> 00:14:00,760 Speaker 1: Uturnar are so grateful to spend this sh time with you. 194 00:14:01,120 --> 00:14:03,480 Speaker 1: We pray for you and your family every day and 195 00:14:03,840 --> 00:14:06,800 Speaker 1: thank you so much for your prayer and support. Your 196 00:14:06,800 --> 00:14:10,600 Speaker 1: generosity is helping people around the world. Special thank you 197 00:14:10,640 --> 00:14:13,400 Speaker 1: to our Champion of Hope partners for your monthly gifts. 198 00:14:13,679 --> 00:14:16,560 Speaker 1: If you're not a partner, I hope you'll consider becoming one. 199 00:14:16,760 --> 00:14:20,240 Speaker 1: Remember you can watch the services online every Sunday morning, 200 00:14:20,560 --> 00:14:24,400 Speaker 1: download our daily podcast, watch on YouTube the new joel 201 00:14:24,400 --> 00:14:28,080 Speaker 1: Osting Network social media. Of course, listen on Serious XM 202 00:14:28,120 --> 00:14:31,800 Speaker 1: twenty four to seven. We'll help you stay encouraged and inspired. 203 00:14:32,200 --> 00:14:34,560 Speaker 1: If you're a pastor, we'd like to invite you to 204 00:14:34,600 --> 00:14:37,680 Speaker 1: our pastors Gathering. We'd be honored to spend the day 205 00:14:37,720 --> 00:14:40,320 Speaker 1: with you here at Lakewood. We'll share some of the 206 00:14:40,360 --> 00:14:43,880 Speaker 1: things we've learned, insights and behind the scenes. Be a 207 00:14:43,920 --> 00:14:47,440 Speaker 1: time of inspiration and encouragement. We'd love to meet you. 208 00:14:48,200 --> 00:14:52,200 Speaker 3: These two powerful books will stir your faith, break hesitation, 209 00:14:52,560 --> 00:14:56,240 Speaker 3: and help you believe big again. Be sure to request 210 00:14:56,360 --> 00:15:01,680 Speaker 3: your copy of these powerful resources today. Additional donation this month, 211 00:15:01,800 --> 00:15:06,360 Speaker 3: we are also offering the NLT large print thinline Reference Bible. 212 00:15:06,840 --> 00:15:10,240 Speaker 3: This Bible also enables you to connect through your smartphone 213 00:15:10,280 --> 00:15:14,840 Speaker 3: or tablet to a vast, powerpacked array of study notes, devotionals, 214 00:15:15,000 --> 00:15:20,160 Speaker 3: interactive maps, videos, worship music. You can request these inspiring 215 00:15:20,240 --> 00:15:24,160 Speaker 3: resources by calling eight eight eight five six seven Joel 216 00:15:24,520 --> 00:15:28,520 Speaker 3: or logging on to Joeloceine dot com today. Call or 217 00:15:28,560 --> 00:15:33,400 Speaker 3: click anytime, twenty four hours a day, Start fresh, step forward. 218 00:15:33,840 --> 00:15:37,520 Speaker 2: You are graced to go. Request your copies today