1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:04,040 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for downloading our podcast. 2 00:00:04,320 --> 00:00:07,120 Speaker 1: We enjoy spending this time with you. I hope you'll 3 00:00:07,160 --> 00:00:07,920 Speaker 1: leave Inspire. 4 00:00:08,240 --> 00:00:11,160 Speaker 2: Make sure you subscribe to get new messages every week. 5 00:00:11,360 --> 00:00:14,480 Speaker 1: We appreciate your support. It helps keep the ministry going. 6 00:00:14,880 --> 00:00:27,040 Speaker 2: Enjoy the message. 7 00:00:28,400 --> 00:00:30,960 Speaker 1: God bless you, and thanks so much for letting us 8 00:00:31,000 --> 00:00:33,840 Speaker 1: come into your homes. And if you're ever in our area, 9 00:00:34,080 --> 00:00:36,120 Speaker 1: please stop by and be a part of one of 10 00:00:36,159 --> 00:00:39,839 Speaker 1: our services. These are the finest people in all of Houston, Texas, 11 00:00:39,920 --> 00:00:42,680 Speaker 1: right here in Lakewood. I promise you we will make 12 00:00:42,720 --> 00:00:44,960 Speaker 1: you feel right at home. But thanks for tuning in, 13 00:00:45,000 --> 00:00:47,479 Speaker 1: Thanks for coming out again. I like to start with 14 00:00:47,520 --> 00:00:51,280 Speaker 1: something funny, and I heard about these three sisters, ages 15 00:00:51,400 --> 00:00:55,120 Speaker 1: ninety six, ninety four, and ninety two, that lived together. 16 00:00:55,760 --> 00:00:58,200 Speaker 1: One night, the ninety six year old draws a bath, 17 00:00:58,520 --> 00:01:02,360 Speaker 1: She puts one foot in, and she hollers downstairs. I 18 00:01:02,360 --> 00:01:04,759 Speaker 1: can't remember if I was getting in or getting out. 19 00:01:05,480 --> 00:01:07,679 Speaker 1: The ninety four year old says, hang on, I'll come 20 00:01:07,760 --> 00:01:10,280 Speaker 1: up and help you. She gets halfway up the stairs 21 00:01:10,280 --> 00:01:12,640 Speaker 1: and stops, says, I can't remember if I was going 22 00:01:12,720 --> 00:01:15,679 Speaker 1: up or coming down. The ninety two year old sugar 23 00:01:15,720 --> 00:01:18,479 Speaker 1: head said boy, I hope I don't get that. Forgetful, 24 00:01:18,520 --> 00:01:21,720 Speaker 1: and she knocked on wood for good luck. Then she said, 25 00:01:21,720 --> 00:01:23,640 Speaker 1: hang on, I'll come help both of you as soon 26 00:01:23,680 --> 00:01:27,240 Speaker 1: as I see who's at the door. Say it like 27 00:01:27,319 --> 00:01:30,120 Speaker 1: you mean it. This is my Bible. I am what 28 00:01:30,240 --> 00:01:32,880 Speaker 1: it says I am. I have what it says I have. 29 00:01:33,440 --> 00:01:36,040 Speaker 1: I can do what it says I can do. Today 30 00:01:36,160 --> 00:01:39,520 Speaker 1: I will be taught the word of God. I boldly confess. 31 00:01:39,959 --> 00:01:43,360 Speaker 1: My mind is alert, my heart is receptive. I will 32 00:01:43,400 --> 00:01:47,200 Speaker 1: never be the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. 33 00:01:48,360 --> 00:01:51,720 Speaker 1: I want to talk to you today about unclutter your mind. 34 00:01:52,400 --> 00:01:56,120 Speaker 1: It's easy to go around worried about our future, stressed 35 00:01:56,120 --> 00:02:00,720 Speaker 1: over our finances, frustrated with our boss, tempted to live, 36 00:02:00,760 --> 00:02:04,920 Speaker 1: guilty because of past mistakes, and bitter over what didn't 37 00:02:05,000 --> 00:02:08,880 Speaker 1: work out. We wonder why we don't enjoy life, why 38 00:02:08,919 --> 00:02:12,280 Speaker 1: we're not passionate about dreams, why we can't sleep at night. 39 00:02:12,880 --> 00:02:17,360 Speaker 1: It's because our mind is cluttered. You weren't created to 40 00:02:17,400 --> 00:02:22,040 Speaker 1: live worried, guilty, bitter, upset. If you're going to reach 41 00:02:22,080 --> 00:02:26,040 Speaker 1: your destiny, you have to clear out the clutter. You 42 00:02:26,080 --> 00:02:30,000 Speaker 1: can't stop negative things from coming, but you can keep 43 00:02:30,040 --> 00:02:33,160 Speaker 1: them from staying. You don't have to hold on to it. 44 00:02:33,680 --> 00:02:38,200 Speaker 1: When we make mistakes, guilt will come, condemnation telling us 45 00:02:38,200 --> 00:02:41,320 Speaker 1: how we don't measure up. You can hold on to it, 46 00:02:41,560 --> 00:02:44,520 Speaker 1: go around down on yourself, or you can let it 47 00:02:44,600 --> 00:02:47,639 Speaker 1: go and say Father, thank you that I am forgiven, 48 00:02:48,160 --> 00:02:51,080 Speaker 1: thank you that I am redeemed. The past is over, 49 00:02:51,320 --> 00:02:54,840 Speaker 1: this is a new day. I'm moving forward. When you 50 00:02:54,919 --> 00:02:58,399 Speaker 1: go through a disappointment, something doesn't work out, you can 51 00:02:58,440 --> 00:03:01,880 Speaker 1: hold on to it lived discourage, or you can let 52 00:03:01,919 --> 00:03:05,280 Speaker 1: it go and say God, I know you have something better. 53 00:03:05,720 --> 00:03:08,200 Speaker 1: I know your plans for me are for good. I 54 00:03:08,280 --> 00:03:12,040 Speaker 1: know you're directing my steps. When the medical report is 55 00:03:12,080 --> 00:03:15,200 Speaker 1: not good, when the contract doesn't go through, when you're 56 00:03:15,200 --> 00:03:18,240 Speaker 1: in a legal situation, you can hold on to it, 57 00:03:18,720 --> 00:03:21,880 Speaker 1: live worried, thinking what am I going to do? Or 58 00:03:21,919 --> 00:03:24,480 Speaker 1: you can let it go and say God, I know 59 00:03:24,600 --> 00:03:27,760 Speaker 1: you're fighting my battles. I know what's meant for harm. 60 00:03:28,000 --> 00:03:30,960 Speaker 1: You're turning to my advantage. I may not see away, 61 00:03:31,200 --> 00:03:34,480 Speaker 1: but God, I know you have a way. You can 62 00:03:34,600 --> 00:03:37,840 Speaker 1: clear out the clutter. You can get rid of the 63 00:03:37,920 --> 00:03:41,440 Speaker 1: negative things that are stealing your peace, taking your joy 64 00:03:41,760 --> 00:03:46,680 Speaker 1: draining your energy. The scripture tells us to guard our minds. 65 00:03:47,200 --> 00:03:50,480 Speaker 1: You have to be proactive when it comes to keeping 66 00:03:50,720 --> 00:03:54,760 Speaker 1: your mind in peace, because all through the day there's clutter, 67 00:03:55,440 --> 00:03:58,920 Speaker 1: there's noise, there's jealousy, there's hurts. There's a fence. They 68 00:03:59,000 --> 00:04:01,520 Speaker 1: may come, but it don't have to hold on to it. 69 00:04:02,320 --> 00:04:06,000 Speaker 1: I saw a documentary about hoarders. These are people that 70 00:04:06,120 --> 00:04:10,120 Speaker 1: never throw anything away. And this one lady lived by 71 00:04:10,120 --> 00:04:14,200 Speaker 1: herself in a two story house, but you couldn't get upstairs. 72 00:04:14,760 --> 00:04:18,839 Speaker 1: She had it so piled full of trash, old newspapers, 73 00:04:19,200 --> 00:04:23,320 Speaker 1: empty cereal boxes, cans from food that she had eaten 74 00:04:23,400 --> 00:04:27,040 Speaker 1: thirty years ago. There was a small path to the kitchen, 75 00:04:27,360 --> 00:04:29,960 Speaker 1: to the bathroom and to a little place to sleep, 76 00:04:30,400 --> 00:04:34,440 Speaker 1: big walls of trash on each side. You can imagine 77 00:04:34,480 --> 00:04:38,279 Speaker 1: how it smelled, how unhealthy it was. It got so 78 00:04:38,440 --> 00:04:42,480 Speaker 1: bad the authorities came to do an intervention. They knocked 79 00:04:42,480 --> 00:04:44,760 Speaker 1: on the front door, but she couldn't open it. They 80 00:04:44,800 --> 00:04:48,360 Speaker 1: went around to the side door, barely squeezed in. At 81 00:04:48,360 --> 00:04:51,839 Speaker 1: one point, this man picked up an old popsicle wrapper. 82 00:04:52,279 --> 00:04:54,840 Speaker 1: Looked like there were thousands piled up in the corner. 83 00:04:55,320 --> 00:04:57,440 Speaker 1: He asked if he could get rid of it. The 84 00:04:57,520 --> 00:05:00,520 Speaker 1: lady told how that belonged to her children, that it 85 00:05:00,640 --> 00:05:03,440 Speaker 1: meant something to her, and to put it back. It 86 00:05:03,520 --> 00:05:08,200 Speaker 1: seemed obvious to everyone all she was doing was keeping trash, 87 00:05:08,640 --> 00:05:11,880 Speaker 1: but she couldn't see it. She was so focused on 88 00:05:12,080 --> 00:05:17,960 Speaker 1: holding onto everything she didn't realize it was limiting her life. Now, 89 00:05:17,960 --> 00:05:21,720 Speaker 1: I wonder how many of us are hoarders in our minds. 90 00:05:22,320 --> 00:05:25,840 Speaker 1: We're not letting anything go. There's so much clutter we 91 00:05:25,880 --> 00:05:30,359 Speaker 1: can enjoy our life. God has you hearing this because 92 00:05:30,400 --> 00:05:33,520 Speaker 1: he wants to do an intervention. He wants to help 93 00:05:33,560 --> 00:05:37,800 Speaker 1: you clear out the worry, the offense, the guilt, the bitterness, 94 00:05:38,200 --> 00:05:42,320 Speaker 1: those things that are cluttering your life. What's interesting is 95 00:05:42,360 --> 00:05:46,000 Speaker 1: the authorities didn't make her throw away the trash. It 96 00:05:46,120 --> 00:05:49,360 Speaker 1: was her choice, and eventually she decided to do it. 97 00:05:49,839 --> 00:05:53,359 Speaker 1: But it wasn't easy. Everything in her said to hold 98 00:05:53,480 --> 00:05:56,640 Speaker 1: on to it. That's all she had known for years. 99 00:05:57,040 --> 00:06:02,600 Speaker 1: Living cluttered had become normal to her. Sometimes living worried 100 00:06:02,920 --> 00:06:05,960 Speaker 1: has become normal to us. We've done it for years. 101 00:06:06,480 --> 00:06:10,000 Speaker 1: Living guilty is what we're used to. We've gone around 102 00:06:10,040 --> 00:06:13,080 Speaker 1: thinking we don't deserve to be blessed. We've made too 103 00:06:13,120 --> 00:06:17,200 Speaker 1: many mistakes. We've let that recording place so long that 104 00:06:17,279 --> 00:06:22,200 Speaker 1: we've accepted it. Or maybe living inferior, feeling less than. 105 00:06:22,800 --> 00:06:26,200 Speaker 1: Perhaps that's how you were raised. Thoughts have always told 106 00:06:26,240 --> 00:06:29,760 Speaker 1: you you're not that talented, you're not attractive, you don't 107 00:06:29,800 --> 00:06:33,200 Speaker 1: have a good personality. We didn't know any better. We 108 00:06:33,320 --> 00:06:37,440 Speaker 1: believe those lies, and now our mind is cluttered. The 109 00:06:37,480 --> 00:06:40,960 Speaker 1: good news is this is your day for an intervention. 110 00:06:41,560 --> 00:06:45,200 Speaker 1: It is time to clear out the clutter those thoughts 111 00:06:45,279 --> 00:06:47,600 Speaker 1: that are telling you you're not up to par. You 112 00:06:47,640 --> 00:06:50,599 Speaker 1: need to say no, thank you. I am fearfully and 113 00:06:50,800 --> 00:06:54,960 Speaker 1: wonderfully made. I have royal blood flowing through my veins. 114 00:06:55,120 --> 00:06:58,560 Speaker 1: I'm wearing a crown of favor. Clear out the negative. 115 00:06:58,960 --> 00:07:02,719 Speaker 1: You have enough peace. People in life against you, don't 116 00:07:02,720 --> 00:07:06,680 Speaker 1: be against yourself. You've been made in the image of 117 00:07:06,839 --> 00:07:11,280 Speaker 1: Almighty God. God doesn't make any mistakes. He didn't make 118 00:07:11,320 --> 00:07:15,720 Speaker 1: you faulty. He calls you a masterpiece, a prized possession. 119 00:07:16,520 --> 00:07:22,080 Speaker 1: My challenge, don't say another negative word about yourself. Quit 120 00:07:22,280 --> 00:07:25,400 Speaker 1: dwelling on those thoughts telling you what you're not. You 121 00:07:25,440 --> 00:07:28,680 Speaker 1: are exactly how you're supposed to be. You have been 122 00:07:28,880 --> 00:07:33,600 Speaker 1: wonderfully made. Now get in agreement with God. All through 123 00:07:33,640 --> 00:07:36,920 Speaker 1: the day, this recording should be playing in our mind. 124 00:07:37,360 --> 00:07:41,440 Speaker 1: I'm a masterpiece, I'm one of a kind. I'm talented, 125 00:07:41,760 --> 00:07:47,160 Speaker 1: I'm attractive, I'm favored, I'm empowered. I have seeds of greatness. 126 00:07:48,000 --> 00:07:51,080 Speaker 1: When you dwell on what God says about you, it 127 00:07:51,120 --> 00:07:55,640 Speaker 1: will automatically clear out the clutter. Fear can't stay where 128 00:07:55,680 --> 00:08:00,240 Speaker 1: faith is. Discouragement can't stay where hope is. Guilt can't 129 00:08:00,120 --> 00:08:04,480 Speaker 1: stay where forgiveness is. Mediocrity can't stay where greatness is. 130 00:08:05,200 --> 00:08:08,920 Speaker 1: Program your mind with what God says about you. But 131 00:08:09,000 --> 00:08:12,280 Speaker 1: this lady had a beautiful house. She couldn't enjoy it. 132 00:08:12,760 --> 00:08:16,360 Speaker 1: She couldn't get upstairs because of the trash. In the 133 00:08:16,440 --> 00:08:19,880 Speaker 1: same way, if you don't clear out the clutter, it 134 00:08:19,920 --> 00:08:23,760 Speaker 1: will keep you from going to new levels. Worry we'll 135 00:08:23,840 --> 00:08:27,560 Speaker 1: keep you from rising higher. Living guilty will keep you 136 00:08:27,640 --> 00:08:32,160 Speaker 1: from pursuing dreams. Going around defended. Bitter will keep you 137 00:08:32,200 --> 00:08:35,800 Speaker 1: from new opportunities, won't you? All these people hurt me, 138 00:08:36,320 --> 00:08:38,760 Speaker 1: they did me wrong. That's why I'm bitter. That's why 139 00:08:38,760 --> 00:08:42,679 Speaker 1: I'm upset. That happened twenty seven years ago. Why are 140 00:08:42,720 --> 00:08:45,360 Speaker 1: you still holding on to it? Why are you still 141 00:08:45,440 --> 00:08:48,920 Speaker 1: sour over the person that walked away, still upset over 142 00:08:48,960 --> 00:08:51,920 Speaker 1: how you were raised, still bitter over that company that 143 00:08:52,000 --> 00:08:55,880 Speaker 1: lets you go. Don't be a hoarder. Don't let that 144 00:08:56,120 --> 00:09:00,000 Speaker 1: poison your future. They hurt you once, don't let them 145 00:09:00,360 --> 00:09:04,760 Speaker 1: continue to hurt you by holding onto it. Recognize that's 146 00:09:04,840 --> 00:09:09,480 Speaker 1: cluttering your mind, that's limiting your vision. And I'm not 147 00:09:09,679 --> 00:09:14,559 Speaker 1: saying what they did wasn't hurtful. I'm not making excuses 148 00:09:14,679 --> 00:09:17,880 Speaker 1: for their behavior. But as long as you hold on 149 00:09:17,920 --> 00:09:21,600 Speaker 1: to it, you're giving them your power. You're letting them 150 00:09:21,679 --> 00:09:26,760 Speaker 1: control you. We only have so much emotional energy each day. 151 00:09:27,440 --> 00:09:29,960 Speaker 1: Do you know how much energy it takes to hold 152 00:09:30,000 --> 00:09:33,320 Speaker 1: a grudge, to be bitter, to go around trying to 153 00:09:33,360 --> 00:09:37,320 Speaker 1: pay people back. That is valuable energy you need for 154 00:09:37,440 --> 00:09:42,040 Speaker 1: your dreams, for your goals, for your children. God said 155 00:09:42,520 --> 00:09:46,200 Speaker 1: he will give you beauty for ashes. But here's the key. 156 00:09:46,800 --> 00:09:49,560 Speaker 1: You have to let go of the ashes before you 157 00:09:49,679 --> 00:09:54,520 Speaker 1: receive the beauty. You can't go around hurt, living, offended, 158 00:09:54,840 --> 00:09:57,760 Speaker 1: upset and see the new things God has in store. 159 00:09:58,400 --> 00:10:01,240 Speaker 1: You have to clear out the club. That's what makes 160 00:10:01,320 --> 00:10:04,760 Speaker 1: room for God to give you the beauty. The mistake 161 00:10:04,840 --> 00:10:08,240 Speaker 1: we make sometimes is we think we have to get even, 162 00:10:08,640 --> 00:10:12,240 Speaker 1: we have to pay people back. No, that's not your job. 163 00:10:12,600 --> 00:10:15,760 Speaker 1: If you'll turn it over to God, he'll be your vindicator. 164 00:10:16,280 --> 00:10:20,520 Speaker 1: He'll bring justice into your life. He saw every hurt, 165 00:10:21,200 --> 00:10:25,120 Speaker 1: every wrong, every person that took advantage of you. I've 166 00:10:25,200 --> 00:10:29,960 Speaker 1: learned God will vindicate you better than you can vindicate yourself. 167 00:10:30,920 --> 00:10:35,240 Speaker 1: David said, God will prepare a table before you in 168 00:10:35,360 --> 00:10:39,720 Speaker 1: the presence of your enemies. That means when God brings 169 00:10:39,760 --> 00:10:43,120 Speaker 1: you out those people that did you wrong, the people 170 00:10:43,120 --> 00:10:47,240 Speaker 1: that tried to hold you back, they will see you promoted, honored, 171 00:10:47,440 --> 00:10:50,720 Speaker 1: in a position of influence. God is not going to 172 00:10:50,800 --> 00:10:54,280 Speaker 1: vindicate you in private. He's going to do it in public, 173 00:10:54,880 --> 00:10:59,719 Speaker 1: so your enemies see you blessed, favored, successful. When my 174 00:10:59,800 --> 00:11:02,120 Speaker 1: dad went to be with the Lord and I stepped 175 00:11:02,160 --> 00:11:06,000 Speaker 1: up to pastor the church, I was very insecure. I 176 00:11:06,080 --> 00:11:10,240 Speaker 1: had never ministered before. One Sunday, right after I first 177 00:11:10,280 --> 00:11:14,240 Speaker 1: started speaking, I was walking through the front lobby and 178 00:11:14,320 --> 00:11:18,760 Speaker 1: I overheard these two older ladies talking. One said he's 179 00:11:18,800 --> 00:11:21,840 Speaker 1: not as good as his father. The other answered, yeah, 180 00:11:21,920 --> 00:11:24,480 Speaker 1: I don't think he's going to make it. That was 181 00:11:24,559 --> 00:11:27,080 Speaker 1: the last thing I needed to hear. It was like 182 00:11:27,160 --> 00:11:31,120 Speaker 1: my worst nightmare. I was tempted to shrink back and 183 00:11:31,200 --> 00:11:33,840 Speaker 1: think I can't do this, Nobody's going to listen to me. 184 00:11:34,559 --> 00:11:37,880 Speaker 1: But I felt something rise up in me so strongly, 185 00:11:38,320 --> 00:11:40,880 Speaker 1: I thought, who are they to tell me what I 186 00:11:40,920 --> 00:11:45,440 Speaker 1: can't do? They didn't breathe life into me. They don't 187 00:11:45,480 --> 00:11:49,000 Speaker 1: determine my destiny. They didn't know me before I was 188 00:11:49,120 --> 00:11:52,559 Speaker 1: formed in my mother's wound. I don't need their approval. 189 00:11:52,920 --> 00:11:55,120 Speaker 1: I don't have to have them to be for me. 190 00:11:55,840 --> 00:11:58,240 Speaker 1: I did what I'm asking you to do. I cleared 191 00:11:58,280 --> 00:12:02,440 Speaker 1: out the clutter. Their voices came to my mind. I said, 192 00:12:02,520 --> 00:12:05,360 Speaker 1: no thanks. I am well able, I am strong in 193 00:12:05,400 --> 00:12:07,960 Speaker 1: the Lord. God being for me is more than the 194 00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:12,080 Speaker 1: world being against me. And they still may not like me, 195 00:12:12,480 --> 00:12:15,280 Speaker 1: but that's okay. When they turn on the television, they 196 00:12:15,320 --> 00:12:18,760 Speaker 1: probably see me. When they're flipping through serious acim they 197 00:12:18,840 --> 00:12:22,360 Speaker 1: might hear me. What was that God preparing a table 198 00:12:22,760 --> 00:12:27,600 Speaker 1: in the presence of my enemies When we were trying 199 00:12:27,640 --> 00:12:32,199 Speaker 1: to acquire this building, the former Compact Center. A well 200 00:12:32,240 --> 00:12:35,520 Speaker 1: known business leader in Houston told a friend of mine 201 00:12:35,800 --> 00:12:38,760 Speaker 1: that it would be a cold day in hell before 202 00:12:38,840 --> 00:12:42,320 Speaker 1: Lakewood got the Compact Center. He was very against us. 203 00:12:42,920 --> 00:12:46,640 Speaker 1: The company we were up against was much bigger, had 204 00:12:46,720 --> 00:12:50,640 Speaker 1: many more resources. But God stepped in and made things 205 00:12:50,679 --> 00:12:52,880 Speaker 1: happen that we never could make happen. And here we 206 00:12:52,920 --> 00:12:57,560 Speaker 1: are today. But I can imagine every time that man 207 00:12:57,679 --> 00:13:01,200 Speaker 1: drives down the freeway sees our building with the big 208 00:13:01,280 --> 00:13:04,560 Speaker 1: lakewood sign, he must think it's a cold day in hell, 209 00:13:04,640 --> 00:13:09,720 Speaker 1: because here we are. What was that God honoring us 210 00:13:10,000 --> 00:13:13,600 Speaker 1: in front of the opposition. Now I'm not gloating over it, 211 00:13:14,040 --> 00:13:18,040 Speaker 1: not too much anyway, But here's my point. God knows 212 00:13:18,160 --> 00:13:21,760 Speaker 1: how to vindicate you. It would be one thing if 213 00:13:21,760 --> 00:13:24,960 Speaker 1: he did it in private, we would be grateful. But 214 00:13:25,080 --> 00:13:28,280 Speaker 1: God is going to do it in public. He's preparing 215 00:13:28,320 --> 00:13:32,720 Speaker 1: a table in the presence of your enemies. That means 216 00:13:33,040 --> 00:13:36,440 Speaker 1: when you have opposition, when you have trouble and things 217 00:13:36,520 --> 00:13:40,200 Speaker 1: come against you, God has a table there. The key 218 00:13:40,320 --> 00:13:44,240 Speaker 1: is to don't fight with the opposition. Don't live worried, upset, 219 00:13:44,559 --> 00:13:48,360 Speaker 1: stressed out. No, take a seat at the table God 220 00:13:48,400 --> 00:13:52,480 Speaker 1: has prepared. If you will stay in rest, then God 221 00:13:52,559 --> 00:13:56,120 Speaker 1: will go to work. But when you work, God rest 222 00:13:56,720 --> 00:14:00,480 Speaker 1: as long as you're uptight, worried, trying to make it happen. 223 00:14:00,679 --> 00:14:03,800 Speaker 1: Only in your own strength. It will limit what God 224 00:14:03,840 --> 00:14:08,240 Speaker 1: will do. The Psalms said, be still and know that 225 00:14:08,320 --> 00:14:12,160 Speaker 1: he is God. Clear out the worry, clear out the negativity. 226 00:14:12,400 --> 00:14:15,120 Speaker 1: Live from a place of faith, a place of peace. 227 00:14:15,640 --> 00:14:18,720 Speaker 1: God has you in the palm of his hand. Nothing 228 00:14:18,760 --> 00:14:21,800 Speaker 1: you're facing is a surprise to him. He said that 229 00:14:21,840 --> 00:14:26,160 Speaker 1: the Israelites stand still, and you will see the deliverance 230 00:14:26,200 --> 00:14:29,520 Speaker 1: of the Lord. He wasn't just talking about physically. He's 231 00:14:29,560 --> 00:14:33,240 Speaker 1: talking about in their mind, in their attitude, in their spirit. 232 00:14:34,080 --> 00:14:38,600 Speaker 1: You may have plenty of good reasons to live upset, worried, 233 00:14:38,840 --> 00:14:42,000 Speaker 1: not able to sleep at night. But when you're in peace, 234 00:14:42,400 --> 00:14:45,920 Speaker 1: that's a position of power. When you're in peace, you're 235 00:14:46,000 --> 00:14:49,920 Speaker 1: showing God that you trust him. Anyone can stay in 236 00:14:49,960 --> 00:14:54,160 Speaker 1: faith when everything's going our way. The test comes when 237 00:14:54,200 --> 00:14:57,720 Speaker 1: the contract doesn't go through, when your child is off course, 238 00:14:58,000 --> 00:15:01,120 Speaker 1: when the medical report is not good. It's easy to 239 00:15:01,240 --> 00:15:05,320 Speaker 1: let the clutter in. No, be still, that's the time 240 00:15:05,640 --> 00:15:08,600 Speaker 1: to show God that you trust him, not just with 241 00:15:08,680 --> 00:15:12,760 Speaker 1: your words, but with your actions. See, the enemy's main 242 00:15:12,960 --> 00:15:17,360 Speaker 1: target is our mind. That's the control center for our life. 243 00:15:17,560 --> 00:15:21,200 Speaker 1: If he can keep it cluttered filled with doubt, what 244 00:15:21,240 --> 00:15:23,840 Speaker 1: if it doesn't work out, Joel, What if my health 245 00:15:23,880 --> 00:15:26,520 Speaker 1: doesn't improve, What if I don't meet the right person. 246 00:15:27,080 --> 00:15:30,320 Speaker 1: As long as our mind is cluttered, it keeps God 247 00:15:30,360 --> 00:15:34,440 Speaker 1: from turning it around. God works where there's faith. In 248 00:15:34,520 --> 00:15:37,840 Speaker 1: Second Chronicles thirty two, the king of Syria had a 249 00:15:37,960 --> 00:15:42,680 Speaker 1: huge army. They had invaded that whole region, conquering all 250 00:15:42,720 --> 00:15:46,680 Speaker 1: these large fortified cities by tearing down the walls and 251 00:15:46,800 --> 00:15:51,120 Speaker 1: capturing the people. The city of Jerusalem was next in line. 252 00:15:51,840 --> 00:15:56,120 Speaker 1: Word quickly spread throughout the Israelite camp. The people begin 253 00:15:56,240 --> 00:15:59,280 Speaker 1: to panic, so worried, thinking what are we going to do? 254 00:16:00,000 --> 00:16:04,200 Speaker 1: So much bigger than us. King Hezekiah said to the 255 00:16:04,280 --> 00:16:09,520 Speaker 1: Israelites in verse seven, don't be afraid of this mighty army, 256 00:16:09,960 --> 00:16:14,080 Speaker 1: for there is a power far greater on our side. 257 00:16:14,200 --> 00:16:17,240 Speaker 1: They may have a great army, but they are just men. 258 00:16:17,720 --> 00:16:20,880 Speaker 1: We have the Lord, our God, to fight our battles 259 00:16:20,880 --> 00:16:26,240 Speaker 1: for us. When you face big enemies, big oppositions, you 260 00:16:26,360 --> 00:16:30,280 Speaker 1: have to remind yourself our God is bigger than the cancer. 261 00:16:30,920 --> 00:16:34,040 Speaker 1: He's bigger than the addiction. He's bigger than the people 262 00:16:34,120 --> 00:16:36,800 Speaker 1: that are trying to stop you. The way to stay 263 00:16:36,920 --> 00:16:40,520 Speaker 1: in faith is don't talk about how big the problem is. 264 00:16:40,920 --> 00:16:44,240 Speaker 1: Talk about how big your God is. He flung stars 265 00:16:44,240 --> 00:16:48,400 Speaker 1: into space, He spoke worlds into existence. He healed my 266 00:16:48,520 --> 00:16:52,360 Speaker 1: mother of terminal cancer. He gave us the compact center. 267 00:16:52,720 --> 00:16:56,720 Speaker 1: The good news is right now, he's breathing in your direction. 268 00:16:57,360 --> 00:17:01,120 Speaker 1: He's pushing back forces of darkness. He's lining up the 269 00:17:01,120 --> 00:17:05,040 Speaker 1: breaks that you need. Don't let fear clutter your mind. 270 00:17:05,560 --> 00:17:08,840 Speaker 1: Don't let doubt keep you from your miracle. Don't let 271 00:17:08,880 --> 00:17:12,359 Speaker 1: people talk you out of your dreams. The King of 272 00:17:12,440 --> 00:17:16,639 Speaker 1: Syria sent a letter to the Israelites threatening them. It's said, 273 00:17:17,000 --> 00:17:20,479 Speaker 1: we've conquered all these cities, We've captured all these people. 274 00:17:20,960 --> 00:17:24,040 Speaker 1: None of their God saved them. What makes you think 275 00:17:24,080 --> 00:17:27,440 Speaker 1: your God is going to save you. The enemy will 276 00:17:27,480 --> 00:17:31,600 Speaker 1: always try to defeat you first in your thoughts, things 277 00:17:31,640 --> 00:17:34,399 Speaker 1: like you'll never get well. Your grandmother died of the 278 00:17:34,440 --> 00:17:38,000 Speaker 1: same thing. You'll never break the addiction, that problem will 279 00:17:38,040 --> 00:17:41,720 Speaker 1: never turn around. Don't believe those lies. He wouldn't be 280 00:17:41,800 --> 00:17:44,720 Speaker 1: telling you that unless he knew it was on the way. 281 00:17:45,560 --> 00:17:49,280 Speaker 1: Do like Hezekiah. Yes, this problem may be big, but 282 00:17:49,400 --> 00:17:52,440 Speaker 1: I know a secret. My God is much bigger. He's 283 00:17:52,480 --> 00:17:56,080 Speaker 1: on the throne, he has the final say. What he's 284 00:17:56,119 --> 00:18:02,000 Speaker 1: started in my life, he will finish. Hezekiah not been 285 00:18:02,160 --> 00:18:05,959 Speaker 1: proactive to guard his mind and to speak victory to 286 00:18:06,000 --> 00:18:10,359 Speaker 1: the people. They were to all panic, lived in fear. Instead, 287 00:18:10,760 --> 00:18:14,680 Speaker 1: they stayed in peace. Verse twenty one says God sent 288 00:18:14,760 --> 00:18:19,640 Speaker 1: an angel that destroyed the whole enemy army. That king 289 00:18:19,720 --> 00:18:24,600 Speaker 1: went home in disgrace, returned to his land. God knows 290 00:18:24,880 --> 00:18:27,960 Speaker 1: how to vindicate you. He knows how to turn the 291 00:18:28,080 --> 00:18:32,400 Speaker 1: problem around. One angel wiped out the whole bunch. Now 292 00:18:32,480 --> 00:18:35,719 Speaker 1: stay in faith. When you're attempted to worry, turn it 293 00:18:35,760 --> 00:18:39,080 Speaker 1: into worship. Father, Thank you that your angels are working 294 00:18:39,160 --> 00:18:41,960 Speaker 1: in my life. Thank you that no weapon formed against 295 00:18:42,040 --> 00:18:45,080 Speaker 1: me will prosper. Thank you that the trap the enemy 296 00:18:45,160 --> 00:18:48,679 Speaker 1: set for me, they will fall in themselves. If we're 297 00:18:48,720 --> 00:18:50,960 Speaker 1: going to keep the clutter out, we have to know 298 00:18:51,240 --> 00:18:56,480 Speaker 1: what's our job and what's God's job. Sometimes we're frustrated 299 00:18:56,840 --> 00:18:59,640 Speaker 1: because we're trying to do what only God can do. 300 00:19:00,480 --> 00:19:04,160 Speaker 1: You can't make yourself get well, Make somebody do what's right, 301 00:19:04,440 --> 00:19:08,520 Speaker 1: make a door open. Our part is to believe. Our 302 00:19:08,600 --> 00:19:11,639 Speaker 1: part is to stay in faith and then let God 303 00:19:11,720 --> 00:19:15,800 Speaker 1: do his part. Trust him to work it out. Hezekiah 304 00:19:15,840 --> 00:19:18,560 Speaker 1: could have thought I know God's on my side. I'm 305 00:19:18,600 --> 00:19:21,680 Speaker 1: going to go attack this army, show them who they're 306 00:19:21,680 --> 00:19:25,080 Speaker 1: dealing with. We wouldn't be reading about it. I'm not 307 00:19:25,160 --> 00:19:28,320 Speaker 1: saying to always sit back and be passive, but there 308 00:19:28,320 --> 00:19:32,119 Speaker 1: are some battles you're not supposed to find. Let God 309 00:19:32,320 --> 00:19:35,800 Speaker 1: fight them for you. Even with the Compact Center, we 310 00:19:35,920 --> 00:19:39,200 Speaker 1: had a three year legal battle, and yes we did 311 00:19:39,240 --> 00:19:43,360 Speaker 1: what we could, but we recognize God, this is too 312 00:19:43,359 --> 00:19:46,960 Speaker 1: big for us. Only you can make this happen. So 313 00:19:47,080 --> 00:19:50,399 Speaker 1: we're going to be still and know that you are God. 314 00:19:51,280 --> 00:19:55,040 Speaker 1: Like with Hezekiah, God stepped in and made things happen 315 00:19:55,160 --> 00:19:58,240 Speaker 1: that we could have never made happen. But while you're 316 00:19:58,280 --> 00:20:02,280 Speaker 1: waiting for things to change, that's a test. It's easy 317 00:20:02,320 --> 00:20:05,919 Speaker 1: to live worried, focused on your problem, thinking about how 318 00:20:05,960 --> 00:20:09,439 Speaker 1: it's never going to work out or clear out that clutter. 319 00:20:10,320 --> 00:20:14,320 Speaker 1: Isaiah said, if you'll keep your mind stayed on him, 320 00:20:14,880 --> 00:20:18,480 Speaker 1: God will keep you in perfect peace. Our part is 321 00:20:18,520 --> 00:20:20,960 Speaker 1: to keep our mind on him. God. Thank you that 322 00:20:21,000 --> 00:20:23,720 Speaker 1: you're in control. Thank you that you are for me. 323 00:20:24,119 --> 00:20:26,800 Speaker 1: Thank you that your destiny for my life will come 324 00:20:26,840 --> 00:20:29,879 Speaker 1: to pass. If we do our part, God will do 325 00:20:30,000 --> 00:20:33,159 Speaker 1: his part. He'll not only keep you in peace, but 326 00:20:33,240 --> 00:20:36,679 Speaker 1: he'll get you to where you're supposed to be. In 327 00:20:36,760 --> 00:20:40,760 Speaker 1: the scripture, there were three Hebrew teenagers that were about 328 00:20:40,800 --> 00:20:44,400 Speaker 1: to be thrown into a fiery furnace because they wouldn't 329 00:20:44,440 --> 00:20:48,160 Speaker 1: bow down to the king's golden idol. The king threatened 330 00:20:48,200 --> 00:20:51,560 Speaker 1: them one last time. They said, King, we're still not 331 00:20:51,640 --> 00:20:55,160 Speaker 1: going to bow down. We know our God will deliver us. 332 00:20:55,680 --> 00:20:59,200 Speaker 1: They had this attitude of faith, but what they said 333 00:20:59,320 --> 00:21:02,320 Speaker 1: next was the real key. They went on to say, 334 00:21:02,520 --> 00:21:06,440 Speaker 1: even if he doesn't deliver us, we're still not going 335 00:21:06,480 --> 00:21:11,120 Speaker 1: to bow down. That's a powerful position. When you can 336 00:21:11,160 --> 00:21:14,480 Speaker 1: say I'm going to stay in peace if it works 337 00:21:14,480 --> 00:21:17,200 Speaker 1: out my way, and I'm going to stay in peace 338 00:21:17,359 --> 00:21:20,440 Speaker 1: if it doesn't work out my way, then you take 339 00:21:20,480 --> 00:21:24,480 Speaker 1: away all the power of the enemy. If you're only 340 00:21:24,560 --> 00:21:27,840 Speaker 1: going to be happy if it happens your way, you're 341 00:21:27,880 --> 00:21:31,399 Speaker 1: setting yourself up for disappointment. Why don't you take this 342 00:21:31,520 --> 00:21:34,640 Speaker 1: next step? God, This is what i'm believing for, this 343 00:21:34,720 --> 00:21:37,320 Speaker 1: is what I want. But God, you know what's best 344 00:21:37,320 --> 00:21:40,200 Speaker 1: for me. And if it doesn't happen my way, I'm 345 00:21:40,240 --> 00:21:42,639 Speaker 1: still going to stay in peace. I'm still going to 346 00:21:42,720 --> 00:21:44,919 Speaker 1: have a song of praise. I'm still going to be 347 00:21:44,960 --> 00:21:49,040 Speaker 1: good to people. That's what allows God to do amazing things. 348 00:21:49,680 --> 00:21:52,240 Speaker 1: But there's a lot of noise these days. There's a 349 00:21:52,280 --> 00:21:58,159 Speaker 1: lot of drama things that we can get pulled into. Worry, conflict, jealousy. 350 00:21:59,040 --> 00:22:02,119 Speaker 1: That may be all around us, but it doesn't have 351 00:22:02,240 --> 00:22:06,240 Speaker 1: to get in us. Pay attention to what you're allowing 352 00:22:06,400 --> 00:22:11,000 Speaker 1: in your spirit. Just because there's conflict with your relatives 353 00:22:11,359 --> 00:22:15,120 Speaker 1: doesn't mean it has to get in you. Don't take that, babe, 354 00:22:15,200 --> 00:22:18,359 Speaker 1: Stay on the high road. Maybe at the office you 355 00:22:18,440 --> 00:22:22,840 Speaker 1: could be frustrated people are playing politics, not treating you right. 356 00:22:23,320 --> 00:22:27,280 Speaker 1: It's easy to let that sour your day. Come home negative, 357 00:22:27,560 --> 00:22:31,800 Speaker 1: no clear out that clutter. Your time is too valuable 358 00:22:32,160 --> 00:22:35,879 Speaker 1: to live it upset, bitter. This day is a gift 359 00:22:36,040 --> 00:22:38,720 Speaker 1: from God. Once we live it, we can never get 360 00:22:38,760 --> 00:22:43,160 Speaker 1: it back. And sometimes we've become so hooked on drama, 361 00:22:43,880 --> 00:22:48,240 Speaker 1: so used to living uptight, worrying about this situation, putting 362 00:22:48,280 --> 00:22:52,080 Speaker 1: out this fire, fighting with this relative. We've forgotten what 363 00:22:52,160 --> 00:22:55,440 Speaker 1: it's like to be in peace, to not have all 364 00:22:55,480 --> 00:22:59,080 Speaker 1: that clutter. That is not the way God created us. 365 00:23:00,080 --> 00:23:03,480 Speaker 1: In the garden of Eden, before they ate the forbidden fruit, 366 00:23:03,760 --> 00:23:10,160 Speaker 1: there wasn't any noise, any drama, any jealousy, backstabbing politics. 367 00:23:10,320 --> 00:23:14,359 Speaker 1: It was peaceful, joyful, And no it's not like that now. 368 00:23:14,600 --> 00:23:17,560 Speaker 1: But you can choose to live from a place of peace. 369 00:23:18,119 --> 00:23:22,160 Speaker 1: You don't have to let the outside get on the inside. 370 00:23:22,359 --> 00:23:26,439 Speaker 1: Maybe you've become comfortable with the clutter like this lady. 371 00:23:26,480 --> 00:23:30,000 Speaker 1: You don't recognize that it's limiting your vision, that it 372 00:23:30,080 --> 00:23:33,960 Speaker 1: is blocking your potential. Not only that it doesn't smell good. 373 00:23:34,680 --> 00:23:39,320 Speaker 1: Worry doesn't look good on you. Living guilty, bitter, offended, angry. 374 00:23:39,840 --> 00:23:43,159 Speaker 1: That is not your style. Clear out that clutter and 375 00:23:43,240 --> 00:23:47,040 Speaker 1: you'll step into new levels. I read where a sheep 376 00:23:47,440 --> 00:23:51,280 Speaker 1: won't give birth in a noisy place. When it's about 377 00:23:51,280 --> 00:23:54,360 Speaker 1: to go into labor, it will leave the flock, get 378 00:23:54,359 --> 00:23:57,800 Speaker 1: away from all the commotion, all the busyness, and find 379 00:23:57,840 --> 00:24:02,120 Speaker 1: a quiet place. In that peace full atmosphere, it will 380 00:24:02,119 --> 00:24:06,119 Speaker 1: give birth. In the same way, you won't give birth 381 00:24:06,160 --> 00:24:09,840 Speaker 1: to your dreams in a noisy place. You won't give 382 00:24:09,880 --> 00:24:13,200 Speaker 1: birth to that breakthrough you're believing for. If you're worried, 383 00:24:13,359 --> 00:24:16,560 Speaker 1: if your mind is stressed, you won't give birth to 384 00:24:16,600 --> 00:24:21,879 Speaker 1: your potential. If your mind is full of hurts, regrets, bitterness. 385 00:24:22,520 --> 00:24:26,320 Speaker 1: You may wonder why God is not doing anything. Perhaps 386 00:24:26,359 --> 00:24:29,960 Speaker 1: He's waiting for you to find a quiet place. And 387 00:24:30,040 --> 00:24:33,000 Speaker 1: it may be noisy all around you, but in your 388 00:24:33,119 --> 00:24:36,320 Speaker 1: mind you can be in peace when you know God 389 00:24:36,400 --> 00:24:39,880 Speaker 1: is in control, when you know he's directing your steps, 390 00:24:40,119 --> 00:24:43,479 Speaker 1: when you know nothing can stand against him, then you 391 00:24:43,520 --> 00:24:48,000 Speaker 1: can live out of a quiet place. David said, God 392 00:24:48,080 --> 00:24:52,040 Speaker 1: makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads 393 00:24:52,119 --> 00:24:55,679 Speaker 1: me by the still waters. You could think David had 394 00:24:55,720 --> 00:24:59,239 Speaker 1: an easy life. Everything must have gone his way he 395 00:24:59,280 --> 00:25:02,800 Speaker 1: lived in the green pastures. It was just the opposite. 396 00:25:02,920 --> 00:25:07,040 Speaker 1: David's life was full of difficulties. People trying to stop him, 397 00:25:07,560 --> 00:25:10,600 Speaker 1: armies trying to defeat him. His own family didn't believe 398 00:25:10,600 --> 00:25:14,199 Speaker 1: in him. Yet he said I lie down in green 399 00:25:14,400 --> 00:25:19,240 Speaker 1: pastures by still waters. He wasn't just talking about physically, 400 00:25:19,680 --> 00:25:23,280 Speaker 1: he was talking about in his mind. Despite all that 401 00:25:23,400 --> 00:25:26,840 Speaker 1: came against him, he chose to live in a place 402 00:25:26,920 --> 00:25:30,919 Speaker 1: of peace. God is saying to you, come into the 403 00:25:30,960 --> 00:25:35,280 Speaker 1: green pastures, come by the still waters. You don't have 404 00:25:35,400 --> 00:25:38,640 Speaker 1: to carry all that clutter. It's time to get rid 405 00:25:38,680 --> 00:25:43,200 Speaker 1: of the offense, the hurts, the guilt, the anger. There 406 00:25:43,240 --> 00:25:46,520 Speaker 1: are some new things God wants you to birth. You 407 00:25:46,600 --> 00:25:49,600 Speaker 1: know where You're going to birth them, by the still waters. 408 00:25:50,040 --> 00:25:53,639 Speaker 1: If you'll be still, you will know he is God. 409 00:25:53,960 --> 00:25:57,080 Speaker 1: You will see him show out in your life. I'm 410 00:25:57,119 --> 00:26:01,960 Speaker 1: asking us to unclutter our minds. Living guilty is not 411 00:26:02,119 --> 00:26:06,400 Speaker 1: your destiny. Going around down on yourself, thinking problems are 412 00:26:06,400 --> 00:26:09,560 Speaker 1: too big is not who you were created to be. 413 00:26:10,440 --> 00:26:13,800 Speaker 1: Empty out the negative and program your mind with what 414 00:26:13,840 --> 00:26:17,200 Speaker 1: God says about you. If you'll do this, I believe 415 00:26:17,440 --> 00:26:21,840 Speaker 1: and declare You're going to give birth to dreams, to promotion, 416 00:26:22,480 --> 00:26:26,600 Speaker 1: to healing, to breakthroughs. God is going to defeat enemies 417 00:26:26,760 --> 00:26:30,400 Speaker 1: much bigger open doors that you couldn't open, and take 418 00:26:30,440 --> 00:26:34,040 Speaker 1: you to the fullness of your destiny. In Jesus' name, 419 00:26:34,640 --> 00:26:38,960 Speaker 1: if you receive it. Can you say men today, I'd 420 00:26:39,040 --> 00:26:42,040 Speaker 1: like to give you an opportunity to make Jesus the 421 00:26:42,080 --> 00:26:46,320 Speaker 1: lord of your life. Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus, 422 00:26:47,640 --> 00:26:52,560 Speaker 1: I repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I'll 423 00:26:52,640 --> 00:26:56,600 Speaker 1: make you my lord and savior. Friends, if you prayed 424 00:26:56,600 --> 00:26:59,840 Speaker 1: that simple prayer, we believe you got born again a 425 00:27:00,160 --> 00:27:04,400 Speaker 1: good Bible based church. Keep God first place, Victorian. I'll 426 00:27:04,400 --> 00:27:06,840 Speaker 1: be right back to speak a blessing over you. 427 00:27:08,880 --> 00:27:12,320 Speaker 3: Thank you for listening to the Joel Osteine podcast. Help 428 00:27:12,400 --> 00:27:15,119 Speaker 3: us continue to share the message of hope with those 429 00:27:15,240 --> 00:27:19,120 Speaker 3: all over the world. Visit joelostin dot com slash give 430 00:27:19,200 --> 00:27:20,879 Speaker 3: Hope to give a gift today. 431 00:27:22,160 --> 00:27:25,080 Speaker 1: Thanks so much for listening to today's message. I hope 432 00:27:25,080 --> 00:27:28,480 Speaker 1: you'll subscribe so you can receive the latest podcast to 433 00:27:28,560 --> 00:27:31,760 Speaker 1: keep you inspired all through the week. We're praying for you. 434 00:27:31,920 --> 00:27:34,399 Speaker 1: I know God's best is still ahead. We'll see you 435 00:27:34,440 --> 00:27:34,920 Speaker 1: next time.