1 00:00:00,680 --> 00:00:03,200 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks so much for 2 00:00:03,279 --> 00:00:05,600 Speaker 1: listening to the podcast and thanks for. 3 00:00:05,559 --> 00:00:08,440 Speaker 2: Supporting the ministry. We believe you're going to have an. 4 00:00:08,320 --> 00:00:12,480 Speaker 1: Awesome twenty twenty four, healthy, productive, and favor filled. 5 00:00:12,800 --> 00:00:15,680 Speaker 2: God bless you today and enjoy the message. Well, God 6 00:00:15,680 --> 00:00:16,279 Speaker 2: bless you. 7 00:00:16,520 --> 00:00:18,720 Speaker 1: It's always a joy to come into your homes, and 8 00:00:18,960 --> 00:00:21,440 Speaker 1: if you're ever in our area, please stop by and 9 00:00:21,480 --> 00:00:23,880 Speaker 1: be a part of one of our services. I promise 10 00:00:23,920 --> 00:00:26,119 Speaker 1: you we'll make you feel right at home. But thanks 11 00:00:26,160 --> 00:00:28,400 Speaker 1: so much for tuning in, and thank you again for 12 00:00:28,480 --> 00:00:28,960 Speaker 1: coming out. 13 00:00:29,560 --> 00:00:31,520 Speaker 2: I like to start with something funny each week. 14 00:00:31,560 --> 00:00:34,760 Speaker 1: And one day Adam said to God, God, why did 15 00:00:34,800 --> 00:00:38,120 Speaker 1: you make Eves so beautiful? God said, so you would 16 00:00:38,120 --> 00:00:40,400 Speaker 1: love her. He said, well, God, why did you give 17 00:00:40,400 --> 00:00:43,520 Speaker 1: her such long flowing hair. God said the same thing, 18 00:00:43,640 --> 00:00:45,720 Speaker 1: so you would love her. Well, God, why did you 19 00:00:45,720 --> 00:00:48,239 Speaker 1: give her such a good figure? God said it again, so. 20 00:00:48,280 --> 00:00:49,040 Speaker 2: You would love her. 21 00:00:49,600 --> 00:00:51,760 Speaker 1: Adam said, all right, God, you made her so beautiful, 22 00:00:51,800 --> 00:00:52,560 Speaker 1: so attractive. 23 00:00:52,800 --> 00:00:54,080 Speaker 2: Why'd you make her so dumb? 24 00:00:55,600 --> 00:01:00,000 Speaker 1: God said Adam, that's easy, so she would love you. 25 00:01:01,000 --> 00:01:03,320 Speaker 1: Come on, say it like you mean it. This is 26 00:01:03,360 --> 00:01:06,200 Speaker 1: my Bible. I am what it says. I am I 27 00:01:06,280 --> 00:01:08,600 Speaker 1: have what it says I have? I can do what 28 00:01:08,640 --> 00:01:11,280 Speaker 1: it says I can do. Today I will be taught 29 00:01:11,360 --> 00:01:15,360 Speaker 1: the word of God. I boldly confess. My mind is alert, 30 00:01:15,800 --> 00:01:18,559 Speaker 1: my heart is accepted. I will never be the same. 31 00:01:18,959 --> 00:01:23,240 Speaker 1: In Jesus' name, God bless you. I want to talk 32 00:01:23,240 --> 00:01:25,520 Speaker 1: to you today about I'm still standing. 33 00:01:26,640 --> 00:01:29,039 Speaker 2: We all go through difficulties. 34 00:01:28,280 --> 00:01:31,160 Speaker 1: And things we don't understand, and it's easy to get 35 00:01:31,160 --> 00:01:34,600 Speaker 1: discouraged and think why am I having these problems? But 36 00:01:34,680 --> 00:01:38,280 Speaker 1: being a person of faith doesn't exempt us from difficulties. 37 00:01:38,800 --> 00:01:43,400 Speaker 1: The scripture says rain falls on the just and the unjust. 38 00:01:43,760 --> 00:01:46,120 Speaker 1: No matter how good of a person you are, no 39 00:01:46,200 --> 00:01:48,279 Speaker 1: matter how much you honor God, you're. 40 00:01:48,160 --> 00:01:49,160 Speaker 2: Going to have some rain. 41 00:01:50,280 --> 00:01:52,640 Speaker 1: Men said to me last week in the lobby, Joel, 42 00:01:52,680 --> 00:01:55,600 Speaker 1: I'm having more problems than my neighbor down the street 43 00:01:55,960 --> 00:01:59,320 Speaker 1: that doesn't have anything to do with God. Jesus told 44 00:01:59,320 --> 00:02:02,560 Speaker 1: a parable about this, where a wise man built his 45 00:02:02,680 --> 00:02:06,360 Speaker 1: house up on the rock. He honored God. Another man 46 00:02:06,400 --> 00:02:07,920 Speaker 1: built his house on the sand. 47 00:02:08,320 --> 00:02:09,320 Speaker 2: He didn't. 48 00:02:09,560 --> 00:02:13,679 Speaker 1: The winds blew, the rains descended and beat upon the houses. 49 00:02:14,400 --> 00:02:18,280 Speaker 1: What's interesting is the same storm came to both people, 50 00:02:18,720 --> 00:02:23,120 Speaker 1: the just and the unjust. If the story ended right there, 51 00:02:23,280 --> 00:02:25,919 Speaker 1: you would think doesn't make a difference. To honor God, 52 00:02:26,520 --> 00:02:28,960 Speaker 1: same thing happens to me, that happens to everybody else. 53 00:02:29,360 --> 00:02:32,000 Speaker 1: Built my house on the rock, Yet I'm on this storm, 54 00:02:32,560 --> 00:02:35,880 Speaker 1: got a bad medical report child. God off course, lost 55 00:02:35,919 --> 00:02:39,520 Speaker 1: my biggest client. No, that's not the end of the story. 56 00:02:39,560 --> 00:02:42,320 Speaker 1: If you judge it too soon, it may seem like 57 00:02:42,560 --> 00:02:45,840 Speaker 1: it doesn't make a difference. Jesus went on to tell 58 00:02:46,160 --> 00:02:48,799 Speaker 1: the man that built his house upon the rock, when 59 00:02:48,840 --> 00:02:52,720 Speaker 1: the storm was over, his house was still standing. The 60 00:02:52,720 --> 00:02:55,200 Speaker 1: man that built on the sand his house. 61 00:02:55,000 --> 00:02:56,440 Speaker 2: Had washed away. 62 00:02:56,680 --> 00:03:00,880 Speaker 1: Here's the difference. When you honor God. The storm may come, 63 00:03:01,440 --> 00:03:05,120 Speaker 1: but you have a promise that others don't have. When 64 00:03:05,160 --> 00:03:08,600 Speaker 1: it's all said and done, you'll still be standing. And 65 00:03:08,639 --> 00:03:11,440 Speaker 1: in difficult times you have to remind yourself this is 66 00:03:11,480 --> 00:03:14,640 Speaker 1: not the end. My house is built upon the rock. 67 00:03:15,000 --> 00:03:18,480 Speaker 1: The enemy doesn't have the final say. God does, and 68 00:03:18,520 --> 00:03:21,360 Speaker 1: he says, when it's all over, I'll still be standing. 69 00:03:22,520 --> 00:03:25,399 Speaker 1: You may get knocked down, but you won't get knocked out. 70 00:03:26,160 --> 00:03:28,799 Speaker 1: You may suffer a setback, have to go through a 71 00:03:28,840 --> 00:03:30,760 Speaker 1: few things, but don't get. 72 00:03:30,560 --> 00:03:33,760 Speaker 2: Discouraged, don't get bitter. It's just life. It rains on 73 00:03:33,919 --> 00:03:34,560 Speaker 2: all of us. 74 00:03:34,920 --> 00:03:38,760 Speaker 1: The promise God gives us is, if you'll stay in faith, 75 00:03:38,960 --> 00:03:42,119 Speaker 1: when the smoke clears and the dust settles, you will 76 00:03:42,160 --> 00:03:43,280 Speaker 1: not be the victim. 77 00:03:43,440 --> 00:03:46,160 Speaker 2: You will be the victor. You will still be standing. 78 00:03:47,520 --> 00:03:49,720 Speaker 1: All of us can look back at things that should 79 00:03:49,720 --> 00:03:53,640 Speaker 1: have defeated us. That divorce, that bad break, should have 80 00:03:53,680 --> 00:03:55,200 Speaker 1: given you a nervous breakdown. 81 00:03:55,480 --> 00:03:56,280 Speaker 2: But look at you. 82 00:03:56,280 --> 00:04:01,840 Speaker 1: You're still standing, happy, hold restored addiction. That party and 83 00:04:01,960 --> 00:04:05,640 Speaker 1: lifestyle should have killed you. But because of your praying mother, 84 00:04:05,960 --> 00:04:07,440 Speaker 1: you're still standing. 85 00:04:07,280 --> 00:04:09,279 Speaker 2: Clean, sober, free. 86 00:04:09,880 --> 00:04:12,840 Speaker 1: That sickness should have been the end. The medical report 87 00:04:12,920 --> 00:04:16,400 Speaker 1: said you were done, but God said, I've got another report. 88 00:04:16,520 --> 00:04:17,240 Speaker 1: It's not over. 89 00:04:17,640 --> 00:04:18,640 Speaker 2: You're still standing. 90 00:04:19,520 --> 00:04:22,000 Speaker 1: Or maybe you lost a loved one, didn't think you 91 00:04:22,040 --> 00:04:24,720 Speaker 1: could go on, thought you had seen your best days. 92 00:04:25,080 --> 00:04:28,440 Speaker 1: But God breathed new life into you, lifted you out 93 00:04:28,440 --> 00:04:30,839 Speaker 1: of the pit, put a new song in your heart. 94 00:04:31,080 --> 00:04:35,039 Speaker 1: Here you are today, still standing. When you go through 95 00:04:35,080 --> 00:04:38,680 Speaker 1: some things, you see the goodness of God. You see 96 00:04:38,760 --> 00:04:43,560 Speaker 1: him lift you, restore you, promote you, heal you. When 97 00:04:43,560 --> 00:04:47,719 Speaker 1: you have this history with God, remembering what He's done, 98 00:04:47,800 --> 00:04:50,120 Speaker 1: you don't get discouraged by every difficulty. 99 00:04:50,600 --> 00:04:52,880 Speaker 2: You don't fall apart because of a disappointment. 100 00:04:53,240 --> 00:04:56,160 Speaker 1: You don't get upset because people are talking about you. 101 00:04:56,160 --> 00:04:58,880 Speaker 1: You know, God brought you through in the past, and 102 00:04:58,920 --> 00:05:02,000 Speaker 1: he's going to bring you through in the future. About 103 00:05:02,000 --> 00:05:04,640 Speaker 1: a year after I took over from my father as 104 00:05:04,720 --> 00:05:08,039 Speaker 1: pastor of the church back in nineteen ninety nine, I 105 00:05:08,120 --> 00:05:11,040 Speaker 1: got word that one of our longtime members was going to. 106 00:05:11,040 --> 00:05:14,200 Speaker 2: Leave the church. These were people that I'd grown up with. 107 00:05:15,000 --> 00:05:18,600 Speaker 1: I was young and doing my best and last thing 108 00:05:18,640 --> 00:05:21,560 Speaker 1: I wanted was to lose people. When I heard this, 109 00:05:21,680 --> 00:05:24,760 Speaker 1: my first thought was, oh, man, can't believe this is happening. 110 00:05:25,120 --> 00:05:28,520 Speaker 1: It's tempted to get down and discouraged. But then something 111 00:05:28,600 --> 00:05:32,360 Speaker 1: rose up in me. I thought to myself, I made 112 00:05:32,360 --> 00:05:35,200 Speaker 1: it through the death of my father. I made it 113 00:05:35,240 --> 00:05:37,720 Speaker 1: through one of my darkest hours. I can make it 114 00:05:37,800 --> 00:05:38,559 Speaker 1: through them leaving. 115 00:05:39,480 --> 00:05:39,919 Speaker 2: I thought. 116 00:05:41,560 --> 00:05:45,240 Speaker 1: I made it through my mother having terminal cancer. I 117 00:05:45,360 --> 00:05:46,320 Speaker 1: made it through a three and. 118 00:05:46,320 --> 00:05:48,359 Speaker 2: A half year lawsuit to get this facility. 119 00:05:48,920 --> 00:05:51,560 Speaker 1: I made it through critics and naysayers telling me I 120 00:05:51,560 --> 00:05:54,200 Speaker 1: couldn't minister. I made it through my own thoughts telling 121 00:05:54,240 --> 00:05:56,640 Speaker 1: me I wasn't qualified. If I can make it through 122 00:05:56,640 --> 00:05:59,040 Speaker 1: that I can make it without them being dear. 123 00:06:00,600 --> 00:06:01,280 Speaker 2: I heard. 124 00:06:03,040 --> 00:06:05,880 Speaker 1: I heard God say, right down in here, Joel, don't worry. 125 00:06:05,920 --> 00:06:07,920 Speaker 2: They may leave, but I'm not going to leave. 126 00:06:08,320 --> 00:06:10,559 Speaker 1: When it's all said and done, just like all those 127 00:06:10,640 --> 00:06:14,880 Speaker 1: other times, you'll still be standing strongly. You may be 128 00:06:15,120 --> 00:06:17,520 Speaker 1: in a difficult time right now. You need to look 129 00:06:17,560 --> 00:06:21,400 Speaker 1: back and remember what God has done for you. Remember 130 00:06:21,480 --> 00:06:24,480 Speaker 1: how He's made away when you didn't see away. Remember 131 00:06:24,520 --> 00:06:27,800 Speaker 1: how he's opened doors that should have never opened. Remember 132 00:06:27,839 --> 00:06:29,719 Speaker 1: how he put you at the right place at the 133 00:06:29,800 --> 00:06:33,039 Speaker 1: right time, promoted you, healed you, restored you. 134 00:06:33,440 --> 00:06:35,599 Speaker 2: If he did it for you once, he can do 135 00:06:35,640 --> 00:06:39,719 Speaker 2: it for you again. Your house is built upon the rock. 136 00:06:40,920 --> 00:06:44,159 Speaker 1: You have this promise that no matter what comes your way, 137 00:06:44,720 --> 00:06:48,880 Speaker 1: when the storm is over, when the trouble has passed, when. 138 00:06:48,680 --> 00:06:50,960 Speaker 2: The opposition has ceased, one. 139 00:06:50,760 --> 00:06:54,159 Speaker 1: Thing you can count on, you'll still be standing. You 140 00:06:54,279 --> 00:06:58,320 Speaker 1: have the DNA of Almighty God. The same power that 141 00:06:58,440 --> 00:07:02,160 Speaker 1: raised Christ from the dead, lives on the inside of you. 142 00:07:02,160 --> 00:07:04,120 Speaker 1: You may get knocked down, but you're not going to 143 00:07:04,200 --> 00:07:07,080 Speaker 1: stay down. There's something in your DNA. 144 00:07:06,839 --> 00:07:10,480 Speaker 2: That says get back up again. That's not where you belong. 145 00:07:10,720 --> 00:07:12,680 Speaker 2: You're a child of the Most High God. 146 00:07:13,720 --> 00:07:16,320 Speaker 1: We had a hurricane here in Houston a few years ago, 147 00:07:16,360 --> 00:07:20,000 Speaker 1: and there were all kinds of trees blown down. Huge 148 00:07:20,120 --> 00:07:23,800 Speaker 1: oak trees four or five feet in diameter, there were 149 00:07:23,880 --> 00:07:27,040 Speaker 1: no match for the one hundred mile an hour winds. 150 00:07:27,440 --> 00:07:30,360 Speaker 1: Pine trees well over one hundred feet tall lay in 151 00:07:30,480 --> 00:07:36,560 Speaker 1: yard after yard. Big trees, small trees, pines, oaks, magnolias, elms. 152 00:07:36,880 --> 00:07:40,880 Speaker 1: None of them could withstand the hurricane force winds. There 153 00:07:40,920 --> 00:07:44,120 Speaker 1: was only one type of tree that I noticed was 154 00:07:44,120 --> 00:07:44,920 Speaker 1: it blown down. 155 00:07:45,520 --> 00:07:46,800 Speaker 2: It was the palm tree. 156 00:07:47,680 --> 00:07:52,240 Speaker 1: It's because God designed the palm to withstand the storm. 157 00:07:52,840 --> 00:07:56,320 Speaker 1: Unlike most other trees, the palm is able to bend 158 00:07:56,840 --> 00:08:00,000 Speaker 1: so it doesn't break. There's a certain kind of palm 159 00:08:00,240 --> 00:08:03,080 Speaker 1: that can bend over to where it's almost touching the 160 00:08:03,160 --> 00:08:07,000 Speaker 1: ground during a hurricane. It may stay that way for 161 00:08:07,040 --> 00:08:09,600 Speaker 1: five or six hours. Looks like it's over. 162 00:08:09,760 --> 00:08:11,000 Speaker 2: Looks like it's done. 163 00:08:11,480 --> 00:08:15,240 Speaker 1: I can imagine the hurricane huffing, puffing, saying, I may 164 00:08:15,280 --> 00:08:17,760 Speaker 1: not be able to break you like the oaks or 165 00:08:17,800 --> 00:08:19,800 Speaker 1: the pines, but at least I can keep you all 166 00:08:19,840 --> 00:08:20,240 Speaker 1: bent over. 167 00:08:20,600 --> 00:08:21,600 Speaker 2: At least I can keep you. 168 00:08:21,560 --> 00:08:25,320 Speaker 1: From ever standing up again. The hurricane thinks it's winning 169 00:08:25,320 --> 00:08:28,000 Speaker 1: the battle. But in a few hours, when it runs 170 00:08:28,040 --> 00:08:30,720 Speaker 1: out of strength, when the winds die back down, you 171 00:08:30,720 --> 00:08:33,400 Speaker 1: know what happens. The palm tree stands right back up 172 00:08:33,520 --> 00:08:34,520 Speaker 1: to where it was again. 173 00:08:36,480 --> 00:08:37,200 Speaker 2: Why is that? 174 00:08:38,040 --> 00:08:41,439 Speaker 1: Because God put bounce back in the palm tree. 175 00:08:42,080 --> 00:08:44,000 Speaker 2: It may get pushed over, but. 176 00:08:44,000 --> 00:08:47,320 Speaker 1: It's only temporary, just a matter of time before it 177 00:08:47,400 --> 00:08:51,360 Speaker 1: stands right back up. Psalm ninety two twelve says the 178 00:08:51,480 --> 00:08:55,080 Speaker 1: righteous will flourish like a palm tree. 179 00:08:55,280 --> 00:08:56,840 Speaker 2: It could have said we had flourish. 180 00:08:56,679 --> 00:08:59,400 Speaker 1: Like an oak tree, be big and strong and have 181 00:08:59,480 --> 00:09:03,079 Speaker 1: wide braines. Could have said we'd flourish like a pine tree, 182 00:09:03,640 --> 00:09:06,720 Speaker 1: be tall and impressive and be able to see for miles. 183 00:09:07,480 --> 00:09:10,600 Speaker 1: But the reason God said we would flourish like a 184 00:09:10,679 --> 00:09:12,600 Speaker 1: palm is because God. 185 00:09:12,400 --> 00:09:14,400 Speaker 2: Knew we would face difficulties. 186 00:09:14,840 --> 00:09:16,920 Speaker 1: He knew there would be things in life to try 187 00:09:16,920 --> 00:09:19,599 Speaker 1: to push us down and keep us from our destinies. 188 00:09:20,000 --> 00:09:23,000 Speaker 1: So God said, I'm gonna make you like a palm. 189 00:09:23,320 --> 00:09:24,280 Speaker 2: I'm going to put. 190 00:09:24,240 --> 00:09:27,720 Speaker 1: Bounce back on the inside. You may go through a 191 00:09:27,760 --> 00:09:31,079 Speaker 1: season where the winds are blowing, a season of loss 192 00:09:31,400 --> 00:09:35,160 Speaker 1: of disappointment, a season of dealing with an illness, but 193 00:09:35,200 --> 00:09:36,360 Speaker 1: don't get discouraged. 194 00:09:36,520 --> 00:09:37,840 Speaker 2: It's only temporary. 195 00:09:38,360 --> 00:09:42,200 Speaker 1: At some point, those winds will stop blowing and the 196 00:09:42,280 --> 00:09:45,280 Speaker 1: bounce back put in you by your creator will cause 197 00:09:45,320 --> 00:09:46,319 Speaker 1: you to straighten. 198 00:09:46,000 --> 00:09:47,760 Speaker 2: Right back up to where you were before. 199 00:09:48,520 --> 00:09:50,440 Speaker 1: Don't believe the lies that is permanent. 200 00:09:51,080 --> 00:09:51,880 Speaker 2: You'll never get. 201 00:09:51,760 --> 00:09:55,199 Speaker 1: Well, you'll never overcome that addiction, you'll never get out 202 00:09:55,200 --> 00:09:56,199 Speaker 1: of that legal problem. 203 00:09:56,440 --> 00:09:58,680 Speaker 2: No, your house is built upon the rock. 204 00:09:59,120 --> 00:10:01,319 Speaker 1: You may be a little bit over now, you may 205 00:10:01,400 --> 00:10:06,040 Speaker 1: have some difficulties, but when that storm passes, be encouraged. 206 00:10:06,080 --> 00:10:08,080 Speaker 2: You're going to stand right back up to where you 207 00:10:08,120 --> 00:10:08,680 Speaker 2: were before. 208 00:10:09,840 --> 00:10:13,320 Speaker 1: What's interesting is when the palm tree is bent over 209 00:10:13,440 --> 00:10:16,920 Speaker 1: because of the hurricane. You would think that's damaging the 210 00:10:16,960 --> 00:10:20,800 Speaker 1: tree and making it weaker, but research shows it's just 211 00:10:20,880 --> 00:10:24,760 Speaker 1: the opposite. When the tree is being pushed and stretched 212 00:10:24,800 --> 00:10:29,160 Speaker 1: by the strong winds, it's strengthening its root system and 213 00:10:29,200 --> 00:10:33,679 Speaker 1: giving it opportunities for new growth. After the storm, when 214 00:10:33,720 --> 00:10:37,160 Speaker 1: the palm tree stands right back up, it's actually. 215 00:10:36,760 --> 00:10:38,520 Speaker 2: Stronger than it was before. 216 00:10:39,559 --> 00:10:42,719 Speaker 1: When you get through that storm, when you straighten back up, 217 00:10:42,840 --> 00:10:44,079 Speaker 1: you're not going to be the same. 218 00:10:44,320 --> 00:10:46,160 Speaker 2: You're going to be stronger. 219 00:10:46,160 --> 00:10:49,920 Speaker 1: Healthier, wiser, better off, ready for new growth. 220 00:10:50,440 --> 00:10:51,920 Speaker 2: God never brings you. 221 00:10:52,000 --> 00:10:55,640 Speaker 1: Out the same He makes the enemy pay for bringing 222 00:10:55,679 --> 00:10:59,360 Speaker 1: the trouble. What's meant for your harm? God will used 223 00:10:59,360 --> 00:11:03,079 Speaker 1: to your advantage. That difficulty is not going to defeat you. 224 00:11:03,320 --> 00:11:05,960 Speaker 2: It's going to promote you. It's not going to break you. 225 00:11:06,200 --> 00:11:07,920 Speaker 2: It's going to strengthen you. 226 00:11:07,920 --> 00:11:10,679 Speaker 1: You're not only going to still be standing, You're going 227 00:11:10,760 --> 00:11:14,520 Speaker 1: to be standing stronger than ever. I have a friend 228 00:11:14,600 --> 00:11:17,520 Speaker 1: that's had cancer three times. It's been going on the 229 00:11:17,640 --> 00:11:20,360 Speaker 1: last ten years, and couple of times it looked like 230 00:11:20,720 --> 00:11:24,080 Speaker 1: he was done. But I've never once seen him down. 231 00:11:24,160 --> 00:11:27,480 Speaker 1: I've never heard him complain. He knows God has him 232 00:11:27,480 --> 00:11:30,120 Speaker 1: in the palm of his hand. He knows the number 233 00:11:30,160 --> 00:11:33,520 Speaker 1: of his days God will fulfill. In other words, he's 234 00:11:33,520 --> 00:11:35,000 Speaker 1: got his house built. 235 00:11:34,800 --> 00:11:35,440 Speaker 2: Upon the rock. 236 00:11:36,080 --> 00:11:39,000 Speaker 1: Every time it looks like he's done, somehow, like that 237 00:11:39,120 --> 00:11:43,240 Speaker 1: palm tree, he bounces back. Last time the cancer came back, 238 00:11:43,520 --> 00:11:46,000 Speaker 1: the doctors told him they were going to harvest his 239 00:11:46,080 --> 00:11:48,880 Speaker 1: white blood cells before he took chemotherapy. 240 00:11:49,520 --> 00:11:52,200 Speaker 2: He asked them how many they needed. They gave him 241 00:11:52,240 --> 00:11:52,680 Speaker 2: a number. 242 00:11:53,040 --> 00:11:55,280 Speaker 1: He said, doctor, I'm gonna give you twice what you're 243 00:11:55,280 --> 00:11:59,000 Speaker 1: asking for. Every day he would thank God that he 244 00:11:59,080 --> 00:12:02,520 Speaker 1: was getting better. He saw himself healthy and whole, went 245 00:12:02,559 --> 00:12:06,240 Speaker 1: out in exercise, did everything that he could. Two months later, 246 00:12:06,440 --> 00:12:09,160 Speaker 1: went back to the hospital. The doctor said, you're a 247 00:12:09,160 --> 00:12:11,560 Speaker 1: man of your word. You've given us more than twice 248 00:12:11,679 --> 00:12:15,840 Speaker 1: what we asked for. Today he's totally cancer free, beat 249 00:12:15,880 --> 00:12:17,400 Speaker 1: the cancer for the third time. 250 00:12:19,320 --> 00:12:20,199 Speaker 2: Here's what I'm saying. 251 00:12:21,120 --> 00:12:24,959 Speaker 1: No matter how hard those winds blow, they cannot uproot you. 252 00:12:25,480 --> 00:12:29,920 Speaker 1: They cannot topple you, they cannot break you. Sickness doesn't 253 00:12:29,920 --> 00:12:31,160 Speaker 1: determine your destiny. 254 00:12:31,400 --> 00:12:35,040 Speaker 2: God does. He's the one that breathed life into you. 255 00:12:35,840 --> 00:12:38,280 Speaker 1: He made your body. If it's not your time to go, 256 00:12:38,679 --> 00:12:41,480 Speaker 1: you're not going to go. God has the final say, 257 00:12:41,920 --> 00:12:45,240 Speaker 1: and he said, no weapon formed against you will prosper. 258 00:12:45,840 --> 00:12:48,840 Speaker 1: He said, many are the afflictions of the righteous, but 259 00:12:48,920 --> 00:12:52,199 Speaker 1: the Lord delivers us out of them all. He said, 260 00:12:52,280 --> 00:12:55,360 Speaker 1: a good man may fall seven times, but the Lord 261 00:12:55,440 --> 00:12:56,280 Speaker 1: will raise him up. 262 00:12:56,640 --> 00:12:59,160 Speaker 2: There's the bounce back. Now, you've got to get in 263 00:12:59,200 --> 00:13:00,000 Speaker 2: agreement with God. 264 00:13:00,720 --> 00:13:04,240 Speaker 1: Gonna have a weak, defeated mentality. Oh Joe, why did 265 00:13:04,240 --> 00:13:06,520 Speaker 1: this happen to me? I don't understand it. I can 266 00:13:06,559 --> 00:13:08,640 Speaker 1: tell you why it happened because you're alive. 267 00:13:09,240 --> 00:13:10,480 Speaker 2: It rains on everyone. 268 00:13:10,840 --> 00:13:14,440 Speaker 1: The good news is because you're the righteous, you have 269 00:13:14,600 --> 00:13:18,640 Speaker 1: something in you that the unrighteous doesn't have, Like that 270 00:13:18,800 --> 00:13:20,520 Speaker 1: palm tree. 271 00:13:19,880 --> 00:13:22,040 Speaker 2: There's bounce back in your spirit. 272 00:13:22,679 --> 00:13:26,360 Speaker 1: No matter how hard those winds blow, they cannot defeat you. 273 00:13:26,800 --> 00:13:29,400 Speaker 1: If you'll stay in faith, you'll be able to say, 274 00:13:29,520 --> 00:13:31,600 Speaker 1: like my friend, I'm still standing. 275 00:13:32,320 --> 00:13:34,360 Speaker 2: Sickness had me down for a little while, but I 276 00:13:34,400 --> 00:13:36,320 Speaker 2: came right back up still standing. 277 00:13:37,000 --> 00:13:40,040 Speaker 1: Went through a slow season at work, had a bad break, 278 00:13:40,160 --> 00:13:41,280 Speaker 1: but it didn't defeat me. 279 00:13:41,640 --> 00:13:44,080 Speaker 2: It promoted me. I came out stronger. I'm still standing. 280 00:13:44,840 --> 00:13:48,240 Speaker 1: Or maybe I had a breakup in a relationship. Somebody 281 00:13:48,320 --> 00:13:50,559 Speaker 1: walked out on me, broke my heart. Didn't think I'd 282 00:13:50,600 --> 00:13:51,600 Speaker 1: ever be happy again. 283 00:13:52,000 --> 00:13:52,800 Speaker 2: But look what the. 284 00:13:52,679 --> 00:13:56,040 Speaker 1: Lord has done, brought somebody better into my life. I'm 285 00:13:56,080 --> 00:14:00,480 Speaker 1: still standing, stronger than ever. Met a young people that 286 00:14:00,600 --> 00:14:05,520 Speaker 1: moved here from New Orleans. They lost everything during Hurricane Katrina. 287 00:14:05,880 --> 00:14:08,679 Speaker 1: The house that they had worked so hard for was 288 00:14:08,679 --> 00:14:12,280 Speaker 1: washed away, lost their possessions, their furniture. 289 00:14:12,000 --> 00:14:12,559 Speaker 2: Their car. 290 00:14:12,880 --> 00:14:15,480 Speaker 1: They made it out only with the clothes on their back. 291 00:14:16,120 --> 00:14:19,240 Speaker 1: A bus dropped them off at the Houston Astrodome, and 292 00:14:19,320 --> 00:14:21,400 Speaker 1: when I met them here at Lakewood, It's like they 293 00:14:21,400 --> 00:14:25,520 Speaker 1: were numb. Their whole world had fallen apart. The men's company, 294 00:14:25,600 --> 00:14:28,160 Speaker 1: the people he worked for, had closed down. He no 295 00:14:28,240 --> 00:14:32,640 Speaker 1: longer had a job. I told them what I'm telling you. 296 00:14:32,640 --> 00:14:36,440 Speaker 1: You may be down, but it's temporary. There's bounce back 297 00:14:36,720 --> 00:14:39,800 Speaker 1: in your spirit. When it's all said and done, you'll 298 00:14:39,800 --> 00:14:43,720 Speaker 1: still be standing strong. Week after week they kept coming 299 00:14:43,760 --> 00:14:47,960 Speaker 1: to Lakewood, hearing about how we are victors and not victims, 300 00:14:48,320 --> 00:14:50,600 Speaker 1: and about how God will pay you back for the 301 00:14:50,680 --> 00:14:53,840 Speaker 1: unfair things that have happened. A couple of years later, 302 00:14:54,080 --> 00:14:56,720 Speaker 1: they brought me pictures in the lobby of the new 303 00:14:56,800 --> 00:15:00,240 Speaker 1: home they had just moved into in New Orleans. They 304 00:15:00,240 --> 00:15:03,120 Speaker 1: had an older home, but here they have a brand 305 00:15:03,160 --> 00:15:05,800 Speaker 1: new home. The man told how he has a better 306 00:15:05,920 --> 00:15:09,200 Speaker 1: job with better benefits, his kids are in better. 307 00:15:09,000 --> 00:15:10,040 Speaker 2: School, on and on. 308 00:15:11,000 --> 00:15:14,240 Speaker 1: That's what happens when your house is built upon the rock. 309 00:15:14,480 --> 00:15:16,160 Speaker 2: It doesn't prevent difficulties. 310 00:15:16,320 --> 00:15:18,920 Speaker 1: You may have some storms, you may go through some 311 00:15:19,000 --> 00:15:22,760 Speaker 1: bad breaks, but because of the bounce back in your spirit, 312 00:15:23,320 --> 00:15:27,160 Speaker 1: when it's all over, you'll still be standing, not the same, 313 00:15:27,440 --> 00:15:33,120 Speaker 1: but increased, promoted, better off than you were before. Isaiah said, 314 00:15:33,480 --> 00:15:36,000 Speaker 1: when the enemy comes in like a flood. 315 00:15:36,840 --> 00:15:38,640 Speaker 2: That means when you feel overwhelmed. 316 00:15:39,240 --> 00:15:41,720 Speaker 1: You lost your house in the hurricane, you got a 317 00:15:41,720 --> 00:15:44,720 Speaker 1: bad medical report, a friend did you wrong in a 318 00:15:44,760 --> 00:15:48,520 Speaker 1: business deal. What does God do sit back and think 319 00:15:48,560 --> 00:15:50,960 Speaker 1: too bad? Told you he's going to rain, told your 320 00:15:51,000 --> 00:15:53,520 Speaker 1: life was going to be difficult. Now when the enemy 321 00:15:53,600 --> 00:15:57,160 Speaker 1: comes in like a flood, God raises up a barrier. 322 00:15:57,720 --> 00:16:03,000 Speaker 1: In other words, that injustice, that bad break, that sickness. 323 00:16:02,360 --> 00:16:05,960 Speaker 2: It gets God's attention. He doesn't sit back. He goes 324 00:16:06,000 --> 00:16:06,440 Speaker 2: to work. 325 00:16:07,360 --> 00:16:11,200 Speaker 1: It's like as a parent, if you see anything bothering 326 00:16:11,240 --> 00:16:14,480 Speaker 1: your child, if someone or something is giving them a 327 00:16:14,480 --> 00:16:16,120 Speaker 1: hard time, you don't think twice. 328 00:16:16,160 --> 00:16:18,960 Speaker 2: You stop what you're doing and immediately go to help. 329 00:16:19,840 --> 00:16:22,280 Speaker 1: One time, when our son Jonathan was a little boy, 330 00:16:22,560 --> 00:16:23,280 Speaker 1: maybe about. 331 00:16:23,080 --> 00:16:25,840 Speaker 2: Two years old, we were at the grocery store. 332 00:16:25,640 --> 00:16:28,040 Speaker 1: Together and I had walked down to the end of 333 00:16:28,080 --> 00:16:30,480 Speaker 1: the aisle to get something. He stayed there at the 334 00:16:30,520 --> 00:16:32,800 Speaker 1: cart and I could still see him, but he was 335 00:16:32,800 --> 00:16:36,200 Speaker 1: about forty feet away. He started pulling things off the 336 00:16:36,200 --> 00:16:38,600 Speaker 1: bottom shelf, a few boxes of cereal. 337 00:16:38,920 --> 00:16:40,480 Speaker 2: No big deal. I was gonna clean it up. 338 00:16:40,920 --> 00:16:43,760 Speaker 1: But this lady came around the corner that worked there 339 00:16:44,160 --> 00:16:47,120 Speaker 1: and got very upset that he was making a mess. 340 00:16:47,640 --> 00:16:50,280 Speaker 1: She started jumping down his throat, saying, listen to here, 341 00:16:50,360 --> 00:16:52,040 Speaker 1: young man, you need to learn to keep your hands 342 00:16:52,040 --> 00:16:54,520 Speaker 1: to yourself, and you cannot make this mess in my store. 343 00:16:54,560 --> 00:16:57,800 Speaker 1: On and on and when I heard that, something rose 344 00:16:57,920 --> 00:17:01,320 Speaker 1: up on the inside of me. I don't know if 345 00:17:01,360 --> 00:17:05,080 Speaker 1: it was God or the devil, but if hel good, 346 00:17:06,880 --> 00:17:08,720 Speaker 1: I'm the nicest guy you'll ever meet. 347 00:17:08,720 --> 00:17:10,280 Speaker 2: I'll do anything in the world for you. 348 00:17:10,680 --> 00:17:14,560 Speaker 1: But if you mess with my children, you gotta fight 349 00:17:14,760 --> 00:17:19,240 Speaker 1: on your hands. That's the way it is with our 350 00:17:19,280 --> 00:17:22,800 Speaker 1: heavenly father. When the enemy comes in like a flood, 351 00:17:23,240 --> 00:17:25,640 Speaker 1: God steps up and says, hey, wait a minute, you're 352 00:17:25,720 --> 00:17:27,240 Speaker 1: messing with the wrong person. 353 00:17:27,520 --> 00:17:29,800 Speaker 2: That's my son, that's my daughter. 354 00:17:30,680 --> 00:17:33,480 Speaker 1: If you're gonna mess with them, you're gonna have to 355 00:17:33,520 --> 00:17:34,439 Speaker 1: first mess with me. 356 00:17:35,680 --> 00:17:36,600 Speaker 2: Who am I? 357 00:17:36,600 --> 00:17:40,399 Speaker 1: I am the all powerful creator of the universe. When 358 00:17:40,480 --> 00:17:43,399 Speaker 1: God said, let there be light, light came at one 359 00:17:43,480 --> 00:17:47,320 Speaker 1: hundred and eighty six thousand miles. A second, God says, 360 00:17:47,359 --> 00:17:50,119 Speaker 1: to your enemies, you want some of this, go ahead 361 00:17:50,160 --> 00:17:53,680 Speaker 1: and make my dad. You gotta realize in the tough 362 00:17:53,720 --> 00:17:58,160 Speaker 1: times you're not alone. You've got somebody fighting for you. 363 00:17:58,800 --> 00:18:01,040 Speaker 1: The most High God has got your back. 364 00:18:01,880 --> 00:18:04,720 Speaker 2: Now you've got to get your fire back. You can't 365 00:18:04,760 --> 00:18:06,080 Speaker 2: go through life. 366 00:18:05,880 --> 00:18:08,440 Speaker 1: Focused on who hurt you and what didn't work out 367 00:18:08,480 --> 00:18:09,399 Speaker 1: and how unfair it is. 368 00:18:09,560 --> 00:18:12,600 Speaker 2: That's going to keep you down. Shake off that weak. 369 00:18:12,600 --> 00:18:17,879 Speaker 1: Defeated mentality and have a warrior mentality. A warrior doesn't 370 00:18:17,880 --> 00:18:22,280 Speaker 1: complain about opposition. On the contrary, a warrior likes a 371 00:18:22,320 --> 00:18:25,919 Speaker 1: good fight. It fires him up. This is what David 372 00:18:25,960 --> 00:18:30,040 Speaker 1: did in the scripture. He suffered a major setback. While 373 00:18:30,080 --> 00:18:33,199 Speaker 1: he and his men were out protecting the borders of Israel, 374 00:18:33,600 --> 00:18:37,560 Speaker 1: doing the right thing, fulfilling their purpose, it began to rain. 375 00:18:38,160 --> 00:18:42,320 Speaker 1: These bandits came in and attacked their home city of Ziglag, 376 00:18:42,880 --> 00:18:47,360 Speaker 1: burned down their houses, stole their possessions, kidnapped their wives 377 00:18:47,400 --> 00:18:50,960 Speaker 1: and children. When he and his six hundred men returned 378 00:18:51,000 --> 00:18:55,120 Speaker 1: home and saw the smoke billowing in the distance, finally 379 00:18:55,200 --> 00:18:57,399 Speaker 1: realized that was their home city. 380 00:18:57,880 --> 00:18:59,119 Speaker 2: The scripture says, they. 381 00:18:59,040 --> 00:19:02,719 Speaker 1: Wept until they could not weep anymore. It was the 382 00:19:02,760 --> 00:19:05,800 Speaker 1: worst day of their lives. It looked like it was 383 00:19:05,840 --> 00:19:08,280 Speaker 1: over looked, like they were done. It would have stayed 384 00:19:08,280 --> 00:19:11,320 Speaker 1: that way if it had not been for David. He 385 00:19:11,400 --> 00:19:14,240 Speaker 1: did something that we all must do if we're going 386 00:19:14,280 --> 00:19:17,280 Speaker 1: to see the bounce back. Instead of staying in the 387 00:19:17,320 --> 00:19:21,359 Speaker 1: ashes focusing on how bad life had treated him, that. 388 00:19:21,320 --> 00:19:23,520 Speaker 2: Warrior spirit began to rise up. 389 00:19:24,240 --> 00:19:26,800 Speaker 1: He thought, Hey, I may be down, this may be 390 00:19:26,920 --> 00:19:29,560 Speaker 1: my worst defeat so far, but this is not the 391 00:19:29,680 --> 00:19:32,840 Speaker 1: end of my story. I am the righteous. I've got 392 00:19:32,920 --> 00:19:36,280 Speaker 1: bounced back in my spirit. My house is built upon 393 00:19:36,320 --> 00:19:39,240 Speaker 1: the rock. I have the promise when it's all over, 394 00:19:39,680 --> 00:19:44,960 Speaker 1: I'll still be standing. He started encouraging himself, reminding him 395 00:19:45,040 --> 00:19:49,000 Speaker 1: who he was and whose he was. He told his men, 396 00:19:49,280 --> 00:19:52,920 Speaker 1: get up, dry your tears, get your equipment. We're going 397 00:19:52,960 --> 00:19:56,359 Speaker 1: to go get what belongs to us. They went out, 398 00:19:56,720 --> 00:20:00,440 Speaker 1: not only attacked and defeated the enemy, but they all 399 00:20:00,480 --> 00:20:04,200 Speaker 1: their possessions back. They got their wives and children back. 400 00:20:04,560 --> 00:20:09,560 Speaker 1: The scripture says they recovered all. David's greatest defeat turned 401 00:20:09,560 --> 00:20:11,160 Speaker 1: into one of his greatest victories. 402 00:20:12,080 --> 00:20:14,080 Speaker 2: We all face unfair. 403 00:20:13,760 --> 00:20:17,080 Speaker 1: Situations, things that seem like they're going to bury us. 404 00:20:17,560 --> 00:20:20,960 Speaker 1: But if you will have this warrior mentality and go 405 00:20:21,080 --> 00:20:24,720 Speaker 1: after what belongs to you, the enemy won't have the 406 00:20:24,800 --> 00:20:27,760 Speaker 1: last laugh you will. He may hit you with his 407 00:20:27,880 --> 00:20:31,840 Speaker 1: best shot, but his best will never be enough, the 408 00:20:31,880 --> 00:20:33,600 Speaker 1: forces that are for you. 409 00:20:33,560 --> 00:20:35,639 Speaker 2: Are greater than the forces that are against you. 410 00:20:36,640 --> 00:20:40,120 Speaker 1: Like David, you may be down right now, it may 411 00:20:40,160 --> 00:20:43,720 Speaker 1: be raining in your life, but because your house is 412 00:20:43,760 --> 00:20:47,120 Speaker 1: built upon the rock, because you are the righteous, there's 413 00:20:47,240 --> 00:20:48,840 Speaker 1: bounce back in your spirit. 414 00:20:49,040 --> 00:20:51,600 Speaker 2: When it's all said and done, you're still going to 415 00:20:51,640 --> 00:20:52,160 Speaker 2: be standing. 416 00:20:53,080 --> 00:20:56,160 Speaker 1: A few weeks ago, I was at home lifting weights 417 00:20:56,240 --> 00:20:59,879 Speaker 1: by myself. I was lying on a bench doing the bench. 418 00:21:00,800 --> 00:21:04,600 Speaker 1: I was using a barbell free weights. It wasn't a machine, 419 00:21:04,640 --> 00:21:06,919 Speaker 1: and this was my last set. I was going to 420 00:21:06,920 --> 00:21:10,320 Speaker 1: do five repetitions. It was a very heavy weight for me. 421 00:21:10,960 --> 00:21:14,679 Speaker 1: I did number one, two, three, everything fine, just like normal. 422 00:21:15,200 --> 00:21:18,160 Speaker 1: But on rep number four it was very hard. Could 423 00:21:18,200 --> 00:21:20,639 Speaker 1: barely get it up. I thought, okay, I'm gonna go 424 00:21:20,640 --> 00:21:22,480 Speaker 1: ahead and try number five, but I don't know. 425 00:21:22,400 --> 00:21:23,080 Speaker 2: If I could do it. 426 00:21:23,640 --> 00:21:26,080 Speaker 1: I pushed number five and got about halfway up. 427 00:21:25,960 --> 00:21:26,800 Speaker 2: And got stuck. 428 00:21:27,400 --> 00:21:31,160 Speaker 1: I pushed and pushed and pushed, gave it everything I had, 429 00:21:31,200 --> 00:21:32,280 Speaker 1: but it wouldn't budge. 430 00:21:32,480 --> 00:21:33,240 Speaker 2: I couldn't do it. 431 00:21:33,960 --> 00:21:36,480 Speaker 1: I went to set the weight down on the safety 432 00:21:36,560 --> 00:21:39,080 Speaker 1: rails I have on each side so I could get 433 00:21:39,080 --> 00:21:42,840 Speaker 1: out from under it. The only problem was Jonathan was 434 00:21:42,880 --> 00:21:46,040 Speaker 1: home from college, and he had moved the safety rails 435 00:21:46,119 --> 00:21:47,200 Speaker 1: lower when. 436 00:21:47,040 --> 00:21:49,400 Speaker 2: He was working out. I forgot to check. 437 00:21:49,480 --> 00:21:49,680 Speaker 3: Then. 438 00:21:50,080 --> 00:21:52,960 Speaker 1: Now I've got all this weight on my chest and 439 00:21:53,000 --> 00:21:56,320 Speaker 1: I'm totally out of energy. I couldn't shake it off 440 00:21:56,359 --> 00:21:58,119 Speaker 1: to one side or the other. There were clamps on 441 00:21:58,160 --> 00:22:01,000 Speaker 1: the end of the bar bells. Time before, I've rolled 442 00:22:01,040 --> 00:22:03,359 Speaker 1: it down my chest to my stomach, but I couldn't 443 00:22:03,400 --> 00:22:03,800 Speaker 1: do it with. 444 00:22:03,800 --> 00:22:04,560 Speaker 2: This heavy weight. 445 00:22:05,280 --> 00:22:08,760 Speaker 1: My first thought was how long can I keep this 446 00:22:08,840 --> 00:22:11,600 Speaker 1: weight off of me before it crushes me? And I 447 00:22:11,600 --> 00:22:15,439 Speaker 1: thought probably about a minute or two. My next thought was, 448 00:22:15,640 --> 00:22:22,080 Speaker 1: you've already wasted thirty seconds. As I sat there contemplating 449 00:22:22,200 --> 00:22:26,760 Speaker 1: what I should do, something rose up in me and said, Joel, 450 00:22:27,000 --> 00:22:28,560 Speaker 1: you are not going to let. 451 00:22:28,400 --> 00:22:30,080 Speaker 2: This weight crush you. 452 00:22:30,080 --> 00:22:32,159 Speaker 1: You are not going to let your family come in 453 00:22:32,200 --> 00:22:33,600 Speaker 1: here and find you squashed. 454 00:22:33,960 --> 00:22:36,000 Speaker 2: This is not the end of your story. 455 00:22:36,600 --> 00:22:39,760 Speaker 1: You're too young to die, you got too much in 456 00:22:39,800 --> 00:22:42,720 Speaker 1: you to die. You're too good looking to die. And 457 00:22:44,960 --> 00:22:48,000 Speaker 1: crazy thoughts come when you're about to die. 458 00:22:48,280 --> 00:22:51,720 Speaker 2: I pushed on this right side with all of my might. 459 00:22:52,240 --> 00:22:55,119 Speaker 1: The left side caught a lower safety rail, and I 460 00:22:55,160 --> 00:22:58,639 Speaker 1: scooted about an inch. I rested a few seconds and 461 00:22:58,720 --> 00:22:59,960 Speaker 1: pushed again. On that right side. 462 00:23:00,000 --> 00:23:02,399 Speaker 2: I scooted another inch, and another and another. 463 00:23:02,840 --> 00:23:05,280 Speaker 1: Eventually I was able to get my shoulder out from 464 00:23:05,280 --> 00:23:07,359 Speaker 1: the bench, then my chest out, and finally I fell 465 00:23:07,400 --> 00:23:09,480 Speaker 1: to the ground and that bar bill was caught by 466 00:23:09,480 --> 00:23:10,080 Speaker 1: the lower rail. 467 00:23:10,200 --> 00:23:11,040 Speaker 2: Here's my point. 468 00:23:11,240 --> 00:23:14,360 Speaker 1: When you're in a tough time, you can't sit around 469 00:23:14,520 --> 00:23:17,560 Speaker 1: thinking about the bad break and how unfair it was. 470 00:23:17,680 --> 00:23:20,399 Speaker 1: And I can't believe I got this sickness, can't believe 471 00:23:20,440 --> 00:23:22,399 Speaker 1: they left me, can't believe this weight is on me. 472 00:23:22,800 --> 00:23:23,680 Speaker 2: You can either. 473 00:23:23,520 --> 00:23:27,280 Speaker 1: Let that sickness crush you. You can let that defeat, 474 00:23:27,800 --> 00:23:32,240 Speaker 1: that bad break, that disappointment finish you off, die under 475 00:23:32,280 --> 00:23:32,879 Speaker 1: the weight of it. 476 00:23:33,200 --> 00:23:36,560 Speaker 2: Or you can have this warrior mentality and do what 477 00:23:36,600 --> 00:23:37,400 Speaker 2: you've got to do. 478 00:23:37,720 --> 00:23:44,800 Speaker 1: Push, scoot, scratch, squirm, wiggle, refocus, get your second wind 479 00:23:44,880 --> 00:23:48,480 Speaker 1: and beat it. I got up off the ground. My 480 00:23:48,600 --> 00:23:50,760 Speaker 1: chest was a little scraped and my back was a 481 00:23:50,800 --> 00:23:54,440 Speaker 1: little bruised, but least I was still alive. I looked 482 00:23:54,440 --> 00:23:56,280 Speaker 1: at that way and say, you didn't defeat me. I'm 483 00:23:56,359 --> 00:24:00,800 Speaker 1: still standing. The scripture puts it this way. God has 484 00:24:01,000 --> 00:24:05,440 Speaker 1: armed you with strength for every battle. I found the 485 00:24:05,440 --> 00:24:09,080 Speaker 1: more difficult the battle, the more strength you'll have. Your 486 00:24:09,160 --> 00:24:12,840 Speaker 1: strength will always match what you're up against. When I 487 00:24:12,880 --> 00:24:15,120 Speaker 1: think about how I got out from under that weight, 488 00:24:15,200 --> 00:24:17,400 Speaker 1: I don't know how I did it. I was totally 489 00:24:17,440 --> 00:24:19,960 Speaker 1: out of energy. I'd used all my strength for that 490 00:24:20,000 --> 00:24:22,840 Speaker 1: fifth rep. I could have said, God, please just take 491 00:24:22,880 --> 00:24:25,879 Speaker 1: this off of me. It's gonna kill me. God said no, Joel, 492 00:24:26,280 --> 00:24:29,800 Speaker 1: push one more time and watch what will happen. I 493 00:24:29,960 --> 00:24:33,240 Speaker 1: pushed and discovered strength that I didn't know I had. 494 00:24:34,200 --> 00:24:37,280 Speaker 1: Are you letting something defeat you because you don't think 495 00:24:37,320 --> 00:24:40,480 Speaker 1: you have the strength to overcome the strength to deal 496 00:24:40,520 --> 00:24:44,439 Speaker 1: with that financial problem, that sickness, that child, this off course. 497 00:24:44,840 --> 00:24:48,520 Speaker 1: If you'll have this warrior mentality and do what you 498 00:24:48,720 --> 00:24:52,000 Speaker 1: can do, God will help you do what you cannot do. 499 00:24:53,000 --> 00:24:55,800 Speaker 1: I saw on the news just last week this man 500 00:24:56,280 --> 00:24:59,480 Speaker 1: came up to a car on the freeway that had crashed. 501 00:25:00,000 --> 00:25:02,720 Speaker 1: There's a person trapped on the inside. The car caught 502 00:25:02,800 --> 00:25:06,439 Speaker 1: on fire. This man about my size went over to 503 00:25:06,520 --> 00:25:10,800 Speaker 1: the doorframe and somehow ripped the door away from the 504 00:25:10,840 --> 00:25:13,480 Speaker 1: car so the person could get out. They showed a 505 00:25:13,480 --> 00:25:17,080 Speaker 1: picture of this bent steel frame looked like something you'd 506 00:25:17,160 --> 00:25:20,720 Speaker 1: see in the movies from a superhero asked the man 507 00:25:20,760 --> 00:25:22,800 Speaker 1: how he did it. He said, I don't know. I 508 00:25:22,960 --> 00:25:26,000 Speaker 1: just pulled as hard as I could. When you do 509 00:25:26,160 --> 00:25:29,480 Speaker 1: what you've got to do, you'll discover a strength that you. 510 00:25:29,359 --> 00:25:32,520 Speaker 2: Didn't know you had. Friends, you are not weak, You're 511 00:25:32,560 --> 00:25:38,119 Speaker 2: not defeated. You're a warrior. You've got resurrection power on 512 00:25:38,200 --> 00:25:39,560 Speaker 2: the inside. 513 00:25:39,720 --> 00:25:43,119 Speaker 1: You may be down right now, those winds may be blowing, 514 00:25:43,400 --> 00:25:46,120 Speaker 1: but like that palm tree, you're about to come back 515 00:25:46,200 --> 00:25:48,680 Speaker 1: up again. You're not gonna stay down. You're not gonna 516 00:25:48,720 --> 00:25:52,480 Speaker 1: be the same. You're gonna be stronger, healthier, better off. 517 00:25:52,680 --> 00:25:54,160 Speaker 2: This is a new day. 518 00:25:54,320 --> 00:25:57,040 Speaker 1: Things are changing in your favor. God's done it in 519 00:25:57,080 --> 00:25:57,480 Speaker 1: the past. 520 00:25:57,600 --> 00:26:00,200 Speaker 2: He's going to do it again in the future. Need 521 00:26:00,200 --> 00:26:02,040 Speaker 2: to get ready. A bounce back is coming. 522 00:26:02,480 --> 00:26:06,280 Speaker 1: You're going to bounce back from sickness, bounce back from loss, 523 00:26:06,640 --> 00:26:10,399 Speaker 1: bounce back from bad breaks, bounce back from debt. Those 524 00:26:10,480 --> 00:26:14,040 Speaker 1: winds cannot uproot you. They don't have the final say 525 00:26:14,280 --> 00:26:17,680 Speaker 1: God does, because your house is built upon the rock. 526 00:26:17,960 --> 00:26:21,360 Speaker 1: No matter what comes against you, I believe and declare, 527 00:26:21,640 --> 00:26:24,000 Speaker 1: when it's all said and done, you will not be 528 00:26:24,119 --> 00:26:25,000 Speaker 1: the victim. 529 00:26:25,200 --> 00:26:28,400 Speaker 2: You will be the victor. You will still be standing 530 00:26:28,960 --> 00:26:30,040 Speaker 2: in Jesus' name. 531 00:26:30,600 --> 00:26:33,280 Speaker 1: If you receive it, can you just say him en today? 532 00:26:35,080 --> 00:26:37,879 Speaker 1: We never like to close our broadcast without giving you 533 00:26:37,920 --> 00:26:40,880 Speaker 1: an opportunity to make Jesus the lord of your life. 534 00:26:41,040 --> 00:26:46,120 Speaker 1: Would you pray with me? Just say Lord, Jesus, I repent. 535 00:26:45,800 --> 00:26:50,399 Speaker 2: Of my sins. Come into my heart. I make you 536 00:26:50,520 --> 00:26:51,640 Speaker 2: my Lord and savior. 537 00:26:53,040 --> 00:26:55,520 Speaker 1: Friends, if you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you 538 00:26:55,560 --> 00:26:58,680 Speaker 1: got born again. Get in a good Bible based church. 539 00:26:59,040 --> 00:27:01,800 Speaker 1: Keep God first place. He's going to take your places 540 00:27:01,880 --> 00:27:02,919 Speaker 1: that you've never dreamed of. 541 00:27:05,680 --> 00:27:09,960 Speaker 3: What if what you imagine came to pass. What if 542 00:27:10,359 --> 00:27:13,399 Speaker 3: what you asked for turned out greater than what you 543 00:27:13,480 --> 00:27:17,600 Speaker 3: can see? What if you could plan for God's best 544 00:27:17,680 --> 00:27:19,159 Speaker 3: in your life. 545 00:27:19,240 --> 00:27:22,359 Speaker 1: We all have hopes and dreams and things we're believing for, 546 00:27:22,920 --> 00:27:25,280 Speaker 1: But what God has in store for you is. 547 00:27:25,200 --> 00:27:26,640 Speaker 2: More than you can imagine. 548 00:27:27,000 --> 00:27:29,720 Speaker 1: When you start the year off in faith, believing for 549 00:27:29,840 --> 00:27:34,199 Speaker 1: greater things, that's when God will exceed your expectations. We 550 00:27:34,320 --> 00:27:36,760 Speaker 1: love to send you our twenty twenty five More to 551 00:27:36,840 --> 00:27:40,320 Speaker 1: Imagine planner. You can write down your dreams and goals, 552 00:27:40,480 --> 00:27:43,640 Speaker 1: plus use it for your everyday activity and reminders. 553 00:27:43,840 --> 00:27:46,679 Speaker 4: It is so important to feed yourself hope and faith 554 00:27:46,720 --> 00:27:50,080 Speaker 4: on a daily basis. This planner is not only a calendar, 555 00:27:50,359 --> 00:27:53,159 Speaker 4: but it's filled with inspiration and scripture to help you 556 00:27:53,200 --> 00:27:56,280 Speaker 4: stay encouraged and keep believing for what God has put 557 00:27:56,320 --> 00:27:56,920 Speaker 4: in your heart. 558 00:27:57,200 --> 00:28:00,240 Speaker 1: He sees your faithfulness, how you're being your best each day. 559 00:28:00,480 --> 00:28:02,680 Speaker 1: You're going to see the goodness of God in new 560 00:28:02,720 --> 00:28:04,359 Speaker 1: ways in twenty twenty five. 561 00:28:05,000 --> 00:28:07,600 Speaker 3: As you support the ministry this month with a special 562 00:28:07,720 --> 00:28:10,240 Speaker 3: year end gift of any amount, we would like to 563 00:28:10,280 --> 00:28:13,600 Speaker 3: bless you with the More to Imagine twenty twenty five Planner. 564 00:28:13,960 --> 00:28:16,800 Speaker 3: With a new planner, you can start each day writing 565 00:28:16,840 --> 00:28:20,560 Speaker 3: down the fresh vision God gives you, whether it's appointments, 566 00:28:20,720 --> 00:28:24,439 Speaker 3: daily tasks, or long term desires in your heart. Let 567 00:28:24,560 --> 00:28:28,560 Speaker 3: each note be a testament to your faith. Included our 568 00:28:28,640 --> 00:28:32,960 Speaker 3: handpicked scriptures and uplifting reflections to empower you as you 569 00:28:33,080 --> 00:28:36,719 Speaker 3: walk this faith journey with Jesus one day at a time. 570 00:28:37,440 --> 00:28:39,440 Speaker 4: Joel and I are standing in faith with you that 571 00:28:39,480 --> 00:28:41,880 Speaker 4: twenty twenty five will be a year of far and 572 00:28:41,920 --> 00:28:43,840 Speaker 4: beyond favor for you and your family. 573 00:28:43,920 --> 00:28:46,640 Speaker 1: We pray for you every day for God's very best, 574 00:28:46,720 --> 00:28:49,480 Speaker 1: and we want to thank you for your prayer and support, 575 00:28:49,840 --> 00:28:51,600 Speaker 1: especially your year in gifts. 576 00:28:51,720 --> 00:28:54,200 Speaker 2: You are impacting people all over the world. 577 00:28:54,640 --> 00:28:58,040 Speaker 1: Remember you can watch the services online every Sunday morning, 578 00:28:58,360 --> 00:29:02,560 Speaker 1: download our daily podcast, listen on SiriusXM. We'll watch our 579 00:29:02,560 --> 00:29:06,440 Speaker 1: YouTube channel and the new joel Ostein streaming television network 580 00:29:06,520 --> 00:29:09,720 Speaker 1: twenty four hours a day until we see you next time. 581 00:29:10,000 --> 00:29:11,920 Speaker 2: Have a very merry Christmas. 582 00:29:12,560 --> 00:29:14,920 Speaker 3: Be sure to request your copy of the More to 583 00:29:15,000 --> 00:29:19,840 Speaker 3: Imagine twenty twenty five planner today. Visit Joelostein dot com 584 00:29:19,960 --> 00:29:34,760 Speaker 3: or call us toll free