1 00:00:01,440 --> 00:00:04,360 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joelan Victoria. Thanks so much for listening 2 00:00:04,360 --> 00:00:06,279 Speaker 1: to the podcast and thanks. 3 00:00:06,120 --> 00:00:09,200 Speaker 2: For supporting the ministry. We believe you're going to have an. 4 00:00:09,080 --> 00:00:13,760 Speaker 1: Awesome twenty twenty four, healthy, productive, and favor filled. God 5 00:00:13,800 --> 00:00:16,960 Speaker 1: bless you today and enjoy the message. Well, God bless you. 6 00:00:17,160 --> 00:00:19,720 Speaker 1: It's great to be with you today, and I hope 7 00:00:19,760 --> 00:00:22,119 Speaker 1: you'll stay connected with us during the week through our 8 00:00:22,200 --> 00:00:26,159 Speaker 1: daily podcast, our YouTube channel, social media. We'll keep you 9 00:00:26,320 --> 00:00:29,960 Speaker 1: encouraged and inspired. But I'd like to start with something funny. 10 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:32,400 Speaker 1: And I heard about this scientist. 11 00:00:32,840 --> 00:00:36,159 Speaker 2: He said to God, we've decided we no longer need you. 12 00:00:36,720 --> 00:00:40,279 Speaker 1: We can clone people, transplant hearts, do all kinds of 13 00:00:40,320 --> 00:00:44,400 Speaker 1: things once considered miraculous. God said, fine, But to prove 14 00:00:44,479 --> 00:00:47,360 Speaker 1: you don't need me, let's have a man making contest. 15 00:00:47,800 --> 00:00:50,360 Speaker 1: The only requirement is you have to make man out 16 00:00:50,400 --> 00:00:53,479 Speaker 1: of dirt. The scientist said great and reached down to 17 00:00:53,520 --> 00:00:56,440 Speaker 1: pick up a handful of dirt. God said, not so fast, 18 00:00:56,760 --> 00:00:57,800 Speaker 1: Go get your own dirt. 19 00:01:00,360 --> 00:01:03,720 Speaker 2: All here we go. Ready, this is my Bible. I 20 00:01:03,760 --> 00:01:05,000 Speaker 2: am what it says I am. 21 00:01:05,440 --> 00:01:07,920 Speaker 1: I have what it says I have, I can do 22 00:01:08,040 --> 00:01:10,640 Speaker 1: what it says I can do. Today I will be 23 00:01:10,720 --> 00:01:14,800 Speaker 1: taught the word of God. I boldly confess my mind 24 00:01:14,920 --> 00:01:17,160 Speaker 1: is alert, my heart is receptive. 25 00:01:17,520 --> 00:01:21,080 Speaker 2: I will never be the same. In Jesus' name, God 26 00:01:21,120 --> 00:01:24,319 Speaker 2: bless you. I want to talk to you today about 27 00:01:24,600 --> 00:01:29,080 Speaker 2: past the test. We all face situations that are uncomfortable. 28 00:01:29,600 --> 00:01:32,840 Speaker 1: We're not getting our way, someone is not treating us right. 29 00:01:33,319 --> 00:01:36,600 Speaker 1: Our dream is taking longer than we thought. It's easy 30 00:01:36,640 --> 00:01:40,360 Speaker 1: to get upset, live frustrated, wondering why it's not changing. 31 00:01:41,080 --> 00:01:42,959 Speaker 2: But much of life is a test. 32 00:01:43,560 --> 00:01:46,040 Speaker 1: You don't really know what's in you until you're put 33 00:01:46,120 --> 00:01:49,360 Speaker 1: under pressure. It's easy to have a good attitude when 34 00:01:49,480 --> 00:01:52,640 Speaker 1: everything's going our way and people are being good to you. 35 00:01:52,960 --> 00:01:54,640 Speaker 2: Doors are opening, the. 36 00:01:54,680 --> 00:01:58,240 Speaker 1: Driver next to you politely let you in. You'll feel 37 00:01:58,240 --> 00:02:01,120 Speaker 1: the joy of the Lord. Thank you Lord for your favor, 38 00:02:01,520 --> 00:02:05,840 Speaker 1: And that's good praise. Gratefulness is inside you. But how 39 00:02:05,880 --> 00:02:09,120 Speaker 1: about when the driver isn't so polite, In fact, they 40 00:02:09,160 --> 00:02:11,720 Speaker 1: make sure you don't get in. Stay right on the 41 00:02:11,760 --> 00:02:15,120 Speaker 1: other person's bumper. You may find out there are some 42 00:02:15,240 --> 00:02:19,120 Speaker 1: other things in you besides praise and thanksgiving. You weren't 43 00:02:19,120 --> 00:02:22,040 Speaker 1: speaking in tongues, but another language started coming out. 44 00:02:23,160 --> 00:02:25,760 Speaker 2: Peter told Jesus I'll never deny you. 45 00:02:26,200 --> 00:02:29,880 Speaker 1: I'm your most faithful disciple. His heart was right, he 46 00:02:29,919 --> 00:02:33,880 Speaker 1: had good intentions standing with the other disciples in that 47 00:02:33,960 --> 00:02:35,480 Speaker 1: atmosphere of faith. 48 00:02:35,440 --> 00:02:36,480 Speaker 2: That wasn't difficult. 49 00:02:37,120 --> 00:02:40,079 Speaker 1: But when he was put under pressure when the Roman 50 00:02:40,160 --> 00:02:43,720 Speaker 1: soldiers were arresting Jesus, when the heat was turned up, 51 00:02:44,160 --> 00:02:47,600 Speaker 1: the young lady said he's one of his disciples, Peter said, no. 52 00:02:47,639 --> 00:02:47,920 Speaker 2: I'm not. 53 00:02:48,480 --> 00:02:52,000 Speaker 1: You're the wrong person. Three times he denied that he 54 00:02:52,080 --> 00:02:56,360 Speaker 1: knew Jesus. The pressure brings to light weaknesses in our character, 55 00:02:56,960 --> 00:02:59,680 Speaker 1: areas we need to deal with. If we'll be willing 56 00:02:59,720 --> 00:03:04,000 Speaker 1: to check change, make adjustments, start passing those tests, the 57 00:03:04,120 --> 00:03:04,960 Speaker 1: God will show. 58 00:03:04,840 --> 00:03:06,280 Speaker 2: Us more of his favor. 59 00:03:07,040 --> 00:03:10,800 Speaker 1: But just because Peter failed that test didn't stop his destiny. 60 00:03:11,520 --> 00:03:14,520 Speaker 1: God doesn't give up on us. He gives us another chance. 61 00:03:15,240 --> 00:03:18,680 Speaker 1: It's significant that Peter is the one that wrote, don't 62 00:03:18,680 --> 00:03:22,240 Speaker 1: be surprised at the fiery trial. That is to test 63 00:03:22,320 --> 00:03:26,400 Speaker 1: your quality. The purpose of the trial is to test 64 00:03:26,440 --> 00:03:30,320 Speaker 1: your character. God already knows how you're going to respond. 65 00:03:30,840 --> 00:03:33,800 Speaker 1: It's not to show God, it's to show you what's 66 00:03:33,800 --> 00:03:37,600 Speaker 1: in you. Every traffic jam, every person that gets on 67 00:03:37,640 --> 00:03:41,440 Speaker 1: your nerves, every time you're tempted to be jealous critical 68 00:03:41,680 --> 00:03:45,760 Speaker 1: pay someone back. That's not a random challenge. That's God 69 00:03:45,880 --> 00:03:50,320 Speaker 1: testing your quality. That's an opportunity to grow, to come 70 00:03:50,400 --> 00:03:52,800 Speaker 1: up higher, to show him what you're made of. 71 00:03:53,640 --> 00:03:54,560 Speaker 2: And the problem with. 72 00:03:54,600 --> 00:03:58,000 Speaker 1: Failing the test being rude to someone, that's rude to 73 00:03:58,040 --> 00:04:01,520 Speaker 1: you getting upset every time time you get stuck in traffic, 74 00:04:02,160 --> 00:04:05,560 Speaker 1: being jealous over a friend. That God a promotion. When 75 00:04:05,560 --> 00:04:07,920 Speaker 1: you don't pass, you're going to have to take the 76 00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:11,280 Speaker 1: test again. It's not going to go away. God is 77 00:04:11,280 --> 00:04:14,400 Speaker 1: going to keep testing your quality. He loves you too 78 00:04:14,480 --> 00:04:17,960 Speaker 1: much to let you stay at one level. That's why 79 00:04:18,040 --> 00:04:20,800 Speaker 1: you can't pray away everything that's uncomfortable. 80 00:04:21,680 --> 00:04:25,320 Speaker 2: God, get this coworker out of my life. They're irritating me. 81 00:04:25,760 --> 00:04:29,640 Speaker 2: They're getting on my nerves. That's a test. Why don't you. 82 00:04:29,640 --> 00:04:33,559 Speaker 1: Be an egle and rise above their pettiness. Stop letting 83 00:04:33,560 --> 00:04:37,680 Speaker 1: them steal your joy. Stop giving them your power. When 84 00:04:37,680 --> 00:04:40,600 Speaker 1: you let someone else determine whether or not you're going 85 00:04:40,680 --> 00:04:44,920 Speaker 1: to stay in peace, you're handing them your thermostaff You're 86 00:04:44,960 --> 00:04:48,680 Speaker 1: letting them control your temperature. They say something rude, you 87 00:04:48,720 --> 00:04:52,200 Speaker 1: get upset, they leave you out, You get offended, they 88 00:04:52,279 --> 00:04:55,799 Speaker 1: ignore you, your day is soured. Do yourself a favor, 89 00:04:56,120 --> 00:04:57,680 Speaker 1: take your thermostat back. 90 00:04:58,400 --> 00:05:00,000 Speaker 2: Quit letting other people. 91 00:04:59,720 --> 00:05:04,080 Speaker 1: Cont your atmosphere determine your mood, your peace, your joy. 92 00:05:04,800 --> 00:05:08,000 Speaker 1: You can't control what they do, but you can control 93 00:05:08,160 --> 00:05:12,960 Speaker 1: how you respond. Start passing the test. Next time they're rude, 94 00:05:13,200 --> 00:05:16,200 Speaker 1: just smile and go about your day. When they leave 95 00:05:16,240 --> 00:05:19,000 Speaker 1: you out, just stay in peace. God, I know you're 96 00:05:19,040 --> 00:05:22,800 Speaker 1: fighting my battles. You're my vindicator. When they try to 97 00:05:22,800 --> 00:05:25,640 Speaker 1: make you feel small, just ignore it and move on. 98 00:05:26,400 --> 00:05:29,800 Speaker 1: They don't determine your destiny. You're not who they say 99 00:05:29,839 --> 00:05:31,720 Speaker 1: you are. You are who God. 100 00:05:31,480 --> 00:05:32,159 Speaker 2: Says you are. 101 00:05:32,520 --> 00:05:36,279 Speaker 1: You're a masterpiece, want of a kind, crowned with favor. 102 00:05:37,080 --> 00:05:39,599 Speaker 1: Instead of trying to pray them away, try a different 103 00:05:39,640 --> 00:05:43,120 Speaker 1: approach and be happy despite what they're doing. 104 00:05:43,680 --> 00:05:47,560 Speaker 2: Bloom where you're planted. The scripture says no person can 105 00:05:47,640 --> 00:05:50,839 Speaker 2: take your joy. They can't take it. You have to 106 00:05:50,880 --> 00:05:53,720 Speaker 2: give it. Make up your mind. I'm not going to 107 00:05:53,760 --> 00:05:56,680 Speaker 2: give this jerk, I mean this cowork or my joy. 108 00:05:57,440 --> 00:05:58,280 Speaker 2: Don't go the. 109 00:05:58,200 --> 00:06:02,360 Speaker 1: Next twenty years letting this same things upset you, same people, 110 00:06:02,600 --> 00:06:06,719 Speaker 1: same traffic, same delays. It's a test if you'll grow 111 00:06:07,360 --> 00:06:11,280 Speaker 1: if you'll respond differently. Sometimes God will remove it. 112 00:06:11,760 --> 00:06:12,560 Speaker 2: But here's the key. 113 00:06:12,880 --> 00:06:17,040 Speaker 1: Even if he doesn't, because you've changed, because your character 114 00:06:17,120 --> 00:06:19,719 Speaker 1: has come up higher, it's not going to affect you. 115 00:06:20,680 --> 00:06:24,240 Speaker 1: I found when God is not changing the circumstance, he's 116 00:06:24,320 --> 00:06:28,640 Speaker 1: using the circumstance to change me. I'm a very goal 117 00:06:28,720 --> 00:06:29,680 Speaker 1: oriented person. 118 00:06:30,120 --> 00:06:30,800 Speaker 2: I have a plan. 119 00:06:31,200 --> 00:06:34,160 Speaker 1: I'm focused. I like to get things done. That's a 120 00:06:34,240 --> 00:06:35,200 Speaker 1: nice way of saying. 121 00:06:35,400 --> 00:06:36,960 Speaker 2: I struggle with being impatient. 122 00:06:37,960 --> 00:06:40,760 Speaker 1: But it seemed like the more in a hurry I was, 123 00:06:41,279 --> 00:06:44,359 Speaker 1: the more I would find myself in situations where I 124 00:06:44,360 --> 00:06:47,719 Speaker 1: would have to wait at the grocery store. There would 125 00:06:47,760 --> 00:06:51,240 Speaker 1: be three registers to check out. I'd make sure i'd 126 00:06:51,279 --> 00:06:54,400 Speaker 1: get in the shortest line. I would calculate it, count 127 00:06:54,400 --> 00:06:56,960 Speaker 1: the number of people in line, study how much was 128 00:06:57,000 --> 00:06:59,400 Speaker 1: in their car. I was on a mission to get 129 00:06:59,400 --> 00:07:03,720 Speaker 1: in and get out as fast as possible. Invariably, the 130 00:07:03,760 --> 00:07:06,000 Speaker 1: person in front of me would need a price check, 131 00:07:06,560 --> 00:07:10,560 Speaker 1: can't find the item, computer is malfunctioning. One time the 132 00:07:10,560 --> 00:07:14,040 Speaker 1: clock was new, she was so slow, supervisor had to 133 00:07:14,040 --> 00:07:17,480 Speaker 1: come over three times. The whole time, I watched people 134 00:07:17,480 --> 00:07:18,000 Speaker 1: and other. 135 00:07:17,840 --> 00:07:19,320 Speaker 2: Lines pass me by. 136 00:07:19,880 --> 00:07:23,200 Speaker 1: That'd get me so stressed. I never realized it was 137 00:07:23,200 --> 00:07:25,840 Speaker 1: a test. I thought it was just a bad break. 138 00:07:26,080 --> 00:07:29,360 Speaker 1: I chose the wrong line. One day, it dawned on 139 00:07:29,480 --> 00:07:32,880 Speaker 1: me that I always got behind the slowest person in 140 00:07:32,960 --> 00:07:35,960 Speaker 1: the grocery store, on the freeway at the airport. Why 141 00:07:36,040 --> 00:07:39,600 Speaker 1: is that you'll be tested in the area of your 142 00:07:39,640 --> 00:07:44,520 Speaker 1: greatest weakness. I'm not tested in being focused, being responsible, 143 00:07:44,600 --> 00:07:48,640 Speaker 1: taking risks. Those are my strengths. I'm tested in being impatient. 144 00:07:49,600 --> 00:07:53,040 Speaker 1: If you struggle with being jealous, don't be surprised if 145 00:07:53,080 --> 00:07:55,920 Speaker 1: you see every friend that gets something that you want. 146 00:07:56,800 --> 00:07:59,600 Speaker 1: Your coworker makes half as much as you. They drive 147 00:07:59,680 --> 00:08:02,720 Speaker 1: up in brand new car. You take your family on 148 00:08:02,800 --> 00:08:06,200 Speaker 1: vacation for a few days down to Lake Conroe. You 149 00:08:06,240 --> 00:08:08,920 Speaker 1: were happy until your neighbor calls from Paris. 150 00:08:09,160 --> 00:08:10,480 Speaker 2: There's beending two weeks there. 151 00:08:11,760 --> 00:08:14,800 Speaker 1: You're believing for a spouse to meet the right person. 152 00:08:15,280 --> 00:08:19,200 Speaker 1: Your best friend gets engaged, your cousin, your coworker, your 153 00:08:19,240 --> 00:08:24,400 Speaker 1: ninety year old grandmother. You're the bridesmaid in six weddings. Smiling, 154 00:08:24,600 --> 00:08:29,280 Speaker 1: I'm so happy for you. Down deep, I am so upset. God, 155 00:08:29,320 --> 00:08:32,280 Speaker 1: this is so not fair. Tell you something front of 156 00:08:32,360 --> 00:08:34,800 Speaker 1: a pastor friend of mine He was believing for a 157 00:08:34,840 --> 00:08:38,040 Speaker 1: new building for his church, and for several years he'd 158 00:08:38,080 --> 00:08:42,400 Speaker 1: been praying, looking everywhere, raising funds, but nothing was available. 159 00:08:42,920 --> 00:08:46,360 Speaker 1: A new pastor moved in town, hadn't been there two months. 160 00:08:46,480 --> 00:08:48,640 Speaker 1: He called my friend said, I want to come pick 161 00:08:48,640 --> 00:08:49,840 Speaker 1: you up and take you somewhere. 162 00:08:50,440 --> 00:08:51,840 Speaker 2: My friend was excited. 163 00:08:52,280 --> 00:08:54,280 Speaker 1: He thought maybe he had found my friend a new 164 00:08:54,280 --> 00:08:58,280 Speaker 1: building placed a rent. He drove him to this beautiful building, 165 00:08:58,600 --> 00:09:03,079 Speaker 1: prime location parking. He said, the owner of this property 166 00:09:03,520 --> 00:09:06,119 Speaker 1: just told me I could use it rent free. 167 00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:09,560 Speaker 2: For five years. Isn't this awesome? My friend said, yes, 168 00:09:09,600 --> 00:09:12,920 Speaker 2: it is so awesome. He didn't mean a word of it. 169 00:09:13,000 --> 00:09:14,280 Speaker 2: He was so discouraged. 170 00:09:15,280 --> 00:09:19,080 Speaker 1: But God blessing someone else doesn't mean he's not going 171 00:09:19,120 --> 00:09:23,880 Speaker 1: to bless you. God didn't run out of favor. That's 172 00:09:23,920 --> 00:09:28,200 Speaker 1: a test. He's watching to see how you're going to respond. Well, 173 00:09:28,240 --> 00:09:30,920 Speaker 1: they don't deserve it. I've been here longer than them. 174 00:09:30,960 --> 00:09:34,760 Speaker 1: I don't understand it. No, pass the test. Be happy 175 00:09:34,800 --> 00:09:38,240 Speaker 1: for them. That's an opportunity to show God what you're 176 00:09:38,280 --> 00:09:41,960 Speaker 1: made of. If you will celebrate others, then God will 177 00:09:41,960 --> 00:09:46,080 Speaker 1: have plenty of times where people will celebrate you. Pay 178 00:09:46,120 --> 00:09:49,440 Speaker 1: attention to the areas that you tested in. It's not 179 00:09:49,480 --> 00:09:52,840 Speaker 1: a coincidence. When God brings things to light, you have 180 00:09:52,880 --> 00:09:56,000 Speaker 1: to be willing to deal with it. These impurities in 181 00:09:56,040 --> 00:09:59,760 Speaker 1: our character keep us from rising higher. They don't come 182 00:09:59,800 --> 00:10:02,200 Speaker 1: out in the good times. They come out when we're 183 00:10:02,240 --> 00:10:07,120 Speaker 1: under pressure. Don't ignore it, don't keep responding the same way. 184 00:10:07,800 --> 00:10:11,359 Speaker 1: God wants to entrust you with more favor, more influence, 185 00:10:11,440 --> 00:10:16,120 Speaker 1: more resources. That's why he's testing your character. One time 186 00:10:16,160 --> 00:10:18,280 Speaker 1: I had a meeting at the church, and at that 187 00:10:18,400 --> 00:10:20,680 Speaker 1: time it was a thirty minute drive from my house. 188 00:10:21,120 --> 00:10:23,160 Speaker 1: I left a little bit late, but I knew if 189 00:10:23,200 --> 00:10:25,640 Speaker 1: I didn't hit any traffic, I would get there right 190 00:10:25,679 --> 00:10:28,920 Speaker 1: on time. I prayed for favor, Lord, thank you for 191 00:10:28,960 --> 00:10:32,640 Speaker 1: making my crooked places straight. There was a light leaving 192 00:10:32,679 --> 00:10:36,400 Speaker 1: my neighborhood. In three years, I had never seen it red. 193 00:10:36,920 --> 00:10:40,160 Speaker 1: Was always green, but right when I got to the intersection, 194 00:10:40,520 --> 00:10:41,320 Speaker 1: it turned red. 195 00:10:41,800 --> 00:10:43,040 Speaker 2: It was the strangest thing. 196 00:10:43,720 --> 00:10:46,520 Speaker 1: I got on the freeway and took off, praying that 197 00:10:46,559 --> 00:10:49,160 Speaker 1: God would give me discernment to know which hell the 198 00:10:49,200 --> 00:10:50,600 Speaker 1: policeman would be sitting over. 199 00:10:51,520 --> 00:10:51,640 Speaker 2: Now. 200 00:10:51,640 --> 00:10:54,480 Speaker 1: I was doing fine, still had time to make it. 201 00:10:54,840 --> 00:10:58,160 Speaker 1: Then the traffic started slowing down as it got slower. 202 00:10:58,240 --> 00:11:01,600 Speaker 1: My blood pressure went higher and slowed down all the 203 00:11:01,600 --> 00:11:04,720 Speaker 1: way to twenty miles an hour. It's never that slow 204 00:11:04,800 --> 00:11:08,040 Speaker 1: at that time of day, and I was frustrated. The 205 00:11:08,160 --> 00:11:10,640 Speaker 1: lane next to me was going a little faster. I 206 00:11:10,760 --> 00:11:13,079 Speaker 1: tried to get over, but nobody would let me in. 207 00:11:13,679 --> 00:11:15,840 Speaker 1: I waved, smiled. 208 00:11:15,559 --> 00:11:18,160 Speaker 2: Blue kisses, held up a twenty but nothing. 209 00:11:18,880 --> 00:11:20,839 Speaker 1: Finally someone paused let me in. 210 00:11:20,960 --> 00:11:24,160 Speaker 2: I thought, thank God, I got over. Right when I did, 211 00:11:24,520 --> 00:11:25,640 Speaker 2: that lane stopped. 212 00:11:26,000 --> 00:11:27,840 Speaker 1: I sat there and watched the lane I was in 213 00:11:28,520 --> 00:11:29,240 Speaker 1: passed me by. 214 00:11:29,920 --> 00:11:31,040 Speaker 2: I was so stressed. 215 00:11:31,840 --> 00:11:35,240 Speaker 1: I just knew that was the enemy attacking me, making 216 00:11:35,320 --> 00:11:40,400 Speaker 1: me lame. Now realized that was God attacking my impatience. 217 00:11:41,080 --> 00:11:44,240 Speaker 1: That was God allowing me to be in an uncomfortable 218 00:11:44,280 --> 00:11:48,960 Speaker 1: situation to bring to light impurities in my character. It 219 00:11:49,000 --> 00:11:52,640 Speaker 1: didn't happen overnight, but I started dealing with it, ruling 220 00:11:52,679 --> 00:11:56,559 Speaker 1: over my emotions, not letting that upset me. Now I've 221 00:11:56,640 --> 00:11:59,840 Speaker 1: learned to stay in peace that God's ordering my steps, 222 00:12:00,080 --> 00:12:00,520 Speaker 1: that I'm. 223 00:12:00,360 --> 00:12:02,160 Speaker 2: At the right place at the right time. 224 00:12:03,160 --> 00:12:06,080 Speaker 1: Are you trying to pray away what God is wanting 225 00:12:06,160 --> 00:12:10,280 Speaker 1: to use to refine you instead of trying to change everything? 226 00:12:10,559 --> 00:12:14,040 Speaker 1: Why don't you pray God help me to change, help 227 00:12:14,080 --> 00:12:17,160 Speaker 1: me to come up higher, to be more patient, to 228 00:12:17,240 --> 00:12:21,120 Speaker 1: overlook the offense, to not be jealous, to not let other. 229 00:12:21,000 --> 00:12:22,319 Speaker 2: People steal my joy. 230 00:12:23,440 --> 00:12:26,920 Speaker 1: Sometimes the test is to be good to someone that's 231 00:12:27,000 --> 00:12:30,240 Speaker 1: not being good to you. It's easy to treat people 232 00:12:30,360 --> 00:12:33,320 Speaker 1: the way they treat us. They're rude to us, We're 233 00:12:33,320 --> 00:12:35,719 Speaker 1: going to be rude to them. They put us down, 234 00:12:35,920 --> 00:12:38,640 Speaker 1: We're gonna put them down. They stab me in the 235 00:12:38,640 --> 00:12:41,880 Speaker 1: back at work, I'm gonna get revenge. But if you're 236 00:12:41,920 --> 00:12:44,520 Speaker 1: going to reach your destiny, you have to be the 237 00:12:44,559 --> 00:12:45,400 Speaker 1: bigger person. 238 00:12:45,840 --> 00:12:47,439 Speaker 2: Let God fight your battles. 239 00:12:47,840 --> 00:12:52,840 Speaker 1: If you sink down to their level, get baited into conflict, revengeful, 240 00:12:53,000 --> 00:12:54,840 Speaker 1: paying people back, then. 241 00:12:54,720 --> 00:12:58,160 Speaker 2: God can't trust you with more influence. That's a test. 242 00:12:58,960 --> 00:13:01,840 Speaker 1: Prove to God you'll stay on the high road, be 243 00:13:01,960 --> 00:13:03,560 Speaker 1: an eagle, and rise above it. 244 00:13:04,440 --> 00:13:05,640 Speaker 2: This is what David did. 245 00:13:06,000 --> 00:13:09,839 Speaker 1: He was one of King Saul's main armor bearers. When 246 00:13:09,880 --> 00:13:13,240 Speaker 1: Saul wasn't feeling well, David would come in and play 247 00:13:13,280 --> 00:13:16,480 Speaker 1: the harp and Saul would get better. Saul was jealous 248 00:13:16,520 --> 00:13:19,040 Speaker 1: of David. He could see the favor on his life, 249 00:13:19,080 --> 00:13:21,720 Speaker 1: and instead of being happy for him. He let that 250 00:13:21,800 --> 00:13:25,960 Speaker 1: jealousy get stronger, and stronger made him bitter toward David. 251 00:13:26,800 --> 00:13:30,000 Speaker 1: One day, while David was playing the harp being good 252 00:13:30,040 --> 00:13:34,439 Speaker 1: to Saul saw through a spear and barely missed David. Here, 253 00:13:34,559 --> 00:13:37,520 Speaker 1: David was doing the right thing, trying to help Saul, 254 00:13:37,920 --> 00:13:41,400 Speaker 1: Pasaul was trying to kill him. David could have fought back, 255 00:13:41,880 --> 00:13:44,840 Speaker 1: tried to get even, but he knew Saul had been 256 00:13:44,880 --> 00:13:49,480 Speaker 1: anointed king. He respected the authority he was under, so 257 00:13:49,520 --> 00:13:50,640 Speaker 1: he ran in the desert. 258 00:13:51,000 --> 00:13:52,760 Speaker 2: Saul came chasing after him. 259 00:13:53,280 --> 00:13:56,320 Speaker 1: At one point, David found Saul and all of his 260 00:13:56,440 --> 00:14:00,360 Speaker 1: men asleep. Was David's big chance to get even, to 261 00:14:00,440 --> 00:14:01,160 Speaker 1: pay him back. 262 00:14:01,360 --> 00:14:04,000 Speaker 2: In one moment, he could take Saul out, but he 263 00:14:04,040 --> 00:14:04,719 Speaker 2: wouldn't do it. 264 00:14:05,640 --> 00:14:10,160 Speaker 1: When Saul found out how David spared his life, he wept, said. 265 00:14:10,000 --> 00:14:11,720 Speaker 2: David, you're a better man than me. 266 00:14:12,920 --> 00:14:18,120 Speaker 1: The reason God could trust David with so much influence, honor, resources, 267 00:14:18,400 --> 00:14:21,920 Speaker 1: as he kept passing the test all these times. He 268 00:14:22,000 --> 00:14:24,640 Speaker 1: was under great pressure where he could have done what 269 00:14:24,720 --> 00:14:28,360 Speaker 1: he felt like, told Saul off got revenge, made his 270 00:14:28,440 --> 00:14:31,880 Speaker 1: life miserable. David wouldn't do it. He took the high road. 271 00:14:32,480 --> 00:14:35,440 Speaker 1: He let God fight his battles. He was kind to 272 00:14:35,480 --> 00:14:39,560 Speaker 1: someone that wasn't kind to him. When you treat people 273 00:14:39,680 --> 00:14:43,120 Speaker 1: right that don't treat you right, you're proving to God 274 00:14:43,440 --> 00:14:47,960 Speaker 1: that you can handle more influence, more responsibility. This is 275 00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:51,400 Speaker 1: a major test because most of us will be good 276 00:14:51,440 --> 00:14:54,320 Speaker 1: to people that are good to us. But to go 277 00:14:54,360 --> 00:14:56,720 Speaker 1: where God wants you to go, you have to be 278 00:14:56,800 --> 00:15:00,160 Speaker 1: good to people that are not good to you. When 279 00:15:00,200 --> 00:15:02,440 Speaker 1: you let God refine you, you. 280 00:15:02,400 --> 00:15:03,880 Speaker 2: Don't let the offense get in. 281 00:15:04,560 --> 00:15:07,360 Speaker 1: You don't live thinking about paying people back, but you 282 00:15:07,480 --> 00:15:10,520 Speaker 1: stay in peace. You're going to see God's favor and 283 00:15:10,600 --> 00:15:14,840 Speaker 1: blessing in great ways. Now, don't be surprised if you 284 00:15:14,880 --> 00:15:18,960 Speaker 1: find yourself in situations that are not fair. People that 285 00:15:19,040 --> 00:15:23,040 Speaker 1: didn't keep their word, They played politics, made you look bad, 286 00:15:23,560 --> 00:15:25,040 Speaker 1: They betrayed you. 287 00:15:25,040 --> 00:15:28,200 Speaker 2: You have every right to get even your flesh says, 288 00:15:28,480 --> 00:15:31,040 Speaker 2: do to them what they did to you. No pass 289 00:15:31,120 --> 00:15:31,600 Speaker 2: the test. 290 00:15:32,280 --> 00:15:35,600 Speaker 1: Be a David that's God seeing what you're made of. 291 00:15:36,600 --> 00:15:39,320 Speaker 1: It's easy to tell people off. It's easy to be 292 00:15:39,440 --> 00:15:41,160 Speaker 1: rude when someone's rude to you. 293 00:15:41,600 --> 00:15:43,640 Speaker 2: But that will keep you at the same place. 294 00:15:44,160 --> 00:15:47,120 Speaker 1: God wants to take you higher, to places that you've 295 00:15:47,160 --> 00:15:51,560 Speaker 1: never seen He'll allow you to be uncomfortable. The scripture 296 00:15:51,600 --> 00:15:55,800 Speaker 1: calls it the fiery challenge is to test your quality. 297 00:15:55,880 --> 00:15:58,440 Speaker 1: Sometimes God will put you in the middle of the fire. 298 00:15:59,280 --> 00:16:03,400 Speaker 2: In that pressure, your impurities will come out. Revenge. Two 299 00:16:03,400 --> 00:16:06,080 Speaker 2: can play at this game, pride. I don't have to 300 00:16:06,120 --> 00:16:09,960 Speaker 2: put up with this sarcasm. You really think you're that hot? No, 301 00:16:10,120 --> 00:16:12,880 Speaker 2: stay in peace. Let God fight your battles. 302 00:16:13,120 --> 00:16:16,800 Speaker 1: The Psalmist said, remain calm in times of adversity. 303 00:16:17,320 --> 00:16:20,680 Speaker 2: That's passing the test. That's what allows God to take. 304 00:16:20,480 --> 00:16:23,520 Speaker 1: You where you've never dreamed what you All these people 305 00:16:23,520 --> 00:16:26,240 Speaker 1: at work get on my nerves. I've been praying for 306 00:16:26,280 --> 00:16:29,440 Speaker 1: God to move them out. Have you ever thought about 307 00:16:30,000 --> 00:16:31,880 Speaker 1: maybe God has you there on purpose. 308 00:16:32,600 --> 00:16:33,680 Speaker 2: Maybe that's a test. 309 00:16:34,400 --> 00:16:39,240 Speaker 1: If he removed everything uncomfortable, you would never grow. Instead 310 00:16:39,280 --> 00:16:41,920 Speaker 1: of being sour, Why don't you try a different approach 311 00:16:42,240 --> 00:16:46,720 Speaker 1: and keep a good attitude. My spouse aggravates me. She 312 00:16:46,840 --> 00:16:49,560 Speaker 1: knows just what buttons to push. That's why I say 313 00:16:49,600 --> 00:16:52,880 Speaker 1: things I shouldn't. That's why I get upset. No, that's 314 00:16:52,920 --> 00:16:54,360 Speaker 1: a test of your character. 315 00:16:55,200 --> 00:16:55,920 Speaker 2: In that fire. 316 00:16:56,320 --> 00:16:59,080 Speaker 1: Impurities are coming out under pressure. 317 00:16:59,280 --> 00:17:00,480 Speaker 2: You're seeing what's in you. 318 00:17:01,280 --> 00:17:03,960 Speaker 1: Next time that happens, respond a different way. 319 00:17:04,840 --> 00:17:06,080 Speaker 2: Proverbs twenty one. 320 00:17:05,960 --> 00:17:09,480 Speaker 1: Says, if you'll keep your mouth closed, you'll stay out 321 00:17:09,480 --> 00:17:09,959 Speaker 1: of trouble. 322 00:17:11,040 --> 00:17:13,399 Speaker 2: One way to pass the test is real simple. 323 00:17:13,760 --> 00:17:18,040 Speaker 1: Keep your mouth closed. Quit letting your emotions. Control your mouth. 324 00:17:19,000 --> 00:17:20,080 Speaker 2: Your tongue can. 325 00:17:19,960 --> 00:17:23,320 Speaker 1: Start World War three. Your tongue can get you fired. 326 00:17:23,880 --> 00:17:26,840 Speaker 1: Your tongue can have your sleeping on the couch at night. 327 00:17:27,000 --> 00:17:31,440 Speaker 1: Next time you feel like saying something hurtful, disrespectful, telling 328 00:17:31,480 --> 00:17:33,640 Speaker 1: someone off, take a deep breath. 329 00:17:34,359 --> 00:17:35,680 Speaker 2: Pause for ten seconds. 330 00:17:35,840 --> 00:17:39,000 Speaker 1: Under your breath, God, help me to control my tongue. 331 00:17:39,320 --> 00:17:40,760 Speaker 2: Help me to pass this test. 332 00:17:41,600 --> 00:17:44,680 Speaker 1: If you'll keep your mouth closed the next time. 333 00:17:44,520 --> 00:17:45,760 Speaker 2: It will be a little easier. 334 00:17:46,160 --> 00:17:50,399 Speaker 1: The next time easier. Don't go year after year responding 335 00:17:50,440 --> 00:17:55,480 Speaker 1: the same way. That's an opportunity to grow. You can change. 336 00:17:55,640 --> 00:17:59,840 Speaker 1: You don't have to be sarcastic, say hurtful, critical words. 337 00:18:00,200 --> 00:18:02,920 Speaker 1: Wound people bring strife, conflict. 338 00:18:03,680 --> 00:18:08,440 Speaker 2: What if my spouse doesn't change. If you'll change, they'll change. 339 00:18:08,720 --> 00:18:11,479 Speaker 1: Sometimes we're waiting for the other person to move first, 340 00:18:12,119 --> 00:18:15,119 Speaker 1: then we'll do better. You have to be the bigger person. 341 00:18:15,680 --> 00:18:18,080 Speaker 1: You be the one to keep your mouth closed. You 342 00:18:18,160 --> 00:18:20,800 Speaker 1: be the one to walk away from conflict. You be 343 00:18:20,880 --> 00:18:24,720 Speaker 1: the one to pass the test. The scripture says in 344 00:18:24,800 --> 00:18:28,480 Speaker 1: a house there are vessels of wood and clay for 345 00:18:28,680 --> 00:18:32,359 Speaker 1: ordinary use, but there are vessels of gold for God's 346 00:18:32,440 --> 00:18:36,359 Speaker 1: highest purposes. We can stay vessels of wood and clay. 347 00:18:36,920 --> 00:18:40,040 Speaker 2: That's fine. We're still God's creation. He made us. 348 00:18:40,480 --> 00:18:43,600 Speaker 1: We can live with these impurities, still make it through life. 349 00:18:44,320 --> 00:18:47,400 Speaker 1: But I'm not talking about just making it through. I'm 350 00:18:47,400 --> 00:18:51,200 Speaker 1: talking about seeing the greatness God put in you, being 351 00:18:51,280 --> 00:18:55,480 Speaker 1: a vessel of gold use for God's highest purposes. That's 352 00:18:55,520 --> 00:18:59,159 Speaker 1: what happens when we keep letting God refine us, We 353 00:18:59,280 --> 00:19:02,520 Speaker 1: keep dealing with what He brings to light. You can't 354 00:19:02,520 --> 00:19:06,160 Speaker 1: rebuke everything you don't like. You can't pray away every 355 00:19:06,200 --> 00:19:10,479 Speaker 1: grouchy person, the delays, the clerk that's rude, the spouse 356 00:19:10,520 --> 00:19:11,640 Speaker 1: that gets on your nerves. 357 00:19:12,080 --> 00:19:13,240 Speaker 2: Those are tests. 358 00:19:13,760 --> 00:19:17,280 Speaker 1: They may not change, but you can change now. Key 359 00:19:17,320 --> 00:19:22,440 Speaker 1: to seeing God's best is to stay pliable, walk in humility, 360 00:19:22,960 --> 00:19:25,000 Speaker 1: be willing to change. 361 00:19:25,200 --> 00:19:29,040 Speaker 2: What can you do to get along better in relationships? 362 00:19:29,760 --> 00:19:33,960 Speaker 1: What improvements can you make not your spouse, your boss, 363 00:19:34,200 --> 00:19:37,720 Speaker 1: your children? What areas can you come up higher? End 364 00:19:38,119 --> 00:19:42,119 Speaker 1: to have better relationships? Don't pray for God to change 365 00:19:42,119 --> 00:19:45,480 Speaker 1: someone else without first praying, God, show me. 366 00:19:45,680 --> 00:19:47,680 Speaker 2: Where I need to change. 367 00:19:47,920 --> 00:19:51,040 Speaker 1: I used to play basketball at the YMCA, and when 368 00:19:51,040 --> 00:19:54,920 Speaker 1: i'd come home after playing a couple of hours full courts, 369 00:19:55,119 --> 00:19:59,000 Speaker 1: high intensity, I'd be really sweaty. The closest sink from 370 00:19:59,040 --> 00:20:02,080 Speaker 1: the back door, the kitchen sink, I'd always stop and 371 00:20:02,200 --> 00:20:05,240 Speaker 1: wash my hands. Well, Victoria didn't like me using the 372 00:20:05,359 --> 00:20:08,040 Speaker 1: kitchen sink when I was so sweaty. She didn't want 373 00:20:08,080 --> 00:20:10,639 Speaker 1: that around all the food. She asked me not to 374 00:20:10,800 --> 00:20:13,960 Speaker 1: wash my hands there. It was a small thing, no 375 00:20:14,160 --> 00:20:14,680 Speaker 1: big deal. 376 00:20:14,840 --> 00:20:16,679 Speaker 2: Use the other sink. That makes sense. 377 00:20:17,480 --> 00:20:20,120 Speaker 1: But it's funny how we can come up with excuses. 378 00:20:20,800 --> 00:20:23,680 Speaker 1: That was a reasonable request, But I thought of all 379 00:20:23,720 --> 00:20:26,159 Speaker 1: the reasons why I shouldn't do it. This is the 380 00:20:26,200 --> 00:20:28,800 Speaker 1: closest sink. I don't want to walk to that other 381 00:20:28,840 --> 00:20:30,840 Speaker 1: sink here. I've just run up and down the court 382 00:20:30,880 --> 00:20:33,359 Speaker 1: for two hours now. I don't want to walk another 383 00:20:33,400 --> 00:20:38,639 Speaker 1: thirty feet. Sometimes pride can blind us. We can come 384 00:20:38,720 --> 00:20:41,960 Speaker 1: up with lame excuses to not do what we know 385 00:20:42,040 --> 00:20:45,040 Speaker 1: we should do. My mind kept going, this is my 386 00:20:45,119 --> 00:20:48,200 Speaker 1: house too. That is not right that I cannot use 387 00:20:48,280 --> 00:20:50,959 Speaker 1: that sink. I think about it now and it seems 388 00:20:51,000 --> 00:20:51,960 Speaker 1: so strange. 389 00:20:52,119 --> 00:20:53,040 Speaker 2: What was a big deal? 390 00:20:53,760 --> 00:20:56,040 Speaker 1: But sometimes we're just being contentious. 391 00:20:56,640 --> 00:20:57,800 Speaker 2: We just want our way. 392 00:20:58,320 --> 00:21:00,399 Speaker 1: Our pride says, I can do what I want to do. 393 00:21:01,040 --> 00:21:03,520 Speaker 1: I would wash my hands there from time to time, Joel, 394 00:21:03,560 --> 00:21:04,760 Speaker 1: please use the other saint. 395 00:21:05,240 --> 00:21:08,760 Speaker 2: Victoria is not hurting anything. I'm not contaminating the food. 396 00:21:09,800 --> 00:21:14,040 Speaker 1: Sometimes the test is to just honor your wife, honor 397 00:21:14,080 --> 00:21:17,120 Speaker 1: your husband, to be good to the people God put 398 00:21:17,160 --> 00:21:20,680 Speaker 1: in your life. How can God trust you. 399 00:21:20,680 --> 00:21:23,600 Speaker 2: To lead others if you don't treat your own family 400 00:21:23,640 --> 00:21:24,320 Speaker 2: with respect? 401 00:21:25,040 --> 00:21:28,360 Speaker 1: How could he trust David to lead the Israelites if 402 00:21:28,359 --> 00:21:30,120 Speaker 1: he wasn't honorable to King Saul. 403 00:21:31,040 --> 00:21:33,240 Speaker 2: Maybe it's just a test to see. 404 00:21:32,960 --> 00:21:36,080 Speaker 1: How obedient you'll be, whether you'll do the right thing 405 00:21:36,280 --> 00:21:39,000 Speaker 1: when it's a small thing, whether you'll go the extra 406 00:21:39,080 --> 00:21:42,240 Speaker 1: mile when you don't think it's fair. This is the 407 00:21:42,320 --> 00:21:46,080 Speaker 1: difference between being a vessel of wood for ordinary use 408 00:21:46,520 --> 00:21:49,440 Speaker 1: or being a vessel of honor for God's highest purposes. 409 00:21:50,400 --> 00:21:53,800 Speaker 1: One day I came home from playing basketball. Victoria wasn't there. 410 00:21:54,320 --> 00:21:56,680 Speaker 1: She was out running errands. I thought, oh great, I'll 411 00:21:56,720 --> 00:21:57,560 Speaker 1: go in the kitchen. 412 00:21:57,760 --> 00:21:58,520 Speaker 2: She won't see me. 413 00:21:58,600 --> 00:22:01,480 Speaker 1: Nobody will know I was about to wash my hands, 414 00:22:01,680 --> 00:22:04,520 Speaker 1: and I heard this voice down in here saying, Joel, 415 00:22:05,119 --> 00:22:07,679 Speaker 1: when are you going to start honoring your wife and 416 00:22:07,760 --> 00:22:08,640 Speaker 1: not wash your hands? 417 00:22:08,680 --> 00:22:10,840 Speaker 2: Here? I thought, is that to you? Lord? 418 00:22:11,960 --> 00:22:14,960 Speaker 1: She couldn't see me, but the one who matters could 419 00:22:15,000 --> 00:22:15,320 Speaker 1: see me. 420 00:22:15,800 --> 00:22:17,320 Speaker 2: He controls the universe. 421 00:22:18,200 --> 00:22:21,000 Speaker 1: It's not always the big things that are keeping us 422 00:22:21,040 --> 00:22:24,760 Speaker 1: from God's best, it's the small things. If I can't 423 00:22:24,800 --> 00:22:28,400 Speaker 1: honor my wife show respect by doing a small thing, 424 00:22:29,000 --> 00:22:29,600 Speaker 1: how can. 425 00:22:29,440 --> 00:22:31,280 Speaker 2: God trust me to lead? Lakewood? 426 00:22:32,119 --> 00:22:35,240 Speaker 1: Don't let a small thing keep you from your greatness. 427 00:22:35,680 --> 00:22:40,040 Speaker 1: How we treat people matters. You can't be harsh, contentious, 428 00:22:40,080 --> 00:22:43,199 Speaker 1: hard to get along with and reach your potential. The 429 00:22:43,240 --> 00:22:46,720 Speaker 1: scripture says, husbands, if we're not treating our wife right, 430 00:22:47,119 --> 00:22:50,800 Speaker 1: then our prayers will be hindered. You shouldn't treat anyone 431 00:22:50,880 --> 00:22:55,840 Speaker 1: better than you treat your own family. Be kind, loving, respectful, 432 00:22:56,520 --> 00:23:00,840 Speaker 1: Paul Sitting Colossians. Whatever you do, do it under God 433 00:23:01,200 --> 00:23:04,720 Speaker 1: and not under people. Sometimes there are things we don't 434 00:23:04,760 --> 00:23:08,639 Speaker 1: feel like doing doesn't seem fair. At work, you're not 435 00:23:08,680 --> 00:23:12,520 Speaker 1: getting to credit. Someone's not treating you right. Why should 436 00:23:12,520 --> 00:23:14,919 Speaker 1: you be kind to them? Why should you keep a 437 00:23:14,960 --> 00:23:18,120 Speaker 1: good attitude? Why should you go the extra mile. God 438 00:23:18,200 --> 00:23:21,679 Speaker 1: is saying, will you do it under me? Will you 439 00:23:21,760 --> 00:23:25,160 Speaker 1: keep your mouth closed for me? Will you be kind 440 00:23:25,200 --> 00:23:28,320 Speaker 1: to that person that doesn't deserve it for me? Will 441 00:23:28,359 --> 00:23:30,439 Speaker 1: you not wash your hands in that sink for me? 442 00:23:31,400 --> 00:23:34,199 Speaker 1: Will you be your best at work for me? Do 443 00:23:34,280 --> 00:23:38,399 Speaker 1: it under God? He's the one that matters. Promotion doesn't 444 00:23:38,440 --> 00:23:39,199 Speaker 1: come from people. 445 00:23:39,400 --> 00:23:40,679 Speaker 2: It comes from him. 446 00:23:41,240 --> 00:23:43,920 Speaker 1: When you do the right thing, when it's hard, you're 447 00:23:44,000 --> 00:23:47,520 Speaker 1: passing the test. Like with David, You're going to go 448 00:23:47,560 --> 00:23:51,679 Speaker 1: to levels that you've never imagined. God is getting you 449 00:23:51,760 --> 00:23:55,000 Speaker 1: prepared now for the new things he has in store. 450 00:23:55,920 --> 00:23:59,000 Speaker 1: Anytime you're going to go higher, your flesh has to 451 00:23:59,080 --> 00:24:03,600 Speaker 1: go lower. God is going to require greater obedience, things 452 00:24:03,600 --> 00:24:06,520 Speaker 1: that you'd rather not have to deal with. But those 453 00:24:06,640 --> 00:24:09,600 Speaker 1: tests are not there to stop you. That's a sign 454 00:24:09,840 --> 00:24:13,760 Speaker 1: that God is refining you, getting you prepared for something greater. 455 00:24:14,680 --> 00:24:17,160 Speaker 1: When these impurities come to light, don't. 456 00:24:16,920 --> 00:24:20,520 Speaker 2: Push it down. That's just me. I've always been impatient. 457 00:24:21,040 --> 00:24:24,320 Speaker 1: I'm always contentious, i always wash my hands here, we 458 00:24:24,440 --> 00:24:28,600 Speaker 1: always argue, I've always been jealous. No, make the adjustments 459 00:24:28,960 --> 00:24:32,879 Speaker 1: respond differently. You wouldn't be hearing this if God didn't 460 00:24:32,880 --> 00:24:34,920 Speaker 1: have new levels in your future. 461 00:24:35,480 --> 00:24:38,520 Speaker 2: That's why he's getting you prepared to handle the weight 462 00:24:38,680 --> 00:24:39,280 Speaker 2: of glory. 463 00:24:40,200 --> 00:24:43,760 Speaker 1: God told the Israelites, I led you into the wilderness 464 00:24:43,760 --> 00:24:46,800 Speaker 1: for a purpose, to test you and to prove you, 465 00:24:47,320 --> 00:24:50,920 Speaker 1: to see if you'd keep my commands before you go 466 00:24:51,000 --> 00:24:54,360 Speaker 1: into the Promised Land. There would be times of testing, 467 00:24:54,880 --> 00:24:58,040 Speaker 1: times of proving, where you have to show God you'll 468 00:24:58,040 --> 00:25:00,400 Speaker 1: do the right thing when you don't feel like it. 469 00:25:00,920 --> 00:25:03,240 Speaker 2: You'll keep a good attitude when it's not fair. 470 00:25:03,840 --> 00:25:06,680 Speaker 1: You'll deal with the impurities that he brings to light. 471 00:25:07,600 --> 00:25:10,560 Speaker 1: But when the Israelites came under pressure, they kept failing 472 00:25:10,600 --> 00:25:15,240 Speaker 1: the test. They complained about the giants, complained about the food, 473 00:25:15,920 --> 00:25:19,200 Speaker 1: complained that it was so hot that group never made 474 00:25:19,200 --> 00:25:22,640 Speaker 1: it into the Promised Land. What would have happened if 475 00:25:22,640 --> 00:25:24,840 Speaker 1: they would have dealt with that negative. 476 00:25:24,480 --> 00:25:25,600 Speaker 2: Complaining spirit. 477 00:25:26,200 --> 00:25:29,680 Speaker 1: Instead of saying, these giants are too big, we're never 478 00:25:29,720 --> 00:25:31,960 Speaker 1: going to make it, they would have said, yes, the 479 00:25:32,000 --> 00:25:35,520 Speaker 1: giants are big, but God, we know you're bigger. Yes, 480 00:25:35,560 --> 00:25:37,560 Speaker 1: it's hot out here, but Lord, thank you for bringing 481 00:25:37,640 --> 00:25:38,600 Speaker 1: us out of slavery. 482 00:25:38,800 --> 00:25:41,200 Speaker 2: Thanks for making a way where we didn't see away. 483 00:25:42,320 --> 00:25:45,680 Speaker 1: They could have gone in, but they let these impurities 484 00:25:45,760 --> 00:25:49,520 Speaker 1: keep them out. It wasn't God's fault. He gave them 485 00:25:49,640 --> 00:25:53,080 Speaker 1: chance after chance to change. But God is not going 486 00:25:53,119 --> 00:25:55,960 Speaker 1: to make you do the right thing. He'll allow the 487 00:25:56,000 --> 00:25:59,159 Speaker 1: pressure show you what you need to deal with, but 488 00:25:59,240 --> 00:26:02,080 Speaker 1: you have to do a part and be willing to change, 489 00:26:02,560 --> 00:26:06,080 Speaker 1: make the adjustments. Don't keep responding the same way. 490 00:26:06,720 --> 00:26:09,600 Speaker 2: The delays, traffic, people that get on. 491 00:26:09,520 --> 00:26:13,360 Speaker 1: Your nerves, that's not random. Those are opportunities to come 492 00:26:13,440 --> 00:26:18,000 Speaker 1: up higher. Those challenges are to test your quality. Now, 493 00:26:18,040 --> 00:26:21,359 Speaker 1: my challenge is show God what you're made of. Prove 494 00:26:21,440 --> 00:26:25,080 Speaker 1: to him that you can handle more influence, more favor, 495 00:26:25,440 --> 00:26:29,720 Speaker 1: more responsibility by passing the test. If you'll do this, 496 00:26:30,160 --> 00:26:33,560 Speaker 1: I believe and declare new doors are going to open. 497 00:26:34,000 --> 00:26:35,919 Speaker 2: Your relationships are going to get better. 498 00:26:36,359 --> 00:26:40,520 Speaker 1: You will rise higher, accomplish dreams, and become all you 499 00:26:40,600 --> 00:26:42,120 Speaker 1: were created to be. 500 00:26:42,160 --> 00:26:44,000 Speaker 2: In Jesus' name, And if you. 501 00:26:44,040 --> 00:26:47,800 Speaker 1: Receive it, can you say amen, I'd like to give 502 00:26:47,840 --> 00:26:50,480 Speaker 1: you an opportunity to make Jesus the lord. 503 00:26:50,240 --> 00:26:52,399 Speaker 2: Of your life. Would you pray with me? 504 00:26:53,000 --> 00:26:57,800 Speaker 1: Just say, Lord, Jesus, I repent of my sins. Come 505 00:26:57,840 --> 00:27:03,000 Speaker 1: into my heart. I mayankive my Lord and Savior. If 506 00:27:03,040 --> 00:27:05,960 Speaker 1: you prayed that simple prayer. We believe you got born again. 507 00:27:06,480 --> 00:27:08,679 Speaker 2: We'd love to send you some free information on your 508 00:27:08,680 --> 00:27:10,720 Speaker 2: new walk with the Lord. You can text the number 509 00:27:10,720 --> 00:27:12,760 Speaker 2: on the screen or go to the website. 510 00:27:13,119 --> 00:27:15,800 Speaker 1: I hope you'll get into a good Bible based church 511 00:27:16,119 --> 00:27:17,800 Speaker 1: and keep God first place.