1 00:00:00,490 --> 00:00:03,170 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 2 00:00:03,230 --> 00:00:06,400 Speaker 1: our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. If you 3 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:09,100 Speaker 1: enjoyed today's message, why don't you be a blessing and 4 00:00:09,160 --> 00:00:11,780 Speaker 1: share it with a friend? We appreciate you and pray 5 00:00:11,800 --> 00:00:26,650 Speaker 1: for God's very best in your life. Well, God bless you. 6 00:00:26,670 --> 00:00:29,660 Speaker 1: It's a joy to come into your homes. And if 7 00:00:29,680 --> 00:00:32,620 Speaker 1: you're ever in our area, please stop by and be 8 00:00:32,640 --> 00:00:35,000 Speaker 1: a part of one of our services. I promise you 9 00:00:35,200 --> 00:00:37,740 Speaker 1: we'll make you feel right at home. I like to 10 00:00:37,780 --> 00:00:40,320 Speaker 1: start with something funny and heard about this man that 11 00:00:40,500 --> 00:00:43,379 Speaker 1: called the church office. He said, I want to speak 12 00:00:43,420 --> 00:00:47,769 Speaker 1: to the head hog at the trough. The secretary was offended. 13 00:00:48,229 --> 00:00:50,440 Speaker 1: She said, if you mean the pastor, you're going to 14 00:00:50,479 --> 00:00:53,040 Speaker 1: have to call him pastor, but you may not call 15 00:00:53,060 --> 00:00:56,050 Speaker 1: him the head hog at the trough. He said, well, 16 00:00:56,070 --> 00:01:00,490 Speaker 1: that's fine. But I was thinking about making a $ 5, 000 17 00:00:58,890 --> 00:01:02,410 Speaker 1: donation to your church. She said, hang on, Porky just 18 00:01:02,450 --> 00:01:06,600 Speaker 1: walked in. Say it like you mean it. This is 19 00:01:06,660 --> 00:01:09,620 Speaker 1: my Bible. I am what it says I am. I 20 00:01:09,660 --> 00:01:12,080 Speaker 1: have what it says I have. I can do what 21 00:01:12,120 --> 00:01:14,860 Speaker 1: it says I can do. Today, I will be taught 22 00:01:14,920 --> 00:01:19,030 Speaker 1: the word of God. I boldly confess my mind is alert. 23 00:01:19,470 --> 00:01:22,390 Speaker 1: My heart is receptive. I will never be the same 24 00:01:22,850 --> 00:01:27,190 Speaker 1: in Jesus name. God bless you. I want to talk 25 00:01:27,230 --> 00:01:31,660 Speaker 1: to you today about unconditional trust. It's easy to trust 26 00:01:31,720 --> 00:01:35,479 Speaker 1: God when things are going our way. We're getting good breaks. 27 00:01:36,000 --> 00:01:39,970 Speaker 1: Our business is blessed. Our children are healthy. That doesn't 28 00:01:40,010 --> 00:01:44,069 Speaker 1: take much faith. Life is good. But what about when 29 00:01:44,110 --> 00:01:47,830 Speaker 1: things aren't going our way? Our prayers aren't being answered. 30 00:01:48,310 --> 00:01:52,500 Speaker 1: The problem isn't turning around. We're not seeing favor. Too 31 00:01:52,680 --> 00:01:56,400 Speaker 1: often we get discouraged. Thank God. Why aren't you doing something? 32 00:01:56,950 --> 00:02:00,029 Speaker 1: You can see I'm being mistreated. My health isn't good. 33 00:02:00,570 --> 00:02:03,710 Speaker 1: I worked hard, but I didn't get the promotion. We 34 00:02:03,770 --> 00:02:07,330 Speaker 1: think when it changes, we'll be happy. When I meet 35 00:02:07,350 --> 00:02:10,790 Speaker 1: the right person, when my health improves, when we have 36 00:02:10,830 --> 00:02:16,450 Speaker 1: this baby, then we'll have a good attitude. That's conditional trust. God, 37 00:02:16,570 --> 00:02:19,829 Speaker 1: if you meet my demands, if you answer my prayers 38 00:02:19,870 --> 00:02:22,720 Speaker 1: the way I want on my timetable, then I'll be 39 00:02:22,750 --> 00:02:27,090 Speaker 1: my best. The problem with conditional trust is there will 40 00:02:27,250 --> 00:02:31,630 Speaker 1: always be things we don't understand. Something that's not happening 41 00:02:31,669 --> 00:02:34,630 Speaker 1: fast enough. It didn't work out the way we want it. 42 00:02:35,510 --> 00:02:38,510 Speaker 1: We prayed just as hard for my father when his 43 00:02:38,550 --> 00:02:41,930 Speaker 1: health went downhill as we did for my mother. We 44 00:02:41,990 --> 00:02:45,650 Speaker 1: quoted the same scriptures. We asked God to restore his health, 45 00:02:45,930 --> 00:02:48,540 Speaker 1: to let him live. But my father went to be 46 00:02:48,580 --> 00:02:51,850 Speaker 1: with the Lord. It didn't happen the way I want it. 47 00:02:52,680 --> 00:02:55,900 Speaker 1: If I would have had conditional trust, I would have 48 00:02:55,919 --> 00:02:58,799 Speaker 1: gotten upset. Bitter God, why didn't you answer my prayers? 49 00:02:59,500 --> 00:03:02,840 Speaker 1: The truth is God did answer my prayer. It just 50 00:03:02,900 --> 00:03:06,600 Speaker 1: wasn't the way I wanted. Are you mature enough to 51 00:03:06,680 --> 00:03:10,180 Speaker 1: accept God's answers even though they're not what you were 52 00:03:10,200 --> 00:03:14,650 Speaker 1: hoping for? God is a sovereign God. We're not going 53 00:03:14,690 --> 00:03:19,390 Speaker 1: to understand everything that happens. Faith is trusting God when 54 00:03:19,470 --> 00:03:23,840 Speaker 1: life doesn't make sense. There will always be unanswered questions. 55 00:03:24,280 --> 00:03:26,440 Speaker 1: Why didn't my loved one make it? Why am I 56 00:03:26,500 --> 00:03:29,920 Speaker 1: not getting better? Why did this person leave? Some things 57 00:03:30,060 --> 00:03:33,160 Speaker 1: are not going to make sense, but God wouldn't have 58 00:03:33,200 --> 00:03:36,060 Speaker 1: allowed it if he wasn't going to bring good out 59 00:03:36,140 --> 00:03:38,700 Speaker 1: of it. You may not see it at the time, 60 00:03:39,260 --> 00:03:42,700 Speaker 1: but God knows what he's doing. He has your best 61 00:03:42,860 --> 00:03:45,840 Speaker 1: interest at heart. It's not random. It's a part of 62 00:03:45,900 --> 00:03:49,540 Speaker 1: his plan. Dare to trust him. I didn't want to 63 00:03:49,600 --> 00:03:52,020 Speaker 1: lose my father, of course. He was one of my 64 00:03:52,080 --> 00:03:55,710 Speaker 1: best friends. I'd worked with him here at Lakewood for 65 00:03:55,710 --> 00:03:59,090 Speaker 1: 17 years. We had traveled the world together. I didn't 66 00:03:59,130 --> 00:04:01,110 Speaker 1: know what I would do when my dad was gone, 67 00:04:01,690 --> 00:04:05,260 Speaker 1: but I found God had another plan. He had something 68 00:04:05,360 --> 00:04:07,640 Speaker 1: else for me to do. I couldn't see it at 69 00:04:07,680 --> 00:04:10,540 Speaker 1: the time. I wanted God to do it my way, 70 00:04:10,920 --> 00:04:14,200 Speaker 1: but God had a better way. I thought I would 71 00:04:14,240 --> 00:04:18,550 Speaker 1: spend my life behind the scenes, doing production, running the cameras. 72 00:04:19,320 --> 00:04:21,050 Speaker 1: I didn't think I could get up here in front 73 00:04:21,089 --> 00:04:23,790 Speaker 1: of people. I didn't know this ability was in me. 74 00:04:24,529 --> 00:04:27,390 Speaker 1: But God can see things in you that you can't 75 00:04:27,450 --> 00:04:31,110 Speaker 1: see in yourself. His plan for your life is bigger 76 00:04:31,190 --> 00:04:35,050 Speaker 1: than your plan. But it may not happen the way 77 00:04:35,080 --> 00:04:38,650 Speaker 1: you thought. God doesn't take us in a straight line. 78 00:04:39,230 --> 00:04:44,089 Speaker 1: There'll be twists, turns, the disappointments, the loss, the bad breaks. 79 00:04:44,430 --> 00:04:47,469 Speaker 1: They're all a part of his plan. But if you 80 00:04:47,510 --> 00:04:51,100 Speaker 1: have conditional trust, you'll get discouraged and think, why is 81 00:04:51,120 --> 00:04:54,760 Speaker 1: this happening? I'm going the wrong way. But God is 82 00:04:54,820 --> 00:04:59,060 Speaker 1: still directing your steps. Trust him when you don't understand. 83 00:04:59,650 --> 00:05:02,370 Speaker 1: Trust him even when it feels like you're going the 84 00:05:02,430 --> 00:05:06,630 Speaker 1: wrong direction. What I thought would be my darkest hour, 85 00:05:07,180 --> 00:05:10,080 Speaker 1: the loss of my father, and I say this respectfully, 86 00:05:10,460 --> 00:05:13,560 Speaker 1: in one sense, it turned out to be my brightest hour. 87 00:05:14,220 --> 00:05:17,540 Speaker 1: It launched me into what I'm doing today, into a 88 00:05:17,580 --> 00:05:21,780 Speaker 1: new level of my destiny. But sometimes we want things 89 00:05:21,880 --> 00:05:24,940 Speaker 1: so bad, we're not going to be happy unless it 90 00:05:24,980 --> 00:05:28,539 Speaker 1: happens our way. I can't be happy unless I get 91 00:05:28,580 --> 00:05:31,580 Speaker 1: the house, unless I meet the right person, unless we 92 00:05:31,620 --> 00:05:35,540 Speaker 1: have the baby. That's out of balance. Anything you have 93 00:05:35,600 --> 00:05:38,800 Speaker 1: to have in order to be happy, the enemy can 94 00:05:38,920 --> 00:05:42,910 Speaker 1: use against you. And it's good to be honest with God. 95 00:05:43,510 --> 00:05:46,729 Speaker 1: Tell him your dreams. Tell him what you're believing for. God, 96 00:05:46,770 --> 00:05:49,410 Speaker 1: this is what I want. I'm asking you to heal 97 00:05:49,430 --> 00:05:52,650 Speaker 1: my loved one. Turn this problem around. God, open these 98 00:05:52,710 --> 00:05:56,780 Speaker 1: new doors. It's fine to ask, but then be mature 99 00:05:56,839 --> 00:06:00,160 Speaker 1: enough to say, but God, if it never happens, if 100 00:06:00,220 --> 00:06:02,760 Speaker 1: I don't get the promotion, if my loved one doesn't 101 00:06:02,839 --> 00:06:06,240 Speaker 1: make it, if my health doesn't improve, I'm still going 102 00:06:06,279 --> 00:06:09,800 Speaker 1: to trust you. But see, we can get so consumed 103 00:06:10,300 --> 00:06:13,520 Speaker 1: with what we want that it can become like an idol. 104 00:06:14,180 --> 00:06:16,760 Speaker 1: That's all we think about, all we pray about. It's 105 00:06:16,880 --> 00:06:19,820 Speaker 1: always on the forefront of our minds. Turn it over 106 00:06:19,860 --> 00:06:24,549 Speaker 1: to God. Pray, believe, then leave it in God's hands. 107 00:06:25,350 --> 00:06:28,830 Speaker 1: Don't get so focused on what you want that you 108 00:06:28,880 --> 00:06:33,039 Speaker 1: miss the beauty of this day. Everything may not be perfect. 109 00:06:33,520 --> 00:06:36,440 Speaker 1: There are things that need to change, but God has 110 00:06:36,500 --> 00:06:40,760 Speaker 1: given you the grace to be happy today. It's very 111 00:06:40,839 --> 00:06:43,520 Speaker 1: freeing when you can say, God, it's in your hands. 112 00:06:44,160 --> 00:06:48,460 Speaker 1: I trust you, not conditionally, if it works out my way, 113 00:06:48,860 --> 00:06:52,960 Speaker 1: I trust you unconditionally, even when I don't understand it. 114 00:06:53,850 --> 00:06:57,430 Speaker 1: In the scripture, the apostle Paul had what he described 115 00:06:57,550 --> 00:07:00,870 Speaker 1: as a thorn in his flesh. It was something either 116 00:07:00,930 --> 00:07:04,930 Speaker 1: physically or spiritually that he didn't like. It was bothering him. 117 00:07:05,760 --> 00:07:09,200 Speaker 1: Three times he asked God to take it away, but 118 00:07:09,260 --> 00:07:13,600 Speaker 1: God didn't remove it. Paul was honoring God. He was 119 00:07:13,660 --> 00:07:16,610 Speaker 1: being his best. He wrote half of the books in 120 00:07:16,620 --> 00:07:20,050 Speaker 1: the New Testament. You would think God would fix what 121 00:07:20,090 --> 00:07:23,730 Speaker 1: was bothering him. But God said to him, Paul, my 122 00:07:23,830 --> 00:07:27,670 Speaker 1: grace is sufficient for you. He was saying, in effect, 123 00:07:28,170 --> 00:07:31,030 Speaker 1: I may not remove it just yet, but I will 124 00:07:31,110 --> 00:07:34,680 Speaker 1: give you the grace to handle it. If God is 125 00:07:34,720 --> 00:07:38,270 Speaker 1: not removing what you want removed, if he's not changing 126 00:07:38,370 --> 00:07:41,690 Speaker 1: what you want changed, don't use that as an excuse 127 00:07:41,730 --> 00:07:45,710 Speaker 1: to live sour, bitter. God has given you the grace 128 00:07:45,830 --> 00:07:48,960 Speaker 1: to be where you are with a good attitude. You 129 00:07:49,000 --> 00:07:52,430 Speaker 1: can enjoy your life in spite of what's not working out. 130 00:07:53,300 --> 00:07:56,320 Speaker 1: And sometimes the reason our prayers aren't answered the way 131 00:07:56,380 --> 00:08:00,240 Speaker 1: we want is because it's not the right time, or 132 00:08:00,300 --> 00:08:04,000 Speaker 1: God has something better that we can't see, or perhaps 133 00:08:04,060 --> 00:08:06,860 Speaker 1: he's using the difficulty to do a work in us, 134 00:08:07,300 --> 00:08:12,230 Speaker 1: to help us grow, to get stronger. unconditional trust says, God, 135 00:08:12,250 --> 00:08:16,170 Speaker 1: I don't like it. I'm uncomfortable, but I'm smart enough 136 00:08:16,210 --> 00:08:20,270 Speaker 1: to recognize you're God and I'm not. You're on the throne. 137 00:08:20,730 --> 00:08:24,710 Speaker 1: You're in control of my life. You said your plans 138 00:08:24,800 --> 00:08:27,820 Speaker 1: for me are for good. You said you would lead 139 00:08:27,900 --> 00:08:30,920 Speaker 1: me down the best path for my life. And even 140 00:08:30,960 --> 00:08:34,580 Speaker 1: though I don't understand it right now, God, I trust you. 141 00:08:35,490 --> 00:08:39,880 Speaker 1: Are you living frustrated, unhappy because something is not going 142 00:08:39,900 --> 00:08:44,440 Speaker 1: your way? That's conditional trust. You'll live a lot freer, 143 00:08:44,460 --> 00:08:48,800 Speaker 1: a lot happier if you'll quit fighting what God is 144 00:08:48,860 --> 00:08:53,350 Speaker 1: not changing. Quit being upset over what he's not removing. 145 00:08:54,270 --> 00:08:58,330 Speaker 1: Paul said, I have learned how to be content. Didn't 146 00:08:58,370 --> 00:09:02,410 Speaker 1: happen automatically. He made this decision. I'm not going to 147 00:09:02,470 --> 00:09:06,520 Speaker 1: live sour because God hasn't removed this thorn. When he 148 00:09:06,580 --> 00:09:09,819 Speaker 1: wants to remove it, he'll remove it. But until then, 149 00:09:10,240 --> 00:09:13,679 Speaker 1: I'm going to be happy where I am, thorn and all. 150 00:09:14,660 --> 00:09:19,350 Speaker 1: The truth is, we all have some thorns, things that 151 00:09:19,390 --> 00:09:22,630 Speaker 1: God is not changing. He could, if he wanted to, 152 00:09:23,030 --> 00:09:26,340 Speaker 1: he's God. All he'd have to do is speak and 153 00:09:26,360 --> 00:09:29,350 Speaker 1: that problem would turn around. That person would treat you right. 154 00:09:29,490 --> 00:09:32,790 Speaker 1: Wouldn't be any big deal. But since he's not doing 155 00:09:32,830 --> 00:09:36,490 Speaker 1: it yet, will you do like Paul and be happy 156 00:09:36,650 --> 00:09:40,500 Speaker 1: where you are, thorn and all, trouble and all, loneliness 157 00:09:40,540 --> 00:09:51,530 Speaker 1: and all? It takes a mature person to say, even 158 00:09:51,590 --> 00:09:54,599 Speaker 1: though God is not removing this, I'm still going to 159 00:09:54,640 --> 00:09:57,430 Speaker 1: have a smile. I'm still going to be good to people. 160 00:09:57,770 --> 00:10:01,040 Speaker 1: I'm still going to give God praise. This is what 161 00:10:01,080 --> 00:10:05,040 Speaker 1: happened with the three Hebrew teenagers in the scripture. They 162 00:10:05,070 --> 00:10:08,429 Speaker 1: wouldn't bow down to the King's golden idol. The King 163 00:10:08,510 --> 00:10:11,490 Speaker 1: was furious. He was going to have them thrown into 164 00:10:11,530 --> 00:10:14,929 Speaker 1: a fiery furnace. They said, King, we're not going to 165 00:10:14,970 --> 00:10:19,650 Speaker 1: bow down. We know our God will deliver us, but 166 00:10:19,910 --> 00:10:22,710 Speaker 1: even if he doesn't, we're still not going to bow down. 167 00:10:23,720 --> 00:10:27,760 Speaker 1: That's unconditional trust. I believe God's going to turn this 168 00:10:27,820 --> 00:10:31,520 Speaker 1: situation around, but even if he doesn't, I'm still going 169 00:10:31,540 --> 00:10:34,730 Speaker 1: to be happy. I believe I'm going to get the promotion, 170 00:10:35,250 --> 00:10:38,570 Speaker 1: believe my health is improving. I believe the right person 171 00:10:38,670 --> 00:10:42,350 Speaker 1: is coming, but if it doesn't happen, I'm not going 172 00:10:42,370 --> 00:10:45,750 Speaker 1: to get bitter, sour. I know God is still on 173 00:10:45,790 --> 00:10:49,350 Speaker 1: the throne. If he's not changing it, he has a reason. 174 00:10:49,650 --> 00:10:53,280 Speaker 1: My life is in his hands. Dare to trust him. 175 00:10:54,000 --> 00:10:56,700 Speaker 1: Not just when things are going your way, but even 176 00:10:56,840 --> 00:11:01,080 Speaker 1: when you don't understand it. The psalmist said, God will 177 00:11:01,120 --> 00:11:04,839 Speaker 1: work out his plan for your life. You don't have 178 00:11:04,880 --> 00:11:07,200 Speaker 1: to work it all out. You don't have to make 179 00:11:07,240 --> 00:11:10,760 Speaker 1: it happen in your own strength. Try to manipulate people, 180 00:11:11,059 --> 00:11:14,940 Speaker 1: fight all your battles. Why don't you relax, take the 181 00:11:15,000 --> 00:11:19,260 Speaker 1: pressure off yourself and let God work out his plan 182 00:11:19,340 --> 00:11:22,490 Speaker 1: for your life. He can do it better than you can. 183 00:11:23,140 --> 00:11:26,420 Speaker 1: He knows the best path. And that's what these teenagers 184 00:11:26,460 --> 00:11:29,880 Speaker 1: were saying. We know God will deliver us from this fire, 185 00:11:30,230 --> 00:11:32,709 Speaker 1: but even if he doesn't, we're not going to get 186 00:11:32,809 --> 00:11:37,329 Speaker 1: upset and start panicking. We know we're not doing life 187 00:11:37,450 --> 00:11:40,949 Speaker 1: on our own. The most high God, the creator of 188 00:11:40,990 --> 00:11:44,479 Speaker 1: the universe is working out his plan for our lives. 189 00:11:45,340 --> 00:11:49,520 Speaker 1: All the forces of darkness cannot stop what God has ordained. 190 00:11:50,240 --> 00:11:53,620 Speaker 1: That sickness can't stop him. Trouble at work can't stop them, 191 00:11:53,640 --> 00:11:57,640 Speaker 1: the disappointments, the setbacks. You may have a lot coming 192 00:11:57,700 --> 00:12:00,480 Speaker 1: against you. You feel like you're about to be thrown 193 00:12:00,640 --> 00:12:03,740 Speaker 1: into a fire. The good news is you're not going 194 00:12:03,780 --> 00:12:06,820 Speaker 1: to go in there alone. You couldn't be put in 195 00:12:06,860 --> 00:12:10,650 Speaker 1: that fire unless God allowed it. The enemy is not 196 00:12:10,710 --> 00:12:13,890 Speaker 1: in control of your life. God is in control. He 197 00:12:13,970 --> 00:12:19,990 Speaker 1: is working out his plan. Sometimes his plan includes fiery furnaces. 198 00:12:20,910 --> 00:12:26,220 Speaker 1: Sometimes it includes giants, Red Seas, Pharaohs, people that don't 199 00:12:26,280 --> 00:12:30,920 Speaker 1: like you, obstacles that seem insurmountable. You don't see a way, 200 00:12:31,380 --> 00:12:34,550 Speaker 1: but since you know the Lord is directing your steps, 201 00:12:34,809 --> 00:12:37,620 Speaker 1: you don't try to figure it all out. It may 202 00:12:37,710 --> 00:12:41,309 Speaker 1: look like the end, but like these teenagers, you have 203 00:12:41,590 --> 00:12:46,290 Speaker 1: unconditional trust. I know God will deliver me, but even 204 00:12:46,350 --> 00:12:48,610 Speaker 1: if he doesn't, I'm still going to have a song 205 00:12:48,650 --> 00:12:51,660 Speaker 1: of praise. I'm still going to have an attitude of faith. 206 00:12:52,140 --> 00:12:55,839 Speaker 1: I'm still going to live my life happy. The king 207 00:12:55,920 --> 00:12:59,400 Speaker 1: had these teenagers thrown into the furnace. The fire was 208 00:12:59,480 --> 00:13:03,230 Speaker 1: so hot when the guards opened the door, they were killed. 209 00:13:03,970 --> 00:13:06,710 Speaker 1: In a few minutes, the king came to check on them. 210 00:13:07,050 --> 00:13:09,589 Speaker 1: He looked through the window and couldn't believe his eyes. 211 00:13:10,130 --> 00:13:14,030 Speaker 1: He said, didn't we throw in three men bound? I 212 00:13:14,110 --> 00:13:17,270 Speaker 1: see four men loosed and one looks like the son 213 00:13:17,309 --> 00:13:22,490 Speaker 1: of God. What was that? God working out his plan 214 00:13:22,670 --> 00:13:26,650 Speaker 1: for their lives. But I wonder what the outcome would 215 00:13:26,690 --> 00:13:30,760 Speaker 1: have been if they would have had conditional trust. God, 216 00:13:30,820 --> 00:13:33,640 Speaker 1: if you deliver us from this fire, then we'll stay 217 00:13:33,700 --> 00:13:36,559 Speaker 1: in faith. God, if you do it our way, we'll 218 00:13:36,600 --> 00:13:40,120 Speaker 1: keep a good attitude. But when the king didn't change 219 00:13:40,160 --> 00:13:44,260 Speaker 1: his mind, when God didn't remove the obstacle, if they 220 00:13:44,280 --> 00:13:48,230 Speaker 1: would have gotten negative, complained, God, we don't understand it. 221 00:13:48,620 --> 00:13:51,370 Speaker 1: We prayed, we believed, we stood in faith. Why didn't 222 00:13:51,390 --> 00:13:54,370 Speaker 1: you turn it around? Maybe the furnace would have been 223 00:13:54,390 --> 00:13:57,470 Speaker 1: the end. Maybe we wouldn't be talking about them today. 224 00:13:58,450 --> 00:14:01,230 Speaker 1: If you want to get God's attention, if you want 225 00:14:01,250 --> 00:14:03,590 Speaker 1: him to take you where you've never dreamed and turn 226 00:14:03,630 --> 00:14:08,510 Speaker 1: impossible situations around, do like these teenagers. I know God 227 00:14:08,550 --> 00:14:11,429 Speaker 1: will deliver me from this fire. Have a statement of faith, 228 00:14:12,050 --> 00:14:16,460 Speaker 1: but then follow it up with, but even if he doesn't, God, 229 00:14:16,500 --> 00:14:18,819 Speaker 1: I'm still going to honor you. I'm still going to 230 00:14:18,860 --> 00:14:23,380 Speaker 1: be my best. When you live like that, You take 231 00:14:23,430 --> 00:14:28,200 Speaker 1: away all the enemy's power. He's expecting you to get upset, 232 00:14:28,680 --> 00:14:32,140 Speaker 1: to be worried. If it doesn't work out, to fall apart, 233 00:14:32,460 --> 00:14:37,360 Speaker 1: live in self-pity. When you have unconditional trust, you can't 234 00:14:37,460 --> 00:14:42,020 Speaker 1: be defeated. You may have challenges that look bigger, stronger. 235 00:14:42,640 --> 00:14:46,070 Speaker 1: In the natural, you don't have a chance. Don't be intimidated. 236 00:14:46,370 --> 00:14:49,390 Speaker 1: The forces that are for you are greater than the 237 00:14:49,430 --> 00:14:52,760 Speaker 1: forces that are against you. The scripture says in Job, 238 00:14:53,220 --> 00:14:57,740 Speaker 1: you will not be harvested before your time. You may 239 00:14:57,780 --> 00:15:00,700 Speaker 1: get thrown into a fire, but if it's not your 240 00:15:00,740 --> 00:15:03,830 Speaker 1: time to go, you're not going to go. God has 241 00:15:03,890 --> 00:15:07,370 Speaker 1: the final say right now. He is working out his 242 00:15:07,450 --> 00:15:11,890 Speaker 1: plan for your life. There may be some fiery furnaces. 243 00:15:12,770 --> 00:15:15,400 Speaker 1: Are you only going to trust him if he delivers 244 00:15:15,420 --> 00:15:18,400 Speaker 1: you from the fire? if he takes away all the thorns, 245 00:15:18,440 --> 00:15:21,140 Speaker 1: if he does it your way, or are you going 246 00:15:21,160 --> 00:15:25,500 Speaker 1: to have unconditional trust? Trust him like these teenagers, even 247 00:15:25,820 --> 00:15:28,890 Speaker 1: if he takes you through the fire. Looking back over 248 00:15:28,970 --> 00:15:32,210 Speaker 1: my life, things haven't turned out the way I thought. 249 00:15:32,950 --> 00:15:35,700 Speaker 1: I had a plan. I had it all figured out. 250 00:15:36,360 --> 00:15:39,060 Speaker 1: I told God what to do. when to do it, 251 00:15:39,610 --> 00:15:42,750 Speaker 1: what I needed, who to use, how to get me there. 252 00:15:43,010 --> 00:15:46,310 Speaker 1: I gave him good information, my very best. The funny 253 00:15:46,350 --> 00:15:50,550 Speaker 1: thing is God didn't take my advice. He had his 254 00:15:50,770 --> 00:15:55,780 Speaker 1: own plan. What I found is God's plan has always 255 00:15:55,840 --> 00:16:00,290 Speaker 1: been better than my plan. His ways have always been 256 00:16:01,130 --> 00:16:06,600 Speaker 1: more rewarding, more fulfilling, bigger than my ways. If God 257 00:16:06,660 --> 00:16:10,470 Speaker 1: would have done everything I asked, answered my prayers the 258 00:16:10,490 --> 00:16:14,030 Speaker 1: way I wanted on my timetable, it would have limited 259 00:16:14,150 --> 00:16:17,950 Speaker 1: my destiny. I wouldn't be where I am. I couldn't 260 00:16:18,010 --> 00:16:20,980 Speaker 1: see it at the time. Didn't make sense. Seemed like 261 00:16:21,020 --> 00:16:24,800 Speaker 1: a good thing. But one day I learned what Isaiah said, 262 00:16:25,100 --> 00:16:29,490 Speaker 1: that God's ways are higher than our ways. His plans 263 00:16:29,630 --> 00:16:34,230 Speaker 1: are better than our plans. Quit being discouraged over something 264 00:16:34,430 --> 00:16:37,510 Speaker 1: that didn't work out the way you want it. Don't 265 00:16:37,570 --> 00:16:41,910 Speaker 1: live frustrated because maybe somebody left that you wanted to stay. 266 00:16:42,500 --> 00:16:46,000 Speaker 1: A door closed that you wanted open. God knows what 267 00:16:46,040 --> 00:16:49,550 Speaker 1: he's doing. You may not see it now, but one 268 00:16:49,590 --> 00:16:52,450 Speaker 1: day when you see what God was up to, you'll 269 00:16:52,490 --> 00:16:55,050 Speaker 1: be glad he closed the doors. You'll thank him for 270 00:16:55,090 --> 00:16:59,580 Speaker 1: not answering those prayers. The longer I live, the more 271 00:16:59,700 --> 00:17:03,120 Speaker 1: I pray, God, not my will, but let your will 272 00:17:03,160 --> 00:17:07,320 Speaker 1: be done. I don't fight the closed doors anymore. I 273 00:17:07,359 --> 00:17:10,490 Speaker 1: don't get frustrated when things aren't changing as fast as 274 00:17:10,570 --> 00:17:14,330 Speaker 1: I would like. I know that God is in control. 275 00:17:15,119 --> 00:17:18,389 Speaker 1: As long as you're honoring him, being your best at 276 00:17:18,430 --> 00:17:21,390 Speaker 1: the right time, God will get you to where you're 277 00:17:21,410 --> 00:17:24,210 Speaker 1: supposed to be. It may not be where you thought 278 00:17:24,630 --> 00:17:27,670 Speaker 1: God is going to take you further than you ever imagined. 279 00:17:28,580 --> 00:17:31,679 Speaker 1: And I believe in praying for our dreams and praying 280 00:17:31,740 --> 00:17:35,439 Speaker 1: bold prayers, believing for big things, but I've learned to 281 00:17:35,520 --> 00:17:40,260 Speaker 1: let God do it his way. Hold tightly to what 282 00:17:40,320 --> 00:17:43,830 Speaker 1: God put in your heart, but hold loosely to how 283 00:17:43,900 --> 00:17:46,709 Speaker 1: it's going to happen. Don't get set in your ways. 284 00:17:47,190 --> 00:17:50,270 Speaker 1: Don't be discouraged because it hasn't happened the way you thought. 285 00:17:50,690 --> 00:17:53,629 Speaker 1: God is working out his plan for your life. A 286 00:17:54,570 --> 00:17:57,189 Speaker 1: couple of years after Victoria and I were married, we 287 00:17:57,250 --> 00:18:00,929 Speaker 1: sold our townhouse. We were going to buy our first home. 288 00:18:01,510 --> 00:18:04,689 Speaker 1: We were so excited. We looked for months and months 289 00:18:04,750 --> 00:18:07,669 Speaker 1: and we found this house that we really loved. It's 290 00:18:07,690 --> 00:18:12,100 Speaker 1: on a beautiful lot, big trees, so picturesque. It was 291 00:18:12,140 --> 00:18:16,120 Speaker 1: like our dream house. We made an offer, not much 292 00:18:16,240 --> 00:18:19,220 Speaker 1: less than they were asking. We didn't hear back for 293 00:18:19,260 --> 00:18:22,290 Speaker 1: a couple of weeks. The house was empty, so we 294 00:18:22,330 --> 00:18:24,710 Speaker 1: would go out at night and pray over it and 295 00:18:25,090 --> 00:18:28,070 Speaker 1: thank God that it was ours, dream about living there. 296 00:18:28,710 --> 00:18:31,429 Speaker 1: Here's where we'll put our furniture. Here's where we'll put 297 00:18:31,490 --> 00:18:34,439 Speaker 1: a swing set one day. We were sure it was 298 00:18:34,480 --> 00:18:37,840 Speaker 1: going to happen, but they called back and said they 299 00:18:37,920 --> 00:18:41,590 Speaker 1: weren't going to accept our offer. We knew that was 300 00:18:41,630 --> 00:18:44,169 Speaker 1: the devil trying to take our house because that's supposed 301 00:18:44,210 --> 00:18:46,960 Speaker 1: to be ours. Have you noticed the devil gets blamed 302 00:18:46,980 --> 00:18:49,000 Speaker 1: for a lot of things he had nothing to do with? 303 00:18:49,920 --> 00:18:52,420 Speaker 1: We went back to that house and we started marching 304 00:18:52,480 --> 00:18:56,820 Speaker 1: around it, praying, binding, loosing, doing everything we could. A 305 00:18:56,859 --> 00:19:01,000 Speaker 1: few days later, they sold it to somebody else. Have 306 00:19:01,020 --> 00:19:04,370 Speaker 1: you ever felt like God let you down? He could 307 00:19:04,400 --> 00:19:07,810 Speaker 1: have changed it so easily. We were right there, but 308 00:19:07,850 --> 00:19:11,130 Speaker 1: the door closed. We say, God, where were you? This 309 00:19:11,170 --> 00:19:14,490 Speaker 1: was our dream house. But if you're only going to 310 00:19:14,560 --> 00:19:19,060 Speaker 1: be happy if God does it your way, that's not trusting, 311 00:19:19,460 --> 00:19:23,640 Speaker 1: that's giving God orders. You'll be frustrated. Why don't you 312 00:19:23,680 --> 00:19:26,860 Speaker 1: put your life in his hands? He knows what's best 313 00:19:26,900 --> 00:19:29,679 Speaker 1: for you. He can see things that we can't see. 314 00:19:30,650 --> 00:19:33,730 Speaker 1: A couple of months later, we found another house in 315 00:19:33,810 --> 00:19:37,420 Speaker 1: close to the city. We purchased that place. Two years 316 00:19:37,619 --> 00:19:41,340 Speaker 1: after that, we sold half of that property for more 317 00:19:41,580 --> 00:19:43,899 Speaker 1: than we paid for the whole property. We ended up 318 00:19:43,940 --> 00:19:46,990 Speaker 1: building a new house there. God blessed us in ways 319 00:19:47,290 --> 00:19:51,399 Speaker 1: greater than we ever imagined. But now sometimes I'll drive 320 00:19:51,510 --> 00:19:55,310 Speaker 1: back by that other house I wanted so bad and say, Lord, 321 00:19:55,650 --> 00:19:57,970 Speaker 1: thank you for closing this door. Thank you that it 322 00:19:58,010 --> 00:20:01,810 Speaker 1: didn't work out. Some of the things that are not 323 00:20:01,869 --> 00:20:04,949 Speaker 1: working out in your life now, one day you'll be 324 00:20:04,990 --> 00:20:07,890 Speaker 1: doing like I did. Lord, thank you that it didn't 325 00:20:07,930 --> 00:20:11,020 Speaker 1: work out my way. You could save yourself a lot 326 00:20:11,040 --> 00:20:15,540 Speaker 1: of frustration if you'd learn to have unconditional trust. The 327 00:20:15,600 --> 00:20:20,260 Speaker 1: closed doors, the disappointments, the delays, it's all working for you. 328 00:20:20,859 --> 00:20:24,070 Speaker 1: And yes, it's good to be determined, be persistent, but 329 00:20:24,150 --> 00:20:27,550 Speaker 1: let God do it his way. If he's not changing it, 330 00:20:28,060 --> 00:20:32,090 Speaker 1: not removing it, not opening it, don't fight it. Learn 331 00:20:32,130 --> 00:20:35,690 Speaker 1: to embrace where you are. He's given you the grace 332 00:20:35,950 --> 00:20:38,350 Speaker 1: not to just be there, but to be there with 333 00:20:38,390 --> 00:20:41,550 Speaker 1: a good attitude. If you're going to pass the test, 334 00:20:41,930 --> 00:20:44,520 Speaker 1: keep a smile on your face. Keep a song in 335 00:20:44,560 --> 00:20:48,410 Speaker 1: your heart. Keep passion in your spirit. Don't drag through 336 00:20:48,460 --> 00:20:52,060 Speaker 1: the day disappointed. This is the day the Lord has made. 337 00:20:52,440 --> 00:20:55,920 Speaker 1: He's still on the throne. He's working out his plan 338 00:20:55,960 --> 00:20:59,200 Speaker 1: for your life. He's going to get you to where 339 00:20:59,220 --> 00:21:04,879 Speaker 1: you're supposed to be. But living worried, frustrated, disappointed, that 340 00:21:04,920 --> 00:21:08,230 Speaker 1: takes our passion. It steals our joy and it can 341 00:21:08,270 --> 00:21:12,790 Speaker 1: keep us from seeing God's favor. And sometimes the closed doors, 342 00:21:13,210 --> 00:21:17,590 Speaker 1: the disappointments, they are simply a test. God wants to 343 00:21:17,650 --> 00:21:20,790 Speaker 1: see if we'll trust him when we don't understand it, 344 00:21:21,190 --> 00:21:25,030 Speaker 1: when life doesn't make sense. This is what happened with Abraham. 345 00:21:25,430 --> 00:21:29,250 Speaker 1: He waited 20 years to have his son, Isaac. He 346 00:21:29,290 --> 00:21:32,490 Speaker 1: and his wife, Sarah, were way up there in their 80s. 347 00:21:32,850 --> 00:21:36,560 Speaker 1: They prayed, believed, stood in faith. They finally saw the 348 00:21:36,600 --> 00:21:40,300 Speaker 1: promise come to pass. They were so excited. You can 349 00:21:40,380 --> 00:21:44,800 Speaker 1: imagine how Abraham must have felt years later when God 350 00:21:44,900 --> 00:21:47,750 Speaker 1: told him to take Isaac on top of a mountain 351 00:21:48,070 --> 00:21:52,830 Speaker 1: and sacrifice him. That didn't make sense. Isaac was what 352 00:21:52,990 --> 00:21:57,050 Speaker 1: Abraham loved the most. This was the fulfillment of the promise. 353 00:21:57,710 --> 00:22:01,050 Speaker 1: Now God was asking him to put his dream on 354 00:22:01,090 --> 00:22:06,050 Speaker 1: the altar. Abraham didn't understand it. It didn't seem fair, 355 00:22:06,609 --> 00:22:10,930 Speaker 1: but he was obedient. He passed the trust test. Just 356 00:22:11,090 --> 00:22:13,629 Speaker 1: as he was about to follow through, God stopped him 357 00:22:14,070 --> 00:22:16,979 Speaker 1: and said, Abraham, don't do it. Now I can see 358 00:22:17,359 --> 00:22:22,400 Speaker 1: you trust me more than anything. Like Abraham, there will 359 00:22:22,420 --> 00:22:25,720 Speaker 1: be times God asked us to put our dream on 360 00:22:25,760 --> 00:22:29,170 Speaker 1: the altar. We have to show him that we don't 361 00:22:29,210 --> 00:22:32,030 Speaker 1: have to have the house to be happy. If we 362 00:22:32,070 --> 00:22:34,290 Speaker 1: don't have the baby, we're not going to live bitter 363 00:22:34,450 --> 00:22:37,680 Speaker 1: and sour. You believe in for your health to improve, 364 00:22:37,940 --> 00:22:41,020 Speaker 1: but when you can say, if it doesn't get better, God, 365 00:22:41,060 --> 00:22:43,240 Speaker 1: I'm still going to honor you. I'm still going to 366 00:22:43,280 --> 00:22:47,139 Speaker 1: be my best. You are doing what Abraham did. You 367 00:22:47,200 --> 00:22:51,119 Speaker 1: are putting your dream on the altar. When God sees 368 00:22:51,180 --> 00:22:54,320 Speaker 1: that you don't have to have it, many times like him, 369 00:22:54,720 --> 00:22:57,399 Speaker 1: God will give you back what you were willing to 370 00:22:57,440 --> 00:23:01,090 Speaker 1: give up. During World War II, there was a young 371 00:23:01,220 --> 00:23:05,150 Speaker 1: soldier in a library in Florida. While he was reading 372 00:23:05,210 --> 00:23:08,790 Speaker 1: a book, he noticed all the handwritten notes in the margin. 373 00:23:09,330 --> 00:23:12,790 Speaker 1: They were very thoughtful and heartwarming. He turned to the 374 00:23:12,830 --> 00:23:15,110 Speaker 1: front of the book. It just so happened it had 375 00:23:15,150 --> 00:23:18,780 Speaker 1: the previous owner's name and address written It was a 376 00:23:18,820 --> 00:23:22,480 Speaker 1: lady named Holly that lived in New York City. He 377 00:23:22,550 --> 00:23:26,909 Speaker 1: wrote her a letter introducing himself, telling how he was 378 00:23:26,970 --> 00:23:30,450 Speaker 1: about to be shipped off overseas to Europe the next day. 379 00:23:31,230 --> 00:23:33,980 Speaker 1: He invited her to respond and they could talk about 380 00:23:34,020 --> 00:23:37,710 Speaker 1: the book. Much to his surprise, he received a letter 381 00:23:37,859 --> 00:23:42,020 Speaker 1: in return. For the next 13 months, they wrote back 382 00:23:42,220 --> 00:23:46,520 Speaker 1: and forth again and again, getting closer and closer. They 383 00:23:46,540 --> 00:23:50,340 Speaker 1: were actually falling in love, yet they had never seen 384 00:23:50,500 --> 00:23:54,439 Speaker 1: each other. He had requested a picture, but she refused. 385 00:23:55,109 --> 00:23:57,350 Speaker 1: A year and a half later, he was coming back 386 00:23:57,410 --> 00:24:01,190 Speaker 1: home through New York City. This was their big opportunity. 387 00:24:01,270 --> 00:24:03,570 Speaker 1: They were going to meet for the first time and 388 00:24:03,609 --> 00:24:06,530 Speaker 1: go out to dinner. She said, I'll be waiting for 389 00:24:06,590 --> 00:24:09,130 Speaker 1: you when you get off the ship. You'll know it's 390 00:24:09,210 --> 00:24:13,480 Speaker 1: me by the pink rose I'll be wearing. Sailing back 391 00:24:13,560 --> 00:24:17,500 Speaker 1: across the ocean, he was so excited and so nervous 392 00:24:17,600 --> 00:24:20,800 Speaker 1: at the same time. He stepped off the ship. The 393 00:24:20,840 --> 00:24:26,110 Speaker 1: big moment finally arrived. This beautiful young lady came walking 394 00:24:26,190 --> 00:24:31,730 Speaker 1: toward him. She took his breath away. She was stunning, tall, 395 00:24:32,170 --> 00:24:36,470 Speaker 1: gorgeous features, in great shape. She looked like a movie star. 396 00:24:36,910 --> 00:24:40,070 Speaker 1: He couldn't believe what he was seeing. He was so 397 00:24:40,190 --> 00:24:44,410 Speaker 1: taken aback by it, he didn't realize she wasn't wearing 398 00:24:44,550 --> 00:24:49,090 Speaker 1: a pink rose. As she passed on by, he finally 399 00:24:49,130 --> 00:24:52,689 Speaker 1: came back down to earth. About that time, this lady 400 00:24:52,850 --> 00:24:57,720 Speaker 1: in her 40s walked up to him. She wasn't necessarily attractive, 401 00:24:57,800 --> 00:25:01,219 Speaker 1: had graying hair, and just so happened she was wearing 402 00:25:01,260 --> 00:25:06,159 Speaker 1: the pink rose. Disappointed, but not showing it, he walked 403 00:25:06,240 --> 00:25:10,250 Speaker 1: up to her with a smile. He saluted and said, hello, ma'am. 404 00:25:10,770 --> 00:25:13,970 Speaker 1: You must be Holly. I'm so glad to meet you. 405 00:25:14,150 --> 00:25:17,149 Speaker 1: Can I take you to dinner? The lady said, son, 406 00:25:17,530 --> 00:25:20,510 Speaker 1: I'm not sure what's going on, but the young lady 407 00:25:20,550 --> 00:25:24,170 Speaker 1: that just passed you asked me to wear this pink rose. 408 00:25:25,070 --> 00:25:28,490 Speaker 1: She said, if you invited me to dinner to tell you, 409 00:25:28,530 --> 00:25:31,379 Speaker 1: she'll be waiting for you in the restaurant across the way. 410 00:25:33,359 --> 00:25:36,980 Speaker 1: It was simply a test. Will you do the right 411 00:25:37,060 --> 00:25:40,610 Speaker 1: thing when it's hard? Will you trust God when it's 412 00:25:40,670 --> 00:25:44,070 Speaker 1: not what you thought, when you don't understand it? God 413 00:25:44,109 --> 00:25:48,350 Speaker 1: said to Abraham, because you did not withhold your only son, 414 00:25:48,810 --> 00:25:52,300 Speaker 1: I will surely bless you and make your descendants as 415 00:25:52,390 --> 00:25:56,100 Speaker 1: numerous as the sand on the seashore. When you do 416 00:25:56,140 --> 00:25:59,620 Speaker 1: like Abraham, you do like this young soldier and you 417 00:25:59,720 --> 00:26:03,219 Speaker 1: pass the trust test, God will not only give you 418 00:26:03,260 --> 00:26:06,179 Speaker 1: the desires of your heart, he'll do more than you 419 00:26:06,200 --> 00:26:09,960 Speaker 1: can ask or think. Are you living frustrated because your 420 00:26:10,000 --> 00:26:13,520 Speaker 1: prayers aren't being answered the way you want? Your plans 421 00:26:13,700 --> 00:26:18,100 Speaker 1: aren't working out? Take the pressure off. God is in control. 422 00:26:18,580 --> 00:26:21,360 Speaker 1: He knows what's best for you. You're not always going 423 00:26:21,400 --> 00:26:24,900 Speaker 1: to understand it. If you did, it wouldn't take any faith. 424 00:26:25,730 --> 00:26:30,190 Speaker 1: I'm asking you to trust him unconditionally. If you'll do this, 425 00:26:30,690 --> 00:26:34,050 Speaker 1: I believe and declare God is going to work out 426 00:26:34,310 --> 00:26:36,889 Speaker 1: his plan for your life. He's going to open the 427 00:26:36,950 --> 00:26:40,879 Speaker 1: right doors, bring the right people, turn negative situations around 428 00:26:41,240 --> 00:26:44,139 Speaker 1: and take you to the fullness of your destiny in 429 00:26:44,220 --> 00:26:47,560 Speaker 1: Jesus name. If you receive it, can you say amen today? 430 00:26:49,240 --> 00:26:51,820 Speaker 1: I'd like to give you an opportunity to make Jesus 431 00:26:51,900 --> 00:26:54,260 Speaker 1: the Lord of your life. Would you pray with me? 432 00:26:54,859 --> 00:27:00,160 Speaker 1: Just say, Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins. Come 433 00:27:00,200 --> 00:27:03,880 Speaker 1: into my heart. I make you my Lord and Savior. 434 00:27:05,300 --> 00:27:07,660 Speaker 1: If you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 435 00:27:07,700 --> 00:27:11,050 Speaker 1: born again. Get in a good Bible-based church. Keep God 436 00:27:11,109 --> 00:27:14,190 Speaker 1: first place. He's going to take you places you've never dreamed. 437 00:27:22,200 --> 00:27:25,179 Speaker 1: The scripture says, write the vision and make it plain 438 00:27:25,240 --> 00:27:28,780 Speaker 1: to see. There's something powerful about writing down what you're 439 00:27:28,820 --> 00:27:31,360 Speaker 1: believing for. That's why I'd love to send you my 440 00:27:31,420 --> 00:27:34,500 Speaker 1: new I Believe Planner. It's a place to write down 441 00:27:34,520 --> 00:27:38,080 Speaker 1: your dreams, your prayers, and the promises you're standing on. 442 00:27:38,660 --> 00:27:41,470 Speaker 1: What stays before your eyes has a way of staying 443 00:27:41,510 --> 00:27:44,369 Speaker 1: in your heart. Every time you see what you've written, 444 00:27:44,730 --> 00:27:46,970 Speaker 1: let it be a reminder to thank God that it's 445 00:27:47,010 --> 00:27:49,869 Speaker 1: already at work behind the scenes, even when you can't 446 00:27:49,970 --> 00:27:52,260 Speaker 1: see it. As you keep your faith in front of 447 00:27:52,300 --> 00:27:56,419 Speaker 1: you day after day, you'll be encouraged, your expectation will grow, 448 00:27:56,920 --> 00:27:59,800 Speaker 1: and you'll begin to see God bring those dreams to pass. 449 00:28:00,520 --> 00:28:03,920 Speaker 2: The I Believe Planner is a beautiful new resource designed 450 00:28:03,940 --> 00:28:06,919 Speaker 2: to help you believe God for more in your health, 451 00:28:07,200 --> 00:28:11,119 Speaker 2: your family, your future. Inside, you'll find a weekly I 452 00:28:11,160 --> 00:28:15,000 Speaker 2: Believe Declaration to frame your mindset and shift the atmosphere 453 00:28:15,060 --> 00:28:19,340 Speaker 2: with God's Word. daily planning, to-dos, and prayer prompts, and 454 00:28:19,420 --> 00:28:22,859 Speaker 2: space to reflect and record God's faithfulness in your life. 455 00:28:23,380 --> 00:28:26,199 Speaker 2: Each month brings a fresh scripture and theme, plus a 456 00:28:26,220 --> 00:28:29,919 Speaker 2: QR code linking to an exclusive message from Joel to 457 00:28:29,980 --> 00:28:34,200 Speaker 2: keep you encouraged all year long. This 15-month planner will 458 00:28:34,240 --> 00:28:36,860 Speaker 2: inspire you for the rest of this year and set 459 00:28:36,900 --> 00:28:41,340 Speaker 2: you on a course for breakthrough throughout 2027. It's yours 460 00:28:41,420 --> 00:28:44,020 Speaker 2: as a thank you for your gift to the ministry today. 461 00:28:44,640 --> 00:28:48,030 Speaker 2: Be sure to request your copy of The I Believe Planner, 462 00:28:48,290 --> 00:28:55,280 Speaker 2: available this month by visiting us at joelosteen.com or call 888-567-JOEL. 463 00:28:56,080 --> 00:28:58,560 Speaker 1: Don't just carry your dreams in your heart. Put them 464 00:28:58,620 --> 00:29:01,370 Speaker 1: on paper. And as you read them each day, keep 465 00:29:01,430 --> 00:29:04,700 Speaker 1: thanking God that He's working. Victoria and I are praying 466 00:29:04,740 --> 00:29:07,580 Speaker 1: for you and your family every day. Thanks so much 467 00:29:07,620 --> 00:29:11,440 Speaker 1: for your prayer and support. Your generosity helps us take 468 00:29:11,480 --> 00:29:14,550 Speaker 1: this message of hope to people around the world. A 469 00:29:14,570 --> 00:29:17,310 Speaker 1: special thank you to our Champion of Hope partners for 470 00:29:17,410 --> 00:29:20,590 Speaker 1: all you do to make the ministry possible. Until we 471 00:29:20,610 --> 00:29:23,510 Speaker 1: meet again, may the Lord keep you and bless you. 472 00:29:24,450 --> 00:29:27,760 Speaker 2: Be sure to request your copy of The I Believe Planner, 473 00:29:28,060 --> 00:29:35,010 Speaker 2: available this month by visiting us at joelostein.com or call 888-567-JOEL. 474 00:29:35,410 --> 00:29:38,310 Speaker 2: With an additional gift, you can also receive the I 475 00:29:38,370 --> 00:29:42,460 Speaker 2: Believe in His Word collection. featuring the Passion Translation New 476 00:29:42,520 --> 00:29:46,719 Speaker 2: Testament Reader's Edition alongside the I Believe Planner so you 477 00:29:46,760 --> 00:29:50,420 Speaker 2: can carry God's Word with you every single day right 478 00:29:50,480 --> 00:29:54,490 Speaker 2: alongside the promises you're standing on. Don't wait until 2027 479 00:29:54,490 --> 00:29:56,660 Speaker 2: to believe God for more. 480 00:29:57,040 --> 00:29:58,360 Speaker 1: This is your moment. 481 00:29:58,740 --> 00:30:04,469 Speaker 2: You can request these inspiring resources by calling 888-567-JOEL or 482 00:30:04,530 --> 00:30:08,710 Speaker 2: logging on to joelostein.com today. Call or click anytime, 24 483 00:30:08,710 --> 00:30:09,230 Speaker 2: hours a day.