1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:03,160 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 2 00:00:03,200 --> 00:00:06,360 Speaker 1: our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. If you 3 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:09,040 Speaker 1: enjoy today's message, why don't you be a blessing and 4 00:00:09,080 --> 00:00:11,880 Speaker 1: share it with a friend. Reappreciate you and pray for 5 00:00:11,920 --> 00:00:15,000 Speaker 1: God's very best in your life. God bless you. And 6 00:00:15,240 --> 00:00:17,680 Speaker 1: it's always a joy to come into your homes and 7 00:00:17,920 --> 00:00:20,560 Speaker 1: here ever in our area. Please stop buying, be a 8 00:00:20,600 --> 00:00:23,120 Speaker 1: part of one of our services. I promise you we'll 9 00:00:23,120 --> 00:00:25,599 Speaker 1: make you feel right at home. These are the finest 10 00:00:25,600 --> 00:00:28,200 Speaker 1: people in all of Houston, Texas, right here at Lakewood. 11 00:00:28,240 --> 00:00:31,600 Speaker 1: But thanks for tuning in. Thank you again for coming out. 12 00:00:31,640 --> 00:00:34,320 Speaker 1: And I like to start with something funny and I 13 00:00:34,360 --> 00:00:37,239 Speaker 1: heard about this mom. She was cooking breakfast for her 14 00:00:37,240 --> 00:00:40,920 Speaker 1: two young sons, Ryan was five and Kevin was three. 15 00:00:41,479 --> 00:00:44,400 Speaker 1: They begin to argue over who should get the first pancake. 16 00:00:45,120 --> 00:00:47,760 Speaker 1: She saw it as an opportunity to teach them a lesson. 17 00:00:48,000 --> 00:00:51,440 Speaker 1: She said, boys, boys, if Jesus were here, he would say, 18 00:00:51,680 --> 00:00:55,120 Speaker 1: let my brother have the first pancake. Ryan turned to 19 00:00:55,160 --> 00:00:57,840 Speaker 1: his little brother and said, okay, Kevin, you be Jesus. 20 00:01:00,160 --> 00:01:02,240 Speaker 1: Hold up your Bible, say it like you mean it. 21 00:01:02,600 --> 00:01:05,280 Speaker 1: This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. 22 00:01:05,800 --> 00:01:08,039 Speaker 1: I have what it says I have. I can do 23 00:01:08,200 --> 00:01:10,679 Speaker 1: what it says I can do. Today I will be 24 00:01:10,760 --> 00:01:14,399 Speaker 1: taught the word of God. I'll boldly confess. My mind 25 00:01:14,480 --> 00:01:17,640 Speaker 1: is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never be 26 00:01:17,720 --> 00:01:22,600 Speaker 1: the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. I want 27 00:01:22,640 --> 00:01:26,520 Speaker 1: to talk to you today about being real. It's easy 28 00:01:26,560 --> 00:01:29,720 Speaker 1: to go through life. We're in different masks. Instead of 29 00:01:29,760 --> 00:01:32,480 Speaker 1: dealing with the issues that we know are holding us back, 30 00:01:32,760 --> 00:01:36,720 Speaker 1: too often, we keep them covered up, pretending that everything 31 00:01:36,800 --> 00:01:41,240 Speaker 1: is okay. We're more concerned about the outside, what people 32 00:01:41,240 --> 00:01:44,600 Speaker 1: are going to think, our image, than we are the inside. 33 00:01:45,400 --> 00:01:47,600 Speaker 1: It takes a lot of work to deal with the 34 00:01:47,640 --> 00:01:52,040 Speaker 1: inner issues our character, our motives, our attitude, our behaviors, 35 00:01:52,400 --> 00:01:55,520 Speaker 1: things that we know are not right. It's much easier 36 00:01:55,600 --> 00:01:59,240 Speaker 1: to put on a mask and pretend. And some people 37 00:01:59,320 --> 00:02:04,440 Speaker 1: have a mask every situation. They're professional pretenders. They have 38 00:02:04,480 --> 00:02:07,680 Speaker 1: a mask for work, a mask for home, a mass 39 00:02:07,760 --> 00:02:10,840 Speaker 1: for this friend, even a mass for church. They come 40 00:02:10,880 --> 00:02:14,200 Speaker 1: in on Sundays, they're not speaking to their spouse, mad 41 00:02:14,240 --> 00:02:16,839 Speaker 1: at their neighbor, can't pay their bills, greet or ask 42 00:02:16,880 --> 00:02:20,240 Speaker 1: how you're doing blessed in highly favored couldn't get any better. 43 00:02:21,560 --> 00:02:24,840 Speaker 1: And I'm all for having an attitude of victory, not 44 00:02:24,960 --> 00:02:28,960 Speaker 1: being controlled by circumstances. But in order to get well, 45 00:02:29,400 --> 00:02:32,200 Speaker 1: you have to get real. You have to take that 46 00:02:32,400 --> 00:02:36,200 Speaker 1: mask off, get honest with yourself and say, Okay, I 47 00:02:36,240 --> 00:02:38,680 Speaker 1: have some things to deal with. This is not normal. 48 00:02:39,200 --> 00:02:42,040 Speaker 1: When you get down to the real you not to 49 00:02:42,120 --> 00:02:44,920 Speaker 1: pretend to you. That's when God can turn things around. 50 00:02:45,680 --> 00:02:48,480 Speaker 1: But it's sempting to go around. We're in different masks. 51 00:02:48,800 --> 00:02:51,160 Speaker 1: We don't want people to think less of us, so 52 00:02:51,240 --> 00:02:54,280 Speaker 1: we hide behind that mask of pride. I don't have 53 00:02:54,320 --> 00:02:57,840 Speaker 1: any issues. I don't need any help. God will not 54 00:02:58,000 --> 00:03:02,079 Speaker 1: bless who you pretend to be. God blesses people who 55 00:03:02,080 --> 00:03:05,600 Speaker 1: are real, not people who are perfect, not people that 56 00:03:05,680 --> 00:03:09,160 Speaker 1: don't have any issues, but people who are honest enough 57 00:03:09,200 --> 00:03:12,520 Speaker 1: to say, God, I have this bad habit. I need 58 00:03:12,560 --> 00:03:15,600 Speaker 1: your help. I'm taking off the mask that everything is 59 00:03:15,680 --> 00:03:19,359 Speaker 1: okay or God, I'm struggling with my temper. I made 60 00:03:19,400 --> 00:03:23,079 Speaker 1: a mistake. I blew it. God. I need your forgiveness. 61 00:03:23,520 --> 00:03:26,600 Speaker 1: When you're honest, you open the door for God to 62 00:03:26,600 --> 00:03:29,840 Speaker 1: come in and begin to change things. But as long 63 00:03:29,919 --> 00:03:33,400 Speaker 1: as we're pretending, not dealing with the real issues. It's 64 00:03:33,440 --> 00:03:36,560 Speaker 1: not going to improve. This is what happened with the 65 00:03:36,600 --> 00:03:40,320 Speaker 1: Pharisees in the scripture. They were the religious leaders. They 66 00:03:40,320 --> 00:03:43,240 Speaker 1: did the right thing, but they didn't get a reward 67 00:03:43,720 --> 00:03:46,640 Speaker 1: because they did it for the wrong reason. They went 68 00:03:46,680 --> 00:03:49,200 Speaker 1: to the temple each week like they were supposed to, 69 00:03:49,880 --> 00:03:52,800 Speaker 1: but they didn't go to worship. They went to be seen, 70 00:03:53,440 --> 00:03:56,840 Speaker 1: to be well thought of, to impress people. They would 71 00:03:56,880 --> 00:04:01,520 Speaker 1: pray these long, fancy prayers out loud, not because they 72 00:04:01,560 --> 00:04:05,520 Speaker 1: were sincere. They wanted everybody to hear them. They gave 73 00:04:05,560 --> 00:04:09,000 Speaker 1: their money, they supported the poor, but it was only 74 00:04:09,200 --> 00:04:12,520 Speaker 1: to make them look good. They were doing the right thing, 75 00:04:13,120 --> 00:04:17,280 Speaker 1: but they had wrong motives. They were wearing masks. Here's 76 00:04:17,320 --> 00:04:21,080 Speaker 1: the key. Your inner life is more important than your 77 00:04:21,120 --> 00:04:25,080 Speaker 1: outer life. It's easy to put on masks and disguise 78 00:04:25,160 --> 00:04:29,120 Speaker 1: what's going on on the inside, but Jesus said, blessed 79 00:04:29,560 --> 00:04:33,080 Speaker 1: are the pure in heart. On a regular basis, we 80 00:04:33,120 --> 00:04:37,160 Speaker 1: should ask ourselves, why am I doing this? Why am 81 00:04:37,200 --> 00:04:40,080 Speaker 1: I being nice to this person because I liked them 82 00:04:40,240 --> 00:04:42,560 Speaker 1: and I want to help them, or do I want 83 00:04:42,600 --> 00:04:46,159 Speaker 1: something from them? Am I trying to impress them? Why 84 00:04:46,200 --> 00:04:49,240 Speaker 1: am I working eighty hours a week because I need 85 00:04:49,240 --> 00:04:52,200 Speaker 1: the funds? Or am I trying to prove to people 86 00:04:52,240 --> 00:04:55,520 Speaker 1: that I'm successful, trying to gain my self worth by 87 00:04:55,560 --> 00:04:58,640 Speaker 1: what I do well? Joel, I've been volunteering in the 88 00:04:58,720 --> 00:05:02,640 Speaker 1: nursery for six years. Nobody's told me thank you, nobody's 89 00:05:02,800 --> 00:05:06,000 Speaker 1: given me any credit. Well, somebody should thank you. But 90 00:05:06,040 --> 00:05:08,960 Speaker 1: the bigger issue is are you doing it for the applause, 91 00:05:09,360 --> 00:05:11,839 Speaker 1: for the credit, or you're doing it to be pleasing 92 00:05:11,920 --> 00:05:15,039 Speaker 1: unto God. You got to pull that mask back and 93 00:05:15,160 --> 00:05:20,560 Speaker 1: examine your inner life. Don't go like the Pharisees year 94 00:05:20,640 --> 00:05:23,960 Speaker 1: after year doing the right thing, giving serving, helping others, 95 00:05:24,560 --> 00:05:27,359 Speaker 1: but not receiving a reward because you're doing it for 96 00:05:27,400 --> 00:05:32,240 Speaker 1: the wrong reason. And facing truth about ourselves can be uncomfortable. 97 00:05:32,839 --> 00:05:36,200 Speaker 1: It's hard to admit. Maybe I didn't have the right motives. 98 00:05:36,839 --> 00:05:39,680 Speaker 1: Maybe I am playing up to this coworker so they'll 99 00:05:39,720 --> 00:05:42,360 Speaker 1: put in a good word for me. Maybe I am 100 00:05:42,480 --> 00:05:46,640 Speaker 1: smiling on the outside telling my friends congratulation on your 101 00:05:46,640 --> 00:05:50,160 Speaker 1: big promotion. On the inside, I'm thinking you didn't deserve it. 102 00:05:50,640 --> 00:05:53,400 Speaker 1: That depresses me. You're just lucky. You got to pull 103 00:05:53,480 --> 00:05:56,839 Speaker 1: that mask back if you look inside and get honest. 104 00:05:57,400 --> 00:05:59,960 Speaker 1: You can overcome the things that will hold you back. 105 00:06:01,000 --> 00:06:04,159 Speaker 1: I know people that are very talented. They work hard, 106 00:06:04,400 --> 00:06:06,880 Speaker 1: they're doing the right thing, but they can't seem to 107 00:06:06,880 --> 00:06:11,160 Speaker 1: get ahead. It's because there's a problem on the inside. 108 00:06:11,600 --> 00:06:16,240 Speaker 1: They're not addressing the hidden issues motives, character, pride, jealousy, 109 00:06:16,279 --> 00:06:20,599 Speaker 1: things like that. Paul said in Second Corinthians four, we 110 00:06:20,680 --> 00:06:25,080 Speaker 1: refuse to wear masks and play games. We keep everything 111 00:06:25,120 --> 00:06:29,320 Speaker 1: out in the open, the whole truth on display. That's 112 00:06:29,360 --> 00:06:32,160 Speaker 1: the kind of people we should be. Our life is 113 00:06:32,200 --> 00:06:36,200 Speaker 1: an open book. We're not wearing any mask, thinking one 114 00:06:36,240 --> 00:06:40,120 Speaker 1: thing and saying something else. Our motives are pure. We're 115 00:06:40,160 --> 00:06:43,960 Speaker 1: not perfect, but we're dealing with the issues, not pretending, 116 00:06:44,400 --> 00:06:48,279 Speaker 1: not disguising it. We're real. When you live like that, 117 00:06:48,760 --> 00:06:52,520 Speaker 1: open and honest, God will make you and muld you 118 00:06:53,000 --> 00:06:56,600 Speaker 1: into a vessel of honor used for his highest purposes. 119 00:06:56,839 --> 00:07:00,359 Speaker 1: He'll take you further than you ever imagine. In the 120 00:07:00,400 --> 00:07:03,640 Speaker 1: parable of the prodigal son, the young man asked his 121 00:07:03,680 --> 00:07:07,000 Speaker 1: father for his inheritance. He went out and spent all 122 00:07:07,040 --> 00:07:10,640 Speaker 1: of his money partying, living wild, hanging out with the 123 00:07:10,680 --> 00:07:15,360 Speaker 1: wrong people. He blew his inheritance. What should have lasted years, 124 00:07:15,800 --> 00:07:19,160 Speaker 1: only lasted a matter of months. There came a great 125 00:07:19,240 --> 00:07:23,000 Speaker 1: famine in the land. He had no money, no place 126 00:07:23,080 --> 00:07:27,680 Speaker 1: to live, and nobody to blame. It was only his fault. 127 00:07:27,720 --> 00:07:30,600 Speaker 1: The only job he could find was working at a 128 00:07:30,640 --> 00:07:35,960 Speaker 1: hog pen feeding the hogs. It was hot, dirty, smelly. 129 00:07:36,640 --> 00:07:39,520 Speaker 1: To make matters worse, he ended up having to live 130 00:07:39,720 --> 00:07:44,520 Speaker 1: in the hogpen, eating hog food to survive. That could 131 00:07:44,560 --> 00:07:47,240 Speaker 1: have been the end of the story. Too bad, he 132 00:07:47,280 --> 00:07:50,840 Speaker 1: brought the trouble on himself. He missed his destiny. But 133 00:07:50,880 --> 00:07:55,760 Speaker 1: the scripture says when he came to himself, that means 134 00:07:56,000 --> 00:07:58,960 Speaker 1: when he took off the mask, when he quit pretending, 135 00:07:59,400 --> 00:08:02,880 Speaker 1: when he quit making excuses. In other words, when he 136 00:08:02,960 --> 00:08:07,520 Speaker 1: got real. He said, my father has servants that live 137 00:08:07,600 --> 00:08:11,120 Speaker 1: better than me at home. I will arise and go 138 00:08:11,200 --> 00:08:15,080 Speaker 1: back to my father's house. When the father saw him 139 00:08:15,240 --> 00:08:18,520 Speaker 1: a long way down the road, the father took off, 140 00:08:18,640 --> 00:08:22,640 Speaker 1: running toward him, gave him a hug. He told his staff, 141 00:08:22,880 --> 00:08:26,840 Speaker 1: let's have a party. My son has returned home. The 142 00:08:26,880 --> 00:08:31,600 Speaker 1: father represents God. He saw him coming a long way off. 143 00:08:31,800 --> 00:08:35,160 Speaker 1: That means he was looking for him. When you take 144 00:08:35,200 --> 00:08:39,040 Speaker 1: your mask off, God will come running towards you when 145 00:08:39,080 --> 00:08:41,680 Speaker 1: you get honest to say, God, I need help with 146 00:08:41,720 --> 00:08:45,280 Speaker 1: this addiction. I need help with this anger, this temper. 147 00:08:45,720 --> 00:08:47,680 Speaker 1: A God, I've made a mess of things. I need 148 00:08:47,720 --> 00:08:50,600 Speaker 1: help in my marriage. God won't say I'm not going 149 00:08:50,640 --> 00:08:53,920 Speaker 1: to help you. You made the mess, Just the opposite. 150 00:08:54,040 --> 00:08:57,280 Speaker 1: He'll come running when you're humbled enough to say, God, 151 00:08:57,559 --> 00:09:01,120 Speaker 1: I've come to the end of myself. I can't break 152 00:09:01,120 --> 00:09:04,520 Speaker 1: this addiction in my own strength. I can't straighten up 153 00:09:04,520 --> 00:09:08,320 Speaker 1: my life just in my ability. When you acknowledge you 154 00:09:08,480 --> 00:09:11,880 Speaker 1: need God's help, He'll make things happen that you could 155 00:09:11,920 --> 00:09:16,840 Speaker 1: never make happen. Are you wearing any masks today? Hiding 156 00:09:16,920 --> 00:09:20,480 Speaker 1: behind a mask of pride, not wanting to ask for help, 157 00:09:20,920 --> 00:09:24,840 Speaker 1: too embarrassed to admit that something is wrong. God is 158 00:09:24,880 --> 00:09:27,920 Speaker 1: not going to fault you for where you are. He 159 00:09:28,000 --> 00:09:31,079 Speaker 1: knew every mistake we would make before we ever made it. 160 00:09:31,640 --> 00:09:35,480 Speaker 1: He knows our flaws, our weaknesses, our failures. You don't 161 00:09:35,520 --> 00:09:39,520 Speaker 1: have to pretend you can be honest like the prodigal. 162 00:09:39,800 --> 00:09:41,959 Speaker 1: When you go to God, you take off that mask. 163 00:09:42,200 --> 00:09:45,439 Speaker 1: That's when you'll see things begin to turn around. This 164 00:09:45,520 --> 00:09:48,240 Speaker 1: is what David did. You remember he made a pretty 165 00:09:48,280 --> 00:09:53,280 Speaker 1: major mistake. He committed adultery with Bathsheba. He tried to 166 00:09:53,320 --> 00:09:56,760 Speaker 1: cover it up. It only made matters worse. He sent 167 00:09:56,800 --> 00:09:59,479 Speaker 1: her husband out to the front lines of the battlefield. 168 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:03,600 Speaker 1: He was killed. Now that her husband was gone, he 169 00:10:03,679 --> 00:10:08,040 Speaker 1: took Bathsheba as his wife. David acted like nothing was wrong. 170 00:10:08,440 --> 00:10:11,400 Speaker 1: Life is good, no big deal. He was wearing the mask. 171 00:10:12,160 --> 00:10:16,720 Speaker 1: Only he and Bathsheba knew anything about it. David tried 172 00:10:16,760 --> 00:10:20,560 Speaker 1: to ignore it, go about his business. But the problem is, 173 00:10:21,160 --> 00:10:24,440 Speaker 1: when you're wearing masks, you step out of God's favor, 174 00:10:25,040 --> 00:10:28,720 Speaker 1: you step out of his protection, his blessing. For one year, 175 00:10:29,160 --> 00:10:33,760 Speaker 1: David was miserable. He was sick, He became weak. All 176 00:10:33,840 --> 00:10:37,640 Speaker 1: kinds of things came against him. Normally he could overcome them. 177 00:10:38,200 --> 00:10:42,079 Speaker 1: He had defeated Goliath, he had survived Saul chasing him 178 00:10:42,080 --> 00:10:46,400 Speaker 1: through the desert. He'd overtaken great armies. But now the 179 00:10:46,480 --> 00:10:51,200 Speaker 1: tables have turned deep down. David knew what the problem was. 180 00:10:52,000 --> 00:10:55,200 Speaker 1: He was smart enough to get honest with himself. He 181 00:10:55,280 --> 00:10:59,120 Speaker 1: took off the mask Psalm fifty one. He said, God, 182 00:10:59,280 --> 00:11:03,719 Speaker 1: I acknowledge edge my transgressions. I'm not covering it anymore. 183 00:11:04,040 --> 00:11:07,800 Speaker 1: I admit that I've done wrong. The first step to 184 00:11:07,880 --> 00:11:12,720 Speaker 1: recovery is you have to accept responsibility. You have to 185 00:11:12,840 --> 00:11:17,520 Speaker 1: own it. You can't overcome what you want admitt It's 186 00:11:17,559 --> 00:11:20,520 Speaker 1: easy to go around hiding things, hiding an addiction, hiding 187 00:11:20,520 --> 00:11:24,200 Speaker 1: a failure, hiding an area that you struggle in, Like David, 188 00:11:24,520 --> 00:11:26,680 Speaker 1: what you hide, all that's going to do is eat 189 00:11:26,720 --> 00:11:29,880 Speaker 1: away at you on the inside. It's like poison. It's 190 00:11:30,000 --> 00:11:33,200 Speaker 1: much better to be real and go to God and 191 00:11:33,240 --> 00:11:36,960 Speaker 1: say I acknowledge that I've made this mistake, or God, 192 00:11:36,960 --> 00:11:40,920 Speaker 1: I acknowledge that I'm still struggling in this area. David 193 00:11:40,960 --> 00:11:44,320 Speaker 1: went on to say, God, you require truth in the 194 00:11:44,400 --> 00:11:47,920 Speaker 1: inward parts. He was saying, God, you require us to 195 00:11:48,000 --> 00:11:51,400 Speaker 1: be real. You require us to take off the mask. 196 00:11:52,480 --> 00:11:56,400 Speaker 1: You can't pretend and have God's blessing at the same time. 197 00:11:57,240 --> 00:12:00,319 Speaker 1: If you're covering the issues, not dealing with them, it's 198 00:12:00,360 --> 00:12:04,080 Speaker 1: not going to magically go away. But there is a 199 00:12:04,160 --> 00:12:08,559 Speaker 1: way out. God is not holding your faults, your mistakes 200 00:12:08,600 --> 00:12:13,560 Speaker 1: against you. He has mercy, forgiveness, new beginnings. But you 201 00:12:13,720 --> 00:12:18,000 Speaker 1: have to do your part. Take off the mask, quit pretending, 202 00:12:18,480 --> 00:12:22,520 Speaker 1: and go to God and be real. He already knows 203 00:12:22,559 --> 00:12:25,760 Speaker 1: what you're dealing with. It's not a surprise to God. 204 00:12:26,520 --> 00:12:30,840 Speaker 1: When you ask for his help, his forgiveness, his mercy, 205 00:12:31,200 --> 00:12:33,679 Speaker 1: that's when he'll begin to restore you and put you 206 00:12:33,760 --> 00:12:36,600 Speaker 1: back on the right path. This is what David did. 207 00:12:36,760 --> 00:12:40,760 Speaker 1: He said, God, create in me a clean heart, restore 208 00:12:40,840 --> 00:12:44,160 Speaker 1: under me the joy of my salvation. He got it 209 00:12:44,160 --> 00:12:47,640 Speaker 1: out in the open, asked for forgiveness. God forgave him, 210 00:12:47,960 --> 00:12:51,480 Speaker 1: restored him. He went on to do great things. God 211 00:12:51,559 --> 00:12:54,839 Speaker 1: will do the same thing for you. Not only did 212 00:12:54,920 --> 00:12:58,600 Speaker 1: David take off the mask of pretending everything was perfect 213 00:12:58,679 --> 00:13:02,240 Speaker 1: when it wasn't. That mask was a mask of shame. 214 00:13:03,040 --> 00:13:05,720 Speaker 1: I can't believe I did this. What was I thinking about? 215 00:13:06,280 --> 00:13:09,360 Speaker 1: I'll never become who I was created to be. The 216 00:13:09,440 --> 00:13:13,840 Speaker 1: mask of shame can keep you from your destiny. Voices 217 00:13:13,920 --> 00:13:17,760 Speaker 1: will constantly whisper you can't take this mask off. You're 218 00:13:17,800 --> 00:13:21,120 Speaker 1: paying God back for your mistakes. You're showing him that 219 00:13:21,160 --> 00:13:25,280 Speaker 1: you're sorry. You should live guilty, ashamed, embarrassed, unworthy. Look 220 00:13:25,320 --> 00:13:29,200 Speaker 1: what you've done, friends, the price has already been paid. 221 00:13:29,679 --> 00:13:32,720 Speaker 1: You don't have to pay God back. You don't have 222 00:13:32,840 --> 00:13:38,280 Speaker 1: to live guilty and condemned. God has mercy for every 223 00:13:38,400 --> 00:13:42,640 Speaker 1: mistake you've ever made. He didn't disqualify you. He can 224 00:13:42,720 --> 00:13:45,640 Speaker 1: still get you to where you're supposed to be. Take 225 00:13:45,679 --> 00:13:48,679 Speaker 1: off the mask of shame. A friend of mine was 226 00:13:48,800 --> 00:13:52,760 Speaker 1: raised in a very dysfunctional home. His father was an alcoholic, 227 00:13:52,840 --> 00:13:55,720 Speaker 1: and when he would drink too much, he would become 228 00:13:55,840 --> 00:13:59,800 Speaker 1: angry and violent and mistreat his mother, bring all kinds 229 00:13:59,800 --> 00:14:02,960 Speaker 1: of hermoil in the home. My friend, this young man 230 00:14:03,200 --> 00:14:07,559 Speaker 1: grew up just like his father, addicted to drugs, angry, violent, 231 00:14:07,600 --> 00:14:11,000 Speaker 1: couldn't hold down a job. But in his mid twenties, 232 00:14:11,280 --> 00:14:13,600 Speaker 1: he gave his life to Christ and he had this 233 00:14:13,720 --> 00:14:17,560 Speaker 1: major turnaround. He ended up becoming the pastor of a church. 234 00:14:18,080 --> 00:14:21,480 Speaker 1: It's well respected in the community. He'd go around telling 235 00:14:21,520 --> 00:14:24,960 Speaker 1: people what God had done his story. But what people 236 00:14:25,040 --> 00:14:28,960 Speaker 1: didn't know is he still had this anger problem. He 237 00:14:29,040 --> 00:14:32,240 Speaker 1: was free from the drugs from the addiction, but the 238 00:14:32,320 --> 00:14:36,320 Speaker 1: smallest things would set him off, just like his father. 239 00:14:36,680 --> 00:14:40,120 Speaker 1: He would go into fits of rage and mistreat his wife, 240 00:14:40,160 --> 00:14:43,520 Speaker 1: his family. He knew it was wrong, but he was 241 00:14:43,520 --> 00:14:46,720 Speaker 1: too embarrassed to ask for help. His wife told him 242 00:14:46,720 --> 00:14:49,760 Speaker 1: again and again, honey, you can't keep living like this 243 00:14:50,080 --> 00:14:53,680 Speaker 1: pretending everything is okay. He would answer, I know, but 244 00:14:54,080 --> 00:14:57,240 Speaker 1: I'm supposed to be the example. What are people gonna 245 00:14:57,280 --> 00:14:59,280 Speaker 1: think of me if they find out I have this 246 00:14:59,360 --> 00:15:04,240 Speaker 1: anger problem? Sometimes we're more concerned about what people are 247 00:15:04,240 --> 00:15:06,920 Speaker 1: going to think than we are about what God thinks. 248 00:15:07,840 --> 00:15:10,640 Speaker 1: One day, like the prodigal son, he came to the 249 00:15:10,760 --> 00:15:14,880 Speaker 1: end of himself. He got tired of pretending. He found 250 00:15:14,920 --> 00:15:18,080 Speaker 1: a trusted friend and went and told him everything that 251 00:15:18,200 --> 00:15:21,560 Speaker 1: was going on. The scripture says to do this, confess 252 00:15:21,640 --> 00:15:24,880 Speaker 1: your faults one to another, and you will be healed. 253 00:15:25,720 --> 00:15:29,040 Speaker 1: But if you keep hiding things, ignoring it, covering it up, 254 00:15:29,080 --> 00:15:31,200 Speaker 1: it's not gonna go away. You have to take off 255 00:15:31,240 --> 00:15:35,480 Speaker 1: the mask. Well, Joel, what are people gonna think if 256 00:15:35,480 --> 00:15:38,320 Speaker 1: they find out I'm dealing with this issue? What if 257 00:15:38,320 --> 00:15:41,760 Speaker 1: my coworkers learn that I'm struggling in this area? Can 258 00:15:41,800 --> 00:15:45,960 Speaker 1: I tell you everybody is struggling with something. There are 259 00:15:46,000 --> 00:15:50,800 Speaker 1: no perfect people. Don't be embarrassed by it. The enemy 260 00:15:50,840 --> 00:15:55,840 Speaker 1: would love for you to go your whole life wearing mask, pretending, 261 00:15:56,280 --> 00:15:59,480 Speaker 1: not dealing with the real issues. There is a freedom 262 00:15:59,680 --> 00:16:02,400 Speaker 1: when you take that mask off and you get real. 263 00:16:02,960 --> 00:16:05,520 Speaker 1: That's what my friend did. He got involved in a 264 00:16:05,560 --> 00:16:09,360 Speaker 1: good support group, something like Celebrate Recovery that we have 265 00:16:09,520 --> 00:16:13,440 Speaker 1: here today, he's totally free, one of the kindest, most 266 00:16:13,480 --> 00:16:16,960 Speaker 1: gentle people you'll ever meet. But he would still be pretending, 267 00:16:17,480 --> 00:16:20,360 Speaker 1: still be dealing with that anger issue if he hadn't 268 00:16:20,360 --> 00:16:24,080 Speaker 1: made the decision to take off the mask. Paul said 269 00:16:24,200 --> 00:16:29,840 Speaker 1: in Second Corinthians three, we see God's glory with unveiled faces. 270 00:16:30,720 --> 00:16:33,920 Speaker 1: As long as your face is veiled, as long as 271 00:16:33,920 --> 00:16:37,480 Speaker 1: you're wearing that mask, you want see God's glory. If 272 00:16:37,520 --> 00:16:41,560 Speaker 1: you're wearing the mask of perfection, pretending everything is okay 273 00:16:41,600 --> 00:16:44,280 Speaker 1: when it's not, Or like my friend wearing a mask 274 00:16:44,320 --> 00:16:47,600 Speaker 1: of pride, not wanting to ask for help, that's going 275 00:16:47,680 --> 00:16:50,440 Speaker 1: to keep you from God's best. I'm asking you to 276 00:16:50,480 --> 00:16:54,080 Speaker 1: take off the mask. You don't have to pretend. When 277 00:16:54,120 --> 00:16:57,680 Speaker 1: you're real, you'll see God's favor. When there's truth on 278 00:16:57,720 --> 00:17:01,720 Speaker 1: the inside, You'll see things begin to try around. That 279 00:17:01,800 --> 00:17:04,960 Speaker 1: same verse goes on to say God changes us from 280 00:17:05,000 --> 00:17:09,320 Speaker 1: glory to glory. Notice God doesn't change us from shame 281 00:17:09,480 --> 00:17:13,000 Speaker 1: to glory. If you're wearing the mask of shame, you're 282 00:17:13,000 --> 00:17:15,560 Speaker 1: gonna get stuck. You got to take that mask off. 283 00:17:16,160 --> 00:17:19,040 Speaker 1: He doesn't change us from pride to glory, but from 284 00:17:19,160 --> 00:17:22,840 Speaker 1: glory to glory When you're not wearing any mask. You 285 00:17:22,920 --> 00:17:26,359 Speaker 1: have God's glory on your life. When you're open and honest, 286 00:17:26,560 --> 00:17:29,080 Speaker 1: that's when God can change you and take you to 287 00:17:29,119 --> 00:17:33,080 Speaker 1: the next level of your destiny. But maybe, like my friend, 288 00:17:33,520 --> 00:17:36,280 Speaker 1: you've been wearing a mask for a long time. You 289 00:17:36,359 --> 00:17:38,920 Speaker 1: have some issues you're not proud of. You don't want 290 00:17:38,920 --> 00:17:42,719 Speaker 1: anybody to know. The easy thing is to keep covering it, 291 00:17:43,080 --> 00:17:47,480 Speaker 1: pretending everything's okay. But the problem with wearing a mask 292 00:17:47,560 --> 00:17:51,480 Speaker 1: your whole life is you will miss your destiny. God 293 00:17:51,560 --> 00:17:54,960 Speaker 1: will not bless who you pretend to be, but he 294 00:17:55,040 --> 00:17:59,400 Speaker 1: will bless who you are faults in all when you're real. 295 00:18:00,359 --> 00:18:03,359 Speaker 1: An unveiled face doesn't mean that we're perfect, we're not 296 00:18:03,440 --> 00:18:07,119 Speaker 1: struggling in any area. Simply means we're an open book. 297 00:18:07,560 --> 00:18:11,040 Speaker 1: We're not pretending we're real. There was a man in 298 00:18:11,080 --> 00:18:14,600 Speaker 1: the Scripture named Zachius. He was a tax collector, and 299 00:18:15,240 --> 00:18:18,240 Speaker 1: they were known for being dishonest and for cheating people. 300 00:18:18,560 --> 00:18:22,520 Speaker 1: They were looked down on, despised, nobody liked them. Zach 301 00:18:22,600 --> 00:18:26,040 Speaker 1: Ius was the chief tax collector. That means he was 302 00:18:26,080 --> 00:18:29,440 Speaker 1: in charge of all the dishonest people. You can imagine 303 00:18:29,440 --> 00:18:32,879 Speaker 1: how disliked he was. But Zachias was very good at 304 00:18:32,920 --> 00:18:36,280 Speaker 1: what he did. He was a wealthy man. One day 305 00:18:36,320 --> 00:18:39,160 Speaker 1: he heard that Jesus was coming through his city, and 306 00:18:39,200 --> 00:18:41,800 Speaker 1: he was so excited he couldn't wait to see him. 307 00:18:42,359 --> 00:18:45,600 Speaker 1: But the problem was zach Kius was very short. He 308 00:18:45,640 --> 00:18:49,080 Speaker 1: couldn't see over all the people in the crowd. But 309 00:18:49,240 --> 00:18:52,919 Speaker 1: being at a disadvantage had never stopped him before. He 310 00:18:53,000 --> 00:18:56,199 Speaker 1: knew how to manipulate things and get his way. He 311 00:18:56,280 --> 00:19:00,120 Speaker 1: went over to a tree and started climbing up. Wasn't easy. 312 00:19:00,680 --> 00:19:03,000 Speaker 1: He had to work hard to strain, put forth a 313 00:19:03,040 --> 00:19:07,320 Speaker 1: law of effort. Eventually he had the best seat of anyone. 314 00:19:08,600 --> 00:19:13,360 Speaker 1: Zachias was not only short physically, but symbolically. You could 315 00:19:13,440 --> 00:19:17,600 Speaker 1: say he came up short. He wasn't making good decisions 316 00:19:17,640 --> 00:19:20,359 Speaker 1: in life. He was a fraud. He had made his 317 00:19:20,480 --> 00:19:24,280 Speaker 1: living by deceiving people. Now he was up in this 318 00:19:24,440 --> 00:19:28,200 Speaker 1: tree to make up for his weaknesses. He looked good 319 00:19:28,280 --> 00:19:32,679 Speaker 1: up there, impressive. Once again, he had positioned himself for 320 00:19:32,760 --> 00:19:36,119 Speaker 1: an advantage. People may not have liked him, but they 321 00:19:36,119 --> 00:19:40,119 Speaker 1: couldn't argue he had the best seat around. His whole life, 322 00:19:40,280 --> 00:19:43,280 Speaker 1: he had pushed others down to get what he wanted. 323 00:19:44,080 --> 00:19:47,600 Speaker 1: He didn't care about people. He cared about position, about 324 00:19:47,640 --> 00:19:49,919 Speaker 1: what's in it for me. He was an expert at 325 00:19:49,960 --> 00:19:55,040 Speaker 1: getting the upper hand. Finally, the big moment arrived. Jesus 326 00:19:55,080 --> 00:19:58,879 Speaker 1: came passing through the city. There were hundreds, maybe thousands 327 00:19:58,920 --> 00:20:03,160 Speaker 1: of people there, everybody screaming, waving, trying to get his attention. 328 00:20:04,080 --> 00:20:07,960 Speaker 1: About that time, out of all the people there, Jesus stopped, 329 00:20:08,400 --> 00:20:12,720 Speaker 1: looked up in the tree and said, hey, Zacius. They 330 00:20:12,760 --> 00:20:16,040 Speaker 1: had never met before, but Jesus called him by name. 331 00:20:16,880 --> 00:20:20,199 Speaker 1: Isn't it interesting that Jesus knew the main sinner in 332 00:20:20,240 --> 00:20:24,320 Speaker 1: the crowd. This shows us the heart of God. You 333 00:20:24,400 --> 00:20:26,879 Speaker 1: may think that God would never have anything to do 334 00:20:26,960 --> 00:20:29,880 Speaker 1: with you. You made too many mistakes, you have too much 335 00:20:29,960 --> 00:20:33,440 Speaker 1: negative baggage, too many hang ups. Or just like Zachias, 336 00:20:33,720 --> 00:20:36,840 Speaker 1: God is calling your name. He has a destiny for 337 00:20:36,880 --> 00:20:41,520 Speaker 1: you to fulfill, an assignment for you to accomplish. God 338 00:20:41,560 --> 00:20:44,240 Speaker 1: will pass over all the people that have it together, 339 00:20:45,080 --> 00:20:48,600 Speaker 1: all the people that everybody else would write off, to 340 00:20:48,680 --> 00:20:52,320 Speaker 1: find that one person that's struggling. That's why you're here today, 341 00:20:52,359 --> 00:20:55,280 Speaker 1: That's why you're listening. It's not by accident. God is 342 00:20:55,320 --> 00:20:59,919 Speaker 1: calling your name. God looks beyond the failures are mistakes. 343 00:21:00,480 --> 00:21:03,120 Speaker 1: He looks beyond our mask what we pretend to be. 344 00:21:03,680 --> 00:21:07,800 Speaker 1: God knows who you really are. He's the one who 345 00:21:07,920 --> 00:21:11,600 Speaker 1: breathed life into you. He put seeds of greatness on 346 00:21:11,680 --> 00:21:15,959 Speaker 1: the inside. He sees your potential, what you're capable of. 347 00:21:16,600 --> 00:21:19,200 Speaker 1: No matter what you've done in the past, God has 348 00:21:19,280 --> 00:21:21,919 Speaker 1: not written you all. He can still get you to 349 00:21:22,000 --> 00:21:26,880 Speaker 1: your destiny. Zachius was shocked. He looked down and asked somebody, 350 00:21:27,480 --> 00:21:30,280 Speaker 1: did he just call my name? They said, yeah, he 351 00:21:30,320 --> 00:21:34,160 Speaker 1: said zach Us. He scratched his head, thinking, how does 352 00:21:34,200 --> 00:21:37,320 Speaker 1: this man know my name. I'm not a religious person. 353 00:21:38,080 --> 00:21:41,520 Speaker 1: I haven't lived an upstanding life. I'm a fraud. I've 354 00:21:41,560 --> 00:21:44,919 Speaker 1: made a living cheating people. Yeah I look impressive, I 355 00:21:44,920 --> 00:21:46,960 Speaker 1: look important up here, but I know this is not 356 00:21:47,040 --> 00:21:50,919 Speaker 1: who I am. He had worn that mask for so long, 357 00:21:51,240 --> 00:21:54,439 Speaker 1: for so many years, he had convinced himself that's who 358 00:21:54,520 --> 00:21:59,600 Speaker 1: he was. When Jesus called his name, he felt a conviction. 359 00:22:00,119 --> 00:22:03,560 Speaker 1: Something down in here said this is not who you are. 360 00:22:04,160 --> 00:22:07,919 Speaker 1: You're better than this. What was happening, the mask was 361 00:22:07,960 --> 00:22:13,000 Speaker 1: being exposed. See, God knows who you really are, not 362 00:22:13,160 --> 00:22:16,240 Speaker 1: who you pretend to be. There will be times like 363 00:22:16,359 --> 00:22:20,040 Speaker 1: zac Kis, You'll feel conviction down in here. You'll know 364 00:22:20,520 --> 00:22:23,440 Speaker 1: this is not who I am. This anger, this addiction, 365 00:22:23,640 --> 00:22:27,600 Speaker 1: this compromise, this mediocrity. I've been covering it up for years. 366 00:22:27,760 --> 00:22:31,520 Speaker 1: But it's a mask. It's not the true me. Zak 367 00:22:31,600 --> 00:22:34,440 Speaker 1: Kias had to make a decision. Was he gonna get 368 00:22:34,440 --> 00:22:37,480 Speaker 1: honest with himself and be willing to make changes, or 369 00:22:37,600 --> 00:22:41,400 Speaker 1: was he going to keep pretending. Jesus looked up, zach Kis, 370 00:22:41,760 --> 00:22:44,320 Speaker 1: come down from that tree. I want to go to 371 00:22:44,359 --> 00:22:48,760 Speaker 1: your house and visit today. Jesus was saying, I want 372 00:22:48,800 --> 00:22:51,520 Speaker 1: to turn your life around. I want to set you 373 00:22:51,600 --> 00:22:54,479 Speaker 1: on a new path. But as long as you're up 374 00:22:54,480 --> 00:22:57,639 Speaker 1: there in the tree, as long as you're trying to 375 00:22:57,680 --> 00:23:01,840 Speaker 1: look impressive, covering the real issue, pretending everything is okay, 376 00:23:01,960 --> 00:23:05,000 Speaker 1: I can't do anything. But if you'll come down to 377 00:23:05,080 --> 00:23:09,199 Speaker 1: the ground, if you'll get real, if you'll quit hiding 378 00:23:09,440 --> 00:23:12,719 Speaker 1: the areas where you come up short, quit making excuses, 379 00:23:13,400 --> 00:23:17,280 Speaker 1: if you'll come down, then I'll come in. If you'll 380 00:23:17,320 --> 00:23:20,320 Speaker 1: take off the mask, I'll change areas that you could 381 00:23:20,400 --> 00:23:23,920 Speaker 1: never change. I'll help you break the addiction. I'll help 382 00:23:23,960 --> 00:23:27,640 Speaker 1: you make better choices. I'll help you live confident and secure. 383 00:23:28,840 --> 00:23:33,440 Speaker 1: Maybe like zach Chias, because of your shortcomings, your failures, 384 00:23:33,440 --> 00:23:36,800 Speaker 1: your weaknesses, You've climbed up in that tree, so to speak. 385 00:23:37,520 --> 00:23:41,240 Speaker 1: You've worked hard to gain an advantage and look impressive, 386 00:23:41,880 --> 00:23:45,359 Speaker 1: not let anybody see your weaknesses. The easy thing to 387 00:23:45,400 --> 00:23:48,600 Speaker 1: do is stay up in the tree. It's safe, you 388 00:23:48,640 --> 00:23:51,240 Speaker 1: don't have to deal with anything. You can keep pretending. 389 00:23:52,119 --> 00:23:54,520 Speaker 1: But you have to come to that point where you say, 390 00:23:55,000 --> 00:23:58,840 Speaker 1: I'm tired of pretending. I'm tired of wearing these masks. 391 00:23:59,160 --> 00:24:01,360 Speaker 1: I've covered it up for years. I thought I have to, 392 00:24:01,680 --> 00:24:04,879 Speaker 1: but now I realize, like zach Kias, I have to 393 00:24:04,880 --> 00:24:09,240 Speaker 1: come down. I have to get real friends. God already 394 00:24:09,320 --> 00:24:12,160 Speaker 1: knows what you're struggling with. You don't have to cover 395 00:24:12,280 --> 00:24:16,320 Speaker 1: up your inadequacies, your failures. Come down out of that tree. 396 00:24:16,840 --> 00:24:19,600 Speaker 1: The people who get the help are the people who 397 00:24:19,600 --> 00:24:22,920 Speaker 1: are real, the people who are honest enough to say 398 00:24:23,600 --> 00:24:28,000 Speaker 1: I don't have it altogether. I keep coming up, Sure, God, 399 00:24:28,040 --> 00:24:32,000 Speaker 1: I keep giving into this temptation, struggling in my marriage. 400 00:24:32,000 --> 00:24:35,160 Speaker 1: I'm dealing with this discouragement. For God, I'm not going 401 00:24:35,200 --> 00:24:38,200 Speaker 1: to go around wearing any more mask. I know when 402 00:24:38,240 --> 00:24:42,159 Speaker 1: my face is unveiled. I'll see your glory. I know 403 00:24:42,280 --> 00:24:44,879 Speaker 1: that's when you'll change me, make me and mould me. 404 00:24:46,000 --> 00:24:50,120 Speaker 1: When there's truth on the inside. God will change areas 405 00:24:50,240 --> 00:24:53,439 Speaker 1: that you could not change before. He'll make things happen 406 00:24:53,760 --> 00:24:57,240 Speaker 1: that you've not been able to make happen. Zakias came 407 00:24:57,280 --> 00:25:01,320 Speaker 1: down from the tree. Finally he took the mask, quit 408 00:25:01,400 --> 00:25:06,480 Speaker 1: making excuses. He admitted that it didn't wrong. He didn't say, Jesus, 409 00:25:06,560 --> 00:25:09,240 Speaker 1: I don't have a good reputation. These people don't like me, 410 00:25:09,280 --> 00:25:13,520 Speaker 1: but really I'm a good person. No, he accepted responsibility. 411 00:25:13,640 --> 00:25:16,560 Speaker 1: He owned it. He said, in the fact, I've cheated, 412 00:25:17,119 --> 00:25:20,840 Speaker 1: I've been dishonest, but I'm ready to change. I will 413 00:25:20,880 --> 00:25:25,560 Speaker 1: pay everybody back four times that I've cheated. Jesus looked 414 00:25:25,560 --> 00:25:29,520 Speaker 1: at him and said, today salvation has come to your house. 415 00:25:30,400 --> 00:25:32,720 Speaker 1: If you will be bold enough to come down out 416 00:25:32,720 --> 00:25:36,280 Speaker 1: of that tree, be open and honest, you will see 417 00:25:36,320 --> 00:25:39,960 Speaker 1: God's favor in a new way. The pure in heart 418 00:25:40,080 --> 00:25:44,440 Speaker 1: will be blessed. Are you wearing any masks today? A 419 00:25:44,480 --> 00:25:47,439 Speaker 1: mask of pride, a mask of shame, a mask of 420 00:25:47,480 --> 00:25:50,920 Speaker 1: trying to impress people, trying to be cool. As long 421 00:25:51,040 --> 00:25:54,320 Speaker 1: as you're pretending covering the real issues. It's going to 422 00:25:54,400 --> 00:25:58,480 Speaker 1: cause you to get stuck on a regular basis. Examine 423 00:25:58,600 --> 00:26:02,119 Speaker 1: your inner life, make sure your motives are pure, that 424 00:26:02,160 --> 00:26:05,160 Speaker 1: you're doing things for the right reason. If you'll make 425 00:26:05,200 --> 00:26:07,600 Speaker 1: this decision with me, that you're going to be real, 426 00:26:08,400 --> 00:26:13,399 Speaker 1: I believe and declare, like Zachiah, salvation is coming to 427 00:26:13,520 --> 00:26:18,560 Speaker 1: your house today. That means freedom, breakthroughs, deliverance, healing, the 428 00:26:18,600 --> 00:26:23,240 Speaker 1: fullness of your destiny in Jesus' name. If you receive it, 429 00:26:23,480 --> 00:26:27,280 Speaker 1: can you say it? Men? Today, we never like to 430 00:26:27,280 --> 00:26:30,640 Speaker 1: close our broadcast without giving you an opportunity to make 431 00:26:30,720 --> 00:26:33,480 Speaker 1: Jesus the lord of your life. Would you pray with me? 432 00:26:34,240 --> 00:26:39,760 Speaker 1: Just say, Lord, Jesus, I repent of my sins. Come 433 00:26:39,800 --> 00:26:45,200 Speaker 1: into my heart. I make you my Lord and savior. Friends, 434 00:26:45,200 --> 00:26:47,760 Speaker 1: if you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 435 00:26:47,800 --> 00:26:51,080 Speaker 1: born again. Get in a good Bible based church. Keep 436 00:26:51,119 --> 00:26:53,760 Speaker 1: God first place. He's going to take your places that 437 00:26:53,840 --> 00:26:54,719 Speaker 1: you've never dreamed. 438 00:26:56,680 --> 00:27:01,040 Speaker 2: God's healing isn't earned, it's received, and can discover how 439 00:27:01,280 --> 00:27:02,879 Speaker 2: in the next thirty one days. 440 00:27:03,560 --> 00:27:07,880 Speaker 1: Life has a way of wearing us down physically, mentally, emotionally. 441 00:27:08,359 --> 00:27:11,560 Speaker 1: But God didn't create us to just survive, but to thrive. 442 00:27:12,160 --> 00:27:16,040 Speaker 1: I'm excited about our new devotional, Happy Healthy and Free. 443 00:27:16,520 --> 00:27:19,200 Speaker 1: For thirty one days, I'll take you on a wellness 444 00:27:19,320 --> 00:27:23,080 Speaker 1: journey for your spirit, body, and soul. It's filled with 445 00:27:23,200 --> 00:27:27,919 Speaker 1: daily declarations, scriptures, encouragement. As you get your mind in 446 00:27:28,000 --> 00:27:33,000 Speaker 1: tune with what God says, you'll experience a refreshing, a revitalization. 447 00:27:33,600 --> 00:27:37,639 Speaker 1: You are created to be strong, to be passionate, to live, happy, 448 00:27:37,920 --> 00:27:39,080 Speaker 1: healthy and free. 449 00:27:39,920 --> 00:27:43,680 Speaker 2: When you contact us today, we'll send you Happy, Healthy 450 00:27:43,760 --> 00:27:46,840 Speaker 2: and Free a thirty one day wellness journey as our 451 00:27:46,920 --> 00:27:49,680 Speaker 2: way of saying thank you for your gift of any amount. 452 00:27:50,119 --> 00:27:53,760 Speaker 2: This devotional will help you strengthen your faith, declare God's 453 00:27:53,760 --> 00:27:57,399 Speaker 2: promises and receive the healing He's already made available to 454 00:27:57,480 --> 00:28:02,040 Speaker 2: you spirit, soul, and body. God wants you hold, and 455 00:28:02,160 --> 00:28:05,400 Speaker 2: this resource will help you experience His peace from the 456 00:28:05,440 --> 00:28:10,120 Speaker 2: inside out. Please request your copy today begin a life receiving, 457 00:28:10,440 --> 00:28:14,640 Speaker 2: life giving journey that will transform your spirit, mind, and body. 458 00:28:14,800 --> 00:28:16,320 Speaker 2: In just thirty one days. 459 00:28:16,960 --> 00:28:20,000 Speaker 1: God is going to restore what the enemy tried to steal, 460 00:28:20,240 --> 00:28:23,920 Speaker 1: your joy, your peace, your health. Detroy and I pray 461 00:28:24,000 --> 00:28:26,840 Speaker 1: for you and your family every day. Thanks so much 462 00:28:26,840 --> 00:28:30,679 Speaker 1: for your prayer and support. Your generosity is bringing hope 463 00:28:30,680 --> 00:28:33,719 Speaker 1: to people around the world. Special thank you to our 464 00:28:33,800 --> 00:28:37,160 Speaker 1: Champion of Hope partners for your monthly gifts. If you're 465 00:28:37,200 --> 00:28:40,760 Speaker 1: not a partner, I hope you'll consider becoming one. Remember 466 00:28:40,800 --> 00:28:44,840 Speaker 1: you can watch the services online every Sunday morning, download 467 00:28:44,840 --> 00:28:49,360 Speaker 1: our daily podcast, watch on YouTube the new Jewelosting Network 468 00:28:49,480 --> 00:28:52,520 Speaker 1: social media. You can listen on Serious XM twenty four 469 00:28:52,560 --> 00:28:56,440 Speaker 1: hours a day. We'll keep you encouraged and inspired until 470 00:28:56,440 --> 00:28:58,760 Speaker 1: we see you next time. Mad The Lord bless you 471 00:28:59,000 --> 00:29:00,000 Speaker 1: and keep you. 472 00:29:00,880 --> 00:29:04,680 Speaker 2: Be sure to request your copy of Happy, Healthy and Free, 473 00:29:04,920 --> 00:29:09,040 Speaker 2: a thirty one day wellness journey. Visit Joelostein dot com 474 00:29:09,160 --> 00:29:12,880 Speaker 2: or call eight eight eight five six seven Joel for 475 00:29:12,960 --> 00:29:15,880 Speaker 2: an additional gift. This month, we are also offering the 476 00:29:15,960 --> 00:29:19,680 Speaker 2: Wholeness and Promise Bundle, which includes the Happy, Healthy and 477 00:29:19,800 --> 00:29:24,040 Speaker 2: Free book plus the Words of Promise Journal, a beautifully 478 00:29:24,040 --> 00:29:28,600 Speaker 2: designed journal where you can reflect, record prayers, and speak life. 479 00:29:28,400 --> 00:29:29,280 Speaker 1: Over your future. 480 00:29:29,800 --> 00:29:33,080 Speaker 2: You can also request the Happy, Healthy and Free Collection, 481 00:29:33,480 --> 00:29:37,480 Speaker 2: featuring the devotional, the journal, and a beautifully crafted set 482 00:29:37,600 --> 00:29:42,600 Speaker 2: of three desktop encouragement blocks. Each whitewashed wooden block displays 483 00:29:42,640 --> 00:29:47,040 Speaker 2: one powerful word happy, healthy and free, along with a 484 00:29:47,080 --> 00:29:50,760 Speaker 2: carefully chosen scripture. Place them in your home or workspace 485 00:29:50,920 --> 00:29:54,760 Speaker 2: as daily reminders of God's promises for your life. You 486 00:29:54,840 --> 00:29:58,640 Speaker 2: can request these life changing resources by calling eight eight 487 00:29:58,640 --> 00:30:02,640 Speaker 2: eight five six seven Joel. We're logging on to Joelostein 488 00:30:02,720 --> 00:30:07,000 Speaker 2: dot com today. Call or click anytime twenty four hours 489 00:30:07,000 --> 00:30:11,280 Speaker 2: a day. This is your season to rise stronger, live later, 490 00:30:11,680 --> 00:30:15,440 Speaker 2: and walk daily in God's healing and peace. Request your 491 00:30:15,480 --> 00:30:16,360 Speaker 2: copies today. 492 00:30:17,240 --> 00:30:19,600 Speaker 1: If you're a pastor, we'd like to invite you to 493 00:30:19,640 --> 00:30:22,680 Speaker 1: our pastors Gathering. We'd be honored to spend the day 494 00:30:22,720 --> 00:30:25,360 Speaker 1: with you here at Lakewood. We'll share some of the 495 00:30:25,400 --> 00:30:28,920 Speaker 1: things we've learned, insights and behind the scenes. Be a 496 00:30:28,960 --> 00:30:45,360 Speaker 1: time of inspiration and encouragement. We love to meet you