1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:02,880 Speaker 1: No one likes to talk about money. Am I saving enough? 2 00:00:02,960 --> 00:00:05,040 Speaker 1: Can I buy a house? Am I paying too much 3 00:00:05,040 --> 00:00:07,760 Speaker 1: in taxes? Will I be able to retire? What if 4 00:00:07,760 --> 00:00:10,360 Speaker 1: you could unlock insights about your finances in less than 5 00:00:10,360 --> 00:00:12,840 Speaker 1: five minutes, with a clear picture of where you stand 6 00:00:12,880 --> 00:00:15,720 Speaker 1: today and where your money can work harder. Now you 7 00:00:15,760 --> 00:00:18,759 Speaker 1: can visit facet dot com to take the free quiz 8 00:00:18,800 --> 00:00:23,400 Speaker 1: and get your financial wellness score today. That's Facet dot com. 9 00:00:23,440 --> 00:00:25,360 Speaker 1: This ad is sponsored by Facet. Fast Wealth in Corporated 10 00:00:25,440 --> 00:00:27,280 Speaker 1: is an sec registered investment advisor. This is not an 11 00:00:27,320 --> 00:00:29,080 Speaker 1: offer to buy your self securities or is it investment, 12 00:00:29,160 --> 00:00:30,080 Speaker 1: legal or tax advice. 13 00:00:30,520 --> 00:00:33,120 Speaker 2: Are you ready to move your career forward? Make your 14 00:00:33,159 --> 00:00:36,640 Speaker 2: comeback with Perdue Global and get college credit for your work, school, life, 15 00:00:36,720 --> 00:00:39,840 Speaker 2: or military experiences. With these credits, you may have already 16 00:00:39,840 --> 00:00:42,680 Speaker 2: completed up to seventy five percent of your undergraduate degree. 17 00:00:42,720 --> 00:00:44,800 Speaker 2: You've worked hard to get where you are. It's time 18 00:00:44,840 --> 00:00:46,920 Speaker 2: to get the recognition you deserve and earn a degree 19 00:00:47,000 --> 00:00:49,600 Speaker 2: you'll be proud of, one that employers will trust and 20 00:00:49,720 --> 00:00:51,840 Speaker 2: respect when you take the next step in your life 21 00:00:51,880 --> 00:00:55,040 Speaker 2: and career. Make it count with Perdue Global produce online 22 00:00:55,120 --> 00:00:59,720 Speaker 2: University for working adults. Start your comeback at Purdueglobal dot edu. 23 00:01:00,320 --> 00:01:02,960 Speaker 3: But if you're going to reach your destiny, you have 24 00:01:03,040 --> 00:01:06,280 Speaker 3: to be the bigger person. Let God fight your battles. 25 00:01:06,760 --> 00:01:11,760 Speaker 3: If you sink down to their level, get baited into conflict, revengeful, 26 00:01:11,880 --> 00:01:15,839 Speaker 3: paying people back, then God can't trust you with more influence. 27 00:01:16,280 --> 00:01:19,520 Speaker 3: That's a test. Prove to God that you'll stay on 28 00:01:19,560 --> 00:01:22,880 Speaker 3: the high road, be an eagle, and rise above it. Hi, 29 00:01:22,959 --> 00:01:25,640 Speaker 3: this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to our 30 00:01:25,680 --> 00:01:28,959 Speaker 3: podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. If you enjoy 31 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:31,600 Speaker 3: today's message, why don't you be a blessing and share 32 00:01:31,600 --> 00:01:34,120 Speaker 3: it with a friend. We appreciate you and pray for 33 00:01:34,200 --> 00:01:39,160 Speaker 3: God's very best in your life. Well, God bless you. 34 00:01:39,440 --> 00:01:42,000 Speaker 3: It's great to be with you today, and I hope 35 00:01:42,040 --> 00:01:44,400 Speaker 3: you'll stay connected with us during the week through our 36 00:01:44,480 --> 00:01:48,400 Speaker 3: daily podcast, our YouTube channel, social media. We'll keep you 37 00:01:48,560 --> 00:01:52,200 Speaker 3: encouraged and inspired. I like to start with something funny, 38 00:01:52,240 --> 00:01:55,960 Speaker 3: and I heard about this scientist. He said to God, 39 00:01:56,320 --> 00:02:00,000 Speaker 3: we've decided we no longer need you. We can clone people, 40 00:02:00,400 --> 00:02:04,560 Speaker 3: transplant hearts, do all kinds of things once considered miraculous. 41 00:02:04,840 --> 00:02:07,440 Speaker 3: God said, fine, But to prove you don't need me. 42 00:02:07,840 --> 00:02:11,359 Speaker 3: Let's have a man making contest. The only requirement is 43 00:02:11,480 --> 00:02:14,160 Speaker 3: you have to make man out of dirt. The scientist 44 00:02:14,200 --> 00:02:16,600 Speaker 3: said great and reached down to pick up a handful 45 00:02:16,639 --> 00:02:19,520 Speaker 3: of dirt. God said, not so fast, Go get your 46 00:02:19,520 --> 00:02:23,919 Speaker 3: own dirt. God made it all here. We go ready. 47 00:02:24,400 --> 00:02:27,239 Speaker 3: This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. 48 00:02:27,720 --> 00:02:30,200 Speaker 3: I have what it says I have. I can do 49 00:02:30,280 --> 00:02:32,920 Speaker 3: what it says I can do. Today I will be 50 00:02:33,000 --> 00:02:37,079 Speaker 3: taught the word of God. I boldly confess. My mind 51 00:02:37,200 --> 00:02:40,560 Speaker 3: is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never be 52 00:02:40,680 --> 00:02:45,280 Speaker 3: the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. I want 53 00:02:45,320 --> 00:02:48,840 Speaker 3: to talk to you today about past the test. We 54 00:02:48,880 --> 00:02:53,120 Speaker 3: all face situations that are uncomfortable. We're not getting our way. 55 00:02:53,600 --> 00:02:56,600 Speaker 3: Someone is not treating us right. Our dream is taking 56 00:02:56,680 --> 00:03:00,880 Speaker 3: longer than we thought. It's easy to get upset, frustrated, 57 00:03:01,160 --> 00:03:04,680 Speaker 3: wondering why it's not changing. But much of life is 58 00:03:04,720 --> 00:03:07,920 Speaker 3: a test. You don't really know what's in you until 59 00:03:07,960 --> 00:03:10,839 Speaker 3: you're put under pressure. It's easy to have a good 60 00:03:10,840 --> 00:03:14,320 Speaker 3: attitude when everything's going our way and people are being 61 00:03:14,360 --> 00:03:17,760 Speaker 3: good to you. Doors are opening, the driver next to 62 00:03:17,840 --> 00:03:21,080 Speaker 3: you politely let you in you'll feel the joy of 63 00:03:21,120 --> 00:03:25,240 Speaker 3: the Lord. Thank you Lord for your favor. And that's good. Praise. 64 00:03:25,480 --> 00:03:29,079 Speaker 3: Gratefulness is inside you. But how about when the driver 65 00:03:29,240 --> 00:03:32,280 Speaker 3: isn't so polite, In fact, they make sure you don't 66 00:03:32,320 --> 00:03:35,880 Speaker 3: get in. Stay right on the other person's bumper. You 67 00:03:35,960 --> 00:03:38,560 Speaker 3: may find out there are some other things in you 68 00:03:38,760 --> 00:03:42,400 Speaker 3: besides praise and thanksgiving. You weren't speaking in tongues, but 69 00:03:42,480 --> 00:03:47,320 Speaker 3: another language started coming out. Peter told Jesus, I'll never 70 00:03:47,400 --> 00:03:51,640 Speaker 3: deny you. I'm your most faithful disciple. His heart was right, 71 00:03:52,040 --> 00:03:56,000 Speaker 3: he had good intentions standing with the other disciples in 72 00:03:56,040 --> 00:03:59,760 Speaker 3: that atmosphere of faith, that wasn't difficult. But when he 73 00:03:59,880 --> 00:04:04,320 Speaker 3: was put under pressure when the Roman soldiers were arresting Jesus. 74 00:04:04,600 --> 00:04:07,320 Speaker 3: When the heat was turned up, the young lady said 75 00:04:07,360 --> 00:04:10,200 Speaker 3: he's one of his disciples, Peter said, no, I'm not. 76 00:04:10,760 --> 00:04:14,240 Speaker 3: You're the wrong person. Three times he denied that he 77 00:04:14,320 --> 00:04:18,640 Speaker 3: knew Jesus. The pressure brings to light weaknesses in our character, 78 00:04:19,240 --> 00:04:22,039 Speaker 3: areas we need to deal with. If we'll be willing 79 00:04:22,080 --> 00:04:26,560 Speaker 3: to change, make adjustments, start passing those tests, then God 80 00:04:26,600 --> 00:04:30,080 Speaker 3: will show us more of his favor. But just because 81 00:04:30,120 --> 00:04:34,320 Speaker 3: Peter failed that test didn't stop his destiny. God doesn't 82 00:04:34,360 --> 00:04:37,440 Speaker 3: give up on us. He gives us another chance. And 83 00:04:37,480 --> 00:04:40,920 Speaker 3: it's significant that Peter is the one that wrote, don't 84 00:04:40,960 --> 00:04:44,520 Speaker 3: be surprised at the fiery trial. That is to test 85 00:04:44,560 --> 00:04:48,640 Speaker 3: your quality. The purpose of the trial is to test 86 00:04:48,720 --> 00:04:52,599 Speaker 3: your character. God already knows how you're going to respond. 87 00:04:53,120 --> 00:04:56,039 Speaker 3: It's not to show God, it's to show you what's 88 00:04:56,080 --> 00:04:59,760 Speaker 3: in you. Every traffic jam, every person that gets on 89 00:04:59,800 --> 00:05:03,720 Speaker 3: your nerves, every time you're tempted to be jealous, critical 90 00:05:03,920 --> 00:05:08,000 Speaker 3: pay someone back, that's not a random challenge. That's God 91 00:05:08,160 --> 00:05:12,599 Speaker 3: testing your quality. That's an opportunity to grow, to come 92 00:05:12,680 --> 00:05:16,000 Speaker 3: up higher, to show him what you're made of. And 93 00:05:16,040 --> 00:05:19,640 Speaker 3: the problem with failing the test being rude to someone 94 00:05:19,680 --> 00:05:22,800 Speaker 3: that's rude to you, getting upset every time you get 95 00:05:22,839 --> 00:05:26,160 Speaker 3: stuck in traffic, being jealous over a friend that God 96 00:05:26,200 --> 00:05:29,680 Speaker 3: a promotion. When you don't pass, you're going to have 97 00:05:29,760 --> 00:05:32,760 Speaker 3: to take the test again. It's not going to go away. 98 00:05:33,120 --> 00:05:36,320 Speaker 3: God is going to keep testing your quality. He loves 99 00:05:36,320 --> 00:05:39,360 Speaker 3: you too much to let you stay at one level. 100 00:05:39,680 --> 00:05:44,160 Speaker 3: That's why you can't pray away everything that's uncomfortable. God, 101 00:05:44,200 --> 00:05:47,599 Speaker 3: get this coworker out of my life. They're irritating me. 102 00:05:48,000 --> 00:05:51,720 Speaker 3: They're getting on my nerves. That's a test. Why don't 103 00:05:51,760 --> 00:05:55,440 Speaker 3: you be an ego and rise above their pettiness. Stop 104 00:05:55,520 --> 00:05:58,919 Speaker 3: letting them steal your joy, Stop giving them your power. 105 00:05:59,880 --> 00:06:02,880 Speaker 3: You let someone else determine whether or not you're going 106 00:06:02,920 --> 00:06:07,160 Speaker 3: to stay in peace. You're handing them your thermostaff You're 107 00:06:07,240 --> 00:06:10,919 Speaker 3: letting them control your temperature. They say something rude, you 108 00:06:10,960 --> 00:06:14,480 Speaker 3: get upset, They leave you out, You get offended, they 109 00:06:14,520 --> 00:06:18,080 Speaker 3: ignore you. Your day is soured. Do yourself a favor. 110 00:06:18,360 --> 00:06:23,440 Speaker 3: Take your thermostat back. Quit letting other people control your atmosphere, 111 00:06:24,040 --> 00:06:27,960 Speaker 3: determine your mood, your peace, your joy. You can't control 112 00:06:28,000 --> 00:06:31,359 Speaker 3: what they do, but you can control how you respond. 113 00:06:32,160 --> 00:06:35,960 Speaker 3: Start passing the test. Next time they're rude, just smile 114 00:06:36,120 --> 00:06:38,960 Speaker 3: and go about your day. When they leave you out, 115 00:06:39,160 --> 00:06:42,359 Speaker 3: just stay in peace. God, I know you're fighting my battles. 116 00:06:42,520 --> 00:06:46,120 Speaker 3: You're my vindicator. When they try to make you feel small, 117 00:06:46,560 --> 00:06:50,400 Speaker 3: just ignore it and move on. They don't determine your destiny. 118 00:06:50,920 --> 00:06:53,360 Speaker 3: You're not who they say you are. You are who 119 00:06:53,440 --> 00:06:57,159 Speaker 3: God says you are. You're a masterpiece, want of a kind, 120 00:06:57,480 --> 00:07:00,919 Speaker 3: crowned with favor instead of trying to pray them away, 121 00:07:01,240 --> 00:07:05,360 Speaker 3: try a different approach and be happy despite what they're doing. 122 00:07:05,920 --> 00:07:09,840 Speaker 3: Bloom where you're planted. The scripture says, no person can 123 00:07:09,880 --> 00:07:13,080 Speaker 3: take your joy. They can't take it. You have to 124 00:07:13,160 --> 00:07:16,000 Speaker 3: give it. Make up your mind. I'm not going to 125 00:07:16,040 --> 00:07:18,960 Speaker 3: give this jerk. I mean this cowork of my joy. 126 00:07:19,720 --> 00:07:22,840 Speaker 3: Don't go the next twenty years letting the same things 127 00:07:22,920 --> 00:07:27,120 Speaker 3: upset you, same people, same traffic, same delays. It's a 128 00:07:27,240 --> 00:07:32,760 Speaker 3: test if you'll grow, if you'll respond differently. Sometimes God 129 00:07:32,800 --> 00:07:36,160 Speaker 3: will remove it. But here's the key. Even if he doesn't, 130 00:07:36,600 --> 00:07:40,360 Speaker 3: because you've changed, because your character has come up higher, 131 00:07:40,640 --> 00:07:44,160 Speaker 3: it's not going to affect you. I found when God 132 00:07:44,240 --> 00:07:48,000 Speaker 3: is not changing the circumstance, he's using the circumstance to 133 00:07:48,120 --> 00:07:52,560 Speaker 3: change me. I'm a very goal oriented person. I have 134 00:07:52,600 --> 00:07:55,760 Speaker 3: a plan, I'm focused. I like to get things done. 135 00:07:56,160 --> 00:07:59,200 Speaker 3: That's a nice way of saying I struggle with being impatient. 136 00:08:00,200 --> 00:08:03,040 Speaker 3: But it seemed like the more in a hurry I was, 137 00:08:03,560 --> 00:08:06,600 Speaker 3: the more I would find myself in situations where I 138 00:08:06,600 --> 00:08:10,000 Speaker 3: would have to wait at the grocery store there would 139 00:08:10,040 --> 00:08:13,560 Speaker 3: be three registers to check out. I'd make sure i'd 140 00:08:13,560 --> 00:08:16,640 Speaker 3: get in the shortest line. I would calculate it count 141 00:08:16,640 --> 00:08:19,240 Speaker 3: the number of people in line, study how much was 142 00:08:19,240 --> 00:08:21,680 Speaker 3: in their car. I was on a mission to get 143 00:08:21,680 --> 00:08:25,960 Speaker 3: in and get out as fast as possible. Invariably the 144 00:08:26,000 --> 00:08:28,280 Speaker 3: person in front of me would need a price check, 145 00:08:28,840 --> 00:08:32,800 Speaker 3: can't find the item, computer is malfunctioning. One time the 146 00:08:32,840 --> 00:08:36,200 Speaker 3: clock was new, she was so slow, Supervisor, I had 147 00:08:36,240 --> 00:08:39,439 Speaker 3: to come over three times. The whole time I watched 148 00:08:39,440 --> 00:08:42,720 Speaker 3: people and other lines pass me by. That'd give me 149 00:08:42,800 --> 00:08:46,640 Speaker 3: so stressed. I never realized it was a test. I 150 00:08:46,679 --> 00:08:48,920 Speaker 3: thought it was just a bad break. I chose the 151 00:08:48,960 --> 00:08:52,520 Speaker 3: wrong line. One day, it dawned on me that I 152 00:08:52,600 --> 00:08:56,079 Speaker 3: always got behind the slowest person in the grocery store, 153 00:08:56,160 --> 00:08:59,600 Speaker 3: on the freeway at the airport. Why is that you'll 154 00:08:59,600 --> 00:09:04,080 Speaker 3: be in the area of your greatest weakness. I'm not 155 00:09:04,200 --> 00:09:08,079 Speaker 3: tested in being focused, being responsible, taking risks, those are 156 00:09:08,080 --> 00:09:12,680 Speaker 3: my strengths. I'm tested in being impatient. If you struggle 157 00:09:12,760 --> 00:09:16,040 Speaker 3: with being jealous, don't be surprised if you see every 158 00:09:16,120 --> 00:09:20,120 Speaker 3: friend that gets something that you want. Your coworker makes 159 00:09:20,160 --> 00:09:22,320 Speaker 3: half as much as you. They drive up in a 160 00:09:22,360 --> 00:09:26,079 Speaker 3: brand new car. You take your family on vacation for 161 00:09:26,120 --> 00:09:29,079 Speaker 3: a few days down to Lake Conroe. You are happy 162 00:09:29,360 --> 00:09:32,720 Speaker 3: until your neighbor calls from Paris. There're spending two weeks there. 163 00:09:34,040 --> 00:09:37,040 Speaker 3: You're believing for a spouse, to meet the right person. 164 00:09:37,559 --> 00:09:41,440 Speaker 3: Your best friend gets engaged, your cousin, your coworker, your 165 00:09:41,520 --> 00:09:46,640 Speaker 3: ninety year old grandmother. You're the bridesmaid in six weddings. Smiling, 166 00:09:46,880 --> 00:09:51,520 Speaker 3: I'm so happy for you. Down deep, I am so upset. God, 167 00:09:51,559 --> 00:09:54,520 Speaker 3: this is so not fair. Tell you something front of 168 00:09:54,600 --> 00:09:57,040 Speaker 3: a pastor friend of mine. He was believing for a 169 00:09:57,080 --> 00:10:00,319 Speaker 3: new building for his church, and for several years he'd 170 00:10:00,360 --> 00:10:04,640 Speaker 3: been praying, looking everywhere, raising funds, but nothing was available. 171 00:10:05,160 --> 00:10:08,600 Speaker 3: A new pastor moved in town, hadn't been there two months. 172 00:10:08,720 --> 00:10:10,880 Speaker 3: He called my friends said, I want to come pick 173 00:10:10,920 --> 00:10:14,080 Speaker 3: you up and take you somewhere. My friend was excited. 174 00:10:14,520 --> 00:10:16,959 Speaker 3: He thought maybe he had found my friend a new building, 175 00:10:17,440 --> 00:10:20,560 Speaker 3: placed a rent. He drove him to this beautiful building, 176 00:10:20,840 --> 00:10:24,680 Speaker 3: prime location, great parking. He said, the owner of this 177 00:10:24,840 --> 00:10:28,240 Speaker 3: property just told me I could use it rent free 178 00:10:28,240 --> 00:10:31,840 Speaker 3: for five years. Isn't this awesome? My friend said, yes, 179 00:10:31,880 --> 00:10:35,160 Speaker 3: it is so awesome. He didn't mean a word of it. 180 00:10:35,280 --> 00:10:40,440 Speaker 3: He was so discouraged. But God, blessing someone else doesn't 181 00:10:40,480 --> 00:10:43,920 Speaker 3: mean he's not going to bless you. God didn't run 182 00:10:43,920 --> 00:10:48,440 Speaker 3: out of favor. That's a test. He's watching to see 183 00:10:48,440 --> 00:10:51,480 Speaker 3: how you're going to respond. But they don't deserve it. 184 00:10:51,880 --> 00:10:54,719 Speaker 3: I've been here longer than them. I don't understand it. No, 185 00:10:54,960 --> 00:10:59,160 Speaker 3: pass the test. Be happy for them. That's an opportunity 186 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:02,160 Speaker 3: to show God what you're made of. If you will 187 00:11:02,200 --> 00:11:05,840 Speaker 3: celebrate others, then God will have plenty of times where 188 00:11:05,840 --> 00:11:09,880 Speaker 3: people will celebrate you. Pay attention to the areas that 189 00:11:09,960 --> 00:11:13,960 Speaker 3: you're tested in. It's not a coincidence. When God brings 190 00:11:14,000 --> 00:11:16,199 Speaker 3: things to light, you have to be willing to deal 191 00:11:16,240 --> 00:11:19,840 Speaker 3: with it. These impurities in our character keep us from 192 00:11:19,960 --> 00:11:23,320 Speaker 3: rising higher. They don't come out in the good times. 193 00:11:23,480 --> 00:11:26,920 Speaker 3: They come out when we're under pressure. Don't ignore it, 194 00:11:27,360 --> 00:11:31,320 Speaker 3: don't keep responding the same way. God wants to entrust 195 00:11:31,360 --> 00:11:35,440 Speaker 3: you with more favor, more influence, more resources. That's why 196 00:11:35,480 --> 00:11:39,120 Speaker 3: he's testing your character. One time I had a meeting 197 00:11:39,160 --> 00:11:41,280 Speaker 3: at the church, and at that time it was a 198 00:11:41,320 --> 00:11:44,080 Speaker 3: thirty minute drive from my house. I left a little 199 00:11:44,080 --> 00:11:46,640 Speaker 3: bit late, but I knew if I didn't hit any traffic, 200 00:11:47,040 --> 00:11:50,720 Speaker 3: I would get there right on time. I prayed for favor. Lord, 201 00:11:50,760 --> 00:11:53,920 Speaker 3: thank you for making my crooked places straight. There was 202 00:11:53,960 --> 00:11:57,640 Speaker 3: a light leaving my neighborhood. In three years, I had 203 00:11:57,679 --> 00:12:01,240 Speaker 3: never seen it red. Was always green, but right when 204 00:12:01,240 --> 00:12:04,280 Speaker 3: I got to the intersection, it turned red. It was 205 00:12:04,320 --> 00:12:07,880 Speaker 3: the strangest thing. I got on the freeway and took off, 206 00:12:08,320 --> 00:12:11,000 Speaker 3: praying that God would give me discernment to know which 207 00:12:11,040 --> 00:12:14,160 Speaker 3: hell the policeman would be sitting over. Now. I was 208 00:12:14,200 --> 00:12:17,360 Speaker 3: doing fine, still had time to make it. Then the 209 00:12:17,400 --> 00:12:20,960 Speaker 3: traffic started slowing down. As it got slower, my blood 210 00:12:20,960 --> 00:12:24,040 Speaker 3: pressure went higher and higher. Slowed down all the way 211 00:12:24,080 --> 00:12:27,160 Speaker 3: to twenty miles an hour. It's never that slow at 212 00:12:27,200 --> 00:12:30,679 Speaker 3: that time of day, and I was frustrated. The lane 213 00:12:30,679 --> 00:12:33,240 Speaker 3: next to me was going a little faster. I tried 214 00:12:33,280 --> 00:12:37,520 Speaker 3: to get over, but nobody would let me in. I waved, smiled, 215 00:12:37,840 --> 00:12:42,040 Speaker 3: blue kisses, held up a twenty but nothing. Finally someone 216 00:12:42,120 --> 00:12:44,120 Speaker 3: paused and let me in. I thought, thank God I 217 00:12:44,160 --> 00:12:48,360 Speaker 3: got over. Right when I did, that lane stopped. I 218 00:12:48,400 --> 00:12:51,160 Speaker 3: sat there and watched the lane I was in passed 219 00:12:51,160 --> 00:12:55,200 Speaker 3: me by. I was so stressed. I just knew that 220 00:12:55,400 --> 00:12:59,800 Speaker 3: was the enemy attacking me, making me lame. Now realized 221 00:13:00,160 --> 00:13:04,640 Speaker 3: that was God attacking my impatience. That was God allowing 222 00:13:04,679 --> 00:13:08,320 Speaker 3: me to be in an uncomfortable situation to bring to 223 00:13:08,440 --> 00:13:12,760 Speaker 3: light impurities in my character. It didn't happen overnight, but 224 00:13:12,840 --> 00:13:16,480 Speaker 3: I started dealing with it, ruling over my emotions, not 225 00:13:16,640 --> 00:13:20,120 Speaker 3: letting that upset me. Now I've learned to stay in peace, 226 00:13:20,520 --> 00:13:23,120 Speaker 3: that God's ordering my steps, that I'm at the right 227 00:13:23,160 --> 00:13:26,520 Speaker 3: place at the right time. Are you trying to pray 228 00:13:26,559 --> 00:13:29,640 Speaker 3: away what God is wanting to use to refine you 229 00:13:30,559 --> 00:13:33,640 Speaker 3: instead of trying to change everything? Why don't you pray 230 00:13:33,679 --> 00:13:37,400 Speaker 3: God help me to change, Help me to come up higher, 231 00:13:37,880 --> 00:13:41,200 Speaker 3: to be more patient, to overlook the offense, to not 232 00:13:41,320 --> 00:13:44,600 Speaker 3: be jealous, to not let other people steal my joy. 233 00:13:45,679 --> 00:13:49,200 Speaker 3: Sometimes the test is to be good to someone that's 234 00:13:49,240 --> 00:13:52,480 Speaker 3: not being good to you. It's easy to treat people 235 00:13:52,600 --> 00:13:55,560 Speaker 3: the way they treat us. They're rude to us, We're 236 00:13:55,559 --> 00:13:58,040 Speaker 3: going to be rude to them. They put us down, 237 00:13:58,160 --> 00:14:00,880 Speaker 3: We're gonna put them down. They stabbed me in the 238 00:14:00,920 --> 00:14:04,160 Speaker 3: back at work, I'm gonna get revenge. But if you're 239 00:14:04,160 --> 00:14:06,800 Speaker 3: going to reach your destiny, you have to be the 240 00:14:06,840 --> 00:14:10,720 Speaker 3: bigger person. Let God fight your battles. If you sink 241 00:14:10,760 --> 00:14:15,520 Speaker 3: down to their level, get baited into conflict, revengeful paying 242 00:14:15,600 --> 00:14:19,200 Speaker 3: people back then God can't trust you with more influence. 243 00:14:19,640 --> 00:14:22,880 Speaker 3: That's a test. Prove to God that you'll stay on 244 00:14:22,920 --> 00:14:25,840 Speaker 3: the high road, be an eagle, and rise above it. 245 00:14:26,720 --> 00:14:29,200 Speaker 3: This is what David did. He was one of King 246 00:14:29,320 --> 00:14:34,320 Speaker 3: Saul's main armor bearers. When Saul wasn't feeling well, David 247 00:14:34,360 --> 00:14:37,200 Speaker 3: would come in and play the harp. Saul would get better. 248 00:14:37,760 --> 00:14:40,600 Speaker 3: Saul was jealous of David. He could see the favor 249 00:14:40,640 --> 00:14:43,240 Speaker 3: on his life, and instead of being happy for him, 250 00:14:43,480 --> 00:14:47,040 Speaker 3: he let that jealousy get stronger and stronger made him 251 00:14:47,040 --> 00:14:50,880 Speaker 3: bitter toward David. One day, while David was playing the 252 00:14:50,960 --> 00:14:54,680 Speaker 3: harp being good to Saul saw through a spear and 253 00:14:54,720 --> 00:14:58,280 Speaker 3: barely miss David. Here David was doing the right thing, 254 00:14:58,760 --> 00:15:01,800 Speaker 3: trying to help Saul, Pasaul was trying to kill him. 255 00:15:02,320 --> 00:15:05,720 Speaker 3: David could have fought back, tried to get even, but 256 00:15:05,840 --> 00:15:09,680 Speaker 3: he knew Saul had been anointed king. He respected the 257 00:15:09,760 --> 00:15:13,000 Speaker 3: authority he was under, so he ran in the desert. 258 00:15:13,280 --> 00:15:17,440 Speaker 3: Saul came chasing after him. At one point David found 259 00:15:17,480 --> 00:15:20,920 Speaker 3: Saul and all of his men asleep. Was David's big 260 00:15:21,000 --> 00:15:24,400 Speaker 3: chance to get even, to pay him back. In one moment, 261 00:15:24,560 --> 00:15:27,000 Speaker 3: he could take Saul out, but he wouldn't do it. 262 00:15:27,880 --> 00:15:32,640 Speaker 3: When Saul found out how David spared his life, he wept, said, David, 263 00:15:32,800 --> 00:15:36,280 Speaker 3: you're a better man than me. The reason God could 264 00:15:36,280 --> 00:15:40,880 Speaker 3: trust David with so much influence, honor, resources as he 265 00:15:40,960 --> 00:15:44,640 Speaker 3: kept passing the test all these times he was under 266 00:15:44,680 --> 00:15:47,600 Speaker 3: great pressure where he could have done what he felt like, 267 00:15:48,160 --> 00:15:51,960 Speaker 3: told Saul off got revenge, made his life miserable. David 268 00:15:51,960 --> 00:15:55,120 Speaker 3: wouldn't do it. He took the high road. He let 269 00:15:55,160 --> 00:15:58,680 Speaker 3: God fight his battles. He was kind to someone that 270 00:15:58,840 --> 00:16:02,520 Speaker 3: wasn't kind to him. When you treat people right that 271 00:16:02,640 --> 00:16:05,920 Speaker 3: don't treat you right, you're proving to God that you 272 00:16:06,000 --> 00:16:10,720 Speaker 3: can handle more influence, more responsibility. This is a major 273 00:16:10,840 --> 00:16:14,160 Speaker 3: test because most of us will be good to people 274 00:16:14,280 --> 00:16:17,200 Speaker 3: that are good to us. But to go where God 275 00:16:17,280 --> 00:16:19,400 Speaker 3: wants you to go, you have to be good to 276 00:16:19,480 --> 00:16:22,760 Speaker 3: people that are not good to you. When you let 277 00:16:22,800 --> 00:16:26,120 Speaker 3: God refine you, you don't let the offense get in. 278 00:16:26,800 --> 00:16:29,600 Speaker 3: You don't live thinking about paying people back. But you 279 00:16:29,760 --> 00:16:32,800 Speaker 3: stay in peace. You're going to see God's favor and 280 00:16:32,840 --> 00:16:37,080 Speaker 3: blessing in great ways. And don't be surprised if you 281 00:16:37,120 --> 00:16:41,240 Speaker 3: find yourself in situations that are not fair. People that 282 00:16:41,320 --> 00:16:45,280 Speaker 3: didn't keep their word. They played politics, made you look bad. 283 00:16:45,800 --> 00:16:48,960 Speaker 3: They betrayed you. You have every right to get even 284 00:16:49,560 --> 00:16:52,760 Speaker 3: your flesh says, do to them what they did to you. No, 285 00:16:53,000 --> 00:16:57,240 Speaker 3: pass the test. Be a David. That's God seeing what 286 00:16:57,280 --> 00:17:01,080 Speaker 3: you're made of. It's easy to tell people off. It's 287 00:17:01,080 --> 00:17:03,960 Speaker 3: easy to be rude when someone's rude to you, But 288 00:17:04,000 --> 00:17:07,000 Speaker 3: that will keep you at the same place. God wants 289 00:17:07,040 --> 00:17:10,000 Speaker 3: to take you higher, to places that you've never seen. 290 00:17:10,760 --> 00:17:14,280 Speaker 3: He'll allow you to be uncomfortable. The scripture calls it. 291 00:17:14,560 --> 00:17:18,920 Speaker 3: The fiery challenge is to test your quality. Sometimes God 292 00:17:18,960 --> 00:17:21,639 Speaker 3: will put you in the middle of the fire. In 293 00:17:21,680 --> 00:17:26,080 Speaker 3: that pressure, impurities will come out revenge. Two can play 294 00:17:26,080 --> 00:17:28,719 Speaker 3: at this game, pride. I don't have to put up 295 00:17:28,760 --> 00:17:32,200 Speaker 3: with this sarcasm. You really think you're that hot? No, 296 00:17:32,400 --> 00:17:36,280 Speaker 3: stay in peace. Let God fights your battles. The Psalmist said, 297 00:17:36,600 --> 00:17:40,760 Speaker 3: remain calm in times of adversity. That's passing the test. 298 00:17:41,280 --> 00:17:44,280 Speaker 3: That's what allows God to take you where you've never dreamed. 299 00:17:44,880 --> 00:17:47,160 Speaker 3: Which old These people at work get on my nerves. 300 00:17:47,680 --> 00:17:50,600 Speaker 3: I've been praying for God to move them out. Have 301 00:17:50,720 --> 00:17:54,120 Speaker 3: you ever thought about maybe God has you there on purpose? 302 00:17:54,840 --> 00:17:59,399 Speaker 3: Maybe that's a test. If he removed everything uncomfortable, you 303 00:17:59,440 --> 00:18:03,240 Speaker 3: would never instead of being sour, Why don't you try 304 00:18:03,280 --> 00:18:07,480 Speaker 3: a different approach and keep a good attitude. My spouse 305 00:18:07,520 --> 00:18:11,280 Speaker 3: aggravates me. She knows just what buttons to push. That's 306 00:18:11,280 --> 00:18:14,800 Speaker 3: why I say things I shouldn't. That's why I get upset. No, 307 00:18:14,960 --> 00:18:19,280 Speaker 3: that's a test of your character. In that fire. Impurities 308 00:18:19,320 --> 00:18:22,720 Speaker 3: are coming out under pressure. You're seeing what's in you. 309 00:18:23,520 --> 00:18:27,920 Speaker 3: Next time that happens, respond a different way. Proverbs twenty 310 00:18:27,960 --> 00:18:31,560 Speaker 3: one says, if you'll keep your mouth closed, you'll stay 311 00:18:31,560 --> 00:18:35,000 Speaker 3: out of trouble. One way to pass the test is 312 00:18:35,040 --> 00:18:39,320 Speaker 3: real simple. Keep your mouth closed. Quit letting your emotions 313 00:18:39,359 --> 00:18:44,040 Speaker 3: control your mouth. Your tongue can start World War three. 314 00:18:44,119 --> 00:18:46,879 Speaker 3: Your tongue can get you fired. Your tongue can have 315 00:18:46,920 --> 00:18:49,919 Speaker 3: your sleeping on the couch at night. Next time you 316 00:18:50,040 --> 00:18:55,040 Speaker 3: feel like saying something hurtful, disrespectful, telling someone off, take 317 00:18:55,080 --> 00:18:59,359 Speaker 3: a deep breath. Pause for ten seconds. Under your breath, God, 318 00:18:59,400 --> 00:19:02,399 Speaker 3: help me to control my tongue. Help me to pass 319 00:19:02,480 --> 00:19:06,680 Speaker 3: this test. If you'll keep your mouth closed the next time, 320 00:19:06,800 --> 00:19:09,680 Speaker 3: it will be a little easier. The next time easier. 321 00:19:10,400 --> 00:19:14,160 Speaker 3: Don't go year after year responding the same way. That's 322 00:19:14,200 --> 00:19:18,359 Speaker 3: an opportunity to grow. You can change. You don't have 323 00:19:18,400 --> 00:19:23,159 Speaker 3: to be sarcastic, say hurtful, critical words that wound people, 324 00:19:23,520 --> 00:19:28,320 Speaker 3: bring strife conflict. What if my spouse doesn't change. If 325 00:19:28,359 --> 00:19:32,520 Speaker 3: you'll change, they'll change. Sometimes we're waiting for the other 326 00:19:32,560 --> 00:19:36,239 Speaker 3: person to move first, then we'll do better. You have 327 00:19:36,320 --> 00:19:38,760 Speaker 3: to be the bigger person. You be the one to 328 00:19:38,840 --> 00:19:41,359 Speaker 3: keep your mouth closed. You be the one to walk 329 00:19:41,400 --> 00:19:44,800 Speaker 3: away from conflict. You be the one to pass the test. 330 00:19:45,800 --> 00:19:49,000 Speaker 3: The scripture says in a house, there are vessels of 331 00:19:49,040 --> 00:19:53,240 Speaker 3: wood and clay for ordinary use, but there are vessels 332 00:19:53,280 --> 00:19:57,680 Speaker 3: of gold for God's highest purposes. We can stay vessels 333 00:19:57,680 --> 00:20:01,679 Speaker 3: of wood and clay. That's fine, still God's creation. He 334 00:20:01,800 --> 00:20:05,120 Speaker 3: made us. We can live with these impurities, still make 335 00:20:05,160 --> 00:20:08,480 Speaker 3: it through life. But I'm not talking about just making 336 00:20:08,520 --> 00:20:12,280 Speaker 3: it through. I'm talking about seeing the greatness God put 337 00:20:12,320 --> 00:20:15,720 Speaker 3: in you, being a vessel of gold use for God's 338 00:20:15,840 --> 00:20:19,920 Speaker 3: highest purposes. That's what happens when we keep letting God 339 00:20:20,000 --> 00:20:23,480 Speaker 3: refine us, we keep dealing with what he brings to light. 340 00:20:24,359 --> 00:20:27,760 Speaker 3: You can't rebuke everything you don't like. You can't pray 341 00:20:27,800 --> 00:20:32,000 Speaker 3: away every grouchy person. The delays the clerk that's rude, 342 00:20:32,240 --> 00:20:35,280 Speaker 3: the spouse that gets on your nerves. Those are tests. 343 00:20:36,040 --> 00:20:39,520 Speaker 3: They may not change, but you can change now. Key 344 00:20:39,600 --> 00:20:44,680 Speaker 3: to seeing God's best is to stay pliable, walk in humility, 345 00:20:45,240 --> 00:20:49,240 Speaker 3: be willing to change. What can you do to get 346 00:20:49,240 --> 00:20:54,399 Speaker 3: along better in relationships? What improvements can you make not 347 00:20:54,560 --> 00:20:58,720 Speaker 3: your spouse, your boss, your children? What areas can you 348 00:20:58,840 --> 00:21:03,359 Speaker 3: come up higher in to have better relationships? Don't pray 349 00:21:03,359 --> 00:21:07,000 Speaker 3: for God to change someone else without first praying God 350 00:21:07,240 --> 00:21:10,600 Speaker 3: show me where I need to change. I used to 351 00:21:10,600 --> 00:21:14,080 Speaker 3: play basketball at the YMCA, and when i'd come home 352 00:21:14,400 --> 00:21:18,240 Speaker 3: after playing a couple of hours full courts, high intensity, 353 00:21:18,400 --> 00:21:21,680 Speaker 3: I'd be really sweaty. The closest sink from the back 354 00:21:21,720 --> 00:21:24,600 Speaker 3: door was the kitchen sink. I'd always stop and wash 355 00:21:24,680 --> 00:21:27,959 Speaker 3: my hands. Well, Victoria didn't like me using the kitchen 356 00:21:28,000 --> 00:21:30,439 Speaker 3: sink when I was so sweaty. She didn't want that 357 00:21:30,480 --> 00:21:33,200 Speaker 3: around all the food. She asked me not to wash 358 00:21:33,280 --> 00:21:36,920 Speaker 3: my hands there. It was a small thing, no big deal. 359 00:21:37,119 --> 00:21:40,520 Speaker 3: Use the other sink. That makes sense, But it's funny 360 00:21:40,600 --> 00:21:43,480 Speaker 3: how we can come up with excuses. That was a 361 00:21:43,520 --> 00:21:46,680 Speaker 3: reasonable request, But I thought of all the reasons why 362 00:21:46,680 --> 00:21:49,840 Speaker 3: I shouldn't do it. This is the closest sink. I 363 00:21:49,880 --> 00:21:51,920 Speaker 3: don't want to walk to that other sink here. I've 364 00:21:51,960 --> 00:21:54,440 Speaker 3: just run up and down the court for two hours now, 365 00:21:54,520 --> 00:21:59,000 Speaker 3: don't want to walk another thirty feet. Sometimes pride can 366 00:21:59,040 --> 00:22:02,920 Speaker 3: blind us. We can come up with lame excuses to 367 00:22:02,920 --> 00:22:06,000 Speaker 3: not do what we know we should do. My mind 368 00:22:06,119 --> 00:22:09,000 Speaker 3: kept going, this is my house too. That is not 369 00:22:09,200 --> 00:22:12,120 Speaker 3: right that I cannot use that sint. I think about 370 00:22:12,160 --> 00:22:14,800 Speaker 3: it now, and it seems so strange. What was a 371 00:22:14,800 --> 00:22:19,239 Speaker 3: big deal. But sometimes we're just being contentious. We just 372 00:22:19,280 --> 00:22:22,000 Speaker 3: want our way. Our pride says I can do what 373 00:22:22,080 --> 00:22:24,480 Speaker 3: I want to do. I would wash my hands there 374 00:22:24,480 --> 00:22:27,000 Speaker 3: from time to time, Joel, please use the other Saint 375 00:22:27,480 --> 00:22:31,480 Speaker 3: Victoria is not hurting anything. I'm not contamidating the food. 376 00:22:32,040 --> 00:22:36,280 Speaker 3: Sometimes the test is to just honor your wife, honor 377 00:22:36,320 --> 00:22:39,360 Speaker 3: your husband, to be good to the people God put 378 00:22:39,400 --> 00:22:43,280 Speaker 3: in your life. How can God trust you to lead 379 00:22:43,359 --> 00:22:46,560 Speaker 3: others if you don't treat your own family with respect? 380 00:22:47,320 --> 00:22:50,640 Speaker 3: How could he trust David to lead the Israelites if 381 00:22:50,640 --> 00:22:54,240 Speaker 3: he wasn't honorable to King Saul. Maybe it's just a 382 00:22:54,320 --> 00:22:57,639 Speaker 3: test to see how obedient you'll be, whether you'll do 383 00:22:57,720 --> 00:23:00,560 Speaker 3: the right thing when it's a small thing, whether you'll 384 00:23:00,600 --> 00:23:03,080 Speaker 3: go the extra mile when you don't think it's fair. 385 00:23:04,000 --> 00:23:07,000 Speaker 3: This is the difference between being a vessel of wood 386 00:23:07,280 --> 00:23:10,359 Speaker 3: for ordinary use or being a vessel of honor for 387 00:23:10,440 --> 00:23:14,600 Speaker 3: God's highest purposes. One day I came home from playing basketball. 388 00:23:15,000 --> 00:23:18,000 Speaker 3: Victoria wasn't there. She was out running areas. I thought, 389 00:23:18,000 --> 00:23:20,760 Speaker 3: Oh great, I'll go in the kitchen. She won't see me, 390 00:23:20,840 --> 00:23:23,720 Speaker 3: nobody will know. I was about to wash my hands, 391 00:23:23,920 --> 00:23:26,760 Speaker 3: and I heard this voice down in here saying, Joel, 392 00:23:27,400 --> 00:23:29,960 Speaker 3: when are you going to start honoring your wife and 393 00:23:30,000 --> 00:23:33,080 Speaker 3: not wash your hands here? I thought, is that to you? Lord? 394 00:23:34,200 --> 00:23:37,200 Speaker 3: She couldn't see me, but the one who matters could 395 00:23:37,240 --> 00:23:41,600 Speaker 3: see me. He controls the universe. It's not always the 396 00:23:41,600 --> 00:23:44,760 Speaker 3: big things that are keeping us from God's best, it's 397 00:23:44,800 --> 00:23:48,680 Speaker 3: the small things. If I can't honor my wife show 398 00:23:48,800 --> 00:23:52,280 Speaker 3: respect by doing a small thing, how can God trust 399 00:23:52,320 --> 00:23:56,200 Speaker 3: me to lead Lakewood. Don't let a small thing keep 400 00:23:56,200 --> 00:24:00,240 Speaker 3: you from your greatness. How we treat people matters. You 401 00:24:00,280 --> 00:24:03,679 Speaker 3: can't be harsh, contentious, hard to get along with and 402 00:24:03,760 --> 00:24:07,720 Speaker 3: reach your potential. The scripture says, husbands, if we're not 403 00:24:07,760 --> 00:24:11,160 Speaker 3: treating our wife right, then our prayers will be hindered. 404 00:24:11,840 --> 00:24:15,040 Speaker 3: You shouldn't treat anyone better than you treat your own family. 405 00:24:15,680 --> 00:24:22,119 Speaker 3: Be kind, loving, respectful, Paul Sitting Colossians. Whatever you do, 406 00:24:22,119 --> 00:24:26,080 Speaker 3: do it under God and not under people. Sometimes there 407 00:24:26,080 --> 00:24:29,280 Speaker 3: are things we don't feel like doing. Doesn't seem fair. 408 00:24:30,000 --> 00:24:33,240 Speaker 3: At work, you're not getting the credit, someone's not treating 409 00:24:33,280 --> 00:24:36,480 Speaker 3: you right. Why should you be kind to them? Why 410 00:24:36,480 --> 00:24:38,800 Speaker 3: should you keep a good attitude? Why should you go 411 00:24:38,880 --> 00:24:42,080 Speaker 3: the extra mile? God is saying, will you do it 412 00:24:42,320 --> 00:24:45,560 Speaker 3: under me? Will you keep your mouth closed for me? 413 00:24:46,560 --> 00:24:49,040 Speaker 3: Will you be kind to that person that doesn't deserve 414 00:24:49,080 --> 00:24:51,800 Speaker 3: it for me? Will you not wash your hands in 415 00:24:51,880 --> 00:24:54,840 Speaker 3: that sink for me? Will you be your best at 416 00:24:54,880 --> 00:24:58,480 Speaker 3: work for me? Do it under God? He's the one 417 00:24:58,520 --> 00:25:02,919 Speaker 3: that matters. Doesn't come from people, It comes from Him. 418 00:25:03,480 --> 00:25:06,200 Speaker 3: When you do the right thing, when it's hard, you're 419 00:25:06,240 --> 00:25:09,760 Speaker 3: passing the test. Like with David, You're going to go 420 00:25:09,840 --> 00:25:13,919 Speaker 3: to levels that you've never imagined. God is getting you 421 00:25:14,040 --> 00:25:17,280 Speaker 3: prepared now for the new things he has in store. 422 00:25:18,160 --> 00:25:21,280 Speaker 3: Anytime you're going to go higher, your flesh has to 423 00:25:21,320 --> 00:25:25,879 Speaker 3: go lower. God is going to require greater obedience, things 424 00:25:25,880 --> 00:25:28,800 Speaker 3: that you'd rather not have to deal with. But those 425 00:25:28,880 --> 00:25:31,840 Speaker 3: tests are not there to stop you. That's a sign 426 00:25:32,080 --> 00:25:36,000 Speaker 3: that God is refining you, getting you prepared for something greater. 427 00:25:36,960 --> 00:25:39,840 Speaker 3: When these impurities come to light, don't push it down. 428 00:25:40,440 --> 00:25:44,679 Speaker 3: That's just me. I've always been impatient. I'm always contentious. 429 00:25:44,680 --> 00:25:47,920 Speaker 3: I always wash my hands here. We always argue, I've 430 00:25:47,960 --> 00:25:53,000 Speaker 3: always been jealous. No, make the adjustments respond differently. You 431 00:25:53,040 --> 00:25:56,360 Speaker 3: wouldn't be hearing this if God didn't have new levels 432 00:25:56,400 --> 00:25:59,800 Speaker 3: in your future. That's why he's getting you prepared to 433 00:25:59,840 --> 00:26:04,359 Speaker 3: handle the weight of glory. God told the Israelites, I 434 00:26:04,480 --> 00:26:07,800 Speaker 3: led you into the wilderness for a purpose, to test 435 00:26:07,880 --> 00:26:10,800 Speaker 3: you and to prove you, to see if you'd keep 436 00:26:10,840 --> 00:26:15,280 Speaker 3: my commands before you go into the Promised Land. There 437 00:26:15,280 --> 00:26:18,840 Speaker 3: would be times of testing, times of proving where you 438 00:26:18,880 --> 00:26:21,560 Speaker 3: have to show God you'll do the right thing when 439 00:26:21,600 --> 00:26:24,480 Speaker 3: you don't feel like it. You'll keep a good attitude 440 00:26:24,600 --> 00:26:27,959 Speaker 3: when it's not fair. You'll deal with the impurities that 441 00:26:28,040 --> 00:26:31,760 Speaker 3: He brings to light. But when the Israelites came under pressure, 442 00:26:32,000 --> 00:26:35,720 Speaker 3: they kept failing to test. They complained about the giants, 443 00:26:36,240 --> 00:26:39,600 Speaker 3: complained about the food, complained that it was so hot. 444 00:26:40,240 --> 00:26:43,800 Speaker 3: That group never made it into the Promised Land. What 445 00:26:43,840 --> 00:26:46,640 Speaker 3: would have happened if they would have dealt with that negative, 446 00:26:46,720 --> 00:26:51,040 Speaker 3: complaining spirit. Instead of saying, these giants are too big, 447 00:26:51,520 --> 00:26:54,080 Speaker 3: we're never going to make it, they would have said, yes, 448 00:26:54,119 --> 00:26:57,760 Speaker 3: the giants are big, but God, we know you're bigger. Yes, 449 00:26:57,800 --> 00:26:59,760 Speaker 3: it's hot out here, but Lord, thank you for bringing 450 00:26:59,840 --> 00:27:02,560 Speaker 3: us out of slavery. Thanks for making a way where 451 00:27:02,560 --> 00:27:05,639 Speaker 3: we didn't see a way. They could have gone in, 452 00:27:06,400 --> 00:27:09,960 Speaker 3: but they let these impurities keep them out. It wasn't 453 00:27:09,960 --> 00:27:14,000 Speaker 3: God's fault. He gave them chance after chance to change. 454 00:27:14,160 --> 00:27:16,280 Speaker 3: But God is not going to make you do the 455 00:27:16,359 --> 00:27:19,920 Speaker 3: right thing. He'll allow the pressure show you what you 456 00:27:20,040 --> 00:27:22,400 Speaker 3: need to deal with, but you have to do your 457 00:27:22,480 --> 00:27:26,720 Speaker 3: part and be willing to change, make the adjustments. Don't 458 00:27:26,800 --> 00:27:31,359 Speaker 3: keep responding the same way. The delays, traffic, people that 459 00:27:31,440 --> 00:27:35,280 Speaker 3: get on your nerves, that's not random. Those are opportunities 460 00:27:35,320 --> 00:27:40,280 Speaker 3: to come up higher. Those challenges are to test your quality. Now, 461 00:27:40,320 --> 00:27:43,639 Speaker 3: my challenge is show God what you're made of. Prove 462 00:27:43,720 --> 00:27:47,320 Speaker 3: to him that you can handle more influence, more favor, 463 00:27:47,680 --> 00:27:52,000 Speaker 3: more responsibility by passing the test. If you'll do this, 464 00:27:52,440 --> 00:27:55,800 Speaker 3: I believe and declare new doors are going to open. 465 00:27:56,280 --> 00:27:59,800 Speaker 3: Your relationships are going to get better. You will rise higher, 466 00:28:00,160 --> 00:28:03,760 Speaker 3: accomplish dreams, and become all you were created to be 467 00:28:04,400 --> 00:28:07,280 Speaker 3: in Jesus' name, And if you receive it, can you 468 00:28:07,359 --> 00:28:11,199 Speaker 3: say amen? I'd like to give you an opportunity to 469 00:28:11,240 --> 00:28:14,280 Speaker 3: make Jesus the Lord of your life. Would you pray 470 00:28:14,320 --> 00:28:18,520 Speaker 3: with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus, I repent of my sins. 471 00:28:19,840 --> 00:28:23,880 Speaker 3: Come into my heart. I make you my Lord and savior. 472 00:28:25,119 --> 00:28:27,600 Speaker 3: If you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 473 00:28:27,600 --> 00:28:30,560 Speaker 3: born again. We'd love to send you some free information 474 00:28:30,680 --> 00:28:32,639 Speaker 3: on your new walk with the Lord. You've text the 475 00:28:32,720 --> 00:28:35,479 Speaker 3: number on the screen or go to the website. I 476 00:28:35,520 --> 00:28:38,479 Speaker 3: hope you'll get into a good Bible based church and 477 00:28:38,600 --> 00:28:41,760 Speaker 3: keep God first place. Thanks so much for listening to 478 00:28:41,760 --> 00:28:45,160 Speaker 3: today's message. I hope you'll subscribe so you can receive 479 00:28:45,200 --> 00:28:48,680 Speaker 3: the latest podcast to keep you encouraged and inspired all 480 00:28:48,720 --> 00:28:50,840 Speaker 3: through the week. 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