1 00:00:00,920 --> 00:00:03,800 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Jordan's Victoria. Thanks so much for listening 2 00:00:03,880 --> 00:00:07,520 Speaker 1: to the podcast, and thanks for supporting the ministry. We 3 00:00:07,560 --> 00:00:11,400 Speaker 1: believe you're going to have an awesome twenty twenty four, healthy, productive, 4 00:00:11,560 --> 00:00:15,280 Speaker 1: and favor filled. God bless you today and enjoy the message. 5 00:00:15,480 --> 00:00:18,400 Speaker 1: Oh God bless you. It is always a joy to 6 00:00:18,440 --> 00:00:21,639 Speaker 1: come into your homes. We love you. We always come 7 00:00:21,840 --> 00:00:24,360 Speaker 1: with good news, knowing that God is on your side. 8 00:00:24,520 --> 00:00:26,560 Speaker 1: If you're ever in our area, I hope you'll stop 9 00:00:26,560 --> 00:00:28,400 Speaker 1: buy and be a part of one of our services. 10 00:00:28,600 --> 00:00:30,760 Speaker 1: These are the finest people in all of Houston, right 11 00:00:30,800 --> 00:00:32,800 Speaker 1: here at Lakewood, so come out be a part of 12 00:00:32,840 --> 00:00:36,239 Speaker 1: one of our services. Sometimes. Thanks for tuning in. I 13 00:00:36,400 --> 00:00:38,519 Speaker 1: like to start with something funny each week. And I 14 00:00:38,560 --> 00:00:41,440 Speaker 1: heard about this airplane that was about to crash. There 15 00:00:41,440 --> 00:00:45,880 Speaker 1: were four passengers but only three parachutes. The first passenger said, 16 00:00:46,159 --> 00:00:49,559 Speaker 1: I'm a leading heart surgeon. My patients need me. He 17 00:00:49,640 --> 00:00:52,840 Speaker 1: grabbed the first parachute and jumped. The second passenger said, 18 00:00:53,080 --> 00:00:56,040 Speaker 1: I'm a rocket scientist, one of the smartest men in 19 00:00:56,080 --> 00:00:59,040 Speaker 1: the world. My country needs me. He took the second 20 00:00:59,040 --> 00:01:03,520 Speaker 1: parachuting jump. The third passenger was Pope John Paul. He 21 00:01:03,600 --> 00:01:06,679 Speaker 1: said to the fourth passenger, a ten year old boy scout, son, 22 00:01:06,720 --> 00:01:09,640 Speaker 1: I'm old and frail. You take the last parachute. The 23 00:01:09,680 --> 00:01:12,160 Speaker 1: boy scout said, that's okay, sir, there are still two 24 00:01:12,200 --> 00:01:15,480 Speaker 1: parachutes left, the world's smartest man just jumped out with 25 00:01:15,560 --> 00:01:16,280 Speaker 1: my backpack. 26 00:01:18,160 --> 00:01:21,120 Speaker 2: All right, hold up the bibles. Let's say it like 27 00:01:21,160 --> 00:01:24,320 Speaker 2: we've been it. This is my Bible. I am what 28 00:01:24,360 --> 00:01:27,240 Speaker 2: it says I am. I have what it says I have. 29 00:01:27,800 --> 00:01:30,520 Speaker 2: I can do what it says I can do. Today 30 00:01:30,560 --> 00:01:34,160 Speaker 2: I will be taught the Word of God. I boldly confess. 31 00:01:34,800 --> 00:01:38,520 Speaker 2: My mind is alert, my heart is receptive. I will 32 00:01:38,560 --> 00:01:39,520 Speaker 2: never be the same. 33 00:01:40,120 --> 00:01:45,440 Speaker 1: I am about to receive the incorruptible, indestructible, ever living 34 00:01:45,800 --> 00:01:50,800 Speaker 1: seed of the Word of God. I'll never be the same, never, never, never, 35 00:01:51,320 --> 00:01:55,640 Speaker 1: I'll never be the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. 36 00:01:56,600 --> 00:01:59,120 Speaker 1: I want to talk to you today about letting God 37 00:01:59,280 --> 00:02:02,520 Speaker 1: be God in your life. So many times we try 38 00:02:02,560 --> 00:02:05,680 Speaker 1: to figure everything out, we try to solve everything in 39 00:02:05,720 --> 00:02:08,399 Speaker 1: our own strength, and if we're not careful, we'll put 40 00:02:08,440 --> 00:02:10,600 Speaker 1: God in a box and we'll tell him how to 41 00:02:10,680 --> 00:02:12,919 Speaker 1: do it and when to do it, and why should 42 00:02:12,960 --> 00:02:15,440 Speaker 1: do it this way? And not this other way. All 43 00:02:15,480 --> 00:02:18,639 Speaker 1: we're doing is limiting God from working in the way 44 00:02:18,720 --> 00:02:21,240 Speaker 1: he wants. We got to learn to just turn it 45 00:02:21,280 --> 00:02:24,239 Speaker 1: over to him and believe that he is in control, 46 00:02:24,680 --> 00:02:27,080 Speaker 1: believe that he knows what's best for us, and at 47 00:02:27,080 --> 00:02:30,200 Speaker 1: the exact right time that he'll change things in our favor. 48 00:02:30,720 --> 00:02:34,920 Speaker 1: But when we're constantly reasoning, wondering why this happened and 49 00:02:35,000 --> 00:02:38,440 Speaker 1: trying to figure this out over here, it only brings confusion, 50 00:02:38,960 --> 00:02:42,000 Speaker 1: brings frustration, and we end up living stressed out. 51 00:02:42,560 --> 00:02:42,720 Speaker 2: Now. 52 00:02:42,720 --> 00:02:45,919 Speaker 1: I know people, their mind is never at rest, it's 53 00:02:46,000 --> 00:02:48,799 Speaker 1: constantly going ninety to nothing. They're not going to be 54 00:02:48,880 --> 00:02:52,240 Speaker 1: happy unless they've got everything figured out. But the problem 55 00:02:52,280 --> 00:02:56,560 Speaker 1: with this is sometimes we face situations in life where 56 00:02:56,600 --> 00:03:00,560 Speaker 1: there is no logical solution. Sometimes in the natural we 57 00:03:00,600 --> 00:03:03,079 Speaker 1: can't see a way out. And if we don't learn 58 00:03:03,120 --> 00:03:05,680 Speaker 1: to turn it over to God and just trust him, 59 00:03:05,800 --> 00:03:08,239 Speaker 1: then it's going to steal our joy, steal our peace 60 00:03:08,840 --> 00:03:12,040 Speaker 1: when we face difficulties. We can't fall into that trap 61 00:03:12,120 --> 00:03:14,880 Speaker 1: of going all through the day constantly thinking what am 62 00:03:14,919 --> 00:03:17,200 Speaker 1: I going to do? How's this going to work out? 63 00:03:17,800 --> 00:03:20,400 Speaker 1: My health, my children, my finances. I don't know how 64 00:03:20,440 --> 00:03:23,000 Speaker 1: I'm gonna get out of this mess. Now, that's not 65 00:03:23,120 --> 00:03:26,399 Speaker 1: your job. You don't have to figure everything out. Your 66 00:03:26,520 --> 00:03:30,120 Speaker 1: job is to believe. Your job is to know that 67 00:03:30,160 --> 00:03:32,520 Speaker 1: God has you in the palm of his hand, and 68 00:03:32,560 --> 00:03:35,560 Speaker 1: he said that no weapon formed begins you will ever prosper. 69 00:03:36,200 --> 00:03:39,000 Speaker 1: You've got to believe that right now, God is working 70 00:03:39,040 --> 00:03:42,760 Speaker 1: behind the scenes. Believe that he's changing things in your favor. 71 00:03:43,120 --> 00:03:46,560 Speaker 1: Believe that he's fighting your battles for you. When we believe, 72 00:03:46,960 --> 00:03:50,560 Speaker 1: all things become possible. Some of you today you're living 73 00:03:50,600 --> 00:03:54,480 Speaker 1: so frustrated, so upset about a situation. You don't sleep 74 00:03:54,520 --> 00:03:57,440 Speaker 1: well at night, You're dragging through the day without the joy, 75 00:03:57,520 --> 00:04:01,120 Speaker 1: without the enthusiasm. Let me ask you this. If you 76 00:04:01,200 --> 00:04:04,480 Speaker 1: knew that in three years time that situation was going 77 00:04:04,520 --> 00:04:07,000 Speaker 1: to totally resolve, God was going to turn it around 78 00:04:07,040 --> 00:04:10,280 Speaker 1: and bring you out with the victory, most likely you'd 79 00:04:10,360 --> 00:04:13,040 Speaker 1: let out a big sigh, you'd relax, you'd take the 80 00:04:13,080 --> 00:04:16,760 Speaker 1: pressure off, you start enjoying your life once again. Well, 81 00:04:16,800 --> 00:04:19,680 Speaker 1: I'm asking you to do that right now. Turn it 82 00:04:19,720 --> 00:04:22,640 Speaker 1: over to God. Quit trying to figure it all out. 83 00:04:23,000 --> 00:04:25,520 Speaker 1: If you'll let God do it his way, he'll not 84 00:04:25,600 --> 00:04:28,240 Speaker 1: only bring you out, but he's promised He'll bring you 85 00:04:28,279 --> 00:04:31,440 Speaker 1: out better off than you were before. David said, I 86 00:04:31,560 --> 00:04:34,039 Speaker 1: was young, now I'm old, and I've never once seen 87 00:04:34,080 --> 00:04:36,600 Speaker 1: the righteous forsaken. Now I want you to go out 88 00:04:36,640 --> 00:04:40,400 Speaker 1: of here with a lighter load, free from reasoning, free 89 00:04:40,400 --> 00:04:43,280 Speaker 1: from trying to figure everything out, knowing that God is 90 00:04:43,320 --> 00:04:46,640 Speaker 1: in complete control of your life. The scripture says here 91 00:04:46,640 --> 00:04:49,960 Speaker 1: in Proverbs three five, trust in the Lord with all 92 00:04:50,080 --> 00:04:54,839 Speaker 1: of your heart. One translation says, and mind our mind. 93 00:04:55,000 --> 00:04:58,560 Speaker 1: Our thoughts are so important. You cannot allow that problem 94 00:04:58,720 --> 00:05:02,960 Speaker 1: to dominate your thought life. If you're worrying, you're not trusting. 95 00:05:03,560 --> 00:05:06,720 Speaker 1: We cannot worry and believe at the same time. When 96 00:05:06,720 --> 00:05:09,080 Speaker 1: you're tempted to think about it and try to figure 97 00:05:09,120 --> 00:05:13,080 Speaker 1: it all out, just use that as a reminder to say, God, 98 00:05:13,360 --> 00:05:16,280 Speaker 1: I know you are working in my life. I may 99 00:05:16,320 --> 00:05:18,760 Speaker 1: not see a way out, but I know you already 100 00:05:18,839 --> 00:05:21,479 Speaker 1: have the answer. So I'm just going to relax and 101 00:05:21,600 --> 00:05:24,680 Speaker 1: enjoy my life. That's what it means to be more 102 00:05:24,760 --> 00:05:27,520 Speaker 1: than a conquer You have peace right in the midst 103 00:05:27,560 --> 00:05:30,320 Speaker 1: of the storm. You have a peace right there in 104 00:05:30,360 --> 00:05:32,200 Speaker 1: the midst of the battle. You know God is going 105 00:05:32,279 --> 00:05:35,240 Speaker 1: to bring you out. Your mind may be screaming all 106 00:05:35,320 --> 00:05:39,000 Speaker 1: kinds of negative thoughts. It's never gonna work out, You're 107 00:05:39,040 --> 00:05:41,719 Speaker 1: never gonna get well, your child's never gonna do right. 108 00:05:42,120 --> 00:05:44,240 Speaker 1: You've got to just shake that off and say, no, 109 00:05:44,720 --> 00:05:47,800 Speaker 1: I know this too shall pass. If God before me, 110 00:05:48,120 --> 00:05:51,640 Speaker 1: who dare be against me? Yes, I may have some difficulties, 111 00:05:51,640 --> 00:05:54,280 Speaker 1: but know this, I am not a victim. I am 112 00:05:54,320 --> 00:05:57,080 Speaker 1: a victor. See, you've got to turn that around and 113 00:05:57,160 --> 00:06:00,839 Speaker 1: don't allow the negative thoughts to play over and over. Instead, 114 00:06:01,120 --> 00:06:04,680 Speaker 1: start thinking some thoughts of faith and victory. It goes 115 00:06:04,720 --> 00:06:08,599 Speaker 1: on to say, lean not to your own understanding. That 116 00:06:08,680 --> 00:06:11,560 Speaker 1: doesn't mean we shouldn't use our mind, never use common sense. 117 00:06:11,920 --> 00:06:14,839 Speaker 1: It's talking about when we can't figure something out, when 118 00:06:14,880 --> 00:06:18,680 Speaker 1: we don't see a solution. It's saying, don't dwell on that. 119 00:06:19,080 --> 00:06:22,240 Speaker 1: Let God be God. He already has the way out. 120 00:06:23,000 --> 00:06:25,000 Speaker 1: And of course there are times when we have to 121 00:06:25,160 --> 00:06:28,360 Speaker 1: deal with the situation and maybe strategize a little bit. 122 00:06:28,839 --> 00:06:31,240 Speaker 1: But how do we know when we've gone too far? 123 00:06:31,839 --> 00:06:33,920 Speaker 1: How do we know when we've crossed the line and 124 00:06:33,960 --> 00:06:37,640 Speaker 1: now we're over analyzing a problem. We know it when 125 00:06:37,680 --> 00:06:41,080 Speaker 1: we start getting confused. The moment you get frustrated, the 126 00:06:41,080 --> 00:06:44,520 Speaker 1: moment that stresses you out, that's a sure sign you're 127 00:06:44,560 --> 00:06:47,000 Speaker 1: trying to figure out something that only God has the 128 00:06:47,040 --> 00:06:49,360 Speaker 1: answer to. You've got to turn that over to him 129 00:06:49,720 --> 00:06:52,599 Speaker 1: and know that He is in complete control of your life. 130 00:06:53,360 --> 00:06:56,279 Speaker 1: And this is why many people have health problems. Their 131 00:06:56,320 --> 00:07:01,599 Speaker 1: nerves are shot, got back, agches, headaches, all. It's because 132 00:07:01,640 --> 00:07:04,919 Speaker 1: their mind is always going trying to figure out things 133 00:07:05,080 --> 00:07:07,400 Speaker 1: that there is no answer to. How am I going 134 00:07:07,480 --> 00:07:10,480 Speaker 1: to get out of debt? What if my child doesn't change, 135 00:07:10,560 --> 00:07:13,800 Speaker 1: what if my health doesn't improve? There's no rest, there's 136 00:07:13,840 --> 00:07:16,640 Speaker 1: no peace. And some of you today, if you could 137 00:07:16,720 --> 00:07:19,040 Speaker 1: just give your mind to break, if you could just 138 00:07:19,080 --> 00:07:21,280 Speaker 1: give your mind some time off and say, you know what, 139 00:07:21,720 --> 00:07:24,840 Speaker 1: that's it. I'm done trying to figure everything out, living 140 00:07:24,920 --> 00:07:27,280 Speaker 1: negative and worried. My life is too short for that. 141 00:07:27,880 --> 00:07:30,360 Speaker 1: I'm gonna put a smile back on my face and 142 00:07:30,400 --> 00:07:33,239 Speaker 1: I'm gonna start letting God be God in my life. 143 00:07:33,320 --> 00:07:35,360 Speaker 1: After all, He's taking care of me in the past, 144 00:07:35,520 --> 00:07:36,920 Speaker 1: and I know he's gonna take care of me in 145 00:07:36,960 --> 00:07:41,640 Speaker 1: the future. If you could just change your outlook and 146 00:07:41,720 --> 00:07:43,760 Speaker 1: not fall into that trap and trying to figure in 147 00:07:43,800 --> 00:07:47,720 Speaker 1: everything out and dwelling on the worst case scenarios. But 148 00:07:47,840 --> 00:07:50,680 Speaker 1: instead let your mind have some peace, some rest, some 149 00:07:50,760 --> 00:07:53,880 Speaker 1: quiet time. You'd be amazed at how those health issues 150 00:07:53,920 --> 00:07:57,000 Speaker 1: would go away. That's what the scripture says. This will 151 00:07:57,040 --> 00:08:01,679 Speaker 1: be health to our nerves. Understand not live mentally uptight 152 00:08:01,720 --> 00:08:05,400 Speaker 1: all the time, and expect to stay healthy physically. And 153 00:08:05,480 --> 00:08:08,240 Speaker 1: the fact is we all have situations in life where 154 00:08:08,240 --> 00:08:11,240 Speaker 1: there's no logical solution. Doesn't matter how good of a 155 00:08:11,280 --> 00:08:14,200 Speaker 1: person you are or how spiritual you are, at times 156 00:08:14,240 --> 00:08:17,080 Speaker 1: we can't see any way out. This is what happened 157 00:08:17,120 --> 00:08:20,120 Speaker 1: to a man by the name of Jehosaphath in Second Chronicles, 158 00:08:20,200 --> 00:08:23,480 Speaker 1: chapter twenty. He and the people of Judah were surrounded 159 00:08:23,520 --> 00:08:27,440 Speaker 1: by three major armies. They were quickly closing in on them. 160 00:08:27,640 --> 00:08:29,880 Speaker 1: In the natural they didn't have a chance. But I 161 00:08:29,920 --> 00:08:32,959 Speaker 1: love what they did. They didn't lose their peace. They 162 00:08:32,960 --> 00:08:36,280 Speaker 1: didn't get all upset start complaining, God, why is this 163 00:08:36,320 --> 00:08:37,080 Speaker 1: happening to us? 164 00:08:37,600 --> 00:08:37,680 Speaker 2: Now? 165 00:08:37,760 --> 00:08:39,959 Speaker 1: You know what they did. They got down on their 166 00:08:40,000 --> 00:08:42,959 Speaker 1: knees and turned it over to God. They said, God, 167 00:08:43,040 --> 00:08:46,280 Speaker 1: we have no power to stand against this mighty army 168 00:08:46,320 --> 00:08:49,439 Speaker 1: in our own strength. Notice they didn't deny the facts. 169 00:08:50,040 --> 00:08:52,800 Speaker 1: They admitted they didn't see a way out. They admitted. 170 00:08:52,800 --> 00:08:55,560 Speaker 1: In the natural it looked pretty hopeless. But they went 171 00:08:55,600 --> 00:08:58,080 Speaker 1: on to say, God, we don't know what to do, 172 00:08:58,679 --> 00:09:02,280 Speaker 1: but our eyes are upon you. There's the key right there. 173 00:09:02,760 --> 00:09:05,040 Speaker 1: You may not know what to do today. You may 174 00:09:05,080 --> 00:09:07,040 Speaker 1: not see how that marriage is ever going to work, 175 00:09:07,559 --> 00:09:10,160 Speaker 1: how you could ever be well physically, or how that 176 00:09:10,200 --> 00:09:13,200 Speaker 1: business could ever survive. You may not be able to 177 00:09:13,200 --> 00:09:15,719 Speaker 1: see it. You've got to make sure you've got your 178 00:09:15,720 --> 00:09:18,240 Speaker 1: eyes on him. You've got to quit looking at how 179 00:09:18,240 --> 00:09:21,120 Speaker 1: big your problems are and start looking at how big 180 00:09:21,160 --> 00:09:23,959 Speaker 1: your God is. David said, I don't look to the 181 00:09:24,000 --> 00:09:26,520 Speaker 1: mountains for help. I look to the God who made 182 00:09:26,520 --> 00:09:30,880 Speaker 1: the mountains. You may have some powerful enemies coming against you. 183 00:09:30,720 --> 00:09:33,640 Speaker 1: That you got to know. Our God is all powerful. 184 00:09:33,920 --> 00:09:37,360 Speaker 1: He spoke the world into existence. One angel in the 185 00:09:37,400 --> 00:09:40,160 Speaker 1: Old Testament killed one hundred and eighty five thousand of 186 00:09:40,200 --> 00:09:43,240 Speaker 1: the enemies of God. We have to learn this principle 187 00:09:43,480 --> 00:09:46,960 Speaker 1: to not magnify our problems, but let's magnify our God. 188 00:09:47,320 --> 00:09:49,840 Speaker 1: And it's okay to be honest. There's nothing wrong with saying, 189 00:09:49,880 --> 00:09:53,200 Speaker 1: like Jehosaphat, God, I don't know what to do in 190 00:09:53,240 --> 00:09:55,760 Speaker 1: my own strength and my own ability. God, I know 191 00:09:55,840 --> 00:09:58,680 Speaker 1: I'm never going to make it through this. In other words, 192 00:09:58,800 --> 00:10:02,880 Speaker 1: I recognize my own inability, But God, I also recognize 193 00:10:03,200 --> 00:10:06,720 Speaker 1: that you and I are a majority. God. I recognize 194 00:10:06,720 --> 00:10:09,920 Speaker 1: that no man can stand against you. I realize that 195 00:10:09,960 --> 00:10:12,040 Speaker 1: you are not only for me, You are not only 196 00:10:12,080 --> 00:10:14,880 Speaker 1: with me, but you are in me, And as long 197 00:10:14,920 --> 00:10:17,679 Speaker 1: as you are on my side, all the forces of 198 00:10:17,760 --> 00:10:21,280 Speaker 1: darkness cannot hold me back. That's what I did when 199 00:10:21,320 --> 00:10:24,120 Speaker 1: my father went to be with the Lord. I didn't 200 00:10:24,160 --> 00:10:25,400 Speaker 1: think I could get up here. I didn't think I 201 00:10:25,440 --> 00:10:28,439 Speaker 1: could minister. I'd never done it before, but I knew 202 00:10:28,520 --> 00:10:30,600 Speaker 1: deep down in here it was what I was supposed 203 00:10:30,640 --> 00:10:33,840 Speaker 1: to do. And I basically just said, God, I don't 204 00:10:33,920 --> 00:10:36,560 Speaker 1: know what to do, but my eyes are upon you. 205 00:10:37,240 --> 00:10:40,520 Speaker 1: When we rely on God, we will see his supernatural power. 206 00:10:41,000 --> 00:10:43,280 Speaker 1: That's when he will make a way, even when it 207 00:10:43,320 --> 00:10:46,080 Speaker 1: looks like there is no way. Some of you today, 208 00:10:46,200 --> 00:10:49,000 Speaker 1: you need to change your focus. You need to quit 209 00:10:49,080 --> 00:10:52,360 Speaker 1: looking at how big your obstacles are. Quit meditating on 210 00:10:52,480 --> 00:10:55,520 Speaker 1: all the negative, what you can't be, and what you 211 00:10:55,600 --> 00:10:59,760 Speaker 1: don't have, and instead start dwelling on the greatness of 212 00:10:59,800 --> 00:11:02,560 Speaker 1: our God. One of the names God is called in 213 00:11:02,600 --> 00:11:06,880 Speaker 1: the Old Testament is Jehovah nissi. It means the Lord 214 00:11:07,040 --> 00:11:11,840 Speaker 1: our banner. One translation says the Lord our banner of 215 00:11:12,000 --> 00:11:15,920 Speaker 1: victory and conquest. I think of a banner kind of 216 00:11:15,960 --> 00:11:18,520 Speaker 1: like a flag. You go to a certain country and 217 00:11:18,520 --> 00:11:21,840 Speaker 1: you see their flag waving in the air. It represents 218 00:11:21,880 --> 00:11:26,000 Speaker 1: what they stand for. Well, everywhere you go, God has 219 00:11:26,040 --> 00:11:29,520 Speaker 1: put a flag of victory flying over your head. That 220 00:11:29,600 --> 00:11:32,120 Speaker 1: flag is saying I am a child of the Most 221 00:11:32,160 --> 00:11:35,520 Speaker 1: High God. I am destined to live in victory. I 222 00:11:35,520 --> 00:11:39,000 Speaker 1: can do all things through Christ. When the enemy comes 223 00:11:39,040 --> 00:11:41,559 Speaker 1: against me like a flood, I'm not worried. I've got 224 00:11:41,559 --> 00:11:44,920 Speaker 1: that banner of conquest. I know God always causes me 225 00:11:45,000 --> 00:11:50,400 Speaker 1: to tryumph. When you face these impossible situations, you need 226 00:11:50,440 --> 00:11:52,600 Speaker 1: to just in your imagination, get your flag out and 227 00:11:52,640 --> 00:11:55,880 Speaker 1: wave it around a little bit. This may be impossible 228 00:11:55,880 --> 00:11:58,640 Speaker 1: with men, but look what I've got because of who 229 00:11:58,760 --> 00:12:01,920 Speaker 1: I am, because of a flag of victory over my head. 230 00:12:02,160 --> 00:12:04,400 Speaker 1: I know God can turn it around. I know this 231 00:12:04,520 --> 00:12:07,880 Speaker 1: battle is not mine, This battle is the Lord's. I 232 00:12:07,920 --> 00:12:10,640 Speaker 1: love what God said in Psalm forty four. He has 233 00:12:10,760 --> 00:12:14,520 Speaker 1: commanded us to live in victory. When God commands something, 234 00:12:14,559 --> 00:12:17,080 Speaker 1: you got to know it's gonna happen. The only thing 235 00:12:17,120 --> 00:12:20,719 Speaker 1: that can stop it is our own wrong thinking. Well, Joe, 236 00:12:20,840 --> 00:12:24,160 Speaker 1: you don't know my circumstances. You don't know my finances. 237 00:12:24,280 --> 00:12:27,600 Speaker 1: I'm so broke. I can't even pay attention. You don't 238 00:12:27,600 --> 00:12:29,920 Speaker 1: know my marriage, it's so far gone. You don't know 239 00:12:29,920 --> 00:12:32,240 Speaker 1: what the doctors have said to me. Now, let me 240 00:12:32,240 --> 00:12:35,400 Speaker 1: tell you. You are magnifying the wrong voices. No wonder 241 00:12:35,440 --> 00:12:38,360 Speaker 1: your stress, no wonder you're discouraged. You've got to quit 242 00:12:38,480 --> 00:12:42,440 Speaker 1: magnifying the problem and start magnifying the solution. You got 243 00:12:42,440 --> 00:12:45,439 Speaker 1: to get your banner of victory back out. Every morning 244 00:12:45,480 --> 00:12:47,360 Speaker 1: when you get out of bed, make sure you place 245 00:12:47,440 --> 00:12:50,080 Speaker 1: that over your head. You do it by faith. Jehovah 246 00:12:50,120 --> 00:12:52,880 Speaker 1: Nissi is at work. The God who causes me to 247 00:12:52,920 --> 00:12:56,959 Speaker 1: conquer our attitude should be everywhere I go today. I'm 248 00:12:56,960 --> 00:13:00,880 Speaker 1: gonna overcome. I may have problems, things may come against me, 249 00:13:01,320 --> 00:13:04,240 Speaker 1: but I'm not worried about it. I know it's not permanent. 250 00:13:04,320 --> 00:13:06,840 Speaker 1: It's only temporary, and I'm not gonna allow it to 251 00:13:06,880 --> 00:13:09,880 Speaker 1: steal my joy. Some of you today, just like Jehosaphat, 252 00:13:10,160 --> 00:13:12,240 Speaker 1: you can't see a way out. You've got some big 253 00:13:12,280 --> 00:13:15,520 Speaker 1: obstacles in your path, but you have to stir your 254 00:13:15,559 --> 00:13:19,479 Speaker 1: faith up. This is what David did. He encouraged himself. 255 00:13:19,760 --> 00:13:23,040 Speaker 1: When you're tempted to get negative and discouraged and think 256 00:13:23,120 --> 00:13:25,440 Speaker 1: nothing's gonna change, that's when you've got to get that 257 00:13:25,520 --> 00:13:28,880 Speaker 1: banner of victory back out. When you do that, you're saying, 258 00:13:29,080 --> 00:13:32,000 Speaker 1: I am victorious. I know good things are in store. 259 00:13:32,520 --> 00:13:35,120 Speaker 1: These problems may be big, but I know my God 260 00:13:35,200 --> 00:13:37,640 Speaker 1: is bigger. I may not see a way out, but 261 00:13:37,720 --> 00:13:40,480 Speaker 1: I know God already has the solution. So I'm not 262 00:13:40,520 --> 00:13:44,120 Speaker 1: gonna stay awake at night toss and turn worry. I 263 00:13:44,160 --> 00:13:47,200 Speaker 1: know God never sleeps, so I'm gonna rest in faith 264 00:13:47,240 --> 00:13:49,600 Speaker 1: and just allow Him to take care of it for me, 265 00:13:50,360 --> 00:13:53,040 Speaker 1: even when we go to bed. Just symbolically, you put 266 00:13:53,040 --> 00:13:55,680 Speaker 1: the flag of victory over your head, get up in 267 00:13:55,720 --> 00:13:57,240 Speaker 1: the morning. You got it with you in your car, 268 00:13:57,360 --> 00:14:00,400 Speaker 1: at the office, at the job site, everywhere you go. 269 00:14:00,800 --> 00:14:02,880 Speaker 1: You got to remember what's flying over your heads, not 270 00:14:03,000 --> 00:14:06,400 Speaker 1: just our country's flag. It's the banner of conquest, the 271 00:14:06,440 --> 00:14:10,800 Speaker 1: flag Almighty God has put over our heads. Even right now, 272 00:14:11,080 --> 00:14:13,400 Speaker 1: when I look out at you through my eyes of faith, 273 00:14:14,000 --> 00:14:17,000 Speaker 1: I see your flag of victory. Everywhere I look, I 274 00:14:17,040 --> 00:14:21,440 Speaker 1: see strength, I see favor, I see increase, I see promotion, 275 00:14:21,920 --> 00:14:24,440 Speaker 1: I see divine health, I see wisdom, I see joy. 276 00:14:24,880 --> 00:14:28,680 Speaker 1: I see victors and not victims. You got to get 277 00:14:28,720 --> 00:14:30,600 Speaker 1: that down on the inside of you. Well, Joe, I 278 00:14:30,640 --> 00:14:32,640 Speaker 1: don't see it. You got to see it through your 279 00:14:32,640 --> 00:14:35,720 Speaker 1: eyes of faith. Quit thinking nothing's ever going to change. 280 00:14:36,160 --> 00:14:39,000 Speaker 1: You may not know what to do, but as long 281 00:14:39,200 --> 00:14:42,120 Speaker 1: as you know the one who does, you're gonna be okay. 282 00:14:42,240 --> 00:14:44,520 Speaker 1: And there's nothing wrong in life with saying God, I 283 00:14:44,520 --> 00:14:46,960 Speaker 1: don't know what to do, but we've got to learn 284 00:14:47,000 --> 00:14:49,680 Speaker 1: to follow it up with. But my eyes are up 285 00:14:49,680 --> 00:14:52,560 Speaker 1: on you, and I know you do. I know you 286 00:14:52,640 --> 00:14:55,600 Speaker 1: are my banner of victory. This is what we did. 287 00:14:55,600 --> 00:14:59,160 Speaker 1: When my mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The doctor 288 00:14:59,200 --> 00:15:01,120 Speaker 1: said there was no tree eatment they could give her, 289 00:15:01,320 --> 00:15:05,000 Speaker 1: that chemotherapy and radiation wouldn't work, and in the natural 290 00:15:05,120 --> 00:15:07,880 Speaker 1: we didn't see a solution. But when my mother came 291 00:15:07,920 --> 00:15:10,480 Speaker 1: home from the hospital after being there twenty one days, 292 00:15:11,080 --> 00:15:13,760 Speaker 1: we did what Jehosaphat and the people of Judah did. 293 00:15:14,360 --> 00:15:16,800 Speaker 1: The next morning, in our living room, as a family, 294 00:15:17,160 --> 00:15:19,560 Speaker 1: we got down on our knees and we said, God, 295 00:15:20,240 --> 00:15:22,760 Speaker 1: we don't know what to do, but our eyes are 296 00:15:22,840 --> 00:15:26,280 Speaker 1: upon you. In other words, God, we know you're bigger 297 00:15:26,320 --> 00:15:29,040 Speaker 1: than this cancer. We know you can do what men 298 00:15:29,120 --> 00:15:32,800 Speaker 1: can't do. And even though this looks impossible to us, 299 00:15:33,320 --> 00:15:36,440 Speaker 1: we know you're the God of the impossible. And we 300 00:15:36,480 --> 00:15:39,440 Speaker 1: had to fight the good fight of faith every day. 301 00:15:39,960 --> 00:15:43,520 Speaker 1: Those negative thoughts would try to bombard our mind. It's 302 00:15:43,600 --> 00:15:46,560 Speaker 1: never going to change, it's hopeless, it's impossible. But we 303 00:15:46,640 --> 00:15:48,760 Speaker 1: learned to just turn it around and say no, God 304 00:15:48,840 --> 00:15:51,200 Speaker 1: can make a way. He is Jehovah Ratha, the Lord 305 00:15:51,240 --> 00:15:54,240 Speaker 1: our Heather. He's restoring health back into her. She will 306 00:15:54,280 --> 00:15:56,760 Speaker 1: live and not die and declare the works of the Lord. 307 00:15:57,120 --> 00:15:59,720 Speaker 1: That was over twenty five years ago. Today my mother's 308 00:15:59,720 --> 00:16:02,400 Speaker 1: still going strong, as healthy as can be. God had 309 00:16:02,400 --> 00:16:05,880 Speaker 1: a plan. God was still in control. Why don't you 310 00:16:05,960 --> 00:16:08,680 Speaker 1: let him be God in your life. Why don't you 311 00:16:08,760 --> 00:16:12,720 Speaker 1: quit worrying, quit trying to figure everything out. Just because 312 00:16:12,760 --> 00:16:15,440 Speaker 1: you don't have an answer doesn't mean God doesn't have 313 00:16:15,440 --> 00:16:18,400 Speaker 1: an answer. Learn to trust him. I found a lot 314 00:16:18,440 --> 00:16:21,920 Speaker 1: of times in life and we face difficulties and especially 315 00:16:21,960 --> 00:16:24,520 Speaker 1: problems that we don't see an answer to. In the 316 00:16:24,520 --> 00:16:27,440 Speaker 1: back of our mind. There's a voice constantly saying, what 317 00:16:27,480 --> 00:16:29,520 Speaker 1: are you gonna do? What are you gonna do? How's 318 00:16:29,520 --> 00:16:32,520 Speaker 1: it gonna work out? Trying to pressure us. But we 319 00:16:32,600 --> 00:16:35,880 Speaker 1: have to understand we don't have to have an answer. 320 00:16:36,560 --> 00:16:40,400 Speaker 1: Trusting God means we're not gonna have everything always figured out. 321 00:16:41,280 --> 00:16:43,520 Speaker 1: Somebody says to you, I heard about your problem. What 322 00:16:43,560 --> 00:16:46,880 Speaker 1: are you gonna do? Our answer should be I don't know, 323 00:16:47,200 --> 00:16:49,880 Speaker 1: but I do know the one who does. What I'm 324 00:16:49,920 --> 00:16:53,360 Speaker 1: saying is it's okay not to know. There are things 325 00:16:53,400 --> 00:16:55,840 Speaker 1: in my life right now. I don't know exactly how 326 00:16:55,880 --> 00:16:58,040 Speaker 1: they're gonna turn out. I don't know exactly what to do, 327 00:16:58,680 --> 00:17:01,120 Speaker 1: but I can tell you that I'm at because I 328 00:17:01,160 --> 00:17:04,200 Speaker 1: know the one who does. I'm not looking at my circumstances. 329 00:17:04,359 --> 00:17:07,880 Speaker 1: I'm looking at my God. And it's amazing how when 330 00:17:07,880 --> 00:17:11,359 Speaker 1: we magnify the greatness of our God and we dwell 331 00:17:11,359 --> 00:17:14,119 Speaker 1: on the fact that he flung the stars into space, 332 00:17:14,200 --> 00:17:17,560 Speaker 1: he created it all. When we dwell on that, it's 333 00:17:17,600 --> 00:17:21,640 Speaker 1: amazing how small our problems become. It's easy to thank God. 334 00:17:21,680 --> 00:17:24,199 Speaker 1: If you did all that, surely you can give me 335 00:17:24,240 --> 00:17:27,159 Speaker 1: three dollars for a gallon of gas. Surely you can 336 00:17:27,240 --> 00:17:30,040 Speaker 1: change my child. Surely you can bring the right person 337 00:17:30,080 --> 00:17:32,760 Speaker 1: into my life. Surely you can help my dreams come 338 00:17:32,800 --> 00:17:36,920 Speaker 1: to pass. Let's learn to magnify God. I remember when 339 00:17:36,920 --> 00:17:39,240 Speaker 1: they told me that it was going to cost seventy 340 00:17:39,280 --> 00:17:43,320 Speaker 1: five million dollars to renovate our new facility. At first, 341 00:17:43,400 --> 00:17:45,960 Speaker 1: I didn't really know exactly how we were going to 342 00:17:46,000 --> 00:17:48,800 Speaker 1: pay for it, and I could easily stayed awake at 343 00:17:48,880 --> 00:17:52,480 Speaker 1: night and tossed and turned lived up tight frustrated. But 344 00:17:52,520 --> 00:17:54,439 Speaker 1: I did just what I'm asking you to do today. 345 00:17:54,920 --> 00:17:57,639 Speaker 1: I said, God, I know you brought this opportunity across 346 00:17:57,640 --> 00:18:00,960 Speaker 1: our path. I know you've opened up this and I 347 00:18:01,000 --> 00:18:02,840 Speaker 1: don't know how it's all gonna work out. I don't 348 00:18:02,840 --> 00:18:05,960 Speaker 1: know exactly in the natural how we're gonna pay for it. 349 00:18:06,000 --> 00:18:09,320 Speaker 1: But God, my eyes are upon you. There were plenty 350 00:18:09,359 --> 00:18:12,000 Speaker 1: of times that I tried to figure it out in 351 00:18:12,119 --> 00:18:14,920 Speaker 1: my own thinking. I thought, well, if we could raise 352 00:18:14,960 --> 00:18:16,720 Speaker 1: this much over here and this much over here and 353 00:18:17,000 --> 00:18:20,080 Speaker 1: sell this and have all this other come together, it 354 00:18:20,080 --> 00:18:22,680 Speaker 1: seemed like I could never quite get it all figured out. 355 00:18:23,280 --> 00:18:25,600 Speaker 1: Every time I started to worry, every time I started 356 00:18:25,640 --> 00:18:28,520 Speaker 1: to get frustrated, I'd catch myself and say no, I 357 00:18:28,560 --> 00:18:31,840 Speaker 1: don't have to have the answer. I know where we're 358 00:18:31,880 --> 00:18:34,960 Speaker 1: supposed to be, and when God gives a vision, he 359 00:18:35,040 --> 00:18:38,040 Speaker 1: always gives provision. So I just turned it over to 360 00:18:38,119 --> 00:18:41,359 Speaker 1: God and I stayed in faith, and little by little, 361 00:18:41,680 --> 00:18:44,800 Speaker 1: one after another, we've met our goals and I know 362 00:18:45,080 --> 00:18:47,480 Speaker 1: we're gonna continue to do so. But we've got to 363 00:18:47,560 --> 00:18:51,080 Speaker 1: let God do it his way. At first, I kind 364 00:18:51,080 --> 00:18:53,600 Speaker 1: of thought, surely God would send one person to give 365 00:18:53,600 --> 00:18:57,600 Speaker 1: a fifty million dollar gift. God never did that. Instead, 366 00:18:57,680 --> 00:19:00,560 Speaker 1: he sent me all to you. He must have a 367 00:19:00,560 --> 00:19:05,000 Speaker 1: lot of confidence in you, guys. It's like that minister 368 00:19:05,080 --> 00:19:07,680 Speaker 1: I heard about. He told his congregation, I've got good 369 00:19:07,720 --> 00:19:10,399 Speaker 1: news and I've got bad news. The good news is 370 00:19:10,480 --> 00:19:12,960 Speaker 1: we have plenty of money to pay for our new 371 00:19:13,000 --> 00:19:16,400 Speaker 1: building project. The bad news is it's still in your pockets. 372 00:19:18,600 --> 00:19:21,639 Speaker 1: But when you don't know what to do, make sure 373 00:19:21,840 --> 00:19:24,119 Speaker 1: that you know the one who does. And we have 374 00:19:24,160 --> 00:19:29,040 Speaker 1: to understand, sometimes God delivers us from a difficulty, other 375 00:19:29,160 --> 00:19:32,960 Speaker 1: times he chooses to take us through it. Just because 376 00:19:33,000 --> 00:19:35,400 Speaker 1: you have a problem today, just because things are coming 377 00:19:35,440 --> 00:19:39,280 Speaker 1: against you, doesn't mean necessarily you've done something wrong. Doesn't 378 00:19:39,320 --> 00:19:42,360 Speaker 1: mean you're out of God's will. In fact, many times, 379 00:19:42,520 --> 00:19:46,399 Speaker 1: because we're doing what's right, because we're in God's will, 380 00:19:46,640 --> 00:19:49,720 Speaker 1: this stirs up the opposition and it seems like everything 381 00:19:49,760 --> 00:19:52,199 Speaker 1: comes against us. But if we can just learn to 382 00:19:52,200 --> 00:19:55,360 Speaker 1: stay faithful, not get bitter, not try to figure it out, 383 00:19:55,840 --> 00:19:58,600 Speaker 1: God will not only bring us through that, but he'll 384 00:19:58,600 --> 00:20:02,000 Speaker 1: bring us through it strong, longer, refined, better off than 385 00:20:02,040 --> 00:20:06,520 Speaker 1: we were before. You think about the three Hebrew teenagers, Shadrack, Mejak, 386 00:20:06,560 --> 00:20:09,720 Speaker 1: and a Indigo. They were in God's perfect will, but 387 00:20:09,840 --> 00:20:14,240 Speaker 1: because of their righteousness, because they refuse to bow down 388 00:20:14,359 --> 00:20:17,520 Speaker 1: and worship the golden idol, it stirred up the enemy. 389 00:20:17,960 --> 00:20:21,160 Speaker 1: And you notice God didn't deliver them from the fiery furnace. 390 00:20:21,400 --> 00:20:24,000 Speaker 1: He chose to take them through it. Now, I love 391 00:20:24,000 --> 00:20:27,200 Speaker 1: what the scripture says. They came out without even having 392 00:20:27,320 --> 00:20:30,120 Speaker 1: the smell of smoke. And you may be going through 393 00:20:30,119 --> 00:20:33,440 Speaker 1: things right now that you don't understand. Doesn't seem fair, 394 00:20:33,520 --> 00:20:36,320 Speaker 1: and you're tempted to thank God. Why is this happening 395 00:20:36,320 --> 00:20:38,760 Speaker 1: to me? Why won't my child do right? Why didn't 396 00:20:38,800 --> 00:20:41,080 Speaker 1: my relationship work out? Why did somebody lie about me? 397 00:20:42,040 --> 00:20:45,640 Speaker 1: One reason is because we have an enemy. There are 398 00:20:45,720 --> 00:20:48,200 Speaker 1: forces of darkness that are trying to drag every one 399 00:20:48,200 --> 00:20:51,160 Speaker 1: of us down. But thank God, greater is he that's 400 00:20:51,200 --> 00:20:54,440 Speaker 1: in us than he that's in the world. And when 401 00:20:54,480 --> 00:20:57,359 Speaker 1: you're in one of those trying times, that's when you've 402 00:20:57,400 --> 00:20:59,840 Speaker 1: got to dig your heels in and get that banner 403 00:20:59,840 --> 00:21:02,920 Speaker 1: of victory back out. Our attitude should be I may 404 00:21:02,960 --> 00:21:05,560 Speaker 1: be down, but I'm not gonna stay down. I may 405 00:21:05,560 --> 00:21:07,720 Speaker 1: be in the fiery furnace, but I know I'm coming 406 00:21:07,760 --> 00:21:10,520 Speaker 1: out without even the smell of smoke. I know I'm 407 00:21:10,520 --> 00:21:13,399 Speaker 1: coming out better off than I was before. See, the 408 00:21:13,560 --> 00:21:17,000 Speaker 1: enemy always fights you the hardest when he knows God 409 00:21:17,040 --> 00:21:20,600 Speaker 1: has something great in store. When you're in tough times, 410 00:21:20,760 --> 00:21:23,520 Speaker 1: the scripture says, when you've done all you know how 411 00:21:23,560 --> 00:21:27,760 Speaker 1: to do, just keep standing firm. That means even when 412 00:21:27,800 --> 00:21:30,720 Speaker 1: it doesn't seem fair, even when you don't understand it, 413 00:21:31,000 --> 00:21:33,640 Speaker 1: just keep on keeping on, keep on being your best, 414 00:21:34,200 --> 00:21:37,280 Speaker 1: keep on being good to people, keep on coming to church, 415 00:21:37,359 --> 00:21:41,040 Speaker 1: keep on praying, keep on giving, keep on serving. If 416 00:21:41,040 --> 00:21:44,240 Speaker 1: you will stand strong, then God can fight your battles 417 00:21:44,240 --> 00:21:47,160 Speaker 1: for you. But we have to let God be God 418 00:21:47,280 --> 00:21:50,159 Speaker 1: in our lives. In other words, whether he chooses to 419 00:21:50,200 --> 00:21:53,160 Speaker 1: deliver us from it or he chooses to take us 420 00:21:53,200 --> 00:21:55,640 Speaker 1: through it. Let's let him do it his way, don't 421 00:21:55,640 --> 00:21:58,520 Speaker 1: try to figure everything out. In fact, the scripture says 422 00:21:58,920 --> 00:22:03,440 Speaker 1: God works in strange and mysterious ways. I read about 423 00:22:03,480 --> 00:22:06,399 Speaker 1: this man that was so down and discouraged. Seemed like 424 00:22:06,480 --> 00:22:10,360 Speaker 1: everything had come against him, his health, his family, his finances, 425 00:22:10,359 --> 00:22:13,040 Speaker 1: and he was just about ready to give up. At 426 00:22:13,040 --> 00:22:16,760 Speaker 1: his lowest point. At home, one night, he said, God, 427 00:22:16,840 --> 00:22:18,879 Speaker 1: if you're really working in my life, give me some 428 00:22:19,000 --> 00:22:22,520 Speaker 1: kind of sign. About that time, the phone rang. He 429 00:22:22,560 --> 00:22:24,679 Speaker 1: went to answer it, and he looked on the caller 430 00:22:24,760 --> 00:22:29,320 Speaker 1: ID and it said Almighty God. He nearly passed out. 431 00:22:29,320 --> 00:22:32,520 Speaker 1: He didn't dare touch it. The next morning he got 432 00:22:32,520 --> 00:22:35,240 Speaker 1: his nerve up and he called the number back. Come 433 00:22:35,280 --> 00:22:38,240 Speaker 1: to find out it was a church across town called 434 00:22:38,280 --> 00:22:44,639 Speaker 1: the Almighty God Tabernacle. Somebody had accidentally called his number 435 00:22:44,720 --> 00:22:47,560 Speaker 1: the night before and the name was too long. All 436 00:22:47,600 --> 00:22:51,480 Speaker 1: that fit on the caller ID was Almighty God. God 437 00:22:51,600 --> 00:22:55,199 Speaker 1: has a plan. The man there at the church, he 438 00:22:55,280 --> 00:22:57,280 Speaker 1: asked him, why didn't you answer the phone last night? 439 00:22:57,640 --> 00:22:59,240 Speaker 1: He said, are you kid? And I wasn't about to 440 00:22:59,240 --> 00:23:02,479 Speaker 1: touch that phone. I don't know that I'd blame him, 441 00:23:02,840 --> 00:23:06,800 Speaker 1: But God works in mysterious ways. It says in Isaiah 442 00:23:06,800 --> 00:23:09,560 Speaker 1: that God's ways are not our ways. They are higher 443 00:23:09,600 --> 00:23:12,800 Speaker 1: and better than our ways. We're never going to understand everything. 444 00:23:13,080 --> 00:23:15,639 Speaker 1: We need to learn to just trust him. I know 445 00:23:15,720 --> 00:23:18,960 Speaker 1: some of you are concerned about your loved ones, family member, 446 00:23:19,080 --> 00:23:21,399 Speaker 1: friends that are not making good choices, not on the 447 00:23:21,480 --> 00:23:24,840 Speaker 1: right path. But God has a way of getting their attention. 448 00:23:25,359 --> 00:23:28,160 Speaker 1: You don't have to shove things down their throat. It's 449 00:23:28,200 --> 00:23:32,359 Speaker 1: not your responsibility to change them. It's your responsibility to 450 00:23:32,440 --> 00:23:36,000 Speaker 1: love them. Only God can change people. Quit worrying about 451 00:23:36,040 --> 00:23:39,720 Speaker 1: them and just believe God has a plan. I heard 452 00:23:39,720 --> 00:23:42,600 Speaker 1: about this young couple. They were going to visit some relatives. 453 00:23:43,080 --> 00:23:45,720 Speaker 1: It was September the eleventh, the day of the attacks 454 00:23:45,720 --> 00:23:48,560 Speaker 1: on the World Trade Center. Early that morning, on the 455 00:23:48,560 --> 00:23:51,359 Speaker 1: way to the airport, they had a flat tire and 456 00:23:51,400 --> 00:23:54,119 Speaker 1: they ended up missing their flight. And it just so 457 00:23:54,320 --> 00:23:57,199 Speaker 1: happened that was one of the flights that didn't make it. 458 00:23:57,560 --> 00:23:59,840 Speaker 1: If they had not had that flat tire, they wouldn't 459 00:23:59,840 --> 00:24:03,080 Speaker 1: be here today. And they were so relieved and just 460 00:24:03,520 --> 00:24:06,600 Speaker 1: so thankful that God had spared their lives. And the 461 00:24:06,640 --> 00:24:09,480 Speaker 1: young men got a call from his father who lived 462 00:24:09,480 --> 00:24:12,280 Speaker 1: in New York. He was so frantic and so worried. 463 00:24:12,320 --> 00:24:13,960 Speaker 1: He knew they were supposed to be on that flight, 464 00:24:14,000 --> 00:24:16,080 Speaker 1: and the son gave him the good news that they 465 00:24:16,119 --> 00:24:18,520 Speaker 1: had missed it, and the whole family was just so grateful. 466 00:24:19,119 --> 00:24:22,040 Speaker 1: And this father in New York, he was a retired fireman. 467 00:24:22,600 --> 00:24:24,480 Speaker 1: He told his son he just couldn't stay at home. 468 00:24:24,720 --> 00:24:26,480 Speaker 1: He was going to go down to the site and 469 00:24:26,560 --> 00:24:30,159 Speaker 1: help rescue people. Well that was the last conversation that 470 00:24:30,200 --> 00:24:33,000 Speaker 1: they ever had. The father was killed later that day 471 00:24:33,119 --> 00:24:36,399 Speaker 1: when the towers collapsed, and the next morning, when his 472 00:24:36,480 --> 00:24:39,680 Speaker 1: son and daughter in law got the bad news, their joy, 473 00:24:39,800 --> 00:24:42,960 Speaker 1: their happiness of having their own lives spared, was turned 474 00:24:42,960 --> 00:24:46,920 Speaker 1: to sorrow and even confusion. See, this father would never 475 00:24:46,960 --> 00:24:49,439 Speaker 1: have anything to do with God. He was never open. 476 00:24:49,880 --> 00:24:52,400 Speaker 1: And the son tried and tried to share God's love, 477 00:24:52,480 --> 00:24:55,040 Speaker 1: but it was just like hitting a brick wall. Now 478 00:24:55,080 --> 00:24:57,600 Speaker 1: it seemed like it was too late. The son was 479 00:24:57,640 --> 00:25:00,720 Speaker 1: so heartbroken and so grieved, not only at the loss 480 00:25:00,720 --> 00:25:03,000 Speaker 1: of his father, but at the fact that he just 481 00:25:03,040 --> 00:25:06,239 Speaker 1: didn't really know if he was at peace with God. Well, 482 00:25:06,280 --> 00:25:08,960 Speaker 1: about three months later, there was a knock on his door. 483 00:25:09,440 --> 00:25:11,840 Speaker 1: It was a young couple with a very small baby 484 00:25:12,160 --> 00:25:15,000 Speaker 1: from New York. They asked if he was so and so, 485 00:25:15,080 --> 00:25:16,720 Speaker 1: and he said he was, and they said, can we 486 00:25:16,760 --> 00:25:18,439 Speaker 1: come in. We want to share a story with you. 487 00:25:18,800 --> 00:25:22,000 Speaker 1: And this young lady holding the baby explained that she 488 00:25:22,119 --> 00:25:23,879 Speaker 1: was in the World Trade Center on the day of 489 00:25:23,920 --> 00:25:27,520 Speaker 1: the attacks. She was seven months pregnant, and this young 490 00:25:27,560 --> 00:25:31,200 Speaker 1: man's father had come and rescued her and carried her 491 00:25:31,440 --> 00:25:34,000 Speaker 1: down a long flight of stairs, and she said, on 492 00:25:34,040 --> 00:25:37,240 Speaker 1: the way down, I started talking to your dad about 493 00:25:37,280 --> 00:25:40,960 Speaker 1: his relationship to God and about receiving Christ. She said. 494 00:25:41,000 --> 00:25:43,440 Speaker 1: When we got to the bottom of the stairs, we 495 00:25:43,520 --> 00:25:46,440 Speaker 1: both knelt down on our knees and your dad prayed 496 00:25:46,680 --> 00:25:51,600 Speaker 1: and asked Christ to come into his life. And they said, 497 00:25:52,440 --> 00:25:55,560 Speaker 1: we traveled this long distance not only to thank you, 498 00:25:55,680 --> 00:25:58,080 Speaker 1: not only to give you this good news, but we 499 00:25:58,119 --> 00:26:00,480 Speaker 1: wanted to introduce you to our little son, and we 500 00:26:00,640 --> 00:26:05,000 Speaker 1: named him after your father. Friends, God is in control. 501 00:26:05,240 --> 00:26:08,480 Speaker 1: Why don't you start letting him be God in your life. 502 00:26:09,880 --> 00:26:14,240 Speaker 1: Why don't you start trusting him? Quit trying to figure 503 00:26:14,280 --> 00:26:17,600 Speaker 1: how it's all gonna happen. God has a plan, He 504 00:26:17,640 --> 00:26:20,199 Speaker 1: already has the answer, and there are gonna be a 505 00:26:20,200 --> 00:26:23,040 Speaker 1: lot of things like this that we don't understand until 506 00:26:23,080 --> 00:26:26,120 Speaker 1: we get to heaven. But in the meantime we can relax. 507 00:26:26,440 --> 00:26:28,960 Speaker 1: We can stay in peace, knowing that God has us 508 00:26:29,000 --> 00:26:31,120 Speaker 1: in the palm of his hand, knowing that He's put 509 00:26:31,160 --> 00:26:33,720 Speaker 1: a banner of victory over every one of us. And 510 00:26:33,840 --> 00:26:36,239 Speaker 1: we may not always know what to do, but as 511 00:26:36,320 --> 00:26:38,399 Speaker 1: long as we know the one who does, we're going 512 00:26:38,440 --> 00:26:41,840 Speaker 1: to be okay. And I'm asking you today to give 513 00:26:41,840 --> 00:26:44,720 Speaker 1: your mind some rest. I'm asking you to not try 514 00:26:44,720 --> 00:26:47,359 Speaker 1: to figure everything out, if you'll turn it over to 515 00:26:47,400 --> 00:26:49,879 Speaker 1: God and really let him be God in your life. 516 00:26:50,400 --> 00:26:52,919 Speaker 1: He's promised he'll not only fight your battles for you, 517 00:26:53,280 --> 00:26:55,640 Speaker 1: he'll not only lead you and guide you, but he'll 518 00:26:55,680 --> 00:26:58,160 Speaker 1: begin to pour out more of his blessings and favor. 519 00:26:58,200 --> 00:27:00,959 Speaker 1: And I know you'll live the life of that He 520 00:27:01,040 --> 00:27:03,760 Speaker 1: has in store. Amen, do you receive it today? I 521 00:27:03,800 --> 00:27:08,000 Speaker 1: know you do. We never like to close our broadcast 522 00:27:08,359 --> 00:27:11,280 Speaker 1: without giving you an opportunity to make Jesus the lord 523 00:27:11,320 --> 00:27:15,280 Speaker 1: of your life. Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus, 524 00:27:16,320 --> 00:27:20,760 Speaker 1: I repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I 525 00:27:20,920 --> 00:27:24,399 Speaker 1: make you my Lord and savior. Friends, if you prayed 526 00:27:24,400 --> 00:27:27,280 Speaker 1: that simple prayer, we believe you got born again. Get 527 00:27:27,280 --> 00:27:30,240 Speaker 1: in a good Bible based church, and keep God first place. 528 00:27:30,480 --> 00:27:32,959 Speaker 1: He's going to take your places that you've never dreamed of. 529 00:27:34,240 --> 00:27:39,119 Speaker 3: Sometimes the circumstances of life can be overwhelmingly negative. What 530 00:27:39,160 --> 00:27:42,000 Speaker 3: should we do when we experience these kinds of negative 531 00:27:42,000 --> 00:27:43,280 Speaker 3: reports and realities? 532 00:27:45,560 --> 00:27:48,520 Speaker 1: Our life is like a container. It can only hold 533 00:27:48,560 --> 00:27:52,760 Speaker 1: so much. When we allow negative things in, like worry, guilt, 534 00:27:52,880 --> 00:27:56,520 Speaker 1: and unforgiveness. That's taking up space for the good things 535 00:27:56,520 --> 00:27:59,159 Speaker 1: that belong to you. That's why I wrote my book, 536 00:27:59,200 --> 00:28:01,680 Speaker 1: Empty out the Net. I'll show you how to get 537 00:28:01,800 --> 00:28:04,840 Speaker 1: rid of what's limiting you so you can live a victorious, 538 00:28:05,000 --> 00:28:06,160 Speaker 1: fulfilled life. 539 00:28:06,200 --> 00:28:09,320 Speaker 4: When you make room for joy, peace and faith, God 540 00:28:09,400 --> 00:28:10,480 Speaker 4: will feel you afresh. 541 00:28:10,560 --> 00:28:11,000 Speaker 1: And a news. 542 00:28:11,160 --> 00:28:13,440 Speaker 3: As our way of saying thank you for your gift 543 00:28:13,480 --> 00:28:16,359 Speaker 3: of any amount to the ministry this month, Joel and 544 00:28:16,480 --> 00:28:19,879 Speaker 3: Victoria would like to send you this powerful book, Empty 545 00:28:19,920 --> 00:28:24,159 Speaker 3: out the negative, empty out fear, and replace it with faith. 546 00:28:25,320 --> 00:28:31,760 Speaker 1: My doctor, he said, I went in there and there 547 00:28:31,840 --> 00:28:33,280 Speaker 1: is no cancer in your body. 548 00:28:34,200 --> 00:28:38,160 Speaker 3: Empty out a hurt filled childhood and replace it with confidence. 549 00:28:39,200 --> 00:28:42,640 Speaker 4: So I took what Joel said and I physically replace 550 00:28:42,760 --> 00:28:45,800 Speaker 4: them with I am strong I am worthy. 551 00:28:45,960 --> 00:28:48,800 Speaker 1: I started saying those over and over and over. 552 00:28:49,360 --> 00:28:53,040 Speaker 3: Empty out broken relationships and find renewed love. 553 00:28:53,640 --> 00:28:55,840 Speaker 5: In a world that's just so full of so much 554 00:28:55,960 --> 00:28:59,040 Speaker 5: noise and negativity and hatred, and just to come and 555 00:28:59,120 --> 00:29:02,280 Speaker 5: have so much encouragement build into you, you know, is 556 00:29:02,360 --> 00:29:04,360 Speaker 5: something I've never had in my whole life. 557 00:29:04,520 --> 00:29:06,920 Speaker 1: Are you holding onto things that are weighing you down? 558 00:29:07,200 --> 00:29:09,320 Speaker 1: It's time to empty that out so you can live 559 00:29:09,360 --> 00:29:11,440 Speaker 1: a positive faith billed line. 560 00:29:11,640 --> 00:29:14,240 Speaker 4: Joel and I pray for you every day. We're believing 561 00:29:14,320 --> 00:29:17,560 Speaker 4: for God's very best for you and your family. You 562 00:29:17,600 --> 00:29:21,680 Speaker 4: know we appreciate your prayers and your support. Your generosity 563 00:29:21,800 --> 00:29:23,440 Speaker 4: is impacting so many lives. 564 00:29:23,600 --> 00:29:27,120 Speaker 1: Remember you can watch the services online every Sunday morning, 565 00:29:27,600 --> 00:29:32,040 Speaker 1: download our daily podcast, listen on Sirious xam, watch the 566 00:29:32,120 --> 00:29:36,080 Speaker 1: new Joeloastin Network streaming on television. But until we see 567 00:29:36,080 --> 00:29:38,760 Speaker 1: you next week, now, the Lord bless you and keep you. 568 00:29:39,240 --> 00:29:41,840 Speaker 3: Be sure to request your copy of Empty Out the 569 00:29:41,920 --> 00:29:46,000 Speaker 3: Negative today. Visit Joelostin dot com or call eight eight 570 00:29:46,040 --> 00:29:47,960 Speaker 3: eight five six seven Joel