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This is not an 19 00:00:57,520 --> 00:00:58,920 Speaker 2: offer to buy your self securities sn or is it 20 00:00:58,960 --> 00:01:00,000 Speaker 2: investment legal or tax fives. 21 00:01:00,320 --> 00:01:02,240 Speaker 3: He'll forget about the video game you gave him on 22 00:01:02,280 --> 00:01:02,840 Speaker 3: his birthday. 23 00:01:03,160 --> 00:01:05,119 Speaker 4: Wow, thanks Grandpa. 24 00:01:04,880 --> 00:01:07,280 Speaker 3: But He'll never forget how you invested in his future 25 00:01:07,319 --> 00:01:09,240 Speaker 3: with the uns stapp. Wow. 26 00:01:09,720 --> 00:01:10,480 Speaker 5: Thanks Grandpa. 27 00:01:11,080 --> 00:01:13,600 Speaker 3: The units stap makes it easy for grandparents and family 28 00:01:13,640 --> 00:01:16,319 Speaker 3: friends to give funds to a child's investment account for 29 00:01:16,360 --> 00:01:18,760 Speaker 3: a limited time. Download the uns stap and use the 30 00:01:18,800 --> 00:01:20,840 Speaker 3: code I heeart fifty at sign up to receive a 31 00:01:20,880 --> 00:01:23,400 Speaker 3: fifty dollars bonus when you fund your account. That's code 32 00:01:23,400 --> 00:01:26,400 Speaker 3: iHeart fifty when you sign up at unest dot co 33 00:01:26,760 --> 00:01:29,319 Speaker 3: for a fifty dollars bonus. See terms and conditions at 34 00:01:29,440 --> 00:01:30,120 Speaker 3: UNEs dot co. 35 00:01:31,280 --> 00:01:33,040 Speaker 4: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. 36 00:01:33,120 --> 00:01:36,120 Speaker 6: Thanks for listening to our podcast and thanks for supporting 37 00:01:36,160 --> 00:01:39,080 Speaker 6: the ministry. If you enjoy today's message, why don't you 38 00:01:39,120 --> 00:01:41,240 Speaker 6: be a blessing and share it with a friend. We 39 00:01:41,360 --> 00:01:53,080 Speaker 6: appreciate you and pray for God's very best in your life. 40 00:01:56,560 --> 00:01:59,360 Speaker 4: God bless you. It's a joy to come into your home. 41 00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:01,920 Speaker 4: I stayed often, but we come with good news. 42 00:02:02,120 --> 00:02:04,680 Speaker 6: We know God rewards people that seek after Him, and 43 00:02:04,920 --> 00:02:07,120 Speaker 6: I believe that's you. Or you wouldn't be tuned in today, 44 00:02:07,160 --> 00:02:09,080 Speaker 6: but thank you for tuning in. If you're ever in 45 00:02:09,120 --> 00:02:11,280 Speaker 6: our area, I hope you'll stop by and see us. 46 00:02:11,400 --> 00:02:13,320 Speaker 4: I promise you. We'll make you feel right at home. 47 00:02:13,480 --> 00:02:15,639 Speaker 6: These are the finest people in all of Houston, right 48 00:02:15,639 --> 00:02:17,880 Speaker 6: here at Lakewood, So come by and see us sometime. 49 00:02:18,160 --> 00:02:21,080 Speaker 6: But thank you again for tuning in. I like to 50 00:02:21,120 --> 00:02:23,040 Speaker 6: start each week with something kind of funny. And of 51 00:02:23,080 --> 00:02:25,320 Speaker 6: course y'all know these are just jokes, so don't write 52 00:02:25,360 --> 00:02:29,000 Speaker 6: me a letter, all right. A couple celebrating their fiftieth 53 00:02:29,000 --> 00:02:32,360 Speaker 6: wedding anniversary had never had an argument. They were asked 54 00:02:32,400 --> 00:02:35,480 Speaker 6: about the secret of their success. The men explained, as 55 00:02:35,520 --> 00:02:38,240 Speaker 6: they were leaving the church on their honeymoon, the wife's 56 00:02:38,280 --> 00:02:41,200 Speaker 6: horse refused to go. She got off, looked him in 57 00:02:41,240 --> 00:02:44,000 Speaker 6: the eyes and said, that's one. He went a little 58 00:02:44,000 --> 00:02:47,360 Speaker 6: further and stopped again. She got off and said that's two. 59 00:02:47,760 --> 00:02:49,880 Speaker 6: He went a little more, but once again he stopped. 60 00:02:50,080 --> 00:02:52,880 Speaker 6: This time, she got off, pulled out her revolver, and 61 00:02:52,919 --> 00:02:56,200 Speaker 6: shot the horse dead. The husband was appalled. He said, 62 00:02:56,200 --> 00:02:57,800 Speaker 6: what do you think you're doing. You can't just shoot 63 00:02:57,800 --> 00:03:00,000 Speaker 6: an animal. She looked him in the eyes and said, honey, 64 00:03:00,240 --> 00:03:07,440 Speaker 6: that's one. They never had an argument after that. All right, 65 00:03:07,520 --> 00:03:09,800 Speaker 6: hold of your Bible. Say it with me, ready. This 66 00:03:09,919 --> 00:03:12,679 Speaker 6: is my Bible. I am what it says. I am. 67 00:03:13,280 --> 00:03:15,800 Speaker 6: I have what it says I have. I can do 68 00:03:15,880 --> 00:03:18,560 Speaker 6: what it says I can do. Today, I will be 69 00:03:18,639 --> 00:03:22,519 Speaker 6: talked the word of God. I boldly confess. My mind 70 00:03:22,639 --> 00:03:26,120 Speaker 6: is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never be 71 00:03:26,200 --> 00:03:31,280 Speaker 6: the same. I am about to receive the incorruptible, indestructible, 72 00:03:31,600 --> 00:03:34,120 Speaker 6: ever living seed of the Word of God. 73 00:03:34,600 --> 00:03:38,520 Speaker 4: I'll never be the same, never, never, never, I'll never 74 00:03:38,560 --> 00:03:39,200 Speaker 4: be the same. 75 00:03:39,640 --> 00:03:44,320 Speaker 6: In Jesus' name, God bless you. We've been talking about 76 00:03:44,400 --> 00:03:47,320 Speaker 6: being our very best right where we are, and how 77 00:03:47,320 --> 00:03:50,280 Speaker 6: we need to be productive in spite of our adversities. 78 00:03:50,760 --> 00:03:54,120 Speaker 6: When you're in a difficult situation and something's going on 79 00:03:54,280 --> 00:03:57,640 Speaker 6: that you don't like, very often that is simply a 80 00:03:57,720 --> 00:04:00,840 Speaker 6: test of your faith, and the key of coming out 81 00:04:01,280 --> 00:04:03,640 Speaker 6: is to just stay right where you are with a 82 00:04:03,680 --> 00:04:07,840 Speaker 6: good attitude until God changes things. You have to stay 83 00:04:07,960 --> 00:04:11,440 Speaker 6: under what God has you under until He releases you. 84 00:04:12,120 --> 00:04:15,120 Speaker 6: And we all have times where we're not getting our way, 85 00:04:15,240 --> 00:04:19,120 Speaker 6: or somebody is mistreating us, or we're kind of uncomfortable, 86 00:04:19,480 --> 00:04:21,960 Speaker 6: and the easy thing is to just run from it. 87 00:04:22,320 --> 00:04:24,679 Speaker 6: The easy thing is to say, well, I'm out of here. 88 00:04:24,839 --> 00:04:26,720 Speaker 6: I don't have to put up with this boss. I'll 89 00:04:26,720 --> 00:04:28,960 Speaker 6: go find me another job, or I don't have to 90 00:04:28,960 --> 00:04:31,080 Speaker 6: put up with this marriage he's not treating me right, 91 00:04:31,720 --> 00:04:33,880 Speaker 6: or I'm not going to work in this children's ministry 92 00:04:34,040 --> 00:04:37,720 Speaker 6: nobody ever appreciates me. Now, those are all tests of 93 00:04:37,760 --> 00:04:41,400 Speaker 6: your faith, and you cannot just run from everything that's difficult. 94 00:04:41,760 --> 00:04:44,680 Speaker 6: You've got to stay under where God has you until 95 00:04:44,720 --> 00:04:47,880 Speaker 6: he releases you. And if you'll do that, God will 96 00:04:47,880 --> 00:04:50,040 Speaker 6: not only bring you out, he'll bring you out with 97 00:04:50,040 --> 00:04:50,560 Speaker 6: the promotion. 98 00:04:50,960 --> 00:04:52,920 Speaker 4: He'll bring you out better off than you were before. 99 00:04:53,480 --> 00:04:56,679 Speaker 6: And the scripture says here in one Peter five, verse six, 100 00:04:56,920 --> 00:05:00,719 Speaker 6: to humble yourself under the mighty hand of God God, 101 00:05:00,839 --> 00:05:01,280 Speaker 6: and in. 102 00:05:01,279 --> 00:05:03,520 Speaker 4: Due time he will exalt you. 103 00:05:04,320 --> 00:05:07,039 Speaker 6: Notice what will happen If we'll just swallow our pride 104 00:05:07,480 --> 00:05:10,360 Speaker 6: and do the right thing, even though the wrong thing's happening, 105 00:05:10,640 --> 00:05:14,720 Speaker 6: Then God promises, in due season he will exalt us. 106 00:05:14,760 --> 00:05:16,040 Speaker 4: He will promote us. 107 00:05:16,320 --> 00:05:19,360 Speaker 6: But human nature is to run from everything that makes 108 00:05:19,440 --> 00:05:20,360 Speaker 6: us uncomfortable. 109 00:05:20,680 --> 00:05:22,320 Speaker 4: To leave a marriage that's. 110 00:05:22,160 --> 00:05:24,680 Speaker 6: Difficult, to get out of a job where we're not 111 00:05:24,720 --> 00:05:27,960 Speaker 6: being treated right, or even just to avoid a person 112 00:05:28,040 --> 00:05:30,960 Speaker 6: in our life that kind of irritates us. Well, Bless God, 113 00:05:31,000 --> 00:05:32,680 Speaker 6: I don't have to put up with you. I'm a 114 00:05:32,760 --> 00:05:35,560 Speaker 6: child of God. I'm out of here. But really our 115 00:05:35,600 --> 00:05:38,760 Speaker 6: attitude should be God, I'm gonna humble myself under your 116 00:05:38,839 --> 00:05:41,760 Speaker 6: mighty hand. I may not understand all that's going on 117 00:05:41,800 --> 00:05:43,760 Speaker 6: in my life, but God, I do know this. 118 00:05:44,040 --> 00:05:46,919 Speaker 4: You're big enough to bring me out of this difficulty. 119 00:05:46,640 --> 00:05:49,800 Speaker 6: And at the right time, after I've passed the test, 120 00:05:50,080 --> 00:05:52,520 Speaker 6: after you've done the work in me, I know, beyond 121 00:05:52,520 --> 00:05:54,359 Speaker 6: a shadow of a doubt that you're gonna bring me 122 00:05:54,440 --> 00:05:56,120 Speaker 6: out better off than I was before. 123 00:05:56,720 --> 00:05:57,000 Speaker 4: See. 124 00:05:57,000 --> 00:06:01,200 Speaker 6: God exalts the humble in due time, and humility almost 125 00:06:01,320 --> 00:06:03,920 Speaker 6: always means we're going to have to come under some 126 00:06:04,040 --> 00:06:07,080 Speaker 6: kind of authority or some kind of situation that we 127 00:06:07,200 --> 00:06:09,839 Speaker 6: don't like and we're not getting our way, and in 128 00:06:09,960 --> 00:06:11,520 Speaker 6: the natural we're going to just want to do our 129 00:06:11,560 --> 00:06:14,200 Speaker 6: best to try to get out of there. But understand, 130 00:06:14,400 --> 00:06:17,839 Speaker 6: you cannot just pray away everything uncomfortable in your life. 131 00:06:18,360 --> 00:06:21,160 Speaker 6: And so often when times get tough, we pray, we resist, 132 00:06:21,200 --> 00:06:24,240 Speaker 6: we rebuke, then we get kind of frustrated because we 133 00:06:24,279 --> 00:06:28,200 Speaker 6: don't see anything changing. But the truth is, sometimes God 134 00:06:28,240 --> 00:06:31,120 Speaker 6: allows us to go through a difficulty in order to 135 00:06:31,160 --> 00:06:34,360 Speaker 6: do a work in us. That's when we grow, that's 136 00:06:34,400 --> 00:06:37,560 Speaker 6: when our character is really being developed. We don't grow 137 00:06:37,600 --> 00:06:40,680 Speaker 6: when everything's easy. We don't grow when we're always getting 138 00:06:40,720 --> 00:06:43,680 Speaker 6: our way. We grow in the tough times. That's when 139 00:06:43,720 --> 00:06:46,599 Speaker 6: we're being stressed. That's when God is doing a work 140 00:06:46,600 --> 00:06:49,479 Speaker 6: in us. If you're ever going to get promoted, you 141 00:06:49,600 --> 00:06:52,599 Speaker 6: have to first pass the test. You have to stay 142 00:06:52,600 --> 00:06:55,599 Speaker 6: where you are with a good attitude and just keep 143 00:06:55,640 --> 00:06:58,640 Speaker 6: being your best day in and day out, even though. 144 00:06:58,440 --> 00:07:00,000 Speaker 4: You don't see anything getting better. 145 00:07:00,520 --> 00:07:04,160 Speaker 6: You have to humble yourself under God's mighty hand, knowing 146 00:07:04,200 --> 00:07:06,480 Speaker 6: that at the right time, he's going to change things. 147 00:07:06,760 --> 00:07:09,000 Speaker 6: But in the meantime, he's doing a work in you. 148 00:07:09,279 --> 00:07:11,520 Speaker 6: He's going to get some good out of that. If 149 00:07:11,560 --> 00:07:14,600 Speaker 6: you're in tough times today, you need to just recognize 150 00:07:14,720 --> 00:07:16,560 Speaker 6: that's an opportunity to come up higher. 151 00:07:16,840 --> 00:07:18,480 Speaker 4: That's God trying to promote you. 152 00:07:19,000 --> 00:07:21,760 Speaker 6: And no, God doesn't necessarily send the trouble, but he 153 00:07:21,800 --> 00:07:25,640 Speaker 6: will use it. And the fact is before promotion there 154 00:07:25,680 --> 00:07:29,000 Speaker 6: will always be some kind of testing. And the good 155 00:07:29,040 --> 00:07:32,000 Speaker 6: news is God will never allow you to be at 156 00:07:32,000 --> 00:07:34,880 Speaker 6: a certain place, even if it's unfair, even if it's difficult, 157 00:07:35,320 --> 00:07:38,400 Speaker 6: without giving you the strength and the ability to be 158 00:07:38,480 --> 00:07:41,120 Speaker 6: there with a good attitude. God will always give you 159 00:07:41,160 --> 00:07:44,080 Speaker 6: the help you need. I have this friend that pastors 160 00:07:44,080 --> 00:07:46,480 Speaker 6: a church in another state, and he had really been 161 00:07:46,520 --> 00:07:49,800 Speaker 6: praying and believing for years for his church to grow, 162 00:07:50,240 --> 00:07:53,000 Speaker 6: and he did everything he possibly could do, but it 163 00:07:53,040 --> 00:07:55,800 Speaker 6: seemed like they were stuck. They had leveled off with 164 00:07:55,840 --> 00:07:58,720 Speaker 6: a couple hundred people. Nothing wrong with that, but he 165 00:07:58,760 --> 00:08:01,280 Speaker 6: had a much bigger vision in his heart, and that 166 00:08:01,360 --> 00:08:03,960 Speaker 6: whole time he did his best not to get discouraged, 167 00:08:04,200 --> 00:08:05,480 Speaker 6: and he just kept giving. 168 00:08:05,240 --> 00:08:07,240 Speaker 4: It all he had day in and day out. 169 00:08:07,720 --> 00:08:10,160 Speaker 6: But one day he and his family moved to another 170 00:08:10,240 --> 00:08:13,240 Speaker 6: house in that same area. And so now every time 171 00:08:13,360 --> 00:08:15,680 Speaker 6: he goes to his church, the only way to get 172 00:08:15,720 --> 00:08:18,600 Speaker 6: there was to pass by one of the largest churches 173 00:08:18,640 --> 00:08:19,200 Speaker 6: in the area. 174 00:08:19,720 --> 00:08:22,760 Speaker 4: And so not only would he see the beautiful. 175 00:08:22,280 --> 00:08:25,200 Speaker 6: Campus and all the success they were having, but on 176 00:08:25,280 --> 00:08:28,480 Speaker 6: Sunday mornings, he would get stuck in their traffic and 177 00:08:28,520 --> 00:08:30,760 Speaker 6: he'd have to sit there and wait and wait and 178 00:08:30,800 --> 00:08:33,520 Speaker 6: fight through the cars and thousands of people going to 179 00:08:33,559 --> 00:08:35,760 Speaker 6: this other church just so he could get to his 180 00:08:35,840 --> 00:08:37,560 Speaker 6: church and preach to a few hundred people. 181 00:08:37,679 --> 00:08:39,520 Speaker 4: I mean, it was like rubbing salt on the wound. 182 00:08:39,920 --> 00:08:42,240 Speaker 6: And he told how he was so tempted to think, God, 183 00:08:42,320 --> 00:08:44,439 Speaker 6: this just didn't fair. Why don't you have a few 184 00:08:44,520 --> 00:08:46,440 Speaker 6: hundred of these people come to my church. That's all 185 00:08:46,480 --> 00:08:48,760 Speaker 6: I'm asking for. I mean, you talk about a test 186 00:08:48,800 --> 00:08:51,320 Speaker 6: of his faith. But no, this young man made a 187 00:08:51,320 --> 00:08:53,319 Speaker 6: decision that he was just going to keep a good 188 00:08:53,360 --> 00:08:54,640 Speaker 6: attitude when. 189 00:08:54,520 --> 00:08:56,040 Speaker 4: He drove there on Sundays. 190 00:08:56,200 --> 00:08:59,840 Speaker 6: Instead of complaining, instead of getting sour, he just humbled 191 00:08:59,880 --> 00:09:02,959 Speaker 6: it and he said, Father, I pray that you bless 192 00:09:03,040 --> 00:09:06,880 Speaker 6: this church, bless the pastor increase them, give them even more. 193 00:09:07,360 --> 00:09:09,720 Speaker 4: And he did that faithfully. 194 00:09:09,200 --> 00:09:12,200 Speaker 6: Month after month, even for several years. And this whole 195 00:09:12,240 --> 00:09:15,080 Speaker 6: time his church didn't grow one bit. He didn't see 196 00:09:15,120 --> 00:09:17,800 Speaker 6: anything getting better. But he just kept on blessing them. 197 00:09:18,400 --> 00:09:21,040 Speaker 6: See that was a time of testing in his life. 198 00:09:21,480 --> 00:09:25,040 Speaker 6: Before promotion, there's going to be a test, and fortunately 199 00:09:25,240 --> 00:09:26,800 Speaker 6: he just kept passing that test. 200 00:09:27,000 --> 00:09:30,079 Speaker 4: He didn't get bitter, he didn't let it still his joy. 201 00:09:30,360 --> 00:09:33,400 Speaker 6: He just stayed under where God had him, with a 202 00:09:33,400 --> 00:09:36,400 Speaker 6: good attitude. And do you know, one day, for no 203 00:09:36,600 --> 00:09:39,960 Speaker 6: apparent reason, his church took off. I mean month after 204 00:09:40,000 --> 00:09:43,080 Speaker 6: month they got bigger and bigger. And today he too 205 00:09:43,240 --> 00:09:46,559 Speaker 6: is preaching to thousands. He's seeing those dreams come to pass. 206 00:09:46,880 --> 00:09:49,600 Speaker 6: But my point is we have to be faithful right 207 00:09:49,640 --> 00:09:53,240 Speaker 6: where we are and keep a good attitude even when 208 00:09:53,240 --> 00:09:56,720 Speaker 6: it doesn't seem fair, even when we don't see anything happening. 209 00:09:57,160 --> 00:09:59,559 Speaker 4: And another important thing is don't ever. 210 00:09:59,480 --> 00:10:03,160 Speaker 6: Be jealous of other people's successes. If you are jealous, 211 00:10:03,200 --> 00:10:04,959 Speaker 6: you will never get to where God wants you to be. 212 00:10:05,679 --> 00:10:07,960 Speaker 4: Hell, Joel, I just don't understand it. I deserve it 213 00:10:07,960 --> 00:10:08,600 Speaker 4: more than they do. 214 00:10:09,040 --> 00:10:11,960 Speaker 6: Well, maybe that's true, but have you ever thought about 215 00:10:12,080 --> 00:10:15,360 Speaker 6: that could be a test of your faith. And don't 216 00:10:15,360 --> 00:10:18,960 Speaker 6: be surprised if you're believing for something to change in 217 00:10:18,960 --> 00:10:21,719 Speaker 6: your life, something to improve that if four or five 218 00:10:21,760 --> 00:10:23,920 Speaker 6: of your friends don't show up and have the exact 219 00:10:23,960 --> 00:10:24,560 Speaker 6: same thing. 220 00:10:24,440 --> 00:10:25,400 Speaker 4: That you were believing for. 221 00:10:25,960 --> 00:10:27,680 Speaker 6: I talked to a man the other day, and he 222 00:10:27,760 --> 00:10:30,400 Speaker 6: had been really standing in faith that God would bring 223 00:10:30,440 --> 00:10:32,560 Speaker 6: the right person into his life. He really wanted to 224 00:10:32,559 --> 00:10:34,400 Speaker 6: get married, and so he told me how he had 225 00:10:34,440 --> 00:10:37,800 Speaker 6: been praying and believing and confessing ten or twelve years. 226 00:10:38,280 --> 00:10:40,280 Speaker 6: But a good friend of his that had just been 227 00:10:40,280 --> 00:10:43,520 Speaker 6: praying for like six months had just met somebody beautiful 228 00:10:43,559 --> 00:10:45,640 Speaker 6: and they fell in love and they're about to get married. 229 00:10:45,880 --> 00:10:48,720 Speaker 4: He was so down. He said, Joe, I don't understand it. 230 00:10:48,720 --> 00:10:49,679 Speaker 4: It's just not fair. 231 00:10:50,080 --> 00:10:52,959 Speaker 6: I said, no, listen, whatever you do, be happy for him, 232 00:10:53,400 --> 00:10:57,320 Speaker 6: rejoice with him. Nothing will keep our dreams from coming 233 00:10:57,360 --> 00:10:59,319 Speaker 6: to pass any quicker than being. 234 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:00,960 Speaker 4: Jealous of somebody else's success. 235 00:11:01,760 --> 00:11:04,160 Speaker 6: Well, Joel, they got the promotion that I was praying 236 00:11:04,200 --> 00:11:05,560 Speaker 6: for and they don't even go to church. 237 00:11:05,559 --> 00:11:06,400 Speaker 4: I don't understand that. 238 00:11:07,520 --> 00:11:09,920 Speaker 6: Or Joel, they just bought a brand new house and 239 00:11:09,960 --> 00:11:11,560 Speaker 6: they don't even give in the offering. 240 00:11:11,679 --> 00:11:16,400 Speaker 4: I know I watch them. No first thing is quit 241 00:11:16,440 --> 00:11:17,240 Speaker 4: being so nosy. 242 00:11:18,800 --> 00:11:22,520 Speaker 6: The second thing is quit comparing your situation and learn 243 00:11:22,640 --> 00:11:24,920 Speaker 6: to be happy for other people's successes. 244 00:11:25,320 --> 00:11:27,240 Speaker 4: That's the only way you'll ever go up higher. 245 00:11:27,360 --> 00:11:30,480 Speaker 6: You have to pass that test. I know this lady 246 00:11:30,520 --> 00:11:32,680 Speaker 6: that was saving up for a certain kind of coat. 247 00:11:33,120 --> 00:11:35,320 Speaker 6: This was many years ago, and they didn't have much money, 248 00:11:35,360 --> 00:11:38,920 Speaker 6: and she saw this real nice long coat in a magazine, 249 00:11:39,000 --> 00:11:41,160 Speaker 6: and so she had been really saving her money and 250 00:11:41,200 --> 00:11:42,599 Speaker 6: doing everything she could. 251 00:11:42,360 --> 00:11:43,280 Speaker 4: To purchase that coat. 252 00:11:43,320 --> 00:11:45,920 Speaker 6: One day and she had this neighbor that lived across 253 00:11:45,960 --> 00:11:48,280 Speaker 6: the street that she didn't particularly care for. 254 00:11:48,760 --> 00:11:50,559 Speaker 4: This lady was a little more well off. 255 00:11:50,400 --> 00:11:52,920 Speaker 6: And she kind of liked to flaunt everything that she had. 256 00:11:53,320 --> 00:11:55,640 Speaker 6: And one day, out of the clear blue, the neighbor 257 00:11:55,720 --> 00:11:58,480 Speaker 6: rang her doorbell, and when she opened up the door, 258 00:11:58,520 --> 00:12:01,040 Speaker 6: lo and behold she was were and the exact coat 259 00:12:01,120 --> 00:12:03,840 Speaker 6: she'd been saving up for. And this neighbor knew nothing 260 00:12:03,840 --> 00:12:05,880 Speaker 6: about it, and she was so excited, and she kind 261 00:12:05,880 --> 00:12:08,319 Speaker 6: of twirled around and around. She said, look, you here 262 00:12:08,360 --> 00:12:10,679 Speaker 6: what my mother just bought me, kind of modeling it. 263 00:12:10,920 --> 00:12:12,840 Speaker 6: And then this lady she had to bite her tongue. 264 00:12:12,920 --> 00:12:15,240 Speaker 6: She said, oh, yeah, that's kind of beautiful. But she said, 265 00:12:15,600 --> 00:12:17,120 Speaker 6: in the back of her mind she was thinking I 266 00:12:17,160 --> 00:12:20,040 Speaker 6: wanted to rip that coat off of her. She went 267 00:12:20,080 --> 00:12:21,840 Speaker 6: inside and slammed the door and she said. 268 00:12:21,679 --> 00:12:23,080 Speaker 4: God, that is not fair. 269 00:12:23,559 --> 00:12:26,040 Speaker 6: I pray, I believe, I go to church, I save 270 00:12:26,120 --> 00:12:28,920 Speaker 6: my money. When is anything good ever gonna happen to me? 271 00:12:29,400 --> 00:12:31,520 Speaker 6: And she said God spoke to her write down in here, 272 00:12:31,720 --> 00:12:34,440 Speaker 6: and he said, as soon as you quit being so jealous, 273 00:12:34,720 --> 00:12:35,520 Speaker 6: as soon as. 274 00:12:35,360 --> 00:12:38,720 Speaker 4: You get happy for other success. See, we gotta pass 275 00:12:38,800 --> 00:12:39,320 Speaker 4: the test. 276 00:12:39,600 --> 00:12:42,440 Speaker 6: We gotta stay under what God has us under with 277 00:12:42,520 --> 00:12:45,280 Speaker 6: a good attitude. And there's gonna be plenty of times 278 00:12:45,280 --> 00:12:47,680 Speaker 6: in life where we just got to swallow our pride 279 00:12:47,760 --> 00:12:49,960 Speaker 6: and say, you know what, I don't understand this, but 280 00:12:50,000 --> 00:12:52,400 Speaker 6: I'm not gonna be jealous. I'm not gonna be critical. 281 00:12:52,400 --> 00:12:55,320 Speaker 6: I'm not gonna get upset. Even if I never get 282 00:12:55,320 --> 00:12:57,600 Speaker 6: what I want, I'm gonna keep a good attitude and 283 00:12:57,720 --> 00:13:00,360 Speaker 6: just keep being my very best. That's what it means 284 00:13:00,360 --> 00:13:03,080 Speaker 6: to pass the test. That's when God can promote us. 285 00:13:03,600 --> 00:13:05,480 Speaker 6: I was thinking about this young lady that I know. 286 00:13:05,800 --> 00:13:08,400 Speaker 6: One time, she went through a very bitter divorce. It's 287 00:13:08,400 --> 00:13:11,240 Speaker 6: a very dark time in her life. And every day 288 00:13:11,559 --> 00:13:14,040 Speaker 6: on her way to work, she had to drive by 289 00:13:14,120 --> 00:13:17,200 Speaker 6: the home of her ex husband. And she tried move, 290 00:13:17,280 --> 00:13:19,559 Speaker 6: and she tried getting another job. It just didn't work out. 291 00:13:19,720 --> 00:13:22,079 Speaker 6: And so every day she had to pass by that place. 292 00:13:22,520 --> 00:13:25,240 Speaker 6: But see, that was a test of her faith. Was 293 00:13:25,240 --> 00:13:28,880 Speaker 6: she gonna get angry? Was she gonna blame God? Was 294 00:13:28,880 --> 00:13:31,800 Speaker 6: she gonna just relive all the hurts and pains or 295 00:13:32,040 --> 00:13:33,960 Speaker 6: was she gonna let it go and just move on 296 00:13:34,080 --> 00:13:36,480 Speaker 6: with her life? And don't you know, God could have 297 00:13:36,559 --> 00:13:40,079 Speaker 6: opened up another path. God could have moved her ex husband. 298 00:13:40,280 --> 00:13:42,520 Speaker 6: God could have given her a job in another city. 299 00:13:42,600 --> 00:13:43,880 Speaker 4: I mean, after all, he's God. 300 00:13:44,400 --> 00:13:47,120 Speaker 6: But no, that was a time of testing, and she 301 00:13:47,240 --> 00:13:50,120 Speaker 6: had to stay under where God had her and pass 302 00:13:50,200 --> 00:13:52,840 Speaker 6: that test before she could get promoted. And she did 303 00:13:52,880 --> 00:13:55,959 Speaker 6: exactly that, and today she's seeing great things with her life. 304 00:13:56,520 --> 00:13:58,000 Speaker 4: Well, what are you up against today? 305 00:13:58,559 --> 00:14:01,480 Speaker 6: Maybe you're dealing with the situation that seems unfair and 306 00:14:01,720 --> 00:14:04,079 Speaker 6: you've been there for a long time, and now you're 307 00:14:04,120 --> 00:14:04,880 Speaker 6: starting to get a. 308 00:14:04,800 --> 00:14:05,800 Speaker 4: Little bit discouraged. 309 00:14:06,240 --> 00:14:08,679 Speaker 6: I challenge you to just make a decision that you're 310 00:14:08,720 --> 00:14:11,600 Speaker 6: gonna stay right where you are with a good attitude 311 00:14:11,880 --> 00:14:13,280 Speaker 6: until God turns it around. 312 00:14:13,679 --> 00:14:15,199 Speaker 4: Let God be your vindicator. 313 00:14:15,640 --> 00:14:18,160 Speaker 6: And sometimes even with a sickness or even with a 314 00:14:18,240 --> 00:14:21,520 Speaker 6: major problem, we let it totally consume us and we 315 00:14:21,560 --> 00:14:25,160 Speaker 6: spend every minute praying, believe and resistant. But I really 316 00:14:25,200 --> 00:14:28,160 Speaker 6: believe a better way is to simply say, God, my 317 00:14:28,280 --> 00:14:31,280 Speaker 6: life is in your hands. I know nothing's too difficult 318 00:14:31,320 --> 00:14:33,560 Speaker 6: for you, and at the right time, you're gonna turn 319 00:14:33,640 --> 00:14:34,200 Speaker 6: this around. 320 00:14:34,400 --> 00:14:36,960 Speaker 4: But in the meantime, I'm gonna keep living my best life. 321 00:14:37,080 --> 00:14:39,480 Speaker 6: I'm gonna keep being good to people. I'm gonna have 322 00:14:39,520 --> 00:14:44,560 Speaker 6: a smile on my face. I'm gonna have a grateful attitude. 323 00:14:43,880 --> 00:14:45,400 Speaker 4: In spite of these adversities. 324 00:14:45,760 --> 00:14:49,200 Speaker 6: See, you shouldn't always be fighting on the inside, upset 325 00:14:49,280 --> 00:14:53,600 Speaker 6: about this, worried about that, discourage because it's taken so long. Now, 326 00:14:53,600 --> 00:14:56,760 Speaker 6: why don't you just relax and stay under where God 327 00:14:56,840 --> 00:15:00,240 Speaker 6: has you until He changes things. And always remember this, 328 00:15:00,480 --> 00:15:04,040 Speaker 6: God created the whole universe. He can turn any situation 329 00:15:04,160 --> 00:15:07,080 Speaker 6: around in a split second of time. There's no sickness 330 00:15:07,120 --> 00:15:10,840 Speaker 6: too big, no obstacle too high, no circumstance too difficult. 331 00:15:11,200 --> 00:15:12,480 Speaker 4: God is well able. 332 00:15:12,880 --> 00:15:15,680 Speaker 6: We simply have to do our part and get prepared 333 00:15:15,760 --> 00:15:18,680 Speaker 6: for that promotion. Let me ask you today, are you 334 00:15:18,800 --> 00:15:21,520 Speaker 6: passing the test in your life? Are you keeping a 335 00:15:21,560 --> 00:15:24,760 Speaker 6: good attitude even though you're not getting your way? Are 336 00:15:24,800 --> 00:15:28,360 Speaker 6: you staying under the authority God has you under? By that, 337 00:15:28,400 --> 00:15:32,280 Speaker 6: I mean are you respecting your boss, respecting your parents, 338 00:15:32,440 --> 00:15:35,960 Speaker 6: respecting your spouse, respecting your leaders? I know when I 339 00:15:36,000 --> 00:15:38,840 Speaker 6: worked here with my father for those seventeen years, I 340 00:15:38,920 --> 00:15:42,120 Speaker 6: was in charge of the television ministry, and that was 341 00:15:42,200 --> 00:15:42,960 Speaker 6: my passion. 342 00:15:43,000 --> 00:15:43,880 Speaker 4: I love production. 343 00:15:44,400 --> 00:15:48,560 Speaker 6: I love doing big events, concerts and live TV specials. 344 00:15:48,800 --> 00:15:51,240 Speaker 6: I had a lot of ideas that I wanted to 345 00:15:51,240 --> 00:15:53,040 Speaker 6: try and just had a heart to see the church 346 00:15:53,120 --> 00:15:56,160 Speaker 6: really grow. But toward the end of my father's life, 347 00:15:56,280 --> 00:15:58,440 Speaker 6: he didn't want to do much of that anymore. And 348 00:15:58,480 --> 00:16:01,000 Speaker 6: one time I had all these radio stations lined up 349 00:16:01,040 --> 00:16:02,240 Speaker 6: to carry our broadcast. 350 00:16:02,600 --> 00:16:04,160 Speaker 4: I'd done a whole lot of work, and. 351 00:16:04,240 --> 00:16:06,200 Speaker 6: I went to my father and said, Daddy, if you'll 352 00:16:06,240 --> 00:16:08,400 Speaker 6: come down maybe once a week for just an hour, 353 00:16:08,760 --> 00:16:11,240 Speaker 6: we can make these openings and closings, and this will 354 00:16:11,280 --> 00:16:13,680 Speaker 6: go out all over the world and I'll never forget 355 00:16:13,880 --> 00:16:16,440 Speaker 6: what my father said. He said, Joel, I don't want 356 00:16:16,480 --> 00:16:19,200 Speaker 6: to do that. I'm seventy five years old, and I'm 357 00:16:19,200 --> 00:16:21,440 Speaker 6: not looking for any more work. I just want to 358 00:16:21,480 --> 00:16:25,040 Speaker 6: relax and enjoy my life and pastor this church man. 359 00:16:25,080 --> 00:16:27,800 Speaker 6: I was kind of disappointed. I thought, here, I'm young, 360 00:16:28,360 --> 00:16:30,680 Speaker 6: I've got big dreams. I don't want to do less. 361 00:16:30,720 --> 00:16:32,760 Speaker 6: I want to do more. And I thought, maybe I 362 00:16:32,800 --> 00:16:35,160 Speaker 6: should just go out and do my own thing. Maybe 363 00:16:35,200 --> 00:16:37,080 Speaker 6: I should go get a job somewhere else. 364 00:16:37,720 --> 00:16:37,800 Speaker 1: No. 365 00:16:37,920 --> 00:16:40,320 Speaker 6: I made a decision that day that I was going 366 00:16:40,400 --> 00:16:43,120 Speaker 6: to stay under where God had me. Even though I 367 00:16:43,200 --> 00:16:45,920 Speaker 6: wasn't getting my way, I knew this was where I 368 00:16:46,000 --> 00:16:46,680 Speaker 6: was supposed to be. 369 00:16:47,240 --> 00:16:49,800 Speaker 4: Now, I thought, after all, this is my father's vision. 370 00:16:50,160 --> 00:16:53,600 Speaker 6: He spent forty years building this place faithfully with God's 371 00:16:53,640 --> 00:16:56,280 Speaker 6: health and I need to honor my father by doing 372 00:16:56,320 --> 00:16:58,680 Speaker 6: what he wants and not by doing what I want. 373 00:16:59,120 --> 00:17:01,960 Speaker 6: And in the natural, you know, I could have gotten discouraged. 374 00:17:03,400 --> 00:17:05,879 Speaker 6: I could have just slacked off and kind of you know, 375 00:17:05,920 --> 00:17:07,720 Speaker 6: did as little as I could to get by. But 376 00:17:07,880 --> 00:17:10,320 Speaker 6: now I'll tell you I kept doing my very best 377 00:17:10,400 --> 00:17:13,000 Speaker 6: day in and day out. Well, a couple of years later, 378 00:17:13,080 --> 00:17:15,160 Speaker 6: Daddy went to be with the Lord, and I never 379 00:17:15,280 --> 00:17:17,480 Speaker 6: dreamed that I would be up here. I never dreamed 380 00:17:17,520 --> 00:17:19,440 Speaker 6: i'd be the pastor and I would be in charge. 381 00:17:19,760 --> 00:17:23,040 Speaker 6: But looking back now, I realize God put those desires 382 00:17:23,080 --> 00:17:25,159 Speaker 6: in my heart for my own ministry. 383 00:17:25,240 --> 00:17:27,320 Speaker 4: It just wasn't the right time. Now. 384 00:17:27,320 --> 00:17:30,320 Speaker 6: Had I not been faithful and stayed under that authority 385 00:17:30,720 --> 00:17:33,040 Speaker 6: and just kept a good attitude and honored my father, 386 00:17:33,359 --> 00:17:35,919 Speaker 6: I don't know if i'd be standing here today. 387 00:17:36,080 --> 00:17:37,679 Speaker 4: You have to pass the test. 388 00:17:37,480 --> 00:17:40,360 Speaker 6: Before you'll ever get promoted, and one of the tests 389 00:17:40,480 --> 00:17:44,120 Speaker 6: is humbling yourself and staying where you know you're supposed 390 00:17:44,160 --> 00:17:47,040 Speaker 6: to be even when you're not getting your way, even 391 00:17:47,119 --> 00:17:49,120 Speaker 6: when it's not exciting, even when you. 392 00:17:49,200 --> 00:17:51,080 Speaker 4: Don't see your dreams coming to pass. 393 00:17:51,359 --> 00:17:53,760 Speaker 6: And so often, you know, we like to run from 394 00:17:53,840 --> 00:17:57,200 Speaker 6: everything that's difficult, But I'm convinced many times all we're 395 00:17:57,200 --> 00:17:59,399 Speaker 6: doing is keeping God from promoting us. 396 00:18:00,000 --> 00:18:01,760 Speaker 4: I'm not saying we should never leave, of course not. 397 00:18:01,960 --> 00:18:04,919 Speaker 6: I'm just talking today about not running from things that 398 00:18:04,960 --> 00:18:07,960 Speaker 6: are hard in your life. Don't leave a marriage because 399 00:18:08,000 --> 00:18:10,440 Speaker 6: your spouse is not perfect. If that was the case, 400 00:18:10,480 --> 00:18:14,240 Speaker 6: we'd all leave. Don't leave a church because you didn't 401 00:18:14,240 --> 00:18:17,480 Speaker 6: get your favorite parking spot or because the preacher preached 402 00:18:17,520 --> 00:18:18,320 Speaker 6: a bad sermon. 403 00:18:18,600 --> 00:18:20,200 Speaker 4: We know that doesn't happen around here, right. 404 00:18:21,840 --> 00:18:24,440 Speaker 6: Don't leave a job because they didn't take your idea 405 00:18:24,520 --> 00:18:26,320 Speaker 6: and now you got your feelings all hurt. 406 00:18:26,560 --> 00:18:29,720 Speaker 4: No, stick with it. Be faithful, day in and day 407 00:18:29,720 --> 00:18:33,280 Speaker 4: I keep passing that test. Think about in our marriages today. 408 00:18:33,600 --> 00:18:36,880 Speaker 6: The biggest excuse we hear is we're just not compatible. 409 00:18:37,000 --> 00:18:39,399 Speaker 4: That's the number one reason people get divorced. We just 410 00:18:39,440 --> 00:18:42,280 Speaker 4: can't get along. But with all due respect. 411 00:18:41,920 --> 00:18:44,639 Speaker 6: That is a cop out, because really, no two people 412 00:18:44,680 --> 00:18:48,280 Speaker 6: are compatible. God made us all different on purpose. We 413 00:18:48,320 --> 00:18:52,600 Speaker 6: are opposites. But have you noticed how opposites attract? That 414 00:18:52,680 --> 00:18:55,320 Speaker 6: other person has what you need. That's why God has 415 00:18:55,359 --> 00:18:58,000 Speaker 6: brought you together. And the whole key is we got 416 00:18:58,040 --> 00:19:00,760 Speaker 6: to learn to adapt. We got to learn to adjust. 417 00:19:00,800 --> 00:19:03,359 Speaker 6: We got to go the extra mile. The Bible talks 418 00:19:03,400 --> 00:19:07,160 Speaker 6: about in marriages how we become one. That doesn't happen 419 00:19:07,200 --> 00:19:10,479 Speaker 6: on the wedding day. That happens over time. And if 420 00:19:10,520 --> 00:19:13,119 Speaker 6: you leave that marriage because you're uncomfortable and you're not 421 00:19:13,160 --> 00:19:16,160 Speaker 6: getting your way, and you go get off into another one, 422 00:19:16,280 --> 00:19:18,200 Speaker 6: there's a good chance you're gonna have the same problem. 423 00:19:18,600 --> 00:19:21,560 Speaker 6: It would be far better to concentrate on making this 424 00:19:21,640 --> 00:19:24,640 Speaker 6: marriage work than to run off and just bail out 425 00:19:24,640 --> 00:19:26,960 Speaker 6: because you think you can't get along. And I know 426 00:19:27,080 --> 00:19:30,159 Speaker 6: there are exceptions. I don't think we should live under abuse. 427 00:19:30,200 --> 00:19:32,800 Speaker 6: I don't think that's God's best. But for the most part, 428 00:19:33,040 --> 00:19:35,560 Speaker 6: people like to take the easy way out, thinking that 429 00:19:35,600 --> 00:19:38,200 Speaker 6: the grass is greener on the other side. But that's 430 00:19:38,240 --> 00:19:40,520 Speaker 6: not the case. The grass is not greener on the 431 00:19:40,560 --> 00:19:43,920 Speaker 6: other side. The grass is not even greener on this side. 432 00:19:44,080 --> 00:19:47,120 Speaker 6: The grass is only greener where you water it. Let 433 00:19:47,119 --> 00:19:48,960 Speaker 6: me ask you today, what are you doing to make 434 00:19:49,000 --> 00:19:54,280 Speaker 6: your marriage better. I'm not asking what your spouse is 435 00:19:54,320 --> 00:19:56,199 Speaker 6: doing to make you happy. I'm asking what are you 436 00:19:56,320 --> 00:19:59,199 Speaker 6: doing to make your marriage work? Are you going the 437 00:19:59,240 --> 00:20:02,439 Speaker 6: extra mile? Are you being kind and considerate? Are you 438 00:20:02,520 --> 00:20:05,560 Speaker 6: so in seeds for change, if you will treat your 439 00:20:05,600 --> 00:20:08,800 Speaker 6: spouse differently, if you'll treat him or her better, they'll 440 00:20:08,800 --> 00:20:11,879 Speaker 6: have to treat you differently. You will elicit a different response. 441 00:20:12,080 --> 00:20:14,080 Speaker 6: And what I'm saying is, don't wait for somebody else 442 00:20:14,119 --> 00:20:14,680 Speaker 6: to change. 443 00:20:14,720 --> 00:20:15,640 Speaker 4: You have to change. 444 00:20:15,920 --> 00:20:18,679 Speaker 6: In that situation with my father, I had to change. 445 00:20:18,760 --> 00:20:21,680 Speaker 6: Daddy was the boss. I had to stay under his authority. 446 00:20:22,119 --> 00:20:24,920 Speaker 6: And really, in a marriage, we're all under God's authority. 447 00:20:25,400 --> 00:20:27,840 Speaker 6: We said at the very beginning till death, do us 448 00:20:27,840 --> 00:20:30,800 Speaker 6: part for better or for worse. We made a commitment 449 00:20:30,840 --> 00:20:34,359 Speaker 6: to each other, and really we made a commitment before God. Well, 450 00:20:34,400 --> 00:20:35,840 Speaker 6: are you gonna keep your commitments? 451 00:20:36,040 --> 00:20:36,560 Speaker 4: Husbands? 452 00:20:36,640 --> 00:20:39,280 Speaker 6: Are you gonna honor your wife and stick with that woman, 453 00:20:39,840 --> 00:20:41,920 Speaker 6: or are you gonna take the easy way out because 454 00:20:41,960 --> 00:20:44,439 Speaker 6: you found somebody else, or because you want to go 455 00:20:44,480 --> 00:20:46,920 Speaker 6: party with the guys every night. Now, be a real 456 00:20:47,040 --> 00:20:49,800 Speaker 6: man and stay with that woman that God has given you. 457 00:20:50,240 --> 00:20:53,880 Speaker 6: She's given her life for you, she's borne your children, 458 00:20:54,000 --> 00:20:55,440 Speaker 6: she's been with you in the good. 459 00:20:55,240 --> 00:20:56,680 Speaker 4: Times and the tough times. 460 00:20:57,040 --> 00:21:00,320 Speaker 6: Why don't you start overlooking some of those differences, making 461 00:21:00,359 --> 00:21:03,240 Speaker 6: a mountain out of a mole hill. Learn to let 462 00:21:03,280 --> 00:21:06,760 Speaker 6: go of the unforgiveness. Learn to swallow your pride and 463 00:21:06,840 --> 00:21:09,879 Speaker 6: just start treating each other with more respect. If you 464 00:21:09,960 --> 00:21:12,520 Speaker 6: want your marriage to work badly enough, it can work. 465 00:21:12,840 --> 00:21:14,880 Speaker 6: But if you make the mistake and just run off 466 00:21:14,880 --> 00:21:18,960 Speaker 6: and marry somebody else, Unfortunately, studies tell us that eighty 467 00:21:19,000 --> 00:21:22,320 Speaker 6: percent of second marriages don't work out. Either if you're 468 00:21:22,320 --> 00:21:25,080 Speaker 6: in a second marriage today or a subsequent marriage. 469 00:21:25,160 --> 00:21:27,080 Speaker 4: We're going to believe that you'll be the exception to 470 00:21:27,119 --> 00:21:27,520 Speaker 4: the rule. 471 00:21:27,720 --> 00:21:30,400 Speaker 6: But I'm just challenging each one of us to stick 472 00:21:30,440 --> 00:21:33,840 Speaker 6: with our marriages. Divorce should not really be an option. 473 00:21:34,560 --> 00:21:37,720 Speaker 6: Don't ever threaten your spouse with divorce. Don't ever even 474 00:21:37,760 --> 00:21:40,640 Speaker 6: bring that up. God has brought you together and what 475 00:21:40,680 --> 00:21:43,800 Speaker 6: God's brought together, don't let anybody tear apart now. I 476 00:21:43,840 --> 00:21:45,760 Speaker 6: know it may be uncomfortable, and I know some of 477 00:21:45,800 --> 00:21:48,640 Speaker 6: you are thinking right now, Joel, if you knew my marriage, 478 00:21:48,680 --> 00:21:50,600 Speaker 6: if I could tell you about my husband, you'd be 479 00:21:50,640 --> 00:21:54,680 Speaker 6: preaching a whole different sermon. I know it may be difficult, 480 00:21:54,760 --> 00:21:57,159 Speaker 6: but I also know this. God has given you the 481 00:21:57,160 --> 00:21:59,120 Speaker 6: grace you need to be right where you are. 482 00:21:59,480 --> 00:22:01,600 Speaker 4: I said it earlier. God will not allow you to 483 00:22:01,640 --> 00:22:01,960 Speaker 4: be in. 484 00:22:01,920 --> 00:22:05,399 Speaker 6: A situation without giving you the strength and the ability 485 00:22:05,840 --> 00:22:09,800 Speaker 6: to stand strong into overcome it. That this doesn't happen automatically. 486 00:22:10,040 --> 00:22:12,119 Speaker 6: We have to dig our heels in and say, you 487 00:22:12,119 --> 00:22:14,160 Speaker 6: know what, I'm not gonna bail out of this marriage. 488 00:22:14,320 --> 00:22:15,399 Speaker 4: I'm gonna stick with it. 489 00:22:15,440 --> 00:22:17,600 Speaker 6: I'm gonna do whatever I can to make it work. 490 00:22:18,160 --> 00:22:20,080 Speaker 6: I believe some of you today this can be a 491 00:22:20,119 --> 00:22:22,719 Speaker 6: turning point in your marriage if you'll just make up 492 00:22:22,720 --> 00:22:24,560 Speaker 6: your mind that divorce. 493 00:22:24,280 --> 00:22:25,040 Speaker 4: Is not an option. 494 00:22:25,600 --> 00:22:27,679 Speaker 6: And so I'm gonna start doing everything I can to 495 00:22:27,720 --> 00:22:30,119 Speaker 6: make my marriage work. I'm gonna start getting home at 496 00:22:30,160 --> 00:22:33,200 Speaker 6: a decent hour and spending more time with my family. 497 00:22:33,400 --> 00:22:35,680 Speaker 6: I'm gonna start having a better attitude. I'm gonna start 498 00:22:35,680 --> 00:22:38,800 Speaker 6: being more help around the house. I'm gonna treat people kinder, 499 00:22:39,040 --> 00:22:40,840 Speaker 6: I'm going to be more considerate. I'm going to be 500 00:22:41,160 --> 00:22:44,240 Speaker 6: more friendly to my family. See, you hold the key 501 00:22:44,520 --> 00:22:47,280 Speaker 6: to what kind of relationship you're gonna have, not your spouse. 502 00:22:47,560 --> 00:22:47,840 Speaker 4: You do. 503 00:22:48,400 --> 00:22:50,640 Speaker 6: And when you do all you can do, you are 504 00:22:50,680 --> 00:22:53,640 Speaker 6: passing the test. That's when God can bring that relationship 505 00:22:53,680 --> 00:22:56,200 Speaker 6: of higher and really, when you think about it, if 506 00:22:56,240 --> 00:22:59,480 Speaker 6: divorce is not an option, that'll change how you approach 507 00:22:59,560 --> 00:23:02,040 Speaker 6: your marriage many times. In other words, if you think 508 00:23:02,080 --> 00:23:04,040 Speaker 6: about the fact I'm gonna spend the rest of my 509 00:23:04,160 --> 00:23:06,520 Speaker 6: life with this person, well I might as well just 510 00:23:06,560 --> 00:23:09,600 Speaker 6: swallow my pride and do everything I can to make 511 00:23:09,640 --> 00:23:10,199 Speaker 6: them happy. 512 00:23:10,520 --> 00:23:13,480 Speaker 4: After all, the happier they are, the happier I'm gonna be. 513 00:23:14,160 --> 00:23:15,119 Speaker 4: You know as well as I do. 514 00:23:15,160 --> 00:23:18,040 Speaker 6: It's no fun to live in a home with strife, contention, 515 00:23:18,480 --> 00:23:22,000 Speaker 6: stressed out, and everybody's at each other's throats. Now, he'd 516 00:23:22,000 --> 00:23:23,960 Speaker 6: be far better to just make a decision and say, 517 00:23:24,000 --> 00:23:26,520 Speaker 6: you know what, I'm gonna quit being so selfish. I'm 518 00:23:26,520 --> 00:23:29,600 Speaker 6: gonna quit doing things that I know irritate them. I'm 519 00:23:29,600 --> 00:23:31,880 Speaker 6: gonna quit pouting when I don't get my way. I'm 520 00:23:31,880 --> 00:23:33,840 Speaker 6: gonna let go of the past. I'm not gonna keep 521 00:23:33,840 --> 00:23:35,160 Speaker 6: a record of everything they've. 522 00:23:35,000 --> 00:23:35,600 Speaker 4: Done to hurt me. 523 00:23:35,880 --> 00:23:38,360 Speaker 6: I'm gonna be the bigger person and instead, I'm gonna 524 00:23:38,400 --> 00:23:40,840 Speaker 6: do whatever I can to bring out the best in 525 00:23:40,880 --> 00:23:43,720 Speaker 6: my spouse. That may be difficult, but as I've said, 526 00:23:43,720 --> 00:23:46,600 Speaker 6: you've got to dig your heels in and do it anyway. 527 00:23:46,680 --> 00:23:49,679 Speaker 6: Even Jesus, when he was about to be crucified, he 528 00:23:49,800 --> 00:23:53,439 Speaker 6: was very uncomfortable, so much so he swept great drops 529 00:23:53,440 --> 00:23:56,280 Speaker 6: of blood. But isn't it interesting? He didn't say, Oh God, 530 00:23:56,320 --> 00:23:59,000 Speaker 6: I don't want to do this anymore. This is too hard. 531 00:23:59,040 --> 00:24:02,320 Speaker 6: These people aren't treating me right. I've changed my mind. No, 532 00:24:02,480 --> 00:24:04,600 Speaker 6: he dug his heels in, and he's stuck with it. 533 00:24:04,760 --> 00:24:05,880 Speaker 6: He said, Father, not my. 534 00:24:05,920 --> 00:24:07,560 Speaker 4: Will, but your will be done. 535 00:24:08,080 --> 00:24:11,120 Speaker 6: And husbands and wives, we've made commitments to each other. 536 00:24:11,480 --> 00:24:14,000 Speaker 6: Are we going to keep those commitments? You say, Joel, 537 00:24:14,040 --> 00:24:16,520 Speaker 6: I found somebody else. Now I know I'm gonna really 538 00:24:16,560 --> 00:24:18,760 Speaker 6: be happy. But I don't believe that's the case. I 539 00:24:18,760 --> 00:24:21,560 Speaker 6: believe those are lies from the enemy. And some people 540 00:24:21,600 --> 00:24:24,080 Speaker 6: today they're just playing with fire. They're about to get 541 00:24:24,080 --> 00:24:27,520 Speaker 6: into a relationship outside their marriage. And listen, we've seen 542 00:24:27,640 --> 00:24:30,480 Speaker 6: person after person do that and it ends up practically 543 00:24:30,560 --> 00:24:31,439 Speaker 6: ruining their life. 544 00:24:31,640 --> 00:24:33,080 Speaker 4: They lose the respect of their. 545 00:24:33,040 --> 00:24:36,639 Speaker 6: Children, their home falls apart, and it's all because they 546 00:24:36,680 --> 00:24:38,880 Speaker 6: wouldn't stay where it was uncomfortable. 547 00:24:39,000 --> 00:24:40,960 Speaker 4: They just took the easy way out. 548 00:24:41,119 --> 00:24:43,480 Speaker 6: Now, why don't you spend that same time and effort 549 00:24:43,480 --> 00:24:46,520 Speaker 6: and energy on your own spouse. As I said, your 550 00:24:46,560 --> 00:24:49,680 Speaker 6: marriage can work if you want too bad enough, if 551 00:24:49,680 --> 00:24:51,840 Speaker 6: you're willing to do your part. And I'm not saying 552 00:24:51,840 --> 00:24:54,040 Speaker 6: it's gonna be easy. You may have to go get 553 00:24:54,080 --> 00:24:56,480 Speaker 6: some more counseling than this. All I'm trying to do 554 00:24:56,600 --> 00:24:59,040 Speaker 6: is light a new fire in you today and say 555 00:24:59,040 --> 00:25:01,879 Speaker 6: stick with it. Don't let the enemy terr you apart. 556 00:25:02,240 --> 00:25:04,959 Speaker 6: You know, God has brought you together. Now you've got 557 00:25:05,000 --> 00:25:07,600 Speaker 6: to do everything it takes to keep that marriage together. 558 00:25:08,320 --> 00:25:10,359 Speaker 6: I think about David one time. He was in a 559 00:25:10,440 --> 00:25:14,639 Speaker 6: very uncomfortable situation. He wasn't being treated right. The Prophet 560 00:25:14,680 --> 00:25:17,400 Speaker 6: Samuel had anointed him to be the next king of Israel, 561 00:25:17,840 --> 00:25:20,359 Speaker 6: but King Saul was so jealous of him he was 562 00:25:20,400 --> 00:25:23,240 Speaker 6: trying to kill him. Here, David had done nothing wrong. 563 00:25:23,640 --> 00:25:26,720 Speaker 6: In fact, he had always only honored Saul. He was 564 00:25:26,800 --> 00:25:29,080 Speaker 6: the one that when Saul was not feeling well, he 565 00:25:29,119 --> 00:25:31,439 Speaker 6: would bring his harp in and play it, try to 566 00:25:31,480 --> 00:25:33,439 Speaker 6: console him, try to make him feel better. 567 00:25:33,800 --> 00:25:35,440 Speaker 4: But in return, Saul. 568 00:25:35,200 --> 00:25:38,120 Speaker 6: Paid him back by chasing him through the wilderness, trying 569 00:25:38,160 --> 00:25:40,400 Speaker 6: to get rid of him. And so David is running 570 00:25:40,440 --> 00:25:43,240 Speaker 6: from cave to cave. He's trying to escape Saul's fury. 571 00:25:43,680 --> 00:25:46,200 Speaker 6: And one night, Saul and his men were camped out, 572 00:25:46,600 --> 00:25:49,600 Speaker 6: sleeping out there in the wilderness, and David's men saw 573 00:25:49,640 --> 00:25:52,000 Speaker 6: this and they came running to David. They said, David, 574 00:25:52,280 --> 00:25:55,879 Speaker 6: here's your big chance. You can put an end to Saul. 575 00:25:56,000 --> 00:25:58,000 Speaker 6: You can put an end to all this heartache and 576 00:25:58,080 --> 00:25:59,359 Speaker 6: pain he's been causing you. 577 00:26:00,000 --> 00:26:01,920 Speaker 4: So do you know, David wouldn't do it. 578 00:26:02,200 --> 00:26:04,760 Speaker 6: He knew that Saul was still the king, and he 579 00:26:04,880 --> 00:26:07,960 Speaker 6: was still under his authority, and even though he wasn't 580 00:26:07,960 --> 00:26:10,760 Speaker 6: treating him right, he knew he had to honor that 581 00:26:10,840 --> 00:26:14,920 Speaker 6: authority and respect him anyway. In other words, David stayed 582 00:26:15,040 --> 00:26:17,640 Speaker 6: under what God had him under. He just kept doing 583 00:26:17,640 --> 00:26:19,919 Speaker 6: the right thing, kept passing the test. And you know 584 00:26:20,000 --> 00:26:22,280 Speaker 6: the story. One day God took care of Saul and 585 00:26:22,359 --> 00:26:25,480 Speaker 6: David was made the king. And you too may have 586 00:26:25,640 --> 00:26:29,000 Speaker 6: a Saul in your life today, somebody that's not treating 587 00:26:29,000 --> 00:26:32,880 Speaker 6: you right, a spouse, a boss, a teacher, and you've 588 00:26:32,920 --> 00:26:35,480 Speaker 6: got a good reason to just bail out of that situation. 589 00:26:35,840 --> 00:26:39,560 Speaker 6: You could easily justify just walking away, But I'm challenging 590 00:26:39,600 --> 00:26:42,000 Speaker 6: you to do like David and just stick with it 591 00:26:42,160 --> 00:26:45,680 Speaker 6: and treat them with respect anyway, Keep doing the right thing. 592 00:26:45,920 --> 00:26:49,159 Speaker 6: Even though you don't see anything changing. God is watching 593 00:26:49,200 --> 00:26:53,400 Speaker 6: you as you humble yourself under God's hand. In due season, 594 00:26:53,520 --> 00:26:56,679 Speaker 6: he will exalt you, he said, Joe. When is due season? 595 00:26:56,840 --> 00:26:59,520 Speaker 6: When's it going to change? When God knows you're ready? 596 00:27:00,000 --> 00:27:02,439 Speaker 6: And only God knows that. God could have taken care 597 00:27:02,480 --> 00:27:05,240 Speaker 6: of Saul many months before, but he must have known 598 00:27:05,359 --> 00:27:08,120 Speaker 6: David needed that to be prepared for what he had 599 00:27:08,160 --> 00:27:10,879 Speaker 6: in store. And so, wherever you are today, just make 600 00:27:10,920 --> 00:27:13,720 Speaker 6: a decision. You're gonna be your very best. You're gonna 601 00:27:13,760 --> 00:27:16,680 Speaker 6: keep passing the test. You're gonna keep being faithful day 602 00:27:16,720 --> 00:27:19,320 Speaker 6: in and day out. When you're in tough times, you 603 00:27:19,359 --> 00:27:22,080 Speaker 6: need to just remind yourself. God is getting me prepared 604 00:27:22,119 --> 00:27:25,600 Speaker 6: for promotion. I'm coming up high. Our attitude should be 605 00:27:25,720 --> 00:27:28,440 Speaker 6: I'm gonna stay under what God has me under until 606 00:27:28,480 --> 00:27:31,439 Speaker 6: he's finished with it, until he changes things. So let 607 00:27:31,480 --> 00:27:34,119 Speaker 6: me challenge you again. Stay where you are with a 608 00:27:34,160 --> 00:27:37,240 Speaker 6: good attitude. Don't be jealous when you see other people 609 00:27:37,240 --> 00:27:40,679 Speaker 6: being blessed. Learn to be happy for their successes, and 610 00:27:40,720 --> 00:27:43,960 Speaker 6: don't just bail out of a difficult relationship. If you 611 00:27:44,000 --> 00:27:47,520 Speaker 6: will humble yourself and stay where you know God wants 612 00:27:47,520 --> 00:27:50,359 Speaker 6: you to be, then you are passing that test. And 613 00:27:50,400 --> 00:27:53,160 Speaker 6: then at the right time, God promises he will promote 614 00:27:53,160 --> 00:27:55,680 Speaker 6: you you'll come up high and you'll experience the joy, 615 00:27:55,800 --> 00:27:58,359 Speaker 6: the peace, and the victories that He has in store. 616 00:27:58,400 --> 00:28:00,240 Speaker 4: Amen, how many to receive it today? 617 00:28:00,600 --> 00:28:01,119 Speaker 3: I know you do. 618 00:28:03,680 --> 00:28:06,639 Speaker 6: We never like to close our broadcast without giving you 619 00:28:06,680 --> 00:28:09,560 Speaker 6: an opportunity to make Jesus the lord of your life. 620 00:28:09,760 --> 00:28:13,879 Speaker 6: Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus, I 621 00:28:14,040 --> 00:28:18,600 Speaker 6: repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I make 622 00:28:18,680 --> 00:28:22,000 Speaker 6: you my Lord and savior. Friends, if you've prayed that 623 00:28:22,119 --> 00:28:24,879 Speaker 6: simple prayer, we believe you got born again. Get in 624 00:28:24,960 --> 00:28:28,200 Speaker 6: a good Bible based church. Keep God first place. He's 625 00:28:28,240 --> 00:28:30,480 Speaker 6: going to take your places that you've never dreamed of. 626 00:28:31,200 --> 00:28:34,640 Speaker 5: Thank you for listening to the Joel Oustine podcast. Help 627 00:28:34,720 --> 00:28:37,440 Speaker 5: us continue to share the message of hope with those 628 00:28:37,560 --> 00:28:41,440 Speaker 5: all over the world. Visit Joeloustine dot com slash give 629 00:28:41,520 --> 00:28:43,200 Speaker 5: Hope to give a gift today. 630 00:28:44,480 --> 00:28:46,920 Speaker 4: Thanks so much for listening to today's message. 631 00:28:47,040 --> 00:28:49,800 Speaker 6: I hope you'll subscribe so you can receive the latest 632 00:28:49,840 --> 00:28:52,880 Speaker 6: podcast to keep you inspired all through the week. 633 00:28:53,120 --> 00:28:56,000 Speaker 4: We're praying for you. I know God's best is still ahead. 634 00:28:56,200 --> 00:28:57,240 Speaker 4: We'll see you next time. 635 00:29:04,320 --> 00:29:06,320 Speaker 7: Summer is here and our sleep is just as important 636 00:29:06,360 --> 00:29:08,480 Speaker 7: as our weekend plans. 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