1 00:00:01,080 --> 00:00:02,880 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. 2 00:00:02,920 --> 00:00:05,960 Speaker 2: Thanks for listening to our podcast and thanks for supporting 3 00:00:05,960 --> 00:00:08,880 Speaker 2: the ministry. If you enjoy today's message, why don't you 4 00:00:08,960 --> 00:00:11,119 Speaker 2: be a blessing and share it with a friend. We 5 00:00:11,200 --> 00:00:14,560 Speaker 2: appreciate you and pray for God's very best in your life. 6 00:00:15,080 --> 00:00:18,480 Speaker 2: God bless you always a joy to come into your homes. 7 00:00:18,640 --> 00:00:19,360 Speaker 1: We love you. 8 00:00:19,880 --> 00:00:22,280 Speaker 2: We know that God has good things in store for you, 9 00:00:22,360 --> 00:00:24,600 Speaker 2: and that's why we come with a message of hope 10 00:00:24,600 --> 00:00:27,160 Speaker 2: each week. If you're ever in our area, I hope 11 00:00:27,160 --> 00:00:29,240 Speaker 2: you'll stop by and see us. I promise you will 12 00:00:29,280 --> 00:00:31,120 Speaker 2: make you feel right at home. But thanks so much 13 00:00:31,160 --> 00:00:33,560 Speaker 2: for tuning in today, and I'd like to get started 14 00:00:33,600 --> 00:00:35,720 Speaker 2: each week with something funny, so listen to this one. 15 00:00:35,960 --> 00:00:39,199 Speaker 2: A blonde lady was speeding down the road and she 16 00:00:39,320 --> 00:00:42,080 Speaker 2: was pulled over by a female police officer that was 17 00:00:42,159 --> 00:00:45,760 Speaker 2: also blonde. She asked to see the lady's driver's license. 18 00:00:45,960 --> 00:00:47,960 Speaker 2: She dug and dug through her purse, getting more and 19 00:00:48,000 --> 00:00:50,519 Speaker 2: more agitated. Finally, she asked, what does it look like? 20 00:00:50,960 --> 00:00:53,920 Speaker 2: The policewoman said, it's square and it has your picture 21 00:00:53,960 --> 00:00:54,240 Speaker 2: on it. 22 00:00:54,720 --> 00:00:56,319 Speaker 1: The driver finally found a. 23 00:00:56,280 --> 00:00:59,640 Speaker 2: Square mirror, looked at it saw our picture and handed 24 00:00:59,640 --> 00:01:02,400 Speaker 2: it to the officer. The blonde officer looked at the 25 00:01:02,400 --> 00:01:04,480 Speaker 2: mirror and shook her head. She handed it back and said, 26 00:01:04,480 --> 00:01:06,560 Speaker 2: all right, you can go. I didn't realize you were 27 00:01:06,600 --> 00:01:13,440 Speaker 2: a police officer. All right, somebody give me a ride 28 00:01:13,480 --> 00:01:14,000 Speaker 2: home today. 29 00:01:15,800 --> 00:01:17,800 Speaker 1: Hold your bibles up, say it like you mean it. 30 00:01:17,920 --> 00:01:21,240 Speaker 2: Ready, this is my Bible. I am what it says 31 00:01:21,319 --> 00:01:24,400 Speaker 2: I am. I have what it says I have. I 32 00:01:24,400 --> 00:01:27,240 Speaker 2: can do what it says I can do. Today I'll 33 00:01:27,240 --> 00:01:30,840 Speaker 2: be taught the word of God. I boldly confess. My 34 00:01:31,040 --> 00:01:34,759 Speaker 2: mind is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never 35 00:01:34,840 --> 00:01:39,400 Speaker 2: be the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. I 36 00:01:39,520 --> 00:01:42,080 Speaker 2: want to talk to you today about the importance of 37 00:01:42,160 --> 00:01:46,679 Speaker 2: staying in peace and not being controlled by your circumstances. 38 00:01:47,160 --> 00:01:49,760 Speaker 2: And so many people are always trying to get rid 39 00:01:49,800 --> 00:01:51,280 Speaker 2: of their problems. 40 00:01:50,920 --> 00:01:53,040 Speaker 1: And then they're going to be happy, then they're going 41 00:01:53,080 --> 00:01:54,520 Speaker 1: to start enjoying their lives. 42 00:01:54,880 --> 00:01:58,080 Speaker 2: But really, God wants us to learn to have peace 43 00:01:58,560 --> 00:02:01,040 Speaker 2: in the midst of the storms. He wants us to 44 00:02:01,120 --> 00:02:04,320 Speaker 2: have peace even when things aren't going our way. Our 45 00:02:04,360 --> 00:02:07,320 Speaker 2: boss isn't treating us right. We didn't get the promotion 46 00:02:07,440 --> 00:02:09,040 Speaker 2: we wanted, our child. 47 00:02:08,840 --> 00:02:09,960 Speaker 1: Isn't doing what he should. 48 00:02:10,520 --> 00:02:13,320 Speaker 2: And if we make the mistake of basing our peace 49 00:02:13,440 --> 00:02:17,680 Speaker 2: on our circumstances, will never experience God's best because the 50 00:02:17,720 --> 00:02:21,040 Speaker 2: fact is there will always be something to upset us. 51 00:02:21,720 --> 00:02:23,880 Speaker 2: You're never gonna get rid of all the people in 52 00:02:23,919 --> 00:02:26,960 Speaker 2: your life that aggravate you. You're never going to come 53 00:02:27,000 --> 00:02:29,320 Speaker 2: to a point where you don't have challenges and you 54 00:02:29,360 --> 00:02:33,080 Speaker 2: don't have real good opportunities to get discouraged. We have 55 00:02:33,200 --> 00:02:36,960 Speaker 2: to change our approach to life. People may not change, 56 00:02:37,240 --> 00:02:41,160 Speaker 2: circumstances may not change, So we're gonna have to change now. 57 00:02:41,240 --> 00:02:43,840 Speaker 2: Like what the apostle Paul said, he'd been through all 58 00:02:43,919 --> 00:02:48,280 Speaker 2: kinds of shipwrecks and heartache, and people had done unfair 59 00:02:48,360 --> 00:02:50,919 Speaker 2: things to him, but he said, in spite of all 60 00:02:51,000 --> 00:02:54,520 Speaker 2: these things, we are more than conquers. That's the kind 61 00:02:54,520 --> 00:02:57,160 Speaker 2: of attitude we need to have. See, don't use your 62 00:02:57,200 --> 00:02:59,560 Speaker 2: faith to try to get rid of all your problems. 63 00:02:59,840 --> 00:03:02,760 Speaker 2: You use your faith to remain calm in the midst 64 00:03:02,760 --> 00:03:06,600 Speaker 2: of your problems. One time Jesus was on a boat asleep, 65 00:03:06,960 --> 00:03:09,600 Speaker 2: and all of a sudden this huge storm arose. The 66 00:03:09,639 --> 00:03:12,800 Speaker 2: winds were so strong they were batting the boat back 67 00:03:12,840 --> 00:03:16,240 Speaker 2: and forth, and the disciples got all upset and all afraid, 68 00:03:16,280 --> 00:03:19,160 Speaker 2: and they finally ran back there, said Jesus, get up, 69 00:03:19,160 --> 00:03:22,160 Speaker 2: we're about to die, We're about to perish. And Jesus 70 00:03:22,200 --> 00:03:25,520 Speaker 2: got up, and he simply spoke to the storm. He said, 71 00:03:25,600 --> 00:03:27,959 Speaker 2: peace be still, and all of a sudden there was 72 00:03:28,000 --> 00:03:31,760 Speaker 2: a great calm. And the reason Jesus was able to 73 00:03:31,800 --> 00:03:35,680 Speaker 2: bring peace to that situation was because he had peace. 74 00:03:35,400 --> 00:03:36,360 Speaker 1: On the inside. 75 00:03:36,880 --> 00:03:39,040 Speaker 2: He was in the storm, but he didn't let the 76 00:03:39,080 --> 00:03:42,000 Speaker 2: storm get in him. And if you get upset and 77 00:03:42,080 --> 00:03:45,480 Speaker 2: frustrated every time things don't go your way, then you 78 00:03:45,520 --> 00:03:49,320 Speaker 2: can't bring peace to that situation. And really, peace is 79 00:03:49,360 --> 00:03:52,800 Speaker 2: not the absence of trouble. Peace is not the absence 80 00:03:52,880 --> 00:03:56,600 Speaker 2: of enemies. You can have trouble and conflict all around 81 00:03:56,640 --> 00:03:59,560 Speaker 2: you on the outside, but real peace is to know 82 00:03:59,560 --> 00:04:01,800 Speaker 2: how to not let it get on the inside. And 83 00:04:01,840 --> 00:04:04,400 Speaker 2: some of you today you're all upset and worried your 84 00:04:04,440 --> 00:04:07,640 Speaker 2: child's not doing right, or maybe there's a situation at 85 00:04:07,680 --> 00:04:10,560 Speaker 2: work that's just so unfair, and you're letting that just 86 00:04:10,680 --> 00:04:12,560 Speaker 2: keep you stirred up on the inside. 87 00:04:12,880 --> 00:04:13,600 Speaker 1: Day after day. 88 00:04:13,640 --> 00:04:17,560 Speaker 2: It's just weighing you down, draining your joy draining your energy, 89 00:04:17,680 --> 00:04:21,280 Speaker 2: draining your enthusiasm. The whole problem is you've let the 90 00:04:21,320 --> 00:04:23,640 Speaker 2: storm get on the inside. You've got to make some 91 00:04:23,760 --> 00:04:27,839 Speaker 2: changes quite allowing those things to upset you. Learn to 92 00:04:27,920 --> 00:04:30,839 Speaker 2: turn that situation over to God. Don't let the storm 93 00:04:30,920 --> 00:04:33,600 Speaker 2: get in you. Life's too short to live it that way. 94 00:04:34,120 --> 00:04:37,040 Speaker 2: The Bible talks about how we should enter into the 95 00:04:37,080 --> 00:04:40,360 Speaker 2: rest of God. That's a place where we know that 96 00:04:40,440 --> 00:04:43,520 Speaker 2: God is in control. We know God is fighting our 97 00:04:43,560 --> 00:04:45,960 Speaker 2: battles for us, and we know when it's all set 98 00:04:46,000 --> 00:04:48,600 Speaker 2: and done, God has promised he's going to cause all 99 00:04:48,680 --> 00:04:51,720 Speaker 2: things to work together for our good. And that's why 100 00:04:51,760 --> 00:04:54,039 Speaker 2: we can stay in peace. That's why we can have 101 00:04:54,080 --> 00:04:56,960 Speaker 2: a smile on our face even though things aren't going 102 00:04:57,000 --> 00:04:59,039 Speaker 2: our way. God is in control. 103 00:04:59,240 --> 00:05:01,680 Speaker 1: And if God be, who dare even be against us? 104 00:05:02,120 --> 00:05:05,360 Speaker 2: But understand, until you get back to this place of peace, 105 00:05:05,560 --> 00:05:08,960 Speaker 2: God can't really work in your life because God works 106 00:05:09,000 --> 00:05:12,560 Speaker 2: where there's an attitude of faith and expectancy, not when 107 00:05:12,560 --> 00:05:16,840 Speaker 2: we're upset and worried and going around all discouraged and really, 108 00:05:16,920 --> 00:05:20,719 Speaker 2: practically every day we're gonna have opportunities to lose our peace. 109 00:05:21,279 --> 00:05:24,120 Speaker 2: Somebody is rude to you on the phone. You want 110 00:05:24,120 --> 00:05:26,400 Speaker 2: to just jump back down their throat. No, I'm gonna 111 00:05:26,400 --> 00:05:28,880 Speaker 2: stay at peace. I'm not going to allow him to 112 00:05:29,000 --> 00:05:32,080 Speaker 2: upset me. Or the boss doesn't give you the credit 113 00:05:32,160 --> 00:05:34,800 Speaker 2: you deserve. You didn't get the big promotion you were 114 00:05:34,839 --> 00:05:38,120 Speaker 2: really hoping for. But that's okay. I know God's in control. 115 00:05:38,320 --> 00:05:41,720 Speaker 2: I know God has something better in store. Well, Joel, 116 00:05:41,760 --> 00:05:44,720 Speaker 2: I'm upset because this man walked out of our relationship. 117 00:05:44,760 --> 00:05:47,240 Speaker 1: That's just not fair. Now hold your peace. 118 00:05:47,600 --> 00:05:50,400 Speaker 2: If you'll stay calm, if you'll stay at rest, God 119 00:05:50,440 --> 00:05:53,440 Speaker 2: will bring somebody better into your life. He'll take what 120 00:05:53,560 --> 00:05:55,960 Speaker 2: the enemy meant for evil and turn it all around 121 00:05:56,200 --> 00:05:58,479 Speaker 2: and use it for your advantage. But you've got to 122 00:05:58,480 --> 00:06:03,160 Speaker 2: do your part and hold your peace. Don't live life upset, worried, 123 00:06:03,240 --> 00:06:06,800 Speaker 2: and frustrated. Sometimes we lose our peace over things we 124 00:06:06,839 --> 00:06:10,240 Speaker 2: can't change. And you can't change the traffic in the morning. 125 00:06:10,520 --> 00:06:12,320 Speaker 2: You might as well just sit there and enjoy it. 126 00:06:12,480 --> 00:06:14,680 Speaker 1: Just stay calm. You can't make your. 127 00:06:14,600 --> 00:06:17,360 Speaker 2: Husband or your wife, or your boss or your neighbor 128 00:06:17,440 --> 00:06:18,040 Speaker 2: do what's right. 129 00:06:18,120 --> 00:06:18,960 Speaker 1: Only God can. 130 00:06:19,560 --> 00:06:22,520 Speaker 2: You might as well start enjoying your life while God 131 00:06:22,560 --> 00:06:23,800 Speaker 2: is in the process. 132 00:06:23,440 --> 00:06:24,320 Speaker 1: Of changing things. 133 00:06:24,960 --> 00:06:27,480 Speaker 2: I know one time, Victoria nine, our kids. We were 134 00:06:27,520 --> 00:06:31,520 Speaker 2: going on vacation to Branson, Missouri. It was around Christmas time, 135 00:06:31,920 --> 00:06:33,520 Speaker 2: so the airports were very crowded. 136 00:06:34,040 --> 00:06:37,240 Speaker 1: We had to change planes in Memphis. We didn't have a. 137 00:06:37,279 --> 00:06:39,800 Speaker 2: Very long layover, and we got off the plane and 138 00:06:39,839 --> 00:06:42,360 Speaker 2: our kids were real hungry, so we've stopped at a 139 00:06:42,360 --> 00:06:45,000 Speaker 2: little Hamburger stand real quick to get them something to eat. 140 00:06:45,200 --> 00:06:47,320 Speaker 2: And then we took off toward the gate, and I 141 00:06:47,360 --> 00:06:49,479 Speaker 2: mean it was a long way. We had to catch 142 00:06:49,480 --> 00:06:52,359 Speaker 2: a couple shuttle buses and then we ran the rest 143 00:06:52,360 --> 00:06:54,240 Speaker 2: of the way. And when I got to the gate, 144 00:06:54,320 --> 00:06:57,120 Speaker 2: I noticed the plane was still here, but the main 145 00:06:57,200 --> 00:06:59,920 Speaker 2: door at the jetway was closed, and so I went 146 00:07:00,080 --> 00:07:02,280 Speaker 2: up to that counter and I did everything I could 147 00:07:02,320 --> 00:07:04,360 Speaker 2: to try to get on that plane. I prayed for 148 00:07:04,440 --> 00:07:08,000 Speaker 2: God's favor, I smiled real big, and I was as 149 00:07:08,040 --> 00:07:09,080 Speaker 2: friendly as I could be. 150 00:07:09,200 --> 00:07:11,760 Speaker 1: But none of that work. I thought, Man, I don't. 151 00:07:11,560 --> 00:07:13,080 Speaker 2: Want to sit in this airport for three or four 152 00:07:13,120 --> 00:07:15,840 Speaker 2: hours waiting for the next flight. And I could feel 153 00:07:15,920 --> 00:07:18,520 Speaker 2: myself starting to get stress. And I had to make 154 00:07:18,520 --> 00:07:20,760 Speaker 2: a choice right then. And there was I gonna keep 155 00:07:20,760 --> 00:07:22,720 Speaker 2: my peace or was I gonna give it away? 156 00:07:23,320 --> 00:07:24,560 Speaker 1: I kept about half of it. 157 00:07:27,240 --> 00:07:31,320 Speaker 2: When we finally got to Branson a little later, I 158 00:07:31,360 --> 00:07:33,600 Speaker 2: got off the plane and this older couple came up 159 00:07:33,640 --> 00:07:35,240 Speaker 2: to me and she said, I hate to bother you, 160 00:07:35,320 --> 00:07:38,000 Speaker 2: but I gotta tell you I really love you. I 161 00:07:38,120 --> 00:07:40,400 Speaker 2: listened to you all the time, and I just enjoy 162 00:07:40,440 --> 00:07:41,040 Speaker 2: it so much. 163 00:07:41,080 --> 00:07:42,040 Speaker 1: On and on she went. 164 00:07:42,400 --> 00:07:44,360 Speaker 2: I started to feel a little better, started to get 165 00:07:44,360 --> 00:07:47,440 Speaker 2: my joy back, but I noticed her husband that whole 166 00:07:47,480 --> 00:07:49,400 Speaker 2: time was looking at me, like, who in the world 167 00:07:49,480 --> 00:07:52,160 Speaker 2: is this guy? And this lady just went on and on, 168 00:07:52,240 --> 00:07:55,880 Speaker 2: and as I was finally leaving, I overheard her saying, oh, honey, 169 00:07:55,920 --> 00:07:56,800 Speaker 2: you know who he is. 170 00:07:56,960 --> 00:08:05,480 Speaker 1: He's the guy that sings my achy breaky heart. I 171 00:08:05,520 --> 00:08:07,360 Speaker 1: thought it was gonna be one of those days. 172 00:08:08,600 --> 00:08:10,360 Speaker 2: But see, we got to learn to just keep our 173 00:08:10,400 --> 00:08:14,920 Speaker 2: peace even when people don't know who we are, even 174 00:08:14,960 --> 00:08:17,720 Speaker 2: when things don't go our way, even when we get 175 00:08:17,760 --> 00:08:20,680 Speaker 2: caught in traffic, even when our plans don't work out. 176 00:08:20,920 --> 00:08:22,600 Speaker 1: Let me ask you, how do you know that's not 177 00:08:22,640 --> 00:08:25,800 Speaker 1: where God wants you to be. How do you know God. 178 00:08:25,600 --> 00:08:28,200 Speaker 2: Is not protecting you from an accident? I love the 179 00:08:28,240 --> 00:08:31,760 Speaker 2: scripture in Proverbs. It says, since the Lord is directing 180 00:08:31,800 --> 00:08:34,840 Speaker 2: our steps. Why do we try to figure out everything 181 00:08:34,880 --> 00:08:36,040 Speaker 2: that happens along the way. 182 00:08:36,520 --> 00:08:37,760 Speaker 1: Now, just go with the flow. 183 00:08:38,280 --> 00:08:41,400 Speaker 2: Quit worrying about things you can't change, learn to turn 184 00:08:41,440 --> 00:08:43,600 Speaker 2: the situation completely over to God. 185 00:08:43,880 --> 00:08:45,520 Speaker 1: He is in control of your life. 186 00:08:45,880 --> 00:08:48,760 Speaker 2: And really, one of the greatest ways that we can 187 00:08:48,800 --> 00:08:52,959 Speaker 2: show God that we're trusting him is by simply remaining calm. 188 00:08:53,400 --> 00:08:55,960 Speaker 2: Not by how much we pray, not by how many 189 00:08:55,960 --> 00:08:58,600 Speaker 2: times we come to church. That's all great, But what's 190 00:08:58,640 --> 00:09:01,480 Speaker 2: going on in you when you get to that point 191 00:09:01,600 --> 00:09:04,600 Speaker 2: where the storm is raging and people are treating you 192 00:09:04,720 --> 00:09:07,760 Speaker 2: unfair and maybe you've got a bad report from the doctor, 193 00:09:08,000 --> 00:09:10,520 Speaker 2: and in the natural, you should be discouraged, you should 194 00:09:10,520 --> 00:09:13,840 Speaker 2: be all upset. But instead you've got a smile on 195 00:09:13,920 --> 00:09:16,680 Speaker 2: your face. You've still got that spring in your step. 196 00:09:16,920 --> 00:09:17,760 Speaker 1: You're at peace. 197 00:09:18,400 --> 00:09:21,880 Speaker 2: What you're really saying is God, I trust you. I 198 00:09:21,920 --> 00:09:24,800 Speaker 2: know you're bigger than this sickness. I know you're bigger 199 00:09:24,880 --> 00:09:27,880 Speaker 2: than this marriage trouble. I know you're bigger than my enemies. 200 00:09:28,440 --> 00:09:31,440 Speaker 2: When you hold your peace and remain at rest, that's 201 00:09:31,480 --> 00:09:34,320 Speaker 2: when God can fight your battles for you. And really, 202 00:09:34,360 --> 00:09:37,440 Speaker 2: God wants us to be stable. Don't be the type 203 00:09:37,480 --> 00:09:40,160 Speaker 2: of person that's up when your circumstances are up. 204 00:09:40,080 --> 00:09:41,200 Speaker 1: And down when they're down. 205 00:09:41,559 --> 00:09:44,160 Speaker 2: If you live like that, the enemy will control you 206 00:09:44,160 --> 00:09:45,199 Speaker 2: your whole lifetime. 207 00:09:45,520 --> 00:09:48,320 Speaker 1: Have some stability. We've got to learn. 208 00:09:48,120 --> 00:09:50,760 Speaker 2: To stay at peace. If we get the promotion and 209 00:09:50,800 --> 00:09:53,520 Speaker 2: we're at peace. If we don't get the promotion, we're 210 00:09:53,520 --> 00:09:56,680 Speaker 2: calm if traffic's good, and we're still calm if traffic's 211 00:09:56,720 --> 00:09:59,240 Speaker 2: all back to we're in a good mood when people 212 00:09:59,280 --> 00:10:01,800 Speaker 2: are treating us, and we're in a good mood even 213 00:10:01,840 --> 00:10:02,599 Speaker 2: when life. 214 00:10:02,520 --> 00:10:03,680 Speaker 1: Is a little bit unfair. 215 00:10:04,400 --> 00:10:06,680 Speaker 2: We need to be the type of person that it's 216 00:10:06,840 --> 00:10:10,320 Speaker 2: very difficult for us to lose our peace. Well, somebody's 217 00:10:10,360 --> 00:10:12,480 Speaker 2: talking about you, They're saying critical things. 218 00:10:12,600 --> 00:10:13,200 Speaker 1: That's okay. 219 00:10:13,320 --> 00:10:15,600 Speaker 2: I know God is in control. I know God will 220 00:10:15,600 --> 00:10:18,040 Speaker 2: fight my battles for me. Well, aren't you gonna at 221 00:10:18,120 --> 00:10:20,360 Speaker 2: least respond back. Aren't you gonna at least set the 222 00:10:20,400 --> 00:10:21,120 Speaker 2: record straight? 223 00:10:21,480 --> 00:10:21,520 Speaker 1: No? 224 00:10:21,679 --> 00:10:24,040 Speaker 2: I know God will be my vindicator. I know God 225 00:10:24,080 --> 00:10:26,800 Speaker 2: will make my wrongs right. Or maybe I heard you 226 00:10:26,840 --> 00:10:29,120 Speaker 2: got a bad report from the doctor. I'm sure you're 227 00:10:29,120 --> 00:10:32,800 Speaker 2: all upset. No, I'm not upset. I'm at peace. I 228 00:10:32,880 --> 00:10:35,440 Speaker 2: know the number of my days God has promised he 229 00:10:35,520 --> 00:10:38,120 Speaker 2: will fulfill. I know my life is in the palm 230 00:10:38,120 --> 00:10:40,559 Speaker 2: of God's hands. Well I heard you up against some 231 00:10:40,640 --> 00:10:43,520 Speaker 2: big enemies. Yes, that's true, but I'm not worried. I 232 00:10:43,559 --> 00:10:46,000 Speaker 2: know my God is bigger. I know no men can 233 00:10:46,040 --> 00:10:49,440 Speaker 2: stand against my God. With men, it may be impossible, 234 00:10:49,920 --> 00:10:52,080 Speaker 2: but I know with God all things are possible. 235 00:10:52,679 --> 00:10:52,920 Speaker 1: See. 236 00:10:52,960 --> 00:10:55,560 Speaker 2: One of the greatest ways we can show God that 237 00:10:55,600 --> 00:10:59,080 Speaker 2: we're trusting him, it's just by simply remaining calm. And 238 00:10:59,120 --> 00:11:02,760 Speaker 2: so often when trouble comes, first thing we do is rebuke, 239 00:11:02,800 --> 00:11:05,200 Speaker 2: and we resist, and we get ourselves all worn out 240 00:11:05,200 --> 00:11:07,920 Speaker 2: and all in a frenzy. But really, just staying at 241 00:11:08,000 --> 00:11:10,960 Speaker 2: peace in the midst of the storm is spiritual warfare. 242 00:11:11,520 --> 00:11:14,040 Speaker 2: When the enemy hits you with his best shot, and 243 00:11:14,080 --> 00:11:16,480 Speaker 2: in the natural you should get a little discourage, you 244 00:11:16,520 --> 00:11:19,960 Speaker 2: should start complaining it like everybody else. But instead you 245 00:11:20,080 --> 00:11:23,000 Speaker 2: just stay happy anyway. You don't get bitter, you don't 246 00:11:23,040 --> 00:11:25,760 Speaker 2: blame God, you don't try to go pay somebody back. 247 00:11:25,920 --> 00:11:26,720 Speaker 1: You're at peace. 248 00:11:27,360 --> 00:11:29,720 Speaker 2: When you do that, God will always cause you to 249 00:11:29,760 --> 00:11:33,200 Speaker 2: come out ahead. The other day, I was waiting in 250 00:11:33,240 --> 00:11:36,080 Speaker 2: my car for this parking spot. This man was just 251 00:11:36,120 --> 00:11:38,200 Speaker 2: about to pull out and I was sitting there with 252 00:11:38,240 --> 00:11:40,360 Speaker 2: my blinker on. I'd been there a long time, and 253 00:11:40,480 --> 00:11:42,600 Speaker 2: it was very obvious I was going to pull into 254 00:11:42,600 --> 00:11:43,480 Speaker 2: this spot. 255 00:11:43,520 --> 00:11:44,079 Speaker 1: But when he. 256 00:11:44,080 --> 00:11:46,800 Speaker 2: Backed out, I got blocked for a couple of seconds, 257 00:11:46,960 --> 00:11:49,120 Speaker 2: and so this other car just pulled right in there 258 00:11:49,280 --> 00:11:50,160 Speaker 2: and beat me to it. 259 00:11:50,360 --> 00:11:51,160 Speaker 1: And I couldn't believe it. 260 00:11:51,160 --> 00:11:53,280 Speaker 2: I'd been there a long time and there was no 261 00:11:53,320 --> 00:11:55,679 Speaker 2: doubt in my mind that guy had been watching me wait. 262 00:11:55,520 --> 00:11:56,160 Speaker 1: For this spot. 263 00:11:56,520 --> 00:11:58,559 Speaker 2: Now I had to make a decision. Was I gonna 264 00:11:58,600 --> 00:12:01,520 Speaker 2: lose my peace or was I just gonna stay calm 265 00:12:01,640 --> 00:12:05,080 Speaker 2: and overlook it. Was I gonna get upset or was 266 00:12:05,080 --> 00:12:07,600 Speaker 2: I gonna sew it as a seed and trust God 267 00:12:07,640 --> 00:12:10,520 Speaker 2: to make it up to me and understand In the natural, 268 00:12:10,760 --> 00:12:12,720 Speaker 2: I wanted to blow my horn and let him know 269 00:12:12,760 --> 00:12:15,400 Speaker 2: what I thought, and the natural I wanted to let 270 00:12:15,480 --> 00:12:17,240 Speaker 2: him go on inside and I just go let a 271 00:12:17,320 --> 00:12:22,080 Speaker 2: little air out of each tide. But I finally decided, 272 00:12:22,120 --> 00:12:25,080 Speaker 2: you know what, this is not worth losing my peace over. 273 00:12:25,360 --> 00:12:28,440 Speaker 2: I'm just gonna bless him and move on. And some 274 00:12:28,520 --> 00:12:32,079 Speaker 2: of you today, you're allowing people to steal your peace 275 00:12:32,800 --> 00:12:35,959 Speaker 2: every time they do a certain thing. It's just like clockwork. 276 00:12:36,000 --> 00:12:37,800 Speaker 2: You get all wrought up on the inside. 277 00:12:37,880 --> 00:12:41,599 Speaker 1: Well, that's not right. They aggravate me. They shouldn't do that. No, 278 00:12:41,760 --> 00:12:43,520 Speaker 1: quit allowing them to control you. 279 00:12:44,000 --> 00:12:46,480 Speaker 2: Every time you get upset, you're playing right into the 280 00:12:46,559 --> 00:12:47,360 Speaker 2: enemy's hands. 281 00:12:47,559 --> 00:12:49,760 Speaker 1: And you know what, They may not ever change. I 282 00:12:49,800 --> 00:12:52,360 Speaker 1: hope they do. But my point is we have to 283 00:12:52,440 --> 00:12:53,280 Speaker 1: change now. 284 00:12:53,280 --> 00:12:56,880 Speaker 2: I've discovered God is more interested in changing me than 285 00:12:56,880 --> 00:12:58,720 Speaker 2: he is in changing my circumstances. 286 00:12:59,040 --> 00:13:01,520 Speaker 1: And if I will just work with God and. 287 00:13:01,440 --> 00:13:05,800 Speaker 2: Not allow these things to upset me, be mouldable and pliable, 288 00:13:06,240 --> 00:13:07,559 Speaker 2: then God will begin. 289 00:13:07,400 --> 00:13:09,040 Speaker 1: To change my circumstances. 290 00:13:09,280 --> 00:13:12,240 Speaker 2: But we've got to sew a seed first by doing 291 00:13:12,240 --> 00:13:14,959 Speaker 2: the right thing, and sometimes we have to do the 292 00:13:15,040 --> 00:13:18,480 Speaker 2: right thing a long time before we see right results. 293 00:13:18,920 --> 00:13:21,920 Speaker 2: You've got to learn to overlook these offenses. You've got 294 00:13:21,960 --> 00:13:24,080 Speaker 2: to go the extra mile to keep the peace in 295 00:13:24,120 --> 00:13:28,160 Speaker 2: your life. Understand, there's always going to be people around 296 00:13:28,240 --> 00:13:31,360 Speaker 2: you that are able to aggravate you if you allow. 297 00:13:31,160 --> 00:13:33,800 Speaker 1: Them, and you cannot just pray them away. 298 00:13:34,520 --> 00:13:36,920 Speaker 2: Even if they did leave, God would probably send two 299 00:13:36,920 --> 00:13:38,400 Speaker 2: more people to replace them. 300 00:13:39,000 --> 00:13:40,640 Speaker 1: You got to learn to overcome that. 301 00:13:41,440 --> 00:13:44,800 Speaker 2: Maybe at your office people are gossiping about you, talking 302 00:13:44,840 --> 00:13:46,160 Speaker 2: behind your back, or. 303 00:13:46,120 --> 00:13:47,360 Speaker 1: Maybe somebody is just real. 304 00:13:47,320 --> 00:13:50,480 Speaker 2: Condescending to you. They just kind of irritate you. They 305 00:13:50,480 --> 00:13:52,920 Speaker 2: get on your nerves. It's like they pester you. And 306 00:13:52,960 --> 00:13:55,200 Speaker 2: in the natural, you want to get in there and argue. 307 00:13:55,480 --> 00:13:57,240 Speaker 2: You want to get in there and set the record straight. 308 00:13:57,280 --> 00:13:58,480 Speaker 2: Well you know what, I'm going to tell you what 309 00:13:58,559 --> 00:13:59,040 Speaker 2: I think. 310 00:13:59,320 --> 00:14:01,080 Speaker 1: But no, hold your peace. 311 00:14:01,520 --> 00:14:04,600 Speaker 2: If you'll be the bigger person and take the high road, 312 00:14:04,760 --> 00:14:07,000 Speaker 2: learn to overlook a few things, then. 313 00:14:06,880 --> 00:14:09,080 Speaker 1: That allows God to fight your battles for you. 314 00:14:09,559 --> 00:14:12,840 Speaker 2: And all through the scripture, it compares us to an eagle, 315 00:14:13,320 --> 00:14:16,000 Speaker 2: And it's interesting what the eagle does. You know, the 316 00:14:16,040 --> 00:14:19,080 Speaker 2: eagle has some pest and one of its biggest pests 317 00:14:19,280 --> 00:14:23,400 Speaker 2: is a crow. He's always squawking, always causing him trouble. 318 00:14:23,680 --> 00:14:25,800 Speaker 2: And the truth is, we all have a few crows 319 00:14:25,840 --> 00:14:26,440 Speaker 2: in our lives. 320 00:14:26,960 --> 00:14:29,440 Speaker 1: Probably have a few chickens and a few turkeys as well. 321 00:14:29,640 --> 00:14:31,880 Speaker 2: By that, I mean that's his people that can rub 322 00:14:31,960 --> 00:14:34,400 Speaker 2: us the wrong way, people that can irritate us if 323 00:14:34,440 --> 00:14:37,000 Speaker 2: we allow them. But we need to take a lesson 324 00:14:37,120 --> 00:14:40,440 Speaker 2: from the eagle. When the eagle is out flying, often 325 00:14:40,680 --> 00:14:43,560 Speaker 2: a crow will come up right behind him and start 326 00:14:43,600 --> 00:14:44,440 Speaker 2: to pester him. 327 00:14:44,760 --> 00:14:46,560 Speaker 1: Just to aggravate him and annoy him. 328 00:14:46,880 --> 00:14:50,160 Speaker 2: And although the eagle is much larger, it cannot turn 329 00:14:50,360 --> 00:14:53,480 Speaker 2: very quickly. In other words, it cannot out maneuver the crow. 330 00:14:53,920 --> 00:14:55,800 Speaker 2: And so what the eagle does to get rid of 331 00:14:55,840 --> 00:14:58,720 Speaker 2: his pest is he just stretches out his seven or 332 00:14:58,760 --> 00:15:02,640 Speaker 2: eight foot wingspan, and he catches some of the thermal currents, 333 00:15:02,720 --> 00:15:03,760 Speaker 2: and he rises. 334 00:15:03,480 --> 00:15:06,200 Speaker 1: Up higher and higher and higher. 335 00:15:05,840 --> 00:15:08,920 Speaker 2: And eventually he gets into an altitude that no other 336 00:15:09,000 --> 00:15:09,720 Speaker 2: bird can live. 337 00:15:09,880 --> 00:15:11,520 Speaker 1: That crow can't even breathe up there. 338 00:15:11,800 --> 00:15:14,840 Speaker 2: There's been eagles spotted as high as twenty thousand. 339 00:15:14,400 --> 00:15:16,160 Speaker 1: Feet up there with the jets fly. 340 00:15:16,640 --> 00:15:18,120 Speaker 2: The point is, if you want to get rid of 341 00:15:18,200 --> 00:15:20,080 Speaker 2: your pest, you've got to come up higher. 342 00:15:20,400 --> 00:15:25,640 Speaker 1: Don't ever sink down to their level. Don't ever sink 343 00:15:25,720 --> 00:15:26,720 Speaker 1: down to their level. 344 00:15:27,320 --> 00:15:30,440 Speaker 2: Don't try to argue, don't try to pay somebody back, 345 00:15:30,520 --> 00:15:33,400 Speaker 2: don't give them the cold shoulder. Be the bigger person. 346 00:15:34,160 --> 00:15:38,120 Speaker 2: Overlook their faults, walk in love. Learn to even bless 347 00:15:38,160 --> 00:15:42,120 Speaker 2: your enemies. Somebody's talking about you, somebody's doing you wrong. 348 00:15:42,560 --> 00:15:45,440 Speaker 2: Just bless them and move on anyway. Let me tell you, 349 00:15:45,480 --> 00:15:48,720 Speaker 2: in the long run, crows can't hang with eagles. You 350 00:15:48,880 --> 00:15:50,800 Speaker 2: do that and you'll rise above all that. 351 00:15:50,920 --> 00:15:51,200 Speaker 1: Jump. 352 00:15:51,960 --> 00:15:55,560 Speaker 2: As I said, we all have some crows in our lives. 353 00:15:55,560 --> 00:15:58,280 Speaker 2: That's people that are going to always talk, try to 354 00:15:58,320 --> 00:16:01,560 Speaker 2: stir up trouble, try to be, But don't you dare 355 00:16:01,600 --> 00:16:02,720 Speaker 2: sink down to their level. 356 00:16:02,880 --> 00:16:03,680 Speaker 1: You are an eagle. 357 00:16:04,080 --> 00:16:07,120 Speaker 2: You've been made in the image of Almighty God. Learn 358 00:16:07,200 --> 00:16:11,560 Speaker 2: to live above your circumstances. Rise above the petty politics 359 00:16:11,600 --> 00:16:15,000 Speaker 2: at the office. Don't let people pull you into strife 360 00:16:15,040 --> 00:16:18,800 Speaker 2: and division and get you all upset, gossiping. Hell, Joel, 361 00:16:18,800 --> 00:16:21,040 Speaker 2: they're talking about me. I'm gonna show them now. You 362 00:16:21,160 --> 00:16:24,320 Speaker 2: gotta hold your peace. You gotta be the bigger person. 363 00:16:24,600 --> 00:16:29,040 Speaker 2: Learn to rise above that. Always remember the turkeys, the chickens, 364 00:16:29,080 --> 00:16:32,400 Speaker 2: the crows. They cannot live at the altitude you were 365 00:16:32,400 --> 00:16:34,840 Speaker 2: designed to live in. Why don't you put your wings 366 00:16:34,840 --> 00:16:37,960 Speaker 2: out and begin to soar. God is in complete control 367 00:16:38,000 --> 00:16:41,880 Speaker 2: of your life. He's promised if you will just remain 368 00:16:42,040 --> 00:16:45,880 Speaker 2: at rest, he'll make your wrongs right. He'll bring justice 369 00:16:45,920 --> 00:16:49,000 Speaker 2: into your life. Man, what a freeing way this is 370 00:16:49,080 --> 00:16:51,840 Speaker 2: to live. We don't have to worry, we don't have 371 00:16:51,880 --> 00:16:54,440 Speaker 2: to try to pay somebody back, We don't have to 372 00:16:54,440 --> 00:16:57,360 Speaker 2: be controlled by every little circumstance. 373 00:16:56,920 --> 00:16:58,880 Speaker 1: We can just do like the eagle and rise up 374 00:16:58,920 --> 00:16:59,400 Speaker 1: above it. 375 00:17:00,160 --> 00:17:02,400 Speaker 2: You know, I've never seen an eagle pecking around in 376 00:17:02,440 --> 00:17:05,119 Speaker 2: the chicken coop with a bunch of chickens. And Egle 377 00:17:05,200 --> 00:17:07,960 Speaker 2: lives in the high places, and Egle lives up there 378 00:17:08,040 --> 00:17:11,479 Speaker 2: where he's close to God. Another interesting thing about an 379 00:17:11,520 --> 00:17:14,479 Speaker 2: eagle is when he comes to the storm, he doesn't 380 00:17:14,520 --> 00:17:17,160 Speaker 2: go through the storm. He doesn't just bury his head 381 00:17:17,200 --> 00:17:19,320 Speaker 2: and say, oh, here it comes again. I gotta fight 382 00:17:19,400 --> 00:17:21,679 Speaker 2: these winds, this light, and he's going to be terrible. 383 00:17:21,720 --> 00:17:24,720 Speaker 2: I'll probably never make it out. The eagle doesn't go 384 00:17:24,880 --> 00:17:27,760 Speaker 2: through the storm once again. He just puts his wings 385 00:17:27,760 --> 00:17:30,440 Speaker 2: out and catches a little more wind and he rises 386 00:17:30,440 --> 00:17:33,159 Speaker 2: above it. He'll go up higher and higher and higher 387 00:17:33,400 --> 00:17:37,000 Speaker 2: until he's completely above all that turnoff. And that eagle 388 00:17:37,440 --> 00:17:40,359 Speaker 2: is not the least bit concerned about the storm he's facing. 389 00:17:40,760 --> 00:17:44,280 Speaker 2: He doesn't get upset. He knows he has a way out, 390 00:17:44,720 --> 00:17:45,960 Speaker 2: and that way is to. 391 00:17:45,920 --> 00:17:46,639 Speaker 1: Come up higher. 392 00:17:47,280 --> 00:17:49,760 Speaker 2: And I'm sure he probably could fight his way through 393 00:17:49,840 --> 00:17:52,879 Speaker 2: the storm, struggle and fight and come out of that 394 00:17:53,000 --> 00:17:56,000 Speaker 2: half dead, all beat up. But what a shame for 395 00:17:56,119 --> 00:17:58,520 Speaker 2: him to live that way when God's given him the 396 00:17:58,560 --> 00:18:01,639 Speaker 2: ability to rise above it. The fact is that's what 397 00:18:01,720 --> 00:18:04,240 Speaker 2: many of us do. God has given us his peace. 398 00:18:04,840 --> 00:18:08,080 Speaker 2: He's told us to cast our cares on him. He said, 399 00:18:08,119 --> 00:18:10,600 Speaker 2: if we'll just remain at rest, he'll fight our battles 400 00:18:10,600 --> 00:18:14,200 Speaker 2: for us. But so often we live worried and upset. 401 00:18:14,640 --> 00:18:17,479 Speaker 2: We let people steal our joy, We get bent out 402 00:18:17,520 --> 00:18:20,320 Speaker 2: of shape if our plans don't exactly work out. Or 403 00:18:20,359 --> 00:18:23,200 Speaker 2: maybe we're frustrated because our boss or our husband or 404 00:18:23,280 --> 00:18:25,520 Speaker 2: wife is not doing what we want them to do. 405 00:18:25,760 --> 00:18:29,040 Speaker 2: But no, you can't change that. Learn to rise above it. 406 00:18:29,400 --> 00:18:32,280 Speaker 2: Turn that situation over to God. Some of you is 407 00:18:32,280 --> 00:18:35,840 Speaker 2: spent ten or fifteen years being frustrated. You're really not 408 00:18:36,040 --> 00:18:38,080 Speaker 2: enjoying your life like God wants you to. 409 00:18:38,640 --> 00:18:39,200 Speaker 1: Why don't you. 410 00:18:39,160 --> 00:18:41,879 Speaker 2: Make a decision today that you're gonna get your peace back, 411 00:18:42,359 --> 00:18:44,720 Speaker 2: that you're not gonna allow all these things to upset 412 00:18:44,800 --> 00:18:46,280 Speaker 2: you and bother you anymore. 413 00:18:46,680 --> 00:18:48,040 Speaker 1: Learn to rise above that. 414 00:18:48,840 --> 00:18:51,760 Speaker 2: See, the crow has to flap his wings ninety to 415 00:18:51,800 --> 00:18:54,639 Speaker 2: nothing just to fly. He's always got to be working. 416 00:18:54,920 --> 00:18:57,160 Speaker 2: But an eagle, all he's got to do is catch 417 00:18:57,200 --> 00:19:00,560 Speaker 2: the right wind currents and heal soar to be like 418 00:19:00,560 --> 00:19:03,119 Speaker 2: the crow working and working all the time. 419 00:19:03,520 --> 00:19:04,520 Speaker 1: He just got to put. 420 00:19:04,320 --> 00:19:06,840 Speaker 2: His wings out and learn how to rest. He learns 421 00:19:06,880 --> 00:19:11,240 Speaker 2: how to let the winds carry him. If you're always frustrated, 422 00:19:11,800 --> 00:19:14,760 Speaker 2: trying to fix everything in your life and trying to 423 00:19:14,760 --> 00:19:17,080 Speaker 2: straighten this person out for what they said about you, 424 00:19:17,119 --> 00:19:21,040 Speaker 2: and worried about your health, worried about your finances. 425 00:19:20,560 --> 00:19:23,280 Speaker 1: You're being just like that crow. You're working and working, 426 00:19:23,359 --> 00:19:24,360 Speaker 1: flapping and flapping. 427 00:19:24,680 --> 00:19:27,199 Speaker 2: But friends of my message today is life doesn't have 428 00:19:27,280 --> 00:19:30,119 Speaker 2: to be that way. Why don't you enter into God's rest, 429 00:19:30,440 --> 00:19:33,320 Speaker 2: Why don't you learn to trust him. He's in complete 430 00:19:33,320 --> 00:19:36,240 Speaker 2: control of your life. He said he'd never leave you, 431 00:19:36,400 --> 00:19:37,159 Speaker 2: nor forsake you. 432 00:19:37,560 --> 00:19:39,560 Speaker 1: He said he'd be the friend that sticks closer than 433 00:19:39,600 --> 00:19:39,960 Speaker 1: a brother. 434 00:19:40,480 --> 00:19:41,919 Speaker 2: Now, I know some of you are going through some 435 00:19:41,960 --> 00:19:44,520 Speaker 2: difficult times, but you need to know God can make 436 00:19:44,520 --> 00:19:46,840 Speaker 2: a way out, and if you can just get back 437 00:19:46,880 --> 00:19:49,760 Speaker 2: to peace, then God can even do the impossible in 438 00:19:49,800 --> 00:19:50,200 Speaker 2: your life. 439 00:19:50,840 --> 00:19:52,399 Speaker 1: I think about the children of Israel. 440 00:19:52,760 --> 00:19:55,119 Speaker 2: One time, they were facing what seemed to be an 441 00:19:55,160 --> 00:19:59,080 Speaker 2: impossible situation. God had just delivered them out of slavery 442 00:19:59,119 --> 00:20:01,880 Speaker 2: in Egypt. World let them go, and now they were 443 00:20:01,880 --> 00:20:04,080 Speaker 2: on their way to the Promised Land. But all of 444 00:20:04,080 --> 00:20:06,800 Speaker 2: a sudden, Pharaoh changed his mind, and he and the 445 00:20:06,840 --> 00:20:09,960 Speaker 2: Egyptian army came chasing after them, and the children of 446 00:20:10,040 --> 00:20:12,880 Speaker 2: Israel ended up at a dead end at the Red Sea. 447 00:20:12,960 --> 00:20:15,399 Speaker 2: And the first thing they did when they face that 448 00:20:15,480 --> 00:20:17,600 Speaker 2: trouble is what many of us do today. 449 00:20:17,720 --> 00:20:18,639 Speaker 1: They lost their peace. 450 00:20:19,119 --> 00:20:23,320 Speaker 2: They got upset, they started complaining, they started blaming other people. 451 00:20:23,440 --> 00:20:25,800 Speaker 2: They said, Moses, why did you bring us out here 452 00:20:25,840 --> 00:20:29,120 Speaker 2: in the wilderness to die? Weren't there enough grades in Egypt? 453 00:20:29,280 --> 00:20:31,080 Speaker 2: Now look at us, we don't even have a chance. 454 00:20:31,600 --> 00:20:34,920 Speaker 2: And Moses knew if God was gonna work in that situation, 455 00:20:35,320 --> 00:20:37,720 Speaker 2: he had to get them calm, He had to get 456 00:20:37,760 --> 00:20:40,440 Speaker 2: their peace back. And so he said to them there 457 00:20:40,480 --> 00:20:43,879 Speaker 2: in Exodus fourteen, verse thirteen, and I imagine he probably 458 00:20:43,920 --> 00:20:48,000 Speaker 2: said it sternly. He said, stand still, and you will 459 00:20:48,000 --> 00:20:51,199 Speaker 2: see the deliverance of the Lord. He was saying, in effect, 460 00:20:51,359 --> 00:20:53,360 Speaker 2: if you want God to turn this around. 461 00:20:53,160 --> 00:20:54,400 Speaker 1: You're gonna have to quit worrying. 462 00:20:54,760 --> 00:20:57,040 Speaker 2: You're gonna have to quit complaining, you've got to quit 463 00:20:57,080 --> 00:20:58,040 Speaker 2: living all upset. 464 00:20:58,440 --> 00:21:01,720 Speaker 1: Be still and know He is your God. Now next 465 00:21:01,840 --> 00:21:02,920 Speaker 1: verse he went on to. 466 00:21:02,880 --> 00:21:05,720 Speaker 2: Say, for the Lord will fight this battle for you. 467 00:21:06,119 --> 00:21:09,840 Speaker 2: But you shall hold your peace and remain at rest. 468 00:21:10,280 --> 00:21:12,560 Speaker 2: Notice what we have to do if we want God 469 00:21:12,600 --> 00:21:13,600 Speaker 2: to work in our lives. 470 00:21:13,680 --> 00:21:16,720 Speaker 1: We got to hold our peace and remain at rest. 471 00:21:16,920 --> 00:21:19,199 Speaker 2: And you too, may be in what seems to be 472 00:21:19,280 --> 00:21:22,639 Speaker 2: an impossible situation in your life, in your health, in 473 00:21:22,680 --> 00:21:25,560 Speaker 2: your finances, in your marriage, in your business, and you say, 474 00:21:25,600 --> 00:21:27,920 Speaker 2: that's why I'm so stressed out today, that's why I'm 475 00:21:27,920 --> 00:21:30,920 Speaker 2: so upset. But I believe God is saying the same 476 00:21:30,960 --> 00:21:33,120 Speaker 2: thing to you that he said to these people many 477 00:21:33,200 --> 00:21:33,680 Speaker 2: years ago. 478 00:21:34,040 --> 00:21:36,479 Speaker 1: Get your peace back, remain at rest. 479 00:21:37,080 --> 00:21:40,280 Speaker 2: Being upset, being worried, being negative. 480 00:21:39,920 --> 00:21:41,560 Speaker 1: That's only going to make matters worse. 481 00:21:42,080 --> 00:21:44,760 Speaker 2: And you need to know that God is a supernatural 482 00:21:44,800 --> 00:21:48,840 Speaker 2: god and that situation is subject to change. It may 483 00:21:48,880 --> 00:21:52,960 Speaker 2: look impossible in the natural, but just like God supernaturally 484 00:21:53,119 --> 00:21:56,320 Speaker 2: parted the Red Sea for these people, God can supernaturally 485 00:21:56,400 --> 00:21:59,040 Speaker 2: make a way out in your own life. You say, well, Jeorge, 486 00:21:59,080 --> 00:22:01,959 Speaker 2: I don't see how my business could ever make it. 487 00:22:02,240 --> 00:22:04,240 Speaker 2: I don't see how I'm ever gonna get married, or 488 00:22:04,280 --> 00:22:05,840 Speaker 2: I don't see how I could ever get out of 489 00:22:05,880 --> 00:22:06,399 Speaker 2: these problems. 490 00:22:06,440 --> 00:22:07,280 Speaker 1: It's just too bad. 491 00:22:07,880 --> 00:22:10,600 Speaker 2: Well, the scripture talks about the things that we see 492 00:22:10,760 --> 00:22:12,919 Speaker 2: with our natural eyes are only temporary. 493 00:22:13,440 --> 00:22:16,480 Speaker 1: That means they are subject to change. And all it. 494 00:22:16,400 --> 00:22:19,520 Speaker 2: Takes is one touch of God's favor in a slit second. 495 00:22:19,560 --> 00:22:23,280 Speaker 2: God can turn any situation around suddenly. God can prosper 496 00:22:23,359 --> 00:22:26,920 Speaker 2: your business. God can give you one idea. He can 497 00:22:26,960 --> 00:22:29,200 Speaker 2: give you one new account that'd cause your business to 498 00:22:29,240 --> 00:22:33,040 Speaker 2: take off. You single people, God can suddenly bring somebody 499 00:22:33,080 --> 00:22:35,240 Speaker 2: into your life that you really love. He can cause 500 00:22:35,280 --> 00:22:37,400 Speaker 2: you to be at the right place at the right time. 501 00:22:37,760 --> 00:22:41,520 Speaker 2: Any situation, God can suddenly turn it around split second 502 00:22:41,560 --> 00:22:43,920 Speaker 2: of time. I remember when we were trying to get 503 00:22:43,920 --> 00:22:47,120 Speaker 2: the Compact Center. There were so many times where I 504 00:22:47,160 --> 00:22:49,399 Speaker 2: was just tempted to think, Man, this is never gonna 505 00:22:49,440 --> 00:22:52,240 Speaker 2: work out. We just have too many odds against us. 506 00:22:52,560 --> 00:22:54,919 Speaker 2: And I'd have to catch myself and say, no, I 507 00:22:54,960 --> 00:22:57,880 Speaker 2: am not gonna worry about this. I'm not gonna give up. 508 00:22:58,000 --> 00:23:01,199 Speaker 2: I'm just gonna stay in peace and keep believe it. Now, 509 00:23:01,200 --> 00:23:04,000 Speaker 2: I knew as long as I was at rest then 510 00:23:04,000 --> 00:23:07,040 Speaker 2: God could work in that situation. And even after we 511 00:23:07,119 --> 00:23:10,080 Speaker 2: signed the agreement with the city to lease it, you know, 512 00:23:10,160 --> 00:23:12,439 Speaker 2: a company filed a lawsuit to try to keep us 513 00:23:12,440 --> 00:23:14,960 Speaker 2: from moving in and our attorneys told us there was 514 00:23:15,000 --> 00:23:18,000 Speaker 2: no guarantee that we would win, and even if we did, 515 00:23:18,440 --> 00:23:20,640 Speaker 2: it could have been tied up in the legal system 516 00:23:20,640 --> 00:23:23,080 Speaker 2: for five or ten years. And I thought, man, I've 517 00:23:23,119 --> 00:23:25,720 Speaker 2: already presented this to the church. Many of them have 518 00:23:25,800 --> 00:23:28,320 Speaker 2: given money. What are we going to do if we lose? 519 00:23:28,520 --> 00:23:30,760 Speaker 2: What am I gonna do if we win? And the 520 00:23:30,760 --> 00:23:32,760 Speaker 2: building's got to sit there vacant for five or ten 521 00:23:32,840 --> 00:23:35,520 Speaker 2: years waiting for the outcome. Now, I was so tempted 522 00:23:35,560 --> 00:23:38,200 Speaker 2: to get worried, so tempted to lose my peace. 523 00:23:38,520 --> 00:23:41,040 Speaker 1: I just had to keep telling myself every day, Joel, 524 00:23:41,320 --> 00:23:43,480 Speaker 1: keep your peace. It's all in God's hands. 525 00:23:43,800 --> 00:23:45,960 Speaker 2: And we had been in that legal battle for over 526 00:23:46,000 --> 00:23:48,520 Speaker 2: a year and a half, and our council said, these 527 00:23:48,560 --> 00:23:51,159 Speaker 2: people will never settle with you. Don't even think about it. 528 00:23:51,200 --> 00:23:53,359 Speaker 2: They've got too much riding on it. Do you know, 529 00:23:53,520 --> 00:23:56,440 Speaker 2: just a few weeks before the big trial, one night, 530 00:23:56,480 --> 00:23:58,719 Speaker 2: I'll never forget it. I was out riding my bicycle 531 00:23:59,160 --> 00:24:01,200 Speaker 2: and I got a call saying that the other side 532 00:24:01,280 --> 00:24:04,320 Speaker 2: wanted to sit down and talk. And our attorney said, oh, 533 00:24:04,359 --> 00:24:07,000 Speaker 2: it's just a ploy, it's just a distraction. Don't get 534 00:24:07,000 --> 00:24:09,639 Speaker 2: your hopes up. People do this all the time. But no, 535 00:24:09,760 --> 00:24:12,399 Speaker 2: do you know in less than forty eight hours, we 536 00:24:12,480 --> 00:24:15,119 Speaker 2: had not only reached an agreement to settle the lawsuit, 537 00:24:15,280 --> 00:24:18,280 Speaker 2: but that company had agreed to lease us nearly nine 538 00:24:18,359 --> 00:24:21,880 Speaker 2: thousand covered parking spaces there at the Compact Center. As 539 00:24:21,920 --> 00:24:23,919 Speaker 2: most of you know, we'll be moving in in just 540 00:24:23,960 --> 00:24:27,840 Speaker 2: a little while. But my point is all it took 541 00:24:28,080 --> 00:24:30,600 Speaker 2: was one touch of God's favor. And in the same 542 00:24:30,640 --> 00:24:34,840 Speaker 2: way God can suddenly turn any situation around in your life, 543 00:24:34,880 --> 00:24:37,439 Speaker 2: in your marriage, in your child, in your finances, in 544 00:24:37,480 --> 00:24:38,640 Speaker 2: your health, in your business. 545 00:24:39,040 --> 00:24:41,520 Speaker 1: But I believe the whole key is we have to 546 00:24:41,880 --> 00:24:44,000 Speaker 1: hold our peace and remain at rest. 547 00:24:44,520 --> 00:24:46,720 Speaker 2: Well, let me ask you, are there things in your 548 00:24:46,760 --> 00:24:50,160 Speaker 2: life that you're worrying about, things that are weighing you down, 549 00:24:50,600 --> 00:24:53,960 Speaker 2: things that you're allowing to steal your peace? Why don't 550 00:24:54,000 --> 00:24:56,159 Speaker 2: you make a decision today that you're gonna turn it 551 00:24:56,200 --> 00:24:59,000 Speaker 2: over to God and really enter into his rest. You're 552 00:24:59,040 --> 00:25:01,399 Speaker 2: not gonna worry about it anymore. You're not gonna let 553 00:25:01,440 --> 00:25:03,840 Speaker 2: those people steal your joy. You're not gonna give up 554 00:25:03,880 --> 00:25:06,359 Speaker 2: on the dreams God's placed in your heart. And some 555 00:25:06,400 --> 00:25:08,560 Speaker 2: of you need to get a new perspective. You need 556 00:25:08,560 --> 00:25:11,280 Speaker 2: to get a fresh, new outlook. Maybe you've been in 557 00:25:11,320 --> 00:25:14,080 Speaker 2: a difficult situation for a long time and it just 558 00:25:14,080 --> 00:25:15,760 Speaker 2: doesn't look like it's gonna get any better. 559 00:25:16,119 --> 00:25:20,160 Speaker 1: The storm is raging, you're discouraged. It looks so gloomy. 560 00:25:20,680 --> 00:25:22,600 Speaker 1: You need to do like that eagle and begin to 561 00:25:22,680 --> 00:25:23,479 Speaker 1: rise up higher. 562 00:25:23,880 --> 00:25:25,960 Speaker 2: There have been times I've been on an airplane about 563 00:25:26,000 --> 00:25:29,240 Speaker 2: to take off and the skies are so gray outside. 564 00:25:29,280 --> 00:25:32,760 Speaker 2: It's just overcast and really kind of depressing looking. But 565 00:25:32,800 --> 00:25:34,800 Speaker 2: then we take off and we begin to go through 566 00:25:34,840 --> 00:25:38,000 Speaker 2: the clouds, and finally we break through all the gloom 567 00:25:38,040 --> 00:25:40,800 Speaker 2: and despair and low and behold, the sun is up there, 568 00:25:40,920 --> 00:25:44,200 Speaker 2: shining brighter than ever. The skies are blue, you can 569 00:25:44,240 --> 00:25:47,240 Speaker 2: tell the air is crystal clear. See, the sun was 570 00:25:47,280 --> 00:25:49,320 Speaker 2: shining the whole time. I just had to get a 571 00:25:49,359 --> 00:25:52,000 Speaker 2: higher perspective in order to see it. And you need 572 00:25:52,040 --> 00:25:54,480 Speaker 2: to know the clouds in your life are only temporary. 573 00:25:54,880 --> 00:25:57,240 Speaker 2: It may look dark and gloomy, but you can rest 574 00:25:57,240 --> 00:25:59,880 Speaker 2: assured the sun is up there, shining brighter than ever. 575 00:26:01,720 --> 00:26:04,080 Speaker 2: One of the best things you can say to yourself 576 00:26:04,160 --> 00:26:07,160 Speaker 2: when you're tempted to get discouraged, is now this too 577 00:26:07,200 --> 00:26:07,879 Speaker 2: shall pass. 578 00:26:08,119 --> 00:26:09,520 Speaker 1: It is not gonna last forever. 579 00:26:09,800 --> 00:26:11,920 Speaker 2: Those clouds are gonna blow out one day, and I 580 00:26:12,000 --> 00:26:14,240 Speaker 2: wist see the goodness of God again in my life. 581 00:26:14,400 --> 00:26:18,639 Speaker 2: Imost see this situation. Turn around, friends, get a higher's perspective. 582 00:26:18,960 --> 00:26:22,320 Speaker 2: God is on your side. There's nothing too difficult for him. 583 00:26:22,760 --> 00:26:26,680 Speaker 2: My prayer today is that you lay aside everything that's 584 00:26:26,720 --> 00:26:29,040 Speaker 2: weighing you down. Big things are little things, and that 585 00:26:29,119 --> 00:26:32,320 Speaker 2: you live your life free from worry, free from frustration, 586 00:26:32,480 --> 00:26:35,560 Speaker 2: free from discouragement, knowing that God is in complete control. 587 00:26:35,920 --> 00:26:38,560 Speaker 2: And when life gets tough and things don't go your way, 588 00:26:39,080 --> 00:26:40,520 Speaker 2: don't be a crow, don't. 589 00:26:40,280 --> 00:26:40,840 Speaker 1: Be a chicken. 590 00:26:41,040 --> 00:26:43,439 Speaker 2: Be the eagle God made you to be. Learn to 591 00:26:43,440 --> 00:26:44,440 Speaker 2: put your wings out and. 592 00:26:44,440 --> 00:26:46,280 Speaker 1: Rise above it. You were made to sore. 593 00:26:46,720 --> 00:26:48,560 Speaker 2: If you do that, you'll be able to say, with 594 00:26:48,640 --> 00:26:51,280 Speaker 2: the Apostle Paul, in spite of all these things, I 595 00:26:51,320 --> 00:26:53,560 Speaker 2: am more than a conquer Amen. How many of us 596 00:26:53,560 --> 00:26:54,280 Speaker 2: receive it today? 597 00:26:54,640 --> 00:26:56,879 Speaker 1: Amen? I know you'll do. And we never like to 598 00:26:56,920 --> 00:26:59,880 Speaker 1: close our broadcast without giving you an opportunity to make 599 00:27:00,080 --> 00:27:01,399 Speaker 1: Jesus the lord of your life. 600 00:27:01,680 --> 00:27:05,440 Speaker 2: Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord Jesus, I 601 00:27:05,560 --> 00:27:06,600 Speaker 2: repent on my sins. 602 00:27:07,560 --> 00:27:11,320 Speaker 1: Come into my heart. I make you my Lord and savior. 603 00:27:12,640 --> 00:27:14,800 Speaker 2: Friends, if you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you 604 00:27:14,880 --> 00:27:18,200 Speaker 2: got born again. Get into good church, keep God first place. 605 00:27:18,480 --> 00:27:19,760 Speaker 2: He'll take your places that. 606 00:27:19,760 --> 00:27:22,720 Speaker 1: You've never dreamed of. Thanks so much for listening to 607 00:27:22,720 --> 00:27:23,800 Speaker 1: today's message. 608 00:27:23,880 --> 00:27:26,680 Speaker 2: I hope you'll subscribe so you can receive the latest 609 00:27:26,720 --> 00:27:30,200 Speaker 2: podcast to keep you encouraged and inspired all through the week. 610 00:27:30,359 --> 00:27:32,600 Speaker 2: Help us to continue to share the message of hope 611 00:27:32,600 --> 00:27:36,080 Speaker 2: with those all around the world. Visit Joelosting dot com 612 00:27:36,160 --> 00:27:38,800 Speaker 2: or click the link in the description to partner with 613 00:27:38,880 --> 00:27:39,399 Speaker 2: us today. 614 00:27:39,640 --> 00:27:42,080 Speaker 1: We hope you'll share this message with a friend and 615 00:27:42,200 --> 00:27:44,960 Speaker 1: be sure to follow us on social media. We're praying 616 00:27:45,040 --> 00:27:48,160 Speaker 1: for you. I know God's best is still ahead. We'll 617 00:27:48,160 --> 00:27:49,000 Speaker 1: see you next time.