1 00:00:01,440 --> 00:00:02,960 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joelan Victoria. 2 00:00:03,240 --> 00:00:06,360 Speaker 2: Thanks so much for listening to the podcast and thanks for. 3 00:00:06,280 --> 00:00:09,200 Speaker 1: Supporting the ministry. We believe you're going to have an. 4 00:00:09,080 --> 00:00:13,240 Speaker 2: Awesome twenty twenty four, healthy, productive, and favor filled. 5 00:00:13,560 --> 00:00:15,800 Speaker 1: God bless you today and enjoy the message. 6 00:00:15,960 --> 00:00:18,760 Speaker 2: Well, God bless you. It's always a joy to come 7 00:00:18,760 --> 00:00:21,480 Speaker 2: into your homes. And if you're ever in our area, 8 00:00:21,520 --> 00:00:24,200 Speaker 2: please stop buying. Be a part of one of our services. 9 00:00:24,440 --> 00:00:26,760 Speaker 2: I promise you we'll make you feel right at home. 10 00:00:27,000 --> 00:00:29,160 Speaker 2: But thanks so much for tuning in and thank you 11 00:00:29,240 --> 00:00:30,200 Speaker 2: again for coming out. 12 00:00:30,920 --> 00:00:33,440 Speaker 1: I like to start with something funny, and I heard. 13 00:00:33,240 --> 00:00:36,879 Speaker 2: About this pastor he decided to skip church one Sunday 14 00:00:36,880 --> 00:00:37,720 Speaker 2: morning and. 15 00:00:37,640 --> 00:00:38,479 Speaker 1: Go play golf. 16 00:00:39,280 --> 00:00:42,159 Speaker 2: He told his assistant that he wasn't feeling well, and 17 00:00:42,200 --> 00:00:44,479 Speaker 2: he drove to a golf course in another city so 18 00:00:44,560 --> 00:00:47,640 Speaker 2: nobody would know him. He teed off on the first hole, 19 00:00:48,120 --> 00:00:51,680 Speaker 2: a huge gust of wind caught his ball, carried it 20 00:00:51,720 --> 00:00:54,880 Speaker 2: an extra one hundred yards, and dropped it right in. 21 00:00:54,880 --> 00:00:58,160 Speaker 1: The hole for a four hundred and fifty yard hold 22 00:00:58,240 --> 00:00:59,320 Speaker 1: in one. 23 00:00:59,440 --> 00:01:01,720 Speaker 2: An angel looked at God and said, what'd you do 24 00:01:01,800 --> 00:01:05,000 Speaker 2: that for? God smiled and said, who's he going to tell? 25 00:01:07,000 --> 00:01:07,960 Speaker 1: Hold up your Bible. 26 00:01:08,080 --> 00:01:10,720 Speaker 2: Say it like you mean it. This is my Bible. 27 00:01:11,080 --> 00:01:13,280 Speaker 2: I am what it says I am. I have what 28 00:01:13,360 --> 00:01:15,720 Speaker 2: it says I have. I can do what it says 29 00:01:15,760 --> 00:01:18,360 Speaker 2: I could do. Today I will be taught the word 30 00:01:18,400 --> 00:01:22,360 Speaker 2: of God. I boldly confess. My mind is alert, my 31 00:01:22,520 --> 00:01:26,720 Speaker 2: heart is receptive. I will never be the same. In Jesus' name, 32 00:01:27,200 --> 00:01:30,640 Speaker 2: God bless you. I want to talk to you today 33 00:01:30,760 --> 00:01:35,440 Speaker 2: about living content. It's good to have dreams and goals. 34 00:01:35,959 --> 00:01:39,200 Speaker 2: We should be stretching our faith, believing for something bigger. 35 00:01:39,720 --> 00:01:40,600 Speaker 1: But here's the key. 36 00:01:41,200 --> 00:01:44,920 Speaker 2: While we're waiting for things to change, waiting for promises 37 00:01:44,959 --> 00:01:48,640 Speaker 2: to come to pass, we shouldn't be discontent where we are. 38 00:01:49,800 --> 00:01:52,680 Speaker 2: Maybe you're believing to have a baby, believing for a 39 00:01:52,720 --> 00:01:57,160 Speaker 2: new house, believing to get married. That's great, but don't 40 00:01:57,200 --> 00:02:01,960 Speaker 2: go the next five years discontent, be single, discontent with 41 00:02:02,040 --> 00:02:05,000 Speaker 2: the house you have, discontent not having a child. 42 00:02:05,760 --> 00:02:08,640 Speaker 1: Learn to enjoy the season that you're in. 43 00:02:09,520 --> 00:02:13,800 Speaker 2: Being unhappy, frustrated, wondering if it's ever going to change 44 00:02:14,200 --> 00:02:17,280 Speaker 2: is not going to make it happen any sooner. When 45 00:02:17,280 --> 00:02:22,200 Speaker 2: we're discontent, we're dishonoring God. We're so focused on what 46 00:02:22,240 --> 00:02:25,920 Speaker 2: we want. We're taking for granted what we have. The 47 00:02:26,000 --> 00:02:29,160 Speaker 2: right attitude is God. I'm believing for a new house, 48 00:02:29,639 --> 00:02:32,240 Speaker 2: but in the meantime, I'm happy with the house I have. 49 00:02:33,040 --> 00:02:35,839 Speaker 2: I'm believing to get married, but in the meantime I'm 50 00:02:35,880 --> 00:02:39,520 Speaker 2: content being single. Believing for a better job, but I'm 51 00:02:39,560 --> 00:02:42,840 Speaker 2: happy with the job I have right now. The apostle 52 00:02:42,880 --> 00:02:47,040 Speaker 2: Paul said, I have learned how to be content, whether 53 00:02:47,120 --> 00:02:50,360 Speaker 2: I'm a based or a bounding, whether I have plenty 54 00:02:50,680 --> 00:02:53,920 Speaker 2: or whether I'm in need. Notice, he had to learn 55 00:02:54,160 --> 00:02:58,120 Speaker 2: to be content doesn't happen automatically. It's a choice we 56 00:02:58,240 --> 00:03:02,760 Speaker 2: have to make. Content doesn't mean that we don't want change, 57 00:03:03,120 --> 00:03:05,919 Speaker 2: we give up on our dreams, we settle where we are. No, 58 00:03:06,080 --> 00:03:11,119 Speaker 2: it means we're not fighting everything. We're not frustrated. We're 59 00:03:11,200 --> 00:03:15,600 Speaker 2: trusting God's timing. We know he's working behind the scenes 60 00:03:15,880 --> 00:03:18,040 Speaker 2: and at the right time, he'll get us to where 61 00:03:18,040 --> 00:03:22,480 Speaker 2: we're supposed to be. Now, I found some situations will 62 00:03:22,480 --> 00:03:27,120 Speaker 2: not change until we change as long as we're frustrated, 63 00:03:27,400 --> 00:03:30,600 Speaker 2: stressed out, thinking why is it taking so long? Why 64 00:03:30,639 --> 00:03:32,960 Speaker 2: am I still dealing with this problem? Why is my 65 00:03:33,040 --> 00:03:34,520 Speaker 2: husband still aggravating me? 66 00:03:34,960 --> 00:03:36,560 Speaker 1: No, if God has us there. 67 00:03:36,840 --> 00:03:39,720 Speaker 2: We must need it. He's going to use it to 68 00:03:39,720 --> 00:03:43,880 Speaker 2: do a work in us. When we're content, we're growing, 69 00:03:44,400 --> 00:03:45,680 Speaker 2: we're developing character. 70 00:03:46,120 --> 00:03:47,800 Speaker 1: Our faith is being Strengthen. 71 00:03:48,560 --> 00:03:51,960 Speaker 2: You don't grow in the good times when everything's going 72 00:03:52,000 --> 00:03:52,560 Speaker 2: your way. 73 00:03:52,840 --> 00:03:54,560 Speaker 1: You grow when there's pressure. 74 00:03:55,320 --> 00:03:59,200 Speaker 2: You feel like being sour, but you choose to be happy. 75 00:03:59,320 --> 00:04:02,440 Speaker 2: You could easily complain, but you say Lord, thank you 76 00:04:02,520 --> 00:04:03,560 Speaker 2: for another great day. 77 00:04:04,520 --> 00:04:07,080 Speaker 1: All your dreams haven't come to pass, but. 78 00:04:06,960 --> 00:04:10,840 Speaker 2: You choose to enjoy the season that you're in. That's 79 00:04:10,960 --> 00:04:14,320 Speaker 2: passing the test. That's what allows God to go to work. 80 00:04:15,040 --> 00:04:18,240 Speaker 2: And instead of trying to change the situation, let it 81 00:04:18,360 --> 00:04:22,960 Speaker 2: change you. There's something wrong if we're always discontented. I 82 00:04:22,960 --> 00:04:26,320 Speaker 2: don't like my job, tired of this small apartment. These 83 00:04:26,400 --> 00:04:29,000 Speaker 2: kids get on my nerves. When is my business ever 84 00:04:29,040 --> 00:04:31,680 Speaker 2: going to grow? That's going to keep you where you are. 85 00:04:32,720 --> 00:04:35,880 Speaker 2: God's plan for our life is not to just make 86 00:04:36,000 --> 00:04:39,480 Speaker 2: us comfortable, but to grow us up, to mature us 87 00:04:39,680 --> 00:04:42,920 Speaker 2: so he can release more of his favor. You may 88 00:04:42,960 --> 00:04:45,640 Speaker 2: not like where you are, but you wouldn't be there 89 00:04:45,920 --> 00:04:47,680 Speaker 2: unless God had a purpose for it. 90 00:04:48,120 --> 00:04:52,120 Speaker 1: Make sure you pass the test. This is what David did. 91 00:04:52,440 --> 00:04:56,240 Speaker 2: He spent years in the lonely shepherd's fields, taking care 92 00:04:56,320 --> 00:04:59,760 Speaker 2: of his father's sheep. And what's interesting is he at 93 00:04:59,760 --> 00:05:02,800 Speaker 2: all already been chosen to be the next king of Israel. 94 00:05:03,320 --> 00:05:08,080 Speaker 2: The prophet Samuel had already anointed him. David could have thought, God, 95 00:05:08,120 --> 00:05:11,920 Speaker 2: this isn't right. I've got big dreams. You promised me 96 00:05:12,040 --> 00:05:14,960 Speaker 2: great things. What am I doing stuck out here with 97 00:05:15,040 --> 00:05:19,400 Speaker 2: a bunch of sheep. No David understood this principle. He 98 00:05:19,440 --> 00:05:24,120 Speaker 2: didn't live stressed, frustrated. He bloomed where he was planted. 99 00:05:24,720 --> 00:05:27,520 Speaker 2: He knew God was in control, so he just kept 100 00:05:27,520 --> 00:05:30,520 Speaker 2: being his best, going to work with a good attitude, 101 00:05:31,120 --> 00:05:35,240 Speaker 2: grateful for where he was. Because he was content in 102 00:05:35,320 --> 00:05:38,960 Speaker 2: the shepherd's fields, he made it to the throne, to 103 00:05:39,040 --> 00:05:39,640 Speaker 2: the palace. 104 00:05:39,880 --> 00:05:41,040 Speaker 1: He passed that test. 105 00:05:41,800 --> 00:05:44,520 Speaker 2: But if you're not content in the season you're in, 106 00:05:45,279 --> 00:05:49,000 Speaker 2: while you're waiting for things to change, then even if 107 00:05:49,040 --> 00:05:51,479 Speaker 2: you do somehow make it to your throne, so to speak, 108 00:05:51,520 --> 00:05:54,400 Speaker 2: your dreams do come to pass, you're still not going 109 00:05:54,400 --> 00:05:57,760 Speaker 2: to be satisfied. You may be happy for a little while, 110 00:05:58,160 --> 00:06:02,880 Speaker 2: but here's the problem. Contentment will follow you everywhere you go. 111 00:06:04,040 --> 00:06:04,799 Speaker 1: A few years. 112 00:06:04,640 --> 00:06:07,280 Speaker 2: Ago, I came home one evening and I heard this 113 00:06:07,480 --> 00:06:11,000 Speaker 2: high pitched sound in the house, like a tone you 114 00:06:11,080 --> 00:06:14,120 Speaker 2: hear from a television broadcast. I could just faintly hear it, 115 00:06:14,160 --> 00:06:17,159 Speaker 2: and I thought maybe a smoke detector battery was low 116 00:06:17,160 --> 00:06:20,520 Speaker 2: where alarm was going off upstairs. So I started going 117 00:06:20,560 --> 00:06:23,800 Speaker 2: around everywhere trying to figure out where it was. But 118 00:06:23,880 --> 00:06:28,400 Speaker 2: it seemed like everywhere I went it sounded exactly the same. 119 00:06:28,800 --> 00:06:31,600 Speaker 2: I couldn't get any closer to it. It was very puzzling. 120 00:06:32,080 --> 00:06:35,720 Speaker 2: I went upstairs and checked rooms and drawers, checked the pantry. 121 00:06:36,440 --> 00:06:37,960 Speaker 1: Finally I went up in the attic. 122 00:06:38,480 --> 00:06:40,760 Speaker 2: I thought maybe a hot water heater or an air 123 00:06:40,800 --> 00:06:43,599 Speaker 2: conditioner had a part that was going bad. I got 124 00:06:43,640 --> 00:06:46,560 Speaker 2: way up in the attic and it still sounded exactly 125 00:06:46,600 --> 00:06:49,640 Speaker 2: the same. After about twenty minutes, I went down to 126 00:06:49,680 --> 00:06:52,920 Speaker 2: my room to change clothes. I took off my cell 127 00:06:52,920 --> 00:06:56,240 Speaker 2: phone from my belt where it was cliff and I 128 00:06:56,320 --> 00:06:59,320 Speaker 2: put it on my counter. When I did, I could 129 00:06:59,360 --> 00:07:03,280 Speaker 2: tell the tone was coming from my cell phone. That's 130 00:07:03,320 --> 00:07:06,120 Speaker 2: why it sounded the same everywhere I went. 131 00:07:06,400 --> 00:07:07,320 Speaker 1: It was clipped to me. 132 00:07:07,480 --> 00:07:10,480 Speaker 2: I couldn't get away from it. That's the way it 133 00:07:10,640 --> 00:07:15,520 Speaker 2: is with discontentment. It follows us around. God blesses us 134 00:07:15,520 --> 00:07:18,920 Speaker 2: with a promotion. We're happy for a little while. Then 135 00:07:19,000 --> 00:07:21,960 Speaker 2: the discontentment comes. We don't want to work so hard, 136 00:07:22,000 --> 00:07:25,400 Speaker 2: we don't want the responsibility. It's not our circumstances. It's 137 00:07:25,400 --> 00:07:29,680 Speaker 2: the spirit of discontentment, seeing the wrong, complaining about what 138 00:07:29,840 --> 00:07:33,679 Speaker 2: we don't like, never having enough. That's why Paul said, 139 00:07:33,880 --> 00:07:37,000 Speaker 2: I've learned how to be content. You've got to train 140 00:07:37,120 --> 00:07:40,240 Speaker 2: your mind to see the good, to be grateful for 141 00:07:40,320 --> 00:07:40,800 Speaker 2: what you have. 142 00:07:41,640 --> 00:07:44,400 Speaker 1: Life will go so much better if you will be 143 00:07:44,560 --> 00:07:46,720 Speaker 1: content in each season. 144 00:07:47,440 --> 00:07:50,360 Speaker 2: Content when you have a lot, and content when you 145 00:07:50,440 --> 00:07:53,840 Speaker 2: don't have a lot. Content whether your children are in 146 00:07:53,880 --> 00:07:57,600 Speaker 2: diapers or whether they're in college, whether you're in maintenance 147 00:07:57,880 --> 00:07:58,680 Speaker 2: or management. 148 00:07:59,120 --> 00:08:02,800 Speaker 1: You have the grace you need to enjoy each season. 149 00:08:03,640 --> 00:08:07,280 Speaker 2: If your dreams are not coming to pass, that's a test. 150 00:08:07,680 --> 00:08:10,920 Speaker 2: Will you do like David and Bloom where you're planted, 151 00:08:11,640 --> 00:08:15,000 Speaker 2: will you choose to enjoy that season and not just 152 00:08:15,240 --> 00:08:19,040 Speaker 2: endure it? Thinking, God, when is this ever going to change? 153 00:08:19,160 --> 00:08:22,880 Speaker 2: I've been praying for two years. No, maybe it's going 154 00:08:22,920 --> 00:08:27,200 Speaker 2: to change. When you change, You've got to be satisfied 155 00:08:27,440 --> 00:08:30,880 Speaker 2: with where God has you right now. Again, it doesn't 156 00:08:30,880 --> 00:08:33,840 Speaker 2: mean you settle there, never expect anything good. 157 00:08:34,080 --> 00:08:35,280 Speaker 1: It means you don't. 158 00:08:35,120 --> 00:08:40,360 Speaker 2: Live frustrated, always wanting something more. God, I need more money, 159 00:08:40,360 --> 00:08:43,520 Speaker 2: then I'll be happy. I need a better job, need 160 00:08:43,559 --> 00:08:46,800 Speaker 2: a bigger house, need to lose twenty pounds. I need 161 00:08:46,840 --> 00:08:48,280 Speaker 2: my kids to make better grades. 162 00:08:48,320 --> 00:08:49,480 Speaker 1: Then I enjoy life. 163 00:08:49,880 --> 00:08:52,960 Speaker 2: Or if you get all that corrected, if you accomplish 164 00:08:52,960 --> 00:08:56,360 Speaker 2: your wish list, something else will come up to make 165 00:08:56,400 --> 00:08:57,280 Speaker 2: you discontented. 166 00:08:57,520 --> 00:08:59,959 Speaker 1: You got to put your foot down and say that's it. 167 00:09:00,800 --> 00:09:03,920 Speaker 2: Everything may not be perfect in my life, all my 168 00:09:04,080 --> 00:09:05,880 Speaker 2: dreams may not have come to pass yet. 169 00:09:06,040 --> 00:09:09,760 Speaker 1: But I'm not living frustrated, stressed out. I'm anna bloom 170 00:09:10,000 --> 00:09:11,040 Speaker 1: right where I'm planning. 171 00:09:12,040 --> 00:09:16,319 Speaker 2: In other words, I'm content whether I'm driving a twenty 172 00:09:16,400 --> 00:09:18,160 Speaker 2: year old Volkswagen or a. 173 00:09:18,120 --> 00:09:19,560 Speaker 1: Brand new Mercedes Benz. 174 00:09:20,200 --> 00:09:23,120 Speaker 2: I'm content whether I'm living in a small apartment or 175 00:09:23,160 --> 00:09:26,840 Speaker 2: a beautiful dream house. I'm content whether my business is 176 00:09:26,880 --> 00:09:28,280 Speaker 2: booming or whether it's. 177 00:09:28,160 --> 00:09:28,800 Speaker 1: A little slow. 178 00:09:29,800 --> 00:09:32,480 Speaker 2: You cannot let your contentment be based on what you 179 00:09:32,640 --> 00:09:35,040 Speaker 2: have or don't have, on who likes you or who 180 00:09:35,040 --> 00:09:35,760 Speaker 2: doesn't like you. 181 00:09:36,320 --> 00:09:38,840 Speaker 1: Learn to be content in every season. 182 00:09:39,400 --> 00:09:42,440 Speaker 2: Content when God blesses you with a lot, and content 183 00:09:42,480 --> 00:09:45,240 Speaker 2: when you have a little content when the dreams are 184 00:09:45,240 --> 00:09:48,920 Speaker 2: coming to pass, and content while you're waiting, content in 185 00:09:49,000 --> 00:09:52,720 Speaker 2: the shepherd's fields, and content in the palace. The scripture 186 00:09:52,760 --> 00:09:58,800 Speaker 2: says godliness with contentment is great gain. Life is very 187 00:09:58,880 --> 00:10:02,760 Speaker 2: free when you can say I'm content with who God 188 00:10:02,800 --> 00:10:06,480 Speaker 2: made me to be. I'm content with my personality, content 189 00:10:06,520 --> 00:10:10,120 Speaker 2: with my looks, content with my gifts. I'm content with 190 00:10:10,200 --> 00:10:14,840 Speaker 2: where I am in life, my position, my career, my relationships. 191 00:10:14,240 --> 00:10:14,680 Speaker 1: My house. 192 00:10:15,520 --> 00:10:19,600 Speaker 2: This is the reason many people are unhappy. They're always 193 00:10:19,760 --> 00:10:24,080 Speaker 2: wishing for something different. Some single people are not going 194 00:10:24,120 --> 00:10:27,400 Speaker 2: to be content until they get married. No, you need 195 00:10:27,440 --> 00:10:31,960 Speaker 2: to enjoy being single, because when you get married, you'll 196 00:10:32,040 --> 00:10:38,679 Speaker 2: enjoy it more. I'm smarter than I look. There are 197 00:10:38,760 --> 00:10:43,240 Speaker 2: married people that wish they weren't married, they were married 198 00:10:43,240 --> 00:10:47,040 Speaker 2: to somebody else. White people sit in tanning booths trying 199 00:10:47,080 --> 00:10:50,640 Speaker 2: to get darker. Dark people put cream on their skin 200 00:10:50,720 --> 00:10:54,880 Speaker 2: trying to get lighter. Ladies with curly hair go to 201 00:10:54,920 --> 00:10:58,040 Speaker 2: the salon to get it straightened. People with straight hair 202 00:10:58,120 --> 00:11:00,800 Speaker 2: go to the salon to get it purmed. People with 203 00:11:00,880 --> 00:11:03,000 Speaker 2: no hair go to the salon to buy some hair. 204 00:11:04,920 --> 00:11:08,880 Speaker 2: But really, there's nothing wrong with improving being your best, 205 00:11:08,920 --> 00:11:09,720 Speaker 2: showing your style. 206 00:11:10,440 --> 00:11:12,720 Speaker 1: But you shouldn't always. 207 00:11:12,200 --> 00:11:16,840 Speaker 2: Be wishing you were something different. Be content with who 208 00:11:16,880 --> 00:11:21,520 Speaker 2: God made you to be. It's a tragedy to go 209 00:11:21,600 --> 00:11:27,640 Speaker 2: through life always dissatisfied, wishing you had more, wanting to 210 00:11:27,679 --> 00:11:31,000 Speaker 2: look like somebody else, waiting to be happy. I'm asking 211 00:11:31,080 --> 00:11:35,120 Speaker 2: you to be content right where you are. Think about Mary, 212 00:11:35,200 --> 00:11:38,520 Speaker 2: the Mother of Christ. When she was pregnant with Jesus. 213 00:11:38,840 --> 00:11:42,800 Speaker 2: She had to ride a donkey to Bethlehem. Now, I've 214 00:11:42,840 --> 00:11:48,360 Speaker 2: lived with a pregnant woman twice, the same one. If 215 00:11:48,400 --> 00:11:51,440 Speaker 2: I would have suggested Victoria getting on a donkey at 216 00:11:51,520 --> 00:11:54,000 Speaker 2: nine months pregnant, I probably wouldn't. 217 00:11:53,640 --> 00:11:55,120 Speaker 1: Be here today. 218 00:11:56,240 --> 00:11:59,520 Speaker 2: Mary could have complained, Joseph, why don't you get me 219 00:11:59,559 --> 00:12:00,320 Speaker 2: something mooth? 220 00:12:00,480 --> 00:12:01,120 Speaker 1: This is hard? 221 00:12:01,760 --> 00:12:04,719 Speaker 2: When she got to Bethlehem, Joseph, why didn't you make 222 00:12:04,800 --> 00:12:07,720 Speaker 2: us a hotel reservation? Why didn't you get me a 223 00:12:07,760 --> 00:12:10,800 Speaker 2: hospital room? You knew I was gonna have this baby 224 00:12:10,960 --> 00:12:14,840 Speaker 2: been all over the news when the baby was born, Joseph, 225 00:12:14,960 --> 00:12:17,520 Speaker 2: why didn't you buy the baby a new outfit? I've 226 00:12:17,520 --> 00:12:19,800 Speaker 2: got to wrap my beautiful baby in. 227 00:12:19,840 --> 00:12:22,680 Speaker 1: Swaddling clothes that was strips of cloth. 228 00:12:23,480 --> 00:12:28,199 Speaker 2: Mary didn't have designer jeans, fancy purse, a latte from Starbucks. 229 00:12:28,920 --> 00:12:32,480 Speaker 2: But she never complained. She never found fault with Joseph. 230 00:12:32,880 --> 00:12:35,440 Speaker 2: She didn't say, God, if I'm going to have this 231 00:12:35,600 --> 00:12:39,640 Speaker 2: baby for you, at least you could make it more 232 00:12:39,640 --> 00:12:43,959 Speaker 2: comfortable on me. No, she was content in the season. 233 00:12:44,080 --> 00:12:44,760 Speaker 1: She was in. 234 00:12:45,400 --> 00:12:49,640 Speaker 2: Content when the angel said you've been highly favored, and 235 00:12:49,760 --> 00:12:54,600 Speaker 2: content writing a donkey, pregnant, content giving birth in a 236 00:12:54,640 --> 00:12:57,960 Speaker 2: barn with a bunch of animals, and content when the 237 00:12:58,000 --> 00:13:01,760 Speaker 2: wise men said, your son is Messiah. It takes a 238 00:13:01,840 --> 00:13:05,880 Speaker 2: mature person to be content on the mountaintop and content 239 00:13:05,920 --> 00:13:08,880 Speaker 2: in the valley. A couple of years after Victoria and 240 00:13:08,920 --> 00:13:11,640 Speaker 2: I were married, we found this piece of property that 241 00:13:11,679 --> 00:13:14,920 Speaker 2: we really liked. Was close into the city in a 242 00:13:15,000 --> 00:13:18,840 Speaker 2: nice neighborhood, but it had a very old rundown house 243 00:13:18,880 --> 00:13:22,920 Speaker 2: on it that had madeor foundation problems. Most people would 244 00:13:22,960 --> 00:13:25,360 Speaker 2: have torn it down, but we decided to fix it 245 00:13:25,480 --> 00:13:28,440 Speaker 2: up and live in it. The floors in the den 246 00:13:28,520 --> 00:13:31,680 Speaker 2: were so slanted that I had to put little blocks 247 00:13:31,720 --> 00:13:33,959 Speaker 2: of wood under the front legs of the. 248 00:13:33,920 --> 00:13:36,400 Speaker 1: Couch so it would match up with the back legs. 249 00:13:37,160 --> 00:13:39,920 Speaker 2: Most of the interior doors would not close properly. 250 00:13:40,320 --> 00:13:41,920 Speaker 1: It didn't bother us. We were happy. 251 00:13:42,600 --> 00:13:44,720 Speaker 2: My mother would come over, Joel, how do you live 252 00:13:44,760 --> 00:13:48,200 Speaker 2: in this house with these crooked floors? God gives you 253 00:13:48,280 --> 00:13:51,920 Speaker 2: the grace for each season. Today we have a nice 254 00:13:51,920 --> 00:13:55,400 Speaker 2: house with even floors. But I don't believe we would 255 00:13:55,400 --> 00:13:58,320 Speaker 2: be where we are if we had not been content 256 00:13:58,720 --> 00:14:01,920 Speaker 2: in that older home. It would have been easy to complain. 257 00:14:02,520 --> 00:14:05,559 Speaker 2: This is a piece of junk. God, we wanted something new. 258 00:14:05,559 --> 00:14:08,680 Speaker 2: When is it ever going to change? No, pass the test, 259 00:14:09,240 --> 00:14:13,079 Speaker 2: whether you're abased or abounding, whether you're in your dream 260 00:14:13,160 --> 00:14:17,040 Speaker 2: house or a crooked floor house, make the decision. I'm 261 00:14:17,040 --> 00:14:20,200 Speaker 2: going to be content. I'm going to enjoy my life. 262 00:14:20,400 --> 00:14:22,640 Speaker 2: I'm going to be grateful for what God's given me. 263 00:14:22,800 --> 00:14:24,640 Speaker 2: I'm going to be the best I can be right 264 00:14:24,680 --> 00:14:28,880 Speaker 2: where I am. The apostle Paul, who said I've learned 265 00:14:28,920 --> 00:14:32,600 Speaker 2: how to be content wrote much of the New Testament 266 00:14:32,760 --> 00:14:36,160 Speaker 2: from a prison cell. When you've made up your mind 267 00:14:36,200 --> 00:14:40,200 Speaker 2: to be content, prisons can't stop you, Crooked floors can't 268 00:14:40,240 --> 00:14:44,000 Speaker 2: stop you. Donkeys can't stop you. Lonely shepherds fiels can't 269 00:14:44,040 --> 00:14:47,080 Speaker 2: stop you. God will get you to where you're supposed 270 00:14:47,120 --> 00:14:51,240 Speaker 2: to be, a gentleman recently was telling me about all 271 00:14:51,280 --> 00:14:54,560 Speaker 2: of his problems and everything that was wrong in his life, 272 00:14:54,600 --> 00:14:57,280 Speaker 2: and went on and on as long story. He ended 273 00:14:57,280 --> 00:15:00,920 Speaker 2: by saying, Joel, I just don't like my life. Here's 274 00:15:00,960 --> 00:15:04,480 Speaker 2: the problem. It's the only life you have. You can't 275 00:15:04,520 --> 00:15:07,640 Speaker 2: trade it in. You can't become someone else. You may 276 00:15:07,680 --> 00:15:11,200 Speaker 2: have a thousand reasons to live unhappy, but you've got 277 00:15:11,240 --> 00:15:14,120 Speaker 2: to make this choice that you're going to be content. 278 00:15:14,720 --> 00:15:17,560 Speaker 2: If you're sour, when is it ever going to change? 279 00:15:17,800 --> 00:15:18,680 Speaker 1: You'll get stuck. 280 00:15:19,320 --> 00:15:24,359 Speaker 2: God does not promote discontentment. Shake it off and focus 281 00:15:24,520 --> 00:15:26,360 Speaker 2: on what's right in your life. 282 00:15:26,560 --> 00:15:28,280 Speaker 1: Focus on what you do have. 283 00:15:29,200 --> 00:15:32,000 Speaker 2: Most of us when we woke up this morning, we 284 00:15:32,040 --> 00:15:35,720 Speaker 2: could see the sunlight, our eyes worked. Most of you 285 00:15:35,720 --> 00:15:38,760 Speaker 2: could hear the bird singing. You had a roof over 286 00:15:38,800 --> 00:15:42,520 Speaker 2: your head. You have opportunity people to love in your life. 287 00:15:42,840 --> 00:15:45,360 Speaker 2: There's a lot right in your life. 288 00:15:45,440 --> 00:15:46,640 Speaker 1: Don't take it for granted. 289 00:15:47,240 --> 00:15:51,080 Speaker 2: Don't get so focused on the crooked floors, the donkeys, the. 290 00:15:51,040 --> 00:15:54,120 Speaker 1: Struggles that you miss the gift of this day. 291 00:15:55,280 --> 00:16:02,280 Speaker 2: See, every season is not springtime with the flower beautiful blooming, 292 00:16:02,720 --> 00:16:04,520 Speaker 2: nice sunshine, cool weather. 293 00:16:04,840 --> 00:16:08,320 Speaker 1: That's a great season. But you're not going to grow. 294 00:16:08,560 --> 00:16:12,880 Speaker 2: If you stay in harvest, there's got to be planting seasons, 295 00:16:13,360 --> 00:16:18,600 Speaker 2: watering seasons, maintaining seasons where you're pulling the weeds, tilling 296 00:16:18,680 --> 00:16:19,200 Speaker 2: the soil. 297 00:16:19,520 --> 00:16:21,600 Speaker 1: Those are important seasons. 298 00:16:21,960 --> 00:16:25,080 Speaker 2: Without going through that process, then you're not going to 299 00:16:25,120 --> 00:16:28,760 Speaker 2: come into a new season of harvest. Instead of being 300 00:16:28,800 --> 00:16:33,120 Speaker 2: frustrated by the difficulties, have a new perspective. That season 301 00:16:33,560 --> 00:16:37,200 Speaker 2: is getting you prepared for promotion. It may look like 302 00:16:37,240 --> 00:16:41,040 Speaker 2: you're stuck. You don't see anything happening, but God is 303 00:16:41,120 --> 00:16:45,400 Speaker 2: at work, and at the right time, the season will change. 304 00:16:45,760 --> 00:16:50,560 Speaker 2: Winter always gives way to spring. It takes a mature 305 00:16:50,680 --> 00:16:54,120 Speaker 2: person to be content not only in the harvest season, 306 00:16:54,440 --> 00:16:58,280 Speaker 2: but content in planning season, content in the watering season, 307 00:16:58,680 --> 00:17:00,120 Speaker 2: content in the pulling up. 308 00:17:00,200 --> 00:17:01,000 Speaker 1: The weed season. 309 00:17:01,560 --> 00:17:04,600 Speaker 2: You may be in one of those difficult seasons right now, 310 00:17:05,200 --> 00:17:08,560 Speaker 2: raising a small child, or taking care of an elderly 311 00:17:08,600 --> 00:17:10,560 Speaker 2: loved one, perhaps dealing. 312 00:17:10,280 --> 00:17:11,240 Speaker 1: With an illness. 313 00:17:11,560 --> 00:17:15,120 Speaker 2: You feel like you're riding that donkey. It's easy to think, 314 00:17:15,400 --> 00:17:18,240 Speaker 2: as soon as I get through this tough time, then 315 00:17:18,240 --> 00:17:21,120 Speaker 2: I'll get my joy back soon as my kids get 316 00:17:21,119 --> 00:17:23,399 Speaker 2: out of diapers, soon as I make it through the 317 00:17:23,440 --> 00:17:26,240 Speaker 2: busy season at work, as soon as I lose this 318 00:17:26,400 --> 00:17:30,720 Speaker 2: twenty pounds. No, this is the day the Lord has made. 319 00:17:30,800 --> 00:17:35,080 Speaker 2: You got to choose to rejoice today. God has given 320 00:17:35,119 --> 00:17:38,640 Speaker 2: you the grace you need not to endure the season 321 00:17:38,800 --> 00:17:41,960 Speaker 2: that doesn't take any faith, but to enjoy the season. 322 00:17:43,000 --> 00:17:46,760 Speaker 2: When you're content, you see each day as a gift. 323 00:17:47,000 --> 00:17:50,399 Speaker 2: You appreciate the people in your life. You're grateful for 324 00:17:50,520 --> 00:17:53,840 Speaker 2: what God has given you. That not only is making 325 00:17:53,880 --> 00:17:57,960 Speaker 2: you stronger, developing your character, but you're passing the test. 326 00:17:58,280 --> 00:18:00,760 Speaker 2: You will come out of fall, out of winter, and 327 00:18:00,840 --> 00:18:03,720 Speaker 2: you will come into your springtime. Things will begin to 328 00:18:03,720 --> 00:18:07,640 Speaker 2: bloom and blossom once again. When I was growing up, 329 00:18:07,880 --> 00:18:10,560 Speaker 2: there were five of us kids in the house. Of course, 330 00:18:10,600 --> 00:18:14,119 Speaker 2: my parents were pastors and we didn't have necessarily a 331 00:18:14,119 --> 00:18:16,920 Speaker 2: lot of money, but as a little boy always felt 332 00:18:16,960 --> 00:18:20,320 Speaker 2: like we were well off. We had fun. We played 333 00:18:20,359 --> 00:18:22,639 Speaker 2: hide and go seek in the house. We'd go out 334 00:18:22,680 --> 00:18:25,960 Speaker 2: in the front yard and have big races. Life was good, 335 00:18:26,800 --> 00:18:29,119 Speaker 2: but my parents couldn't afford to take us on a 336 00:18:29,119 --> 00:18:33,160 Speaker 2: big family vacation every year, So every couple of months, 337 00:18:33,520 --> 00:18:35,879 Speaker 2: my father would load us kids up in the car 338 00:18:36,440 --> 00:18:39,359 Speaker 2: and take us up to the airport to ride the 339 00:18:39,440 --> 00:18:43,879 Speaker 2: tram from Terminal A to Terminal B. There were just 340 00:18:43,880 --> 00:18:46,480 Speaker 2: two terminals back then, and the tram was free. 341 00:18:46,840 --> 00:18:49,439 Speaker 1: We thought that was so great. We would ride it 342 00:18:49,600 --> 00:18:51,359 Speaker 1: over and over and over. 343 00:18:51,800 --> 00:18:54,440 Speaker 2: People would look at us like we were so confused. 344 00:18:56,119 --> 00:19:00,920 Speaker 2: We weren't lost. We were having fun. My father learned 345 00:19:01,000 --> 00:19:02,320 Speaker 2: to be content. 346 00:19:02,359 --> 00:19:03,360 Speaker 1: In each season. 347 00:19:04,119 --> 00:19:07,040 Speaker 2: Instead of complaining that he didn't have enough, he chose 348 00:19:07,080 --> 00:19:10,840 Speaker 2: to bloom where he was planning. It's funny when some 349 00:19:10,920 --> 00:19:12,960 Speaker 2: of my friends as a little boy would tell me 350 00:19:13,040 --> 00:19:16,040 Speaker 2: they were going to Disneyland. I always thought that meant 351 00:19:16,080 --> 00:19:18,280 Speaker 2: they were going up to the airport to ride the trams. 352 00:19:19,119 --> 00:19:20,520 Speaker 1: I say, yeah, we've been there before. 353 00:19:22,520 --> 00:19:25,800 Speaker 2: When I got old enough to realize what Disneyland really was, 354 00:19:25,960 --> 00:19:33,199 Speaker 2: I needed counseling. But don't miss a great season in 355 00:19:33,240 --> 00:19:37,560 Speaker 2: your life wishing you had more complaining about what you 356 00:19:37,680 --> 00:19:40,800 Speaker 2: don't have. Listen, the real joy in life is in 357 00:19:40,880 --> 00:19:44,520 Speaker 2: the simple things. Making memories with your family, riding the 358 00:19:44,560 --> 00:19:47,560 Speaker 2: trams together at the airport, playing hide and go seeking 359 00:19:47,600 --> 00:19:50,800 Speaker 2: the house, watching the sunset with your spouse, looking at 360 00:19:50,840 --> 00:19:51,840 Speaker 2: the stars at night. 361 00:19:52,040 --> 00:19:52,800 Speaker 1: Simple things. 362 00:19:53,480 --> 00:19:57,359 Speaker 2: When our children were younger, Jonathan about five and Alexander 363 00:19:57,400 --> 00:20:01,040 Speaker 2: would have been two, we planned a big vacation into Disneyland. 364 00:20:01,560 --> 00:20:02,240 Speaker 1: They were going to. 365 00:20:02,200 --> 00:20:05,280 Speaker 2: Get to eat breakfast with Mickey Mouse and take pictures 366 00:20:05,320 --> 00:20:07,479 Speaker 2: with the other characters. It's a big deal, you know, 367 00:20:07,600 --> 00:20:11,360 Speaker 2: getting two small children out to California and booking the hotel, 368 00:20:11,440 --> 00:20:13,840 Speaker 2: getting the rental car, the flights. Spent half of my 369 00:20:13,880 --> 00:20:17,400 Speaker 2: retirement to get there. When we arrived, we checked into 370 00:20:17,400 --> 00:20:19,919 Speaker 2: the hotel and we went straight to the park. I 371 00:20:20,040 --> 00:20:21,800 Speaker 2: was so excited for my children. 372 00:20:22,359 --> 00:20:24,200 Speaker 1: We weren't there fifteen minutes. 373 00:20:24,640 --> 00:20:27,040 Speaker 2: Jonathan said, Dad, I want to go back to the 374 00:20:27,080 --> 00:20:28,760 Speaker 2: hotel and go swimming. 375 00:20:29,720 --> 00:20:31,119 Speaker 1: I didn't think I heard him ride. I said, you 376 00:20:31,119 --> 00:20:31,520 Speaker 1: want to do what? 377 00:20:32,280 --> 00:20:34,560 Speaker 2: He said, I want to go back and go swimming. 378 00:20:34,600 --> 00:20:37,199 Speaker 2: I said, no, no, no, Jonathan, we're at Disneyland. We 379 00:20:37,280 --> 00:20:40,439 Speaker 2: came a long way. Look at all these rides. This 380 00:20:40,480 --> 00:20:42,879 Speaker 2: is going to be fun. He said, no, Daddy, I 381 00:20:42,960 --> 00:20:45,720 Speaker 2: want to go back and go swimming. I said, Jonathan, 382 00:20:45,760 --> 00:20:48,639 Speaker 2: we can swim any time at home at the neighborhood pool. 383 00:20:48,800 --> 00:20:50,159 Speaker 1: We're at Disneyland. 384 00:20:50,920 --> 00:20:53,800 Speaker 2: He sat down on the pavement, crossed his arms and said, 385 00:20:53,800 --> 00:20:55,240 Speaker 2: I don't want to be at Disneyland. 386 00:20:55,280 --> 00:20:58,280 Speaker 1: I want to go swimming. I said, Jonathan. I spent 387 00:20:58,320 --> 00:21:00,280 Speaker 1: fifty bucks on your ticket. You're going to have fun 388 00:21:00,320 --> 00:21:01,280 Speaker 1: whether you like it or not. 389 00:21:02,600 --> 00:21:04,880 Speaker 2: I thought later I should have done like my dad 390 00:21:04,880 --> 00:21:06,960 Speaker 2: and taken them to the airport to ride the trams. 391 00:21:08,200 --> 00:21:11,040 Speaker 2: Could have saved me a lot of money. So you 392 00:21:11,040 --> 00:21:13,359 Speaker 2: don't have to have a big vacation to have fun. 393 00:21:14,080 --> 00:21:18,080 Speaker 2: Learn to enjoy the simple things in life. A mistake 394 00:21:18,119 --> 00:21:20,800 Speaker 2: we make too often is we think when we reach 395 00:21:20,840 --> 00:21:24,080 Speaker 2: a certain goal, then we'll be happy. As soon as 396 00:21:24,119 --> 00:21:26,879 Speaker 2: I finish college, Joe, as soon as I get the promotion, 397 00:21:27,080 --> 00:21:28,840 Speaker 2: soon as I move into the new house, as soon 398 00:21:28,880 --> 00:21:31,520 Speaker 2: as I have this baby, then I'll enjoy my life. 399 00:21:32,200 --> 00:21:35,520 Speaker 2: And yes, you'll be happy when you accomplish your goals. 400 00:21:35,920 --> 00:21:39,480 Speaker 2: But there are challenges that come along with it. I've 401 00:21:39,520 --> 00:21:44,560 Speaker 2: heard it said with every blessing comes a burden. You'll 402 00:21:44,600 --> 00:21:48,800 Speaker 2: never come to a place where you're problem free, no conflict, 403 00:21:48,880 --> 00:21:50,879 Speaker 2: no bills to pay, everybody celebrating you. 404 00:21:51,119 --> 00:21:52,360 Speaker 1: That's not reality. 405 00:21:52,800 --> 00:21:55,000 Speaker 2: If you don't learn to be content where you are, 406 00:21:55,480 --> 00:21:56,040 Speaker 2: you won't be. 407 00:21:56,040 --> 00:21:59,359 Speaker 1: Content when dreams come to pass. When God blesses you 408 00:21:59,480 --> 00:22:00,760 Speaker 1: with that new house, what. 409 00:22:00,840 --> 00:22:03,879 Speaker 2: Comes with it is a bigger yard, demo, more rooms 410 00:22:03,920 --> 00:22:07,160 Speaker 2: to clean, more to maintain. When you're blessed with that promotion. 411 00:22:07,320 --> 00:22:10,600 Speaker 2: What comes with it is more responsibility. When you have 412 00:22:10,760 --> 00:22:13,879 Speaker 2: that beautiful baby, nothing like it in all the world, 413 00:22:14,280 --> 00:22:16,560 Speaker 2: But at three o'clock in the morning, that baby wants 414 00:22:16,600 --> 00:22:20,040 Speaker 2: to eat. They don't do things on our timetable. Now, 415 00:22:20,080 --> 00:22:23,359 Speaker 2: don't pray for a bigger blessing if you're going to 416 00:22:23,400 --> 00:22:27,520 Speaker 2: complain about a bigger burden. We love our new facility. 417 00:22:27,840 --> 00:22:31,040 Speaker 2: This is a dream come true. God did more than 418 00:22:31,080 --> 00:22:34,600 Speaker 2: we can ask or think. But with this amazing blessing 419 00:22:35,080 --> 00:22:39,280 Speaker 2: came an amazing utility bill. First time I saw, I 420 00:22:39,320 --> 00:22:43,280 Speaker 2: thought God, I sure liked our old facility. The good 421 00:22:43,320 --> 00:22:46,600 Speaker 2: news is God wouldn't give you the blessing if you 422 00:22:46,640 --> 00:22:50,120 Speaker 2: couldn't handle the burden. You have the grace you need 423 00:22:50,240 --> 00:22:55,320 Speaker 2: for each season. Now do your part and choose to 424 00:22:55,400 --> 00:22:58,719 Speaker 2: be content. You could be in one of the best 425 00:22:58,760 --> 00:23:02,200 Speaker 2: seasons of your life right now, but you're not enjoying 426 00:23:02,240 --> 00:23:05,159 Speaker 2: it because you're focused on the burden, on what you 427 00:23:05,240 --> 00:23:09,040 Speaker 2: don't have, on how difficult it is. Because you're waiting 428 00:23:09,119 --> 00:23:12,679 Speaker 2: for things to change. You're missing the beauty of this moment, 429 00:23:13,080 --> 00:23:17,840 Speaker 2: the joy of today. Don't go through life always wanting 430 00:23:17,920 --> 00:23:21,600 Speaker 2: something else. See the gift in what you have right now? 431 00:23:22,119 --> 00:23:24,720 Speaker 2: Can I tell you we are living in the good 432 00:23:24,720 --> 00:23:28,720 Speaker 2: old days? Twenty years from now, you'll look back and say, wow, 433 00:23:28,880 --> 00:23:31,919 Speaker 2: twenty fourteen was one of the best times of my life. 434 00:23:32,520 --> 00:23:36,639 Speaker 2: Don't miss it. Living discontent, gentlemen, I know by the 435 00:23:36,720 --> 00:23:39,560 Speaker 2: name of Mitch Album wrote a great book called The 436 00:23:39,600 --> 00:23:41,399 Speaker 2: Five People You Meet in Heaven. 437 00:23:42,000 --> 00:23:44,119 Speaker 1: They turned it into a movie now. 438 00:23:44,160 --> 00:23:47,840 Speaker 2: Although it's not scriptural, it makes a very good point. 439 00:23:47,960 --> 00:23:50,520 Speaker 2: It's about a man in his sixties that had worked 440 00:23:50,520 --> 00:23:54,000 Speaker 2: at an amusement park his whole life. His parents owned 441 00:23:54,000 --> 00:23:57,200 Speaker 2: it and that's all he knew. He never really wanted 442 00:23:57,240 --> 00:24:00,760 Speaker 2: to be there. He had dreams to do something bigger 443 00:24:00,760 --> 00:24:04,240 Speaker 2: with his life, but unfortunate things kept happening. He found 444 00:24:04,320 --> 00:24:08,880 Speaker 2: himself back at the amusement park. He was discontented, unfulfilled, 445 00:24:09,280 --> 00:24:11,640 Speaker 2: never felt like that's where he was supposed to be, 446 00:24:12,080 --> 00:24:16,080 Speaker 2: dreaded going to work each day. On the outside, he 447 00:24:16,160 --> 00:24:19,240 Speaker 2: was good to people, kind, generous, he'd go out of 448 00:24:19,280 --> 00:24:22,360 Speaker 2: his way to help others. But on the inside he 449 00:24:22,480 --> 00:24:26,760 Speaker 2: was unhappy, felt like a failure in life. At one point, 450 00:24:26,800 --> 00:24:29,879 Speaker 2: this little girl was in danger on a ride, about 451 00:24:29,920 --> 00:24:31,200 Speaker 2: to be harmed, and he. 452 00:24:31,160 --> 00:24:32,240 Speaker 1: Rushed over to helper. 453 00:24:32,720 --> 00:24:35,879 Speaker 2: He saved the little girl's life, but in the process 454 00:24:36,400 --> 00:24:37,800 Speaker 2: he lost his own life. 455 00:24:37,840 --> 00:24:38,560 Speaker 1: He was killed. 456 00:24:39,280 --> 00:24:41,680 Speaker 2: He went to heaven and was told that he would 457 00:24:41,720 --> 00:24:42,920 Speaker 2: meet five people. 458 00:24:43,600 --> 00:24:44,760 Speaker 1: These people would. 459 00:24:44,520 --> 00:24:48,560 Speaker 2: Be instrumental in helping him to choose what kind of 460 00:24:48,640 --> 00:24:49,960 Speaker 2: heaven he would have. 461 00:24:50,560 --> 00:24:52,280 Speaker 1: Again, it's not doctrinely. 462 00:24:51,800 --> 00:24:54,840 Speaker 2: Correct, but in this book, you could choose what your 463 00:24:54,880 --> 00:24:57,159 Speaker 2: heaven would be. If you wanted to live on a beach, 464 00:24:57,480 --> 00:24:59,320 Speaker 2: in a palace in the mountains, it. 465 00:24:59,320 --> 00:25:00,840 Speaker 1: Was your choice. 466 00:25:00,920 --> 00:25:03,440 Speaker 2: The first man he met he had helped during the war. 467 00:25:04,119 --> 00:25:06,439 Speaker 2: The man told him how much he meant to him. 468 00:25:06,720 --> 00:25:09,240 Speaker 2: He then met three other people that he had been 469 00:25:09,280 --> 00:25:13,119 Speaker 2: good too. They expressed their heartfelt love and appreciation for 470 00:25:13,200 --> 00:25:15,879 Speaker 2: what he had done. The last one he met was 471 00:25:15,920 --> 00:25:19,520 Speaker 2: the little girl whose life he had saved. He began 472 00:25:19,640 --> 00:25:23,159 Speaker 2: to realize all of his time on earth that he 473 00:25:23,200 --> 00:25:26,760 Speaker 2: felt like he was at the wrong place, the wrong job. 474 00:25:27,080 --> 00:25:30,439 Speaker 2: He didn't like his life, but actually he was at 475 00:25:30,480 --> 00:25:34,040 Speaker 2: the right place. God had been directing his steps. He 476 00:25:34,160 --> 00:25:37,600 Speaker 2: made a difference with his life when he stepped back 477 00:25:37,920 --> 00:25:39,800 Speaker 2: and saw it from a new perspective. 478 00:25:40,320 --> 00:25:44,080 Speaker 1: He chose his heaven to be the amusement park, the 479 00:25:44,119 --> 00:25:46,080 Speaker 1: place that he had dreaded all those years. 480 00:25:47,000 --> 00:25:50,199 Speaker 2: Could it be that you're at the right place for 481 00:25:50,320 --> 00:25:52,720 Speaker 2: the season that you're in, but you're. 482 00:25:52,520 --> 00:25:54,240 Speaker 1: Not enjoying it. 483 00:25:54,280 --> 00:25:57,160 Speaker 2: Maybe, like him, if you would step back and see 484 00:25:57,160 --> 00:26:00,680 Speaker 2: it from a new perspective, you would realize God has 485 00:26:00,720 --> 00:26:04,240 Speaker 2: you in the palm of his hand. He's directing your steps. 486 00:26:04,760 --> 00:26:07,520 Speaker 2: He knows where you are, what you like, what you 487 00:26:07,600 --> 00:26:13,240 Speaker 2: don't like. Instead of living discontented, frustrated, always wishing you 488 00:26:13,280 --> 00:26:17,879 Speaker 2: were somewhere else, embrace the place where you are, see 489 00:26:17,880 --> 00:26:21,920 Speaker 2: the good, be grateful for what you have. Remember there's 490 00:26:21,960 --> 00:26:26,160 Speaker 2: a blessing and a burden for every season. Don't focus 491 00:26:26,240 --> 00:26:29,440 Speaker 2: on the burden. You have the grace to enjoy the blessing. 492 00:26:30,160 --> 00:26:32,560 Speaker 2: If you will make this choice that you're going to 493 00:26:32,600 --> 00:26:36,399 Speaker 2: live content through every season, blooming where you're planning, not 494 00:26:36,520 --> 00:26:40,640 Speaker 2: always wishing for something else, then I believe and declare 495 00:26:40,840 --> 00:26:44,359 Speaker 2: You're going to enjoy your life more. You will rise higher, 496 00:26:44,680 --> 00:26:47,760 Speaker 2: overcome every obstacle, and you will become. 497 00:26:47,560 --> 00:26:54,520 Speaker 1: Everything God's created you to be. In Jesus' name, Well, we. 498 00:26:54,520 --> 00:26:57,399 Speaker 2: Never like to close our broadcast without giving you an 499 00:26:57,400 --> 00:27:00,320 Speaker 2: opportunity to make Jesus the lord of your life. 500 00:27:00,600 --> 00:27:01,560 Speaker 1: Would you pray with me. 501 00:27:02,240 --> 00:27:07,640 Speaker 2: Just say, Lord, Jesus, I repent of my sins, Come 502 00:27:07,680 --> 00:27:10,600 Speaker 2: into my heart, wash me clean. 503 00:27:11,600 --> 00:27:13,240 Speaker 1: I make you my Lord and savior. 504 00:27:14,840 --> 00:27:17,280 Speaker 2: Friends, if you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you 505 00:27:17,320 --> 00:27:18,159 Speaker 2: got born again. 506 00:27:18,560 --> 00:27:21,800 Speaker 1: Get in a good Bible based church. Keep God first place. 507 00:27:22,040 --> 00:27:24,520 Speaker 1: He's going to take you places that you've never dreamed of. 508 00:27:25,280 --> 00:27:28,959 Speaker 3: Sometimes the difficulties of life can be so overwhelming you 509 00:27:29,000 --> 00:27:32,240 Speaker 3: feel like you're stumbling around in the dark. Things are 510 00:27:32,280 --> 00:27:35,280 Speaker 3: so bad you would need a miracle to change your situation. 511 00:27:36,119 --> 00:27:37,840 Speaker 3: But as a miracle even possible. 512 00:27:39,000 --> 00:27:42,080 Speaker 2: We all face situations where we don't see a way out. 513 00:27:42,520 --> 00:27:44,520 Speaker 2: It's easy to get discouraged and give. 514 00:27:44,480 --> 00:27:47,440 Speaker 1: Up on what we're believing. For that's how we felt. 515 00:27:47,480 --> 00:27:51,000 Speaker 2: In nineteen eighty one, my mother was diagnosed with terminal 516 00:27:51,080 --> 00:27:54,400 Speaker 2: cancer and given a few weeks to live. Nothing could 517 00:27:54,440 --> 00:27:57,720 Speaker 2: be done medically speaking, but she chose to believe that. 518 00:27:57,640 --> 00:27:59,000 Speaker 1: God is a miracle worker. 519 00:27:59,400 --> 00:28:02,520 Speaker 2: Today, three years later, by the grace of God, she's 520 00:28:02,560 --> 00:28:04,000 Speaker 2: still healthy and strong. 521 00:28:04,440 --> 00:28:07,359 Speaker 1: I'm so grateful to be alive. I'm ninety years young. 522 00:28:08,000 --> 00:28:11,000 Speaker 2: I thank God every day that he still does miracles. 523 00:28:11,080 --> 00:28:13,040 Speaker 1: I love to send you by new book. It's called 524 00:28:13,119 --> 00:28:14,120 Speaker 1: Miracles Happened. 525 00:28:14,480 --> 00:28:17,840 Speaker 2: It's filled with powerful stories of miracles from the Scripture 526 00:28:17,880 --> 00:28:20,639 Speaker 2: and real life stories of people that have seen the 527 00:28:20,680 --> 00:28:23,560 Speaker 2: hand of God. It'll help build your faith so you 528 00:28:23,600 --> 00:28:25,720 Speaker 2: can believe what seems impossible. 529 00:28:26,080 --> 00:28:28,040 Speaker 1: God did it for my mother. Yes, He'll do it 530 00:28:28,040 --> 00:28:28,440 Speaker 1: for you. 531 00:28:29,000 --> 00:28:31,240 Speaker 3: As our way of saying thank you for your gift 532 00:28:31,280 --> 00:28:34,520 Speaker 3: of any amount to the ministry this month, Joel and Victoria, 533 00:28:34,600 --> 00:28:37,879 Speaker 3: we'd like to send you this powerful book, Miracles Happen 534 00:28:38,240 --> 00:28:43,040 Speaker 3: your journey to supernatural breakthrough. This new book details thirty 535 00:28:43,080 --> 00:28:46,160 Speaker 3: different miracles from the Word of God, and each one 536 00:28:46,280 --> 00:28:49,520 Speaker 3: comes with an encouragement and application to your own life. 537 00:28:49,800 --> 00:28:55,400 Speaker 3: God has miracles stored up for you, healing, freedom, favor, breakthroughs. 538 00:28:56,480 --> 00:29:00,760 Speaker 2: Miracles still happen today, and faith is what activates God's power. 539 00:29:00,960 --> 00:29:04,200 Speaker 2: When you believe all things are possible, that's when you'll 540 00:29:04,200 --> 00:29:07,200 Speaker 2: see the hand of God do supernatural. 541 00:29:06,480 --> 00:29:07,640 Speaker 1: Things in your life. 542 00:29:08,160 --> 00:29:10,640 Speaker 2: Victory and I are standing in faith with you. We 543 00:29:10,720 --> 00:29:14,240 Speaker 2: pray for you every day. We appreciate your prayer and support. 544 00:29:14,720 --> 00:29:18,280 Speaker 2: Your generosity is impacting so many lives. Remember you can 545 00:29:18,320 --> 00:29:22,160 Speaker 2: watch the services live online every Sunday morning. Download our 546 00:29:22,240 --> 00:29:26,160 Speaker 2: daily podcast watch on YouTube. The new Joel Ostein Network. 547 00:29:26,360 --> 00:29:30,080 Speaker 2: Listen on Serious XM until we meet again. May the 548 00:29:30,080 --> 00:29:31,640 Speaker 2: Lord bless you and keep you. 549 00:29:32,240 --> 00:29:35,360 Speaker 3: Be sure to request your copy of Miracles Happen your 550 00:29:35,480 --> 00:29:40,040 Speaker 3: journey to supernatural breakthrough today. Visit Joelostein dot com or 551 00:29:40,160 --> 00:29:43,040 Speaker 3: call eight eight eight five six seven Joel