1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:03,160 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 2 00:00:03,200 --> 00:00:06,360 Speaker 1: our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. If you 3 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:09,040 Speaker 1: enjoy today's message, why don't you be a blessing and 4 00:00:09,080 --> 00:00:11,760 Speaker 1: share it with a friend. We appreciate you and pray 5 00:00:11,800 --> 00:00:14,720 Speaker 1: for God's very best in your life. Hey, God, bless 6 00:00:14,760 --> 00:00:18,360 Speaker 1: you always a joy to come into your homes. We 7 00:00:18,440 --> 00:00:21,160 Speaker 1: love you and we know God has great things in store. 8 00:00:21,440 --> 00:00:24,080 Speaker 1: We pray for you every single day. If you're ever 9 00:00:24,120 --> 00:00:26,079 Speaker 1: in our area, I hope you'll stop buying be a 10 00:00:26,079 --> 00:00:28,560 Speaker 1: part of one of our services. We'd love to have you. 11 00:00:28,880 --> 00:00:30,760 Speaker 1: I promise you will make you feel right at home. 12 00:00:30,800 --> 00:00:33,200 Speaker 1: But thanks so much for tuning in today, and thank 13 00:00:33,240 --> 00:00:35,600 Speaker 1: you again for coming out. I'd like to start with 14 00:00:35,680 --> 00:00:38,480 Speaker 1: something funny each week. And I heard about this new 15 00:00:38,560 --> 00:00:42,400 Speaker 1: police recruit. He was taking his final exam, was in 16 00:00:42,440 --> 00:00:45,800 Speaker 1: the front of this big classroom, and the sergeant asked him, 17 00:00:46,240 --> 00:00:49,000 Speaker 1: what would you do if you had to arrest your 18 00:00:49,040 --> 00:00:52,480 Speaker 1: own mother in law without missing a beat? He said, 19 00:00:52,840 --> 00:00:57,280 Speaker 1: call for back up. All right, hold up your Bible. 20 00:00:57,440 --> 00:01:00,000 Speaker 1: Say it like you mean it. This is my vibe. 21 00:01:00,560 --> 00:01:03,120 Speaker 1: I am what it says, I am, I have what 22 00:01:03,200 --> 00:01:05,840 Speaker 1: it says I have. I can do what it says 23 00:01:05,880 --> 00:01:08,720 Speaker 1: I can do. Today, I will be taught the word 24 00:01:08,760 --> 00:01:13,240 Speaker 1: of God. I boldly confess my mind is alert, my 25 00:01:13,400 --> 00:01:18,000 Speaker 1: heart is receptive. I will never be the same. In Jesus' name, 26 00:01:18,400 --> 00:01:21,600 Speaker 1: God bless you. I want to talk to you today 27 00:01:21,760 --> 00:01:25,480 Speaker 1: about staying full of hope. God has put dreams and 28 00:01:25,560 --> 00:01:29,120 Speaker 1: desires in every one of our hearts. We all have goals. 29 00:01:29,160 --> 00:01:32,840 Speaker 1: We want to accomplish the situations we're believing to turn around. 30 00:01:33,280 --> 00:01:36,600 Speaker 1: But so often when it's taken a long time and 31 00:01:36,720 --> 00:01:40,640 Speaker 1: things are not working out, it's easy to lose our enthusiasm. 32 00:01:41,240 --> 00:01:44,360 Speaker 1: That's when the negative thoughts come, saying it's never going 33 00:01:44,440 --> 00:01:47,920 Speaker 1: to change, you're never gonna get well, you're never gonna 34 00:01:47,920 --> 00:01:50,240 Speaker 1: get out of death, that child is never going to 35 00:01:50,320 --> 00:01:54,320 Speaker 1: straighten up. And if we're not careful, we'll get discouraged 36 00:01:54,480 --> 00:01:57,880 Speaker 1: and we end up just settling where we are. Many 37 00:01:58,000 --> 00:02:01,640 Speaker 1: times we miss out on God God's best because we 38 00:02:01,760 --> 00:02:05,920 Speaker 1: gave up too soon. We didn't realize how close we 39 00:02:05,920 --> 00:02:10,360 Speaker 1: were to our victory. Just another few days of believing, 40 00:02:10,960 --> 00:02:14,320 Speaker 1: another few weeks of doing the right thing, or another 41 00:02:14,400 --> 00:02:17,399 Speaker 1: few months of staying in faith, and we would see 42 00:02:17,440 --> 00:02:20,840 Speaker 1: that promise come to pass some of you. Right now, 43 00:02:21,120 --> 00:02:24,840 Speaker 1: you're on the verge of seeing a major victory. You 44 00:02:24,919 --> 00:02:28,440 Speaker 1: are so close to seeing that situation turn around. That 45 00:02:28,600 --> 00:02:31,640 Speaker 1: answer you've been praying about is just right around the corner. 46 00:02:32,160 --> 00:02:35,200 Speaker 1: You can't afford to get discouraged. You can't afford to 47 00:02:35,200 --> 00:02:38,200 Speaker 1: give up now. That's what the scripture says in Hebrews 48 00:02:38,240 --> 00:02:42,480 Speaker 1: ten thirty five, do not cast away your confidence, for 49 00:02:42,639 --> 00:02:46,280 Speaker 1: it will be richly rewarded. That's saying if we will 50 00:02:46,280 --> 00:02:49,959 Speaker 1: stay in faith, if we will keep believing, keep hoping, 51 00:02:50,080 --> 00:02:54,280 Speaker 1: keep doing the right thing, God promises there will be 52 00:02:54,360 --> 00:03:00,480 Speaker 1: a reward. One translation says, don't get discouraged. Payday is coming. 53 00:03:01,240 --> 00:03:03,760 Speaker 1: When you're tempted to get down and things are not 54 00:03:03,880 --> 00:03:07,280 Speaker 1: going your way, you need to keep telling yourself this 55 00:03:07,320 --> 00:03:10,200 Speaker 1: may be hard, it may be taking a long time, 56 00:03:10,520 --> 00:03:13,400 Speaker 1: but I know God is a faithful God, and I'm 57 00:03:13,440 --> 00:03:18,200 Speaker 1: gonna keep believing knowing that my payday is on its way. 58 00:03:18,440 --> 00:03:22,040 Speaker 1: One thing I've learned is whenever it gets difficult and 59 00:03:22,120 --> 00:03:25,480 Speaker 1: it seems like the intensity has been turned up, that's 60 00:03:25,520 --> 00:03:29,120 Speaker 1: a sign you are close to your victory. When those 61 00:03:29,200 --> 00:03:33,240 Speaker 1: lies are bombarding your mind, you're tempted to get discouraged, 62 00:03:33,560 --> 00:03:36,240 Speaker 1: you feel like throwing in the towel. No, that's not 63 00:03:36,360 --> 00:03:38,880 Speaker 1: the time to give up. That's not the time to 64 00:03:38,960 --> 00:03:41,720 Speaker 1: back down. That's the time to dig your heels in, 65 00:03:42,200 --> 00:03:45,200 Speaker 1: put on a new attitude. You are close to your 66 00:03:45,280 --> 00:03:47,960 Speaker 1: victory now. I know some of you have had a 67 00:03:48,040 --> 00:03:50,720 Speaker 1: lot of things come against you. It seems like the 68 00:03:50,760 --> 00:03:53,640 Speaker 1: more you pray, the worse it gets. You're doing the 69 00:03:53,720 --> 00:03:57,480 Speaker 1: right thing, but the wrong thing's happening. Maybe you're treating 70 00:03:57,480 --> 00:04:01,560 Speaker 1: somebody kind and respectful, but they're being kind of discourteous 71 00:04:01,600 --> 00:04:04,760 Speaker 1: back to you. The easy thing is to say, forget it. 72 00:04:05,200 --> 00:04:07,760 Speaker 1: I don't have to put up with this. This marriage 73 00:04:07,800 --> 00:04:10,440 Speaker 1: is never going to work, I'll never be able to 74 00:04:10,520 --> 00:04:13,760 Speaker 1: raise this child. Or I don't like this job. No, 75 00:04:13,880 --> 00:04:17,400 Speaker 1: instead of getting discouraged, instead of going around all sour, 76 00:04:17,760 --> 00:04:20,680 Speaker 1: you need to have the attitude. I've come too far 77 00:04:20,880 --> 00:04:24,279 Speaker 1: to stop now, I've been through too much to back down. 78 00:04:24,839 --> 00:04:28,440 Speaker 1: I realize the reason the intensity has been turned up 79 00:04:28,880 --> 00:04:31,520 Speaker 1: is because I'm about to give birth to my dreams. 80 00:04:32,279 --> 00:04:34,839 Speaker 1: I talked to a couple just last week, and they 81 00:04:34,880 --> 00:04:38,240 Speaker 1: told how their son had gotten on the wrong course. 82 00:04:38,800 --> 00:04:41,200 Speaker 1: He was running with the wrong crowd and had some 83 00:04:41,240 --> 00:04:44,440 Speaker 1: addictions he needed to overcome, and they were doing everything 84 00:04:44,480 --> 00:04:46,920 Speaker 1: they could to help him. They found him a new 85 00:04:46,920 --> 00:04:50,080 Speaker 1: place to live, away from his old friends. They got 86 00:04:50,160 --> 00:04:53,159 Speaker 1: him involved in a support group. They were praying more 87 00:04:53,200 --> 00:04:55,920 Speaker 1: than ever, but they said, Joel, it seems like the 88 00:04:55,920 --> 00:04:59,320 Speaker 1: more we pray, the more we try, the more we believe, 89 00:04:59,680 --> 00:05:03,839 Speaker 1: the he gets. They were so concerned, but I told 90 00:05:03,920 --> 00:05:07,240 Speaker 1: them what I'm telling you. The reason the intensity has 91 00:05:07,279 --> 00:05:10,719 Speaker 1: been turned up is because you're close to your victory. 92 00:05:10,839 --> 00:05:14,080 Speaker 1: The enemy would not be fighting him so hard if 93 00:05:14,080 --> 00:05:16,880 Speaker 1: he didn't already know he was about to lose his 94 00:05:16,920 --> 00:05:20,600 Speaker 1: grip on him. If you will keep believing, keep hoping, 95 00:05:20,920 --> 00:05:23,760 Speaker 1: keep doing the right thing, before long you'll give it 96 00:05:23,800 --> 00:05:27,360 Speaker 1: that final push, and you'll see the situation turn around. 97 00:05:27,520 --> 00:05:30,400 Speaker 1: You'll see that promise come to pass. It's just like 98 00:05:30,480 --> 00:05:33,760 Speaker 1: a woman that's having a baby. The first month or 99 00:05:33,800 --> 00:05:37,159 Speaker 1: two is not that difficult, it's no big deal. She 100 00:05:37,240 --> 00:05:39,880 Speaker 1: looks and feels just the same. But then in a 101 00:05:39,920 --> 00:05:42,640 Speaker 1: few months she starts to gain the weight she has 102 00:05:42,720 --> 00:05:46,640 Speaker 1: to carry around the extra pounds. Her feet may swell up, 103 00:05:46,680 --> 00:05:49,960 Speaker 1: her back may hurt, she may have some nausea, some 104 00:05:50,080 --> 00:05:54,599 Speaker 1: morning sickness. By the eighth or the ninth month. Husbands, 105 00:05:54,640 --> 00:05:58,479 Speaker 1: you know you better give that woman some space. Don't 106 00:05:58,520 --> 00:06:02,240 Speaker 1: mess with mama, talk her, just do what she says, 107 00:06:02,400 --> 00:06:07,599 Speaker 1: and nobody will get hurt. It gets more and more uncomfortable. 108 00:06:08,279 --> 00:06:12,279 Speaker 1: But then when her water breaks and she goes into labor, 109 00:06:13,080 --> 00:06:18,159 Speaker 1: all those other challenges seem insignificant compared to the difficulty 110 00:06:18,200 --> 00:06:21,800 Speaker 1: of giving birth. I remember when Victoria was in labor 111 00:06:22,040 --> 00:06:25,480 Speaker 1: with our first child, our son Jonathan. She was holding 112 00:06:25,520 --> 00:06:28,480 Speaker 1: onto my arm right here, so tight, and when she'd 113 00:06:28,520 --> 00:06:31,839 Speaker 1: have a contraction, she would squeeze my arm and she 114 00:06:31,880 --> 00:06:36,880 Speaker 1: would scream, and I would scream. I wanted to mention 115 00:06:37,000 --> 00:06:39,160 Speaker 1: to her that it was hurting me, but I feared 116 00:06:39,160 --> 00:06:44,000 Speaker 1: for my life. But the truth be known, when a 117 00:06:44,040 --> 00:06:47,159 Speaker 1: woman is in labor, if she had a choice, she'd 118 00:06:47,160 --> 00:06:50,000 Speaker 1: probably say, I don't want to do this anymore. It's 119 00:06:50,040 --> 00:06:52,839 Speaker 1: too difficult. I can't stand it. But no, she didn't 120 00:06:52,839 --> 00:06:55,520 Speaker 1: have a choice. The doctor, the nurse, the husband keeps 121 00:06:55,560 --> 00:06:59,400 Speaker 1: saying push, push, push. Before long, she pushes that baby out, 122 00:06:59,800 --> 00:07:02,360 Speaker 1: and in a few minutes she forgets all about the 123 00:07:02,360 --> 00:07:06,240 Speaker 1: pain because she's holding the promise. She's holding that little child, 124 00:07:06,800 --> 00:07:11,320 Speaker 1: And really it's the same principle in life, the same 125 00:07:11,480 --> 00:07:16,240 Speaker 1: principle in life. The greatest difficulty is always right before 126 00:07:16,280 --> 00:07:20,120 Speaker 1: the birth, before we see a new level of God's favor. 127 00:07:20,600 --> 00:07:24,200 Speaker 1: Don't be surprised if things come against you to try 128 00:07:24,240 --> 00:07:26,800 Speaker 1: to discourage you. People try to talk you out of 129 00:07:26,840 --> 00:07:29,680 Speaker 1: your dreams, to convince you to just settle where you are. 130 00:07:30,480 --> 00:07:32,720 Speaker 1: Some of you right now you don't realize it, but 131 00:07:32,800 --> 00:07:35,760 Speaker 1: you're in labor. You're about to give birth to what 132 00:07:35,800 --> 00:07:39,040 Speaker 1: God's put in your heart. That's why it's such a struggle. 133 00:07:39,200 --> 00:07:42,800 Speaker 1: You're in that final push. Maybe at work you're doing 134 00:07:42,800 --> 00:07:45,880 Speaker 1: the right thing, going the extra mile, but you got 135 00:07:45,880 --> 00:07:49,080 Speaker 1: passed over for that promotion. It wasn't fair. What was 136 00:07:49,160 --> 00:07:52,880 Speaker 1: that a labor pain? Just push through it. Maybe you 137 00:07:52,920 --> 00:07:56,080 Speaker 1: wanted to start that new business, but your partner backed out, 138 00:07:56,480 --> 00:07:59,920 Speaker 1: the financing didn't come through. What was that another labor pain. 139 00:08:00,560 --> 00:08:05,280 Speaker 1: If you'll keep pushing, keep believing, keep hoping. Before long, 140 00:08:05,720 --> 00:08:09,280 Speaker 1: like that woman, you're going to push that promise out now. 141 00:08:09,320 --> 00:08:11,640 Speaker 1: I know some of you today you feel like you've 142 00:08:11,640 --> 00:08:15,440 Speaker 1: never had such a struggle, maybe in your finances or 143 00:08:15,480 --> 00:08:18,400 Speaker 1: your health, or your relationships. You could say, Joel, this 144 00:08:18,440 --> 00:08:21,880 Speaker 1: is the greatest attack that I've ever faced. But instead 145 00:08:21,880 --> 00:08:25,240 Speaker 1: of getting down and thinking poor old me, learn to 146 00:08:25,280 --> 00:08:28,160 Speaker 1: turn it around and say, yes, this is the greatest 147 00:08:28,200 --> 00:08:30,920 Speaker 1: attack that I've ever been through, But I know that 148 00:08:31,040 --> 00:08:34,199 Speaker 1: means I'm headed for the greatest victory that I've ever seen. 149 00:08:34,920 --> 00:08:39,600 Speaker 1: Remember it's always darkest right before the dawn. You're about 150 00:08:39,640 --> 00:08:43,440 Speaker 1: to give birth to that promise. Not long ago, I 151 00:08:43,520 --> 00:08:46,360 Speaker 1: was in Colorado. I got up early one morning to 152 00:08:46,400 --> 00:08:49,160 Speaker 1: go for a hike, and there was this mountain trail 153 00:08:49,200 --> 00:08:52,079 Speaker 1: that was about three miles up and at the base 154 00:08:52,160 --> 00:08:54,480 Speaker 1: there was a sign that said it should take about 155 00:08:54,480 --> 00:08:56,920 Speaker 1: three hours to get to the top. And when I 156 00:08:56,960 --> 00:09:00,160 Speaker 1: looked at the mountain, it was kind of intimidating. It's 157 00:09:00,200 --> 00:09:04,120 Speaker 1: not only extremely steep, but the altitude, even at the 158 00:09:04,160 --> 00:09:07,360 Speaker 1: base was eight thousand feet above sea level, and it 159 00:09:07,400 --> 00:09:10,400 Speaker 1: went up to nearly eleven thousand feet And just walking 160 00:09:10,480 --> 00:09:13,600 Speaker 1: up the stairs, I could feel myself breathing heavier than normal, 161 00:09:14,040 --> 00:09:15,720 Speaker 1: and I wasn't real sure that I could make it 162 00:09:15,720 --> 00:09:18,120 Speaker 1: to the top. But I started out with just my 163 00:09:18,240 --> 00:09:21,120 Speaker 1: cell phone and a bottle of water. I had a 164 00:09:21,120 --> 00:09:24,760 Speaker 1: pretty good pace. Going first fifteen minute seemed fairly easy. 165 00:09:25,240 --> 00:09:28,320 Speaker 1: The next fifteen minutes got a little more difficult. I 166 00:09:28,480 --> 00:09:31,400 Speaker 1: was breathing heavier and had to stop every so often 167 00:09:31,440 --> 00:09:34,520 Speaker 1: to catch my breath. Now, about forty five minutes in 168 00:09:35,000 --> 00:09:38,880 Speaker 1: the trail got extremely steep, almost like I was climbing 169 00:09:38,920 --> 00:09:41,920 Speaker 1: straight up. And I'm in shape, I'm a runner, but 170 00:09:42,080 --> 00:09:45,880 Speaker 1: my legs were burning, my chest was pounding, and I 171 00:09:45,920 --> 00:09:49,760 Speaker 1: thought to myself, if there's another two hours like this, 172 00:09:50,240 --> 00:09:52,199 Speaker 1: I don't know if I'm gonna make it. And I 173 00:09:52,360 --> 00:09:54,959 Speaker 1: just come over at this big ridge and I had 174 00:09:55,000 --> 00:09:57,319 Speaker 1: to stop to catch my breath, and I could feel 175 00:09:57,320 --> 00:10:00,480 Speaker 1: that sweat pouring off of my body. The whole time, 176 00:10:00,800 --> 00:10:03,920 Speaker 1: all morning, I had not seen anyone else on the path. 177 00:10:04,480 --> 00:10:07,520 Speaker 1: But about that time, this older gentleman came around the 178 00:10:07,600 --> 00:10:12,559 Speaker 1: curve coming down the mountain. He said one little phrase 179 00:10:12,640 --> 00:10:16,240 Speaker 1: to me that totally changed my perspective. He didn't know 180 00:10:16,280 --> 00:10:18,840 Speaker 1: where I was headed, he didn't know what I was thinking. 181 00:10:19,400 --> 00:10:22,439 Speaker 1: But as he passed me, he smiled and said, in 182 00:10:22,480 --> 00:10:26,600 Speaker 1: a real calm voice, you are closer than you think. 183 00:10:27,480 --> 00:10:30,760 Speaker 1: When he said that, it was like new life was 184 00:10:30,840 --> 00:10:33,920 Speaker 1: breathed into my lungs. I could feel strength going into 185 00:10:33,960 --> 00:10:37,400 Speaker 1: my legs, energy coming into my body. I had that 186 00:10:37,600 --> 00:10:41,559 Speaker 1: second wind and from then on out, with every stride, 187 00:10:41,679 --> 00:10:45,480 Speaker 1: I kept telling myself, I'm closer than I think. Even 188 00:10:45,520 --> 00:10:47,720 Speaker 1: though it was difficult, even though it was hurting, I 189 00:10:47,800 --> 00:10:50,520 Speaker 1: kept saying, I'm almost to the top. I know I'm 190 00:10:50,520 --> 00:10:53,920 Speaker 1: going to make it. Sure enough, just ten minutes later, 191 00:10:54,120 --> 00:10:56,360 Speaker 1: I came over these big boulders and I could see 192 00:10:56,400 --> 00:10:58,800 Speaker 1: the top. I made it in just under an hour. 193 00:10:59,160 --> 00:11:03,199 Speaker 1: But what's my message? Without his words, I might have 194 00:11:03,280 --> 00:11:08,000 Speaker 1: turned around, without his encouragement, without his insight, I might 195 00:11:08,000 --> 00:11:11,440 Speaker 1: have talked myself out of it. After all, I thought 196 00:11:11,679 --> 00:11:14,360 Speaker 1: I had two more hours to go, but all I 197 00:11:14,440 --> 00:11:18,160 Speaker 1: really had was ten more minutes. Now, I believe God 198 00:11:18,360 --> 00:11:21,520 Speaker 1: is saying the same thing to every one of you. 199 00:11:21,520 --> 00:11:25,439 Speaker 1: You are closer than you think. I don't know where 200 00:11:25,440 --> 00:11:29,440 Speaker 1: you're headed, what your dreams are, how many obstacles you 201 00:11:29,480 --> 00:11:33,040 Speaker 1: have to overcome. But let these words sink deep down 202 00:11:33,480 --> 00:11:37,520 Speaker 1: into your spirit. Receive them by faith. You are closer 203 00:11:37,920 --> 00:11:41,560 Speaker 1: than you think. That means now is not the time 204 00:11:41,679 --> 00:11:45,160 Speaker 1: to talk yourself out of it. Now is not the 205 00:11:45,240 --> 00:11:49,480 Speaker 1: time to get discouraged. You may think, like I did, 206 00:11:49,840 --> 00:11:52,800 Speaker 1: that you're not even halfway there. You got so far 207 00:11:52,920 --> 00:11:55,840 Speaker 1: to go, but you don't know it may just be 208 00:11:56,000 --> 00:11:58,600 Speaker 1: up around the corner. You may think it's going to 209 00:11:58,640 --> 00:12:01,439 Speaker 1: be another two years, but if you stay in faith, 210 00:12:01,480 --> 00:12:04,520 Speaker 1: who knows, it may just be two more months. You 211 00:12:04,600 --> 00:12:07,600 Speaker 1: may have struggled with that addiction since you were a teenager, 212 00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:10,360 Speaker 1: but you don't know how close you are to breaking it. 213 00:12:11,200 --> 00:12:14,560 Speaker 1: God is wanting to breathe new life into your dreams. 214 00:12:14,960 --> 00:12:18,600 Speaker 1: He's wanting to breathe new hope into your heart. Some 215 00:12:18,679 --> 00:12:21,320 Speaker 1: of you are about to give up on a marriage, 216 00:12:21,600 --> 00:12:24,800 Speaker 1: on a child, on a gold but God is saying, 217 00:12:25,120 --> 00:12:28,040 Speaker 1: if you'll get your second wind, if you'll put on 218 00:12:28,080 --> 00:12:31,679 Speaker 1: a new attitude and press forward like you're headed down 219 00:12:31,720 --> 00:12:35,960 Speaker 1: the final stretch, you'll see God begin to do amazing things. 220 00:12:36,720 --> 00:12:40,000 Speaker 1: You may be tired, you may be tempted to get discouraged, 221 00:12:40,360 --> 00:12:43,120 Speaker 1: but you've got to shake that off and start talking 222 00:12:43,200 --> 00:12:46,440 Speaker 1: to yourself instead of saying things like, man, I'm never 223 00:12:46,520 --> 00:12:49,240 Speaker 1: gonna get there, I'm never gonna break this addiction. I'm 224 00:12:49,280 --> 00:12:52,240 Speaker 1: never gonna get out of this problem. No, your declaration 225 00:12:52,320 --> 00:12:55,720 Speaker 1: should be I am closer than I think I know. 226 00:12:56,080 --> 00:13:00,000 Speaker 1: I can raise this child, I can overcome this sickness. 227 00:13:00,480 --> 00:13:04,080 Speaker 1: I can make this business work. Weeping may endure for 228 00:13:04,120 --> 00:13:07,040 Speaker 1: a night, but I know joy is coming in the morning. 229 00:13:08,360 --> 00:13:11,920 Speaker 1: You gotta get up each day knowing this could be 230 00:13:12,000 --> 00:13:15,080 Speaker 1: the day you get the break you need. This could 231 00:13:15,120 --> 00:13:17,800 Speaker 1: be the day you see your health start to turn around. 232 00:13:18,320 --> 00:13:20,680 Speaker 1: This could be the day your child comes back home. 233 00:13:21,080 --> 00:13:23,880 Speaker 1: You single people, this could be the day you meet 234 00:13:23,920 --> 00:13:28,320 Speaker 1: the man or woman of your dreams. Zachariah nine, verse 235 00:13:28,360 --> 00:13:32,440 Speaker 1: twelve says that we should be prisoners of hope. It's 236 00:13:32,480 --> 00:13:35,440 Speaker 1: easy to give up, it's easy to get discouraged. But 237 00:13:35,559 --> 00:13:38,400 Speaker 1: God wants us to be so full of hope, so 238 00:13:38,600 --> 00:13:42,320 Speaker 1: full of expectancy, that we just can't help believing for 239 00:13:42,400 --> 00:13:45,960 Speaker 1: the best. When you're a prisoner of something, it's like 240 00:13:46,040 --> 00:13:48,880 Speaker 1: your chain to it. In other words, you can't get 241 00:13:48,880 --> 00:13:52,600 Speaker 1: away from it. I know people that are prisoners of fear, 242 00:13:53,200 --> 00:13:57,640 Speaker 1: prisoners of worry, prisoners of doubt. You've heard them. Nothing 243 00:13:57,640 --> 00:14:00,439 Speaker 1: good ever happens to me. It's never going to change, 244 00:14:00,520 --> 00:14:04,040 Speaker 1: Joel has just been too long. No, you're chained to 245 00:14:04,120 --> 00:14:07,320 Speaker 1: the wrong thing. You need to break those chains and 246 00:14:07,400 --> 00:14:11,280 Speaker 1: become a prisoner of hope. That means, no matter how 247 00:14:11,320 --> 00:14:15,319 Speaker 1: long it's taken, no matter how impossible it looks, our 248 00:14:15,360 --> 00:14:18,200 Speaker 1: attitude should be I just can't help it. I know 249 00:14:18,280 --> 00:14:21,880 Speaker 1: it's gonna work out. I know I'm gonna overcome. It 250 00:14:21,920 --> 00:14:24,600 Speaker 1: may be taken a long time, but I know this 251 00:14:24,720 --> 00:14:27,960 Speaker 1: too shall pass. It may be difficult, but I know 252 00:14:28,360 --> 00:14:32,000 Speaker 1: that means I'm close to my victory. Somebody says to you, 253 00:14:32,240 --> 00:14:35,320 Speaker 1: what is it with you? You think everything's gonna work out, 254 00:14:35,720 --> 00:14:38,360 Speaker 1: You think you're always gonna succeed. Just tell them I 255 00:14:38,400 --> 00:14:42,000 Speaker 1: don't think so. I know so. I'm a prisoner of hope. 256 00:14:42,080 --> 00:14:45,120 Speaker 1: I can't get away from it. I just can't make 257 00:14:45,200 --> 00:14:48,840 Speaker 1: myself get negative. I just can't make myself start complaining. 258 00:14:49,200 --> 00:14:52,520 Speaker 1: I've got this hope that's feeding my faith, this hope 259 00:14:52,560 --> 00:14:56,080 Speaker 1: that's constantly lifting my spirits. They may say, well, I 260 00:14:56,080 --> 00:14:58,920 Speaker 1: don't know why I saw the medical report doesn't look 261 00:14:58,960 --> 00:15:02,080 Speaker 1: good for you. Yes, but I've got another report. It 262 00:15:02,160 --> 00:15:06,160 Speaker 1: says God is restoring health back in the mead. Well, 263 00:15:06,200 --> 00:15:08,240 Speaker 1: I saw your child. I don't think he'll ever do 264 00:15:08,320 --> 00:15:11,720 Speaker 1: what's right. No, I've got another report. It says, as 265 00:15:11,760 --> 00:15:14,120 Speaker 1: for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. 266 00:15:15,200 --> 00:15:18,680 Speaker 1: And understand. You may not see any of this in 267 00:15:18,720 --> 00:15:21,520 Speaker 1: the natural. It may not look like it's going to 268 00:15:21,560 --> 00:15:25,280 Speaker 1: come to pass, but that's Okay. The scripture says we 269 00:15:25,360 --> 00:15:29,360 Speaker 1: walk by faith and not by sight. That means we 270 00:15:29,440 --> 00:15:31,960 Speaker 1: don't have to see it to believe it. It's just 271 00:15:32,000 --> 00:15:35,320 Speaker 1: the opposite. If we'll believe it, then we'll start to 272 00:15:35,320 --> 00:15:39,359 Speaker 1: see it. You need to take those dreams, those promises 273 00:15:39,400 --> 00:15:43,240 Speaker 1: God's put in your heart, and every day declare that 274 00:15:43,280 --> 00:15:46,600 Speaker 1: they are going to come to pass. Just say something like, Father, 275 00:15:46,920 --> 00:15:49,840 Speaker 1: I want to thank you that my payday is coming. 276 00:15:50,400 --> 00:15:53,320 Speaker 1: You said, no good thing, will you withhold? Because I 277 00:15:53,440 --> 00:15:56,520 Speaker 1: walk up rightly and I believe even right now you're 278 00:15:56,640 --> 00:16:00,760 Speaker 1: arranging things in my favor. Let me ask you, what 279 00:16:00,840 --> 00:16:05,640 Speaker 1: are you? A prisoner of fear, worry, self, pity, negativity. No, 280 00:16:05,760 --> 00:16:10,040 Speaker 1: break those chains and become a prisoner of hope. Expect 281 00:16:10,120 --> 00:16:13,640 Speaker 1: God's favor. Believe that He's working in your life even 282 00:16:13,720 --> 00:16:16,920 Speaker 1: right now. I read about this experiment that was done 283 00:16:17,000 --> 00:16:20,760 Speaker 1: with these rats. The researchers wanted to see how their 284 00:16:20,800 --> 00:16:24,480 Speaker 1: attitude affected their will to live, and so they took 285 00:16:24,480 --> 00:16:26,560 Speaker 1: this rat and put him in a large tub of 286 00:16:26,640 --> 00:16:29,560 Speaker 1: water with high sides that he could not get out. 287 00:16:30,080 --> 00:16:33,080 Speaker 1: And they put that tub in a totally dark room, 288 00:16:33,720 --> 00:16:36,440 Speaker 1: and they timed how long the rat would keep swimming 289 00:16:36,640 --> 00:16:39,800 Speaker 1: before he gave up. The rat lasted a little over 290 00:16:40,000 --> 00:16:44,080 Speaker 1: three minutes. They then put another rat in the same tub, 291 00:16:44,520 --> 00:16:47,600 Speaker 1: but this time they allowed a bright ray of light 292 00:16:47,800 --> 00:16:51,880 Speaker 1: to shine into the room. That rat swam over thirty 293 00:16:51,960 --> 00:16:55,720 Speaker 1: six hours, seven hundred times more than the rat with 294 00:16:55,760 --> 00:16:59,520 Speaker 1: no light. Why was that the rat with no light 295 00:17:00,200 --> 00:17:03,600 Speaker 1: had no hope? When he looked into his future, he 296 00:17:03,640 --> 00:17:07,040 Speaker 1: didn't see anything. There wasn't any reason worth living for. 297 00:17:07,840 --> 00:17:11,520 Speaker 1: And that's what happens when we don't get up expecting 298 00:17:11,560 --> 00:17:15,480 Speaker 1: God's favor, knowing that we can overcome our obstacles, believing 299 00:17:15,520 --> 00:17:19,000 Speaker 1: that God's in control. We lose our passion, we lose 300 00:17:19,040 --> 00:17:23,320 Speaker 1: our enthusiasm. And that's why it's so important, especially in 301 00:17:23,359 --> 00:17:28,280 Speaker 1: times of difficulty, to keep reminding yourself that the creator 302 00:17:28,440 --> 00:17:32,240 Speaker 1: of the universe is directing my steps. He has me 303 00:17:32,400 --> 00:17:34,840 Speaker 1: in the palm of his hands. And even though this 304 00:17:34,960 --> 00:17:37,800 Speaker 1: is difficult, I know it's just a matter of time 305 00:17:38,119 --> 00:17:41,959 Speaker 1: before it turns around. I know my payday is coming. 306 00:17:42,600 --> 00:17:44,240 Speaker 1: Some of you are just about to give up on 307 00:17:44,280 --> 00:17:47,480 Speaker 1: a dream. You think it's been too long, it's never 308 00:17:47,560 --> 00:17:50,879 Speaker 1: gonna change, it's never gonna work out. You've got to 309 00:17:50,880 --> 00:17:55,080 Speaker 1: get your fire back. Fan that flame. That dream is 310 00:17:55,119 --> 00:17:58,760 Speaker 1: still alive, even though it's taken a long time. The 311 00:17:58,800 --> 00:18:01,600 Speaker 1: good news is God God still has a way to 312 00:18:01,640 --> 00:18:05,520 Speaker 1: bring it to pass. Several years ago, Victoria lost a 313 00:18:05,600 --> 00:18:08,320 Speaker 1: ring that her mother had given her. It was a 314 00:18:08,320 --> 00:18:11,800 Speaker 1: diamond band that had been in the family for several generations, 315 00:18:12,119 --> 00:18:15,199 Speaker 1: and although it was valuable, it had even more sentimental 316 00:18:15,320 --> 00:18:18,200 Speaker 1: value to us. And sometimes when we go on trips, 317 00:18:18,440 --> 00:18:21,639 Speaker 1: Victoria would hide the ring different places in our house. 318 00:18:22,240 --> 00:18:25,800 Speaker 1: And so we looked and looked and looked in every drawer, 319 00:18:26,160 --> 00:18:30,600 Speaker 1: in every cabinet. I looked behind couches and in between chairs. 320 00:18:30,840 --> 00:18:32,960 Speaker 1: I mean I found things that I hadn't seen in 321 00:18:33,040 --> 00:18:38,080 Speaker 1: ten years, but never the ring. After a couple of 322 00:18:38,119 --> 00:18:41,360 Speaker 1: months of looking on and off, I finally had given up. 323 00:18:41,720 --> 00:18:45,040 Speaker 1: That ring was nowhere to be found. But every few 324 00:18:45,160 --> 00:18:49,000 Speaker 1: days I would hear Victoria saying, Father, thank you that 325 00:18:49,080 --> 00:18:51,640 Speaker 1: I'm going to find my ring. Thank you that you're 326 00:18:51,720 --> 00:18:54,960 Speaker 1: leading me and guiding me. And I didn't say anything 327 00:18:55,040 --> 00:18:58,720 Speaker 1: out loud, but inside, being the great man of faith 328 00:18:58,720 --> 00:19:02,919 Speaker 1: that I am, I thought, Victoria, you are wasting your time. 329 00:19:03,440 --> 00:19:06,439 Speaker 1: We have turned this house upside down. That ring is 330 00:19:06,600 --> 00:19:09,879 Speaker 1: just not here. It's funny even her mom noticed that 331 00:19:09,960 --> 00:19:12,240 Speaker 1: she wasn't wearing it much anymore, and she asked her 332 00:19:12,320 --> 00:19:15,120 Speaker 1: about it. Victoria said, oh, Mom, I've got it put 333 00:19:15,119 --> 00:19:19,840 Speaker 1: away in a really safe place. I thought, yes, so 334 00:19:19,960 --> 00:19:23,720 Speaker 1: safe that we can't even find it. As the months 335 00:19:23,760 --> 00:19:28,159 Speaker 1: went by, I probably heard Victoria talking about how she 336 00:19:28,320 --> 00:19:32,040 Speaker 1: was going to find that ring five hundred times. I 337 00:19:32,160 --> 00:19:35,080 Speaker 1: never once heard her say it's gone. I've lost it. 338 00:19:35,119 --> 00:19:37,719 Speaker 1: What am I going to do? She had the attitude, 339 00:19:38,160 --> 00:19:41,600 Speaker 1: I'm closer than I think I know. Any day that 340 00:19:41,720 --> 00:19:45,760 Speaker 1: ring is going to show up. Three years later, we 341 00:19:45,760 --> 00:19:50,920 Speaker 1: were driving home from Victoria, Texas, two hours south of Houston. 342 00:19:51,240 --> 00:19:53,399 Speaker 1: We had just ministered for my brother in law, Jim, 343 00:19:53,440 --> 00:19:57,159 Speaker 1: and my sister Tamer. Driving on the freeway eleven o'clock 344 00:19:57,200 --> 00:20:00,680 Speaker 1: at night, Victoria said, Joe, you better slow down. You're 345 00:20:00,680 --> 00:20:02,560 Speaker 1: going to get a ticket. I said, I'm not going 346 00:20:02,600 --> 00:20:04,840 Speaker 1: to get a ticket. I'm only going seventy. The speed 347 00:20:04,880 --> 00:20:08,320 Speaker 1: limit sixty five. She said, no, the speed limit sixty 348 00:20:08,440 --> 00:20:11,120 Speaker 1: at night. I said, no, it's sixty five. She said, Joel, 349 00:20:11,119 --> 00:20:13,720 Speaker 1: I'm telling you you need to slow down. I kind 350 00:20:13,720 --> 00:20:16,480 Speaker 1: of laughed and said, Victoria, I've got the favor of God. 351 00:20:16,520 --> 00:20:20,640 Speaker 1: I'm not going to get a ticket. But God has 352 00:20:20,680 --> 00:20:23,800 Speaker 1: a sense of humor, because just about that time, I 353 00:20:23,840 --> 00:20:26,040 Speaker 1: looked in my rear view mirror and I saw the 354 00:20:26,080 --> 00:20:30,560 Speaker 1: red flashing lights. I looked at Victoria and said, you 355 00:20:30,680 --> 00:20:35,400 Speaker 1: made me get this ticket. The officer came up. He 356 00:20:35,480 --> 00:20:39,119 Speaker 1: was a real nice, polite young man. He said, I 357 00:20:39,160 --> 00:20:41,760 Speaker 1: need to see your driver's license. I gave it to him. 358 00:20:41,960 --> 00:20:44,440 Speaker 1: He said, are you the minister? I said I am. 359 00:20:45,080 --> 00:20:47,919 Speaker 1: He said, did you speak at Faith Family Church tonight? 360 00:20:48,040 --> 00:20:50,640 Speaker 1: I said I did. That's my sister's church. He said, 361 00:20:50,680 --> 00:20:53,679 Speaker 1: I know. My father was there. He's the head usher. 362 00:20:54,240 --> 00:20:56,960 Speaker 1: I said, oh man, that's great. He was so nice 363 00:20:57,000 --> 00:20:59,639 Speaker 1: to me. I had to repent later. I didn't know 364 00:20:59,720 --> 00:21:03,040 Speaker 1: him from I had him. He kind of laughed and said, well, 365 00:21:03,040 --> 00:21:05,640 Speaker 1: I need to see your insurance card. And so Victoria 366 00:21:05,720 --> 00:21:08,720 Speaker 1: started digging and digging through the glove compartment. You know, 367 00:21:08,800 --> 00:21:11,360 Speaker 1: it was dark, and we a little uptight about being 368 00:21:11,359 --> 00:21:14,240 Speaker 1: pulled over. Seemed like we could find every card except 369 00:21:14,240 --> 00:21:16,639 Speaker 1: the right one. And so Victoria started taking all the 370 00:21:16,680 --> 00:21:19,480 Speaker 1: stuff out and moving it around, and at one point 371 00:21:19,520 --> 00:21:21,959 Speaker 1: she reached way back in there with her little finger 372 00:21:22,280 --> 00:21:24,800 Speaker 1: in the crack of the glove compartment in the dark, 373 00:21:24,880 --> 00:21:27,600 Speaker 1: she felt something sharp. She kept digging and digging. Sure 374 00:21:27,680 --> 00:21:29,960 Speaker 1: enough she pulled it out. Lo and behold, it was 375 00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:36,520 Speaker 1: her ring. She was so excited, she was so thrilled, 376 00:21:36,920 --> 00:21:41,000 Speaker 1: she forgot all about looking for the insurance car. I thought, girl, 377 00:21:41,000 --> 00:21:44,840 Speaker 1: you're rejoicing and I'm about to go to jail. We 378 00:21:44,960 --> 00:21:48,240 Speaker 1: got to find that card. We finally found it and 379 00:21:48,240 --> 00:21:51,000 Speaker 1: gave it to the officer. He said, Joel, I'm gonna 380 00:21:51,080 --> 00:21:53,760 Speaker 1: let you go. I just have run request. When I 381 00:21:53,880 --> 00:21:56,120 Speaker 1: come visit your church, will you save me a seat? 382 00:21:56,320 --> 00:22:01,040 Speaker 1: I said, officer, I'll save you a whole section. We 383 00:22:01,160 --> 00:22:04,920 Speaker 1: drove off that night, thinking, God, you are so good. 384 00:22:05,000 --> 00:22:07,879 Speaker 1: I didn't get a ticket and Victoria found her ring. 385 00:22:08,840 --> 00:22:13,439 Speaker 1: But God works in mysterious ways. I thought about it 386 00:22:13,520 --> 00:22:17,760 Speaker 1: later and God caused her to find her ring at 387 00:22:17,800 --> 00:22:22,720 Speaker 1: my expense. But the truth is Victoria stayed in faith. 388 00:22:23,040 --> 00:22:26,840 Speaker 1: She had that attitude. I'm closer than I think I know. 389 00:22:26,920 --> 00:22:30,040 Speaker 1: This young couple they wanted to sell their house, and 390 00:22:30,119 --> 00:22:32,240 Speaker 1: several people had looked at it, but they didn't really 391 00:22:32,280 --> 00:22:34,919 Speaker 1: have any good leads, and at that time the market 392 00:22:35,040 --> 00:22:37,320 Speaker 1: was kind of low and people were telling them it 393 00:22:37,359 --> 00:22:40,080 Speaker 1: may take six months, a year, maybe even two years 394 00:22:40,119 --> 00:22:43,480 Speaker 1: to sell. But this couple had that attitude of faith. 395 00:22:43,480 --> 00:22:46,320 Speaker 1: They were prisoners of hope, and even though it didn't 396 00:22:46,320 --> 00:22:50,000 Speaker 1: look good, they kept reminding themselves, we are closer than 397 00:22:50,040 --> 00:22:53,680 Speaker 1: we think. It could happen any day. This man came 398 00:22:53,720 --> 00:22:55,960 Speaker 1: back to look at the house a second time. He 399 00:22:56,040 --> 00:22:58,639 Speaker 1: wanted to spend a couple of hours and really study 400 00:22:58,680 --> 00:23:01,000 Speaker 1: it and see if it was right for him. And 401 00:23:01,040 --> 00:23:04,000 Speaker 1: this young couple debated as to whether they should take 402 00:23:04,119 --> 00:23:08,200 Speaker 1: down their personal pictures, pictures of themselves and their children, 403 00:23:08,480 --> 00:23:11,080 Speaker 1: just so they could remain more private. But after they 404 00:23:11,119 --> 00:23:13,680 Speaker 1: thought about it, they just felt good about leaving those 405 00:23:13,720 --> 00:23:16,480 Speaker 1: pictures where they were. The men came over and looked 406 00:23:16,520 --> 00:23:18,359 Speaker 1: at the house. A couple hours later, they got a 407 00:23:18,400 --> 00:23:21,280 Speaker 1: call from the relator saying the man wanted to purchase 408 00:23:21,320 --> 00:23:25,560 Speaker 1: the house. What's interesting is this young couple are faithful 409 00:23:25,600 --> 00:23:28,640 Speaker 1: members here at Lakewood. In a while back, we took 410 00:23:28,640 --> 00:23:31,719 Speaker 1: a picture together in the lobby and they framed it 411 00:23:31,800 --> 00:23:35,120 Speaker 1: and put it on the bookshelves at their house. This 412 00:23:35,200 --> 00:23:38,159 Speaker 1: man that purchased the house, he told how he and 413 00:23:38,200 --> 00:23:40,880 Speaker 1: his wife were trying to decide between two different houses, 414 00:23:40,960 --> 00:23:44,240 Speaker 1: going back and forth. But he said, when we saw 415 00:23:44,320 --> 00:23:47,960 Speaker 1: that picture of you and your pastor. We thought these 416 00:23:48,000 --> 00:23:51,080 Speaker 1: people loved God. They go to Lakewood. This must be 417 00:23:51,160 --> 00:23:54,120 Speaker 1: the house for us. That young man told me later, 418 00:23:54,160 --> 00:23:57,040 Speaker 1: he said, Joel, did you hear you help me sell 419 00:23:57,160 --> 00:24:01,000 Speaker 1: my house? I said, I heard. Now, let's talk about 420 00:24:01,000 --> 00:24:07,040 Speaker 1: commission the friends. God has all kinds of ways to 421 00:24:07,080 --> 00:24:10,320 Speaker 1: bring your dreams to pass. He can cause a simple 422 00:24:10,400 --> 00:24:13,080 Speaker 1: picture to be at the right place at the right 423 00:24:13,160 --> 00:24:15,639 Speaker 1: time to help you sell a piece of property. He 424 00:24:15,680 --> 00:24:18,119 Speaker 1: can cause a police officer to pull you over in 425 00:24:18,200 --> 00:24:20,399 Speaker 1: the middle of the night and help you find something 426 00:24:20,440 --> 00:24:23,800 Speaker 1: you've been looking for. God is in complete control. I'm 427 00:24:23,840 --> 00:24:26,800 Speaker 1: asking you to be a prisoner of hope. Get up 428 00:24:26,840 --> 00:24:30,600 Speaker 1: each day expecting his favor. When those negative thoughts come 429 00:24:31,080 --> 00:24:34,520 Speaker 1: and it looks impossible you feel like getting discouraged, just 430 00:24:34,600 --> 00:24:38,200 Speaker 1: keep telling yourself I'm closer than I think. Right now, 431 00:24:38,240 --> 00:24:41,240 Speaker 1: the creator of the universe is lining up things in 432 00:24:41,320 --> 00:24:45,080 Speaker 1: my favor, the right people, the right breaks, the right opportunities. 433 00:24:45,680 --> 00:24:48,159 Speaker 1: You say, Joel, I've been through a lot of tough times. 434 00:24:48,240 --> 00:24:51,160 Speaker 1: You're exactly right, You've been through it. Don't stay there, 435 00:24:51,200 --> 00:24:54,880 Speaker 1: put on a new attitude. Disappointments are for a season, 436 00:24:55,160 --> 00:24:58,680 Speaker 1: but God's favor is for a lifetime. I heard about 437 00:24:58,680 --> 00:25:01,200 Speaker 1: this man that had a picture up in his office. 438 00:25:01,680 --> 00:25:04,360 Speaker 1: It was of a large rowboat that had washed up 439 00:25:04,359 --> 00:25:07,439 Speaker 1: on the beach. The two oars were resting gently in 440 00:25:07,520 --> 00:25:10,199 Speaker 1: the sand. You could see the ocean off in the 441 00:25:10,240 --> 00:25:13,360 Speaker 1: distance twenty or thirty feet away. The boat was too 442 00:25:13,400 --> 00:25:16,679 Speaker 1: heavy to drag, too big to move. It was just 443 00:25:16,720 --> 00:25:19,560 Speaker 1: sitting there, stuck. It had washed up during the high 444 00:25:19,600 --> 00:25:23,919 Speaker 1: tide and now it was stranded. The picture wasn't very beautiful, 445 00:25:24,600 --> 00:25:28,960 Speaker 1: wasn't even inspiring. In fact, it was very depressing. Here 446 00:25:29,080 --> 00:25:32,280 Speaker 1: this boat that was created to live in the water, 447 00:25:32,760 --> 00:25:36,639 Speaker 1: to dance on top of the ocean. It was sitting there, lifeless, 448 00:25:37,040 --> 00:25:40,320 Speaker 1: no energy, stuck in the sand. But at the very 449 00:25:40,400 --> 00:25:44,199 Speaker 1: bottom of the picture there was a small caption. If 450 00:25:44,240 --> 00:25:46,480 Speaker 1: you didn't look at it carefully, you might miss it. 451 00:25:46,960 --> 00:25:52,680 Speaker 1: The caption read, the tide always comes back. What's the message? 452 00:25:52,880 --> 00:25:57,520 Speaker 1: When the tide comes back, the seemingly helpless, lifeless boat 453 00:25:57,880 --> 00:26:01,159 Speaker 1: will get a new beginning. It comes back to life. 454 00:26:01,200 --> 00:26:03,480 Speaker 1: A friend saw the picture and said, why did you 455 00:26:03,520 --> 00:26:06,439 Speaker 1: put this up in your office? It's so depressing. The 456 00:26:06,520 --> 00:26:09,200 Speaker 1: man told how he had gone through a great disappointment. 457 00:26:09,480 --> 00:26:12,520 Speaker 1: He didn't think he'd ever be happy again. He saw 458 00:26:12,560 --> 00:26:15,760 Speaker 1: the painting at a small antique store bought it for 459 00:26:15,880 --> 00:26:18,520 Speaker 1: just a few dollars. Nobody else wanted it. It was 460 00:26:18,560 --> 00:26:22,240 Speaker 1: too discouraging looking, but he said, every time I looked 461 00:26:22,240 --> 00:26:26,760 Speaker 1: at it, I said to myself, the tide is coming back. 462 00:26:27,480 --> 00:26:30,680 Speaker 1: What was he doing speaking faith into his heart? He 463 00:26:30,760 --> 00:26:34,600 Speaker 1: was saying, I'm closer than I think. Things are changing 464 00:26:34,720 --> 00:26:37,760 Speaker 1: in my favor. You may be here kind of like 465 00:26:37,840 --> 00:26:42,359 Speaker 1: that man stuck stranded. Things aren't going your way. You 466 00:26:42,400 --> 00:26:45,240 Speaker 1: don't have the energy and enthusiasm that you used to have, 467 00:26:45,880 --> 00:26:48,840 Speaker 1: But you need to hear these words. The tide is 468 00:26:48,880 --> 00:26:52,920 Speaker 1: coming back. God is breathing new life into your dreams. 469 00:26:53,280 --> 00:26:55,840 Speaker 1: You're going to feel the wind of His spirit lifts 470 00:26:55,840 --> 00:26:59,600 Speaker 1: you to where you begin to sell once again. Not 471 00:26:59,800 --> 00:27:03,320 Speaker 1: just endure life barely get by, but to even dance 472 00:27:03,440 --> 00:27:05,760 Speaker 1: on top of the waves. That means to live the 473 00:27:06,320 --> 00:27:09,520 Speaker 1: abundant life that you were created to live. You need 474 00:27:09,560 --> 00:27:13,399 Speaker 1: to start telling yourself every day, my tide is coming back. 475 00:27:13,920 --> 00:27:17,520 Speaker 1: I am closer than I think. It may be difficult, 476 00:27:18,720 --> 00:27:22,879 Speaker 1: but the good news is that difficulty means you're close 477 00:27:22,920 --> 00:27:26,520 Speaker 1: to your victory. Don't give up on that dream, don't 478 00:27:26,560 --> 00:27:29,199 Speaker 1: give up on that marriage, don't give up on living 479 00:27:29,240 --> 00:27:32,880 Speaker 1: a healthy life. It may be difficult, but remember there's 480 00:27:32,880 --> 00:27:36,520 Speaker 1: a reward for staying in faith. God promises your payday 481 00:27:36,880 --> 00:27:39,119 Speaker 1: is on its way. And if you'll learn to be 482 00:27:39,200 --> 00:27:42,119 Speaker 1: this prisoner of hope and get up every day expecting 483 00:27:42,160 --> 00:27:45,640 Speaker 1: God's favor, You'll see God begin to do amazing things. 484 00:27:45,840 --> 00:27:49,520 Speaker 1: You'll overcome every obstacle, You'll defeat every enemy, and I 485 00:27:49,640 --> 00:27:53,680 Speaker 1: believe and declare you'll see every dream, every promise God's 486 00:27:53,680 --> 00:27:56,159 Speaker 1: put in your heart. It will come to pass. Amen. 487 00:27:56,600 --> 00:27:58,399 Speaker 1: If you receive it, Can you give on or a 488 00:27:58,440 --> 00:28:03,080 Speaker 1: shout of praise? Today? We all go through disappointments and 489 00:28:03,160 --> 00:28:06,119 Speaker 1: things that are not fair. But God sees every hurt, 490 00:28:06,400 --> 00:28:09,439 Speaker 1: every injustice, and He's promised to pay you back for 491 00:28:09,520 --> 00:28:11,840 Speaker 1: the unfair things. Now I love to send you my 492 00:28:11,960 --> 00:28:15,679 Speaker 1: new resource double for your trouble. It's filled with inspiration, 493 00:28:16,000 --> 00:28:18,840 Speaker 1: damp you stay in faith and not get bitter and 494 00:28:18,920 --> 00:28:22,440 Speaker 1: think why me? Now that setback may have been painful, 495 00:28:22,640 --> 00:28:25,280 Speaker 1: but the fact is it sets you up for double. 496 00:28:25,600 --> 00:28:28,160 Speaker 1: God will make the enemy pay and bring you out 497 00:28:28,240 --> 00:28:29,600 Speaker 1: better than you were before. 498 00:28:30,400 --> 00:28:33,359 Speaker 2: This ministry is reaching people around the world with the 499 00:28:33,440 --> 00:28:36,120 Speaker 2: message of hope, and as our way of saying thank 500 00:28:36,160 --> 00:28:38,720 Speaker 2: you for your gift of any amount, we would like 501 00:28:38,760 --> 00:28:41,200 Speaker 2: to send you a copy of Double for Your Trouble, 502 00:28:41,440 --> 00:28:45,480 Speaker 2: a daily guide for restoration. This thirty one day spiral 503 00:28:45,520 --> 00:28:49,720 Speaker 2: bound resource is an invitation into healing, restoration, and the 504 00:28:49,800 --> 00:28:53,600 Speaker 2: abundant life God has promised. Whether you're walking through a 505 00:28:53,640 --> 00:28:57,440 Speaker 2: season of loss, believing for a breakthrough, or simply looking 506 00:28:57,520 --> 00:29:01,320 Speaker 2: for a deeper connection with God. Is designed to help 507 00:29:01,360 --> 00:29:06,680 Speaker 2: you reflect, realign, and rebuild day by day. Receive your 508 00:29:06,720 --> 00:29:12,120 Speaker 2: copy and know that whatever you're facing today, grief, loss, uncertainty, 509 00:29:12,160 --> 00:29:16,200 Speaker 2: it doesn't define your future. Choose to trust God. He 510 00:29:16,360 --> 00:29:20,080 Speaker 2: sees you, He cares deeply, and He is the God 511 00:29:20,120 --> 00:29:21,479 Speaker 2: who restores Double. 512 00:29:22,080 --> 00:29:25,200 Speaker 1: None of us like difficulties, but if you'll stay in faith, 513 00:29:25,320 --> 00:29:28,280 Speaker 1: you won't come out the same. You'll come out with Double. 514 00:29:28,840 --> 00:29:31,680 Speaker 1: Nicktoy and I pray for you and your family every day. 515 00:29:31,960 --> 00:29:35,239 Speaker 1: Thank you for your prayers and support. Your donations are 516 00:29:35,240 --> 00:29:38,600 Speaker 1: bringing hope to people around the world. Special thank you 517 00:29:38,640 --> 00:29:41,240 Speaker 1: to our Champion of Hope partners for all you do 518 00:29:41,320 --> 00:29:44,240 Speaker 1: to make the ministry possible. Until we see you again 519 00:29:44,280 --> 00:29:46,960 Speaker 1: next week, mid the Lord bless you and keep you. 520 00:29:47,840 --> 00:29:50,960 Speaker 2: Be sure to request your copy of Double for Your Trouble, 521 00:29:51,120 --> 00:29:55,000 Speaker 2: available this month by simply visiting us at Joelostein dot 522 00:29:55,040 --> 00:29:58,640 Speaker 2: com or call eight eight eight five six seven Joel. 523 00:29:59,200 --> 00:30:02,560 Speaker 2: You can also see God's Got You Restoration Duo. 524 00:30:03,040 --> 00:30:04,080 Speaker 1: This book is a. 525 00:30:04,000 --> 00:30:07,600 Speaker 2: Powerful reminder that no matter what you face, you are 526 00:30:07,600 --> 00:30:11,040 Speaker 2: not alone. God's got you and he will never let 527 00:30:11,080 --> 00:30:14,640 Speaker 2: you go. In addition to these two inspiration books, you 528 00:30:14,720 --> 00:30:18,920 Speaker 2: can also receive the Double Portion Restoration Bible Collection. This 529 00:30:19,040 --> 00:30:23,040 Speaker 2: beautifully curated collection brings together the restoring of hope of 530 00:30:23,120 --> 00:30:26,560 Speaker 2: Double for Your Trouble and the comforting reassurance of God's 531 00:30:26,560 --> 00:30:30,320 Speaker 2: Got You. Paired with a stunning CSB Thin Line Bible 532 00:30:30,480 --> 00:30:34,440 Speaker 2: Digital Study Edition in camel Swaye's soft leather touch, this 533 00:30:34,600 --> 00:30:38,880 Speaker 2: elegant Bible offers a rich, immersive study experience and enduring 534 00:30:38,920 --> 00:30:43,320 Speaker 2: companion as you lean into God's promises of renewal and restoration. 535 00:30:44,080 --> 00:30:47,880 Speaker 2: Let these resources strengthen your faith, study your heart, and 536 00:30:47,960 --> 00:30:51,840 Speaker 2: remind you each day that God is restoring, bleeding and 537 00:30:51,960 --> 00:30:55,880 Speaker 2: working double on your behalf. You can request these inspiring 538 00:30:55,960 --> 00:30:59,600 Speaker 2: resources by calling eight eight eight five six seven Joel 539 00:30:59,880 --> 00:31:02,800 Speaker 2: or logging on to Joelosteen dot com today. 540 00:31:03,800 --> 00:31:06,240 Speaker 1: If you've never been to Lakewood, we have a great 541 00:31:06,360 --> 00:31:10,760 Speaker 1: opportunity to come. We call it Homecoming Weekend. We'd love 542 00:31:10,800 --> 00:31:13,240 Speaker 1: to meet you and your family, and you can see 543 00:31:13,240 --> 00:31:16,080 Speaker 1: the building and attend one of the services. It's a 544 00:31:16,120 --> 00:31:18,520 Speaker 1: great time to be a part of the Lakewood family. 545 00:31:18,880 --> 00:31:21,800 Speaker 1: Looking forward to seeing you at Homecoming Weekend.