1 00:00:00,920 --> 00:00:03,640 Speaker 1: Victoria, and I believe in you're gonna have a blessed summer. 2 00:00:03,720 --> 00:00:06,600 Speaker 1: Praying for you guys every day, and thanks for being 3 00:00:06,600 --> 00:00:09,200 Speaker 1: with us today. Hey, I'm excited. Victoria's got a new 4 00:00:09,240 --> 00:00:11,760 Speaker 1: book out. It's called Grace to Go, and I know 5 00:00:11,840 --> 00:00:14,840 Speaker 1: it's going to bless you. I'm excited because in this 6 00:00:14,960 --> 00:00:18,279 Speaker 1: book you will see how you are strengthened, that you 7 00:00:18,400 --> 00:00:20,360 Speaker 1: are prepared and you are ready for. 8 00:00:20,520 --> 00:00:23,880 Speaker 2: Anything that's in front of you. You are Grace to Go. 9 00:00:24,480 --> 00:00:26,080 Speaker 2: Enjoy today's message. 10 00:00:26,360 --> 00:00:28,880 Speaker 1: Well, God bless you. It's always a joy to come 11 00:00:28,920 --> 00:00:31,360 Speaker 1: into your homes. And if you're ever in our area, 12 00:00:31,440 --> 00:00:34,200 Speaker 1: please stop buying. Be a part of one of our services. 13 00:00:34,360 --> 00:00:36,480 Speaker 1: I promise you we'll make you feel right at home. 14 00:00:36,720 --> 00:00:39,040 Speaker 1: But thanks so much for tuning in, and thank you 15 00:00:39,080 --> 00:00:41,600 Speaker 1: again for coming out today. And I like to start 16 00:00:41,640 --> 00:00:44,519 Speaker 1: with something funny. And I heard about this lady. She 17 00:00:44,640 --> 00:00:47,800 Speaker 1: saw this little old man sitting on his front porch, 18 00:00:47,960 --> 00:00:50,479 Speaker 1: rocking in his rocking chair, and it always seemed to 19 00:00:50,520 --> 00:00:53,520 Speaker 1: be so happy. She finally went over to him and said, 20 00:00:53,760 --> 00:00:57,000 Speaker 1: get help. But notice you're always smiling, always in a 21 00:00:57,040 --> 00:00:57,640 Speaker 1: good mood. 22 00:00:58,080 --> 00:01:00,560 Speaker 2: Tell me what is your secret for such a long 23 00:01:00,880 --> 00:01:03,280 Speaker 2: happy life? He said, that's easy. 24 00:01:03,560 --> 00:01:07,120 Speaker 1: I smoke three packs of cigarettes every day, I eat 25 00:01:07,160 --> 00:01:10,920 Speaker 1: nothing but junk food, and I never exercise. She said, 26 00:01:10,920 --> 00:01:14,000 Speaker 1: that's amazing. How old are you, he said, twenty six. 27 00:01:16,000 --> 00:01:18,160 Speaker 1: Hold up your Bible. Say it like you mean it. 28 00:01:18,640 --> 00:01:21,280 Speaker 1: This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. 29 00:01:21,760 --> 00:01:24,040 Speaker 1: I have what it says I have. I can do 30 00:01:24,120 --> 00:01:26,640 Speaker 1: what it says I can do. Today I will be 31 00:01:26,720 --> 00:01:30,440 Speaker 1: talked the word of God. I boldly confess. My mind 32 00:01:30,520 --> 00:01:33,640 Speaker 1: is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never be 33 00:01:33,720 --> 00:01:38,800 Speaker 1: the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. I want 34 00:01:38,800 --> 00:01:42,720 Speaker 1: to talk to you today about defining moments. We all 35 00:01:42,760 --> 00:01:46,120 Speaker 1: make hundreds of decisions each day, and most. 36 00:01:45,920 --> 00:01:46,840 Speaker 2: Of them are routine. 37 00:01:47,240 --> 00:01:50,320 Speaker 1: We don't think much about them. But there are certain 38 00:01:50,400 --> 00:01:54,960 Speaker 1: decisions that carry much more weight. They not only affect us, 39 00:01:55,280 --> 00:01:59,720 Speaker 1: they affect our children and future generations. And sometimes what 40 00:01:59,760 --> 00:02:03,880 Speaker 1: we think is an ordinary decision no big deal, it's 41 00:02:03,920 --> 00:02:08,560 Speaker 1: really a defining moment. When you're in a situation where 42 00:02:08,560 --> 00:02:12,760 Speaker 1: you're tempted to compromise, to get upset, to be better, 43 00:02:13,520 --> 00:02:15,799 Speaker 1: you know, to make the right choice, you have to 44 00:02:15,840 --> 00:02:19,120 Speaker 1: dig your heels in, be disciplined, not go by what 45 00:02:19,200 --> 00:02:22,880 Speaker 1: you feel that's not just another routine choice. 46 00:02:23,280 --> 00:02:24,639 Speaker 2: That's a defining moment. 47 00:02:25,600 --> 00:02:28,840 Speaker 1: The decisions you make in these tough times, when you 48 00:02:28,880 --> 00:02:32,080 Speaker 1: feel like doing the easy thing, you feel like telling 49 00:02:32,160 --> 00:02:35,680 Speaker 1: somebody off, you feel like being offended, you have to 50 00:02:35,720 --> 00:02:39,800 Speaker 1: remind yourself this is a defining moment. It's going to 51 00:02:39,880 --> 00:02:42,600 Speaker 1: impact my destiny. So I'm going to dig my heels 52 00:02:42,639 --> 00:02:46,760 Speaker 1: in and do the right thing, even though it's difficult. See, 53 00:02:46,800 --> 00:02:50,640 Speaker 1: the pain of discipline is much less than the pain 54 00:02:50,800 --> 00:02:55,000 Speaker 1: of regret. It's better to be uncomfortable for a little 55 00:02:55,000 --> 00:02:58,679 Speaker 1: while than to make a poor choice and be uncomfortable 56 00:02:58,760 --> 00:03:01,959 Speaker 1: for a long time and giving into what we feel, 57 00:03:02,120 --> 00:03:05,360 Speaker 1: what we want, taking the easy way out. That pleasure 58 00:03:05,840 --> 00:03:10,520 Speaker 1: is only temporary. The pain lasts much longer. But in 59 00:03:10,560 --> 00:03:12,680 Speaker 1: the heat of the moment, every voice will tell you 60 00:03:12,800 --> 00:03:14,880 Speaker 1: it doesn't matter, it's no big deal. 61 00:03:15,080 --> 00:03:18,359 Speaker 2: Just do it. Not gonna hurt anything. Don't believe those lies. 62 00:03:18,520 --> 00:03:23,480 Speaker 1: It's going to impact your destiny, Jesus said, pray that 63 00:03:23,520 --> 00:03:28,440 Speaker 1: you don't enter into temptation, whatever area that you struggle in. 64 00:03:28,960 --> 00:03:31,120 Speaker 2: Before you leave the house, you need to. 65 00:03:31,080 --> 00:03:34,960 Speaker 1: Pray, God help me to keep my cool today, or 66 00:03:35,000 --> 00:03:38,080 Speaker 1: God help me to keep my eyes on the right things. God, 67 00:03:38,160 --> 00:03:42,320 Speaker 1: help me to resist this addiction to not compromise. Then 68 00:03:42,360 --> 00:03:45,480 Speaker 1: all through the day you have to guard your mind. 69 00:03:46,360 --> 00:03:50,120 Speaker 1: Every temptation starts with a thought. This is where the 70 00:03:50,160 --> 00:03:54,040 Speaker 1: real battle is taking place. And when those tempting thoughts come, 71 00:03:54,680 --> 00:03:57,720 Speaker 1: don't dwell on it, don't give it the time of day. 72 00:03:58,520 --> 00:04:00,480 Speaker 1: If you allow it to stay, it'll. 73 00:04:00,360 --> 00:04:04,480 Speaker 2: Draw you in and can lead you to compromise. This 74 00:04:04,520 --> 00:04:05,960 Speaker 2: is what Joseph had to do. 75 00:04:06,320 --> 00:04:09,120 Speaker 1: He was working as a slave at the house of 76 00:04:09,160 --> 00:04:10,320 Speaker 1: a man named Potterphar. 77 00:04:11,000 --> 00:04:12,400 Speaker 2: He continued to excel. 78 00:04:13,000 --> 00:04:16,160 Speaker 1: Eventually Potterphar put him in charge of his whole household. 79 00:04:17,000 --> 00:04:17,160 Speaker 2: Well. 80 00:04:17,240 --> 00:04:20,800 Speaker 1: Joseph was a good looking young man, tall, dark and handsome. 81 00:04:21,640 --> 00:04:25,000 Speaker 1: One day he was walking through the house minding his 82 00:04:25,080 --> 00:04:29,080 Speaker 1: own business when Potterphar's wife came up and tried to 83 00:04:29,080 --> 00:04:29,800 Speaker 1: seduce him. 84 00:04:30,440 --> 00:04:34,440 Speaker 2: She made advances toward him. Here, Joseph was a slave. 85 00:04:34,960 --> 00:04:38,039 Speaker 1: He'd been betrayed by his brothers, thrown into a pit. 86 00:04:38,800 --> 00:04:42,240 Speaker 1: He could have thought, God's forgotten about me. What's it 87 00:04:42,320 --> 00:04:46,080 Speaker 1: gonna matter if I compromise. Besides, it's her idea. Anyway, 88 00:04:46,600 --> 00:04:48,760 Speaker 1: I'm tired of being stuck as a slave. I'm ready 89 00:04:48,760 --> 00:04:51,120 Speaker 1: to have some fun. He could have let his guard down, 90 00:04:51,600 --> 00:04:54,480 Speaker 1: taken the easy way out, but he didn't do it. 91 00:04:55,040 --> 00:04:59,480 Speaker 1: He realized it was a defining moment. He wouldn't compromise. 92 00:05:00,200 --> 00:05:03,080 Speaker 1: She grabbed him by the sleeve and pulled him close. 93 00:05:03,600 --> 00:05:07,839 Speaker 1: The scripture says he tore himself away and took off running. 94 00:05:08,920 --> 00:05:13,080 Speaker 1: Notice how determined he was. Sometimes to stay on the 95 00:05:13,160 --> 00:05:16,120 Speaker 1: high road, you have to take drastic measures. 96 00:05:16,680 --> 00:05:16,800 Speaker 2: Now. 97 00:05:16,800 --> 00:05:19,640 Speaker 1: I know it's not very macho to run from a woman, 98 00:05:19,880 --> 00:05:21,040 Speaker 1: but you gotta do what. 99 00:05:20,960 --> 00:05:21,640 Speaker 2: You gotta do. 100 00:05:23,160 --> 00:05:26,560 Speaker 1: When he turned and ran away, she ripped part of 101 00:05:26,600 --> 00:05:30,760 Speaker 1: his coat off. She lied about him, She falsely accused him. 102 00:05:31,400 --> 00:05:34,320 Speaker 1: Joseph went to prison, but when it was all said 103 00:05:34,360 --> 00:05:36,520 Speaker 1: and done, he was put in charge. 104 00:05:36,320 --> 00:05:37,880 Speaker 2: Of all the affairs of Egypt. 105 00:05:38,720 --> 00:05:42,279 Speaker 1: What you do in your defining moments will make you 106 00:05:42,520 --> 00:05:45,839 Speaker 1: or break you. If Joseph would have taken the easy 107 00:05:45,880 --> 00:05:49,800 Speaker 1: way out, given into the temptation, I'm not so sure 108 00:05:50,000 --> 00:05:51,440 Speaker 1: he would have made it to the throne. 109 00:05:52,160 --> 00:05:53,440 Speaker 2: God would have forgiven him. 110 00:05:53,480 --> 00:05:56,520 Speaker 1: Of course, God always gives us another chance. 111 00:05:57,240 --> 00:05:58,159 Speaker 2: But to reach your. 112 00:05:58,160 --> 00:06:02,839 Speaker 1: Highest potential, you have to pass these certain tests. And 113 00:06:02,880 --> 00:06:07,240 Speaker 1: the scripture says to run from temptation. It doesn't say 114 00:06:07,279 --> 00:06:09,240 Speaker 1: to just casually get away. 115 00:06:09,680 --> 00:06:11,000 Speaker 2: Be careful, watch out. 116 00:06:11,400 --> 00:06:17,080 Speaker 1: God specifically says run. There's a sense of urgency. This 117 00:06:17,240 --> 00:06:22,080 Speaker 1: means don't play games. Your destiny is at stake. That 118 00:06:22,160 --> 00:06:26,280 Speaker 1: person at the office that's overly friendly toward you, they're 119 00:06:26,320 --> 00:06:27,560 Speaker 1: making advances. 120 00:06:28,160 --> 00:06:30,520 Speaker 2: God has a word from the Lord for you today. 121 00:06:30,920 --> 00:06:34,320 Speaker 1: Run and joel. I'm not gonna do anything. I just 122 00:06:34,440 --> 00:06:35,400 Speaker 1: like the attention. 123 00:06:35,160 --> 00:06:35,640 Speaker 2: They give me. 124 00:06:36,000 --> 00:06:38,960 Speaker 1: No, if you mess with fire, you're going to get burned. 125 00:06:39,720 --> 00:06:42,120 Speaker 1: That temporary pleasure. 126 00:06:42,160 --> 00:06:46,520 Speaker 2: Is not worth the long term pain. He may be tall, dark, handsome, 127 00:06:46,600 --> 00:06:48,159 Speaker 2: and rich. She may be. 128 00:06:48,240 --> 00:06:51,400 Speaker 1: Hot, fine, good looking, beautiful. It's not worth missing your 129 00:06:51,440 --> 00:06:55,320 Speaker 1: destiny over. Let me make it more practical. Maybe you're 130 00:06:55,320 --> 00:06:57,919 Speaker 1: trying to lose weight. You're up at the mall and 131 00:06:58,000 --> 00:07:04,560 Speaker 1: you walk by the Cynabon booth. Run don't go over there, 132 00:07:04,600 --> 00:07:06,080 Speaker 1: thinking you're just gonna look and see. 133 00:07:07,200 --> 00:07:11,080 Speaker 2: The spirit is willing, the flesh is weak. If you 134 00:07:11,160 --> 00:07:13,560 Speaker 2: go over there, you're gonna end up eating three and 135 00:07:13,600 --> 00:07:14,480 Speaker 2: taking four to go. 136 00:07:16,480 --> 00:07:19,400 Speaker 1: When you turn the computer on and that ad pops 137 00:07:19,520 --> 00:07:23,000 Speaker 1: up that you know is not healthy, run don't go 138 00:07:23,120 --> 00:07:25,640 Speaker 1: check it out. You may need to turn the computer 139 00:07:25,760 --> 00:07:29,320 Speaker 1: off and go take a good run. When your spouse 140 00:07:29,360 --> 00:07:32,400 Speaker 1: says something that irritates you, you're ready to give. 141 00:07:32,320 --> 00:07:33,680 Speaker 2: Him a piece of your mind. 142 00:07:33,720 --> 00:07:37,000 Speaker 1: Tell him off right then, just like Joseph, you need 143 00:07:37,040 --> 00:07:38,480 Speaker 1: to turn run away. 144 00:07:39,080 --> 00:07:41,800 Speaker 2: You can explain it later. What am I saying. 145 00:07:42,560 --> 00:07:46,800 Speaker 1: Get out of compromising situations as quickly as you can. 146 00:07:47,760 --> 00:07:50,920 Speaker 1: God will give you the grace to overcome what you 147 00:07:51,040 --> 00:07:53,880 Speaker 1: can't get away from, but he won't give you the 148 00:07:53,920 --> 00:07:58,280 Speaker 1: grace to overcome what we can get away from. Sometimes 149 00:07:58,360 --> 00:08:01,640 Speaker 1: we keep falling into the same temptation, the same compromise, 150 00:08:01,720 --> 00:08:05,200 Speaker 1: again and again. It could all change if we would 151 00:08:05,240 --> 00:08:09,320 Speaker 1: do our part and get out of those situations. One time, 152 00:08:09,440 --> 00:08:12,200 Speaker 1: David was at home and he'd been resting most of 153 00:08:12,240 --> 00:08:15,040 Speaker 1: the day, and around dusk he decided to go up 154 00:08:15,080 --> 00:08:18,440 Speaker 1: on his rooftop and get some fresh air. When he did, 155 00:08:18,840 --> 00:08:22,360 Speaker 1: he looked out and saw this beautiful young lady taken 156 00:08:22,400 --> 00:08:26,720 Speaker 1: a bath. Instead of running from the temptation, he said, 157 00:08:26,720 --> 00:08:33,440 Speaker 1: thank you Jesus. The scripture says, with every temptation God 158 00:08:33,520 --> 00:08:35,800 Speaker 1: will make a way of escape. 159 00:08:35,880 --> 00:08:38,760 Speaker 2: There will always be a moment of grace. 160 00:08:39,280 --> 00:08:41,400 Speaker 1: There will be a time where you have the strength 161 00:08:41,920 --> 00:08:44,080 Speaker 1: the ability to resist. 162 00:08:43,920 --> 00:08:46,280 Speaker 2: And walk away. But here's the key. 163 00:08:46,679 --> 00:08:50,319 Speaker 1: The moment of grace doesn't last hour after hour. 164 00:08:51,120 --> 00:08:52,120 Speaker 2: Right at the start. 165 00:08:52,559 --> 00:08:55,160 Speaker 1: You got to dig your heels in, be disciplined to 166 00:08:55,200 --> 00:08:58,920 Speaker 1: do the right thing. David let his guard down, had 167 00:08:58,920 --> 00:09:02,360 Speaker 1: an affair with the woman, then he had her husband killed. 168 00:09:03,000 --> 00:09:06,360 Speaker 1: One compromise led to another. It could have all been 169 00:09:06,400 --> 00:09:10,040 Speaker 1: avoided if it had done like Joseph and simply ran 170 00:09:10,280 --> 00:09:15,880 Speaker 1: from the temptation. Joseph's father was Jacob. Joseph had a 171 00:09:15,920 --> 00:09:20,520 Speaker 1: twin brother named Esau. One time, Esau was very hungry, 172 00:09:21,000 --> 00:09:24,160 Speaker 1: been out hunting, couldn't find anything to eat. All of 173 00:09:24,160 --> 00:09:27,560 Speaker 1: a sudden he smelled this great aroma in the air. 174 00:09:28,240 --> 00:09:30,440 Speaker 2: It was the stew that Jacob had made. 175 00:09:31,120 --> 00:09:33,920 Speaker 1: He went over and said, Jacob, I'm famished. Can I 176 00:09:33,960 --> 00:09:35,040 Speaker 1: have some of your stew? 177 00:09:35,080 --> 00:09:36,599 Speaker 2: I'm so hungry. 178 00:09:36,760 --> 00:09:40,520 Speaker 1: You would think Jacob would say, sure, Esau, you're my brother. 179 00:09:40,280 --> 00:09:41,920 Speaker 2: You can have as much as you want. 180 00:09:42,320 --> 00:09:46,240 Speaker 1: But Jacob never missed an opportunity to take advantage of someone. 181 00:09:47,080 --> 00:09:49,560 Speaker 1: He said, Esau, I'll be glad to give you some 182 00:09:49,640 --> 00:09:54,320 Speaker 1: stew if you'll trade me your birthright for it. The 183 00:09:54,400 --> 00:09:59,040 Speaker 1: birthright was extremely valuable. It belonged to the firstborn son. 184 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:03,520 Speaker 1: Gave them a double portion. Esau was the oldest son. 185 00:10:03,600 --> 00:10:07,360 Speaker 1: He had the birthright, but he was so hungry. He said, 186 00:10:07,800 --> 00:10:10,760 Speaker 1: what good is this birthright going to do me if 187 00:10:10,760 --> 00:10:15,040 Speaker 1: I starved to death? When we let our feelings rule us, 188 00:10:15,360 --> 00:10:19,679 Speaker 1: we never make good decisions. Esau wasn't going to starve. 189 00:10:19,960 --> 00:10:23,080 Speaker 1: He was a skillful hunter. It was just a matter 190 00:10:23,120 --> 00:10:25,960 Speaker 1: of time before he found something to eat. But he 191 00:10:26,080 --> 00:10:29,360 Speaker 1: was so moved by his feelings he said, okay, Jacob, 192 00:10:29,559 --> 00:10:32,840 Speaker 1: you got a deal. I'll trade you my birthright for 193 00:10:32,960 --> 00:10:37,680 Speaker 1: your pot of stews. Esau chose to satisfy a short 194 00:10:37,800 --> 00:10:43,120 Speaker 1: term appetite, but it cost him a lifetime blessing. He 195 00:10:43,160 --> 00:10:48,400 Speaker 1: gave away something extremely valuable because he was uncomfortable. He 196 00:10:48,440 --> 00:10:51,720 Speaker 1: wanted to be happy right then. He didn't think about 197 00:10:51,720 --> 00:10:55,520 Speaker 1: the long term. He didn't realize that was a defining moment. 198 00:10:56,400 --> 00:10:59,040 Speaker 1: You can't get on board with your feelings, your feelings 199 00:10:59,080 --> 00:11:00,480 Speaker 1: will lead you down the wrong path. 200 00:11:01,400 --> 00:11:02,200 Speaker 2: Hebrews says. 201 00:11:02,920 --> 00:11:06,920 Speaker 1: Esau had no chance to recall the choice he made, 202 00:11:07,080 --> 00:11:10,880 Speaker 1: even though he sought for it with bitter tears. I 203 00:11:10,920 --> 00:11:15,360 Speaker 1: wonder how many times we're missing God's best because we're 204 00:11:15,360 --> 00:11:19,360 Speaker 1: making decisions based on the short term what we want 205 00:11:19,679 --> 00:11:23,400 Speaker 1: what we feel. The flesh likes to be comfortable. I 206 00:11:23,440 --> 00:11:25,520 Speaker 1: know I should bite my tongue, but it feels good 207 00:11:25,520 --> 00:11:28,200 Speaker 1: to tell him off. I know I should be faithful 208 00:11:28,240 --> 00:11:31,520 Speaker 1: in this relationship, but I like hanging with this other person. 209 00:11:32,280 --> 00:11:35,160 Speaker 1: Or I know I should have integrity in my business dealings, 210 00:11:35,400 --> 00:11:37,920 Speaker 1: but Joel, this is an easy way to get ahead. 211 00:11:38,800 --> 00:11:43,160 Speaker 1: The decisions you make in your defining moments will determine 212 00:11:43,160 --> 00:11:46,200 Speaker 1: how high you will rise. Will you be a Joseph 213 00:11:46,679 --> 00:11:49,840 Speaker 1: and do the right thing when it's hard, or will 214 00:11:49,880 --> 00:11:54,240 Speaker 1: you be an Esau and compromise to accommodate how you feel. 215 00:11:55,600 --> 00:11:59,199 Speaker 1: Esau was so furious with Jacob for tricking him out 216 00:11:59,240 --> 00:12:03,280 Speaker 1: of his birthright, he was planning on killing him. Jacob 217 00:12:03,320 --> 00:12:05,520 Speaker 1: got word that his life was in danger and took 218 00:12:05,559 --> 00:12:10,200 Speaker 1: off running. Many years later, Jacob had become so prosperous 219 00:12:10,640 --> 00:12:13,239 Speaker 1: that the land couldn't sustain all of his animals. 220 00:12:13,800 --> 00:12:15,120 Speaker 2: He wanted to go back home. 221 00:12:15,840 --> 00:12:19,480 Speaker 1: The problem was the only route was through the land 222 00:12:19,840 --> 00:12:24,200 Speaker 1: that Esau owned. Jacob decided to take a chance. He 223 00:12:24,320 --> 00:12:28,920 Speaker 1: sent messengers to give gifts to Esau. The messengers came 224 00:12:28,960 --> 00:12:32,880 Speaker 1: back and said, Esau is coming to see you, and 225 00:12:32,920 --> 00:12:36,679 Speaker 1: he's bringing four hundred men with him. Jacob thought that 226 00:12:36,760 --> 00:12:40,079 Speaker 1: means one thing, revenge. He's going to pay me back. 227 00:12:40,800 --> 00:12:45,240 Speaker 1: Jacob was so full of fear, so uptight this time. 228 00:12:45,440 --> 00:12:49,720 Speaker 1: He sent hundreds of animals ahead of him, hoping that 229 00:12:49,760 --> 00:12:53,319 Speaker 1: when Esau saw all the sheep, the camel, the goats, 230 00:12:53,640 --> 00:12:57,880 Speaker 1: that his heart would be softened. Finally, the big moment arrived. 231 00:12:58,400 --> 00:13:01,680 Speaker 1: They see Esau in four hundred men coming toward them. 232 00:13:02,120 --> 00:13:06,160 Speaker 1: Jacob's heart starts beating ninety to nothing. The adrenaline is flowing. 233 00:13:06,600 --> 00:13:10,040 Speaker 1: He's about to see the man he cheated, deceived. 234 00:13:10,040 --> 00:13:11,280 Speaker 2: Stole his double portion. 235 00:13:12,360 --> 00:13:17,000 Speaker 1: Jacob told someone to take his family, including his young 236 00:13:17,120 --> 00:13:21,160 Speaker 1: son Joseph, over to the side, hopefully so they wouldn't 237 00:13:21,200 --> 00:13:25,320 Speaker 1: get hurt. This little boy, Joseph is watching all the 238 00:13:25,440 --> 00:13:30,840 Speaker 1: drama take place. He knows his father cheated his uncle Esau. 239 00:13:31,520 --> 00:13:33,360 Speaker 1: He knows his dad has done wrong. 240 00:13:33,559 --> 00:13:34,760 Speaker 2: He's heard the stories. 241 00:13:35,800 --> 00:13:39,360 Speaker 1: Esau's a couple hundred yards coming toward them. In an 242 00:13:39,360 --> 00:13:43,280 Speaker 1: act of humility, Jacob went out and bowed down seven 243 00:13:43,360 --> 00:13:48,200 Speaker 1: times before Esau. When Esau recognized it was Jacob, he 244 00:13:48,240 --> 00:13:52,520 Speaker 1: took off running toward him. Jacob thought, oh great, I'm done. 245 00:13:52,559 --> 00:13:56,120 Speaker 1: This is it wasn't what he thought. When Esau got there, 246 00:13:56,400 --> 00:14:00,640 Speaker 1: he grabbed Jacob and gave him a big hug. The 247 00:14:00,679 --> 00:14:04,000 Speaker 1: scripture says he threw his arms around his neck and 248 00:14:04,120 --> 00:14:06,640 Speaker 1: kissed him and embraced him. 249 00:14:06,920 --> 00:14:08,800 Speaker 2: They both begin to weep and weep. 250 00:14:09,679 --> 00:14:13,360 Speaker 1: Finally Esau looked up, said, Jacob, who are all these 251 00:14:13,400 --> 00:14:17,880 Speaker 1: people around us? Jacob said, this is my family, These 252 00:14:17,920 --> 00:14:21,720 Speaker 1: are my children. In fact, there's your little nephew, Joseph 253 00:14:21,800 --> 00:14:26,640 Speaker 1: over there. I can imagine Esau going over and hugging Joseph. 254 00:14:27,280 --> 00:14:30,800 Speaker 1: It was a defining moment, not only in Esau's life 255 00:14:31,240 --> 00:14:33,800 Speaker 1: this time he passed the test, but it was a 256 00:14:33,840 --> 00:14:39,400 Speaker 1: defining moment in Joseph's life. He saw his uncle show 257 00:14:39,520 --> 00:14:42,840 Speaker 1: mercy to his father. He saw him forgive a wrong 258 00:14:43,360 --> 00:14:47,800 Speaker 1: take the high road. This incredible act of kindness left 259 00:14:47,840 --> 00:14:53,000 Speaker 1: an indelible mark on Joseph's heart. Fast forward many many 260 00:14:53,120 --> 00:14:57,120 Speaker 1: years later, this little boy, Joseph is a grown man. 261 00:14:58,080 --> 00:15:01,520 Speaker 1: He's been sold into slavery, he's been thrown into a pit, 262 00:15:02,000 --> 00:15:05,600 Speaker 1: he's been through prison. Now he's the leader of a 263 00:15:05,640 --> 00:15:10,400 Speaker 1: great nation, second in command only to the Pharaoh. There's 264 00:15:10,440 --> 00:15:14,520 Speaker 1: a terrible famine throughout the land, Joseph is in charge 265 00:15:14,600 --> 00:15:17,440 Speaker 1: of the food supply, one of the most powerful people 266 00:15:17,520 --> 00:15:22,640 Speaker 1: of that time. One day, his brothers, the same ones 267 00:15:22,680 --> 00:15:25,440 Speaker 1: that threw him into a pit, the same ones that 268 00:15:25,560 --> 00:15:29,520 Speaker 1: sold him into slavery, made his life so miserable, were 269 00:15:29,600 --> 00:15:33,680 Speaker 1: now standing right before him. They were trying to get 270 00:15:33,760 --> 00:15:37,280 Speaker 1: food for their family. It had been so many years. 271 00:15:37,520 --> 00:15:41,680 Speaker 1: They don't recognize that it's their other Joseph. They all 272 00:15:41,720 --> 00:15:47,040 Speaker 1: bow down before Joseph in humility. Joseph suddenly flashes back 273 00:15:47,600 --> 00:15:50,720 Speaker 1: to that time when he was a little boy and 274 00:15:50,800 --> 00:15:55,600 Speaker 1: he saw Jacob, his father, bow down to Esaul. All 275 00:15:55,680 --> 00:15:59,240 Speaker 1: these emotions come flooding up in his heart. It's like 276 00:15:59,280 --> 00:16:03,520 Speaker 1: the same is playing out, but this time he's in 277 00:16:03,840 --> 00:16:09,640 Speaker 1: Esau's position. He remembers how Esau showed his father mercy. 278 00:16:09,720 --> 00:16:14,240 Speaker 1: He remembers how Esau forgave the wrong, treated him with kindness, 279 00:16:14,480 --> 00:16:15,760 Speaker 1: even though his father. 280 00:16:15,800 --> 00:16:19,520 Speaker 2: Didn't deserve it. Joseph looked at his brothers. 281 00:16:19,760 --> 00:16:22,480 Speaker 1: When he could have gotten revenge, when he could have 282 00:16:22,520 --> 00:16:26,880 Speaker 1: paid them back, But because of a defining moment that 283 00:16:26,960 --> 00:16:30,440 Speaker 1: happened when he was a little boy, he too was 284 00:16:30,480 --> 00:16:35,320 Speaker 1: full of mercy. He treated his brothers like Esau treated 285 00:16:35,320 --> 00:16:39,520 Speaker 1: his father, Genesis says he threw his arms around their necks, 286 00:16:39,840 --> 00:16:41,480 Speaker 1: hugged them, embraced them. 287 00:16:41,640 --> 00:16:42,520 Speaker 2: They wept together. 288 00:16:43,480 --> 00:16:47,600 Speaker 1: Joseph moved all of his brothers, seventy family members, including 289 00:16:47,640 --> 00:16:48,400 Speaker 1: his father. 290 00:16:48,480 --> 00:16:51,680 Speaker 2: Back to Egypt. He gave them the best part of 291 00:16:51,720 --> 00:16:53,800 Speaker 2: the land. What am I saying? 292 00:16:54,160 --> 00:16:58,480 Speaker 1: The decisions you make in your defining moments not only 293 00:16:58,520 --> 00:17:03,000 Speaker 1: affects you, theffect your children. How you respond to a 294 00:17:03,040 --> 00:17:06,800 Speaker 1: wrong that's been done to you, how you handle a disappointment, 295 00:17:07,400 --> 00:17:10,879 Speaker 1: your attitude in the tough times. That's leaving a mark 296 00:17:11,000 --> 00:17:14,359 Speaker 1: on those around you. And sometimes you have to do 297 00:17:14,440 --> 00:17:17,280 Speaker 1: the right thing, not because you feel like it, but 298 00:17:17,400 --> 00:17:22,160 Speaker 1: because you're setting an example for your children. That defining 299 00:17:22,200 --> 00:17:26,480 Speaker 1: moment will live on. Maybe you get a negative medical report, 300 00:17:26,800 --> 00:17:30,280 Speaker 1: you feel like falling apart, but in that defining moment, 301 00:17:30,720 --> 00:17:34,840 Speaker 1: you stay in peace. You know God's in control the 302 00:17:34,920 --> 00:17:38,800 Speaker 1: number of your days he will fulfill. When your children 303 00:17:39,040 --> 00:17:41,720 Speaker 1: hit a tough time, you know what they'll do, stay 304 00:17:41,760 --> 00:17:42,200 Speaker 1: in peace. 305 00:17:42,720 --> 00:17:44,000 Speaker 2: They'll follow your example. 306 00:17:45,160 --> 00:17:50,480 Speaker 1: Your response in the defining moments speaks volumes. This is 307 00:17:50,520 --> 00:17:53,120 Speaker 1: what's creating your legacy. 308 00:17:53,160 --> 00:17:54,840 Speaker 2: What you did in the. 309 00:17:54,800 --> 00:17:58,520 Speaker 1: Difficult times, how you treated people that didn't treat you 310 00:17:58,640 --> 00:18:01,480 Speaker 1: right of us can do the right thing in the 311 00:18:01,520 --> 00:18:02,040 Speaker 1: good times. 312 00:18:02,040 --> 00:18:02,639 Speaker 2: That's easy. 313 00:18:03,160 --> 00:18:06,600 Speaker 1: But to reach the fullness of your destiny, you have 314 00:18:06,720 --> 00:18:11,040 Speaker 1: to pass the test of these defining moments. Years ago, 315 00:18:11,240 --> 00:18:14,920 Speaker 1: my brother Paul was in Colorado skiing with his son, Matthew. 316 00:18:15,480 --> 00:18:18,359 Speaker 1: Matt was eight years old and they'd been out skiing 317 00:18:18,400 --> 00:18:20,520 Speaker 1: all day and that night they went out to eat. 318 00:18:21,119 --> 00:18:24,080 Speaker 1: Paul drove his rental car to the big shopping center. 319 00:18:24,400 --> 00:18:27,879 Speaker 1: After they finished eating, there was a big storm, was 320 00:18:27,920 --> 00:18:31,439 Speaker 1: snowing really badly. The wind was blowing. You could hardly 321 00:18:31,480 --> 00:18:35,880 Speaker 1: see anything like a blizzard. Hardly anyone else was out. 322 00:18:36,200 --> 00:18:39,440 Speaker 1: While Paul was still in the parking lot, just maybe 323 00:18:39,480 --> 00:18:42,680 Speaker 1: going five miles an hour, creeping along trying to find 324 00:18:42,720 --> 00:18:46,760 Speaker 1: his way out, he noticed these flashing red lights behind him. 325 00:18:47,240 --> 00:18:49,480 Speaker 2: He pulled over. It was the security guard. 326 00:18:50,200 --> 00:18:52,679 Speaker 1: He came up to Paul's window, and he thought this 327 00:18:52,800 --> 00:18:55,840 Speaker 1: man was going to advise him about the storm and 328 00:18:56,000 --> 00:18:58,720 Speaker 1: maybe encourage him not to leave since it was a blizzard. 329 00:18:59,400 --> 00:19:03,240 Speaker 1: But this man was very curt very matter of fact. 330 00:19:03,960 --> 00:19:06,560 Speaker 1: He informed Paul that he had just run a stop 331 00:19:06,600 --> 00:19:10,439 Speaker 1: sign there in the parking lot during the blizzard, and 332 00:19:10,480 --> 00:19:13,119 Speaker 1: he was going to give him a ticket. When he 333 00:19:13,160 --> 00:19:17,160 Speaker 1: saw Paul's driver's license, he said sarcastically, Oh, I guess 334 00:19:17,200 --> 00:19:19,760 Speaker 1: stop signs don't mean anything in Texas. 335 00:19:20,640 --> 00:19:24,040 Speaker 2: Paul was so irritated he was ready to give him 336 00:19:24,080 --> 00:19:26,760 Speaker 2: a piece of his mind. See Paul's not as holy 337 00:19:26,800 --> 00:19:27,680 Speaker 2: as I am, and. 338 00:19:30,040 --> 00:19:33,399 Speaker 1: Paul thought, here, I'm in a rental car in a 339 00:19:33,440 --> 00:19:36,600 Speaker 1: different city, I don't know the roads, in a parking lot, 340 00:19:36,960 --> 00:19:39,520 Speaker 1: in the middle of a blizzard, and you're gonna give 341 00:19:39,520 --> 00:19:41,360 Speaker 1: me a ticket for running. 342 00:19:41,040 --> 00:19:41,800 Speaker 2: A stop sign. 343 00:19:42,400 --> 00:19:45,320 Speaker 1: He had this big speech all planned out for when 344 00:19:45,359 --> 00:19:48,520 Speaker 1: the officer came back to his window. Then he looked 345 00:19:48,520 --> 00:19:52,159 Speaker 1: over and noticed little Matt was taking all this in. 346 00:19:53,240 --> 00:19:55,639 Speaker 1: Even though he was a young boy, Matt knew this 347 00:19:55,800 --> 00:20:00,840 Speaker 1: was an unfair situation. When Paul realized that was watching, 348 00:20:01,119 --> 00:20:04,480 Speaker 1: it totally changed his perspective. He knew this was a 349 00:20:04,520 --> 00:20:09,280 Speaker 1: defining moment. How he responded in this unfair time would 350 00:20:09,280 --> 00:20:10,440 Speaker 1: not only affect. 351 00:20:10,119 --> 00:20:11,960 Speaker 2: Him, but it would affect his son. 352 00:20:12,880 --> 00:20:15,520 Speaker 1: When the officer came back, Paul was as friendly as 353 00:20:15,520 --> 00:20:18,240 Speaker 1: can be. He said, I'm sorry, officer, I'll do better 354 00:20:18,280 --> 00:20:18,760 Speaker 1: next time. 355 00:20:19,119 --> 00:20:21,040 Speaker 2: He took the ticket and then tore it up. 356 00:20:21,240 --> 00:20:25,520 Speaker 1: Now I'm just kidding, but Paul never said a negative 357 00:20:25,560 --> 00:20:29,040 Speaker 1: word to Matt about the officer, didn't try to bad 358 00:20:29,119 --> 00:20:33,320 Speaker 1: mouth him. He showed him respect and moved on. Today, 359 00:20:33,600 --> 00:20:36,720 Speaker 1: Matt is a grown man, has his own child. He's 360 00:20:36,760 --> 00:20:39,560 Speaker 1: never been anything but respectful to people. 361 00:20:40,200 --> 00:20:41,200 Speaker 2: But what if Paul. 362 00:20:41,000 --> 00:20:43,040 Speaker 1: Would have been rude and thought, hey, you know what, 363 00:20:43,280 --> 00:20:46,360 Speaker 1: he's sarcastic to me, I'm gonna be sarcastic back to him. 364 00:20:46,920 --> 00:20:49,480 Speaker 1: He would have been training his child that, so kay 365 00:20:49,520 --> 00:20:52,400 Speaker 1: to be disrespectful, so kay to buck the system. 366 00:20:52,720 --> 00:20:54,240 Speaker 2: You don't have to listen to authority. 367 00:20:55,040 --> 00:20:59,240 Speaker 1: The defining moments carry much more weight. Make sure you're 368 00:20:59,280 --> 00:21:04,159 Speaker 1: passing the te No person lives or dies unto himself. 369 00:21:04,880 --> 00:21:08,320 Speaker 1: People are watching you, not just your children, your coworkers, 370 00:21:08,640 --> 00:21:09,680 Speaker 1: your neighbors, that. 371 00:21:09,640 --> 00:21:10,520 Speaker 2: Person at the gym. 372 00:21:10,960 --> 00:21:14,359 Speaker 1: What makes the biggest impression is not what we do 373 00:21:14,400 --> 00:21:17,720 Speaker 1: in the good times, but it's how we respond in 374 00:21:17,800 --> 00:21:21,720 Speaker 1: the difficult times. The next time you have an unfair situation, 375 00:21:22,280 --> 00:21:25,600 Speaker 1: somebody does you wrong, your plans don't work out. Instead 376 00:21:25,600 --> 00:21:29,120 Speaker 1: of making a quick decision that you may regret later on, 377 00:21:29,640 --> 00:21:32,320 Speaker 1: why don't you take a step back and say, Okay, 378 00:21:32,520 --> 00:21:36,440 Speaker 1: I recognize this is one of my defining moments. I'm 379 00:21:36,440 --> 00:21:39,040 Speaker 1: not gonna take the easy way out. I'm not gonna 380 00:21:39,040 --> 00:21:41,679 Speaker 1: be rude because they were rude to me. I'm not 381 00:21:41,720 --> 00:21:44,919 Speaker 1: gonna be discouraged because I went through a loss. I 382 00:21:45,000 --> 00:21:47,760 Speaker 1: know God is still on the throne. This is not 383 00:21:47,840 --> 00:21:50,040 Speaker 1: a surprise to him. So I'm gonna stay on the 384 00:21:50,080 --> 00:21:53,040 Speaker 1: high road in peace and keep doing the right thing. 385 00:21:53,760 --> 00:21:57,680 Speaker 1: When you do that, you're passing the test. That's what's 386 00:21:57,760 --> 00:22:04,240 Speaker 1: creating your legacy, more than your accomplishments. Your character, your integrity, 387 00:22:04,640 --> 00:22:05,760 Speaker 1: how you treat people. 388 00:22:06,080 --> 00:22:07,720 Speaker 2: That's what's being passed down. 389 00:22:07,520 --> 00:22:11,639 Speaker 1: To your children, to future generations. And we may not 390 00:22:11,880 --> 00:22:14,360 Speaker 1: always get it right. I'm not saying we should never 391 00:22:14,400 --> 00:22:18,840 Speaker 1: make a mistake, but we should be improving. We should 392 00:22:18,880 --> 00:22:20,480 Speaker 1: be better this year than. 393 00:22:20,359 --> 00:22:21,480 Speaker 2: We were five years ago. 394 00:22:22,440 --> 00:22:24,760 Speaker 1: When I was twenty four years old, I was in 395 00:22:24,840 --> 00:22:28,640 Speaker 1: the TV control room at the church. My father had 396 00:22:28,680 --> 00:22:31,080 Speaker 1: just finished ministering. The service was just over. 397 00:22:31,640 --> 00:22:32,880 Speaker 2: I was standing there. 398 00:22:33,000 --> 00:22:35,560 Speaker 1: Talking with some of my friends and we were laughing 399 00:22:35,640 --> 00:22:39,359 Speaker 1: and just having a good time. My father came into 400 00:22:39,400 --> 00:22:42,240 Speaker 1: the control room. I was very surprised to see him. 401 00:22:42,400 --> 00:22:45,760 Speaker 1: He never came back after the service. He was very 402 00:22:45,920 --> 00:22:49,920 Speaker 1: upset for some reason. He thought we had been laughing 403 00:22:50,320 --> 00:22:53,919 Speaker 1: and making fun of things during the service, but we weren't. 404 00:22:54,280 --> 00:22:56,480 Speaker 1: We'd been working like normal. I was directing, the other 405 00:22:56,520 --> 00:22:59,720 Speaker 1: guys were running the cameras. My father told us how 406 00:22:59,720 --> 00:23:03,280 Speaker 1: we shouldn't be disrespectful, how we shouldn't be making fun 407 00:23:03,359 --> 00:23:05,600 Speaker 1: like that, and how we should take it more seriously. 408 00:23:05,640 --> 00:23:08,800 Speaker 2: On and on. There were six of us in the room. 409 00:23:09,480 --> 00:23:12,000 Speaker 1: The other young men weren't about to open their mouth 410 00:23:12,040 --> 00:23:14,280 Speaker 1: and defend themselves. They just took it all in like 411 00:23:14,320 --> 00:23:18,000 Speaker 1: they were guilty. But I said, very politely, Daddy, we 412 00:23:18,119 --> 00:23:19,640 Speaker 1: didn't do anything wrong. 413 00:23:20,040 --> 00:23:22,600 Speaker 2: It's not what you think. He didn't want to hear it. 414 00:23:22,640 --> 00:23:25,359 Speaker 1: He kept chewing us out, letting us have it. I 415 00:23:25,400 --> 00:23:28,320 Speaker 1: got home about an hour later the phone rang. 416 00:23:28,640 --> 00:23:29,440 Speaker 2: It was my father. 417 00:23:30,080 --> 00:23:34,040 Speaker 1: He said, Joel, I blew it tonight. I'm so sorry. 418 00:23:34,480 --> 00:23:36,320 Speaker 1: I was uptight about some other things. 419 00:23:36,560 --> 00:23:38,800 Speaker 2: I want you to forgive me. I said, of course, 420 00:23:38,800 --> 00:23:39,399 Speaker 2: i'll forgive you. 421 00:23:40,040 --> 00:23:42,400 Speaker 1: Then he asked for the phone numbers of the other 422 00:23:42,440 --> 00:23:45,800 Speaker 1: people in the room. He wouldn't go to bed until 423 00:23:45,840 --> 00:23:46,800 Speaker 1: he made things right. 424 00:23:47,400 --> 00:23:48,400 Speaker 2: I said, you. 425 00:23:48,359 --> 00:23:50,680 Speaker 1: Don't have to call them, they're gonna be fine. 426 00:23:50,960 --> 00:23:53,520 Speaker 2: He said, no, I need to take care of it 427 00:23:53,600 --> 00:23:56,080 Speaker 2: right now. Eleven o'clock at night. 428 00:23:56,680 --> 00:24:01,159 Speaker 1: Hear this well respected sixty five year old old pastor's 429 00:24:01,240 --> 00:24:03,280 Speaker 1: calling these twenty year old old young men. 430 00:24:03,520 --> 00:24:04,719 Speaker 2: To say that he was sorry. 431 00:24:05,440 --> 00:24:09,000 Speaker 1: To this day, my friend still talk about that time 432 00:24:09,080 --> 00:24:13,000 Speaker 1: my father called to apologize. That was a defining moment, 433 00:24:13,640 --> 00:24:15,560 Speaker 1: made a huge impression upon me. 434 00:24:16,480 --> 00:24:19,800 Speaker 2: God doesn't expect us to be perfect, but what we 435 00:24:19,960 --> 00:24:23,080 Speaker 2: do after we make a mistake speaks volumes. 436 00:24:23,720 --> 00:24:27,520 Speaker 1: Are you secure enough to call and apologize? Do you 437 00:24:27,640 --> 00:24:32,119 Speaker 1: have the humility to say I was wrong, I blew it? 438 00:24:32,680 --> 00:24:34,600 Speaker 2: Forgive me, I'm sorry. 439 00:24:35,320 --> 00:24:40,320 Speaker 1: Your children, your relatives, your coworkers. They'll never forget that 440 00:24:40,320 --> 00:24:43,959 Speaker 1: that defining moment will live on when they make a 441 00:24:44,000 --> 00:24:48,119 Speaker 1: mistake because of your example, they'll be inspired to do 442 00:24:48,160 --> 00:24:52,359 Speaker 1: the right thing. Fifty six years ago was another defining 443 00:24:52,440 --> 00:24:55,480 Speaker 1: moment in my family's life. My father had been the 444 00:24:55,520 --> 00:24:58,879 Speaker 1: pastor of a large, successful church. They had just built 445 00:24:58,880 --> 00:25:02,600 Speaker 1: a beautiful new Saint but my father knew there was more. 446 00:25:03,119 --> 00:25:05,680 Speaker 1: He came back and talked to his congregation about how 447 00:25:05,720 --> 00:25:08,560 Speaker 1: God can heal and restore and how we should live 448 00:25:08,560 --> 00:25:12,199 Speaker 1: an abundant, overcoming life. But some of the people in 449 00:25:12,280 --> 00:25:15,080 Speaker 1: the congregation didn't like his new message. 450 00:25:15,080 --> 00:25:17,320 Speaker 2: Of faith and hope and victory. 451 00:25:17,480 --> 00:25:21,080 Speaker 1: Long story short, my father had to leave. Now this 452 00:25:21,280 --> 00:25:24,240 Speaker 1: church that he'd poured his life into for many, many 453 00:25:24,320 --> 00:25:29,040 Speaker 1: years was no longer his. He could have easily gotten discouraged, 454 00:25:29,200 --> 00:25:32,280 Speaker 1: bitter and thought, God, that's doing the right thing. Why 455 00:25:32,280 --> 00:25:35,600 Speaker 1: did this happen to me? But in that defining moment, 456 00:25:36,200 --> 00:25:39,920 Speaker 1: he didn't give up. He didn't blame others, He didn't 457 00:25:39,960 --> 00:25:42,760 Speaker 1: believe the lives that he was finished. He and my 458 00:25:42,880 --> 00:25:46,680 Speaker 1: mother went out on Mother's Day in nineteen fifty nine 459 00:25:47,040 --> 00:25:51,959 Speaker 1: started Lakewood Church with ninety people. Today we celebrate fifty 460 00:25:52,040 --> 00:25:56,600 Speaker 1: sixth anniversary because somebody made a right choice in a 461 00:25:56,680 --> 00:25:57,520 Speaker 1: defining moment. 462 00:25:59,119 --> 00:26:02,280 Speaker 2: Friends, we all have unfair situations. 463 00:26:02,560 --> 00:26:06,359 Speaker 1: We all have setbacks, the flesh lights to get discouraged, 464 00:26:06,760 --> 00:26:08,639 Speaker 1: fall into self pity, blame others. 465 00:26:09,240 --> 00:26:12,760 Speaker 2: Do like my father, don't get stuck there, move on to. 466 00:26:12,760 --> 00:26:15,639 Speaker 1: The next chapter of your life. That loss is to 467 00:26:15,680 --> 00:26:18,479 Speaker 1: make room for a new beginning. Now all of us 468 00:26:18,480 --> 00:26:22,200 Speaker 1: face these temptations, not to just compromise, but a temptation 469 00:26:22,320 --> 00:26:25,600 Speaker 1: to get discouraged, to give up on your dreams. God 470 00:26:25,720 --> 00:26:29,159 Speaker 1: has made a way of escape. There is a moment 471 00:26:29,280 --> 00:26:32,600 Speaker 1: of grace for every difficulty I'm asking you to step 472 00:26:32,640 --> 00:26:33,160 Speaker 1: into it. 473 00:26:33,520 --> 00:26:34,679 Speaker 2: Pass that test. 474 00:26:34,960 --> 00:26:38,439 Speaker 1: Remember, the decisions you make in the defining moments not 475 00:26:38,520 --> 00:26:42,520 Speaker 1: only affect you, they affect your family line. Choose wisely, 476 00:26:43,040 --> 00:26:45,679 Speaker 1: stay on the high road. If you do this, I 477 00:26:45,760 --> 00:26:49,439 Speaker 1: believe and declare your defining moments won't defeat you. 478 00:26:49,800 --> 00:26:51,240 Speaker 2: They'll promote you. 479 00:26:51,240 --> 00:26:55,879 Speaker 1: You and your children will rise higher, accomplish dreams, and 480 00:26:55,960 --> 00:26:58,359 Speaker 1: become everything God created you to be. 481 00:26:58,880 --> 00:27:02,280 Speaker 2: In Jesus' name, if you receive it, can you say it? 482 00:27:02,320 --> 00:27:02,439 Speaker 3: Men? 483 00:27:02,480 --> 00:27:08,119 Speaker 1: Today, we never like to close our broadcast without giving 484 00:27:08,160 --> 00:27:11,280 Speaker 1: you an opportunity to make Jesus the lord of your life. 485 00:27:11,520 --> 00:27:14,320 Speaker 2: Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord. 486 00:27:14,200 --> 00:27:19,359 Speaker 1: Jesus, I'll repent of my sins. Come into my heart. 487 00:27:20,600 --> 00:27:24,359 Speaker 1: I make you my Lord and savior. Friends, if you 488 00:27:24,400 --> 00:27:27,040 Speaker 1: prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got born again. 489 00:27:27,480 --> 00:27:30,399 Speaker 2: Get in a good Bible based church. Keep God first place. 490 00:27:30,760 --> 00:27:33,200 Speaker 2: He's going to take you places that you've never dreamed. 491 00:27:33,840 --> 00:27:37,359 Speaker 1: Sometimes in life, people don't choose us. We've all felt 492 00:27:37,400 --> 00:27:40,560 Speaker 1: overlooked and like we're not good enough. It's easy to 493 00:27:40,560 --> 00:27:44,080 Speaker 1: live inferior. Think you we don't measure up. People may 494 00:27:44,080 --> 00:27:46,840 Speaker 1: have left you out. The good news is God has 495 00:27:46,960 --> 00:27:49,919 Speaker 1: chosen you. He's the one that matters. And in my 496 00:27:50,000 --> 00:27:54,040 Speaker 1: new book Chosen, your life is marked for distinction. You'll 497 00:27:54,040 --> 00:27:57,520 Speaker 1: discover before you were born, God not only knew you, 498 00:27:57,760 --> 00:28:01,320 Speaker 1: but he handpicked you and placed a on your lie. 499 00:28:01,640 --> 00:28:05,680 Speaker 1: You are equipped and empowered to fulfill your destiny. When 500 00:28:05,680 --> 00:28:09,359 Speaker 1: you understand that you're chosen, fear and doubt can't stay. 501 00:28:09,760 --> 00:28:12,560 Speaker 1: You live with a baldness to step into the greatness 502 00:28:12,560 --> 00:28:14,800 Speaker 1: God put in you. I love to send you by 503 00:28:14,800 --> 00:28:18,119 Speaker 1: new book Chosen, plus the Chosen T Shirt from our 504 00:28:18,160 --> 00:28:20,000 Speaker 1: friends at Copperfet. 505 00:28:20,160 --> 00:28:22,600 Speaker 3: As our way of saying thank you for your gift 506 00:28:22,640 --> 00:28:25,240 Speaker 3: of any amount this month, we would like to send 507 00:28:25,280 --> 00:28:29,119 Speaker 3: you a copy of Joel's book Chosen. Your life is 508 00:28:29,240 --> 00:28:33,560 Speaker 3: marked for distinction. In the scriptures, Jesus encouraged us by 509 00:28:33,600 --> 00:28:38,320 Speaker 3: saying you didn't choose me, I chose you. This powerful 510 00:28:38,360 --> 00:28:41,520 Speaker 3: guide will help you discover the abundant life you were 511 00:28:41,560 --> 00:28:44,960 Speaker 3: designed to live As a child of God. You have 512 00:28:45,040 --> 00:28:49,080 Speaker 3: a calling, a purpose, a destiny still to be fulfilled. 513 00:28:49,400 --> 00:28:52,320 Speaker 3: When you request your copy, we also want to send 514 00:28:52,360 --> 00:28:55,960 Speaker 3: you our exclusive Chosen T shirt from Copperfit that will 515 00:28:55,960 --> 00:29:00,120 Speaker 3: remind you that you've been chosen by Almighty God every 516 00:29:00,120 --> 00:29:03,760 Speaker 3: time you wear it. Please request these gifts today and 517 00:29:03,840 --> 00:29:07,480 Speaker 3: discover that God is moving on your behalf. Your next 518 00:29:07,560 --> 00:29:10,080 Speaker 3: days are going to be your best days. 519 00:29:10,640 --> 00:29:13,840 Speaker 1: You're not average, You're not ordinary. You've been chosen by 520 00:29:13,920 --> 00:29:16,800 Speaker 1: Almighty God. Betoy and I want you to know how 521 00:29:16,880 --> 00:29:19,280 Speaker 1: much we love you. We pray for you and your 522 00:29:19,360 --> 00:29:22,520 Speaker 1: family every day, and thanks so much for your prayer 523 00:29:22,680 --> 00:29:25,840 Speaker 1: and support. Your generosity is helping people. 524 00:29:25,520 --> 00:29:26,560 Speaker 2: All over the world. 525 00:29:26,960 --> 00:29:29,760 Speaker 1: Now, special thank you to our Champion of Hope partners 526 00:29:29,840 --> 00:29:32,560 Speaker 1: for your monthly gifts. If you're not a partner, I 527 00:29:32,560 --> 00:29:36,040 Speaker 1: hope you'll consider becoming one. Remember you can watch the 528 00:29:36,080 --> 00:29:41,240 Speaker 1: services online live every Sunday morning, download our daily podcast, 529 00:29:41,600 --> 00:29:45,800 Speaker 1: watch on YouTube the new Joelosting Network social media, listen 530 00:29:45,840 --> 00:29:50,160 Speaker 1: on Serious XM. We'll keep you encouraged and inspired until 531 00:29:50,200 --> 00:29:51,240 Speaker 1: we see you next time. 532 00:29:51,400 --> 00:29:53,360 Speaker 2: May the Lord bless you and keep you. 533 00:29:54,280 --> 00:29:57,719 Speaker 3: Be sure to request your copy of Chosen Your Life 534 00:29:57,800 --> 00:30:01,560 Speaker 3: is marked for distinction plus sorry exclusive Chosen T shirt 535 00:30:01,600 --> 00:30:06,040 Speaker 3: from Copperfit. Visit Joelostein dot com or call eight eight 536 00:30:06,120 --> 00:30:10,680 Speaker 3: eight five sixty seven Joel for an additional donation. This month, 537 00:30:10,840 --> 00:30:14,320 Speaker 3: we are also offering the NLT large print thin line 538 00:30:14,400 --> 00:30:18,480 Speaker 3: reference Bible. This Bible also enables you to connect through 539 00:30:18,520 --> 00:30:22,200 Speaker 3: your smartphone or tablet to a vast, powerpacked array of 540 00:30:22,240 --> 00:30:27,760 Speaker 3: study notes, devotionals, interactive maps, videos, and worship music. You 541 00:30:27,800 --> 00:30:31,720 Speaker 3: can request these inspiring resources by calling eight eight eight 542 00:30:32,000 --> 00:30:36,160 Speaker 3: five six seven Joel or logging on to jolostein dot 543 00:30:36,160 --> 00:30:41,480 Speaker 3: com today call or click anytime, twenty four hours a day. Yes, 544 00:30:41,880 --> 00:30:45,240 Speaker 3: God has chosen you for a reason, for a purpose. 545 00:30:45,760 --> 00:30:47,400 Speaker 3: Request your copies today.