1 00:00:00,480 --> 00:00:03,240 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 2 00:00:03,279 --> 00:00:06,400 Speaker 1: our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. If you 3 00:00:06,480 --> 00:00:09,080 Speaker 1: enjoy today's message, why don't you be a blessing and 4 00:00:09,160 --> 00:00:11,799 Speaker 1: share it with a friend. We appreciate you and pray 5 00:00:11,840 --> 00:00:15,120 Speaker 1: for God's very best in your life. Well, God bless you. 6 00:00:15,840 --> 00:00:19,040 Speaker 1: Always a joy to come into your homes. We love you. 7 00:00:19,400 --> 00:00:21,720 Speaker 1: If you're ever in our area, I hope you'll stop 8 00:00:21,760 --> 00:00:23,760 Speaker 1: by and be a part of one of our services. 9 00:00:24,000 --> 00:00:26,279 Speaker 1: I promise you we'll make you feel right at home. 10 00:00:26,680 --> 00:00:29,000 Speaker 1: Thanks so much for tuning in, and thanks again for 11 00:00:29,040 --> 00:00:31,800 Speaker 1: coming out today. I like to start with something funny 12 00:00:31,800 --> 00:00:34,479 Speaker 1: each week, and I heard about this lady. She was 13 00:00:34,520 --> 00:00:37,720 Speaker 1: on an airplane reading her Bible. The man next to 14 00:00:37,800 --> 00:00:40,280 Speaker 1: her said, you don't believe all that stuff in there? 15 00:00:40,280 --> 00:00:40,559 Speaker 2: Do you? 16 00:00:41,080 --> 00:00:44,080 Speaker 1: She said, of course I do, It's the Bible. He said, well, 17 00:00:44,080 --> 00:00:46,640 Speaker 1: what about that guy that got swallowed by the well? 18 00:00:47,120 --> 00:00:49,240 Speaker 1: She said, oh, you mean Jonah. I believe that too. 19 00:00:49,960 --> 00:00:52,280 Speaker 1: He said, well, how could he possibly live all that 20 00:00:52,400 --> 00:00:55,440 Speaker 1: time inside of a well? She thought about it a moment, 21 00:00:55,640 --> 00:00:57,720 Speaker 1: said I don't know. When I get to Heaven, I'll 22 00:00:57,760 --> 00:01:01,240 Speaker 1: have to ask him. He said, so sarcastically. What if 23 00:01:01,240 --> 00:01:03,640 Speaker 1: he's not in heaven, she said, then you're going to 24 00:01:03,680 --> 00:01:08,040 Speaker 1: have to ask him. All right, hold up your bible, 25 00:01:08,240 --> 00:01:10,880 Speaker 1: say it like you mean it. This is my Bible. 26 00:01:11,319 --> 00:01:13,679 Speaker 1: I am what it says. I am. I have what 27 00:01:13,760 --> 00:01:16,280 Speaker 1: it says I have. I can do what it says 28 00:01:16,319 --> 00:01:19,039 Speaker 1: I can do. Today I will be taught the word 29 00:01:19,080 --> 00:01:23,200 Speaker 1: of God. I boldly confess. My mind is alert, my 30 00:01:23,319 --> 00:01:27,640 Speaker 1: heart is receptive. I will never be the same. In Jesus' name, 31 00:01:28,000 --> 00:01:31,280 Speaker 1: God bless you. I want to talk to you today 32 00:01:31,520 --> 00:01:35,600 Speaker 1: about how Heaven is cheering you on. I grew up 33 00:01:35,640 --> 00:01:39,120 Speaker 1: playing sports, and I've experienced the difference it makes to 34 00:01:39,200 --> 00:01:42,880 Speaker 1: have somebody in the stands that's pulling for you. When 35 00:01:42,920 --> 00:01:46,360 Speaker 1: you know they're watching you, you hear them calling your name, 36 00:01:46,720 --> 00:01:49,280 Speaker 1: you see their hands up in the air. It does 37 00:01:49,320 --> 00:01:53,400 Speaker 1: something on the inside. Causes you to jump a little higher, 38 00:01:53,720 --> 00:01:57,000 Speaker 1: to run a little faster. You've got a greater determination 39 00:01:57,520 --> 00:02:01,720 Speaker 1: you know somebody is rooting for you. My parents traveled 40 00:02:01,720 --> 00:02:03,720 Speaker 1: a lot when I was growing up, and they couldn't 41 00:02:03,720 --> 00:02:06,080 Speaker 1: attend all of my ball games, and of course I 42 00:02:06,160 --> 00:02:09,040 Speaker 1: always played hard. But when I knew they were there, 43 00:02:09,480 --> 00:02:12,280 Speaker 1: when I knew they were watching. It gave me that 44 00:02:12,440 --> 00:02:16,840 Speaker 1: extra boost. It may be mental, but it affects the physical. 45 00:02:17,560 --> 00:02:20,720 Speaker 1: It's proven in sports teams that have the home field 46 00:02:20,760 --> 00:02:26,040 Speaker 1: advantage perform better. If you follow football recently, the team 47 00:02:26,240 --> 00:02:28,960 Speaker 1: that had the worst record to ever make it to 48 00:02:29,000 --> 00:02:32,440 Speaker 1: the playoffs. They had home field advantage. The crowd was 49 00:02:32,480 --> 00:02:36,120 Speaker 1: going wild, and do you know they beat the world champions, 50 00:02:36,480 --> 00:02:41,239 Speaker 1: an incredible upset. You never know what you'll accomplish when 51 00:02:41,240 --> 00:02:43,880 Speaker 1: you know you have people cheering your own, people that 52 00:02:43,919 --> 00:02:46,560 Speaker 1: are rooting for you. And in the Book of Hebrews, 53 00:02:46,840 --> 00:02:50,320 Speaker 1: it talks about all these great heroes of faith and 54 00:02:50,360 --> 00:02:56,959 Speaker 1: the amazing things that they accomplished, from Moses to Abraham, David, Sarah, Ruth, Estra, 55 00:02:57,080 --> 00:02:59,680 Speaker 1: on and on, people that were known and people that 56 00:02:59,720 --> 00:03:03,840 Speaker 1: were not. No it tells how in chapter eleven they 57 00:03:04,000 --> 00:03:08,160 Speaker 1: dared to believe and God did incredible things through them. 58 00:03:08,320 --> 00:03:11,240 Speaker 1: That the first of chapter twelve, it says, since we 59 00:03:11,280 --> 00:03:16,280 Speaker 1: are surrounded by this great cloud of witnesses, let us 60 00:03:16,360 --> 00:03:20,840 Speaker 1: run our race. Notice this passage refers to our life 61 00:03:21,000 --> 00:03:24,400 Speaker 1: as a race, and it paints the picture of this 62 00:03:24,600 --> 00:03:29,320 Speaker 1: big stadium up in heaven, and now these saints of old, 63 00:03:29,840 --> 00:03:33,160 Speaker 1: the great cloud of witnesses. They're up in the stands 64 00:03:33,480 --> 00:03:37,000 Speaker 1: looking down at us, cheering us on. What I want 65 00:03:37,000 --> 00:03:40,480 Speaker 1: you to see today is you're not running alone. You've 66 00:03:40,520 --> 00:03:44,000 Speaker 1: got all of Heaven pulling for you, from the great 67 00:03:44,040 --> 00:03:46,920 Speaker 1: saints of old to your loved ones that have gone 68 00:03:46,960 --> 00:03:49,720 Speaker 1: to be with the Lord. They're in those stands right now. 69 00:03:50,280 --> 00:03:54,520 Speaker 1: They're watching you, saying, keep going, keep running, don't give up. 70 00:03:55,000 --> 00:03:57,440 Speaker 1: You may get tired, but get your second wind. We 71 00:03:57,560 --> 00:04:00,440 Speaker 1: did it and you can do it too. You've got 72 00:04:00,440 --> 00:04:04,880 Speaker 1: to realize you have home fielled advantage in this stadium, 73 00:04:05,280 --> 00:04:08,600 Speaker 1: in the grand stands of Heaven. You don't have any critics. 74 00:04:09,080 --> 00:04:13,240 Speaker 1: Nobody's throwing popcorn at you, nobody's heckling you. No, these 75 00:04:13,320 --> 00:04:16,839 Speaker 1: people are one hundred percent for you. They think that 76 00:04:16,920 --> 00:04:20,599 Speaker 1: you're amazing. They know you've got what it takes. They're 77 00:04:20,680 --> 00:04:24,760 Speaker 1: standing up right now cheering your own. Imagine Moses calling 78 00:04:24,800 --> 00:04:28,359 Speaker 1: your name saying, go, go go. You can accomplish your dreams. 79 00:04:29,120 --> 00:04:32,360 Speaker 1: David is saying the giants may be big, but don't 80 00:04:32,360 --> 00:04:36,760 Speaker 1: get discouraged. I defeated them. You can too. Esther is 81 00:04:36,800 --> 00:04:39,640 Speaker 1: calling your name, saying you may be afraid, but do 82 00:04:39,760 --> 00:04:42,320 Speaker 1: it anyway. You've been raised up for such a time 83 00:04:42,400 --> 00:04:46,080 Speaker 1: as this get in is saying. You may feel weak 84 00:04:46,240 --> 00:04:50,479 Speaker 1: and intimidated, but be strong and of good courage. The Lord, 85 00:04:50,520 --> 00:04:53,760 Speaker 1: your God is with you. All of the saints of 86 00:04:53,800 --> 00:04:57,279 Speaker 1: old are pulling for you. By faith, you need to 87 00:04:57,320 --> 00:05:00,320 Speaker 1: hear the roar of the crowd. By faith, you need 88 00:05:00,320 --> 00:05:04,080 Speaker 1: to see them standing up, cheering you on. They're saying, 89 00:05:04,480 --> 00:05:09,960 Speaker 1: we did it without automobiles, without air conditioning, without beautiful buildings, 90 00:05:10,240 --> 00:05:14,479 Speaker 1: without technology, without computers and telephones. Think about what you 91 00:05:14,560 --> 00:05:18,440 Speaker 1: can do. You can go further. You can accomplish your dreams. 92 00:05:18,640 --> 00:05:21,719 Speaker 1: You can take new ground for the kingdom. When you 93 00:05:21,800 --> 00:05:24,599 Speaker 1: realize all of heaven is pulling for you, it does 94 00:05:24,640 --> 00:05:28,440 Speaker 1: something on the inside. When you know this great cloud 95 00:05:28,600 --> 00:05:32,640 Speaker 1: of witnesses is calling your name, cheering your on, it'll 96 00:05:32,640 --> 00:05:35,840 Speaker 1: give you that boost to go further, to accomplish more. 97 00:05:36,720 --> 00:05:39,400 Speaker 1: Twelve years ago today, my father went to be with 98 00:05:39,480 --> 00:05:42,200 Speaker 1: the Lord. And sure I miss my father, but I 99 00:05:42,240 --> 00:05:44,400 Speaker 1: know where he is and I know what he's doing. 100 00:05:44,800 --> 00:05:47,800 Speaker 1: He's in the grand stands of Heaven with the saints 101 00:05:47,800 --> 00:05:51,120 Speaker 1: of old saying, joy, you're doing good. Keep pressing forward. 102 00:05:51,320 --> 00:05:53,760 Speaker 1: I'm watching you. I believe in you. I'm proud of you. 103 00:05:55,520 --> 00:05:58,719 Speaker 1: I know he's cheering me on. He's saying to all 104 00:05:58,760 --> 00:06:02,479 Speaker 1: of us here at Lakewood, you guys are amazing. You've 105 00:06:02,520 --> 00:06:04,960 Speaker 1: taken it to a new level. You've gone further than 106 00:06:05,000 --> 00:06:07,599 Speaker 1: I've ever dreamed of. Now, don't settle where you are, 107 00:06:07,839 --> 00:06:11,120 Speaker 1: keep going, keep growing, keep making a difference. He's cheering 108 00:06:11,200 --> 00:06:14,360 Speaker 1: us on. I have people ask Joe, do you think 109 00:06:14,400 --> 00:06:16,919 Speaker 1: your dad knows what's going on? Do you think he 110 00:06:16,960 --> 00:06:19,800 Speaker 1: can see the growth and the new facility, all the 111 00:06:19,800 --> 00:06:22,920 Speaker 1: great things that have happened. I answer them, I don't 112 00:06:23,000 --> 00:06:26,000 Speaker 1: think so. I know so. I hear him cheering me 113 00:06:26,080 --> 00:06:29,160 Speaker 1: on all the time. And every one of you has 114 00:06:29,240 --> 00:06:31,320 Speaker 1: loved ones that have gone to be with the Lord. 115 00:06:31,760 --> 00:06:34,880 Speaker 1: They're not just up in heaven floating on a cloud 116 00:06:35,240 --> 00:06:38,960 Speaker 1: playing a heart singing lullabies. No, they're in the grandstands 117 00:06:39,040 --> 00:06:42,480 Speaker 1: cheering you on, saying you've got what it takes. Don't 118 00:06:42,520 --> 00:06:48,039 Speaker 1: stop believing, keep pushing forward, go further, dream bigger, make 119 00:06:48,160 --> 00:06:53,359 Speaker 1: us prou I think about Victoria's grandmother on her mother's side, 120 00:06:53,480 --> 00:06:56,200 Speaker 1: This would be Georgiane's mother. They called her me Ma 121 00:06:56,960 --> 00:06:59,880 Speaker 1: me Maw was an incredible woman. She loved the Lord 122 00:07:00,640 --> 00:07:03,440 Speaker 1: she kept that family in church. Plus, she was a 123 00:07:03,480 --> 00:07:07,599 Speaker 1: hard worker. She would make every week her daughter a 124 00:07:07,640 --> 00:07:10,880 Speaker 1: new dress to wear the church. She would design it 125 00:07:10,920 --> 00:07:13,840 Speaker 1: and sew it herself, so Georgine would have something new 126 00:07:13,880 --> 00:07:17,520 Speaker 1: to wear each Sunday. She poured into those children. When 127 00:07:17,640 --> 00:07:21,080 Speaker 1: Victoria was visiting during the holidays as a little girl, 128 00:07:21,440 --> 00:07:24,480 Speaker 1: Victoria'd get up early. She would always see her grandmother 129 00:07:24,920 --> 00:07:29,080 Speaker 1: out kneeling underneath the tree. That's where she started every day, 130 00:07:29,320 --> 00:07:33,000 Speaker 1: her special place of prayer. Today, me Maul is one 131 00:07:33,040 --> 00:07:36,080 Speaker 1: of the heroes of faith. She's in the grand stands 132 00:07:36,080 --> 00:07:40,120 Speaker 1: of Heaven cheering us all on, saying to Victoria, Georgine, 133 00:07:40,200 --> 00:07:43,160 Speaker 1: you go, girl, make me proud. Do something great. Run 134 00:07:43,200 --> 00:07:47,520 Speaker 1: your race, friends. You're not running alone. Your loved ones 135 00:07:47,600 --> 00:07:52,000 Speaker 1: are cheering you on. They're saying, don't settle where I was, 136 00:07:52,560 --> 00:07:57,880 Speaker 1: go further, do more, learn more, love more, give more, 137 00:07:58,240 --> 00:08:01,400 Speaker 1: help others in a greater way. Well, you say, Joel, 138 00:08:01,840 --> 00:08:04,000 Speaker 1: I didn't have anybody in my family like me. Mom, 139 00:08:04,080 --> 00:08:07,240 Speaker 1: didn't have anybody like your dad. No, somebody in your 140 00:08:07,280 --> 00:08:10,120 Speaker 1: family honored God, or you wouldn't be here today, you 141 00:08:10,160 --> 00:08:13,160 Speaker 1: wouldn't be watching. You may not have ever met them, 142 00:08:13,560 --> 00:08:17,920 Speaker 1: but somebody in your family is rooting for you. It's 143 00:08:18,000 --> 00:08:20,320 Speaker 1: like a parent when your child is out on the 144 00:08:20,360 --> 00:08:23,240 Speaker 1: field playing in the ballgame. There may be twenty other 145 00:08:23,360 --> 00:08:25,920 Speaker 1: kids in the game, but you've got your eyes on 146 00:08:25,960 --> 00:08:29,720 Speaker 1: your child. You're watching them right now. There's a lot 147 00:08:29,760 --> 00:08:32,880 Speaker 1: of people in the race, but somebody has their eyes 148 00:08:32,920 --> 00:08:36,960 Speaker 1: on you. Somebody has their hands up for you. Somebody 149 00:08:37,040 --> 00:08:40,400 Speaker 1: is saying, Wow, that's my great granddaughter, that's my relative, 150 00:08:40,440 --> 00:08:44,200 Speaker 1: that's my cousin. Look at them, they're amazing. I can 151 00:08:44,240 --> 00:08:47,640 Speaker 1: still hear my grandmother cheering me on. She's been gone 152 00:08:47,679 --> 00:08:50,800 Speaker 1: for twenty five years. My grandmother thought I was the 153 00:08:50,840 --> 00:08:53,760 Speaker 1: greatest thing in the world. In her eyes, I could 154 00:08:53,760 --> 00:08:57,400 Speaker 1: do no wrong. My sisters used to get aggravated. They 155 00:08:57,440 --> 00:09:00,120 Speaker 1: would do something wrong and they'd get in trouble. I 156 00:09:00,120 --> 00:09:02,600 Speaker 1: would do the same thing and they'd go tell my grandmother. 157 00:09:02,800 --> 00:09:05,840 Speaker 1: She would say, oh, no, Joel didn't do that. I know, Joel, 158 00:09:06,880 --> 00:09:10,040 Speaker 1: you must be mistaken. It makes them so mad. My 159 00:09:10,120 --> 00:09:12,960 Speaker 1: grandmother thought I was a saint. Do me a favor. 160 00:09:13,000 --> 00:09:17,080 Speaker 1: Don't tell her any differently. She's in the grand stands 161 00:09:17,080 --> 00:09:20,400 Speaker 1: of heaven still cheering me on, saying, Joel, keep going. 162 00:09:20,679 --> 00:09:23,000 Speaker 1: I still think you're great. I still don't think you 163 00:09:23,040 --> 00:09:25,840 Speaker 1: can do any wrong. I still believe in you. She's 164 00:09:25,880 --> 00:09:30,040 Speaker 1: a part of the great cloud of witnesses. Last year, 165 00:09:30,280 --> 00:09:33,080 Speaker 1: I went to the Dallas Cowboys opening game at their 166 00:09:33,080 --> 00:09:36,280 Speaker 1: new stadium, and before the game, they had all these 167 00:09:36,360 --> 00:09:40,760 Speaker 1: Cowboy legends that had played years before come out on 168 00:09:40,840 --> 00:09:43,240 Speaker 1: the field and line up. There must have been fifteen 169 00:09:43,320 --> 00:09:47,040 Speaker 1: or twenty of them. Being a sports fan, seeing those 170 00:09:47,080 --> 00:09:51,400 Speaker 1: guys that were incredible during my day, it was just amazing. 171 00:09:52,200 --> 00:09:55,840 Speaker 1: After the pregame ceremony, the current players came out and 172 00:09:55,880 --> 00:09:58,319 Speaker 1: they were shaking hands with these legends of the game, 173 00:09:58,880 --> 00:10:02,680 Speaker 1: talking to them advice and encouragement. You could tell those 174 00:10:02,720 --> 00:10:06,120 Speaker 1: current players were just soaking it up. I thought about 175 00:10:06,559 --> 00:10:09,520 Speaker 1: in the grand stands of Heaven, if we could pull 176 00:10:09,559 --> 00:10:12,400 Speaker 1: out a few of the heroes of faith and visit 177 00:10:12,480 --> 00:10:14,720 Speaker 1: with them for a few minutes. I wonder what they 178 00:10:14,720 --> 00:10:18,240 Speaker 1: would say. I wonder what kind of encouragement or advice 179 00:10:18,440 --> 00:10:21,679 Speaker 1: they might give. And some of you have had unfair 180 00:10:21,720 --> 00:10:25,040 Speaker 1: things happen. Life hasn't turned out the way you had hoped, 181 00:10:25,040 --> 00:10:27,800 Speaker 1: and you could easily be bitter and give up on 182 00:10:27,840 --> 00:10:31,520 Speaker 1: your dreams. But imagine a young man steps out of 183 00:10:31,559 --> 00:10:36,080 Speaker 1: the grand stands. He says, don't get discouraged. I've been 184 00:10:36,160 --> 00:10:39,720 Speaker 1: where you are. My name is Joseph. I had a 185 00:10:39,760 --> 00:10:43,439 Speaker 1: great dream. I knew God's hand was upon me, but 186 00:10:43,520 --> 00:10:47,880 Speaker 1: my brothers mistreated me. They sold me into slavery. I 187 00:10:47,920 --> 00:10:51,640 Speaker 1: spent years working for this man, doing my best, but 188 00:10:51,760 --> 00:10:54,760 Speaker 1: his wife lied about me and had me put in prison. 189 00:10:55,320 --> 00:10:59,880 Speaker 1: It was unfair. I spent thirteen years there. At times 190 00:11:00,200 --> 00:11:03,440 Speaker 1: I felt like God had forsaken me. I didn't see 191 00:11:03,440 --> 00:11:05,720 Speaker 1: how I could ever accomplish what was in my heart. 192 00:11:06,200 --> 00:11:09,000 Speaker 1: But I just kept being my best, knowing that God 193 00:11:09,120 --> 00:11:13,160 Speaker 1: was in control. One day, twenty three years after I 194 00:11:13,160 --> 00:11:16,280 Speaker 1: had had that dream, God turned it around and brought 195 00:11:16,320 --> 00:11:20,080 Speaker 1: it to pass. If Joseph were standing here today, he 196 00:11:20,120 --> 00:11:23,400 Speaker 1: would say, don't give up on the promise God put 197 00:11:23,440 --> 00:11:27,800 Speaker 1: in your heart. People may have done you wrong, You 198 00:11:27,880 --> 00:11:30,520 Speaker 1: may have had some bad breaks, but God is still 199 00:11:30,559 --> 00:11:33,960 Speaker 1: on the throne. What was meant for your harm, God's 200 00:11:34,000 --> 00:11:38,200 Speaker 1: going to use to your advantage. Joseph's encouragement is keep 201 00:11:38,240 --> 00:11:41,800 Speaker 1: being your best, Keep doing the right thing when it's hard, 202 00:11:42,440 --> 00:11:45,160 Speaker 1: Keep being good to people even though they're not good 203 00:11:45,160 --> 00:11:48,880 Speaker 1: to you. If you'll stay in faith the same God 204 00:11:48,920 --> 00:11:51,680 Speaker 1: that planted the dream will help you give birth to 205 00:11:51,720 --> 00:11:55,360 Speaker 1: the dream. Joseph is in the stands, cheering us on, 206 00:11:56,080 --> 00:11:59,840 Speaker 1: reminding us that our steps are ordained by all my 207 00:11:59,800 --> 00:12:03,200 Speaker 1: life God. If it had not been for his brothers 208 00:12:03,240 --> 00:12:05,680 Speaker 1: thrown him into the pit, he would have never made 209 00:12:05,679 --> 00:12:08,120 Speaker 1: it to the palace. If it had not been for 210 00:12:08,200 --> 00:12:11,080 Speaker 1: the lady lying about him having him put in prison, 211 00:12:11,480 --> 00:12:14,040 Speaker 1: he would have never seen the dream come to fulfillment. 212 00:12:14,840 --> 00:12:18,520 Speaker 1: God was ordering his steps even when it was difficult. 213 00:12:19,040 --> 00:12:22,280 Speaker 1: You may kind of feel like God's forsaken you. Your 214 00:12:22,320 --> 00:12:25,319 Speaker 1: life has turned out exactly opposite of how you had 215 00:12:25,360 --> 00:12:29,040 Speaker 1: it planned. But Joseph stands before you and says, don't 216 00:12:29,080 --> 00:12:32,680 Speaker 1: give up. I've seen the faithfulness of God. I've seen 217 00:12:32,720 --> 00:12:36,040 Speaker 1: God turn it around. I've seen God vindicate me, I've 218 00:12:36,080 --> 00:12:40,240 Speaker 1: seen God bring justice. I'm a living witness, a testimony 219 00:12:40,280 --> 00:12:43,080 Speaker 1: of God's goodness. If God did it for me, he 220 00:12:43,120 --> 00:12:46,320 Speaker 1: can do it for you. Joseph is cheering us on. Today. 221 00:12:48,640 --> 00:12:52,120 Speaker 1: There's a young lady in the stands. Her name is Rahab. 222 00:12:52,760 --> 00:12:56,080 Speaker 1: She was a prostitute. She says, I'm here to cheer 223 00:12:56,120 --> 00:12:59,960 Speaker 1: on all the people that have made mistakes. You see, 224 00:13:00,200 --> 00:13:03,800 Speaker 1: I didn't start out good in life. I had a 225 00:13:03,840 --> 00:13:06,960 Speaker 1: big dream. I wanted to do the right thing, but 226 00:13:07,000 --> 00:13:09,920 Speaker 1: I got mixed up with the wrong crowd. I made 227 00:13:09,960 --> 00:13:13,600 Speaker 1: some poor choices, ended up doing something that I didn't like. 228 00:13:14,320 --> 00:13:17,880 Speaker 1: I wasn't proud of it. I was embarrassed, ashamed. But 229 00:13:18,360 --> 00:13:21,240 Speaker 1: I just felt trapped like I couldn't get out. But 230 00:13:21,280 --> 00:13:23,720 Speaker 1: one day I met these people from out of town 231 00:13:24,280 --> 00:13:27,720 Speaker 1: and they told me about the God of Abraham, Isaac 232 00:13:27,880 --> 00:13:31,559 Speaker 1: and Jacob, and I dared to believe. I did them 233 00:13:31,600 --> 00:13:34,439 Speaker 1: a favor. I hid them in my home and they 234 00:13:34,559 --> 00:13:38,400 Speaker 1: ended up sparing my life and my family's life. From 235 00:13:38,400 --> 00:13:42,200 Speaker 1: that day forward, I was changed. I started off bad, 236 00:13:42,440 --> 00:13:46,160 Speaker 1: but God not only forgave me, he not only redeemed me, 237 00:13:46,800 --> 00:13:49,760 Speaker 1: but he put me in the family line of Jesus 238 00:13:49,800 --> 00:13:56,280 Speaker 1: Christ because of his mercy. Now I'm a part of 239 00:13:56,320 --> 00:14:01,480 Speaker 1: the heritage that brought about the Messiah rehab. We're standing here. 240 00:14:01,920 --> 00:14:04,480 Speaker 1: She would say, you may have gotten off to a 241 00:14:04,520 --> 00:14:08,400 Speaker 1: bad start, but that's okay. It's not too late to change. 242 00:14:08,520 --> 00:14:12,440 Speaker 1: You can begin again. God is a god of another chance. 243 00:14:12,920 --> 00:14:16,000 Speaker 1: It's not how you start that matters, it's how you finish. 244 00:14:16,320 --> 00:14:19,160 Speaker 1: You may have fallen down but don't stay down, get 245 00:14:19,200 --> 00:14:22,800 Speaker 1: back up again. Your life is not over. There's still 246 00:14:22,840 --> 00:14:25,680 Speaker 1: an amazing future in front of you. And if you 247 00:14:25,720 --> 00:14:29,640 Speaker 1: will receive God's forgiveness and start down a different path, 248 00:14:29,920 --> 00:14:32,320 Speaker 1: God will give you a new beginning and make the 249 00:14:32,360 --> 00:14:35,080 Speaker 1: rest of your life greater than you ever thought possible. 250 00:14:35,720 --> 00:14:40,200 Speaker 1: Think about it. Only God has the audacity to take 251 00:14:40,240 --> 00:14:43,920 Speaker 1: a formal prostitute and put her in the family line 252 00:14:44,040 --> 00:14:47,800 Speaker 1: of Jesus Christ. Today, Rehab as listed as one of 253 00:14:47,840 --> 00:14:51,680 Speaker 1: the heroes of faith. She stands beside Moses and Abraham 254 00:14:51,800 --> 00:14:55,600 Speaker 1: and David and Sarah and Esther. God is saying, you're 255 00:14:55,640 --> 00:14:59,320 Speaker 1: never too far gone. Don't ever let anyone write you off. 256 00:15:00,080 --> 00:15:03,080 Speaker 1: Don't let religion push you down and make you think 257 00:15:03,120 --> 00:15:06,040 Speaker 1: that you're all washed up. Don't let your own thoughts 258 00:15:06,120 --> 00:15:09,040 Speaker 1: convince you that you've made too many mistakes. God could 259 00:15:09,080 --> 00:15:13,160 Speaker 1: never use you. Rehab stands before you and says, no, no, 260 00:15:13,200 --> 00:15:16,840 Speaker 1: look at me. I'm a testimony of God's mercy. I 261 00:15:16,920 --> 00:15:20,000 Speaker 1: started out bad, but I ended up as a trophy 262 00:15:20,160 --> 00:15:28,040 Speaker 1: of God's grace. Rehab It's cheering us on. I talked 263 00:15:28,040 --> 00:15:31,000 Speaker 1: to a couple last week, and they've been members of 264 00:15:31,040 --> 00:15:33,240 Speaker 1: our church for a long time, and for many years 265 00:15:33,280 --> 00:15:37,280 Speaker 1: they've lived a very blessed life, successful business and happy, 266 00:15:37,360 --> 00:15:40,760 Speaker 1: healthy family. But they said, Joel, this last year, we've 267 00:15:40,880 --> 00:15:44,360 Speaker 1: never had so many things come against us and our health, 268 00:15:44,440 --> 00:15:48,360 Speaker 1: our finance, is our family. Everything that could go wrong did. 269 00:15:48,880 --> 00:15:51,960 Speaker 1: The lady laughed and said, it's almost comical. Just when 270 00:15:51,960 --> 00:15:54,720 Speaker 1: we thought it couldn't get any worse, something else bad 271 00:15:54,760 --> 00:15:57,760 Speaker 1: would happen. I can see a gentleman step out of 272 00:15:57,800 --> 00:16:01,000 Speaker 1: the grand stands and say, I know just how you feel. 273 00:16:01,520 --> 00:16:03,960 Speaker 1: I went through a period in my life just like 274 00:16:04,000 --> 00:16:07,040 Speaker 1: you did, where the bottom fell out. My name is Job. 275 00:16:07,720 --> 00:16:10,920 Speaker 1: I was tempted to give up. My wife told me 276 00:16:10,960 --> 00:16:14,880 Speaker 1: to just curse God and die. I felt depressed, but 277 00:16:14,960 --> 00:16:17,760 Speaker 1: I shook it off, dug my heels in and chose 278 00:16:17,800 --> 00:16:23,200 Speaker 1: to believe that God was still on the throne. I said, 279 00:16:23,440 --> 00:16:26,680 Speaker 1: though he slay me, yet, will I trust him. I'm 280 00:16:26,720 --> 00:16:29,680 Speaker 1: happy to report that God didn't just bring me out 281 00:16:29,840 --> 00:16:32,720 Speaker 1: of that difficulty, but he brought me out better off 282 00:16:32,800 --> 00:16:35,480 Speaker 1: than I was before. I came out with twice the 283 00:16:35,520 --> 00:16:39,160 Speaker 1: cattle twice, the sheep twice, the joy twice, the peace twice, 284 00:16:39,160 --> 00:16:42,280 Speaker 1: the victory. I got my health back, my business back, 285 00:16:42,560 --> 00:16:46,560 Speaker 1: my dreams back. Job stands on the balconies of heaven 286 00:16:47,040 --> 00:16:49,840 Speaker 1: and says to all who are in tough times, all 287 00:16:49,840 --> 00:16:53,720 Speaker 1: who have gone through setbacks and suffered loss in a family, 288 00:16:54,000 --> 00:16:57,680 Speaker 1: a relationship, in your finance, as your business. Job says, 289 00:16:57,720 --> 00:17:00,520 Speaker 1: I'm here to tell you that double is come your way. 290 00:17:00,920 --> 00:17:05,440 Speaker 1: God is going to pay you back. It may look 291 00:17:05,560 --> 00:17:08,120 Speaker 1: like the end, but it's not a set back. It's 292 00:17:08,119 --> 00:17:11,040 Speaker 1: a set up. God's going to turn it around and 293 00:17:11,080 --> 00:17:14,960 Speaker 1: make the enemy pay for bringing that trouble into your life. Now, 294 00:17:15,040 --> 00:17:18,879 Speaker 1: somebody's got to receive Job's encouragement. God has not brought 295 00:17:18,920 --> 00:17:22,720 Speaker 1: you this far to leave you where you are is 296 00:17:22,760 --> 00:17:27,120 Speaker 1: a test. It's not permanent. It's temporary. It may look 297 00:17:27,200 --> 00:17:30,040 Speaker 1: like it's out of control, but God is in complete control. 298 00:17:30,880 --> 00:17:33,480 Speaker 1: If Job we're here today, he'd say, let me leave 299 00:17:33,520 --> 00:17:38,560 Speaker 1: you with one word of encouragement. Double double, double double 300 00:17:38,640 --> 00:17:43,000 Speaker 1: is coming your way. You need to let that seed 301 00:17:43,280 --> 00:17:47,120 Speaker 1: take root, and you need to start speaking double over 302 00:17:47,160 --> 00:17:50,119 Speaker 1: your situation. You lost your health. Father, I want to 303 00:17:50,160 --> 00:17:52,959 Speaker 1: thank you that I'm coming out twice as strong, twice 304 00:17:52,960 --> 00:17:55,080 Speaker 1: as healthy. Now I'm gonna have twice the inner. I'm 305 00:17:55,080 --> 00:17:57,399 Speaker 1: gonna feel twice as good. As I used to. You 306 00:17:57,520 --> 00:18:00,720 Speaker 1: lost your job. Don't go around complaining. I'm saying, Father, 307 00:18:00,760 --> 00:18:03,520 Speaker 1: I want to thank you for a position with twice 308 00:18:03,560 --> 00:18:07,080 Speaker 1: the benefits, twice the income, twice the friends, twice the fulfillment. 309 00:18:08,480 --> 00:18:11,760 Speaker 1: Somebody did you wrong in a relationship, betrayed you walked 310 00:18:11,760 --> 00:18:15,320 Speaker 1: out on you. Don't go through life in self pity, heartbroken, 311 00:18:15,400 --> 00:18:18,679 Speaker 1: thinking poor old me. No, if they left you, you 312 00:18:18,760 --> 00:18:21,400 Speaker 1: didn't need them. They were not a part of your 313 00:18:21,440 --> 00:18:26,080 Speaker 1: divine destiny. This may be hard to accept right now, 314 00:18:26,080 --> 00:18:29,159 Speaker 1: but really they did you a favor. They opened the 315 00:18:29,240 --> 00:18:32,000 Speaker 1: door for who God wants to bring into your life. 316 00:18:32,200 --> 00:18:33,879 Speaker 1: Now you got to get an agreement and get a 317 00:18:33,960 --> 00:18:36,800 Speaker 1: vision for it. Father, I want to thank you for 318 00:18:36,840 --> 00:18:40,240 Speaker 1: bringing somebody twice as good is that old goat that 319 00:18:40,280 --> 00:18:44,240 Speaker 1: walked out. I mean that person that walked out, Somebody 320 00:18:44,320 --> 00:18:48,040 Speaker 1: that's twice as fun, twice as friendly, twice as great 321 00:18:48,040 --> 00:18:50,639 Speaker 1: to be around, twice as well often twice as good looking. 322 00:18:51,320 --> 00:18:54,160 Speaker 1: When you do that job, says yes, yes, yes, that's 323 00:18:54,200 --> 00:18:57,960 Speaker 1: what God did for me. I know this young lady. 324 00:18:58,520 --> 00:19:01,679 Speaker 1: She's had seven miscarriage, she has not been able to 325 00:19:01,720 --> 00:19:05,000 Speaker 1: carry the baby. She heard me talking about how God 326 00:19:05,040 --> 00:19:07,720 Speaker 1: will pay you back when unfair things happen, and she 327 00:19:07,880 --> 00:19:11,600 Speaker 1: let that seed take root. Several years ago she gave 328 00:19:11,640 --> 00:19:15,080 Speaker 1: birth not to one, but to two babies. She had twins. 329 00:19:15,520 --> 00:19:18,840 Speaker 1: She said, Joel, that seed was birthed in my spirit 330 00:19:19,119 --> 00:19:22,320 Speaker 1: when you talked about how Job came out with twice 331 00:19:22,400 --> 00:19:25,520 Speaker 1: what he had before. I'm trying to plant that same 332 00:19:25,720 --> 00:19:28,760 Speaker 1: seed into your spirit today. You're not going to come 333 00:19:28,800 --> 00:19:31,879 Speaker 1: out the same. You're gonna come out increased. Your mind 334 00:19:31,920 --> 00:19:34,439 Speaker 1: may tell you it's never gonna happen, but Job stands 335 00:19:34,480 --> 00:19:37,120 Speaker 1: before you and say, no, get ready, it's on the way. 336 00:19:37,520 --> 00:19:40,119 Speaker 1: God restored double back to me, and he'll do the 337 00:19:40,160 --> 00:19:44,440 Speaker 1: same thing for you. Job is cheering us on. Too 338 00:19:44,480 --> 00:19:48,919 Speaker 1: many people like Job. They've had unfair things happen, and 339 00:19:48,960 --> 00:19:52,439 Speaker 1: now they're sitting around. They've lost their joy, lost their 340 00:19:52,560 --> 00:19:55,920 Speaker 1: enthusiasm kind of enduring life. I think in one day, 341 00:19:55,960 --> 00:19:58,120 Speaker 1: when it gets better, then I'll get happy. Then I'll 342 00:19:58,160 --> 00:20:02,440 Speaker 1: believe again. Many two gentlemen step out of the grand stands. 343 00:20:02,800 --> 00:20:06,680 Speaker 1: Their names are Paul and Silas. They tell about how 344 00:20:06,760 --> 00:20:10,600 Speaker 1: one night they were chained in prison. Earlier in the 345 00:20:10,680 --> 00:20:14,320 Speaker 1: day they had been beaten with rods. Unfairly, they were 346 00:20:14,359 --> 00:20:17,680 Speaker 1: not given a trial. What was their charge? They had 347 00:20:17,720 --> 00:20:20,359 Speaker 1: not stolen, they had not heard anyone, They had not 348 00:20:20,480 --> 00:20:24,080 Speaker 1: committed any crime. Their big charge is they were spreading 349 00:20:24,160 --> 00:20:28,199 Speaker 1: the good news. But instead of complaining, getting depressed and 350 00:20:28,359 --> 00:20:30,720 Speaker 1: God is not fair? How could you let this happen? 351 00:20:31,200 --> 00:20:34,520 Speaker 1: They knew God was still in control. As they sat 352 00:20:34,560 --> 00:20:40,200 Speaker 1: in prison, chained, beaten, bruised, feeling bad, The scripture says, 353 00:20:40,560 --> 00:20:45,000 Speaker 1: they begin to sing praises to God. Can you imagine 354 00:20:45,119 --> 00:20:48,160 Speaker 1: what the other prisoners must have thought. Are these two 355 00:20:48,200 --> 00:20:52,080 Speaker 1: guys crazy? Why are they singing? They'd just been beaten, 356 00:20:52,119 --> 00:20:55,159 Speaker 1: They're in jail. What's wrong with them? They must be 357 00:20:55,200 --> 00:21:00,520 Speaker 1: going to Lakewood. The whole prison quiets down to hear 358 00:21:00,560 --> 00:21:04,720 Speaker 1: these two strange prisoners. What are they singing? You picked 359 00:21:04,760 --> 00:21:07,639 Speaker 1: a fine time to leave me, Lucille, I don't think so. 360 00:21:08,359 --> 00:21:10,879 Speaker 1: All through the prison they hear I am a friend 361 00:21:10,880 --> 00:21:14,119 Speaker 1: of God, You are good all the time. Or maybe 362 00:21:14,119 --> 00:21:18,200 Speaker 1: they hear my chains are gone, I've been set free. 363 00:21:18,280 --> 00:21:21,480 Speaker 1: All of a sudden, at midnight, while they were still 364 00:21:21,640 --> 00:21:25,760 Speaker 1: singing praises, there was a great earthquake. The prison doors 365 00:21:25,800 --> 00:21:29,160 Speaker 1: flung open, the chains fell off, and angel came by 366 00:21:29,160 --> 00:21:31,520 Speaker 1: and said, come on, let's get out of here. If 367 00:21:31,520 --> 00:21:34,600 Speaker 1: that wasn't good enough, the jailer, the one that had 368 00:21:34,640 --> 00:21:37,440 Speaker 1: beaten them earlier, he came and found them and began 369 00:21:37,520 --> 00:21:39,879 Speaker 1: to bandage up their wounds. He said, what do I 370 00:21:39,960 --> 00:21:44,120 Speaker 1: need to do to serve this incredible God of yours? Today? 371 00:21:44,320 --> 00:21:48,119 Speaker 1: Paul and Silas are in the grand stands, cheering us on. 372 00:21:49,080 --> 00:21:53,160 Speaker 1: They're saying, when it looks dark, when all the odds 373 00:21:53,200 --> 00:21:56,320 Speaker 1: are against you, when it seems unfair, that's not the 374 00:21:56,359 --> 00:21:59,440 Speaker 1: time to get depressed. That's not the time to start complaining. 375 00:22:00,160 --> 00:22:03,240 Speaker 1: Time to turn up your praise. That's the time to say, Lord, 376 00:22:03,320 --> 00:22:06,760 Speaker 1: you are good, You're in control. You're bigger than my enemies. 377 00:22:06,840 --> 00:22:11,360 Speaker 1: Nothing can stand against you. Friends. Praise can break the chains. 378 00:22:12,080 --> 00:22:16,160 Speaker 1: Praise can bring down walls that are locked. Praise can 379 00:22:16,200 --> 00:22:20,640 Speaker 1: turn enemies into friends. Praise can break addictions. Praise can 380 00:22:20,680 --> 00:22:25,719 Speaker 1: bring healing. Praise activates God's favor. Paul and Silas are 381 00:22:25,800 --> 00:22:28,760 Speaker 1: rooting for us. Say and even when it looks impossible, 382 00:22:29,200 --> 00:22:33,359 Speaker 1: keep singing, keep praising, keep rejoicing, keep that smile, and 383 00:22:33,400 --> 00:22:35,680 Speaker 1: God will make a way. When it looks like there 384 00:22:35,760 --> 00:22:39,520 Speaker 1: is no way, another man steps out of the grand stands. 385 00:22:39,840 --> 00:22:44,120 Speaker 1: He says, Paul and Silas. You think you've got it bad. Joseph, 386 00:22:44,160 --> 00:22:47,400 Speaker 1: you think it was unfair. Abraham, you think your promise 387 00:22:47,480 --> 00:22:51,080 Speaker 1: was impossible. David, you think your giants were big. I've 388 00:22:51,080 --> 00:22:55,399 Speaker 1: got your all beat. I was dead. My name is Lazarus. 389 00:22:55,880 --> 00:23:00,399 Speaker 1: I was in the grave. I was already starting to stint. 390 00:23:01,119 --> 00:23:05,840 Speaker 1: I was buried. It was over, impossible, done, finished. But 391 00:23:05,960 --> 00:23:09,560 Speaker 1: I had two sisters that would not give up. They 392 00:23:09,680 --> 00:23:13,280 Speaker 1: dared to believe that anything was possible. They rolled away 393 00:23:13,320 --> 00:23:17,240 Speaker 1: the stone. Jesus spoke life, and Lazarus came back from 394 00:23:17,280 --> 00:23:21,960 Speaker 1: the dead. Lazarus is saying to everyone that has situations 395 00:23:22,040 --> 00:23:25,600 Speaker 1: that look dead, it's not too late. It's not over. 396 00:23:26,040 --> 00:23:28,760 Speaker 1: God can still bring it back to life. God can 397 00:23:28,840 --> 00:23:33,760 Speaker 1: resurrect those dead dreams. Some of you have circumstances and 398 00:23:33,920 --> 00:23:36,200 Speaker 1: promises that you've kind of let go of and thought, 399 00:23:36,240 --> 00:23:38,600 Speaker 1: you know what, Joel, I'm too old. I've made too 400 00:23:38,640 --> 00:23:43,199 Speaker 1: many mistakes. I've missed too many good opportunities. Or maybe 401 00:23:43,240 --> 00:23:45,439 Speaker 1: in my health, Joel, I never had the energy to 402 00:23:45,480 --> 00:23:49,000 Speaker 1: do that. No, the same God that raised Lazarus is 403 00:23:49,040 --> 00:23:51,960 Speaker 1: about to bring back to life things that you've already 404 00:23:51,960 --> 00:23:56,359 Speaker 1: given up on. Listen twenty eleven is going to be 405 00:23:56,359 --> 00:23:59,160 Speaker 1: a resurrection year for you. It's gonna be a year 406 00:23:59,240 --> 00:24:02,760 Speaker 1: where opportunity, unities that you've missed come back across your path. 407 00:24:03,440 --> 00:24:04,959 Speaker 1: You need to get ready. You're going to see some 408 00:24:05,000 --> 00:24:07,680 Speaker 1: of those no I has seen, heard or imagine blessings. 409 00:24:08,040 --> 00:24:11,879 Speaker 1: That's God bringing back to life, resurrecting what you thought 410 00:24:12,000 --> 00:24:16,359 Speaker 1: was dead. One final man steps out of the grand stands. 411 00:24:16,600 --> 00:24:19,159 Speaker 1: He's a little smaller than the others, five foot seven. 412 00:24:19,720 --> 00:24:22,640 Speaker 1: He says, I'm here to encourage everyone that you can 413 00:24:22,720 --> 00:24:26,760 Speaker 1: overcome any obstacle. You see. I came from the poorest 414 00:24:26,840 --> 00:24:29,960 Speaker 1: of the poor families. I had no future to speak of. 415 00:24:30,520 --> 00:24:34,679 Speaker 1: I had no money, no education. But at seventeen I 416 00:24:34,760 --> 00:24:37,840 Speaker 1: gave my life to Christ and God took me places 417 00:24:37,840 --> 00:24:40,800 Speaker 1: that I've never dreamed of. That man is my father, 418 00:24:40,920 --> 00:24:46,560 Speaker 1: the founder of our church. I mentioned earlier how twelve 419 00:24:46,640 --> 00:24:49,639 Speaker 1: years ago today, Daddy went to heaven, and he's saying 420 00:24:49,640 --> 00:24:53,760 Speaker 1: to all of us, you're not limited by your education, 421 00:24:54,160 --> 00:24:58,080 Speaker 1: or your family, your background, your environment. You can rise higher, 422 00:24:58,560 --> 00:25:02,080 Speaker 1: you can go further. It may look impossible with men, 423 00:25:02,560 --> 00:25:05,840 Speaker 1: but it is still possible with God. I can hear 424 00:25:05,880 --> 00:25:09,520 Speaker 1: my father encourage us with that same poem that he 425 00:25:09,600 --> 00:25:12,960 Speaker 1: quoted so many times. Great it is to dream the 426 00:25:13,040 --> 00:25:16,840 Speaker 1: dream when you stand in youth by the story stream, 427 00:25:17,280 --> 00:25:21,760 Speaker 1: but a greater thing. It's a fight, fight, fight, fight, 428 00:25:22,000 --> 00:25:27,520 Speaker 1: fight like dreaming, and shave him the dreaming. It's true. Hell, 429 00:25:30,600 --> 00:25:39,040 Speaker 1: all right, all right VCD just a moment. My encouragement 430 00:25:39,080 --> 00:25:42,840 Speaker 1: to us today is we're not running alone. All the 431 00:25:42,880 --> 00:25:46,240 Speaker 1: saints of old are cheering for you, your loved ones 432 00:25:46,280 --> 00:25:48,840 Speaker 1: that have gone to be with the Lord. They're watching you. 433 00:25:48,960 --> 00:25:52,359 Speaker 1: They believe in you. They know you've got what it takes. 434 00:25:52,640 --> 00:25:55,320 Speaker 1: Now put your shoulders back, hold your head up high, 435 00:25:55,400 --> 00:25:58,600 Speaker 1: get a fresh new vision. If they could accomplish great 436 00:25:58,680 --> 00:26:02,480 Speaker 1: things without the modern conveniences that we have, think about 437 00:26:02,480 --> 00:26:05,640 Speaker 1: how much more we can do. Let's make them proud. 438 00:26:05,920 --> 00:26:08,879 Speaker 1: Let's give Heaven something to cheer about. Don't get stuck 439 00:26:08,880 --> 00:26:12,760 Speaker 1: in a rut. Rise higher, Go further than your relatives did. 440 00:26:13,400 --> 00:26:16,000 Speaker 1: You may have had some bad breaks, but don't let 441 00:26:16,040 --> 00:26:19,240 Speaker 1: that ruin your life. Stay in faith, knowing that double 442 00:26:19,359 --> 00:26:22,879 Speaker 1: is coming. And remember, like Ray have, you have not 443 00:26:23,080 --> 00:26:27,200 Speaker 1: made too many mistakes. You can begin again and still 444 00:26:27,200 --> 00:26:30,520 Speaker 1: do something great. If you will live life knowing that 445 00:26:30,560 --> 00:26:33,480 Speaker 1: all of Heaven is cheering you on. You'll run faster, 446 00:26:33,680 --> 00:26:37,159 Speaker 1: go further, accomplish more, and you will make Heaven proud. 447 00:26:37,560 --> 00:26:40,679 Speaker 1: And I believe and declare one day you'll be in 448 00:26:40,720 --> 00:26:43,400 Speaker 1: the grand stands cheering others on as one of those 449 00:26:43,440 --> 00:26:47,840 Speaker 1: heroes of faith. Amen till you receive it today. We 450 00:26:48,119 --> 00:26:50,639 Speaker 1: never like to close our broadcast without giving you an 451 00:26:50,640 --> 00:26:54,000 Speaker 1: opportunity to make Jesus the lord of your life. Would 452 00:26:54,040 --> 00:26:58,240 Speaker 1: you pray with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus, I'll repent 453 00:26:58,240 --> 00:27:02,960 Speaker 1: of my sins. Come into my heart. I make you 454 00:27:03,080 --> 00:27:07,360 Speaker 1: my Lord and savior. Friends, if you prayed that simple prayer, 455 00:27:07,440 --> 00:27:10,280 Speaker 1: we believe you got born again. Get in a good 456 00:27:10,359 --> 00:27:13,720 Speaker 1: Bible based church. Keep God first place. He'll take your 457 00:27:13,760 --> 00:27:15,320 Speaker 1: places that you've never dreamed of. 458 00:27:18,000 --> 00:27:20,879 Speaker 2: We all carry a mental picture of what our life 459 00:27:20,960 --> 00:27:27,119 Speaker 2: can be. Is yours limited? Do you picture yourself stuck? Inadequate, defeated? 460 00:27:27,520 --> 00:27:30,199 Speaker 2: Are you willing to change your mindset in order to 461 00:27:30,280 --> 00:27:32,760 Speaker 2: experience a life of blessing and abundance. 462 00:27:33,320 --> 00:27:35,960 Speaker 1: We all have a picture in our mind of ourself, 463 00:27:36,320 --> 00:27:39,960 Speaker 1: our family, our future. And if that picture is negative, 464 00:27:40,359 --> 00:27:43,560 Speaker 1: you see yourself at a disadvantage and your problem's too big. 465 00:27:43,760 --> 00:27:47,240 Speaker 1: It's gonna limit your life. A new book, The Abundance 466 00:27:47,320 --> 00:27:50,600 Speaker 1: Mindset will help you see yourself the right way. If 467 00:27:50,600 --> 00:27:55,400 Speaker 1: you'll change those negative pictures, start seeing yourself blessed, healthy, 468 00:27:55,720 --> 00:27:59,439 Speaker 1: rising high, or accomplishing dreams, then things will begin to 469 00:27:59,480 --> 00:28:01,919 Speaker 1: shift in your favor. You have to see it on 470 00:28:01,960 --> 00:28:05,200 Speaker 1: the inside before it'll come to pass on the outside. 471 00:28:05,560 --> 00:28:08,760 Speaker 1: We'll send you the Mindset Journal too. These tools will 472 00:28:08,800 --> 00:28:11,159 Speaker 1: help you get your inner vision in the right place 473 00:28:11,520 --> 00:28:14,520 Speaker 1: so you can move into the favor and blessing that 474 00:28:14,560 --> 00:28:15,399 Speaker 1: God has for you. 475 00:28:16,400 --> 00:28:18,640 Speaker 2: As our way of saying thank you for your gift 476 00:28:18,720 --> 00:28:21,240 Speaker 2: of any amount this month, we would like to send 477 00:28:21,280 --> 00:28:24,960 Speaker 2: you a copy of Joel's book The Abundance Mindset and 478 00:28:25,040 --> 00:28:29,960 Speaker 2: this inspiring Mindset Journal. Joel shares powerful scriptures and encouraging 479 00:28:30,040 --> 00:28:33,360 Speaker 2: thoughts about how to move from fairly enough to more 480 00:28:33,400 --> 00:28:37,240 Speaker 2: than enough, how to be someone else's miracle and experience 481 00:28:37,359 --> 00:28:40,280 Speaker 2: miracles in your own life. As you make the book 482 00:28:40,280 --> 00:28:43,040 Speaker 2: and journal a part of your daily walk, you'll be 483 00:28:43,160 --> 00:28:46,479 Speaker 2: built up every day regarding how to tap into God's 484 00:28:46,520 --> 00:28:49,920 Speaker 2: favor and blessing, how not to talk yourself out of 485 00:28:49,960 --> 00:28:53,239 Speaker 2: the dreams and opportunities He has already prepared for you, 486 00:28:53,680 --> 00:28:57,480 Speaker 2: how to experience life to the fullest. Request your copies 487 00:28:57,520 --> 00:29:00,360 Speaker 2: today and begin to see a new mental make sure 488 00:29:00,360 --> 00:29:05,000 Speaker 2: of yourself that will lead to new measures of blessing, favor, promotion, 489 00:29:05,400 --> 00:29:06,200 Speaker 2: and abundance. 490 00:29:06,720 --> 00:29:10,040 Speaker 1: Let's go into twenty twenty five with an abundant mindset. 491 00:29:10,440 --> 00:29:12,800 Speaker 1: I believe you're gonna see the goodness of God in 492 00:29:12,880 --> 00:29:15,560 Speaker 1: new ways. Victoria and I want you to know we 493 00:29:15,640 --> 00:29:18,600 Speaker 1: pray for you and your family every day for God's 494 00:29:18,720 --> 00:29:21,479 Speaker 1: very best. We want to thank you for your prayer 495 00:29:21,560 --> 00:29:25,080 Speaker 1: and support. You are impacting people all over the world. 496 00:29:25,520 --> 00:29:28,320 Speaker 1: A special thank you to our Championship Hope Partners for 497 00:29:28,440 --> 00:29:31,360 Speaker 1: your monthly support. If you're not a partner, I hope 498 00:29:31,360 --> 00:29:35,240 Speaker 1: you'll consider becoming one. Remember you can watch the services 499 00:29:35,280 --> 00:29:39,880 Speaker 1: online every Sunday morning, download our daily podcast, listen on 500 00:29:40,000 --> 00:29:45,000 Speaker 1: Serious Exam watch on YouTube. Also the new Joelostein Network 501 00:29:45,120 --> 00:29:48,720 Speaker 1: streaming on television twenty four hours a day. Until we 502 00:29:48,760 --> 00:29:51,640 Speaker 1: see you again, May the Lord bless you and keep you. 503 00:29:52,480 --> 00:29:55,760 Speaker 2: Be sure to request your copy of the Abundance Mindset 504 00:29:55,800 --> 00:30:00,400 Speaker 2: Book and Mindset Journal today. Visit Joelostein dot com or 505 00:30:00,520 --> 00:30:04,040 Speaker 2: call eight eight eight five six seven Joel for an 506 00:30:04,040 --> 00:30:07,800 Speaker 2: additional donation. This month, we are also offering His Goodness 507 00:30:08,040 --> 00:30:12,240 Speaker 2: Abundance Bowl. You can request this inspiring resource by calling 508 00:30:12,440 --> 00:30:15,760 Speaker 2: eight eight eight five six seven Joel. We're logging on 509 00:30:15,920 --> 00:30:18,040 Speaker 2: to joelosteam dot com today. 510 00:30:18,640 --> 00:30:22,160 Speaker 1: If you've never been to Lakewood, we have a great opportunity. 511 00:30:22,440 --> 00:30:26,000 Speaker 1: We called it Homecoming Weekend. We'd love to meet you 512 00:30:26,080 --> 00:30:29,440 Speaker 1: and your family. You can see the building and attend 513 00:30:29,440 --> 00:30:32,200 Speaker 1: one of the services. It's a great time to be 514 00:30:32,280 --> 00:30:34,600 Speaker 1: a part of the Lakewood family. Looking forward to seeing 515 00:30:34,640 --> 00:30:36,320 Speaker 1: you Homecoming Weekend.