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 --> 00:00:11,800 Speaker 1: share it with a friend. We appreciate you and pray 5 00:00:11,840 --> 00:00:16,239 Speaker 1: for God's very best in your life. Well, God bless you. 6 00:00:16,680 --> 00:00:18,960 Speaker 1: It's a joy to come into your homes, and if 7 00:00:18,960 --> 00:00:21,560 Speaker 1: you're ever in our area, please stop by and be 8 00:00:21,600 --> 00:00:23,200 Speaker 1: a part of one of our services. 9 00:00:23,320 --> 00:00:25,799 Speaker 2: I promise you we'll make you feel right at home. 10 00:00:26,520 --> 00:00:28,760 Speaker 1: I'd like to start with something funny and I heard 11 00:00:28,760 --> 00:00:31,840 Speaker 1: about this elderly couple. They were having a terrible time 12 00:00:31,880 --> 00:00:35,520 Speaker 1: with their memory. They went to the doctor. He instructed 13 00:00:35,520 --> 00:00:38,760 Speaker 1: them to start writing down everything they had been forgetting. 14 00:00:39,240 --> 00:00:42,040 Speaker 1: The next night, they were watching television. The wife said, 15 00:00:42,040 --> 00:00:44,720 Speaker 1: I sure would like a bowl of ice cream. Husband said, 16 00:00:44,720 --> 00:00:47,040 Speaker 1: I'll go get it for you. She said, honey, you 17 00:00:47,080 --> 00:00:48,320 Speaker 1: know what the doctor said. 18 00:00:48,440 --> 00:00:50,840 Speaker 2: You better write it down. He said, I'm just going 19 00:00:50,880 --> 00:00:52,800 Speaker 2: into the kitchen. I'm not gonna forget. 20 00:00:53,479 --> 00:00:55,920 Speaker 1: Came back a few minutes later handed her a plate 21 00:00:56,000 --> 00:00:59,200 Speaker 1: of bacon and eggs. She shook her head and said, 22 00:00:59,240 --> 00:01:03,680 Speaker 1: I should have known it. You forgot my toast. Say 23 00:01:03,720 --> 00:01:06,640 Speaker 1: it like you mean it. This is my Bible. I 24 00:01:06,680 --> 00:01:09,120 Speaker 1: am what it says I am. I have what it 25 00:01:09,160 --> 00:01:11,679 Speaker 1: says I have. I can do what it says I 26 00:01:11,720 --> 00:01:15,000 Speaker 1: can do. Today I will be taught the word of God. 27 00:01:15,440 --> 00:01:19,880 Speaker 1: I boldly confess my mind is alert, my heart is receptive. 28 00:01:20,240 --> 00:01:23,920 Speaker 1: I will never be the same. In Jesus' name, God 29 00:01:23,959 --> 00:01:27,280 Speaker 1: bless you. I want to talk to you today about 30 00:01:27,520 --> 00:01:31,679 Speaker 1: fever connections. When I was a teenager, I was pulled 31 00:01:31,680 --> 00:01:35,440 Speaker 1: over by a police officer for driving too fast. When 32 00:01:35,480 --> 00:01:38,600 Speaker 1: he saw the name on my license, he asked if 33 00:01:38,680 --> 00:01:41,920 Speaker 1: I was related to the pastor that he watched on 34 00:01:41,959 --> 00:01:45,119 Speaker 1: television each week. I told him that was my father. 35 00:01:45,840 --> 00:01:49,000 Speaker 1: He gave me my license back, told me to slow down, 36 00:01:49,240 --> 00:01:53,480 Speaker 1: and said I could go. I received fevor because of 37 00:01:53,520 --> 00:01:57,560 Speaker 1: who I was connected to. Wasn't anything I did. I 38 00:01:57,720 --> 00:02:00,160 Speaker 1: just happened to be the son of a man that 39 00:02:00,280 --> 00:02:04,160 Speaker 1: was favored. Because I was in relationship with him, his 40 00:02:04,360 --> 00:02:09,160 Speaker 1: favor spilled over onto me. The scripture says Noah found 41 00:02:09,240 --> 00:02:13,040 Speaker 1: favor with the Lord when a great flood covered the earth, 42 00:02:13,440 --> 00:02:16,040 Speaker 1: Noah's family were the only ones saved. 43 00:02:16,639 --> 00:02:18,480 Speaker 2: That never says his sons. 44 00:02:18,160 --> 00:02:22,120 Speaker 1: Had favor or his daughters had favor, but because they 45 00:02:22,120 --> 00:02:25,240 Speaker 1: were connected to Noah, their lives were spared. 46 00:02:25,960 --> 00:02:29,240 Speaker 2: The principle is when you're connected. 47 00:02:28,680 --> 00:02:32,040 Speaker 1: To people that are favored, people that are further along, 48 00:02:32,520 --> 00:02:35,920 Speaker 1: people that are more successful, that favor is going to 49 00:02:35,919 --> 00:02:40,440 Speaker 1: flow down to you. You'll see increased promotion because of 50 00:02:40,440 --> 00:02:44,960 Speaker 1: that association. There should be people you're in relationship with 51 00:02:45,400 --> 00:02:49,560 Speaker 1: that inspire you, that challenge you, that make you strive 52 00:02:49,800 --> 00:02:50,519 Speaker 1: to do better. 53 00:02:51,200 --> 00:02:53,400 Speaker 2: When you're connected to someone that's. 54 00:02:53,280 --> 00:02:57,760 Speaker 1: Blessed, you honor them, you learn from them, you sow 55 00:02:57,840 --> 00:03:01,000 Speaker 1: into them. The more blessed they are, the more blessed 56 00:03:01,000 --> 00:03:04,160 Speaker 1: you're going to be. Eventually you're going to look like 57 00:03:04,560 --> 00:03:09,000 Speaker 1: who you're connected to. The question is are you connected 58 00:03:09,040 --> 00:03:12,680 Speaker 1: to anyone that has what you want? Or are you 59 00:03:12,760 --> 00:03:17,440 Speaker 1: connected to people that are negative, critical, can't get ahead, 60 00:03:17,919 --> 00:03:18,520 Speaker 1: cause you to. 61 00:03:18,440 --> 00:03:20,239 Speaker 2: Compromise, drain your energy. 62 00:03:21,040 --> 00:03:23,680 Speaker 1: It's fine to be a good influence, it's fine to 63 00:03:23,880 --> 00:03:27,720 Speaker 1: encourage them, but if you're spending all your time with them, 64 00:03:28,200 --> 00:03:31,679 Speaker 1: the problem is you're going to become just like them. 65 00:03:32,160 --> 00:03:34,280 Speaker 2: They're rubbing off on you. 66 00:03:34,280 --> 00:03:38,240 Speaker 1: You need to disconnect from people that are hindering your growth, 67 00:03:39,040 --> 00:03:43,440 Speaker 1: limiting your potential, causing you to compromise and find some 68 00:03:43,560 --> 00:03:44,920 Speaker 1: fever connections. 69 00:03:45,240 --> 00:03:46,160 Speaker 2: People that are. 70 00:03:45,960 --> 00:03:49,800 Speaker 1: Going places, people that are at another level, people that 71 00:03:49,960 --> 00:03:53,960 Speaker 1: have what you're dreaming about. You need some eagles in 72 00:03:54,000 --> 00:03:57,880 Speaker 1: your life. You cannot hang around with chickens and reach 73 00:03:57,920 --> 00:04:02,520 Speaker 1: your destiny. You can't spend all your free time with crows, 74 00:04:02,840 --> 00:04:07,880 Speaker 1: people that complain or turkeys, people that have accepted mediocrity. 75 00:04:08,560 --> 00:04:11,800 Speaker 1: You need people who are soaring, people that are taking 76 00:04:11,880 --> 00:04:15,360 Speaker 1: new ground, people that are out of debt, that think 77 00:04:15,440 --> 00:04:19,000 Speaker 1: bigger than you, people that are exposing you to levels 78 00:04:19,200 --> 00:04:22,680 Speaker 1: that you've never seen. A few years ago, I went 79 00:04:22,720 --> 00:04:26,360 Speaker 1: to this meeting with a man that runs television networks, 80 00:04:26,560 --> 00:04:30,640 Speaker 1: a friend of mine. They were negotiating a contract for programming. 81 00:04:31,040 --> 00:04:35,120 Speaker 1: He said, I want to offer eighty million dollars. Almost 82 00:04:35,120 --> 00:04:37,560 Speaker 1: fell out of my chair. I thought it was a 83 00:04:37,560 --> 00:04:40,560 Speaker 1: big deal that we have spent eighty thousand dollars to 84 00:04:40,640 --> 00:04:42,159 Speaker 1: buy a screen for the church. 85 00:04:42,640 --> 00:04:44,560 Speaker 2: They talked about these huge. 86 00:04:44,279 --> 00:04:47,800 Speaker 1: Numbers like I talked about buying a pair of tennis shoes. 87 00:04:48,520 --> 00:04:52,599 Speaker 1: I didn't realize it, but God was expanding my vision. 88 00:04:53,120 --> 00:04:56,080 Speaker 2: He was using that man to enlarge my thinking. 89 00:04:56,920 --> 00:04:59,800 Speaker 1: After the meeting, I was about to tell him whow 90 00:05:00,320 --> 00:05:04,159 Speaker 1: those were some incredibly big numbers. I felt something right 91 00:05:04,240 --> 00:05:06,240 Speaker 1: down in here. Say Joel, zip it up. 92 00:05:07,520 --> 00:05:10,719 Speaker 2: When God puts you with a bunch of eagles. 93 00:05:10,279 --> 00:05:15,599 Speaker 1: Don't have a chicken mentality. Don't start talking about how 94 00:05:15,680 --> 00:05:18,680 Speaker 1: you've never seen anything like that, how that could never 95 00:05:18,800 --> 00:05:22,400 Speaker 1: happen for you. Let it take root on the inside, 96 00:05:23,200 --> 00:05:26,760 Speaker 1: Breathe it in, get used to it. That's where God 97 00:05:26,960 --> 00:05:30,960 Speaker 1: is taking you. That's why he's exposing you to new levels. 98 00:05:31,520 --> 00:05:34,480 Speaker 1: Not to just impress you, not to just show you 99 00:05:34,560 --> 00:05:37,720 Speaker 1: how the other half live, but to get you prepared 100 00:05:37,960 --> 00:05:41,560 Speaker 1: in your thinking. You have to make room for the 101 00:05:41,640 --> 00:05:44,960 Speaker 1: new things God has in store. If you live with 102 00:05:45,080 --> 00:05:49,039 Speaker 1: a limited vision, thinking it could never happen it's too 103 00:05:49,080 --> 00:05:50,640 Speaker 1: far out, then you're right. 104 00:05:51,000 --> 00:05:52,120 Speaker 2: It's not going to happen. 105 00:05:52,800 --> 00:05:57,200 Speaker 1: You'll never go where you can't accept. And God gave 106 00:05:57,200 --> 00:06:00,600 Speaker 1: you that favor connection to give you a glimpse into 107 00:06:00,640 --> 00:06:03,520 Speaker 1: the next level, to show you where He's about to 108 00:06:03,600 --> 00:06:06,760 Speaker 1: take you. Now do your part and get in agreement 109 00:06:06,800 --> 00:06:11,040 Speaker 1: with God. About five years after that meeting, we acquired 110 00:06:11,080 --> 00:06:14,640 Speaker 1: this place, the former Compact Center, And when I found 111 00:06:14,680 --> 00:06:17,560 Speaker 1: out it was going to cost about one hundred and 112 00:06:17,640 --> 00:06:22,200 Speaker 1: twenty million dollars to purchase and renovate. I didn't fall apart. 113 00:06:22,839 --> 00:06:25,800 Speaker 1: I wasn't intimidated. I thought, God, you did. 114 00:06:25,640 --> 00:06:27,520 Speaker 2: It for my friend, you can do it for me. 115 00:06:28,600 --> 00:06:32,520 Speaker 1: But had I not connected with that man, had I 116 00:06:32,560 --> 00:06:35,360 Speaker 1: only spent time with people at my same level, I 117 00:06:35,400 --> 00:06:39,279 Speaker 1: wouldn't be here. My mind wouldn't have been prepared. You 118 00:06:39,440 --> 00:06:43,200 Speaker 1: need people that think bigger than you, that dream bigger, 119 00:06:43,440 --> 00:06:47,240 Speaker 1: that believe bigger. If you're the smartest one in your group, 120 00:06:47,680 --> 00:06:48,440 Speaker 1: your group. 121 00:06:48,240 --> 00:06:49,800 Speaker 2: Is too small. 122 00:06:49,960 --> 00:06:53,560 Speaker 1: God has already lined up these favor connections for you, 123 00:06:54,040 --> 00:06:57,800 Speaker 1: people that are ordained to help you go further. In 124 00:06:57,880 --> 00:07:02,200 Speaker 1: the scripture, Naomi and Rue were both widows. They were 125 00:07:02,200 --> 00:07:06,320 Speaker 1: living in Bethlehem, very poor. Ruth would go out into 126 00:07:06,360 --> 00:07:10,080 Speaker 1: the fields each morning and pick up leftover wheat. It 127 00:07:10,120 --> 00:07:13,440 Speaker 1: looked like this was their destiny, to just barely survive. 128 00:07:14,240 --> 00:07:17,800 Speaker 1: But Naomi saw a man named Boaz. He was the 129 00:07:17,840 --> 00:07:20,800 Speaker 1: owner of all the fields, one of the wealthiest men 130 00:07:20,920 --> 00:07:25,480 Speaker 1: in that area. She not only recognized the favor on 131 00:07:25,600 --> 00:07:29,720 Speaker 1: his life, but she respected it. She told Ruth, I 132 00:07:29,760 --> 00:07:33,040 Speaker 1: want you to dress up, put on perfume, and go 133 00:07:33,120 --> 00:07:37,680 Speaker 1: meet this man. She was saying, in effect, Boaz has favor. 134 00:07:38,000 --> 00:07:39,800 Speaker 2: We need to connect with him. 135 00:07:40,360 --> 00:07:43,880 Speaker 1: Ruth not only met Boaz, but they fell in love 136 00:07:44,280 --> 00:07:49,360 Speaker 1: and eventually were married. Because she connected with someone with favor, 137 00:07:49,680 --> 00:07:53,840 Speaker 1: she had more favor than she ever imagined. When you 138 00:07:53,920 --> 00:07:58,320 Speaker 1: recognize the favor on a person's life and you respect 139 00:07:58,360 --> 00:08:02,880 Speaker 1: that favor by connecting with it, by honoring them, learning 140 00:08:02,920 --> 00:08:07,200 Speaker 1: from them, that favor will come back to you. Naomi 141 00:08:07,240 --> 00:08:10,360 Speaker 1: could have thought, oh, bo As he's wealthy, he's busy, 142 00:08:10,520 --> 00:08:11,040 Speaker 1: not going to have. 143 00:08:11,000 --> 00:08:12,200 Speaker 2: Anything to do with us. 144 00:08:12,840 --> 00:08:16,240 Speaker 1: She could have dismissed it and just stayed with the 145 00:08:16,280 --> 00:08:17,720 Speaker 1: friends where she was comfortable. 146 00:08:18,160 --> 00:08:19,720 Speaker 2: We wouldn't be talking about her. 147 00:08:20,200 --> 00:08:24,840 Speaker 1: She recognized Boaz was an eagle, and she was willing 148 00:08:24,880 --> 00:08:27,320 Speaker 1: to get out of her comfort zone. 149 00:08:27,480 --> 00:08:29,920 Speaker 2: No doubt, she had to break away from a few. 150 00:08:29,840 --> 00:08:33,880 Speaker 1: Chickens spend less time with a couple turkeys. She took 151 00:08:33,960 --> 00:08:37,960 Speaker 1: these steps of faith and connected with an ego. That's 152 00:08:38,000 --> 00:08:40,720 Speaker 1: what opened new doors and took her and root to 153 00:08:40,760 --> 00:08:44,400 Speaker 1: a new level. Are there favor connections God has put 154 00:08:44,440 --> 00:08:48,400 Speaker 1: in your life that you're overlooking people that have what you. 155 00:08:48,440 --> 00:08:50,440 Speaker 2: Want that are further along. 156 00:08:51,040 --> 00:08:56,120 Speaker 1: Don't be intimidated by their success. Be inspired. God put 157 00:08:56,160 --> 00:09:00,319 Speaker 1: them there so you could connect. If you will honor them, 158 00:09:00,600 --> 00:09:05,160 Speaker 1: learn from them. Then, because you're connected to someone with 159 00:09:05,240 --> 00:09:09,559 Speaker 1: more favor, more influence, more vision, like Ruth in Naomi, 160 00:09:10,040 --> 00:09:13,320 Speaker 1: that favor will flow down to you. You will see 161 00:09:13,600 --> 00:09:17,680 Speaker 1: new doors open, influence in greater ways, Promotion that you 162 00:09:17,720 --> 00:09:21,240 Speaker 1: couldn't have reached on your own, it came because of 163 00:09:21,280 --> 00:09:25,600 Speaker 1: a favor connection. See what you sew into you're going 164 00:09:25,679 --> 00:09:30,160 Speaker 1: to reap. If you sow into worry connections, people that 165 00:09:30,200 --> 00:09:33,160 Speaker 1: are always upset, anxious, worried, you're. 166 00:09:33,000 --> 00:09:34,520 Speaker 2: Going to reap worry. 167 00:09:34,679 --> 00:09:38,920 Speaker 1: If you sow into compromised connections, people that are pulling 168 00:09:38,960 --> 00:09:42,040 Speaker 1: you down, causing you to give in to temptation, you're 169 00:09:42,040 --> 00:09:46,280 Speaker 1: going to reap compromise. If you sow into gossip connections, 170 00:09:46,559 --> 00:09:51,600 Speaker 1: critical connections, people that talk bad about the boss, complain 171 00:09:51,679 --> 00:09:56,880 Speaker 1: about life, you're going to reap a negative, limited, discouraging life. 172 00:09:57,440 --> 00:09:58,840 Speaker 2: But if you sow. 173 00:09:58,720 --> 00:10:06,319 Speaker 1: Into these connections into eagles, into people that are blessed, successful, happy, 174 00:10:06,800 --> 00:10:09,120 Speaker 1: people that have been where you want to go, that 175 00:10:09,200 --> 00:10:13,400 Speaker 1: are out of debt, building orphanages, paying off people's houses, 176 00:10:13,679 --> 00:10:18,840 Speaker 1: expanding their businesses, you're going to reap favor, increase new levels. 177 00:10:19,880 --> 00:10:23,960 Speaker 1: We all have our friends, we have peers, Hopefully we 178 00:10:24,000 --> 00:10:28,280 Speaker 1: have people we're helping, people were mentoring. That's important, but 179 00:10:28,440 --> 00:10:32,240 Speaker 1: we should have a few of these favor connections, people 180 00:10:32,280 --> 00:10:35,600 Speaker 1: that are far ahead of us in the natural. It 181 00:10:35,640 --> 00:10:39,679 Speaker 1: looks like we could never get there. That connection is 182 00:10:39,720 --> 00:10:42,520 Speaker 1: the seed God is going to use to take you 183 00:10:42,800 --> 00:10:46,280 Speaker 1: where you've never dreamed. A pastor friend of mine here 184 00:10:46,320 --> 00:10:50,000 Speaker 1: in Houston had a church of several hundred people. He 185 00:10:50,120 --> 00:10:53,160 Speaker 1: started it fifteen years ago and they had been at 186 00:10:53,200 --> 00:10:56,040 Speaker 1: that same number for years. It looked like they had 187 00:10:56,080 --> 00:10:59,520 Speaker 1: reached their limits. That's all they'd ever had. He saw 188 00:10:59,600 --> 00:11:04,120 Speaker 1: this pastor in California that had a large church. He 189 00:11:04,200 --> 00:11:07,360 Speaker 1: was so impressed by it. He flew out there just 190 00:11:07,400 --> 00:11:12,040 Speaker 1: to attend a service. He sat in the auditorium, looked around, 191 00:11:12,440 --> 00:11:17,079 Speaker 1: breathed it all in. Was very inspiring, never seeing anything 192 00:11:17,160 --> 00:11:20,720 Speaker 1: that large. After the service, he was able to meet 193 00:11:20,760 --> 00:11:24,679 Speaker 1: the pastor. He gave him a small donation that his 194 00:11:24,800 --> 00:11:29,040 Speaker 1: church had taken up for their ministry. Every month, he 195 00:11:29,160 --> 00:11:32,800 Speaker 1: started flying out to California just to attend a service 196 00:11:33,160 --> 00:11:36,520 Speaker 1: and give a donation. He had plenty of pastor of 197 00:11:36,559 --> 00:11:39,640 Speaker 1: friends here in Houston, had good members in his church, 198 00:11:40,040 --> 00:11:41,080 Speaker 1: had a great family. 199 00:11:41,840 --> 00:11:45,640 Speaker 2: But he understood to reach a new level, you have 200 00:11:45,760 --> 00:11:48,040 Speaker 2: to have some fever connections. 201 00:11:48,600 --> 00:11:52,800 Speaker 1: You need to be so in time, energy, resources, honor 202 00:11:53,360 --> 00:11:57,679 Speaker 1: into people that have what you want. The anointing you 203 00:11:57,840 --> 00:12:03,320 Speaker 1: respect is the anointing you will attract. This man sewed 204 00:12:03,520 --> 00:12:07,360 Speaker 1: into a vision much larger than his. He could have 205 00:12:07,400 --> 00:12:10,920 Speaker 1: been jealous of the man, intimidated, competitive. 206 00:12:11,280 --> 00:12:14,800 Speaker 2: Instead, he celebrated what he was doing. He cheered him on. 207 00:12:15,800 --> 00:12:19,520 Speaker 1: It wasn't long before his church started to grow. He 208 00:12:19,559 --> 00:12:22,840 Speaker 1: went from three hundred to five hundred, from five hundred 209 00:12:22,920 --> 00:12:26,640 Speaker 1: to a thousand, from a thousand to several thousand. Now 210 00:12:26,960 --> 00:12:29,760 Speaker 1: his church is larger than the church in California. 211 00:12:29,880 --> 00:12:30,960 Speaker 2: He outgrew that man. 212 00:12:31,520 --> 00:12:34,240 Speaker 1: I don't believe it would have happened if he had 213 00:12:34,240 --> 00:12:38,280 Speaker 1: not sown into his ministry. Now I don't mean just finances. 214 00:12:38,559 --> 00:12:44,800 Speaker 1: He sewed honor, respect, encouragement. He valued and esteemed what 215 00:12:44,960 --> 00:12:46,000 Speaker 1: that man had built. 216 00:12:46,760 --> 00:12:47,880 Speaker 2: But when we see. 217 00:12:47,679 --> 00:12:52,600 Speaker 1: People that are more successful, more talented, more blessed, it's 218 00:12:52,679 --> 00:12:57,560 Speaker 1: easy to get jealous. Try to compete, discredit them, talk 219 00:12:57,600 --> 00:13:01,000 Speaker 1: about what they're doing wrong, how they're not talented, they're 220 00:13:01,040 --> 00:13:01,600 Speaker 1: just lucky. 221 00:13:01,920 --> 00:13:02,600 Speaker 2: Here's the key. 222 00:13:03,080 --> 00:13:06,880 Speaker 1: If you can't celebrate other people's success, you will never 223 00:13:06,920 --> 00:13:11,200 Speaker 1: get to where they are. If you get jealous, try 224 00:13:11,240 --> 00:13:15,560 Speaker 1: to outperform them, intimidated, you'll get stuck. 225 00:13:15,880 --> 00:13:17,040 Speaker 2: It's a test. 226 00:13:17,480 --> 00:13:22,200 Speaker 1: God brings these favor connections across our path. Are you 227 00:13:22,320 --> 00:13:25,680 Speaker 1: secure enough in who you are to honor them, to 228 00:13:25,760 --> 00:13:29,800 Speaker 1: respect them, to cheer them on, or will your pride 229 00:13:29,960 --> 00:13:33,880 Speaker 1: keep you from connecting with their favor. The problem is 230 00:13:34,160 --> 00:13:38,760 Speaker 1: your destiny is tied to certain people. When you connect 231 00:13:38,800 --> 00:13:41,560 Speaker 1: with the favor on their life, that's going to cause 232 00:13:41,600 --> 00:13:45,359 Speaker 1: you to rise higher. But if we want humble ourselves, 233 00:13:45,720 --> 00:13:48,200 Speaker 1: if we think I'm as smart as them, I'm not 234 00:13:48,240 --> 00:13:50,760 Speaker 1: going to celebrate them, Joel, they should be celebrating me. 235 00:13:51,160 --> 00:13:52,679 Speaker 2: That's going to limit our growth. 236 00:13:53,559 --> 00:13:57,160 Speaker 1: What you're connected to eventually is going to come back 237 00:13:57,160 --> 00:14:00,760 Speaker 1: to you. Don't be small minded where you have to 238 00:14:00,800 --> 00:14:04,440 Speaker 1: be the smartest one in your circle. If you're only 239 00:14:04,520 --> 00:14:08,080 Speaker 1: sowing into your level, then your level is all that's 240 00:14:08,080 --> 00:14:11,880 Speaker 1: going to come back. You need to sow into where 241 00:14:11,920 --> 00:14:15,880 Speaker 1: you want to go. Swallow your pride and so honor 242 00:14:16,160 --> 00:14:21,160 Speaker 1: into that supervisor at work, So respect into that colleague 243 00:14:21,320 --> 00:14:24,920 Speaker 1: that's really talented. They're not in your life by accident. 244 00:14:25,360 --> 00:14:29,280 Speaker 1: God put them there as a favor connection As you 245 00:14:29,360 --> 00:14:33,440 Speaker 1: connect to them, new doors will open for you, New 246 00:14:33,480 --> 00:14:37,200 Speaker 1: talents will come out, new levels. They are instrumental in 247 00:14:37,320 --> 00:14:41,320 Speaker 1: you reaching the fullness of your destiny. But too often 248 00:14:41,600 --> 00:14:45,240 Speaker 1: when we see someone that's further along, someone that's more blessed, 249 00:14:45,600 --> 00:14:49,560 Speaker 1: instead of being inspired, we can get discouraged, thinking we 250 00:14:49,600 --> 00:14:53,720 Speaker 1: could never get there. God wouldn't have brought them across 251 00:14:53,760 --> 00:14:56,840 Speaker 1: your path if he wasn't about to take you higher. 252 00:14:57,320 --> 00:15:00,560 Speaker 1: The favor on their life is an indication of what 253 00:15:00,600 --> 00:15:02,120 Speaker 1: God is about to do in yours. 254 00:15:03,120 --> 00:15:04,520 Speaker 2: In the scripture, when. 255 00:15:04,320 --> 00:15:08,720 Speaker 1: They poured oil on erin the high priests on his head, 256 00:15:09,040 --> 00:15:12,040 Speaker 1: it flowed down to the rest of his body. This 257 00:15:12,160 --> 00:15:17,360 Speaker 1: is symbolic. Oil represents favor. When you're connected with people 258 00:15:17,440 --> 00:15:20,960 Speaker 1: with favor, the more blessed they are, the more blessed 259 00:15:20,960 --> 00:15:21,280 Speaker 1: you'll be. 260 00:15:21,560 --> 00:15:23,320 Speaker 2: That oil will flow down to you. 261 00:15:24,320 --> 00:15:27,960 Speaker 1: When we understand this, it's easy to celebrate those that 262 00:15:28,040 --> 00:15:32,800 Speaker 1: are ahead. We know because we're honoring them, sewing into 263 00:15:32,840 --> 00:15:37,600 Speaker 1: them as they rise higher. Because we're connected, we're going 264 00:15:37,640 --> 00:15:40,280 Speaker 1: to rise higher. That favor is going to flow down 265 00:15:40,360 --> 00:15:44,160 Speaker 1: to us. Like that pastor. There will be times where 266 00:15:44,200 --> 00:15:49,240 Speaker 1: you surpass what you're honoring, you overtake what you're celebrating. 267 00:15:50,000 --> 00:15:53,440 Speaker 1: When I first started ministering, I was very nervous and 268 00:15:53,640 --> 00:15:57,479 Speaker 1: unsure of myself. I didn't have the training or the experience. 269 00:15:57,960 --> 00:16:01,840 Speaker 1: But there were several very prompt ministers that I knew 270 00:16:01,960 --> 00:16:06,440 Speaker 1: from growing up. I listened to their messages over and over. 271 00:16:07,000 --> 00:16:10,040 Speaker 1: I would send them notes telling them how much they 272 00:16:10,080 --> 00:16:14,160 Speaker 1: had helped me and how much I admired and respected them. 273 00:16:14,840 --> 00:16:18,080 Speaker 1: This one man, at least to me, he was a legend. 274 00:16:18,560 --> 00:16:21,200 Speaker 1: He was so far ahead of me. I was amazed 275 00:16:21,200 --> 00:16:25,040 Speaker 1: at what he'd accomplished and how respected he was. I 276 00:16:25,080 --> 00:16:29,640 Speaker 1: say this with humility, But now, nearly twenty years later, 277 00:16:29,960 --> 00:16:31,800 Speaker 1: God has taken me further than him. 278 00:16:32,480 --> 00:16:33,320 Speaker 2: What am I saying? 279 00:16:33,880 --> 00:16:37,160 Speaker 1: When you celebrate those that are ahead of you, you 280 00:16:37,280 --> 00:16:41,240 Speaker 1: show honor, respect, then some of the favor on them 281 00:16:41,640 --> 00:16:43,400 Speaker 1: is going to come back to you. 282 00:16:43,400 --> 00:16:45,880 Speaker 2: You'll look up and think, how did I get here? 283 00:16:46,480 --> 00:16:50,600 Speaker 1: Part of it is the favor connection you connected with 284 00:16:50,720 --> 00:16:54,520 Speaker 1: someone that was where you wanted to go. That's why 285 00:16:55,040 --> 00:16:57,000 Speaker 1: you don't have to compete with people. 286 00:16:57,560 --> 00:16:59,720 Speaker 2: You don't have to try to outperform them. 287 00:17:00,240 --> 00:17:05,240 Speaker 1: You're not in competition with anyone except yourself. Let where 288 00:17:05,280 --> 00:17:08,280 Speaker 1: they are inspire you to be the best that you 289 00:17:08,359 --> 00:17:12,120 Speaker 1: can be. Like iron sharpens iron, they can sharpen you, 290 00:17:12,520 --> 00:17:16,160 Speaker 1: they can make you better. But when we start competing, 291 00:17:16,520 --> 00:17:19,439 Speaker 1: before long, we get jealous, fine fault. 292 00:17:19,760 --> 00:17:22,320 Speaker 2: Try to discredit. Here's the key. 293 00:17:22,960 --> 00:17:26,879 Speaker 1: Pulling somebody else down will never make you rise higher. 294 00:17:27,680 --> 00:17:32,960 Speaker 1: Trying to make them look bad. Spreading rumors, magnifying their falls. 295 00:17:32,720 --> 00:17:33,560 Speaker 2: May feel good. 296 00:17:34,119 --> 00:17:37,760 Speaker 1: The problem is it's going to boomerang and come right. 297 00:17:37,600 --> 00:17:38,320 Speaker 2: Back to us. 298 00:17:38,960 --> 00:17:43,280 Speaker 1: If you sow disrespect, you'll reap disrespect. If you sew 299 00:17:43,800 --> 00:17:48,080 Speaker 1: spreading rumors, stirring up trouble, that's what you'll reap. A 300 00:17:48,160 --> 00:17:51,920 Speaker 1: much better approach is to celebrate those. 301 00:17:51,680 --> 00:17:52,400 Speaker 2: That are ahead. 302 00:17:52,760 --> 00:17:56,800 Speaker 1: How do you know they're not a favor connection, somebody 303 00:17:56,840 --> 00:17:59,000 Speaker 1: God brought into your life so that. 304 00:17:59,000 --> 00:18:00,120 Speaker 2: You could rise higher. 305 00:18:00,760 --> 00:18:05,120 Speaker 1: If you're jealous, competitive, then you're letting what God meant 306 00:18:05,160 --> 00:18:08,200 Speaker 1: for your good to become something that's holding you back. 307 00:18:08,920 --> 00:18:09,720 Speaker 2: Turn it around. 308 00:18:10,040 --> 00:18:13,920 Speaker 1: Let's be people that celebrate success, that learn from those 309 00:18:13,960 --> 00:18:16,959 Speaker 1: that are ahead, that honor people that are blessed with 310 00:18:17,000 --> 00:18:21,800 Speaker 1: more influence. Elijah in the scripture was a great prophet 311 00:18:22,080 --> 00:18:26,040 Speaker 1: did amazing miracles. One day he was walking by a field, 312 00:18:26,600 --> 00:18:30,720 Speaker 1: he saw a young man named Elisha out plowing. He 313 00:18:30,800 --> 00:18:34,040 Speaker 1: told him to leave his animals and come with him. Well, 314 00:18:34,080 --> 00:18:37,240 Speaker 1: Elisha came from a well to do family. I'm sure 315 00:18:37,280 --> 00:18:41,240 Speaker 1: he had goals and dreams. Elijah wanted him to become 316 00:18:41,320 --> 00:18:44,840 Speaker 1: his assistant, basically, take care of him, bring him food, 317 00:18:45,040 --> 00:18:49,040 Speaker 1: set up his tent, feed his animals. Elisha could have thought, 318 00:18:49,080 --> 00:18:52,199 Speaker 1: no thanks, I'll stay here at my own place. He 319 00:18:52,200 --> 00:18:56,160 Speaker 1: could have been too proud, but he recognized the fever 320 00:18:56,440 --> 00:18:57,560 Speaker 1: on Elijah's life. 321 00:18:58,119 --> 00:18:59,880 Speaker 2: He respected his anointing. 322 00:19:00,560 --> 00:19:05,040 Speaker 1: He wasn't jealous, He didn't get bitter because he offered 323 00:19:05,080 --> 00:19:09,000 Speaker 1: him what seemed to be a low level position. For years, 324 00:19:09,560 --> 00:19:14,360 Speaker 1: he served Elijah with honor, watching after him, making sure 325 00:19:14,440 --> 00:19:18,520 Speaker 1: he was comfortable. What you sew into is what you're 326 00:19:18,560 --> 00:19:22,959 Speaker 1: going to reap. When you sew into someone with great favor, 327 00:19:23,000 --> 00:19:25,560 Speaker 1: you're going to reap some of that favor. When you 328 00:19:25,680 --> 00:19:29,600 Speaker 1: honor someone that has more influence, some of that influence 329 00:19:29,680 --> 00:19:32,879 Speaker 1: is going to come back to you. I'm sure Elisha's 330 00:19:32,960 --> 00:19:36,440 Speaker 1: friends came around saying, Elisha, what are you still doing 331 00:19:36,480 --> 00:19:40,280 Speaker 1: here serving this old man. You have your own dreams. 332 00:19:40,359 --> 00:19:43,200 Speaker 1: Why don't you start your own ministry? He's holding you back. 333 00:19:43,960 --> 00:19:46,159 Speaker 1: He could have let them talk him out of it, 334 00:19:46,560 --> 00:19:48,800 Speaker 1: thought he was wasting his time, but he. 335 00:19:48,880 --> 00:19:51,840 Speaker 2: Just kept on sewing, honoring. 336 00:19:51,640 --> 00:19:56,639 Speaker 1: Respecting the favor connection. Well, eventually Elijah was taken to 337 00:19:56,680 --> 00:20:01,760 Speaker 1: heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha received a double portion. 338 00:20:01,640 --> 00:20:02,560 Speaker 2: Of his anointing. 339 00:20:02,960 --> 00:20:05,679 Speaker 1: He didn't just get the favor on Elijah's life, he 340 00:20:05,800 --> 00:20:10,359 Speaker 1: got twice the favor. Some of these favor connections that 341 00:20:10,440 --> 00:20:15,119 Speaker 1: you're sowing into, giving, serving, honoring, your time is coming. 342 00:20:15,720 --> 00:20:18,159 Speaker 1: Like with Elisha, you're not just going to go to 343 00:20:18,200 --> 00:20:19,240 Speaker 1: the level where they are. 344 00:20:19,359 --> 00:20:20,399 Speaker 2: You're going to go further. 345 00:20:21,119 --> 00:20:26,120 Speaker 1: Double the influence, double the favor, double the resources. This 346 00:20:26,200 --> 00:20:29,320 Speaker 1: is why the enemy works overtime to try to get 347 00:20:29,400 --> 00:20:32,960 Speaker 1: us jealous of each other, competing, trying to pull each 348 00:20:33,000 --> 00:20:33,520 Speaker 1: other down. 349 00:20:33,880 --> 00:20:36,240 Speaker 2: He wants us to get stuck where we are. 350 00:20:37,040 --> 00:20:41,240 Speaker 1: It's very freeing when you can celebrate those that are ahead, 351 00:20:41,920 --> 00:20:45,480 Speaker 1: knowing that the seeds you sow into them, the honor, 352 00:20:45,520 --> 00:20:48,560 Speaker 1: the respect, the resources are going to come back to you. 353 00:20:49,480 --> 00:20:53,840 Speaker 1: But if you're only sowing into horizontal relationships people at 354 00:20:53,880 --> 00:20:57,320 Speaker 1: your same level, then you're going to see horizontal favor. 355 00:20:57,960 --> 00:21:00,320 Speaker 1: But when you're secure enough in who you are are 356 00:21:00,680 --> 00:21:03,960 Speaker 1: to sow into vertical relationships people that are. 357 00:21:03,880 --> 00:21:04,879 Speaker 2: Ahead of you. 358 00:21:04,880 --> 00:21:08,560 Speaker 1: You're going to read some of this vertical favor. Many 359 00:21:08,720 --> 00:21:13,600 Speaker 1: pastors sow into our ministry. They faithfully support and attend 360 00:21:13,600 --> 00:21:17,320 Speaker 1: to our events. They tell me again and again how 361 00:21:17,359 --> 00:21:20,760 Speaker 1: when they connected with us, their church started growing in 362 00:21:20,840 --> 00:21:25,320 Speaker 1: new ways. One man told me recently, since twenty twelve, 363 00:21:25,680 --> 00:21:28,400 Speaker 1: he has gone from two hundred people to over six 364 00:21:28,480 --> 00:21:31,920 Speaker 1: thousand people. He said, Joel, I can pinpoint the exact 365 00:21:31,960 --> 00:21:35,040 Speaker 1: time it started when we connected with you at your 366 00:21:35,160 --> 00:21:36,479 Speaker 1: night of hope in our city. 367 00:21:37,080 --> 00:21:37,960 Speaker 2: I'm not bragging. 368 00:21:38,160 --> 00:21:41,960 Speaker 1: This is a spiritual principle. God has people in your 369 00:21:42,040 --> 00:21:47,080 Speaker 1: life that are favor connections. You could be one relationship 370 00:21:47,080 --> 00:21:52,320 Speaker 1: away from a new level. Look around, find the people 371 00:21:52,440 --> 00:21:57,040 Speaker 1: that God is blessing. Don't be intimidated, don't be jealous. 372 00:21:57,600 --> 00:21:58,879 Speaker 2: Connect with them. 373 00:21:59,119 --> 00:22:02,880 Speaker 1: If you'll honor, respect sewing to them, that favor will 374 00:22:02,880 --> 00:22:06,000 Speaker 1: come back to you. I know a man that had 375 00:22:06,000 --> 00:22:09,520 Speaker 1: a dream of being in the hospitality business. He wanted 376 00:22:09,520 --> 00:22:13,120 Speaker 1: to own hotels. When he was eighteen, he met an 377 00:22:13,119 --> 00:22:16,679 Speaker 1: older gentleman that owned one of the largest hotel chains 378 00:22:16,720 --> 00:22:19,359 Speaker 1: in the world. He convinced him to give him a 379 00:22:19,440 --> 00:22:22,560 Speaker 1: job working as a bellman at one of his hotels. 380 00:22:23,200 --> 00:22:26,240 Speaker 1: Every time this young man saw the owner, he went 381 00:22:26,320 --> 00:22:29,840 Speaker 1: overboard to take care of him, opening the door, carrying 382 00:22:29,880 --> 00:22:35,960 Speaker 1: his briefcase, constantly sewing, honoring, respecting. The owner loved this 383 00:22:36,119 --> 00:22:39,960 Speaker 1: young man kept promoting him. In his early thirties, he 384 00:22:40,119 --> 00:22:43,439 Speaker 1: left to start his own business. There was a piece 385 00:22:43,560 --> 00:22:48,280 Speaker 1: of very expensive real estate overlooking the ocean that this 386 00:22:48,440 --> 00:22:51,919 Speaker 1: owner was planning on building a big hotel. Well, this 387 00:22:52,080 --> 00:22:55,480 Speaker 1: young man asked if he could buy that property from him. 388 00:22:56,040 --> 00:22:59,040 Speaker 1: This was their prime location that they were planning on 389 00:22:59,119 --> 00:23:02,760 Speaker 1: this big God Jack, the owner said, I never dreamed 390 00:23:02,800 --> 00:23:05,320 Speaker 1: I would do this, but you have been so good 391 00:23:05,359 --> 00:23:08,240 Speaker 1: to me. I want you to be successful. I'm going 392 00:23:08,320 --> 00:23:11,160 Speaker 1: to sell you this property. It had taken them over 393 00:23:11,240 --> 00:23:14,520 Speaker 1: ten years to acquire it. That young man built a 394 00:23:14,680 --> 00:23:20,320 Speaker 1: beautiful resort. It's incredibly successful today he has hotels all 395 00:23:20,400 --> 00:23:25,080 Speaker 1: over the world. It all started when he recognized a 396 00:23:25,160 --> 00:23:29,560 Speaker 1: fever connection. There are people God has put in your 397 00:23:29,680 --> 00:23:34,320 Speaker 1: life not to compete with, but to connect with. They 398 00:23:34,320 --> 00:23:38,600 Speaker 1: are instrumental in you rising higher. And this is not 399 00:23:38,680 --> 00:23:41,600 Speaker 1: about playing up to people trying to win them over. 400 00:23:41,920 --> 00:23:46,439 Speaker 1: It's about recognizing and respecting the fever that God has 401 00:23:46,480 --> 00:23:51,520 Speaker 1: placed on people. Luke Chapter five, Jesus had just borrowed 402 00:23:51,560 --> 00:23:55,080 Speaker 1: Peter's boat to teach the people from the shore. When 403 00:23:55,119 --> 00:23:58,240 Speaker 1: he finished, he told Peter to launch out into the 404 00:23:58,280 --> 00:24:01,720 Speaker 1: deep and he would catch a gray haul of fish. Well, 405 00:24:01,760 --> 00:24:04,800 Speaker 1: Peter had fished all night, but he went back out 406 00:24:04,840 --> 00:24:05,639 Speaker 1: to try it again. 407 00:24:06,320 --> 00:24:09,719 Speaker 2: He caught so many fish that his net began to break. 408 00:24:10,480 --> 00:24:15,240 Speaker 1: Verse seven says Peter shouted for help, and his partners came. 409 00:24:15,960 --> 00:24:16,200 Speaker 2: Soon. 410 00:24:16,400 --> 00:24:20,360 Speaker 1: Both boats were so loaded with fish they were concerned 411 00:24:20,560 --> 00:24:21,760 Speaker 1: the boats might sink. 412 00:24:22,880 --> 00:24:27,560 Speaker 2: Peter was blessed because he obeyed. He had favor. But 413 00:24:27,720 --> 00:24:30,320 Speaker 2: notice the favor didn't stop with him. 414 00:24:31,040 --> 00:24:34,719 Speaker 1: He caught so many fish that his partners, those that 415 00:24:34,760 --> 00:24:39,480 Speaker 1: were connected with him, they received the overflow. When you 416 00:24:39,600 --> 00:24:44,160 Speaker 1: connect with someone that's blessed, someone that's favored, as they increase, 417 00:24:44,600 --> 00:24:49,720 Speaker 1: you'll increase. Peter's partners hadn't done anything to really deserve 418 00:24:49,840 --> 00:24:50,359 Speaker 1: the fish. 419 00:24:51,040 --> 00:24:53,600 Speaker 2: Peter was the one that lent Jesus the boat. 420 00:24:54,400 --> 00:24:58,040 Speaker 1: God could have just sent enough fish to fill Peter's boat, 421 00:24:58,600 --> 00:25:02,000 Speaker 1: made sure Peter was paid back. But God on purpose 422 00:25:02,520 --> 00:25:06,040 Speaker 1: blessed Peter in such a way there would be overflow, 423 00:25:06,480 --> 00:25:11,160 Speaker 1: so all in partnership, all those connected would see increase 424 00:25:11,320 --> 00:25:17,040 Speaker 1: in favor as well. Who you're connected to is extremely important. 425 00:25:17,560 --> 00:25:21,480 Speaker 1: There are blessings that belong to you that are attached 426 00:25:21,560 --> 00:25:25,280 Speaker 1: to the people God's placed in your life. If you're 427 00:25:25,280 --> 00:25:29,040 Speaker 1: not seeing any fish, you need to evaluate who you're 428 00:25:29,040 --> 00:25:34,000 Speaker 1: connected to. You may need to disconnect from relationships that 429 00:25:34,080 --> 00:25:38,480 Speaker 1: aren't producing any increase and connect with people that are blessed, 430 00:25:38,760 --> 00:25:42,000 Speaker 1: people that are see in favor. Peter's boat was not 431 00:25:42,080 --> 00:25:45,560 Speaker 1: only full of fish, but his partner's boat was full 432 00:25:45,560 --> 00:25:49,440 Speaker 1: of fish. You're going to become like who you're connected 433 00:25:49,480 --> 00:25:53,919 Speaker 1: to again. Are you connected to anyone that has what 434 00:25:54,000 --> 00:25:57,440 Speaker 1: you want? People that are more blessed, people that are 435 00:25:57,440 --> 00:26:02,000 Speaker 1: more successful. Look around, find the favor of connections in 436 00:26:02,040 --> 00:26:06,760 Speaker 1: your life. Don't be intimidated because they're further along, don't 437 00:26:06,800 --> 00:26:11,200 Speaker 1: be jealous because they have more Celebrate them, honor them, 438 00:26:11,600 --> 00:26:15,800 Speaker 1: sew into them. If you'll do this, I believe and declare, 439 00:26:16,160 --> 00:26:20,520 Speaker 1: because you're connected to favor like Peter's friends, your boat 440 00:26:20,640 --> 00:26:24,160 Speaker 1: is going to be full. You're going to see increase, promotion, 441 00:26:24,640 --> 00:26:28,119 Speaker 1: new levels, the fullness of your destiny. 442 00:26:28,040 --> 00:26:29,160 Speaker 2: In Jesus's name. 443 00:26:29,440 --> 00:26:33,720 Speaker 1: If you receive it, can you say men today? I'd 444 00:26:33,760 --> 00:26:36,560 Speaker 1: like to give you an opportunity to make Jesus the 445 00:26:36,600 --> 00:26:41,440 Speaker 1: lord of your life. Would you pray with me, Just say, Lord, Jesus, 446 00:26:42,560 --> 00:26:43,920 Speaker 1: I repent of my sins. 447 00:26:45,240 --> 00:26:49,240 Speaker 2: Come into my heart. I'll make you my Lord and savior. 448 00:26:50,560 --> 00:26:53,360 Speaker 1: If you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 449 00:26:53,400 --> 00:26:57,040 Speaker 1: born again. Get in a good Bible based church, Keep 450 00:26:57,080 --> 00:27:00,800 Speaker 1: God first place. When was the last time you ask 451 00:27:00,880 --> 00:27:04,399 Speaker 1: God to do something that seemed impossible. If you only 452 00:27:04,440 --> 00:27:08,800 Speaker 1: pray small, ordinary prayers, you live a small, ordinary lie. 453 00:27:09,240 --> 00:27:12,080 Speaker 1: I have a new book called Pray Bold. I'll challenge 454 00:27:12,080 --> 00:27:14,359 Speaker 1: you to stretch your faith and believe for the big 455 00:27:14,440 --> 00:27:17,520 Speaker 1: things God puts in your heart. Victoria and I used 456 00:27:17,560 --> 00:27:21,000 Speaker 1: to have season tickets to watch the Rockets play basketball here. 457 00:27:21,440 --> 00:27:24,480 Speaker 1: We never dreamed it could be ours. When they moved out. 458 00:27:24,880 --> 00:27:27,280 Speaker 1: Somehow we had the faith to pray a bold prayer. 459 00:27:27,760 --> 00:27:30,560 Speaker 1: God made things happen that we could never make happen. 460 00:27:30,800 --> 00:27:33,560 Speaker 1: It's the same for you, who knows what God will 461 00:27:33,600 --> 00:27:36,080 Speaker 1: do in your life. If you'll dare to pray bold, 462 00:27:36,600 --> 00:27:39,439 Speaker 1: ask Him for your dreams, ask for your healing, as 463 00:27:39,560 --> 00:27:42,479 Speaker 1: for your freedom. That's when God will show up and 464 00:27:42,520 --> 00:27:44,720 Speaker 1: do more than you could ever imagine. 465 00:27:45,080 --> 00:27:47,399 Speaker 3: As our way of saying thank you for your gift 466 00:27:47,440 --> 00:27:50,080 Speaker 3: of any amount this month, we would like to send 467 00:27:50,080 --> 00:27:53,600 Speaker 3: you a copy of Jewel's brand new book, Pray Bold. 468 00:27:53,920 --> 00:27:58,280 Speaker 3: Dare to Ask and Believe Big. Jewel shares that when 469 00:27:58,320 --> 00:28:02,320 Speaker 3: we pray, we can tap into God's creative, awesome power, 470 00:28:02,880 --> 00:28:06,600 Speaker 3: something bigger than we have ever imagined. God doesn't want 471 00:28:06,680 --> 00:28:10,080 Speaker 3: us to just pray in our comfort zones. No, God 472 00:28:10,200 --> 00:28:14,359 Speaker 3: loves when we pray big, believe big, expect him to 473 00:28:14,440 --> 00:28:18,600 Speaker 3: do the unexpected. There are inspiring stories from the Bible, 474 00:28:18,840 --> 00:28:22,399 Speaker 3: from history, and personal testimonies of people who dared to 475 00:28:22,480 --> 00:28:26,680 Speaker 3: believe God in extraordinary ways. You'll learn how to practically 476 00:28:26,760 --> 00:28:30,080 Speaker 3: expand your prayers and watch your life move from the 477 00:28:30,160 --> 00:28:35,280 Speaker 3: common to the extraordinary, from less than to overflowing. Be 478 00:28:35,400 --> 00:28:39,040 Speaker 3: sure to request your copy of Pray Bold today, visit 479 00:28:39,120 --> 00:28:42,520 Speaker 3: Joelstein dot com or call us toll free. 480 00:28:42,560 --> 00:28:46,280 Speaker 1: God has put dreams in your heart, things He's whispered. 481 00:28:45,840 --> 00:28:47,760 Speaker 2: And denied that seem impossible. 482 00:28:48,120 --> 00:28:50,440 Speaker 1: But as you pray these bold prayers, you're going to 483 00:28:50,480 --> 00:28:53,200 Speaker 1: see the goodness of God in ways you've never seen, 484 00:28:53,880 --> 00:28:55,560 Speaker 1: victor in our belief, and you're going to have a 485 00:28:55,640 --> 00:28:58,680 Speaker 1: great twenty twenty five We pray for you and your 486 00:28:58,720 --> 00:28:59,760 Speaker 1: family every day. 487 00:29:00,080 --> 00:29:01,200 Speaker 2: God's very best. 488 00:29:01,680 --> 00:29:04,080 Speaker 1: You want to thank you for your prayer and your support. 489 00:29:04,320 --> 00:29:06,479 Speaker 1: You're impacting people all over the world. 490 00:29:06,800 --> 00:29:10,640 Speaker 3: Be sure to request your copy of Prebold today, visit 491 00:29:10,720 --> 00:29:15,400 Speaker 3: Joelostein dot com or call us tool free. Finally, elevates 492 00:29:15,440 --> 00:29:18,800 Speaker 3: your personal time with God by requesting the My Time 493 00:29:18,840 --> 00:29:24,080 Speaker 3: with God collection. This beautiful collection contains the Prebold new release, 494 00:29:24,360 --> 00:29:28,680 Speaker 3: plus the new Living Translation, one year Chronological Study Bible, 495 00:29:28,840 --> 00:29:32,320 Speaker 3: and a beautiful glass mug and throw blanket based around 496 00:29:32,360 --> 00:29:35,760 Speaker 3: the inspiring scripture from Psalm forty six to ten. Be 497 00:29:35,960 --> 00:29:39,200 Speaker 3: still and know that I am God. You can learn 498 00:29:39,240 --> 00:29:42,480 Speaker 3: more about this unique new gift collection by calling eight 499 00:29:42,520 --> 00:29:46,560 Speaker 3: eight eight five six seven Joel or logging onto Joelostein 500 00:29:46,640 --> 00:29:47,760 Speaker 3: dot com today. 501 00:29:48,800 --> 00:29:52,240 Speaker 1: Remember, you can watch the services online every Sunday morning, 502 00:29:52,600 --> 00:29:57,120 Speaker 1: download our daily podcast, listen on Sirius XM, watch on YouTube, 503 00:29:57,520 --> 00:30:01,040 Speaker 1: and now the new Joelostein Network streaming on television twenty 504 00:30:01,040 --> 00:30:04,040 Speaker 1: four hours a day. If you've never been to Lakewood, 505 00:30:04,240 --> 00:30:08,240 Speaker 1: we have a great opportunity. We called it Homecoming Weekend. 506 00:30:08,720 --> 00:30:11,560 Speaker 1: We love to meet you and your family. You can 507 00:30:11,800 --> 00:30:14,600 Speaker 1: see the building and attend one of the services. It's 508 00:30:14,640 --> 00:30:17,520 Speaker 1: a great time to be a part of the Lakewood family. 509 00:30:17,560 --> 00:30:20,120 Speaker 1: Looking forward to seeing your homecoming weekend