1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:03,160 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 2 00:00:03,200 --> 00:00:06,360 Speaker 1: our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. If you 3 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:09,040 Speaker 1: enjoy today's message, why don't you be a blessing and 4 00:00:09,080 --> 00:00:11,880 Speaker 1: share it with a friend, reappreciate you, and pray for 5 00:00:11,920 --> 00:00:14,760 Speaker 1: God's very best in your life. Well, God bless you. 6 00:00:15,160 --> 00:00:17,360 Speaker 1: It's always a joy to come into your homes. And 7 00:00:17,720 --> 00:00:20,160 Speaker 1: if you're ever in our area, please stop buying and 8 00:00:20,200 --> 00:00:22,560 Speaker 1: be a part of one of our services. I promise 9 00:00:22,600 --> 00:00:24,800 Speaker 1: you we'll make you feel right at home. But thanks 10 00:00:24,800 --> 00:00:27,000 Speaker 1: so much for tuning in today, and thank you again 11 00:00:27,040 --> 00:00:29,840 Speaker 1: for coming out. I like to start with something funny, 12 00:00:29,840 --> 00:00:32,600 Speaker 1: and I heard about this little girl. She was sitting 13 00:00:32,680 --> 00:00:35,960 Speaker 1: in her grandfather's laugh and she noticed how wrinkled his 14 00:00:36,080 --> 00:00:40,400 Speaker 1: face was. As she contemplated the difference between his and hers, 15 00:00:40,880 --> 00:00:44,480 Speaker 1: she asked, granddaddy, did God make you? He gotta laugh 16 00:00:44,520 --> 00:00:47,120 Speaker 1: and said, yes, honey, he made me a long time ago. 17 00:00:47,680 --> 00:00:50,800 Speaker 1: She then asked, did God make me? He said yes, 18 00:00:50,840 --> 00:00:53,400 Speaker 1: he made you just a little while ago. Thought about 19 00:00:53,440 --> 00:00:56,320 Speaker 1: it a moment, said granddaddy. God's getting better, isn't he. 20 00:00:58,400 --> 00:01:00,560 Speaker 1: Hold up your bibles say it like you mean it. 21 00:01:01,000 --> 00:01:03,760 Speaker 1: This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. 22 00:01:04,200 --> 00:01:06,480 Speaker 1: I have what it says I have. I can do 23 00:01:06,560 --> 00:01:09,080 Speaker 1: what it says I can do. Today I will be 24 00:01:09,120 --> 00:01:12,840 Speaker 1: taught the word of God. I boldly confess. My mind 25 00:01:12,920 --> 00:01:16,000 Speaker 1: is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never be 26 00:01:16,080 --> 00:01:21,520 Speaker 1: the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. Want to 27 00:01:21,520 --> 00:01:25,720 Speaker 1: talk to you today about secret frustrations. We can be 28 00:01:25,800 --> 00:01:30,520 Speaker 1: blessed in many areas with good health, good family, a 29 00:01:30,560 --> 00:01:33,920 Speaker 1: good job, but then just have one thing that's not right, 30 00:01:34,640 --> 00:01:38,080 Speaker 1: one temptation we can't seem to overcome her, one thing 31 00:01:38,120 --> 00:01:42,039 Speaker 1: in a relationship that's not fulfilling, or maybe one nagging 32 00:01:42,120 --> 00:01:45,760 Speaker 1: health issue. Nobody can see it. On the outside, we 33 00:01:45,800 --> 00:01:49,680 Speaker 1: seem fine, but on the inside we're frustrated. Now. I 34 00:01:49,760 --> 00:01:52,640 Speaker 1: talked to a lady last week. She volunteers as one 35 00:01:52,640 --> 00:01:55,480 Speaker 1: of our prayer partners. She and her husband have been 36 00:01:55,520 --> 00:01:58,600 Speaker 1: believing to have a baby for many years with no success, 37 00:01:59,320 --> 00:02:02,880 Speaker 1: and every so often during the services, she'll pray for 38 00:02:03,000 --> 00:02:06,800 Speaker 1: people in that same situation to have a child, and 39 00:02:06,960 --> 00:02:10,480 Speaker 1: over time, again and again, they'll bring their babies back. 40 00:02:10,880 --> 00:02:15,240 Speaker 1: So happy she sees their prayers being answered, but her 41 00:02:15,280 --> 00:02:18,560 Speaker 1: own prayers not being answered. She looks like she's on 42 00:02:18,639 --> 00:02:22,160 Speaker 1: top of the world. She's beautiful, successful, great husband. But 43 00:02:22,280 --> 00:02:26,640 Speaker 1: what you can't see is this secret frustration that one 44 00:02:26,680 --> 00:02:32,519 Speaker 1: thing she can't understand. Life is full of contradictions. You're 45 00:02:32,520 --> 00:02:35,799 Speaker 1: helping other people get well, but you don't feel that well. 46 00:02:36,520 --> 00:02:40,360 Speaker 1: Your coworkers are all being promoted, You're working just as hard, 47 00:02:40,440 --> 00:02:45,359 Speaker 1: producing just as much, but nobody notices you. If we're honest, 48 00:02:45,639 --> 00:02:49,480 Speaker 1: we all have these secret frustrations. Things that we know 49 00:02:49,680 --> 00:02:52,919 Speaker 1: God could change. We know he could open the door, 50 00:02:53,480 --> 00:02:56,440 Speaker 1: he could remove the temptation. He could give us the 51 00:02:56,520 --> 00:03:00,480 Speaker 1: baby we've been dreaming about, but it's not happening. We 52 00:03:00,600 --> 00:03:04,920 Speaker 1: have to realize God is a sovereign god. We're not 53 00:03:04,960 --> 00:03:09,240 Speaker 1: going to understand why everything happens. There are some things 54 00:03:09,280 --> 00:03:13,760 Speaker 1: that God doesn't remove, some situations he waits a long 55 00:03:13,960 --> 00:03:17,920 Speaker 1: time to change. You have to trust that He knows 56 00:03:18,080 --> 00:03:22,560 Speaker 1: what's best for you, everything that's not changing, what he's 57 00:03:22,639 --> 00:03:26,360 Speaker 1: not removing. If you'll keep the right attitude, it won't 58 00:03:26,400 --> 00:03:30,320 Speaker 1: work against you, it will work for you. Don't let 59 00:03:30,440 --> 00:03:34,119 Speaker 1: the contradictions of life cause you to be sour, give 60 00:03:34,200 --> 00:03:38,080 Speaker 1: up on your dreams. The Apostle Paul wrote over half 61 00:03:38,160 --> 00:03:41,720 Speaker 1: of the New Testament. He came from an influential family, 62 00:03:42,160 --> 00:03:46,840 Speaker 1: was highly educated. God used him in incredible ways. But 63 00:03:46,960 --> 00:03:51,600 Speaker 1: as effective as Paul was, he had this secret frustration. 64 00:03:52,200 --> 00:03:56,040 Speaker 1: He called it a thorn in his flesh. Scholars have 65 00:03:56,120 --> 00:04:00,680 Speaker 1: debated for years whether that was a physical condition, illness, 66 00:04:01,200 --> 00:04:04,280 Speaker 1: or whether it was emotional the people coming against him, 67 00:04:04,280 --> 00:04:09,640 Speaker 1: the persecution. But whatever this thorn was, whatever was bothering Paul, 68 00:04:10,080 --> 00:04:14,120 Speaker 1: he asked God three times to remove it. One version 69 00:04:14,200 --> 00:04:18,160 Speaker 1: says he implored God to take it away. That means 70 00:04:18,200 --> 00:04:21,400 Speaker 1: he gave it his best argument. God, you know I'm 71 00:04:21,440 --> 00:04:25,080 Speaker 1: being my best serving you writing all these books. The 72 00:04:25,200 --> 00:04:28,760 Speaker 1: least you could do is heal me. If anybody had 73 00:04:28,839 --> 00:04:32,160 Speaker 1: pulled with God, it would have been Paul. But what's 74 00:04:32,200 --> 00:04:36,680 Speaker 1: interesting is God didn't remove the thorn. He said, Paul, 75 00:04:36,960 --> 00:04:41,400 Speaker 1: my grace is sufficient for you. My power shows up 76 00:04:41,440 --> 00:04:46,640 Speaker 1: best in weakness. Is there something you've been imploring God 77 00:04:46,760 --> 00:04:51,400 Speaker 1: to change? Situation in your health, your finances, a relationship. 78 00:04:51,720 --> 00:04:56,240 Speaker 1: You've asked again and again, nothing's improving. I'm not saying 79 00:04:56,480 --> 00:05:01,080 Speaker 1: to give up and settle there. What I'm saying until 80 00:05:01,160 --> 00:05:05,120 Speaker 1: God removes it, don't let it still your joy. Don't 81 00:05:05,160 --> 00:05:08,120 Speaker 1: let it sour your life, you have the grace to 82 00:05:08,240 --> 00:05:12,400 Speaker 1: be there. The right attitude is I'm not going to 83 00:05:12,480 --> 00:05:16,240 Speaker 1: let this secret frustration, this thorn in my flesh, so 84 00:05:16,400 --> 00:05:21,080 Speaker 1: to speak, frustrate me anymore. God. I believe your grace 85 00:05:21,320 --> 00:05:24,520 Speaker 1: is sufficient. Now. I know at the right time you'll 86 00:05:24,600 --> 00:05:28,080 Speaker 1: change it. But even if you don't change it, I'm 87 00:05:28,120 --> 00:05:31,440 Speaker 1: still going to be my best and honor you. You 88 00:05:31,600 --> 00:05:35,160 Speaker 1: have to make up your mind that if your spouse 89 00:05:35,320 --> 00:05:39,599 Speaker 1: never changes, if your health never improves, if you have 90 00:05:39,680 --> 00:05:41,880 Speaker 1: to put up with that grouchy boss the rest of 91 00:05:41,920 --> 00:05:45,000 Speaker 1: your life, you are not going to complain. You're not 92 00:05:45,040 --> 00:05:47,520 Speaker 1: going to use it as an excuse to slack off. 93 00:05:48,040 --> 00:05:51,400 Speaker 1: You're going to tap into this grace. It is sufficient 94 00:05:51,480 --> 00:05:56,159 Speaker 1: for you. Here's the key. Don't stay focused on the frustration. 95 00:05:57,000 --> 00:05:59,599 Speaker 1: If Paul would have gone around thinking, God, why want 96 00:05:59,640 --> 00:06:02,960 Speaker 1: you remove this thorn? Why won't you change my child? 97 00:06:03,160 --> 00:06:05,880 Speaker 1: Why won't you help my business grow? If he would 98 00:06:05,880 --> 00:06:08,920 Speaker 1: have stayed focused on the wives of life, he would 99 00:06:08,920 --> 00:06:13,760 Speaker 1: have never fulfilled his destiny. Faith is trusting God when 100 00:06:13,800 --> 00:06:18,560 Speaker 1: life doesn't make sense. A man named Smith Wigglesworth was 101 00:06:18,600 --> 00:06:21,719 Speaker 1: one of the great ministers of the early nineteen hundreds. 102 00:06:22,320 --> 00:06:25,640 Speaker 1: He would have large meetings where he would see hundreds 103 00:06:25,640 --> 00:06:30,000 Speaker 1: of people healed all kinds of miracles, but most of 104 00:06:30,040 --> 00:06:35,400 Speaker 1: Wigglesworth's life he suffered from kidney stones. Many times he 105 00:06:35,440 --> 00:06:38,520 Speaker 1: would leave the services in so much pain that he 106 00:06:38,560 --> 00:06:41,440 Speaker 1: couldn't walk, have to go home, lay on the floor 107 00:06:41,600 --> 00:06:44,440 Speaker 1: hour after hour, try to get some kind of relief. 108 00:06:45,200 --> 00:06:48,440 Speaker 1: Here he had just seen all these great miracles, but 109 00:06:48,520 --> 00:06:52,440 Speaker 1: he didn't receive his own miracle. He could have gotten bitter. God, 110 00:06:52,480 --> 00:06:54,680 Speaker 1: this is not fair. You heal them, why don't you 111 00:06:54,760 --> 00:06:58,960 Speaker 1: heal me? Now he had this attitude. Your grace is 112 00:06:59,000 --> 00:07:03,200 Speaker 1: sufficient for every situation, even when I don't understand it, 113 00:07:03,839 --> 00:07:07,039 Speaker 1: even when it doesn't make sense. God, I trust you. 114 00:07:07,560 --> 00:07:11,080 Speaker 1: I'm not going to let this secret frustration keep me 115 00:07:11,240 --> 00:07:15,400 Speaker 1: from my destiny. If you're going to reach your highest potential, 116 00:07:15,800 --> 00:07:19,160 Speaker 1: you can't be a weakling. You have to be a warrior. 117 00:07:20,040 --> 00:07:23,560 Speaker 1: There will be things you don't understand, things that don't 118 00:07:23,560 --> 00:07:27,840 Speaker 1: make sense. But God knows what he's doing. His ways 119 00:07:28,080 --> 00:07:31,400 Speaker 1: are better than our ways. He is the potter. We 120 00:07:31,520 --> 00:07:34,600 Speaker 1: are the clay. When it's time to be removed, he 121 00:07:34,680 --> 00:07:38,280 Speaker 1: will remove it. Until then, dig your heels in and 122 00:07:38,320 --> 00:07:41,080 Speaker 1: fight the good fight of faith. You have the grace 123 00:07:41,160 --> 00:07:46,600 Speaker 1: you need for every situation. When Jesus healed the man 124 00:07:46,680 --> 00:07:49,320 Speaker 1: that had been crippled for thirty eight years thereby the 125 00:07:49,400 --> 00:07:52,920 Speaker 1: pool of Bethesda, he told him to get up, take 126 00:07:53,040 --> 00:07:57,200 Speaker 1: up his bed, and walk. I believe it was significant 127 00:07:57,600 --> 00:08:00,440 Speaker 1: that he asked him to take his bed with him. 128 00:08:00,800 --> 00:08:04,640 Speaker 1: He didn't need it anymore after all, but God was saying, 129 00:08:05,000 --> 00:08:08,600 Speaker 1: this thing that's held you back, this thing that's kept 130 00:08:08,640 --> 00:08:11,600 Speaker 1: you from being your best for so many years, I 131 00:08:11,640 --> 00:08:14,760 Speaker 1: want you to take it with you as a reminder 132 00:08:15,160 --> 00:08:18,240 Speaker 1: of what I've done in your life. Even though he 133 00:08:18,280 --> 00:08:21,680 Speaker 1: couldn't walk, even though he didn't need the bed, it 134 00:08:21,760 --> 00:08:25,760 Speaker 1: remained a part of his life. It was a contradiction. 135 00:08:26,440 --> 00:08:29,480 Speaker 1: I'm healed, I'm healthy, i can walk, but I've still 136 00:08:29,560 --> 00:08:33,160 Speaker 1: got my bed. Can imagine him going to help someone 137 00:08:33,200 --> 00:08:35,720 Speaker 1: else that was struggling. They look at him and say, 138 00:08:36,040 --> 00:08:38,600 Speaker 1: how can you help me? You've still got the bed. 139 00:08:39,200 --> 00:08:41,440 Speaker 1: You're still carrying around that thing that held you back. 140 00:08:41,559 --> 00:08:44,640 Speaker 1: He said, Now, it's not what you think. It's not 141 00:08:44,760 --> 00:08:49,080 Speaker 1: a limitation to slow me down. It's a testimony of 142 00:08:49,120 --> 00:08:53,640 Speaker 1: what God has done in my life. This bed may 143 00:08:53,720 --> 00:08:58,400 Speaker 1: look like a liability, but really it's an asset. Every 144 00:08:58,440 --> 00:09:02,840 Speaker 1: time I see it to give God praise. It reminds 145 00:09:02,920 --> 00:09:05,720 Speaker 1: me where He brought me from. It reminds me that 146 00:09:05,800 --> 00:09:07,720 Speaker 1: if He did it for me once, he can do 147 00:09:07,800 --> 00:09:11,880 Speaker 1: it for me again. What am I saying? Even though 148 00:09:11,960 --> 00:09:15,560 Speaker 1: God frees you from certain things, you may still have 149 00:09:15,679 --> 00:09:19,760 Speaker 1: your bed. You may still be tempted in that same area. 150 00:09:20,360 --> 00:09:24,360 Speaker 1: The weakness, the limitation may not totally go away. One 151 00:09:24,440 --> 00:09:28,240 Speaker 1: reason God doesn't remove to bed totally not to slow 152 00:09:28,280 --> 00:09:31,280 Speaker 1: you down, give you an excuse to go back, but 153 00:09:31,400 --> 00:09:35,400 Speaker 1: rather to remind you of where you came from. That 154 00:09:35,520 --> 00:09:38,760 Speaker 1: bed is not there to discourage you, but to inspire you. 155 00:09:40,080 --> 00:09:43,320 Speaker 1: I've been ministering now for close to fifteen years, and 156 00:09:43,679 --> 00:09:47,480 Speaker 1: when I started, I was so nervous and intimidated. I 157 00:09:47,600 --> 00:09:51,760 Speaker 1: was insecure and I didn't really feel qualified. And over 158 00:09:51,800 --> 00:09:55,080 Speaker 1: the last few years, of course, I've grown become more confident. 159 00:09:55,559 --> 00:09:58,800 Speaker 1: But the truth is God didn't make me into a 160 00:09:58,800 --> 00:10:01,960 Speaker 1: different person. When I get up here. You may not 161 00:10:02,120 --> 00:10:05,640 Speaker 1: see it, but I still have my bed. Those weaknesses, 162 00:10:05,800 --> 00:10:09,600 Speaker 1: those limitations come back from time to time, but I 163 00:10:09,640 --> 00:10:13,400 Speaker 1: don't see them the same way. They don't intimidate me. 164 00:10:14,000 --> 00:10:19,640 Speaker 1: They remind me of my dependency on God. Another reason 165 00:10:20,679 --> 00:10:24,600 Speaker 1: God doesn't totally remove the bed because if you think 166 00:10:24,640 --> 00:10:27,080 Speaker 1: you can do it all on your own, you got 167 00:10:27,080 --> 00:10:29,920 Speaker 1: it all figured out, you don't need his help. Before long, 168 00:10:30,000 --> 00:10:32,679 Speaker 1: you'll be right back to where you were. But if 169 00:10:32,679 --> 00:10:36,800 Speaker 1: you'll see the weakness the temptation as a reminder to 170 00:10:36,920 --> 00:10:40,600 Speaker 1: ask God for his help, to show your dependency on him, 171 00:10:40,840 --> 00:10:44,120 Speaker 1: then you will continue to rise higher in spite of 172 00:10:44,120 --> 00:10:47,559 Speaker 1: what comes against you. Now I can say I've got 173 00:10:47,640 --> 00:10:50,360 Speaker 1: my bed, but I'm the pastor of the church. Got 174 00:10:50,400 --> 00:10:55,040 Speaker 1: my bed, but I'm living healthy, happy, victoriously. The Old Testament, 175 00:10:55,600 --> 00:10:58,560 Speaker 1: God told Moses to go tell Foh to let the 176 00:10:58,600 --> 00:11:02,880 Speaker 1: people go. Moses said, God, how would he know that 177 00:11:02,920 --> 00:11:06,240 Speaker 1: you sent me. I don't come from an influential family. 178 00:11:06,400 --> 00:11:08,680 Speaker 1: What makes you think Pharaoh is going to listen to me? 179 00:11:09,520 --> 00:11:12,600 Speaker 1: God told Moses to throw his staff on the ground. 180 00:11:13,080 --> 00:11:16,040 Speaker 1: When he did, it turned into a snake. He picked 181 00:11:16,080 --> 00:11:18,920 Speaker 1: it back up, and it turned back into a staff. 182 00:11:19,600 --> 00:11:21,520 Speaker 1: He told him to put his arm in his coat, 183 00:11:21,559 --> 00:11:24,360 Speaker 1: and when he pulled it out, it was filled with leprosy. 184 00:11:24,960 --> 00:11:27,280 Speaker 1: Put it in, pulled it back out, it was clean 185 00:11:27,360 --> 00:11:31,120 Speaker 1: as can be. God was showing him these signs, so 186 00:11:31,240 --> 00:11:34,560 Speaker 1: he would go in with confidence, knowing that Pharaoh would 187 00:11:34,640 --> 00:11:39,000 Speaker 1: listen to him. But Moses had another concern. He said, God, 188 00:11:39,080 --> 00:11:42,880 Speaker 1: I can't stand before Pharaoh. I stuttered. I've got a 189 00:11:42,960 --> 00:11:46,840 Speaker 1: problem with my speech. You would think, since God just 190 00:11:46,880 --> 00:11:50,840 Speaker 1: showed him these great, miraculous signs, God would simply touch 191 00:11:50,880 --> 00:11:55,600 Speaker 1: his tongue make his normal take away the stuttering. But 192 00:11:55,640 --> 00:12:00,400 Speaker 1: God didn't do that. He didn't remove the problem, saying 193 00:12:00,400 --> 00:12:04,000 Speaker 1: to Moses what he said to Paul, My power shows 194 00:12:04,080 --> 00:12:07,760 Speaker 1: up best in weaknesses, and Moses, if I needed to 195 00:12:07,840 --> 00:12:11,679 Speaker 1: remove that stuttering so that you could fulfill your destiny, 196 00:12:12,000 --> 00:12:15,600 Speaker 1: I would have removed it. Are you waiting for God 197 00:12:15,640 --> 00:12:19,360 Speaker 1: to remove something before you can be happy, before you 198 00:12:19,400 --> 00:12:22,800 Speaker 1: can pursue a dream, before you can finish school? Or 199 00:12:22,840 --> 00:12:27,080 Speaker 1: if God hasn't removed it, it's not an accident. You 200 00:12:27,120 --> 00:12:29,800 Speaker 1: don't have to put your life on hold because you 201 00:12:29,880 --> 00:12:33,800 Speaker 1: have a secret frustration. You have everything you need to 202 00:12:33,920 --> 00:12:38,720 Speaker 1: fulfill your destiny. The scripture talks about how we have 203 00:12:38,880 --> 00:12:45,080 Speaker 1: treasure in these earthen vessels. All of us have imperfections 204 00:12:45,120 --> 00:12:48,360 Speaker 1: in our clay vessels. In other words, there's probably at 205 00:12:48,480 --> 00:12:52,280 Speaker 1: least one thing that God is not removing that we 206 00:12:52,320 --> 00:12:56,640 Speaker 1: could easily be irritated by live frustrated Joel. If I 207 00:12:56,640 --> 00:12:59,240 Speaker 1: didn't have this back pain or have to struggle with 208 00:12:59,280 --> 00:13:02,000 Speaker 1: this weight issue, didn't I have this coworker that gets 209 00:13:02,040 --> 00:13:06,080 Speaker 1: on my nerves, this legal problem, Or how about if 210 00:13:06,120 --> 00:13:09,680 Speaker 1: I hadn't gone through a bad childhood, the divorce, the hurt, 211 00:13:09,760 --> 00:13:14,000 Speaker 1: the paint. Whatever your thorn is, God is saying to 212 00:13:14,120 --> 00:13:17,840 Speaker 1: us what he said to Paul. My grace is sufficient. 213 00:13:18,360 --> 00:13:22,240 Speaker 1: Quit fighting it, quit letting it still your joy. When 214 00:13:22,280 --> 00:13:26,080 Speaker 1: it's time to be removed, God will remove it. Until then, 215 00:13:26,400 --> 00:13:30,520 Speaker 1: tap into this grace. God, My life is in your hands. 216 00:13:31,200 --> 00:13:34,920 Speaker 1: You know what I want. You know my dreams, you 217 00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:38,679 Speaker 1: know what's bothering me. I may not understand it, it 218 00:13:38,720 --> 00:13:42,840 Speaker 1: may not make sense, but God, I trust you. Here's 219 00:13:42,880 --> 00:13:46,400 Speaker 1: the key. If God is not removing it, it's not 220 00:13:46,520 --> 00:13:50,800 Speaker 1: an accident. There is a reason Paul thought the thorn 221 00:13:50,800 --> 00:13:53,480 Speaker 1: in his flesh was to keep him from being puffed 222 00:13:53,559 --> 00:13:56,360 Speaker 1: up and too proud. Maybe that was true. Only God knows, 223 00:13:56,720 --> 00:14:00,679 Speaker 1: But that secret frustration may just be a time of 224 00:14:00,800 --> 00:14:04,440 Speaker 1: testing where you have to prove to God that you're 225 00:14:04,480 --> 00:14:08,040 Speaker 1: going to be content and do your best even though 226 00:14:08,040 --> 00:14:11,240 Speaker 1: it's not going your way. You're going to keep giving 227 00:14:11,559 --> 00:14:16,120 Speaker 1: even though you're not receiving. You're going to keep honoring him, 228 00:14:16,280 --> 00:14:19,800 Speaker 1: even though you're not seeing things change. God could be 229 00:14:19,960 --> 00:14:23,720 Speaker 1: using that to grow you up and develop your character. 230 00:14:24,720 --> 00:14:29,080 Speaker 1: Some things we can only learn through experience, can't learn 231 00:14:29,120 --> 00:14:32,160 Speaker 1: through reading a book listening to a message. The Scripture 232 00:14:32,200 --> 00:14:36,160 Speaker 1: says our faith is tried in the fire of affliction. 233 00:14:36,720 --> 00:14:40,560 Speaker 1: That's where our spiritual muscles are developed. You can't get 234 00:14:40,600 --> 00:14:44,600 Speaker 1: stronger if you're not put under any pressure. You have 235 00:14:44,680 --> 00:14:49,560 Speaker 1: to work out, exercise your faith. It may not be comfortable, 236 00:14:49,760 --> 00:14:52,800 Speaker 1: you may not like it, but if you'll stick with it, 237 00:14:52,800 --> 00:14:57,200 Speaker 1: it's not working against you. It's working for you. You're growing, 238 00:14:57,760 --> 00:15:02,400 Speaker 1: you're coming up higher, You're getting prepared for new levels. See, 239 00:15:02,440 --> 00:15:07,360 Speaker 1: you can't be promoted without preparation. God won't give you 240 00:15:07,480 --> 00:15:11,160 Speaker 1: a one hundred pound blessing if he knows you can 241 00:15:11,200 --> 00:15:14,280 Speaker 1: only lift fifty pounds. If he gave you the one 242 00:15:14,360 --> 00:15:17,400 Speaker 1: hundred pounds, it wouldn't be a blessing, it would be 243 00:15:17,480 --> 00:15:20,320 Speaker 1: a burden. Wouldn't help you, it would hurt you. He's 244 00:15:20,360 --> 00:15:24,040 Speaker 1: got to get you prepared. Your gifts can take you 245 00:15:24,120 --> 00:15:26,800 Speaker 1: to a certain level, but if you don't have the 246 00:15:27,000 --> 00:15:31,000 Speaker 1: character to match. You won't stay there very long. And 247 00:15:31,160 --> 00:15:34,880 Speaker 1: character is developed in the tough times when we're not 248 00:15:35,080 --> 00:15:38,000 Speaker 1: getting our way, but we keep doing the right thing. 249 00:15:39,000 --> 00:15:41,600 Speaker 1: Like Paul, We've asked God lot more than three times 250 00:15:41,640 --> 00:15:44,680 Speaker 1: to remove it. God, get this person out of my 251 00:15:44,760 --> 00:15:47,880 Speaker 1: life that gets on my nerves. God give me that child. 252 00:15:48,040 --> 00:15:53,400 Speaker 1: God change my spouse. While God is changing it until 253 00:15:53,440 --> 00:15:56,760 Speaker 1: he removes it. If you will stay in faith, not 254 00:15:57,000 --> 00:16:01,320 Speaker 1: get bitter, not give up on your dreams, the beauty. 255 00:16:01,360 --> 00:16:06,280 Speaker 1: Even if the situation doesn't change, you will change. God 256 00:16:06,400 --> 00:16:10,000 Speaker 1: is growing you up, getting you prepared for new levels 257 00:16:10,000 --> 00:16:14,920 Speaker 1: of your destiny. Now I've learned your character is more 258 00:16:14,920 --> 00:16:18,600 Speaker 1: important than your talent. You can have all the talent 259 00:16:18,720 --> 00:16:21,440 Speaker 1: in the world, but if you don't have strong character, 260 00:16:21,920 --> 00:16:24,520 Speaker 1: you're not going to go very far. And we can 261 00:16:24,560 --> 00:16:28,120 Speaker 1: all trust God in the good times, that's easy. I'm 262 00:16:28,160 --> 00:16:32,440 Speaker 1: asking you. Can you trust him with the secret frustrations, 263 00:16:33,000 --> 00:16:36,080 Speaker 1: the things that are not changing. You prayed and believe, 264 00:16:36,160 --> 00:16:39,960 Speaker 1: but He's not removing it. The question is not only 265 00:16:40,240 --> 00:16:45,080 Speaker 1: can you trust God, but more importantly, can God trust you? 266 00:16:45,920 --> 00:16:49,240 Speaker 1: Will you pass the test? Stay in faith even when 267 00:16:49,240 --> 00:16:53,280 Speaker 1: you don't understand it. My parents started Lakewood Church with 268 00:16:53,480 --> 00:16:57,120 Speaker 1: ninety people in nineteen fifty nine. A few years later, 269 00:16:57,640 --> 00:17:00,560 Speaker 1: my father puts somebody else in charge so he could 270 00:17:00,640 --> 00:17:04,160 Speaker 1: leave the church and travel the world. He would go 271 00:17:04,520 --> 00:17:08,400 Speaker 1: hold these large crusades fifty thousand people in other countries. 272 00:17:08,800 --> 00:17:12,399 Speaker 1: He was living his dream. Life was good. But around 273 00:17:12,480 --> 00:17:15,600 Speaker 1: nineteen sixty six he knew he was supposed to come 274 00:17:15,640 --> 00:17:19,879 Speaker 1: back and pastor Lakewood once again. And my mom said, John, 275 00:17:19,920 --> 00:17:22,400 Speaker 1: when Houston hears your back, they're going to come out 276 00:17:22,440 --> 00:17:26,480 Speaker 1: by the thousands. Well Houston heard, but Houston didn't care. 277 00:17:26,760 --> 00:17:31,240 Speaker 1: They stayed away by the thousands. Now, instead of speaking 278 00:17:31,280 --> 00:17:34,159 Speaker 1: to big crowds like my dad was used to, he 279 00:17:34,240 --> 00:17:37,760 Speaker 1: was speaking to these ninety people three times a week, 280 00:17:38,000 --> 00:17:41,439 Speaker 1: year after year. He thought, God, I know I have 281 00:17:41,600 --> 00:17:44,600 Speaker 1: more in me. I'm being my best, I'm honoring you. 282 00:17:44,640 --> 00:17:49,879 Speaker 1: But nothing's changing. I'm not seeing any growth. A secret frustration. 283 00:17:50,720 --> 00:17:55,000 Speaker 1: But what my father didn't realize is something was changing. 284 00:17:55,440 --> 00:17:59,600 Speaker 1: Not the size of the congregation. He was changing. He 285 00:17:59,680 --> 00:18:03,840 Speaker 1: was developing character. He was proving to God that he 286 00:18:03,880 --> 00:18:07,159 Speaker 1: would be faithful in the tough times. If you're not 287 00:18:07,440 --> 00:18:11,000 Speaker 1: faithful in the wilderness, how can God trust you to 288 00:18:11,080 --> 00:18:15,119 Speaker 1: be faithful in the promised land. My father on the 289 00:18:15,160 --> 00:18:19,040 Speaker 1: outside was happy, gave his best to those ninety people, 290 00:18:19,480 --> 00:18:23,119 Speaker 1: but deep down he had to deal with this secret frustration. 291 00:18:23,960 --> 00:18:27,200 Speaker 1: Nineteen seventy two, it was like God opened up a fawcet. 292 00:18:27,640 --> 00:18:30,600 Speaker 1: People started coming to Lakewood from all over the city 293 00:18:30,880 --> 00:18:34,160 Speaker 1: grew and grew to a church of thousand, still growing today. 294 00:18:34,480 --> 00:18:37,200 Speaker 1: But maybe, like my father, you're doing the right thing 295 00:18:37,680 --> 00:18:41,840 Speaker 1: but not seeing any growth, not being promoted. It's frustrating. 296 00:18:42,720 --> 00:18:45,760 Speaker 1: It may not look like anything's happening on the outside, 297 00:18:45,800 --> 00:18:48,960 Speaker 1: But if you'll keep being your best, something is happening 298 00:18:49,080 --> 00:18:53,440 Speaker 1: on the inside. God is changing you. He's growing you up, 299 00:18:53,800 --> 00:18:57,440 Speaker 1: He's getting you prepared. Now, keep doing the right thing, 300 00:18:58,160 --> 00:19:01,360 Speaker 1: keep being good to other people, keep having that spirit 301 00:19:01,480 --> 00:19:06,800 Speaker 1: of excellence. Too many people let these secret frustrations, causing 302 00:19:06,920 --> 00:19:10,120 Speaker 1: to get bitter, give up on their dreams, lose their passion. 303 00:19:10,640 --> 00:19:14,560 Speaker 1: Recognize it's a test. If you will stay in faith, 304 00:19:14,800 --> 00:19:18,680 Speaker 1: God will get you to where you're supposed to be. Genesis, 305 00:19:18,760 --> 00:19:22,800 Speaker 1: chapter twenty nine. There's the story of two sisters, Rachel 306 00:19:22,960 --> 00:19:27,520 Speaker 1: and Leah. When a young man named Jacob saw Rachel, 307 00:19:27,840 --> 00:19:31,000 Speaker 1: he fell head over heels for her. It was love 308 00:19:31,200 --> 00:19:36,000 Speaker 1: at first sight. You see, Rachel was extremely attractive. The 309 00:19:36,040 --> 00:19:40,040 Speaker 1: scripture says she was beautiful in every way, with a 310 00:19:40,119 --> 00:19:44,000 Speaker 1: lovely face and a shapely figure. Let me tell you, 311 00:19:44,119 --> 00:19:47,920 Speaker 1: when God says you're fine, you are bad to the bone. 312 00:19:48,280 --> 00:19:53,520 Speaker 1: Rachel had it going on Jacob. He didn't even think twice. 313 00:19:53,560 --> 00:19:56,760 Speaker 1: He went straight to her dad, Laban, and said, can 314 00:19:56,800 --> 00:20:00,560 Speaker 1: I marry your daughter? Laban said yes, you can, but 315 00:20:00,640 --> 00:20:03,359 Speaker 1: you have to first work for me for seven years. 316 00:20:03,960 --> 00:20:07,320 Speaker 1: He worked those seven years. Was so excited. But Laban 317 00:20:07,560 --> 00:20:10,960 Speaker 1: tricked Jacob at the wedding. In those days, they wore 318 00:20:11,119 --> 00:20:14,560 Speaker 1: very thick veils. You couldn't tell who was in there, 319 00:20:14,960 --> 00:20:17,480 Speaker 1: and of course he thought it was Rachel, but in 320 00:20:17,560 --> 00:20:22,240 Speaker 1: fact it was Leah. The scripture says Leah had weak 321 00:20:22,280 --> 00:20:27,000 Speaker 1: eyes and was dull looking. I'm not sure what weak 322 00:20:27,040 --> 00:20:31,360 Speaker 1: eyes means, but I know what dull looking is. I've 323 00:20:31,359 --> 00:20:40,160 Speaker 1: got a brother named Paul. I couldn't resist no offense 324 00:20:40,240 --> 00:20:44,080 Speaker 1: to Leah. But Rachel got the looks in the family. 325 00:20:45,000 --> 00:20:48,479 Speaker 1: At the wedding, Jacob had a little too much to drink. 326 00:20:49,000 --> 00:20:52,040 Speaker 1: He woke up the next morning, looked over in bed, 327 00:20:52,359 --> 00:20:55,639 Speaker 1: and there was weak eyes staring back at him. He 328 00:20:55,760 --> 00:20:59,280 Speaker 1: nearly passed out. He ran to Laban's house. What do 329 00:20:59,359 --> 00:21:01,879 Speaker 1: you mean this is not the deal we cut. I 330 00:21:01,920 --> 00:21:05,439 Speaker 1: wanted Rachel, not Leah. He said. I understand, Jacob, but 331 00:21:05,520 --> 00:21:08,560 Speaker 1: it's our custom that the oldest daughter has to get 332 00:21:08,560 --> 00:21:12,439 Speaker 1: married off. First. Worked for me another seven years, and 333 00:21:12,480 --> 00:21:15,360 Speaker 1: I'll let you marry Rachel. He did it, finally got 334 00:21:15,400 --> 00:21:18,080 Speaker 1: to marry her. Love make you do dumb things. But 335 00:21:20,000 --> 00:21:23,679 Speaker 1: I'm sure when people saw Rachel around town, so beautiful, 336 00:21:23,840 --> 00:21:28,840 Speaker 1: so friendly, they thought that's one blessed woman. She's so stunning. 337 00:21:29,359 --> 00:21:31,800 Speaker 1: She has a husband that adores her, she comes from 338 00:21:31,800 --> 00:21:35,399 Speaker 1: a good family. But what they couldn't see was Rachel 339 00:21:35,440 --> 00:21:39,720 Speaker 1: had a secret frustration. Her dream was to have a baby, 340 00:21:40,119 --> 00:21:43,840 Speaker 1: but she was barren. She couldn't conceive. Year after year, 341 00:21:44,000 --> 00:21:47,280 Speaker 1: no baby. I can hear her every night. God, please 342 00:21:47,359 --> 00:21:50,960 Speaker 1: give me a child. Please remove this baroness. God, I 343 00:21:51,040 --> 00:21:55,000 Speaker 1: want a baby. On the other hand, her sister Leah, 344 00:21:55,240 --> 00:22:00,760 Speaker 1: gave Jacob one son after another, four boys, strong, handsome, 345 00:22:01,119 --> 00:22:04,920 Speaker 1: good looking. Life was good for Leah. She was seeing 346 00:22:04,960 --> 00:22:08,760 Speaker 1: a dream come to pass, a healthy family. But Leah 347 00:22:08,800 --> 00:22:13,840 Speaker 1: too had a secret frustration. The scripture says that Jacob 348 00:22:14,080 --> 00:22:19,159 Speaker 1: loved Rachel more than Leah. I can hear Leah every night. God. 349 00:22:19,520 --> 00:22:22,800 Speaker 1: I want my husband love me more. The point is 350 00:22:23,320 --> 00:22:27,879 Speaker 1: everyone is dealing with something. Whether you're a Rachel blessed 351 00:22:27,920 --> 00:22:30,800 Speaker 1: in this area or a Leah blessed in this area, 352 00:22:31,160 --> 00:22:34,359 Speaker 1: there will be things that can frustrate you. Things that 353 00:22:34,440 --> 00:22:38,399 Speaker 1: you don't understand, things that God is not removing. You 354 00:22:38,480 --> 00:22:41,160 Speaker 1: have to make up your mind. You are not going 355 00:22:41,200 --> 00:22:44,280 Speaker 1: to let it sour your life. Do what you can, 356 00:22:44,880 --> 00:22:48,439 Speaker 1: trust God to do what you can't. The right attitude. 357 00:22:48,760 --> 00:22:52,400 Speaker 1: If this never changes, if I never have a child, 358 00:22:52,480 --> 00:22:56,240 Speaker 1: I'm still going to be happy. If my marriage never improves, 359 00:22:56,720 --> 00:22:59,760 Speaker 1: I'm still not going to be sour. If I see 360 00:22:59,760 --> 00:23:03,680 Speaker 1: some body that's more talented, more beautiful, has more, I'm 361 00:23:03,680 --> 00:23:07,199 Speaker 1: not going to be endious, jealous. I'm at peace with 362 00:23:07,320 --> 00:23:11,680 Speaker 1: who I am. When you stay in peace, not trying 363 00:23:11,680 --> 00:23:13,920 Speaker 1: to figure out why they could have the baby, why 364 00:23:13,960 --> 00:23:16,679 Speaker 1: she's more beautiful, why her husband loves her more. No, 365 00:23:17,119 --> 00:23:20,520 Speaker 1: let that go. You're never going to understand it. If 366 00:23:20,520 --> 00:23:24,240 Speaker 1: you'll live in peace, God will remove what needs to 367 00:23:24,240 --> 00:23:27,399 Speaker 1: be removed. He will change what needs to be changed. 368 00:23:28,560 --> 00:23:33,119 Speaker 1: This is what happened with Rachel. Years later. God removed 369 00:23:33,160 --> 00:23:36,960 Speaker 1: the bearingness she had a son named Joseph. That secret 370 00:23:36,960 --> 00:23:41,520 Speaker 1: frustration was taken away. For most of my father's life, 371 00:23:41,560 --> 00:23:45,080 Speaker 1: he struggled with high blood pressure. He was constantly trying 372 00:23:45,080 --> 00:23:48,320 Speaker 1: to find new medicine to control it. Many times the 373 00:23:48,400 --> 00:23:52,000 Speaker 1: side effects would make him feel bad. Nobody knew the 374 00:23:52,000 --> 00:23:54,600 Speaker 1: scripture more than my dad. Nobody had any more faith. 375 00:23:55,040 --> 00:23:58,439 Speaker 1: But for some reason, God didn't take it away. But 376 00:23:58,520 --> 00:24:02,040 Speaker 1: I never heard my father come. His attitude was God, 377 00:24:02,359 --> 00:24:05,040 Speaker 1: I'm going to be my best, whether you heal me 378 00:24:05,119 --> 00:24:07,960 Speaker 1: from this by blood pressure or whether you don't. He 379 00:24:08,040 --> 00:24:11,720 Speaker 1: had a made up mine. Toward the end of his life, 380 00:24:11,800 --> 00:24:14,639 Speaker 1: the medicine would make him dizzy. He couldn't sleep a 381 00:24:14,680 --> 00:24:17,119 Speaker 1: lot of nights, but he would come in on Sundays 382 00:24:17,240 --> 00:24:20,560 Speaker 1: preach his heart out. Nobody even knew it. He could 383 00:24:20,560 --> 00:24:23,240 Speaker 1: have thought, God, I've served you for over fifty years. 384 00:24:23,440 --> 00:24:26,119 Speaker 1: Least you could do is answer my prayer. No, he 385 00:24:26,200 --> 00:24:30,960 Speaker 1: didn't let the secret frustration keep him from his destiny. 386 00:24:31,040 --> 00:24:34,840 Speaker 1: He trusted God when it didn't make sense. When he 387 00:24:34,920 --> 00:24:36,960 Speaker 1: was seventy seven years old, he had to go on 388 00:24:37,080 --> 00:24:40,560 Speaker 1: dialysis and he couldn't sleep one night, and he called 389 00:24:40,560 --> 00:24:42,800 Speaker 1: my brother in law Gary and asked if he'd come 390 00:24:42,840 --> 00:24:45,600 Speaker 1: over and visit with him. Around one in the morning, 391 00:24:46,160 --> 00:24:49,280 Speaker 1: they were talking and Gary asked my father what he 392 00:24:49,400 --> 00:24:54,119 Speaker 1: thought about the difficulties he was going through. My dad said, Gary, 393 00:24:54,440 --> 00:24:57,560 Speaker 1: I don't understand it all, but I know this, his 394 00:24:57,800 --> 00:25:02,840 Speaker 1: mercy endures forever. Those were the last words my father 395 00:25:03,000 --> 00:25:06,520 Speaker 1: ever spoke. A few seconds later, he had a heart attack, 396 00:25:06,720 --> 00:25:08,760 Speaker 1: went to be with the Lord. But I love the 397 00:25:08,800 --> 00:25:11,960 Speaker 1: fact that even though God didn't remove it, that he 398 00:25:12,000 --> 00:25:17,520 Speaker 1: didn't get bitter. He died in faith. Whatever secret frustration 399 00:25:17,680 --> 00:25:21,399 Speaker 1: you're facing, you have to make this decision like my father, 400 00:25:22,000 --> 00:25:25,440 Speaker 1: that even if it never changes, you're going to keep believing. 401 00:25:25,880 --> 00:25:29,720 Speaker 1: We two are going to die in faith. This is 402 00:25:29,760 --> 00:25:33,560 Speaker 1: what three teenagers did in the scripture. They wouldn't bow 403 00:25:33,600 --> 00:25:36,199 Speaker 1: down to the king's golden idol, and he was so 404 00:25:36,320 --> 00:25:38,800 Speaker 1: furious he was going to have them thrown into a 405 00:25:38,880 --> 00:25:42,639 Speaker 1: fiery furnace. They said, King, we're not worried. We know 406 00:25:43,000 --> 00:25:47,240 Speaker 1: our God will deliver us. But even if he doesn't, 407 00:25:47,680 --> 00:25:50,760 Speaker 1: we're still not going to bow down. That's the key. 408 00:25:51,119 --> 00:25:54,320 Speaker 1: Believe for your dreams, Believe for God to turn the 409 00:25:54,359 --> 00:25:58,400 Speaker 1: situation around. Didn't take it one step further, even if 410 00:25:58,440 --> 00:26:01,720 Speaker 1: it doesn't happen my way. Even if I don't get 411 00:26:01,760 --> 00:26:05,119 Speaker 1: delivered God, I'm still going to be happy. God. If 412 00:26:05,160 --> 00:26:07,320 Speaker 1: you turn it around, I'm going to give you praise. 413 00:26:07,720 --> 00:26:10,240 Speaker 1: And if you don't turn it around, I'm still going 414 00:26:10,280 --> 00:26:12,880 Speaker 1: to give you praise. You live like that and all 415 00:26:12,920 --> 00:26:17,080 Speaker 1: the forces of darkness cannot stop you. Friends, don't let 416 00:26:17,480 --> 00:26:21,399 Speaker 1: these secret frustrations keep you from your destiny. Have a 417 00:26:21,440 --> 00:26:25,639 Speaker 1: new perspective. You have the grace you need for every situation. 418 00:26:26,160 --> 00:26:29,480 Speaker 1: If God is not removing it, there's a reason. Don't 419 00:26:29,520 --> 00:26:32,640 Speaker 1: try to figure it out. Trust him. If you do this, 420 00:26:32,760 --> 00:26:36,080 Speaker 1: I believe and declare God is going to change what 421 00:26:36,240 --> 00:26:39,320 Speaker 1: needs to be changed. He's going to remove what needs 422 00:26:39,359 --> 00:26:43,480 Speaker 1: to be removed. You're going to rise higher, overcome obstacles, 423 00:26:43,640 --> 00:26:47,920 Speaker 1: and become everything God's created you to be in Jesus' name. 424 00:26:48,400 --> 00:26:50,480 Speaker 1: If you receive it, can you say in men today, 425 00:26:52,480 --> 00:26:55,320 Speaker 1: we never like to close our broadcast without giving you 426 00:26:55,359 --> 00:26:58,240 Speaker 1: an opportunity to make Jesus the lord of your life. 427 00:26:58,800 --> 00:27:03,040 Speaker 1: Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord Jesus, I'll 428 00:27:03,040 --> 00:27:07,880 Speaker 1: repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I make 429 00:27:07,960 --> 00:27:11,639 Speaker 1: you my lord and savior. Friends, if you prayed that 430 00:27:11,720 --> 00:27:14,800 Speaker 1: simple prayer. We believe you got born again. Get in 431 00:27:14,840 --> 00:27:17,639 Speaker 1: a good Bible based church. Keep God in first place. 432 00:27:17,920 --> 00:27:20,360 Speaker 1: He's going to take your places that you've never dreamed. 433 00:27:21,800 --> 00:27:24,600 Speaker 1: When we face challenges, it's easy to feel like God 434 00:27:24,640 --> 00:27:27,760 Speaker 1: has forgotten about us. We don't see anything happening, and 435 00:27:28,040 --> 00:27:30,639 Speaker 1: God's telling us it's not going to work out. But 436 00:27:30,760 --> 00:27:33,240 Speaker 1: God is not called the Great I was or the 437 00:27:33,280 --> 00:27:36,120 Speaker 1: Great I will be. He's called the Great I Am. 438 00:27:36,840 --> 00:27:40,160 Speaker 1: Then my new book, He Is I Am, you'll discover 439 00:27:40,280 --> 00:27:42,919 Speaker 1: that God is with you in every area of your life. 440 00:27:43,560 --> 00:27:46,399 Speaker 1: I Am is always in the present, not at a 441 00:27:46,480 --> 00:27:49,639 Speaker 1: later time. God is working in your life right now. 442 00:27:50,320 --> 00:27:53,560 Speaker 1: I Am means I am your healer. I am your provider. 443 00:27:53,800 --> 00:27:57,320 Speaker 1: I am your waymaker. Whether you're facing a challenge or 444 00:27:57,480 --> 00:28:00,800 Speaker 1: pursuing your dreams, stay in faith. A great I Am 445 00:28:01,119 --> 00:28:02,160 Speaker 1: is right there with you. 446 00:28:03,160 --> 00:28:05,560 Speaker 2: As our way of saying thank you for your gift 447 00:28:05,600 --> 00:28:08,040 Speaker 2: of any amount this month, we would like to send 448 00:28:08,040 --> 00:28:11,480 Speaker 2: you a copy of Joel's book, he Is I Am. 449 00:28:11,840 --> 00:28:15,119 Speaker 2: God is for you here and now. Are you in 450 00:28:15,200 --> 00:28:19,320 Speaker 2: need of protection or provision today? Jesus assures us I 451 00:28:19,400 --> 00:28:23,080 Speaker 2: Am the good Shepherd. Does the path ahead seem uncertain 452 00:28:23,280 --> 00:28:27,320 Speaker 2: or dark, Jesus declares, I Am the Light of the world. 453 00:28:27,880 --> 00:28:30,879 Speaker 2: Do you feel like your career, calling or marriage just 454 00:28:30,920 --> 00:28:35,879 Speaker 2: beyond hope? Jesus promises, I Am the Resurrection and the Life. 455 00:28:36,480 --> 00:28:40,120 Speaker 2: With every I Am statement, you'll discover more about who 456 00:28:40,200 --> 00:28:42,840 Speaker 2: God is and what He has made available for you, 457 00:28:43,280 --> 00:28:47,720 Speaker 2: not someday, but today. Request your copy today and watch 458 00:28:47,720 --> 00:28:51,880 Speaker 2: God's promise come alive. No matter what you face, He 459 00:28:51,960 --> 00:28:55,280 Speaker 2: is here and now for you. Be sure to request 460 00:28:55,400 --> 00:28:58,320 Speaker 2: your copy of He Is I Am. God is for 461 00:28:58,440 --> 00:29:02,760 Speaker 2: you here and now today. Visit joelostein dot com or 462 00:29:02,840 --> 00:29:05,080 Speaker 2: call eight eight eight five six seven. 463 00:29:05,360 --> 00:29:09,560 Speaker 1: Joel. You're never alone. The Great I Am is behind 464 00:29:09,640 --> 00:29:14,280 Speaker 1: the scenes, making ways, opening doors, turning things in your favor. 465 00:29:14,920 --> 00:29:16,520 Speaker 1: Victoria and I want you to know we love you 466 00:29:16,600 --> 00:29:19,440 Speaker 1: and we pray for you every day. Thanks for your 467 00:29:19,480 --> 00:29:23,200 Speaker 1: prayer and support of the ministry. Your generosity is making 468 00:29:23,240 --> 00:29:27,040 Speaker 1: a difference in people's lives around the world. Special thank 469 00:29:27,120 --> 00:29:30,360 Speaker 1: you to our Champion of Hope partners for your monthly support. 470 00:29:30,800 --> 00:29:33,800 Speaker 1: If you're not a partner, I hope you'll consider becoming one. 471 00:29:34,120 --> 00:29:37,640 Speaker 1: Remember you can watch the services online every Sunday morning, 472 00:29:38,200 --> 00:29:42,440 Speaker 1: download our daily podcast, listen on serious XM watch our 473 00:29:42,480 --> 00:29:46,880 Speaker 1: YouTube channel and the new Joelostin Network streaming on television 474 00:29:46,920 --> 00:29:49,440 Speaker 1: twenty four hours a day. But until we see you 475 00:29:49,480 --> 00:29:52,200 Speaker 1: next time, may the Lord bless you and keep you. 476 00:29:52,960 --> 00:29:55,680 Speaker 2: Be sure to request your copy of he Is I 477 00:29:55,760 --> 00:29:59,480 Speaker 2: Am God is for you here and now today. Visit 478 00:30:00,080 --> 00:30:03,280 Speaker 2: steam dot com or call eight eight eight five six 479 00:30:03,400 --> 00:30:07,280 Speaker 2: seven Joel for an additional donation. This month we are 480 00:30:07,320 --> 00:30:11,480 Speaker 2: offering the IM Collection. It includes a beautiful two piece 481 00:30:11,520 --> 00:30:15,920 Speaker 2: scripture walart plus the he Is IM book bundle. The 482 00:30:16,000 --> 00:30:21,440 Speaker 2: stretched Canvas elegantly features IM and scripture reference John fourteen six. 483 00:30:21,960 --> 00:30:25,360 Speaker 2: You can request these unique resources by calling eight eight 484 00:30:25,400 --> 00:30:29,280 Speaker 2: eight five six seven Joel or logging on to Joelostein 485 00:30:29,320 --> 00:30:33,040 Speaker 2: dot com today call or click any time, twenty four 486 00:30:33,080 --> 00:30:36,720 Speaker 2: hours a day. Yes, be reminded that the power of 487 00:30:36,800 --> 00:30:39,520 Speaker 2: IM is for you each and every day