1 00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:03,200 Speaker 1: So great to have you with us today, and as 2 00:00:03,240 --> 00:00:05,960 Speaker 1: we enter into this spring season, just let it be 3 00:00:06,000 --> 00:00:08,719 Speaker 1: a time of new beginnings, letting go of the old, 4 00:00:09,000 --> 00:00:11,160 Speaker 1: getting ready for the new things God's going to do, 5 00:00:11,200 --> 00:00:13,320 Speaker 1: and just really believe you're going to come into a 6 00:00:13,360 --> 00:00:16,919 Speaker 1: blooming and a blossoming season in Jesus' name. 7 00:00:16,960 --> 00:00:20,040 Speaker 2: But God bless you and enjoy the podcast. Well, God 8 00:00:20,079 --> 00:00:21,960 Speaker 2: bless you. It's great to be with you. 9 00:00:22,000 --> 00:00:24,840 Speaker 1: Today, and I hope you'll stay connected with us during 10 00:00:24,880 --> 00:00:29,040 Speaker 1: the week through our daily podcast, YouTube channel, social media, 11 00:00:29,480 --> 00:00:32,080 Speaker 1: and you can come visit us in person. We'd love 12 00:00:32,120 --> 00:00:34,440 Speaker 1: to have you be a part of one of our services. 13 00:00:35,000 --> 00:00:36,560 Speaker 1: But I'd like to start with something funny. 14 00:00:36,920 --> 00:00:40,600 Speaker 2: I heard about this elderly pastor. He was close to death. 15 00:00:41,080 --> 00:00:43,880 Speaker 1: He sent word for two of his members, an ours 16 00:00:43,920 --> 00:00:47,879 Speaker 1: agent and a lawyer to come to his house. Upon arrival, 17 00:00:48,280 --> 00:00:50,239 Speaker 1: he motioned for them to sit on each side of 18 00:00:50,280 --> 00:00:52,880 Speaker 1: the bed. The men were very moved that they could 19 00:00:52,920 --> 00:00:55,360 Speaker 1: be with the minister in his final moments. 20 00:00:56,000 --> 00:00:58,840 Speaker 2: One point, the lawyer asked her, why did you choose 21 00:00:58,880 --> 00:00:59,520 Speaker 2: both of us. 22 00:01:00,160 --> 00:01:03,640 Speaker 1: The minister mustered up some strength and said, Jesus died 23 00:01:03,680 --> 00:01:06,280 Speaker 1: between two sinners. That's the way I want to go 24 00:01:07,440 --> 00:01:09,920 Speaker 1: all right, y'all say it like you mean it. This 25 00:01:10,040 --> 00:01:12,720 Speaker 1: is my Bible. I am what it says I am. 26 00:01:13,120 --> 00:01:15,480 Speaker 1: I have what it says I have. I can do 27 00:01:15,600 --> 00:01:18,120 Speaker 1: what it says I can do. Today I will be 28 00:01:18,200 --> 00:01:22,039 Speaker 1: taught the word of God. I boldly confess. My mind 29 00:01:22,120 --> 00:01:25,399 Speaker 1: is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never be 30 00:01:25,480 --> 00:01:30,039 Speaker 1: the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. I want 31 00:01:30,080 --> 00:01:33,240 Speaker 1: to talk to you today about from trouble to double 32 00:01:34,000 --> 00:01:37,039 Speaker 1: We all face difficulties and things that are not fair. 33 00:01:37,160 --> 00:01:40,800 Speaker 1: And someone walks out of a relationship, set back in 34 00:01:40,840 --> 00:01:44,720 Speaker 1: our finances, we come down with an illness. A man 35 00:01:44,760 --> 00:01:49,320 Speaker 1: told me how a coworker was dishonest and manipulated things, 36 00:01:49,360 --> 00:01:52,920 Speaker 1: and he made this man look bad. The coworker got 37 00:01:52,960 --> 00:01:56,560 Speaker 1: the promotion that he deserved. He was so upset thinking 38 00:01:56,600 --> 00:01:57,880 Speaker 1: that he had missed his chance. 39 00:01:58,640 --> 00:01:59,960 Speaker 2: But God sees. 40 00:02:00,360 --> 00:02:03,600 Speaker 1: You go through, He sees who did you wrong, the 41 00:02:03,680 --> 00:02:07,880 Speaker 1: bad breaks, the times you were taking advantage of God 42 00:02:07,960 --> 00:02:09,919 Speaker 1: doesn't stop all the difficulties. 43 00:02:10,240 --> 00:02:12,040 Speaker 2: He won't keep you from all the trouble. 44 00:02:12,639 --> 00:02:15,720 Speaker 1: But he said in Zachariah nine, if you'll be a 45 00:02:15,760 --> 00:02:19,560 Speaker 1: prisoner of hope, I will restore double back. To you 46 00:02:20,800 --> 00:02:24,920 Speaker 1: when trouble comes. Instead of being upset, have a new perspective. 47 00:02:25,320 --> 00:02:29,560 Speaker 1: That just qualified you for double. That bad break looks 48 00:02:29,600 --> 00:02:32,880 Speaker 1: like a setback, but really it's setting you up to 49 00:02:33,000 --> 00:02:36,560 Speaker 1: come out with twice what you had before, twice the joy, 50 00:02:36,840 --> 00:02:41,200 Speaker 1: twice the resources, twice the influence. God never brings you 51 00:02:41,280 --> 00:02:44,680 Speaker 1: out the same, He makes the enemy pay for bringing 52 00:02:44,720 --> 00:02:49,320 Speaker 1: the difficulty. When you understand this principle, you won't live 53 00:02:49,400 --> 00:02:52,480 Speaker 1: bitter when people do you wrong or give up on 54 00:02:52,560 --> 00:02:57,360 Speaker 1: your dreams because something unfair happens. You know it's setting 55 00:02:57,400 --> 00:03:01,560 Speaker 1: you up for something greater. That coworker that left you out, 56 00:03:01,960 --> 00:03:05,400 Speaker 1: they thought they were hurting you. They don't realize they 57 00:03:05,440 --> 00:03:08,560 Speaker 1: did you a favor. They just qualified you for double. 58 00:03:09,280 --> 00:03:13,000 Speaker 1: Without that setback, you wouldn't see the blessing and favor 59 00:03:13,160 --> 00:03:16,120 Speaker 1: that you're going to see, or that door that closed, 60 00:03:16,639 --> 00:03:20,480 Speaker 1: the client you lost, the friend that betrayed you. Yes, 61 00:03:20,520 --> 00:03:24,120 Speaker 1: it's painful, none of us like it. But instead of 62 00:03:24,200 --> 00:03:26,440 Speaker 1: living discourage, try a new approach. 63 00:03:26,760 --> 00:03:29,079 Speaker 2: Lord. I thank you that double is coming. 64 00:03:29,680 --> 00:03:35,640 Speaker 1: Thank you that all come out better than I was before, Stronger, healthier, promoted, increased. 65 00:03:36,440 --> 00:03:39,120 Speaker 1: God said he had restored double back to you. But 66 00:03:39,240 --> 00:03:43,200 Speaker 1: there is a condition if you'll be a prisoner of hope. 67 00:03:44,080 --> 00:03:48,040 Speaker 1: That's an interesting analogy. A prisoner means you're captive. 68 00:03:48,640 --> 00:03:49,960 Speaker 2: He can't get away from it. 69 00:03:50,680 --> 00:03:53,560 Speaker 1: I should be discouraged over what I'm going through, but 70 00:03:53,680 --> 00:03:56,400 Speaker 1: I still believe that God is on the throne, that 71 00:03:56,480 --> 00:03:57,560 Speaker 1: He's turning things. 72 00:03:57,320 --> 00:03:58,680 Speaker 2: To my advantage. 73 00:03:58,720 --> 00:04:01,960 Speaker 1: This sickness doesn't look good good The medical experts said, 74 00:04:01,960 --> 00:04:04,680 Speaker 1: I'm not going to get well, but I still believe 75 00:04:04,920 --> 00:04:08,880 Speaker 1: Jehovah Rafhah, the Lord by healer, is restoring health back 76 00:04:08,880 --> 00:04:12,720 Speaker 1: into me. Or my child's off course, no sign of 77 00:04:12,800 --> 00:04:16,400 Speaker 1: him improving. But I know as for me and my house, 78 00:04:16,600 --> 00:04:19,320 Speaker 1: we will serve the Lord. My children are mighty in 79 00:04:19,360 --> 00:04:22,520 Speaker 1: the land. That's what it means to be a prisoner 80 00:04:22,560 --> 00:04:26,240 Speaker 1: of hope. You're locked in he can't be talked out 81 00:04:26,279 --> 00:04:30,560 Speaker 1: of it. You're praising when you could be complaining. You're 82 00:04:30,600 --> 00:04:33,280 Speaker 1: thanking God when you don't see any sign of it. 83 00:04:33,800 --> 00:04:37,200 Speaker 1: You're talking like it's going to happen when nothing is improving. 84 00:04:38,279 --> 00:04:41,279 Speaker 1: And in life, you're going to be a prisoner of something, 85 00:04:41,800 --> 00:04:45,240 Speaker 1: prisoner of doubt, prisoner of shame, prisoner of discouragement. 86 00:04:45,800 --> 00:04:47,120 Speaker 2: Get out of those prisons. 87 00:04:47,880 --> 00:04:51,400 Speaker 1: God is looking for prisoners of hope, people that don't 88 00:04:51,440 --> 00:04:56,120 Speaker 1: fall apart when trouble comes, people that keep believing, keep praising, 89 00:04:56,440 --> 00:05:00,800 Speaker 1: keep expecting, knowing that the trouble is setting them up 90 00:05:00,839 --> 00:05:04,320 Speaker 1: for double Well, Joe, I don't think this is ever 91 00:05:04,360 --> 00:05:05,240 Speaker 1: gonna happen for me. 92 00:05:05,920 --> 00:05:07,320 Speaker 2: You don't know what I've been through. 93 00:05:08,040 --> 00:05:10,600 Speaker 1: The enemy would love for us to be a prisoner 94 00:05:10,640 --> 00:05:15,440 Speaker 1: of doubt, thinking that we're stuck prisoner of shame. I've 95 00:05:15,440 --> 00:05:19,000 Speaker 1: made too many mistakes. That's why I'm not expecting anything good. 96 00:05:19,680 --> 00:05:23,279 Speaker 1: A prisoner of bitterness. They hurt me, they walked out 97 00:05:23,279 --> 00:05:26,760 Speaker 1: on me. The problem is you're in the wrong prison. 98 00:05:27,640 --> 00:05:30,280 Speaker 1: God wants to pay you back. He wants to give 99 00:05:30,320 --> 00:05:33,560 Speaker 1: you beauty for those ashes. Make the rest of your 100 00:05:33,600 --> 00:05:37,039 Speaker 1: life so rewarding that you don't think about who did 101 00:05:37,040 --> 00:05:40,200 Speaker 1: you wrong. You don't focus on the pains of the past. 102 00:05:40,920 --> 00:05:45,080 Speaker 1: But you have to break out of that prison of defeat, bitterness, 103 00:05:45,279 --> 00:05:48,600 Speaker 1: self pity and become a prisoner of hope. 104 00:05:48,839 --> 00:05:51,359 Speaker 2: God, I know you didn't bring me this far to 105 00:05:51,480 --> 00:05:51,839 Speaker 2: leave me. 106 00:05:52,440 --> 00:05:55,000 Speaker 1: I believe my latter days will be better than my 107 00:05:55,120 --> 00:05:58,839 Speaker 1: former days, that this trouble is setting me up for 108 00:05:58,960 --> 00:06:00,440 Speaker 1: new levels of my day destiny. 109 00:06:01,520 --> 00:06:03,760 Speaker 2: Maybe you had a rough childhood, your. 110 00:06:03,560 --> 00:06:06,960 Speaker 1: Parents weren't around, there was a lot of dysfunction. You 111 00:06:07,000 --> 00:06:10,160 Speaker 1: could live bitter thinking you're at a disadvantage. 112 00:06:10,440 --> 00:06:14,960 Speaker 2: Why wasn't I raised better? That's going to limit your life. 113 00:06:15,080 --> 00:06:19,680 Speaker 1: Have a new perspective that dysfunction qualified you for double 114 00:06:20,480 --> 00:06:21,800 Speaker 1: don't sit around negative. 115 00:06:22,080 --> 00:06:24,080 Speaker 2: God has something big in your future. 116 00:06:24,640 --> 00:06:27,120 Speaker 1: He's going to make up for what you didn't get, 117 00:06:27,880 --> 00:06:30,560 Speaker 1: not to just where you should have been if everything 118 00:06:30,680 --> 00:06:35,039 Speaker 1: was normal and healthy, but because of that disadvantage, he's 119 00:06:35,080 --> 00:06:38,159 Speaker 1: going to do twice as much. It was meant to 120 00:06:38,240 --> 00:06:40,720 Speaker 1: set you back, but God is going to use it 121 00:06:40,800 --> 00:06:44,560 Speaker 1: to set you up, to propel you, to favor you, 122 00:06:45,120 --> 00:06:48,800 Speaker 1: to take you where you've never imagined. God wants to 123 00:06:48,839 --> 00:06:52,640 Speaker 1: make you a trophy of his grace, not just bring 124 00:06:52,680 --> 00:06:56,080 Speaker 1: you out, but cause you to bloom, to blossom, to 125 00:06:56,160 --> 00:06:59,960 Speaker 1: see favor, great opportunities, great relationship. 126 00:07:00,720 --> 00:07:03,719 Speaker 2: Now do your part and give him something to work with. 127 00:07:04,600 --> 00:07:09,320 Speaker 1: Don't have a disadvantage mentality, have a double mentality. That's 128 00:07:09,360 --> 00:07:13,040 Speaker 1: what allows God to show out in your life. The 129 00:07:13,200 --> 00:07:17,280 Speaker 1: Israelites had been in captivity in Babylon for many years 130 00:07:17,320 --> 00:07:20,840 Speaker 1: and not allowed to return home. They had all these 131 00:07:20,880 --> 00:07:26,280 Speaker 1: disappointments and hardships. Their ancestors had been in slavery, so mistreated. 132 00:07:26,920 --> 00:07:30,480 Speaker 1: Now that same spirit of defeat and disadvantage was on them. 133 00:07:31,240 --> 00:07:35,080 Speaker 1: The prophet Zachariah showed up while they were prisoners of war. 134 00:07:35,720 --> 00:07:38,560 Speaker 1: He said to them, if you'll be a prisoner of hope, 135 00:07:39,120 --> 00:07:43,040 Speaker 1: God will restore double back to you. Imagine the battle 136 00:07:43,120 --> 00:07:44,360 Speaker 1: taking place in their mind. 137 00:07:45,240 --> 00:07:48,000 Speaker 2: He's saying, be a prisoner of hope. But look what 138 00:07:48,040 --> 00:07:50,480 Speaker 2: we've been through, Look what we're up against. 139 00:07:51,040 --> 00:07:54,160 Speaker 1: There's no way we could live a blessed life, be free, 140 00:07:54,320 --> 00:07:55,120 Speaker 1: have abundance. 141 00:07:56,160 --> 00:07:57,520 Speaker 2: They had to make a decision. 142 00:07:58,200 --> 00:08:01,320 Speaker 1: Am I going to be a prisoner of defeat, focus 143 00:08:01,400 --> 00:08:04,720 Speaker 1: on all the past hurts, the disappointments, how it's never 144 00:08:04,800 --> 00:08:08,000 Speaker 1: going to work out? Or am I going to believe 145 00:08:08,080 --> 00:08:11,240 Speaker 1: what this prophet is saying that God has double for 146 00:08:11,320 --> 00:08:14,240 Speaker 1: this trouble, that he's about to pay us back for 147 00:08:14,320 --> 00:08:18,440 Speaker 1: the unfair things that have happened. They change their mindset 148 00:08:18,800 --> 00:08:22,360 Speaker 1: from a prisoner of defeat to a prisoner of hope. 149 00:08:22,560 --> 00:08:26,080 Speaker 1: They saw God take them where they never dreamed. Like 150 00:08:26,160 --> 00:08:29,160 Speaker 1: the Israelites, you may have had more than your share 151 00:08:29,200 --> 00:08:33,640 Speaker 1: of trouble, disappointments, and people that did you wrong. God 152 00:08:33,720 --> 00:08:36,480 Speaker 1: is saying to you what he said to them. I'm 153 00:08:36,520 --> 00:08:39,800 Speaker 1: about to restore double. I'm about to pay you back 154 00:08:39,800 --> 00:08:40,839 Speaker 1: with twice. 155 00:08:40,640 --> 00:08:44,359 Speaker 2: What should have been yours. But there is a requirement. 156 00:08:45,120 --> 00:08:48,320 Speaker 1: You have to get rid of that survival mentality and 157 00:08:48,400 --> 00:08:52,160 Speaker 1: have a double mentality. Instead of a prisoner of doubt, 158 00:08:52,520 --> 00:08:56,120 Speaker 1: switch over to a prisoner of hope. Believe that God 159 00:08:56,200 --> 00:08:59,640 Speaker 1: is working that what's meant for harm, He's turning to 160 00:08:59,679 --> 00:09:03,400 Speaker 1: you advantage that that trouble sets you up to come 161 00:09:03,440 --> 00:09:06,560 Speaker 1: out with twice what you had before. If you're struggling 162 00:09:06,559 --> 00:09:10,960 Speaker 1: with anxiety depression, thoughts will say it's permanent, it's never 163 00:09:11,040 --> 00:09:15,160 Speaker 1: going to change. Don't believe those lies. That attack is 164 00:09:15,200 --> 00:09:18,680 Speaker 1: setting you up for double. The enemy minute to stop 165 00:09:18,720 --> 00:09:23,240 Speaker 1: your purpose, to push down your gifts, keep your personality 166 00:09:23,240 --> 00:09:27,040 Speaker 1: from shining. The good news is it's going to backfire. 167 00:09:27,800 --> 00:09:29,480 Speaker 1: God's going to use it to take you. 168 00:09:29,559 --> 00:09:33,239 Speaker 2: Further than if it had not happen, or the door. 169 00:09:33,000 --> 00:09:36,480 Speaker 1: That closed in your business, that contract didn't go through. 170 00:09:36,840 --> 00:09:40,240 Speaker 1: It's not setting you back, it's setting you up. God 171 00:09:40,280 --> 00:09:44,600 Speaker 1: didn't allow it because he has something much bigger, much better. 172 00:09:45,040 --> 00:09:49,520 Speaker 1: Double is coming, double the resources, double the influence double 173 00:09:49,559 --> 00:09:53,120 Speaker 1: the favor. When we were trying to buy property to 174 00:09:53,200 --> 00:09:56,360 Speaker 1: build a new sanctuary, we found this one hundred acre 175 00:09:56,480 --> 00:09:58,560 Speaker 1: tract of land right off the freeway. 176 00:09:59,200 --> 00:09:59,960 Speaker 2: Seemed perfect. 177 00:10:00,320 --> 00:10:03,480 Speaker 1: It's about two miles from our former location. And I 178 00:10:03,559 --> 00:10:06,000 Speaker 1: met with the owner and he told me the property 179 00:10:06,040 --> 00:10:08,679 Speaker 1: had been for sale for twenty years and he had 180 00:10:08,720 --> 00:10:11,680 Speaker 1: never had one offer on it. I knew that God 181 00:10:11,679 --> 00:10:14,280 Speaker 1: had saved that for us. He said, Joel, you don't 182 00:10:14,320 --> 00:10:17,120 Speaker 1: need to sign the contract right now. You can do 183 00:10:17,200 --> 00:10:20,559 Speaker 1: your preliminary drawings while we get the paperwork drawn up. 184 00:10:21,280 --> 00:10:24,040 Speaker 1: Two months later we went to his office to sign 185 00:10:24,120 --> 00:10:27,760 Speaker 1: the contract. We had an eight am meeting. We showed 186 00:10:27,840 --> 00:10:31,040 Speaker 1: up at seven forty five. His secretary walked out and said, 187 00:10:31,080 --> 00:10:34,320 Speaker 1: I'm sorry, the owner sold the property last night. 188 00:10:35,160 --> 00:10:36,079 Speaker 2: I couldn't believe it. 189 00:10:36,520 --> 00:10:39,120 Speaker 1: He gave me his word, then sold it right out 190 00:10:39,160 --> 00:10:42,360 Speaker 1: from under us, and I was so disappointed. There were 191 00:10:42,400 --> 00:10:46,760 Speaker 1: no more large tracts of land we looked everywhere, seemed 192 00:10:46,800 --> 00:10:47,720 Speaker 1: like we were stuck. 193 00:10:48,480 --> 00:10:49,720 Speaker 2: I went home and told. 194 00:10:49,600 --> 00:10:52,959 Speaker 1: Victoria how bad it was, how that man had done 195 00:10:53,040 --> 00:10:55,640 Speaker 1: us wrong, how there was no way we could grow. 196 00:10:55,920 --> 00:10:58,920 Speaker 1: She said, listen here, Joel, God is still in control. 197 00:10:59,440 --> 00:11:02,720 Speaker 1: He knows what he's doing. We're not gonna get discouraged. 198 00:11:02,880 --> 00:11:05,160 Speaker 1: We're gonna trust that he has something. 199 00:11:04,880 --> 00:11:08,559 Speaker 2: Better in store. She started preaching one of my messages. 200 00:11:09,520 --> 00:11:10,560 Speaker 2: I didn't want to hear that. 201 00:11:10,800 --> 00:11:13,400 Speaker 1: I wanted to be depressed. I wanted to get in 202 00:11:13,480 --> 00:11:14,760 Speaker 1: that prison of self pity. 203 00:11:15,320 --> 00:11:18,760 Speaker 2: God, where are you? This wasn't fair. Victoria was saying, No, 204 00:11:19,040 --> 00:11:22,960 Speaker 2: We're gonna be prisoners of hope. Six months later, a 205 00:11:23,000 --> 00:11:24,640 Speaker 2: friend called said, the. 206 00:11:24,600 --> 00:11:28,280 Speaker 1: Houston Rockets basketball team was moving out of the Compact 207 00:11:28,320 --> 00:11:31,280 Speaker 1: Center and we should try to buy it. When I 208 00:11:31,320 --> 00:11:34,600 Speaker 1: heard that, something came alive on the inside. This was 209 00:11:34,640 --> 00:11:37,439 Speaker 1: more than I could imagine. By the grace of God, 210 00:11:37,720 --> 00:11:40,360 Speaker 1: things fell into place, and in two thousand and three, 211 00:11:40,760 --> 00:11:41,920 Speaker 1: the Houston City. 212 00:11:41,679 --> 00:11:44,120 Speaker 2: Council voted for us to have this building. 213 00:11:45,200 --> 00:11:49,920 Speaker 1: What's significant is our old sanctuary held eight thousand people. 214 00:11:50,480 --> 00:11:54,079 Speaker 1: This place holds sixteen thousand, exactly double. 215 00:11:55,040 --> 00:11:57,959 Speaker 2: That man thought he was setting us back. 216 00:11:58,320 --> 00:12:01,240 Speaker 1: The truth is he was set us up for double. 217 00:12:02,120 --> 00:12:04,720 Speaker 1: He didn't even do it of his own accord. He 218 00:12:04,840 --> 00:12:06,760 Speaker 1: was a pawn in the hand of God. 219 00:12:07,559 --> 00:12:09,600 Speaker 2: God on purpose closed that door. 220 00:12:10,679 --> 00:12:13,720 Speaker 1: I wonder if there are things you're disappointed about now, 221 00:12:14,320 --> 00:12:16,680 Speaker 1: Doors that have closed injustice. 222 00:12:17,000 --> 00:12:18,520 Speaker 2: You're wondering why it happened. 223 00:12:19,080 --> 00:12:21,840 Speaker 1: If you only knew what God had in store, you 224 00:12:21,840 --> 00:12:25,920 Speaker 1: wouldn't be disappointed. And yes, on the surface, it can 225 00:12:25,960 --> 00:12:30,400 Speaker 1: be discouraging, painful, hard to deal with. You have to 226 00:12:30,480 --> 00:12:35,240 Speaker 1: remind yourself that trouble is qualifying you for double It's 227 00:12:35,280 --> 00:12:38,679 Speaker 1: setting you up for a level of your destiny that 228 00:12:38,760 --> 00:12:41,400 Speaker 1: you could have never seen if it had not happened. 229 00:12:42,240 --> 00:12:45,680 Speaker 1: God said in Isaiah, because you got a double dose 230 00:12:45,720 --> 00:12:49,440 Speaker 1: of trouble, your inheritance in the land will be double, 231 00:12:49,880 --> 00:12:53,520 Speaker 1: and your joy will go on forever. Sometimes it seems 232 00:12:53,559 --> 00:12:55,920 Speaker 1: like we get a double dose of trouble. It's one 233 00:12:56,000 --> 00:13:00,440 Speaker 1: thing after another. That's not how your story ends. Get ready, 234 00:13:00,679 --> 00:13:04,199 Speaker 1: a double dose of blessing is coming, a double dose 235 00:13:04,200 --> 00:13:08,280 Speaker 1: of favor, a double dose of health and vitality, a 236 00:13:08,320 --> 00:13:12,200 Speaker 1: double dose of opportunity and influence. Get this down in 237 00:13:12,240 --> 00:13:12,840 Speaker 1: your spirit. 238 00:13:13,240 --> 00:13:14,440 Speaker 2: Double for that trouble. 239 00:13:15,600 --> 00:13:18,600 Speaker 1: Well, Joey, you're just trying to get people's hopes up. Yes, 240 00:13:18,679 --> 00:13:21,360 Speaker 1: I'm trying to convince you to become a prisoner of 241 00:13:21,480 --> 00:13:24,280 Speaker 1: hope to where you can't be talked out of it, 242 00:13:24,760 --> 00:13:29,160 Speaker 1: because when you do, God says double is coming. One 243 00:13:29,200 --> 00:13:33,040 Speaker 1: translation of the verse in Zachariah says, I will repay 244 00:13:33,440 --> 00:13:37,200 Speaker 1: two blessings for each of your troubles. When you're at 245 00:13:37,240 --> 00:13:40,200 Speaker 1: the department stores, sometimes there's a two for one seal. 246 00:13:40,840 --> 00:13:42,160 Speaker 2: You buy one and get two. 247 00:13:42,559 --> 00:13:46,240 Speaker 1: God says here, when you have one disappointment, I'm gonna. 248 00:13:46,080 --> 00:13:47,640 Speaker 2: Pay you back with two blessings. 249 00:13:47,960 --> 00:13:50,319 Speaker 1: When you face one set back, I'm gonna give you 250 00:13:50,400 --> 00:13:54,520 Speaker 1: two promotions. When one friend walks away, I'm gonna bring 251 00:13:54,559 --> 00:13:54,920 Speaker 1: you two. 252 00:13:54,920 --> 00:13:56,360 Speaker 2: New friends, better friends. 253 00:13:57,120 --> 00:13:59,959 Speaker 1: When you face the sickness, I'm not only gonna restore 254 00:14:00,200 --> 00:14:02,400 Speaker 1: your health, but I'm going to give you a greater peace, 255 00:14:02,840 --> 00:14:06,760 Speaker 1: a double blessing. The fact that God allowed the trouble 256 00:14:07,000 --> 00:14:10,120 Speaker 1: is a sign that he wants to increase you, that 257 00:14:10,200 --> 00:14:14,160 Speaker 1: he has something greater in store if you'll pass the test. 258 00:14:14,559 --> 00:14:17,080 Speaker 2: On the other side of that difficulty. 259 00:14:16,640 --> 00:14:19,920 Speaker 1: Is double honor, double favor, double resources. 260 00:14:20,720 --> 00:14:22,160 Speaker 2: And no, we don't like the trouble. 261 00:14:22,720 --> 00:14:26,720 Speaker 1: None of us liked the disappointments, the injustice, but without 262 00:14:26,760 --> 00:14:29,120 Speaker 1: it we wouldn't see the fullness. 263 00:14:28,640 --> 00:14:29,479 Speaker 2: Of our destiny. 264 00:14:30,280 --> 00:14:34,040 Speaker 1: Don't let the difficulty cause you to give up, get sour, 265 00:14:34,400 --> 00:14:38,000 Speaker 1: have a new perspective. The trouble means double is in 266 00:14:38,040 --> 00:14:42,080 Speaker 1: your future. This is what happened with Job. Everything was 267 00:14:42,120 --> 00:14:45,440 Speaker 1: going great, life was good. Then the bottom fell out, 268 00:14:46,040 --> 00:14:49,880 Speaker 1: lost his health, his family, his business. He had boils 269 00:14:49,920 --> 00:14:50,920 Speaker 1: all over his body. 270 00:14:51,280 --> 00:14:54,320 Speaker 2: He's very painful. And Job was a good man. 271 00:14:54,960 --> 00:14:58,800 Speaker 1: The scripture says he honored God and lived with integrity. 272 00:14:58,960 --> 00:15:03,920 Speaker 1: Having faith doesn't exempt us from difficulties. Just because you're 273 00:15:03,920 --> 00:15:08,080 Speaker 1: having trouble doesn't mean you've done something wrong. The storms 274 00:15:08,080 --> 00:15:11,240 Speaker 1: of life come to us. All the good news is 275 00:15:11,720 --> 00:15:16,320 Speaker 1: nothing can happen to you without God's permissions. He's in 276 00:15:16,400 --> 00:15:20,400 Speaker 1: control in the good times and in the tough times. No, 277 00:15:20,520 --> 00:15:24,400 Speaker 1: he doesn't stop every difficulty. He doesn't prevent every attack, 278 00:15:25,040 --> 00:15:27,240 Speaker 1: but he wouldn't have allowed it if. 279 00:15:27,080 --> 00:15:29,000 Speaker 2: It was going to keep you from your purpose. 280 00:15:30,000 --> 00:15:33,040 Speaker 1: With Job, it seemed like everything was out of control. 281 00:15:33,200 --> 00:15:36,840 Speaker 1: But the fact is Satan had to ask God if 282 00:15:36,840 --> 00:15:40,440 Speaker 1: he could test Job. God set a limit as to 283 00:15:40,480 --> 00:15:43,560 Speaker 1: what he could do. What I'm saying is God is 284 00:15:43,600 --> 00:15:45,440 Speaker 1: not just in control of your life. 285 00:15:45,680 --> 00:15:47,400 Speaker 2: He's in control of your enemies. 286 00:15:48,040 --> 00:15:51,240 Speaker 1: He has a hedge of protection around you that the 287 00:15:51,400 --> 00:15:56,480 Speaker 1: enemy cannot cross without God's permissions. And if he's allowing 288 00:15:56,600 --> 00:16:00,440 Speaker 1: a difficulty, you have to remind yourself it's there. 289 00:16:00,280 --> 00:16:02,440 Speaker 2: To defeat you, it's there to promote you. 290 00:16:03,240 --> 00:16:06,400 Speaker 1: On the other side of that trouble is the double portion, 291 00:16:07,040 --> 00:16:12,080 Speaker 1: greater joy, greater courage, greater influence. But the challenge is 292 00:16:12,600 --> 00:16:16,280 Speaker 1: we all want the double without the trouble, at least 293 00:16:16,320 --> 00:16:19,920 Speaker 1: I do. But most of the time they're connected. You 294 00:16:20,040 --> 00:16:23,400 Speaker 1: have to go through it to get to it. The 295 00:16:23,480 --> 00:16:26,960 Speaker 1: longer I live, the more I've learned to trust God 296 00:16:27,080 --> 00:16:30,640 Speaker 1: in the trouble, not fight what doesn't go my way, 297 00:16:31,160 --> 00:16:34,480 Speaker 1: stay in peace when things happen that I don't understand. 298 00:16:35,320 --> 00:16:39,440 Speaker 1: I recognize that God is up to something. He doesn't 299 00:16:39,480 --> 00:16:43,760 Speaker 1: allow anything that's not ultimately going to work for your good. 300 00:16:44,960 --> 00:16:47,720 Speaker 1: One way to stay in faith in that trouble is 301 00:16:47,800 --> 00:16:51,640 Speaker 1: to keep reminding yourself that that setback is really. 302 00:16:51,400 --> 00:16:53,680 Speaker 2: A set up, that double is coming. 303 00:16:54,640 --> 00:16:57,800 Speaker 1: Things got so bad for Job his wife told him 304 00:16:57,800 --> 00:17:01,280 Speaker 1: to just curse God and die. His friend said it 305 00:17:01,320 --> 00:17:04,480 Speaker 1: was his own fault that he was getting what he deserved. 306 00:17:05,440 --> 00:17:09,120 Speaker 1: In difficulties, you have to be careful who you listen to. 307 00:17:10,160 --> 00:17:13,800 Speaker 1: Don't give just anyone your ear. Some people don't have 308 00:17:13,920 --> 00:17:17,960 Speaker 1: your best interests at heart. They'll judge you, condemn you, 309 00:17:18,400 --> 00:17:21,879 Speaker 1: try to straighten you out tell you everything you've done wrong. 310 00:17:22,200 --> 00:17:24,720 Speaker 2: They can't even run their own life, but they're telling 311 00:17:24,720 --> 00:17:26,240 Speaker 2: you how to run your life. 312 00:17:26,600 --> 00:17:29,400 Speaker 1: You need to be around people that speak faith into you, 313 00:17:30,000 --> 00:17:32,959 Speaker 1: people that tell you that you're coming out, that healing 314 00:17:33,040 --> 00:17:36,240 Speaker 1: is on the way, that God has beauty for those ashes, 315 00:17:36,880 --> 00:17:40,080 Speaker 1: and that even if it is your fault, even. 316 00:17:39,840 --> 00:17:41,440 Speaker 2: If you made the mess. 317 00:17:41,320 --> 00:17:45,800 Speaker 1: God's mercy is bigger than your mistakes. He never gives 318 00:17:45,880 --> 00:17:49,719 Speaker 1: up on you. He's the God of another chance. His 319 00:17:49,880 --> 00:17:52,959 Speaker 1: arms are still open wide. He can still get you 320 00:17:53,040 --> 00:17:56,200 Speaker 1: to your destiny. But you have to tune out all 321 00:17:56,240 --> 00:18:00,520 Speaker 1: the accusing, condemning voices and get back in the game. 322 00:18:01,560 --> 00:18:04,000 Speaker 1: The enemy would love for you to be a prisoner 323 00:18:04,040 --> 00:18:06,560 Speaker 1: of guilt, prisoner of shame. 324 00:18:06,480 --> 00:18:10,520 Speaker 2: Prisoner of regrets. I'm washed up. Come out of that prison. 325 00:18:11,320 --> 00:18:15,000 Speaker 1: You're locked up with the wrong thoughts. Try a new approach, 326 00:18:15,240 --> 00:18:16,680 Speaker 1: a prisoner of hope. 327 00:18:16,720 --> 00:18:21,879 Speaker 2: You're redeemed, you're forgiven, You're restored. Your future is bright. 328 00:18:22,600 --> 00:18:24,920 Speaker 1: The enemy wouldn't be trying to keep you in that 329 00:18:25,000 --> 00:18:26,280 Speaker 1: negative prison. 330 00:18:26,240 --> 00:18:28,399 Speaker 2: If he didn't know that double was coming. 331 00:18:29,200 --> 00:18:31,800 Speaker 1: Yes, you may have made a mess of things in 332 00:18:31,840 --> 00:18:34,800 Speaker 1: your life, but God knows how to not only clean 333 00:18:34,880 --> 00:18:38,320 Speaker 1: up the mess, but to bring you out where nobody 334 00:18:38,400 --> 00:18:42,160 Speaker 1: knows what you've been through. Your mistakes are not going 335 00:18:42,200 --> 00:18:46,400 Speaker 1: to be your identity. Those negative labels people have tried 336 00:18:46,440 --> 00:18:50,399 Speaker 1: to stick on you are coming off today. Your own 337 00:18:50,480 --> 00:18:53,280 Speaker 1: thoughts that have tried to convince you that you've missed 338 00:18:53,320 --> 00:18:57,720 Speaker 1: your chance just sit on the sidelines. Those strongholds are 339 00:18:57,720 --> 00:19:01,359 Speaker 1: coming down. This is your time to break free from 340 00:19:01,359 --> 00:19:04,000 Speaker 1: that negative mentality and become a. 341 00:19:03,920 --> 00:19:05,120 Speaker 2: Prisoner of hope. 342 00:19:05,800 --> 00:19:09,280 Speaker 1: God said, there's one thing I want to hold you captive. 343 00:19:09,720 --> 00:19:14,480 Speaker 1: Not fear, not guilt, not doubt, not discouragement, nor. 344 00:19:14,359 --> 00:19:16,359 Speaker 2: Get locked up with hope. 345 00:19:16,520 --> 00:19:20,040 Speaker 1: Believe the trouble will give way to double Believe that 346 00:19:20,080 --> 00:19:23,600 Speaker 1: your past is forgiven. Believe that your future is bright. 347 00:19:24,080 --> 00:19:28,159 Speaker 1: Believe that they are beauty for those ashes. Believe that God's. 348 00:19:27,800 --> 00:19:30,360 Speaker 2: Favor surrounds you like a shield. 349 00:19:31,400 --> 00:19:34,520 Speaker 1: After Job listened to his wife and looked around and 350 00:19:34,600 --> 00:19:38,240 Speaker 1: saw all the troubles, he sat down among the ashes. 351 00:19:38,880 --> 00:19:40,960 Speaker 2: He didn't think he'd ever be happy again. 352 00:19:41,800 --> 00:19:46,440 Speaker 1: Set in chapter seven, I will never experience pleasure anymore 353 00:19:47,640 --> 00:19:51,040 Speaker 1: In the difficult times. The enemy loves to whisper the 354 00:19:51,119 --> 00:19:55,480 Speaker 1: never lies. You'll never be happy either. You'll never get 355 00:19:55,480 --> 00:19:59,120 Speaker 1: well never meet someone, Never get out of this problem. 356 00:19:59,600 --> 00:20:02,359 Speaker 1: Don't belie lead those lies. He wouldn't be telling you 357 00:20:02,480 --> 00:20:03,840 Speaker 1: that if he didn't know. 358 00:20:04,119 --> 00:20:07,880 Speaker 2: There was something great in front of you. Few verses later, 359 00:20:08,040 --> 00:20:10,520 Speaker 2: Job said, I hate my life. 360 00:20:10,600 --> 00:20:13,720 Speaker 1: He was so discouraged, he didn't want to live. He 361 00:20:13,760 --> 00:20:17,960 Speaker 1: thought he was done. What's interesting is even though he 362 00:20:18,040 --> 00:20:21,240 Speaker 1: had given up, God had not given up on him. 363 00:20:21,880 --> 00:20:26,760 Speaker 1: God knows that we're human, that sometimes our emotions get 364 00:20:26,760 --> 00:20:30,000 Speaker 1: the best of us. We feel things, we get discouraged, 365 00:20:30,040 --> 00:20:31,320 Speaker 1: and we let doubt in. 366 00:20:31,880 --> 00:20:33,080 Speaker 2: We think that we're stuck. 367 00:20:33,920 --> 00:20:37,520 Speaker 1: Some of the greatest people in the Bible doubted. Thomas 368 00:20:37,600 --> 00:20:41,040 Speaker 1: was close to Jesus, one of his disciples. He traveled 369 00:20:41,040 --> 00:20:45,000 Speaker 1: with Jesus and ate dinner and did life together. Yet, 370 00:20:45,040 --> 00:20:47,960 Speaker 1: when Jesus rose from the dead, Thomas said, I'm not 371 00:20:48,000 --> 00:20:49,560 Speaker 1: going to believe unless I. 372 00:20:49,520 --> 00:20:50,919 Speaker 2: See him with my own eyes. 373 00:20:52,000 --> 00:20:55,159 Speaker 1: Jesus didn't hold that against him. Thomas went on to 374 00:20:55,240 --> 00:20:58,880 Speaker 1: share the good news throughout all of India. You may 375 00:20:58,920 --> 00:21:02,879 Speaker 1: have doubts at times, you feel discouragement trying to come on. 376 00:21:03,400 --> 00:21:04,440 Speaker 2: That happens to us. 377 00:21:04,480 --> 00:21:09,320 Speaker 1: All I'm saying, don't stay there, don't get locked up 378 00:21:09,359 --> 00:21:13,359 Speaker 1: in that mindset. Let that pass come back to that 379 00:21:13,480 --> 00:21:17,959 Speaker 1: prisoner of hope. Our attitude should be I'm not changing 380 00:21:18,040 --> 00:21:21,720 Speaker 1: my mind. I know God is faithful. He's been too 381 00:21:21,800 --> 00:21:25,200 Speaker 1: good to me not to believe. He's opened too many 382 00:21:25,280 --> 00:21:28,560 Speaker 1: doors I never dreamed would open. He's brought too many 383 00:21:28,600 --> 00:21:32,359 Speaker 1: divine connections. He's made too many ways when I didn't 384 00:21:32,400 --> 00:21:36,080 Speaker 1: see a way. He's protected me too many times, pushed 385 00:21:36,119 --> 00:21:39,320 Speaker 1: back forces of darkness, poured out blessings. 386 00:21:38,840 --> 00:21:40,000 Speaker 2: That I cannot contain. 387 00:21:40,520 --> 00:21:45,320 Speaker 1: I've been too blessed to not believe, and surely doubt 388 00:21:45,359 --> 00:21:49,320 Speaker 1: may come times where we could feel discouraged, worried, how's 389 00:21:49,320 --> 00:21:50,240 Speaker 1: this gonna work out. 390 00:21:50,880 --> 00:21:51,439 Speaker 2: I've learned to. 391 00:21:51,440 --> 00:21:54,480 Speaker 1: Say no thanks, I'm gonna be a prisoner of hope. 392 00:21:54,600 --> 00:21:57,200 Speaker 1: I've seen God do it before, and I know he'll 393 00:21:57,200 --> 00:22:00,480 Speaker 1: do it again. That's what sets you up to see 394 00:22:00,480 --> 00:22:05,600 Speaker 1: the double, the abundance, the greatness of our God. Sitting 395 00:22:05,640 --> 00:22:09,160 Speaker 1: in those ashes, Job suddenly had a change of heart. 396 00:22:09,640 --> 00:22:11,159 Speaker 2: He must have turned on Lakewood. 397 00:22:11,520 --> 00:22:13,919 Speaker 1: He looked up to the heavens and said, I know 398 00:22:14,480 --> 00:22:18,400 Speaker 1: my Redeemer lives. He was saying, God, I know you're 399 00:22:18,440 --> 00:22:21,640 Speaker 1: still on the throne. I may not understand all this, 400 00:22:22,000 --> 00:22:25,720 Speaker 1: but I trust you with my life. When we hear 401 00:22:25,760 --> 00:22:28,280 Speaker 1: about Job, most of the time we think of all 402 00:22:28,320 --> 00:22:32,720 Speaker 1: the suffering, the hardship, and yes it was rough, but 403 00:22:32,840 --> 00:22:36,920 Speaker 1: that's not how his story ended. The scripture says God 404 00:22:37,040 --> 00:22:41,520 Speaker 1: restored Job's fortunes and gave him twice what he had before. 405 00:22:42,680 --> 00:22:45,840 Speaker 1: God could have just restored him back to normal, brought 406 00:22:45,880 --> 00:22:46,280 Speaker 1: him back. 407 00:22:46,200 --> 00:22:48,440 Speaker 2: To the way he was. He would have been grateful. 408 00:22:49,119 --> 00:22:50,600 Speaker 2: But look at how God works. 409 00:22:51,080 --> 00:22:54,399 Speaker 1: Job came out with twice the cattle, twice, the sheep, twice, 410 00:22:54,440 --> 00:22:57,920 Speaker 1: the joy, twice the influence. He got a double dose 411 00:22:57,960 --> 00:23:01,119 Speaker 1: of trouble that set him up for a double dose 412 00:23:01,200 --> 00:23:02,040 Speaker 1: of blessings. 413 00:23:02,840 --> 00:23:04,040 Speaker 2: Could it be the. 414 00:23:03,960 --> 00:23:07,240 Speaker 1: Trouble you're going through is really God getting you in 415 00:23:07,359 --> 00:23:11,400 Speaker 1: position so he can give you double What if Job 416 00:23:11,440 --> 00:23:14,080 Speaker 1: would have known early on that this was all I 417 00:23:14,200 --> 00:23:17,200 Speaker 1: set up for God to do something amazing in his life, 418 00:23:17,920 --> 00:23:19,960 Speaker 1: he'd have probably handled it differently. 419 00:23:20,400 --> 00:23:22,760 Speaker 2: He would have trusted God in the trouble. 420 00:23:22,960 --> 00:23:26,680 Speaker 1: Stayed in peace, and kept that attitude of faith, knowing 421 00:23:26,680 --> 00:23:29,000 Speaker 1: that it was going to all work to his advantage. 422 00:23:29,640 --> 00:23:32,560 Speaker 1: It would be easier if God would promise us double 423 00:23:32,680 --> 00:23:36,320 Speaker 1: without the trouble. But usually there are some tests that 424 00:23:36,359 --> 00:23:40,880 Speaker 1: we have to go through difficulties and things we don't understand. 425 00:23:41,480 --> 00:23:44,119 Speaker 2: That's when we prove to God what we're made of. 426 00:23:45,000 --> 00:23:48,399 Speaker 1: That we're faithful in the fire, that were calm in 427 00:23:48,480 --> 00:23:51,879 Speaker 1: the chaos, that we trust in the trouble, that we 428 00:23:52,000 --> 00:23:56,520 Speaker 1: praise in the problem, that we're unshakable, we're immovable, we 429 00:23:56,560 --> 00:24:00,840 Speaker 1: are prisoners of hope. We know God would have allowed 430 00:24:00,880 --> 00:24:03,480 Speaker 1: it if it wasn't going to work for our good. 431 00:24:04,160 --> 00:24:08,000 Speaker 1: So when trouble hits, instead of having a defeated mentality, 432 00:24:08,400 --> 00:24:12,240 Speaker 1: we have a double mentality. The enemy minute for harm, 433 00:24:12,480 --> 00:24:16,160 Speaker 1: but God, we believe, were coming out with twice increase, 434 00:24:16,320 --> 00:24:20,880 Speaker 1: promoted better than we were before. I met a young 435 00:24:20,920 --> 00:24:24,240 Speaker 1: woman at the altar one Sunday. She and her husband 436 00:24:24,520 --> 00:24:27,520 Speaker 1: came down for prayer. She told how she had had 437 00:24:27,600 --> 00:24:31,800 Speaker 1: seven miscarriages. Now the experts said that they would never 438 00:24:31,800 --> 00:24:35,560 Speaker 1: be able to have children. All the fertility treatments hadn't worked. 439 00:24:35,640 --> 00:24:40,199 Speaker 1: And I'll never forget the tears running down her beautiful face, 440 00:24:40,880 --> 00:24:44,520 Speaker 1: the sadness in her voice, the pain and heartache they 441 00:24:44,520 --> 00:24:47,640 Speaker 1: were feeling. She had always dreamed of being a mother, 442 00:24:47,720 --> 00:24:52,080 Speaker 1: and now it didn't seem possible. Sometimes life can throw 443 00:24:52,160 --> 00:24:56,199 Speaker 1: us a curb our dreams get shattered. There's heartache and 444 00:24:56,680 --> 00:24:59,640 Speaker 1: things that can squeeze the life and joy out of us. 445 00:25:00,520 --> 00:25:03,640 Speaker 1: I love how God came to heal the broken hearted, 446 00:25:03,960 --> 00:25:07,480 Speaker 1: to restore what was stolen it. I told them what 447 00:25:07,560 --> 00:25:10,760 Speaker 1: I'm telling you, that God sees what you're going through, 448 00:25:10,800 --> 00:25:14,040 Speaker 1: and when you believe, He can do amazing things. 449 00:25:14,720 --> 00:25:16,640 Speaker 2: This couple made the decision to. 450 00:25:16,640 --> 00:25:20,600 Speaker 1: Be prisoners of hope. Despite what the medical report said. 451 00:25:21,000 --> 00:25:24,400 Speaker 1: They believed their baby was on the way. Every day 452 00:25:24,440 --> 00:25:27,760 Speaker 1: they thanked God that he was bringing them this child. 453 00:25:28,600 --> 00:25:31,600 Speaker 1: Two years later, I saw them after the service in 454 00:25:31,640 --> 00:25:35,600 Speaker 1: the lobby. The woman was carrying a beautiful baby girl. 455 00:25:36,240 --> 00:25:40,400 Speaker 1: The husband was carrying a baby boy. They had had twins. 456 00:25:41,480 --> 00:25:46,439 Speaker 1: I saw the same tears running down her cheeks, but 457 00:25:46,560 --> 00:25:48,679 Speaker 1: this time they weren't tears of sadness. 458 00:25:48,960 --> 00:25:50,720 Speaker 2: They were tears of joy. 459 00:25:50,840 --> 00:25:53,720 Speaker 1: When you have a double dose of trouble, get ready 460 00:25:53,960 --> 00:25:56,119 Speaker 1: a double dose of blessing is coming. 461 00:25:57,400 --> 00:25:57,720 Speaker 2: Now. 462 00:25:58,400 --> 00:26:01,320 Speaker 1: You may be in a difficult time today, keep the 463 00:26:01,440 --> 00:26:06,240 Speaker 1: right perspective that trouble has qualified you for double It's 464 00:26:06,280 --> 00:26:08,879 Speaker 1: not there to set you back. It's setting you up 465 00:26:08,920 --> 00:26:12,840 Speaker 1: for increase, for favor, for new levels. This is not 466 00:26:13,000 --> 00:26:16,240 Speaker 1: the time to get discouraged. This is the time to 467 00:26:16,320 --> 00:26:19,879 Speaker 1: be a prisoner of hope. God has not brought. 468 00:26:19,680 --> 00:26:20,960 Speaker 2: You this far to leave you. 469 00:26:21,680 --> 00:26:24,439 Speaker 1: He sees you doing the right thing when it's hard, 470 00:26:25,200 --> 00:26:28,960 Speaker 1: like that young couple, praising through the pain, keeping a 471 00:26:28,960 --> 00:26:32,919 Speaker 1: good attitude when it's not fair, believing when there's no 472 00:26:33,080 --> 00:26:37,400 Speaker 1: sign of things changing. Because you're locked into hope. 473 00:26:37,080 --> 00:26:38,440 Speaker 2: You are passing the test. 474 00:26:39,080 --> 00:26:39,159 Speaker 3: Now. 475 00:26:39,200 --> 00:26:43,360 Speaker 1: I believe and declare what God promised you. That double 476 00:26:43,440 --> 00:26:47,359 Speaker 1: is coming, something you've never seen. Twice, the joy, twice, 477 00:26:47,400 --> 00:26:51,640 Speaker 1: the resources, twice, the influence, the double blessing. 478 00:26:51,760 --> 00:26:54,840 Speaker 2: In Jesus' name, And if you receive it, can you 479 00:26:54,920 --> 00:26:55,439 Speaker 2: say amen? 480 00:26:57,359 --> 00:26:59,960 Speaker 1: I'd like to give you an opportunity to make Jesus 481 00:27:00,119 --> 00:27:01,280 Speaker 1: Us the Lord of your life. 482 00:27:01,760 --> 00:27:05,520 Speaker 2: Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus, I 483 00:27:05,640 --> 00:27:09,480 Speaker 2: repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I make 484 00:27:09,560 --> 00:27:11,080 Speaker 2: you my Lord and Savior. 485 00:27:11,960 --> 00:27:14,480 Speaker 1: If you've prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 486 00:27:14,520 --> 00:27:17,639 Speaker 1: born again. We'd love to send you some free information 487 00:27:17,800 --> 00:27:20,160 Speaker 1: on your new walk with the Lord. You can text 488 00:27:20,200 --> 00:27:23,080 Speaker 1: the number on the screen or go to the website. 489 00:27:23,240 --> 00:27:25,679 Speaker 1: But I hope you'll get into a good Bible based 490 00:27:25,760 --> 00:27:28,080 Speaker 1: church and keep God first place. 491 00:27:29,560 --> 00:27:32,719 Speaker 3: When God created the world. He did it specifically with 492 00:27:32,840 --> 00:27:37,280 Speaker 3: you in mind. He used his words. He spoke everything 493 00:27:37,320 --> 00:27:47,000 Speaker 3: into existence, light, oceans and dry land, plans, sun and stars, animals, 494 00:27:48,240 --> 00:27:52,840 Speaker 3: man and woman. Your words have that same creative power. 495 00:27:54,000 --> 00:27:55,520 Speaker 1: If you want to know what you're going to be 496 00:27:55,720 --> 00:27:58,520 Speaker 1: like five years from now, listen to what you're saying 497 00:27:58,600 --> 00:28:02,919 Speaker 1: about yourself. You are prophesying your future, and too often 498 00:28:02,960 --> 00:28:07,120 Speaker 1: we don't realize we're defeating ourselves with our words. I'll 499 00:28:07,160 --> 00:28:11,600 Speaker 1: never get healthy, I'm not attractive, this dreams impossible. Instead 500 00:28:11,640 --> 00:28:14,880 Speaker 1: of limiting your future, why don't you start blessing your future. 501 00:28:15,320 --> 00:28:18,000 Speaker 1: If you'll change your words, you can change your world. 502 00:28:18,640 --> 00:28:21,520 Speaker 1: I have a new book called Speak the Blessing. You 503 00:28:21,640 --> 00:28:24,600 Speaker 1: want to help you to speak positive, faith filled words. 504 00:28:25,080 --> 00:28:27,560 Speaker 1: There are declarations in it that you can make over 505 00:28:27,600 --> 00:28:30,879 Speaker 1: your family, your health, your finances. 506 00:28:30,240 --> 00:28:31,080 Speaker 2: And your future. 507 00:28:31,600 --> 00:28:34,280 Speaker 1: When you get your words aligned with what God says, 508 00:28:34,600 --> 00:28:36,840 Speaker 1: you'll see His favor in greater ways. 509 00:28:37,359 --> 00:28:39,840 Speaker 3: As our thank you for your gift of any amount 510 00:28:39,920 --> 00:28:42,360 Speaker 3: to the ministry this month, we want to send you 511 00:28:42,600 --> 00:28:45,880 Speaker 3: Speak the Blessing. Send your words in the direction you 512 00:28:45,920 --> 00:28:48,960 Speaker 3: want your life to go. You can begin to enjoy 513 00:28:49,040 --> 00:28:54,360 Speaker 3: a life filled with freedom. Joy, health, success, and creativity 514 00:28:54,680 --> 00:28:58,480 Speaker 3: as you discover the authority and power of speaking God's word. 515 00:28:59,200 --> 00:29:03,480 Speaker 3: Yes the Blessing will unlock life changing possibilities that are. 516 00:29:03,440 --> 00:29:07,960 Speaker 1: Unlimited when you declare what God says about you. I'm strong, 517 00:29:08,200 --> 00:29:11,800 Speaker 1: I'm healthy, I'm favored. You are blessing your life. I 518 00:29:11,800 --> 00:29:15,000 Speaker 1: hope you'll request your copy to day. Remember you can 519 00:29:15,040 --> 00:29:20,000 Speaker 1: watch the services live online every Sunday, download our daily podcast, 520 00:29:20,360 --> 00:29:20,920 Speaker 1: watch on. 521 00:29:20,880 --> 00:29:25,120 Speaker 2: YouTube, listen on Serious ExM. We'll keep you encouraged and inspired. 522 00:29:25,440 --> 00:29:28,680 Speaker 3: Be sure to request your copy of Speak the Blessing today. 523 00:29:29,120 --> 00:29:33,040 Speaker 3: Visit Joelousen dot com or call eighty eight five six 524 00:29:33,160 --> 00:29:34,080 Speaker 3: seven Joel. 525 00:29:35,280 --> 00:29:39,160 Speaker 1: Our homecoming weekend is this Saturday and Sunday. Some of 526 00:29:39,200 --> 00:29:42,320 Speaker 1: you have never been to Lakewood. This is a perfect time. 527 00:29:42,400 --> 00:29:44,720 Speaker 1: We'd love to meet you. We'd be honored to have 528 00:29:44,800 --> 00:29:45,960 Speaker 1: you and your family.