1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:03,360 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joeln Victoria. Thanks for listening to our 2 00:00:03,400 --> 00:00:06,040 Speaker 1: podcast and thanks for supporting The Minute Strength. 3 00:00:06,120 --> 00:00:08,440 Speaker 2: If you enjoy today's message, why don't you be a 4 00:00:08,480 --> 00:00:10,040 Speaker 2: blessing and share it with a friend. 5 00:00:10,360 --> 00:00:13,040 Speaker 1: We appreciate you and pray for God's very best in 6 00:00:13,080 --> 00:00:16,200 Speaker 1: your life. Will God bless you? Said joy to come 7 00:00:16,200 --> 00:00:19,000 Speaker 1: into your homes. We love you, and if you're ever 8 00:00:19,079 --> 00:00:21,520 Speaker 1: in our area, please stop by and be a part 9 00:00:21,520 --> 00:00:24,040 Speaker 1: of one of our services. I promise you we'll make 10 00:00:24,079 --> 00:00:26,159 Speaker 1: you feel right at home. But thanks so much for 11 00:00:26,239 --> 00:00:28,600 Speaker 1: tuning in, and thank you again for coming out today. 12 00:00:28,640 --> 00:00:31,000 Speaker 1: And I like to start with something funny, and I 13 00:00:31,040 --> 00:00:33,559 Speaker 1: heard about this little girl. She was sitting in her 14 00:00:33,600 --> 00:00:38,159 Speaker 1: grandfather's lap. She noticed how wrinkled his face was. As 15 00:00:38,240 --> 00:00:42,640 Speaker 1: she contemplated the difference between his and hers. She said, Grandaddy, 16 00:00:42,920 --> 00:00:44,000 Speaker 1: did God make you? 17 00:00:44,560 --> 00:00:46,320 Speaker 3: He kind of laughed and said, sure he did. 18 00:00:46,479 --> 00:00:50,440 Speaker 1: He made me a long time ago. She then asked, Grandaddy, 19 00:00:50,479 --> 00:00:53,199 Speaker 1: did God make me? He said, yes, he made you 20 00:00:53,400 --> 00:00:56,000 Speaker 1: just a little while ago. She thought about it a moment, 21 00:00:56,000 --> 00:01:01,040 Speaker 1: said Grandaddy, God's getting better, isn't he. Hold up your Bible? 22 00:01:01,200 --> 00:01:03,600 Speaker 1: Say it with me like you mean it. This is 23 00:01:03,680 --> 00:01:06,520 Speaker 1: my Bible. I am what it says I am. I 24 00:01:06,600 --> 00:01:08,840 Speaker 1: have what it says I have. I can do what 25 00:01:08,959 --> 00:01:11,640 Speaker 1: it says I can do. Today I will be taught 26 00:01:11,680 --> 00:01:15,720 Speaker 1: the word of God. I boldly confess. My mind is alert, 27 00:01:16,160 --> 00:01:19,000 Speaker 1: my heart is receptive. I will never be the same. 28 00:01:19,400 --> 00:01:23,520 Speaker 1: In Jesus' name, God bless you. I want to talk 29 00:01:23,560 --> 00:01:26,880 Speaker 1: to you today about sowing a seed in your time 30 00:01:26,920 --> 00:01:31,360 Speaker 1: of need. When we face difficulties, it's easy to become 31 00:01:31,720 --> 00:01:35,479 Speaker 1: ingrown to where all we think about is my problem, 32 00:01:35,480 --> 00:01:40,199 Speaker 1: my illness, my hurt, my bills, my loneliness. As long 33 00:01:40,280 --> 00:01:43,280 Speaker 1: as we're only focused on ourselves, we will get stuck 34 00:01:43,319 --> 00:01:46,759 Speaker 1: where we are in our time of need. We have 35 00:01:46,800 --> 00:01:50,000 Speaker 1: to learn to sow a seed. The way to get 36 00:01:50,040 --> 00:01:53,200 Speaker 1: what you want is by giving away what you need. 37 00:01:53,960 --> 00:01:57,000 Speaker 1: If you need happiness, don't sit around in self pity. 38 00:01:57,520 --> 00:02:01,120 Speaker 1: Go out and make somebody else happy. God will use 39 00:02:01,160 --> 00:02:04,600 Speaker 1: that seed to bring you happiness. If you need help, 40 00:02:05,120 --> 00:02:08,000 Speaker 1: go help somebody else get well. If you want God 41 00:02:08,040 --> 00:02:11,440 Speaker 1: to solve your problems, take your mind off yourself and 42 00:02:11,480 --> 00:02:13,520 Speaker 1: go help solve somebody else's problem. 43 00:02:13,960 --> 00:02:16,120 Speaker 3: You have to give away what you need. 44 00:02:16,880 --> 00:02:20,720 Speaker 1: Now. This goes against human nature. If I'm discouraged, I 45 00:02:20,760 --> 00:02:23,520 Speaker 1: want you to cheer me up. If I'm struggling in 46 00:02:23,560 --> 00:02:26,040 Speaker 1: my finances, I don't want to bless you. I want 47 00:02:26,080 --> 00:02:26,760 Speaker 1: you to bless me. 48 00:02:27,360 --> 00:02:28,760 Speaker 3: But it works just the opposite. 49 00:02:29,520 --> 00:02:33,320 Speaker 1: When God sees you getting outside of yourself, when he 50 00:02:33,440 --> 00:02:36,840 Speaker 1: sees you being good to somebody even though you're struggling. 51 00:02:37,400 --> 00:02:40,200 Speaker 1: He sees you cheering up a friend even though you've 52 00:02:40,240 --> 00:02:43,480 Speaker 1: been through a disappointment. He sees you praying for somebody 53 00:02:43,520 --> 00:02:46,760 Speaker 1: to get well even though you don't feel well. That's 54 00:02:46,800 --> 00:02:49,760 Speaker 1: the seed God will use to bring a harvest back 55 00:02:49,800 --> 00:02:50,639 Speaker 1: into your own life. 56 00:02:51,720 --> 00:02:52,680 Speaker 3: I know this father. 57 00:02:53,280 --> 00:02:56,560 Speaker 1: For many years he struggled with his teenage son. Was 58 00:02:56,600 --> 00:02:59,600 Speaker 1: like they were on different wavelengths. He tried his best 59 00:02:59,639 --> 00:03:03,320 Speaker 1: to be understanding, loving, but they just couldn't get along. 60 00:03:03,840 --> 00:03:07,920 Speaker 1: Everything was so contentious. Invariably they'd end up in an argument. 61 00:03:08,400 --> 00:03:12,200 Speaker 1: He prayed and quoted scriptures, asked God to help him. 62 00:03:12,320 --> 00:03:15,280 Speaker 1: Nothing was getting better. This father was the coach of 63 00:03:15,320 --> 00:03:18,200 Speaker 1: the neighborhood baseball team, and there was a young man 64 00:03:18,240 --> 00:03:20,800 Speaker 1: on his team that came from a single parent family 65 00:03:20,840 --> 00:03:24,480 Speaker 1: and he was struggling with his schoolwork. When this father 66 00:03:24,720 --> 00:03:27,720 Speaker 1: learned about it, he took that young man under his wing. 67 00:03:28,360 --> 00:03:31,639 Speaker 1: He started bringing him home from baseball practice with his 68 00:03:31,680 --> 00:03:34,600 Speaker 1: own son, and he would help him do his school work. 69 00:03:35,000 --> 00:03:38,520 Speaker 1: He tutored him, mentored him, became a father figure in 70 00:03:38,600 --> 00:03:41,640 Speaker 1: his life. This young man admired him and looked up 71 00:03:41,680 --> 00:03:44,320 Speaker 1: to him in such a great way. In about six 72 00:03:44,360 --> 00:03:48,320 Speaker 1: months after he started doing that, his relationship with his 73 00:03:48,480 --> 00:03:53,240 Speaker 1: own son began to improve. They started doing things together, 74 00:03:53,600 --> 00:03:56,680 Speaker 1: grew closer and closer. Today, you can't pull them apart. 75 00:03:56,960 --> 00:04:00,400 Speaker 1: They're the best of friends. That's what happens when you 76 00:04:00,480 --> 00:04:03,920 Speaker 1: reach out to others. The seed you sow will come 77 00:04:03,960 --> 00:04:08,240 Speaker 1: back to you. Now I found sometimes you can't solve 78 00:04:08,400 --> 00:04:12,280 Speaker 1: your own problem, but you can solve somebody else's problem. 79 00:04:12,880 --> 00:04:15,160 Speaker 1: You can't figure out what you should do, but you 80 00:04:15,200 --> 00:04:18,080 Speaker 1: can tell a friend three exact steps as to what 81 00:04:18,120 --> 00:04:21,880 Speaker 1: they should do. God will enable you to help others 82 00:04:22,600 --> 00:04:25,599 Speaker 1: like this father. He'll let you connect with a young 83 00:04:25,680 --> 00:04:28,479 Speaker 1: person even though you could not connect with your own. 84 00:04:29,240 --> 00:04:32,640 Speaker 1: If you'll sow a seed and help others, that's what's 85 00:04:32,680 --> 00:04:35,760 Speaker 1: going to bring your own harvest. See, we pray for 86 00:04:35,839 --> 00:04:39,680 Speaker 1: God to answer a prayer, but many times God doesn't 87 00:04:39,720 --> 00:04:43,520 Speaker 1: send the answer we're asking for. He'll send a need 88 00:04:44,200 --> 00:04:48,080 Speaker 1: and in that need is the seed that holds the answer. 89 00:04:48,960 --> 00:04:52,120 Speaker 1: This father prayed that God would restore his relationship with 90 00:04:52,160 --> 00:04:53,000 Speaker 1: his own sons. 91 00:04:53,440 --> 00:04:56,080 Speaker 3: What did God do send him another. 92 00:04:55,760 --> 00:04:59,560 Speaker 1: Young man that needed help. Helping that young boy was 93 00:04:59,600 --> 00:05:02,880 Speaker 1: the seed to his prayer? Be an answer. If we're 94 00:05:02,880 --> 00:05:05,479 Speaker 1: not careful, we'll think, Well, God, I'm asking you to 95 00:05:05,520 --> 00:05:09,400 Speaker 1: heal me. I don't want to go pray for somebody else. God, 96 00:05:09,440 --> 00:05:12,240 Speaker 1: I'm asking you to restore my marriage. I don't want 97 00:05:12,240 --> 00:05:14,640 Speaker 1: to go pick up that young couple that's struggling and 98 00:05:14,720 --> 00:05:18,320 Speaker 1: bring them to church. Now what God's asking you to do? 99 00:05:18,920 --> 00:05:21,479 Speaker 1: The people He has in your life, they hold the 100 00:05:21,640 --> 00:05:25,479 Speaker 1: seed to your prayer. Being answered to reach out to them. 101 00:05:25,560 --> 00:05:29,160 Speaker 1: God will bring your own harvest. When Victoria was in 102 00:05:29,200 --> 00:05:32,719 Speaker 1: her early twenties and still single, she prayed that God 103 00:05:32,720 --> 00:05:36,240 Speaker 1: would bring the right person into her life. She said, God, 104 00:05:36,400 --> 00:05:39,240 Speaker 1: what's most important to me is not what he looks like, 105 00:05:39,839 --> 00:05:42,840 Speaker 1: not how much he has, not how talented he is. God, 106 00:05:42,880 --> 00:05:46,120 Speaker 1: More than anything else, I want a man that loves 107 00:05:46,160 --> 00:05:49,200 Speaker 1: you with his whole heart. She prayed for a godly man. 108 00:05:50,120 --> 00:05:54,960 Speaker 1: What's interesting is God didn't send her this incredible peace. 109 00:05:54,760 --> 00:06:00,000 Speaker 3: Of humanity right away. What are you laughing at now. 110 00:06:01,440 --> 00:06:05,160 Speaker 1: Instead of meeting me, she met this older woman at 111 00:06:05,200 --> 00:06:08,320 Speaker 1: the church she attended. This lady could not get around 112 00:06:08,360 --> 00:06:11,080 Speaker 1: on her own, she couldn't drive. She needed assistance, and 113 00:06:11,400 --> 00:06:14,080 Speaker 1: down deep, Victoria knew she was supposed to reach out 114 00:06:14,080 --> 00:06:17,000 Speaker 1: to her. Victoria would go pick her up every Sunday 115 00:06:17,040 --> 00:06:19,840 Speaker 1: and take her to church. During the week, Victoria would 116 00:06:19,839 --> 00:06:22,719 Speaker 1: swing by, check on her and see if she needed anything, 117 00:06:23,200 --> 00:06:27,480 Speaker 1: month after month, year after year, faithfully watching after her well. 118 00:06:27,520 --> 00:06:30,200 Speaker 1: One day, when I needed a battery for my watch, 119 00:06:30,640 --> 00:06:33,400 Speaker 1: out of all the jewelry stores in Houston, Texas, I 120 00:06:33,400 --> 00:06:35,080 Speaker 1: could have walked into it. 121 00:06:35,320 --> 00:06:37,400 Speaker 3: Just so happened. I walked into. 122 00:06:37,279 --> 00:06:40,599 Speaker 1: Victoria's mother's jewelry store I lost Jeweler's, and there was 123 00:06:40,720 --> 00:06:44,119 Speaker 1: Victoria standing there, as beautiful as can be. She didn't 124 00:06:44,120 --> 00:06:46,240 Speaker 1: realize it at the time, but I knew right then 125 00:06:46,279 --> 00:06:48,440 Speaker 1: and there that I was the answer to her prayer. 126 00:06:50,400 --> 00:06:52,440 Speaker 1: All she wanted was a man that loved the Lord, 127 00:06:52,480 --> 00:06:55,479 Speaker 1: and God out did himself gave her somebody good looking too. 128 00:06:57,560 --> 00:07:00,200 Speaker 1: We got married a year and a half later. That 129 00:07:00,279 --> 00:07:05,680 Speaker 1: poor old woman hadn't seen Victoria since. I'm only kidding, 130 00:07:05,720 --> 00:07:10,000 Speaker 1: but I really believe I am kidding. Yes, she took 131 00:07:10,040 --> 00:07:15,000 Speaker 1: care of it. I really believe Victoria's willingness to reach 132 00:07:15,040 --> 00:07:17,720 Speaker 1: out to her, to be a friend, to make her 133 00:07:17,760 --> 00:07:21,040 Speaker 1: feel valuable, was one of the seeds God used to 134 00:07:21,080 --> 00:07:24,480 Speaker 1: cause our past to cross. You could say she prayed 135 00:07:24,480 --> 00:07:27,800 Speaker 1: for the right husband and God sent her an older woman, 136 00:07:28,320 --> 00:07:31,120 Speaker 1: but that lady held the seed to the right person 137 00:07:31,200 --> 00:07:34,520 Speaker 1: coming into Victoria's life. When you reach out and give 138 00:07:34,720 --> 00:07:37,800 Speaker 1: of your time, your energy, you pray for people, you 139 00:07:37,920 --> 00:07:42,160 Speaker 1: encourage someone, then that seed that holds your answer is 140 00:07:42,200 --> 00:07:45,760 Speaker 1: being watered. It's taken root. The Psalm thirty seven says 141 00:07:46,080 --> 00:07:49,880 Speaker 1: trust in the Lord and do good. Here's the key. 142 00:07:50,200 --> 00:07:53,040 Speaker 1: It's not enough to just trust in the Lord. It's 143 00:07:53,040 --> 00:07:56,240 Speaker 1: not enough to just pray. Just believe. That's important, But 144 00:07:56,280 --> 00:07:58,720 Speaker 1: you've got to move on to step two. Be good 145 00:07:58,760 --> 00:08:02,960 Speaker 1: to somebody. If you're lonely, don't just pray, God, please 146 00:08:03,040 --> 00:08:05,840 Speaker 1: send somebody into my life. Now, go up to the 147 00:08:05,880 --> 00:08:09,800 Speaker 1: senior citizens' homes and become a friend. That neighbor that 148 00:08:09,840 --> 00:08:13,000 Speaker 1: doesn't have any relatives, stop by, make sure they feel welcome. 149 00:08:13,360 --> 00:08:16,280 Speaker 1: That's the seed God will use to bring a harvest 150 00:08:16,280 --> 00:08:18,920 Speaker 1: back into your own life. If you lost your job, 151 00:08:19,520 --> 00:08:22,440 Speaker 1: it's not enough to just pray God, please give me 152 00:08:22,480 --> 00:08:26,000 Speaker 1: another job. I'm counting on your favor. That's important, But 153 00:08:26,080 --> 00:08:29,320 Speaker 1: move on to step two. While you're waiting for something 154 00:08:29,320 --> 00:08:32,680 Speaker 1: to open up, go help that friend get ahead in 155 00:08:32,760 --> 00:08:37,160 Speaker 1: their business. Volunteer in the community. Well, Joel, I'm believing 156 00:08:37,240 --> 00:08:40,240 Speaker 1: to get a promotion. That's great. But here's the question. 157 00:08:40,640 --> 00:08:44,240 Speaker 1: Are you helping anybody else get promoted? Are you teaching 158 00:08:44,280 --> 00:08:47,520 Speaker 1: them what you know? As you help others, God will 159 00:08:47,520 --> 00:08:50,360 Speaker 1: help you and some of you would see a prayer 160 00:08:50,400 --> 00:08:53,640 Speaker 1: be answered. You'd see a situation turned around. If you 161 00:08:53,800 --> 00:08:55,960 Speaker 1: just take time to be good to somebody. 162 00:08:56,480 --> 00:08:57,240 Speaker 3: And it's easy to. 163 00:08:57,240 --> 00:09:00,240 Speaker 1: Think, well, Joel, I've been through a disappointment. I want 164 00:09:00,280 --> 00:09:03,440 Speaker 1: somebody to cheer me up. I got a bad medical report. 165 00:09:03,720 --> 00:09:07,240 Speaker 1: Want somebody to pray for me or my child's off course, 166 00:09:07,360 --> 00:09:10,920 Speaker 1: want somebody to mentor him like that man you talked about. Now, 167 00:09:11,000 --> 00:09:13,640 Speaker 1: you've got to sew a seed in your time of need. 168 00:09:14,320 --> 00:09:17,040 Speaker 1: When my mom was so sick with cancer in nineteen 169 00:09:17,080 --> 00:09:20,920 Speaker 1: eighty one, she would drive across town and pray for 170 00:09:21,040 --> 00:09:24,600 Speaker 1: other people that weren't feeling well. The truth is my 171 00:09:24,760 --> 00:09:28,080 Speaker 1: mother needed healing more than any of them. What was 172 00:09:28,120 --> 00:09:31,079 Speaker 1: she doing so in a seed she was not only 173 00:09:31,160 --> 00:09:35,400 Speaker 1: trusting God, but she was doing good. In the scripture, 174 00:09:35,920 --> 00:09:39,440 Speaker 1: Job went through nine terrible months where he lost his health, 175 00:09:39,800 --> 00:09:44,040 Speaker 1: had big boils all over his body. It was painful, uncomfortable. 176 00:09:44,640 --> 00:09:47,319 Speaker 1: Job could have sunk down into self pity and that 177 00:09:47,480 --> 00:09:51,520 Speaker 1: all life's just not fair. No Job understood this principle 178 00:09:52,120 --> 00:09:55,600 Speaker 1: in his time of need. Instead of getting depressed, he 179 00:09:55,720 --> 00:09:59,800 Speaker 1: reached out to others. The scripture says, when Job prayed 180 00:09:59,840 --> 00:10:05,040 Speaker 1: for his friends, his health returns speedily. Job could have 181 00:10:05,040 --> 00:10:08,040 Speaker 1: spent all day praying for himself. He could have spent 182 00:10:08,120 --> 00:10:10,960 Speaker 1: that same time saying God, please heal me. God, I 183 00:10:11,080 --> 00:10:14,439 Speaker 1: need a breakthrough. Nothing would have happen. You can't have 184 00:10:14,480 --> 00:10:18,520 Speaker 1: a harvest without sowing a seed. When you get outside 185 00:10:18,520 --> 00:10:22,800 Speaker 1: of yourself instead of just looking for a miracle, when 186 00:10:22,800 --> 00:10:26,600 Speaker 1: you become somebody's miracle. When you not only trust God 187 00:10:26,800 --> 00:10:29,840 Speaker 1: but you do good, that's when God will begin to 188 00:10:29,880 --> 00:10:34,320 Speaker 1: answer those prayers. It's so easy to become consumed by 189 00:10:34,760 --> 00:10:38,880 Speaker 1: our problem, our finances, our health. I say this respectfully, 190 00:10:38,920 --> 00:10:42,640 Speaker 1: but sometimes if you would just stop praying for yourself 191 00:10:42,760 --> 00:10:46,559 Speaker 1: so much and start praying for somebody else. With that 192 00:10:46,679 --> 00:10:50,520 Speaker 1: same passion, that same intensity. Then God would answer your 193 00:10:50,559 --> 00:10:55,559 Speaker 1: own prayers. Here's the deal. It's fine to pray for yourself, 194 00:10:55,679 --> 00:10:56,920 Speaker 1: but keep it in perspective. 195 00:10:57,280 --> 00:10:58,960 Speaker 3: God already knows what we need. 196 00:10:59,600 --> 00:11:02,520 Speaker 1: He knows every thought before we think it, every word 197 00:11:02,600 --> 00:11:05,240 Speaker 1: before we speak it. But how many mornings do we 198 00:11:05,280 --> 00:11:08,320 Speaker 1: get up and we go over our long list? God, 199 00:11:08,360 --> 00:11:10,760 Speaker 1: I need you to heal my back. God, I need 200 00:11:10,800 --> 00:11:13,120 Speaker 1: you to straighten out my son. God, I need more money. 201 00:11:13,120 --> 00:11:16,560 Speaker 1: Gas is going up. We're spending our time telling God 202 00:11:16,600 --> 00:11:19,880 Speaker 1: what we need while God's waiting for us to go 203 00:11:19,960 --> 00:11:23,520 Speaker 1: out and sow a seed. What would happen if some 204 00:11:23,640 --> 00:11:26,480 Speaker 1: of the time we'd get up in the morning and say, God, 205 00:11:26,679 --> 00:11:28,720 Speaker 1: I'm not gonna go through my long list today. 206 00:11:28,920 --> 00:11:31,160 Speaker 3: You already know what I need. I'm gonna pray for 207 00:11:31,200 --> 00:11:31,959 Speaker 3: somebody else. 208 00:11:32,400 --> 00:11:32,600 Speaker 1: God. 209 00:11:32,640 --> 00:11:35,000 Speaker 3: I pray for my neighbor that you'd show him favor. 210 00:11:35,559 --> 00:11:38,960 Speaker 1: God, my coworker that lost a loved one, comfort them. God, 211 00:11:39,000 --> 00:11:41,199 Speaker 1: I pray for my cousin that you would bring their 212 00:11:41,280 --> 00:11:44,320 Speaker 1: dreams to pass. What are we doing so on a seed? 213 00:11:45,120 --> 00:11:48,040 Speaker 1: I talked to a gentleman in the lobby several years ago. 214 00:11:48,440 --> 00:11:51,280 Speaker 1: He had cancer of the kidneys. He would come in 215 00:11:51,320 --> 00:11:54,360 Speaker 1: every three months to have treatment at the cancer hospital. 216 00:11:54,760 --> 00:11:56,840 Speaker 1: When he was in Houston, he would always attend our 217 00:11:56,880 --> 00:12:00,240 Speaker 1: services and he'd come down front. We'd pray together, which 218 00:12:00,240 --> 00:12:03,719 Speaker 1: we were glad to do. He was told that if 219 00:12:03,760 --> 00:12:06,800 Speaker 1: those tumors did not quit growing, that he would have 220 00:12:06,840 --> 00:12:10,360 Speaker 1: to have a kidney transplant have his own kidneys removed. 221 00:12:11,040 --> 00:12:13,840 Speaker 1: One week, he heard me talking along these same lines, 222 00:12:14,200 --> 00:12:16,520 Speaker 1: how in our time of need, we should reach out 223 00:12:16,600 --> 00:12:19,400 Speaker 1: to somebody else, And instead of just coming down to 224 00:12:19,440 --> 00:12:22,640 Speaker 1: the front for prayer for himself, he started bringing other 225 00:12:22,760 --> 00:12:25,600 Speaker 1: cancer patients with him and he would have us pray 226 00:12:25,640 --> 00:12:27,600 Speaker 1: for them at the hospital. 227 00:12:27,640 --> 00:12:30,679 Speaker 3: He'd go up and down the hallways, encouraging. 228 00:12:30,200 --> 00:12:32,679 Speaker 1: People, letting them know they were going to make it. 229 00:12:33,480 --> 00:12:38,040 Speaker 1: He shifted his focus. Instead of being consumed by his illness, 230 00:12:38,360 --> 00:12:41,559 Speaker 1: his problem, he started thinking of ways he could help 231 00:12:41,640 --> 00:12:44,600 Speaker 1: other people get better. A few weeks later, he was 232 00:12:44,640 --> 00:12:49,080 Speaker 1: told that those tumors had stopped growing. Six months went by, 233 00:12:49,240 --> 00:12:52,440 Speaker 1: he was told that they were starting to shrink. Long 234 00:12:52,480 --> 00:12:55,240 Speaker 1: story short, he never did have to have the transplant, 235 00:12:55,400 --> 00:13:01,360 Speaker 1: and today he is totally cancer free. He told me, Joel, 236 00:13:01,480 --> 00:13:05,160 Speaker 1: I know it all changed when I shifted my focus 237 00:13:05,360 --> 00:13:08,120 Speaker 1: away from my needs to the needs of other people. 238 00:13:08,520 --> 00:13:11,880 Speaker 1: That's what my mother did, That's what Joe did. When 239 00:13:11,920 --> 00:13:14,559 Speaker 1: you're in in time of need, don't get depressed, so 240 00:13:14,760 --> 00:13:18,400 Speaker 1: a seed, go out and be good to somebody. When 241 00:13:18,480 --> 00:13:22,040 Speaker 1: we were studying the possibilities of turning this basketball arena 242 00:13:22,400 --> 00:13:25,840 Speaker 1: into a worship facility, I was told by our consultants 243 00:13:25,880 --> 00:13:28,600 Speaker 1: that it would probably cost about one hundred million dollars 244 00:13:28,640 --> 00:13:31,040 Speaker 1: to renovate. We would have to put in our own 245 00:13:31,120 --> 00:13:35,080 Speaker 1: power plant, our own air conditioning system was a major undertaking. 246 00:13:35,600 --> 00:13:38,920 Speaker 1: Plus we had to have ten city council members vote 247 00:13:38,960 --> 00:13:42,080 Speaker 1: for us. It was a city owned facility. A lot 248 00:13:42,120 --> 00:13:44,480 Speaker 1: of things had to fall into place in order for 249 00:13:44,559 --> 00:13:48,240 Speaker 1: it to happen. During that time, we got a call 250 00:13:48,320 --> 00:13:51,040 Speaker 1: from some friends of ours that pastor a church in 251 00:13:51,080 --> 00:13:55,000 Speaker 1: another state. They had signed a contract to buy a 252 00:13:55,040 --> 00:13:57,640 Speaker 1: big piece of property that had a building on it 253 00:13:57,920 --> 00:13:59,920 Speaker 1: that they too were going to convert into a Saint 254 00:14:00,120 --> 00:14:02,960 Speaker 1: to Wary. They had been raising the funds for it 255 00:14:03,000 --> 00:14:06,640 Speaker 1: for over three years. They were supposed to close that week, 256 00:14:07,200 --> 00:14:09,880 Speaker 1: but at the last minute, something they were counting on 257 00:14:10,000 --> 00:14:13,800 Speaker 1: fell through, and now they were a significant amount short. 258 00:14:14,640 --> 00:14:17,920 Speaker 1: They were dealing with a large corporation that already had 259 00:14:17,960 --> 00:14:20,680 Speaker 1: a second offer on the table. If they didn't come 260 00:14:20,760 --> 00:14:23,720 Speaker 1: up with the funds in forty eight hours, the deal 261 00:14:23,720 --> 00:14:27,080 Speaker 1: would be often. Their three year dream would be over. 262 00:14:27,360 --> 00:14:30,640 Speaker 1: They were so discouraged, look like all their hard work 263 00:14:30,840 --> 00:14:34,120 Speaker 1: had gone down the drain, and deep down I really 264 00:14:34,160 --> 00:14:37,320 Speaker 1: wanted to help them, but I knew we needed our 265 00:14:37,360 --> 00:14:40,920 Speaker 1: funds for our own project. I thought, if we give 266 00:14:40,960 --> 00:14:44,280 Speaker 1: them what they need, what if we come up short. 267 00:14:44,400 --> 00:14:46,720 Speaker 1: What if we can't raise the funds, what if we 268 00:14:46,760 --> 00:14:50,080 Speaker 1: can't afford it? All these questions were playing in my mind, 269 00:14:50,760 --> 00:14:53,920 Speaker 1: but down in my spirit I could hear the still 270 00:14:54,040 --> 00:14:57,360 Speaker 1: small voice saying, Joel, give them the money. Take a 271 00:14:57,440 --> 00:15:00,560 Speaker 1: step of faith, don't just pray. Be good to say somebody, 272 00:15:00,920 --> 00:15:03,640 Speaker 1: if you'll make their dream come to pass, God will 273 00:15:03,640 --> 00:15:06,800 Speaker 1: make your dream come to pass. Woke up the next morning, 274 00:15:06,920 --> 00:15:09,120 Speaker 1: called the staff and I said, do it. Wire them 275 00:15:09,160 --> 00:15:12,320 Speaker 1: the funds the last minute. They got their property in 276 00:15:12,320 --> 00:15:16,080 Speaker 1: and they were so excited. Two years later, we were 277 00:15:16,080 --> 00:15:19,080 Speaker 1: coming down to the final vote from the city council 278 00:15:19,400 --> 00:15:22,280 Speaker 1: to decide whether or not we would get this facility. 279 00:15:22,880 --> 00:15:25,080 Speaker 1: We had been working on it for over three years. 280 00:15:25,800 --> 00:15:29,280 Speaker 1: We needed ten votes, but we only had nine. One 281 00:15:29,320 --> 00:15:32,440 Speaker 1: of our main supporters got so much pressure from the 282 00:15:32,480 --> 00:15:35,440 Speaker 1: other side he decided to be out of town the 283 00:15:35,520 --> 00:15:38,720 Speaker 1: day of the vote. That was essentially a vote against us. 284 00:15:39,560 --> 00:15:43,760 Speaker 1: Now we were in the same position that those pastor 285 00:15:43,880 --> 00:15:47,080 Speaker 1: friends that we helped were in. It was basically the 286 00:15:47,200 --> 00:15:50,760 Speaker 1: day before. We didn't have enough votes. Looked like it 287 00:15:50,840 --> 00:15:54,360 Speaker 1: was over, but a young council member that had been 288 00:15:54,400 --> 00:15:58,600 Speaker 1: against us for three years, all of a sudden decided 289 00:15:58,640 --> 00:16:01,760 Speaker 1: to change his mind, and instead of voting against us, 290 00:16:01,920 --> 00:16:05,440 Speaker 1: he voted for us, and we got the facility. Driving 291 00:16:05,480 --> 00:16:09,120 Speaker 1: home from city Hall that day, I was reflecting back 292 00:16:09,160 --> 00:16:12,520 Speaker 1: on everything that had happened. I couldn't help but think 293 00:16:12,560 --> 00:16:16,800 Speaker 1: about that gift we had given that other ministry. At 294 00:16:16,840 --> 00:16:19,920 Speaker 1: the last moment, we stepped up and helped make their 295 00:16:20,000 --> 00:16:24,000 Speaker 1: dream come to pass. I heard God saying, Joel, because 296 00:16:24,040 --> 00:16:27,280 Speaker 1: you sowed a seed in your time of need. Because 297 00:16:27,320 --> 00:16:30,880 Speaker 1: you didn't just pray, you did good. Now you were 298 00:16:30,920 --> 00:16:34,760 Speaker 1: reaping a harvest from that seed that you sowed. I 299 00:16:34,760 --> 00:16:36,880 Speaker 1: don't know if we'd be here today if we had 300 00:16:36,880 --> 00:16:40,480 Speaker 1: not helped them many times, the answer to our own 301 00:16:40,520 --> 00:16:45,600 Speaker 1: prayers comes from helping somebody else. Very often, like I thought, 302 00:16:45,840 --> 00:16:48,840 Speaker 1: we can't help them. I got a greater need. I 303 00:16:48,880 --> 00:16:50,400 Speaker 1: can't take time to encourage them. 304 00:16:50,440 --> 00:16:54,120 Speaker 3: I'm discouraged. No, you being good to them can be. 305 00:16:54,120 --> 00:16:57,280 Speaker 1: The seed God uses to bring your own dreams to pass. 306 00:16:58,040 --> 00:17:01,240 Speaker 1: You may have heard of the entertainers Sigfried and Roy. 307 00:17:01,720 --> 00:17:04,320 Speaker 1: They'd put on these big shows in Las Vegas with 308 00:17:04,400 --> 00:17:08,720 Speaker 1: the White Tigers. During a performance several years ago, one 309 00:17:08,760 --> 00:17:12,400 Speaker 1: of the tigers got spooked and it grabbed Roi by 310 00:17:12,400 --> 00:17:14,919 Speaker 1: the neck and drug him off the stage. 311 00:17:15,359 --> 00:17:17,360 Speaker 3: They thought Roy was dead, but. 312 00:17:17,359 --> 00:17:20,000 Speaker 1: He discovered he still had a pulse and they rushed 313 00:17:20,080 --> 00:17:24,080 Speaker 1: him to the hospital. Miraculously, his life was spared, but 314 00:17:24,200 --> 00:17:27,199 Speaker 1: Roy lost oxygen to his brain for so long he 315 00:17:27,320 --> 00:17:32,000 Speaker 1: became partially paralyzed. It was like a severe stroke. Here. 316 00:17:32,040 --> 00:17:37,080 Speaker 1: He'd gone from being perfectly healthy, entertaining every night, so active, 317 00:17:37,520 --> 00:17:40,960 Speaker 1: to being confined to a wheelchair, having to be fed, 318 00:17:41,280 --> 00:17:45,240 Speaker 1: bathes taken care of. Roy started watching our program and 319 00:17:45,520 --> 00:17:48,639 Speaker 1: got encouraged by it, and he and Sigbrid invited us 320 00:17:48,640 --> 00:17:51,800 Speaker 1: to come and visit them at their animal sanctuary in 321 00:17:51,880 --> 00:17:55,240 Speaker 1: Las Vegas. He's gone through therapy for several years, and 322 00:17:55,400 --> 00:17:57,320 Speaker 1: he's got to the point where he could stand up 323 00:17:57,680 --> 00:18:00,680 Speaker 1: out of his wheelchair by himself for just a few seconds. 324 00:18:00,920 --> 00:18:03,639 Speaker 1: The people that take care of Roy told how he 325 00:18:03,720 --> 00:18:07,720 Speaker 1: has to really fight depression. When he's feeling the lowest, 326 00:18:08,080 --> 00:18:09,600 Speaker 1: when he doesn't want to get out of bed in 327 00:18:09,600 --> 00:18:12,480 Speaker 1: the morning, he tells them take me up to the 328 00:18:12,520 --> 00:18:17,120 Speaker 1: animal sanctuary so I can encourage other people. It's open 329 00:18:17,160 --> 00:18:19,679 Speaker 1: to the public in one of the big hotels, and 330 00:18:19,720 --> 00:18:22,680 Speaker 1: they'll will Roy in there and he'll greet people at 331 00:18:22,680 --> 00:18:25,680 Speaker 1: the door and take pictures with them, hold their babies. 332 00:18:26,400 --> 00:18:29,960 Speaker 1: If Roy ever sees another person in a wheelchair, he 333 00:18:30,040 --> 00:18:33,320 Speaker 1: won't let them take a picture of himself in his 334 00:18:33,359 --> 00:18:34,119 Speaker 1: own wheelchair. 335 00:18:34,600 --> 00:18:36,320 Speaker 3: He always stands up. 336 00:18:36,880 --> 00:18:39,760 Speaker 1: It's a great struggle, takes a lot of effort, but 337 00:18:39,880 --> 00:18:42,600 Speaker 1: he'll stand up tall and he'll look at that person 338 00:18:42,680 --> 00:18:45,639 Speaker 1: in the wheelchair and say, if I got up, you 339 00:18:45,760 --> 00:18:50,280 Speaker 1: can too. Roy has an incredible spirit. He could be 340 00:18:50,359 --> 00:18:54,960 Speaker 1: at home depressed, laying in bed, feeling sorry for himself, 341 00:18:55,400 --> 00:18:58,360 Speaker 1: but Roy knows in a time of need, you got 342 00:18:58,359 --> 00:19:01,679 Speaker 1: to sew a seed. If you lost your joy, go 343 00:19:01,760 --> 00:19:04,879 Speaker 1: out and help somebody else get their joy back. You 344 00:19:04,920 --> 00:19:07,600 Speaker 1: may have had a bad break, don't sit around feeling 345 00:19:07,600 --> 00:19:08,520 Speaker 1: sorry for yourself. 346 00:19:09,080 --> 00:19:10,600 Speaker 3: Reach out to somebody else. 347 00:19:11,200 --> 00:19:15,640 Speaker 1: Proverb says, when you refresh others, God will refresh you. 348 00:19:16,480 --> 00:19:19,240 Speaker 1: When you help other people get well, God will help 349 00:19:19,280 --> 00:19:22,840 Speaker 1: you get well. When you make somebody else's day, God 350 00:19:22,880 --> 00:19:26,240 Speaker 1: will make your own day. When you go through a disappointment, 351 00:19:26,400 --> 00:19:29,439 Speaker 1: you're hurting, you're attempted to live in self pity. You 352 00:19:29,560 --> 00:19:32,800 Speaker 1: got to do like Roy. Get your mind off yourself, 353 00:19:33,240 --> 00:19:36,960 Speaker 1: your problems, your heartache, your loss, and go be good 354 00:19:37,080 --> 00:19:41,200 Speaker 1: to somebody else. Don't sit at home with the shades 355 00:19:41,280 --> 00:19:46,120 Speaker 1: pull dark, gloomy, depressing. You can have a harvest without 356 00:19:46,160 --> 00:19:49,880 Speaker 1: sowing a seed. Pick up the phone and encourage somebody. 357 00:19:50,520 --> 00:19:52,800 Speaker 1: Bake a cake and take it over to a neighbor. 358 00:19:53,080 --> 00:19:56,399 Speaker 1: Come early and greet people as they come into our services. 359 00:19:56,600 --> 00:20:01,840 Speaker 1: When you reach out to others, healing comes comes, refreshing comes, 360 00:20:01,960 --> 00:20:02,520 Speaker 1: A new. 361 00:20:02,359 --> 00:20:03,280 Speaker 3: Season will come. 362 00:20:04,119 --> 00:20:06,560 Speaker 1: This is what happened with the lady in the scripture 363 00:20:06,840 --> 00:20:10,600 Speaker 1: named Ruth. She had just lost her husband in a battle. 364 00:20:11,040 --> 00:20:13,600 Speaker 1: He and his brother were killed in the same day. 365 00:20:14,480 --> 00:20:17,160 Speaker 1: Ruth and her sister in law. As you can imagine, 366 00:20:17,200 --> 00:20:21,679 Speaker 1: they were heartbroken, devastated. Their mother in law, Naomi, was 367 00:20:21,760 --> 00:20:25,800 Speaker 1: already a widow when she lost these two sons. She 368 00:20:25,960 --> 00:20:28,840 Speaker 1: decided to leave that city and move back to her 369 00:20:28,880 --> 00:20:32,560 Speaker 1: original hometown, and she encouraged her two daughters in law 370 00:20:32,800 --> 00:20:34,600 Speaker 1: to do the same thing, to go back. 371 00:20:34,400 --> 00:20:36,919 Speaker 3: Where they were from. She said, don't worry about me. 372 00:20:37,480 --> 00:20:38,159 Speaker 3: I'm old. 373 00:20:38,320 --> 00:20:40,520 Speaker 1: I can make it on my own. You girls need 374 00:20:40,560 --> 00:20:42,840 Speaker 1: a fresh new start. Just go out and do your 375 00:20:42,840 --> 00:20:46,840 Speaker 1: own thing. Nobody would have faulted Ruth for going her 376 00:20:46,880 --> 00:20:49,760 Speaker 1: own way, doing her own thing, but Ruth wouldn't do it. 377 00:20:50,400 --> 00:20:53,960 Speaker 1: Even though Ruth was hurting, even though she was heartbroken, 378 00:20:54,359 --> 00:20:58,040 Speaker 1: she said, Naomi, her mother in law, I can't leave you. 379 00:20:58,040 --> 00:21:00,760 Speaker 1: You're too old to live on your own. I'm gonna 380 00:21:00,800 --> 00:21:03,600 Speaker 1: go with you and make sure that you're taking care 381 00:21:03,640 --> 00:21:07,199 Speaker 1: of what was she doing so in a seed in 382 00:21:07,240 --> 00:21:10,840 Speaker 1: her time of need, Ruth could have been bitter, depressed 383 00:21:10,880 --> 00:21:14,399 Speaker 1: in self pity, but instead she's being good to somebody else. 384 00:21:15,359 --> 00:21:18,280 Speaker 1: Her sister in law made a different decision. She went 385 00:21:18,359 --> 00:21:21,280 Speaker 1: her own way, did her own thing. Nothing wrong with that. 386 00:21:22,040 --> 00:21:25,640 Speaker 1: But it's interesting in the scripture you never hear anything 387 00:21:25,680 --> 00:21:26,440 Speaker 1: more about her. 388 00:21:27,280 --> 00:21:27,840 Speaker 3: I don't know. 389 00:21:28,160 --> 00:21:31,240 Speaker 1: Maybe she gave in to self pity. Maybe she became 390 00:21:31,560 --> 00:21:36,120 Speaker 1: ingrown bitter and missed her new beginning. But Ruth month 391 00:21:36,160 --> 00:21:39,320 Speaker 1: after month, she kept taking care of her mother in law, Naomi, 392 00:21:39,560 --> 00:21:43,399 Speaker 1: being her friend, cooking her meals, making sure she stayed 393 00:21:43,480 --> 00:21:47,160 Speaker 1: cheered up. Notice, Ruth wasn't just praying God, I need 394 00:21:47,200 --> 00:21:50,119 Speaker 1: a new beginning. She moved on to step two. She 395 00:21:50,240 --> 00:21:53,720 Speaker 1: was being good to somebody. One day, Ruth met the 396 00:21:53,760 --> 00:21:57,120 Speaker 1: owner of that field, a very wealthy man named Boas. 397 00:21:57,680 --> 00:21:59,840 Speaker 3: They ended up falling in love and getting married. 398 00:22:00,400 --> 00:22:04,880 Speaker 1: Ruth lived a long, blessed, prosperous life. But think about this. 399 00:22:05,200 --> 00:22:08,000 Speaker 1: If Ruth would have taken the easy way out and 400 00:22:08,080 --> 00:22:10,280 Speaker 1: just gone on back to her own home, did her 401 00:22:10,320 --> 00:22:14,280 Speaker 1: own thing, she would have never met Boaz. The seed 402 00:22:14,840 --> 00:22:20,120 Speaker 1: to Ruth's new beginning came through helping Naomi. Many times, 403 00:22:20,160 --> 00:22:23,960 Speaker 1: the answer to your prayer will come through helping somebody else. 404 00:22:24,760 --> 00:22:28,119 Speaker 3: It may be difficult. Life is not always fair. 405 00:22:28,800 --> 00:22:32,639 Speaker 1: When you go through a disappointment, instead of feeling sorry 406 00:22:32,720 --> 00:22:35,320 Speaker 1: for yourself, waiting for everybody to cheer you up, you 407 00:22:35,440 --> 00:22:38,280 Speaker 1: got to dig your heels in and say, no, God 408 00:22:38,359 --> 00:22:40,639 Speaker 1: didn't bring me this far to leave me. I'm not 409 00:22:40,680 --> 00:22:42,080 Speaker 1: gonna live my life to press. 410 00:22:42,280 --> 00:22:42,880 Speaker 3: I'm gonna go. 411 00:22:42,880 --> 00:22:47,320 Speaker 1: Out and be good to somebody else. Isaiah fifty eight 412 00:22:47,440 --> 00:22:51,639 Speaker 1: says when you feed the hungry, when you clothe the poor, 413 00:22:52,080 --> 00:22:55,680 Speaker 1: when you help the hurting, then your light will break 414 00:22:55,720 --> 00:22:58,760 Speaker 1: forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly come. 415 00:22:59,359 --> 00:23:02,720 Speaker 1: God is saying, when you meet other people's needs, I 416 00:23:02,760 --> 00:23:06,320 Speaker 1: will always meet your own needs. One of my baseball 417 00:23:06,359 --> 00:23:09,840 Speaker 1: coaches growing up was a man named Daniel, a fine 418 00:23:09,920 --> 00:23:12,920 Speaker 1: gentleman that's been with our church for a long long time. 419 00:23:13,560 --> 00:23:17,080 Speaker 1: Back in the late eighties, Daniel lost his wife of 420 00:23:17,160 --> 00:23:18,920 Speaker 1: many years to an illness. 421 00:23:19,200 --> 00:23:21,200 Speaker 3: He was so devastated in. 422 00:23:21,200 --> 00:23:24,040 Speaker 1: The natural he didn't know how he'd go on the 423 00:23:24,040 --> 00:23:27,280 Speaker 1: love of his life, the mother of his four beautiful children, 424 00:23:27,640 --> 00:23:31,720 Speaker 1: was no longer here. Daniel could have gotten depressed, giving 425 00:23:31,800 --> 00:23:35,280 Speaker 1: up on his dreams and just faded away, but Daniel 426 00:23:35,320 --> 00:23:35,960 Speaker 1: didn't do that. 427 00:23:36,600 --> 00:23:37,800 Speaker 3: In his time of need. 428 00:23:38,440 --> 00:23:41,600 Speaker 1: Instead of just staying focused on his own hurt, he 429 00:23:41,680 --> 00:23:44,879 Speaker 1: decided to go out and help other people that were hurting. 430 00:23:45,560 --> 00:23:48,600 Speaker 1: He'd been retired from the phone company and didn't really 431 00:23:48,640 --> 00:23:51,240 Speaker 1: know how he could help. He said, the only thing 432 00:23:51,320 --> 00:23:54,560 Speaker 1: I really felt like I could do was comfort other 433 00:23:54,640 --> 00:23:58,040 Speaker 1: people that had been through a loss. So he started 434 00:23:58,080 --> 00:24:01,080 Speaker 1: showing up at the funerals where my father was doing 435 00:24:01,119 --> 00:24:05,040 Speaker 1: the service. He wasn't invited, he didn't know anybody in 436 00:24:05,119 --> 00:24:08,040 Speaker 1: the family. He would just show up and be a 437 00:24:08,080 --> 00:24:11,720 Speaker 1: friend to those that were hurting. He told them, I 438 00:24:11,840 --> 00:24:12,960 Speaker 1: know what you're going through. 439 00:24:13,560 --> 00:24:15,440 Speaker 3: I've been there. I made it. 440 00:24:15,800 --> 00:24:19,560 Speaker 1: You can too. My father noticed him showing up at 441 00:24:19,600 --> 00:24:22,800 Speaker 1: these funerals, how good he was with the people, kind 442 00:24:22,840 --> 00:24:25,200 Speaker 1: and caring, and Daddy asked him to be a part 443 00:24:25,400 --> 00:24:26,480 Speaker 1: of the ministry team. 444 00:24:26,880 --> 00:24:29,120 Speaker 3: Today Daniel is on staff. 445 00:24:28,920 --> 00:24:30,920 Speaker 1: In charge of all of our funerals, and he does 446 00:24:30,960 --> 00:24:35,040 Speaker 1: an amazing job. A few years ago, God brought another 447 00:24:35,320 --> 00:24:39,040 Speaker 1: beautiful woman into Daniel's life, and today he and Shirley 448 00:24:39,080 --> 00:24:41,960 Speaker 1: are happily married and they're a great blessing to many 449 00:24:41,960 --> 00:24:47,520 Speaker 1: people right here, some great friends of ours, like Daniel. 450 00:24:47,960 --> 00:24:51,320 Speaker 1: God wants to use what you've been through to help 451 00:24:51,400 --> 00:24:54,840 Speaker 1: other people get through it. Out of your pain can 452 00:24:54,840 --> 00:24:58,520 Speaker 1: come your purpose. Don't sit around thinking, oh, man, who's 453 00:24:58,560 --> 00:25:00,280 Speaker 1: going to cheer me up? I had a discipl and 454 00:25:00,359 --> 00:25:03,080 Speaker 1: I've had a loss. No, so a seed. One of 455 00:25:03,119 --> 00:25:05,879 Speaker 1: the most powerful things you can do when you're hurting 456 00:25:06,320 --> 00:25:08,840 Speaker 1: is to go out and be good to somebody else. 457 00:25:09,560 --> 00:25:13,600 Speaker 1: Your new beginning, your next season, is connected to you 458 00:25:13,760 --> 00:25:17,200 Speaker 1: helping others. Our attitude should be. I may have been 459 00:25:17,240 --> 00:25:20,200 Speaker 1: through a disappointment, but I'm not staying here. I'm gonna 460 00:25:20,200 --> 00:25:22,280 Speaker 1: go be good to somebody. I'm gonna go to the 461 00:25:22,359 --> 00:25:24,960 Speaker 1: retirement home and be a friend. I'm gonna go to 462 00:25:25,040 --> 00:25:27,520 Speaker 1: the hospital and cheer up my neighbor. I'm gonna reach 463 00:25:27,560 --> 00:25:31,600 Speaker 1: out to my coworker that's been struggling. As you refresh others, 464 00:25:31,800 --> 00:25:32,919 Speaker 1: God will refresh you. 465 00:25:33,680 --> 00:25:34,560 Speaker 3: Moore's down to this. 466 00:25:35,359 --> 00:25:39,720 Speaker 1: Instead of living need minded, we should live seed minded. 467 00:25:40,320 --> 00:25:42,960 Speaker 1: In other words, when we have a need, not who 468 00:25:42,960 --> 00:25:46,159 Speaker 1: can help me? I need encouragement, I need healing, I 469 00:25:46,200 --> 00:25:47,879 Speaker 1: need finances? No turn it around. 470 00:25:48,160 --> 00:25:49,360 Speaker 3: I'm in need. Now? 471 00:25:49,400 --> 00:25:52,080 Speaker 1: Where is a seed I can sew? Who can I 472 00:25:52,119 --> 00:25:54,840 Speaker 1: be good to? Who can I bless? Who can I encourage? 473 00:25:54,960 --> 00:25:57,640 Speaker 1: Who can I cheer up? The way to get what 474 00:25:57,720 --> 00:26:01,560 Speaker 1: you want is by giving away what you need. Daniel 475 00:26:01,640 --> 00:26:05,720 Speaker 1: gave away comfort and God comforted him. Roy gave away 476 00:26:05,840 --> 00:26:10,320 Speaker 1: encouragement and God encouraged him. Some people are waiting for 477 00:26:10,359 --> 00:26:13,680 Speaker 1: their ship to come in. The problem is they haven't 478 00:26:13,720 --> 00:26:16,800 Speaker 1: sent their ship out. You got to sow that seed 479 00:26:17,080 --> 00:26:18,400 Speaker 1: and it will come back to you. 480 00:26:18,600 --> 00:26:19,440 Speaker 3: When you give. 481 00:26:19,280 --> 00:26:23,600 Speaker 1: Happiness, you'll receive happiness. When you give favor, you'll receive favor. 482 00:26:24,160 --> 00:26:28,159 Speaker 1: Remember it's not enough to just trust God. That's important. 483 00:26:28,200 --> 00:26:30,800 Speaker 1: But let's move on to step two and be good 484 00:26:30,840 --> 00:26:34,240 Speaker 1: to somebody. Friends, If you will learn to sow a 485 00:26:34,359 --> 00:26:38,400 Speaker 1: seed in your time of need, God promises your light 486 00:26:38,760 --> 00:26:41,840 Speaker 1: will break forth like the dawn I believe in. Declare 487 00:26:42,080 --> 00:26:45,280 Speaker 1: your healing will come, your problem will turn around, your 488 00:26:45,320 --> 00:26:49,119 Speaker 1: relationship will be restored, and your dreams will come to pass. 489 00:26:49,200 --> 00:26:50,879 Speaker 3: In Jesus' name, Then. 490 00:26:50,760 --> 00:26:55,360 Speaker 1: You receive it today. We never like to close our 491 00:26:55,359 --> 00:26:58,720 Speaker 1: broadcast without giving you an opportunity to make Jesus the 492 00:26:58,760 --> 00:26:59,639 Speaker 1: lord of your life. 493 00:27:00,040 --> 00:27:00,960 Speaker 3: Would you pray with me? 494 00:27:01,600 --> 00:27:07,000 Speaker 1: Just say, Lord, Jesus, I'll repent of my sins. Come 495 00:27:07,000 --> 00:27:07,760 Speaker 1: into my heart. 496 00:27:08,880 --> 00:27:10,600 Speaker 3: I make you my lord and save you. 497 00:27:12,119 --> 00:27:14,720 Speaker 1: Friends, If you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you 498 00:27:14,760 --> 00:27:17,840 Speaker 1: got born again. Get in a good Bible based church. 499 00:27:18,320 --> 00:27:20,679 Speaker 1: Keep God in first place. He's going to take your 500 00:27:20,680 --> 00:27:22,320 Speaker 1: places that you've never dreamed of. 501 00:27:23,760 --> 00:27:28,080 Speaker 4: What if every plan you set, every habit you formed, 502 00:27:28,440 --> 00:27:32,120 Speaker 4: and every decision you made became a pathway to see 503 00:27:32,200 --> 00:27:34,840 Speaker 4: God move in your life. 504 00:27:34,880 --> 00:27:37,720 Speaker 1: We all have hopes and dreams, things were believing for 505 00:27:38,280 --> 00:27:41,640 Speaker 1: when you start the year in faith expecting God's goodness. 506 00:27:41,840 --> 00:27:44,399 Speaker 1: You are setting the tone for a blessed new year, 507 00:27:44,840 --> 00:27:46,920 Speaker 1: and we'd love to send you our twenty twenty six 508 00:27:47,080 --> 00:27:49,879 Speaker 1: Faith for the Day Planner. You can write down your 509 00:27:49,920 --> 00:27:52,640 Speaker 1: dreams and galls and plus use it for your everyday 510 00:27:52,720 --> 00:27:54,400 Speaker 1: activities and reminders. 511 00:27:54,600 --> 00:27:57,600 Speaker 2: It's important to feed your faith on a daily basis. 512 00:27:57,960 --> 00:28:00,720 Speaker 2: This planner it's not just a calendar. It's filled with 513 00:28:00,800 --> 00:28:04,560 Speaker 2: scriptures and inspiration to help you stay encouraged and keep 514 00:28:04,600 --> 00:28:06,720 Speaker 2: believing for what God has put in your heart. 515 00:28:06,920 --> 00:28:09,480 Speaker 1: Twenty twenty six is your year to see the goodness 516 00:28:09,480 --> 00:28:12,280 Speaker 1: of God in greater ways, let go of what didn't 517 00:28:12,320 --> 00:28:14,840 Speaker 1: work out, and get ready for the new things God 518 00:28:14,880 --> 00:28:15,600 Speaker 1: has in store. 519 00:28:16,520 --> 00:28:18,920 Speaker 4: As our way of saying thank you for your gift 520 00:28:18,960 --> 00:28:21,560 Speaker 4: of any amount this month, we would like to send 521 00:28:21,600 --> 00:28:24,119 Speaker 4: you a copy of the twenty twenty six Faith for 522 00:28:24,200 --> 00:28:28,600 Speaker 4: Today Planner. Each month features a fresh theme of encouragement, 523 00:28:29,000 --> 00:28:33,359 Speaker 4: a guiding scripture to stand on, room to write your goals, prayers, 524 00:28:33,400 --> 00:28:37,680 Speaker 4: and vision space for faith steps. Because faith isn't passive, 525 00:28:38,000 --> 00:28:41,840 Speaker 4: it's active. A monthly QR code linking to a message 526 00:28:41,920 --> 00:28:45,120 Speaker 4: or video to keep your spirit lifted with a twenty 527 00:28:45,160 --> 00:28:48,720 Speaker 4: twenty six Faith for Today Planner. You'll be reminded that 528 00:28:48,880 --> 00:28:52,160 Speaker 4: living by faith makes room for God to do what 529 00:28:52,360 --> 00:28:56,360 Speaker 4: only He can do. Break through in your business, God's 530 00:28:56,400 --> 00:29:01,160 Speaker 4: healing touch loved ones returning to faith. Request your copy 531 00:29:01,200 --> 00:29:03,680 Speaker 4: of the planner and step into the new year with 532 00:29:03,840 --> 00:29:08,280 Speaker 4: fold faith, fresh hope, and daily encouragement. To strengthen your 533 00:29:08,320 --> 00:29:11,240 Speaker 4: spirit and face every challenge with confidence. 534 00:29:11,920 --> 00:29:15,000 Speaker 1: No matter what's happening around you, faith can rise up 535 00:29:15,040 --> 00:29:18,680 Speaker 1: in you. Keep believing and expecting a blessed twenty twenty 536 00:29:18,760 --> 00:29:21,640 Speaker 1: six Victoria and I pray for you and your family 537 00:29:21,760 --> 00:29:25,240 Speaker 1: every day. Thank you so much for your prayer and support. 538 00:29:25,520 --> 00:29:29,120 Speaker 1: Your generosity is helping people around the world. As we 539 00:29:29,200 --> 00:29:32,320 Speaker 1: finish this year, I hope you'll consider making a special 540 00:29:32,520 --> 00:29:35,880 Speaker 1: year in gift to help keep the ministry strong. We 541 00:29:35,920 --> 00:29:38,680 Speaker 1: so appreciate all the Champion of Hope partners for your 542 00:29:38,760 --> 00:29:42,040 Speaker 1: monthly support. We wish you and your family a very 543 00:29:42,240 --> 00:29:45,000 Speaker 1: merry Christmas. Until we see you next time, May the 544 00:29:45,000 --> 00:29:46,640 Speaker 1: Lord bless you and keep you. 545 00:29:47,520 --> 00:29:50,120 Speaker 4: Be sure to request your copy of the twenty twenty 546 00:29:50,160 --> 00:29:54,240 Speaker 4: six Faith for Today Planner. Visit Joelostein dot com or 547 00:29:54,360 --> 00:29:57,840 Speaker 4: call eight eight eight five six seven Joel for a 548 00:29:57,880 --> 00:30:00,560 Speaker 4: special year end gift this month, so we are also 549 00:30:00,640 --> 00:30:04,720 Speaker 4: offering the Faith to Share Bundle, Keep One, Give One, 550 00:30:05,120 --> 00:30:08,720 Speaker 4: Give the gift of faith, focus and fresh hope for 551 00:30:08,880 --> 00:30:12,440 Speaker 4: someone special in your life. You can also request the 552 00:30:12,520 --> 00:30:17,920 Speaker 4: God's Word Work Study Collection. This empowering collection includes the NIV, 553 00:30:18,240 --> 00:30:22,920 Speaker 4: the Message, Parallel Bible, a beautifully crafted leather bookmark and pen, 554 00:30:23,280 --> 00:30:26,160 Speaker 4: and how to read your Bible and enjoy it, along 555 00:30:26,200 --> 00:30:30,280 Speaker 4: with two planners. You can request these inspiring resources by 556 00:30:30,320 --> 00:30:33,959 Speaker 4: calling eight eight eight five six seven Joel or logging 557 00:30:34,000 --> 00:30:36,400 Speaker 4: on to Joelostein dot com today. 558 00:30:36,880 --> 00:30:37,920 Speaker 2: Call or click. 559 00:30:37,720 --> 00:30:42,520 Speaker 4: Anytime twenty four hours a day, stay organized, encouraged, and 560 00:30:42,600 --> 00:30:55,560 Speaker 4: full of faith all year long. Request these resources today