1 00:00:00,680 --> 00:00:03,880 Speaker 1: You're ready for a comeback, and with Purdue Global you 2 00:00:03,920 --> 00:00:07,080 Speaker 1: can do more than take classes. You can take charge 3 00:00:07,400 --> 00:00:11,440 Speaker 1: of your story, of your career, of your life, Earn 4 00:00:11,480 --> 00:00:13,480 Speaker 1: a degree you can be proud of, and get an 5 00:00:13,600 --> 00:00:18,439 Speaker 1: education employer's respect. It's time, your time, not just to 6 00:00:18,480 --> 00:00:20,880 Speaker 1: go back to school, but to come back and move 7 00:00:20,960 --> 00:00:25,760 Speaker 1: forward with Purdue Global, produce online university for working adults. 8 00:00:26,360 --> 00:00:29,840 Speaker 1: Start your comeback at Purdueglobal dot edu. 9 00:00:30,360 --> 00:00:33,080 Speaker 2: No one likes to talk about money. Am I saving enough? 10 00:00:33,159 --> 00:00:35,199 Speaker 2: Can I buy a house? Am I paying too much 11 00:00:35,240 --> 00:00:37,959 Speaker 2: in taxes? Will I be able to retire? What if 12 00:00:37,960 --> 00:00:40,559 Speaker 2: you could unlock insights about your finances in less than 13 00:00:40,560 --> 00:00:43,040 Speaker 2: five minutes, with a clear picture of where you stand 14 00:00:43,080 --> 00:00:45,879 Speaker 2: today and where your money can work harder. Now you 15 00:00:45,960 --> 00:00:48,960 Speaker 2: can visit facet dot com to take the free quiz 16 00:00:49,000 --> 00:00:53,600 Speaker 2: and get your financial wellness score today. That's faceet dot com. 17 00:00:53,600 --> 00:00:55,560 Speaker 2: This ad is sponsored by Facet. Fast Wealth in Corporated 18 00:00:55,640 --> 00:00:57,480 Speaker 2: is an sec registered investment advisor. This is not an 19 00:00:57,520 --> 00:00:58,920 Speaker 2: offer to buy your self securities sn or is it 20 00:00:58,960 --> 00:01:00,000 Speaker 2: investment legal or tax fives. 21 00:01:00,320 --> 00:01:02,240 Speaker 3: He'll forget about the video game you gave him on 22 00:01:02,280 --> 00:01:02,840 Speaker 3: his birthday. 23 00:01:03,160 --> 00:01:05,039 Speaker 4: Wow, thanks Grandpa. 24 00:01:04,880 --> 00:01:07,280 Speaker 3: But He'll never forget how you invested in his future 25 00:01:07,319 --> 00:01:08,280 Speaker 3: with the units stapp. 26 00:01:08,800 --> 00:01:09,240 Speaker 5: Wow. 27 00:01:09,720 --> 00:01:10,480 Speaker 6: Thanks Grandpa. 28 00:01:11,080 --> 00:01:13,600 Speaker 3: The units stap makes it easy for grandparents and family 29 00:01:13,640 --> 00:01:16,319 Speaker 3: friends to give funds to a child's investment account for 30 00:01:16,360 --> 00:01:18,760 Speaker 3: a limited time. Download the uns stap and use the 31 00:01:18,800 --> 00:01:20,840 Speaker 3: code I heeart fifty at sign up to receive a 32 00:01:20,880 --> 00:01:23,400 Speaker 3: fifty dollars bonus when you fund your account. That's code 33 00:01:23,400 --> 00:01:26,400 Speaker 3: iHeart fifty when you sign up at unest dot co 34 00:01:26,760 --> 00:01:29,319 Speaker 3: for a fifty dollars bonus. See terms and conditions at 35 00:01:29,440 --> 00:01:30,120 Speaker 3: UNEs dot co. 36 00:01:31,120 --> 00:01:34,880 Speaker 6: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for downloading our podcast. 37 00:01:35,120 --> 00:01:37,959 Speaker 6: We enjoy spending this time with you. I hope you'll 38 00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:41,360 Speaker 6: leave inspire. Make sure you subscribe to get new messages 39 00:01:41,400 --> 00:01:44,440 Speaker 6: every week. We appreciate your support. It helps keep the 40 00:01:44,480 --> 00:01:45,280 Speaker 6: ministry going. 41 00:01:45,680 --> 00:01:57,040 Speaker 4: Enjoy the message. 42 00:01:57,200 --> 00:02:01,120 Speaker 6: Well, God bless you. Always enjoy coming to your homes. 43 00:02:01,440 --> 00:02:04,320 Speaker 6: We love you. We know God has great things in 44 00:02:04,360 --> 00:02:06,320 Speaker 6: store for each one of you. And if you're ever 45 00:02:06,400 --> 00:02:08,919 Speaker 6: in our area, I hope you'll stop by and see us. 46 00:02:09,120 --> 00:02:11,160 Speaker 6: I'll promise you we'll make you feel right at home. 47 00:02:11,400 --> 00:02:14,200 Speaker 6: But thanks for tuning in. Thanks again for coming out today. 48 00:02:14,240 --> 00:02:16,640 Speaker 6: And I like to start with something funny. Each week. 49 00:02:17,080 --> 00:02:21,520 Speaker 6: I heard about these three sisters, ages ninety six, ninety four, 50 00:02:21,639 --> 00:02:25,200 Speaker 6: and ninety two. They lived together. One day, the ninety 51 00:02:25,240 --> 00:02:27,919 Speaker 6: six year old draws a bath and puts one foot 52 00:02:27,960 --> 00:02:31,880 Speaker 6: in and stops. She hollers, downstairs, I can't remember if 53 00:02:31,880 --> 00:02:35,080 Speaker 6: I was getting in or getting out. The ninety four 54 00:02:35,200 --> 00:02:37,920 Speaker 6: year old said, just a second, I'll come upstairs and 55 00:02:37,960 --> 00:02:40,959 Speaker 6: help you. She gets halfway up the stairs and stops. 56 00:02:41,360 --> 00:02:43,240 Speaker 6: She says, I can't remember if I was going up 57 00:02:43,320 --> 00:02:46,160 Speaker 6: or coming down. The ninety two year old shook her 58 00:02:46,160 --> 00:02:48,399 Speaker 6: head and said, boy, I hope I never get that. Forgetful. 59 00:02:48,880 --> 00:02:51,760 Speaker 6: She knocked on wood for good luck. Then she said, 60 00:02:51,800 --> 00:02:53,720 Speaker 6: hang on, I'll come help both of you as soon 61 00:02:53,720 --> 00:02:58,320 Speaker 6: as I see who's at the door. All right, hold 62 00:02:58,360 --> 00:03:00,960 Speaker 6: up your Bible. Say it like you mean it. This 63 00:03:01,040 --> 00:03:03,560 Speaker 6: is my Bible. I am what it says I am. 64 00:03:04,040 --> 00:03:06,400 Speaker 6: I have what it says I have. I can do 65 00:03:06,560 --> 00:03:09,120 Speaker 6: what it says I can do. Today I will be 66 00:03:09,200 --> 00:03:13,239 Speaker 6: taught the word of God. I boldly confess. My mind 67 00:03:13,320 --> 00:03:16,680 Speaker 6: is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never be 68 00:03:16,760 --> 00:03:21,440 Speaker 6: the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. I want 69 00:03:21,440 --> 00:03:24,399 Speaker 6: to talk to you today about being quick to give 70 00:03:24,440 --> 00:03:28,400 Speaker 6: God the credit. We've all seen God's blessings and favor 71 00:03:28,480 --> 00:03:32,320 Speaker 6: in our lives. He's opened doors and given us opportunity, 72 00:03:32,840 --> 00:03:36,600 Speaker 6: and it's so important that we recognize where the favor 73 00:03:36,720 --> 00:03:41,600 Speaker 6: is coming from. It's not just our gifts, our education, 74 00:03:42,160 --> 00:03:44,400 Speaker 6: our hard work that got us to where we are. 75 00:03:45,160 --> 00:03:49,280 Speaker 6: The Scripture says every good gift comes from our Father 76 00:03:49,400 --> 00:03:53,160 Speaker 6: in Heaven. Your gift may have helped you get that position, 77 00:03:53,720 --> 00:03:55,960 Speaker 6: but it was God who gave you the gift in 78 00:03:56,000 --> 00:04:00,160 Speaker 6: the first place. Your education may have opened the door, 79 00:04:00,560 --> 00:04:03,200 Speaker 6: but it was God who gave you the ability to learn. 80 00:04:04,040 --> 00:04:07,280 Speaker 6: Or your hard work may have brought you success, but 81 00:04:07,400 --> 00:04:10,280 Speaker 6: it was God who gave you the health, the strength, 82 00:04:10,560 --> 00:04:13,280 Speaker 6: the breath to get out of bed each morning. If 83 00:04:13,320 --> 00:04:16,440 Speaker 6: we're going to continue to see God's favor, we have 84 00:04:16,600 --> 00:04:20,000 Speaker 6: to be quick to give him the credit. We were 85 00:04:20,040 --> 00:04:24,880 Speaker 6: never created to contain glory. We were created to give 86 00:04:24,960 --> 00:04:29,640 Speaker 6: God glory. The higher we go, the more humility we 87 00:04:29,760 --> 00:04:33,560 Speaker 6: have to walk in, the more God promotes us, the 88 00:04:33,560 --> 00:04:36,800 Speaker 6: more grateful we should be. We're not supposed to go 89 00:04:36,880 --> 00:04:40,719 Speaker 6: around thinking, look what I've built, Look what I've accomplished, 90 00:04:40,760 --> 00:04:43,680 Speaker 6: Look at my position. When we do that we are 91 00:04:43,800 --> 00:04:47,360 Speaker 6: taking what belongs to God. I've seen some of these 92 00:04:47,400 --> 00:04:50,680 Speaker 6: celebrities that didn't live a long life or that were 93 00:04:50,720 --> 00:04:54,039 Speaker 6: on top, but they had a set back and never recovered. 94 00:04:54,560 --> 00:04:58,920 Speaker 6: One reason is they were containing all the glory. They 95 00:04:59,000 --> 00:05:01,480 Speaker 6: let the success go go to their head and they 96 00:05:01,520 --> 00:05:05,200 Speaker 6: started thinking, look how great I am. There's nobody like me. 97 00:05:05,520 --> 00:05:08,440 Speaker 6: They just kept taking in all the praise. But this 98 00:05:08,560 --> 00:05:13,240 Speaker 6: is important. God will not share his glory if we 99 00:05:13,360 --> 00:05:16,400 Speaker 6: take the credit thinking that we're the one that's making 100 00:05:16,440 --> 00:05:20,200 Speaker 6: it all happen. At some point, God will remove his 101 00:05:20,320 --> 00:05:23,960 Speaker 6: hand of favor to make sure that we realize where 102 00:05:23,960 --> 00:05:27,600 Speaker 6: the credit really belongs. It says in One Peter, chapter 103 00:05:27,600 --> 00:05:32,080 Speaker 6: five and verse six, humble yourself under the mighty hand 104 00:05:32,160 --> 00:05:36,040 Speaker 6: of God, and he will exalt you. Now I've learned 105 00:05:36,400 --> 00:05:40,720 Speaker 6: if we don't humble ourselves, God will humble us. If 106 00:05:40,760 --> 00:05:44,159 Speaker 6: we don't give him the credit recognizing that it is 107 00:05:44,240 --> 00:05:47,200 Speaker 6: his goodness that got us to where we are. Then 108 00:05:47,200 --> 00:05:51,240 Speaker 6: God has a way of getting our attention. And it's interesting. 109 00:05:51,600 --> 00:05:54,600 Speaker 6: We can come down a lot quicker than we go up. 110 00:05:55,279 --> 00:05:57,919 Speaker 6: What took twenty years to build can come down in 111 00:05:57,920 --> 00:06:02,400 Speaker 6: a split second. Is what happened to King Nebuconezar. He 112 00:06:02,480 --> 00:06:06,520 Speaker 6: said in Daniel four, how great is our God? How 113 00:06:06,600 --> 00:06:11,240 Speaker 6: mighty are his works? His kingdom is everlasting. Notice he 114 00:06:11,360 --> 00:06:15,520 Speaker 6: started off good. He started off giving God credit talking 115 00:06:15,520 --> 00:06:19,599 Speaker 6: about his greatness, and God continued to increase in But 116 00:06:19,800 --> 00:06:23,800 Speaker 6: somewhere along the way he allowed a spirit of pride 117 00:06:23,839 --> 00:06:28,160 Speaker 6: to creep in. Twelve months later, in verse thirty, he 118 00:06:28,200 --> 00:06:31,240 Speaker 6: looked out over the city and said, is this not 119 00:06:31,520 --> 00:06:35,080 Speaker 6: the great Babylon that I have built by the might 120 00:06:35,200 --> 00:06:38,440 Speaker 6: of my power and for the honor and glory of 121 00:06:38,520 --> 00:06:43,279 Speaker 6: my majesty. Notice, all the mines might my power, my majesty. 122 00:06:43,520 --> 00:06:46,440 Speaker 6: He began thinking, Man, I'm pretty great. I built an 123 00:06:46,480 --> 00:06:49,359 Speaker 6: awesome kingdom here. I like these people bowing down in 124 00:06:49,400 --> 00:06:50,000 Speaker 6: worshiping me. 125 00:06:50,680 --> 00:06:50,960 Speaker 5: See. 126 00:06:51,000 --> 00:06:54,159 Speaker 6: He started out giving God the credit, but as he 127 00:06:54,240 --> 00:06:58,159 Speaker 6: got successful and saw more of God's favor, he made 128 00:06:58,200 --> 00:07:01,839 Speaker 6: the mistake of thinking it was his talent, his ability. 129 00:07:02,160 --> 00:07:05,480 Speaker 6: Instead of giving God the credit, he started taking the credit. 130 00:07:06,279 --> 00:07:10,120 Speaker 6: It's much easier to stay humble when we're first starting out, 131 00:07:10,600 --> 00:07:14,560 Speaker 6: But the real test is when God increases you and 132 00:07:14,600 --> 00:07:17,480 Speaker 6: you get that promotion and now you're in a position 133 00:07:17,600 --> 00:07:21,640 Speaker 6: of authority. That's when it's more difficult. To walk in humility. 134 00:07:22,400 --> 00:07:25,480 Speaker 6: That's why God told the people of Israel. When you 135 00:07:25,560 --> 00:07:28,760 Speaker 6: live in nice homes and you have plenty to eat, 136 00:07:28,880 --> 00:07:32,640 Speaker 6: and you're blessed and prosperous, make sure you don't forget 137 00:07:33,080 --> 00:07:35,840 Speaker 6: it was the Lord your God who gave it to you. 138 00:07:38,160 --> 00:07:43,520 Speaker 6: King Nebkanezzar's downfall is he started containing the glory instead 139 00:07:43,520 --> 00:07:46,200 Speaker 6: of giving God the glory. As he was up there 140 00:07:46,320 --> 00:07:49,760 Speaker 6: bragging to the people about how great he was and 141 00:07:49,800 --> 00:07:52,920 Speaker 6: all the amazing things that he built, says in verse 142 00:07:52,960 --> 00:07:57,040 Speaker 6: thirty one. While he was still speaking, a voice came 143 00:07:57,080 --> 00:08:01,440 Speaker 6: out of the heavens, saying, Neb Canizzar, this day the 144 00:08:01,560 --> 00:08:06,120 Speaker 6: kingdom has departed from you. Friends. This is a powerful principle. 145 00:08:06,440 --> 00:08:09,800 Speaker 6: God will not share his glory. Let's be quick to 146 00:08:09,880 --> 00:08:12,920 Speaker 6: give him the credit. Don't ever say, look what I've done, 147 00:08:12,920 --> 00:08:15,720 Speaker 6: Look what I've built, Look how talented I am. Know 148 00:08:15,880 --> 00:08:19,560 Speaker 6: without the goodness and mercy of God, we wouldn't be anything, 149 00:08:19,600 --> 00:08:23,480 Speaker 6: and we wouldn't have anything. We should constantly be thanking 150 00:08:23,520 --> 00:08:27,040 Speaker 6: God for where we are, bragging on his goodness, bragging 151 00:08:27,080 --> 00:08:31,280 Speaker 6: on his favor, giving him the honor. The scripture says 152 00:08:31,640 --> 00:08:35,959 Speaker 6: God opposes the proud, but He gives favor to the 153 00:08:36,080 --> 00:08:40,760 Speaker 6: humble when you humble yourself and say, God, I know 154 00:08:41,080 --> 00:08:44,200 Speaker 6: it was your goodness that got me here, and your 155 00:08:44,280 --> 00:08:47,800 Speaker 6: mercy that's kept me here, and your favor that's opened 156 00:08:47,840 --> 00:08:52,120 Speaker 6: these doors. When you walk in humility like that, being 157 00:08:52,240 --> 00:08:55,480 Speaker 6: quick to give God the credit, he'll take your places 158 00:08:55,559 --> 00:08:58,520 Speaker 6: that you've never even dreamed of. Because it's really it's 159 00:08:58,559 --> 00:09:01,679 Speaker 6: not how talented you are are, or smart you are, 160 00:09:02,200 --> 00:09:05,840 Speaker 6: or educated you are. What really matters is do you 161 00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:09,360 Speaker 6: have the favor of God on your life? Because I 162 00:09:09,400 --> 00:09:12,840 Speaker 6: know people that are extremely talented, they have plenty of 163 00:09:12,920 --> 00:09:16,480 Speaker 6: degrees behind their name, but they are so stuck on 164 00:09:16,600 --> 00:09:21,240 Speaker 6: themselves they're not seeing God's favor like they should. I 165 00:09:21,280 --> 00:09:24,439 Speaker 6: talked to a gentleman last week after the service. He 166 00:09:24,480 --> 00:09:27,800 Speaker 6: came from a very poor home. He never was able 167 00:09:27,840 --> 00:09:31,640 Speaker 6: to attend college. In fact, he never even finished high school. 168 00:09:32,200 --> 00:09:35,240 Speaker 6: But twenty seven years ago, he and his wife started 169 00:09:35,240 --> 00:09:38,000 Speaker 6: a business. He said, every morning, we would get down 170 00:09:38,040 --> 00:09:41,920 Speaker 6: on our knees and say, Father, we humble ourselves before you, 171 00:09:42,520 --> 00:09:45,520 Speaker 6: recognizing you are the one that gave us this business, 172 00:09:45,880 --> 00:09:48,800 Speaker 6: and so we commit it into your hands. Today, that 173 00:09:48,960 --> 00:09:53,800 Speaker 6: company has thousands of employees. Offices all over the country, 174 00:09:54,000 --> 00:09:58,400 Speaker 6: extremely successful. He told something that really got my attention. 175 00:09:58,960 --> 00:10:00,920 Speaker 6: He said, Joel, we used to to just get up 176 00:10:00,920 --> 00:10:04,000 Speaker 6: in the morning and give God credit. But now that 177 00:10:04,080 --> 00:10:08,440 Speaker 6: we're so blessed and so successful, every night before we 178 00:10:08,480 --> 00:10:11,000 Speaker 6: go to bed, we get down on our knees and 179 00:10:11,080 --> 00:10:15,880 Speaker 6: do the same thing. Notice as God increase them, they 180 00:10:15,920 --> 00:10:19,920 Speaker 6: increase their humility, they increase their gratitude. That is so 181 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:24,600 Speaker 6: important because many people, like nibucon Nezar, they start thinking 182 00:10:24,640 --> 00:10:28,240 Speaker 6: it's their gifts and their talents. But these people they 183 00:10:28,240 --> 00:10:31,920 Speaker 6: did just the opposite. Instead of letting that make them 184 00:10:31,920 --> 00:10:34,800 Speaker 6: more proud and think of them of how great they were, 185 00:10:35,360 --> 00:10:39,480 Speaker 6: they became even more humbled by their success, realizing more 186 00:10:39,520 --> 00:10:42,840 Speaker 6: than ever it was God's goodness in their life. That's 187 00:10:42,880 --> 00:10:46,360 Speaker 6: the key. The higher we go, the more humility we 188 00:10:46,440 --> 00:10:50,520 Speaker 6: have to walk in. I think about King Saul. God 189 00:10:50,559 --> 00:10:53,480 Speaker 6: honored him in a great way. He was chosen to 190 00:10:53,559 --> 00:10:57,520 Speaker 6: be the first king of Israel. He started out so humble, 191 00:10:57,640 --> 00:11:02,120 Speaker 6: so obedient, but like Nibucon, over time he let his 192 00:11:02,160 --> 00:11:05,960 Speaker 6: guard down. He ended up losing the kingdom. God said 193 00:11:06,000 --> 00:11:10,480 Speaker 6: something significant in First Samuel fifteen, Saul, when you were 194 00:11:10,559 --> 00:11:14,360 Speaker 6: little in your own eyes. I anointed you as the King. 195 00:11:15,280 --> 00:11:17,880 Speaker 6: How that should be our prayer? God, help me to 196 00:11:17,920 --> 00:11:20,840 Speaker 6: stay little in my own eyes. God, help me to 197 00:11:20,840 --> 00:11:24,199 Speaker 6: not get the big head, but to always walk humbly 198 00:11:24,280 --> 00:11:29,040 Speaker 6: before you and realize that every good gift, every accomplishment, 199 00:11:29,200 --> 00:11:33,439 Speaker 6: all my talents, it's because you poured out your goodness 200 00:11:33,480 --> 00:11:37,280 Speaker 6: and your favor in my life. I've had the opportunity 201 00:11:37,520 --> 00:11:41,600 Speaker 6: of visiting with doctor Billy Graham. He's in his nineties now. 202 00:11:42,040 --> 00:11:44,840 Speaker 6: Every time I go see him, one thing that stands 203 00:11:44,840 --> 00:11:50,400 Speaker 6: out is his spirit of humility. After all his accomplishments, 204 00:11:50,720 --> 00:11:55,360 Speaker 6: speaking to millions, touching this generation, he is still small 205 00:11:55,520 --> 00:11:58,920 Speaker 6: in his own eyes. I go there to honor him, 206 00:11:59,400 --> 00:12:02,280 Speaker 6: let him know how he's inspired me and been such 207 00:12:02,320 --> 00:12:05,560 Speaker 6: a great example. And I'm bragging and bragging on him, 208 00:12:05,559 --> 00:12:07,880 Speaker 6: but he won't take any of it. He turns it 209 00:12:07,920 --> 00:12:11,000 Speaker 6: around and starts bragging on me. He never will take 210 00:12:11,120 --> 00:12:14,400 Speaker 6: the credit. Last time I was with him, he said, Joel, 211 00:12:14,440 --> 00:12:17,559 Speaker 6: I watch you on television each week from that big 212 00:12:17,640 --> 00:12:20,480 Speaker 6: arena that's your church. Now I would come visit you. 213 00:12:20,559 --> 00:12:23,200 Speaker 6: I just don't think I could get a seat. But 214 00:12:23,320 --> 00:12:26,560 Speaker 6: here's a man that has touched our generation like no 215 00:12:26,760 --> 00:12:32,040 Speaker 6: other minister. Yet he still walks in incredible humility, no wonder. 216 00:12:32,120 --> 00:12:35,920 Speaker 6: God has promoted him in amazing ways. Even though he's 217 00:12:36,040 --> 00:12:40,920 Speaker 6: received recognition, he's received credit, he didn't contain it. He 218 00:12:40,960 --> 00:12:43,559 Speaker 6: gave it to the one who deserves it. And there 219 00:12:43,640 --> 00:12:46,600 Speaker 6: is no limit to how high God will take you 220 00:12:48,040 --> 00:12:51,320 Speaker 6: if you will stay small in your own eyes and 221 00:12:51,440 --> 00:12:54,960 Speaker 6: always be quick to give God the credit. The other day, 222 00:12:55,080 --> 00:12:59,720 Speaker 6: a reporter was asking me about the success here listed 223 00:12:59,760 --> 00:13:03,880 Speaker 6: all the accomplishments, the books, and the big stadiums, the 224 00:13:03,920 --> 00:13:05,920 Speaker 6: new building, on and on, all these things that could 225 00:13:05,920 --> 00:13:08,600 Speaker 6: have given me a big head. But my one comment 226 00:13:08,840 --> 00:13:12,200 Speaker 6: was to God be the glory. If I brag, I'm 227 00:13:12,200 --> 00:13:14,199 Speaker 6: not gonna brag on me. I'm gonna brag on the 228 00:13:14,240 --> 00:13:18,120 Speaker 6: goodness of God. I'm gonna brag on the fact that 229 00:13:18,200 --> 00:13:21,120 Speaker 6: God has put amazing people in my life. I'm gonna 230 00:13:21,160 --> 00:13:23,560 Speaker 6: brag on the fact that God has opened up incredible 231 00:13:23,640 --> 00:13:26,760 Speaker 6: doors and given us opportunities that we've never dreamed of. 232 00:13:27,760 --> 00:13:31,160 Speaker 6: I know where my source of strength and talent and 233 00:13:31,240 --> 00:13:34,839 Speaker 6: blessing comes from. It's God's favor on my life. And 234 00:13:34,960 --> 00:13:37,319 Speaker 6: I realize we can come down a lot quicker than 235 00:13:37,360 --> 00:13:39,560 Speaker 6: we went up I'm gonna make sure to give the 236 00:13:39,640 --> 00:13:43,400 Speaker 6: credit where it belongs. I'm gonna humble myself so that 237 00:13:43,400 --> 00:13:46,800 Speaker 6: God doesn't have to humble me. I heard somebody say 238 00:13:47,200 --> 00:13:51,520 Speaker 6: we should treat praise and criticism the same way. In 239 00:13:51,559 --> 00:13:55,360 Speaker 6: other words, when somebody criticizes and says hurtful things, we 240 00:13:55,400 --> 00:13:59,680 Speaker 6: should immediately deflect that down, don't dwell on it, don't 241 00:13:59,679 --> 00:14:02,640 Speaker 6: give it the time of day. In the same way, 242 00:14:02,920 --> 00:14:05,840 Speaker 6: when someone is giving you praise and telling you how 243 00:14:05,880 --> 00:14:09,679 Speaker 6: talented you are and congratulating you on all of your accomplishments, 244 00:14:10,280 --> 00:14:14,200 Speaker 6: instead of deflecting it down, deflect it up. God to 245 00:14:14,240 --> 00:14:16,600 Speaker 6: you be the glory. I know you've given me this 246 00:14:16,720 --> 00:14:19,000 Speaker 6: ability and this strength, so I give you the credit. 247 00:14:19,840 --> 00:14:23,720 Speaker 6: Don't let that praise go to your head. Just like 248 00:14:23,960 --> 00:14:27,720 Speaker 6: that criticism can poison your spirit. If you start taking 249 00:14:27,760 --> 00:14:30,400 Speaker 6: the credit thinking that you're the great one, then that 250 00:14:30,560 --> 00:14:33,880 Speaker 6: pride will poison your spirit and keep you from God's best. 251 00:14:34,680 --> 00:14:37,360 Speaker 6: I have people tell me from time to time, Joel, 252 00:14:37,440 --> 00:14:40,400 Speaker 6: thank you for what you do. You've helped change my life, 253 00:14:41,000 --> 00:14:43,800 Speaker 6: And of course I'm grateful, and I let those kind 254 00:14:43,840 --> 00:14:47,440 Speaker 6: words encourage my heart. But at the same time, I say, 255 00:14:47,520 --> 00:14:50,400 Speaker 6: God to you be the glory. I know you've given 256 00:14:50,440 --> 00:14:53,360 Speaker 6: me this gift. You've honored me by helping others, so 257 00:14:53,480 --> 00:14:56,960 Speaker 6: I give you all the credit. One time in the scripture, 258 00:14:57,440 --> 00:15:00,760 Speaker 6: King Herod got up and gave a great speech. The 259 00:15:00,760 --> 00:15:04,600 Speaker 6: people were so impressed. They started saying, this is the 260 00:15:04,680 --> 00:15:07,960 Speaker 6: voice of God and not of man. They begin to 261 00:15:08,000 --> 00:15:11,240 Speaker 6: bow down and worship him. Old Herod made a big mistake. 262 00:15:11,280 --> 00:15:13,480 Speaker 6: He let it go to his head. He loved it 263 00:15:13,520 --> 00:15:16,560 Speaker 6: and just ate it up, the scripture says in Acts twelve. 264 00:15:17,160 --> 00:15:22,440 Speaker 6: Immediately the Angel of the Lord struck Herod with a disease, 265 00:15:23,120 --> 00:15:26,320 Speaker 6: and he ended up dying in early death, being eaten 266 00:15:26,360 --> 00:15:31,480 Speaker 6: by worms, all because he accepted the people's praise rather 267 00:15:31,520 --> 00:15:34,400 Speaker 6: than giving the praise to God. I don't know about you, 268 00:15:34,440 --> 00:15:37,880 Speaker 6: but I don't want any worms around me. I'm gonna 269 00:15:37,920 --> 00:15:41,280 Speaker 6: make sure I give the credit where it belongs. I'm 270 00:15:41,320 --> 00:15:43,720 Speaker 6: a sports fan, and I love when I see these 271 00:15:43,760 --> 00:15:46,880 Speaker 6: ball players. After they hit a home run or score 272 00:15:46,880 --> 00:15:49,800 Speaker 6: a touchdown, do something great, they point up toward the heavens. 273 00:15:50,200 --> 00:15:54,000 Speaker 6: They're saying, God, I honor you, this cheer, this applause. 274 00:15:54,040 --> 00:15:56,760 Speaker 6: It's coming to me, but I deflect it up to you. 275 00:15:57,120 --> 00:15:59,800 Speaker 6: I know You've given me this talent, so I give 276 00:15:59,840 --> 00:16:02,760 Speaker 6: you all the glory. I saw one of the leading 277 00:16:02,840 --> 00:16:06,480 Speaker 6: actors of our day being interviewed on television. He's had 278 00:16:06,480 --> 00:16:09,880 Speaker 6: a career that spans more than sixty years, very well respected. 279 00:16:10,480 --> 00:16:13,160 Speaker 6: The reporter asked him about all of his success and 280 00:16:13,200 --> 00:16:16,280 Speaker 6: how could it last so long without missing a beat. 281 00:16:16,560 --> 00:16:19,760 Speaker 6: He said, it's all because of the grace of God. 282 00:16:20,360 --> 00:16:23,680 Speaker 6: He was quick to give God the credit. I think 283 00:16:23,680 --> 00:16:27,200 Speaker 6: about the apostle Paul. At one point in his life 284 00:16:27,400 --> 00:16:31,080 Speaker 6: he hated believers. He was persecuting them and trying to 285 00:16:31,120 --> 00:16:33,920 Speaker 6: have them killed. That you remember how in a split 286 00:16:34,000 --> 00:16:36,880 Speaker 6: second God changed his life and he went on to 287 00:16:36,960 --> 00:16:40,000 Speaker 6: write over half of the New Testament and do many 288 00:16:40,040 --> 00:16:44,360 Speaker 6: great things for God. He said in First Corinthians fifteen ten. 289 00:16:45,160 --> 00:16:50,040 Speaker 6: Whatever I am now, it's because God poured out his 290 00:16:50,120 --> 00:16:54,760 Speaker 6: special favor. Notice, he knew where the credit belonged. That's 291 00:16:54,800 --> 00:16:58,320 Speaker 6: why God could use him in amazing ways. We need 292 00:16:58,360 --> 00:17:02,520 Speaker 6: to see pride as a poison, going around thinking that 293 00:17:02,800 --> 00:17:06,160 Speaker 6: we're the only reason for our success, and we made 294 00:17:06,200 --> 00:17:09,680 Speaker 6: it all happen by our talent, our hard work. That's 295 00:17:09,840 --> 00:17:13,680 Speaker 6: just like pouring a soft drink into your car's gas tank. 296 00:17:14,280 --> 00:17:17,120 Speaker 6: It's not the right kind of fuel. Sooner or later 297 00:17:17,280 --> 00:17:20,800 Speaker 6: the car is going to start sputtering, why you put 298 00:17:20,880 --> 00:17:24,680 Speaker 6: poison in the engine. That's what pride does to us. 299 00:17:25,280 --> 00:17:27,760 Speaker 6: If we start thinking that we did it all on 300 00:17:27,800 --> 00:17:31,159 Speaker 6: our own, we start taking all the credit, not realizing 301 00:17:31,200 --> 00:17:35,000 Speaker 6: that every good gift comes from our Father. Then, because 302 00:17:35,080 --> 00:17:38,400 Speaker 6: God won't share the glory, he will remove his hand 303 00:17:38,400 --> 00:17:41,280 Speaker 6: of favor. But if we can just turn it around 304 00:17:41,520 --> 00:17:44,040 Speaker 6: and go through the day saying Father, thank you for 305 00:17:44,160 --> 00:17:47,600 Speaker 6: my talent, thank you for this promotion. God, thank you 306 00:17:47,680 --> 00:17:51,000 Speaker 6: for this opportunity. I know I am where I am 307 00:17:51,280 --> 00:17:54,040 Speaker 6: because you poured out your special favor, and I give 308 00:17:54,080 --> 00:17:57,679 Speaker 6: you the credit. If you'll humble yourself like that, it 309 00:17:57,800 --> 00:18:02,200 Speaker 6: says God will exalt you. He'll increase you and entrust 310 00:18:02,240 --> 00:18:06,119 Speaker 6: you with more. Last Tuesday, Victoria and I had the 311 00:18:06,200 --> 00:18:10,240 Speaker 6: honor of having breakfast with President Obama, some of the staff, 312 00:18:10,280 --> 00:18:13,159 Speaker 6: and other Christian leaders. And as we sat there in 313 00:18:13,240 --> 00:18:18,000 Speaker 6: the in the East room of the White House, I 314 00:18:18,040 --> 00:18:21,159 Speaker 6: thought about all the amazing things that had taken place 315 00:18:21,200 --> 00:18:24,639 Speaker 6: in that building. I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming 316 00:18:24,720 --> 00:18:28,960 Speaker 6: sense of gratitude. I remember how I worked behind the 317 00:18:29,040 --> 00:18:32,879 Speaker 6: scenes with my father doing the television production. Many many years, 318 00:18:33,040 --> 00:18:35,560 Speaker 6: I never thought I would be a minister. But now 319 00:18:35,600 --> 00:18:38,439 Speaker 6: God's taken me places that I've never even dreamed of. 320 00:18:39,040 --> 00:18:41,200 Speaker 6: And as we were leaving the White House that day, 321 00:18:41,840 --> 00:18:44,920 Speaker 6: I could easily thought, man, I've really turned into something special. 322 00:18:45,720 --> 00:18:49,720 Speaker 6: I've been hanging out with the prayers now. No, it 323 00:18:49,840 --> 00:18:53,640 Speaker 6: was just the opposite. I felt an incredible sense of humility. 324 00:18:54,200 --> 00:18:57,879 Speaker 6: I can say with Paul, whatever I am, it's because 325 00:18:58,160 --> 00:19:01,000 Speaker 6: God poured out his special favor. I know it was 326 00:19:01,000 --> 00:19:04,760 Speaker 6: his mercy, his blessings, his goodness in my life. 327 00:19:06,119 --> 00:19:06,239 Speaker 4: Now. 328 00:19:06,240 --> 00:19:10,040 Speaker 6: I say that to say, when you see Ephesians three 329 00:19:10,200 --> 00:19:13,159 Speaker 6: twenty come to pass in your own life, as you 330 00:19:13,280 --> 00:19:16,840 Speaker 6: see God begin to do exceedingly abundantly above and beyond, 331 00:19:17,480 --> 00:19:21,520 Speaker 6: make sure you remember where the favor comes from. It's 332 00:19:21,600 --> 00:19:25,560 Speaker 6: easy to think, Wow, I'm pretty great now I got 333 00:19:25,560 --> 00:19:28,879 Speaker 6: this new position, I got accepted into the college that 334 00:19:28,920 --> 00:19:32,080 Speaker 6: I wanted, or I got asked to do the presentation 335 00:19:32,200 --> 00:19:38,960 Speaker 6: in front of the whole company. Anytime there's honor, recognition, increase, 336 00:19:39,440 --> 00:19:42,240 Speaker 6: that spirit of pride will come knocking on the door saying, oh, yeah, 337 00:19:42,240 --> 00:19:45,520 Speaker 6: you're right, this is all because of you. You're so smart, 338 00:19:45,560 --> 00:19:48,439 Speaker 6: you're so talented. No, don't fall into that trap. The 339 00:19:48,480 --> 00:19:53,240 Speaker 6: scripture says promotion doesn't come from people. Promotion comes from 340 00:19:53,320 --> 00:19:57,399 Speaker 6: the Lord. And yes, I know, we have to do 341 00:19:57,480 --> 00:20:01,879 Speaker 6: our part, develop our gifts and talent, be focused in discipline. 342 00:20:02,280 --> 00:20:06,240 Speaker 6: But ultimately, God is the one that opens doors. God 343 00:20:06,320 --> 00:20:08,960 Speaker 6: is the one that gives good breaks. He lifts up 344 00:20:09,000 --> 00:20:13,400 Speaker 6: one and sets down another. The reason some people are 345 00:20:13,400 --> 00:20:17,680 Speaker 6: being set down is because they started taking the credit 346 00:20:18,119 --> 00:20:21,399 Speaker 6: rather than giving God the credit. But we weren't designed 347 00:20:21,680 --> 00:20:24,720 Speaker 6: to contain the glory. We were designed to pass it on. 348 00:20:25,720 --> 00:20:28,760 Speaker 6: The higher God takes you, the lower you have to go. 349 00:20:29,400 --> 00:20:32,399 Speaker 6: The more He promotes you, the more humility you have 350 00:20:32,480 --> 00:20:35,159 Speaker 6: to walk in. Let's be quick to give God the credit, 351 00:20:35,880 --> 00:20:39,199 Speaker 6: even in small things in our daily life. You get 352 00:20:39,240 --> 00:20:41,800 Speaker 6: a good deal at the mall, Thank you Lord, I 353 00:20:41,840 --> 00:20:44,879 Speaker 6: know this is your favor. Somebody pulls out and you 354 00:20:44,880 --> 00:20:47,199 Speaker 6: get a front row parking spot. Thank you Lord, I 355 00:20:47,240 --> 00:20:50,440 Speaker 6: know this is your goodness. At the office, all of 356 00:20:50,480 --> 00:20:53,639 Speaker 6: a sudden, you have a great idea. The boss loves it. 357 00:20:53,960 --> 00:20:55,280 Speaker 6: People are congratulating. 358 00:20:55,359 --> 00:20:55,479 Speaker 3: You. 359 00:20:56,200 --> 00:21:00,399 Speaker 6: Receive that encouragement. Let it build your confidence, but at 360 00:21:00,400 --> 00:21:04,040 Speaker 6: the same time, have a sense of gratitude. Father. I 361 00:21:04,080 --> 00:21:07,440 Speaker 6: know every good thing comes from you, and I realize 362 00:21:07,480 --> 00:21:10,200 Speaker 6: you gave me that idea. So I give you the glory. 363 00:21:11,080 --> 00:21:14,439 Speaker 6: If you will stay small in your own eyes and 364 00:21:14,560 --> 00:21:18,520 Speaker 6: always stand in amazement of what God has done, realizing 365 00:21:18,560 --> 00:21:21,400 Speaker 6: that He's given you the gifts, the talents, the ideas, 366 00:21:21,920 --> 00:21:24,879 Speaker 6: then God will continue to take you higher and hire. 367 00:21:26,000 --> 00:21:28,360 Speaker 6: One thing that will help us to keep this spirit 368 00:21:28,400 --> 00:21:32,800 Speaker 6: of humility is we should remember where we came from 369 00:21:33,240 --> 00:21:36,240 Speaker 6: on a regular basis. It's good to look back over 370 00:21:36,280 --> 00:21:40,480 Speaker 6: your life and remember the key moments where God gave 371 00:21:40,520 --> 00:21:43,480 Speaker 6: you favor and opened up a door and you met 372 00:21:43,520 --> 00:21:47,040 Speaker 6: someone special. You got a new position, and that led 373 00:21:47,080 --> 00:21:50,239 Speaker 6: you to where you are now. As you remember the 374 00:21:50,280 --> 00:21:53,359 Speaker 6: good things God has done, it'll help you to stay 375 00:21:53,440 --> 00:21:57,640 Speaker 6: grateful and to realize it was God's hand of favor 376 00:21:57,920 --> 00:22:01,360 Speaker 6: that got you to where you are. I remember often 377 00:22:01,880 --> 00:22:05,639 Speaker 6: walking into the jewelry store meeting Victoria for the first time. 378 00:22:06,240 --> 00:22:09,080 Speaker 6: We fell in love and got married. The scripture says 379 00:22:09,119 --> 00:22:12,040 Speaker 6: he who finds a wife finds favor from the Lord. 380 00:22:12,440 --> 00:22:14,840 Speaker 6: I know she's brought me favor. That's good because I 381 00:22:14,880 --> 00:22:16,280 Speaker 6: need a lot of it to take care of her. 382 00:22:18,840 --> 00:22:21,919 Speaker 6: I remember as a young couple when God led us 383 00:22:21,960 --> 00:22:25,760 Speaker 6: to purchase a piece of property that ended up doubling 384 00:22:25,840 --> 00:22:28,919 Speaker 6: in value. I remember when my father went to be 385 00:22:29,000 --> 00:22:31,919 Speaker 6: with the Lord. I didn't know how to minister. We 386 00:22:32,000 --> 00:22:34,280 Speaker 6: never dreamed the church would grow. We were just trying 387 00:22:34,320 --> 00:22:37,400 Speaker 6: to maintain what my parents had built. But God had 388 00:22:37,400 --> 00:22:40,400 Speaker 6: other plans. Here we are today, in this beautiful facility. 389 00:22:40,960 --> 00:22:45,119 Speaker 6: You need to look back over your own life and 390 00:22:45,320 --> 00:22:49,920 Speaker 6: remember where God brought you from. Remember your victories. Don't 391 00:22:50,000 --> 00:22:53,920 Speaker 6: let them become so ordinary that they don't excite you anymore. 392 00:22:54,480 --> 00:22:58,560 Speaker 6: We should never lose the amazement of what God has done. 393 00:22:58,640 --> 00:23:01,199 Speaker 6: I learned this from my father. He grew up in 394 00:23:01,280 --> 00:23:05,760 Speaker 6: extreme poverty. His parents were cotton farmers that lost everything 395 00:23:05,800 --> 00:23:08,880 Speaker 6: in the Great Depression. My father dropped out of high 396 00:23:08,880 --> 00:23:11,560 Speaker 6: school so he could help his family make a living. 397 00:23:12,200 --> 00:23:14,359 Speaker 6: But when he gave his life to the Lord, he 398 00:23:14,440 --> 00:23:16,800 Speaker 6: not only went back and got his high school diploma, 399 00:23:17,000 --> 00:23:20,119 Speaker 6: but he got his college degree as well. My father 400 00:23:20,280 --> 00:23:23,920 Speaker 6: used to constantly say, Joel, can you believe where God 401 00:23:23,960 --> 00:23:27,800 Speaker 6: has taken me. We would even drive back to East 402 00:23:27,800 --> 00:23:30,239 Speaker 6: Texas where he grew up so he could see the 403 00:23:30,280 --> 00:23:33,320 Speaker 6: farm and the property that he was raised on. Daddy 404 00:23:33,359 --> 00:23:36,200 Speaker 6: would stand there in amazement looking out at that property 405 00:23:36,200 --> 00:23:38,960 Speaker 6: and just in awe of how God brought him out 406 00:23:39,000 --> 00:23:42,440 Speaker 6: of that defeat and poverty. And my father never got 407 00:23:42,480 --> 00:23:46,160 Speaker 6: tired of telling his testimony how he gave his life 408 00:23:46,200 --> 00:23:49,200 Speaker 6: to the Lord. He told it like it happened yesterday. 409 00:23:49,480 --> 00:23:52,000 Speaker 6: If you've been around here long, you've heard it one 410 00:23:52,040 --> 00:23:55,040 Speaker 6: hundred times. How he was lost and undone coming home 411 00:23:55,119 --> 00:23:57,960 Speaker 6: from a nightclub two o'clock in the morning. That never 412 00:23:58,040 --> 00:24:01,560 Speaker 6: got old to him. He built the sanctuary that holds 413 00:24:01,680 --> 00:24:05,320 Speaker 6: eight thousand people. That was my father's dream. He used 414 00:24:05,359 --> 00:24:07,600 Speaker 6: to come up during the week and say, Joel, come on, 415 00:24:07,680 --> 00:24:10,320 Speaker 6: let's go look at the new sanctuary. I thought, man, 416 00:24:10,320 --> 00:24:13,679 Speaker 6: we've seen it five hundred times. But we would go 417 00:24:13,760 --> 00:24:16,800 Speaker 6: stand in the bleachers with nobody there, and my father 418 00:24:16,840 --> 00:24:19,160 Speaker 6: would just take it all in a lot of times 419 00:24:19,160 --> 00:24:21,840 Speaker 6: he'd say, hey, turn on the lights, turn on the sound, 420 00:24:22,040 --> 00:24:25,280 Speaker 6: turn on the screens. We had services in there three 421 00:24:25,320 --> 00:24:27,879 Speaker 6: times a week. He knew what it looked like, but 422 00:24:27,960 --> 00:24:31,000 Speaker 6: he never lost the amazement of what God had done. 423 00:24:31,200 --> 00:24:34,720 Speaker 6: No wonder. He was always giving God the credit. Let 424 00:24:34,720 --> 00:24:38,280 Speaker 6: me encourage you, don't let your miracles become so old. 425 00:24:38,359 --> 00:24:42,200 Speaker 6: And so stagnant that they don't excite you anymore. Don't 426 00:24:42,280 --> 00:24:46,720 Speaker 6: let the times that don't let the time that God 427 00:24:46,760 --> 00:24:49,520 Speaker 6: opened the door and gave you favor, and the time 428 00:24:49,600 --> 00:24:52,840 Speaker 6: God turned the situation around and somebody went out of 429 00:24:52,840 --> 00:24:55,240 Speaker 6: their way for no reason to be good to you. 430 00:24:55,960 --> 00:25:00,960 Speaker 6: Don't let that become old. Don't ever lose thee excitement, 431 00:25:01,119 --> 00:25:04,359 Speaker 6: the amazement of what God has done. When we live 432 00:25:04,520 --> 00:25:08,960 Speaker 6: in awe of God's goodness and we're constantly remembering his favor, 433 00:25:09,600 --> 00:25:12,399 Speaker 6: then it's easy to give God the credit. We can't 434 00:25:12,440 --> 00:25:15,440 Speaker 6: contain the glory. We're too busy giving God the glory. 435 00:25:16,119 --> 00:25:19,639 Speaker 6: It's interesting. In the Old Testament, God commanded the people 436 00:25:20,119 --> 00:25:23,600 Speaker 6: to have certain celebrations and feast, and one of the 437 00:25:23,640 --> 00:25:27,800 Speaker 6: main reasons was so they would remember what he had done. 438 00:25:27,840 --> 00:25:29,880 Speaker 6: And several times a year they'd all stop what they 439 00:25:29,880 --> 00:25:33,600 Speaker 6: were doing. Everybody would take off, and they'd go celebrate 440 00:25:33,880 --> 00:25:37,160 Speaker 6: how God brought them out of slavery, how God protected 441 00:25:37,200 --> 00:25:40,000 Speaker 6: them from this enemy, and how God defeated these other 442 00:25:40,040 --> 00:25:44,000 Speaker 6: people over here they were required to remember. They had 443 00:25:44,040 --> 00:25:49,080 Speaker 6: these big feast with music and singing and dancing. Imagine 444 00:25:49,119 --> 00:25:51,359 Speaker 6: someone coming over to your home and you're having a 445 00:25:51,400 --> 00:25:56,000 Speaker 6: big party. Everyone's having fun, the music is going. They 446 00:25:56,000 --> 00:25:59,679 Speaker 6: ask you what kind of party? Is this a birthday party, 447 00:26:00,080 --> 00:26:03,440 Speaker 6: super Bowl party, a wedding party? You say, no, we're 448 00:26:03,520 --> 00:26:07,679 Speaker 6: celebrating what God has done. Five years ago, God spared 449 00:26:07,720 --> 00:26:11,120 Speaker 6: my life in an accident, so we're having this party tonight. 450 00:26:11,840 --> 00:26:14,680 Speaker 6: Or ten years ago, God set me free from an addiction, 451 00:26:15,040 --> 00:26:18,760 Speaker 6: so we're celebrating right now. Or twenty nine years ago, 452 00:26:19,040 --> 00:26:21,960 Speaker 6: God healed my mother from cancer, and so we're thanking 453 00:26:22,040 --> 00:26:28,399 Speaker 6: him once again. As you remember the great things God 454 00:26:28,440 --> 00:26:31,719 Speaker 6: has done and you stand in awe of his amazement. 455 00:26:32,000 --> 00:26:35,159 Speaker 6: That will help you to stay filled with gratitude. You 456 00:26:35,240 --> 00:26:38,159 Speaker 6: can't keep the credit when you're always giving God the credit. 457 00:26:39,000 --> 00:26:41,880 Speaker 6: Most of you know how we've had a sixty year 458 00:26:41,960 --> 00:26:45,639 Speaker 6: lease on this facility from the city. It was always 459 00:26:45,680 --> 00:26:47,919 Speaker 6: our desire to own it, but the lease was the 460 00:26:47,920 --> 00:26:50,720 Speaker 6: best thing at the time. But just two weeks ago, 461 00:26:50,800 --> 00:26:54,440 Speaker 6: the Houston City Council voted to sell us this property 462 00:26:54,680 --> 00:26:57,399 Speaker 6: for seven and a half million dollars, and today we 463 00:26:57,520 --> 00:27:03,760 Speaker 6: own it forever. That day that the council voted yes 464 00:27:04,400 --> 00:27:07,960 Speaker 6: was a Wednesday, and instead of having our normal Wednesday 465 00:27:08,040 --> 00:27:11,040 Speaker 6: night services, we came in here and took the whole 466 00:27:11,160 --> 00:27:15,119 Speaker 6: time just to see, to shout, to celebrate God's goodness. 467 00:27:15,240 --> 00:27:18,040 Speaker 6: We were saying, God, to you be the glory. This 468 00:27:18,200 --> 00:27:20,439 Speaker 6: was not our own light, not our own power, but 469 00:27:20,520 --> 00:27:23,400 Speaker 6: it was your goodness. I was thinking about how now 470 00:27:23,840 --> 00:27:27,960 Speaker 6: every April we have even another reason to celebrate. Now 471 00:27:28,000 --> 00:27:31,400 Speaker 6: I'm asking you today to remember the great things God 472 00:27:31,440 --> 00:27:35,360 Speaker 6: has done. Be quick to give him the credit. Recognize 473 00:27:35,520 --> 00:27:38,440 Speaker 6: it's his favor in your life. If you're gonna brag, 474 00:27:38,520 --> 00:27:41,160 Speaker 6: don't brag on yourself. Brag on the goodness of God. 475 00:27:41,520 --> 00:27:44,760 Speaker 6: Stay small in your own eyes. Now, I believe in 476 00:27:44,800 --> 00:27:48,159 Speaker 6: the coming days we're going to see God's favor like 477 00:27:48,240 --> 00:27:51,560 Speaker 6: we've never seen it before. That means we're gonna have 478 00:27:51,600 --> 00:27:54,719 Speaker 6: to walk in humility like we've never walked in it before. 479 00:27:55,640 --> 00:27:58,840 Speaker 6: The scripture says when they wanted to make Jesus king, 480 00:27:59,400 --> 00:28:03,160 Speaker 6: he went up higher. Friends, there's a higher place than 481 00:28:03,280 --> 00:28:06,920 Speaker 6: just taking all the credit, the praise, the recognition for yourself. 482 00:28:07,480 --> 00:28:10,480 Speaker 6: When you go up higher and say, God, I know 483 00:28:11,000 --> 00:28:13,760 Speaker 6: you've given me every good gift. Now, I wouldn't be 484 00:28:13,800 --> 00:28:16,679 Speaker 6: where I am without your favor. So I give you 485 00:28:16,760 --> 00:28:20,240 Speaker 6: the praise, the honor, the recognition, When you have that 486 00:28:20,320 --> 00:28:23,720 Speaker 6: kind of attitude, there's no limit to how high God 487 00:28:23,760 --> 00:28:26,720 Speaker 6: can take you. If you study some of the greatest 488 00:28:26,920 --> 00:28:29,840 Speaker 6: believers that ever lived, you'll find that they had a 489 00:28:29,880 --> 00:28:35,040 Speaker 6: common ingredient. It wasn't their great faith, or their dynamic personality, 490 00:28:35,480 --> 00:28:39,840 Speaker 6: or even their incredible speaking ability. The common ingredient is 491 00:28:39,880 --> 00:28:43,280 Speaker 6: they had a spirit of humility, and they were quick 492 00:28:43,360 --> 00:28:46,320 Speaker 6: to give God the credit. That's what the scripture says, 493 00:28:46,560 --> 00:28:50,840 Speaker 6: before honor comes humility. If you'll make this decision with 494 00:28:50,960 --> 00:28:54,480 Speaker 6: me to stay small in your own eyes and be 495 00:28:54,600 --> 00:28:57,959 Speaker 6: quick to give God the credit, then He promises he 496 00:28:58,040 --> 00:29:01,360 Speaker 6: will exalt you, he will incre you, and I believe 497 00:29:01,400 --> 00:29:03,920 Speaker 6: in declare you will live that life of victory he 498 00:29:04,000 --> 00:29:07,880 Speaker 6: has in story. Amen, do you receive it today? We 499 00:29:08,160 --> 00:29:10,880 Speaker 6: never like to close our broadcast without giving you an 500 00:29:10,880 --> 00:29:13,920 Speaker 6: opportunity to make Jesus the lord of your life. Would 501 00:29:13,960 --> 00:29:18,080 Speaker 6: you pray with me, Just say, Lord, Jesus, I'll repent 502 00:29:18,080 --> 00:29:22,320 Speaker 6: of my sins. Come into my heart. I'll make you 503 00:29:22,400 --> 00:29:26,200 Speaker 6: my lord and savior. Friends, if you prayed that simple prayer, 504 00:29:26,240 --> 00:29:28,960 Speaker 6: we believe you got born again. Get in a good 505 00:29:29,040 --> 00:29:32,000 Speaker 6: Bible based church, keep God first place in your life. 506 00:29:32,240 --> 00:29:34,320 Speaker 6: He'll take your places that you've never dreamed of. 507 00:29:35,000 --> 00:29:37,880 Speaker 7: Thank you for listening to the Jolus Deine podcast. 508 00:29:38,200 --> 00:29:40,840 Speaker 8: Help Let's continue to share the message of hope with 509 00:29:40,960 --> 00:29:42,320 Speaker 8: those all over the world. 510 00:29:42,600 --> 00:29:43,840 Speaker 6: Visit Jolus deein. 511 00:29:43,720 --> 00:29:47,040 Speaker 8: Dot com slash give Hope to give a gift today. 512 00:29:48,320 --> 00:29:51,240 Speaker 6: Thanks so much for listening to today's message. I hope 513 00:29:51,240 --> 00:29:54,600 Speaker 6: you'll subscribe so you can receive the latest podcast to 514 00:29:54,680 --> 00:29:57,880 Speaker 6: keep you inspired all through the week. We're praying for you. 515 00:29:58,080 --> 00:30:00,520 Speaker 6: I know God's best is still ahead. We'll see you 516 00:30:00,600 --> 00:30:01,160 Speaker 6: next time. 517 00:30:09,600 --> 00:30:12,120 Speaker 8: More than ever before, people are turning to the church 518 00:30:12,160 --> 00:30:15,760 Speaker 8: for their mental health struggles. Unfortunately, the church has largely 519 00:30:15,800 --> 00:30:18,920 Speaker 8: been ill equipped to help. That is until now. Join 520 00:30:18,960 --> 00:30:21,960 Speaker 8: nearly fifty thousand people just like you who've enrolled in 521 00:30:22,000 --> 00:30:24,920 Speaker 8: the Mental Health Coach training program and become equipped to 522 00:30:25,040 --> 00:30:27,360 Speaker 8: help for a limited time. Apply for a full tuition 523 00:30:27,480 --> 00:30:29,800 Speaker 8: scholarship and only pay a one time tech fee of 524 00:30:29,840 --> 00:30:33,800 Speaker 8: fifty four dollars if accepted. Apply now at mentalhealth Coach 525 00:30:34,000 --> 00:30:36,800 Speaker 8: dot org. That's mentalhealthcoach dot org. 526 00:30:38,240 --> 00:30:42,560 Speaker 5: Be a barbecue Hero with delicious ultralownet carb Hero bread 527 00:30:42,600 --> 00:30:45,840 Speaker 5: buns and tortillas, soft and fluffy, high in fiber, and 528 00:30:45,920 --> 00:30:48,560 Speaker 5: with zero grams of sugar end up to ten grams 529 00:30:48,600 --> 00:30:51,560 Speaker 5: of protein, coming in at under one hundred calories per serving. 530 00:30:51,800 --> 00:30:54,640 Speaker 5: Oh and did I mention they taste like their mouthwatering 531 00:30:54,720 --> 00:30:58,600 Speaker 5: traditional versions. It's enough to have the neighbors asking for seconds. 532 00:30:58,880 --> 00:31:01,880 Speaker 5: Use code IHM two for ten percent off your first 533 00:31:01,920 --> 00:31:05,480 Speaker 5: hero Bred purchase at hero dot co. That's Cote IHM 534 00:31:05,560 --> 00:31:08,120 Speaker 5: ten for ten percent off at hero dot co. 535 00:31:08,760 --> 00:31:10,760 Speaker 7: Summer is here and our sleep is just as important 536 00:31:10,760 --> 00:31:12,920 Speaker 7: as our weekend plans. So get the sleep you deserve 537 00:31:12,960 --> 00:31:15,040 Speaker 7: with Lisa. For a limited time, save up to seven 538 00:31:15,120 --> 00:31:18,000 Speaker 7: hundred dollars off select mattresses plus two free pillows during 539 00:31:18,000 --> 00:31:20,680 Speaker 7: our summer sale. Check out our hybrid mattress designed to 540 00:31:20,720 --> 00:31:23,280 Speaker 7: keep you cool during those hot summer nights. Lisa also 541 00:31:23,320 --> 00:31:26,160 Speaker 7: offers free shipping and a risk free one hundred night trial. 542 00:31:26,360 --> 00:31:27,560 Speaker 8: Get the sleep you deserve. 543 00:31:27,800 --> 00:31:29,720 Speaker 7: Shop our summer sale now and save up to seven 544 00:31:29,760 --> 00:31:32,880 Speaker 7: hundred dollars off select mattresses plus two free pillows at 545 00:31:32,880 --> 00:31:36,000 Speaker 7: Lisa dot com. That's l e e s A dot Com. 546 00:31:36,160 --> 00:31:38,400 Speaker 7: Exclusions apply. Visit Lisa dot com for details.