1 00:00:02,720 --> 00:00:05,100 Speaker 1: Hi, it's Joel and Victoria. What a joy to be 2 00:00:05,140 --> 00:00:07,659 Speaker 1: with you today. We always count it an honor. Know 3 00:00:07,680 --> 00:00:09,200 Speaker 1: that we're praying for you and your family. 4 00:00:09,440 --> 00:00:12,480 Speaker 2: We sure hope you enjoy this podcast today, and we 5 00:00:12,500 --> 00:00:14,720 Speaker 2: just are praying for you and know that God is 6 00:00:14,860 --> 00:00:18,220 Speaker 2: for you, so enjoy today's message. It's good to be 7 00:00:18,239 --> 00:00:20,440 Speaker 2: in the house of the Lord. We love you so much. 8 00:00:20,900 --> 00:00:25,840 Speaker 2: You may be seated. Seven billion people are estimated to 9 00:00:25,880 --> 00:00:29,800 Speaker 2: be on this planet. Can you believe that? Seven billion people. 10 00:00:30,630 --> 00:00:33,470 Speaker 2: With 7 billion people, there's probably a lot of problems 11 00:00:33,490 --> 00:00:36,390 Speaker 2: in the world. Probably a lot of issues going on. 12 00:00:37,400 --> 00:00:39,909 Speaker 2: You know, I just want to tell you today, there 13 00:00:39,950 --> 00:00:43,320 Speaker 2: may be 7 billion people on this earth, but I 14 00:00:43,360 --> 00:00:45,760 Speaker 2: want you to know you are up close and personal 15 00:00:45,780 --> 00:00:52,640 Speaker 2: with God today. Don't feel like you're alone. Don't feel 16 00:00:52,680 --> 00:00:54,780 Speaker 2: like that He does not know where you are and 17 00:00:54,820 --> 00:00:57,320 Speaker 2: what is going on in your life. Because the Bible 18 00:00:57,380 --> 00:00:59,980 Speaker 2: tells us that He's counted every hair on your head. 19 00:01:01,210 --> 00:01:04,010 Speaker 2: Job said this, he knows everywhere I go, he knows 20 00:01:04,190 --> 00:01:08,190 Speaker 2: every step I take. The scripture says that he knows 21 00:01:08,390 --> 00:01:14,390 Speaker 2: every breath we take. God is an ever-present God. He 22 00:01:14,490 --> 00:01:18,729 Speaker 2: is omnipresent, which means he is everywhere all the time. 23 00:01:19,910 --> 00:01:24,860 Speaker 2: He is omnipotent. He is the creator of this universe, 24 00:01:25,330 --> 00:01:29,860 Speaker 2: and he controls it all. So often, people feel like 25 00:01:29,940 --> 00:01:32,600 Speaker 2: maybe God doesn't know where they are. I'm in this 26 00:01:32,660 --> 00:01:36,190 Speaker 2: big world all by myself, but I'm here to announce today, 27 00:01:36,590 --> 00:01:40,100 Speaker 2: God has you in His sights. And He knows exactly 28 00:01:40,459 --> 00:01:44,459 Speaker 2: what's going on in your life. I love the story 29 00:01:44,500 --> 00:01:47,990 Speaker 2: found in John 4. It's about the Samaritan woman who 30 00:01:48,350 --> 00:01:51,210 Speaker 2: came to the well one afternoon and Jesus was there. 31 00:01:51,690 --> 00:01:55,070 Speaker 2: Now this story has amazing revelations of all kind. But 32 00:01:55,090 --> 00:01:58,139 Speaker 2: what I want to look at today, when this woman 33 00:01:58,240 --> 00:02:01,900 Speaker 2: came to the well, Jesus was there all by Himself. So, 34 00:02:01,980 --> 00:02:04,640 Speaker 2: she came to the well at the hottest part of 35 00:02:04,660 --> 00:02:07,720 Speaker 2: the day. She was by herself. She was actually trying 36 00:02:07,760 --> 00:02:11,520 Speaker 2: to avoid people. She had quite the reputation. So, it 37 00:02:11,580 --> 00:02:13,990 Speaker 2: was her time to slide in, get her water from 38 00:02:14,030 --> 00:02:17,250 Speaker 2: the well, and get out before anybody else could see her. 39 00:02:18,310 --> 00:02:22,070 Speaker 2: But she encountered Jesus that day. And when she came 40 00:02:22,150 --> 00:02:26,130 Speaker 2: upon Jesus, He drew near to her. He began to 41 00:02:26,210 --> 00:02:29,660 Speaker 2: talk to her. He began to ask her questions. Now 42 00:02:29,720 --> 00:02:32,480 Speaker 2: Jesus was a Jew and she was a Samaritan and 43 00:02:32,500 --> 00:02:35,940 Speaker 2: the two didn't mix. She was astounded that first of all, 44 00:02:35,960 --> 00:02:39,709 Speaker 2: this Jewish man would talk to her. So she began 45 00:02:40,030 --> 00:02:43,410 Speaker 2: to talk back to him. She slowly but surely eased 46 00:02:43,470 --> 00:02:45,570 Speaker 2: a little closer and began to listen to what he said. 47 00:02:46,650 --> 00:02:50,900 Speaker 2: Jesus was offering her salvation that day. He began to 48 00:02:50,970 --> 00:02:54,040 Speaker 2: ask her about her life and she answered a few questions. 49 00:02:54,669 --> 00:02:56,470 Speaker 2: And then at that moment, he wanted her to know 50 00:02:56,550 --> 00:03:00,490 Speaker 2: something very important. He wanted her to know that he 51 00:03:00,550 --> 00:03:03,660 Speaker 2: knew all about her. He began to tell her, yes, 52 00:03:04,250 --> 00:03:07,840 Speaker 2: I know that you have been married five times. And 53 00:03:07,880 --> 00:03:09,959 Speaker 2: he said, I know that the man you're with right now, 54 00:03:10,240 --> 00:03:14,079 Speaker 2: he's not your husband. She couldn't believe it. This man 55 00:03:14,120 --> 00:03:17,950 Speaker 2: knew everything about her. He was a Jew. He was 56 00:03:17,990 --> 00:03:21,690 Speaker 2: still talking to her. He was offering her living water, 57 00:03:21,810 --> 00:03:24,720 Speaker 2: even though she didn't quite comprehend what he was saying. 58 00:03:25,320 --> 00:03:29,360 Speaker 2: She felt the closeness. He was drawing her unto himself. 59 00:03:30,100 --> 00:03:32,700 Speaker 2: He was saying, I know all about you and I 60 00:03:32,740 --> 00:03:35,620 Speaker 2: still love you. And I want to offer you something 61 00:03:35,780 --> 00:03:39,280 Speaker 2: in your life that will fix every problem you have 62 00:03:39,650 --> 00:03:42,310 Speaker 2: or you will ever have. She was so touched. She 63 00:03:42,330 --> 00:03:45,990 Speaker 2: was so moved. that she literally ran into town to 64 00:03:46,090 --> 00:03:50,230 Speaker 2: tell people about this man. She wanted to spread the 65 00:03:50,270 --> 00:03:52,970 Speaker 2: news that there is a man at Jacob's well that 66 00:03:53,030 --> 00:03:57,060 Speaker 2: knows everything about me. Now you have to understand this 67 00:03:57,200 --> 00:04:01,830 Speaker 2: woman was an outcast. People would have shunned her. They 68 00:04:01,930 --> 00:04:05,450 Speaker 2: labeled her, but she was so confident after speaking to 69 00:04:05,490 --> 00:04:08,850 Speaker 2: Jesus that she stripped off all those labels and she 70 00:04:08,950 --> 00:04:11,760 Speaker 2: ran to those people. She did not care. She said, 71 00:04:11,900 --> 00:04:15,100 Speaker 2: I want you to know there is a man who 72 00:04:15,140 --> 00:04:18,820 Speaker 2: has drawn me near with such love and affection. He 73 00:04:18,860 --> 00:04:23,620 Speaker 2: knows everything about me and he hasn't judged me. Psalm 34, 18, 74 00:04:23,620 --> 00:04:26,390 Speaker 2: the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and he saves 75 00:04:26,450 --> 00:04:31,789 Speaker 2: those with crushed spirits. See, this woman was brokenhearted. She 76 00:04:31,830 --> 00:04:35,670 Speaker 2: was crushed by the trials of life. But Jesus said, 77 00:04:35,710 --> 00:04:38,289 Speaker 2: you're the one I want to save. You're the one 78 00:04:38,770 --> 00:04:43,110 Speaker 2: I want to draw near to. You're not alone. You're 79 00:04:43,150 --> 00:04:46,590 Speaker 2: not too far from God. He's drawing near to you 80 00:04:46,830 --> 00:04:50,270 Speaker 2: even now. We were at a play a couple years 81 00:04:50,330 --> 00:04:53,760 Speaker 2: ago at the Wortham Theater here in the city. And 82 00:04:54,000 --> 00:04:57,979 Speaker 2: we had okay seats. I couldn't see the stage very well. 83 00:04:58,300 --> 00:05:00,260 Speaker 2: And there were five of us. And as we sat 84 00:05:00,310 --> 00:05:02,990 Speaker 2: down and got all situated, I realized there was only 85 00:05:03,270 --> 00:05:07,250 Speaker 2: one set of binoculars for all five of us. So 86 00:05:07,370 --> 00:05:11,270 Speaker 2: I waited patiently as the play began for the binoculars 87 00:05:11,330 --> 00:05:14,969 Speaker 2: to make their way down to me. And when they did, 88 00:05:14,990 --> 00:05:17,570 Speaker 2: I got those binoculars in my hand, and I was 89 00:05:17,630 --> 00:05:20,860 Speaker 2: so excited. I drew those binoculars up near my eyes, 90 00:05:20,920 --> 00:05:24,040 Speaker 2: and I focused them just right. And do you know, 91 00:05:24,480 --> 00:05:28,540 Speaker 2: I got so close to that stage. Where I was 92 00:05:28,700 --> 00:05:32,630 Speaker 2: far away from the stage, it now was right up 93 00:05:32,990 --> 00:05:36,450 Speaker 2: close and personal. I could literally see the expressions on 94 00:05:36,470 --> 00:05:39,310 Speaker 2: the actors' faces. I could hear them better because I 95 00:05:39,350 --> 00:05:42,950 Speaker 2: knew which one was talking now. What was once far 96 00:05:43,050 --> 00:05:47,360 Speaker 2: away had been drawn close to me because I had 97 00:05:47,420 --> 00:05:51,950 Speaker 2: these binoculars focused. And do you know sometimes in life 98 00:05:52,010 --> 00:05:55,150 Speaker 2: we feel so far away from God? But can I 99 00:05:55,210 --> 00:05:58,650 Speaker 2: tell you in Ephesians 2, it says, but now in Christ, 100 00:05:58,790 --> 00:06:02,300 Speaker 2: you who were far away have been brought near by 101 00:06:02,339 --> 00:06:06,250 Speaker 2: the blood of Jesus Christ. See, you may have been 102 00:06:06,330 --> 00:06:10,210 Speaker 2: far away and distant in your life, but God has 103 00:06:10,270 --> 00:06:13,429 Speaker 2: got you in his sights. He has put his God 104 00:06:13,470 --> 00:06:17,299 Speaker 2: binoculars and he has focused you in. You are right 105 00:06:17,360 --> 00:06:21,039 Speaker 2: there up close and personal to your God today. Don't 106 00:06:21,060 --> 00:06:25,039 Speaker 2: get a distorted view of a person who cannot be 107 00:06:25,140 --> 00:06:27,960 Speaker 2: seen and who cannot be felt by God. You are 108 00:06:28,060 --> 00:06:31,990 Speaker 2: not just one of seven billion. You are God's chosen vessel. 109 00:06:32,320 --> 00:06:38,500 Speaker 2: You are his child. He has handpicked you. He wants 110 00:06:38,580 --> 00:06:41,650 Speaker 2: to offer you something every single day that will take 111 00:06:41,670 --> 00:06:44,530 Speaker 2: care of every problem you have or every problem you 112 00:06:44,570 --> 00:06:47,850 Speaker 2: will ever have. He wants to fill your thirsty soul. 113 00:06:48,370 --> 00:06:51,150 Speaker 2: He doesn't care where you've been. He doesn't care what 114 00:06:51,190 --> 00:06:54,300 Speaker 2: you've done. He just wants you to know, I'm right here. 115 00:06:54,310 --> 00:06:58,520 Speaker 2: I'm an up close and personal God. See, when you 116 00:06:58,580 --> 00:07:01,700 Speaker 2: have children, you get a little better understanding of God's 117 00:07:01,820 --> 00:07:05,160 Speaker 2: powerful love towards you. Joel and I have two children. 118 00:07:06,089 --> 00:07:09,850 Speaker 2: They are my children, okay? I carried them for nine months. 119 00:07:10,170 --> 00:07:13,850 Speaker 2: I delivered them. They are my children. Everything good about 120 00:07:13,890 --> 00:07:24,400 Speaker 2: those children are me. Everything not so good, Joel. Those 121 00:07:24,440 --> 00:07:29,100 Speaker 2: are my kids. And can I tell you, I'm thinking 122 00:07:29,140 --> 00:07:32,200 Speaker 2: of them all the time. No matter where they are, 123 00:07:32,900 --> 00:07:36,100 Speaker 2: I am thinking about those kids. Whether they call me 124 00:07:36,160 --> 00:07:38,920 Speaker 2: or text me, I love to hear from them. I 125 00:07:38,940 --> 00:07:42,300 Speaker 2: find joy. If they call me wanting something, like they 126 00:07:42,420 --> 00:07:47,240 Speaker 2: usually do, that's okay because they're my kids. Do I 127 00:07:47,280 --> 00:07:51,020 Speaker 2: agree with everything? No, I don't. But let me tell 128 00:07:51,060 --> 00:07:54,230 Speaker 2: you something. I am committed to those kids. I will 129 00:07:54,650 --> 00:07:57,290 Speaker 2: draw close to those kids all the days of their 130 00:07:57,330 --> 00:08:00,350 Speaker 2: life because they are mine. They belong to me and 131 00:08:00,390 --> 00:08:03,150 Speaker 2: I'm committed to them. I will never throw my hands up, 132 00:08:03,210 --> 00:08:06,510 Speaker 2: no matter what, and say, I'm done. I will never 133 00:08:06,590 --> 00:08:08,730 Speaker 2: turn my back on them and say, whenever you get 134 00:08:08,770 --> 00:08:11,170 Speaker 2: it right, then you can come close to me. No, 135 00:08:11,270 --> 00:08:13,810 Speaker 2: I will always run to them, no matter what, because 136 00:08:13,850 --> 00:08:22,800 Speaker 2: they are mine. And that's exactly what our Heavenly Father does. 137 00:08:23,870 --> 00:08:27,340 Speaker 2: He doesn't judge us. He doesn't criticize us. He doesn't 138 00:08:27,420 --> 00:08:29,600 Speaker 2: always look at what we're doing wrong. He has not 139 00:08:29,960 --> 00:08:32,880 Speaker 2: thrown his hands up and taken his face away. No, 140 00:08:32,940 --> 00:08:36,740 Speaker 2: he has drawn near. Even in the worst of your times, 141 00:08:37,240 --> 00:08:39,900 Speaker 2: you get the best of your God. He says, when 142 00:08:39,950 --> 00:08:43,270 Speaker 2: you are weak, I'll be strong through you. I'll never 143 00:08:43,350 --> 00:08:46,349 Speaker 2: retract my love. I will never be distant from you, 144 00:08:46,630 --> 00:08:49,870 Speaker 2: but I will always be that up close and personal God. 145 00:08:50,710 --> 00:08:54,350 Speaker 2: Can I tell you today, whatever you're facing, God sees it. 146 00:08:54,880 --> 00:08:57,370 Speaker 2: He sees the expression on your face. He feels the 147 00:08:57,429 --> 00:08:59,689 Speaker 2: pain in your heart. And it's only a matter of 148 00:08:59,730 --> 00:09:03,750 Speaker 2: time before he helps you and changes the situation. But 149 00:09:03,809 --> 00:09:07,220 Speaker 2: you cannot think that you are not important to God. 150 00:09:07,280 --> 00:09:10,000 Speaker 2: You've got to grab hold of what he is offering 151 00:09:10,040 --> 00:09:13,660 Speaker 2: you today. Have confidence today that no matter what mess 152 00:09:13,679 --> 00:09:16,630 Speaker 2: you're in, whether you caused it, whether someone else caused it, 153 00:09:17,360 --> 00:09:20,260 Speaker 2: Have confidence that God is going to help you. Just 154 00:09:20,320 --> 00:09:23,250 Speaker 2: like that woman at the well. Listen, she erased every 155 00:09:23,309 --> 00:09:26,970 Speaker 2: label when she realized this Messiah, this God, the one 156 00:09:27,030 --> 00:09:30,010 Speaker 2: we have always been longing for, is standing in front 157 00:09:30,030 --> 00:09:32,680 Speaker 2: of me and willing to draw near to me. 158 00:09:41,280 --> 00:09:42,620 Speaker 1: If you want to know what you're going to be 159 00:09:42,679 --> 00:09:46,110 Speaker 1: like in five years, listen to what you're saying about yourself. 160 00:09:46,490 --> 00:09:49,410 Speaker 1: You are prophesying your future. Now, I'd love to send 161 00:09:49,450 --> 00:09:52,870 Speaker 1: you my new book, Your Words, Your Reality. I'll show 162 00:09:52,890 --> 00:09:56,290 Speaker 1: you how to speak positive, faith-filled words that agree with 163 00:09:56,350 --> 00:09:59,110 Speaker 1: what God says about you. You'll learn how to use 164 00:09:59,130 --> 00:10:02,400 Speaker 1: your words, not to describe the situation, but to change 165 00:10:02,460 --> 00:10:06,720 Speaker 1: the situation. When you speak words of health, favor, and victory, 166 00:10:06,980 --> 00:10:10,000 Speaker 1: you are setting the direction for your life. That's how 167 00:10:10,040 --> 00:10:14,179 Speaker 1: you'll break negative cycles, develop a healthier mindset, and see 168 00:10:14,230 --> 00:10:16,510 Speaker 1: more of the goodness of God in your life. 169 00:10:17,790 --> 00:10:21,710 Speaker 3: Your Words Equal Your Reality is a powerful new guidebook 170 00:10:21,870 --> 00:10:25,460 Speaker 3: designed to help you speak God's promises over every area 171 00:10:25,480 --> 00:10:29,980 Speaker 3: of your life. Inside, you'll find scripture-filled declarations for your health, 172 00:10:30,300 --> 00:10:35,280 Speaker 3: your relationships, your finances, and your future, plus real guidance 173 00:10:35,500 --> 00:10:39,020 Speaker 3: for wherever you are right now. Whether you're facing a challenge, 174 00:10:39,370 --> 00:10:43,370 Speaker 3: walking in breakthrough, or somewhere in between, each page will 175 00:10:43,410 --> 00:10:46,540 Speaker 3: help you align your words with what God says. and 176 00:10:46,620 --> 00:10:49,740 Speaker 3: step into the very best He has for you. It's 177 00:10:49,760 --> 00:10:51,820 Speaker 3: yours as a thank you for your gift to the 178 00:10:51,860 --> 00:10:55,280 Speaker 3: ministry today. Be sure to request your copy of Your 179 00:10:55,360 --> 00:10:59,380 Speaker 3: Words Equal Your Reality, available this month by visiting us 180 00:10:59,660 --> 00:11:02,220 Speaker 3: at joelostein.com or call 888-567-JOEL. 181 00:11:05,110 --> 00:11:08,200 Speaker 1: You can change what you're seeing by changing what you're saying. 182 00:11:08,620 --> 00:11:13,400 Speaker 1: Speak life, declare His promises, and watch what God does. Victoria, 183 00:11:13,420 --> 00:11:15,309 Speaker 1: I want you to know that we pray for you 184 00:11:15,370 --> 00:11:18,510 Speaker 1: and your family every day. Thank you for your prayer 185 00:11:18,610 --> 00:11:22,059 Speaker 1: and support. Your generosity helps us take this message of 186 00:11:22,120 --> 00:11:25,120 Speaker 1: hope around the world. Thanks so much for helping us 187 00:11:25,240 --> 00:11:28,300 Speaker 1: finish the summer strong. A special thank you to our 188 00:11:28,380 --> 00:11:30,939 Speaker 1: Champion of Hope partners for all you do to make 189 00:11:30,980 --> 00:11:34,210 Speaker 1: the ministry possible. Until we meet again, may the Lord 190 00:11:34,250 --> 00:11:35,630 Speaker 1: bless you and keep you. 191 00:11:36,590 --> 00:11:39,650 Speaker 3: Be sure to request your copy of Your Words Equal 192 00:11:39,710 --> 00:11:44,670 Speaker 3: Your Reality, available this month by visiting us at joelostein.com 193 00:11:44,960 --> 00:11:50,410 Speaker 3: or call 888-567-JOEL. With an additional gift, you can also 194 00:11:50,510 --> 00:11:56,050 Speaker 3: receive the 3-Minute Promise, Power, and Authority Collection, featuring abundance, assurance, 195 00:11:56,190 --> 00:12:00,969 Speaker 3: and authority. A rich, empowering study drawn from the Passion Translation. 196 00:12:01,550 --> 00:12:04,710 Speaker 3: It opens up who you already are in Christ, what's 197 00:12:04,830 --> 00:12:09,030 Speaker 3: already yours, and the authority you already carry. Because your 198 00:12:09,150 --> 00:12:13,530 Speaker 3: next moment with God could change everything. Know who you are. 199 00:12:14,140 --> 00:12:18,140 Speaker 3: Walk in what's yours. Step into every moment with confidence. 200 00:12:18,559 --> 00:12:24,230 Speaker 3: You can request these inspiring resources by calling 888-567-JOEL or 201 00:12:24,270 --> 00:12:28,929 Speaker 3: logging on to joelostein.com today. Call or click anytime, 24 202 00:12:28,929 --> 00:12:29,430 Speaker 3: hours a day.