1 00:00:00,230 --> 00:00:02,770 Speaker 1: Thanks so much for listening to the podcast today. I 2 00:00:02,970 --> 00:00:04,790 Speaker 1: want you to know that Victoria and I are praying 3 00:00:04,809 --> 00:00:07,480 Speaker 1: for you and your family this summer and just asking 4 00:00:07,520 --> 00:00:10,720 Speaker 1: God to bring you more peace and joy and victory 5 00:00:10,740 --> 00:00:13,470 Speaker 1: than you've ever seen before. Know that God's for you. 6 00:00:13,480 --> 00:00:15,220 Speaker 1: He's got you in the palm of his hand and 7 00:00:15,420 --> 00:00:18,619 Speaker 1: I hope you enjoy the message today. Well, God bless you. 8 00:00:18,640 --> 00:00:21,680 Speaker 1: It's great to be with you today and I hope 9 00:00:21,720 --> 00:00:24,239 Speaker 1: you'll stay connected with us during the week through our 10 00:00:24,280 --> 00:00:28,320 Speaker 1: daily podcast, our YouTube channel, social media, and you can 11 00:00:28,380 --> 00:00:30,780 Speaker 1: come visit us in person. We'd love to have you 12 00:00:30,820 --> 00:00:33,300 Speaker 1: be a part of one of our services. I like 13 00:00:33,320 --> 00:00:35,860 Speaker 1: to start with something funny and somebody sent me this 14 00:00:35,960 --> 00:00:37,830 Speaker 1: funny thought and I kind of liked it, but here's 15 00:00:37,840 --> 00:00:41,370 Speaker 1: how it goes. In the beginning, God created the earth 16 00:00:41,490 --> 00:00:46,330 Speaker 1: and rested. Then God created man and rested. Next, God 17 00:00:46,390 --> 00:00:50,640 Speaker 1: created women. And since then, neither God nor man has rested. 18 00:00:50,659 --> 00:00:55,400 Speaker 1: A lady asked my father one time, she said, where 19 00:00:55,460 --> 00:00:58,950 Speaker 1: would you men be without us women? My father smiled 20 00:00:58,980 --> 00:01:03,440 Speaker 1: and said, in the Garden of Eden. Say it like 21 00:01:03,460 --> 00:01:06,319 Speaker 1: you mean it. This is my Bible. I am what 22 00:01:06,360 --> 00:01:09,080 Speaker 1: it says I am. I have what it says I have. 23 00:01:09,520 --> 00:01:12,120 Speaker 1: I can do what it says I can do. Today 24 00:01:12,240 --> 00:01:14,900 Speaker 1: I will be taught the word of God. I boldly 25 00:01:14,959 --> 00:01:18,890 Speaker 1: confess my mind is alert. My heart is receptive. I 26 00:01:18,920 --> 00:01:23,190 Speaker 1: will never be the same in Jesus name. God bless you. 27 00:01:23,209 --> 00:01:27,649 Speaker 1: I want to talk to you today about not counting 28 00:01:27,750 --> 00:01:32,100 Speaker 1: on people. Sometimes we're getting our worth and value from 29 00:01:32,160 --> 00:01:36,480 Speaker 1: how people treat us. If they're kind and compliment us 30 00:01:36,500 --> 00:01:40,620 Speaker 1: and invite us to their event, acknowledge our gifts, then 31 00:01:40,660 --> 00:01:44,700 Speaker 1: we'll feel good about ourselves. We have their approval, their validation. 32 00:01:45,480 --> 00:01:48,240 Speaker 1: And it's great when people are for us and make 33 00:01:48,320 --> 00:01:52,100 Speaker 1: us feel valuable. But the problem with counting on people 34 00:01:52,600 --> 00:01:56,810 Speaker 1: is people can change. People can get busy. People can 35 00:01:56,850 --> 00:02:01,070 Speaker 1: become jealous. People can be discouraged. They can't keep you 36 00:02:01,110 --> 00:02:05,820 Speaker 1: cheered up. They have their own issues. They never compliment themselves. 37 00:02:06,220 --> 00:02:09,300 Speaker 1: They're probably not going to compliment you. And instead of 38 00:02:09,340 --> 00:02:12,680 Speaker 1: looking to people, you have to go to God. No 39 00:02:12,700 --> 00:02:15,200 Speaker 1: matter how much someone loves you and how much they 40 00:02:15,240 --> 00:02:18,609 Speaker 1: want the best for you, they can't give you everything 41 00:02:18,650 --> 00:02:22,070 Speaker 1: you need. They can't always be there to cheer you up, 42 00:02:22,570 --> 00:02:26,470 Speaker 1: keep you encouraged, feeling confident. Let them off the hook. 43 00:02:27,190 --> 00:02:29,850 Speaker 1: That's a lot of pressure for someone to know they 44 00:02:29,870 --> 00:02:32,989 Speaker 1: have to keep you fixed. They have to compliment you 45 00:02:33,290 --> 00:02:36,070 Speaker 1: three times a day, tell you how great you are, 46 00:02:36,130 --> 00:02:38,370 Speaker 1: how you're going to make it. They want the best 47 00:02:38,410 --> 00:02:41,329 Speaker 1: for you, but at some point they'll let you down. 48 00:02:41,840 --> 00:02:45,899 Speaker 1: They're human. God never designed us to get that all 49 00:02:45,940 --> 00:02:49,770 Speaker 1: from people, but from him. And yes, he'll use people, 50 00:02:50,210 --> 00:02:53,160 Speaker 1: but don't be surprised when he pulls that back and 51 00:02:53,180 --> 00:02:56,320 Speaker 1: you don't get from them what you used to. He's 52 00:02:56,380 --> 00:03:00,180 Speaker 1: teaching you to depend on him and not their approval, 53 00:03:00,740 --> 00:03:05,770 Speaker 1: their compliments, their encouragement, because that's temporary. That's dependent on 54 00:03:05,790 --> 00:03:09,389 Speaker 1: what's going on in their life. And sometimes the acceptance, 55 00:03:10,070 --> 00:03:13,850 Speaker 1: the approval we're longing for from people, they don't have 56 00:03:13,889 --> 00:03:17,530 Speaker 1: it to give. Nobody gave it to them. the way 57 00:03:17,560 --> 00:03:20,670 Speaker 1: you want them to love you, respect you, and make 58 00:03:20,690 --> 00:03:24,530 Speaker 1: you feel important, they never saw that growing up. Nobody 59 00:03:24,570 --> 00:03:27,549 Speaker 1: put that in them. Are you trying to get something 60 00:03:27,610 --> 00:03:31,330 Speaker 1: from someone that they don't have to give? Trying to 61 00:03:31,389 --> 00:03:35,890 Speaker 1: convince that coworker to acknowledge just one time that you're talented, 62 00:03:36,310 --> 00:03:39,980 Speaker 1: that you have good ideas, or that family member to 63 00:03:40,040 --> 00:03:43,920 Speaker 1: accept you, include you, make you feel welcome. No matter 64 00:03:43,940 --> 00:03:47,690 Speaker 1: what you do, it's like you're secondary, not good enough, No, 65 00:03:47,750 --> 00:03:51,270 Speaker 1: stop counting on people to give you something they don't have. 66 00:03:52,130 --> 00:03:55,070 Speaker 1: They love you. Sure, they're a good person. If they 67 00:03:55,130 --> 00:03:58,570 Speaker 1: had it, they would give it. Try a different approach. God, 68 00:03:59,010 --> 00:04:02,410 Speaker 1: I know you accept me. You approve me. You call 69 00:04:02,430 --> 00:04:05,170 Speaker 1: me a masterpiece. You said I can do all things 70 00:04:05,210 --> 00:04:10,710 Speaker 1: through Christ. Get your approval from Almighty God. Sometimes we're 71 00:04:10,730 --> 00:04:13,790 Speaker 1: trying to get something from a person that's never going 72 00:04:13,840 --> 00:04:17,170 Speaker 1: to give it. not because they can't give it, but 73 00:04:17,190 --> 00:04:20,170 Speaker 1: they don't want to. They're never going to be for us, 74 00:04:20,910 --> 00:04:25,580 Speaker 1: never show us respect, never acknowledge our gifts. That's okay. 75 00:04:26,100 --> 00:04:29,359 Speaker 1: Everyone is not supposed to be for you. If you 76 00:04:29,380 --> 00:04:32,940 Speaker 1: don't realize this, you'll get stuck trying to change people's mind, 77 00:04:33,640 --> 00:04:36,040 Speaker 1: thinking I got to win them over and prove that 78 00:04:36,080 --> 00:04:39,890 Speaker 1: I'm a good person, convince them that they're wrong about me. 79 00:04:40,450 --> 00:04:42,970 Speaker 1: All that's going to do is frustrate you, cause you 80 00:04:42,990 --> 00:04:46,219 Speaker 1: to live stressed, You have to let it go and 81 00:04:46,279 --> 00:04:50,500 Speaker 1: move forward. You don't need their approval. Well, Joel, they 82 00:04:50,540 --> 00:04:54,300 Speaker 1: don't respect me. You don't need their respect. They don't 83 00:04:54,360 --> 00:04:58,120 Speaker 1: acknowledge my gifts. You don't need their acknowledgement. You know 84 00:04:58,140 --> 00:05:02,410 Speaker 1: what they are? A distraction. The enemy would love for 85 00:05:02,450 --> 00:05:05,589 Speaker 1: you to waste your time trying to change something that 86 00:05:05,630 --> 00:05:10,690 Speaker 1: you can't change. Living stressed over someone that doesn't really matter. 87 00:05:11,430 --> 00:05:15,590 Speaker 1: They cannot stop your destiny. Them not being for you 88 00:05:16,070 --> 00:05:22,229 Speaker 1: doesn't lessen your value. Not recognizing your talent, downplaying your accomplishments, 89 00:05:22,610 --> 00:05:26,210 Speaker 1: treating you like you're inferior, that doesn't change the fact 90 00:05:26,380 --> 00:05:29,760 Speaker 1: that you're a masterpiece, that you have seeds of greatness, 91 00:05:29,960 --> 00:05:33,040 Speaker 1: that you're wearing a crown of favor. Why are you 92 00:05:33,080 --> 00:05:36,920 Speaker 1: wasting time trying to get something from someone that they're 93 00:05:36,960 --> 00:05:40,940 Speaker 1: never going to give? Jesus told his disciples, When you 94 00:05:40,980 --> 00:05:44,220 Speaker 1: go into a city and they don't accept your message, 95 00:05:44,779 --> 00:05:48,520 Speaker 1: they don't welcome you, he didn't say stay there and 96 00:05:48,550 --> 00:05:51,450 Speaker 1: try to convince them to change. Tell them how good 97 00:05:51,490 --> 00:05:55,950 Speaker 1: you are, how sincere, prove your talent. No, he said 98 00:05:56,070 --> 00:05:59,190 Speaker 1: shake the dust off your feet and move on. He 99 00:05:59,230 --> 00:06:03,710 Speaker 1: was saying don't waste another minute trying to convince people 100 00:06:03,740 --> 00:06:07,539 Speaker 1: to like you, respect you, include you, come see you. 101 00:06:08,640 --> 00:06:11,800 Speaker 1: We spend too much time trying to win people over 102 00:06:12,260 --> 00:06:14,890 Speaker 1: that are never going to be for us, trying to 103 00:06:14,950 --> 00:06:18,229 Speaker 1: get something that they're never going to give. And this 104 00:06:18,270 --> 00:06:21,710 Speaker 1: can be difficult, especially when it's people close to us. 105 00:06:22,450 --> 00:06:25,550 Speaker 1: We long for approval from our relatives, the people we 106 00:06:25,589 --> 00:06:28,880 Speaker 1: look up to. But think about David in the scripture. 107 00:06:29,380 --> 00:06:33,660 Speaker 1: His father didn't really believe in him. He discounted him 108 00:06:33,720 --> 00:06:36,859 Speaker 1: and left him out in the shepherd's fields when Samuel 109 00:06:36,900 --> 00:06:39,720 Speaker 1: came to anoint one of the sons as the next king. 110 00:06:40,480 --> 00:06:44,170 Speaker 1: He thought David, it's not him. He's too small, too young. 111 00:06:44,190 --> 00:06:47,820 Speaker 1: He's not as talented as his brothers. David could have 112 00:06:47,850 --> 00:06:52,089 Speaker 1: lived bitter, upset, trying to convince his father to change 113 00:06:52,130 --> 00:06:55,150 Speaker 1: his mind, but he shook it off and moved forward. 114 00:06:55,970 --> 00:06:58,430 Speaker 1: When he took lunch to his brothers, they were in 115 00:06:58,470 --> 00:07:01,980 Speaker 1: the armies. in another city and he was being kind, 116 00:07:02,300 --> 00:07:06,500 Speaker 1: doing them a favor. The oldest brother, Eliab, belittled him. 117 00:07:07,270 --> 00:07:09,970 Speaker 1: In front of the other soldiers, he said, David, what 118 00:07:10,010 --> 00:07:12,510 Speaker 1: are you doing here? And what did you do with 119 00:07:12,550 --> 00:07:15,240 Speaker 1: those few sheep you're supposed to be taking care of? 120 00:07:16,230 --> 00:07:20,190 Speaker 1: He tried to make David feel small and insignificant. You 121 00:07:20,230 --> 00:07:22,670 Speaker 1: would think his brother would say, David, thanks for coming 122 00:07:22,710 --> 00:07:26,690 Speaker 1: so far. Thanks for being so kind and generous. But 123 00:07:26,810 --> 00:07:30,880 Speaker 1: people may not give you what you deserve. Sometimes they 124 00:07:30,920 --> 00:07:34,060 Speaker 1: don't have it. It's just not in them. Other times 125 00:07:34,100 --> 00:07:38,710 Speaker 1: they're jealous, competitive, or they're bitter from things that have 126 00:07:38,750 --> 00:07:41,750 Speaker 1: nothing to do with you. It's easy to try to 127 00:07:42,050 --> 00:07:47,170 Speaker 1: defend and prove and win over because we want people's approval. 128 00:07:47,870 --> 00:07:50,190 Speaker 1: But what if you knew they were never going to 129 00:07:50,230 --> 00:07:54,780 Speaker 1: give it? If you became Superman, you were the greatest, kindest, 130 00:07:54,840 --> 00:07:58,480 Speaker 1: most loving, talented person ever, yet they're still going to 131 00:07:58,540 --> 00:08:03,320 Speaker 1: discredit it. dismiss, downplay who you are. It's much better 132 00:08:03,420 --> 00:08:06,320 Speaker 1: to do what Jesus said, shake the dust off and 133 00:08:06,360 --> 00:08:10,720 Speaker 1: move on. Be kind, be respectful, but don't try to 134 00:08:10,800 --> 00:08:14,230 Speaker 1: win their approval. You don't need it. They're a distraction. 135 00:08:15,150 --> 00:08:19,830 Speaker 1: When that brother disrespected David, the scripture says David turned 136 00:08:20,310 --> 00:08:24,350 Speaker 1: and walked away. His attitude was, I don't need your respect. 137 00:08:24,850 --> 00:08:27,270 Speaker 1: You don't have to believe in me. You don't control 138 00:08:27,330 --> 00:08:31,960 Speaker 1: my destiny. But had David tried to change Eliab's mind 139 00:08:32,020 --> 00:08:36,140 Speaker 1: and convince him that he was good, talented, I'm not 140 00:08:36,179 --> 00:08:40,819 Speaker 1: what you think, he would have been so distracted, arguing, 141 00:08:41,380 --> 00:08:44,230 Speaker 1: trying to win him over, that he wouldn't have heard 142 00:08:44,270 --> 00:08:48,890 Speaker 1: Goliath up on the mountain. Don't miss your assignment trying 143 00:08:48,910 --> 00:08:51,750 Speaker 1: to convince people to be for you that are never 144 00:08:51,790 --> 00:08:55,439 Speaker 1: going to be for you. Fighting battles that don't matter, 145 00:08:55,980 --> 00:08:59,650 Speaker 1: shake the dust off and move forward. When my father 146 00:08:59,740 --> 00:09:01,679 Speaker 1: went to be with the Lord and I stepped up 147 00:09:01,720 --> 00:09:04,300 Speaker 1: to pastor the church, there was a man that had 148 00:09:04,320 --> 00:09:06,960 Speaker 1: been close to our family and had been here for 149 00:09:07,020 --> 00:09:10,720 Speaker 1: many years. He called and told me how happy he 150 00:09:10,780 --> 00:09:13,270 Speaker 1: was for me. Then he went on to tell me 151 00:09:13,750 --> 00:09:16,590 Speaker 1: how to run the church, how to lead the staff 152 00:09:16,670 --> 00:09:19,630 Speaker 1: and who to hire, what I should speak on and 153 00:09:19,830 --> 00:09:23,710 Speaker 1: the changes I should make. He was very opinionated and 154 00:09:23,990 --> 00:09:29,130 Speaker 1: very strong. I was very insecure and very quiet. but 155 00:09:29,220 --> 00:09:33,300 Speaker 1: something on the inside rose up like a lion. I 156 00:09:33,340 --> 00:09:35,820 Speaker 1: didn't say anything to him, but I thought you are 157 00:09:35,880 --> 00:09:38,780 Speaker 1: not going to squeeze me into your mold. I may 158 00:09:38,840 --> 00:09:42,599 Speaker 1: look weak, but you have another thing coming. He was 159 00:09:42,720 --> 00:09:46,439 Speaker 1: for me as long as I was doing what he wanted. 160 00:09:46,960 --> 00:09:49,400 Speaker 1: He gave me his approval as long as I was 161 00:09:49,460 --> 00:09:53,250 Speaker 1: in his box. The problem was I didn't like anything 162 00:09:53,280 --> 00:09:56,439 Speaker 1: he told me. It didn't bear witness to my spirit. 163 00:09:57,140 --> 00:09:59,590 Speaker 1: I had to decide, am I going to do what 164 00:09:59,610 --> 00:10:02,300 Speaker 1: God called me to do or am I going to 165 00:10:02,360 --> 00:10:05,000 Speaker 1: try to please this man and stay in his good 166 00:10:05,059 --> 00:10:08,250 Speaker 1: grace and I knew if I did what God put 167 00:10:08,290 --> 00:10:12,150 Speaker 1: in my heart he'd get upset he'd be offended he'd 168 00:10:12,170 --> 00:10:15,270 Speaker 1: look down on me but the scripture says it is 169 00:10:15,370 --> 00:10:26,390 Speaker 1: better to please God than to please people When we 170 00:10:26,450 --> 00:10:28,689 Speaker 1: come to the end of life, we're not going to 171 00:10:28,730 --> 00:10:32,380 Speaker 1: stand before people. We're going to stand before God. And 172 00:10:32,400 --> 00:10:35,300 Speaker 1: I didn't take his advice. I went the way I 173 00:10:35,360 --> 00:10:38,940 Speaker 1: felt in my heart. He was upset, but I've learned 174 00:10:39,220 --> 00:10:42,010 Speaker 1: if you try to keep everyone else happy, you're going 175 00:10:42,030 --> 00:10:46,140 Speaker 1: to be unhappy. To fulfill your assignment, there will be 176 00:10:46,220 --> 00:10:51,960 Speaker 1: people that don't approve, don't accept, misunderstand. You can't worry 177 00:10:52,100 --> 00:10:55,349 Speaker 1: about all that. I knew he was never going to 178 00:10:55,410 --> 00:10:58,050 Speaker 1: give me his approval. He was never going to be 179 00:10:58,150 --> 00:11:01,490 Speaker 1: for me, but that's okay. I didn't need his approval. 180 00:11:02,210 --> 00:11:04,979 Speaker 1: I didn't need him to cheer me on. If I 181 00:11:05,020 --> 00:11:07,420 Speaker 1: had done it his way, here's what I know, it 182 00:11:07,440 --> 00:11:10,790 Speaker 1: would have never been enough. take the pressure off. You 183 00:11:10,840 --> 00:11:14,219 Speaker 1: don't need people's applause. Do what God put in your 184 00:11:14,280 --> 00:11:18,320 Speaker 1: heart and you'll hear his applause. He's the one that matters. 185 00:11:19,200 --> 00:11:23,140 Speaker 1: Promotion doesn't come from people. It comes from God. And 186 00:11:23,160 --> 00:11:26,120 Speaker 1: the funny thing, and all credit to God, but the 187 00:11:26,160 --> 00:11:29,600 Speaker 1: church grew and we moved here into the compact center. 188 00:11:30,200 --> 00:11:33,540 Speaker 1: I've had books, media go out all over. He never 189 00:11:33,679 --> 00:11:37,040 Speaker 1: once acknowledged it. He never once called back and said, Joel, 190 00:11:37,080 --> 00:11:39,860 Speaker 1: I'm so proud of you. It's amazing what God has done. 191 00:11:40,380 --> 00:11:43,940 Speaker 1: My point is he was never really for me. He 192 00:11:43,980 --> 00:11:48,590 Speaker 1: was for manipulating me, controlling me. If you don't do 193 00:11:48,630 --> 00:11:51,130 Speaker 1: what I want, I'm not going to give you my approval. 194 00:11:51,750 --> 00:11:54,730 Speaker 1: I'm not going to respect you. Do yourself a favor, 195 00:11:55,150 --> 00:11:59,150 Speaker 1: shake that dust off and move on. Quit worrying about 196 00:11:59,530 --> 00:12:01,920 Speaker 1: if you're going to fall out of someone's good grace. 197 00:12:02,760 --> 00:12:06,040 Speaker 1: trying to get something that they're never going to give. 198 00:12:06,850 --> 00:12:09,110 Speaker 1: Or if they do give it, it's going to be conditional. 199 00:12:09,809 --> 00:12:11,990 Speaker 1: As long as you stay in my box, then I'll 200 00:12:12,030 --> 00:12:17,110 Speaker 1: approve you. You don't need them. They're a distraction. If 201 00:12:17,130 --> 00:12:20,720 Speaker 1: you're not aware, you'll waste time and energy trying to 202 00:12:20,760 --> 00:12:26,520 Speaker 1: win them over, letting people manipulate you, being frustrated. Life 203 00:12:26,600 --> 00:12:28,939 Speaker 1: is too short to live that way. You have a 204 00:12:29,080 --> 00:12:32,650 Speaker 1: destiny to fulfill. There was a man in the scripture 205 00:12:32,750 --> 00:12:37,050 Speaker 1: named Haman. He was a high-ranking official in the Persian Empire, 206 00:12:37,630 --> 00:12:42,110 Speaker 1: the right-hand man of King Xerxes. He had this prominent position, 207 00:12:42,610 --> 00:12:45,700 Speaker 1: working daily with the king. And when he walked out 208 00:12:45,740 --> 00:12:49,290 Speaker 1: of the palace, people would bow down to show their respect. 209 00:12:49,720 --> 00:12:52,920 Speaker 1: That was their tradition. But there was a Jewish man 210 00:12:53,120 --> 00:12:57,060 Speaker 1: named Mordecai that wouldn't bow down. He would only bow 211 00:12:57,140 --> 00:13:01,590 Speaker 1: to Jehovah. Well, everywhere Haman went, people would show their respect, 212 00:13:01,750 --> 00:13:05,070 Speaker 1: walking down the street or going to a restaurant in 213 00:13:05,090 --> 00:13:10,730 Speaker 1: the city square. People were constantly acknowledging Haman, showing him honor. 214 00:13:11,470 --> 00:13:15,530 Speaker 1: You would think he wouldn't worry about Mordecai. Not given 215 00:13:15,570 --> 00:13:18,829 Speaker 1: the time of day, one person won't bow. Big deal. 216 00:13:19,429 --> 00:13:23,559 Speaker 1: Hundreds of others do. But verse five says, when Haman 217 00:13:23,620 --> 00:13:27,819 Speaker 1: saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor, 218 00:13:28,260 --> 00:13:32,830 Speaker 1: he was filled with rage. He was furious, not because 219 00:13:32,890 --> 00:13:37,210 Speaker 1: someone tried to harm his child, steal his funds, take 220 00:13:37,230 --> 00:13:42,320 Speaker 1: his position, all because one man wouldn't show respect. He 221 00:13:42,340 --> 00:13:47,160 Speaker 1: was so angry, so offended, verse six says, he decided 222 00:13:47,559 --> 00:13:50,880 Speaker 1: it was not enough to just get rid of Mordecai alone, 223 00:13:51,360 --> 00:13:54,160 Speaker 1: but he was going to annihilate all the Jewish people. 224 00:13:55,190 --> 00:13:59,030 Speaker 1: Was so consumed trying to get something from Mordecai that 225 00:13:59,090 --> 00:14:02,589 Speaker 1: Mordecai was never going to give that he got distracted, 226 00:14:03,290 --> 00:14:07,150 Speaker 1: lost his focus. Now he's not just upset with Mordecai, 227 00:14:07,570 --> 00:14:10,330 Speaker 1: he's going to try to wipe out tens of thousands 228 00:14:10,390 --> 00:14:15,440 Speaker 1: of people. because one man won't show him respect. When 229 00:14:15,460 --> 00:14:18,260 Speaker 1: you look at it from the big picture, it's almost comical. 230 00:14:19,060 --> 00:14:22,680 Speaker 1: You're going to upend your whole life, take these drastic 231 00:14:22,780 --> 00:14:26,940 Speaker 1: measures because one man has offended you, one person won't 232 00:14:26,980 --> 00:14:32,500 Speaker 1: approve you, won't celebrate your position. The fact is, Mordecai 233 00:14:32,570 --> 00:14:36,590 Speaker 1: not bowing down wouldn't have stopped Haman's destiny. He could 234 00:14:36,610 --> 00:14:39,830 Speaker 1: have ignored it, thought, I don't need his respect. He 235 00:14:39,850 --> 00:14:43,210 Speaker 1: doesn't control my purpose. But it was a trick to 236 00:14:43,270 --> 00:14:46,940 Speaker 1: get him off course, engaged in a battle that didn't matter, 237 00:14:47,640 --> 00:14:50,480 Speaker 1: trying to get something from someone that they were never 238 00:14:50,520 --> 00:14:54,300 Speaker 1: going to give. How many of us are doing like Haman, 239 00:14:55,120 --> 00:14:58,630 Speaker 1: so focused on what someone won't give us? Joel, they 240 00:14:58,670 --> 00:15:02,190 Speaker 1: won't approve me. They don't show me respect. They won't 241 00:15:02,250 --> 00:15:05,930 Speaker 1: compliment me. They don't invite me to their gathering. They 242 00:15:05,950 --> 00:15:09,380 Speaker 1: don't recognize my talents. We can get so set on 243 00:15:09,500 --> 00:15:13,660 Speaker 1: changing them, fixing them, proving to them that we get 244 00:15:13,700 --> 00:15:18,400 Speaker 1: distracted and miss our assignment. You don't need their respect. 245 00:15:19,000 --> 00:15:21,920 Speaker 1: You don't need them to be for you. It may 246 00:15:21,960 --> 00:15:25,440 Speaker 1: be someone close to you, a relative, a coworker that 247 00:15:25,500 --> 00:15:29,300 Speaker 1: should compliment you. They should be grateful and show you respect. 248 00:15:29,320 --> 00:15:32,940 Speaker 1: You deserve it. You have the position. You've been good 249 00:15:32,960 --> 00:15:36,490 Speaker 1: to them, but you can't make people give you something. 250 00:15:37,110 --> 00:15:41,320 Speaker 1: make them like you, make them before you. That's a test. 251 00:15:42,300 --> 00:15:45,500 Speaker 1: Are you going to get distracted trying to get something 252 00:15:45,560 --> 00:15:49,640 Speaker 1: that they're never going to get? Live upset, trying to 253 00:15:49,700 --> 00:15:53,730 Speaker 1: pay them back, change their mind. Do like David, turn 254 00:15:54,270 --> 00:15:58,550 Speaker 1: and walk away. Don't pay it any attention. If you 255 00:15:58,610 --> 00:16:03,530 Speaker 1: needed their respect, their validation, their support, you would have it. 256 00:16:04,230 --> 00:16:07,490 Speaker 1: God is not going to withhold any good thing you need. 257 00:16:08,110 --> 00:16:12,130 Speaker 1: If they're withholding it, they can't stand against God. The 258 00:16:12,170 --> 00:16:15,500 Speaker 1: right attitude is, I don't need it. Yes, I wish 259 00:16:15,550 --> 00:16:18,600 Speaker 1: I had it, but God, I'm not depending on what 260 00:16:18,680 --> 00:16:21,560 Speaker 1: people give or don't give. My trust is in you. 261 00:16:22,140 --> 00:16:26,660 Speaker 1: I get my value, my worth, my encouragement from you. Well, 262 00:16:26,680 --> 00:16:30,030 Speaker 1: Queen Esther was a Jew and she heard a Haman's 263 00:16:30,090 --> 00:16:33,710 Speaker 1: plan to destroy her people and She asked the king 264 00:16:33,730 --> 00:16:37,410 Speaker 1: if he would have dinner with her and Haman. She 265 00:16:37,450 --> 00:16:39,950 Speaker 1: was going to tell him about this plot. Well, Haman 266 00:16:39,970 --> 00:16:43,750 Speaker 1: was so happy. He's being honored by the king. Verse 267 00:16:43,750 --> 00:16:47,480 Speaker 1: 10 says, he gathered his friends in his home and 268 00:16:47,540 --> 00:16:51,260 Speaker 1: bragged about his wealth, the honors the king had given 269 00:16:51,320 --> 00:16:54,560 Speaker 1: him and how he'd been promoted over the other leaders, 270 00:16:55,140 --> 00:16:58,450 Speaker 1: how Queen Esther had invited him to a private banquet, 271 00:16:58,670 --> 00:17:02,750 Speaker 1: which is her and the king. was so excited, feeling 272 00:17:02,790 --> 00:17:06,310 Speaker 1: good about himself. Then he said the next verse, but 273 00:17:06,470 --> 00:17:09,950 Speaker 1: all this is meaningless to me as long as I 274 00:17:09,990 --> 00:17:13,990 Speaker 1: see Mordecai sitting there at that palace gate. He had 275 00:17:14,080 --> 00:17:18,320 Speaker 1: all these great things going for him, position, influence, friends, honor, 276 00:17:19,020 --> 00:17:23,080 Speaker 1: but one man wouldn't show him respect. One man wouldn't 277 00:17:23,119 --> 00:17:26,580 Speaker 1: give him what he wanted. Instead of letting it go, 278 00:17:27,000 --> 00:17:31,100 Speaker 1: shaking the dust off, he stayed focused on it. He thought, 279 00:17:31,220 --> 00:17:33,900 Speaker 1: I got to fix Mordecai if it's the last thing 280 00:17:34,000 --> 00:17:36,820 Speaker 1: I do. You know, it was the last thing he did. 281 00:17:37,280 --> 00:17:41,660 Speaker 1: He lost his life trying to get something from someone 282 00:17:42,080 --> 00:17:45,040 Speaker 1: that they were never going to give. And I realized 283 00:17:45,260 --> 00:17:47,880 Speaker 1: this was the plan of God to save the Jews. 284 00:17:48,460 --> 00:17:51,920 Speaker 1: But look at the principles. When you get so focused 285 00:17:52,050 --> 00:17:55,270 Speaker 1: on trying to get something from someone that doesn't want 286 00:17:55,290 --> 00:17:58,410 Speaker 1: to give it, or perhaps they don't have it to give, 287 00:17:59,200 --> 00:18:03,540 Speaker 1: Then you'll get distracted trying to prove and convince and 288 00:18:03,660 --> 00:18:07,369 Speaker 1: pay back. Do yourself a favor. If you don't get it, 289 00:18:07,609 --> 00:18:11,229 Speaker 1: shake it off. You don't need it. Quit counting on 290 00:18:11,310 --> 00:18:14,490 Speaker 1: people to give you what only God can give. Go 291 00:18:14,530 --> 00:18:18,629 Speaker 1: to him for your approval, your validation, your work. Because 292 00:18:18,670 --> 00:18:22,690 Speaker 1: I can promise you there will always be someone that 293 00:18:22,730 --> 00:18:26,260 Speaker 1: doesn't give you what you want, what you deserve, what 294 00:18:26,300 --> 00:18:31,390 Speaker 1: they should. These are tests. We can get offended like Haman, 295 00:18:32,190 --> 00:18:35,750 Speaker 1: get distracted and try to win them over, change their mind, 296 00:18:36,369 --> 00:18:39,359 Speaker 1: or we can do like David and turn and walk away. 297 00:18:40,520 --> 00:18:43,500 Speaker 1: A friend of mine grew up in a single parent home. 298 00:18:44,119 --> 00:18:47,239 Speaker 1: At five years old, his father walked out of his 299 00:18:47,300 --> 00:18:49,800 Speaker 1: life and wouldn't have anything to do with the family 300 00:18:49,880 --> 00:18:53,660 Speaker 1: or him. As a child, he longed to see his father, 301 00:18:54,300 --> 00:18:57,959 Speaker 1: longed for the approval, but the dad wouldn't return his 302 00:18:58,000 --> 00:19:02,730 Speaker 1: mother's calls. As a teenager, he would send his father letters, 303 00:19:03,210 --> 00:19:07,470 Speaker 1: Father's Day cards, birthday cards, hoping for some kind of reply, 304 00:19:07,530 --> 00:19:11,710 Speaker 1: but nothing. The psalmist said, God will be a father 305 00:19:11,790 --> 00:19:16,050 Speaker 1: to the fatherless. Sometimes people don't give us what they should. 306 00:19:16,950 --> 00:19:21,229 Speaker 1: Children should have love, acceptance, approval from their parents, but 307 00:19:21,890 --> 00:19:26,070 Speaker 1: life can happen. People aren't around. They never got it 308 00:19:26,130 --> 00:19:28,379 Speaker 1: as a child. They don't know how to give it. 309 00:19:29,359 --> 00:19:33,280 Speaker 1: This young man never got offended, didn't grow up bitter 310 00:19:33,380 --> 00:19:37,179 Speaker 1: and trying to prove to people he was okay. His 311 00:19:37,260 --> 00:19:40,379 Speaker 1: mother was always reminding him how he was made in 312 00:19:40,420 --> 00:19:43,330 Speaker 1: the image of God and that he was a masterpiece 313 00:19:43,869 --> 00:19:48,550 Speaker 1: approved and accepted by his heavenly father. 30 years old, 314 00:19:49,050 --> 00:19:51,719 Speaker 1: his father reached out and said he wanted to see him. 315 00:19:52,600 --> 00:19:54,960 Speaker 1: My friend took his two little girls, flew to a 316 00:19:55,000 --> 00:19:58,460 Speaker 1: different city, showed up at the house. The wife opened 317 00:19:58,480 --> 00:20:01,470 Speaker 1: the door and said, I'm so sorry, but your dad 318 00:20:01,490 --> 00:20:04,070 Speaker 1: has changed his mind. He doesn't want to see you 319 00:20:04,210 --> 00:20:09,590 Speaker 1: after all. You can imagine how heartbreaking, discouraging, finally got 320 00:20:09,630 --> 00:20:12,550 Speaker 1: his hopes up, going to get approval from his father, 321 00:20:13,190 --> 00:20:16,920 Speaker 1: but it never happened. Some people, it's not that they 322 00:20:16,960 --> 00:20:19,720 Speaker 1: don't want to, they just don't have it to give. 323 00:20:20,619 --> 00:20:23,340 Speaker 1: He learned that his father had been abandoned as a 324 00:20:23,400 --> 00:20:26,360 Speaker 1: child and there were all these wounds and hurts that 325 00:20:26,780 --> 00:20:30,190 Speaker 1: he had never dealt with. The amazing thing is my 326 00:20:30,270 --> 00:20:34,550 Speaker 1: friend is one of the most happy, kind, generous, talented 327 00:20:34,609 --> 00:20:37,390 Speaker 1: people that you will ever meet. His children are now 328 00:20:37,490 --> 00:20:41,040 Speaker 1: grown and successful. You would never know that he didn't 329 00:20:41,060 --> 00:20:44,760 Speaker 1: have a great upbringing. It's because he learned to go 330 00:20:44,820 --> 00:20:49,080 Speaker 1: to God and not to people. Get your value, your worth, 331 00:20:49,359 --> 00:20:53,560 Speaker 1: your approval from your heavenly father. Because if you're trying 332 00:20:53,580 --> 00:20:57,119 Speaker 1: to get it from people, you can be disappointed. People 333 00:20:57,140 --> 00:21:00,450 Speaker 1: can let you down. People have issues, things that they 334 00:21:00,490 --> 00:21:03,609 Speaker 1: didn't get. It's easy to find fault. Man, why wasn't 335 00:21:03,670 --> 00:21:07,810 Speaker 1: I raised in a better environment? Why won't my spouse 336 00:21:08,330 --> 00:21:11,590 Speaker 1: encourage me more? Why won't my friend acknowledge my accomplishments? 337 00:21:12,130 --> 00:21:15,070 Speaker 1: Why don't they give me credit? It's almost like they 338 00:21:15,210 --> 00:21:17,850 Speaker 1: owe me something. I'm expecting you to give me this. 339 00:21:18,590 --> 00:21:21,889 Speaker 1: A better way to live is nobody owes me anything. 340 00:21:22,190 --> 00:21:26,900 Speaker 1: My heavenly father takes care of me. If not, We're 341 00:21:26,920 --> 00:21:29,990 Speaker 1: depending on people to keep us happy. Our spouse to 342 00:21:30,030 --> 00:21:33,109 Speaker 1: cheer us up. Our friend to make us feel valued. 343 00:21:33,450 --> 00:21:36,550 Speaker 1: This coworker needs to show me respect so I feel 344 00:21:36,590 --> 00:21:40,330 Speaker 1: good about myself. Let them off the hook. Quit going 345 00:21:40,369 --> 00:21:44,820 Speaker 1: to people and start going to God. Second Timothy four, 346 00:21:45,160 --> 00:21:48,359 Speaker 1: the apostle Paul was talking about opposition and things that 347 00:21:48,400 --> 00:21:52,220 Speaker 1: had come against him. He said in verse 10, Demas 348 00:21:52,320 --> 00:21:56,010 Speaker 1: has forsaken me and gone to another city. someone he 349 00:21:56,050 --> 00:22:00,410 Speaker 1: was counting on left him. Verse 14, Alexander the coppersmith 350 00:22:00,609 --> 00:22:03,570 Speaker 1: did me great wrong, but the Lord will repay him. 351 00:22:04,470 --> 00:22:08,460 Speaker 1: Verse 16, at my trial, no one came to support me. 352 00:22:09,240 --> 00:22:12,780 Speaker 1: Everyone deserted me, but the Lord stood by my side 353 00:22:12,900 --> 00:22:15,660 Speaker 1: and gave me strength. The Lord will rescue me from 354 00:22:15,780 --> 00:22:19,700 Speaker 1: every attack. The Lord will bring me safely through. Look 355 00:22:19,720 --> 00:22:23,580 Speaker 1: at all the times people let him down, walked away 356 00:22:23,640 --> 00:22:27,010 Speaker 1: and weren't loyal. He could have been bitter. Why did 357 00:22:27,030 --> 00:22:30,270 Speaker 1: this happen? Trying to pay them back. But every time 358 00:22:30,369 --> 00:22:33,250 Speaker 1: someone did him wrong, he said, the Lord will help me. 359 00:22:33,790 --> 00:22:36,250 Speaker 1: The Lord will pay me back. The Lord will rescue me. 360 00:22:36,590 --> 00:22:39,860 Speaker 1: The Lord will bring me safely through. He wasn't depending 361 00:22:39,910 --> 00:22:43,360 Speaker 1: on people. He was depending on God. If he was 362 00:22:43,400 --> 00:22:46,679 Speaker 1: counting on people, he would have been discouraged and given up. 363 00:22:47,460 --> 00:22:50,940 Speaker 1: Demas left him, his main man. He'd been good to Demas. 364 00:22:51,300 --> 00:22:55,320 Speaker 1: He'd mentored him, but he abandoned Paul. went to another city. 365 00:22:56,220 --> 00:22:58,800 Speaker 1: At his trial, no one came to support him. His 366 00:22:58,820 --> 00:23:03,639 Speaker 1: whole staff, friends, followers, people he had been good to, sorry, Paul, 367 00:23:03,700 --> 00:23:07,190 Speaker 1: you're on your own. There will be these times that 368 00:23:07,250 --> 00:23:10,710 Speaker 1: people can't give you what you need. They're good people, 369 00:23:11,369 --> 00:23:14,890 Speaker 1: but they're busy. They're tired. When you need them, they 370 00:23:14,930 --> 00:23:18,500 Speaker 1: can't make it. Don't get bitter. Don't try to make 371 00:23:18,520 --> 00:23:21,320 Speaker 1: them feel guilty. Look at all I've done for you. 372 00:23:22,080 --> 00:23:25,639 Speaker 1: If they can't give you what you're looking for, the support, 373 00:23:26,260 --> 00:23:29,960 Speaker 1: the encouragement, the validation, you don't need it from them. 374 00:23:31,200 --> 00:23:35,220 Speaker 1: As you mature, as you grow, God will wean you 375 00:23:35,240 --> 00:23:38,679 Speaker 1: off of what you used to have. Like a mother 376 00:23:38,760 --> 00:23:41,440 Speaker 1: takes away a bottle so the baby can grow and 377 00:23:41,500 --> 00:23:44,939 Speaker 1: eat real food, God will take away what a person 378 00:23:45,000 --> 00:23:48,070 Speaker 1: is giving you so you won't be dependent on them. 379 00:23:48,890 --> 00:23:51,679 Speaker 1: You don't need a crutch. You don't need someone to 380 00:23:51,880 --> 00:23:55,300 Speaker 1: always keep you fixed, cheered up, motivated. That's good for 381 00:23:55,340 --> 00:23:57,960 Speaker 1: a season, but you have to learn to get that 382 00:23:58,000 --> 00:24:01,840 Speaker 1: from God and not people. Because one of your people 383 00:24:01,900 --> 00:24:04,270 Speaker 1: may be a Demas. You thought I was going to 384 00:24:04,290 --> 00:24:08,669 Speaker 1: say a demon. A Demas. Maybe that too. Demas left 385 00:24:08,730 --> 00:24:13,150 Speaker 1: you when you really needed him. Or a Peter. He said, Jesus, 386 00:24:13,210 --> 00:24:16,100 Speaker 1: I'll always be with you. You can count on me. 387 00:24:16,800 --> 00:24:19,520 Speaker 1: But when the soldier showed up, he denied that he 388 00:24:19,540 --> 00:24:23,710 Speaker 1: knew Jesus. or a King Saul. He invited David to 389 00:24:23,760 --> 00:24:27,379 Speaker 1: the palace. He was all for him until David started 390 00:24:27,440 --> 00:24:32,100 Speaker 1: getting more attention, more favor. He killed a giant. Now 391 00:24:32,160 --> 00:24:35,919 Speaker 1: Saul was throwing spears, jealous, trying to take David out. 392 00:24:36,910 --> 00:24:39,630 Speaker 1: That's why you can't count on people. They can change. 393 00:24:40,530 --> 00:24:43,390 Speaker 1: It's great when they give you the support, the love, 394 00:24:43,430 --> 00:24:46,090 Speaker 1: the compliments. Sure, God will have people that are there 395 00:24:46,130 --> 00:24:51,030 Speaker 1: for you like that, loyal, kind, amazing, but sometimes God 396 00:24:51,109 --> 00:24:55,190 Speaker 1: pulls them back. You have to recognize what's happening. You're 397 00:24:55,230 --> 00:24:59,150 Speaker 1: growing up. God's getting you prepared to go to new levels. 398 00:24:59,590 --> 00:25:03,129 Speaker 1: Where you're going, you can't depend on people. It's between 399 00:25:03,170 --> 00:25:07,629 Speaker 1: you and God. Second Samuel, David told his staff that 400 00:25:08,170 --> 00:25:10,530 Speaker 1: he wanted to take a census and see how many 401 00:25:10,570 --> 00:25:15,190 Speaker 1: people they had. But God told David specifically to not 402 00:25:15,250 --> 00:25:18,180 Speaker 1: count the people. One of the commanders said, David, we 403 00:25:18,240 --> 00:25:21,370 Speaker 1: can't take a census. You know, God instructed us not 404 00:25:21,410 --> 00:25:24,629 Speaker 1: to do it. David insisted and they ended up doing it. 405 00:25:25,250 --> 00:25:28,230 Speaker 1: But it's interesting that God didn't want them to count. 406 00:25:28,970 --> 00:25:32,210 Speaker 1: God counted the people when he fed the 5,000, five 407 00:25:32,270 --> 00:25:34,940 Speaker 1: loaves and two fish. He had them sit in groups 408 00:25:35,000 --> 00:25:38,820 Speaker 1: of 50. God counted Gideon's men, said you got too many. 409 00:25:39,520 --> 00:25:41,800 Speaker 1: The scripture says God counts the number of hair on 410 00:25:41,859 --> 00:25:45,390 Speaker 1: our heads. It wasn't so much that God didn't want 411 00:25:45,430 --> 00:25:48,730 Speaker 1: David to count the people. He didn't want David to 412 00:25:48,830 --> 00:25:52,250 Speaker 1: count on the people. He didn't want him to rely 413 00:25:52,369 --> 00:25:55,580 Speaker 1: on the numbers and on do they like me? Do 414 00:25:55,619 --> 00:25:59,159 Speaker 1: they respect me? Are they for me? Don't count on 415 00:25:59,200 --> 00:26:02,580 Speaker 1: that because sooner or later, a Demas will show up, 416 00:26:03,320 --> 00:26:06,320 Speaker 1: a Saul, a Mordecai that won't give you what you want. 417 00:26:07,100 --> 00:26:10,159 Speaker 1: If you're counting on people, you'll get distracted trying to 418 00:26:10,200 --> 00:26:13,790 Speaker 1: win them over. discouraged because they won't do what you want. 419 00:26:14,650 --> 00:26:17,490 Speaker 1: Are you trying to get something from someone that's never 420 00:26:17,530 --> 00:26:22,250 Speaker 1: going to give it? Like Haman, frustrating yourself, trying to 421 00:26:22,290 --> 00:26:25,320 Speaker 1: convince this person to like you, respect you, approve you. 422 00:26:25,880 --> 00:26:29,820 Speaker 1: Take the pressure off. You don't need their approval. Don't 423 00:26:29,880 --> 00:26:32,860 Speaker 1: lose your focus trying to get from them what God 424 00:26:32,920 --> 00:26:36,280 Speaker 1: can give. They don't have to be for you. Their 425 00:26:36,359 --> 00:26:41,320 Speaker 1: disrespect will not keep you from slaying giants, from taking thrones, 426 00:26:41,560 --> 00:26:45,680 Speaker 1: from setting new standards. They don't control your destiny. Quit 427 00:26:45,740 --> 00:26:48,900 Speaker 1: counting on the people and go to God. If you'll 428 00:26:48,940 --> 00:26:51,820 Speaker 1: do this, I believe and declare God is going to 429 00:26:51,920 --> 00:26:56,720 Speaker 1: strengthen you, favor you, fight your battles. You will rise higher, 430 00:26:56,920 --> 00:27:00,879 Speaker 1: encompass dreams, and become all you were created to be. 431 00:27:01,400 --> 00:27:04,869 Speaker 1: In Jesus' name. And if you receive it, can you 432 00:27:04,890 --> 00:27:09,510 Speaker 1: say amen? I'd like to give you an opportunity to 433 00:27:09,550 --> 00:27:12,260 Speaker 1: make Jesus the Lord of your life. Would you pray 434 00:27:12,300 --> 00:27:16,640 Speaker 1: with me? Just say, Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins. 435 00:27:17,320 --> 00:27:20,960 Speaker 1: Come into my heart. I make you my Lord and Savior. 436 00:27:20,980 --> 00:27:23,930 Speaker 1: If you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 437 00:27:23,990 --> 00:27:27,229 Speaker 1: born again. We'd love to send you some free information 438 00:27:27,310 --> 00:27:29,629 Speaker 1: on your new walk with the Lord. You can text 439 00:27:29,670 --> 00:27:32,109 Speaker 1: the number on the screen or go to the website. 440 00:27:32,550 --> 00:27:35,400 Speaker 1: But I hope you'll get into a good Bible-based church 441 00:27:35,720 --> 00:27:46,530 Speaker 1: and keep God first place. The scripture says, write the 442 00:27:46,570 --> 00:27:50,230 Speaker 1: vision and make it plain to see. There's something powerful 443 00:27:50,290 --> 00:27:53,350 Speaker 1: about writing down what you're believing for. That's why I'd 444 00:27:53,369 --> 00:27:56,540 Speaker 1: love to send you my new I Believe Planner. It's 445 00:27:56,560 --> 00:27:59,419 Speaker 1: a place to write down your dreams, your prayers, and 446 00:27:59,440 --> 00:28:03,140 Speaker 1: the promises you're standing on. What stays before your eyes 447 00:28:03,460 --> 00:28:06,040 Speaker 1: has a way of staying in your heart. Every time 448 00:28:06,080 --> 00:28:08,760 Speaker 1: you see what you've written, let it be a reminder 449 00:28:08,780 --> 00:28:11,660 Speaker 1: to thank God that He's already at work behind the scenes, 450 00:28:12,020 --> 00:28:14,460 Speaker 1: even when you can't see it. As you keep your 451 00:28:14,500 --> 00:28:17,440 Speaker 1: faith in front of you day after day, you'll be encouraged, 452 00:28:17,820 --> 00:28:21,040 Speaker 1: your expectation will grow, and you'll begin to see God 453 00:28:21,280 --> 00:28:22,720 Speaker 1: bring those dreams to pass. 454 00:28:23,440 --> 00:28:26,850 Speaker 2: The I Believe Planner is a beautiful new resource designed 455 00:28:26,869 --> 00:28:29,850 Speaker 2: to help you believe God for more in your health, 456 00:28:30,130 --> 00:28:34,050 Speaker 2: your family, your future. Inside, you'll find a weekly I 457 00:28:34,090 --> 00:28:37,940 Speaker 2: Believe Declaration to frame your mindset and shift the atmosphere 458 00:28:38,000 --> 00:28:42,270 Speaker 2: with God's Word. daily planning, to-dos, and prayer prompts, and 459 00:28:42,330 --> 00:28:45,800 Speaker 2: space to reflect and record God's faithfulness in your life. 460 00:28:46,300 --> 00:28:49,120 Speaker 2: Each month brings a fresh scripture and theme, plus a 461 00:28:49,260 --> 00:28:52,840 Speaker 2: QR code linking to an exclusive message from Joel to 462 00:28:52,900 --> 00:28:57,120 Speaker 2: keep you encouraged all year long. This 15-month planner will 463 00:28:57,160 --> 00:28:59,780 Speaker 2: inspire you for the rest of this year and set 464 00:28:59,820 --> 00:29:04,270 Speaker 2: you on a course for breakthrough throughout 2027. It's yours 465 00:29:04,350 --> 00:29:06,950 Speaker 2: as a thank you for your gift to the ministry today. 466 00:29:07,580 --> 00:29:10,920 Speaker 2: Be sure to request your copy of The I Believe Planner, 467 00:29:11,220 --> 00:29:18,180 Speaker 2: available this month by visiting us at joelostein.com or call 888-567-JOEL. 468 00:29:18,980 --> 00:29:21,460 Speaker 1: Don't just carry your dreams in your heart. Put them 469 00:29:21,540 --> 00:29:24,280 Speaker 1: on paper. And as you read them each day, keep 470 00:29:24,320 --> 00:29:27,620 Speaker 1: thanking God that He's working. Victoria and I are praying 471 00:29:27,660 --> 00:29:30,500 Speaker 1: for you and your family every day. Thanks so much 472 00:29:30,540 --> 00:29:34,360 Speaker 1: for your prayer and support. Your generosity helps us take 473 00:29:34,420 --> 00:29:37,470 Speaker 1: this message of hope to people around the world. A 474 00:29:37,490 --> 00:29:40,239 Speaker 1: special thank you to our Champion of Hope partners, for 475 00:29:40,320 --> 00:29:43,500 Speaker 1: all you do to make the ministry possible. Until we 476 00:29:43,540 --> 00:29:46,440 Speaker 1: meet again, may the Lord keep you and bless you. 477 00:29:47,370 --> 00:29:50,690 Speaker 2: Be sure to request your copy of The I Believe Planner, 478 00:29:50,970 --> 00:29:57,910 Speaker 2: available this month by visiting us at joelosteen.com or call 888-567-JOEL. 479 00:29:58,320 --> 00:30:01,219 Speaker 2: With an additional gift, you can also receive the I 480 00:30:01,280 --> 00:30:05,380 Speaker 2: Believe in His Word collection, featuring the Passion Translation New 481 00:30:05,420 --> 00:30:09,640 Speaker 2: Testament Reader's Edition, alongside the I Believe Planner, so you 482 00:30:09,680 --> 00:30:13,340 Speaker 2: can carry God's Word with you every single day, right 483 00:30:13,400 --> 00:30:17,130 Speaker 2: alongside the promises you're standing on. Don't wait until 2027 484 00:30:17,130 --> 00:30:21,770 Speaker 2: to believe God for more. This is your moment. You 485 00:30:21,810 --> 00:30:27,780 Speaker 2: can request these inspiring resources by calling 888-567-JOEL or logging 486 00:30:27,880 --> 00:30:32,400 Speaker 2: on to joelosteen.com today. Call or click anytime, 24 hours 487 00:30:32,440 --> 00:30:32,550 Speaker 2: a day.