1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:02,160 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. 2 00:00:02,240 --> 00:00:05,279 Speaker 2: Thanks for listening to our podcast and thanks for supporting 3 00:00:05,280 --> 00:00:08,240 Speaker 2: the ministry. If you enjoy today's message, why don't you 4 00:00:08,280 --> 00:00:11,280 Speaker 2: be a blessing and share it with a friend, reappreciate you, 5 00:00:11,360 --> 00:00:14,200 Speaker 2: and pray for God's very best in your life. God 6 00:00:14,240 --> 00:00:17,240 Speaker 2: bless you such a joy to come into your homes. 7 00:00:17,280 --> 00:00:19,880 Speaker 2: And if you're ever in our area, please stop buying. 8 00:00:19,960 --> 00:00:22,360 Speaker 2: Be a part of one of our services. I promise 9 00:00:22,400 --> 00:00:24,720 Speaker 2: you we'll make you feel right at home. I say 10 00:00:24,760 --> 00:00:27,960 Speaker 2: it often. These are the finest people in all of Houston, Texas, 11 00:00:28,040 --> 00:00:31,760 Speaker 2: right here at Lakewood. Come out and see you. Thanks 12 00:00:31,760 --> 00:00:34,640 Speaker 2: for tuning in. Thank you again for coming out today. 13 00:00:35,000 --> 00:00:37,199 Speaker 2: I'd like to start with something funny and I heard 14 00:00:37,240 --> 00:00:40,320 Speaker 2: about this minister that died and he was standing in 15 00:00:40,360 --> 00:00:43,159 Speaker 2: line at the Pearly Gates. The man in front of 16 00:00:43,200 --> 00:00:46,159 Speaker 2: him was dressed in a loud T shirt, blue jeans, 17 00:00:46,200 --> 00:00:50,200 Speaker 2: and sunglasses. Saint Peter said, sir, what's your name? He said, 18 00:00:50,280 --> 00:00:54,840 Speaker 2: Joe Cohen. I'm a taxicab driver New York City. Peter 19 00:00:55,000 --> 00:00:58,440 Speaker 2: checked his list, handed him a gold staff and a 20 00:00:58,480 --> 00:00:59,560 Speaker 2: silk robe. 21 00:00:59,320 --> 00:01:00,560 Speaker 1: And said, welcome to Heaven. 22 00:01:01,200 --> 00:01:04,920 Speaker 2: The minister stepped up said, my name is Reverend Joseph Snow. 23 00:01:05,319 --> 00:01:07,640 Speaker 1: I'm the pastor of Saint Mary's Cathedral. 24 00:01:08,080 --> 00:01:11,240 Speaker 2: Peter checked his list and handed him a wooden staff 25 00:01:11,480 --> 00:01:12,720 Speaker 2: and a cotton robe. 26 00:01:13,000 --> 00:01:14,600 Speaker 1: Said hey, wait a minute, this is not fair. 27 00:01:14,800 --> 00:01:17,760 Speaker 2: The taxicab driver got a gold staff a silk robe. 28 00:01:17,800 --> 00:01:20,679 Speaker 2: How could that be? Peter said, sir, up here, we 29 00:01:20,720 --> 00:01:24,559 Speaker 2: work by results. When you preached, people slept, but when 30 00:01:24,560 --> 00:01:26,160 Speaker 2: he drove, people prayed. 31 00:01:28,400 --> 00:01:29,080 Speaker 1: Hold up your. 32 00:01:28,959 --> 00:01:32,480 Speaker 2: Bible, say it like you mean it. This is my Bible. 33 00:01:32,920 --> 00:01:35,400 Speaker 2: I am what it says I am. I have what 34 00:01:35,480 --> 00:01:37,920 Speaker 2: it says I have. I can do what it says 35 00:01:37,959 --> 00:01:40,720 Speaker 2: I can do. Today I will be talked the word 36 00:01:40,760 --> 00:01:44,920 Speaker 2: of God. I boldly confess. My mind is alert, my 37 00:01:45,040 --> 00:01:48,320 Speaker 2: heart is receptive. I will never be the same. In 38 00:01:48,520 --> 00:01:52,760 Speaker 2: Jesus's name, God bless you. I want to talk to 39 00:01:52,760 --> 00:01:57,880 Speaker 2: you today about how God loves imperfect people. Most of 40 00:01:57,920 --> 00:02:01,000 Speaker 2: the time, we believe God loves us. As long as 41 00:02:01,000 --> 00:02:06,280 Speaker 2: we're making good decisions, resisting temptation, treating people right, we 42 00:02:06,360 --> 00:02:09,000 Speaker 2: know God loves us. We know he's on our side. 43 00:02:09,800 --> 00:02:12,520 Speaker 2: But the problem with this kind of reasoning is we 44 00:02:12,560 --> 00:02:16,200 Speaker 2: all make mistakes. No matter how good of a person 45 00:02:16,240 --> 00:02:20,240 Speaker 2: you are. There will be times that you don't perform perfectly, 46 00:02:21,040 --> 00:02:24,800 Speaker 2: times that you have doubts, times that you fail. You 47 00:02:24,919 --> 00:02:27,320 Speaker 2: know you should bite your tongue, but you told them 48 00:02:27,360 --> 00:02:28,000 Speaker 2: off anyway. 49 00:02:28,840 --> 00:02:31,200 Speaker 1: You said it'd be the last time, but you gave 50 00:02:31,280 --> 00:02:33,200 Speaker 1: in to compromise once again. 51 00:02:34,160 --> 00:02:37,560 Speaker 2: When we don't perform perfectly, it's easy to think that 52 00:02:37,680 --> 00:02:39,440 Speaker 2: God is far from us. 53 00:02:39,840 --> 00:02:42,120 Speaker 1: I blew it. God would never have anything to do 54 00:02:42,200 --> 00:02:42,440 Speaker 1: with me. 55 00:02:43,360 --> 00:02:45,920 Speaker 2: Have people ask me all the time, Joel, will you 56 00:02:45,960 --> 00:02:46,560 Speaker 2: pray for me? 57 00:02:47,160 --> 00:02:49,280 Speaker 1: I know God would never hear my prayers. 58 00:02:49,600 --> 00:02:52,280 Speaker 2: Not with the life I've lived, the mistakes I've made. 59 00:02:53,160 --> 00:02:57,960 Speaker 2: I say this respectfully, but sometimes religion pushes people down. 60 00:02:58,800 --> 00:03:00,240 Speaker 1: It says if when. 61 00:03:00,120 --> 00:03:02,600 Speaker 2: You turn your back on God, God will turn his 62 00:03:02,639 --> 00:03:06,400 Speaker 2: back on you. If you make poor choices, don't expect 63 00:03:06,440 --> 00:03:07,480 Speaker 2: God to bail you out. 64 00:03:07,720 --> 00:03:09,720 Speaker 1: It was your own fault. Now. 65 00:03:09,760 --> 00:03:13,560 Speaker 2: The truth is, when you fall, God doesn't turn away 66 00:03:13,600 --> 00:03:13,960 Speaker 2: from you. 67 00:03:14,320 --> 00:03:15,919 Speaker 1: He comes running towards you. 68 00:03:16,480 --> 00:03:18,920 Speaker 2: When you blow it, God doesn't say too bad, you 69 00:03:19,040 --> 00:03:19,840 Speaker 2: had your chance. 70 00:03:20,120 --> 00:03:22,760 Speaker 1: He comes after you with a greater passion. 71 00:03:23,600 --> 00:03:27,680 Speaker 2: I heard somebody say, when you make a mistake, God 72 00:03:27,720 --> 00:03:30,840 Speaker 2: doesn't love you the same. He loves you a little 73 00:03:30,880 --> 00:03:35,120 Speaker 2: bit more so. Much so that he pursues you. He'll 74 00:03:35,160 --> 00:03:38,720 Speaker 2: turn up the intensity. He won't leave you alone until 75 00:03:38,720 --> 00:03:41,360 Speaker 2: he sees your restored and back on the right course. 76 00:03:41,800 --> 00:03:44,880 Speaker 2: In other words, God will express his love in a 77 00:03:44,920 --> 00:03:49,280 Speaker 2: greater way. He'll send people across your path to encourage 78 00:03:49,280 --> 00:03:53,880 Speaker 2: you to help reignite your faith. Maybe, out walking through 79 00:03:53,920 --> 00:03:57,400 Speaker 2: the neighborhood you hear the church bells ringing, You feel 80 00:03:57,400 --> 00:04:01,760 Speaker 2: a warmness on the inside, the mercy of God coming 81 00:04:01,840 --> 00:04:04,960 Speaker 2: after you, saying you may have blown it, but you're 82 00:04:05,000 --> 00:04:08,160 Speaker 2: still my child. You may have let me down, but 83 00:04:08,240 --> 00:04:10,720 Speaker 2: I'm not gonna let you down. You may have lost 84 00:04:10,800 --> 00:04:14,960 Speaker 2: faith in me, but I haven't lost faith in you. Friends, 85 00:04:15,040 --> 00:04:18,440 Speaker 2: we don't have to have a perfect performance where we 86 00:04:18,560 --> 00:04:22,360 Speaker 2: never have a doubt, we never make a mistake, and 87 00:04:22,440 --> 00:04:26,039 Speaker 2: certainly we should try our best each day to honor God. 88 00:04:26,080 --> 00:04:27,400 Speaker 1: But what I'm saying is. 89 00:04:27,560 --> 00:04:31,360 Speaker 2: Don't beat yourself up if you don't perform perfectly all 90 00:04:31,440 --> 00:04:31,960 Speaker 2: the time. 91 00:04:32,480 --> 00:04:34,599 Speaker 1: God loves imperfect. People. 92 00:04:35,480 --> 00:04:40,160 Speaker 2: Think about Peter before Jesus chose him to become a disciple. 93 00:04:40,960 --> 00:04:44,839 Speaker 2: Jesus knew that Peter would deny him, but he chose 94 00:04:44,920 --> 00:04:45,640 Speaker 2: him anyway. 95 00:04:46,680 --> 00:04:49,479 Speaker 1: God knows every mistake that we will ever make. 96 00:04:50,040 --> 00:04:52,640 Speaker 2: All of our days have been written in his book, 97 00:04:53,000 --> 00:04:56,480 Speaker 2: from the beginning to the end. God knows every time 98 00:04:56,520 --> 00:04:59,720 Speaker 2: will fail, every time we'll take the easy way out, 99 00:05:00,240 --> 00:05:03,400 Speaker 2: every time you'll lose your temper. The good news is 100 00:05:03,920 --> 00:05:08,160 Speaker 2: God still chose you. He still says that's my child, 101 00:05:08,760 --> 00:05:11,440 Speaker 2: and he'll still help you fulfill your destiny. 102 00:05:11,960 --> 00:05:12,279 Speaker 1: Why. 103 00:05:12,839 --> 00:05:16,640 Speaker 2: Because God's love is not based on our performance, It's 104 00:05:16,680 --> 00:05:18,120 Speaker 2: based on our relationship. 105 00:05:18,360 --> 00:05:19,520 Speaker 1: We are his children. 106 00:05:20,560 --> 00:05:23,719 Speaker 2: When Jesus was about to be crucified, he said to Peter, 107 00:05:24,279 --> 00:05:28,040 Speaker 2: you will deny me three times before the rooster crows tonight. 108 00:05:28,720 --> 00:05:32,960 Speaker 2: Peter said, no, Jesus, I'm your most faithful disciple. I'll 109 00:05:33,000 --> 00:05:35,800 Speaker 2: stick with you through thick and thin to the very end. 110 00:05:36,600 --> 00:05:40,200 Speaker 2: They're arrested Jesus. Peter was watching it all take place 111 00:05:40,240 --> 00:05:43,320 Speaker 2: from a distance. A young lady came over and pointed 112 00:05:43,360 --> 00:05:47,200 Speaker 2: at Peter and said, he's one of his followers. I've 113 00:05:47,240 --> 00:05:51,039 Speaker 2: seen this man with Jesus. Peter said, no, ma'am, you've 114 00:05:51,040 --> 00:05:53,400 Speaker 2: got it wrong. You're mistaken. I don't know the man. 115 00:05:54,000 --> 00:05:57,640 Speaker 2: He denied him once. It happened a second time. The 116 00:05:57,720 --> 00:06:01,240 Speaker 2: third time, the girl came over, even more emphatically, said 117 00:06:01,240 --> 00:06:04,520 Speaker 2: to the guards. I know he's one of his followers. 118 00:06:04,920 --> 00:06:09,200 Speaker 2: I'm certain that I've seen this man with Jesus. This time, 119 00:06:09,320 --> 00:06:13,839 Speaker 2: Peter got upset, started cursing, swearing, girl, what are you 120 00:06:13,920 --> 00:06:17,239 Speaker 2: talking about? You're making all this up. I've never seen 121 00:06:17,279 --> 00:06:18,839 Speaker 2: the man right. 122 00:06:18,760 --> 00:06:20,599 Speaker 1: On cue the rooster crowed. 123 00:06:21,520 --> 00:06:25,560 Speaker 2: Jesus looked over at Peter, their eyes met. You can 124 00:06:25,640 --> 00:06:30,200 Speaker 2: imagine how Peter must have felt when Jesus needed him 125 00:06:30,240 --> 00:06:33,480 Speaker 2: the most, when he was at his lowest moment. 126 00:06:34,279 --> 00:06:36,480 Speaker 1: If he ever needed a friend to stick. 127 00:06:36,279 --> 00:06:38,920 Speaker 2: Up for him, it would have been right then. But 128 00:06:38,960 --> 00:06:42,680 Speaker 2: Peter didn't do it. The scripture says Peter went out 129 00:06:43,000 --> 00:06:47,479 Speaker 2: and wept bitterly. He felt ashamed, no doubt, he was 130 00:06:47,520 --> 00:06:51,200 Speaker 2: beating himself up, thinking, Peter, what is wrong with you? 131 00:06:51,560 --> 00:06:55,080 Speaker 2: How could I be such a coward. Not long after that, 132 00:06:55,480 --> 00:06:59,520 Speaker 2: they crucified Jesus. Peter never had a chance to make 133 00:06:59,560 --> 00:07:02,680 Speaker 2: things wrong. He never had the chance to say, Jesus, 134 00:07:02,720 --> 00:07:04,600 Speaker 2: I'm sorry, I blew it. 135 00:07:04,920 --> 00:07:07,279 Speaker 1: I promise you I'll be there for you next time. 136 00:07:08,040 --> 00:07:11,640 Speaker 2: He had to carry the guilt, the heaviness of betraying 137 00:07:11,720 --> 00:07:14,400 Speaker 2: his friend, the Messiah whom. 138 00:07:14,160 --> 00:07:15,040 Speaker 1: He dearly loved. 139 00:07:15,880 --> 00:07:19,760 Speaker 2: We've all made mistakes, We've all failed, but none of 140 00:07:19,840 --> 00:07:23,640 Speaker 2: us have failed as big as Peter. None of us 141 00:07:23,760 --> 00:07:27,320 Speaker 2: have denied Christ when he needed us the most, when 142 00:07:27,360 --> 00:07:27,640 Speaker 2: he was. 143 00:07:27,640 --> 00:07:28,880 Speaker 1: About to be crucified. 144 00:07:29,760 --> 00:07:32,720 Speaker 2: You would think that Peter would have missed his destiny. 145 00:07:33,320 --> 00:07:36,680 Speaker 2: Surely God wouldn't have anything to do with him. No, 146 00:07:36,840 --> 00:07:40,160 Speaker 2: when you make a mistake, God doesn't turn away from you, 147 00:07:40,560 --> 00:07:41,600 Speaker 2: He turns to you. 148 00:07:42,160 --> 00:07:44,520 Speaker 1: He doesn't love you less, he loves you more. 149 00:07:44,720 --> 00:07:50,080 Speaker 2: He comes after you. They crucified Jesus on Friday. Sunday morning, 150 00:07:50,520 --> 00:07:53,400 Speaker 2: Mary went to the tomb to check on his body. 151 00:07:54,000 --> 00:07:57,800 Speaker 2: When she arrived, she noticed that the stone was rolled away. 152 00:07:57,960 --> 00:08:01,400 Speaker 2: She went in and the angel appeared, said Mary, don't 153 00:08:01,400 --> 00:08:02,000 Speaker 2: be afraid. 154 00:08:02,720 --> 00:08:04,920 Speaker 1: Jesus is not here. He has risen. 155 00:08:05,520 --> 00:08:10,520 Speaker 2: Now go tell his disciples and Peter that he is alive. 156 00:08:11,640 --> 00:08:14,560 Speaker 2: Out of all the people in the world God could 157 00:08:14,560 --> 00:08:18,440 Speaker 2: have mentioned at this historic time, the only person he 158 00:08:18,600 --> 00:08:23,520 Speaker 2: specifically pointed out was Peter. God was saying, Peter, I 159 00:08:23,600 --> 00:08:26,280 Speaker 2: know you think I'm disappointed in you and I'll never 160 00:08:26,320 --> 00:08:27,040 Speaker 2: have anything to. 161 00:08:27,000 --> 00:08:27,560 Speaker 1: Do with you. 162 00:08:27,920 --> 00:08:31,000 Speaker 2: But Peter, that's not who I am. I'm the God 163 00:08:31,160 --> 00:08:35,080 Speaker 2: of another chance. When you fall, I come running towards you. 164 00:08:36,320 --> 00:08:37,840 Speaker 2: When you turn your back on me. 165 00:08:38,800 --> 00:08:40,200 Speaker 1: I don't turn my back on you. 166 00:08:41,200 --> 00:08:45,000 Speaker 2: On this resurrection Sunday, God is saying to all the 167 00:08:45,080 --> 00:08:48,040 Speaker 2: people that have fallen, the people that have made mistakes, 168 00:08:48,240 --> 00:08:51,680 Speaker 2: I'm not only alive, but I still love you, I 169 00:08:51,760 --> 00:08:54,240 Speaker 2: still believe in you. If you'll let go of the 170 00:08:54,280 --> 00:08:58,280 Speaker 2: guilt and move forward, I'll still get you to where 171 00:08:58,280 --> 00:09:01,079 Speaker 2: you're supposed to be. Now you've got to do your 172 00:09:01,160 --> 00:09:05,920 Speaker 2: part and receive God's mercy. If Peter would have listened 173 00:09:05,960 --> 00:09:09,760 Speaker 2: to the accusing voices and gone around beating himself up, 174 00:09:10,120 --> 00:09:11,520 Speaker 2: he would have gotten stuck. 175 00:09:11,240 --> 00:09:11,880 Speaker 1: Where he was. 176 00:09:12,920 --> 00:09:17,559 Speaker 2: I can imagine when he heard Mary say, Peter, the 177 00:09:17,600 --> 00:09:21,920 Speaker 2: angel specifically said to tell you that Jesus is alive. 178 00:09:22,480 --> 00:09:24,520 Speaker 2: He said, Mary, did he really call my name? 179 00:09:25,000 --> 00:09:29,640 Speaker 1: Yes, he said, tell Peter. Peter heard that something ignited 180 00:09:29,720 --> 00:09:30,640 Speaker 1: on the inside. 181 00:09:31,080 --> 00:09:34,840 Speaker 2: He shook off the guilt, He shook off the self pity, said, 182 00:09:34,880 --> 00:09:37,319 Speaker 2: I may have blown it in the past, but that 183 00:09:37,360 --> 00:09:40,160 Speaker 2: doesn't have to keep me from my future. I'm still 184 00:09:40,200 --> 00:09:44,440 Speaker 2: going to become what God's created me to be. Not 185 00:09:44,640 --> 00:09:48,320 Speaker 2: long after that, Peter went out and ministered, and three 186 00:09:48,320 --> 00:09:51,480 Speaker 2: thousand people came to know the Lord, the most ever 187 00:09:51,559 --> 00:09:55,559 Speaker 2: recorded in the scripture, it would have never happened if 188 00:09:55,600 --> 00:09:59,679 Speaker 2: Peter didn't understand this principle. God doesn't write us off 189 00:10:00,080 --> 00:10:04,520 Speaker 2: when we make mistakes. God doesn't cancel our destiny because 190 00:10:04,559 --> 00:10:08,160 Speaker 2: we've taken a few detours. Some of you today, you're 191 00:10:08,200 --> 00:10:10,839 Speaker 2: kind of down on yourself because you're not where you 192 00:10:10,920 --> 00:10:13,600 Speaker 2: thought you'd be in life. You've made some poor choices. 193 00:10:14,400 --> 00:10:18,839 Speaker 2: Now you're letting the guilt weigh you down. That heaviness 194 00:10:18,920 --> 00:10:22,320 Speaker 2: is keeping you from God's best. But just like God 195 00:10:22,440 --> 00:10:27,880 Speaker 2: specifically called Peter's name, he's calling your name today. Say 196 00:10:27,880 --> 00:10:32,440 Speaker 2: and tell John, tell William, tell Ricardo, tell Shannon, tell Maria. 197 00:10:33,000 --> 00:10:36,960 Speaker 2: I've forgiven them. I'm not disappointed in them. I'm not 198 00:10:37,080 --> 00:10:40,880 Speaker 2: withholding my blessing. I still have an amazing future in 199 00:10:40,920 --> 00:10:44,880 Speaker 2: front of them. God is calling your name today. He's 200 00:10:45,000 --> 00:10:48,800 Speaker 2: running towards you. In the scripture, it talks about the 201 00:10:48,840 --> 00:10:51,680 Speaker 2: God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God 202 00:10:51,720 --> 00:10:55,360 Speaker 2: of Jacob. I can understand how he's the God of Abraham. 203 00:10:55,840 --> 00:10:59,640 Speaker 2: Abraham is the father of our faith. I can understand 204 00:10:59,800 --> 00:11:03,680 Speaker 2: how he's the God of Isaac. Isaac was extremely obedient, 205 00:11:04,080 --> 00:11:07,640 Speaker 2: even willing to be sacrificed. But when it says he's 206 00:11:07,640 --> 00:11:10,680 Speaker 2: the God of Jacob. That doesn't make a lot of sense. 207 00:11:11,520 --> 00:11:15,680 Speaker 2: Jacob was a cheater. He went around deceiving people. He 208 00:11:15,840 --> 00:11:20,640 Speaker 2: stole his brother's birthright. Jacob was known for making poor choices. 209 00:11:21,120 --> 00:11:25,120 Speaker 2: Yet God is called the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 210 00:11:25,800 --> 00:11:29,120 Speaker 2: What was God saying, I'm not just the God of 211 00:11:29,240 --> 00:11:32,480 Speaker 2: perfect people. I'm not just the God of people that 212 00:11:32,600 --> 00:11:35,760 Speaker 2: never make a mistake. I'm the God of people that 213 00:11:35,840 --> 00:11:38,840 Speaker 2: have failed. I'm the God of people that have blown it. 214 00:11:39,280 --> 00:11:41,880 Speaker 2: I'm the God of people that have had a rough past. 215 00:11:42,840 --> 00:11:47,480 Speaker 2: It's interesting Later in Jacob's life he changed his ways. 216 00:11:47,960 --> 00:11:49,440 Speaker 1: He got his life straightened out. 217 00:11:50,200 --> 00:11:53,640 Speaker 2: God changed his name from Jacob to Israel. 218 00:11:54,240 --> 00:11:56,559 Speaker 1: That was to signify his new beginning. 219 00:11:57,440 --> 00:11:59,800 Speaker 2: God could have been known as the God of Abraham, 220 00:12:00,040 --> 00:12:01,400 Speaker 2: Isaac and Israel. 221 00:12:02,040 --> 00:12:03,560 Speaker 1: That seems to make more sense. 222 00:12:04,120 --> 00:12:07,560 Speaker 2: That was his new name once he was restored and redeemed. 223 00:12:08,400 --> 00:12:12,320 Speaker 2: No God on purpose left it as the God of Abraham, 224 00:12:12,480 --> 00:12:16,520 Speaker 2: Isaac and Jacob to forever settle it that I'm not 225 00:12:16,840 --> 00:12:18,640 Speaker 2: just the God of perfect people. 226 00:12:19,000 --> 00:12:21,000 Speaker 1: I'm the God of imperfect people too. 227 00:12:22,520 --> 00:12:26,320 Speaker 2: Now you may have made mistakes, but be encouraged. He's 228 00:12:26,360 --> 00:12:29,719 Speaker 2: the God of Jacob. He's still your God. You may 229 00:12:29,760 --> 00:12:34,560 Speaker 2: have lost your temper, struggle with an addiction, compromise your integrity, 230 00:12:34,760 --> 00:12:38,000 Speaker 2: don't beat yourself up. He's the God of Jacob. He's 231 00:12:38,040 --> 00:12:41,199 Speaker 2: your god too. In the Book of John, there was 232 00:12:41,240 --> 00:12:43,560 Speaker 2: a lady that had been married five times. 233 00:12:44,120 --> 00:12:45,800 Speaker 1: She was living with the sixth man. 234 00:12:46,440 --> 00:12:48,760 Speaker 2: You can imagine the heartache and pain that she had 235 00:12:48,800 --> 00:12:52,000 Speaker 2: gone through. I'm sure she felt beaten down by life, 236 00:12:52,600 --> 00:12:53,400 Speaker 2: not really. 237 00:12:53,200 --> 00:12:54,920 Speaker 1: Living, just existing. 238 00:12:55,880 --> 00:12:59,000 Speaker 2: Jesus was about to travel to another city and told 239 00:12:59,040 --> 00:13:04,480 Speaker 2: his disciples, I must go through Samaria. They said, no, Jesus, 240 00:13:04,760 --> 00:13:05,959 Speaker 2: that's the long way. 241 00:13:06,400 --> 00:13:09,400 Speaker 1: There's a shortcut. There's a much quicker route. They tried 242 00:13:09,440 --> 00:13:09,840 Speaker 1: to talk. 243 00:13:09,760 --> 00:13:12,720 Speaker 2: Him out of it. He said, no, you don't understand. 244 00:13:13,080 --> 00:13:16,760 Speaker 2: I must go through Samaria. There's a woman there that 245 00:13:16,920 --> 00:13:20,600 Speaker 2: feels condemned. She's about to give up on life. I 246 00:13:20,800 --> 00:13:21,480 Speaker 2: must go. 247 00:13:21,760 --> 00:13:22,960 Speaker 1: Expressed by love. 248 00:13:23,440 --> 00:13:25,680 Speaker 2: I've got an encourage her, get her back on the 249 00:13:25,760 --> 00:13:29,600 Speaker 2: right course. She was known as the woman at the Well. 250 00:13:30,000 --> 00:13:33,520 Speaker 2: Do you know the first person that Jesus revealed himself 251 00:13:33,559 --> 00:13:37,480 Speaker 2: to as the Messiah was not the religious leaders, was 252 00:13:37,520 --> 00:13:40,720 Speaker 2: not the priest and the rabbis in the synagogue. It 253 00:13:40,880 --> 00:13:45,080 Speaker 2: was this woman, a woman that had made mistakes, a 254 00:13:45,160 --> 00:13:48,960 Speaker 2: woman that was beaten down by life, an imperfect person 255 00:13:49,559 --> 00:13:53,160 Speaker 2: that one encounter changed her life. But too many people 256 00:13:53,440 --> 00:13:57,200 Speaker 2: like her are sitting on the sidelines of life. They 257 00:13:57,280 --> 00:14:00,520 Speaker 2: feel like they've blown it too many times. They failed, 258 00:14:00,880 --> 00:14:02,160 Speaker 2: they haven't measured up. 259 00:14:02,880 --> 00:14:06,240 Speaker 1: Now they're letting the accusing voices convince them. 260 00:14:06,360 --> 00:14:10,280 Speaker 2: That they're all washed up. God's disappointed in them. You 261 00:14:10,320 --> 00:14:13,320 Speaker 2: can't expect God's favor. Now you've got to get this 262 00:14:13,520 --> 00:14:16,920 Speaker 2: truth down into your spirit. You may have made mistakes. 263 00:14:17,360 --> 00:14:20,280 Speaker 2: God is not running from you. He's running to you. 264 00:14:20,680 --> 00:14:24,200 Speaker 2: He doesn't love you less, he loves you more. He's 265 00:14:24,280 --> 00:14:28,240 Speaker 2: expressing his love to you today. You wouldn't be hearing 266 00:14:28,280 --> 00:14:30,320 Speaker 2: this if God wasn't reaching. 267 00:14:30,080 --> 00:14:30,600 Speaker 1: Out to you. 268 00:14:31,080 --> 00:14:34,440 Speaker 2: Now, get rid of the guilt, shake off the condemnation, 269 00:14:35,040 --> 00:14:37,560 Speaker 2: quit thinking about what could have been, what should have been, 270 00:14:37,920 --> 00:14:40,560 Speaker 2: and get back in the game. You're not supposed to 271 00:14:40,560 --> 00:14:43,320 Speaker 2: sit on the sidelines. Let me tell you, God is 272 00:14:43,440 --> 00:14:47,560 Speaker 2: not disappointed in you. Nothing you've done is a surprise 273 00:14:47,680 --> 00:14:50,160 Speaker 2: to God. Now you've got to do your part and 274 00:14:50,320 --> 00:14:55,280 Speaker 2: start moving forward. You can still fulfill your destiny. God's 275 00:14:55,320 --> 00:14:59,520 Speaker 2: mercy is bigger than any mistake that you've made. The 276 00:14:59,560 --> 00:15:03,640 Speaker 2: scripture talks about how God searches the earth to show 277 00:15:03,720 --> 00:15:09,240 Speaker 2: himself strong in people whose hearts are turned perfect toward him. 278 00:15:09,880 --> 00:15:13,080 Speaker 2: It doesn't say that God's looking for a perfect performance. 279 00:15:13,680 --> 00:15:16,600 Speaker 1: Now. God is looking for people that have a heart 280 00:15:17,000 --> 00:15:18,720 Speaker 1: that's turned perfect toward him. 281 00:15:19,320 --> 00:15:22,000 Speaker 2: That means if you get up each day with the 282 00:15:22,080 --> 00:15:25,360 Speaker 2: desire to please God, if down deep you really want 283 00:15:25,360 --> 00:15:29,800 Speaker 2: to honor him, then like Peter, you will have times 284 00:15:29,880 --> 00:15:30,560 Speaker 2: that you fail. 285 00:15:31,200 --> 00:15:33,280 Speaker 1: You wanted to resist, but you gave in. 286 00:15:34,040 --> 00:15:38,040 Speaker 2: The good news is that does not cancel your destiny. 287 00:15:38,160 --> 00:15:41,840 Speaker 2: Your performance may not be perfect, but because your heart 288 00:15:42,160 --> 00:15:45,440 Speaker 2: is perfect toward God, he still has something amazing in 289 00:15:45,480 --> 00:15:49,200 Speaker 2: your future. No matter what you've done. Don't go around 290 00:15:49,240 --> 00:15:53,600 Speaker 2: beating yourself up. You can't change the past. Learn from 291 00:15:53,680 --> 00:15:57,120 Speaker 2: your mistakes, but don't get stuck there. Keep moving forward. 292 00:15:57,440 --> 00:16:01,080 Speaker 2: Receive God's mercy. Be bold enough to say, God, I 293 00:16:01,200 --> 00:16:03,960 Speaker 2: blew it. I know I was wrong. I should have 294 00:16:04,040 --> 00:16:07,680 Speaker 2: done better. But God, I know you're not holding it 295 00:16:07,720 --> 00:16:11,680 Speaker 2: against me. I know You're not just the God of Abraham. 296 00:16:11,800 --> 00:16:14,920 Speaker 2: You're the God of Jacob too, the God of imperfect people. 297 00:16:15,800 --> 00:16:18,400 Speaker 1: When Thomas heard that Jesus had risen. 298 00:16:18,160 --> 00:16:22,240 Speaker 2: From the grave and people had seen him alive. Everyone 299 00:16:22,400 --> 00:16:28,400 Speaker 2: was so excited. Everyone that is, except Thomas. He was 300 00:16:28,480 --> 00:16:32,240 Speaker 2: more practical, more logical. He said, guys, if you want 301 00:16:32,240 --> 00:16:35,920 Speaker 2: to believe, that's fine, but not me. A man can't 302 00:16:35,960 --> 00:16:38,560 Speaker 2: be dead for three days and come back to life. 303 00:16:39,040 --> 00:16:41,080 Speaker 2: I'm not going to believe unless I see it with 304 00:16:41,160 --> 00:16:43,680 Speaker 2: my own eyes. I want to see the nail prince 305 00:16:43,800 --> 00:16:44,600 Speaker 2: in his hands. 306 00:16:45,400 --> 00:16:45,680 Speaker 1: Now. 307 00:16:45,720 --> 00:16:49,000 Speaker 2: Thomas had spent just as much time with Jesus as 308 00:16:49,040 --> 00:16:52,480 Speaker 2: the other disciples. Yet they were full of faith, they 309 00:16:52,480 --> 00:16:56,280 Speaker 2: were all believers. Thomas was full of doubt. He had 310 00:16:56,320 --> 00:16:59,320 Speaker 2: all these questions. One day, they were in a room 311 00:16:59,400 --> 00:17:03,000 Speaker 2: together and Jesus came walking through the doors. 312 00:17:03,440 --> 00:17:04,720 Speaker 1: They nearly passed out. 313 00:17:05,520 --> 00:17:09,439 Speaker 2: What's interesting is Jesus didn't go over to Andrew and 314 00:17:09,520 --> 00:17:12,080 Speaker 2: say Andrew, I made it. He didn't walk over to 315 00:17:12,119 --> 00:17:17,000 Speaker 2: Matthew give him a big hug. Jesus walked right to Thomas. 316 00:17:17,480 --> 00:17:21,000 Speaker 2: Bypassed all the people that had faith and went to 317 00:17:21,080 --> 00:17:24,679 Speaker 2: the one person in the room that had doubt. He 318 00:17:24,720 --> 00:17:28,000 Speaker 2: didn't chew him out, say Thomas, what's wrong with you? 319 00:17:28,040 --> 00:17:31,320 Speaker 1: No, he said, Thomas, I know you don't believe. I 320 00:17:31,400 --> 00:17:32,400 Speaker 1: know you have doubts. 321 00:17:32,760 --> 00:17:37,920 Speaker 2: You have questions, and Thomas, that's okay, I understand. That's 322 00:17:37,960 --> 00:17:41,399 Speaker 2: why I came to you first. Now feel the nail 323 00:17:41,400 --> 00:17:43,440 Speaker 2: prints in my hand, Feel the. 324 00:17:43,440 --> 00:17:45,520 Speaker 1: Scars in my size. 325 00:17:46,640 --> 00:17:51,320 Speaker 2: Notice the pattern when you have doubts like Thomas, when 326 00:17:51,359 --> 00:17:54,560 Speaker 2: you blow it, like Peter, when you fell, like the 327 00:17:54,600 --> 00:17:56,400 Speaker 2: woman that was married five times. 328 00:17:56,600 --> 00:17:59,760 Speaker 1: We think God is so far away from us, it's 329 00:17:59,840 --> 00:18:01,119 Speaker 1: just the opposite. 330 00:18:01,359 --> 00:18:04,719 Speaker 2: God came to the people that had doubt before he 331 00:18:04,760 --> 00:18:07,600 Speaker 2: came to the people that had faith. See, we try 332 00:18:07,640 --> 00:18:10,120 Speaker 2: to put God in this box and tell God who 333 00:18:10,200 --> 00:18:12,439 Speaker 2: to save and who to bless, and who to forgive 334 00:18:12,520 --> 00:18:13,240 Speaker 2: and who to heal. 335 00:18:13,680 --> 00:18:16,200 Speaker 1: The longer I live, the more I. 336 00:18:16,119 --> 00:18:20,280 Speaker 2: Realize God's ways are not our ways. God will save 337 00:18:20,400 --> 00:18:24,040 Speaker 2: the most unlikely people. He will show mercy when we 338 00:18:24,119 --> 00:18:29,119 Speaker 2: think they deserve judgment. Sometimes God will bypass the people 339 00:18:29,160 --> 00:18:32,000 Speaker 2: with faith to go to the one person that has doubt. 340 00:18:32,640 --> 00:18:37,679 Speaker 2: It's because God never writes us off. God doesn't judge 341 00:18:37,760 --> 00:18:41,400 Speaker 2: us the way people judge. God understands when you make 342 00:18:41,440 --> 00:18:46,080 Speaker 2: a mistake. He understands when you have doubt. It's interesting 343 00:18:46,240 --> 00:18:50,080 Speaker 2: Thomas doubted this one time, and he became known as 344 00:18:50,160 --> 00:18:53,800 Speaker 2: Doubting Thomas probably wasn't a week or two of his life, 345 00:18:54,040 --> 00:18:55,800 Speaker 2: yet people labeled him a doubter. 346 00:18:56,600 --> 00:19:00,680 Speaker 1: The good news is God doesn't judge you by one mistake. 347 00:19:01,520 --> 00:19:04,440 Speaker 2: We call him doubting Thomas. You know what God calls 348 00:19:04,520 --> 00:19:10,800 Speaker 2: him believing Thomas, forgiven, Thomas, redeem Thomas, restored, Thomas, Amazing Thomas. 349 00:19:11,640 --> 00:19:14,560 Speaker 2: What we don't hear much about is Thomas went on 350 00:19:14,720 --> 00:19:18,239 Speaker 2: to touch all of India. He's credited as being the 351 00:19:18,240 --> 00:19:21,359 Speaker 2: one that brought the good news to that entire nation. 352 00:19:22,200 --> 00:19:24,960 Speaker 2: Now you may have struggled with an addiction your whole life, 353 00:19:25,200 --> 00:19:28,560 Speaker 2: but know this, God is not judging you by that 354 00:19:28,640 --> 00:19:33,720 Speaker 2: one setback. Get rid of that negative label. Maybe you've 355 00:19:33,960 --> 00:19:37,639 Speaker 2: failed in business, blew a relationship, did something you're not 356 00:19:37,760 --> 00:19:38,239 Speaker 2: proud of. 357 00:19:38,800 --> 00:19:41,199 Speaker 1: Don't let that become your identity. 358 00:19:41,560 --> 00:19:46,920 Speaker 2: Stop seeing yourself as doubting Thomas, addicted Thomas, undisciplined Thomas, 359 00:19:47,040 --> 00:19:48,000 Speaker 2: failing Thomas. 360 00:19:48,119 --> 00:19:49,399 Speaker 1: Now you've got to turn it around. 361 00:19:49,680 --> 00:19:54,240 Speaker 2: Start seeing yourself as blessed Thomas, free, Thomas, redeemed, Thomas, 362 00:19:54,400 --> 00:20:00,520 Speaker 2: successful Thomas. Too often we get our performance mixed up 363 00:20:00,560 --> 00:20:04,400 Speaker 2: with our identity. In other words, you may have failed, 364 00:20:04,840 --> 00:20:07,760 Speaker 2: but you are not a failure. That's what you did. 365 00:20:08,080 --> 00:20:10,639 Speaker 2: That's not who you are. You are a child of 366 00:20:10,680 --> 00:20:14,000 Speaker 2: the most High God. You've been handpicked by the creator 367 00:20:14,040 --> 00:20:17,959 Speaker 2: of the universe. You may struggle with an addiction, but 368 00:20:18,040 --> 00:20:19,120 Speaker 2: you are not an addict. 369 00:20:19,560 --> 00:20:22,520 Speaker 1: That's what you did. That's not who you are. You 370 00:20:22,560 --> 00:20:26,440 Speaker 1: are free, you are clean, you are restored. Now, don't 371 00:20:26,560 --> 00:20:28,080 Speaker 1: go around dwelling. 372 00:20:28,280 --> 00:20:33,760 Speaker 2: On your past mistakes. Quit replaying all the times that 373 00:20:33,840 --> 00:20:37,080 Speaker 2: you failed, the times you gave in the temptations, the 374 00:20:37,119 --> 00:20:40,120 Speaker 2: time you blew the relationship, the time it didn't work out. 375 00:20:40,600 --> 00:20:42,480 Speaker 1: All that's going to do is depress you. 376 00:20:43,280 --> 00:20:45,960 Speaker 2: Just like you have a remote control to change the 377 00:20:46,080 --> 00:20:49,560 Speaker 2: channel on the television, you've got to change the channel. 378 00:20:49,320 --> 00:20:52,560 Speaker 1: In your mind. You will not be free from guilt. 379 00:20:52,920 --> 00:20:57,160 Speaker 2: You will not enjoy your life if you're constantly replaying 380 00:20:57,280 --> 00:21:01,080 Speaker 2: the negative memories of your past. You know, replay anything, 381 00:21:01,320 --> 00:21:05,080 Speaker 2: replay your victories, replay the times that you honored God. 382 00:21:05,440 --> 00:21:08,320 Speaker 2: Replayed the times that you helped someone else in need. 383 00:21:08,600 --> 00:21:11,520 Speaker 1: That'll change your perspective. Some of you today. 384 00:21:11,760 --> 00:21:13,880 Speaker 2: You would go to a new level if you would 385 00:21:13,920 --> 00:21:14,919 Speaker 2: just get good. 386 00:21:14,960 --> 00:21:17,040 Speaker 1: At changing the channel in your mind. 387 00:21:18,240 --> 00:21:21,320 Speaker 2: A few years ago, a young lady named Rachel Smith 388 00:21:21,720 --> 00:21:23,720 Speaker 2: won the Miss America Beauty pageant. 389 00:21:23,960 --> 00:21:24,879 Speaker 1: She's a bright. 390 00:21:24,720 --> 00:21:28,440 Speaker 2: Young girl and goes all over the world helping underprivileged children. 391 00:21:28,720 --> 00:21:32,080 Speaker 2: Later that year, she competed in the Miss Universe pageant, 392 00:21:32,600 --> 00:21:36,600 Speaker 2: and she walked out on stage during the evening gown competition, 393 00:21:36,840 --> 00:21:40,720 Speaker 2: all by herself, with millions of people watching around the 394 00:21:40,800 --> 00:21:44,680 Speaker 2: world live on television. She lost her footing and fell 395 00:21:44,720 --> 00:21:46,760 Speaker 2: flat on her backside. 396 00:21:46,840 --> 00:21:49,080 Speaker 1: She was so embarrassed she got. 397 00:21:49,000 --> 00:21:51,159 Speaker 2: Up as quickly as she could and put a smile 398 00:21:51,240 --> 00:21:52,119 Speaker 2: back on her face. 399 00:21:52,800 --> 00:21:54,720 Speaker 1: The audience wasn't very forgiving. 400 00:21:55,200 --> 00:22:00,520 Speaker 2: There were jeers and laughter and booze, very humiliating. In 401 00:22:00,600 --> 00:22:02,880 Speaker 2: spite of the fall, she made it into the top 402 00:22:02,960 --> 00:22:06,920 Speaker 2: five of the competition. Her next task was to answer 403 00:22:06,960 --> 00:22:11,400 Speaker 2: a question randomly chosen by the judges. She walked back 404 00:22:11,440 --> 00:22:13,880 Speaker 2: onto the stage where she had fallen just a few 405 00:22:13,920 --> 00:22:17,760 Speaker 2: minutes earlier. A judge picked a question out of the hat. 406 00:22:18,080 --> 00:22:22,359 Speaker 2: Her question was, if you could relive any moment of 407 00:22:22,400 --> 00:22:27,400 Speaker 2: your life over again and do it differently, what moment 408 00:22:27,600 --> 00:22:31,159 Speaker 2: would that be? Hear her most embarrassing moment was just 409 00:22:31,200 --> 00:22:34,120 Speaker 2: twenty minutes earlier. How many of us would say, boy, 410 00:22:34,119 --> 00:22:36,280 Speaker 2: I want to redo that, I want to relive that. 411 00:22:36,640 --> 00:22:38,480 Speaker 1: No, without missing a bee. 412 00:22:38,520 --> 00:22:41,720 Speaker 2: She said, if I could relive any moment of my 413 00:22:41,880 --> 00:22:46,720 Speaker 2: life again, I would relive my trip to Africa, working 414 00:22:46,760 --> 00:22:51,920 Speaker 2: with the orphans, seeing their beautiful smiles, feeling their warm embraces. 415 00:22:52,440 --> 00:22:56,680 Speaker 2: Instead of reliving a moment of pain, a moment of embarrassment, 416 00:22:57,000 --> 00:23:00,000 Speaker 2: she chose to relive a moment of joy, a moment 417 00:23:00,000 --> 00:23:02,480 Speaker 2: but where she was making a difference, where she was. 418 00:23:02,480 --> 00:23:03,520 Speaker 1: Proud of herself. 419 00:23:05,160 --> 00:23:08,040 Speaker 2: In life, We're all going to have times where we fall, 420 00:23:08,520 --> 00:23:13,400 Speaker 2: embarrassing moments, unfair situations. I can assure you they will 421 00:23:13,440 --> 00:23:16,040 Speaker 2: come up on the movie screen of your mind again 422 00:23:16,280 --> 00:23:19,359 Speaker 2: and again. You got to get good at changing the channel. 423 00:23:19,560 --> 00:23:22,880 Speaker 2: Put on your accomplishments, put on your victories, put on. 424 00:23:22,840 --> 00:23:26,600 Speaker 1: The times where you're proud of yourself. Heard about this 425 00:23:26,680 --> 00:23:28,080 Speaker 1: man that had a dream. 426 00:23:28,400 --> 00:23:30,760 Speaker 2: And in this dream, he was in a large room 427 00:23:31,280 --> 00:23:34,399 Speaker 2: kind of like a library, and there were file cabinets 428 00:23:34,600 --> 00:23:37,440 Speaker 2: all around him, from the floor to the ceiling, hundreds 429 00:23:37,440 --> 00:23:40,560 Speaker 2: and hundreds of files. He walked over and opened a drawer. 430 00:23:41,000 --> 00:23:44,120 Speaker 2: They were full of index cards. He took one out 431 00:23:44,160 --> 00:23:47,000 Speaker 2: and read it, and it had to do with his life, 432 00:23:47,520 --> 00:23:51,320 Speaker 2: something that he had done. He soon realized the whole 433 00:23:51,440 --> 00:23:56,200 Speaker 2: room was about him. Every thought, every word he had spoken, 434 00:23:56,640 --> 00:24:01,160 Speaker 2: every action, both good and bad, were recorded on these files. 435 00:24:01,760 --> 00:24:04,639 Speaker 2: There was a whole section of everything that he had 436 00:24:04,680 --> 00:24:08,399 Speaker 2: done wrong. The times that he lost his temper, the 437 00:24:08,440 --> 00:24:12,640 Speaker 2: times he was unfaithful, the times that he cheated. His deepest, 438 00:24:12,800 --> 00:24:17,159 Speaker 2: darkest secrets were all recorded in these files. His first 439 00:24:17,200 --> 00:24:20,760 Speaker 2: thought was, I've got to destroy these cards. I can't 440 00:24:20,800 --> 00:24:23,960 Speaker 2: let anybody see them. I'd be so embarrassed. He went 441 00:24:24,000 --> 00:24:26,520 Speaker 2: over and tried to tear up the card, but it 442 00:24:26,560 --> 00:24:27,400 Speaker 2: was impossible. 443 00:24:27,840 --> 00:24:29,400 Speaker 1: They could not be destroyed. 444 00:24:30,040 --> 00:24:33,320 Speaker 2: As he sat there thinking about his failures and all 445 00:24:33,400 --> 00:24:34,240 Speaker 2: the times he had. 446 00:24:34,160 --> 00:24:36,040 Speaker 1: Blown it, he felt so ashamed. 447 00:24:36,640 --> 00:24:40,280 Speaker 2: Now about that time in the dream, Jesus walked into 448 00:24:40,320 --> 00:24:43,879 Speaker 2: the room, and while he felt this incredible love, he 449 00:24:43,960 --> 00:24:46,520 Speaker 2: also felt, that's the last. 450 00:24:46,160 --> 00:24:48,879 Speaker 1: Person I want to see now. I'm really ashamed. 451 00:24:49,720 --> 00:24:52,760 Speaker 2: Jesus walked right over to the files of everything that 452 00:24:52,840 --> 00:24:53,679 Speaker 2: he had done wrong. 453 00:24:54,160 --> 00:24:55,520 Speaker 1: He took a card out. 454 00:24:55,840 --> 00:25:00,119 Speaker 2: One by one, Jesus crossed the men's name off, and 455 00:25:00,200 --> 00:25:04,000 Speaker 2: Jesus signed his own name, followed by the phrase paid 456 00:25:04,040 --> 00:25:07,760 Speaker 2: in full the time you lied. Crossed the man's name off. 457 00:25:07,960 --> 00:25:11,399 Speaker 2: Jesus paid in full the time you were unfaithful crossed 458 00:25:11,440 --> 00:25:12,040 Speaker 2: his name off. 459 00:25:12,119 --> 00:25:16,160 Speaker 1: Jesus paid in full. Before long, all of the cards 460 00:25:16,200 --> 00:25:17,040 Speaker 1: had been signed. 461 00:25:17,720 --> 00:25:20,320 Speaker 2: In the dream, this man said, Jesus, you don't have 462 00:25:20,400 --> 00:25:23,320 Speaker 2: to do this. This is not even your room. These 463 00:25:23,359 --> 00:25:27,600 Speaker 2: are not even your mistakes. Jesus just smiled and gently said, 464 00:25:27,880 --> 00:25:28,880 Speaker 2: don't worry about that. 465 00:25:29,359 --> 00:25:34,760 Speaker 1: The price has already been paid. It is finished. Friends. 466 00:25:35,960 --> 00:25:41,080 Speaker 2: One message of the resurrection is your sins have already 467 00:25:41,119 --> 00:25:45,880 Speaker 2: been forgiven, because Jesus rose from the grave. Every mistake 468 00:25:46,000 --> 00:25:50,480 Speaker 2: you've made and ever will make already has that phrase 469 00:25:50,520 --> 00:25:53,359 Speaker 2: written on the top of it, paid in full. The 470 00:25:53,480 --> 00:25:57,679 Speaker 2: real question is will you receive God's mercy? Will you 471 00:25:57,720 --> 00:26:00,600 Speaker 2: stop trying to pay a debt that's already been paid. 472 00:26:01,320 --> 00:26:04,480 Speaker 2: You don't have to go around feeling guilty, feeling wrong 473 00:26:04,560 --> 00:26:08,600 Speaker 2: on the inside, not excited about your future. God is 474 00:26:08,680 --> 00:26:12,640 Speaker 2: running towards you today. He knew every mistake you'd ever make. 475 00:26:13,320 --> 00:26:16,640 Speaker 2: He doesn't love you less, he loves you more. He's 476 00:26:16,680 --> 00:26:19,920 Speaker 2: not just the God of Abraham, He's the God of Jacob. 477 00:26:20,320 --> 00:26:23,280 Speaker 2: He's saying, you may have blown it, you may have failed, 478 00:26:23,640 --> 00:26:25,560 Speaker 2: but I'm not disappointed in you. 479 00:26:25,960 --> 00:26:28,520 Speaker 1: I still love you, I still believe in you. 480 00:26:28,880 --> 00:26:32,640 Speaker 2: I still have an amazing future in front of you. 481 00:26:32,640 --> 00:26:36,000 Speaker 2: Your performance may not have been perfect, but because your 482 00:26:36,040 --> 00:26:39,800 Speaker 2: heart is perfect toward him, God's gonna show himself strong 483 00:26:39,920 --> 00:26:43,760 Speaker 2: in your half. My challenge, shake off the guilt, receive 484 00:26:43,840 --> 00:26:47,480 Speaker 2: God's mercy. I believe in, declare today is a new day. 485 00:26:47,640 --> 00:26:50,840 Speaker 2: You will rise higher, you will live freer. You will 486 00:26:50,920 --> 00:26:53,720 Speaker 2: become everything God's created you to be. 487 00:26:54,240 --> 00:26:56,960 Speaker 1: In Jesus' name. If you receive it, can you say amen? 488 00:26:58,960 --> 00:27:01,880 Speaker 2: We never like to close broadcast without giving you an 489 00:27:01,880 --> 00:27:04,960 Speaker 2: opportunity to make Jesus the lord of your life. 490 00:27:05,160 --> 00:27:09,359 Speaker 1: Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus, I 491 00:27:09,520 --> 00:27:10,640 Speaker 1: repent of my sins. 492 00:27:12,040 --> 00:27:17,720 Speaker 2: Come into my heart. I make you my Lord and savior. Friends, 493 00:27:17,720 --> 00:27:19,840 Speaker 2: if you've prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 494 00:27:19,840 --> 00:27:22,880 Speaker 2: born again. Get in a good Bible based church. Keep 495 00:27:22,920 --> 00:27:25,560 Speaker 2: God first place. He's going to take you places you've 496 00:27:25,560 --> 00:27:26,240 Speaker 2: never dreamed of. 497 00:27:28,200 --> 00:27:32,200 Speaker 3: It's a new year. Time to see the impossible become possible. 498 00:27:32,560 --> 00:27:35,840 Speaker 3: It's a new year. Life setbacks are about to become 499 00:27:35,960 --> 00:27:40,360 Speaker 3: God's setups for new opportunity. It's a new year. Cherished 500 00:27:40,480 --> 00:27:43,080 Speaker 3: dreams will become unexpected reality. 501 00:27:43,840 --> 00:27:46,040 Speaker 2: The start of the new year is the perfect time 502 00:27:46,119 --> 00:27:49,760 Speaker 2: to reset your focus, release disappointments of the past, and 503 00:27:49,800 --> 00:27:52,359 Speaker 2: get ready for the new things God has in store. 504 00:27:52,920 --> 00:27:56,040 Speaker 2: Every January we create a new three hundred and sixty 505 00:27:56,080 --> 00:27:58,160 Speaker 2: five day devotional calendar. 506 00:27:58,520 --> 00:28:00,760 Speaker 1: I'd love to send it to you. Each day is. 507 00:28:00,720 --> 00:28:05,439 Speaker 2: Filled with inspiration, scripture, and uplifting declarations to fuel your faith. 508 00:28:05,880 --> 00:28:08,720 Speaker 2: When you begin the day thanking God for what He's done, 509 00:28:08,880 --> 00:28:13,560 Speaker 2: speaking victory over your future, you're positioning yourself for a blessed, 510 00:28:13,760 --> 00:28:14,840 Speaker 2: favor filled year. 511 00:28:15,320 --> 00:28:18,320 Speaker 1: Amazing things happen when you keep God first place. 512 00:28:19,119 --> 00:28:21,480 Speaker 3: As our way of saying thank you for your gift 513 00:28:21,520 --> 00:28:24,159 Speaker 3: of any amount this first month of the year, we 514 00:28:24,200 --> 00:28:26,439 Speaker 3: would like to send you a copy of our brand 515 00:28:26,520 --> 00:28:29,680 Speaker 3: new three hundred and sixty five day twenty twenty six 516 00:28:29,760 --> 00:28:33,560 Speaker 3: devotional calendar. Do you want to overcome your most pressing 517 00:28:33,640 --> 00:28:36,440 Speaker 3: challenges in twenty twenty six? Do you want to see 518 00:28:36,480 --> 00:28:40,240 Speaker 3: your life take off in new directions of influence, favor, 519 00:28:40,480 --> 00:28:44,320 Speaker 3: and provision in the year ahead. With this daily encouragement, 520 00:28:44,640 --> 00:28:47,880 Speaker 3: you'll not only smile at your day, You'll be reminded 521 00:28:47,960 --> 00:28:51,680 Speaker 3: that God is smiling on your entire life. Each day 522 00:28:51,840 --> 00:28:56,120 Speaker 3: will be a fresh new day. Turn discouragement to encouragement, 523 00:28:56,600 --> 00:29:03,200 Speaker 3: frustration to fulfillment, anxiety you overcoming start each morning knowing 524 00:29:03,240 --> 00:29:06,240 Speaker 3: that it's God's desire to turn what seems like an 525 00:29:06,320 --> 00:29:12,320 Speaker 3: ordinary life into extraordinary favor, strength, and opportunities. Using this 526 00:29:12,400 --> 00:29:17,640 Speaker 3: devotional calendar is as easy as one, two three. One 527 00:29:18,120 --> 00:29:22,320 Speaker 3: wake up with an expectancy in your heart. Two reflect 528 00:29:22,320 --> 00:29:26,040 Speaker 3: on the daily scripture, verse and devotional from Joel. Three 529 00:29:26,560 --> 00:29:30,120 Speaker 3: Capture the Lord's promises to you on journaling lines for 530 00:29:30,240 --> 00:29:31,360 Speaker 3: writing and reflection. 531 00:29:32,240 --> 00:29:34,400 Speaker 2: Twenty twenty six is going to be one of your 532 00:29:34,480 --> 00:29:37,080 Speaker 2: best years ever. We're going to help you stay in 533 00:29:37,120 --> 00:29:39,760 Speaker 2: faith so you can see the goodness of God in 534 00:29:39,880 --> 00:29:43,000 Speaker 2: new ways. Victory not pray for you and your family 535 00:29:43,080 --> 00:29:45,400 Speaker 2: every day, and you want to thank you for your. 536 00:29:45,280 --> 00:29:46,360 Speaker 1: Prayer and support. 537 00:29:46,760 --> 00:29:50,800 Speaker 2: Your generosity is impacting lives around the world. A special 538 00:29:50,920 --> 00:29:53,160 Speaker 2: thank you to our Champion of Hope partners for your 539 00:29:53,240 --> 00:29:56,120 Speaker 2: monthly gifts. You're not a partner, I hope you'll consider 540 00:29:56,200 --> 00:30:00,440 Speaker 2: becoming one. Remember you can watch the services online live 541 00:30:00,600 --> 00:30:05,240 Speaker 2: every Sunday morning, download our daily podcast, watch on YouTube 542 00:30:05,440 --> 00:30:08,440 Speaker 2: or the new Joel Ostein Network twenty four hours a day. 543 00:30:08,800 --> 00:30:11,840 Speaker 2: Of course, listen live on Serious XM as well, but 544 00:30:11,960 --> 00:30:12,920 Speaker 2: until we meet again. 545 00:30:13,280 --> 00:30:15,200 Speaker 1: May the Lord bless you and keep you. 546 00:30:16,160 --> 00:30:18,880 Speaker 3: Be sure to request your copy of the twenty twenty 547 00:30:18,920 --> 00:30:23,240 Speaker 3: sixth devotional Calendar available this month by simply visiting us 548 00:30:23,360 --> 00:30:27,080 Speaker 3: at Joelostein dot com or calling eight eight eight five 549 00:30:27,200 --> 00:30:34,200 Speaker 3: six seven Joel. Also, no matter what season you're in, joy, sorrow, waiting, growth, 550 00:30:34,560 --> 00:30:38,360 Speaker 3: God wants to speak into each and every moment. God's 551 00:30:38,400 --> 00:30:42,200 Speaker 3: Word for Every Season is a guided journal series designed 552 00:30:42,200 --> 00:30:45,720 Speaker 3: to help you slow down, write out scripture, and reflect 553 00:30:45,760 --> 00:30:48,800 Speaker 3: on its truth, one verse at a time. As you 554 00:30:48,920 --> 00:30:53,200 Speaker 3: engage with His Word, you'll discover fresh strength, deeper peace, 555 00:30:53,480 --> 00:30:57,440 Speaker 3: and timely encouragement for every step of your journey. You 556 00:30:57,480 --> 00:31:01,280 Speaker 3: can request these inspiring resources by calling eight eight eight 557 00:31:01,520 --> 00:31:05,360 Speaker 3: five six seven Joel or logging on to jolosdein dot 558 00:31:05,400 --> 00:31:09,560 Speaker 3: com today call or click anytime twenty four hours a day. 559 00:31:10,080 --> 00:31:11,920 Speaker 3: Request these resources today