1 00:00:00,480 --> 00:00:02,240 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. 2 00:00:02,320 --> 00:00:05,320 Speaker 2: Thanks for listening to our podcast and thanks for supporting 3 00:00:05,360 --> 00:00:08,280 Speaker 2: the ministry. If you enjoy today's message, why don't you 4 00:00:08,320 --> 00:00:10,480 Speaker 2: be a blessing and share it with a friend. We 5 00:00:10,560 --> 00:00:14,680 Speaker 2: appreciate you and pray for God's very best in your life. 6 00:00:15,240 --> 00:00:16,119 Speaker 1: Well, God bless you. 7 00:00:16,520 --> 00:00:18,960 Speaker 2: It's great to be with you today, and I hope 8 00:00:18,960 --> 00:00:21,360 Speaker 2: you'll stay connected with us during the week to our 9 00:00:21,440 --> 00:00:25,960 Speaker 2: daily podcast, our YouTube channel, social media, and you can come. 10 00:00:25,920 --> 00:00:27,080 Speaker 1: Visit us in person. 11 00:00:27,280 --> 00:00:29,040 Speaker 2: We'd love to have you be a part of one 12 00:00:29,080 --> 00:00:32,080 Speaker 2: of our services. But I like to start with something funny, 13 00:00:32,080 --> 00:00:34,680 Speaker 2: and I heard about this man named Bubba. 14 00:00:34,880 --> 00:00:36,120 Speaker 1: He lived way out. 15 00:00:35,920 --> 00:00:38,320 Speaker 2: In the country and there was a stray dog that 16 00:00:38,400 --> 00:00:41,120 Speaker 2: kept showing up at his house. His wife said, Bubba, 17 00:00:41,159 --> 00:00:43,120 Speaker 2: you have to put the dog in your truck, take 18 00:00:43,200 --> 00:00:45,480 Speaker 2: him out in the woods and drop him off. That's 19 00:00:45,479 --> 00:00:48,560 Speaker 2: where he lives. Bubba drove him a mile down the road, 20 00:00:48,760 --> 00:00:51,360 Speaker 2: dropped him off. When he came home, the dog was 21 00:00:51,400 --> 00:00:53,920 Speaker 2: walking up the driveway practically beat him back. 22 00:00:54,480 --> 00:00:55,840 Speaker 1: This happened again and again. 23 00:00:56,200 --> 00:00:58,680 Speaker 2: His wife said, Bubba, you have to take him way out, 24 00:00:59,120 --> 00:01:01,440 Speaker 2: drive him around in circles, get him mixed up. 25 00:01:02,040 --> 00:01:02,959 Speaker 1: Baba drove him an. 26 00:01:02,920 --> 00:01:06,319 Speaker 2: Hour away criss cross roads he's never driven before, dropped 27 00:01:06,360 --> 00:01:06,720 Speaker 2: him off. 28 00:01:07,200 --> 00:01:08,119 Speaker 1: Two hours later. 29 00:01:08,319 --> 00:01:10,600 Speaker 2: He called his wife from the trunk, said did the 30 00:01:10,640 --> 00:01:13,680 Speaker 2: dog come back? She said, yeah, he's walking up the driveway. 31 00:01:13,720 --> 00:01:15,679 Speaker 1: Now, Baba said, do me a favor. 32 00:01:15,760 --> 00:01:19,679 Speaker 2: Put him on the line. I need directions. Say it 33 00:01:19,760 --> 00:01:22,679 Speaker 2: like you mean it. This is my Bible. I am 34 00:01:22,720 --> 00:01:25,200 Speaker 2: what it says I am. I have what it says 35 00:01:25,240 --> 00:01:27,880 Speaker 2: I have. I can do what it says I can do. 36 00:01:28,319 --> 00:01:31,240 Speaker 2: Today I will be taught the word of God. I'll 37 00:01:31,240 --> 00:01:35,480 Speaker 2: boldly confess. My mind is alert, my heart is receptive. 38 00:01:35,880 --> 00:01:39,560 Speaker 2: I will never be the same. In Jesus' name, God 39 00:01:39,600 --> 00:01:43,720 Speaker 2: bless you. I want to talk to you today about joy. 40 00:01:43,720 --> 00:01:45,080 Speaker 1: In the journey. 41 00:01:45,400 --> 00:01:48,480 Speaker 2: Too often we're going to enjoy life when we accomplish 42 00:01:48,560 --> 00:01:51,520 Speaker 2: a goal, when the kids are raised, when we get 43 00:01:51,560 --> 00:01:55,280 Speaker 2: the promotion Joel, when I lose ten pounds, when I 44 00:01:55,320 --> 00:01:59,040 Speaker 2: get through this problem, then I'll be happy. Our joy 45 00:01:59,240 --> 00:02:01,720 Speaker 2: is always in the future, when we cross. 46 00:02:01,480 --> 00:02:02,440 Speaker 1: The finish line. 47 00:02:02,960 --> 00:02:06,200 Speaker 2: The problem with this approach is there's always some reason 48 00:02:06,320 --> 00:02:07,760 Speaker 2: we can't be happy. 49 00:02:07,920 --> 00:02:11,280 Speaker 1: Something's going on. It's causing us to be stressed uptight. 50 00:02:12,000 --> 00:02:13,240 Speaker 1: But the key is to. 51 00:02:13,200 --> 00:02:17,239 Speaker 2: Find joy in the journey. You're not there yet. You're 52 00:02:17,280 --> 00:02:20,959 Speaker 2: still waiting for things to improve, still believing for the promise. 53 00:02:21,440 --> 00:02:25,359 Speaker 2: But in the meantime, you're enjoying where you are while 54 00:02:25,400 --> 00:02:28,359 Speaker 2: you're on the way to where you're going. If you're 55 00:02:28,360 --> 00:02:31,840 Speaker 2: so focused on the finish line, what's not working out, 56 00:02:32,240 --> 00:02:34,760 Speaker 2: this trouble at the office, then you'll. 57 00:02:34,600 --> 00:02:37,120 Speaker 1: Miss the beauty of this day. 58 00:02:37,240 --> 00:02:39,840 Speaker 2: You won't laugh at the funny thing your child does. 59 00:02:40,360 --> 00:02:44,120 Speaker 2: You're too busy god to get them dressed, feed them breakfast, 60 00:02:44,240 --> 00:02:45,160 Speaker 2: get them to school. 61 00:02:45,880 --> 00:02:48,840 Speaker 1: You want to enjoy your spouse, you're too busy. 62 00:02:48,639 --> 00:02:52,560 Speaker 2: Trying to fix them. Focused on their flaws. When they improve, 63 00:02:52,840 --> 00:02:55,919 Speaker 2: then you'll have fun together. I know people that. 64 00:02:56,000 --> 00:02:57,080 Speaker 1: Hurry through the week. 65 00:02:57,440 --> 00:03:00,760 Speaker 2: They don't like going to work, dread driving in the traffic, 66 00:03:01,200 --> 00:03:03,960 Speaker 2: have to put up with this cranky coworker. They can't 67 00:03:03,960 --> 00:03:07,519 Speaker 2: wait till the weekend gets here. How much of your 68 00:03:07,560 --> 00:03:10,600 Speaker 2: life are you missing trying to get to the next thing, 69 00:03:11,320 --> 00:03:13,800 Speaker 2: what you think is better, Then you can be happy. 70 00:03:14,400 --> 00:03:17,640 Speaker 2: Try a different approach. Instead of rushing through what you 71 00:03:17,720 --> 00:03:20,240 Speaker 2: don't like, trying to get to the next. 72 00:03:20,000 --> 00:03:23,960 Speaker 1: Goal, slow down and find the joy in the journey. 73 00:03:24,760 --> 00:03:27,480 Speaker 1: Look at all the good things in your life right now. 74 00:03:28,120 --> 00:03:30,959 Speaker 2: Don't take for granted the people God's given you to love. 75 00:03:31,720 --> 00:03:35,320 Speaker 2: They may not be perfect, but neither are you. Joel, 76 00:03:35,360 --> 00:03:38,080 Speaker 2: this husband, he gets on my nerves. I bet you 77 00:03:38,120 --> 00:03:41,640 Speaker 2: get on his nerves too. Some people would love to 78 00:03:41,680 --> 00:03:44,920 Speaker 2: have your husband. They'd give anything to have that man. 79 00:03:45,440 --> 00:03:47,760 Speaker 1: I see a lady holding up her husband's phone number. 80 00:03:47,880 --> 00:03:52,160 Speaker 2: That's how she's gonna get joy. But these children, there's 81 00:03:52,160 --> 00:03:55,840 Speaker 2: so much work. All I do is cook, clean, run 82 00:03:55,880 --> 00:03:58,520 Speaker 2: the places. Do you know how many people are not 83 00:03:58,640 --> 00:04:02,520 Speaker 2: able to have children. They do anything to have those kids. 84 00:04:03,160 --> 00:04:06,680 Speaker 2: What you see is common is really uncommon. What we 85 00:04:06,800 --> 00:04:11,760 Speaker 2: think is ordinary is really extraordinary. Well, it's Monday, I 86 00:04:11,800 --> 00:04:14,560 Speaker 2: have to go to work. Try a different approach. I 87 00:04:14,600 --> 00:04:17,039 Speaker 2: get to go to work. I have a job, I 88 00:04:17,080 --> 00:04:20,800 Speaker 2: have income, I have resources. I can't stand driving in 89 00:04:20,880 --> 00:04:24,359 Speaker 2: this traffic. It's so stressful. How about I get to 90 00:04:24,440 --> 00:04:28,440 Speaker 2: drive in traffic. I have a car, I have opportunity. Well, 91 00:04:28,480 --> 00:04:30,839 Speaker 2: I got to clean the house again today. That's the 92 00:04:30,920 --> 00:04:33,599 Speaker 2: story of my life. Now I get to clean the house. 93 00:04:33,760 --> 00:04:37,320 Speaker 2: God's blessed me with the place to live. If you'll 94 00:04:37,320 --> 00:04:40,839 Speaker 2: have the right perspective, you'll find joy. In the journey, 95 00:04:41,600 --> 00:04:44,320 Speaker 2: not in my dream house yet, but Lord, I'm grateful 96 00:04:44,360 --> 00:04:48,120 Speaker 2: for this apartment. Haven't met the right person yet, but Lord, 97 00:04:48,120 --> 00:04:51,680 Speaker 2: I'm grateful being single. This place i'm working is not 98 00:04:51,720 --> 00:04:54,279 Speaker 2: where I want to end up, but Lord, I'm grateful 99 00:04:54,320 --> 00:04:55,240 Speaker 2: that I'm employed. 100 00:04:56,279 --> 00:04:57,320 Speaker 1: See, the enemy. 101 00:04:57,080 --> 00:05:00,839 Speaker 2: Would love to deceive us into enduring life life, not 102 00:05:01,080 --> 00:05:06,000 Speaker 2: enjoying life, having children, not enjoying them, being married but 103 00:05:06,080 --> 00:05:10,279 Speaker 2: not enjoying it, having a house, job, opportunity, but always 104 00:05:10,320 --> 00:05:12,880 Speaker 2: some reason we're not happy. We got to get to 105 00:05:12,920 --> 00:05:16,400 Speaker 2: that next thing, then we'll enjoy life. Now, you have 106 00:05:16,440 --> 00:05:20,320 Speaker 2: to learn this principle. There is joy in your journey. 107 00:05:20,560 --> 00:05:23,200 Speaker 2: There are things in your life right now that you 108 00:05:23,240 --> 00:05:25,919 Speaker 2: can enjoy if you'll have the right perspective. 109 00:05:26,960 --> 00:05:28,240 Speaker 1: Paul Sitting Philippians. 110 00:05:28,680 --> 00:05:34,600 Speaker 2: Whatever things are wholesome, good, pure, if there be any virtue, 111 00:05:35,160 --> 00:05:37,960 Speaker 2: if there be any praise, think on these things. 112 00:05:38,800 --> 00:05:42,240 Speaker 1: It's significant that he used the word if, if there 113 00:05:42,320 --> 00:05:43,240 Speaker 1: be any virtue. 114 00:05:43,839 --> 00:05:46,200 Speaker 2: He was saying, you have to look for the good 115 00:05:46,960 --> 00:05:51,320 Speaker 2: in your family, look for the good in your spouse. Yes, 116 00:05:51,400 --> 00:05:54,400 Speaker 2: you can point out twenty three flaws, how about looking for. 117 00:05:54,400 --> 00:05:58,960 Speaker 1: The good in that challenge. Maybe a lot's coming against you, 118 00:05:59,120 --> 00:06:00,160 Speaker 1: look for the good. 119 00:06:00,640 --> 00:06:04,640 Speaker 2: God is sustaining you. People are encouraging you. This one 120 00:06:04,680 --> 00:06:07,919 Speaker 2: area has improved. If you're going to find joy in 121 00:06:08,000 --> 00:06:10,960 Speaker 2: the journey, you have to look past all the wrongs 122 00:06:11,040 --> 00:06:14,600 Speaker 2: and see the rights. And sometimes it's just the fact 123 00:06:14,680 --> 00:06:17,880 Speaker 2: that you shouldn't still be here. The opposition should have 124 00:06:17,920 --> 00:06:20,680 Speaker 2: taken you out. The sickness should have defeated you. 125 00:06:21,240 --> 00:06:23,240 Speaker 1: How you were raised, should have held you back. 126 00:06:23,560 --> 00:06:26,400 Speaker 2: But you can say, Lord, thank you that I'm still standing, 127 00:06:26,640 --> 00:06:29,000 Speaker 2: thank you that I still have air to breathe, thank 128 00:06:29,040 --> 00:06:30,279 Speaker 2: you that You're still for me. 129 00:06:31,480 --> 00:06:32,320 Speaker 1: Luke twenty four. 130 00:06:32,839 --> 00:06:36,880 Speaker 2: Jesus had been crucified on a Friday. That Sunday, two 131 00:06:36,960 --> 00:06:40,640 Speaker 2: of his disciples were walking from Jerusalem. 132 00:06:40,120 --> 00:06:41,560 Speaker 1: To a city called Imaus. 133 00:06:42,400 --> 00:06:45,760 Speaker 2: You can imagine how discouraged they were. The man they 134 00:06:45,760 --> 00:06:47,880 Speaker 2: had followed given their life. 135 00:06:47,600 --> 00:06:48,640 Speaker 1: To was now gone. 136 00:06:49,360 --> 00:06:52,400 Speaker 2: Now as they were on this journey talking about everything 137 00:06:52,440 --> 00:06:56,880 Speaker 2: that had happened, the wrongs, the betrayals, the heartache, Jesus 138 00:06:56,920 --> 00:07:00,000 Speaker 2: came up and started walking with them, but they didn't 139 00:07:00,240 --> 00:07:01,520 Speaker 2: recognize who he was. 140 00:07:02,040 --> 00:07:03,720 Speaker 1: He was in a different form. 141 00:07:04,200 --> 00:07:06,920 Speaker 2: Jesus asked what they were discussing and why they were 142 00:07:06,920 --> 00:07:07,760 Speaker 2: so concerned. 143 00:07:08,480 --> 00:07:11,640 Speaker 1: They said, in effect, Where have you been. Haven't you 144 00:07:11,800 --> 00:07:16,080 Speaker 1: heard they've taken our messiah and crucified him. How we're 145 00:07:16,120 --> 00:07:16,920 Speaker 1: without a leader. 146 00:07:17,840 --> 00:07:21,200 Speaker 2: Jesus began to talk to them about what the prophets 147 00:07:21,200 --> 00:07:24,720 Speaker 2: had predicted, how he had to come and be crucified, 148 00:07:25,200 --> 00:07:28,480 Speaker 2: that he'd be raised on the third day. Verse twenty 149 00:07:28,520 --> 00:07:31,920 Speaker 2: seven says he explained what the scripture said about him. 150 00:07:32,720 --> 00:07:34,920 Speaker 1: What an incredible moment this was. 151 00:07:35,200 --> 00:07:38,600 Speaker 2: They're walking with Jesus, who's just risen from the dead, 152 00:07:39,080 --> 00:07:43,040 Speaker 2: who's helping them to understand passages from the Old Testament 153 00:07:43,480 --> 00:07:45,200 Speaker 2: that prophesied what would happen? 154 00:07:45,600 --> 00:07:46,520 Speaker 1: How this was all a. 155 00:07:46,480 --> 00:07:49,520 Speaker 2: Part of God's plan. Well, it was a seven mile 156 00:07:49,640 --> 00:07:53,360 Speaker 2: walk from Jerusalem. They were about to arrive in Immaeas 157 00:07:53,720 --> 00:07:56,760 Speaker 2: it was late at night. They asked Jesus to stay 158 00:07:56,800 --> 00:08:00,600 Speaker 2: with them. As they were eating dinner, Jesus broke the 159 00:08:00,680 --> 00:08:04,800 Speaker 2: bread and their eyes were open. They recognized who he was. 160 00:08:05,240 --> 00:08:06,840 Speaker 2: Jesus suddenly disappeared. 161 00:08:07,800 --> 00:08:10,200 Speaker 1: But think about that long walk with Jesus. 162 00:08:10,720 --> 00:08:13,680 Speaker 2: They were so focused on what didn't work out, this 163 00:08:13,840 --> 00:08:18,680 Speaker 2: great disappointment, their leader is gone, that they didn't recognize 164 00:08:18,800 --> 00:08:22,360 Speaker 2: the miracle. In the moment, all they knew was life 165 00:08:22,480 --> 00:08:26,960 Speaker 2: was unfair. This wasn't right. They were discouraged, yet that 166 00:08:27,120 --> 00:08:31,680 Speaker 2: whole time, the risen Savior was in their midst. How 167 00:08:31,720 --> 00:08:35,400 Speaker 2: many times on our journey are we not recognizing what 168 00:08:35,440 --> 00:08:36,199 Speaker 2: God is doing. 169 00:08:37,040 --> 00:08:39,040 Speaker 1: We're so caught up in the stress of the day 170 00:08:39,679 --> 00:08:40,280 Speaker 1: dealing with. 171 00:08:40,200 --> 00:08:43,800 Speaker 2: His problem, had a set back in our finances that 172 00:08:43,920 --> 00:08:46,720 Speaker 2: we don't see all the good things. How God is 173 00:08:46,760 --> 00:08:51,680 Speaker 2: sustaining us, favoring us, guiding us. We've been through challenges, 174 00:08:51,920 --> 00:08:54,679 Speaker 2: but in the midst our children are still healthy. 175 00:08:55,240 --> 00:08:58,600 Speaker 1: We have opportunity. The right person showed up when we 176 00:08:58,679 --> 00:08:59,240 Speaker 1: needed them. 177 00:09:00,160 --> 00:09:03,160 Speaker 2: Don't get so focused on what's wrong that you don't 178 00:09:03,160 --> 00:09:08,080 Speaker 2: recognize what's right. It's interesting that these disciples were on 179 00:09:08,120 --> 00:09:12,520 Speaker 2: a journey with Jesus. One principle it shows us is 180 00:09:12,559 --> 00:09:16,439 Speaker 2: there was joy in the journey, but they didn't recognize it. 181 00:09:17,360 --> 00:09:20,640 Speaker 2: How many of us are seeing the joy in the journey. 182 00:09:21,200 --> 00:09:25,040 Speaker 2: We see the traffic, we see the struggle. These children 183 00:09:25,080 --> 00:09:28,599 Speaker 2: are a lot of work, But are you seeing the joy? 184 00:09:28,760 --> 00:09:32,280 Speaker 2: Could it be like these disciples that God is doing 185 00:09:32,320 --> 00:09:34,439 Speaker 2: great things in your midst, but you. 186 00:09:34,400 --> 00:09:35,160 Speaker 1: Don't see it. 187 00:09:36,120 --> 00:09:40,000 Speaker 2: The scripture says God opened their eyes and suddenly they 188 00:09:40,040 --> 00:09:45,560 Speaker 2: recognize Jesus, my prayer is God open our eyes, help 189 00:09:45,640 --> 00:09:48,200 Speaker 2: us on the journey of life, to not miss the 190 00:09:48,320 --> 00:09:52,480 Speaker 2: miracles of the moment, to recognize your goodness, to be 191 00:09:52,559 --> 00:09:55,400 Speaker 2: aware that you're at work. I don't want us to 192 00:09:55,440 --> 00:09:56,600 Speaker 2: come to the end of life. 193 00:09:57,280 --> 00:09:57,720 Speaker 1: Man. 194 00:09:57,880 --> 00:10:02,360 Speaker 2: I didn't enjoy my twenties, so stress raising kids. I 195 00:10:02,400 --> 00:10:05,760 Speaker 2: didn't enjoy my thirties. Pressures at work were so bad. 196 00:10:06,040 --> 00:10:09,960 Speaker 2: They didn't enjoy my forties. Had financial difficulties. My fifties, 197 00:10:09,960 --> 00:10:12,960 Speaker 2: I had that health issues. My sixties we had inflation, 198 00:10:13,120 --> 00:10:17,400 Speaker 2: the pandemic, the Texans couldn't win. We look up and 199 00:10:17,480 --> 00:10:20,839 Speaker 2: our life is past, but we didn't enjoy it. There's 200 00:10:20,960 --> 00:10:25,600 Speaker 2: always something, some problem, some person, some delay. You could 201 00:10:25,640 --> 00:10:29,679 Speaker 2: be in a great moment right now, but like these disciples, 202 00:10:30,040 --> 00:10:33,280 Speaker 2: you're letting what went wrong, so focused on where you're 203 00:10:33,280 --> 00:10:36,480 Speaker 2: trying to go that you're missing all the good things. 204 00:10:37,280 --> 00:10:40,680 Speaker 2: They looked back and thought, man, Jesus was walking with us, 205 00:10:41,160 --> 00:10:44,200 Speaker 2: he was explaining the scriptures. We were right there in 206 00:10:44,280 --> 00:10:47,559 Speaker 2: his presence. We should have stopped, taken it all in 207 00:10:47,640 --> 00:10:48,480 Speaker 2: and enjoyed it. 208 00:10:49,080 --> 00:10:52,320 Speaker 1: Instead, they were just trying to get to amais trying 209 00:10:52,360 --> 00:10:55,560 Speaker 1: to get past the disappointment. I'm not saying that we 210 00:10:55,600 --> 00:10:56,760 Speaker 1: don't have difficulties. 211 00:10:56,960 --> 00:11:00,480 Speaker 2: There's pressure stress. What I'm saying is there is good 212 00:11:00,720 --> 00:11:05,080 Speaker 2: in every season. You have to find joy in the journey. 213 00:11:05,440 --> 00:11:09,040 Speaker 1: Sometimes, like these disciples, we don't see it till it's gone. 214 00:11:09,720 --> 00:11:12,640 Speaker 2: In the moment, we don't recognize it, but later we 215 00:11:12,679 --> 00:11:15,800 Speaker 2: look back and think that was a great time. We 216 00:11:15,840 --> 00:11:18,720 Speaker 2: talk about the good old days. Can I tell you 217 00:11:18,920 --> 00:11:22,200 Speaker 2: are living in the good old days. There are great 218 00:11:22,200 --> 00:11:27,240 Speaker 2: things happening right now, great memories, great people, great opportunities. 219 00:11:27,679 --> 00:11:29,240 Speaker 1: Don't do like them and miss it. 220 00:11:30,200 --> 00:11:33,640 Speaker 2: A few years before my father passed, three of my sisters, 221 00:11:33,920 --> 00:11:36,079 Speaker 2: along with their spouses, their husbands. 222 00:11:36,240 --> 00:11:38,520 Speaker 1: They worked on staff with us here at Lakewood. 223 00:11:38,960 --> 00:11:42,120 Speaker 2: That was four of the five children. My brother Paul 224 00:11:42,160 --> 00:11:45,000 Speaker 2: hadn't come to join us yet. And on Sunday nights 225 00:11:45,200 --> 00:11:48,040 Speaker 2: during church, I would look down the road and see 226 00:11:48,080 --> 00:11:51,320 Speaker 2: Lisa and her husband, and Tamar and her husband, April 227 00:11:51,320 --> 00:11:55,199 Speaker 2: and her husband, then Victoria and myself. I would tell 228 00:11:55,280 --> 00:11:58,320 Speaker 2: Victoria often, we are living in the good old days. 229 00:11:58,920 --> 00:12:00,199 Speaker 1: This is an amazing time. 230 00:12:00,559 --> 00:12:04,040 Speaker 2: Where we're all here together. Somehow I knew not to 231 00:12:04,080 --> 00:12:07,560 Speaker 2: take it for granted. It's just my family, no big deal. 232 00:12:08,080 --> 00:12:11,880 Speaker 2: I recognized that it was unusual. We made the most 233 00:12:11,920 --> 00:12:16,840 Speaker 2: of that time. Over the years, people moved on, started churches, 234 00:12:17,200 --> 00:12:21,240 Speaker 2: fulfilling their calling. The people in your life are not 235 00:12:21,360 --> 00:12:22,600 Speaker 2: always going to be there. 236 00:12:23,280 --> 00:12:24,600 Speaker 1: Don't take them for granted. 237 00:12:25,400 --> 00:12:29,720 Speaker 2: I like to accomplish dreams, achieve goals, go fast. I 238 00:12:29,800 --> 00:12:33,120 Speaker 2: have to remind myself what I'm telling you. Slow down 239 00:12:33,360 --> 00:12:35,120 Speaker 2: and enjoy the journey. 240 00:12:35,280 --> 00:12:36,000 Speaker 1: It's easy to. 241 00:12:36,000 --> 00:12:41,080 Speaker 2: Live busy, stressed, upset, but today is a gift from God. 242 00:12:41,760 --> 00:12:43,800 Speaker 1: Don't just endure it, enjoy it. 243 00:12:44,640 --> 00:12:47,120 Speaker 2: Twenty years from now, you're going to look back with 244 00:12:47,320 --> 00:12:51,000 Speaker 2: fond memories of today. You're gonna think those were the 245 00:12:51,040 --> 00:12:55,200 Speaker 2: good old days, raising my children, working for that company, 246 00:12:55,400 --> 00:12:58,840 Speaker 2: go into Lakewood. But I wonder if you're living in 247 00:12:58,880 --> 00:13:02,160 Speaker 2: the good old days and you don't recognize it. You're 248 00:13:02,240 --> 00:13:06,839 Speaker 2: up tight focused on what's wrong, trying to achieve those dreams, 249 00:13:07,240 --> 00:13:08,640 Speaker 2: you know, start finding. 250 00:13:08,320 --> 00:13:10,480 Speaker 1: Joy in the journey. 251 00:13:10,800 --> 00:13:13,880 Speaker 2: When our son Jonathan was seven years old, we were 252 00:13:13,920 --> 00:13:16,320 Speaker 2: about to leave for church and I was in the 253 00:13:16,360 --> 00:13:19,680 Speaker 2: garage putting things in the car, and I said, come on, Jonathan, 254 00:13:19,800 --> 00:13:23,040 Speaker 2: let's go. And he had one of those label makers 255 00:13:23,160 --> 00:13:25,600 Speaker 2: that we used to use. You hold it in your hand, 256 00:13:25,640 --> 00:13:28,320 Speaker 2: and you select the letter on the dial, you click 257 00:13:28,400 --> 00:13:31,520 Speaker 2: it you can make labels. He was so focused on 258 00:13:31,600 --> 00:13:34,079 Speaker 2: what he was doing. I said, Jonathan, were going to 259 00:13:34,120 --> 00:13:34,520 Speaker 2: be late. 260 00:13:34,679 --> 00:13:37,200 Speaker 1: We have to go. He said, okay, Dad, just give 261 00:13:37,200 --> 00:13:39,760 Speaker 1: me another second. I said, we don't have a second. 262 00:13:40,360 --> 00:13:43,200 Speaker 1: He kept working and working as fast as he could. 263 00:13:43,600 --> 00:13:45,480 Speaker 1: I was getting more and more uptight. 264 00:13:45,800 --> 00:13:48,720 Speaker 2: He finally finished, pulled the label out, ran over and 265 00:13:48,800 --> 00:13:52,240 Speaker 2: handed it to me. It read best dad in the world. 266 00:13:53,480 --> 00:13:55,640 Speaker 2: I thought, oh, we have a little more time. Let's 267 00:13:55,679 --> 00:14:00,240 Speaker 2: make a few more of these. Somehow I was in 268 00:14:00,320 --> 00:14:04,320 Speaker 2: a hurry anymore. Many times, it's the small things in 269 00:14:04,400 --> 00:14:07,560 Speaker 2: life that give it real meaning. Yes, it's great to 270 00:14:07,600 --> 00:14:11,360 Speaker 2: accomplish big gulls, get married, have a child, moving to 271 00:14:11,400 --> 00:14:12,040 Speaker 2: the new house. 272 00:14:12,520 --> 00:14:16,920 Speaker 1: Those are mountaintop moments. Some people live for them. That's 273 00:14:16,960 --> 00:14:19,200 Speaker 1: when they're going to be happy. But those are few 274 00:14:19,280 --> 00:14:20,240 Speaker 1: and far between. 275 00:14:21,280 --> 00:14:24,800 Speaker 2: Even the heroes of faith, Moses parted the Red Sea, 276 00:14:25,480 --> 00:14:29,320 Speaker 2: delivered the Israelites out of slavery. That was amazing, But 277 00:14:29,360 --> 00:14:32,000 Speaker 2: what was it a month of his life? What about 278 00:14:32,000 --> 00:14:35,000 Speaker 2: the other one hundred and twenty years. You have to 279 00:14:35,080 --> 00:14:38,760 Speaker 2: learn to enjoy the journey. While the Red Seas aren't parting. 280 00:14:39,240 --> 00:14:42,080 Speaker 2: While you're waiting for the next big things, you're. 281 00:14:41,920 --> 00:14:45,480 Speaker 1: Enjoying the small things. You're finding the good in your 282 00:14:45,520 --> 00:14:46,400 Speaker 1: everyday life. 283 00:14:47,080 --> 00:14:50,320 Speaker 2: Taking time to laugh with your children, taking a walk 284 00:14:50,360 --> 00:14:54,040 Speaker 2: with your spouse, seeing the sunrise in the morning, hearing 285 00:14:54,080 --> 00:14:57,960 Speaker 2: the birds scene, not too busy, not too stressed, to 286 00:14:58,120 --> 00:15:01,520 Speaker 2: enjoy the simple things in life. I learned a lot 287 00:15:01,520 --> 00:15:04,520 Speaker 2: of this from Victoria's side of the family. They loved 288 00:15:04,520 --> 00:15:08,320 Speaker 2: to laugh. They take time to enjoy each other. We 289 00:15:08,320 --> 00:15:11,520 Speaker 2: were having lunch one Sunday a while back after church 290 00:15:11,560 --> 00:15:12,000 Speaker 2: at our. 291 00:15:11,880 --> 00:15:14,040 Speaker 1: House, and Victoria's mother was there. 292 00:15:14,080 --> 00:15:17,320 Speaker 2: Georgian, Victoria's brother, and all their family, a whole bunch 293 00:15:17,320 --> 00:15:21,080 Speaker 2: of us. We sat down together. Thirty minutes later, I 294 00:15:21,160 --> 00:15:23,560 Speaker 2: was finished eating. I got up and went to the 295 00:15:23,600 --> 00:15:27,400 Speaker 2: back to watch the ball game. Three hours later, I 296 00:15:27,440 --> 00:15:30,160 Speaker 2: watched the whole game. I came back and they were 297 00:15:30,240 --> 00:15:33,920 Speaker 2: still sitting at the table in the same seats. I said, 298 00:15:33,920 --> 00:15:37,360 Speaker 2: are y'all eating dinner now? Victoria said, no, we're still 299 00:15:37,400 --> 00:15:40,240 Speaker 2: sitting here from lunch. I looked at her, kind of puzzle. 300 00:15:40,440 --> 00:15:44,000 Speaker 2: She said, Joel, we're just enjoying each other. Thought, man, 301 00:15:44,040 --> 00:15:46,120 Speaker 2: I can enjoy my brother Paul in a couple minutes. 302 00:15:46,160 --> 00:15:50,000 Speaker 2: But you know what they were doing. Finding joy in 303 00:15:50,080 --> 00:15:52,800 Speaker 2: the journey wasn't a mountaintop moment. 304 00:15:53,600 --> 00:15:55,320 Speaker 1: They weren't celebrating a birthday. 305 00:15:55,920 --> 00:16:00,080 Speaker 2: Sure they had challenges difficulties, but they took time to 306 00:16:00,080 --> 00:16:03,720 Speaker 2: to see the good, to enjoy what God had given them. 307 00:16:04,320 --> 00:16:07,360 Speaker 2: Sometimes we're waiting for these big miracles, but there are 308 00:16:07,480 --> 00:16:09,120 Speaker 2: miracles in the mundane. 309 00:16:09,920 --> 00:16:12,000 Speaker 1: The fact that you're alive is a miracle. 310 00:16:12,440 --> 00:16:14,840 Speaker 2: You have people in your life to love, that's a miracle. 311 00:16:15,080 --> 00:16:19,080 Speaker 2: You have your health, sound mind, opportunity. Let's not be 312 00:16:19,200 --> 00:16:23,360 Speaker 2: like those disciples and miss the moment because it looks common. 313 00:16:24,520 --> 00:16:26,119 Speaker 1: It's just my family, Joel. 314 00:16:26,360 --> 00:16:29,680 Speaker 2: We see it as just another ordinary day. But the 315 00:16:29,760 --> 00:16:33,720 Speaker 2: fact is there are no ordinary days. Each day is 316 00:16:33,760 --> 00:16:37,320 Speaker 2: a gift from God. He could have chosen anyone to 317 00:16:37,360 --> 00:16:39,800 Speaker 2: be alive at this time, but he chose you and me. 318 00:16:40,840 --> 00:16:43,080 Speaker 2: We can see all the wrong what we don't have, 319 00:16:43,440 --> 00:16:45,800 Speaker 2: live pressured stressed, or. 320 00:16:45,720 --> 00:16:47,000 Speaker 1: We can focus on the good. 321 00:16:47,640 --> 00:16:51,480 Speaker 2: We can appreciate even the simple things in life. Some 322 00:16:51,560 --> 00:16:55,040 Speaker 2: of my fondest memories growing up is when we were kids, 323 00:16:55,520 --> 00:16:58,240 Speaker 2: my parents used to take us to the airport to 324 00:16:58,360 --> 00:17:01,920 Speaker 2: ride the trains that went from Terminal A to Terminal B. 325 00:17:02,720 --> 00:17:05,119 Speaker 2: This was before they had all the security. We'd go 326 00:17:05,160 --> 00:17:07,399 Speaker 2: on and all ride for free. We thought we were 327 00:17:07,440 --> 00:17:11,359 Speaker 2: at Disneyland, just a simple thing. Yet I talk about 328 00:17:11,400 --> 00:17:15,560 Speaker 2: it today. They were finding joy in the journey. The 329 00:17:15,600 --> 00:17:19,159 Speaker 2: scripture says God was in their midst, but they didn't 330 00:17:19,200 --> 00:17:23,080 Speaker 2: recognize him. How many times has God been in our midst? 331 00:17:23,320 --> 00:17:24,240 Speaker 1: But we didn't know it. 332 00:17:24,800 --> 00:17:27,359 Speaker 2: We were waiting for the red seed apart, we were 333 00:17:27,400 --> 00:17:30,720 Speaker 2: waiting for Goliath to fall. We didn't know he'd be 334 00:17:30,800 --> 00:17:33,879 Speaker 2: walking on the road to Amaeus, that it would seem 335 00:17:34,000 --> 00:17:39,360 Speaker 2: ordinary common. Two thousand and seven, a major newspaper did 336 00:17:39,359 --> 00:17:44,119 Speaker 2: an experiment to see how people perceived the uncommon in 337 00:17:44,160 --> 00:17:48,520 Speaker 2: a common environment. Would they recognize talent out of context? 338 00:17:49,000 --> 00:17:52,040 Speaker 1: Would they appreciate music not in a concert hall? 339 00:17:52,800 --> 00:17:57,159 Speaker 2: They took this world renowned violinist, a former child prodigy, 340 00:17:57,560 --> 00:18:00,440 Speaker 2: one of the most amazing violin players in the world. 341 00:18:01,080 --> 00:18:03,959 Speaker 2: People had spent hundreds of dollars for a ticket to 342 00:18:04,000 --> 00:18:07,440 Speaker 2: hear him play in some of the most distinguished venues. 343 00:18:08,119 --> 00:18:12,320 Speaker 2: His violin was worth four million dollars, a seventeenth century 344 00:18:12,480 --> 00:18:16,399 Speaker 2: strat of various Early one Monday morning, he went to 345 00:18:16,480 --> 00:18:20,320 Speaker 2: the subway station during rush hour, had a ball cap 346 00:18:20,400 --> 00:18:24,280 Speaker 2: on jeans, tennis shoes, looked very ordinary, stood over by 347 00:18:24,320 --> 00:18:27,919 Speaker 2: the wall and begin to play. He performed six of 348 00:18:28,000 --> 00:18:32,240 Speaker 2: the most well known classical pieces in forty three minutes. 349 00:18:32,440 --> 00:18:36,879 Speaker 2: Eleven hundred people passed by. Only seven paused to listen. 350 00:18:37,720 --> 00:18:42,280 Speaker 2: Most just went about their day, busy, preoccupied. They heard 351 00:18:42,320 --> 00:18:45,760 Speaker 2: the music, but it seemed common people play out there 352 00:18:45,800 --> 00:18:46,440 Speaker 2: all the time. 353 00:18:47,440 --> 00:18:49,360 Speaker 1: The researchers came to different. 354 00:18:49,000 --> 00:18:54,720 Speaker 2: Conclusions, one being when something uncommon is in a commonplace, 355 00:18:55,119 --> 00:18:59,119 Speaker 2: we don't recognize it. Maybe the people were too busy 356 00:18:59,720 --> 00:19:00,800 Speaker 2: in a hurry. 357 00:19:00,760 --> 00:19:01,959 Speaker 1: Focused on other things. 358 00:19:02,640 --> 00:19:05,439 Speaker 2: But it begs the question, if we're in such a 359 00:19:05,520 --> 00:19:08,720 Speaker 2: hurry that we don't recognize one of the best pieces 360 00:19:08,760 --> 00:19:11,720 Speaker 2: of music ever written by one of the best players 361 00:19:11,760 --> 00:19:16,040 Speaker 2: in the world, on one of the finest instruments ever created. 362 00:19:16,119 --> 00:19:17,320 Speaker 1: What else are we missing? 363 00:19:18,000 --> 00:19:21,760 Speaker 2: What else are we rushing by not appreciating There are 364 00:19:21,800 --> 00:19:25,560 Speaker 2: things in your life that may seem common. It's an 365 00:19:25,720 --> 00:19:31,159 Speaker 2: ordinary environment, but there's nothing ordinary about your children, nothing 366 00:19:31,240 --> 00:19:34,760 Speaker 2: common about being able to breathe the gifts God's given you, 367 00:19:35,200 --> 00:19:39,080 Speaker 2: the doors He's opened. When Jesus showed up and walked 368 00:19:39,119 --> 00:19:43,080 Speaker 2: with the disciples, he seemed common, just another man joining us. 369 00:19:43,960 --> 00:19:47,240 Speaker 2: Wasn't till later, they said, we knew there was something 370 00:19:47,280 --> 00:19:48,560 Speaker 2: special about him. 371 00:19:49,000 --> 00:19:50,320 Speaker 1: Don't wait till later. 372 00:19:50,320 --> 00:19:53,600 Speaker 2: To recognize the uncommon in your life. 373 00:19:53,640 --> 00:19:55,400 Speaker 1: This is where the Israelites missed it. 374 00:19:55,680 --> 00:19:59,600 Speaker 2: God brought them out of slavery, defeated Foh and his army. 375 00:20:00,080 --> 00:20:02,840 Speaker 2: Now they were headed to the Promised Land. They were 376 00:20:02,880 --> 00:20:06,680 Speaker 2: out in the desert on this journey. There were no hotels, 377 00:20:07,160 --> 00:20:10,120 Speaker 2: no grocery stores, pharmacy, water towers. 378 00:20:10,720 --> 00:20:13,520 Speaker 1: Yet God provided for them day after day. 379 00:20:14,280 --> 00:20:17,520 Speaker 2: The scripture says, their clothes and shoes did not wear 380 00:20:17,520 --> 00:20:20,960 Speaker 2: out for forty years. You would think they'd be grateful, 381 00:20:21,520 --> 00:20:24,920 Speaker 2: they'd see the hand of God. All they saw was 382 00:20:24,960 --> 00:20:28,440 Speaker 2: what was wrong. We're not in the promised land. Where 383 00:20:28,480 --> 00:20:31,879 Speaker 2: are those hue clusters of grapes? Where are those houses 384 00:20:31,960 --> 00:20:33,000 Speaker 2: that we didn't build that. 385 00:20:32,960 --> 00:20:33,880 Speaker 1: Were promised us? 386 00:20:34,840 --> 00:20:37,480 Speaker 2: If you don't find the joy in the journey, you'll 387 00:20:37,480 --> 00:20:38,520 Speaker 2: find all the negative. 388 00:20:39,160 --> 00:20:40,280 Speaker 1: You start complaining. 389 00:20:41,000 --> 00:20:44,679 Speaker 2: They didn't recognize how God was sustaining them, how he 390 00:20:44,800 --> 00:20:48,959 Speaker 2: was giving them provision seemed common. We have this manna 391 00:20:49,040 --> 00:20:52,679 Speaker 2: every day, no big deal. God was in their presence, 392 00:20:53,080 --> 00:20:56,320 Speaker 2: but they didn't see him, and they complained so much 393 00:20:56,400 --> 00:20:59,320 Speaker 2: that God finally told them that they were never going 394 00:20:59,400 --> 00:21:02,760 Speaker 2: to make it in only their children would go into 395 00:21:02,760 --> 00:21:03,640 Speaker 2: the Promised Land. 396 00:21:04,720 --> 00:21:05,280 Speaker 1: Like with them. 397 00:21:05,840 --> 00:21:09,480 Speaker 2: Much of our life is spent waiting, waiting for the promise, 398 00:21:10,080 --> 00:21:12,600 Speaker 2: waiting for a health to improve, waiting to meet the 399 00:21:12,680 --> 00:21:16,920 Speaker 2: right person. We see the destination, we know what God 400 00:21:17,000 --> 00:21:20,119 Speaker 2: put in our heart. Now we're on the journey. The 401 00:21:20,240 --> 00:21:22,440 Speaker 2: key is what are you seeing. 402 00:21:22,160 --> 00:21:24,320 Speaker 1: On the journey? What's wrong? 403 00:21:24,840 --> 00:21:28,240 Speaker 2: How long it's taking, why did they leave me? If 404 00:21:28,280 --> 00:21:30,960 Speaker 2: you do like them and focus on all the negative, 405 00:21:31,240 --> 00:21:35,359 Speaker 2: doubt will come, you'll start complaining and miss God's best. 406 00:21:36,160 --> 00:21:39,080 Speaker 2: What you may not recognize is God is on that 407 00:21:39,200 --> 00:21:42,919 Speaker 2: journey with you all along the way. He's doing things, 408 00:21:43,119 --> 00:21:47,960 Speaker 2: sustaining you, protecting you, providing for you, ordering your steps. 409 00:21:48,560 --> 00:21:52,440 Speaker 2: Don't do like them and not recognize his goodness. Take 410 00:21:52,480 --> 00:21:55,280 Speaker 2: time every day to thank him for what he's doing. 411 00:21:55,640 --> 00:21:55,920 Speaker 1: Lord. 412 00:21:56,000 --> 00:21:58,760 Speaker 2: Thank you that you brought me this far. Thank you 413 00:21:58,840 --> 00:22:02,680 Speaker 2: that you're making mcrooked straight. Thank you for fighting my battles. 414 00:22:03,480 --> 00:22:06,879 Speaker 2: You can complain or you can praise, but you can't 415 00:22:06,920 --> 00:22:11,080 Speaker 2: do both. If you complain, you're going to remain. If 416 00:22:11,119 --> 00:22:15,679 Speaker 2: you praise, you're going to be raised. This wealthy father 417 00:22:16,320 --> 00:22:19,200 Speaker 2: wanted to show his seven year old son how the. 418 00:22:19,200 --> 00:22:21,440 Speaker 1: Poor people lived. They left their. 419 00:22:21,400 --> 00:22:24,640 Speaker 2: Big, fancy house and drove out in the country, spent 420 00:22:24,720 --> 00:22:27,879 Speaker 2: the night on a farm, just a little wood frame house, 421 00:22:28,080 --> 00:22:32,640 Speaker 2: no TV, no fancy furniture, not even carpet, just a farmhouse. 422 00:22:33,320 --> 00:22:36,000 Speaker 2: But at night this family would go out on the porch, 423 00:22:36,400 --> 00:22:40,320 Speaker 2: tell stories, laugh and sing. After a day and a 424 00:22:40,359 --> 00:22:43,920 Speaker 2: half on the farm, they headed back home. Father wanted 425 00:22:43,920 --> 00:22:46,639 Speaker 2: to see if his son had learned his lesson. He 426 00:22:46,720 --> 00:22:50,960 Speaker 2: asked him, very curiously how he enjoyed the trip. Son said, oh, Dad, 427 00:22:51,000 --> 00:22:53,920 Speaker 2: I really loved it. He said, well, did you see 428 00:22:54,040 --> 00:22:54,879 Speaker 2: how poor. 429 00:22:54,640 --> 00:22:57,920 Speaker 1: People can be? The son said, yes, Dad, I did. 430 00:22:58,480 --> 00:23:01,119 Speaker 2: He said, well, tell me exactly what you mean, what 431 00:23:01,240 --> 00:23:04,560 Speaker 2: you learned. The little boy said, Dad, I learned that 432 00:23:04,640 --> 00:23:06,480 Speaker 2: we have one dog at home. 433 00:23:06,440 --> 00:23:07,359 Speaker 1: And they have four. 434 00:23:08,320 --> 00:23:10,560 Speaker 2: We have a pool that reaches to the middle of 435 00:23:10,600 --> 00:23:12,000 Speaker 2: our backyard. 436 00:23:11,640 --> 00:23:13,480 Speaker 1: But they have a stream with no end. 437 00:23:14,200 --> 00:23:16,800 Speaker 2: We have fancy lanterns on the house, but they have 438 00:23:16,880 --> 00:23:20,560 Speaker 2: the stars. We watch TV at night by ourselves, but 439 00:23:20,640 --> 00:23:23,080 Speaker 2: they sit around and laugh and have fun together. 440 00:23:23,680 --> 00:23:25,760 Speaker 1: The dad was shaking his head. He couldn't believe it. 441 00:23:25,960 --> 00:23:28,560 Speaker 2: The sun finished up by saying, Dad, thank you for 442 00:23:28,680 --> 00:23:33,280 Speaker 2: showing me how poor we really are. Here's the point, 443 00:23:33,760 --> 00:23:37,320 Speaker 2: it's the simple things in life that bring the most joy. 444 00:23:38,280 --> 00:23:40,800 Speaker 2: You may not have a lot of resources, but if 445 00:23:40,840 --> 00:23:42,400 Speaker 2: you have family, you're wealthy. 446 00:23:42,840 --> 00:23:44,640 Speaker 1: If you have your health, you're wealthy. 447 00:23:44,960 --> 00:23:46,920 Speaker 2: If you can look up at the stars at night, 448 00:23:47,000 --> 00:23:47,680 Speaker 2: you're wealthy. 449 00:23:49,040 --> 00:23:50,680 Speaker 1: It's not whether you have. 450 00:23:50,720 --> 00:23:53,959 Speaker 2: A lot or a little, it's or you're finding joy 451 00:23:54,080 --> 00:23:58,480 Speaker 2: in the journey. Are you recognizing God's goodness, seeing the 452 00:23:58,520 --> 00:24:02,200 Speaker 2: blessings along the way, or you focus on what's wrong, 453 00:24:02,640 --> 00:24:05,800 Speaker 2: what you didn't get, what you don't have, waiting to 454 00:24:05,840 --> 00:24:08,320 Speaker 2: reach that destination, then you'll be happy. 455 00:24:09,000 --> 00:24:10,960 Speaker 1: You're missing the beauty of this day. 456 00:24:11,920 --> 00:24:15,080 Speaker 2: Make the decision you're going to enjoy where you are 457 00:24:15,680 --> 00:24:17,720 Speaker 2: while you're on the way to where you want to be. 458 00:24:18,800 --> 00:24:21,879 Speaker 2: Not there yet, but I'm happy where I am. Not 459 00:24:22,040 --> 00:24:26,000 Speaker 2: married yet, but I'm happy being single. Have some challenges, 460 00:24:26,400 --> 00:24:29,320 Speaker 2: but I'm enjoying life while God's working it all out. 461 00:24:30,119 --> 00:24:33,200 Speaker 2: Don't put your joy on hold, Paul sit in Romans. 462 00:24:33,480 --> 00:24:37,720 Speaker 2: Let us be full of joy now, not tomorrow, not 463 00:24:37,800 --> 00:24:40,840 Speaker 2: when you reach the goal, not when the problem turns around. 464 00:24:41,240 --> 00:24:44,679 Speaker 2: Now is the time to be full of joy. A 465 00:24:44,720 --> 00:24:48,119 Speaker 2: young lady I know is one of the kindness most 466 00:24:48,160 --> 00:24:51,399 Speaker 2: friendly people you'll ever meet. Anytime you're with her, she 467 00:24:51,440 --> 00:24:54,440 Speaker 2: always brightens your day. But a few years back she 468 00:24:54,560 --> 00:24:55,840 Speaker 2: was diagnosed with cancer. 469 00:24:56,280 --> 00:24:57,360 Speaker 1: It's very serious. 470 00:24:57,800 --> 00:25:00,879 Speaker 2: She began taking the treatment, going through all the tests, 471 00:25:00,960 --> 00:25:04,920 Speaker 2: and there were major ups and major downs. Every time 472 00:25:04,960 --> 00:25:08,159 Speaker 2: I would see her, she was the same visiting her 473 00:25:08,200 --> 00:25:10,879 Speaker 2: in the hospital Victoria, and I'd walk in, She'd have 474 00:25:10,960 --> 00:25:11,679 Speaker 2: that big. 475 00:25:11,440 --> 00:25:15,159 Speaker 1: Smile, that joyful laugh. We'd leave there encouraged. 476 00:25:15,800 --> 00:25:18,960 Speaker 2: There was an older woman that was a patient where 477 00:25:18,960 --> 00:25:22,920 Speaker 2: they both took treatment every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. 478 00:25:23,400 --> 00:25:25,240 Speaker 1: She asked the nurse to leave the. 479 00:25:25,240 --> 00:25:28,000 Speaker 2: Door open so she could see out into the hall. 480 00:25:28,680 --> 00:25:31,960 Speaker 2: The nurse asked why. She said, because that young pretty 481 00:25:32,040 --> 00:25:34,040 Speaker 2: girl is going to come by and wave at me. 482 00:25:34,640 --> 00:25:38,520 Speaker 1: Her smile is what keeps me going. Even in my 483 00:25:38,640 --> 00:25:40,480 Speaker 1: friend's most challenging. 484 00:25:40,040 --> 00:25:44,640 Speaker 2: Hour, she was still joyful being a blessing, recognizing each 485 00:25:44,760 --> 00:25:45,720 Speaker 2: day is a gift. 486 00:25:46,359 --> 00:25:48,520 Speaker 1: Sure she could have been bitter depressed. 487 00:25:49,080 --> 00:25:51,879 Speaker 2: When I get well, then I'll be happy, But she 488 00:25:51,960 --> 00:25:53,560 Speaker 2: found joy in the journey. 489 00:25:54,040 --> 00:25:56,600 Speaker 1: She saw the goodness of God in the midst of 490 00:25:56,640 --> 00:26:00,320 Speaker 1: the adversity. One hundred years from now, we're all going 491 00:26:00,359 --> 00:26:04,600 Speaker 1: to be gone. Don't live another day defeated, discouraged. Get 492 00:26:04,640 --> 00:26:08,280 Speaker 1: your joy back. I've heard it said, it's not. 493 00:26:08,359 --> 00:26:11,240 Speaker 2: That life is so short, it's that we wait so 494 00:26:11,359 --> 00:26:15,560 Speaker 2: long to begin. We're waiting for this challenge to be over, 495 00:26:16,000 --> 00:26:19,040 Speaker 2: waiting to raise the kids, waiting for the promotion, waiting 496 00:26:19,080 --> 00:26:19,840 Speaker 2: for retirement. 497 00:26:20,560 --> 00:26:22,840 Speaker 1: My prayer again, God opened her eyes. 498 00:26:23,320 --> 00:26:26,800 Speaker 2: Help us to see the uncommon in everyday life, to 499 00:26:26,920 --> 00:26:30,800 Speaker 2: appreciate the people you've given us, to value the simple things. 500 00:26:31,520 --> 00:26:34,880 Speaker 2: It's very powerful when we can look back and say, 501 00:26:34,880 --> 00:26:38,800 Speaker 2: I enjoyed my twenties, I enjoyed my thirties, I enjoyed 502 00:26:38,840 --> 00:26:41,120 Speaker 2: my forties. I didn't endure. 503 00:26:40,800 --> 00:26:42,960 Speaker 1: Life, I enjoyed it. 504 00:26:43,080 --> 00:26:45,800 Speaker 2: Let's not be like those disciples and have God in 505 00:26:45,840 --> 00:26:50,320 Speaker 2: our midst and not recognize it. Right now, he's sustaining you, 506 00:26:50,880 --> 00:26:54,560 Speaker 2: providing for you, giving your breath to breathe. Now do 507 00:26:54,640 --> 00:26:58,640 Speaker 2: your part, find joy in the journey. If you'll do this, 508 00:26:58,960 --> 00:27:03,720 Speaker 2: I believe, and you're going to live happier, have better relationships, 509 00:27:04,000 --> 00:27:08,199 Speaker 2: see more favor. Those negative situations will turn around and 510 00:27:08,240 --> 00:27:12,160 Speaker 2: you'll reach the fullness of your destiny in Jesus' name. 511 00:27:12,560 --> 00:27:16,680 Speaker 1: And if you receive it. Can you say amen, I'd 512 00:27:16,720 --> 00:27:17,360 Speaker 1: like to give you. 513 00:27:17,320 --> 00:27:20,320 Speaker 2: An opportunity to make Jesus the Lord of your life. 514 00:27:20,920 --> 00:27:25,080 Speaker 1: Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus, I 515 00:27:25,240 --> 00:27:30,480 Speaker 1: repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I make 516 00:27:30,560 --> 00:27:32,000 Speaker 1: you my Lord and savior. 517 00:27:33,560 --> 00:27:35,920 Speaker 2: If you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 518 00:27:35,920 --> 00:27:38,960 Speaker 2: born again. I encourage you to get into a good 519 00:27:39,080 --> 00:27:43,680 Speaker 2: Bible based church and keep God first place. When was 520 00:27:43,720 --> 00:27:46,080 Speaker 2: the last time you asked God to do something that 521 00:27:46,160 --> 00:27:50,800 Speaker 2: seemed impossible. If you only pray small, ordinary prayers, you 522 00:27:50,880 --> 00:27:54,000 Speaker 2: live a small, ordinary life. I have a new book 523 00:27:54,040 --> 00:27:54,960 Speaker 2: called Pray Bond. 524 00:27:55,440 --> 00:27:56,960 Speaker 1: I'll challenge you to stretch. 525 00:27:56,680 --> 00:27:59,280 Speaker 2: Your faith and believe of the big things God puts 526 00:27:59,280 --> 00:28:02,280 Speaker 2: in your heart. Victoria and I used to have seasoned 527 00:28:02,280 --> 00:28:05,840 Speaker 2: tickets to watch the Rockets play basketball here. We never 528 00:28:05,920 --> 00:28:09,320 Speaker 2: dreamed it could be ours When they moved out. Somehow 529 00:28:09,359 --> 00:28:10,359 Speaker 2: we had the faith. 530 00:28:10,119 --> 00:28:11,280 Speaker 1: To pray a bold prayer. 531 00:28:11,760 --> 00:28:14,560 Speaker 2: God made things happen that we could never make happen. 532 00:28:14,800 --> 00:28:15,840 Speaker 1: It's the same for you. 533 00:28:16,400 --> 00:28:18,800 Speaker 2: Who knows what God will do in your life. If 534 00:28:18,800 --> 00:28:21,960 Speaker 2: you'll dare to pray bold, ask Him for your dreams, 535 00:28:22,240 --> 00:28:25,200 Speaker 2: ask for your healing, as for your freedom. That's when 536 00:28:25,240 --> 00:28:27,680 Speaker 2: God will show up and do more than you could 537 00:28:27,680 --> 00:28:28,720 Speaker 2: ever imagine. 538 00:28:29,080 --> 00:28:31,399 Speaker 3: As our way of saying thank you for your gift 539 00:28:31,440 --> 00:28:34,080 Speaker 3: of any amount this month, we would like to send 540 00:28:34,080 --> 00:28:37,600 Speaker 3: you a copy of Jewel's brand new book, Pray Bold. 541 00:28:37,920 --> 00:28:42,280 Speaker 3: Dare to Ask and Believe Big. Joel shares that when 542 00:28:42,320 --> 00:28:46,360 Speaker 3: we pray, we can tap into God's creative, awesome power, 543 00:28:46,880 --> 00:28:50,640 Speaker 3: something bigger than we have ever imagined. God doesn't want 544 00:28:50,680 --> 00:28:54,080 Speaker 3: us to just pray in our comfort zones. No, God 545 00:28:54,200 --> 00:28:58,360 Speaker 3: loves when we pray big, believe big, expect him to 546 00:28:58,440 --> 00:29:02,600 Speaker 3: do the unexpected. There are inspiring stories from the Bible, 547 00:29:02,840 --> 00:29:06,400 Speaker 3: from history, and personal testimonies of people who dared to 548 00:29:06,480 --> 00:29:10,680 Speaker 3: believe God in extraordinary ways. You'll learn how to practically 549 00:29:10,760 --> 00:29:14,080 Speaker 3: expand your prayers and watch your life move from the 550 00:29:14,160 --> 00:29:19,280 Speaker 3: common to the extraordinary, from less than to overflowing. Be 551 00:29:19,400 --> 00:29:23,040 Speaker 3: sure to request your copy of Pray Bold today, visit 552 00:29:23,120 --> 00:29:26,080 Speaker 3: joelostein dot com or call us toll free. 553 00:29:26,560 --> 00:29:30,280 Speaker 2: God has put dreams in your heart, things He's whispered. 554 00:29:29,840 --> 00:29:31,760 Speaker 1: In the Nied that seem impossible. 555 00:29:32,120 --> 00:29:34,440 Speaker 2: But as you pray these bold prayers, you're going to 556 00:29:34,480 --> 00:29:37,200 Speaker 2: see the goodness of God in ways you've never seen 557 00:29:38,040 --> 00:29:39,920 Speaker 2: tour in our belief, and you're gonna have a great 558 00:29:40,080 --> 00:29:43,120 Speaker 2: twenty twenty five. We pray for you and your family 559 00:29:43,280 --> 00:29:46,360 Speaker 2: every day for God's very best. We want to thank 560 00:29:46,400 --> 00:29:49,400 Speaker 2: you for your prayer and your support. You're impacting people 561 00:29:49,480 --> 00:29:50,479 Speaker 2: all over the world. 562 00:29:50,800 --> 00:29:53,840 Speaker 3: Be sure to request your copy of Pray Bold today, 563 00:29:54,360 --> 00:29:58,560 Speaker 3: visit Joelostein dot com or call us toll free. Finally, 564 00:29:58,880 --> 00:30:02,360 Speaker 3: elevates your person time with God by requesting the My 565 00:30:02,560 --> 00:30:06,880 Speaker 3: Time with God collection. This beautiful collection contains the pre 566 00:30:07,040 --> 00:30:11,040 Speaker 3: Bold new release, plus the new Living Translation, one year 567 00:30:11,160 --> 00:30:14,840 Speaker 3: Chronological Study Bible, and a beautiful glass mug and throw 568 00:30:14,880 --> 00:30:18,880 Speaker 3: blanket based around the inspiring scripture from Psalm forty six 569 00:30:18,880 --> 00:30:22,040 Speaker 3: to ten. Be still and know that I am God. 570 00:30:22,600 --> 00:30:25,360 Speaker 3: You can learn more about this unique new gift collection 571 00:30:25,640 --> 00:30:28,920 Speaker 3: by calling eight eight eight five six seven Joel or 572 00:30:29,000 --> 00:30:31,760 Speaker 3: logging on to Joeloustein dot com today. 573 00:30:32,800 --> 00:30:36,240 Speaker 2: Remember, you can watch the services online every Sunday morning, 574 00:30:36,600 --> 00:30:41,120 Speaker 2: download our daily podcast missing on Sirius XM, watch on YouTube, 575 00:30:41,480 --> 00:30:44,680 Speaker 2: and now the new Joel Ostein Network streaming on television 576 00:30:44,720 --> 00:30:48,040 Speaker 2: twenty four hours a day. If you've never been to Lakewood, 577 00:30:48,240 --> 00:30:52,240 Speaker 2: we have a great opportunity. We called it Homecoming Weekend. 578 00:30:52,720 --> 00:30:55,600 Speaker 2: We'd love to meet you and your family. You can 579 00:30:55,800 --> 00:30:58,600 Speaker 2: see the building and attend one of the services. It's 580 00:30:58,640 --> 00:31:01,520 Speaker 2: a great time to be a part of the Lakewood family. 581 00:31:01,560 --> 00:31:04,160 Speaker 2: Looking forward to seeing your Homecoming Weekend.