1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:01,960 Speaker 1: He'll forget about the video game you gave him on 2 00:00:02,000 --> 00:00:02,560 Speaker 1: his birthday. 3 00:00:02,880 --> 00:00:04,320 Speaker 2: Wow, thanks Grandpa. 4 00:00:04,600 --> 00:00:06,960 Speaker 1: But he'll never forget how you invested in his future 5 00:00:07,040 --> 00:00:08,000 Speaker 1: with the uns stapp. 6 00:00:08,520 --> 00:00:10,160 Speaker 3: Wow, thanks Grandpa. 7 00:00:10,800 --> 00:00:13,320 Speaker 1: The units stap makes it easy for grandparents and family 8 00:00:13,360 --> 00:00:16,040 Speaker 1: friends to give funds to a child's investment account for 9 00:00:16,079 --> 00:00:18,479 Speaker 1: a limited time. Download the uns stap and use the 10 00:00:18,480 --> 00:00:20,560 Speaker 1: code I heeart fifty at sign up to receive a 11 00:00:20,600 --> 00:00:23,120 Speaker 1: fifty dollars bonus when you find your account. That's code 12 00:00:23,120 --> 00:00:26,079 Speaker 1: iHeart fifty when you sign up at unest dot co 13 00:00:26,480 --> 00:00:29,400 Speaker 1: for fifty dollars bonus. See terms and conditions at UNEs 14 00:00:29,520 --> 00:00:29,840 Speaker 1: dot Co. 15 00:00:30,680 --> 00:00:33,400 Speaker 4: No one likes to talk about money. Am I saving enough? 16 00:00:33,479 --> 00:00:35,560 Speaker 4: Can I buy a house? Am I paying too much 17 00:00:35,560 --> 00:00:38,279 Speaker 4: in taxes? Will I be able to retire? What if 18 00:00:38,320 --> 00:00:40,839 Speaker 4: you could unlock insights about your finances in less than 19 00:00:40,920 --> 00:00:43,400 Speaker 4: five minutes, with a clear picture of where you stand 20 00:00:43,400 --> 00:00:46,199 Speaker 4: today and where your money can work harder. Now you 21 00:00:46,320 --> 00:00:49,280 Speaker 4: can visit facet dot com to take the free quiz 22 00:00:49,320 --> 00:00:53,920 Speaker 4: and get your financial wellness score today. That's Facet dot com. 23 00:00:53,960 --> 00:00:56,040 Speaker 4: This ad is sponsored by Facet. Facet Wealth Incorporated is 24 00:00:56,040 --> 00:00:58,040 Speaker 4: an SEC registered investment advisor. This is not an offer 25 00:00:58,080 --> 00:00:59,920 Speaker 4: to buy yourself security snore? Is it investment legal or 26 00:01:00,080 --> 00:01:00,600 Speaker 4: types of bikes? 27 00:01:01,080 --> 00:01:03,800 Speaker 3: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 28 00:01:03,880 --> 00:01:06,560 Speaker 3: our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. 29 00:01:06,760 --> 00:01:09,080 Speaker 1: If you enjoy today's message, why don't you be a 30 00:01:09,120 --> 00:01:10,640 Speaker 1: blessing and share it with a friend. 31 00:01:11,000 --> 00:01:13,640 Speaker 3: We appreciate you and pray for God's very best in 32 00:01:13,760 --> 00:01:27,480 Speaker 3: your life. Well, God bless you. It's a joy to 33 00:01:27,600 --> 00:01:31,280 Speaker 3: come into your homes. We love you, appreciate being able 34 00:01:31,319 --> 00:01:33,720 Speaker 3: to spend the next half hour or so with you. 35 00:01:33,920 --> 00:01:35,680 Speaker 3: And if you're ever in our area, I hope you'll 36 00:01:35,680 --> 00:01:38,280 Speaker 3: stop by and see us. I promise you'll We'll make 37 00:01:38,319 --> 00:01:40,040 Speaker 3: you feel right at home. But we'd love to have 38 00:01:40,200 --> 00:01:42,320 Speaker 3: you be a part of one of our services. But 39 00:01:42,400 --> 00:01:45,039 Speaker 3: thanks for tuning in today. I like to get started 40 00:01:45,080 --> 00:01:47,200 Speaker 3: each week with something kind of funny, and I heard 41 00:01:47,200 --> 00:01:50,080 Speaker 3: about this minister that was driving down the road. He 42 00:01:50,240 --> 00:01:53,360 Speaker 3: looked down and accidentally veered off. He went through a 43 00:01:53,440 --> 00:01:56,840 Speaker 3: ditch and ended up crashing into a telephone pole. The 44 00:01:56,920 --> 00:01:59,560 Speaker 3: man behind him pulled over and ran up to him said, sir, 45 00:01:59,720 --> 00:02:03,000 Speaker 3: you'll okay. The minister said, yes, I'm fine. The Angel 46 00:02:03,160 --> 00:02:05,440 Speaker 3: of the Lord was with me. The man shook his 47 00:02:05,560 --> 00:02:07,400 Speaker 3: head and said, you better let him ride with me. 48 00:02:07,560 --> 00:02:12,320 Speaker 3: You're about to kill him. All right, Hold up your bibles. 49 00:02:12,600 --> 00:02:15,160 Speaker 3: Say it like you mean it. This is my Bible. 50 00:02:15,600 --> 00:02:18,040 Speaker 3: I am what it says. I am. I have what 51 00:02:18,200 --> 00:02:20,680 Speaker 3: it says I have. I can do what it says 52 00:02:20,800 --> 00:02:23,600 Speaker 3: I can do. Today I will be taught the word 53 00:02:23,680 --> 00:02:28,079 Speaker 3: of God. I boldly confess. My mind is alert, my 54 00:02:28,280 --> 00:02:32,679 Speaker 3: heart is receptive. I will never be the same. In Jesus' name, 55 00:02:33,120 --> 00:02:35,919 Speaker 3: God bless you. I want to talk to you today 56 00:02:36,240 --> 00:02:39,160 Speaker 3: about believing that God is in control of your life. 57 00:02:39,919 --> 00:02:43,800 Speaker 3: Too many people go around worried and upset. They're always 58 00:02:43,840 --> 00:02:46,919 Speaker 3: trying to figure everything out. How am I gonna get 59 00:02:46,960 --> 00:02:49,919 Speaker 3: out of this problem? How can I change my child? 60 00:02:50,440 --> 00:02:52,800 Speaker 3: When am I ever going to get married? Why won't 61 00:02:52,880 --> 00:02:56,680 Speaker 3: my dreams come to pass? Their mind is constantly going 62 00:02:56,800 --> 00:02:59,640 Speaker 3: ninety miles an hour. But that's not the way God 63 00:02:59,680 --> 00:03:03,520 Speaker 3: wont us to live. When we're really trusting him, when 64 00:03:03,560 --> 00:03:06,800 Speaker 3: we really believe that he's in control, we're at rest. 65 00:03:07,400 --> 00:03:10,400 Speaker 3: There's a peace deep down on the inside. We know 66 00:03:10,720 --> 00:03:14,040 Speaker 3: that everything is going to be all right. Many times, 67 00:03:14,320 --> 00:03:17,160 Speaker 3: the reason we lose our peace, the reason we worry 68 00:03:17,800 --> 00:03:21,760 Speaker 3: is because we don't see anything happening. Everything is looking 69 00:03:21,840 --> 00:03:24,799 Speaker 3: the same month after month, year after year. But we 70 00:03:24,919 --> 00:03:29,200 Speaker 3: have to understand God is working behind the scenes in 71 00:03:29,280 --> 00:03:33,359 Speaker 3: our lives. He's already pre arranged a bright future for 72 00:03:33,440 --> 00:03:36,160 Speaker 3: each one of us. And if the curtain were pulled 73 00:03:36,240 --> 00:03:39,240 Speaker 3: back to where you could see in this unseen realm, 74 00:03:39,800 --> 00:03:42,920 Speaker 3: you would see God fighting your battles for you, getting 75 00:03:42,960 --> 00:03:46,280 Speaker 3: everything arranged in your favor. You'd see how God was 76 00:03:46,280 --> 00:03:49,800 Speaker 3: going to open this door and bring this opportunity across 77 00:03:49,840 --> 00:03:53,800 Speaker 3: your path and solve this other problem. I'm convinced if 78 00:03:53,840 --> 00:03:57,800 Speaker 3: we could really see how God is orchestrating everything behind 79 00:03:57,840 --> 00:04:01,680 Speaker 3: the scenes, we wouldn't worry. We wouldn't live stressed out anymore. 80 00:04:02,400 --> 00:04:05,160 Speaker 3: And the fact is, we all have difficulties. We all 81 00:04:05,240 --> 00:04:07,920 Speaker 3: have things in life that can steal our joy still 82 00:04:07,960 --> 00:04:10,080 Speaker 3: our peace, for we have to learn to turn it 83 00:04:10,200 --> 00:04:13,760 Speaker 3: over to God and say, God, I'm trusting you. I 84 00:04:13,920 --> 00:04:16,800 Speaker 3: believe that you're in control. And even though I may 85 00:04:16,880 --> 00:04:20,440 Speaker 3: not see anything happening, I believe you're working in my life. 86 00:04:21,000 --> 00:04:24,040 Speaker 3: I believe even right now you're going before me making 87 00:04:24,120 --> 00:04:27,040 Speaker 3: my crooked places straight. I believe you're going to cause 88 00:04:27,120 --> 00:04:29,279 Speaker 3: me to be at the right place at the right time. 89 00:04:30,240 --> 00:04:33,239 Speaker 3: Some of you are living so uptight, trying to figure 90 00:04:33,279 --> 00:04:36,240 Speaker 3: everything out, trying to solve every problem. But this would 91 00:04:36,240 --> 00:04:38,920 Speaker 3: take so much pressure off of you. You would enjoy 92 00:04:39,040 --> 00:04:41,760 Speaker 3: your life so much more if you could just learn 93 00:04:41,880 --> 00:04:46,080 Speaker 3: to relinquish control and start believing that God really is 94 00:04:46,400 --> 00:04:50,280 Speaker 3: directing your steps. And the scripture says here in Philippians two, 95 00:04:50,360 --> 00:04:54,400 Speaker 3: verse thirteen, for it is God who is all the 96 00:04:54,560 --> 00:04:59,360 Speaker 3: while at work in you. Notice God doesn't work sometimes, 97 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:01,720 Speaker 3: and then go take a two or three year break 98 00:05:01,800 --> 00:05:04,520 Speaker 3: and come back and work a little more. God is 99 00:05:04,760 --> 00:05:08,960 Speaker 3: constantly at work in your life. That means even right 100 00:05:09,120 --> 00:05:11,920 Speaker 3: now you may not be able to see it, but 101 00:05:12,080 --> 00:05:15,920 Speaker 3: God is arranging things in your favor. He's getting the 102 00:05:16,080 --> 00:05:19,800 Speaker 3: right people lined up to come across your path. He's 103 00:05:19,880 --> 00:05:23,440 Speaker 3: even looking years down the road and getting everything perfectly 104 00:05:23,560 --> 00:05:27,719 Speaker 3: in order, lining up solutions to problems you haven't even had. 105 00:05:28,520 --> 00:05:31,520 Speaker 3: He's already got the right spouse lined up for you, 106 00:05:31,839 --> 00:05:35,599 Speaker 3: the right spouse for your children. He's got the right opportunities, 107 00:05:35,960 --> 00:05:39,440 Speaker 3: the right doors he's going to open. God is constantly 108 00:05:39,839 --> 00:05:43,640 Speaker 3: working behind the scenes in our lives. Well, you say, Joel, 109 00:05:43,880 --> 00:05:46,080 Speaker 3: I've been praying for my child for two years, but 110 00:05:46,279 --> 00:05:49,040 Speaker 3: I don't see anything happening. I've been believing for my 111 00:05:49,200 --> 00:05:52,080 Speaker 3: finances to change, but they're just the same. Or I've 112 00:05:52,080 --> 00:05:54,480 Speaker 3: been praying for the right person to come into my life, 113 00:05:54,680 --> 00:05:57,600 Speaker 3: but it's been four years. No, you don't know what 114 00:05:57,800 --> 00:06:01,640 Speaker 3: God is doing behind the scenes. Don't get discouraged just 115 00:06:01,720 --> 00:06:04,840 Speaker 3: because you don't see anything happening. That doesn't mean that 116 00:06:04,960 --> 00:06:08,880 Speaker 3: God is not working. In fact, many times God works 117 00:06:08,960 --> 00:06:12,120 Speaker 3: the most when we see it the least, and when 118 00:06:12,160 --> 00:06:14,440 Speaker 3: we're in one of those dry seasons, when we don't 119 00:06:14,480 --> 00:06:18,479 Speaker 3: see anything happening, that is simply a test of our faith. 120 00:06:18,960 --> 00:06:21,520 Speaker 3: We have to dig our heels in and show God 121 00:06:21,640 --> 00:06:24,520 Speaker 3: what we're made of. A lot of people get negative 122 00:06:24,560 --> 00:06:28,040 Speaker 3: and discouraged. Well, I never get any good breaks. I 123 00:06:28,120 --> 00:06:30,479 Speaker 3: knew nothing good. Whatever happened to me, Joel, I knew 124 00:06:30,480 --> 00:06:32,880 Speaker 3: I'd never get out of this problem. No, you've got 125 00:06:32,960 --> 00:06:35,520 Speaker 3: to zip that up. If you want to pass the test, 126 00:06:36,000 --> 00:06:38,360 Speaker 3: You've got to put a smile on your face and say, 127 00:06:38,400 --> 00:06:41,240 Speaker 3: you know what. I may not see anything happening, but 128 00:06:41,400 --> 00:06:44,840 Speaker 3: I know God is working in my life. My child 129 00:06:44,960 --> 00:06:48,120 Speaker 3: may not be doing right, but I know it's only 130 00:06:48,200 --> 00:06:50,560 Speaker 3: a matter of time. As for me and my house, 131 00:06:50,680 --> 00:06:54,200 Speaker 3: we will serve the Lord. My finances may look just 132 00:06:54,360 --> 00:06:56,920 Speaker 3: the same, but I'm not worried about it. I know 133 00:06:57,080 --> 00:07:00,680 Speaker 3: I am blessed. I cannot be cursed. Oh, in my 134 00:07:01,000 --> 00:07:04,440 Speaker 3: due season, at the exact right time, things are going 135 00:07:04,520 --> 00:07:06,760 Speaker 3: to change in my favor. And when we have this 136 00:07:06,920 --> 00:07:09,440 Speaker 3: attitude of faith, we're going to see God do great 137 00:07:09,480 --> 00:07:11,920 Speaker 3: things in our lives. Now, I found a lot of 138 00:07:12,000 --> 00:07:15,760 Speaker 3: times God is working, we just don't recognize it. We 139 00:07:15,920 --> 00:07:19,600 Speaker 3: need to be more aware of God's goodness. Really, there's 140 00:07:19,680 --> 00:07:22,960 Speaker 3: no such thing as a coincidence. When you get a 141 00:07:23,040 --> 00:07:26,400 Speaker 3: good break, when things change in your favor, when you 142 00:07:26,520 --> 00:07:29,000 Speaker 3: find yourself at the right place at the right time, 143 00:07:29,560 --> 00:07:34,120 Speaker 3: recognize that's God directing your steps. That's God at work 144 00:07:34,200 --> 00:07:37,400 Speaker 3: in your life. And if you'll be aware, it will 145 00:07:37,560 --> 00:07:40,600 Speaker 3: encourage you, it will build your faith. And every one 146 00:07:40,680 --> 00:07:43,400 Speaker 3: of us can look back in our lives and see 147 00:07:43,480 --> 00:07:46,440 Speaker 3: the critical moments that had to be the hand of God. 148 00:07:47,040 --> 00:07:49,600 Speaker 3: It's almost like we can connect the dots. We can 149 00:07:49,680 --> 00:07:52,360 Speaker 3: see how I met this person over here, and I 150 00:07:52,440 --> 00:07:55,080 Speaker 3: got this break and it caused me to get this job, 151 00:07:55,360 --> 00:07:57,520 Speaker 3: and that's where I met my spouse. If I had 152 00:07:57,600 --> 00:07:59,840 Speaker 3: not been at this exact place, I'd never gotten this 153 00:08:00,080 --> 00:08:00,680 Speaker 3: other promotion. 154 00:08:01,640 --> 00:08:02,200 Speaker 4: On and on. 155 00:08:02,800 --> 00:08:06,080 Speaker 3: That's not a lucky break. That's God's hand of favor 156 00:08:06,560 --> 00:08:10,560 Speaker 3: all the while. God is working behind the scenes. I 157 00:08:10,640 --> 00:08:13,600 Speaker 3: think about in my own life in my twenties, I 158 00:08:13,720 --> 00:08:16,520 Speaker 3: walked into a jewelry store here in Houston to buy 159 00:08:16,520 --> 00:08:19,520 Speaker 3: a battery for my watch. That's where I met Victoria. 160 00:08:20,240 --> 00:08:23,480 Speaker 3: Think about how many jewelry stores there are here in town. 161 00:08:23,960 --> 00:08:26,400 Speaker 3: I could have gone into a different one. She might 162 00:08:26,480 --> 00:08:28,640 Speaker 3: not have been there that day. What if the battery 163 00:08:28,680 --> 00:08:31,680 Speaker 3: to my watch had not died? That was God directing 164 00:08:31,760 --> 00:08:35,360 Speaker 3: my steps. I remember, as a young couple, Victoria and 165 00:08:35,400 --> 00:08:38,199 Speaker 3: I found this poem that we really liked. It was 166 00:08:38,280 --> 00:08:40,680 Speaker 3: a rundown house, but it was on a nice piece 167 00:08:40,720 --> 00:08:43,160 Speaker 3: of property, and we knew it was for us. And 168 00:08:43,240 --> 00:08:45,280 Speaker 3: in the natural, it didn't make a lot of sense. 169 00:08:45,920 --> 00:08:49,120 Speaker 3: We were leaving a very beautiful town home, but we 170 00:08:49,200 --> 00:08:51,240 Speaker 3: knew that's what God wanted us to do, so we 171 00:08:51,320 --> 00:08:54,079 Speaker 3: took that step of faith and we bought it. And 172 00:08:54,200 --> 00:08:56,719 Speaker 3: the day we closed on it, we were standing out 173 00:08:56,800 --> 00:08:59,880 Speaker 3: in the front yard and a realtor stopped by and 174 00:09:00,160 --> 00:09:03,520 Speaker 3: offered us much more than we had paid. We thought, 175 00:09:03,559 --> 00:09:06,360 Speaker 3: what's going on. We didn't understand it. Come to find 176 00:09:06,400 --> 00:09:09,320 Speaker 3: out they were in the process of changing the deed 177 00:09:09,400 --> 00:09:13,199 Speaker 3: restrictions in that neighborhood, and several years later we sold 178 00:09:13,240 --> 00:09:16,319 Speaker 3: that property for twice as much as we paid for it. 179 00:09:17,040 --> 00:09:19,520 Speaker 3: That was God causing us to be at the right 180 00:09:19,640 --> 00:09:22,959 Speaker 3: place at the right time. And when you really understand 181 00:09:23,559 --> 00:09:27,679 Speaker 3: that the creator of the universe, Almighty God is working 182 00:09:27,720 --> 00:09:31,000 Speaker 3: in your life, when you understand that even right now, 183 00:09:31,800 --> 00:09:36,640 Speaker 3: behind the scenes, you may not feel anything special. You 184 00:09:36,800 --> 00:09:38,920 Speaker 3: may just be doing the same thing you've done month 185 00:09:39,000 --> 00:09:41,880 Speaker 3: after month, year after year. But then all the sudden 186 00:09:42,440 --> 00:09:45,280 Speaker 3: you bump into one person that offers you a new position, 187 00:09:45,920 --> 00:09:48,480 Speaker 3: you get one idea that takes you to a new level, 188 00:09:49,120 --> 00:09:51,360 Speaker 3: or you're at the right place at the right time 189 00:09:51,840 --> 00:09:54,160 Speaker 3: and you meet the man or woman of your dreams. 190 00:09:54,720 --> 00:09:57,559 Speaker 3: God could have been working on that ten years, getting 191 00:09:57,640 --> 00:10:01,720 Speaker 3: everything lined up. Then suddenly it all comes together, Suddenly 192 00:10:01,960 --> 00:10:05,200 Speaker 3: your due season shows up here. Years and years before, 193 00:10:05,559 --> 00:10:08,319 Speaker 3: you could have thought, well, nothing's happening in my life. 194 00:10:08,760 --> 00:10:11,000 Speaker 3: I'll probably never get out of this problem, I'll probably 195 00:10:11,080 --> 00:10:14,360 Speaker 3: never get married. Yet the whole time God was at 196 00:10:14,440 --> 00:10:18,280 Speaker 3: work things were happening behind the scenes, and I'm asking 197 00:10:18,360 --> 00:10:21,720 Speaker 3: you today to not fall into that trap of dragging 198 00:10:21,800 --> 00:10:25,360 Speaker 3: through life with no joy, no enthusiasm, thinking nothing good 199 00:10:25,480 --> 00:10:28,280 Speaker 3: is happening. Now, you've got to shake that off and 200 00:10:28,400 --> 00:10:32,160 Speaker 3: start believing that right now, not two weeks from now, 201 00:10:32,320 --> 00:10:35,760 Speaker 3: but right now, God is working in your life. Right now. 202 00:10:36,000 --> 00:10:39,760 Speaker 3: God's arranging things in your favor. Right now. God's fighting 203 00:10:39,840 --> 00:10:42,680 Speaker 3: your battles for you. Right now, God is making your 204 00:10:42,760 --> 00:10:46,000 Speaker 3: crooked places straight. You may not see it come to 205 00:10:46,080 --> 00:10:50,040 Speaker 3: pass today, but here's the key. Every day you live 206 00:10:50,120 --> 00:10:54,079 Speaker 3: with faith and expectancy, that means you're one day closer 207 00:10:54,200 --> 00:10:56,720 Speaker 3: to seeing it come in to pass. If it doesn't 208 00:10:56,760 --> 00:11:00,199 Speaker 3: happen today, your attitude should be no big deal. I 209 00:11:00,360 --> 00:11:03,360 Speaker 3: know it may happen tomorrow, doesn't happen tomorrow, it may 210 00:11:03,440 --> 00:11:07,160 Speaker 3: happen the next day, But whenever it does or doesn't happen, 211 00:11:07,400 --> 00:11:10,680 Speaker 3: it's not gonna steal my joy. I'm not gonna live frustrated. 212 00:11:11,080 --> 00:11:13,760 Speaker 3: I know God is in control and at the exact 213 00:11:13,920 --> 00:11:17,320 Speaker 3: right time it's gonna come to pass. And in the meantime, 214 00:11:17,800 --> 00:11:21,000 Speaker 3: I'm gonna relax and just enjoy my life. See, you've 215 00:11:21,000 --> 00:11:24,520 Speaker 3: got to believe God is in control. Believe God is 216 00:11:24,600 --> 00:11:28,280 Speaker 3: working behind the scenes in your life. The scripture says 217 00:11:28,600 --> 00:11:33,319 Speaker 3: in First Thessalonians two thirteen, God is effectually at work 218 00:11:33,800 --> 00:11:38,559 Speaker 3: in those who believe. Notice his power is activated only 219 00:11:38,679 --> 00:11:42,200 Speaker 3: when we believe. God can work in your behalf, your 220 00:11:42,280 --> 00:11:46,200 Speaker 3: whole lifetime. And you never really get the full benefit 221 00:11:46,280 --> 00:11:49,520 Speaker 3: of it because you didn't believe. I'm sure you may 222 00:11:49,600 --> 00:11:52,640 Speaker 3: get a break here or there, But when you really believe, 223 00:11:53,360 --> 00:11:56,600 Speaker 3: when you really get up every day expecting good things, 224 00:11:56,960 --> 00:11:59,920 Speaker 3: You're gonna see more of God's favor. You're gonna see 225 00:12:00,200 --> 00:12:03,959 Speaker 3: what He's been doing behind the scenes. And even when 226 00:12:04,040 --> 00:12:07,839 Speaker 3: we have problems, even when things come against us, we 227 00:12:08,040 --> 00:12:11,920 Speaker 3: have to believe that God already has the answer. In 228 00:12:12,000 --> 00:12:16,319 Speaker 3: other words, that problem is no surprise to God. That 229 00:12:16,559 --> 00:12:20,360 Speaker 3: child that won't do right, that financial difficulty, being lonely, 230 00:12:21,000 --> 00:12:24,960 Speaker 3: that doesn't have God baffled. God already has the answer. 231 00:12:25,520 --> 00:12:29,520 Speaker 3: He knows the end from the beginning. God knows every 232 00:12:29,679 --> 00:12:32,280 Speaker 3: trial we're ever going to face in the future. He 233 00:12:32,440 --> 00:12:35,880 Speaker 3: knows every difficulty we're ever going to go through. And 234 00:12:36,000 --> 00:12:39,920 Speaker 3: the good news is God already has the solution. He 235 00:12:40,040 --> 00:12:43,559 Speaker 3: has already made a way of escape and that tells 236 00:12:43,640 --> 00:12:46,480 Speaker 3: me we don't have to live life worried. We don't 237 00:12:46,520 --> 00:12:49,599 Speaker 3: have to go around all stressed out. God has it 238 00:12:49,760 --> 00:12:53,959 Speaker 3: all under control. We're tempted to get negative and go 239 00:12:54,080 --> 00:12:57,240 Speaker 3: around complaining. We need to just turn it around. Our 240 00:12:57,240 --> 00:13:00,640 Speaker 3: attitude should be. I know God is working on this problem. 241 00:13:01,040 --> 00:13:04,280 Speaker 3: I know he's in the process of changing things, getting 242 00:13:04,320 --> 00:13:07,800 Speaker 3: the right people lined up, softening the right hearts. And 243 00:13:07,920 --> 00:13:10,319 Speaker 3: I believe God's not only going to bring me out, 244 00:13:10,520 --> 00:13:12,559 Speaker 3: but He's gonna bring me out better off than I 245 00:13:12,760 --> 00:13:16,120 Speaker 3: was before. When we have this kind of attitude, it 246 00:13:16,280 --> 00:13:19,440 Speaker 3: takes all the pressure off of us. We can relax 247 00:13:19,600 --> 00:13:22,439 Speaker 3: and enjoy our lives. We know God is in control. 248 00:13:23,000 --> 00:13:26,200 Speaker 3: We know as long as we believe God is all 249 00:13:26,400 --> 00:13:30,120 Speaker 3: the while working for our good. It's good to look 250 00:13:30,200 --> 00:13:32,839 Speaker 3: back over your life and see the things that had 251 00:13:32,920 --> 00:13:36,079 Speaker 3: to be God. I know a young lady that met 252 00:13:36,160 --> 00:13:39,000 Speaker 3: her husband on the side of the road. She had 253 00:13:39,040 --> 00:13:41,040 Speaker 3: a flat tire one day out here on the freeway 254 00:13:41,200 --> 00:13:44,559 Speaker 3: during rush hour, and he stopped to help change it, 255 00:13:44,960 --> 00:13:47,880 Speaker 3: and they got to talking. They ended up dating, and 256 00:13:48,000 --> 00:13:51,600 Speaker 3: today they're happily married. Think about the chances of all 257 00:13:51,679 --> 00:13:54,360 Speaker 3: that coming together that had to be the hand of God. 258 00:13:54,960 --> 00:13:57,760 Speaker 3: God was saying to that young lady, it's your due season. 259 00:13:58,240 --> 00:14:01,199 Speaker 3: You've been faithful, you passed the tes. Now let me 260 00:14:01,280 --> 00:14:03,920 Speaker 3: show you what I've been doing behind the scenes all 261 00:14:04,000 --> 00:14:07,280 Speaker 3: these years. Had that young man move from another city, 262 00:14:07,880 --> 00:14:10,400 Speaker 3: gave him the right job, had him coming down the 263 00:14:10,440 --> 00:14:14,199 Speaker 3: freeway at the exact right time. Only God can orchestrate that. 264 00:14:14,600 --> 00:14:18,199 Speaker 3: Let's learn to trust him. Let's take the pressure off 265 00:14:18,280 --> 00:14:22,000 Speaker 3: of ourselves and start believing that God is in control 266 00:14:22,160 --> 00:14:26,000 Speaker 3: of our lives. I remember when we were negotiating to 267 00:14:26,080 --> 00:14:30,040 Speaker 3: get this facility, the Compact Center. We needed ten votes 268 00:14:30,040 --> 00:14:32,480 Speaker 3: from the city council members, and we had worked for 269 00:14:32,560 --> 00:14:35,960 Speaker 3: two years and gone through several other votes, and when 270 00:14:36,000 --> 00:14:38,800 Speaker 3: it came down to the last and final vote, we 271 00:14:38,960 --> 00:14:42,960 Speaker 3: had exactly ten votes, just what we needed. But unfortunately, 272 00:14:43,160 --> 00:14:46,280 Speaker 3: just a few days before this vote, we got word 273 00:14:46,440 --> 00:14:49,040 Speaker 3: that one of the council members had changed his mind 274 00:14:49,360 --> 00:14:51,920 Speaker 3: and he wasn't going to show up. Well, that was 275 00:14:52,040 --> 00:14:54,160 Speaker 3: just as good as being a vote against us. We 276 00:14:54,320 --> 00:14:57,720 Speaker 3: needed his vote, and man, we were so discouraged. It 277 00:14:57,840 --> 00:14:59,760 Speaker 3: looked like it was all over. It looked like we 278 00:15:00,040 --> 00:15:02,960 Speaker 3: and all that work for nothing. But we decided to 279 00:15:03,040 --> 00:15:05,880 Speaker 3: go back and meet with another council member to just 280 00:15:05,960 --> 00:15:08,200 Speaker 3: see maybe if we could get him to change his mind. 281 00:15:08,680 --> 00:15:11,440 Speaker 3: He's a young Jewish man, a very fine gentleman, but 282 00:15:11,560 --> 00:15:14,120 Speaker 3: he had been against us the whole time, over two years. 283 00:15:14,520 --> 00:15:17,600 Speaker 3: We thought, what can it hurt to ask? Long story short, 284 00:15:17,680 --> 00:15:20,400 Speaker 3: at the last moment, he changed his mind, and it 285 00:15:20,560 --> 00:15:23,320 Speaker 3: was his vote that gave us this facility. And I 286 00:15:23,440 --> 00:15:25,400 Speaker 3: was talking to him later and I asked him, what 287 00:15:25,680 --> 00:15:28,680 Speaker 3: was it that really changed your mind? And he said, Joel, 288 00:15:28,880 --> 00:15:31,600 Speaker 3: I got a call out of the blue from an 289 00:15:31,680 --> 00:15:35,680 Speaker 3: old friend of mine. She's an elderly Jewish lady. Hadn't 290 00:15:35,720 --> 00:15:37,760 Speaker 3: talked to her in years and years, and I really 291 00:15:37,840 --> 00:15:41,800 Speaker 3: respect her. But she told me in no uncertain terms 292 00:15:42,240 --> 00:15:47,080 Speaker 3: that I was to vote for your church. And he said, 293 00:15:48,960 --> 00:15:52,960 Speaker 3: even though thousands of your members called, even though you 294 00:15:53,080 --> 00:15:56,280 Speaker 3: and your team were very persuasive, it was that lady 295 00:15:56,520 --> 00:15:59,800 Speaker 3: that changed my mind. And what I found interesting is 296 00:16:00,280 --> 00:16:03,400 Speaker 3: I've never seen that lady. I never asked her to call. 297 00:16:03,760 --> 00:16:06,120 Speaker 3: To this day, I don't know who she is. All 298 00:16:06,240 --> 00:16:10,040 Speaker 3: I know is that God all the while was working 299 00:16:10,160 --> 00:16:15,200 Speaker 3: behind the scenes, and what we couldn't do in our 300 00:16:15,280 --> 00:16:19,360 Speaker 3: own ability, what we couldn't do in our own strength. 301 00:16:19,880 --> 00:16:23,000 Speaker 3: God caused somebody else to do for us. What I'm 302 00:16:23,040 --> 00:16:26,320 Speaker 3: saying is, God knows who to influence in your life. 303 00:16:26,880 --> 00:16:29,120 Speaker 3: God knows who should put in a good word for you. 304 00:16:30,080 --> 00:16:32,760 Speaker 3: You may not ever even know why it happened, why 305 00:16:32,920 --> 00:16:35,640 Speaker 3: somebody was good to you, why you got that break. 306 00:16:36,240 --> 00:16:38,800 Speaker 3: But the truth is God had four or five things 307 00:16:38,840 --> 00:16:40,840 Speaker 3: he'd been working on for years, and all of a 308 00:16:40,880 --> 00:16:44,680 Speaker 3: sudden it came together. Why don't you believe today that 309 00:16:44,840 --> 00:16:47,320 Speaker 3: God is working behind the scenes in your own life. 310 00:16:47,600 --> 00:16:50,760 Speaker 3: Why don't you believe that He's in complete control. Our 311 00:16:50,920 --> 00:16:54,320 Speaker 3: faith is what activates his power. Don't you dare go 312 00:16:54,400 --> 00:16:56,960 Speaker 3: through the day thinking, man, Joel, my situation is probably 313 00:16:57,040 --> 00:16:59,160 Speaker 3: never going to change. I don't think I'll ever get 314 00:16:59,200 --> 00:17:01,600 Speaker 3: out of debt. I don't think y'all ever get married. Now, 315 00:17:01,640 --> 00:17:03,760 Speaker 3: when you do that, you are tying the hands of 316 00:17:03,800 --> 00:17:07,960 Speaker 3: Almighty God. When we're tempted to get negative and discouraged, 317 00:17:08,119 --> 00:17:10,040 Speaker 3: we got to learn to just turn it around and say, no, 318 00:17:10,480 --> 00:17:12,960 Speaker 3: I know God is working in my life. I know 319 00:17:13,160 --> 00:17:16,080 Speaker 3: my due season is on its way. I know suddenly 320 00:17:16,160 --> 00:17:18,919 Speaker 3: I will see all that God's been doing behind the scenes. 321 00:17:19,560 --> 00:17:23,440 Speaker 3: And then go out each day expecting good things, knowing 322 00:17:23,520 --> 00:17:26,800 Speaker 3: that the creator of the universe is directing your steps. 323 00:17:27,960 --> 00:17:30,560 Speaker 3: A while back, I talked to a gentleman that had 324 00:17:30,640 --> 00:17:34,679 Speaker 3: designed the freeway entry and exit ramps for this building 325 00:17:34,960 --> 00:17:38,040 Speaker 3: over thirty five years ago, and he told how he 326 00:17:38,160 --> 00:17:41,600 Speaker 3: made the exit ramp at the exact perfect distance so 327 00:17:41,720 --> 00:17:44,440 Speaker 3: people could pull into these parking lots with ease, same 328 00:17:44,520 --> 00:17:47,160 Speaker 3: thing with the entry ramp. He said he even worked 329 00:17:47,200 --> 00:17:50,240 Speaker 3: with the city to time all the lights around here 330 00:17:50,600 --> 00:17:53,600 Speaker 3: to make it the most beneficial for people coming to 331 00:17:53,720 --> 00:17:57,320 Speaker 3: this building. And I thought, that's just another sign of 332 00:17:57,440 --> 00:18:01,120 Speaker 3: God's goodness here. Over thirty five years years ago, God 333 00:18:01,359 --> 00:18:05,080 Speaker 3: was working behind the scenes, having people make this facility 334 00:18:05,200 --> 00:18:07,359 Speaker 3: be the best that it could be, just so you 335 00:18:07,440 --> 00:18:10,320 Speaker 3: and I could enjoy it today. And as we were talking, 336 00:18:11,480 --> 00:18:13,680 Speaker 3: I kind of laughed and I told him I would 337 00:18:13,720 --> 00:18:15,400 Speaker 3: have thanked you back then, but I was only three 338 00:18:15,480 --> 00:18:19,320 Speaker 3: years old. And yes, I know this has been used 339 00:18:19,359 --> 00:18:22,920 Speaker 3: for basketball and other things, but I believe those were 340 00:18:22,960 --> 00:18:25,800 Speaker 3: all secondary. I believe God had it planned out a 341 00:18:25,960 --> 00:18:29,040 Speaker 3: long time ago that you and I would be sitting 342 00:18:29,080 --> 00:18:33,560 Speaker 3: here today. And in the same way, I believe God 343 00:18:33,680 --> 00:18:37,359 Speaker 3: is working behind the scenes in your life doing things 344 00:18:37,560 --> 00:18:39,920 Speaker 3: that are gonna thrust you to a whole new level. 345 00:18:40,640 --> 00:18:43,119 Speaker 3: You may not see the culmination of it for years 346 00:18:43,160 --> 00:18:46,240 Speaker 3: and years, but you got to trust him. Quit worry in, 347 00:18:46,880 --> 00:18:50,480 Speaker 3: quit living frustrated because it's not happening as fast as 348 00:18:50,560 --> 00:18:53,639 Speaker 3: you would like. In God's perfect timing, it's all going 349 00:18:53,720 --> 00:18:57,399 Speaker 3: to come to pass, and even in small things. About 350 00:18:57,440 --> 00:19:00,639 Speaker 3: six months ago, I got some disappointing news about a 351 00:19:00,840 --> 00:19:03,800 Speaker 3: certain situation. It was gonna be a pain to deal with, 352 00:19:04,080 --> 00:19:05,760 Speaker 3: and I didn't know how it was gonna turn out. 353 00:19:06,440 --> 00:19:08,320 Speaker 3: And like a lot of us, at first, I was 354 00:19:08,440 --> 00:19:10,520 Speaker 3: tempted to worry and try to figure it all out. 355 00:19:11,119 --> 00:19:13,840 Speaker 3: And if we're not careful, our mind will show us 356 00:19:13,920 --> 00:19:17,360 Speaker 3: all the worst possible scenarios. If you have a problem, 357 00:19:17,800 --> 00:19:20,000 Speaker 3: your mind will show you with it your whole lifetime. 358 00:19:20,800 --> 00:19:23,440 Speaker 3: Business gets slow, that old negative voice will tell you 359 00:19:23,520 --> 00:19:25,600 Speaker 3: in you're gonna go under. You're not gonna be able 360 00:19:25,600 --> 00:19:28,000 Speaker 3: to pay your bills, you may lose your house. Got 361 00:19:28,080 --> 00:19:30,240 Speaker 3: a pain in your side, man, that's serious. You better 362 00:19:30,320 --> 00:19:31,000 Speaker 3: get to the doctor. 363 00:19:31,480 --> 00:19:31,600 Speaker 1: Now. 364 00:19:31,640 --> 00:19:34,440 Speaker 3: We gotta control our thought life. We gotta believe God 365 00:19:34,560 --> 00:19:37,720 Speaker 3: is still working. And earlier that day, I've gotten this 366 00:19:37,800 --> 00:19:40,720 Speaker 3: disappointing news and I was here at the office about 367 00:19:40,760 --> 00:19:44,000 Speaker 3: to get on the elevator, but just then off stepped 368 00:19:44,119 --> 00:19:47,040 Speaker 3: a lady that I've known since I was a little boy. 369 00:19:47,760 --> 00:19:49,879 Speaker 3: And one thing I know about this lady is she 370 00:19:49,960 --> 00:19:53,280 Speaker 3: has always loved me, and she has always prayed for me. 371 00:19:54,119 --> 00:19:57,160 Speaker 3: I probably haven't bumped into her in four or five years, 372 00:19:57,560 --> 00:19:59,760 Speaker 3: but we gave each other a hug, and I knew 373 00:19:59,800 --> 00:20:02,159 Speaker 3: what she was going to say. She said, Joel, you remember, 374 00:20:02,359 --> 00:20:06,040 Speaker 3: I still pray for you every single day. And I 375 00:20:06,160 --> 00:20:10,119 Speaker 3: thought that wasn't a coincidence. That was God having me 376 00:20:10,240 --> 00:20:13,200 Speaker 3: be at the right place just so he could encourage me. 377 00:20:13,720 --> 00:20:17,320 Speaker 3: That was God's way of saying, Joel, everything is under control, 378 00:20:17,440 --> 00:20:19,560 Speaker 3: Everything going to be all right. Just stay at peace, 379 00:20:19,800 --> 00:20:24,879 Speaker 3: stay at rest. Just these little things in our everyday lives. 380 00:20:25,160 --> 00:20:28,280 Speaker 3: If we will pay attention, we'll see that's God talking 381 00:20:28,320 --> 00:20:31,760 Speaker 3: to us, that's God directing our steps. In the house 382 00:20:31,920 --> 00:20:34,760 Speaker 3: my parents used to live in in the den, there 383 00:20:34,800 --> 00:20:37,520 Speaker 3: were these big windows that looked out to the courtyard 384 00:20:37,720 --> 00:20:40,800 Speaker 3: is actually a town home, and every day for months, 385 00:20:41,200 --> 00:20:44,520 Speaker 3: this beautiful little cardinal, a little red bird would come 386 00:20:44,600 --> 00:20:47,040 Speaker 3: by and sit on one of the branches right by 387 00:20:47,080 --> 00:20:50,320 Speaker 3: the window, and my mother so enjoyed having it there. 388 00:20:50,760 --> 00:20:52,760 Speaker 3: She got to the point where she looked forward to 389 00:20:52,880 --> 00:20:55,680 Speaker 3: it coming by each day. And this went on for 390 00:20:55,840 --> 00:20:59,480 Speaker 3: five or six months, light clockwork. The little bird showed 391 00:20:59,560 --> 00:21:03,480 Speaker 3: up and spent the afternoon in the courtyard. Eventually he 392 00:21:03,600 --> 00:21:06,159 Speaker 3: quit coming by. I tried to give my mother my 393 00:21:06,200 --> 00:21:09,919 Speaker 3: pet hamster, but she didn't want that. About a year 394 00:21:10,000 --> 00:21:12,440 Speaker 3: after this, my father went to be with the Lord. 395 00:21:12,960 --> 00:21:15,520 Speaker 3: And of course now my mother was at home by herself. 396 00:21:16,119 --> 00:21:19,280 Speaker 3: She had to make some adjustments. I'm sure at times 397 00:21:19,359 --> 00:21:22,280 Speaker 3: she was tempted to be lonely, tempted to get down 398 00:21:22,400 --> 00:21:25,639 Speaker 3: and discouraged. But you know what happened. The little bird 399 00:21:25,880 --> 00:21:29,560 Speaker 3: started coming back by once again. That was God saying 400 00:21:29,880 --> 00:21:35,440 Speaker 3: I still have a plan. I'm still in control. And 401 00:21:35,560 --> 00:21:39,640 Speaker 3: you know, throughout life, if we'll be sensitive, if we'll 402 00:21:39,680 --> 00:21:42,960 Speaker 3: be aware, we will see the hand of God, even 403 00:21:43,040 --> 00:21:46,560 Speaker 3: in little things. That's God letting us know he's still 404 00:21:46,600 --> 00:21:50,280 Speaker 3: working behind the scenes. A friend of mine has what 405 00:21:50,400 --> 00:21:53,760 Speaker 3: the doctors say is terminal cancer. They're not giving him 406 00:21:53,800 --> 00:21:56,480 Speaker 3: any hope. But the other day his little boy came 407 00:21:56,520 --> 00:22:00,200 Speaker 3: in with his bible. He's only four years old. Open 408 00:22:00,280 --> 00:22:01,720 Speaker 3: it up and he said, Daddy, I want you to 409 00:22:01,760 --> 00:22:05,080 Speaker 3: read this scripture right here. He can't read yet, he 410 00:22:05,080 --> 00:22:07,360 Speaker 3: didn't know what he was pointing to. The father read 411 00:22:07,400 --> 00:22:10,920 Speaker 3: the scripture. It was John eleven four. It says this 412 00:22:11,119 --> 00:22:13,680 Speaker 3: sickness shall not end in death, but it is for 413 00:22:13,840 --> 00:22:21,399 Speaker 3: the glory of God. That was God saying to my friend, 414 00:22:22,040 --> 00:22:24,920 Speaker 3: I know what you're going through. I've seen every tear 415 00:22:25,040 --> 00:22:28,119 Speaker 3: you've shed. It may not look possible to you, you 416 00:22:28,240 --> 00:22:30,679 Speaker 3: may not see any way out, but just remember I'm 417 00:22:30,760 --> 00:22:33,960 Speaker 3: the God of the impossible. I made your body. There's 418 00:22:34,040 --> 00:22:37,280 Speaker 3: nothing I can't do. Just keep believing, just keep trusting. 419 00:22:37,680 --> 00:22:41,080 Speaker 3: I'm still in control. The doctors only gave him three 420 00:22:41,160 --> 00:22:43,560 Speaker 3: months to live, but he's coming up on his one 421 00:22:43,640 --> 00:22:48,520 Speaker 3: year anniversary. And I saw him. I saw him about 422 00:22:48,520 --> 00:22:51,159 Speaker 3: a month ago, and he looks as healthy as can be. 423 00:22:51,680 --> 00:22:54,840 Speaker 3: And I reminded him. God always has the final say. 424 00:22:55,400 --> 00:22:57,320 Speaker 3: If God be for you, who dare be against you? 425 00:22:58,280 --> 00:23:02,440 Speaker 3: But these little signs are simply glimpses that God gives 426 00:23:02,520 --> 00:23:05,320 Speaker 3: us to build our faith. There are glimpses that He 427 00:23:05,440 --> 00:23:08,800 Speaker 3: gives us to let us know he's working behind the scenes. 428 00:23:09,320 --> 00:23:12,160 Speaker 3: Be sensitive. Most of the time. You don't just bump 429 00:23:12,200 --> 00:23:15,320 Speaker 3: into somebody You didn't just get a lucky break. You 430 00:23:15,400 --> 00:23:17,439 Speaker 3: don't just happen to be at the right place at 431 00:23:17,480 --> 00:23:21,639 Speaker 3: the right time. That's God directing your steps. I'll never 432 00:23:21,760 --> 00:23:25,439 Speaker 3: forget the last Saturday that we were meeting at our 433 00:23:25,520 --> 00:23:29,400 Speaker 3: old location, the Northeast location. I had been there practically 434 00:23:29,480 --> 00:23:32,159 Speaker 3: my whole life. I'd grown up there, and although I 435 00:23:32,280 --> 00:23:34,920 Speaker 3: was very excited about coming over here, in a way, 436 00:23:35,000 --> 00:23:38,040 Speaker 3: it was kind of sad leaving that place, all the memories, 437 00:23:38,080 --> 00:23:40,359 Speaker 3: all the great things that had happened. Now, as I 438 00:23:40,440 --> 00:23:43,920 Speaker 3: was driving to the final Saturday evening service, I was 439 00:23:44,000 --> 00:23:46,600 Speaker 3: just reflecting on all that God had done. Now, I 440 00:23:46,640 --> 00:23:48,760 Speaker 3: looked up in the sky and I saw the most 441 00:23:48,800 --> 00:23:52,880 Speaker 3: beautiful rainbow you could ever imagine. I mean, from the freeway, 442 00:23:52,960 --> 00:23:56,080 Speaker 3: it looked like one end of it was literally touching 443 00:23:56,400 --> 00:23:59,000 Speaker 3: the church on the northeast side. The other was reaching 444 00:23:59,040 --> 00:24:02,359 Speaker 3: out over here. Is almost as if God was putting 445 00:24:02,440 --> 00:24:05,600 Speaker 3: his stamp of approval on it, saying, I'm pleased your 446 00:24:05,640 --> 00:24:08,240 Speaker 3: work here is done. It's time to enter into your 447 00:24:08,320 --> 00:24:12,920 Speaker 3: new beginning. That's God all the while at work in 448 00:24:13,040 --> 00:24:16,159 Speaker 3: those who believe. Well, you said, Joe, I saw that rainbow. 449 00:24:16,240 --> 00:24:20,120 Speaker 3: Didn't mean nothing to me, No, This is for believers, 450 00:24:20,160 --> 00:24:24,639 Speaker 3: your hard headed thing. You gotta believe God's work in 451 00:24:24,720 --> 00:24:30,679 Speaker 3: your life. You gotta be on the lookout. It may 452 00:24:30,920 --> 00:24:33,800 Speaker 3: just be a scripture that jumps out at you one 453 00:24:33,840 --> 00:24:36,560 Speaker 3: day while you're reading, a friend that calls you a 454 00:24:36,640 --> 00:24:40,280 Speaker 3: bird in your courtyard, a rainbow in the sky. God 455 00:24:40,400 --> 00:24:43,960 Speaker 3: gives us these little glimpses to build our faith, to 456 00:24:44,080 --> 00:24:46,960 Speaker 3: let us know that He is still in control. He's 457 00:24:47,000 --> 00:24:51,120 Speaker 3: still working behind the scenes, and even in our dark times, 458 00:24:51,600 --> 00:24:54,919 Speaker 3: God is still working in our lives. These young parents 459 00:24:55,000 --> 00:24:58,399 Speaker 3: told me the other day about their daughter, She's in 460 00:24:58,560 --> 00:25:01,520 Speaker 3: heaven today. When she was three years old, she had 461 00:25:01,560 --> 00:25:05,640 Speaker 3: a very serious illness. She was bedridden and near death. 462 00:25:06,119 --> 00:25:08,960 Speaker 3: As you can imagine, these parents were so distraught, in 463 00:25:09,080 --> 00:25:11,600 Speaker 3: so much pain, they would never leave her side there 464 00:25:11,640 --> 00:25:14,200 Speaker 3: at the hospital, and toward the end, the little girl 465 00:25:14,359 --> 00:25:16,920 Speaker 3: was going in and out of a coma. They knew 466 00:25:16,960 --> 00:25:19,879 Speaker 3: they were about to lose her. But just before she died, 467 00:25:20,160 --> 00:25:23,720 Speaker 3: she smiled real big and with the most peaceful look 468 00:25:23,840 --> 00:25:27,520 Speaker 3: on her face. She said, look, mommy, look Daddy, Jesus 469 00:25:27,640 --> 00:25:31,679 Speaker 3: is saying it's okay to come. She closed her eyes 470 00:25:32,040 --> 00:25:36,000 Speaker 3: and breathed her final breath. But even in the difficult times, 471 00:25:36,440 --> 00:25:39,040 Speaker 3: even when we don't think that we'll ever smile again. 472 00:25:39,440 --> 00:25:42,760 Speaker 3: God is there, the friend that sticks closer than a brother. 473 00:25:43,240 --> 00:25:47,040 Speaker 3: He's got a new beginning. The scripture says, weeping may 474 00:25:47,240 --> 00:25:50,159 Speaker 3: endure for a night, but joy is coming in the morning. 475 00:25:53,080 --> 00:25:53,600 Speaker 3: Why don't you. 476 00:25:53,680 --> 00:25:59,119 Speaker 2: Dare today to trust him there, to believe that even 477 00:25:59,280 --> 00:26:03,000 Speaker 2: in your disciplate ointments, even in life's heartaches and pains, 478 00:26:03,480 --> 00:26:03,919 Speaker 2: God is. 479 00:26:03,960 --> 00:26:07,040 Speaker 3: Still right there with you. He said he would never 480 00:26:07,240 --> 00:26:10,400 Speaker 3: leave you nor forsake you. You may not be able 481 00:26:10,480 --> 00:26:14,480 Speaker 3: to see anything happening right now, but please know God 482 00:26:14,720 --> 00:26:18,320 Speaker 3: is still working in your life. He is directing your steps. 483 00:26:19,040 --> 00:26:21,960 Speaker 3: You don't have to figure everything out. You may not 484 00:26:22,160 --> 00:26:25,080 Speaker 3: know what your future holds, but as long as you 485 00:26:25,240 --> 00:26:28,600 Speaker 3: know who holds your future, You're gonna be okay. And 486 00:26:28,760 --> 00:26:31,560 Speaker 3: God has you in the palm of his hand. You 487 00:26:31,640 --> 00:26:34,800 Speaker 3: don't know how God's been working behind the seams in 488 00:26:34,920 --> 00:26:38,760 Speaker 3: your life over the years. Thirty five years ago, God 489 00:26:38,920 --> 00:26:40,679 Speaker 3: was making a way for us to be here today. 490 00:26:41,280 --> 00:26:44,120 Speaker 3: Twenty years ago he had me walk into that jewelry 491 00:26:44,160 --> 00:26:47,280 Speaker 3: store and meet Victoria. I don't know what He has 492 00:26:47,359 --> 00:26:50,280 Speaker 3: in store for my future, but I know this, I'm 493 00:26:50,359 --> 00:26:52,960 Speaker 3: excited about it because when I think about the God 494 00:26:53,000 --> 00:26:56,160 Speaker 3: who created it all, the God who flung the stars 495 00:26:56,200 --> 00:26:59,640 Speaker 3: into space, cares so much about you and so much 496 00:26:59,640 --> 00:27:03,080 Speaker 3: about me that he is constantly working for our good. 497 00:27:03,640 --> 00:27:06,560 Speaker 3: That puts a spring in my step. To know that 498 00:27:06,680 --> 00:27:09,879 Speaker 3: God is bigger than anything will ever face, to know 499 00:27:10,040 --> 00:27:13,200 Speaker 3: that He's already lining up answers for problems that we 500 00:27:13,320 --> 00:27:16,719 Speaker 3: may have ten twenty years from now. And everything may 501 00:27:16,800 --> 00:27:19,359 Speaker 3: not be perfect in our lives today, but we don't 502 00:27:19,440 --> 00:27:22,639 Speaker 3: have to live upset and stressed out. We can be 503 00:27:22,720 --> 00:27:25,760 Speaker 3: assured that God is in control and at the right time, 504 00:27:26,000 --> 00:27:28,800 Speaker 3: he's going to change things in our favor. And I 505 00:27:28,840 --> 00:27:31,080 Speaker 3: don't know what's going on in your life, but you 506 00:27:31,160 --> 00:27:33,639 Speaker 3: need to know God not only knows about it, but 507 00:27:33,760 --> 00:27:37,280 Speaker 3: he is working behind the scenes. He's arranging things in 508 00:27:37,400 --> 00:27:40,879 Speaker 3: your favor. Learn to trust him, quit worrying about it, 509 00:27:41,000 --> 00:27:44,560 Speaker 3: quit living frustrated. When you believe, you activate his power. 510 00:27:45,160 --> 00:27:48,920 Speaker 3: And always remember just because you don't see anything happening 511 00:27:49,240 --> 00:27:52,600 Speaker 3: doesn't mean God's not working. God is all the while 512 00:27:52,960 --> 00:27:55,280 Speaker 3: at work in your life. And if you could just 513 00:27:55,440 --> 00:27:58,480 Speaker 3: learn to relinquish control and say, all right, God, I'm 514 00:27:58,480 --> 00:28:00,480 Speaker 3: going to trust you. I know, Oh, You've got a 515 00:28:00,520 --> 00:28:02,920 Speaker 3: great plan for my life. I'm gonna quit trying to 516 00:28:02,920 --> 00:28:05,400 Speaker 3: figure it all out and I'm just gonna start believing 517 00:28:05,600 --> 00:28:08,600 Speaker 3: that you are in complete control. When you do that, 518 00:28:09,040 --> 00:28:11,600 Speaker 3: you'll feel a weight lift off of you and you 519 00:28:11,760 --> 00:28:14,240 Speaker 3: not only enjoy your life more, but you're gonna see 520 00:28:14,280 --> 00:28:17,040 Speaker 3: more of God's blessings in favor. And I believe you'll 521 00:28:17,040 --> 00:28:19,560 Speaker 3: live the life of victory God has in story. Amen, 522 00:28:19,880 --> 00:28:24,399 Speaker 3: do you receive it today? Or we never like suppose 523 00:28:24,480 --> 00:28:27,840 Speaker 3: our broadcast without giving you an opportunity to make Jesus 524 00:28:27,960 --> 00:28:30,240 Speaker 3: the lord of your life. Would you pray with me? 525 00:28:30,960 --> 00:28:36,080 Speaker 3: Just say, Lord, Jesus, I'll repent of my sins, Come 526 00:28:36,160 --> 00:28:39,520 Speaker 3: into my heart. I make you my Lord and Savior. 527 00:28:40,960 --> 00:28:43,160 Speaker 3: If you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 528 00:28:43,240 --> 00:28:46,320 Speaker 3: born again. Get in a good Bible based church, Keep 529 00:28:46,360 --> 00:28:49,200 Speaker 3: God first place. He's gonna take your places that you've 530 00:28:49,240 --> 00:28:49,880 Speaker 3: never dreamed of. 531 00:28:50,240 --> 00:28:53,640 Speaker 5: Thank you for listening to the Joel Oustine podcast. Help 532 00:28:53,760 --> 00:28:56,440 Speaker 5: us continue to share the message of hope with those 533 00:28:56,560 --> 00:29:00,840 Speaker 5: all over the world. Visit joelostin dot com give hope 534 00:29:01,040 --> 00:29:02,200 Speaker 5: to give a gift today. 535 00:29:03,520 --> 00:29:06,440 Speaker 3: Thanks so much for listening to today's message. I hope 536 00:29:06,440 --> 00:29:09,800 Speaker 3: you'll subscribe so you can receive the latest podcast to 537 00:29:09,920 --> 00:29:13,080 Speaker 3: keep you inspired all through the week. We're praying for you. 538 00:29:13,280 --> 00:29:15,680 Speaker 3: I know God's best is still ahead. We'll see you 539 00:29:15,800 --> 00:29:16,280 Speaker 3: next time. 540 00:29:28,000 --> 00:29:30,640 Speaker 6: With millions of books on Amazon, there's a reading feeling 541 00:29:30,760 --> 00:29:35,760 Speaker 6: for everyone. 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