1 00:00:00,480 --> 00:00:03,240 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 2 00:00:03,279 --> 00:00:05,960 Speaker 1: our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. 3 00:00:06,160 --> 00:00:08,520 Speaker 2: If you enjoyed today's message, why don't you be a 4 00:00:08,520 --> 00:00:10,080 Speaker 2: blessing and share it with a friend. 5 00:00:10,400 --> 00:00:13,119 Speaker 1: We appreciate you and pray for God's very best in 6 00:00:13,160 --> 00:00:14,520 Speaker 1: your life. The older that. 7 00:00:14,480 --> 00:00:17,080 Speaker 2: I get, the more I live on this earth, the 8 00:00:17,079 --> 00:00:22,480 Speaker 2: more I understand how important relationships are and how important 9 00:00:22,480 --> 00:00:25,919 Speaker 2: it is to be in community with one another. You know, 10 00:00:25,960 --> 00:00:27,880 Speaker 2: I can look back over my life and I can 11 00:00:27,960 --> 00:00:32,080 Speaker 2: see how God placed me in an amazing family. Do 12 00:00:32,120 --> 00:00:34,560 Speaker 2: you know, Sometimes when we're in the moment, we don't 13 00:00:34,640 --> 00:00:37,959 Speaker 2: understand how great the moment really is. But I look 14 00:00:38,040 --> 00:00:41,199 Speaker 2: back now and I see how God put people, friends, 15 00:00:41,600 --> 00:00:45,240 Speaker 2: family in my life that not only help me accountable, 16 00:00:45,800 --> 00:00:50,320 Speaker 2: that not only sharpened me, but prayed with me, supported me, 17 00:00:50,880 --> 00:00:54,200 Speaker 2: linked arms with me so that I could weather the 18 00:00:54,320 --> 00:00:58,200 Speaker 2: storms of life. And I believe that is what God 19 00:00:58,400 --> 00:01:02,280 Speaker 2: has intended for all of us, to live a life 20 00:01:02,880 --> 00:01:06,800 Speaker 2: that is together. You see, God intended us to have 21 00:01:06,920 --> 00:01:12,279 Speaker 2: families and make community. When he created Adam, he stood 22 00:01:12,360 --> 00:01:17,160 Speaker 2: back and he said it's not good that Adam is alone. 23 00:01:17,240 --> 00:01:21,559 Speaker 2: And he created Eve. What he was doing was putting 24 00:01:21,600 --> 00:01:26,400 Speaker 2: in the heart of every one of us community, family love. 25 00:01:27,160 --> 00:01:29,120 Speaker 2: He said, Adam Eve, I want you to go. I 26 00:01:29,160 --> 00:01:33,240 Speaker 2: want you to multiply, increase the earth. He was saying, 27 00:01:33,240 --> 00:01:35,679 Speaker 2: I want you to grow your family strong, bring the 28 00:01:35,720 --> 00:01:38,720 Speaker 2: other people that are in community with you. See, that's 29 00:01:38,760 --> 00:01:42,360 Speaker 2: what God intended for every single one of us to do. 30 00:01:43,520 --> 00:01:46,360 Speaker 2: I can truly say today that I am what I 31 00:01:46,400 --> 00:01:50,240 Speaker 2: am not because of all my great decisions, not because 32 00:01:50,240 --> 00:01:53,000 Speaker 2: I was so smart. Because I had people in my 33 00:01:53,160 --> 00:01:57,720 Speaker 2: life who helped me, who motivated me, who challenged me. 34 00:01:58,760 --> 00:02:02,120 Speaker 2: Even when I didn't want to hear, I listened. It 35 00:02:02,160 --> 00:02:05,000 Speaker 2: made a difference in my life, and I believe you 36 00:02:05,040 --> 00:02:08,280 Speaker 2: could probably say the same thing. I've had good people 37 00:02:08,320 --> 00:02:11,600 Speaker 2: in my life. You see, we need to be those 38 00:02:11,639 --> 00:02:16,400 Speaker 2: good people. We were never intended to live this life 39 00:02:16,440 --> 00:02:20,880 Speaker 2: isolated as an island unto ourselves. God intended us to 40 00:02:20,919 --> 00:02:25,040 Speaker 2: be in community with one another, to motivate, to strengthen 41 00:02:25,520 --> 00:02:28,799 Speaker 2: and support one another. You see, that's the healthy way 42 00:02:28,840 --> 00:02:32,880 Speaker 2: to live. Ecclesiastes says it like this, two people are 43 00:02:32,919 --> 00:02:36,840 Speaker 2: better off than one for they can each help one 44 00:02:36,880 --> 00:02:41,480 Speaker 2: another succeed. If one person falls, the other one can 45 00:02:41,520 --> 00:02:44,160 Speaker 2: reach out and help them up. You see, we need 46 00:02:44,200 --> 00:02:46,639 Speaker 2: each other. If you're going to live a successful life, 47 00:02:46,960 --> 00:02:49,480 Speaker 2: you've got to understand the people in your life that 48 00:02:49,520 --> 00:02:54,360 Speaker 2: are like minded are important and they are worth developing 49 00:02:54,440 --> 00:03:01,360 Speaker 2: a strong relationship with a strong community. With relationships are 50 00:03:01,400 --> 00:03:05,120 Speaker 2: two way streets. It's as much about what you give 51 00:03:06,080 --> 00:03:10,919 Speaker 2: than what you receive. The Bible tells us to encourage 52 00:03:11,080 --> 00:03:16,360 Speaker 2: one another daily. It doesn't say wait around to be encouraged. 53 00:03:17,040 --> 00:03:20,400 Speaker 2: It says we are to have an exchange of encouragement 54 00:03:20,760 --> 00:03:24,400 Speaker 2: on a daily basis. Do you know when you need encouragement, 55 00:03:24,440 --> 00:03:26,880 Speaker 2: the greatest thing that you can do is to speak 56 00:03:27,000 --> 00:03:31,520 Speaker 2: encouragement because when you speak encouragement to them, you literally 57 00:03:31,560 --> 00:03:35,440 Speaker 2: breathe God's life into them, and as a result, you 58 00:03:35,600 --> 00:03:39,800 Speaker 2: breathe God's life into your own soul. You see, God 59 00:03:39,840 --> 00:03:44,840 Speaker 2: says this should be an exchange of encouragement. We can't 60 00:03:45,360 --> 00:03:50,000 Speaker 2: live as islands to ourselfs. You know, sometimes it feels 61 00:03:50,000 --> 00:03:52,280 Speaker 2: like it would be easier to do it alone, doesn't it, 62 00:03:52,880 --> 00:03:56,360 Speaker 2: Because sometimes the people in our life are annoying and 63 00:03:56,400 --> 00:04:01,600 Speaker 2: they're aggravating and their travelsome But you know what God 64 00:04:01,680 --> 00:04:06,040 Speaker 2: is saying, It's okay if you're with the right group 65 00:04:06,080 --> 00:04:08,680 Speaker 2: of people, the people I've put you with. You have 66 00:04:08,800 --> 00:04:11,880 Speaker 2: potential in that group of people. If there are people 67 00:04:11,880 --> 00:04:14,240 Speaker 2: in your family that you don't think that they can 68 00:04:14,240 --> 00:04:16,839 Speaker 2: get it right, that's okay because you're there for them, 69 00:04:17,480 --> 00:04:20,200 Speaker 2: and I can tell you someone else is there for you. 70 00:04:25,680 --> 00:04:29,080 Speaker 2: It's interesting because I believe that we're our happiest and 71 00:04:29,120 --> 00:04:33,920 Speaker 2: our healthiest when we are helpful to other people. In fact, 72 00:04:33,920 --> 00:04:37,560 Speaker 2: there was a study on happiness and it was interesting 73 00:04:37,640 --> 00:04:40,640 Speaker 2: because it talked about what actions that we can do 74 00:04:40,720 --> 00:04:44,120 Speaker 2: that create this emotion of happiness within us. And you 75 00:04:44,160 --> 00:04:46,400 Speaker 2: would think it was when we go on vacation that 76 00:04:46,440 --> 00:04:49,400 Speaker 2: we're our happiest, When we get a present, we're our happiest, 77 00:04:49,720 --> 00:04:53,600 Speaker 2: But it was saying that the emotion of happiness is 78 00:04:53,760 --> 00:04:57,960 Speaker 2: really a sense of when you are helpful and your 79 00:04:58,080 --> 00:05:02,800 Speaker 2: purpose is tied someone else and helping them, that gives 80 00:05:02,800 --> 00:05:07,080 Speaker 2: you the greatest heightened sense of happiness. In fact, it 81 00:05:07,160 --> 00:05:12,800 Speaker 2: was interesting. They called it the helpful high. That's what 82 00:05:12,839 --> 00:05:16,600 Speaker 2: they labeled it. It's the helpful high. See, I can't 83 00:05:17,200 --> 00:05:22,760 Speaker 2: imagine getting high on anything but being helpful. Knowing that 84 00:05:22,839 --> 00:05:26,280 Speaker 2: it's such a euphoric feeling, it doesn't even have a hangover. 85 00:05:28,560 --> 00:05:31,040 Speaker 2: You can be helpful and get high at the same time. 86 00:05:33,240 --> 00:05:36,200 Speaker 2: I believe that's why this church works. I believe that's 87 00:05:36,200 --> 00:05:43,360 Speaker 2: what makes this church what it is, because this church 88 00:05:44,000 --> 00:05:46,640 Speaker 2: is a place that you can come and be loved 89 00:05:47,040 --> 00:05:50,240 Speaker 2: and encouraged and prayed for. This church is a place 90 00:05:50,279 --> 00:05:52,839 Speaker 2: that people will link arms with you. And I love 91 00:05:52,880 --> 00:05:55,159 Speaker 2: this church because you don't have to be perfect to 92 00:05:55,240 --> 00:05:59,080 Speaker 2: be loved. You don't have to be perfect. No one's 93 00:05:59,160 --> 00:06:03,520 Speaker 2: judging you. They're just loving you and being helpful. 94 00:06:04,560 --> 00:06:04,760 Speaker 1: You know. 95 00:06:04,839 --> 00:06:09,000 Speaker 2: It's interesting because we all have people around us. You know, 96 00:06:09,080 --> 00:06:12,159 Speaker 2: sometimes we think, well, God, I can't help everyone. But 97 00:06:12,200 --> 00:06:14,320 Speaker 2: can I tell you that if you'll look very closely, 98 00:06:14,760 --> 00:06:18,360 Speaker 2: God will have many people around you that you can 99 00:06:18,360 --> 00:06:21,360 Speaker 2: invest into that can be a part of your life. 100 00:06:21,480 --> 00:06:24,479 Speaker 2: I was talking about how, you know, one way to 101 00:06:24,560 --> 00:06:28,279 Speaker 2: be a helpful person is to be a person that 102 00:06:28,400 --> 00:06:31,520 Speaker 2: has the best interest of someone else. And what I 103 00:06:31,560 --> 00:06:33,599 Speaker 2: mean by that is the Bible says we're to be 104 00:06:33,720 --> 00:06:36,839 Speaker 2: sharpeners to one another. And think about that word just 105 00:06:36,880 --> 00:06:39,120 Speaker 2: a minute. If you've ever cut your hand on a knife, 106 00:06:39,160 --> 00:06:44,960 Speaker 2: you'll understand. Sometimes sharp things hurt, they don't always feel 107 00:06:45,120 --> 00:06:49,760 Speaker 2: so good. But God is saying, I want the people 108 00:06:49,839 --> 00:06:52,960 Speaker 2: in your life to sharpen you as you sharpen them. 109 00:06:53,520 --> 00:06:58,240 Speaker 2: But that only comes from a trusted community, a place 110 00:06:58,279 --> 00:07:02,000 Speaker 2: where you know there's a sincere love. I can tell 111 00:07:02,040 --> 00:07:05,680 Speaker 2: you that my greatest growth has come when I've been 112 00:07:05,800 --> 00:07:08,240 Speaker 2: challenged by the people that love me the most, when 113 00:07:08,240 --> 00:07:10,840 Speaker 2: I've been held accountable by the people who loved me 114 00:07:10,880 --> 00:07:13,920 Speaker 2: the most. Because they not only hold me accountable, they 115 00:07:14,000 --> 00:07:17,320 Speaker 2: not only sharpen me, but they're also there to link 116 00:07:17,480 --> 00:07:21,040 Speaker 2: arms with me and support me. You see, that is 117 00:07:21,040 --> 00:07:24,320 Speaker 2: where we're going to find help and growth. What am 118 00:07:24,360 --> 00:07:30,040 Speaker 2: I saying today, I'm saying we're better together. We were 119 00:07:30,160 --> 00:07:35,840 Speaker 2: meant to be together. I found this wonderful story about 120 00:07:36,160 --> 00:07:40,800 Speaker 2: the redwood trees in northern California, and these trees grow 121 00:07:40,840 --> 00:07:44,080 Speaker 2: three hundred and fifty feet up in the air. They 122 00:07:44,200 --> 00:07:48,760 Speaker 2: grow very close together. The interesting part is their roots 123 00:07:49,000 --> 00:07:52,840 Speaker 2: are very shallow. They're only about five and a half 124 00:07:52,880 --> 00:07:57,320 Speaker 2: feet underground. You would think something so incredibly tall would 125 00:07:57,400 --> 00:08:00,160 Speaker 2: have to go very, very deep in the ground to 126 00:08:00,160 --> 00:08:03,840 Speaker 2: hold itself up. But the extraordinary fact about this tree 127 00:08:04,320 --> 00:08:08,200 Speaker 2: is that the roots don't go deep, but they spread wide. 128 00:08:08,240 --> 00:08:11,280 Speaker 2: Those roots find the other trees' roots, and they begin 129 00:08:11,400 --> 00:08:15,240 Speaker 2: to intermingle their roots together, and they say that they 130 00:08:15,280 --> 00:08:19,840 Speaker 2: find nutrition with one another, and that literally, the way 131 00:08:19,920 --> 00:08:23,680 Speaker 2: their roots are so intermingled they hold each other up. 132 00:08:24,560 --> 00:08:27,520 Speaker 2: That a tree in the middle of those trees can 133 00:08:27,560 --> 00:08:30,120 Speaker 2: die from old age and it can stay there one 134 00:08:30,200 --> 00:08:34,679 Speaker 2: hundred years because it's so intermingled with the other trees. 135 00:08:35,840 --> 00:08:39,480 Speaker 2: You see. It finds its strength in all climates from 136 00:08:39,559 --> 00:08:43,800 Speaker 2: being woven together with the other trees. So whether the 137 00:08:43,840 --> 00:08:47,400 Speaker 2: winds are blowing, the rains are coming down, or whether 138 00:08:47,440 --> 00:08:51,360 Speaker 2: there's a drought, there is always stability in the forest 139 00:08:51,440 --> 00:08:55,120 Speaker 2: of the redwood trees. And if we could be as 140 00:08:55,280 --> 00:09:00,280 Speaker 2: united together in our lives as those redwood trees are, 141 00:09:00,800 --> 00:09:04,360 Speaker 2: I believe we could withstand any storm, that we could 142 00:09:04,400 --> 00:09:09,120 Speaker 2: withstand any drafts, because we're not only holding one another up, 143 00:09:11,480 --> 00:09:16,199 Speaker 2: but we are giving nourishment to one another. You see. 144 00:09:16,480 --> 00:09:20,800 Speaker 2: God intended us to be together. He intended us to 145 00:09:20,800 --> 00:09:24,720 Speaker 2: start in our families. The Bible talks about giving your 146 00:09:24,720 --> 00:09:28,520 Speaker 2: life away. Who are you entwined with today? Who are 147 00:09:28,559 --> 00:09:32,080 Speaker 2: you investing in? Who are you giving your life to? 148 00:09:33,040 --> 00:09:35,560 Speaker 2: I believe there should be people in our lives that 149 00:09:35,640 --> 00:09:38,319 Speaker 2: we ask God can I invest in this person. 150 00:09:39,080 --> 00:09:39,360 Speaker 1: You see. 151 00:09:39,400 --> 00:09:41,960 Speaker 2: You can give people money, you can give them cars, 152 00:09:42,640 --> 00:09:44,840 Speaker 2: you can do nice things for them. But can I 153 00:09:44,920 --> 00:09:48,720 Speaker 2: tell you when you give them your greatest commodity, which 154 00:09:48,800 --> 00:09:52,320 Speaker 2: is yourself, It makes all the difference in the world. 155 00:09:52,840 --> 00:09:55,600 Speaker 2: When you entwine your life with someone else, even if 156 00:09:55,600 --> 00:09:59,240 Speaker 2: it's seasonal, and you invest in them, I believe that's 157 00:09:59,240 --> 00:10:02,800 Speaker 2: when you'll stay and strong, you'll grow, and you will 158 00:10:02,840 --> 00:10:06,880 Speaker 2: be able to withstand the storms of this life. Amen. Amen, 159 00:10:07,040 --> 00:10:12,199 Speaker 2: he's an awesome guy. He's created us to be better together. 160 00:10:12,880 --> 00:10:15,760 Speaker 3: We all carry a mental picture of what our life 161 00:10:15,840 --> 00:10:22,000 Speaker 3: can be. Is yours limited? Do you picture yourself stuck, inadequate, defeated? 162 00:10:22,400 --> 00:10:25,080 Speaker 3: Are you willing to change your mindset in order to 163 00:10:25,160 --> 00:10:27,640 Speaker 3: experience a life of blessing and abundance. 164 00:10:28,160 --> 00:10:30,839 Speaker 1: We all have a picture in our mind of ourself, 165 00:10:31,200 --> 00:10:34,840 Speaker 1: our family, our future. And if that picture is negative, 166 00:10:35,240 --> 00:10:38,440 Speaker 1: you see yourself at a disadvantage. Your problem's too big, 167 00:10:38,640 --> 00:10:42,800 Speaker 1: it's gonna limit your life. A new book, The Abundance Mindset, 168 00:10:43,040 --> 00:10:45,680 Speaker 1: will help you see yourself the right way. If you'll 169 00:10:45,760 --> 00:10:51,400 Speaker 1: change those negative pictures, start seeing yourself blessed, healthy, rising high, 170 00:10:51,480 --> 00:10:54,880 Speaker 1: or accomplishing dreams, Then things will begin to shift in 171 00:10:54,960 --> 00:10:57,640 Speaker 1: your favor. You have to see it on the inside 172 00:10:57,920 --> 00:11:00,880 Speaker 1: before it'll come to pass on the outside. We'll send 173 00:11:00,920 --> 00:11:03,960 Speaker 1: you the Mindset Journal too. These tools will help you 174 00:11:04,000 --> 00:11:06,720 Speaker 1: get your inner vision in the right place so you 175 00:11:06,760 --> 00:11:09,920 Speaker 1: can move into the favor and blessing that God has 176 00:11:10,000 --> 00:11:10,280 Speaker 1: for you. 177 00:11:11,240 --> 00:11:13,559 Speaker 3: As our way of saying thank you for your gift 178 00:11:13,600 --> 00:11:16,120 Speaker 3: of any amount this month, we would like to send 179 00:11:16,160 --> 00:11:19,840 Speaker 3: you a copy of Joel's book The Abundance Mindset and 180 00:11:19,920 --> 00:11:24,840 Speaker 3: this inspiring Mindset Journal. Joel shares powerful scriptures and encouraging 181 00:11:24,920 --> 00:11:28,240 Speaker 3: thoughts about how to move from fairly enough to more 182 00:11:28,280 --> 00:11:32,079 Speaker 3: than enough, how to be someone else's miracle and experience 183 00:11:32,240 --> 00:11:35,120 Speaker 3: miracles in your own life. As you make the book 184 00:11:35,160 --> 00:11:37,920 Speaker 3: and journal a part of your daily walk, you'll be 185 00:11:38,040 --> 00:11:41,360 Speaker 3: built up every day regarding how to tap into God's 186 00:11:41,400 --> 00:11:44,800 Speaker 3: favor and blessing, how not to talk yourself out of 187 00:11:44,840 --> 00:11:48,120 Speaker 3: the dreams and opportunities He has already prepared for you, 188 00:11:48,559 --> 00:11:52,360 Speaker 3: how to experience life to the fullest. Request your copies 189 00:11:52,400 --> 00:11:55,280 Speaker 3: today and begin to see a new mental picture of 190 00:11:55,320 --> 00:11:59,840 Speaker 3: yourself that will lead to new measures of blessing, favor, promotion, 191 00:12:00,240 --> 00:12:01,080 Speaker 3: and abundance. 192 00:12:01,600 --> 00:12:04,920 Speaker 1: Let's go into twenty twenty five. With an abundant mindset. 193 00:12:05,320 --> 00:12:07,400 Speaker 1: I believe you're going to see the goodness of God 194 00:12:07,559 --> 00:12:10,160 Speaker 1: in new ways. Victoria and I want you to know 195 00:12:10,280 --> 00:12:13,000 Speaker 1: we pray for you and your family every day for 196 00:12:13,120 --> 00:12:15,960 Speaker 1: God's very best. We want to thank you for your 197 00:12:16,000 --> 00:12:19,920 Speaker 1: prayer and support. You are impacting people all over the world. 198 00:12:20,400 --> 00:12:23,200 Speaker 1: A special thank you to our Championship Hope partners for 199 00:12:23,320 --> 00:12:26,240 Speaker 1: your monthly support. If you're not a partner, I hope 200 00:12:26,240 --> 00:12:30,120 Speaker 1: you'll consider becoming one. Remember you can watch the services 201 00:12:30,120 --> 00:12:34,760 Speaker 1: online every Sunday morning, download our daily podcast, listen on 202 00:12:34,840 --> 00:12:39,280 Speaker 1: Serious Exam, watch on YouTube. Also the new Joel Ostein 203 00:12:39,400 --> 00:12:43,480 Speaker 1: network streaming on television twenty four hours a day. Until 204 00:12:43,520 --> 00:12:46,000 Speaker 1: we see you again. May the Lord bless you and 205 00:12:46,120 --> 00:12:46,520 Speaker 1: keep you. 206 00:12:47,360 --> 00:12:50,640 Speaker 3: Be sure to request your copy of the Abundance Mindset 207 00:12:50,679 --> 00:12:55,240 Speaker 3: Book and Mindset Journal today. Visit Joelostein dot com or 208 00:12:55,400 --> 00:12:58,920 Speaker 3: call eight eight eight five six seven Joel for an 209 00:12:58,920 --> 00:13:02,679 Speaker 3: additional donation. This month, we are also offering His Goodness 210 00:13:02,880 --> 00:13:07,120 Speaker 3: Abundance Bowl. You can request this inspiring resource by calling 211 00:13:07,320 --> 00:13:10,600 Speaker 3: eight eight eight five sixty seven Joel. We're logging on 212 00:13:10,800 --> 00:13:14,079 Speaker 3: to Joelostein dot com today if you've. 213 00:13:13,920 --> 00:13:17,400 Speaker 1: Never been to Lakewood, we have a great opportunity. We 214 00:13:17,480 --> 00:13:21,040 Speaker 1: called it Homecoming Weekend. We love to meet you and 215 00:13:21,120 --> 00:13:24,440 Speaker 1: your family. You can see the building and attend one 216 00:13:24,480 --> 00:13:27,240 Speaker 1: of the services. It's a great time to be a 217 00:13:27,240 --> 00:13:29,600 Speaker 1: part of the Lakewood family. Looking forward to seeing you 218 00:13:30,000 --> 00:13:31,200 Speaker 1: Homecoming Weekend.