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 2: 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. 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Now you 21 00:00:46,320 --> 00:00:49,280 Speaker 3: can visit facet dot com to take the free quiz 22 00:00:49,320 --> 00:00:53,920 Speaker 3: and get your financial wellness score today. That's Facet dot com. 23 00:00:53,960 --> 00:00:56,040 Speaker 3: This ad is sponsored by Facet. Facet Wealth Incorporated is 24 00:00:56,040 --> 00:00:58,040 Speaker 3: an SEC registered investment advisor. This is not an offer 25 00:00:58,080 --> 00:00:59,920 Speaker 3: to buy yourself security snore. Is it investment legal or 26 00:01:00,080 --> 00:01:00,600 Speaker 3: tax a bikes? 27 00:01:01,080 --> 00:01:03,640 Speaker 4: Are you ready to move your career forward? Make your 28 00:01:03,680 --> 00:01:07,120 Speaker 4: comeback with Purdue Global and get college credit for your work, school, life, 29 00:01:07,240 --> 00:01:10,360 Speaker 4: or military experiences. With these credits, you may have already 30 00:01:10,360 --> 00:01:13,119 Speaker 4: completed up to seventy five percent of your undergraduate degree. 31 00:01:13,240 --> 00:01:15,320 Speaker 4: You've worked hard to get where you are. It's time 32 00:01:15,360 --> 00:01:17,480 Speaker 4: to get the recognition you deserve and earn a degree 33 00:01:17,520 --> 00:01:20,080 Speaker 4: you'll be proud of, one that employers will trust and 34 00:01:20,240 --> 00:01:22,400 Speaker 4: respect when you take the next step in your life 35 00:01:22,400 --> 00:01:26,080 Speaker 4: and career. Make account with Purdue Global produce online university 36 00:01:26,160 --> 00:01:30,199 Speaker 4: for working adults. Start your comeback at Purdueglobal dot edu. 37 00:01:31,240 --> 00:01:33,920 Speaker 2: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 38 00:01:34,000 --> 00:01:37,080 Speaker 2: our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. If you 39 00:01:37,240 --> 00:01:39,800 Speaker 2: enjoy today's message, why don't you be a blessing and 40 00:01:39,880 --> 00:01:42,520 Speaker 2: share it with a friend. We appreciate you and pray 41 00:01:42,600 --> 00:01:56,720 Speaker 2: for God's very best in your life. Well, God bless you. 42 00:01:57,320 --> 00:02:00,280 Speaker 2: It's always a joy to come into your homes. We 43 00:02:00,480 --> 00:02:03,279 Speaker 2: love you and we know God has great things in store. 44 00:02:03,720 --> 00:02:06,320 Speaker 2: If you're ever in our area, please stop buying be 45 00:02:06,360 --> 00:02:08,560 Speaker 2: a part of one of our services. I promise you 46 00:02:08,720 --> 00:02:10,959 Speaker 2: we'll make you feel right at home. These are the 47 00:02:11,080 --> 00:02:14,480 Speaker 2: finest people in all of Houston, Texas, right here at Lakewood. 48 00:02:14,560 --> 00:02:17,679 Speaker 2: So come on out and see us sometime. Thank you 49 00:02:17,840 --> 00:02:19,919 Speaker 2: for being a part of our services today. And I 50 00:02:20,080 --> 00:02:22,280 Speaker 2: like to start with something funny each week. And I 51 00:02:22,400 --> 00:02:25,440 Speaker 2: heard about this eighty five year old woman that went 52 00:02:25,520 --> 00:02:27,880 Speaker 2: on a blind date with a ninety year old man. 53 00:02:28,880 --> 00:02:31,639 Speaker 2: She returned to our daughter's home later that evening and 54 00:02:31,760 --> 00:02:35,240 Speaker 2: seemed upset. The daughter said, Mom, what's wrong? She said, 55 00:02:35,400 --> 00:02:38,440 Speaker 2: I had to slap him three times. She said, you 56 00:02:38,560 --> 00:02:41,320 Speaker 2: mean he's tried to get fresh. She said, no, I 57 00:02:41,400 --> 00:02:45,679 Speaker 2: thought he was dead. Hold up your Bible, say it 58 00:02:45,840 --> 00:02:48,720 Speaker 2: like you mean it. This is my Bible. I am 59 00:02:48,840 --> 00:02:51,320 Speaker 2: what it says. I am. I have what it says 60 00:02:51,400 --> 00:02:53,959 Speaker 2: I have. I can do what it says I can do. 61 00:02:54,520 --> 00:02:57,280 Speaker 2: Today I will be taught the word of God. I 62 00:02:57,440 --> 00:03:01,600 Speaker 2: boldly confess. My mind is alert, my heart is recepted. 63 00:03:02,000 --> 00:03:05,639 Speaker 2: I will never be the same. In Jesus' name, God 64 00:03:05,760 --> 00:03:09,200 Speaker 2: bless you. I want to talk to you today about 65 00:03:09,280 --> 00:03:13,080 Speaker 2: how God has grace for every season of our life. 66 00:03:14,000 --> 00:03:17,919 Speaker 2: Too many people worry about their future. They live stressed, 67 00:03:17,960 --> 00:03:21,760 Speaker 2: out wondering what's going to happen if I get laid off, 68 00:03:22,560 --> 00:03:24,800 Speaker 2: How am I going to handle it? If my loved 69 00:03:24,840 --> 00:03:27,959 Speaker 2: one doesn't make it, or my parents are getting older, 70 00:03:28,320 --> 00:03:30,560 Speaker 2: how can I take care of them and my own 71 00:03:30,680 --> 00:03:34,800 Speaker 2: family as well. Here's the answer. God's grace is going 72 00:03:34,880 --> 00:03:38,200 Speaker 2: to be there at every stage of your life to 73 00:03:38,320 --> 00:03:41,280 Speaker 2: help you do what you need to do. His grace 74 00:03:41,480 --> 00:03:45,320 Speaker 2: is not just to save us. It's an enabling power. 75 00:03:46,040 --> 00:03:49,320 Speaker 2: God's grace will give you the strength, the wisdom, the 76 00:03:49,480 --> 00:03:53,600 Speaker 2: favor to accomplish what you could not normally accomplish on 77 00:03:53,720 --> 00:03:57,600 Speaker 2: your own. If you're in a difficult marriage, if you're 78 00:03:57,680 --> 00:04:01,480 Speaker 2: raising a child that's hard. If you're faith sickness, one 79 00:04:01,600 --> 00:04:04,200 Speaker 2: thing you can count on is the grace of God 80 00:04:04,280 --> 00:04:07,040 Speaker 2: will be there some of you. When you look up 81 00:04:07,440 --> 00:04:11,000 Speaker 2: ahead into your future, they are very difficult things in 82 00:04:11,080 --> 00:04:13,320 Speaker 2: the natural. You don't see how you're going to make it. 83 00:04:13,880 --> 00:04:18,080 Speaker 2: Business is slow, somebody walked out of a relationship, people 84 00:04:18,160 --> 00:04:21,479 Speaker 2: are talking about you. It'd be easy to get discouraged 85 00:04:21,520 --> 00:04:24,320 Speaker 2: and let that overwhelm you. But I want you to 86 00:04:24,480 --> 00:04:28,680 Speaker 2: have a new perspective. Nothing that you're facing is a 87 00:04:28,760 --> 00:04:32,719 Speaker 2: surprise to God. It didn't catch him off guard. God 88 00:04:32,880 --> 00:04:37,479 Speaker 2: is already lined up the grace, the favor. He's already 89 00:04:37,600 --> 00:04:42,280 Speaker 2: set into motion everything you need not to just endure it, 90 00:04:42,839 --> 00:04:46,720 Speaker 2: barely make it through, defeated, depressed in self pity. No, 91 00:04:47,160 --> 00:04:51,400 Speaker 2: you're going to feel a supernatural force breathing in your direction. 92 00:04:51,960 --> 00:04:55,679 Speaker 2: That's the grace of Almighty God. It's going to cause 93 00:04:55,760 --> 00:04:59,080 Speaker 2: you to rise up with eagle's wings and you're not 94 00:04:59,160 --> 00:05:01,440 Speaker 2: going to just get through it. You're going to soar 95 00:05:01,680 --> 00:05:04,520 Speaker 2: through it, coming out better off than you were before. 96 00:05:05,279 --> 00:05:08,000 Speaker 2: One day, you're going to look back in amazement at 97 00:05:08,080 --> 00:05:10,760 Speaker 2: what God has done. You'll be able to say with 98 00:05:10,839 --> 00:05:14,600 Speaker 2: the apostle Paul, I am who I am today and 99 00:05:14,800 --> 00:05:18,680 Speaker 2: I am where I am because of the grace of God. Well, 100 00:05:18,720 --> 00:05:22,080 Speaker 2: you say, Joel, I'm very worried. My company is downsizing. 101 00:05:22,560 --> 00:05:24,800 Speaker 2: I might get laid off. I don't know what I'm 102 00:05:24,839 --> 00:05:28,320 Speaker 2: going to do. Listen, I hope that doesn't happen. But 103 00:05:28,440 --> 00:05:31,559 Speaker 2: can I speak faith over you? Can I declare something 104 00:05:31,640 --> 00:05:35,040 Speaker 2: into your future because you're a child of the Most 105 00:05:35,160 --> 00:05:38,279 Speaker 2: High God, because you know who you are in Christ. 106 00:05:38,839 --> 00:05:41,839 Speaker 2: Even if it did happen, you're not going to fall apart. 107 00:05:42,440 --> 00:05:44,160 Speaker 2: You're not going to be depressed. You're not going to 108 00:05:44,200 --> 00:05:46,479 Speaker 2: have a chip on your shoulder. You're going to feel 109 00:05:46,520 --> 00:05:49,480 Speaker 2: a power that you've never felt before. You're going to 110 00:05:49,560 --> 00:05:53,599 Speaker 2: have a strength or resolve a determination like you've never known. 111 00:05:54,400 --> 00:05:58,440 Speaker 2: That's the creator of the universe releasing his grace in 112 00:05:58,520 --> 00:06:01,760 Speaker 2: a greater way. That's why we don't have to be 113 00:06:01,880 --> 00:06:05,560 Speaker 2: worried about our future. God's got us covered. He has 114 00:06:05,720 --> 00:06:09,599 Speaker 2: promised he will not allow a situation to come without 115 00:06:09,680 --> 00:06:13,839 Speaker 2: giving us the grace to make it through victoriously. Well, 116 00:06:13,920 --> 00:06:17,360 Speaker 2: what if the economy goes down even more, then God's 117 00:06:17,440 --> 00:06:20,920 Speaker 2: grace will be poured out even stronger. Well what if 118 00:06:21,000 --> 00:06:23,400 Speaker 2: my loved one that I'm praying for doesn't make it, 119 00:06:23,880 --> 00:06:26,000 Speaker 2: then God's peace is going to show up in a 120 00:06:26,040 --> 00:06:30,200 Speaker 2: greater way. What if this lawsuit drags on another five years, 121 00:06:30,480 --> 00:06:32,640 Speaker 2: then God's grace is going to give you the strength 122 00:06:32,839 --> 00:06:35,920 Speaker 2: to keep on keeping on. That's what the scripture says. 123 00:06:36,360 --> 00:06:42,080 Speaker 2: Where sin abounds, grace does much more abound. Notice the 124 00:06:42,160 --> 00:06:48,200 Speaker 2: principle grace always supersedes the opposition. That means, if you 125 00:06:48,360 --> 00:06:50,799 Speaker 2: have a big problem, then you need to get ready 126 00:06:51,080 --> 00:06:54,760 Speaker 2: because grace is coming in a big way. If people 127 00:06:54,800 --> 00:06:57,920 Speaker 2: are talking about you at the office, play in politics, 128 00:06:57,960 --> 00:07:00,240 Speaker 2: trying to make you look bad. Don't get worse, worried. 129 00:07:00,640 --> 00:07:04,880 Speaker 2: Get ready, Vindication is coming in a great way. Or 130 00:07:04,960 --> 00:07:08,880 Speaker 2: maybe you have a major opportunity. God has opened a 131 00:07:09,040 --> 00:07:12,640 Speaker 2: new door to start a business, to purchase a new home, 132 00:07:12,760 --> 00:07:16,160 Speaker 2: to go on that missions trip. Get Ready, God's about 133 00:07:16,240 --> 00:07:19,680 Speaker 2: to release his favor in a major way. When the 134 00:07:19,840 --> 00:07:24,320 Speaker 2: opportunity abounds, God's grace will much more abound. When the 135 00:07:24,440 --> 00:07:29,360 Speaker 2: problems abound, his solutions will much more abound. His grace 136 00:07:29,640 --> 00:07:34,000 Speaker 2: always supersedes what you're up against. I can look back 137 00:07:34,080 --> 00:07:36,560 Speaker 2: in my own life and see the times when God's 138 00:07:36,640 --> 00:07:41,000 Speaker 2: grace showed up and empowered me far beyond my natural ability. 139 00:07:41,800 --> 00:07:44,160 Speaker 2: Nineteen ninety nine, when my father went to be with 140 00:07:44,280 --> 00:07:47,640 Speaker 2: the Lord. I had never ministered before. I didn't know 141 00:07:47,760 --> 00:07:51,440 Speaker 2: how to prepare a sermon, never been to seminary, never 142 00:07:51,560 --> 00:07:54,840 Speaker 2: spoken in public. But all of a sudden, somehow I 143 00:07:54,960 --> 00:07:57,960 Speaker 2: was able to come up with these messages. Week after week, 144 00:07:58,000 --> 00:08:01,080 Speaker 2: I was speaking in front of thousands of people. Looking 145 00:08:01,200 --> 00:08:05,200 Speaker 2: back now, I realized that was God's grace coming on 146 00:08:05,360 --> 00:08:08,320 Speaker 2: my life in a greater way for that season that 147 00:08:08,440 --> 00:08:12,880 Speaker 2: I was in. When the opportunity abounds. God doesn't sit 148 00:08:13,000 --> 00:08:15,040 Speaker 2: back and say, Okay, show me what you're made of. 149 00:08:15,160 --> 00:08:17,440 Speaker 2: Let's see what you can do now. When you stay 150 00:08:17,520 --> 00:08:20,800 Speaker 2: in faith, when you say God, I'm trusting you, he says, 151 00:08:20,800 --> 00:08:23,960 Speaker 2: all right, here's my grace, here's my favor, here's my wisdom, 152 00:08:24,040 --> 00:08:28,720 Speaker 2: here's my ideas. Some of you today have a mador 153 00:08:28,880 --> 00:08:32,080 Speaker 2: opportunity in front of you, but you don't feel qualified. 154 00:08:32,679 --> 00:08:34,719 Speaker 2: All those thoughts are telling you you don't have what 155 00:08:34,880 --> 00:08:37,480 Speaker 2: it takes. You better play it safe, you better just 156 00:08:37,559 --> 00:08:40,319 Speaker 2: stay in the boat. No, just like with me, you're 157 00:08:40,360 --> 00:08:42,920 Speaker 2: going to feel a power that you've never felt before. 158 00:08:43,520 --> 00:08:46,199 Speaker 2: God's grace is going to cause you to go further, 159 00:08:46,720 --> 00:08:50,960 Speaker 2: to accomplish more, to overcome what you thought was impossible. 160 00:08:51,720 --> 00:08:54,960 Speaker 2: You need to get ready because new opportunities are coming 161 00:08:55,040 --> 00:08:59,559 Speaker 2: your way. New doors are about to open, new businesses, 162 00:08:59,800 --> 00:09:04,520 Speaker 2: new friendships, new ideas. Here's the good news. With the 163 00:09:04,600 --> 00:09:08,160 Speaker 2: new opportunities comes a new level of God's grace, a 164 00:09:08,280 --> 00:09:11,319 Speaker 2: new level of his favor. He is going to equip 165 00:09:11,440 --> 00:09:15,080 Speaker 2: you and empower you to go through those new doors 166 00:09:15,480 --> 00:09:19,000 Speaker 2: and become all He's created you to be. Another time, 167 00:09:19,480 --> 00:09:22,439 Speaker 2: when we were trying to acquire this facility, the former 168 00:09:22,520 --> 00:09:25,920 Speaker 2: Compact Center. You remember how we needed ten votes from 169 00:09:25,960 --> 00:09:29,560 Speaker 2: the Houston City Council members. I had never done anything 170 00:09:29,760 --> 00:09:32,959 Speaker 2: in city government or didn't have any kind of political experience, 171 00:09:33,640 --> 00:09:36,319 Speaker 2: and my personality is not to try to win people 172 00:09:36,440 --> 00:09:39,520 Speaker 2: over and convince them to do something for us. I'm 173 00:09:39,600 --> 00:09:42,959 Speaker 2: much more quiet and reserved. But for that year or 174 00:09:43,000 --> 00:09:46,319 Speaker 2: two that we were trying to get this building, practically 175 00:09:46,480 --> 00:09:49,800 Speaker 2: every other week, I was down at City Hall visiting 176 00:09:49,880 --> 00:09:53,680 Speaker 2: with the council members making our case. When I look back, 177 00:09:53,840 --> 00:09:57,360 Speaker 2: that doesn't even seem like me. Once again, I can 178 00:09:57,440 --> 00:10:00,319 Speaker 2: see that was God's grace coming on me for the 179 00:10:00,520 --> 00:10:03,520 Speaker 2: season I was in. What I want you to see 180 00:10:04,000 --> 00:10:07,800 Speaker 2: is what every stage of your life, God's grace is 181 00:10:07,880 --> 00:10:11,199 Speaker 2: going to be there to help you make it through victoriously. 182 00:10:12,200 --> 00:10:14,600 Speaker 2: And some of you today, when you look out into 183 00:10:14,640 --> 00:10:17,360 Speaker 2: your future, you don't really feel like you have what 184 00:10:17,559 --> 00:10:20,360 Speaker 2: you need to accomplish what God's put in your heart. 185 00:10:21,040 --> 00:10:23,719 Speaker 2: But don't worry about that, because when you get to 186 00:10:23,840 --> 00:10:27,599 Speaker 2: that season, you will have it. When you're faced with 187 00:10:27,720 --> 00:10:29,760 Speaker 2: a task that you don't feel like you're very good at, 188 00:10:30,040 --> 00:10:34,000 Speaker 2: like I was, you will discover on the inside talent 189 00:10:34,160 --> 00:10:37,240 Speaker 2: and ability that you didn't know you had. When you 190 00:10:37,400 --> 00:10:40,520 Speaker 2: find yourself up over your head, yet you know it's 191 00:10:40,520 --> 00:10:43,800 Speaker 2: where you're supposed to be, you can rest assured the 192 00:10:44,000 --> 00:10:46,320 Speaker 2: power of the most High God is going to come 193 00:10:46,360 --> 00:10:49,680 Speaker 2: on you to accomplish what he wants you to accomplish. 194 00:10:50,080 --> 00:10:53,040 Speaker 2: That means there's going to be a favor that causes 195 00:10:53,080 --> 00:10:56,160 Speaker 2: you to stand out in the crowd, a strength when 196 00:10:56,240 --> 00:10:58,679 Speaker 2: you should have given up, a peace when you should 197 00:10:58,679 --> 00:11:02,280 Speaker 2: have been overwhelmed. What is that? That's God's grace showing 198 00:11:02,360 --> 00:11:06,240 Speaker 2: up at every season in your life. I read recently 199 00:11:06,360 --> 00:11:08,920 Speaker 2: about this man and his friend. They were working on 200 00:11:08,960 --> 00:11:12,160 Speaker 2: an automobile and all of a sudden, the jack slipped 201 00:11:12,520 --> 00:11:15,920 Speaker 2: and his friend was pinned underneath the car. This man 202 00:11:16,000 --> 00:11:19,040 Speaker 2: went over, just an average sized person, and he was 203 00:11:19,160 --> 00:11:22,599 Speaker 2: able to lift a two thousand pound car off of 204 00:11:22,679 --> 00:11:26,080 Speaker 2: his friend and it saved his life. That was God's 205 00:11:26,160 --> 00:11:29,679 Speaker 2: grace showing up in his time of need. When I 206 00:11:29,840 --> 00:11:31,439 Speaker 2: was eight years old, one time I was in my 207 00:11:31,480 --> 00:11:35,079 Speaker 2: backyard playing baseball with my friends. At one point, the 208 00:11:35,160 --> 00:11:38,199 Speaker 2: ball went over the fence into our neighbor's yard, and 209 00:11:38,280 --> 00:11:41,559 Speaker 2: our neighbors had a great, big german shepherd. He was 210 00:11:41,600 --> 00:11:44,600 Speaker 2: as mean as can be. As children, we were scared 211 00:11:44,600 --> 00:11:47,440 Speaker 2: to death of that doll. And even though their yard 212 00:11:47,559 --> 00:11:50,720 Speaker 2: was fenced in, they normally kept him on a leash. Anyway, 213 00:11:51,360 --> 00:11:53,560 Speaker 2: I was very small, and we had a six foot fence. 214 00:11:53,600 --> 00:11:55,640 Speaker 2: So I got this ladder and I leaned it up 215 00:11:55,640 --> 00:11:57,920 Speaker 2: against our fence, and I looked over and I could 216 00:11:57,960 --> 00:12:01,200 Speaker 2: see my ball about forty feet away, and their yard 217 00:12:01,320 --> 00:12:03,760 Speaker 2: was very big. Way on the other side, maybe about 218 00:12:03,920 --> 00:12:06,319 Speaker 2: one hundred and fifty feet. I could see the German 219 00:12:06,400 --> 00:12:09,000 Speaker 2: shepherd look like he had his chain, and so I 220 00:12:09,240 --> 00:12:12,240 Speaker 2: very quietly snuck over the fence and went out there 221 00:12:12,280 --> 00:12:14,959 Speaker 2: and got my ball. Everything was going great. All of 222 00:12:15,000 --> 00:12:18,400 Speaker 2: a sudden that dog saw me and started running toward 223 00:12:18,520 --> 00:12:21,360 Speaker 2: me ninety miles per hour. He hit the end of 224 00:12:21,440 --> 00:12:24,719 Speaker 2: that chain so hard he pulled the chain off of 225 00:12:24,800 --> 00:12:27,760 Speaker 2: the pole that was holding him. So now he was 226 00:12:27,840 --> 00:12:30,839 Speaker 2: coming toward me chain and awe. Let me tell you, 227 00:12:31,520 --> 00:12:37,360 Speaker 2: my heart sunk. I prayed the sinner's prayer. I asked 228 00:12:37,400 --> 00:12:40,240 Speaker 2: for forgiveness for all those mean things I said about Paul. 229 00:12:42,360 --> 00:12:45,280 Speaker 2: I took off running, and when I got to our fence, 230 00:12:45,720 --> 00:12:48,760 Speaker 2: I promise you you have never seen a white boy 231 00:12:49,000 --> 00:12:54,120 Speaker 2: jump like this. White boy jump. I didn't need a ladder, 232 00:12:54,760 --> 00:12:57,040 Speaker 2: I didn't need a boose. I didn't need anybody to 233 00:12:57,160 --> 00:13:01,280 Speaker 2: encourage me. I was only about half the Besides, somehow 234 00:13:01,520 --> 00:13:04,360 Speaker 2: I got over that six foot fence. And it's funny. 235 00:13:04,360 --> 00:13:07,240 Speaker 2: I've played basketball my whole life, I've still never jumped 236 00:13:07,280 --> 00:13:11,800 Speaker 2: that high. That was God's grace showing up in my 237 00:13:12,000 --> 00:13:17,959 Speaker 2: time of need. What am I saying? Quit worrying about 238 00:13:18,000 --> 00:13:21,240 Speaker 2: your future. Quit worrying about how you're going to overcome 239 00:13:21,360 --> 00:13:24,360 Speaker 2: that obstacle. God knows how to get you over the fence. 240 00:13:25,120 --> 00:13:27,800 Speaker 2: Quit worrying about the changes that are in your future. 241 00:13:28,240 --> 00:13:31,240 Speaker 2: God is in complete control, He said there in Second 242 00:13:31,320 --> 00:13:35,599 Speaker 2: Corinthians twelve nine. My grace is sufficient for you. That 243 00:13:35,840 --> 00:13:39,000 Speaker 2: means my grace will not only always be there, but 244 00:13:39,160 --> 00:13:42,920 Speaker 2: it will always be more than enough for the challenge 245 00:13:43,240 --> 00:13:46,160 Speaker 2: or for the opportunity that's in front of you. Now 246 00:13:46,280 --> 00:13:47,920 Speaker 2: it's up to you and I to learn how to 247 00:13:48,040 --> 00:13:50,880 Speaker 2: receive that grace. How do we do it? Get up 248 00:13:50,920 --> 00:13:53,640 Speaker 2: every morning and say, Father, I want to thank you 249 00:13:53,840 --> 00:13:57,320 Speaker 2: that your grace is bigger than anything that I'll face today. 250 00:13:57,920 --> 00:14:00,439 Speaker 2: If somebody does me wrong, I know I have the 251 00:14:00,559 --> 00:14:03,640 Speaker 2: grace to forgive them. If I get stuck in traffic, 252 00:14:03,880 --> 00:14:06,600 Speaker 2: I have the grace to keep a good attitude. If 253 00:14:06,679 --> 00:14:10,240 Speaker 2: my marriage gets difficult, if my child acts up. I 254 00:14:10,400 --> 00:14:14,199 Speaker 2: know that's not a surprise to you. You've already empowered me. 255 00:14:14,760 --> 00:14:18,440 Speaker 2: So I refuse to worry. I take hold of your strength. 256 00:14:18,880 --> 00:14:21,880 Speaker 2: I receive your favor. I know I have the grace 257 00:14:22,000 --> 00:14:24,960 Speaker 2: to live this day in victory. See, you have to 258 00:14:25,040 --> 00:14:28,520 Speaker 2: get your mind going in the right direction. I've discovered 259 00:14:28,600 --> 00:14:30,880 Speaker 2: it's best to do it the very first thing in 260 00:14:30,960 --> 00:14:34,720 Speaker 2: the morning, then all through the day. It's very empowering 261 00:14:35,080 --> 00:14:38,200 Speaker 2: to go around in your thoughts saying Father, I receive 262 00:14:38,520 --> 00:14:42,720 Speaker 2: your grace, I receive your favor, I receive your strength. 263 00:14:43,320 --> 00:14:45,880 Speaker 2: When you do that, you'll not only feel stronger and 264 00:14:46,040 --> 00:14:49,880 Speaker 2: more confident, but your faith is what allows God to 265 00:14:50,000 --> 00:14:53,520 Speaker 2: release his goodness in a greater way. The scripture says, 266 00:14:54,000 --> 00:14:57,240 Speaker 2: take hold of his strength in the same way, we 267 00:14:57,360 --> 00:15:00,760 Speaker 2: have to take hold of his grace. From time to time, 268 00:15:01,160 --> 00:15:03,880 Speaker 2: Victoria will say, Joel, I don't know what I'm going 269 00:15:03,960 --> 00:15:07,720 Speaker 2: to do when Jonathan leaves home and goes off to college. 270 00:15:08,040 --> 00:15:10,840 Speaker 2: That's going to be so hard to handle. Our son 271 00:15:10,960 --> 00:15:14,000 Speaker 2: Jonathan is fifteen now, so he's got several more years 272 00:15:14,040 --> 00:15:17,720 Speaker 2: at home. But Victoria could easily dread that day and think, Oh, 273 00:15:17,760 --> 00:15:19,440 Speaker 2: I just not going to be able to handle it. 274 00:15:20,240 --> 00:15:23,640 Speaker 2: Whenever I see her start to get worried or discouraged, 275 00:15:24,200 --> 00:15:28,400 Speaker 2: I remind her of this principle I'm sharing with you, Victoria, 276 00:15:28,720 --> 00:15:31,880 Speaker 2: when you come to that season, God will not only 277 00:15:32,000 --> 00:15:34,400 Speaker 2: give you the grace to make it through, but there'll 278 00:15:34,440 --> 00:15:37,600 Speaker 2: be a peace. You'll feel good on the inside. You'll 279 00:15:37,680 --> 00:15:40,640 Speaker 2: know it's the right thing. Some of you too. When 280 00:15:40,680 --> 00:15:43,600 Speaker 2: you look up ahead, there's a thousand things you could 281 00:15:43,640 --> 00:15:46,840 Speaker 2: worry about, a thousand things you could wonder how you're 282 00:15:46,840 --> 00:15:49,640 Speaker 2: going to handle What if I did get laid off? 283 00:15:50,040 --> 00:15:51,560 Speaker 2: What am I going to do when my loved one 284 00:15:51,640 --> 00:15:53,680 Speaker 2: goes to be with the Lord? What about when my 285 00:15:53,840 --> 00:15:57,440 Speaker 2: child leaves for college. Listen, here's the key. You don't 286 00:15:57,520 --> 00:16:00,720 Speaker 2: have grace for five years from now, or next year, 287 00:16:01,080 --> 00:16:05,080 Speaker 2: or next month or even tomorrow. You have grace for today. 288 00:16:05,720 --> 00:16:08,800 Speaker 2: And if you will stay in faith today, then when 289 00:16:08,840 --> 00:16:11,800 Speaker 2: you get to tomorrow, there will be grace for that day. 290 00:16:13,280 --> 00:16:18,000 Speaker 2: But as long as you're looking ahead, living, worried, wondering, 291 00:16:18,600 --> 00:16:21,080 Speaker 2: then you're going to be frustrated. You've got to learn 292 00:16:21,160 --> 00:16:24,480 Speaker 2: to live one day at a time. This is the 293 00:16:24,600 --> 00:16:28,080 Speaker 2: only day that we have grace for. Maybe you're in 294 00:16:28,160 --> 00:16:31,720 Speaker 2: a marriage that's difficult, or you're raising a child that's harder. 295 00:16:32,200 --> 00:16:35,240 Speaker 2: Perhaps you're unemployed and you really need a job. It's 296 00:16:35,360 --> 00:16:38,320 Speaker 2: easy to think I just can't do this for another year. 297 00:16:38,440 --> 00:16:41,760 Speaker 2: It's just too hard. Listen. God's not asking you to 298 00:16:41,840 --> 00:16:45,680 Speaker 2: do it another year, another month, another week. He's asking 299 00:16:45,760 --> 00:16:48,880 Speaker 2: you to do it one more day. Can you stand 300 00:16:48,960 --> 00:16:52,160 Speaker 2: strong twenty four more hours? Can you keep a smile, 301 00:16:52,240 --> 00:16:55,360 Speaker 2: a good attitude one more afternoon. If you can make 302 00:16:55,440 --> 00:16:58,000 Speaker 2: it one more day, then when you wake up in 303 00:16:58,040 --> 00:17:01,360 Speaker 2: the morning, God will have a friend new supply of 304 00:17:01,480 --> 00:17:05,200 Speaker 2: grace waiting on you. This is the principle we see 305 00:17:05,240 --> 00:17:08,560 Speaker 2: all through the scripture. When the people of Israel were 306 00:17:08,600 --> 00:17:11,880 Speaker 2: in the wilderness, headed toward the promised land, God gave 307 00:17:11,960 --> 00:17:14,600 Speaker 2: them manna each morning to eat. It would appear on 308 00:17:14,720 --> 00:17:18,679 Speaker 2: the ground, but he specifically instructed them to gather up 309 00:17:18,880 --> 00:17:22,639 Speaker 2: only enough for one day's supply. In fact, if they 310 00:17:22,720 --> 00:17:26,359 Speaker 2: got more, it wouldn't last. It was spoiled. In the 311 00:17:26,480 --> 00:17:29,320 Speaker 2: same way, God doesn't give us grace for a year 312 00:17:29,320 --> 00:17:32,520 Speaker 2: at a time, a month at a time. No, every 313 00:17:32,720 --> 00:17:36,439 Speaker 2: twenty four hours, God has a fresh new supply of grace, 314 00:17:36,640 --> 00:17:39,760 Speaker 2: of favor, of wisdom, of forgiveness. How are you going 315 00:17:39,840 --> 00:17:42,200 Speaker 2: to make it through the slow season at work? One 316 00:17:42,280 --> 00:17:44,560 Speaker 2: day at a time? How are you going to raise 317 00:17:44,640 --> 00:17:48,119 Speaker 2: that child that's hard? One day at a time. I 318 00:17:48,200 --> 00:17:51,760 Speaker 2: heard Corey ten Boom tell something very interesting. She was 319 00:17:51,840 --> 00:17:54,679 Speaker 2: the lady that during World War II hid the Jews 320 00:17:54,760 --> 00:17:58,840 Speaker 2: from the Nazis and spared many of their lives. Eventually, 321 00:17:58,960 --> 00:18:02,520 Speaker 2: she was caught and put in prison. In the concentration camp, 322 00:18:02,840 --> 00:18:06,480 Speaker 2: she saw all kinds of atrocities. She even witnessed the 323 00:18:06,560 --> 00:18:10,120 Speaker 2: death of her own father and her own sister. Through 324 00:18:10,160 --> 00:18:13,800 Speaker 2: a series of unusual events, she was accidentally released and 325 00:18:13,960 --> 00:18:16,840 Speaker 2: her life was spared. And in spite of seeing all 326 00:18:16,960 --> 00:18:21,040 Speaker 2: the senseless killings, she never really got bitter. In fact, 327 00:18:21,119 --> 00:18:25,199 Speaker 2: she even forgave the man that killed her family. Somebody 328 00:18:25,320 --> 00:18:28,000 Speaker 2: asked her how she could make it through those dark 329 00:18:28,160 --> 00:18:31,840 Speaker 2: days of seeing such terrible acts of hatred and still 330 00:18:31,920 --> 00:18:36,040 Speaker 2: be loving and kind and forgiving. She answered back with 331 00:18:36,200 --> 00:18:39,120 Speaker 2: the story. She told how when she was a little girl, 332 00:18:39,720 --> 00:18:42,800 Speaker 2: her father would take her on train rides throughout Europe. 333 00:18:43,359 --> 00:18:46,720 Speaker 2: He would always purchase the tickets several weeks in advance, 334 00:18:47,200 --> 00:18:49,840 Speaker 2: that he would never give her the ticket until right 335 00:18:49,960 --> 00:18:52,520 Speaker 2: before they were going to get on board. Course, she 336 00:18:52,720 --> 00:18:55,160 Speaker 2: was a small girl, and he was concerned she might 337 00:18:55,240 --> 00:18:57,920 Speaker 2: lose it, leave it at home, something like that. But 338 00:18:58,000 --> 00:19:01,480 Speaker 2: whenever he saw the headlights of the pulling into the station, 339 00:19:02,040 --> 00:19:04,280 Speaker 2: he would hand his little daughter the ticket and they 340 00:19:04,280 --> 00:19:07,320 Speaker 2: would step on board together. She said to the person 341 00:19:07,400 --> 00:19:11,400 Speaker 2: that asked the reason you can't fathom how I could 342 00:19:11,480 --> 00:19:14,520 Speaker 2: forgive the person that killed my family, how I could 343 00:19:14,560 --> 00:19:18,080 Speaker 2: not be filled with bitterness and hatred is because just 344 00:19:18,359 --> 00:19:21,879 Speaker 2: like my father and the tickets, God doesn't give us 345 00:19:22,000 --> 00:19:25,399 Speaker 2: the grace we need until we're about to step on board. 346 00:19:25,960 --> 00:19:28,000 Speaker 2: But if you were to ever go through something like 347 00:19:28,119 --> 00:19:31,800 Speaker 2: I went through, I can assure you God's grace will 348 00:19:31,880 --> 00:19:34,440 Speaker 2: be there to help you make it through the dark 349 00:19:34,600 --> 00:19:37,679 Speaker 2: valleys and still keep your head held high and your 350 00:19:37,720 --> 00:19:43,240 Speaker 2: heart filled with love. And maybe today when you look out, 351 00:19:43,359 --> 00:19:46,880 Speaker 2: you don't see how you could overcome an obstacle, how 352 00:19:47,000 --> 00:19:49,879 Speaker 2: you could accomplish a dream, how you could forgive somebody 353 00:19:49,960 --> 00:19:53,920 Speaker 2: that hurts you. But understand, when you get there, God 354 00:19:54,000 --> 00:19:57,280 Speaker 2: will hand you the ticket. He already purchased it two 355 00:19:57,400 --> 00:20:02,360 Speaker 2: thousand years ago on a cross at Calvary. Now, when 356 00:20:02,400 --> 00:20:06,480 Speaker 2: you come to a dark valley, a difficult season, a sickness, 357 00:20:06,600 --> 00:20:09,600 Speaker 2: don't worry about it. Your heavenly father will hand you 358 00:20:09,680 --> 00:20:13,040 Speaker 2: the ticket. He'll give you the grace, the strength, the favor, 359 00:20:13,320 --> 00:20:16,399 Speaker 2: the forgiveness to do what you need to do. I 360 00:20:16,480 --> 00:20:19,600 Speaker 2: think about Mary, the mother of Jesus, when the angel 361 00:20:19,640 --> 00:20:22,000 Speaker 2: appeared into her and said she was going to have 362 00:20:22,080 --> 00:20:26,160 Speaker 2: a child without knowing a man she dared to believe. Said, yes, 363 00:20:26,359 --> 00:20:30,640 Speaker 2: let it happen. But think about this. Mary didn't ask 364 00:20:30,800 --> 00:20:33,920 Speaker 2: to have this baby. Yes, it was a great blessing, 365 00:20:34,320 --> 00:20:37,560 Speaker 2: course she went down in history, But in a sense, 366 00:20:38,040 --> 00:20:41,760 Speaker 2: it was a great burden. Here Mary was planning her wedding, 367 00:20:42,520 --> 00:20:46,000 Speaker 2: no doubt. She had already invited the bridesmaids, she had 368 00:20:46,040 --> 00:20:50,679 Speaker 2: already made arrangements for the reception. Now her plans are interrupted. 369 00:20:51,200 --> 00:20:53,600 Speaker 2: Imagine she's got to go tell her friends and family. 370 00:20:53,880 --> 00:20:58,280 Speaker 2: For some reason, the wedding is called off. Joseph, her fiance, 371 00:20:58,840 --> 00:21:01,760 Speaker 2: the man she greatly she doesn't know is he going 372 00:21:01,840 --> 00:21:04,879 Speaker 2: to stay or is he going to leave? Instead of 373 00:21:04,960 --> 00:21:08,280 Speaker 2: having this big wedding, a great celebration, she has to 374 00:21:08,480 --> 00:21:13,200 Speaker 2: quietly move off to another city. Mary never planned on 375 00:21:13,359 --> 00:21:16,919 Speaker 2: having her first baby in a manger. She never planned 376 00:21:16,960 --> 00:21:20,159 Speaker 2: on having to hide the child for two years. Some 377 00:21:20,320 --> 00:21:22,920 Speaker 2: of you today are not where you planned to be 378 00:21:23,160 --> 00:21:26,600 Speaker 2: in life. You never planned on raising a child with 379 00:21:26,720 --> 00:21:30,639 Speaker 2: special needs. You never planned on being alone and single 380 00:21:30,920 --> 00:21:33,800 Speaker 2: after many years of marriage, or you never planned on 381 00:21:34,200 --> 00:21:36,920 Speaker 2: dealing with that sickness or taking care of a loved 382 00:21:37,000 --> 00:21:41,119 Speaker 2: one that's ill. You could say, like Mary, God, I 383 00:21:41,200 --> 00:21:44,120 Speaker 2: didn't ask for this, This is not what I planned. 384 00:21:44,760 --> 00:21:47,840 Speaker 2: But just like with her, God has given you the 385 00:21:48,000 --> 00:21:50,680 Speaker 2: grace to do what he has put before you. He 386 00:21:50,760 --> 00:21:53,879 Speaker 2: will never give you an assignment without giving you the 387 00:21:53,960 --> 00:21:58,240 Speaker 2: ability the strength to make it through victoriously. And some 388 00:21:58,440 --> 00:22:00,840 Speaker 2: of you are even dealing with the situation that wasn't 389 00:22:00,880 --> 00:22:04,280 Speaker 2: your fault. Other people did you wrong, but now you're 390 00:22:04,359 --> 00:22:06,800 Speaker 2: having to bear the brunt of it. It wasn't fair. 391 00:22:07,520 --> 00:22:10,320 Speaker 2: It may be a heavy load to carry, but know this, 392 00:22:10,640 --> 00:22:14,800 Speaker 2: With every right choice you make, there will be a reward. 393 00:22:15,720 --> 00:22:18,320 Speaker 2: May not seem like it. You're taking the high road. 394 00:22:18,840 --> 00:22:21,280 Speaker 2: You're doing all the work not getting any of the credit. 395 00:22:22,040 --> 00:22:25,960 Speaker 2: May be tempted to be discouraged, even embarrassed. You think, 396 00:22:26,040 --> 00:22:27,879 Speaker 2: this is not what I asked for. It's not what 397 00:22:28,040 --> 00:22:31,879 Speaker 2: I had planned. Somebody else messed up my life. Let 398 00:22:31,960 --> 00:22:34,359 Speaker 2: me challenge you. If you can just shake off the 399 00:22:34,480 --> 00:22:38,560 Speaker 2: self pity, shake off the bitterness, you will discover that 400 00:22:38,840 --> 00:22:42,639 Speaker 2: God is a god of justice. He will pay you 401 00:22:42,880 --> 00:22:45,800 Speaker 2: back for every unfair thing that has happened to you. 402 00:22:46,520 --> 00:22:50,280 Speaker 2: There will be a reward for carrying out his assignment. 403 00:22:51,320 --> 00:22:53,720 Speaker 2: I have a friend that was married to a professional 404 00:22:53,760 --> 00:22:57,320 Speaker 2: football player, big strong man that has served in the military. 405 00:22:58,160 --> 00:23:01,600 Speaker 2: Later in life, he developed diabet He ended up losing 406 00:23:01,680 --> 00:23:05,520 Speaker 2: both of his legs. My friend, his wife, she took 407 00:23:05,600 --> 00:23:08,320 Speaker 2: care of this man like he was a king. She 408 00:23:08,400 --> 00:23:11,159 Speaker 2: would get up at four o'clock in the morning before 409 00:23:11,200 --> 00:23:13,320 Speaker 2: she had to go to work and make sure that 410 00:23:13,440 --> 00:23:16,440 Speaker 2: he was bathed and dressed and ready for a new day. 411 00:23:17,160 --> 00:23:20,600 Speaker 2: She's a large woman, and she would actually physically pick 412 00:23:20,680 --> 00:23:23,119 Speaker 2: him up out of the bed and carry him around 413 00:23:23,160 --> 00:23:26,640 Speaker 2: the house month after month, year after year. She could 414 00:23:26,680 --> 00:23:30,000 Speaker 2: have thought, God, I didn't ask for this, this is 415 00:23:30,080 --> 00:23:33,280 Speaker 2: not what I had planned. Why me, God, No, she 416 00:23:33,520 --> 00:23:37,600 Speaker 2: understood this principle, and she tapped into that supernatural grace. 417 00:23:37,960 --> 00:23:41,480 Speaker 2: She knew she was equipped she was empowered. She didn't 418 00:23:41,520 --> 00:23:43,480 Speaker 2: go around thinking, oh, man, I can't do this for 419 00:23:43,600 --> 00:23:46,480 Speaker 2: another thirty years. No, she took it one day at 420 00:23:46,520 --> 00:23:50,240 Speaker 2: a time. Eventually her husband went to be with the Lord. 421 00:23:50,560 --> 00:23:53,639 Speaker 2: But I still see her today. She's beautiful, she's strong, 422 00:23:53,880 --> 00:23:59,360 Speaker 2: she's healthy, she's blessed. She's enjoying the reward. You too, 423 00:24:00,080 --> 00:24:03,160 Speaker 2: may be required to do a hard thing, but God 424 00:24:03,280 --> 00:24:06,359 Speaker 2: has given you the grace for the season that you're in, 425 00:24:07,160 --> 00:24:10,840 Speaker 2: and that difficulty is not going to last forever. And 426 00:24:10,920 --> 00:24:13,760 Speaker 2: in the hard times, you have to keep reminding yourself 427 00:24:14,040 --> 00:24:18,000 Speaker 2: that a reward is coming. God has promised he will 428 00:24:18,080 --> 00:24:21,560 Speaker 2: give you beauty for your ashes. He will pay you 429 00:24:21,760 --> 00:24:25,359 Speaker 2: back for the sacrifices that you've made, and some of 430 00:24:25,480 --> 00:24:29,160 Speaker 2: you are very close to your payday. You have done 431 00:24:29,200 --> 00:24:32,480 Speaker 2: the right thing month after month, year after year. You 432 00:24:32,640 --> 00:24:35,840 Speaker 2: are just around the corner from seeing God turn that 433 00:24:36,040 --> 00:24:38,960 Speaker 2: situation around, and he is going to pour out his 434 00:24:39,240 --> 00:24:42,320 Speaker 2: favor in ways that you've never seen. He is going 435 00:24:42,359 --> 00:24:46,200 Speaker 2: to make sure you are well compensated. Part of receiving 436 00:24:46,280 --> 00:24:49,679 Speaker 2: God's grace is programming our mind with the right thoughts. 437 00:24:50,200 --> 00:24:52,840 Speaker 2: Maybe you have elderly parents that you're going to have 438 00:24:52,920 --> 00:24:56,040 Speaker 2: to take care of soon. Well, don't start telling yourself 439 00:24:56,280 --> 00:24:58,880 Speaker 2: this is going to be so hard. It's just not fair. 440 00:24:58,920 --> 00:25:00,960 Speaker 2: As soon as I get my children raised, now look 441 00:25:01,000 --> 00:25:04,040 Speaker 2: what I have to do. No, take the ticket. You 442 00:25:04,160 --> 00:25:07,840 Speaker 2: are well able, have the attitude. I can do what 443 00:25:08,000 --> 00:25:10,600 Speaker 2: I need to do. God, just like Mary, I may 444 00:25:10,640 --> 00:25:12,920 Speaker 2: not have asked for this, but I know You've given 445 00:25:13,000 --> 00:25:15,520 Speaker 2: me the grace for the season that i'm in. Now 446 00:25:15,560 --> 00:25:19,040 Speaker 2: I believe you will multiply my time, multiply my strength. 447 00:25:19,840 --> 00:25:22,399 Speaker 2: You have to make sure you're thinking the right thoughts, 448 00:25:22,760 --> 00:25:25,680 Speaker 2: because as long as you're dwelling on things like it's 449 00:25:25,760 --> 00:25:29,280 Speaker 2: too hard, it's not fair. I can't take this any longer, 450 00:25:30,000 --> 00:25:33,600 Speaker 2: then your own thoughts will defeat you. You would see 451 00:25:33,600 --> 00:25:35,920 Speaker 2: a major change in your life if you could just 452 00:25:36,000 --> 00:25:38,440 Speaker 2: get up in the morning and instead of saying I 453 00:25:38,480 --> 00:25:41,960 Speaker 2: can't do this another day. I can't change another dirty diaper, 454 00:25:42,400 --> 00:25:45,119 Speaker 2: I can't deal with another grouchy customer at the office. 455 00:25:45,280 --> 00:25:47,600 Speaker 2: Now get rid of that and say, with the Apostle Paul, 456 00:25:47,920 --> 00:25:51,400 Speaker 2: I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. God, 457 00:25:51,520 --> 00:25:54,000 Speaker 2: I know you've given me the grace for the season 458 00:25:54,080 --> 00:25:57,840 Speaker 2: i'm in. So I'm making the decision to take the 459 00:25:57,960 --> 00:26:01,160 Speaker 2: ticket that you provided. I know a man that has 460 00:26:01,240 --> 00:26:04,359 Speaker 2: chronic leukemia. Every two years, he has to go in 461 00:26:04,440 --> 00:26:07,800 Speaker 2: the hospital and take six months worth of chemo. I 462 00:26:07,880 --> 00:26:10,119 Speaker 2: saw him the other day and invited him to come 463 00:26:10,200 --> 00:26:13,800 Speaker 2: see us. He mentioned how he couldn't anytime soon because 464 00:26:13,840 --> 00:26:16,719 Speaker 2: he was about to start on his third batch of chemo. Well, 465 00:26:16,760 --> 00:26:19,240 Speaker 2: I didn't know anything was wrong with it. But before 466 00:26:19,320 --> 00:26:22,480 Speaker 2: I could respond, he said, Now, Joel, don't feel sorry 467 00:26:22,600 --> 00:26:26,080 Speaker 2: for me. I'm getting to encourage so many people at 468 00:26:26,119 --> 00:26:29,879 Speaker 2: the hospital. I have never felt so rewarded. Even the 469 00:26:30,040 --> 00:26:33,160 Speaker 2: chaplain has me go by different rooms and pray for people. 470 00:26:33,560 --> 00:26:36,639 Speaker 2: You know what he's doing. He's taking the ticket. He 471 00:26:36,800 --> 00:26:40,840 Speaker 2: could be sitting at home saying, poor old me, God, 472 00:26:40,920 --> 00:26:43,120 Speaker 2: this is not what I had planned. I didn't ask 473 00:26:43,200 --> 00:26:48,600 Speaker 2: for this. No, sometimes we're asked to carry across that's heavier. 474 00:26:49,320 --> 00:26:54,320 Speaker 2: Sometimes life gets interrupted with disappointments and adversities. But the 475 00:26:54,400 --> 00:26:57,840 Speaker 2: good news is with the disappointments, with the things we 476 00:26:58,000 --> 00:27:01,200 Speaker 2: didn't plan we didn't ask for, comes a new level 477 00:27:01,320 --> 00:27:04,320 Speaker 2: of God's grace, a new level of his favor, not 478 00:27:04,560 --> 00:27:07,840 Speaker 2: to just sustain us, but to help us overcome, to 479 00:27:07,920 --> 00:27:11,200 Speaker 2: be victorious. Even in the midst of the difficulty. And 480 00:27:11,320 --> 00:27:14,159 Speaker 2: some of you, I know, just like him, you have 481 00:27:14,320 --> 00:27:17,359 Speaker 2: gone through things that the average person would have given 482 00:27:17,480 --> 00:27:20,800 Speaker 2: up and gone under betrayals that should have caused you 483 00:27:20,920 --> 00:27:23,879 Speaker 2: to be bitter. But what happened. Like Corey ten Boone, 484 00:27:24,200 --> 00:27:27,840 Speaker 2: you took the ticket and instead forgave the person anyway, 485 00:27:28,359 --> 00:27:30,520 Speaker 2: and God not only brought you out, but look at 486 00:27:30,560 --> 00:27:33,480 Speaker 2: you today, you're better than ever. Some of you, like 487 00:27:33,600 --> 00:27:36,800 Speaker 2: my mother, you went through a sickness, a difficult season 488 00:27:37,200 --> 00:27:40,600 Speaker 2: that should have ended your life, but instead you took 489 00:27:40,680 --> 00:27:43,119 Speaker 2: the ticket. One day at a time, you fought the 490 00:27:43,200 --> 00:27:46,440 Speaker 2: good fight of faith, and now you're a living example 491 00:27:46,520 --> 00:27:49,119 Speaker 2: of God's goodness. Some of you got off to a 492 00:27:49,200 --> 00:27:52,000 Speaker 2: rough start in life. People tried to push you down, 493 00:27:52,600 --> 00:27:55,720 Speaker 2: tell you what you couldn't become. You've been lied about, 494 00:27:56,080 --> 00:27:59,919 Speaker 2: you've been through disappointments, but instead you took the ticket, 495 00:28:00,280 --> 00:28:03,399 Speaker 2: and now you're having the last laugh. You're enjoying God's 496 00:28:03,440 --> 00:28:07,840 Speaker 2: blessings and favor as never before. That's my prayer today 497 00:28:08,160 --> 00:28:11,240 Speaker 2: that on a daily basis, we will all learn to 498 00:28:11,359 --> 00:28:14,160 Speaker 2: take the ticket. We'll get up in the morning and say, Father, 499 00:28:14,520 --> 00:28:17,960 Speaker 2: I receive your grace for today. I know I'm equipped 500 00:28:18,080 --> 00:28:21,919 Speaker 2: and empowered for anything that comes my way. I'm asking 501 00:28:22,000 --> 00:28:25,600 Speaker 2: you to quit worrying about tomorrow. When you get to 502 00:28:25,720 --> 00:28:28,280 Speaker 2: that day, God will have a fresh new supply of 503 00:28:28,359 --> 00:28:31,560 Speaker 2: grace waiting on you. Learn to live one day at 504 00:28:31,600 --> 00:28:35,400 Speaker 2: a time, and remember this, Nothing that you're facing now 505 00:28:36,119 --> 00:28:38,520 Speaker 2: and nothing that you're going to face in the future, 506 00:28:38,960 --> 00:28:42,560 Speaker 2: is a surprise to God. His grace will always be 507 00:28:42,720 --> 00:28:46,400 Speaker 2: sufficient in every season of your life. If you will 508 00:28:46,440 --> 00:28:49,600 Speaker 2: learn to receive that grace and not get bitter and 509 00:28:49,720 --> 00:28:53,760 Speaker 2: discouraged when your cross gets heavy, then God promises He's 510 00:28:53,840 --> 00:28:56,280 Speaker 2: not going to just bring you through, but He's going 511 00:28:56,320 --> 00:28:58,560 Speaker 2: to give you a set of eagles wings so you 512 00:28:58,680 --> 00:29:02,800 Speaker 2: can soar higher and hire overcome your obstacles, to feat 513 00:29:02,840 --> 00:29:06,000 Speaker 2: your enemies, accomplish your dreams. And I believe in declare 514 00:29:06,320 --> 00:29:09,280 Speaker 2: you will live that life of victory he has in story. Amen, 515 00:29:09,360 --> 00:29:10,360 Speaker 2: do you receive that today? 516 00:29:12,120 --> 00:29:12,280 Speaker 1: Well? 517 00:29:12,280 --> 00:29:14,840 Speaker 2: We never like to close our broadcast without giving you 518 00:29:14,920 --> 00:29:17,760 Speaker 2: an opportunity to make Jesus the lord of your life. 519 00:29:18,160 --> 00:29:21,760 Speaker 2: Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord Jesus, I 520 00:29:21,920 --> 00:29:26,320 Speaker 2: repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I make 521 00:29:26,400 --> 00:29:29,680 Speaker 2: you my lord and savior. Friends, if you prayed that 522 00:29:29,800 --> 00:29:32,680 Speaker 2: simple prayer. We believe you got born again. Get in 523 00:29:32,760 --> 00:29:36,080 Speaker 2: a good Bible based church. Keep God first place. He's 524 00:29:36,120 --> 00:29:38,360 Speaker 2: going to take your places that you've never dreamed of. 525 00:29:39,320 --> 00:29:42,120 Speaker 2: Thank you for listening to the joelus Deine podcast. 526 00:29:42,520 --> 00:29:45,080 Speaker 4: Help us continue to share the message of hope with 527 00:29:45,240 --> 00:29:46,560 Speaker 4: those all over the world. 528 00:29:46,920 --> 00:29:50,520 Speaker 2: Visit jolostin dot com slash give Hope to give a 529 00:29:50,640 --> 00:29:54,880 Speaker 2: gift today. Thanks so much for listening to today's message. 530 00:29:55,160 --> 00:29:57,880 Speaker 2: I hope you'll subscribe so you can receive the latest 531 00:29:57,960 --> 00:30:01,400 Speaker 2: podcast to keep you inspired all through the week. We're 532 00:30:01,480 --> 00:30:04,080 Speaker 2: praying for you. 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